What Choice Do I Have?

by chaos2012

More than Friends?

"No, let's go that way!"

"We've been going that way for hours! Let's try going this way now!"

Spike grunted in frustration as he leaned back from Rainbow’s neck. "We have been going that way for so long, because I feel her that way."

"What the hay are you talking about?" Rainbow turned her head around to face the drake on her back. "What do you mean you feel her that way? You’re just making a guess."

"No, I mean I feel her, Rainbow. I... I don't know how to explain it, but I keep feeling this strange urge in my chest. It's like I feel Twilight's magic moving inside of me."

Rainbow Dash perked her eyebrow at his comment. "You sure you aren't just hungry?"

Spike glared at her. "No, it isn't from my stomach. I can't explain it, but the odd feeling is getting stronger. It's something I've always noticed inside. Just trust me, alright. Keep flying that direction."

Rainbow gave a pissed off look his direction at his order. It wasn't directly meant for him, but more for the task he asked. Sure she wanted to find Twilight more than anything, but her body was beginning to tire from the nonstop flying. Traveling this long alone was already pushing her limits, but Spike resting on her back only weighed her down that much more. Her wings were beginning to cramp up with each flap, but she pushed through it by her determination.

Looking forward again, Rainbow noticed the sun beginning to lower towards the ground in the distance, casting its orange rays across the sky. Knowing they had been flying for Celestia knows how long, she realized how close it was coming to dark soon. Wanting to cover as much ground as she could still, she decided to just go with the odd feeling Spike claimed to have been having all day, guiding them to who knows where. "I hope that feeling you got is good, Spike. That's all we have to find her."

"Trust me, I don't know what it is, but I can feel her somehow."

Nodding, Rainbow flew on through the sky towards where she was guided. After only a few more flaps however, she felt a sharp pain shoot through the length of her right wing and making her scream out.

"What's wrong!?" Spike yelled out in panic, not sure what happened.

"I... I don't know. I felt something tear." Rainbow grimaced as she tried to flap on. The more we tried however, the more her wing hurt. "I have to land."

Coming through the opening of the canopy, Rainbow Dash quickly dropped down to the ground and touched her hooves down on the dirt. Spike hopped off her back, but as he did accidentally caught his leg on her wing which caused her to gasp out in pain.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" Spike apologized as he watched Rainbow drop to her stomach with a thud. "Oh my gosh, I should have paid attention and-”

"No no, it's fine..." Rainbow quickly cut him off, trying to take deep breaths to calm her own nerves. "I'm just a little tired. Let me catch my breath and I- ah!"

Rainbow grunted as her right wing pulsed a few times, earning another groan from her. "Maybe I just need a little break."

Quickly slipping the bag off from his shoulder, Spike stepped over to her side. "Here, let me help."

Before she could even ask what he was doing, Rainbow felt Spike’s claws grip the base of her wing. At first she yelped out in shock and was about to tell him off, but as soon as he squeezed her sore muscles she melted into his movements. "Ooh, that does feel good." She moaned out in relief.

Spike simply chuckled at her reaction as he moved his claws up and down her wing. "I've been around books enough to know that you strained your wing. Luckily they also show how to help with the muscles."

"Hmph, straining isn't going to help me with the Wonderbolts." Rainbow mumbled out.

"Don't worry about it, if any pony is good enough for the wonderbolts, it's you Rainbow."

"Heh heh, I am pretty good, aren't I?" Rainbow eagerly stated. Both of them had a quick laugh before silence fell over both of them. As Spike continued to rub the aching muscle, Rainbow laid her head down on the ground and let herself enjoy the massage she received, which also made her laugh. "It's funny. I always made fun of Rarity for how much she went to the spa for treatments. Now I kinda understand why she liked it so much."

"Yeah, that's her thing." Spike said with an almost dull tone.

Rainbow noticed the change in his voice, making her sit up in curiosity. "Hey, so... What did happen with you and Rarity by the way. I mean... You know. You always wanted to-

"Not gonna happen." Spike quickly answered. "She made it pretty clear many times she doesn't feel the same way. All I am is her little 'Spikey wikey' as she says. She obviously isn't interested in a "baby dragon" as everyone sees me."

"Oh..." Rainbow laid her ears down against her head, feeling bad for bringing up what seemed like a touchy subject for him. She always knew that he had a crush on Rarity since he first moved to Ponyville. She also knew how Rarity also treated Spike like was was just a little baby most of the time despite him being there for a few years.Before she was about to change the conversation, something started to not make sense inside her head. "Hey Spike, how... old are you actually? I never really knew your real age."

