Twilight replayed the conversation through her head as Raindrops left the library. Thinking back on it, she never really knew where to place Spike in her life. On one hoof, she hatched his egg, and raised him alongside Princess Celestia and the castle staff. But on the other hoof, for the longest time she saw him as someone to do her work for her and make things easier in her life so she could focus on whatever she deemed more important at the time. Which unfortunately didn’t include Spike on that list of priorities most of the time.
Twilight looked at Spike and said in a soft tone, “Hey Spike, why don’t you take the rest of today off, and tomorrow as well. We’ll talk about stuff after Scootaloo has her little get-together. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do, all right?”
Spike, who’d been slightly thrown off after Raindrops came into the Library, gave a sharp nod, just as he was about to leave he looked at Twilight, “Hey, you know I’m not mad at you right? I’m still glad that you want me to be your number one assistant.”
“Spike, before you go… Have I ever treated you unfairly?” She asked in a voice that could match Fluttershy’s in terms of softness.
“You haven’t treated me any differently than you usually do. No, I can’t say you’ve treated me unfairly,” Spike answered, unknowingly confirming Twilight’s fears.
As he shut the door behind him, she plopped down on a cushion and thought back to when Spike first came into her life. To think that she had taken him for granted for so long, and had never really put any thought into where he fit other than for work.
Spike was feeling out of sorts following the conversation between Raindrops and Twilight. Sure, he might not have had the best childhood by pony standards, and sure he might’ve wanted to experience life more as a pony than a dragon sometimes, but that was the rub, no matter how much he wished he was born a pony, he was a dragon in body, and as such lived by as well as was treated by different standards.
All in all though, he had a pretty good life. Princess Celestia and some of Twilight’s tutors trained and taught him personally, as well as helped him learn to control his draconic magic, though that was mostly trial and error on Princess Celestia’s part. But he still got free food, a roof over his head, and he never really wanted for anything. Well if he was honest there was a lot he wanted, but with his last experience in going into savage mode he knew that wanting too much was bad for him, so he grinned and lived with it, being happy with what he had.
“Stupid Raindrops and her stupid questions. It’s not like it was a problem, I mean, nopony complains when I get carpel tunnel from writing city-block long lists, or dictating a novel's worth of words to Princess Celestia for Twilight. So what’s a few cracks in the scales matter? It’s not like it was killing me or anything,” Spike sighed.
A bump pulled him out of his meanderings. Looking up, he saw the pink flank of Holly Dash, “Hey, sorry for bumping into you Holly.”
“No problems, Spike, it happens to the best of us. So what has you lost in your thoughts?” Holly asked, offering him a hoof to help him up.
“Just stuff, you know?” Spike answered.
“Ha! I know stuff. That can be pretty heavy. I know you have a lot of friends around here in Ponyville if you ever wanted to talk about stuff,” Holly said with a wave, “ I gotta get going, Derpy just got over the Alicorn Flu and I promised to meet up with her when she got better. I’ll be seeing you, and don’t forget. You have friends to talk to if you need them.”
Spike perked up a bit and waved back, “Thanks, and say hi to Derpy for me.”
With that little talk, he stopped thinking about how much was going to change, and instead wondered who to talk to. The first pony on his mind, like always, was Rarity, but he couldn’t talk to her about all the things on his mind. After all, he had his studly reputation to look after. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were also out, they were too stallionly to talk about emotions with. And Pinkie Pie was Pinkie Pie, you never knew if you were going to get a serious response from her or a melting pot of general madness, tangents, anecdotes, and fantasy with only the lightest thread of reality sprinkled in there.
That just left two ponies he knew he could talk to, Fluttershy or Princess Celestia. Fluttershy was awesome in her own right, sure she freaked out at the flip of a coin, and she undersold herself on almost every awesome thing she did. But all in all, she was a good pony to talk to if you needed a good listener, and no matter what, she wasn’t the kind of pony to judge a pony, or his case a dragon, by what he was feeling. Then there was Celestia, ruler of a nation, a teacher, a kind, compassionate pony, and what sometimes felt like a second mom.
Thinking on it, he ended up choosing Fluttershy, since he didn’t want Celestia to be burdened with the same thing Twilight was dealing with because of him. With his mind made up, he waddled over to Fluttershy’s cottage to talk with a good, good friend.
Twilight Sparkle trotted around her usual thinking spot. That stallion bust had seen all of her thinking time freakouts. All six hundred and sixty five, as of this moment.
