Climb, climb, climb, Apple Bloom. Can't quit now ya can't!

After my friends came and helped me get past those spies of Discord, it was just me and that there castle. The lead spy was madder than a wet hen behind me. Now I done tried to go up the main road that goes right up to them castle doors, even with that mean ol' stallion hot on my hooves, but there was two guards standing right there at the doors. If I missed a beat runnin', I was caught. I reckon I wasn't thinkin' straight, but I knew I had at least one way of doin' it. That was to jump off the road and climb on up the mountain to a balcony or somethin'. I didn't want to do that. But in all the excitement I couldn't think of nothin' else. I called out to my friend Princess Twilight again.

"Twlight!!!"

There wasn't no answer from the ginormous castle. I ain't got the loudest voice in Equestria, I know that much. And I was really scared. But I knew this here was super important, and I couldn't let my family down - especially not my big sis. Pantin' like Winona I galloped off to the side of the road on one of them bridges. It wasn't a real long drop to the rocks, maybe a couple pony lengths is all, but it was mighty steep, and I risked fallin' down the whole mountain if I missed. But it was better than gettin' caught by that demon horse on my tail. Without thinkin' none I leapt myself right onto the rocks. Guess what- I made it! I don't know how, but I done landed in one piece.

"Ha! Take that!" I shouted. I looked up at that there castle, dark and lined with stars and the moon too. It was a steep climb it was, and my limbs was tired as they ever been after my adventure up to this point, but I thought maybe I could manage it with a little pushin' from my hindquarters. You did it Apple Bloom! Except I forgot how tired I was with all the excitment and what not. But that's when I saw him again. He was up there just a dark shadow lookin' down at me, that lead spy of Discord's that is, the young white stallion. He was shocked that I jumped down there, and he wasn't happy. Let me tell ya, he had some kinda pride I reckon, I think he was sour to be beat by a filly. Too bad he don't know how strong I am! So he don't need to feel bad. But he was open for business, boy howdy. His eyes were angrier than a rodeo bull. Just then, I couldn't believe my own eyes. My plum tuckered heart sank down even more. He took a deep breath and leapt off that bridge after me too!

I was too scared and tired to scream I reckon. I just watched him all the way down. My mouth was hangin' wide open. He landed a few feet below me, but bein' a lot bigger and heavier pony than me, he landed awful awkward on them rocks. He tumbled down and nearly fell off the mountain while he scrambled to hold on to some rocks with his hooves. His back legs were kickin' around too. My Granny Smith would say maybe he was a few apples short of a bushel, but he didn't want me near that castle, that was sure as sugar.   He slid down a good distance before he stopped. Finally he did though, and I thought for a right quick moment that maybe he was knocked out or somethin'. I was so tired, and so scared of him catchin' me. Please don't get up. But it did me right sad to see him lift his head slow on up, with one Apple in his dirty eyes. Me!

"Ohhh," I moaned. I knew there was nothin' now but to start climbin'. I looked up again a took a gulp. It looked a little further with him behind me. I was scared. What was he gonna do, throw me off the mountain? Well I didn't know. But I knew I had to warn the princesses for my big sis and her hubby. I lifted my hooves and climbed myself on up that mountain, just lookin' right where I was climbin' every time. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and I done this before, but we had harnesses and what not, and we just climbing up a little hill compared to this humdinger of a mountain. This was a lot harder. One of my hind legs slipped and I almost fall down. But I held on with my front hooves and scrambled back up. Whoo, don't think I'll be gettin' a rock climbin' cutie mark... I looked behind me, and that stallion had gained some rocks on me. He was a little closer, and he was watchin' me like a starved hawk.

"You've got guts kid, gotta give you that," he said. He chuckled when he said it. Then he looked a mite serious again. "But you can't make it up that mountain," he spat while he climbed up. "You can't beat a stallion like me, working for a boss like mine. You're just a little filly from a farm."

I was almost too tired to say nothin' back, I didn't wanna antagonize him anymore than I already did. I antagonize Scootaloo all the time, but she's also my friend of course, she can't do nothin' too bad about it. I reckoned that boss part's why he was so sure in gettin' me. He didn't wanna tell no Discord that I got past him. That made me chuckle a little bit, I knew Applejack and the family would be impressed with that. But I ain't there yet. I started climbin' back up, but he started hollerin' again down below as he climbed up after me. And let me tell ya'll, it was no nice thing to be listenin' to.

