//------------------------------//
// The Other Sides to a Crown 
// Story: The Dragon Witch 
// by Xutiepops 
//------------------------------//

The Apples Tavern was bustling, as usual. Dragons had fire breathing contests, using the drinks to help fuel the flame. Ponies played cards and chatted. Pinkie Pie slammed down a royal straight. Rainbow and Applejack groaned as they saw, throwing down their measly cards as well. 
"I even cheated!" Rainbow Dash groaned as she sat back in her chair. Twilight walked up and smiled as she looked over the cards. She used her magic to look through all of the cards, then she started giggling. 
"You understand that cheating usually means you have the good cards, right?" She asked Rainbow Dash and started laughing. Applejack understood what happened and started laughing as well. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were completely confused as they stared at the laughing mares. 
"Ya usually keep the cards on ya and then replace your hoof with them, Pinkie ended up with your cards," Applejack announced and then started cackling. Pinkie Pie giggled along and Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs and pouted. Then, she started laughing along. 
In between their laughter, Twilight pointed at the bar, "Isn't that the prince?" They didn't stop laughing. 
"No way, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash laughed even harder and fell out of her chair with Applejack. "A prince knows not to drink, besides, that pretender probably has the finest of wines in his castle!" Applejack snorted and agreed as Pinkie finally caught on to Twilights question. 
Her loud gasp took Rainbow Dash and Applejack out of their howls of laughter. They looked at the bar and saw Apple Bloom talking to a tired looking purple dragon. The dragon took another drink and Apple Bloom slammed down her forelegs. 
"It's Spike!" Pinkie Pie bounced, almost slamming through to the second floor. She ran over to the bar, she dashed around the side and into the inside of the bars enclosure. She smiled at the prince happily, then her expression fell. "Spike?" 
Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Applejack exchanged worry glances before they made their way over to the two -three if you count Apple Bloom. Rainbow Dash and Twilight instantly hugged each other in fear at the sight of Spike, even Applejack seemed a little scared. 
"Uh, Prince?" Applejack asked and Spike just glared at her. He had no intentions of being the nice soul he always was. He was pissed and he just wanted to drown in alcohol that did nothing but burn. He would apologize and explain things later and they'd be his friends again. He smiled slightly at the thought. 
How easy it was to scare to go back to being friends with only a few minutes. Though it did warm his heart to see them care, even if he was scary.
And he wasn't even scary. He just had bags under his eyes, a glower, narrowed reptilian eyes, and a snarl or bored expression at whoever he stared at. He wasn't scary, he looked more pitiful than anything. He looked away from them, he was pitiful... and they were scared? Rarity must've been right. 
He didn't want to believe her or what she said. But she had every right to fear dragons, she had every right to be terrified of the weak link that was Spike. He didn't have wings, but he had sharp claws and teeth, he had fire. What did ponies have? Nothing but a spell to slam them into a wall. Like that would do anything against fire. 
"Spike... what happened to you?" Pinkie Pie pushed worriedly. "Garble said you were missing and now you're here, and you look awful." 
Spike didn't answer. His mind was running on anger from the night Rarity encountered him and called him a monster. And he was nice to her! She was an idiot, a foolish witch that only ruined things. She was a waste of space.
"I tried telling 'im drinking was a bad habit for a future king, but he won't listen!" Apple Bloom exclaimed and jumped on the bar. Applejack immediately picked her up and put her down. Her high pitched, southern accent was getting on Spikes nerves. 
"Alcohol doesn't do anything to royal dragons," Spike growled and took another drink. "I'm just drinking it cause it burns." Now everypony seemed confused and a lot less terrified once he actually spoke. Apple Bloom blushed and ran off to the kitchen. He sighed, knowing he couldn't stay quiet forever. 
Well, his silence was prolonged as the doors to the tavern slammed open. Every dragon and pony shot their attention to the door where stood the mare of his anger. Rarity. 
She flipped her hair and smirked as she sashayed into the tavern. Mutters started up that piled into conversation. She trotted over to the four, not noticing Spike there. He noticed this, and just played along with her terror without scaring her away. 
