Quick author's note: artist Rannva volunteered an amazing piece as the cover image for this chapter on Deviantart. You can see it here.
Also, if you give the story a thumbs-down, I'd really appreciate it if you tell me why. Even if you just don't like it and can't put your finger on a reason, that's fine, I just like to know. Specific constructive criticism is even better (that goes for those of you who like the story too!)
Chapter 4: My Big Problem
… As you’d suspect, the Ponyville library lacks any information on the subject of dragon/pony hybridization. Once the situation here has settled, I will be heading to Canterlot to research in the Royal Library in the hopes that some useful information may be held there.
This is a very difficult situation for all concerned, and though I of course wish to help my friends in any way possible, none of my studies to date have quite prepared me for this. Please, any wisdom or guidance you can give is dearly needed.
I have given you as complete a report as I can, and I hope you will respond swiftly.
Always your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
Twilight Sparkle looked over her letter, rolled it up and made herself a cup of tea to calm her nerves. As much as she acted the part of reason, this whole situation made her extremely anxious. To the best of her knowledge, a dragon/pony hybrid had never occurred before in Equestrian history. The scientist in her couldn’t help but be excited at the prospect of examining an entirely new life form. What would its capabilities be, she wondered. Could it breathe fire, or eat gemstones? Would its lifespan be closer to a dragon’s or an earth pony’s? Would it manifest a cutie mark? Would it be able to mate with ponies or dragons or even other creatures?
Twilight shook her head, trying to dislodge those questions. “Shame on you for even thinking that way,” she thought to herself. “This isn’t some kind of experiment. Experiments are contained, controlled, and no matter what happens it’s a success if you’ve learned something. Even if Apple Bloom doesn’t have any problems with the pregnancy, how is the town going to react when a half-dragon foal suddenly shows up? “
“They didn’t have much of an issue with Spike,” said the other part of her mind.
“That’s because he’s a full dragon.” Twilight countered herself. “ They saw him more like a pet. If this foal looks at all like a pony, they’re going to see him as a freak.”
This internal debate went on for some time, and it kept Twilight occupied until Spike returned, rather earlier than expected, and practically leaped into the library.
“He said yes! She said yes! They said yes!”
“Big Macintosh?”
“He said yes!” Spike exclaimed again, catching up Twilight’s front hooves and swinging her around in a brief and happy dance. “And I asked Apple Bloom and she said yes, and then they sent me home because I was too, what’s the word, euphoric, to get any work done.”
“That’s great, Spike! I’m really happy for you.” Though that was true, Twilight realized how odd it was even as she said it. Ideally, they wouldn’t even be getting married, at least not yet, and certainly not for this reason. Still, given the circumstances, Big Macintosh coming around was about the best possible thing. Once Spike let her go, she got back to business, levitating her rolled-up letter over to him.
“What’s this?” he asked, plucking it out of the air.
“My report to the Princess. Do you want to read it? I tried not to write anything too… explicit.”
Spike shook his head, leaving the scroll curled. “Twilight, I don’t even care right now, I’m so happy. Want me to go ahead and send it?”
“I guess so. It always feels kinda weird asking you to send her a letter when it’s about you.”
Spike shrugged, still smiling. With practiced ease, he took a deep breath and blew out just so, the green flames incinerating the letter and carrying it to the Princess.
Not ten minutes later, Spike belched forth a reply. Twilight was bothered by the letters before she actually read the words: they were cramped and shaky compared to the Princess’s normal script, and the characters were a bit too close together. This had been hurried, and that made her uneasy.
Twilight,
I received your news with more than a little surprise and concern. I have many questions to ask, and we must discuss a course of action – I am sure you recognize the upset and controversy this event may bring. As soon as you are prepared, send word to me and I will arrange for your immediate transport to Canterlot. I would request that you bring Apple Bloom, but I do not want to add the stress of travel to her already difficult situation. I also suggest that Spike remain behind: as the father, his place is at her side. While the support of Apple Bloom’s closest friends – and yours – is vital in this time, I strongly advise against telling anypony else who is not directly involved.
I look forward to seeing you soon.”
“Do you really think this is going to cause ‘upset and controversy’?” asked Spike, reading over Twilight’s shoulder.
“It might. There’re bound to be some ponies who’ll think it’s wrong or unnatural or something.” She rolled up the scroll and put it in her saddlebag, which she then levitated onto her own back. “I’ve got a couple errands to run before I tell the Princess I’m ready, but I may as well leave tonight. Do you think you can manage without me for a few days?”
