Dawning Reality

by WordSPark37

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

One by one, or two by two, ponies had started to arrive in the park more and more frequently. Most carried a basket or two, and Spike had spotted several that had brought along with them lawn chairs and blankets. He’d long ago given up on memorizing Ponyville’s festivities and holidays and events. It truly seemed as if the ponies had something to celebrate or commemorate every day. It just so happened that that specific day, was the annual Summerwind Theater, put together by the Ponyville Actor’s Guild. It was the day that William Summerwind had founded the Actor’s Guild, nearly three hundred years previously. Frankly, Spike was more of a music-dragon himself, preferring an evening listening to his varied record collection.

Still, Twilight never missed an opportunity to delve into Ponyville’s vast culture, and he wasn’t one to disappoint. And it wasn’t all that bad. Bring things like plays and such were more to Twilight and Rarity’s style, even Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash and Applejack, even Pinkie Pie usually detested such events, but as friends, they were more than happy to oblige. Just like Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy went to all of Dash’s athletic events, and helped AJ around the farm, and simply tolerated Pinkie’s antics. That was what friends were for. He’d just have to sit next to them and hopefully quiet chit-chat would make the evening more digestible. Besides, if he was lucky, AJ would’ve brought some of her “special” cider.

By the time Pinkie showed up, being the one who lived closest to the park, Spike had managed to carve an intricate pattern into the lower parts of the bench, probably to the disapproval of some of Ponyville’s more refined citizens. It didn’t really bother him, nopony ever reprimanded him, other than Twilight, ever since his “growth spurt”. All ponies, even his best friends had changed ever since his own change, but most had at least tried to adapt to the new him. The only pony who never treated him any different had always been Pinkie, which explained the wide smile on his face as her pink, fluffy mane came into view, bouncing down the path without a care in the world.

Her eyes were closed tight, a smile on her face nonetheless, and despite the obvious fact that she could not see where she was going, she kept her trajectory obstacle-free. Within seconds, she had arrived next to where he was sprawled out on the bench, both friends greeting each other with warm, contagious smiles.

“Hi Spikey!”

“Hey Pinkie. Where’s Rarity, I thought she was with you?” Spike said. Pinkie giggled and gave him a playful wink.

“Don’t worry, she’s not far behind. And you’re secret’s still safe!” She whispered rather loudly, probably alerting a few passersby. Still, it took Spike a few seconds for Pinkie’s news to register. As he recalled the promise she’d made when he’d first openly admitted his feelings for Rarity to her and Twilight, his eyes widened in realization.

“What do you mean? How do you know?” He asked, at this point not bothering to even pretend to freak out. Pinkie took no notice of his casual attitude and began her tale.

“I was afraid Twilight might have broken her Pinkie Promise, which would have been very, very bad…” Pinkie darkened a bit as she said this, sending a chill down Spike’s spine, but quickly returned to her cheery attitude, “But when I was talking to Rarity, I asked her if Twilight had said something about somepony, meaning you. She only looked confused, and said ‘What?’, so I’m sure that she has no idea! Then I had to leave and finish up this humongous order for the cakes that I had to finish by this afternoon! It was for the afterparty tonight over in Canterlot! I had to bake like five gazillion cupcakes, and then the icing and…”

“Pinkie!”

“Yeah?”

“I got it.”

“Okie Dokie Lokie!”

“But you don’t have to worry about keeping that promise anymore…” Spike said, albeit somewhat solemnly. Pinkie was once again confused, and seemed to be getting tired of being confused. Her snout scrunched up in her usual ‘I don’t get it’ face.

“What? How come?”

Spike sighed. He didn’t want a repeat of what had happened with Twilight. Number one, even though he hated seeing anypony cry, seeing Pinkie cry was truly heartbreaking, to the point of burying-your-head-in-the-ground depressing. Two, she was much to innocent and cheerful, and such depressing topics would only ruin that for her. And finally, it was a rather long explanation, and he didn’t want to do it over four more times, so he did his best to summarize.

“I’m… I’m giving up.”

No progress.

“Huh? On what?”

“On Rarity, Pinkie, I’m done it.”

“So… You don’t like Rarity anymore?” She asked, almost sadly.

“No, I just… We’re not meant to be together. I’m a dragon, she’s a pony. It was just a silly crush, that’s all. I’m just saying, there’s no secret to keep anymore.”

Pinkie’s ears drooped, and her whole demeanor changed into a slightly gloomier one. Spike didn’t know for sure, but she seemed either saddened or disappointed by the news. Why, he had no clue, but Pinkie was… well, Pinkie.

