Spike left the school as the other fillies and colts ran out to head home. Ether for fun or work. The bell ringing in his ears as he walked through the grass. He walked the way home a little down. His friends wouldn't be able to hang out as they all had work to do, he had gotten homework, and to top it all off. It was a Monday.
Spike walked in to see Bonbon and Lyra on the couch.
“Hey Spike, how was school today?” Bonbon asked.
“Good, I guess. None of my friends can play with me today. There all busy.” Spike said as he made his way to his room.
“Ah. Well at least you can get your homework out of the way.” Lyra said.
“Yeah.” Spike said.
He shook his head as he set his bag down on the desk. He was just whining at a problem that was smaller compared to others. He pulled out his books and began to pull his pen out.
It was several minutes and he was trudging through his homework. He had finished most of it but the math questions due at the end of tomorrow’s lesson where what were really get to him. He knew the basics but he still seemed to struggle with the questions. He rubbed his head as he looked at the equation below him.
“Spike! There’s somepony here for you.” Lyra called from the main room.
Spike put the pen down and got off of the chair. He needed a break anyway. He walked in to see Lyra next to the door, with Applebloom standing there. Holding Winona’s leash as the said dog braked happily.
“Howdy Spike.”
“Applebloom? I thought you had some chores to do.” Spike said as he walked up to the door.
“Yeah, but Big Mac said he’d take care them and told me ah only had to take Winona for a walk ‘round town.” Applebloom said. Winona jumped up onto Spike and liked his face. Spike tried to block to tongue while Applebloom just giggled.
“Looks like Winona missed ya.”
“Yeah, she sure did.” Spike said as he wiped the dog spit from his face.
“So are you just coming around to say hi?” Lyra asked.
“Actually, can ah bring Spike along with me?” Applebloom asked, her cheeks becoming slowly rosy. Spike scratched the back of his head with his cheeks also growing red.
“Sure, see you guys later!” Lyra said as she pushed Spike out of the house and slammed the door, a ‘click’ could be heard soon after. Spike’s redness grew due to Lyra’s actions.
“…So, ya wanta head back up to tha farm?” Applebloom asked.
“S-sure.” Spike responded.
The two began the afternoon walk. Applebloom and Spike just sheepishly walking, only taking glances at each other. Winona happily followed along. They arrived at the white fence, Spike holding the gate for Applebloom.
“After you.” Spike said in a Canterlot like accent.
“Thank ya kindly.” Applebloom replied in the same accent, giggling a little.
The two walked up to the house and walked through the door. Applebloom took the leash off of Winona and hanged it up on a hook. She rubbed Winona, who enjoyed the sensation before she licked Appleblooms cheek. She giggled before Winona walked to the dog bed and laid down.
“Applebloom! Is that you youngin’?” a croaked voice called out. Spike and Applebloom walked in to see Granny Smith there in her rocking chair. The chair creaking slightly as it moved back and forth. Granny screamed and hit Spike smacked dab in the middle of his head.
“Look out! It’s a big lizard!” Spike raised a claw and foot in a cartoon like style before falling onto his back.
“Granny Smith! That ain’t no lizard it’s Spike!” Applebloom cried as she rushed over and helped the dragon up. Spike rubbed his head as he go back onto his feet.
“Oh?” Granny Smith asked. Unaware as to what exactly what she did wrong.
“Ya okay Spike?” Applebloom asked.
“Yeah, don’t worry about it.” Spike said.
“Hang on, I’m going ta get Granny’s medicine.” Applebloom walked into the kitchen, leaving Spike alone with the mare that could knock him out again with another hit if she wanted to. Spike kicked the floor and looked down as he waited for Applebloom to return.
“So…” Spike said before silence took over again.
“Uh oh!”
Spike looked to the source of the cry as Applebloom returned from the kitchen.
“Granny’s medicine is out. There isn’t any left.” Applebloom explained.
