Spike

The marketplace was already busy and bustling when they arrived. Ponies had set up their stands and others wandered the streets for a meal or a trinket or treasure. Out of the corner of his eye, Spike saw some ponies quivering or backing away from him, looking spooked.

Some gasped and averted their gazes when he locked eyes with them. He didn’t blame them, even here of all places, but he still ground his teeth together self-consciously, muscles tensing. Spike assumed they probably hadn’t been living in Ponyville when he was younger, and feared his presence here now. After four years, he still wasn’t accustomed to this sort of treatment. Spike tried his best to ignore it though.

As he explored down the streets, with Pinkie Pie beside him, Spike had to be quite careful not to hit somepony or something with his long, spiked tail. Luckily, he had experience with crowded streets in Canterlot, so he managed well enough. Ponies explored along the carts as possessions and jewels from faraway lands, food and drink, perfume and clothing and all manner of interesting items lined the kiosks.

Spike and Pinkie Pie ventured forth into the crowded streets and spoke with the stall owners and passersby about his ‘Welcome back to Ponyville’ party. Many of the patrons and sellers recognised him after he said that, some even from his voice or appearance alone. He was happy to see that most of the ponies here weren’t especially fearful of him.

“My word, Spike, you certainly have grown,” Daisy said, as she watered her flowers. “How have you been all these years?” Bon Bon asked after dropping some sweets from her tray, realising who it was talking to her as she turned back to the stall. Spike apologised for startling her and offered to help pick up the sweets, but she waved a hoof, saying it was fine. She was surprised to see him all grown up, but she insisted it was a pleasantry to see him again.

The streets were truly cramped. It was quite reminiscent of Canterlot’s streets, he noted. Spike conversed with most of the passersby, sometimes drawing a crowd, ponies wanting to see who this eight foot-long dragon could be. Once they saw the colouration of his scales and spines, they stopped whatever they were doing and listened in, having their turn to speak with him afterward. “What have you been doing with yourself?” Mrs. Cake asked from over her own table. “When did you get those huge wings?” said Matilda, putting the lamp she was holding down on one of the kiosks to see him.

“I bet you get some serious altitude with those things,” Scootaloo said. Her mane and tail were in the same style as the last time he saw her, long and messy, violet in colouration; her coat had an orange hue to it. She was on a height with the other ponies now, having a bit of a growth spurt sometime in the last few years. Seeing that her wings had grown along with her, Spike was interested to know when she started growing and if she could now fly. “Hmm, I’d have to say around a year and a half ago,” she replied. “Me, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom grew at about the same time. And I can fly, but not for very long. Training with Rainbow Dash to bear the strain helps, but at times it’s too much to take.”

“I have supports to lessen the strain on my bones and muscles though. It’s enough for me just to be able to fly with her; I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Scootaloo answered in a way that warranted no pity from him, so Spike swallowed his sympathies and instead smiled brightly at the orange pegasus. She seemed happy enough with herself, so he decided to change the subject.

“Do all three of you have your cutie-marks now?”

“Oh, yeah! Check it out.” Scootaloo turned to show off her cutie-mark: a red wheel with a purple streak of lightning behind it.

“Cool.” He nodded. A smirk eased its way onto his face as something from her fillyhood days crossed his mind. “So are your crusading days over then?” I wonder if all that crusading actually helped them in the end to find their talents. He held in a chuckle as he saw Scootaloo’s face contort in surprise. From that expression, I’d say yes.

“Far from it.” She waved a fore hoof in front of her. “Now we have a different goal. We’re gonna help other ponies to earn their cutie-marks by recruiting the next generation of crusaders. We’re gonna make sure no bullies like Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon make pony lives miserable again.”

They sure have grown up, Spike thought. I never would have expected this from them four years ago. Sure they were quite generous back then, even adding a new member to their group, Applebloom’s cousin Babs Seed. I wonder if she’s doing the same thing as they are now. Babs Seed had come down on the train to Ponyville to see Applebloom when they were fillies; after a bit of a complication between them, the Crusaders made Babs Seed an official member and gave her charge to watch over Cutie-Mark Crusader operations in her home city, Manehattan. “That’s a great idea. Have you seen them recently?”

“Yeah, actually,” she responded as she stepped aside to let somepony pass. “They’re not as mean as they were. After we all earned our cutie-marks, they sort of lost their main source of bullying topics.”

“Well, that’s good. Must be a relief.”

Scootaloo groaned with a grin. “You don’t know the half of it.”

