The incident with Sweetie Belle and her dad left me feeling like such a ninny, as Applejack might say. Honestly, I never even bothered to lift my eyes up as I was swimming towards them! They were glued on that stupid fish. I could've seen their figures standing there, but nope, I just popped my head out of the water and chomped down on it right in front of all of them as he pulled it out. I tried to beat my wings and get out of there, but that didn't do anything to help. I think I messed everything up. The worst was seeing her - Applejack, that is- standing alone on the other side of the water, dejected and dripping with all the water I splashed with my flapping. Despite my failure to see them, she wasn't even disappointed in me, she was just troubled and worried... for me.

Eventually, I flew myself back to her side and carried her off on my back to the barn. When we got back, she galloped off to call an emergency family conference for that night between all five of us. She went into to town to show herself shortly after so nopony one would think she got eaten or something. I hung out in the barn for the rest of the day, and of course she spent the rest of the afternoon lying there next to me, comforting me. That's not to say our alert wasn't on high, though; two ponies had seen me. They knew there was a dragon close to Ponyville now. That's why we called the family conference for that night after dark in the barn, to decide on something and do it.

I had been thinking about it for some time - mostly at Discord's beckoning, which was all the reason not to - but I wanted to somehow slip into Ponyville to see if I could hear some of the talk that was going around among the ponies. My curiosity was weighing heavily on me. I didn't blame them for being suspicious, they had every right to be. I just hoped they wouldn't find out what happened to Applejack's husband, lest we - but more importantly, she - would be the subject of a lot of teasing, which she is tough enough to handle of course, but still. More-so than that, I hoped they wouldn't be too scared of me and count me as a threat. I knew they couldn't judge all dragons, given our friend Spike, but I'm a lot bigger than he is. Thankfully not too big though as far as dragons go.

Most of all, I was just wondering if they knew about Applejack and I, and what we were expecting. It frightened me to think that they would react the way Discord said they would; with scoffing and mocking, and no respect for our foal. It was a thought that gnawed and bit at my heart, and demanded a response. I couldn't let something like the scenario in my dream unfold; ponies standing around Applejack, laughing at her and saying all kinds of untrue things about her. Such a thought was enough to make me very angry, but I did my best to suppress it for Applejack's sake.

When sunset came, I was on my stomach with my limbs tucked in on the hay, with her nestled right up beside me in the same position. We had cleared the hay on small spot in front of us to put a lantern. By now I was used to this body, it was (to my horror) starting to feel more natural than ever before. At least I was hardly a dragon in behavior besides my ferocious appetite. Despite all our anxiousness, and the attempts to hinder us from being able to experience each other the way we'd always had before, there were her green eyes, glimmering in the firelight, emanating love and wonder.

Though it was dark now, and the darkness I needed to hide me would be around for a long time, if I was going to evesdrop on some ponies before they went to bed, I'd have to get going. I knew what I had to do. Well, admittedly I didn't have to, but I wanted to. I took a long sigh that came out as more of a purr and swung my tail back back behind me to the other side of the barn walls (I took up a big portion of it). Then to her surprise, I stood myself up on my claws and narrowed my eyes, and looking forward toward the door.  

"What is it sugarcube?" she asked, standing up. Realizing I had to tell her, I lowered my head to the ground and bit my mouth gently into a loose piece of parchment beside us that I had been writing on earlier and brought it up next to the lantern. I reached my claws back and dipped the one I use to write with into the ink, and I scribbled it out on paper for her.

"Gotta take care of something real quick, be right back," it said when I finished writing it out. She looked somewhat confused in her eyes, very thoughtful, but after a short pause she took a breath and gave me a look of deep trust, which was of course fiercely appreciated.

"Don't take too long, sugarcube. Family conference is comin' up here pretty soon," she said, and I nodded. I walked forward and lowered the bottom of my scaly chin the top of her head and embraced her in my neck. I took another deep breath through the nose, and began forward on all fours towards the barn doors. I walked right into the two large barn doors and pushed them open with the top of my head, letting in a rush of night wind.

"Hey," she called from behind me. I turned my head back to her, and there she was, standing by the lantern with a proud and affectionate smile. "No matter what happens, ah' don't regret nothin'," she remarked, in an especially flattering tone. I stood there for a moment, adoring her as she stood there as a smile began to ease it's way onto my face. To hear her say that was very uplifting for me. I had spent most of the evening feeling very apologetic for what had happened that day, and all the troubles our love had brought. Yet despite all that, she has never once turned her feelings and concerns inward. That same love just pours out from her eyes and is demonstrated in every thing she says and does.

