> Carry Me Home
>  by PropMaster
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Rainbow Dash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike laid back on the grass and watched the rainbow-colored blur in the sky as it pirouetted through another complex series of tricks. Rainbow Dash was at it again, pushing her limits and testing new stunt ideas, and Spike had been around long enough to know that she'd need a spotter for her inevitable break. She always pushed herself too far, these days, seeking that next great height, that next peak. There was almost a desperation to it, one that Spike worried over at times. As he'd grown older and larger, his pony friends—his family—had changed as well. He stood nearly head and shoulders taller than all of them these days, something that Rainbow often commented on whenever they met. She'd call him 'squirt', still, but there was something in her tone that was wistful. She often flew up to his head height rather than address him from the ground, as though she couldn't accept having to talk "up" to him. He humored her, of course, because she was the one pony that worried the most over those sorts of things.

His thoughts were interrupted by a thunderous clap of sound that drew his eye up to the skies. Rainbow Dash had pulled some kind of crazy move, and the clouds overhead had burst with the force of whatever she'd just done. Rainbow hung at the apex of a climb, wings wide, head pointed to the sky, eyes closed. She was weightless, suspended in a brief moment of perfection, and the smirk on her muzzle told Spike that she was about to do something stupid. 

The moment broke. Rainbow's wings tucked at her sides, and she fell like a stone from the sky, speeding towards the ground. Here eyes were still closed, mane fluttering behind her like a fallen pennant. Spike stood up, his jaw clenching in concern as he followed her progress down, down, down. She picked up speed, her wings tight and her body angled. She approached the ground, and to Spike's eyes it looked as though it was rising up to meet her. Spike had watched Rainbow Dash pull stunts like this before, but she had never brought herself as close to disaster as she was in this moment. His eyes narrowed, judging her airspeed, her distance. He started to run towards her, then.

She wasn't going to make it. There was no way. She wasn't as spry as she'd been ten years ago, and no matter the new tricks she'd gained in her career with the Wonderbolts, she couldn't beat physics as soundly as it was about to beat her. He grit his teeth, following her progress as he approached at a dead sprint, dropping down on all fours and holding his wings tight to his body to prevent drag.

Rainbow's eyes snapped open, her smirk becoming a devilish grin, and she started to flap, increasing her own speed, fully giving in to the pull of gravity and surpassing her own terminal velocity. Spike's eyes widened and he poured on the speed. Was she trying to kill herself? What was her plan?!

Suddenly, Spike noticed it: The mach cone, forming right in front of Rainbow Dash as she hit deadly speeds, perhaps only fifty feet from the ground. It was impossible. She didn't have the wing power. She'd never pulled a Rainboom so low to the ground. She was going to splatter in a prismatic explosion. He pulled up short, clenching his teeth together, realizing that there was nothing he could do but watch and hope that she could defy everything his head was telling him was about to happen.

Rainbow Dash screamed, a wild war cry that bubbled up from her throat, and a rainbow burst flattened the grass and knocked Spike onto his back. Her wings angled, her body turned, and she pulled up. Her belly brushed the grass as she blew across the open field, hit a slight rise in the terrain, and one of her back legs touched the ground. The friction of the strike at the insane speed disrupted her flight, and her frame shuddered as her lower body attempted to go one way while her upper body attempted to go another. Her back folded, her limbs went wild, her wings flared, and she crashed. She tumbled over and over, cartwheeling and rolling, bouncing off the earth as her body bled kinetic energy and feathers and grunts of pain. She finally stopped, having dug a furrow through the field that was nearly fifty yards long.

Spike rolled to his feet, staring wide eyed at her inert form on the grass, lying in a broken heap. He swallowed, staring, willing her to move, to breathe, to...

Rainbow Dash laughed. It was a wheezing, pained thing, but it was unmistakable. Her voice squeaked with gasps for air as she panted and chuckled. She stood up, favoring one leg, both wings a mess, and she let out a loud whoop of excitement. She turned, her nose bloody, her coat dirty, and her mane askew. Her voice broke as she spoke, but her eyes burned with enthusiasm. "Did you—did you see that?!"

Spike stared at her, eyes wide, and he nodded, dumbly. Rainbow Dash laughed again, collapsing to her haunches as she heaved for breath, her wings going limp as her body shook with exertion and pain. Spike approached her carefully, and she collapsed onto her back as she smiled, defying his every notion that she should probably be dead. But, there she was, as she always had been. Bloody, bruised, but never broken. She was beautiful, in that moment, her very spirit on display, her soul bare before Spike as she laid in the exultant wreckage of near-disaster. 

She was always pushing her limits, and she had yet to find them. She was the best, and in that moment she knew it. A Sonic Rainboom at fifty feet? Impossible. Nobody would believe her. But she'd done it, and that was enough for her. 

Spike crouched next to her, watching her as she panted, her tongue lolling out of her mouth, her eyes closed and a smile gracing her lips. Spike sighed, reaching over and wiping some grass and dirt off of her coat. Rainbow winced as he brushed what was probably going to become a series of massive bruises, and she opened her eyes to look up at him. "What'd I tell you? I still got it."

Spike shook his head and chuckled, despite his concern. "Yeah, Rainbow Dash. You still got it." His voice rumbled, now, no longer the high-pitched and bubbly thing that it had been.

Rainbow laughed, and then grit her teeth as the laugh became a whine and she clenched her forelegs over her chest, wheezing. "Oh, Goddesses, laughing hurts."

"What doesn't hurt?" Spike asked, giving her a once over.

Rainbow grew still for a moment, assessing her body, and then she grimaced and chuckled weakly. "Nothing."

"Right," Spike said, nodding to himself, and he reached out gingerly and picked her up, cradling her in his arms.

Rainbow Dash stiffened up, glaring up at him. "C'mon, squirt. I'm not a broken doll, here."

Spike frowned at her. "Sure. If you're so fine, then stop me."

Rainbow wriggled weakly in his arms, grunting, and then settled down, wincing and wiping her bloody nose with one hoof. She pouted. "I'll be okay in a minute."

Spike smirked and stood up, his wings opening slightly for balance, and he began walking back towards Ponyville. Rainbow grumbled to herself, shifting slightly in his arms, but eventually quieted down. Spike hoped that she'd accept that she had pushed herself a bit too hard today. He didn't think it was likely, but he could hope. He kept a weather eye on the path ahead, carrying the injured pegasus towards the edge of Ponyville. Rainbow Dash frowned up at him. "My house is the other way."

"We're not going to your house. We're going to Fluttershy's house," Spike said evenly.

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened in surprise, and then her ears folded back. "Oh, come on! I'm fine! I've suffered way worse than this! I don't need Fluttershy mother-henning over me and giving me sad eyes and sniffling because she feels bad for me! That'll make me feel worse!"

"Good. That's the idea," Spike replied, frowning down at her.

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at him, frowning. "What gives? I thought we were bros!"

"No, Rainbow. We're going to Fluttershy's house, and you're going to have to deal with it. You could have killed yourself, today. Frankly, you're lucky you didn't break every bone in your body, or shatter your wings, or any number of other injuries."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Pfft, yeah, but I didn't! I totally had it—"

"You're not young anymore, Rainbow Dash!" Spike said, glaring down at her.

Rainbow's objection died in her throat, and she stared up at him. Spike stopped dead in his tracks, staring down at the small pegasus in his arms, cradling her with the utmost care, and he felt his eyes water. "You aren't young anymore, Rainbow. You can't keep doing stuff like this. You're going to kill yourself. I know you're afraid of changing, and you're afraid of falling behind, but this isn't the way to deal with it. These stunts... they put you on leave from the Wonderbolts for a reason. Reckless behavior. Endangering yourself. Untested flight stunts..." He swallowed, staring at her. "You're so important, Rainbow Dash. You're so special. And we need you. I need you. Who's going to keep giving me flight lessons? I just grew into these dumb things," Spike said, shaking his wings, "and if you end up breaking your neck doing something stupid, where will I be? Twilight isn't much of a flight instructor, and Fluttershy might as well be an earth pony for all she uses her wings. So..." Spike stared at her, and his words died in his throat as her expression reached him.

Rainbow's ears were folded back, and her eyes were watering. Both hooves clutched at his chest, clinging to him, and she shook. Spike almost dropped her, but she pulled herself against him and began to cry. Spike found himself clutching Rainbow Dash as she gasped and sobbed. Between sniffles, she spoke. "I know... You're right... I'm just... I'm so afraid. You're right. You're so... big, Spike. You're a... a dragon. And there's all these kids, new reserve 'Bolts, and I see them doing the tricks I invented, but they're... faster, and better, and improving, and... I just... I'm still me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Spike held her close, stroking her mane gently, careful of her injuries. "It's okay, Rainbow. I'm sorry, too. You just... you scared me."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You're going to figure it out, Rainbow Dash. But this isn't the way to do it. You have to find new envelopes to push, new ways to be the best. We all believe in you, Rainbow. You know that, right?"

He could feel Rainbow nod her head against him, her breath coming in hitching gasps and little hiccups. She leaned back into his arms, and he stared down at her. Rainbow Dash stared back, wiping at her face with one muddy fetlock, and she managed a fierce grin. "Okay. New envelopes. I can do that."

