Chapter One
Resolve
“They've got nothing on you.”
Spike stood on the balcony of Ponyville's library, elbows resting on the railing. Eyes locked immovably on the stars, he'd seldom seen such a beautiful night in the small town since the fateful day of Twilight's relocation five years ago, rarely seen the small dots of light shine like diamonds as they did on this summer's eve.
“And still they're like common rocks compared to you. Rarity.” Spike said to himself aloud, displaying his sparsely known poetic personality.
She seems to bring that out in me. Spike thought to himself with a chuckle.
He shook his head lightly. Spike cared about all his friends; it was simply the way he was. But she was something different. I've had crushes... He thought. Lots of them... but never like this.
“She taught me the difference between love and infatuation, between true feelings and simple affection.” He preached to himself.
Spike had gone through this a thousand times before, explained why he cared so much for her. But he could never act on it.
“What would I do? What could I do?” He interrogated himself.
I might as well be a romance author with all the times I've played this over in my head... And his thoughts found no contradiction. He had lost count of the number of scenarios he'd created in which he shared his feelings with the incomparable mare. Sometimes it would turn out well, but other times...
“I'm sorry Spike, I just don't share your feelings.” The phantom Rarity would say.
Or even worse...
“Are you insane? You and I together? How could you possibly think I would feel that way about you?”
Spike smirked and shook his head. He knew that Rarity would never react that way, even if she didn't share his feelings. “But even still...”
His smirk faded. No matter what he told himself, regardless of whether or not she would truly act that way toward him, his fears welled up in his heart every time he considered it. Biting, clawing, demoralizing... convincing him in each and every instance to keep his feelings hidden.
“I want to tell you, Rarity. I want to scream it from the top of a mountain.” He said to the stars with a broad smile. But his cheeriness faded once more as he realized. “But I just can't.”
He looked down at the ground below, streetlamps illuminating the darkened shop windows. “That's like my mind now...” He thought aloud. “Tiny pinpoints of light trying to break through the shadows.”
He took a deep breath. “Some days... some days... I can't feel anything at all.” He sang. “Sometimes, sometimes I think I'm waiting to fall... But when I see you, I cast my thanks up high... And praise the stars that you feel from the sky.”
He laid his head in his hands once more and leaned against the rail.
“That was beautiful, Spike.”
He jumped violently and turned to look for the source of the voice. At first relieved to see only Twilight with a tender smile on her face, his eyes widened in embarrassment with a sudden realization.
“I didn't know you sang.” She continued.
“How long were you standing there?” He asked.
“'She taught me the difference between love and infatuation'.” She quoted. “About since then.” Accompanying the joking prod with a wink.
Spike look down and shuffled his feet, blushing furiously.
“Oh, Spike... I thought it was wonderful. I never knew you liked poetry.”
“Only when I think of her.” He said told the ground, cheeks flushed bright with color once more.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” She said with a caring smile, placing a hoof on his shoulder.
“Yes I do. I'm a coward.” He said as he shrugged the hoof off, downcast, and walked back to the railing.
Twilight wasted no time in walking again to his side. “Oh, what's the matter Spike?” She asked with genuine concern.
Spike sighed. “I've got all these wonderful feelings. Songs and poems and compliments. All these great things I want to share with her, but I just can't. All because I'm afraid.”
Twilight smiled again “You really love her, don't you?”
Spike nodded but said nothing. Twilight suspected he was holding back tears.
“You know, I have to admit that when you told us about these feelings all those years ago... I thought it was just a crush. I thought it wasn't a big deal. I was wrong, wasn't I?”
He nodded again.
Twilight smiled. “Well, that's why I thought it would never work out. But lately...”
Spike's face reappeared, bright as could be. “You think it could?”
“Well, I can't speak for Rarity, but I can see your feelings are more than strong enough to-”
“So you think I should tell her?” Spike interrupted.
“Well, you need to determine that for yourself, but at the same time-”
“Thanks Twilight, it's all a lot clearer to me now!”
Spike left the balcony considerably happier, his sudden change of emotion surprising even himself.
