//------------------------------//
// Part 1 - The Road to Recovery 
// Story: Healing is Magic 
// by Yosh-E-O 
//------------------------------//

	“Spike?” asked Rarity as she stared up the ladder in which the purple dragon had just finished climbing.  “Are you sure about this?  I could always just wait for Rainbow Dash to finish with her Weather Mare duties.”
“I’ve got this!” Spike called backdown as he worked to position the left side of a giant banner that would be announcing Rarity and Sassy Saddles’ Spring fashion line.

The white unicorn with the purple mane and tail took a step back upon noticing the ladder begin to sway.
“Spike!” she called up.  “I’d honestly feel better if-”
KA-CREEK
ERRR
“-WHOA!” cried Spike as the ladder suddenly began to move away from the Carousel Boutique on a rapid crash course for the ground below.

“SPIKEY-WIKEY!” shrieked Rarity as she tried to conjure her Unicorn magic to help slow, if not completely stop, the purple dragon’s descent.
FA-SHEW
Rarity was able to take hold of the ladder, but the speed in which it was falling before suddenly being stopped caused Spike to be jostled from it as he flipped off the ladder and landed with a massive thud upon the ground below.

***

The last thing Spike remembered was a sudden surge of pain followed by what tasted like a piece of metal being forced into his mouth.  He could’ve sworn he heard Rarity calling his name, but that was about it.
“Ugh......,” he moaned as he tried to open his eyes.
“He’s actually quite lucky,” remarked some pony in the room.  “The brunt of the fall was taken by his right arm and leg.”
“How is that ‘fortunate’?” asked a familiar sounding voice.
“Well…,” the previous speaker stated.  “I know a broken arm, broken leg, and a concussion are far from ‘good news’, but he suffered no internal injuries.”
There was a sigh followed by a brief pause.
“I suppose that is good news,” the familiar voice said.

Spike could barely open his eyes as a very intense headache began to make itself apparent in the little dragon’s head.
“Hello…,” he moaned.  “Where am I…?”
“Spike!” cried the familiar voice.  “When Rarity told me what happened I rushed over here as fast as I could!”
“Twi… Twilight?” asked Spike.
Spike couldn’t see it, but the Princess of Friendship was aglow upon hearing her “Number One Assistant”  recognize her.
“Oh, Spike!” she exclaimed with delight in which she normally would reserve for discovering a new book she hadn’t read.  “You’re okay!”

Unknown to Spike was that Rarity was sitting silently to the left side of the hospital bed he was resting in.  Her eyes desperately fighting back tears as she rhythmically rubbed at his arm through the blankets that covered him.  She was very happy he was okay, but feeling a strong sense of guilt for not having been able to prevent him from getting into the very situation he was in now.

“Twilight…,” Spike gasped.
“Yes, Spike?” the purple Alicorn asked while leaning closer to face her injured friend.
“Why does it hurt so much?” he asked.
“You don’t remember?” asked Twilight.
“The last thing I remember…,” he moaned.  “I was…  Helping Rarity.”

Rarity couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer and burst out into tears as she buried her head into the blanket that was covering Spike’s left arm.
“Rare… Rarity?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Twilight.  “She was the one who got the Ponyville Paramedics to come get you and she wouldn’t leave your side until Nurse Red Heart had to force her back into the waiting room while they ran their tests and bandaged you up.”

Rarity continued to cry uncontrollably over Spike’s left arm.
“Rarity…,” said Spike as he worked to raise his left claw as much as he could.  “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” she asked between wails.  “Why are you sorry, Spike?”
“For making you cry,” he said with as much heartfelt sincerity as he could muster.
“Well,” said Nurse RedHeart.  “We want to keep him here overnight for observation.  We’ll then discharge him to your care with the expectation he takes his medicine and follows everything on his discharge order to the letter.”
“No worries,” replied Twilight.  “If there’s anything Spike and I are good at is following directions.”
“That’s most reassuring,” Nurse RedHeart stated genuinely.  “You have no idea how many ponies we discharge who wind up right back in here just because they think they know better than their doctor.”
“Spike is stubborn,” giggled Twilight while gently rubbing his stomach through the blankets.  “However, we’ll make sure he follows the doctor’s orders.”
“Well,” sighed Nurse Red heart.  “Visiting hours are over and Spike needs his rest.”
“I understand,” stated Twilight as she gave Spike a gentle kiss on his bandaged forehead.  “You sleep well and…”
FA-SHEW
FWIP-FOO
SLIP
Spike felt something very soft rest upon his green tummy.  
“I found this in your bed,” said Twilight.  “I know she’ll keep you safe until we come back for you tomorrow.”