"So your sister's got the hots for an animal, huh? That's too bad," he sneered. That made me a mite bit angry. I'm talkin' so angry I nearly went down there and fought him myself. Ain't nopony says that about my sister or her hubby! "If you knew what was happening to Ponyville tonight, you wouldn't even bother," he yelled on up. I was angry alright, but that didn't make me feel good none. I was scared, but I got even scareder when he started talkin' like that. It made me a lot less ornery cause it put fear in me. He's just a yellow-bellied lier, that pig! I tried to ignore him. I knew my sister would say to do that. But I couldn't help it none.

"What do ya mean?" I called as I climbed on up even faster, at least I tried. He climbed and some rocks tumbled down. I started wonderin' how this guy got cut off the harmony. My friend Twilight told me when she was teaching me potions and fancy stuff like that that some ponies actually ain't got friendship in their hearts. They ain't part of the harmony, they lose it or somethin' once they lose the magic of friendship. But it's theirs and all our jobs to make sure they do. Kill 'em with kindness, like AJ says!

"Why are you workin' fer a mean ol' feller like yer boss? Don't you got any friends? I'll be your friend," I called down to him. But he just laughed. I couldn't see his face none. But it sounded like maybe he was a little surprised, he got serious again.

"Sweet little filly, you really are, I almost feel bad for you. My friendships were lost long ago. And I don't care, because why should I when I'm working for a boss who can do the things that mine can?"

Well, at least I gave it a try, right? I kept on climbin' up. But my leg muscles were getting mighty sore. I didn't know how much longer I could be goin' up them steep rocks. I looked back down, and he was getting closer alright. He saw me, and he was nothin' but business. He held it against me I reckon that I'd made it this far. I didn't much like it when our eyes met. They weren't like AJ or my sister's eyes. He called up to me again, that white stallion did.

"Anyway, like I said. If you knew what awaited Ponyville..."

Oh no... He don't make that sound good none at all. Don't hurt Applejack or her hubby, or Granny Smith or Big Mac! Or none of my friends... I was kinda hopin' he wouldn't tell me whatever the hay this was about. It was too scary. The thought of my sister hurt? The rest of the family? I couldn't bear it none. Come on Apple Bloom! Just a little further...

"Ponyville will be reduced to ashes when the dragon finishes it off."

Now that wasn't so bad! I even chuckled a bit as I climbed up. Ain't no way he was talkin' bout my sister's AJ. That dragon was shy and gentle as a junebug. Unless Applejack was in trouble of course. But he wouldn't be doin' nothin' like that.

"AJ? Ha, yer crazy mister!" I said. I was breathing real hard I was. I was tired. But I kept on goin'. My spirits took a trot on away though when he chuckled. But in the bottom of my stomach I thought maybe somethin' wasn't right.

"No, not your brother-in-law," he sneered. I took a gulp alright. I went back to feelin' scared too. Like my heart dropped and everything. You know that feelin'? What now? "Come on, you think my boss made your brother-in-law just any other dragon for no reason? He's a northern shortneck. The feared northern shortneck that destroyed Trottingham. Your sister's boyfriend looks just like him. He's going to Ponyville tonight. He's going to lay it to waste."

My heart fell all the way down the mountain. That was like the worst thing my ears ever did hear. Ponyville... destroyed? Sweet Apple Acres? The worst of all was that meant my family and friends was in danger. I wanted to cry. And I actually did start. I couldn't help it! Don't make fun of me none.

"No! Yer lyin'! Why would D- er', why would yer boss do that? Why would you let him do that?"

I looked back down at him, and he wasn't smilin' no more. His eyes were still aflame they were. But they weren't comfortin'. I knew he wasn't lyin', 'cause I could see no lie in his eyes. And that was the worst of it all. I tried to look back at Ponyville see if I could see fire or somethin' like that, but I couldn't see it where we was on the mountain. The valley was so far down, all them little lights scattered about in the darkness. It was so scary, I was so high up. I looked back in front of me and just kept lookin' there.

"Do I really have a choice?" he said, and I swear there was some guilt in his eyes. "My master does whatever he wants. Why shouldn't I reap the rewards? And I don't even know exactly why, one of his schemes. Sheesh, you can barely even understand him when he talks, with all the melodramatic emotions and magic tricks and what not. The only reason I've told you is because you won't make it up the mountain anyway."    

Nooo! Not my family! Not Ponyville! Miss Cheerilee, all my friends parents... That thought felt worse then all the times Diamond Tiara bullied me combined. I couldn't hardly bear it. I just wanted to sit down and cry. I'd already gone in over my head I thought, done so much to this point. But boy howdy, I can't quit on 'em now. I'm goin' Applejack!

