Love, Ponies, and a Dragon

by pencil pony

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Spike, Rarity, Scootaloo
Length: 6469

Teenaged Spike finally acts on his feelings for Rarity

Spike is in his late teens, but has yet to act on his feelings for Rarity. The Summer Sun Festival is right around the corner and Spike is determined to finally ask Rarity out. There will be heart break before the end, but Spike has plenty of love to give.

Published 2011-12-10 14:58:04 UTC
Last updated 2012-01-03 23:55:02 UTC

Chapter 1

“Spiiiike!” Twilight called from the main room of the library. “It's breakfast time Spike!”

Spike ignored her, between breakfast and sleeping in, he chose sleeping in every time. He stretched out and yawned, his toes scraping the foot board, and twisted around to find a more comfortable position.

Spike had gotten his own room a couple of years ago, when Twilight decided he'd grown too large to sleep in a basket. Since the day he moved in the room was a complete mess. Books sat all over the place, what little clothing he owned was sitting on the floor, and empty bowls, glasses and mugs were everywhere.

Twilight opened the door and quietly trotted up to Spike's bed.

“Come ON Spike.” She wrapped her forelegs around one of his legs and tried to pull the dragon off his bed, but she could only move him a few inches. Twilight let go, exhausted. In the last few years Spike had grown to be about as large as Big Macintosh, but dragons scales, a thick tail and a set of wings made him almost twice as heavy.

She looked at him and rolled her eyes, then her horn lit up an Spike was enveloped in a magical aura. As carefully as she could Twilight levitated Spike, blanket and all, downstairs into the library.

Spike's eyes snapped open when he heard a bowl come to rest on the table next to his head. He sat up and realised he was in the middle of the breakfast table.

“Oh good, you're awake.”

“That was a dirty trick!”

Twilight smiled, “Come down and eat your breakfast.”

Spike climbed off the table and began to eat from a large bowl of porridge.

“Anyway Spike.” said Twilight after several moments of silence. “I've got an errand for you to run.”

Spike groaned. “But I'm busy today.”

“Doing what?”

“Umm, listening to music?”

Twilight Sighed. “Okay fine, I guess I'LL deliver that step ladder to Rarity's boutique.”

“Rarity?”

“Mhmm”

“Now that you mention it, I think I do have a spare slot in my busy schedule.”

“Uh huh” Twilight playfully punched Spike one the shoulder. “Anyway Rarity is repainting her boutique today, that's why she needs the ladder. Applejack was going to help her but she's sick. I bet Rarity could use a big strong dragon to help get the job done.”

She smiled mischievously. “But since we don't have one of those I guess you'll have to do instead.”

“Hey! I'll have you know that I'm the biggest strongest, dragon in Ponyville!”

“Don't forget you're still a baby by dragon standards.”

“Yeah well, I'm the biggest, strongest baby in Ponyville as well.” Said the dragon flexing his arm muscles

Twilight giggled at the posturing dragon. “just finish your breakfast and go take that ladder to Rarity.”

Spike quickly polished off his breakfast, let out a loud belch, (much to Twilight's revulsion) and excused himself from the table.

Spike hummed a tune as he made his way through Ponyville carrying the step ladder. it was a beautiful, sunny, day and he was going to see the pony he had had a crush on since he had first come to Ponyville, Spike couldn't be much happier.

A lot of ponies were about today, also enjoying the fine weather, most of them greeted Spike by name, there was only one dragon in Ponyville so he was fairly well known, and he greeted them back, sometimes just waving and smiling when he couldn't remember a particular ponies name.

“Hey Spike!”

He turned around to see three ponies trotting up to him, he definitely knew the name of these three young fillies.

“Oh hey Scoots, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle.”

The three friends were on summer holidays from school, they would be starting their final year in a few weeks. Spike admired how much they had changed in a few short years. He remembered them as foals, now they were fully grown, and thankfully had acquired their Cutie Marks long ago.

“Where are you taking that ladder?” Asked Sweetie Belle in her perfect singing voice. She had grown up to look almost exactly like Rarity, except that she wore her mane in tight curls and her cutie mark was a diamond with a musical note in it.

