Spike arrived back in Ponyville about two hours after the pair had left him. The journey down the mountain would not normally take so long, but he had a lot to think about. Besides, it was a clear and fresh day and he was enjoying the time to himself - it gave him the opportunity for the realisation that he had come to from into a plan.

Upon arrival in town, he headed straight to the hospital where he found four of the bearers of the elements waiting, along with their sisters. Sweetie Belle was being consoled by Fluttershy but as soon as Spike walked in she came running over and pounced-hug him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you” she squeaked.

The two got up, a slight blush forming on the unicorn face as she returned to sit with Fluttershy, whilst Spike tried to play it cool. “So...I guess you’ve all heard hey?” Spike asked.

Applejack smiled “All we know is that Rarity said that you saved her life, and that Rainbow Dash saw you helping Rarity when she was injured!”

“Yeah, I guess.” Spike rubbed the back of his head nervously as many pairs of pony eyes stared at him.

Rainbow Dash hoovered in front of him “Which was, like, totally awesome of you Spike.”

“Thanks” Spike smiled back, accepting the hoofbump for what it was...the closest thing you’ll ever get to a hug from Rainbow Dash.

“Is that why you're bigger and your voice is different?” Pinkie Pie asked, causing everypony to look at her “What, we’re all thinking it!”

Spike laughed a little “It’s fine. No, most of that happened when I was fighting the Timberwolves.”

“Timberwolves?!” the ponies all replied in shock.

“That can be a story for another day” Twilight Sparkle announced as she entered the room.

Sweetie Belle went running over to her “Is my sister okay?”

Twilight leant down a little to give Sweetie her full attention “Your sisters fine, just resting now. She had a broken leg, which I’ve reset by magic. She also had signs of residual shock and her body temperature was a little low, but nothing to worry about now. She’ll be off her hooves for a few days, but be back to herself soon enough.”

“Thank you” Sweetie squeaked again as she hugged the alicorn.

“You can go in and see her if you want.” Twilight stood up “You all can. We're just waiting for her parents to arrive.”

The gathered ponies, and one not-so-baby dragon, filed into the room where Rarity was lying. Her hoof was in a cast, but apart from that she was in good health. After a few thankful hugs between the sisters and most of the ponies, Rarity went on to explain that she'll stay with her parents out of town for a few days to convalesce.

“Fluttershy, could you be a dear and finish up one order for me. There’s a few clothes that needed gems sewing...shoot, I haven't got the sapphires I need!”

Spike patted the bag his was carrying “I’ve got the ones we dug up right here!”

“Thank you Spike” Rarity replied, her tone perhaps indicating she wasn't just talking about the gems.

After maybe about fifteen more minutes of chatting, Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s parents arrived, thankful to see their elder daughter safe and well.The other ponies left to give the family some privacy, and after a few more minutes of conversation outside the hospital headed back to their respective homes.

Once the pair had got back to the Friendship Castle, Twilight took Spike upstairs to the private area away from the public. She made them both a cup of tea, and sat down with him.

“Rarity... told me everything!” Twilight started.

“Everything?” Spike asked a little nervously.

“Yes, she told me about how you saved her from the Timberwolves, rescued her, fed her...based on what she said you saved her life twice over.” Twilight brought her charge into a deep hug with by hooves and wings “I’m so proud of you Spike.”

“I would never leave anypony hanging” Spike tried to sound grown up, but after all he had himself been through the comforting affection of Twilight was very welcoming and a few tears leaked from his eyes.

Twilight just cradled Spike, sensing his emotions “I know it can’t have been easy for you, given what had happened a few days before!”

“No, it wasn’t. I tried so hard to be all distant like I said I wanted to be...but I couldn’t!” Spike was in tears by this point.

“Shhhh” Twilight reassured “Spike, they were very unusual circumstances. A friends life was in danger, and you saved it. Okay, it was a little more complicated for you as it was Rarity, but I hardly think you can judge your ability to move on based on something like last night!”

Spike nuzzled into the warmth of his adoptive parent, a place that as a baby baby dragon he cherished. But he was no longer a baby, and knew he had to move on. He parted himself from the comforting fur and looked at her “Twilight, I have something I need to discuss with you, and I need you to hear me out”

Spike then continued to explain what was on his mind, Twilight listening carefully but not interrupting. It seemed to make a lot of sense and undoubtedly it was logical much to the princesses annoyance. But just as the dragon had, she had grown and could see that maybe it was for the best. “So, can I?” Spike asked nervously.

“Spike, you don’t need my permission to do anything.”

“Are you sure, Princess?”

“Yes Spike” Twilight rolled her eyes, knowing he was trying to lighten the mood “And don’t worry, I won’t interfere like I did last time.”

A few days later, Rarity slowly walked back into her own home. Her leg was still a little tender, but she was able to move around fairly freely and her magic had fully returned. Applejack, the true friend, had stocked up Rarity's cupboards and fridge with supplies, and so she made herself a nice cup of tea and sat down.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. Rarity called out that she was closed, but the new voice of her dragon friend called out that it was him. Having let him in, and poured him a cup of tea, the pair chatted for a while about Rarity’s stay at her parents. However, clearly Spike had come for a reason, and Rarity was intrigued to know what it was.

