Author's note
I got only 3 chapters of this fanmake left and I'm done. Sorry for the wait on this chapter but I run into complications. Anyway, here we go!

Chapter 8: True Feelings

It was almost morning as everyone is outside the windmill sleeping...minus Spike who appears to be missing and Rarity who is still inside the windmill, trying to decide if she should tell him the truth. Pinkie was dreaming pleasant dreams, smiling while doing so.

Inside the windmill, Rarity is down to plucking the last pedals off the sunflowers, saying, "I tell him...I tell him not. I tell him. I tell him not." The princess smirks as she saw the last pedal and plucks it off. "Yes! I tell him!"

Rarity heads outside with a smile of hope on her face and in her heart. Forget Blueblood, forget breaking her curse. She wants to tell Spike the truth once and for all...and tell the Dragon as to how she really feels about him.

"Spike; Spike, darling," Rarity calls out in determination as she looks around outside, "There's something that I must..."

However Rarity can't find Spike anywhere, only the ones who knew her secret last night. As Lorcan woke up, the sun begins to rise; As he watches once the sun is completely out, Rarity transformed until she is once again her princess self. So that's how the transformation works.

"Looks like you're back to yourself." Lorcan commented to Rarity in observation.

"Yes." Rarity said with a nod. Just then she and Lorcan saw a familiar Dragon coming up the hill. It's Spike but he appears angry with his face scowling. Rarity, concerned, ask, "Spike? Are you okay, darling?"

"Oh yeah, right. Never better." Spike remarks sarcastically to Rarity.

"Errr, wait, I don't..." Rarity said in concern. Spike just passed her as if she doesn't exist to him. "Spike, there's something that your brother and I must tell you."

"Awww, save it, drama queen! I've heard enough last night."

"Wait, you heard what I said?"

"Right, every word," Spike snaps angrily to Rarity. Lorcan notes the anger look on his face and is worried. He thought that his brother would understand.

"Spike..." Lorcan begins to say to his brother. "I thought you of all Dragons would understand."

"Oh yeah, I understand. Like what Rarity said 'who could ever love someone so ugly, stupid and that could steal treasure?'"

"Awww, Spike! Come on!"

"But Spike, I thought it doesn't matter to you." Rarity said in worry. She doesn't realize that Spike thought she was insulting him last night and wanted nothing to do with him.

"Yeah; well, guess what, drama queen! It does!" Spike scowls angrily, much to Rarity and Lorcan's shock. What's going on? Suddenly the trio heard trumpets being played, along with horses approaching, "Oh good, right on time. Hey, princess; Got a little something for your troubles."

To Lorcan and Rarity's surprise and shock, there's the group of guards approaching with Blueblood riding in on his non-talkable horse. Spike must've gone to DuColt last night and is now giving the princess to him!

Most of the sleeping ones wake up and gasps upon seeing Blueblood and his goons. Fluttershy gasps, "Oh dear!"

"We better hide." Golden Heart said quietly to his little sister, knowing that he and his little sister are still fugitives.

"Right, come on." Pinkamena whispers as she, Golden Heart and Gold Wing rush off to hide behind the windmill.

As most of the Mane Five rush to join them in hiding, Pinkie begins to wake up, yawning while asking, "Hey, ponies? What did I miss, huh?" The mare yelps as she saw the soldiers arriving, glancing at her. Quickly, Pinkie pretends to make a muffled noise as if someone is speaking, "Say, who said that? Couldn't been the pink pony." She then rushes off to hide with the others minus Spike, Rarity and Lorcan.

Lorcan sighs in irritation, speaking up, "Hey Blueblood."

"That's Prince Blueblood! Just be glad your brother decided that you shall share with the rescue on your behalf." Blueblood remarks to Lorcan in determination. He then smiles to Rarity, saying, "Ah yes, Princess Rarity."

"Okay, I got you her as promised. Now hand it over." Spike snaps to Blueblood sternly. Lorcan, Rarity and their friends are stunned. He is just going to give her up just like that?!

"Oh, very well, Dragon," Blueblood said as Razoul gives him a piece of document paper before the prince hands it to Spike. "The deed to your forest, cleared out as promised. And your brother is no longer in my services and is now given immunity. Take the deed and leave before I change my mind."