The little dragon didn’t want his friends to go, but he was too tired and sore to do anything about it.
SMOOCH
Rarity gently kissed Spike on the cheek before helping to move the handmade plushie of herself that Spike had made over to his unbandaged, left arm.
“It’s a wonderful resemblance, Spike,” complimented the distraught Unicorn between sniffles.  “I’ll truly be thinking of you all night and look forward to getting you out of this horrid place tomorrow.”

Nurse Red heart frowned at rarity’s comment about the hospital, but decided to not say anything beyond offering to usher Princess twilight Sparkle and Rarity to the exit.
Spike felt really sore and sad, but the urge to sleep was strong and having his Rarity plushie to rub against his belly and cheeks allowed him to relax enough to fall fast asleep.


***


“Ungh…,” moaned Spike as Twilight and Rarity helped him out of a wheelchair and onto a couch within the Castle of Friendship.
“Applejack said she would be coming by later to check in on you,” stated Twilight.
“As will Fluttershy,” added rarity as she worked to fluff a series of pillows around the injured dragon before using her magic to cover him in a thick comforter.
“Thanks,” said Spike.  His eyes were only half open as the throbbing pain from his concussion pulsed throughout his entire head and face.
“I really wish I could stay,” stated Rarity.  “However, Sassy Saddles is arriving in under an hour and I need to meet her at the train station so we can go over how we are going to spread the word about our latest fashion line.”
“I understand,” Spike said softly while closing his eyes.  “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help you with the banner.”
Muah
Rarity’s kiss caused Spike to forget the pain he was in as he opened his eyes.
“Don’t you worry about that, Spikey-Boo,” assured Rarity while gingerly lifting Spike’s chin.  “You focus on getting better and rest assured that I’ll be back later to check in on you.”

After Rarity left, Twilight red over Spike’s discharge orders.  
“Okay, Spike,” she said.  “It says here you are to do minimal activity for the first week while taking the anti-inflammatory medication three times a day.”
Spike moaned.
“Why don’t you just rest?” suggested Twilight.  “The doctor did say rest is key for a strong and speedy recovery.”
The young dragon was still feeling the effects of the medication he was on to reduce the swelling from his fall.  So he said nothing as he fell backwards into the cushioned couch.
“That’s the way,” Twilight stated soothingly.  “You just keep getting better my number one assistant.”
Spike closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

***

When Spike awoke, he was surprised to see that Rarity was humming away in a rocking chair before him.
“Rare…,” he yawned.  “Rarity?”
“Oh!” perked the white Unicorn as she faced the drowsy dragon.  “You’re awake, Spike.”
“Well,” he said as he felt the soreness in his limbs and head begin to return.  “Sort of.”
“Well,” stated the purple maned pony as she put away a needle and thread and faced the young dragon.  “I have a surprise for you.”

Spike watched as Rarity used her magic to levitate the plushie he had made of her over to him.
“Uh,” he blushed as he slowly reached out for the doll with his left claw.  “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I could do for you,” she said before planting a small kiss on his cheek.  “Not that you did a bad job, but I knew it would be even more special if I put a little love into it.”

Spike’s blush grew deeper as the pain he was experiencing was replaced by his feelings for the fashionista.
“One more thing,” smiled Rarity as she lifted up Spike’s familiar blanket with her magic.  “I also took the time to put a little love into this old thing, too.”
Spike felt his beloved, blue blanket touch against his scales in a way that felt more soothing than he could’ve ever imagined.
“It’s a new fabric I’m working with,” stated Rarity.  “It was no trouble at all to use what I had left after finishing my latest line to give your precious blankie the Rarity treatment.”

