//------------------------------// // Prologue: Seeking Aid // Story: I Can Count On You // by Ekhidna //------------------------------// Prologue: Seeking Aid This year's Great Galloping Gala had been a resounding success in every form. The music was on point. The food plentiful, varied, and delicious. The schedule had been reformed and modified so that the four present Princesses, and not just Celestia, welcomed the guests with flexible schedules. The dances were calm and memorable. And most of all there were no incidents that came close to threaten Canterlot or Equestria itself. Heck, even Discord of all people behaved... for the most part, though thankfully his tricks were limited to harmless pranks thanks to Fluttershy. In other words, it had been a complete and utter bore of a party. Though given the underlying reason for this year's Gala, that was the preferred result over fun chaos and the usual shenanigans that, more often than not, seemed glued behind his particular family and friends. And yet, Spike sighed for the umpteenth time as he stood, alone, silently watching the stained glasses that marked and celebrated key heroic victories of Equestria's recent history. The Purification of Nightmare Moon, the Changeling Invasion under Chrysalis, the Defeat of Discord, and several more, including his own stained glass. They are going to be here any minute now, Spike told himself while he idly played with his thumbs. Spike moved for the first time in what felt like hours, walking forward until he was able to see his reflection in one of the windows. It had been less than two months since his growth spurt had finally hit him. At first, he remembered with a faint smile how happy he was, thinking everything was going to be different now that he stood at the same height or taller than most of his friends actually. He had honestly thought that all of his problems and insecurities would simply fade away with his new stature. How foolish he had been. If anything, some of his insecurities only seemed to increase at the end of the day. He stood as tall or taller than his dear friends, but now he felt even smaller than before. Why in the name of Celestia had he ever imagined he was going to become a bulging mass of muscles just by growing up before with growth spurt, he honestly couldn't remember. Gone was his baby fat, but now he looked so... thin. No. Lanky. If someone blows too hard my way I might fly away, Spike joked looking at his reflection. Oh sure, he wasn't a skeleton, but there were absolutely no muscles below his scales other than sorry excuses that somehow managed to do put up with him and his chores. He didn't get his wings, he didn't get any braver, he didn't seem to gain anything from growing up aside from his stature and a slightly more powerful fire. Were his dreams of standing up for his loved ones and fight at their side just that, a dream? How was he supposed to defend them if he could barely even defend himself? He chuckled dryly. That very same morning Twilight had saved him from falling from the tallest bookshelf in the castle. He was ever thankful for avoiding a nasty fall, and so was Starlight moments later after she rushed into the room after hearing his less than manly scream as he fell. The worst part was how they both checked him if he was injured when nothing had happened. He knew they were worried. He knew they meant well. But he felt so damn ashamed and useless because of it. He was still a dragon for buck's sake! That fall would've been at most mildly unpleasant for a few seconds and nothing more. Spike clenched his fists. That had been the final straw. He was sick and tired to see himself as the weakest link in their group. He was tired of not being able to protect his friends despite him being a damn dragon! He made a promise to himself to change once and for all, no matter what it took to become useful to himself, his family, his friends, to Equestria and the Crystal Empire, and everyone around him. He was decided to earn, truly and fully, his given title of 'Great and Honorable Spike, the Brave and Glorious'. Determined to be a dependable friend. And most of all, dedicated to being the dragon he had wished and dreamt to be for years on end. He was going to become his own dragon, inside and out. No matter what it took. No mountain was going to be too big, no ocean too deep, no task too hard, no quest too arduous, no job too menial. The only problem that remained was the simplest of all: how to begin? "There he is!" Spike smiled yet his nervousness returned upon hearing the voice of Pinkie Pie. He turned around to see the mare dressed in a vivid pink, blue, and yellow dress tip-hoofing her way to him with wide-spread arms ready for a hug. Behind her came Twilight, Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Shining Armor, and to his surprise, Luna, Celestia, and Cadance. He had hope for them to come to meet him after the Gala like he asked, though he figured they'd be too busy with the delegates of Saddle Arabia, Mount Aris/Seaquestria, Abyssinia, Dragon Lands, and the Changeling Empire. "H-hey guys!" Spike stammered as Pinkie hugged him tightly. "So, what's this all about a problem we can help you with, Spike?" Rainbow asked with a tiny smirk on her face. "Indeed, dear nephew, your message was rather vague. Is there something we can help you with?" Luna asked, half concerned, half imposing. This is it, don't screw it up, Spike reminded himself before taking a deep, calming breath as Pinkie let go of him. He felt his heart pound so hard it rumbled in his fins, his throat felt dry, his body trembled, and his stomach was doing somersaults. He closed his eyes in order to gain as much bravery as he could. After a minute or so he finally re-opened his eyes, his body had stopped shaking and his gaze was filled with determination. "What I'm about to ask you, I ask because I know I can count on you above everyone else, even myself." Spike took another short breath of courage before continuing, idly looking at the attentive and concerned faces of the gathered ponies. "I asked you to meet me here so that I can ask, implore, and beg you all... to please, no matter what you do. No matter what you think of me. No matter what you think it's necessary. No matter what! That you, all of you, my friends and family... please, turn my pathetic self into someone as strong as you are." Prologue end.