At last
“Could you pass me the-“
“Here you go.”
“I also need the-“
“Got it right here.”
“Could-“
“Already refilled the inkwell.”
Princess Celestia sighed, but not in irritation. It was one of relief as Spike was aiding her to conquer the mountain of paperwork before her. She felt guilty that the small slot of time she had acquired to spend with her adoptive son was instead filed with paperwork that had been thrust upon her last minute.
They rarely had anytime to be in each other’s presence and sadness crept into her mind as she remembered that there was such a large gap in time for which she knew very little about in Spike’s life. She and Spike would send each other letters, but Celestia knew that being told the story face to face gave a much more personal and enlightening experience than just reading it on a piece of parchment. “Thank you again Spike. I’m sorry that a large part of your visit was spent on assisting me in paperwork.”
“Nah. It’s okay Mom. I get that you got a lot to do. Just being here with you is fine.” He smiled up at her and couldn’t help but smile in return.
“You really are a huge help.”
“Learned from the best and then very best.”
“You have indeed Spike.” He was taught by some of the best tutors you could find in all of the subjects. At the age of 10, Spike had already acquired his G.E.D. and at 14 Spike had his Bachelor’s. This meant Spike was extremely well trained to aid in any academic endeavors which was important since he was to become the assistant of Twilight Sparkle, who Celestia knew would achieve great things. Perhaps even be a princess. Celestia giggles at the thought. That would be silly.
She felt guilty that perhaps Spike had not had the ideal childhood being succumb to rigorous teaching and training from a young age, but Celestia still always made sure to fit in time to spend with her little boy. She still has the albums filled with what few pictures she has of his upbringing and looks at them from time to time when the letters are not enough to sate her desire to be with her son. Celestia sighed, “Well looks like this is the last of it.”
“Finally.”
She moved to embrace Spike, “Yes. Now there is nothing to prevent us spending time-“She yawned regally. No! Not now! She looked out the window and confirmed her fear that it was indeed late and she would have to head off to bed soon in order to have the energy in the morning for her duties. She sighed again in sadness.
“It’s okay Mom. Like I said just being here was already great.”
She smiled down at the boy too mature for his age and too experienced in the unfairness of the world. “Well I cannot leave it like this. Spike if there is anything you desire, consider it yours as my thanks and my apology for tonight.”
“You really don’t have to.”
“I insist.”
“Well…” Spike thought long and hard. As with every other time he did this, his mind eventually drifted to thoughts of the albino coated Goddess of his dreams, Rarity. This could be my chance. “Could you…”
“Anything.”
“Could you… make me older?”
Celestia looked and was very surprised from this unusual request, “Older?”
“Yeah.”
“Why would you wish to age?”
“So I can be… bigger.”
“And why do you wish to be bigger.”
“Cuz… cuz… I want Rarity to notice me.” The last part was spoken in a low volume and was not understood by his mother.
“You want to what?”
“I want Rarity to finally notice me.”
“Oh Spike.” Celestia squeezed Spike a little harder to offer comfort before her answer in hope of cushioning the blow, “I’m sorry that I cannot do.”
“Why? You said anything.”
“I did, but I cannot follow through on this request for its implications and its reasons.”
Spike looked ready to begin raising his volume, but instead just sighed loudly and looked down sadly, “I’ll never get a chance.”
“A chance at what Spike?”
“A chance to be with Rarity, to win her heart.”
“Why do you need to be larger to do this?”
“She never notices me when I try and show her how much I love her. When I do anything she just pats my head and says ‘Thank you Spikey-Wikey’.” The nickname was spoken with contempt. “She just sees me as a kid. She’ll never notice me if I’m always the size of a colt.”
“You’ll grow in time.”
“When? I have barely grown half an inch since my last birthday and that wasn’t exactly a good one.”
She hugged in silence for a few moments, “Spike you should never have to change who you are for anypony. Especially one whom you wish to be your partner in life.”
Spike scoffed, “Easy for you to say. You’re a pony like everyone else. Just bigger and with wings and a horn.”
“You’re right Spike. I cannot fathom the situation you have been in all this time being different. However, if you being different is such a handicap, how is it you have so many friends?”
“Well…”
“And a sister who cares for you and loves you.”
“Uh...”
“And a mother who loves you very much and wishes she had more time to spend with you.”