“Oh I'm taking it to Rarity, she's painting the boutique.”

“Man spike, why don't you just ask her out already? You've been after her for years.” Scootaloo was easily the most athletic of the three, Spike could easily make out the finely honed muscles on her legs and back, her mane and tail were cropped short and combed back to reduce drag in her own words. Crossed, chequered flags adorned her flank.

Sweetie Belled and Scootaloo giggled, causing Spike to blush.

“Well I think it's sweet.” Apple Bloom rose to Spike's defence, she trotted over to Spike and turned to face the two laughing ponies.

“You're just jealous cuz no boys like you!” Apple Bloom stood a few inches taller than her two friends, her back legs were thickly muscled, owing to the fact that she'd began to help her older siblings with tree bucking a few seasons ago. No-pony was surprised when Apple Blooms cutie mark turned out to be a big red apple, although the pink love heart in the middle was a unique touch.

“Colts love me!” snapped Scootaloo, “Snails asked me out just yesterday.”

“Yeah, you know you're popular with colts when snails asks you out.” Replied Apple Bloom sarcastically.

Applebloom Sweetie Belle and Spike all began laughing, leaving Scootaloo looking somewhat annoyed.

“Oh don't worry Scoots.” Said Spike between laughs. “We don't mean it, we know you're more into mares anyway!” The three of them started laughing again.

Scootaloo was fuming, she had been caught making out with a mare behind the school house last year and no-pony had ever let her forget it.

“Yeah... well...” Scootaloo tried to think of something to say. “I bet you I can get a better date for the summer sun festival”

“OOOOOHHHHH...” Went Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle at the same time.

“Yeah... well...” Spike wasn't sure how to respond. “Prepare to lose because I'm going to bring Rarity to the festival.”

“OOOOOHHHHH...”

“Hah, yeah right, if you bring Rarity then I'll do your chores for Twilight for a week.”

“OOOOOHHHHH...”

“And if you can bring some handsome stallion then I'll do your homework for a week when you start school again.”

“WAIT!” Apple Bloom cried out. “What if you both manage to bring a date?”

Scootaloo thought for a moment. “Then you and Sweetie Belle can be the judges, you have to decide whose date is better!”

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom high hoofed.

Spike lifted the ladder and continued on to Rarity's boutique, “I hope you like sorting books!” He called out as he walked away.

“I hope YOU like algebra!” Scootaloo called in response, her wings flaring up in an intimidating fashion.

When Spike finally arrived at the boutique he spotted Rarity wearing a rain coat and carefully levitating the smallest brush she could find, delicately applying paint to the outside of the boutique. She had an intense look of concentration on her face.

“I think you should use a bigger brush!” Spike called out. “It's going to take a few weeks doing it that way.”

“Oh Spike!” Rarity exclaimed, turning to face the dragon. “PLEEEAAASE tell me you're here to help me.”

Of course by help she actually meant do almost all of the work, Spike didn't mind though, he always did work for Rarity, trying to impress the beautiful mare. Spike gulped however when he remembered his encounter with Scootaloo. The Summer Sun festival was only three days away, Spike would have to ask Rarity out today.

“Yeah, of course, uhhh, don't want paint in your mane.”

“Exactly Spike! At least some-pony around here understands the need for cleanliness.”

Spike smiled a goofy smile, before picking the largest roller he could find and beginning to paint.

The sun was beginning to set when Spike stood back to admire his handy work. The boutique was fully painted and ready to withstand another fifteen years or so of Ponyville weather.

Spike had also managed to get a great deal of paint on himself, his purple scales splattered with white, blue and pink paint. He was just glad to be finished however.

“Magnificent Spike!” Rarity trotted out of the front door, levitating a basket of gems in front of her. “Some left overs from a recent project, I'd like you to have them.”

“Thanks Rarity.” Spike said, beaming a smile and taking the basket with his claw. “Ummmm... Uhhhh...” Spike was looking for the right words.

“What is it Spike? Is something wrong?”

“No, of course not. It's just... well I was hoping... you know the Summer Sun Festival is this weekend?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I was looking for a date and I hoped you would take me?”