"Okay," Spike said, smiling uncertainly. "You're... not mad at me?"

Rainbow snorted, and winced. "No. I... maybe needed to hear that from somepony that wasn't my captain, or one of the girls. Twilight and Fluttershy have said stuff like this, but... coming from you... I dunno, Spike, it's different hearing it from the kid that used to ride on Twilight's back. Maybe, if you can see it, then it's really time to do something about it."

Spike chuckled. "I guess so, huh?" He started walking again, holding Rainbow carefully as she lay back, looking up at the sky.

She smirked, "Plus, it wouldn't be very loyal of me to go and get myself splattered before I finished teaching you how to get off the ground with those new wings of yours."

Spike smiled down at her. "I'd never doubt your loyalty, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow sighed, closing her eyes as she relaxed in his arms. "At least that'll never change."

By the time Spike got to Fluttershy's cottage, the exhaustion and emotional outburst had caught up to her, and she was sleeping soundly, curled against his chest.
> Fluttershy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike heaved another load of feed into the shed and pushed it carefully into the interior. He had to duck his head a bit to get through the door, but it wasn't a big problem... in a few years, though, it might be. He stepped back out into the animal sanctuary and stretched out his back, his wings shuddering and flapping as he extended them. He'd been working for hours with Fluttershy, the pegasus mare initially refusing for fear of being 'too much trouble', which he'd assured her she was not, nor could ever be. As the day had progressed, he'd seen more and more things that he could help with: more jobs that Fluttershy struggled to complete herself.

His short stretch break finished with a long yawn that sent little wisps of smoke into the air, and he waved away the smog with one clawed hand. He noticed Fluttershy staring at him from near the garden she was working on, and he smiled nervously. "Uh... something in my teeth?"

"O-oh! No, certainly not. You have... very nice teeth," Fluttershy said, looking away from him. Her mane was pulled back behind a scarf that she'd used to keep her long mane out of her eyes as she worked, but a long forelock had slipped lose as she'd worked. Spike thought she looked wonderful, despite the sweat and dirt on her yellow coat.

Spike approached her as she hauled another large basket of compost-rich soil towards the garden, her wings flapping with the strain of hauling the basket. Spike ambled closer and gestured to the bag. "Why don't you sit back and let me do that?"

Fluttershy grit her teeth and muttered something that he couldn't understand around the handle of the basket, as her eyes winced shut and she let out a little grunt of exertion. Spike moved around to the other side of the basket and started pushing it, and Fluttershy struggled to keep his pace as he moved the large basket of rich earth. Finally, she let go of her side of the basket and slid out of the way as Spike pushed it across the grass to the edge of the garden. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. "See? No problem!" Fluttershy smiled, but her eyes glanced down at the ground towards her hooves, a demure and uncertain pose if he'd ever seen one. He frowned. "Are you okay?"

She looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Oh, yes. I just, um... I'm fine."

Spike knew she was holding back, and he realized that he'd done something wrong, but for the life of him he couldn't see what. He approached her and sat down in the grass next to her, his neck bending down a bit to look at her. "Everything okay? You know you can tell me if you need me to do something," he hesitated, glancing back at the basket, "or, uh, not do something."

Fluttershy blushed. "Ah, I suppose I am a bit transparent, aren't I?"

"To one of your oldest friends? Yeah," Spike said, chuckling.

"It's silly, Spike. I promise, you don't need to worry about it," Fluttershy said firmly, nodding once as if the matter was closed, and she stood back up. "I have more to do, but I can get the rest done on my own if you have other things to finish today."

Spike didn't want to walk away after the little moment he'd just had, so he shrugged. "Nah. Do you mind if I tag along? It's been really nice to get out here and help you."

Fluttershy beamed at him, "You're too good, Spike. Well, come along, then. I have feed to spread and some areas that need a bit of cleaning out of old nests." Fluttershy trotted around the edge of the sanctuary, heading into the feed shed and retrieving two large metal pails. She filled them both with seed, grain, and nuts; scooping things out of different bags and mixing them together in the pails. She explained as she worked. "The squirrels love the nuts and some of the seeds, so we do two scoops for them. An extra scoop of the seeds so some of the birds can get at them, and then three scoops of the small seed and two of the grain for the mice, voles, and the smaller birds. We've got two feeding stations for them, so we've got to do the same for both pails... and, there." She picked up one bucket, levering it carefully onto her back with some struggle, and pointed to the other bucket. "This will go much faster if you carry the other one. I usually only carry one at a time."

Spike grinned and reached out with both hands, plucking the bucket from the ground and the one on Fluttershy's back with ease, lifting them up and holding them out. "No problem."

Fluttershy let out a little huff, blowing some of her long bangs out of her face, and then she turned. "Well, come on, then."

Spike realized that he'd upset her again, and he frowned. "Did you... not want me to carry both?"

Fluttershy stopped in her tracks, her wings drooping slightly, and she turned around to look at Spike with a gentle smile. "It's fine."

"No, it's not. I'm bothering you... why?"

"It's fine, Spike. Let's go, the animals like to keep a schedule, they get nervous if things are different. Keeping my little friends stress-free is a big part of what I do, here," Fluttershy said, turning around again and trotting away towards the first feed station. Spike sighed and followed behind her. Fluttershy hummed to herself, smiling as animals began to cluster around the feeding station. As Spike approached, a lot of the animals scattered, and Spike let out a sigh. Fluttershy smiled up at him, "Sorry, Spike, but you're a little too different for their tastes, I suppose."

Spike smirked, "I'd be worried if they didn't run. It's smart for them to be afraid of dragons, even if they don't have to be afraid of me."

Spike set down the first bucket, and Fluttershy reached in with a hoof and began to scatter the food around the area, dispersing the grains and smaller seeds, placing the nuts up onto little elevated dishes, and pouring the rest into little bowls that were secreted into little holes or atop of rocks. Spike watched as she worked, sitting back and admiring the care that she put into the work. She nodded, "All right, let's go to the next one."

"Do, uh... you want to carry the bucket?" Spike asked hesitantly.

Fluttershy smirked, "Oh, no, you've proven quite capable. Just bring it along, and we'll have this done in no-time." Spike picked up the metal pail and followed Fluttershy across the sanctuary grounds to the second feeding station. He set the second bucket down and watched as Fluttershy repeated the process of setting out the food. She dusted off her hooves and gave a nod. "All right, let's get these back to the shed."

Spike reached for the second pail at the same time that Fluttershy did, and they both froze. Spike jerked his hand back, and Fluttershy sat down, staring up at him. Spike blushed. "Sorry."

Fluttershy sighed. "Spike, I really, really appreciate how much you've helped me, today... but you've done the lion's share of the work! Why don't you let me do a few things? We're supposed to be working together."

Spike hesitated, staring at her as she looked up at him with a cute frown on her face. "W-well, uh... I don't know. I just want to be helpful!"

Fluttershy watched him for a long moment, and then her eyes lowered to the ground and she let out a sigh. "This is about Rainbow Dash, isn't it?"

Spike blinked. "What?"

"You brought her in the other day, all beat up... and the next thing I know, you're suddenly over here, offering to do work and then not letting me lift a hoof to help. Rainbow Dash mentioned pushing herself too hard. Do you think I'm pushing myself too hard, too?" Spike stared around the sanctuary. It'd doubled in size in the last ten years as Fluttershy had expanded things and created more room for more animals. Dozens of carefully crafted dens, warrens, and holes dotted the landscape, along with forty carefully planted trees and three "wild feed" gardens for the animals to browse at their leisure without needing the specific attention of feeding stations. There were two ponds stocked with fish, and ten bird baths, and numerous other niceties and things that needed tending to and looking after. Fluttershy cleared her throat, bringing his attention back to her. "Your silence really tells a story, Spike."

Spike winced. "I didn't mean—" he started, but Fluttershy floated up to his eye level with a beat of her wings and pushed a hoof gently against his mouth.

"Shhh. I know you don't mean anything by it, and I really appreciate what you're trying to do, but... Rainbow Dash and I are two very different ponies. We both have our careers, and the things I do are certainly hard work, but everything I do is done in careful measure. There's a lot of work and love that goes into here, but I promise, I'm not taking on any more than I can handle... after all, it'd be awfully selfish of me to hide that I couldn't handle the responsibility. My animal friends would suffer if I couldn't maintain the work that needs done. Do you think if I needed a lot of help, I would let them be unhappy to save my pride?"

"No, of course not," Spike said quickly.

Fluttershy smiled and nodded, floating back down to the ground and landing in front of Spike. "So, you trust that I can handle everything?"

"Y-yeah. Of course you can... I just like helping you out, Fluttershy. I didn't mean to... make it seem like I didn't have confidence in you."

"I know you didn't, which is why I'm not upset at all, but I think it was important to talk this out. I can tell you're trying to... um... coddle me a bit," Fluttershy said, giving Spike a knowing look.

Spike shrugged. "I guess I was, huh?"

Fluttershy patted him on the leg, her eyes full of empathy. "You're worried about us these days, aren't you?"

