Spike

Spike sat patiently at the train station. His saddlebag, which was white with a little bit of red at the edges, was strapped to his stomach comfortably. The sky was already clouded over, covering every inch in grey colours. If he knew any type of cloud, it was a cumulonimbus formation. Rain must have been scheduled for today.

He had been waiting for a few moments for his friends to arrive, thinking about how this trip would turn out. He hadn’t expected this turn of events, not by a long shot. It was hard for Spike to tell if he should be happy, or scared. I still can’t believe she wanted to come along. He smiled fondly at all that had happened these past few days. I wanted to ask her, but this popped out instead. I don’t want to ask her how she feels until I have a better idea of how she thinks of me. His smile brightened a little. Maybe I’ll be able to find out today.

With that idea in mind, Spike flicked his tail back and forth along the floorboards of the platform. It was early in the morning, the day after his lunch with the violet-maned unicorn. Rarity herself showed up shortly after, smiling softly at the dragon. A seemingly empty saddlebag adorned her back as she trotted along the platform. She took a seat next to Spike and sighed deeply.

“What’s the matter?” asked Spike, with a look of concern crossing his face.

Rarity shook her head silently, eyes focused on her hooves. “It’s alright. I’ll manage.”

Spike’s eyebrows furrowed. He turned his body to face her and inched closer. “Rarity? What’s wrong?”

The fashionista looked up at him with an expression he couldn’t quite put his claw on and chuckled lightly. She stared at her hooves once more. “It’s silly…but…it feels odd, not having my usual luggage with me.” Rarity grinned at him. “I feel like I’m missing something.” At that point, Spike took notice that she was once again wearing the fire-ruby he had given her years prior.

“Why didn’t you bring them then?”

“Because,” she said timidly. Rarity opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again. To the dragon, it looked like she was struggling to prevent herself from breaking into tears. She breathed in deeply, and closed her eyes as she exhaled. One of her techniques for calming herself down when she’s stressing about something, Spike thought, swallowing hard. “Somepony would have to carry it.” Rarity stated simply, after a few moments of silence.

Oh. “You mean…me?” A nod was her answer. Spike rested a claw on Rarity’s hoof. “I don’t mind. Really.” The fashionista jerked her hoof out from under his grasp suddenly. Panic was in her sapphire eyes, as she stared from her hoof to his own eyes. Spike flinched, his arm left forgotten on the floor as he stared at Rarity.

She must have seen the pained look in his eyes. She bit her lip, and with a little hesitation, Rarity grabbed Spike’s clawed hand in both hooves. He found the sudden motion confusing, but Spike lost himself in her now determined gaze. She lifted his claw up and breathed deeply, her lower lip trembling. “Spike,” she began. “I don’t want you doing things for me anymore. Not like that. It isn’t right.”

He blinked, and stammered. “But-but-”

“It was wrong of me to ask it of you when you were little. I realise that, and it’s still wrong now. I know I should have realised it sooner.” She swallowed. “It took you leaving…for four long years, for me to understand…”

“Rarity-I…” He reached out with his free claw, but drew back. He didn’t want to see Rarity recoil from his touch again. She didn’t seem to notice, or if she did, she didn’t show any concern toward his other claw. Rarity kept her gorgeous eyes meticulously placed on his, locking him in place.

“Please, Spike. You’re my friend…and I don’t ask my friends to do things like that. Even if you are,” she coughed, quickly glancing down at his chest, “stronger now.”

Spike felt his face heat up a little, but only hesitated for a moment. “Alright. Whatever you say.”

The seamstress’ smile then spread across her face. She turned her head away, releasing his hand, but Spike thought he saw some tears forming at the edges of Rarity’s eyes as she turned. Before he could ask her if anything was wrong, Rarity waved a hoof in his direction. “I’m fine,” she reassured, though the dragon ambassador could hear her sniffling.

