//------------------------------//
// Could I be? 
// Story: Mother And Son Adventures 
// by Inferno demon Dash 
//------------------------------//

To say Golden Oaks Library was a disheveled mess was an understatement, and the one currently causing all the destruction and nearly torn all of the pages of his older sister’s precious books was none other than her number one assistant, Spike.

As he searched high and low for any book he could find to help him in his dilemma, he wasn’t even aware of the owner opening the entrance with four bags filled to the brim with groceries held firmly in her violet colored magical hue as they dropped to the ground. Twilight herself was practically paralyzed from the horrifying sight before her,  and immediately, the next emotion she emoted was understandably in the form of rage.

“Spike the dragon!” She bellowed to the rooftop, or rather to the top of the tree, which echoed out onto the streets and caused any pony within close proximity to flee for their very lives, as they knew that this was going to get ugly.

By mere reflex, he turned and let out a large spew of emerald colored fire, nearly missing the books around him by a few inches and completely panicked, thinking that his mother had caught him doing something he wasn’t supposed to again and was about to turn around and be on his knees, begging for mercy from the ruler of the nation’s wrath, but stopped and sighed in relief when he saw that it was just an angry Twilight, again.

“Don’t be relieved to see me, Spike! Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?!” She cried out and stamped her right forehoof on the wooden floors of the library, ready to once again scold him when she looked around and saw the objects that Spike was recently trying to find, advice books, tips, and ideas on how to tell if a pony, or dragon in Spike’s case, was in love with the same gender.

All traces of anger previously vanished from her expression as she looked to stare into the eyes of Spike himself, who could do nothing more than wring his tail in utter humiliation and shame.

Twilight sincerely didn’t have anything to say on the matter, and words could not even begin to describe the surprise etched on her features. 

Though she was a studious mare at heart, Twilight knew when to back off of certain, uncomfortable subjects...most of the time.

With her hindquarters hitting the floorboards, she could only sit and blink, slack jawed of any coherent response as to what her little brother was suffering at the moment.

“Does the Princess know?” She asked after a very long, pregnant pause, to which she visibly saw all traces of tension leave Spike’s body.

“No, what could I even say to her? “Hi mom, love your mane today, oh by the way, I’m gay?” She would die from a heart attack, and then if by some miracle Aunt Luna doesn't take the throne, I'll be forced to rule Equestria eight years earlier than I’m even supposed to. Besides, would she really want a gay dragon as her son? To be honest, I don’t even know if I’m completely gay.” He stated and followed Twilight’s example to sit on the floor, with Twilight herself having no real clue on how to help him with his predicament, but she would give it the good ol try.

“I thought you liked Scootaloo?” She questioned, only making the small drake before her feel worse in the sense that she was right.

“You’re not helping as much as I expected you know. Twi, I don’t understand. How can I go from being head over tails for Rarity, and simply in a year, lose all my romantic interest in her, and not only like a filly, but a colt at the same time? I’m so damn confused!” He nearly shouted as Twilight frowned at his poor choice of words.

“Language, Spike. You don’t want your mother to wash your mouth out with soap again, do you?” She asked making him shiver and rapidly shake his head before she continued.

“As for your question, I think it’s because you’re now thirteen. You’re starting to just now be more attracted to fillies and/or rather colts around your age, and I think we’ve both known for quite some time that Rarity never really had any romantic attraction to you. To be honest, I’m glad you’re finally starting to get over her.” She spoke softly before standing up from her spot, her legs starting to cramp up, and with her horn glowing with magic, levitated Spike towards the couch and placed him down as she walked behind and sat next to him.

“But since you are at the age where you find both genders attractive in the romantic sense, it just means you’re going to have to figure out exactly which team you want to play for, as Rainbow Dash would say. Also the term you’re looking for is bi-sexual. You’re going to have to carefully look over their personalities and the things you share in common with them, to decide which one would ultimately make you happy...in your teenage years at least.” She finished and wrapped her right forehoof around him, nuzzling his face and booped his nose in affection.

As Spike seriously considered her words, Twilight herself couldn't help but be curious on the colt who had managed to capture his attention as he pondered over what she said to himself before merely glancing her way, noticing that she was almost about to burst with questions.

