Chapter 13: Appleoosa
Last we heard of Spike, he was drifting down the rapids that lead him to fall over neighagra falls where he was carried away by the river. The impact he had with the rapids initially knocked him out. The fall over the falls sure didn’t help. Spike now slowly begins to wake up from his blackout. The sounds of creaking wood floors and rattling pieces of metal along with the bumps on the dusty road woke up the slumbering dragon. Spike had no idea what was going on. He was trying to open his eyes when they met with another pair of eyes staring back at him.
Spike jumped as well as the pony who was watching over him. The pony then got back in Spike’s face and asked, “What are you doing!?”
Spike recognized that it was a female’s voice. Confused, Spike shouted “Hey! I should be asking that!? Who are you anyways? And why does my head hurt so much?”
“Well, I am-” just before the mare introduced herself, the station wagon they were in made an abrupt stop. Spike wasn’t fastened down so he toppled to the front of the wagon. He looked out where he was at and saw that they had stopped in a very dusty town. He could barely see five feet in front of him.
Spike then heard an elderly southern pony greet him, “Well howdy there youngin! Finally awake are ya?”
Spike saw the old bag of bones before him. He readjusted himself and asked the questions that has been hanging over him since he got up a minute ago, “Who are you and where are we?”
The old pony gave a hearty laugh and said, “Well boy. I am just an old prospector travelin these parts to make my fortune. As for where you are? I can’t really tell myself. We at least we made it to town. Now then sonny, who are you?”
“Well I am Spike the Dragon.” Spike looked around, but could hardly make things out. Spike then tried to remember what happened before he woke up. He could remember falling and a lot of water… How did he end up in a desert town? “Um excuse me… prospector?” Spike attracted the old pony’s attention, “Where did you find me?”
“Well it wasn’t me that found ya. It was my granddaughter” The old timer said.
As if on cue the granddaughter popped her head out of the caravan. “Yep! I found you on by the river near the San Palomino Desert.”
Spike could only wonder how he got here from northern Equestria. “Well thanks for the ride to town.”
The young mare worriedly asked, “Are ya leaving already? You don’t even know where ya are!”
“Well that may be true, but I am kind of looking for my home or rather a new home and the best place for a dragon like me is among my own kind.” Spike replied.
The granddaughter pleaded “Well can’t ya stay for a little? It gets boring round these parts. Besides we can help you get to the city!”
The prospector added, “That’s where we are headed. Ya might want to get some supplies there.”
Piggybacking the granddaughter said, “They have lots of foods, but are known for their apple pies. They even got one of those fancy trains. I never got to see one in my life.”
Spike couldn’t deny their nice southern hospitality. “Alright, you convinced me. Besides going to the city would be a nice final goodbye to Equestria.”
The granddaughter jumped with glee, “YAY!!! We got a traveling buddy!” She hugged Spike, “Oh by the way, I go by leafy.”
Spike smiled, “Good to know.” It had been a little while since he could relax.
Leafy exclaimed, “ONWARDS TO THE CITY!!” acting like she were on a pirate ship or something.
Some traveling later
“How long have we been on this dusty road?” Spike asked sick and tired of the same scenery.
“Only an hour or so.” the prospector was clearly used to this. The granddaughter and the drake, however, were not.
Leafy suddenly asked Spike, “So tell me about yourself Spike.”
Spike’s barriers were weakened by his boredom so he easily told her about who he was, “Well I was born in Canterlot.” Leafy gave out a gasp. “Princess Twilight back when she was just a filly was supposed to hatch me when I was an egg using her magic. That was the first time she showed her extreme magical prowess and where she got her cutie mark by hatching me.”
Leafy could barely contain herself as Spike continued, “Growing up I was being trained by Princess Celestia herself to be a good dragon. She had me learn all kinds of things like playing various instruments, learning how to write and read, and I even learned how to cook and clean. Looking at it, I feel like I was just being trained to be the perfect butler.”
“P- pr- Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight!?” She let out excitedly.
