Curse of The Werepony

Chapters

Hearts are Such Fragile Things
Hell Hath No Furry Like a Dragon Scorned
Beginning to Understand
An Unexpected Gift

Hearts are Such Fragile Things

Curse of the Were-Pony
Chapter 1 "Hearts are Such Fragile Things"
By Steven Little
My Little Pony © Hasbro

A mid-autumn wind caused dry and brittle leaves to tumble along the ground, landing at the base of the Ponyville Library. Growing close to the middle of town, the library itself was actually in the middle of a hollowed out tree, which through the grace of magic, was still alive and growing. At this time of year, leaves of brown and orange replaced the normally verdant canopy. Inside, the library was homely but spacious. Bookshelves had been carved into the living wood walls. The main area was for books and patrons to read or check out materials. Off to one side was a small kitchen and in the back, up a few steps was a dining come reading area. Upstairs was set-aside for the librarian's living quarters. It too was equally spacious including a second bathroom and a few rooms for the librarian and guests. Off some of these rooms were balconies that gave a commanding view of town and the surrounding countryside.

Purple scales blanketed almost every surface of the library. Spike, a baby dragon of eighteen years, rushed around the library with a broom, trying to clean up the scales that continued to drop from him. Normally, the little dragon was covered from his round head to pointed tail with purples scales. Today however, was not normal. His scales were falling off him like the fall leaves outside. Not even the smaller, light green scales that covered his underside or the emerald green vertical scales going down his back were spared. With how many scales he'd been losing, he felt exposed and was seriously considering getting Rarity to make him some pants until his new scales came in. Upstairs, his guardian Twilight Sparkle was sleeping peacefully with one such purple scale perched precariously on her nose, teetering back and forth as she breathed. The unicorn in question had been sleeping most of the day due to contracting a bad case of pony-pox. Coughing in her sleep, the scale on her nose tipped into her mouth waking her suddenly. Spitting the scale out she called for her number one assistant. "Spiiiiike!"

The young dragon ran to Twilight's room dropping scales left and right as he went. "Yes Twilight? Is there something I can get for you?" He asked, worried for his friend. Twilight was shocked at Spike's appearance. Accept for a few patched here and there, almost all of Spike's scales had fallen out.

"Spike, what happened to you?" She asked, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Fluttershy said I'm going through a growth spurt and even though it looks bad now, my scales will grow back in a week or two." Spike was excited. "I can't wait till my new scales come in. As soon as they do, I'm going to run over and show Rarity."

"I'm sure Rarity will find them quite attractive." Twilight said between coughs.

Spike became aware of Twilight's disheveled appearance. Any other day, the unicorn pony had a tidy well brushed purple mane and tail with a violet and pink strip running through them, but now they were both considerably unkempt. There were bags under her eyes, and her usually vibrant lavender coat, was covered in little white spots. Even the star shaped cutie mark gracing her flanks was duller than normal. "Since you're up, do you feel like eating anything?" Spike asked her. "Can I get you glass of apple juice or maybe some alfalfa pancakes?"

"Thanks Spike, maybe later my stomach still feels a little queasy." She thanked him. "I can't sleep right now; could you get me my copy of Ponies in Underland? It's one of my favorites." She asked.

"Sure thing Twilight." Spike scanned the bookshelves until he found the title up on the third shelf. "Little help?"

"Of course." Twilight tried to concentrate on lifting the young dragon to the shelf with her magic but nothing was happening. "I'm sorry Spike, but with this headache I can't seem to concentrate."

"That's okay, I'll see if I can climb up there. I wish we still had the ladder; too bad it won't be back from the carpenter until tomorrow." Spike said.

"No Spike, I don't want to risk you falling and getting hurt on my account." She thought for a moment then came up with a solution. "I've got an idea. If you come over here I can try to swing you up to the shelf, then you can jump down onto the bed safe and sound."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Twilight used her mouth to grab Spike by the tail and swung him up to the third shelf. Unfortunately, without the scales' to protect him, Twilight's teeth cut into his tail and caused a small wound that started to bleed.

"Owch!" He cried out as he clung to the third shelf of the bookcase

"Oh my gosh Spike. I'm so sorry! Are you all right?"

The purple dragon reached up and grabbed the book before jumping down to Twilight's bed. "Yeah, I'm fine. It hurt at first but I think it's okay now." He said as he inspected the damage to his tail. There was a small cut near the spade tip of his tail but it didn't look too deep to him. "At least I got your book." Spike handed the book to her and grabbed a small basket from the corner.

"Are you going out?" She asked him.

"When I was at Fluttershy's this morning, she told me Zecora was coming over to help her make a medicine that should clear up your pony-pox. She said it would be done tonight so I'm going to go pick it up and save Fluttershy the trip." He said. "You know how she is about traveling alone in the dark."

"Yes, I know. She tries but one of these days she's going to have to get over her fear of the dark." Twilight said.

"You've got to admit though; she's come a long way since we moved to town five years ago." Spike said

"Yeah, she has. I appreciate you putting forth the extra effort right now Spike. I'm sorry I'm too sick to help out around here." Twilight said. "You really are my number one assistant."

"Aww, you'd do the same for me if I was sick. Will you be okay while I'm gone?" Spike asked, concerned.

"I should be fine. I have my book and if I get tired I can just lie down and go back to sleep. If she's not busy, have Fluttershy take a look at that cut. I wouldn't want you to get an infection."

"Will do, and I'll clean up this mess as soon as I get back." Spike said as he walked out the door.

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Night had already fallen in Ponyville and many of the shops in town were already closed up for the night. Fluttershy had been worried about Twilight ever since she became sick and Spike knew, no matter how late it got, Fluttershy would stay up working hard on Twilight's cure. The young dragon was passing between the fountain and town hall when he started to feel a little strange. Spike felt himself growing dizzy and used the edge of the Founders Fountain to prop himself up. He bent double as a sharp, stabbing pain, shot through his stomach. A full harvest moon rose above the horizon, flooding the entire town square with moonlight. As soon as the light touched Spike he felt incredibly weak. His body convulsed and he threw up the small snack he had eaten earlier. Falling to the ground, he clutched his stomach as another wave a pain coursed through him. The basket he was carrying rolled off along with a few scales disturbed by the low wind. For a moment he thought he may have caught Twilight's illness, but that was impossible since he wasn't a pony. Spike's face contorted in pain. Everything hurt, his head felt like it was going to explode and every bone in his body felt like it was breaking. His muscles burned and his joints ached. Spike was in absolute agony; he believed his body was being torn apart, and just when the pain had become too much to bear, he screamed and exploded in a puff of purple smoke and scales.

Spike slowly opened his eyes and saw Pinkie Pie standing over him. "Are you okay?" She asked, her brilliant blue eyes radiating concern.

"Is that you Pinkie Pie?" Spike asked. He looked at her through still bleary eyes. For a minute all he could see was a pink blob but as they began to clear he could see her more clearly. Pinkie was not a pony one would call svelte; she was pleasantly plump but not overly so. Spike had heard stallions around town say she had curves in all the right places. Her mane and tail were almost always curly and bouncy like pink cotton candy. At that moment however, she had a confused expression on her face. "What happened?"

"Do I know you?" She asked. The pink pony gasped in realization. "Are you new to Ponyville? You have to be new, because I know all the pony's that live her and I've never seen you before and if I've never seen you before than that means you're new and if you're new then you probably don't have friends in town yet, unless you already know a pony that lives here. Do you know anyone who lives here yet?"

"Pinkie, it's me, Spike." He said, trying to standing up.

"Is Spike your name? We have a baby dragon named Spike that lives in town with my friend Twilight. Have you met Spike and Twilight? I just I know they'd like you because I like you and I just met you!" Pinkie said, bouncing around him in a circle.

"What are you talking about Pinkie? It's me, Spike. You know, small purple dragon, breaths fire, any of this ringing a bell?"

"You can't be the same Spike that lives here, he's a cute little bitsy baby dragon. You're cute but definitely not a dragon." She said.

"I think you've been eating way too much cake again Pinkie Pie; of course I'm a dragon." Pinkie pulled him over to the nearby fountain and pointed towards the water. Reflected in the water was a strong looking purple pony. While his coat was an intense purple color, his eyes, mane, and tail were all deep emerald green. He had a chiseled jaw line with a strong chin. Poking out from under his top lip was two small, sharp looking fangs set at the front corners of his mouth. His hair looked a little spiky between his ears but swept down into a flowing mane that draped around his left shoulder and his tail flowed behind him like green silk.

"See? Not a dragon." Pinkie said decidedly.

Spike was shocked and stumbled back from the fountain. He fell on his rump looking at his front hooves trying to put it all together. "What, what happened to me? Why am I a pony? I'm supposed to be a dragon!" He asked in a panic.

"Are you sure you're all right? You didn't hit your head or something did you?" She asked.

"Pinkie, how can I convince you that I'm Spike?" He asked, looking at himself in the fountain again.

"If you're Spike, than tell me something only Spike would know." She said with a suspicious look in her eyes.

"Remember that time I caught you in Applejack's cider cellar?" Spike whispered into her ear. "And to this day Applejack still doesn't know who did it."

"Don't know who did what?" Applejack commented as she rounded the corner. The light orange farm pony was a lot like Pinkie in the respect that she carried more weight on her frame than some ponies. The thin layer of fat she had softened her toned, muscular body. Her blond mane and tail were always kept bound at the end to keep them from blowing wildly while she worked.

Pinkie jumped into the air in surprise. "Applejack! What are you doing out here so late?"

"I was comin' to check on Twilight, now what don't I know about my apple cellar?"

"Uh, uh I have no idea. Hey! Look! Something happened to Spike!"

"Nice try Pinkie but I don't see Spike anywhere." The light orange farm pony said.

"I'm not joking; I was closing up the store for the night when I heard a weird noise. I came outside and I found Spike like this." She said, trying her hardest to appear genuine.

"That's a good one Pinkie Pie but all I see here is this good-looking pony next to you." Applejack said smiling. "What's your name handsome? I've never seen you round these parts before, you new to town?"

"My name's Spike."

"Well aint' that a coincidence, we got a baby dragon what lives in town here by the same name." She leaned close to Spike. "You ever gone apple-buckin'?" She asked fluttering her eyelashes at him.

Pinkie put her left hoof up to her forehead. "Applejack, this is Spike, our Spike." She said.

"Uh, hi AJ, I know it doesn't sound like me, but yeah, it is." Spike said slowly waving a hoof.

Applejack jumped back in surprise. "Spike, is that really you?" Her face, freckles and all, turned as red as the three apples on her flank. Applejack pulled down the stetson hat that always seemed shade her green eyes; only now it covered her face.

"Apparently, yeah." He said.

The light orange farm pony composed herself quickly. "What happened to y'all sugar cube?" The light orange mare asked, pulling on his ears, half expecting it to be a costume of some kind.

"Oww, I don't know." He confessed, wincing as Applejack pulled on his mane. "I was just going to Fluttershy's to get medicine for Twilight when I started feeling bad. Everything started to hurt and then I guess I passed out. When I woke up Pinkie was here and I looked like this."

"That's it? Nuthin' else happened?" She asked, prodding his shoulder with her light orange hoof.

"Well I got bit by on my tail by Twilight. It wasn't her fault though, my scales have been shedding and she didn't know she'd cut me when she swung me up on the bookshelf.

"I don't know what a bite would have to do with it but we best get over to Fluttershy's. She might know what's goin' on." Applejack said, looking at the bottom of one of Spike's hooves.

Spike took his hoof back and walked back to the fountain. Looking down into the water he admire the way he looked now. "You guys go ahead; I think I'm going to drop in on Rarity. Now that I look like this, I've got a fighting chance with her again."

"Whoa there lover boy, the first thing you need to do is get checked out. Who knows what changing into a pony has done to you." Applejack told him.

"Yeah, you might be really sick, and if you're really sick then something bad might happen, and if something bad happens then we'd all be really sad. You don't want to make us all sad do you?" Pinkie asked.

"No, I guess not." Spike said, a little defeated.

"Well okay then, it off to Fluttershy's we go! We can get the others later." The hyperactive pony shouted. Spike and Applejack followed Pinkie Pie as she bounced down the road toward Fluttershy's cottage.

From behind the curtains of the Carousel Boutique, Rarity's vibrant blue eyes had been watching the town square. The svelte, white unicorn mare had heard yelling outside, and when she looked out the window she saw Pinkie and Applejack talking with a gorgeous purple stallion, his green mane shining in the moonlight. She watched as they walked down the path towards Fluttershy's cottage. Rarity walked away from the window and paced her room tensely. Her expertly styled royal purple mane and tail bounced of its own accord every time she moved. The fashinista had a cutie mark of three diamonds on her flanks that suited her well since she incorporated gems into most of her deigns. "Who is he?" She wondered aloud. "More importantly why wouldn't they introduce him to me? It's not like Pinkie Pie to take an interest in anything but cakes and parties but then she's a mare, I suppose even she has needs. Knowing Applejack, she'll try to get him to work on her farm. I can't let a stallion the looks as fabulous as him, soil himself by bucking trees. Whatever the reason, I'm getting to the bottom of this."

Rarity grabbed a black cloak emblazoned with the same, three-diamond design as the cutie mark on her flank. Wrapping herself in the cloak, she left the Carousel Boutique and set out into the night. The white unicorn galloped after Applejack and Pinkie Pie but was careful not to be seen. As soon as they came into view, she began to trail them darting from bush to tree. Rarity could see the hem of her cloak getting dirty from the off road travel but it was more important for her to stay out of sight of the others.

