Hearth's Miracle

“He’ll never change,”

A Sparity one-shot.

   Spike groaned as he lifted up a box for Rarity, placing it gently next to the Hearth’s Warming tree. Twilight had allowed him to take the day off today, since nopony wanted to walk through the snow to a library. He was a little squeamish about leaving, either it was the fact that he was sure Owlowlicious was still out to get him, or that he just didn’t want to leave his mother figure alone, he wasn’t sure. His mind went with the latter, since he couldn’t worry about that fiasco anymore

         “Spike? Darling, are you OK?” She came downstairs.

  He chuckled and waved a claw at her, patting his thick muscles in response. “It’s just the growing pains, Rare. They’ll go away in a few seconds.”

      “Well, alright,” She muttered dejectedly. “I just don’t want you lifting up more than you can carry. Twilight said that your wings would grow in before the Eve, correct?”

He beamed a wide smile. “Yeah, I can’t wait! Rainbow Dash promised she’d teach me how to fly. Given the progress that she and Scootaloo made, she said I’d be up in the air in ten seconds flat!” He rubbed the back of his head as he tried to re-think that in his head. “Or… maybe a few weeks…”

     Rarity laughed, using her magic to lift a few ornaments out of the box. “Time waits for nopony, Spike. I’m sure everything will be wonderful for you.”

   “Y-yeah…” He muttered, dreamily picturing him soaring through the skies, with the beautiful unicorn on his back. They were going up, up into the heavens… “Wonderful…”

     “Spike?” She called out, waving her hoof in front of his face. “Spike!”

“Huh? Oh!” He shook his head. “What did you ask me, dear?”

  She faked a smile, her own beating heart beating against her chest. She didn’t want him to know that she was losing her patience with him… and for other reasons. “I was curious if you’d like to help me set these ornaments on the tree.”

  He nodded, saluting her. “Yes ma’am! Anything for you, ma’am!”

      This time, she actually laughed. “If that’s how you’ll be. Do your duty, soldier.”  She gave him a kind smile and helped him decorate the tree, before showing him out the door hours later.

  ***

   Once upstairs, the unicorn slapped her forehead and groaned as she shut the door. Oh, Celestia, why can’t I be honest with him? She didn’t know how, she didn’t know when, but she started developing feelings for the goofy dragon. She cursed herself for not catching on anytime sooner. She’d read enough romance novels –completely fell in love with the works of Stephanie Mare- to know what love was when she saw it, but she’d been left blind this whole time. Was this some kind of… of curse Celestia had bestowed on her?  Well… now that I think about it, he’d make a handsome suitor for a Canterlot party.

What would they think?

How do you mean?

Those other prissy ponies. Your relationship with the dragon would never get past them. It’d be unnatural. It’d be SICK.

But… but I possess feelings for him! And the fact that I like him should only matter! Stop arguing with me, rational side of my brain!

Alright. Fine. But riddle me this. What if he doesn’t love you anymore?

That last thought made her freeze up. Good Luna… she wouldn’t know what to think. Several times, she’d caught him staring at Applejack, but she didn’t think anything of it. She would accept the fact, sure; she’d been so harsh to him when he was younger, treating him like a slave most times. However… as she thought about it… she’d be heartbroken. Indescribably distressed.

   She let her body sink to the floor, staring at herself in the mirror for Celestia knows how long. She didn’t know what to do. Rarity, everypony’s favorite fasion-ista, well known drama queen, was clueless. She couldn’t ask any of her friends for help, since that would be completely out of character. Hah, that’s a laugh. She chided herself, recalling past events. For weeks, she wouldn’t eat, had terrible nightmares, and tried to avoid the one dragon she cared for the most, even when Twilight had to barge into her boutique. It was hard to deny the facts from here on out.

She was in love. For the first time in her life, she felt butterflies swarming around in her stomach at the thought of him.

Rarity let out a pitiful cry, and didn’t bother to answer the door when her sister came home.