Spike blinked down at her, searching for the words, but nothing he said could encapsulate his feelings. He took in the lines under her eyes that had grown more apparent, the slightly more wide stance she kept her back legs at to support her lower back. He remembered the way she stopped to rub at her muscles when she thought he wasn't looking. There was nothing to say, and so he stared at her, hoping for her understanding. 

Fluttershy giggled. "Silly dragon. Just because you're getting bigger doesn't mean that we've changed all that much. Sure, maybe Rainbow Dash might be having some trouble, but that's the way of her world. Spitfire retired after her wing injury during a race a few years back, and Rainbow Dash took over as Captain of the Wonderbolts... and now, she's pushing the envelope of her own time as a stunt flier. Probably harder than she needs to, because she knows that that piece of her life is limited. You can't stay at your peak forever. But this work? The things I do here? Certainly, in another five years, I might need to hire an assistant, but for now, I can take all of this on. And, if it ever gets too much to handle, you can trust me to ask for help."

Spike nodded, exhaling slowly. "Thanks, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy giggled. "Of course. Now, we've got nests to clear, a few dens to muck, and compost piles to stir. I can certainly use your help on all of those, but let's work as a team, okay?"

Spike nodded. "Okay." Together, they both set to work, moving from task to task and job to job until the sun set. Another round of feeding for the nocturnal animals that were beginning to wake up, and finally...

Fluttershy sighed and sat down in the grass, running a hoof through her mane before pulling the scarf off of her head. Her mane tumbled loose, clinging to her face in places, but she didn't seem to mind. "Whew... well, that's everything. Thank you again for the help, Spike. It was an awful lot we got done today, and... well, I couldn't have gotten it done as quickly without you." Spike nodded, yawning and stretching, and Fluttershy giggled. "Oh, my, that looks nice," she said, standing up and stretching her back, arching it up and then lowering her hips and kicking out her back legs. She stiffened up, suddenly, her eyes going wide, and she froze in place, one leg still stretched back. "O-oh dear."

Spike glanced down at her as she stood in the odd position. "Hm?"

"My, um... my lower back muscles just froze up. I'm afraid to put my hoof down." She blushed.

Spike frowned in worry. "Oh, gosh. Are you okay?"

Fluttershy gingerly began to set the hoof down, and her teeth clenched as she hissed in pain. "I guess I'll be scheduling a session at the spa tomorrow."

Spike reached down and scooped her up, and she let out a little squeak of surprise. "Well, looks like one more job for me to do the lion's share of the work on," he said with a wry grin.

Fluttershy wriggled a little bit, before settling down in his grasp. "What are you doing?"

"Taking you home. I don't want you to strain your back any more than you already have," Spike explained as he began to walk along the path towards Fluttershy's cottage in the distance.

"Oh, Spike, you really don't have to!" Fluttershy said, even though her strained smile told a different story.

"Hmm... nah. I definitely have to. Let's get you inside. Do you think a hot shower will help?"

"Oh, um, probably?"

"Great. You make sure to sit and soak for a bit, and I'll make you some dinner you can eat in bed, so you don't have to worry about anything."

Fluttershy blushed a deeper pink than her mane. "Spike, that's really too much! I can manage!"

"No way! You've done the same for me. Remember when my wings came in, and you spent a whole week bringing me that special soup recipe you got from Zecora to help with the aches and pains?" Spike smiled down at the pegasus in his arms. "This is just one hour. No big deal."

Fluttershy sighed, and patted a hoof gently against his chest. "Oh, Spike... you're too good."

Spike didn't reply, but he didn't feel like he needed to. The silence was a comfortable one as he took Fluttershy back to her cottage.
> Applejack
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike followed Applejack down another row of apple trees, pulling a large cart laden with baskets of apples. He kept his head low, avoiding the lowest branches of the orchard as he worked alongside the older earth pony. Applejack's hair had been pulled back and braided, and Spike took a moment to admire how her blonde mane had been shot through with white strands and streaks, adding an almost platinum sheen. The older mare walked with a slow confidence, striding down the lines of apple trees and whistling a tune to herself as she paused, coiled her back legs, and launched a careful buck as she passed a tree laden with fruit. The tree trembled and the apples fell, and Applejack smirked and continued her measured walk. She paused in her stride only long enough to wipe the sweat from her brow, her cheeks red with exertion. Spike, for his part, positioned the cart beneath the tree, and collected any apples that fell. It was easy, considering he could pick up several apples in each hand. He'd had to learn to control his strength as he'd started growing larger, something that Applejack had been more than happy to assist him with. It wasn't a problem anymore, though: he'd gotten over that particular hurdle months ago.

Applejack cast a smile over her shoulder, pausing while Spike scooped up handfuls of fruit and placed them in the cart. As he worked, she spoke. "Those big mitts of yers certainly come in useful, Spike. I appreciate you comin' out to help with this year's harvest. Between Big Mac an' Sugar Belle out on the south orchard, and you an' me up here, we should have this harvest licked right quick!"

Spike chuckled. "I still can't get used to the fact that Sugar Belle sold her bakery to Twist and moved to the farm."

"Well, she got a good price for it, and now that Apple Bloom and the rest of her friends are working full-time for Princess Twilight, having an extra pair of hooves around certainly is nice," Applejack said, walking to the next tree and lining up a powerful buck.

Spike watched as Applejack's rear hooves slammed into the bark of the tree, the vibration and a bit of earth pony magic sending the apples to the ground. He glanced at Applejack as the mare exhaled slowly and took her hat off to fan her flushed face, smirking as she watched Spike work. Spike kept focused, but he continued to chat. "Speaking of extra hooves, what's the game plan for the next few harvests?"

"Well, we could certainly use the help if you're around. Apple Butter and Golden Belle are still finishin' their schoolin', and once Apple Butter is back he's planning on taking on a lot of the work from Big Mac and I, and Golden is hopin' to take up as junior partner at Barnyard Bargains, under Ms. Tiara," Applejack said, picking up a few stray apples and tossing them into the cart.

"Hmm, sounds like you'll be a bit short on hooves for a bit longer. What about Carrot Stick and Envy Apple? Are they still...?" Spike let the question hang in the air, glancing at Applejack with uncertainty.

Applejack chuckled wryly and walked over to the next tree, pointing to a spot underneath it where he should set the wagon. As Spike positioned the equipment, Applejack said, "Those two are pretty set. Carrot Stick's graduating from the academy, and he's trying to get a position up in the Crystal Empire, on account he thinks that all 'the action' is up in the snow. Envy, on the other hand, is still down in Manehattan, working for Coco Pommel. She wrote me last week, and wouldn't ya know it, I think she's taken' a shine to some city slicker." Applejack turned and ferociously bucked the apple tree next to her, sending the apples cascading down around her.

"Oh?" Spike chuckled, his laugh a deeper bass than it had ever been.

Applejack let out a huff, her face darkening for a moment, before she shook her head and shrugged. "Ain't nothin' wrong with choosin' your own life. I'm happy that they're both happy... it's just..."

Spike leaned down, picking up an armload of apples and stacking them. "Mm?" he hummed, tilting his head curiously.

"Well, shoot, Spike," Applejack said with a sigh,"It's just hard, seeing them scatter off to the far corners of Equestria while Big Mac's foals are stayin' around here."

Spike nodded. "Yeah, I... can't say I understand, but I certainly sympathize." 

Applejack shrugged. "Thank ya, but ain't nothin' that can be done. They come and visit, and I'm right proud of both of them for following their hearts. I love Big Mac's half of the family dearly, and you know that, but..." Applejack took off her hat and ran a hoof through her mane, blowing out a long breath, "... it's hard."

"Yeah, I can appreciate that," Spike said gently. Applejack looked up at him with curiosity, and he continued, "I've spent my whole life watching things change around me. I've gotten bigger and older, but I'm still young by dragon standards. It's... weird, staying the same while the world flies past."

Applejack's eyes widened in comprehension, and she laughed, "Well, I can't say I expected t' find a kindred spirit for my mommy-worries with you, Spike."

Spike snorted and laughed as well. "I guess."

Applejack stared up at him, her neck craning as she approached him, and gently gave him a pat on his side. "I think it's... comfortin', knowin' that when I'm gone, you'll be around, Spike. It's good to know that somebody like you will be watchin' over my foals... and their foals... and the foals after that..." Applejack swallowed, and she fiddled with the brim of her hat. "You... will be around, won't ya?"

Spike smiled, reaching down and gently patting her back with his big claws. "Of course! I'm Ponyville's resident dragon, assistant to Princess Twilight. She's not going anywhere, and neither am I."

Applejack chuckled, sitting down and reaching both front hooves up to catch Spike's hand and holding it against her chest. She looked up into his eyes. "Good. Good to know that's somethin' I can count on, my kin always having a friend in you."

Spike stared down at the powerful mare, and he bit his lower lip as her green eyes watered with sudden emotion. She snorted in disgust, reaching up and wiping at her eyes with one fetlock. He spoke after a moment, feeling the unasked question. "C'mon, Applejack. Something's on your mind. Do I have to ask you to be honest with me?"

Applejack chuckled. "Honestly? It's a hard question t' ask, sugarcube."

"It's okay to ask, I promise."

Applejack glanced around the orchard, at the cart, the apples on the ground... anywhere but at Spike. Finally, she spoke. "Ain't you lonely, Spike?"

