Igniting the Torch

by Blooming Cherries

Chapter 2: Pre-Post Birthday Events

Author's Note:

Under rewrite

The next half-an-hour spent in the train car went by swimmingly for Spike and his friends. Everypony had spent time relaxing in their respective seats and enjoying the company of friends and family. Oh, how they talked and laughed at each others whimsical anecdotes and hilarious work related stories. Though the fun had to end momentarily with the train finally reaching Canterlot Station. For when they exit the train car, everypony would be separating to enjoy themselves until the time of Spike's birthday celebration. And nopony could wait until then.

All of the passengers were free to gather up their belongings and exit their respective cars after the train had docked into the station. Every filly and colt jumped out of their seats with newfound energy and joy after many hours of sitting still, the prospect of being able to play outside again overwhelmed them all. Parents were even shouting at their children to slow down, though most children would just ignore those cries of authority. With only a few of his friends having brought luggage with them on board, Spike didn't have a very hard time carrying their collective luggage off of the train. Not that his satchel and a few saddlebags would slow him down in the first place. Spike was a dragon after all, simple cloth bags wouldn't be too challenging. Though making sure not to step on screaming fillies and colts running through the lanes was pretty tough.

One by one Spike and his friends stepped out of the passenger car and onto the smooth wooden platform of the train station. A cool breeze swept over them as they once again gazed upon the city, the smooth brisk mountain air greeting them on their return to Canterlot. For Spike it had been but a few days since he was last here. But for some of the girls, it had been a long while since they had took step inside the city. It was nice to return to a place that they shared so many fond memories in.

Spike set down the collective hoard of saddlebags he mule'd off of the train. Feeling a little stiff in his spine Spike stood straight up on his hind legs arching his back and stretching his arms towards the sky, a fiery yawn escaping his maw from relief of being able to stretch after a long train ride. A handful of ponies who did not know him by now were a bit frightened by the now towering beast breathing fire, but most ponies just brushed it off as ordinary. But who could blame them, his full height standing up on his hind legs was three times taller than their solar diarch, Princess Celestia. Horn included.

"Spike!" yelled Applebloom whose cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. "Yer attractin' attention to yourself."

Lowering his arms down to his sides, Spike turned to looked around to see some ponies running away out of or into the city and everypony else looking in his direction. Everypony silently staring at him, watching in complete silence as everypony stopped their conversations to look at the fire-breathing giant before them. "Uhhh, hello, everypony," said Spike smiling sheepishly. He lowered back down onto all fours, his height now a little over that of Celestia. He was still taller than the average pony, but significantly less so.

After a moment to recollect in silence, everypony returned to conversing with one another and continuing along with their day. Everypony had resumed their lives like nothing had ever happened just moments prior. To them it was just another ordinary day in Canterlot. Spike wasn't exactly an oddity to the denizens of Canterlot. Not a lot of ponies knew him personally, but Spike could always be seen running around the city doing business for the princesses. So naturally only visitors would be caught off guard.

"Well," said Applejack, an astonished yet bewildered expression adorning her face. She adjusted the somewhat worn stetson that sat atop her blond ponytail-bound hair before she continued. "That there was certainly, uh... Somethin'."

"Indeed," Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement, the curls of her well-groomed, multi-colored mane bouncing about. "If it were to be anything at all, "something" would definitely fit the bill."

"I'll say," Rarity agreed.

Apple Bloom hung her head low and sighed, the troubles to come already exhausting her. She turned around and slowly made her way over to Spike. "Why does being your marefriend have to be so much work? You are so lucky ah' love you as dearly as ah' do, Spike," said Apple Bloom as she stopped in front of Spike and gave him a peck on the cheek.

A toothy grin formed on Spike's maw that revealed his dagger like dragon teeth. Leaning down, Spike returned Apple Bloom's affection with a peck on the opposite cheek. He wrapped his arms around Apple Bloom and pulled her close to his chest. He rested his head on top of hers. "I know I am a bit too much to handle sometimes," Spike began, speaking softly but still loud enough that others around him could hear. "And I do apologize for the embarrassing things I put you through. I'm a big dragon, Apple Bloom. Making a scene isn't going to just magically go away by the power of song and dance. But luckily I have my little Apple Blossom to be around for me."

"Errmph!"