Eventually I chuckled, though it comes out more as a friendly growl, and began walking towards her. I lowered the bottom of my head into her once more, only this time I enjoyed her all the more. She eventually stuck her face directly in mine, holding me my chin up with her hooves. Whenever she looked at me like this when I was a human, it was always followed by a kiss. Though my heart was melting inside me, I knew that probably wasn't going to happen, and I didn't blame her. But she kissed me on the forehead instead, and boy did it feel good. I drew my head back, the both of us delightfully embarrassed, and suddenly I instinctively gave her a quick lick with my own forked tongue.

"Hey," she said with a giggle as she fell backwards. If Discord was trying to make our love awkward, or put some kind of a wall between us, I'd say he failed. Because she knew I'm still me, and that I still care the same for her that I did when I could talk with my voice (which we both sorely missed). As she smiled up at me from the hay, I remembered what I had set out to do in the first place. I made sure she saw me smiling back at her before I turned around and continued towards the door.

When I got there, I realized I was going to have the same problem I did when I entered; I had grown a little bit in the mid section since he first turned me, and it was a challenge to squeeze through the door without breaking some of the barn surrounding it. I'm probably a little bulkier all over, too... I felt strong. Strong and fast. But it was a little embarrassing that I couldn't hardly get through the door anymore. I tucked my wings in on my back and lowered my head, and inched my way forward. Somehow, I made it through without a scratch, albeit barely, and the rest of me - like my tail - made it through with no problem. Looking up I beheld the last  bit of twilight before utter darkness. As always when I look at the stars, I think of the times Applejack and I run out into the grassy fields and watch them. Some nights we talked, and talked about anything: the farm, our friends, parenthood. Other nights we could watch them together without saying a word. Lately it's been pretty one sided, you understand (at least I love listening to her)... which partly had me in ultra-focus mode tonight.

I galloped forward a few steps and spread the wings, and let a few graceful flaps lift me up to a spot just above the trees where I could glide softly through the air. By now, letting the wind catch the bottom of my leathery wings was routine, and keeping my tail straight for balance second nature. I noticed  Ponyville just beyond the farm and down the hill in the moonlit valley, and wondered what the best way to approach the city unseen might be. No brainer... I glided south until and came down and landed myself on the river bank just outside of town, safe from any onlookers and aided by the darkness. Just my neon blue stripes could give me away on the ground.

I looked around just to be sure before I got in, then entered myself into that cool, running water that felt so good on my skin. I had to resist the urge to go fishing (with my mouth) as I submerged my entire body but kept my snout above the surface to breathe. I touched my claws to the sandy bottom and crawled my way forward. I made my way out to the middle; the river itself is only about forty feet wide or so, and about six feet deep in the middle. If I lowered my belly down and crawled on the bottom, I could just barely keep my whole self - wings and all - completely underwater, though sometimes it would come up to about four feet or so, in which case my upper half would be visible. Thankfully, as I moved with the water towards the town, my belly sliding along the bottom, it was pretty consistent in it's depth - right around six feet. Black and blue are good colors to have if you're trying to hide in water at night, it's just that the blue on my stripes has kind of a glow. That was my only concern.  

I must say I was rather proud myself for how quietly I moved down the stream. Mostly I kept my eyes locked in front of me, eager to spot anything on both sides of the river. With my ears at water level, the endless sea of stars above me seemed to guide me towards the town, as lights and lanterns from nearby cottages caught my gaze from the side. I angrily told myself that Discord was wrong about them. I just wanna hear what they're saying, is all... then I go back home where I belong... Poor Applejack. She doesn't deserve this. It tickled me a little to think how I would've reacted if I could go back into time and tell myself four years ago that I was going to move to Equestria, fall head-over-heels in-love with an earth pony that bucks apples, become a father with her, and be turned into a dragon against my will. She was right, though. I can't imagine life without her.

Anyway, I swam silently right up past the first house on the side of the river, the current home of Flitter, a young light-blue pegasus mare that had come to treat me like any other friendly stallion. I just crawled on by like nothing, completely unnoticed by seemingly anything despite my huge presence. If she saw me now, she wouldn't be so friendly... probably scared more than anything.  It made me shutter to think about Uncle Orange, though, especially after the whole Manehattan incident, even though we're cool now. Still, if we can't fix this, that's gonna be one interesting family reunion... again...

