Nightmare Night.

Applejack found herself admiring the costume she'd cobbled together with her friends' help. Although Discord had generously offered to turn her into anything she desired, Applejack had opted for the traditional route for making a costume. Fluttershy's brother had come down for the occasion, going on at length about Rainbow Dash, and had helped Applejack curl and style her hair into a lion-like mane, and her tail into a similarly leonid fashion. Pinkie and Spike helped her construct a pair of tiny antlers to wear on her head, and helped her apply makeup to her flanks to cover her cutie mark, and to decorate her back, hooves, and forehead with faux scales. The end result was a fairly-convincing kirin costume.

"Any particular reason you chose to dress as a creature which is half-pony and half-dragon?" Spike asked, grinning. He had opted for a less traditional route and had both Twilight and Discord enhance his draconic appearance. His eyes glowed with a spectral green fire, and his entire body was semi-transparent, like a ghost. If it wasn't for his goofy grin and familiar attitude, the costume would have been enough to terrify any creature.

"Oh, no reason," the farmer lied with a smirk. Spike chuckled, not falling for her poor ruse. "Actually, now that you mention it, I've been thinking about kirin a lot lately. They're described as half-dragon and half-pony, aren't they?"

"I think that's more of a coincidence, though," Spike shrugged, "I doubt they're actually pony and dragon."

"Remember when we got locked in with Tirek all those years ago and Twilight had to use those magical creatures' energies so we could escape?" Applejack paused, chewing on her lip as she thought, "Remember how they all turned into the animals they were described as a mix of?"

"Yeah, I thought the bugbear was funny, myself," her lover laughed. It died and he looked at her, "Wait, so you think kirin really are part-pony and part-dragon?"

"I don't know what to think, sugar," the mare shook her head, "but... well, if that's the case, maybe we should have been more careful with the, uh... inside me..."

Spike looked ahead, blushing and contemplative. The other helpers were arriving, Smolder and Ocellus leading a group of eager-faced young dragons and changelings. Fluttershy immediately rushed to hug all the young dragons, who recognized her from their hatching years before. They blushed and tried to fight off her attentions, but they didn't try especially hard. Finally, Spike looked back at Applejack.

"Would it be such a bad thing if we had a child?"

"What?" the farmer did a double-take, "It ain't that it'd be bad, but... I don't know if I'm ready for such a big leap so soon! I-I mean, we've only been dating about a month or two now, a-and-"

"It's alright, AJ," the dragon comforted her, grinning to show he had taken no insult, "I was just double-checking."

"You seem pretty happy even though I said no."

"That's because you didn't say no," the smile reached the dragon's eyes, "you said you weren't ready."

Applejack blushed, cursing her openly honest nature. She'd had foals on the brain in recent days. Mrs. Cake claimed Applejack's mother could predict when a mare was pregnant because they couldn't stop thinking of foals. Applejack hoped that wasn't the case; she had been serious about not being ready. It was very unlikely, anyway. After all, in order for a pony to be impregnated, the seed had to actually reach the egg, and that had been impossible for them until Zecora's potion. Applejack figured the same problem would occur with a stallion and dragoness, so it was simply impossible, surely.

Applejack was called over to help Spike instruct the young drakes and changelings on ground rules, how to operate the fake gallows in the barn, and general safety concerns. After that, they gave everyone their parts and did a practice run. By the time they were wrapping up, the guests were arriving. The farmer beamed at the fact nearly the entire town had shown up, from old locals of Ponyville to new arrivals from other cities. She took her place at the entrance, greeting everyone while her lover lurked around the perimeter, his ghostly appearance even more frightening when half-glimpsed through shadows and the spaces between trees.

"Whoa, was that Spike back there?" Applejack tensed at a familiar voice, turning in joyous surprise towards Rainbow Dash. Her prepared greeting died on her lips as she saw the filly flying beside her.

"What in the-" the farmer shook her head, "Rainbow Dash! How have you been? And, uh... who's this l'il cutie?"

"I'm not cute!" the filly snapped, looking every inch like Rainbow Dash save for her mane; it was wavy and almost entirely blonde except for a single, red streak. She was wearing a little Wonderbolt costume to boot! "The name's Windy Flare!"

"Rainbow, is this your daughter?" Applejack asked.

