Equestria’s Speedy Demon

Applejack sat next to Nitro in the Canterlot Hospital. She had only gotten a couple scrapes and bruises from the whole ordeal, but Nitro had a massive burn, and had lost a good deal of his scales, which were all very brittle from the magical impact. Tears rolled down her face, as she held a paw in one hoof, and stroked his head with the other. Twilight came into the room and smiled weakly as Applejack ignored her.

“Applejack...I’m sorry.”, Twilight sighed, sitting down next to her. Applejack said nothing in reply, her gaze focused on Nitro’s bandaged back. Twilight continued, “I know the past couple of days, I have been a bad friend. I should have left well enough alone. But I let my curiosity get the best of me. I’m sorry.” Applejack growled, maintaining her vigilance over Nitro, “I loved him. You let your curiosity take away the one being I loved, with all my heart! Twilight, he might not ever get out of this hospital bed because of you! I don’t know if I could ever forgive you!”

Twilight felt the tears stream down her face as she got up. “I don’t expect you to.”, she sniffed, “I had no reason to do what I did, except for my being selfish.” A cough came from the hospital bed, “Wait a minute...” Applejack and Twilight turned to see Nitro up and looking at them with half lidded eyes. “Nitro! Oh my gosh! I was so scared!”, Applejack cried, tears welling up more than before.

“Did you really think I’d leave you alone? No matter how much I have to slow down, I will always wait for you, Applejack.”, Nitro grinned , holding the orange pony as she nuzzled his neck. Twilight smiled at the scene before sighing, “Nitro. I’m sorry. I let my thirst for new discoveries go to far. I didn’t mean to hurt you or Applejack. Could you ever forgive me? You don’t have to.” Nitro smiled, “Looking at Applejack before turning back to Twilight, “I could, on one condition...”

It was wintertime in Ponyville, six months later, everyone was shoveling snow and clearing paths to their houses and businesses. Applejack and Applebloom were walking through town, admiring the soft blankets of snow. “Wow! Isn’t this snow amazing!”, Applebloom shouted, jumping up and down. Applejack replied, “Yeah, it’s beautiful!” In the distance they could see something tunneling through the snow towards them, which made Applejack smile. She turned to find Nitro standing next to her with his new winter coat.

“Sugar, you’re late.”, Applejack smiled, kissing his snout. “Sorry, honey. I’m a dragon, not a snowplow.”, Nitro smirked, kissing her back. Applebloom beamed as she hugged them both, “It was awesome that Twilight let you stay in Ponyville with Applejack! And she even wed you two!” Applejack grinned, “It was nice of Rarity to make a coat just for you!” “Oh yeah!”, Rainbow Dash shouted as she landed in front of them along with Twilight and Fluttershy.

“Oh my gosh! Applejack! I heard the news, it’s so exciting!”, Twilight exclaimed, hopping around the couple. “Congratulations, you two! This gonna be totally wicked!”, Rainbow Dash grinned, hovering in the air. “What are they talking about?”, Nitro asked turning to Applejack. Rarity appeared out of nowhere, holding what looked like a small, orange onesie, “Hello, Nitro! Are you enjoying your coat? Is it warm enough?”

Nitro replied, “Yeah. Keeps me from migrating all the way to Appleloosa. What’s that you’ve got there?” Rarity gasped, “Oh! Sorry, Applejack. So much for keeping your secret, dear.” “Can someone explain what is going on?!? What secret? What news?”, Nitro exclaimed, losing his mind. Applejack wrapped her hooves around his neck and smiled, “Nitro. We’re gonna have a daughter.” Nitro stood there in shock, “You mean...you’re pregnant? And I’m gonna be a dad?”

“Yeah. Not only do you have friends, you’re gonna have a family too.”, Applejack sighed, lost in her husband’s eyes. “It’s a nice change from always being alone. Thank you, Applejack. Thank you for helping me to find home. You taught me that home is where my heart is, and my heart was with you.”, Nitro smiled, nuzzling his wife. “Do you have a name for your baby?”, Fluttershy asked. “I was thinking something like Lightspeed. “, Applejack beamed.

“That’s a weird one. But I’ve heard weirder.”, Rainbow said, tilting her head in confusion as she hovered next to Nitro. Nitro laughed, “Honestly, all pony names are pretty weird to me. I mean, Rainbow Dash? What kind of name is that?” Rainbow glared at him, “Oh? You wanna race? From her to Sweet Apple Acres and back!” Nitro grinned, “You know I’m gonna win, right?” And off they went, Applejack and Applebloom slowly trailing after them.