Spike dragged his feet as he grumbled under his breath, dirt and dust clinged to his scales as he headed to the castle. Another day, another time were Rarity wanted his help in finding gems for her next dress line. He was happy to help but after 5 hours under the sun and barely getting any gems for himself, all he wanted to do was go home, wash up then sleep the rest of the day away. Twilights castle came into view and sighed with relief. He pushed open the doors and went inside. He didn't know if Twilight was here but he didn't care at the moment. All he wanted was hot relaxing water and the softness of his bed and blanket.
After spending time in the tub and scrubbing, his scales were their clean shiny purple color again. He sighed and went to his room, crawling into his bed and sniggled under the blankets. His mind swam a bit as he looked back on today and before. For a while, Spike felt his feelings for Rarity change. After this years Hearts and Hooves day and Rarity still not noticing his feelings, his heart beated out to her less and less. The butterflies he once had when he was near her fluttered less and less.
He sighed and turned onto his back to now stare at the ceiling. Not only that but no matter how mature his mind is and how hard he tries to prove himself, the other ponies all see him as… a baby dragon. Sure he's a year or two younger than Twilight but he is still older at heart and mind. He leard many things when he and Twilight came to Ponyville. All the battles, events, the friends they made. It was one adventure after another and yet, he was still a kid.
"Why can't the others see me as an adult? I know I'm different and a few years younger but I am not a baby…" He tossed and turned in his bed, trying to sleep or at least nap a bit but so far, nothing. He huffed and sat up. He tossed the blanket off and jumped out of bed. Maybe a snack will help him relax more. He walked out of his room and headed to the kitchen to see if there are any gems or at least some cake. As he headed down the hall, he heard voices of his friends, probably ready to go on another adventure or solve another problem that requires their knowledge of friendship. Probably one without his help. He went to the map room and saw them there.
"Oh! Spike, there you are. The map just showed us another place we need to go to. You want to come?" Twilight asked, smiling.
"Thanks Twilight but I think I'll stay here. Need to keep the castle in good shape." Spike replied. He would love to go but it would probably lead him to being the one to carry all their bags like usual. Especially Rarity's bags. She packs too much for little days. "You sure? I'm sure after we figure out the conflict, we can look around in Las Pegasus." Twilight said, as her friends nodded.
"Yeah I'm sure. You girls have fun." Spike waved a claw at them, smiling a bit before going to find the kitchen again.
Luna had brought up her moon and stars onto the sky to signal that night has come, letting all the ponies and other creatures know it is time to rest. Spike was one of them, already in bed once again and trying to sleep. His mind swam again as he slept, tossing and turning. In his dream, Spike found himself walking about on the fields outside of Ponyville. Before he could figure out what he was doing, a calm voice spoke out behind him. "What troubles you young drake? Something is on your mind that wishes to be solved." He turned around to see it was Luna. She softly smiled at him as she walked over to him. "I am here to listen. But only if you are willing to speak about it." Spike looked up at her, sighing a bit.
"Well, there is something. I'm tired of being treated as a kid and I want to prove that I can be… Mature and be taken seriously. But none of my friends will let me. I know that if I grow, I'll be that giant dragon and I don't want to hurt any pony. I don't know what to do…" He looked at the ground, feeling bad.
Luna pondered a moment as she looked at him. "Well, you should be at the point where your body should be as big as a stallions, maybe a bit bigger. I think… there is a safe way of helping you grow without worrying about becoming a violent dragon." Spikes head shot up in surprise. "Really?! H-How?"
Luna thought a bit, racking at the memories and readings she has in her mind. "There is a method that a dragon child can do to grow bigger and stronger without their minds shrinking into greed." She sat down and patted the ground next to her, motioning Spike to sit. He nodded and sat down, looking at her intently. Luna then started explaining to him, all the things he needed and needed to remember. And that night, though asleep, Spike was excited.
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A few days had passed since Lunas visit and Spike had already gotten things ready for his hibernation. He hasn't decided what day he wanted to do it but he knew when the time came, he would be able to grow. He huffed as he hauled the last of his gem stash and his things into a nearby cave. He headed back to Ponyville, his mind listing all the things he has and double checking to be sure he has all. He wasn't looking where he was going and suddenly bumped into somepony. "OOF! I'm sorry! Are you okay?!" Spike jumped up and looked at who he bumped into. On the ground was a mare with a strange fur pattern. She was black and white spotted, like milk spilt on her fur, her mane and tail a light grey, almost silver color. And on her flank was a cutie mark of a milk bottle pouring out some sort of rainbow as the milk. She looked up at him, her eyes a deep emerald green. "I'm okay. I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." The mare had a soft voice, almost like a mix of Fluttershys kindness and a slight accent like AppleJacks.
