Memories

Her sapphire eyes never left his running form as she watched the drake run down the one hundred and ten yard field, dribbling the ball between his feet. Tail standing slightly erect behind him, so as to both keep balance as well as to display a sign of concentration. He brought his foot back and thrust forward, sending the ball straight into the loose net.

Panting lightly, the drake turned to look back towards the bleachers, not surprised to find his best friend their, watching him. Like regular clockwork. If she wasn't my best friend, I would think that she was either trying to replace my sister, or she had a thing for me. Knowing that if he continued to stare at her that he would lose his focus, the drake quickly averted her gaze as he went to grab another ball, taking it down the field once more.

Wincing every now and again, he shrugged off the pain that assailed his broken leg, running down the field almost as if it was non existent. Only five people in all of Equestria knew the torment that he went through on a daily bases, yet it came as a surprise to all who ever watched him as to the amount of suffering and pain he was willing to take. Yet, he always seemed to remain strong, and though he could have all those who wronged him banished, imprisoned, or simply beheaded, he chose to keep his mouth shut.

Rarity lovingly watched the young amethyst drake play the game that he, his brother, and his mother loved. A game that she knew his father loved. Watching him pour out his heart into his training, not even letting something as much as a broken leg stop him, brought a sense of devotion to her heart. She could not explain why, but seeing him running down the field with a smile upon his face brought butterflies to her stomach, made her heart feel as though it were soaring through great drifts of clouds, while in her mind she felt that she herself was flying within his gracefully caring arms as they glided high over the snow capped peaks of distant mountains.

Spike looked around the almost empty field, noticing that it was only Rarity, who seemed lost in her thoughts, and himself. He was always the first one to practice, as he liked to get an early "solo" practice session, even if their team hadn't played for the last seventeen years.

Their actual last game win was over twenty-three years prior. It was due to this loosing streak that almost no pony wanted to ever join the team, it was an embarrassment. Heck, they were told that of the team does not field this year that all funding would be cut and the school's team disbanded. Although, that was not entirely all their own fault. For the last twenty years they had, had the same soccer coach, who almost hated the team after his first year. His goal was to see the team wiped out completely from the school, thankfully however he had retired that summer.

Starting this year, they were due not only for a new coach, but new members as well. Ones that he hoped were there to play rather than just to try and say that they played a school sport. Only three players had been on the team since he had started his Freshman year. One was Spike, another was his younger brother, who was not on the team legally at that time, and his favorite teammate, as she was his only other teammate who was permanent, Rainbow Dash.

Who all else was going to join was a mystery to him, but he really didn't feel that they were going to get the league minimum this year, again. Always one or two ponies would show up, but many would leave either because the coach was too harsh or they saw Spike. Mostly it was the former, but sometimes it was because of him.

Sulking slightly, Spike dropped to his knees in the grass, letting the cooling breeze wash away his aches, his pains. Pulling his knees close to his body after sitting down fully, he felt a few tears slide down his scaled cheeks, only to be carried upon the back of the wind to a delicate blade of grass. Sucking up a bit of blood in his mouth from the freshly opened wounds on his lips, he allowed it to drip from his open lips and into the hungry soil. Slowly, his eyes rose upward towards the sky as a few more tears left silvery trails down his scaled cheeks. Whispering in a hoarse voice, he said, "I'm sorry mom. I have failed you as a son."

With the last of his words, more tears began to cascade down from his eyes. Clouds formed together before they were washed away by some unseen force, giving the drake a clear view of the vibrantly blue sky, in which was his mother's ever present sun. Shining brighter than ever before, he could feel the serene presence of his mother wrapping fully around him, giving her all of his love even if her physical body was not there.

Unknown to him, the silvery-white mare had come around behind him and had given him a giant hug, letting her arms drape around the drake, holding him close. "You have not failed her Spike. You are the most wonderful son that a Princess like Celestia could ask for. Given you try to handle your problems without help from your friends, you are still very much a gift in her eyes. Spike, I hate to see you like this. You beat yourself up over nothing. Stand up for yourself, show those bullies who you are underneath. Show them the real Spike, the one that is sitting here now. The very Warrior who refused to leave my side on that bridge."