“Sure. I don’t plan to do much except help at the farm anyway. I’ll fire off a letter if something comes up.”
***
“How’re you doing, Applejack?” asked Twilight, finding her farming friend still hard at work even though the sky was beginning to dim.
“Just a lotta work is all,” said the earth pony, shaking sweat from her brow. “I sent Spike home a long time ago. He ain’t got there yet?”
Twilight shook her head, realizing her friend’s mistake. “I spoke to him already. I just exchanged letters with the Princess, and I’m planning to go to Canterlot to see if there’s anything in the Archive about dragon/pony hybrids. Do you think everything here’s okay? Big Mac’s really alright?
“Yeah, he’s fine. I’m a mite worried about Apple Bloom, though. She’s still feelin’ poorly. Actually,” Applejack dropped her voice, glancing around for her brother, “I think she’s feelin’ worse. She won’t say so but I think she is. She’s sleepin’ more an’ more, and she’s havin’ a hard time gettin’ around.”
“Well, it’s not unusual for ponies to have odd symptoms during pregnancy. Make sure she gets a balanced diet and plenty of fluids.” Twilight nodded sagely, glad that her voracious reading had included some medical textbooks.
Applejack gave a hollow chuckle. “No fear of that. I reckon she’d eat the house if it weren’t for the nails in it. It’s just … well, Ma never had trouble like that. She was up an’ around the whole time when she was carryin’ AB.”
“Every mare’s different. Still, if you get really worried, take her to the hospital. Have you thought about telling our other friends yet?”
“Already on it, actually. I told Pinkie to round everypony up tonight. Not sure if Rainbow’ll be able to make it what with Wonderbolts training and all, but I’m sure all the rest will show up.”
Twilight nodded approvingly. “Good. The Princess said we should try to keep this quiet for now, but we’ll definitely need our friends’ help.”
“She’s gonna start showin’ for real before long. Folks’ll start askin’ questions, and I know a few gossips who’ll make somethin’ up if they don’t get a story.”
Twilight thought for a moment. “Well, you could tell them the father’s from out of town, which is true, and that he’s afraid to announce himself yet, which is sort of true, and that you just want to have a quiet family wedding and move on, which – well, you tell me if that’s true.”
AJ smiled. “Oh, that’s very true.” She chewed over the story for a moment, looking for holes. “Yeah, that’s pretty good. Thanks, Twi. See you when you get back.”
***
Standing outside the library, Twilight wrote a simple line on a scrap of parchment for Spike to send:
I’m ready now.
A message came back promptly:
Stay there.
In a matter of minutes a sudden flow of air flattened Twilight’s mane. Was that a shooting star? No, it was just the opposite – a single point of inky blackness barely visible against the darkening sky, not falling towards the horizon but heading right for her. It grew as it descended, and Twilight could see that it wasn’t just a dark orb. It had a definite outline and some delicate extensions, like some kind of intricate tree. It was a carriage, she realized. Without ponies drawing it, it must have been moved entirely by magic, and all made of some sheer black material that was difficult to look at. As it came to rest, floating just a few centimeters off the ground, part of its side seemed to melt away, revealing just enough space for two ponies, half of which was taken up by a familiar figure.
“Princess Luna!”
“Twilight Sparkle. It is always good to see you again,” the Princess of the Night said somberly. “Shall we be away?”
Twilight climbed into the carriage, and before she could turn and give Spike a final goodbye wave, the door had risen and the vehicle took off like a bolt of dark lightning, vanishing at once into the night sky.
***
“Thanks for comin’, y’all, and I’m sorry for draggin’ you out here on such short notice.” Applejack said to her four friends, who had gathered on the small hill where they still sometimes played or picnicked. It wasn’t well-visited on most days, and at this time in the evening there was little chance they would be overheard. “‘Specially you, Rainbow, I know how tough the Wonderbolt’s practice schedule is.”
The pegasus made a light, sweeping gesture. “No sweat. If I keep track of how fast I get there, I can go pretty much wherever and call it field training.”
“Where’s Twilight?” asked Pinkie Pie, placing a small picnic basket for the ponies to snack from. “I thought you said she already knew?”
“She had t’ go to Canterlot. It’s part of what I needed to talk to y’all about.” Applejack cleared her throat. “Everypony, I got somethin’ to tell y’all. It’s not easy fer me t’say, but I’m gonna need your help.” All of her friends leaned in, wide-eyed and anxious. “My little sister is… on th’ nest.”
