Rarity's Fantasy

by FlimFlamBros.

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Anthro, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Comedy, Rarity, Romance
Length: 23417

Rarity keeps having dreams about a certain purple dragon, and they're driving her mad, but she loves them...

Rarity keeps having dreams about a certain purple dragon, and they're driving her mad, but she loves them...

Published 2015-03-17 00:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-03-20 23:56:42 UTC

Wet Dreams

“Twilight, it’s always so nice of you to have us over,” Rarity chimed as she sipped her tea. “A brunch between friends was a wonderful idea.”

Twilight was waiting on her friends, who were all sitting around the kitchen table. Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were all dressed up, digging into the buffet of food that Twilight and Spike had spent all morning preparing for everyone. Spike was still in the kitchen cooking some dishes when Twilight brought over more food.

“Well, any excuse to have my friends over,” the unicorn answered back with a smile. “To be completely honest though, it was Rainbow’s idea.”

“Actually Twi, I only asked if I could have the sandwich in your fridge… you’re the one that took a step further with this whole ‘brunch’ thing,” Rainbow said with a mouthful of pancakes. “But I ain’t complaining, these pancakes are awesome, are there bananas in these? It tastes like there’s bananas in these.”

“That’s probably ‘cause there are, featherbrain,” mumbled Applejack. “If it tastes like it, it’s probably true.”

“Oh, bite me, thunder thighs.”

“Don’t see what’s so great about them bananas anyhow,” the cowpony said with a scoff. “I mean, they’re so… mushy.”

“Says the mare whose diet probably only consists of apples,” Rainbow quipped with a challenging grin. “I bet you’ve never even touched another fruit.”

“I have so!” Applejack frowned. “Just ‘cause I like apples, that don’t mean I’ve never tried other fruits. I just ain’t much of a banana girl… or lemons, or pomegranates, or kiwis, or grapes, or—“

“Alright, I get it,” Rainbow interrupted, reaching for an orange slice. “Here, eat this. You’re related to the Oranges, right?”

Applejack gave a wary glance at the pegasus. “Yeah…”

“So it shouldn’t cause you to burst into flames if you touch it,” Rainbow said. “So, go ahead. Eat it.”

“Let me finish what’s on my plate first,” muttered Applejack. “Can I at least do that?”

“Sure, what do you got there?”

“Apple pie, apple strudel, caramelized apples, apple tarts, apple fritter—okay, I might see your point.” With trepidation, Applejack reached for the orange slice. She stared at the fruit for a bit before pressing the wedge to her lips. She sucked the tangy juices from the pulp, cringing slightly at the citrusy taste as she dropped the chewed slice on her plate. After painfully swallowing the juice she got up from the table. “There. I did it.”

“I guess you did,” said Rainbow coyly. “Guess you like other fruits after all.”

“As long as we’re done with it,” the cowpony muttered. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go throw up for an unrelated reason.” She quickly took off for the bathroom.

“What’s the matter, AJ?” Rainbow laughed. “Did you get a tummy ache?”

The orange mare slammed the bathroom door shut. “I said shut up!”

Rainbow continued to laugh, slamming her head on the table in her fit of laughter. “That was too funny!”

“That wasn’t very nice…” whispered Fluttershy, sipping from her cup. “You hurt her feelings.”

“She’ll be fine,” said Rainbow. “Not my fault she’s so stubborn sometimes.”

“It still wasn’t very nice…”

“Don’t worry, Fluttershy! It’ll all be okay,” Pinkie Pie beamed. “I’m sure that once Applejack’s done throwing up she’ll be just apple-y. It’s not like her to hold a grudge.”

“Still, that was an awfully mean thing to do, Rainbow,” Rarity said. “I was under the impression that this was supposed to be a friendly gathering. If you wanted to torture poor Applejack then do it somewhere where the rest of us don’t need to be involved.”

“Whatever…” the cyan mare mumbled. “Hey, Twilight, do you have any more of these pancakes? We’re out.”

“Already?” Twilight wondered. “Spike made two dozen of them… how many did you have?”

“Like, I don’t know, twenty?” Rainbow burped. “Maybe twenty one.”

“Rainbow Dash! Cover your mouth!” Rarity frowned, shielding her own face with a napkin. “Why does it smell like… ugh!”

“That’s probably the twenty two pancakes I’m digesting,” Rainbow remarked, slouching into her chair. “Better going out than it was going in.”

“That’s disgusting,” the white mare spat, getting up from the table. “I think I need to get some air. It’s gotten terribly stuffy in here.”

Rarity stormed into the kitchen and away from the laughing blue pegasus. Sometimes she wondered how somepony could find pleasure and hilarity in acting with manners so vile and repulsive.

“I swear, the nerve…” she muttered under her breath. She just needed a few moments to gather her composure; she never liked to show ponies that she was stressed or bothered by such trivial matters. Once she was sufficiently recomposed, she would return to apologize. “Big breaths, Rarity… big breaths just like the doctor said—”

“Oh, hey, Rarity.”

“Oh!” Rarity reacted with a jolt before hastily assuming a smile. “Hello there, Spike.”

The dragon was grinning back at her, his hands elbow deep in the soapy water. Spike had grown up a lot over the last couple of years, going from a chubby little whelp to a well-proportioned drake. There had been some worry about whether or not he would have a greed overdose like he did when he was younger, but he had eventually worked it all out of his system, and only ever grew as tall as any other adult pony.

“How are you enjoying the brunch?” he asked, absentmindedly washing one of the dirty dishes. “Did you need anything? I’ve got some of those veggie rolls cooking in the oven if you just wait a little bit longer.”

“Not at all, dear,” Rarity replied. “Everything is just perfect. You and Twilight have really outdone yourselves.”

“Thanks,” the drake said, smiling as he dried the plate and placed it on the clean stack. “You look good, as usual. Is that a new dress?”

“What, this old thing?” Rarity blushed, giving a few twirls to show off the white dress. “I just grabbed it off my old spring line, although it does look rather nice… I might have to do a revision for this year’s line.”

“Well, you look beautiful,” he said. “And I’m sure whatever you make for this year’s spring line-up will be another rounding success.”

Rarity smiled. “You always did say the nicest things, darling.” She gave a soft sigh. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” The dragon grinned back, now cleaning out a cooking pot. “So what brings you into the kitchen?”

“Rainbow,” Rarity answered with a huff. “She’s being a little unbearable… She also wants to know if there are any more pancakes. I think she engulfed the whole stack.”

“She ate all twenty four pancakes?!” Spike exclaimed. “That’s an entire bag of pancake mix, and almost twenty bananas!”

“Believe me, dear, we were all just as surprised, not to mention a little bit disgusted.”

“It’s just a little strange,” wondered Spike. “Well, she’s not getting any more. We’re pretty much out of batter and bananas.”

“I suppose she’ll just have to deal with the heartbreak then,” said Rarity. She watched him start washing yet another dirty plate. “Do you need any help, dear? Those seem to be an awful lot of dishes.”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” the drake assured. “It’s not like I’m a stranger to a little grunt work.”

“But you’re in here all alone. Even Twilight’s out there chatting with the rest us while you’re stuck in the kitchen. I insist on helping finish the dishes at the very least.”

“That’s really not necessary, Rarity.”

“I already said that I insist, dear.” The mare smiled, stepping up to the dragon and reaching into the sink. “So please, let me help you. Have you eaten anything this morning?”

“I’ve been eating as I’ve been cooking, actually,” he said. “You know, taste testing and stuff. Making sure everything can be passed as food.”

“Well you’ve done a wonderful job, dear,” Rarity said, struggling to pull something out of the sink. “I think something’s jammed in the sink.”

“Here, let me get it,” Spike offered. “It might just be a fork or something under some dishes.”

“No, I can get it!” the mare argued, tugging harder on the unknown object. “I think it’s coming loose.”

“Rarity, be careful! Aah!”

With one final pull, Rarity finally managed to dislodge the object, which turned out to be a cooling pot filled with dishwater. The sudden release of tension caused all the water inside to fly out of the pot and splash on Spike, soaking him.

“Oh no! Spike, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for that to happen!” Rarity cried in panic as she quickly approached the dragon. “Are you—Oh my…”

Spike’s white shirt had been completely soaked through, clinging to his skin and delineating his every feature for the awestruck mare. She was able to count each of his six abs that rippled at his core and see how both of his pecs were almost bursting with muscles. Rarity was practically paralyzed at the site, unable to move. The exception being the aroused quivering she was unwillingly doing.

“Well, this is just great,” grumbled Spike. “I’m all wet.”

“S-sorry,” Rarity stammered, still wide-eyed and gawking at Spike’s brawny chest. “It was an accident…”

“I know,” Spike said, sighing. “It wasn’t your fault. Besides, it’s just water, not like it’ll never come out. Let me just get this thing off.”

He began to roll his shirt up, stretching it away from his chest. Rarity’s eyes were locked onto his moist stomach, which was still dripping with the watery dew that soaked through the shirt, shining in the kitchen light as if Spike was some sort of purple draconic god. With no shirt to conceal his features, Rarity could make out every detail on his green chest. Spike certainly did his fair share of growing up.

When he finally pulled the shirt over his head, he scrunched it up and began squeezing the water out. “See, nothing to worry about. Uh, Rarity, are you feeling okay? You’re looking a little flushed.”

Rarity quickly covered her face. “Oh, er, I’m just feeling a little warm, darling. I think I’ll just go lie down for a few minutes.”

“Of course,” Spike said with a nod. “Do you want me to get you anything? I can brew up some herbal tea that you like.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Rarity said, her voice muffled from speaking through her hands. “But you don’t have to go through all this trouble for me.”

“I insist,” he said with a cheeky grin. “Just let me grab a new shirt and I’ll get a start on boiling some water.”

“Please,” mumbled Rarity before quickly retreating into the living room again and hopping on one of the couches. She dug her face into one of the throw pillows in hopes of suffocating her embarrassment.

“Rare, are y’all alright there?” Applejack asked, looking at the unicorn from the table. “You seem sort of… what’s the word I’m looking for?”

“Stressed?” Twilight suggested. “Worried; strained; tense; hassled; frazzled?”

“Ooh! All of the above?” Pinkie shouted. “Did I win?”

“I’m just a little wound up!” Rarity grumbled through the pillow. “And I just want to lie down for a few minutes. I hope that won’t be too much trouble for you girls. Please, don’t wait on my part. Enjoy yourselves.”

“Okaaaay,” drawled Rainbow. “What’s got you all wound up?”

“It’s nothing…”

“Hey, Twilight, could you watch the stove and oven while I get a fresh shirt from my room?” Spike asked, walking out of the kitchen. “It’ll only be for a minute.”

“Sure thing,” Twilight said. “Excuse me, girls.”

Rarity could hear a collection of footsteps scurrying around, one set going upstairs and the other towards the kitchen. When the sound of the steps started to subdued, Rarity snuck a glannce around before once collapsing again into the pillow.

“Wow, did you guys see Spike?” Rainbow laughed. “The little guy really filled out.”

“I reckon there ain’t much about him that’s little anymore, Rainbow,” Applejack remarked. “It’s amazing what time can do to a dragon.”

“I think he’s scary…” whimpered Fluttershy, fidgeting in her seat. “I liked him better when he was still a baby dragon.”

“Fluttershy, you know that Spike wouldn’t harm a fly,” Pinkie reassured. “Expect for that one time he killed that fly. You know why? Because it was ‘bugging’ him!” She fell to the ground laughing.

“I still think he’s a little scary…”

The girls continued to talk about Spike and his rather impressive body. With the exception of Twilight, the rest of her friends were going on about the dragon like a bunch of hens. Truth be told, even Rarity found herself rather captivated about it as well. Just thinking about it was enough to raise her body temperature.

“I need to go home!” She shouted, getting up from the sofa and heading for the door. “Tell Twilight that I’m not feeling well and apologize on my behalf for leaving on such short notice. I hope the rest of you have a pleasant meal.”

“Umm, okay?” the girls all said in unison, before whispering among themselves.

They all said their goodbyes and Rarity headed out of the library. When she closed the door behind her she felt the urge to sprint home, even though she wasn’t nearly suited to do any sort of strenuous activity. Still, she managed to hike up her dress a little and run through the town, being careful to take the back alleyways to avoid being seen doing something so silly when she was dressed so elegantly.

After a few near encounters and a lot of running, Rarity finally reached her Boutique. She ran inside and slammed the door shut behind her, panting heavily as she slid down the door. What on earth compelled her to run? She never ran anywhere if she could avoid it, and even when she did she did so in the proper attire. Now she was weak, exhausted, and worst of all, sweaty. The mare felt gross and damp, cringing at her reflection in one of her many mirrors.

“Well, this certainly isn’t very elegant,” she droned, talking to her image in the mirror. “And why did I run? I guess it isn’t the worst thing but I could have just as easily walked home. Now I’m sweaty... and I smell!” She moped. “I need a bath.”

She started to walk to her bathroom, unbuttoning her blouse as she did so. There was no one around and the boutique wasn’t scheduled for business for another two hours, so she felt little shame as she disrobing so blatantly. When she got into the bathroom, she folded her shirt up and placed it on the bathroom counter. She unclipped her bra, letting her chest be free from the restraints of her brassiere before she started to run the bath. As the steamy hot water gradually filled the tub, the mare fully undressed and folded the rest of her clothing, piling them on top of her blouse. She opened one of the drawers and pulled out a bottle of bubble bath, pouring some into the water and watching the bubbles multiply.

“Perfect. Absolutely heavenly looking,” Rarity said with a content sigh, wrapping her mane up in a towel. No need to get her hair all wet just for a rejuvenating bath. She took one tentative step into the water to test its temperature; it was soothingly warm. The white unicorn sank into the soapy water, humming happily as her hands frolicked with a tuft of bubbles.

It was just her and her thoughts... the warm water and the bubbles... along with Spike’s abs etched into her mind.

