Silver Scales of Love:

The Weight of Love

Spike is a teenage terra dragon. His purple scales are as tough as mountains. His emerald eyes surround his slit like pupils, revealing rays of green. His spines on his back were rounded, running down from the top of his head, to the end of his tail. He was an amazing five foot and eight inches tall, now as tall as his mother. He loved many things in life, but he loved one mare the most. She was indeed a rarity; such beauty was never found in any other mare, besides Fleur de Lis.

Spike woke up early, this morning, and put his clothes on. He wore dark grey jeans, a hole beginning to form in the thigh of the right pant leg. He put on a black t-shirt, knowing his dragon heritage and blood would protect him from extreme heat today. He then put on the finishing touch to his outfit: a pale, dark blue light hoodie. He kept it unzipped. Spike had no reason to zip up his hoodie, just like how he had no reason to wear shoes. He put his clothes on as silently as he could, so not to wake up his mom, Twilight Sparkle. The lavender Alicorn mare was sleeping in her bed, a book right next to her. Spike smiled at his mother, and wrote out a quick note;

Dear mom,

I’m heading over to Rarity’s today, to help her out with her work. I most likely will be gone for most of the day, and won’t return until late tonight. Hopefully the news I’ve got for Rarity will make her feel the same for me. I’m finally going to ask her out! I’ll let you know the results of my time with Rarity tonight when I get home.

~Don’t wait up, from Spike.

He smiled as he finished writing the note. Spike was proud to be the assistant to Ponyville’s most beautiful mare, on several occasions, and was even happier she was one of his friends as well. He saw Rarity as more than a friend, though. He always saw her as more than friend ever since he first met her, since he first saw her when he and Twilight moved to Ponyville during the week of the Summer Sun Festival.

Spike silently moved downstairs, trying not to hit the creaky board on the stair case. He tip clawed down stairs, moving slowly down each of the stair steps. He came to the final step, the creaky step of the stair case. “Dare I step on this stair step?” Spike asked himself in a whisper. He had to make up his mind, or he’d just be standing there for a while. He thought, and thought, and thought. He eventually just decided on stepping over the last step, making sure he did it silently.

Thankfully, he made it over the step, and was able to silently leave the tree library. As he made his way to the exit of Golden Oaks Library, he saw Twilight’s pet owl, Owlicious, sitting on one of his perches. Spike looked at the bird with a nasty stare, “Shh! I’m heading out, and don’t need you blowing my cover!” He told the avian bird, as it gave him a blank stare in return.

“Whoo.” Owlicious replied, giving his natural call out to spike.

“You, dumb bird!” Spike whispered to Owlicious, trying to keep his voice down.

“Whoo.”

“I said YOU!” Spike repeated, raising his voice when he said “you.”

There was some shuffling upstairs, “Spike? Was that you?” Twilight asked as she sat up in her bed, rubbing her head.

Spike heard his mother wake up, and just bolted out of the library, heading for Rarity’s boutique out in town.

Spike walked through the town of Ponyville, passing by many ponies and merchants. Spike saw his friend Caramel, with a bouquet of flowers for some mare. “Go get her, pal!” Spike told Caramel as he passed him.

Even though Spike had no idea who the new mare in question was, he honestly just knew it would end up all the same. Caramel would ask the mare out, and would sadly be rejected by said mare in question. That’s how it always was with Caramel, after he broke up with Sassaflash. Spike continued his walk, getting some Sun as he looked up into the sky. The Pegasi were doing a great job of keeping the sky clear, today. That was good, because he needed the sky to be clear. What could be better than a clear sky on the day he’d finally ask out the mare of his dreams?

As Spike was walking through town, he noticed a flower stand selling roses. He patted his body, until he found his bag of bits. “There you are!” Spike said as he pulled out a small burlap bag out his right hoodie pocket. He walked over to the rose stand, “Hey, Roseluck, how much for two roses?” Spike asked as he began pulling out some bits.

“Morning, Spike! That’ll be twelve bits for two roses, and an extra three bits for a card with your special somepony’s name on it!” Roseluck explained, as she shifted her red bangs away from her eyes with a hoof.