Twilight couldn't help but laugh to herself. “Oh, Spike... you'll never change.”
* * * * *
Spike crawled into his bed, head still buzzing with emotions but at least calm enough to sleep. “I've made up my mind this time. I'm going to tell her.” He promised himself. “The only question is... how?”
Spike drifted off to sleep, yet again playing different methods over in his mind. Before he could control it, sleep came over him and he drifted off, Rarity ever present in his mind.
* * * * *
He awoke the next morning feeling thoroughly refreshed, and mind clear about what he should do. Quickly finishing his morning chores, the growing dragon wasted no time in leaving. The moment his responsibilities were completed, he sped out the door. “I'll be back later, Twilight! I just have a few things to take care of!” And he was off.
Spike strolled casually along Ponyville's main street, his goal clearly set in his mind. “I'm going to do this no matter what happens, whether or not anypony cares. I'm going to do what I've been planning.” He assured himself.
He turned with fierce determination into Sugarcube Corner, and flung the door open just in time to see Pinkie Pie shudder slightly.
“Ah ha!” She said, turning to face him. “I knew I felt a combo coming on! How're ya doing, Spike?”
“Hey, Pinkie Pie! I'm doing pretty well. I just wanted to make sure and come by to get that...” He leaned forward and shielded his mouth with his hand. “Special item I had reserved.”
Pinkie gasped and nodded vigorously. “That “special item” is riiiight here.” She pointed under the counter. Looking to her left and right rapidly, she reached under the counter to withdraw the specified item.
Spike rubbed his claws together in eager anticipation, prepared for his long awaited baked treat.
“Alright, here you go Spike. One of Mrs. Cakes coveted, rare, super extra-special spectacularifically amazing, impossible to get anywhere else-”
“Please just get on with it!” Rebutted an irritated Spike.
“OK, OK!” Pinkie replied. “Your very own Summer Sun Cupcake!” She said enthusiastically, whipping out a silver tray, eyes closed.
Spike closed his own eyes as reached forward to grab the delicious morsel, but found his claws empty as he closed them. Opening his eyes to discern the problem, he found the tray empty.
“Uh... Pinkie?” He asked, pointing to the empty tray.
Pinkie opened her eyes as well. Seeing the empty tray, she frantically looked above, below and all around to find the cupcake.
“Uh oh...” She said, downcast.
“What uh oh?” Spike asked, concerned.
“Heh... Heh...” Pinkie giggled nervously. “Wellll, I've been dreaming about eating a lot lately... and well... I guess...”
Spike sighed. “It's alright, Pinkie. I guess I'll just have to wait till next year to get one of her cupcakes...”
“Well, Okie Dokie Lokie then!” Pinkie said as she pranced out from behind the counter. “Want to go do something fun?”
“Well...” Spike said, shuffling his feet. “I actually have something I need to do, Pinkie. Can we hang out later?”
She tilted her head to one side, but was unfazed. “Okie Dokie! See ya later, alligator!”
She giggled madly at her own joke as she hopped away.
“Well, that deals with the cupcake problem.” He said, smiling at Pinkie's ever present antics. “Now... for Rarity.”
He resumed his walk and quickly came upon a large rosebush in full bloom. “Perfect.” He said. “The prettiest flower for the prettiest girl in-”
“Spike?”
His world came crashing down around his ears when he heard Rarity's voice behind him. His heart rate tripled in a split second, and it was all he could do to stop himself from blabbering incoherently. Composing himself, he turned around.
“Hi, Rarity!” He responded warmly.
“My dear Spike, how are you doing?” She said with a wide smile.
“Great, thanks. Hey, I'm glad you're here, there's something I need to talk to you about. Do you have some time to get a tea?”
“Spike? Going to tea? Why, I never thought I would see the day.” She said with a wink, causing Spike's heart to beat faster yet. “Certainly, I just finished a delivery to Canterlot, and I have plenty of time.
“Great.” Spike said.
* * * * *
“The truth is... I haven't been entirely honest with you about some things in the past.” Spike informed Rarity as the hot tea bathed the area in steam.