Amethyst scales glittered in the sunlight, spraying their reflective sparkles in various directions as he turned to look at the mare beside him. Tears still hung heavy in his eyes, but they were starting to die down now. "Rarity, how could that be true? She promised me that she was going to come to every one of our games this year, but at the rate we are going, we are not going to have a team. Just more ammunition for Thunderlane and his wanna-be dipsticks. After this year, we are not even going to have a team anymore."

Burying his head into his knees, the drake sobbed quietly to himself as he listened to the soft, soothing, comfort of Rarity's voice. "Spike, it is only the beginning of the school year, we are barely a week in. Give it time, I am sure that you will find more ponies will come, you just have to believe. I know that I do, what about you?"

Spike lifted his head so that his chin was resting on his knees as he said, "I don't know what to tell you Rarity. I have always believed, if only because I remember what my mother said to me when I was only eight, the day that I first met you."

Rain pattered against the stained glass windows of the throne room, turning them a deeper shade of their original color. Cascading upon the red carpet floor were various hues of the rainbow, with little sparkles of what looked to be diamonds from the water droplets that had collected on the stain glass itself. "Mom, why can't you ask the Pegasi to stop the rain so that Ryder and I can go play?"

Light giggling was heard as his mother placed a hand on his head, making him look up at her face to see a sly grin across her lips. "Well, for one thing, your brother is sleeping. For another, I can't just order the Pegasi to make the rain stop. The earth ponies need it to make their crops grow, and this rain fall was scheduled to happen already. Can't just change it honey, sorry." Upon seeing his destroyed face, she smirked even wider. "Tell you what though, when your brother wakes up, how about the three of us, Aunt Luna, and your Cousin Cadence go over to the Sparkles' home for dinner tonight? Does that sound good to you?"

Spike nearly jumped out of his scales at the mention of his adopted sister's home. Not being able to see her for a while had made him rather sad, but he was practically tackling his mother with a giant hug as he continuously said, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, mom. I love you soo much."

She smiled warmly at her son before she said, "I love you too Spike, never forget that. As long as you believe it in your heart, I will always be with you, and I will always love you, just as your father does. But let's not forget about your brother now."

Spike took on a more solemn look as he looked into his mother's adoring eyes, "I know mom. Sometimes I just wish that I could meet someone new ya now, make a first friend aside from my brother. Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like if father hadn't have died."

"Who told you that you could grow up so fast Spikey?"

Smiling, he grew a cheeky grin as he said, "You did mom."

"Little did I know, that I was going to meet the best friend that I ever had." Sharing a light laugh together, they could not help but look deep into each others eyes. Spike could see his own reflection in her sapphire blue eyes, with a raging inferno of trust, compassion, and undying loyalty surrounding him.

Rarity could not describe in any amount of words the breathtaking sight that she saw. Reflecting back from his emerald eyes was her own face, though it was surrounded by a ring of fire, golden yellow in color with a light tint of orange to represent loyalty while their was an overwhelming display of an azure blue flame, indicating nothing less than love. Words caught in her throat as she allowed her eyes to memorize each color of the ring of flames, beginning to wonder if he felt the same feelings of love that she felt for him.

Sure they said that they loved each other often enough, but that was always only as best friends, but deep down in her heart, that was never enough. She wanted to say those three words, and expect a kiss on her lips or the feeling of her special somepony in her arms when she did. Always when she would think about her life long mate, his face was all that she could see, his comforting face that always told her that everything was alright in the world.

"I still remember the day we meet. The greatest day of my life thus far, and I would never take it back for anything, not for all of the money in the world, nor even to save my own life."

