//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10: A Family Affair 
// Story: Rarity's Choice 
// by mikemuir0178 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 10:  A Family Affair

Being as fit as she was, it was easy for Applejack to make the run from the castle to Sugar Cube Corner.  Her only concern as she ran through the streets was if she could find Spike before the reporters did.  Given how the reporters were mixing up the facts and spreading misinformation about Rarity, she worried they might confuse Spike and make him say something he shouldn’t.  If that happened, it could hurt Rarity’s reputation even more.  Applejack only hoped Twilight was right about where Spike was. Finding a little dragon in a town as big as Ponyville would not be easy.

Applejack was awakened from her thoughts the next moment as she noticed a crowd of reporters gathered around an area in the street.  At first she feared that the reporters had cornered Spike and she would need to save him. However, her fears were slightly averted as she heard the all too familiar high pitched voice.

“Sorry!  But I have to hurry!  If I don’t get this Ice Cream Cake to Twilight, it will melt!” Pinkie shouted.

“Please!  Just a moment of your time!” one reported pleaded.

“Can you tell us where Spike is?  We were told he was seen near your store!” another stated.

“Are you aware of Spike and Rarity getting married?!” a third demanded.

Much to Applejack’s surprise, Pinkie Pie didn’t seem to be reacting to the information the reporters were telling her.  In fact, she didn’t seem to be listening at all. Her only concern seemed to be for the giant cake she had been pushing on a cart.  The cake was two layers and was covered in white icing.  It was roughly the same height as a pony, if not larger. And, like Pinkie Pie was saying, it was an Ice Cream Cake that was showing signs of melting. 

“The cake is melting!” Pinkie Pie screamed again.

The reporters seemed confused by Pinkie Pie’s response, or lack thereof.  However, this did little to deter them from asking more questions.

“Please, we need a statement!”

“Are all these rumors true?”

Applejack thought she had seen enough as she watched the reporters pestering Pinkie Pie.  Quickly, she charged forward to help her friend out of the predicament. “That’s enough!  Pinkie Pie has nothing more to say to you!” Applejack shouted as she pushed her way to Pinkie Pie’s side.

“Ooh.  Hi there Applejack,” Pinkie Pie said happily.

Applejack temporarily ignored Pinkie Pie as she starred down the reporters.  “Don’t you all have other things better to do than pester me and my friends?” Applejack demanded.

“The public has a right to know the truth!” one of the reporters shouted.

“Do you agree with Rarity dating a baby dragon?” another spoke.

“There are many who believe that such a relationship is unnatural!  What are your thoughts?” a third replied.

Unlike the others at the castle, Applejack had not heard the confession Twilight had made about Spike’s size.  Instead, for a moment, she wondered if the reporters were right to investigate the matter due to how young Spike appeared to be. However, she quickly cleared the idea from her head as she realized it was not her place to decide on such matters. It was an internal family matter that Spike and Rarity had to figure out.  “That’s enough!  Just leave us alone!” Applejack shouted.

“So, you support this?” one reporter asked,

Applejack quickly realized that the situation could get out of hand.  She needed to find a way to escape without provoking the reporters or feeding them misinformation.

“You know, if you are looking for Spike, I last saw him working at the Sugar Cube Corner a few minutes ago,” Pinkie Pie casually responded.

Applejack’s mouth dropped in surprise as she looked to her friend.  “Pinkie!”

“Are you sure?” one of the reporters asked.

“Cross my heart!  Hope to fly!  Stick a cupcake in my eye!” Pinkie said happily as she made the necessary hand gestures. 

“Come on!  Let’s go!” one of the reporters shouted as he led the charge forward toward the store.  Almost immediately, all the other reporters followed.  Before long, all the reporters had disappeared down the road.

“Pinkie Pie!  How could you do that to Spike?  Please tell me you were lying.” Applejack demanded.