"Is it that obvious?" the Wonderbolt asked in a deadpan. She looked much the same as when she had left, though her body was aging as Applejack's had been - muscles mass giving way with age, leaving behind thinner flesh on a still-toned body. Other than that, the only difference were the bags under her eyes.

"Well, I'll be," the farmer shook her head in disbelief, looking the filly up and down, "How come you never mentioned a daughter?"

"We kinda quit writing each other years ago," Rainbow shuffled, anxiously, clearly embarrassed, "I'm sorry about that, by the way, but... well, after leaving Ponyville, everything moved so fast! I didn't realize I'd grown so far apart until Windy here was already three years old."

"I... understand," Applejack sighed, "I've been secluding myself on the farm since Granny Smith."

"Oh man, how have you been holding up?" the Wonderbolt's voice was thick with concern and guilt, "I was the first to leave after that, and I feel like such a jerk!"

"I've actually been doing a lot better, lately," the farmer's smile was large and genuine, "Spike's been a huge help with that."

"Wait, is Spike the special somepony you were talking about in your letter?" Rainbow's eyes widened as a grin cracked her face, "Seriously?"

"I-I..." Applejack's face heated up and she felt defensive, "H-how'd you meet Windy's father?"

That shut Rainbow Dash up and she looked away in a combination of emotions that was as varied as the colors of her mane. For a moment, Applejack felt she'd crossed some unknown line, that perhaps Rainbow's relationship with Windy's father had ended badly. Her answer came in mere seconds as Windy Flare's eyes lit up and she flitted forward, crying "Daddy!"

"You can't be my Windy Flare!" Applejack turned to see Zephyr Breeze embrace the filly with a happy, mock-confused expression on his face, "My daughter isn't so big, and cute!"

"Daddy, stop it!" Windy giggled as Zephyr laughed and tickled her ribs with his wingtips.

Applejack gaped again, looking back at Rainbow Dash who only watched Windy and her father playing with a sad smile on her face. Suddenly the mix of emotions made sense; Rainbow Dash's revulsion of Zephyr Breeze had been legendary, growing progressively more heated in the years leading up to her departure, even though Zephyr Breeze hardly stayed in Ponyville for more than a week. The Wonderbolt noticed Applejack staring at her and shifted her expression to one of annoyance.

"You?" Applejack whispered, "And Zephyr Breeze? I thought he gave you the creeps?"

"He does," Rainbow said quickly, then blushed, "He did."

"Was it a one-night stand?" the other mare tilted her head as she watched father and daughter chase each other through the sky, joyfully. Rainbow Dash bristled with outrage, but she reigned herself in.

"No, it wasn't," she explained, some heat in her voice, "If you really need to know, after I left, a year or so passed with me being so busy I could barely stay in contact with anyone. Or maybe I wasn't that busy; I tend to forget to stay in contact with the ponies closest to me..." there was a look of regret in her eyes as she thought about her parents, but she continued, "Anyway, the Wonderbolts hired Zephyr to be our mane stylist, and I couldn't bring myself to hate him like I used to. He was so much the same, flirting with me and going on and on with how awesome I am, but he was also... different? I don't know how to describe it. More mature? Or maybe I was the one who matured. His jokes about me being head-over-heels for him weren't as annoying anymore, and his compliments felt more genuine."

The pegasus' eyes shifted over to Applejack as if she suddenly realized she was saying this all out loud and she blushed, clearing her throat.

"We started dating, and one thing led to another... and now we have Windy Flare. Fluttershy never mentioned her neice?"

"I didn't talk to anypony after y'all left," Applejack replied, voice hollow at the memory of her self-imposed isolation, "Fluttershy was always gone, and Pinkie became more occupied with Twilight. Spike has been the only one to keep visiting me."

"Thoughtful squirt," the pegasus noted, "So... how is he in the sack?"

"W-what?!" Applejack spluttered, lowering her voice to avoid attracting attention, "W-why would you ask that?"

"Sorry, I just assumed you two had already bucked," Rainbow shrugged, smirking, "I guess not everyone is as fast as me." A moment passed as she processed what she said, then furrowed her brow in consternation, "Wait."

"For your information, a lady don't kiss and tell," Applejack held her nose up, blushing.

"Oh, you two totally did it!" Rainbow snickered, "And quit acting like Rarity; I know from your family reunions how open your family is about their sex lives. Learned some interesting rope tricks, too."