“Oh… okie dokie then…”

She smiled, but it seemed more forced and kind of a pity smile rather than her trademark Pinkie grins. If such trivial news affected her that much, Spike reasoned that perhaps it was best not to tell her about his plans for the near future.

“So… shall we wait for the others?” Spike ventured, hoping to swiftly change the topic and mood. Pinkie seemed to agree, and a sincere smile played upon her lips.

“Okay!”

Spike curled up as he had before, leaving more than half of the bench free, a feat in itself, and patting the seat next to him for Pinkie to sit on. She leapt up and cuddled up next to him. Her intentions had probably been to comfort him, but her puffy mane managed to distract her objective and tickle him in his more sensitive scales. After a fit of giggles from both parties, they both ended up out of breath and eagerly awaiting the arrival of their friends who would surely not be long. the sun was beginning to descend and become one with the horizon, and it would not be long before nighttime came along and marked the beginning of the play.

Before long however, an abrupt flash of light interrupted the scene before the two occupants of the wooden oak bench, as a lavender unicorn materialized in front of them, holding onto a picnic basket as though it were her lifeline. Her eyes were shut tight, and she looked more like the victim of a spell rather than the caster. Spike guessed she’d probably sneezed or lost focus just as she was casting the spell, hopefully nothing grave. As she blinked and opened her eyes, his worries vanished, and he smiled at the arrival of her with the picnic spread safe and sound. Her eyes were a bit glazed, but as beautiful as always; Deep pools of tranquility, now rippled by the effects of teleportation. As her eyes came into focus, she managed to spot Spike, which made sense, since he technically was a big green and purple blob sitting on a park bench, and not even a blind pony could miss him.

“Spike! I’m back! Has anypony else arrived, or are we still the only ones he… Oh. Hi Pinkie…”

Twilight suddenly turned, well, awkward. For some reason, she seemed unnerved by the fact that Pinkie was sitting right there, yet why, he didn’t understand. Pinkie simply smiled as she always did, and waved a friendly hoof at Twilight.

“Hi again Twi!”

Twilight had set the basket on the floor and was nervously shuffling her hoof on the ground, not making direct eye contact, and doing a perfect Fluttershy impersonation.

“Twi? What’s up with you?” Spike asked, genuinely concerned. Pinkie set a hoof upon his shoulder, and looked up at him.

“Don’t worry about it,” She said to Spike, quickly turning towards Twilight.

“It’s okay Twi, I know you didn’t break your promise! Besides, there’s no promise to keep now, right Spikey?”

Despite her joyful nature and wide grin, Spike still couldn’t help but notice a change of tone near the end of her sentence. He paid it no mind however, as Twilight returned to normal. Or rather, as normal as Twilight can ever get. Twilight normal.

“You know about that?” She asked, a rather stunned expression on her face. Pinkie nodded eagerly, her mane somehow always staying impeccably groomed in the same cottony form.

“Yeppers! Spike told me all about it.” She waved a hoof through the air during the elongated ‘all’ for emphasis, and Twilight put on the same sad smile as before. Spike rolled his eyes and almost gagged. He honestly didn’t mind them knowing, but them pitying him was something he really did mind. With a tired swing of his hand, Spike lifted himself from the bench and motioned towards the area where the stage was being set up.

“Should we get going then?”

“What about the others?” Twilight asked, a bit uneasy at getting started without everypony else.

“I’m sure that they’ll be able to find us without a hitch.” Spike retorted sarcastically, sending a puff of smoke from his nostrils into the clear dusk air. Pinkie giggled at the scene, one of the few ponies Spike had found that appreciated his sarcastic sense of humor.

“Yep! Who could possibly not see Spike! A big purple dragon isn’t exactly easy to miss!”

Twilight still looked reluctant, but at Pinkie’s bubbly outburst she relaxed a bit, and allowed herself to be guided towards an optimum spot a good distance away from the stage, but still within visible range. All in all, a nice, comfy spot beneath a shady elm, even though shade wasn’t a problem nor a necessity at such late hours. Before Twilight could react, Spike grabbed the basket out from her magical grasp and began spreading out the contents, beginning with a rather large checkered blanket. It floated onto the soft grass as Spike used his claws to unfold it in one swift motion.

