//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Confessions // Story: Nine Elements presents: Spike the Werepony // by BlueBioWolf //------------------------------// My Little Pony: Nine Elements presents: Spike the Werepony Written by Brandon Nell and Blake Hawkins Inspired by Curse of the Werepony by dlazerous Chapter 3: Confessions Rarity kept her eyes on Spike until he was out of sight. Tears fell from her eyes. “Spike is going to be okay,” Fluttershy said gently. “I knew Spike’s life in Canterlot was hard,” Rarity said. “But, what cruel creature would go to the effort of shortening his lifespan?” “We don’t know that yet,” Rainbow said. “But, when we do, we’re going to teach them a lesson!” “It’s absolutely heartbreaking knowing there’s a creature who holds so much contempt for such a sweet little dragon,” Rarity said. “Even if he has a temper, he’s such a gentle little dear. He doesn’t deserve any of this.” “Yeah,” Rainbow said. “If any dragon did deserve this kind of ordeal, it would be Garble. That guy was a jerk.” “Girls,” Twilight said. “It doesn’t matter if any other dragon deserves it. What matters is that this is still wrong.” “Sorry, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “But, I’m just so angry at the idea that someone would hurt our friend like this.” “Maybe it was Blueblood,” Pinkie suggested. “We’ve all seen how much he hates Spike.” “Ah don’t think that’s likely, Pinkie,” Applejack said. “Last we checked, he was locked up n’ ah doubt Chrysalis could’ve bailed him out this time.” “True, but, Shining Armor was away on his honeymoon with Cadance,” Pinkie pointed out. “And apart from Flash, we all know most of Princess Celestia’s guards are terrible at their job.” “Much like with the mystery before the National Dessert Competition,” Twilight said. “We will need to look for clues.” “We should get some sleep first,” Fluttershy said. “We won’t be much help if we’re tired. Especially you, Twilight. The medicine still needs time to fully work and we don’t want you to relapse.” “Fluttershy’s right,” Applejack said. “We all want ta help Spike, but, we got ta take care o’ ourselves, too.” “I shall arrange for you to have rooms here until the decision is made,” Celestia said. “Thank you, Princess Celstia,” Fluttershy said. “If it’s all the same to you, princess,” Rarity said. “May I be in the same room as Spike? As Twilight still hasn’t recovered, I don’t want him to catch pony pox or for the little dear to be alone.” Celestia smiled knowingly. “Of course you may, Rarity. However, given his emotional state now, it’s best not to take any chances. To wit, I’m assigning Flash Sentry and Shining Armor to watch Spike’s door until he makes his decision.” “Thank you very much,” Rarity said. “Hey, I thought of something,” Rainbow said. “Why not have some of the unicorn guards help out?” “Barring Shining Armor,” Celestia said. “Most of the unicorn guards are hardly model unicorns.” One unicorn guard stepped up to the princess and saluted. “Your highness,” he said. “We’ve found the criminal responsible for the shadow government creating the bank account scam.” “Need I say more?” Celestia asked rhetorically. “Point taken,” Rainbow said as the unicorn guard marched on. “Still trying to phase them out?” “Yes,” Celestia said. “It’s a very slow progress.” “Got it,” Rainbow said. Rarity made her way to the room Spike was taken to using her Mystic Eyes of Detail to see the hoof prints Shining Armor left behind. “Here we go,” she said to herself. She knocked on the door. “Who is it?” Spike called from inside. “It’s me, Rarity,” she answered. “Come in,” he said. Rarity entered the room and saw Spike sitting on the bed Twilight slept in before the fateful day she and him came to Ponyville. Even though it had been two years since he and Twilight shared the room, it had not changed in the slightest. It was odd, but, there was no dust, no disorder, everything neat and tidy from her small bed to the stuffed toys patiently sitting on the shelf next to it. Children's books and small tomes on introductions to magic were neatly stacked on the small bookshelf. “It looks as though it was well kept for sentimental reasons,” Rarity said. She then turned her attention to Spike. “I was hoping I could give you some company