The more she thought of it, the more irritated she became. When she hatched Spike, and Princess Celestia turned him back to his normal baby size. She didn’t think of being responsible for a new life, and when she first had to deal with him a few weeks later, she treated him more like a pet than something she helped give life to.
After all, he was a dragon and she was a pony, they weren’t even close to the same species. Even a year later when he started babbling his words as infants are want to do, Twilight didn’t really see him as an equal until Celestia sat her down and told her all that she knew about dragons. Sadly for Twilight, it was relatively little. A small talk on a few of the dragon spells she knew that were compatible with unicorn magic, skipping over most until she thought Spike was ready, and the rise and fall of the few Dragon Empires throughout history.
The series of lectures ended with Celestia promising to help with his education, and helping integrate him within her life, since they shared a special bond that Twilight would one day see and appreciate. A comment that until recently had gone over her head.
Her eyes shrank to pinpricks as she hopped erratically as if the floor had became lava, “Oh! My! Gosh! I’m a mother! … Oh no! I’m Equestria’s worst mother!” She lamented, “What am I going to do?! What am I going to do!? Is there a punishment for being world’s worst mother? I mean sure, no parent’s perfect, and most don’t even pay that much attention to their children if they aren’t in eye sight... Which I guess counts for any foal. So yeah, I can’t be that negligent if other ponies are just as bad … Oh, that makes it even worse! I’m supposed to be Princess of Something, and I can’t even help out a filly who needs help while at the same time criminally mistreating my son, whom I’ve never even treated like a son!”
Just before she hit Smarty Pants Incident-level sanity slippage, she stopped herself, and took a few deep breaths as Cadence taught her. Looking around, she spotted her trusty ink pot and scrolls and began writing to her ex-mentor for advice.
“So that’s when Twilight gave me a two day vacation, and I ended up coming to you to get stuff off my chest,” Spike ended his recollections, “After all, I spent hours talking to you about my past when we first met.”
“I remember that. You were just as adorable then as you are now,” Fluttershy gushed, “and I’m sorry that me and the girls haven’t been there for you like we should have. Can you forgive me?”
“Thanks, and sure I forgive you,” Spike blushed, “But what do I do?”
“Well, what do you feel like doing?” Fluttershy asked.
“I don’t know. I admit that I wanted things to be different sometimes, but not this much, this fast! And I definitely didn’t want Twilight sad,” Spike sighed, resting his head on the table. He didn’t bother sipping his tea, as it had undoubtedly cooled by now.
“I know more than anypony how scary change can be. But it was my friends, including you, who showed me that sometimes change, while scary, can be a good thing,” Fluttershy said, stretching her wing over the table and giving him a comforting pat on the back.
“Yeah, you’re right, but what do I do about Twilight? I mean, I don’t like her being sad, and it feels crummy that she’s all worked up about this,” Spike said, leaning into the soft feathers. It in a way reminded him of when Celestia used to give him wing hugs when he was a little hatchling.
“Well, I’m sure things will work out for the best. The best thing you can do is be honest with her.”
“Alright. Thanks, Flutters,” He said, draining his tea before getting ready to leave.
“It was my pleasure, Spike. If you need somepony to talk to, all of us girls are here for you. But if it makes any difference, Raindrops’ worries were well founded. I know when some of my reptile friends get their scales broken, they can get really bad infections, and it opens them up to lots of disabling diseases. So if you don’t mind, I might be able to give you a check up when you think you need it.”
With that, Spike left Fluttershy’s cottage. As he neared Ponyville Proper, he saw Rarity barrelling towards him, mascara running down her face. Before he could say a word, he was glomped and found himself laying on his back looking up at Rarity who was weeping all over him.
“Um … Yeah, I could never hold anything against you, Rarity,” Spike replied in a confused daze. He didn’t like to see the ponies important to him sad, but he had so many fantasies of Rarity laying on top of him... Of course, those fantasies usually involved clouds raining candied gems, and a swimming pool filled with chocolate pudding.
She sat up and pulled Spike into a hug. “Listen, Spike, we need to have a talk later, and it’s a talk that’s long overdue. But I promise, as Celestia as my witness, I promise to make it up to you!” She said, nuzzling Spike lovingly.
Twilight looked over her letter for the fifth time after she finished. She was still reeling from the revelation that not only was she in a way Spike’s mother, but his life had been less of an equal citizen as a pony as well as what could at times be considered almost criminal negligence. Well what would be criminal negligence if it wasn’t for the fact that thinking about it the treatment of the young was at best negligent.