“I… don’t know.”
“That’s because it’s not. Spike you being different has not deterred you from doing things anypony else has.”
“But other ponies get to be with who the love.”
“That’s true, but other ponies also don’t get to be with who they wish to be with. Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be.”
“But how do I know that. I’ve never even been given the chance.”
“Well-“Three swift knocks came from the door to her bedroom. “Who is it?” She asked while trying to mask her irritation that she had asked to not be disturbed this evening under any circumstances.
“It is I sister. May I enter?”
“Of course Luna.”
Luna entered and closed the door behind her. “Your time to finish lowering the sun has passed and I was worried as to what had caused the delay.”
“I just lost track of time.”
“Guess that’s my queue.” Spike pulled away from Celestia still down from his revelation to his mother earlier, but also contemplating her advice.
“Good night Spike. Again I am sorry we did not have more time, but I will not let breakfast go to waste in the morning.”
“Look forward to it. Night mom.” Spike turns to exit the room.
“Goodnight nephew. Pleasant dreams.”
“Thanks. You too.”
“I already had mine but I thanks you none the less.”
“Right.” With that Spike left the Princess’ quarters and ventured to his room.
Luna glanced at the pile of paperwork on Celestia’s desk, “Another opportunity missed I see.”
“It must be a conspiracy against me spending time with my son.” Celestia sighed with grace. “I only wish I could help him with his fixation on Rarity.”
“The alabaster mare who is friends with Twilight Sparkle correct?” Celestia nodded. “Is he afraid to approach her still?”
“No. Apparently he has approached her several times, but his affections were met with responses that suggested she only saw him as a child. Well, according to his words. So when I offered him a request for tonight, he asked me to age him so that he may grow in size.”
“Is he not already of age to court and marry?”
“In our terms yes.”
“Then does she treat as a child to insult? Insulting a member of the royal family comes with severe punishment.”
“First of all, no it doesn’t Luna. That has not been the case for a while.”
“I see. Then I must see to an urgent matter once you have lowered your sun and I have raised my moon.”
“Luna you didn’t.”
“You are correct. I did not.”
“Ugh, well just fix it as soon as possible.”
“Of course.”
“Well back to the topic at hand, apparently she treat him like a child because she believes him to be so.”
“Has his age never been brought up in conversation?”
“I suppose not. Alas I fear that he will not get over this fixation anytime soon.” Celestia moves to her bed and lie down on it.
“Good night sister.”
Celestia smiles as she says, “I know you will make it a good one.”
Luna smiles back and heads out the door. Spike is my nephew and I have hardly ever spoken to him. Perhaps this will be an opportunity to bond with him and try to resolve his problem.
Luna went to Spike’s room after her duties with the moon and a quick observation of her nightly realm. She knocked softly so as to hopefully not startle the boy awake should he already be asleep. To her relief and somewhat worry, Spike answered with no hint of being in any way close to the embrace of rest, “Yes?”
“It is I, Luna. May I enter?”
“Of course.”
Luna entered Spike’s personal room and took momentary stock of it. It looked so impersonal and could easily be mistaken for a guest room. The only exception to this was the few picture frames that adorned the night stands on either side of the bed which Spike was lying down on. She could not make fully clear as the what the content of the ones on the side furthest from her were, but those she could see depicted her sister, Twilight and Spike in various displays of affection. “Could not obtain sleep?”
“Nah. Just… thinking.”
“I see. Would these thoughts be centered around a certain alabaster coated mare?”
Spike sighed deeply, “Yes.” Luna moved onto the bed and laid herself down regally at the foot of it. “You come to give me a pep talk too?”
“But of course. You are my nephew Spike and you are troubled. I wish to aid in the resolving of it if I can.”
“No offence, but I doubt you can tell me somethings I haven’t heart dozens of time already.”
“Then that is where I shall begin. Spike, perhaps you here these things over and over again because they have some merit to them. Has that crossed your mind?”
“Yes, but when they tell me stories of ponies not working out together, I don’t feel that it can apply to me. Those ponies actually had a chance and it just seem that Rarity won’t even give me that.”
“Perhaps she is trying to tell you but this subtle method is the only way she feels she can while still keeping you as a friend.”