***

   Twilight greeted him with a kind smile when he bustled through the newly made double doors, snow coming in with him. She tittered at this, though. “Spike! Close the door, I don’t want to track snow in here! How many times do I have to tell you?!”

     He giggled. “Why? Trying to impress Comet Tail?” He asked in a sultry voice, but nevertheless closing the doors behind him. The awkward colt has been one of the most frequent visitors since Twilight’s coronation, and Spike knew love when he saw it. The two were practically smitten by each other.

His mother-figure glared. “Oh, quiet you. You know as well as I do that I’m not up for that kind of thing.”

   “You said the same thing about friendship~” He eased softly, grunting when his laugh squeaked higher than normal. He slapped his head. “I am so glad that didn’t happen when I was with Rarity.”

Twilight nodded over to the back room. “C’mon, Spike, I have to run another test on you.”

   “Seriously?! My voice. Just. Cracked.”

    She pointed a firm hoof. “Spike, nopony here knows for sure about dragon growth.What happens if the centuries go by and when a time comes, like say, a dragon attacks Equestria, we won't know what to do? I have to make sure everything’s going well for the wings to grow in the next few days.”

“When you put it like that, you’re making me seem like a science experiment.” He gave her a flat look.

  “Get in there before I tell Celestia… no, the entire town of Ponyville about your crush on Rarity.”

   Spike’s eyes grew wide in fear, dreading the very thought of it already. In a second, he was down in the back room. Twilight giggled at his antics and picked  up a clipboard, nodding over to Owlowlicious to follow her. This was going to be a long afternoon.

***

“Oh Rarity…. It’s been so long since we’ve spent alone time together. Like this,” The dragon cooed, running his claws through her beautiful, purple mane. She sighed at this, nuzzling into his shoulder.

“I know, Spike. What with my boutique in Canterlot busy as ever, and you working with Twilight… surely we’ll meet up again soon, right?”

    “If you don’t mind a helpless admirer falling at your hooves every second of the day, than alright.” The couple laughed at this. Rarity smiled warmly at her coltfriend, shaking her mane in protest.

   “Darling, if I had a penny for every time I caught you staring at me, I’d be a billionaire.”

Spike blushed like a fool. “Heh… I can’t help looking at a gem as pretty as you.”

     Her breath shot out of her lungs and she grinned, giving him a slight peck on the cheek. “Always the chamer, aren’t you?” Her face fell then, as she remembered why she really wanted to talk to him. “Spike… I need to… ask you something.”

  “You just did.” He smirked at her, chuckling when her tail hit his face. “Okay, I’ll be serious.”

  Rarity closed her eyes, hiding her face on his chest. She didn’t want to look up at him now. “What are your… thoughts… on children?”

Spike stayed silent for awhile. For a moment she feared that he was upset, but then when she risked a look in his eyes, they were filled with so much joy.

  “R-Rarity… my love, my dearest Rarity…” Now it was his turn to be shocked. “Are… are you…”

       “Y-yes…”

He laughed, picking her up and spinning her around in the air. “Oh man, I can’t believe it! I’m gonna be a dad! After all this time!”

       She blushed, smiling all the while. “Thank goodness… I thought you’d be mad…”

“No, my love, I never will. Not even out there.”

     She blinked. “Um. What?”

Spike leaned in to kiss her tenderly, whispering softly in her ear, “Rarity, as much as I love to be in this dreamworld forever with you, you have to wake up.”

     “But… but… but why?” She almost whined, not letting go of him.

  “You have to. Do it for me. And this little one, in the future.” He assured her, placing a claw on her stomach. “I’ll be waiting.”

     “RARITY… WAKE UP!”

She sniffed, trying her hardest to ignore the loud echo pounding in her ears. “A-alright. I will. Promise me you will?”

“I don’t even have to Pinkie Pie promise it.”

“RARITY! WAKE UP!”

      “Ugh…” She sniffed, wiping away tears from her eyes as she got out the blurry image of her younger sister. How long have I been asleep for? She wondered and looked outside, noticing that it was almost nightfall. Sweetie was in a state of distress, dark circles were under her eyes and her hooves wouldn’t sit still for the life of her.