On all sides of the purple dragon, ponies waved and shouted out greetings. It was becoming crowded where he stood, with more and more ponies coming to speak with him or purchase something from one of the stalls. Spike turned and weaved expertly as the traffic continued, but he soon realised that this would have to wait for another time. “Would you pass on the party message to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle for me? I’d like to catch up with them at the party as well. You’ve grown so much.”

“Same to you, and I will.” She smiled at him, probably having the same thoughts about having this conversation elsewhere. “I’m actually going to see them now; we’ve got some new recruits to speak with.”

“I’ll leave you to it then.”

The day went on and Spike spoke with all he could find; Pinkie Pie was awfully quiet for usually being so bouncy all of the time. He was a little worried at one point and asked her about it. “Oh, don’t worry about me,” she had reassured him. “I’m just letting you catch up with everypony. It’s no big deal.”

“It’s just…I’ve never seen you so quiet before. Is something wrong?”

Pinkie Pie shook her head happily, retaining that glad smile. “Nopey dopey, I’m just thinking of all the things we can do after this. This shouldn’t take long after all, since you’ve talked to most of the ponies already. The rest will spread the word.”

Spike laughed softly. “I guess you know what you’re doing then. Just warn me when you become quiet again, I’m not accustomed to that.”

“Sorry,” Pinkie giggled. “I will.”

The rest of the time at the market went along smoothly, nopony fled in fear of the dragon and Pinkie Pie became her usual, bouncy self again. She hopped around and gobbled any interesting looking treat that she could see, and Pinkie had excellent vision. “Cupcake?” Pinkie had held up a cupcake for Spike to try near the end of the line of tables, but he declined politely. When all was said and done, the two friends stood on the opposite side of the market from where they had entered.

Spike sat down as he stared back at the street they had just left, a steady smile gracing his lips. He turned to Pinkie, standing next to him. “Do you think we told everypony?” he asked.

Pinkie Pie giggled and stared up at him. Even when seated, Spike was taller than her. It didn’t seem to bother her in the slightest though, something the dragon was eternally grateful for. If anypony was unaffected by his change in stature, it was Pinkie. “Well, if we haven’t, I’m sure the ponies we did talk to will pass it along. Come on, we have things to do and ponies to see; the first being, of course, seeing how much the twins have grown.”

“Great,” said Spike. “I’d really like to see them.” Though something nagged at him, his smile faded. The last time he’d seen Pound and Pumpkin was when he was on a height with them; now he was much larger in comparison. What if they don’t recognise me? he thought, worriedly. What if I scare them? He clenched his teeth tightly, fearing what could happen, but when he saw the bright smile covering Pinkie’s face, he allowed himself to relax a little. She doesn’t seem to have any worries about it. Okay, here goes. “Ready then?” His voice sounded much weaker than he wanted it to.

“Sure, Mr. Cake should have them up by now. Let’s go!” Pinkie bounded off toward Sugarcube Corner, leaving Spike with nothing to do but follow along. Tension was still growing in his stomach. He’d seen the reactions from animals that didn’t know him, mostly fully grown ones, so how would a couple of foals look at him? Just calm down, he told himself gently. Try not to think about it.

He distracted himself with ideas of what to do after; things that maybe Pinkie Pie had also thought of. Some games or pranks, perhaps? He’d been at the receiving end of one of them many years before, maybe this time he could be her partner in crime. She could teach him a few baking recipes too. He enjoyed learning new recipes, especially ones as tasty as the ones she made. Spike’s eyes widened as he realised something; it had been so long since he had had one of her pastries, he could barely recall the taste. That would have to be rectified, he noted.

“Here we are, Spike,” Pinkie said with a flourish, removing the dragon from his thoughts.

Spike glanced up from the gravel path that he had been staring at to take in the colours and designs of the bakery. The roof looked like gingerbread, with white icing traced around the edges. At the foot of the building, purple steps led up to a pink door, festooned with swirls and stripes that attracted visitors. On either side of the door were pink rimmed windows, off level with one another in such a fashion that warranted no complaints. It wasn’t symmetrical, but that didn’t matter. A sign hung from the side of the shop, a cupcake in a purple paper cup with bright pink frosting on top.

Opposite the signpost was a small garden of flowers, Mrs. Cake’s favourites: petunias and roses, if Spike recalled correctly. Back on the top of the roof a sort of tower rested, looking like two cupcakes piled neatly on top of one another. With windows arranged all around the upper levels, it looked incredibly tasty to the emerald-eyed dragon.

