Stranger In A Familiar Place

by Arreis Of Avalon

First published 4th of May, 2014

Spike returns to Ponyville on royal duty, reliving the past and dreading the near future.

Spike has been away from Ponyville for a long time - Longer than he can remember. Now, he's returned by royal command. He must speak to each of the Elements of Harmony, and it's not good news...
(Romance tag isn't sexual, purely romantic.)

Prologue - The Return

I walked into town, taking a deep breath of the crisp air. It was nearly time for Fall. You could almost smell the crunch of the leaves and that faint whiff of cinnamon. I shifted the pack on my shoulder around, smiling at its weight. It was full of gifts, gems and other odds and ends that I had collected on my journeys as the Royal Ambassador – and personal assistant to Princess Twilight Sparkle, of course.

I smiled at the thought of not only my employer, but almost a mother to me. She had basically raised me from hatchling, first as a friend, and then as something more. Nurturing, caring, concerned – Twilight was all of those and more for my well being. Especially when she had sorted out what career I should take, especially with my curse…

My curse. How I hate it so. I think Twilight hates it as well, or is starting to. After all, she bears it just as I do. The curse of near immortality. The curse of a long life.

If I had to hazard a guess, I would say 20, maybe 30 years since I last visited Ponyville. I had lost track of the years again. After Twilight became the honorary Princess of Friendship, royal courts had been held there, including each of the Elements. I remembered those vaguely – They were hardly worth remembering now. So much had happened since then…

It had been 10 years after that, I think, that I became the royal ambassador. By then, I had finally gone through a growth spurt – And a startling one at that. Twilight almost had me chained to the wall in fear of another hoarding fest – This was a natural growth, however. Natural greed and natural hoarding. My wings had grown in, and I looked and felt ever part like a grown man – Though, perhaps with a few more… ‘juvenile’ thoughts. For all rights and purposes, I was then considered a teenager. Twilight then got around to doing some fancy calculations, and learned of how long a dragon usually lives…

Most would say 2000 years is a long time. I’m one of them.

After that, she had sent me away, to get my mind off of my age. I understood, and even welcomed the change of pace. She didn’t need her number one assistant anymore, what with her alicorn powers. I left Equestria every so often. Sometimes I came back. I wrote to my friends, but they never wrote back – I could never leave a return address. I had once met back up with them – But, again, that had been at least 20 years ago. By now, they must be around… Well, to range an estimate, 60 or 70.

I had never been good at math, but I knew my friend’s were getting up in years. That was really all that mattered – Their real ages weren’t too important. By now, they themselves probably didn’t remember. I had to keep in mind that the real reason I was here wasn’t to be concerned about their ages. I was here to remind THEM of their age. I was here on royal duty – One that I sorely wished I could avoid.

I shook the memories and thoughts and woes from my mind, smiling softly. Time enough for that later. I began to make my way through the town, and quickly found myself completely, utterly, totally lost. Things had certainly changed in 25 – I evened out the difference – years. I felt myself slipping into old habits and walking down a street, only to find it to be a dead end. It was like reading over a faded, aged map. Bits and pieces were unknown. Some parts were new, some were old, and some were simply forgotten. I simply shook my head and bravely set off in an uncertain direction.

Children stared as I walked past. None of them were familiar to me – Though, if it had truly been that long, they wouldn’t have been. They played nonsense games, laughing and having fun. That is, until they saw me. Their eyes filled with awe and wonder, but also with fear and trepidation upon seeing the beast in their midst. Some had heard of dragons, probably from their parents, so as to scare them into behaving. I sighed inwardly, saddened by their lack of knowledge.

The parents that were always nearby were another story. Some were younger, some were older, but all in that generation had known of Spike the Dragon. Some of the children knew of me as well, but not well enough to differentiate me from any other dragon. The younger parents looked at me, first with wary eyes. I understood that perfectly – After all, they did have to protect their children. But, as they looked past the scars and the age that had somehow begun to show, their eyes began to widen. A few stood.

Thus was the end of my peace. I was suddenly up to my wings in ponies – Family, friends, and all of their respective children. They rejoiced in having me back. I must admit, I was surprised by that fact – I had certainly caused enough damage in my stay here than anypony else. By all rights, they could have hated me for that. Yet another example of why I loved ponies so much.

The children were the most excited, after their parents explained that I wasn’t to be afraid of. They asked questions non-stop. Who am I? Is it true I used to be Princess Twilight’s personal assistant? Why are my scales so hard? All those and more, I answered.

I sat, a semi-circle of the little fillies and colts surrounding me. I began to tell them stories, all the tales of my adventures around Equestria. I told them the edited version, of course – Only the Princesses needed to know it all. Their reactions were perfect. They gasped at just the right moments, smiling and laughing at others. They cried as I told them the sadder tales, and one even screamed as I described a changeling attack.

I talked until my throat grew hoarse – I chuckled at the pun as I thought of it. Standing, all the children sighed. None of them wanted to tales to end. I apologized, saying I had somewhere to go. They all understood, but for one little filly. She ran up to me, hugging my hoof tightly. “Come back, Kk Mister Spikey?”

I smiled at her, finding her sudden willingness to hug me surprising, seeing as they had been so scared of me at first. “I might, I might. No promises, little one.”

“You better come back!” She hopped up to a mare with a curly red mane. She picked up the filly, smiling. “Mama, he says he’ll come back, maybe!”

“Thath nice, Candy,” she said, her lisp slurring her words lightly. She turned to me. She seemed somehow familiar, but I simply couldn’t recall her name. “You theemed a little lotht. Do you need a map of Ponyville? I could draw one up for you.”