Spike didn't answer as massaged her wing for a few more strokes before releasing his grip. "So how does that feel now? Better?"

Rainbow sat silent for a moment, unsure why he was hesitant on answering. Not wanting to push her luck, She shifted her wing a few times to test the pain. To her relief, only a few small pricks of pain travelled up her wing base. "Yeah, it's much better. Thanks Spike."

"Don't mention it." Spike said with a smile. As he turned up to the sky though, he frowned when he saw the sun dropping beneath the skyline in the distance. "Looks like we won't be going much longer now."

"Yeah. And... Even if it was lighter, I'm not sure how much longer I could go with this wing." Rainbow propped herself on her elbows and tucked her wings to her side. "Feels like it's getting colder now too."

"Don't worry, I'll start a fire real fast." Spike got up and walked over to the nearby trees. "Just rest. You've done more than your fair share of the work today."

Breaking off a few low hanging branches, Spike piled them up until he had a large stack in his arms and carried them back to the center of the clearing. Building up a small group, he took a deep breath and belched out a stream of fire to ignite the wood. Rainbow couldn't help but grin at the sight.

"Heh, gotta say, at least you don't have to worry about going somewhere and you're food getting cold."

"Yeah, you got that right." Spike said with a chuckle as he sat back onto the ground next to the bag he had carried with him from Canterlot. Opening it up, he pulled out a bottle of water and a pair of sandwiches.

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of food. Her mouth immediately began to water, along with her stomach emitting a loud growl. Not eating all day was now showing off the side effects of skipping her meals. Spike noticed her staring and laughed.

"Would you like a sandwich, Rainbow?" Spike asked her, already handing the sandwich her direction.

Almost ripping the food from his grip, Rainbow wolfed down the sandwich so fast she nearly ate plastic wrapping that covered the bread. Hardly even taking her time to chew, she had completely finished her entire meal before Spike had time to even finish his first bite. "Wow..." Spike said wide eyed, "if I knew you were that hungry, we could have stopped earlier to eat."

Blushing slightly from his words, Rainbow wiped her mouth clean of crumbs. "Sorry about that. I didn't realize I was until we stopped."

"Here..." Spike reached over to the water on the ground and passed it her direction. "You want some of this too?"

Nodding, Rainbow grabbed the bottle with her good wing and pulled it towards her. Placing the base between her hooves, she twisted off the cap with her feather before popping off the top. Taking a few gulps, she shut her eyes in the pleasure to feeling the water soothe her dry throat. Pulling the tip away, she licked her lips to catch the few stray drips that fell out before handing the bottle back. "Thanks again."

"No prob." Spike said as he took the bottle back from her. Reaching back into the bag, Spike fumbled around for a moment before he pulled out a small blanket. "Here, you can use this."

Rainbow sat still for a moment, amazed at the selflessness Spike was showing her. "But... this is yours. You don't have to give me that. I'm alright for now."

Spike shook his head in defiance. "Don't worry about it. I'm okay without it."

Without letting her answer, Spike walked to her sides draped the blanket over rainbows back. A light blush spread across her cheeks at the kind act that her friend was giving her. All these different provisions that he had originally taken for himself he was now offering her for her own comfort. Not even a single one of the stallions she had been with before had ever shown this amount of generosity towards her, and this was coming from a young drake she had known as a friend.

But was he a simple young dragon she thought he was? She had known Spike for the two years he had lived in Ponyville and had watched him change. While he hadn't changed in size, which was still bugging her in the back of her mind, she had seen him grow up emotionally and mentally. He always showed respect to everypony around him. Never once had she seen him purposely try to take advantage of another to benefit himself, and he never gave up on somepony else.

'Just like me...' She whispered to herself.

"Uh... Rainbow?"

"Huh?" Rainbow suddenly came back into consciousness, seeing Spike giving her a questionable look. "What's up?"

"You were just staring at me for a little bit. Was a little weird."

"Oh. Uh..." Rainbow scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. "Sorry about that. I just spaced out for a bit. I..."

Rainbow trailed her words off when she saw the item Spike had in his claws. "Is... Is that the book?"

Indeed, it was the same book that revealed the secret of Crimson Flames. Spike nodded as he stepped over by Rainbows side and sat down. "Yeah. I grabbed it so I could look through it for anything. Anything that could help with Twilight."

"Thats really smart actually. Did you find anything so far?"

"Well... No." Spike disappointedly responded, "I read through the part of that Crimson Flames over and over again last night, but I couldn't find anything more than we already know."

Rainbow frowned hearing that, hoping there could be more they could do. "There has to be more in that book about him, like... I don't know, ways to turn off the flames or something."

