//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Spike's wings 
// by valkyrie95 
//------------------------------//

	It was the day after Spike, Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash returned the dragon migration.  The newly hatched phoenix was getting flying lessons from Owlicious, and Spike was walking around Ponyville.  Even though it had been a few days since the dragons flew over ponyville, their was still a lot of talk about it.  Spike would over hear ponies talking about how they were amazed at the dragon’s wing spans, amazing speed, and flying maneuvers.  Spike looked over his shoulders wondering why so many dragons like him had wings, but he didn’t.  This thought never bothered him before, but after seeing all the other dragons he began to wonder.  He started walking back to the library in which he lived with Twilight.
Spike started searching the shelves for anything with a promising title.  Twilight walked down from the second floor wondering what Spike was looking for.
“What are you looking for Spike?”  Twilight asked startling Spike who had yet to notice her.  He fell off the ladder he was standing on before Twilight startled him.  He stood up rubbing his shoulder.
“Ow, hay Twilight; I’m just looking for a book that might tell me why I don’t have wings.”  Said Spike
“But Spike we went through all the books the other day, they don’t have any information on dragons.”
“Oh yea.”  Spike said slumped over sad looking at the ground.
“But I think I just remembered some pony who might know something.”  Twilight said with a thoughtful look on her face.
“Who?”  Spike said exited.
“Follow me.”  Twilight said walking out the door with Spike following
“For a dragon raised with or without greed, to grow some wings the heart you must feed.”  Said Zecora.
“Please tell me I don’t have to drink blood?”  Spike said startled at the thought.
“No you wont, will he?”  Twilight said to Spike, then asking Zecora.
“No it is love in which I speak, love of more than a kiss on the cheek.”  Zecora said.
“So if Spike wants wings he needs a girlfriend?”  Twilight asked.
“A girlfriend!”  Spike said.
“A love shared by both, and a kiss to help the growth.”  Zecora said.
“Maybe you can talk to Rarity.”  Twilight suggested with a small laugh.
“But I still don’t know if she likes me back the same way.”  Spike said looking at the grownd trying to hide his blushing face.
“Your heart will lead you where you need to be, but to remember that the path may turn and twist is key.”  Zecora just before Spike and Twilight left.
“Thank you for your help Zecora.”  Twilight said as she walked out the door.
With Spike on her back, Twilight approached her library and greeted Derpy Hooves as she was dropping off the mail.
“Hello Derpy how have you been lately?”  Said Twilight
“I’v been good, oh and here.”  Derpy replied as she turned her head to grab a few letters from her saddle bag.  She held out two envelopes and a scroll.
“Thank you.”  Twilight said as she grabbed them with her unicorn magic.
“Your welcome Twilight.”  Derpy said flying off.  Twilight started to walk in when she heard a crash.  Both her and Spike looked up to see Derpy lying on a now bent branch of a tree.
“You ok Derpy?”  Spike asked.
“I’m fine, just a strong wind.”  Derpy then flew off leaving the bent branch.  Twilight continued on into the library and sat down with the mail.  She opened the orange envelope first.  It was an invitation from Apple Jack.

“Dear Twilight 
I would like to invite you a camping trip up in the Everfree forest.  I’m inviting Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, 	Rarity, and Pinkie Pie.  Apple Bloom has asked that I invite her little friends to, so they’ll be there to.  Fell free to 	bring spike as well.
From your good friend, Apple Jack.” 

“Spike come look!  Apple Jack invited us to a camping trip, I’m sure it will be a fun experience.  Spike?”  Twilight said looking around.
“Huh.  I guess spike went back out.  While I wait for him to return I should look for a book on camping.”  Said Twilight.
Spike was walking towards Rarity’s boutique happily.  He had new encouragement to talk to Rarity about how he feels.  Wondering what he should say, Spike found himself at Rarity’s boutique faster than anticipated, he wasn’t paying attention and walked face first into the front door.  The large bang at the door was answered by Rarity.
“Oh Spike dear!  Are you alright?”  Rarity asked after seeing Spike on the ground.
“I’m ok, just a little distracted while walking.”  Spike said
“Oh well come on in, lets see what’s on your mind.”  Rarity said, inviting him in.  Spike walked in and sat on a couch.  Rarity grabbed scissors, measuring tape, and some thread with her magic to continue a dress she was working on prior to Spike’s arrival.
“So what is it that’s on your mind today Spike?”  Rarity said still working on the dress.
“Oh… well umm…”  Spike stuttered to say.
“Oh don’t be shy Spike, Rarity is here to help.”  Rarity said to try and ease Spike’s mind.
“Well its just that I’ve always thought that you were very beautiful, and I really like you.”  Spike said.
“OH!”  Rarity said realizing where Spike was going with this.  She sat down the scissors, measuring tape, and thread.  She then walked over to Spike.
“Oh Spike I do appreciate the complement, and you are very special to me, but I’m to old for you.  I’m sorry but…”  Rarity said trying to put Spike down gently.
“Its ok Rarity *sigh* I understand”  Spike said leaping off the couch.  With his head tilted down he walked towards the door about to leave.
“Wait Spike, I can at least offer you a cookie before you leave.”  Rarity said as she used her magic to grab get a cookie from the kitchen and give it to Spike.
“Thanks.”  Spike said with a sadden tone as he grabbed the cookie and walked out.  Spike walked back to the library, and he laid in his bed depressed as soon as he got there.
“There you are Spike.  Where did you go?  You look upset.”  Twilight said.
“I went to Rarity’s.  She gave me a cookie.”  Spike said trying to keep from crying.
“You actually went over there?  Spike I said that as a joke.  You know that’s a big age difference right?”  Twilight said.
“Yeah, that’s what Rarity said to.”  Spike said, still trying not to cry.
“Well I’m at least proud to see that you had the courage to finally say it to Rarity.  I’ll let you rest for now, but I will need your help later, we go a camping trip to go to next week.”  Twilight said about to walk off to get back to the camping book she was reading, when there was a knock at the door.