The Dragon Knight of Canterlot City

One night out in the city, Spike as the Dragon Knight was out in the street fighting members of Chrysalis' Scarabs. He caught wind Chrysalis was up to her scheme of picking up innocent women off the street to use in her strip clubs against their will. Spike being the gentleman and hero that he is wasn't about to let that happen. As Spike fought off the Scarabs, a couple young ladies who were going to be abducted by them were taking cover while watching the action.

Spike punched one of the Scarabs, before spin kicking another onto a bench, “Look, guys, as much as I love knocking you around it's a cold night and I wanna get home and enjoy a hot meal.”

But the Scarabs continued to come at Spike, but just when a bunch were ready to charge him together, Peewee in phoenix form swooped in unleashing a fiery glow blinding them. Spike taking advantage of the moment dashed forward and knocked them all down and out.

“And it's a strike!” he announced.

The ladies cheered, as they raced over to the hero, “Thank you so much, Mr. Dragon Knight!”

“It was nothing, and please Mr. Dragon Knight was my father.” Spike humored her.

“Bet you were waiting to use that quip.” Drakon teased.

Spike heard the police sirens approaching, “You ladies will be ok. But it's time for me to go.” he spread his wings and flew off with Peewee following.

The squad cars pulled up, as Shining and some of the cops got out and saw the Scarabs on the ground, “Alright, get them on their feet and cuff 'em.” Shining ordered as the other officers apprehended the Scarabs with more of them seeing that the ladies were safe.

Shining looked up seeing a fiery trail left by Peewee with Dragon Knight flying off ahead. The cop smiled to himself, “He's done it again.”

Spike returned home and removed his mask before powering down his armor, while Peewee shifted into his falcon form.

“This was some night, huh, Peewee?” Spike asked his bird who squawked in agreement, “Well, I promised a hot meal, and that's what we're getting.” Spike got to work in cooking dinner, and soon he was enjoying his meal with Peewee also enjoying his.

“Feels nice sitting around here enjoying dinner like a family,” Spike said, while noticing Drakon, “Oh, sorry, Drakon. I know being a spirit you can't eat anything.”

“It's no big deal. I may not be able to eat, but I can still relax and enjoy this tender moment with you.” the spirit answered, as he pretended to sit at the table.

When all was done, Spike did the dishes and plopped down watching some TV where the news was talking about the recent fight between him and the Scarabs where the girls he rescued were being interviewed going on and on about what Spike did for them.

“And your fandom keeps on growing with the more people you save and protect.” Drakon told Spike.

“Just doing all I can to help as much people as I can,” he replied before seeing how late it was, “Well, time to hit the sack. Big plans tomorrow.”

“Right, going to Sweet Apple Acres with the girls to help A.J and her family with their harvest.” Drakon recalled.

“With Fall already settling in, they really need to harvest their apples before winter finally arrives.”

“And it'll be your first time actually setting foot at the legendary Sweet Apple Acres.”

“I know. I'm excited to see it.”

“Well, better get your sleep then.” Drakon suggested, as Spike nodded and looked to Peewee going to his stand.

“Night, Peewee.” the phoenix squawked in response, as Spike went for his room to get some much needed rest.

The next morning, Spike met up with Twilight and the others before they headed over to Applejack and Apple Bloom's place.

When they arrived Spike looked out seeing a barn, a farmhouse, and a whole orchard of apple trees, “Wow.” he gasped.

“Yeah. That's Sweet Apple Acres for you.” Twilight said.

Drakon whistled, “Wow. I've never seen that many apples in one place in any of my vessels lives.”

“Come on, let's go.” Sunset said, as they walked for the farmhouse, where Applejack and Apple Bloom waited.

“Morning, ya'll!” Applejack greeted.

“Morning, A.J. Morning, Apple Bloom.” the girls and Spike greeted.

“Glad you could all make it.” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah. Especially you, Spike. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres.” Applejack welcomed him.

“Thanks. It looks so incredible. All these trees grew on this land?”

“Yeah, ever since our Great-Grandpa settled here with his kin.” Apple Bloom explained.

“Speaking of, here they come.” Applejack said, as stepping out were their parents, a boy older than them, and an old woman.

“Good morning, everyone.” Pear greeted.

“Good morning!” they greeted.

Applejack spoke to Spike while bringing him closer, “Spike, this here's my big bro Big Macintosh.”

“Call me Big Mac.” he insisted.

“Well, it's nice to meetcha.” Spike shook his hand.

“Good grip just like A.J and Pa said ya had. And let me say it's nice to finally meet the boy who stole both my sisters hearts.”

“So you don't have a problem with both your sisters and their friends sharing me in a relationship?”

“Nnope. Whatever makes them happy I support it. Plus with your looks I don't think my sisters will find anyone better.”

“Big Mac!” the Apple girls chided.

Applejack then brought over the elder one, “And this here's the matriarch of the Apple Family, Granny Smith.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Smith.” Spike greeted her.

“Now there ain't any need for formality. Call me Granny, since you're dating my granddaughters.” the old woman replied.