The sudden noise behind Spike and Apple Bloom had captured their attention. Everypony nearby turned around to see if they can locate the origin point of the mysterious noise. And find it they did. For in the direction of the noise was a hunched-over cyan mare with a rainbow mane covering her mouth with her hoof.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," mumbled Rainbow Dash from behind her hoof. The athletic mare's once blue face turned a sickly green in color.

Scootaloo opened her saddlebag and dug through the contents until she found the item of interest, an average everyday folded brown paper lunch bag. She trotted over to Rainbow's side and hoofed over a paper bag which Rainbow swiftly took from her hooves and opened. Foul and unspeakable noises could be heard as Rainbow threw up her lunch into the once empty brown paper bag. Dreams that the bag had of once being filled with a nice Daffodil or Violet sandwich could no longer come to pass now. Although, under some extreme technicalities, I suppose it was still being filled with a Daffodil sandwich of sorts.

A sigh escaped Scootaloo as she sat down beside Rainbow. Scootaloo unfurled one of her wings from her side and gently began to rub and pat Rainbow Dash's back with the feathered appendage to help soothe the sickly mare. "There, there. Just let it all out," Scootaloo soothed. "It's gonna be okay, babe."

"Well, horseapples. I guess, R.D. wasn't lyin' when she said she was gonna toss up a few chunks, huh? I didn't think she was gonna actually cough up her lunch from some little public display of affection like that," said Applejack. She rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof. "Whew, Rainbow is startin' to look greener than, Granny Smith."

Now finished vomiting, Rainbow Dash pulled her muzzle out of the now filled brown paper bag and rolled up the end to close it. She spit on the ground in front of her and wiped any remaining saliva of her muzzle with the side of her hoof. "Okay. I-I think... I'm just gonna go throw this away now." said Rainbow. She got back up on all fours and began to walk away to find the closest trash bin in the area with the bag's rolled up end in her mouth.

"Oh, poor, Rainbow Dash," said Fluttershy in her normal soft, innocent tone. "I better go make sure that she's okay. Rainbow Dash and I will meet you all at the restaurant."

Turning around, Fluttershy gently fluttered over and caught up to Rainbow Dash, landing beside her. The two appeared to talk back and forth as they passed many other ponies going about their own business. Fluttershy was asking Rainbow Dash various questions to assess her well being and Rainbow was constantly reassuring Fluttershy that she was okay.

"Well I hope, Rainbow Dash isn't going to be completely under the weather during the party. It would be most unfortunate for her if she was to miss this well prepared celebration for, Spike," said Rarity as she walked over and stood in between her baggage and Applejack. Rarity's soft smile faded and was replaced with a more worried and concerned expression. "She is going to be alright? Isn't she, darling?" Rarity asked Scootaloo anxiously.

After watching her marefriend and Fluttershy walk over towards the trash bin in the next area over, Scootaloo looked over towards Applejack and Rarity."Yeah, Rainbow Falls over there hasn't done any of her generally awesome stunts or usual feats of grandeur today. "The Balance", as she puts it, is outta wack. But don't worry about it, Applejack. The two of us will do some stunts, flying maneuvers and some aerial sprinting later on and she'll be back up to the normally amazing marefriend she generally is," Scootaloo reassured. "Assuming she doesn't want to go wash out her mouth and grab that quick bite to eat, that is."

Applejack tilted her head to the side and arched an eyebrow, a confused questioning look upon her face. "Might I ask what in tarnation is aerial sprinting?"

Scootaloo smiled. "It's a flying exercise that combines generic speed flying with galloping motion-like stretches. You synchronize your legs to gallop along with the beats of your wings, appearing as if you were sprinting in the air. Since our innate pegasi magic really helps out in terms of exercise, Aerial Sprinting, or 'The Pegasi Run' as it is sometimes referred to as, is designed to work out the muscles in our wings and legs since Pegasi, athletically speaking, generally focus more on the strength and power of the muscle in our wings to increase our W.B.P.M., or Wing Beats Per Minute, and initial take off. Aerial Sprinting, unlike most other exercises, helps give us a chance to stretch out and use our legs a bit more, which we use in the beginning of races to launch ourselves into the air or sprint on clouds for whatever reason. Another thing that this particular activity helps us develop is focus and control. And I'm pretty sure you know by now why those two are important.," explained Scootaloo in quite the amount of detail, a very prideful smile on her face after. She doesn't get to show off her intellect very often in conversation.

