"Eh"
“I’m telling you miss: I do not trust that roof.”
Princess Celestia breathed slowly. “I do agree with you there, sir. Something indecent resonates from it.”
In the courtroom of the castle that resided in Canterlot, all ponies in the room stared up at the roof.
“Will a meteor crash through it? one mare asked.
“Or maybe a griffon will break through it – declaring war on us all!” another mare shouted.
“That,” one stallion began, “or if a shingle fell on that particular roof than all of the castles will collapse.” The room collectively gasped. Except for one Princess Celestia, whose hoof met her face in record time.
The Princess rubbed her eyes as if to rob them of black bags below. But it did nothing but make her wish she were asleep – or anywhere else but here.
As the room kept on proposing theories on what may occur with the roof, Celestia levitated her agenda before her. And sighed as she still had four more meetings to deal with. To make matters worse, both her supply of coffee and tea were depleted.
Today was a wonderful day for Celestia.
Celestia placed the paper down and found her courtroom in silence. No one dared move, nor squeak. Celestia inched forward to hear better: there was something moving outside.
Everyone looked to the roof. Celestia sighed.
Then the doors to the courtroom were kicked open. Walking in was one dragon, who stood just below the eyes of an average noble pony.
“Princess Celestia!” the dragon called out.
Celestia closed her eyes. What now? She thought.
“I have come to take your life for a payment of five milkshakes!”
The courtroom gasped once more. “He’s going to kill our princess?”
“And for only five milkshakes.”
“Indeed. Quite the fool; I would’ve settle for at least seven.” That last stallion received a punch, to the face.
Celestia rose from her throne, clearing her throat. “Spike the Dragon!”
“Yeah?”
“I am no mood for any pranks nor shenanigans. Are you truly here to take my life?”
“Well…” Spike bounced his head left and right, “kinda.”
Celestia shook her head; her mane was floating gracefully. “And for five milkshakes, no less?”
“Well, yeah. But no.”
“What do you mean?” Celestia asked. Descending the stairs to the floor.
Spike started to walk to the base of the stairs. “See, if I were here to kill you, than I would have to fight everyone in this room. Then you and I go at it – Pow Pow – then I would win, and drink chocolate milkshakes.”
“So what is the downside to that? My dear subject, Spike?”
Spike kept walking as the courtroom did what they do best: debate things they have no clue about.
“Are you afraid of losing the battle?”
“Or that you’ll be on the run for the rest your life?”
“Maybe, just maybe! He’s terrified of the guilt of killing one of our beloved.”
“What if he doesn’t love her?”
Spike snapped his head to that last stallion. “That’s not it. I love Celestia more than any of you could know.” That shut the room up.
Spike reached the base of the stairs, bowing as Celestia reached the bottom. He then gave his answer. “The downside is work. To do all of those things, it requires me to work. And I don’t feel like doing anything that needs me to work.”
“So that’s the reason you jumped out of a window.” Celestia gripped her face with a hoof. “You know, Twilight has sent me at least sixteen letters about you today.”
“Yeesh,” Spike said. “Someone has attachment issues.”
“Tell me about it.” Celestia released the hold on her face. “I told her, ‘Spike deserves a day off, or he’ll end up running away,' and here you are!”
“Yeah…”
“But now she won’t stop sending me letters.”
“Just burn ‘em. It’s not good mentally to read them all, especially if it’s someone you care about.”
Celestia stopped her head down next to Spike. “Thank you; I’ll think I’ll do just that.” The Princess sighed. “Still, I wish I could do what you’re doing right now. Work has been non-stop in needing my assistance.”
Spike scratched his head. “When was your last day off?”
“Oh…. Spike. I-I don’t know.”
“Oh, great. You get to take one now then.”
Celestia giggled. “Oh, Spike. I wish it were that easy, but, you’re not a Princess – you can’t take a day off without booking it.”
“Oh yes you can,” Spike replied.
“No, Spike. No.” Celestia chuckled. “Trust me; I really wish I could, though.”
Spike raised his claws. “What’s stopping you from taking a day off?”
“Work, Spike. I have several more meetings after this, with paperwork following suit.”
Spike tilted his head. “You can’t leave it until tomorrow?”
“Unfortunately not, Spike.”
Spike breathed. “Okay.” He nodded his head. “I see what needs to be done here.” Whipping his head around the courtroom, Spike shouted out. “Which one of you freaks has a Princess Celestia fan-club?!”
Celestia’s mouth went agape as everyone in the room stepped back.
