Thirty Minute Ponies Collection

Spike slumped onto a stool, dripping wet from the rain, and sighed. He didn’t usually come to a place like this, but he didn’t know where else to go.

“Why the long face, friend?” asked the pony behind the counter. Spike just looked up at him. “Oh, right. I see so many ponies come through here I just got into the habit of saying that. Don’t see many dragons, though. Anyway, what can I get ya?”

“Something strong, Joe... double glazed,” Spike said, sighing again.

“Woah now, you sure?” he asked, setting down the glass he had been polishing. He smirked. He had seen the same look many times before. Grabbing a nearby box of donuts, he set it in front of the dragon. “Knock yourself out,” he said, though Spike needed no encouragement and had already started devouring the first one.

“You know what?” Spike said as he finished the second pastry, “Love is overrated. I don’t know why I even bothered.” He paused for a second, then picked up another donut.

“Trouble at home?” Joe asked, cleaning another glass.

“That pretty much sums it up, yeah,” he said, putting something up on the counter. It looked like it had once been a red, heart-shaped gem, but was now in three pieces.

“Is that a ruby?” Joe asked. “I thought those things were unbreakable.”

“Heh, unbreakable?” he said, clenching a fist. “Nothing is unbreakable.” Spike’s voice was no longer somber and depressed, but cold and bitter. “You know, I found her with... someone else. Let’s just say I’ll never look at a book the same way again. I lost two of the most important ponies in my life tonight. Nothing is unbreakable.” He stood up, tossed a bag of coins onto the counter, and began to walk out.

“Hey, you forgot your ruby!” Joe called out.

“I don’t need that, just throw it in the trash.” And with that, he walked back out into the rain.