Thinking about it and I shook my head, which made a small splash that I quickly regretted. I was careful to keep my tail under as well, but thankfully my black skin made that a small problem. Black and blue are good colors to have if you're trying to hide in water at night, it's just that my blue had kind of a glow. But the town didn't seem to be in panic mode, that's for sure. It seemed fairly quiet, though I hoped that wasn't the problem and it was too quiet.

I swam under the first small bridge, but kept on going. I went a little deeper into town and stopped under the third bridge, where I heard some voices talking just beside it. Keeping myself deathly quiet, I moved my clawed limbs gently through the water and pulled half of my body out of the water to the bank under the bridge (because I was too big to pull myself completely out without running into the bridge). I was completely under it, so no one above it could see me. I made sure my tail was underwater and lower body wasn't sticking out of the bridge anywhere, I certainly needed every bit of it. The only thing making a sound was the water dripping off me, but that was drowned out by sound of the river's soft current. I took some deep breaths through the nose and closed my eyes for a moment. I knew I probably wasn't going to like some of what I heard, but I went on with it anyway. This whole thing was risky, but I was curious and frustrated. Alright now. What are you saying...

I turned my ears towards the edge of the bridge to better hear what they were talking about. I heard one voice as I stared blankly into the water; it sounded like the voice of a middle-aged stallion, but I couldn't make out who it was right away. Then came a second voice, another stallion and a little louder, though I couldn't be sure who that was either. Interrupting him came a third voice, a stallion whom I recognized as Comet Tail, a yellow-coated unicorn with a greyish-blue mane and tail. I listened closely.

"Berryshine said yes! We're getting hay sandwiches tomorrow," he said proudly.  

"Congrats, I've been saying you two need to happen," said one of the other stallions whose voice I couldn't identify.

"She's too gorgeous for you," scoffed the third. I couldn't make him out either.

"Rarity's gorgeous," remarked the second dreamily.

"She's always had a crush on me, you know," said the third, arrogantly.

I rolled my eyes and snorted. Ugh, nobody cares. Talk about something else. Like me... I listened closely for a while longer, but mostly they were just talking about stuff you might expect them to talk about: mares, food, their jobs, other friends. Meanwhile I waited impatiently for them to talk about something of my interest. I knew they'd heard about the incident with Sweetie Belle and her dad. As they continued, my focus started go down and down, and my mind would wonder into thinking about Applejack, Discord, and other things.

"We can't do it tomorrow, remember we got that meeting the mayor called?" said Comet Tail. I finally heard something remotely interesting potentially, and I lifted my head a little. Meeting?

"What's that about? A dragon?" said the second stallion. With that I looked straight up and covered my mouth with my claw as my eyes widened. This was what I was waiting for. I held my breath.

"Yeah, apparently Magnum, his daughter, and Applejack all saw one just south of town today when they were fishing," replied Comet Tail, his voice tone now serious.

"How big?" said the third stallion uneasily, who was perhaps the youngest, probably around my age.

"Well, the way they described it, Old Stallion Geri said it sounds like a northern shortneck," said Comet Tail. Northern shortneck? Old Stallion Geri? I pressed my ear just an inch from the bottom of stone bridge. I barely knew this Geri. I knew he was old, and had a light brown coat with a white mane and tail, was friends with Granny Smith, and plays chess, but that was about it.

"Northern shortneck?" asked the other two stallions in unison.  

"Yeah, rare species. Far as dragons go, they're not the biggest, but they're plenty big enough. Geri is from Trottingham. Apparently the town got laid to waste by one fifteen years ago, old stallion saw the whole thing," he said, with a kind of serious-but-excited tone in his voice. This was all news to me. I knew nothing about a "northern shortneck". It didn't sound good though. I wish I could see their expressions, though I could imagine just the same; the two ponies looking at Comet with alarm.

"Magnificent black and blue scales, faster than lightning he said this thing was, with terrible claws and terrible fire," he continued. My heart rate skipped a beat as I pondered these things, looking back at my own body. I knew the description sure matched up. I briefly looked away with worry, but I brought myself back to listening just as quick.  

