Chapter 2
Applejack and Spike were setting out bushels in the early morning, preparing to finish the previous day's harvest. Applejack couldn't help but smile seeing Spike working so hard and fast setting out as many bushels as he could.
"Y'all are gonna run yourself ragged if you keep up this pace, Spike."
Spike stopped for a moment and leaned against a tree to catch his breath.
"I wish I could have helped with actually bucking. You ended up doing most of the work."
Applejack hugged him warmly.
"Don't y'all worry about that. You were still a big help."
Spike smiled and absentmindedly scratched the tree. He and Applejack both froze in terror when they heard a giggle come from the leaves as they rustled. Spike slowly turned his gaze to Applejack, his eyes wide and his pupils as small as dots.
"Did you hear that?"
Applejack fearfully nodded. Spike carefully tickled the tree again, making it laugh and rustle once more. He backed into Applejack as they both shook in terror.
"What the heck kind of tree is that?!"
Pinkie Pie popped out of the leaves and laughed at Spike.
"It's an apple tree silly!"
Spike and Applejack both looked annoyed as she lept to the ground.
"What in tarnation were you doin' up there Pinkie?"
"I saw a little birdie!"
Spike and Applejack looked flabbergasted. Spike shook his head.
"Well.....why were you laughing?"
"Cause leaves are tickly."
Applejack and Spike looked at each other in annoyance.
"I'm assuming y'all are here for the Cake's order of apples, Pinkie?"
"Uh-huh."
"Alright, this way."
Applejack led her to the barn as she hopped along happily.
"So what are you doing here Spike? Did Twilight send you here? Are you trying to find a job of your own?"
"No Pinkie. See, yesterday, I was in the ever free forest and I was nearly eaten by a timberwolf. But-"
Spike stopped as Pinkie pounced on him and squeezed him in a tight hug, giving him endless kisses.
"Ohmygosh, ohmygosh! It didn't hurt you did you?! Did it bite you?! Did-"
Spike stopped her hoping to make her calm down.
"I'm fine Pinkie. Winona found me and led me back to Applejack. She kicked it right in the face. Now I work for her."
Pinkie nearly slumped in relief and hopped for joy singing praises to Applejack. Applejack blushed and tipped her hat hoping to hide it. Once she reached the barn, Applejack proceeded to fetch the apples for Pinkie, Pinkie continued to question Spike.
"Does Twilight know? Is she okay with this?"
Spike slumped in sadness and nearly felt tears fill his eyes again. Pinkie looked on him with concern.
"I told her yesterday. She didn't really seem to care."
Pinkie looked shocked like she didn't want to believe it. Applejack presented a wagon full of apples to her.
"It's true Pinkie. I was there too and I heard the whole thing."
Pinkie thought hard for a moment sitting on her back legs while she held her chin.
"I'm gonna talk to Twilight about this."
"Pinkie, you don't-"
Pinkie dashed off in a pink blur with her wagon of apples before Spike could continue. Spike sighed and Applejack shook her head.
"C'mon Spike. Got a delivery to make."
Spike followed her to the house where she took the pie they made yesterday.
"I promised Rarity I would bring her a pie for her fixing up some work duds for me."
Spike's eyes lit up at the thought of seeing Rarity. Applejack smirked and set off with him.
~
Pinkie trotted through Ponyville set on reaching Twilight's library. She reached it and knocked on the door, receiving no response. She tried again and called out.
"Twilight?! Where for art thou Twilight?!"
Pinkie tried again, but still nothing. She pulled up the mat and found a key which she used to enter. She returned it and headed for Twilight's work room. Pinkie approached her, though Twilight payed no heed, being completely engulfed in the most important part of her experiment. Pinkie hopped around her and waved her forelegs.
"Twilight! Twilight! Twilight!"
Still no response. Pinkie blew into a whistle, banged on a drum, played an accordion and blew into a trombone. Amazingly, Twilight made no response. Pinkie slumped in defeat and fell onto the floor, making some papers fall off a counter. That finally made Twilight respond. She turned and was surprised to see Pinkie.
"Oh, hi Pinkie. When did you get here?"
