Now, I've been a little suspicious 'bout that feller. Fluttershy here said that he was dead. She even checked his, um, pulse of whatever. Now explain to me, how in tarnation is he alive?! Not to mention he's over there givin' us a cocky smirk. Wipe that smile off your face. You're scaring everypony here, even me.
Twilight took a step forward, cautiously, towards the supposedly dead dragon.
“Um,” she asked, “Aren’t you, I mean, not to be rude or anything, but aren’t you-”
“Suppose to be dead?” He finished for her, “Nope. I took the LV 1 pill. Only a minor ‘death’. Nothing drastic.”
The mares exchanged questioning looks between one another before looking back at the dragon who jumped out of his coffin.
“Aww, last I need is ashes everywhere. Hey Twilight, can I use the shower really quick. I might need to clean the clothes too. Don’t want these to itch every time I wear them.”
“Sh-sure.” was all Twilight could muster.
“Cool. Thanks.” He said before he walked upstairs.
The girls could hear the curtains moving, the water falling, and the stranger’s scream of shock from the cold water. They looked at each other with much confusion.
“Mind if I ask who in tarnation is that feller?” Applejack asked, deciding to break the silence, “He’s more suspicious than Applebloom’s crush.”
“Applebloom’s what?” Twilight asked.
“Nevermind that last part,” Applejack said, dismissing the side topic.
“He said to call him Scales,” Rainbow Dash said, “but he won’t tell me his real name. All he said has “In due time, my friend”. Whatever that means.”
Fluttershy raised her hoof. “Um, if you don’t mind,” she chimed in, ”I want to say that he looks strangely familiar.”
Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash gasped at that remark. Applejack thought for a moment.
Now wait a darn minute. Now that I think about it… The feller does look like… neh. It can’t be. He wouldn’t come back yet… I thought he’d be dead, poor Spike. He was so young when he left. Why’d you do it Spike… why…
"Who do you think he looks like Fluttershy?" Raimbow Dash asked.
"Um… Spike…"
“Well, darling, I don’t quite see the resemblance.” Rarity said, “ I mean, let’s say hypothetically, it is my Spiky-wiky. He can’t grow up that large in 5 years. It’s just preposterous!”
“Then again,” Twilight pointed out, “I’ve read a book saying that dragons age quickly, but their lifespan is far longer than average ponies.”
“So your saying that he could be Spike?" Applejack asked, "But why would he come back?"
Everyone thought for a moment before hearing the shower turning off. They all quickly looked at each other and understood one clear message: Act natural.
Twilight sat down and levitated a book nearby so she could pretend to read it. Rainbow Dash looked for the nearest couch to pretend to sleep on. Rarity quickly looked at the only closest thing fabric-wise: the window curtains. Applejack took off her hat and nibbled on it, and Fluttershy just sat down. The stranger came into the room with no clothes on but a towel to wrap around his legs. His upper torso looked thin, but muscular, with a few battle scars. His arms were covered in scars. Some small, some medium-depth cuts, and some deep-flesh cuts that send chills down spines. After washing off the dirt and ash, and taking the hood off, the stranger actually looked quite handsome. For some odd reason, all the mares blushed red and quickly continued pretending to do their "casual things." He looked around as if he was searching for something.
"Hey," he asked, sending a shock and cold sweat to the mares, "Have you girls seen my sword?"
"O-oh, that thing?" Rarity said, somewhat panicked, "I-I've placed it i-in the k-kitchen, d-darling."
"Oh…kay?" the stranger raised an eyebrow, "thanks."
He walked of into the kitchen to search for his sword. The moment he was out of sight, the mares dashed up to Twilight's room and locked the door. Not a single sound was uttered, but everypony could guess what was on everypony else's minds: HOLY MOTHER OF CELESTIA, HE'S HOT!
"I-I don't know about you girls,"Applejack broke the awkward silence again, "b-but I'd say that he's not even close to S-spike."
"I-I don't know, darling," Rarity managed to say, "His color was c-close enough. Twilight, open the window, would you, dear? This mare needs some air."
Twilight struggled to levitate the window because she couldn't concentrate after seeing the stranger's body. She walked to the window and lifted it up, herself. Rarity dashed to the window and pushed Twilight out of the way, breathing heavily. Fluttershy hid behind Twilight's pillow trying to hide her heavy blushing. Rainbow Dash tried to act casual, but her cyan color wasn't helping with her bright red blush.
"I don't know, guys," Rainbow Dash interjected, "But he defiantly might be who I think he is."
"How can you be so sure," Applejack asked.
"I mean he has the scales color, his spikes are green, his little whiskers, his emerald eyes, everything about him seems right."