Spike blinked, staring at Applejack. "Lonely?"

Applejack looked up at him, finally. "Knowin' that you're gonna be around after... after all of us ain't?"

It was Spike's turn to look away from Applejack, and he stared out across the trees. "No."

Applejack scowled. "Hooey. Spike, I've been around four fibbin' foals for a good half of my run across Equestria, you can't lie to me."

Spike chuckled, "Sorry, Applejack... it just... it is a hard question to answer truthfully. I mean... of course, I'll miss all of you. I don't think I need to say that. But, it's hard to feel lonely. I'm a part of this community... a part of so many families. I know that a lot of ponies are happy, knowing that I'll be around for a long time. There's a lot of loss in my future, sure... but there's so much to gain, too."

"Ya think so?" Applejack asked him earnestly.

Spike looked back down at her and nodded. "Yeah. I really do."

Applejack let out a breath, and beamed up at him. "Good." She stood back up and started walking towards the next tree in line. Spike let out a snort of surprise, and Applejack looked over her shoulder at him. "What?"

"What do you mean, what? That's it? Conversation over?" Spike asked, raising an eyebrow.

Applejack nodded, stopping and mopping at her brow briefly. "Eeyup."

Spike shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Why?"

"Well, Spike, when you get t' be my age, ya start worryin' about what's gonna happen to the friends you're gonna leave behind. After that little chat, I don't feel like I've gotta worry about you."

Spike smiled at Applejack and hauled the wagon into place. Applejack lined up her hindquarters and let loose another powerful buck, sending the apples to the ground, but her balance wavered. She plopped down on her haunches, panting. "Whew. I'm feelin' mighty hot."

Spike paused in retrieving the fruit from the ground, looking down at her. "You look pretty red in the face, Applejack. You okay?"

"Yeah, just need a minute t' catch my breath," Applejack said, fanning her face with her hat. Spike noticed that her mane, which had been mostly hidden beneath the hat until just then, was matted with sweat. Spike frowned and reached into the back of the wagon, retrieving a canteen and passing it to her. She took it with shaking hooves. "Thankya kindly."

"Applejack?!"

Applejack stiffened in place, her eyes going wide as she nearly spat the water in her mouth out in surprise. Big Macintosh was trotting towards her, a stern look on his face. "Applejack, what are you doin' out here?" Applejack glanced around, searching for some explanation, and Big Mac glared at her. Time hadn't diminished his stature, even though his mane was a less vibrant orange. "You've been runnin' a fever for two days, and yet here you are, workin'! Are you tryin' t' send yourself to an early grave?"

Applejack glared right back at Big Mac. "C'mon, Big Mac. I got Spike helpin' me!"

Spike stared at Applejack, aghast. "You were sick and you didn't tell me? We've been doing all this tough work."

"Aw, come off it, Spike. Ain't like I've never worked while sick before! Ah'm fit as a fiddle!" Applejack kipped up to her hooves, and then wobbled unsteadily. "Woah, nelly..."

Spike reached out a hand and steadied the little pony, and Big Mac trotted closer, frowning with concern as he placed a fetlock to her forehead. "Yer burnin' up."

Applejack sat back down again, frowning. "Just stood up too fast is all!"

"Stubborn," Spike said, shaking his head as he bent down and scooped up Applejack, tucking her into his arm like a baby. "You gotta be more careful, Applejack. Working hard is one thing, but working stupid is another."

Applejack sighed, "I said I was fine. No need to carry me like I'm broken."

Big Mac shook his head, and Spike glanced down at him. "You want me to take her back to the farmhouse?"

"Eeyup," Big Mac said as he started picking up the last few apples and hitching himself to the cart. "I'll get these apples into the barn. Thanks, Spike."

"Of course," Spike murmured as he started walking slowly back towards the farmhouse. Applejack grumbled as she was carried, but Spike could feel her shivering through the chills of a fever as he held her close. Spike kept her against his chest, his naturally high body temperature making Applejack sweat, but she sighed as the heat soothed her chill. He couldn't remember a time where Applejack had been... weak. Not like this, at any rate. It hurt to see.

Applejack rubbed a cheek against his scales, her green eyes peering up at him from beneath the brim of her hat. "Sorry, Spike. Ah'm just worried about the farm."

"You always worry about the farm... or other ponies... but what about yourself, Applejack? Shouldn't you be more careful? Shouldn't you be trying to stick around to a ripe old age, like Granny Smith did for you?" Spike chastised her gently.

Applejack's eyes widened at the mention of Granny Smith, and then closed. A hot tear ran down her cheek, and she sighed, burying her muzzle in Spike's chest. "Yeah... you're not wrong. I just can't help it. I'm not one to take care of m'self... got other ponies relying on me."

"They're relying on you to be there for them for as long as you can manage, Applejack. Not just as a helping hoof on the farm, either. Your foals are gonna have foals someday. They're gonna need somepony to be there for them, to teach them honesty and the virtue of hard work. Are you going to work yourself to death before you can pass that on to another generation of good ponies? Apples that need to know what the Apple spirit really means?" Spike's voice was gentle, but his words struck with the hard ring of honesty that he knew Applejack could appreciate.

Applejack sniffled, pressing against Spike. "Reckon that'd be nice."

"Really nice," Spike said quietly.

"Ah'll... be more careful, Spike. Promise. Don't know what got into me," Applejack sighed, resting in Spike's arms as he brought her back to the farmhouse porch and set her gently down. Applejack cast a glance inside at the empty house, and sat down next to Spike, pressing against him. "Mind if I sit with you? Yer mighty warm... makes the chills less, uh, chilly."

"Of course." Spike lay down and let the little pony relax against his side until Sugar Belle and Big Mac returned to take care of her.
> Starlight Glimmer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike lay on his side in the grass, staring up at the blue sky. A purple kite flew overhead, looping with the breeze, dipping and diving and catching thermal currents. It was a perfect day for this, by all accounts, and nopony knew it better than Starlight Glimmer.

Starlight was with Spike, leaning back against his side. The cool breeze tousled her mane and coat, and she smiled a serene smile as she watched her kite float. "Such a good day for it. We're really lucky, it's atypical for days like today to have such perfect conditions in this particular area of Ponyville."

"Yeah? We could move somewhere else, if you want better conditions," Spike said, his eyes following the kite string down to the little unicorn anchoring it.

"No, it's fine. I wouldn't want to go too far. They gave us special permission to be here, after all, I don't want to push my luck." Starlight cast Spike a soft smile, and Spike frowned. Starlight reached out with one hoof and gave him a gentle pat on the side. "This is good, Spike. I promise."

"Okay, it's up to you," Spike said, tearing his gaze away from her to the kite.

"Yep. All good. Thanks for checking, though. I really appreciate it," Starlight said, her gentle laugh shifting briefly into a cough. Spike's eyes shot back down to Starlight, and he frowned in worry, but she waved a hoof, wiping at her muzzle with one fetlock. "I'm fine."

"Do you need some water?" Spike asked.

"Mm, that sounds nice. Do you have any?" Starlight said, not looking away from her kite as she spoke.

Spike smirked. "You're speaking to the most organized dragon in Equestria. My horde is arranged alphabetically, from Agate to Zirconium. Of course I have some water." He reached down to a pack he'd set within reach on the grass and pulled out a decanter of water, setting it down beside Starlight. "Ice cold, thanks to a little enchantment from Twilight."

Starlight giggled, "Of course. She'd want to make sure everything was perfect."

"Yeah. Of course. You might not be her oldest friend, Starlight, but she cares. If the delegation from Griffonstone hadn't shown up unannounced today, you know she'd be here... but those Griffons never take 'no' for an answer," Spike said, sighing as he uncapped the decanter.

"Yeah, I know. It's not a big deal, I know she'll come see me tonight," Starlight said, a wistful tone entering her voice, and she sighed, "but she'll have missed this."

"Yeah," Spike said, unable to really say anything else. His gaze wandered from the kite, following the taut string, to the unicorn sitting against him comfortably as she reached out one shaky hoof and lifted up the decanter. The container trembled in weakened arms, and Starlight grimaced slightly as some cold water spilled down the corner of her lip. She drank carefully, sparingly, little sips at a time, the container resting against her chin as she tilted her head back and her eyes closed. Spike watched the droplet of water flow down her weakened neck, passing through patches of bare skin where her coat had become thin, and roll down her chest. Her ribs stood out, a sharp contrast of hardness against the weakened features of the little mare. 

Starlight's eyes opened, catching Spike looking, and she set down the decanter with care. Spike reached out one clawed hand and gently took it from her and recapped the container. Starlight glanced down at herself, the emaciation obvious as she leaned against her friend, and she shook her head. "Pretty bad, huh?"

"N-no," Spike said cautiously, and Starlight glared up at him. He shook his head, correcting himself, "I mean, yeah. It's hard, seeing you like that... but the treatments are almost over, right? You're this way because your body is getting better, not worse, so it's... good? Even if it's bad looking, it means that things are doing what they're supposed to do."

Starlight smirked, reaching up with one hoof and bopping Spike on the snout. "Yeah. That's right. The treatments are almost over, and then after that, just one more procedure and hopefully I'll have bucked this thing."

