Enkindled Hearts
By The Rated Ponystar
Formerly edited by: Adjudicator
Edited by: Mr.Minimii and ugugg93
***
Despite loving Ponyville more, Spike always considered Canterlot his home. It was the biggest city in Equestria, had the biggest population, the biggest trade, and the biggest tourist attraction. But what was bigger than any of it was the rumor mill. Everypony from the rich to the poor spread the news of the latest gossip like wildfire to the point where everypony knew every rumor within twenty-four hours from who was sleeping with who to what was the the latest drunken scandel. However, the one piece of news that everypony was talking about was the future wedding of Fancy Pants, the most important pony in Canterlot, and his future bride to be Rarity Belle, one of the fastest rising stars in fashion design and the Element of Generosity to boot. Even more amazing was that the wedding and reception was going to take place at the palace itself with the new Princess Twilight unifying them.
Everypony who was anypony was in a frenzy either trying to get into the good graces of the hosts to get an invitation, or to offer their services in the hopes of increasing their own social stature. While no royal wedding, Fancy Pants was one of the richest and most powerful nobles in the land, second only to the Bluebloods—who had been outraged to learn they had been banned from coming—and to be involved in such a ceremony would do wonders for their reputations. Professional wedding planners from all across the country and even other nations around the world had offered their services, but to their surprise Rarity had only two individuals in her mind to help plan her perfect day.
Of course, the first was Pinkie Pie who was taking care of the reception party. While some recalled her actions at a previous Grand Galloping Gala, quickly returning their invitations in response, others remembered her services during the wedding of the rulers of the new Crystal Empire and decided to not complain. Not to mention she was an Element of Harmony herself, so nopony was going to say to one of main defenses of Equestria against chaos and darkness the word ‘no’.
The real complaints were for the second individual, Spike. He wasn’t at all surprised at their outrage that a “beast” was going to be taking part in the creation of the biggest wedding since Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. He had dealt with it when he was made Twilight’s personal assistant when he was a baby, and when he became her Head Scribe in court. Despite having been born in Equestria, lived in Equestria, educated in Equestria, and even saving the Crystal Empire where he had been knighted at the age of sixteen, the youngest age one could be knighted, there were still those narrow minded individuals who saw nothing more than a dragon who could breathe fire and wanted nothing more than to bite their heads off.
And there were a few times Spike wished he could give into the temptation.
Truth be told, Spike wanted to plan the wedding ceremony. Not just because Rarity and Fancy Pants were his friends, but it was also for personal closure. He would be lying if he didn’t feel a hint of hurt when Rarity announced she was getting married, despite knowing there would be nothing between them. Yet, he still felt he needed to show to her, and himself, that it was all in the past, and give his blessing by giving her the best wedding she would ever have.
Some of those narrow-minded guests argued about his admittance—never mind his participation of planning the thing—but they were quickly silenced by the actions of the future bride and groom as well as Princess Twilight Sparkle. And nopony, unless they had a social death wish, would go against a princess.
It really does pay to have friends in high places, thought Spike as he watched his assistants put up the white ribbons on the columns of the throne room. The wedding was taking place in one of the ballrooms of the castle in less than a week, and there was still so much left to do. Looking over his checklist, he walked over to the altar where the florists were arranging the yellow and white flowers that would stay preserved thanks to a few nifty spells.
“Mr. Spike?” a unicorn ask as he rushed in from the right, a letter grasped in his magic. Giving it to Spike, he said, “The orchestra we’ve hired says that their pianist is sick with a stomach flu. The doctors say he’ll be out for at least two weeks.”
“Well, great, now where are we gonna get music for the event?” mumbled Spike, cursing his luck.
He didn’t notice one of the guards had walked towards him and clear his throat. “Head Scriber? There is a mare here to speak to you.”
“Not now, I’m dealing with three problems at once; we still need a hundred more cushions for the guests, the suits for the groomsponies had to be sent back for refitting, and I have no music! What else could go wrong?!” shouted Spike.
“Sir? We’re out of coffee!” alerted another employee.
“Oh, please tell me I did not just hear that...” growled Spike, smoke coming out of his nostrils, causing the others to step back a bit. “If anypony expects me to do this without a cup of joe, I will probably end up burning this castle to the ground!”
“Um, should I tell the Element of Kindness that you are busy then?” asked the guard, nervously. Trained soldier or not, nopony liked to be near an angry dragon.
