One quick note: As mentioned in the desc, this is a sequel. While not essential, I strongly recommend you check out Heart to Heart first.

The greatest happiness of life is the
conviction that we are loved,
loved for ourselves,
or rather loved in spite of ourselves.

-Victor Hugo

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One of the benefits to living with somepony for a great length of time is that you become an expert in nonverbal communication. Subtle changes in expression, posture, even deviations from normal habits or behavior can provide insight into your companion’s mood.

So when Twilight Sparkle heard the library’s door open and slam a full thirty minutes ahead of time, she didn’t need to see the slump of his shoulders or his downtrodden expression to know that something was wrong.

Setting her book to the side, she stood and made her way downstairs. The scene that awaited nearly broke her heart.

Spike stood alone in the foyer. His head was bowed, but she could see the tracks on his cheeks where tears had run. In his left claw was the jeweled bowtie Rarity had made for him. It was covered with dust, apparently from being dragged over the street. In his right, petals dropping to the floor like a symbol of unrequited love, was a bouquet of roses.

She wanted to rush over to him and sweep him up in a hug, overpower all the negativity with her own warmth and affection. Demand to know what was wrong and what she could do to fix it. Anything but see him look so dejected.

But she knew Spike better than that. Coming on too strong would only stir up the emotions he had just recently pushed down. Better if she provided comfort with her presence. An ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on.

He looked up; his eyes were red and puffy, but the familiar question brought out the hint of a smile.

“I got a good old friend here with me tonight,” he responded with a sniffle. “And I guess I’m doing alright.”

She didn’t say anything more. Instead, she nudged Spike over to the couch, taking the items from his claws so he could clamber up. Placing them to the side, she settled herself down and pulled him close beside her.

He gave a long, deep sigh, and Twilight could feel his shoulders beginning to shake. His breath hitched. Finally the dam burst, and Spike buried his face in her coat and sobbed.

If it had been any other pony, Twilight would have found herself bewildered and totally unsure of how to act. But this was Spike, and she knew exactly how to help. Running a comforting hoof over his spines, she hummed into his ear. It was an old lullaby, one that Celestia had taught her, and it never failed to calm the dragon’s nerves.

By and by his cries tapered off, and they continued to sit like that for a time, neither speaking, neither moving. Simply two companions enjoying the company of one another. It was a wonderful moment, and Twilight wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world.

But she hadn’t forgotten the reason behind their position, and when Spike pulled out of the embrace and sat upright, she prepared herself for whatever was to come.

“So, Rarity turned me down.” He was trying to keep his voice steady, trying to be nonchalant. But she could hear the tremor beneath his words.

“I wanted to ask her to the Grand Galloping Gala,” he continued. “Not… not as a date or anything. I mean, we’re both going anyway, right? So I thought, maybe we could go together? Walk claw in hoof, have a few dances, that kind of thing.”

He trailed off, no doubt imagining the possibilities. Twilight hated dragging him back to reality, but she knew that avoiding things wouldn’t help at all.

Spike shook himself out of the daydream. “Well, I wanted things to be as nice as possible when I asked. So I wore the bowtie she made me, bought the flowers, shined my scales, the works. Before I asked, I even got Rainbow Dash to clear off all the clouds so the day would be perfect.”

Spike laughed hoarsely, a few tears leaking from his eyes. Turning to her, he clasped both claws together and batted his eyelashes.

“Oh, Spike,” he said dramatically. “What an absolutely charming proposition! And going to such trouble, I’m flattered darling, truly!”

“And I, like a dummy, got my hopes up that maybe she’d say yes. But she said that she already had her eyes on Prince Blueblood, and that her only plan for the Gala was to catch his attention and win his heart.”

“And it simply wouldn’t do for me to arrive accompanied by another stallion, I mean dragon, now would it? Why, Blueblood might think me already spoken for! And we simply can’t have that, now can we,” he mimicked sarcastically.

Twilight couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the statement. One thing Spike and Rarity had in common was a tendency to get lost in their fantasies. But now the fashionista’s delusions of grandeur had steamrolled her assistant’s heart, and she couldn’t help the brief flare of anger that welled up in response.

“I’m sorry, Spike,” she said. “But you know it was nothing against you, right? Rarity, you know how stubborn she can be. She’s just so focused on her plans for the night that she won’t consider anything else. I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt you.”

