Carousel
Spike sipped his coffee, being held by his shaking claws. He had stepped before the thrones of the most powerful ponies in the land, battled toe to toe against the most evil tyrants and heinous individuals imaginable. Yet, nothing has ever made him feel more nervous than the idea of seeing Derpy again, especially after the sour way their previous encounter ended.
Spike was leaning forward in the dining room chair, staring at the table before him. “Alright, Spike, it’s do or die today. Gotta suck up your pride and fear, and go apologize.”
On one side of the argument, he still had no idea why it felt so important to go fix things with Derpy. On the other, he really really wanted to be able to see her again… for whatever reason that might be.
He took another sip of his liquid energy and let out a breathy sigh. At least he had Rarity’s help to hopefully fall back on. She was an expert on all things mare-ish, so with any luck, she’d have a few tips and tricks she could provide. Again, hopefully.
Spike’s thoughts were soon interrupted by the clip-clop sound of hoofs trailing into the kitchen. He looked up to find a very tired looking Starlight entering the room.
“Hey, uh, morning Starlight.”
“Ugh.”
“Day already off to a splendid start, I see,” he said.
“Meh,” she replied, immediately traversing the dining area to the kitchen. She returned in quick fashion with a cup of coffee of her own. “You let me down, Spike. You let me down hard.”
“How so, exactly?”
Starlight took a seat across the table from Spike. “The good coffee. The stuff you keep in your room. It’s out. And now I have to subject myself to this stuff.”
Spike shrugged. “Sorry, Starlight. I used the last of it up this morning. You snooze, you lose.”
Starlight frowned. “You can be so cruel, sometimes.”
The dragon chuckled. “Says the ex-dictator. Anyhow, I needed it more, anyway. I’ve got a lot going on, today.”
The mare took a quick swig of her beverage. “Oh really? Are you gonna try to make reparations with Derpy today?”
“That’s the plan,” Spike stated. “Not sure how it’s gonna go, but hopefully I can at least get an apology in before she tells me to hit the road.”
“Eh, I’m sure you’ll do fine, Spike.” Starlight paused for a moment. “Besides, I gotta give you props for acting fast. I kinda expected you to take a few days to wallow in your pride and angst before doing anything.”
“Nah, I already wallowed enough yesterday.” Spike let his head fall into his palm. “Besides, for whatever reason, I really wanna be able to see her again. Like, soon. She’s really cool.”
“Ugh,” Starlight said with a shake of her head. “We talked about this yesterday. It’s obvious you like her, you just need to admit it to yourself instead of stewing in your emotional insecurity.”
Spike felt his cheeks burn ever so slightly into a pink tint. “Yeah, maybe, but I barely know her yet.”
“True, but it’s not like the heart has ever worked on a functional timetable before.” Starlight chuckled. “Besides, she’s cute. No shame in liking her.”
Spike grinned. “She is pretty cute, huh? I like her eyes. They’re kinda wonky, but it adds character. Oh, and her mane is nice, too. And her voice.”
Starlight smiled and rolled her eyes. “Yep, you’re smitten. Now, snap out of it and focus on the task at hoof.”
“Right, right… What was it again?”
“Apologizing?”
“Right, right.” Spike shook his head. “Okay, so my plan is to start by seeing Rarity first thing this morning. I figure the best way to approach this situation is talking to someone who has some experience with the whole dating scene. And no offense, you and Twilight are not exactly the best examples.”
Starlight growled under her breath. “Pfft, thanks for that.”
“No problem. Anyhow, I’m assuming Rarity will have some kind of idea of how to go about things. I wanna show her that I’m sorry and wanna still be friends, but I also don’t wanna come on too strong.”
Starlight rubbed her chin for a moment. “You do have a tendency to go overboard sometimes. Like the time you tried impressing Roseluck and ended up spending a night in Canterlot prison.”
“We don’t speak of such things.” Spike glared at her. “Besides, how was I supposed to know fireworks counted as explosives?”