“Nope.  I told them the truth.  The last time I saw Spike was when he was working at the Sugar Cube Corner.  I haven’t seen him since,” Pinkie Pie smiled.

“But-“

“Don’t worry.  He’s alright.  Now we need to get this to Twilight before the cake melts,” Pinkie Pie said as she started to push the cart.

“But…what about Spike?” Applejack replied.

Pinkie Pie glanced back at her friend as she continued to push the cart with the cake.  “Trust me.  We don’t want to ruin this cake before it reaches Twilight.”



X==X==X==X==X



Rarity felt her jaw drop to the floor as she watched the four new ponies enter the dining room of the Castle of Friendship. The first two to enter were Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.  However, they were quickly followed by two ponies Rarity hoped she did not wish to have to confront.

“Well, hi there Rarity!” one of them said happily.

Only two words escaped Rarity’s lips as she looked at the two of the ponies.  “Father! Mother!”

“Heard you stirred up quite the hornet’s nest out there,” Hondo Flanks responded as he and his wife entered the room.  He then turned to look at Princess Twilight.  “It’s been a while, Princess Twilight.  Pleasure to see you again,” he said as he held out his hoof to shake with the princess.

“Likewise,” Twilight responded nervously as she held out her own hoof in greeting.  She had met Rarity’s parents before, but only on brief occasions.

Hondo Flanks took Twilight’s hoof in his and began to shake her hoof vigorously in greeting.  After shaking hooves with Hondo Flanks, Twilight found herself slightly unsteady on her feet and stumbled slightly before she shook her head to regain her balance.

Hondo Flanks then looked to Sassy Saddles. “And who do have here?”

Sassy Saddles gave a nervous smile as Hondo Flanks approached her.  “Hello. My name is Sassy Saddles.  I’m Rarity’s manager for the Canterlot Boutique.”

“Nice to meet you,” Hondo Flanks said as he held his hoof out in greeting.

“Uh…charmed,” Sassy Saddles said as she reluctantly held her hoof away to prevent a similar instance like what happened to Twilight.

“Sweetie Belle!  Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom shouted happily as she joined her friends.  “What are you all doing here?”

“I was playing at Sweetie Belle’s house when all these reporters came and started asking questions about Rarity and Spike,” Scootaloo responded.

“They said that the two of you were getting married,” Hondo Flanks continued as he turned to face his daughter.

Cookie Crumbles also approached Rarity with a small look of concern.  “Rarity, what is going on?  Are what the reporters saying true?”

As Rarity looked at her parents, she felt a combination of fear and shame.  A part of her had wanted to tell her parents the relationship she had with Spike, but another part of her feared what their reaction would be.  Would they accept her feelings or would they see her as ‘unnatural’ as well?  She wanted to give her parents some explanation, but words failed her as she tried to speak.

Twilight could see the tears form in Rarity’s eyes and felt pity for her friend. “Perhaps we should talk about it later in private. What I can tell you now is that the gossip about Rarity getting married is just a big misunderstanding,” Twilight replied.

“Which was my fault,” Rainbow Dash admitted as she hovered off to one side.

Cookie Crumbles looked at Princess Twilight questioningly for a moment.  She then turned and looked back to look at her daughter.  “Rarity?”

Rarity sniffed a little as she gathered the courage to tell her parents the truth.  “Mother…” words failed her as she tried to explain what happened, “I wanted to tell you…” Rarity felt tears rolling down her cheeks as she looked down to avoid eye contact.  How could she tell them she had entered what others might call a forbidden love.  How could she explain how Spike had supported, even rescued her, so many times and that his actions had captured her heart. That she had experienced true love with Spike, and she wanted to hold onto that love.  “I…”

Cookie Crumbles could see the distress in her daughter’s face and quickly closed the distance between them.  With both her hooves, she quickly encircled Rarity in a warm embrace and placed her head on top of her daughter’s.  “It’s okay, Rarity.”

