//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Love, Ponies, and a Dragon // by pencil pony //------------------------------// Sorry Chapter 2 took so long, I've been real busy IRL, also I may have had to rewrite large chunks of it several times. Also I'm in dire need of a proof reader and editor for future chapters. If anyone is interested please message me. Okay hope you enjoy. ----- “Spike? Can I come in?” Twilight called from the other side of Spike's bedroom door. He didn't answer. The lavender pony opened the door anyway and trotted in. He was sitting with his back propped against the headboard, writing furiously into a book. As Twilight approached the bed he snapped the book shut. Twilight walked up to Spike and put her foreleg on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort the dragon. “You're going to be alright Spike.” She said to him in a soothing voice. “it's just the Summer Sun Festival.” Spike had come home two days ago after visiting Rarity and had just walked past Twilight straight to his room without saying a word. She had seen very little of the purple and green dragon over the next two days. “Don't worry, it's not like Rarity doesn't like you, she just had plans already.” “Doesn't make me feel any better.” “Don't worry Spike, you can still have a fun time, we can go to the festival together.” Spike recoiled, “Eeeww, you're practically my mother.” Twilight chuckled, “Don't take it so seriously, it's not like prom night or anything, lot's of ponies go with family, in fact Apple Bloom is taking Granny Smith, that's gotta be worse than going with me right?” Spike just ignored her and looked away. Twilight didn't know what to say, as she was looking for the right words there was a sharp knocking on the door downstairs. “I'd better go get that.” She left the room, leaving the door wide open. Spike heard hoof steps heading down stairs, the latch on the front door being undone, followed by a short conversation that Spike couldn't hear clearly. The door closed again a few seconds later, and he heard Twilight coming back up stairs. At least that's what he thought. Spike was somewhat surprised when an orange coated, pink maned pegasus walked into his room. “Hey Spike.” He sat up on his bed “Oh hey Scootaloo.” The two stood there awkwardly for a second until Scootaloo spoke “So uhh, the festival is tomorrow.” “Yeah.” “Did you ask Rarity out?” “Yeah... she already has a date.” “Oh... sorry.” “What about you?” “Oh, well...” Scootaloo nervously tapped her hoof on the ground. “Actually I haven't asked any-pony yet.” “Oh.” Another awkward silence. “Actually...” Started Scootaloo “I was thinking... I mean who cares about that stupid bet... I mean... maybe we could go together?” Spike stared at her for a moment. A date with Scootaloo? Although the dragon had spent plenty of time around the orange pony he had never really thought about her romantically before. Still, she was a pretty filly by any measure, and Spike knew full well just how fun she was to be around, he fondly remembered the time the two had broken into Applejack's cider shed. It didn't take too long to think of an answer. “Yeah sure, that'll be great.” Scootaloo's demeanour changed instantly, where as a second ago the pegasus was standing nervously, her head hanging low, now she was practically jumping up and down with joy. “Awesome! Well... I guess I'll meet you here tomorrow, you live closer to the town than me.” “Okay, I'll see you then.” “Bye spike!” The excited pegasus called as she trotted happily out of the room. When Twilight once again entered (Spike wondered if she had been listening in somewhere near by) Spike had a smile on his face. “Well it didn't take much to turn your mood around!” She said, smiling. “I guess not.” “Well it's time to get some sleep.” “I'm not even tired.” Spike protested. “I meant for me. I've been up for two nights worrying about you.” She gave a warm smile and turned around to leave the room. “Goodnight Spike.” “Goodnight.” ----- “Careful Spike, don't spill soda on your jacket.” “I won't.” “Did you iron that shirt? That shirt doesn't look ironed.” “I ironed it.” “Did you brush your teeth spike?” “Yes.” “Do you have the bits I gave you.” “Yes, yes, why are you panicking, I thought you said Summer Sun dates weren't a big deal?” Twilight shot a gravely serious look at Spike. “It's not, but if you're going to MAKE a big deal out of it then you should do it properly.” Just as she finished speaking there was a knock on the door. “Oh Celestia, she's here.” Panic was obvious in her voice. Twilight looked Spike up and down to make sure he was presentable, before trotting nervously to the door and opening it. “Oh, Celestia, you're here.” She paused for a moment. “Celestia!” The lavender pony dropped down to her knees in front of the princess. “No need for that Twilight, this isn't a formal visit.” The princess entered the library, tailed by two guards, Twilight rose to her hooves and gently shut the door. “I decided to arrive early to check in on you and Spike.” The princess looked over and saw Spike in his formal jacket and bow tie. “Spike, my favourite dragon, it's wonderful to see you again, I like the jacket.” “He's going on a date.” Said Twilight. “His first date ever, with Scootaloo. Isn't he just precious?” Spike could feel himself blushing, looking over he could tell that the two royal guards were struggling to hold in their laughter. Twilight suddenly gasped. “We didn't get anything for Scootaloo. We should have gotten flowers or chocolates or...” “Twilight!” Spike called out, stopping her mid sentence. The guards could barely contain themselves, one of them had trouble standing up straight and was making squeaking noises as he tried to hold in the laughter. “I think he'll be alright.” Said the princess, eyeing the two guards. “There's no need to worry so much Twilight.” “Yeah, I'll be fine, besides I don't think Scootaloo even likes flowers.” A knock at the door halted the conversation. “Oh no, it's her.” Twilight began to panic. “Is my hair