In case you're wondering why I didn't call this Change (The Train, Day 2)...just read on.

A.J.: "But we need t' tell 'em!"

F.S.: "Yes, but what if they're...kissing again?"

A.J.: "Then we'll wait for 'em to finish!"

P.P.: "Ugh! I can't believe this!"

T.S.: "Come on, Pinkie, it's not that bad-"

P.P.: "Yes, it is! Only seven days on the party train?"

T.S.: "Party train? Love train is more like it..."

P.P.: "Good one! I've got to write that down...hold on...just...ugh! I can't reach the keyboard! Just...move your hands! Fine, type it in for me!"

Note to self: 'Party Train? Love train is more like it...' is a good joke.

P.P.: "There..."

T.S.: "Uh...what was that?"

F.S.: "No. We can't!"

A.J.: "If anything, we just close the screens!"

F.S.: "...Fine...If you really want to..."

A.J.: "Ah do!"

F.S.: "Alright...I'll open them..."

P.P.: "I took a mental note!"

T.S.: "Why did you say 'mental' with emphasis?"

P.P.: "Whoops! Typo! Lemme fix that...nope, no can do!"

T.S.: "Pinkie Pie, what are you talking about!?"

P.P.: "I'm sorry, what?"

Peter: "Just remember the good things, Rainbow Dash. Don't forget the ad, but don't dwell on them either...try to remember all the fun you had with your parents, and how much they cared for you..."

R.D.: "But...I can't remember anything of my father..."

Peter: "You have his dying wish. Because he made that dying wish, you know that he loved you, and loves you."

R.D.: "But...he's dead!"

Peter (whispering): "Fluttershy, a little privacy, please?"

F.S. (whispering): "Oh, my...of course..."

A.J.: "Uh...sere they kissin' again?"

F.S.: "...Yes..."

A.J.: "Alright, then...we'll check back in on 'em later."

T.S.: "Pinkie, start making sense!"

P.P.: "What, and be like that drag Pinkamena in 'Discord, PhD.'?"

T.S.: "What!?"

P.P.: "Wow. Subtle way to advertise your other story."

Well, I do what I can...

T.S.: "Okay, forget it! Discord has a PhD., and I'm perfectly sane !"

P.P.: "Uh, Twilight? Are you...okay?"

T.S.: "Pinkie yes why!"

P.P.: "Uh...okay..."

Peter: "Humans believe that, after someone dies, their soul moves on to Heaven, or some equivalent, depending on their faith. Except for Atheists. Anyway, in Heaven, you can watch over your loved ones. and, I'm sure that your mother and father are smiling down at you right now. If they could talk to you, they would tell you how proud they are..."

R.D.: "P...proud? But...I dropped out of Flight School! My mom was so...disappointed...and no doubt, my dad would be too..."

Peter: "No, he wouldn't. You are a wonderful young mare, and believe me when I say that your parents will always love you, and will be proud of you, no matter what you do."

F.S.: "Anyway...now that we only have seven days on the train...what do you want to do in Manehattan?"

A.J. :"Oh, definitely go to a buckin' contest...Besides Big Mac, Ah'm the best bucker in Equestria!"

F.S.: "Teeheehee..."

A.J.: "Uh, what's so funny, Fluttershy?"

F.S.: "Oh, nothing...it's just...you're not very...modest when it comes to...bucking, are you?"

A.J.: "Ugh, Fluttershy...you know Ah didn't mean it like that! Ah'm still surprised that, out of all of us, you have the dirtiest mind...."

F.S.: "Why's that, Applejack?"

A.J.: "Well, yer' so...quiet."

F.S.: "And?"

A.J.: "Well...never mind..."

T.S.: "Book want to read my?"

P.P.: "Uh...what book?"

T.S.: "Growth dragon it spurts on is."

P.P.: "Uh, no thanks..."

T.S.: "Why pouring shoulder before over then my?"

P.P.: "Okay, I've had it. I'm out. I've had it. I'm done. I'm out."

Oh. You're out?

Yep. I'm out. Just press ctrl+z, would you?

Gladly.

P.P.: "I'm in."

T.S.: "On what?"

P.P.: "Oh, nothing!"

T.S.: "...Uh...okay, then..."

R.D.: "Thanks, Peter..."

Peter: "You're welcome..."

R.D.: "Hey, if we end up getting really drunk in Manehattan, and I do something...stupid...you'll still love me, right?"

Peter: "No matter what. I love you, Dashie, and that's not about to change."

R.D.: "You didn't hesitate at all..."

Peter: "Why would I? I love you, and I'll always love you, and that's the honest and full truth."

R.D.: "It's just...I...I can't handle people being disappointed in me...I mean, I drove my mom to alcoholism, because I dropped out of school..."