“Well, despite your previous failures in all things dating, I have every confidence you’ll do great today and make things right.” Starlight smiled at him and gave him a quick wink.
“Are you saying that because you actually believe it, or just because that’s what you’re supposed to say to make me feel better?”
“Eh, a little of both. Kinda leaning toward the second, to be honest.”
Spike sighed. “Thank you, Starlight. Your support knows no ends.”
“I’m nothing if not honest,” she replied.
“Fair enough,” Spike said. “But at the same time, is it even worth trying to salvage?”
“Oh boy, here we go,” Starlight said. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, it’s not like we were actually dating or anything. She probably just thinks I’m an annoying little dragon at this point.”
“Oh, everyone already thinks that anyway,” Starlight said with a smirk. “Sorry, couldn’t resist. Anyway, dating or not, your friendship with her is at least something you want to hold onto. And, honestly, you get a really goofy smile on your face whenever you even mention her. If you ask me, that’s something worth saving. And if she just tells you to get lost, then you can at least walk home in rejection knowing you tried. That’s worth something, right?”
Spike groaned. “Oh, it'll be worth something alright. Worth an immediate barrage of unrelenting snark and jokes from you, I bet.”
Starlight shook her head. “I promise, if everything goes to Tartarus, I’ll wait at least forty-eight hours before giving you a hard time. Fair enough?”
“Well, it’s better than nothing. Deal.” Spike scooted back his chair and stood up. “Well, the only way we’re gonna find out how it goes is if I get going, I suppose.”
“Now you’re talking,” Starlight said. “Be a dragon of action, not just talk. You got this!”
Spike smiled and walked toward the door. “I hope so. I really do. But we’ll see.”
With that, Spike exited the room and made his way to the door of the castle. The first stop on his journey to redemption: Rarity’s house.
“...And that’s why I’m here, Rarity. I seek your guidance in my greatest time of need. So, be that as it may, I have but one question to ask of you. Will you help me?”
Rarity took a sip of her tea and curtly nodded before using her magical grip to set the cup back down on the counter. “Well, I have good news for you, my dear. Yes, I can.”
Spike breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed back into the sofa cushions. “Thanks, Rares. I owe you big time. So, given the evidence I’ve laid out in regards to my stupidity, what do you make of the situation?”
The mare lightly rubbed her chin and scrunched up her face, the gears appearing to turn in her head at a steady, yet fast-paced motion. “This is quite the predicament you’ve found yourself in, dear. Many a stallion have faced said challenge before and run away screaming, only to dwell in their misery for years to come.”
Spike gulped. “That doesn’t sound very reassuring, Rarity.”
Rarity shook her head and reached a hoof over to the dragon sitting next to her, lightly patting his head. “Have no fear, Spikey. For you are cut from different cloth than most males, are you not?”
Spike blinked a few times and shrugged. “Maybe. I seem to be just as inept at life’s basic expectations as most of the other guys I know. It’s rather sad, to be honest.”
“Pfft, don’t be so hard on yourself.” Rarity turned to face him, a fierce glint in her eye. “Yes, it is true you sent the poor mare flying out of the restaurant in tears on your first date—”
“Friend date.”
“Oh hush, dear. You’re not fooling me.” Rarity waved a hoof at the now grumbling dragon before continuing. “Yes, you managed to cause a scene of emotional angst that even the most prolific of romance writers could only hope to capture. But, instead of running away and hiding in your room, you’re back out on the field, ready to make your next move. And lucky for you, you have me on your side. Ponyville’s resident expert on all things feminine.”
Spike smiled a toothy grin. “Exactly! I knew you were the one to go to, Rarity. You’re always there when I need you.”
“Of course, dear,” Rarity stated with a warm smile. “But, the best advice I could give you is something you’ve already learned.”
Spike toned down his grin and replaced it with a more quizzical smirk. “Umm, what now?”
“Spike,” Rarity spoke up. “A mare’s heart is something very few can understand. You know this, yes?”
“You have no idea,” Spike said with a chuckle.