“Right.”

“And I'm just over the moon to finally meet you, Spike. My granddaughters weren't kidding about you. Why if I were a few decades younger...”

“Mother!” Bright Mac called, as Applejack and Apple Bloom blushed embarrassed. Spike himself was sheepish from what Granny Smith was getting at while Drakon chuckled.

“Relax, it's just some clean humor.” Granny Smith laughed.

Drakon chuckled and spoke to Spike, “Oh, I like this one.”

Spike mentally chuckled until he heard the sound of a dog bark. To his surprise a collie leaped up into Spike's arms and started licking his cheek.

“Well, now who's this?” Spike chuckled.

Applejack laughed, “That there be Winona. And it looks like she's already taken a liking to ya, sugarcube.”

Spike smiled as he sat Winona down who pranced around happily. Granny spoke, “So ya decided to join us in harvesting?”

“Yes, Granny Smith. I always wanted to see how things work around here.” Spike answered.

“Well, you can count on Applejack and her sibs to show ya the ropes.” the elder replied.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac confirmed.

“Well, ya'll we best get to work.” Applejack told her friends.

“We're all set.” Rainbow replied, as everyone prepared themselves.

And so they brought the ladders out to the orchard and Spike, the girls, and even the Apple parents, and Big Mac were hard at work picking apples from the trees and dropping them into baskets. As Spike was picking apples he was looking around seeing each of the girls working hard with some like Applejack and Rainbow turning it into a race, while Fluttershy and Rarity were going at a slower pace but managing to get the job done. Twilight, Pinkie, Sunset, and the CMC were going at it normally just like he was. Spike watched Bright Mac, Pear Butter, and Big Mac pick apples like it was second nature to them.

'Wow they're real pros at this.' Spike thought.

Drakon floated by, “This is what their family was known for after all.”

“True, but that still amazes me.” Spike said, as he finished with one tree, and moved his ladder over to another tree and started working there.

“How ya doin' there, Spike?” Asked Applejack as she was picking from the tree next to him.

“Doing good, Applejack. This is actually kinda fun.”

“Yeah, if ya don't look at it as just work it can get done a whole lot faster.”

Spike nodded as he continued to look out at all the trees, “There really are a lot of trees here. It'd take forever if one person did it alone.”

Applejack twitched which Drakon noticed, “What was that just there, A.J?”

“What was what?” she asked.

“Don't lie. I saw you twitch up after what Spike said,” Drakon pried, as Spike looked to her, “Is there something we should know?”

Applejack bit her lip but sighed, “Truth is, I tried that once.”

“Tried what?” Spike asked.

“Picking all the apples in the orchard by myself.”

“By yourself?” the spirit asked.

“I wanted to prove to my family I could handle things on my own. Even when my friends offered before I denied them. Everyone says I tend to have a stubborn streak.”

“I never would've guessed.” Spike said.

“Eventually I caved in when I realized I couldn't do it all on my own. So now I always go for help when it looks like too much for one to handle.”

“Well, that's good,” Spike assured her, “There is no shame in asking for help. Even if you wanted to preserve pride, it's not worth it tiring yourself out over.”

Applejack chuckled, “Yeah. I learned that the hard way.”

“Hey all!” Granny Smith called, as she wheeled a cart with drinks and treats, “Break time!”

Everyone sighed in relief, as they came down their ladders and went over to enjoy the snacks.

“Well, we're already halfway done with the work here,” Bright Mac noted, “We keep this up we'll be done in no time.”

“You bet, pa.” Big Mac agreed.

Spike took a bite out of an apple fritter, “Oh, yes. This is some delicious stuff.”

“Thank you, Spike.” Granny Smith replied.

“We make the best here at Sweet Apple Acres, right?” Apple Bloom asked her family.

“You're definitely right.” Pear agreed.

“Not only does it have some of the best apple products ever, but it's got such an awesome history behind it.” Scootaloo said.

“So I heard,” Spike replied before speaking to Bright Mac and Granny, “It was your family who came to his spot many years ago and grew the orchard we've been working in?”

“That's right.” Bright Mac confirmed, as Granny Smith.

“This orchard's been around even since I was a little girl. My pa and the family were once simple traveling folk until we settled down on this patch of land, built us a nice home, and planted these here trees. It was a lot of hard work to keep the family fed and all, but when our produce grew the people were just dying to get a taste. And boy did they love it. Over the years we started developing all kinds of apple products. But our biggest sellers is our Jam and Cider.”

“Especially cider.” Rainbow salivated, until Rarity cleaned her chin.

“Rainbow Dash, manners.” she scolded the athletic girl.

“Well, she's right,” Granny Smith confirmed, “Our Jam and Cider are two of our best sellers.”

“I can believe that.” Spike agreed.

“And it's been that way for years, but then we started getting some competition in the form of the Pear family.” Smith continued.

“The Pear family?” Spike asked, before looking to Pear Butter who looked a bit embarrassed.

“They set up shop right next to our farm, and we weren't exactly happy neighbors to each other.”