Spike sighed and tried again. “Which one of you, really, admires the Princess?”
There was chatter among the noble ponies. Celestia couldn’t make out what they were whispering, but her mind was occupied with what Spike had just said.
Then a Royal Guard stepped forward. “Um…” the Guard thought on his words. “Pertaining to your previous question: I do have a fan-club, but It only operated from my bedroom.”
“That’s fine,” Spike said. “Now, what treat does Celestia detest?”
The Guards coughed and smiled. “That would be raisins, of course.”
“Good.” Spike patted the guard on the back. “You’ll do the fine job as substitute Princess.”
“Sub...substitute?” the Guard repeated with stretched eyes.
“Yeah,” Spike inched his head to the throne. “Now go take a seat.”
Celestia’s head quivered. “Spike! You can’t act on your own–”
“Celestia. Are you tired?”
Celestia exhaled. “Spike, that has nothing–”
“Are you tired?” Spike tried again.
“Y-Yes.”
“Now. I want you to close your eyes and think about what I’m saying.”
Celestia looked around the courtroom. Then she took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and closed her eyes.
Spike cleared his throat. He looked past Celestia’s closed eyelids. “We’re going to leave this place. All the paperwork; all the arguments; all the things you don’t feel like doing, are going to be left to a stallion who knows exactly what you did last week on Tuesday night.”
The guard couldn’t help but nod his head in agreement.
“So you can trust him to make all the same decisions you would. Or who knows, maybe he’ll do something better that you’ll learn from.”
Celestia’s breathing slowed. Every breath she took, a weight was carried out.
“Then, we’ll go down to Pony Joe’s, where we’ll have unlimited coffee and donuts. Now, I know your prefer tea, but it is good to try different things. Plus… we’ll get to catch up on lost time.”
Celestia mind no longer rippled. Her body could fly without the need of wings.
“Now,” Spike started, “open your eyes.”
Celestia complied. The room looked different to Celestia.
Spike coughed. “So, do you wanna go to Pony Joe's with me?”
Celestia pretended to think.
“Hmm.” Celestia contorted his lips. Then she patted Spike on the shoulder. “Sure.”
“Hehe,” Spike laughed.
So the Princess and the dragon walked down the courtroom. Both left the place smiling.
“Long day?”
Celestia sipped on her cup of coffee. After swallowing, she groaned. And that was all Spike needed for an answer, as he too sipped from his own cup.
Empty packs of sugar and milk laid by Celestia’s cup. While Spike’s cup contained a liquid as black as midnight on a moonless night.
Spike sipped once more on his cup, smiling. “I’ve always wondered” – Celestia looked to Spike – “how do you turn your invisible fan off?”
Celestia giggled, placing the cup that rested between her hooves upon the table. “Heh. While a fan sounds funny; I use magic to give me that effect.”
Spike chuckled. “Is that so?” He took another sip of coffee. Gazing from the rim of the cup, Spike admired how her mane rested upon her shoulders. And, because of its legends, how it trailed down her back. Celestia was much more beautiful without her crown.
Heh, Spike thought. Kinda reminds me of Rainbow.
Celestia picked up her cup with bare ivory hooves. She went to take a sip, but thought had struck first. “Hmm. This reminds me of older times.”
“I was going to say the same thing.”
The two smiled at each other.
“So, what about you, Spike?” Celestia asked. “How’s your day been going?”
“Ordinary,” was Spike’s reply.
“Like I said earlier: the letters I received from Twilight contradict that,” Celestia stated. She went for another sip, but her empty cup offered no caffeine. Frowning, Celestia raised her hoof.
Pony Joe nodded from afar. Shuffling around behind the counter, he re-entered from the door with a tray full of cups of coffee, and another box of donuts. He placed them on the table, offered a smile, and left without a word. He knew how to manage business wisely.
“So, what exactly did you do today?” Celestia inched her head back. “Or, can you give me the short story of what occurred?
Spike’s claw reached out for the box of donuts. On its path, the claw was intercepted by a white hoof, which softly pinned the claw to the table.
Why is everyone so interested in what I did today? Spike though as his eyelids began to lower. He dropped his head and spoke.“So, first, I jumped out of a window. Then I went to the bakery and ate everything they had to offer. Afterward, I went to confess my love to a mare. When that bombed, I decided to go to Cloudsdale, and eat even more.
“Got into a bit of a scrap; had fun with a… pretty cool girl, and went to assassinate you. So, in the short term, I’ve had an ordinary day.”