“It’s Rumble.” He answered in kind, to which she looked rather pleased and softly encouraged him again with a simple smile and nod of her head before she stood up from the couch and walked to the middle of the library to put the food away and re-organize the books, yet again questioning to herself just what was it that had Spike wanting to date Pegasi.

While Spike himself contemplated the ramifications of choosing either the young mare to be or the colt shiftly changing into a stallion, he did as Twilight suggested and wonder just what they both had in common with himself.

It was obvious that Scootaloo was attracted to him, with the way her punches to his arms were not as hard as in the past, or how she always sat closer to him at SugarCube Corner or even how she invited him to a lot of social events and parties that went throughout Ponyville, and also how she scoffed and rolled her eyes at his lame jokes, as her way of showing affection to him, he was sure of it.

Though she never did anything extreme like put on makeup or a frilly dress like her more feminine filly friends would, unless it was for a special occasion, she wanted to be seen as different from the usual girly fillies, and that’s what he liked about her so much; she was different, and she was never afraid of expressing it.

Not to mention that she liked getting dirty at times with the rest of the colts and him, though he was aware that she did put on eyeshadow recently, but if he had to guess, it was more for her benefit rather than his own.

She was brash, blunt, stubborn, had a bit of an anger problem, and wasn't seen as what most would call...a genuine female or ladylike in the regular sense; But while most ponies simply saw an awesome friend, he saw a pony he felt a romantic attraction to.

Plus, there was the added threat that when Scootaloo told Rainbow Dash her growing affections for Spike himself, the grown mare swore she would break his legs if he ever broke her heart, which he had a feeling she would keep, ignoring the fact that she would most likely be thrown into the dungeon for a long, long time for injuring royalty, not that she knew that.

And yet, even still he felt a unique, sincere connection of chemistry towards Rumble and he had no idea where it even stemmed from. He usually hung out with Snips, Snails, the former Cutie Mark Crusaders, Twist, Berry Pinch, Pipsqueak, iconically enough Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon, Button Mash, Archer, Dinky Doo, and of course Rumble.

Every time they interacted, he felt his heart race and his palms sweat, which should have been impossible since his species was not supposed to sweat. He admired Rumble in his speed, endurance, strength, confidence and dreams and aspirations.

He knew Rumble wanted to be in the Equestrian Air Force when he got older, a faction which handled worldwide problems beyond Equestria, just as he knew Scootaloo unlike her adopted sister Rainbow Dash, wanted to join the Royal Guard instead of the Wonderbolts, a promise Spike said he would make to her when they got older by his Dragon Code.

Though by the time she would be eligible to join the Guard, he would most likely be king of Equestria and would easily be able to give her a spot of his own merit.

He knew the both of them by all the times they spent time together; However what he didn’t know is if Rumble felt the same way towards him, or if he just saw him as nothing more than a friend; It was really starting to get under Spike’s scales with unease.

“Uh, why is this so hard?!” He shouted out to himself in outrage, embarrassed that he really liked both Pegasi and that one of them was a colt, which by society's standards was wrong, but not illegal, and he just didn’t seem too really care.

“Maybe you should ask the Princess what she thinks, and take the two along so you could make a decision easier, if the colt you like sees you in that way of course.” A voice suddenly chirped beside Spike, making him scream in dismay as he looked and saw Pinkie Pie with a natural, bright grin on her face.

“How...how long have you been standing there?!” He cried out in shock as she merely giggled.

“Silly, I overheard your conversation with Twilight; I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist. Plus I also noticed that it’s pretty obvious Scootaloo really likes you when you guys are in SugarCube Corner, and from the way you look at Rumble that you like him. Though I can’t say if he likes you back.” She responded with a half hearted smile of an apology.

“It is kind of shoved in your face with Scoots, huh? But with Rumble, I honestly don’t know; At least if I knew his feelings, it might make me actually choose, but probably not,  and I really don’t want to break their hearts if I chose one over the other.” He sighed loudly, but then almost immediately had a large smile as he thought over Pinkie’s idea.

“Pinkie Pie, you’re a genius!” He exclaimed and nearly bowled Pinkie over by his enthusiasm to rush out the door in an attempt to collect the ones he desired.

