The Winner

by ManicTrip

Rating: teen
Tags: Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Rainbow Dash, Comedy, Slice of Life
Length: 4169

Spike wakes up one day feeling like a winner. To test his newfound winning abilities, he challenges Rainbow Dash and Applejack to a simple little game of Truth or Dare. What ensues will change the lives of the three forever.

Spike wakes up one day feeling like a winner. To test his newfound winning abilities, he challenges Rainbow Dash and Applejack to a simple little game of Truth or Dare. What ensues will change the lives of the three forever.

Author's note: Spike's a boss.

Published 2014-03-26 03:00:05 UTC
Last updated 2014-05-06 01:48:45 UTC

Truth or Dare: Part One

On a seemingly normal day like any other, Spike awoke in his comfy little basket feeling like a winner. He was beaming from ear to ear the moment he lifted his head off the pillow until the moment he left the Library. He didn’t quite understand it, but he couldn’t help trusting in his ability to win at anything he’d set his mind to. As he indulged in a morning stroll the young drake caught sight of a certain cyan pegasus suspended in the sky. She was in the middle of busily performing her daily flight exercises. While finding pleasure in the spectacle above, a grand idea came to him. He decided to follow through with his hunch and invite the pegasus to play a simple game of Truth or Dare.

He was correct in assuming she’d immediately accept his challenge. Rainbow Dash grinned at the dragon’s proposal, clearly taking it as another opportunity to show off her skills as a competitor.

Spike wasn’t completely satisfied with only one opponent, however. He figured he needed two individuals to face off with for his experiment to work. It didn’t take long for the two to reach out to the famous farm pony of Sweet Apple Acres. They discovered her bailing piles of hay in the barn house, and after a few minutes of discussion, Applejack considered their offer.

The Winner

“You can only choose truth two times in a row.” Rainbow Dash said excitedly. “And vice versa!”

“That’s the catch. So we don’t have to deal with anypony trying to avoid doing either dare or truth.” Spike chimed in.

“So that’s it? All I gotta do is keep up with you two until one of us loses out?” Applejack noted, rubbing at her chin in contemplation.

“Yup. That’s it.” Spike confirmed.

“Hah. Like either one of you could get me to forfeit my turn. Truth or Dare is my game. Nopony’s ever beaten me.” Rainbow smirked confidently. “Get ready to lose.”

“Uh, huh. Keep telling yourself that.” Spike chuckled. “You guys don’t know it, but I woke up today feeling pretty good. And nothing’s going to stop me from winning, not even you, Dash.”

“Hold on there, partner. Now ya ain’t forgetting ‘bout me, are ya? Cause’ I can’t recall ever losing a single truth or dare game in my life. I don’t know about Rainbow, but ya still got me to deal with.”

“You’re on board?” Spike’s eyes lit up, his excitement skyrocketing.

Applejack shrugged nonchalantly and sent her dragon pal an assuring smile. “Why not? You two caught me at a good time. I’m free the rest of the day, and this sounds like a bit of fun.”

“Alright! You see? I knew she’d be down to play.” Spike nudged Rainbow Dash softly with his elbow, clearly elated by the farm pony’s participation.

The sporty pegasus rolled her eyes. “You may be the Element of Honesty, but it’s totally obvious how much you’re lying through your teeth right now. No way have you never lost a game.”

“Ya think I’m lying? I thought ya knew me better than that.” Applejack argued. “I’ve always been gettin’ truth in the bag, and dare’s never been any trouble.”

“We’ll see.” Rainbow chided. “You’re facing off against me now. Your winning streak’s ending today.”

“Yes, we will see.” The earth pony remarked sternly. The competitive fires within her soul had been ignited. It wasn’t the first time she’d experienced an intense rivalry with the pegasus. Now was just another one of those instances.

Readying herself for the great battle that was sure to come, Applejack began promptly stretching her limbs.

Spike and Rainbow Dash followed the earth pony’s example and began stretching alongside each other. As the seconds ticked on the atmosphere enveloping around the three friends grew increasingly tense. The eve of a clash was one filled with concentration, strategizing and meticulous preparation. Truth or Dare was a trial measuring the limits of one’s physical and mental fortitude. Their wills were about to be tested, and the challenge ahead could very well push them to the breaking point.

They were all aware of this, yet it only proved to rouse their contending spirits. The game was about to begin.

“Is everypony ready?” Spike asked after everypony had finished their stretching exercises.

“Yup.”

