//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: After The Secret 
// by jw278 
//------------------------------//

As Rarity wakes with the sun shining through her curtains and the birds chirping, she stretches and gets out of bed. After freshening up and opening her curtains, she makes her way downstairs and has some breakfast and coffee before starting her work on a dress she still had to finish. “Hmmm. And I think with that. This dress is done,” She said admiring her latest creation as she takes a sip of coffee.

Just then, she hears the mail pony at the door and after greeting him, thanks him for his work, and goes back inside. Taking a seat and going through her mail whilst drinking her coffee, she comes across a letter from Fleur de Lis. 

Dear Rarity,

I hope this letter finds you well. I know it’s been a few weeks, but I finally got around to having those photos we took of your welcome party to The Society of the Emerald Mist developed. Enclosed is a copy of the group photo we took. I made sure to have a copy sent to the others and had it added to the collection we keep in the club rooms.

I hope we get a chance to see each other again soon. 

Your friend, Fleur de Lis.

As Rarity takes a photo out of the envelope, she looks at it and sees all her friends gathered together with her and Spike in the middle, all smiling. She couldn’t help but smile as she looked at it and remembered how much fun she had. “Hmmm. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen Spikey at all today. He normally comes around in the morning just to see me and asks if there’s anything I’m doing today. Poor dear must be busier than usual this morning.” She thought to herself, just then a smile came onto Rarity’s face, “I know. Since I don’t have anything more that must be done today and it’s such a beautiful day, why don’t I go see if he wants to have a picnic at the park? I’m sure he’ll love that idea and it will make up for not being able to go the park with him before.”

So with that idea in her head and a smile on her face, Rarity locks up her house and makes her way to the castle with a bounce in her step, saying hello to other ponies as she passes them until she comes to the castle. She walks in and says hello, as she’s standing there waiting for a few minutes. “That’s odd. Normally Spike would come flying down the corridor to meet me when I come,” She thought to herself before continuing on further into the castle. She came to the throne room door and pushed it open, making sure to say hello to be polite, only to see no one there. So she makes her way down the corridor, calling out in hopes that someone hears her.

Just then, she heard Twilight say, “I’m in the library. Come on in, Rarity.” As Rarity makes her way to the library and walks in, she sees Twilight with all the books on the floor and Twilight placing books on the shelves.

“Good morning, Twilight. Please forgive me for just coming into the castle uninvited. I just thought I’d pop by and see if Spike would like to go for a picnic this afternoon if he isn’t too busy. You’re more than welcome to join us, of course.” As Rarity giggled, she said, “Though it looks like you’re having a re-shelving day today.” Just then Rarity starts looking around and asks, “Speaking of, where is Spikey? He normally helps you with this sort of work. It’s unlike him not to be here helping.”

Just then Twilight stops placing books on the shelves and says, “He’s gone, Rarity.”

As Rarity happily smiles, she said, “I see. He’s gon-“ Just then it hit her what Twilight had said and she shouts out, “GONE!?! Gone where? What do you mean, Twilight?”

Twilight turns around to look at her friend with puffy red eyes and tears still in the corner of her eyes from where she had been crying before she said, “We had a fight and he ran away,” before breaking down into tears again.

Rarity runs over to Twilight and holds her in her arms before saying, “What do you mean you had a fight and he ran away?” As she starts stroking Twilights mane to comfort her.

Just as Twilight was about to say something, Cadance comes walking in, holding Flurry Heart and softly smiles as she says, “I’d like to hear what happened as well, Twily.”

Just then Twilight gives Cadance a sad smile before she said, “I figured you’d be showing up sooner or later,” as she breaks her hug with Rarity and hugs Cadance and Flurry heart.”

Cadance giggles as she passes Flurry Heart to Twilight to hold, before saying, “Well, what you’d expect? Every time you and Spike had your little fights in the past, Spike would always go to Shining for help. He is the big brother after all.”

As Twilight starts rubbing Flurry Hearts belly making her laugh. Twilight smiles at her niece, before looking up and with a sigh says, “Spike is so predictable. I knew he’d go straight to Shining. So, how much do you know?”

“Nothing, I came straight here when Spike showed up at the Crystal Empire. I wanted to make sure you were ok,” Cadance said with a warm smile as she looked at Twilight. 

Just then Rarity shouts out, “Will somepony please tell me what’s going on!?”

