Hug Me Tight

Spike woke up to loud noises coming from the bottom floor of Golden Oaks Library. He scratched his eyes and sat up. "Come on, Twilight. I didn't know you were excited enough to wake up this early," Spike groggily muttered to himself. He walked down the stairs to find Twilight Sparkle packing two camping bags.

"Hello, sleepy head!" Twilight said, optimism obvious in her voice. After smiling at Spike, she turned back to packing.

"It's WAY too early, Twilight. It's, like, five in the morning. When does the camping trip even start?" Spike questioned, walking towards the kitchen. He picked up an emerald and started chewing on it. It acted like coffee, quickly waking the dragon up.

"Well, plans CAN change, Spike. Applejack needs to leave early to help out on the farm, Pinkie Pie has to help the Cakes make a cake delivery, and Rarity has to design some dresses for some models at Canterlot. So I needed to make the trip earlier so we can still have enough time to enjoy the whole day together. You do care for our friends, right?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.

Spike yawned and answered, "Of course. I kinda, you know, could've used a warning. But oh well. Anything for our friends!"

Twilight threw a bag at Spike, which he caught. She asked, "You ready to pick up our friends?"

Spike slid on the backpack. "Let's go."

First on their list was Pinkie Pie. As they approached Sugarcube Corner, a pink mass flew into them, knocking them over. Spike sat up, rubbing his head. He said, "Pinkie. Try not to throw yourself at us. It hurts, you know."

Pinkie got up, her eyes spinning from being dazed. She giggled and apologized. "Sorry guys. I just couldn't wait for the trip!"

"Well, I'm glad you're excited Pinkie. We're off to a great start!" Twilight smiled.

Suddenly, they hear a voice scream, "Incoming!" That voice was unmistakable. A sonic rainboom resonated through Ponyville as a streak of rainbow came speeding down. Right towards Spike. Bracing for impact, Rainbow Dash landed right on Spike. They looked at each other for a few seconds. After this awkward silence, Rainbow Dash, looking down at Spike, laughed. "Hey Spike! What'cha doin' down there?" She stepped back to allow Spike have room to get up.

Spike brushed off the dust from his body and said, "You kinda landed ON me, Dashie. It's not like I was gonna be on YOU."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, champ," Rainbow Dash said, lightly punching his shoulder.

"All right then. Two down, three to go!" Twilight started walking towards the Carousel Boutique with Pinkie, Dash, and Spike behind her.

As they approached Rarity's boutique, Spike ran ahead. Suddenly, a purple force field appeared around the building. Spike ran straight into the force field. The door opened, then Rarity walked out with a fashionable dress. It also had a purple force field around it. "Hello, girls!" Rarity waved, then looked down and saw the unconscious Spike. "Oh. Spike! What are you doing down there? The ground isn't the best place to lay down on."

"Your force field kinda knocked him out," Pinkie answered.

Rarity sighed. "I'm sorry, Spike." She put the knocked-out Spike on her back. "Let's go!"

As they were walking towards Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash asked, "Hey, Rarity. What does that force field around you do?"

Rarity answered, "I found the spell that can protect me from dirty things such as... dirt." She gagged at the idea of dirt.

Spike woke up. "What happened?" He was surprised when he realized who he was on.

"I'm sorry, Spikey Wikey. My force field on my house kind of knocked you out," Rarity apologized.

Spike hugged her. "It's okay. It's my fault for running."

They arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. Spike jumped off. He started walking towards the barn, looking behind him. "I keep getting hit. What do you think the chance is that-"

"Spike! Watch out!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, pointing her hoof at him.

Spike saw two grayish-olive hooves coming for his face. He ducked. The hooves hit an apple tree. The tree violently shook from the hit. Looking up, Spike saw Applejack.

Applejack smiled blushingly. "Sorry, Spike. Didn't see you there."

Spike smiled back. "Haha! I almost got hit a fourth t-" Five red apples fell on Spike's head.

After a minute of Spike rubbing his head, he looked at all of them and said, "I should've brought a helmet."

The five ponies laughed. Spike, the optimistic dragon he is, smiled.

They headed to a small cottage near the Everfree Forest to pick up  the last attendee. Spike put a claw on his head for protection, and, with his other claw, knocked on the door. "Fluttershy?"

Spike closed his eyes, bracing for impact. This was probably going to hurt the most. After a few seconds, he realized nothing was happening. He opened his eyes and saw the most tenderest pony today. Fluttershy was dressed in a nice green dress.

Spike asked, "Aren't you gonna hit me or something? By accident, of course?"

Fluttershy confusedly looked at him. "I would never hurt you. Why would you say that?" she asked.

"Oh. I have a story to tell you. Here's a precaution: heads will be hit." Spike warned with a smile.

"Well, you'd better get comfy," Fluttershy replied. She got Spike on her back. The crew started walking towards their camping spot.