When spike visits rarity he gets the job offer he cannot refuse
It is now eleven years after season 2 Spike is grown up but when rarity comes to visit ponyville spike is now faced with a challenge. Protect Sweetie Belle on her tour of las Pegasus but when cider and temptations come a knocking do you swing with it or do you get sucked in?
Chapter One: Reunion, Special thanks to RVB501 for adding proper punctuation
Ask any pony in Ponyville, and they will tell what they know about dragons: "They're scary". Even after eleven years with a dragon in their midst. Ponies fear dragons, so it was only natural for them to avoid Spike. Like most dangerous creatures who are kept as pets, they are only kept until they stopped being cute. Spike was now as tall as a normal earth pony, but even with his intelligence and well-behaved manners, he is still vilified. Though in reality, Spike wouldn't hurt a parasprite - let alone the ponies who not only fear him for his draconic appearance, but the power and influence he had. With the snap of his claw he could have some pony sent to the moon! Or that's what the rumors say. Despite the insults and rumors, Spike just carried on like always.
Yep, today is a normal day for Spike the dragon. Help twilight, work at Sweet Apple Acres, relax at the town center, and back at the library. That was Spike's routine, day after day. What more could there be? Little did he know, that was all about to change as he arrived at Sweet Apple Acres.
"Spike, ah think you earned yerself a day off." Applejack said very bluntly to Spike, much to his surprise. "Are you sure? I can-" before Spike could finish, Applejack told him that he's overworked. "I'll still pay ya, Spike. But y'all need to rest, me an Big Mac ain't got much work, so consider this as a thank-you from the Apple Family." And with that, Spike left.
"Wow, it seems as if working was my life to AJ. Oh well, I wonder if Rarity is too busy to see an old friend."
It had been ages since Spike last saw his beloved unicorn. Ever since she made a deal with Hoity Toity and Sapphire Shores, she's been too busy for him or any of her friends. But she's in Ponyville, so a visit would at least be nice.
As Spike walked down to Rarity's home, he reminisced about his 13th birthday, how he took up a job with Applejack to pay for Twilight's medical bills when she took ill. He would have continued on his thoughts if reality hadn't literally crashed into him. Spike dusted himself off. And who should crash into him? None other than Scootaloo. "Sorry Spike! I guess I didn't see you there!" The orange pegasus said in a light chuckle. "It's okay, but what's the rush?" Spike replied, curious as to what would possess her to be in such a hurry.
"Miss Cheer- I mean Mom wanted me to teach today." Spike apologized and went on his way. As he neared the Carousel Boutique, he saw her at the door. Waiting as if she knew he would be there. "Spike, darling! What a pleasant surprise! Though in hindsight, I knew you would Be here."
"Hello to you too, Rarity!" Spike said jokingly, though he was a little hurt. All this time, and thats all Rarity could say? But really, what was he expecting? A kiss? "Won't you come in, Spike?" Rarity gestured towards her home. Spike was more than happy to oblige. Maybe this was his chance! Maybe he will win Rarity's heart! maybe- Before Spike could finish, a familiar voice called his name In excitement.
"SPIKE! IS THAT YOU?" Spike smiled, recognizing the voice crack that he knew all too well.
Authors notes: This is my first pony fanfiction. I’ve written stories before, just not fanfiction. Anyways, I hope that I leave you with something special. Also, most chapters will be song titles from the swing era of music. Enjoy!
Spike stood there as Sweetie squeezed her hooves around him. she was obviously happy to see the young Drake. She let go of Spike, blushing slightly.
"I'm sorry Spike, but it has been too long, and I never got to thank you for what you did." Spike smiled modestly. last he saw Sweetie Belle, she was preforming for the the school.
"Come on Sweetie, I just played the piano. I didn't really do much."
Sweetie laughed "Without you I never would have gotten my cutie mark! without YOUR help diamond tiara would still be making fun of me! I have to say, you did more for me than Featherweight ever has!"
Rarity saw that this conversation was going nowhere. She needed Spike to do her a huge favor, and these conversations could wait. "Spike, I'd hate to break up this reunion, but I was hoping you could do me and Sweetie a huge favor." Rarity batted her eyes knowing that would seal the deal. "It would mean SO much to me."