“Oh. So what happens if she doesn’t have her medicine?” Spike asked.
“It’s like an ointment ta help her back. It can’t completely heal her, but it eases the pain. We usually get some from Zecora.” Applebloom said.
“So I guess that means a trip to the Everfree?”
“Eeyup. Applejack usually goes out but sometimes ether me or Big Mac go in. Applejack ain’t here though, she’s off in town doing something.” Applebloom said.
“Should I go get Big Mac?” Spike asked.
“If ya don’t mind?” Applebloom asked.
“Not at all. I’ll see you soon.” Spike said as he left the house.
Spike began his exploration for Big Mac in the sea of apple trees. He’s legs moving him along as he walked through acres and acres of land, until he finally found his goal. The red stallion collecting the fresh apples from the branches via applebucking.
“Big Mac!” Spike yelled.
“Howdy Spike. Whatcha doin’ out here” He asked.
“We have a small problem. Granny Smith’s medicine is out and somepony needs to go to see Zecora to get more.” Spike explained the situation to Big Mac. The stallions’ eyes widening as Spike finished.
“Alright. Let’s head back to the house, the apples can wait.”
Big Mac and Spike walked their way back out of the trees and walked into the house to see Applebloom trying to comfort Granny Smith as she groaned in pain.
“Ooohhhh…” Granny Smith groaned.
“Big Mac! Thank Celestia you’re here. When Spike left Granny started ta say she was hurting and now she can’t say nothin’ because she won’t stop moaning.” Applebloom explained. Big Mac walked up, replacing Applebloom and taking watch over Granny Smith. He looked down at the two much younger beings in the room with a serious look.
“Looks like y’all hafta go an’ find Zecora. Ah’ll take care of granny but be careful.” Big Mac warned. Spike and Applebloom nodded before they left the two older ponies in the house.
Spike and Applebloom walked towards the South-East of the farm until they came to an edge of the Everfree. The mist and noises emitting from inside sent shivers into the two. Spike made an audible gulp as he looked into the dense shrub. He looked at Applebloom, who was easily as scared.
“Are you ready?” Spike asked.
“Huh? Y-yeah.” Applebloom said.
He two looked forward once more. Spike took a deep breathe before they walked into the forest.
As they walked, it seemed to get darker and darker. Shrubs grew and branches reached out longer as they made their way down the path. Spike and Applebloom looked around, fearing and expecting a dangerous creature to attack from the sides. The suspense grew and grew more as the two started to get closer and closer together, almost leaning on each other.
“Halt!”
Spike and Applebloom yelped and fell back, grabbing each other in the process. They looked to see the source of the voice. And it was one of the weirdest things they had seen.
It looked like a pony, expect its body had been stretched to accommodate the three heads it had and was holding only a spear.
“Who art Thou!?” the three head asked at once, their voices in perfect correlation. Spike and Applebloom looked at each other before Spike spoke up.
“Um…I am Spike, famous dragon Guard!”
“You’re a Royal guard?” the three heads asked.
“Um…yes.” Spike said unsure as to how they would react.
“In that case I shall have to kill you.” the head on the left said.
“Shall I?” the middle head asked, looking at the other two.
“Oh I don’t think so.” The head on the right said.
“Well what do I think?” The middle head asked again.
“I think kill ‘em.” The head on the left said.
“Oh lets be nice to them.” The right head said.
“Oh shut up.” The left head spoke back.
“Uh-“
“And you.” The left head said to Spike who tried to speak.
“Quick, pull the sword out! I want to cut their heads off!” The left head said getting impatient.
“Oh, cut your own head off.” The right head said looking away rolling its eyes.
“Yeah, do us all a favour.” The middle head said in agreement.
“What!?”
“Yapping on all the time.” The right head said.
“You’re lucky, you’re not next to him.”
“What do you mean!?” the left head asked angrily.
“You snore.” The middle head answered.