Rainbow Dash huffed, "Shouldn't you be on a date with Blueblood?" This finally caught Spikes full attention, but he still listened. It seemed the four were playing along. Maybe they were just too caught up in their anger towards her. Rarity smirked and puffed out her chest, holding her head high. 
"I am afraid my picnic with the prince is over," Rarity smiled dreamily. She narrowed her eyes and smirked at Rainbow Dash. "He is a prince, so why not address him that way?" She looked at Twilight who nervously smiled at Rarity. Her pink dress was now a yellow one in the same form. It seemed to just be a different color. 
"Sheesh, can't even dress nice. Really, Rainbow Dash, what do you see in her?" Rarity asked, her smirk looked hungry for a yell in her direction. And a yell she got, Rainbow Dash growled as Twilight blushed and looked down at the ground nervously. 
"Leave her alone, she never does anything to you!" Rainbow Dash threatened rudely. She growled as Rarity started giggling. Applejack tugged on Rainbows tail and looked at her genuinely, as if telling her to not give her the satisfaction. Spike was currently thinking of the ways he could scare her to get Rarity to leave them alone. 
Rainbow Dash was right, Twilight had never done anything to Rarity. And yet the witch still messed with her and embarrassed her for her own amusement, and that cocksure smirk on Rarity's face only made Spike more disgusted. 
"I mean, you get the fanciest females in town," Rarity cooed, that smirk showed her bad intentions and they seemed to work. Rainbow flicked her tail against the ground angrily. Rarity used her hoof to raise Twilights head to look at her, Twilight cowered. "And this is what you pick? She doesn't even have any bit of a 'nerdy charm' to her without glasses." 
Rarity dropped Twilight's head, leaving tears in her eyes and her staring at the ground. Spike was appalled by the sight. Before Rainbow Dash could say anything, he stepped in. 
He stepped off of the chair, bringing Rarity's attention to himself. She didn't seem that fazed. He walked towards her and held her head up with a single claw. Rarity seemed scared now as she looked up at him. "I see what any one would see in Twilight." He started.
"A heart," he growled and Rarity cowered and backed into a wall. He only walked towards her, "And I can see what you and Blueblood can see in each other. A pony just like them, heartless and a cruel predator." 
His expression softened as he saw her scared expression. He fell to a slouch as he looked away from her. "Look, Rarity. Stay away from Blueblood, I know you aren't like him... because you actually feel something. Even if its just fear, I don't care. Stay away from him." 
She just stared at him, her fear turning to confusion as he spoke. Rainbow Dash and Applejack seemed annoyed, as if they trusted him to give her a taste of her own medicine and he failed them. He might've failed them, but he didn't fail himself. For some reason, he had an idea this would happen. But he didn't care, she was a good pony, he knew it. She had to be, his heart wouldn't constantly lie to him, right? 
She shook her head, "No. You're wrong. I'm a witch, I'm one of the smartest ponies in town." She walked towards him, Spike just blushed like an idiot. Rainbow Dash and Applejack groaned as Rarity took control of the situation. "I know you dragons are beasts! I'm teaching all the fillies good, you're teaching them all that harmony can strive in a world of ruffians and civilized ponies!
"Ponies like them," she pointed at the four. "Those are the ponies who aren't smart, they're just stupid and believe dragons can be nice. Those are the ponies I hate!" Spike just stared at her, he almost felt bad for her. Well, he did. She believed that, and that's why her life worked as a witch. Just because she believed something awful. 
"Blueblood is the only pony that has been nice to me! He listens to me, compliments me, makes me feel like I'm queen of the world!-" She was cut off once Spike grabbed her hoof. Fear set inside her, burning away her confidence. 
"Well, for all its worth," he said and ripped the charm off of his necklace. "When he hurts you, just go to me. And if he doesn't, you can say you proved me wrong. I say it's a win, win." He placed it in her hoof and let go of her. Rarity was so confused and scared, she didn't understand. She knew dragons were awful, and yet this one seemed to soften at the sight of her. 
