76.

“Crispin, where do you think you’re going?” Apple Jack asked her son as she saw him trying to sneak away from doing his chores.

Crispin blinked as he looked at his mother. “Nothing ma… I was just well… Sprinkle Icing invited me to a party and I’d hate to disappoint her by not showing up.”

Apple Jack approached him. “I suggest you finish your chores then.” She pointed out the bales of hay that need to be put into the loft of the barn. She then walked away. “After those are put up then you can go traipsing off to snuggle Sprinkle.”

Crispin felt his ears burn. “Ma! This will take forever.”

Apple Bloom watched the exchange and watched as her sister walked into the house. She then approached her nephew. “Just use yer magic.”

Crispin looked at his aunt. “Ma doesn’t want me to use my magic, she says just using my strength builds character.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Oh please, what is one time? I finished my chores I’m going to Sprinkle Icing’s party now. Should I tell her you can’t make it?”

“That ain’t fair AB. I want to go too.” He muttered.

“Use your magic then.” She stated. “It won’t hurt nothing.”

“Ma would know.” He whispered as he looked at the house.

“So what, yer a unicorn; use yer magic. Geez.” Apple Bloom sighed.

“Okay, but if Ma gets upset I’m blaming ya.” Crispin said as his horn started to glow. The hay bales glowed and he hefted them up and into the barn. He squinted his eyes as he strained with his magic. He walked towards the barn and watch where he placed the bales in the loft. After he let them lose he let out a sigh. “Those were heavy.”

Apple Bloom was staring at him. “Whoa… Crispin yer strong. Where did ya learn that spell?”

“Um, Aunt Twilight had been teach’n me some things.” He said quietly. “Ma doesn’t know, although I told Twilight that ma told me I needed to learn from her.”

“Crispin! Ya lied?” Apple Bloom gasped at her nephew. “Ya never lied. Why did ya lie?”

“I wanted to learn magic.” He put his head down. “Paradox, Lilly, Scarlet Grace, Sweetie Belle, Rarity, every unicorn I know has magic knowledge but me. Paradox, Scarlet Grace and Lilly aren’t even unicorns and they know more magic than any of us.”

“More than I.” Apple Bloom muttered.

“Yer an earth pony AB.” He said.

“Yes, and so is yer mom. Ya know if AJ had known ya wanted to learn; she would have let ya. Another thing, Paradox, Scarlet Grace and Lilly aren’t ponies. They’re draconequuseses… whatever.” Apple Bloom stuck her tongue out. “Their magic comes naturally for them.”

“I know, but I am a unicorn and I want to learn to be one. I should’ve asked.” He sighed.

“Let’s go then. I hope they haven’t started eating cake without us.” Apple Bloom grinned as she and Crispin headed to Sugar Cube corner in town.

Apple Jack watched them from the house and walked out when they left. “It figures he’d have to rely on Apple Bloom to encourage him to use his magic.” She shook her head, fixed her hat and trotted towards Ponyville.