Spike’s blush was  now a very deep red.
“Are you okay, sweetie?” she asked.  “Are you in any pain?”
“It is time for his medicine,” stated twilight as she appeared from what seemed like out of nowhere.  “Open up, Spike.”
Spike was still in a love induced haze.  So he offered no resistance to the levitating spoon full of medicine going into his mouth.
“How brave,” cooed Rarity.
“Well,” said twilight.  “Mr. Brave Dragon needs his rest.”
“Right,” said Rarity before giving Spike another small kiss.  “I’ll be back later to check on you.”
“Thanks,” he replied lightly.
Rarity walked out of the room as Twilight helped her close friend and assistant get comfortable.  It wasn’t long before he fell asleep once again.



***

Days passed and Spike finally began to feel well enough to keep himself from wanting to sleep all the time.
“Hey, twilight,” he said while using his crutch to make his way towards the Princess of Friendship.  “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Oh, Spike,” answered Twilight.  “You’re in no shape to be working.
“But argued the young dragon.
“It’s okay, Spike,” assured Twilight.  “I’ve got everything completely under control.”
Spike sighed.
“Now go lie down before you strain yourself too much,” stated Twilight.  “You’ve still got quite a way to go on your road to recovery and we don’t want you to do anything to slow down your progress.”

Spike made his way back to the couch he had been using as he recovered.  He wasn’t able to curl up in a cozy ball due to how the casts on his right leg and right arm prevented such motions.  He also couldn’t rest on his right side due to how it could interfere with how his bones were healing.
“Ugh,” he complained while slowly getting himself back onto the couch.  “Is there anything I can do?”


***

As the day progressed, Spike heard a number of ponies coming in-and-out of the Castle of Friendship.  Each of which were typically greeted by Twilight stating, “Thank you so much for coming over to help.  Spike is still recovering and it means a lot that you can take the time to assist me until he’s all better.”
“Take the time to assist me until he gets better,” groaned Spike.  “I should be helping Twilight.  It’s my duty.  No!  It’s my responsibility!”
Spike hastily grabbed for his crutch and accidentally put weight on his injured leg.
“Yeowch!” he cried as he fell back. 
After shaking off the pain, he more gingerly got himself up and carefully used his crutch to make his way out to talk to Twilight.


***

“Twilight!” cried Spike as he saw Mr. Cake head into the castle’s kitchen.  “I can’t just sit around like this knowing you need help and have other ponies doing what I should be doing!”
“Spike,” said twilight as she used her magic to bring his discharge documentation  out so both could see it.  “It clearly says-”
“-I don’t care what it says!” he cried.  “I can’t take this doing nothing while other ponies do my job!”

There was a brief pause.
“Spike,” said Twilight.  “I admire your dedication, but you heard what Nurse Red Heart said.”
“What was thatSpike growled.
“She said any pony who doesn’t follow the doctor’s orders ends up back in the hospital,” she stated.  “You don’t want to go back into the hospital, do you?”
“No…,” replied the defeated dragon as he lowered his head.
“Look,” stated Twilight.  “I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be in your situation, Spike.  However, you need to take care of yourself and follow the doctor’s orders.”
Spike sighed.
“Dinner will be done in fifteen minutes!” called Mr. Cake.  “Did you want me to make up a plate for Spike?”
Spike sighed again.
“If you wouldn’t mind!” Twilight replied.
“Not at all!” proclaimed Mr. Cake.  “It’s an honor to be serving The Princess of Friendship and her brave little assistant!”

There was another silence.
“Go lie down on the couch, Spike,” stated twilight with a smile.  “We’ll talk more over dinner.”
“Okay,” said Spike before making his way back to the couch.


***
Since Spike’s injury, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo had made sure to stop by after school let out.  They felt it was part of their crusader duty to help the young dragon in his recovery.
Spike had been recovering from the initial pain coupled with side effects of his medication for the first few days.  During this time, the three fillies would bring him pictures, sweets from Sugarcube Corner, and provide some companionship before heading home for their dinners, do their homework, and/or additional crusading.

