Prologue

The morning sun shone brightly throughout all of Equestria, without a single solitary cloud in sight. The crisp morning air carried along its back the fresh smell of the wonderful and delectable treats being baked at Sugar Cube Corner.

Ponies of all sizes and ages walked about in town, none of them feeling anything but tremendous joy. They waved and smiled to one another as they passed by, some watching as the young fillies and colts ran about, shrieking with laughter.

The fillies and colts stopped their fun to stare at a purple and green dragon who walked through the town, his head held low while tears fell from his eyes. His scales were shining brightly from the direct attention of the sunlight. He dragged his feet in the dirt, pulling up a significant amount of loose soil. "Oh Spike, I am so sorry."

Walking beside the dragon was a lavender colored alicorn, her wings held close to her body while a few tears were forming in her eyes. She could not help but feel the pain of the dragon beside her, for she had known him since he was born and she was just a young filly. "It's alright Twilight, I should have been smarter and realized that there was nothing between us." Each word he spoke was what his heart was telling him, yet he did not want to accept it.

Twilight could no longer hold back her tears as his words rushed over her, making her realize that he was truly in a deep state of depression. Hope glimmered in her eyes however as she whispered, "Spike, let's go over to Sweet Apple Acres, I think that being around some of our other friends will do you some good."

No words left his lips, instead he dropped where he was and just lied in the dirt, letting his tears soak the soil beneath him. "What's the point Twilight, they wouldn't understand like you do?" Instead of answering him, Twilight used her magic to lift him up and place him upon her back, groaning slightly from the extra weight. No other words were said as she turned and started to make her way towards a friend that she knew could help.

---

With the sun already high in the sky, the Apple family was busy doing the days tasks that needed to be done. Big Macintosh was hauling a cart full of wood to the family barn so that he could make some repairs to the interior of it. Applejack was working on fixing the roof, having started it earlier that morning. Granny Smith was tasked with watching four young fillies; Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell, Applejack's sister Apple Bloom, and their cousin Babs Seed, who were all laughing and playing to their hearts content.

No pony noticed when Twilight sat upon her flank before the family's home, just underneath of the archway. She proceeded to kick up small clumps of dirt with her hooves while she waited for the right time to approach Applejack. Spike was clinging tightly to her back, the poor dragon had fallen asleep on their way over. Tears could still be seen flowing down his face while he slept, groaning every so often.

Apple Bloom was the first of the four to notice the pair sitting beneath their archway. Even from the distance that she was she could tell that there was something, for Twilight had a glum look on her face while tears fell from her eyes. Together with her friends and cousin she walked over to the alicorn and dragon. In a warm and caring voice she asked, "What's the matter with y'all? Looks like y'all are broken hearted or somethin'?"

Twilight raised her head slightly so that she could see the young fillies. "You are all too young to understand this, but it's Spike. Rarity just told him that she only wanted to be friends and nothing more. He truly is heart broken, his love for Rarity was that, love."

Applejack, who had seen the young fillies around Twilight, walked over to them. As she drew near she could see that Twilight was crying, and that Spike was asleep upon her back, but he too was crying. "What's the matter suger cube? Y'all look horrible."

Twilight explained to Applejack how Spike was told by Rarity, Sweetie Bell's older sister, that she only wanted to be friends with him, nothing more. Applejack knew too well the immense crush that he had on her. "Well, sugar cube, let's see if we can't cheer up this dragon. We can go to the lake in the South field, just over yonder." She pointed with a hoof towards their destination, "Just the three of us will go, we can spend the day as friends."

---

The South field was immensely large, but that was to be expected since there was a small clearing almost in the dead center. Inside of the clearing was a fairly large lake, the water of which was crystal clear. Surrounding the lake was a grassy bank, beyond which by a simple few feet was a tree line where the trees were packed tightly together so much that they almost looked like the same tree, just spread out.

The water itself had a crystallized surface, making it the perfect mirror with which to stare gaze at night. Within its featureless glass you could see the sun and sky with all of its clouds high above, almost like it was an exquisite painting done by the greatest artist in all of Equestria. Along the edges of the glass are the trees, the birds sitting within their branches tending to their almost fully grown offspring.