Twilight looks at her friend and says, “Sorry, Rarity. Me and Spike had a fight. I guess about you. I mean, it wasn’t about you, but it was.”

Rarity looked at Twilight confused and asked, “What do you mean? You had a fight about me that wasn’t about me?”

Twilight sighed and said, “It all started this morning…”



************



Meanwhile at the Crystal Empire, Spike was in the throne room with Shining Armor, just sitting there looking down at the floor until Shining Armor said, “You know, Spike, you’re going to have to speak at some point. What happened to make you come all the way here just to see me? Not that I mind, of course.”

Spike lifted his head up and saw Shining Armor just sitting there smiling at him. Spike sighed and said, “Me and Twi had a fight and I didn’t know where else to go.”

Shining Armor started to laugh, which made Spike look at him angrily before Shining Armor said, “Sorry. It’s just that much I already figured out. Look Spike, everytime you guys had your little fights, you always came to me for help. So, little brother, what happened?”

Spike sat there and mumbled under his breath, “Not every time.” Shining Armor just raised his eyebrow at Spike, knowing that wasn’t true as Spike sighed and said, “I don’t even know how it started, to be honest. I got up and went downstairs to make us breakfast only to see Twi already sitting at the table reading a paper and eating. So I went over and sat down, had some coffee, and something to eat. As we were talking, I made a joke of how over the last few weeks she’d been getting up and making us breakfast, and doing more work around the castle.”

Spike sighed again and said, “Why did I have to say anything at all?” Before continuing, “I joked that if she carried on like this, she was going to put me out of a job. I didn’t like the way she looked at me with a sad smile, so I just changed the subject. As we finished up breakfast, I asked her what we had planned for the day. She put her paper down, smiled at me and said, “Well, I don’t have anything going on today. I was just going to take the chance to re-shelve the library while it’s quiet. So why don’t you go see what Rarity’s up to and I’ll call if I need anything?’ I got up and started to walk over to the door and said, ‘We got work to do. I’ll go see Rarity after. After all, if you’re going to be doing a re-shelving, then you need your number one assistant.’ I think she called out to me but I just made my way to the library. I just got this really bad feeling in my stomach and knew I couldn’t look at her at that moment.”

Spike tried to smile at Shining, but it came off more like a wounded animal in pain as he continued. “I went into the library with Twi right behind me and used my power to put all the books on the floor. As I walked over to an empty shelve, I said, ‘You know, I was thinking. If we put the books with the most powerful spells at the top, then we could see if any go missing easier and it’s a better way to keep them safe.’ Just then, I heard Twi call my name and again I didn’t want to look at her. So I carried on, ‘Ok, fine we can put them somewhere else. It’s your library after all,’ I started laughing a bit nervously and placed some books on a shelf.”

As Shining Armor just sat there listening, Spike said, “The next thing I know, she’s knocking the books I put on the shelf back down to the floor and calling my name again. I just couldn’t look at her and started to pick the books back up and said, ‘Jeez, Twi, you should be more careful. The idea is to put them on the shelves, not take them back down again. Hehehe.’ That’s when she called out to me and told me to look at her, but I just couldn’t. So I started placing books back on the shelves and each time I did she took them down and told me to look at her, till she finally snapped and used her magic to take the books out my claws and turned me around to look at her.”

Spike looked at Shining Armor and said, “She was sitting there with that same sad smile I saw at breakfast, and I didn’t like seeing her like that. I tried to make a joke to hide my nervousness, ‘Wow, ok I get it. You don’t want the books there. What’s up with you this morning, your acting weird.’ Again, I wished I didn’t say anything, I knew what she wanted to talk about, and I was just playing stupid.” Spike sighed and said, “She sat there for a few moments. I guess she was trying to figure out what to say before she said, ‘Look, spike, I don’t need you to help me. I can do it myself. Why don’t you go see Rarity?’”

Spike got up and walked over to a window and looked out at the Crystal Empire and with a sad face continued, “I knew what she was trying to say. What she meant by trying to get me to leave. But hearing her say she didn’t need me made something in me snap, ‘Oh? you don’t need my help? Little Twily-wily, is all grown up now, huh?’ She shot back, ‘That’s not what I’m saying, Spike.’ But I didn't want to listen because I was hurt and angry. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain how I was feeling even now. I just burst. ‘Oh, what? Have you now just come to realize how much I do for you? Has it taken you all this time to realize that I’m nothing more than your slave?’”