Thinking about it further, and how Scootaloo had been living without any adult help or assistance for several years. Snips and Snails when they brought over the Ursa Minor into town, causing thousands of bits in property damage and risking the lives of everypony in town. Even the crusaders caused havoc with their cutie mark-earning stunts, yet nopony bothered to supervise them or even take proper safety precautions.
That’s just how ponies are, as long as I can remember. Might need to add that question to Princess Celestia. But I want to be a good mother, I really need to make things up to Spike, but I just don’t know what to do.
What's goldenverse
Explain how this has one view but three likes and one dislike.
I hadn't even read Golden Wings... but now I'm going to. I'm looking forward to this more though! Being ignorant of the other story means I can say this with complete confidence.
I particularly like Spike's oblivious and clearly focused on Twilight's happiness attitude here, as I think it's a lot closer to his canon portrayal than the Spike that's suddenly frustrated with Twilight for not treating him like family.
Basically... not noticing that he's treated poorly, since it's par for the course for him, is what I expect, but it's clearly not healthy, and his low self esteem that crops up could be definitely caused by a lack of the sort of unconditional parental affection that children need to a degree.
4886052
Views are only updated every 20 minutes (or so), but likes and dislikes are updated in real-time. The one view you see, probably, is the author uploading the document to Fimfiction.
Huh, this should be interesting. Can't wait to see where you go with this.
4886090
Thanks .
4886048
Stories revolving around Golden Wings part one of the Golden Saga, and the fics revolving around the Golden Saga [including the story Strawberry Muffins]. Retro-actively named it that since I started before S4, but S4 is different than the Golden Saga branched into.
4886052
I honestly have no idea.
4886073
Thank you , yep it's that canon mentality that I'm going to be playing with here. Sure there are things that he's been sad about lately [will be going into later], but yeah
he's devoted to Twilight.
4886119 thank you
4886123
No problem.
I tried a story along similar themes like this last year at this time. It didn't go well for me, and I hope this has much more success than that work had.
4886731
I'm hoping that since this is part of Golden Wings, that those who like that fic, will love following a side of it that happens in the background of the main one. But nonetheless, thank you for your well wishes. I hope it works out as well.
If you'd like to send a link. I'd like to see that story .
he's accustomed to the "abuse," he doesn't know any other way of living than in the state that seems to be appalling to most ponies... kinda reminds me of the time I tried to count the times Spike's been abused in the series (I stopped after the first episode at around 7 when hasbro decided to take the episodes off youtube)
but having said that, I can't wait to read more of this and see where it's going
Isn't Alicorn flu only happens to Alicorns?
4887201
Actually "Alicorn" means Wing-Horn, and the Alicorn Flu is called that since it effects any pony with a Wing or a Horn. And of course Alicorn's have both so it hits them just as it would a Pegasi / Moori [Thestral/Bat Pony], Unicorn, or Changeling. Earth Ponies, Buffalo, Donkey's and Mules are unaffected by that strain of flu. Hope that cleared that up?
4887262 What about dragons?
There's been a lot of quality Spike stories over the past month or so it seems. It's definitely a nice change of pace. This fic is very good.
Question, do we have to read the main fic for this to make sense or will it stand on it's own. I've already noticed several things that must be references to the main fic, but nothing super important. I only ask because this seems really good but I don't really want to get invested in a whole universe of fics.
Not a bad start and it does a good job exploring the psychology of the characters but I'm left wishing we had seen the conversation with Raindrops.
Seems like there's a bit of dialogue missing between these two paragraphs, other than that, great story.
4887384
Hmmm ... That would be an interesting species jump. Possible, but depends on if the dragons have horns [not spines] or wings.
4888140
Thanks .
4888968
Bits in peices will be referenced, but nothing really that'd make you have to read the main fic for it to make sense. Although I'll start adding stuff to the A/N. So that those who don't want to read it won't have to.
Basically the main thing that you need to know. Raindrops is a Jill-of-all-Trades social worker. Found Scoots eating out of a dumpster and took her in. Discovered that Scoots has been stealing bits and stuff for survival, and went around paying off everypony.
Saw Spike, and had to do her duties as a social worker looking after a child's best interest. Found out that well ... Spike is Spike [crack's and holes in the scales from being a living pincushion; learning that he basically does a stallions job [several of them] for no money at all; sleeps in a dog basket; etc.] and told Twilight to fix the problem in a weeks time. Then chewed out Rarity.
The Party is basically Scootaloo coming out in the open to those she wronged and apologizing. Of course doesn't work that way since Rarity learns about it from Sweets. And Rarity gabs to Fluttershy in public where everypony can hear and it spreads. Oh! And might pop up from time to time, but CMC made Potion cupcakes, and one of them accidentally summoned Trixie.
