//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Number one Assistant has Return // Story: The Returning Dragon // by Raikiry //------------------------------// Spike was gasping for air as he fell to the ground by the library. "You win this time Rainbow, but next time I will definitely win!" Rainbow Dash playfully laughed at Spike, "You wish! I went easy on you, and I still beat you without breaking a sweat!" We'll see about that! Spike thought while getting up from where he was resting. Who am I kidding? Rainbow Dash is obviously faster, and the way she was doing tricks all around me, she must have been practicing a lot too. "Well, here we are! I can't wait to see Twilight again; I bet she will be so surprised to see me!" Spike said with renewed energy at the idea of seeing her again. Spike walked up to the door and gave it a strong knock. "Coming!" said a very familiar voice, followed by the sound of hooves walking down stairs. Gee, now that I think about it, I never did send Twilight any letters... I hope she's not mad at me, Spike thought. He started to get nervous as the hoof steps grew louder. I just really wanted it to NOT to end up like the last time I went off. She'll understand, right? The hooves stopped right in from of the door and it was beginning to open. I sure hope she's not mad! "Hello there... SPIKE!" Twilight eyes widen with surprise and a giant smile was plastered on her face. She rushed out the door and gave a large hug to the now equally sized dragon. Whew, looks like I dodged the bullet on this one, Spike thought as he returned Twilight's loving hug. "Twilight, you can't believe how glad I am to see you again!" he said as he tightened the hug a bit to emphasize his point. "It's good to see you too, Spike," Twilight said, pulling away from the embrace, "but would it have killed you to send me at least one letter?" Horsefeathers, I'm in for it now, he thought, cringing at the thought of getting a lecture of Twilight. "Well you see, I just didn't want-"Spike started to say before being interrupted. "I understand completely; it was your journey to be had and you didn't want any of us coming to help you." She said, indicating Rainbow Dash as well. "We were all worried about what you were up to, and Twilight may have tried asking Celestia about it once or twice." Rainbow Dash said accusingly towards Twilight. Twilight gave a slight glare towards Rainbow Dash. "Okay, fine! It may have been my idea, but I was just joking when I suggested it!" Rainbow Dash yelled, trying to defend herself. Spike laughed a bit before he said anything. "Well it is a good thing I told her not to tell you girls! She had me sending her letters constantly during my trip about what I had learned about growing up and being on my own." "By the way, Spike, where did you go? We've all been anxiously waiting to hear all about where you went and what it was like!" Twilight said guiding Spike and Rainbow Dash into the library. Spike had sat down at a table that had a few books scattered around it and glanced at a few of the titles. The Lucky Pony? By Nieghclos Sparks? Isn't that some romance novel? Spike thought as he started flipping through some of the book, but before he could start reading a purple glow took hold of the book and snapped it shut. "Hey, I was going to read that!" Spike yelled turning to Twilight who was hiding the book away. "This book?" Twlight said raising the book slightly with her magic, "you don't want to read this book its boring and... uh... look at this book here!" Twilight immediately pulled out a Daring Do book from one of the shelves and thrust it in Spikes face. "It just came out the other day! It is definitely more interesting than the other thing that is totally not interesting at all!" Twilight said, obviously not wanting the subject pushed any more. You win this time, Twilight, but I am still going to pester you about this later! Spike thought taking the Daring Do book in his claws, right before Rainbow snatched it from him. "A new Daring Do! I can't wait to read it!" Rainbow Dash squealed, and immediately began paging through the new book. Spike let out a heavy sigh. Looks like I won't be reading any time soon. "So Spike, tell us all about your trip!" Twilight said returning from stashing away the romance novel from curious dragon eyes. "Well, it wasn't really that interesting, but I'll be glad to satisfy your curiosity!" Spike said before clearing his throat. ************************************************************************ Spike was had just gotten off the train, and began walking down the dirt road. I don't know where I'm going, but I am sure I can do it alone. I'm a big dragon now, and I need to act like it! Spike thought as he began the long journey ahead of him. When suddenly, a trio of stallions wielding samurai swords leaped out from the side of the road, and started to approach the young dragon. "You will not escape us, dragon warrior! You will face your destiny and fight!" The largest of the three stallions yelled beginning an overhead swing towards Spike. ************************************************************************ "Whoa there, Spike! I do not believe that a group of samurai ponies would just suddenly attack you; claiming you to be some legendary dragon warrior." "Ah c'mon Twilight," Rainbow Dash said lying on the floor, "it was just getting good!" "Well I wanted to make it more interesting!" Spike said throwing his arms up in the air. Twilight shot Spike a glare. "You're no fun," Spike said, crossing his arms, "Fine; I'll tell you what really happened." ************************************************************************ Spike was just getting off the train at Dodge Junction, he walked up to the nearest pony he meet and asked, "I heard that there's a cherry farm around here that is always looking for help. Is that true?" "Why, yes it is! You just happened to bump into the right pony too, ma name is Cherry Jubilee." She said, turning around, "I am always looking for a... Dragon?" She said clearly not expecting Spike to be standing behind her. "That's great, because I'm a dragon!" Spike said, not noticing her surprise one bit. "Well, I guess you could come work at the cherry farm, though we normally only have pony folk," Cherry Jubilee said doubtingly. "Don't you worry Miss Jubilee, I'm a great worker!" Spike said jumping excitingly. "Alright, you can start tomorrow mornin'," Cherry Jubilee said turning back around, "follow me to the ranch, you can stay with us as long as ya need." Can you believe it? I am here for a few seconds and I already got work! Twilight would be so proud of me, Spike thought as he began to follow Cherry Jubilee towards Cherry Hill Ranch. ************************************************************************ "So you were at Dodge Junction this whole time?" Twilight asked. Spike responded, "Only for a year or so, just until I gathered up enough money to try and step it up a notch and moved into Manehattan!" ************************************************************************ "Whoa!" Was all Spike could say as he stepped of the train into the bustling city of Manehattan. ' This is completely different from Dodge Junction! All the buildings are ginormous, Spike thought as he started to wander into the city. "Say, you look awfully familiar," He heard a voice from beside him, "aren't ya from Ponyville or somthin'." "Well, I was, until I moved out on my own. My name's Spike!" He said offering his claw to the pony beside him. "Ma names Babs! Glad to meet ya, "She said, giving him a hoofshake. "Wait, you're related to Applejack right?" Spike said remembering her show up at the Summer Harvest Parade that one year. "You bet, and Applebloom, I am part of tha Cutie Mark Crusaders!" She said proudly pulling out her Cutie Mark Crusader cape. "Just don't tell them I'm here, it's a secret!" Spike said in a slightly hushed tone. "If you say so," Babs said giving a slight shrug, "You got a place to stay?" How lucky can I get? First I run right into Cherry Jubliee, now I run into one of Applejack's relatives. Spike thought, happily following Babs. ************************************************************************ "So then I ended up working for the Apple family the rest of the years," Spike said happily, "But then Babs was telling me all about her fun times at Ponyville the other month and I got really homesick," Spike admitted. "Well we are glad to have you back!" Rainbow Dash said, pulling Spike in for a hug, "Even if you didn't fight any samurai ponies." Twilight joined in the hug, "I am glad you got to spend some time on your own and mature." "Oh I almost forgot! I was going to send one last letter to Celestia about growing up!" Spike said hurryingly taking out a piece of parchment and a quill. Dear Princess Celestia, Today I returned back to Ponyville after being gone for 5 years, it really has been a long time. During this time I learned many lessons about growing up and living on my own, but today I learned a lesson about family. No matter how far you travel, or how much you grow; they will always be waiting for you to come back. Your faithful subject, Spike