Pinkie rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"How come Spike didn't let you in? Spike! Spike!....Spike?"
"He's not here Twilight."
"What do you mean? I told him to be home before dark yesterday."
"He talked to you yesterday, remember?"
Twilight looked baffled for a minute but suddenly jumped like she had an epiphany.
"Oh ,he must have...."
Twilight put a hoof to her face in shame, and blushed.
"Do....do you know what he said?"
"Well, Applejack saved him when he was attacked by the Timberwolf-"
Pinkie was stopped by Twilight grabbing onto her in desperation.
"HE WHAT?!"
"A timberwolf nearly got him in the forest."
Twilight shook her frantically and shouted as horrified tears flowed from her eyes.
"Is he hurt?! Did he get away?! Tell me he's alright! PLEASE TELL ME HE'S ALRIGHT!!!"
Twilight finally stopped her scared rant. Pinkie cautiously nodded, making Twilight slump in relief.
"Where is he now?"
"With Applejack. He said he's going to work for her forever."
"WHAT?! WHY WOULD-"
Twilight suddenly realized and held her head in desperation.
"His dragon honor code!"
"You knew about that?"
"Yes, but.....I didn't know he'd go this far!"
Twilight started to shake and cry in sorrow and dread. Pinkie tried to hug her to comfort her, but Twilight pushed her back.
"I need to find him! Do you know where he is?!"
Before Pinkie could answer Pinkie started to shake and rumble like she was about to erupt.
"I-I-I feeeeeeel a dooozy comiiiiiiiiiiiing!"
Twilight looked horrified and teleported outside and ran for all she was worth, shouting out Spike's name. Pinkie followed her, barely able to keep up between her spasms.
~
Applejack and Spike arrived at Rarity's boutique later in the morning. As she knocked they both noticed a conversation going on inside. Applejack knocked once and Rarity opened the door a second later.
"Applejack, Spike! So good to see you! Please come in."
They both entered and saw Fluttershy in the shop.
"Hi Fluttershy."
"Hello Spike. Where's Twilight?"
Spike rolled in eyes in annoyance.
"Ehm....Spike's stayin with me for a while."
Both Rarity and Fluttershy looked surprised. Rarity questioned Applejack.
"Why in the world would Twilight allow you to take Spike?"
Applejack bit her lip, not wanting to speak for Spike. He looked down and answered in a bitter mumble.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
Fluttershy and Rarity both looked concerned and wanted to question him, but Applejack presented the pie.
"How about some pie?"
Spike immediately perked up and took two slices for Rarity and Fluttershy. They were both surprised to see a small amount of steam rising from it. Not enough to hurt when eaten, but enough to enhance it's flavor.
"Applejack, how precisely did you manage to preserve it's warmth for so long?"
"Y'all can thank Spike for that."
Applejack patted his head and smiled proudly at him. He rocked on his heels and held his hands behind his back in bashfulness.
"Ah, I only helped a little."
"A little? Y'all practically made the whole thing by yourself. Even baked it so we didn't have to worry about the oven."
Spike smiled thankfully. Fluttershy and Rarity both took a forkful of pie and tasted it. Both their eyes widened in delight and they made a loud yummy sound. Rarity finished first so she could gush over it.
"Darling, this is absolutely amazing! How on earth did you do it?!"
Spike smiled in delight at her happy face. Fluttershy also replied in joy.
"Oh yes. I've never had a pie so tasty before."
They both continued to eat while Spike explained what exactly happened.
"So, because of that, I have to work for Applejack from now on."
Fluttershy finished her pie and questioned him.
"Well, when will it end?"
"I...I don't know. Until I know for certain, I have to work for her forever."
Rarity spit out her mouthful of pie in surprise. She quickly recoiled in embarrassment realizing she had spit all over Spike.
"Oh....excuse me."
Spike stuck out his tongue and licked it all off and swallowed it in one bite and smiled.
"Hmm. Not bad."
Rarity looked a little sickened but Applejack just shook her head at her.
"Would you like some more?"
"Oh no thank you dear. A lady must maintain her figure."
"Fluttershy?"
"No thank you."
"Spike why don't you take the dishes and wash em up?"
"As you wish."
