//------------------------------//
// Ch.11 Make Up Your Mind 
// Story: My Diamond 
// by Regis-Th3-Lesser 
//------------------------------//

On a hot Equestrian afternoon, Twilight sat in under a tree reading while Pinkie and Rainbow Dash ran around playing tag. This wasn't any regular playground tag, as Rainbow would put it, but a very high octane tackling kind of tag. Honestly those two are going to be the death of each other. Twilight didn’t particularly mind it though. They didn’t get together for picnics like they used to. It was nice to relax with her friends. Just as Rainbow tackled Pinkie and began prepping for her victory taunt, Rarity came with her favorite purple sunhat riddled with so many rhinestones it could find sailors lost at sea. 

“Rarity! Glad you could make it.” Applejack greeted her with a hug. 

“So am I,” she huffed. “Fulfilling your dreams drains you. Where’s Fluttershy?”

“She hasn't shown up yet. I haven't the slightest idea why,” Applejack shrugged.

“I’m sure she'll make it. Whatever the matter, we’re happy that you could make it.” Twilight levitated some tea over to her. “We don’t hang out like we used to.”

“I know,” Rarity took a light sip. “It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to do so. I’m glad you told me about this in advance or else I wouldn’t have been able to clear the two hours I have to spend.”

“Geez, you’re that booked?” Applejack asked.

“The dragons just passed a few weeks ago, and you know how ponies are. ‘I want mine to shine like a dragon's scales’,” she mocked. “‘Can you make a dress that encapsulates the curves of a real dragoness?’ Oh and the one I get all of the time! “‘I want mine to look like a Dragon’s flames’.” She took another sip of her tea.

“Wait, they ask for dragon fire dresses?” Applejack asked.

“All of the time! I love making dresses, but these requests are absolutely ridiculous at times. Enough about my nightmare, how have you two been?”

“I found out that Applebloom has a coltfriend,” Applejack said flatly.

“Ooh, what’s his name?” Rarity asked.

“Tinker Todd…”

“Tinker Todd?” Twilight and Rarity asked in unison. 

“Yeah, he’s supposed to be real handy or something. I wish she would have told me before their ‘three month anniversary’,” Applejack grumbled. “But, she’s nearly a full grown mare so I’m not as ‘ornery’ as I’d usually be.”

“Well, at least she found a stallion. Sweetie and Scootaloo have been spending a lot more time together. Not that I'm opposed to her ‘swinging that way’-”

“Sweetie don't swing no way. Her and Scootaloo have been runnin the Ponyville branch of the cmc,” Applejack corrected her. 

“Well either way, it would be nice if she showed interest in someone. Even Twilight shows that she can be attracted to stallions.”

“Hey! What's that supposed to mean?” Twilight whined.

“It's nothing bad. You're just more… romantically introverted than most mares.”

“I don't have time for a relationship,” Twilight scoffed. 

“Mhm…” Applejack sipped her tea. 

“What? I'm not being stuck up. I really don't.”

“Tell that lie while you're laying in bed alone reading all day,” Rarity giggled before sipping her tea. 

“Look, the thing is. I don't need a stallion to make me happy. I'm fine with my responsibilities. Even if they do become tedious...” Twilight sighed. 

“Oh relax dear, we're only teasing. You'll find yours, we all will in time…” Rarity sighed. 

“What about you then?” Twilight asked. 
“What do you mean?” 

“Are you still looking for that somepony to make foals with?” Twilight asked meticulously

“Twilight, the way you said that was just… no,” Applejack shuddered. 

“Well, I hadn't put much thought into it lately. I used to be the kind who wanted Prince Charming to come sweep me off my hooves, but now. I don't know…  Ever since he left again, I've kind of…  lost hope you know?” Applejack and Twilight looked at each other unsure of how to react. “Let's get off of relationships. What you've been up to Twilight?”

“Other than making sure the seventh annual Gryphon fest goes smoothly, nothing other than reading… Oh that's right!” Twilight sprang up with a smile. “I almost forgot to tell you guys. I'm not sure how you feel about him right now since he ran away without telling anyone…  But Spike is on his way home!”

“That Dragon needs to make up his darn mind,” Applejack said with a shake off her head. 

“How do you know this?” Rarity asked trying to conceal her excitement.

“I was in Canterlot over the weekend working on the layout of the festival and I decided to pay Luna a visit. She's been watching Spike for a few days and he’s heading straight for Equestria.”

“And if he decides to go somewhere else?” Applejack asked with a skeptical bite of her sandwich.

