It was quiet in the afternoon. Peaceful and serene, really. A warm spring day that found Spike T. Dragon sitting outside the front steps of the Golden Oaks library. With his head resting in his claws, and his tail wrapped protectively around his hip, it was easy to discern the little dragon's mood almost immediately. Inside the noises continued- thunks and squeals and barks. He shuddered. It hurt to hear it, hurt to watch it, and hurt to think of what was going on inside the library. Fighting. Violence. Anger and hatred and pain all spilling out of the muzzles of ponies he loved. Twilight and Trixie were having it out. He had come around to Trixie, after the first few months she'd moved into the library with them. But it was only after that dreadful incident with the cursed muppet that Pinkie found, that he really came around to enjoying Trixie's company- especially after she saved his life.
And now? Now there were screams coming from the library. He squeezed his eyes shut and gave a shudder, wishing they would stop. Wishing there was something he could do. Anything at all, really. Just to get them to stop- just to see peace between them. The poor little dragon was so upset, that he hardly noticed the shadow that crept over him.
"What's gotten your tail in a twist suga'cube? Ya'll look lower than a snake's belly at in a ditch, " a cheerful voice quipped. Spike looked up and found himself sitting next to Applejack, who was smiling pleasantly down at him.
"Oh. Hey Applejack. I'm fine. It's just..." Spike explained but trailed off, not entirely sure if he wanted to drag Applejack into the vortex of despair swirling around him.
"Aww shucks. Ya'll don't look fine, what is-" she asked, but stopped, when a particularly loud cry echoed out of the library, forcing Applejack's ears to perk.
"That," Spike said with a sad sigh, shaking his head. Applejack frowned, and Spike jerked a claw back towards the library glumly.
"It's getting worse and worse," He explained. "They used to be the best of friends, and I-I just don't know what went wrong. Now they fight, and scream and hit each other, and...I...I just don't know what to do, Applejack," Spike whimpered quietly. Applejack bit her lower lip, a frown twisting over her muzzle.
"Wait, wait wait wait wait. Arguin' ah' can believe, especially with Trixie around, but hittin' each other? That don't sound like Twilight a'tall," Applejack huffed, trying to peer into the library. Spike sadly nodded his head.
"Yeah, I didn't think so either, but Trixie's made Twilight violent lately. I-I can't explain it. Twilight was bent over, looking for a book on the lowest row of the shelves, right? And Trixie just walks up behind her and hits her! Without any reason or anything! Just walked right up and smacked her on the bottom, " Spike whimpered. Applejack raised an eyebrow. Slowly.
"Err...Suga'cube-" she offered, but Spike continued, now that the story was coming out, he couldn't stop himself.
"And then Twilight turned around and called her a dirty little filly, and jumped on her. I'd never SEEN Twilight do something like that, and she started biting Trixie on the neck! They started rolling over and over, and I think Twilight was trying to pin Trixie down, but she couldn't get a firm grip, and Trixie just, s-she just kept hitting her, Applejack! She just slapped her on the rump over and over again and, I told them to stop, and I tried to break them up, really I did, but Twilight said she didn't want me to watch them fight and booted me out here. I know violence isn't the answer, but how can I convince Twilight of that?! I think she's goin' nuts, Applejack, and it's all Trixie's fault! ...Why is your face so red?" Spike growled, before tilting his head at the odd reaction he was getting from Applejack. Red-faced, biting a hoof in her mouth. Almost like she was laughing- but that was impossible since the situation was so serious.
"Ah...Ah erm...it's the heat, I reckon. Now, uh, Spike iffn' that's the kinda fightin' they're doin, Ah think ya'll just betta' leave 'em be. Ah got a feelin they'll work it out for themselves, "Applejack said quietly. Spike shook his head.
"I don't think so. It's not okay, Applejack. I was making Twilight's bed the other day, and I found this long black riding crop! It had the words 'Trixie' on it, and when I asked her about it, she said it was 'just in case I have to remind Twilight about who wears the saddle' I tried to tell Twilight that Trixie had a weapon, but I don't think she believed me. She turned really red and told me not to worry about it, "Spike fumed. At this point, Applejack had managed to stuff her entire hoof into her mouth and tears were gently streaming down her cheeks. Spike solemnly nodded his head. It was so horrible, it had driven Applejack to tears. This had to stop.
"I know, right? It's terrible. I gotta do something, but I don't know what. I was thinking, maybe we could get all of Twilight's friends together, you know, and try and stage an invitation," He offered, only to find Applejack wildly shaking her head.
" Ya'll mean an intervention, and nope. Nope, Ah' reckon that'd probably make things a bit worse, Suga'cube. Jus take my advice, and let 'em work it out for themselves, alright?" she cooed, but Spike was obviously not having any of it. It was cute, watching him so hopelessly worried about Twilight. Cute and hilarious.
"Why is everypony telling me not to worry about it! They're fighting! This is kind of a big deal! What if it gets out of hoof, what if somepony really gets hurt! I don't wanna see either of them end up in the hospital, and they're two of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria! What if-" Spike was interrupted by the sound of the upstairs window opening, and Trixie slipping her head out. Her mane was disheveled and messy and she seemed like she'd been running a race- panting and sweating.
"Hey?! Hey is that you Applejack?! Applejack! Applejack can we borrow your rope?!" Trixie called cheerfully. Applejack frowned and took a step back, peering up at the blue unicorn hanging mid-way out of the window.
"No ya'll can't borrow muh' rope!" she snarled. Trixie disappeared into the tree again, before she poked her head back out, after what seemed like a very brief conversation with somepony else
"Spike? Spike are you still out there? Spike go with Applejack, cause we're gonna be busy for a while. Applejack, can you take Spike with you? Oh, and Twilight said she'll overlook the late fees on that 'Ninety-nine dog tricks' book you borrowed if you lend us the rope!" Trixie hollered. Applejack glared up at the panting blue unicorn, before she gave an annoyed groan and reached under her hat for her lasso, which was immediately lifted into the air by Trixie, and disappeared into the tree house.
"That's muh good rope! I want it back in the condition I lent it to ya'll in. If it's sticky, or smells funny, I'm gon' be madder than a wet hen!" Applejack hollered, Trixie poked her head back out and stared at Applejack for a long few seconds.
"Trixie does not make promises she can't keep!" Trixie hollered back. Applejack gave a helpless shudder and shook her head.
"Ugh, in that case tell ya what, that's your rope now. Forever. Spike, uh, Ah' got some errands ta run, ya'll wanna tag along?" Applejack asked Spike sheepishly, whom was staring transfixed at the library window and rubbing his claws together.
"Suga'cube, promise me ya'll not gonna try an interrupt them. Tell ya what, Ah'll swing by later and give Twilight a talkin' too, okay? That sound good?" "She asked quietly. Spike sighed and gave his head a dutiful nod. Still, she could see the gears turning in his head, and she knew this was going to get worse before it got better. Regardless, though, that would have to wait. Right now, she had to go shopping for a new rope.