Spike bowed respectfully and took the dishes. Rarity nearly bounced in giddiness when he was out of earshot.
"You are so lucky, Applejack. To have someone wait on you without question. Oh, I would have him give me hooficures, brush my hair-"
"Well, that's just it. I appreciate what he's doing, but....I don't want his help like this."
"Um....you mean like.....a debt?"
"Exactly. If he wanted to lend a hand every once in a while, that's fine. Why if he wanted a job, I'd gladly pay him. But I don't wanna take advantage of him."
Fluttershy and Rarity both thought for a moment.
"Well, you could tell him you don't have anything you need him to do."
"I don't know if he'd accept that."
Rarity then had a sly look on her face.
"Well, perhaps......he could be convinced to pass on his pledge to someone else."
Applejack looked at her in suspicion.
"What are you getting at?"
"Just watch."
Spike returned a moment later with the dishes which practically sparkled. He placed them on the table for Applejack.
"All done."
"Spike, sweetie, I have a little proposition for you."
Spike looked a little confused for a moment but stiffened when he saw the flirty look she threw at him.
" I was thinking maybe you could take your pledge to Applejack and...give it to me?"
Applejack slapped a hoof over her eyes and shook her head. Spike grabbed his tail and fiddled with it as he tried to stay cool under her gaze.
"I...I uh......I don't think that's how.....honor codes are supposed to work Rarity."
"Please Spikey-wikey. You can spend forever and ever with me."
Spike looked delighted at the idea. Rarity gently rubbed his cheek with her hoof.
"Also, if you do a good job, every night I'll give you a big kiss."
Spike's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.
"A kiss? Every night?"
"A big kiss for my little dragon helper."
Spike looked conflicted as he thought on this. His eyes darted back and forth between Rarity and Applejack. He gritted his teeth and sighed in defeat. Finally, he mumbled to himself without looking Rarity in the eye.
"I just know I'm gonna regret this...."
He looked at Rarity with the most sturdy gaze he could.
"I.....I'm sorry Rarity. I can't accept your offer."
Rarity's eyes shot wide open and her jaw hung low in absolute shock. Spike stepped to Applejack's side who also looked very surprised.
"I owe Applejack my life. I don't know any other way to repay her for it, so I'm going to spend my life in service to her.
Applejack and Fluttershy looked very impressed with him while Rarity tried to wrap her head around the idea that Spike just turned her down.
"No way!"
They all recoiled as they saw Rainbow Dash in the window also looking completely dumbfounded.
"I think Tartauros just froze over. Spike just turned down Rarity! What the heck happened?!"
Spike sighed a little in sadness.
"Applejack saved my life and I need to work for her forever to repay her."
"Jeez, and you turned down Rarity because of it? Next thing you'll tell me you'd marry her if she told you."
They all laughed at her joke, but Spike looked embarrassed.
"Wait, would you?"
"Well......if she told me to.......yes."
Applejack looked at him with a cracked eyebrow and smirk. Spike twisted his tail and fidgeted in embarrassment.
"I mean.....I.....I um........"
Spike looked down with his face bright red. Applejack pulled him into a hug and nuzzled him.
"You are sweeter than sugarcane, little buddy."
Spike smiled warmly at her.
"SPIKE! SPIKE!"
Spike jumped as he heard someone calling for him. He ran outside and saw Twilight running around town and screaming hysterically.
"Twilight?!"
Twilight turned and her eyes widened in delight seeing Spike. She teleported to him and pulled him into a tight hug and covered his head in kisses.
"Thank Celestia you're okay Spike. I was so scared you were hurt!"
Pinkie approached behind her, still shaking and jittering anticipating a doozie. Twilight looked into his face, her eyes still full of tears. Spike felt bitterness fill him as he answered her.
"That's not what you said when I told you."
Twilight recoiled like she'd been slapped but she looked earnestly into his eyes.
"I'm so sorry Spike. I never should have sent you into the forest."
She kissed him lovingly more. Applejack was partly hoping this would put an end to Spike's oath and he would go home where he belonged.
"I promise I won't do this again. Please, let's just go home."
She smiled at him. Spike squinted his eyes as he felt sorrowful tears overcome him.