“Mother…” Rarity had forgotten what it was like to be held close by her parents.  It had been so long.  But as she felt her mother’s warm coat and smelled her sweet aroma, Rarity was reminded on how much she missed her family’s loving embrace.

After a few moments, Cookie Crumbles released Rarity from her hug and looked her daughter in the eyes.  “I’m sure we can work out whatever it is that’s going on.”

Rarity gave a weak smile as she looked into her mother’s eyes.

“You don’t have to worry.  We’ll always be there for you,” Hondo Flanks added.

Rarity wasn’t sure why, but what her father said brought a little happiness to her.  Or perhaps it was hope that Spike still could be accepted by her family.

Cookie Crumbles then turned to the other ponies in the room to address them.  “What I don’t understand is where all these rumors came from?  Are they true?  What is happening?” Cookie Crumbles asked.

Sweetie Belle looked down at the floor in guilt. “I suppose I’m the one who started this mess.”

“Sweetie Belle?” Cookie Crumbles asked as she and Hondo Flanks turned to their other daughter in surprise.  Rarity said nothing as she waited to hear her sister’s explanation.

Nervously, Sweetie Belle began to paw at the ground with one hoof.  “When I was at Canterlot with Rarity, we went to a ball.  I met these two reporters who were asking about the dress Rarity made for me. But then they asked about Spike, and I told them how Spike and Rarity were together,” small tears began to form in Sweetie Belle’s eyes.  She then looked up to her parents and sister.  “I didn’t think that what I said would cause this much trouble.”

For a brief moment, Rarity considered scolding her sister for revealing her secrets.  But as she looked into the little pony’s eyes, she found herself unable to do so. In truth, Rarity began to feel that her sister was just another victim of circumstance.  “I guess my dirty little secret would have come out eventually,” Rarity sighed heavily.

“So you and Spike really are…” Cookie Crumbles asked as she turned to her daughter.

Rarity nodded.

“Speaking of which, where is the little guy?” Hondo Flanks asked as he looked around.

Cookie Crumbles’s interest lit up as well as she joined in on the search.  “Oh yes. I would very much like to see him as well.”

Twilight responded with a nervous laugh.  Once again, things had spiraled out of control, and they had forgotten about Spike.  “Well…The thing is-“

“HI EVERYONE!”

All eyes shifted to the entrance of the room as they heard the familiar high-pitched voice which could only be Pinkie Pie’s. Turning to face her, they saw Pinkie Pie was wheeling in a cart with a cake on it.  “Special delivery!” she called out again.

Twilight was the first to recover from the seeing her friend enter the room.  “Pinkie? What are you doing here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?  I’m delivering a cake to you,” Pinkie said as she rolled her eyes.

As Pinkie Pie said this, Applejack slowly followed behind Pinkie Pie.  “I found her outside.  She was being ambushed by all those reporters.  I couldn’t leave her out there.”

“Yep!  But they all spoke at once, so I had a hard time understanding them.  Anyway, I had this delivery to make,” Pinkie continued.

Twilight walked up to the cake and examined it cautiously.  “But…I never ordered a cake.”

“Trust me.  You’ll like this cake.  It has a special surprise inside,” Pinkie replied.

“Surprise?” Twilight asked as she turned to Pinkie.

“Yep!” Pinkie nodded vigorously.  She then walked over to where she was directly next to the cake and took in a deep breath.  “YOU CAN COME OUT NOW!”

In an eruption of icing and ice cream cake batter, the top portion of the cake exploded.  From it emerged a small dragon covered in the mixture.  The dragon then slid down the side of cake and landed on the floor in a heap.  “That’s COLD! I’m not sure I’ll ever eat ice cream again!” Spike said as he shivered for a moment before brushing some of the mixture off his scales.

“Spike!” Twilight said in surprise.  She then helped the little dragon to his feet. “What were you doing in there?”