Rain pounded down on the roof of Twilight's comforting home. Freshly cut cedar was prominent in the log cabin home, yet adding to it was the smell of crushed pine needles, tree sap, and freshly backed chocolate chip cookies. "What's wrong Rarity? Is the rain bothering you? You do know that my father built this home with his own bare hands right? It was designed to keep the storms out, not in."

Twilight's childish voice even then was sweet, caring, and always innocent. "It's not that Twilight. It's just that you said we were going to meet your brother, the dragon one. I just don't want to make a bad impression on him is all. I really want to make new friends, and having a friend like him could actually help with my ideas of designing world dazzling dresses. Why, with a friend like your brother, I could conquer all of Equestria with my wonderful designs."

The lavender filly could not help but laugh as she allowed her eyes to take in the look of triumph on the silvery-white filly's own face. "Don't forget about Ryder too. I am sure that Spike will love help you out whether you are friends or not." Letting her voice drop lower, she said "Besides, I have seen the way that you blush when you look at him." Her laughter grew louder as she beheld a shocked Rarity, mouth agape with a few strands of hair covering her rosy red cheeks. "You totally have a crush on Spike and you know it. Before you have even met him no less. Priceless."

With her head lowered, the silvery-white filly tried to hide her reddening cheeks, backing up to the single window that was above her bed. As fate would have it, she was embarrassed even further when the drape hanging over the windows flew around her, encasing her in a vibrantly golden tangle as a few stray leaves and rain drops blew in the now open window. Twilight's laughter never ceased as she rushed forward to close the vast open window, finding the sight too good to be true. "Rarity, I-I think that your, uh, mane is in a frizzle shizzle."

It was times like these that Rarity was glad she had created certain words to use to describe her look rather than just saying outright what it actually looked like. This was a much nicer way of saying that she needed a really good shower, to clean out her mane so that looked as elegant as ever. Taking the initiative, she made her way into the connected bathroom, simply saying, "I need a few minutes to fix my hair Twilight. If Spike gets here while I am in the shower then tell him that I will be down in a bit."

Before the lavender filly could utter another word the door was practically slammed shut, leaving Twilight all alone with her fit of laughter as the only company. It was short lived however as her door slowly opened, revealing a shocked Shining Armor, looking at his sister as if she were a hydra. "Well, I can see that somepony is having fun. Where is Rari-," his voice trailed off as he heard the sound of her shower turning on, "-ty. Figures. When a drake comes over, where is she, in the shower. Sometimes I wonder about that filly Twilight." He looked to the floor as he shook his head, a grin crossing his lips as he said, "Although, I suppose it is no worse than when Rainbow Dash comes over. I swear, the trouble that you two get into together. I still remember that time that you two decided that it would be funny to put hot sauce in mom's soup. Do you recall the taste?"

Twilight could not help but feel her cheeks grow warm as she screamed out, "Shining! Get out now! That is so uncalled for!"

He chuckled as he retreated out the door with, "Sorry, sorry. But you do know that I get to tease you since you are my little sister right? Anyway, I was coming up to tell you that Spike and Ryder are here, they are waiting for you downstairs."

Both laughed as Twilight followed her brother out of the room and down the stairs, heading to the living room, where Spike was waiting. Upon reaching the bottom step, the two friends glanced each other briefly before they flew together, their arms going around each other and embracing their friendship. "Twilight! It is so great to see you again." Without warning, Ryder came up to the side and joined the hug, loving the feeling of love that was in the house this evening.

Twilight simply pulled the drake closer as she whispered into his ear, "Rarity will be down in a bit. She wanted to show up before you got here." They broke their embrace at Twilight's beckon. Now free, the lavender filly went to stand before the various Princesses, taking a knee as she was taught by her father before she said, "Welcome Lady Celestia, Lady Luna, and Lady Cadence. May I say what an honor it is to have you visit our home miladies. If there is anything that we or I may do to ease your stay, please do not hesitate to ask."

She stayed on her knee, as was customary, until the Princesses had made their full response. "I thank you for gracing me with an open door young Twilight. As for my comfort, please just call me mom, at least when I am in your home."