On this day, the yellow Earth Pony, white Unicorn, and orange Pegasus came in just as Spike was returning from his depressing discussion with Twilight.
“Hey, Spike!” exclaimed Apple Bloom.  “It’s nice to see ya’ moving around and such.”
“Does this mean you’re feeling better?” asked Sweetie Belle.
Spike closed his eyes as he gently slumped himself onto the couch and let his crutch fall to the ground.
“Yeah…,” he sighed.  “I’m fine.”
“Uh…,” said Sweetie Belle as she moved closer.  “You don’t sound fine.”

There was a pause as Spike struggled on whether-or-not to say anything.  
“I’m useless,” he said somberly.
“Huh?” the fillies gasped in unison.
“Useless?” asked Scootaloo.  “What do you mean?”
“Look at me,” replied Spike in a monotone voice.  “I’m no good to any pony.”
“Hey!” cried Sweetie Belle as her green eyes narrowed.  “That’s not a nice thing to say about yourself!”
“Yeah, Spike,” added Apple Bloom while nervously fidgeting with the red bow in her deeper-red colored mane.  “Is that medicine messin’ with yer’ head?”

Tears welled up in the purple dragon’s eyes.
“Twilight…,” he choked as the first tears rolled down his cheeks.  “She doesn’t need me.”
“That’s nonsense!” proclaimed Scootaloo.
“Yeah!” squeaked Sweetie Belle.  “Get it together!”
“But…,” sniffled Spike.
“But, nothin’,” stated Apple Bloom.  “I don’t know what’s got ya’ think’ and sayin’ such things, but you ain’t actin’ like yerself at all.”
“Because I’m not myself,” sniffled Spike.  “I’m a cripple who can’t do anything for any pony.”
“Hey!” boomed Scootaloo as she feverishly flapped her undersized wings.  “Does that mean that I’m also a cripple who can’t do anything, too, Spike?”
The young dragon opened his tear filled eyes to see the orange Pegasus glaring at him with her purple eyes.
“I…,” he stumbled.  “I didn’t-“
“-You might as well!” growled Scootaloo while stamping a hoof to the ground.  “You can’t define yourself on what you believe you can, or cannot, do!”
“That’s right!” proclaimed Apple Bloom.
“You are what you want to be,” said Sweetie Belle as she used her Unicorn magic to move a handkerchief from a nearby table towards Spike.
“Just think what Rarity would say if she heard you talking like this?” asked Scootaloo.  “Do you think she’d be happy if she heard you speaking so poorly about yourself?”

Spike wiped the tears from his cheeks, sniffled, and then took hold of the Rarity plush he had sitting beside him.
“You’re right,” he said as more tears welled up in his eyes.
“Take it from some pony who knows,” said Scootaloo while moving closer to the sad dragon.  “I may not be able to fly, yet, but I found other ways to be awesome.”
“Yeah,” added Apple Bloom as she, too, approached Spike.  “Ya’ may be injured, but that doesn’t mean ya’ still can’t be all helpful.”

Spike looked at the three fillies who were now right in front of him.  He then looked to his Rarity plush just in time to see one of his tears fall onto it.
“You’re right,” he said.  “Do you three have any ideas of things I can do?”
“Well…,” trailed Apple Bloom while raising her yellow-colored, front hoof to her chin.
“You’re super smart!” announced Sweetie Belle.  “Maybe you could help us with our homework?”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo glared towards their friend.
“Or…,” she nervously stated while covering her face with her white hoof.  “Maybe not.”
“Actually,” said Spike with a smile.  “I’d love to help you with your homework.”
“Really?” the fillies gasped with disbelief.
“Yeah,” replied Spike as he felt his confidence returning.  “It’d be just like when I helped you three with ideas for getting your Cutie Marks.  You can ask me questions about your assignments and I could, well, help you work through them.”
“That’d be great!” exclaimed Apple Bloom.
“And we could stay longer and spend more time with you!” squeaked Sweetie Belle with a smile.
“I’m sure we could also come up with more ideas for things you can do while you finish healing, too!” announced an excited Scootaloo.
Spike smiled wide as he gestured for the girls to come and give him a hug.
“Thank you,” he said.  “I really do appreciate everything you three have done for me as I’ve gotten better.”
“Shucks,” said Apple Bloom.  “What are friends for.””
Yeah!” squeaked Sweetie Belle.  “I know you’d do the same for us!”
Spike nodded.
“You bet I would,” he replied.