The image was distorted when large ripples found their way out from where a splash had accord at the far end. The source of the splash was a cyan blue Pegasus with a rainbow colored mane and tail, a grin across her face as she slowly made her way across the water towards where Applejack stood, looking at the water. Beside her sat Twilight, Spike still clinging tightly to her neck with tears still streaming down his face.

Her grin only grew as she climbed out of the water, only to see her friends there with her. "What's up guys? Come to hang with me?"

Applejack lowered her head slightly as she stepped closer to the Pegasus. "Rainbow Dash, Spike has had some terrible news." She proceeded to tell her what had happened only that morning, and led into why they were there. "So, if you could just maybe help him feel better, that would be really great."

She lowered her grin slightly, "I'll see what I can do." Walking over to Twilight she said, "Listen, why don't you let me take him for a bit. Let your back have a rest, maybe go for a swim."

Twilight raised her head to look at Rainbow Dash, "He is not leaving my side unless he wants to. He is like my little brother, and with the bond that we share, I would feel really horrible to be happy while he is still upset like this."

Rainbow Dash flashed the lavender alicorn a smile before she walked around her side to sit on her flank before the sleeping form of Spike, with his head in her direction. "Hey, wake up little buddy. Today is no time to feel down, you are hanging with the best of the best. Um, today is your day to be with the one and only Rainbow Dash."

Spike slowly opened his eyes, looking at Rainbow Dash, who was smiling at him. He could still feel the tears leaking from his eyes, though he knew deep down that he had to try and move on, to try and feel better and have a good time with his friends. With a heavy sigh, he managed to roll off of Twilight's back and walk around to Rainbow Dash, giving her a hug before going to do the same with Applejack.

Spike's tears never ceased as he slowly dragged his body over to the edge of the leg, where he decided to just sit waste deep within the lip of it. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight came up and sat beside him, though none knew what Rainbow Dash had planned to try and make him feel better.

Maneuvering herself carefully, she was able to slide her body underneath of Spike without him seeming to notice. Once she was sure that he had his legs securely on her side, she strode forward and jumped into the air, rocketing towards the sky as she did so. A large satisfactory grin spread across her face when she felt him wrap his arms around her neck, making her blush slightly. Behind her she could hear him say, "Wait! What are you doing Rainbow Dash!"

Spike, never having really flown before, was shocked and scared at the speed with which they were going. He could have sworn that they should have been able to perform three Sonic Rainbooms at their speed.

As they progressed higher and higher, Spike began to let his body relax. The feeling of the strong wing muscles behind him as well as the grip with which he held on was enough to tell him that he would be safe, Rainbow Dash was not going to let him fall, no matter what the cost. With that thought in mind he allowed himself to actually start to feel the exhilarating feeling of flying. A small smile spread across his lips while his tears started to ease up, though they still came.

Deciding that they were high enough, Rainbow Dash quickly turned herself around and began to speed back towards the lake, much to the surprise and delight of Spike, who was now laughing as their speed progressed.

A strong weight began to push against Rainbow Dash, making her push harder and speed up more. She knew that she was close to her goal, and she hoped desperately that it would cheer up Spike to at least some degree.

The barrier that was pushing against Rainbow Dash soon broke, creating a rainbow explosion that went outwards for a few feet, while behind them her tail seemed to leave a rainbow colored trail in the air. Everyone for miles around could see the magnificent sight, and all those who did knew exactly what and who it was that had caused the wonderful sight.

Rainbow Dash never slowed down as she approached closer and closer to the water's surface, close enough now to see her own reflection and how awesome she truly was. With that thought in mind she slowed down a little, but not enough to stop the rainbow trail that she was leaving. With a large splash, she entered the water with Spike clinging closely to her neck for protection from the burst of water that ascended him and eventually engulfed him within its icy grip.

Rainbow Dash made her way through the water almost like a fish wound its way through seaweed. She was able to hold her breath until they came to where their friends were sitting at the lip of the lake, watching the water for any signs of them. With another huge blast of water the two emerged from the water, breaking through the surface and letting their sleek and wet bodies to glisten in the sunlight if only for a second before they came back down onto the water's surface.