Like some wondrous flower, Pinkie Pie’s face blossomed into an expression of pure joy. “Oh, that’s so wonderful!” she squealed, throwing her front legs around Applejack’s neck. “You’re gonna be an auntie! Can I be her auntie too?”
Another pony’s reaction was not so positive. “Pinkie!” Rarity scolded. “This is not a jovial matter! A mare of Apple Bloom’s age is barely ready to carry a foal, nevermind raise one.”
“What’s the big deal?” said Rainbow Dash. “I know some ponies her age with foals, and they’re all doing okay. Heck, my parents weren’t much older when they had me.”
“But they’re pegasi,” explained Rarity. “You know earth ponies take a little longer to develop, and since she still doesn’t have her cutie mark, well, how does she intend to support a child?” She shook her head dismissively. “I expect you’ll, ahem, have to ‘convince’ the father to do the right thing?”
“I kinda thought so too at first, but he’s steppin’ up to the plate on his own,” said Applejack. “But really, I’d expect nothin’ less from Spike.”
“What’s Spike got to-“ A brief moment of silence and then a murmur of surprise rustled through the assembled ponies, though none reacted so strongly as Rarity. Her mouth fell open; she looked as though she might faint. “Sweet Celestia, are you serious?!”
“ ‘Fraid so. I mean, even if she was lyin’ about the father, it’d make no sense to pin it on Spike.”
“How...” Rarity was at a loss for words. “Dreadful! The very idea! Oh, Applejack, you must feel horrid-”
“Hey, I thought you liked Spike!” interrupted Rainbow Dash.
“Eugh, but not in that way! The idea of doing something physical with him is simply… “ Rarity shuddered.
“Yeah, I ain’t tryin’ to think about that part too hard.” Applejack muttered to herself.
“And their offspring!” continued the unicorn. “I can’t begin to imagine what a…. a…. cross like that would look like! Some sort of scaly… mule, no doubt.”
“What’s wrong with mules?” asked Pinkie, catching the tone of disgust. It wasn’t common for a donkey and a pony to have children, but Pinkie found her few mule friends no less delightful than her other friends.
“It’s not that I have anything against them, dear, I know they can’t help how they’re born. It’s just that… ponies should be with ponies, and donkeys with donkeys. And dragons with dragons, for that matter. It’s only natural.” Rarity nodded firmly.
“I don’t agree,” said a quiet but firm voice. Everypony looked at Fluttershy in amazement. The yellow Pegasus seemed startled by their sudden attention, or perhaps by the words coming out of her own mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry Rarity, but I just don’t agree with that. I think if they’re really in love, they should be together, and if they’re going to have a baby, well… ” she stopped, already feeling like she’d said too much.
“What she said!” snapped Dash, fluttering angrily.
Rarity looked around at her gathered friends, trying to find support. Pinkie’s expression was very concerned, as though she’d very much like to change the subject but didn’t know how. Rainbow Dash looked surprisingly angry, while Applejack’s face was a mask of conflicting emotions, not able to completely disagree with Rarity but feeling obliged to stand for her sister. Fluttershy seemed more frightened than anything: mortified that she might have said something she shouldn’t have.
“Well, I can see that I’m alone in this matter. So be it,” Rarity huffed. “I suppose it doesn’t make any difference at this stage. The deed, so to speak, is done.”
Applejack grimaced at her choice of words, but Pinkie took the opportunity to redirect the conversation.
“How can we help?”
“I dunno yet. Twilight’s gone to see if there’s any info to be had in Canterlot. And we’re gonna try to keep this quiet as long’s we can – AB don’t need everypony pokin’ and proddin’ and bein’ judgmental.” Here she glared at Rarity, who pointedly looked elsewhere. “But I wanted y’all to be in the loop.”
Pinkie Pie made some elaborate motion of zipping, padlocking and welding shut her lips, Fluttershy nodded quietly, Dash agreed to keep the secret eagerly, and Rarity sniffed: “Well, I certainly won’t be mentioning it to anypony,”
“Yeah, because your precious reputation couldn’t handle it,” sneered Rainbow Dash. The seamstress opened her mouth to retaliate, but Applejack interrupted, both to bring up another topic she’d wanted to discuss and to prevent the meeting from degenerating into a full-on fight.
“One more thing. We gotta have a weddin’ before the baby shows up, don’t we?”
Pinkie’s face erupted into her familiar smile.