Spike turned away from Rarity, knowing he couldn’t resist a chance to assist the most beautiful pony in the world, but something hit his mind: Why would this request involve Sweetie Belle?
“Fine”, spike grumbled. both Rarity and Sweetie hugged Spike, turning him a bright shade of red. "Thank you, Spike!" the mares cried in unison.
"Okay – okay, before you girls suffocate me!” (though I wouldn't mind having- whoa, hold your horses Spike, lets stop this before I turn into a red dragon)
"Well Spike, tomorrow Sweetie will be flying off to perform in Las Pegasus for a week, and she needs a 'strong and handsome dragon' to keep those filthy ponies off her lovely head."
"Don't you think you're overreacting, sis?" sweetie said "I mean, how bad can Las Pegasus be?"
Spike looked at sweetie with a dead serious face. "I went there once for my last birthday. I was solicited by female griffons, had all my bits stolen by a homeless earth pony, then I woke up in a hotel wearing an ‘I heart Las Pegasus’ shirt covered in hard cider and two griffon harlots snuggled next me."
Both Rarity and Sweetie could not even fathom the words coming from Spike. They were both speechless. The only words spoken were "What happens in Las Pegasus stays in Las Pegasus."
"I swear on Celestia one of those griffons was Gilda." Said the purple dragon, finally breaking the silence, Spike finally cut to the chase.
"So you want me to be Sweetie and Featherweight's bodyguard in a city where Celestia’s sun don't shine."
"Spike, first: Watch your language, second: Yes, but I'm afraid her coltfriend will not be attending this trip. It's just her and the staff, but you are her personal guard. I trust only you with this job. So tell me, Spike. Do you accept?"
If Spike never felt pride, he was feeling it now as Rarity trusted him. "That's close to love in my book”, spike thought.
"Rarity, you give no choice but to gladly accept this honor." Spike said, bowing before both mares. "Then it's settled! Spike is my bodyguard! But, uh.. You'll need something to wear." Sweetie said with a devious tone.
"Sweetie, you did not just-" and in a flash Spike was dragged into a dressing room, ready to be fitted.
Spike took a mental note to put hard cider in Sweetie’s coffee, as he was dragged to Rarity's own little Tartarus of fabrics.
"Again, plot revenge on Sweetie" he said to himself. Rarity worked her magic around Spike, she had definitely gotten better at dressmaking.
As if in a matter of seconds, Spike was dressed. "Do you actually expect me to wear this, Rarity?" spike grumbled.
"No, I do not expect you to, I KNOW you will. You must look like a professional bodyguard. I know that city is sure to have bright lights and inviting sites, but Las Vegasus truly is a city of discord."
"Fine, I'll see you tomorrow then." Spike said as he walked back to Twilight's library
*** *** ***
That evening, Twilight Sparkle prepared Spike for what may come ahead. "Twilight, honestly, what kind of trouble are you expecting me face? Really, it's probably just some crazy fans. I don't see why you're doing this."
The unicorn looked at her number one assistant with motherly worry. She knew how bad Las Pegasus is, and the thought of him spending a week there directly in the center of chaos filled the unicorn’s mind with feelings of distress, and Celestia damn it, she could never forgive herself if she did not do everything she could to help Spike.
"Twilight I know you're worried, but I can take care of myself!" Spike smiled, trying to comfort his mother-figure as best he could.
"Spike, please try to understand why I am worried." knowing that this was a fruitless effort, Spike allowed Twilight to continue as she handed him something quite unlike her to own.
"T-twilight! what the hay is this?" spike sputtered, unable to believe his eyes.
"This, Spike, is what you get when combining earth pony engineering and unicorn magic." Twilight said sternly as she handed spike two pistols resembling Celestia and Luna
"Wh-what? Twilight when did you get these- no WHERE did you get these?"
"Never hurts to have a little extra power in your arsenal" Twilight answered.
Twilight sent Spike to bed, knowing that she had done all she can to prepare for him for the city of sin.
