“I am sorry sir; we don’t have any rooms available at the present time.  If you would like though, I am sure there are a rooms available at the Silver Fox Inn just a few miles south of Ponyville,” the mare cooed in her receptionist voice.

The stallion sighed as he passed through the bi-paneled glass doors of the Inn. “For being such a small village, this place is pretty popular,” the stallion grumbled to himself.  His eyes had darkened several shades since the early hours of the morning. The sun had drifted its way into the sky, much to dismay of the dragon-winged pegasus.

He tighten the strap the held his personals, several notepads, a tooth brush, cleaning products, and an odd elongated writing quill that had been designed just for him. The sun had long since been covered by clouds that the pegasi had been shuttling across the skies since daybreak.  The hustle and bustle of the town surrounded him with the occasional wave and smile from townsfolk, although the novelty of it was lost when the same reaction was given to everypony.

Gary’s eyes drifted from side to side as he scanned the area looking for his next destination. It should be around here somewhere, this town isn’t that big.  The streets slowly began to disperse.  Pony after pony left the area for home, or a shop of some sort of place to bunker down for the storm that was coming.

Then it struck him, a single solitary drop that landed on the tip of his snout.  Then another, and another, until the ground was now completely darkened with the rain. The pegasus covered his head with his wings, making a makeshift umbrella. “I knew I should have waited at that inn. Well it could be worse, there could be lighting.”

A loud thunderous crack overtook the sky and a lightning bolt struck a nearby oak. “Just my luck,” Gary mumbled as the tree crack, and started to fall straight in his direction.

Buck.

The world became blue hue for the stallion as he was blindsided, the force of the blow shot the stallion over several feet.  He skittered to a halt as his tracks slid in the mud, taking no damage from the devastating blow.

It took a moment for the stallion’s eyes to focus in through the torrential downpour; under the foliage was a pegasus with a rainbow mane. Her coat now covered in brambles and mud, who was now trying to unearth herself from the tremendous oak.

“Are you alright?!” shouted the mare trapped under the log.

No way... Starry? It cant be... The stallion slowly trotted up to the trapped pegasus, he ignored her question.  He tapped the oak twice, and looked at the mare. What was i thinking, there is no way she would be here.

“Hey buddy I could use a hoof here,” Dash said to the stallion who was still examining the mare.

A small smile, it was slowly building bigger and bigger.  He tried to hold it in, but even for the stallion of his caliber, the overwhelming irony of it took hold. He started to laugh.

Oh but this was no normal laugh, this was a gut busting, eyes closed, fall on his side laughing to the point of agony. The stallion held his sides in hopes of catching himself, but his eyes fell back to the mare under the tree.  He pounded his hoof on the mud, as he rolled in the murky puddles in a legitimate attempt to stop his fit.

“Hey are you going to help me or not, can’t you move a simple tree?” Rainbow Dash complained. “Or are you so fan struck by my brilliance that you can’t muster the strength.”

The stallion finally got up. “I’m sorry, it’s just I never been saved before. Like ever, normally I am the one coming to the rescue.  So what may I ask is the name of my would-be hero?”

Dash deadpanned, “Can we save this until after you get this tree off me, or can’t you buck a log a foot over?”

“Can I move a log, wow, just… wow. Yah I think I can move this log,” He said as he put a single hoof on the log. “But, i'm feeling lazy, so I'll burn it.”

The stallion’s eyes lit up in a bright white light, his mane set aflame down to his tail.  The dirt around the area dried instantly, leaving hot vapor to rise from the ground.  The downpour that was entrenching them now evaporated back into the air several feet about the pair.  The tree was encompassed in a bright flash, no heat dispersed. The tree burned away into nothingness, not even leaving ash in its wake.  All that was left was a mare who was covered in dry dirt, and a mouth that was dangerously close to being unhinged.

“How in the world did you do that?” The mare left momentarily unanswered as the stallion’s eyes returned to its normal green hue.  The dome that was protecting the duo now dispersed and the calm of the soothing rain enveloped the two again.

Dash found herself under the black velvet wing of the stallion, “Can you stand?”

“Yah I can stand, I am the one that saved you remember.”  The mare jumped, she let out a little yelp as she stretched out her wing.  Her left wing was now pointing towards her ear.  She bit her lower lip as the nerves reacted to the sudden moment. Her eyes caught the expression on the stallion’s face, “hey this is nothing compared to what i have been through, don’t worry about it.”

…… Don’t worry about it……

……………………. Don’t worry about it…………………..

………………………………………… Don’t worry about it…………………………

“Don’t worry about it Gar-bear, it will heal in no time. Just you wait.”

Gary shook his head as he examined the wound, from the base of the joint was obvious signs of severe tearing.  The feathers were long since bent and render useless.  Her primaries didn’t take any damage, but were a far cry away from being flight ready.