“Fluttershy?! She’s here?!” shouted Spike as an idea came to his head. “No, I’ll go see her. Regal, you take over for now, I’ll be back in two shakes of a tail.”
Spike followed the guard towards the exit of the ballroom where Fluttershy was waiting for him, nervously looking at the guards that had accompanied her. However, as soon as she saw Spike, she smiled and the two quickly hugged. Spike sighed, it had been at least a week since they had a chance to talk, and he missed her. After dismissing the guards, the two walked over to a nearby balcony and looked down upon the entire city of Canterlot in silence, letting the wind blow against their faces.
Spike took a deep breath and let it out. “I really needed a break, I’ve been driving myself crazy the past few days.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t be overworking yourself,” warned Fluttershy, pawing her hoof on the floor. “I know you want to work hard for Rarity and Fancy Pants, but I know they wouldn’t want you to work yourself to death.”
“Yeah, I know,” said Spike, leaning his arms against the balcony. “I just want to do this really well, you know? A lot of ponies are expecting me to fail so I want to prove them wrong. I want to show them that I am not some ‘dumb beast’ but a ‘noble dragon’.”
“I think you’re already a noble dragon,” comforted Fluttershy, placing a wing over his shoulder.
Spike blushed and nodded. “Thanks. By the way, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, I came to check up on you. Twilight told me you were getting a bit stressed, so I thought I could come up to Canterlot to see if I could help you,” answered Fluttershy with a wide smile.
Spike raised his eyebrows. “All by yourself? You never like heading into the city on your own.”
Hiding behind her mane, Fluttershy replied, “W-well... I-I-I really... m-missed you. And I really wanted to h-help.”
Nodding, Spike then asked, “Well, you're arrived just in time. The orchestra I had hired had to drop out, so I’m left without music. Do you think your birds can work another wedding like they had with Cadance’s and Shining’s?”
“Oh, I’m sure they would love to! The new birds I have are children of the last ones that sung at that wedding, and I think they would be honored.” The joyful look on Fluttershy’s face quickly washed away any worry that Spike had in his mind. If there was one thing he liked most about Fluttershy, it was the fact that her smile could make you feel better instantly. It was like Pinkie Pie’s, except while Pinkie can make you happy, Fluttershy could make you feel relaxed and at peace.
“Thanks, Fluttershy. I’ll make it up to you,” replied Spike.
“You don’t have to...”
“No, I do!” said Spike as he rubbed his chin, trying to think of how to repay one of his best friends. Then an idea came to him of where he could take Fluttershy. “I have an idea, but I have to ask if you're okay going to a loud environment with dancing and drinking? Do you mind going to a club?”
“Oh my,” muttered Fluttershy, stepping back a bit, causing Spike to regret his idea. But she then sighed and she nodded. “I... have been going to a few clubs... with Rarity.”
“Great! I can show you some of my friends there. They’ll really like you,” said Spike as the two of them guided them back inside. “Where are you staying? In the palace suites like last time?”
“Oh, yes. I would have been fine with a regular hotel, but Twilight insisted.”
“Okay, it’s a date then! I’ll pick you up at seven!” said Spike, smiling as he turned away to get back to work. However, he left Fluttershy beat red and sputtering to herself as she try to comprehend what she had heard.
The word “date.”
***
Date.
She was going on a date.
She was going on a date!
Or maybe he didn’t mean ‘date’ date, just... date as in an event the two were going to attend. Maybe he was just using a simple term that she had heard so often. And if so, why did that make her feel worse? Fluttershy continued to ponder as she walked back and forth in her room, an action she had done for about four hours. She knew her imagination was going wild, but she had to admit that she truly desired it to be a real date.
Ever since she had come to terms with her feelings for Spike, Fluttershy had done everything she could to try and spend as much time with him as possible. Not just because she loved being in his company, but also to see how he felt about her. He obviously cared for her, and she could feel a bond growing between them that she had not felt in her entire life; one that she didn’t even share with Rainbow Dash and her other friends.
Spike was someone she longed to be with, the first in her entire life. Rarity often told Fluttershy that she knew Fancy was the pony for her because she couldn’t imagine a single day without him. It was a state of happiness that Fluttershy felt the same way whenever she was with Spike. Ever since he came to her house, crying over learning his crush was nothing more than a dream, they had been together as much as possible. She thought about him everyday, even when he was working at the castle. In return, he would try to visit Ponyville with any free time he had, even if just to see her for ten minutes.
