THE APPLE OF MY EYE

CHAPTER 14

Applejack arrived at the grand crystal castle in front of her, and after a hesitant glance backwards the orange mare quickly knocked, it almost immediately opening. Inside the doorway was Pinkie, looking as cheerful as ever. "Heya Applejack, and welcome to Rarity's 'I found my true love party'!" The eccentric bubbly mare gave a single bounce, before hopping down the hallway,a reluctant AJ following. "Howdy Pinkie...by the way Does Spike know yet?" The orange mare glanced around the room for the dragon as they entered the place with all the guests. "Not yet, he's been hiding in his room the whole time! Silly probably doesn't know the party's on yet! I'll go get him!" Pinkie pie dashed out the door and down the hallway again, nearly knocking AJ's hat off in the process. The farmer sighed but turned back towards the room, a few ponies, mostly her friends chatting and eating away harmoniously. Rarity suddenly trotted out of the crowd towards AJ, Fancypants at her side. "AJ your here!" The white mare giggled and Fancypants put out his hoof invitingly. "Applejack right?" The unicorn stallion asked charmingly and Applejack accepted his invite and gave him a firm hoofshake. "Eyup, Fancypants?" She replied, although she already knew the answer. "Indeed." The white unicorn stallion let go of her hoof and Rarity came to stand beside him again. "Come on Fancy, let me reintroduce you to my other friends!" Rarity whisked the stallion away excitedly and Applejack snorted with amusement.

SPIKE

"Is it time for the party already Pinkie?" Spike sighed as he shut his comic book shut. "Yes indeedy!" The party planner replied enthusiastically from her stance in the doorway. The reptile groaned before rolling out of his reasonable sized bed. He passed his gem case and followed Pinkie Pie out of his room, down the crystal corridors. The dragon was lead into a large room filled with a few ponies, their chatter droning out the rest of the noise. The first thing he noticed in the room was Rarity. The Snow White unicorn was wearing a gorgeous blue gown, a silver tiara with a stunning, and delicious looking, blue gem inside. Her perfectly curled purple mane was shimmering in the light of the room, giving it a natural sheen as it hung over her shoulder. Her elegantly arched neckline lead to a graceful snout, above that sitting her brilliantly coloured sapphire eyes, her long gracefully curled eyelashes falling over them almost in slow motion as she blinked gingerly. In every way she was beautiful. Spike felt his heart throb almost painfully as he stared at the gorgeous mare, Rarity donning a small white smile. That smile turned into a frown as her deep sapphire blue eyes flitted over to him. It was then That Spike realised Rarity's hoof was intertwined with a stallions. Surely she was just being polite, maybe bringing him over to the punch bowl? But as time wore on his heart skipped a few beats in a panicked state as the white unicorn stayed with her hoof in his, after a while Rarity tugged on the sleeve of... Fancypants was it? Rarity indicated towards Spike and Fancypants nodded, Rarity tearing herself away from his hoof, and starting to stride towards him.

APPLEJACK

The orange mare had watched as Rarity, resentfully, teared herself away from Fancypants, striding towards the small dragon, who looked at her with a confuzzled look, his dark green eyes flickering between Rarity and Fancypants. Rarity took another step and suddenly she was right in front of Spike. Time seemed to slow down and Applejack found herself edging closer, as Rarity opened her mouth and started speaking. AJ could tell she was talking, and hear her and multiple other chatting ponies in the background, but their talk was dulled, the Only thing her brain focusing upon being the dragon as his face went from confusion, to shock, to a quick flit of rage, to depression. Applejack watched as Spike bit his lip, and his dark green eyes started shimmering with unshed tears."I have to go!" He barely whispered, but somehow the country pony heard the reptile as he took of running out of the room. "Spike wait!" Applejack cried, and took off after him, skidding out of the room and dashing after the surprisingly quick reptile. The earth pony leapt out the already open front door, just before the door slammed shut behind her. AJ jumped at the sudden bang of the door, but her mind refocused when she heard a few sniffles. "Spike?" She called, but received no answer. Trotting a little bit away from the castle the farm mare spotted a small purple huddle near a tree. She sympathetically frowned, and trotted towards the huddle of scales. Applejack stopped as she heard another sob. "Spike?" The cowpony practically whispered. "What!" The sharp toned answer took Applejack by surprise. But it didn't stop her from reaching out a hoof and touching his shoulder. The dragon spun around a snarl on his face, and to Applejack's surprise there was no tears lining his face.