I knew what was goin' down now. I knew what to tell the princesses too. But I had to make it up that mountain. Everypony depended on me! It was so much pressure, but somehow my legs kept on a movin'. But I was just so tired. Applejack, Apple Bloom. Think of Applejack! And AJ! And the rest of Ponyville and my friends. I seemed like maybe I put a few hooves or so between the stallion and me in a couple minutes. But now my mind was racin' with all that dragon bit. Just keep goin'! I couldn't stop now. I couldn't help but think of that dragon. AJ will protect Applejack. He won't let her get hurt. But he can't protect the whole town can he? I don't think he can, he's just one dragon after all. He ain't cut out for fightin' neither. Is he? I guess we'll see. There's gonna be one hum dinger of a battle in Ponyville, especially if I make it up here.

Somehow my legs kept on churnin', even if it was slow. Over the next few minutes, I made it up a little bit. But only a little bit I reckon. This was even more exhausting then pullin' the cart, and that done stole all my energy. Just a little further... I couldn't hardly see in the dark how far I'd gone, but that castle still seemed so huge in the night sky. That hill was just so steep. And so hard. So... tired... My mind was gettin' dizzy. I went to raise my hooves, but I could barely move 'em. My muscles were crampin' up, they were plum tuckered. I was outta breath too. I gotta admit, I didn't feel mighty strong right then. Actually, I felt like I just wanted to give up. It made me mighty sad to think that I was gonna fail. I reckoned it was my fault, and that didn't feel too good. I just wanted to show my family I was good enough for 'em. Maybe I ain't as grown up as I thought. I looked behind me, and that stallion had gained some hooves on me again. He was a little closer, and he was watchin' me like a starved hawk.  

But right then, when I felt like I had nothin' more left in me, I looked up and saw two beautiful shooting stars flyin' overhead of the castle. They flew right over a little balcony right on the mountainside that I could get too if climbed high enough, just a little bit further. It was almost as if them shooting stars was lightin' the way for me. I felt a shiver of hope run down my back. I lifted my legs on up again. Just I was so tired. It only took a little bit That's when I heard the voice of my sister again. Yer the best little sis anypony ever had! Ah' am so proud of you! She said the same thing as she did before, but this time it was just a memory. But it did make me wanna keep goin'. It just couldn't quite give me the energy I needed in my muscles and what not. I know Applejack, I'm tryin'. I'm just so tired. I was slowed to a crawl, but somehow my legs kept movin'. Even my thoughts was slow. I felt like time was slow I was so dog tired. Just... gotta... keep... climbin'.

Suddenly all these memories was playin' through my head. Mostly of Applejack, but some of AJ too. The three of us. She was starin' at me with some big kind eyes, I remember. Tucked away in her hubby's arms. I thought about all the times she worked herself nearly to death for us all. Right then I closed my eyes and stopped climbin' though I didn't want that none. I was just too tired. I thought maybe I was gonna fall asleep, but I remembered this one time when I was in the orchard with my big sis who was finishin' out the day buckin' apples, and I thought I was real tired then (but let me tell you it ain't nothin' compared to how I felt right then). I saw it all so good that it was like I was there again. It was so calm, such a nice summer's evening.

"Applejack, let's go inside now, ain't we worked enough for one day?" I begged her as she kicked her legs back on one of them trees. She wiped the sweat off her forehead before she talked.

"Ah' can't quit now, Apple Bloom. We gotta get as much as these apples sold as we possibly can while they're still good," she replied. I wished I could work as long and hard as she did, I wanted to make her proud. But I was too tired to do any more work.

"How do you keep goin' like this everyday? Ain't you tired?" I said. It was a memory. Just like she did then though, she wiped the sweat off her forehead again and patted me on the back. The sun was setting but it was shinin' real bright around her it was.

"'Course ah'm tired! But when the folks ya care about are on the line, it lets ya dig deeper for more energy than you ever thought ya had," she said. I remember cryin' with annoyedness at myself for not knowin' what she was talkin' about.

"I don't understand," I sighed. But she just smiled and laughed while she gave me that big sister look of hers.  

"You will, little sis. You will!"

She always says that. Most of the time she says that I still don't understand. But finally right then, I opened my eyes again, and saw the big shadow of the mountain, and I actually did understand it. I just wanna make my big sister proud. I looked back down, that spy of Discord had almost got to me. He was right there only a few moments away from bein' able to catch me. But suddenly I felt something spring up in my heart, I just wanted to make Applejack proud. I wanted nothin' more than to make sure she wasn't sad no more. I was gonna do everything I could to see her and AJ happy again. And the rest of my friends too. I wasn't gonna give up till I done takin' my last breath for 'em. And right then, that want came all over my body. My legs was dog tired, but they raised themselves, and I started climbin' up that mountain. Not only that, but fast! I finally felt like a mare! I cared too much about my family to be denied. I was on the home stretch, and if I killed myself gettin' up that mountain, by golly I was gonna wait till after I warned the princesses.