He sighed. “I know, and it’s my fault, I guess. I should have known better. A beautiful, successful unicorn like her? She could have any stallion that she wanted. Why settle for less? Why would anypony?”

Twilight balked. He was blaming himself for this? Obviously Rarity’s dismissal had wounded her little dragon’s confidence much more than she realized.

Spike looked himself over and frowned in disgust. “What mare would ever want such a useless, pathetic baby dragon?”

She gasped, realizing that she hadn’t spoken quietly enough. She had to cover her tracks, now!

“I, uh, just said that you’re being too hard on yourself,” she said brightly.

Confidence building, she shifted to a lecturing tone and plowed on. “In fact, your self-evaluation was flawed in the extreme! Heavily biased, and skewed entirely towards negative characteristics.”

“What I am saying is that you are in no way pathetic, useless, or any similar adjective. In fact, I submit to you that any mare would be extremely lucky to have you as their special somepony.”

He blushed at the compliment, but nonetheless folded his arms and gave her a challenging glare. “Yeah, right. You’re just saying that to try and make me feel better.”

“Not at all, Spike! You see, ponies may lie, but the facts do not! And you have consistently demonstrated a number of admirable traits. You have proven to be friendly, courteous, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind, generous, brave, earnest, industrious, attentive, the list goes on!”

“Which conclusively proves that you would make an excellent coltfriend,” she finished with a confident smirk.

Twilight grumbled to herself. All that effort to build up his self-esteem, and they were right back to square one.

“Well, some mares can be very…” choosy, picky, close-minded, stubborn as an ox? “specific in choosing their special someponies. Rarity is one of those mares. She wants a prince-”

“But I AM a prince,” Spike argued, and she was glad to see that his earlier despondency had all but vanished.

“But you don’t act like a prince,” she said, holding up a hoof to stop any further protests. “Not the kind of prince Rarity wants, at least. She wants a prince who always dresses in the finest, fanciest clothes. One who never lets a hair on his mane get out of place. Who’d never dream of playing tag with the neighborhood fillies or a game of tackle hoofball in the schoolyard.”

She gave his stomach a teasing poke. “Especially not a prince who’d run away from getting his picture painted to go try and dig gems out of the garden.”

“Give me a break,” Spike protested. “I was four years old! Besides, it was boring having to stand there all day, and that stupid crown was heavy and kept sliding down over my eyes!”

The two shared a laugh as they remembered how Celestia had been forced to hold Spike immobile with her magic until the portrait could be completed. As their chuckles died down, Spike looked up at her thoughtfully.

“So, if I didn’t do those things, and acted like a normal prince, Rarity might like me?”

The unicorn merely smiled. “She might, but the real question is, would YOU like yourself like that? You shouldn’t have to change who you are to find love, Spike. Self-improvement is fine, but not if you become an entirely different person.”

Not sure if he was getting her point, she decided to use an example. “Do you remember what Applejack and I always tell the Cutie Mark Crusaders? That they should focus on the talents they possess, the qualities that define them? It’s the same with you. Trust me, Spike, you’re a wonderful dragon. You should be yourself, and I promise you’ll find a mare that appreciates you, loves you for who you are, not because you’re trying to fit their image of perfection.

Spike looked up at her, a smile appearing on his face and confidence in his eyes.

“I see now that I’ve been going about this all wrong. But now you’ve opened my eyes!”

Spike had already jumped from the sofa and rushed over to Twilight’s writing desk. Scribbling rapidly, he composed a short letter and sent it off in a burst of green flame.

Twilight was still frozen on the couch, trying to figure out exactly what in the hell was going on.

“On its… WHAT is on its way? Spike, just what are you up to,” she managed to ask.

He cocked his head. “Isn’t it obvious Twi? I’m gonna get Blueblood to teach me everything he knows about being the right kind of prince!”

“The right kind of… didn’t you hear a single thing I said,” she demanded.

“Of course! Right now I don’t act like the kind of prince Rarity wants, but if Blueblood teaches me how to be like him then he’ll lose his advantage. Then since I’m already close friends with her, I’ll sweep her right off her hooves and she’ll finally be mine!”

Twilight slapped her forehead in exasperation, wishing she could somehow chase down and retrieve the letter before it reached its destination.

“Really? I think it makes total sense. Maybe you’re the one who missed the point!”

“Augh!” Throwing her hooves up in defeat, she stomped back upstairs to her book.

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If there was one thing Prince Blueblood hated more than the Grand Galloping Gala, it was the week immediately preceding it. For it was then that mares across the kingdom would band together in a unified attempt to make his life miserable.