“Well I do have some moments of wisdom, but I wouldn't necessarily say that I’m a genius.” She shouted back to the retreating dragon before giggling to herself and grabbing a random cupcake out of her mane, taking a bite with joy plastered on her face before remembering that she came here to ask for Twilight’s help with Pumpkin and Pound Cake, if she was available.

Meanwhile Spike was nearly out of breath by the time he knocked on Scootaloo’s door, what with her house being close to the Everfree Forest, and with a bewildered Rumble tagging along, not knowing that the dragon had to resist the urge to hold his hoof.

When Scootaloo answered, she practically beamed and slightly giggled at the sight of Spike before she quickly calmed down and acted like her normal self, while also being sure to acknowledge Rumble’s presence.

“What’s up, Scales?” She smoothly said to the drake and casually tried to lean against the doorway as if she didn’t almost squeal and swoon at the sight of him.

“Yo, Scoots. Hey um...I was wondering if you two would think of accompanying me to Canterlot for a few hours?” Spike asked shyly, used to her nickname for him since that’s all she seemed to call him by lately, never saying his real name unless she was angry or serious as the two friends looked at him a bit confused by the request.

“Canterlot? Um...I, I mean I guess I could ask my mom if it would be ok. It won’t be dark out until later on, but I’m not really sure I have the bits for the trip to be honest.” Scootaloo replied in disappointment, to which Spike smugly answered that if she was given permission he would be sure to pay for both of them before he turned his attention to Rumble who noticed Scootaloo blushing behind Spike, who had no clue whatsoever of her action.

“Well...I mean me, Button Mash, Archer, Snips and Snails were going to go to the arcade in a bit, but I’m sure since it’s so important to you, they won’t mind if I miss it this once; But I got to ask Thunderlane first.” He chuckled awkwardly noticing Spike had a large smile on his face as behind him Scootaloo nodded but he could tell from knowing her so long it was half hearted.

“Awesome,  so you two go ask your respectful guardians and then meet me in front of the train station in ten minutes. If you don’t show, then I’ll know you can’t come and just go on my own, that cool with you two?” He asked them both who nodded, as Scootaloo quietly shut her door to talk to her mom as Rumble and Spike ran back to town.

Spike ran to the train station to wait for the two of them,  seeing if they decided or rather were allowed to show up, a single ruby as payment for all three of them in his left claw that he quickly got from his room, as he sat on the bench and patiently waited.

Right on the dot the two of them showed up, Spike almost missing that Scootaloo wore eyeshadow again and he swore he could see the faintest hint of blush and what he assumed was lip gloss on her, and while he couldn't deny she looked beautiful he had to be honest with himself and admit it didn’t really seem like she was the type for it all, like the time in which he had a feeling she clearly agreed to after she punched him hard in the chest when he tried to compliment her.

This was the filly he had a crush on, right? Because she damn sure hit like a stallion. Speaking of which, the other object of his crush had on a dark gray scarf and a pair of goggles, though as for the reason why completely eluded Spike, and even Rumble shrugged and answered that it just seemed cool when Spike asked.

Scootaloo snickering behind her hoof as the trio went on their way without a hitch, the dragon already telling Twilight ahead of time that he was going to see his mom which she accepted without even looking up for the book before her, again.

As they rode from Ponyville to Canterlot, they made wild accusations on rather interesting questions, such as who would win between Discord and Sombra without magic, and Scootaloo and Rumble were screaming at Spike’s response that the dark king had absolutely no chance against a god and high hoofed each other as he admitted defeat and rolled his eyes in submission.

Also who exactly created them, making the young minds get more and more irritated with each other at the complex, religious talk and overlapping each other before they all just gave up and played a game of Eye Spy and after nearly ten minutes went back to their questions when Rumble asked what he assumed was an innocent train of thought, no pun intended.

“Whatever happened to your crush on Rarity, Spike?” He asked, the drake almost gagged on the cinnamon roll he had ordered from the food cart before coughing with assistance from Scootaloo.

After a few seconds of catching his breath, he finally answered, being careful to avoid both their eyes as he explained.

“I suppose I just...stopped chasing her.” He answered truthfully, and sighed loudly with a roll of his eyes. Once he saw that they required a more thorough answer from the one who once would have basically committed murder to save the older unicorn, he in turn continued his thought.

