Fire Spores

Fire Spores is a short story. by applecinnamonspice. It centers around Twilight and Spike's relationship as the latter nearly succumbs to a potentially fatal illness.

Description
''The friends we take for granted are often the ones that leave the largest impact on our lives. When Spike falls seriously ill with a mysterious disease and the ponies strive to nurse him back to health, Twilight Sparkle comes to grips with this very realization about her number one assistant--and friend.''

Storyline
The story begins a few days before Hearth's Warming Eve. As Spike is finishing chores, Twilight notices the dragon's repetitive coughing. Spike shrugs off Twilight's worries. When Twilight leaves the library to be with the rest of the Mane Six, Spike accidentally sneezes, destroying one of Twilight's favorite books.

When Twilight returns, she initially takes notice of Spike's worsening condition only to snap after discovering the charred remains of her book. Furious, Twilight then tells the sick dragon to leave her alone. Spike then miserably goes to bed.

In the morning, Twilight feels guilty about her previous actions and goes into a panic when she discovers Spike in an even worse condition than before. When Rarity comes to the library, Twilight has her watch Spike while she goes to Fluttershy's home. Returning to the library with Fluttershy, Twilight is convinced by Rarity to get the others involved. While Rarity goes to do so, Twilight and Fluttershy identify the illness as Fire Spores, a potentially fatal disease in baby dragons. The Mane Six begin to make a cure as Fluttershy leaves to get a crucial ingredient.

The story goes on to describe how Twilight and Rarity feel about Spike and the increase in urgency regarding the dragon's state while Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rainbow Dash work on the potion cure. As Spike's heartbeat weakens, Fluttershy arrives with the ingredient needed to finish the potion. With no sign of improvement, the Mane Six fear the worst, becoming distraught. Eventually Spike begins to talk much to the jubilation and relief of the six ponies. The story ends with Twilight writing to Princess Celestia about how precious Spike is to her.

Reception
Shortly after being published, Fire Spores became featured on both FIMFiction and Equestria Daily. In 2013, the story was featured in the Pony Fiction Vault. The page article on the site includes an interview with applecinnamonspice.