Trusted Scales

It wasn't very late by the time Spike left Fluttershy's company. In fact, the sun hadn't even reached its apex. Everypony was already up by this time, save ponies like Vinyl Scratch who preferred the night life. This was cause to hope that the one Spike sought out, Rainbow Dash, wasn't working or otherwise still sleeping.

If Spike's judgement of time was correct, today was one of the days that Rainbow Dash got a rare day off. "I only hope she's in a good mood," Spike thought aloud quietly. If she wasn't, that'd mean he would either have to wait a few hours, or find someone new to help him. "Wonder if Twilight would know anything in particular," he pondered.

Finding her house wasn't much of a problem, considering it was a massive form of clouds complete with rainbowfalls on every side. He'd have to cut through town on the way there, but it wouldn't take very long; that is, of course, what he thought until he bumped into a certain white unicorn.

"Well hello, Spike!" Rarity called towards him from across the cobblestone path he'd been walking along. He turned curiously to find her walking alongside a familiar stallion. He couldn't quite remember his name, but with any luck- "Goldie, be a dear and get me some water, if you could?" Rarity requested.

Goldie. That was it. His name was Golden Threads - a threadweaver by trade. He and Rarity had met only a few months ago, and it was only natural that they'd hit it off. He was a gentleman, had a job related to her trade, and best of all - he was of her race. Sure, Spike was a little bitter over the news that the two were a couple, but it wasn't so bad.

"Certainly," Golden said, trotting off to the nearest store in order to procure some beverages. With that, Rarity smiled after him and moved over to greet Spike properly.

"Hello, darling," she said, looking up to him. He had gotten used to ponies looking up at him, and decided it'd be more polite to get down to their level when he spoke. Kneeling down, he was only a little taller than Rarity, which eliminated the need for Rarity to nearly break her neck whilst looking up at him.

"Hey, Rarity," he said, leaning down to give her a gentle hug. "How are you, today?" Spike was bitter, but he wasn't cruel. She had found love, and he didn't feel the need to stand in her way of finding happiness. With any luck, Spike would find the very same thing one day. He only hoped it was soon, because the library can get rather lonely some nights.

"I'm doing just fine, thank you. Though I have gotten dreadfully behind on my dresses, what with having to spend time with Golden," Rarity replied, causing Spike to grimace slightly at the mention of her new romance. She apparently took this as him being confused, because she went on to explain herself further, "It's not that I don't like spending time with him, mind you! I just need to prioritize, is all."

"Oh, don't worry - I understand," Spike said, pushing past the negative feelings that were now threatening to overwhelm both him and the conversation. "Twilight taught me a lesson in prioritizing each and every day she was here. Now I can't help but make a dozen mental checklists every time I have to organize something." He finished it off with a soft chuckle, causing Rarity to let out a giggle.

"Oh, how I miss Twilight. Things around here certainly are a bit more dull since her departure," Rarity said, a longing look in her eyes. "Though, I cannot tell if that is a blessing or a curse," she said, causing both of them to let out a hearty laugh.

"Yeah, spending Twilight can be a bit.. Exciting," Spike said, giving a sly grin. Out of the corner of his eye, Spike noticed a certain Golden Threads trotting towards them. At this, Spike took a literal stand and turned to greet the stallion. "Hello, Golden."

"Oh, hello Spike," he said, as if just taking notice of his presence. Spike had heard of having all eyes for the one you love, but that was sort of peculiar. He pushed past this as well, however, writing it off as him simply over-analyzing the situation at hand.

"Doing well?" Spike asked, giving him only a few words in order to stave off any venom that might flow through his words. He had believed he was long over what had happened, but now he wasn't so sure. Old love dies hard.

"Oh, yeah," Golden replied, "Today's a really nice day to be out and about." With that, he seemed to quiet down considerably. Perhaps Rarity or someone else had told them of Spike's crush, because he almost looked guilty for looking Spike in the eyes.

The dragon felt rather bad for the poor stallion. He really wasn't angry about Rarity not loving him - it simply happened that way. No reason to hate the creatures that love, because that simply creates chaos - and Ponyville is filled with enough chaos without having an angry dragon roaming its streets. Again.

"Well, you two have a nice day. I'm off to see if Rainbow Dash is home," Spike said with finality, smiling down at the two.

"Oh, I do believe she is," Rarity chimed in, "I have not seen her around town at all, so I believe she's opted to simply stay home for now. Might I ask why you're needing to speak with her, however?"

Rarity always one for gossip. He'd have to play it carefully, or else rumors might just get started. By no fault of Rarity's, of course - that was simply how she worked. "Well, Fluttershy's been acting sort of funny today. I figured Rainbow Dash might know a little bit about it."

Rarity's eyes widened for a moment - or maybe Spike was imagining that? - and she gave a nervous laugh, "Well, uh, yes. I do hope you can find something out. Do be sure to let me know if it's anything serious, won't you?" She had a concerned look on her face, but her eyes betrayed that she knew something.

