Not Just a Dragon but a Friend
With winter arriving earlier than planned due to a certain incident involving a brash pegasus, the ponies in Ponyville were enjoying their winter weather.
Spike the dragon had gotten up earlier to enjoy some well earned snow fun, while also waiting on his friends. Soon enough Twilight and the girls started arriving.
“Hey, what took you all so long?” Spike asked the girls, as he finished making an angel in the snow.
“We would've gotten here sooner if Rarity could've just decided on what scarf to wear.” Applejack answered, while motioning to the fashionista unicorn who scoffed.
“I'll have you know, Applejack, when selecting the right scarf you must make sure it goes right with the rest of your winter ensemble.” Rarity said, as she flaunted her winter wear.
“Got that right.” Spike agreed, as he as usual looked at Rarity with hearts circling his head.
Pinkie popped out of a snowbank, “Come on, everypony. Let's have us a snowball fight!”
“Alright!” Spike got excited, until Rainbow flew in.
“Sounds awesome.” she said with excitement.
Spike looked at Rainbow as the memories of her insulting him about what could he know about what's best for her tortoise Tank because he's a dragon. Remembering how hurt he deeply felt from that insult frowned to himself before turning to Twilight, “Actually, I realize there's something I have to do back at the castle.”
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked in confusion, “I thought the reason you came out early because you didn't have anything to do.”
“Well, things change.” Spike answered, as he was about to walk away, until Rainbow spoke up.
“What's a matter, Spike? Afraid you're gonna get pelted with more snowballs than us?” she laughed.
Spike frowned, “Gee, I don't know. If I do get pelted will they all have come from you?!”
The girls were taken aback by Spike's change in attitude, “Spike, are you ok?” Fluttershy asked.
“I will be when I'm away from her.” Spike motioned to Rainbow who was more confused now.
“Me? What did I do?” she asked feeling clueless.
“What did you do?” Spike repeated in shock, “I shouldn't be surprised since what you did isn't even worth remembering. Though why should you remember anything involving me, when I'm just a dragon?” Spike asked giving Rainbow a glare.
“Spike?” Twilight asked in concern.
“It's nothing, forget it!” Spike said as he stormed off, and not like the time he waddled off after getting his pride damaged by Rarity while watching the Dragon Migration.
“What just happened?” Pinkie asked the girls who were just as confused.
“I've never seen Spike this upset over something before.” Rarity noted.
“What do you thinks got his tail in a knot?” Applejack asked the girls.
Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash, “Rainbow, did you say something to Spike recently?”
“What? Of course not.” Rainbow denied.
“Then why did Spike seems so upset at ya?” Applejack inquired.
“Who knows why Spike's like that?” Rainbow asked still playing innocent.
“Are you sure you didn't say something to Spike that upset him?” Fluttershy asked.
“How could I? I've spent the last few days worrying about keeping Tank awake so we could enjoy winter together,” Rainbow explained,until it finally dawned on him, “Oh. Oh...” her eyes widened in worry.
“Rainbow, what did you do?” Twilight asked sternly knowing her loyal friend may have figured out why Spike was mad at her.
“Well, you know how I was going around asking others about their opinion with Tank unable to stay awake?” Rainbow began sounding sheepishly.
“Yes.” the girls confirmed recalling.
“Well, I kinda went to Spike to ask for his opinion because I thought with him being a dragon and like a reptile he'd be able to understand Tank. But when he gave me the same answer as Fluttershy I dismissed his words and...”
“And what?” Applejack asked, as the girls could tell the worst was coming.
“I told him what would he know since he's... a dragon?” Rainbow winced.
Upon finishing her story, the girls were in shock, “You what?!”
“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy gasped with her hoof to her mouth in shock.
“Of all the uncouth...” Rarity trailed off.
“What were ya thinking?” Applejack chewed her out.
“Yeah, Dashie, even I wouldn't say things like that even with a scatterbrain like mine.” Pinkie put in.
Twilight spoke to Rainbow sounding just as angry as Spike did, “Rainbow, do you have any idea what you did?”
“Hey, in my defense I was in denial and didn't wanna hear the harsh truth.” Rainbow defended herself.
“That's no excuse and not the point,” Twilight continued, “You insulted Spike by making him feel worthless just because he's a dragon.”
“When you put it that way it does sound bad.” Rainbow winced realizing what she did was worse than how she figured it was just now.
Twilight sighed, “Rainbow, this is even worst than how you insulted Spike while we tried watching the Dragon Migration.”
“Yeah, calling him a lame dragon.” Pinkie recalled.
“Well, you girls weren't any better that day.” Rainbow reminded them.
“But you did start it.” Fluttershy countered, and cowered behind Pinkie.
Twilight spoke up, “Rainbow, you really hurt Spike's feelings. And not just because of what you told him or what you said back then, but because you brought back the worst memories of Spike's life.”
“What do you mean, darling?” Rarity wondered.
“I never told any of you this, but growing up in Canterlot wasn't easy for Spike, especially since he was a dragon. One time he tried to go out and make friends, but he came home in tears telling me none of the ponies wanted their kids playing with him because he was a dragon.
"Oh my." Fluttershy gasped.
"So sad." Rarity gasped, looking ready to cry.