“You guys remember when Sweetie Belle had that small crush on me before she started to really connect more with Button Mash, who then got her into video games and simply stopped paying as much attention to me?” He asked, as the two nodded, remembering that at the time Sweetie Belle was a little bit obsessed over the reptile before it slowly faded.

Scootaloo was listening to Spike with rapid attention as she grabbed a few more pieces of candy corn from her small bag, paid by Spike of course, and Rumble sipped more of his carmel oats shake and looked directly into the dragon’s eyes, not wanting to miss a moment of this fascinating tale.

“Well, think of it like that but a bit more...intense. We all know how she abused her power over me; I’m not stupid, but I guess at the time I really didn’t care.  and I was used as a pincushion for Discord’s sake! At the heat of my...passion, I suppose you could call it, I just wanted her to love me.” He answered truthfully, a bit ashamed at how easily he fell for her charms and could get him to do almost anything without a word of protest.

“So what happened?” Scootaloo mumbled through a mouthful of food, causing the depressed dragon to chuckle sincerely at her awful manner; It seemed Rainbow taught her well and he liked that about her.

“I….I…” If he was completely honest with himself, he didn’t know what it was that made him fall out of’ ‘love’ with the Element of Generosity; Maybe it was because he started to be around with fillies and colts his own age, or maybe because he knew deep down in his heart, that they would never be anything more than friends. It wasn’t just the age gap between them, it was the simple and eluded fact that they didn’t have as much in common as Spike hoped.

Which was why he didn’t encourage Sweetie Belle’s advances, as he truly liked her, but just not in that way, though it seemed now that it didn’t crush the poor filly completely, much to his relief, and he was happy that she was with Button Mash.

As he couldn't really give a clear answer to Scootaloo’s question, the train finally slowed down to it’s destination, and the three disembarked, admiring the sights around them for a time and even managing to visit Twilight’s parents before they strolled towards Spike’s home to visit his mother as Pinkie Pie had told him.

Coming closer to the large, steel gates of the castle surrounded by guards, they were naturally forced to stop by the two watching the entrance, not even noticing Spike in the back behind Scootaloo and Rumble for a minute or two.

“Halt, the Princess has an important meeting today and can not be granted any audience without authorized approval, which I doubt you young ones have.” The guard mare started firmly, a spear held in her left forehoof tightly to make her and the stallion who had the same weapon look more intimidating, which succeeded.

“It’s alright Armor Heart, they’re with me. Hello, Bronze Heart how’s the new foal your wife gave birth to been doing?” Spike greeted the two siblings whose expression softened seeing their young prince appear before them after quite some time.

“Prince Spike, it’s great to see you again, my lord. My daughter is doing well, keeping me up at night, but she and Summer Heart are doing really well. Thank you for asking.” The stallion to their right, Bronze Heart replied with a salute, as Scootaloo and Rumble gawked in shock at what they just heard.

“Prince Spike?!” They almost screeched, causing Spike to swear to himself mentally at the guard’s slip up. No creature but family was actually supposed to know he was Celestia’s son until he was much older… and he had a feeling this was going to really complicate things and his original plan.

“Guys, I swear to you that I will tell you both all about it later, on my Dragon Code, but please, please, please; For now don’t say anything!” He angrily whispered to them in a very serious tone as they instantly understood the gravity of the situation, looking around them for eavesdropping eyes and ears and nodded slowly, Pinkie promising they would not say a word until they were completely alone and even did the gestures.

Without a word, noticing how angry their king to be was at them, or rather Bronze Heart, the guards opened the gates and allowed all of them inside the castle where he greeted many servants, guards, and even managed to sneak a few snacks from the kitchen staff, though he knew that he need only to ask.

At the sight of guests with the prince, all of those he saw greeted him just like anyone else, excited and interested in what he had to say as he introduced his friends before they traveled on to Spike’s main goal. By second nature and under Princess Celestia’s orders, they too were instructed never to reveal who he actually was by accident.

He wanted to speak to his mother alone so he sent his friends away to freely explore his home under the watchful supervision of the much older ponies as he walked to the throne room and smiled at the guards watching over it it who bowed making him embarrassed by the act.
“I apologize, Prince Spike. The Princess is currently in a rather important meeting with the ambassador of Griffonstone. Unless it’s an emergency, I’m afraid we can’t let anyone interrupt them, not even you or Princess Luna, my lord.” The guard to Spike’s left stated in a serious but truly apologetic tone making the drake sigh.