“Ooh, ooh, can I help plan it? CanIcanIcanI?”
“You’ll have to talk to Apple Bloom about that. It’s her day.” Despite herself, Applejack felt the corners of her mouth pull up a bit at Pinkie’s unflappable enthusiasm.
“I suppose you’ll expect me to make a dress?” snorted Rarity.
“Er… Actually, we got our ma’s old one we were plannin’ to use… but I’d be mighty obliged if you’d adjust it for her.” AJ gave the seamstress a hopeful look. Everypony looked at Rarity expectantly as the white unicorn chewed her lower lip.
“What, afraid you can’t make it so a pregnant bride will look great in it?” teased Dash, a hint of anger still in her voice.
Rarity scowled. “I see what you’re doing there, Rainbow Dash, and I have to say I don’t appreciate the taunting. My personal feelings aside, you have no idea what even the appearance of support for such a thing would do to my business, especially among the nobility.”
“Then the nobility can chew my old dock brush!” shouted Dash, and Rarity shuddered.
“There’s no need to be vulgar.”
“Rares, if it’d be too much trouble on you, I’ll find somepony else,” said Applejack, interrupting Dash again.
Rarity fidgeted uncomfortably for a few moments. Finally, she said:
“I’ll do it, Applejack, as a favor to you,” she said with a defeated sigh. “Just… have her come in the back door. After hours, if you would. And mum’s the word on who did it for her.
Applejack wasn’t entirely pleased by Rarity’s tone and conditions, but (she thought) at least the unicorn was willing to compromise this much. “Thanks, Rares. I really appreciate it.”
“I still don’t approve, mind you, but I suppose it’s better for them to marry than otherwise. Still, I can’t believe that scaly little devil…”
Their business concluded, the ponies began to depart, though Fluttershy lingered behind.
“Umm… Applejack? If it’s okay, could I maybe come help Apple Bloom sometimes? You know, if she needs anything or has any trouble?”
“You’re welcome anytime Fluttershy, you know that.”
“Oh, thank you!” gushed the yellow pony, more emphatically than Applejack expected. “I’ve wanted to – um, nevermind. Thanks.” Blushing furiously, Fluttershy flew away, leaving a slightly perplexed Applejack behind.
***
“Apple Bloom? Time for lunch.” Applejack called, starting up the stairs to her sister’s room. AB had missed breakfast, and Applejack understood that she needed her rest, but a pregnant mother really had no business missing two meals. When she got no response, Applejack climbed the stairs, called again, knocked on the door. Still no answer. Concerned now, she opened the door to see Apple Bloom laying half out of bed, resting on her front knees. It took her just a little too long to lift her head and look at Applejack.
“Oh. Hey sis. I can’t move. How come I can’t move?” There wasn’t any alarm in her voice; she sounded sleepy and distracted, almost bored. She tried to lift herself up on her legs but couldn’t seem to find the strength.
Applejack ran to the window and screamed:
“SPIKE! BIG MACINTOSH! GET IN HERE NOW!”
***
“How is she?” Applejack rubbed her forelegs together nervously, nearly chafing the fur off.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d call this malnutrition,” said Nurse Redheart. As the most experienced obstetrician in Ponyville, Apple Bloom’s care primarily fell to her. “We’ve examined some blood samples and she’s low on everything. Vitamins, minerals, protein, everything. She’s badly anemic and I think she’s lost some bone density. We’re giving her nutrients intravenously, but it’ll be a while before we know if it’s enough.”
“Why is this happening?” asked Spike nervously, gripping his own wrists so tightly his hands tingled.
“I can’t be completely certain, but I’d say her fetus is absorbing more nutrients than normal. I’ve seen a few cases like this before, but this the most severe. I had assumed that her symptoms when she first came to see me were normal pregnancy complaints for her, but this excessive drain has clearly been going on for some time.”
“Is she gonna be okay?” asked Applejack. Big Macintosh had also helped them bring the youngest Apple to the hospital, but he tended to stress when speaking to doctors and was pacing a groove in the waiting room floor.
“Well, like I said, we’ll know in a few hours if those extra nutrients will help. If they do, she’ll probably just need to get them periodically until the baby comes to term. If not…” Redheart’s brow furrowed as she tried to think of the most delicate way to put it. “There are risks.”
“Do you think maybe we oughta… put a stop to it?” Spike looked at Applejack in surprise. Twilight hadn’t told him what she and Applejack had discussed for so long on that day, and the thought hadn’t really crossed his mind before.