“I think somepony is hungry,” Pinkie said with a smirk, upon hearing Spike’s stomach growl no doubt.

Spike’s cheeks turned a light shade of red as he chuckled. “Yeah, I guess so. I suppose all the talking and wandering around took longer than I thought.”

The pink pony giggled while she bounced along happily. “Don’t worry. There should be plenty of food at Sugarcube Corner. Come on,” she said, pushing open the new double doors to the sweet’s shop. She held them open for Spike to follow; he was glad that even as large as he was, he could fit through without any effort. The bell atop the doorframe jingled as they entered, and soon Mr. Cake descended from the upper floor to take their orders.

He was an older pony than Spike’s friends, roughly forty years old now, though he did not appear to have aged much. His coat held a bright yellow tinge, with three slices of carrot cake as his cutie-mark. Mr. Cake’s curly mane and tail were the same orange colour from four years prior as well. His jaw was thin and long, but sturdy, and of course, his hat rarely left his head.

Mr. Cake spotted the purple dragon when he reached the bottom and he squinted in concentration, leaning in slightly for a better look. Spike waved uneasily at the pony, wondering what he would say once he realised who was standing in his store. Mr. Cake’s green eyes seemed to light up in recognition as he walked forward to greet him. “Spike? Is that you?”

“It sure is, Mr. Cake,” Pinkie said. “He’s come back for a visit.”

“Well, haven’t you grown? I barely recognised you.”

Spike scratched the back of his neck, feeling relieved at his reaction. “Yeah, so everypony’s been telling me. How has business been? I’ve missed this place deeply since I left.”

“Oh, it’s going well. Just finished an order for Manehattan and Cloudsdale in fact; ponies are really starting to appreciate our baking.”

“That’s good. I’m glad. You deserve the attention. They are quite tasty after all.” They sure are. He licked his lips at the thought of tasting a cupcake again. That sapphire-studded cupcake with blue frosting was the best. He tried to keep a smile on his face as that train of thought reminded him of what he did and what he became shortly after he accepted that gift, and all the others. A beast out of greed.

Pinkie Pie bounded forward, grabbing the older pony’s attention. “Hey, Mr. Cake, speaking of tasty treats, Spike’s a bit hungry. Do you think he could grab a bite here quickly?”

“Oh sure, go right ahead.” Mr. Cake waved a fore hoof at them to show that he didn’t mind. “It’s been so long since I saw you; it’s the least I can do. Anything else I can help you with?”

“I also brought Spike along to see the twins,” said Pinkie before Spike could reply. When she was excited, no one could speak as rapidly as her. Spike sighed lightly and let her talk for him. I’m not sure if I’d ever be able to bring myself to ask anyway, he thought. “Are they awake?” Pinkie’s voice broke him from his imaginings.

“Oh yes, I just went to check on them. They’re in the usual spot, go on up.” Mr. Cake trotted behind the counter and into the back. “You have perfect timing, as usual. Could you keep an eye on them until I’m back, Pinkie?”

“Sure! Thanks! Come on, Spike.”

“Right behind you,” he said, his anxiety resurfacing. Spike still wasn’t sure about this. He knew how children sometimes reacted to seeing him in Canterlot. Of course, many more wanted to stare at him in awe or see his sharp claws and teeth, but he dreaded the possibility that the Cake’s twins were part of the first group. He didn’t want to scare them.

When he put his clawed hand on the first step though, it creaked. This brought to mind the similar experience he’d had at Twilight’s house. The stairs in this shop didn’t seem to be built for a dragon his size; even the width of the staircase was stretching it for him. If he did manage to ascend the steps with no incident, Spike still couldn’t fit through the doorways. He began to sweat.

“What are you waiting for, Spike?” Pinkie asked, turning from the staircase to look at the dragon. Even a few steps up, Spike was still taller than her. It would have amused him on any other day, but right now he was too nervous to notice it beyond a passing glance.

He met her eyes grudgingly. Spike thought he saw something click with her, or she was just worried for him. Either way, he was stuck in terms of evading the question; he had to respond now. He cleared his throat, feeling a lump forming there that would otherwise prevent him from speaking clearly. “You should probably bring them down here. I won’t be able to squeeze into any of those rooms.” His jaw tightened at the half truth. Well, that’s one of the reasons anyway. I can’t tell her the other reason. Having the twins come to see him would be easier on them all, and it might lessen the shock of seeing a dragon in their house having them come to him. “It’s the same at Twilight’s house.”