But Blueblood made her so happy. She enjoyed most every moment with him, she felt like she had an equal. Yet, every time she also felt as if he was so good, she could never match. The more they talked, the more she wanted to stop messing with fillies. Then, that was the more she did it. 
Yet this dragon was being so nice to her, even after she continuously called him a monster. And once she called Blueblood a bad pony, he seemed as if he could cut ties there. She shook her head and ran out of the tavern, she threw the charm down an empty alleyway and raced home. 
"Spike!" Applejack and Rainbow Dash exclaimed, bringing him back to reality. He turned and saw their annoyed expressions. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, "You call that a comeback?" 
"It was sweet!" Pinkie Pie laid on her back over the bar, one of her forelegs to her forehead as she smiled dreamily. Then she fell off and yelped. Spike blushed. 
"If we were just as mean as her, then we're no better than her. Besides, how could any one ever like others if others are just mean to them?" Spike asked and Twilight smiled motherly at him. Just having her approval made him happy. One, because she was the smartest, and two, because it seemed she understood. As if she was Celestia and her approval made him feel like king of the world. 
Rainbow Dash groaned and laid against the fallen Pinkie Pie who laughed. Rainbow Dash joined into the laughter. Spike and Applejack noticed the slight slouch in Twilights stance at the sight. The two smirked at each other understandingly. 
"Well," Applejack sighed and took off her hat, holding it to her chest. She smiled up at Spike. "I agree with ya, Spike." She put her hat back on and winked. "You'll make a great king, partner."
"You guys know he's a prince, right? So why do you keep calling him Spike?" Pinkie Pie laughed and Applejack and Rainbow Dash's expressions fell. They looked up at Spike nervously and with forced smiles. 
Spike smiled back, "My friends don't call me Spike. And I'd call you my friends." The four ponies smiled back at him happily. They smiled in the bliss of being united as friends, totally forgetting what was around them or the fact that Rarity even bothered them. 
Twilights expression fell nervous as she laughed nervously, "Um... does Garble know you're here? He's been looking non-stop for you for the last to days." Spikes smile didn't fall. 
"Nope!" He smiled and the ponies laughed happily. The doors burst open again, though they were to caught up in their situation to notice. So was every one else once they saw who it was. 
"Spike," Garble growled as he walked up to the five as they clinked glasses. His claws were digging into his palms as his tail swayed angrily behind him. He gritted his teeth and smoke blew from his nostrils with a growl. "Spike!"
Spike only smiled defiantly as Garble approached the five. Every pony but Pinkie Pie cowered, she waved happily and smiled brightly. "Where the hell were you? Ember's been freaking out, I've been freaking out, every dragon on the guards terrified since they think they're so incompetent and they're expecting to get fired or something..." 
Garble finally shut up and sighed, "Where were you? And why?" He said it angrily and crossed his arms. His relief finally setting in as he saw the prince, happy and okay. 
"Nice to know you care," Spike smirked and Garble growled in response. He put down the glass and held his hands up, he still looked relieved to see his friend. "Look, I was just in the south woods."
"Why," Garble growled. "For two days you were just in the damn woods? There better be a good reason." 
"I'll tell ya later," Spike smiled and took a drink along with the rest. 
"Well, you should go to the castle, Ember's still freaking out and I don't want to make two trips there. So c'mon," Garble crossed his arms. 
"C'mon!" Spike held out his glass to Garble. "Relax, she can freak out for all she's done." He actually seemed somewhat depressed, like a happy-depressed, "She's probably asleep anyways." 
Pinkie Pie bounced up and pulled Garble into the corner with them, he leaned against the bar with crossed arms while the rest smiled in the corner. Rainbow Dash sat next to Twilight and Applejack, Spike sat next to Pinkie Pie and Applejack. 
Pinkie bounced up and fixed Garble a weak drink, she handed it to him and they all clinked glasses happily. Garble finally relaxed about five minutes in and they didn't leave until the sun just started to set. 
They had their fun, now they had to face Ember. Of course, Spike took all of the blame, he was used to it. What he didn't expect is when Ember hugged him and cried. 



