Turning seventeen is a big milestone in a filly's life. Yet Applebloom doesn't feel like she completely ready to be a full grown mare with her new emotions.
"So I walk up on high,/And I step to the edge,/To see my world below./And I laugh at myself,/While the tears roll down,/'Cause it's the world I know./Oh it's the world I know." -Collective Soul, ‘The World I Know’
Applebloom turns seventeen years old. Eager to become a grown pony, her strong desire to help out around the farm takes hold. However, she is quick to realize that she might not be as ready to grow up as she thought when she begins to have odd feelings for a small purple dragon. Will she be able to fully blossom into the mare she wants to become?
It was a bright morning in Ponyville. With Celestia’s sun peeking through the window, sunlight brushed across a yellow pony’s face. Her face squinted and stirred as she woke up. Opening and rubbing her eyes, a smile appeared on her face. Using her hooves to push her red mane back and behind her head, she then hopped down from her bed. She quickly tied her pink bow in her mane and made her way downstairs. In the kitchen, her family welcomed her.
The elderly green pony spoke “Well, good morning there, birthday filly!”
“Yeah, happy birthday, Applebloom!” her sister also commented.
Applebloom smiled brightly, “Hehe, thanks, Granny Smith and Applejack!”
“How does it feel ta be seventeen?” her brother Big Mac asked, chewing on an apple.
“Ah’m so excited! This means ah can help out more around the farm, right?” Applebloom asked as she took a seat at the table.
“Well, of course ya get to help out more ‘round the farm,” the orange pony stated, placing a plate of sliced apples covered lightly in caramel.
“Nah, not like that, ah talkin’ ‘bout doin’ more important stuff like applebuckin’ and barrelin’!” Applebloom replied with energy, taking a bite of one of the sliced apples.
Applejack and Big Mac gave each other uneasy looks. Big Mac softly spoke, “Well, ah don’t know ‘bout that right away, Applebloom.”
The yellow pony tilted her head to the side as she spoke with her mouth full, “Buhf why?”
“It’s not that we don’t want ya ta help us out ‘round the farm or nothin’, it’s just it’s a lotta hard work. We don’t want ta give ya more than ya can haddle,” Applejack explained, careful to not hurt her sister’s feelings.
“But….what about mah cutie mark? Ah just know if ah help out more ‘round the farm, ah’ll get it! Ah just know it!” Applebloom pleaded, “Ah’m all grown up now after all!”
AJ started her reply, “Sorry, Applebloom, but we can still have you help with other things lik-“
“Ah, hush up, Applejack!” Granny Smith interrupted, “Applebloom is plenty old enough ta pull her own weight! Why, you weren’t much older when ya were doin’ the same kind of work yer doin’ now. An’ jus’ look at her, she’s growin’ into be quite an Apple. She’s more than ready to start barrelin’ and soon enough buckin’.”
“Ya really think ah’m ready, Granny?” the yellow pony asked with stars in her eyes.
“Darn tootin’!” the green pony nodded “Yer a member of the Apple family are ya not? It’s in yer blood! An’ ah reckon soon yer gonna get yer cutie mark.”
“Thanks, Granny Smith!” Applebloom said as she finished her breakfast, “Ah’m gonna go see mah friends in Ponyville now. Ah’ll be back later!” The mare stood up from her seat and began to rush out of the room.
“Just remember that tomorra we’re gonna start applebuckin’ season!” Applejack called out to her sister.
Applebloom called back faintly, “Okay!” With that, she left the house and made her way towards the town.
“Ya really think she’s ready for such responsibility, Granny?” Applejack asked with doubt.
“Ah think she needs some sort of push in the right direction for the little filly,” the green pony smirked.
“A push? Ah still don’t think Applebloom is ready fer such work ‘round the farm. She might be seventeen today, but she still has a ways ta go,” Big Mac commented.
Granny Smith closed her eyes and gave a small chuckle, “Well, we gotta give the little pony some room to grow an’ mature. She might not think so, but she’s still got a lotta growin’ ta do to blossom into a mare.”
Applebloom trotted towards Ponyville. On the path leading out of Sweet Apple Arces, the yellow pony looked at the wooden fence that bordered the walkway. She smiled confidently at the fence posts. She remembered that just a few years ago, she was barely half the height of the post itself. Applebloom snickered slightly, looking over the entire fence, her head towering over each of the posts that made a row alog the road. In just a short time, she manage to grow a considerable amount.