"I'm a little heavier than I used to be," Applejack chuckled, weakly, "if I wanted to try some of those tricks, I'd need to build a special rig." Rainbow looked at her expectantly, so the farmer rolled her eyes, "Alright, alright. If you must know, he's smaller than a stallion - at least from what I've seen."

"From what you've seen?" the pegasus smirked, "Wait, the squirt took your v-card?"

"Isolation, remember?"

"Right, sorry."

"Anyway, he's smaller, but that don't make it any less enjoyable. His claws are like magic! Backrubs ain't the only thing he's good at."

"Heh, Zephyr does something similar with his wingtips," Rainbow blushed.

"That ain't even the half of it," Applejack leaned in, grinning as she whispered, "his tongue is the greatest thing I have ever felt. Makes me weak in the knees, every time."

"Interesting..." Rainbow Dash mumbled, searching for the drake, "So, uh... are you two comfortable with swinging?"

"Hay no!" Applejack snapped, keeping her voice, "He's mine!"

"Easy! I was just joking!" Rainbow giggled, "To be honest, I don't want to share Zephyr, either."

"So you two are still together?"

"More or less," the Wonderbolt shrugged, "My job keeps me away for months at a time, and sometimes we get so angry at each other we split up. We've both had other flings, but I don't think either of us have ever gotten intimate. Usually all it takes for us to get back together is hearing the other one is seeing somepony else, then we'll drop everything to go confront each other. He'll make some overdramatic gesture I can't help but find... cute... and I'll usually just scream in his face while he grins with joy."

"He likes you screaming at him?" the kirin-clad farmer frowned.

"He says my temper is one of the cutest things about me," Rainbow laughed and gave a rueful growl in one, mixed purr, "which of course brings it up to an 11. Honestly, he's a glutton for punishment."

Screams began to sound from the haunted hayride followed by various draconic roars. As per the safety guidelines set down by Applejack, there were few flames, most of them kept as controlled as possible. Despite living with a dragon, the couple hadn't gone about fireproofing the entire farm yet. Zephyr landed beside Applejack, Windy Flare laying along his shoulders and glaring skeptically at the farmer.

"I was worried you wouldn't show, Rain-bae," the blonde-maned pegasus gave one of his trademark, half-sleazy, half-charming grins.

"I almost didn't," his lover snapped, acting for all the world like her old self, "but squirt here wouldn't shut up about getting to see you again, and I figure being away from her father for two months while on tour with me was a little long..."

"So... you think about retiring?" Zephyr asked, "Not that you're getting old or anything; I know you can outfly any hotshot out of the Academy."

"You ever thinking of getting a real job?" Rainbow asked, frowning.

"Mommy, that's not nice," her daughter chided, "Daddy works hard, and the manes he grooms are very pretty!"

"Aw, thanks sugar plum!" Zephyr leaned his head back to nuzzle his daughter, "Your mom's not mean; she just misses seeing me in Royal Guard armor."

"You were in the Royal Guard?!" Windy's eyes widened in awe.

"For, like, half a day!" Rainbow scoffed.

"I can reenlist," Zephyr stated, neutrally, "Actually, I've been considering it."

Rainbow Dash's scowl fell from her face and she stood up tensing, concern across her face.

"What?"

"Hey, buttercup?" Zephyr eased Windy Flare off of his back and set her down beside Applejack, "This is your Aunt Apple... uh..." the unamused farmer stated her name flatly, "Aunt Applejack. She's great friends with your mom - nearly as close as mommy is with Aunt Flutters! Why don't you hang out with her on the haunted hayride while mommy and daddy talk about adult stuff?"

"But I wanted to go on the haunted hayride with you guys..." Windy looked absolutely crestfallen and Zephyr wavered, looking at Applejack pleadingly.

"Well shoot, we don't have to go on the haunted hayride so soon," the faux-kirin stated, "The night's still young, after all. Now, what I think would be fun is looking for the Ghostly Dragon!"

"Ghostly Dragon?" Windy asked, eyes narrowed skeptically.

"Eeyup," Applejack smirked, crossing her forelegs, "Legend says a huge dragon was slayed centuries ago 'round these parts, and that every year on Nightmare Night his spirit comes back to haunt this very orchard!"

"You're lying!"

"No I ain't," the mare shook her head. Technically she was only half-lying. "I'm the Bearer of the Element of Honesty."