Everypony still around stared wide-eyed at Scootaloo. Nopony believed she could give such an explanation. And in such detail as she did. Scootaloo wasn't an imbecile. No, not at all. She was an intelligent pegasus, but was one whom liked to keep things short, simple and to the point most of the time.

"Whoa, Scoots," said Spike, blinking and scratching his temple with a single claw. He was genuinely surprised Scootaloo's intellectual outburst. She wasn't dumb by any means, Spike knew that, nor was he thinking that. It was just rare for Scootaloo to use more words than genuinely required. "I didn't know you had all of that in you. That was a doozy if I ever heard one."

Apple Bloom giggled at Spike's little tease towards Scootaloo. She wrapped her right hoof around Scootaloo, who was turning red with frustration and embarrassment if her frown, furrowed brow and red cheeks were any indication. "She has her moments," Apple Bloom teased. "They're few and far between, but they exist."

"Hehe, you're funny, Apple Bloom," said Scootaloo with a somewhat forced smile. "I'll have to remember that the next time you want special seats for the Wonderbolts."

"Relax, Scootaloo. The two of them are just having fun at your expense," Sweetie Belle explained, giggling as she walked over to Scootaloo's side and wrapped her left hoof over Scootaloo, overlapping the hoof Apple Bloom had already wrapped around Scootaloo. All of them smiling and laughing with one another.

As the young mare's laughing quieted down a silence fell upon Spike and company. A silence that was not unwelcome at that point in time. The remembrance of fond and joyful memories with one another flowed through their minds. They were all together for a long time in Ponyville. The birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and every unconventional party Pinkie decided to throw all had value and meaning to everyone of their friends. But then everypony just got busy. They would try and try to have everyone together again, but someone was always unable to attend. Today however, would be different.

Spike wrapped his purple scale covered arm around Applebloom, Sweetie and Scootaloo, joining them at their side and adding more to the unplanned group hug. "Hey' girls. This party isn't just about me adding another year to my life. It will also represent the closeness and love I have shared with all of you over the years. Every single one of you are family to -" Spike's eye's widened in horror as something alarmingly important suddenly occurred to him "- Holy horseapples, we forgot, Starlight Glimmer!" Spike practically roared in the ears of his friends.

The eyes of everypony shot open in shock as they too came to the realization that they had indeed left Starlight Glimmer behind. They all looked around, turning there heads this way and that way frantically searching around in hope of finding their missing friend. It didn't take long for the group of friends to discover that their missing pink unicorn friend known as Starlight Glimmer was nowhere in sight. Well... Sugar honey ice tea.

Rarity huffed in irritation. "I cannot believe we left our poor dear, Starlight behind in Ponyville. This is so unbecoming of us to leave such a beautiful kindhearted mare behind due to our lack of attention. And it was one of our dearest friends no less!" Rarity fumed, doing her best to not break her lady-like demeanor. She was so frustrated at herself and the others for so easily forgetting about their friend Starlight.

The hard slamming of a hoof thundered against the concrete platform. "Dagnabbit! Ah knew that mare was bein' awful quiet," Applejack voiced angrily. She adjusted her hat once again with a hoof and moved some of her blonde hair out of her sight. "Ah tell ya' what, I am madder than a mute filly tryin' to compete in a karaoke contest."

"Oh. My. Gosh," said Scootaloo, standing there in utter disbelief. This whole situation was unbelievable. Only one thing could be said about this entire fiasco in her opinion. "This is so unbelievably hilarious."

Sweetie Belle sighed heavily, cursing inwardly at her friend Scootaloo's amusement of the situation. "Thank you for your input, Scootaloo, dear," Sweetie commented dryly. "It was very much appreciated."

Spike breathed in deeply, filling his lungs with oxygen to the point where he felt his draconic organs could not hold any more. Holding his breath for a moment, Spike exhaled the contents his lung had been holding. "Okay. Starlight is going to be pretty miffed, if not peeved, about this whole ordeal when she realizes she has to take a later train by herself," Spike paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "Let's not worry about that at the moment. I recommend that we go ahead and do what we want, or need, to do for now and meet up with the princesses at the castle later before, Starlight shows up and chews us out for practically abandoning her back in Ponyville."

