A Game of Survival

by Cabensis

The calm before the storm

Spike could not believe his eyes! There, right in front of him, was an Ice Sapphire! One of the rarest gems in existence and also one of the tastiest. It's unrivaled glimmer was something for the eyes to long for, as was it's beautiful star-shaped appearance.

"Spike~!"

The temptation was too much! He just had to have one bite of that delicious rock whatever the cost! He felt his arms stretch out, his hands desperate for it's touch.

"Spike~?"

His hands edged closer and closer, ready to close around the delectable treat. He knew it was his, and he sealed the deal by firmly grabbing it--

Pain.

Lots and lots of pain.

The gem had disappeared with a poof and left in it's place were the silouette of a pegasus. One he surely remembered from somewhere.

"SPIKE! What's the big idea, huh?!"

Spike's eyes had just adjusted to the bright daylight when he was met snout to snout with the angry mare.

"You fall asleep during my awesome stunt show and then try to cop a feel?!" she blazed.

Looking into her fiery magenta eyes he finally realized who she was. "Ruh- Rainbow Dash?"

Yes, the mare he knew as Rainbow Dash. Half a year had passed since the event at the library and even though that ended the way it did, their friendship had continued to grow ever so much. He didn't have much time to reminisce however, as the mare in front of him seemed quite upset about something.

"Rainbow Dash? No, it's Fluttershy~ Of course it's me!" she said sarcastically, "Now you better explain yourself!"

Spike blinked a few times. "Uhh... come again?"

Rainbow wore a look of disbelief. "WHAT? I'm talking about how you just flung your claws out and grabbed my..." she heard herself trail off. Unable to finish the sentence with words she instead finished with a huff and crossed her hooves across her chest, her face wearing a shade similar to her eyes.

Spike didn't know exactly what was going on but he knew he had to apologize. For something.

"Uh... sorry RD. I don't know what happened there." he said genuinely, "I guess I'm a bit tired."

Rainbow floated over and took a seat next to the exhausted dragon.

"You know, you won't be able to admire the awesome pegasus that is Rainbow Dash," she puffed out her chest, "if you keep napping all the time."

"If I keep napping all the time? Let's just say I learned from the best." he muttered, gesturing to her. Sometimes Spike couldn't believe the size of her ego.

Rainbow was about to retort when she realized she couldn't, so she settled for asking him something instead. "What's gotten you so drowsy anyway?"

"You know Twilight?" Spike continued to mutter.

Rainbow brought her hoof to her chin and took a quick glance at the dragon. "You know, I might have heard that name somewhere..."

Said dragon just fixed her with a glare that let her know he was in no mood for goofing off. "She was up early preparing for that slumber party you guys are having tonight."

"Oh?"

"It was 3 AM."

"Oh!"

"I was forced to help her."

"Oh..."

"Yeah, she was quite panicky, not to mention way to early to..." Spike managed to say before a huge yawn made all the following words incomprehensible.

Rainbow got a puzzled look and shifted her body to face the sleepy dragon. "But... why are you not in bed then?"

Spike gave her a tired smile. "Because you said you had some new awesome flying techniques to show me. You looked so excited too, how could I say no?"

Huh. I must be really caught up with myself sometimes... and this guy...he just kept trucking on. I can't believe he could be so selfless. Rainbow felt familiar feelings resurface but she did what she always did and shoved them back into the vault. Regaining her composture she decided to change subject. "Um, about that slumber party..."

Spike tilted his head as if to say, "What about it?"

Rainbow knew she couldn't survive another slumber party with the girls by herself. Twilight had had several over the course of her time in Ponyville, and each became more and more 'girly' and cliché. Spike would usually spend the night elsewhere to avoid the event and she wished she could do the same. Rainbow didn't know what would happen this time, but what she did know was that it was going to be the end of her unless she persuaded somepony to keep her company.

Yes, rather... somedragon.

"Actually... do you mind sticking around for that?"

Spike's eyes shot open, any trace of him being tired went away in an instant. "M-me? At the s-slumber party?" he stuttered.

"Yeah, you seem like the kind of guy that can liven things up a bit."

The color seemed to drain from Spike's face the more he thought about 'sticking around' for the slumber party. For a few moments he was completely silent, but not before too long did he respond again.

"N-no! Nonononono! Absolutely not! Never!" he shouted.

"What? Why?"

"Because..." Spike began, trying to think of a reason before deciding the answer would still be, "No!"

"Please? I need to have some other input than that of 5 mares talking about stallions all night!" Rainbow begged, shuddering at the thought.

"Still no!" Spike repeated stubbornly.

"Can't you do it... for a friend? Friendship is magic remember?" Rainbow tried, giving Spike her most innocent look.

"In this case I believe," Spike pointed his index finger at her, "Friendship is Death!"

It was around here Rainbow started to feel downcast. He was so strongly refusing to help her out that it made her feel... strange. Was it because it was her? Before letting her mind delve deeper into all these questions that bombarded her, she managed to stop herself. It was ridiculous, why did she even care?

Meanwhile Spike had recovered from his grand objection and was now quietly observing Rainbow. She looked so disappointed, sad even. He wondered why she reacted so strongly, but figured it was something he could worry about some other time. Right now he had to fix this.

"Look... I'm sorry." Spike began, letting out a weak chuckle.

Rainbow looked up again. "It's okay. If you really hate it so much you don't have to. I'll manage." she muttered, her sadness now grazed with a sour aftertaste.

It was going to take everything Spike had to say what he was about to say. Everything in him screamed at him not to say it, to remember, but he knew he had to.

"I... I'll be there."