“I don't know…”

“You seem a tad bit nettled Applejack,” Rarity spoke up.

“In truth, I am! I like Spike just as much as the rest of ya, but I can't get over that he would disappear at night without tellin anyone. He could have at least left a note!”

“What are you guys yelling about?” Pinkie bounded over with grass in her mane. Rainbow followed behind her with a proud look on her face.

“Talking about how Spike up and left only to change his mind and come running home,” Applejack spat.

“Applejack please… You don't even know the half of it.” Just then Flutterhsy came walking in with angel cheerfully skipping beside her. 

“Did he tell you why he split in the dead of night?”

“Afternoon girls. What did I miss?” Fluttershy asked as she sat on the mat.“Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any... I know why he left the second time…” Rarity spoke up. 

“Why?” Applejack asked. 

“Yeah why?” Pinkie asked. Rarity looked to Twilight for approval. Twilight nodded and she began the sad tale. 

Half the world away two dragons flew over a vast jungle. The moist tropical air tickled Spike's cheeks as he soared through the thick haze. Tourmaline on the other hand was giggling at the feeling of the air kissing her scales.  She forgot how good it felt to fly through the air, the wind filling your nostrils, and the occasional bug that flew into your mouth. What a nice little treat. 

Spike could fly for a long time. The last time they stopped was for a drink of water and that was hours ago, well it felt like it was hour ago. Either way she was enjoying herself thoroughly. “Hey Spike!” she shouted over the wind. 

“Yeah?” Spike gasped. 

“How long have we been flying?”

“A few hours maybe?” Spike panted. “I lost track of time a while back, but I know where I'm going.”

“Where?”

“What?” Spike asked. 

“Where are we going?” Tourmaline reiterated. 

“It's a rocky- whew,” Spike gulped. “It's a rocky cliff where the dragons usually-” he took a couple of breaths. “ Usually rest before flying over the Celestine gulf!”

“Oh I see…  And how far away are we?”

“Maybe another hour, I don't know. I'm usually good about keeping time when traveling!” Tourmaline looked down at the jungle below. She wondered about how many creatures were down there in the thick canopy. Just up ahead a grand river began to peek over the treeline. I 

“Hey! Do you see that?” She pointed to the wide muddy river. 

“Yeah I do, we're almost there!” Spike flapped his wings harder nearly throwing Tourmaline off balance. 

“Whoa!” Spike cried out while Tourmaline flailed helplessly. She corrected herself and held on as tight as she could to Spike. “What the heck happened?”

“I'm s-sorry! I almost fell…” 

“Be careful okay? I don't want to know what's beneath that canopy,”

“You kidding me? Nothing can kill you!” Tourmaline said with assurance.

“If only it were true,” Spike said under his fading breath.

“Hey, you sound pretty winded. You wanna take a break?” 

“I can make it. Just please don't do anything else crazy.”

“Ditto!” Tourmaline saluted even though she was thinking “no promises”.
Six friends Sat under a shady tree listening to the tragic tale of Spike the Dragon. As Rarity told of what she heard, Fluttershy was horrified, covering her mouth with her hooves, silently crying. Rainbow Dash was beyond livid, literally shaking where she sat. Whoever that Zebra was, he got what he deserved. He'd better be lucky Spike dealt with him first. Pinkie and Applejack hung their heads solemnly. 

“Spike has been running since…” Rarity finished. Silence fell upon the group. Only the rustle of the leaves could be heard. 

“That's… That's awful,” Applejack spoke up. “I've heard of voodoo and Witchcraft from Zecora, but I didn't know that I could drive anyone to do something so evil.”

“Well it is and unfortunately, Spike was a victim,” Twilight sighed. 

“Why hasn't he come home then? We can help him. Can't we?” Fluttershy spoke softly. 

“Yes and no. Spike wasn't just hurt physically. He was in love with that dragoness, and he regarded the dragon as his brother. That Zebra made him kill them.”

“And Spike couldn't break the spell until it was too late… Damnit!” Applejack seethed.

I would pay a million bits to see any creature have a clear conscious after unwillingly committing such atrocities...” Rarity sighed.

“He could have stayed though. I mean.Why on Earth would he hurt us?” Applejack asked. 

“It's not that he would, it's that he could. He feels that he can't be around us because of how easily he can be controlled.” Twilight explained. “I even went to speak with Zecora on the matter.”

“What did she say?” Rainbow asked through clenched teeth.

“She told me that mind control was the only kind of magic that she would never tamper with but it is common throughout her kind.”