"Yeah, just... just one more procedure." Spike swallowed. "Modern medicine is pretty cool, isn't it? We can do things with magic and technology that we couldn't possibly think of forty years ago."

Starlight nodded. "It really is. It's so... interesting. I mean, who would think to take my own cells and genetically alter them with magic to fight the things inside me that it normally wouldn't fight? It's incredible. We've come so far."

Spike smiled at Starlight. "It's cool."

"Very cool," Starlight said with an air of finality.

"I mean... it's got a really good chance of making sure it doesn't come back, right?" Spike said, looking up at the kite and failing to pick up on Starlight's tone.

"Mm," Starlight hummed, before agreeing, "Yeah, if it works, it's got a very high success rate... and if it doesn't, then it doesn't really matter, does it?"

Spike glanced down at Starlight, frowning slightly. "I... I guess?"

"One way or another, this will all be over pretty soon, and that's the most relieving thing of all," Starlight said softly.

Spike swallowed hard. "Yeah." Starlight sighed, leaning farther back onto Spike, her hoof tugging the kite tether gently, making the wings flex and causing the kite to loop and dip in the air, performing little acrobatic pirouettes. Spike's eyes were on Starlight, now, and he watched her. If she noticed his stare, she didn't respond. He looked up at the kite, and back down to his friend. "So..."

Starlight smiled. "Fifty-fifty."

Spike looked back up at the kite, words failing him. Starlight glanced up at him. "I'm really happy you're here, Spike. You've always been a good friend to me, and you were always so generous, sharing your home and your friends and Twilight with me. You never got jealous, and you always were... kind. Not everypony was as kind as you were to me, but you really made efforts when I first came to Ponyville."

Spike blushed, one claw digging into the grass in an embarassed circle. "Oh, well..."

Starlight continued, "And... I know it's a lot to take in... and I know you have all these questions, but... I'm tired of having to answer questions that break my loved one's hearts, or be strong, or be the one that offers up a hug when they can't handle the news. I can't handle that, and so I've been looking forward to spending time with you and Twilight and flying kites for... weeks. It's really kept me going." She exhaled slowly, her ears drooping a bit. "So... can we just go back to flying kites, and not talking about things? I might not have a lot of kite flying left in me, here, and so I want to make this count."

Spike was silent, taking in Starlight's words, and Starlight allowed him his contemplation as she focused on flying her kite. She sat forward a bit, gripping the line in two hooves, her horn glowing fitfully as she added a third point of manipulation to the line, and she began to maneuver the kite through the air, dipping down and rolling up, down and up, increasing the speed as she worked the line. Spike watched her, as her tongue stuck out a little bit and one eye winced closed as she concentrated. For a moment, the patchy coat and the thinning mane and the dull colors of her eyes fell away, and Spike saw Starlight. She clenched her teeth and tugged on the line, and the kite swooped dramatically towards the ground, a fast dive, and then a quick twist of the line, releasing slack... not quite fast enough. The kite plopped into the ground, and Starlight laughed a genuine laugh, leaning against Spike for support as she cackled at the failure, coughing in between each giggle. Spike laughed along, a deep bass sound that rumbled against Starlight and made her laugh harder. Starlight pressed herself against his side, breathing hard, exhausted. "That would have been awesome if it'd worked!"

"Yeah, would have!" Spike said, gently prodding her in the side with one claw.

"Pfft, I'd like to see you do better!" Starlight said, smiling at him.

Spike got up off the ground, settling Starlight on the grass with one claw, and his wings spread open. "I could. Rainbow Dash taught me to fly, after all!"

"They don't call her Rainbow Crash for nothing, Spike," Starlight said, her eyes challenging as much as her tone.

Spike broke into a trot and launched himself across the field, a few loping four-legged strides getting him up to speed before he felt his wings catch air. He began to flap, powerful strokes setting the grass whirling and Starlight's mane blowing back, and he was in the air. Spike smiled, wheeling up into the sky, catching a thermal updraft that brought him higher with relative ease, and he whirled around, looking down at Starlight. Starlight was standing up, walking unsteadily to her kite. Spike watched her as she brought the kite into the air once more on sputtering bursts of magic, and soon he had a companion in the air. The purple kite fluttered near him, and Spike matched its position in the air, grinning down at Starlight. Starlight steadied herself, sitting down, and grabbed the line. She shouted something that Spike couldn't hear, but he knew what she wanted.

As Starlight pulled on the kite, maneuvering it into a new dive, Spike followed it down, allowing gravity to tug on him. He whooped, and he could hear Starlight cheer as well. The kite plummeted, Spike right behind it, and together Starlight and Spike both maneuvered at the last moment. The kite whipped upwards, nearly hitting Spike on the nose, and Spike flapped, pulling up as well, allowing one back leg to dangle a bit and brush the grass as he flew level with the earth before swooping upward on his momentum. He backwinged, killing his forward speed, and landed on his back legs with a gentle bounce near Starlight. Starlight smiled up at him, delighted. "That was cool."

"Very cool," Spike said, beaming down at her.

Starlight reeled in her kite, smirking as she began to disassemble it and put the pieces into a saddlebag. "So... uh... I had an idea."

"Yeah?"

"You, uh... ever have passengers?" Starlight looked up at Spike hopefully.

Spike stared down at her for a moment, taking her in. "You... think you could hold on?"

Starlight giggled. "I'm not gonna ride on top of you, silly dragon. Do you think you could carry me?"

"Yeah," Spike said, relief evident in his smile.

"So...?" Starlight grinned, stepping closer to Spike. Spike picked her up, tossing her saddlebag into his own, and he inhaled. With a flash of green flame, he hit the bag, sending it spiraling away on the wind. Starlight giggled. "Oh, man, I'm so glad you figured out how to control your sending flame. So easy to—woah!" Before she could finish, Spike shifted her into the crook of his arm and took a running leap, his wings beating hard as he flew up into the sky.

Starlight clung to him, her eyes wide despite the firm grasp he had on her, one hand reaching up and securing her along her back as the other cradled beneath her. She relaxed after a few long moments, peering down as the world spiraled away, Spike flying up and out over the field. She gasped as they flew through a low cloud, coughing slightly at the increased moisture in the air, and then laughing as they popped out the top. Spike held her close, angling his wings as he flew, taking her on a slow and circuitous route over Ponyville. Starlight pressed against him, sighing happily as she stared out at the town. After several long minutes, she spoke up. "Thank you."

"Of course," Spike said.

They flew over the town, flying around the top of Friendship Castle once, and then Spike turned towards the edge of town, flying in for a gentle landing before the doors of Ponyville Hospital. Starlight stepped down onto the earth with shaky legs, and Spike steadied her with one hand, letting her get her balance. She beamed up at him, and waved a hoof. "C'mere."

Spike bent down, and Starlight reached up and wrapped her hooves around his face, hugging him tightly, before she planted a soft kiss on his nose. "Today was amazing."

Spike blushed, staring at her. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. You're the best, Spike. Thanks for... just letting me be normal for a little while."

Spike nodded, swallowing. "I mean... what are friends for?"

Starlight nuzzled him gently, before releasing him from the hug. "I need a nap after all that excitement. I'm gonna head inside. I'll leave the window to my room open, if you want to peek in, okay?"

Spike grinned. "Cool. Have a nice evening, Starlight."

Starlight turned, facing the double doors of the hospital's front entrance. "I will. You too, Spike."

Spike watched the mare carefully walk into the hospital. She disappeared inside, the doors shutting, and Spike stood in place for a long moment before he turned and launched himself back up into the sky, heading for home.
> Pinkie Pie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike crouched awkwardly outside of Sugarcube Corner, his head poking through an open window into the front dining area of the bakery. Inside were two dozen or so ponies, party hats on, all chatting happily. Mister and Missus Cake sat together, their manes grey and limbs frail, smiling happily at the ponies filling the front of their bakery. Pumpkin Cake sat beside them, beaming at the attending ponies. She reached out with one hoof, catching a younger pegasus with a red-and-white striped mane and yellow coat in her grasp and kissing her on the forehead. "Oh, Angel Cake, I'm so proud of you! Graduated top of your class! You sure showed those fancy chefs that fine cuisine can come from places other than Prance!"

Angel Cake blushed, struggling slightly in her mother's grasp. "Thanks, mom."

"We're very proud of you, our sweet little cake!" said Cup Cake, her voice wavering with age and infirmity. She reached out with one hoof and lightly patted Carrot Cake on the fetlock. Carrot Cake was asleep, snoring with aplomb in his seat. Cup Cake smiled at her husband. "Grandpa is very proud, too."

"Thanks, grandma! Thanks, grandpa!" Angel Cake chirped, escaping her mother's grasp and trotting over to kiss her grandmother and grandfather on the cheek. Carrot Cake stirred, but did not wake up, smiling gently.

"Yes, congratulations. I'm sure Pinkie Pie is raring to go with some surprise or other. She's been over the moon about your graduation party," Spike added, his voice rumbling over the top of other conversations despite his focus on keeping his volume low.

Angel Cake beamed up at Spike. "Thank you, Spike. Do you know where Aunt Pinkie is?"