Spike gave a weird look, “Sheesh! Twelve bits for two roses, can you say outrageous? Well, I guess I can buy JUST the two roses.” Spike explained as he pulled out twelve bits, handing them over to Roseluck. The latter gave Spike, in return, two roses. “Thanks, Roseluck. Hopefully Rarity will love these!” Spike said as he continued his walk to Rarity’s house and work place. Carosoul Boutique was the one other place Spike would spend his time when he could. He’d help Rarity with anything she’d ask him to help with, not caring how big or small the job. As long as she asked, he’d help. Heck, he’d offer any help he could in general!

Spike continued his walk to the tailor shop, walking with the two roses in his claws. He didn’t care of the thorns would scratch his scales, because they couldn’t cut deep enough into the scales to break skin and make him bleed. There was always that one upside to being a dragon, hardened scales. Harder than the toughest stallions in Equestria, too!

Spike walked through the sunny town of Ponyville, passing by many of his friends and/or acquaintances. He eventually came across yet another merchant stall, but this one was selling different goods. Spike noticed it was a chocolate stall, “ Chocolates are actually a good idea… ” Spike thought to himself as he went over to the merchant stall.

When he got to the stall, he found that it was being run by a new pony in town. It was being run by a chocolate brown Earth Pony stallion, with emerald green eyes and a silver mane. “Well hey there, neighbor! Can I interest you in buying some chocolates today?” The Earth Pony said with a smile. “Perfect for that very special somepony, don’t you know?”

Spike was a bit taken back at the stallion’s surprising hospitality in greeting him as a neighbor, “Wait, you’re not afraid that I’m a dragon?” Spike asked as he stood over the merchant stall, and looked at the many kinds of chocolates. He saw dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate, cookies-n-crème filled white chocolate. “Mind if I ask what your name is?”

The stallion chuckled at Spike’s surprised attitude, “Name’s Choco. I’m the eldest of my eight brothers and sisters! And quite frankly, you weren’t destroying anything in town, and are currently holding two roses! So I see no reason to fret about you.” The merchant explained to Spike, extending his hoof to shake Spike’s hand.

Spike shook the stallion’s hoof, wearing a surprised look. “Well, um… How much would it cost for a bag of milk chocolate?” Spike asked as he regained his hand from the stallion.

“Hmm… Well, judging by how good the quality is…” Choco replied as he examined the bag of milk chocolates Spike had picked up. He took a long look at the bag of chocolates, his emerald eyes squinting at it. His eyes were practically shooting daggers at the bag. “OK, examination done!” Choco replied as he handed back the bag. “Five bits, please!” He said as he held out his hoof for the money.

“Wait, five bits for a bag of chocolates? Dang, the quality of these things must be good than…” Spike said as he pulled out five bits, handing them over to the merchant. After paying the merchant, Spike left the farmer’s market part of Ponyville, and continued his objective on walking over to Rarity’s house.

It took him fifth then minutes to reach the boutique, and when he did arrive, Rarity let him have it. “Spikey Wikey, what took you so long to get here?” Rarity whined at Spike, making a pouting face.

“Sorry, Rarity. Had to get some things done, first.” Spike explained, hiding the chocolates and roses.

Spike stood before a beautiful alabaster Unicorn. Her fur covered every inch of her outer body. Her purple mane showed that she took really amazing care over it, glistening in the room’s light. Rarity’s eyes were as blue as sapphires, shining brightly.

Rarity sighed, “It is okay, Spikey. Let’s get to work!” She said, clapping her hooves in a rapid succession.

Their day was filled with many, many chores to be done. Rarity began working on her newest dress, being made for Hoity Toity. She was half-way done with making the dress, lacing it with the amazing gold silk she made. She lined the fringe of the dress’s collar with small diamonds, placing them in a symmetrical pattern. What was Spike doing all of this? He held everything Rarity had discarded, per Rarity’s request, and had been balancing four different styles of cloth and fabrics.

Next, after finishing the dress from a fourth of the way done, Rarity began doing some spring cleaning, tying her mane into a bun. She wore a handkerchief to cover her mane. She scrubbed her floors with her magic, and dusted her walls by hoof. Spike helped by cleaning her bathroom, laundry, and attic. While cleaning, Spike found a picture of Rarity as a filly. “Wow, even as a filly, she’s kind of pretty.” Spike noted to himself, stashing the photo away in its original box.

He continued cleaning the attic, finding many things from Rarity’s past. He found many photos, home movies, and even some old dresses of hers! He even found a picture of Rarity holding Sweetie Belle when Sweetie was just born. He grew a smile on his face, placing the photo back. “Spikey! Are you still cleaning the attic?” Rarity called out, as she finished up her cleaning.

