It was pretty obvious Spike was far from Ponyville up till this point. Rarity began to share Twilight’s anguish. Yesterday she had been calm, almost sure that Spike was safe and somewhere around the town.
Fluttershy, Twilight and Rarity decided to split up to different cities, hoping they would find their friend soon.
“Rarity, you will go to Canterlot. Even if Spike is not there, you can meet with Fancy Pants as you planned,” Twilight said, and before Rarity could reply, she continued: “Fluttershy, I need you to head to Manehattan. Anyone there would notice a baby dragon.”
“Where will you go?” Fluttershy asked.
Twilight sighed “I will go to the dragons’ volcano.”
“W-What?! You can’t possibly mean that Twilight! There were three of us back then, plus, we had a fabulous costume,” Rarity emphasized.
“I don’t know how that place is like, but it does sound dangerous! Can’t you just go to the Crystal Empire?” Fluttershy suggested. She had missed the whole migration but the way they narrated the adventure was terrifying enough for her.
“Don’t worry girls, I’ve mastered my teleportation in case I’m in danger, and I will keep my distance. Cadence and Shining Armor already know Spike is missing, so they’ll tell us if he’s there.”
Rarity and Fluttershy looked at each other with a worried expression; they didn’t like the plan a bit.
“Well, I guess that’s it. See you in a month,” Twilight walked away waving a hoof.
“Darling,” Rarity called. Twilight stopped but didn’t look back “Please be careful, we all need you here.”
Twilight simply nodded and kept walking.
Fluttershy and Rarity could tell she was crying; desperate to find his assistant and friend.
Together, the two remaining ponies got to Carousel boutique, where Rarity packed her dresses and everything she needed to stay in Canterlot for a week.
Later, they arrived to Fluttershy’s cottage so she could tell Discord everything he needed to know about the animals. He had offered himself to take care of them while Fluttershy was gone; and everypony knew it was a bad idea. Either way, she trusted Discord and gave him a chance.
“Now,” Fluttershy rose to Discord’s height “How many times will you feed the animals a day?”
Discord snapped his fingers, making a pair of glasses and a notepad appear “let me see…” he began to pull out the sheets of the pad and eat them one by one after checking them “nope *gulp* nope, no *gulp* yeah… no”
Rarity rolled her eyes and sat. Really?
“Aja! Here it is” a gigantic number three emerged from the very last page of the pad followed by fireworks.
Fluttershy giggled “Well, I guess that’s it then” she hugged Discord’s neck before descending.
“Fear nothing my dear friend! I’m sure the critters and I will have a great time together… Hehe” Discord looked back at the frightened animals cornered in fear.
“I’ll be back soon, don’t be mean with Discord, okay?”
Fluttershy went out of her house and Discord closed the door.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Rarity asked.
“Oh Rarity, Discord would never hurt those little creatures; I know he was just joking back there,” Fluttershy said outlining a smile.
“Well, if you say so…”
Finally, they got to the train station and waited for the respective trains to arrive.
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Princess Celestia was concerned for whatever Spike was planning. Above all, she didn’t want him to hurt himself with false hopes like staying with his friends forever.
The same night she talked with Spike, she received a letter from Twilight; which asked her to notify if Spike was there in Canterlot. Celestia hadn’t answered since then; she didn’t want to lie nor tell the truth. She even came up with the excuse of overlapping mail if Twilight asked.
Spike didn’t know where to start. If he was going to steal or get fame for being a criminal, Canterlot wasn’t the best option.
He decided to go to some town or village where no one would know or remember him.
Spike walked around Canterlot, the reflection of Equestria's nicest place a pony could be in: Perfectly stone-carved floor; stunning structures carefully designed; streets as neat as the clear ocean; style and fashion all over. It was all glorious except for one detail: The citizens. Most of them considered themselves too classy to deal with town ponies and they were often impolite with strangers.
After taking a short tour on his own, Spike went to the cities’ dump. There, he grabbed some torn clothing; he wanted to make a hood to hide his identity, but that wouldn’t work until he was large enough.