“Thank you, that would be greatly appreciated.” She nodded and walked inside with the little girl. When she returned, a map of Ponyville was in her hooves. I thanked her one last time and flew away. I would’ve stayed and chatted, but I really needed to go see my friends. I had shirked my duty for too long. I flew up high, startling a few pegasi. I ignored their stares – I was used to them.

I landed on a cloud, smiling at the fluffiness. One of the bonuses of wings – the ability to walk, or, in my case often, lay on clouds. Lying back, I unfurled the map the mare had given me.

Ponyville had changed. That much was obvious. The Golden Oaks Library had been rebuilt, but not the same. New houses had been built, new pathways paved. It was still the small town I knew, but it was different as well. I was truly a stranger to my home, now. I sighed, glancing at where all of my friends lived. I picked the furthest away, first. I would go from there, in, to visit all of my friends.

Rolling up the map, I sighed one last time. “Sweet Apple it is, then.” I stuffed the map in my pack and flared out my wings. It was a bit hard with the pack on my back, but the straps rested between the joints where they grew from. In a few flaps, I took off.

I drifted through the air, getting many a stare from various ponies. Pegasi nearly fell out of the sky in surprise as they saw me. Ponies on the ground pointed up when I flew beneath the clouds. I hardly paid attention to the small pin-pricks on the ground – I had had my fill of memories for the day. Now was the time to see the damage of time. It was time to visit my friends.

Visit them for the last time.

Author's Notes:

New fan fic, featuring Spike!
^w^

Update: Edited by Me

Catching Up

I landed outside the farm, my eyes wide. Something was happening, that much was certain. Ponies ran around, laughing and bustling about. I couldn’t recognize any of them, but I could tell they were all Apple family members. Yes, this had to be the Apple family reunion. I couldn’t help but smile a bit, despite the grim duty ahead of me. This was sure to quite the event.

I began to walk into the crowd, only to be jostled around quite a bit. Ponies, at first, were so enamored with what they were doing, they had no idea what beast was in their midst - Perhaps, I hoped, they simply were unfazed by a dragon, who obviously intended no harm, walking around in their midst.

Sadly, no such luck. I snorted out a bit of smoke as the crowd suddenly shifted like water around me. Ponies watched me with fear, as always - Yet, a few grinned and came close. I recognized a spare few. Some of the younger ones greeted me, and even laughed and joked around. I smiled and shook their hooves. Gradually, ponies began to warm up to me.

Activities resumed, now with murmurings of a dragon in the fray. My claw grew tired from all the hoof shaking. Just as I thought I would get a break, more ponies came to greet me. While it was tiring to see so many ponies, I grew more and more amazed as more came to me. So this is how far the Apple Family has grown…

True to their name, they grew as apple trees did. They laid their seeds and grew their roots in one place, most likely 2 or 3 trees at a time. The trees bore fruit, and those fruit laid their seeds - Until, suddenly, you had 20 trees, then 30, then 50. It all happened so fast, yet so slow. I sighed as I got another reminder of just how long I had been away.

As I began to seriously contemplate letting loose a torrent of flames to thin the crowd, a red maned mare trotted up to those gathered around me. “Alrigh’, Apples! What’s this ‘bout…” The mare smiled at me brightly. “Spike.”

I glanced her over. As soon as I saw the pink bows in her mane that held together her braids, I knew who she was. Those orange eyes that had always reminded me more of pumpkins than apples now shone with the wisdom that only grows with age. Again, I had to hazard a guess. I would mark her as around 50 now, probably 55. She was certainly up in years a bit, but she still looked strong as an ox. I couldn’t help but smile at her as that gentle stream of memories kicked in. “Nice t’see you, Applebloom.”

Applebloom didn’t hesitate to gallop up to me and tackle me. I gasped as I felt the wind knocked out of me. She had gotten QUITE a bit stronger. She hugged me tightly, laughing. “Spike, Ah thought you’d be away fer forever!” She beamed at me until she saw my pained expression. It didn’t take her long to realize what had happened. “Er… Oops.” Gently, she stood and offered her hoof.

I grabbed it and got back up, dusting myself off. I felt the air slowly return to my lungs. Chuckling as I breathed, I smirked at her. “You’ve gotten stronger.”

“An’ you got a bit taller.”

“Yeah, maybe. Haven’t really been paying much attention to it, myself.”

Applebloom turned to everypony who was gathered around. “Why don’t y’all go an’ enjoy the fun? Ah’m gonna catch up with my old friend, here.” The ponies nodded and galloped off for more memory making adventures. I couldn’t help but watch them a tad enviously. So simple, yet so happy. They did what they loved to do for their short life spans, and none of them were too angry about the fact that it had to end. They just lived and died and thrived on their family.

“Spike?”

I jumped slightly as she said my name. I had zoned out for a minute there. “Y-Yeah, sorry Bloom. I got a bit distracted.”

“Don’ worry ‘bout it. Happens all the time t’ Ol’ Caramel.” I couldn’t help but chuckle as I remembered that absent minded stallion from my youth. “He’s happier than a pig in a mud pen lately, though. His second daughter just had another son.”

“Good for her. I noticed the family keeps getting bigger…” I sighed softly. She glanced at me questioningly. “Just wondering what all I’ve missed…”

“Nothin’ much, really.” I realized slowly that we were walking away from the reunion, and towards the back of the barn. We chatted absentmindedly about what had changed. We didn’t really touch on anything important that had happened. As we sat behind the barn in piles of hay, we grew silent. Memories from older days seemed to tumble in on the soft breeze that spun the hay around us.

