//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Love, Ponies, and a Dragon // by pencil pony //------------------------------// Hi everypony, there's alot of reasons why this chapter is horribly late. First up of course is the holiday season, in the last couple of weeks I've had 6 or 7 barbecues, slept at at least four different houses, been to the cinema twice, went out for dinner a couple of times, spent a collective 30 hours at a lan cafe and spent many hours performing numerous chores including chopping down trees in 35 degree weather (thats celsius). So yeah, I've been busy. But to tell the truth I have been sitting on this chapter for a while. If you're anything like me then you were better at math then you were at english at school, I don't even know what a semicolon is meant to be used for, so when I look at my own writing it always seems off to me. Maybe I'm being over critical, or maybe when you're actually the one writing something every single flaw seems to stick out to you, but I can't bring myself to release something that I think will get bad reviews. Of course there's no point writing it if no pony's going to read it, so here you have the long overdue chapter three, along with the many many alterations both minor and major that I've made to it. Hopefully there's still somepony out there waiting for it, and I'll strive to bring future chapters out in a timely manner. ----- “Wait... you two?...” Sweetie Belle tried to comprehend what she'd just heard. “Awww, that's so sweet.” Apple Bloom trotted up and hugged Scootaloo. “You look so good together!” Both Scootaloo and Spike blushed. They had just explained the situation to the two fillies, though Spike cunningly left out the bit about him hiding in his bedroom for several days. Sweetie Belle was surprised, to the point where she was stunned, a stark contrast to Apple Bloom, who didn't seem to be surprised at all, almost like she knew the two would end up together. Apple Bloom released Scootaloo from her embrace. “Well I came with Granny Smith” She commented. “But then some old stud from the retirement home started whispering in her ear, and next thing ya know she was giggling like a little school filly, and now I don't know where she is.” They all laughed, including Sweetie Belle, finally having recovered from the surprise. “What about you Sweetie Belle?” “Oh I didn't bring any pony, I just wanted to enjoy the festival. Oooohh, I'm going to be singing later, just before the sun comes up.” “I can't wait to hear it.” Responded Spike. “It's going to be a fun night, It's just a shame Rarity was busy.” The comment may have seemed innocuous to Spike, but if looks could kill, Scootaloo would have easily vaporised the young dragon with her glare as he made that last remark. Spike was oblivious to his date's response as he was still addressing Sweetie Belle. The young unicorn did observe the reaction however, and fully understood the implications. “Uhh, apple Bloom.” She said, tapping the young earth pony on the shoulder, suddenly very eager to leave. “I think we should go find Granny Smith, she might be getting worried about you.” “Oh right!” Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Well have fun you two, maybe we'll see you later.” The two fillies trotted off into the crowd, Sweetie Belle looking back over her shoulder every few steps. Spike was completely oblivious, he took a few steps forward before noticing his date wasn't following. “What's wrong?” He asked, looking back and seeing a frown on Scootaloo's face. “What did that mean?” “What did what mean?” “It's a SHAME Rarity was busy?” Spike felt his stomach drop with a sudden realisation. “I just meant...” “You're ASHAMED to be out with me and not Rarity.” “No, that's not it... I just meant... I...” He struggled to find words that wouldn't make the situation worse, but there was no use. Scootaloo's wings flared out. “Whatever! I don't even care, I'll just go enjoy the festival BY MYSELF!” The orange pegasus leaped into the air and was off with a beat off her wings. “Wait! No!” Spike stretched out his wings and took off after her, flying in his suit wasn't easy, but he tried desperately to catch up to Scootaloo. The young pegasus looked behind her and snorted. Comparing the way a fully grown pegasus pony and a baby dragon fly was like comparing a state of the art jet plane to a blimp. Without effort she accelerated like a rocket. Spike could barely keep up, this was not how he envisioned his date would be going. The green and purple dragon was flying as hard as he could, sweat was already starting to accumulate on his forehead, he was breathing heavily and his expensive suit was threatening to tear at the seams with every beat of his still under developed wings. Suffice to say flying was not his forte. Still, he had to close the gap between Scootaloo and himself. He was somehow keeping pace, but looking ahead, Spike was certain the young flier wasn't going at even a fraction of the speed she was capable of. It only took a couple of minutes to leave Ponyville far behind. Scootaloo still making no real effort, and