Their friendship had evolved, but she didn’t know if Spike saw it the same way she did. She would, dare she even say it, move to Canterlot just to hang out with him more.
Sighing, Fluttershy stopped her trotting and flopped onto her bed, looking up at the ceiling. I have to tell him... but... I’m so scared... what if he rejects me?
She knew all her friends would tell her to go out and tell him, and maybe this was her chance. They would be going to a club, a place where couples tended to relax and have fun, and it may help her relax better to the point where she could tell him that she loved-
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts as she looked at her clock and gasped. “J-just a minute!”
Wishing she had a chance to make herself look proper, Fluttershy flew to the door and opened it, revealing Spike with a smile on his face. “Hey, Shy, ready to go?”
“Um, yes,” answered Fluttershy as she followed the handsome drake, closing the door behind her.
You can do this, Fluttershy, you can do this!
***
Spike was nervous at first about the idea of bringing Fluttershy of all ponies to his favorite club in Canterlot, but nevertheless he was gonna make sure that they enjoyed themselves. After landing down in front of the establishment, Spike waved his hand towards the club and said, “Welcome to The Drake’s Nest, and contrary to the name, it’s for all races, not just dragons... that is alright, right?”
“Oh, yes. As long as they’re not huge dragons the size of a building that can crush me in one stomp or swallow me whole,” said Fluttershy, shivering.
Spike laughed. “Nah, almost all the dragons that come here are about my size, maybe a bit smaller. Wyverns are also fond of this place, and they’re no bigger than a minotaur. Besides, the place is owned by a pony, so everything is cool.”
“O-okay,” muttered Fluttershy, walking right behind her dragon friend. She looked at the entrance which was designed very much like a real dragon’s cave, only it had lights and magical will-o-wisps around the entrance to give it that nightclub feeling. Not to mention the bass coming from inside was so loud that both friends could feel their spines tingle.
They reached the front door where a brown-furred minotaur gave a grin and slapped hands with Spike. “Spike, dude, I haven’t seen you in two weeks. Word on the street is you’re plannin’ that fancy weddin’ that’s been the talk around the city.”
“Well, for once the rumors are true. Both the bride and groom are my friends, so I’m doing it as a favor,” answered Spike.
“Sweet.” The minotaur then looked behind him to notice a shy pegasus hiding behind Spike’s back. “And who's this shy little thing?”
Shaking his head with a smile, Spike moved so that Fluttershy could be seen. “This is my good friend, Fluttershy. She’s a bit nervous since this is her first time coming here.”
“S-sorry,” whispered Fluttershy.
“Relax little thing, ain’t nothin’ to be scared of. You two head on inside and have a good time,” said the minotaur, stepping to the side and letting them in.
The two nodded their heads in thanks as they stepped inside. Spike welcomed the familiar sense of excitement and fun as he turned around, laughing at the sight of Fluttershy’s shocked expression. He couldn’t blame her; he could remember the size of the dance floor, lights going on and off at the bottom, while dancing to the tunes of the club’s DJ up on stage. The disco ball, lights, glow sticks going around while everypony was either shaking themselves up a sweat, drinking at the bar, or making out at the various tables spread across the outer walls.
The club looked like a real dragon cave, with stalactites, fake treasure glowing on the walls, and fake lava pools that were really fruit punch. Originally, the club was for dragons only, but over time it welcomed other races to join. Dragons, griffins, minotaurs, ponies, goats, and donkeys were all out having a good time. He nudged Fluttershy and yelled, “What do you think?!”
“What?!” shouted Fluttershy, rubbing her ears.
“I said what do you think?!”
“Oh! It looks great!” replied Fluttershy with a rare look of excitement on her face.
Spike was about to ask her what she wanted to do when he spotted a few familiar faces at the bar. Grinning, he pointed in the direction and said, “A few friends of mine are here! Want to meet them?!”
“Oh, are you sure they’ll like me?!” asked Fluttershy, shivering.
“Relax, they’re cool, and they’re bound to love you!” answered Spike, taking Fluttershy by the shoulder and guiding her to the bar.
