//------------------------------// // We're Gonna Be Okay (feat.Spidey Bells) // Story: Exit Anon-a-miss. Enter the dragon // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// It was a miracle when the doctor and the Rainbooms, plus Wallflower Blush, came into the room to check up on Sunset Shimmer, to find her right as rain, restored to good health and everything. The doctor and nurses were all baffled to see how Sunset's temperature was restored to normal. The Rainbooms were all thrilled to see Sunset was well again, even more happier when she held her arms out, inviting them all in for a group hug. "Oh darling!" Rarity smiled happily. "I can't tell you how relieving it is to see you well again!" "We thought we'd never see you again," Fluttershy whimpered. "You nearly died!" Pinkie added, as she and the Rainbooms all tightened their grips around Sunset. As for the fiery girl, despite having recovered, it was still a lot for her to process everything that's happened. To her, it was both relieving and conflicting. It's hard for her to believe that just the other day, she was considering isolating herself away from her friends, because of a scar that they've inflicted upon her, last Christmas. But right then and there, she was getting a group hug from the same friends, who all desired nothing more than to atone for the mistake they've made long ago. Sunset doesn't know what to say, but her conscience tells her not to ruin the moment. So out of impulse, she did the only thing her heart tells her to do and simply wrapped her arms around the girls, pulling them close. For the first time, she was able to clearly see the world around her again, the beauty, and the magic of friendship her friends all shared for her, and her scars begin to heal. Almost though. Looking up, Sunset could see that Wallflower Blush was just standing on the sidelines, looking unsure, "Yeah, you can join in if you wanted to," Sunset said, inviting the shy girl into the hug. With that, Wallflower complied, wrapping her arms around Sunset and the Rainbooms. Thus, both Sunset and Wallflower Blush felt a large heavy weight has been lifted from their backs. "Wow, this is good," Wallflower Blush admitted. "I mean, it's a good feel. I mean, it feels good. I mean-" "Just go with it, Wallflower," Sunset advised, before she and the girls all parted away. "I'll admit, I miss having those hugs with you." "Who doesn't want to get a hug?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Even I can be such a grump sometimes. And all it takes to turn my frown upside-down is a big hug from my friends! Even Maud likes to get hugs sometimes." With a tip of her hat, Applejack stepped forward and began, "Sunset. I know sorry isn't gonna cut it, and I know we can't take back what we've said and done to ya in the past, but if ya'll could.....I mean, if you want to, that is. Would ya maybe reconsider and...well, spend the holiday with us....again?" Sunset looked at Applejack, then towards the girls around her, giving them a solemn look. She leaned against the walls, as she ponders, with the girls anxiously waiting for her response. Finally, Sunset looked up and gave them her answer, "What other choices do I have? I've been hurt way worse, from you girls, minus Twilight, of course. And I tried to avoid that same misery by isolating myself from all of you, and look how that's turned out. I'm just lucky enough to be alive and-Sweet Celestia!" The girl exclaimed. "Spike! Is he-?" "Yeah?" Two Spikes greeted, poking their heads out of Twilight's backpack. After Sunset was checked out of the hospital, the first thing she did together with the girls, including Wallflower Blush, was going out to do some Christmas shopping at the mall. Joining them for their shopping trips are none other than the CMCs, who've all been meaning to make up with Sunset Shimmer for quite awhile, being the true masterminds behind the Anon-a-miss incident and all. Despite not being the same girls from back Equestria, Dragon Spike still chewed them out for the troubles they've caused and the humiliations they've inflicted on countless innocent lives, besides Sunset Shimmer's. Given to his past experience with their pony counterparts, when they were "Gabby Gums", needless to say, the CMCs were reduced to tears from the dragon-dog giving them a piece of his mind. “You girls have SOME nerve, you hear me?!” Dragon Spike ranted. “Sunset went through a lot of trouble to make amends. Not to mention how if it wasn’t for her, then YOU, and I mean ALL OF YOU would’ve been slaves to the Dazzlings if it wasn’t for her! And that, THAT was how you repay her?!!” “We know,” Apple Bloom frowned sadly. “We know that now and we’re sorry.” “No, no, no. Sorry is when you step on someone’s foot at the theater, that’s sorry,” Spike barked. “Sorry is when you say, ‘when’s the baby coming?’ But it turns out the creature is FAT!! That’s sorry! SORRY is when you sneezed and burned someone’s book to ashes!!! YOU GOT THAT ANON-A-MISS??!! YOU THREE ARE AS FAR AWAY FROM SORRY THAN YOU EVER WERE WHEN YOU WERE GABBY GUMS ABD HUMILIATING ALL OF PONYVILLE AND ALL OF EQUESTRIA!!!!” Spike’s barking and outburst was so loud and so intense that a lot of the Rainbooms were taken aback, with the CMCs cowering and tearfully pleading him to stop. But still, he continued, “IF WE WERE BACK IN EQUESTRIA AND I WAS STILL A FIRE BREATHING DRAGON, I’D ROAST YOUR LITTLE FLANKS SO MUCH THAT NOBODY WILL EVEN KNOW YOU HAD A CUTIE MARK!!!” Thankfully, Sunset was able to reel in the little dragon, “Okay Spike. You’ve made your point. Calm down! You’re making a scene! You’re turning RED!!” She shouted, before he could escalate the scene any further if not the heartbreak for the younger girls. “Whoa...” Rainbow Dash gasped. “You have some serious issues there...” “That actually hurts,” Sweetie Belle whimpered. Of course, with all the dramas set aside, the friends continued to have a good time, with the obvious determination to not let anything ruin their holiday again this year. Their first stop was at a bakery, where the girls all enjoyed themselves to rounds of hot chocolates, while the Spikes helped themselves to plates of gingerbread cookies. Poor Dragon Spike. He did love hot chocolates, and he's more than disappointed to learn how he couldn't have any chocolates, being a dog and all. Still, the gingerbreads and milk made up for him. "Mmmmm, this is good!" Dragon Spike commented on the gingerbreads. "But not as good as Chancellor Puddinghead's Hearth's Warming Eve's pudding recipe." The girls, minus Sunset, all exchanged looks, "Chancellor Puddinghead's Hearth–That's quite a mouthful," Applejack commented. "Nah, the mouthful would be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," Pinkie Pie stated. "Chancellor Puddinghead's pudding is real?" Sunset exclaimed. "Seriously? I mean, that stuff is a legend! It's so delicious that it could even cure depressions with just one drop of it." "And best part is, Twilight perfected it!" Dragon Spike smiled. "You should come back to Equestria soon, Sunset. If there's still a bit of the pudding left, we'll let you have some." "I'd like that," the fiery girl smiled. "Ooh! And can we have some too?" Pinkie Pie eagerly asked, with the Rainbooms all joining in. "If Flurry Heart doesn't mess up the ingredients again," the little dragon turned dog replied. "Last time that happened, she nearly drowned all of Ponyville in pudding, let me tell you," with that, the friends all laugh at the little dragon's reply. Later, the gang all went their separate ways, going through different stores, finding and buying various items as presents for one another. Sunset Shimmer went to a store, with Dragon Spike riding in her backpack, holding up a notebook to check off everything on the list. The fiery girl was starting to see the benefit of having someone like Dragon Spike as their Number 1 Assistant. "Candy hat for Pinkie Pie, check!" Spike announced. "A cookbook for Applejack, check. Lightning chain for Dash, check. And Twilight, a book. Obviously," He rolled his eyes playfully at the last part. "Well, Twilight wouldn't be Twilight without books, would she?" Sunset asked rhetorically. "Now that's like saying Pinkie Pie not being Pinkie Pie," Spike looked back at the list, "Now what kind of book would Twilight like? She likes just about every books," While looking at the list, the music the store was playing started to take control of his body, and he finds himself shaking his tail to the rhythm of the song, before his whole body followed. Before long, out of impulse, Spike broke out dancing and singing, much to Sunset's bewilderment. But the more she sees that Spike was really into it, she smiled and decided to watch the show. In the meantime, Spike's musical performance attract the attentions of a lot of customers. They've never seen a dog that can talk, let alone sing before. Jolly ol' St. Nicholas Jolly old St. Nicholas, lean your ear this way Don't you tell a single soul what I'm gonna say Christmas Eve is coming soon, now, you dear old man Whisper what you'll bring to me, tell me if you can "Hey Sunset," Rainbow Dash called out as she and the rest of their friends arrived. "What's going on? Who's laying down those beats?" In response, Sunset pointed the girls' attention to the little dragon-turned-dog. Jolly old St. Nicholas Whatcha gonna bring to me? Is it a stash of gems that I can eat all day and night? Or is it a diamond ring that I can give to