“Well, then you know that every case like this is unique and there’s no easy solution,” Rarity said. “But, the biggest mistake you could make, if you actually care about this mare, of course, is doing nothing. So, by even asking me for advice in the first place, you’re already doing the right thing.”
Spike let out yet another sigh and drooped his head. “I guess so. But why is doing the right thing so difficult? You’d think fixing a friendship should be easy. It should be something I already know how to do and have a plan for. Instead, it feels like I’m fighting blind.”
“Because if it wasn’t difficult, then it would signify that you didn’t care about rectifying things in the first place.” Rarity rested a hoof on his shoulder. “The fact this is so hard for you and that you’re still doing what you have to do speaks miles about your personality and how mature you are. And trust me, she will see it, too.”
Spike nodded and stood up from his seat. “I hope so, Rarity. But, that kinda leads me to something else I wanna ask. Something… I think you’re the best pony to answer for me.”
“What would that be, dear?”
“Well, I’m having a bit of a war with myself about this whole thing,” Spike said, pacing back and forth across the living room floor. “Like, I’ll admit it was a date, alright? That’s said and done. But… I’m really wondering if I actually like her or not.”
“I see,” Rarity said. “Why do you say that?”
“You see, back in the day when I was obsessed with you, it seemed so obvious. Like, I knew that I loved you. I knew that you were beautiful and wonderful and a billion other things. It was just so obvious. But this time, the feelings seem more… subtle. Like, I look at her and I smile. I feel good. She makes me laugh. She’s cute. But at the same time…”
“You’re not sure what you’re actually feeling.”
“Exactly!” Spike stopped his pacing to face Rarity directly. “It honestly feels like I like her, but I barely know her. We’ve had one date that barely qualified as anything romantic and other than that, I just don’t know what to feel. Logically, it doesn’t make any sense, but somewhere deep down, I feel right when I’m around her. Ugh, I just don’t get it.”
Rarity chuckled and nodded her head. “I understand what you’re going through perfectly, dear. But, you’re making a crucial error in your line of thinking.”
Spike scratched his head. “I would ask what that is, but at the risk of sounding even more stupid, I’ll just go ahead and let you tell me anyway.”
“Darling, when it comes to the mysteries of the heart, logic is not something that can properly define or measure it. It’s fleeting, it’s flowing… it’s unscripted. It’s difficult to tell exactly how things will turn out and it’s impossible to plan for it. So, the best thing I’ve learned in these situations is to not even try. Just see where things take you and do your best along the way. Do you understand?”
Spike’s mind did a few flips in his head as he heard Rarity’s provoking yet seemingly out of character speech. “I… I think I do get it. But, honestly, how do you know all of this deep stuff? When I came over here I was hoping you’d give me some basic advice you found in a novel, not a psychological pep talk.”
Rarity hummed with a smug grin. “Well, Spike, I’m no stranger to the feelings of romance. At least no more of a stranger than anyone else. Also, I did take two semesters of psychology in school. I thought it would help with rounding out my fashion business credentials.”
Spike smiled. “Well, you learn something new every day, I suppose.”
“Speaking of which,” Rarity said, standing to her hooves in front of Spike. “I hope you learned a little bit in your visit here. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you, but this is something you really need to do on your own.”
Spike nodded. “Yeah, I kinda knew it all along, but maybe I just needed someone to give me a boost. I really wanna fix this.”
“I’m sure you will, love.” Rarity motioned for Spike to follow her over to the door, which she promptly opened. “Now, as opposed to spending more time here, I think it’s time you get out there and go talk to this mare.”
Spike took a deep breath and stepped onto the porch. “Alright, I can do this. Thanks again, Rarity.” Spike was about to take his first steps toward the perilous journey ahead of him but quickly flipped around as one more question came to his mind. “Uhh, Rarity? Really quick.”
“Yes?”
“How did Starlight’s order go?”
Rarity shuddered. “It got done… But please inform her she’s blacklisted for the next two months.”
Without another word, Spike hopped off the porch and began his trek into the Ponyville town square. It was time to find Derpy and fulfill his destiny. Hopefully, he would come out victorious.
