Every Dragon Has His Day

Ponyville Market was busy as usual. Twilight trotted up to Daisy's stand and began to pull some bits out of her saddlebag.

“Hi Rose! I need some good eating daisies, the fresh ones from the fields outside Ponyville if possible.” Daisy looked at her excitedly.

“Oh, Twilight! Haven't you read any books about edible horticulture? What are they teaching you princesses now? Ponyville daisies can't hold a candle to the ones that they grow in Canterlot! I know the common bellis perennis is what you're probably used to, but if I could just convince you to try the subtle and delicate flavors of the Leucanthemum vulgare...”

Spike yawned. He remembered why he never liked to accompany Twilight on these early trips, and how a short trip to the market in the morning often wouldn't end until midday.

Spike's mind began to wander as Twilight eagerly listened to every detail and wondered where the other ponies were. Off in the distance, he could see Fluttershy carrying Angel on her back, with Pinkie Pie pronking around her excitedly with Gummy in tow.  “Hey Twi, I'm gonna go uh...check out those zucchini,” he interjected into a conversation that was now about the correct variety of cider to pair with flowers.

“Uh huh, just don't wander too far off because you don't know how the townsponies may-”

Spike didn't wait for her to say anything else, and zipped towards the two ponies.

Fluttershy and Pinkie initially didn't notice anything different about their baby dragon friend.

“Oh hi, Spike. What are you and Twilight doing up so early? I'm just picking out a particular kind of lettuce that Angel likes. He won't eat his salads without it!”

Spike could barely get a word in before Pinkie came to a stop in front of him and interrupted.

“They're coming to my super-special Just Because You're Both My Friends Picnic this afternoon! I know Twilight's going to be bringing those yummy daisy sandwiches she makes so well, and Spike said that he'd make those awesome cookies, didn't you, Spike?”

He knew that there was something there was supposed to do last night. It's not like you can make enough cookies to satisfy Pinkie when you're up all night cataloging. Besides, his apron was still at the cleaners from an incident with Owlowlicious.

“Uh...hey, you two notice anything different about me today?”

He tried to unfold his wings, and managed to get them open a little bit.

“Did you get a mane cu-oh silly me, you dragons don't have manes!” exclaimed Pinkie.

“Um, did you shine your scales?” Fluttershy asked.

Spike slapped his forehead with his claw. He opened his wings fully and looked up at the two with a proud look on his face.

“Oh...my. Y-you've got wings now. Um, just a question, but you haven't been inside my cottage recently have you?” Fluttershy asked with most of the color drained out of her face.

“Nah, Twilight said this isn't like that, I'm just becoming a big dragon now.” Fluttershy let out a sigh.

“Oh thank goodness. I don't think I could stand to see one of my friends  hurt us like those awful dragons do.”

Spike couldn't help but feel a little sad at the last part of that statement.

“What do you think, Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked.

She began to shake and suddenly began to pronk all around Spike. “THIS IS AMAZING! Now I can throw that Congratulations On Getting Dragon Wings party I've always wanted to! And Rarity said that it was unrealistic to plan for such an occasion,” she said with a beaming smile. She began to hug Spike tightly. “It's just soooo awesome that I know a dragon who has wings!”

“Wings? A dragon that has wings?!” one of the townsponies near Pinkie yelled.

“Everypony run!” another screamed.

The market that was once full quickly began to clear out, vendors hastily closing up shop.

“W-what? No, I'm not an evil dragon I-” Spike stammered out to no avail as ponies ran in fear of him.

Fluttershy quickly picked Spike and Angel up and began running, with Pinkie following. “Oh my goodness, Spike, ponies aren't really taking this well. Where in Equestria is Twilight?”

“She's at the daisy stand, hopefully!” Spike screamed over the cacophony of stampeding ponies. They rushed over to the other end of the market.

Daisy's stand, like all the others, was closed up and Twilight was nowhere to be seen. Crushed daisies littered the ground, pounded flat from the movements of worried hooves.

“Uh...I guess we should check out the library?” Fluttershy said timidly.

“Yeah, we can throw the party there instead!” Pinkie said as she pronked off with Gummy, ahead of Spike and Fluttershy.

“We'd better catch up to her before she riles up other ponies. Hopefully Twilight can help us,” Fluttershy said nervously.

Spike anxiously muttered “Yeah, Twilight will know what to do.” Angel began whining.

“Oh, don't worry Angel. Everything's going to be fine. Oh, and that goes for you too, Spike.” She began to nuzzle his face.

"Thanks, Fluttershy.” It only helped a little bit, he thought. Twilight was always the most reassuring to him. The library was only a short walk away, but it seemed like the trip took an eternity.