“Well, if anyone tries to use Spike against us. I'll knock their block off before they get the chance!” Rainbow Dash announced with a vengeance.

“Don't get too fired up Rainbow,” Applejack tried to calm her. “It happened a few years ago.”

“I don't care. If anyone wants to hurt Spike, they're going to have to get through Rainbow Dash!”

“They'll have to get through all of us,” Twilight proclaimed. “If and when Spike does come home. We’ll make sure that he has nothing to worry about.”

“Now that you mention it. Have you heard anything about Spike?” Rarity asked. 

“No, I haven't talked to Luna lately. I'll see if she's available tonight.”

“That's heartbreaking…” Fluttershy spoke up. “What did he do to deserve anything that awful?”

“Whatever happened then, we aren't gonna make him feel any worse than he already does,” Applejack said with tenacity. 

“We’ll figure it out. I'm going to go see if I can talk to Luna. I'll see you all some other time,” Twilight said as she got up and stretched her wings. 

“Same here…” Rainbow said. “I'll keep an eye out on the skies.” Rainbow disappeared into the pale blue sky.

“She always leaves right before we start cleaning up,” Rarity sighed. As they started to collect their respective plates and silverware Twilight couldn't help but think about how mentally stable he was. There was no way she could relate,living somewhere as jaded and ‘watered down’ as Equestria has turned everyone into soft pushovers who don't know what real struggle is. Then again neither did she… hopefully he came back With a sound mind and no baggage.



As the sun set over the Celestine gulf Tourmaline sat at the edge of a cliff overlooking the tumultuous sea. A pang of worry set in because Spike was down there fishing in those waters. He was tough and arguably more experienced than her even though he was extremely young. Tasty fish was more than enough of a reward though. Silhouetted against the fiery red sky, Spike came flying towards their small encampment. As he landed he dumped clawfulls of exotic squirming reef fish.

“Would have been easier if I had a bag or something…” Spike sighed. “Make sure they don't flop over the edge.”

“What are you about to do?” Tourmaline asked as she pinned down a squirming stray.

“Well I'm cold and we need to cook dinner so I'm going to start a fire.”

“You cook your food? What's wrong with eating it as is?” She lifted the petrified creature to her mouth.

“You get more energy and nutrients when the meat is done. And it tastes better,” Spike shuddered as she took the fish down whole. 

“I’ll take your-” she cleared her throat “-word for it…”

“Please wait until I get back with some wood.” Tourmaline saluted him and Spike disappeared into the dense thicket. To be honest that fish did taste metal and seawater. Strangely enough It was trying to swim in her stomach... Nope, it was thrashing around. She got up and dry heaved over the near vertical drop. “Come on!” she retched. She pushed and pushed and pushed but the little bugger wasn't going. 

“Are you okay?” Spike asked asked with a raised brow.

“Yeh! I'm fine!” Tori whipped around with a queasy look on her face.

“Are you sick?” Spike dropped the wood and rushed to her side.

“Kinda…” she groaned. “The little fishy is fighting back…”

“What is it doing?” Spike began to panic.

“Floppin and wigglin around…”

“Why didn't you chew it??”

“I don't-” she belched loudly “-know…”

“I'll tell you now, I can't get it out,” Spike said as he rubbed her back.

“O-okay just do the thing. T-the cooking thing,” she groaned. “I'll just lay here…” She lowered herself slowly onto the warm moss that grew on the rocks. “Why’d I have to go and be a show off…” she cursed herself as she rolled around trying to get some ease from the creature in her stomach. As she rolled she couldn't help but notice Spike watching her diligently. He had begun work on the fire but judging by the look he had, it was paining him to see her struggling. “I'll be fine…” she reassured him with a crooked smile.  “He's starting to calm down.” She loosed another guttural belch. “Ugh…” she groaned.

“Maybe next time you'll at least chew your food?” Spike said as he stoked the flames. 

“Definitely,” Tourmaline chuckled. Spike sat by her side again. He knew she was older than him, but he felt like he had to protect her. She could barely defend herself back in those grasslands, and when he had to save her from a herd of angry water bison. Everyone even the one's who took him in after he left equestria were more mature than him. It was strange to meet someone who wasn't as wise or even more wise than him. Oddly enough he felt something else too. He may not be the smartest but he was no fool. He noticed how she looked at him when they were tasting for the night, or how she would try to get as close as possible when they were sleeping. When a dragoness finds a male who she beloved to be a suitable mate she purs softly like a cat whenever they are near. Spike has picked up on it more than once. Thankfully they were still in the middle of migration, if it were mating season he’d be a gonner. One thing lingered in his thoughts. Of course he loved Rarity, but now he was beginning to question if he was in love with her. 

