The love of three

by Shadymist

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Romance
Length: 4674

Spike ends up finding himself the object of affection for the cutie mark crusaders.

Spike ends up finding himself the object of affection for the cutie mark crusaders after saving them from danger after getting dragged along on one of their adventures. How will Spike handle this new turn of events will he be able return the girls feeling? Will the CMC stay friends? And most importantly who will be left heart broken in the end?

-This is set after season 3 so yes there will be a alicorn Twilight and Discord will be around.

Published 2013-02-24 20:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-19 02:44:56 UTC

How it Began

Chapter OneHow it Began

Maybe I should have seen this coming. Though it wasn’t one of the most likely things that could have happened  today, I should have realized this might have been an outcome. In the end, I probably brought this on myself when I think about it. Why didn’t I just ignore these three? Not like anything good ever happens when I’m with them. I think back to this evening when I was relaxing how could have things ended up like this.

It started out as a good day: I was alone in the library reading the latest Mare-do-Well comic. Since Twilight was in Canterlot with her friends doing something for the Princess, I finally had some time off to myself. The books were organized, the floor was spotless, the shelves were dusted, and for this purple and green dragon, that meant I had the day off. I was happy for the time to myself. Ever since Twilight had become a princess, I seemed to be working harder than usual because, for some reason, becoming a princess meant more studying. So the moment of relaxation was much appreciated.

I was reclining back comfortably in rocking chair reading the latest Mare-do-Well comic. Nobody seemed to be coming in to check out any books today, so I thought I may have had time to finish this issue without any disturbances. That of course couldn’t happen, now could it?

The sound of the library door being violently opened tore me away from my comic. I dropped my comic book and jumped up quickly standing to my full height, which was, after last winter, just above the height of an adult stallion, Along with my newfound height my scales had become ever so slightly darker, my build had become slimmer though I was still very strong, my spines became rather sharp which makes sitting down a pain, and best of all I had sprouted two wings. If what Rainbow said was true, I will have some serious power behind them after I build up my muscles. My head snapped towards the disturbance quickly. My eyes were met with the last ponies I wanted to see today, the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Why in Equestria did they choose the day I finally get to relax to come barging in?

Don’t get me wrong; I don’t have anything wrong with the three. They’re quite nice when they aren’t off causing mayhem and utter destruction to Ponyville while trying to get their cutie marks. Knowing them, though, and those haunting smiles that were plastered on their faces, they couldn’t be up to any good.

I stared at each of them with accusing eyes, noting the fact that they had each grown a bit in the last few years, though not enough that they were unrecognizable. Scootaloo stood in front of the group with her orange coat and short, wild purple mane. To Scootaloo’s left was Sweetie Belle, who was sporting white saddle bags that matched her coat perfectly and her purple and pink mane flowed beautifully, showing how much work she put into keeping it up. Lastly, there was Apple Bloom, who had a yellow coat and red mane which had her signature pink bow on it.

Scootaloo of course was the first to speak, pushing out her chest with confidence. “Spike, you have been recruited for an official Cutie Mark Crusader operation!” she said proudly, her purple eyes brimming with excitement, and a matching smile that spelled only pain, and tree sap.

I looked at her for a long moment before turning around and walked across the room where I  picked up my comic book, then processed in dropping back into the rocking chair, and saying a plain and simple “No.”

A few seconds later, I found my comic being ripped from my claws by Apple Bloom. “Why not?” she asked.

I crossed my arms before saying, “Because I don’t want to get grounded for the rest of the summer for burning down another building”

“The one time! and don’t forget that If you hadn’t been so busy with gawking at Rarity, it wouldn’t have happened in the first place,” Sweetie Belle muttered as she walked over Apple Bloom’s side

I rolled my eyes at the comment but didn’t say anything only because it was partially true. its not his fault Rarity had a nice flank

“Besides, we just want to go to Zecora’s house,” Sweetie Belle continued.

“Why do you need me for that? You three know how to get there just fine.”

"Because we aren't allowed to go in the Everfree Forest by ourselves, and Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are in Canterlot with Twilight, so we need someone to take us, so we thought who better than a big brave dragon?" Apple Bloom explained.

“I see,” I said slowly. “I still say no. Can I have my comic book back now?”

Scootaloo sighed “It’s not working, girls! I think it’s time for plan B!”

“Plan B? Why do I have the feeling you three are about to fight dirty?” I asked with narrowed eyes.

Sweetie Belle’s horn began to glow and her saddle bag opened. Out came floating a white box wrapped in a light blue aura.