Peter: "Don't say that. Don't ever say that. You could never drive your parents to alcoholism. You mother loved you more than anything, and still loves you, up in Heaven."

R.D.: "But...then why didn't she come home from work? Ever!? Even after my dad died..."

Peter: "She was probably doing it for the money. Without your father, it must've been so difficult to send you to Flight School."

R.D.: "...I...I never thought of that..."

Peter: "Now, you said something about getting bullied in Flight School...do you wanna talk about it?"

R.D.: "Well...I've gotten over it...ever since I won the Young Best Flier competition last year, I've been feeling a lot better about myself..."

Peter: "You won the Young Best Flier competition? I have no idea what it is, but it sounds big."

R.D.: "It's all of the best fliers from around Equestria, and Celestia watches over it...and the winner gets to spend the day with the Wonderbolts..."

Peter: "Yet again, your parents would be so proud of you."

R.D.: "Thanks..."

Peter: "I'm proud of you, too."

R.D.: "Thanks, Peter...I want you to know that...you're the first one I ever told about my parents...I told everypony that my uncle was my father, and that my mother was always busy...I just...I just love you, Peter..."

Peter: "I love you too, Dashie..."

R.D.: "Let's...let's relax for a bit, okay? I just...I just need to think for a bit...about everything you said..."

Peter: "Alright. Let's."

T.S.: "Oh, look! Apparently, Spike will become an amazing dragon, as growth spurts brought about by love bring out the best of dragons!"

P.P.: "Cool! Well...I've got to...do something. Bye!"

T.S.: "Uh...okay then..."

A.J.: "So, Fluttershy, what're y'all goin' to do?"

F.S.: "I'm going to try to set up a double date between Rarity, Spike, Peter, and Rainbow Dash."

A.J.: "Oh, mah...that's a great idea, Fluttershy."

F.S.: "Thanks..."

A.J.: "Ah just can't wait t' get to Manehattan..."

F.S.: "Wait a second...if we're a day away from Manehattan...won't we arrive there...tomorrow?"

A.J.: "Uh...yeah...hold on...Twilight?"

T.S.: "Yes?"

A.J: "Fluttershy just broguht up a good point...if we're a day away from Manehattan, and we're startin' back because of the construction, won't we arrive...tomorrow?"

T.S.: "...Maybe...maybe we're passing Manehattan and looping back around?"

F.S.: "Or...maybe we're not going to Manehattan?"

The two Pegasi stared at each other, bewildered, ignoring the crying filly.

"So, wait...we're going on a paid vacation...to the Las Haygas Tower de Celestia...courtesy of Princess Celestia herself!?"

Sonic Tragedy nodded, simply staring at the signature, and the note that it was simply a random pick from a hat.

"This...this sucks!"

"Why?"

"Because Rainbow Dash was going to be in Manehattan! But now, we're going to miss her, because we'll be on a train for the next five days, and then in Las Haygas for the next two weeks! I'm missing the chance of a lifetime! I mean, I doubt she remembers me...I only went to Flight School for a year before...yeah..."

Wave Rider nodded, not wanting to remind her friend of her abusive father.

"We don't know if we're going yet, Sonic. I mean, Sea Breeze is too young..."

"You didn't read the whole letter. They're going to make special arrangements for Sea Breeze to stay with Celestia."

Wave Rider stopped cold, the cup she was touching suddenly covered in frost. She quickly pulled back her...strange powers. She sighed, looking at her hoof with a detached air...

Two years ago, she had met Sonic Tragedy, after just being handed a small foal by somepony named 'Burning Breeze'. The two of them started talking, and eventually let slip both of their powers:

While Wave Rider couldn't walk on clouds, despite being a Pegasus, she could walk on waves, and even freeze the water she stood on. And Sonic Tragedy, using her rather oddly shaped wings, could make a sonic blast that sent ponies flying, and shattered glass. They quickly banded together, and were living next door to each other. They frequently used their powers to manipulate the waves, and make a great day for surfing.

"Wait...how can this be a 'pick out of a hat'? I mean, they know Sea Breeze is here..."

"She's Celestia! She knows everything!"

Sonic Tragedy's ear twitched slightly, the missing bit from the right ear leaving it sensitive to the air's gentle touch.

"I guess you're right...I think we should check it out first, in all honesty...it all seems...too perfect..."

Sonic Tragedy nodded, and picked up the letter, flipping it over.

"It says here that Celestia's own guards will arrive here to take us to the train! We need to get packed, and fast! I'll meet you back here in two hours, okay?"

"Alright, Sonic. And, don't worry, we'll always have another chance to see Rainbow Dash."