As always, they achieved this by bombarding him with a seemingly endless deluge of mail. Whether it be from a conniving socialite, a star struck maiden or a lovesick admirer, their goals were always the same. To be the lucky mare whom he would choose to escort into the Grand Galloping Gala, destined to win his heart and become a princess of Equestria.

He grimaced just at the thought of it. These ponies were insufferable enough through mere correspondence. He doubted he’d be capable of stomaching their wheedling, fawning drivel face to face.

Which was why it was best not to even give them a chance. Just politely but firmly turn them down, and he could avoid the grasping claws of courtship and eventual matrimony. Even if that meant mailing a reply to every, last, one.

Adding his signature, he sealed the envelope and levitated it over to join the others. The sight of his progress only heightened his despair. The stack of outgoing mail was tiny, barely more than a hundred letters in all. By comparison, the letters he had yet to examine formed a pile nearly three times as high.

Too weary to look up, he settled for tilting his head so that the visitor was in sight.

“Afternoon? Have you looked out the window lately? Good evening would be more appropriate.”

Flopping his head to the other side, he looked out the windows and noticed that yes, the day was indeed fading into night. It only soured his mood further, as he realized that he’d made even less progress than previously thought.

“From what the servants have mentioned, you’ve been cooped up in this room all day,” she chided, reaching out to prod a dish of ice-cold alfalfa penne. “Not to mention Rosemary and Thyme are terrified that you’ve developed a hatred for their cooking after refusing to touch a single one of your meals.”

“I’ll be certain to apologize to them at once,” he said with a sigh. “But as you can see, right now I’m more than a bit occupied.”

Taking a closer inspection of the daunting pile of letters, Cadence’s teasing smile fell into a sympathetic look.

“I’m afraid so. That magical time when mares of all ages set their sights upon the most eligible stallion in the land.” He snorted in annoyance. “I feel as though I’m the prized trout in a fishing pond, darting about as stallions on the bank cast their nets and hooks.”

Cadence laughed, and he found his mood lifting from her company. “A fine comparison, but at least nopony has managed to reel you in quite yet.”

“Not for lack of trying. One of the drawbacks to being a career bachelor, I suppose. It almost makes me want to follow your example and tie myself down once and for all.”

“Still, it must make things much easier for you. No need to worry or wonder about who’ll be escorting you, no legion of admirers to turn away, just the minor task of selecting your gown and off you go! Why, I doubt it took you more than a day to ready yourself.”

“Well, there was nothing to decide, because I’m simply not attending the Gala this year.”

She waved off his concern. “Well, Shining Armour and I decided to… wait. Remind me, cousin, have you met his parents? Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle?”

The unicorn tapped his chin. “Yes, I’m quite sure I have, though the occasions were few and far between. They have a daughter as well. Twilight, isn’t it? A student of our aunt’s?”

“Correct. And that is the reason why we’ll not be attending. You see, Twilight’s parents have never once attended the Gala, and in years past, neither had she. But this year will be her first. Shining Armour and I felt that it would be unfair, even cruel to their parents if they were to be left alone whilst both children celebrated elsewhere. So we chose to eschew the Gala in favor of spending time with them.”

Now Blueblood understood. It was a sensible reason, even a gallant one. Still, his lips turned up in a disbelieving smile.

“Why, you clever little minx! That is genius, utter genius! You’ve figured out an ironclad excuse for skipping this dreadful festivity!”

Cadence gave a scandalized gasp and put a hoof over her heart. “Why Blueblood, I’m shocked! How could you even suggest that my act of compassion could be hiding some ulterior motive!”

She managed to keep her wounded expression for nearly a minute before the two royals collapsed in a fit of laughter.

“Alright, alright,” so it’s not entirely altruistic,” she admitted. “And I do feel a tad guilty for leaving auntie stuck greeting and mingling all by her lonesome. I’m sure she’ll be bored out of her fur, desperate for a reprieve.”

“Your sympathy is appreciated,” a regal voice spoke up from behind. They both turned to see a tall, white alicorn looking at them in amusement

“Good evening, Aunt Celestia,” Blueblood said with a slight bow. Cadence was frozen in embarrassment, cheeks turning red as she tried to stammer out a response.

“Good evening to the two of you, as well,” she said before turning to Cadence with a teasing grin. “And you needn’t worry about your poor, old auntie. Not only will Luna be present to assist, but my faithful student has graciously volunteered to take your place in helping to admit our guests.”

