Spike's Very Special Somepony
Spike sat sullenly, staring out of the window of his bedroom high up in the upper vestiges of the Castle Of Friendship. For a change, the young drake's mind wasn't centred on who the Mane-iac's latest victim would be in the recent edition of his favourite comic book series, or which gem had the strongest flavour (emerald or sapphire? He could never decide) but on that magical, most elusive of four-letter words. No, not work... L-O-V-E.
For, once again, Hearts And Hooves Day had descended on the small little hamlet known as Ponyville, and romance was in the air, with sales booming at Barnyard Bargains as flowers and candies were sold out in record time. All around, courting couples could be seen getting in on the spirit of the occasion... Cranky Doodle and Matilda, Lyra with Sweetie Drops, even Big Mac and Cheerilee had 'taken the plunge' so to speak, and were enjoying a quiet ice cream at Sugarcube Corner (this time potion-free thankfully, which meant much less cringeworthy interaction).
The only exception to the all-round lovefest, as far as Spike could tell, was the poor little guy himself. All week long, he'd planned to confess everything to the object of his affection, the light of his life, his long-hoped for significant other. He'd even gone to the extent of booking a seat at the most expensive restaurant in town, saving up his meagre wage packet to treat his long term crush with the kind of luxury a lady of her esteem truly deserved.
Alas, as the phrase goes about the 'best laid plans', his machinations had fallen at the first hurdle. Not only had Rarity already left her boutique for the day by the time he'd plucked up the courage to declare his undying adoration for the fashionista, but her reason for departing early was a heartbreaker in itself... the local entrepreneur Filthy Rich had regained some semblance of sanity by dumping his despotic wife Spoiled, allowing the unicorn to act on a burgeoning allure she harboured for the wealthy stallion, and the pair were now on a purely speculative date.
When Spike heard the dreadful news, at first he'd beat himself up over it for a long time. He'd had so many chances, numerous opportunities during their abundant hours together since his relocation from Canterlot to express how he'd felt, yet he'd squandered every single one of them. Even when he and the designer were falling to their 'deaths' after his unfortunate growth spurt during his birthday, he still hadn't managed to say the forbidden words. He should've known at this stage, if a near-death experience can't bring out your innermost feelings, nothing can. His not-so flawless strategy was doomed from the start. If only he'd known...
Other back-up options, like Princess Ember of the Dragon Kingdom, were a definite no-go too. The new leader of his race was nothing more than a good friend, and he'd never felt the same rush with Rarity as he did around any of his other equine companions, as much as he valued their company. No, it looked like another sad, lonely Hearts And Hooves Day for poor ol' Spikey Wikey. Oh, well... might as well get a heads up on Spring Cleaning, He pondered morosely to himself, think I'll start under the bed...
It's as the crestfallen drake was fidgeting around underneath his mattress, trying to reach for a few loose jewels which had erroneously slipped off the sheets, that he heard a gentle tapping on his door. Not really being in the mood for any company, he refused to answer the call and just lied there stock-still, wishing more than anything that the unwelcome guest would take the hint and go away.
Unfortunately, his silence seemed to have the reverse effect on his visitor, who took the lack of noise as an invitation to enter without delay. He saw two pairs of lavender hooves march their way in, before a craned neck attached to a horned head peered quizzically down at the inert drake, with a curious face that the alicorn's loyal assistant knew only too well.
"What are you doing down there, Spike?" Twilight Sparkle asked inquisitively, her right eyebrow raised as far as it would go. "I hope you're not going to get all dirty and dusty again, and use up all the hot water. Last time around, I couldn't even have a bath until mid-afternoon. A little consideration would be nice once in a while..."
"If you must know, I'm in the middle of Spring cleaning..." Spike responded with bit of petulance, not budging an inch from his precarious position. "And before you say anything, Miss Smarty-Pants, I know the season isn't for another couple of months, but I'm getting an early start. Nothing wrong with being organised in advance, as I'm sure you understand..."
"Twilight was struck by the irascible tone of her usually mild-mannered companion, and took a step backward in surprise. "I-I wasn't going to ask that..." She glanced around shiftily, as if she didn't believe that admission herself. "I just came in to inform you, that me, Starlight and the girls are going out on the train this morning to the Crystal Empire, to see how baby Flurry Heart is doing. I wanted to know if you wanted to come with us... you could say hello to Cadence, play hoofball with Shining Armour, revel in your adoring crowd..."
"Ugh, I'm sick of going around everywhere in that place in disguise!" Spike eventually twisted his head around to stare ruefully at the alicorn, the frown on his face hinting at the lack of privacy he had whenever he journeyed up to that long-lost kingdom. "They've already got a massive statue of me there... isn't that enough? Perhaps I should move there permanently and put myself in a glass case, do you think that would satisfy the baying masses?!"
"Spike, I'm surprised at you!" Twilight chastised him, clearly not impressed by his demeanor at present. "Those ponies out there cherish you because you saved them from King Sombra's curse! You should be honoured to have them be so welcoming! If it does get too much, you can always come and stand by my side. I'll make sure you don't get mobbed by all the scary autograph hunters..."
"It's not funny, Twilight! It's annoying! Very, very annoying!!" Spike half-snarled at her, before returning to his gem hunt in earnest. "In other words, I don't want to go! Tell Starlight 'sorry' from me, and send apologies to the others in my absence. See you when you get back, I'll make sure I give the place a tidy when you're gone too, seeing as that's all I seem to be good at these days..."