SPIKE

He instantly felt guilty as Applejack pulled her ears back with a look of shock. Spike looked down ashamedly. His head jerked back up with surprise as Applejack settled beside him, her hoof resting on his shoulder. "You should let it all out ya'll know." She calmly stated and Spike glanced away, a claw wiping his tears away. "Why should I shed tears for somepony I feel betrayed my feelings?" Applejack snorted at this. "You know it isn't Rarity's fault, and if you truly love her you'll do what makes her happy." Spike glanced at the orange mare beside him, she was glancing up at the sky, the stars were now twinkling in it's black depths. He watched as Applejack turned to him, the moon reflecting half of her face, giving it an angelic glow. A single tear slid down his cheek, before it dropped onto her hoof that still firmly sat on his shoulder. Like a dam ready to burst, the tears hazed his vision and spilled over the edge. "Oh sugarcube..." He heard her accent and then he was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace as more tears flooded from his eyes. He let loose a spine racking sob and Spike snuggled deeper into the orange fur of his friend. They sat there like that for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only a minute. Eventually Spike's tears slowed to a stop and he gave another sniffle, pulling himself out of the comforting hug that had been graciously given to him. He stared up into Applejack's emerald eyes and the mare concernedly glanced back at him. "Thank you.." He whispered and she immediately answered back "don't mention it."

APPLEACK

Applejack walked back to the castle side by side with Spike. She shivered but she wasn't sure it was from the cold. The dragon let loose a few sniffles, and a big sigh before stepping back inside the castle. As soon as the door shut behind them they were bombarded with ponies. Twilight instantly wrapped a wing around Spike, taking him away from the crowd, giving a thankful nod to AJ as she hurried out with the depressed dragon. The rest of the mane six watched him go worriedly. Applejack watched him disappear around the corner before she was jerked by a suddenly force. Whatever it was it pulled her down the corridor and shoved her into a closet. The door slammed shut behind Applejack and darkness enveloped the room. Suddenly the light flicked on, nearly blinding the orange farm mare. "Arghhh" she groaned as her eyes adjusted to the new light source. "I don't think any pony saw us go!" Pinkie pie exclaimed from across the room. "Pinkie?! What's the meanin' of this!" Applejack snorted at her eccentric pink friend. "You mean what's the meaning of that!" Pinkie pointed at the wall, Applejack cocking her eyebrow very confused. "Ah' don't get it..." Pinkie facehoofed, "what just happened out there with you and Spike!" ... "Ah' still don't get it..." Another facehoof, proceeded by Pinkie sliding closer to the other earth pony. "You like him don't ya?" Pinkie inquired while fluttering her eyes innocently. Applejack spluttered, her cheeks betraying her again as they blushed as red as the apples she grew. "We're just good friends! Nothin more, nothin less!" She waved her hooves around embarrassedly and the party planner simply shrugged. "Whatever you say." Pinkie shrugged and grabbed AJ's hoof, sending her spiralling towards the door, opening it in a flash and sending the orange mare spinning out into the crystal corridor. The cowpony landed hard in her rump, the closer door slamming shut behind her. "Oh there you are Applejack, Twilight was just about to set dinner on the table, come and join us!" The elegant voice rang out like bells on a silent day, and Applejack turned and was helped to her hooves by the owner of the voice, the ever beautiful Rarity smiling. "Gladly" her green eyes embarrassedly darted back towards the closet, before following Rarity to the dining room.