Spike felt his face heat up as he helped her up back on her hoofs. "No, my fault. I wasn't paying attention. I don't think I've seen you before. Are you new here?"
"Yes. I recently moved here a week ago. My name is Milkyway. Milkyway Flow." Milkyway held out a hoof to him for him to shake. Spike smiled and took her hoof, shaking it. "My name's Spike." Milkyways eyes light up. "Spike? As in the dragon that works with Princess Twilight? Well what an honor!" She smiled at him, causing Spikes heart to suddenly flutter a bit. "I was heading to my store to open it up. Are you busy? I could use the company." Milkyway asked.
They were at a small house that also the store that Milkyway mentioned. The first floor had the counter and had shelves that were labeled with different flavors such as chocolate, strawberry and so on. There were also some empty milk bottles and behind the counter was some sort of big barrel that was connected to some pipes. There were also some pots on a stove in the corner. Spike looked at everything. "So Milkyway, what do you do?" He asked.
Milkyway was turning on the barrel as a sloshing sound was heard. "I make milk. Or rather, flavored milk. I discovered my talent when I was able to make flavors of milk that no pony thought was possible to make with milk. I made peppermint coffee, chocolate spice, banana muffin, blueberry swirl, all kinds." SHe smiled.
Spike looked at her with amazement. "Those sound so good! That's really cool!"
"Would you like to try some? I have milk still fresh from yesterday." Spike nodded at her offer and Milkyway went to a room connected to the room they were in. She came back out with a bottle with milk that was colored with a light creamy brown color. "Here. Try this. It's my popular flavor back home." Spike took the bottle and opened it before taking a sip. His eyes went wide and he started chugging down the rest. "Chocolate mint raspberry! That is really good!"
The whole day, Spike spent with Milkyway, seeing her how she made her flavored milks. She had cows in the back she treats really well that she collects her milk. The pots she used to experiment and make her flavor syrups that go into the milk. He watched her make the milks and chatted with her. He even helped her with anything she needed. At first she refused, him being a guest, be he insisted and helped her with anything from getting milk bottles to filling and shelving them. After the sun started to set, they said their good-byes and Spike headed on his way. He was smiling and nearly floating when he arrived back to the castle. He didn't even notice that Twilight was back from her journey at Las Pegasus.
"Spike? There you are. Where were you? I thought you'd be here when I got back." Twilight trotted next to him, oblivious of his smitten face.
"I was hanging out with a new pony. She was nice." Spike sighed. Twilight smiled. "I'm glad you made a new friend Spike. You can tell me all about her in the morning. Right now, I'm beat from the task. Turns out, there was conflict between up town and down town and the equality of…" Spike didn't hear the rest of Twilight's rant as he got to his room and nestled into his bed. He didn't know why he was super happy but he knows that he couldn't wait to see Milkyway again .
And he did. For the past few months, when he was able to finish up his tasks and chores, he would go out and visit Milkyways store. She greeted him with a smile everything and let him help her out, even when she insisted he didn't need to. She showed him how she was able to make her syrups and flavors, all straight from the items themselves and not the syrups that just say tastes like the flavor. Milkyway explained that she likes to use pure organic ingredients rather fake ones. Gives the milk more floor and love. She even let him have one or two bottles each time he visited, wither to try it or as a reward for helping her.
Spike never felt so happy and for once, he found and pony that didn't see him as and kid. One day, he had to help out one of his friends, happily sweeping the floor of Raritys boutique. "My spike, you seem to be in a chipper mood. Anything happened with my wittle Spikey Wikey?" Rarity asked as she levitated some spools of thread over to work station. "Not much. I made a new friend and she's awesome!" Spike responded as he twirled the broom in his claws. "She's nice and cool, awesome she gives me flavored milk when ever I visit to chat or help."
"Aww, I've glad you made a friend Spike. Oh can you be a dear and get some of the cloth over by the mirrors? I need the material of this dress." She pointed a hoof to the platform where the ponies that come to see how the outfits looked on them. Spike nodded and went to get the cloth, a bit irked that Rarity baby talked him and all. As he handed her the cloth, he eyes went wide a bit. "wait, what time is it? I'll be late to see Milkyway!" He said his quick goodbyes and ran out the boutique, leaving Rarity surprised.
