//------------------------------// // Day 4: Of Dragons and Pegasi // Story: Spike's Home Alone // by TheSecretBrony //------------------------------// The next morning Spike was downstairs. A little shaken after the dream he had last night, he slowly drank from his coffee, questions whizzing through his head. What did it mean? Why was Fluttershy there? Why did he feel so conflicted? Why? Why? Why? He was usually so sure of himself, he used to know what he wanted from his life. He'd pictured the future he wanted, him and Rarity together forever sharing the boutique, she creating amazing dresses, him gathering the gems that her dresses depended on, so why then did his thoughts keep drifting towards Fluttershy? There was so much doubt in his mind, he still wasn't sure whether the visions he saw, of Fluttershy kissing him, were genuine or not. Yet he began to think long and hard about both of them. I still don't know what she could see in me. We rarely talk, I mean sure, she's friendly, she's the element of kindness afterall. The kindest, sweetest pony a guy could ever meet. And yet there's Rarity, she's generous, creative and beautiful, not that Fluttershy isn't. I mean Fluttershy's pretty as well isn't she? She wouldn't have got that job as a model otherwise. I guess I never thought about her like that before, I've had my sights set on Rarity for so long now... He began to consider Fluttershy, the flowing pink mane, the gentle voice, the silky soft yellow fur. He could lie against that soft fur, feel the heat of her body, staring into her beautiful blue eyes... Hold on what am I doing? Spike felt himself getting flustered, he found himself hugging one of the cushions on the couch, shocked he kicked it away. He stared at it, his mind racing. "No! What's happening to me? Why is this happening to me?! I like Rarity! I like Rarity! Why can't I stop myself!" he threw the cushion as hard as he could, it collided with the bookshelves causing a few books to fall. He curled up into a ball on the couch. "What should I do, what should I do?" he began rocking slowly and was hyperventilating when all of a sudden he heard knocking at the door. Spike walked tentatively over to the door, taking deep breath to stop himself shaking and giving himself a minute to regain his composure, he opened it. As it opened he found himself thinking the same thing over and over. Please not Fluttershy, please not Rarity, not now! He was greeted by the smiling face of Applejack "Morning little fella!" she said as the door opened upon seeing Spike however she became concerned "Y'alright Spike? You're looking worse for wear if you don't mind me saying." "I'm fine Applejack, just a bad night's sleep, come on in. I'm guessing your here because of Twilight?" he said as he resumed sitting on the couch. Applejack walked in, looking around the library."Eeyup, she asked me to keep an eye on you. I don't know why though your more than capable of taking care of yourself. I mean look at this place, it's cleaner than I've ever seen it, yet the way Twilight was when she asked me, she seemed convince you were going to set the place on fire or something." she said with a smile. Spike frowned "Figures, she can't trust me to do anything." he downed his coffee, ignorant of the fact that it was still boiling, the burning sensation in the back of his throat did nothing but worsen his mood. "Hey, who's rustled your cattle?" said Applejack, it was unusual for Spike to be so miserable, she'd never seen him like this, not since Rainbow made fun of him at the dragon migration. "No one, just a, just a bad dream. A very bad dream..." "You sure?" Spike snapped at her "Yes now can we move on please!" before looking away as he realised what he had just said. Applejack was not pleased, she reached into her saddlebag, pulling out her signature rope. Before Spike could see what she was doing and react, he found himself hogtied and Applejack was standing over him. "Applejack what in Equestria are you doing? Let me go!" Spike yelled. "Y'all promise to stop being so surly?" "Yes, yes now let me outta this thing, the rope's starting to chafe." Spike said as he struggled against his bonds. Using her teeth, she bit one end of the rope and pulled, using her hoof to push the knot in the other direction, which caused it to unravel. "Now spill it what's got you so miserable?" Spike scrambled quickly to his feet and back away slowly, Applejack still had the rope and he didn't want to be tied up again anytime soon "Why don't you start? You were a bit quick to jump to the rope, weren't you?" Applejack slammed a hoof down causing Spike to jump "If ya must know, I've had a very stressful week, I'm behind on the harvest and Big Macintosh wont help me because