>Spike paces nervously in front of the cave, looking back every so often
>The two changelings guarding it hiss at him when he does, prompting to keep his eyes to the ground
>Anon's been in there for awhile
>He said if he doesn't come out in an hour to leave
>Spike curses himself for leaving a pocket watch home
>Not that he had pockets, or a watch for that matter
>The sun is just dipping below the horizon
>He doesn't want to be out here after dark
>Not with those things...
>Just when Spike is about to leave
>A commotion comes from within the cave
>Anon is being hauled out by a bunch of those things
>He's thrown to the ground, the largest changeling growling
>The bunch of them head back into the cave
>Spike runs to his side, nudging him till he sits up
>His clothing is torn in some places and cuts and bruises are exposed
>"Sheesh, Anon! What happened!? What the heck did you say?"
>Anon begins to collect himself, brushing the dirt and ichor from his body
"I told her I loved her...."
 
>Spike sighs, and helps pull you to your feet as best he can
>"Honestly, anon, I don't know what you see in her."
>You glance down at the little dragon
"I just do, man. I can't really put it to words, there's just something about her that's so...enticing."
>Spike rolls his eyes and crosses arms, unconvinced
>"Are you sure you're not being hypnotized right now? Because it sure sounds like it, Anon."
>You dismiss him with a quick wave of your hand
"No, no, I'm positive it's nothing like that, besides, you know changling magic doesn't work on anything but ponies."
>He quickly scurries up your leg up to your shoulders and raps his scaly knuckles against your skull
>"Equestria to Anon, are you in there, Anon?"
"Hey cut it out, Spike."
>You laugh and casual lift the tiny dragon off your shoulders and back onto the ground
>He chuckles
"Just checking, Anon. But where do you go from here, she doesn't seem like she wants anything to do with you..."
>You slip your hands in your pockets and idly kick at the ground below you
"Honestly, I have no idea..."
>You glance back at the cave, hoping for an epiphany or some crazy scheme to win her over
>But nothing comes
"I'll think of something though, but right now, whaddya say we go grab something from Sugar Cube Corner, my treat."
>Spike immediately perks up
>"Can I get a cupcake with extra gem sprinkles?!"
"You got it, bro, it's the least I could do for you."
>You hold out your fist and wait for him to return the gesture.
 
>He cocks his head and stares at your fist confused
>"What am I supposed to do?"
"Really, they don't fist bump in Ponyville"
>Spike raises an eyebrow, and you quickly realize your error
"Well shit, okay, you just hold up your fist, bring it to mine, annnnd...."
>You complete the most scared ritual of your race, spreading the bro Gospel to Equestria
>"That was so COOL! It's so awesome having another friend with cla-err, hands!"
>You gently smile at his words
>Friend, that word brought an enormous amount of joy to your heart
>The kinship you felt with Spike, like your love for Chrysalis, couldn't be put to words
>But feeling you felt deep within your chest knew let you know that these feels were right
"Alright, Spike, let's get back home, I don't want Twilight to find out where we were, capisce?"
>"Capi-?"
"Just keep it a secret."
>"Gotcha, Anon, ka-pi-se!"
>You begin to make your back into the jungle, laughing and smiling with your bro
>In your moment of camaraderie, you fail to notice a pair of emerald eyes staring at the two of you from the depths of the cavern
>"F-foolish creature..."