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Fluttershy's cottage was quaint and simple. With the heavily moss covered roof, it appeared that the home of the yellow pegasus had been carved out of the side of a hill rather than constructed on top of it. Birdhouses were perched and built into every nook and cranny that would support one. Under the bridge that led up to her home was a den for river otters. Everything about the shy pegasi's home was centered around the multitudes of small forest animals the frequented her cottage and even though her cutie mark was three butterflies she had no particular favorite animal other than her pet bunny Angel. Inside the home was simple, nothing overly fancy or outlandish. The shy pony's residence reflected her personality, reserved. Her living room was comprised of a sofa, a small table and a bookcase holding books on animal care. A single throw rug sat in the middle of the wooden floor. Fluttershy was not one for unnecessary furniture; she preferred to keep her home as open as possible for her animal friends. Around the inside of her home, like the outside, birdhouses and other homes for various animals could be found hanging from the exposed rafters or built directly into the cottages structure. The kitchen of the small house, much like the rest of the home, was mostly empty except for the necessary cooking implants to prepare simple meals.

This evening in particular, Fluttershy's kitchen was being used for something more than preparing a simple meal. Zecora, the town's local zebra apothecary, and Fluttershy were just putting the finishing touches on a cure for Twilight's pony-pox. The yellow pegasi's normally shy; quite personality was temporarily suppressed while helping Zecora make medicine for one of her best friends. She was used to making medicine for the animals she looked after but making medicine for a pony was new. "Thank you very much Zecora. I don't know how I could have made this medicine without you." Fluttershy said. Her bouncy pink mane fluttered beside her as she rushed to get a bottle to store the medicine and even though her mane always seemed to cover one of here deep blue eyes, she didn't appear to have any problems seeing where she was going.

"It's not a problem as you well know; it's off to Twilight's I must go." Zecora said in her singsong way. The black and white striped zebra pony started walking toward the door; her ample frame disguised her nimbleness and agility as she had been found on more than one occasion meditating while standing on her head atop a thin staff.

"Oh, thank you but I couldn't possibly ask you to do more. I can take it to her, even though it's really dark out there, I can do it." Before Zecora could protest there was a loud knock at the door. Fluttershy walked over, opened the door, and found herself nose to nose with a purple pony she had never seen before. Frightened by the sudden contact, she slammed the door in his face. There was another knock at the door and Fluttershy opened it slowly to find the purple stallion sitting their rubbing his nose with a hoof. She looked into his emerald eyes and couldn't help but blush and hide her face behind her pink mane "Oh, uhm I'm sorry, are you okay? Are you lost? Is there anything I can do for you?" She asked; her voice barely above a whisper.

Applejack and Pinkie poked their heads out from behind Spike. "Fluttershy! We need your help! Spike here's been turned into a pony and I'm pretty sure Twilight's gonna need that medicine y'all been brewin' up pretty soon." Applejack said as they walked by her, into the cottage.

"Yeah! And if she doesn't get it soon she's gonna get all itchy and there's nothing worse than being itchy and not being able to scratch!" Pinkie said and she scratched her flank against the side of the fireplace in the living room.

Zecora placed the medicine in her satchel and walked toward the door. "Stay here and help your friend, Twilight's house is around the bend. I'll get their fast and you will see, she'll soon be healthy as she can be." Excusing herself, she left the cottage and galloped down the road and into town. Rarity saw the zebra gallop down the road but quickly turned her attention to the task at hoof, finding a window where she could look in on her friends and the mysterious new stallion.

"Spike, how can this be Spike?" Fluttershy asked in disbelief.

"Trust us, it's him." Applejack and Pinkie said in unison. Spike filled her in on what happened while Fluttershy sat patiently taking it all in.

"Are you sure that's everything?" Fluttershy asked him. Spiked nodded. "I've never heard about anything like this before. Animals don't change into other animals. Have you asked Twilight?"

"Well, Twilight's been really sick and I didn't want to bother her. I was coming here anyway to get her medicine. While listening, Fluttershy noticed a hooded figure looking in her window and screamed in fright.

"What is it Fluttershy?" Spike asked, worried.

"There was somepony at the window." She said.

The other three looked in the direction she was pointing to find the window with nothing in it but a view of the small stream in front of her house. "You sure you saw somthin' sugar cube?" Applejack asked.

"Yes, I'm sure of it." She confirmed.

Pinkie was already out the door and in the bushes around the house. Without warning she popped up next to the white unicorn. "Hiya Rarity, what's with the hood?"

"Pinkie, don't scare me like that!" She shouted.

"Why are you sneaking around in the bushes? Come inside, there's somepony I want you to meet." The two ponies walked into the cottage. Rarity hung up her cloak before addressing the others.

"Hello all, and what are we up to this evening?" Rarity said, slowly walking toward Spike.

"Uh, Rarity." Applejack interrupted.

"Is this the pony you wanted to introduce to me Pinkie?" She asked. "More importantly, I'm wondering why you didn't introduce this marvelous hunk of pony to me earlier, when you were talking next to the founder's fountain?"

"But Rarity," Pinkie said trying to get a word in.

"I don't blame you wanting to keep him all to yourself, who wouldn't? You could have at least brought him by to say hello." Rarity said fluttering her eyelashes, her nose almost touching his. Spike was blushing so hard; his purple coat was turning red, a silly grin on his face. Never before had Rarity shown this much interest in him.

"But Rarity, this is Spike; we're trying to figure out how he got turned into a pony." Fluttershy informed her.

Rarity laughed. "You must be joking, how could this amazing specimen of pony be that lovesick little reptile?" Spike couldn't believe his new pony ears.

"Rarity!" Applejack shouted. "That's no way to talk about Spike; he's done so much for you. You should be nicer to him."

Rarity waved her off with her hoof. "Spike's just a friend. Well, more like an acquaintance. Truth be told, he's just a silly little dragon with a crush." She told the purple stallion. "Oh don't get me wrong, he's excellent when it comes to lift and tote work or when just about any type of manual labor needs to be done. That's reason enough to keep him around. But honestly, having that little dragon follow me around all day does get sort of bothersome. I'd really wish he'd understand that I'm not interested in him the way he's obviously interested in me. Not that I can really blame him." She said.

"Besides, what would ponies say if they thought I was romantically involved with a dragon of all things? You can understand that, can't you?" She asked the purple stallion. "Why, I'd be ruined; my dreams of being the greatest fashinista in Equestria would go up in proverbial flames. No, it simply cannot be and I wish he'd realize that sooner rather than later."

The sound of Spike's heart shattering was almost audible. He was devastated. 'Is this how Rarity really feels about me?' He thought to himself. Spike could feel a pain in his chest, growing with every moment. The former little dragon could not help the tears welling up in his emerald eyes.

Rarity saw the expression on the ponies face. "Darling, are you okay? Whatever is the matter?" Trying to keep himself from crying, Spike ran out of the cottage as fast as he could, toward town, not really caring where he ended up.

"Nice job there Rarity." Applejack said, reprimanding her.

"What are you talking about? Pinkie, you agree with me right? Right? Pinkie?" Pinkie was already gone, chasing after Spike. "Where did she go?"

"She probably ran after him but I don't know if she's gonna be able to catch up with Spike, he's pretty fast as a pony." Applejack said, scowling at Rarity before leaving the cottage to chase after Pinkie and Spike.

"But, I don't understand." Rarity turned to where Fluttershy was standing and received a slap across the face.

"How could you?" The slap didn't hurt but the point was driven home. What did hurt was the tearful look she got from Fluttershy before she ran out the door after Applejack.

'Oh my dear Celestia, It was Spike!' She thought to herself. 'I know Applejack and Pinkie are prone to having a good joke at somepony's expense but Fluttershy would never.' Rarity felt her cheek where Fluttershy had struck her. 'What have I done?' Rarity ran out of the cottage, tears streaming from her eyes. 'Oh Spike, I didn't really mean it! What's wrong with me? Why did I say those things?' She chastised herself.

===============================================================

Spike could indeed outrun them, even Applejack. Many times he considered going back to the library but with Twilight being sick, he didn't want to cause her any more problems. Mile after mile passed and he found himself on the outskirts of Canterlot. Spike was tired but didn't feel like stopping at the moment. He walked a familiar rout through the city almost on automatic. He didn't stop until he found himself at the overlook where he and Twilight used to stargaze. Spike collapse from near exhaustion; tears coursed down his cheeks. Unable and unwilling to stop weeping, Spike cried out the pain in his broken heart.

Lost in his remorse, didn't notice that a shadow had fallen over him. "Hello Spike."

"Who's there?" He said, breathing rapidly. A tall and slender, dark purple alicorn stepped out of the shadows. Her almost translucent, blue violet mane fluttered and waved in a nonexistent wind. The black crown atop her head was almost hidden in her mane, but her gilded silver shoes shone brightly in the moonlight. "Princes Luna, how do you know who I really am?"

Luna smiled down on him. "Oh Spike." She said compassionately. "Just like my sister knows about most things that go on beneath the sun in our kingdom, I see quite a bit of what happens under the moon." Luna placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Everything that's happening right now must be terribly confusing but come, you must be tired." Luna beckoned him to follow her back to the palace. Spike struggled a bit to get to his hooves but Princess Luna leaned against him allowing Spike to stabilize himself. "Are you okay to walk? Spike?"

Spike had walked to the edge of the overlook. Hundreds of hooves below him was the valley floor. Looking down he could almost make out the road that winds through the White Tail Woods. "After all I've done, all I've given. It wasn't enough; it was never going to be enough."

"Spike?" Princess Luna asked, unfolding her wings.

A small rock had tipped over the edge. Spike watched it as it fell into open space. "It would be so easy wouldn't it?" Spike said to nopony in particular. The tears had sprung anew from the purple stallions eyes, each drop falling over the edge into oblivion. "What's the point anymore? She doesn't love me, she doesn't even like me, and she never did. It would be better to just..."

"Spike, come talk to me please?" She asked. "Please Spike."

The purple earth pony looked back at the Princess and saw the concern and worry written on her face. Slowly, he turned around and stepped away from the edge. "I'll be fine Princess." Spike said as he fell to the ground worn out and exhausted.

Hell Hath No Furry Like a Dragon Scorned

Curse of the Werepony
Chapter 2 "Hell Hath No Furry Like a Dragon Scorned"
By Steven Little
My Little Pony © Hasbro

When Spike woke he found himself lying on a bed with purple sheets. He was in a large room with purple wall hangings and a balcony off to one side. Behind the bed was a small bookcase overflowing with books and scrolls. At the foot of the bed was a trunk and beyond that against the wall was a wardrobe and large dressing mirror. "Welcome back Spike, you had me scared for a while there." Princess Luna said.

"What happened, where am I?" He asked.

"You are in my personal chambers. You fainted, for lack of a better term. The transformation took a lot of energy, your subsequent flee from Ponyville and your emotional state did not help matters either." She informed him, sitting down next to the bed. "Spike, what has happened?"

Spike was blushing at the knowledge that he was in Luna's bed. "No one knows what happened to me. It's all very confusing."

"Tell me Spike,” Luna’s tone was soft and gentle. “I will listen.”

Spike told the Princess everything. He told her about Twilight's sickness, the bite, and the reactions he received from Applejack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy when they found out that the pony they saw before them was actually Spike. Luna couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "It's not funny Princess, it was really embarrassing."

"I am sorry, but tell me Spike, that is not what is truly bothering you, is it?" Luna asked him. "That is not what brought you to the edge of the overlook?"

"No, I guess not." Spike confessed. "It was Rarity, I love her but I guess I didn't really know how she felt about me." He said choking back fresh tears. "She hates me!" He bawled. "She said I was just an annoying little reptile! She said my only use was lift and tote work. After all I've done for her, everything I've done to make her happy; all I am to her is free labor." Luna's heart went to out to him. She climbed into the bed and lay next to him, wrapping a wing around the injured soul. "Why does it hurt so much?" Spike begged, tears streaming out of his emerald eyes.

"Shhhh, it will be all right; a broken heart hurts more than someponies know and I am sure Rarity did not truly mean the things she said, you will see." Luna said, trying to console him. Spike buried his face in Luna's shoulder, crying his eyes out.

"It will be all right, I promise." She said, gently rocking back and forth and stroking his mane. A single tear rolled down her cheek. It wasn't long before Spike had cried himself to sleep. There was a quiet knock at the door. Luna used her magic to very carefully open the chamber entrance.

Celestia walked in and shut the door behind her. She was much like her younger sister except that she was much taller and white in color. Her mane and tail flowed on invisible currents like Luna's but instead of blue violet; Celestia's mane and tail was a pastel spectrum of pink, blue, green and purple. "Sister, some of the guards told me you brought a young stallion here to your room. I hope I'm not interrupting anything but they told me he was unconscious."

"He is here Tia and he is sleeping, please attempt to keep your voice down." Celestia approached the bed and saw the stallion's face snuggled into Luna's chest. Luna carefully extracted herself from around the sleeping stallion and carefully tucked her blanket in around him.

"Luna, you didn't…"

"No, I did not sleep with him. Do you not think that an eighteen year old is a little young for me?" She asked.

Princess Celestia smiled. "What about little Pip Fetlocksly? The poor dear is going to be heartbroken."

"Tia!" Luna hissed quietly. "If I ever get my hooves on the pony who wrote that book I will… I do not know what I would do but it would not be pleasant."

Her sister chuckled lightly. "Oh Luna it was just some mare looking for a quick couple of bits, you shouldn't take it so personally."

"You know, I recall actually seeing the book in a store once, right next to a copy of 'The Adventures of Princess Molestia'." Luna smiled evilly. "Tell me sister, how long has it been since you went out to fulfill your own sexual desires on the population of Ponyville? Your own student even, truly shocking!"

"I will not dignify that slanderous publication with a response." She said in a huff. "What's important at the moment is why this unconscious young stallion is in your bed."