"No...."
Twilight recoiled in horror. Spike panted lightly trying not to cry.
"I....I can't go home Twilight....."
Spike walked to Applejack's side who looked very concerned for both him and Twilight. Spike continued.
"Applejack saved my life. I need to repay her for that. Until I do I........I have to work for her forever."
Twilight's hind legs slumped and she sat with a thud and her pupils widened as big as her eyes as tears of sorrows flowed endlessly.
"Forever?"
Spike held back a sob as he answered.
"Forever...."
Pinkie's mane and tail suddenly deflated and flattened and she nearly started crying herself. Applejack tried not break down herself as she spoke to Spike.
"Um....Spike. Why don't you head back to the farm. See if Big Mac needs a hand. I'll be along later, okay?"
Spike nodded and wiped his eyes.
"Goodbye Twilight."
Spike slowly walked away sadly. Twilight fell to the ground and buried her face into her hooves and sobbed. Rainbow looked completely at a loss for what to do.
"Tell me that didn't just happen."
Twilight tried to compose herself and lifted her face from the small puddle of mud her tears made. Applejack helped her to her feet.
"I hope you see now how important this is to him."
"I....I knew we was going to go through with making a code but.....I didn't think it was this serious...."
Twilight sniffed and wiped her eyes. Fluttershy fidgeted and was trying her best to stay calm, but she couldn't hold back empathetic tears. She placed an arm around Twilight, trying to comfort her.
"Um....at least we see he has a lot of integrity."
Twilight shook as she cried harder. Fluttershy recoiled thinking she said something wrong. Twilight composed herself and spoke to Applejack.
"Applejack, I need your help. I need Spike home. Please, help me bring him home."
Twilight looked at her in desperation. Applejack sighed and gave her a stern look.
"Ya gotta promise me one thing, Twilight."
Twilight felt a little concerned at her hard tone but nodded.
"You need to change how you spend time with him. And stop just brushing him off!"
Twilight recoiled in shame.
"I....I didn't-"
She stopped when Applejack poked her hard in the chest.
"I'm not talking about just what work you have him do, I mean REALLY take care of him. You're the closest thing he has to a mother! Yeah, he looks up to all of us, but you are his real family! You need to act like it! You are responsible for him, he should be priority number one for you! You understand me?!"
Twilight had pulled back in hurt and shame at Applejack's shouting, but she knew she was right. She nodded as more tears flowed from her eyes.
"You're right. I promise you, I won't let this happen again."
Applejack took a breath, nearly out of air from her angry shouting. She honestly had to wonder how they were going to do this.
~
Spike was following behind Big Mac with a bag of seeds, planting them in the soil as Big Mac pulled a plow through it. He was still sad after what happened with Twilight, but fortunately Big Mac had been able to talk to him and cheer him up. Working the field had also helped; it kept his mind preoccupied. As they neared the end of their work, Applejack approached Spike and gave him a hug.
"How ya doin' little buddy?"
"I'm....I'm okay, Applejack. The work helps."
Applejack patted his shoulder while Big Mac looked back with a concerned look.
"Well, this evening, think you can lend me a hand?"
"Of course."
"Good. I'll see you then."
She patted his head and headed toward the barn. Before she entered, she looked around, making sure no one was near. She opened the door and entered where the others were waiting. She made certain to lock the door.
"Alright, y'all. We're all aware of how important Spike's code is to him. So the only way he will quit his work for me is if he saves my life."
Pinkie jumped up in excitement.
"YES! And I have the perfect plan!"
Pinkie pulled out what looked like a crayon drawing of a storyboard.
"I, disguised as Baron von Meanie Pants, will tie Applejack to a railroad track! Spike will come in and untie you as the girls run a train on the tracks. He'll pull you away just before it hits you."
Pinkie pulled out a stereotypical villain outfit and put it on, complete with a twirly mustache. The others looked at her with an annoyed glance. She slumped in disappointing. Applejack rubbed her eyes.
"Twilight? If you would?"
Twilight nodded.
"We're going to make it look like Applejack is going to be attacked by a timberwolf."
Pinkie looked at her mustache.
