Chapter Two
“Hard Feelings”
Twilight and Spike walked down the stony road into the town. Pegasus ponies flew over their heads, racing. However, none of them were as fast as the amazing Rainbow Dash. But, instead of trying to beat the other Pegasi, she was found lounging on a low-flying cloud. Twilight approached her.
“Good day, Rainbow Dash,” she said sighing. “And a beautiful day it is! Did you get up early to clear all the clouds?”
“Nah,” replied Rainbow Dash opening her hot pink eyes to look at the purple unicorn. “C’mon, Twi…you know I can clear the sky in ten seconds flat. Why would I need to get up early to do that? Seriously!” She smiled and closed her eyes again, lazily putting her hooves behind her head.
Twilight smiled a little and rolled her eyes.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash, guess what?!” said Spike excitedly.
“What?” yawned the blue Pegasus.
“Princess Celestia has invited me to attend a new school just for dragons in Fillydelphia! Isn’t that awesome?!”
“Woah!” said Rainbow Dash sitting up and looking down at the purple dragon. “That’s pretty cool, Spike! Come on! We should go tell the others! They’re all meeting at that restaurant down the street.” She pointed with her hoof. Spike peered at it.
“Yes! I love that place!” said Spike jumping up and down.
“Why?” Twilight asked confused. “You’ve never even eaten there. Spike pointed with a clawed finger.
“Look at the sign! It says, ‘We also serve emeralds, rubies, and turquoises to gemetarian diners.’ I’m SO there!” In an instant, Spike was running down the street toward the building.
Twilight sighed and her ears drooped.
“Yo, Twi!” said Rainbow Dash floating down the street on her cloud. “You okay?”
“Uh…sure I’m just…fine,” replied Twilight trying to smile. “I’ve just been…doing double work all day and I’m a bit exhausted. We…should join Spike. I’m sort of craving a grass sandwich.”
“Me too!” said Rainbow Dash leaping off her cloud and flying off. “Let’s go!” Twilight sighed and walked slowly.
I’m still trying to process this turn of events, Twilight thought. How can I just let Spike leave? I can’t be selfish…and I want him to be happy, but how can I just let him go?! She hated the situation. It tore up her heart having these conflicting emotions. She wondered what a real friend would do at this point. She came to the conclusion she somehow had to put her feelings aside and let Spike go. It wouldn’t be fair to him if she asked him to stay with her, even though she couldn’t imagine life without her best friend there by her side. Oh…it’ll be fine, she told herself. It seems weird now, but it will all work out for the better. Then, she ran off to join the others, a little more optimistic than before. As she approached the restaurant, she spotted Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash crowding around Spike as he told them he had a special surprise.
“Hey, Twilight! What took you so long?” said Spike grinning at her.
“Hi, Twilight!” chanted the other ponies.
“A surprise?! A surprise?! What’s the big surprise?! I LOVE surprises! TELL-ME TELL-ME TELL-ME TELL-ME!” Pinkie Pie jumped around Twilight with a big grin on her face. She blinked her wide blue eyes in Twilight’s face, annoying the tar out of her.
“You want me to tell ‘em?!” said Rainbow Dash.
“Uhh…Pinkie…Dash…I think it’s more appropriate if Spike shares the surprise with the rest of you,” Twilight replied. Though I would rather he didn’t tell them right now! It’s too soon! Can’t he think it over first?! she thought.
“Okie Dokie Lokie!” said Pinkie Pie. She jumped over to Spike and grinned at him; her blue eyes were about two inches from his face.
“Woah, Pinkie!” he said laughing. “Just hold on a second!”
“Oh, Spike, darling, don’t keep her waiting too long! You know how Pinkie is about surprises,” said Rarity chuckling slightly.
“D-d-darling?!” Spike muttered, blushing as he gazed up at the beautiful white pony with indigo hair standing before him with hearts in his eyes.
“Woah now, everypony,” said Applejack. “Enough with all this yappin’…just what in tarnation is this news?!”
“Well…” said Spike clearing his throat. He opened his mouth to speak.
“UH! Spike…why don’t we uhh…go into the restaurant and find a table for us all to sit at first? Then you can tell them!” Twilight pinned her ears back sheepishly and smiled. The others glared at her.
“AH! Ponyfeathers...” muttered Applejack as she pushed the door to the restaurant open. All the ponies flocked in.
“What the heck, Twilight?!” said Spike annoyed with her.
“I simply want the moment to be…special…” Twilight grinned sheepishly. Or maybe I can stall as long as I can as to avoid the topic. He should spend time thinking it over himself first without making the decision so quickly! Why does he have to bring it up NOW?! Her thoughts came through to the look on her face.
“Are you trying to avoid the conversation for some reason?” asked Spike suspiciously.
“Well…I…I…” she didn’t want to lie. “Oh, never mind…let’s join our friends…they’re leaving us.” Twilight followed the other fillies as a waitress seated them in a long, circular booth and put a basket of rolls on the table.
“Quaint little diner,” Rarity commented. “Not the most sophisticated eatery here…that’s for sure.”