"I didn't see it. I can check again real quick." Flipping open the book, Spike skimmed through the pages, going past dozens of strange things as he looked for the right one. "Let's see; the mirror pool, Gate of Tartarus, Sword of Shadows... Ah, here. Unnatural beings."

Looking over his shoulder, Rainbow noticed the first creature that was featured in the book, the sight of him bringing a scowl to her face. "What in the hay? Why would Discord be in a book like this?"

"He is pretty weird, Rainbow." Spike answered with a shrug.'"Kinda does match him."

"Yeah... I guess that's true. What else is here?"

"We have this one guy..." Spike flipped the page to reveal the section of Aligon, the dragon hybrid. "This is the one the Princess mentioned. She said that Crimson found out about him and used this idea on himself. That's why he turned into... Whatever he made Twilight."

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth in anger at the thought of her friend being compared to these monsters from an old book. "What does it say about him? Maybe if there is a tip to stopping him, we can use that also."

"I checked already..." Spike quietly answered, his eyes slowly looking up at hers. "Starswirl killed him."

Rainbow's eyes widened in shock at hearing that. "Just killing him? No, there has to be more than that, because we aren't going to do that to Twilight!"

"I know. I would never even consider doing that. I don't care what this book says, because I won't believe there isn't a way to save her." Spike sternly answered. "I mean, who knows, maybe this book only gives part of the story. It never mentioned anything about Crimson being Princess Celestia's student."

That was a good point that Rainbow never thought about. "Hmm, you have a really good point there. Also, how do we know everything in here is even true? What kind of other things are in there?"

"Well..." Spike looked back down to the book and skimmed a few parts until he came to a section he hadn't read before. "Here's one. Fenrir; the wolf of the west. This creature was one of the ancient beings before time was written. He-

"Woah woah, wait a sec..." Rainbow cut him off, "How in the hay would they know if he was before time if it wasn't written?"

Spike sat quiet for a moment as he thought about it himself, "Huh, that is true. How would the author know about something before time? Then it says he was stronger than the greatest of dragons, and blood was his ally."

Rainbow couldn't help but laugh at hearing that. "What? A wolf stronger than dragons? That's hard believing even if it said than a small dragon. And what in the world does it mean blood is his ally?"

"I have no idea. It then talks a little about him ruling the world, until he was defeated and sealed. It doesn't mention how, when or where." Spike flipped to the next page to see what this thing was supposed to look like, but to his surprise was met with nothing. "There isn't even a picture of him."

"See? What did I tell you?" Rainbow patted her chest in applause to herself. "If that thing doesn't even make sense, how do we even know this thing is honest or not?"

"You do have a point, Rainbow. Let's see another." Spike turned a few more pages until he came to one that caught his eye. "Woah, this ones different. Telnara: the naga from the north. This monster was the tail of a snake, the body of a pony, the claws of a dragon, and the head of a serpent. She was the pinnacle of beauty for all males, along with the manipulation of their souls. Water was her weapon of choice, it's versatility above all."

Rainbow sat quiet as she listened to Spike talk. While she was never a history fan, some of this stuff was kinda cool to hear. But one part did confuse her though. "Hey Spike, I have one question though."

Spike stopped reading and turned back to her. "Hmm? Did some of her powers confuse you? Don't worry, I don't really-”

"Well..." Rainbow scratched her head again, slightly embarrassed she was going to ask this. "What does... Versatility mean?"

"Oh..." Spike couldn't help but chuckle, which brought a slight blush across her face. "It means it can be used so many different ways. But like you mentioned earlier, maybe this book isn't as good as we thought on some things."

Rainbow perked her ears up in excitement hearing that. "Really?"

"Yeah. I read the rest about her, and like the last one, it doesn't mention how, when or where she was beaten. And no picture again."

"Really? Huh... I thought that would have been pretty cool to see what it looked like actually." Rainbow leaned back away from him and looked up to the sky, realizing that it was night now." Wow, time flew by pretty quick, didn't it?"

Spike looked up as well, taking note of the thousands of stars that dotted the dark sky. "Yeah, I didn't even realize it because the fire next to us." Closing the book, he slid it back inside of the bag and let out a long yawn. "Maybe we should get some sleep. There isn't anything we can do now."

"Yeah, I'm a little tired too." Rainbow moved herself around underneath the blanket, relishing in the warmth it gave her. When she looked back up however, she felt a wave of guilt come over her when she saw Spike shiver slightly. "Spike, don't you want your blanket back? You're gonna catch a cold out like that."