Rarity? Spike blushed in embarrassment, putting his paws over his mouth after that last verse escaped from his mouth. With bemused grins, the girls couldn't help but giggle, before encouraging the little dog to resume. The CMC couldn't help but film the whole dog's performance on their phone and posting it all on the MyStable social network. For entertainment and promotional purposes, of course. No one would believe there was such a thing about a talking dog, let alone a singing one, anyway. When the clock is striking twelve and I'm fast asleep Down the chimney broad and black, with your pack you'll creep All the stockings you will find hanging in a row Mine will be the shortest one, you'll be sure to know Scatta-boop boop, badda-do bap ba! Come and gimme those Christmas presents Scootily-boop, scootily-boop, scootily-boop ba! Don't make me wait no more Babba-doop boop Give me some presents! Doodle-oop boop daddila boop ba! Scabba-doo, scabba-doo Come give it to me, Santa, yeah! "Wow, he's got a nice set of pipes, for a little pup," Applejack commented. "Who knew?" Sunset shrugged her shoulders. Pinkie Pie wants a candy hat and Applejack wants to cook Rainbow wants a lightning chain and Twilight wants a book Rarity wants a set of lace and Fluttershy wants a nest Now choose for me and Sunset Shimmer, dear Santa Claus, what you think is best Jolly old St. Nicholas Whatcha gonna bring to me? Jolly old St. Nicholas Whatcha gonna bring Whatcha gonna bring to meeeeee? Scattily-doo, scattily-doo, scattily-doo wow! Yeah! Everyone all cheered and clapped for the little dragon-dog at the end of his performance. We're Gonna Be Okay – Cody Francis After they were done with their Christmas shoppings, Sunset and Dragon Spike both broke off from the Rainbooms, Wallflower Blush, and the CMCs, and were back at the fiery girl's home to get some much needed rest. Sunset walked over to a glass tank, where her pet gecko lives, "Hey Ray," Sunset greeted the little lizard. "How's my favorite little ray of sunshine doing?" She cooed, running her fingers across the gecko's back in an affectionate stroke, while he was eating his lettuce. In the meantime, Spike sat down on a rug, in front of a large TV, "I'm glad you're happy," Spike sighed, before he looked up at the clock. "Twilight will be here anytime now." "Isn't that a good thing?" "Maybe. Though I was kinda wanting to stay here a little longer with you." "Hey, don't worry about me, Spike. I'll be alright," the girl sat down beside Spike and picked him up to give him an affectionate stroke on the head. "I'm just more worried about you right now. No one should ever be left alone this much. Especially you, Spike." "Well, like I said, I kinda got used to it. Besides, whenever I'm alone, I have Big Mac, Discord, or even some of my other Ponyville guys to keep me company." "But are you happy about it? About Twilight and the girls leaving you behind?" Unable to deny it, Spike admitted, "No. Not really," He looked up at Sunset, seeing the loving and sympathetic shades of turquoise staring back at him. "But why are you asking me about that? You could've just looked into my thoughts and everything. Couldn't you?" "Well, I guess I could," the fiery girl scratched her head. "But honestly, I like it better to hear from you, you know. To hear your honest opinion about it." "Well, okay," with that, Spike began to speak up his whole heartfelt emotion. "Before we came to Ponyville, obviously it was just me and Twilight. She was so proud of herself to be Princess Celestia's prized pupil, and granted, she may be a bit, distant, if not, a real bookworm. But she's my bookworm. I was so happy to be her number one assistant, because I get to be with her every single day. I know it makes me sound a little clingy, but can you blame me? She was the one who hatched me from my egg. She brought me into the worlds. If not for her, I wouldn't be here today. I pretty much owed my entire life to her. She meant so much to me. But ever since we came to Ponyville, she's always spending a lot of times with the other girls, and I'm always left behind to clean up after them. It's like I hardly meant anything to her, and sometimes, it hurts." "Because she's your only family, right?" Sunset correctly deduced. "I don't blame you, Spike. I know how that's like. Before I came to this world, I hardly got in touch with my parents. They lived so far away, and I hardly got to see them. I wrote them letters to keep in touch, but they hardly ever wrote them back. Finally, I just gave up. And I guess that's how I started losing...." Sunset dared not to go on any further. "It's okay, Sunset. I can guess what happened after that," Dragon Spike said. "But do you miss your parents?" "I don't know. As