I scoot back into my chair “What’s in the box?” I asked, looking at it warily.

“Oh just, you know, gem cupcakes!” Scootaloo yelled before flipping open the white box, revealing an assortment of different types of gem cupcakes.

My jaw fell at what I saw. There were a dozen different flavors: sapphire, emerald, diamond, quartz, apatite, topaz, ruby, turquoise, amber, calcite, amethyst, and beryl, all in one box! I reached for the cupcakes, mouth drooling with anticipation. Right before I could touch the box, though, it snapped shut by Sweetie Belle, who promptly put it back into her bag.

“So Spike, will you do it for these delicious cupcakes?” Scootaloo asked with a sly smile on her face.

I eyed Sweetie Belle’s bag and licked my lips hungrily.

“I’m probably going to regret this, but yes. We have a deal.”

“Spike, watch out!” Apple Bloom screamed frighteningly

I came out of my reverie just in time to fly out of the way of another tree. Oh, how could I forget that I’m flying through the Everfree at high speeds, trying to get away from a pissed off manticore that was now chasing us! I silently thanked Celestia that I had grown wings.

I was holding the Crusaders tightly in my arms, one of whom was passed out from fear. I made sure not to drop them, no matter how much I wanted to.To make matters worse, I was bleeding badly from getting hit by the manticore multiple times. I could feel the blood sliding down my face and could clearly see the claw marks that had ripped left arm open. Worst of all though was my wings, which luckily wasn't broken, but every time I flapped they sent pain shooting through my body and keeping me from getting any kind of lift.

"I knew this was a bad idea! Why couldn't you have really been going to Zecora's? This wouldn't have happened if you would use your freaking brains for once! This is EXACTLY why I stopped hanging out with you three!" I yelled furiously at the Crusaders.

"We said sorry, geez." Scootaloo said, rolling her eyes in an uncaring manner.

That only pissed me off even more, but I said nothing about it. "When we get out of here, I want nothing to do with you three anymore!"

"B-but what about the cupcakes?" Scootaloo said.

"Keep 'em," I said, not wanting anything they could give me by this point. "What the hell kind of plan would need you to catch a manticore, anyways?"

Apple Bloom gulped and said in a small, quiet voice "Cutie Mark Crusaders Monster catchers."

My response was a smokey growl, trying not to say something I might regret. I put my focus back into flying around through tree after tree, trying not to get caught or hit. Luckily I was a good enough flier, having been taught by Rainbow Dash since the time I obtained my wings.

I easily started out-flying the beast without much difficulty other than the trees and extra weight. But with the amount of blood I was losing and my endurance failing rather quickly, I could feel myself starting to slow down. The manticore was quickly catching up with us.

The trees began to thin out, signaling that we were reaching the edge of the forest. I could even see the light of the sun up ahead.

“Just a little further.” I thought to myself. I knew it wouldn't follow me out of the forest, or at least I hoped it wouldn't.

I beat my wings harder and faster than I ever had before, ignoring the pain it brought. I could feel myself slowly slipping from consciousness, but I clung to my last bit of it to get the girls out safely. I pushed myself as hard as I could, pain wracking my body even more intensely than before. I was nearly there, I just needed a few more flaps of my wings. With me working so hard, I didn’t even notice the thick branch which, thanks to me flying so fast, shattered over my head as I collided with it. That was just enough to take away the last bit of consciousness I had left in me. The last thing I saw and heard was the green grass at the edge of the forest, the deep roar of the manticore, and a scream before I blacked out.

Dragon vs Manticore

Chapter TwoDragon vs Manticore

You know when most ponies come to visit friends or family in the hospital and they ask how they're feeling, or what has the doctor said, things like that, right? Well, apparently Twilight didn’t get the memo, because for the last hour and a half she’s been lecturing me on why I shouldn’t be in the Everfree Forest. As if I didn’t know already.

"...And furthermore once you are released you are grounded until further notice mister!" Twilight said, finishing her tirade.

I stared at her with blank expression while biting my tongue. “Are you finished yet?” I said through a strained voice

She gave me a glare that would have frightened a hydra before answering. “Don't take that tone with me, you know you were at fault in this mess.”

“Are you going to let me defend myself or are you just going to stand there and say how stupid I am?”

“Spike I never said you were stupid I was just…” She was cut short by the dragon crossing his arms over his bandaged chest and letting out a loud snort. “Go ahead spike.”