“Oh... oh” Rarity knew that Spike had had a crush on her for a very long time, but this sudden proposition took her by surprise. “Well I think you're very sweet Spike, but I've already agreed to go with a friend of mine, he's visiting from Canterlot.”

Spike felt his heart skip a beat “Oh, that's... that's ok. Well I hope you have fun.”

“I'm so sorry Spike, I wish you had asked me sooner.”

“That's ok.” Spike responded, turning around to leave. “Thanks for the gems.”

Rarity sat on the ground and watched Spike walk away, she felt horrible letting him down like that, especially since it had taken years for him to finally make his feelings known. She watched the dragon saunter off and sighed to herself.

Chapter 2

Sorry Chapter 2 took so long, I've been real busy IRL, also I may have had to rewrite large chunks of it several times.

Also I'm in dire need of a proof reader and editor for future chapters. If anyone is interested please message me.

Okay hope you enjoy.

“Spike? Can I come in?” Twilight called from the other side of Spike's bedroom door. He didn't answer. The lavender pony opened the door anyway and trotted in.

He was sitting with his back propped against the headboard, writing furiously into a book. As Twilight approached the bed he snapped the book shut. Twilight walked up to Spike and put her foreleg on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort the dragon.

“You're going to be alright Spike.” She said to him in a soothing voice. “it's just the Summer Sun Festival.”

Spike had come home two days ago after visiting Rarity and had just walked past Twilight straight to his room without saying a word. She had seen very little of the purple and green dragon over the next two days.

“Don't worry, it's not like Rarity doesn't like you, she just had plans already.”

“Doesn't make me feel any better.”

“Don't worry Spike, you can still have a fun time, we can go to the festival together.”

Spike recoiled, “Eeeww, you're practically my mother.”

Twilight chuckled, “Don't take it so seriously, it's not like prom night or anything, lot's of ponies go with family, in fact Apple Bloom is taking Granny Smith, that's gotta be worse than going with me right?”

Spike just ignored her and looked away. Twilight didn't know what to say, as she was looking for the right words there was a sharp knocking on the door downstairs.

“I'd better go get that.”

She left the room, leaving the door wide open. Spike heard hoof steps heading down stairs, the latch on the front door being undone, followed by a short conversation that Spike couldn't hear clearly. The door closed again a few seconds later, and he heard Twilight coming back up stairs.

At least that's what he thought. Spike was somewhat surprised when an orange coated, pink maned pegasus walked into his room.

“Hey Spike.”

He sat up on his bed “Oh hey Scootaloo.”

The two stood there awkwardly for a second until Scootaloo spoke “So uhh, the festival is tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you ask Rarity out?”

“Yeah... she already has a date.”

“Oh... sorry.”

“What about you?”

“Oh, well...” Scootaloo nervously tapped her hoof on the ground. “Actually I haven't asked any-pony yet.”

“Oh.”

Another awkward silence.

“Actually...” Started Scootaloo “I was thinking... I mean who cares about that stupid bet... I mean... maybe we could go together?”

Spike stared at her for a moment.

A date with Scootaloo?

Although the dragon had spent plenty of time around the orange pony he had never really thought about her romantically before. Still, she was a pretty filly by any measure, and Spike knew full well just how fun she was to be around, he fondly remembered the time the two had broken into Applejack's cider shed.

It didn't take too long to think of an answer.

“Yeah sure, that'll be great.”

Scootaloo's demeanour changed instantly, where as a second ago the pegasus was standing nervously, her head hanging low, now she was practically jumping up and down with joy.

“Awesome! Well... I guess I'll meet you here tomorrow, you live closer to the town than me.”

“Okay, I'll see you then.”

“Bye spike!” The excited pegasus called as she trotted happily out of the room. When Twilight once again entered (Spike wondered if she had been listening in somewhere near by) Spike had a smile on his face.

“Well it didn't take much to turn your mood around!” She said, smiling.

“I guess not.”

“Well it's time to get some sleep.”

“I'm not even tired.” Spike protested.

“I meant for me. I've been up for two nights worrying about you.” She gave a warm smile and turned around to leave the room.

“Goodnight Spike.”

“Goodnight.”

“Careful Spike, don't spill soda on your jacket.”