He looked back to the fire. It flickered and danced, growing strong enough for him to be able to feel it’s warmth. From effete they lay. He then looked to the fish wondering how he was going to dress and prepare them with no tools. He could bite their heads off and maybe his claws were sharp enough. “I did not think this through,” he sighed quietly.

“Hmm?” Tourmaline looked up at him.

“I was thinking out loud,” Spike said. The the orange disk of the sun finally disappeared beneath the distant horizon. Stars began to dot the sky one by one.

“Hey Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think they'll like me? Your friends?” Tourmaline asked, nuzzling up to him.

“I believe they'll love you.” Tourmaline looked at him with uncertainty. “Really they will. Ponies are… odd. They don't even punish people who break the law or break the world. You, yeah they'll accept you like family.” 

She played with the the soft carpet of green where they sat. “Can you tell me about them?”

“Heh, where do I start? Well, there's Twilight. She's like a sister to me. She was the one who hatched me if you believe that.”
“Wow…”

“We spent so much time together I knew what she was thinking or what she wanted before she even knew it,” he chuckled. “She's loves books, is one of the smartest beings I've ever met, and she loves her friends.”

“She sounds like you actually.”

“Really? How?”

“I'll tell you right now, the dragons I met in my life were jerks that made a bag of rocks look like a uh…” she tapped the tip of her snout.

“A scientist?” 

“Yeah, one of those! And you're very loving. I know that 9 out of ten dragons would have left me to die.”

“I didn't have the heart,” Spike looked out to sea.

“Thank you…” she rubbed against his wings and wrapped her tail around his. “Do you have any other friends?”

“Plenty but the fire is ready and that storm is closing fast.Spike returned to the fire.

“What storm?” Tourmaline asked as she looked up to the crystal clear sky.

“I can see the lightning to the west. How does your stomach feel?” Spike poked at the fire with his tail.

“It burns a little but I think the fish finally gave up.”

“Good, I need your help,” Spike threw more wood on the fire. “How well can you manipulate Earth?”

“You act like you didn't live in my cave,” Tourmaline shot back with confidence.

“Well,” Spike smiled. “I need you to make a tent or hut, a table, and a knife.” Tourmaline got up and stood on her hind legs. 

“You should get outta the way…” Spike ran and sat behind her. Tourmaline closed her eyes. As she focused the ground began to tremble and convulse. In front of them a mound of dirt bulged up like a bubble rising through water. Then a large cube of Earth and soil rose slowly creating cracks and quakes all around them. With a heave, Tourmaline lifted a large cube of solid rock out of the ground.

“Whoa! That is so cool!” Spike cheered. 

“I-Im not done y-yet!” Tourmaline struggled. She carefully moved the boulder away from the hole. She set it down directly on top of the fire much to Spike’s dismay. “How…” she gasped for air “About that…?”

“Again, that was awesome! But you crushed the fire…”

“Sorry,” she sighed.

“Don't worry. I can make another one when you clear out the inside. Take a little break though,” Spike chuckled.

“No no, I can do it. Lifting is always the hard part.” She approached the stone and with one swift movement ripped the insides out, launching the block hitting Spike and sending them both over the edge and into the sea. “See? Nothing to it,” Tourmaline wiped her claws proudly. She looked around realizing that she received any cheers of admiration. “Spike?” Then it dawned on her. She threw the stone directly where Spike was sitting. She rushed to the edge feeling the instinctive urge to spread her wings and catch him. “Spike!” she cried, the desperation saturated in her tone. 

“I am okay!” Spike shouted from the darkness below. Tourmaline went weak with relief. Imagine if she did kill him. Not only would she have been stuck but she'd be alone for who knows how long. Spike landed campy next to her. “Maybe next time give me a warning before you chuck a boulder at me?”

“I am so sorry,” she whined, fighting back tears. 

“Tori? Are you okay?” 

“Yeah, it just scared me… I’d literally be lost without you.”

“Hey,” Spike draped his wing over her. “Don't beat yourself up. You did have ample chance to warn me but look. I'm okay.” She wiped away a tear. “Anyway it takes a lot more than that to kill me,” he rubbed the scar on his chest. “Trust me…” Tourmaline found it in her to smile. No matter what he had that charm that couldn't be beat. “Come on, let's get some actual food in you,” he chuckled as he poked snout. She snorted with a small frown. In the distance the storm grew closer. And so did they to a new life among Spike’s ponies. She prayed that he was right