Luna gazed down at the sleeping pony with a look of utter despair stamped on her face. "He ran all the way from Ponyville at a full gallop. I found him at the edge of the overlook and had I not been there, I'm certain he would have walked off. He collapsed from the effort of his departure. I decided to bring him here and watch over him."

"You've become such a gentle soul since your return little sister." Celestia said smiling at her.

Princess Luna gently stroked his emerald green mane. "It pains me to say, and I almost do not have the heart to tell you who it is."

Celestia studied him for a moment. "Should I recognize him?"

"It is Spike, Twilight's Spike."

"It can't be." She said, as she and her sister walked out in the hall so as not to disturb him. "How can that young stallion be Spike? It doesn't make any sense." Celestia was in shock. She had known Spike since he was freshly hatched. When Twilight had come to live in the palace during her tutelage, she had practically raised the small dragon until Twilight had become old enough to care for him herself. "You don't think Twilight was experimenting on him?" She asked

"Unfortunately no, if that were the case you or I could remedy this easily." Luna noticed one of the court scribes passing by on their way to the library. "Just a moment Tia, I need to send a quick letter." She said as she waved the scribe over to them.

"Your majesty?"

"Take a letter for me?" Luna asked sweetly.

"As you wish, I'm ready."

"Dear Twilight Sparkle, I am aware of your current illness and hope that you are feeling well. I would like you to attend me at the palace as soon as you can. Spike is here with me and he is well for now but we have much to discuss. Bring your friends as I am sure Spike will need all the help he can get in the coming turmoil. Always your friend, Princess Luna."

"Will that be all your majesty?"

"Yes, please have one of the guards deliver this letter two hours before mid-day; Twilight Sparkle is sick and I would like her to get as much sleep as possible." The scribe bowed and went about his duties. Luna walked back over to her sister. "Tia, after you have risen the sun could you assist me in the drawing room?" She asked with a long sigh.

"Whatever is the matter sister?" Celestia asked concerned. "Do you know how Spike became a pony?" Luna sighed again.

"Spike has become a Werepony and if we do not change him back soon, I am afraid he could die."

"But Luna, there hasn't been a case of a Werepony in over a millennia. Are you certain?"

"Of course We are certain!" She hollered. "Do you think We would be so distressed and upset if We were not!?"

"Calm down sister, you’re using the Royal We again. You know that I'm worried about him too; if that really is Spike than he's in a great deal of trouble, I just wanted to be sure."

===============================================================

Twilight Sparkle was mad. Of all the ponies who should have been told about Spike, she should have been the first. Twilight was busy helping to search the town for Spike when Rainbow Dash swooped down from the sky. The pegasus pony was much like Fluttershy in build but was thinner and more streamlined. Her short unkempt rainbow colored mane and tail complimented her cyan blue coat. "Is there any sign of him Rainbow Dash?" She asked her pleadingly.

"Sorry Twi. I searched all the way to Manehatten. Nopony's seen him."

"How about the rest of you; seen anything, any sign of him?"

"Sorry sugar cube, I haven't seen anythin' yet." Twilight looked to Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie. All of them shook their head in defeat.

"Keep looking!" She shouted. The lavender unicorn lowered her head, coughing. They all gathered around her.

"Twilight, you need to slow down. You've been sick for days and the medicine Zecora and I made takes time to work." Fluttershy explained. "I've been reading about the illness; you're not completely well and I'm afraid if you push yourself too hard you could have a relapse."

"Thank you for your concern Shy but I feel fine thanks to you and Zecora. Right now I'm more concerned with Spike." She said, coughing again.

"Twilight, I know you're still upset about all this but please, I'm the one you should be mad at. I'm the one who caused him to run off." Rarity confessed, still hurt from what she had said that night. Twilight took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"I know none of you intended for this to happen but the fact of the matter is, I should have been told as soon as possible. I'm responsible for the little guy and if anything happens to him I don't know what I'd do." Twilight was close to crying when one of the white, pegasus royal guards flew down from the sky.

"Miss Sparkle?" He asked.

"Yes sir? That's me." Twilight said, wiping her eyes. The courier gave her a letter and flew off.

"Who's it from?" Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight opened the letter and started reading it.

"It's from Princess Luna. She says that Spike is with her at the castle and that we all need to get there as soon as we can. Oh I hope he's okay." Twilight said. "The train to Canterlot has already left so we'll have to take my balloon. Let’s go everypony." All six of the ponies headed for Twilight's balloon except for one.

"What in tarnation are you waitin' for Rarity? We need to get goin' right now." Applejack asked.

"I can't go. I can't face him, not after what I said." Rarity ran, making a mad dash for her home at the Carousel Boutique.

The other five charged after her. "Rainbow, Applejack, stop her before she gets inside!" Twilight shouted. The two ponies raced ahead as fast as they could and tackled her to the ground. Twilight, Pinkie, and Fluttershy caught up to the other three. The lavender unicorn was breathing hard, her breaths wheezing out of her. "I'm sorry Rarity but you have to come too. If what Princess Luna said is true, he's going to need all of us and that includes you." She said, trying to catch her breath.

"I can't help him." She said, lying there in the dirt.

"What are you talkin' about?" Applejack asked.

"All I seem to do is hurt him. You saw the look on his face. How can I possibly make up for that?" Fluttershy knelt down and helped her to her feet.

"Do you like him?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, he's always been a good friend." She said.

"That's not what I mean. Do you, like, him?" Fluttershy asked again. "Nod your head Rarity. We all know you do. You need to tell him you're sorry." She said. "Tomorrow, you tell him you're sorry again and the next day, and the day after that. You keep telling him that you're sorry every day until he tells you to stop apologizing. Then you apologize for apologizing."

"And that will make everything all right?" She asked hopefully.

"Well, no, I don't think so but that's not the point." Fluttershy explained. "Whether you meant it or not, you hurt Spike and he needs to know that you're sorry. That's just the first step. The next step you have to figure out for yourself."

Pinkie bounced up and hugged Rarity. "We all know you feel awful about what happened but we need you, and little Spikie Wikie needs you. So, will you come with us so we can try to help him?" The pink party pony asked her.

"Yes, I will go but I need to get something first, you may accompany me if you wish." They followed Rarity into her shop. The main floor was a boutique set up with mirrors and dressing rooms where ponies could try on her latest fashions. The group of ponies bypassed the shop and walked through a door to the left of the main entrance. Climbing the stairs they entered the small upstairs apartment, which consisted of two rooms and a storage closet. The small space served as a home for her and her sister Sweetie Belle. Rarity headed straight for her bedroom. It wasn't overly large but neither was it small since it also doubled as her workshop. Ponykins stood waiting for their master's command, a workbench with an antique sewing machine stood at the ready. Bolts upon bolts of cloth in every imaginable color sat in their own cubbyholes waiting. Rarity ran over to a medium sized blue chest sitting on a makeup table against the wall to the left of her red canopy bed. "Where is it, where is it?" She said flinging jewelry left and right."

"You okay Rarity?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes, I mean no, I need to find it. Ahh, here it is, I knew it was in there somewhere." She said as she pulled out a necklace with a wide gold band and a heart shaped Fire Ruby at its center.

"Isn't that the ruby Spike gave you three years ago when he turned into that giant dragon monster?" Twilight asked her.

"Yes, it is. I'm going to give it back to him. I'm undeserving of such a generous gift. Maybe this will help him forgive me." Rarity informed them. "Okay, I'm ready to go." The six friends made their way back to the balloon and while Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie climbed into the basket, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both grabbed a rope and flew off towards Canterlot as fast as they could with the balloon in tow.

===============================================================

The balloon had sprung a leak and they had to land to make repairs. By the time they reached the palace, the sun was already starting to set. Landing in the palace garden they were met by Princess Luna. "Hurry, come to the drawing room, Celestia can not keep the moon from rising forever." The ponies ran through the palace, bursting into the drawing room. In the middle of the room they found Spike as a little dragon yet again. Unlike the day before, all the dragon's scales had returned but their shine was gone, each and every scale on his body had lost its luster and shown faded in the failing light.

"Spike!" Twilight and Rarity ran to him. Both mares wanted to hold him forever and never let go. Twilight was a little taken aback when Princess Luna unexpectedly blocked both their path.

"Please, you must keep your distance for now." Twilight looked beyond the Princess and saw Spike's little body breathing shallow and rapidly. Tears were in Rarity's eyes. Spike looked as though he'd been fighting to hold onto whatever life was left in his little body.

"What's wrong with him?" Rarity asked her pleadingly.

"Spike has become a Werepony. Holding the moon and the sun at twilight has been difficult on him. Celestia is going to let the moon rise then you can go to him." Luna informed her.

"A Werepony?" They all asked in unison.

"Yes, a Werepony." Celestia said as she walked into the room.

"Are you okay sister?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. I just need a little rest." Celestia addressed the six ponies around her. "A Werepony is very rare and can only happen to young dragons. When a dragon is shedding his scales, like Spike was, he becomes vulnerable. If during this time, he or she is bitten by a pony suffering from pony-pox he can be infected, and the only cure is a spell performed by four casters."

"Well that's oddly specific." Pinkie Pie stated.

"Why four?" Twilight asked.

"The amount of magic necessary to break the curse and seal Spike into his true form is so taxing that one or even two spell casters alone could die in the process." Luna explained. "That is why four are needed, spreading the strain out is simply safer."

"Oh no, this is all my fault!" Twilight cried out.

While Celestia and Luna had been explaining the situation, the moon had risen and Spike again exploded in a cloud of purple smoke and scales. When the smoke cleared, Spike was again a pony, but he seemed a lot more tired than the night before.
"No Twilight." Spike reassured her. "This is not your fault." Spike said as he got to his hooves and stretched out. "You couldn't have known and even if you did it's not so bad being a pony."

"You may enjoy being a pony but you can not stay that way." Luna said reluctantly.

"Why not?" Spike asked.

"Spike, you are a dragon,” Luna explained. "Changing into a pony every time the moon rises is a terrible strain on your body. However, my sister and I will not force you into a decision, you can either return to being a dragon or you can stay as you are now but you must understand, the constant shifting from one form to the other is extremely harmful and will significantly shorten your life span."

"How much?" He asked her. Luna looked to her sister.

"Spike, your particular species of dragon can live for a couple of hundred years. But if you choose to stay this way, your life span will be reduced to only ten years at most and that's only if you're careful." The ponies in the room gasped in surprise.

Spike stood there, frozen in shock. "Is that all?" He asked, his voice shaking with emotion

"I am most regretful Spike,” Luna said, giving him a hug. "We are not trying to scare you but neither I nor my sister can change the outcome. If you choose to stay a dragon we have to wait till you change back. I want you to really think about this but do not take too long, the longer you stay like this the more difficult it will be to change you back. Even with our combined ability, after a week we will not be able to cure you at all. With that in mind, I'm giving you two days to decide." Spike stared at the ground thinking hard, unwilling to acknowledge Rarity's presence.

"I have a question." Rainbow Dash said. "Spike is a baby dragon, but as a pony he looks as grown up as the rest of us."

"That's because he is. You see; Spike is only five years younger than Twilight and as a dragon that makes him still a toddler. When he changes into a pony, the curse takes his age into account and transforms him into a pony approximately eighteen years of age." Celestia explained.

===============================================================

While the others were busy asking questions of Princess Celestia, Rarity could only stare at the purple stallion with regret. Luna leaned over to Rarity. "Rarity, will you follow me please?" She asked softly. Rarity walked with Princess Luna to a secluded chamber off of the main room. "Have a seat please." Rarity sat on a cushion opposite the Princess. "I do not think I have to tell you how upset I am with you at the moment." Rarity remained silent. Luna sat on a cushion and sighed. "I feel sorry for Spike, the curse is not the only thing that's hurting him. My moon is also part of this but I can't keep the moon from rising, I can delay it but it will have to rise. I have always wanted my moon to inspire beauty but in this instance it brings pain and every time it rises, Spike will be hurt."

"I'm sorry Princess. I didn't realize." Rarity apologized. Luna glared at her slightly.

"There is a great many things you did not realize. You did not realize you were destroying the feelings of another. You did not realize that words could hit as hard as hooves when they are chosen incorrectly and in haste; it is not me you should be apologizing to. You have hurt Spike greatly and because of his feelings for you I do not think anypony could ever hurt him as badly as you have."

Rarity began to sob. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know what I was saying." Rarity confessed. "To see him like that, hanging onto life. If he returns to being a dragon, will he stay that weak? Will every day be a struggle for him?"

"No, if he returns to his true form he will regain his strength, his vitality and live out his life as if nothing had happened." She answered.

"And if he stays the way he is?" The white unicorn asked. "Is it true, what Princess Celestia said?"

"It is as my sister said. If Spike remains a werepony, every day will find him weaker than the one before. Eventually Spike will become bed ridden and one day, he will simply slip away." The Princess said with a heavy heart. "Rarity, I do not intend to make things more difficult but my sister has explained to me what happened three years ago on Spike's birthday, and I've read Twilight's report of what happened. I have to ask, the jewel you wear around your neck, is it the same one Spike gave you?"

"Yes, it is. I brought it with me to give back to Spike. After the way I've treated him, I don't deserve a generous gift such as this." She said.

"Under the circumstances, I believe that would be an extraordinarily bad idea." Luna said.

"Why's that your majesty?"

"When you look at that gem around your neck, what do you see?" Princess Luna asked.

"I see a rare treasure given to me out of selflessness. It's beautiful and flawless and perfect. Then, when Spike gave it to me, what he said. I don't think I'll ever forget it. He said, this beautiful gem was meant to be with me. It was supposed to be Spike's birthday dinner but he gave it to me instead."