yet still managing to outrun the dragon by more than a little bit. She flew low over a grassy field, close enough to the ground that she could feel her hooves gliding through the long grass. Spike on the other hand was struggling, he was half running, half flying, trying to take the stress off his wings. The purple and green dragon cursed under his breath as Scootaloo made a sudden turn straight up. It only took a few seconds for the athletic flyer to reach the lowest layer of clouds. Spike on the other hand struggled for every inch. The pegasus came to rest on a cloud and sat down, looking over the edge at the struggling dragon. She couldn't help but wonder why he just wouldn't let her be alone. Why he was pushing himself so hard to catch up to her when all the pegasus wanted right now was some time to herself. Enough games She stood up again and prepared to leap off the cloud and fly away at full speed, but then something occurred to the filly. This was the first time any colt (or dragon in this case) had really gone to any trouble to be around her, which was actually sort of sad when she though about it. Scootaloo looked down at him again, Spike had slowed even more, even from this distance it was clear he was struggling. He could just has easily let her go, no pony in their right mind would try to catch a protege of Rainbow Dash herself. She concluded that either Spike wanted to be a good friend and comfort her, or he actually wanted to be on a date with her this much. Neither seemed like such a bad thing. For the first time, Scootaloo wondered to herself if she had over reacted. The thought didn't last for long though. Even if Spike was genuinely apologetic, he had still said something thoughtless. She didn't know what the dragon wanted from tonight, perhaps he just didn't want to be alone, or perhaps he was genuinely infatuated with the young pegasus, but Scootaloo knew what she wanted. She liked Spike, even if she wouldn't admit it openly. The stock of young male ponies in Ponyville wasn't too impressive to say the least, but even if there had been some handsome adolescent colt straight out of the gossip magazines, Scootaloo would still take the baby dragon. The filly didn't know why, she just dismissed it as one of those things that couldn't be explained. But she did know that even if he had done it unwittingly, Spike had hurt her. If he wanted to make it up to her then fine, but Scootaloo wasn't just going to be second place to Rarity, too much of Rainbow Dash's fiery competitive nature had rubbed off on her during their long training sessions to allow that. She would make the exhausted dragon prove he wanted her. Finally the green and purple dragon made it to the clouds. He tried to speak between heavy breaths. “Scoot.... I... didn't...” The orange pegasus didn't care to wait, She plummeted to the ground at full speed, pulling up at the last moment. “Oh come on...” Spike let himself fall, not nearly as gracefully as Scootaloo, and he didn't dare wait as long to pull up. He gently glided to where Scootaloo had been standing on the ground for almost a minute. “Please... just...” She was off again. Spike could swear he saw a smirk on her face before she took off. He cursed again and went after her. Scootaloo rocketed through the nearby woods, darting in and out between trees, dodging some by mere inches. Spike was breathing harder then he ever had in his life, his lungs were on fire, his heart beat sounded like a drum in his ears, and, but he didn't give up. Scootaloo played her high speed game of tag for nearly ten minutes before flying straight up through the tree canopy and towards a small mountain. And of course Spike followed. He was exhausted by now, clumsily flailing through the air, only vaguely in the direction Scootaloo had gone. Most ponies could walk faster then he was flying right now. Still, he somehow made it to the plateau he thought he had seen his date land on. “Scoo... Scootaloo!...” The green and purple called between heavy breaths. Spike glanced around and sighed, he had lost her. He sat down for a few moments to regain his breath, and then removed his jacket, inspecting it under the moonlight. It was damp with sweat, and small tears had appeared everywhere where he must have grazed some low hanging branches. It was beyond repair. Spike didn't even care, he threw the once expensive garment aside and lay on his back, admiring the stars. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes, until something unexpected happened. A pony's face appeared over him, looking down into his eyes. Before Spike could react, Scootaloo leaned in and pecked him on the lips. Spike sat up and stared at the orange filly in surprise. “Scoot?” She smiled. “Thanks.” “For... what?” “Chasing me.” “Huh?” “I saw you struggling out there Spike, you nearly died of a heart attack. But you kept going anyway. I don't know if you just wanted to comfort me, or if you actually want to be with me, but either way I think you earned a kiss.” Spike smiled for a moment, then frowned. “I'm really sorry Scootaloo. I know I should think before I talk but... well it's no secret that I asked Rarity out first, and you know how long I've had a crush on her. But I didn't go out with Rarity, I went out with you, and I don't regret it, and I'm not ashamed and... and...” Spike searched for something else to say. “And I really meant it when I said you look pretty.” “I don't really want to talk about Rarity any more. I don't know what's in store for tomorrow or the day after, but tonight at least is just you and me.” Spike smiled at Scootaloo, and leaned in to kiss her, but to his surprise, Scootaloo pulled away. “I don't give kisses out for free ya know, I'm not Rainbow Dash.” “Awww, what do I have to do to get another kiss?” “You could try calling me pretty again.” “You're pretty.” “With more feeling.” Spike sighed, instead of complying he leaned in further, Scootaloo didn't pull away this time, she wanted this just as much as him. The two kissed under the sparkling canopy of stars. They held their lips together for several minutes. For Spike it was like an eternity, this was his first real kiss, the kiss he'd always hoped he'd share with Rarity, and yet felt no regret whatsoever for sharing it with this young pegasus instead. Their lips finally parted and the two stared into each others eyes. Spike noticed how the moonlight reflected off Scootaloo's eyes, every tiny detail caught his attention. He would never forget that sight, those beautiful purple eyes, staring straight into his soul. It was at precisely that moment that Spike realised he had truly fallen for the pegasus. And in the very next moment he realised what situation he had found himself in. Spike was in love with two ponies now. Sure, one had already shunned him, but the fact remained that if an opportunity to go out with Rarity ever presented itself, Spike would take it. He was still looking into Scootaloo's eyes. What do you think? Is this date the start of a real relationship? What about Rarity? Do I just forget about her? Can I even do that? No answers were forthcoming to the silent questions. Spike pushed the thoughts aside, deciding that Scootaloo's own words were the wisest at least for the time being. I don't know what's in store for tomorrow or the day after, but tonight at least is just you and me. ----- They didn't bother going back to Ponyville, at least not until after the sunrise. Instead the two youngsters spent hours on that plateau, talking and playing and joking around, and of course plenty more kissing. Spike was exhausted when he finally did get home. He had flown with Scootaloo to her house after the sunrise (Scootaloo pointed out that they were still closer to the library, but Spike had insisted on being chivalrous) and after he had dropped her off the dragon made his own way home. He stepped into the library and threw the remains of his jacket onto the nearby table, before planting himself firmly in a large cushion, sighing in relief. His brief relaxation was bought to a halt however as Spike heard a knock on the library door. The young dragon groaned and rose from his seat, slowly making his way to the door. Spike was quite surprised by what he saw when he opened it. “Spike, oh I'm so glad you're here.” “Rarity?” The unicorn's head hung low, a false smile occupied her face, and smudged make up betrayed the fact that she had been crying. “Are you okay?” “Oh... yes. It's just... my friend wasn't the same person I remember.” “He didn't...” “No! Nothing happened, I told him to get lost and Applejack happily removed him from Ponyville for me.” “Poor guy.” Spike joked. Rarity laughed, as she calmed down and looked into Spike's eyes, the smile on her face had been replaced with a sincere one. “Spike... it's just that... well I feel awful for turning you down in favour of that brute, so I was hoping you'd give me the chance to make it up to you.” “Make it up to me?” “A date Spike, the date we should have had last night.” “A...date...” Spike couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Not twenty four hours ago the dragon would have accepted Rarity's offer before she'd even finished speaking. But now... Scootaloo. He had opened himself up to the filly and let her do the same, he had allowed himself to fall in love with the young pegasus, and Spike was almost certain that she was in love with him. Even though they hadn't really spoken about the future, in fact Scootaloo suggested that for that one night they should just live in the moment, even Spike wasn't oblivious to Scootaloo's affections for him. He should say no, he knew he should say no, there was no other option but to say no. I have to say no, just say it... no rarity, I'm with Scootaloo now. No no no. “...okay.” Dammit! Way to go idiot. “Oooooh, thank you Spike!” Rarity stepped over the threshold and hugged the Dragon. “You can come pick me up tomorrow for dinner, is that okay?” NO! It's not okay. “Yeah, sure.” GGGRRRR stupid! “I'll see you tomorrow then Spike.” Rarity turned around and walked away. Spike couldn't even bring himself to close the door, he was too busy berating himself in his head. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!