It took but a second before he could snap back to his senses; he quickly looked around, searching for a perfect location.  It was easy to spot; it was the only dry area around.  A pink and white gazebo that had been set up for hearts and hooves day for the upcoming weeks.  “Let’s go over there and I'll tend to your wing.”

Dash looked over to the gazebo, and took two steps back. “Hey buddy; there is no pony way I am going in there with you. I am not into that kind of mushy stuff.”

Oh for the love of….

Gary trotted slowly to Dash; she couldn’t read the blank expression on his face, what she did notice though was his dripping wet mane that fell against his sides in the down pour. It glided her vision down to the stallion’s chest, the tightly woven muscles below his coat that rippled like a well-oiled machine in the rain.

“S-stay back, I am warning you. I know karate,” she warned.

The stallion continued to walk towards her; she stopped, or more precisely her body stopped for her.  She tried to move, her mind told it too. It didn’t listen, on the contrary, it was about to move forward, until Gary was now a mere inch away from her.

She looked into his forest greens eyes and was nearly estranged. “S-stop, I-I am warning you,“ she said half heartedly. The closer his muzzle got to hers, the more the tiny capped wellspring that had long since been dormant slowly started to blossom. Her lips began to quiver as he felt his breath just centimeters away from her wanting lips.

Crack.

The force of the blow was enough to stagger the mare as he slammed his forehead into hers.

:Three minutes forty two seconds later:

Rainbow Dash’s eyes fluttered open, and then fell again.  It took a moment for her to mentally regain her bearings, she tried again.  This time to more success, she was four feet off the ground laying down on four thick pink planks. Picnic table?

She wanted to move, but the warmth that was taking over her body was far too pleasant to even consider the action.  

“I’m glad you're awake, I don't want to carry you to the hospital after I just healed you.  That would be pretty redundant.” Gary said.

All the calm and peace left her body as the voice of her assailant rang in her ears.  She whipped her head to the side; her eyes irises widden to the size of saucers.

Her damaged wing was encompassed in a bright blue flame, it didn’t burn nor was there any heat at all. She watched the flame consume her broken wing; the torn skin was slowly sealing itself, burning away the blood that had started to seal outside of the wound.  Her bent feathers burned away only for new ones to fully grow back the moment their predecessors left.

Gary focused intently on his task.

“H-how did you do that?” she stuttered.

The stallions smile faded as he looked away from the mare. “It’s just a trick I picked up from a bird, very annoying, and selfish, ugly wastes of place of a bird,” he said bitterly.

Even Dash and her lack of picking on concept clues knew now to avoid that line of questioning. “So… thanks I guess. We are even, I saved you, and you healed me. We are all square right?”

Gary let out a small chuckle. “Yah we are square.” He said as he sat there petting her now mended wing, a tiny blue flame glided across her feathers.  The flame dispersed soon after, but continued to pet the wing making she that there was no loose ends that he might have forgotten.

She looked at the stallion who was almost completely enthralled with her wing. “Hey buddy, you almost done.  I don’t want anypony to see us in here they might get the wrong idea.  I have an image to keep around these parts.”

The stallion ignored her as she continued to pet her wing, putting pressure in different spots as he checked and rechecked his work. The rain was the only sound the two could hear; nopony was around to see them.  She knew this well, but she was still nervous.

“Hey, you’re not one of those weirdos that have a feather fetish, you’re not even rubbing the right part of the wing.”

Gary stopped and looked at the mare. “Yes, I set this all up just so I could sit here and try to give you a wingboner.”

Dash’s eyes widen, “Really?”

“No, not really, you're not my type.”

Dash was taken back. “What do you mean I’m not your type? I am everypony's type. I’m Rainbow Dash, ace flyer extraordinaire.”

“Well I am Gary Stu, just Gary Stu.”

“Oh and what makes you so special, I will have you know I have stallions lining up for miles just to see me.  You should feel honored being so close.”

“What makes me special?” Gary raised a hoof to his chin, “Well let’s see, for starters I can incinerate whole trees. Wait… I am not getting into this; I have already wasted enough time.”

Dash dropped the subject as even she queued into the intent in his voice, “You're homeless, that’s rare around here.  I think you would do well as a nurse with that blue flame thingy or at least a boxer with that head-butt of yours,” she joked trying to lighten the mood.

The stallion sighed, “I am not homeless, I was looking for a place to rent for a few months due to some personal matters and every single place in town is booked solid for the next two months.”

Dash snorted, “Of course, there is Hearts and Hooves day coming up, then the spring frolic.  Not to mention the huge dance party Pinkie Pie is throwing, and I will tell you she knows how to throw a party.”

