//------------------------------// // BONUS: Spike The Dragon // Story: Mane Six Cuddle Simulator // by CategoricalGrant //------------------------------// “Hold on, hold on,” you interrupt. Craning your neck, you scan the room. “Where is Spike, Twilight?” “Spike’s in his room, I think,” Twilight responds, placing a hoof to her muzzle. “Why do you ask?” “Did you invite him down here to spend time with everypony?” “Well…No, I didn’t.” Twilight scrunches up her muzzle. “But Spike never spends time with us during our sleepovers.” “Is that because he doesn’t want to or because you never invite him?” Twilight’s muzzle scrunches up even deeper. “Well, I…That’s a good question, although probably an unfair categorization.” “Because?” Twilight’s scrunch becomes a grimace. “Because…Look, Spike knows he’s our friend and that we care about him! I promise!” You cross your arms. “Mmmmhmm. Okay. Well, tell you what, I’m going to go and say hello to him before we finish this conversation.” Twilights ears perk up. “I…okay,” she relents. You open the door on your way out. “Let him know that he’s invited next time!” she calls after you, a hint of desperation tinging her voice. A few minutes later, you knock on the door to Spike’s bedroom. “Coming!” an excited voice calls. Not a moment later, the door flings open to reveal an extremely eager-looking little dragon. His expression melts when he sees you. “Oh, uh, hey.” “What’s the deal, Spike?” you ask, leaning casually against his door frame. “Were you expecting Rarity?” He shrugs. “That would have been awesome, but, uh, no. Just expecting…Anypony else. It’s not important, though, come on in.” “Thanks, my dude.” You step through the room’s threshold and close the door behind you. “What’d you do tonight?” he asks. “Oh, I was out for a while, then I came back and stumbled on the girls having a little slumber party.” Spike’s ear frills flatten against his head, but he keeps a cool expression. “Oh, uh, are they here? Really? I hadn’t noticed. I’ve just been so engrossed in my evening.” “I’m glad you’re keeping busy,” you tell him as he waddles back over to his bed. “What have you been up to?” “I’ve been reading some Power Ponies comics,” he comments as he flops back on his mattress. “Very neat. I didn’t know that new issues had come out recently.” Spike sits up and scratches the back of his neck. “Well, uh, they haven’t. I’m rereading a few of the old arcs. But, I’ve been meaning to get around to them again! So, it’s, y’know, nice to have the opportunity to catch up.” You stand silently for a few moments as you look forlornly at Spike, your lips pursed in concern. “So, you were down there with the girls for a while, right? N-not that I know! I’m just, uh, guessing.” You nod slowly. Spike clears his throat. “…Did, uh...They happen to mention me at all?” You take a deep breath in before exhaling. “Spike…It’s not your fault.” “Huh?” “It’s not your fault.” Spike crosses his arms across his scaly chest. “What are you on about? Did somepony break something down there?” You take a step forward. “…It’s not your fault.” Spike grimaces and falls flat on his back again. He speaks to the ceiling. “Okay, okay, I get it! I can get a little jealous sometimes that I don’t get invited to things, but it’s no big deal! I mean, it’s a mares’ only sleepover anyway…Er, mares and humans…I guess…” You step to the edge of the bed. “It’s not your fault.” He sits up again, glaring at you. “What’s your deal, coming in here and just repeating that? Why don’t you go back down there and hang out with them? That’s what friends do, isn’t it!?” You sit on the bed next to him. “It’s not your fault.” Spike points a little purple claw at you. “You shut your flat little human mouth,” he sputters, tears beginning to well up around the edges of his eyes. “It’s not your fault.” Spike gradually slips into a fit of sobs. He covers his eyes with his claws as he lets out a quiet salvo of choking cries. Gently, you place a hand on his head spines. “It’s not your fault,” you whisper to him. Spike collapses against you, crying into your shoulder. You wrap your arms around him in a tight hug as he lets his emotions flow out. “That’s it bro…Hug it out,” you encourage him, beginning to gently rock side to side. A minute or so later, Spike’s crying has stopped and his head lays softly against your upper chest. You give him a few firm pats on the back. “O-okay. I’m good. I’m good,” he tells you, his voice gravelly. “You sure?” “Yeah, yeah…” he pulls away from you and scoots back on the bed, looking down in shame. “Y’know, for all the fuss you Equestrians make about the magic of friendship, you guys have the same sorts of friendship problems that we have on earth,” you tell him gently. “Really?” he asks, daring to meet your gaze again. You nod. “You bet.” You hop off of the bed. “Come on downstairs with me, I have an idea.” Spike seems to shrink back at your suggestion. “I don’t know if-“ You hold up a hand to stop him. “Believe me, buddy, I guilt tripped them hard. If we hurry down, I bet we can get you some apology cuddles from Rarity.” Spike leaps off of his bed and skids as he hits the ground. “Really!?” “I think so. Worst case you’ll have to settle for Twilight.” Spike grimaces. “Yuck!” “Alright, alright,” you tell him as you open his door. “But pick another backup just in case.” Spike thinks for a moment as he exits his room and sets off down the hallway. You follow. “Okay, you’re going to call me crazy…” he begins. “No such thing as a crazy dragon when it comes to cuddling.” “…Do you think we can make Rainbow Dash happen?” You purse your lips as you evaluate the situation in your head. “Actually, I think so. If there’s not a good enough opportunity to snuggle up with Rarity, just give Dash the puppy eyes and spin something about how she’s never bothered to give you flying lessons since you got your wings. Even she has to fold under that.” “Nice!” Spike launches into the air and gives you a quick bro-hug. “Thanks so much, man.” You pat him on the back. When he lands on the ground again, you offer him a fist bump, which he immediately returns. “You bet. I got your back, little dragon.”