Spike glanced over his shoulder at Shining Armor, before looking back out the window and saying, “Why did I say that?” Spike said to himself more than to Shining Armor before continuing, “She looked so hurt after I said that. The next thing I know we’re shouting back and forth at each other. She said, ‘You aren’t my slave. You’re my assistant and little brother,’ I said, ‘Oh really? Cuz from the moment I hatched all I’ve ever done is run around after you, cleaning up your messes, letting you use me to try new magic spells. Making sure you’re eating, cleaning and a lot more. Heck, while you were off having fun with our friends I was stuck at home working. Sure sounds like a slave to me.’"

Spike let out a slight giggle before he said, “You and I both know Twi wasn’t going to let that one go. She shouted back in anger, ‘Oh really? You think you’re a slave do you, Mr. Grown-up dragon? Well, what are you still doing here, huh? You and I both know if you really wanted to leave, you could go any time you wanted and I wouldn’t be able to stop you. So if it’s so bad here, then why don’t you just leave?

Spike sighed before he said, “I shouted back, ‘Maybe I should!’ She shouted back, ‘Well, go on then!’ I being the stupid dragon I am shout back, ‘Fine!’ As she shouted back ‘Fine!’ and with one last shout of ‘FINE!!!’ I teleported here to you. I’ve really messed up haven’t I, Shining?” Spike said as he rested his head in his arms, still looking out the window.

For a few moments, Shining Armor just sat there, not saying anything before sighing and saying, “You know, Spike, if I’m being honest with you, I was always kind of jealous of you.” As Spike looked at him and was about to say something, Shining Armor said, “I was always Twily’s B.B.B.F.F. Then as time went on, I had to watch this little dragon grow closer and closer to her. They became so close at one point, I didn’t think she was ever going to need me anymore.”

“WHAT!?! That’s ridiculous. She’s always going to need you. You’re her one and only big brother.” Spike said turning around to face Shining Armor.

Shining Armor laughed and said, “Yeah, I know that now. It took me some time to workout, though.” As Shining Armor looked at Spike, he said, “Isn’t it the same for you? You are our one and only little brother. She and I will always need you in our lives, Spike.”

Spike sighed and said, “It’s not the same, Shining. You’re her big brother. You went on and did some amazing things, former captain of the Royal Guard. You knew where you belonged. Me? I worked so hard to show everypony I belonged with her. It’s all I’ve ever known. I needed that. It’s who I am and without her what am I?” As he looked back out the window.

Shining Armor shook his head and walked over to stand by Spike and looked out the window. He pointed to a statue of Spike and said, “You are Spike, the brave and the bold, hero to the Crystal Empire.” He turned to look at Spike and said, “Friendship ambassador to dragons and changelings, and friend to all, our little brother. That is who you are.”

“But you just don’t get it. I did it all for her. To help her. To show everyone I belonged with her and now she’s saying I’m not needed,” Spike said getting worked up again.

Shining Armor looked out the window and said, “You know, I never told anypony this, not even Cadance. Being the Captain of the Royal Guard, was my goal in life. It was my dream. It was all I ever wanted. It’s where I belonged. After I married Cadance and the Crystal Empire was freed, I was told that she was going to rule here. I was told that I could no longer be Captain of the Royal Guard and thanked for my dedication and let go. I was heartbroken. After all my years of service, that was it. Thanks. See ya. Don’t get me wrong, I love Cadance with all my heart, but I didn’t even get a say. It was my life’s goal, my dream, and they just took it away.”

As Spike looked at Shining Armor, he continued, “When I first came here, I didn’t know what I was doing. The only thing I ever knew was how to be a Royal Guard, it’s who I was. I didn’t know anything about ruling. It was all so new. Truth is, I was scared. Scared of what it meant if I messed up. But after some time, I got used to it. I found where I truly belonged. I have an army of my own now and a new dream,” Shining Armor smiled at Spike as he said, “My dream now is to live happily with my wife and keep this place safe so our child can grow up happy, Tell me, Spike, how’s married life treating you?”

Spike just stood there. He didn’t know what to say and, of course, he knew that all this was about him and Rarity, that Twilight only wanted him to think about himself for a change instead of her. Heck, Rarity herself had already asked him as much herself, he was just too set in his ways and too stubborn a dragon to admit it.



