//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Scales and Muffins // by shadowmage //------------------------------// "Hey, Twilight. I'm done with my chores for today, so I'm gonna go out for a while." Spike said. "Ok, just be back before it gets dark." Twilight replied without even looking up from her book. Spike left and was soon walking towards the market. "Hmm, I have a few bit left from my allowance. I should have enough to get a box of cupcakes." Spike thought to himself. Spike walked into SugerCube Corner and heard the chime of the door bell just as a certain pink blur moved from the kitchen to the cash register. "Hiya Spike, what brings you here today my scaly little buddy?" Pinkie Pie asked as she leaned on the counter with her usual happy grin. "Hey Pinkie, I got done with my chores early so I thought i could get a box of cupcakes and go for a walk in the park." Spike said happily. "Sorry Spike, but I just sold the last of the cupcakes. I'm making more if you wanna wait a few minutes." Spike thought for a moment and said,"Nah, Twilight would probably get mad at me for eating a whole box of cupcakes by myself. Maybe I could get a box of assorted muffins instead." "Okey dokey loki!" Pinkie Pie pulled out a box and filled it with different muffins at a speed that would make Rainbow Dash's head spin."That'll be five bits for a dozen muffins Spike." "Here ya go." Spike handed Pinkie the bits. "Thanks Pinkie. See ya." "See ya later!" Pinkie Pie said as she moved back into the kitchen to continue her cooking. Spike, with muffins in claw, made his way to his favorite park bench to enjoy his muffins. He sat down and was about to take the first bite when he heard somepony crying behind some bushes. He put the muffin away and set the box on the bench to go see who was crying. "Hey, is somepony there?" Spike asked as softly as he could. "Go away, I just wanna be alone right now." A Familiar voice said, which Spike instantly recognized as Derpy, the cross eyed mailmare. He looked into the bush and saw her. Her eyes where red and her cheeks were soaked with tears. Spike would have thought her eyes were adorable if they had not looked so sad. "Whats wrong Derpy?" She stared at the ground and didn't say anything. "Come Derpy, you're my friend. Whatever is making you upset, I wanna try to help you." "Everypony hates me." She said quietly with new tears in her eyes. "What?" "Everypony hates me! I can never do anything right! I always breaks stuff and crash into things. Ponies make fun of my eyes and tease me because I'm so clumsy." She broke down crying. Spike was at a loss for words. "How could anypony hate such a beautiful mare?" Spike though to himself, not even thinking twice about that thought as he tried to think of a way to calm her down. "What about Dinky? You know she loves you and could never hate you." "She only loves me because I'm her mom." She was crying even harder. Spike when to his backup plan and hugged her. She was surprised at first, but started to cry on his shoulder. "I could never hate you Derpy. You, are the kindest and sweetest mare I have ever met, and I actually think your eyes are... kinda cute." "Really?" Her crying had slowed to the occasional sob. "Yea, hold on a second." Spike broke the hug and returned to the bench to grab the box and returned to Derpy's side. "Here," Spike handed her the box of muffins. As soon as she opened the box her eyes widened. "Oh, thank you so much Spike!" She kissed him on the cheek. Spike froze and Derpy giggled. "Thank you for being so nice to me. Nopony has ever treated me like this." "Its no problem Derpy." They both sat together and ate the muffins. They looked up and saw the sun setting. For a few moments it was completely peaceful with only the sound of breathing and muffin munching to be heard. They turned to each other and their lips drew closer. Their lips touched hesitantly at first, then it depend. It sent sparks through their bodies. Spike didn't know what he was doing but acted on instinct and his tongue licked her lips. Her mouth opened and started to explore the young dragons mouth as Spike did the same. Neither fought for dominance as their tongues danced and swirled between them. After what seem like hours they broke the embrace, gasping for air. "Wow," Derpy said as one of her amber eyes met his emerald eyes. The other seemed to still be staring the the box of muffins. "Wow," Spike agreed not taking his eyes of of her. After a few moments they both blushed and looked back to watch the sunset. "Oh no! I gotta get home before dark or Twilight will kill me!" Spike jumped up and was about to run off when Derpy spoke up. "Wait! Do you wanna, maybe, go get something to eat with me tomorrow?" She asked hopefully with a slight blush. "You mean l-like a date?" Spikes cheeks grew a darker purple. "Sure, I-If you want." "Umm, sure. I would love to. Tomorrow afternoon then?" "Ok, I'll see you then" Derpy got up and kissed spike on the cheek once more and flew home to get ready for tomorrow. Spike thought for a moment about his feelings for Rarity. "Well, It was only a childish crush like Twilight said." Spike smiled and walked home just as Celestia's sun set and Luna's moon rose. Thinking about how his first his date with Derpy would go and the inevitable scolding he would get from Twilight for being home late. He was happier than ever and not even a mad Twilight could get him down. "I smell love in the air..." Pinkie pie said looking up from her fresh batch of cupcakes. Sniffing the air, "It smells like scales and muffins." Her smile gets a bit wider as she closes up shop for the day.