“Come on, let’s start it! Who goes first?” Rainbow asked, her wings flapping animatedly.

“I’ll go first.” Spike announced as he raised his hand. “Applejack goes second, and, Dash, you go last. And guess what? I choose you.” He pointed a finger at the eager pegasus. “Truth or Dare?”

“Give me a dare! I dare you!” Rainbow hooted, placing her hooves at her sides.

“My, somepony’s got a sense of humor.” Applejack added sarcastically.

“Oh, shut up.” The pegasus waved a dismissive hoof, redirecting her attention to the baby dragon. “So what you got for me?”

“Applejack, can I borrow one of your ribbons?” Spike requested, already extending an open palm to receive it.

“Sure.” The pony undid her tail ribbon and tossed it. “What are ya gonna do with it?”

“I just need it for the day.” Spike stared at the blood orange strip in his hands, leering triumphantly. “Dash, I dare you to tie your mane into a ponytail.”

Rainbow scrunched up her face in disappointment. “What? That’s it? What kind of lame dare is that?”

“Heh. I don’t know. You look kinda hot with a ponytail.” Spike responded, his composure not faltering. “I’m into it, I guess.”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash both froze at the dragon's words. Their minds whirred, replaying the sudden comment over and over until they realized it had actually come from his mouth. Even Spike surprised himself, because he’d let out his inner musings without even a second thought. What mostly shocked the assistant was the fact that he’d enjoyed a sense of accomplishment right after having said it. There was no shame or embarrassment evident in his expression either, only the hints of a tiny smile creeping ever so widely. There wasn’t any doubt in his mind that he was a true winner, and he felt invigorated by the stunned looks the two ponies were giving him.

Damn, he felt good. Is this what it was like to be devoid of insecurities?

“Why are you guys looking at me like that?” Spike asked casually, feigning ignorance. “So do you forfeit or what?”

The ponies simultaneously gazed at each other, transmitting telepathic messages with their eyes. Rainbow wasn’t in the mood to deliberate on Spike’s weirdly phrased flattery, so she didn’t pay it anymore mind.

“You wish. Gimme that.” The pegasus swooped around the dragon, snatching the ribbon from his hands. It took a few seconds to tie her mane into a proper ponytail. She hated to admit it, but she felt oddly self-conscious as Spike stared admiringly at her, his eyes traveling over every inch of her body. It was almost making her uncomfortable.

Spike then nodded and brought his attention back to Applejack.

“It’s your turn, AJ.”

Applejack disregarded his previous compliment towards Rainbow Dash. Whatever that was, she didn’t want to be a part of it. Her mind was still on the game, and since it was her turn, she decided to also pick on her arch nemesis.

“Rainbow, truth or dare?”

“Don’t let me down. Give me a dare I can work with.”

She winked coyly, setting the foundation for her dastardly plan. “I dare you to buck thirty apple trees, and all of ‘em need to be free of apples.”

“Now that’s what I call a dare!” Rainbow shot a hoof into the air jubilantly. “You think bucking a few trees is going to tire me out? Not in this reality.”

The pegasus speedily exited the barn with her friends in tow. Positioning her hind legs against the first nearby tree, Rainbow bucked with all her might, the fruits of her labor dropping gracefully onto the pasture.

“That’s one. Twenty-nine to go.” Applejack called out, not in the least surprised by her friend’s ability to efficiently buck the apple trees.

“I know what you’re doing.” Spike said once the pegasus was out of earshot. He crossed his arms, eyeing Rainbow as she thrust her powerful legs into another tree. “This isn’t a plan to get her exhausted. You’re just having her work for free.”

“Why, Spike, how did ya ever come upon such a ridiculous idea?” The earth pony giggled, knowing she’d been found out. It was true that she’d been organizing all kinds of unpaid labor for Rainbow Dash to busy herself with while on the farm. She realized it was a sly move. But she could use the extra rest every once in a while. And if ‘truth or dare’ was her means to getting a little vacation time, then she’d be sure to take as much advantage of the situation.

“I like the way you think.” Spike praised. “But you’re making a mistake if you underestimate me as a fellow rival.”

“Is that right?” Applejack arched an eyebrow, intrigued. She wasn’t one to refuse fair contest. “Then how ‘bout showing me what you got, sugarcube?”

Spike simpered, a stir of passion boiling within. “Remember, you’re the one who asked.”