"Despite the stern talking to we shall most likely be receiving from our dear, Starlight later on, I do believe that to be an excellent idea, Spikey Wikey," Rarity agreed, nodding as she made her way over to Applejack. She tapped Applejack on the shoulder with her hoof to obtain the farm pony's attention. In a quick use of her magic Rarity grabbed her and Applejack's saddlebags, the objects enveloped in a lustrous azure aura, and put them on their respective owners. Now clad in her white saddlebag with a gold embroidered trim embedded with her cutie mark, and Applejack having her worn satchel, Rarity was ready to head unto the city of Canterlot. "Hurry, Applejack. We must be on our way, darling. Remember we still have to go fetch, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. I managed to get all of us reservations for lunch at the latest restaurant La Griffoniá and we must make haste!"

Applejack sat on her haunches and sighed, rubbing her temples with her hooves attempting to soothe the oncoming headache she could feel making head-way. Today's events were already starting affect the farm pony. "Ah' reckon that's the only thing we can do on our part anyhow, seein' as we can't exactly just go back and fetch, Starlight," Applejack admitted. Standing up once again, Applejack looked at Rarity and forced a smile as best she could. "Alrighty, Rarity. Lets get to it."

"Wait, Applejack!" Apple Bloom shouted urgently, doing her best to grab her sister's attention before she and Rarity could embark on their quest for cultured food and scenery.

Upon hearing her sister's outburst, Applejack whipped her head around to face her little sister, her golden ponytail swinging behind her head. "Yes, lil' missy?" Applejack asked her sister curiously, wondering what it was her sister felt she needed to say.

Applebloom smiled at Applejack. "Ya better mind your manners, sis," Apple Bloom teased, pointing a hoof at her older sister accusingly. "Ah hear they prefer ya to eat nice and clean-like."

"Haha," Applejack guffawed in response, taking her Stetson off from atop her head with a hoof and holding it against her chest. She smiled and replaced her signature headwear atop it's rightful plaace. "Yeah, yeah. Don't go gettin' yer bow in a bundle, lil' missy. Ah gotta get goin' before, Rarity starts throwin' a hissy fit," Applejack stated.

"Alright, Applejack. Go have yer fun," Apple Bloom said, waving a hoof at Applejack to shoo her off.

Without a response to Applebloom other than her continuing smile, Applejack turned and metaphorically grabbed Rarity so they can once again began their journey for finer food. The pair passed many groups of stallions and mares as they walked; many of them entering or leaving the station with luggage in tow. Eventually though Applejack and Rarity disappeared among the crowd of Canterlot ponies going about their business.

Spike, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo all watched as Applejack and Rarity both blended amongst the crowd and melded into the city populace. With their eyes they followed Rarity's amethyst colored locks and Applejack's stetson bob along within the sea of ponies until
they disappeared around a corner of a bakery down the road. Everypony in the group, other than Apple Bloom, continued to watch the corner of that bakery for a few a little while longer. Just to make sure that Applejack had, in fact, went on her way.

After a brief moment of waiting just in case Applejack did decide to come back around the corner, Spike craned his head down to his friends. "Alright," voiced Spike. He turned his attention to Scootaloo and spoke. "Did you bring 'The Package', Scootaloo?"

Scootaloo whipped her head around and smiled mischievously. "You bet I did!" Scootaloo said aloud, holding a hoof up for Spike to hoof bump her. And hoof bumped her hoof with his balled up fist he did.

Sweetie Belle grabbed Scootaloo by her head and brought Scootaloo's face to her own, nose to nose. "He brought it!" Sweetie Belle chirped, a huge grin plastered on her muzzle. Scootaloo nodded her head in confirmation and Sweetie Belle's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. Her emerald eyes sparkled with excitement that she hadn't felt since her Crusader days.

Bewilderment was strewn across Apple Bloom's face; lost and confused to as what item her friends were referring to. "Umm. What are y'all goin' on about?"

Scootaloo walked over and grabbed her saddlebag from the collective pile they had laying about. After a moment of fishing through her saddlebag's contents Scootaloo took out a small, burgundy colored, wooden box. The container had nothing special in it's appearance other than the etched in pair of cherries centered on the lid and sides of the container.

"Applebloom," Spike said solemnly, resting his claws on Applebloom's shoulders. He looked straight into her eyes, getting up close to her face almost nose to nose and spoke softly, but loud enough so that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle could also hear. "What may lie inside this specially made cherry wood cigar box are of some of the most refined goods amongst our Equestrian society."