“Come on!” Rarity barked. “It’s not like you haven’t seen a boy with their shirt off. After all, there was that painful experience with Thunderlane—I really hope he realizes he’s gay soon for his own sake—and then there was Fancypants… until I found out he still had feelings for Fleur. I wonder if they got back together. I think I read something in a magazine that they were able to work it out.”

However, none of her past lovers had looked quite so well-shaped and toned like the body she witnessed. She sank deeper into the bath water, closing her eyes as she imagined the dragon in a wet T-shirt and the bounty that it barely hid. It was so enticing, erotic; exclusive merchandise that only she could have. None of her friends were fortunate enough to see what she did. They only got a small taste of the shirtless Spike, and she got to experience its debut.

The bath water seemed to get even warmer, nice and cozy. It was making her a little sleepy. She let out a yawn as she adjusted herself and slid a down to being neck-deep into the water. Maybe she could just drift away for a few moments…

Rarity’s head finally submerged fully into the water, letting it overtake her for a few wonderful seconds before lifting back up. However, when she opened her eyes, she was no longer in her bathtub.

She was in the middle of the sea.

The strange thing was she didn’t feel shocked, or even felt concerned that she was no longer in… wherever it was she was before. Where exactly was she before? Did it really matter? She tried to swim around but something felt off. She realized that in place of her slender legs, she instead had a long, dark purple mermaid tail that stretched from the tip of where her toes used to be to just below her shapely white waist.

“How peculiar…” She smiled, diving into the depths of the water and into the ocean world below, full of colourful fish, alien plants, and mind-blowing coral reefs. It was like a hidden paradise under the waters and only she and the sea creatures knew about it. She spun and laughed as she did tricks in the water, seeing how fast she could swim, racing some of the schools of fishes as she twirled through a rocky formation. She felt so free! She didn’t have a care in the world beside her and her marine friends.

“Hello, Rarity!” a pink octopus greeted as she swam up to her. “Isn’t it another wonderful day in the great seas?”

“Good morning, Pinkie,” the mare turned mermaid said to the octopus. “It is indeed a beautiful day.”

“Hey, me and Twilight were going to visit Fluttershy and Rainbow at Horseshoe Bay, do you want to come along?”

“That sounds wonderful, darling,” she said, kicking her tail and following after the pink octopus. As they maneuvered through the waters, a purple sea otter fluttered over to them and started swimming next to Rarity.

“Hey, you two!” Twilight smiled, chewing on a sea shell. “Glad to see you could make it!”

“Hello darling,” Rarity said. “Heading to Horseshoe Bay?”

“Of course!”

The three swam through the crisp blue water, giggling and playing as they headed to the seaweed gardens of the shallow pools that was Horseshoe Bay. Small fish swam around and crustaceans like hermit crabs burrowed themselves under rocks and sands for a relaxing nap in the sun. Rarity poked her head out of the water, pulling off some of the seaweed that had gotten caught in her mane. She crawled atop of one her favourite rocks and rested over it, letting her fingers linger in the clear water.

“Rarity! Rarity!” a blue seagull cawed, fluttering next to her in the water. “You’re just in time for some mussels. I’ve already had like twenty.”

Rarity frowned. “Rainbow, that’s far too many. I’d imagine Twilight spent all day collecting them.”

“Yeah, but they’re too good to pass up.” Rainbow grinned, then burped into the mermaid’s face. “Better going in than they are going out.”

“That’s disgusting, dear.” Rarity groaned, pushing the colourful seagull aside as she looked over into the wide and never ending ocean. It always had a scenic grace to it, an untameable beauty exuded by the enormity of the waters. She looked curiously towards the horizon, seeing a small dot shadowing in the sun. “What is that?” she said to herself. She slipped off the rock and headed towards the strange object.

Swimming faster and faster, as well as maneuvering through the rocky mazes of the underwater jungle that was the ocean, she finally approached the wooden hull of a ship. She stayed hidden beneath the water, fearful of the leg walking ponies that would be aboard the ship. But after picking and knocking at the barnacles that infested the ship’s bottom, her curiosity got the better of her and she swam up to the surface.

The first thing she noticed was the black flag of the ship, adorned with skull and crossbones. There was the sound of hellish screaming and laughing; the pirates of the ships were all riled up over something.

“Make him walk the plank!” one of them shouted. “If he doesn’t tell us where the treasure is, we leave him to the sharks!”

Another uproar of cheering erupted from the ship as a purple skinned figure was forced on the wooden plank hanging from the starboard bow.

“This is your last chance, dragon,” a red-suited pony threatened, growling as he pointed the tip of his sword to his neck. “Tell us where the treasure is, and maybe we don’t throw you overboard with a cannonball chained to your foot.”

“I already told you, Captain Greenbeard,” the drake said. “I will not say a word, even if it means my death.”

“Then death it is!” the pirate shouted, booting the purple dragon off the plank. “Will find the treasure without you!”

The dragon hurtled into the water, the heavy ball chained to his leg immediately dragging him under the waves and into the darkest depths of the ocean. Rarity was shocked; how could somepony do something so barbaric? She couldn’t just swim around and do nothing; she had to do something. She swam after the sinking dragon, following the bubbles of his escaping breath.

By the time Rarity had gotten to the drake, his consciousness was already fading, his eyes slowly closing as he passed out from lack of oxygen.

“Oh no,” gasped Rarity, pulling at the chain attached to his foot. “It’s not breaking!”

“Howdy, Sugarcube,” an orange crab said, scuttling over to her. “I was just on my way to Horseshoe Bay. Who’s your friend here?”

“Applejack! Thank goodness you’re here!” Rarity cried. “I need you to cut these chains with your claws!”

“Uh, sure… I guess,” the orange crustacean said, crawling up onto the ball and chain and getting a firm grasp on the metal link with her big claw. After a few seconds of clenching, the chain buckled under the pressure and the dragon was freed, but he was still unconscious.

“Thank you!” Rarity exclaimed, grabbing hold of the drake around the waist as she sped towards the surface, praying that there was still time to save him. She broke the surface of the sea with tremendous force as she looked around for any land or debris to place her unconscious friend on. Luckily, there was a small island not too far away for her to swim to.

It was a struggle to carry him above the water; she was used to swimming below the waves and not having to carry a dragon as well. But she managed to get him to shore, dragging him in the sand as she wriggled on the sand like a snake. By the time he was on dry land they were both covered in sand, the yellow powder sticking to her purple tail and white fur. The problem was that she was clueless as to what to do next.

“Umm… please wake up?” Rarity asked, getting no response from the dragon. “Please…” She started to poke against his firm chest, only to have no visible reaction. “This isn’t good. Why don’t I know what to do?!”

She accidentally slammed her fist into his chest, causing the dragon’s head to kick up as he started to cough up water. He took a few deep breaths as one hand grasped at his beating heart, while the other grabbed the fair white hand that had saved his life. Rarity was in shock as the dragon opened up his beautiful green eyes, glimmering with tears from his near death experience.

“Who… who are you?” he asked, staring at the mermaid before him. “Did I die and go to heaven?”

“Oh my...” Rarity blushed, turning her head to avoid showing her face. “No, dear, just somepony who was swimming by when you were tossed overboard by those nasty pirates.”

“Right,” he said weakly. “Well, thank you. What is your name?”

“It’s Rarity,” she said. “I’m Rarity. And what is your name?”

“Spike,” the purple dragon said. “The name’s Spike…”

From that moment on, the two became inseparable. Rarity would visit Spike daily, carrying the bounty of the seas so Spike could eat while they would always talk about this and that. Rarity had learnt that Spike used to be a daring swashbuckler, and had later been captured by some pirates that were under the impression that he knew where some sunken treasure was. However, in truth, Spike hadn’t the slightest idea what they were talking about. For all he knew they had mixed up his identity with some other dragon.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months but their visits never seemed to falter. Rarity introduced him to her friends and they all seemed to get along quite nicely. And while that meant time alone together were reduced, the two of them still had their morning visits and the sunsets…

There had been a few difficult times, like when Spike started to build something with the surrounding logs and leaves and Rarity feared that he was planning on leaving the island. But Spike had reassured her that he didn’t plan on ever leaving and was only collecting materials for making more fortified shelters . It was a little sad that the dragon was forced to live the rest of his days on the small island. Spike would revel about all the adventures he used to go on, filled with danger and excitement. Why would he give that all up? Was his spirit actually shattered and he had already accepted that he would die on this rock?

It hardly seemed fair. He was such a sweet, caring dragon, and she couldn’t think of not having him in her life now that he was here… but she had to do something to help her Spikey-Wikey.

“Do you ever miss it?” she asked one evening as the two of them sat in the sand, watching the amber sunset set below the sea.

“Do I ever miss what?” Spike asked back.

“Civilization,” Rarity said. “And other ponies with legs to walk on and maybe even other dragons. All you’ve ever had to talk to these past four months is me… I’m sure you’re just dying for more social interaction.”

The dragon smiled. “Hey, I have you and the girls as well to keep me company.”

“Yes, but you can’t actually talk to them.” She sighed. “You can only trust what I’ve translated for you… it’s basically having a conversation with me still.”

“Maybe I like talking to you.” Spike grinned. “Maybe you’re the only voice I ever need to hear for the rest of my life…”

Rarity’s heart started to beat heavily like a bongo drum as Spike’s hand slide over to hers. The dragon’s touch sent a warm chill through her body and she felt paralyzed in his hands. The two stared into one another’s eyes, her lips trembling with excitement and anxiety.

“Spike… I… I never wanted you to leave.”

“I never wanted to leave,” he said, brushing some of her purple locks out of her face. “I would stay here until the day I die as long as I had you to be with me.”

She could feel the trembling in his hand against her cheeks as he guided her lips towards his, locking them in a tender embrace. Her eyes closed, no longer needing to see but to feel the softness of his lips against hers. He breaks off a second later.

“Rarity… I love you.”

This time they both leaned together, meeting in the middle of their kiss. While the first kiss had been gentle and romantic, this one was daring and passionate. After a few seconds they were both a little flushed from their sudden heat. Rarity’s hands caressed the dragon’s chest as she started to undo his weathered white shirt and they fell onto the sandy beach.

“Do you… do you want to be together forever?” Rarity asked the dragon.

His forked tongue slithered through the crease in his lips, smiling as he placed two fingers on hers. “I would love to.”

The mermaid rolled on top of him, her fishy tail wagging as she slid on top, grabbing the fingers on her lips and playfully sucking on them through her growing smile. She arched up a bit to allow Spike a view of her generous bosoms as she navigated his free hand to cup them. The dragon happily yet gently massaged her breast, each thrilling squeeze tensing her body up to the point of moaning. She released the drake’s fingers from her mouth and started to adjust herself off of him.

Spike knew where this was going and started to pull down his trousers, letting into view his naked pride. But in itself, it presented a new problem. As much as they both wanted to, they were biologically incapable of having sex.

“Oh… right,” Spike said, sighing. “Well, it doesn’t matter. I still love you.”

“Spike, when I asked you if you wanted to be with me forever… did you really mean it?”

“With all my heart, my love.”

Rarity smiled as she offered him her hand. “Then come with me into the sea. There’s a magical place where we can be together forever… but if we go there, you can never come back here.”

“What? Am I going to die?”

“Of course not!” Rarity said, rolling her eyes. “But you won’t be the same afterwards, and there’s no way to undo it once it’s done. So I need to know if you really want to make that sort of sacrifice.”

Rarity,” he said, taking her hand as the two headed into the water. “As long as we can be together… it doesn’t matter what the price is.”

“I love you,” she said as they wrapped their arms around each other’s waists. “Take a deep breath, dear, and don’t try to breathe until I tell you to.

She forced both of them under the waters, not letting go of his waist. She had to be quick if she wanted this to work. She hoped that Spike could hold his breath for long enough. The white mermaid looked at Spike’s terrified eyes and saw that he was at least still awake, a good if not grateful sign. When they got deeper under the water, Spike looked a little woozy. The steady trail of bubbles that were leaking from his mouth was hardly a drizzle, and he was probably willing himself to stay awake if anything. Finally though, they got to Rarity’s magical spot: a dark underwater cavern.

Spike’s eyes were starting to close so Rarity did not hesitate in the least. The two swam into the dark cave.

The cave was rather special. It had taken Rarity quite some time to realize that the cave was actually a witching well, a magical formation that would allow lovers to be together forever. Its magical effects were different depending on the couple, but their case, Rarity had a good idea of what was going to happen.

As she saw the light from the other end of the cave, she looked towards Spike. “Breath, darling, it’s okay now.”

Spike’s eyes looked concerned as he let out the little bit of air remaining in his lungs. To his surprise, when he took in a breath of water, he felt fine.

“Rarity, what happened?” he asked, clapping his mouth shut. “How am I speaking underwater with such clarity?”

“I told you, Spike,” Rarity said with a wide smile as they exited the cave before she let him go, “I made it so we can be together forever… look at your legs in the light.”

Spike stared down at where his legs should have been, only to find they had disappeared to be replaced with the sharp green fins and tail of a shark. “I… I’m…” he stuttered, still shocked over his new form. “I’m a mermaid?”

“Well, mer-man may be a bit more appropriate—“

She was cut off, his lips quickly pressing up against hers as they floated together in the middle of the ocean deep. Her tail flicked up with excitement as she ran her hands down his back, pressing him closer to her. Spike felt so smooth to touch under the water, his scales smoothened down by the light current. She broke the kiss to rest her head in his chest.

The dragon’s own arms gently slid under hers as well as around her waist as the two rocked gracefully in the heart of the ocean. Their tails intertwined with one another, making Rarity feel closer to him than she had ever before. It was perfect, magical and romantic. She closed her eyes as she started to drift off to the sound of her lover’s heartbeat.

“This is perfect…” she whispered.

It was also just a dream.

Rarity’s flew open and she found herself once again surrounded by the warm waters and bubbles of her bathtub.

She shot up from the bath, coughing a bit as she had accidentally fallen asleep underwater.