“Ok then first off I shouldn’t be getting grounded over this since its not even my fault, I was the responsible one. Second it’s Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo’s fault, if they would have told me the truth I would have sent them back to their clubhouse in the first place. And thirdly and most importantly why the heck are you yelling at me? Shouldn’t you be more happy that I’m not manticore chow right now?”

Twilight sighed “Spike, believe me when I say, I’m happy that you’re safe, but that doesn’t excuse that you, somepony who is suppose to be responsible, willingly went into Everfree with those three girls”

Spike had to give her credit she was right about that “Yeah but, it was a moment of weakness! Twilight you have to believe me!” I shouted desperately

“How so?”

“They had cupcakes”

“Cupcakes?”

“Gem cupcakes to be exact and there was twelve flavors to top it off”

“So you risked your life for cupcakes”

“I know how it sounds, but hey when three young cute mares come at you with cupcakes how can you say no?”

I wasn’t sure what went through Twilight’s mind when I said that, but the look on her face showed displeasure.

“Spike,” Twilight said in a tired voice “that has to be the most, pardon my rudeness, stupid excuse I’ve heard in a long time! On top of that, you just sat there telling me you were the responsible one!”

“Hey! You weren't even there!” Spike pointed an accusing claw at the alicorn. “ So think like you knew what happened. And l in my defense the manticore wouldn’t have even attacked if it wasn’t for them in the first place! Hell, I really thought we were headed to Zecora’s house.

“Wait the manticore didn’t attack the four of you itself?”

“No it was the crusaders that made the first move”

“Explain”

“Gladly”

"Where are we? I thought Zecora's was closer than this," I asked after I noticed we had been walking through the forest longer than we should have been

The girls exchanged some looks which but I never tingle running down my back.

"Don't worry we should be nearly there," Apple Bloom answered.

I was getting nervous more and more nervous every step. I was pretty sure Zecora didn't live this far into the Everfree, and was thinking of turning back soon. Just as I was about to speak up though, we found ourselves in standing in front of large clearing. I nearly had a heart attack from what I saw standing in the middle. There, taking a nap in the midday sun was a the biggest manticore I had ever seen. I was pretty sure it’s paw was twice as big as his head and then some.

I quietly took a step back and gestured for the crusaders to do the same. Sadly when I looked to my side I found they weren't even next to me any longer. When I looked forward my eyes widen as I noticed the three of them were slowly approaching the manticore.

I instinctively went to yell for them to come back, but stopped myself as I didn't want to risk waking up the manticore. I decided to watch the trio hoping they wouldn't do anything life threatening. Of course the ones I was hoping to not do such a thing was the Cutie Mark Crusaders. so of course I was wrong. There, in Scootaloo's hoof was a net just big enough to cover the whole manticore.

"Please oh please, don't do what I think you're going to do," I pleaded mentally.

Of course fate decided to pimp slap me in face and not a second later there was a net flying through the sky. Quicker than its size would make you think it could, the manticore shot up to its full size both eyes opened angrily and shredded it the net with it’s humongous claws before it could even land in him.  It let out deafening roar, effectively petrifying the three fillies.

It stepped towards the frozen crusaders and raised its paw with the the full intent to kill. I’m not sure what happened, but all sense of reasoning seemed to shut off in my head and I found myself charging towards the manticore. With a hard thrust from my wings I shot forward quickly and tackled the manticore into a tree. This only succeeded in pissing off the manticore even more.

It slapped my chest with the back of it’s paw, throwing me into a nearby tree knocking the breath out of me. Before I had a chance to recover the manticore was already back on me. It swiped it’s claw at my arm making a large wound in it. The pain of the injury to my arm caused me to let out a cry of pain which accidently made me let out a sputter of fire from my mouth.

The beast immediately backed off and threw itself on its back and thrashed around trying to stop the flames. I pulled myself up as quickly as I could and ran towards the girls so we could escape. I wasn’t expecting the manticore to put out the flames very quickly so when the searing pain as a giant claw raking across my wings I was very surprised.

I fell to the ground painfully and let a pained groan. It was at this point that I was about to give up. I wasn’t a match for the manticore. I just laid still on the ground hoping that my death would be swift and painless. That’s when I heard Apple Bloom screaming in fear and Scootaloo pearlized with tears flowing down her cheek. I heard Sweetie Belle let out a high pitched scream and looked over quickly just in time to see her pass out.

I immediately pushed myself up to see that the manticore had diverted its attention from me back to the crusaders. It was standing over them paw held high ready to strike A boiling anger erupted in my stomach at the thought of the manticore killing them. I forgot all about my pain for a moment and pushed myself forward with a mighty flap of my wings.