"What?? How are you doing that? You're just a filly!" I heard the stallion call from behind me. He couldn't believe I was back to climbin' the way I'd been. I hopped on up the rocks, and made my way up towards the balcony. He climbed even faster to keep up, and he looked even madder and more desperate.

"Oh no you don't!" he cried. He was getting close, he just covers more ground bein' bigger and all. But I was almost there! I looked up and my heart cried out. Guess what I saw when I looked up. Looking in out over the valley with the moon behind were two blue eyes, a flowing blue mane, and a crown. It was Princess Luna!

Just as the white stallion reached out to grab me, he gasped. The princess looked down at us with wide eyes and a wider mouth. The end of her horn lit up with magic and shined on us. She gaves us a good, long look as she tried to figure out what the hay was a goin' on. She looked shocked and concerned.

"Apple Bloom?" she called. She couldn't believe her eyes.  

"Princess!" I tried to cry. I couldn't say nothin' else at first. I was too tired, but I was a mite proud of myself for makin' it to her. I just had to tell her the whole story and I'd done it. I did it. I done made it. I smiled, and my body collapsed and my face fell right into the rock, but not too hard. Just soft enough where I could lay there still. Wait, I can't stop now, I still gotta tell her. I kept my eyes and my ears open, but I couldn't get back up, my body was plum tuckered and done. In my blurry vision I saw the good princess leap off the balcony with wings spread, and right as that happened, I saw another mare come up and look out over the edge. Even in the dark, I knew them purple eyes the second I saw and that golden crown; it was Princess Twlight! They both had been up there. She cried my name too, more confused then a three pound hen that laid a two pound egg. I could she was worried sick too. The white stallion, the spy that'd been chasing me, he cried out with fear like a little baby foal when Princess Luna flew towards us.

"I surrender!" he cried, throwing his hooves up. The princess took his words and shot him a scary angry glance before she came to me with a mite bit of tenderness. She wrapped me in her front legs and flapped her wings, carrying me all the way up to the balcony. I felt so warm and so safe in her arms. I didn't wanna leave 'em. I wanted to fall alseep right then and there, but with the tiny bit of energy I had, I knew I didn't want that. I didn't wanna till Discord was defeated and my sister and brother in law and brother and Granny were all safe. But I knew I'd have to settle for tellin' her what happened.

"Guards! Arrest that stallion at once," I heard her voice say, and I saw her point to the edge of the balcony and down a little bit. I looked up, and she was lookin' me a mite bit worried. But she was super concerned for me, same as Twlight who stood right beside her lookin' down at me.

"Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! OH MY GOODNESS! Apple Bloom, what on Earth were you doing??" cried Twilight and mighty hysterically while Princess Luna flied me into the castle and laid me on a couch. She didn't say nothin' at first, she just watched me with care. I was about spent, but I leaned myself up a tad. My vision was still blurry, but I knew how serious this was. I tried to breathe so I could talk.

"Apple Bloom, why art thou - I mean, what could be so important that you risked your life climbing up the mountain? You could've been killed, my beloved little subject!"

"I got a... top secret... super important... ultra important... message for the two of ya. Equestria depends on it," I panted while I tried to sit myself up. The two of them alicorn ponies stood together, watching me with all the care and love of any good princess. They was worried sick. But they took my message with even more fear and shock.

"She needs our help," said the night princess to the other princess. I tried to smile at Twilight. I was tired, but I was happy to see her again. But she was too worried.

"Wait," I coughed.

"This has to do with Applejack and AJ doesn't it?" said Twilight. I nodded my head while Luna looked at her. "Oh! Sorry, go ahead Apple Bloom."  

"For the last month," I panted, while Princess Luna's horn thingy lit up and she placed it on my chest. I didn't hardly feel nothin' though.

"Go on little one," she said before she drew back. My vision was getting even blurrier. I needed to go to sleep. But my heart wouldn't allow it. Least I'm not climbin' no more. Almost there Apple Bloom!

"You know the feller who was in stone 'fore not too long ago, with a goatbeard? Don't say his name, but ya know?" I said slowly. Their eyes and mouths went open even more as they thought to themselves then looked at one another. I reckon they knew this meant trouble, and big trouble at that. They looked back and waited for more. "Last month, he turned my sister's hubby into a dragon,"  I said, but Twilight cut me off.