“Well, that was scary,” she mumbled, crawling out of the bath and grabbing a towel, letting the one in her hair out. Her mane had gotten a little wet but nothing too serious. “What a strange dream that was…”

She blushed just thinking back on the dream: her as a mermaid; all her friends as sea creatures… rescuing Spike. She sighed at that last thought before shaking her to head to get her mind back to reality. While there definitely was a time when Spike had a crush on her, she feared that he had since outgrown that infatuation and moved on. The ‘mysterious’ love letters stopped showing up, the ridiculous T-shirts were thrown out. It had set doubt in her mind whether it was a possibility any longer between the two of them.

But she supposed that was all just a dream now… at least she still had those.

Bad Teacher

Rarity felt like a wreck. These dreams that she kept having were beginning to feel more like a curse than a routine of nightly satisfaction. It wasn’t so bad when it was just at night when she fell asleep, but it seemed now that her body was growing more and more tired each day. Sometimes she would just lie in bed in a vegetative condition, falling in and out of her insufferable yet welcomed dream state. The poor mare lost track of the days. Time seemed as elusive as her consciousness as she finally woke up again.

A little disgruntled, Rarity immediately threw a pillow over her head and tried to force herself back to sleep. It always happened when she was about to get to the good part, when she and her Spikey-Wikey about to finally embrace one another. Then of course something would cause her to wake up… like the damn sun!

The mare begrudgingly rolled out of her bed and promptly onto the floor. One of the blackout curtains that she bought had managed to let a small sliver of sunlight sneak past. From the looks of it, Opal had managed to get a few scratches on it. She made a mental note to find the energy to trim the cat’s nails… among other things that were on Rarity’s ever growing To-Do list. But ruts were hard to get out of, especially when you never wanted to break it.

Rarity gave a very loud, unladylike yawn as she examined the hole with her sleepy eye. The old Rarity would have gotten a thread and needle to stitch it up, but new Rarity wobbled over to her dresser and grabbed a roll of duct tape. She didn’t have the time or the energy to sit there and mend it. That was all time that she could be using trying to dream again…

Knock, knock, knock!

Rarity nearly jumped out of her fur at the sound of banging at her front door. It annoyed her that ponies never seemed to read signs anymore, specifically the ones that said “CLOSED” on the entrance. Well, she certainly didn’t need to cater to some morons who couldn’t read a sign. They’d hopefully get the idea and leave. Although she did need to get some work done… a she thought she remembered reading some rather unpleasant letters about upcoming due dates that she may end up missing.

Knock, knock, knock!

It was more annoying the second time around. With all this noise, it’d be impossible to sleep and fantasize. If they knocked one more time…

Knock, knock, knock!

These ones seemed to be the loudest, and she finally had enough. Rarity grabbed her housecoat and stormed down stairs. If she had to spell it out for them then so be it! When she got to the main floor she pushed past the unfinished dresses and the piles of letters by her door and opened the door. “I’m sorry, but we’re clo—”

“Oh, my baby!” cried Rarity’s mother, quickly budging into the Boutique. Rarity’s mother, Pearl, seemed to be in tears as she started to sob into Rarity’s shoulder. “My little pride and joy! It’s okay now, mama’s here to make it all better.”

“M-mother!? What are you doing here?” Rarity gulped, blushing with embarrassment. “I was wasn’t expecting company.”

“Oh, your friend, Applejack, told me everything, sweetie,” said Pearl. “How you’ve been sick for the past month and haven’t been able to even leave your house. I thought that maybe you were being a little dramatic like when you were a filly but seeing you here in the now... you’re not well, Rarity!”

“Thank you…” Rarity said. “But really, mother, I’m just a little tired.”

“Yes, yes, that’s good, get plenty of bed rest. Now why don’t you go and lie down on the sofa while mama makes you some nice warm soup.” Pearl led Rarity to her sofa, brushing some rolls of fabric off of it and lowering her daughter down on it. “Now try to relax a little. I’ll be only a couple of minutes and your father is just finding a place to park the carriage.”

Rarity’s eyes widened. “Oh, sweet Luna, no…”

“Oh, sugar bean!” the voice of her father cooed. “Where did you place my suitcase?”

“It’s in the trunk, dear!” Pearl called back to her husband. “Now come in here and take care of your sick daughter!”

Rarity cringed. “No, no, no, no, no!” The very idea of her father trying to take care of her sent a chill down her spine. Flashbacks of her childhood and the rigorous activities that her father put her through flashed before her eyes: the lemon juice and onion baths in the winters to keep snow worms from eating her; the lectures about how and why Timberwolves worked for the government to keep ponies from using shortcuts; and of course the guards-level combat training that she was put through when she was five years old. That last bit had proven useful on occasions but she could have lived without the soup baths.

She almost passed out when she saw Magnum enter her home carrying what looked like a medicine bag, which she was positive didn’t have any traditional medicine in them. “Now where’s my little girl?”

“Hi, daddy,” Rarity said weakly, making herself force a smile.

“By the unknown god of Cloud, I can tell from the look of you that there is something wrong,” declared Magnum with a tsk, taking a knee down to his distressed daughter’s head. “And don’t you worry, I have just the solution in my bag. You wouldn’t happen to have a power drill somewhere, would you?”

“Why do you—no, I do not have a power drill, daddy,” groaned Rarity. “And before you ask, you’re not drilling a hole in my head! You promised, remember?”

“But you have a Cleptopera Beetle in your brain and daddy needs to make just the tiniest hole in your head. It just needs to be big enough so I can get the tweezers in there. If we’re lucky, it hasn’t progressed deeper into the brain, otherwise I may need something with more kick than a drill.”

“YOU’RE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO MY BRAIN!” Rarity screamed at the top of her lungs. “THERE’S NO CLEPTO-WHATEVER IN MY HEAD! I’M JUST A LITTLE TIRED!”

Her father stroked his mustache. “Well…I guess that is one of the side effects of the parasite. Still I’d like to run a few more tests to see if this is just some drowsiness or if it’s actually a Cleptopera Beetle making a Hearth’s Warming dinner out of your cerebral cortex.”

“There’s no such thing as a Cleptopera beetle!” Rarity shouted. “This is career day in fourth grade all over again, only I’m not crying from the embarrassment...yet!”

“If I recall, I was the most popular dad there,” said Magnum. “All the other children were laughing and having a good time.”

“They were laughing at me because you glued a wooden bowl to my head claiming it prevents mind control,” Rarity droned. “Mother had to cut all my hair out and I had to wear a wig for the rest of the school year!”

Her father gave her a look. “Oh, is that why you did that? I always thought you did it to keep hair trolls from infesting your mane.”

“NO.”

“Oh, well then. Still, better safe than sorry. I’ll see if you have any ketchup and coffee beans in the kitchen to make a shampoo with.” Magnum smiled, getting up and heading to the kitchen. “Honey, did you remember to pack my special blender?”

That was Rarity’s signal to leave. She knew very well that anything that came out of that blender was never anything pleasant for her. Not even taking the time to change, she rushed out of the house in her nightwear for the second time that month.

She fell to her knees once she was outside her door. “Why are my parents so weird!?” she beseeched to the heavens.

“What about your parents?”

It seemed like Rarity couldn’t catch a break today, for when she looked back down from her dramatic pose, she saw Twilight and Spike standing on her front lawn, staring down at her. Rarity flushed red as she realized that she was still in her pajamas and housecoat. This day couldn’t get any worse, so she swallowed what little dignity she had left and forced another smile for her friends. “Why, hello, Twilight, Spike.”

Both the purple unicorn and the dragon looked at the oddly behaving Rarity with strange expressions before Twilight finally spoke, “Hey there… we were just—why are you outside in your PJs?”

“My parents are visiting,” Rarity mumbled. “And my father wanted to check my mane for hair goblins.”

“Say no more,” Spike said, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence. “Your father’s three kinds of crazy. He makes Twilight look sane.”

Twilight gave him the stink eye. “Thanks a lot, pal,” she said, brushing off the snickering dragon. “Anyway, we should probably get going. Spike and I promised Cheerilee that we’d drop some old books off at the school for the book drive.”

“Bye, Rarity,” said Spike with a wave as he and Twilight turned around and started walking away.

And oh how she enjoyed that: the way he walked away, the hypnotic sway of his hips her full attention. Her eyes couldn’t get passed the swinging of his lean tail brushing against his rear. Oh, that rear end of his… it was an alluring, cruel joke that constantly teased her. Only when his backside was turned did she ever want to scream her feelings for the drake, only for him to turn her around and petrify her with those dark green eyes of his. She felt like a popsicle in the sun, melting into a puddle of covetousness as Spike took step after step away from her. Then something inside of her mind clicked.

“Wait!”she shouted. “I’m coming with you!” The white unicorn rustled herself back up from the ground and started running after her two friends.

“Umm… okay?” Twilight said, looking at Rarity as she bolted over next to her. She looked up and down Rarity’s pajamas. “Maybe you’d want to do something about your outfit. Pajama day was three weeks ago.”

“They still do that?”

“It’s apparently very popular,” said Twilight. “But still, I’d suggest going back in and changing. Applejack told me about last time she dragged you out of your house.”

“Yes, I’d rather forget about that,” mumbled Rarity. “But I think that I can make this sacrifice, for my friends.” She looked at Spike. “For both of my friends.”

The dragon gave her a strange look, but shrugged it off. “If you insist, Rarity. It’s not like I haven’t seen a mare in her PJs before.”

Rarity burst out laughing at what she thought was Spike’s joke, but a new thought quickly formed in her head. What exactly did he mean by that, ‘Not the first time he’s seen a mare in her pajamas’? Had there been other mares that he’s seen… in their pajamas?! Who were they? How many of them? She bet it was that hussy, Colgate. She noticed how that orthodontist looked at Spike, undressing him with her eyes and always taking extra-long with his oral examinations. When all this was done she’d have to investigate the dentist a little more thoroughly and keep her from continuing her uncouth relationship with her dragon.

Whoa… did she just say her dragon? All this thinking was going to drive her crazy. She needed to get a hold of herself and fast. Why? Because at the moment she was clinging to Spike’s arm like a spider monkey. She didn’t even remember doing it, but the second she realized it, her grip tightened on him. She could feel each muscle in his bicep. They were stiff and powerful, yet at the same time soft like a raincloud. The motivation to let go was beginning to get blurry.

But she could sense that Spike was getting a little uncomfortable. “Rarity, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Positive—I mean, wah?” Rarity shook out of her little trance and let go. “Oh my, what am I doing? I’m terribly sorry about that. I’m getting a little ahead of myself. Perhaps I’m feeling a little lightheaded. Maybe I should head back home and lie down for a moment.”

“Well, it’s a little late for that, Rarity,” Spike said as they approached the schoolyard. “Although if you wait just a few moments I’m sure you could rest using one of the school desks if you’re that tired.”

“Oh yes… I guess I could do that.”

“Good,” said Twilight smiling as she pushed through the door and entering the classroom. “Miss Cheerilee? It’s Twilight and Spike,” she called out into the empty classroom. The magenta furred teacher was nowhere to be seen. “That’s odd. Spike, you said that we were supposed to deliver the books today.”

“Yeah, it’s Saturday, that’s when she said to deliver them. Miss Cheerilee!” Spike shouted, his voice echoing in the silence. “Maybe she forgot?”

Suddenly, there was a strange rattling noise coming from the other room at the back of the classroom. Moans were heard as well as the sound of things being knocked around. They were not alone. Twilight cautiously crept down towards the teachers’ lounge. Pleasurable gasps and sighs grew louder as Twilight gave three little taps on the wood of the door.

After a proverbial record screeched to a halt, everything became dead silent, followed by a few sharp whispers. In a few moments, the door cracked open and Cheerilee’s head popped through. Her mane seemed a little messy and her face was somewhat sweaty, but she still smiled like there was nothing wrong. “Oh, hello there, Twilight, is it two already?”

“Yeah…” Twilight said, trying to take a look behind Cheerilee through the crack of the door. “Well, you said two o’clock and, well, here we are. Um, are you okay in there? We heard some rattling and got a little concerned.”

“We?” the teacher asked. “Oh, hello, Spike, Rarity. You’re all here.” She laughed nervously. “All of you guys are here! Oh, how wonderful.” Cheerilee had said that last line with a hint of sarcasm. “Well, thank you for your time and you can just leave those books on my desk and I’ll sort them out later. Okay, goodbye!”

Twilight’s made a face. “Cheerilee… you’re acting sort of weird. What is it with everypony today?”

“Nothing’s strange! Why would things be strange? Maybe you’re the one who’s acting strange!”

Twilight backed away from the door. “Okay, okay, we’re leaving! Just give us a moment and we’ll leave.”

“Thank you… and sorry,” muttered the magenta mare. “I didn’t mean to snap at you, but I’m just a little tired from the week. You know how children can be when it’s almost the weekend. They tend to get a little wild and right now I just really need to… relax.”

“Fair enough,” said Twilight. “Spike, Rarity, we’re leaving.”

“You go on ahead, dear,” Rarity yawned as she took a seat in Cheerilee’s desk. She never knew how comfortable a teacher’s chair was. The soft, smooth linen of the chair reminded her of the silk sheets of her own bed. The fabric was like the soothing touch of angels, and even the hard oak desk seemed like a big fluffy pillow in her exhausted state. She gently laid her head down. She would just take a little catnap and then catch up with Spike and Twilight.

Just a small rest to freshen up, she was already in her pajamas so what would the harm be? And who knows, maybe she’d wake up in the water or in the thickets of the jungle or maybe, just maybe…

She’d wake right back up from her nap and still be in that same quiet classroom, with nothing extraordinary happening, just like every other day of her life. She was disappointed, giving a little moan of disapproval. At the very least she could have dreamt of something instead of feeling the same mundane routine of sleep like most ponies got. The white mare knew it was probably time to go and leave Cheerilee to her duties, so she grabbed her coat and made a beeline for the door.