"It's okay Spike. A few minutes is not much. Plus, I barely opened so you're fine." Milkyway was sorting her milk bottles, with Spike next to her helping. "Okay. Sorry. I just saw the time and almost forgot." Spike explained. Milkyway giggled and gave him playful nudge. "It's okay. By the way Spike, I've been meaning to ask. What's it like being a dragon? I mean, you don't have t answer but I've been curious since you're the only dragon around here In Ponyville."
Spike smiled. "It's not much different. Since I was raised by Twilight, I pretty much feel not much different. I'm more intelligent than regular dragons and much nicer. But…" he paused a bit and frowned. "Because of my size, I get treated like a kid or… a baby. But just because I'm a dragon and I'm like 2 years younger than Twilight, I'm not. I have the same age intellect just like her. But they don't see it… A while ago Luna came into my dream and good told how I can grow older without having to loose into my greed. I almost forgot about it but I don't know if I should go through it."
Milkyway looked at him and gently gave him a hug. He blushed a bit and looked up at her. "Well, if you feel like this, it's your choice. As long as you're sill the same Spike everypony knows and loves, it's okay."
Spike blinked a few times before smiling and hugging Milkyway. "Thanks. You know. I'll do it! But there's the thing…
"Four months?!" Spike cringed at the words Twilight shrieked. He explained the process to her and the others, that he can grow if he slept on his own horde of gems and treasures, but have things with sentimental value such as photos, blankets, anything that reminded him of his friends and himself. But the process was time consuming and the whole procedure takes months to do.
"you're telling us that we won't see you for four months?!" Rainbowdash exclaimed. Spike nodded. "A-and you really want to do this…?" Fluttershy timidly asked, Spike nodding again.
"I know it's a long time but I want to. I'm like the only dragon around that's still small! I'm older than I look and just… want this." He looked up around each of them, seeing them look around to each other. Twilight stepped forward. "If you're really sure… than… you can go ahead and do it." Spike smiled and hugged her. "don't worry Twilight, it'll go by fast and you'll be looking at a new dragon!" Pinkie bounced excitedly. "I'll make a 'welcome back all grown up Spike' party!" She squealed. "We're gonna miss you sugar cube." Applejack said.
Spike smiled mare and sighed with relief, knowing that his friends were finally began to understand.
He checked to make sure everything was still there and nodded in approval. His friends helped to seal the small cave he was In so no pony would disturb him while he hibernated. He yawned and stretched before getting comfortable on his hoard. Before he did anything, he reached over to the side and held up a milk bottle. Tied on the neck was a small note. 'I can't wait to see you again! I'll see if I have new milk flavors for you to try when you get back. MWF' he smiled at the note Milkyway wrote for him before chugging down the milk. Hot chocolate and mint. Perfect for helping him sleep. He nuzzled his hoard one last time, his eyes slowly closing as he saw the picture of him and his friends one last time.
__________________
Twilight paced back and forth. She looked up at the clock on the castle library wall then levitated the calendar that was resting on her desk closer to check the date. It felt as though she had checked for the date 20 times on that same day. She sighed and placed the calendar back onto the desk. "Okay sugar cube, what's wrong?" Applejack asked, sitting on the floor, along with the others, resting on either the floor pillows or chairs. The rest looked at Twilight with worried looks, having a feeling of what Twilight was actually thinking.
"Huh? Oh. Sorry girls. It's just…" Twilight started.
"Is it about Spike?" Rainbowdash asked.
"Yes. It's been months now and we still have a few days before he comes back! And…"
"And you're afraid that Spike might be different aside from his look like those meanie dragons from the migration and be all jerky and mean to the other ponies and us instead of the sweet nice Spike we know and love?" Pinkie said in one breath, inhaling a deep gulp of air after giving her exact explanation of what Twilight was thinking.
"Y-yes…" Twilight stared at Pinkie Pie before snapping out of it. "I'm worried that he would change more…"
"Oh darling. I'm sure that after we see him, Spike will still be the sweet, cutesy woosy dragon we all know." Rarity said, reassuring Twilight.
"I suppose." Twilight looked out the window. Pinkie sprang up. "We still have a few days before he comes back! That is still enough time to throw him a 'welcome back' PARTY!" She shrieked the last part, bouncing in excitement.
Fluttershy nodded. "And he would be so happy to see us again after being asleep for so long."