“I won't.”

“Did you iron that shirt? That shirt doesn't look ironed.”

“I ironed it.”

“Did you brush your teeth spike?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have the bits I gave you.”

“Yes, yes, why are you panicking, I thought you said Summer Sun dates weren't a big deal?”

Twilight shot a gravely serious look at Spike.

“It's not, but if you're going to MAKE a big deal out of it then you should do it properly.”

Just as she finished speaking there was a knock on the door.

“Oh Celestia, she's here.” Panic was obvious in her voice.

Twilight looked Spike up and down to make sure he was presentable, before trotting nervously to the door and opening it. “Oh, Celestia, you're here.” She paused for a moment. “Celestia!” The lavender pony dropped down to her knees in front of the princess.

“No need for that Twilight, this isn't a formal visit.” The princess entered the library, tailed by two guards, Twilight rose to her hooves and gently shut the door.

“I decided to arrive early to check in on you and Spike.” The princess looked over and saw Spike in his formal jacket and bow tie. “Spike, my favourite dragon, it's wonderful to see you again, I like the jacket.”

“He's going on a date.” Said Twilight. “His first date ever, with Scootaloo. Isn't he just precious?”

Spike could feel himself blushing, looking over he could tell that the two royal guards were struggling to hold in their laughter.

Twilight suddenly gasped. “We didn't get anything for Scootaloo. We should have gotten flowers or chocolates or...”

“Twilight!” Spike called out, stopping her mid sentence.

The guards could barely contain themselves, one of them had trouble standing up straight and was making squeaking noises as he tried to hold in the laughter.

“I think he'll be alright.” Said the princess, eyeing the two guards. “There's no need to worry so much Twilight.”

“Yeah, I'll be fine, besides I don't think Scootaloo even likes flowers.”

A knock at the door halted the conversation.

“Oh no, it's her.” Twilight began to panic. “Is my hair alright?”

“I don't think she's going to care what YOUR hair looks like.” Responded Spike.

“Oh, right.” Twilight smiled and opened the door.

Spike was in awe, Scootaloo looked just perfect. Unlike the long flowing dresses that most mares wore to formal events, Scootaloo's was short, barely even covering her flank. The garment was sewn with aggressive angles and bright, almost jarring, colours, complementing the pony's outgoing personality, and on her head sat a small, unobtrusive tiara.

The outfit probably would have looked like rubbish on any other pony, but it sat well on Scootaloo, and made Spike feel somewhat inadequate in his traditional jacket and bow tie.

“Well there he is!”

Spike hadn't even registered that there was a second pony at the door, a yellow coated, brown named pegasus stallion who he assumed must have been Scootaloo's father.

“There's the lucky dragon that's taking my little Scootaloo to the...” Scootaloo and her father both paused as they entered the library and saw the large Ali corn in the room.

“Princess!” The stallion instantly dropped to his knees, Scootaloo politely curtsied to the princess.

“You may rise.”

“We didn't expect to see you here your highness, actually I've never spoken to a real princess before.”

“Well I guess you'll get the chance to now.” She smiled.

“Scootaloo.” Spike said, finally finding his tongue. “You look great.”

“Thanks. So do you.”

“Well, I guess you two better be off.” Said Twilight. “Don't want to miss any fun at the festival.”

“Oh right, well bye, I guess we'll see you all tomorrow.” Said Spike, hurrying Scootaloo out the front door.

“Have a good time.”

Spike could hear Scootaloo's father and Twilight rapid firing questions at the princess as he closed the door, he almost felt sorry for the princess, but that wasn't really the first thing on his mind right now.

The sun had set a few hours ago, and it would be quite a few hours more before Celestia raised it again, signalling the summer solstice and the end of the festivities. Spike realised that he hadn't thought at all about how they were going to pass the time.

He was aware of Scootaloo watching him, waiting for him to say something, everything was suddenly awkward, He nervously straightened his bow tie and began to speak.

“Uhhh...” He was desperately trying to think of something to say. “we should go to the town square, I hear Applejack has a stall set up there.”

“Good idea, I haven't eaten all day.”

Spike let out the breath that he had been holding in and began to walk towards Ponyville's town square.