“Nah, I’m done, Rarity!” Spike called back, as he began climbing down the attic ladder. He missed a step, and lost his balance. Though he used his best efforts to not fall off, he fell onto the floor. His back slammed against the floor, thankfully he received minimal damage. Spike stood up, and popped his spine. “Oh Celestia, that felt good!” He said after he finished popping his spine.

Rarity, having heard the crash, galloped over to Spike. “Spikey, are you okay?!” She asked, as she began to caress Spike by holding him close to her. Spike was about Rarity’s height, now, and was able to return a hug completely.

“I, um…. Yeah, I’m fine.” Spike replied, wanting to return a hug. He couldn’t, he just stared into the two sapphires that were Rarity’s eyes. Spike thought about it, thought about kissing Rarity. He decided against it, though. He’d savor the moment when he could kiss Rarity’s tender lips. “So, um, what’s next on the agenda?” Spike asked, forcing himself to break away from Rarity.

“Well, we’ve got gem hunting, and then lunch!” Rarity replied with a sincere smile, trotting downstairs with Spike following her. Rarity put on her saddlebag, filled with gem cleaning supplies, and got out her usual gem loading wagon. “OK, Spikey, let’s head off to our gem spot!” Rarity said as the two left the boutique.

It was mid-day, and Spike and Rarity were at their usual gem hunting spot. Rarity’s horn had begun to glow its usual blue aura, forcing Rarity toward a gem stash. “Oh, come over here, Spike! There’s a big stash of gems hiding over here!” Rarity said as her horn was pointing toward a spot on the ground.

Spike ran toward Rarity, bringing a shovel with him. “Good thing I brought a shovel this time! Now my claws won’t get dirt in them anymore!” He said, as he sunk his shovel into the dirt where the gems were hiding. Spike dug, and dug, until he reached a giant pile of many huge gems. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and even some amethysts were in there! Spike’s jaw dropped as he looked at the stash of gems, almost drooling onto the gems.

Rarity smiled, “Spikey, your mouth is hanging open, again!” She told Spike, closing his mouth with her hoof. Rarity used her magic to take all of the gems out of the ground, and began cleaning the excess dirt off of the rarities.

Spike kept his eyes focused upon the diamond that was there; Spike had heard that diamonds were the tastiest of all gems that dragons could eat! “What a delicacy!” Spike said, reaching his claws out to grab the diamond. Rarity had to shoo his claws away from the diamond.

“I’m sorry, Spikey, but this diamond is not for eating! You know my rules, Spike.” Rarity said, as she cleaned off the diamond next. After cleaning it, Rarity stashed the diamond into her saddlebag, putting it somewhere where Spike wouldn’t be able to find it.

Spike sighed after seeing the dragon delicacy be stored away from him, “Sorry, Rarity, but I’ve never had a diamond before! May I at least have the ruby, emerald, or amethyst?” Spike replied to Rarity, hoping he could get any of the gems.

“Of course you may, Spikey! Here, take the amethyst!” Rarity said, handing over the largest amethyst to Spike. Spike took the amethyst, observing its texture and marveled at how smooth the gem felt in his claws. He popped the amethyst into his mouth, enjoying how it tasted as sweet as berries.

“Thanks, Rarity. So, are we heading back now, or what?” Spike asked as he grabbed the wagon of gems, and propped it onto his shoulder. Spike’s dragon strength allowed him to carry over two-hundred and fifty pounds, at his current age.

“We’ll be heading back to the boutique now, Spike.” Rarity said, as she lead Spike and herself back to Carosoul Boutique.

Spike and Rarity were back in Rarity’s foyer, separating all of the gems they had received that day by color. Spike was taking care of all the rubies, emeralds, and amethysts. He separated them equally, and accordingly; making sure that they were in their proper piles next to their proper duplicates. Spike also took note of the sizes of each gem, especially the rubies. The rubies reminded him of the fire ruby he once had, shaped like a heart, and had later given it to Rarity as a present.

Rarity was taking care of the rest of the gems, separating them in the same fashion Spike had been doing. “So, Rarity, um… there was something I wanted to ask you.” Spike said as he stood up, taking the roses and chocolates out of his pockets, where he kept them hidden.

Rarity turned around, to find Spike holding the chocolates and roses. She gasped, “Spike, what are these for?” She asked with a smile, taking both of the presents.