"You're an Element of Harmony?" Windy looked shocked, "Like mommy and Aunt Flutters?"

"That's right, and I know all about their adventures - including the bits they probably thought you weren't old enough to hear yet," Applejack started to walk away, smirking as Windy followed her. The smirk faltered when she saw Zephyr and Rainbow begin arguing behind her, faces switching between stern defiance, hurt, and angry. She looked forward to keep the filly from turning around. "He should be around here somewhere..."

Spike, meanwhile, was lurking around the orchard, having a merry time scaring the daylights out of guests. He didn't even need to do anything except slink silently between the trees, his spectral form drawing horrified stares from every manner of creature. It was a satisfying experience to say the least, especially since much of his life all anypony had seen was a tamed baby dragon. It was a nice change of pace to be feared.

"I sure hope we don't bump into the Ghostly Dragon tonight!" he heard his filly-friend's voice call out, dramatically.

How sweet of her to bring me a fresh victim, the dragon chuckled in his head. He slunk closer and closer to where he'd heard Applejack, seeing her leonid mane and antlers. His grin broadened as he approached, She looks good as a kirin. Then again, she always looks good.

"Oh no, there he is!" the farmer gasped as she spotted the dragon, a young filly beside her gasping too. Suddenly the filly blitzed forward, much to both adults' surprise, and Applejack cried out, "Wait, Windy Flare!"

Too late. Spike's vision blacked out for a second and when he came too he was floored and with a surprising pain between his eyes, as if a sack of apples had rocketed at him at high speed. Shaking his head clear he looked over at a confused filly with bruised forelegs.

"I thought you said he was a ghost?" Windy asked.

"I almost was..." Spike grunted, sitting up, "You're a fast one, aren't you? What's your name?"

"I'm not supposed to talk to monsters."

Spike gave out a thunderous laugh, more amused that he couldn't claim he wasn't while looking like a ghost.

"It's just a spell, you silly filly," he explained, "I'm Spike the Dragon; I was raised by Princess Twilight and joined the Elements of Harmony on nearly all their adventures."

"Mommy said Spike was a runt!"

"You're mama's been away for a hot minute, sugar cube," Applejack grunted in amusement, "We should get those scratches patched up. Are your legs fine? You hit him pretty hard."

"Are her legs fine? What about my head?" Spike laughed.

"If a filly could break your noggin, you'd be dead ten times over by now," Applejack joined in his laughter, "How many times were you hit, or fell down, or nearly died as a young drake?"

"Too many to count, honestly," Spike murmured under his breath, "Let's get her to the house. I keep a first aid kit in the barn, but I'd rather Windy Flare here not give one of our actors a concussion."

The couple led the filly towards the house, noticing a sulking Zephyr Breeze leaning against a tree and staring at nothing in particular. Of Rainbow Dash there was no sign. Applejack motioned for Spike to go on without her, but Windy clung to her leg and shook her head at the dragon. Rolling her eyes, the kirin-clad farmer continued on to the house and left her lover to handle the sad stallion. Spike approached him uncertainly. He and Zephyr were friends, albeit distant; the pegasus had participated in several of Spike's Ogres & Oubliettes campaigns, particularly a massive one held especially for the siblings of the Elements. As a bard, he gave Pinkie Pie a run for her money.

"Hey Zephyr," the dragon greeted, "What's happening?"

"Oh, nothing much, small fry," the pegasus said in a sigh, only sparing a look over his shoulder, "I don't understand that mare sometimes."

"Who? Applejack?" Spike asked, looking back towards the house in confusion.

"What? No! Rainbow Dash!" Zephyr scowled, "I swear, I try so hard with her, but every thing I say just annoys her even more than the last! I mean, I like to think I'm a good father to Windy Flare-"

"Wait, Windy Flare?" the dragon furrowed his brow as the pieces fell into place, "You... and Rainbow Dash?"

"Did no one talk to my sister?!" the stallion threw his forelegs up in exasperation, "Honestly, you'd think me having a kid would have made some kind of impact..."

"I had a hard time staying in touch with Fluttershy," Spike confessed, "Her and Discord travel a lot."

"It figures Discord would be involved..." Zephyr grunted. The stallion's affection and defensiveness for his older sister was one of his better qualities, at least in Spike's eyes. "I still don't like the guy dating my sister-"

"Dude, he's married to your sister."