“So... how's everything?” Spike asked, trying to prevent another awkward silence.

“Pretty good, I love summer holidays, been hanging out with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, and training pretty hard with Rainbow Dash.”

He managed to relax a little as their conversation took shape. “Oh yeah, I heard you actually beat her in a race a few weeks ago, and she didn't show her face around Ponyville for three days.”

Scootaloo laughed, then she and Spike jumped at the same time as they heard a clap of thunder.

“No-pony beats Rainbow Dash! I LET her win.”

Spike looked up to the source of the new voice. A rainbow maned pony sat upon a storm cloud about twenty feet away from the couple.

“Am I right Spike?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

“Uhhh, racing's not really my thing.”

“Pfft, you couldn't race your way out of a paper bag Rainbow CRASH.” Scootaloo retorted.

“Oh you did not just say that!” Rainbow Dash jumped off the cloud and glided to the ground landing only a few inches away from Scootaloo.

“I will race you any time, anywhere.” Replied Scootaloo.

Spike gulped, both Pegasi ponies where smirking at each other and had their wings flared out, they looked like they were about to jump up and fly off into the night.

“Why not right now?”

“Why not... oh wait.” Scootaloo relaxed, she folded her wings and looked at Spike. “I'm actually kinda busy now.” She said looking back at Rainbow Dash.

“Huh?” Rainbow Dash stepped back and looked at the two, cocking her head. “You two on a date or something?”

“Well yeah actually.”

“Ha! Way to go Spike.” Rainbow Dash patted him on the shoulder. “Way to bag the second best flier in Equestria.”

“Thanks Rainbow.”

“You're gunna eat those words Dash!” Scootaloo interrupted.

“Yeah?” Rainbow dash stepped towards Scootaloo, their faces less than an inch from each other.

“Yeah!” Scootaloo closed the gap, their fore heads were pressed each other, each pony was pressing forward, struggling for dominance.

Spike watched them worryingly, he was afraid they might actually start fighting, until Rainbow Dash laughed and wrapped her foreleg around Scootaloo, giving her a friendly hug.

“Alright you two have fun. I gotta make sure no rogue storm clouds ruin any pony's day.”

“See ya later Dashie.” Scootaloo called out after the pegasus as she flew off.

Spike breathed a sigh of relief.

“You two are so alike it's scary.” he commented as the two continued walking.

“You're forgetting one thing, I'm about 20% cooler than Rainbow Dash.”

Spike couldn't help but laugh. “Are you sure she's not like secretly your mother or something?”

“Yeah, Rainbow Dash is actually my mother, and I've been secretly dying my mane and tail every morning since I was a foal to hide it.” Scootaloo giggled.

“I wouldn't be surprised, you even look alike, except for your colours.”

“Pfft, I bet all ponies look alike to a dragon.”

“Not really, some are prettier than others.”

Scootaloo blushed, she leaned in and pecked Spike on the cheek and stepped closer to him so they rubbed shoulders as they walked.

Scootaloo giggled. “So I guess that means you think Rainbow Dash is pretty too right? I mean you did say we look pretty much the same.”

“Rainbow? I guess she's alright, I mean... blue isn't really my colour you know.” He smiled.

“Nice save.” Scootaloo responded sarcastically as they approached the town square.

“SPIKE! SCOOTS!” A voice called from the crowd.

“Here comes trouble.” commented scootaloo.

“So?” Apple Bloom asked as she and Sweetie Belle approached the couple. “Where are your dates?”

Chapter 3

Hi everypony,
there's alot of reasons why this chapter is horribly late. First up of course is the holiday season, in the last couple of weeks I've had 6 or 7 barbecues, slept at at least four different houses, been to the cinema twice, went out for dinner a couple of times, spent a collective 30 hours at a lan cafe and spent many hours performing numerous chores including chopping down trees in 35 degree weather (thats celsius). So yeah, I've been busy.

But to tell the truth I have been sitting on this chapter for a while. If you're anything like me then you were better at math then you were at english at school, I don't even know what a semicolon is meant to be used for, so when I look at my own writing it always seems off to me. Maybe I'm being over critical, or maybe when you're actually the one writing something every single flaw seems to stick out to you, but I can't bring myself to release something that I think will get bad reviews.