Hoping to save his cousin from any further humiliation, Blueblood cleared his throat to draw Celestia’s attention.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, dear aunt? Surely you must be tired after so recently setting the sun?”

The alicorn smiled and levitated a scroll off of her back. “Why, I simply came to wish you both good night, and to deliver this.”

“Another one,” Blueblood whined, not caring that his royal manners had begun to slip.

The princess only chuckled. “Trust me; this one won’t be nearly as frustrating.”

He unrolled the letter as Celestia took her leave, not bothering to hide his disgust. Cadence had finally recovered from her mortification, and curiously leaned over to try and get a peek at the words.

“Another request from a mare, I imagine? Or perhaps auntie has grown tired of you remaining single and wants to arrange a marriage?”

“I certainly hope not,” he grumbled. “I shudder to imagine the kind of mare she’d try and saddle me with.”

With the letter opened, he sighed and began to read. As his eyes moved over the page, his expression softened, and then turned into an outright smile.

Cadence’s eyes lit up, though her words had the slightest tinge of jealousy. “From Spike? Really? I hadn’t heard a peep from him since he moved to Ponyville!”

“So what does he say? Is he doing alright? Are they treating him well? Tell me,” she demanded eagerly.

He opened his mouth to respond, but then his eyes reached the next line. His brows furrowed.

“Oh my,” he said with a frown. “It looks like he’s run into quite a bit of trouble.”

Cadence was already rising to her hooves, looking as though she planned to fly to Ponyville immediately.

“Well? What’s the problem? Is he hurt? In danger? Do we need to leave now?”

He returned to looking over the page, eyes darting back and forth as Cadence trotted in place anxiously. But even as the alicorn’s tension built, the unicorn’s seemed to ease. In fact, Blueblood was grinning when he finally placed the letter aside.

“It looks as though Spike does have a serious problem, though not as severe as what you’re imagining. Rather, it seems he’s having romantic difficulties with a certain unicorn.”

If he’d looked up, Blueblood would see that Cadence was once again frozen in shock. But this time the alicorn’s vibrant fur had paled to a sickly puce, her teeth were clenched, and one eye was twitching madly.

“Spike… needs romance help… with a unicorn,” she squeaked. Her eyes shifted to the hallway that Celestia had trotted down, and she began to tremble.

Blueblood nodded, oblivious to her change in mood. “Yes, poor lad. It seems that his intended paramour is proving rather immune to his attempts at courtship. He’s asking if I’ll come to his aid.”

Cadence looked at him as if he’d gone mad. “You’re… you’re not really going, are you?”

“Why, of course I am,” he said. “Our cousin needs me; how could I refuse? But what about you?”

“Of course! Considering your expertise in matters of the heart and your affection for Spike, I’m surprised you even have to ask.”

To his complete surprise, Cadence began backing away, furiously shaking her head.

He lifted a hoof to try and calm her down. “Cadence, be reasonable. Spike is only asking for romantic advice! What’s the worst that-”

“I’D RATHER BE KIDNAPPED BY CHANGELINGS,” Cadence screamed before turning and galloping down the hall as if Cerberus himself were in pursuit.

Blueblood was dumbfounded. ‘Well, she’s acting rather odd,’ he thought. ‘I wonder what’s gotten into her?’

He shrugged, knowing better than to try and decipher the female mind. Instead, he lifted his pen and unrolled a blank sheet of parchment.

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The royal chariot rolled to a stop just outside of Ponyville. Thanking the pegasi guards, Blueblood stepped down and wrapped a simple travelling cloak over his body.

When he had received Spike’s reply, the first thing he had noticed was the bizarre series of requests that accompanied the time and place he should visit. He chose to indulge his cousin, but that made the situation no less strange. Why was it so vital that the chariot park outside of town? That he disguise himself until he arrived at the library? That he avoid the western section of Ponyville, especially some business called the “Carousel Boutique?”

He hadn’t the slightest of ideas, but if these conditions were so important to Spike, he would follow them.

Passing an outdoor café, he gave a brief wave to the dining ponies. It pleased him to see them returning the gesture happily. It seemed this town was quite the friendly one, a fine place for Spike to grow up.

His jaunt through Ponyville finally ended at a massive tree that housed the town library. Certainly a more humble abode than Spike’s previous home, but it did have a certain rustic charm about it. Lifting his hoof, he delivered the top-secret knock that he’d been provided: Four quick knocks, two slow ones, a five second pause before a single knock, then a five second pause before six knocks in rapid succession.