The nurse practitioner frowned. “At this point, she’s got a fair chance of losing the baby anyway. Still, if she doesn’t, and the supplements don’t help, it’s an option we may have to consider. I would very much like to speak to the father if that’s at all possible. If this kind of issue runs in his family, perhaps he can offer some insight. Do you know who he is?”
“You mean she didn’t tell you?”
Redheart shook her head. “I didn’t ask. I’d hoped she’d tell you at least, Applejack.”
“She did, but…” Applejack and Spike looked at each other, both seeking direction that the other couldn’t give.
“I understand if you’re trying to keep it quiet, but this really isn’t the time,” said Redheart, a bit impatiently. “I promise we’ll find a way to talk to him discreetly.”
Spike gritted his teeth and pointed at himself. “It’s me. I’m the father.”
“…Oh.”
That was all Redheart could say at first as turned her head back and forth between him and Applejack, who nodded slightly to affirm. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. There’s no other way.” Doubt tried to edge into Spike’s mind again, but he pushed it aside.
“Apple Bloom said it was complicated, but I had no idea…”
“Listen, you can think what you want about us, but right now Apple Bloom needs our help and I really wish I knew more but I just don’t.”
The white mare waved a hoof emphatically. “I’m not judging you, I’m just surprised. I didn’t think a pony and a dragon could have babies.”
“Neither did we. If we had I never would have… or maybe not never, but I-“ Redheart briefly put a hoof on Spike’s mouth to stop his nervous chattering.
“This explains everything, probably. Maybe baby dragons just need more nutrition… or maybe something a dragon eats but a pony doesn’t?”
“Like what, meat? Gemstones?”
The nurse’s face suddenly lit up.
“Gemstones! That makes sense. Her metals and minerals are what’s really low, so the baby probably needs a lot of those, and there would be certain substances that aren’t normally in her body. If we can get her to ingest some… maybe not in her IV, but powdered and mixed with something nutritious…
“Could that hurt her?” asked Applejack
“Not in small doses, and if the fetus is taking everything out of her system so quickly I doubt it could do any real damage. Now, who would have gemstones on hand?”
“Rarity.” Said Spike, and he was out the door and running down the street before either Redheart or Applejack could say anything.
***
“Welcome to Carousel Bou- oh.” Rarity’s customer-greeting voice immediately dipped into a disapproving grumble as she saw who had entered. “What do you want?”
“Rarity - Apple Bloom…the hospital... gemstones.” Spike gasped, panting, bent on all fours.
“Keep your voice down!” hissed Rarity, looking anxiously at the few customers idly browsing the selection, who of course turned their heads to the sudden noise. “Just a moment, everypony, I have to help this, er, person.” With a brusque jerk of her head, she lead Spike behind the counter and into a private room.
“Now tell me – clearly – what it is you’re doing here.”
“Apple Bloom’s sick. It’s the baby, it’s draining everything out of her- ”
“And whose fault is that?” Rarity snapped.
Spike blinked, not prepared for the acid in her voice. Applejack had told him Rarity hadn’t taken the news well, but he wasn’t expecting this level of vitriol.
“Your infantile crush on me was one thing. It was cute, at the time, but taking advantage of poor Apple Bloom like that is simply unconscionable. ”
“Taking adv- it wasn’t like that!”
“And what were you thinking, doing that with a pony in the first place? It’s just not natural, and you shouldn’t be surprised that there are consequences.”
Spike was too shocked to speak, which was fine: Rarity wasn’t done.
“And you didn’t think for a moment how this would affect the rest of us, did you? Do you know how hard it is for a pony even remotely related to this kind of scandal to make any kind of headway in the noble market? I could lose years of marketing and connecting in a matter of weeks, and even if you don’t care about my sales you SHOULD care about the Apples’ business at least. Even if local ponies don’t mind – which they will – a lot of their bits come from ponies of status who simply won’t stand for this sort of thing.”
“So you’re just going to let Apple Bloom die because you’re afraid for your reputation, and you talk down to me like I’m the monster?!” shouted Spike.
Rarity’s ears flicked forward at one particular word. “Die? What are you-“
“Listen to me! She’s sick, Rarity; really, really sick and you don’t have to tell me it’s my fault because I know it is! But I will do anything – anything – to help her now because I DO love her, no matter what you think!” Spike didn’t notice, but visible waves of heat were beginning to emerge from his body. “So you can shout and lecture me all you want and I don’t even care; I’ll even come back and let you do it some more but right now Apple Bloom needs those gemstones, and I thought you were generous enough to give them to somepony who really needs them.”
