Spike grabbed Scootaloo’s hoof and started to urge her out of the train. Scootaloo began to be dragged through the crowd of ponies, too rich, and snooty to move out of anypony’s way, and along the sidewalk into the town plaza. Street lights lit the shiny, icy, cobblestone floors and the welcome signs of cafés and fancy shops filled the rooftops with bright colors, giving the pathway the feel of air, light and fluffy with its array of lights.
Spike only had one interest, the jewelry store he had seen earlier in the year. However, Scootaloo was like most fillies, and was eager to see new ponies. She wanted to spend her time at the train station, greeting every mare and stallion she could get a word with. Nevertheless, Spike clearly wanted Scootaloo to be with him, for safety reasons, of course. He felt that no filly should ever be left alone at night, especially in a strange, new place.
Spike walked up to the store, White Ice Jewelry, one of the most reliable stores in all of Equestria, even though Rarity always was better when it came to finding the most dazzling, and flavorful gems. Spike pushed the door open with caution, carefully making sure no pony that they knew were in the shop. Luckily, the shop was at a stand-still, just the young colt running the counter, and the older, gentle-stallion waiting in the back with a rock carving station on the desk in front of him.
The colt pushed himself up onto the glass casing, curious of who had entered, only to see a long missed dragon and a slightly familiar orange filly. He jumped up and started to make his way to the back of the store where his grandfather resided, yelling to him about the friendly dragon having entered the shop. The older stallion shot up and began to make his way to the counter, his old voice raspy and gentle.
The stallion smiled and let out a quiet chuckle. “Hehe, welcome back Spike! Come to buy more raw gems as always?”
Spike looked at Scootaloo, as she was ogling the colt in front of her, wondering exactly how they knew each other, and why he was so interested in her.
"Well, the exact opposite, unfortunately. Ponies can’t eat gems… or stones, for that matter.”
Scootaloo looked towards Spike with a very interested look. ”Spike, what are you talking about?”
Spike ignored her question and continued to speak with the shopkeeper.
The stallion smiled at Spike. "Okay lil’ fella, let’s see what you got.” He pulled a wooden tray and a magnifying glass to the center of the counter, turning the observation light on.
Spike looked through his small bag of wares, and pulled out a small bag which had once held a sum of bits, pouring the contents onto the tray. The black Onyx and blue Kyanite bounced on the tray, dancing around the center.
“I know it isn’t much, but how many bits can we get?”
The shopkeeper held the glass against the Onyx, then the Kyanite, humming softly to himself.
"The least I can give you is nothing,” he smiled, "But that ain’t me. We’ve been looking for some Onyx and the other is beautiful, but we have plenty, so I guess around 500 even.” He looked up at Spike, wanting to do more, but not being able to. “Would that be fine? It’s not a lot, but it’s all we can do right now.”
Spike nodded and looked down at the counter, slightly disappointed in what he had done for the greater good. The stallion spoke once more, "Okay, I’ll get you a check, it isn’t too bright of an idea to carry that many bits around, would 50 do you any good?”
Spike was focused back on the young colt, who was still examining Scootaloo intently. "Um, I guess so.”
Spike glanced up at the wall, where a small golden picture frame hung. It contained a sole picture of the shop’s owner, a orange mare with a deep purple mane. Spike looked back to the colt once more and and spoke again. “Well, I hope you enjoy your night. What time is it?”
The little colt peered at the clock and replied, "Almost 12:45.” The colt pointed at Scootaloo, and asked a question himself. “Is she a nice pony?”
Spike looked at him in disbelief. "Her? Eh, hard to say. I guess she can be nice, when she needs to.”
Scootaloo walked up to the Spike and hit his forehead, pushing some of his scaly mane down. "Well that wasn’t very nice to say. Anyways, I can be nice...sometimes. So, where are we going, Mister planner?”
Spike grinned, "You’ll see when we get there, I wouldn’t like to ruin the surprise.”
Scootaloo turned back to the colt who had been watching her. “Hi, my name is Scootaloo!” She held out a hoof, “What’s your name?”
He was taken by surprise, as most ponies would brush him by, or not even bother asking. “Um, it’s very long, so I just get called L.L. for short. Nice to meet you!” He pushed Scootaloo’s hoof down, letting his own realign with the floor.
Icy, ‘Jack’, as some called him, entered the room with a bag of bits and a slip of paper,scribbled on the paper 450 bit and his name, handing them to Spike and the girl he accompanied. Everypony and dragon said their goodbyes, and went back to their respective lives. The colt in the shop started to explode with questions about the girl who was there, only after they left, most stunning of the lot, "Grandpa, why did that girl look like mom? She even acted like her she was around.”
The Icy sighted, "I'm not sure, but I think she is more of a mother than yours, she even asked your name. Lets just hope she has a family who cares.”
The son spoke once more before blowing out the candle of his room, tears in his eyes, "Why did she have to go?”
The Jack hugged him, ”I don’t know. I just don’t know,” ending the sentence with a gentle tug of the covers, and leaving the room.
"All aboard the 1 A.M. train to Hollow Shades,” the train conductor called out, checking his watch, "We shall be leaving soon. Please get acquainted with your seat.”
Scootaloo started to drag Spike along through the street as if he was a rag doll of a Wonder Bolt at a carnival; Trying to get to the train station before departure. Spike tried to run aside her, but fell short and started to drag along the floor. "Come on Spike, were going to miss it!” Scootaloo tried to go faster, but was being weighed down by the slower dragon she took with her.
Spike tried to get to his feet, hoping Scootaloo would let him, "Please stop dragging me along, by the time we get there it would have already left the station.”
Scootaloo started to run faster, and flapped her wings in alliteration, hoping to go faster. "No! I know we can make it, just need more ti-,” the sound of a loud whistle and wheels moving across icy, snow covered metal track could be heard over a mile away. Scootaloo placed her flank onto her tail and sat onto the floor, hoofs in her eyes, "We were so close! Uhg! How could we miss it!?”
Spike picked up Scootaloo, and started to walk her to the station, any place where ponies and others alike couldn’t stare at her. “Its okay Scootaloo. The next train should be here soon. If not, we can wait till then.” Scootaloo dug her head under Spike’s arm, walking with him, and sitting next to him on the frosty floor of the station. As any kind pony, or dragon for that matter, would do, took a blanket and dawned it on the sad, snow covered body of Scootaloo, and left to get a paper and pen.
With his frost ridden claws and feather pen, he wrote,
“Dear Princess Luna,
It’s Spike
I know it is very late, but I was hoping you could help me and Scootaloo. Its cold outside and the next train comes in a few hours. Could you bring us a blanket? I know you are busy, but it would really help.
your friend, and loyal subject, Spike the Dragon.”
With one flow of fire, the message wisped away into the wind, and off into the sky. Spike stroked the hair of Scootaloo’s soft mane, hoping she wouldn’t stir. “Scootaloo, when will you ever learn,” he let out a tired, long yawn, and placed his head on Scootaloo’s mane, “that I never have a plan.”