“Oh, heavens, did you not like that dress that I made Marachusetts? I knew I should've gone with ribbon instead of lace, and to think-”
“No, no! Your design was fine. It's something more important.”
He held the rose up to her. “The truth is Rarity...” He took a deep breath and spoke before he could second guess himself. “I love you. I've loved you since the day we came to Ponyville. I love everything about you, I would do anything for you, and I need to know if you feel the same way about me. I just... I just...” Spike trailed off and his voice faltered as Rarity simply sat, stunned. “You're... you're not saying anything.”
Rarity regained her composure just in time to burst out laughing. “Are you serious, Spike? Why, this is the most wonderfully absurd thing I've ever heard in my life!”
Spike eyes wore the distinct mark of a shattered heart. But still it wasn't over.
“Why, I never.” She said, continuing her laughter and beginning to draw attention from other ponies in the tea house. “How could you ever think I would be in love with you? Me, a beautiful pony, and you, a dragon?” Her chortles continued.
“But... But...” Spike said, tears brimming in his eyes.
“Oh, how sad.” Rarity said. “So there's no confusion, I'll make this clear: I will never love you. Ever.”
Spike's slow coming tears burst into a flow. “No...” He repeated to himself over and over as the world began to fade around him.
* * * * *
Spike awoke to find himself still in his bed, coated with sweat but safe. Looking around frantically, he found quickly that he had only been dreaming. Leaning back onto his pillow, he let out a great sigh of relief. I'm still nervous. He thought. The dream proves that. But I can't hide my feelings any longer. I have to be brave.
Noticing the time, he leaped out of bed to begin his chores.
“Twilight, I'm sorry!” He said, bursting into the kitchen with broom in hand. “I overslept and-”
“Spike, calm down.” She said with a laugh. “Owlowicious saw how upset you were last night and decided to do a bit of midnight cleaning to make you feel better this morning. It's all done.”
The nocturnal bird swept down and onto Twilight's back from a rafter above.
Spike smiled. “Thanks! In that case, I'll be off. I have special plans today.”
Twilight rolled her eyes upward. “Let me guess: Rarity?”
“No...” Spike said in a sarcastic tone. “I never go to Rarity's! Anyway, bye!”
He bounded out the door and rushed to Carousel Boutique as quickly as his now longer legs would carry him. Knocking on the door enthusiastically, he heard Rarity's angelic voice call out her usual greeting.
“Come iiiiiin!” She called from her workroom in a sing-song voice.
Spike entered and found Rarity deep in thought over a series of new dresses.
“Oh, Spike, my dear! I'm so happy you're here, I'm simply overwhelmed with my designs for Fillydelhpia's annual Nature Gala and Concert that I have to deliver tomorrow, and I'm in desperate need of an opinion from someone as yourself.”
Spike smiled broadly happy to know that his opinion was valued. “I'd love to help.
“Well, a couple of the ponies around town have called this design too frilly for the colts at the event, but I think...”
But her words were mostly lost on him. Except when absolutely necessary, he refused to take his eyes off his dream mare.
“Well, what do you think?” She said, holding up an outfit and smiling expectantly.
“The outfit is beautiful.” He said smiling, and he truly meant it. “Every one of these outfits is wonderful.”
“Why, thank you spike!” She said gratefully. “It's wonderful to know that my work is appreciated.”
“I think it has to be appreciated, considering ponies all across Equestria are ordering from you.” He said with a wink.
Oh, Spike, you hopeless romantic.” She said, gracing his ears with her peels of golden laughter.
And so for the next several hours, Spike stood in the only place he could dream of being: At Rarity's side, being of assistance to her. It was yet another wonderful day until...
“Well, Spike, I hate for you to go but it is getting late, and I must rest before going to Fillydelphia tomorrow. Thank you so very much for all your help.” She said sincerely.
“Alright then.” He said, nervously. Now or never... He steeled himself. “Rarity, I need to tell you something before you go.”
“Do you?” She said with a warm smile. “What is it?”
“I... I...”
Spike's determination faded to nothing as he remembered his dream the previous night. Fearing the worst, he stopped at the last second.