"No, it's okay Rainbow, I'll be fine. You can use it."

Despite his words, Rainbow could see him rubbing his claws over his shoulders to warm them up. Suddenly, an idea came in her head which caused her body to quickly heat up itself. 'I mean... I could do that. It would be best... And we're just friends.' She quickly told herself.

"H-hey Spike..." She stuttered out, confused why she was having trouble just asking it. "If you want we can... You know... Share the blanket."

Spike lifted his head and turned around to face her, his eyes wide and a light pink blush across his cheeks. "Sh-share!? No no, I'm okay. I wouldn't want to take some of it away from you."

"It's plenty big Spike. Besides, it is yours anyway, you should keep warm at least." Using her wing, Rainbow lifted up the side to her chest, "come on."

Spike simply sat still for a few seconds as he stared at her. Sure, he always had a huge crush on a Rarity when he first met her, but he never really told anypony before that he also had a small attraction to Rainbow Dash… and Applejack, but that wasn’t the point right now. Her toned, slender body was much better than half the mares in Ponyville could dream of, and her beautiful hair always made him smile. Not only that, but he also found her energetic and positive personality fun, and not grating at all.

'Well... She probably just wants to share. She doesn't feel anything for me I bet.’

Nodding his head he stood up and walked over, he grabbed the blanket and laid down on the ground next to her with his back facing her. The problem was he attempted to stay on the very edge of the covers to where his stomach was still exposed. While she was a little nervous of being so close at first, Rainbow would not let Spike suffer the cold just so she could stay warm. Unfurling her good wing, she wrapped it around his shoulder and pulled him closer in.

"H-hey! What are you doing?" Spike quickly asked as he felt himself slide across the dirt.

"Relax, I'm just sharing a blanket." Rainbow pulled him until he was almost against her chest before she relaxed her grip in him. "There, that better?"

Spike had to admit, laying under the blanket was much better the. Sitting outside. But perhaps the best feeling for him was the warm feathers that draped over his body. Rainbows long wing felt more than just a second cover to him. It was the warmth of somepony close to him, which felt better than anything else at the moment. As she began to pull it away, he quickly grabbed the end of her feathers and held it there.

"Rainbow... Would you mind if... You kept your wing like this?"

Rainbow felt her face grow very warm from the question. Having him close like this was already more than she expected, but cuddling was not something she had planned on at all. But... She did like the feeling of being close to another at the moment. "Sure."

Wrapping her feathers back around, she encircled him until she completely covered his back. She was actually surprised by the warmth of his scales against her, almost like there was a fire inside of him. 'Being a dragon, there probably is.' She joked to herself.

"I'm not a baby dragon." Spike suddenly said.

"Eh... What?" Rainbow asked, a little caught off guard from the sudden statement.

"I'm not a baby like everypony thinks I look like. I am older than that." Spike sighed as he shifted in the dirt. "Just because I look like this doesn't mean I'm that age."

Rainbow tilted her head in curiosity, since this is what she asked him earlier. "Well, how old are you?"

Spike gave out a loud sigh before rolling over to his other side to face Rainbow. His eyes gave a look of frustration, and that of sadness. "I'm seventeen."

"What!?" Rainbow yelled out in complete shock from hearing that. "Y-you're seventeen!? But how... I mean... You look..."

"Twilight was five years old when she hatched me. She's twenty two now. She grew up... But I am stuck looking like this." Spike’s eyes looked towards the ground in disappointment. "We tried talking even to Princess Celestia about it, but she doesn't know why I'm not growing anymore.Twilight decided it was best just to say I was a baby dragon to everypony else. Now I am stuck looking like this for who knows how long."

Rainbow sat open mouthed for a little bit, stunned at the fact she just learned of him. Now she realized why he acted so much older than he looked compared to the other fillies and colts around the town. Seeing him having to deal with everypony treating him like a baby would be frustrating for anyone. Reaching out with her hoof, she turned his cheek so that he looked right into her eyes, giving in a warm smile. "You are more grown up than any baby I know. And I know you definitely aren't one."

Spike couldn't help but smile at what she said to him. Closing his eyes, he leaned in and laid his head against her chest, causing Rainbow to blush out like crazy. Looking down, she was thankful he couldn't see the redness on her cheeks. Her heart was beating like crazy with him this close to her, causing her to be confused with herself. 'wait, why am I so nervous with him like this? We're... We're just friends. We aren't like... That.' She sternly told herself

After a moment of feeling him against her fur however, she couldn't help but realize she liked the comfort of him this close. Closing her eyes as well, she lowered her head and rested it against his forehead, smiling at the warmth in her chest.

