Farm work.

It builds muscle, keeps you healthy, and manages to keep you occupied when bored. AppleJack would know this cause she does this sort of work every day. The rest of the Apple family would know this as well since they all did farm work at some point in their life.

Something else that they knew? That working too much wasn't healthy. You need to relax and take a break sometimes. And for AppleJack now was one of those times.

There was a nice little apple juice box in hoof, a Stetson hat that was tilted enough to block out the afternoon sun upon her head, and a calm satisfied yet proud look on her face as she leaned against the apple tree she had come to find as her favorite.

Nothing could ruin this moment for her. Not even an approaching dragon that was wearing a set of clothing which looked incredibly similar to what Spike wore. Why? Because she knew that was Spike. She also knew that since he was walking, he meant no harm.

Her eyes opened a bit more and she looked up as she set the juice box aside. She gave him a friendly tip of the hat as he approached and sat up some more.

"Howdy Spike! What brings you here?" She asked as he arrived.

Her eyes were drawn to his cane as it came onto the soft ground below. It looked like it could do with a good polishing and the more she looked at it, the more she seemed to imagine what it would look like. She mentally shrugged the thought away and looked up at Spike who was closer now.

"Not much. I'm simply wishing to check up on you to see if you need any help. Besides, It would be nice to catch up after all this time." He explained.

She couldn't help but smile as she stood up to look at him more clearly.

"That sounds mighty fine then. Sadly, ah don't have any more work that needs to be done so you can't help me with anything."

For some reason, this brought a small smile to Spikes' face and she felt a bit better.

"In that case-" He started "-Would you mind catching me up on what I've missed?"

Now it was her turn to smile a bit more.

"Not at all. Come on inside the house and I'll tell ya." She said.

With those simple words now said, she turned to the house and looked back to Spike, waiting for him to signal that he was ready to follow. He simply smiled and spoke his simple response.

"Very well. Lead the way AppleJack."

She shook her head a small bit from the way he spoke and began to walk, her smile staying and not daring to falter. It was somewhat amusing that he was being so formal. It was also slightly concerning. When she knew Spike he was just a little drake who had a love for gems and comic books. Now he was formal enough to go to one of those fancy high up parties in Canterlot and blend right in. Did he know that she was alright with him not being formal? She should probably remind him...

"You can just call me AJ Spike. No need for being formal here. 'Sides, we're family and I'd rather be treated as an equal. Not as some fancy pony up in Canterlot." She reasoned.

"Very well AJ. Now, since we're walking, why don't you fill me in on what I've missed? I'm sure there's a lot that I'm not aware of and I trust that you'll fill me in on all that I've missed."

"Of course. Is there anything you'd like me to start off with?" She asked.

She had turned to face him when his footsteps increased and was somewhat surprised that he was beside her now. To say that his height wasn't at least somewhat intimidating would be a lie but she kept that to herself.

"Perhaps we could start with what my... Disappearance caused? I heard that Celestia issued a search for me."

She nodded a bit as they approached the house. It was a good place to start and she actually knew most of what happened quite well.

"Alright, sounds good." She said as she went up and opened the door.

"Here, go on inside and ah'll get ya something to drink."

He tipped his hat and entered the house. He had to duck under the door frame a bit and she found it somewhat amusing.

"As you wish AppleJack." He said.

She watched him go take a seat on the floor, sitting cross-legged with his cane on his lap. Once she shrugged her thoughts about him using her full name away, she went inside, shut the door, and went to the fridge to pull out some apple juice. After she grabbed two mugs from the pantry for said juice, she began to debate on whether or not to bring out some cider as well. She perked her ears up and listened for AppleBloom...

And she listened some more... Almost a minute had passed now and there was nothing. Just to be safe, she spoke up.

"AppleBloom?" She called loudly up the stairs.

She didn't get a response so she smiled. She wouldn't have to worry about a pestering filly who wanted their first sip of cider if she grabbed some for her and Spike it seemed.