"But what in the hay is insi-" Spike gently placed a single claw over Apple Bloom's lips, hindering her from speaking further.

"We are about to show you," said Spike, waving Scootaloo over with a claw. With a nod Scootaloo began making her way over Sweetie Belle was practically bouncing on her hooves impatiently waiting for her friend to . "Now a word of warning, Apple Bloom. That which is held inside has been banned in over twenty-eight different Apple family properties, five Orange households, a barbershop in Manehattan and forever prohibited from a pony by the name of, Quick Whiff."

A somewhat surprised and confused look overcame Sweetie Belle. She turned to Spike and placed a hoof on his thigh. "What happened to, Quick Whiff that resulted in him specifically being banned?"

Spike scratched the back of his neck with his claws and chuckled slightly. "That's a story for another day, Sweetie. But for now, we have our tiny box o' goodies to enjoy."

Scootaloo held the cigar box out for everybody to see. After a brief pause, she placed a hoof on the lid and readied herself to open the tiny box of wonders. Slowly Scootaloo lifted the lid upwards unveiling that which lies inside. Cigars. A ray of light shined on the box and the brown rolled as they were enveloped in a harmonious golden glow. One would believe that they could hear an angelic choir of Pegasi singing soothing hymns into their ears.

Apple Bloom stared in awe and wonder at the cigars before her. The cigars were all lined up in rows, each with a sticker of Miss Jubilee and her initials placed carefully on each cigar. The cigars themselves had a light tan colored wrapping. Apple Bloom noticed that the ends of each cigar closest to the band was a cut in a 'V' shape. Apple Bloom wasn't much of a smoker other than maybe the occasional hit or two, but she knew Spike had great taste in smokes. "It's so magical."

A single tear slid down Sweetie Belle's cheek. The young mare overtaken by joyful emotions far beyond normal unicorn capacity. "No words. No words." Sweetie Belle sniffled and wiped the lone tear off of her cheek with the back off her hoof.

"Every gaze I cast upon these is better than the last," stated Scootaloo. She sat there staring at the cigars in awe just like the others. This wasn't her first time gazing upon a Cherryshine wonder. Nor would it be her last.

Scootaloo gently laid the open box down onto the concrete. With her hooves now free she stretched her front hooves forward and arched her back to stretch her currently unused flight muscles. "Cherry Jubilee started making them about four years ago as a side business and it took off. The only bad part is that she only makes so many boxes a year so she doesn't use too many of her cherries just to make cigars. But on plus side of that is that since our big lug of a dragon here became one of, Miss Jubilee's favorite customers, she reserves him about fifteen orders of her Cherryshine Cigars." Scootaloo informed her friends.

The cigars Cherry Jubilee crafted were legendary. Well actually they weren't as prominent as her customers made them out to be. Since Cherry Jubilee makes the Cherryshine Cigars at her ranch, Cherry Hill Ranch, in Dodge City, ponies of 'Higher Standard' tended to ignore or slander the product. But Miss Jubilee preferred her lack of publicity towards the cigar, too many customers would endanger her farm's cherries. The cigars were a fun idea and the customers loved them, but she couldn't ruin the lives of those customers that bought her cherries. And so, a mundane country specialty it will remain in the hearts of the outside world that reject it.

"Shield Sisters! To Arms!" shouted Spike. Quickly Spike grabbed a single Cherryshine out of the box with his big index and middle claws. With Spike the Dragon leading the charge the mares had no choice but to follow suit, each of them diving for a cigar to claim. "I didn't have, Scootaloo sneak my Cherryshine cigar box passed, Applejack for nothing."

Apple Bloom lovingly hooved Spike's arm with her free hoof and giggled. "That's because she'd kill ya six ways 'till Sunday if she ever found out ya even had 'em with ya in the first place, Spike," said Apple Bloom with a smile.

"Can we hurry up and light these things already!!!" Sweetie Belle shouted impatiently. Her other hoof tapping repeatedly against the pavement. Tap. Tap. Tap. The young mare's patience had long gone dry, the twitch in her right eye any further indication. Sweetie wanted the smoke and she wanted it now.

"Ha Ha!" laughed Spike. He reached his scale covered arm outward with cigar in claw holding it between himself and the girls. "Hold out the foot of your cigars, the side opposite of the 'V' shaped wedge on the end, close to mine. The only true way to light a Cherryshine is with a dragon's flame. Mine to be specific."