Arriving at Sugarcube Corner, Applebloom opened the door and entered to find her friends sitting at a table. With a bounce in her trot and humming a tune, she sat down with the other two ponies.
“Hiya, girls!” Applebloom cheerfully spoke, taking a seat.
“Hello, Applebloom! Happy birthday!” Sweetie Belle replied.
“Yeah, happy birthday. How are ya doing?” Scootaloo joined in as she reached down below the table and placed a small wrapped box on the table.
Applebloom smiled, “Ah’m doin’ just fine! Had one of mah favorite breakfasts, caramel-covered apple slices, and the walk over here was just wonderful!”
“Well, how about you open up your gift here?” the orange pegasus pushed the wrapped gift forward and across the table.
“Yes, open it! It’s from both of us!” Sweetie Belle added excitedly.
Taking the box, the yellow pony began to rip the paper off and open the box up. She then pulled out the item inside, a homemade red saddlebag that was embroidered with her name and a few gems. “Oh my, it’s really beautiful!”
“Glad you like it, Applebloom!” the white unicorn said.
Scootaloo continued, “Yeah, Sweetie Belle’s sister really helped us out with this one. We told her what we wanted to do, and she helped us out. Like picking the fabric out.”
“And putting it together,” Sweetie Belle added.
“And sewing your name.”
“And putting the gems on.”
“And just about everything,” Scootaloo finally admitted.
“But we had the idea!” Sweetie Belle quickly interjected with her statement.
Applebloom laughed as she placed it back in the box, “Ah really love it! Thanks Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.”
“Of course! It is your seventeenth birthday after all!” Scootaloo said, “You already look so much older.”
“Yeah, all you’re missing is your cutie mark!” the unicorn pointed out.
The orange pegasus lightly jabbed Sweetie Belle in the side for her comment, “Shush!”
“Oh, it’s fine Scootaloo,” Applebloom stated, “Ah know it’ll come in sooner or later, an’ ah’m sure that helpin’ ‘round the farm his applebuckin’ season will have me get mah mark! It’ll show up!”
“Speaking of showing up, have you seen Spike today?” Sweetie Belle looked towards Scootaloo.
“No, I haven’t. He was supposed to be here a while ago with Applebloom’s gift,” the pegasus replied with a sigh, “Leave it to the dragon to be late, huh?”
At Scootaloo’s words, the door of the bakery was opened and a panicky purple and green dragon. He looked back and forth until he saw the three female ponies sitting at the table. He hurried over to them with a box under his arm. He sat in the open seat next to Applebloom. “Sorry, I’m late. I had to….help Twilight with a few more letters and other things….” the dragon was out of breath.
Scooatloo gave a glare to him, “Nice of you to show up, Spike.”
“Oh, give him a break. He said he was sorry an’ all,” Applebloom said as she turned to face Spike, “How are ya, Spike?”
“Fine….” he was still panting from his running, “oh, before I forgot, here’s your present.” The dragon placed a small, unwrapped box on the table.
“C’mon, open it!” Sweetie Belle bursted.
Applebloom opened the box to reveal a gem. Gasping at the stone, she pulled it out to examine it. It was a glistening red ruby in a hexagon shape with a chain at one of the points to turn it into a necklace. It captivated all three ponies. “Oh mah….”
“Spike, where did you get that ruby?” Scootaloo asked, staring into the gem.
“I found it in the gem field when I was hunting for gems to eat. The color was so bold and the shape so perfect, I just had to share it with somepony. So, I figured why not a gift for Applebloom’s birthday?” Spike was finally able to speak without a shortness of breath.
“It’s gorgeous,” the unicorn added in.
The yellow mare put the necklace over her head and around her neck. “Spike….ah love it. Thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it. So tell us, how does it feel to be seventeen?” Spike asked, eager for the answer.
“It feels really strange. Ah mean, ah am older an’ all, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel like me,” Applebloom admitted.
Scootaloo smiled and laughed, “Don’t sweat it, you’ll grow into it soon enough. I mean, look at ya! You’re growing much faster than all of us, including Spike over there.”
“But….it really feels all strange and such….like butterflies or somethin’ in mah stomach….and ah feel like ah need ta be more mature,” Applebloom admitted.
