It had to happen eventually. After finally confessing his long-standing crush on Rarity, Spike was inevitably rejected. With Twilight away, he had every intention of hiding himself away in the castle to brood, until a surprise visit from Ocellus offers him an alternative.

Smoulder is part of the Ponyville Miniature Railway Club, and could use an extra pair of claws to help out with locomotive maintenance. What this means for Spike's relationship woes, however, remains to be seen.

This story is a spin-off from one of my other stories, Transitioning Love. That story isn't required to understand this tale, but it will help to explain some later details.