“Rarity, will you go out with me?” Spike asked, wearing a smile on his face.

Rarity looked up at Spike, not expecting that question. Her recent smile morphed into a frown, “Oh, Spikey, no. I can’t, just can’t. I’m so sorry, Spike. But, you’re younger, and a dragon! I’m sorry, so so sorry, but there’s no way we could make it work.” Rarity explained, feeling sad for the dragon whose heart she had broken.

Spike’s own smile itself turned into a frown, and he hung his head down. “Oh… I understand, Rarity… I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said, placing his hands into his pockets, and walked to the exit of the tailor shop. He stood at the exit for a minute, holding onto the door handle. “ Was this all worth it? This entire day wasted? ” Spike thought to himself, as he walked out of the boutique. It was night now; it had taken Spike and Rarity all day to have sorted out the gems.

Spike was walking home, alone and cold a bit. He slowly walked home, feeling his broken heart. He passed a rose bush, and plucked out a rose. “The rose is the flower of love, eh?” Spike asked, wanting to crush the rose. He just stared at it as he walked through the town a bit more.

Spike kept the rose in between his claws, feeling the stem of the plant. “I said no, Snails!” A feminine voice called out from a nearby tree.

“Come on, Silver Spoon, have a little fun!” A teenage colt’s voice replied.

Spike’s ears perked up, and he followed the sounds of the voices. He recognized the colt’s voice, Snail’s, hearing the slurring in it. However, the slurring was more than usual. As Spike continued walking over to the tree, he found and empty bottle of beer. “A beer bottle?” He whispered to himself as he examined the bottle now in his claws. Spike set the bottle down, and got closer to the tree; hearing some more bickering between the two ponies.

“Come on, Spoon, just make out with me before this date ends!” Snails said, sounding as drunk as he could get.

Silver Spoon pushed her blue spectacles up, “I told you already! No, not tonight, Snails! Maybe when we’re older, will I make out with you? But not now!” She said, before Snails grabbed her shoulders.

Snails was a bit slower than his usual self, and slowly leaning closer to Silver Spoon’s lips. Silver Spoon struggled to get away, but Snails had a tight grip on her. She was about to scream, but something stopped her from screaming. She couldn’t feel her stallionfriend’s hooves on her shoulders, anymore. In fact, when she next saw her stallionfriend, he was lying down a couple feet away from her. Spike had grabbed onto Snails, and threw him to the side. “The mare said “no,” pal. Get lost.” Spike warned, before Snails stood up.

“Hey, don’t tell me what to do!” Snails slurred, galloping toward Spike with intent to tackle Spike.

Spike merely side stepped away from Snails, letting the colt bang his head against the trunk of the tree. Snails’s head collided with the tree trunk, giving Snails a lump on his head. He groaned in pain, but Snails also had backed away from Spike and Silver Spoon. He stood up straight, tall and proud, before falling onto the ground into an unconscious state. Spike took his pulse, “He’s alright. He’s just passed out, is all. Don’t know what you were doing, staying out late and drinking.” Spike told Silver Spoon, pointing toward the beer bottle in the grass.

“He was drinking. I told him to not do it; we’re too young to do so anyways.” Silver Spoon replied, sighing a bit. “Hi, my name’s Silver Spoon.” She said, pushing her one silver mane braid back behind her shoulders.

“Spike. Nice to meet you.” Spike replied, holding out a hand to shake. He extended the hand he had the rose in, sending the signal of him giving the rose to Silver Spoon.

Silver Spoon’s cheeks flushed red, “For me? I, um… thank you.” Silver said, taking the rose. She looked over at Snails, “I’m dumping him. No second chances.” Silver Spoon said, giving the unconscious Snails a nasty look. “Do you mind taking me home? I don’t wanna head back on my own, my dad would kill me!” She said, grabbing Spike’s hand with her hoof.

Spike blushed a bit, but accepted the request. “Sure, where do you live?” He asked, as he looked around for any nearby house.

“The big mansion on the northern fringe of town: this way!” Silver Spoon replied, as she led Spike toward her family’s mansion. The two walked, holding each other’s hand and hoof. The Moonlight had shined down upon the two; making it seem as if though Silver Spoon’s hair was glistening in it. “So, mind if I ask where you live?” Silver Spoon asked with a smile, trying to make some small talk with Spike.