“I really like your necklace.” He said meekly, sighing.
Rarity glanced down at her sapphire neck piece. “Why thank you, Spike. It's so wonderful to have a friend who cares enough to notice these things.”
“You... You're welcome.” He said as he forced a smile. “Well, glad to help, and good luck on your journey tomorrow.”
“Thank you very much, Spike. Sweet dreams!”
Spike turned toward the door to exit. As he left and the wooden covering slammed behind him, he couldn't stop regretting what had just happened.
Downtrodden, he started back toward the library. With every step, the ground seemed to scream the same word...
“Friend... Friend... Friend...”
“It's all I'm destined to be.” He said miserably.
And he walked silently into the warm summer air of Equestria.
Chapter Two
Crisis
“Boy, howdy, this is goin' to be a lot of work.” Applejack said, half dismayed, half ecstatic as she examined the numerous red dotted trees of Sweet Apple Acres.
“But it'll all be worth it when we're done.” Fluttershy said in her characteristic soft voice as she flew gently up to one of the trees.
“Hey Twilight, you goin' to help or what?” Applejack said as she bucked against one of the trees.
Twilight didn't even both to look up from the heavy book she was reading. “In a few minutes, I might be able to find a spell that will get this done in ten minutes.” She said happily.
“Well, as much as your magic can help sometimes, there's times when all you need is a little manual labor.” She preached as she shook every apple down from a nearby try with a swift kick.
“Yeah, it can be fun if you make it a game!” Pinkie said, hopping to pick up the fallen apples. “Uhn, do, tree...” She said, picking up apples with her mouth. “See? Fun!” She insisted, not entirely convinced of her own statement.
“Ever think about taking a break from manual labor, AJ?” Rainbow Dash asked sarcastically from her makeshift bed at the top of the tree. “At this rate you'll have a hip like Granny Smith's in no time.”
The rest of the ponies laughed as a sour look appeared on Applejack's face, only to be replaced by a laugh a moment later.
Spike, meanwhile, simply sat down next to a fence, not even attempting to hide his pensive state.
“Something the matter, Spike?” Fluttershy asked as she floated lightly down to him.
Spike tried and failed to find words that would make his dilemma seem less childish. “Sometimes I think my hopes are just useless...” He said, downcast.
Fluttershy sighed quietly. “Oh, dear... this is about Rarity, isn't it?”
Spike nodded silently, almost cringing at his own words. “No matter what I do, I can never bring myself to tell her the truth... and she even rejects me in my dreams. Sometimes I just want to give up.”
“Oh... well... um...” Fluttershy started, at a loss for what to say. “Well, you see, um... When I was in flight school, I thought the same thing.”
“Were you in love?” Spike lowered his eyes, determined to remain depressed.
“Well... no...” Fluttershy admitted quietly. “But I wanted to give up, just like you. But when I failed and found all the creatures on the ground, I found my purpose. Maybe failing is... um... good sometimes?” She asked, unsure of how Spike would respond.
The adolescent dragon could only sigh. “Maybe you're right.” He said, surrendering. “Maybe I need to-”
But the announcement of his decision was cut short when he began to hiccup.
“Oh no.” Fluttershy said sadly. “Did I upset you? I'm sorry.”
“No.” He said definitively, burping more violently and finally coughing up a scroll. “It's from the princess!” He said loudly, waving the scroll in the air.
A nearby Twilight was the first to reach him, tearing the letter open with gusto. Scanning it quickly, she gulped audibly. “There's... there's been a terrible earthquake in... in...”
Spike and the rest of the ponies needn't have heard her continue. The hesitation in her voice was enough. Still, Spike could not leave the issue hanging. “Where?”
“Fillydelphia.” Twilight said, hanging her head.
The young dragon's thoughts immediately jumped to Rarity. “But... But there's not supposed to be any earthquakes scheduled anywhere near there!”
“'To my faithful student Twilight Sparkle,'” She quoted. “'It is with great regret I inform you of a terrible natural disaster in the city of Fillydelphia. Although we are not certain yet, it's with a heavy heart that I tell you of the only pony who hasn't been recovered so far'.”