  “S-sweetie Belle! What’s the matter?”

She saw her sister bite her lip, hesitating on her answer. Tears began to fall down her cheeks.

      “Did Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon hurt you again?” She demanded, throwing off the covers. "I swear, when I make that call to their parents--"

“N-no, that’s not—“

“Oh my stars, your mane! It’s horrific! What did you do, go through a wringer?!”

“Hey, it’s not that bad compared to—“

    “Is it Button Mash again? Did he ask you out on a date, and you freaked out to come to me for comfort? Oh, dear, we went over this—”

“R-RARITY!”

The unicorn jumped a little and she glanced sheepishly at her sister, who was fuming. She took a few deep breaths to calm down. “You’re right, you’re right. I’m over-thinking things again. What’s the problem?”

   Her sister stared at the floor then. “It’s Spike. He’s gone.”

“G-gone?” Rarity took a step back. “Wh-what do you mean, gone?”

      “C’mon… I think you better visit Twilight now.”

“But… but, I—“ She couldn’t get another word out, for Sweetie Belle pushed her out the door.

***

   All the dragon could think about, all he could feel, was pain. It was only two days later that he started feeling the wings grow in, and his entire body growing with them. Twilight had locked him in his bedroom, telling him that he couldn’t move an inch. She warned her friends’ hours before –oddly enough Rarity wasn’t there- and they all wished a safe recovery. He couldn’t speak at all.

     But even that didn’t calm Spike’s mind. He was terrified of this new transformation. What if his family didn’t like the new look? What if… what if they disowned him? What if Rarity…

He cried inwardly as another sharp pang shot through his arm, and Twilight’s face scrunched up.

  “Hang tight there Spike, the worst part is almost over.” The howling snow beat hard against the window sill, and their pet phoenix struggled to close it. Owlwolicious flew over to help.

    “I’ll get you a wet cloth.” She took flight downstairs, leaving Spike to his thoughts.

C’mon… try to sleep!He cried, letting out a roar of protest.  Sleep, brain, *sleep!***

But it never did. He only stared at the white ceiling for the rest of the night.

   He didn’t know what time of day it was, but the snow stopped falling. A bird chirped outside, and flew off, letting a bright patch of sunlight seep through. It blinded him for a few moments, and he groaned, sitting up straight for the first time. He froze for a second then.

   He felt… stronger, with this new body. Different. Carefully, he got up, stumbling a little bit on his newly formed legs. He was almost at his full height, when his head hit the ceiling.

  “Ouch…” He muttered, rubbing his scales. He worriedly glanced towards the open door and down the hallway, hoping that he didn’t wake Twilight up. When all he heard in response was a snore, he sighed. There was a mirror placed by his bed—she must’ve put it there. Slowly, more carefully than before, he walked over to it, gasping at what he saw.

      “I-I,” He struggled for words, his eyes bulged wide. His scales were a darker color. Everything looked as if it was stretched three times their size; his teeth were as thick as a sharks’, his tail balanced everything out, but even that didn’t make up for the unusually backwards wings, that rested on the floor beside either side of him. He was no longer the adorable, chubby kid a few years ago. There was only one word for this. “I’m a monster.”

He sniffed, blinking back tears as he smashed the mirror in a fit of rage. He then flew –to the best of his ability- out the window, and far away from Ponyville.

***

       “And he never came back?” Rarity asked, wrapping a hoof around Twilight.

“I shouldn’t have left him.” She sobbed, clutching the broken pieces of the mirror. “I should have stayed up all night, and—“

        “Twilight, this was nothing you could help. It was his decision to leave.”

“How could you be so calm about this? My son left me!” The alicorn pushed herself away from her, surprising her friends. Fluttershy let out a soft whimper.

     “Darling, I—“

“You know, this is all your fault.” She made a 360 turn, pointing an accusing hoof.

   “I beg your pardon?”