They soon arrived next to a group consisting of a blue and silver drake about Spike’s height, a red and yellow dragoness just a bit shorter with really big wings, a donkey with tattoos on his head, and two ponies she quickly recognized as Vinyl Scratch and Octavia; both of which she knew only by reputation as the top musicians of their respective brands.
Among seeing them, the group quickly embraced Spike as if he was family, leaving Fluttershy to watch in the background. After a few quick high fives and small talk, Spike quickly came back to Fluttershy and brought her front and center, which only made her squirm a bit upon seeing every eye on her.
“Alright, guys allow me to introduce Fluttershy. She’s one of my best friends back in Ponyville,” said Spike, putting an arm around her shoulder. “Fluttershy, these are my friends in Canterlot. This is Limestone, he’s a miner that works in the crystal caves Twilight found a few years ago.”
The blue and silver drake raised his claw in a two finger salute. “Hey there.”
“That’s Ruby, she’s studying physics at a local college.”
The dragoness raised the drink in her claw. “Nice to meet you. Any friend of Spike is a friend of mine.”
“Ulysses E. Finster is a bouncer for hire at a few nightclubs such as this one. Don’t let the size fool you, I’ve seen him throw out people twice his size,” warned Spike.
“Call me U-E, everypony does,” said the donkey, giving a wink.
“And this is Vinyl Scratch, aka DJ Pon-3, one of the best DJ’s in Canterlot.”
“Uh, one of the best DJ’s in the whole fricken world, bro!” proclaimed Viny, as she wrapped her hoof around Octavia. “And this is my stuck up, but totally hot, wife, Octavia.”
“Vinyl, I can introduce myself thank you,” chided Octavia who walked over and shook her hooves with Fluttershy. “I must say, it’s an honor to speak with one of the Elements of Harmony. I’ve seen you and your friends a few times, but it’s nice to actually speak with the saviors of Equestria.”
“Oh, I just helped out a bit. Nothing special,” replied Fluttershy, nervously poking her hooves together.
“Don’t kid yourself, Fluttershy. Twilight and the others couldn’t have done it all without you,” said Spike, making Fluttershy’s blush turn even redder.
“Hey, Spike, since you brought a newbie, you know she has to go through the initiation, right?” said a grinning Ruby, the rest of the gang nodding their heads in agreement.
“Aw, come on guys. Can’t we let it off this once?” chuckled Spike, shaking his head.
“You know the rules, bro. First comers got to get first served,” said Limestone as he turned to the barkeeper and shouted, “Yo, Mixture! Seven Blast Off’s!”
Fluttershy nervously raised her hoof. “Um, excuse me? What initiation is this?”
Spike rubbed the back of his neck, cursing that he forgot this when bringing her to meet the guys. The initiation wasn’t bad; far from it. The only problem was that he didn’t know how much of a lightweight Fluttershy was when it came to drinking. Before he knew it, seven vermilion drinks with limes in them were presented to the group who each took one except for Fluttershy who was staring at it with a tilted head.
“I’ve never seen a drink like that before,” said Fluttershy, taking it with her hooves.
“It’s a very hard drink, but it kicks you right into gear. It’s one drink we all share together, and anypony we bring with us has to join. Having one is alright if you can take it, although drink too much and you pass out just like Vinyl did in her first try,” chuckled Limestone.
The DJ pony groaned and pounded her head. “Don’t remind me. Octy here still has photos of me puking on the sound system.”
“No to mention kissing the rim of a toilet, and having a losing battle against a wall because you claimed it talked trash about your pet dog when you don’t even own one,” giggled Octavia, earning a smack against the shoulder.
“Oh, dear,” said Fluttershy, looking at the drink with wide eyes. “Sounds... potent.”
“You don’t have to drink with us, Fluttershy,” offered Spike, but Fluttershy shook her head.
“N-no, I don’t want to do that when it’s clearly important to you all.” Fluttershy nervously raised her glass. “Bottom’s up, I guess.”
The rest of them, including Spike, although hesitantly, raised their glasses and were about to drink...
“Well, looky here! It’s Spiky-Wikey and his Lonely Brainless Loser Band.”
The glass in Spike’s claw instantly broke. Ignoring the spilled contents all over him, he cursed whatever deity that decided to screw with him for having him in the club as well. He was ready to have a fun night with his friends, but, of course, he showed up to ruin everything. Turning around, Spike muttered the name of the one dragon he hated more than anyone else in the world.
Garble...