"Do not fool yourself Rarity. According to Twilight, Spike had been cutting and shaping that stone for months. I am sure you know that Fire Rubies are not heart shaped by nature. He knew the second you saw that gem, you would be enthralled by it. To be honest, I did not think Spike had it in him. He was afraid of you rejecting the gift so he made up the subterfuge about it being his dinner. It really was a clever way for him to give you something he has wanted to give you for some time now; his heart."

Rarity was at a loss for words. "I didn't know; all I saw was the gem. I wore it around like a trophy, and then I verbally trampled his heart last night." She said. "Why didn't Twilight tell me?"

"She could not. Before Spike would tell her anything, he swore her to secrecy. The only one she was allowed to consult on the matter was Celestia or myself but Twilight has always had a preference for Celestia." The alicorn said; a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Do you think he will ever forgive me?" Rarity asked her.

Luna wiped a tear away from Rarity's cheek with her wing. She placed a hoof on her shoulder and looked Rarity in the eye. "Whether he forgives you or not is entirely up to him. Now dry those eyes and let us go back into the other room." Rarity wiped her eyes and followed Luna back into the drawing room.

===============================================================

The others were there waiting for her but the only pony Rarity could see was Spike. Rarity trotted right up to Spike but before she could say anything he turned his back on her and started walking toward the door. "Spike, please don't walk away."

"Why are you wearing that thing?" He asked sharply. "I'm sure either Twilight or one of the Princesses has told you the real story behind it. Twilight never could keep a secret. I know it doesn't mean anything to you so why did you keep it?"

"You gave this to me Spike and I've always treasured it. I couldn't possibly get rid of this." She tried to tell him, but Spike was still so angry.

"Keep it, cut it, sell it, throw it away; I don't care anymore. Do whatever you want Rarity; it's what your good at." Spike turned around and faced her, tears of pain in his eyes. "You know, you should try to hook up with Blue Blood again. You and him are exactly the same; shallow, superficial, vain, and self centered."

"Spike, that's not fair." Twilight said.

"Fair? I'll tell you what's not fair. For five years I do everything for her and ask nothing in return except a little consideration. I did everything from dig in the dirt for gems for you Rarity, to taking out your garbage. Heck, I was a pincushion for you. When the Diamond Dogs took you prisoner, I led the charge outnumbered against foes four times my mass. I gave up going to parties and events to watch Sweetie Belle and her friends while you went out with the others and left me behind. I did everything for you and you treated me like dirt. I never once gave up hope that maybe, somehow, someway you and I could be together." Spike turned again and walked toward the door. "I should be thanking you Rarity. You finally opened my eyes so I could see you for who you really are. I'm done with you. Go crush someone else's heart, you've already destroyed mine." Spike ran out of the room and headed for the tower room he and Twilight used to share all those years ago.

Beginning to Understand

Curse of the Werepony
Chapter 3 "Beginning to Understand"
By Steven Little
My Little Pony © Hasbro

Rarity was crushed. Spike was like a completely different pony from the little dragon she knew. Staring at the empty doorway where he once stood, tears started to slowly fall down her cheeks. She sniffed and thought about everything he said. 'He's right, I'm a horrible mare, what was I thinking? Of course he wouldn't forgive me.' Soon Rarity's few tears turned to crying then uncontrollable sobbing.

All of Rarity's friends, save one, embraced the crying mare tightly. "Don't you worry bout anything sugar cube, Pinkie and I are gonna go talk to that boy and see if we can't smooth things over. You hang in there." Applejack told her.

"I think it was really mean what you said about Spike but he said some really mean things too. It makes me super sad to see my friends fighting so I'm gonna do what ever I can to put a smile on your face and Spike's too." Pinkie Pie said. "Come on Applejack, we got a dragon to cheer up!" Pinkie practically dragged the farm pony out the door and ran after Spike, somehow knowing exactly where to find him.

"I can't believe Spike would react that way. It's unlike him to get so angry." Twilight said as Pinkie and Applejack left the room.

"That is part of the curse Twilight." Luna said. "Dragons under the effects of the curse are in a perpetual, hyper-emotional state. When they get angry, they get very angry. When they get sad, it borders on severe depression. I do not know if I should tell you but when I found Spike at the overlook, he was standing on the very edge looking down at the ground hundreds of hooves below. If I had not been there, I am certain he would have walked off that cliff."

Fluttershy leaned over and whispered in Princess Celestia's ear. "Yes, I think that's an excellent suggestion. Please excuse me; I need to speak with the guards about posting a watch on Spike's door till he decides what to do."

Rarity watched Princess Luna walk out of the room, digesting what the Princess of the Night had just revealed. "No, I can't accept that. I can't believe Spike would do something like that over me."

"You heard the Princess, Rarity. This isn't a simple case of rejection and sadness. In Spike's current state I'm afraid your words didn't just break his heart, they crushed it." Twilight hugged the grieving unicorn as she cried out the pain in her chest, a pain that was not there earlier that night and whose source she did not understand.

Princess Celestia approached the two friends and placed a hoof on Rarity's shoulder. "Do not blame yourself for this unfortunate turn of events. Yes, you hurt him with the words you spoke but his suffering was never you're intention." The crying mare nodded her head. "I'm sure my sister did not reveal what happened to cause you further heartache either but I think you should understand Spike's point of view now."

"The Princess is right Rarity." Rainbow Dash said. "It's not like Spike told you how he felt. I mean, how were you supposed to know."

The pain in Rarity's chest intensified. "He did tell me, three years ago after the whole incident during his birthday. While we were falling, before you and Fluttershy caught us, he told me he had a crush on me. I have to admit that at that moment, it made me happy to know somepony or dragon in this case had those feelings for me. But after we were rescued and the town was put back together, I slipped back in to the way things had always been. I convinced myself it wasn't real, Spike was confused he didn't really mean it. I was so concerned about myself and what ponies might think that I pushed any though of Spike as anything but a friend to the back of my mind. I never knew his feelings went so deep, he, he..." Rarity collapsed on the floor and began to shake as if somepony had thrown ice water on her.

"Guards, Guards!" Celestia called out.

Two guards, a grayish brown unicorn and a white pegasus barged into the room. "Yes your majesty. Has something happened?"

"Yes, please go and fetch the royal physician we need him immediately. Tell him to meet us at my suite in the hospital wing." Princess Celestia commanded as she levitated the unconscious unicorn onto her back and galloped toward the other end of the expansive palace.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flew next to the Princess, trying to keep pace. "Oh my, I hope she's okay." The yellow pegasus said. "What happened, she seemed fine a moment ago? Is she sick?"

"No Fluttershy, I think it's shock." Twilight informed her, running next to the Princess.

"Correct Twilight; it seems that Rarity is having as hard a time dealing with this turn of events as Spike is." Celestia surmised.

===============================================================

Spike sat alone in the room remembering all the good times he had with Twilight there before he knew his friends. The room itself was small and seemed much smaller now that Spike was a pony. The walls curved around the room following the contours of the tower and were light blue in color from floor to ceiling. Even though it had been over a decade since he and Twilight shared the room, it had not changed in the slightest. It was odd, but there was no dust, no disorder, everything neat and tidy from her small bed to the stuffed toys patiently sitting on the shelf next to it. Children's books and small tomes on introductions to magic were neatly stacked on the small bookshelf. Spike walked over to the bed and noticed the tiny bassinet next to it, his bed when he was so little. He lay down on Twilight's old bed and wept. He wept for all the wasted years chasing after a pony that did not return his feelings and even with that knowledge, he still loved her. There was a knock at the door. "Go away Rarity, I don't want to talk to you!" He shouted.

"Spiky it's me and AJ." Pinkie Pie said through the door. "Can we please come in? Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty please with sugar on top?" Spike reluctantly went to the door and opened it, sticking his head out to check the hallway. The only two ponies he saw were Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

"What do you guys want?" He asked depressingly.

"We just want to talk with you. No tricks, just three friends talkin'." Applejack assured him.

"Sure, come on in. Not like I really live here anymore." He said.

"Now that's enough of that talk ya hear?" The light orange farm pony said. "Me and Pinkie are here to try an explain a few things to you since you don't want to listen to anypony else."

Spike went back to the small bed and lied down again. "I'm not really in the mood to be lectured girls."

"Well, how about a drink then?" Pinkie Pie said, pulling a bottle of Big Macintosh's Special Reserve Apple Bourbon from seemingly out of nowhere. "I just so happen to have a bottle of the good stuff with me; nothing like a good drink to get ponies talking."

"So that's where that bottle disappeared to. Big Mac's been looking for that all week. He wasn't ready to put it on the market yet since nopony but him had tested it." Applejack said trying to grab the bottle.

"Well we can test it for him at tell him what we think. Besides, this is going to be Spike's first drink and who better for him to share it with then us? Seriously, Twilight can't hold her liquor and Fluttershy, just forget about it. Dashy would just drink the whole thing herself."

"I suppose you're right there Pinkie Pie. What do you say Spike? Would you like to share your first drink with us?"

The purple pony thought about it for a moment then smiled weakly. "Yeah, sure why not; I've heard of pony's drinking away their sorrows, maybe it'll help." He said.

"It couldn't hurt." Pinkie said as she produced three glasses and poured a small amount in each. Passing them out, she raised her glass to Spike. "Here's to Spike, whether you stay a werepony or go back to being a dragon, you'll always be our friend."

"Darn tootin!" Applejack said, taking a small sip of her drink. Pinkie drained hers in one gulp and started coughing so hard they were afraid she was going to throw up. "Pinkie, haven't you ever heard of a sippin' drink. This stuff is too strong to shoot like John Daniels."

Spike took an experimental sip of his drink. "Hey, this stuff isn't half bad." Spike finished his drink and help out his glass for more. "So, what are we going to talk about, as if I didn't already know?"

"That's right, we're gonna' be talking about you and Rarity sugar cube." Applejack said as she sidled up to the side of the bed.

"Why'd you say those mean things to her down there?" Pinkie Pie asked him. "She was trying to apologize and you were just so, so, mean."

"I was mad and I wasn't done being mad; I'm still mad at her and right now I don't want to forgive her. She hurt me, more than any of you could ever know and I don't know what I'm supposed to do or how I'm supposed to feel." Spike said, confessed.

"Do you still love her?" AJ asked. "You do, don't you? Even after she said those horrible things back at Shy's place, you still love her."

"I don't know. Part of me wants to say yes but another just wants to keep being mad at her. I'm so confused right now. Why did she say those things? Is that how she really feels or was she just showing off for what she thought was a new pony? If that's the case, why does her showing off have to be at my expense?" Spike asked. "Is it me, didn't I pay her enough attention, wasn't I helpful enough? I did everything for her and all I ever wanted was a smile."

The two mares in the room sighed softly. "If Rarity doesn't claim you I just might. That was the most romantic thing I ever did hear. Rarity would be a dadburned fool if she didn't snatch you up." Applejack said.

"AJ's right. Rarity should feel lucky she has somepony who cares about her so much." Pinkie added.

"Then why is she like this? She's always so judgmental and critical. Nothing seems to be good enough."

"Well Spike, there's something you should know about Rarity." Applejack said. "It hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for her. I remember about nine, ten years ago when Rarity came to Ponyville with her little sister Sweetie Belle.

===============================================================

A young white unicorn with a royal purple mane and tail cautiously stepped out into the main road of Ponyville. She had been there years ago when she was just a little filly to go to school because of the fire at her private school in Manehattan. The newborn filly resting in her open saddlebag shifted and began to whimper. "It's okay Sweetie, we'll be there soon, I promise." She said. "Uncle Carlton lives around here somewhere, I'm sure of it."

A young light orange pony with a straw blond mane and tail approached the new unicorn conversing with herself. "Howdy, names Applejack, how y'all doin? You new to town?"

"Oh, uhm, hello. My name is Rarity." She responded nervously. "I'm not new to town; I lived here for a little while, years ago. I'm having trouble finding my uncle Carlton's home. He and his wife Fran live around here somewhere. You wouldn't by any chance know where they reside?"

"Carlton and Fran? Well shoot, of course I know where they live. They're living out in the Rainbow Estates just north of the center of town on the left. If I remember right, they should be the fourth door down, name's on the mailbox."

"Thank you ever so much Applejack." Rarity said.

The farm pony noticed a movement in her saddlebags. "I think you might have a critter stowin' away in your bag there. You got to watch out for those things, they get into everthin'." Applejack informed her as she moved to remove the offensive animal from the unicorn's bag. Rarity sidled away from her quickly jostling the bag and causing the foal inside to wake up and start crying. "What the heck? You have a foal in there!"

"Yes, it's, it's uhm, my baby sister." She lied, reluctantly allowing the light orange pony to look in the bags.

The young mare reached in and picked up the foal from the bag, holding her carefully. "My Ma' and Pa' just had a little one a year ago, her names Apple Bloom. Who knows, maybe your sister and my sister will be friends."

Rarity held out her forelegs allowing Applejack to gently place the foal in her hooves. The young white unicorn hugged the foal, rocking her gently. She needs to be fed, is there a place I can um, mix some formula?" She asked.

"Sure is. Let's go to Sugar Cube Corner. I'm sure they wouldn't mind some early visitors." Rarity followed Applejack though the streets till they arrived at what appeared to be an enormous gingerbread house. "Here we go. The Cakes are the nicest ponies you ever did meet and their cookies and sweets are just as good."

The two ponies walked into the pastry shop to be met by a bouncing pink pony with a fluffy pink mane and tail, and three balloons on her flank. Before the young pink mare had a chance to accost Rarity, Applejack tackled her to the ground and sat on her. "Howdy Pinkie Pie, this here's Rarity, she sort of new to town. She used to live here years ago and now she's back. Now see here, she has her baby sister with her and by baby sister I mean a real baby she just a little newborn foal so I'd appreciate it if you didn't tackle her or jump and surprise her. Last thing we need is for you to scare the baby."