“If you hadn’t realized your feelings for him anytime sooner, or consoled him, we wouldn’t be in this situation! No. No, wait. I don’t think you even have feelings for him. All you’ve been using him as for these years was for eye candy, to show off. You wouldn’t even know what love is if you were asked!” She roared and threw a book at her, to which hit Rarity in the muzzle. She let it fall to the floor, revealing her grief-stricken face.

   Silence. The tension between the two friends was so thick, a knife couldn’t cut it. But thankfully Applejack’s yell did.

  “Now wait just an apple-bucking-minute,” She stood in front of Rarity protectively. “There will be no more book throwing. A thousand pardons, yer highness, but ah think we all should calm down.” She nodded over to Pinkie and Fluttershy, who ushered the mare upstairs. Rainbow Dash flew down to comfort her while the farm-pony snorted in irritation.

“Stupid bookworm… always letting her mouth get us into trouble…”

  Rarity sighed. “She’s right, you know.”

      “No, she’s not, Rare—“ Rainbow was cut off by a hoof.

“Shut up, you careless daredevil. She is. I’m a complete idiot for not realizing my feelings sooner. I’m hopelessly in love with Spike, a-and…  I paid the price for leading him on like a Diamond Dog. Now I’ll never be able to tell him…”

  Rainbow chuckled as she motioned to Rarity to lean in closer. “Let me tell ya a little secret.” A pause. “Okay, you know that Wonderbolts’ guy, Soarin’? Windswept mane, awesome green eyes under those goggles and blue coat?” She nodded. “I got the hots for him. He’s gorgeous. I can’t stop thinking about him, being with him, every single practice we share together.”

     “Rainbow Dash, how is this supposed to make me feel better?”

Applejack grinned despite herself, and shook her head. “She ain’t done yet, sugarcube.”

     “Sooo… one day, I pulled him aside after practice. He was going over something with Fleetfoot, but I didn’t give him a chance. Heheh. He was pretty mad that I did that, but I shushed him with a kiss and told him that I was in love with him. No questions asked.” She was deep into the memory right now, blushing like a schoolfilly. “He… he was surprised at first, but… he calmed down. And he told me honestly that he was beginning a relationship with Spitfire right now, but if that didn’t work out, he’d take me into consideration. I was just glad I took the risk first.” She flapped her wings proudly. “That’s what life is all about, Rarity. Not being afraid to show off your true colors, or in our case, feelings. It’ll eat ya alive every chance it gets.”

Strange, Rarity thought to herself with a chuckle.I always took her for a filly-fooler. Not that I would be against that, but… oh… this was a beautiful story nonetheless. Never thought I’d get advice from the likes of her. She nodded, and put on a brave face. “I… see. Yes, I believe it, Rainbow! Oh, thank you. I can just picture it now.” She swooned, and started to dance in a circle.

Applejack giggled and put a hoof around her, stopping her in her tracks. “Hold on there, Mareiet. We gotta find Spike firs’.”

Rarity frowned at this.  “But… where would we start looking?”

“We could… ask around town,” Said a voice, and she turned to see a blurry-eyed Twilight. “See if the residents know where he went.”

  Rarity, although still mad at her, nodded. “Right. Let’s get started.”

***

  Spike sighed as he placed his hand against his cheek, staring at himself in the frozen lake. His tears glazed onto the ice, freezing up the second it touched. Memories of him and Rarity etched the surface of his mind. He couldn’t push them away, no matter how hard he tried.

“I hope it’s as tasty as it is beautiful, Spike,” She sighed, “I have never seen anything quite so stunning before.”

     “Gosh… you really like it, huh?”

“Like it? It’s… magnificent.”

    “Then…” He bit his lip, “You can have it. This beautiful gem… was meant to be with you.”

   He cursed himself for how foalish he acted around her then. She must’ve thought he was a blubbering idiot…

“Spike, I just can’t tell you how absolutely proud I am of you.”

    “Proud of… me?”