Twilight smiled."And we'll be greeting him with open hooves. I just hope Spike is okay, after sleeping all alone for so long…" She looked out the window again, seeing the snow, or the last of it fading away. Spring was coming, since Spike decided to sleep almost the beginning of fall. "Please be okay…"
Darkness. The first thing that Spike saw was darkness. He looked around, seeing more darkness. His eyes are open, a bit drowsy from the long sleep. He yawned a bit before stretching out his limbs. Slight pops were heard in the space he was in, the joints in his limbs finally moving for the first time in months. "Man, that felt gooooood. But I don't feel any different…" He got up and found the rock that was blocking the way to keep anypony out and started pushing it away. The rock felt lighter than usual, it was a bit heavy when he moved it in place before he started his hibernation. The first rays of light flooded the small cave, blinding the young drake for the moment. He moved a hand to shield his eyes and noticed that his hand was bigger. His eyes went wide and he started to look over himself.
He was taller. MUCH taller. He still had his purple and green scales but he noticed that his build was a mix between slim but with some sort of muscle build. His chest was more defined and his shoulders were brouder. And his arms looked thicker and his tail was longer with a slight scale tiff at the tip. He reached up and touched the scales on his head and behind his back. They were bigger and tougher. As he reached more, he felt slight bumps on either side. Weird. He went back into the cave he slept in and found a shiny large gem, using its surface as a mirror and saw his facial features. His muzzle was longer and his face was firmer, almost the same structure as Big Mac's. In other words, he was one good looking dragon.
"It worked… IT WORKED!" He cheered and jumped into the air. His tail wagged as he danced around a bit. "I can't wait to show the others!" He quickly put the rock back in front of the cave to be sure his stuff doesn't get stolen and ran off. He jumped and swerved through the trees, smiling as how fast he is moving. How excited he was, he didn't notice somepony was walking about in a familiar spot. "OOF!" Both figures grunted and Spike fell, the other falling ontop of him.
Clearing his head, he looked to see who he ran into. His cheeks tinted with blush when he saw it was Milkyway. Milkyway shook her head and looked down to meet Spikes eyes. "SPIKE?! Is that you?!" Her eyes were wide as she looked at him, not believing this was the same dragon she met months back. "M-Milkyway!" Spike stood up and help her onto her hooves so he could get back on his feet. As he did, Milkyway smiled and jumped to hug the drake. "Oh Celestia Spike I can't believe it's you! I mean, look at you!" She laughed a bit as she let go and took a few steps back to look at him better. He was taller, much taller than her!
"Yeah, it's me." Spike said sheeply as he rubbed the back of his head. "Has it really been four months?" Milkyway nodded. "Yes. It was sort of quiet without you. After you visiting my shop so many times, I ended up talking to air after I forgot you were sleeping." Milkyway chuckled, Spiked chuckled a bit. "But it's so good to have you back Spike." She smiled at him, making Spike feel that familiar feeling again. "Same here Milkyway. I was heading to Ponyville to see my friends. My guess they're at the castle. Do you want to come? I never really got to introduce you to them."
Milkyways eyes widen a bit. "Really? As in meeting the one of the princesses and the mares that saved everypony?" Spike nodded. "Even though they have their moments or titles, they are nice and are like anypony. So what do you say?" Milkyway pondered a bit, then nodded. "Of course! Let's go to my shop first and get some of my flavored milk to celebrate!" Spike nodded and smiled. "Sounds like a plan!"
"How are those streamers coming Pinkie?" Twilight was levitating some the decorations onto the walls of the castle, turning her head to where the excited pinky pony was to see her firing her party cannon like crazy. Every bang shot out confetti, balloons and streamers that decorated all the places they were shot at in no time at all. "Almost dooooone!" Pinkie called out. AppleJack and Rarity were setting up the snacks on the table while Fluttershy and Rainbowdash settled up the banner on the root chandler that read 'Welcome back Spike!.'
Fluttershy tied her end onto one of the roots. "My goodness, I can't wait to see how happy Spike will be when he sees this." She timidly said. "Yeah! He's gonna have a cow seeing this!" Rainbowdash boasted.
Twilight smiled. "It looks like everything is ready, so now the only thing to do is to go wake and bring Spike." At those words, there was a knock at the door. The girls looked t each other and were confused as to who that was. They heard the doors opening and heard two different steps. One was obviously from a pony but the others were heavier. The visitors finally reached where the others were and all six mares gasped. "SPIKE?!"