I didn’t know what she thought of, but my mind wandered to the years before I left Ponyville for the first time. I recalled being one of her closest friends. Applejack had suddenly gotten quite busier, and after my growth spurt, I realized I could probably work on the farm for some spare money. I saw Applebloom every day. I watched as she went through life, hitting puberty and those… more awkward years of life. She got her cutie mark, a sliced apple with a single zap apple slice. She had celebrated with some cider, and a sleep over with the CMC and me. Of course, they were now just friends. All of them had their cutie marks by then.

I remembered that night well. After her friends had fallen asleep, and she had drunk a bit more than she should have…

“Spike? Y’all alright? Yer blushin’.”

“I-I’m fine, A.B. Just… Thinking about that night, with the cider… You remember that one, right?”

Her yellow cheeks turned a tad bit orange with blush. “Oh… Ah remember it, yeah.” She sighed, looking up at the sky. I didn’t know when it had happened, but the sun was beginning to set. “Ah’m glad yer a gentle-drake, Spike. Yer better than most stallions. Made sure t’do the proper thing an’ all, not lettin me… y’know. Do anythin’.”

I nodded absentmindedly. Back then, after Twilight got her castle, I knew Rarity would never love me. Of course I looked around for other mares, mares closer to my age… I found Applebloom quite attractive, strong enough for me, but humble… I had been sorely tempted. But I waited.

Perhaps longer than I should’ve.

“How was the wedding?” I asked softly.

She took awhile to respond. Birds chirped happily as they flew around, but I only heard her soft breathing. Finally, she spoke. “Me an’ Pip are real happy. The weddin’ went great an’ all. It’s a shame y’had t’miss it…”

“It really is…”

More silence followed. We were both thinking about the past, and all the opportunities we missed. I knew that, with the life I led now, I would never be able to have been with her. And, as I gazed at her, I could see the age shining through; the silver strands of hair that stubbornly showed themselves and the slowly forming wrinkles under her eyes attested that fact.

She cleared her throat. “Ah have a daughter, now.” I looked at her, and I realized she was smiling through tears. “Her name’s Li’l Stem. Li’l Apple Stem… We… thought it’d be a nice li’l name fer our li’l...” Her voice trailed off as she silently cried. I knew they were tears of happiness, and while it upset me to see a dear, dear friend cry... I knew she had to.

I rested my head against the wood of the barn. Shut my eyes. I thought about what I wanted to say, all the things that could’ve been said. “I don’t regret my life, Applebloom.”

“... Me neither.”

“Good. You shouldn’t.” I sat up and rested my claw on her hoof. She glanced at me, and in her eyes I could still see the teenager I had once admired, even just as a fling. I could see that filly who knew so little about the world. “You’re married, and you have a kid. That’s already more than me. We’re not meant for each other, Bloom. There was a time I considered it, yeah, but everypony needs to experiment in their times. I… I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to do that with you. But I’m glad you turned out to be a beautiful mare, and a friend for life.”

Applebloom smiled and hugged me tightly. I gently hugged her back, shutting my eyes. I knew I had made the right choice, bring this all up, making the past part of her life again. She would be happier, now that she knew there were no feelings of regret, no what ifs to hide behind anymore. She sniffed. “Ah’m… Ah’m sorry ah didn’t give y’the chance either. Y’seem like a real gentledrake… an’ yer an amazin’ friend.”

“Thanks, A.B.”

“Anytime, Spike.”

I smiled and sat up. She dried her tears. “Now… I did come here for a reason.”

“An’ what’s that?”

“I need to talk to Applejack.”

Applebloom gasped. “Oh gosh! The speech is about to start!”

“Speech?”

“Applejack’s about to give her speech! Come on!” Applebloom stood quickly, galloping ahead. Smiling after her, I rose, flapping my wings to catch up.

The past was behind us. Now, it was time to catch up… With Applejack, and everypony else.

Author's Notes:

Took me awhile, hope I didn't mess up the point of view too much this time. 6.9 Third person VS First person is HARD.
Edited by DrakeFang and Myself

Honesty

If Applejack was surprised to see me at the table, she didn’t show it. That, of course, led me to believe she wasn’t surprised at all - After all, she wasn’t one to hide her true feelings from anyone. However, ponies around the table did watch me with awe as I began to sit.

I didn’t get a scale to the chair before I was shooed away by Applebloom. She grinned and dragged me right next to Applejack. I smiled and glanced at Applejack. She smiled at me, and for an instant, I didn’t see her age. I saw my friend, my close, good friend smiling at me, welcoming me to the family with open arms. I didn’t have to be related. I didn’t need to be married into the family. I already was family, to her. I was surprised. It had been so long since I had been part of a family.

I turned then to the feast before us. I couldn’t believe any group of ponies, no matter how large, could eat this much. Fritters, dumplings, candied apples - All that and more rested before us all, sending the scent of apples into the already fruity air. However, nopony took a bite. Everypony sat, talking and laughing and carrying on, yet not a single hoof strayed towards the food. I sat quietly, not speaking with anyone. I simply observed them.

They were happy. So very very happy… And I must tear that apart. I must admit to them all how long a single Apple has left, that the tree is about to drop it’s last seed. I must admit that Applejack is getting too old. That Applejack must move on. That she’s going to die.

I sighed softly. Only one pony noticed in the banter and craze. She always noticed.

Applejack gently rested her hoof on my shoulder. I glanced at her again, and this time, the age weighing her down does not hide. I took the time in our shared silence to take her in, all the years that have changed my dear friend. She did the same with me, I could tell.

