Spike shifted as he watched the ramp extend to the dock. A nervous shiver shot down his spine when the ramp finally clanged against the framework. Rarity brushed against his side as though she felt his emotions roll through the air.
“Don’t worry Spikey. We’ll face it together.” She whispered in his ear. Spike just gulped and nodded. He still had about an eight-hour train ride to sort through his feelings, but it still felt too short.
He would see Twilight tonight. While Spike may not have to give a report that late, he would at least have to speak with her. He hoped that he would at least see some of his other friends alongside her.
What I would give to play some O&O with Mac and Discord. Just once. His mind chattered along with the noisy passengers. The intercom squeaked for a moment before a crackle sounded over the speaker.
“Attention all passenger and crew; we have landed in Equestria! We encourage all creatures to debark in orderly fashion assigned in groups A through T. Crew, please make final check for debark and secure rigging. Welcome to Equestria!”
Clamor erupted from the passengers as they all began sifting through their itinerary pamphlets to consult their groups. Spike pulled his own voucher and glanced down at the letter printed on the back
T 32, of course. He sighed loudly and began making his way towards the pack of the crowd.
“Spike dear, where are you going?” Rarity called after him. Spike turned and waved his pamphlet towards her.
“I’m in the back. Catch you by the station?” He yelled out as some frantic ponies swept past him with loud roller bags.
“Nonsense beast.” A gruff voice trembled behind Spike. “You’re leaving just as quickly as you boarded. It’s your home after all.” The red-skinned centaur slapped Spike’s shoulder and shoved him forward. Drakon was accompanied by the other two centaur who sifted through the moving crowd.
“Guys, while I appreciate the sentiment I can’t just cut in line.” Spike protested.
“Wait, you’re letting him cut in front of you?” A shrill voice sounded from a teal earth pony. She waved her own pamphlet in their faces with an annoyed expression. “What’s your group number? You can’t cut me.”
“Me neither! I’ve been on sea for over a year!”
“Yea, why does he get to go first!” Another shouted in concourse. The deck suddenly erupted in ponies all frantically clamoring the protest the forwarding of Spike. Spike rubbed his shoulder and ducked his head in embarrassment.
“C’mon guys, I’m seri—”
“QUIIIIIEEEEEEET!” Mirek shouted. His burly blue form pushed through the small ponies as he stood tall. Steam billowed from his nostrils. He looked down at everypony there in disgust. With his hands on his hips, he began speaking in a loud voice.
“This great hero has been away from this land for five years. He will be the first off this vessel, or NO ONE will debark. UNDERSTOOD?” He finished with a stamp of one of his hoofs. Spike raised his claws to his face to hide the burning embarrassment. The whole deck was silent. Not a single pony would stand against this centaur, especially considering what they knew of Tirek. The three creatures began striding through the crowd pushing Spike along the way. Spike awkwardly stumbled around, as he was totally embarrassed by the altercation. He could feel the hot gaze of the passengers all watching him walk through. He caught a glimpse of a white unicorn smirking at him as he passed. His cheeks flushed harder as she winked.
“Gods, why me.” Spike groaned. A firm pat on his back sent him stumbling onto the ramp. Spike lurched over the lip and gripped the railing that lined the descent. His suitcase trailed behind him. The three centaur grinned at him as he took his first shaky steps.
“Go on beast; you’re finally home.” Consort assured with a thumbs-up. Spike fought to keep his eyes from bulging or his scales from sweating. He tugged at the collar on his shirt. The sun beat down on his head, and his throat went dry. Crisp breezes of the ocean air beckoned his attention back across the great blue field at his right. Spike’s claw clenched the rail as he stared. Suddenly he found himself longing for the simplicity of war.
Deciding he could delay no longer; Spike took slow steps down the metal ramp. Every step felt heavier on his mind than the last. He at last connected with the wooden boards of the dock. It was about a ten-meter stretch of wood before the main road began to the dock. The official land of Equestria was about a two-minute walk to his left. It had been five years since he had last felt this land beneath him, yet in this moment it felt like the world had not changed. Spike recalled his time as a young dragonet, sitting on piers or docks similar and casting stones. He had dreamed of leaving Equestria for undiscovered land or grand adventure.
Foolish whims of a child. He scorned. The wood creaked beneath his steps. His suitcase bumped off every gap in the pier. Spike looked over to the Cosmic Sister cruise liner. It was massive. He had not realized just how immense the vessel had been. It racked his mind with guilt as all he could think about was the bedroom he had spent time in with Rarity.