He smiled despite himself. You’re about as terrible a liar as I am. Spike thought about saying that aloud, but ultimately decided against it. Instead, he turned away and looked off into the distance, glancing her way now and again to see if she had recovered. It wasn’t out of sadness that those tears were shed, if Spike remembered anything from spending so much time with her years back. He probably knew more about her than she did, those tears forming from some gladness Rarity felt. Maybe it was because of what he said, but Spike couldn’t be sure and he didn’t want to postulate.

“Sorry,” Rarity apologised, after a few moments of silence. “The girls should be here shortly. Are you excited to start on this little adventure of ours?”

“I’m a little nervous to be honest.” Spike chuckled and scratched at his spines. “How about you?”

The seamstress tittered beside him. “There’s no need to be nervous,” she said, reaching over and rubbing her hoof along Spike’s arm. He could feel that same cool touch he’d felt at the party, when the two had danced. His body was at a warmer temperature than most other creatures, so occasionally Spike enjoyed a cold feeling on his skin, especially if it was Rarity’s soft white fur. “I myself am quite eager to start this quest. It will be nice to go out and explore the more unknown areas of the world. I was beginning to think I wouldn’t be able to see much outside of Equestria.”

You wanted to travel all this time? She was still stroking his arm, though now the dragon suspected that Rarity was doing it without really knowing she was. Her sapphire eyes held a somewhat wistful texture to them, as Spike looked down at her. “W-well, I’m happy to be giving you this opportunity to see what I do.”

“Oh, you’re such a sweet heart.” Rarity took her hoof from his arm and placed it on her chest lightly. “Speaking of trips, you simply must tell me about where you went and what you saw after all these years.”

Spike managed to chuckle at the unicorn’s proposal and nodded pleasantly. “Sure, and you can tell me about how your business has been and what you and the others have done.”

“Well, it’s really much the same as always. What you saw yesterday is about all I have been doing. I’m sure your ventures are far more interesting.” She waved a dismissive hoof like she always did at such comments. Spike knew that was just a show to receive a compliment, usually for the stallions she dated, but this time it seemed like she really meant it. He wasn’t about to let that slip.

“Hello you two!” cried Pinkie Pie, interrupting the eight foot-long dragon’s thoughts as she bounded along the streets. Applejack trotted a few feet back from her, grinning when she met Spike’s eyes.

“Howdy Rarity!” she called as she ascended the ramp to the platform. “Hey Spike! You two are sure up early.”

Spike scratched the back of his neck. He chortled. “Yeah, I was so excited I couldn’t fall asleep last night.”

Rarity turned to him in mild alarm. “Really, darling? That’s unfortunate. Though I suppose I can understand. It’s quite a long way to the Griffin Empire by train. It should be an entire three days before we’re there, with only two stop overs at Manehattan and Trottingham along the way. I will be sure that you have plenty of sleep on this ride.”

Pinkie Pie bounced around the two sporadically, grinning from ear to ear. “I can sure understand why you couldn’t sleep. I’m creating a new type of icing with all of my favourite flavours in it. Raspberry, strawberry, wildberry, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, all on top of velvet cupcakes. I call it the Berry Blaster Overload. I was so excited last night I barely had a wink of sleep, can ya tell?”

Pinkie had once again placed herself into Applejack’s personal space, and Spike stifled a laugh as he saw the poor mare blink in discomfort. “Well, ah can see why ya call it an overload,” replied Applejack, chortling awkwardly as she stepped away from the pink pony. “Where’s everypony else?”

“They have yet to arrive, I’m afraid.” Rarity sighed. “I hope they are here soon. The train will be here shortly and I would hate to have to leave without saying a proper goodbye.”

Twilight, where are you? he wondered. When Spike and Rarity had told the purple alicorn about their trip yesterday, she didn’t seem upset. In fact, she looked happy for the two. Having left the Golden Oaks library early the next day though, Spike hadn’t seen Twilight wake up. At least he knew that she had actually gone to bed, and not stayed up all night agonising about what could happen to him, sifting through her books for any important details that he should know about griffins.