“Oh, I don’t! Anyway, you got bad breath.” The left head said, trying to fight back the verbal battle.
“Well it’s only because you don’t brush my teeth.” The middle head stated.
“Oh stop bickering and let’s go have tea.” The right head suggested.
“Alright, alright, alright. We’ll kill them first. And then have tea and biscuits.” The Left head spoke, making a final suggestion.
“Yes” The middle head said in agreement.
“Oh not biscuits.” The right head argued.
“Alright, alright, no biscuits but let’s kill them anyway.” The left head complained.
“Right.” The middle and right heads nodded and look at each other before all the heads looked down to see Spike and Applebloom had already left. They looked around in search for them but were unable to see them.
“They’ve buggered off.” The left head said.
“So they have, they’ve scarpered.” The right head followed.
Meanwhile, Spike and Applebloom were walking back on track after the weird encounter with the three headed pony. The two still walking closely until Zecora’s hut could be seen at the end of the track. The two relived they had reached their destination.
Spike knocked on the wooden door waiting for a response.
“Zecora.” Applebloom called out.
The door opened to see the zebra standing there.
“Well hello Spike and Applebloom. Please join me in the main room.”
Spike and Applebloom walked in after Zecora to walk into the main area of Zecora’s house.
“So what brings you here to my hut? Is to say hi or are you in a rut?” Zecora asked.
“We ran out of Granny’s medicine, can ya make us some more please?” Applebloom explained. Zecora rubbed her chin and walked over to her table. She checked the spices and ingredients that seemed to be all around the hut, searching for the right agreements. Applebloom and Spike waited until Zecora came back to the two.
“It seems I am missing a piece. A powerful flower to make it complete. It is called the flower of youth. It can make one weary feel fresh, this is the truth.” Zecora said.
“So would you like us to go and find it? “ Spike asked, Zecora nodded.
“I shall begin to make the medicine. Its location is usually around vines. Head down West in order to start. Please be weary to not be torn apart.” She warned. Spike and Applebloom nodded, although cringed at Zecora’s last words.
The two left Zecora to craft and once again made their way through shrub. The path being more dense then before, and Spike and Applebloom looking around for any more danger. Their last encounter with an Everfree creature was indeed a strange one.
“You alright Applebloom?” Spike asked. Applebloom jumped slightly but regained her cool.
“Yeah, ah’m fine. Thanks for asking.”
“Your wel-“
Spike was cut off as he tripped over on something and fell into the dirt. Applebloom gasped and ran to assist Spike back up. Spike got on his knees to see he had tripped on a vine that lay on their path.
“Were probably getting closer. Come on.” Spike made a hand gesture as they walked forward.
Spike and Applebloom had passed a number of vines hanging or laying by themselves or in small groups until they reached the mother load.
Vines seemed to be everywhere. They hanged from up high and covered the forest ground. And hanging in a pile of vines high, a vibrant shining flower grew. It was the object Spike and Applebloom had been searching for.
“How in the hay do we get up of there?” Applebloom asked.
“Hold on, let me see if I can get up there.” Spike said as he jumped up and grabbed hold of a low swinging vine. He swung from side to side as he tried to pull himself up to the next vine. Spike nearly fell a few times, but was able to hold onto the vines. Applebloom below cheering him on to keep on moving up.
Spike was only a reach away from the vine, his brow sweating greatly from all the strain of lifting his entire frame up.
“Come on Spike! Ya almost there!” Applebloom cheered.
Spike panted, catching his breath before he made the final push and grabbed the stem of the flower. He was about to pull until he felt a small drop, the vine stopping shortly, bouncing him a bit but his grip of the flower still firm. He then heard a large ‘Snap!’ and all the vines he were holding onto started to fall. Applebloom panicked and rushed in order to catch Spike. She jumped in the air as vines and Spike landed on her. Both of them puffing an ‘oof!’ out before they landed on the ground.