Spike continued to brush the batter off but was having a little bit of difficulty.  “I was getting some supplies for Pinkie Pie when I saw a whole bunch of reporters talking with Applejack.  When I heard they were trying to find me, I decided to hide at Sugar Cube Corner.”

“Yep!  Then I came up with the idea to hide Spike in the cake and bring him back here,” Pinkie Pie added.  Her demeanor then quickly went from happiness to sorrow.  She then gave a small sniff as she tried to hold back her tears.  “Alas, no one will have a chance to enjoy this spectacular cake.  It has made the ultimate sacrifice!” Pinkie cried.

As Pinkie Pie said this, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle walked up to the side of what was left of the cake and scooped some of it into their mouths.  “I don’t know about that.  It still tastes pretty good to me,” Apple Bloom commented through a mouthful.

Applejack then looked at Pinkie Pie.  “But didn’t you tell the reporters you saw Spike working at the Sugar Cube Corner earlier.  In fact, you swore on that.”

“I did.  A few minutes ago, I saw Spike working in the bakery.  Then he hid in the cake.”

“But you lied to them after making a Pinkie Promise,” Applejack continued.

“It’s not like I could SEE him inside the cake,” Pinkie Pie pointed out as she motioned to the remains of the cake.

Applejack was about to counter this when she realized Pinkie was right.  Pinkie had said she SAW Spike at the Sugar Cube Corner, but neglected to mention he was hidden inside the cake.  In the end, Applejack could only admire Pinkie Pie’s genius.

Rarity then walked over to Spike’s side.  “I’m just glad you’re okay, Spike,” she said as she looked down at the little dragon.  She then turned her head and looked toward her parents.  “I fear we might have a lot of explaining to do.”

Spike took a moment to look at all the ponies in the room.  He was surprised that the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Rarity’s parents, and Sassy Saddles were among them.  However, given the circumstances, he could understand why.  “I guess it’s time to meet your parents,” Spike said nervously.

Rarity spotted some cake batter that Spike had missed on the top of one of the green spikes that lined his head.  With a quick brush with her hoof, she wiped the smudge off. “Perhaps we better get you cleaned up first,” she laughed nervously.



X==X==X==X==X



After Spike’s arrival, it was decided by everyone to leave and give Spike and Rarity a chance to explain the situation to Rarity’s parents.  There was no doubt that Cookie Crumbles and Hondo Flanks had a lot of questions for their daughter, and they wanted to know the full truth.

As the only relative available for Spike, Twilight decided to stay and join in on the conversation.  At the very least, Twilight wanted to help defend Spike if Rarity’s parents did not approve of their relationship.  Twilight also feared what Rarity might say or do if her parents rejected the little dragon.  The bond between Rarity and her family was very strong, and it would not be easy for Rarity to go against them.  Still, Twilight hoped Rarity’s parents would understand what Spike and Rarity shared with one another.

Rarity decided to start the explanation after everyone had seated themselves at the dining room table.  While she took a place opposite of her parents, Spike took a seat to her left and Twilight took a seat to her right.  Once everyone was settled, Rarity let out a heavy sigh before beginning.  “I know this must come as a shock to you,” Rarity said, “But Spike and I are…seeing…each other.”

“So, when did this all start?” Hondo Flanks asked.

“A couple days ago.  He and I…Well…We shared some…special time together,” Rarity explained. She didn’t think it was a good idea to mention the Mark on her neck yet.  She knew they might find out one day, but for now, she wanted to keep the conversation simple.

“How come you never told us?” Cookie Crumbles asked. She was a little surprised her daughter had not confided with her.

“I…I was worried you might not respect my decision,” Rarity explained, “I’m sure you saw how other ponies reject the idea of a dragon and pony being together.”

Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles shared a look with each other for a moment.  Silently, they admitted that their daughter was right about other ponies rejecting the idea.  However, given it was their daughter in this situation, they found themselves unsure on what to say or do.