Of course there's no point writing it if no pony's going to read it, so here you have the long overdue chapter three, along with the many many alterations both minor and major that I've made to it. Hopefully there's still somepony out there waiting for it, and I'll strive to bring future chapters out in a timely manner.

“Wait... you two?...” Sweetie Belle tried to comprehend what she'd just heard.

“Awww, that's so sweet.” Apple Bloom trotted up and hugged Scootaloo. “You look so good together!”

Both Scootaloo and Spike blushed. They had just explained the situation to the two fillies, though Spike cunningly left out the bit about him hiding in his bedroom for several days. Sweetie Belle was surprised, to the point where she was stunned, a stark contrast to Apple Bloom, who didn't seem to be surprised at all, almost like she knew the two would end up together.

Apple Bloom released Scootaloo from her embrace. “Well I came with Granny Smith” She commented. “But then some old stud from the retirement home started whispering in her ear, and next thing ya know she was giggling like a little school filly, and now I don't know where she is.”

They all laughed, including Sweetie Belle, finally having recovered from the surprise.

“What about you Sweetie Belle?”

“Oh I didn't bring any pony, I just wanted to enjoy the festival. Oooohh, I'm going to be singing later, just before the sun comes up.”

“I can't wait to hear it.” Responded Spike. “It's going to be a fun night, It's just a shame Rarity was busy.”

The comment may have seemed innocuous to Spike, but if looks could kill, Scootaloo would have easily vaporised the young dragon with her glare as he made that last remark. Spike was oblivious to his date's response as he was still addressing Sweetie Belle. The young unicorn did observe the reaction however, and fully understood the implications.

“Uhh, apple Bloom.” She said, tapping the young earth pony on the shoulder, suddenly very eager to leave. “I think we should go find Granny Smith, she might be getting worried about you.”

“Oh right!” Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Well have fun you two, maybe we'll see you later.”

The two fillies trotted off into the crowd, Sweetie Belle looking back over her shoulder every few steps. Spike was completely oblivious, he took a few steps forward before noticing his date wasn't following.

“What's wrong?” He asked, looking back and seeing a frown on Scootaloo's face.

“What did that mean?”

“What did what mean?”

“It's a SHAME Rarity was busy?”

Spike felt his stomach drop with a sudden realisation. “I just meant...”

“You're ASHAMED to be out with me and not Rarity.”

“No, that's not it... I just meant... I...” He struggled to find words that wouldn't make the situation worse, but there was no use.

Scootaloo's wings flared out. “Whatever! I don't even care, I'll just go enjoy the festival BY MYSELF!” The orange pegasus leaped into the air and was off with a beat off her wings.

“Wait! No!” Spike stretched out his wings and took off after her, flying in his suit wasn't easy, but he tried desperately to catch up to Scootaloo.

The young pegasus looked behind her and snorted. Comparing the way a fully grown pegasus pony and a baby dragon fly was like comparing a state of the art jet plane to a blimp. Without effort she accelerated like a rocket.

Spike could barely keep up, this was not how he envisioned his date would be going. The green and purple dragon was flying as hard as he could, sweat was already starting to accumulate on his forehead, he was breathing heavily and his expensive suit was threatening to tear at the seams with every beat of his still under developed wings.

Suffice to say flying was not his forte. Still, he had to close the gap between Scootaloo and himself. He was somehow keeping pace, but looking ahead, Spike was certain the young flier wasn't going at even a fraction of the speed she was capable of.

It only took a couple of minutes to leave Ponyville far behind. Scootaloo still making no real effort, and yet still managing to outrun the dragon by more than a little bit. She flew low over a grassy field, close enough to the ground that she could feel her hooves gliding through the long grass. Spike on the other hand was struggling, he was half running, half flying, trying to take the stress off his wings.

The purple and green dragon cursed under his breath as Scootaloo made a sudden turn straight up. It only took a few seconds for the athletic flyer to reach the lowest layer of clouds. Spike on the other hand struggled for every inch.