The Pegasus nodded sadly, but left all the same, nevertheless eager to depart for Las Haygas.

Peter: "So...we're going to be on this train...for five more days, instead of...I'm not good at snap ma-twelve?"

T.S.: "Uh, what?"

Peter: "No, I'm tired, and...buwelbapop."

R.D.: "Peter? Are you...okay?"

Peter: "Yeah, I think I just need to have a...lie down...y'know...light headed...no food for a..."

R.D.: "...I think he just passed out."

P.P.: "Oh, boy! He must be so tired!"

R.D.: "Yeah, no kidding. Then again, he did almost fall asleep before you guys opened the screens, so, yeah..."

F.S.: "Aww..."

R.D.: "...Uh...if you guys don't mind me saying so, it's just a bit weird to have all of you watching Peter sleep...and me, too..."

T.S.: "Oh, right, sorry...c'mon, girls, let's give them some privacy..."

A.J.: "No funny business."

R.D.: "I know. I don't do funny business, and neither does Peter."

A.J.: "Alright. Ah'm trustin' y'all."

R.D.: "Good."

The screens came down, and Rainbow Dash kissed the sleeping human on the cheek, smiling up at him as she descended into sleep.

"Good night, Peter..."

An hour after she had left, Sonic Tragedy walked back into Wave Rider's house, struggling under the luggage.

"Hey, let me help you with that."

"Thanks, Wave..."

"No problem, Sonic."

They sat on each of their bags, re-reading the letter.

"Hey, wait...it says here that a guard will arrive tomorrow!"

Wave Rider smiled at Sonic Tragedy, knowing full well what her friend was about to do.

"You know what? Stay the night. You went through all the trouble of lugging your luggage over here. I'll set up the futon for you, okay?"

The Pegasus nodded, grinning as she did.

"Thanks!"

That night, neither of them slept, but, rather, listened to the wave, Wave Rider wondering why everything seemed to happen to them...

First that Burning Breeze colt gives me his baby sister, and now, we're going on paid vacation? Courtesy of Celestia?

She sighed, and deigned to deal with it in the morning, as the moon was now waning its waxy light.

Spike shifted in his sleep, questioning himself.

If Rarity is hurt...how can I defend her?

I can be there for her...I can hold her...

But I'm only a baby dragon! I can't hold her!

I will. No matter how small I am, I will.

But what if she's attacked?

I have fire.

But what if fire won't work?

I can try.

But I want to do more than just try...

How can I fight for her...as a baby?

I can...

Breathe fire.

Not good enough.

I can bite.

Baby teeth.

I can kick and punch.

Baby legs. Baby feet. Baby arms. Baby claws.

How can I fight for her...with the tools of a child?

In ancient dragon culture, a testament of love was to defend one's mate. A mate was chosen at childhood, and a day of questions would ensue. The longer the young dragon took to find the answer, the less likely he was to have the dragon he chose as a mate. Luckily for Spike, the answer came after eight hours, around midnight, about two hours after Peter had passed out (unbeknownst to him.)

I can change...I can forge the tools of a child...into the weapons of a dragon, and hone the mind of a child into the sharp, precise mind of a dragon...

His eyes opened, and he howled in ecstasy as his limbs stretched instantaneously, his bones, veins, and skin multiplied in size, his torso changed, his body re-arranged.

His flat, round tongue licked at his pearly white teeth, the fangs retracted. They hissed as they came out to form a menacing smile. He brought them back in, and examined his claws-elegant, purple claws, with sharp ends that could be gentle, or covered with the blood of those who dared to hurt Rarity. He sat up, his scales whispering as he met the eyes of blue concern. He smiled, and placed a digit under Rarity's chin, careful not to graze her neck with a claw.

"I can defend you now, Rarity..."

"Spike...you're..."

He waited for her to complete her statement, as the first thing that he thought, he ensured stayed a thought.

Deadly.

"You've changed...are you still the same dragon? You know...in there?"

She placed a hoof to his heart, and then to his temple. His heart melted.

I'm not deadly...I'm able to defend, and to keep safe...

"Yes. I think...Rarity, I honestly don't know...all I know is that I can defend you now, and keep you safe..."

And that that, doesn't matter.

"And I can hold you tight, and kiss you, and hug you, and love you as a pony would love you."

Rarity smiled, and kissed Spike on a rough, scaly cheek.

"You haven't changed...not at all...at least, in there..."

She kissed him a gain, and cozied up to him, rubbing her coat against his magnificent scales. Spike wrapped his arm around her, and closed his eyes, ignoring the six other pairs of eyes staring at him in awe.

In reference to Drøm Mester...
DTD.
Also, guess where I'm sending the mane 6, and company, to now!