"We fall so we can pick ourselves back up."  

                                                      Unknown

When Granny Smith met Pryequill she was shocked at who she met. She had met the dragon years before when Twilight Sparkle had came to Ponyville. They sat at a large round table. On Pyrequill's side was Snalis and Dr. Whooves. She remembered both of them, particularly Snails. She was glad to see Slow Trot's colt still alive and well. On Granny Smith's side was Chief Strongheart and General Dry Day. Strongheart had recognized Spike as well and had greeted him warmly.

"It is good to see you again," Strongheart said," but I wish it was under happier circumstances."

"I wish that were the case as well," Spike said," But unfortunately fate is not so kind."

"True Fate is never kind," she sighed.

"Where's mah granddaughter?" Granny Smith said. She glared at the dragon.

"She is here believe it or not," Spike said," When I had been told of your change of heart I had asked for her immediate transfer. A good thing to I was at a loss as to what to do with her."

Granny Smith snorted a stream of hot air from her muzzle," So what do you want dragon?"

"Your help," Spike said, his tone sincere," This country is torn apart from the war your granddaughter and the other Elements started and now its time to pick up the pieces."

"My Applejack was tryin' ta-" Granny Smith started but Spike cut her off.

"Your granddaughter is not innocent in all this," Spike said.

"Your with Moon an' Stars ain't ya," Dry Day accused.

Spike's eyes glowed as he glared at the stallion," I am against them the same you are."

"Then why make war against us," Strongheart said.

"You dehorn unicorns," Snails rumbled," If it weren't for the Doctor I would be without my magic. For a unicorn magic is apart of who  they are. it is the physical representation of their very soul. To cut off a unicorn's horn is horrible act that should never be done."

Granny Smith raised an eyebrow at Dr. Whooves," What does he mean without you he wouldn't be able to use magic."

"Well when you chaps saw fit to remove it I found a way to give it back," Whooves said proudly," It was all thanks to draconic rune magic."

"He has given back what you took," Spike said," To any that want it back."

"And what is th' price fer that pray tell," Dry asked.

"Its completely free," Whooves said simply.

"Now getting back on topic," Spike said," I believe there is an army heading this way with intent to maim and kill. Let my warriors aid you in this and help me stop all this mindless bloodshed. As well I will allow you to see Applejack."

"When?" Granny Smith asked.

"Right now if you so wish," Spike said.

"Show her to me."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

They made their way outside the Apploosan city limits where Spike's army waited. Granny Smith, Applebllom and Spike went inside the tent that Applejack had been placed in. She was secured in a cot with steel bonds. Her body still sported healing bruises but her leg had fully healed thanks to the healing runes that had been placed on her. Applebloom rushed the bed and wrapped her hooves around the orange mare, tears of joy falling down her cheeks.

"AJ," the young mare cried," Yer alive!"

"Bloom," Applejack said, retuning the hug," Its good ta see ya." She looked at Granny Smith," Granny what's goin' on. Why ya with him?"

"Cause young un," Granny Smith said, tears falling down her own cheeks," We made a treaty with him."

"Ya what?!" Applejack screeched.

"Ya heard me," Granny Smith scolded," I didn't raise no deaf mare."

"Now then I believe we have a battle to plan," Spike said.

"You scaled-" Applejack started.

"Hesh up young un and listen ta what Ah got ta tell ye," Granny Smith said, her  tone stern and angry," These last few days Ah'v seen the error in our ways. We've been right mule's asses for some time now and now we've got ta make amends. This here dragon could have said no to th' idea of peace but he didn't and now he's willin' ta help us take down the Everfree army headin' this way."

"Everfree but BIg-" Applejack said confused.

"Mac's dead sis," Applebllom said.

Applejacks world shattered," Wh-what are ay sayin'?

"We got the report three days ago," Granny Smith said," It's been confirmed."

Spike stepped forward," Put away your anger and allow my ponies and I to help you avenge your brother," He slashed the metal bonds cutting through them easily," And my army alone can't fight the force heading here alone and neither can yours. Together we can bring them down."

"Do ya 'onestly think Ah'd work with ya," Applejack said glaring at him. Her sorrow turning to anger in an instant.  

"Applejack if my ponies had their way you'd have been executed in the streets," Spike sighed," When I had seen how far you had fallen I almost let them but then I remembered the words my mother told me. Give kindness and it shall be given to thee." He extended a claw to the orange mare," Help me stop this war and let go of your hate."

Applejack looked at his claw with a sneer then looked at Granny Smith. The wizen old mare only watched her granddaughter  with sad eyes. Applebloom spoke up.

"Sis Ah want this ta stop," she said. Applejack looked at her, confused. Applebloom meet her eyes with a tearstained gaze," We've lost a lot of family and freinds ta this war. Ah don't want ta loose anymore. At first when ya told me that it was th' right choice even when ya said Ah couldn't see Sweetie Belle anymore but Ah don't think we're in th' right here. Ya've changed sis. Yer not who Ah remember. Ah want mah big sis back."

"But Ah am-"

"No yer not," Applebloom screamed," Yer a bitter, hateful pony that's sa focused on takin' Twilight and everypony else down ya forgotten who ya are. Th' Applejack Ah knew put family first. And ya didn't even make a reaction when we told ya Mac's dead. Ya just got angry."

Applejack was speechless as Applebloom descend into tears. She had never broken down like this and now the orange mare could tell that Applebloom had been holding this back for years. It was a reality check for her. She had let the anger for Twilight fester and the anger she felt for the Royal Sisters and their lies. She looked back at the past thirteen year with a new prospective. She had become no better than the others. Applejack looked up at Spike. Everything he had ever said had been truth. She tried to grasp the fact that she had been wrong all these years and at what she had become.

"What have ah done?" Applejack whispered as she stared at Applebloom's weeping form. Thirteen years of hate just seemed to drain from her. Her mouth was dry and she felt the sting of tears in her eye. Applejack looked at Spike and his still outstretched claw.

"We all deserve a second chance Applejack," Spike said," And I would like nothing better than to fight side by side with the most dependable of ponies."

Applejack felt her hoof moving forward but stopped just short of the dragon's claw.

'Truth.'

Her eye hardened as did her resolve as she took Spike's claw.

"Try ta keep up scales," she said, the ghost of a smile on her lips," cause A won't be waitin'fer ya."

Spike beamed and shook her hoof," Please I'll leave you in the dust." Next Chapter: Battle for Apploosa Pt 1 Estimated time remaining: 26 Minutes