This story is a sequel to When the Man Comes Around
The fifteenth story in The Journey of Graves.
So Rarity's spoken for. Expected. Not pleasant for dear, old, Spike of course, but expected nonetheless.
A few months after Graves and Rarity return as an official couple, Spike wonders just what is it about Graves that made it happen. Was it his age? Was it his job as a marshal? Was it the hat? Whatever it was, Graves has no idea, so it's up to Spike to figure out just what it takes to be a man.
Chapters (1)
But Spike suckssssssssssss.
I approve of this fic.
Spike must learn to be swift as a coursing river, and as mysterious as the dark side of the moon. Then he'll get all the ladies.
And thus began Grave's career as a love guru. He remains utterly oblivious to why half of Ponyville's male adolescences insist on following him about.
The moral of the story: nice guys don't always finish last and ignoring girls is the best way to attract them. Wait...
I hope you do more on Spike. Maybe have him fight off something while Graves is away?
This was so awesome, I hope to see this developed more in the future
Looks like Graves passed on a little more than training to Spike...
The title and pic made me think of this.
Let's get down to business
To defeat the Huns.
Did they send me daughters
When I asked for sons?
You're the saddest bunch I ever met
But you can bet before we're through
Mister, I'll make a man
Out of you.
Tranquil as a forest
But on fire within.
Once you find your center
You are sure to win.
You're a spineless, pale pathetic lot
And you haven't got a clue.
Somehow I'll make a man
Out of you.
Chien-po: I'm never gonna catch my breath
Yao: Say goodbye to those who knew me
Ling: Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym
Mushu: This guy's got them scared to death
Mulan: Hope he doesn't see right through me
Chien-po: Now I really wish that I knew how to swim
[men] BE A MAN
We must be swift as a coursing river
[men] BE A MAN
With all the force of a great typhoon
[men] BE A MAN
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
Time is racing toward us
'til the Huns arrive.
Heed my every order
And you might survive.
You're unsuited for the rage of war
So pack up, go home you're through
How could I make a man
Out of you?
[men] BE A MAN
We must be swift as a coursing river
[men] BE A MAN
With all the force of a great typhoon
[men] BE A MAN
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
[everyone]BE A MAN
We must be swift as a coursing river
BE A MAN
With all the force of a great typhoon
BE A MAN
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
Hoo-ah!
brace yourself spike
Spike is now Grave's Apprentice.....Awesome! They should totally go on a Marshal mission together.
Master and Student...where have I seen this before?
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Only without the whole turning evil thing.
Is it just me, of does the cover art have a bit of a.. Dragonball feel to it?
Then again, so does Spike's abilities.
And he's just attracted the attention of the Cutie Mark Crusaders... Dude, go back and fight Graves for Rarity, over and over.
It'll be easier than dealing with those three!! Just hope they don't want to do this with you!
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All Spike needs now is a cool hat.
ugh, there be drama ahead.
Unless we go spike harem, but I can't see that.
Looks like Spike just beat out Graves and hooked three girls in one night.
...
...
Wonder if this version of Equestria does the whole herding thing.
yeahhhh................well that works
3566603 Trust me, you won't regret it, not one bit. I'm blazing a trail through it right now, halfway through the first part. It's awesome, to say the very least!
D'aww, Spike, you oblivious little pimp! I must now go back and read more of this series!
3566603 Trust me, you won't regret it, not one bit. I'm blazing a trail through it right now, halfway through the first part. It's awesome, to say the very least!
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Well done Gentleman J, well done.
Having Spike become a potential Graves Apprentice? I can only imagine a future like this:
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They could kick so much ass!
Thinking of giving him a relationship with The CMC?
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In the end:
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3566784
A double Pacific Rim reference? You sir, have earned a Macintosh of Silent Approval.
3566748
Hmm...
I just read the first one, and while I like the world he's built—runic wings, Spike being from some exotic tribe, etc— I'm getting this undeniably Gary Stu vibe from Graves. Like, he's perfect, everyone loves him, he has little to no faults beyond being socially inept, he's the center of conversation even when he's not there, everyone just sits there and lets Spike get the crap beat out of him just so Graves can come and save the day.
I'll start the second one, but this guy had better shape up. Or... uh, s-shape, down, that is...
3566802 Did you read my reply to your comment on the first story? That explains what I'm too lazy/tired to do so here.
3566800
Yeah, I've been looking for an excuse to use those two images. That and the one I posted on your blog, the one that I feared could scar your mind. I wonder if it did any permanent damage, if it did please accept this last Pacific Rim image I have. It's not the best, but it is a crossover with Pokemon.
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3566802 hi gary stuish quallities actually get balanced out by his personality in the later stories
Spike is a total boss.
I was gonna make a witty comment, but the title of the story is just making me think of Mulan references.
But in all seriousness, Spike is da man.
This must be
KenichiSpike: The Mightiest Disciple.3566784Listening to what is love when i see the dancing pacific rim guys.... synced up perfectly
That first line, like Pratchett or Adams, is as hard hitting as a drug but funny, and just as addictive.
Poor Spiky Wiky is getting a harem, if he wants it or not.
I can't be the only one who thought of this.
3568460 You and me, we think alike.
3568467 Agreed.
3568460
3568460 Not gonna lie, this was my first thought.
3568475
3568479
3568460
True.
These stories always make me smile.
Thanks.
I half expected, with the cover art especially, for this to be a Dragon Ball crossover.
NO! NO DRAGON BALL CROSSOVERS!
But the writing style is pretty good. And I found the story itself
very amusing.
Not bad, Spike, I think you'll do just fine at being a helpful hero.
And good job/bad job attracting the attention of the CMC. It may turn out to be very rewarding in the long run, but in the short term it is likely to be very painful at times.
3568460
I was halfway through the summary and my thoughts were, "So Rarity and some dude start dating and Spike decides to be swift as the coursing river to earn her attention".
Overall decent, yet completely oblivious to the feelings and emotions of girls. Constantly wallowing in self doubt and insecurities? Sounds like the entering of teenage years to me
It may be just me, but I like the simple little stories a bit more than the bigger ones. Not saying the usual chapters are bad or anything, not in the slightest. I honestly don't know how to properly explain it. Definitely good, though. Keep it up and have a great day.
3569371
Honestly, a lot of people have commented on the trouble brewing, so I figured I'd come out and say don't think too hard about it. Puppy love comes and goes: ain't nothin' but a thang, ya heard? 
I don't understand girls. Never have, never will, and hence, the distinctly tweeny feel of the story overall.
And yeah, I think I get what you're saying about simple vs. complex, which is how I see MLP and Doctor Who. One is a show that's always fun, always pleasant, and always enjoyable. The other, while being completely fantastic, has a much deeper level of complexity that can only be really appreciated in certain moods. On a whole, I figure it's like delicious treats vs. a full three-course meal; each is great for different occasions but one is always more readily accessible.
That's how I feel at least, and that's why I try to mix things up: drama and action is good, but sometimes, you just want to laugh and have fun. After all, that's what life's like, right?
Always nice for a Graves update.
Also, Cutie Mark Crusaders Harem? Funny thing is, I could see them trying it out as a serious potential solution to the drama problem. It'd be a disaster like every other CMC activity, probably starting to snowball when they ask Twilight or Cheerilee for info on the subject, but at least it'd be entertaining to us outside observers.
And I'd like to take a minute
Just sit right there
I'll tell you all 'bout how he trained the kid with spiky green hair.
(I have no idea what came over me when I typed this)
3570674
... take it and get out.
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3570723
Oooo, I've always wanted one of those! Thanks!
Yeeah go Spike! You go get that little harem!