Time seemed to slow down in the next few seconds. I flew quickly over the crusader grabbing each of them and bring them to my chest tightly. I was just in time too, as the manticore’s claw dug into my left arm but it luckily didn’t stop me from flying off into the woods.

It wasn’t going to give up on its potential food that easily though. It gave chase and followed us through the forest.

“After it crashing after me through the branch I blacked I don’t know what happened,” I said, finishing the story.

Twilight looked at me in amazement. “You’re right Spike, you did the right thing, you’re a hero Spike and I am proud of you, but you’re still grounded.”

I groaned, “How come? it wasn’t my fault.” I said irritatedly .

“That doesn’t matter, it would never had happened if you didn’t take them in there in the first place.”

“What!? That’s not fair” yelled angrily

“I know it’s not but on the bright side I’ll give you triple layered gem cake when you're released for saving the crusaders”

My anger was immediately lost when I heard that. “I can’t wait until I’m out of here” I thought gleefully

“You know that was a really brave thing to do you know what made you do it?”

I shrugged. “I wasn’t really thinking about it. I was more concerned about the girls lives than I was about my own when I fighting the manticore,” I let out a sigh. ”I’m too nice for my own good, you know that.”

“I think that’s a good thing and you’ll be happy to know you won’t have to worry about the crusaders; they have been grounded.”

“Serves them right for what they did, but want to know what’s weird though?”

“What?”

“I’m not mad at them anymore. Actually, I’ve already forgiven them. Is that weird?”

Twilight laughed, “No, it just means you probably are too nice for your own good.

They both laughed.

“Oh yeah, what happened to the manticore after I passed out ?”

“Well from what I’m told Big Mac found you passed out just outside the forest all banged up, with crusaders crusaders under you and a manticore flying out of the forest towards you. He was able to scare it away somehow and brought you to the hospital.

“Well that’s good. I’d hate for anyone else to have gotten hurt.”

Unbeknownst to to the dragon and the alicorn just outside the door stood the three crusaders. They each had tears in their eyes. They couldn’t understand how somepony could forgive them so easily after getting they got him injured so badly and nearly getting them all killed.

They each looked at each other and made a silent agreement. They set down their package in front of the door and left to begin their plan.

Hospital Stay Part One

Chapter ThreeHospital stay part 1

“Well Spike, I should be going now. It’s getting late and you need your rest,” Twilight said as she got up.

“Alright. See you tomorrow Twi tell everyone I said hi ,” I replied, before rolling onto my stomach so I could go to sleep.

I heard the door open and second later heard Twilight say, “Hmm what’s this?”

.“What is what?” I  said before turning my head to look at her I was surprised to see a familiar white box floating in her magical grasp.

“I found this in front of the door.” Twilight rubbed her chin with her hoof in thought. “I wonder who brought it or what’s in it for that matter?”

I didn’t have to think about what was in it I already knew, “That’s the box with cupcakes!” I said with excitement.

“You mean the ones the girls bribed you with?”

Spike nodded. “I can smell them from here.” The scent of the jewel encrusted confections was mouthwatering.

Twilight opened the box and checked inside and indeed the were cupcakes inside. “Well I guess you’re right.” She closed the box and began to leave with it.

“Wait where are you going!?”

“Uh home I guess. Is there a problem?” Twilight asked.

“Yes. Why are you taking the cupcakes?” Spike asked.

“Spike you’re in the hospital, therefore you will eat the food they serve you.”

I shuddered at the thought of having to eat hospital food. “That’s not fair. I got beat up by a manticore for those cupcakes!” To have the cupcakes so close, and then to be told that I would have to suffer through the mush that the hospital called food was maddening.

“And you will get them when you are discharged. Bye now.”

“Twilight don’t you-” I was interrupted by a flash of light which blinded me for a moment, when I opened my eyes again she was gone meaning twilight had teleported away. “ dare, just great.”

With a loud sigh, my head dropped into my pillow and sleep took me.

When I woke back up in the morning I could feel the warm heat of the sun hitting my back. As good as that felt though I forced myself up to face the new day. Carefully I turned my body around, and  laid back in a sitting position taking extra care not to put too much pressure on my back.

I let out a loud yawn and finally opened my eyes. To my horror instead of find the bright light rays of the sun I found to big blue eyes.

“AHHH!” I yelled in terror, in my fright I made myself fall off the side f the bed face planting onto the ground with a thud.