“Yeah I was raised by both of the princesses. Later I became Twilight’s assistant and then…” Spike continued telling her of all the adventures and even some of the hidden things he did. He didn’t tell her any secrets or names. That was meant to be kept between his friends, well ex-friends. He had a dragon code to upkeep.
By the time Spike finished his tale, it was getting pretty dark. Leafy was at a lost for words. To know that they are traveling with a dragon of such nobility, she could not fathom everything at once. Just blankly stared out into space.
Spike waved his hand in front of her face and even snapped his claws a few times, but she wasn’t reacting to anything. “Hey are you alright?” All spike got in return was that blank stare of hers. ‘I guess it was a little shocking to hear’ Spike thought to himself as he decided to go to sleep.
Just as he was about to shut his eyes, she finally exploded out, “OH MY CELESTIA!! You are the MOST interesting travel buddy EVER!!! Did all of that really happen?”
Spike shot back a bit surprised, “Yeah. I even kept a little thing to remember Princess Twilight and her friends before I left.” He took out a picture taken of all of elements and Celestia after their first time to the Grand Galloping Gala. He shed a tear when he looked at the photo.
Leafy felt a bit of his sadness as he looked at the photo. “I’m sorry.”
When Spike heard her, he realized that he had tears coming from his eyes. He quickly wiped away the tears and tried to reassure her, “It’s alright. It’s just…”, but Spike’s fortitude broke and he started to shed more tears.
Leafy didn’t say anything. She just rubbed his back and started crying with him. Spike was confused when she cried too. “Why are you crying?”
“Well, it’s better cry together than alone.” she said giving a smile.
Spike was still confused, but then started to snicker that turned into a laugh. Leafy’s pouted thinking he was laughing at her. “ Hey! That’s rude!”
“Sorry. Sorry.” Spike chuckled, “ I wasn’t laughing at you. I just somehow feel happier.”
Leafy felt a sense of accomplishment. “See it does work! Grandpa taught me that. I can’t wait for you to meet my family! It’s huge. I haven’t even met all of them yet. This will be my first time going to our reunion.”
Spike while grinning added, “Sounds like fun.” Leafy nodded in agreement. “So do you want to hear another story? Like what happened after I left Ponyville?”
Leafy excitedly said, “YEAH!!”.
Just as Spike was about to start, the cart stopped. Tossing Spike forward and out of the carriage.
The old prospector said, “We finally made it to our destination.”
Spike looked up at the dusty town. It kind of looked familiar to him. “Where are we?”
“Why you’re in AAAAAPPPLEOOOSAAA!!!” the prospector yelled. Spike’s face went cold as he knows that this is apple country and he might get recognized here. He suddenly realized that he was traveling with some of the members of the apple family. This was bad for him. He jumped back into the carriage in fear that someone might recognize him. It has been awhile since Spike has been to Appleoosa. A few years in fact, so maybe they wouldn’t remember him. There is still one pony he had to avoid at all costs.
As if on cue Spike heard his voice, “WELL howdy there great uncle Kazoo and where is my little cousin at?”
Kazoo said, “She is playing with her new friend in the carriage.”
Spike had no time to explain the situation to Leafy, so he quickly said, “I have to go. I’ll come back later.” Before hearing her reply he jumped out the back and slithered away. Past a crowd of ponies.
The stallion opened up the carriage and saw only his little cousin. “Hey little cousin! How you been and where is that friend of yours?”
“He jumped out the back…” Leafy said pointing out back.
“Well maybe he needed to use the outhouse or something. Anyways how are you Apple Leaves?”
“I’ve been great cousin Braeburn.” She was happy to see her family, but the way Spike panicked and ran off didn’t sit too well with her.
Spike was watching the carriage so he wouldn’t lose it, but he had to disguise himself. There are very few dragons who associate themselves with ponies so Spike would stick out like a sore thumb. He got himself some cowboy get-up and masked his face. Still a bipedal masked stranger is better than his current state.
He really wished he could just get on the train and leave right now, but he left his bag in the carriage. It held too many important things to just leave. Spike instead tailed the carriage until it finally set down. Unfortunately for Spike it was right at the Apple Orchard, which means he was dangerously close to Braeburn’s home.
