//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Of Ponies and Dragons // by Jeckard Cain //------------------------------// It is just another day at Twilight Sparkle's tree house, the sun is shining and she is doing what she usually does on days she isn't with her friends. She is looking through her library for a very specific book and she finds it, How to bake the perfect Cake, "I knew I had this somewhere, I've got to get it to Pinkie for the Hearts and Hooves day celebration!" she exclaims. As she continues to page through the book Spike comes in through the door, "Well," he starts "I finally figured out what I'm going to do for Hearts and Hooves Day!" he walks over to Twilight folding his hands and hearts appear in his eyes. "I'm going to ask Rarity to be my Special Somepony." Twilight is still looking through her book and doesn't notice what he says at first, "That's wonderful Spike, could you grab my saddleba- WHAT!?" She turns suddenly dropping her book and looking at Spike who is still lovestruck. "Spike." she says while shaking him. He shakes his head and snaps out of it "What is it Twilight? I thought you out of anypony would like my idea." He looks disappointed "Come on Spike, I think we need to talk." she says as she walks with him out of the tree house.Twilight and Spike are sitting in a field nearby Fluttershy's house under a tree. "Spike, are you sure you want to do this?" Twilight asks him. "Of course I am, I've always had a crush on Rarity and this is my chance to finally show her how mature I am." he explains while puffing his chest up and smiling. "Spike," She starts, "Ya Twilight? Got any Advice for me?" Spike asks. "...I don't know how to put this exactly, but," she stops, "what is it" Spike looks at her quizzically. Twilight continues " Spike, I don't think you should ask Rarity that." "Now wait just a minute" Spike starts to raise his voice but Twilight hushes him "Spike, I know that you really like Rarity, but, she only sees you as a friend, do you understand?" Spike scratches his head and blinks at Twilight before shrugging. Twilight sighs and begins "Spike, don't you notice how anytime you and Rarity meet she only says you're cuddly or treats you like a child?" "Well duh Twilight, it's because she likes me that she's always so nice to me...isn't it?" Spike asks suddenly with a worried look. Twilight continues "I'm sorry Spike, but she only sees you as a sort of little brother to treat nicely and only be friends with. So she will always be your friend but she will definitely say no if you ask her to be your special somepony, plus she will probably stop wanting to be around you for a while." "So what you're saying, is that she will say no, no matter what, because I'm like a little kid to her?" "Sorry Spike, but I can tell you if you don't ask her and just forget about, it she will still be your friend for sure." "Oh," Spike turns away from Twilight as tears begin to form in his eyes. Twilight takes notice of the immediate silence, "Spike, I know this is hard to hear but-" She is cut short by Spike exclaiming "I'm fine Twilight, see ya!" He runs off without another word. Twilight gets up from the tree and is about to go after him, when Rarity suddenly approaches her, "Hello Twilight! I've been searching everywhere for you. Have you been here the whole time by yourself?" Twilight looks again in the direction Spike went but he is out of view already. A hoof waves in front of Twilight before she notices Rarity and snaps out of it, "Oh, yes, I was here with Spike but he just left." "I see, where to?" she asks tilting her head. Twilight, unsure of herself responds "I'm...not sure, hey could we walk and talk, what did you need?" Rarity beams, "I just finished designing this new dress and I think you would absolutely LOVE it, I wanted you to be the first to see it" Twilight forces a small smile "Thank you Rarity, I appreciate that very much." "Not a problem," Rarity suddenly looked nervous "Oh, what if you don't like it though, maybe I should make some small adjustments first then get you later, no no, I already asked ohhh." Wracked with indecision Twilight decides to make her move and ask Rarity a question. "So Rarity," Twilight begins, "What do you think of Spike? Not just your general opinion, I mean, what do you really see him as?" Rarity looks very puzzled then answers "Well I suppose I see him as my very good friend, I mean, other than that one time he started turning into a very large dragon and he almost confessed his feelings to me. That was a very strange day. I really do only see him as a friend though, he and I just aren't meant to be, we're too different." As they walk Twilight notices a small Spike shaped shadow in the alley, as soon as she does though, it disappears.