alright?” “I don't think she's going to care what YOUR hair looks like.” Responded Spike. “Oh, right.” Twilight smiled and opened the door. Spike was in awe, Scootaloo looked just perfect. Unlike the long flowing dresses that most mares wore to formal events, Scootaloo's was short, barely even covering her flank. The garment was sewn with aggressive angles and bright, almost jarring, colours, complementing the pony's outgoing personality, and on her head sat a small, unobtrusive tiara. The outfit probably would have looked like rubbish on any other pony, but it sat well on Scootaloo, and made Spike feel somewhat inadequate in his traditional jacket and bow tie. “Well there he is!” Spike hadn't even registered that there was a second pony at the door, a yellow coated, brown named pegasus stallion who he assumed must have been Scootaloo's father. “There's the lucky dragon that's taking my little Scootaloo to the...” Scootaloo and her father both paused as they entered the library and saw the large Ali corn in the room. “Princess!” The stallion instantly dropped to his knees, Scootaloo politely curtsied to the princess. “You may rise.” “We didn't expect to see you here your highness, actually I've never spoken to a real princess before.” “Well I guess you'll get the chance to now.” She smiled. “Scootaloo.” Spike said, finally finding his tongue. “You look great.” “Thanks. So do you.” “Well, I guess you two better be off.” Said Twilight. “Don't want to miss any fun at the festival.” “Oh right, well bye, I guess we'll see you all tomorrow.” Said Spike, hurrying Scootaloo out the front door. “Have a good time.” Spike could hear Scootaloo's father and Twilight rapid firing questions at the princess as he closed the door, he almost felt sorry for the princess, but that wasn't really the first thing on his mind right now. The sun had set a few hours ago, and it would be quite a few hours more before Celestia raised it again, signalling the summer solstice and the end of the festivities. Spike realised that he hadn't thought at all about how they were going to pass the time. He was aware of Scootaloo watching him, waiting for him to say something, everything was suddenly awkward, He nervously straightened his bow tie and began to speak. “Uhhh...” He was desperately trying to think of something to say. “we should go to the town square, I hear Applejack has a stall set up there.” “Good idea, I haven't eaten all day.” Spike let out the breath that he had been holding in and began to walk towards Ponyville's town square. “So... how's everything?” Spike asked, trying to prevent another awkward silence. “Pretty good, I love summer holidays, been hanging out with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, and training pretty hard with Rainbow Dash.” He managed to relax a little as their conversation took shape. “Oh yeah, I heard you actually beat her in a race a few weeks ago, and she didn't show her face around Ponyville for three days.” Scootaloo laughed, then she and Spike jumped at the same time as they heard a clap of thunder. “No-pony beats Rainbow Dash! I LET her win.” Spike looked up to the source of the new voice. A rainbow maned pony sat upon a storm cloud about twenty feet away from the couple. “Am I right Spike?” Asked Rainbow Dash. “Uhhh, racing's not really my thing.” “Pfft, you couldn't race your way out of a paper bag Rainbow CRASH.” Scootaloo retorted. “Oh you did not just say that!” Rainbow Dash jumped off the cloud and glided to the ground landing only a few inches away from Scootaloo. “I will race you any time, anywhere.” Replied Scootaloo. Spike gulped, both Pegasi ponies where smirking at each other and had their wings flared out, they looked like they were about to jump up and fly off into the night. “Why not right now?” “Why not... oh wait.” Scootaloo relaxed, she folded her wings and looked at Spike. “I'm actually kinda busy now.” She said looking back at Rainbow Dash. “Huh?” Rainbow Dash stepped back and looked at the two, cocking her head. “You two on a date or something?” “Well yeah actually.” “Ha! Way to go Spike.” Rainbow Dash patted him on the shoulder. “Way to bag the second best flier in Equestria.” “Thanks Rainbow.” “You're gunna eat those words Dash!” Scootaloo interrupted. “Yeah?” Rainbow dash stepped towards Scootaloo, their faces less than an inch from each other. “Yeah!” Scootaloo closed the gap, their fore heads were pressed each other, each pony was pressing forward, struggling for dominance. Spike watched them worryingly, he was afraid they might actually start fighting, until Rainbow Dash laughed and wrapped her foreleg around Scootaloo, giving her a friendly hug. “Alright you two have fun. I gotta make sure no rogue storm clouds ruin any pony's day.” “See ya later Dashie.” Scootaloo called out after the pegasus as she flew off. Spike breathed a sigh of relief. “You two are so alike it's scary.” he commented as the two continued walking. “You're forgetting one thing, I'm about 20% cooler than Rainbow Dash.” Spike couldn't help but laugh. “Are you sure she's not like secretly your mother or something?” “Yeah, Rainbow Dash is actually my mother, and I've been secretly dying my mane and tail every morning since I was a foal to hide it.” Scootaloo giggled. “I wouldn't be surprised, you even look alike, except for your colours.” “Pfft, I bet all ponies look alike to a dragon.” “Not really, some are prettier than others.” Scootaloo blushed, she leaned in and pecked Spike on the cheek and stepped closer to him so they rubbed shoulders as they walked. Scootaloo giggled. “So I guess that means you think Rainbow Dash is pretty too right? I mean you did say we look pretty much the same.” “Rainbow? I guess she's alright, I mean... blue isn't really my colour you know.” He smiled. “Nice save.” Scootaloo responded sarcastically as they approached the town square. “SPIKE! SCOOTS!” A voice called from the crowd. “Here comes trouble.” commented scootaloo. “So?” Apple Bloom asked as she and Sweetie Belle approached the couple. “Where are your dates?”