That’s when two strange things happened, the first of which was that she picked up her coat. Her coat. She didn’t bring anything like that here, she wasn’t even wearing normal attire. In fact, she was completely dressed, with a low white top and sensible purple skirt. She even had on the glasses she wore while sewing, glasses that she didn’t really need but liked to wear as sort of a good luck charm. But being fully clothed all of a sudden would only be second in weirdness by what happened next.

The school bell rang. On a weekend.

A flood of screaming children rushed into classroom, laughing and throwing paper airplanes as every one of her students casually took their seats. They were a bunch of noisy little devils, but Rarity couldn’t have asked for a better class of little angels. It took a little longer than she had hoped but in a few minutes the class finally settled down and readied themselves for the day’s lesson.

“Good morning, class,” Rarity greeted with a wide smile.

“Good morning, Miss Rarity!” the class responded.

Every morning it was the same thing but it still always warmed her heart. The love she received from her students was unconditional and pure, not like some of the other relationships she had in the past. What would she do without her students? Her life would probably be void of compassion and meaning. Why, just last Hearts and Hooves day some of her favourite students cheered her up by making her special somepony cards. They were always so nice to her, but there was one pony that stood above the rest… or in this case, a dragon.

It was no secret that the little smiling dragon that always sat at attention in the front row had maybe the tiniest itsy-bitsy crush on her. It was harmless enough, but sometimes he would go to great lengths to show his affections for her. He had pretty much done everything in the book with the exception of saying ‘I love you, Miss Rarity’ but she knew he’d never do anything that bold. Even if he ever did what would she say? He was a minor, and not only that he was one of her students! The very idea of them having an intimate relationship was… scandalous.

Sinful as it was, it was a thought she’d ponder on, as terrible as it may have made her feel. Maybe when he was older and of age she’d take a gander but until that day he was a forbidden fruit that she dared not taste… at least until he ripened a little.

She shook her head at the thought, right now she had to teach her class some arithmetic and history among other things. Now all she had to do was find her chalk and… “Hmm… now where did I put that thing?” she asked herself, bending over to look on the ground.

Suddenly, there she felt a rather sharp pain as an elastic ban slapped against her rear. “Eep!” she squealed, bolting straight up like an arrow from the sudden shock. There was a blatant stifling of laughter as a few of her students tried to cover their mouths before their contagious giggling burst like the Watergate.

This wouldn’t stand; she’d have to catch the culprit. “Alright, very funny, kids,” she said sternly, examining the class, separating the strong from the weak, the innocent from the guilty. Some of the kids had rather convincing poker faces, born liars they were. There were a few kids that may have been cracking under the pressure but she couldn’t place her finger on it. After a few more minutes of intense staring she finally gave up on trying to find the one responsible.

Just as well, these kids needed to learn and they sure weren’t going to do it themselves. Rarity cautiously turned around and started to put a few multiplication problems on the board, just simple questions for her low level students; there was no reason for her to overwhelm them. They would get some harder questions in a few weeks when she felt they were ready.

“Eep!” There it was again! Another elastic projectile had been flung at her once again, and her rowdy class began to get all riled up again. This wouldn’t stand! She needed to catch the hooligan that was doing this right now. “Okay, class, this is getting ridiculous. Whoever was doing this needs to stop. It’s getting really distraction. Now, fess up.”

The class, of course, went completely silent just as she expected, but she wasn’t going to give up that easily this time. It was time to start interrogating now. The teacher went to a few of the more prominent little rascals, giving them blank yet intense stares to try to make them crack. She knew that one of them would submit eventually; they always did. Poor little things couldn’t handle the pressure of an interrogation to stay incognito.

Her current suspect, a little colt named Crazy Quilt, was starting to perspire like a raincloud. His little eyes were darting around to his friends, trying to find some sort of support, of which there was none. It was a little sad that children were so quick to throw one another under the bus, so to speak. Rarity had a feeling that this little colt knew who kept flinging the elastic bands at her, and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

“Crazy Quilt, you wouldn’t happen to know who keeps throwing these elastic bands at me? If you tell me who it is then things will be a lot easier on everypony. Now, can you do this one thing for me, pretty please?”

The little colt gulped. “I-I-I don’t know what you’re talking about, M-Miss R-Rarity… honest!” He trembled, obviously lying to himself and her. But she couldn’t make an accusation without any proof or somepony admitting it. So she would have to yield on the issue again, but this time she’d be a little craftier…

Rarity conceded for the moment and walked back to her desk and opened one of her drawers, pulling out a tiny little makeup mirror and a stick of lipstick. She turned her back purposely to the classroom and pretended to apply some lipstick. She seemed to be just touching up her appearance but in reality it was all a trap. Her mirror was angled in a way so she could see the entire class behind her. If the student who was causing all of this was to repeat his or her actions then she could catch them in the act. Now all she had to do was wait…

There was movement in the corner of the mirror, so she angled her glance ever so slightly, but it was just one of fillies slumping on her desk, bored out of her mind. Another colt started picking his ear with his thumb, a rather bad habit but still not against the rules. However, finally the dastardly little mongrel made himself clear, as he readied another elastic band. She got him.

“Alright, mister, I caught you red handed!” She grinned wickedly, spinning around and pointing at the one who had been causing her so much annoyance. “… Spike?”

“Miss Rarity,” said the terrified looking Spike, the band in his hands misfiring and flinging into a random direction. “It-it’s not what it looks like!”

“I… I must be honest with you, Spike, I don’t really want to believe that one of my best students could act like this. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Umm, your flank makes a good target?” the dragon said sheepishly, trying to charm himself out of trouble. It wasn’t going to work, of course. “Heh… I’m sorry, Miss Rarity.”

Rarity started to think about how to proceed with the situation. On the one hand she didn’t want to show any sort of favouritism in the classroom—she had always made it a point to show that everypony was equal and would be treated as such—but on the other hand this was Spike’s first offense ever and he was such a sweet little drake. It was quite a predicament.

Thankfully she was saved literally by the bell, the recess bell. It was also the perfect answer to her problem. “Alright, class, it’s recess time, so go outside and have some fun. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes—except for you, Spike, I’d like you to stay behind so we can have a little talk.”

The rest of the class did the cliché thing and oo’d at the drake’s misfortune as they all went out to play, leaving Spike alone with Rarity.

The young dragon began leaking like a faucet the moment they were alone. “I’m sorry, Miss Rarity! I didn’t mean to fling those rubber bands at you! It just that I had this strange impulse and I was hungry and I didn’t get enough water to drink before school or enough sleep last night and I just feel stupid, stupid, stupid!” he cried. “I’m garbage, I’m worse than garbage! The worst pony ever! I’m the dirt that wishes it could be garbage!”

“Spikey! Please, calm down,” Rarity interjected. “I’m not mad at you. I just want to know why you did it. You’ve always been such a well behaved student and for you to do something like this all of a sudden just concerns me a little. Tell me, is there any sort of problems you’re facing at home or with someone in class? It’s okay if there is, and I promise you that this will not leave the classroom.”

Spike was a little cautious as he looked at his desk. “You promise not to tell anypony?”

“Not a soul, Spike.”

“Well…” he began, taking a big breath as he mustered up the courage to explain. “A few days ago some of the kids were teasing me… saying that I was the teacher’s pet. I told them I wasn’t, and that you’re just a really nice teacher but they didn’t believe me. They said I had to prove it to them. That’s why I shot the bands at you. I just wanted them to leave me alone!”

“Spike, if you were being bullied you should have told me. I’m sure we could have worked something out.”

“Maybe… but it’s all done now,” he muttered. “I’m sure they’ll leave me alone after this. And if it means I have to miss one recess then it’s a worthy price to pay… especially if I get to spend it with you.”

“Oh, Spike,” Rarity said with a nervous giggle. There he was going again, flattering her. How could such a small child be so forward with his feelings? Didn’t he know that they could never be? Even if she did think he was rather sweet, prison didn’t seem like a fair tradeoff for pursuing this relationship. “Please, I’m sure that you’d rather be outside with your friends than in here with an old mare like me.”

“You’re not old…”

There he goes again, flattering her with his words, even if it was completely true. If only he was older or she was younger. “Why don’t you go out and enjoy the rest of recess, dear. I’m sure the rest of the kids are waiting for you.”

“Okay, Miss Rarity,” he said, leaving his desk and heading outside. However, before he left, he turned around and said, “Thanks for being so understanding, Miss Rarity, and I won’t do anything so foolish again.”

“I know you won’t, darling.” Rarity smiled watching the little dragon head out the door to play with his classmates. She gave a heavy sigh as she went back to her own desk and took a seat. She gathered a few of her papers from a few lessons ago. It was her class’s test, the tests that she needed to get marked. She had hoped that she could have had them all marked before the end of the day but it looked like she wouldn’t be able to get them all done before tomorrow night, and have them done before the weekend. She was sure that her students could wait, although some of them were getting a little antsy over their test results and she didn’t blame them as a few of her students could definitely improve on their reading comprehension.

But now back to work. There was still a little time before recess was over that she could at least get a few papers graded. The first test was from Twisty, easily recognizable from her rather curly C’s and double looped O’s. She was rather good when it came to the poem but her explanation for the rabbit’s motivation with the pumpkin seeds were average at best. A C+ seemed fair enough for her efforts. Next was Brick Break. Not one of her brightest students, there were several spelling errors and the essay section was only six sentences long. It always broke her heart to give one of her students an F but it would hopefully help motivate him to try harder and study more in the future.

Then she got to Spike’s test. This was always a delight to mark; straight, clean underlining, easily readable and next to no mistakes. His answers were always well educated and creative for a dragon at his grade level and the answers to the multiple choice section were almost all correct. It was looking to be another A for the dragon. Oh, if only he was a few years older…

She could imagine it now: him on graduation day, the day that he would not only become of age for a relationship but would also cease to be one of her students, and therefore could no longer get in trouble for violating the teacher’s code of conduct. She slumped into her wrist as she lost herself in a bit of another dream, thinking about how the days would go by and the sweet little student’s crush would probably flicker out. It would probably for the best anyways, it was so silly to think that he would wait so long to be with her, knowing that as the years go by she would grow older, and he would only grow into his prime along with all the cute mares that would be available for his picking. She would eventually find herself a suitable stallion her own age and this little fantasy would be over and the iron grip of reality would reaffirm its grasp on her life.

She was so lost in thought that she had completely forgotten that she was still grading Spike’s paper, and had even subconsciously drawn little hearts on it. The mare blushed in embarrassment as she tried to erase her little sin, applying whiteout to her penmanship to cover the doodles. In the end she was able to just make it before the bell rang and her class came running back inside.

Only there was something different about them… or rather, the only one student that came back inside.

Spike was now all grown up, and for some reason adorning a set of black graduation robes and hat. He was smiling at her as he stuffed his certificate of graduation under his robe and into his pocket. “Hello, Miss Rarity.”

“Spike, it’s just Rarity now,” she said. “You’ve graduated now, and I’m no longer your teacher. Speaking of… what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with the other graduates? Celebrating and partying or whatever it is you kids do nowadays—oops, I’m sorry, you’re not exactly children anymore, are you?”

“No, ma’am,” replied the dragon with an archly smile. “I’m all grown up now.”

Rarity returned the grin with a more timid one. “I can see that.”

There was a bit of an awkward pause as Rarity searched for a word to say to the young drake. However, Spike beat her to the punch. “Look, there’s another reason why I’m here, you know, besides just saying thank you for being an incredible teacher.”

“Oh? And what would that be, dear?” she asked as her heart skipped a beat.

“There’s just a few things that I want to get off of my chest before I leave. When I’ve said all that I have to say then you can decide what to do then, is that okay?” Rarity nodded. “Thank you… Miss Rarity, when I was just in your class, I’m a little embarrassed to admit I had a bit of a crush on you. It’s why I always tried to get the seat closest to your desk every year and if I couldn’t get it I would trade with another student.”

Rarity smiled. “I always had a feeling that was the case.”

“Yeah… anyway, I never really told anypony else about this, because to be honest, a little part of me wanted to believe that it was just a passing fancy, that maybe I’d get over it and learn to like somepony my own age. There were a few girls I liked but even as the years went by I still felt the same way for you. Even now, at the day of my graduation... I love you, Miss Rarity. And I have to know if you feel the same way.”

Rarity trembled, but only for a moment. “Spike… this is a lot to ask from me all at once… I’m not sure what to say.”

“Say what’s in your heart, Miss Rarity—“

“Spike, please stop calling me that!”

“I’m sorry,” said the dragon quickly. He was afraid that he crossed a line, so he stared down at his feet in disappointment. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” she said, taking a few steps towards the young dragon. They were both balls of nerves, of course, scared of what they could be, what others would think. She was his teacher for several years after all. While her feelings for him had always been a secret, it would be so delicate to shatter it in only one movement, a gesture that would forever bind them together, faithful and pure till the end of times. “What I meant was…”

“Yes?”

“Just call me Rarity now,” she finally said, pressing past her fears and doubts, and kissing the dragon. It was a longing that had tortured them for years. To finally break this dance they have been trotting and at last embrace one another was nothing short of pure pleasurable bliss. Their passionate kiss broke for only a moment so they could catch their breaths, panting with a mix of excitement and adrenaline, before the two blushing lovers connected once again, but while the first kiss was a kiss of love, this one was a kiss of lust. The tidal waves of emotions broke their restraints like it was a flimsy dam. The dragon started to take control, sharp claws dragging down his former teacher’s back, massaging, lightly scratching what was now his. His forked tongue flicking and dragged out of Rarity’s mouth and down her neck, anything to get a moan from her. Little love bites on the tips on the mare’s lowered ears was almost too much for her to handle.

She leaned against her desk, taking a breathy sigh as Spike overtook her, as he laid over her. Life seemed so much better now that they could be open with their feelings with no more sin and laws to hinder them. It felt right.