At least he thought that was the correct sequence. Right or wrong, he could hear hoofsteps approaching the door, then it opened to reveal the smiling face of a purple unicorn.

“Good afternoon, and welcome to the Golden Oaks Library! Can… I… help you?”

She stared at him in confusion, bewildered at the sight of a fully cloaked and hooded stallion.

Twilight gasped and fell into a bow. “Oh, Prince Blueblood! It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“The pleasure is mine, Miss Sparkle,” he said, returning the bow. “May I be allowed to come in?”

“Of course, of course,” she said, fully opening the door and ushering him inside.

“So, you decided to come and help Spike after all,” she said, and he noticed that there was the slightest edge in her voice. Almost like she disapproved of his presence.

He shrugged it off. He was imagining things, no doubt. He might not be as close to Twilight as his cousins, but the two unicorns had always shared a polite rapport.

“But of course,” he said. “Dire as his situation is, how could I refuse the opportunity to assist?”

“Hey Twilight! Who was at the… Blueblood!” Spike had just emerged from the basement with a stack of books in his arms. At the sight of their guest, he dropped them to the floor and rushed over.

“Oh ho! And here’s the young rascal now,” Blueblood said with a laugh. “Growing like a weed, he is! I suppose it’s true what they say about the clean, country air.”

Twilight smiled at their banter as she levitated the books to a table. “Yes, I think the move to Ponyville has done us both quite a bit of good. Though leaving behind family has been the hardest part.”

Blueblood nodded in agreement. “Perfectly understandable, though I imagine that only makes the reunions that much better.”

Hanging his cloak on one of the coat pegs, he gave the library another quick glance. “Might we adjourn to a more comfortable locale? From what Spike’s letters have told me, it seems we have much to discuss.”

“Oh, oh of course! How rude of me! Please, follow me!” Twilight quickly ushered him over to the fireplace, rapidly pointing out each piece of furniture and comparing their cushioning qualities.

Once they were comfortably situated, Blueblood gave Spike his full attention. “Now then, cousin, let us talk of business. You summoned me here because a mare has spurned your affections, correct? And you believe that I am capable of helping you overcome this problem?”

The dragon nodded quickly. “Yeah! You see, right now I’m not the kinda guy she wants. And I think you know how to be like the guy she wants, so maybe you can make me that kinda guy, and then she’ll like me instead of that guy, or-”

“Calm down, calm down,” he chuckled. “Let’s take this one step at a time. Before we go any further, why not describe this unicorn? Her appearance, her mannerisms, her likes and dislikes? If I’m to help you win her heart, it would be prudent for me to learn all that I can.”

Spike gathered his thoughts and began to speak. As he listened, Blueblood had to admit that this mare was certainly a rarity, more than just in name. In fact, had he not known that she was a resident of Ponyville, he would have been certain that Spike was describing some well-bred Canterlot noble. The eye for fashion, the elegant mannerisms, the intense dislike of filthiness and uncouth behavior. It made him wonder how such a tasteful and, dare he say it, prissy lady came to inhabit these humble surroundings.

Next they moved on to physical descriptions, though he found it rather difficult to concentrate with Twilight’s interruptions. The mare was constantly grumbling under her breath, rolling her eyes and huffing in annoyance as Spike adoringly described his crush. Blueblood couldn’t exactly blame her; he supposed that she had been forced to listen to this several times in the past.

Still, there was something suspicious about her reactions, though he couldn’t quite put his hoof on it…

“Right then. I believe I’ve heard enough to adequately envision this mare of yours.” He chewed his lip, pondering the next step. “Let us move on to how you’ve attempted to garner her affections. I assume you’ve already worked your way through the basics: showering her with compliments and attention, assisting her whenever possible, providing comfort when in distress?”

Spike nodded vigorously. “Yeah, all of that stuff! And I mean, it’s not like she doesn’t appreciate it. She just… doesn’t seem to take it seriously.”

“Have you tried being more direct,” Blueblood asked. “Invite her out to dinner, or for a romantic stroll? As a date to some festivity?”

“Uh huh,” Spike grumbled. “She always seems to think it’s the cutest thing, but in more of a ‘just friends’ kinda way.”