That night, Spike slept with a warm feeling in his heart, as if Celestia's sun shined within him.
Authors Notes: School starts tomorrow, so I will try to finish this. I'm sorry I could not reach 1,000 words. Regardless, I hope you enjoy! Once again thank you to my Pre reader for making my story readable many thanks
It was morning in Ponyville, the birds were chirping in the endless blue skies above, and the sweet smell of early treats awaited ponies everywhere. The smell of pie the breeze was as if the pegasai gave Ponyville a kiss good morning. It was days like these that ponies took for granted.
Spike slept outside, so as not to miss such a beautiful day. Pinkie wanted to throw him a party, but he insisted on a bag of fresh churros. Instead, these were new treats brought from Neighvarro from a pony named Dulce Sueños who spoke an odd language. Spike payed it no mind as he was thinking of things he hadn’t thought about in quite some time.
It was during Miss Cheerilee's high school dance, Spike offered to help the teacher pony to supervise and make sure the fillies and colts didn't do any funny-business. Spike knew they all wanted to have fun, so he was lenient. That is until he saw Diamond Tiara and her friend bullying Sweetie Belle, mocking her singing and her flank, which was still barren of that damned mark ponies care so much about.
Alone, Sweetie could sing with a melody so beautiful that Spike had cried once hearing her sing, but when Sweetie would attempt to sing in public her voice became as quiet as Fluttershy's.
Sweetie was the very last to get her cutie mark. Applebloom got hers when she became an engineer, designing new technology to help ponykind.
Scootaloo didn't discover her special talent until miss Cheerilee adopted her, though she would never admit it, before her cutie mark, she always had a talent for dancing and movement. Her coordination was astounding, but her biological parents forbade such nonsense. They were traditional pegasai who wanted a son. Sometimes when I visit scootaloo, she still cries about her parents who treated her like a disease, but that's another story.
As they both got their cutie marks, Sweetie was the odd mare out. Her friends tried to continue their crusade for her sake, but as you grow older, more responsibilities mean you don't have time for such childish things. The original CMC were still best friends, but they only kept the name, not the idea of the name. They were just school mares.
As Spike returned to his original train of thought, he remembered that he had walked straight towards Diamond Tiara’s date and singed the colt’s suit with his breath as he told the couple to back off. Sweetie stood there dumbstruck; the colt brushed off the ashes and laughed at Spike.
"wahaha What was that! I've seen fire dancers with more flame than that!"
It was true Spike's flame was still very weak since he lived like a pony, not a dragon. But if working with the Apple Family ever taught him anything, it's that you gotta hit strong and true. Spike applied that rule which was meant for apple trees to that colt’s face. A loud WHAP boomed through dance room, sending the colt to the ground. A lot of ponies cheered "Yeah! He was a snob anyway!" "Got what's coming to him!" "DAYYUM SPIKE!" were some of the cheers heard, but Spike could have sworn that one of those ponies was Cheerilee herself.
As Diamond and that unimportant silver pony ran to her date, Spike decided to comfort Sweetie Belle the only way he knew how.
"Sweetie Belle, would you like to dance with me?"
Sweetie stood there, still trying to process what had happened. "Spike I uh, that is-"sweetie finally got her wits about her "Thank you Spike"
“So is that a yes?” the drake said with compassion towards the the cowering mare, even though everyponies eyes were on her, Spike standing up for her instilled confidence she never knew she had.
"There’s nothing I would like more than to dance with you, Spike" her smile warmed the hearts of all who witnessed its radiance.
The DJ put on "Sway" by the classic Dino Smoke which was a perfect time, with all the ponies riled up from Spike and Sweetie's energy.
When the song ended, the DJ called out for anypony who wanted to step up and sing. Spike looked at Sweetie. He could see in her eyes that she really wanted to sing, so he did a favor for his friend.
"Sweetie here wants to sing!" spike yelled which caught the attention of the DJ who now was interested in the two. "yeah? get her up here"
The unicorn’s regular white coat was now a bright red. "Spike! I can't sing up there!" Spike said nothing now. Smiling, he started chanting her name, and was soon joined by all the students.