The pegasus came to rest on a cloud and sat down, looking over the edge at the struggling dragon. She couldn't help but wonder why he just wouldn't let her be alone. Why he was pushing himself so hard to catch up to her when all the pegasus wanted right now was some time to herself.

Enough games

She stood up again and prepared to leap off the cloud and fly away at full speed, but then something occurred to the filly.

This was the first time any colt (or dragon in this case) had really gone to any trouble to be around her, which was actually sort of sad when she though about it. Scootaloo looked down at him again, Spike had slowed even more, even from this distance it was clear he was struggling.

He could just has easily let her go, no pony in their right mind would try to catch a protege of Rainbow Dash herself. She concluded that either Spike wanted to be a good friend and comfort her, or he actually wanted to be on a date with her this much. Neither seemed like such a bad thing. For the first time, Scootaloo wondered to herself if she had over reacted.

The thought didn't last for long though. Even if Spike was genuinely apologetic, he had still said something thoughtless. She didn't know what the dragon wanted from tonight, perhaps he just didn't want to be alone, or perhaps he was genuinely infatuated with the young pegasus, but Scootaloo knew what she wanted.

She liked Spike, even if she wouldn't admit it openly. The stock of young male ponies in Ponyville wasn't too impressive to say the least, but even if there had been some handsome adolescent colt straight out of the gossip magazines, Scootaloo would still take the baby dragon. The filly didn't know why, she just dismissed it as one of those things that couldn't be explained.

But she did know that even if he had done it unwittingly, Spike had hurt her. If he wanted to make it up to her then fine, but Scootaloo wasn't just going to be second place to Rarity, too much of Rainbow Dash's fiery competitive nature had rubbed off on her during their long training sessions to allow that. She would make the exhausted dragon prove he wanted her.

Finally the green and purple dragon made it to the clouds. He tried to speak between heavy breaths.

“Scoot.... I... didn't...”

The orange pegasus didn't care to wait, She plummeted to the ground at full speed, pulling up at the last moment.

“Oh come on...” Spike let himself fall, not nearly as gracefully as Scootaloo, and he didn't dare wait as long to pull up. He gently glided to where Scootaloo had been standing on the ground for almost a minute.

“Please... just...”

She was off again. Spike could swear he saw a smirk on her face before she took off. He cursed again and went after her.

Scootaloo rocketed through the nearby woods, darting in and out between trees, dodging some by mere inches. Spike was breathing harder then he ever had in his life, his lungs were on fire, his heart beat sounded like a drum in his ears, and, but he didn't give up. Scootaloo played her high speed game of tag for nearly ten minutes before flying straight up through the tree canopy and towards a small mountain.

And of course Spike followed. He was exhausted by now, clumsily flailing through the air, only vaguely in the direction Scootaloo had gone. Most ponies could walk faster then he was flying right now. Still, he somehow made it to the plateau he thought he had seen his date land on.

“Scoo... Scootaloo!...” The green and purple called between heavy breaths.

Spike glanced around and sighed, he had lost her. He sat down for a few moments to regain his breath, and then removed his jacket, inspecting it under the moonlight. It was damp with sweat, and small tears had appeared everywhere where he must have grazed some low hanging branches. It was beyond repair.

Spike didn't even care, he threw the once expensive garment aside and lay on his back, admiring the stars. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes, until something unexpected happened.

A pony's face appeared over him, looking down into his eyes. Before Spike could react, Scootaloo leaned in and pecked him on the lips. Spike sat up and stared at the orange filly in surprise.

“Scoot?”

She smiled. “Thanks.”

“For... what?”

“Chasing me.”

“Huh?”

“I saw you struggling out there Spike, you nearly died of a heart attack. But you kept going anyway. I don't know if you just wanted to comfort me, or if you actually want to be with me, but either way I think you earned a kiss.”

Spike smiled for a moment, then frowned. “I'm really sorry Scootaloo. I know I should think before I talk but... well it's no secret that I asked Rarity out first, and you know how long I've had a crush on her. But I didn't go out with Rarity, I went out with you, and I don't regret it, and I'm not ashamed and... and...” Spike searched for something else to say. “And I really meant it when I said you look pretty.”