“So Spike, I presume there is a reason you came by so quickly on my return?”

Spike decided just to get it said quickly “Yes, I did. I’m leaving Ponyville...in a few hours in fact.”

“What?” Rarity practically whispered in response, barely finding her voice.

“I’m going to stay with Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armour for a while. You know, get away from here, have some time to explore myself, that sort of thing!”

“It’s because of me, isn’t it?” her voice was still quiet.

Spike sighed “Partly. I need time to...well...get over you.”

“I can’t allow that Spike, If anypony should be leaving, it’s me.”

“Don’t be silly rarity. You're a member of the council of friendship. you have to stay together for the sake of Equestria!”

Rarity was starting to find her voice “That may be, but I can’t chase you away from Ponyville!”

“You’re not, it’s my choice Rarity. Besides, your business is in Ponyville, and all your family is nearby!”

“What about your family...Twilight.” Rarity grasped at straws.

Spike laughed slightly, having had a similar argument with some of his other friends previously “Twilight will do fine without me, she’s going to hire a few helpers for the castle now she is a Princess. And besides Shining Armour was like a brother to me, and Princess Cadence was an awesome foal-sitter to me as well. It’ll be nice to spend some time with them, before they have a family of their own.”

“It seems you have thought this through.”

“Yes, I have Rarity. It’s in my best interests, and will probably be good for Twilight as well. And ”

“What about me?” Rarity added softly.

“You?”

“Yes, me. I was looking forwards to making amends for all the times I abused your feelings!”

Spike took Rarity’s hoof in his “Rarity, you have nothing to make amends for. I think we both know you didn’t do anything to deliberately hurt me, or take advantage knowingly. We are both young, both naive in the ways of love. Just like you had your heart broken at the gala, this was a lesson to me.”

“Please don’t compare me to Prince Blueblood!” Rarity joked.

“Of course not, you are much more noble than he would ever be!” Realising he was still holding her hoof, he released it quickly. But it just underlined why he had to go. “The train leaves at three. The gangs going to meet up to say goodbye before, I hope you can make it?”

“Of course Spike, of course!”

Twilight and Spike were the first to arrive. Their eyes were already red from the goodbyes they had cried at the castle. Spike only had a small bag with him, leaving behind most of possessions to help Twilight not miss him so much.

One by one the others arrived. They were told not to bring gifts, lest it fed Spikes hoarding instinct, but Applejack brought some snacks for the train on the basis they were perishable. The train was due in a few minutes and as everypony was saying their goodbyes, Rarity shot the others a quick glance. Picking up on the hidden message they all, even twilight, went off to look at the timetable to give the two a little privacy.

Rarity reached into her bag, pulled out a box, and placed it into spikes claw. Spike opened the box and found the Heartstone necklace inside.

“Rarity I…” Spike began, but found a hoof covering his mouth.

“I know what you are going to say, but hear me out. You gave me this gem because I asked for it. Given your taste for gems, I literally took candy from a foal! It may have saved the world a couple of times, but I have no right to keep it. Take it.”

Rarity smiled at Spike, the sort of smile he always melted to “Maybe someday you’ll find a special somepony, or dragon, to give it to.” Rarity bluished slightly “Maybe someday you’ll want to give it back to me...or maybe you’ll just eat it. Either way, it’s your choice to make now!”

Spike studied the gem, and then lent forwards to give the pony a hug. Rarity accepted the act but whilst it was happening, Rarity could feel Spike placing the necklace around her. When the hug was broken, Spike looked her in the eyes.

“Rarity, I gave this to you when I was your little Spikey Wikey. It was given, not in the hope of anything in return, but because it made you happy. It was a gift, one that I do not regret in the slightest. I have no regrets over the past, and I want you to keep the stone as a reminder of the good times we had, not just the past few days. Can you do that for me?”

“Of course, Spikey Wikey” Rarity smiled back through watery eyes, relishing the use of the nickname for the final time, for Spike was no longer a baby dragon.

The others returned, and after a few more hugs and goodbyes, the train arrived. Spike boarded, and with a final wave out of the window the engine began to move off. As soon as the train was out of the station, Twilight broke down into tears, the thought of spending more than a day away from her long time companion too much to bear. Her friends comforted her whilst onboard the 3:05 to the crystal empire, a small dragon sniffed back tears on his own.

A few hours later, the train arrived at its destination and Spike saw Princess Cadence waiting for him at the station. Spike had no sooner left the carriage than found himself picked up by the alicorns aura, deposited on her back and flying through the air to the castle.

“Hello Princess, whats going on?” Spike asked as he held on tight.

“Spike, I have ice-cream back at the castle, and you can tell your aunty caddy all about it!”

“About what? And you're not really my aunt...er Princess?”

“No, just a weird sort of relative" she giggled "But I am the Princess of Love, and I can sense a broken heart a mile away. I'm looking forwards to spending time with you Spike, lets just hope nothing gets in the way of it on this trip!”

Author's Note

Just an epilogue to go now.

I wonder if some people may be upset with the resolution, but all I can say is sometimes that is how things go. And I say that partly as somebody lived that. Is it ever possible to get over love, or is distance the only cure?

And given Spike was going to eat the heart shaped fire ruby. Rarity did basically take candy from a baby. Bad Rarity