“I can understand why you sought my assistance,” he said. “After all, it does seem quite a conundrum. You’ve acted chivalrously, aided her at every opportunity, and even made clear your desires to further the relationship. In such a situation, what else is a gentledrake to do?”

“Well, maybe he could try all that on a mare that’d actually appreciate it,” a voice muttered from behind.

He looked over his shoulder. Oddly enough, Twilight now seemed to be pouting, with her forelegs crossed over her chest and face averted. It puzzled him to no end. First Cadence, now her? Either this entire situation was more complex and connected than he thought, or some unknown factor was causing the mares of Equestria to behave in the oddest of fashions.

“Although… perhaps it’s not your methods, but your timing,” the unicorn suggested. “When have you posed these questions?”

“Umm, well the last time was in her shop after we’d finished work for the day. And then there was one time while we were out digging for gems, and then…”

Blueblood waved a hoof. “Stop, stop, stop. I think I may have figured out your problem. In fact, it all makes sense now!”

“It does,” Spike and Twilight asked, one with hope, the other with suspicion.

“Of course! After all, one can’t expect to woo his lady in such mundane and un-amorous surroundings! Bringing up such matters in the workplace? It’s only obvious she’d disregard them.”

Blueblood stood and began pacing across the room. “No, you’ll need a more appropriate venue. Somewhere that encourages joy and excitement. Somewhere like… the Gala!”

“Yes, yes of course!” Blueblood dropped to his knees and put a foreleg around Spike. “Just think of it! The two of you alone in the Canterlot gardens beneath a sky ablaze with stars! Soft, sweet music filtering out from the ballroom. Rarity, standing before you with the moon reflected in her eyes as you declare your love! A perfect scenario, is it not?”

“Yeah…” Spike murmured dreamily. “I mean, no! It can’t be at the Gala! You’ll, I mean HE’LL be there!”

“He,” Blueblood repeated in confusion. “Oh wait, I remember now. When I first arrived, you mentioned this ‘guy she wants,’ did you not? No doubt you’re thinking of some high-born cad that is rivaling you for her heart! Am I to assume that he’ll be attending as well?”

“Then you shouldn’t trouble yourself worrying,” Blueblood sniffed. “I shall deal with him personally. Tell me all about the lout’s character! His flaws, his vices! We’ll put the ruffian in his place.”

Spike gulped. “Well, I wouldn’t exactly call him a ruffian. He’s not that bad of a guy or anything…”

The stallion shook his head. “No, Spike! You mustn’t think that way. No matter how upstanding a pony he may be, he is your mortal enemy on this battlefield of love! You cannot give him an inch.”

She only gave him a smug look. “Go on Spike. Like Prince Blueblood said, you can’t cut this guy any slack.”

“Gee thanks.” Crossing his arms, Spike leaned back in his chair and tried to think. The two unicorns watched expectedly as he pondered and puzzled.

Finally, Spike looked up. “Well, I guess he’s kinda hard to talk to. I mean, it’s not like some random pony on the street could walk up and just start visiting with him. He’s… what’s the word, Twi?”

Blueblood considered it. He grinned. “Yes, yes that will do nicely. We simply have to counter his aloofness! Expose his inability to meet and socialize. Why, just wait until your Rarity discovers that she cannot so much as strike up a conversation or even coax a smile out of the cad. When his true nature is revealed, no doubt she’ll be mortified by her error, and realize that the dragon of her dreams has been by her side all along!”

“But, Blueblood? About this stallion,” Spike tried to say. The unicorn merely waved him off.

“Not another word about him, Spike! As I said, I’ll handle the cur. You, on the other hoof, should devote yourself entirely to how you’ll win Rarity’s heart. When we meet at the Gala, you need only point him out, and I will keep him at bay.”

Ignoring Spike’s attempted interjections, he donned his cloak and exited the library. “Don’t worry about a thing, cousin! I promise you, it will be the best night ever!”

Prince Blueblood disappeared down the road, leaving the two occupants of the library in similar states of panic.

“Aw man! What am I gonna do? I’ll be trying to talk to Rarity, but Rarity’ll be going after Blueblood, and he’ll be trying to keep himself away from her! We’re just going to chase each other around in circles,” he moaned.

Unbeknownst to him, his companion was likewise distressed as she began to consider the gravity of the situation. Until now, she had never really felt pressed for time, had never dreamed of forcing or even approaching the issue. Rather than make her affections known, she’d hoped to gradually induce Spike into reciprocation. She’d always assumed that his crush for Rarity would dwindle, and that until then her infatuation with Blueblood would serve as a type of safety net.