Spike snatches the document and heads off. Lorcan looks worried as he said, "Spike..." He sighs a bit. The scarred Dragon is usually a sarcastic and dryly one but not when he sees his brother like this.

"Lorcan, excellent work, blah, blah, Congratulations."

"Right, thanks, Blueblood."

Blueblood then smiles to Rarity who is shocked upon seeing him. She spoke, "Oh wow..."

Blueblood clears his throat before he begins to speak, "Forgive me for startling you, princess. But you startled me, for I have never seen such a radiant beauty until now." The prince takes one of Rarity's hooves before kissing it. "I am Prince Blueblood at your service."

"Oh, no, no, no," Rarity said, looking a bit nervous as Blueblood signals Razoul to help him off his horse. "You need to forgive me. I was just saying a short..."

Rarity was interrupted when she saw that Blueblood is riding in some sort of seat that makes him look. The mare is shocked as the prince was put right onto the ground, right below her waist so to speak.

"Farewell..." Rarity said with a nervous chuckle. Wow, when Spike and the others were making the short jokes before, they really meant a good reason to!

"Oh ha ha ha; How hilariously sweet; Not to mention ironic; But honestly, you don't need to waste good manners on that stupid Dragon. Not like it has feelings." Blueblood remarks cruelly to Rarity. Spike cringes while Lorcan growls and glares angrily at the prince. How dare he insult his brother like that?

"No, you're right. He doesn't..." Rarity said with a sigh. Blueblood took her hoof and kiss esit, much to the concern of the Mane Six and Golden Heart thought Pinkamena looks a bit disgusted.

"Princess Rarity, beautiful, fair, flawless Rarity. I ask for your hoof in marriage." Blueblood said slyly, making Rarity gasp in surprise. "Will you be the perfect bride for the perfect groom?"

Rariy hesitates a bit then looks up to see Spike standing there, apparently not wanting to say or do anything to oppose. The princess frowns a bit. If he doesn't want to listen or even speak with her, then why bother?

Rarity frowns, nodding as she said, "Prince Blueblood. I accept. Nothing would make..."

"Oh, excellent," Blueblood interrupts with a wicked grin. "Yes, I will start the plans. Tomorrow, we will be married!"

"No!" Rarity gasps in alarm, making Spike, who is still looking away from her, to stop. The mare can't wait until tomorrow because someone else could see her cursed form. The princess smiles while asking, "Err, I mean, why wait? I mean, why not get married today and before the sun sets, right darling?"

"Oooh, anxious, are you? Ha ha ha, you're right. The sooner we get this done, the better. Oh yes, there's so much to do! We need the caterer, a cake, the band, the guest list...Razoul! Go round up some guests, even the prisoners if you have to!"

"Yes, sire!" Razoul exclaims as he put Blueblood onto his horse with Rarity being held right behind him.

As Blueblood, Rarity and everyone else is leaving, Rarity turns to Spike who is departing, not wanting to look back. She said in sadness though a hint of upset is added, "Fare-thee-well, Dragon."

As mostly everyone else is gone, the Mane Five, Golden Heart Pinkamena and Gold Wing came out of hiding and watch them go. They can't believe this. Spike isn't putting up a fight to keep Rarity, all he wants to do is forget it and head back to his swamp.

"Wait, Spike! What are you doing?" Rainbow asks Spike in disbelief. "You're letting her get away!"

"Yeah? Who cares?" Spike asks with a scoffed rude tone of voice.

"What?" Fluttershy ask in shock and concern. Spike doesn't even care that Rarity will be out of his life forever? Doesn't he love her?!

Golden Heart in concern spoke to the departing Spike, "Spike, listen. There's something about her that you don't know."

"Right, we all spoke with Rarity last night." Twilight said seriously. Promise or not, Spike must know! "She's..."

Spike angrily turns back to the others, snapping, "Yeah, I know you all talked to her last night! You are all great pals, right; Well, if you are such the case, why not you go and follow her home?!'

"Whoa, Spike! Calm down!" Applejack exclaims in concern. "It's just..."

"Oh, why do you even care; I don't need you all anymore!"