Spike would have loved to sneak in the carriage and get his stuff, but with his current costume, he would be mistaken for a thief and he might get captured. Just then Spike heard a rumbling sound. He looked up the top of the apple trail and saw that the buffalo were coming through. This might be a good distraction for him to get his stuff at least.
As he left his hiding spot in a bush to the carriage he was caught by none other than Apple Leaves herself. She almost yelled, but Spike closed shut her mouth. He pulled down the bandanna to reveal his face and clearly tell her, “Shh. Keep it quiet.” She nodded while he still covered her mouth. He led her back to where he was hiding and began trying to explain his situation to her.
“Sorry Leafy. I came back for my stuff so I can leave. It isn’t safe for me to be here.” Spike worriedly said.
“But Spike. Why are you hiding from everypony? Why isn’t it safe for you? What’s going on!?” She kept questioning him louder each time.
Spike put a claw to her lips to shh her and continued, “I am kind of a fugitive. Well I was exiled for something I didn’t do. It’s hopeless to try to clear my name. I tried for a long time, but they wouldn’t believe a dragon. I pretty much abandoned any hope of staying in Equestria and decided to go back home. Back to the land of the dragons.”
“That sounds horrible.” She couldn’t resist feeling sorry for him.
“It hasn’t been so bad. I made a lot of friends, while I was exiled. I do miss Ponyville, but they don’t want me there anymore.” Spike felt sad after that statement.
“But you’re not in Ponyville here. Why are you so scared here? Why not make a living in another part of Equestria?”
“Being a dragon in Equestria isn’t exactly easy. I doubt I could just move somewhere else and thrive like I did in Ponyville. As for why I am scared, it’s because a lot of members of the Apple Family are here and one of my ex-friends from Ponyville happens to be one important member of that family.”
She quickly asked, “Who?”
He simply said,“Applejack.”
“Oh you mean cousin Applejack! You and Applejack are friends!?” still speaking in her happy state.
That kind of shocked Spike, but it instead just confirmed his suspicions. “Just what I was expecting. No we aren’t friends anymore as sad as that is.”
“Well you should just make up with her when she gets here tomorrow. I am sure cousin Applejack would be thrilled to see you again.” She smiled thinking she was helping.
Spike, however, really became shocked now, “What do you mean by getting here tomorrow?” as he slowly turned his head hoping he misheard her.
“Didn’t I tell you? The Apple Family Reunion is tomorrow and this farm is hosting it!” She happily said, not knowing the fright that brought to Spike.
“This is even worse than I thought! I need to get out of here pronto!”. The fear of being caught was too much for him.
She suddenly grabbed him. “NO!! You can’t leave now. We’re friends. At least enjoy today. We are having a little pre-reunion today before the whole family gets here.”
“But what about Braeburn! He will tell her and then I will be in big trouble as all six will come after me!” Spike added.
“Then just wear your disguise! No one will know it’s you and I will just introduce you as my friend. Please don’t go.” Her vice grip was comparable to Twilight's magic grip.
Spike wanted to just get his stuff and run, but when he looked at her face he saw tears in her eyes. It looked almost like his own from before. He was probably going to regret it later, but he finally said, “Alright. There is no fighting a mare with the puppy dog face.”
She shouted “YAY!!” and dragged him out of the bush and into the festivities.
The first pony they ran into was of course, Braeburn. “Howdy cousin! Is this your friend you mentioned before?”
“Yep! He likes to call himself ‘The Masked Stranger’.” She chuckled nervously.
“Well I hope you two have a fun time. The real fun comes tomorrow. I hope you can stay for that long.” Braeburn replied.
Spike tipped his hat and said, “I’ll see if I can.” He then grabbed Leafy and pulled her away saying, “I’ll see you later Braeburn!”
“Alright then!” Braeburn walked a few steps when he realized, “How did he know my name already? Maybe Leafy told him about me. Still something about him seems familiar.”