After teaching at Ponyville Elementary for many years, Cheerilee has been told that she must retire. As she walks home from the schoolhouse for the last time, she questions whether or not she's made a difference in the world.

A big thanks goes out to Taranasaurus0.0, Criticul, and Fluttrick for thier help prereading and editing this story.

Side Note: No cheesy poem this time!

It has been five years since he first arrived in Ponyville, and Spike has grown both physically and emotionally. Yet even though he's remained infatuated with Rarity for so long, he's bottled up his feelings, until reality hits him, and his depression forces him to make certain decisions he may later come to regret. Now he must face reality, and all that it entails, including his own reflection, whether he likes it or not.

Spike's choices, however, affect not only him, but those closest to him as well. The six ponies he holds closest to his heart will bear witness to his suffering, and they themselves shall know love at its best...

And at its worst...

Rated Teen, because, just in case. Sometimes it's better to be safe rather than sorry. No sex or gore, just in case you were wondering.

Planned out and written previous to the airing of My Little Pony : Friendship is Magic Season 2 Episode 17. Special thanks to SocraticBrony for all the help and inspiration!

All characters belong to Hasbro and Lauren Faust and blah blah blah, whatever, but the story is MINE. If you'd like to share it, or whatever, I'd ask you to please ask for my permission first.

Spike would sneak out of the library every night and sit on the bridge between the town and the Everfree, just to think. More often then not, the night ends with him wallowing in self pity over the mare he love's. One night however, Rarity finds her 'Little Spikey Wikey' and she realises something of great value.

Princess Luna is delighted to learn of her dear friend Fluttershy's crush on Big Macintosh, and enlists the "aid" of Rarity and Applejack to make their romance a success.

Five-star feature on Equestria Daily!

Fluttershy and Big Macintosh cuddle. Short scene of fluff.

As the years drew on, Spike's childish heart grew into that of a true adult, longing for the finer things in life; the finest things. He pursues his relationship with Rarity, but all does not go as planned.

Filled with anger and sorrow, Spike and Rarity fall away from one another. In his grief, Spike pursues new interests, and their friendship is in danger of never recovering.

But perhaps the truest words in life are these: you do not know what you had until you have lost it. Jealous and alone, finding no comfort in stallions she once loved, can Rarity reclaim her one chance at true love, before it is too late?

Sometimes, when you've lost so much, when everything you do seems to come out wrong, and when you don't feel like anything but a failure, it can seem like there is no other option but to give up.

But when one pony feels so lost, so inconsolable, so forlorn, that she makes a life-changing decision that almost leaves her shattered forever, it is up to her friends to bring her back.

When you lose something that you can't replace, when you love someone but it goes to waste, and when the tears come streaming down your face, is there anyone who you can turn to...

...to fix you?

This story explores a dragon's nature somewhat, and spins a narrative of a middle-aged Spike regaling a visitor about the favorite item in his hoard: a statue of his favorite pony. It is a story about Spike, Rarity, reminiscing, letting go, and preserving that which is most precious to us.

Sidenote: I appreciate the criticism I received prior to writing this from the people who said that it "couldn't be done", and that "Rarity and Spike being together just won't work out". If it weren't for you guys, I would never had been inspired to prove you wrong by creating this. Thanks! :D

Anyway, this is a cute romance fiction about my favorite - and really, the only normal - couple in Ponyville. Enjoy!

Octavia is a high-class pony. Fine alcohol is her wont, and uncouthness her intense chagrin. Such is her surprise to find herself lumbered with an insufferable oaf of a DJ pony. However, sometimes these situations work themselves into a satisfactory ultimatum all the same.