“Wow,” Celestia practically cheered as she retracted her hoof. “When did you gain so much confidence to talk like that without your voice croaking?”
“This morning, apparently.” Spike retrieved a donut from the box, and with his claws, ripped it in half. He held out a piece for Celestia, who accepted it with a nod.
The two ate donuts
“Sao--” Celestia stopped herself, giggling at the thought she was about the speak with a full mouth! Celestia swallowed. “Hmmm. So—”
“I think it’s time I started asking the questions,” Spike said.
“Okay, alright!” Celestia played as she leaned back in her seat, smirking. Then a thought occurred to her. “You know, not many ponies who interrupt a princess see the light of the next day.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m a dragon,” Spike stated, which earned him a giggle from the princess. He couldn’t help but chuckle himself. “You enjoy expressing your title, don’t ya’?”
“With what I have to deal with, Spike: any means of entertainment is worth it.”
“True true.”
Steam arose from the cups of coffee. Doing it’s best to remind the patrons that once the steam is gone, as is the taste of the drink. Both Spike and Celestia obliged in the cups request – gulping the drink while it still steamed.
Spike slithered down his seat as he felt the liquid warm his being, patting his stomach. He turned his head to Celestia. “So, when we do this again, instead of drinking coffee: let’s drink something that’ll make us feel light.”
“Oh,” Celestia played, cheekiness tugging on both sides of her lips. “So Twilight letting you drink now?”
“Well, she doesn’t let me,” Spike admitted, “but, I find my ways.”
Celestia sighed, as she did her best to hold back from giggling. “How could have this have ever happened? My little dragon is no longer disciplined!”
Spike gave a dry laughed and turned away. “You left me alone with Twilight; what else were you expecting?”
Celestia’s right brow shot up. “I’m having a hard time seeing if that was intended as a joke or not.” Celestia cleared her throat.
“I merely jest.”
“I don’t think you were.”
Spike turned back to the eyes of his mom. “Well, you could’ve left me in the hooves of someone better.” Spike sighed. “But, let’s not ruin our night. Instead, let’s plan what drinks we’ll--”
“Spike,” Celestia said with a motherly authority, “you’re too young to drink.”
“Well, in dragon years I’m—”
“–Still too young. Don’t try that dragon hay on me.”
“Well, some of your subjects in Cloudsdale bought the dragon years’ tale, but I should’ve known better than to try it on you.”
“Indeed you should’ve,” Celestia said. “Now, it’s my time for questioning.”
Spike sat back in his seat.
“Spike.” Celestia breathed. “How come you don’t write to me anymore?”
“What are you talking about?” Spike expressed with a claw. “I send you a letter almost every day.”
“No.” Celestia swayed her head. “Twilight and her friends, writes me letters; you send them.”
Spike raised a claw. “Technically, she makes me write ‘em as well.”
Celestia found Spike’s jokes rather sour. “You know, you’ve been a distant, young dragon lately. We used to tell stories, read books, and go on”– Celestia giggled –”imaginary adventures together. But upon leaving me to go to Ponyville, I haven’t heard so much of a peep from you.”
“Well, Celestia, I wasn’t the one to ask to get transferred out there. Nor put into Twilight’s care,” Spike said. No hatred or anger resided in his tone, only emptiness. This one was different than how he spoke before. “But, I do remember the times, when it was just you and I. Heh, back then, when I would watch the clock; begging it to go a little faster.”
“All this, so you would come home.”
Spike sighed as he rested his head upon his claw. “But, that didn’t make a difference. I’d fall asleep, and you would be gone again.”
Celestia’s head fell, her eyes raising just enough to meet Spike’s gaze. Tried as she might, Celestia couldn’t open her mouth to say that one word.
Sorry.
She instead rose her head and held it like a Princess should. “So this is what you’ve been holding onto these past years.” Celestia looked out the window to her sister’s artwork. “Now, are you telling me you don’t like working for Twilight?”
“No… no.” Spike pinched his jaw as he thought out loud. “I mean, sometimes it get’s unfair – sometimes I feel I don’t belong there. But I don’t care.” He thought on it more. “I’ve stopped caring.”
“Huh,” Celestia murmured. “So, from a dragon who's stopped caring about today. What is it that you care about in your life?”
Spike clenched his fist as he exhaled. He refused to look up to her eyes, so he stared at her wings. “And I still don’t care about today. But what I’ve wondered, what I’ve always wondered about this life, is how I’ve always loved you, more than anyone else in this land.