The earth pony observed the young drake, taking notice of the change in his demeanor. His posture was more upright, and his head was held high. After a quick study of his face, she wasn’t able to find the familiar, childlike innocence she’d often been accustomed to greeting. Instead he seemed more alert, as if his perception of the world had changed dramatically. The only way she could describe his fresh new look was one of maturity; one who not only understood his role but also accepted it. And as he gazed back at her, Applejack detected an unrecognizable pressure that she hadn’t been met with before. It was a bit awkward…a funny feeling she couldn’t shake away.

“DONE!” Rainbow Dash shouted, the last of the apples sprawled out at her hooves.

On cue, the pegasus rocketed back to where Spike and Applejack had been standing, her ponytail whipping her in the face as she made an abrupt halt. They laughed, much to Rainbow’s irritation. But it was her turn now! It was time to get the upper hoof in this game, and she was starting off with none other than the one player she felt actually stood a chance at beating her.

“Applejack! Truth or Dare!”

“I choose dare.” She replied quickly.

Rainbow already had one prepared for her. To the pegasus it was ultimately going to come down to a battle of brawn and physical endurance. In this case, she’d rather have the earth pony tuckered out first.

Rainbow pointed to the grass beneath her hooves. “Two hundred push-ups! Non-stop! Go!”

Applejack didn’t produce a single utterance as she dropped down on her hooves and began tearing out push-up after push-up. Within a matter of minutes she was done, and she’d only broken the sweat on her forehead.

She stood up and finally said, “Really? There’s no way I’d ever get tired before you do.”

“You wanna find out today then? Once and for all?” Rainbow huffed. “Keep daring me to do whatever you can think of! Just watch me!”

Spike chuckled as he gave Applejack a knowing look. She returned it with a smile of her own.

“Sure, once and for all.”

“Let’s do it!”

“Alright, alright. Before you guys start sweating waterfalls, it’s my turn.” Spike inputted. “Hmm. Applejack, truth or dare?”

“Guess I’ll go with another dare.” She shrugged lightly.

“Fine, but it’s truth for you next time.” He noted. “And I dare you to give me a kiss.”

TRUTH OR DARE: PART ONE

END

Author's Note

Hope you guys enjoyed it. Any comments/feedback/criticism is greatly appreciated. I had a seriously fun time writing this, and I'm sure I'll have even more fun with the rest of the story.

Truth or Dare: Part Two

“What was that?”

“I dare you to give me a kiss.” Spike repeated slowly, purposefully weighing more emphasis on the word ‘kiss’.

Applejack mulled over the drake’s words silently before shooting another glance in Rainbow Dash’s direction. The pegasus received it mutely, clearly puzzled, an odd sense of sympathy evident in her eyes. Neither mare had taken into full account the undeniable truth presented before them. Had they heard correctly? Did Spike really just ask one of his friends to kiss him?

Amused, he chuckled lightly, pressing a palm to his chest. “From the looks you’re both giving each other, I can tell you’re still in disbelief. So let me confirm it again for you two. Yes, I did just dare Applejack to kiss me. And, yes, if she doesn’t kiss me, it means I’ve already beaten her out.” In a full dramatic swoop the dragon brought up his other hand, then sharply dropped it back down, pointing a claw at Rainbow. “And you’ll be next.”

As if finishing off a theatrical performance Spike’s lips formed into an intense grin, piercing and conspicuously villainous in nature. Every action fit like a glove to establish the foundations of his glorious strategy. The dark, foreboding tone, the histrionic hand gestures, the wicked smirks…They proved to be effective, for both Applejack and Rainbow Dash froze in place, stunned and feebly attempting to grasp the underlying motivations behind their friend’s sudden behavior.

Their expressions said it all: seriously, what was up with Spike?

The Winner

Applejack responded first, unconvinced. “Are ya serious?”

Rainbow followed, crossing her hooves. “Yeah, I’m not kissing you, dude.”

Unaffected, Spike shrugged. “Then I win. Now pay up with your dignity.”

“Now hold yer horses. Ya haven’t won. This ain’t over until I say it is.”

“What she said.” Rainbow nodded.

He smiled again, with greater vigor than the last. “Talk means nothing in the game of truth or dare. I don’t see any actions backing up those claims. And besides, giving up now will just shorten the amount of time it’ll take for me to achieve the inevitable. So I could care less either way.”