"Can I at least keep the mustache?"
Applejack rolled her eyes in exasperation.
~
It was dark out, with a full moon providing a mild amount of light as the ponies set up their plan. Applejack spoke to Pinkie and Rarity.
"Everything ready?"
"Indeed. But are you ready for your part?"
Applejack raised an eyebrow at her.
"Let us see your best damsel in distress."
Applejack thought for a moment and feigned desperation, and doing a poor job of it. Rarity shook her head.
"Darling, really? You think that will convince him? Observe."
Rarity went into a dramatic and detailed presentation of how to act in desperation. Applejack shook her head.
"Rarity, this ain't a theater in Manehattan!"
"Spike won't believe it unless you give a good performance."
"Applejack!"
They all gasped as they heard Spike approaching. Pinkie and Rarity hid under a bush. Pinkie put on her mustache, making Rarity roll her eyes. Applejack smiled nervously as Spike ran up to her, eager to serve.
"Spike, um.....I need you to help me rake up some leaves for compost. Right over there."
"Will do!"
Spike took a rake she offered and raked up the leaves and plants into a neat pile. Nearby, Twilight made an illusion spell around a pile of branches and logs, turning it into a timberwolf with a purple aura. Twilight nodded to Rainbow and Fluttershy nearby. Rainbow took a deep breath and released a loud and thunderous roar. Spike recoiled in fear.
"What was that?"
Applejack approached the forest, trying to look concerned. Twilight watched her every move, readying the dummy wolf to pounce. Applejack looked into the treeline, trying to act like she was looking for the source of the sound, Spike watching nervously. Applejack pretended to scratch her head, but actually tipped her hat to signal Twilight. Twilight sent the wolf pouncing out of the trees and it landed on top of Applejack, making snarling noises.
"APPLEJACK!!!"
Spike ran to help her, but stopped as he noticed something seemed off about the wolf. Applejack pretended to panic.
"Spike! Spike, help! Help, please!"
Spike approached slowly, realizing more and more the wolf wasn't real. Applejack became desperate and stuck her head in it's mouth.
"Spike, hurry!"
Spike crossed his arms and looked insulted. Applejack sighed in defeat.
"That's enough, Twilight! He figured it out."
The wolf fell apart into chunks of wood. Twilight and the others exited their hiding places feeling disappointed. Applejack tried to reach out to Spike to explain.
"Spike, let me-"
He held up his hands as he started to cry.
"You don't have to tell me anything, Applejack! I get it!.......You don't want me around anymore."
Applejack gasped and tried to explain to him.
"No, Spike that's not it!-"
"So why try to trick me like this?!"
"I.....I just didn't-"
She stopped and everyone froze as a loud howl rose from the forest. Spike started shaking in terror.
"Please tell me that was part of your plan."
Applejack shook her head. Twilight ran to Spike and stood over him hoping to protect him. The others huddled near her, fear filling them as powerful thunderous footsteps approached. From the treeline approached a creature as tall as a dragon. It stepped out of the forest and looked down on the ponies. The beast appeared somewhat similar to a timberwolf, but where they would normally be made of logs, broken branches and leaves, this creature looked like a fully grown great elm tainted by dark magic and turned into a werewolf. It stood on it's hind legs, showing it's powerful muscle build. All over it were pitch black pine needles acting as fur, in some places becoming jagged like spines. Each paw ended in a set of massive razor sharp thorns. It's mouth was full of large fangs looking like hardened tree sap. Twilight grabbed Spike and pushed for everyone to run.
"TIMBERWEREWOLF!!!"
They ran for all they were worth, but the werewolf plunged his claw into the ground. A snake like object burrowed under the grass until it reached them and formed a cage of black hardened wood. Twilight fired on it with her magic, but it had little to no effect. The wolf approached them, reaching them in a single step. The wood parted for it to pluck one of them, taking Applejack in it's thumb and index claw. It sniffed her once before licking it's jowls with a vile tongue made of dark red wood, blowing hot breath stinking like rotted wood and dead plants. Applejack fought for all she could, but the grip would not loosen. Spike tried to run to her, but Twilight held onto him tightly.