"Does anypony know why it destroyed the town? I mean dragons are evil obviously, but-" before the third stallion could continue, he was cut off by Comet, as I rolled my eyes. Come on, not all dragons. There's Spike for Pete's sake.

"No one knows for sure. There's a legend the beast had a grudge against somepony there, and when he came to take his prey, he couldn't find him in the large group of ponies, so he just destroyed whole the city to make sure he killed 'em. But Geri doesn't believe that's true."

"Why are you putting so much credibility on that crazy old stallion?" said the flustered voice of the second stallion, though clearly a little nervous. "Do we even know why this dragon was down in that waterhole to begin with?"

There was a long pause, and the voices had been growing quieter and it was getting harder for me to hear, but finally Comet spoke up again.

"No, but apparently this dragon was furious, roared like a monster and nearly ate 'em," he said.

I almost went up and confronted them upon hearing that. A small grunt escaped my mouth, thankfully muffled by the bridge as I turned my head back and raised my claw to my face in frustration. That is not what happened at all. Nearly ate them? Seriously? I was just scared as they were when it happened, if not more. I mean sure, I didn't handle the situation well at all, but come on.

"Yeah, so the mayor is calling a meeting tomorrow to probably just let everypony know what's going on, think of some potential actions, be on the lookout, probably wait and see if we need help from the Princess, blah blah you know the deal," he continued.

I lost focus on their voices and they faded away from my ears as I turned my eyes sadly back into the river in thought. This new series of information was deeply unsettling, and left me wondering. Whether or not there's any truth the "northern shortneck" story I didn't know, and even though that wasn't helping me at all it was never a really surprise they'd be terrified of me. If I just had my voice. If I could just write for them somehow. But what then? They wouldn't believe me unless I told them who it was. I took a deep sigh. Maybe it doesn't matter that I'm not a human anymore. Ah, what am I saying? My child deserves to talk to his father, for Pete's sake. My wife deserves to hear her husband's voice, as does everypony else deserve it. I had flashbacks to when I used to hug Applejack as my human self, as well as when I carried away a sleeping Apple Bloom to bed in my human arms. Why can't we just raise our foal in peace? Why can't we just live in harmony with each other? I was interrupted by a suddenly clear quote that came degenerately into my ears.

"Applejack is quickly becoming the laughing stock of this whole town," said the voice of the second stallion, in a mocking tone as the two of them chuckled as apparently the third had left.

His comment and their preceding cackles stood alone, and suddenly everything around me felt deathly still, like he had uttered unspeakable curses that the left the listening world in horrified silence. This was the first time they'd spoken condescendingly of anyone since I arrived, and who was less deserving of it then the most beloved apple mare? Laughing stock? My eyebrows narrowed, my protective heart seethed with anger and wrath as a menacing hiss escaped my mouth. Ponies... laughing... at Applejack? The sweetest, and most innocent...?

"What did AJ leave her or something? I mean he seemed like a super nice guy, not to mention ridiculously loyal to her. But my gosh what's up with them?"

I thought the little spines running down my back and tail were stiff to begin with. Now I was furious. Maybe I should show you just how loyal I really am. Then let's see you laugh at her... I suddenly wanted very badly to come out from under the bridge and show myself to them in all my terrifying aspects until they took it back, regardless of how imprudent that would be.

Right at that moment I was surprised by a peculiar salty but delectable smell as it entered my nostrils and threw off my concentration somewhat. I took a few more sniffs, followed it's scent from behind me, and saw a school of goldfish, their scales shimmering in the moonlight, swimming carelessly down the river, right over and below my long tail. I felt hungry, and I felt myself turn my body around to face them. But then I remembered my anger, it couldn't be distracted for long, not even for food. I turned back and faced their direction with utter bitterness, and the gas in my stomach suddenly made it's presence felt, but then I heard that heavenly country draw in my heart that softened it immediately. AJ... AJ! I could hear her voice, it was as if it was calling me back to the barn to be with her and start the family conference. Family conference... that's right.  