“I’m sure they’ll be here before you leave,” Pinkie reassured.

Even with those words of comfort, Spike couldn’t shake the guilt that he was now feeling. He had begun to fret over this once he thought of a valid reason for her not to show up. After four years of being away, I leave again in five days. I…I’m lying to her and-

He felt a hoof on his arm. Rarity smiled up at him, her eyebrows knitted with concern. Spike nodded gently at the white unicorn, who seemed to understand his tension. To the dragon, it felt like she knew exactly when he was troubled and identified the best way to cheer him up each time.

“Oh, I hope we’re not too late!” cried a soft voice that the dragon instantly recognised. Spike turned his head to the left to see Fluttershy flying toward them, with Rainbow Dash soaring beside her easily.

“I’m sure they’re fine,” said Rainbow Dash, waving off her friend’s concerns. “Plus, if you hadn’t taken so much time talking to your animals, you wouldn’t need to be all worried.” The two pegasi landed swiftly on the train station platform and smiled at the assembled group.

“B-but I’m not usually up this early,” Fluttershy mumbled, shifting her wings uncomfortably. “My little friends were so upset, and I couldn’t leave them alone like that without explaining.”

Rainbow Dash groaned. “They looked fine to me.”

“I’m sure they were very happy that you took the time to explain,” Rarity said, trotting over to the yellow pony, “but by now I’m sure your little friends trust you to be back for them.”

Fluttershy smiled softly at Rarity’s words. “I…suppose you’re right.”

“Have either of you seen Twilight?” asked Applejack, shifting the Stetson on her head.

The cerulean pegasus shook her head and shrugged. “Nope. She is coming though, right?”

“Well, yesterday when Rarity and I told her about the trip, she looked happy. I was up quite early and left before she woke up. I hope she’s not mad at me.” His breath caught in his throat, having voiced his thoughts aloud without meaning to.

“Mad at you for what?” a voice called from in front of the group. Spike lifted his head up to peer over the other ponies gathered round him. He saw Twilight trot up the ramp and look to her friends worriedly. “What’s wrong, Spike?”

The dragon ambassador swallowed, all eyes turning to face him. “I was just worried that you were upset…because I’m leaving again so soon.”

Twilight smiled at him and sauntered over to give Spike a hug. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash parted to allow her to pass. “I’m not upset, alright? You’re a grown dragon, and you can make your own decisions. You can always come back, right?”

“Yeah…” Spike grinned back. “You’re right, Twilight.”

“Hey, speaking of the trip, you don’t have all your suitcases, Rarity. Did you forget them back at the boutique?” Pinkie Pie tilted her head quizzically, as she bounced lightly on the floorboards.

“Oh, well, no dear. I didn’t forget them.” Now everypony’s eyes were on the seamstress, and Spike could see a few beads of sweat forming on Rarity’s face. She shifted the saddlebag around on her back a little. “I thought it would be better if I didn’t bring them this time, because I’ve never been to the Griffin Empire before. There should be many outfits I don’t have. I will likely return with several new ensembles and fabrics and accessories, and I won’t be able to carry all of that back here on my own.”

The five other ponies glanced at each other for a moment and stared back at Rarity. “Well, I suppose that makes sense.” Twilight admitted. “It’s a bit odd though. You usually just have Spike carry everything.”

“Yeah, what makes this time so different?” asked Rainbow Dash, crossing her hooves as she flew above the others.

Rarity scoffed and sat back down at his side. “Because Spike came back to Ponyville for a vacation from heavy lifting and work. I would be taking away the time he has to himself if I should do that. I can appreciate how he would feel to have his relaxation time cut short. I know it has happened to me on occasion.”