His opponents frowned. Neither appreciated his new attitude. He’d become increasingly boastful and arrogant. The two competitive mares knew he was just goading them into proceeding with the game, and his efforts were entirely working in his favor. But they didn’t care, because their pride as contenders were being put to their first test. How far were they truly willing to go for simple bragging rights? At this point it was apparent that it’d never been about overcoming the other in a challenge...It’d been about pushing themselves to their ultimate limit, gaining strength and growing as characters within their own competitive scopes. When it came down to it, they were purely driven by that illustrious title: the winner.

The laboriously diligent farm pony wasn’t backing down without a fight.

“Then I’ll give you a kiss.” She winked coyly. “On the forehead.”

“Oh, so you haven’t given up?” He asked shrewdly. “Perhaps I should have been a little more specific with my dare. Lesson learned. Good one, AJ.”

“I ain’t giving in.” She remarked.

“And you thought I’d be finished, too? Please.” Rainbow said, her irises ablaze with passion. She was beginning to recognize Spike’s potential as a true threat to the game. She wasn’t going to allow her guard to lower among either foe.

“Pucker up, because I’m ready whenever you are.” Spike leaned his forehead near Applejack’s muzzle without hesitation.

Before Applejack inched her lips forward, an abrupt thought flashed in her mind, begging for her undivided attention. She pondered on it for a few seconds, creating mental connections and coming upon predictable results. The thought swiftly transformed into a question, one the little farm pony couldn’t help but ask herself, even in the midst of a game-changing moment. The question boggled her reasoning skills, defying simple cognitive process, bringing her ever closer to the reality she was just about to succumb to.

She’d stiffened, immobilized, her lips an inch away from the dragon’s noggin. She could tell immediately something was amiss. Spike hadn’t been acting as his usual buttery self since they’d begun the game, and a faint chill, though doubly eerie, had been poking at her back ever since she’d witnessed his wicked leers. Disregarding all sense of pride and sportsmanship, the farm pony asked herself: should she be continuing this game?

Every neuron in her brain sent the same message in a flurry: LEAVE THE GAME. NOW.

It seemed common sense had doused away the competitive fires, much to her surprise. Right when Applejack was ready to back out, Spike, having detected his rival’s reluctance, decided to erase any further indecision by moving first. Like in all battles, those who are slow to act suffer the consequences. In this particular case, the one who lost out was the farm pony, who’d been too busy drowning in her own uncertainty to notice Spike lift his head to face her directly. What happened next was unforeseen.

In a split-second Spike had both hands wrapped around Applejack’s neck in a strong embrace. His lips made contact with hers, and before she could do anything he’d rolled his tongue along her teeth teasingly, his kiss becoming more involved and fervent. He worked his lips and tongue in ways neither party could imagine, then easing into a soft, tender smooch. The will of the moment, he played it by sole feeling, letting his instincts take over. His kisses were bouncy and caressing, hotly wild and coolly warm, unapologetically spicy and gently sweet.

She didn’t have a single say in the matter, for Applejack was swept away by the young drake’s kiss so suddenly her mind was having trouble making sense of anything. In one instance she’d been ready to call it quits, in the next her sensory nerves were melting, like butter in the sun. What was happening to her? How could Spike be such a good kisser? Where was she again?

“What the fuck, Spike?” Shouted the third player.

Applejack shot her eyes wide open at Rainbow’s exclamation. She’d had enough, forcefully pushing the dragon back, frustration seething from her scowl. She couldn’t believe it, but she’d been humiliated beyond reason after falling to Spike’s unyielding kiss.

“What in the hay did you just do?” Applejack glowered, spitting out the mixture of saliva.

“Yeah, what the fuck was that? Am I supposed to expect surprises like that? That’s totally against the rules!” Rainbow yelled over the farm pony, shaking her head. “You’re totally cheating now!”

“Forget the rules! I don’t care about any cheating or whatnot! What I want to know is why did’ya think it was good idea to go about and do that? I feel very disrespected, Spike!” In a rare moment Applejack leashed out anger on a close friend. She felt embarrassed, betrayed, and slightly belittled by the drake’s uncivilized conduct. He’d selfishly acted on his own without considering her position on the matter. “I want an answer! How could’ya just outright kiss me so…so…”

“Expertly?” Spike chimed in, unfazed.

“You know what she means!” Rainbow intimidatingly brought her face up to his, glaring daggers.

“Trust me, Dash. If you’d been on the other side of that kiss, you wouldn’t be so pissed.”

“I’m pissed because I really, really hate cheaters! And I never thought you’d go so far and do it, and right in front of us, too. It’s like you don’t even care, like you’re enjoying it.” Rainbow retorted. “Applejack didn’t have to go through that! Knowing that could have been me…Obviously we’re pissed!”