“Awww, that’s too bad.” Pinkie looked heartbroken, something he never would have expected from her. It was odd to him; Spike wondered if she had put herself in his place, realising that the rooms he once had no trouble entering were now off limits to him. In Canterlot, the steps and doorways were built for either a pony of Princess Celestia’s size or for multiple ponies so they could fit through at once; he could jump on the stairs and not hear any creaks either. Here though, he was afraid he’d fall through, breaking the wooden planks and causing grief for whoever was present. The slight frown on Pinkie’s face didn’t leave, but she nodded her head in comprehension. “Okie dokey lokie! Wait right there.”

She ascended the steps with the liquorice railings two at a time through bouncing, and disappeared down the upper hallway. Spike saw no other option open to him at this point, so he took a seat at one of the empty tables. Mr. Cake trotted over, placed a plate of assorted sweets, such as lemon and red velvet cupcakes, chocolate chip and afghan cookies and custard squares. He told him that it was on the house and left him to the meal. The dragon thanked the pony and stared down at his food.

Now that he was here, a knot had formed in his stomach. He didn’t feel as hungry as he had been outside, but he managed to pick up a cupcake and gobble it down. It was bite sized to him. Spike’s taste buds smiled. He’d forgotten the lovely taste of these treats. His hunger found him again as he took one baked good at a time into his claws and munched on them. They were much smaller than he remembered, but he just as quickly realised that his size then and now differed greatly. I’d need at least ten of these to equal one in my stomach now, he thought with a smirk.

As Spike waited for the inevitable, he decided to take in the interior of the store. Pillars striped with the colours of candy canes held up the roof inside, with walls that looked like different shades of gingerbread all around him. Pink and brown display tables presented the multitude of delectable sweets that the Cakes made, tables and chairs arranged around the room for ponies to sit and enjoy their meals. Another door led off to the baking room, where all of the bowls and measuring cups and utensils were stored. Balloons were tied down to side tables and streamers hung from random places, with pink banners hanging down from the ceiling here and there.

Once more, his gaze fell on the staircase as the pink mare returned. She must have been speaking to the twins as they followed her down to the first level. He couldn’t really make out what Pinkie was saying, but he guessed it had something to do with a special guest coming in for a visit. That brought a smile to his lips. Pinkie Pie was also trying to lessen the strain on him and the twins by warning them ahead of time.

“Oh, here he is guys!” Pinkie shouted, stepping aside as she reached the last step, allowing Pound and Pumpkin Cake to see who she was introducing. Her hoof was pointed at him as she glanced at the little ones.

Pumpkin’s orange mane had grown longer, brushing against her neck as she walked. Her coat was a light brown colour, while her eyes were a delightful shade of blue. She was taller than the last time Spike saw her, two and a half feet shorter than Pinkie Pie, and she was about the same height as her twin, Pound. His beige coat complemented his brown eyes well, while his mane and tail had become a darker brown colour; the Cakes had kept his mane short and out of his eyes, his expression unreadable. They lined up and turned to Spike obediently. “Remember him?”

Spike waved at them, trying to retain a happy grin while not showing too many teeth. Well, they aren’t running away or screaming, he thought to himself. That’s a start. Still, he wouldn’t keep his hopes up, or risk having them broken. The twins merely stared at him for a time; seconds, minutes, hours, he didn’t know how long. He wanted something to happen, at least then he’d know to be sad, but all they did was look at him. Until, “Spikey!”

They both shouted it in unison, startling Spike from his dreadful imaginings. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but found no words forming, so he quickly closed it again. Spike realised that his wing muscles were tightened against his sides in stress. Allowing them to relax, his wings dropped to the floor in relief. Did they just say…? “You remember me?” he finally managed, stepping up from his seat at the table to stand before the three ponies.

“Of course they do, Spike!” Pinkie replied, hopping closer. Pound followed behind her a few paces as she continued to speak. “I made sure they knew everypony, and you’re a part of ‘everypony’.”

Spike stared from one face to the next, completely dumbfounded. How do they know me? It’s been four years, weren’t they too little? After thinking that, he realised he actually meant to say it. He took a seat a few feet in front of Pinkie and willed himself to form the words. “But how could they know what I look like?”

Pinkie shrugged. “Well, for one thing, you’re the only dragon they know. There’s no mistaking that. As for the second, we made sure they’d recognise you using pictures. Everypony else dropped by to see them a lot, so that was fine, but you were a bit trickier; so Twilight thought that we could remind them that you were a friend of theirs too, even when you were in Canterlot.” Her smile switched to a devious smirk in a split second and turned to Pound and Pumpkin, an action Spike didn’t like in the slightest. “Well? What are you waiting for? Go get him!”