of late, I hardly remember their faces, or their voices," a trickle of tears escaped from Sunset's eyes. "I guess so much has happened that I don't even remember what my life was like before I came here. I don't even know if they even loved me. I can't even remember my mom's lullaby, or my dad's love. I....I....I....." before the pipes could break again, Spike interrupted her by wrapping his paws around her neck, pulling her in a loving hug. Overcome by the hug, Sunset slowly calmed herself down, as she tenderly wrapped her hands around Spike, returning the hug, "Ha ha....I...don't want to..... let go," Sunset chuckled. Nevertheless, both she and Spike parted, and the little dragon-dog went running up to her counter, and nudging a cup of hot chocolate. Sunset walked up and took the cup in hand, and slowly drank the hot refreshment, feeling more at ease as the sweet, hot, and soothing content calmed her. "Nothing like a good cup of hot chocolate," Spike sighed. "I remember whenever I get upset, Twilight would always give me a cup of hot chocolate to calm me down." "Same here," Sunset agreed. "So even if you've been left behind so much, you still love Twilight, don't you?" "Of course I do! She's my best friend! My family! My sister! She's my whole world." Turning to the side, Spike looked to the floor, while feeling doubtful. "Though sometimes, I'm not sure if she felt the same way." "Aw Spike. I'm sure deep down, she has a special place for you in her heart," the fiery girl comforted. "If I was put in her place, I would." "If you were Twilight? Let's just hope you don't freakout as badly than she does," Spike joked, to which both he and Sunset burst out laughing, when a knock at the door interrupted them. "Hello? Sunset? Spike? Are you there?" the two friends knew who that was. Getting up from her seat, Sunset walked over to the door, turned the knob opened and greeted the visitor, "Hey Twilight! Merry Christmas!" "Merry Christmas, Sunset," Princess Twilight replied. "So where's Spike? You said he would be here." "He is. Over there," Sunset pointed. "Hey Twilight!" Spike greeted. "Spike! I'm glad to see you're okay," Twilight smiled, walking up to hug the little dragon-turned-dog. "So how were you? Did you have a great time here with Sunset?" "Oh have I got a story for you," Spike answered. "Well come on. Let's go home then, and you can tell me all about it," but before the two reunited friends could leave, Sunset stopped them with a hand to Twilight's shoulder. "Actually, I'd like to talk to you about something important, Twilight," Sunset looked down at Spike, "Why don't you play with Ray for a bit, Spike? This may take awhile." "Okay," With that, Spike walked over to the little leopard gecko's tank, while Sunset and Twilight went to the next room to have a private talk. "So what's so important that you need to talk with me now, Sunset?" Twilight asked. "We kinda need to get back right now, and you could've just–" Before Twilight knew it, Sunset grabbed her by the scruff of her coat, and the flaming red haired girl pulled her close and she glared into her lavender eyes. "You and your friends had better start treating Spike right, because you mark my word. One of these days, Spike will get sick and tired of being left out on so much of your bonding experience that it'll be the last time you'll ever see of him again!" Sunset scowled. "I mean, do you have any idea what happened to him, because you weren't here?" Still shocked, if not frighten by Sunset's sudden angry outburst, Twilight shook her head, "No? What happened?" "He slipped and fell into a lake of freezing water, that's what happened to him!" "WHAT?! When did–" "Oh don't you start freaking out now, Ms. Princess of Friendship. Don't think I don't know about that Winters Wrap Up event, where you and every pony else all just stood back and laughed at him when he fell asleep on a floating block of ice, and then it melted, and he fell in and caught a cold!" "When have I–" "And let me ask something else. Where was he when you and your friends had your birthday party moved to Canterlot, because Rarity's cat was sick? Huh? Aren't you even the least bit worried that something bad would happen to Spike, if you left him alone again?" "Of course I do!" Twilight finally answered. "I'm always going to worry about Spike! But...he's a growing dragon. I just thought he'd like to have some time to himself to become the dragon he's meant to be." "Well, do you ever talk to him about it? Let him know how you feel for him? Or ask him how he felt about it? You think he's okay with you and the girls leaving him out so much on so many overdue bonding experiences? You need to set the records straight, and don't say I didn't warn you Twilight."