“Okay, calm down, girls.” Spike said collectedly. “Applejack, don’t act like you didn’t like it. Your tongue did a little work, too, as I recall.”

Applejack’s cheeks reddened. Her breaths grew short, and she huffed, unsettled. “I am done with this game.”

Rainbow gasped. “Wait! You can’t forfeit now! It just started!”

“I’m sorry, but I need some time to myself.” The farm pony said with a little more composure, though still plainly distressed. Her steps were heavy as she sulked her way back to the barnhouse.

“Come on, AJ! We agreed together we’d finally see who was the best! You or me!” Rainbow flitted closely behind, making her case.

“Or me.” Spike added in. “And if she wants to forfeit, then let her. She made her decision.”

The desperate pegasus whipped her head back, gritting her teeth. “Apologize to her!”

“Oh, right. I’m sorry, Applejack…”

“There, see! He said sorry! We still have a score to settle here! Don’t leave!”

“I’m sorry I was too much game for you.” Spike yawned, shooting off another jab in the back. “Let her be. We gotta skip her turn, so now it’s your call to ask me, Dash.”

Rainbow scoffed in disbelief. “What is your problem?”

“I’ll tell you what his problem is.” Applejack turned around, her expression filled with scorn. “He’s pigheaded, and he thinks he can taunt us like there’s no tomorrow. It’s his game, Rainbow. Don’t ya see? He’s playing us both with his new persona or whatever he’s doing right now. I’ll tell ya this, though…I don’t like it one bit.”

The irritated little farm pony flashed a look of pure disdain. She’d been riled up by his incessant comments. As much as she wanted to make the smarter decision to leave the game as soon as possible, she desired more to see the look of defeat on Spike’s face when she’d preside over him as the winner. Applejack didn’t think twice when she locked common sense behind a shut door. The fire had been reignited, much to her chagrin…but she paid no mind to it. The fact that she’d been supportive of forfeiting was long passed her. What would she have done, anyway? Gone back to work? Taken a nap? She couldn’t imagine herself doing either after such a dishonoring experience. Her pride as a gamer was no longer on the line; at stake now was her essence as a mare, as a living being!

“It’s my turn.” Applejack locked her sight on the dragon. “What is it, Spike? Truth or Dare?”

“Yes! Let’s show him who’s boss!” Rainbow howled excitedly.

“I thought you were really going to forfeit this time.” Spike simpered. It was clear to everyone how much he was lying. “Then I choose Truth.”

She stood her ground. “It’s a two-part question. And you’re gonna tell me the truth. What gave you the right to take advantage of me earlier when we kissed? And what in the hay is going on with you today? You’re different, and it’s not the good kind of different.”

Rainbow Dash remained silent, tuning her ears to the exchange. She listened intently, aching to know his answer just as much as Applejack.

Spike didn’t blink. “I guess you could say I never had the right to take advantage of you. In that respect I do need to properly apologize to you. So I will, okay? I am sorry for kissing you on the lips, when I knew I shouldn’t have. But that’s the thing…Although I knew I shouldn’t have done it, I’m really glad I did. The opportunity presented itself to me, and I took it. You don’t know this, but I’ve longed to have a passionate kiss with you for a while. You’re definitely one of the hottest ponies I’d ever gotten to know. The real question you should be asking is, why has it taken so long for me to finally kiss you? That’s what I really want to know, because that kiss was amazing. I’d never done anything like that with anypony else. Did you know you’re my first? Heh, I know! I can’t believe it either. And that adds into answering your next question. What’s going on with me today, you asked? I’ll tell you what’s going on. It’s super simple, too, because I already told you this before we started this game of truth or dare.”

He took a deep breath, the surrounding silence empowering him. He wasn’t afraid to say anything on his mind. It flowed forth like water flushing out from a punctured river dam. His blood and soul boiled with new sensations, ones he’d only continue to harness mightily.

“When I woke up this morning, I became a winner. And that’s that.”

There it was again. The soundless shockwave spreading over the ponies, stupefying them, their brains working in complete overdrive. He treasured it all: the show of dominance, the looks of astonishment, the truths entering the scene…He appreciated every second that ticked by, savoring the insatiable craving for more.

“Next.”

Truth or Dare: Part Two

End

Author's Note

Rainbow Dash's turn is next! Applejack and Rainbow Dash must also choose Truth next round. If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a comment. I appreciate all kinds of feedback. Thanks, guys.