“That’s just it. You can say ‘maybe’ and ‘perhaps’ all day and that just proves my point. I don’t think I’ll never get a definite answer.”
“Perhaps you might.”
“Huh?”
“My sister offered you a request and I will do the same. However, mine shall be different.”
“How?”
“I will merely offer a choice to proceed or not proceed with what I plan to do.”
“What do you plan to do?”
“I will ask Rarity for her reasons and true feelings toward you.”
Spike chuckled dryly, “Good luck. Twilight has tried that several times and been vague’d away like everyone else.”
“Ah, but I can offer Rarity the sanctuary of her dreams for which she shall tell me and, as much I may not enjoy doing of anymore, I do believe I offer more authority over her than Twilight Sparkle.”
“It doesn’t seem right.”
“The decision is yours.”
“Uh…” I can’t do that to Rarity. It’s an invasion of privacy and if she finds out it was for me, she’ll never forgive me. That will definitely shut down my chances with her. The chance you don’t even know you will ever get. True. Maybe I do need this. No. It’s still not fair to Rarity. Has she been fair to you? I… don’t know. Remember what Twilight said? ‘Sometimes you have to be selfish to truly be selfless.’ Maybe. Ugh. “G-go ahead.”
“Are you sure?”
“…Yes. I… need to know.”
“Very well.” Luna proceeded to lay her head down to join her body on the bed. To any observer, as with Spike, she seemed to simply be falling asleep. In Luna’s mind she appeared in a world of no sky or earth just grey stone archways that seemed to be floating in a sea of soft blue light. She proceeded to maneuver through this space with determination and a canter that suggested full knowledge of her destination. When she reached an archway that appeared to be the same as all of the others, the archway began to shift in color and design. The archway appeared to have a giant paint brush swipe white across it and atop the center of the arch a purple diamond symbol appeared. She proceeded under the arch and vanished beyond an invisible wall. The room she entered was one that could only be describes as fantabulicious. Completely immersed with colors and designs adorning everything in sight and at the center of it was a white unicorn seated on a cushioned seat staring at a dress whose magnificence was truly beyond comprehension outside of this special place. In one instant the dress began to almost come alive with motion as some colors on it shifted slightly to different hues and the frills began to grow and shrink to the will of an unknown puppet master. “Pardon my intrusion to your space.”
“Ah!” Rarity jumped a bit at the sound of an intruder to her serenity. “Princess Luna!” She proceeded to remove herself from the seat and bow to her princes of the night.
“Please Rarity, rise. In here I have no authority. In fact, perhaps it is I that should be lowering my head in respect to you.”
“Heavens no. I could never as that of yourself your majesty.”
“Please no formalities here. In this realm we are equal.”
“I suppose I can try.”
“That would be greatly appreciated.”
“Where are we?”
“I would think that would be obvious, however I understand where you might gain confusion. We are currently in your dream world; in your mind. You might not know because my presence caused you to gain self-awareness instead of being completely driven by the subconscious as dreams normally are.”
“I see.” Rarity finally took stock of the room she was in. “Oh my. This place is magnificent.” She turned to see the dress she had unknowingly created, “This dress is perfect. Although perhaps a slightly warmer tint of this color would be better.”
“Rarity I mean no disrespect, but I have come with a purpose.”
“Oh dear me, you are right. How can I be of service?”
“I come on the behalf of a friend of yours named Spike.”
“Oh.” For a moment Luna saw fear streak across Rarity’s eyes, but then left with aura of sadness and regret. “What does my little Spikey want?”
Luna remembered that nickname from Spike utterance of it in a negative fashion, “It seems he has been plagued with thoughts regarding his feelings for you and your feelings towards him.”
“That’s… a bit private and between Spike and I. I don’t feel comfortable-“
“I insist.” Luna cut Rarity off harshly, but her tone softened, “I can assure you that whatever is said here will remain confidential between you and me.”
“Did he send you?”
“I offered my service to come on his behalf and he agreed.”
“I see.”
“However not without inner turmoil as to if he should agree. In the end, he decided he had to know.” She was responded to with silence as Rarity looked away and to the adorned wall of the room. “I can assure you that it is only you and I in this room and world. This is your world.”
Rarity huffed, “Of course that’s how you see me. Vain Rarity that if always afraid of being seen in the wrong light.”