I entered my front claws back into the river while my tail whipped around and hit against the bridge. I snorted quietly and carefully crawled back into the river as it's cool waters served as a natural relaxer to both my mental and physical state. I risked going through more of the town if I went with the current, but if I went against it that would take longer and potentially make more noise. I submerged myself completely into the water and turned left to crawl and swim downstream with the current. My belly scraped along the bottom once more as I wearily made my way through Ponyville, quiet and hidden. I moaned wearily as I thought of my wife, hoping we'd think of something to help us defeat Discord, and go back to living our normal lives, preparing for parenthood. But plenty of anger remained in me, fueled by the pressure and anxiety I faced. What I feared the most, however, also made me the most angry. Maybe it's good for them they don't know about our foal... I wouldn't have to hear them talk about it.

*                    *                    *

He's alright, Applejack. He can take care of himself. Probably just gettin' a bite to eat is all. I reckoned that's where he went, but given the look in his eyes when he left I wasn't a mite certain. He'd only been gone about, oh, thirty minutes or so, but the whole time I stood out between the barn and the house like a scarecrow, chewing my bit while I looked up at the stars and around the farm waiting for him. I listened for any sign of groan or grumble or flapping that would let me know he was on his way back. All the while I wondering all the while about what to do about all this. Nights 'er gettin' colder. Winter'll be here soon. After leaving him that night last month, I feel uneasy till I see him safe and sound, but I was especially shaky right then given what happened earlier that day, mind you.

"C'mon Applejack! Big Mac and Granny Smith 'er waitin' in the barn wantin' to get goin'! We can start chalkin' up ideas without him, ya know."

I heard her, but I didn't do nothin' at first. My little sister and the rest of my family were a bit more eager to get this show on the road then I was. I didn't know what we could do without Discord finding out and punishing my husband. Ah' just don't wanna let him down. I didn't wanna start without him, but I respect the wishes of the rest of the fam.

"Alright little sis," I sighed, as the two of us walked back. She's a good little sister, though.

"Hey, he'll be back soon," she reassured in her cute little filly voice. I took a deep breath. I knew he'd be, but other things in the road were what kept head low on the way back to the barn.

The two of us walked on through, and there was Granny and Big Mac, sitting side by side on their flanks opposite us, with three candles in the middle like a little ol' campfire since we wanted to keep it nice and dark, especially when AJ be gettin' in there.  

"Watch that hay there, don't wanna be lightin' up the barn," I said, pointing to the spot near the candle I saw.

"Eenope," said my big brother, pushing it away from the center.

After that, the four of us were left with nothing but breaths, stares, and the whispering winds outside. All of us were filled with family care and love, but that was just the thing; we knew we had a lot in front of us, and we all felt for each other, though most of it I reckon was towards me. I was a mite scared right then, but their love was enough to get me through. It didn't feel mighty good, puttin' them through this; especially my little sister. But they insist on it, bless their hearts. Same as I insist on helping them. It ain't no fun, but it's gotta be done.

"Alright Apples. Ya'll know why we're here," I said, sitting my flank down by my sister across from my brother and granny.

"Eeyup," sighed Big Macintosh, while Granny and Apple Bloom shook their heads sadly.

"Let's not let this get outta hoof like we did the last time. Ah' promise to respect ya'lls suggestions," I said, and the three of them shook their heads. I took a deep breath, maybe a gulp or two too. "What are we gonna do?"

"We gotta tell Twilight," said my little sister. I looked over at Big Macintosh and Granny Smith, and they seemed to think so too; they shook their heads up and down. I figured it might be a bit of surprise, what I said next.

"Ah' agree with ya'll," I said, and they sure as hay they all looked at each other. I always thought Twilight and the other Princesses was gonna play a part in this sooner or later, but I was anxious to do that given the chances we'd get caught by you-know-who. I played around with my hoof for a second before I spoke again. "But the quarrel ah' have with that is how? Ah' said it a million times."

"Why not write her a letter?" said Granny Smith.

"That ain't a bad suggestion, Granny, but don't ya think that's a little obvious? Dis- er, Goatbeard probably thought of that. He'd be interested to see a letter addressed to the Princess from Sweet Apple Acres."

"How do we know he's not listening to us right now?" said Apple Bloom, a mite nervous. It was a scary thought, alright, and they all three looked me like I had some kinda answer for him.

"We don't," I said, shaking my head. Although... My wits told me maybe I did have an answer. "But it ain't likely, long as we don't say his name. Ain't likely at all. Ah' mean think about it, why would he put a spell on his name if he was listenin' to us all the time? He ain't gonna be spendin' all of his evil time watchin' us 'simple farmers'."