It was hard to see her like this – Harder than I had imagined.

She wore her age with pride, I could see. She’d lived this long, and she planned to keep going for longer still. She had a few more years left in her. Not too many, but enough. Her hooves looked sore on her body, speckled with bruises from older days that had never healed. Her face was wrinkled with time, a sort of map of her age written right on her smile - and what a smile it is, full of laughter and pride. Her eyes shone with wisdom, but also with an edge of tiredness. I saw those eyes eons ago, back during Applebucking Season. She worked herself to exhaustion.

This time was different, I knew. She hadn’t worked herself to exhaustion – She had lived herself to exhaustion.

I wondered what she saw in me. Maybe she saw the scars behind the scales from my travels. The timelessness of my face. The restlessness of the wanderer inside of me, who always wanted to fly someplace new. I couldn’t tell. But, whatever she saw as she gazed into my eyes, she liked. She smiled at me as she would an old friend - And, that’s what I was to her, no matter what age has done to her body or mind.

Suddenly, unspoken, it was time for the speech. Her hoof left my shoulder. She began to stand. I could almost hear her bones creaking under the weight of the age she wore. I saw her shift her weight from the seat to her hooves, and my heart ached with the pain it caused her. She still smiled, however, standing as tall as she could. Her hoof, I noticed, supported her against the table. I think I am the only one who noticed.

As she stood, the table went quiet. Everypony watched her. She cleared her throat softly and began her speech. She spoke softly, yet I knew everypony could hear her. Her words were kept short, yet meaningful. She spoke of how we must all relish the times when we see our family, for we know not how long they have left. She bowed her head softly, muttering something under her breath. I think she said 'granny' to herself, a gentle hello to a pony whom I didn't see at the table; with a pang of sorrow from the realization, I didn't believe I would see her this trip.

She went on to say she hoped every pony had enjoyed themselves so far, and that she hoped that every Apple will spend their days smiling. Everypony can't help but smile as she stared critically at the food. She told us to dig in.

The table sprung to life as she sat. Sound burst into being at the clatter of plates and the mirthful laughter. I suddenly found myself feasting and laughing with them. The apple cider enticed me with that fragrance, that intoxicating smell - I drank my fill with the rest.

I glanced at Applejack. She ate sparingly; a few bites of fritters and she’d finished her meal. I watched her, concerned, but said nothing. It’s not my place to comment on her eating habits. It just startled me that Applejack, who was known to hog plenty of fritters at any good Apple get together, ate so little now. I supposed that's just the way of things, when age sneaks up on you. Your appetite fades with your youth.

As always, my ravenous appetite had not faded. I ate fully and partook in everything I could. It tasted delicious as ever, savory and sweet on the tongue. Even with my appetite, I finished my meal sooner than any other at the table; probably because of my lack of socializing. As I finished my meal, I glanced in Applejack's direction, only to find that she had slipped away. She had left the table silently, going who knows where. I stood and glanced around.

I suppose I got lucky - I just caught the sight of her as she entered the barn. Smiling, I left the table, heading that way with a slow, steady pace. My stomach was full, but my heart was heavy. It was time now, I realized. Time for the first step into the storm.

I opened the door as I reached it and entered. From a rocking chair in the corner came an all too familiar voice.

“Whai, there’s a dragon in my barn.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

*~*~*~

I sit down in front of her chair, taking in her slow rocking and soft smile. She has always smiled at me like that - at least that hasn’t changed. We exchange basic pleasantries as the day drags on. I havn’t realized how much I miss idle chit chat; I never truly had time for it in my travels. It was so simple, yet it relaxes me all the same. She does most of the speaking, however.

She talks about the weather and her crops. The last harvest had gone well. Pip had helped out, it seems, along with Apple Stem, as much as she could. A few of her grandkids - a word that surprises me still - helped as well. I don’t ask who she has married; there really was no need to, here, now.

Time continues to pass and the conversation dribbles away. I beg it to come back silently, but come it does not. Finally, she asks me why I’m here. I glance at her only to glance away again. Her eyes and face are grim with concern; she knows I have duties to the crown. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have a purpose. But I simply can’t look at her. Those eyes still shone with those images of long ago, of the mare I knew who could buck trees all day. That mare is buried deep now. She’s gone.

I hang my head, trying not to let her see my tears. She sees them anyways – She lets me cry, though. She always left everypony to their own problems. They always worked themselves out. I wipe them away, look at her seriously, take a deep breath, and begin.

I tell her what Twilight has found. I tell her the story again, of how Celestia and Luna became unconnected from the elements, and how all of our friends became the element bearers. Explain to her that all of us have gotten up in age. That time is passing fast, and Equestria needs it’s elements.

I explain that she must choose. Someone honest. Someone trustworthy. And someone she could tell a secret to and hide.

She argues, of course. Keeping secrets doesn’t go hoof in hoof with honesty. She still had a good few years yet. She could keep going. She wasn’t too old yet.

I stop her there and explain. She simply doesn’t get it. She argues, fights tooth and nail to get me to admit that she doesn’t need to do this yet. She’s not going to die any day soon. I hate seeing her like this; Pride has turned into desperation, stubbornness deteriorated into fear. My anger grows as our voices rise, until, hardly comprehending what I’m doing, I roar. I roar at her to stop, fire licking at the edges of my mouth, smoke coiling from my snout.