As though overhearing the conversation, Pinkie Pie's voice floated out of the kitchen in the back, her voice barely loud enough to overcome the noise of the party. "I'll be there in just a second! Auntie Pinkie Pie just needs a little help. Could you ask Spike to come around the back window? We need more, uhhh, firepower!"

Spike smirked, an expression shared by Angel Cake. The young pegasus pony shook her head, giggling. "Oh, man. If she needs your brand of firepower, it must be a serious surprise."

"I'll go see what she needs," Spike said, pulling his head carefully out of the open window and standing up. He stretched briefly up onto his back legs, stretching out his neck and nearly touching the topmost point of Sugarcube Corner's roof. It was tough being a big dragon among little ponies, and his neck often hurt from being held so low to the ground. It was always worth it, though. He loved them all. 

His stretch complete, he walked around to the back side of Sugarcube Corner, spotting the open window into the kitchen and poking his head through. The interior of the kitchen was a disaster, as per usual, with a multitude of cakes and pies and assorted goodies filling every avaliable space. Pinkie Pie had obviously been hard at work for hours. Pinkie Pie herself sat in the middle of the kitchen, her head down, and she looked up at Spike as he 'entered' the kitchen. She was covered in flour and frosting, which blended well with the white tinge of her coat and the streaks of white that shot through her pink mane. She smiled up at Spike gently as he peered in. Spike immediately sensed that something was wrong. "Hey, Pinkie. What did you need?"

Pinkie's smile widened a bit, but there was a tremble to it, almost imperceptible. "Heya, Spike! Well... it's a funny story!"

"Yeah?" Spike asked, knowing that it was best to allow Pinkie to explain things in her own time.

"Well, not exactly funny. It's not like, a 'ha-ha' sort of funny? It's more of a 'wow, isn't the passage of time and the things it does to ponies crazy' kind of funny? The kind of funny that isn't exactly funny, but you don't have any choice but to laugh, because the alternative is throwing up and crying a lot and being sad?" Pinkie said, one hoof gesticulating wildly. Spike stared at her, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, and Pinkie Pie stared back, her eyes watering slightly. "You know what I mean," she said, her voice getting quieter.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Spike said slowly.

Pinkie nodded. "Yeah, of course you do. You're super-duper smart! All that time around Twilight, all that time in the library. You grew up so good, Spike! I don't think I say that enough. Well, you grew up, and then you grew up!" Pinkie giggled and snorted at the little pun, and Spike snickered along with her. She'd said that joke a hundred times, maybe more, but he always laughed because he loved it and her. Pinkie smiled at him, a little relief evident on her face at the laugh, and the silence stretched overlong.

"What did you need, Pinkie Pie?" Spike asked, finally, a gentle reminder of the topic at hoof.

"Oh! Right! So, I've been baking all day, and working really super duper hard on the stuff for the party! I pulled out my Party Cannon, got it loaded, and I've been on-track!" Pinkie gestured around to the obvious end result, the mountains of snacks, treats, and cakes staggering in their sheer volume. "I'm so proud of my little cousin, growing up in the proud family tradition of cooking! She's done so much hard work, so I wanted to throw her a super duper special party!" Pinkie smiled, her eyes closing briefly, as she listened to the sound of happy ponies filtering through the closed door to the bakery. When her eyes opened again, they were wobbling with barely contained tears. "But I, uh... I don't think I can."

Spike frowned. "Why not?"

Pinkie Pie's ears drooped. "I think I hurt myself pretty badly, Spike. I was lifting a big bag of flour earlier, and I think it was a teeny-bit too big for a little old pony like me. I fell over, and the bag landed on me, and... well, I've been hoping I could just push through, but the party is here, and... I can't move my back hoovesies any more."

"You... can't move them? What do you mean?" Spike asked, leaning forward further into the kitchen, peering at her intensely, trying to spot the trouble.

"I... I can't move them. My back was all tingly and it hurt really bad, but I just ignored it, because I had so much to do! So I just kept working, and my back hurt worse, but then it got tingly, and I thought it was getting better! But then my back legs got tingly too, and I was having trouble bouncing and pronking around, and then... they just got numb. I can't even feel them. Like they're asleep. Pins and needles, but now it's nothing!" Pinkie stared at her lower back, craning her neck.

Spike's eyes widened. "Can you stand?"

"No. I tried, I Pinkie Promise, but they're just not working," Pinkie said, her eyes filling with tears.

Spike closed his eyes, feeling sick to his stomach. "Pinkie, this could be really bad. We need to get you to a hospital. They might be able to help you."

Pinkie stared up at Spike, her eyes wide. "What about the party?!"

Spike managed a small smile, despite the ill feeling in his gut. "They'll... figure something out. Nopony would want you getting hurt just to throw a party."

Pinkie bit her lip, a few tears finally falling from her blue eyes as she stared around the kitchen. "I... I worked so hard."

"It's okay, Pinkie. They'll all understand. Your health is more important."

Pinkie inhaled slowly, her mane drooping bit by bit, and she nodded to Spike. "Isn't there something we can do? Spike... I really want to do this! It's not fair that Angel Cake worked hard and then the party got ruined because of my dumb old back!"

Spike managed to get one arm into the kitchen, reaching out and patting Pinkie Pie gently on the head. "It'll be okay, Pinkie."

Pinkie reached up with one hoof, clinging to Spike's wrist, the other hoof supporting her upper body. "Spike... please... I didn't know that this was going to be my last party. Don't let me go out like this, Spike. Give me... give me this one, please? I know you're super smart, and you're super right that I should go to the hospital, but... can we wait, just a little while?"

"The longer we wait, the more likely that whatever damage you've suffered is going to be permanent... you know that, right?" Spike said, his eyes burning with the threat of tears.

"I know! But... please, Spike," Pinkie Pie begged, clinging to Spike. He could feel her tears against his scales; feel her vivacious energy draining out with every barely-contained sob and shaking breath. Spike blinked away the tears that filled his eyes too, and he swallowed hard.

"Pinkie," Spike sighed...





"Change of plans, everypony! The party is moving outside! Up and at 'em! Let's hoof it to the park! Spike and Pinkie have a surprise picnic just waiting for all of you happy ponies, so let's get going!" Pinkie Pie cheered from between Spike's wings, raising one hoof up and waving happily.

Angel Cake laughed, looking out the window. "Auntie Pinkie Pie! There you are!"

Spike moved closer to the window, crouching down to bring Pinkie Pie level with the window. She rode carefully on his shoulders, the scaly ridges on his back almost like a saddle. Pinkie Pie winked, grinning at Angel Cake. "Never a dull moment with Auntie Pinkie Pie around! Come on, let's shake those hooves!"

Angel Cake spun around, addressing the party at large. "Come on, everypony! We're having a picnic outside!"

The assembled ponies cheered, leaping to their hooves and heading to the park in groups, chatting excitedly about the surprise picnic. Pinkie giggled, watching as the party moved towards the park, where a banquet awaited them the likes of which would pass into legend. Spike looked over his shoulder and smiled at Pinkie. "... Are we going to go to the party?"

"No. I Pinkie Promised, just enough to kick things off, and then we can go. I just... needed this. I really, really needed it." Pinkie stared up at Spike, tears of gratitude falling down her cheeks. She leaned forward a bit and kissed Spike gently on the nose. "Thank you. You know how to make an old pony smile, smile, smile."

Spike nuzzled his dear friend. "Yes, I do. Now, let's get you to the hospital, okay? And we'll... figure out the rest as we go."

Pinkie Pie giggled. "That's the best way to do things, I think."

Spike chuckled, checking to make certain his hurting friend was secure on his back, and then he began the long walk across Ponyville.
> Rarity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike paced outside Carousel Boutique, his strides subtly vibrating the windows of the building. Every so often he would pause, looking anxiously at the boutique before resuming his route. Ponies trotting past gave Spike a wide berth, though many gave small smiles or waves his way. Everypony knew Spike, after all. The great assistant to Princess Twilight, the protector of the Crystal Empire, and resident dragon of Ponyville. The ponies of Ponyville called him 'gallant', now. A 'true gentle drake'. Though they didn't know it, in that moment, Spike did not feel like any of those things. 

Today he felt old. 

He was still so young, and he had hundreds of years of experiences ahead of him. He was aware of that, but dimly. In this moment he felt every piece of difference from the little whelp that had been carried by Twilight through the doors of Carousel Boutique and seen the most beautiful pony he'd ever laid eyes on. Though years had passed, and he had grown up, that feeling had never left him. That moment always was a part of him, shaping who he'd become. She had always been his why. His inspiration for his bravery, the foil of his young heart, the unattainable goal.

The front door to Carousel Boutique opened, and Twilight Sparkle stepped out. She was taller, now, and her mane shone with light and shadow, mimicking the time of day she was named for. Her neck had grown longer, more regal, and she'd grown into her wings. She was a proper princess, now. She reminded Spike of Luna more than Celestia, if he was being honest—a fact that he knew irked Twilight, though she'd never admit it. Twilight looked up at Spike, and Spike stared down at her. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her lower lip trembled with constrained emotion. She didn't attempt to muster a smile for his sake. Spike knew that her heart was breaking all over again, just like all the times before. Spike swallowed, grimacing at the dryness of his mouth, and spoke quietly, his voice as soft as he could manage. It was a bassy rumble, still, a powerful thing that he had tempered with careful practice. "How is she?"