“But you… why you… never felt the same way. Why you never… came to check on me, to see how I was feeling.”
Celestia did her best to keep the composure of a Princess. A Princess, who held her head high and never looked away from an enemy's gaze. Ponies, griffons, anyone who would march into her courtroom, declaring the untrue. Celestia’s statue was enough for them to think twice.
But the gaze of Spike was too much to bear. For others tried to prove something against her, something that guaranteed her defeat. Spike wanted no such thing, for all his eyes asked, was an answer.
Finally, Celestia’s head fell. Her eyelids closed. “I was busy.”
Spike looked away from the defeated Princess. “That’s what I assumed.”
“I was always busy, Spike. I still am as well, as you have seen today. That is why I left you in the hooves of a dear friend who I trusted most in this world.”
“You can trust someone all you like. But, if they don’t know themselves, then how are they supposed to know me?”
That comment blasted Celestia's eyes open. “And how is it that you know this?”
“I don’t.” Spike sighed into a claw. “Merely an assumption. It seems like I have a lot of those about everypony.” Spike picked up a donut but did not eat it. His eyes focused solely on it, as he inspected every inch of the pastry.
The duo; the mother and son, sat in silence. Celestia is reminiscent of the last time she had taken time off. It had been after the return of Discord, and even then, that day was lacking in fun. But going back further, when was the last time she and Spike hung out?
Spike and I… together? The last time he and I talked, was before my sister’s return. Heh. Back then, when we would lay down on the carpet, next to the fireplace, talking about the adventures, we’d one day embark on.
The future looked so fun, for Spike and I. Mother and son, exploring the mountain tops! Now, I attend meetings to keep my country in control. And Spike, well. Celestia found her reflection in the cup of coffee. Faint as it was, Celestia could see the mare she was. He’s right, it is as if I’d forgotten about him.
Celestia looked up at the dragon. I forgot to show Spike that I care for him.
She rose from her seat and joined Spike on his side of the booth. He did not notice her movement, for his eyes were focused on the donut. The way he became aware of her, was when two, very soft hooves, embraced his being. Spike’s head laid against Celestia's chest, his eyes becoming weary.
The warmth of his mother; the soft fur of her chest. Spike felt himself fall sleepy. He could pass out right now, and not regret it if he didn’t wake up.
Celestia, thankful that her son couldn’t see her face, spoke. “I’m a terrible mother, aren’t I?”
“No, you’re not,” Spike replied. Unsure if he should put the donut down or not.
“Spike,” Celestia commanded, though she hoped her voice hadn’t cracked, “I’d rather have the hurtful truth than you lie to me.”
“There’s two things I haven’t done today: care or lie.”
Celestia cast her eyes elsewhere as if looking at Spike brought her shame. “Spike, I won’t be there for you. From the land turning to popcorn, or to a town being overrun by cute little pests. I shall attend these small events, as it is my duty. Even though I’d much rather spend my time next to the fire, I shall never have guaranteed a chance to spend with you.”
Celestia smiled wearily as she looked to her son. “I love you, Spike. So much, that I knew another mare would be there more than I could. Will she love you more than I? That I doubt.” Celestia laughed at her own joke; Spike couldn’t help but laugh as well.
The air around the duo was no longer tight and thick, but light and flowing. As with many things, laughter can make it okay.
“I beg of you, please! Never forget that I think of you, that I love you. Even if I’ve done nothing to shown it.”
“You came here today,” Spike said as he looked up into Celestia’s eyes. “And I love you too, Mum.”
Spike wrapped his arms around Celestia. He focused his attention on the rise in her chest when she breathed. And Celestia giggled, at the face that was buried in her.
They ended the hug and resumed the scoffing of donuts. But Celestia had more to say. “Now, Spike. Just like my mistake with Luna; I expect we won’t fix this with a single chat. That’s why I expect a letter from you, every day.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes,” Celestia replied as she tilted her head. “And, because of that response, I expect my first letter before you go to sleep: detailing fully how your day went.”
“That’s fine.” Spike picked up a donut and split it in half, placing one piece onto Celestia’s hoof
“As long as you do the same to me.”
Hoof flew past claw; claw flew past hoof. Spike held his donut before Celestia; Celestia held her donut before Spike. Both parties remembered their tradition for making vows, with the exception of donuts instead of biscuits.
“I will write to my mom.” Spike bit the donut from Celestia's hoof.