he spends all his time now down at the hospital with Applebloom." "Whoa, hang on what happened to Applebloom?" Applejack hung her head "A bad mix of gravity and stupidity, her friends were trying to do some stunts thinking it'd help them get their cutie marks. Applebloom didn't want to do it so Scootaloo thought she just needed a... push in the right direction. Long story short she missed the trampoline they set up and needed to go to the hospital." Spike scratched his head, then shrugged. He knew that the CMC did crazy things to try and get their cutie marks, asking why is like asking Pinkie how she can appear in mirrors, it's probably better not to and just accept it as fact. "Is she alright?" "She'll live, a couple a broken ribs wont keep her down long. Us Apples are made of tougher stuff. Now back to you, why you look like Rainbow when we run outta cider?" "Call it girl troubles." Upon hearing this Applejack was taken aback. Oh dear me. Is he? "Can I ask you a question Applejack?" cautiously she nodded her head. Is he really? "What do you think a pony could see in me?" Her eyes widened in shock. Fluttershy you didn't! "W-why do you ask?" she said failing to hide the surprise in her voice. Spike picked up on it, then realised what he thought had her so distressed "Oh right, you don't know!" "Know what?" Dangit does nopony trust me with anything? Yeah, I'm the Element of Honesty, just because I'm honest doesn't mean I'm gonna blab secrets to anypony who asks! "You have to Pinkie promise not to tell anyone." Satisfied once she had done the motions of the Pinkie promise he continued "Okay so... I have a crush on Rarity... You alright?" As soon as the words had reached Applejack's ears she felt strange, a mixture of shock and confusion, she sat down and was staring into space. I take it back, I don't want to know anypony's secrets. Applejack was brought back to reality by Spike who was clicking in front of her face. His expression one of sheer panic "Applejack pay attention, I have a crush on Rarity OK? Or at least I think I do, I mean right now I'm not so sure but I need to know whether I have any sort of shot, so I'm asking you, as a friend, to tell me. What do you think a pony could ever see in me?" Applejack realised she had been staring at him with her mouth wide open, she quickly shut it and shook her head. "Sorry Spike, it's just, that's a bit of a shock." "Why?" "It's just... your a dragon, so you'll understand if I find this a little weird." "Hey! It's happened before!" She cocked an eyebrow at him "Beg pardon?" "Doesn't matter I'll show you sometime, right now, tell me right now because this is driving me insane! Do you think I have a shot with Rarity and what could a pony possibly see in me, as a dragon?" She could see the desperation in his eyes, he wasn't going to let her leave without an answer. Applejack took a deep breath "Okay Spike let's start with the easier question, do you have a shot with Rarity?" Spike looked at her expectantly "I hate to be bearer of bad news Spike, I mean you'd have to ask her yourself, but I wouldn't get your hopes up." Spike felt the words stab into him like daggers "What do you mean?" What's it with me having to give all sorts of relationship advice this week? First Fluttershy, now Spike, then there was that business last week with Macintosh. I don't need to hear 'bout my brother's love life for pete's sake! It's really kinda akward... "Well Spike like I said, you should probably ask her, but if you ask me, Rarity wouldn't even think about dating anyone from this town let alone you. Face it, if that pony dates anybody, there probably going to be one of three things: From Canterlot, Famous or a Fashion designer, maybe even all three, I'm pretty sure she would've happily gotten together with Hoity Toity if he hadn't insulted her skills as a dressmaker." Spike winced, he didn't like what he was hearing but he had to listen, he couldn't solve his dilema by himself, even if he didn't want to, he knew he had to take what AJ said into consideration. "As for what a pony could see in you, I honestly don't know Spike, your my friend, I couldn't even think about you like that if I tried. All I can say is your hardworking, most of the time, your a nice guy, most of the time and you'll always lend a hand to anypony who'll ask for it, come to think of it, you certainly help Rarity a lot. A whole lot, and you gave her that gem... I can't believe I didn't notice it sooner to be honest. Whether Rarity will find those endearing qualities I can't say and I daren't guess." Her words felt like verbal punches, each blow stealing the breath from his lungs, he always had his doubts about him and Rarity, but to be told outright, by the element of honesty