“Just give yourself some time to get used to being all grown up! You’ll be fine!" Sweetie Belle insisted.
Spike joined in, “Yeah, relax! Today is your birthday, and knowing Pinkie Pie, you’ll be getting a birthday cupcake within the minute.”
The girls giggled at Spike’s statement because the pink party pony was bouncing toward the table with the cupcake for the birthday mare. The friends continued to enjoy their time together and celebrating Applebloom’s birthday.
Later that evening, Applebloom was trotting back to Sweet Apple Acres. With her new red saddlebag draped across her back and her new ruby necklace around her neck, she moved silently through the night. She had a satisfied expression on her face. After a fun day of partying with Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Spike, and Pinkie Pie, who invited herself, Applebloom was tired from the birthday festivities. Arriving to her home, she trotted up onto the porch and entered to find her sister in the common room on the couch..
“Well, howdy birthday gal,” Applejack looked up from her book, welcoming her little sister, “How was yer day?”
“Hiya Applejack! It was really fun. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo got me this saddlebag,” the yellow mare showcased the bag to Applejack as if she were a fashion pony on the runway.
“Mah, ain’t that a very fancy lookin’ bag. It’s really nice on ya, Applebloom,” Applejack pointed out, using her hooves to frame Applebloom with her new saddlebag.
Applebloom giggled at the comment.
“How ‘bout that gem you got hangin’ ‘round yer neck? Where’d ya get that?” the orange pony pointed.
“Oh, hehe,” Applebloom giggled again, this time her checks turning a light shade of pink, “it’s what Spike gave me fer mah birthday. He thought it would be a nice gift fer me.”
“Well, hogtie me and call me a calf in a rodeo, that’s mighty kind of him ta do that fer ya!” Applejack stated. The yellow pony couldn’t help but giggle again. The older pony continued, “So what was it like fer ya ta be an another year older?”
She hesitated to answer, “Well, can ah be honest with ya, sis?”
“Of course, sugarcube.”
“Ah kinda feel weird, ya know?”
“Weird, how so?” Applejack raised an eyebrow.
Applebloom was uncomfortable to continue, “Well….today, an’ fer that matter a few times before, ah felt really strange and stuff….”
“Strange? What’cha mean by that, Applebloom?”
“It was really unusual an’ weird. It was like butterflies or somethin’ of that. An’ ah usually get in when ah’m with mah friends doin’ stuff. Does any of this makin’ sense ta ya, Applejack?” Applebloom explained, setting the saddle bag down on a seat.
“Butterflies, huh?” Applejack thought about what was said, rubbing a hoof under her chin.
“Yeah, in mah stomach. They’re all flutterin’ and what not.”
With the added statement from her sister, Applejack’s eyes widened as she pieced the puzzle together, “Uh-oh.”
“Uh-oh? What’s uh-oh?” Applebloom inquired to her sister.
The orange pony chuckled a little before giving a heavy sigh, “Heh heh, whoo-wee….ah knew sooner or later ya would have this talk. Pretty unlucky fer it ta be me ta be givin’ it ta ya. Heh, though thinkin’ ‘bout it, if ol’ Big Mac was the one ta give ya the talk.”
Applebloom was lost and confused, “What are ya talkin’ ‘bout, Applejack? What talk?”
With one last snicker, Applejack began to spoke, “Well, ya see Applebloom, when a mare reaches a certain age, they begin ta change little by little. These changes are perfectly normal an’ everythin’ fer a pony.”
Her sister insisting that the changes were normal didn’t ease the yellow pony’s worries, “N-Normal? Are ya sayin’ wasn’t normal before?”
“Well ta be honest Applebloom, Granny, Mac, and ah were worried if ya ever grow any bigger than a fence post.” Applejack was quick to take her statement back when she saw her sister’s reaction, “But, uh….we figured that ya were gonna be a late bloomer is all. Ah mean, look at ya right now!”
“Ah guess that’s true, ah am growin’ up quite a bit,” Applebloom remarked.
“See? Yer just fine!” Applejack continued, “But, there comes a part in every mare’s adolescence when they mature. They begin to develop both physically as well as….mentally.” Applejack was tripping over her words and hating every moment of it.
Her sister tilted her head to the side, “Mentally? Like how?”
“Well,” Applejack turned her head away from her little sister, “fer starters like noticin’ others in new light.”