"I swear Spike, I'll get you back one day" was the only thing Sweetie said as she stepped up. And when she sang, all the ponies stared in awe of her voice.
She sang like she knew she could in front of all the ponies watching her, but that moment she saw only one: a dragon who walked on stage with her, and played the piano to her beautiful song.
Authors Notes: this one I decided to be more of a memory. Why? Because my new english teacher was so passionate about his job that it inspired me to be more descriptive! Plus, I got to see my crush who I still can never get the guts to tell. So I had a great first day of school, and it inspired this chapter. The song Sweetie sang was "If I didn't care" from the movie Miss Petigrew or something. Check it out, its beautiful! And again, thanks to my pre reader, who makes my story readable. But most of all, thank YOU, the reader. And on a side note, Dino Smokes is an OC I made for Dean Martin
Pre Readers Notes: Hey guys, RVB501 here. Hope you are all enjoying the story! Just wanted to point out, Ratchetgren has a taste for music! So if you were thinking “Who’s Dean Martin?” I recommend looking him up! Okay, I’m done now.
Chapter Four: Bye Bye Baby (Dragon) / A Hoofull of Bits
Spike spent his morning dreaming of that dance when he helped Sweetie, when they danced together, and her smile. He would have continued thinking about that day, but he was interrupted by a very loud crash. He turned to find it was only Ditzy Doo delivering mail. To whom, you may ask? Why -to Spike, of course!
"Ditzy are you alright?" Spike asked, concerned for the mailmare.
"Yep! Just another letter, Spike! It's not like letters hurt me, silly" Ditzy smiled as she flew away.
"I meant about the- nevermind, she's gone" Spike ended with a sigh.
He opened the letter with a claw. Inside was a piece of worn out parchment. Spike read the letter, it said only this:
"IM WATCHING YOU". Along with it, a feather dipped in a black ink that glowed rainbow's in the light.
He saw Rarity and Sweetie Belle coming his way. Quickly, he hid the message and waved hello.
"Spike, I do hope you have a wonderful time. I’ve been talking to Applejack, and she told me that you work yourself too hard" Rarity said to Spike, making him blush slightly.
"Don't worry sis, I'll make it his JOB to have fun" Sweetie said to Rarity, then turning to Spike "And you gotta have fun, I'm your boss" Said Sweetie, a mischievous grin spread across her face.
Spike just stood knowing he was defeated, until finally the carriage arrived.
As they both boarded, Spike looked at Ponyville one last time before he left. The door closed, and Spike took his seat. This is really happening, he thought to himself. The carriage was large enough to hold several ponies, but most avoided sitting next to him. Spike didn't care, though, as this was the norm. As was sleeping, so he took the opportunity to slumber off till they landed.
Several hours into the flight, Spike was woken up by a pink earth pony.
"Please tell me I'm dead or in Tartarus" Spike said with frustration in his voice.
"Whatever’s best for you, dragon-boy" the pink pony responded.
"What are you even doing here? This is supposed to be a private flight" Spike was getting more agitated, his stomach was rumbling. He would never in his entire life imagine HER tagging along with someone like Sweetie Belle.
"Diamond Tiara, I'm going to ask you again: Why in the hay are you here?" He swore to never strike a mare, he learned that the hard way his first time in Las Pegasus, so he was not sure what he could do, his stomach still rumbling with some strange feeling.
"Lighten up, dragon-boy. I'm her agent, I got her this gig" she said, feeling accomplished with herself catching the dragon off guard.
Spike could not believe what he was hearing. Did Sweetie Belle really hire that pain in the flank who tormented her all her life?
"She's too busy right now, so you’ll just have to deal with me for the duration of this flight" Diamond tiara said quite frankly, her attitude was more to the point.
The two did not speak to each-other until the captain announced that they are nearing Reno Neighvada.
"Spike, before we get off, here's a warning: Watch out for a pony in a poncho" Diamond tiara finally spoke after a while of waiting.
"Is that it? A pony in a poncho? That doesn't seem like trouble" Spike said as if Diamond was trying to scare him.