She watches me in the sudden silence around us. I see she’s shaking and instantly regret the outburst. Swallowing lightly, I get on all fours and crawl over to her hesitantly, apologizing. I sigh and hold her, and finally I feel tears on my chest. I wipe them away for her, and she smiles, her tears already beginning to dry. She makes some small excuse, something about running out of tears ages ago.

I coil myself around her, holding her hoof. Explain everything again. She takes it much better this time; she’s had her outburst, her last stand. She knows when it’s time to put a cow to pasture. I ask her to come to Canterlot in one weeks time with the pony she chooses to bear the next element. She agrees.

I stay with her for a while longer. I rest with her, feeling her chest rise and fall with each faltering breath. But I know my duties. Eventually I stand. I tell her she’s the first. That there’s four more to go. Her eyes fill with sympathy. I’m glad she understands. I wish her good luck and thank her for the meal. She tells me I’m welcome anytime, and that she hopes I have good luck in my search too. I’m not sure what she considers my search to be; I know where everypony lives right now. With a smile, exhausted smile, I stand on my hind legs once more, finding it more comfortable. Old habits, she says, with that soft bantering sound in her voice. I smile back at her, but we say nothing more to each other. She knows her duties, just as I know mine. I turn and open the door.

Birds chirp and the sun shines. I take a deep breath of the brisk air. My eyes widen a bit in familiarity.

It tastes like apples.

Author's Notes:

Thus ends the Hiatus!
*blows a party cannon* WOOT!

Nature of Nostalgia

Strolling through the fall can be fun. The autumn leaves are all crisp and beginning to change color, and most of them drift down and paint the ground in their reds and yellows. The air is biting and gentle all at the same time, just like the mare I’m going to visit. Birds chirp as they plan for their trips to the south for the upcoming winter. Ponies enjoy the calm weather before the blizzards and snow, and I could’t help but smile. What lovely things to remember, in times like this. What a time to remember the past.

I couldn’t help but sigh in a brief flash of nostalgia as I strolled down the roads by the Everfree. I remembered days in the Whitetail woods like that, where I simply strolled down the trails to see the colors. I remembered pumpkin pies and apple pies and long nights with obscene amounts of roasted marshmallows. It’s amazing how fast a dragon’s metabolism works.

But the nostalgia of fall faded to the background as I thought of my latest query. Instead came back memories of days after my wings grew in, and days spent with birds and animals and, best of all, Fluttershy. She had always been one of my favorite ponies - hadn’t they all, in the end? Fluttershy had a certain charm about her; something that made her cute yet firm, strong yet oh so fragile, all at the same time. She could melt your heart as quickly as she could shatter it.

I remembered spending entire days with her. She often needed help with things and was simply too timid to ask for help; I went by often to help her, whether she asked or not. It seemed like the right thing to do. She certainly appreciated it. Each day she would thank me for my help, and each day I would tell her it was no problem.

And it wasn’t. I honestly enjoyed those days of busy work somehow turned idle. Things I had thought of as chores had become meaningful tasks of friendship - it was just a different kind of friendship. This was with animals; not ponies. Some dragons saw no difference, but it was clear as night and day to me. Maybe it was because I owned a pet, for a brief time. PeeWee and I were still best friends, and he even came with me every so often. That’s what friends do, right? Hang out? Our friendship, I think, sparked something in me. A longing for something more. Something new. That turned out to be taught to me by Fluttershy.

Ponies don’t appreciate nature anymore. We treat it like another chore - another thing to change, to take care of, to make sure it stays correct - when it should be treated like a gift. Fluttershy showed me the difference between ponies and animals. She showed me their lives. Animals lived in their habitats with their families, surviving in the wild like scavengers in a hard pressed world. They tried to live as they wanted, but truly as they needed. How are we so different, I asked her. What sets us apart?

Living, she told me, for an animal is not the same as it is for us. There is one key difference, between us all. Ponies, she said, live and die.

Animals, she said, live and die at the end of the day, and are re-born the next in their hope to live to their next death.

At first, what she said was very depressing to me. But, as I thought on it, the truth behind it all unfolded before my eyes. Animals live, not knowing it they can survive that single day alone, much less a week, and much less a year. Ponies know they will live long; they do not ‘survive’. They don’t even really live. They are born and they know. Animals… they don’t know.

Ignorance is bliss, they say. I beg to differ - I think knowledge can be bliss as well, and both can be harmful. Kindness is bliss - for it is through kindness that we are kept in the dark or brought into the light. Without Fluttershy telling me that, for example, I would have been kept in the dark and had been quite happy; but since she told me, since she brought me to the light, I am stronger and happier for it.

The memories of the past tumbled away as I spied her cottage. Now the time has come to return the favor. Because she might not even have a day left, much less a week, and much less a year. She would not live long, but I knew she had lived. She was born, and she knew - she knew far better than any - the truth behind it all. She knew the ignorance and the intelligence that plagues pony and animal kind; and she learned, through no fault of her own, what Kindness can do.

I walked to the door and knocked. I waited. The door opened.

“Oh,” a small voice said. “I-I wasn’t expecting company…” Her teal eyes reached mine. “Oh…” A tired smile reached those lips. “I guess I can’t say I’m afraid of grown dragons anymore.”

I chuckled softly. This was going to be painful - but at least she’ll be kind about it.

Author's Notes:

A short little chapter. I dunno... No editing. Just posted. Just felt like it. It's quite late here, so sorry for any sleepy talk that got in here!

Kindness

I step inside, ducking under the doorframe. She mumbles a small apology about that. I can't help but chuckle. I tell her it wasn't at all her fault that I had grown. After all, it wasn’t like this was my house. She still mumbles away her ‘sorries’ and ‘excuse mes’ as she retreats inside. I take the chance to glance away from her, taking in my surroundings.