“Noticin’ others in a new light? Ya mean like….l-likin’ them?” Applebloom gave a revolting glare at her sister.
Applejack gave a nervous laugh, “Well, more like fallin’ in love, but yeah, likin’ is the start.”
Applebloom was disgusted, “Eww, that’s gross! There’s no ponies that ah like like that!”
“Heh, really now?” the orange mare smirked, “no ‘ponies’, huh? What ‘bout a dragon?”
“Dragon? Ya mean Spike? He’s just mah close friend, Applejack!” the annoyed Applebloom firmly stated with a huff.
Applejack snickered and pointed, “Yer friend, huh? Seems a bit much fer a friend to give ya a very nice ruby necklace, don’t ya think?”
Applebloom looked down at the necklace and then back up to Applejack. Her face turned a shade of red to match her mane. She quickly grabbed her saddlebag and left the common room for her bedroom. As she left, she heard Applejack apologize for saying what she did and that she could not help herself.
In her room, she placed her bag and necklace on her dresser. Turning her light off quickly, she jumped into her bed and buried her head in her pillow. Mumbling into the pillow, Applebloom shouted a muffled cry, “Ah don’t like him or anypony, Applejack! What part of that don’t ya understand?”
She lifted her head up from her pillow and looked to her dresser. Luna’s moonlight from outside was peering in through her window. The light hit the gem on the necklace, causing the ruby to light up a brillant shade of red. The red glow reflected onto Applebloom’s face as she stared at the stone. Looking at the gem, she began to feel strange again.
The next day, Applebloom went to back into Ponyville. She wore both of her new birthday gifts. The saddlebag was resting on her back and the ruby necklace hung around her neck, shining in the sunlight. Happily, she trotted along the path towards the town square. She always enjoyed the walk from her home to Ponyville and back, it gave her time to be alone with her thoughts and enjoy the weather. As Celestia’s sun beamed down on the dirt path, Applebloom reflected on her birthday the day before. She enjoyed herself at Sugarcube Corner and was extremely grateful for her gifts. Her mind, however, drifted to the evening where Applejack gave her a talk about her growing.
The yellow pony sighed with annoyance, “Dumb ol’ Applejack, why does she think that ah like Spike or somethin’ dumb like that?” Her words her soft so that they wouldn’t travel far. She looked down as she trotted along the path. Her eyes caught the sight of her gem on her necklace. Her face turned a slight pink before she violently shook her head, “Ah don’t like him like that, ah don’t like anypony like that. He’s just a friend!” Her voice was louder this time. She looked around to see if anypony had heard. A family of gophers were staring at her in a puzzled manner. She nervously laughed before quickly moving along.
Continuing her walking, Applebloom continued her talking, “Ah really do mean it, Spike’s just a friend. Ah mean, he’s like mah best friend. Ah could never see him as anything else. He’s too immature fer his age fer starters. Guess it’s because he’s a dragon or somethin’ like that. He’s still mah friend….ah just don’t seem him like that.” Applebloom felt comfortable with her reasoning and continued along the path into Ponyville.
Reaching the center of town, she saw Spike sitting on a bench by himself. She galloped up to him, “Hiya, Spike. Where’s Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo at?”
“I was about to ask the same. I thought they were with you,” Spike hopped down from the bench.
Applebloom shook her head, “Nope. Ah thought they were gonna meet us here like the other times.”
Spike scratched his head, “Huh, weird. Anyway, ya still wanna hang out without them? I’m sure they’ll show up sooner or later.”
The mare was a bit hesitant to reply, “Uh….sure. Ah guess yer right that they’ll be here.”
“Heh, awesome. Let’s get going then. Sugarcube Corner awaits!” the dragon pointed and began to walk to the building.
Applebloom hurried to catch up with Spike. She smiled as she trotted along side him. However, she was beginning get the same strange feeling in her stomach as she did yesterday.
-------------------
Celestia’s sun began to set in the distance as the two youngsters moved down the dirt path. Applebloom and Spike laughed as they headed towards Sweet Apple Acres. While their friends failed to show up, the two still had a fun day together by themselves.
“So that’s why I’m not allowed to bother Twilight when she’s writing in her ‘special notebook’, as she calls it,” Spike explained giving air quotes with his claws.
“Sounds like Miss Twilight can be really scary at times like that,” Applebloom commented with a small chuckle.