"-but at least he makes her happy," the pegasus finished, pointedly ignoring what Spike said.

"What happened between you and Rainbow Dash?"

"She's always giving me flak for not having a 'real' job!" Zephyr used air quotes, "So, I told her I was thinking about reenlisting in the Royal Guard. She got angry with me, said I was just trying to cut and run, and that got me angry, seeing as how I love her and Windy so much. Honestly, I'm sick of all the traveling. I just want to settle down with the two of them and enjoy a steady life. I mean, we're pegasi! We can just move a cloud house wherever we want! Anyway, she got so mad she flew off."

"Did you ever tell her you wanted to settle down with her?"

"I, uh... I made pretty strong hints, asking her if she wanted to retire and all..."

"But you never said anything specifically?"

"So, how's Applejack in the sack?"

"Zephyr..." Spike's tone had a warning edge to it and the stallion cleared his throat.

"Alright, alright, so I've never really told her," the pegasus confessed, "What am I supposed to say? 'Rainbow Dash, I've loved you since we were foals and I want to spend the rest of my life with you'? She hates mushy stuff!"

"You... what?" a hoarse voice drew both dragon and stallion's attentions. Rainbow Dash had returned from her cool down laps, mouth twisting into a grin. Spike saw Applejack exit the house with Windy Flare in tow, looking for Spike. He gestured them over towards him, and the farmer approached, skeptically.

"Oh, hey Rain-bae!" Zephyr's nervous grin was obviously forced, "How was your flight?"

"Don't try to dodge, Zeph," Rainbow smirked, "you know I'm too fast for that."

"Well..." the stallion looked around for support, but there was none to be had so he doubled down, "I love you Rainbow Dash. I don't say it enough."

The smirk fell from the mare's face, her body going rigid with surprise.

"And, you know what? I've loved you since we were foals, and all through our foalhoods into adulthood. I could never see myself with another mare, even when we split up. And... I don't want to split up again, or be apart for another minute, because I miss you. When you and Windy aren't around - when you aren't around - I can't help but feel sad. So... let's get hitched."

"Really?!" Rainbow Dash double-facehoofed, "That's your closer?! Let's get hitched?! You were doing so well!"

"Cut me some slack, baby!" Zephyr groaned, "I'm bearing my heart here! How would you do it, then?"

"Well, for starters, I would w-waltz over to y-you," Rainbow struggled to control her blushing which was only made worse by the fact she'd stuttered. She walked over to the stallion until their faces were only inches apart, "and I'd look you in the eyes and tell you I love you. That... even though you annoy me to no end, and really know which buttons to press to make me angry, and don't know when to stop when you're ahead, and-"

"Baby, is this going somewhere positive anytime soon?" Zephyr deadpanned.

"Shut up! Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, that even though you're annoying, and pompous, and kinda weak," Rainbow Dash ignored her lover's indignant sputtering, "I'd still be fine marrying you."

"You two are made for each other," Spike grunted, "both your proposals stank."

"I hope I'm there when you propose to Applejack, squirt, just so we can watch you squirm," the pegasus mare retorted.

"Wait... are mommy and daddy getting married?" Windy gaped, then she beamed, "We finally get to live together?!"

"Well?" Zephyr looked askance at Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, what the hay?" the mare giggled, "Why not? I'm not getting any younger."

Zephyr whooped and cheered, prancing around with his daughter like a child. Rainbow Dash smiled indulgently while rolling her eyes, then joined in. Honestly, it was the last thing Applejack and Spike had expected to see on Nightmare Night.

"Well, well," another voice from the past said in posh tones. Applejack felt her pulse speed up a little as she turned to look at Rarity.

She looked every bit as gorgeous as she had nearly a decade before - more so, as her body had aged her with even greater majesty and dignity. Applejack felt a mix of confused emotions. The major one was fear. Spike had loved Rarity, and Rarity had certainly been exceptionally close to the young drake. Additionally, Rarity and Applejack had been the best of friends and dangerously close to lovers themselves at one point. Rarity had been the only pony Applejack had confessed her relationship to directly in her letters. She eyed the farmer and dragon critically, levitating a series of packages with her.

"I can't believe neither of you decided to write me until now!" the unicorn cried out, her critical expression giving way to a pout, "I know I'm just as much to blame as the two of you, but still! You could have tried..."

"Sorry Rarity," Applejack chuckled, feeling her paranoia ease, "Things just... got away from me."