"He's the horse with no name. Ain't nopony who don't know him, dragon boy" one of the griffin's said "Heard he travels round with the settler pony, lookin for any chance ta make some bits"
Spike thought about what Diamond and the griffin had said, and put together that this pony with no name is probably right here in Reno.
"Well, I’ve got some fire power myself" Spike said patting his two guns "He shouldn't be a problem for you all"
The staff looked at Spike as if he was crazy. Finally, Diamond spoke up.
"Rumor says that he can't be killed. He once took a bullet to the chest and survived"
"Well, maybe he had a metal plate under his chest" Spike said, trying to apply logic to these rumors. "Besides we're only here for a day, lets just head to the hotel and get to the concert".
As the crew headed to the hotel, another pony roamed the town, holding only a hooffull of bits and a sidearm on his flank.
*** *** ***
That night, the buffalo stampeded while the campfire crackled in the glimmering moonlight.
"Tell me stranger, why would you help us? We ain't important pony folk" An old earth pony spoke, breaking the silent tranquility.
The strange pony didn't reply. He instead lowered his hat, covering his face.
"Well I figure ya ain't the talkin' type, so I'll leave ya be" The old pony finally gave up.
The stranger pulled out a harmonica and played a tune that echoed throughout ol' Reno. It was a tune that spoke of heartache and past deeds, sometimes we gotta walk that lonesome trail alone.
The old coot looked up, whistling with the pony with no name.
*** *** ***
Spike could have sworn he heard something, it was music. Must be somepony out on the trail. He listened, and memorized the tune.
He lost his train of thought when a knock came at his door. As he opened the door he saw Diamond Tiara with a panicked expression on her face.
"Spike! hurry! I saw some shady ponies walk towards Sweetie Belle's suite!"
"Come Diamond Tiara, it's probably some adoring fans" Spike said never wanting to trust her and certainly not starting now.
"What kind of adoring fans carry rifles and burlap sacks, Dragon-boy?" Diamond said swiftly smacking her hoof against Spike’s face.
This time without question, Spike nodded and grabbed Luna45, leaving the ammunition. If Spike was correct, then he wouldn't need them. The two ran up the stairs to Sweetie's palatial quarters, and saw what nopony should ever witness. All the griffon staff were shot twice in the head and plucked of most of their feathers.
"They just killed them like they weren't anything but trash!" without time to mourn Diamond Tiara and Spike blurted out “Sweetie Belle!” and rushed towards the room, where they found two pegasai.
One of them held a lumpy sack in a cart hitched to his back, the other holding a rifle by his side. "Kids, jus turn round an’ we won' hurt ya's" The riflepony said, pointing at Diamond. "Yea' we knos dat bullets can't hoit a dragon, but you's don want ya marefriend hurt, do ya's?
Spike wanted to barf at that notion, but he knew that Sweetie was in peril, and this was no time to have standards. He pointed Luna45 at the bandits.
"Diamond, you may want to cover your ears!" and eyes, he mentally added, as he pulled the trigger.
A loud BOOM echoed through the room, shattering the windows and stunning the bandits. Spike took the opportunity to knock out the riflepony with his tail, and that left him with just the kidnapper. He grabbed the pony by the throat.
"WHO ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU KIDNAPPING SWEETIE BELLE"
Spike said with an amplified echo, similar to the royal Canterlot Voice.
The pegasus saw he was beat and began to form words is his mouth, but no words were spoke as a bullet shot through his skull, ending Spike’s chance to find out more about this craziness.
Spike took out his letter, noticing the feathers on these pegasai were stained just like the one he’d been sent.
As far as Spike gathered, someone wanted Sweetie Belle dead or worse, but who would have the motive to do that? As far as he knew, Sweetie had only one enemy, and she was standing right next to him.
Authors notes: I'm sorry this one took forever. School can keep you busy, and I needed to make this chapter longer as a result. The title is a song by Marilyn Monroe
You know in all of Equestria, ponies conspired against one another. It's been in their history, and it's always caused ponies to pick a side when an argument arises. Sometimes we pick the wrong side.
"So.. you ever say anything, stranger?" The old coot figured if he's riding with him, he might as well find out anything about him.