Spike laughed as well, “Yeah, she can be scary if I read anything like her diary or something.”
The pony snickered, “You read her diary?”
“Haha, once in a while if I need a good laugh,” the dragon explained.
The two continued along the path up to the Apple family’s home. Applebloom and Spike stepped up onto the wooden porch. Celestia’s setting sun warmed both of them as they turned to look out at the horizon.
“Well, sorry today wasn’t as good as yesterday. Very strange that Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo didn’t show up,” Spike said, scratching the top of his head at the lack of their two friends.
Applebloom smiled, “It’s no big deal. Ah’m sure Sweetie Belle is just helpin’ her sister out an’ Scootaloo is doing somethin’ with Rainbow Dash.”
“Yeah, that sounds like them alright,” Spike chuckled.
“Yup,” the mare said, “But still, thank ya very much, Spike. Fer both the necklace an’ spendin’ the day with me.”
Spike slightly embarrassed as he laughed and rubbed the back of his neck with one of his claws, “Heh, not a problem, Applebloom.”
The two looked at each other for a few long-lasting moments. Spike’s expression had changed. The dragon looked uncomfortable, as if he was trying to convince himself of something. Applebloom took notice of this, “Spike, are you alright?”
“Y-Yeah….” he managed to say. He took a few seconds before continued, “Can I….say something?”
“Of course.”
For a few seconds, Spike tried to speak, yet was unable to make a complete and coherent sentence. “I….um….well….I think….uh….”
Applebloom raised an eyebrow, “Are ya sure yer fine?”
Sighing, Spike leaned towards the yellow pony and spoke, “Applebloom, I’m sorry but….”
Spike’s words were cut off as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Applebloom’s. His eyes were tightly closed while Applebloom’s were wide open in a state of shock. Inside of the pony’s stomach, she felt the butterflies fluttered again.
Spike’s eyes were shut tightly as he pressed his lips against Applebloom’s. As for the mare, her eyes were wide open as Spike leaned into her. As the feelings stirring in her stomach, Applebloom couldn’t make heads or tails of what was happening. The yellow pony’s mind respond to the situation in one way: she pushed the dragon away from her.
The pony stared right at the dragon, her hooves still against his scales, “What the hay was that?” Applebloom was panting, her face flushed.
Spike’s voice was meek, “A kiss….”
“Well, duh, but why did ya do that?” she restated the question.
“I like you….a lot, Applebloom….” the dragon spoke, avoiding eye contact with the pony.
Applebloom removed her limbs from Spike’s body. She turned her head away from him and sighed heavily. She stared at the boards beneath her hooves. After quite a pause, Applebloom spoked in a hushed tone, “Spike, ah like ya too, but yer mah best friend….an’ ah really don’t wanna mess that up with ya, ya know?”
The dragon looked out past the porch and out to the grove of trees at night, “Yeah….I guess so….I’m sorry about that….”
“Ah….ah think ya should leave….” Applebloom said softly.
Spike nodded. He slowly stepped down from the porch and headed down the path back to Ponyville. Turning around, Spike raised a claw up and waved, “See ya later then.”
Applebloom raised a hoof to wave back, “Yeah….see ya later, Spike.” Turning around, the yellow pony entered into her home. Upon entering, she laid the saddlebag on a chair in the common room. With a heavy sigh, she raised her head up to see Applejack passing through the hallway.
“Howdy, sugarcube, how are ya doin’?” the orange pony asked as she entered the room.
“Ah don’t wanna talk ‘bout it….” the yellow pony mumbled.
Applejack trotted up to her sister, “What’s gotta ya more knotted up than a lasso ‘round a calf’s hooves?”
“Spike? Ah thought ah heard the little dragon outside. What happened?”
The yellow pony looked down at the floor, “He….He kissed me….”
A smile crept onto Applejack’s face, “Aww, now isn’t that just the sweetest thin’? That’s just adorable.”
The yellow-coated sister glared, “No it’s not! It’s just gross and dumb! An’ he’s so childish.”
Applejack couldn’t help but chuckle still, “Sorry, but it’s kinda adorable that he kissed ya. An’ besides, there’s nothing wrong ‘bout bein’ a child in one’s heart.”
“But ah’m older now! A have ta be more mature as ah grow up!” Applebloom replied with a huff.