"Spike, no! Forget the code! I'm not losing you!"
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE CODE!"
He kicked Twilight, making her lose her grip and managed to squeeze through the openings in the cage. Everyone screamed at him to run, but he headed straight for the Werewolf, determined to save Applejack. The wolf lifted it's foot and tried to stomp on Spike, just barely missing him. Spike jumped onto it's foot and started clawing and biting at it. Despite his sharp claws and teeth, Spike could not cut through the tough bark protecting the werewolf. The werewolf grabbed Spike between his fingers, the others still trying desperately to break open the cage to help. The wolf started to crush Spike, wanting to make short work of him. Spike worked up his inner fire as much as he could. He felt like he was going to be sick, but he let loose the largest plume of fire he could, igniting the werewolf's wrist. It immediately thew Spike and Applejack to the ground, trying to put out the fire. Twilight finally broke though the wood cage and used her magic to make the fire stronger, spreading it up the werewolf's arm. It barked and whined in desperation until finally leaping into as nearby lake.
"EVERYPONY RUN!!!"
They all set off at top speed, the werewolf forgetting about them.
~
They reached Fluttershy's cottage and ran inside, trying to catch their breath, but Fluttershy rushed to her den and retrieved a first aid kit and tended to Spike as Twilight hugged him tightly, refusing to let go. Applejack placed a grateful hoof on his shoulder.
"Spike.....you.....you saved us all back there!"
The ponies all hugged him tightly but he pushed them back.
"Hold it, hold it!.....will someone please tell me what this was all about?"
They all looked guilty but Applejack answered first.
"Look Spike. I do respect you for what you're trying to do. And I understand how important this is to you. But I don't want you to work for me like this."
Spike looked confused but Applejack continued.
"If you wanna lend a hand every once in while or want a job, that's fine. But I don't want you to think you owe me something."
"But you-"
Applejack placed a hoof over his mouth.
"I don't need you to repay me for that Spike. There's no debts between friends. Especially not when it makes it so unhappy."
Twilight cuddled him and kissed his forehead. Spike looked thoughtful and sighed.
"I promise you, I'll never think of you as anything less than the best kind of friend. Especially after tonight."
Spike smiled gratefully.
"One condition."
Applejack looked a little concerned.
"All of us stay as far away as possible from Timberwolves!"
They all shared a laugh.
"It's a deal little buddy."
Spike gave Applejack a fist bump.
~
Twilight was by Spike's bed, gently petting him as he slept peacefully, only moving slightly with his snoring. Twilight heard a light knocking at the door and trotted downstairs to answer. It was Applejack.
"Hi Applejack. What are you doing here?"
"Is Spike still up?"
"No, he pretty much passed out half way home."
"How is he?"
Twilight motioned for her to follow. They headed upstairs and Twilight let Applejack see for herself. She couldn't help but smile warmly at the sight.
"Could y'all give him this for me?"
Applejack reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a small orange gem. Twilight looked surprise.
"Where'd you get that?"
"Well, I couldn't sleep and.....I just wanted to thank him for all the work he did for me. So I went out and dug up a gem for him."
Applejack set it on a counter. She leaned down to Spike and gave him a little kiss, making him smile and stir slightly.
"Y'all take good care of him Twilight. I don't think either of us realize how much of a blessing he is."
Twilight nodded as Applejack left. She was about to climb into bed, but she couldn't take her eyes off Spike. She layed down and gently set her head on his form to cuddle him, making them both smile and helping Spike sleep more peacefully.
"I love you Spike."
She stayed there throughout the night, falling into a relieved and thankful sleep.
The End
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So...I finish reading about Spike and friends fighting a werewolf, come down and what do I see in the add banner? An advertisement for MTV's Teen Wolf.
What are the odds huh? 
2670897 Wow......Twilight zone stuff man!
So... epilogue? Or a derp with story tagging?
What if Spike goes to school?
2671019 The last part of the chapter was meant to be an epilogue.
2671023 I'm pretty sure Twilight handles that.
2671034
So, the story is complete, then? Might want to change status as it still shows "incomplete".
2671037 Oh, right, I'm sorry. That's always a mistake I make when I finish. I always forget I have to change the status.
Great job everything is improved. Especially the interaction.