Gary’s head hit the table, “I will never get anywhere on my book at this rate, I might as well shack up in the next town and commute here.”

Dash’s eye twitched. “You’re an author? Why didn’t you say so, I have a friend show is renting out her basement. Both of you are eggheads, I am sure she will say yes.”

- - -

“No.”

“Ahh, c’mon Twilight.  I know you’re hurting on bits, and this guy is an author.” Dash said as the trio sat and enjoyed a cup of warm tea. Except Dash who was drinking milk.

“I am willing to pay you well for your room, I cook for myself and I am meticulously clean.”

Twilight sighed as she looked upstairs, “Well, it’s not just me living here Dash; there is Spike who has been pulling all-nighters since Owlicious left for his mating season.  Not to mention little Peewee and you know how she is around strangers.

Just on cue as her name was called the tiny phoenix made herself known.  Gary nearly froze as every fiber of his being wanted to strike down the infant phoenix, ending its existence. Just as quickly as it came, it left.  His nerves calmed as the tiny phoenix sat on Twilight’s shoulder.

“So this must be Peewee, what a cute… birdie,” he said as he tried not to let his words betray him.

Twilight nodded as she set a tiny cracker on her shoulder, “Spike saved her a while back. We tried to bring her back to her habitat, but she wanted to stay.”

“I see,..” Gary said as his eyes never left the tiny bird.

“C’mon Twilight, remember the time I took care of Spike for a week while you were away in Canterlot,”

The same throbbing pain started to work over inside her mind as it always does when she tried to understand Dash logic. “Yes, then there was the time you woke me out of a sound sleep and forced to dress me in cosplay to buy a book you were to afraid to get yourself.”

Dash chuckled and she fumbled with her milk, “What are you talking about Twilight, I would never be caught dead at a book release. Those places are for eggheads.” She sipped her milk, taking a side glance over to the stallion whose focus to her was resting on Twilight. More precisely, the bird resting on her shoulder.

Why is he looking at her like that… why do I care?

Twilight’s focus shifted between her friend and her potential renter.

Why is Dash looking at him like that, does she like him? Impossible, Dash only likes mares, I think. Why is he looking at me like that, if he thinks he is going to try to woo me because of the frolic coming up, this pony has another thing coming.  That must be it; Dash has never taken an interest in a stallion before, this is a weird act of loyalty even for her.  So she is trying to get this random stallion to woo me, well Dash two can play this game.  I bet this guy isn’t even a real author.

Peewee and Gary were in their own world, Gary only thoughts were on the bird that was in front of him. The tiny phoenix however had other plans, it took flight again.  Although this time it landed on the shoulder of the stallion who wished nothing more than the irreversible death of the tiny creature.

I swear to Celestia if you don’t get off of me I will be having you for dinner, don’t think I won’t.

All arguing between the mares stopped as they watched Peewee nuzzle against the black mane of the stallion.

“Awwwwwww.” The mares said in unison.

“You know, Gary, I am sure if Peewee likes you so will Spike.” Twilight said cheerfully as her motherly instinct was completely taken over in the moment of adorableness.

I swear bird your life is mine by the end of the night.

“You mean it Twi?” Dash said with a growing smile.

She nodded, “Yes, but its six hundred bits a month, plus food expenditures.  Also…“ She looked intently at Gary, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t want you going upstairs, the only things up there is my bedroom.  You know full well that the frolic is coming up and I don’t need a stallion wondering about where others might make suggestions.”

Gary blew the bird off of his shoulder as it fluttered on to Rainbow Dash, who was sitting unnaturally close. “You don’t have to worry about that, I am here just to research Ponyville for my new book.  You won’t see me very much.”

Twilight raised a brow, “You do look familiar, what kind of books have you written.”

Gary looked up, “Oh I write books for foals and young mares and colts. I doubt a mare of caliber has read anything I have written.”

Twilight felt the redness in her cheeks grow at the unexpected compliment. “Thank you, but you must have written other stuff haven’t you?”

Gary looked around on the shelves, his trained eye looking for some of his other works. “I don’t see anything that you may have read,” I doubt either of these two know about Daring Do.  His eye fell on a familiar binding. “There on the top shelf, Slumber 101.”

Twilight nearly swallowed her tongue, “Oh, my, gosh.  I love that book; it’s a fantastic reference guide.”

Gary nodded, “That is one of my favorite books, I wrote it for my little sister Selfie and her friends when we were living in Canterlot. Although, when she actually used it I found myself in curlers with mud mask on my face. Took weeks for my mane to straighten out again.”

The two talked for almost forty minutes on the book, Dash had long since lost interest in the nonsensical yammering of the two. She however found herself looking back at the stallion, first it was just to look at the odd wing structure.

Draconic wings were a first for her, they looked light and the fabric like material they were made of felt like velvet.  They were real; she could see the veins and nerves that ran down his wings when the light hit it just right.