“And I will write to my son” Celestia bit the donut from Spike’s claw.
The two ate each other’s donut: sealing the vow to the two beings.
Street lamps fended off the darkness that came from the disappearance of the sun.
But Celestia required no such assistance of light, as her own being glowed. The invisible fan circulated again. And gold surrounded her forehead and hooves. Princess Celestia had returned.
Though, she, though, it appears the castle isn’t on fire, so my stand-in did a fine job.
“So,” Celestia began as she walked alongside her dragon partner, “how do you plan on returning home, Spike? Or would you rather spend the night at the castle, and I could take you home in the morning.”
“No thanks, Princess.” Spike cast his eyes up, directing his breath to the sky. “Twilight’s probably worried about me.”
“We feel as if thou art starting to care again,” Celestia jested. “If it pleases thee, We could explain thy situation to Twilight in the morn. After all, We did ask thee if thy could assist Us, in the art of relaxing.”
“Cut the ancient tongue, Celestia,” Spike said as he chuckled with every word.
“Oh, is it not funny?”
“No, it is. But I’d rather stay on good terms with Luna in case you two fight again.”
“Oh, no faith?” Celestia pouted.
“You know it – I gotta keep my options open.”
Celestia exhaled. “I wish this day would never end, that way I’ll experience more of your uncaring attitude.”
“Meh, I’ll probably wake up regretting all of today. But whatever.” Spike waved a claw, halting in his steps. “Anyway, I’d rather go home to where my bed awaits me. Despite whatever you may have in your chambers, that bed at home is the most comfortable thing I’ve ever slept on.”
“Alright, alright,” Celestia went. “So, how do you plan on getting home? The last train left Canterlot quite a bit ago.”
Spike looked around his surroundings. He saw a tree which he could bend and use as a catapult. But earlier memories reminded Spike that, that was a terrible idea. He could walk it back home, but he didn’t feel like walking. Then his eyes came across a waterfall.
“I’m just gonna float home.”
“Float?” Celestia traced Spike’s gaze until her eyes rested upon the majestic waterfall Canterlot was known for. Is he planning on using it? Celestia thought. Would his scales be able to withstand the impact
Celestia went to advise Spike of adverse impacts of this idea – she believed Spike thought landing on water wouldn’t be the same as landing on dirt. He was of course, wrong. But before the words could leave Celestia's lips, the drake had begun to walk.
The words died and were replaced with small giggles.
He’ll be alright.
“Oh, Spike!” Celestia called out to the now distant dragon. “Please be sure to write me if you survive. Have a safe swim!” Spike waved a claw back as he disappeared into the land which the street lamps did not protect.
Celestia decided not to waste a beautiful night under the stars by flying, so she walked home.
So the princess and dragon parted.
“INCOMING!”
Celestia halted in her tracks, took exactly two steps back, and waited a second. A cyan blur collided with the dirt – creating a new path that went for a total of six feet and stopped under a tree.
The pony projectile gripped her head and screamed. It doesn't seem many are grateful to trees nowadays.
The blue pegasus stood up from under the tree and spat out all the dirt and worms that resided in her mouth. Celestia recognized the blue mare as the element of loyalty: one Rainbow Dash. Who found herself gagging from the remaining dirt she involuntarily swallowed on impact. Dash wanted to throw up, but it deemed disrespectful to puke in the presence of a Princess.
“Oh, hay!” Dash shouted with her expression gone wild. She corrected her tone and bent a knee. “I mean, good evening, my Princess.”
Celestia stifled a giggle as she gestured Dash to rise. “Rainbow Dash, it has been awhile since we’ve last spoke.” Celestia found her eyes trailing the newly created path. “What's is it that ails you, my little pony, for you to take up suicide bombing?”
“What, no!” Dash shook her head to arrange her thoughts. “I mean, nothing’s wrong! Just… a bad day is all.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Say, Princess?” Dash whipped her head around, her eyes searching for something. “Have you seen Spike recently?”
“Indeed I have,” Celestia answered. Dash smile reached her ears – the dragon wasn’t dead!
Celestia continued with her account. “He visited me late this afternoon, in an attempt to kill me. By orders of the element of loyalty, he said.” Celestia donned a smile.
Dash’s smile faded as her lips split apart in awe. She blinked twice and thought:
If I… does a sonic rainboom… will it be enough? Dash did her best to keep her breath still. Preparing herself for the speedy replies of sorry!