"But...but Spike..." Pinkie said sadly to Spike. "We want to go with you."

"Didn't you remember what I told you?! You aren't coming home with me, none of you ponies are!" Spike roars angrily, making Pinkie and Fluttershy cry a bit, Rainbow and Applejack upset while Twilight is stunned. "I live alone; it's my swamp and me! No one else, got it?! No one is living with me, especially some useless, pathetic, annoying, talking PONIES!"

Pinkie's mane and tail deflated as she looks hurt and shocked by Spike's outburst. Pinkamena stunned said, "Wow..."

"Spike, stop it!!!" Lorcan exclaims to his brother, not liking his attitude. "You're turning into..."

"Me, a scarred, heartless jerk; Well, how fitting, right shortie," Spike snaps angrily to Lorcan. The older brother looks stunned then frowns a bit.

"Ugh, fine! If you want to be a jerk about it, then fine! See if I ever see you again!"

With that, Lorcan storms off, apparently cutting off all ties with his younger brother. Twilight in worry said, "Spike, we thought..."

"Well, you know what?! You all thought wrong!" Spike scowls furiously to the Mane Five. He then begins to sing a song.

Spike: I'm gonna build me a wall, I'll make it ten feet high.
See ya later pal, bye bye.
No one gettin' in so don't you even try.
A ten foot wall..

I'm gonna build me a wall, I'm gonna disappear.
What's the matter pal, am I not bein' clear?
Can't you take a hint, am I getting through at all?
Just get outta here..

I was told the world would despise me.
So I should have known, I should have guessed.
I thought these two might be different.
Well now I know, they're just like all the rest.

I'm gonna be what they want, I'm gonna be what they say.
Hey world, I'll do it your way!
You're looking for a monster, it's your lucky day.
I'll be what you want..

What a fool to think she might love me.
I opened my heart and let her walk through.
She wanted prince charming, I wanted my home back,
How lucky both our wishes came true..

Gonna build me a wall, a perfect place to hide.
Hey world, stay on your side.
The best way to conquer they say is to divide.

Gonna build a wall.
Gonna be what they say.
Gonna hide in my heart.

Gonna build a wall...

Once the song is over, Spike then stomps off, leaving his pony friends sad and alone. Fluttershy sadly whimpers, "Spike..."

"This isn't good." Golden Heart said with a sad sigh, seeing Spike going off in one direction and Lorcan in the other. "Our fellowship is breaking up..."

"What will we do now?" Pinkamena ask her brother in worry and sadness.

"That's your problem now. Come on, girls." Twilight said sadly as she and her group walks away from Golden Heart, Pinkamena and Gold Wing. Things had gotten a bit sad.

----------

Back at the castle, Blueblood was making preparations for the wedding as Lorcan came in. The unicorn, seeing him, ask in boredom, "Oh, what is it, Lorcan? I gave you your retirement plan."

"Ahem, I was wondering when you are going to do it." Lorcan said to Blueblood seriously.

"Do what?"

"Release Luna. You said if I served you, you will let her go."

Blueblood smirks and laughs cruelly at Lorcan, much to his annoyance, "Ha ha ha! Excuse me, but releasing Luna wasn't part of the deal when you rescued Rarity!"

"What," Lorcan snorts furiously as smoke came out of his nose. "But you said..."

"I said if you served me, I wouldn't hurt her. Now that you don't work for me, I don't see any reason to keep Auntie Luna around. She will die at sunset once my marriage to Rarity is complete!"

Lorcan looks outraged. Blueblood is going to kill Luna since the Dragon is no longer working for him. Lorcan prepares to pounce but the guards and Vlad blocks him, keeping the Dragon away from the prince.

"Seize him!" Blueblood orders his men who advance on Lorcan. "Put the traitor in the dungeon!"

"Yes, sir," Vlad remarks as he prepares to grab Lorcan...but the Dragon quickly scratch the vulture, knocking him off. He quickly dodges the guards and jump out a window, escaping out a window while landing safely below.

As Razoul peek through the broken window and watch the escape, he ask, "Prince Blueblood? Shall we give chase?"

"Don't bother. Lorcan is no threat anymore." Blueblood remarks with a scoff. After all, the prince got everything he wanted. Why should the villain be worried about that short Dragon anyway?