‘Oh, this is terrible,’ Twilight thought. ‘As much as I hate to admit, this plan of theirs might actually work! If Blueblood manages to sufficiently disenchant Rarity, she might actually give Spike a chance! And if she does that, she’ll finally realize how great of a guy he is! From there, the most statistically likely outcome would be them entering a committed relationship. And if they start dating… I’ll never get my chance! It will all be over! No, I can’t lose him! I won’t!’

She could just imagine Rarity sitting alone in the gardens, head bowed, makeup running as she sobs. But then two purple claws reach down to gently lift the strands of mane from her face. She looks up, vulnerable and confused, to see a smile promising care and comfort.

Relieved at the presence of a friendly face and desperate for affection, Rarity throws herself into Spike’s arms. He merely holds her until the tears stop, knowing just how effective silent consolation can be. After awhile, they rejoin their friends, but something has changed. Rarity makes an extra effort to stay close to Spike. There is something strange in her posture. Something… possessive.

Spike took a hasty step back as sparks began to pop and crackle in the air. Bolts of lightning pulsed across Twilight’s horn, and the air thickened with magic.

They arrive back at Ponyville, and Rarity becomes distraught. She begs Spike to keep her company for night; the strain of her heartbreak is too much to endure alone. Twilight protests, but in vain. Spike, ever the gentledrake, will never refuse a plea for help. The two friends retire to the Boutique. There, in the familiar confines of home, the dam bursts. Overcome with emotion, Rarity drowns her sorrows in wine and drowns Spike’s ears in histrionics. He endures it without flinching, doing his best to piece together the broken shards of her heart. Time passes. The bottle grows empty. Spurred on by the pleasant haze of drunkenness, Rarity’s heart and mind come to a hasty accord. She leans in, eyes lidded seductively and suggests that they retire. She asks if Spike will accompany her to bed? Spike, ever so innocent and pure, accepts without a second thought.

Twilight’s eyes snapped open, glowing a brilliant white. The library began to shake from the force of her magic, and every unsecured object rose into the air.

Spike yelped and dug his claws into the wood. “Twi! What are you doing? Snap out of it!”

Spike and Rarity arrive at the library early the next morning. Neither speaks of the night before, but Twilight can tell something has changed. Both are possessed with an almost drunken lethargy, every movement slow and content. Occasionally, their gazes meet and sly, knowing smiles cross their faces. Though they are both as friendly and kind as ever, Twilight feels somehow… removed. As if they are linked in a way she will never understand, never be part of.

The magical pull was too strong, and Spike found himself whipping through the air along with a multitude of other objects, orbiting Twilight as the mare’s magical meltdown continued.

From there, everything is a blur. From afternoon strolls to romantic evenings. The day comes when Spike leaves her, moving into the Carousel Boutique. From there, intimacy turns to matrimony. As the best mare at the wedding, Twilight forces herself to smile, though her stomach twists when Rarity tearfully announces that she is overjoyed to be gaining such a wonderful sister-in-law. She knows that she should be happy for them. It’s not their fault she waited too long, not their fault she wasn’t good enough. But no matter how she tries to tamp down her jealousy, the sheer unfairness makes her want to rip her mane out.

Suddenly there came a violent, brutal tug on her mane. Twilight yelped in pain as the hairs were nearly yanked out. With her return to coherency, the magical discharge vanished, and the room was filled with crashes and clatters as a tornado’s worth of debris fell to the floor.

Blinking back tears, she looked down to see Spike hanging off the floor with a death-grip on her mane.

Visibly relieved, the dragon released his hold and plopped to the floor. “Geez, Twi! What was that all about? I thought you were going to slingshot me through the roof along with half our home!”

“I’m so sorry, Spike,” she apologized. “I was just worried about… something, and I guess I started channeling magic by reflex.”

Spike leapt to his feet and dusted himself off. “Don’t worry about, I understand completely. But what were you worrying about?”

She wished she could tell him. How much she cared, how afraid she was of losing him. How her mind was racing in circles to try and find a solution. Some way to wean his attentions away from Rarity.

“Oh, nothing,” she said evasively. “Just being myself. You know old Twilight Sparkle, right? She just can’t keep from freaking out.”

She could tell he wasn’t buying it, so she switched tactics. “But you know what, Spike? I think we should just put this whole situation out of our minds for the time being. If not, all we’re going to do is worry ourselves sick!”