She went over to a floorboard and lifted it up to reveal her cider stash. It had some light stuff mainly but underneath it, she had a special thing of AppleJack-Daniels, a cider that was reserved for special occasions. This wasn't one of them though so she grabbed two small bottles of light cider and went over to the glasses only to pour them. Once she quickly washed the bottles, she put them back and brought the mugs to the table.

"Sorry ah took so long Spike. Ah was debating on getting ya some cider or not and since Apple Bloom ain't here, ah figured I could. Besides, you're old enough for a drink ain'tcha?" AppleJack asked as she slid him the mug. He took the drink in his grasp with a smile. It had a light froth on it, just like hers.

"That I am AJ."

He said as he raised his glass

"That I am..."

He promptly took a sip from it after speaking and didn't seem to care that it was a light drink. When he set it down, the smile on his face seemed to stay. It was more of a satisfied one though and was more calm somehow. AppleJack herself had decided to join him in a small drink from her mug. She set it down as he did and shared the smile.

"So. How should we do this? A question for a question?" She asked.

Spike nodded once. He seemed to be thinking for the second he waited before speaking up.

"Yes. But if there are questions that I don't wish to answer, then I won't. You can ask a question in its place though." Spike informed her.

She nodded to him and her smile went from satisfied to understanding in a few moments. The air around them seemed to become less dense as well, as if a barrier had been lifted from between the two.

"I getcha. Now, do you still want that answer as to what happened when you were gone?"

"Indeed I do. And I trust that you'll only leave out unimportant things?"

"Yep. Now, ah don't quite know what Twilights first reaction was, but I can tell ya that it was most likely fear and panic. I think you'd like to know the more important things though, wouldn't ya?" She asked.

Spike was taking a sip of cider when she asked the question and when he was done, he responded with a nod.

"I would like that very much. More specifically what my disappearance triggered. I'm sure that the Crystal Empire was in disarray no doubt?" He questioned, a smirk tugging at his lips.

AppleJack smiled a bit more and spoke up.

"They were the most worried about you by a long shot Spike. When word got out that you were missin', they were the first to start looking. Besides Twilight and the others of course."

Spike couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

"Really?" He asked with a shake of his head. "I had a feeling that was the case."

AppleJack just smiled. She didn't know why it was entertaining enough to make him chuckle.

"Now, I believe it's your turn to ask a question. I don't want to give you a question that would take ages to answer after all and I could probably just ask... Well, Luna mainly. Either her or Celestia." He explained.

AppleJack nodded and hid her curiosity of his pause behind a sip of cider, hoping he wouldn't see through the small act. If he did then he didn't show it as her mug was set down.

"Alright. Now, since it's my turn, where'd ya get your cane? It seems nice and although it could do with a good cleanin' It still looks good."

He looked at his cane then lifted it up and onto the table by the handle.

"This old thing?" He said as he set it down.

She nodded and looked at it. She could almost see a strange pattern in it.

"Well, it was a gift from a friend. Nothing more really."

"Are ya sure?" She asked as she leaned closer to it.

"Yep. Now, just cause I'm curious, how's Granny Smith doing?"

The words seemed to act as some sort of bait that AppleJack fell for easily.

"Oh, Granny Smith?" She asked as she came back.

It was just now that she realized she had been pulled away from the topic of his cane. She almost sighed from her defeat but didn't and continued speaking. She'd ask about it later. It could be a sensitive subject though so maybe she should leave it be... Yeah, she probably should. Maybe she could focus on the subject at hoof. Which she did.

"Well, she's still alive and kickin' that's for sure. Just yesterday she tore into Big Mac for workin' too hard again." She said with a chuckle.

Spike seemed to smile, almost looking relieved for some reason.

"That's great then. I'd like to talk to her at some point if I could. Do you think I could stop by on Saturday?" He questioned.

"Sure thing Spike. Ah'll let her know. Now, since you just asked a second question, I'll go ahead and ask two as well."

Spike opened his mouth to reply to that but could only let out a small breath and roll his eyes with a smile. She could tell he was confused for a second.