"Okie dokie lokie AJ. Can I see the little foal? I love foals!" Rarity pulled Sweetie Belle out of the bag again and held her in her hooves, showing her to Pinkie. "Oh she's so cute!" She quietly cheered. Pinkie looked from Rarity to the foal then back to Rarity. "She looks a lot like you."

"Well, she is my sister. If she didn't look anything like me I'd be wondering about my parents." She said.

"Speaking of which, where are your parents, shouldn't they be looking after your sister?" Applejack asked.

"They um, they can't. They abandoned us." She said, starting to cry. "That's why I'm here, my uncle Carlton is the only family I know and I don't know if I can handle Sweetie Belle all on my own."

"Oh my stars, that's horrible. Who could do such a thing?" Applejack hugged the depressed mare. "It's all right. You stay here; I'll go fetch your Uncle. Pinkie, could you help Rarity make some formula for little Sweetie Belle while I'm gone?"

===============================================================

"They abandoned her?" Spike asked.

"Yup, they certainly did. To this day I don't think anypony's ever seen them.

"But what about that white Stallion she calls father?"

"Oh, that's her uncle Carlton. Actually Carlton is a cousin of her Father, it's just easier to refer to him as her uncle; you know, for Sweetie Belles sake." Pinkie Pie said.

"So, what happened next?" Spike asked, eager to find out what happened to the mare he was quickly softening towards.

"Uh Applejack, could you leave the room please? I kinda need to talk to Spiky alone for a little while. Give us about an hour and then knock on the door but pretty please don't listen in from the other side of the door." Pinkie said.

"I guess so Pinkie but don't take too long, I'm sure Spike needs his sleep and we still have a lot more story to tell."

"This is super-duper serious AJ. I want you to promise me you won't listen in."

"I said I wouldn't Pinkie. I need to use the facilities anyhow then I'm going to check up on Rarity." Pinkie waited for Applejack to leave before turning back to Spike.

"Spike." She sighed. "I'm gonna' do something I've never, ever, ever done. I'm going to break a promise to my bestest friend in the whole wide world. I need to know; can you keep what I'm about to say a super duper secret? Can I trust you to do that?"

"Sure Pinkie. You know I can keep a secret; I'm not like Twilight or anything."

"I guess that will have to do. Spike, I just want you to know that I would never ever do this but it's important that you know. Rarity is going to hate me for a while but I'm sure she'll forgive me in time. Okay, this is what happened after Applejack left the shop."

===============================================================

Applejack looked to her friend. "Pinkie, could you help Rarity make some formula for little Sweetie Belle while I'm gone?"

"No problemo AJ." Pinkie said. The over excited mare waited until Applejack had left before addressing the white unicorn, "follow me." She said with a slight smile. Rarity placed Sweetie Belle back in the bag and followed Pinkie up two flights of stairs into what appeared to be a large bedroom decorated with balloons and streamers.

"Do you have a private bathroom with a sink so I can mix the formula?" Rarity asked.

"You know, if you're going to lie you really should get better at it. If I can see through it then anypony can." Pinky said with a deadpan expression on her face. "I'm surprised Applejack didn't see through it. She's really good at knowing when somepony is lying to her."

Rarity was starting to panic. "Lie? I, I, I don't lie." She stammered.

Pinkie Pie just sighed. "You say you need to make formula but you don't have any with you. The only food you have for that foal is what you're carrying with you and I don't mean in your bags." The pink mare pointed out. "The foal is yours isn't she?"

"I, I, I..." Rarity had been caught and didn't know what to do.

Pinkies sedate expression slowly turned into a grin. "Hey, It's okay. I'm not gonna judge you. If the baby really does need to be fed, you can use my bed over there." The foal started to cry out of hunger. "Go on, you shouldn't keep her waiting."

Rarity climbed onto the bed and placed Sweetie Belle down against her belly. The hungry foal latched onto her mother's teat and fed enthusiastically. "How did you know?"

"Well, other than not having any formula with you, you're, um kinda full of milk back there. It's not hard to notice if you know what you're looking at. I have two younger sisters myself." Pinkie told her. "Why did you lie about it though and where's the foals daddy?"

"Sweetie Belle's father broke up with me and ran off as soon as he found out I was pregnant. The whole time I carried her, my mother forced me to stay in my room she wouldn't let me out even to eat, our butler brought meals to me."

"Butler? Where are you from?" Pinkie asked

"Manehattan. My name is Rarity Filigree. My father is a fairly famous jewelry maker and my mother is an artist and socialite. We're reasonably well off but mother was afraid about how the family's reputation would suffer seeing as how Sweetie Belle would be born out of wedlock. My father was always busy with his work so I hardly ever saw him. I was left alone for eleven months with my mother who took every opportunity to belittle and insult me. After Sweetie Belle was born my mother tried to force me to put her up for adoption. I just couldn't do it. She's my perfect little angel. When I wouldn't give her up, my mother threw me out of the house. She told me that neither she nor my father ever wanted to see us again. I came here because I have nowhere else to go. In a way I didn't lie about that part, my parents really did abandon us." Rarity looked and the pink pony with desperation in her eyes. "Please promise me you wont tell anypony about this."

"But why, the ponies here a really supportive; I'm sure they'd all help out." Pinkie said.

"It's something my mother said while she was throwing us out. She said to give the foal up or she'd make sure Foal Protection Service would take the foal away from me."

"That horrible mare!" Pinkie thought about Rarity's request for a moment. "Okie Dokie Lokie. I don't like it when ponies lie but I can understand why you did. I promise I won't tell anypony about it I'll even Pinkie Promise. Cross my heart hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"

"What's a Pinkie Promise?" Rarity asked.

"It's a super duper serious promise to never ever ever tell somepony something super secret. I just made it up. Pretty cool huh?" The hyper pony asked. "Anyway, I think I have an idea that can help you out. The Cakes were taking care of Scootaloo, while her parents were out of town. Oh, she's another foal that was born a few days ago. I think they left a few extra bottles lying around and some formula. I'll go mix some up and bring it up here for you while you finish feeding your baby."

"Thank you so much Pinkie Pie. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"When you finally tell her that you're her mommy, you have to let me throw you both a party okay?"

"It's a deal." Rarity said, smiling for the first time in days.

===============================================================

Pinkie was about to continue with the story when she saw Spike sleeping soundly. 'Poor guy, both you and Rarity have had it rough. I promised Twilight I wouldn't tell you about your parents but it's not right to keep this stuff away from you. She should have told you as soon as she found out. I'm going to give her only a little while longer and if she hasn't told you then I will.' She thought to herself as she stroked the purple pony's green mane.

Pinkie leaned down a kissed him on the forehead. "Sleep tight Spike." She whispered as she walked to the door and closed it behind her. Heading down the stairs she met Applejack coming back up.

"Pinkie, we need Spike downstairs right now, Rarity had to be taken to the hospital wing of the palace. She's knocked out cold and we're all real worried about her. Spike should really be there." Applejack informed her.

"No, Spike's sleeping and he needs his rest." She stated.

"But Pinkie this is serious."

Pinkie Pie's mane and tail had fallen flat. "I said no. I know what's going on with them more than you do." She said. Applejack could see tears forming at the corner of the pink pony's eyes. "Please Applejack, go back downstairs and check on Rarity. I'll be there shortly." Pinkie Pie asked of her. Applejack slowly backed away from the upset pony then turned and trotted back the way she came. Pinkie calmed herself as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She addressed the two guards, one pegasus and one unicorn, standing at the bottom. "How you guys doin? Oh that's right, you're not supposed to be talking to ponies huh? Just do me a favor okay? Don't let anypony up there for a while. The poor little guy needs his sleep. The Princesses are okay but none of my friends. I'm sure you know them. It's only till morning. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure thing," the unicorn guard said. "We remember Twilight and Spike when they used to live here. They were always nice to us and all the other guards. Anything we can do for them we will, we promise. Don't we Gust?"

"You know it." The pegasus guard said.

Pinkie hugged them both in a giant Pinkie Pie bear hug. "Thanks guys, you're both the greatest." She said, giving them each a kiss on the cheek. Pinkie trotted off after Applejack, leavening the two guards with a blush on their faces.

===============================================================

Rarity woke and found herself lying in a bed three time too big for her in a lavishly decorated room. To her left was a machine measuring out her heart beats, on her right hung an IV connected to her right foreleg. "What happened, where am I?" She asked confused.

"Rarity you fainted from shock, we brought you to the hospital wing so you could rest." Twilight told her.

Rarity tried to get up. "I'm fine, I need to see Spike, and I need to tell him I'm sorry."

Princess Celestia pushed her back down to the bed. "That can wait a little while yet. You need to rest or you're just going to faint again."

Applejack trotted into the room closely followed by Pinkie Pie. "How's Spike, is he okay?" Rarity asked them.

"We got a few drinks in him and he calmed down but I think that dragon's a long way from bein' okay about anythin'. We were telling him about when you came to Ponyville ten years ago but then Pinkie kicked me out of the room." Applejack explained. Rarity looked at her pink friend in shock.

"Yup, I did and now I'm gonna do it again. So all of you out, Princesses if it would be all right, I need to talk to Rarity alone for a moment. Twilight, don't go too far, I want to talk to you when I'm done here." Pinkie said, ushering them out of the room and shutting the door behind them. When she was sure they had all gone she turned back to Rarity

"Please tell me you didn't. Pinkie Pie, you promised you wouldn't tell anypony." Rarity said.

"Exactly, I said I wouldn't tell any pony but Spike's not a pony is he? Rarity, Spike deserved to know why you act the way you do. You've let your past control you for so long you don't even see it anymore. You're so worked up about how other ponies will think of you. And because of that you hurt Spike. You didn't mean it and I doubt you even knew what you were doing but that's the way it is."

"How did he react to the news?" Rarity asked cautiously.

"He cried. I held him and he sat there and sobbed against my shoulder. He was crying for you Rarity he felt horrible about how you were treated and abandoned. I was about to get to the part where your uncle came in with AJ, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy but he fell asleep."

"I will have to tell him the rest in the morning. He should know everything." Rarity said.

"Nope, sorry; Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are next, then you and Twilight. Can't cut in line, it's not nice." Pinkie told her.

"What?"

"Never mind," Pinkie said smiling at her friend. "I need to go talk to Twilight, try to get some sleep okay, something tells me you're going to need it tomorrow."

===============================================================

Pinkie knocked on the door of the room Twilight was using during their visit. "Hi Pinkie," she said opening the door. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Not out here, inside please." She said, walking past Twilight into the room.

Twilight closed the door and joined her next to the bed. "What's going on Pinkie? Is everything all right? You don't seem yourself."

"No, everything's not all right. You need to tell Spike about his parents. I've kept your secret for two years and you still haven't told him like you said you would. The Summer Sun Celebration was last week so; I'm giving you till Hearths Warming. If you haven't told him by then, I will."

"But you can't, you Pinkie promised you wouldn't tell anypony." She pleaded.

"I know Twilight, I did promise but the more I think about it the more I realize I shouldn't have. This isn't about silly little things like when Fluttershy and Rarity couldn't' admit how they really felt about Shy's modeling. This is Spike's life. This is important and he deserves to know who he is and where he comes from."

"Okay Pinkie, you win. I'll tell Spike what I know."

The pink mare hugged her tightly. "Thank you Twilight, I just know everything will work out for the better."

"When did you get so smart about these things Pinkie?" Twilight asked with a smile.

"I guess I've been hanging around you a lot." She said, returning the smile. Pinkie yawned loudly. "I'm heading to bed. See you in the morning Twilight."

===============================================================

"Rise and shine little dragon." Fluttershy said, peering down on him from the side of the bed.

"Time to get up Spike, I swear you sleep more than I do." Rainbow Dash said from the other side of the bed.

Spike sat bolt upright, almost knocking the two ponies over. "What's going on?" Where's Pinkie and Applejack?"

"They're getting their grub on. Rainbow Dash informed him. "Speaking of which, we brought you a little snack as well. The Princess said that the transformation is gonna make you really hungry so I hope we brought enough." She said. Moving aside the two ponies revealed three large platters piled high with scrambled eggs, hay bacon, and fresh fruit. Spike dived into the food and started to devour it with a will. The two pegasi sat there with their eyes wide and jaws hanging open, watching as the piles of food disappeared before them.

Spike belched loudly. "Thanks guys, that was great. I'm gonna' go and say good morning to everypony downstairs."

"Uhm, actually you can't." Fluttershy said.

"Why not?" Spike asked starting to get a little upset.

"The Princesses said you have to stay in here until they feel it's safe to let you out." The shy yellow pegasus told him.

"What?" He shouted. "So I'm a prisoner now?"

"Hey! Don't yell at Fluttershy, she didn't have anything to do with it." Rainbow Dash told him.

"Uhm, actually I'm the one who suggested it to Princess Luna." Fluttershy admitted.

"What?" Both Spike and Rainbow Dash asked in unison.

"I was worried about you Spike, I'm sorry. When Princess Luna told us about finding you at the overlook and her fears that you would have, would have..."

Spike walked over and hugged the sniffling mare tightly. "It's okay Shy. I'm sorry I yelled at you, I didn't mean it. Thank you for worrying about me. I'm glad somepony does."

"Are you kidding? We're all worried about you Spike." Dash told him. "Twilight was close to freaking out when she heard, and Rarity."

"What about Rarity?" Spike asked. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked to each other unsure of what they should tell him. Spike saw the worried look on their faces. "What's going on guys?"

"Spike, first I want you to know it wasn't your fault okay?" Rainbow told him.

"Yes, she hadn't eaten anything since the night before so..." Fluttershy said before Spike cut her off.

"What's wrong with Rarity?" He asked in a panic.

