The Sour Apple

Golden Oak Library- 1:50 P.M.

"I don't see what the big deal is Twilight. I mean Pinkie Pie's gone and Applebloom is under constant guard. Maybe she'll forget what she saw and be normal again.", Spike said as he tried to no avail to comfort Twilight.

"You don't understand Spike, she needs help. She has to talk these problems out. It's the only way she'll get any better.", Twilight said in between sobs.

Spike wraped Twilight into a hug once again. It hurt him so that he couldn't get his friend to feel any better, but he knew he had to keep on trying.

"Maybe you should let the doctors talk to her.", Spike suggested.

"Princess Celestia has ordered me to talk to her, Spike. So, I have to do it.", Twilight said glummily.

Spike began weighing his options of things to try to cheer Twilight up, but then she broke his concentration.

"She scares me, Spike.", Twilight admitted quietly.

"What?", Spike whispered.

"There's something in her voice, her demeanor, even her smile that's... just... I don't know... off I guess. There's something there, something horrible, something dark.", Twilight said.

Spike noted the twinge of fear that resounded through Twilight's voice.

"Do you want me to go with you next time?", Spike asked.

"Next time?", Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You and I both know that you have to go back to her eventually. The Princess wants you to help her, and I want to help you. So when you go back over to talk to her, I'm going with you.", Spike explained in a low comforting tone.

Twilight immediately thought about saying no. She didn't want Spike to have to experience what she had with Applebloom. She was going to voice her thoughts until she looked into Spikes eyes. Deep within the deep lipid pools of green, she saw just how much he cared. She saw the pleading necessity that his eyes contained, so she slowly nodded her head up and down.

"Alright then, when do we leave?", Spike asked.

"As soon as possible.", was Twilight's response, much to the dismay of the young purple dragon, who was hungry at the moment.

"Can we have lunch first?", Spike asked as his stomach rumbled rather loudly.

Twilight giggled a little and said, "Of course my favorite little assistant."

The two of them walked out of the library and headed towards the cafe that was just up the road. Twilight and Spike walked in silence just enjoying each other's company for the time being. Spike looked over at Twilight and couldn't help but have some thoughts about his relationship with her.

'I love you Twilight, not in the same way I love Rarity of course, but more like the way Sweetie Belle loves Rarity. I mean we're basically brother and sister. I know that you would do anything possible to help me, and I would glady do the same for you.'

Twilight glanced over at Spike, who was staring at her and smiling warmly, so she returned the sentiment. It was then that Spike decided that he had to voice his thoughts, but as soon as he opened his mouth to speak, his stomach began crying out once again for food.

'Maybe after lunch.', Spike concluded.

As they approached the little bistro Twilight looked up into the sky. It was a tranquil blue with a few clouds spotting the skyscape. She couldn't help but let it remind her of Rainbow Dash.

Twilight quickly ran through her memmories of her friend and decided that her favorite had to be when they first met. 'I'll clear the sky in ten seconds flat.', Rainbow had said. And she did. More and more memmories began to flood her mind, and soon Twilight realised that there were tears welling up in her eyes. She decided she had to change her train of thought otherwise she would break down again.

Spike looked over at his friend and watched as she studied the sky. He took note of the tears that were forming in her eyes and knew that she was thinking of Rainbow Dash. He also thought of her from time to time, but he knew that with Twilight it was different. Not only was she one of the Elements of Harmony, but she was one of Twilight's first friends here in Ponyville. He knew Twilight was hurting bad, and that he had to do everything possible to make her feel better.

Twilight and Spike approached the bistro together, and decided to sit outside in the warm spring sun. They chose the table nearest to them and sat down.

They sat staring at each other for a while until Spike broke the silence, "So Twilight, how are you feeling?"

"Oh Spike, you needn't concern yourself with that."

"Yes I do! Your my friend and everyone can plainly see that this whole deal has gotten to you! Please Twilight! Tell me what's wrong! I mean if you can't talk to me, then who can you talk to?", Spike retorted in a spout of anger.

Twilight ruffed her brow and said in an equally angry tone, "It's none of your business Spike! Besides, I doubt that you would understand."

"Wouldn't understand what Twilight?", Spike nearly shouted, " They were my friends too you know.", Spike said in a slightly quieter tone.

Twilight could hear the hurt in Spike's voice. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but instead she cared for him to much to burden him with things such as what she was feeling, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings either.

Twilight placed her head in her hooves and fought back the tears, "I know they were Spike. I'm just can't believe what has happened though. First Rainbow Dash is killed by Pinkie," Twilight's voice then beame so quiet that it could have rivaled Fluttershy's, "then, I had to kill Pinkie Pie."

"You were only defending yourself and Rarity. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself.", Spike said as he reached across the table and placed a comforting claw on Twilight's shoulder.

"And what makes it worse is that Pinkie Pie trained Applebloom. She broke that poor filly Spike. Applebloom maybe to far gone to help.", Twilight said as she placed her head on the table tears falling freely from her eyes.

"But we have to try Twilight, for her. We have to help.", Spike said as the waiter approached the table.

"Are you guys ready to order or do you need more time?", the waiter asked with a smile.

Twilight brought her head back up and wiped away the tears, "I'll have a spinich salad with a glass of water please.", she said with a smile.

Spike could tell that it was a faux smile, but it still felt good to see Twilight smile again.

"Do you guys have any gems?", Spike asked.

The waiter gave him a puzzled look to which Spike retaliated with, "I didn't think so. Umm, I'd like some hay fries with a glass of sasparilla please."

"Very well then, I'll bring your orders as soon as they're ready.", the waiter said as he hurried away back inside the building with the order.

Their food was brought to them and they ate together in silence. Well Twilight did anyway, Spike on the other hoof attacked his food like a predator catching it's prey. Twilight watched in awe as he gulped his meal down almost lightening fast, and released a rather large belch for a dragon his size.

"WOW! You really were hungry.", Twilight said.

Spike blushed and responded, "Yeah, I was! *burp*"

Twilight finished her meal while under the watchful eye of Spike. After she was finished she and Spike continued towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Spike cleared his throat and said quietly, "You know I love you, right?"

Twilight stared at Spike for a few seconds with her mouth agape.

"As a sister Twilight.", Spike added with a smile.

Twilight smiled back and said, "And I feel the same way Spike."

"Good,", Spike said more to himself than Twilight, "good."

Sweet Apple Acres- 3:00 P.M.

"Look at'er, Big Mac.", Applejack said quietly, "She's sleeping peacefully."

"Eeyup."

The two older Apple sibblings were watching the youngest Apple sleep with a smile on her face and a look a pure tranquility.

"I wonder what she's dreamin' about?", Applejack asked as she and Big Mac turned to leave.

"Eeyup."