Twilight continued, "The stuff he told me they said about him was just so horrible. That's one main reason why he chose to spend more time assisting me than trying to make friends himself in Canterlot. And what you said to him brought back those memories he wanted to forget.”
Rainbow was torn and the guilt piled on her back when she realized what a jerk she was to him, “I had no idea.”
“Well, now you do,” Twilight replied, “And if you wanna make this right, you'll go to Spike and apologize to him.”
“What? I can't talk to Spike now he's all upset.” Rainbow reminded her.
“Rainbow Dash, do you really wanna spend this winter or the rest of your life running from the fact you insulted probably the only dragon who would be willing to be friends with a pony, even one as brash as you?”
“Well, not really no.” Rainbow admitted.
“Then do the right thing and talk to him.”
“What if he doesn't wanna listen or even forgive me?” Rainbow asked.
“What matters is you let Spike know you didn't really mean it.” Fluttershy replied.
“And given time Spike may be willing to forgive you.” Rarity finished.
Rainbow looked at her friends and knew they were right. So not wanting to have bad blood between her and Spike for the rest of her life, she set out to talk to him.
At the castle, Spike was in his room sitting at his desk enjoying hot chocolate, “This is just what I need to forget what happened.” he said to himself sounding happier.
Suddenly his door flung open and Rainbow flew in, “Hey, Spike!”
Spike scowled, and muttered to himself, “There goes the mood.”
“I was just in the neighborhood thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing.” Rainbow began, only for Spike to reply with.
“I have nothing to say to you, Rainbow Dash.” he turned away from her.
Rainbow knowing not to beat around the bush this time decided to go for the right approach, “Then you don't have to say anything. I'll do all the talking.” she flew over.
“Doesn't mean I'll listen.” Spike muttered.
Rainbow sighed knowing where to start, “Spike, what I said to you that day, you have to know I didn't really mean what I said.”
“Funny, it sounded like you meant exactly what you said.” Spike replied, without even looking at Rainbow.
“I was under a lot of stress and denied the truth about how Tank was really feeling. And I took it out on you when you didn't deserve it,” Rainbow continued, “The last thing I ever want to be is a bully, especially to anypony or any creature that's different. Just because you're a dragon doesn't mean you don't know anything.”
Spike softened a bit but wasn't about to give in that easily. Rainbow decided to really let Spike know how she felt about him, “I mean you think I would've known how to handle the Mane-iac in the Power Ponies comic or how to control the powers of Zapp if not with your knowledge? You think I would've done the right thing by telling Princess Celestia of Twilight's worrying about getting a letter to her? No. Instead I just pawned it off as if it was nothing to really worry about. And you stood up to three teenage dragons who wanted to smash a defenseless phoenix egg. And do I even have to mention that you saved the Crystal Empire not once, but twice? That is totally awesome in my book. And you're the hero of that kingdom? How many dragons can actually be a hero to ponies like how you are?”
When Rainbow saw Spike wasn't even flinching, and kept his back to her, she had one last shot to prove how sorry she was, “When, Twilight, Rarity, and I followed you during the Dragon Migration I really was worried about you, not just because of how much younger you are compared to the other dragons, but because I was afraid of you never coming back. When you told Garble and the others about us being better friends than they could ever be I was really happy. Especially when you said how we're your family. I don't like to show this mushy side so much, but I really did feel glad you felt that way about me, about all of us. And I betrayed you by saying something so as Rarity would put it 'uncouth'.” she looked down in guilt.
“I don't blame you if you never forgave me, because if somepony or some creature said something like that to me I'd probably feel the same way. I just wanted to let you know, I truly am sorry for what I said. Cause you're more than just a dragon to me. You're my friend.” Rainbow turned and was about to walk out the door, only for something to grab her by her back leg.
She looked down and saw Spike hugging her leg. Spike looked up at Rainbow smiling, “That's what I wanted to hear.”
“So you forgive me?” Rainbow asked hopefully.
“What kind of a friend would I be if I didn't?” Spike asked rhetorically, “Besides Twilight told me about your emotional breakdown when you realized you had to let Tank sleep during hibernation.”
“She did, did she?” Rainbow asked sheepishly while blushing in embarrassment.
“Oh, yeah. Hearing that makes me feel satisfied.” Spike smiled smugly, only for Rainbow to playfully punch his shoulder.
“So feel like getting back out there for some winter fun?” Rainbow offered.
“You know it. There's no way I was going to have any fun staying indoors all day.” Spike confirmed.
“Well, hop on, little buddy.” Rainbow offered, as Spike got on her back, and flew them out of the castle.
The two met back up with the rest of the girls who were so glad to see the two made up. With all the drama behind them they all proceeded to have the winter fun they planned today. They did it all from sledding, making snow angels and forts, even Spike showed off his ice skating techniques to the girls like he did the day the girls prepped Tank for hibernation.
When a snowball fight was announced, the girls and many more Ponyville residents engaged in the event. When Rainbow and Spike worked together they clobbered just about everypony. The event brought the two closer than they ever were before. Spike was happy again knowing despite Rainbow's brash behavior and tendency to say mean things before thinking things through knew deep down she cared a lot about him. And Rainbow herself was glad to have her little dragon buddy's friendship again.