“I’ve waited so long to be able to kiss you, Spike,” Rarity moaned. “Each day felt like an eternity as I waited, and I feared you’ve moved on. But deep inside I knew that you were the one for me… I just had to wait for you to grow up.”

“I’m all yours now, M—I mean, Rarity,” the young dragon responded with a grand smile. He looked down cautiously at her blouse and belt, his eyes showing his first signs of nervousness in this heated session. He looked to her for permission to continue, permission she gladly gave him. With nothing to hold him back, he carefully began unbuttoning her shirt, each pop of the button exposing more of supple white breasts until the shirt flayed open, her lacy black bra revealed. Even Rarity now was still feeling the chills of anxiety, but she pushed forward. This was something she waited too long for, and so help her Celestia, she was going to enjoy it.

Spike was about to make a move to her bra clip but she stopped his hand, raising an eyebrow playfully. “Now, Spike, what did I teach you in school? Be fair and share. Now you’ve seen me without my shirt, it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t at least to see you without yours.”

The dragon’s face turned a little red, but he shook his head in agreement. Backing off slightly, he untucked his shirt and started slowly pulling it off, stretching out his sexy stomach muscles. Rarity grinned in approval over the dragon’s pecs; he really had grown up. He pulled the constraining shirt off of him and stood there. Rarity adjusted herself on the table until she was sitting up and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him in ever closer.

“Mmm, much better, I’d give you an A+.” The teacher swooned, locking lips with him once again as she rubbed her greedy hands down his muscular sides, stopping at his glutes and taking in a handful of that sweet Spike butt. So well-toned, she thought, suckling on her dragon’s lips and feeling the warmth of his breaths heat her entire body. She started to get hot, even breaking out into a tiny sweat of pure pleasure.

Spike could feel Rarity’s fur start sticking up on end, a sure sign of arousal. Maybe it was time to move things to the next level. He reached around Rarity’s back, his claws searching around for a clip, and once finding it, unclipped and slid her bra off. She let him shimmy it off and toss it to the ground, not once did they break their embrace or kiss. His hands frisked her bosom, and she returned the favor to his buttock.

It was all coming true. Her dreams, her wishes… her fantasy.

But that’s all that this was, wasn’t it? Just another fantasy… she knew this all too well as she opened her eyes from her nap to be met with the bland ceiling of Cheerilee’s classroom. She sighed, just lying there on the ground. Oh, how she’s wanted to just have one of these dreams come true, and to wake up next to her dragon, to cuddle up next to his scaly body and relish in the fact it was her privilege to do so and no one else’s. It would be the only thing she’d be selfish with. It and nothing else.

“Oh, Macintosh…”

“Hmm?” Rarity uttered, hearing Cheerilee’s voice over the sound of a creaking desk. Peeking up from behind the teacher’s desk, she was met with a strange sight. Miss Cheerilee was sitting on one of the student’s desks with her shirt, skirt, and bra all tossed around the room while her guest, the rather bulgy and red Big Macintosh, hovered over her, caressing her with his burly arms. The two were kissing and groaning, tails flicking around and swatting each other. Rarity made a little squeak of embarrassment and tried to hide back under the desk, but the wandering eye of Macintosh spotted her before she could duck. He parted lips with the salivating school teacher, whispering something in her ear.

“Miss Rarity!” Cheerilee gasped, flushing with embarrassment as she did her best to cover herself with the half-naked Macintosh. “Wh-what are you doing here? I thought you and Twilight left hours ago?”

“I’m so sorry!” the white mare cried, peeking up from the desk with shame. “But I fell asleep… I’ve been doing that a lot lately.”

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that, but Macintosh and I were hoping we could have a little… privacy.” Her eyes shifted over to the exit, signalling Rarity that she wanted her to leave. “I do hope you understand why I don’t show you the way out but… well, you know.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac nodded, a blank, unfazed look on his face.

Rarity scurried to the door, turning around and bowing, “Terribly sorry for all of this, you two please continue.” She then took off and started running back to the Boutique, back to her safe place.

She didn’t want to admit it, but watching Cheerilee and Macintosh together had made her a little jealous. The two had each other, despite the events of their lives prior to that. He was a big softy and she was a grade school teacher, and despite their little love poison incident years ago they managed to blossom into a loving couple, a relationship that she wanted to mimic with her dragon. Although a love poison seemed too extreme, even for her.

It would just be easier to dream.

But could she keep doing this? Ignoring real life and becoming more and more immersed in her illusions? It definitely wasn’t healthy, and it was starting to get her into trouble. She stopped in the middle of the street.

“No… no, I can’t keep doing this!” she announced to herself, frowning as she spun around. “I’m going to march straight up to the library and tell Spike exactly how I feel!”

“Tell me what now?”

“Eep!” she squeaked, her body going cold as she realized that Spike was standing right behind her. “O-o-o-ooh… Hello, Spike. I was, umm… I was going to tell you something. And that… thing… is… this…” Her voice started to drift off into a inaudible mumble.

Spike scratched his head. “Okay… well, when you want to tell me what it is, you know where I live.” He waved to her and started heading towards the library. “See you later!”

“B-bye…” She waved weakly. The second Spike was out of view she broke out into a sprint back home. “I can’t do it! He doesn’t love me, I can tell by the loving tone in his voice that he’d rather eat spiders than be with me!” she whined, going off into a completely irrational and untrue trail of thought. Her mind was playing tricks on her from the grief she was feeling, but until she was able to confront this grief and tell Spike her true feelings, it would continue, and she would slowly lose herself to the dream world.

Author's Note

I love Rarity's Parents :3
Magnum is so much fun to write.

Her Final Nightmare

Rarity stared at herself in the mirror. Usually she adored the mare that looked back at her, but recently she began feeling revolted by her reflection. Her mane was slowly losing control, dark bags were forming under her eyes, and she had forgotten the last time she had brushed her teeth. Her comfy clothes had become her regular attire. She was becoming accustomed to the dreaded t-shirt and sweatpants combo, neither of which had been washed in quite some time.

She went downstairs, stepping over the garbage that littered the floor. She had been quite addicted to this new Japony restaurant that did home deliveries, so she didn’t have to go out into the world. She could just lay around all day and stare at the ceiling until she fell asleep.

Her house was rather quiet. She had kicked her parents out of the house, although it was a joiny decision after Magnum tried to make her drink a miracle cure of squirrel legs and fish tails. Her mother had dragged him out by the ear but still did try to check in on her from time to time. But all Rarity wanted was to be left alone. She scrapped some leftovers from the fridge and headed back up the stairs, but not before hearing a loud knocking on the door. It was probably one of her friends.

It seemed like every day they were at her door, trying to convince her to get out of the house. Rainbow had actually gone so far as to try and drag her out the second story window… that hadn’t ended well. Because her friends seemed hell bent on harassing her, Rarity had gone to extreme lengths to fortify her room from intruders. Blocking out the windows, deadlocking her door. A rat couldn’t even sneak into her room without her knowing about it.

She took a bite of two-day old sushi and fell onto her bed, face first into the pillow with a groan. Her sheets smelt ripe and sweaty, but she hardly cared about that anymore. The silk of her sheets and her pajamas were comforting enough. It was quite easy for her to fall asleep and slip into a dream. She wondered where she would be when she opened her eyes this time…

A few seconds after she felt her body relax, she woke up. She was sitting on a chair in the dark. No, not a chair, a throne. And it wasn’t darkness, but actually a hazy fog of shadows. With a wave of her wand, she moved these shadows away, revealing the stony walls and floor of the throne room. The silver chandeliers above them burned with a purple fire, and the small windows let in a dark violet light. She even noticed that she herself had become something darker in itself, a form she had not seen herself as in quite some time. Her white fur tainted to a near-ebony black, her mane had become wild like the wind, and she felt her eyes had grown dim and milky with a blue tint. Rarity had tried to forget about her time as Nightmare Rarity, but now it felt so right. She felt proud, beautiful, and above all else, powerful. Why she gave up all of this she’d never know.

There was a knock on the door far across from her throne of dark diamonds. Rarity, or actually, Nightmare Rarity smiled, making a little waving motion and the doors began to open. Two globs of shadows slogged into the room, carrying something within their miasma. Whatever it was, it was large and purple, and seemed to be struggling against its captors. Without even having to say a word, the shadow creatures disappeared into thin air, leaving the prisoner at their Queen’s feet.

The Nightmare Queen’s eyes lit up when she saw that it was Spike, handsome as always, adorned in tattered rags and chains. Even as her prisoner, Spike was a sight for lustful eyes. Each dirty muscle along his arms pulsed with a thrilling anger, and she found herself upon her feet, making her way closer to the dragon.

Spike’s eyes looked up at her, tired and teary, begging her to stop. But why should she? She was the one with all the power, she might as well have fun with it.

“Hello, my precious scales,” Rarity purred, dragging a finger up his neck to the bottom of his chin, forcing him to look up at her. “Why so sad? I thought you’d be happy to see me?”

Spike’s breath was heavy, and she couldn’t tell if it was because he was mad, or terrified… not that it mattered. “Rarity, please, you have to snap out of it! Don’t you see? You’re being controlled, manipulated!”

“Controlled and manipulated? Ha!” She laughed, brushing a few strains of her hair back. “In case you haven’t noticed, my dear, I am the controller. There are no strings attached to this mare. I just finally realized how much happier I am this way…” She took a knee down to Spike. “And I know I can make you happy as well. If you’d just let me show you.” Her hand brushed gently against the dragon’s shivering cheek. She wondered why he was so scared, this was something that they’ve been craving for years. “There’s no need to be nervous, my love. It’s still me deep inside.”

“I… I…” Spike tried to say, but he stuttered, getting caught in Rarity’s big blue eyes. His body went limp, and he started to fall under the nightmare’s spell.

Rarity smiled smugly, bits of darkness radiating from her hair and hands. Like little tendrils, they magically wriggled into Spike’s scales and disappeared into him. Soon after, the dragon’s eyes widened, growing darker with a strange milky look. He blinked lazily, and a lustfully innocent look bloomed onto his face. Whatever Rarity had done, Spike’s fine was hers.

“I am yours…” He said with a calm obedience.

“Perfect.” Rarity smiled, leaning into her dragon and stealing a first kiss. Their lips massaged against one another, the vibration of their individual moans titillating each other. Spike pressed up against her, cradling her head with his claw. Spike lowered his queen down to the ground, and she let him overcome her. Between kisses, she managed to speak. “Do you see, my dear? Is it not better to give into your urges? Is this not more desirable than tiptoeing around our feelings?”

“Of course, my queen,” Spike moaned, his frisky claws rubbing against the crest of Rarity’s back. “It’s much better to finally be forward with how I feel for you, my queen.” The dragon’s nails tore against her dress, and she felt it being ripped off her body. Any moment Spike would take her and she’d be in bliss…

“Okay, this ends now.”

Rarity’s ears twitched. That wasn’t Spike talking…

“Rarity, wake up, we need to have a talk.”

“Talk… what do you mean—“

She wasn’t able to finish saying what she was about to say, as for some reason Spike had slapped her across the face. Only, when she looked at Spike he wasn’t… Spike, or a dragon… or even male for that matter. Instead, Rarity found herself being slapped awake by a dark blue, starry maned mare, who she quickly noticed was none other than Princess Luna.

Why she was dreaming of Luna she hadn’t the slightest idea.

With another painful slap, Rarity flinched and opened her eyes. She was back in her room, only instead of her bed, she was being pinned down on the ground while Princess Luna held a power drill. The whizzing of the drill terrified her as the alicorn glared down at her. “Now hold still, this will be over in a second.”

“What? Oh goddess no! Don’t kill me!” she pleaded. This was no longer a dream, this was a nightmare! “Or at least not with a power drill! Can’t you use something less messy? I don’t want to get blood all over the carpet, it’s Saddle Arabian.”

Luna looked confused, the drill still twirling away in her hand. “Kill you? We’re not here to kill you… We just need to get that Cleptopera Beetle out of your skull. It’s beginning to chew on your cerebral cortex. Which we don’t think needs to be explained, but it would be bad for you.” With a swift motion, she jammed the drill into Rarity’s ear. The white mare screeched as she prepared for grueling pain, but the only pain she felt was the terrible ringing of the noise the drill was making, and the sickening feeling of something moving in her ear.

Then, it popped out. A big, fat, scary looking beetle crawled out of her ear and flew into the air. Luna immediately grabbed it before it could get away. It squealed a little before being crushed in Luna’s hand.

Rarity, after a few minutes of preparing herself for imminent death, realized it wasn’t going to happen and opened her eyes. She could see Luna wiping off some green slime on her dress, muttering to herself. “Foul little creatures. If I had my way they’d all be banished to Tartarus.” She noticed that Rarity was staring at her, wide-eyed and nervous. “Oh, good evening, Rarity. We didn’t mean to break into your room, but we had noticed strange dream patterns in your head, and an increasing decaying of your mental state. It is unlike us to intervene this way but considering all you’ve done for Equestria, a little Cleptopera removal is the least we could do.”

“Cleptopera? That sounds familiar… wait, is that that beetle my father was talking about?! That can’t be real though, right? It’s my father! He’s… he’s… he’s a lunatic!”

“We agree,” Luna said. “However, in Magnum’s madness, he does hold some knowledge. You know, if you had just allowed him to remove it earlier, then this wouldn’t be a problem now.”

“I’m not going to allow my father to drill a hole in my head,” Rarity droned. “I’d rather have the beetle living in my head.”

“Wait, he was going to drill an ACTUAL hole in your head?” the princess said. “That’s not right… you’re supposed to scare the beetle out with a drilling noise. They hate it, pisses them off and they leave the host’s skull. Drilling an actual hole in the head would lobotomize you and probably leave you brain dead…”

“Thank dad…” Rarity muttered under her breath. She made a note to have a long talk with her father tomorrow. “But, wait, so all those dreams that I was having were—“

“Correct, the Cleptopera’s influence on your mind. It drowns your mind with pleasant dreams and makes you tired so you can’t feel it eat away at your brain matter. They’re rather nasty but they usually stay underground or in mud. I’m surprised you actually got one in you.”

