//------------------------------//
// "This is getting ridiculous!" 
// Story: Friendzone ain't magic 
// by Marshall_Evergreen 
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	Spike had been so hopeful as he had stepped up to Rarity's door four nights ago. Heart pounding in his ears, he had rang the doorbell to declare his arrival. Adjusting his tie he'd waited nervously, rocking backwards and forwards on his feet, until she answered the call.

The next few moments had gone in a blur. She'd looked at him with care and almost pity as she politely declined his love. He'd stood there a moment, suffocating on the bitter taste of rejection, trying furiously to swallow the lump in his throat. He'd sniffed and chuckled, not quite able to respond, before nodding and stepping back.

"You know I'll always love you as a friend, Spikey-wikey." She'd said softly, but it hadn't helped. In fact it just seemed to make it worse.

The sensations that followed were almost too much to bear. First, there had been the sorrow and exquisite remorse. That had been quickly replaced with deep, unbridled rage. How could she have betrayed him? After all he'd done for her! Wasn't he good enough?

Then, his anger subsided, pushed aside by guilt. He loved Rarity too much to blame her, surely his misinterpretations of her actions play part in his current misery. How could he have been so stupid to fall for her? But at the same time, he was happy to have met someone like her. In short, it was all a darn mess, with no solution that allowed both parties peace and ease. Unless he could...get over her...

All the while, Twilight had been worried about him (as usual). It was all rather pitiful really. She'd always said He and Rarity would never work out, so now that it was over, what should she feel? Proud, that once again her intuitive nature had allowed her to correctly predict the future? Or should she feel sorry for him, but also guilty that she may have coaxed his doubts into being? Or should she do what any good friend would? Be brutally honest. Sympathize for a day or two but expect him to get over it.

Of course, she didn't hold anything against Rarity; she had been true to her heart and that was all that was asked. Really it was now all on Spike to get over it. She just hoped he wouldn't get up to anything stupid.



Spike however, was way ahead of her. 

He was currently sitting at a table in the corner of Ponyville's resident pub. Well I say sitting, but I mean slouched over the table, arms splayed out over the surface with empty can, upon empty can of Root beer stacked and scattered sloppily all across the floor and general area. Spike himself, of course, had passed out hours ago, drained from his latest sugar high. But this scenario was already common in the tavern, so the derogatory term of 'sitting' was largely accepted in this instance.

Applejack, starred at him intently from behind the bar. It was a shame really. Such a handsome and caring young fellow and yet he chooses to wilt away in a pub. He wasn't even 20 and already giving up on life. She rested her head on her hoof before sighing and turning away.

Applejack had recently started working in the bar to score a couple extra Bits for the farm. This meant she'd also been there the past four nights that Spike had come to sit, drink and cry.

One night was understandable. Two was for good measure. Three, well that's great for business. But four! Now that's just pathetic. 

Of course she didn't mean to think of Spike in this way. He was good, kind and generous, always putting others before himself. But it did seem that whenever he got hurt, he took it hard. Maybe it was just the frustration and tension of his duties that added to his emotions. That or hormones...

Darn hormones.

Spike had gone through some pretty definitive changes these past years anyway. He'd began to mature physically and was, if anything, very intelligent. But he was still innocent; a child at heart. His crush on Rarity had been the one childhood trait he'd kept. Once that went...who was he supposed to be? What was his purpose?

Celestia, it was like the CMC all over again...

At that moment, Discord and Soarin come through the saloon style double doors. They both scanned the room over, looking as though they'd misplaced something. Applejack merely rolled her eyes and spoke up, seizing their attention.

"He's in the corner fellas." She said, jerking her head to indicate the direction.

They nodded and started waking over as AJ called after them,"And I don't want any messes!"

At this Discord turned, a smug smile etched across his face. 

"If that were true, my dear Applejack, you would have kicked Spike out days ago."

At that, he snapped his fingers, summoning a black board. He chuckled deviously as he added a point to the tally chart that read;

Discord, 37
Applejack, 0

He struck a victorious pose as a crowd of disembodied hands sounded his praise and applause, before a crown was placed on his head, boasting his dominance as 'Turn down for what' blasted though hidden speakers. With an audible 'pop', the hands, blackboard and crown were gone. Discord once again had his back turned to the mare, though his faced had turned 180 degrees so he could stick out his tongue at her. 

In his mind, Applejack and Twilight shared the prize for best pony to tease.

Applejack scowled and turned back her work.

 'I have a good mind to chuck you and yer posse out. Flippin' intolerable. Don't get what Fluttershy sees in him.' She thought angrily.

Meanwhile, the squad had reached Spike, who was gurgling something to himself. Soarin appeared to be distraught by this while Discord rolled his eyes.