“But worry not, my loyal subject, Rainbow Dash. My little Rainbow Dash,” Celestia jested as a giggle escaped her lips. How could Celestia not laugh when her jokes caused ponies to wet themselves? “He ended up saving me from court, and then, we went for coffee and donuts. It was a very pleasant experience – far better than being dead, I assure you.”
Dash’s rump hit the ground with the same force as the hoof the hit her face. The eye that wasn’t covered by the hoof was used to glare at the Princess and her horrible taste at jokes.
“But, next time you try murdering me, I won’t be as forgiving,” Celestia said with a stern voice, yet added in a smile.
I can’t tell if she’s joking or not! Dash thought. She sighed and tried again. “Again,” Dash spat, trying to compose herself, “where’s Spike?!”
“Oh, yes,” Celestia said as she too sat down. “What of him?
“Well, what happened after you two’s date!?”
“Date?” Celestia raised an eyebrow.
“Urgh! I mean hang out,” Dash corrected.
“Concerning my relationship with him, date indeed doesn’t sound right.” Dash’s face contorted into different expressions, resulting in Celestia softly laughing “I'm only kidding, Rainbow Dash. Now, while I may contain a clue as to where he went – I would like to possess the information on why you seek him?”
“But, uh. Why?!” Dash whined. Celestia smiled recognizing the symptoms of a mare with a crush. “Do I really have to tell you, can’t you just, uh, trust me?”
“It part of a mother’s duty to know the affairs of her son~” Celestia sang.
“Fine!” Dash exhaled a breath of uneasiness. “Fine,” she murmured.
“I wanna see if… you know, that maybe, Spike. Y’know, Spike the dragon, whose assistant to Twilight Sparkle. Who also currently resides in--” Dash slapped herself. The princess sat silently.
“I wanna ask Spike if he wants to… hangout again. The kind of hang out only a stallion and mare do. Well, dragon and mare.”
The confession amused Celestia, though it did not surprise her. “What caused you, so suddenly, to seek interest in my son?” Celestia asked as she stood up and approached the pegasus. The smile Celestia wore allowed Dash to relax.
When did Celestia become so motherly over Spike? Wait… were they always so close?
“Look. Di… ah. Today I saw Spike, and… and he was different; a different kind of different. And that different was cool.” Dash cast her eyes downward. “A pretty cool different.”
“I would agree the world has seen a different Spike today.”
“True. But nopony has seen him quite the way I have.” Dash rose her head as she dared to look into the Princess’s eyes. “I’d always assume, that Spike was a quiet dork, too scared to do most things on his own. But today… Heh, I saw what Spike could do if he weren't obsessed with what others might think of him.”
Dash polished a hoof against her chest. “Of course, this isn’t a problem I suffer from.”
Celestia’s smiled at the uncalled for confidence but found herself needing to take up the advocate of a devil. “But what if Spike wakes up tomorrow, and returns to his usual self?”
“Well, I’ll admit it: it’ll suck.” Dash stopped for a moment to arrange her words, while Celestia did her best hide her displeasure. “But, because of today, I know what the little bugger is capable of.”
“So, if he wakes up boring tomorrow.” Celestia casted a glare, to which, Dash sheepishly smiled. “If he wakes up, normal, tomorrow. Then that will also be totally awesome, ‘cause then, I can encourage that little scaly reptile to slither out of that little shell of his.”
Celestia smiled so wide she momentarily closed her eyes. “I’m impressed, Rainbow Dash. I do think you’re a good match for Spike.”
Match? Match... Rainbow thought. Why does that remind me of Rarity?
“It would be best if you hurried, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia advised. “I suspect Twilight’s not home alone.”
Rarity... Dash thought once more. Spike got rejected by her, but, what if she’s not done with him? The wheels in Dash head accelerated. What if Spike gets’s home, and the two… hook up? Dash swallowed back the saliva in her mouth. Then, I would have to watch them do kissy faces from afar…
“And Rarity may keep that shell around him,” Dash said to herself. Eyes went ablaze, the flame in each eye held the passion for making her goal come alive. “I’ll catch him before it even becomes a possibility.” Dash stood erect; wings ready to fly. “So, where is Spike?”
“Currently descending a waterfall,” Celestia answered matter-of-factly.
“A-Are you kidding me?”
“Do you think Spike is incapable of such a feat today?”
“Oh, hay.”
Dash did the dishonorable: she flew past the Princess without bowing farewell. Celestia let it slide, just this once, as she watched the pegasus boom to the waterfall.
Celestia returned to her castle.