of all ponies, was a little too much to bear. Noticing that she had effectively traumatised the young dragon, she began to feel sympathetic and thought back to her encounter with Fluttershy back at the orchard, if he was feeling anywhere near as worried or confused as he was, she wouldn't be much of a friend to leave him like that. "Let me give you some advice I gave a friend of mine, I've never been romantically involved with anypony, so I can't speak from experience all I can tell you is that, whatever you decide to do now, just make sure you wont live to regret it. If you want to get your answer, the only one who can give it to you is Rarity." Spike nodded thoughtfully "Thanks Applejack, I appreciate this." Applejack felt rather uncomfortable, pony/dragon relationships were not what she was expecting to discus first thing in the morning, she was very quick to change the subject. "So what are you going to do today?" Spike rubbed his head "I don't know, I don't plan anything. Normally I just wait for something interesting to happen." It's certainly been an interesting week so far... "Well how 'bout you come with me? I still need some help on the farm." "Wait you mean applebucking?" Spike wasn't sure he would be able to buck trees, he wasn't weak, he just wasn't built to. If he spent his afternoon kicking trees, all he would acheive would be a very sore pair of feet. "Nah, see there's more jobs on a farm than bucking the trees to get the apples down, look I could really use the help. I think it would also help you relieve some of that stress of yours, you carry on the way you are and I'd wager you'll be climbing the walls." Spike thought about what she was saying, he certainly didn't want to spend all day in the library again and it would give him some time to think about what he was going to do, he smiled at Applejack "Okay let's go!". The two of them set off down the road down to the farm, Spike spent the whole trip staring at the ground, often bumping into ponies as they walked. He didn't care though, his mind still whirring away. "Okay Spike were here!" Spike's head snapped up and looked around, they were indeed at Sweet Apple Acres That was fast, I guess time flies when your going mad... Applejack went into the barn and came back carrying two buckets, one was full of grain the other was empty. How she managed to carry both in her teeth was something Spike would never understand. "All right, I'll be back in an hour, in the mean time I want you take this bucket here" she pointed at the one full of grains "And head over to the chicken coop, they need feeding, little word of warning, do it quick and make sure to spread it out. We don't want 'em swarming ya." Spike gulped at the prospect. "Then go rinse out the bucket at that faucet over there" Spike looked and saw a silver tap protruding from the ground, a large pump handle attached to it. "Once you done that, take both buckets to the barn and milk the cows, we need both buckets filled." "Applejack, are you sure thats a good idea?" Spike said, brandishing his claws to demonstrate his point. If the cows got spooked at a snake, who knew how they were going to react to a dragon in their midst. "Fair enough, tell you what, go drop the buckets off when you've fed the chickens, then come meet me out in the orchard, I'll find you something else to do." and with that she trotted off towards the apples trees, leaving Spike to get on with the tasks he was assigned. Reluctant to start working again after enjoying his days off, Spike picked up the bucket of chicken feed and headed towards the coop. As he approached he could feel dozens of eyes staring at him, the chickens were watching him, there heads swaying to match the bucket of feed Spike was swinging under his arm. "Well better get this over with" Spike swung the bucket sending a large clump of grain airborne, it hit the ground scattering all over. As soon as it did the chickens dove on it, pecking furiously, it was gone in seconds. Confused Spike swung the bucket again scattering even more grain and once again the ravenous chickens devoured as quickly as it was cast. Spike stared at them, he'd never seen chickens act like that before, they must have been starving. He knew Applejack said that she was behind on her work but she didn't seem the type to starve animals, intentionally or otherwise. The chickens were staring at Spike, waiting for the next serving. Spike threw the last of the grain into the coop and started to back away slowly, the chickens still staring at him. "Okay this is getting a little freaky" , as he walked away carrying the bucket with him, he heard a loud screech, he turned around just in time to see the chickens jumping over the fence and he ran. Half an