"Eeyup," said Big Macintosh, as Granny and Apple Bloom took deep breaths of relief. I think they was mighty impressed with my reasoning, too! We were all relieved for a moment, but it didn't last too long. That was the least of our concerns.

"That still leaves the bucket in the well, though," I said.

"Well how 'bout this?" perked my little sister, and we all three turned to her. Before she could get goin' though, we all heard a soft bit of wind outside, followed by a few stomps. There was no guessin' who that was. Sure enough, those big beautiful blue eyes and that black face were walking in through the front doors, weary but calm. It was a great bit more of relief for me, gettin' him back of course. We all stood up and welcomed him in as squeezed his way in through the big doors.

"Howdy honey," I said, as he moaned softly in reply. He walked right beside me, looked at everyone, then plopped himself down on his belly. I signaled for my sister to get the door behind him as I gave him a little pet on the forehead.

"Uh, AJ? Yer tail?" she called from the doors. We looked back together, and there was his tail running out the door. He slithered on through so my sister could close the door and left the rest of it wrapped against the wall.

"We was just sayin', we all think we need to tell Twilight. What do you think sugarcube?" I said. He looked at me and then the rest of them, finally nodding his head.

"We just don't know the best way to be doin' it sonny," said Granny Smith.

"Eenope."

That was when the youngest voice there spoke up again.

"Ah' got an idea!" said Apple Bloom, taking us all on and standing up in her excitement. I adore her, but I was a bit suspicious of whatever she had to say, but I promised myself to hear her out. When we were all good and watching her, she went on. "Goatbeard said the family can't be tellin' no one he's involved, but what if ah' took a cart of apples to Canterlot, make him think ah'm just makin' money fer the fam, then told Twilight while I was there? I could just describe who it is, tell her not to say nothin' out loud, and then we're good! She gets the princesses together and they'll tell us what to do!"

"Apple Bloom, that's sweet, but-" she wouldn't let me go on no more though, she got right in my face with big eyes.

"But what? Think about it! Goatbeard would suspect you or Big Macintosh the most, but he wouldn't expect ya'll to send me. Ah' can do this, Applejack," she said, pleading with me like she used to when she wanted to stay home on the farm by herself for an afternoon. She turned around and looked at the rest of the family, who were as dumb lookin' as I was. I looked at her and loved her, but that's why I had my sour bits with it. This would be a big step up for her, but she is still just a filly.

"Yer not puttin' yerself in danger, little one," said Granny Smith, raising an eyebrow.

"No, you ain't. Goatbeard is a whole new ballgame from stayin' home by yerself," I said.

"But ah' thought you said Goatbeard promised to only punish AJ if we did anything?" she squeaked.

She did have a bit of a point, I admit it. All four of us turned slow to him, who was lying right beside me, taking up half the darn barn. His ears fell down in embarrassment, but after that he seemed to swallow her words reluctantly but bravely, shaking his head up and down. I adored him for that, but it bit my heart to know that he had to bear it.

"Hold your horse feathers fer a second. If that yellow-bellied Goatbeard were to find this youngin' tellin' the princess, that just means he's never changin' AJ back, right?" said Granny Smith. I turned and sadly looked into that creature's eyes, gentle and full of love they were, and they always are. I care ever so dearly for them.

"Applejack," said my big brother gravely. "I'm sorry, sis, but let's be honest here. Ya gotta know by now that it just ain't lookin' like he's gonna change him back. Regardless of whether or not she does tell Twilight without him knowin'."

AJ moaned softly, and turned his head away. I knew my brother was right. There was a long pause, and you could feel everypony's heart heavy for him. I reached my hoof out to my husband and laid it on his head, hoping he'd turn and look at his wife. My granny was the first one to say something.

"Hey now, child, it's alright! We knows it wasn't yer fault."

"Ah' don't know about ya'll, but ah' wish ah was a dragon," said my little sister with a smug, guilty little face, prompting a look from everyone. "Well so what if he looks a little different? He can fly! What's so bad about that? AJ, admit that you kinda like bein' a dragon."

"His foal deserves to be held in his father's arms, Apple Bloom," I said, turning back to her. My big brother decided he was gonna pitch his words in there too.

"That's true, Applejack. But he's still gonna love you two and be with you two. We didn't ask for this, but don't ya think we should make the best of it?"  