Rarity stared at him in shock and not a little fear: with his spines raised and nostrils smoking and heat haze shimmering around him, he was an intimidating sight. If she hadn’t known Spike, she would have feared for her life. But what moved her more than that were the thin trails of steam rising from the corners of his eyes, where his tears met his hot scales and evaporated. He was angry with her, but more than that he was worried and scared for Apple Bloom.
“Is her condition really that serious?” she asked,
“Yes!”
With a quick flash of her horn, she swung open the door to her storeroom, trying her best to keep her face carefully neutral.
“Fine, then. Take whatever you need.”
Spike didn’t waste time figuring out how to react; he ran right into the room and started to grab handfuls of every kind of gem he could find. Under any other circumstances his mouth would be watering at the proximity of these tasty snacks, but concern for Apple Bloom drove those concerns from his mind. Rarity brought him a wicker basket to carry the precious cargo.
“Thank you,” he mumbled reluctantly, turning to leave with the basket in both hands.
“Don’t. This is for Apple Bloom, not you. I still think – never mind. Hurry and go.”
He almost didn’t turn around when she called his name again. Almost. Even if his infatuation had long faded, even if his eyes and heart belonged to Apple Bloom now and he was furious with Rarity, she still had some little sway over him, enough to make him turn for a moment.
“Spike… if there is another emergency, a real emergency… please, just come in the back door next time.”
Once he had left, Rarity stared at her hooves for a few minutes, then announced to the customers that a situation had arisen and the shop needed to close early.
***
“Well, her vitals have improved quite a bit since we gave her the gems,” said Redheart. “They’re still fluctuating more than I’d like, and she’s definitely not out of danger yet, but I’m hoping she’ll regain consciousness soon.”
Spike breathed a sigh of relief. The other two Apples, knowing that the work couldn’t wait, had reluctantly returned to the farm only after extracting solemn oaths from Spike and Redheart that they would be informed at once if there was any change.
“I’ll send somepony to Sweet Apple Acres. You should try to be there when she wakes up, Spike. She might not remember coming here and she’ll probably be startled.” Spike nodded. “And if she seems like she’s up for it, you need to ask her if she still wants to have the baby. She’s too weak to risk an herbal induction; we would have to ask Dr. Stable to… perform the procedure. He never has before, but I think he would be willing to try simply due to the severity of her condition.”
“Do you think that’s what we should do?”
Redheart sighed. “That’s completely up to her, Spike. I hope the gems will be all she needs, but I don’ t have any way of knowing for sure. The truth is, there are risks either way, and we know so little about her condition that I really can’t tell you what the safest option is. What I’d really like to do is wait and see if Twilight finds any useful information, but without knowing how long she will be… well, at the very least, you need to discuss it.”
***
Spike looked down at his mate. He hated seeing her like this, so weak and vulnerable, and the IV line running into her neck was disturbing to look at. It made him think of some bizarre parasite invading her body, even though he knew it was helping her, perhaps even keeping her alive. He put a hand on her forehead and was bothered by how cool she was.
“Spike?” she mumbled, stirring a little at his touch, opening her eyes. Everything was fuzzy: her vision, her hearing, her head. With some effort, she sat up.
“How’re you feeling?” he asked, supporting her, trying to help her get comfortable.
“I don’t… where am I?” she asked weakly, looking around.
“You’re in the hospital.” Spike couldn’t think of a more soothing way to say it.
“Why?” She looked at her own body, and reacted with obvious alarm to the tube in her neck, which was actually a good sign: she was quickly becoming more lucid.
“It’s… you’re sick. It’s taking all the nutrients out of you.” Even through the fog in her head, she knew what “it” was.
“Is she okay?” she asked, cradling her belly with a foreleg.
“You’re the one I’m worried about. You’ve been out for more than a day. We’ve got you on some stuff that’s helped a little, but…” Spike swallowed. There was no easy way to bring up the subject.
“What is it?”
“Redheart wanted me to ask you something. She wants to know if you’d consider, maybe… not having the baby.”
Apple Bloom’s mouth slowly gaped. “What?”
“It’s made you so sick already, and we don’t know if it’ll get worse. Twilight’s in Canterlot trying to find out more, but we don’t know how long she’ll be gone and we… we might not have time.” Spike felt his throat knotting up at those words.