Spike couldn't sleep. So he did what he always did when he couldn't sleep. He sat in the empty ball room until the sun rose. Which was for another six hours, so Spike had some time to himself.
He got through his anger in the woods where he mutilated trees and charred others to the stump. Now, it was time he sulk in the depressive aftermath. He didn't even understand why this was happening, but he'd rather get through all his sulking now than bother every one else with it later. 
If he didn't get over it now, he'd even think he didn't deserve the coronation and he would run away and not take the crown. He would ruin everything like creatures always do. They ruin things and that's how conflict starts, once conflict starts, they think they'll get a good ending. 
He shook the philosophical thoughts out of his head. It was time to sulk, not go over society until the sun rose and he realized he lost his chance. 
His back still hurt, he figured out his wings were coming in though. But it still confused him, dragons were either born with wings, or got them when they were young. And when they got them, they went through a day of excruciating pain and wake up with them and no pain. 
He had three days of it and he was tired. He guessed it was because he was older, but it hurt and he'd rather have grown up with growing pains than multiple straight days of this. His excitement he was getting them and his confusion on why he hadn't had them yet drowned out the pain, for the most part.
He gritted his teeth as another wave of pain washed over him. His eyes sealed shut as he waited for it to be over. He just decided to run to his thoughts to get away from the pain. Of course, they had to be depressing and pointless. Yet, everything he told himself seemed so real, like the depression told him the truth. 
He wondered why he was friends with those ponies. He just met the and he called them really good friends. The most he knew about them was that Twilight liked Rainbow Dash and Rainbow was oblivious to it. That was it. Sure, he knew their personalities... but should a few caring words really make him call them his friends? 
They cared, most likely because he was the prince. He understood that as everything happened, but he was so desperate for something. He had no idea what that something was. He was a mess and it honestly annoyed him how they fixed him up. 
At least Garble and him hated each other and simply grew on each other. Like a normal friendship. Well... at least some friendships started that way. Not simply calling a pony you just met your friend because they pitied you. At least Garble never pitied him, one of his favorite traits about Garble. He didn't baby anyone, even the prince.
Sure, he was depressed and sulking now. But it was scheduled and ready to happen. At the bar, he was just drinking for the pain and drinking to forget. He didn't care anymore and what he was doing wasn't healthy. And some few words from some ponies said fixed it? 
How much of a baby was he? He even defended them! Only to fall into his helpless romance with Rarity. Rarity. Oh, Rarity! He had tried so hard to get closer to her, and that Blueblood beat him? Of course he was furious! And the snake had Rarity in his trap! He even had her thinking she was his princess! It made Spike sick and it made his blood boil. 
He wanted to slay the evil Blueblood and take Rarity as his princess. No, he just wanted to keep her away from Blueblood, and if that got Rarity closer to him, it was just a bonus. 
He tried telling himself he would do it for any mare -and he honestly would save any mare from Bluebloods tricks- but he still knew Rarity was special. She was flawed and scared, she only believed she liked Blueblood because he was nice to her. Spike wanted to be nice to her, and have her believe it. 
But he didn't want to see her scared that it'd disappear. He didn't want her to be around an untrustworthy pony like Blueblood. He knew she wasn't safe and he wanted to help her. Yet, it was obvious that she didn't want to be saved. He just wanted to treat her like a good mare, who deserved kindness and defense. No matter what Bluebloods tricks, he was scared it'd be too late when she realized. 
Spike thought of what Blueblood could possibly want from Rarity, then he'd concluded it was because she was the only mare in town who didn't hate the snake. And of course, he was using her just to win the bet. 
Spike stood up, leaving his thoughts of Rarity in the room as he left. The castle was silent and cold, like all of the dragon lands. It was almost relaxing, it was like being outside without actually being outside. He growled as he turned to the front doors, slamming them open to the cold outside. 
The ponies slept on comfy beds in warm blankets. Dragons slept on rocks that didn't fit them with the cold air. Ponies had families. Dragons had enemies. Ponies had warm homes and ceilings, dragons had the inky black sky as their roof. 