Spike groaned as he look at the damage. He pulled the vines off of his body before he noticed he was laying on top of Applebloom’s back.
“Applebloom!” Spike quickly jumped up and checked on the yellow filly. She groaned as she got to her hooves.
“Are you okay?” Spike asked deeply worried.
“Yeah…ah think ah’m fine. How’s the flower?” Applebloom asked as she stood up.
Spike realised and looked in his claw. He held into the flower as he fell and because of this only one petal was left on the heavily damaged stem. He looked in disarray and sighed.
“Not good.” He showed Applebloom, who soon also shared a negative feeling.
“Shoot. And ya worked your hind off for it.” Applebloom said.
“…Come on. Let’s head back to Zecora, tell her the bad news.” Spike said. He began to walk before he heard a screech and looked back to see Applebloom in pain. Spike ran back over and got on one knee.
“Spike, ah think mah hoof is sprained. Ah can’t walk.” Applebloom said pleading.
“…Alright. Applebloom. I need you to lay on your back and hold onto the flower for me.” Spike said handing Applebloom the flower. She was confused as to what Spike was doing but agreed and grabbed the flower with her hoof. She laid on her back and waited for what Spike had in store. She felt two claws push their way under her and found herself being lifted up by Spike. She realised Spike was carrying her bridal style.
“Okay, let’s go.” Spike said as he began to walk back to Zecora’s hut.
Spike was hallway their before Applebloom spoke up.
“Thanks for, uh…carrying me Spike.” Applebloom’s cheeks red as her mane. Spike’s cheeks copied.
“Oh, sure. No problem.”
“Ya not having any trouble doing this are ya?” She asked concerned.
“What, this? Nah, I’m fine. I’ve been carrying tons of book piles so this isn’t much of a problem.” Spike explained.
“So ya quite strong then?”
“Yeah. I’m pretty tough.” Spike said with a smug look. Applebloom just giggled at Spike’s silliness. Spike also chuckled at his antics. The two remained silence, enjoying the scenery of the Everfree.
“Ya know…” Applebloom began, Spike turned his attention to the filly.
“If ya really look around. Tha Evergreen’s got a kinda nice atmosphere.”
“You really think so?” Spike asked.
“Ya. Ah mean. It’s just feels so nice now. Ah feel safe right now. Just walking through the forest with ya.”
Applebloom grabbed around Spike’s neck and pulled him into a hug. Spike blushed furiously and looked at Applebloom, whose face was so very close to his.
“Thank you Spike.” She whispered.
Applebloom soon let go of Spike and the two continued on. Spike eventually saw Zecora’s hut and walked up to the door. He placed Applebloom down gently before he knocked on the door. He still held onto Applebloom to help her walk.
Zecora opened the door to see the two.
“Ah, you have returned from your search! But It appears one of you seems to lurch.” She said taking note of Applebloom’s state. She invited the two in to show them her cauldron filled with a liquid.
“Well I hope your search was not in vain. Did you retrieve the flower I exchange for your pain?” Zecora asked. Spike and Applebloom looked down disappointed as they showed Zecora the broken flower.
“Sorry Zecora. The flower was damaged when I tried to get it.” Spike explained.
“It is quite fine, for it is not a lost. One petal was all of the cost.” Zecora said as she grabbed the flower and walked over to the cauldron. She took the last petal and placed it in the cauldron. The liquid seemed to glow before it returned to its natural state. Zecora grabbed a nearby empty bottle and dipped it in the cauldron before pulling it out and putting a cork in the bottle.
She walked over and handed the bottle to the two.
“Here is what you requested. A bottle to help keep Granny’s back rested.”
Spike grabbed the bottle out of Zecora’s hoof and smiled.
“Thanks Zecora. At least I knew I didn’t completely fail.” Spike said.
