Twilight Sparkle is really really bored. She tries to find a way to not be so bored. Gross rationalization of injustice ensues.

Twilight and Spike grew up and did everything together since forever. But following the events of Magical Mystery Cure, Twilight is now a princess. She grew up first. Spike realizes he needs to catch up, and so makes a choice to do the same.

All the while, there is a secret, one that involves Princess Celestia, our favorite little dragon, and a certain sense of heritage.

Ten years ago: the coronation of Princess Twilight Sparkle, the goddess of knowledge and power occurred. One year later, Spike the Dragon disappeared. Twilight Sparkle was broken. With the help of her fellow princess and bearers, as well as all of Equestria, she seems to have accepted the loss of her best friend.

On the nine year anniversary though, she, three other Bearers and Luna make a trip to the Western Badlands. Their mission? To get to Blackwater City, and arrive at an international political convention. However, things are turned upside down when they find out that their escort across the Badlands is the "Dragon Outlaw", Spike. However, he is not the same innocent child as before. Even though he is still biologically a child, the harsh world of the Badlands has forced him to grow up fast. Can Twilight help bring him back to her, or have the Badlands claimed his life as it has so many others? After all, once an outlaw, always an outlaw.

Female dragons lay the eggs, and the males take over from there. So when Spike finds a dead male dragon with an egg, instincts kick in. There's no way he's going to let the hatchling die. However, the unhatched egg brings some questions into light. Who is Spike? How was Twilight able to hatch him? Where did Spike come from and where is his father? The answers to these question, along with raising a baby dragon, may cost Spike everything.

[img]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/242/3/9/mlp__a_dragon_s_nest_by_yaoi0yuri0rules-d6kcdq1.png[/img]
(Original dragon creator by wyndbain. DeviantART of wyndbain)

Big Macintosh goes on strike when he sees he's the one doing all the heavy lifting and harder work at Sweet Apple Acres while his sisters frolic. His idea catches fire throughout Ponyville, and soon every stallion is up in arms! Sexism explodes in the tiny town, it's Stallions on Strike!

The Elements of Harmony kick back, and enjoy a calm evening on Applejack's patio. Eventually, the conversation ends up on the topic of their... decks.

Inspired by a skit done by Blue Collar TV.

Warning: There is a lot of malapropism used in this fic.

A well-grown Spike is sent to Dodge Junction under Twilight's instruction to retrieve Applejack, who is once again refusing to return to Ponyville. There, Spike encounters a malicious outlaw. Spike decides to take action and face the outlaw once and for all.

(Inspired by 'Blue Steel Railway' by Writer. Go and read it, seriously, don't even bother with this one.)

(Also, the image used does not necessarily reflect the story, but you'd be surprised how difficult it is to find an image of Spike as an awesome badass.)

Spike is different. Derpy is.....well different. But love is there all the same. Will they break under the prussure and negativity or will they handle things Differently.

Spike finally decides to reveal his feelings for the pony he cares about, and nothing could possibly be better.

This isn't exactly full of a huge amount of conflict, it's mostly a sappy lovey dovey romance story for one of the cutest ships I've ever seen, because I'm a big sap and sucker.

Also if you're looking for the more... "spicy" scenes. They can be located here.

Cover art is My Little Spikey Wikey by Alexusprime, thanks to Deep Pond for pointing that out.

The land of Equestria has been turned into a desert wasteland. And it's all Twilight Sparkle's fault! Dubbed the Cursed One by all ponykind, Twilight must now live in hiding to keep herself alive. Even her once close pony friends have abandoned her. The only one by her side is her number one assistant, Spike, who has becomes a gun wielding badass bounty hunter to keep her safe.

This story has no connection with what I call my TwiMacVerse. I've actually had this idea for a while. This also doesn't use anything from Season 3 as it has just started.

WARNING: This story contains some violence and strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.

Also I'm aware that this image of Spike won't match the description of him in the story. It was the coolest pic of him I could find at the time. If someone wants to draw him in a more cowboy style, go for it and send me a link and I just might make it the new cover pic. ^_^

Cover art by John Joesco