"Oh, I'm not mad at you!" Rarity still stuck her lower lip out before glaring at the dragon, "Applejack was going through a difficult time in her life and dealt with it like she always did, so I can't be angry with her, but what is your excuse?"

"Uh... I was an ambassador to two major powers and the assistant to the ruler of Equestria?" the dragon offered.

"Not a good enough excuse!" the fashionista snapped, filling Spike's arms with the boxes she'd brought, "Now be a dear and take those inside while I catch up with Applejack. And no peeking! I'm sure Applejack will want to show them to you herself..."

Something in the mare's sultry tone put a spring in the 'Ghostly Dragon's step and he was gone quickly. With Rainbow, Zephyr, and Windy still distracted and everyone else enjoying the haunted hayride, they had relative privacy.

"I can't believe you and Spike are an item now," Rarity said at last, looking crestfallen, "If I'm being honest with you, I'm not sure which of you I'm more envious of."

"It was mostly blind luck, honestly," the farmer confessed, "He was the only one to keep visiting me. Even Pinkie Pie became distracted."

"I find that as startling as it is unsurprising," the unicorn giggled, then frowned, "How has Twilight taken the news?"

"Very well. Actually, she's wanting to set up a 'couples night' every month."

"So Twilight has found herself a special somepony too, has she?" the fashionista smiled, "That's so cute! Who is it?"

"Pinkie Pie," Applejack replied, grinning at Rarity's surprise, "Apparently the reason she quit visiting me was to find love. I can't hold that against her," the smile fell from her face, "but... why did you quit staying in touch?"

"Oh," Rarity grimaced, "I knew you'd ask that sooner or later. I'd just hoped it would be later."

Applejack waited.

"Running a fashion empire is a time-consuming affair," Rarity began, "At first, the rush of it all took me over. Your letters became shorter and slower in return, and rather than divine the reason behind it, I simply assumed you didn't want to talk. I allowed myself to be consumed with my work, but... after so many years... I don't have the passion anymore, Applejack. I find myself delegating more and more to new, brilliant designers with absolutely divine designs, ponies and non-ponies with vision! Whereas I... I can't seem to create anything new anymore, at least not at the pace required to keep up with the competition.

"When you wrote to me again with your request after so many years, I was absolutely thrilled. I'd thought you'd forgotten about me, or had taken my silence to heart. For the first time in years, I was producing designs like my old self, crafting them by hoof - and I must say, I had quite a bit of fun making some of the saucier pieces! I hope you don't mind, but I might have made a tad more than you requested for both Spike and yourself."

"Oh, uh... I don't remember asking for anything saucy..." the kirin-clad mare blushed.

"Oh?" Rarity smirked, "I was under the impression that your request for date clothes and a hat was some sort of subtext for costumes, darling. Though, I confess I couldn't help myself. This isn't the first time I've designed lingerie for you, and I couldn't let Spike have all the fun; I think you'll like some of the pieces I've made for him, as well!"

"I..." Applejack blushed, "I don't remember you being so... open about your affection for either of us before."

"Darling, if there's one thing I'm sick of from doing business in the fashion world, it's that ponies never say what they mean," Rarity sighed, "I'm finally beginning to understand why you insist on blunt truths. Don't worry, though; I have no intention of trying to throw myself into your relationship. We had our chance, and we decided against it, and Celestia knows I had plenty of chances with Spike!"

"I always wondered about that..." Applejack cleared her throat, drawing the other mare's eyes, "Why did you reject Spike? I understand why you did when he was younger; he was a baby dragon after all, more like a little brother to us all... But why did you reject him before you left? He changed so much, matured so much. He was handsome even then, intelligent, and so... devoted to you. Why turn that away?"

"Applejack, darling..." Rarity sighed, looking towards the house as Spike exited to return to them, "I ask myself that every day..."

"Hey ladies," the dragon grinned once he was close, "what were you talking about?"

Applejack found herself biting her lip. She looked over her shoulder to see Rainbow Dash prancing towards them like the merciful distraction she was.

"Sup Rares?" she asked, skidding to a halt near the group.

"Oh, nothing much..." Rarity gave a curious look, "What has you so happy?"

"Oh, nothing much," Rainbow Dash snorted, looking nonchalant before exclaiming, "I'm getting married!"