But there was no need to push her to say something she obviously would prefer to keep a secret - whatever that secret might be. But in any case, he now knew Rainbow Dash was home. That was a bit of good news, if anything.

"Will do, Rarity. Have a nice day, you two," he said, regarding both of them with finality before turning and walking back down the path towards the massive cloud-home that Rainbow Dash resided within. As he suspected, he'd be there in a few minutes.

He stretched his arms and let out an audible groan, a small amount of green smoke billowing from his nostrils as he did. He placed his hands behind his head and walked that way, going over in his head just what he would wish to ask Rainbow Dash. Sure, he would want to ask if she had noticed anything off with Fluttershy, but he just might ask her for a little advice.

She, surprisingly enough, was actually quite knowledgeable. He had gone to her for advice before, and he did not see why this situation should be any different. He wondered, on some dark level, if he was slowly turning into something that every pony in Ponyville - and the rest of Equestria, for that matter - would come to fear. This thought was one of his deepest-seated fears, and with his rapidly growing size, it did not help that his mind was burdened with such an unknown foe digging at his very being.

In any case, he had arrived at Rainbow Dash's house - or rather, he was now under it. He hadn't quite considered how in the world he was going to get her down from there, actually; he was stumped. He looked up at the massive, fluffy structure that housed the cyan mare.

That was when he noticed that among all of the fluffy white clouds was a singular, small, grey cloud. A thundercloud, specifically. It was detached from the rest of her home, but it did not move or alter in shape whatsoever. It hovered quietly near the base of her home, and Spike found himself curious as to what it was.

He looked back to the ground and found that a few yards away was a small button on a wooden post. Carved into the post itself was the word "Ring." That was it. Very simple, very elegant, and very vague.

Deciding he had no better options, he tapped the small button and jumped as soon as he heard the thundercloud give off a low rumble. "A doorbell," Spike said as a grin slowly made its way across his face. "That's pretty awesome."

Sure enough, Spike looked up to find someone poking their head over the edge of the clouds. "Hey Spike! I'll be down in a second," he heard Rainbow call down to him, her voice unmistakable.

When she said second, she probably meant it in the most literal way possible, because she launched herself from her home with such force that Spike believed wholeheartedly that she'd crash. Instinctively he rushed forward in an attempt to catch her, but she flapped her wings hard at the last moment, saving her fall with grace and ease.

She rose an eyebrow and then grinned at Spike. "What, ya don't think I can handle a little freefall?" she asked teasingly, and Spike let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks for the backup, though. Just don't go expecting a kiss on the cheek or somethin'," she added, to which Spike put on his best heartbroken face.

"And here I was, planning it all out," Spike said, giving a nonchalant shrug at Dash's jokes. This elicited a giggle out of the hovering pegasus, and she reached out with one hoof. Knowing the signal, Spike balled up his fist and gently tapped it against her hoof - it was a greeting they'd done for some time now.

"So what's up, Spike?" Rainbow said, giving him an inquisitive look. It was then that Spike went to explaining all that he could; from his initial fears, visiting Fluttershy and seeing the changes, and even touching upon the fact that he feared his rapid changing.

Through all of it, Rainbow Dash stayed attentive and interested. Ponies really didn't give her enough credit when it came to her listening skills. After it had all been said, she didn't suddenly snap out of a daze and stutter, nor did she reply with a simple "Oh." Instead, she went into great detail.

"Well, Spike, it seems to me that you're kinda over-thinking this stuff. I mean, yeah, dragons can be pretty scary - but don't tell anypony I said that, or I'll beat you senseless - but ponies know you," Rainbow Dash explained, now sitting next to Spike as he kneeled down. "You're the best friend and number-one assistant to one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria, you're obviously not a normal dragon, and on top of all that, you're a gentledragon."

She said that last one with a chuckle, and Spike had to give a smile of his own. "But to put your mind at ease: I'll talk to 'Shy. If she'll tell anyone what's up, it'd be me," Rainbow proclaimed, much to the joy of Spike.

"Really?" he asked, almost not believing such a wonderful thing could occur. It was true; Rainbow Dash knew Fluttershy better than anyone. She'd be sure to get any and all answers out of her, and maybe then Spike would truly find out if he was feared or if their friendship was still safe.

"Definitely. I've got your back, Spike," she said, holding out a hoof once again. Once again, Spike bumped his fist to her hoof, and then stood up alongside Rainbow Dash. She took to the air and hovered next to him, then gave a salute.

"I'll head over there now and see if I can't get some info. But hey," Rainbow said, giving Spike a sly wink, "You're gonna owe me for this one."

He gave a laugh and a nod, saying, "But of course, Ms. Dash. I'm a dragon of my word." He gave a deep bow, which got a laugh out of the cyan mare. The two said their goodbyes afterwards, and Rainbow sped off into the distance.