The stranger looked at the old coot. His expressionless face impossible to read, and that's the way he would want it, but for the old coot’s sake he did speak.
"Don't ever speak unless I need to"
"Well at least I gots ya ta talk" the coot said, feeling proud he knew that the stranger had a story or two.
"I'm heading to Las Pegasus. There’s an old friend who I am still in debt with, and soon as I pay him back I'm moving to the frozen north" the stranger knew he needed to say that to satisfy the old pony's curiosity.
"Boy, you must be suicidal! Ain't nopony gone there since the first hearths warming day" the old coot thought he was some crazy pony.
"You're wrong. It's just a cold mountain if you see it with blind eyes, but there is more treasure there than you'll find in Celestia's lifetime. Maybe even before her time" the stranger snapped back.
"Okay, okay, didn't mean ta touch nerve back there.. Got any family?" the coot asked thinking that might get him to open up more
The stranger’s face finally showed an emotion. He lowered his hat, but the old coot knew that he had struck a heartstring.
"I used to have a wife back when I was a family buck. My ma took me to Manehattan when we were traveling to sell our products. There I met the most beautiful mare this side of Equestria. Her family worked in oranges, her brother never liked me though. We got married. Our first foal was a very weak runt , the doctors said he wouldn't live past a month but I'm proud to say he is very alive and well. Two fillies: The first one’s like her ma, and the youngest one, well I’ve only seen her as a foal but here's a picture of her"
The stranger took out a worn photo with him holding a yellow foal with a bow in her mane, an orange filly wearing the strangers hat, and a skinny red colt. The old coot’ eyes welled up. What could have happened to this stallion?
"Well son, I ain't going to bother ya no more, I’m good"
The two walked into the moonlight towards the city
"By the way, my name’s Coal Pyre. But everypony just calls me ‘Coal the Coot’ ”.
*** *** ***
After liberating Sweetie Belle from her burlap prison, the three argued on whether or not to cancel the concert.
"Sweetie, I'm not sure that you should continue this. Let's just go back to Ponyville where it's safe" Spike said with worry.
"I'm not sure, Spike. I feel obligated to preform. I owe the ponies of Las pegasus that much" Sweetie said trying to reassure both of her companions.
"Ponyfeathers! you don't owe anypony anything!" Diamond shouted "Let's just go back to Ponyville! I miss the halfway house" Spike looked at Diamond. Did she really live in a halfway house?
"Look, both of you, if I run away now I'm just letting those bandits win. Besides, you expect me to hide forever?" Sweetie was firm and spoke in a stern voice. The rumbling in Spike’s stomach began again, this time the intensity was overwhelming.
BEEELCH!
Out came a letter. Normally this was a happy sign, but this was not a letter from Celestia.
"What does it say, Spike?" both mares asked
"Next time I'll be after YOU dragon boy, and that pretty pink piece of flank"
Spike was now sure it couldn't be Diamond Tiara, though he still didn’t want to trust her. Not now, not ever.
"Spike, I'm sorry I got you into this " Sweetie said but there is good news she added "that sniper didn't kill that other Pegasus he is still knocked out"
Spike walked with Sweetie to the knocked out riflepony, this time taking him into the suite. As they hauled the pony, Diamond tugged at Spike trying to get his attention.
"What do you want? I am really not in the mood, here" Spike growled at Diamond.
At that point, DT decided that it wasn't worth it, and sat in the corner of the suite.
"You know Spike, you should really treat her with more kindness" Sweetie Belle said as they covered every window and finished tying up the bandit.
"She doesn't deserve any kindness. Not even from Fluttershy" Spike said quite loudly, disregarding Diamond Tiara’s presence entirely.
"Look, I know you think she’s bad, but she really has changed. She's my friend now, Spike" Sweetie tried to explain.
"She tormented you, and your REAL friends all your lives. She is probably the one trying to kill you!"
"Spike, this is unlike you! Twilight would give anypony another chance!" Sweetie was surprised at his attitude. He was never this cruel.
"Without her I would never have gotten famous, and she would be homeless. We both benefit from each others friendship!"
