Author's Notes:

Special thanks to everyone that reads this!

Not really my fic, again written by my friend Aurora just translated by me and adding just a few personal ideas.

Special thanks to Ebony Stallion for editing and proofreading!

*Rated Teen for safety measures*

“Congratulations!” A crowd of over two hundred guests chimed in unison all looking at the same direction, glasses high.

“Thank you all for coming on this most joyous occasion!” A silver coated unicorn with short dark gray curly mane and tail, his flank bearing a golden top hat cutie mark and wearing a red fancy bowtie said cheerfully whilst holding with his right hoof the left hoof of Rarity, who was blushing. The crowd continue to cheer for them when he leaned in to Rarity. “See? I told you it would be perfect to announce our engagement during tonight’s party. There was nothing to be afraid of,” he told her with a small charming smile and wink.

“Oh, fine, you were right once again, darling,” Rarity admitted looking into his majestic amber eyes. “May I be excused? I do so wish to meet my friends,” she said looking at a certain table now that the crowd had dispersed.

“Of course, of course, but don’t take too long, please? Now that our engagement is public we’ll have to spend most of the night talking with the snobs,” he let out a tired sigh, looking at certain groups of nobles. “I don’t know if I could hold out for long without my lovely fiance there to keep me company.”

“You do realize your selfish needs drags me with you as well, hmmm?” Rarity asked, smiling slyly. “I’ll be back before you know it, Marble,” she leaned to his side and gave him a quick peek on the lips.

Making her way to the table her friends sat, she noticed all six of them were beaming at her. “I’m so glad all of you could make it, I was so nervous when Marble was making the announcement I almost fainted!”

“Nervous? You were a total wreck!” Rainbow Dash chuckled.

“Yah, no kidding. Ah was more than ready tah jump in,” Applejack said tilting her hat.

“Congratulations, Rarity. Marble Cloud is a mighty fine stallion if Ah say so mahself.”

“I’m happy for you, Rarity,” Fluttershy said from her seat rubbing her slightly bloated stomach. “Discord couldn’t come, poor Smooze got sick and had to go watch over him along with Tree Hugger.”

“No need for that, Fluttershy. But tell me, how are you doing?” Rarity asked taking the free seat next to Twilight.

Fluttershy smiled adorably making a squee. “Quite good to be honest, I thought pregnancy would be scarier. And Discord is very attentive with me, he hasn’t pranked me at all since he found out,” she trailed off looking down at her belly and rubbing it some more.

“Discord is going to be a dad, can’t wrap my head around that yet,” Spike commented, sitting next to Fluttershy with Peewee perched on his right shoulder, he extended his right arm until he was rubbing her belly which she paid no mind to. “Ah! The joys of being an uncle never end; we can’t wait to babysit you, don’t we, Peewee?” Spike beamed making the six mares giggle and the phoenix chirped. “You said it!” Pulling away his hand away Spike then turned to see Rarity. “Congratulations, Rarity.”

“Can I plan the wedding party? Can I? Can I? CAN I!?” Pinkie Pie begged hugging Rarity’s left foreleg.

“Of course you can, Pinkie dear,” Rarity smiled, prompting Pinkie Pie to smile widely as she returned to her seat.

“Shu are mai bessst frend,” Twilight slurred holding eight glasses of wine with her magic. She then drank them all at the same time, once she finished her magic poofed out and face planted against the table drooling.

The glasses were saved thanks to Rarity’s quick reaction. “What happened to her this time?” Rarity asked Spike unamused.

“She found out Flash Sentry was gay this morning,” Spike lamented. “Those poor curtains will never be the same again.”

“Dang, talk about getting blue balled,” Rainbow said looking at her passed-out friend.

“Yes, poor dear,” Rarity gave the empty glasses to a passing waiter. “I’m so sorry to cut our time short, but my fiance and I have much to do tonight-don’t you dare, Rainbow!” She quickly cut Rainbow off before she could get off a snark. Rainbow Dash lost her grin but retained a sheepish expression. “Please enjoy the rest of the evening, darling, and thank you again for your support, ta-ta!”

With that said the alabaster unicorn stood up and left the table walking over to Marble Cloud.

“Well, I don’t know about you but that buffett looks good to me right now, you guys coming?”

“Right behind yah partner.”

“I call dibs on the cake!”

“I’m not very hungry, I’ll wait,” Fluttershy said quietly.

“I ate some gems before coming but could you take Peewee with you, Dash?” Rainbow shrugged and Peewee flew next to her. “Don’t eat too much, you hear? You know how you get when you do,” Peewee chirped and the group left leaving him and Fluttershy alone.

“Spike, are you going to be alright?” Fluttershy asked suddenly without looking at the bigger dragon. He was now as big as Luna and his factions turned more sharp and square like making him look rather handsome, at least in her opinion.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” Fluttershy didn’t answer. “Ooooh...You’re talking about Rarity?” the shy mare nodded. “As I said, I’m fine! I’m more than fine, I’m happy for her. I mean, just look at her,” he said looking at Rarity giggling while Marble Cloud stood next to her. “She looks so happy right now, how can I not be happy for her?”