2671068 Thank you.
2671046
It's okay.
Now, I liked this version. Easily beats the original episode, though honestly it's not that much of a feat.
Nah, you did great job!
Spike turning Rarity down was like "WHAT THE HAY!?"
Then that marriage comment... awkward! And Rare must be oh so jealous!
That Dawwwwww at the end there...
Eeyup, great job!
2671079 One thing is on my mind. Should I do a sequel story where Spike and Applejack fall in love? I have an idea for it but I'm not sure if I should.
2671092
You know, that ending almost begs for it, if I'm to be honest on that.
Why else would AJ do what she did?
Nah, I'm overanalyzing.
If you feel like it, go for it. I will read it. But it has to be your decision. No pressure. No really, none...
2671120 I'll have to think about it.
Beautiful, beautiful story. My heart is thumping with joy and warmth. That talk with Applejack had with Twilight was real deep and touching. Also, with her laying her head on him to cuddle him, that just brought tears of joy to my face.
I love all of your stories, and I hope you don't quit writing. 
2671230 I certainly won't. One thing though. Should I write a sequel where Applejack and Spike fall in love? I have an idea I think would work but I'm not sure if there was enough here that would be a good basis for that.
This is a much better version of this episode. If you ever get a job as a writer for the show please do more good Spike episodes.
2671307 That would be friggin awesome!
2671304 Aww that would be a sweet story of Applejack and Spike falling in love after this. Maybe you could pick that up where you left this one off with. Maybe Spike could see the orange gem that Applejack gave him, and goes to thank her for it, then maybe slowly work your way from there. I have always like the AppleSpike paring.
2671350 I'll definitely keep it in mind.
2671503 But he says he got attacked by a Timberwolf after seeing Zecora. Then he says he owed her his life, without any explanation as to who saved him or how he was saved. That kinda needs to be specified.
2671525 Thank you for pointing that out. I didn't realize I missed it.
FINALLY, someone uses Pinkie's "deflated mane" to show she's depressed instead of AN INSANE MURDERER, like it meant in the actual show! You don't see that everyday...
That was a really nice fanfic, with deep feelings. I really enjoyed reading it. About the episode, while I liked it as a whole, but I also think some things in it could have been made in a better way.
2671537 To each their own. I personally can't stand the episode.
2671530 Happy to help.
2671532 Am I really one of a few who used it for that reason?
2671547
2671554 I'd use it for both.
2671554
Well, to be fair, I've not read many stories where Pinkie becomes depressed, but when I've read more stories where it's used as shorthand for "watch out! This Pinkie could have drawn your number last night!" than "this Pinkie needs some serious cheering up", then... It's just become kind'a ridiculous.
I actually liked your interpretation better than the show's. His over-the-top ineptitude really came out of the left field in that episode
2671906 That has been fixed. veryveryfluttershy pointed it out earlier. I'm sorry about missing that.
2671787 Yeah, Spike is shown to be able to do plenty of different jobs. In fact in Bird in the hoof, Spike was shown making all the food for the gathering in honor of Princess Celestia.
2672233
...and then suddenly he can't even do manual labor! It's bullcrap, man.
THIS should have been the real Spike at your service, episode, you have done a great work!
Beautiful. Best than the original.
Well I have to admit it's better than the episode, except there's some things that I do have a problem with this one.
-Cons-
>The reactions felt too over the top for me.
-Twilight openly crying about losing Spike through a misunderstanding feels too much, I can understand that it it's like the "realistic" reaction, but I think it would do a little better if she was beginning to shed tears before Pinkie hugged her and then silently cry in her arms.
-Twilight showering Spike in kisses, understandable but I think Twilight only hugging the dragon in the story is better.
-I think I just really have a problem with openly crying, and once again it's understandable, but I think the waterworks shouldn't start leaking until Spike is heading back to the farm, then she should sob as you wrote it as.