Hasty the young mares were to hold out their cigars to be lit by the dragon's green flame. Spike inhaled calmly, drawing in just enough air into his draconian lungs to accomplish the task at hand. Pursing his lips, Spike breathed out a small concentrated jet of green flame, a wisp that danced gently in the air to it's target. The small jet of fire singed the wrapping on the foot of the cigars and thus the Cherryshine cigars were lit.

Without a moment to lose Sweetie Belle brought the head of the Cherryshine to her mouth and wrapped her lips around the cigar. She took a strong draw from her cigar practically using half of the cigar on her first use, the ring of green flame quickly going down the cigar being of any indication. Sweetie Belle slouched and "exhaled" the cigar smoke, a thick malachite green cloud, breaking her normally dignified posture and let out a sigh that stated to anypony she was far more than just simply relaxed at the moment. Her green eyes became heavy-lidded, becoming partially hidden away behind her eyelids, and she had a dopey yet satisfied grin spread across her face. To anypony who saw her face it would look as if Sweetie Belle just had the greatest sex of her life and was basking in it's afterglow.

Sweetie Belle reached up and took the smoke out of her mouth and sighed heavily, that same euphoric smile still plastered across her muzzle. "That was far better than stallion cock," voiced Sweetie Belle blissfully.

Giggles and stifled laughter were the responses of Sweetie Belle's peers. Scootaloo was covering her mouth trying her best attempt to mute her probable hysterical laughter while Spike and Apple Bloom were leaning on one another giggling at Sweetie Belle.

Spike took a hit from his cigar, taking extra care to blow the smoke away from his companions and the passersby, consisting ponies and griffins with the occasional other species here or there, walking passed the group of friends. "I know you've had your hooves full with the Cutie Mark Crusade, but I didn't think you were that stressed out, Sweetie?"

Sweetie Belle sighed and turned to give Spike a smirk. She looked towards the ground and put out her cigar, grabbing it from her hoof with her magic and gently twisting the foot of the cigar on the pavement. With the smoke no longer currently lit, she stored it in her saddlebag for later. She returned her gaze to Spike. "You have no idea, Spike. Our business isn't a giant chain corporation but we do have the three buildings to maintain. We have the two small school-sized locations in Ponyville and Fillydelphia with our larger facility here in Canterlot. Not to mention helping, Twilight maintain her school. Hiring staff, keeping up with protocols and maintaining a budget are a tad harder than it looks, Spike. With mwah-" Sweetie Belle gestured herself with a hoof "- doing the a little over half of the paperwork, along with monitoring our locations via visitation, I tend to have a full schedule when our classes begin and return from school. Not to mention the specialty everything for, Twilight's Friendship school. It's also not easy being a third-part co-owner with these two," Sweetie Belle teased, gesturing all of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.

"Hey. I am a fantastic business partner if I do say so myself,' said Scootaloo, taking a quick puff of her cigar just to make another little smoke cloud. "I even got the cigar to prove it. Cigars are a pure representation of class and buisnessness."

Apple Bloom nodded slowly, unassured of her friends choice of wording. "Ah-huh. Buisnessness. Guess we can't put it anyway better than that," she replied sarcastically to Scootaloo.

Spike, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle sat at the depot for a few more moments exchanging words with one another. They continued on about the Cutie Mark Crusade schools the girls started a while back and how they hope to expand if proven successful. And as the conversation drew to an end another one began in it's place. The hands of time had turned on the the station and the whistle of a train ready to depart had sounded. Hooves and talons raced passed the Spike and company to catch their respective trains before departure. The oncoming masses of last minute passengers racing towards the them was the signal for Spike and the rest of his friends to continue on with their day.

After barely escaping the stampede of rampaging pony families, dessert hound tourists and business ponies or griffins with their lives intact, possibly an exaggeration but important none the less, Spike began to plan the day ahead. Or at least all of the day he could control until they got to Canterlot later in the day. First on Spike's mind was to pick up Peewee from Magnifique Grooming, second would be picking up a gift from a friend at Through the Ages and last but not least, if time permitted, grab a small bit of carnivorous goodness at a diner here in Canterlot. And possibly stopping here or there for a visit with his friends around the city. Spike nodded to himself, approving of his plan of action.