"Alright then. Ask away." He told her with a smile.

AppleJack gladly took the opportunity and did as such, her expression turning from a happy one to one of thought. What should she ask? Maybe she could ask about Gehrman? AppleBloom seemed to be talking about them a lot when she came home. She almost dismissed the thought but couldn't. She was curious and couldn't help herself. The clink of a mug being set down brought her away from her thoughts, causing her to speak up as she looked at Spike.

"Well, when AppleBloom came home she was talking all about this Gehrman fella. Could you tell me who they were?" She asked.

Spike's smile almost faltered. Was he nervous about something? It could be the case but she wasn't quite sure. A few seconds had passed and then an answer came from Spike.

"He was my mentor of you will. A kind old man who was too selfless for his own good to be honest. I'd rather not go into details right now though. Now, second question?" He asked plainly, clearly attempting to dismiss the subject

She almost frowned a bit. It was clear he wasn't telling her something but she wouldn't pry. Besides, the next question she had would probably be more than enough.

"Alright... Uh, so this might be ah bit of a sensitive subject but where were ye if I might ask? It's been three years and I'm curious. Ya dont have to answer though. Ah don't wanna force ya into anything uncomfortable." She reasoned.

For almost three minutes there was silence and AppleJack began to worry. Had she overstepped her boundaries? Maybe she went too far? She didn't know but she was nervous enough that it showed. Finally, after what felt like an eternity for her, there was a sigh that broke the silence.

"If you must know AppleJack, my disappearance landed me in a place known as Yharnam. It's a beautiful yet horrid place that Rarity would love if she could ever see the good of it." He told her.

AppleJack's ears perked up as she listened. What did he mean by horrid yet beautiful?

"How so?"

Spike raised a brow, not understanding what she meant.

"How so what?"

"How is it ugly and beautiful?"

He thought for a moment and his smile faded into an empty expression. He took the mug of cider and raised it to his mouth, only to take a decent sip and set it back down with a clink. A sigh escaped him as he did so. Not one that signified a good drink though. It was a sigh of nervousness if you will.

"AppleJack... How good are you with violence?" He asked casually.

The question was too calmly asked and she grew concerned. She didn't know what to say so she thought back to her times with violence, grasping for any understanding that she could. She had been in a lot of fights before. They were mock ones and were just simple self-defense things but she still did so that could count as violence. Sometimes she had to patch up AppleBloom from a stunt as well so she could handle blood. Not a lot but she still could. She came to a conclusion after a few moments.

"Well, I'd like to think that I'm quite alright with it." She answered, "Why'd ya ask?"

Spike snapped his fingers and a tiny ring of fire traveled outwards and faded into nothing.

"I ask you because my story is incredibly violent AJ. Very violent."

She raised a brow and dismissed his magical action from before.

"Can you give me an example?" She asked.

She didn't quite believe him. Violence in Equestria wasn't really heard of so the most she was expecting was some simple fighting. She wanted to be sure though and she grew even more nervous from his look as he listened.

"Very well. You want an example, no? Because I can avoid this topic entirely if you want." Spike said.

She didn't know what to say. She still wanted answers though so she spoke up again.

"I think ah can handle it..."

Another sigh escaped him and he shook his head.

"Alright. Then here, I want you to imagine that you are walking into Canterlot, the moon shining brightly in the sky and the air being still as you walk. Then I want you to imagine the scent of blood rushing to you and as you look around, you see corpses of beasts and pony alike scattered across the streets. Then you continue forward and you see a mob of ponies, some holding torches but most holding crudely shaped weapons as they gather around a pile of corpses with a burning wooden stake coming up from its center, a beast strapped to it all the while. You can hear the crackling of the fire and begin to question if it is coming from the beast or the wood. Then as you approach it, they all turn to you, collapsed pupils and deformed faces. Without hesitation, they begin to try and kill you, no strategy. Just brute force... And then, you die because you saught the truth."

AppleJack was at a loss for words. She thought she couldn't feel sick but this? This caused her to feel as such. She almost threw up because she had imagined it so realistically. Spike continued to speak after a few moments.