Apple Bloom cringed, drawing her legs protectively over herself. “Don’t let her, please…”
Spike took her foreleg in both hands, doing his best to look right into her eyes. “Just listen for a second, okay? I mean, I’ve been thinking about this, and maybe… We can still get married if you want, or wait, and we can try again when we’re really ready and next time we’ll know what to expect…” Spike’s half-planned speech jumbled in his mouth.
“Is… is that what you want?” Tears sprang to her eyes; she couldn’t help it.
Spike let out a noise between a sigh and a sob, “I don’t know. I just really don’t know. I’m scared, I’m so scared and all I know is I might lose you and it’s my… It’d be like I…” He couldn’t say it, couldn’t get the words out; he wanted to reach out and hold her close so he did, slowly, to see if she’d welcome the gesture. She did, but as she felt his weight against the slight, hard bulge in her abdomen, she thought she felt something give a tiny squirm or kick in response, and she knew then that she couldn’t do what her mate had suggested.
“I… I was thinking… if it’s a filly… Almata. “ she whispered to him.
“What? He pulled back from her just a little, just enough to see her face.
“It’s kinda unusual, but they’re such pretty apples on the inside, and even if she looks strange I want her to be beautiful on the inside. But it sounds too girly for a colt’s name; I wanted to see if you could think of a better one… and I was trying to guess what her cutie mark might be, if she gets one.” She was talking faster and faster, not letting Spike interrupt. “And if she’ll make friends at school and if she’ll get along with the rest of the family and if she might get married and have children one day and-“
“AB, I-“
“Feel!” She grabbed his hand between two hooves and put it on her belly. Was it his imagination, or did he feel a tiny flutter of movement under the skin? “See? She’s there, she’s mine, she’s part of me, and I can’t… I can’t give up on her, even if there’s only a little chance…”
“But-”
“Please, Spike, let’s wait for Twilight. I want… I need to know. If she says there’s no way, I’ll…” her voice kept rising in pitch as she squirmed on the hospital bed, unable to voice the last few words, her tears streaming now. Spike, alarmed, instantly dropped the issue.
“Shh, okay, okay. If that’s what you want, it’s what we’ll do.” He stroked her mane, wiped her eyes. “I just want you safe. That’s all. That’s all I care about now.” Was he relieved at her choice, or disappointed? Apple Bloom couldn’t tell, and Spike himself wasn’t sure. But pushing the question would only make her more upset, and that couldn’t be good for her. Redheart had said there were no risk-free options; that even ending the pregnancy could be dangerous in her condition. So he would trust his beloved’s judgment, and hold her close until her tears stopped and they could talk easily for a while.
That evening, Spike hastily scratched a note. His hands were shaking so hard he had to rewrite it three times before it was legible enough to bother sending:
Apple Bloom’s in the hospital. Hurry.
***
“Twilight’s back!” called Nurse Redheart, opening the door for her.
Spike ran to greet his oldest friend, but stopped when he saw her. The violet unicorn’s eyes were red and haunted. She’d only been gone a couple of days, but she looked as though she hadn’t slept in a week. She certainly hadn’t brushed her mane properly this morning.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I will be,” she said, forcing a smile. Her voice was shaky and ragged. “How’s Apple Bloom?”
“She goes back and forth. Sometimes she’s very lucid, other times she doesn’t respond at all.” Redheart explained as she led Twilight to Apple Bloom’s room.
“Because the baby needs a lot more minerals and nutrients than a normal pony. It’s trying to take things from her system that she just doesn’t have.”
“We know. She only started showing real improvement after we added ground gemstones to her nutrient regimen.”
Twilight blinked, impressed. “That was really good thinking. That’s definitely part of what she needs. I was able to find a recipe for a potion that’s worked for this sort of thing in the past. I got the royal alchemists to whip up a few doses, and I’m sure Zecora can make more. She’s going to need this stuff until the baby’s born, and probably in smaller doses while she’s nursing.” Twilight nodded towards her saddlebag as they entered the patient’s room. “Unfortunately, it’s pretty volatile; it only stays good for a couple of days. I’m pretty sure it tastes terrible too.”
“Hey, AB! Twilight’s here!” said Spike, gently shaking her awake.
“Hi, Apple Bloom. How are you feeling?” asked the unicorn, trying her best to smile and not let her fatigue show.
“Fine. I’m fine.” Apple Bloom’s expression clearly said otherwise. Today had not been a good day for her.