She hadn’t changed much around her cottage since my last visit. Around me, repaired bird houses remained hanged by ropes and things that looked new. I can’t help but wonder how she had managed that - she moves so slowly and so frail, I can’t imagine her moving as such. I suppose she must have help nowadays, just as she used to. I take in the timeless effect of her cottage with a smile and compliment her. She chuckles softly before asking if I want some tea. I agree, as I always do, and sit.

I sigh as I relax, for possibly the first time since I came to Ponyville. Well, not the first time since I returned - but the first time I have truly relaxed. Sinking into the sofa a little, I can believe I’m there again.

I shut my eyes and see it clearly; I’m not the royal ambassador, I’m not visiting my friends one final time. I’m here to feed the birds. I’m here, waiting after chores are done, for my close friend to finish making the tea. Usually I help, but today she has taken over. She wants me to be happy, now. She’s kind like that.

I hear a little ‘ahem’. I open my eyes to see her set a tray of tea cups and tea down. I hardly glance at the tray as I take her in.

Her hair has changed drastically. It shines silver, now, not just the usual grey. I can just make out a single strand or two of faded pink in the messy bun she now wore her mane in. Her wings rest at her sides, drooping slightly as old, unused pegasus wings do. Her face mirrors her wings as wrinkles have taken footholds in her face. I sigh, looking into her teal eyes. She looks back in mine and smiles slowly.

Those eyes are sparkling, even now. I can’t help but smile at her. She is still so beautiful, so gentle, so quiet. I don’t know how she manages it. I tell her this and she blushes ever so softly, turning her muzzle as though hiding behind her mane - a force of habit, I’m sure. She chuckles, sitting.

She reaches out to pour the tea, but I refuse to let her do that. She glances at me and nods, smiling. I try to convince myself she thinks I’m just being kind, and that she didn’t see my concern when I saw how badly her hooves shook as she reached for the tea set. I know she saw, but perhaps she will believe in my kindness as I believe in hers.

I hand her the teacup and she sips it softly as I pour myself one. I remark on how everything in her house looks the same, newer even. She tells me how Scootaloo will sometimes stop by and help her, when she can that is. In fact, many of the ‘younger foals’ - I neglect to tell her the fact that most everypony is younger than her now - come and help her. I smile at this. It’s nice to hear others being kind.

The conversation shifts, just as it had with Applejack. Fluttershy is kind, however. She doesn’t let the conversation lull as the farm mare had. She comes right out and asks me why I’m here.

I take a deep drink from my tea, sighing as I feel it warm me inside. I set it down, thankful to have the heated drink. It gives me warmth and courage even as it relaxed me - just like Fluttershy always had. Now it’s my turn to share that with her.

I tell her everything. I tell her she needs to find someone kind and respectful, who can keep a secret. I tell her that our time has come to an end. That she’s going to…

She sets down the glass. I watch, dimly curious after saying it all to her, what she is doing. She stands, trotting over to me before pulling me into a soft and gentle hug.

I’m surprised, at first. But I shut my eyes and hug her back, almost picking her up in the process. I feel tears rise to my eyes once more. She is like a foal in my embrace - so small, so tiny…

She lets go of the hug and smiles at me. She tells me she understands completely. I’m happy she accepts this without a fight, but also… remorseful. I had to be the one to tell her. I could have let her bask in her life just a day more. Just an hour?

She sees that and frowns softly. She tells me that I’ve grown, and that I can’t feel bad about this. It's not my fault that time had taken their youth. She pats my back as she comforts me, even now. I’m that little dragon once more, the first day we came here. I start to talk before I even realize it, the words tumbling out of my mouth.

I tell her everything. I tell her all the emotions that have been storming through me since I had been assigned this task and all the wishes I’ve made and the dreams I’ve dreamt. She listens as she always did. I’m thankful that hasn’t changed.

I don’t know how long I talk. It was well after sunset, I know. The rather one sided conversation begins to trail off. She smiles at me and kisses my cheek, as a mother would. I glance at her and smile softly. I thank her for listening.

She shrugs softly. Tells me it’s what she had been born to do.

I stand, sighing, and tell her I should go to the next friend. She shakes her head and points out the already late hour. By the time I found anypony else, it would certainly be after they had fallen asleep. She absolutely will not have it, she says. I smile at her consideration as she stands, telling me I can sleep on the couch.

She tries to go get pillows and blankets for me, but I stop her. I’m used to sleeping on a hard surface, and it’s still warm enough that my inner flame is enough to keep me comfortable at night. She nods, thankful not to have to run and find things.

I say goodnight to her, and that I’ll most likely be gone in the morning. She hugs me one last time and thanks me for having tea with her. I almost laugh - I should be the one thanking her. She let me talk all that time, after all.

As she walks away and I lie down to sleep, I think. I think about how she hasn’t changed at all - still the same old Fluttershy. Still so kind, still so considerate. Applejack hadn’t changed much either. Would the rest of my friends be the same? I wasn’t sure.

I thought of who was left. Pinkie Pie would surely be a painful visit. The usually bubbly party pony wouldn’t be bouncing anymore, I knew. And Rarity… I had gotten over her long ago, but seeing her would bring back memories long since buried.

I could think of only one pony to visit.

I shut my eyes and sigh. I only hoped Scootaloo wasn’t too busy flying to see me.

Author's Notes:

Next chapter should be an adventure.
This one was a bit tamer, a little... dare I say it... kinder.
Wow I'm the bad pun master.