Spike could barely breathe. “Not...”
Twilight's expression was heart crushing in its abject horror. “'Rarity the unicorn'.”
Spike let out a long breath, trying to stay calm.
“What else does it say?” Applejack asked, saving Spike the trouble.
“'Most of the city has been destroyed by a so far unknown source. I am requesting that all available ponies go immediately to the city to aid in clean up and the search and rescue of any remaining citizens'.” Twilight read.
“An unscheduled earthquake?” Fluttershy asked timidly.
“What can that even mean?” Rainbow asked nopony in particular.
Twilight saved them the trouble of speculating. “'Though it is not yet confirmed, the source is most likely the work of... The Supreme Tunnelers.” She said in mild confusion.
“The Supreme Tunnelers?” Applejack asked, sharing Twilight's lack of understanding. “I've hearda them... when I was a little filly, they was a fairytale that Granny Smith would tell us about; she would say that the Tunnelers would pull our tongues out and chop off our manes if we got too near 'em. It was meant to keep us from poking around the old mineshaft.”
Rainbow spoke up. “My mom used to tell me the same thing, except with my wings... she said if I got too far away from our house without her, they would come and grab me.”
“I've heard of them too.” Fluttershy said. “They were in an old fairytale book I read once...”
Spike, who had until this point kept painfully silent, burst out. “Why are we sitting around talking about what these things are?! We need to go help!” He said, making to sprint off into the distance.
“Hold on there, Spike.” Twilight held up a hoof. “These things... they managed to cause an earthquake if this is right. I think we'd all be a lot safer if we knew what we were dealing with.”
Pinkie Pie nodded solemnly, causing everyone to realize the weight of the situation. “I'm with Twilight; we need to figure out what's going on first.”
Spike fell silent, begrudgingly surrendering as the rest of the group nodded in approval.
“Come on.” Twilight encouraged, beginning to trot away. “If there's anywhere that would have information, I know where it is...”
* * * * *
“Supreme Tunnelers...” Twilight murmured, looking through yet another dusty tome of Ponyville's library as the rest of the ponies milled around her searched through yet more of the books. “I can't find anything!” She said helplessly. “Anyone?”
The rest of the four shook their heads. Twilight's shoulders drooped; another book glowed purple and floated toward her podium. Flicking through the pages, she started anew.
Spike meanwhile, appeared as if he would explode. Eyes torn between the door and Twilight, it was all he could do not to run sprinting toward Fillydelphia with all his strength.
“Nothin' about Supreme Turnips would help, would it?” Applejack asked sincerely.
“Or Superior Tucks and Rolls?” Pinking Pie asked with wide eyes.
Twilight groaned and shook her head. Finally, Spike could bear it no longer. Tearing his eyes from the door, the building tension in his body burst forth. “Why are we sitting here talking about turnips?” He said, fire in his eyes. “Our friend, and probably more ponies, could be out there dying! We need to go, not sit here looking through books!”
He breathed heavily as the other five stared at him in amazement. Never before had they seen the purple dragon so enraged.
Twilight's head, however, was still hung over a book. “I found something!” She exclaimed, beckoning the rest over.
Spike was first on the scene. Head over her shoulder, he began to read. “The Supreme Tunnelers are a powerful group of creatures from deep in Equestrian folklore. Said to be massive creatures with incredible power, ancient stories paint them as vicious fighters.” Spike said aloud. “While legend says these creatures once lived in harmony with the rest of the land's inhabitants, they have since grown malicious, attacking cities without warning.”
The rest stared in awe. Spike pressed on, determined to complete the section and leave as quickly as possible. “Little is known about their appearance or abilities; there have been no confirmed sightings in over six hundred years. Caution to all those who claim to encounter the mythical beasts: they are not to be trusted.”
Spike finished the paragraph and stepped away from Twilight. His thoughts found only one resting place. “We need to go save them.” He spoke up, breaking the deafening silence.
“You'd better believe we will!” Dash said, swooping over to them.
“Gather 'round, everypony.” She commanded. “We know enough. It's about time we did something about it.