“Here, this should help you feel better.” From her saddlebag, Twilight produced a small vial of some sickly brown liquid.
“What is it?” asked Apple Bloom, eying the vial suspiciously. The substance inside was moving strangely as the vial floated in the air: more like mud than something drinkable.
“Nutrients the baby needs. That both of you need. It shouldn’t hurt either of you, but don’t ask what’s in it.” Twilight popped the lid of the vial, and Apple Bloom grabbed it in her mouth and took a cautious swig. If Twilight hadn’t noticed her cheeks bulging and closed her lips with magic, the ailing mare would have sprayed the stuff all over the room. She was only able to swallow it because the other choice was keeping it in her mouth.
“BLECH! What’s IN this?!”
Twilight shook her head. “You don’t want to know. I’m afraid you’re going to be drinking a lot of it over the next few months, though. You need to try to finish that vial today. Also, I learned a spell for monitoring the baby, something a little more advanced than usual.” Doctor Stable had done something similar countless times over the past few days, and Apple Bloom didn’t mind the faint tickling as Twilight moved her glowing horn slowly back and forth over her belly. When she’d finished, Twilight scribbled down some numbers on a scroll. “For scientific interest, mostly. It’s not much good for telling us if she’s healthy or not, because we don’t really know what healthy looks like for her. If she were a normal pony, the temperature would be a few degrees too high and the pulse and heart rate too low, but that might be completely fine. I can tell you that her overall vitality is quite strong.” Stronger than Apple Bloom’s at the moment, but Twilight decided against mentioning that.
“Do you know if it’s a filly or a colt?” asked Applejack.
“No, I can only sense things like temperature and pulse; I can’t actually see. I could use a stronger spell, but too much magic might not be good for her. Or him.”
“So… we’ll be okay?” asked Apple Bloom, not quite daring to hope.
Twilight nodded. “With the right help, you should be able to carry the baby to term.”
Apple Bloom had expected relief to crash over her like a great wave, but it didn’t: she was so tense and anxious that it would take days for her to fully recover, the anxiety building inside her without notice until she suddenly remembered there was no longer a reason for it.
“Now once she’s born, we’re back to unknowns. The…” Twilight stopped, shook her head. “Never mind.” She tried and failed to hold back a yawn.
“You look like you need an early bed,” commented Redheart, ever the vigilant nurse.
“No, I-" protested Twilight, but Redheart shushed her.
“Shh. Leave the potions with me and I’ll make sure she takes them. You clearly didn’t sleep properly in Canterlot and you won’t be any good to anypony falling down with fatigue. Spike, will you make sure she gets home without collapsing?”
“I’m fine, stay with Apple Bloom,” insisted Twilight.
“I ain’t goin’ nowhere," said Apple Bloom. "Take her home, Spike.”
***
Back at the library, Spike insisted Twilight have a wash and a snack and go straight to bed, which caused them both to muse on the reversal of their usual roles.
“So… what exactly did you read in Canterlot? Was there another pony-dragon baby?” he asked, sitting beside her on her bed.
Twilight’s entire body went stiff, and her mouth contorted into a very uncomfortable shape.
“Spike… I need to ask you a favor.”
“Anything.”
“Never ask me that again.” It was a plea, not a reprimand, and the dragon was stunned. Usually Twilight was so happy to share any knowledge she’d come across.
“What? Why not?”
Twilight let out a sigh of dread: she’d known he would ask this and had not been looking forward to it. “Spike, you know I would never keep a secret from you if it was something you really needed to know, right?” He nodded. “I’ve told you everything I can, everything you really need to know, and if something else turns out to be relevant, I’ll tell you that too. But some parts of what I learned that I’m just never going to be able to talk about, to anypony.”
“Is… was it something bad about the baby?”
“No. Absolutely not. Don’t ever think that. No matter what else he or she is, it’s still a foal. It’s just… I found out some things that most ponies are better off not knowing. I never thought I’d say that, but it’s true. Don’t apologize!” she said when he opened his mouth. “I don’t blame you and I don’t regret it. The Princess said it was something she always meant for me to learn one day. This just made it a little sooner.” She forced a wan smile onto her face. “Try not to worry about me, okay? I just need a little time. You’ve got a fiancée to look out for, right?”
Spike nodded his understanding, and resolved to never mention this to Apple Bloom. They had a little more idle chatter, and then he sat with Twilight as she went to sleep. Before he knew it he was asleep himself, curled beside her while she pressed against his gentle warmth in her sleep, just like when he was small.