The Feeling of Flight

I yawned in the morning as I walked toward the cloud home, shifting my bag around in an attempt to crack my back. It was early that morning, but I was certain Scootaloo would be awake. She would be practicing, as she always was; that is, as long as she hadn't already left for work. I somehow doubted she would have, however. Twilight would have seen to that.

I looked up as the house blocked out the sun, covering me in shadow. The chill of autumn had snuck up on me and I shivered as I took in the house. It had hardly changed, in all these years. Rainbows still pooled in little corners, little balconies were everywhere. How she managed to keep her house stationary, I’ll never know.

I unfurled my wings and flew up, landing just outside the door. “Scoots? You in there?”

I heard a muffled response through the clouds. “Jus’a minute!” I rolled my eyes, smiling. She was always in a rush. Sometimes, I thought she should just slow down; she’d wear herself out at this rate, just like some other mares I knew.

In a flash, she was standing in the doorway. She’d really grown; the youngest of the cutiemark crusaders, she was somewhere in her 40’s, maybe early 50’s. Her windswept mane was unbrushed, per usual, and her eyes sparkled with joy and childlike abandon. Somehow, despite her age, Scootaloo still seemed just the same. I knew that wasn't the case, though.

"Spike!" She laughed and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back, smiling. "Oh dang, it's great to see you! Hey, come on in. Sorry if the place is a mess and all, haven't really gotten around to cleaning it.”

“That’s alright,” I said, chuckling. “You’re a busy mare, after all.”

“Ugh, truer than you know!” Scootaloo began to walk back inside with a roll of her eyes. I glanced in, raising an eyebrow as I saw the state of the house. “Again, sorry about the mess,” she muttered as she jumped over a discarded toy on the floor. “Dash is just getting all sorts of messy nowadays.”

“Is she really that bad?”

“Well, no, but she never picks up after herself.” Scootaloo groaned, scowling as she glared at another stray toy. “Grr… METEOR DASH, GET DOWN HERE!”

“Coming, Ma’!” I watched as, in a flash of grey and purple, a small filly, probably about 8 years old, buzzed down the stairs. Her mane was as messy as her mother’s, her eyes just as full of reckless abandon. I could definitely see the family resemblance. The filly stopped quickly, staring at me, wide eyed. “Woah…”

“Dash, this is Spike. Remember the stories I told you about him?”

Dash scrunched up her face, looking at Scootaloo. “Ma’, he’s a lot taller than I thought he would be.”

I laughed at that. “Well, I grew.”

Her wings buzzed as she jumped, eyes wide with sudden enthusiasm. “I grew too! I’m growing bigger and bigger and one day I’m gonna be just as tall as Ma’ and Pa’ and-”

“Meteor,” Scoot said in that voice. I hadn’t heard that voice in a long time (more than likely from Twilight). The little filly quickly shut her mouth, blinking innocently. Scootaloo sighed, smiling a bit despite herself as she pushed a toy over to the girl with her hoof. “What’d I say about leaving your toys out?”

“Awww, but Maaaa-”

“No buts! Butts are for sitting, not for talking. Go on, take it to your room.”

Meteor pouted, but promptly leaned down, picking up the toy in her mouth. She looked at her mother and tilted her muzzle up at her, trotting off to her room. Scootaloo sighed, rolling her eyes. “Sorry about that, Spike. What can you do, right?”

“Kids. They’re crazy.”

“C’mon, come into the living room. Did you get breakfast?” My stomach betrayed me, growling lightly. I might have left Fluttershy’s early, so as to not impose. Just maybe. I rubbed my neck, a bit embarrassed, grinning unconvincingly. Scootaloo snorted, smiling. “It’s alright. I hope you don’t mind, I don’t have any rubies or anything.”

“It’s fine, really. Gems are more like dessert than normal food.” I followed her into the living room, stepping over all the toys that were still out. Scootaloo sighed at them, but just shook her head. “Guess you really don’t have time to be picking up after her, huh?”

“You have no idea.” She gestured at the couch. “Go on, get comfy. PB&J good? I was gonna make some for Dash anyways, and I really don’t trust myself to try and make anything more difficult.”

“Yeah, sounds great.” I smiled as she walked to the kitchen, taking the time to take in my surroundings. Scoots hadn’t changed much about the house. Trophy cases were everywhere, though most were filled now with family photos and mementos instead of the golden trophies of old. It was almost bittersweet. The blue decoration was also absent, replaced with more subtle colors. I couldn't help but smile ruefully at that thought; the previous owner had been anything but subtle, after all.

Scoot didn’t take long with the sandwiches. “Meteor, come get your snack!” In a burst of speed, the little filly ran down the stairs, fluttering past me. My smile grew wider. It was incredible to see such a young filly already flying so well. Scootaloo had definitely raised a strong little pegasus. Meteor went into the kitchen, coming back into the living room with a plate on her back. She smiled at me. “Mister Spike?”

“What is it, Meteor?”

“Are you gonna have PB&J too?”

“Yeah.”

Meteor’s smile became a beaming one, eyes practically sparkling. “Ma’ uses strawberry jelly! It’s the best and it tastes nice and I think she gets it special cause of her job, so you better appreciate how tasty the jelly is!” Without another word, she walked upstairs, carefully balancing her plate.

I chuckled as Scootaloo came back out, two plates balanced on her wings. She sighed, shaking her head. “She’s at that age where anything and everything is exciting. I swear, I just went and got this jelly with her last week at the market, and she acts like it’s some distant lands version of honey.”