Once Pinkie and Twilight had settled into their respective spots, they began to chatter away about things Spike didn’t bother, nor find interesting, to listen to. As he removed all the contents of the basket, starting with the tropical punch and several small tumblers, he could sense other ponies nearby beginning to drift towards his area. He couldn’t blame them, seeing as how the smell of a fresh picnic dinner could make anypony’s mouth water, including his friends. He took out the appetizers, a medley of steamed vegetables with a variation of dipping sauces, and set them down around himself on the smooth blanket. He cast a glance towards the two ponies sitting opposite him, and even though they were still trying to continue their idle conversation, he noticed them casting a few glances towards his direction, smacking lips and hungry eyes.

Taking delight in the innocent torture he was causing, Spike gave them a playful smirk, and slowly reached into the basket. No longer bothering to play innocent, both Pinkie and Twilight stood staring at him, jaws gaping, a thin line of drool hanging from Pinkie’s lower lip. His smile widened as his claws met their target, and he clasped the object firmly, smirking at his victims. With a grand gesture, he removed from within the basket a small toothpick dispenser.

Spike rolled on the grass holding his sides, taking delight in the two ponies’ disappointed expressions. After a good laughing fit, he caught his breath and directed himself to the two angry mares still waiting for his justification.

“The… The main course… is for… the intermission…” He explained through ragged breaths. Pinkie and Twilight didn’t seem content, but they set the matter aside as Fluttershy and Applejack appeared from the crowd of ponies now swarming the park. Spike waved them over, and they greeted him with a smile and a wave, Fluttershy’s wave more of a semi-raised hoof than an actual wave.

Applejack shoved through most of the crowd and made pretty good time, reaching their spot and giving Spike a hearty noogie before settling down near the girls. Fluttershy, attempting as always to try and not be a nuisance, took about four times as long to reach them. She smiled at everyone then begun to politely listen to the conversation that had emerged from Applejack’s arrival. It was life, it was simple, it was everyday, it would be something he’d miss for sure. Spike rested his head on his claws and let his eyelids droop, planning out the next few years of his life.

Ponies of all ages and sizes and colors and manestyles gathered around the stage, all conversing eagerly with their friends or partners or family. They all seemed so content with their lives, not a care in the world. They could afford the luxury of attending such social events. They had no problem going outside and mingling with others, enjoying themselves to their fullest. Spike envied them, their liberty, their freedom, their comfort. They were things he lacked, yet wished for.

He was a dragon, a wild, feral beast amongst ponyfolk. Sure he used to be small and adorable, innocent and harmless, but ever since he changed… His claws had grown into deadly blades, his fangs now lined his mouth in rows upon rows of sharp protrusions. His size while standing as was natural for his kind matched that of the princess’s, and his control of fire had developed remarkably. He was a dragon, raised by ponies, but a dragon nonetheless. No matter how everypony treated him, or what they said, no matter how supportive his friends were, he knew the real truth. The whispers behind his back, the shifting glances and awkward silences. The way a room would almost immediately fall silent once its occupants became aware of his presence. Even his best friends, even Fluttershy seemed uncomfortable in his company. And Twilight… Twilight had done her best to try and make everything as normal as possible, and he loved her for that. But coexistence in the same house, between a mature male dragon and a female pony wasn’t easy, or very comfortable.

To be perfectly honest with himself, he’d considered leaving Ponyville quite a few years ago. The princess had spoken to him about discovering more about himself, his roots, dragonhood in general. Little was known about dragons, much less his own species, and that curiosity had always been an itch in the back of his mind. But he’d never actually had the courage to leave, something had always held him back. He thought maybe it’d been his friends. But now that he finally realized that he had absolutely no chance at all to ever be truly happy.

On the outside, he tried not to show it, but within his mind and heart, there was a maelstrom of emotions, tearing him apart. He’d never really comprehended that all he wanted was to be happy, as happy as everypony else seemed to be. But now he understood that he could never be happy here, not in Ponyville, not in Equestria, not when he was the only one like him. A monster, an outcast, a tiny insignificant piece to a different puzzle. He loved his friends, all of them, even his love for Rarity had not subdued, but they could continue their lives after he left, they could find happiness. He, on the other hand, would only grow old, quite possibly live longer than them, and suffer through eternity with the same feeling of remorse and dissatisfaction.

There was really only one reasonable solution. He looked up at the four friends gathered together, smiling happily and reveling in each other’s company. It brought a smile to his face. He could live with himself, with leaving them, if it meant finding himself, his purpose in life, a life of his own. But something told him that they might not see things from his perspective.

Comments

[Karrakaz]

This is all going to end in tears isn't it?

I'm not good with unhappy endings, we get enough of those in real life.

Great chapter though, Hoping to see it all work out in the end.