"What?!" the fashionista practically shrieked, "Get out!"

"She's telling the truth," Applejack nodded, thankful for the change of subject, "Spike and I saw the whole thing."

"She also has a foal," the dragon added.

"Are you kidding me?!" Rarity scoffed, "It's only been a few short years since you left and you have a child?! Oh, who am I kidding, of course you'd be the first to have a child."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Rainbow scowled.

"Aren't you obsessed with beating everypony to the punch?" Rarity raised an eyebrow.

"For your information, I wasn't even thinking about being the first of us to have a foal," the pegasus held her nose up, then frowned, "Okay, well, maybe a small part of me was, but that's it!"

"I need to meet this foal of yours soon, Rainbow Dash, and don't you dare think of letting anypony else design your dress!"

"Relax, Rares," the Wonderbolt waved a hoof, "you're the only designer I trust. I've never worn a dress that wasn't made by you."

Applejack eased herself away towards Spike as Rarity became engrossed first in talking wedding details to Rainbow Dash, then Zephyr Breeze, and meeting little Windy Flare. Naturally Pinkie Pie showed up from nowhere to discuss the reception and so the farmer motioned with her head for the dragon to follow her while their friends were distracted.

"Ooo, are we going to add some ghostly moans to the haunted hayride?" Spike asked with a dirty chuckle.

"Shush, Spike," Applejack chided, thankful the night was covering her smile, "You think I haven't noticed you eying me in this here costume?"

"I can't help it, AJ!" the dragon groaned, "You look great as any creature, and I really wanna grab you by your horns and hold you-"

"Spike, there's foals and drakes hanging out here tonight, so you best watch that waggling tongue of yours," the farmer used a commanding tone despite the heat in her cheeks. Honestly, whenever the dragon got that worked up over her appearance, she had no problem letting him take her anyway he'd like. Usually he was a gentledrake that let her take the lead, or set himself to her pace; she loved the times he'd lose control and try to ravage her. "We've gotta talk about Rarity."

"Rarity?" Spike asked, confused, "Are you going to get on me for not writing her, too?"

"Have you ever noticed her being sweet on you?"

"I mean, she's been flirting with me since I moved to Ponyville, barring the time since she's left," the dragon grunted.

"Did you ever notice a change in how she flirted with you?" Applejack looked back at her lover, eying him skeptically. He only shrugged, his ghostly form bright in the shadows of the trees. "And she hasn't contacted you since leaving Ponyville?"

"She responded to a few of my letters over the years, but they were sort of short and lacking substance," Spike frowned, "Applejack, why are you bringing this up?"

"No reason, Spike," the mare lied, leading him to the front so they could welcome more guests. In truth, she was a little wary about the return of Rarity into their lives, though she wasn't sure why. She didn't suspect Rarity as a homewrecker, and she trusted Spike with her life. Was it herself she didn't trust? Was there still a spark between them? Was she just jealous? Appljack shook her head, he blonde kirin-mane shaking as she strode out of the trees...

...and straight into her brother's barrel.

Author's Note

For the purposes of this fic, I'm bringing kirin lore theories in. I mean, half-pony and half-dragon? The implication I get is that Spike might finally be allowed to have a pony love interest. Of course, Gabby seemed to come throw a wrench into that. I can't even be mad at Spabby because they really do have good chemistry...

As I warned you, some of you might not like what I did with Rainbow Dash: setting her up with Zephyr Breeze. I like the guy; I find him relatable in that he tries so hard to seem confident but is really just filled with self-loathing for coming up short compared to his sister. For some reason, a lot of fans translate "flirts obnoxiously" to "bad touch creeper" and I don't get that at all. I think he's a misunderstood character by most of the fandom and that people might be projecting their own bad experiences or prejudices onto him, ignoring the evidence of his character in the show.

Enough nitpicking. I decided to name Zephyr and Rainbow's daughter Windy Flare because Windy is Rainbow's mother's name (Windy Whistle) and it relates to a breeze (Zephyr), and a flare is related to light (rainbows are too), and refers to her temper. I mostly just tried to make an OC (more than likely Windy Flare was already taken) rather than try and track down an OC and beg the creator to let me use her in a clop fic (that's a fun conversation).

If it wasn't obvious from my poor writing, the gang is getting back together in Ponyville.

Dun-dun-DUN! I wonder how Applejack's siblings will react to her new relationship?