It wasn’t hard for Spike to see how tough it was on Rarity.  He could see she was trying her best to withhold her tears.  She was scared of what her parents might think of her.  As Spike watched Rarity, he wanted to shout out his own views on the matter.  However, as Rarity gave him a brief glance in his direction, he realized that Rarity wanted to do this on her own.  These were her parents, and she was the one who needed to face them.  

It took a moment for Cookie Crumbles to break the silence.  “I know Spike is a good friend.  But…It just seems…odd,” she stuttered, “We always assumed you would find a nice pony from Canterlot.”

Rarity’s eyes averted downward.  “I admit, it does sound strange for a…pony…and a…dragon…to be together.  But Spike is different.  Sometimes even I forget he is a dragon and just see him as he is.”

“I always figured you would marry a nice prince someday,” Hondo Flanks said, “You always kept saying that you would marry one when you were younger.”

Rarity gave a nervous laugh at her childhood memories. “Well…I tried.  But it…never worked out,” Rarity replied as her ears flopped down.  She decided to spare the details on her botched attempt.

Spike gave a little snort as he recalled such events. Prince Blueblood, Tenderhooves, and even Fancy Pants.  Rarity had tried for all of them and all she got was heartache in the end.  For Spike, he could not understand why so many ponies would reject a young maiden such as Rarity.  Granted, she did require a lot of attention, but she was…well…Rarity.

“So, why are you interested in Spike?” Cookie Crumbles asked in a curious tone.

Rarity was a little surprised by the question at first.  She then took a moment to think about her answer.

Why did she love Spike?

As she thought about the question, she recalled several memories she shared with the little dragon.  She admitted when she first got to know him, she took advantage of his willingness to help her.  However, Spike remained a devote follower, even when she looked to other ponies. Perhaps it was when Spike first confessed he had a crush on her that she decided to offer him a chance to prove himself to her.  Rarity could recall several instances where he had lived up to that challenge.

The days he would wait on her claw and foot to cater to her every needs.

How he tried to help her by giving her a magic book during the Foal and Filly Fair, then had to break its curse on her.

The Heart’s Warming Eve song he sung.

How he saved her from becoming a Roc’s next meal.

The Fire Ruby that he gave to her.

Rarity even recalled how lonely she felt when Spike had left her side for a short time to be with Gabby.  But Spike had come back saying he would always want his ‘Rarity Time’.

The list just kept on going and Rarity found herself at a loss to answer her mother’s question.  “I’m afraid I wouldn’t even know where to begin,” Rarity confessed, “For me, Spike is just…Spike.”

Spike smiled as he heard the answer and placed a gentle claw on Rarity’s shoulder.

For Cookie Crumbles, Rarity did not need to answer the question.  She could see in Rarity’s eyes all the memories Rarity was trying to sift through and the difficulty she had in coming up with one simple answer.  “I think that’s the same answer I gave your grandma when I introduced her to your father.”

“Huh?” Rarity said in surprise.

“Your grandma did not exactly approve of him when he first met her,” Cookie Crumbles admitted.

“Took her a few days to warm up to me,” Hondo Flanks laughed.

“But I stuck with him.  Maybe the same will hold true with you and Spike,” Cookie Crumbles continued.

At this point, Spike decided it was time to offer his own words.  Slowly, he stood up on his chair to face Rarity’s parents.  “I know I’m not what you expected, but I truly do love your daughter.  I know it started out as a simple crush, but she means everything to me.  I’m hoping you can see past what I am and see me for who I am.”

Hondo Flanks sat in thought for a moment.  “Well…You have been a wonderful companion for my daughter…”

Spike’s eyes brightened as he heard this compliment.

“But aren’t you still a little young?” Hondo Flanks asked.

Spike groaned in response.

At this point, Twilight decided to interject.  “Spike is actually an adult by dragon standards. He’s just a little…” Twilight paused as she tried to think of the proper word to describe Spike’s height without hurting his feelings.  “Short,” she finally said when no other word presented itself.