Without further coaxing, but with a ton of giggling, the twins leapt onto the dragon ambassador. He toppled over in surprise, catching them and holding them securely against his chest. They were laughing all the while, not bothered by Spike at all. Even when they saw the claws he held them with or the sharp teeth that made themselves known when he smiled at them, the twins did not recoil. Pumpkin Cake was the first to wriggle out of his strong, but gentle arms. She hopped off of his chest and nuzzled his cheek affectionately.

Smiling sweetly at the show, Spike picked Pound off of his chest and set him down, sitting up to regain his composure. They really do know me. Warmth began to form in his chest. Of course, his chest was always heated; having a chest full of fire, but this was a different kind of heat. He scooped them up in his arms again and gave them a gentle hug. “I missed you guys so much!”

Spike heard Pinkie sigh happily, as the twins wrapped their tiny hooves halfway around his neck; they couldn’t make it all the way round at any rate, even together, but still Spike felt glad for the attempt. “Spike!” The two of them shouted one after the other, until he sat them down again. “We missed you, Spike,” Pumpkin said. “Where did you go?” Pound murmured.

Pinkie trotted up to the purple dragon and placed a fore hoof on his lower arm; her smile seemed to say, ‘told you so.’ Spike smirked as his cheeks became flushed. Rub it in, why don’t you? His wordless reply presented itself in one of his own facial expressions.

However, before either of them could actually say anything, Mr. Cake reappeared at the front of the shop. “Alright you two, I think we should have some play time. Grab your crayons and favourite toys and let’s have some fun.” He turned to Spike, with a smile. “Would you like to stay for a bit, Spike? I’m sure they would want to have you here too.”

The eight foot-long dragon glanced at the twin ponies, staring back at him with hope in their eyes. Spike pondered, placing a claw to his chin. Do they really want me to stay with them? They’re probably waiting to prank me like they did Pinkie Pie. The magenta-maned mare had told everypony about the foalsitting trouble a few days after it happened. The twins had been too much for her to deal with, until the very end; neither of them listening to her, messing up the house and using magic and flying all over the place haphazardly. And the only remedy for each situation Pinkie Pie had been in was covering herself with flour. He wished he would have been there to see that part though.

Those looks they were giving him seemed mighty suspicious to the dragon right now. He shook his head lightly. And what’s so bad about a little prank? I’m…sure it’s not as bad as she said it was. The longer he stared into those pleading faces, the brighter his smile became. Pinkie’s hoof remained in place on his arm, but she now sat in front of him, waiting with a hopeful glint in her own eyes. Spike laughed pleasantly. “Sure, I’d love to.”

Author's Notes:

Good evening everyone,

My apologies for the delayed continuation, but I was at a friend's house all weekend for the Animethon. I think this year was the best for me, I drew this chapter's picture at 1 am on Saturday and while at the Animethon today I drew chapter 6's and chapter 7's. They are not complete, but I will not need to stress over them so much anymore.

Many pieces of books and games and shows (pony related and other anime stuff), tons of signing autographs (which I managed to have all of my available items signed! Victory...ahem) and chilling and having pictures taken with my friends. So many cosplayers this year too, most of them Kiritos and Clouds, two Pinkies, a Rarity, a really well done costume of Kankuro and a Yuna (both really excellent cosplays), Godzilla was there- Oh! Also a Queen Chrysalis and Nightmare Moon, as well as Discord (none of which I have seen before).

I bought the Final Fantasy VIII black label and the original soundtrack and the rest of the available MLP seasons on DVD, but I am certain you wish for me to get back to the story. This one is pretty self-explanatory. It is the continuation of chapter four and is used to show how the party is announced. I really adored the interaction with Spike and Pinkie and Spike and the twins too.

That is about all there is to speak of, though I love the turmoil that Spike feels, having to deal with being an adult dragon in a world full of ponies. Unable to fly because ponies don't know him so well anymore. This next chapter is one of my all-time favourites; therefore, I have actually drawn two drawings to post for it, so look forward to that.

I suppose that is all. Read and enjoy at your leisure of course, but I hope you will tell me what you think. Like or dislike, your comments are very dear to me. They help me to grow and to give you the best Sparity story that is possible for me to create.

Thank you and good night. Ta ta! ^^