Twilight moved closer to him, reaching up and placing a hoof against his cheek. "She's ready to see you."

Spike inhaled slowly, looking up at the boutique's upper floors, searching for an open window and finding none. "How?" Asking the question nearly broke his heart. He wanted to be inside, with her, not relegated to the outside looking in. It was a scene that had become too-common for Spike over the last few years.

"I have a spell... it's temporary, of course, but... well. You know how it's been. It's hard for her to see you... as you are. She's confused. I've been trying to think of something that would help, and this is all I have," Twilight said softly.

"Do it," Spike said without hesitation. He did not have time for hesitation. She did not have time for hesitation.

Twilight nodded, her horn lighting up. Spike felt the magic settle over him like a blanket, and he opened his eyes, glancing down at himself. He did not look or feel any different to his eyes, but Twilight was now looking down at his left foot. She spoke quietly. "An illusion. You look like... like you did as a baby dragon."

Spike nodded. "Okay." That was all he could say. Twilight turned around and went back into the boutique. A few long minutes passed, and Spike resisted the urge to pace, holding in place and watching the door. Twilight returned a few minutes later, Sweetie Belle flanking her. Sweetie Belle was beautiful in her old age, her mane's colors having faded to gentler hues. She was a mess of streaked make-up and tears, and she stared down at Spike, her mouth a little 'o' of surprise, and she looked at Twilight. Twilight smiled at her, and Sweetie Belle understood what had been done. She smiled at Spike, her horn lighting up, and with a flash of light she brought a familiar red couch onto the grass, her teleportation magic flawless. Twilight smiled at Sweetie Belle, and then looked back into the boutique. "It's ready."

Her voice echoed out. "Twilight?"

"I'm here, Rarity. Do you need me to help you outside?" Twilight called, raising her voice for the unseen unicorn behind her.

"Yes please, darling." Spike swallowed, his eyes wide. Twilight turned, returning back inside, and a minute later she emerged, her horn brightly lit. Within the violet aura of Twilight's magic...

Rarity smiled down at Spike. "O-oh! Spikey! You're here!" Spike was struck speechless. Rarity was as he'd last seen her, her beautiful violet mane and tail turned platinum-white with age, her horn elegantly polished, her mane curled to her impeccable standards. She wore makeup: a careful application that enhanced her aged grace. Her limbs trembled, and it was obvious that moving pained her, but she held her head as high as she could as she walked, assisted by Twilight's magic. Her blue eyes, those sapphires that had so entranced Spike as a child, were as beautiful as ever—their faded color only more appropriate to her new coloration, almost shocking against the stark whites of her mane and coat. The diamonds on her flank still shone, as bright as the day he'd seen them. She smiled at Spike, her eyes locked on the baby dragon before her. "Spikey-wikey, it's been so long!"

He'd been there yesterday. And the day before that. And every day, for a week now, as he'd stood watch over the boutique, overseeing the family and friends and partners that had come to pay their respects. Perhaps at first, many had assumed that it was another bout of the elegant unicorn mare's classic dramatics, but as her condition had worsened, the visits had become in earnest. Many realized that this may have been their last chance to see Rarity.

This time, it was Spike's.

Spike cleared his throat, his voice emerging as a youthful squeak: the voice that he hadn't heard for nearly a century. "H-hello, Rarity."

Rarity beamed down at him, and she nodded to Sweetie Belle. "Twilight has been saying how... you wanted to see me! I'm so glad to see you, Spike. I haven't been feeling my best, I'm afraid."

Sweetie Belle smiled, and gently pointed to Twilight. "Rarity, Twilight is over there."

Rarity stared at Sweetie Belle for a moment, her eyes uncertain, and she looked to her right, spotting Twilight. She smiled. "Twilight... mm, yes, and her m-mother?"

Sweetie Belle sighed, and reached up, gently hugging Rarity. "I love you, Rarity."

Rarity smiled, her nose burying itself in the mare's mane and inhaling, and her blue eyes closed. "Mmh, Sweetie Belle, I love you, too. No need to fuss, I just... just want to talk with Spike."

Sweetie Belle stepped away from Rarity and smiled tearfully up at Spike, before she trotted inside the boutique. Twilight stood beside Rarity, and gestured to the couch. "Do you want to lie down, Rarity? I think it will be more comfortable for you."

"Oh, that sounds lovely, Princess, thank you," Rarity said softly, allowing herself to be led to the couch. She grit her teeth as she climbed up and settled upon the plush pillows arrayed on the couch, and she smiled at Twilight, letting out a little sigh as she relaxed in a more comfortable position for her body.

Twilight smiled, looking at Spike. "I'll be inside. Call if you need anything."

Spike nodded. "Thank you."

Rarity smiled, and waved a hoof at Spike, gesturing to the edge of the couch. "Come here, Spikey-wikey. Why don't you tell me what you've been up to! It's been so long since we... since we had time to chat!"

Spike crouched down, uncertain as to how the illusion would react. He crept forward, and carefully lay his chin on the edge of the couch, resting his nose next to Rarity as she stretched out. He could smell her perfume, something with a fancy name that he chose to forget in that moment, because all he cared about was that she smelled nice, as she always had. He smiled at Rarity. "It has been a while..."

Rarity giggled, pausing to cough daintily into her hoof. "Ah, no need to be shy, Spike. Not between us old friends. How are you?"

"I'm... I'm good, Rarity." He didn't know what else to say. There wasn't much else to say, except the gentle lies that remained in this moment.

"Come now, Spike. You're being coy with me." Rarity's eyes narrowed, and there was a moment of clarity that Spike saw flicker through them. "I've raised enough nephews and grandnephews to know when a young colt... er... drake... is telling untruths. Did something upset you?"

Spike bit back a choking bark of laughter. She always knew how he was feeling. She'd always known how he felt. She'd been eternally generous with her time and affection towards him as a child, and as an adult she'd stayed just as close, even when her business empire took her away for long periods of time. He got his emotions under control. "I'm sad, and worried, Rarity."

Rarity frowned, reaching out and touching him on the nose with one trembling hoof, the effort of the movement nearly exhausting her. "Oh, Spike. Whatever is the matter?"

"I'm... I'm afraid of losing a friend," Spike said, trying his best to bring some truth to the moment.

Rarity chuckled, her mirth broken by a brief coughing fit that had her head low and her chest heaving. Spike reached out with one claw, steadying the frail unicorn. Rarity recovered after a moment, and smiled at him. "I... oh... I'm sorry. I'm not well, I'm afraid... but you were saying... a friend?" Spike nodded, and Rarity reached out, stroking his nose. "Oh, Spike. How could you ever worry about something like that? You're a wonderful little dragon. Anypony would be lucky to have a friend such as you. I certainly feel that way."

"My friend... they're leaving. And they won't be able to come back. I'm afraid I might not ever get to see them again," Spike said, feeling his eyes well up with tears.

"Oh, well..." Rarity sighed. "That is sad."

"It is," Spike croaked, and Rarity gently continued to rub his nose. She probably saw herself running a hoof along the top of his head, or something. Spike didn't care, though. The simple touch was everything to him.

"That is the way of things, though, isn't it?" Rarity said after a moment. "Things change. Children grow, people move, parents grow older... mother and father... children... it is how things must be, is it not? So, even though it may be sad, it is also part of life. For all the good things in life are made all the sweeter by the sad ones, aren't they?" Rarity said, her voice strained with the effort of such a long speech.

Spike stared at her, quiet and contemplative, and managed a small chuckle through the hitching of his breaths. "Oh, Rarity... I could spend another eighty years with you and still find new facets of your beautiful soul. Just like your diamonds."

Rarity stared at him, a gentle smile on her face, her eyes searching, and Spike smiled at her. Her voice shook slightly as she spoke. "... Eighty years? H-has... has it been so long?"

Spike could have hit himself. He clenched his teeth, looking away from her, shame at his slip up making his whole body shake. "It's been a long road, Rarity." He couldn't lie to her.

Rarity stared at him, confused. "... But... you're so small? Is it... what is...?" Her eyes closed, and her horn lit up, a blue aura flickering weakly as her magic touched Spike. Spike felt the blanket of the illusion prodded, and Rarity inhaled slowly. Her eyes opened, and they were sharp. "... Twilight. Twilight did this for me, didn't she?"

"She... she was worried. I'm... bigger, now. We were afraid you'd get scared," Spike said simply.

"Scared? Of you? Never!" Rarity smiled, reaching out and touching his nose again. She could detect the hurt, though, in the trembling of his body as emotion threatened to overwhelm him, and she gasped. "... I... I have been frightened of you, haven't I?"

"Yes. The last time you saw me as I am, you screamed. We were afraid for your health," Spike said.

Rarity was quiet, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You didn't know."

"Still, I'm sorry, Spikey-wikey. You've always been my gentle drake... to forget that..." Rarity looked down at herself, as if seeing herself for the first time, and a hoof clapped over her mouth. "Oh... oh my."