“Ah hear ya, Rarity. Ah don’t take much time off myself, but I wouldn’t like to be disturbed from a holiday.” Rainbow Dash scoffed. Applejack glared at the pegasus, clenching her jaw. “And I’m sure miss lazy bones over there can understand as well.”

The cerulean mare laughed. “Are you kidding? I don’t have time to be lazy anymore. I’m training all of Ponyville’s pegasi to be as good as the Wonderbolts. They have to be ready for the next Equestria games after all. I’m pushing my luck being here for this long as it is, using up time.”

“Here’s the train,” whispered Fluttershy, pointing behind Spike. Sure enough the Ponyville Express was visible on the horizon, as the dragon ambassador turned to face northward. Within a few moments, the train halted at the station, and ponies poured out of the cars.

Spike turned to Rarity and stood up, offering a claw to help the mare to her hooves. She accepted with a curt nod and placed a hoof in his hand. The two smiled at their friends and hugged each of them in turn, saying their goodbyes and wishing each other a good few weeks.

Rarity bowed her head when all was said and done. “I am not sure when we will be back, but we will stay in touch, alright?” The ponies nodded, light smiles spreading across their faces.

“Do you have the tickets?” Twilight asked.

“Have a good trip you two!” screamed Pinkie from beside the lavender alicorn.

Rarity levitated the two tickets out of her saddlebags and presented them before her friends. “Right here. I bought them just yesterday, after I spoke with Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. I was just too anxious and I figured I had the time. And of course, there’s always the possibility of all of the rooms being sold out on the train if I went later. I couldn’t take that chance.”

“Well, Spike, have a good time. Don’t let Rarity boss ya around too much, ya hear?” Applejack winked.

The violet-maned unicorn narrowed her eyes at the orange mare and stared at Spike sternly. One of her eyebrows rose as if to demand a response from him. Spike blinked and shifted uncomfortably under Rarity’s gaze, but then he noticed the smile easing onto her face. He smirked at the pony, and after a few seconds the two descended into a fit of laughter.

It had been quite a few years before he understood that Rarity put on a show like that just for a laugh. Her humour was subtle, and it took a few moments to truly appreciate what had happened or what had been said, unless the pony or dragon knew that her melodramatics were just an act. He wasn’t sure if others noticed it or thought she was being serious, but luckily Spike hadn’t forgotten that little detail.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine, Applejack,” replied Spike. He smiled at Rarity and took a few steps toward the train. “I guess we should board the train before it leaves us behind.”

“Wait!” cried a few small voices behind them. The purple dragon spun around to see Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Pound, Pumpkin and Mr. and Mrs. Cake running up the ramp of the station.

“We wanted to say goodbye,” said Sweetie Belle, catching her breath.

Rarity trotted over and draped a hoof over her sister’s back. “Darling, you already said goodbye back at the house.”

“W-well, I wanted to say goodbye again…and I didn’t get a chance to say bye to Spike.”

“Bye, Spike,” intoned both Scootaloo and Applebloom, as they hugged the dragon. He pulled them close and wished them luck on training the little foals of Ponyville. Pound and Pumpkin jumped at Spike just after the two released him. He chuckled as they squeezed his chest tightly and blushed as his friends watched the spectacle. He heard Mr. and Mrs. Cake sigh softly at the show, and the parents gave Rarity a hug goodbye as well.

“Be safe dear, and have a great time,” Mrs. Cake said.

“You too, Spike. Take care.” Mr. Cake smiled as he rubbed Pound’s head gently. “I’ll have a sapphire cupcake waiting for you when you return.”

“I’m going to miss you, sister,” whispered Sweetie Belle. She rested her head on Rarity’s shoulder and wrapped her hooves around her neck.

“Oh, Sweetie Belle.” Rarity pulled the smaller unicorn into the embrace further, closing her eyes. The twins trotted up and joined the two mares in their hug, Rarity wrapping her hoof around Pumpkin’s neck loosely. “I’ll miss all of you.”