“I don't really want to talk about Rarity any more. I don't know what's in store for tomorrow or the day after, but tonight at least is just you and me.”

Spike smiled at Scootaloo, and leaned in to kiss her, but to his surprise, Scootaloo pulled away.

“I don't give kisses out for free ya know, I'm not Rainbow Dash.”

“Awww, what do I have to do to get another kiss?”

“You could try calling me pretty again.”

“You're pretty.”

“With more feeling.”

Spike sighed, instead of complying he leaned in further, Scootaloo didn't pull away this time, she wanted this just as much as him.

The two kissed under the sparkling canopy of stars. They held their lips together for several minutes. For Spike it was like an eternity, this was his first real kiss, the kiss he'd always hoped he'd share with Rarity, and yet felt no regret whatsoever for sharing it with this young pegasus instead.

Their lips finally parted and the two stared into each others eyes. Spike noticed how the moonlight reflected off Scootaloo's eyes, every tiny detail caught his attention. He would never forget that sight, those beautiful purple eyes, staring straight into his soul.

It was at precisely that moment that Spike realised he had truly fallen for the pegasus. And in the very next moment he realised what situation he had found himself in. Spike was in love with two ponies now. Sure, one had already shunned him, but the fact remained that if an opportunity to go out with Rarity ever presented itself, Spike would take it.

He was still looking into Scootaloo's eyes.

What do you think? Is this date the start of a real relationship? What about Rarity? Do I just forget about her? Can I even do that?

No answers were forthcoming to the silent questions. Spike pushed the thoughts aside, deciding that Scootaloo's own words were the wisest at least for the time being.

I don't know what's in store for tomorrow or the day after, but tonight at least is just you and me.

They didn't bother going back to Ponyville, at least not until after the sunrise. Instead the two youngsters spent hours on that plateau, talking and playing and joking around, and of course plenty more kissing.

Spike was exhausted when he finally did get home. He had flown with Scootaloo to her house after the sunrise (Scootaloo pointed out that they were still closer to the library, but Spike had insisted on being chivalrous) and after he had dropped her off the dragon made his own way home. He stepped into the library and threw the remains of his jacket onto the nearby table, before planting himself firmly in a large cushion, sighing in relief.

His brief relaxation was bought to a halt however as Spike heard a knock on the library door. The young dragon groaned and rose from his seat, slowly making his way to the door. Spike was quite surprised by what he saw when he opened it.

“Spike, oh I'm so glad you're here.”

“Rarity?”

The unicorn's head hung low, a false smile occupied her face, and smudged make up betrayed the fact that she had been crying.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh... yes. It's just... my friend wasn't the same person I remember.”

“He didn't...”

“No! Nothing happened, I told him to get lost and Applejack happily removed him from Ponyville for me.”

“Poor guy.” Spike joked.

Rarity laughed, as she calmed down and looked into Spike's eyes, the smile on her face had been replaced with a sincere one.

“Spike... it's just that... well I feel awful for turning you down in favour of that brute, so I was hoping you'd give me the chance to make it up to you.”

“Make it up to me?”

“A date Spike, the date we should have had last night.”

“A...date...” Spike couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

Not twenty four hours ago the dragon would have accepted Rarity's offer before she'd even finished speaking. But now... Scootaloo. He had opened himself up to the filly and let her do the same, he had allowed himself to fall in love with the young pegasus, and Spike was almost certain that she was in love with him.

Even though they hadn't really spoken about the future, in fact Scootaloo suggested that for that one night they should just live in the moment, even Spike wasn't oblivious to Scootaloo's affections for him. He should say no, he knew he should say no, there was no other option but to say no.

I have to say no, just say it... no rarity, I'm with Scootaloo now. No no no.

“...okay.”

Dammit! Way to go idiot.

“Oooooh, thank you Spike!” Rarity stepped over the threshold and hugged the Dragon. “You can come pick me up tomorrow for dinner, is that okay?”

NO! It's not okay.

“Yeah, sure.”

GGGRRRR stupid!

“I'll see you tomorrow then Spike.”

Rarity turned around and walked away. Spike couldn't even bring himself to close the door, he was too busy berating himself in his head.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!