Princess Luna now stood before the filly, a slight smile on her face. "You are family young Sparkle. You may call me Auntie Luna whenever I am in your home, or we are in private. And thank you for opening up your door to us youngling."

With both of her aunts out of the way, It was Cadence's turn to stand before the filly. "Young Twilight, you may simply call me Cadence, or sister. I expect to earn that title in the next few years anyway." With the conclusion of her words, she made her way over towards Shining Armor, placing a kiss gently on his lips before uttering words of love to his ears alone.

Twilight smiled as she rose to her feet, "As you wish miladies." Together they shared a little fit of laughter before the filly went back to the dragon and pony Princes and placed a kiss on their cheeks. "It is really great to see you two again."

Spike smiled as he and Twilight went into the kitchen to find Twilight's mother fixing dinner for the family and guests. Without even thinking, they began to run around the room in numerous fits of laughter with Ryder joining in, yet they still managed to stay out of her mother's way. None of the children were aware when her mother left the room. Neither one was aware as to what was going on in the other room, nor as to what was going on upstairs with the silvery-white filly. That is, until their was the sound of a loud thud.

Spike glared at Rarity with a burning curiosity as to what exactly happened in that bathroom that night. "You never told me what it was you were doing in the shower Rarity? Care to indulge me?"

"It's a little bit of a long story, but if you really want me to, I can tell you."

Taking the initiative, she made her way into the connected bathroom, simply saying, "I need a few minutes to fix my hair Twilight. If Spike gets here while I am in the shower then tell him that I will be down in a bit." Without another word, she slammed the door shut as she quickly flipped on the light, looking in the mirror. She bit her lip so as to hold back a scream at how uncouth she looked at the present.

Letting out a shaky breath, she checked to make sure that Twilight had shampoo, conditioner, a rag, and a towel. Finding what she had to be sufficiently adequate, the filly began to slip out of her cloths and into the steaming hot water. A thin layer of mist arose from the shower as her cool body came into contact with the piping hot water, making her groan lightly as he body began to relax. Feeling the stress of wanting to meet Spike wash away, she slid down the tub until she was lying perfectly down, the water raining over her entire form.

Sighing with sweet relief, she allowed her mind to wonder just as to what Twilight had said about her best friend, or brother as she often called him. 'Spike is a really great dragon, the only one I know outside of Canterlot anyway. He loves to play soccer, as he often does with his mother or one of the various members of the Royal Guard, mainly my brother Shining Armor. Aside from that, just be yourself Rarity, I guarantee you that he will like you. And, if you are lucky, maybe he will like you in the same fashion that you like him.'

Thinking of those final words brought a light tint of crimson to her cheeks as she felt her stomach start to swirl around like one of those various wormholes in space that Twilight always talks about. Blood seemed to go straight to her heart as fast as possible, for she felt it start to beat through her chest almost as if it wanted to jump right out of her. Feeling light headed, she simply sunk further down in the tub so that the water could more easily wash through her mane.

Warmth from the liquid drops coursed through her body like a raging wildfire, igniting every sense of her body until they all burned out into nothing but small black spots. Complete relaxation overtook her, making her eyes drop heavily as her head rested against the bottom of the tub. Finding that she could easily breath even with the water raining down upon her, she allowed herself a moment to dream.

'In her mind she could see Spike, standing atop a grassy hill. His back to the sun with the wind blowing through his long trailing mane that slid easily down his amethyst scaled back. Light reflected off in little sparkles all over those who were around him, while yet he was not alone. Standing next to him was her, with an arm around her back. "Rarity, time to wake up. You can sleep tonight." Spike vanished, only to be replaced by Twilight's mother, who looked upon her with a smile.'

Rarity shot up in the tub so fast that her head hit the mare who was kneeling beside the tub, making her fall back slightly and land roughly on her knees, producing a loud thud. Turning to her side, she found Twilight's mother standing outside of the tub with a sly grin, her face slightly scrunched as she rubbed her chin. "We have company over sweetheart. I need you to get dressed, fix your hair, and come downstairs. Our guests are waiting to meet you. Now hurry up, dinner is almost ready."