After taking pieces of different color and texture, he folded them and put them inside the stick with blankets.
Now without hiding, Spike walked once again across the city; heading to the train station. Yeah, yeah… really nice place. Spike didn’t know how long it would be until he returned to Canterlot. And he wouldn’t until he was done with his quest.
When he got to the station, he heard somepony announce a train from Ponyville was about to arrive. Well, it’ll be the next one then… he sat in one of the benches to wait for another train. Many ponies glanced at him wondering what a baby dragon was doing there; but Spike didn’t care, they didn’t know him so the most they could do was ask if he was lost or something alike; which happened a couple of times.
When the train from Ponyville arrived, Spike sighed, he recognized a couple of ponies which reminded him of the town, Twilight, Rarity and the others. His blackout was disturbed by a stylish voice.
“Careful with those! You have no idea how delicate they are!”
“Wha…” Is that you Rarity? Spike thought. He got up from the bench and watched carefully as one of the train’s doors opened. A white stallion pulled out a mobile rack, followed by Rarity.
Spike ran away as fast as his legs allowed him What is she doing here?! he moved swift and quick, evading everypony on his way. After running for about three minutes, he stopped and something came to his mind: The dresses Rarity brought.
Spike felt relieved for a short time at the realization, but the feeling was soon replaced by anger and sadness. I thought they were looking for me… he was breathing heavily I thought they were worried… He remembered Rarity was supposed to meet Fancy Pants but he didn't expect her to leave until they had found him.
Whatever, she didn’t care about you either way. spoke the pessimistic part of his mind, contradicted by another way of thinking: Come on! She just can’t wait until you show up! Did you want her to stop working and cancel all her appointments just because you are missing?
After a short debate with himself, his optimistic side won. Spike sighed and looked at the buildings surrounding him. He had no idea where he was. “Great…”
Rarity got out of the train “Thank you, I’ll carry on from here,” she said as she gave the stallion a blue gem.
“Well, thank you miss!” the loader put the gem in his pocket.
Rarity used her magic to pull her dresses. She was heading directly to the nearest hotel so she could leave them and begin the search for Spike.
She found herself at the entrance of Canterlot’s most expensive yet luxury hotel; located near by the train station strategically. Before she could get inside a royal guard approached her “Excuse me, are you miss Rarity?”
Rarity turned to see the armored, brown stallion “Why, of course, who are you sir?”
“I was sent by Pricess Celestia, she wants you to stay at the castle until you leave.”
“Tha-that’s amazing news! She could even know something about Spike!”
“Who again?”
“Oh, sorry, no one,” Rarity smiled and began to trot to the castle followed by the guard.
Spike had to ask for directions a lot of times. The city was bigger than he remembered and the high-society ponies didn’t help too much, they would ignore the small dragon or stay away in case he would be aggressive and try to burn them. Some even called the authorities and Spike had to run once again.
Persecutions later, Spike got to the main square where the castle could be seen. At last. he was still in trouble because of the guards but now that he knew where he was, he could leave once and for all.
He walked to the train station and stopped half the way. Maybe I could… nah, I better leave now. he was thinking of Rarity, maybe he could see what she was doing before resuming his mission?
Spike covered himself with a ripped hood and began to look for her. Luckily and unluckily for him, he saw the mare entering the castle along with a guard Dang it! he couldn’t go inside there, not after that talk with Celestia.
Wait a minute, why is she going to the castle anyway? Isn’t she supposed to go with Fancy Pants? Spike rubbed his chin with a claw it could be for tomorrow.
“Oh no,” Suddenly, Spike got worried What if the Princess says something about me? No! I can’t let Rarity know that! He ran towards the castle. He really didn't want to go in there, but he needed to beg Celestia to remain silent about him. At the gates, the guards stopped him and pointed him with a spear “Who’s there?!”
“Wait! It’s me, Spike!” Then he realized he still had the hood “Oh, sorry,” He removed it and then the guards backed off their spears.