[ugugg93]

Oh... I didn't know that I signed up for a tear jerker...

ya bastard...

[WordSPark37]

329926

Oh, I don't know... I just love toying with emotions, but I sincerely doubt that anyone will possibly be disappointed with the ending. Well, technically, those who support a certain pairing or those that despise a certain pairing will obviously not be too pleased with the result, but I can only do so much. If it were up to me, there'd be so many overlapping pairings, that it's not even feasible.

[Karrakaz]

331471

Ship all the ponies!

seriously though, as long as it's a happy ending I'll be happy as well

[The Dragon Warlock]

I hope it all works out in the end. I'm sick of seeing so many Spike fics end sadly for him. I've seen more than enough of those.

[Fury of the Tempest]

Wow... just wow.

Pretty big Mood whiplash there...

[Stofen]

Ha, it's surprising how much of this chapter was actually explored in the Dragon Quest episode.

[WordSPark37]

334487
I'm not going to get all defensive or anything here, but at this moment, I have actually NOT yet watched that episode, believe it or not. And this chapter was uploaded, and therefore written, before the episode aired. I'm just clearing up any doubts. I was worried this new rumored Spike episode would blow up my story...

[awesomespike]

all spike needs to do is unleash the dragon and he'll be fine.

[awesomespike]

all spike needs to do is unleash the dragon and he'll be fine. 334487
Actually I honestly felt that episode did nothing but tell us what we already knew. I was hoping it would go more into dragon culture and hierarchy, not just follow what rowdy teenage boy do.

[Frazzled Pony]

Oh, it's going this way. I really hope this ends up with a happy ending, with acceptance and stuff and that Spike is overreacting, possibly after much hardship, because I am so tired of ponies being so prejudiced except for the very few close to Spike. That is simply no the Ponyville shown in the show.

Also, it is really beginning to be too with the much mood-shifts. Half this chapter says Spike is depressed and alienated and half of it has light-hearted humor like in the show, and fine, if down-hearted Spike is what this is about, go with that, but then you should have that as a constant undercurrent and certainly not something that completely changes from one paragraph to the next. I am well aware that people who are in a bad place or specifically depressed aren't feeling down 24-7, but the shifts are too abrupt, jumping between "have considered leaving for a while, I'll never be happy here, people distrust me, everything has changed" and "rolling with laughter at teasing more food which was actually toothpicks", which isn't even funny enough to roll with laughter. Good for a chuckle, not for a laughing fit. In other words, your tone is inconsistent.

A few specific points:

"usually detested such events, but as friends, they were more than happy to oblige. Just like Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy went to all of Dash’s athletic events, and helped AJ around the farm, and simply tolerated Pinkie’s antics." This is unfair to everyone. Detest is too strong, you don't go to things you detest, you go to things you might dislike or don't care about, but not detest. And they don't "tolerate" Pinkie, they love Pinkie and only sometimes think she is too much. All in all, this makes Spike come across as really unpleasant.

“I’m sure that they’ll be able to find us without a hitch.” Spike retorted sarcastically, sending a puff of smoke from his nostrils into the clear dusk air. Pinkie giggled at the scene, one of the few ponies Spike had found that appreciated his sarcastic sense of humor." I'm pretty sure that is not really sarcasm. Quote from wiki: ". But irony, or the use of expressions conveying different things according as they are interpreted, is so often made the vehicle of sarcasm ... The essence of sarcasm is the intention of giving pain by (ironical or other) bitter words." Spike does use a bit of sharp and somewhat biting (maybe even a little bitter) wit, but his intent is not to hurt anyone. Though sarcasm, as I just found out, seems to be kinda hard to define. Much more reason then, to avoid just saying someone is being sarcastic and instead experimenting with more descriptions of tone and inflection. But the Spike's comment looks more like a friendly reassurance to a forgetful Twilight than anything sarcastic.

"All in all, a nice, comfy spot beneath a shady elm, even though shade wasn’t a problem nor a necessity at such late hours." Lose the "wasn't a problem", it doesn't follow naturally. You wouldn't find a spot beneath a shady elm if the shade could possibly be a problem. It makes sense to say that they use the spot despite not needing the shade, but not the other bit.

"They were things he lacked, yet wished for." Too spelled out. Lose the "yet wished for." The "lacked" implies plenty.

Still, the fact that I have written all this is proof that I still care. I don't rant to rant, I rant to help, because this story has potential. The tone just needs to be more consistent and the narrative needs polish. So you haven't lost me just yet.