No matter how harmonized or equal the dragons and ponies were, instincts still got in the way. Cause at the end of the day, one species was alone. Their cheerful façade would shatter at the cold air with no one there. Spike turned away from the field of rocks that held dragons on top. He took the secret passages to the main entrance and looked back. 
The dragons looked like corpses. Their limbs hung off the side of the rock that simply held their torso. Their wings crumbled underneath them as their snores got blown away with the night breeze. At least their bodies moved with inhales and exhales. When Spike was young, he could remember snapping, seeing if time would stop and all the bodies would freeze. 
Now, he was terrified that he did those things, and was happier than ever to at least see the dragons breathing. Even without the princess of the moon watching over their dreams, he felt as if she still was. As if she was watching over every thing in the lands. He felt as if she even kept the dragons safe from nightmares, even if a dragon took away her life right in front of her sister.
Spike was disgusted at the thought of Dragon Lord -king- Torch. He had a suspicion that wasn't what happened, but he never pried on Ember or Celestia to tell him. He liked making up his own stories. Spike suddenly thought of all the dragons sleeping on uncomfortable rocks.
He couldn't wait to help. He couldn't wait to be king. It was as if their misery fueled his hope in the future. He turned away and started walking into Canterlot. Even if the dragon lands were apart of Canterlot, every one knew it really wasn't. He looked around, taking in the nights embrace on everything. Not a soul in sight. Not even a squirrel. 
He walked his way through town, just dealing with the cold air and the eerie silence around him. Not a candle was lit inside the cottages. The street lights lit up the way to the fountain, Canterlot Central. He hated it, it was called the central of Canterlot when it was so much closer to the ponies castle than the dragon lands. Hell, it was closer to the ponies castle than the center of Canterlot!
Once he got there, he saw that the bushes around had blooming roses. Of course, they were just replaced dying ones and magically aged them into blossom with unicorn magic, making the flowers think it was the start of spring. The fountain was fixed, still just a pony spewing water out of its mouth. He feigned innocence to himself as he thought he had no reason to be there. 
He had every reason to be there. Just to see Rarity and to show her he wasn't a vicious dragon anymore. He could at least show her he wasn't going to tear her to shreds like he thought. She didn't show. 
He stared, appalled at the morning light as the sun rose and he heart ponies hooves hitting the cobble stone in the distance. He shook his head, he was so sure she would be there. She had to be there. He couldn't go another day worrying about her. 
He looked at the ground. He didn't care for her. Why did he care for her? A simple mare that simply hated him. Was it because she was scared? Every pony could be. Was it because she hated him? He would just be a hopeless idiot if so. Was it because she was guilty and he could see how hurt she was? No... he knew it wasn't a specific reason why he liked Rarity. 
He just did. And he hated it. He hated every bit of it. Why was his heart so fixed on something imaginary? Rarity would never even get close to him, if Blueblood hurt her, she would go to Fluttershy or some pony. She wasn't an idiot like him. Even if she trusted Blueblood, could he really blame her? 
A mare who no pony or dragon ever liked, so she resorted to listening to them and she hated them back. That was how the story went, no? It didn't seem like it. Yet, he was so sure that was what happened to her. He was so sure that she experienced the bad first, so she finally took comfort in the good that was given to her. 
Yet she always said she hated dragons first. That she was the one to learn to hate dragons. So he was giving her a dramatic and heartfelt backstory just to make him feel better about himself? He finally didn't feel guilt for his hatred towards her. He finally understood why she was with Blueblood. 
A snake and a witch would go well together, wouldn't they? A manipulating dog and a terrorizing, hateful shark would go together perfectly, wouldn't they? Hell, maybe they'd teach each other how to be even worse. They'd work well, so now Spike had a responsibility to keep them apart so they didn't take over Equestria. 
The thought made him sick. Lying to a mare to save every one? Sure, it was nice and for the greater good. But could he really do that to a mare? No, the answer was no. Meaning, he'd deal with the problem once the time came. 