“Don’t act suspicious, especially around the castle, kid.”
“kid?!” Spike began to growl “Look you two-“ Spike calmed down and breathed deeply. He was almost eighteen years old and the advice sounded like an insult to him. “Uh, just let me in.”
The guards opened the doors and Spike got inside.
The corridors were lonely and there was no sign of Rarity; Spike didn’t waste his time and headed to Celestia’s room. He heard voices coming from inside. No no no no no! Please don’t be in there… His fear was real: Rarity was inside, talking with the Princess. The door to her room was closed so Spike just leaned an ear next to it. The voices were vague but they were still audible.
“Really, it’s the least I could do,” Celestia said.
“I just don’t want to be an inconvenient, Princess, as you may know, I’m staying for a while.”
“Don’t worry, after what you and your friends did for my sister it’s the least I can do.”
“Thank you Princess. How did you know I was coming?”
“I received Twilights’ letter. She seems to be worried sick for Spike.”
“You have noooo idea.”
Spike felt a sting in his chest Twilight… He felt guilty once again.
Then Rarity broke the silence:
“You don’t have news about Spike, do you?”
“Unfortunately I don’t, but I will send a letter to Twilight if we find him.”
She’s a pretty good liar. Spike thought.
“Thank you again Princess, I shall now unpack and begin the search. If Spike is here in Canterlot, I will find him,” she finished.
Spike’s eyes shinned. She is looking for me! YES!!! He could hardly contain his joy. He jumped happily and ran away before the mares could know he was there.
Spike was smiling wider than ever They care about me! They do! when he got to the entrance his smile was erased; Princess Luna was standing right there waiting for him.
“You know peeking like that is offensive, right?” Luna had an imposing visage, as if she was still Nightmare Moon.
Spike was frightened at first, but then he gathered courage and confronted her “Really? You accuse me of peeking when you are the one spying over all of us?”
Luna got angry “I protect everyone in Equestria from their fears in their dreams! I do not spy.”
“Well, sometimes we don’t need your protection Princess. Besides, you watched over me all the way! Just because you are one of the rulers of Equestria doesn’t mean you can do that.”
“I cannot do such thing. Based on dreams and feelings, I know what you are planning to do; and you made pretty obvious that you were coming. That doesn’t imply I can literally watch through the moon.”
“You know, whatever, what do you want anyway?” Spike crossed his arms like if he had full control of the situation.
“Well…” Luna looked at the floor embarrassed “You’re going to take it as an even bigger offense, but I must ask something.”
Spike uncrossed his arms and raised an eyebrow “What is it?” he didn’t know what to think. A moment ago Luna was about to electrocute him or something weird alicorns can do, and now she was doubtful.
“Your friend Rarity, do you like her?”
Spike blushed and straightened “Ummmmm, where did that came from?” the question caught him off guard. It was strange that from all the questions Luna could’ve asked it had been that one.
“It’s just that many times I’ve seen your joy related and even relied on her,” she paused and stared at Spike’s eyes “If you like her, why are you leaving? Shouldn’t you try to… You know… Ask her out or something?”
Spike’s face saddened “I wish I could. But I’m not a pony, I don’t think that will ever come to happen. I was leaving to learn how to control my body so my friends could take me seriously, not like a kid.”
Luna listened carefully, trying to comprehend his position.
“Maybe it is possible for me to be like them but as for Rarity… That’s just a dream,” he said in defeat.
Luna smiled lightly “You know, I don’t want to give you more hope than I should but, have you ever heard about the kirin?”
The term was familiar indeed; Spike had seen the word in a book when helping Twilight “What is a kirin?” he said curiously.
Luna giggled before speaking “Make the research, I think you should leave now; my sister and Rarity will be here in any moment.”
Spike grinned and kissed Luna’s hoof “Thank you Princess!” then he left.
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Twilight departed with a vast amount of provisions. Ready to face any threat for the month she would be out. She had all the strength and will she needed; but she also had a pain that made her cry in times.
Please come back to us, Spike…