“Kids will be kids, Scootaloo. I seem to remember a day when a certain pony thought that ziplining in the forest was the easiest way to get a cutiemark, and took that to be a perfectly logical course of action instead of, I don’t know, flying?”

“Hey, you remember just as well as me how bad I used to be at that!” She laughed,
shifting a plate towards me and claiming her own sandwich. We both ate, sharing memories of way back when. Days when I awkwardly flirted with Applebloom; days when she awkwardly flirted with Rumble. Those spare few times when she managed to rope me into discovering special talents - I somehow always ended up sticky.

She sighed as she finished her sandwich, a nostalgic smile on her face. “God, those were the days, weren’t they?”

“They really were.” I laughed, shaking my head. “Now look at us. Me, ambassador between dragon and pony relations, as well as top class adventurer, and you, best agent the Wonderbolts have had in years.”

Scootaloo puffed out her chest a little bit, grinning. “‘Course I am! I see ‘em flying, I snatch ‘em up for the job. It’s not like everyone notices the kids with wing problems.” She fluttered her own as example. “I might not be able to fly as fast as the Wonderbolts, but I sure know talent when I see it.”

I nodded, gesturing towards the upstairs where Meteor had disappeared to. “Seems like you know how to raise it too.”

“What, Dash? Yeah, she’s a great kid.” Scootaloo sighed happily. “Me and Rumble are really happy we found her. Kid was just 3 and stuck in an orphanage. No way were we letting her stay there when we’d been trying to a kid for so long ourselves.” She looked back at me, pausing ever so slightly. “Did you ever think of settling down, Spike? Getting a nice dragon lady to make a den with?”

I rubbed my neck, sighing. “Eh, sometimes. But, well, dragons are just… too much.” And that was definitely true. Despite the great strides Ember was making as Dragon Lord, many of the older dragons still had trouble submitting to her authority and the shift in power. People who had been grumpy for so long found it hard to switch to being caring, loving people. “And it’s not like I can settle down with a pony for a couple centuries.”

Scootaloo nodded. “Maybe one day you’ll find a nice dragon.” She patted me on the back.

“I’m not too concerned with it. I’ve got adventure at my side, right?”

“Of course.” Her features softened a bit and she leaned in a bit closer. I could feel the mood beginning to shift. Now or never, I supposed. “So… Twilight made me take off work today. Sent in a formal ‘request’ and everything. I take it that’s cause you showed up at my doorstep?”

“You’d be right.”

“So what brings big bad ambassador to my home?”

I squirmed slightly in my seat. I looked around at the semi-familiar surroundings. I had been here before, but now… Now… Everything was just a little bit different… All the things that had been here once were fading away, leaving a vague impression of what used to be. Scootaloo probably didn’t even notice it happening, swept up in life. But me… I always noticed that sort of thing. It was part of who I was.

“I don’t know if I can say it just yet. I…” I took a deep breath, looking her in the eyes. “I need to go see Rainbow Dash before I can tell you. If that’s alright?”

Her face instantly took a pained look, though it faded quickly. Her hoof left my back as she smiled, a bit sympathetically. “Of course that’s alright. What, you think I’m gonna stop you from seeing one of your closest friends?”

“Nah, of course not.” I stood, feeling… weighed down. Talking with Fluttershy had helped, but it couldn’t fix everything. Nothing could fix the weight that was on me. I hadn’t expected it to be this hard with Scootaloo, but… well…

“You still know where she is, right? You don’t need directions?”

“I know the way, don’t worry.” I glanced at the time. “I won’t be more than an hour. Will you still be here by then?”

“If not, I’m just out flying. Gotta stretch these old wings somehow, y’know?” I nodded. “Did you need company?”

“This… this might be better if I go alone. Thank you for the offer.”

“It’s just what good friends do.” She walked me to the door, concern in her eyes. I chose to ignore that. “You sure you’re gonna be okay? I remember how you were when you saw her last… I can be there for you.”

“Thank you, again, but no.” I put on my bravest smile as I stood on her doorstep. “Rainbow and I just need to be alone for a little while. I have some things that I need to tell her. I need to catch up with her, tell her… everything that’s been going on with me. If someone else is there… I don’t know that I could do it all.”

“I get that.” She rubbed her hoof, glancing away. “I’ll… see you later, then?”

“See you later, Scoots.” With that, I began to fly away, going to a familiar destination. I didn’t hear the door shut behind me, lost in thoughts.

Scootaloo had been kind to offer staying with me, but this was something I had to do on my own. It always was. Seeing Rainbow Dash was always hard on me, something I could barely handle; if she had been there too, I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. It was better this way.

I felt the wind around me, remembering those days when Dash and I had flown together. She had been my mentor, teaching me all the tricks to flying. I had definitely needed the help. God, the sheer amount of times I crashed into a tree was a testament to her patience and loyalty.

I only hoped that we could find someone else to take that role after all of this.

It had been hard enough the first time, after all.

I landed, feeling the cool grass beneath my claws. I sat, smiling as I read the name again, etched in stone, feeling the pangs of nostalgia for a second time today. Crossing my legs, I sighed, taking it all in; the smell of the dirt, the smoothness of the stone, and all the sensations inside that went along with visiting her grave.

I smiled at that familiar phrase. It made my heart heavy and light all at the same time. It felt... almost like the first time I ever flew.

“Heya, Dash. Nice to see you again.”

Author's Notes:

Got this chapter out finally! It took me a really long time to settle down on what I wanted the story to be with this one. In a burst of inspiration, I just wrote like 5 pages. Please excuse any errors and please enjoy!