Bright Mac spoke to Spike, “Our families always feuded and fought over who made the best produce and try to one up each other. It's actually how I met Pear here. We weren't drawn into that whole family drama and just lived the way we wanted to. Of course for awhile we had to do it secretively.”

“Right. Because your parents wouldn't allow it.” Spike called it.

“Yes,” Pear confirmed, “Bright Mac and I always met secretly behind our folks backs, until one day my pa came and told us we were moving away and I was just crushed. I couldn't bear to leave Bright Mac. He was everything to me.”

“And Pear Butter was the best thing in my life. So I made an arrangement.” Bright Mac said.

“Ooh, this is the juicy part.” Sweetie Belle told Spike as she and Rarity were excited.

“I brought Pear to a spot where both our family orchards meet. And it was there I had a preacher to marry us off.”

Pear spoke, “Before we could kiss, however our families arrived and tried to get us to call it off, but we refused. My daddy was stubborn but I told him I loved Bright Mac, and while I'd always love my family I didn't wanna be dragged into some petty feud, and if he couldn't take that than he should just leave.”

“I mentioned the same with my ma,” Bright Mac put in as Granny Smith looked down remembering how bad her behavior was before, “I had plans that we'd move away together and start our own business of apples and pears. Even if it meant never seeing our families again we'd at least have each other.”

“Both our parents were torn when we gave them that ultimatum. But they both cared too much about us than to see us walk out of their lives because of their stubbornness. They took a good long look at themselves and realized they were the ones bein' foolish. So a truce was made and they all stayed at our wedding where me and Bright Mac united both the Apples and Pears together. Pear concluded.

“So what about your dad?” Spike asked.

“Daddy still wanted to move our family business elsewhere but allowed me to stay here with the Apple family. It made me happy when he said I could stay, because I made a family of my own.” Pear said holding her kids close.

“Grand Pear still runs the Pear business with some of the other family, and he flies out any chance he gets to see us.” Applejack explained.

“He always did want grandkids.” Apple Bloom smiled.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac nodded.

“Nice to see your families worked out their differences.” Spike admired.

Pear and Bright Mac nodded, as Pear continued, “Well, after we're done with the harvest, we'll show you something really special.”

“What's that?”

“You'll see.” Bright Mac answered.

Spike shrugged, and soon and he and everyone finished their break they got back to work on picking from the rest of the apple trees.

Once all the trees were picked the bushels of apples were loaded up into wagons as Bright Mac and Big Mac drove the tractors bringing them back to the barn. When they got their they unloaded all the bushels into the barn putting them in place.

“Well, that's it.” Applejack told the group.

“Thanks for coming to help us, everyone.” Apple Bloom thanked them.

“No problem at all.” Twilight replied.

“Yeah. We're glad we could help.” Sunset agreed.

Spike nodded, and spoke, “So what is it you wanted to show?”

“Follow us.” Bright Mac instructed, as everyone followed him, his wife, and mother.

They led them through the orchards as Spike looked around curious, as was Drakon, “We're sure going far from the Apple Orchard.” the spirit told Spike who knew he was correct.

'Wonder what's out here?' he thought.

“Well, this is it.” Pear said, as they stopped in place.

Spike and Drakon looked and suddenly were in awe. There stood two trees coiling together and the branches grew both apples and pears.

“Whoa. What is this?” Spike asked.

“This is the proof of our love.” Bright Mac explained, as he held Pear close.

“When we got married, we planted the apple seeds and pear seeds of our family produce right at this spot,” Pear explained, “As the years passed those seeds grew and grew until they became this beauty.”

“Incredible.” Spike marveled.

“It sure is.” Applejack agreed, as she stood by Spike's side.

Apple Bloom went to Spike's other side, “We like to come out here and look at this tree remembering that we're part of two very special families.”

“You sure do.” Spike said, as he held the two close.

As it started getting late, everyone was heading off with Spike the last to leave, “Thanks again for the invite.” he told the Apple Family.

“No problem, Spike.” Bright Mac replied.

“Feel free to come by anytime.” Pear offered.

“And, Spike, ya like Ogres and Oubliette’s?” Big Mac asked.

“I do enjoy it.”

“Well, if ya like, I'm hosting a game night next Saturday. You should come.”

“I'd like that.” he smiled.

“Alright, let's give Spike and the girls some privacy.” Granny escorted her son, his wife, and grandson into the house before giving A.J and A.B a wink before closing the door.

“So I guess I'll see you both around, huh?” Spike asked the two Apple sisters.

“You know it.” Apple Bloom nodded.

Applejack went to Spike and they kissed, “Thanks for everything, sugarcube.” she blushed.

“Anytime.” Spike replied, before Apple Bloom went up to him and kissed him as well.

“And remember you'll always be an Apple to the Core.” she said.

“Thank you. Both of you.” Spike thanked the two before taking his leave with Drakon.

The sisters smiled while watching Spike leave, before catching their parents and brother at the window spying before they were caught not only by the two, but Granny Smith as well forcing them to get away from the window. Applejack and Apple Bloom couldn't help but laugh.