The orange mare was ready to retort back, “So? Does that mean ya can’t be who ya are naturally or do ya havta be who ya think yer supposed ta be?”
“Applejack, stop makin’ fun of me! This isn’t funny or anythin’! It’s just really weird….like the rest of these things ah’m feelin’,” Applebloom bit back at her sister’s comment.
“What yer feelin’, huh? Still havin’ those butterflies in yer stomach?” the orange mare asked, taking a seat one of the chairs.
Applebloom shook her head, “Y-Yeah….”
“Well, it’s proof that yer blossoming into a young mare, Applebloom,” the older sister stated.
The younger sister tilted her head, confused at Applejack’s words, “Huh?”
“Look, seventeen is quite an important age fer a pony. Yer growin’ up. Just don’t ferget ta be a youngster. An’ don’t stop imaginin’. That’s one thing Granny Smith taught me. The day that ya do is the day that ya die. Basically, always be young in heart, Applebloom, no matter what yer age is,” Applejack explained.
Applebloom looked down at the carpet below her hooves. She stood in silence, unsure of what to say.
“Look, ah ain’t tellin’ ya how ta live yer life, sugarcube, ah’m just givin’ ya what ah think could help ya out,” Applejack stood up from her seat, “ah understand yer goin’ through a tough time, ah just want ta help ya in what way ah can.”
The yellow mare continued looking downward. She then turned her attention to her sister. With a smile, she thanked her, “Thanks, Applejack. Ah know ya mean well an’ all.”
“So,” Applejack gave a small hug to her sister, “how are ya feelin’ now, Applebloom?”
“Still feelin’ more rotten than worm-ridden apples. Ah feel bad of what ah said ta Spike….but….ah still don’t know how ah feel ‘bout what he did an’ everythin’….” Applebloom explained, sounding as if tears were about to roll down her face, “Just….everythin’ is so weird now….what happened ta the world ah used ta know? Why can’t everythin’ be simple, Applejack?”
“Not everythin’ can be so simple, Applebloom. We just gotta learn how ta overcome whatever is thrown at us. But in the end, it makes us the ponies we are.”
Applebloom woke up to Celestia’s sun shining into her room. Rubbing her orange eyes, she noticed she had not slept under her quilt, but rather just on top of it. She hopped down from her bed and looked at herself in the dresser mirror. Applebloom’s red mane was frizzled and her bow flattened from her sleep. With a sigh at her reflection, the yellow pony undid the pink bow in her mane and began to straighten the fibers of her mane with a brush.
“Ah really should find Spike an’ apologize ta him. Ah guess ah was downright mean ta the little dragon….he really didn’t deserve it….” Applebloom talked to herself, dragging the brush through her mane.
Placing the brush down, she looked at her reflection in the mirror again. Without her bow, Applebloom noted that she looked different, older even. She looked down at the bow ribbon that she placed on the dresser. With a quick turn, she left both the ribbon and her room.
Downstairs, Applejack was sitting at the table in the kitchen, making a crust for an apple pie. She saw her little sister come down the staircase, looking crestfallen and distant. “Howdy, sugarcube, how are ya this mornin’?”
Applebloom mumbled incoherently.
“Beg pardon?” Applejack paused in her baking.
The yellow pony reiterated, “Ah’m just feelin’ a bit down is all….”
“Ya still out of it after yesterday?” the orange pony looked with concern to her sister.
The younger mare nodded in silence.
“Well, do ya plan on doin’ somethin’ ‘bout this or ya just goin’ mope ‘round the house all day?”
“Ah do wanna go an’ tell Spike ah’m sorry an’ all….fer bein’ mean ta him an’ all,” Applebloom admitted.
Applejack smiled, “Ya certainly are an Apple, sugarcube. Ya can’t leave a friend hangin’.” With her flour-coated hoof, she touched Applebloom’s nose, leaving some of the flour on her face.
Applebloom quickly used her hooves brush the flour off her face, “Well, he’s one of mah best friends, so ah just havta say sorry ta the little guy.”
“Ya certainly are becomin’ more mature,” the orange pony smiled.
“Doesn’t mean that it’s easy….” Applebloom commented as she hung her head low.
“Most things that are worth doin’ are never simple or easy, sugarcube,” her sister insisted, “But remember what ah said last night? We all just gotta deal with what life throws at us. It makes us who we are.”