Having their own plans and stops in mind before the party, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle left together leaving Spike to his own devices, Apple Bloom not having left without a peck on the cheek first. With a route in mind Spike made way to Magnifique Grooming, a well known and popular pet grooming salon and day care of sorts that offer a variety of services regarding pets of all shapes and sizes. Within reason of course. It was snooty, expensive and other more 'Elite' customers tended to disapprove of his presence, but the owner was a very kind older mare that knew a thing or two about taking care of many types of avian. Peewee deserved the best after all.

The day Peewee returned was a happy one for Spike. Spike could reminisce and lose himself in fondful memories of his phoenix companion, or he could make haste and just go pick him up from the caretaker. A more reasonable idea than standing in the middle of the street looking like an imbecile. And so off he went.

Spike's walk through the streets to Canterlot Market Plaza was refreshing. The feeling of the cool mountainous air flowing against your scales, or fur he imagined, was wonderful. He may be reptilian in nature, and definitely more accepting of hotter and more arid climate, but that gentle cold breezing across his furnace of a body sent slight shivers down his spine. Though in the winter it may be a 'touch' too much for him, the soft cool wind was definitely welcome sometimes.

With each step he took through town Spike's claws clicked on the hard stone surface of the streets. Step after step, click after click, he walked passed the homes and businesses of ponies and other species alike. Eventually, after about a little over half-an-hour of walking through Canterlot, Spike reached his first planned destination, Magnifique Grooming.

The establishment was like most of the buildings in Canterlot, white bricked walls all around with golden window trims and borders. From the base of the building to about two feet up the walls were painted a light purple. With all his time spent with Rarity in the past Spike could make a guess at it being an orchid purple, or maybe even amethyst. Again he was out of practice with color association, having not assisted Rarity in the boutique for a long time. A dark blue cloth canopy covered the doorway and the display window nearby that stretched across building before stopping a few feet from the end. The window had an italicized "M.G." lettering encircled dead center on the window panel.

Peering through the window, Spike noticed that none of the lights were on and there were no pets anywhere inside. No living thing was in the kennels, cages or even the little exercise areas one could see through the window. Confused as to why the shop wasn't open during it's normal hours Spike looked at the door to find a note or sign of sorts. And a note there was. Nailed to the door of the Magnifique Grooming was a note left by the owner, Silver Care.

Dear Darlings,

I regret to inform you I have had a family emergency in Baltimare and must close the shop until I return in a couple of weeks. I have sent out letters and such as to inform you of this matter personally and to notify you to have your pets/companions/friends picked up at your earliest possible convenience. I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience and wish you the best during my leave.

Yours Truly, Silver Care

Regarding, Spike the Dragon. Your feathered companion, Peewee, was picked up after his session by, Miss Twilight Sparkle and shall be at Canterlot Castle awaiting your arrival. I apologize in advance for any bother I have placed upon you and hope to see you soon after my personal business is dealt with. Happy Birthday, Spike Deary.

The confused and annoyed look Spike once had was replaced with a soft smile. Well, he was still slightly irritated discovering he made the entire trip here for nothing. Other than that however, Spike was peachy. Hopefully his other stops would be more fruitful than the former, or at least not be a waste of time.

And to Spike's displeasure, they were not successful. Not in the least. Time passed and his next few stops had been met with similar results, a note on the front door explaining the absence of whom he was planning to meet along with their apologies and a Happy Birthday to him. It was frustrating. Spike really wanted to at least stop by Through the Ages to see his friend, but she wasn't there. Spike finally just gave up from all the frustration and decided to call it an afternoon. Even going as far as skipping his favorite carnivore joint and heading to Canterlot Castle. But Spike couldn't stay angry for long. His friends, his family, were waiting for him inside the castle. And he couldn't wait.

Spike charged through the stone streets and districts of Canterlot, scaring some passers-by as his dragon-sized frame "rampaged" through the city. He dodged vendor stalls that dotted Canterlot, rounded the corners of a few buildings and trod lightly around any and all ponies in his path to the best of his abilities. Amazingly he only nipped a corner or two during his trek through the white walled city... and may have possibly tripped over a banana cart. But what happens in the streets of Canterlot, stay in the streets of Canterlot.

Half-an-hour passed as Spike zoomed through the streets to the castle. His speed not waning, determination driving him ever onward. And then he saw it. In the distance he saw tall white and gold towers rising above the horizon piercing the amber heavens above. Spike was almost there. Another claw closer to his chosen destination.