He would be lying if he said he wasn't use to it. Luckily it didn’t happen all the time that he was banned from certain meetings, the really serious ones he knew not to interrupt. It at least gave him a chance to talk with his friends some more as well as think of how to reveal to his mom that he was bi-sexual.

Thanking them out of habit, Spike turned around to wander the halls in search of his two current crushes just before the doors to the throne room slammed open and out stormed a very angry looking female Griffon decorated in an assortment of jewels and clothes completely unfamiliar with him, as she accidently smacked him in the face with her tail while walking through, making the guards react so fast to protect their prince that if it wasn’t for Spike holding up a single claw it would have no doubt ignited an interspecies war.

Waiting until she was completely out of sight, he calmly ordered them to make sure she didn’t run into his friends after telling them to look for a colt and filly pegasus which they obeyed without hesitation and galloped to their new task before he, after taking a deep breath, started his long walk to the one who raised him since he hatched.

Nervously he approached the throne that his mother sat at and watched as she was rubbing the side of her head with the tip of her forehooves, her eyes closed and easily looking at though she may scream at the slightest sound before her eyes snapped open and she let out an audible sigh of relief at seeing Spike before her.

“It’s such a joy to see you, Spike. If I had to deal with that selfish Griffon for another second, then I fear what would have been the repercussions for my actions to our nation. What troubles you, dear? You seem nervous.” Celestia spoke with a warm smile that almost literally warmed the room and instantly caused Spike to relax as he was hoisted up by her magic to her left side.

After a hug which went on longer than usual, most likely due to the the fact that his mother needed emotional support at the moment, Spike took another deep breath and finally, because he had never kept anything from her before, explained everything.

After five minutes of talking, Celestia could only give a small smile to the poor dragon who looked at though he wanted to die and kissed his forehead.

“You’re my son, Spike the dragon. No matter who you chose to love, whether a pony or other species, even male or female I will always love you. Twilight was right to make you question just who it was who held your heart just as it was good thinking Pinkie Pie suggested me to you. Though you know you could have simply written to me.” She teased as they laughed and she hugged him again before getting serious once more for she knew by the look on his face he was still having trouble choosing.

“Spike...who do you think of more when you think of the two?” She asked slowly as he replied Rumble without even a second’s hesitation making the Alicorn grin before she continued.

“And which one do you feel more comfortable around and could really see yourself being with?” She asked softly as he really thought about it.

“I really like Scootaloo, and don’t want to see her hurt...but...I love Rumble a lot more, or at least think I do at my age. Besides, I think I secretly knew all along it was Rumble. Even if he doesn't feel the same way when I confess to him, I know Scoots and I can be happy, it would just take a bit more time.” He answered honestly as immediately he knew what he had to do, no more delaying the inevitable.

Standing up with a sense of purpose and determination Celestia hasn't seen in him since he told the tale of how King Sombra was defeated, he hugged her and thanked her one last time before he raced out of the throne room, quickly asking the guards who returned to their post where Rumble was and chased after him as Celestia herself could only smile, proud she raised such a passionate child.

He found Rumble in the mess hall eagerly talking to the guards on break who was more then happy to talk to such an excited colt about their mission, weapons and public information first hoof.

Steeling his nerves, Spike turned to a guard and asked politely if she could send everyone away so he could talk to his friend alone.

With a crisp salute, the guard barked at the top of her lungs for all guards and even kitchen staff to leave the area under orders of their prince to which all of them obeyed without a moment’s pause, leaving the normally large and loud area completely deserted, save for Spike, Rumble, and a few chefs quickly turning off stoves and kitchen equipment so as not to burn the dinner or ruin the kitchen before they too vanished.

In hindsight, Spike realized he should have just quietly asked Rumble if they could speak alone instead of sending nearly everyone away, as a place that was filled with laughter, hoof wrestling and jokes, was gone, and in it’s spot was a very nervous thirteen year old dragon and an extremely confused pegasi colt. Perhaps he had gone overboard with his request.

Not able to focus on his guilt at the moment and making a mental note to apologize to all of them, for he knew he was going to get in trouble for this later, Spike walked and sat down at the table Rumble occupied across from him.