“Oh I would say you have no failed at all. You have the medicine and helped this filly to not fall.” Zecora stated. Spike just rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
“Well I do believe you’ve had enough for one day. I’ll give you something for her injury and you can be on your way.” Zecora said. She got another bottle from her counter and also handed it to Spike.
“Applebloom, do you think you can walk the rest of the way home?” Spike asked.
“Let me try.” Applebloom said as Spike let her go. She took a couple of steps before she was in pain again. Spike walked over as Applebloom laid down.
“Alright, can you hold onto these for me please?”
Spike gave Applebloom the two bottles before he picked her up again and set off down the road. Zecora waving to them as they left for Sweet Apple Acres.
Along the way, they looked up to see the sky darken and the moon rise in the sky.
“Looks like it’s getting dark.” Spike said. Applebloom looked up to see the moon shine down on them.
“Oh, ah hope ah didn’t stop ya in the middle of anything important.” Applebloom said.
“Oh damn. I still got that math homework to finish.” Spike realising his unfinished work.
“Are ya okay with that?” Applebloom asked.
“Kinda. I’ve got the basics down but I think I need some help with some of the questions.” Spike explained.
“Well ah can help ya with that stuff tomorrow. It ain’t due till the end of the day.” Applebloom offered.
“Really? Thanks Applebloom.” Spike said. Applebloom blushed and looked away.
“No problem.”
Spike soon lost sight of the trees of the Everfree and soon saw aligned trees filled with apples. He saw the house up ahead and pushed on for the last stretch.
Spike put Applebloom down and opened the door. He saw Big Mac trying to comfort Granny Smith as she moaned. Big Mac instantly noticed the two arrive.
“Thank Celestia ya here. Did ya get the medicine?” Big Mac asked. Spike walked up and gave Big Mac the bottle.
“Ah’ll be back. ah gotta get a spoon from the kitchen.” Big Mac said. As Big Mac left, Spike walked over to Applebloom and helped her up the stairs. Applebloom pointed out her room and Spike opened the door. He helped her to her bed where she laid down.
“Thanks a lot for carrying me Spike. Ya must be tired as heck.” Applebloom asked out of concern.
“Nah. I’m fine. I told you. Tough dragon.” Spike smiled. Applebloom also smiled.
“Still. Ya did a lot for me today, and ya didn’t hafta…Can ya come a bit closer please?” Applebloom asked.
Spike raised an eyebrow at this question.
“Okay…” He said unaware. He leaned down before Applebloom gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Spike jumped back, dumfounded and turning red.
“Thank you.” Applebloom giggled at Spike and how he took the kiss.
Big Mac then walked in and interrupted the two.
“Alright. Granny’s better and she’s taking a small nap. How are you two?” He asked.
“Applebloom sprained her hoof while we helped Zecora with the medicine.” Spike explained, snapping out of his trance. Big Mac walked over to take a look at his younger sister.
“Zecora gave me some medicine before we left.” Applebloom said as she showed him the medicine. Big Mac took the bottle and put it on the bedside table. He then turned to Spike who was still there.
“Ya better head back Spike. Lyra and Bonbon’s probably worried sick ‘bout ya.” Big Mac explained. Spike nodded as he headed for the door.
“See you guy’s later then.”
“See ya tomorrow Spike!” Applebloom called out as Spike left the room.
On the way home, Spike rubbed the cheek where Applebloom had kissed. And slowly but surely, a smile crawled onto Spike’s face.
Big Mac looked out the window to see Spike disappeared before he checked on Applebloom.
“’Right then, let’s take a look at this.”
He grabbed her offered hoof and took examined to see any damage or pain. But surprisingly, nothing seemed to be wrong. Applebloom wasn’t shaking or even showing small signs of pain.
“Ya hoof looks fine Applebloom. How did that happen?” Big Mac asked.
“Umm…it got better.” Applebloom said with a sheepish smile.
Big Mac couldn’t help but chuckle at his younger sister’s antics. He made a note in his head to give some apples to Spike for his help.