"Please, calm down Spike. Rarity's okay, she went into shock last night and fainted. They took her to the hospital wing and the doctor said she'd be all right. She just needs rest and food."

Spike sat down hard on the bed, bouncing a little as he did. "This is my fault. Rarity's hurt because of me." He began to cry.

Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around the little dragon. "It's not your fault Spike, none of this is your fault or Rarity's. Don't feel bad please?" She hugged him tightly. "Pinkie said you feel asleep while she was telling you Rarity's story, did you want to hear the rest of it? Rainbow and I were there too when Applejack went and got her uncle."

"Does everypony in town known about Rarity's aunt and uncle?" Spike asked.

"Nope, I think it's just the four of us unless somepony told Twilight, but then if Twilight knew, the whole town would know." Rainbow said. "Anyway, what's the last thing you remember her saying?"

"She said Applejack had left her to go get her uncle while she helped Rarity feed the baby." He told them.

"Perfect, that's when we met up with her." Rainbow said. "Let's see, if I remember correctly, Fluttershy and I had just come back from one of my practices when we found Applejack running through town like there was a fire or something."

===============================================================

"Hey AJ, what's the hurry?" Rainbow called out.

Applejack came to a sudden halt. "Hey Rainbow, how you doin' Fluttershy? Sorry, I don't have time to talk too much, there's a sorta' new unicorn over at Pinkies and I need to get her uncle over there right away."

"I hope it's nothing too serious." Fluttershy asked. "Uhm, who's her uncle?"

"Carlton, you know the unicorn hoofball player that lives on the north end of town? He's her uncle and I need to get him over to Sugar Cube Corner quick."

"Well, what are we waiting for, if she's in trouble, then we should get going?" Rainbow Dash said as she flew off for the ex-hoofball player's house. The three ponies raced to Carlton's house and the front door. Applejack was first and knocked loudly.

A tall, strong looking unicorn stallion answered the door; his brown mane, tail, bushy mustache, and the three hoofballs on his flank offset the pony's white coat. Fluttershy hid behind Rainbow Dash; ponies with mustaches always made her nervous "Hey there AJ, how's your dad doin'? I hope I didn't hurt his shoulder too much."

"Pa's doin' fine, where here to let you know Rarity's here and she has her new baby sister with her."

"Well that's great. My cousin doesn't bring the kids around too often. I didn't know he had another daughter. It'll be good to see them, thanks for letting me know." He said.

"You don't understand, they're here by themselves. Rarity said their parents abandoned them; they have nowhere else to go."

"What? No, that can't be right. Where are they dear?" Carlton asked.

"They're over at Sugar Cube Corner. Rarity needed to feed her sister." Applejack told him.

"Then what are we standing around here for? Let's get going." He said as the four ponies ran to the towns' largest purveyor of sweets and pastries.

===============================================================

When we arrived, we found Rarity putting Sweetie Belle down for a nap. She told her uncle everything about how her mother couldn't handle another foal. Her parents left for a party and never came back. She stayed in the house for a week when a realtor came and told her that the house was being sold and movers were coming to pack up the belongings. He told her he had no way of contacting them and said she couldn't stay there any longer. She had nowhere else to go so she came here to Ponyville." Fluttershy concluded.

"Carlton and Fran took them in right away of course." Rainbow Dash said.

"Didn't they try and find her parents?" Spike asked.

"Well of course they did. Carlton wrote hundreds of letters and every time they came back marked, return to sender. I think Rarity told me once that he went up to Manehattan personally to try and talk to his cousin but no one could or would say anything to him. It was really weird; it was like her parents dropped off the face of Equestria and no one cared. It was only a year ago they resurfaced in Canterlot and Carlton immediately went to go see him. From what I heard, he couldn't get through the front door." Rainbow Dash sighed. "I have no idea what happened but I can't imagine what it's like to be rejected by your own parents. I mean I lost my dad years ago to an accident but that's different, I had my mom and she had me to get through it. Rarity hasn't really had anypony."

"Rarity was always alone. She never really talked to anypony but Pinkie. It was about two years before you and Twilight came to town that she started her store. Carlton and Fran helped her get the money to start the store and from the first day she was a big success. She seemed to brighten up afterwards and became more outgoing. She and I even started going to the spa together. That's when she told me that the store was a creative outlet for her; she could let her frustrations out through her designs." Fluttershy told him.

"That doesn't explain why she's so picky and judgmental, why nothing seems to be good enough for her." Spike said, hoping for more of an explanation.

"Oh no Spike, you have it backwards." Fluttershy said. "It's not that nothings good enough for her, she feels like she's not good enough for anything." Spike was shocked. "She acts like she's above everything and that things are tacky or not good enough but that's all it is, an act."

"How do you know all this Fluttershy?" Spike asked her.

"It was Sweetie Belles tenth birthday, you remember how Rarity wasn't seen for most of it?"

"Yah, Twilight told me to see if I could find her but I never could and then later that night she came back on her own, said she had a very important client that was having a fashion emergency and she had to leave." Spike said.

"I found her with Pinkie crying her eyes out. I don't think I'd ever seen Rarity that sad before. I caught up to her as she left and she told me that Sweetie Belle's birthday had always reminded her of the day her parents abandoned them and how she didn't want her little sister to see her cry. She told me about how she felt and made me promise to never tell her sister. She blamed herself for her parents abandoning them and always question if she could have done something better or been a more perfect daughter, maybe then she would have been deserving of them."

"I never knew. Thanks girls for telling me all this, it kind of puts things into perspective. I'm a little tired and I have a lot to think about."

"No problem Spike. Don't worry. If anything happens we'll tell you." Rainbow Dash told him.

"I'll try, thanks."

"Is there anything you want us to tell the others?" Fluttershy asked.

"Just tell them I'm okay. And if Rarity has a moment, I think I'd like to talk to her later. I said some pretty horrible things to her and I'd like a chance to apologize. She didn't deserve it."

"I think that's a wonderful idea Spike. If the doctor says it's okay then I'm sure she'll come to see you." Fluttershy said as she and Rainbow Dash left the room closing the door behind them.

Standing on the landing outside the door, Rainbow looked at her long time friend. "That was easier than I thought." She whispered. Fluttershy didn't respond. Looking in her eyes, Rainbow could see tears being held back. "What's the matter Shy?" She whispered.

Fluttershy turned and looked back at Spike's door. Rainbow Dash followed her gaze and that's when she heard it. Spike was crying. Pressing her ear to the door, she could make out some of what he was saying. "I'm sorry Rarity, I'm so so sorry. I didn't know. I'm sorry."

The cyan blue mare yanked her head back from the door in surprise. "Aww man, I didn't mean to make the guy sadder." She whispered to Fluttershy.

"It's okay Rainbow Dash. Twilight and Rarity will be up soon to talk to him. I'm sure they can fix this. They've been closer to him than any of us.

"Come on Shy, let's go. The others will want to know how it went." She said as they walked down the stairs.

===============================================================

Spike's friends had allowed him to rest for several hours. Dusk was rapidly approaching. Twilight and Rarity were hoping Spike had gotten enough rest. There were some issues both of them needed to get through with the young dragon. "Do you think it's okay if I come with you, are you sure he's going to want to see me?" Rarity asked as she and Twilight climbed the steps of the tower.

"From what Rainbow and Fluttershy said, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you. I just have one question for you." She said. "We've known each other for five years now and you never told me about your parents abandoning you and your sister; Why not?"

"It was my burden to bear Twilight. And after all that's happened with Discord and Nightmare Moon and everything, I didn't want to add more weight on your shoulders."

"That's very thoughtful Rarity but I still wish you had told me, you're my friend and if there's any way I can help you, I want to." Twilight said.

As they approached the door Rarity froze a few steps before the landing. "I don't know about this Twilight. Do you think I have any chance of being forgiven for how I treated him?" Twilight held a hoof to her mouth and waved Rarity over to the door. Both unicorns could here Spike through the door.

Rarity listened to him sing and felt the love in his voice. 'Even after everything that was said, he still cares about me?' She thought to herself.

An Unexpected Gift

Curse of the Were-Pony
Chapter 4 "An Unexpected Gift"
By Steven Little
My Little Pony © Hasbro

"Let me go in first Rarity, just to see if he's okay?"

Rarity simply nodded and watched as Twilight quietly slipped through the door. Rarity knew that she should have just sat there and waited but she couldn't resist the temptation to press her ear against the door and listen in on Twilight's conversation with Spike. 'I'm sorry Twilight.' She said to herself.

"Hey Spike, how are you doing?" She said to the purple stallion sitting on her old bed.

"Oh, hi Twilight; I'm okay I guess, except for being stuck in here. Where's Rarity?" he asked. "Pinkie said you and her would come up together."

The purple unicorn smiled a bit when she heard the concern in his voice. "I'm glad to see you're not mad at her anymore." She said. "Rarity's waiting outside, I wanted to talk to you alone for a moment."

Spike saw his friend, the unicorn that raised him, fidgeting and looking anywhere but directly at him. "Twilight, what's wrong?"

"You remember two years ago when you asked me about your parents?" She asked.

"I wasn't really serious Twilight, you're all the family I need you know that."

"Yes, I know, but I looked anyway. Princess Cadance was working on a project in the Dragon Kingdom at the time and agreed to help me. She used her diplomatic influence and contacted every dragon dignitary she knew. Spike; we found your parents." Twilight was starting to tear up. "We started getting scattered reports but we weren't able to confirm anything until six months ago."

"You've known something for six months and you didn't tell me?" He asked, his voice getting louder.

"I'm sorry Spike, I didn't know what to tell you then and in a way a still don't but with everything that's been going on..."

"Where are my parents Twilight?" He asked coldly.

"I'm sorry Spike but they're gone. From what Cadance and I could find out, shortly after your egg was laid your parents were ambushed by a rival clan."

"So what, they're dead? If a rival clan killed my parents how did I survive? Why didn't they kill me too?"

"Emerald Swift-talon; your older sister, she took your egg and escaped to Equestria. Apparently she knew through your parents, that Princess Celestia was known to house several orphaned dragon eggs here at the palace. She left your egg here hoping you'd be okay."

"I have an older sister?" He asked, his voice more calm.

"Yes, you do. Other than you, she's the only member of your family and your clan to survive. She was going to come visit you on your next birthday. She and I were going to tell you everything then."

"Why did you wait so long Twilight? You should have told me as soon as you found out!" Spike shouted.

"I'm sorry Spike, I, I, I couldn't." Twilight stammered.

"Why? What was so important you thought you had to keep that from me?"

Twilight hugged him suddenly. "I didn't want you to leave me." She sobbed into his shoulder. "I was afraid that if I told you right away you'd want to leave and be with your real family. That's why I arranged things with your sister to visit us. If she was here then you wouldn't have to leave."

Spike was shocked for a moment then wrapped his hooves around Twilight and hugged her tightly. "I'd never leave Twilight, I'm curious about my relatives but Ponyville is my home, and you are my family. I've always thought of you as my big sister nothing would change that. I guess I just have two big sisters now."

"You really mean that?" She asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"You bet."

"I wonder what Shining Armor will say about having a dragon as a little brother, he's always wanted one; a little brother I mean." She said with a smile.

"Hey Twilight, I'm sorry I shouted earlier. I don't know why I've been getting so angry, so easily recently; I can't help it." Spike admitted.

That's part of the curse, you're emotions are exaggerated greatly. Please, even though things may make you mad or sad, try to take it easy okay?"

"Sure, big sis." Spike said, hugging Twilight tightly.

"Thanks Spike. Your sister is going to be here in time for your birthday so we can talk more about it then. Rarity is waiting outside and I want to give you two time to talk alone before it gets too late okay?"

"Uhm, sure." He said a bit hesitantly.

Twilight could see him start to sweat. "Hey, it's going to be okay. Just take it slow and try to keep calm; and smile. I'm going to go get her; little brother, just stay calm and don't jump to conclusions." Twilight walked out of the room to find Rarity sitting on the landing trying to look innocent.

Twilight shut the door behind her. "You were listening, weren't you?"

"Yes." She admitted shamefully. "I couldn't help it and wanted to know how he was doing."

Twilight smiled and shook her head. "You two are so made for each other."

"What do you mean by that Twilight?" Rarity asked her. The purple unicorn didn't respond she simply walked down the stairs, leaving her outside Spike's door.

Rarity cautiously walked into the room. "Good evening Spike how are you tonight?" She asked a little concerned.

"I'm tired Rarity." He said flatly.

"Oh, I'm sorry to have bothered you, I just wanted to say something and then I'll let you rest."

"That's not what I mean. I'm tired of everything, I'm tired of always being on the short end of the stick, and I'm tired of trying my best and having nothing to show for it. I'm tired of living a life full of far too much rain and not enough sun." He said, his head hanging down.

"Spike, please stop, don't speak that way." Rarity said. "You are appreciated, you are valued for who you are."

"Am I?" He asked. "Seems to me the only time you wanted me around was so you wouldn't have to break a sweat when chores had to be done." Spike said, his voice rising slightly towards the end.

Rarity searched herself for the words she knew had to be said. "Spike, I want to apologize for the hurtful things I said. It wasn't fair."

Spike looked up, staring at her with his penetrating green eyes. "Are you saying this because you really mean it? Are you apologizing to me because while I look like this I'm closer to your class of pony?" Had he been capable, Spike would have been breathing fire. "I mean, I wouldn't want you to have to be seen with some lovesick reptile following you around everywhere."

Having her own words thrown back in her face cut Rarity to the core. Softly at first, she began to cry. "I'm sorry Spike. My words were thoughtless and I now know how they hurt you. I don't know if I can ever make it up to you or if you can ever forgive me." Rarity's eyes were closed tight but the tears still poured down her face. " I understand if you don't want to see me ever again but I want you to know how truly sorry I am." Spike embraced her in a hug. Rarity's eye snapped open and she looked into Spike's eyes. Even though he was smiling, Rarity noticed the streak of tears that traced a line down his cheeks.