“Thanks fer all yer help, Applejack,” Applebloom looked up to her older sister.
“Of course, sugarcube.”
Applebloom left Sweet Apple Acres, trotting towards Ponyville. She wasted no time as she moved along the dirt path, quickly made her way into the bustling town. Seeing her destination, she trotted up to the library door. Knocking on the door, the yellow pony took a deep breath.
The door opened to reveal a purple unicorn, “Oh, hello there Applebloom. What brings you around to the library?”
“Hiya, Miss Twilight. Is Spike in by chance?” Applebloom asked.
Twilight Sparkle shook her head, “No, sorry. He left a while ago after finishing his chores. I think he said something about going for a walk, but truth be told, I was too wrapped up in reading a new book to pay attention.”
Applebloom sighed, “Oh, okay. Thanks anyway, Miss Twilight.”
“Anytime, Applebloom,” the unicorn said, “By the way, you look very nice without your bow in your mane. Very grown-up.”
The yellow pony smiled as she nodded, “Thank ya.” She turned around and trotted away.
With no dragon and no leads to his whereabouts, Applebloom began to wander around Ponyville. The yellow pony trotted around to the town square, watching ponies going their own separate ways. As she ponywatched, for some reason, she kept seeing a number of couples walking together, such as a brown stallion and a grey pegasus mare together. Frustrating the yellow pony, she turned her direction and trotted towards a place she had not visited in a while.
Passing through the town and Sweet Apple Acres, she headed to the old Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse. She trotted up to the old treehouse. She almost didn’t recognize the clubhouse, the crusaders had abandoned the treehouse after Sweetie Belle had attempted to use her magic inside, causing a small explosion that destroyed a quarter of the clubhouse. After that, the girls didn’t really wish to rebuild their clubhouse and since then, it had fallen into ruin.
Carefully trotting up the plank up into the treehouse, Applebloom could already tell the house was in worse shape than when they left it. Stepping on the noisy, wooden floor, she entered the house itself.
Inside, Applebloom looked straight at the location where Sweetie Belle tried to use her magic. It was apparent where she was sitting at the time, as there now was a huge hole in the roof over where she was. Applebloom’s eyes were caught by something else in the small room. Posters drawn up by the crusaders and Spike covered the walls and the floor. It reminded her when the purple dragon would help the crusaders come up with new ideas for getting their cutie marks. Of course, each time they would fail miserably, but Spike nevertheless was willing to aid them in whatever way he could think of.
A couple of tears formed in Applebloom’s eyes and some even rolled down and fell onto the wooden planks below. Quietly weeping, she spoke in a hushed voice, “Why can’t it all just be simple like it was back then? Ah miss that time when it was just us bein’ kids….ah just….ah just don’t know how it got ta this point….ah just want the simple things again….a simple kind of life….”
Amongst her crying, Applebloom’s ears perked up. Quieting herself and wiping her tears away, she carefully trotted to the railing. It was from there, she saw Spike down on the ground below.
“Spike?” she called down, her voice sounding a little distorted from her crying.
The dragon looked up to see the yellow pony in the treehouse. “Oh, hey, Applebloom,” he greeted the pony, “I’ve been looking for you for a while.” He paused as he fiddled with his claws, “I wanted to say sorry about yesterday….”
With a few tears still trying forming in her eyes, Applebloom looked down at Spike from the treehouse. From what she could tell, the dragon seemed just as down and depressed as she was. Applebloom called down to the purple dragon, “Ya’ve been lookin’ fer me ta say sorry?”
Spike was staring at the ground before he turned his attention back to Applebloom, nodding at her question, “Yes, I realize what I did was pretty dumb on my part.”
Quickly brushing her would be tears out of her eyes and turning the tone of her voice more stern, she replied, “It certainly was dumb of ya, Spike. In fact, it was just down right stupid,” Applebloom shouted down at Spike. Looking at the dragon’s broken state, she changed her one, “But….ya don’t havta be sorry, Spike, ah’m the one that should be sorry.”
“Come again?” Spike tilted his head in confusion.
“It was wrong of me ta yell at ya the way ah did. Ah didn’t mean ta sound so mean ta ya, Spike….yer mah great friend, ah’d never want ta hurt ya,” Applebloom’s words were soft and full of regret of her actions. Quickly changing her attitude, she stared down at the dragon, “But ah’m still not happy with ya….”