tonight since Twilight is still recovering from her sickness.” “Thanks, Rarity,” Spike said. “I may be 12 in pony years now, but, I’m still not ready to have a room to myself.” “That’s understandable,” Rarity said. “So, we won’t let you be alone.” Spike looked around. “I’ve spent six years of my life in this room,” he said. “To think it looks so small to me now.” “Things do tend to change as one grows older,” Rarity observed. “This pony form is the most I’ve grown in years,” Spike said. “And that’s not saying much.” “Whether you’re a pony or a dragon,” Rarity said as she gently held onto Spike. “You’re the right size to snuggle with.” She nuzzled the top of his head. Spike couldn’t help but smile a bit. “You know what’s strange?” Spike said. “What’s that?” she asked. “In this form,” Spike said. “Hugs feel even warmer.” “That could be due to your own warm blood,” Rarity ventured to guess. She stroked his green mane. “That’s true,” Spike said. “In this form, I’m a warm-blooded mammal.” “And I doubt that as a pony, you’ll be able to eat gems,” Rarity said. “Even magically active ones.” “Since I’ve never seen anypony try to eat any actual gems,” Spike said. “I’m not going to try to myself. Rock candy, on the other hoof, I already like that.” He then tapped his front hooves together nervously. “Is something troubling you?” Rarity asked. Spike sighed. “Rarity,” he said. “Since I’m getting weaker, I have something to confess.” “Yes, Spike?” Rarity replied, looking deeply into his eyes. “I haven’t really been entirely truthful about what I was going to do with that Fire Ruby,” Spike said. “You haven’t?” Rarity gasped in surprise. “The Fire Ruby is magically active and my stomach can’t handle those types of gems,” Spike explained. “I tried eating a magically active gem once and my stomach forced it back out the way it went in. If I tried eating the Fire Ruby, it’d be the same thing all over again. Let me tell you, if I never have to go through that again, it’ll be too soon.” “Oh, dear,” Rarity said. “I can’t even imagine how painful that would be.” “Long and short,” Spike said. “It doesn’t compare to the pain of transforming to and from a pony.” “I see,” Rarity said. “Anyway, please continue.” “I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that Fire Rubies aren’t heart-shaped in nature,” Spike said. “True,” Rarity said. “Not even gemstones without magic in them can come in that shape in nature.” “I cut it that way for you,” Spike said. “I knew how much you like gems like that, but, I was afraid of you rejecting it if you knew the truth, so, I made up the story about planning to eat it.” “Oh, Spike,” Rarity said. “If I had known that before, I wouldn’t have felt as guilty to try and take it out of your grasp. That Fire Ruby is one of the most wonderful gifts I could have ever received and I’m still very grateful that you gave it to me.” “It was a way to give you something I wanted to for a long time, my heart,” Spike said. “Oh, Spike,” Rarity said, tears of joy forming in her eyes. Spike sighed. “That sounds so cheesy.” “Regardless,” Rarity said. “It’s still a wonderful gesture on your part. And as for me holding onto your heart, I promise I will take the greatest care not to break it.” Then, a thought occurred to her. “If I may ask, when did you get the Fire Ruby?” “It was that errand I needed to run with Fancy Pants,” Spike said. “We got the Fire Ruby after we got the tanzanite bracelet for my mom for her birthday. I hoped to give it to you on Hearts and Hooves day, but, it wasn’t ready.” “My goodness,” Rarity said. “You’ve planned this for quite a while. That dedication is truly astounding.” “It was finally ready a week before my 12th birthday,” Spike said. “By then, my story about it being my birthday dinner would’ve been more believable.” “I see,” Rarity said. “I’m sorry for lying to you,” Spike said. “I can see why you did,” Rarity said. “But, I do appreciate that you told me the truth now. Honestly, that’s a very romantic thing you did.” She kissed his forehead. Spike couldn’t help but blush happily. He then let out a yawn. “I don’t know about you,” he said. “But, I’m about ready to go to sleep.” “As am I,” Rarity said. “I think we all could use some good rest.” With that, the two fell asleep in a warm embrace.