--------------

Spike arrives back in the swamp, returning home. He looks around and saw that the mythical/aliens/legendary creatures, etc. has been cleared out like Blueblood has promised. Spike got his home back...so why is he sad?

I heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya

In a special room at the castle, Rarity was watching a maid who is fixing her dress up to fit her. The mare sighs sadly. She is finally getting a chance to be with her 'true love' and end her curse. So why is she not happy?

It goes like this the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall the major lift
The baffled king composing hallelujah

As Spike heads home, the Dragon saw his reflection in a broken mirror, cringing a bit. He felt like a monster...forsaking everyone that knew and care for him.

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Rarity meanwhile look at her own reflection in the glass of the chandelier, sighing as she put a veil in front of herself. The mare thought about Spike and what she's leaving behind.

Meanwhile Blueblood was looking at his own reflection in the magic mirror, making himself look good and turns to Vlad who gave him a wing up. Upon turning back to the mirror, Grim gave a nervous forced smile as if agreeing with his master.

Baby, I've been here before
I know this room I've walked this floor

At the river, the Mane Five looks down in sadness, feeling all alone...until they heard crying and turn to see who is doing it. To their surprise, there's Brian, Soarin', Caramel and Dexter sitting near the river in sadness...and a brown stallion with a scarf and a Triforce like cutie mark crying in sadness. Could that be...?

Twilight's group looks concerned as they came over. The brown stallion saw Twilight and looks surprised as he ask, "Twilight?"

"Ben?! Is that you? You look different." Twilight said in amazement. She smiles and comforts the formerly black Demon Pony while her friends grin while hugging their special somepony.

I used to live alone before I knew you

Spike looks inside his home. It is mostly empty now, except for a sunflower which the Dragon picks up. He pauses, recalling how Spike himself wanted to give this to Rarity. Then he frowns in sadness while throwing the sunflower right into the flower.

I've seen your flag on the marble arch
But love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Rarity meanwhile sighs sadly as she looks at the top decoration of the cake which has two ponies, a mare and a stallion that looks like Blueblood. The white unicorn then pushes the latter down to half his size to fit her future ‘husband’.

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Spike was doing his best to eat his food slowly at home...then he looks sadly, moaning while covering his face in regret.

And all I ever learned from love
Is how to shoot at someone
Who outdrew you

"Oh Rarity..." Spike said in sadness. He got what he himself really wanted...and gave Rarity up. Oh, what has Spike done?

Back at the castle, Rarity is eating her own soup alone, looking sad. Weddings are supposed to be a happy moment. But it isn't as the unicorn felt sadness, giving up the one thing that she truly loved.

And it's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Rarity put face down, sobbing while shedding rear, "Spike..."

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Spike sighs as he looks down back at his place. But his thoughts were interrupted by a thumping noise coming from outside. Out of curiosity, the purple Dragon came out and saw a surprising sight: there's the Mane Five, Pinkie’s mane is about to normal, putting some wood onto the ground.

"Twilight; Applejack, Rainbow; Pinkie, Fluttershy," Spike ask in surprise. Of course, Rainbow grunts as she and the others just ignore him, continuing what they were doing. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"What, I figure you of all Dragons would know a wall when you see one." Rainbow snaps to Rainbow rudely.

"Right, so I hope you don't mind if we just built one." Fluttershy remarks with a frown. "Don't bother helping, we got this."

"Well, I can see but isn't the wall supposed to go around my swamp, not through it?" Spike ask the ponies puzzled. Weird, why are they making a wall through here?

"Well, if you must know, it's around your half, Mr. Grumpy Dragon." Pinkie remarks as she motions the two sides, pointing to the right then to the left while speaking. "See that? That's your half and this is ours."

"Oh, your half, huh?"

"Right, our half, ya vermint! We helped rescued Rarity, we done did half 'de work so we git half 'de prize." Applejack remarks dryly. She points to a rock, adding, "Now git us 'dat rock over there, 'de one 'dat looks like yer fat head!"

"Hey, hey back off!" Spike snaps angrily to the ponies.

"No, you back off! You ain't our friend anymore so why don't you do what we asked for once?" Twilight demands as she uses her magic to grab a tree branch.