“Oh, c’mon Rarity…lighten up a little,” said Applejack. “Here they serve the good ‘ol comfort food that Granny Smith used to make…the greasy fried stuff MmmMmmm…it’s hoof-lickin’ good.”
“Greasy?! Fried?!” Rarity squealed. “Oh, no…not for me. Anything that high in carbs is just going to accumulate on my flanks!”
“You…you’d…still be the most beautiful creature in Equestria…” squeaked Spike turning red as he scooted in next to her.
“Oh…thank you, Spike. You’re so sweet. Now please don’t keep us waiting any longer! Out with your little secret!” Rarity said after the other ponies were seated and the drinks were ordered.
“What?! What secret are we talking about…? I don’t…keep any secrets…especially from you. Hahaha…” Spike turned redder and slid down in his seat, trying to hide behind the table.
“Uhh…she means the surprise, Spike…” whispered Twilight, nudging him.
“Oh! Haha…” said the purple or…red dragon sitting back up. “Well…today I got a letter from Princess Celestia. She has invited me to go to a school just for dragons in Fillydelphia! I was really surprised when I got the invitation…and…I think I’m going to except it! The new semester starts next week.” All the ponies were excited about the news.
“Wow, Spike…that’s so exciting. I’m jealous…I would love to go visit a dragon school…with baby dragons like you everywhere learning! I’d make so many friends,” Fluttershy squeaked.
“That is quite the surprise! That school should be absolutely sophisticated,” Rarity commented. “I can just see you in a nice studious little outfit too.”
“That’s pretty darn excitin’, Spike!” said Applejack. “I’m tellin’ ya though…those city people are pretty darn stuffy. Watch out for them!”
“….that was too boring of a surprise,” said Pinkie Pie glaring at Spike. “You should of at least had some decorations exploding! That makes everything spectacular!” She pulled a hoof-full of confetti out of nowhere and tossed it in the air and blew on a noisemaker. “Yay! Spike’s going to dragon school, everypony! This calls for a PARTY! Hey, Twilight! We should have it at your house!”
“Hey! That’s a great idea…!” Spike began to say before Twilight shoved a roll in his mouth.
“Haha…I’m afraid a party simply won’t be possible,” said Twilight faking a giant grin. “Spike has to prepare for this big move in such a short amount of time!”
“A move?!” said Rainbow Dash. “Woah, dude! You didn’t mention a move!” Spike glared at Twilight and swallowed the roll.
“Well…yeah…that’s the catch,” replied Spike. “I’m going to have to live close to the school in Fillydelphia.”
“Aw…Spike won’t be around anymore?!” Pinkie Pie pouted. “Who’s going to play piano for me when I break out into my awesome songs?!”
“Or help me learn cool things about baby dragons?” said Fluttershy.
“Or help me with the work around my house?” said Rarity.
“Or just be there for me…like he always has been,” muttered Twilight rolling her eyes. She was annoyed that none of the other ponies were thinking about how this was going to change her life!
“We’ll sure all miss you somethin’ terrible, Spike,” said Applejack.
“Darling, we simply can’t stand the thought of you leaving,” said Rarity smiling at Spike.
“Aw…shucks…you guys,” said Spike blushing. “You don’t really mean that!”
“It’s true, Sugar Cube,” said Applejack. “Trust me…I’ve lived in the city and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Maybe you should stay here!”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” said Twilight. “Spike should jump on an opportunity like this…even if it means a little change. It’s what’s best for him.” She faked another smile.
“She is right…as usual,” said Spike. “I’ve decided to go…even though I’m going to miss you all!” The waitress came back with the drinks. Rainbow Dash picked up her drink and raised it high.
“To Spike…our awesome little buddy…always…no matter where in Equestria he is!”
“TO SPIKE!” all the ponies chanted.
After a delicious lunch at the diner, the friends left the restaurant with mostly positive attitudes.
“Oh, Spike…” said Rarity. “You bend over backwards for me…you’re such a little gentlemen. I’m sure you’ll do just fine at your school.”
“I’ll…I’ll miss you so much, Beautiful One,” said Spike floating in the air with hearts surrounding him.
“Ahem…Spike we’d better head home!” said Twilight interrupting them. “Remember I still have a lot of studying to catch up on. I need my number one assistant!”
“Oh…who’s that?” said Spike still in a daze because of the gorgeous Rarity.
“Um…YOU!” said Twilight annoyed. “Come on!”
“Uh…you go ahead, Twi…I’ll catch up,” said the dragon. Twilight rolled her eyes starting to walk way. In the background Twilight heard Spike say, “Rarity…I’ll come back to visit all the time…but really…I’d come back just to visit you…and help you with whatever you needed help with.” Twilight practically stopped in her tracks. Spike would come back to see Rarity…but not her….his best friend?! She felt betrayed.
I thought we were best friends…but maybe he really doesn’t care about me at all. Maybe this change is for the better. She turned back to look resentfully at Spike. Fine…I won’t miss you either. Just leave…and never come back! See if I care! Twilight’s angry thoughts and feelings burned inside her as she walked the streets of Ponyville alone…furious…and hurt.
TO BE CONTINUED…