************



At the same time in the Castle of Friendship, Twilight sighed and said, “So that’s what happened,” as she looks at Rarity and Cadance, whilst baby Fluffery Heart slept in her mother’s arms.

“Why does he have to be so stubborn? Can’t he see what I’m trying to do for him? I just want him to be happy,” As Twilight looked at Rarity, she said, “And you make him happy, Rarity, so much. After you came back from your overnight trip from Canterlot, I realized how selfish I was being by keeping him here all to myself and started to do more around the castle to show him I was ok, that he could take more time to be with you and do the things he wanted instead of running around after me all the time.”

Twilight sighed and said, “I’m not stupid. I know how hard it was for Spike back in the Canterlot days, how ponies treated him in the beginning. Even back then as a filly, I saw how they looked at him. He clung to being my number one assistant, always ready to help and he did. He clung to me and in return, he became my crutch. I knew that I would always have him by my side. Even if the whole world turned on me, I would always have him. He grounded me and pushed me in ways I could never even imagine.”

As Twilight started to tear up again she said, “Everything I am is because of him. I owe him everything. Now he has a chance of being happy with a mare that truly loves him in a way that no other could. How could I claim to be his best friend and his sister if I didn’t let him go?”

“Spike may be an adult dragon and responsible for doing so many amazing things in the past that led up to this point, but there’s still that baby dragon inside of him clinging to me. I can’t be selfish anymore. If I truly love him as much as I say, I have to let my little brother go. It’s time for him to grow up and let him live his life for himself.” As Twilight started to cry, she said, “Even if every part of my body is screaming to hold on and not let go.” Just then Twilight drops to the floor and starts sobbing her eyes out as she screams, “I DON’T WANNA LOOSE MY BABY DRAGON!!!”

Rarity runs over and pulls Twilight into a hug as she starts to stroke Twilight's mane to comfort her. As tears start to come out her own eyes, Twilight looked up at Rarity and said, “I know I’m a selfish mare, but I don’t want to let him go,” as she continued to cry. After a few minutes, Twilight settled down and said, “I’m sorry for acting like such a foal.”

Cadance gave her a warm smile and said, “It’s understandable, Twily. You and Spike have been together for so long. You share a bond that could never be broken.”

As Cadance smiles warmly at Twilight, Rarity says, “It’s like what Spike said to me once. He said that Celestia used to say that you were two sides of the same bit, Twilight. I could never ask Spike to stop being your assistant. I told him as much myself. You belong together and need each other.”

Twilight looked at her friend and said, “But, Spike's your husband now, Rarity. He belongs with you.”

Rarity giggled and said, “Yes, he is my husband, Twilight, but does that mean he can’t be your assistant anymore? What kind of Element of Generosity, would I be if I split you two up? Besides, you’ve walked the same path for so long, why stop now, just because he’s married?” As she laughed some more.

Twilight broke their hug and just sat there for a few minutes like a deer caught in headlights before she said, “Wait, that means that the fight we had this morn-“

Just then Cadance giggled, cutting Twilight off and said, “Yep, was absolutely pointless and stupid. Just like all the other fights you used to have back in the day growing up.” As her laughter got louder she said, “You know, for two of the most powerful, smartest creatures in this world, you guys are pretty stupid.” 

Twilight sat there with red cheeks as she said, “Oh my Celestia, why did I let it get so out of hoof? It was obvious and I knew it, but it just blew up. What am I meant to say to Spike now after all this?”

Just then, Cadance floated over some parchment, ink and a quill. As she smiled at Twilight she said, “Do what you do best, Twily; make a plan.”

Twilight smiled and said, “I’ve got an idea,” as she looked at Cadance and Rarity smiling back at her. 

After about thirty minutes, Spike and Shining Armor teleported into the main hallway of the Castle of Friendship with Shining Armor laughing his head off, as he said, “I mean really, Spike, Rarity even told you as much and you still got into a fight over thinking you had to stop being Twily’s assistant? I thought you were meant to be this old wise dragon.”

Spike stood there with a red face and said, “I am, it’s just everything’s going to change now and I…”

Shining Armor stopped laughing and smiled at Spike before he said, “That’s right, little brother. It’s changed now. I know how scary it is, but you don’t have anything to worry about. You’ve got your friends and your big sister. You’ll do just fine. Besides, you got a big brother that went through a similar change. Any problems you have, just come to me just like you always have. That’s what big brothers are for after all." 