-I don't think Spike should start crying when he figured out Applejack's trick because it leads to an inconsistency where you had him asking "what was that all about?" when everyone was safe, then the line would probably have more meaning. I feel that he should feel annoyed (at the fact that she tried to lie to him) when he told AJ that she doesn't need to say anything and the roar should interrupt them in the middle of this sentence, "No you don't understa-"
>Twilight being told that she's a "mother" to Spike or acting too motherly as I wrote in the above con. It's better for it to be an implication than rather than characters talking about it. Like AJ saying "You're the closest friend he has..." to Twilight instead of calling her a mother, when she's telling her what she should've done.
>Rarity's reward for Spike if he gave the code to her. I'm not sure why I felt wrong about this, maybe it's how she presented the idea, but whatever the case may be it's not that to big for a case for me.
>An inconsistency about Spike knowing why Applejack tricked him and was crying about it and the scene where's back to his usual self after saving the ponies and calmly asks what is going on. My suggestion earlier just makes resolves this "a little bit" in that he wanted to know what was going on.
Now here the things that I really like about the story:
-Pros-
>Pinkie being the one to get Twilight's attention is hilarious and something that I would totally see in the show.
>Spike's efficiency is never dropped, thank you very much on that. It's one of the things about the episode that I wish the show creators would do for him instead of making him clumsy for some reason.
>The fight scene with the Timberwerewolf is glorious. It's truly the moment where Spike get to shine in his own heroic way instead of the regular way of how he defeated a giant Timberwolf.
>The lesson is a bit more prominent on both sides of the episode about Spike's misplaced obligation to help Applejack and Twilight's absentmindedness.
>All the characters have better roles here than in the original like Pinkie's involvement and Rarity's help (even though it diminishes the Pegasi's roles)
2672614 I appreciate the in depth comment. I admit I did go kind of overboard with the drama in this. I've only done one other story with that much strong emotion, so I still have a lot to learn in that regard. But for Spike being upset by Applejack tricking him, that's because he felt offended that she would want to get rid of him after he did so much for her and she pretty much treated him like family.
2672503 Much appreciated.
2672439 Thank you very much.
2671651 Honestly, wouldn't it make more sense for her hair to turn into a jagged mess like spikes for insanity? If her hair determines her mood, that would add up better for me personally.
2672984
Pretty sure Pinkie is already insane, but for murderous insanity? Spikes sound good. -or perhaps more like her hair is still tangled, but at harsh angles instead of "smooth" curls?... Yes.
2673027 That would be a cool thing to spread through the community. "What hairstyle fits Pinkie's mood?"
2672970
I think you just need a lesson in subtlety as much I need a lesson in tenses. I felt like you're fan of crying due to the amount of it in this story.
That's why I felt that he should feel more angry and upset at this kind of betrayal instead of crying. Of course he feels sad in the inside, but I feel that he'll show more anger and annoyance at AJ's trick.
2673027
2672984
I think that, between "Party of One" canon crazy Pinkie and the non-canon insane murderous bloody Pinkie, there is an ocean.
2683902 Not to mention he cooked all the food for the princess' visit in "Bird in the hoof"
This definitely is what the episode "Spike at your Service" should have been. YYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!
My only complaint is the bit when Twilight meets Spike n' company at Rarity's Boutique; everyone, especially Twilight, seemed to get way too emotional way too fast.
Spike turning Rarity down was a serious "WHAT THE HAY!?" moment; I LOVED IT!!!
The marriage comment... awkward! I bet Rarity was soooo jealous!
The fight scene with the Timberwerewolf is MAGNIFICENT! I felt that this was truly one of Spike's shining moments, as they tend to downplay the secondary characters a lot in the actual series, even if that episode is about them.
asfor the idea you mentioned in the comment about a sequel story where Spike and Applejack fall in love; DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA'S SACRED PLOT DO IT!!!!!!
2690171 Thank you very much, I admit the only other story I've done with such heavy emotional moments is "Eternal sorrow of an innocent soul" so I don't really know how to properly implement drama into a story.
2690185
It always helps if you have a base to work with.
i find that reading a few stories that have similar themes to my own helps, and, if I have a general idea where I want to go, writing/typing an event outline never hurts either.
However, this can be a bit time consuming, so it's best to get a few chapters in before actually submitting anything.
Hope this helps.
Worthy addition to the collection, I like it