Spike knew sweetie was right but he never liked Diamond Tiara. Her beautiful exterior did not match the pure filth beneath and he held fast to that belief.
"Spike, look at her. Just LOOK. And not with your eyes, but with your heart"
Doing as Sweetie asked, Spike turned around to see the hollow shell of what used to be a pony.
Authors notes : Today I finally jumped on the Gravity Falls bandwagon, but enough about that. What inspired this chapter was a story of a man who left his family in search of vengeance. Hopefully you got the hint hints and saw where I'm going with this, but I will not reveal the identity of the true villan. All your guesses, they may be innocent or pawns in this pony's game. Title “Moonlight Serenade” by Frank Sinatra
Hatred. An intense feeling of ill will toward another pony. This can lead to actions that may not be in our normal process. But is it possible that one could hate so much, that it could drive you to the unspeakable?
"You caused so much trouble to my friends. You hurt them! You don't deserve forgiveness!" Spike said, his eyes burning with the fire growing within his own body.
"I'm not asking for your forgiveness!" The pink earth pony shouted with all her soul.
"Then what are you asking for, huh? what could you possibly want!"
The pink pony stood tall, showing the same ferocity as the dragon standing inches in front of her face.
"A dammed second chance! Another life!"she began to sob "I want my daddy back!" saying that broke the mare. She collapsed, punching the ground in tears.
"How dare you! I told you to give her a chance!" Sweetie Belle shouted, scolding her best friend.
"What did I do? You’re supposed to be on MY side, not hers! Bullies like her never just change!" The drake said with mixed feelings, mainly confused.
"She lost everything after THAT day, her father met his maker on the end of a rope! Her fortune taken away! In other words, she lost all that made her what she was back then. She’s changed!" The white mare said, her eyes welled up in tears.
"I still don't trust her. I can't just believe she changed her ways so quickly" Spike was now more calm. His anger quelled by the compassion of his friend. "Bullies don't make 180 turns. They can never change.”
*** *** ***
All throughout the trail, the stranger and Coal Pyre noticed a large amount of pegasai flying their way. What could possibly be happening?
"Dang pegasai. Always got their heads in them clouds" Coal spoke up, hoping that this would invoke some conversation.
"Eeyup" Coal was not going to give up, the stranger knew this.
"Coal, tell me something: you got any family?" Coal’s eyes brightened up instantly.
"I gots tons uh kin, but they ain't messin’ with this ol coot" Coal gestured for the stranger to sit for this one.
"Way back when i was a young colt, I lived in cloudsdale-"
"-Wait, you're a pegasus? But you don't have wings!" The stranger said, now wanting to hear just how a pegasus can live without wings.
"Ya see these scars here, boy? I had muh wings clipped. Was raised by my granpappy, the only earth pony in our family. He named me, and taught me bout an honest day’s work"
"But what about your parents?" The stranger inquired
"See, like most pegasai, they like their foals to fly. I never liked flying. It's too damned overrated if you ask me" The Stranger looked at Coal, and saw the scars. He was indeed a pegasus. Did other pegasai or unicorns have the same feelings Coal did? As an earth pony, you don't have much magical power as the other two races do.
"I always admired you earth ponies’ simple lives, led by foalks who are always close to their families. I wanted that so badly that when I turned 14, I left for my granpappy's train yard" Coal smiled at his travel partner.
"Trains connected more ponies than mail did, an guess who designed the trains? Earth ponies" Coal said this proudly, as if he was an earth pony.
As an earth pony, life didn't have to be about passing tests or learning spells. You adapted, like nature. You go with the wind and grow with the grass.
"You know, you never told me your name, boy" The old coot said, not wanting to continue.
"Russet. My name is Russet Apple" Coal got what he wanted, so he continued.
"Well Russet, I never got married. I never had any foals. I never even kissed a mare. I gladly gave that up for my wish.”
Authors notes: I'm sorry for the short chapter, but I need a break right now. I'm not all too happy at the moment. Thanks to all the readers who are reading this, your feedback helps me with improvements, but like I said I'm not so very happy right now.