Spike felt a twang of guilt hit him hard in the chest. This might be harder on her than staying behind was. He bit his lip, but blinked his eyes as the fashionista looked over to him. She seemed to recognise his silence, though Spike couldn’t say if she actually knew what he had been thinking.

“Well then,” she exclaimed, releasing the three ponies from her tender grasp. She trotted over to Spike and beamed up at him. “I suppose it is time we left, is it not?” The dragon ambassador swallowed and nodded his silent reply.

The gathered crowd of friends shouted their goodbyes as the two entered the train, Spike gesturing for Rarity to enter first. Her face flushed a light pink as she nodded and trotted in. Smoke billowed out over the engine and shrouded the station in a fog for a moment. The horn went out for the last call of departure, the conductor walking along the floorboards.

Spike thought he caught the pony eying him restlessly, keeping a good distance away from the dragon as he passed. The ambassador felt another hoof on his shoulder. He turned and saw Twilight smiling at him. Sharing one last hug from his mother, he stepped onto the train and joined Rarity in their cabin. The train rolled to life as the shouting died down. He found himself sitting across from the white pony, peering out the window and waving at their friends.

As Spike watched the group shrink in the distance, he allowed himself to breathe. He sat back in his seat across from Rarity and flicked his tail back and forth. It was difficult with such a compact space, but it was much more spacious than when he had come down. Rarity had insisted on buying the best seats in the car, to allow Spike more room. To his chagrin, she had been serious.

“You really didn’t have to do this,” said Spike, glancing over at the beautiful mare.

“It’s fine dear, we already went over this. I wanted to come along with you. I must.”

Spike shook his head. “No, no, not that. I meant…you didn’t have to buy these expensive tickets by yourself. I have money from being the princess’ foreign ambassador.”

Rarity tittered as she gestured with a fore hoof. “Nonsense Spike, I am happy to do it. Besides, it’s better for you this way.”

“You really didn’t need to-”

“Spike,” Rarity interrupted sternly. “You shouldn’t think that you don’t deserve some indulging. I wanted to do this for you and you do deserve it, Spikey-Wikey.” The dragon’s cheeks flared as he heard her nickname for him. He also thought he saw something different in her eyes. A sort of sparkle in those sapphire spheres of hers, along with an expression he hadn’t seen from her in years.

Spike gulped. Not since I saw her on her last date, that is. “Thank you, Rarity,” he said. Her smile grew as she watched some foals running back and forth through the train car. Rarity looked back at the dragon, and after a few moments of staring, she stood up and sauntered over to sit next to Spike. As she walked, her violet-hued tail swished back and forth gently, holding his attention on her.

“Well, we’re here. What shall we talk about?”

Author's Notes:

Ooooh, more chapters. I am back and my headache is no more. Wonderful!

So, another chapter filled with lots of Sparity and feels. I just finished rereading it again and I found no mistakes with grammar. Though I am certain that there still are mistakes, but I have read it over several times and have yet to come across any major flaws.

I think this was one of the difficult chapters for me to write at first. I didn't really know how to go about writing the beginning where Spike and Rarity talk to one another. After that though, inspiration was struck. I really like the interactions between them in this chapter, and most of the other ones too. They spent so much time with one another in the past I'm sure that they could read each other's minds by now.

I really like Rarity's parts in this. She has changed so much for him, because she knows she has to in order to have his forgiveness. Though I'm sure if she asked Spike would forgive her immediately, and she knows that too, but her visions would still haunt her. Also, I think she may be warming up to Spike a little bit. I don't know, might just be me.

And of course you can't have a chapter without some Pinkie antics. More in your face stuff with Applejack, and heart melting scenes with Rarity and Sweetie Belle. I really liked that scene.

Anyway, more to come soon. I don't think these latest chapters have any grammatical errors in them, so they will arrive sooner. Oh, also, you don't have to read them all at once. I have because I can and just want to, but you readers can take your time. Ta ta!