"I was pretty 'on-point' with Spike being a mess," Discord said with a tone of disgust, as he reached out both his arms to frame the spectacle, "this is getting ridiculous!"

Soarin merely nodded, "Bummer, bro."

Discord produced a blow horn blasting it into Spike's ear.

Spike yelled and nearly leaped off of his chair, catching himself on the back legs of the chair as his arms flailed wildly trying to balance himself. He was too tired of course and simply crashed to the floor. He lay there for a moment, before opening his eyes a little bit. He shut them just as quick, due to what he saw. It was Discord and Soarin leaning over him, looks on concern on their faces. Well, more of a sly grin from Discord, but he was probably deeply troubled by the whole situation. He was like another Pinkie Pie, just with a bigger temper.

"Como estas?" Discord cried with glee.

Spike, merely growled allowing a cloud of smoke to escape as he snorted his response.

"C'mon dude, you've been here for days!" Soarin offered, in tone that was just slightly whiny.

Spike looked up with a stern expression cut across his sharp face. Then he started to pick himself up. Slowly. 

Very.

Slowly.

It seemed to take enormous effort just to pick himself up, before he came crashing back down on his chair, trying to relax somewhat.

They waited patiently before Spike spoke up.

"What?" He asked drily.

His voice sounded like the grinding of nails echoing from the back of his throat. There were clear bags underneath his eyes. Indeed, even to Spike, his voice sounded alien. Like something you'd expect from someone just waking up...oh wait, that was him. He snorted again, in clear annoyance.

"Well..." Soarin trailed off, trying to find a way to break it to Spike without causing more damage.

Thankfully, Discord was there to pick up the slack.

"You've been cooped up in here far too long. You look dreadful! Have you no self respect? Or did Rarity take that along with all of your pride?"

Soarin winced, Applejack dropped the glass she'd been holding and gasped. They all looked at Spike, waiting for a response.

Now Soarin wasn't an expert, but he was pretty sure that getting on a dragon's bad side was about as stupid walking through a forest fire. Both of which Discord did on a regular basis.

Spike didn't even blink. He chuckled lightly, but still wore the stern expression across his face.

"Another Root beer AJ..." He said coolly.

"But Spike..."

"ANOTHER DRINK! HEAVY ON THE ICE!"

Discord and Soarin appeared to have been slapped across the face. AJ didn't take crap from anyone, but she seemed at the utter mercy of Spike. Without another word, she came over with her head low, hat covering her eyes. She threw the mug down on the table, and the spare change.

"Take yer dang drink, ya varmint." Applejack mumbled under her breath. But it hurt; it hurt to say it.

Everyone heard it of course. Spike's eyes widened momentarily and he felt something throb in his chest. He looked as though he was about to bite back, but something stopped him. Discord and Soarin merely looked from one to the next and then back. Spike starring absent-mindedly into his drink as AJ sniffed and wiped her eyes, trying to mind her own business while stealing glances at Spike. Was she crying? Collateral damage really was the worst. 

They just didn't know what to say.

Discord broke the silence, not wanting to continue walking on tender territory. The Lord of Chaos could toy with people and make their lives miserable, but the scope of his powers seemed to have nothing on Love and heartbreak. It was beautiful, how it could steal you then drop you, allowing your mind to cause the rest of the chaos on its own. A masterpiece of chaos by nature's design. But he stopped himself from saying anything like this; he was confident that it wouldn't be appreciated.

He looked directly at Spike, then walked to the bar and came back with three separate pints of drink.

"How about a drink?"

Spike looked up at the smiling draconequus with doubt.

"I already have one." He said. By this time his voice had returned to him.

"Ahh, not one like this."

Spike raised an eyebrow.

"allow me to explain. This my friend is a speciality: Sweet Apple Cider!"

Spike scoffed, "Had it."

"Alcoholic kind?"

Spike paused. Discord smiled smugly, knowing he'd grabbed his attention. Soarin sat back, watching how this would play out.

"N...no." Spike grumbled.

"Fantastic, drinks all around boys!"

"No thanks, my body's a temple."

Discord sneered, "Oh puh-leasssee. You know I can't believe that!"

"But Twilight..."

"Just drink it." Discord growled assertively.

Spike gave in and grabbed the mug and began to drink. Discord's smile had returned as Soarin looked on in awe. Spike...was drinking?
Discord held Soarin by the shoulder before laughing.

"Hold onto your goggles Wonderbolt, this night is gonna get crazy!"

When Spike lifted his head up, he had the largest smile in the world, his eyes, wide and shining. He felt as though he'd just drank an entire bottle of luck and was now without a care in the world. He giggled, then turned to look at Discord who laughed again.

AJ looked over to the group who were now singing 'Don't worry, be happy' at the top of their lungs. She sighed again. 

It was gonna be a long night.