That is literally everything you need to know about GW up to now. If you don't want to read the fic itself. But yeah, the side fics, while they will reference the main one(s) really can be enjoyed on their own. With minimal to no real understanding of the main fic.
Hope that helps.
4889183
If you want you can take a peek at Getting Ready Just hit CTRL+F: ~Today~ .
That's the whole convo with Twilight and Rares. Although I'll be addressing them in Chapter 2.
4889287
Must've gotten cut during one of the editing sessions with my editor . I feel a bit . Glad you enjoyed the rest of it, and hope that didn't take too much from the fic.
4886119
might be a good idea to link that in the description
4889507
Link what?
You need to get rid of one of those "until recently." Otherwise looks interesting and makes me want to read the main story.
That was really cute. Please post more (when you're ready).
4889860
Fixed.
4890004
More will be coming in a week or so.
4889623
The first story in the 'goldenverse'
4890072
Added.
4889339 Oh, there we go. Thanks!
4890204
You're welcome .
4890270 Kind of wanted to do a story like this, but with a dragon child protection agent.
4890707
If you ever get to writing it, I'd be glad to read it. Spike could use all the love he can get .
4890790 Indeed. :D I'm a little busy with my Pokemon fan fiction, but I'll consider doing it someday.
4890794
Pokemon fanfic?
4890813 Yeah, I'm writing one.
4890993
Sweet. Good luck on it ^_^.
4891714 Thankee. If you like Pokemon, check it out.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10168357/1/Pok%C3%A9mon-Red-and-Blue-Tony-s-Journey
4891853
Read and PM'd you a comment .
4892040 Thanks. :D
Cool, side story! *Eats popcorn and sits down*
4889339 That does help a lot thank you. but seriously, summoning Trixie, with a cupcake? How's that even... whatever I'll just go with it.
4893701
Three words my friend. And when it clicks your mind will be blown. Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Now think of all the improbable, chaotic, and random things they do / generate when being themselves. And how they were powerful enough when there were only three of them to release Discord. And now there are six [well five +1 with a Cutie Mark].
4893938 Wait, there are six now? and one has their cutie mark? I think I missed something again.
4894750
Should've added that to the A/N. In the chapter "Defeat of a Bully". Dinky, Mango Dash, and Pips were added to the CMC. Recently, Apple Bloom got her Cutie Mark in potions / magical food creation. [adds this to the A/N].
4894825 Well that would explain the Trixie summoning cupcake.
i see it now in the newspaper " princess twilight neglectful mother" on the front page
Spike looked at Raindrops " Guess you know your job , But don't know anything about dragons"
Drops replied " All I know is you're a baby dragon" Spike sighed "Not this tissue again" As he waddled closer to Raindrop ,Looking her right in her eyes.
Drops continued "This abuse needs to be stopped & you need to go to school like other children" Spike put his claw under his snout & puffed a stream of green smoke in her face. "You haven't a clue do you? I was schooled in the finest arts, Song, Dance, Math, Accounting, Political protocol, International Finance, and all other skills it takes to be an assistant to a Princess plus have top secret clearance & crypto as a Royal messenger." Drop gasped
"You think you know me" Spike growled " I even had to learn the Dewey Decimal System for the Gosh danged LIBRARY" Drops looked away from him.
Spike dropped his voice to a whisper " You Cubical Hamsters just love to cause a mess don't you?" Spike waddled so she could see his eyes,
Spike crept closer to whisper in her ear, " Just leave us alone please, I like my boss & I really like Rarity, You're working so above your pay grade"
Drops looked at the drake " I'm just doing my job" A little sob slipping out. Spike grinned " I'll make a deal with you, Send Scoots to Rainbow as her ward and I'll drop in a good word to Princess Celestia" Raindrops eyes bugged out as her mouth hung open "What? You know Celestia?"
Spike smiled "Well yeah, She's my step mom sort of speaking, And quit calling me a baby, Gosh don't you know I'm 25 in pony years?"
Raindrop looked at her papers "twenty five? I see two point five" Spike gave her a wink" It's a typo, believe me what I'm feeling right now sure can't be from a baby"
4901497
Here have some cookies. But yeah, I'm going to hook Spike up, and give him the love he deserves.
wish you would put the talk between twilight and raindrops
4903564
If you want you can take a peek at Getting Ready Just hit CTRL+F: ~Today~ .
That's the whole convo with Twilight and Rares. Although I'll be addressing them in Chapter 2.
It's not suprising why twilight treats spike that wa when she hatched him as a child herself