She cringed. “That’s disgusting… but I did like those dreams though.” She sighed, remembering that last dream she was having. “But if they were all just products by the beetle, then I suppose it’s back to boring nights for me. Although I do feel strangely rested for the first time in weeks, and it would be nice to get back to dressmaking again, make some money. The bills have been building up.”

“Yes, we suppose it would be right for you to get back to your vocational work.” Luna scratched a finger against her chin. “Although… perhaps you would like to have one last dream.”

“Huh?” Rarity asked, not knowing what she meant. “One last dream?”

Princess Luna nodded, stretching out a hand for Rarity. “If you wish to do so, I can take you somewhere very special. I will take you into the conscious world of dreams.”

“You’ll take me to the world of dream?” Rarity asked excitedly, although she was a little hesitant. “Whatever for though?”

“Just trust us,” Luna said, rolling her eyes, and grabbing her hand forcibly. “We suggest that you hold on tight, lest you wish to be torn across reality and fantasy… literally.” With that, her magic grew brighter and Rarity averted her eyes and tightened her grip. She felt like she was getting lighter, and floating off the ground, yet she could still feel the carpet between her toes. Eventually, she braved a peek, and noticed that they were no longer in her room, and instead flying out of body and across the sky. From beneath them, they could see all of Ponyville, and several mystical tethers coming from all the homes. Rarity had no idea what they were but she didn’t care, it was all too much fun for her.

“This is amazing,” Rarity gasped, looking down at the sleeping town of Ponyville. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before!”

“Trust us, it loses its flair after a few decades,” mumbled Luna. She seemed to be looking around for something in particular. “Now where is it again?”

“Where’s what?”

“Ah, there it is!” the princess declared, ignoring Rarity’s question. The two swooped down, heading into a direct course for the Golden Oak Library. The white mare flinched as their ghostly bodies went right through the walls and into the basement, where a sleeping dragon laid splayed across his bed, snoring loudly in nothing but his boxers.

“Oh my…” Rarity blushed, not sure if it was appropriate to be in Spike’s room this late. She was already starting to get bad ideas, especially since he was practically naked. “Umm, Princess Luna, what exactly are we doing here?”

“We’re giving you a gift,” the night mare answered with a coy smile. “Do you see that silver trail of mist looming from Spike’s brain? That is the gateway to his dream. It is through these doors that we can enter anypony’s mind to make sure their dreams stay… normal enough. Although we’ll let a nightmare slip in every now and again to keep ponies humble. Can’t have too many good thoughts, is how we think the expression goes.” Luna waved her hand to Spike’s dream. “Touch it.”

“Umm… okay?” Rarity said with caution, reaching out a finger and, very carefully, touched Spike’s dream. In almost an instant she was somewhere else completely. They were in a rather odd meadow, odd being that most of the flowers were made of rubies and other gemstones. The grass below her feet shined like emeralds, and she could have sworn that the nearby pond was filled with liquid sapphires. There was only one jewel crazy dragon that could have thought this up, and he was lazily snoozing underneath a tree.

Of course Spike would be one to nap even in a dream…

Rarity felt a cold sense of hesitance. She felt a great urge to race over there like she would do in any of her fantasies, but she had to remember that this was no longer her dream, but Spike’s. She had to be careful now that she realized what Luna had given her. So the unicorn slowly made her way to the tree where Spike was sleeping. She figured that he would probably be a little surprised to see her, so her plan was to ease into it, and maybe tell him what was going on. She knelt down over him, and tapped him lightly on the nose.

His eyes shot open immediately, although he didn’t look too surprised to see her. “Hey there, Rarity,” he said in a rather suave tone. “I was waiting for you to show up.” Then he shocked Rarity by doing the last thing she thought he’d do. He leaned up and kissed her right on the lips.

Rarity’s eyes widened as she froze. In her dreams, Spike had kissed her, but only because she was in control of her own mind. This was Spike’s dream now. He kissed her of his own volition, probably thinking that she was just a figment of his imagination. With that in mind, she melted into him, kissing him back. She slowly crawled on top of him, resting atop of his dreamy body, and she knew deep in her mind, that of all the fantasies that she had, of all the conjured worlds that she had thought of, nothing could compare to this. The love felt real instead of fantasized, the emotions were true instead of forged. When she kissed him, she knew that it was him kissing back, and when she opened her eyes, she knew it was the dragon she loved staring back at her.

Eventually though, she had to open her eyes, although it was a pleasant sight to see the loving eyes of her drake staring yearningly back at her. She knew it was all just a dream, but it felt so real, realer than anything else she had felt in a long time.

“This is all going so fast,” Rarity admitted, blushing. “I mean… is this really how you feel? Like, truly deep inside. You love me?”

Spike chuckled a little. “Rarity, I’ve always been in love with you, and I’ve never stopped. That’s a silly thing to ask.”

“Sorry… I just needed to be sure…” She knew what she needed to do. She got up from the tree, leaving Spike a little confused. “I’ll be right back, dear. Just stay put!” With that, she started to skip away from the dragon and down the valley. Once she was away from earshot, or at least she thought she was, she called out into the sky. “Luna! If you can hear me, pull me out of the dream!”

“As you wish…” a voice echoed through her head, and in a flash, she was standing back in Spike’s room. Luna was for some reason sifting through Spike’s comic collection. “That was rather quick. We were assuming you would be, how do you ponies say it today, sexing?”

Rarity’s ears flopped down and she turned red. “Well… no, but I should thank you. If it wasn’t for this little dream adventure of yours, I would never have confirmed that Spike shared his feelings for me. Although I do feel like I was given an unfair advantage, I mean, not many ponies get to sneak into dreams to see if they like you.”

Luna shrugged. “Eh, we do not care for fairness. Besides, the fact that you didn’t know this and needed to confirm it was ridiculous in its own right.” Her gaze turned deadpanned. “Seriously though, we knew about it before you… and we were stuck on the moon for a freaking millennium.”

“Oh…” Rarity mumbled. “Well, regardless, I need you to wake me up now… or whatever it was that you did to me.”

“Waking up works,” the princess said, clapping her hands and approaching her. “It’ll only take a second. Fare thee well, Rarity. I hope you and Spike live many happy years together.”

“Thank you, Princess Luna.” Rarity smiled. “I don’t even know how I’ll ever repay this kindness.”

“You can start by forgiving me for the following.”

“What do you mean—OUCH!” Luna’s slapped Rarity right across the face and she flinched. When her eyes opened up, she was back in her home and tucked away in her bed. However, she knew exactly what she needed to do now. Without another moment wasted, she grabbed her housecoat, slipped on her slippers and headed out of the house.

Through the night she ran down the streets of Ponyville and headed towards the library. Not even caring that it was the middle of the night, she knocked rapidly on the door.

Thankfully, Twilight was a night owl at heart, so the purple mare swung the door open, and gave her friend a strange look. “Rarity, what a surprise… Why are you here, and are you still in your pajamas?”

“Sorry to intrude, dear, but I need to talk to Spike, right away if possible.”

Twilight scratched her head. “Well, I’m glad you’re out of the house and all, but I don’t think Spike’s free to hang out, he’s been asleep for hours.”

“Yes, darling, I know.”

“… You know? That’s a little weird, don’t you think?”

Rarity groaned. “Ugh, I’ll explain tomorrow.” She pushed herself passed her friend. “Sorry to be so blunt about this, but there is something that I need to do right now. Good night, Twilight, and I’ll see you in the morning.” She headed into Spike’s room, closing the door behind her.

Spike’s room was still the exact same way it was a few minutes ago. It was messy, a tad smelly, and had a big sleeping dragon snoring on the bed. Rarity bit her lips with excitement as she took off her housecoat. She tiptoed onto the bed, crawling over him. She poked him a little, being careful not to be too aggressive… yet.

Eventually the drake’s sleepy eyes opened up. “Erraaa… hey, Raritaaaaaoooh my goddess!” Spike gulped, his head sinking into the mattress. “R-R-Rarity! What are you—“

The white mare gently placed a finger on his mouth. “Darling, please… Don’t talk.” She giggled at his expression. “If you’re going to open your mouth…” She leaned in, kissing him briefly. “You better be ready for that.”

“This has to be a dream…” Spike mumbled happily to himself.

“Trust me, Spike…” the white mare said devilishly, reaching over to his lamp and switching the light off. “This is no dream.”

Author's Note

Last chapter tomorrow.

Sad, I know... but this was never intended to be a long story.

Final Fantasy

It was a beautiful day in the magical Sunshine Meadows, where flowers bloomed into an array of colours, the bees hummed and bounced in the air, and all the little critters were cute with big, beady, eyes. The grass was green and crisp, blowing gently in the spring breeze, and in the center of this magical location was a small gathering.

“Dearest ponies, we hath all gathered here today…” Luna started. She was standing underneath a flowery arch adorned in purple and white flowers. The princess of the night was wearing a royal black suit, and was slowly reading old scriptures from a tomb. She peered up from time to time to see if everypony was still paying attention… and would give a stern cough if somepony was caught drifting before returning to her minister duties. After all, two ponies were counting on her this fine day.

Rarity and Spike stood hand in hand, staring lovingly into one another’s eyes. She wearing a beautiful white dress she could only imagine, and he a slick black suit with an adorable jewelled, bowtie. The mare, to be honest, wasn’t really paying attention to Luna, she was too busy dreaming up the rest of her life with the dragon. Starting with the honeymoon…

Spike was also deep in thought, wondering how he had gotten so lucky to end up with such a knock-out beauty like Rarity. He told himself once, and he’d say it a thousand more times: He really must be dreaming.

The two would glance over to their guests, all of their friends of course, Rarity’s parents and family, as well as several other ponies to fill the seats. Twilight kept pointing at Spike to look at Rarity and to stay focus, while Rainbow was trying to keep her eyes open. It wasn’t so much that she was tired or not happy for her friends. She was just… bored. Pinkie for some reason kept waving at them, perhaps thinking that there was a possibility they wouldn’t see her in the front row. Fluttershy and Applejack were the only attendance that were acting… well, normal.

Rarity’s mother couldn’t stop cry, while her father’s frown was burrowed deep as he tried his best to keep from sprouting into tears of joy as well.

“… and do you, Spike the Dragon, take this mare to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Luna asked, smiling to the drake. The dragon nodded. “And do you Rarity…” The princess stopped, looking a little confused. “Do you even have a last name?”

The white mare looked unamused. “Does it really matter right now? We’re in the middle of a wedding. MY wedding.” She gave the princess an irritated glare, something that only a bride on her wedding could do without getting a fistful of dark magical energy, or a banishment to some terrible location.

“Right, right, there is no need to get mad with us,” Luna nodded, only mildly threatened by the unicorn’s glare. “Now where was I? Ah yes… do you—”

“GRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!”

There was a terrible roar booming from beyond the green mountains, and from the darkness of the blacken skies, a terrifying monster emerged. It was at least three stories tall, with fangs and spikey spines that were oozing a strange red and black liquid. It stared at them with all fourteen of their eyes, snarling a wicked hiss though its beak, and stomped towards them.

The guests all looked terrified, almost instantaneously going into a scared frenzy. Luna’s palm slammed against her face, slowly dragging down the side. She gave a loud sigh. “By the glory of the night…” She glared at Rainbow Dash, the only pony who wasn’t freaking out. “Rainbow Dash! We thought we already had this conversation? Stop dreaming up these damnable monsters!”

Rainbow blinked a few times, waking up. “What’s that?” She noticed that there was a giant monster rampaging in the valley. “Oh cool! I was just thinking on one of those things! It was from this movie I caught before… oh balls.” The Pegasus looked guilty, realizing what she had done. Within a few seconds, the monster popped out of existence. “My bad.”

“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity growled, her rage more scary than that monster the blue mare had dreamt up. “If you ruin this for me so help me—I mean you’re the only reason we’re doing this rehearsal in a dream is because YOU had better things to do during the day!”

“Yes, and at the actual wedding she won’t be able to do this,” Spike smiled, trying to calm his fiancé down.

Rarity took a few big breaths, finally letting herself calm down. It was, after all, just the rehearsal. “Just try not to fall asleep again…” she muttered, still not understanding how that girl could fall asleep in a dream. But nevertheless, all the ponies were slowly starting to calm down. Everypony was just about to get back to their seats, when all of a sudden…

It started raining cookies.

“Pinkie!” Everypony shouted, leering into the pink pony who was snatching up a falling snickerdoodle.

“What?” She said with a mouthful of cookie. “I’m hungry.”

“YOU’RE IN A DREAM!” Rarity exploded… and she literally did. With her shocks of anger, several, powerful mushroom clouds erupted in the background. She threw her hand up into the air. “Ugh, I knew this was a terrible idea.”

“That’s what we told you,” Luna mumbled. “The power of the conscious mind is the very power of god.”

“Power of god, eh?” Rarity thought to herself… a devilish idea forming in her mind. “Well then, since it’s getting obvious that our friends can’t seem to focus…” she looked to Fluttershy, who surprisingly was being courted by four VERY muscular and half-naked stallions she had dreamt up. “… Huh?” She shook her head, not wanting to lose focus herself. “Attention!” she shouted, getting everypony’s attention. “I do appreciate all of you for taking the time out of your dreams to come to my dream wedding, and I do look forward to seeing you all in the waking world, but for now… I think me and my fiancé would like to be alone.”

And just like that, they all disappeared. Out of sight and back to their own heads.

It was just her and her dragon. “I’m terribly sorry about that fiasco,” she apologized. “In my head I saw that going better.”

“I say it went better than expected,” Spike grinned. “To be honest, I didn’t think we’d make it past ‘we are gathered here’.”