  “Yes. It was you who stopped… well, you, from destroying Ponyville. You’re my hero Spikey-wikey.” She smiled as tears began to swell in his eyes, and kissed him on the cheek.

      “Would she be proud of me now, though?” Spike sighed, throwing a pebble into the lake.

  “I wouldn’t doubt that for a second.” The lord of Chaos chuckled, appearing before him.

“D-d-discord!” He hasn’t seen much of him since he was always either with Pinkie Pie, or running errands for said pony. Sure he missed the troublemaker –he was a great partner for playing mediocre pranks on the residents- but he wasn’t in the mood right now.

“Why are you out here, dear Spike, on a cold night on Hearth’s Warming Eve?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Spike mumbled in return, turning away from him.

      “Do go on. You know I love a good laugh.” He chuckled merrily, placing a pair of funny-looking glasses on his eyes.

  The dragon only glared, tears starting to form in his eyes once more as he rose from his seat, and stood tall in front of Discord.  He was almost the same height as him. “Look at me, you fool! I’m a monster! Nopony would take me for who I was anymore, not after that incident!”

   Discord stayed quiet for a few moments, before even more giggles erupted from his mouth. He watched as Spike angrily shot a ball of fire at him, but he dodged that. Wiping a tear away from his eye, he patted Spike on the head. “My young dragon, if it’s anypony who’s the monster here, it’s me.  I mean, really. I have a pony head, reptilian legs, mismatched arms, my eyes are the devil’s red, and I think that’s a normal tail by draconquus standards, but… what do I know?” He held up his finger before Spike could interject. “But I look past that. Know why? Because of the bubbling pink gorgeous mess that is Pinkie Pie. She accepted me for who I was, and didn’t care about what other ponies said when we were together. We are just two beings in this world, in love.”

    Spike calmed down a bit then, staring up at him with sad eyes. "I could leave right now, y'know. Far away. Find out why I'm like this."

He shook his head. “Comparing yourself to me is kind of like saying a corny joke, and nopony laughs at it. But they do, just to not hurt you feelings.”

“I-I… had… no idea. So… what your saying is, you really think that Rarity will feel for me, even if I do look like this now?”

Discord glanced stage left, as if somepony was there. “Was I speaking in squirrel to the lad?”

       Spike took no note of this, however. “Oh gosh… wh-what have I done? My family is probably worried sick by now! I-I gotta get back!” He frantically sat up, and gave his acquaintance a thankful smile. “Thanks, Discord… no matter what anypony else says, you’re a perfect example of harmony to me.”

He chuckled warily and brushed him off, never being so touched by his words since the event with Fluttershy. “You’re welcome, Spike. Now go on. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rarity’s crying out your name in the streets already.”

    He grinned, and sped off, his backwards wings giving him immense speed and agility. Discord let out a relieved sigh and looked up at the stars, catching a spark in one of them.

    “I never thought I’d come this far either, Celly. But I will tell you, it’s much better than that thousand year banishment to stone.” He chuckled sadly to himself, and disappeared from sight.

***

Greeting Cards… have all been sent.

                                                                                    The Hearth’s rush is through.

   “R-rarity?” Spike stopped in his tracks, listening to the beautiful sound. The six mares were in the center of town, each holding up fliers. Applejack was the first to turn around and notice her singing.

But I still have… one wish to make.

                                                                                          A special one… for you.

“Sugarcube, now ain’t the time for singin’.”

    Twilight shook her head and sighed. “Let her, we’ll pose as backup.”

Merry Hearth’s Warming darling

                                                                                            We’re apart that’s true

                                                                                                But… I can dream,

                                                                                                And in my dreams

                                                                                          I’m Hearth’s-ing with you…

Rarity laid her head on a nearby candy cane, which lead to many odd stares, but they still stayed to watch the performance.

Holiday’s are joyful

                                                                                There’s always something new

                                                                                    But everyday’s… a holiday.

                                                                                       Wh-when I’m near to you.

  “She really does love me…” Spike sighed dreamily, laying upside-down on the cloud. Rarity pointed to her boutique, where Sweetie Belle was currently sitting by the tree, with her ‘friend’ Button Mash.