The ponies settled down around the table, as did Spike who eventually trudged into the room. Twilight then Began fixing the dinner, sending the plates and beverages out to the occupants of the seats with her magic. "Did you bring the stuff?" Rainbowdash whispered to Pinkie who was beside her. The party planner ecstatically nodded and shoved a hoof into her poofy mane. After a furious search inside her mane she retracted her hoof and set down the many bottles of apple cider. "Drink up!" Pinkie pie slyly smiled and slid the bottles to everypony at the table. Fluttershy glanced at her bottle confusedly and asked "how did you-" she started but glanced up and saw Pinkie find a hot sauce bottle in her mane. "Never mind.." The soft pegasus warmly smiled at her crazy friend. Twilight grabbed her fork, clinking it against the glass of her bottle, abruptly stopping all chatter. "A toast!" The alicorn swung her bottle in the air with her magic, the other members lifting theirs up too, with magic or hooves. "To Rarity and Fancypants!" Twilight declared and the other copied in monotone, before taking a swig of the apple cider. Applejack felt the liquid slide down her throat and nearly sighed in bliss, Dash certainly did. AJ, after swallowing her mouthful eyed the dragon across from her, he seemed upset by the words of Twilight. Oh how she wished she could comfort him. Ignoring her own thoughts the cowpony took as large bite out of her food. The chatter slowly returned and was embraced, it was a lot different then her usual silent dinner at home, But Applejack enjoyed it nonetheless. ...Except when her gut wrenched at seeing Spike's face after a single pony would mention Rarity or Fancypants. "Yes, my beautiful Rarity has offered to make some dresses for my friends in Canterlot!" Fancypants said poshly and gave his mare fired a quick nuzzle, which elicited many 'awws' from the ponies gathered. Spike's claws clenched into a fist around his fork, the utensil shaking dangerously. Applejack frowned and bit her lip worriedly. The dinner went on and Rarity asked "can somepony please pass the salt?" She asked with a dazzling smile. "Oh I would, but I'm not sure we're it is..." Fluttershy glanced around the table and Twilight facehoofed. "Sorry I forgot it!" Twilight groaned and was about to stand up and Fancypants stopped her. "I'll get it" he gave a generous smile and Twilight instructed him on were to find it. "I'll be back!" He grinned and walked out of the room. "He's just so generous!" Rarity giggled giddily. "Indeed!" Fluttershy exclaimed while Pinkie Rainbow and Twilight nodded. "Not to mention a gentlecolt, popular, handsome-" Rarity trailed off and Applejack glared at her before turning to Spike, his face was contorted with inner pain and a single tear was streaking down his cheek. Rage boiled inside the orange mare, how could they not realise what they were doing? he was sitting right across from them for pony's sake! AJ's lips curled into a snarl and before she could comprehend what she was doing she had stood, her hooves Landing with a single thud on the table, making the cutlery and glass shake. "STOP!" She yelled loudly and the ponies around her recoiled with shock. "What's gotten into you AJ?" Rainbowdash raised an eyebrow quizzically. "How can ya'll not see what you are doing!" The country pony growled menacingly and Rarity frowned before looking up at her friend. "Doing?" She questioned and the cowpony hit the table again, a few glasses spilling or falling over. "ABSOLUTLEY CLUELESS, THE LOT OF YA'! YOU JUST DON'T GET IT AND YA' NEVER WILL!" Applejack screeched loudly, her friends gripping their chairs nearly in fear. Applejack panted from her loud outburst, her ears dropping in shame. She had yelled at her closest friends, and they looked near scared to death. She glanced upwards, her green eyes locking on Spike, only to realise the dragon was focused on Rarity again, looking as if he hadn't even heard her stand up for him. She uncharacteristically let out a furious roar, slamming her hooves into the table, the sound of splintering wood was heard Before she leapt out of her chair and raced out of the room. The five mares and dragon left looked at each other in shock before Twilight shouted. "After her!"

Tears clouded Applejack's eyes as she ran, she felt so guilty, she couldn't believe the way she acted! "Applejack wait!" Twilight's voice rang out into the night, accompanied by the pounding of five Sets of hooves. "No, ah' don't want to talk right now!" Applejack cried back, some of her original anger returning. The pounding of hooves behind her was getting louder, signalling how close they were. Applejack sped up, her hooves colliding against the ground in a steady pattern, easily outrunning her friends as she was most used to lost of running. A sudden whoosh alerted AJ of somepony opening their wings, a single flap let her know they took off. Crud it had to be RD, and Rainbow was the only one who could possibly catch her. Applejack felt adrenaline push her legs faster, they hit the dirt with abandon before leaping back into the air. "Just stop and we can sort this out!" Rainbowdash's raspy voice came from above and Applejack pushed herself harder. As they came near a tree the earth pony skidded around it, the Pegasus chasing her getting tangled in the branches before crashing to the ground with a loud thud. Applejack looked back guiltily but raced onwards as the rest of her friends caught up. As they stopped to take care of the slightly scratched Rainbowdash Applejack was long gone.

