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// Deleted Scene: Shot Down 
// Story: The Dragon Sage 
// by Dragon Sage 
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	Spike remembered the conversation he had with Twilight before helping Rarity. The vision he saw during his test was surely difficult to endure, but he took comfort knowing that Twilight would be there for him. But if he truly wanted Rarity, he knew he’d have to make a move before somepony else does. He continued to blush as his heart jumped up into his throat, cough nervously.

        “Is everything alright?” Rarity asked looking concerned.

        “I . . . uh, I was just wondering . . .” Spike said and gave another nervous cough.

        “Yes?” Rarity asked. She looked up at him with such beautiful eyes, he couldn’t help his heart from pounding. Now or never, he told himself and took a deep breath.

        “Well, I . . . I’m bigger now so . . . is there a chance you would want to . . . go out with me sometime?” he asked quickly and nearly shut his eyes. Rarity blinked and cocked her head to the side. Her surprise did not last long as she sighed and looked up at the blushing dragon.

        “Is this really the best time?” she said flatly.

        “Well, not now! I meant after this mess is all over. I just thought, well . . . I really like you and--”

        “--Spike,” she cut him off. “I’m so sorry dear, but you’re not the right one for me.” 

        Those words hung in the air and slowly circled his mind before wrapping around his chest and squeezing tightly. 

        “. . . and I’m not the right mare for you, either,” she added and offered a reassuring smile. 

        “What do you mean? You’re nice, you’re the most beautiful pony in Equestria, and you’re an element of harmony!” he said fighting back the squeezing sensation in his chest.

        “Spike, let me ask you something. Do you like fashion?” she asked and gestured to her manikins with her hoof. 

        “What? Well, yeah. I’ve helped you out here loads of times,” he replied.

        “Yes but do you really like it? Do you want to live in high society someday?”

        “Well, if that’s . . .” he stopped. He already knew where she was going to take this next, and it hurt to hear.

        “Spike, you’re only interested in those things because of me. If we were together, I’d drag you back and forth between ballrooms and manors and I know that isn’t where you want to be,” she said putting her hoof down.

        “How do you know that?” he asked challengingly.

        “Remember the Grand Galloping Gala? Where did you go then?” she countered.

        “. . . to Pony Joe’s,” he reluctantly replied.

        “Spike, your world and my world are different. That doesn’t mean we cannot get along well, but we both deserve people that love us not for what we are, but for who we are,” she said sweetly. The pressure in his chest continued to build as his hope slowly began to fade.

        “But . . . I do love you for who you are. I have since the first moment I saw you” he said, his voice breaking slightly. 

        “And why is that?” she asked.

        “Because . . . I thought you were the most beautiful mare I had ever seen,” he replied softly. He began breathing a little harder.

        “That’s it then. You fell for me because of how I looked before you even knew my name. I’m so sorry, my dear Spike, but someday you’ll understand that what you felt was not love. I used to feel the same way about a number of colts in the past. Every time I got to know more about them, I realized that in order to win their affections, I had to become somepony I wasn’t. I will not allow myself to do something so reckless, and I’ll be dashed if I let you do it for me.” She put a hoof up to his face and caressed it gently. He fought to find comfort in her touch, but it only made him feel worse. Rarity frowned as she noticed how her words tormented him.

        “I have to confess something as well, Spike,” she said and took a careful step back. “When you were young . . . well, before you went to Canterlot, I may have taken advantage of your feelings,” she said and looked down at the ground.

        “So you did know?” Spike said softly.

        “I thought that you had a silly crush on me, and I will not lie to you. It felt good to be admired. But I was reckless with your heart, and I’m so sorry for that,” she said and shied away from his eyes. He took a deep breath through his nose and let his lungs fill up completely before calmly letting himself settle and exhaling.

        “That’s alright, Rarity,” he said softly. “I couldn’t hold a grudge against anypony.”

        “So . . . you’ll forgive me?” she asked.

        “Of course. And I’m sorry I brought this up while we are about to go fight off some possessed ponies. I just thought that it would be better to say something before doing something dangerous, because who knows if I’ll be able to afterwards?” he said and gave a weak smile.

        “Well, you are very brave, Spike, and very wise indeed. You’re a very good friend to me, and you deserve a marefriend who can truly let you be yourself,” she said and patted his shoulders. 

        “Thanks Rarity. I guess I’ll meet you at the castle. I need to go speak to Knight Wing anyway,” he said and walked to the door. She thanked him again for his work and watched him walk slowly into the street, before taking off and soaring into the sky.