Eventually the whole of the castle came into Spike's field of view. He was closing in and before he knew it Spike had crossed the smooth stone bridge and passed through the golden arch way into the castle grounds. No longer needing to hurry and run Spike slowed down his pace to a walk, passing stallions and mares donned in golden armor ornamented with stars and alicorn designs as he ventured deeper into the castle. He also noticed passing some ponies with darker fur, more noticeably having bat-like wings that were not unlike those of a dragon's or bat's, and cobalt armor with various shades of blue and silver.

And finally Spike had arrived. Well, he still had to go inside and find his friends, but one step at a time. Spike made his way through the courtyard, exchanging greetings and small pleasantries with the royal guardsmen and whomever he passed along the way. It wasn't long until he stood inside the spacious foyer of the castle. You would think with how often Spike has ventured through this castle that he would tire of it's appearance. But Spike did not. He was very fond of the orchid colored walls, the long red rugs and the checkered tiled floors that branched through the castle. Many memories were made here in the castle.

The banquet hall was Spike’s next step in his personal quest. Having attended many parties inside the ban had been there many times before and had no problem navigating the maze-like halls of the castle to find it. A turn here and a turn there and he was another hallway down. Each hallway filled with various paintings of ponies and locations, some historical figures and places and some of Celestia and Luna. Maids cleaned and tidied up the paintings and other various decorations throughout the halls of the castle.

After rounding one last corner, Spike was in the hall leading to the tawny colored banquet hall door. Spike could hear a diversity of voices coming from the other side of the door. Sniff. Sniff. Using his naturally strong sense of smell Spike tried to cheat and guess who all were attending his party that he could. But was it really cheating if it was his natural dragon sense of smell? Either way it didn’t work. Somepony must’ve put a charm preventing a particular dragon from ruining the surprise. Now where was the fun in that?

Making his way to the door at the end of the hall Spike heard a wider variety of voices varying in tones in the other room. Spike wasn’t expecting anypony more than his friends from Ponyville and the Princesses. How many ponies were invited? Before an answer could be guesstimated his claws clicked hard against the floor just before the door and the voices were hushed. Not a peep more was heard beyond the light brown door. A deep breath later and Spike pushed open the doors to the banquet hall. And a see, or maybe just a large lake, of ponies filled his view.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Spike stood in the entry as he was bombarded with sound and light. All of his closest friends and family gathered here to celebrate his birthday with him. His friends from Ponyville, Manehattan and many of the places he visited were here as well. Of course Twilight, Celestia and Luna, Cadence, Apple Bloom and everypony of his inner circle was here but there was some many others it was a full fledged party in the room. His mom and dad were smiling and waving at him from across the room, Pinkie shooting confetti and cake everywhere as she grinned from ear to ear and just overall everyone was here smiling and waving him a Happy Birthday. All these different ponies gathered here to celebrate his birthday. Albeit a late party because his actual birthday had passed, but still good none the less. And now the party had begun.

Comments

[Blooming Cherries]

Sorry its been a “while”

[Draconicus the Reaper]

YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS! ITS ALIVE
its been so long sense I heard of this story and I do believe the last time was when Blooming Cherries and I talked about what’s going to happen to Spike

and also yeah first comment besides author

[Blooming Cherries]

7099625
See. I didn't forget. Just took a million years

[Fancy Fox]

Well that was one hell of a wait! Ah well can't rush art I suppose. Can't wait to see the story progress some more!

[randomsurprise]

Yah, I'm SO glad to see this interestin' story get updated ; can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter~

[Dark Nightshade]

Good chapter. When will it next be updated?

[Blooming Cherries]

8606468
I'm basically redoing the whole 3rd chapter so...... I can't promise anything. I might plan for sometime this month. Might just release it on Christmas idk yet.

[Dark Nightshade]

8607276
Yay! Ok, thanks!

[Dark Nightshade]

8607276
Yay! Ok, thanks!

[Blooming Cherries]

8632816
Sorry. I will make a lil blog about it tomorrow. But I pushed it to February for work and personal reasons. Nothing illegitimate I assure you.
Sorry I couldnt deliever in January. :(

[Dark Nightshade]

8709429
It's ok, I understand. Life gets in the way way, and sh*t happens.

[Dark Nightshade]

8780702
Oh, dang. Dude, take your time. I hope things get better.