The five formed a circle around the lavender pony. As they faded, Spike could only conjure one thought. We're coming for you. There was a bright purple flash; for their friend, they had once more gone into the dark abyss of the unknown.
* * * * *
This city is incredible. Rarity thought as she walked through the streets of Fillydelphia. While impossible to compare to Canterlot, the unicorn was glancing rapidly in every direction. Shops were clean to perfection, roads were wide and bustling, buildings above her rose hundreds of feet. What I wouldn't give...
But she stopped herself as she continued to walk. How could I leave my friends? She shook her head and came to a stop; the answer was already there.
Sighing, she continued her walk to the location of the gala's fashion demonstration. Occasionally, thoughts of disdain would cross her mind concerning her friends in Ponyville. Are they holding me back? They certainly don't have my love of culture... She thought. Appalled at herself, she would banish the musings instantly.
But even still...
Ponyville may be her home town, but part of her thought that this is where she truly belonged. Among culture, true fashion artists. But how could I leave them?
An answer failed her once more. Snapping back into reality, she stood disgusted with herself for thinking such a thing in the first place. I have wonderful friends... Twilight and Rainbow, Pinkie and Fluttershy, Applejack and...
She stopped, thinking hard about the events of the last years. Her reptilian associate never made it a goal to conceal his attraction to her; but then again, neither did half the stallions in Ponyville. At first, Spike's feelings seemed laughable; adorable, if nothing else. Why, he was only a baby.
Rarity had made a point of ignoring the issue. He'll forget me in time... She would assure herself.
But he didn't. To her shock, they only seemed to grow stronger. He would spend every spare moment with her at the boutique, it seemed. Which was flattering, of course, but still...
How many stallions have offered their help in my boutique? Given their opinions on new designs? Stood for hours simply holding a needle or spool of thread?
She cast a forlorn look to the azure sky. Would it really...?
Yes. He's like a brother to you, you've known him for years.
Exactly... and his feelings have never changed. What if they're not just passing fancy? What if-
He'll be three times your size in a year.
There must to be something to... slow that down. A spell...
He's a dragon, you're a mare.
And why should that matter?
It's not right.
According to whom?
Rarity's internal dialogue remained a pulsing turmoil for the rest of her journey to the fashion display. Strolling through the ornate doors of the enormous oval building, she banished the thoughts. There's all the time in the world for thinking... must have my mind on the task at hand.
She strolled to the runway's backstage area, finding all of her outfits already worn by the runway mares.
Putting on a huge smile, she readied herself. “This is it!”
The formally dressed ponies gathered in a line preparing to walk onto the stage. Spotlights shone above them, and Rarity's heart began to race. She stepped out on to the stage first, attempting to recall her prepared speech.
“Fillies and gentlecolts.” She called to the crowd. “For too long, high fashion has been thought us as nothing more than a hassle to be endured when circumstances demand it. But no longer! My latest line of formal attire will change everything you know about-”
But she stopped abruptly as the ground began to rumble. The ponies in the crowd looked around in confusion.
“Eh... please stay calm, everypony!” Rarity suggested while ignoring her own advice.
But the rumbling only grew worse and worse. What began as minor tremors had grown into a full blown earthquake. Those in the crowd started to file out of the building in an orderly manor. Order that was quickly shattered as light fixtures began to fall from the ceiling.
Rarity felt as if she was in a daze. Failing to find a reason for this event, she joined the throngs fleeing the establishment.
All at once, her daze turned into a nightmare. Gaping holes appeared all around the terrified mare, opening up a chasm beneath, separated from her only by the tiny slice of earth still present.
Her horror grew as low voices called from below. “We see you... Rarity.” The echoing rumble came.
Terrified and searching desperately for a solution, Rarity stepped back in preparation to jump across the deep pit.
“I don't think so.” The rumbles called out once more.
In only a second, Rarity's last lifeline to the surface began to sink, her tiny island plunging into the darkness below. She dared not think of what lay in the dark tunnel. “Please help me.” She said almost inaudibly to her friends of the world above.
And with that resigned herself to her fate lurking in the dark.