hour later Spike emerged from the Apple cellar, the chickens had chased him several times around the farm, he managed to distract them by hurling the empty feed bucket away and dove through the open trap door, only opening again when the frantic pecking that followed shortly after had ceased. Without saying a word he ran towards the trees, following the dull thudding noise of hoof on wood, until finally he stumbled across Applejack. "You!" Spike shouted, pointing at Applejack. Applejack turned and chuckled when she saw Spike out of breath, with feathers clinging to his scales. "I told you to hurry up and feed the chickens didn't I? Next time do what I do, dump the bucket and run!" she said laughing loudly. Spike just looked at her dumbfounded. "What did you even do to those...those things?! Those weren't like any chicken I've every seen." "Oh they're chickens alright, they're just greedy." "Greedy?!" "Yeah, Applebloom's been overfeeding 'em, she spoilt them rotten and now everytime they get a whiff of food they go, well bezerk. We've slowly been reducing their food intake, something which they didn't take to kindly to. Now they'll jump on anyone who has food." "And you didn't tell me this because..." he said waving a hand at her. Applejack turned her head to hide her smile "Well shucks, I didn't want to do it, I can still feel the marks they left last time." Spike shook his head "Well and I can't believe I'm saying this, what else do you need me to do?" "Tell you what, take this basket of apples back to the farm. You can go after that, I'm thinking you need your rest, it's not everyday your chased by chickens, your not Rainbow Dash." she laughed quietly at her little joke. Spike shrugged, he picked up the basket and began walking back towards the farm, still very annoyed at Applejack. He noticed a large red stallion walking down the road and called out to him "Hey Big Mac, you just come from the hospital?" "Eeyup." he nodded, "How's Applebloom? She doing okay?" "Eeyup" he nodded again. Why do I bother? Spike began making the long trip back to the library. Along the way he passed several of the restraunts and cafe's around Ponyville, he saw ponies on dates with their coltfriends and marefriends. It reminded him all too well of his current predicament. I have to give Applejack credit, her methods were unusual, but she DID help me forget about it, even if it was only for a little while. He watched a couple as he walked. They were certainly a strange pair, her recognized Derpy Hooves, Ponyville's klutzy mail courier. As for who she was with, he didn't know, he was an average looking brown Pegasus, he appeared to be quite young, Spike was sure he'd seen a very similar looking Earth pony walking round town before, maybe the colt was his son or something. Judging from the looks of fear on the faces of the other diners whatever he was talking about must have been both amazing and frightening, he certainly drew their attention. Derpy didn't seem to be listening, she just sat there munching away on her meal, a goofy smile on her face. Such an odd couple, but if it works, then what right does anyone have to complain? He smiled, feeling a little happier at his reveleation. Spike walked home quicker than normal, eager to get away. He couldn't bear looking at all the happy couples, when his own love life was in turmoil. Seeing Derpy's unusual date might've lightened his mood but all it acheived was giving him more to think about. It was night when Spike finally made it home, crossing the threshold into the library, he was greeted by the creepy eyes of Owlicious whose head turned to see him. No matter how many times he saw it, Spike was always creeped out by the freaky, 360 head turn that he could do, it sent shiver down his spine as the creepy eyes seemed to peer through him. He turned his thoughts back to his problems. I wonder what Twilight would do in this situation. Deciding it would be better to write it all out. He sat at Twilight's desk and using his trusty quill he began to list everything he knew about both Fluttershy and Rarity, if he was going to make a decision, he had to think about EVERYTHING, he didn't want to regret it later on. Several hours later he looked at what he had written again, before scrunching up the parchment and throwing into the refuse bin by the side of the desk. It fell out as it hit the top, the bin overflowing with Twilight's scrapped research notes, letters and lists. He hung his head, clutching it in his claws, murmuring to himself. "They're just so... I can't decide, maybe I should take Applejack's advice and ask Rarity, I can't make a decision if I don't know how she feels, I mean if she turns me down, I'll be upset but... what if she says yes? How