Spike stood up and raised his voice. "Twilight!" Twilight was there in a flash of purple magic, her eyes wide and worried. Spike gestured to Rarity. "She's getting upset, she knows I'm under an illusion spell... she seems lucid, but I'm—"

"She is right here, and she would appreciate not being talked about like a... a piece of meat," Rarity said, one eyebrow arching primly. "Twilight Sparkle, I demand you remove this illusion on Spike at once."

Spike and Twilight shared a long look, and after a moment, Spike nodded. Twilight exhaled a slow sigh, and her horn flashed. Spike felt the illusion drop away, like a veil being lifted, and his eyes locked on Rarity's own as she looked up, up, up to his face. Her hoof raised, trembling, to her chest, and her ears fell flat. "G-goodness," she murmured, her blue eyes filling with tears.

Spike lay down on the grass in front of Rarity, trying to make himself as small as possible. "H-hello, Rarity."

Rarity's eyes widened at the deep rumble of his voice, and she looked at Twilight hesitantly. "Princess... Princess Luna... is that Spike?"

"Yes, Rarity. That's Spike," Twilight said, not bothering to correct Rarity.

Rarity nodded, taking a deep, shaking breath. "Goodness... Spikey—no. Spike. You've grown up."

Spike chuckled despite himself. "That's what Pinkie always used to say."

Rarity smiled, looking at him, her breaths calming, her hoof lowering. Twilight nodded to Spike, and returned back inside the boutique. Rarity swallowed, glancing back at Twilight as she left, before turning her full attention to Spike. "So... here we are. You're... resplendent."

Spike's eyes widened slightly, and he felt a blush hit his cheeks. "O-oh. Thank you."

Rarity giggled, her eyes roaming over him, taking him in. "A dragon... a full dragon. You have wings." Her eyes widened at the declaration, and she leaned forward. "You have wings!"

Spike looked at his back, glancing at the folded wings at his sides. "I do."

"Oh, Spike... please, stand up, and open them for me! Let me really get a look at you!" Rarity said, breathless.

Spike nodded and slowly stood up, stepping away from Rarity. He rose to his full height, his neck curling upwards, his chest puffing out proudly, and he opened his wings, the green membranes like emerald bolts of cloth. Rarity smiled at him, and clapped her hooves delightedly. "Goodness! A proper dragon, you are. How wonderful!"

Spike laughed, folding his wings to his sides and lying down in the grass next to her, resting his head on the foot of the sofa once more. Rarity reached out, touching his nose. She smiled. "Incredible. Simply marvelous, darling," she said, pausing to cough. The coughing grew worse, shaking her whole body, and Spike reached out to steady her again, holding her until the fit passed. Rarity looked back up at him, wiping her mouth carefully. "... If you're so big, darling, then I must be an old mare, indeed."

"You're still as beautiful as the day I saw you, Rarity," Spike said, smiling at her.

Rarity smiled, tapping his nose with one hoof. "Always the charmer."

"Always for you," Spike said softly.

Rarity blushed, covering a smile behind one shaking hoof. She composed herself quickly, looking around. "...Why are we out here?"

"You... you wanted to see me," Spike said.

Rarity looked up at him again, and then back to the boutique, and nodded. "Oh... yes. That makes sense. We're... visiting? I'm sorry, things are a bit..."

Spike nodded. "Yes. We're visiting." His heart sank as he saw some of the confusion return. "We're... just talking."

"Oh," Rarity said. She swallowed, looking down at her hooves, and coughed. The coughing was over much more quickly this time, but left the unicorn mare weakened, breathing heavily. "O-oh... I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I promise, it's fine," Spike said gently. Rarity smiled, her lips trembling, and she reached out and wrapped her hooves around Spike's nose, her frail body clinging to Spike.

"Spike... Spikey... I'm terribly frightened, suddenly, and I can't articulate why," Rarity said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Nothing could ever hurt you while I'm here, Rarity," Spike said quietly, his voice a bare breath, afraid of blowing too hard on the weak pony.

"I know... but... I'm afraid that something is going to happen, and I won't be able to see you again. It's... it's silly, but I just... this dread, it's rather t-terrible," Rarity said, her voice quaking with emotion.

"I'll do anything to help you, Rarity," Spike said. "Anything for you, Rarity."

"Hold me," she said quietly.

He did. He picked her up, cradling her gently, and she clung to him, coughing fitfully. She nestled in his arms, and Spike was struck by how... light she was. She was like the chiffon and lace that she worked with, just barely there, but beautiful and so, so delicate. He held her as she shook, and coughed, harder. He held her as the breaths became more difficult. She murmured, her voice just a bare whisp of air, whispering nothings to him, smiling sometimes, crying others. Spike held her as she slowly drifted to sleep, and the breaths in her became less and less... and finally...

"Twilight," Spike cried, his voice a whisper between sobs as he held Rarity to his chest, and he carried her home.
> Twilight Sparkle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike walked at a slow pace, his gait lumbering as he moved across the fields outside of Ponyville. Princess Twilight Sparkle sat perched between his shoulders, one hoof holding a book as she rode her friend. Her horn glowed with energy as she manipulated a quill and scroll with her telekinesis, jotting down notes, her voice murmuring more for her own benefit than Spike's as she maintained a rolling commentary on her current reading. Spike had trouble hearing her, her voice was so soft. In fact, he had trouble hearing much, these days, but that was okay—listening was an art that he had perfected over the years. He paused in his gait, yawning slowly, little wisps of smoke spiraling out of his nostrils. He was tired after hiking out to the new orchard of Sweet Apple Farms across town. The Apple family continued on, as always, and Spike smiled at the memory of friends long past. The newest generation supplanted the old, and time marched ever on. Spike, however, was always there to watch them, with Twilight by his side. He'd spent the afternoon telling tales of Many-Times-Great-Grandmother Applejack, and her work ethic and love for her family: qualities which persisted as her legacy. The Apples had been hospitable, as always, and had even managed to get together enough cider for Spike to enjoy a few delicious sips. The taste brought him back through the years, bringing a smile to his face and a tear to his eye. "Applejack would be proud," Spike mused to himself.

"Hm?" Twilight hummed, looking up from her reading at Spike.

Spike smiled at Twilight. "Nothing. Just an old dragon mulling over his thoughts."

Twilight smiled gently back, her voice taking on a motherly tone. "You're always welcome to share your thoughts, Spike. Your counsel is ever appreciated."

Spike chuckled. "You try too hard to sound like Princess Celestia these days, Twi."

Twilight blushed, her ears folding back. "You think so?" she asked, sounding more like her usual self.

"It's fine. Just don't forget to be your own pony sometimes, Twilight. After all these years, I'd think you'd appreciate that advice." Spike said, yawning again and slowly lying down to rest for a bit. His joints ached, but he bore it with dignity.

"After all this time, I still feel like the little unicorn that ascended, not the regal Princess that everypony sees me as. Acting like Celestia does give me confidence, even if it's borrowed," Twilight said, her wings flaring open a bit for balance as she held her position atop Spike as he laid down. She smiled, one hoof reaching up and gently stroking his neck. "Need a break?"

Spike smiled. "Yes. It's tough, sometimes. All this moving around, bustling from place to place. Our little ponies move so fast these days, it's hard to keep up."

Twilight giggled, patting Spike on the head as he peered down at her. "I love it when you say that. 'Our little ponies'. You've been such a good assistant, all these years, and your ownership of your role at my side has always made me so proud."

Spike laughed softly, curling in on himself. "I'm happy to be by your side, Twilight. Always." He yawned again. "So... tired. Gosh."

Twilight smiled, and watched her assistant as he lay his massive, regal head onto the grass. She settled in, content to be atop her best friend, her number one assistant, and family member. She felt secure, there: his shoulders had become a solid and fixed point in the flow of time... but that point had started to shift. She knew what was coming, and she accepted it. Spike often spoke to her of Rarity, lately, and her last words to him. "The good times are made all the sweeter by the sad ones," She whispered, running a hoof along one green ridge on Spike's back.

"Hm?" Spike murmured, one eye winking open to peer at her.

"Nothing. Rest, Spike, and dream of white unicorns," Twilight said, winking at him.

"Always," Spike mumbled, his eyes closing. His breathing evened out slowly. Twilight sat atop him for a long time, reading and observing her friend. Smoke spiraled up from his nostrils as he snored, and his body was warm beneath her. The smoke slowed as Spike's sleep deepened, his body relaxing.

Twilight stood up after a while, the sun beginning to set behind her. She smiled, her eyes closing as she raised her wings and her horn lit up. For a few beautiful moments, her magic touched the universe, mingling with the magics of Celestia and Luna. The three alicorns' powers commingled, like gentle caresses and warm embraces from loved ones, and the sunset was shot through with beautiful streaks of color and light. Twilight made a symphony of colors, surrendering the day to the night, her own magic enhancing the work of the other alicorns. As Luna's moon rose up, Twilight stepped away, folding her wings and opening her eyes. She turned, regarding the dragon beside her, his form still, restful. She reached out with one hoof, stroking his nose. "Oh, Spike."

With a small smile, her horn lit with her violet aura, and she lifted the massive dragon in her magic, cradling him and placing him near her back, just as it had always been in the days so long ago, and she carried Spike home.