Rarity nodded her head as Twilight's mother left the room, closing the bathroom door behind her. Letting out a sigh of relief that it was Twilight's mother instead of Princess Celestia, she placed a hand over her raving heart. 'Whew, let's not do that again. For all I know, she will not be the one coming up, but possibly Princess Celestia.'

Not wanting to take that chance, however slight it may be, she turned the water off and stepped out of the tub, drying her soaked fur as she fixed her hair into its usual curls using nothing more than the handle of one of Twilight's various violet colored brushes.

Feeling that she looked presentable, the filly opened the door and made her way downstairs, hoping to not make a fool of herself at the dinner table.

"So, that thud was from Twilight's mom? Ha, she never told any of us that, as least I don't think she did. Oh how I can now tease her for scaring you." Spike laughed lightly before he looked back towards Rarity, seeing a smiling face dance across her lips. "What are you all smiley about, huh?"

Rarity giggled as she asked, "Do, do you remember the dinner and what happened afterwords?"

Spike held back his laughter as he said, "How could I not, it was too funny, yet it was sweet how it happened. Thankfully they never made anything of it until Freshman year, but it was still very precious."

Spike took a seat at the large dinning table in the center of the dinning room. Made of pure oak, the table was alive with many vibrant, delicate carvings of various animals, ranging from wolves to timber-wolves, to Ursa Majors and Minors. Seated next to him was his mother, while on his other side was Twilight. Beside of Twilight was Princess Cadence, while Princess Luna sat on the other side of her sister. Across from him were two open seats, one in front of him and the other across from Twilight, beside of where Ryder sat. At one head of the table sat Mr. Sparkle, who was across from his son Shining Armor. Seated across from Celestia was Mrs. Sparkle, who both sported sly grins.

Both Spike and Twilight were perplexed as to why there were two extra seats, as they only knew that Rarity was the only one they were waiting on. Before either one could speak their mind however, there was a knock on the door, earning the attention of only three sets of eyes. From the hallway they heard Rarity call, "I'll get it."

Upon hearing her voice, Spike was dumbfounded. It sounded almost as if an angel had been sent down from the heavens above and had spoken to his very heart, soul, and mind. Her voice was serene, pure, clear, slightly mid-Atlantic, and above all else, caring. Again he heard her voice, though it was distant to the rest, he could hear her almost as if she were standing no more than a foot away. "Rainbow Dash. What a pleasant surprise to see you. What brings you hear?"

Another voice came upon his ears, this one was deeper, more masculine, more scratchy that the angel's. "Well, Mrs. Sparkle asked if I wanted to come over for dinner tonight. She thought that maybe I could make some new friends, ones that won't run out on me."

"Yes darling, is that all that you have come for I wonder?"

"Well, not entirely. I was invited to stay the night too you know."

"Well why didn't you say so in the first place? Come in come in, please take your shoes of though, as well as your coat. Rain does have a nasty affect on wood floors you know."

"Thank you Mrs. Sparkle."

Spike merely listened as he heard the patter of two sets of bare, furred feet as they slapped against the wooden floors. Looking back towards the open archway that led into the kitchen, he could not help but hold his breath as though it was his last.

In walked a silvery-white filly, her luscious royal purple mane ran down her back, curls at the ends of it. Magnificent fur spanned down her body while her form was as skinny as could be, yet still healthy. Her luxurious royal purple tail was slightly erect behind her as she knelt before the Princess. She was in all sense, an angel cast down from the high heavens. Whether she was there for him or simply for another purpose was unknown to him, but he could care less. So long as she could be his friend, then dealing with the crush that he now had on her would be alright.

Standing beside the filly was a cyan blue filly with a rainbow colored mane that was short yet loosely made. Ryder could not help but have his throat constrict so tightly that he thought he was unable to breath. The filly that he gazed upon was perfect in every sense, and he felt that his heart was going to escape his chest and run to her, beg her to take it away.