"And ya know what? Yer right, big brother," I said, looking him in his eyes. My answer surprised him again, but he was right again. If this what it comes to, then we can make the most of it, he's still my most precious husband whom I love so dearly, and he can still be with us. But we ain't there yet. "Ah'll take dragon AJ over all the money in this world and anythin' else anypony can dream up. But can we at least hold out hope he'll get back to the way he was?"

"Eeyup," he conceded, shaking his head up and down.

"Back to what we came here fer," my granny reminded us all. That brought us back to my little sis, our little Apple Bloom who isn't startin' to look so little no more. I remember when she showed me before that she'd grown up. It put extra concern on me, but hopefully she was right about there being downside in it for her. Either she tells Twilight, and Twilight thinks of something, or she gets caught, and dragon AJ is all but a sold product.  

"What do you think Granny? Ya think Apple Bloom can do it?" I said. She raised her eyebrows hopefully at her.

"It ain't much, but it's the best ideer ah' heard so far. Ah' think she can give it a try," she said, and the filly grinned with appreciation while AJ looked his head around for a stray piece of paper.

"You think you can handle this, little sis?" I said with a sigh. "We don't know what yer gonna find. He could have spies out there, ya know, especially around Canterlot. We just don't know."  

She couldn't hide a dash of fear that trotted across her face, but we ain't raised no coward on this farm; she shook her head like she wanted it bad. They all turned and looked at me, I guessed they all waiting for my approval, even though I thought Granny was in charge. I looked over at AJ, he gave up trying to find paper; he was starin' me in the face with those big cute eyes, with more trust than I thought was. I knew he was fine and dandy with whatever I chose, 'cause he believed in Apple Bloom too.

"Alright, it's settled then," I said, as the rest of the family smiled. Apple Bloom did more than smile.

"Yee haw! Thank you Applejack!" she said, hopping around us, before she saw me and came to a halt. "What's wrong?"

"Well," I said, looking into the hay, "ah' guess ah'm just a little sad to see you growin' up, sis. Pretty soon you ain't gonna be a filly no more, yer gonna be a young mare."

"But why does that make ya sad?" she said with a turning head and big eyes. I looked at my husband, who's heart was glowin' as fierce as mine, before I came back to her.

"'Cause before now, ah' took care of you like you were my own. Ever since you were born, and when AJ came along, he helped me too," I said, looking down and putting my hooves on my tummy. "Ah' liked takin' care of you, little sis. But look at you! Pretty soon you'll be takin' care of yerself. Ah've got a baby of my own now to look after, he and I both do."  

What I said must've nearly killed AJ 'cause I could feel his heart spluttering out of his chest as he rolled over on his back. I thought it was a mite cute, as did the other Apples. My little sis ran forward and gave me a hug, which I returned sure as sugar.

"You'll always be my big sis, big sis," she said, as she dug her head into my neck. "But ya still gonna be takin' care of me some. We all take care of each other in this family, that's why ah'm goin' to Canterlot!"

AJ's always loved my little sister, but you could see it in his eyes clear his day; he was so overcome with his own affection for her that he stretched his neck and buried his nose into Apple Bloom and myself. All I could think to myself was this family is some kinda special. Pretty soon, my granny and my brother got in on the action too, and soon enough I felt them on both sides of me, hugging with love. It was a mighty reliever it was, knowing they're here for me.

"Alright ya'll, don't go makin' me too happy 'fore it's time to celebrate. We still gotta fight in front of us," I said with a smile.

"We best be sendin' her off tomorrow at lunchtime at the latest, seein' as with a cart that's a day trip for a filly. And don't forget we got that town meetin' tomorrow at dusk," said Granny Smith. Oh, that's right. The town meetin'. I reckoned that was about AJ. Didn't much look forward to that.

"Alright, well at least we got a plan, Apples," I said to the lot of them. Apple Bloom was still in my hooves, but the rest weren't hugging no more though they was still bunched up around us.  

"Eeyup," said Big Macintosh.

"Darn-tootin!" said Granny Smith.

"Rrwwgg," said my husband.

Poor boy turned red, everypony chuckled a little bit, even myself; I thought it was adorable, of course. I looked around at the barn's windows; we can cover them. I wasn't about to let my family leave the building, and I knew just what we all needed, too, especially AJ.

"Well, we got a lot in front of us, Apples. We gonna need some good sleep. How ya'll feel about sleepin' on the dragon's belly t'night?"