"Goodnight."

Both of them stayed in that position, for the first time in the last few days finding a small amount of comfort before drifting off to sleep.

Author's Note:

Hope you enjoy this touching chapter.

Be prepared. This is the Final chapter of buildup before the darkness returns

Comments

[ConEditor]

Well...I must say, this is pretty cool.

[Lyall]

Be prepared. This is the Final chapter of buildup before the darkness returns

Oh goody, I'll get the popcorn!

[sarokcat]

meh about the whole rainbow spike thing... but otherwise awesome chapter and looking forward to what comes next.

[Reisentanith]

3819256 Ill get my Flashlight.

[Roseninapie]

Gah, why did I ever unfavorite!

[Sidetrack]

LET THERE BE DARKNESS

[BronyPonyMan]

man, was kinda hoping for a twidash. oh well, i guess i can deal with a spikedash, or whatever it's called.

[Jet Lignite]

FINALLY someone acknowledges Spike as a teen, and that Twilight was 5 when she hatched him. THANK YOU!
The Spikedash was a nice touch, wonder how everyone will react to that.

[Knight of Lycaeus]

Well Spike and Dash, not too common to see so that was nice.

Also some minor typos;
"if any pony is good enough for the wonderbolts", Wonderbolts should be capitalized,
"Spike walked to her sides draped the blanket over rainbows back", it should be Rainbow's.

[Aburi]

As much as I like this story, I think a lot of this chapter felt really forced. Not the content - I like the interaction between Spike and Dash; I mean the mechanics of it.

Spike couldn't help but smile at what she said to him. Closing his eyes, he leaned in and laid his head against her chest, causing Rainbow to blush out like crazy. Looking down, she was thankful he couldn't see the redness on her cheeks. Her heart was beating like crazy with him this close to her, causing her to be confused with herself.

For example: in the above paragraph you are continuously linking cause and effect. This railroads the reader into the mindset you want. True - this method lets you get your point across; but it does not allow the reader to discover any of this for themselves, which does not allow much immersion into the story. Cutting down on the prose where emotions are running high (or just being discovered) will make the reader fill in the blanks and feel the impact more.

[chaos2012]

3821263 I don't like the idea as a baby. Thanks

3822345 well, this is honestly my first time doing any kind of romance (despite my horrible first story) never had much experience in this

[Aburi]

3822841
The solution is obviously to go and write a whole bunch of romance for practice!

But anyway, a good rule of thumb for romance is "less is more". Romantics will pick up on the tiniest little hints or descriptions and build whole worlds around them.

[chaos2012]

3824783 that was written before I saw it

[Johnyapple]

Please, please, please don't put a spike and dash ship in this! This story doesn't need more sub plots and distractions.

[Unconcerned]

D, aaaaaaaaaawwwwww X : = epicness

[RC]

Aaaawwwwweeeeee yyyyeeeeeaaaaahhhh. Dr- Dr- Drop the bass! Th7s story powns! Send em baddies home.

XXX

[chaos2012]

3825419 why? These guys below got the idea haha

3828917
3830824

[Shadowclax]

3825419 DUDE Of course there need to be more subplots! Thats what makes a story awesome! Not to mention that its quite cute. :3

[ShadowBrony]

Dawww, I like this ship. I have also wondered about Spike's age. I figure that Twilight must have hatched him around age five. She is now old enough to be out on her own meaning that she might be around age twenty. It is why I believe in some episodes the reason that he acts older then shown, is because he really is older. I also figure that Dragons might age differently. It would be interesting to have an episode where Twilight goes into the future and finds Spike at age 20 and maybe just then having a growth spurt. It is also sad when you think about it, ponies are the ONLY creatures he may have a companion with since other dragons will disown him for growing up around ponies. So him ending up with at least one of the mane six is entirely possible.

[Violet Runner]

I don't know why but when I read this I picture the seen from Hellboy where Rasputin is saying that he has no choice but to bring about the apocalypses happening with Crimson as Rasputin and Spike as Myers.

[Starlight Nova]

This was inspired by the amazing story 'Inner Demons' by SapphireLibra3.

Is there a reason why you didn't link to that story?

[chaos2012]

3931918 I just forgot to and never did.

Fixed

[Pluma the Fluffy Dragon]

3931968 I sense a Firestorm is coming! (Far too loud- Firestorm --- song)

[StormyVenture]

Eurgh. + = weird. Leaning a little too far on the ship end here.

Anyway, bit of a rollercoaster so far.

[ymom2]

4185792 Everything does not have to be a ship, it could just be a close bond of friendship.