“Hahahaha that was awesome good job pinkie.” I heard a tomboyish voice say.

I let out a quiet growl before getting up and looked at the two pranksters Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

“Not funny guys. I could’ve fallen on my wings.” I said with annoyance.

“Lighten up Spike, it’s just a prank,” said Dash who was hovering over the bed.

“Yeah turn that frown upside down,” Pinkie said, bouncing on the hospital bed.

“Whatever. What are you doing here anyways its-” Spike turned around to look at the clock on the wall that read 8:30. “Before 10:00. Shouldn’t you be asleep Dash?”

Dash opened her mouth to speak, but Pinkie interrupted her.

“Usually she would be but when I woke up this morning I remembered I needed to visit you today so I thought to myself wouldn’t it be better to have someone else for more company but I couldn’t get the other girls because the punishing the crusaders so I used my new pony launching cannon to shoot myself into dash's cloud house and tackled her out of it and brought her here with me,” Pinkie said in one breath

I stared at Pinkie for a long moment before looking at Rainbow who looked horrified.

“you okay dash?” I asked

“Yeah I’m just remember the horror of a pink demon flying through my home and tackling me out of bed.” Dash shook her head before speaking again “Anyways we came by to check up on you. I know how boring the hospital can be.” Dash said.

“And we have cake.” Pinkie said pulling a cake out of her hair that read ‘Get well soon’.

I eyed the cake warily. “Yeah I think I’ll pass. Thank you though.”

Pinkie shrugged and stuffed the whole cake in her mouth.

“So where are the others?” Spike asked

“Well  Applejack is making Applebloom help Rarity shop for fabric and dig up some gems, Rarity is forcing Sweetie Belle repaint some barns with AJ, I don’t know where Twilight went, and Scootaloo parents got Fluttershy to punish her by making her count all of Fluttershy’s animals.” Pinkie explained.

“Well thats boring ,” Spike said just as a idea came to him. “Pinkie, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure what is it?” She asked eagerly.

“Twilight took a box of gem cupcakes from me. Can you get them back please?”

“I dunno Spike she must have taken them for a reason, but then again sweets do heal all wounds.” She tapped her chin in contemplation. “Okay I’ll be right back.”

Pinkie Dived under the bed and disappeared from sight. I expected her to come popping out soon, but after a moment of waiting I started to get worried. From the look on Dashes face she was too.

“Uh Pinkie?” I called out

There was no answer

Rainbow flew down and checked under the bed when she picked her head back up she looked startled.

“What wrong” I asked

“She’s not there” Dash with a hollow voice

“Nope, nope, nope too early for this I’m just going to chalk it up to just one of the many perks of being a Pinkie.”

Rainbow nodded in agreement

“So how was Canterlot?”

“Meh same as always: boring and snooty,”

“Well why did you have to go?”

“Something about some dragon who’s supposed to be waking up in a few months from its hundred year nap or something.”

“Really? That’s awesome! How is that boring?”

“Well it wasn’t so much as boring as it wasn’t the interesting to listen about a dragon who isn’t even  awake yet, but there was an upside.”

“And what was that?”

“Guess who asked Rarity out on a date.”

“Who?”

“Oh my gosh it was so funny. It was Blueblood.”

“What!” That was really shocking he would’ve never thought Blueblood would have asked anypony out on a date let alone on somepony who threw cake at him.

“Yeah Rarity looked like she was going to yell at him, She didn’t probably because princess Celestia and Luna were in the room.”

“Well what did she say?”

“She told him and  I quote ‘I am disgusted that a wretched welp unfit for the title of a royal  would ask me on a date and I would never be caught dead out in public with the likes of you’ And she said with such a calm voice it made just that much funnier.”

I began to laugh “Oh my gosh what did the princesses do?”

“Well Luna just fell over laughing like the rest of us and Celestia just sat there smiling but I could tell she wanted to laugh too.”

“I wish I was-” I stopped talking as I noticed a pink hoof jutting out an unaware Rainbow Dash’s mane.

He pointed at her with a shocked expression.

“What?” Dash asked as the hoof had soon gave way to show a Pinkie head coming out of Rainbow’s mane.

“P-P-P-Pinkie Pie.” Was all he could say because he was so freaked out.

“Pinkie Pie where?”

By this point Pinkie was now fully out of Rainbow Dashes mane and was standing on her back somehow undetected.

“HERE I AM!” She shouted, causing Rainbow to fall in shock landing directly on on my head.

Hospital stay part two

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