The orange mare knew her friends were way behind her but she kept running, she couldn't stop, she didn't want to stop. The steady pace of running calmed her as a few tears filtered out of her eyes. She screeched to a halt, a hoof wiping the tracks of moisture from her freckled cheeks. "Stop cryin' AJ, you cry on the inside!" The cowpony whispered harshly to herself before taking a glance at her surroundings. It was very dim, and the dark swaying trees around her made her heart clench in fear. She couldn't be where she thought she was... Could she? As Applejack spotted a thicket of thorny vines ahead she answered her own question. "How could ah' have blindly raced into the everfree forest?" Her country accent thinned in her fear and Applejack found herself backing up. She stopped as she heard a twig snap, her ears went upright as they swivelled around fearfully. "A-anypony there?" She called, her usually strong voice wavered and nearly cracked. It was then the smell hit her. It was so strong, and it made her want to hurl, she nearly did. her pupils constricted into tiny slits as she recognised the smell. Letting out a gasp Applejack started running, the sound of wood hitting the dirt behind her. Timberwolves. Of course it was timberwolves, every. Single. Time. Applejack was too far into the everfree to go back now, so instead she poured every fibre of her body into galloping, her muscles burning from the strain. The next few minutes were a flash as low lying branches painfully whipped at her face, leaving twigs in her mane and scratches across her face, vines snaking on the path under her threatened to trip her up as she cantered through the everfree. Applejack's face contorted with pain and the strain of running as another twig lashed out, leaving a scratch across her muzzle. She felt the hot breath of the timberwolves nearing her hind legs as she struggled to run faster through the unfamiliar undergrowth. Applejack skidded to a stop as the trees cleared revealing a cliff face. Letting out a panicked gasp AJ glanced back at the nearing timberwolves, before racing to the cliff face. She launched herself upwards, struggling to climb the smooth rocky surface. Her hooves flailed as they searched frantically for a crevice or a dip, anything she could use to climb. She failed and was sent crashing back to the ground. The orange mare panted and glanced back around, the timberwolves were right there, nearing ever closer, their stinky breath stinging Applejack's eyes and almost making them close. Her muscles screamed in agony and she collapsed with her back to the cliff face as the twigged canines licked their chops anticipating their meal. Her eyes watered and a few tears flowed down her cheeks, dropping into the dirt. She was going to die here. And she hadn't even said goodbye. On top of that the last thing she had done with her friends was yell and run away. Her muzzle contorted into a snarl and her hackles raised menacingly as the equine swiftly scrambled to her hooves. She was face to face with a timberwolf it growling menacingly. "I won't back down." She whispered to it's face, the creature's eyes narrowing before Applejack delivered a fierce punch to the side of it's face. It roared furiously and Applejack gave an apple family signature smirk.

"Well I won't back down!" To the Timberwolves' surprise she started singing.

"No I won't back down!" Applejack's launched herself into the air, kicking the creatures' side, shattering it into a pile of sticks.

"Ya'll can stand me up at the gates of Tartarus, but I won't back down!" The creatures howled angrily at her for the fallen friend before they stated launching themselves at her.

"No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around!" AJ swiftly ducked as a Timberwolf pounced at her, it getting hurled past her into the cliff face were it shattered into a bunch of twigs.

"And Ah'll keep this world from draggin' me down, gotta stand my ground!" The earth pony slid sideways as a Timberwolf screeched at her, it's claws barely missing her flank.

"And ah' won't back down!"

"Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out!" She forcefully bucked a Timberwolf it letting out a pained shriek of agony before splintering into pieces.

"Hey, ah' will stand my ground, and ah' won't back down!" Applejack nearly grinned but before she could celebrate victory another Timberwolf launched itself at her, the farm mare's eyes widened in surprise and she quickly ducked, but not quite fast enough as the twigged creatures's branchy claws scraped across her face. Letting out a pained yowl she growled launching back into her song.

"well, Ah' know what's right, ah' got just one life!" She turned to face the one that had scratched her.

"In a world that keeps Pushin' me round'!" Applejack scraped her hoof across the ground as she got ready to charge.

"But ah'll stand my ground, and ah' won't back down!" AJ finished and she charged across the clearing, the Timberwolf charging at her too. The two collided in the middle, it's claws swiping at her, barely missing her stomach as she delivered a fierce kick to it's head. It's head snapped back, a few sticks flying from it's head. They both landed, and without hesitation flew at each other. Quick as a whip Applejack hit it's muzzle, the creature in turn snapping at her, hitting the area before her cutie mark. Gasping with pain she quickly lashed out a quick as the creature's head was still near her flank. Her fierce kick sent the creature exploding into millions of twigs and sticks, stray branches flying across the clearing. Applejack panted, but grinned triumphantly. "Mess with he bull ya'll are gonna get the horns." The Orange mare shrugged before turning around to go back into the trees.

Applejack needed to get back, it was so late and her finds and family would be worried about her. Maybe. After the way she treated them she wouldn't be surprised if they didn't care at all she had ran away. Willing her hooves to keep going her eyelids drooped tiredly, the claw scratches across her cheek and the single scratch on her muzzle dripping blood, the Crimson liquid made a single red line down that traced down her neck. Sighing she collapsed next to a tree... She would go just after a little rest...

The farm mare woke to the singing of birds overhead. Groaning she ignored the pain in her muscles and her eyelids flickered open. "Hush up..." She moaned drowsily to the avians above, before she realised were she was. "Holy mother of Celestia!" Applejack cried, the previously chirping birds flying away in a flutter of wings. She stood upright and winced at the pain on her side. Memories of last night flooded through her mind. "Ah' have to get back!" She exclaimed and instantly trotted at a fast pace out of the everfree forest.

