//------------------------------// // Something Changed // Story: The Heartbreaker and the Cultivator // by XSomeGuyX //------------------------------// Something Changed For next few days, the pattern continued. Spike would waken early to finish his chores with Twilight early then off he was to Sweet Apple Acres. No pony suspected anything of it, his new developing feelings for the Stetson hat-wearing pony but not even he could comprehend it. It was kind of giant leap, almost complete opposites that he found himself torn over. One a “proper” lady, gentle and exquisite, the other a hard worker, a pony that is no stranger to dirt or physical labor, yet both had found a spot in his heart. However Spike knew that he held Rarity in a higher place, his feelings for only increased over time since he first fell for the dress maker when he came to Ponyville. He also knew that the only reason her comment hurt so much was because of the fact that his feelings had grown so strong. Said unicorn, unfortunately, was swamped with orders from Canterlot. This year’s Grand Galloping Gala was a mere two month away and after six mares had displayed the young designer’s work, many of the posh mares’ from the regal city wanted such custom dresses. Between measuring the clients and price negotiations, the white unicorn had no time to revisit the library-tree-house and apologize to Spike. Her work was slowed as her usual assistant no longer present and her mind was busy thinking of how hurt the young dragon was. Spike was just then thinking of her in turn, he had heard of the multitude of orders she had received. Rarity had been swamped with work before but he was always there to lend a hand… err… claw. She always remembered to thank him kindly with a handful of gems to eat when he returned to his home. He was tempted to go help her but two thing had stopped him: for one, he had promised to help Applejack with this year’s apple harvest which was currently in full swing and secondly, the heartache but that was only an excuse, deep down in his heart, Spike knew he had already forgiven his beloved unicorn. Even with the knowledge that Rarity had wanted to apologize, the purple dragon could not help but feel hurt still. Though the work took his mind off of it, it would take some time before he was fully healed. “You alright there, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, seeing the dragon lost in thought. “Yeah… I’m ok,” Spike answered. “Got somethin’ on your mind? You looked like yer miles away…” the country pony commented as she sat next to the purple dragon. “Just thinking of Rarity again…” Spike replied, still staring off into the distance. “I heard she’s up to her mane in dress orders,” Applejack said. “She might be needin’ some help, you know…” “But what about you, I made promise to help you out here. The apple harvest is just started,” the thoughtful dragon said. “Spike, ya’ve helped a lot more than Applebloom these past few days…” the blond earth pony paused. “Hey!” her sister interrupted her. “Umm… what are ya wearin’, Applebloom?” Applejack asked, looking at her sister’s colorful, tight outfit, complete with mask. “We’re tryin’ to get our Cutie Marks as professional wrestlers! We even got Iron Will to help train us!” Applebloom exclaimed as she pointed at a crude wrestling ring. “Iron Will’s Assertiveness Workshop… has not been doing so well…” the Minotaur said as they looked towards him. “Ok…” Applejack turned her attention back to Spike. “Anyways, what I was tryin’ to say is that you’ve helped enough around here. Besides, I’ve got Big Macintosh to help me this year.” “Eeyup!” the large, red stallion said as he bucked all the apples off a tree with a single kick. “I’m sure she’d appreciate your help a hay of a lot, Spike,” the apple farmer said as she rubbed his head. “I don’t know…” the dragon said quietly, still pondering the idea. “I reckon it would do both of you some good to see each other again,” Applejack added. “It’s better to deal with your problems, Spike, than to run away from ‘em.” “You’re right!” Spike said as he began running back towards town. “Thanks, Applejack! I promise, I’ll be back to help once Rarity’s work is done.” “Don’t ya fret none, Spike,” Applejack replied. “There’s always something to do around the farm. You won’t be missin’ much.” The young dress maker was hard at work, sewing, trimming, thinking of new designs. However, her mind was still preoccupied with the young dragon. She noticed how big and lonely her shop was recently. Usually, her part-time assistant was there to help her out with whatever she needed, which also included just being there, keeping her company. She did not ever think of what the little things that Spike did here and there could add up to. “OOOOOOOOOOOOOH!” Rarity moaned as she cleared her workstation of all the materials piled on it. “What have I done!? I have driven away the best assistant-no-best friend a pony could ever ask for!” Her conscience was ebbing at her all the while as she thought of all the bad things she ever did to him. Whether it was something as simple as being short with him during times of stress or yelling at him for dragging in mud into her shop. Yet, throughout it all, he stayed with her and served her however he could. That was true dedication, true loyalty, maybe when Twilight had declared him the new Rainbow Dash it held some truth. “Oh! What I wouldn’t give to have my little assistant back again,” the white unicorn said as she lied on her “drama queen” couch. After a while of lying there, eyes closed, the unicorn decided to get back to work only to notice that the very same dragon she had been asking for back. “Spike!?” The little purple dragon had listened to the whole thing. He had been waiting for Rarity to realize he was there. He had brought his wagon filled with gems, though it was greatly reduced from his eating. “SPIKEY-WIKEY!” Rarity hugged the young dragon. “I’m so sorry! I don’t know how you could ever forgive me but I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow!” “It’s alright, Rarity! I forgive you,” Spike said and though he hugged her back, the hug somehow was not as enjoyable as he remembered. “Are you quite sure about that, Spike?” the unicorn said, letting the young dragon fall back onto the floor. “I’m sure, Rarity… I heard you needed some help, so here I am!” Spike said with smile. The hurt from the incident seemed to disappear after hearing her dramatic conversation with herself. His smile confused the young dress maker as she thought that he had been using working at Sweet Apple Acres as way of avoiding her and yet, he came to her, offering his help during her time of need. What she found even more odd was how he asked for nothing for the hurt she caused, he usually tried to squeeze a kiss out of her every chance he could. She found it adorable and occasionally humored him with a peck on the cheek but this time, Spike seemed to have no intention of doing so. “Ok… well, we should get started as soon as possible, Spike. We have many orders to get through and we’re going to need more gems than these…” Rarity said. “But thank you, Spike, they will definitely help.” “Hey, Spike!” Twilight said as she greeted her assistant at the door. “Looks like someone had a busy day…” The dragon rose his finger as if to say something, only to collapse face first onto floor. Twilight was worried but soon heard the little dragon’s snore and immediately knew that he had been exhausted by the work he put himself through. Carrying him off and tucking him in his small basket-bed, Twilight let Spike get his well-earned rest.