“I live over at Golden Oaks Library; over at the western edge of the town.” Spike explained as he tried hiding his blush from Silver Spoon holding onto his hand. He was beginning to enjoy her company, something he never knew he could enjoy. He barely even knew Silver Spoon, “So, do you have any siblings? A brother, sister, anypony?” Spike asked with a smile, wanting to find out more about Silver Spoon.

“I’ve got a twin sister; her name’s Diamond Tiara.” Silver Spoon explained with a sigh, knowing how much a brat her sister is. “What about you, do you have any brothers or sisters?” She asked as the two passed the town hall.

“Nah, I don’t have any brothers or sisters. Though, my mom might be pregnant…” Spike said, pondering whether or not Twilight was pregnant or not, but not too far into the pregnancy. “Oh, I was hatched by a Unicorn, Twilight Sparkle. She’s like my mom, to me at least.” He explained, as he gave a sheepish smile.

“That’s nice, really is. In honesty, I’m kind of scared of you, right now.” Silver Spoon explained, showing a bit of a scared face.

“Why’s that? I haven’t done anything wrong, no one thing!” Spike retorted, keeping calm about the situation.

“Well, it’s just that I don’t know many dragons, and you’re a local dragon and such…” Silver Spoon explained, trying not to sound rude at all, “Aren’t most dragons scary monsters, or something?” She asked, realizing she might’ve hurt Spike’s feelings.

“They kind of are; all but me, at least. I was raised by Twilight, so I’m kind of civilized.” Spike explained, now wearing a smile on his face again. “You don’t need to be afraid of me, I don’t eat ponies. I mostly eat gems and junk food, sometimes some berries here and there.” He explained further, receiving a smile from Silver Spoon.

“Wow, that’s actually pretty cool to know about you,” Silver Spoon replied, as she trotted closer to Spike. This caused the both to blush even further, both of their faces tomato red now from their blushing. “So… what’s your favorite thing about Ponyville?” Silver Spoon asked with a sincere smile, as she held onto Spike’s hand.

“Everypony here is my favorite thing! Anypony can become friends by living here!” Spike explained, looking up at the sky a bit before returning his emerald eyes to Silver Spoon’s deep purple eyes. He noticed how the two eyes hid behind blue glasses, which he thought looked adorable on Silver Spoon. “What’s your favorite thing about Ponyville?” Spike asked, smiling a bit more.

Silver Spoon sighed, “Everypony as well! But my sister kept convincing me, when we were foals, that blankflanks are lame! I don’t know why I believed her, I mean, we were blankflanks, too!” She explained as the two passed by the park. “If I hadn’t listened to her, maybe I would’ve had more friends when I was younger…” She said, frowning a bit.

“Hey now, don’t be sad! You’ve got family, some friends, and you earned a new friend!” Spike explained with a smile, trying to cheer up Silver Spoon.

“Really? Who?” Silver Spoon asked with a quizzical look, not realizing Spike meant himself. Spike smirked a bit, making Silver Spoon realize Spike was talking about his self. She blushed some more, “Oh my… thanks.” Silver Spoon said as they reached the Rich family mansion. “Oh, were here!” She said as the two reached the front door.

Spike watched as Siler Spoon got her house key out, and unlocked her front door. “Sorry about having to leave, Spike. Come over tomorrow, ‘kay?” She said, as she hugged Spike after opening the door.

Spike smiled, after seeing the door close. “North fringe of town, Rich family mansion.” He said as he walked off the front lawn of the Rich family’s property, heading back for Golden Oaks library.

Next time, on Silver Scales of Love

"So, are you enjoying the food here?" Spike asked with a smile, as he ate some of his spaghetti. He ended up slurping up the wet noodles, dripping with meat sauce, making the spaghetti hit his face a bit. He left a spot of meat sauce on his face, blushing some in embarrassment.

Silver Spoon giggled, "That's kind of cute! What you just did... And the food is good, I never knew your friend could cook this well!" She complemented, smiling a bit at Fluttershy.

"Oh, well, thank you, Silver Spoon!" Fluttershy replied as she set down the bowl of spaghetti, she used to serve the two, on the counter in her kitchen.

Author's Note

Hey guys. Thank you for reading this far into the story, as word count goes, and thanks for reading it in general. Please leave a like, comment, and possibly a favorite. Tell me your thoughts on this chapter, give a critique, or suggestion for the story as it continues. Please and thank you, have a nice day!