"FYI, this is my swamp!"

"Our swamp!"

Spike grabs a tree branch that Twilight is working on but she and the girls grabs it right back. Spike angrily demands, "Hey, let go!" He has had enough of these ponies and their invading like ways! The Dragon just want to be left alone and to forget all this mess and heartbreak!

"You let go!" Rainbow scowls angrily to Spike as the girls play an intense game of tug of war with the Dragon.

"Stubborn mares!"

"Smelly lizard!"

"Okay, fine!" Spike scowls angrily as he lets go of the tree branch. There's no point in continuing this pointless argument. The Dragon is done with everyone for good!

Of course, the ponies angrily follow him. Lorcan, Golden Heart, Pinkamena and Gold Wing arrives on the scene. They decided not to announce themselves yet, the four want to see this scene played out.

"Hey, get your flank back here!" Twilight snaps angrily to Spike. "We're not done with you yet young man!"

"I'm an older Dragon so stop teaching me like a kid!" Spike snapped right back to Twilight. "I'm through with all of you."

"Oh no you don't; with you, it's always 'me, me, me!' Well, guess what?!" Pinkie snaps as she grabs Spike by the tail, forcing him to turn around. "It's our turn so you better shut up and listen up!"

"You are mean to us, insulted us and don't appreciate anything that we do for you!" Fluttershy exclaims sternly to Spike. "No matter what, you're always pushing us around or pushing us away!"

"Even if we done didn't do anything wrong, yer're still doing it!" Applejack remarks with a scowl.

"Oh yeah; If I treated you five so badly, how come you all came back," Spike challenges the five. If they are upset for his treatment towards them, why bother returning?

"Because that's what friends do! They forgive each other!" Pinkie exclaims angrily to Spike.

"Pinkie's right." Twilight said with a stern nod. "Despite what you did, we forgive you anyway. So maybe it's time for you to stop acting stubborn and a jerk and forgive us right back."

"Oh yeah, you're right, Twilight. I forgive you all...FOR STABBING ME IN THE BACK!" Spike roars furiously at the five then goes into the outhouse slamming the door close. The Mane Five frowns a bit. The Dragon isn't going to be that easy to convince.

"Geez, that's ugly." Pinkamena said in concern to the group.

"Give them time; I believe Spike is going to come around." Golden Heart said gently to Pinkamena. Glancing to Lorcan, he then asks, "Why did you come back? I figure you would disown your brother by now."

"I was hoping for a sign...that maybe things would get better." Lorcan grumbles a bit to Golden Heart, "That and much more."

Rainbow narrows her eyes while remarking, "Oh, come on! You are so wrapped up in that layers stuff, onion boy, that you're scared of your own feelings."

"Oh, go away and leave me alone!" Spike's voice snaps from inside the outhouse.

"Shoot, dang nab it. Yer're doing it again, just like wit' Rarity." Applejack grumbles a bit. "All she ever did was like yew."

Lorcan decided to step in with the others. He spoke up, "They're right, Spike."

"Ugh, Lorcan? What are you doing here?" Spike is heard sounding annoyed that his brother is here and outside his outhouse right now.

"I'm here along with Golden Heart, Pinkamena and Gold Wing. Applejack is right, Spike. All Rarity did was like you...maybe even love you!"

"Love me?! Yeah right! She said I was ugly, a hideous Dragon! I've heard you talking last night!"

The others slowly realize: Spike thought that Rarity was insulting him last night. He doesn't even know about her curse and why she must marry Blueblood. This all happened because of a misunderstanding.

Golden Heart nods as he said to Spike, "Spike. For your information, Rarity wasn't even talking about you at all."

"Yeah! She was talking about..." Rainbow notices Pinkie glaring at her, recalling the promise to Rarity. The Pegasus pony roll her eyes, saying, "...err, somepony else."

There was a pause, then Spike opens the door and came out looking surprised. Looking at his friends, he begin to ask, "Wait, Rarity wasn't talking about me? Well...who was it that she was talking about?"

"Well, to be honest..." Fluttershy said, wanting to tell the truth...but a certain pink pony cut her off.