"I can hear you girls'" the stranger called from below, "Come on down. We all should get to know each other."
The girls widen their eyes and looked at each other.
I don't know about the girls, but I'm not one to let myself get embarrassed over a stranger, especially not that stranger. Why, I'd be dumber then a rattlesnake tying itself int'a a knot. I'm not ready to meet the feller! Not… yet at least...
"I-I guess he must have something interesting to share if he's going to call us down," Twilight said, struggling to keep her posture.
"Then l-let's go girls," Rainbow Dash said as she unlocked the door, "Don't want to keep the dragon waiting."
----------------------------------------------------
The mares were somewhat relaxed. The dragon had heated his clothes with his fire so they would dry quickly. He knew what they were talking about, and he didn't want them to feel uncomfortable when around him. Though it may be helpful to some extent, the mares were still nervous, mainly because he heard everything they were talking about. With some courage, Twilight asked the first question, though with much difficulty.
"S-so um, f-first off: t-thank you for saving m-my friends."
The dragon raised an eyebrow as if she stated the obvious. He leaned back to the couch's back rest.
"No problem?" the confused dragon said, "I mean it's nothing much. Just doing what a friend can do."
The girls looked at each other before looking back to the dragon who was casually sitting on the couch, drinking tea.
"We can ask you anything, right?" Twilight calmly asked.
"Depends on the question," he responded before taking another sip.
"Ok, bub," Rainbow Dash demanded, "Who are you?"
"I did say to call me 'Scales'," he said, before he formed his signature smirk, "Now this is a perfect set-up for me to tell you all my real name but I'll hold onto that for a little while. I want you girls to find out yourselves. You're smarter then this, I hope."
Hey, stranger! Alright cowgirl, now's not the time to get mad. What question to ask him. I say he couldn't be Spike. True, Rainbow Dash here did say his colors fit and I'd say they do, but that doesn't mean I'm completely convinced.
"Um, so you're a real dragon?" Fluttershy asked.
Gosh darn it girl! Even Ah know he's a dragon and I'm not the animal expert! Is your mind empty and full of dust or something?
The stranger only stared at Fluttershy with a dumbfound look. He then lifted his free hand and slapped it to his face.
"Um… I'll… take that as a yes then."
"So, you're a traveler right?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Where did you go?"
"I, uh, went to a place to deal with someone," The stranger said, "I'm not comfortable talking about it."
"Why?" Twilight spoke.
"I just don't want to-"
"I mean why did you have to fight someone?" Twilight said, cutting in.
The stranger hesitated before answering, "Because I want to clean a slate." He stared down at his drink.
The mares looked at each other worriedly.
"Oh, darling. Everything's going to be fine. You just have to finish your business and things will move on, correct?"
He shook his head, not lifting it up to look at the mares.
"It's," the dragon said before pausing and starting again, "It's not as simple as that."
"Why, whatever it is, we'll help you," Rarity said, trying to comfort him, "won't we, girls?"
The mares looked at each other before nodding in agreement.
This stranger is really somethin', I'll give em that. He's pretty sad. Poor feller...
Applejack got up from her seat and walked over to the sad dragon. She stood in front of him, but he didn't raise his head. She sighed and sat next to him.
"It's ok, little guy," Applejack said, patting his back, "There's nothing to be sad about. Come here."
She reached out to him and hugged him, trying to comfort him. He sighed and pushed her away, but he did smile and look at her.
"Thanks. I needed that."
"Anytime, partner," she said with a jab to the shoulder.
Well I'll be darned. He's kinda cute, now that I think about it, almost like-
"Spike" she said without realizing it, "It's you. You're back."
Spike was shocked to hear that from Applejack, but a warm, homely smile slowly formed on his face.
"Yea," he said softly with as tear fell down his cheek, "I'm home."
Everypony gasped and covered their mouths. Spike, the young Spike they all knew and loved had come home. Rainbow Dash was the first to tackle-hug him off his seat, then Twilight joined, then Fluttershy, then Rarity. The only reason Applejack didn't hug him was because she was knocked over with the couch. She got up, brushed off her hat, put it on, and walked towards the pile of crying ponies that were covering and hugging, if not squeezing, the dragon. She got to him on the side of his free arm.
"You okay there, partner?" she asked.
Spike chuckled.
"Yea. Think you can help me up? I can't breath with them on me."
"Sure, Spike. Come on now."
"Humph" He made the sound before looking into her eyes, "I'm home.
Applejack blinked for a moment before smiling again.
"Welcome home, Spike."
She reached out her hoof to Spike. He smiled and grabbed her hoof.