I wonder if I could fly faster if I had wings like those. The Wonderbolts would take me in an instant if I could fly faster; I did win the young flyers completion after all.

“Hey Gary, how did you get those wings?” Dash said out of the blue.

The duo looked that the pegasus whom they both had thought given up on the conversation.

Twilight’s eyes widened in disbelief, “Dash that is really rude, you shouldn’t pry into other ponies personals like that.”

Gary raised a dismissing hoof, “Don’t be, a curious mind is always welcomed. Besides this isn’t the first time I have been asked this.”

The door began to open, slowly; no pony noticed it open as the scaly feet of the residential dragon opened the door.

Gary proudly displayed his wings at full mast.  The pegasus found her face growing flush as her mind traced the outline of his wings and slowly glided down to his flank, and onto his bunny cutie mark.

Spike looked over to the guest, as he tried to wipe away the tears that had been falling only moment before.

“My great grandfather was a dragon.”

In that moment, Spike looked up at his new best friend.

:30 minutes before Carousel Boutique:

It was the third time Spike gave a longing sigh as he gathered yet another bolt from the rack that seems to hold every possible color.

“Spike dear, can you get me some more pins for this.  I don’t want Mary’s dress to have a cross stitch over the lace seam.” In the air floated several different colored threads that hung in in place as the needles worked their magic down the seam.

“I don’t see why you don’t just give back her bits; you have been working on this dress for almost three weeks.”

Rarity sighed as she released the magic that held the materials, she slumped against the desk. “It’s not like I don’t just want to give it back, if I could I would just give it back and be done with this whole assorted affair.  I, however, already spent the bits.  I know she will still love her dress even if it is a little bit late.

Spike was already at his maiden’s side, he longed for moments like this.  For her to show him her softer, more vulnerable side, “I know business has been slow, but things will pick up.”

Rarity looked up, her bright sparkling blue eyes that could take the poor dragon’s soul if only she asked. “Thank you Spikey Wikey; you know just what to say to make me feel better.”

The dragon blushed as he rubbed the green scales on his back, ”Ah thank Rarity, you know I would do just about anything to make you feel better.”

Rarity smiled those pearly whites of her, and he just melted. “I know you would Spike, that is why you're one of my best FRIENDS.”

The word struck a chord inside the young dragon; it was a bittersweet feeling that ran over him. “Yah, I know I am.  I was actually wondering…” Spike’s voice started to crack. “If you wanted to…” he could feel his heart beginning to race.

C’mon Spike, you can do this.  You practiced a million times in front of the mirror.

“Willyoupleasegooutwithme.”

Rarity raised a brow, “Say what now?”

“Will, you ah, go out, with… me?”

Rarity was at a loss for words, even she knew of the tiny dragon’s feelings.  They were not a secret, well Spike thought it was, but everyone in town knew about it.  It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that. Still she never expected her young suitor to actual gather the courage to actually do anything about it.

“Spike,” she started in a motherly tone. “I am really flattered that you feel that way.”

No…

“You see though, when a mare and a stallion love each other very much.”

Please don’t say it.

“I am sorry Spike; you really are the sweetest dragon.  I just need a stallion, I want to have a foal someday and I can’t… with you. Please, I hope you understand…”

The dragon didn’t hear the rest of his rejection speach, the worst part of it all it felt rehearsed.  Like she herself knew it was coming and prepped his rejection in advance. He tore out through the front door, almost slamming into a young white coated filly.

Sweetie Bell walked past the front door, a sheepish grin on her face.  “Hi sis, what are you doing and why was Spike running out of here?”

The seamstress mare now slumped even further on her work table. “Nothing Sweetie, just finishing up some loose threads that needed to be cut.”

Sweetie looked back at the door, “Oh, so you rejected him.  That’s not very nice sis, you could at least gone on a date with him.”

Rarity huffed, “Please, Sweetie Bell I dont want to talk about it,” she waved a dismissing hoof.  “How was your day at school?”

The tiny filly sat on her flank in the middle of the floor as she tried to piece together the correct wording. “Well it was interesting, we got a new girl in class today.  She is kind of shy though.”

Rarity registered little interest in the subject as she went back to the dress. “Thats nice dear, what is her name?”

“Selfie, and she doesnt have her cutie mark either. We invited her to play with us after school, but she said her sister was going to pick her up.” Sweetie Bell said.

“That’s nice, glad you're making more friends,” she said in a monotone voice as she focused on her work.

“Rarity can i ask you a question?”

“You know you can ask me anything daring.” Rarity managed to must a sisterly tone as she worked on the bottom hem.

“How do you know if a colt has a crush on you?” Next Chapter: Selfie's First Day of School Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 10 Minutes