An awkward silence stretched out for what felt to the dragon was an eternity as Rumble looked down at the medium sized bowl of banana pudding in his hooves and coughed nervously.

“That...um, was quite an exit, Spike.” He finally spoke with a small smile as the dragon before him could only facepalm at how stupid such a plan was and how none of the other ponies deserved it.

“I’m sorry, Rumble. I just wanted to talk to you in private. I have something serious I wanted to say and-”

“You’re in love with me.” Rumble finished with an emotionless expression making the prince completely shocked at how he could have possibly known of his feelings.

“D-did you know all along?” He finally had the guts to ask, as the pegasus could only chuckle with a shake of his head.

“I’ve known you for quite a while Spike, and it’s taken me quite a long time to come to terms with my own feelings.” Rumble admitted sheepishly before taking a quick bite of his snack, most likely to think carefully of his words, and to distract both of them.

“I...I didn’t even know you were gay, Rumble. I honestly didn’t even figure what I’d do if you shot me down.” Spike said sincerely as Rumble only swallowed his food and wiped his mouth with a napkin next to him before he responded.

“First of all, like you I’m not gay; I’m acually bi-sexual, and the fact that you practically want to run with your heart out to Scoots is evidence you don’t just like colts Spike.” Rumble spoke bluntly as the reptile blushed before he continued.

“I don’t know if you noticed, Spike but I kind of also have a thing for Apple Bloom, but she doesn't know that I also like to play for the other team, as Rainbow Dash would say.” He grinned as Spike rolled his eyes.

“Why does everypony keep saying that?” He asked as Rumble just shrugged.

“Probably because it’s true.” He responded as they both gave a hearty laugh, hearing the exact phrase Rumble said in Rainbow’s voice before they began to get serious again.

“Like Scootaloo, Apple Bloom really likes me, but just like you, I haven’t given her an answer yet. Spike, I’ll be honest with you, I do like you, and I can see myself being in a relationship with you, but my brother doesn't know I’m bi and truth be told, I don’t know what his reaction would be if I suddenly told him that I’m dating a male dragon….A prince to be exact.” He emphasised softly before taking another bite, signalling it was Spike’s turn to speak who fumbled with his words around in his head before finally saying something.

“It isn’t right to make these fillies wait on us just because we’re having trouble coming to grip with our feelings for each other,  and I can’t really say “I love you Rumble” because we are a bit too young to know what love is, but if you’re willing to give me a chance...then we can make it work to the best of our ability.” He answered seriously, causing the pegasus to look at him with a spoon of pudding in his mouth, making Spike chuckle behind a claw at the sight as Rumble swallowed and removed the utensil.

“And if we don’t work out in the long run?” He pondered out loud as Spike could only sigh loudly before speaking from his heart.

“Then at least we know we tried. Besides, I have a feeling even if we didn’t work out, Scoots and Bloom would be there to comfort us, and if they are still single and head over tails for us, as much as they try to hide it, we may find ourselves better off. With luck hopefully. We can still be their friends.” He replied with a smile as Rumble only nodded.

“All I’m asking is that we at least give it a shot, the worst thing that could happen since we are so young is that we break up after a few months if we don’t sincerely click like we thought we did, and at least this way, we can both appreciate the comfort of a male like we have been wondering about for a while, right? So….what do you say?” Spike whispered the last words to the male who should by society's outlook be considered a brother, yet in his eyes was the object of his affection...half of it at least and he was fine with that.

“O...ok, Spike. We’ll give it a shot; if worse comes to worse, at least we’ll still remain friends after we give each other some space. Of course we may just still have two fillies waiting for our answer and finally getting a response, but first…..give me a few days, as it will take some time to tell me brother and allow him to hopefully calm down, and the same with Apple Bloom, who once she knows we’re dating, you may want to stay away from a bit. She gets really angry when secrets are kept from her, like her older sister.” Rumble replied seriously, making the drake nod with a smile.

“So...do we um...kiss on it?” Spike finally asked nervously, wringing his tail again as Rumble only smirked.

“One day at a time, Prince Spike.” He laughed loudly causing the dragon to roll his eyes in amusement.

Neither males noticing a single white Alicorn looking into the mess hall with a smile on her face, happy for her child.

One day at a time.