Many of the passengers had disembarked and were following his footsteps. Spike did not see Rarity in the few ponies that trampled eagerly across the way. He would need to catch her at the train station if he had any hope of seeing her.
Spike made it to the end of the pier where the dirt road met the wood planks. He stared a moment at the line in the sand. But before he could ruminate, and eager crowd of ponies shot past him and sent him tumbling forward. Spike shot his claws out to catch himself on the ground as more ponies ran. He hissed through clenched teeth. Dirt flew around his eyes, and rhythmic thumping filled his ears. A flash popped to his left. Spike whipped his head around to see a flare rising high in the sky.
The evac point. He pulled himself up and dusted the fatigues. Just ahead of him was the route that led back to the main rally point for the Norfandian offensive in this sector. Doxxon’s forces had just bombed the forward operating post, costing Spike’s command almost all their mainline infantry. He stretched his wings and began flying away close to the ground. One of his soldiers lifted a paw in the air as he swooped by. Spike grabbed it and hoisted the troll on his back as he zipped down the makeshift road.
“STOP!” The troll shouted.
Not a troll. Spike realized. He looked down to see a black stallion scooped in his arms. The road below him was a proper road, not one trampled by marching troops. There was no flare in the sky, just the bright celestial body of the sun above. Spike dropped the stallion and rubbed his eyes.
“Wha—What just happened?” He croaked out.
“I don’t know! You just came barreling towards me and grabbed me before I had a chance!” The stallion shrieked. He brushed his legs off and shook his mane. Spike winced at the hardened expression of the stallion.
“Sorry, I think I got excited.”
“Whatever for? I don’t know you.” The stallion accused.
“Just—haven’t been home in a while. I was excited to see Equestria.” Spike offered a cheeky grin. The stallion lifted an eyebrow and snorted.
“Well, next time ask before you abduct somepony.” He huffed. Spike nodded and bowed as the stallion strode past him. Once he was out of sight, Spike rubbed the back of his head and frowned.
The hell?
“Spike!” A familiar voice sounded. He turned to see Rarity rushing towards him, suitcases in tow.
“Spike, what happened? You just ran off.” She saddled up next to him. Spike shrugged and looked at the dirt.
“Don’t really know. I just…” He trailed off, looking for any answer to come to his mind.
“You had me worried you would catch the train without me.” She cooed. Spike looked back to her purple eyes and smiled.
“I would never. Couldn’t even imagine how boring that ride would be without you.”
“Well then.” She walked forward and flicked her purple tail towards him. “Don’t be running off without me.”
The two marched towards the train station quietly. Spike sifted through his mind. He could have sworn he was just back in Norfandia. But before he could dwell any further, Rarity impeded his thoughts once more.
“What would you say to grabbing dinner in Filldelphia tonight?”
“Fillydelphia? That’s north, Canterlot is West.” Spike corrected.
“Yes, but I thought it might be nice to… continue the adventure for the night. We certainly won’t be getting work done after the ride, so we might as well take one more stop before we arrive.” Rarity smiled at him. Spike gave a concerned look and glanced at the sun.
“I don’t know… I’ve got to get back, we’ve got to get back. It’s already been too long.”
“Spike, please. What are the odds your royal duties will be active half past Eleven?” Rarity chided.
“2300.” Spike mumbled.
“What was that dear?”
Spike shook his head and sighed. “Look, I guess I won’t report tonight. But Fillydelphia is the second stop on the train ride. We’ll have made no progress if we stop there. I could swing Appleoosa, or Ponyville maybe, but—”
“OOOH YES!” Rarity shrieked. She pranced in her walk with giddy steps along the way. The train station was coming into sight now. “I would love to stop at Ponyville! Maybe we could write Applejack and ask for a friendly dinner at her family home! Our whole friend group could come, and we’d have a place to sleep rent free at my boutique.” She paced forward faster causing Spike to put a spring in his step.
“Slow down Rare, I’m not sure a whole reunion is in order.”
“Why of course it is darling.” Rarity ignored him. “When was the last time you saw everypony? Not to mention they won’t be in Canterlot until next week for the gala. Now is the perfect time to catch up stress-free!”
“Stress-free. Right.”
They walked up to the small steps of the wooden box where tickets were sold. Only a few ponies were in line at the moment, but Spike knew the small station would be crowded in a few minutes. The ticket-master tipped his hat at the pair. His bushy mustache shook as he spoke in a Manehattan accent.
“Howdy there, folks. just the two for today?”
“That’ll do. Headed for Ponyville.” Spike leaned against the counter and smiled.