Stats
Page generated in 0.039 seconds
Total duration
633 users online
932,002 hits today, 2,280,440 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
Was worth the wait, I enjoyed it. Good luck, Spike!
good luck buddy
I'm loving this. it's well thought out and very well written. I can't wait for the next update!
Good luck, ole dragon ole pal.
Gotta give you kudos on writing Rarity. No matter what you say on your current status of 'writing serious,' that was very well done and very in character.
*trying to will the 'next' button into existence, but fails* Ah well, If I can't will the next chapter into existence, I'll just have to wait. Our author is only human with a RL, after all.
Never been so invested in a Spike fic.
I just really want them to get back together. 
I just can't praise this story enough!
Starlight Glimmer is blacklisted?!?!!!
Welcome back! Good blend of seriousness and comedy. Really love the back and forth between, Starlight and Spike.
Looking forward to more, and hopefully, soon!
Hey, whatever time you need. And I think that these serious conversations you've written are really great and detailed so you're heading the right direction
Keep up the good work my good man
lol poor starlight being blacklisted
Glad to see you are back.
Go, Spike! Go, Spike! Go, Spike!
Lol, Starlight pointing out that he gets a ridiculous grin when he talks about Derpy, combined with his brief "I like her eyes, mane, voice, etc" bit is just so sweet. It's so clear to everypony that this dragon is thoroughly smitten. I feel like it won't take long for him to call it love, too.
Great chapter, I am looking forward for the next one :)
You have my full attention but you already knew that. Go get her, Spike!
Go get her spike!! MOre please!! And soon!!
8510627
Honestly, that would be my reaction to Derpy as well. Also, I am writing a story about my OC. When do you think I should reveal the fact that my OC is an alicorn in the story?? NOte: He will be wearing a cloak til he reveals his wings. I was thinking either when Twilight gets crowned, Canterlot Wedding, or Crystal Empire.
huh derpy and spike, thats a first for me. at first i thought i was reading a Dinky/Spike ship lol
8511627
Yeah, I had a few people who thought that. But, this story takes place a bit farther into the future after show canon, so Spike is a bit older.
I really appreciate you reading it!
8511632
Quite welcome!
Top ten famous last words.
wait how old is spike? there isn't a specific timeline if i remember correctly.
8512342
The way I always figured it was that since he was hatched while Twilight was a filly (he was her entrance exam to get into school after all), he's only about 5 years younger than her. Then, the show takes place a good time after that and several years have passed since season 1 and then this story takes place a bit after the current show canon.
*catches breath*
Given all that, I assume in this story at least that Spike is a later teen. Caught in that awkward place of growing up where the world starts to expect you to act like an adult but part of you still tries to be a kid. A phase I know all too well.
Spike sure has a sense of drama. I wonder who he got that from.
DAMNIT man, I knew I should have waited for this to be complete before I started reading.
Now I'm trapped in the vortex of incomplete stories, haha.
Just wanted to say thank you for the time and effort you've been putting into this story. I was immediately hooked by the premise and have thoroughly enjoyed the ride so far. Hope everything is going well for you, and I look forward to the future of this promising fic.
Cheers.
8521461
I'm already like halfway done with the next chapter. It's just a matter of finishing it...
Thanks for the awesome words, though. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Wow. It must have been truly horendeous for Rarity to ban her for two whole months o.o;
Spike trying to apply logic to feelings. He’s spent too many years with Twilight.
Also, I love Spike and Starlight’s friendship in this. Reminds me of my own :P
8532776
It was a really tacky floral pattern.
8510568
Rarity used her bandanna-hammer.
I'm fairly certain every Stallion she's had romantic interest in has spurned her advance or been shown to be an arse. Honestly, not the best source for romantic advice. Perhaps asking couples like, say, the cakes how to deal with relationships would be a bit more wise.
I love Spike and Starlight's chemistry in this story!
He probably should've considered writing to Cadybutt too.
i.imgflip.com/62z786.jpg