“Because you love her, Spike. Doesn’t it hurt?”

“Nope!” Spike replied without hesitation. “I know we can’t be together; I understood that years ago, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love her or be her friend or be happy if she’s with somepony else that makes her happy.”

Fluttershy stroked her belly for a full minute before continuing. “Even after all those times she came to you after breaking up with one of her coltfriends?”

“She was hurt and sad and needed a friend to be there for her. The first time I just offered her two ears to listen and a shoulder to cry on, like a friend for a friend and nothing more,” Spike said crossing his arms. “Though it’s a shame she never let me give those stinking stallions a piece of my mind.”

“No….not da….quesadillas…,” Twilight mumbled.

Fluttershy turned to face Spike and smiled sweetly at him. “You’re so mature, Spike. I’m proud of you,” Spike beamed a fang filled smile.

“Hey, Shy, mind if I get Twilight back to the castle? The party won’t last much longer and she’s dreaming about quesadilla. If I don’t go now, things will get ugly soon.”

“Of course not, you get her home and I’ll tell the other,” Fluttershy declared as Spike picked Twilight up and carried her bridal style, and began walking away. “Want me to take care of Peewee, too?”

“Please, he deserves a nice evening to himself,” Spike waved Fluttershy goodbye with his tail and walked again with Twilight clinging to him while mumbling something about pony eating quesadillas.

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*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

Spike woke up hearing the frantic knocking at his door. He groaned and grunted for being so rudely awoke. “WHO IS IT?” Spike shouted angrily while rubbing his eyes trying to fight off his drowsiness. The incessant knocking stopped and it it’s place sniffles and whimpers could be heard.

“S-Spike...c-c-can I…”

Immediately recognizing the owner of that voice and the tone in which she spoke Spike jumped out of bed and rushed to open the door of his room. He flung it open and found Rarity looking like a complete mess. Her mane looked unkempt, greasy and filled with knots. Her fur looked dirty and even more unkempt than her mane and tail. He could tell she hadn’t take a shower in days once the smell reached his nostrils. She wasn’t wearing any makeup or eyelashes and her eyes were red from crying while her fur was soaked with tears.

Rarity lunged forward wrapping her forelegs around his neck and crying hard against his right shoulder. Closing the door with his tale Spike stepped back onto his bed letting Rarity embrace him for dear life as she cried her heart out. The dragon held her close with one arm while the other stroked her mane and back.

It took almost an entire hour before Rarity was calm enough to speak.

“He--he left me, Spike,” she sniffled loudly pressing her muzzle against his chest. “Mar-Marble Cloud….left me…,” Rarity whimpered. “He--he--he--”

“Shhh shhh shhh, calm down, Rarity. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out,” Spike kept repeating until Rarity followed his command for two or three minutes. Feeling she was calm enough he asked with barely contained rage. “Where is he?”

“Saddle Arabia, he l-left a week ago,” Rarity choked for a moment. “Th-the coward didn’t s-said to my face, h-he left a le-letter.”

Wordlessly, Spike reached for her mane and dug his hand inside her hair, after a few seconds he pulled it back holding a rolled up piece of paper. Opening it he read it:

Dear Rarity, I have no words to explain what I just did except these. I’m leaving to Saddle Arabia and I’m never coming back. The reason for this decision is made from my own guilt driven conscience, for I do not dare to break your heart further in the future. I do not love you, I never did nor ever will. My goal was to elevate my name and prestige by using your fame, bits, power and influence with the princesses to increase my own. The reason I cannot continue to do so is because, while I hold no love for you and I despise your childish viewpoint in love, I came to respect you as an equal and as such my mind couldn’t continue with my treason.

By the time you read this I’ll be most likely boarding a ship to Saddle Arabia and from there I shall move again so you may never find me. Don’t search for me for I do not care for you or your feelings, you will never hear or see me again. Don’t worry about our engagement; I have nullified it entirely and taken proper actions.

Best regards, Marble Cloud.

“Rarity,” Spike called dropping the letter. “....” He tried saying something else but words failed him, instead he decided to hold the mare of his dreams in a tight embrace. After an unknown amount time later Rarity sniffled as she let out a chortle.

“You’re t-the only constant in my *sniff* m-my life, Spike.”

“You that’s not true, Rari, what about the girls and your family and your friends? They love you as much as you love them. You don’t need a stallion when you have all of us at your side.”

“Y-you’re such *sniff* a sweetheart, Spikey Wikey,” she nuzzled his chest. “B-but I want to feel l-loved...I just...I just want somepony to love me *sniff* to treat me like a princess….I just….I just want to love...and be loved. Is th-that too much *sniff* to ask for?”

Spike hold her closer. “You’ll find somepony, Rarity, I’m sure of it. You’re the most amazing mare I know, love will come to you one day, I know it will.”

“Spike…,” Rarity looked up to him. They shared gazes for over a minute, then Rarity leaned in slowly closing her eyes. Before she could advance more than three inches something scaly and warm pressed against her lips.