"AJ? He turned AJ into a dragon??" she cried. Now Twilight was friends with AJ before AJ even fell for my sister, when he first came here. I guess if you read his stuff you'd know that. She looked at Luna with an open mouth again. "I just can't picture AJ as a - oh, I should've seen the signs! That one sleepover... I thought I told Spike to add meditation on potential friendship problems to my to-do list!" she said, hoofing herself in the face. "Has he changed him back yet?"

"No! He can't even talk, it's just roars and noises like that and what not. He's been that way ever since, and nopony knows! And he said if we told anybody about it he'd leave him that way forever!"

"That was his dream I entered, wasn't it? Some days ago?" said the night princess. She couldn't believe it neither.

The two princesses looked at each other as though they had a burr in their hide. I reckon they thought this was just another one of his pranks. I felt my body shuttin' down and my eyes closing again, but I kept on goin'. Just a bit longer now Apple Bloom! Keep going! I had to tell them 'fore I fell asleep! They needed to know it all. I felt so weak I could barely talk anymore. But I had to!

"Twilight... Help me, she needs magical medical attention," said Princess Luna. She was more concerned about me, and that's all fine and dandy but this whole mission wasn't about me.

"Wait!" I cried again, and they drew back with patient but caring looks. "He said he wants the crown for himself. He wants to rule Equestria again," I said. The two of them didn't look so angry now as they were horrified. Scared and shocked, with looks of some serious business they knew they was about to be doin'. Since Discord ain't like fightin' no unicorn that knows a magic trick or two. "And tonight he's sending a northern shortneck to destroy Ponyville! It looks just like AJ!"

"A northern shortneck?" whispered Princess Luna. She looked at Twilight again, and they both looked like they'd seen a ghost. "The dragon that destroyed Trottingham?" she said to me. I nodded my head up and down. This dragon was the real deal I reckoned whoever he was. It just made me more scared.

But right then, I felt the biggest weight in the wide world lift off my shoulders. I mean I felt my whole soul nearly lose a hundred pounds! I felt the love of my sister smiling at me again, and my heart was warm one last time before I'd be forced to the hit the hay. I did it sis! I did it. They know now. You can relax big sis.

In the back of my mind though, I knew this wasn't over. I couldn't let them go back to Ponyville without me, but I was just so dog tired. My eyes were blurry and I could hardly think no more about nothin' except sleepin'.

"Our worst fears have been realized," said Princess Luna.

"We have to do something about him. He can't be trusted, he's done this before. We have to get to Ponyville, and we have to make a decision on him now. Do we ... do we-" she started, but suddenly I heard the voice of a guard in the room. It sounded like it had some bitter taste on it's tongue. The two mares turned their heads back to him.

"Your highnesses, begging your pardon, but our scouts report Ponyvil-" Twilight cut him off.  

"Guard... Wake Princess Celestia and get us into contact with Princess Cadence, tell them we've got two hyperintelligent dragons that look exactly alike, one's evil, and the other is the element of honesty himself, and we've got an even bigger problem than that with a certain draconequus," finished Twilight.  

I knew the battle of the age was comin' up. I just wanted to know if Applejack and AJ and Ponyville were ok. I wanted to go back and help 'em. But my eyes couldn't stay open no longer.

"Wait, I'm comin' too, right?" I whispered. I tried to push my eyes open, but it wasn't doin' much. I could hardly see, but I saw those two princesses lookin' at me with great love and admiration. It was the last thing I saw before my eyes shut. Despite the situation, they actually managed a smile at me.

"Well, we know exactly what we're dealing with, and as terrible as this whole thing sounds, she's done more for Equestria in two minutes than most ponies do their whole life," said Twilight. "Your sister is going to be so proud of you Apple Bloom."

"You have done more than perhaps any sister ever has. But you must rest now little one," said Princess Luna. I loved her alright, but I didn't wanna hear none of that. I still wanted to go with the tiniest bit of will I still had.

"You've given Equestria a chance, Apple Bloom. You can fall asleep knowing that your brother-in-law," Twilight said while she  looked at Princess Luna with a smile, and she smiled back, "and therefore Applejack, knowing her, have us to help them now."

It took about ten more seconds and I was completely asleep. But even though I wanted to go back to Ponyville and make sure they was alright, I fell asleep knowin' I did my job. And it was the most I'd ever done in my whole life. I knew that bonehead Discord was gonna get a fight. Not just from my sister and AJ, but now from the princesses too. Must... resist- That was it. I done fell asleep.