She too took a knee beside the silvery-white filly. They spoke in complete unison as they spoke, making him wonder if they had prepared for this for a long while now. "We are gratefully miladies that you have graced us who are lower with your presence. If there is anything that you wish of us your highness', then please do not hesitate to speak forth and command us as you will. Your wish is our command miladies."

Celestia smiled warmly at both fillies before she said, "That is quite alright young ones. If anything, please call me Mrs. Guâlhoran, as that is the formal last name that I took upon my marriage. I would much prefer that you speak that name when outside of the public ear. Although some of my guards may not like it, I do prefer to be called that. And also if you would, please greet me from now on, even in the public eye, as though I am your friend. I do not wish to be seen as higher than you, if only because I am a mare just like you two will be someday. As for my sister, you may call her Ms. Ashthorn or Princess Luna, whichever she prefers. I know that for my niece you may call her Cadence, and she really hates the 'Princess' part."

Thanking the Princesses for their generosity in dismissing the formalities, the two friends took their respective seats. Rainbow Dash across from Twilight while Rarity sat across from Spike. Without another word, the meal was served upon the table by magic from Princess Celestia.

A fine display was before the ponies. Spread out were various dishes of dandelion salad, crunchy hay fries, grassy sandwiches, and a roasted seaweed platter, complete with zesty seasonings and a light glazing of honey. Their mouths watered at the display before them, and almost immediately they wanted to dive in, but the downcast look of an amethyst drake keep them at bay. Only Celestia knew why the drake had a look as though he was being dejected, yet she also knew that he could not eat before them.

Speaking softly, the Princess said, "Please, eat. Spikey can't eat with you. Being half dragon means that, as a young child like he is now, he has to have meat. I would gladly give him some of the stuff that we normally eat, and I know that he would eat it, but right now his body has to have meat to function properly. Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle, I know that you are alright with it, as is Shining Armor and Twilight, but I do not want to upset the other two guests."

Celestia could see the horrified look that was on Rarity's face, from what she assumed was the realization that Spike ate meat. She was wrong however as Rarity said, "That is awful. You not eating Spike. Princess, if I may, please serve him his dinner. When I was younger I was attacked by a wild timber-wolf, thankfully it never left a scar, but it tore up my side pretty bad. Thanks to magic however, it was a quick recovery. Seeing blood does not bother me, nor does the tearing of flesh, at least not anymore. If he must eat meat, then so be it. But I refuse to touch a morsel of food if he has to watch and not even able to take a single bite."

When Celestia looked towards Rainbow Dash, a nod was all that she got in response. "Very well then, but please don't make a fuss about the smell." No more words were spoken as the Princess brought forth a small silver, tin case, within which was unknown to all except for Spike. Given that he was a dragon, he was able to smell the contents, which was the most mouth watering, delectable dinner that he had even eaten before.

Only two ponies in the entire land of Equestria knew how to cook this dish, one, being his mother, the other, being Twilight's mother. Fiery roasted duck, glazed with sapphire honey, stuffed with melted emerald sauce, finished with a light drizzle of apple spice syrup. It was a dish that his mother had made one year for his birthday, when he was really young, just barely a day past a hatchling. It smelled like heaven on earth to his nose, making his lips pull back slightly to reveal his sharp fangs along with his forked tongue.

Managing to hold his inner hunger at bay, he simply thanked his mother as he opened the dish, letting the smell ring forth to all of their noses. Many let out sighs from the pleasant smell that arose from it, yet they all knew that none of them could even dare to try and eat it, unless they wanted to be sick. Nodding their heads to one another, they began to stuff their faces with a dinner that was sure to last in their minds for a long while yet.

After dinner, while Mrs. Sparkle and Princess Celestia, who would not take no for answer, were washing the dishes, the children ran into the living room to play while Mr. Sparkle went with to watch them. Rainbow Dash began to chase Twilight and Rarity around the room, with Ryder soon following after Rainbow Dash when he was 'it'. Spike just watched on in envy as he saw them playing without him, smiles across their lips as they laughed loudly.