His eyes shut as he leaned against a bush and crossed his arms, sleep finally taking hold of him. Surely a five minute nap couldn't hurt, no? 
His eyes shot open once he heard a familiar giggle. He peaked over the bush and saw Rarity and Blueblood talking, and she seemed so blissfully happy. Spike could see the trickery on Bluebloods face, he was using her. No matter the reason, Spike had real evidence he was. He had that same smile when he acted polite to Spike. 
Meaning it was all for the effect of the viewers that were Celestia and Ember. Spikes tail swayed angrily as he lowered himself, still keeping his now narrowing eyes on them. His teeth gritted together as his claws dug into the leaves of the bush. She wasn't in on the joke. 
She was being used, she wouldn't be happy with a snake. But was he really allowed to have a say in things? The correct answer would've been no. But the answer the rage fueled dragon would have given would've been a yes as he watched them. He wasn't one for spying, but was it really spying if it lasted for two minutes? 
"I'm glad to see you," Bluebloods voice sounded as seductive as ever. He eyed her dress, though Rarity was too happy to notice. "You do look nice, as usual." 
Rarity giggled and smiled. "Oh Blueblood, you always know how to charm a lady." Now Spike was confused. Was this all an act, or really what he thought it was? And what were they doing? They were standing near a café, but they seemed more keen on talking through the early morning rather than actually going to the café. 
Spike was even more confused, the sun just rose, so why was every pony out? The café seemed almost full with ponies, and so were the streets. Though, no being was around him. He looked up at the sky and saw the sun was almost at its peak. He was bewildered, then concluded he must've fallen asleep some time in between the sun rising and now.
"Well, if compliments are what you call 'charm' then I'd say you'd be just as charming as I," Blueblood announced. Spike concluded it was a trick as Rarity seemed unfazed by his words. Did she really not just hear that he thinks compliments about her dress would win her heart? 
Spike wanted to take back what he said about her not being stupid. Maybe she wouldn't be stupid in a situation that counted. 
"Maybe you can fix up the castle once you become queen, the place feels ancient," Blueblood rolled his eyes and Rarity went to a stop. She laughed sheepishly and looked away, Spike ducked down so she couldn't see him. Blueblood noticed her nervousness at the statement and narrowed his eyes on her. He took a step towards her like a predator. 
"You are going to be my queen, correct?" He asked, he didn't even try to cover up his sharp tone or his cutting eyes. Rarity's hooves shook in place as she nervously forced a smile and nodded. Spike had enough. 
He jumped over the bushes and noticed Rarity look at him. She seemed even more terrified, but less at the same time. She smiled nervously at Blueblood, "O-Of c-c-course I would be y-your queen, w-who wouldn't want that?" 
Spike only got madder at the prince who had yet to notice him. "I believe a proposal is supposed to be much more meaningful," he announced and Blueblood whirled to face him. He only seemed shocked, but once he noticed it was Spike he seemed unfazed and bored. 
"Well, of course the real proposal would be more romantic," he smirked and glanced at Rarity, expecting to see her swoon for him. Her eyes stood fixed onto Spike. Blueblood seemed angry and Rarity cowered and looked away once she glanced at him. Blueblood smiled, "I would just want to know she would be Queen. Say, you wouldn't happen to have a bride yet, would you, Spike?"
Spikes blood boiled. "Why don't you find someone who deserves you," Spike picked Blueblood up by the collar of his shirt. "Yourself. Don't drag a mare worth something into your miserable life. And don't trick or force her into it either," he seethed and dropped the prince. 
"Because no matter the witch you think she is," Spike growled at him. He looked at Rarity with soft eyes, "She's much better than you..." He growled and turned back to Blueblood, "So find a different bride and forget the deal, cause I wouldn't call this a win for you. Let her decide if she wants to be queen, not you." 
Spike growled and started to walk off. He was happy and relieved he got to do that. But he knew he would spend the entire day rethinking everything he just said and thinking of ways its could've gone better. 
What made it all for nothing was the smirk Blueblood had on his face. As if he knew Rarity would marry him, even by choice. And that terrified Spike.