Twilight almost bowed her head and went to leave Spike's den in defeat, before a sudden thought popped into her head and she turned around to address the drake once more. "You know Spike, you couldn't be more wrong. That isn't all you're good for, and you know it. Care to let me spell out the ways you're appreciated?"
"Why not..." The dragon laughed cynically, thinking this was all a gigantic waste of time. "This ought to be good for a laugh..."
"Aside from liberating the Crystal Empire from certain destruction, where do I even begin..." Twilight scratched her chin thoughtfully, trying to come up with a few key examples of her loyal aide's worthiness. "You helped set in motion the reformation of the changeling kingdom. Without your steadfast commitment to befriend Thorax, I'm not sure we could have looked past our prejudices and accepted him into the fold so easily. Later, he proved to be an invaluable asset in the battle against Queen Chrysalis as we turned all of her followers onto our side. Now, with their monarch gone and their hunger for love sated permanently, they're some of our staunchest allies. Do you really think any of this would've been possible, without you?"
"It was just a fluke, that's all..." Spike's spirits continued to stick at rock bottom, and he moodily crossed his arms out of eyeshot. "In case you don't remember the events of that day properly, I almost messed it all up when I didn't speak up for Thorax at the crucial time. Only sheer luck enabled me to find him again, and without that song popping into my head I have no doubt that Shining Armour and the other soldiers would have tore him to shreds there and then. Even the biggest screw-ups have their time in the sun, now and then. I wouldn't read too much into that particular event if I were you, Twilight..."
"Oh, yes?" The alicorn wasn't about to give up on the drake just yet. In fact, she was just getting started. "What about your friendship with Starlight Glimmer, huh? I've seen how well the two of you get on... and why do you think that is, eh? Without your guidance and solidarity during our time travel escapades, I'm quite sure we never would've been able to reach a helping hoof out to show her a better way. Also, when she was struggling to pluck up the courage and make amends with her old friend Sunburst, who gave her the mental fortitude to go through with it, and in effect save the Crystal Empire for a second time? Here's a clue: It wasn't me, with my over-elaborate lists!"
"Y-Yeah well, I-I was just doing my job..." Spike, despite himself, found himself starting to waver a bit, but he was still determined to stand by his principals. "Regardless, I still don't feel like I'm good enough for you or your friends right now, and that's something I'm just going to have to live with. At least one of them agrees with me, anyway..."
"Oh, you mean Rarity..." Twilight said the name innocuously out of the blue, causing the dragon to bump his head painfully on the bedboards in surprise. "You don't think I didn't know about your big plans for today in advance? You've been speaking about them to yourself for weeks now, and scribbling down what you want to tell her right in front of me. I would never want to invade your privacy Spike, but you don't make it very easy for me not to..."
The drake felt a burning sensation in the pit of his stomach, and for once it wasn't caused by fire. "Y-You didn't say anything to... D-did you...?"
"Spike! How could you even think that I'd do such a thing..." Twilight may have seemed irritated by Spike's insinuations, for there was no hostility in her voice. "No, of course I didn't, but I was aware of her growing relationship with Filthy Rich. I didn't tell you about it, since I respect her right to a personal life as much as yours. That's part of the reason why I arranged this fun day out today, because if things didn't quite work out, you'd still have something nice to fall back on. A day with most of your best friends will be good for what ails you, mark my words..."
Despite trying to put on a stoic front all this time, Spike felt a few clandestine tears congregate in his green reptilian eyes. "Y-You arranged all this, f-for me?"
Twilight smiled at the invisible face of the dragon, amused that he'd even asked. "Of course I would, Spike. You're my best friend, as well as my most valued assistant. No princess could ask for a better deputy, and we've been through so much together, ever since I saw you hatch from a tiny little egg. We've seen each other grow up, experience new things almost every day and even when I became royalty, you didn't change your sincerity towards me one iota. I probably don't say this enough, but I really think I'd be lost without you..."
Spike was so overcome with emotion at this point, it was all he could do to mumble "T-Twilight..." without sounding like a complete sissy.
"A-Anyway, that being said..." The alicorn stated matter-of-factly, beginning to get a little teary-eyed herself. "The train leaves in about ten minutes, so if you want to join us, you're going to have to hurry. Think about everything I've said, and just one more thing to chew on before I go: Just because Rarity is dating somepony else right now, it doesn't mean she thinks any less of you. Rather, she thinks that you're one of the noblest, sweetest creatures she's ever met, and if things don't work out with Filthy Rich, I still think you have a real shot. Anyway, I hope to see you soon. I'm sure you'll make the right decision. Goodbye for now, Spike..."
And with that, Twilight shot off, leaving the drake to his own private thoughts... and after what he'd just heard, there was only one conclusion he could make.
What on Equestria was he doing? In his heedless pursuit of Rarity, he'd neglected the truest, most securest relationship he'd ever had since emerging from his shell... a real friend who'd stuck by him through thick and thin through his occasional mistakes, and whose counsel and trust meant the world to him.
He still hadn't given up hope of wooing his unicorn beau in the future... but for now, there was only one alicorn on his mind who was worthy of his devotion.
Princess Twilight Sparkle... his Very Special Somepony.
Looks like those dinner tickets wouldn't be going to waste after all.
"Hey, Twi... wait up!!" Spike shouted out joyously, as he crawled out from under the bed and followed his special pony as fast as his little legs could carry him, grabbing some stray gems en route for the long journey to Canterlot.
After all, it's not like he'd have to share.