Rarity, taking note of the missing Spike, quickly made her way to stand beside of the drake. "So, Spike, what aren't you running around with us? I think that it would be fun if you joined us."

Spike simply sighed, dejected as he responded with, "I didn't think that you wanted to play with me. Nopony back home in Canterlot ever does, I just thought that it was a normal thing."

"Oh no Spike. We could never do that to you. We may have just met, but you are a funny dragon. I like that about you. Maybe someday we could be best friends, kind of like Twilight and Rainbow Dash are." Both younglings turned to see Ryder, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash begin to run up the stairs, only to gasp when Twilight slipped down and took both Rainbow Dash and Ryder with her. Neither one was expecting what happened next, but when they saw it, neither one could help but lightly laugh at the scene.

Rainbow Dash lied upon her back, with her feet tangled together with Ryder's, their tails interwoven, while their arms were around each other. Both had their eyes closed as their lips were pressed together, neither one knowing what was happening. Ryder could feel an incredible warmth in his stomach, almost reminiscent to that of butterflies flapping around in an open field.

Rainbow Dash felt her heart begin to flutter away. Opening her eyes, Rainbow was shocked to see Ryder atop her, but she paid it now mind as she closed her eyes and allowed their lips to linger for a bit longer until Ryder gently pulled away. Now both rose together, only to look back at the four sets of eyes that were on them as they blushed heavily.

Smiling slightly, Mr. Sparkle went into the kitchen, presumably to speak with his wife. All five friends simply stared at one another before they all sported a blush, Ryder and Rainbow Dash from looking at one another and remembering their kiss, while Spike and Rarity just looked away, accidentally catching the eye of the other.

"I remember fondly of how much closer those two became, and although my brother will never admit to it, I think that he and Rainbow Dash had shared a few kisses before Freshman year. Not that it really matters, but I was just wondering. What, what really brought you to accept me as a best friend when I was in sixth grade?"

Rarity looked towards the grass between her feet as she plucked a few blades from the soft soil, slowly working them between her fingers as she spoke, "You may think that it is cliche, or just downright silly, but it was your heart that attracted my eyes to want you as my closest, most special friend."

"I don't fully understand what you mean Rarity. Care to explain?"

"Yes. It was the day you first met Thunderlane, remember?"

Snow fell from the sky, seeing as how it was in deep December, it was to be expected. With a bundle of jackets covering her silvery-white fur, the rather almost fully grown filly trudged along through the various snow banks that shrouded the sidewalks from her view. Although the snow was lightly falling, it was the bitter cold that really made her want to run back to the home she had left. Twilight was indeed a great friend, but she did not want to leave her little sister with her parents again. She had promised that the littler filly could come over for a bit into her new home, but she still had to fix up both rooms.

Behind her walked a lone dark silver Pegasus colt, a mint blue mane cut into a mohawk adorned the top of his head, while his arms were held closely by his side. Smiling evilly, he made his way up close to the filly, finding her a perfect target to try and get into bed with on this bitterness of cold nights. Taking a steady breath, he stepped forward and grasped the filly's shoulder, spinning her around with ease. "Hello there young filly. Just curious as to whether you needed some company on your walk home."

It was known all around school that the colt was always one to sucker a filly into liking him, then when he was done with her, he would just drop her like she was yesterdays trash. He however knew nothing about her, nor just who she was. Knowing about his little game though, she was the one with the upper hand. "No thank you. I will be quite fine on my own. Thanks for the offer though."

Swiftly turning around, he found the filly quickening her step. Never having been rejected from an advance before, he was shocked, but anger quickly took its place. Growling into the cold wind, he too quickened his pace so as to catch up to her. Little did the colt know, but this filly was not as alone as he had previously thought.