"That is what Yharnam was like AppleJack. Dark, gritty, and horrible..."

She struggled for words. He was surely joking with her, right? She looked to his eyes, trying to read him and tell if it was a lie. Instead, she only saw pain and truth.

"But... But why? What would even cause that?" She asked in a confused tone.

She wasn't sure how else to respond. Is that what Yharnham was like? He said that it was beautiful! A small grim chuckle came from Spike and she almost shivered from it.

"Greed of course." He told answered. "The greed of man and the lust they have for power."

Her mind began racing with even more questions as soon as she processed what he said. Because of all of this though, she couldn't find a question she wanted to ask. She didn't know how to find one out of the many she had.

"Now, it is my turn to ask a question and I intend to do as such, and to lighten the mood, how is Apple Bloom doing?" He asked, clearly attempting to move on.

AppleJack had spaced out for a few moments in thought, her mind still processing everything until it finally came to processing what he said. Her head jerked up and looked at him.

"What was that Spike?" She said sheepishly as she raised a hoof to scratch the back of her neck. "Ah got lost in thought..."

"I asked you how AppleBloom was doing." He repeated to her.

"Oh, her? She's doing alright. Ah think she might have her first crush which is kinda cute." She said with a small smile.

Spike seemed to smile a bit as well and it could only make hers grow. Somehow after experiencing whatever that horrible Yharnam place threw at him, he still had enough of a heart to smile at a simple crush.

"Oh really? Do you know who it is?" He asked curiously.

AppleJacks smile only grew. She knew exactly who it was. She leaned forward a bit and Spike did as well.

"Well, don't tell AppleBloom that ah know, but it's most definitely ButtonMash." She said in a whisper.

Spike raised a brow but was still smiling.

"Her? My, I didn't think such a thing." He said somewhat loudly.

Her? But ButtonMash was a colt? She opened her mouth to correct him but stopped when she saw Apple Bloom out of the corner of her left eye. Spike was a sly drake indeed...

"Yep. Could be wrong though." She told him with a larger smile.

A relieved-looking younger sister was off to the side, clearly eavesdropping. Spike seemed to catch her though. Did he change the subject because she was here? No. She didn't react to him speaking about Yharnam so she had to of arrived shortly after the subject changed. Spike stretched and looked out the window then grabbed his mug and stood up.

"I'm gonna go ahead and get some more cider. Do you want some AppleJack?" He asked as he walked over to the kitchen.

By the time he stood up she heard AppleBloom scamper up stairs.

"No thanks Spike. Ah'd like to continue the conversation though." She told him with a smile.

She could see Spike rinsing out his cup.

"Alright. That sounds like a good idea I suppose. I'd like to leave within the next two hours though. I plan on spending some time in the park before the sun goes down." Spike said as he dried his mug.

She saw him set it in the cupboard right afterwards and then watched him walk back into the room and sit down.

"Alright. Now, where were we?" She asked with a small smile.

After that, the two had seemed to connect even more and AppleJack had learned some things about him. Don't ask about his past because its apparently violent. Also, he seemed to enjoy the cider because it was sweet to him. There was also the fact that his cane was special to him and although he didn't need it, he always kept it nearby for some reason. Comfort perhaps? She shook her head and dismissed the thought. It wasn't her place to delve into such sensitive matters.

When the time came for Spike to leave, he did so politely and quietly. He cleaned up a bit, assisted AppleBloom with a drawing for tomorrow, and then left. Part of her was saddened that he left but she could always invite him tomorrow. If she could find him that was. Maybe she would be lucky enough to find him under an apple tree or something... Eh, probably not.

Author's Note

Hey! I'm sorry this has been forever but I kept trying to write past five thousand words. I decided to let it end off here though so I could continue. I may came back and amp it up some though.

And hey! Who would you like Spike to visit next? Rarity? Rainbowdash? Fluttershy? PinkiePie? The cakes? Or would you like a chapter that's devoted to himself? Let me know. Really. I'll listen.