The unicorn laughed. “Well, we still have a few more hours before we need to wake up,” she spread her arms out, her white wedding gown slowly sparkling away into a skimpy white toga. “I’ve been daydreaming about this fantasy…”

“Oh, I think I know how this one goes…” Spike grinned, his tuxedo disappearing into a suit of bronze and red armour. Their surroundings turned into that of old Grease, with tall pillars of marble rooking them, as they looked onwards to a view of a shimmering bronze city.

“Oh Spike,” Rarity cooed, playfully falling into the dragon’s arms. “You were so brave today, rescuing me from that terrible hydra. If there was only some way for me to reward you for your efforts?” She grabbed the loose sleeve of her robe, letting the sleeve slink off her shoulder and down her arm. “Now, let’s take off all that armour…”

“And get lost in the dream.”

Author's Note

And that's it!
To be honest, this story was supposed to end last chapter, but you guys loved it so much I decided to quickly pump out a little something extra. Cause you're awesome like that.

But alas... it is now over. I really hope you enjoyed it and as always, thank you for reading.

Dirty Thoughts

It had been three days since Rarity had left her house. Three days since she had had her friends over or even seen another pony who wasn’t a client. Three days since she had had her dream of mermaids and Spike. She had to keep lying to both herself and her friends, telling them that she was busy with a big order when in reality she found herself sleeping more and more, doing her best to recreate and relive the fantasy she had a few nights before during her bath.

Even when awake her daydreams were plagued with the thoughts under the sea. She was obsessed, enthralled with the fantasy, yet was not brave enough to face the reality that it was no more than simply that. It was just a dream, an illusion of pleasurable reverie to fulfill a need for intimacy. Rarity knew that she couldn’t do this forever; she knew that she needed to leave her house eventually and do some actual work.

It was in the middle of the day when there was a knock on the door.

“Sorry!” Rarity shouted towards downstairs. “I’m afraid the Boutique is closed!”

“Rarity! It’s Applejack and Fluttershy!” came the familiar voice of a certain cowpony from the other side of the entrance. “Open this door before I kick it down for you!”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Rarity countered. “Besides…” She gave a few fake coughs. “I’m still feeling under the weather.”

“That’s why we’re here!” Applejack said. “We’re here to help you get better. You can’t just stop life because of a few sniffles. Heck, I once plowed a whole field when I had pneumonia.”

“And I brought soup,” Fluttershy’s soft voice joined in. “It’s wheatgrass and carrots, your favourite.”

“That’s really sweet of you two,” Rarity said. “But I think that a bit of bed rest is all that I need.”

“That’s it. Fluttershy, step back, this door’s coming down!”

“Applejack, please don’t!” Fluttershy pleaded.

But it was too late. The door flung off its hinges from the powerful kick of Applejack. The two of them entered the Boutique, with Fluttershy shaking profusely from the sudden burst of violence. The two headed up the stairs and into Rarity’s room, where the white mare in question was lying in her bed on top of the covers.

“Well, do come in,” Rarity droned. “Don’t mind me, it’s not like I’m in my pajamas.”

“Trust me, we don’t,” Applejack quipped, snickering. “So how’s the prissy princess? Getting over your cold?”

“Sorry we kicked the door down,” apologized Fluttershy. “We didn’t mean to do it. I’m sure that if we had just asked nicely you would have opened the door for us. Sorry for being so rash.”

“It’s okay, Fluttershy,” Rarity said with a sigh. “You don’t have to apologize for Applejack’s rudeness. And Applejack, I trust that you’ll be reimbursing me for the door you so gallantly kicked down.”

Applejack smirked. “It was worth it. I’ve always wanted to kick a door in. I’ll send you some bits and get Macintosh to fix it later today, but right now we need to talk, sugarcube. You’ve been locked up in here ever since Twilight’s brunch and we haven’t even heard a word from y’all for days. You don’t even look that bad, Rare.”

“I’ve just been feeling…” Rarity searched her mind for something to say. “I’ve just been feeling exhausted recently, and it’s more of an internal sickness…”

“Oh my, then you must have some of my soup,” Fluttershy said, bringing the big pot of warm soup to Rarity. She pulled a spoon out of her pocket and started to spoonfeed the unicorn. “Come on, Rarity. Open up for the choo choo train.”

“Fluttershy, I’m not a child,” droned Rarity, begrudgingly opening her mouth to take a gulp of the soup, “or one of your sick animals. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. “

“Sorry,” whimpered the yellow pegasus. “I’m just so used to dealing with uncooperative rabbits.”

“It’s alright, dear,” Rarity said with a sigh. “I really do appreciate your concerns for me but I assure you that I’m quite fine. Nothing a little rest can’t fix.”

“Y’all want to know what I think?” Applejack posited. “I think I know the best treatment for this here illness.”

“And what would that be, If I dare to ask?”

“Come with us and you’ll find out.” The cowpony smirked, grabbing Rarity by the wrist and pulling her out of bed. “Leave the soup here, Fluttershy. We ain’t going to need it where we’re going.”

“Okay…”

“Applejack!” Rarity gasped, as she was dragged out of her bed and out of her room. “Can I at least change into something more decent? I’d rather not parade around town in my nightwear!”

“Too late, we’ve gone too far,” Applejack replied with a grin. “Fluttershy, grab something for Rarity to wear. She can change once we get to the farm.”

“Why are we going to Sweet Apple Acres?” the unicorn asked. “Is there something there that will help me feel better?”

“Yep,” Applejack said. “Like my granny says, ain’t no cure for a damaged spirit like good hard work.”

“You’re going to make me work when I’m…” Rarity gave a few more fake coughs. “When I’m so sick?”

“Hey, once when I had hay fever, granny made me clear the entire west orchard of rotten apples and afterwards I felt right as rain.”

“Yes, and that’s lovely for somepony like you,” mumbled Rarity. “But this sounds awfully familiar… like when you sent me to that spa to ‘relax’ and it turned out to be a borderline work camp!”

“Hey, you made friends,” argued Applejack. “And those hippies are doing just fine because of the help you gave them.”

“But I hardly found the trip relaxing,” the unicorn complained. “Just like you forcing me to buck apples!”

“Whoa there, nelly,” said Applejack as she dragged the unicorn out the front door of the Boutique and into the bustling town. “When did I say you’d be bucking my apple fields? I’m just going to have you do some gardening with my sister.”

“That’s even worse!” Rarity screamed. “There’s… dirt! And mud and grimy little insects!” She gagged. “Nature is so unnatural. And would you please let me put some clothes on?! Ponies are staring…”

“They’re just jealous,” snickered the cowpony, waving at all the staring and grinning ponies that were staring at the barely dressed fashionista. “And don’t worry, I ain’t embarrassed to be seen with you.”

“How nice of you. Somepony, please kill me.”

“Ah, don’t talk like that,” said Applejack as they headed to the outskirts of town and towards her farm. “That’s how Sombra gets inside of you.”

“I really don’t care right now, darling,” Rarity grumbled as they finally got away from the probing eyes of the citizens of Ponyville. “At least we’re out of town. Where’s Fluttershy with my clothing? I’d like to get dressed sometime in the near future.”

“I’m up here!” the yellow pegasus called, fluttering down from the sky carrying a bag of clothes. “Sorry, I had to rush, but there were so many outfits and so many closets. So I just grabbed what was closest to me.”

“Thank you, dear,” said Rarity, taking the bag and digging through it. “No… well that’s cute but not with those shorts… I thought I threw away those neon socks… Good gracious, Fluttershy, I know you mean well but isn’t there anything else in this bag? Maybe an outfit that goes together?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know clothing!” cried the yellow mare. “I just grabbed something, I didn’t think to make it match!”

“Please don’t cry, dear,” said Rarity in attempt to placate, “I’m sure I can make something work in here…” She looked back into the bag and pulled out some blue skinny jeans. “I guess these would go nice with something, and I wouldn’t hate if they got a little… dirty.” She cringed a little as she swallowed the lump building in her throat. “Maybe there’s a nice top to go with this. Fluttershy, did you happen to grab a plaid jacket?”

“A plaid jacket?” Fluttershy asked.

“Those jackets that Applejack are always wearing.”

“Oh, you mean the red patchy woolly shirts?”

“Yes, dear,” droned Rarity. “The red patchy woolly shirts.”

“Oh, I think that I did,” Fluttershy said. “It might be at the bottom of the bag.”

“I think that I see it… Ooo! You even grabbed my pink one! This is perfect! I can work with this.” Rarity threw the pink plaid shirt, the jeans and a white undershirt over her shoulder and started to head towards the farmhouse. “Let’s get this over with.”

Applejack looked at Fluttershy as Rarity ran to the house. “Red patchy woolly shirt, really?”

Fluttershy twiddled her fingers. “I don’t know clothing…”

“But you know a million different sewing techniques? I mean, I’ve worn a plaid shirt every day since we’ve known each other, Fluttershy.”

“I’m sorry…”

“I’m not mad, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “It’s just odd, is all. Now come on, we need to get to work. Some of the pigs are having belly aches and I can’t seem to shut them up about it. Do you think you can do something about that?”

“I think so… it might be a bad case of glandular gas buildup, you haven’t been feeding them rotten crabapples, have you?”

“‘Course not!” Applejack replied with a huff. “I feed them the same bio-meal sludge that I’ve been giving them for years, though I don’t see the big deal. The pigs have been eating gruel since forever. They’re like muddy little garbage disposals.”

“Well, I’ll run back to my cottage and get my things and be back here before you know it,” Fluttershy said, taking to the air and heading in the direction of her home at the edge of the Everfree forest.

Applejack sighed. “Better go and check on Rarity and make sure she didn’t do something stupid,” she said, heading towards her house. “Hey, Rare! You almost done in there?”

“Just a second, dear,” Rarity called. When the mare walked out of the door, she was fully clothed, wearing the outfit that Fluttershy had thrown together in the bag with her mane done up in a ponytail. “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty to borrow a pair of your boots and one of your hair bands. I suppose Fluttershy didn’t have time to grab my shoes or some hair products as I was being forcefully removed from my home.”

“I’m sure you’ll survive,” countered Applejack. “Now come on, we’ve got to get you into the gardens for your therapy.”

“Do you at least have some gloves I could borrow?” Rarity asked. “If I’m going to be digging up plants like some sort of wild animal then I would at least like to spare my hands the strife of dirt scuff and possible callouses.”

“You’re so dramatic, Rare,” grumbled Applejack as the two headed around the house. “Y’all should stop fussing about the little things.”

“Okay, then,” the unicorn said sternly. “How about we talk about how the mare who I thought was one of my best friends decided to drag me across town half-naked?!”

“… so what about the little things?” Applejack chuckled nervously.

“Well, it’s about time y’all got here!” Apple Bloom called from the Apple’s garden.

Rarity froze as she saw Spike and Apple Bloom digging through the dirt of the garden, pulling out some onions that had just ripened enough for harvest. The dragon was sweaty, filthy, and shirtless which let the white mare once again get a front row view of Spike’s upper half. The way the dirt was on him seemed to make him gleam in the sunlight, defining his already chiseled looks and body.

“Hey, you two,” said Spike, wiping some sweat off of his brow. “Nice to see you again, Rarity. Twilight said you weren’t feeling well.”

“He’s dirty in all the right places,” Rarity whispered to herself, barely audible to even herself.

“Rarity, are you okay?” Spike asked again. “Are you still feeling sick?”

“She’s fine,” said Applejack, giving Rarity a hard slap on the back. “After a little work she’ll be feeling like a pig in a mud pie.”

“Applejack, please…” Rarity reddened. “Let’s not mention the ‘D’ word please.”

“If y’all say so,” said Applejack. “Though don’t know what I’m going to call dirt that won’t make you cringe like a snake in snow. Mud, filth, muck, enlarged micro dust? There ain’t no pleasing you, Rare. But I’ll go fetch you some gloves. Even I hate picking dirt from my nails.”

“Yes… please do those things you said,” said Rarity, still enthralled as Spike went back to digging through the dirt, tearing into the garden as if he were some big, sexy, animalistic Wildman. His body kept getting dirtier and dirtier with each scoop into the ground, the mud lightly coating his chest and work jeans in a thin layer of a substance that she would normally despise. It fused with his oily sweat to form a slick tannish brown scuff that seemed to make the poor mare gush with heat.

“Nice day, ain’t it, Miss Rarity?” said Apple Bloom. “I wish it wasn’t so dang hot, though.”

“Yes, it’s rather warm…” Rarity gulped, wiping the very unladylike sweat off her forehead.

“Glad I convinced you to take your shirt off?” Apple Bloom asked Spike, grinning like a devil. “Much cooler ain’t it?”

“Please,” Spike replied with a chuckle, rolling his eyes. “You just wanted to see me with my shirt off, you giant perv.”

“Like there ain’t a girl in town who doesn’t want to see that,” said the young cowpony. “See, even Miss Rarity’s staring.”

“I am not!” screamed Rarity, turning around to hide her violet cheeks. “I… just dozed off for a second there. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Spike asked. “You’re acting a little odd right now.”

“I can assure you, dear,” Rarity said, turning back around with an over-exaggerated smile. “See, perfectly okay!”

“You don’t seem okay—“ Apple Bloom started to say.

“I’m perfect like a picture!” Rarity said hastily, nervously playing with her mane. “So if you don’t mind, I’d like to drop the matter at hand and we can all just get on with our day.”

“I was just asking because you’re bleeding.”

“Now Apple—what did you just say, dear?”

“Your nose,” Apple Bloom clarified. “It just up and started bleeding for no good reason.”

“My nose?” the unicorn wondered aloud as she gently used her fingers to dab under her nostril and felt the gooey blood that had burst from there. “Oh dear, that cannot be good.”

Her head started to feel a little light and she began to stumble under her own weight, her legs conveniently turning into jelly. She landed in the dirt of the garden, not caring that it had just got her outfit all messy. The glare of the sun seemed to increase as she slowly closed her eyes to block the sun and awaited for whatever that had gotten her so funny left her system.

When she felt the strength return to her body, she opened her eyes to the thick tropical jungle of the Chilly Onion Rainforest.