Almost as soon as she limped into town as was tackled from above by a rainbow blur. "I found her!" The raspy voice of Rainbowdash yelled and the pounding of hooves on the ground was heard as the four more bodies tackled her. "Where were you!" Demanded Rainbowdash. "Oh my, and what happened to you?" Fluttershy gasped and caressed the scratch on her cheek with a gentle hoof. "Doesn't matter, ah' just need to say how sorry ah' am ya'll!" Applejack took her hat off and held it to her chest, unaware of the dried blood that caked her chest fur. "You need to say sorry? Nonsense! We are the sorry ones darling, although we aren't quite sure why, care to elaborate?" Rarity questioned. "Maybe later..." Applejack embarrassedly cast her eyes downward. "That's okay we have to return you home anyways your family was worried sick!" Twilight took charge and she lead the group of mares towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Upon arrival Applejack was almost instantly bombarded. Winona came charging, leaping up to her face and showering it with licks and kisses. AJ let out a melodious laugh and struggled to push the over enthusiastic canine away. She was then bowled over by another force, this one carrying a cute little bow. "AJ, AJ!" Applebloom shouted, the little fully giving her older sister the tightest hug she could as Applejack sat up. "Heya AB." She whispered back and her friends watched as she clutched her sister close to her chest, a foreleg ruffling her little sister's red mane. A knot of quilt formed in her chest, she could have lost all of this, how foolish she was to run away. The next force actually picked her up this time. Her brother gave her a one hoofed hug, Bug Mac nuzzling his sister's forehead affectionately. "Run off in anger did ya'?" He teased but his green eyes had tears of relief. "Eyup." She answered and her friends smiled at the heartwarming reunion. "Wouldn't have been the first time." He whispered and Applejack snorted. "Ah' heard that!" She whipped her older brother with her blonde tail. The hug was broken up by Granny Smith who grabbed her granddaughter by her ear. "Ow! Granny!" Applejack cried as she was hauled away by the older mare, who had a very firm and painful grip on her ear. The tea green elder dragged Applejack inside and slammed the door behind her. Silence festered over the room and AJ spoke "ah'm so sorry-" she started but was cut off "why'd you run off like that AJ?" Granny Smith asked and Applejack cast her eyes downward. Suddenly without warning her mind was filled with memories.

...

"Applejack, I can't thank you enough for this great blanket. I really needed a new one!" Spike hugged her gratefully and Applejack felt a little awkward with the close contact. "C'mon, Spike, you already thanked me fifteen times. Ah'm startin' to get embarrased!"

"How come I don't get a ticket to the gala?" Spike looked disappointed until he suddenly burped out a scroll. "And one for you Spike" he read and started giggling. Applejack glanced at him smirkingly and Spike added "I mean, gross, I have to go too?" He continued laughing and Applejack chuckled along, following the dragon.

Spike fell down the stairs, collapsing at the bottom. The mares rushed over to him, Applejack picked him up in her hooves, cradling him gently. "Twilight! Trouble! Help!" He cried and the mares shared looks.

"Wow Applejack! That was amazing! I mean, you rocketed those boulders at them like they were rockets! Pow, pow, pow, pow, pow!" Spike exclaimed, waving his claws around furiously. "You saved my life!" A look of realisation came onto his face. "You saved my life.." He softly said and hugged the mare.

"Maybe not! Maybe Applejack needs help realising what she needs help with!" Like... Maybe your back itches!" Spike scratched a spot on Applejack's back and she sighed. "That does feel...good!"

"Forget it Spike! You gotta get outta' here! Would you just forget your dragon code already and go!" Applejack struggled to get her hoof free. "No! I have to save you!" Spike grabbed a rock and hurtled it towards the timberwolf's mouth.

Spike had no doubt been fantasising about Rarity, he was probably about to receive his victory kiss But when his imagination cleared he had no idea his lips were facing Applejack who laughed it off. "Hoho there lover boy!" She exclaimed and Spike embarrassedly chuckled.

...

At these memories and many more realisation hit Applejack like a bowling ball, it made her vision crystal clear and there was no use denying it anymore. "Ah...ah did it for love Granny.." Applejack glanced upwards embarrassedly and caught her Granny smirking. "Bout' time you caught on young un'! Now when's the weddin'?" The elder pestered teasingly. "Granny!" Applejack exclaimed as her face flushed. "Right ah'll stop teasin', now go and get some rest, while ah' show your friends off, you look like you need it!" Granny Smith cackled and walked out leaving her granddaughter in shock "well.. That just happened..."