“I do not at all believe that. To worry about other’s thoughts about us is in everypony and being. I understand the desire for privacy for situations and this is most certainly one of those. However, I must insist on the importance that this conversation yield results.”
“I will talk to Spike.”
Luna began accusatorily, “Will you? According to him, he has tried to on several occasions and has been ignored or put off for another time. He desires an answer for this since it is on his mind constantly.”
“It is?”
“It is. Surely you cannot expect me to believe you had no knowledge of it.”
“I didn’t-“
“Your features betray your attempted ruse. I can see the sadness that embraces you on this topic.”
“I don’t…”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know what to say to him.”
“Honesty is always the best course of action with this sort of situation and especially when it involves a friend.” Silence was again Rarity’s answer. “Perhaps a more direct approach will work. Rarity, do you feel romantically for Spike?”
“…No.”
“Very well. Why?”
“I… just can’t.”
“Is it due to his species?”
“No!” Luna was visually surprised by Rarity’s outburst and Rarity noticed. “No. Him being a dragon means nothing to me.”
“I am sorry if I have stumbled upon a sensitive subject.”
“It’s not just you. Spike’s affection for me is not a secret to anyone who has come in contact with Spike. All of Ponyville knows.” Rarity sighed, “When I walk through time I hear sometimes. ‘Poor Spike. If only he was born a pony’ or ‘She just uses his for her own benefit. What a bitch’.” Tears were starting to form in the corners of her eyes, “Spike deserves to be happy just like any other pony, griffon or any creature that can love. It just can’t be me that will give him that happiness.”
“Why? Rarity simply a ‘No’ will not suffice for Spike.”
“You’re right.” She sniffled a bit, “He deserves better than that.” Rarity moved back to her cushioned seat and kept her back to Luna. “He’s like the little brother I never had.” She looked around the room slowly. “He’s always helping me and those times he does make me wonder if I had had a little brother, would he be so eager to help his big sister like Sweetie Belle does. Sometimes, for small moments, he…” Rarity looked down at the cushion, “he becomes a son in my eyes.”
“I see.”
“I don’t want to lose what we have. Those times are truly special to me and I would not give them up for the world.” Rarity chuckled dryly as tears began to escape her eyes slowly, “Listen to me. Selfish Rarity causing the one she sees as a little brother pain for her own desires.”
“Rarity, wanting to keep something you love is not selfish. It is natural. However keeping it at the expense of something or someone else is.” Rarity sniffled again. “It is not too late to fix things.”
“Yes it is. You will return to Spike and he will hate me.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
Rarity sighed, “No. Spike is too kind a soul. He will forgive me when he shouldn’t.”
“Why shouldn’t he? He loves you. That will not change. Do you believe his feeling were shallow and could be easily replaced or gotten rid of?”
“No. Of course not.”
“Then rest assured you will keep your friend and little brother. Perhaps it will be some time to cross this boundary of sadness and awkward feeling, but know that it can and will be overcome if you truly love Spike.”
Rarity turned around sharply and ran to a startled Luna to capture her in a hug across barrel. “I do love him. He is like Family to me.” She proceeded to open the flood gates and cry. Luna offered her own embrace and allowed to let Rarity let out the pain and regret she had kept bottled up. “I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“Please tell him I’m so sorry. Tell him that I truly wish I could feel the same for him.”
“I will.”
A little more time was spent in Lunas embrace before she pulled away looking down in shame. Rarity hiccupped a bit as she spoke, still recovering from her previous weeping, “Tell him I’m sorry for being such a coward and no being able to tell him this in person. Also… Tell him that anypony, or dragon or griffon or anyone who has the privilege of being Spike’s chosen partner will be the luckiest being in this world or any other. They would have the kindest, most caring, loyal, selfless soul at their side.”
“I will Rarity.”
“And… I’m so sorry.”
Luna stepped forward and lifted Rarity’s head to face her, “It will work out Rarity.”
Rarity gave a small smile, “I hope so.”
With one final farewell, she canceled her spell and Rarity was left alone in the extravagant room. Sadness for her cowardice remained, but Luna assurance of hope for this to not lose her one she loved dearly was the only thing she held onto with desperation. In Rarity’s bedroom, her form lay asleep and from under her sleeping mask a single tear rolled down her face as she mumbled, “I’m sorry Spike.”