"No way, not a chance!" Pinkie snaps as she turns around, not wanting to look at Spike. "None of us are saying anything! If you want to be a big meanie and not listen to us, then I say, don't bother, right?"

"Pinkie..."

"No, Pinkie's right." Twilight said with a frown as some of the others look a bit upset and/or hurt. As somne of them sat on the ground, the Alicorn continues, "You know what you got to do..."

Spike sighs a bit, then he said, "Okay, look, I'm sorry, everyone, all right?" The others just look at him skeptically. That doesn't sound like a real apology. The Dragon felt bad for trying that. He then sighs, "Look...I'm really sorry. I guess for how I was acting...I was just a big, stupid, ugly Dragon. Can you all forgive me?"

Pinkie and the others turn and smiles. The pink pony giggles, "Awww, that's what friends are for, right?"

"Right; Lorcan; I'm sorry for acting like a jerk and what I said to you...."

"It's okay. You're my brother and I'm stuck with ya for life!" Lorcan chuckles as he and Spike hug each other as a way of forgiveness.

Once the brothers finish their hugging, Spike held his claw out, asking, "Friends?"

"Friends," Twilight said as she put her hoof into Spike's claw to shake it.

"Friends," Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie and Fluttershy said, shaking Spike's claw as well.

"Friends," Pinkamena chuckles as she shakes Spike's claw as well.

"Same here," Golden Heart remarks while shaking Spike's claw with his own hoof, "Lorcan?"

"Aww, why not," Lorcan chuckles as he shakes hoof/claw with the others.

And so, all is forgiven, the group are friends once more. Spike pausing a bit then ask the others anxiously, "So...uh...what was Rarity saying about me?"

"Awww, why are you asking us for?" Pinkie ask Spike with a smile.

"Right; Why not you go ask her?" Fluttershy ask Spike gently.

"Wait; the wedding," Twilight gasps in alarm and worry, remembering something. "Rarity's wedding is going to happen at sunset and that's hours away!"

"And here's the worst part: Blueblood is going to have Luna killed once the wedding's over!" Lorcan exclaims, making the others gasps in worry and horror. "We will never make it there in time!"

"Crud and I am too exhausted to fly...and not enough magic to transport us all."

Rainbow laughs in amusement to the others, "Ha ha ha! Never fear. As they say in the books, for where there's a will, there's a way. And Rainbow Dash and the others got their way."

Applejack smiles as she made a whistle as if calling for someone. To everyone's surprise, Ben, now large size, appears with the other stallions landing nearby. Soarin' calls out eagerly, "Hey, everyone! Need a lift?"

"Right, we got a wedding to stop and a mare to save!" Caramel remarks with a smirk.

"Wow, you all came!" Pinkamena said, impressed that the ones whom they used to fight to save Rarity are here. Now the gang is sure to get there in time.

"Right, we're ready. Yay," Dexter said meekly while nodding.

"Girls," Spike ask the Mane Five with a smile, suspecting the mares to be behind the stallions arriving just now. Somehow, he got a feeling that that's indeed the case here.

"Well, what can we say? Must be our animal magnetism," Twilight said to Spike with a smirk, making the others laugh a bit.

"Awww, come here, you!"

Spike grabs the Mane Five and gave them a noggie. Rainbow laughs as she and her friends got freed, "Okay, okay! Ha ha ha! Don't get slobbery! No one likes a messy mane!"

"Okay, Ben!" Pinkie exclaims as she and everyone got onto Ben's back, ready for liftoff, "To DuColt and fast!"

"Hang on, everypony! This is going to be an intense ride!" Ben exclaims with a smirk as he jumps into the air and begins to fly. Everyone hold onto the former Demon Pony as he flew out of the swamp and on their way to DuColt. They got to get to the wedding in time.

"Luna, hang on. We're coming." Lorcan whispers to himself in determination. He is determined to rescue Luna and save her from being executed in time as well.

Author's note
Looks like all is forgiven; In the next chapter, it's time for the big confrontation. Will Spike confess his feelings to Rarity and stop Blueblood? And will the curse ever be broken? Read, review and suggest.

The extra song in this sang by Spike came from 'Shrek: The Musical'.

The extra scene was added in and is original.