“Sure mister! One moment while I fetch the price for the day.” The speckled stallion pushed back from the counter and headed into the darker interior. Spike cocked a brow at Rarity.
“Check the price? Do train rides fluctuate now?”
“Oh yes darling. Ever since the Cloudsdale engineering team started experimenting with flying transports, trains have been slowly going under.” Rarity replied without looking up. She was sifting through her purse for something. Spike became even more confused.
“How long ago did that happen?”
“Just about two years. They’re saying these flying machines will be mass produced by the end of this year.” She again spoke without contact. Spike reached a claw into her purse and grabbed her hoof.
“What are you looking for?”
“My glasses dear. I can’t read this pricing board hardly at all.” She gestured to the taped piece of paper on the outside of the box office. Spike cast a wayward glance at it and frowned. The text was relatively large, with the prices listed in clear number signs.
“Rare…”
“What?” She finally looked up to him. He could see the pride in her eyes and hesitation along with it. Spike sighed and looked into the purse. He pulled out the ruby-red reading glasses and passed them to her with a smile.
“Here ya go. Just buried a little is all.”
“Good news!” The ticket-master broke in suddenly. Spike took a step back in surprise. “The ride to Ponyville is discounted today because of the upcoming gala! We’re offering a twenty percent off all tickets to Canterlot and surrounding areas!”
“Great!” Spike replied. “So, how’s the total?”
“Four-hundred bits!” The master gave a toothy grin. Spike’s jaw dropped at the pricing.
“Four-hundred?” He gasped.
“Each!”
Spike was dumbfounded. He did not remember exactly the worth of a bit, but he knew that four hundred was more than pocket change. Much less per pony.
“Come now Spike, I told you they were competing.” Rarity moved forward. She pulled out a smaller purse from the larger one around her shoulder. Golden bits floated out from the pouch as she counted the correct amount.
“Eight-hundred bits sir. And a little extra for that stellar attitude.” She winked at the stallion. He removed his hat and bowed, scooping the extra bits inside with little plinks.
“Thank ya miss, quite generous of you.”
“Rarity,” Spike whispered as the stallion slid them two tickets. “That’s a lot of bits I don’t have.”
“Nonsense Spike. You’ve got five years of royal wages waiting for you in the palace. Plus, consider it my privilege to buy you your first ticket home.” She giggled out. Before Spike could protest further, Rarity walked over to one of the empty benches and planted herself. Spike rubbed his forehead vigorously and sighed.
“Quite the mare you’ve got with ya sir. I’d be sure she was a keeper if I were you.” The ticket-master interrupted. Spike dragged his eyes down and turned to the stallion.
“I just…” He waved off the worker. Spike walked over to Rarity, and he sat next to her on the bench. Her suitcases covered the entire area next to her, while Spike’s lonesome roller fit comfortably in his lap.
“You know, I sometimes forget about the whole elements thing.” Spike laughed. Rarity looked over to him confused.
“Forget? How so?”
“Just that you’re obligated to be so generous, even when it makes no sense.” He waved a claw to her. Rarity drew herself back slightly.
“I’m not obligated Spike. I like to think we earned the elements, not that they are some kind of curse.”
“I’m not saying that, sorry. I just mean that I forget how much nicer you are than most peo—I mean ponies.” He leaned forward on his knees and sighed. “We could’ve used ponies like you.” He spoke a little softer.
“Well, we all try our best. It’s our duty to continuously be better than the day before.” Rarity responded. She crossed her legs over and turned to see the train billow smoke down the tracks. “Ah, our ride has arrived.” Rarity grinned. Spike sat up and looked at the massive carriage. The main head was black and billowed smoke, but the passenger cabins were a furnished beautiful wood with windows lining every meter or so of space. The train came to a lurching halt, squeaking its brakes against the steel lines. Spike winced. Before he could consume himself in thought, Rarity stood and walked over. She gestured for him to follow. Spike obliged.
The line was not very long, but Spike did notice two families of trolls totaling at nine with them. Everypony was giving the new creatures strange looks, so Spike decided to offer a little hospitality. He waved at the trolls when he passed. The tension on their faces eased as they saw a somewhat familiar face. A few waved back, with the younger ones hiding behind their mothers in shy curiosity.
“You’re so sweet.” Rarity spoke softly as they went out of earshot. Spike raised his eye. “I just mean you notice things many stallions would not, many ponies would not. I’m sure those families feel just a little better with you here.” Rarity turned to face the same direction as the rest of the line. Her eyes glanced to Spike as she grinned.
“Just know what its like to be the new guy.” He offered.
“Well, not anymore you won’t. It’ll be just like old times.”