Oh the lights on my tree…

                                                                                         I wish you could see.

                                                                                           I wish it every passing hour.

The logs on the fire… fill me with desire

                                                                                            To see you and to say…

                                                                        That I wish you a merry Hearth’s Warming.

As promised, Twilight and her friends did the backup singing, swept up into the song; Rarity knew how to control the audience, even when she wasn’t aware of it.

(Merry Hearth’s Warming darling)

                                                                                              Happy new year too…

                                                                                      I’ve just one wish on this Eve

                                                                                          (On this special Eve)

                                                                                  I wish I were with you...

    The love struck unicorn sang throughout the streets of Ponyville, not minding as she bumped into the ponyfolk. Each passerby, either received a sorrowful look from Twilight, or a stern glance from Rainbow Dash –since she didn’t want to show any emotion whatsoever- before being shown a picture of the aging dragon. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy just held the extra papers. They shook their heads, galloping off. Then Rarity began to sing again, once Discord teleported into the picture.

Oh the logs on the fire…

                                                                                            Fill me with desire

                                                                                       To see you and too say

                                                                        That I wish you a merry Hearth’s Warming

                                                                                  (Merry Hearth’s Warming darling)

                                                                                             Happy new year too…

                                                                            Oh, I have just one wish on this Eve

                                                                                          (On this special Eve)

                                                                                          I wish I were with you…

                                                                              I… I wish I were… with… you....

Rarity faltered as she sang the last note, the backup drifting off into the wind. She sniffed as tears began to fall from her eyes, and she hid her face from her friends.

   “I-I-I’m sorry! I’m so so sorry, Spike! I’m not acting whiney or persistent right now, I just want to be in your arms!”

Discord leaned over to Pinkie, who was crying up a storm along with her. “You know, when a mare sings a love song in the middle of the streets, it’s so not obvious that she’s in love.”

    The pink party pony giggled despite herself, and beamed a wide smile when Discord pointed to one of the clouds up ahead.

Twilight put a reassuring hoof around her shoulder, fighting back a few tears of her own. “I’m… I’m sorry we couldn’t find him today, Rarity. We’ll check again tomorrow… I’ll write a letter to the princesses.”

    Spike, who finally came to his senses, flew down to the ground behind them. “You… you really mean all that stuff about me, Rarity?”

  Everypony gasped. Horror, distress, so many mixed emotions were seen on their faces. But all he cared for was the white unicorn’s at the moment. She let out a tearful laugh, and ran toward him, knocking the two of them onto the ground. This all happened, by Rainbow’s calculations, in ten seconds.

   “Oh… o-oh Spike… your back!”

“I… I never really left,” He rubbed the back of his head nervously. “But… somepony made me realize that I never should have considered it in the first place.” He helped her off of him, and stood up, giving her glare. “Be honest with me. What do you think?”

     Rarity felt those butterflies in her chest again. She knew that she was blushing; she always did when he was this close to her. Had she not made it clear in her song? Taking a nervous gulp, she stepped closer to him, wrapping her forehooves around his massive shoulders. Then she placed a light peck on his lips, causing him to blush madly. “I think… I think you look just perfect, darling. You haven’t changed at all.”

  He sighed with relief, hugging her close to him. “That’s all I ever cared for.”

Everypony erupted in cheers then, save for Pinkie Pie, who burst into the air with a fit of happiness, and landed on top of Discord’s head.

    “THIS CALLS FOR A PARTY!”

Twilight giggled at the duo, and wholeheartedly agreed. She would deal with the punishment for running away later, since she didn’t want to ruin the joyous occasion just yet. After all, Spike and Rarity deserved the best today. Thinking of her own object of affection, she tried to hide her blush as the stallion waved to her on the opposite side of the street.  She smiled and waved back, glancing up at the stars for a moment to thank Luna for finding her son. No matter what, she reasoned with herself. He’ll never change. He’ll always… be Spike.