“Twilight…” Spike pouted.

Twilight gave an apologetic smile in Spike’s direction. She knew how self-conscious Spike was about his height.  Like all dragons, Spike wanted to become big and strong so he could protect what he cared for.  “It could be hereditary,” Twilight continued.

Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles looked at Twilight questioningly.  “Hereditary?” Cookie Crumbles questioned.

Twilight nodded.  “Several years ago, there was a pony named Grey Shire who lived in the Everfree Forest.  She rescued a dragon named Runt and they lived together in secret.”

“Those were my parents,” Spike added.  His tone then fell to sorrow.  “But…They passed away before I hatched.”

“Because Spike is the offspring of a dragon and pony, it’s possible he might be at his full height,” Twilight explained.

Spike turned to Twilight with fear in his eyes. “You don’t know that for sure, right?”

“But it’s most likely he needs more time to grow some more,” Twilight quickly added.

Spike let out a sigh of relief.

“I know it sounds a little farfetched, but it’s the truth,” Twilight continued, “I’m sure you’ve seen how he’s not like other dragons.”

“Even I sometimes forget he is a dragon,” Rarity argued, “But I’ve looked past that and can see him for who he really is,” Rarity then let out a deep sigh.  “Mother. Father.  Please accept this for what it is.  Spike cares for me, and…” Rarity then turned her head so she could meet Spike’s eyes, “I feel the same for him.”

Spike smiled back happily as he looked into Rarity’s azure blue eyes.

“Well, that’s all well and good.  But it’s not our place to decide,” Hondo Flanks said after a brief moment.

“Come again?” Rarity said as she and Spike looked back to her parents.  For a moment, Rarity feared the worst.  Did her parents reject them being together?

Cookie Crumbles then gave her daughter a reassuring smile.  “This is your decision.  You have to do what you feel is right.”

Hope filled Rarity’s eyes as she heard this. “Then…you approve?” she asked.

“Well…Not exactly,” Hondo Flanks admitted with hesitation.  He then shared a look with Cookie Crumbles.  “I think we’re still getting used to the idea.  But you’re a grown pony now and have a right to make your own decisions in life.  It would be wrong of us to hold you back.”

“Besides.  We know how well-mannered Spike is,” Cookie Crumbles added.

Rarity was a little disheartened that her parents still did not fully accept her relationship with Spike.  However, she was glad they respected her decision.  It was a start.

A playful gleam then flashed through Cookie Crumbles eyes.  “You know. I can’t help but wonder.  If you did marry Spike, would that mean you will have ponies or dragons?” Cookie Crumbles asked.

“Wha-Whoa!” Spike stumbled backwards as he was caught off guard.  He then fell off his chair and landed on the ground with a ‘thud’.

Rarity was equally surprised by the comment as her eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped for a moment.  It took her a few moments to regain the ability to speak. “Mo-Mother!”

“I’m just curious,” Cookie Crumbles replied calmly. She then tapped her hooves together in anticipation.  “I’ve always wanted grandchildren.”

Even Twilight’s expression matched Rarity’s on the matter of children.  It took everything she had to hold her parental instincts in check.  “I’m sure…That’s a question for another day,” Twilight laughed nervously.  She then gave a warning glance at Spike.

Spike cringed on the floor as he saw Twilight glare at him.  “It wasn’t my idea!” he said in his defense.

Cookie Crumbles and Hondo Flanks could only laugh at everyone’s reaction.  After calming himself, Hondo Flanks walked around the table towards Spike.  He then offered a hoof to help Spike up to his feet. As Spike took Hondo’s hoof and stood up, Hondo spoke to him.  “Well, Rarity has her reasons for choosing you I suppose.  Make sure you treat her like a lady, you hear.”

Spike gave a smile as he looked up at Hondo Flanks. “I will.”



To Be Continued…