would Fluttershy deal with it? I know the pain you can feel to be ignored by your crush, to see them looking at another, I don't want that for her, I don't want this, this complication." He slammed his claws down onto the table, "Alright Spike, enough of this wallowing, it's time I did something about this! I need to take charge of this situation." He began to pace the library floor, "Okay so tommorow, tommorow I'll clean myself up, get some flowers and ask Rarity out, I've put this off for far too long. If I'd have done something about this weeks ago, I wouldn't be in this mess." He looked out of the window, out to the edge of town where he could see the faint lights of Fluttershy's hut. "If she says no, if she turns me down, then fine, frankly I'm not even sure if I care anymore, at least I'll still be able to make Fluttershy happy. I just, I have to know. I NEED to know. I have to be sure." Spike stared up at the night sky, the moon full and bright, Twilight had tried to teach him some constellations, but he'd fallen asleep as she was pointing them out, as far as he was concerened night was for sleeping. Tonight however, with all that was on his mind he was thankful that they were there. The stars twinkling against the black void, like diamonds in the rough, far beyond the reach of any dragon. He remembered times when he thought of Rarity in that way, a beautiful gem, in view but out of reach. Often times he'd dreamt about her, the various fairytale ways in which the two would be together, but had she ever responded in kind? She'd kissed him on the cheek before, but was that out of love? Or was it simply gratitude or Celestia forbid empathy? The more he thought the more he noticed how very rarely had she ever returned the sentiment... No! Enough of this, I've made my choice, I'm just going to have to deal with it and face the consequences later. If I keep second guessing myself then I'll never make a decision. Right now I need my sleep. I just hope Fluttershy's understanding. Stifling a yawn Spike dragged his tired self up the steps and into the bedroom before curling up under the covers of Twilight's bed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fluttershy lay awake in bed, staring out of the window at the largest tree in Ponyville, where she knew Spike would probably be sleeping. She was clutching a box of tissues, having used several already to wipe the tears from her face. She knew she shouldn't cry anymore but she couldn't help herself. She wanted desperately for Spike to knock on her door today, as she just couldn't bring herself to leave the house to go and visit him herself. She wasn't upset at him though, she realised that what she'd done had probably surprised him, maybe even scared him, Applejack had made that perfectly clear. I just want to apologise to him, I didn't mean to be so forward... She curled over in bed, turning her back on the window. She closed her eyes and pictured him. That cute face, those beautiful, sparkly purple scales. He was kind, generous, loyal, he was funny and caring, to her none of the colts in town could compare. They were crude, rude and boisterous, they just thought she was a silent freak. Just because they were more mares in town than colts, it didn't mean they were irresistable. Spike wasn't like that, if anything his quiet modesty attracted her more. That day when Spike tore Ponyville apart, she didn't feel fear, she didn't feel angry if anything she felt compassionate. She was all to aware of how dangerous it can be to lose control of your emotions, it was the very reason for her problems now. She saw him sat there, in a daze before collapsing on the floor. It had taken all of her willpower to carry Spike home, having to travel through the town, holding back the urge to cry until she managed to get back to her house. Passers-by asking her all sorts of questions... I'm so sorry Spike, I didn't want to upset you, how could I have been so stupid? Kissing you like that. I just couldn't control myself. She felt the tears coming on again and began to shake her head. I can't leave it like this, I just can't. Tommorow, tommorow, I'll ask him. I'll go over there and I'll just go straight up to him and ask him. You've got to do this Fluttershy, not for Spike, for yourself. Author's Note: Yeah this chapter's got a bit silly in the middle there, but hey I put a comedy tag on this thing. Who wouldn't get a laugh at the image of Spike being chased by chickens anyway? Made me laugh. As for the rest of the chapter, what did you think? Did you really expect such a deep infatuation to dissappear overnight? Even with Fluttershy's startling revelation. Will Spike make the right choice? Well your gonna have to stick around and find out