“Not happy with me?” the dragon was puzzled at the yellow pony’s words.
“Because of the kiss, duh….” the pony shied away.
Spike’s face became flushed, “Oh….right….”
Applebloom was silent as she looked back downwards on Spike below. Watching the dragon in silence, a query came to her mind. Speaking in a hushed tone, she asked a question, “Do ya….do ya like me like that, Spike?”
The sudden question surprised Spike, “Huh?”
The yellow pony looked down and restated the question, “Ah’m askin’, do ya like me like ya said ya did?”
Spike stood in silence for a quite some time. He raised his head up and gave a determined look to Applebloom, “Yes. I really do love ya, Applebloom. I have for a long time now and I guess I just recently got the guts to do something about it. But yes, I do. It’s one reason why I gave you that ruby necklace. I figured you would like it as much as I liked the gem itself.”
With her face flushed, Applebloom sighed heavily. Her head hung low as she spoke, “Alright….fine, whatever….”
“What’s wrong?” the dragon looked up and asked.
Applebloom spoke softly, “Spike….it’s that….ah do like ya….but that’s not what’s wrong....it’s not ya, but it’s just that yer so childish….”
“Huh? I’m childish? What’s wrong with that?” Spike asked.
Applebloom’s volume grew as she spoke, “Everything is different now. I’m older, an’ ah havta act like it. Ah mean, that’s why ah don’t have mah bow in mah mane, it makes me look older.”
The dragon raised an eyebrow, “That doesn’t mean ya have to ignore everything else about your old self. What about your wants, your dreams, your feelings?”
“Ah….” the pony hesitated, “ah don’t know….agh….ah’m so bad at this grown-up thing….”
“Hey, nopony lands on their hooves the first time around,” Spike reassured his friend.
Sighing again, Applebloom continued, “Ah don’t think ah’m ready fer all this grown-up stuff as originally thought….everything is just so different now. The world ah knew is long gone now, ah’m not a little filly anymore….and ah just can’t go back to what was. Ah’m….ah’m not ready….”
“You don’t always have to grow up, Applebloom. Just be a kid inside, ya know?”
Applebloom giggled slightly, “Let me guess, that’s what ya do.”
“Totally. What’s wrong with being young in heart? I mean, we all grow up, that goes without saying. But it’s up to us to still be young in our heads and just still be kids,” Spike explained.
The yellow pony’s face stared at Spike for a few moments after he finished speaking. However, she couldn’t help but laugh. This confused Spike as he looked up at Applebloom.
“What are you laughing about?” he asked as he scratched his head.
“At what ya said,” Applebloom calmed herself, “It’s basically the same thing as mah sister said ta me 'bout all of this. An' now that ah think ‘bout it, maybe yer both right. Ah might just be rushin’ into all of this all wrong.”
“That’s what I think,” Spike looked up to give Applebloom a smile, “Why do ya need to rush into growing up? You should just enjoy life for what it is and every second you have of it. No need to hurry it up.”
Applebloom gave another laugh. With a smile back on her face and she looked down at Spike as she leaned on the railing, “You know that sounds really corny, right?”
“Hey, it’s what I believe about growing up,” the dragon insisted, “don’t forget to have fun, that’s what I say!”
A sly smirk appeared on the pony’s face, “Well, if that’s the way ya think, then have fun and catch me!” Applebloom moved herself up onto the wooden railing of the treehouse. Spike looked up to see a falling Applebloom coming closer towards him. In a panic, he opened up his arms for the pony to be caught. He managed to safely catch the falling pony, but unfortunately for Spike, she might as well of body slammed the dragon on the ground.
“Haha, thanks fer breakin’ mah fall, Spike!” Applebloom laughed, standing up on her hooves and off of Spike.
“Ow….yeah….no problem….” the dragon replied in pain as he stood back up, “always happy to help….”
While Spike was brushing himself off as he stood back up, Applebloom leaned in and lighly pecked Spike’s cheek. This action caught the dragon off guard, causing him to fall back down onto his bottom. Applebloom laughed again.
“Wh-What was that for?” Spike asked as he continued to sit on the ground where he feel.
Applebloom smiled warmly, “Just a thanks to ya fer everythin’ ya’ve done.”
The dragon was still clueless, “Wait….so does that mean….?”