“Rarity, are y’all alright?” Applejack asked her, now dressed in a plaid safari outfit. “That coconut hit you pretty hard on the head. Thank Celestia you were wearing one of those silly looking helmets.”

“I’m fine, dear,” she said, taking the offered hand of her companion. “Just a little rough and tumble. All part of the job, I suppose.”

“Yep,” said Applejack. “I just hope that Dr. Fluttershy can figure out the secret to The Lost Onion, treasure of the Applelopian ponies.”

“Well, that’s why we’re here,” said Rarity. “We’ll find it, even if we need to get our hands a little dirty… unfortunately.”

“It’ll all be worth it in the end, Rarity,” said Applejack. “That onion is going to make us both richer than a crystal princess.”

“So you keep telling me,” grumbled the mare. “I still don’t know why the Applelopians had to hide their treasures in such a place as the jungle, especially a jungle that’s so filthy and covered in so much dirt and grime and… ugh, nature.”

“It’s the jungle, Rarity,” droned Applejack. “There’s dirt everywhere.”

“Then let’s just get this over with.”

The orange mare nodded and started to cut through the thickets of the jungle as Rarity followed while carefully observing her surroundings. She admired the tall, crisp foliages and the vines that hung about, as well as the remarkable contorted shapes of some of the trees. In its own way, the jungle was a magical place. It’s a shame that such beauty had to grow in such a dirty thing like… well, dirt.

Finally, the two cut through the last bits of thickets and approached a large canyon in the middle of the forest. What it was doing there, neither of them had any idea, but after looking down both sides of the creases, it was clear that going around was not an option and the only way across was an old looking drawbridge, mossy and rotten from age; it must have been getting on in decades.

“Times like this I wish I was a pegasus.” Applejack gulped, taking a tentative step onto the bridge.

“Are you crazy?” Rarity gasped. “You can’t be seriously considering getting on that rickety old bridge? It looks like I’ll snap any second.”

“Just don’t look down,” warned the cowpony. “As long as you don’t look down then you should be okay.”

“I’m not getting on that bridge!” The white mare frowned. “It’s idiotic. I’m not going to venture down an incredibly dangerous shortcut and die falling down some cavern just because I wanted to save on travel time. I will not become my father!”

“Suit yourself.” Applejack shrugged as she started to carefully cross the bridge. “See you on the other side.”

“You’re just going to leave me all alone in the jungle?!”

“You’ll be fine,” Applejack said with a chuckle. “It’s not like there’s anything dangerous in the jungle. At least that what I think. Fluttershy could probably give you a better idea of what’s in there.”

“You’ve always inspired such confidence,” muttered Rarity. “But fine, if you insist on crossing that bridge and leaving me here then I guess I’ll see you later… unless I’m ripped apart by some Timberwolves or some other nasty creature.”

“Alrighty then!” Applejack said, almost on the other side of the bridge. “Well, if you change your mind, the bridge is always here.”

Rarity looked once again at the shaky and wobbly rope bridge, and the perilous drop beneath it. The pony gulped heavily as she took her first step onto the planks.

“This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy,” she panicked to herself, taking another few steps. “I can’t believe I let her talk me into this.”

“You’re doing great!” Applejack called from the other side. “Just keep walking forward and try not to look down if you can help it.”

“Telling me not to look down isn’t going to help me, dear!”

“Well, I’m just saying don’t do it.”

“I had no plan to do so!” Rarity shouted back. “Why would I look down?!”

“You shouldn’t, that’s what I’m saying!”

“Then stop mentioning it!”

“I’m not mentioning it!” Applejack yelled. “I’m just saying don’t look down!”

“That’s mentioning it!” hollered the unicorn. “Look, just… please stop talking for the next five minutes, or at least until I get across this bridge.”

“All you had to do was ask…”

Rarity groaned as she took a few more cautious steps down the bridge, every little advance squeaking the creaky boards and sending a chill down her spine. She knew that it was too late to turn back now and once she got to the other side she would have to kill Applejack for talking her into doing something so stupid.

That’s when she heard the snap.

The bridge gave way from under her feet and she started to fall, screaming as she started to plummet into the abyss. Luckily, by some miracle her leg got jammed into one of the two planks of the bridge and she swung against the wall of the cavern, but she felt a searing pain in her leg as her ankle snapped. The unicorn grunted in pain as she hung helplessly from the fallen bridge, staring at her frightened and upside down friend.

“Rarity, are you okay?!” Applejack called from the other side. “What the hay happened?”

“I don’t know…” the unicorn called out. “The bridge gave out. You said that it would be safe!”

“I thought it was!” the cowpony called back. “It didn’t break when I went over it!”

“Well, that’s just lovely!” Rarity roared. “What do you suppose I do now?”

“I guess try and climb up!” Applejack yelled. “I’m going to see if there’s another way across and try to meet up with you down the path. Just stay put until I get there. You’ve got food in your backpack?”

“I think it slipped off my back when I fell,” Rarity said, trying to lift herself up from her hanging position and get a better grip on the bridge. “I’m going to try and climb up. I think that I can use the bridge boards as a ladder.”

“Good thinking,” her friend called from across the canyon. “Get back onto solid ground and I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

She watched as Applejack dashed down the length of the canyon, slowly disappearing into the distance. Rarity knew that Applejack was fast and wouldn’t rest until she found her again, but they had no way to determine the length of the abyss. It could take her friend hours upon hours to finally get to her.

But she couldn’t think of that right now. Right now, Rarity needed to think about climbing up this bridge ladder and not fall to a grisly death hundreds of feet below. Using all her abdominal strength, she resisted gravity and the pain in her foot, grabbing on to the board of the fallen bridge. With a bit of painful wiggling, she freed her swollen ankle and started to climb up. Hand over hand she made steady progress, and eventually the end of the bridge was in sight. All she had to do was hold on for a few more feet…

Crack!

She watched in wide eyed horror as the rope snapped once again.

She screamed, falling into the abyss, only this time there was nothing for her to grab a hold of. Rarity closed her eyes as she dropped, too scared to watch the rest of the fall. But something strange happened: she only fell for a brief moment before something caught her by the collar.

When Rarity opened her eyes, she saw her saviour.

A large, scaly, and most importantly, shirtless dragon had apparently reached out and prevented her from falling. The purple drake smiled as he started to pull her up from the cliff and placed her gently on the ground.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

Rarity was at a loss for words. Hovering over her was a dirt-stained dragon, filthy from years of running through the trees, digging in the mud, climbing the rocky surfaces of mountains, and so many other impressively manly things. Something about this dirty Wildman she found just so… exotic.

“I’m fine now,” the unicorn said. “Thank you for saving me. What was your name again? I don’t think I caught it.”

“Spike,” the dragon answered. “So what’s a pretty thing like you doing all the way in the heart of the Chilly Onion Rainforest? I didn’t see any hot air balloons or gyrocopters coming this way. Did you crash here as well?”

“Crash?” Rarity wondered. “What on earth are you talking about? Me and my friends just got here by boat a few days ago. We’re looking for the Applelopian pony’s Lost Onion.”

“That old relic, eh?” Spike said. “Well, good luck finding that. I came here three years ago looking for that onion and still haven’t the slightest idea where the heck it could be.”

“Well, that’s very reassuring,” said the mare, mumbling as she tried to pick herself up from the ground, but she buckled under the weight of her broken ankle and collapsed back onto the ground. “Ouch! My ankle…”

“Don’t move,” the dragon said, bending down on one knee and gently handling her ankle with his strong hands. “I think it’s broken. Do you mind if I take off your boot?”

“If you must…”

He nodded, carefully slipping off her shoe and examining her fair white foot. “It doesn’t look too bad, actually. Probably just a small sprain but I wouldn’t recommend walking on it for a while. In fact, you probably shouldn’t be up on your feet at all.”

“Well, then I really am just waiting for my friend to get here now, aren’t I?”

“You mean that orange pony you were traveling with?” Spike asked. “She’ll be lucky if she gets here by tomorrow night. This cavern goes on for miles. That and it looks like the stars are going to be coming out soon."

“Is that a bad thing?” Rarity asked.

“Not unless you have a death wish,” the dragon said. “It’s dangerous this deep in the jungle, especially at night. It’s when all the apex predators like to come out and hunt and no offence, miss, but I don’t think that you’re in any condition to be defending yourself against the terrible creatures that roam this mossy jungle.”

The white mare gulped. “Oh my, that doesn’t sound good. I do hope Applejack will be okay.”

“I’m sure she’ll manage. She seems like a hard apple to crack,” said Spike. “I’m more worried about you. I need to get you to safety.”

“Where are we going to go?”

“Trust me,” said the dragon, shuffling around on his knees until his back was presented to her. “Do you think you can grab on to my back?”

“I think I can manage,” said Rarity as she slowly dragged herself on the ground, her outfit getting filthy from being dragged in the dirt. “I think I’m going to ruin my outfit,” she mumbled, getting a good grip on Spike’s tail as she pulled herself up his rough green spines. She could feel the sharp scales slicing into her clothing and tearing at the cloth. She would be lucky if any of her outfit was left by the end of this.

“Do you have a good grip?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Good, then hold on!”

Before she knew it, the dragon took off, galloping into the forest. He was so fast and agile for someone of his size, traveling like a gazelle past the plants and other greenery of the jungle. He skillfully started to climb one of the trees and the unicorn clung on for dear life as the dragon leapt from branch to branch as he ascended the tree.

When they finally got to the top of one of the flat topped trees, the sun had already set and the star were starting to awake, dotting the sky in a layer of silver glimmers. He laid her down on the nest of leaves and twigs, still being careful about her bad ankle.

Spike looked to Rarity. “There, we should be safe for the night. Sorry about your outfit.”

“It’s alright, Spike,” the unicorn said, looking at her shredded shirt and shorts. “At least your spines didn’t cut through my underwear. That would be rather embarrassing…”

“Yeah…” He blushed. “That’d be bad.” He started to drift off as he stared at the night sky. “Sure is beautiful, the sky that is.”

“It certainly is,” agreed Rarity, gazing into the starry heaven. “You don’t get skies like this back at home. There’s too much light pollution.”

“I remember,” said the dragon with a chuckle. “One of the reasons I decided not to go back to civilization. That, and the balloon I came here in was torn to shred by fruit bats.”

“That’s unfortunate,” said the mare empathetically. “I mean for you to be stuck here in the middle of the jungle. But at least the view is nice. Where I come from it’s hard to find such natural beauty but here it seems to be in abundance. I’ve always liked the night now that I think about it.”

“Same here…” He smiled as his eyes started to admire up and down Rarity’s body. “It’s a great view.”

“Oh my…” Rarity whispered with a fierce blush. It’s not like she didn’t think that the dragon was unattractive, and he definitely had certain… features that one would consider fascinating. She started to feel warm inside, her tender white body aching with yearning—yearning for this dragon. The warmness in her was the only thing that was keeping her from realizing that it was freezing up in the night air. Rarity started to shiver, now wishing that her clothes had remained a little more intact.

Spike saw this and grew concerned. After looking around he quickly started to pull some of the large banana leaves off the treetops. The dragon began fashioning them into something before handing them to her. “Here, it’s not much, but it should keep you warm.”

Rarity took the leaves that Spike had woven into a blanket and threw it over her shoulders. “Thank you, Spike. This is much better.” She was still shivering a little. “But I’m still a little cold.”

The dragon smiled. “I think I know how to fix that,” he said, sliding over to her and wrapping one of his large, muscular arms over her shoulder, snuggling closer to her. “I’m pretty warm, so I hope you don’t mind being so close to me.”

“Not at all,” she replied, beaming as she cuddled deeper into his chest, feeling the warm core of his rippling stomach. “It’s actually quite nice.”

“Glad to hear that,” Spike said. “...What do you think of it here? Do you like it?”

“You mean the jungle? It’s rather filthy, and I’ve always thought that all this nature bundled up like to be unnatural. But now that I’ve had a few moments to look at it I’ve really noticed the beauty of this place.”

“Beauty, huh?” He smiled. “Well, ain’t that something.”

“Of course,” she cooed, “it’s still nothing like the beauty next to me.”

“Rarity?”

“Hush,” she said, pushing the dragon down on the leaves. She shed the leaf blanket that the dragon had made for her and pinned him down with evilly lustful intent, not that he seemed to mind. “Since we’ve been stuck up here I’ve been thinking of a way of repaying you and my thoughts are becoming quite… primal.”

“Wild girl, aren’t you?” Spike snickered, pressing Rarity against him. “Just a dirty little jungle mare.” He looked up at her: messy hair, dirty fur, yet still beautiful. Clean, regal mares like Rarity always seemed so much hotter when they were dirty. A sort of wonderful fantasy really. They started to lean in closer and closer, their lips almost connecting.

“Rarity, are you okay?”

“What?”

“Sugarcube, you alright?”

Rarity’s eyes started to open to the bleeding sunlight of morning. Where had she gone? Escaped reality into yet another dream? Her nose felt a little runny and her face was covered in her blood. “Oh…” She groaned, rubbing her head as she slowly got up. “How long was I out?”

“Just a few seconds, Rare,” said Applejack. “You still gave us a nasty scare. Maybe you weren’t as well as I thought. Me and Fluttershy will take you back to your house.”

“Yes… please and thank you, darling,” mumbled the mare as she got up. She noticed that Spike wasn’t there anymore. “Where’s Spike?”

Applejack pointed over her shoulder. “He went to the house to get the first aid kit. I’ll have Bloom tell him that you’re okay and just gonna go home.”

“Thank you, dear,” said Rarity as she took some shoulder support from Fluttershy and Applejack. This was the second time she had had a strange dream like this. First time a watery masterpiece and now a rough jungle run? There was something going on in her perverted little head, but it all had to do with the dragon. Spike seemed to be the trigger to these little fantasies, that she knew for sure. It was nice, if nothing else. However, she couldn’t keep doing this to herself. These dreams could get out of control if she didn’t do something about them…