Spike could hear voices coming from the library and as he walked up to the library door, he turned to look at Shining Armor and said, “Thanks, bro.” Shining Armor just winked at him as they made their way inside. 

As Spike looked around the room to see most of the books still on the floor, he could see Cadance, Twilight, baby Flurry Heart, who was still asleep, and Rarity. “Rar…Rarity, what are you doing here?” Spike asked shocked to see her standing there smiling at him.

As Shining Armor went over and kissed his wife and held his baby, saying hello to Twilight in the process. Rarity trotted over and kissed Spike on the cheek before she said, “Oh, why I’m here isn’t important at the moment, my dear,” as she looked over at Twilight.

Twilight walked over and sat in front of Spike. Neither one says anything and just sit there in silence for a bit, before Spike said, “I’m sorry. I didn't mean anything I said. I just thought you didn’t need me anymore and I-“

Just then, Twilight put a hoof to his mouth to stop him as she shook her head and said, “No, Spike. I’m the one that’s sorry. I know what being my assistant means to you and just how much you do for me. I wasn’t trying to push you away. I just didn’t want to hold you back. I need you, Spike, and I will always need you in my life. You are my number one assistant after all.”

Just then, Spike pulled Twilight in to a hug and started to cry as Twilight hugged back and cried, before she said, “I will always need you, my little brother.” After a few minutes they broke their hug and Twilight said, “This is for you,” and passed Spike a piece of rolled up parchment.

Spike looked at the rolled up parchment and asked, “What is it?”

Twilight smiled and said, “It’s a contract. It occurred to me today that even though you’ve been my assistant for all these years we never had one. It states that from this day forth, that you are to have time off to do as you please, that you are to be given a fair and just wage for the time that you work. But most importantly, when you and Rarity are ready to live together, it means you still have a place at my side as my number one assistant.”

Rarity giggled as she wrapped her hooves around Spike's arm and said, “Just as long as you make sure my Spikey-wikey gets home at a decent hour, of course.” 

Twilight laughed and said, “But, of course I will, bar any emergency that is.”

Spike held the rolled up scroll in his claw for a few minutes before setting it on fire, to the shock of every pony there, before he said, “I don’t need a contract. I never did. Just knowing I’m still going to be needed by you is all the contract I need.” Spike said as he smiled at Twilight.

Just then, baby Flurry Heart woke up with a smile as she looked at her parents and Twilight went into aunt mode and started playing with her as Cadance asked, “So, Shining, my love, if you’re here, who did you leave in charge of the Crystal Empire?”

Shining Armor started to laugh as he scratched his head and said, “Oops. I knew I forgot something.”

“What!?! How could you forget something so important, Shining?” Cadance said, looking at him a bit angry, before saying, “I’m sorry, Twily, but it looks like we’re going to have to go right away.” Cadance said as she gave her sister-in-law a sad smile. 

Twilight passed Fluffy Heart back to Cadance and gave them a quick hug as she said, “Yeah, sounds like you really need to leave. Hey, number one assistant, you think you can take them home whilst I finish cleaning up these books?”

Spike laughed and said, “Whatever you need, Twi. Happy to help.” As he walked over and took Flurry Heart into his arms and started tickling her, he said, “Silly daddy forgot something important, but that’s ok. This family of yours has a habit of making silly mistakes. Let's just hope you didn’t inherit that from daddy,” as he laughed.

Shining Armor, took his daughter out of Spike's arms and said, “Don’t listen to him, my little one,” as he looked at Spike and grinned before saying. “After all, its his fault daddy left in the first place. Auntie Twi and Uncle Spike had a silly fight and they needed their big brother to fix things.”

Shining Armor and Cadance got closer to Spike. As Spike and Cadance just laughed, Twilight shouted, “HEY!” before they waved goodbye and were gone in a flash of green light.

Twilight stood there for a few minutes before she started to put the books back on the shelves. Rarity watched for a moment before she said, “Let me help,” and started to pass Twilight the books. As she did, she said, “So, after this is done, would you and Spike like to come on a picnic?” Just then, Twilight’s stomach grumbled and Rarity giggled as she said, “I’ll take that as a yes then shall I?”