Our Greatest Failures

Chapter 4

"A Lady Helps Her Dragon"

A wet and tired Spike had just stopped near the edge of the Everfree Forest to rest himself from his long walk. He wanted to run away from his problems back at home, but he was torn between running away or staying behind to face his troubles. Just as he was about to continue his journey, a beautiful white unicorn with purple hair and a cutie mark with three diamonds wearing a long purple raincoat was coming towards him.

"Rarity," he said to himself as he got up from his spot. "What is she doing here?"

"Spikey Wikey," she called to him. "Where are you going to that had bothered Rainbow Dash?"

Spike was not sure why Rainbow Dash was following him, let alone that he was not aware that the blue Pegasus was even watching him. Nevertheless, he was now going to walk back with Rarity to Carousel Boutique and it was there that he was going to confess to Rarity what was in his mind.

"I'll tell you at Carousel Botique," he replied. "If you don't mind that is."

"Why, of course," said Rarity. "Anything's better than being out in the rain."

So, they walked back to Carousel Botique and Rarity gave her lover a small warm, cup of tea and a blanket as they sat by a fireplace in the living room of Rarity's boutique.

"Now, Spike," she said. "When Rainbow Dash told me that you were heading towards the Everfree forest, I grew so worried about you. Why are you running away anyway?"

Spike finally decided to pluck up courage and confess his feelings to Rarity. Being the one pony he would love closely besides Twilight, he had to tell the truth.

"All right, Rarity," he sighed as he drank his tea. "I'm going to tell you only because you are the only one who really cares about me besides Twilight. Will you promise not to tell anyone?"

"I won't tell a soul," she said as she glared at the baby dragon. "Now, go on."

Spike drank another sip of his tea and took in another big sigh.

"Okay, Rarity," he said. "I have had these thoughts after the changeling invasion of whether I did the right thing by walking out on Twilight with the rest of you after she tried to warn us about what was wrong with Princess Cadence."

Rarity looked down at herself upon hearing those words. It was the most remorseful moment of her life along with the rest of Twilight's friends, brother and mentor. For it was their cold attitude towards Twilight that allowed Queen Chrysalis and her changeling army to move forward with their plan to attack Canterlot and nearly damaged their relationship with Twilight permanently. It was only after Cadence was rescued from the Canterlot Caves that they realized that they had made a grave mistake and that they had to each make a really big apology towards Twilight for what had happened. As a result of this apology, Twilight was not only reinstated as Shining Armor's best mare, but she was also Princess Cadence's Mare of Honor as well. Rarity would have also been that role, but was glad that Twilight did the dual role.

"Oh, Spikey Wikey," she sighed heavily. "We all made a grave mistake that day. Twilight was the one who was right and that we were the one who were wrong. But, what was important was that we were really able to apologize to Twilight for our actions and that she was able to forgive us so easily."

She placed a hoof on Spike's cheek and made a small smile towards him. This made him feel better slightly, although he was still down in the dumps.

"But, I am her number one assistant Rarity," he explained. "I was supposed to be there for her and I ended up walking out on her because I didn't want you to consider myself a traitor."

"Spike, sweetie," said Rarity. "Sometimes we all jump to conclusions and that we all make mistakes in life, even if you did stay behind with Twilight, we wouldn't be mad at you. Either way, you were still going to be in the wedding as the ring bearer. But, the decision to make Twilight best mare was Shining Armor's and unfortunately, we all had to agree with what he had to say when he told Twilight to forget about being next to him on his big day. Of course, it was a mistake he would later regret."

Spike took another sip of tea and by now, he really started to realize the severity of his actions. Weddings in Equestria were supposed to have a best mare and a ring bearer and he felt that he had to leave or there would be no best mare and no ring bearer for the biggest wedding in Equestria in who knows how long.

"But, just because we all made a mistake," continued Rarity. "It doesn't mean that the world is going to end. Twilight deeply cares about us far too much to even think about disowning us as her friends. She is sure to forgive you as much as she forgave us, and I think it would be equally as important because you are like family to Twilight aside from her parents, brother and newly minted sister-in-law."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Spike, a worried look on his face. "I don't know how she is going to react when I tell her what has been on my mind."

Rarity got up and walked over towards a picture of them at the wedding reception being happy and having a great time. She then looked at a picture of Spike and her younger sister, Sweetie Belle, dancing to the song Twilight sung at the wedding reception.

"Spikey," she said, beckoning him over to where she was standing. "I want you to look at something."

Spike walked over and joined his love at the two pictures that were on her mantelpiece. He looked at them and was beginning to realize that Twilight really loves him.

"Do you really think that Twilight would hate you if you were in these photographs?" Rarity asked, showing Spike the pictures. "Why, you are the most important soul aside from the rest of us that makes her who she is. How else do you think she hatched you for the purpose of being in her life? Why, you, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were the most things in her life just as Sweetie Belle and my parents are in mine."

Spike felt a little better as he hugged Rarity, realizing that he now had to tell Twilight the truth. Even if Rarity made him feel better, he had to face Twilight one way or another.

"So, you think Twilight will forgive me when I tell her what I told you?" asked Spike.

"Of course, Spikey Wikey," she replied as she walked him to the door. "Now, go back to the library and I am sure Twilight will listen contently to what has been on your mind."

Now, full of confidence, Spike headed back to the library, still unsure of how Twilight was going to react when he tells her what he had been thinking.

Meanwhile, the Canterlot Throne Room was gathered with ponies awaiting with what Celestia had to say about her failure to protect them from the Changelings. It wasn't going to be easy for anyone, but it had to be done…