"I forgive you." Spike rubbed his cheek against hers. "It's okay Rarity. I talked a lot of this through with our friends and Princess Luna. The Princess assured me that what you said was not truly intended to hurt me and the girls told me things I did not know about you that put a lot of this in perspective. After everything, I guess I just needed to hear it from you."

"Thank you Spike, I promise, I'll find a way to make it up to you. I'm not going to rest until I've earned your trust back." Rarity thought for a moment when an idea crossed her mind. "Spike, how would you like to get out of this room for a while, you've been cooped up in her for nearly two days?"

"Can you do that?" He asked.

"Darling, I am Rarity Filigree. I can do anything, especially if you're with me." She said blushing slightly.

The two ponies walked down the stairs but as Spike expected, the guard at the bottom of the stairs barred their progress. "I'm sorry but we are under orders not to let Spike out of the tower. He is to remain there until the Princesses deem it safe."

"Why of course, I wouldn't dream of preventing either of you from performing your duties. However, I must inform you that we are favored amongst their majesties and point of fact we are on our way to see them this very moment. Now we could stand about talking about this for the rest of the evening or, you could possibly escort us to the throne room so we may speak with them." Rarity said.

"I don't know, Gust, what do you think?" The unicorn stallion asked.

"Well, we were ordered to keep an eye on him, the sergeant didn't say where. I don't see the harm especially if they want to speak with the Princesses."

"In that case, walk between us, don't fall behind and don't trot ahead."

"Of course sir, lead on." Rarity said.

===============================================================

Outside the palace, a royal page quietly exited the palace grounds. The unicorn colt was white in color with a fiery red mane and tail, made his way to the back alley that ran behind Pony Joe's Donut Shop. He jumped with fright as a voice sounded out from the dark shadows. "Were you followed?"

"No sir, I wasn't, I'm sure of it." The young stallion assured him.

"Well?"

"It's just as you said sir. The white unicorn is in the palace and I've heard the Princess talking about her and one other pony by the name of Spike but I didn't get a look at him. According to the other pages and scribes, it seems that Rarity and Spike are the only thing they've been talking about. Even Fancy Pants was called to the palace on this matter though I was not able to find out what they were talking about."

"That's fine, that's fine. I have the information I need. You did well Red. As per our bargain, I will ensure your appointment to the Royal Academy. You have a bright future ahead of you; I'd hate to think anything could jeopardize that rosy future. You know, such as the particulars of our bargain and our recent discussion slipping out."

"Sir, I would never." The royal page said.

"I know you wouldn't. You're a smart boy now run along back to the palace before you're missed."

"Yes sir." The page galloped off.

The tall white unicorn walked out of the shadows, his blue eyes sparkling in the light of the streetlamp, his blond mane and tail fluttering in the light breeze. "Before this night is over Rarity will be mine and I, Prince Blueblood will be elevated to where I belong."

===============================================================

Back at the palace, Rarity and Spike were talking with the Princesses alone. "Do you think there will be enough time?" Rarity asked Princess Luna.

"Yes but remember, you have till sunrise." Luna told her. "I do not think it would be wise to have him revert back to a dragon in public. We do not want to cause a panic."

"Spike, I want you to take it easy as well." Princess Celestia told him. "You've been changing back and forth for two days and I'm afraid it may have left you a little weak."

"I understand your majesty, we're just going for a walk but I promise, I will do my best not to over exert myself."

"Thank you Princess that will be more than enough time!" Rarity proclaimed. Grabbing Spike, she flew out the door with him, into the night air of Canterlot.

Walking through the roads of Canterlot, Rarity looked deep into Spike's eyes, blushing slightly. "Spike, you once offered to show all of us around Canterlot. Could you take me on that tour now maybe?" Spike smiled.

"Sure Rarity." Spike started by taking Rarity around to all the best dress shops showing her the fashions of the city, which included taking her to Hoity Toity's shop. At the moment, that particular shop was displaying several of Rarity dresses in all their glory. Spike couldn't help but smile at Rarity staring at her sparkling dresses lit up in lights. Rarity nuzzled close to Spike.

"Thank you Spike, I rarely get to see how my fashions are displayed once the clients pick them up."

"No problem Rarity. I know how important your work is to you."

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Really Rarity I'm surprised you would allow yourself to be seen in public with such a substandard colt." Rarity and Spike looked in between two buildings. From out of the shadows came a white stallion unicorn with a wavy blond mane and tail, and glistening blue eyes. The two ponies felt anger surge through them.

"Prince Blueblood, what are you doing here?" She asked him, shocked by his sudden appearance.

"I happened to be in the neighborhood and noticed you walking around with this loser. Look at him; he doesn't even have a cutie mark yet. I can only assume this is a pity date or you lost a bet but I'm here now to take you way from all of this."

"Hey, what the heck do you mean by that, I'm no loser?" Spike shouted at him.

"Please child, adults are talking. Do be a good colt and take your blank flank elsewhere. Come Rarity, you and I have much to discuss."

"Why you pompous, overstuffed, pathetic excuse for a pony. What makes you think I have any intention of going anywhere with you?" Rarity said glaring at him.

Prince Blueblood smacked Rarity with the back of his hoof, knocking her to the ground. The white unicorn stallion shouted at her over her tears. "Who do you think you are to speak to me in such a manor!? I'm not the same Prince I was four years ago." He growled at her. "I will not be spoken to like that by anypony!"

"Get away from her you son of a bitch!" Spike shouted. Blueblood had only enough time to swing his head around when Spike's shoulder connected with the right side of his chest, knocking him to the ground next to Rarity. Spike put a hoof under her and helped her to her hooves. "Come on Rarity, lets get out of here."

"You think this is over?" Blueblood said slowly regaining his posture. Spike quickly placed Rarity behind him to protect her from the arrogant Prince. "I've been trained by the finest hoofticuff trainers in Canterlot, what chance do you think you have?" Blueblood reared up and struck out with his hooves trying to kick Spike in the head, but the werepony had watched Applejack and her brother Big Macintosh spar more than a few times and knew what to do. Spike dodged to the side, reared up and used the momentum to bring up his right hoof, catching the Prince under the chin. Quickly dropping back down, he spun around and delivered a hard buck to the side of the unicorn stallion's chest, sending him flying across the narrow street. The only thing that stopped his flight was the brick wall of the shop he hit.

"I learned to fight at the Sweet Apple Acres sparing club." Spike snorted as a loud whistle sounded down the street. He and Rarity turned their heads in time to see two police ponies running toward them.

"Hold it right there, nopony move." The officer barked. He turned to an elderly red mare with a pink mane and tail that had been galloping with him. "Ma'am, which one was it?"

"You'll have to give me a moment dear; I'm not as young as I used to be." She said, gulping in air. When she was finally able to control her breathing, she answered the police pony. "It was that brute over there against the wall. I saw him come out of nowhere and strike this young lady. That's when I ran to get you officer."

"I'm sorry sir, I saw him hit my friend and I don't know what happened, I shoved him away from her and we got into a fight." Spike explained.

"That's all right sonny, you did the right thing protecting your lady friend there." The older mare said. "I wish there were more respectable stallions like you around these days instead of the likes of that one."

"Yes, well, under the circumstances I think we can let this slide, from what I can tell this is a clear cut case of self defense." The officer said. "We've had trouble with this one before."

The other police pony, a mare, took a good hard look at the couple. "Your names would happen to be Spike and Rarity would it?"

"Why yes, those are our names, is there something wrong?" Rarity asked.

"Not at all madam, we've been looking for you. Please wait here for a moment." The police mare galloped off around the corner but returned shortly with three other police ponies and a stately well-dressed unicorn stallion. The stallion was tall and white with a light blue main and tail as well as a well-trimmed mustache. He wore a monocle in one eye and had a cutie mark comprised of three crowns.

"Fancy Pants, what in Equestria are you doing here?" Rarity asked. "What's your part in all of this?"

"The Princesses asked to see me earlier and was wondering if I could do a favor for you. After everything you've done for myself, and many of the Canterlot elite, I was only too eager to help. I also came to inform them that a certain unicorn Prince had been asking questions concerning your recent visit to the castle. I had no idea he would try something like this." Fancy Pants noticed Blueblood starting to come around. "Constable please escort this miscreant to the hospital where his injuries can be seen to, then throw him in a cell. He can cool his hooves there for a while."

"Just a moment." Spike said as he walked over to his defeated foe. Blueblood recoiled at the site of anger and utter hatred radiating from Spike's green eyes. "You got off light tonight Blueblood but if you ever come near Rarity or hurt her again, I will track you down and I will end you. I don't care about jail and I'm not afraid of any connections you think you have, I will end you, and it won't be quick." Spike turned his back on the pony and walked away, refusing to look Rarity in the face.

Rarity could not believe what she had just heard. She gently brushed the back of her hoof down the left side of his neck. "Hey, are you all right?" She asked softly.

"I'll be fine, I just need to calm down." He said. Spike's stomach growled softly.

"Are you hungry Spike?" Rarity asked.

"A little, I haven't eaten anything since breakfast."

"Come, I know just the place." She said, gently nudging him.

"Miss Rarity, if you are going where I think you are please know that your tab will be picked up by Fleur and myself." Fancy Pants informed her.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly accept such a generous gift." Rarity argued.

"Nonsense, Fleur and I have been made aware of the situation. After all you did for us we would be ever so grateful to return the favor in this small way and pay for this evening's meal for you and your friend." Fancy Pants smiled. "You know, she still goes on about the dress you made her for our wedding."

"In that case, we will graciously accept your offer." Rarity said. "However, should we share a meal again I insist that you allow me to pay."

"Indeed." He said smiling widely. "Now, off you go before it gets any later, we'll clean up here. Rarity and Spike both thanked him and the police ponies before trotting down the road, side by side.

===============================================================

Rarity led Spike several blocks from Hoity Toity's shop to a fairly high class looking restaurant called The Foin et Herbe. The red brick building had a hedged in eating area in front that was backed by plate glass windows. The large windows allowed Spike a clear view of the fancifully dressed ponies inside. Rarity led him into the restaurant and approached the greeter's stand.

"Ahh, Madam Rarity. So good to see you again."

"Good evening Pierre. I didn't expect the head waiter to be greeting." Pierre sighed.

"So hard to find good help these days." He casually remarked. "Will you be wanting your usual table tonight?"

"Certainly," Rarity said looking at Spike. "I absolutely do not want to be disturbed tonight."

"Of course Madam, please follow me." As they walked behind Pierre, Spike leaned over to Rarity.

"How often do you eat here?" He asked, barely above a whisper.

"Every time I'm in Canterlot for a show or a special delivery for a client, I make it a point to stop here. Their food is simply divine." Rarity assured him. As they walked, Rarity noticed that all the conversation in the restaurant had all but ceased. Looking out over the dining room she couldn't help but notice that the eyes of all the mares were watching them, or more to the point, Spike. This did not sit well with their dates, which appeared quite upset. Rarity smiled. Gazing at Spike, she realized that he was oblivious to all the attention he was getting. Instead he seemed above it. Spike was walking quietly taking in the ambiance of the restaurant. The sights. The smells.

Pierre opened a door for the couple, allowing them entry into Rarity's private dining room. "When you are ready to order please ring the service bell and I will attend you."

"Thank you Pierre."

"Not at all madam Rarity." Pierre backed out of the room closing the door behind him. The private booth was in truth a small circular room with a table at its center. The walls were a light cream color with a painted ivy border around the top. A red velvet bench, topped with a planter box filled with violets, curved its way around the room with a space in front allowing for the entry and exit of guests and servers. The central table was nothing less than elegant. Two place settings sat atop of the shimmering white silk tablecloth with a silver candelabrum at the table's center. Spike and Rarity sat themselves at opposite sides of the table and began to look through their menus. Rarity already knew what she wanted and so did not look long. Instead her attention was drawn to the purple stallion sitting across from her. Even though Spike was looking down at the menu, she could still see his eyes.

'Oh, I could get lost in those perfect emerald pools.' She thought to herself. It was quite possible the only time her elbows were on the table with her head resting between her hooves. Rarity sighed softly. Spike looked up from the menu meeting Rarity's gaze. She turned her head quickly, averting her eyes. A deep blush appeared on her cheeks. 'What are you doing?' She mentally chastised herself. 'Imagine, being caught staring like some lovesick little filly.' That's when it hit her. 'Is this how Spike felt all the time? Oh how could I have been so blind, the poor dear.'

"You okay Rarity?" Spike sounded a little worried. Sniffing back a tear she looked back over to him, a slight blush still showing on her face.

"Yes, I'm fine. Did you find something you liked?"

"Well, there's no gems on the menu and I can't understand what a lot of these dishes are."

"Darling, you must remember that you don't have dragon teeth anymore. If you tried to eat a gem now you'd most likely break a tooth." Rarity smiled, feeling sorry for him. "How about I order for both of us?"

"Whatever you think is best Rarity."

"Excellent!" Rarity reached behind her and pressed a button on the wall. In a quick moment, Pierre arrived in the booth.

"Have you made your selection?"

"Yes." Rarity said, hoofing the menus to the headwaiter. "We would both like the Herbe de blé et salade de fromage."

"Very good, would you like anything to drink tonight? Our wine list has recently changed to include some very flavorful selections."

Rarity looked over the list and saw one that appealed to her. "We'll have two glasses of the Högl Grüner Veltliner please."

"Excellent choice madam, I will return momentarily with your food." Pierre backed out the room once again.

"What did you order?" Spike asked her.