“No, Rarity,” Spike sighed pressing his finger firmly. “You’re hurt and sad and angry and lonely. And you know as well as I do that I’d do anything to get that kiss you always offer me after...an incident happens. But if I accept your kiss it will destroy us, Rarity, I love you with all my heart….but I know you will never love me the same way,” he smiled at her, no pain of hurt reflecting in his eyes but rather pity. “Somewhere out there there’s a stallion waiting to meet you and fall in love with you, the real you.”

“Sp-Spike,” Rarity said trying to hold back new fresh tears.

“I’m happy as long as you’re happy, Rarity, because I’m your friend. You’re happiness is the most important thing to me and if I can't give it to you myself then the least I can do is help you find that special somepony who will,” tightening his hug he let Rarity nuzzle his chest once again. Pulling back he traced her right cheek with his hand and wiped away a few tears. “Now, let’s get you out of my bed and into the shower for a long, hot bath because, as much as I’m enjoying this moment, you reek.”

Rarity laughed in between a deep sob and nodded. “Can you...wash my mane?”

“It would be my pleasure, Rari.”

--------------------------------------------------********************************************

Spike stared at the ceiling of Rarity’s room. She was fast asleep in his embrace albeit still sweaty and her body trembling from the aftershock of their vigorous love making session. She mumbled his name in her sleep every so often. He looked at her and leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her lips which quickly curled into a smile.

“I love you, Rarity,” he whispered.

Looking at the ceiling again he let out a content sigh. He and Rarity had being together for almost a year now making their relationship official seven months after Marble Clouds departure and everything couldn’t be more perfect. Everything went off perfectly. Closing his eyes he allowed his mind to wander back in time.

“Thank you all for coming!” Marble Cloud thanked another pair of guests while he made his way to the balcony, a smoking pipe already out held by his magic. He was about to light it up when he saw a figure in the partial light of the balcony. “Ah, good evening, my friend, you must be Rarity’s dragon friend. Spike, are you not? I thought you left hours ag--gghhttt!” a strong claw grabbed him by the neck and another gripping his horn tightly cut his magic off as he was pressed against the wall next to the wooden door.

“Shut up and listen to me very carefully, Marble Cloud. I like you, I know you’re a good stallion and I know your intentions with Rarity are true, so I advise you stay calm, understand?” Spike whispered, after a few seconds Marble nodded weakly. “I love Rarity more than I love anything else in the world and I only want her happiness. Happiness I know you can give her and she deserves. So I’m going to be blunt right now.”

Spike hissed while Marble focused on his shining green slit eyes. “You are lucky she chose you to be at her side, not the other way around. You will be thankful for the chance to brighten her day every day. You will be rejoiced to hug her close at night and eventually give her the family she wants to have some day. You will love her unconditionally and will always believe completely what she tells you. If she asks you for something, you give it to her. If she gives you something you will cherish it forever,” Spike snarled.

“The mere thought of looking at another mare will never cross your mind because you have the most beautiful, talented, intelligent, sophisticated, devoted, generous and lovely mare in the world at your side. And most importantly, you will cherish her like the treasure she is ever single day from now on, do you understand?” Marble nodded slowly.

“Good, because if I ever know, and believe I will, that you make her cry in any way, except from happiness or laughter, I will hunt you down like a rabid animal. I will come for you no matter where you hide or where you squabble, nothing will protect you from my fury. Not your position, not your money, not your friends, not the princesses, not even Discord. I will tear you limb from limb if you dare to hurt Rarity in any way, understand?” Marble nodded again while tears formed in his eyes.

“Like I said before, you’re a good stallion, Marble Cloud, and I think we can be great friends as along as you keep in mind what I told you. I know you love Rarity almost as much as I do, so for your sake I hope you have the common sense to never, ever speak of our little chat that never happened. No one will believe you that sweet Spikey Wikey, scribe of princess Twilight Sparkle, adopted son of Celestia and hero of the Crystal Empire, would ever harm or threaten anypony the way I am now, not even Rarity. But, if you don’t feel worthy enough to stand at Rarity’s side then I will let you leave, run and hide and never return to Equestria. Capeesh?”

Marble closed his eyes allowing tears to run down his cheeks.

“Very good, Marble. Now, I’m going to let go and leave, just remember this little reunion never happened and never forget what I told you,” Spike hissed next to his left ear and then let him go and leaped off of the balcony.

“All according to plan,” Spike whispered to himself holding Rarity close. It was hard in the beginning and a little bit of awkward when they started dating, but both Rarity and Spike found they enjoyed it more than they would. They just clicked perfectly and each date was memorable and romantic.

Keeping his eyes shut Spike sighed contently remembering all the idiots and thieves that dared try to steal the treasure of a dragon. Most of them he didn’t had to intervene, in some cases he had to expose their lies but only one he allowed to get close enough to his beloved and help her see only he could truly make her the happiest mare in Equestria. And now she finally understood and accepted him. He kissed her lips once again and sniffing her scent.

Took me years but you’re finally here with me, Rarity, my treasure, Spike thought feeling sleep kicking in. “You’re finally mine, Rarity,” a wicked smirk adorned his lips. “It went all according to plan.”

The End.