Spike nodded and put a hand over his stomach. “That’s for sure. Just thinking about it gives me a tummy-ache.”

“Good, then it’s decided! No more fretting. We’ll just let what happens, happen.”

“Easy for you to say,” he muttered. “It’s not like your love life is at stake here.”

She made a dramatic show of looking about the room. “I was just thinking WOW! I really did a number on the place didn’t I?”

“Yeah, it’s pretty crazy. When you set your mind to it, you do more damage than the Cutie Mark Crusaders with a day off from school and a sack of dynamite! And you know what?”

His smile turned mischievous before he reached down and snatched up a fallen broom. “Since you made this mess, I think YOU should have to clean it all up!”

Her heart nearly melted at the sight of his wide, beaming smile. She thought of that nightmarish future, where he slowly but surely slipped from her grasp and into the hooves of another.

Desperate to redirect her thoughts, she gave him an incredulous look. “Say what?”

“Yep! I think it’s high time you learned to appreciate how much I bust my tail for you! That’s why YOU get to be the assistant for today.”

She wanted to say that she appreciated him far more than he realized, but caught herself just in time. “Oh, and I take it you’ll be Celestia’s student for the day?”

“I sure will,” he said with a nod. “In fact, I’ve already got a friendship report thought up!”

Giving an exaggerated swing of the broom, he lifted his chin haughtily. “Twilight, take a letter. *Ahem!* ‘Dear Princess Mom, through her crazy studying style of squinting at dusty old books and drinking WAY too much tea, Twilight has come to a real… rea…’ what’s the word, Twi?”

“Realization,” she said with a giggle. “And I’m guessing you don’t want that question added in?”

“Oh, yeah. Just, uh, scratch that part out. Anyway, ‘Twilight has come to a realization. She has decided that I, Spike, am totally awesome and should take over her job as your faithful student.’ You getting all this?”

“Of course, Mister Spike” Twilight said mockingly. “Your delusions of grandeur are being painstakingly transcribed.”

“Nice! You’ve already got my signature assistant sarcasm! Now where was I? ‘I am writing to inform you that in addition to the usual friendship reports, I will also be exploring new subjects, like the magic of gems, which will be sent to you via tastyness reports.’”

She laughed at the thought. “Sounds like more of a culinary curriculum to me.”

“Oh hey, hey Twilight. What if I told her that Rarity and I’d be getting together?” He chuckled into his claws. “And that I’d be sending her relationship reports too? Do you think she’d freak out?”

“Yeah! You know, like about dating and stuff. We could tell her I’m doing romance studies too.”

The unicorn’s jaw dropped. Romance studies. All at once an idea formed in her head, something she’d never considered until now.

‘Wait, my studies! That’s it, that’s how I can fix this! I can cut them off at the pass! That means… going straight to the top!’

Yes, yes this was perfect! She wouldn’t have to confront either of them, and it wouldn’t be some drastic and sudden change for her and Spike. They wouldn’t even have to go through with it right away. No, it was more of a… a safety measure! Yes, a way to stake her claim, so to speak. Once this was taken care of, she’d have all the time in the world to makes things perfect.

Spike gulped as Twilight’s face lifted into a crooked and altogether devious grin. Hesitantly, he reached up and poked her on the nose with the broom handle.

Her eyes snapped down to him, her grin widening. “Why yes, Spike! I’m doing just fine!”

Spike’s initial burst of relief faded back into wariness. “Are you SURE about that? The last time you acted like this, you got chased around by a hydra and wound up bursting into flames.”

“That was an isolated incident caused by my attempt to apply rationality and logic to an utterly alien and therefore unknowable concept.”

She leaned in close, her smile stretched from ear to ear. “But this time is different. This time the problem is tangible and capable of being directly solved. In fact, I think I’ve just found the solution to our little Gala problem!”

“You mean it,” he asked anxiously. Her nod only stoked his excitement, and he tossed the broom over his head with a whoop of joy. “Yes! No more worrying, no more awkwardness, no more disappointment! I’m finally gonna get myself a marefriend!”

Rubbing her hooves together, she made her way up the stairs. She had a plot to plan…

Spike ran to the base of the stairs and yelled up after her. “Hey, wait a minute! What about cleaning up this mess? What kind of assistant are you?!”
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Hope everyone enjoyed, and see you next chapter!

Best Chance for a Romance

by Crosis

1. Fueled by Desperation