"Wheat-grass and cheese salad, It's quite good." Rarity reassured him. "Well, we have some time before our food comes I just want to take this opportunity to apologize again for my atrocious behavior the other day and thank you for your courageous actions this evening."

"You don't have to keep apologizing. I understand now why you said those things and I've forgiven you but I do have to ask you one thing."

"Yes?"

"When are you going to tell Sweetie Belle that you're her mother and not her sister?" Spike asked.

"I was afraid this would come up. After thinking about it for a while, I wish Pinkie Pie had not told you. I understand she was trying to help but it complicates things."

"How?" He asked.

"It's just complicated." She lied. "I'm waiting for Sweetie to be old enough to understand why my parents kicked us out. Right now she's still just a little filly and I want her to be able to enjoy her childhood a little while longer."

"But she needs her mother." Spike said. "This is hurting you Rarity, I can tell."

"I promise, I will tell her soon, I just have to figure out how. Okay?" She asked.

"Okay. Just don't let it be too long."

"I won't." She reassured him.

Two servers entered the room, placed the food down on the table, and left quietly. Spike took an experimental bite of the salad. "Wow Rarity! This is really good." Spike said.

Rarity smiled. "I'm glad you like it." She wanted to say more, she wanted to talk to him about the events between them but for some reason couldn't find the words. Rarity ate her food in her normal dainty manner all the time arguing with herself. 'Just talk to him.' She thought. 'But what can I say after treating him so badly for so long?' Rarity was getting angry with herself. 'He already forgave you! Just say something!' Rarity had been so focused on trying to work up the nerve to really talk to Spike that she failed to notice that the meal was finished.

"That was great Rarity, thank you."

"You are most welcome Spike." She said through a half-hearted smile.

"Shall we continue with your tour?" Spike inquired.

"Oh yes, do please lead on." She smiled wondering where Spike would be taking her.

===============================================================

The two ponies continued their tour around Canterlot. They walked past the many shops, some shuttering their windows for the night. Passing by a fountain park, they stopped for a moment and watched the foals prancing around in the water. Rarity watched one little filly chasing a colt around with the same lovesick face that Rarity was wearing earlier in the evening. The colt was doing his best to get away. Rarity couldn't help but remember back to how she treated Spike. 'What's wrong with me?' She thought. 'Why can't I just let it go? He said he forgave me, why can't I forgive myself?'

"Rarity, are you okay?" Spike asked, noticing the small tear rolling down her face.

"I'm fine Spike." She said wiping the tear from her eye. "A little water must have hit me in the eye. Shall we continue?" Spiked nodded and they continued walking through the city. At this hour, most of the stores and shops had closed but on the air Spike could hear the faint sound of music. Smiling, he led Rarity towards the sounds of ponies singing. As they entered one of Canterlot's many plazas, Spike led Rarity off to the side. "Is there a celebration today Spike?" Rarity inquired.

"Not really, this sort of thing happens all the time. In one part of the city or another, ponies have a reason to celebrate. Dances and parties are pretty common. The best thing is that anyone is welcome to join." Spike smiled at Rarity and offered his hoof to her. "May I have this dance Lady Rarity?" Rarity blushed and smiled back.

"But of course my gallant knight." Taking his hoof, they walked out onto the dance floor. The crowd seemed to part as they took the floor dancing round and round. They began to dance and Rarity could not control her thoughts.

'Why can't I seem to calm down? My heart is racing and my skin is flush. Could I really be falling in love with Spike?' Rarity looked into the emerald eyes of her dancing partner. 'Yes! And I don't care if anypony objects or what they think of me, I love him!' The two ponies danced for hours as close as possible to each other, never once looking anywhere but the others eyes. Spike's head started to droop, the activity starting to wear on him.

"Spike darling, are you okay?" The unicorn asked.

Spike steadied himself. "Yeah, I'm okay. I just need to sit down for a minute." Rarity helped him over to a nearby bench. They sat there for a while, hooves entwined, watching the other ponies dancing and enjoying themselves. "This night is everything I thought it would be. I don't know how it could get any better."

"I could think of one thing." Rarity blushed. "You can take a picture with me." She said indicating the photo booth behind them. They slowly walked over to the booth and pushed the button as they sat inside. Rarity wrapped her arms around Spike as the first flash went off. Before the second flash could activate, Spike hugged her to him. The last picture showed Rarity giving a very surprised Spike a kiss on the cheek. Spike led Rarity through the streets and down the avenues until they reached the overlook; a secluded spot that was away from everything and everypony. The only light came from the moon shining above them. They lay down together on the grass, resting against a nearby tree.

"Rarity, I think I've made my decision."

Rarity nuzzled against him. "What have you decided?"

"I'm going to stay like this."

Rarity was shocked. "What? How can you say that? You heard what they said. If you stay like this you could die in ten years, maybe even sooner!"

"But, all I care about is you Rarity. I don't care if all I live is another year as long as it could be with you." Spike confessed to her. Rarity was stunned. She didn't realize exactly how much Spike cared for her but she knew that she had to convince him to go back.

"Me? Spike, life is too precious a thing. I like you, a lot, but I can't let you sacrifice yourself just for me."

"If not for you, than who? A hundred years or a thousand years, it wouldn't matter to me. It's my life. Shouldn't I have the right to live it the way I want?"

"You say that you'd be doing this for me but think for a moment. How do you think I would feel if you stayed this way and you died? What do think that would do to me, knowing you died because of me? What about the girls: Applejack, Pinky, Fluttershy, and Dash? How would they feel? What about Twilight? She depends on you Spike. She's like a sister to you, I heard you say so yourself. I can't take that away from her, our friends or myself." Rarity sat down and was starting to cry. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you Spike. I've come to realize just how much you mean to me. I don't think I could handle losing you." Spike walked over and hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry Rarity. I guess I never really thought of it like that. If only to make you happy, I'll be a dragon again." Rarity nuzzled under Spike's chin.

"Thank you." She cried softly. Without really thinking about, Rarity moved her nose closer to Spike's and kissed him. The kiss was quick and light but sent a shudder down her spine. "I love you Spike, my gallant knight."

"I love you too Lady Rarity."

Rarity kissed him again only this time she pressed her lips against his. "Spike," she said softly. "Be with me tonight." Spike blushed hard.

"Rarity, I've never, I mean." Rarity kissed him lightly on the lips again to silence him.

"It's okay, just let it happen." She whispered.

High above the couple, two alicorns turned their back on the scene below. "Let us give them another two hours Tia. I am sure between the two of us we can give them that much."

"You've become quite the romantic Lulu."

"I told you never to call me that!" She complained.

Celestia chuckled. "Well, in any event let's get things set up. I'm sure they'll be along eventually."

===============================================================

Spike and Rarity walked back to the palace practically leaning against each other. Trotting into the palace they were greeted by their friends, most of them wearing a smile on their face. Luna approached them. "Have you decided?"

"Yes Princess. I'll become a dragon again." The girls set up a cheer that could be heard across the Palace.

"Very well Spike, follow us and we'll get ready." Spike followed Luna and Celestia to a special room below the main entrance of the palace. Along the way, the others were mobbing Rarity.

"Well, what happened?" Rainbow Dash pressed her.

Rarity held her head high. "A lady does not kiss and tell."

Applejack smiled. "So there was kissin' involved?" Rarity blushed and the others giggled.

Entering the room, the first thing they noticed was how immense it was. Above them in the ceiling a, large panel was sliding open allowing a single shaft of the early morning sunlight into the room. Most of the stone chamber was too dark to make out clearly but on the floor was carved an ornate compass star, the column of light illuminating its center.

"What is this place?" Twilight asked. "I don't remember ever being down here."

"My dear student; long ago this is where the Summer Sun Celebration was held. It was fine at first but the population of Canterlot continued to grow and this room, as large as it is, could no longer contain the population. So, after some consideration, I decided to take the celebration out of the palace to a different town each year so that those who could not make it to Canterlot could still enjoy the holiday in the same manner." Princess Celestia explained. "Since then, the room has sat unused."

Spike stared at the solid column of sunlight that beamed into the chamber. "Go on Spike." Luna encouraged him.

"Will it hurt?" He asked nervously.

"I do not know young one. I have never done this before, I have only read about it." Luna told him.

The purple stallion backed away from the pillar of light before him. "This is feeling more and more like one of Twilight's magic experiments."

Rarity nuzzled against him. "Spike, I know you're scared but this is the only way. Don't worry, I'll be here for you when it's finished."

"Okay. I trust you. If you say I'll be alright, then I'm sure I will." He said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Spike slowly walked into the shaft of light. As soon as the light touched him, he collapsed to the ground unconscious. Rarity tried to run to his side but Princess Celestia blocked her path.

"What are you doing? He needs me." Rarity said trying to get past her.

"Hey look, he's shrinking." Rainbow Dash said.

"Rarity, please calm yourself." Celestia told her. "Spike is merely changing back to his normal self. If you want to help him, assume your position at the north point of the diagram."

The white unicorn slowly walked to her appointed position never once taking her eyes off the rapidly shrinking pony. Slowly, Spike's body began to change. The ponies in the room watched as Spike's eyes snapped open and he howled in pain. His mane and tail vanished along with his coat only to be replaced with a layer of shiny scales. His hooves split apart and slowly changed back into hands and feet. His face appeared to sink into itself. The ponies around him could hear his bones and joints break, crunch, and pop back into their original configuration. Mercifully, the small dragon passed out before having to endure much more. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, did their best to comfort Rarity as she watched Spike return to his normal self.

"Don't you worry sugar cube. I know it's hard now but if Twilight and the Princesses say he's gonna' be okay, then you can bet the farm on it." Applejack told her.

"Yeah Rarity, in no time at all we'll all be back in Ponyville like this never happened." Dash told her.

The white unicorn spun on the cyan blue flyer. "No Rainbow Dash. This did happen and as long as I live, I will never forget these past few days."

"Uhm, Rarity, I think what Rainbow is trying to say is, once this is over we can go home and everything will back to normal again." Fluttershy told her meekly.

"I know Fluttershy, but for me, it will never be like it was; not if I have anything to say about it."

"Okay everypony, now that Spike has reverted back to a dragon, we must seal him in this form." Luna explained. "Rarity, remain where you are, Celestia, Twilight take a position at the other two points and we'll begin." The two unicorns and two alicorns concentrated as hard as they could; focused on the goal of sealing Spike in the form of a dragon. The horns of the spell caster began to glow as magical energy was forced through them. The four ponies in the background could only stand there and helplessly watch as a blinding light enveloped their dragon friend. Spike's body slowly rose into the air, buoyed by the magic enveloping him.

The unicorns and the Princesses stood there casting the spell for what seemed like hours. "Princess Luna, is it supposed to take this long?" Twilight asked.

"No, it should have only taken moments, something has gone wrong." She said, continuing to pour energy into the spell. All of them were straining under the exertion of keeping it going for so long. Celestia and Luna were actually sweating from the effort. "Give me a moment." Luna reached out with her mind and examined the magic's affect on the young dragon and gasped at what she found.

"What is it sister?"

"Something has changed in Spike's makeup; something that is pushing against our efforts. We need more energy to push back and finalize the sealing.

"Twilight, if you're holding anything back, you need to let it out!" Celestia said.

"I'm giving it all I've got. There's nothing left!" She said.

"If we stop now, Spike will die! Somehow we have to finish this!" Luna shouted.

Rarity dared to open her eyes and saw her Spike floating there in the air. His face was no long twisted in pain but looked soft and contented. She looked at the strip of pictures she held under her hoof. 'I can't fail him.' She thought to herself. 'Somehow, someway I have to make this work.'

In the back of her mind she could hear a faint whispering. It was soft at first but gradually grew in volume until it blocked out all other sound. 'Rarity, are you there?'

'I'm here Spike, I'm here.'

'It's dark here, I'm scared.' He said in her mind.

'Hold on Spike, we're trying to save you; we're almost there! Please hold on!'

'I trust you Rarity. I love you, my lady...' His voice seemed to drift off into the void.

'Spike, no, Spike don't go! I love you! I love you! Please hold on, I'm coming!' A surge of immense power seemed to fill Rarity, something she had never felt before in her life.

Carefully, using all of her strength, she focused the power and let it out through her horn. The room exploded in a dazzling display of azure tinted light. Rarity opened her eyes in time to see Spike falling. She rushed forward just in time to catch the young dragon before he struck the floor.

"The sealing is complete." Luna announced, out of breath. "I do not know where that last surge of magic came from but we could not have finished without it."

"I think I know." Twilight said pointing to a prone form of Rarity. She lay there quietly sobbing, clutching the young dragon in her hooves.

"Is he okay?" She asked.

"Yes Rarity." Celestia looked down on the unicorn and dragon with warmth and compassion. "Spike is safe, thanks to you." The Princess assured her.

===============================================================

Spike woke in the library, blinking the sunlight from his eyes. He rubbed his eyes and looked down at his hands. "Hey, I'm a dragon again! It worked!"

Twilight Sparkle rushed into the room. "Spike, you're awake. How do you feel?"

"A little woozy but I think I'm okay," he said. "So, no more turning into a pony?"

"You've been sleeping for three days and not the slightest change." Spike looked a little dejected. "Oh, there's a gift for you. It's on the table beside you. I can't imagine who could have possibly left it." Twilight told him with a smile upon her face. Spike grabbed the box and tore into it. Inside the box was a heart shaped picture frame with a picture of Rarity and Spike as a pony. Along with the picture was a note. He could hear Rarity's voice as he read it.

"Spike, no matter what you look like, I will always love you." Spike sighed. As he lowered the frame he saw the white unicorn of his affection standing in the doorway. Dropping the framed picture on his bed, he rushed over and hugged the mare as tightly as his little arms would allow.

"And I meant every word of it." She said.