Both Rainbow Dash and Spike began to laugh, soon after Applejack joined. Twilight just listened to their laughter, all the while thinking about Rarity and what was going to happen the next time that they met. No matter what she tried she just could not put that thought aside long enough to partake in their little laughing fit, even if it did make Spike happier than he had been before.

No one noticed when a Pegasus landed in the tree line surrounding them. Walking slowly, he broke through and was glad at the sigh that he saw. Twilight sat with her flank deep within the water while she just stared at it, lost in thought as usual anymore. Spike was laughing while swimming in circles around Rainbow Dash, splashing both her and Applejack with water, while they did the same to him, all laughing loudly as they did so.

Not wanting to disturb their fun, he made his way around behind them to sit beside Twilight, where he nudged her slightly. "Is everything alright Princess Twilight?"

It took her a moment to register that he was there, then another moment to process his words. "Well, something happened today between Spike and Rarity, so I brought him out here to try and cheer him up, and it seems to be working. I just can't help but think about what is going to happen between Rarity and the rest of us the next time that we meet. I mean, I know it is not her fault, and I don't blame her, I would much rather her tell the truth than lie, but now it will be awkward for her and Spike to be around one another."

He smiled warmly at her, "I see, well if ever there is anything that I can do to help, then just let me know."

She managed a wry smile back to him, "I will, thank you Lightening Rain. You know what you could do, could you..." She began to whisper into his ear, making his smile only grow wider by the end. He nodded his head before he dove into the water, not being noticed by anypony as he did so.

He came around underneath of Rainbow Dash and Spike, then he used his wings to push apart the water so that only they stuck out, then he swam underneath of them both, making them jump in fear. Both quickly raced back to Applejack, staring at the water and trying to think of what it was that had brushed against them.

With almost silent motions, he swam forward and stopped just before the three ponies, looking evilly at them each in turn. Going down to the bottom, he quickly raced back up to the surface, braking through and making a deep roar as he did so. Water fell on them, blocking their view while the roar frightened them dramatically, even Rainbow Dash.

All screamed in fright as they shut their eyes. Instead of feeling any pain, they all heard laughter pierce the air, sounding very majestic while at the same time slightly embarrassing. All three blushed slightly before they turned to look at where the laughing was originating from. Standing hoof deep in the water was a dark blue Pegasus with an orange mane and tail, on his flanks was a cutie mark of a dark lavender shield, three stars above it with a single orange star in the center. His deep purple eyes looked at each one once his laughing had subsided.

Applejack and Spike both lost their blushes while Rainbow Dash just darkened to a deep shade of red. Spike jumped in joy and shouted, "Rain!" Running forward in the water he embraced the Pegasus in a deep hug before he tried to push him over. Letting him have his way, Rain fell over and allowed Spike to push him over. Both laughed while Applejack just smiled.

Rainbow Dash was blushing furiously now, she had never seen such a handsome gentlecolt before. His fur was absolutely stunning while his mane was almost like her own, spiked slightly and pushed forward, not really kept in any way. His eyes, they were the only thing that she could still see, those piercing and loving eyes that seemed to look deep within her soul, down to the very core of it.

---

After a few hours of playing and swimming the ponies and drake all decided to head home. As they walked Twilight said, "If you guys want, you can come over for a sleepover later. I think that it would do us all some good." By now she was finally able to smile without having to actually force it. Rainbow Dash agreed without a doubt while Applejack did the same, wondering if she should though due to all of the little fillies back at the house.

Applejack broke from the group when they passed her house, saying her goodbyes as she did so while they rest continued to make their way towards the tree house that was Twilight's home. Along the way Rainbow Dash broke apart to go and fetch her stuff, saying that she was going to meet up with them later at her place.

The walk was silent until Rain said, "I hope that you had fun today Spike. I know that I did." They all laughed before Spike just sighed, beginning to think back to that morning. As he fell into deep thought he failed to notice when both Twilight and Rain stopped and stared with wide eyes and open jaws at the sight before them. Before he could even realize what they were looking at he bumped into a pony, but not just any pony, this pony had silver-white fur with a royal purple mane and tail with deep blue eyes. He knew this pony all too well, Rarity.

Tears were streaming down her eyes as she said, "Oh Spiky-Wikey, I am so sorry. I should have told you sooner." She took a deep breath before she put her forelegs around him in a hug and said, "I love you."