Rounding a corner and entering a deserted alleyway, he quickly caught up to the filly, shoving her against a wall and holding her there as he ran a hand down her back towards her flank. Thinking quickly, the mare used her tail to swat away his hand, making him growl with frustration before he pressed his chest against her back, holding her chest against the wall while a hand grasped the base of her tail. She began to panic as fear set in, fear as to what he was going to do to her, even though she already had a pretty good idea.

The colt ran his hand down her back again, letting his touch linger as he left his fingers just above her tail. "Now, we can have some fun, right baby." His fingers curled around her legs, going towards the front of her body, while his tongue drew near to her furred neck. Tears fell from her eyes as she realized that she was going to be violated, that she was no longer going to be pure. Before his hand could even think about moving any closer towards its intended target, or his tongue to its target, he was pulled back by a rather rough grasp, sending him into the adjacent wall.

Growling was heard as he turned to look at his assailant, seeing nothing but a dark shadow that seemed to loom over him. Fangs were revealed, their intent to tear him apart for sure. Sharp claws seemed to sparkle in what little light there was, and he began to back away slowly from the shadow. For once in his natural life, the colt felt fear strike his heart. Getting up, he raced out of the alley and down the street as fast as his legs could carry him, never stopping to look back once until he was a few blocks away.

The shadow loomed over the filly now, stroking her hair out of her face, causing her to flinch from the fear that was still in her heart. Upon looking towards the figure however, she immediately recognized the emerald green eyes as belonging to the drake whose heart she had unknowingly captured. "Everything is alright now Rarity, I am here now, and always will be. So long as I have breath in me, no harm will ever come to you, I promise."

"It was that promise you made that night Spike that made me want to be your best friend. I never could thank you for saving me from the fate that would have scared me for life. You turned it around though, you made it all better." She grew quiet as she held up the object she had made, a small miniature figurine of a pony grasping within her hands a small heart. Blowing on the figurine softly, both the drake and the mare watched as it blew away in the breeze, carried lightly along it gentle back. "I could never figure out though, how did you know I was in trouble?"

Spike simply let his grin fade slightly as he leaned closer towards her, "My Aunt Luna told me. She said that she had felt that something bad was going to happen, and she warned my mother before me. So she and I came to your rescue, as it was my mother's magic that produced the rather large shadow that scared Thunderlane away. If not for her, then we would have both been in some serious trouble." Spike grew silent as he simply stared at Rarity while she was otherwise occupied with the blades of grass between her feet. Taking the initiative, and experimenting, he pressed his lips against her cheek, letting them linger for a bit before he pulled away.

Rarity's hand shot up to feel the cheek that he had kissed, her eyes going forward as she refused to look at him, knowing that a crimson red blush was heavy on her cheeks, for she felt them start to heat up, of only slightly. "What-What was that for S-Spikey?"

Chuckling, he simply said, "For being a great best friend to me for all of these years."

Laughter came from the far end of the field, earning the couples attention as they looked to see a rather heavily blushing Ryder as well as a smirking Rainbow Dash, who practically tackled the emerald stallion to the ground as she brought him into a very passionate kiss. "Uh, Rainbow Dash and Ryder, again." Both began to laugh while the lovers rolled around in the grass down the low hill just behind the net, blocking the field off from view of the rest of the school. The couple was happy, if for nothing else, to be having fun together.

Standing high up in the bleachers was a shadowy figure that glared down over the field, staring intently at the drake as he helped Rarity to her feet, both running over to Ryder and Rainbow Dash, conforming into a giant hug. Smiling, he said, "I wish I could be here for you now Spike, I truly do. I wish that I could be there for you too Ryder. My sons, my how you have grown up."

"As I have often said Lethnal, they are growing up fast. Just wish that you were here in more of a physical state.."

"I know Celesy, I know. I wish I could give you all of the children that you desire, but you have already been claimed, for that I am sorry."

"Well I'm not. If given the chance, I would gladly be with you again."

"I know you would my love, I know. Just please keep your promise to be here for every single one of their games, for us dear."

"I will, I promised that I would..."