I'll Show them All

The next day at the hotel, Spike and the girls walked out with concierge Key Cross seeing them out, “Thanks again for the room, Key Cross.”

“Anytime, Spike. We hope to see you and your friends again soon.” Key Cross bid them farewell.

“We'll see.” Spike said, as he and the girls left.

“Well, that certainly a wonderful place to stay at.” Rarity said refreshed.

“I know, right?” Gabby asked happily.

“Thanks again for this, Spike.” Twilight told Spike.

Spike looked back at Twilight, “No problem.”

Twilight could tell Spike had some left over bitterness from after Fluttershy informed him she was the reason Spike never had a pet when he was living with the Sparkles, and hoped the girls could continue to talk him down until she felt confident enough to talk to him one on one.

After leaving Vallas City, the travelers continued down the road while enjoying the lovely day. They walked before reaching a forest and eventually stopped by a creek to relax for a break. As the group enjoyed lunch, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were off to the side talking to Rara.

“So, Rara, how did you end up joining our Little-” Rainbow was cut off by A.J.

“Rainbow!”

Rainbow looked at Applejack who shook her head and the athletic girl realized what she almost referred to Spike as, and corrected herself, “How did you join up with Spike?”

“Yeah, I'd like to know myself.” Applejack agreed.

Rara smiled, “Well, a few years back, before I was traveling with Spike I was working as a bar singer as Countess Coloratura. My manager Svengallop, was one of the worst men you could ever meet. He always scheduled my performances so back to back I hardly had any time for breaks to regroup and rest. So many times I wanted to leave, but I had to pay off my debt to him.”

“What kind of debt?” Applejack wondered.

“I needed some money to help get me started with my singing work, and since then I've been working for him to pay it off. But even with the money I make in tips it would take forever to pay him off.” Rara sighed.

“That sucks.” Rainbow said in sympathy.

“Yeah. Sometimes, Svengallop would even beat me if I 'stepped out of line' with him.” Rara continued.

“What?! Of all the!” Applejack fumed, only for Rainbow to calm her.

“Then one day, Spike, Fleur, and Gabby stopped in to rest. I noticed them during one of my performances. I had never seen them outside the bars regulars so naturally I was intrigued. And truthfully, Spike looked intrigued by me.”

“Really?” Rainbow asked as she and Applejack looked curious.

“Yes. I felt flattered seeing him look at me unlike the lustful horn dogs always coming into the bar. After the show he wanted to meet me back stage and we started talking and I told him about my singing talent, but I also mentioned about how when I'm not practicing with my voice I did train and work out in boxing. Spike himself mentioned about how he was a traveler with no set location going from one place to another helping others despite not being gifted with any of the special abilities like everyone else.”

“Yeah. He really does like being helpful.” Applejack admitted, as she and Rainbow remembered how bad Spike felt whenever nobody would let him pitch in and help out thinking he couldn't handle the work.

“He also felt my talent was being wasted in being a bar singer. And that my singing shouldn't just be limited to one bar. I told him about my situation, until Svengallop came in and slapped me right in front of Spike. Spike looked like he was going to throttle him, but instead he did the best thing ever. He paid off my debt.”

“Spike did?” Rainbow asked in surprise.

“Yes. He paid it off , but Svengallop was prepared to deny it, but with so many witnesses around he had no choice in case someone ratted him out. I was freed and never had to work there again.” Rara said in relief.

“So then what?” Applejack asked.

“I truly didn't know what I was going to do. But I didn't wanna go back to working as a singer in bars or clubs. Then Spike made me an offer. Travel with him and put on performances to earn us all some spending money while also allowing me to continue to train my body so I could be of help when on an Adventurers mission.”

“With the way you use those gauntlets you really pack a wallop.” Applejack smiled, as Rara giggled.

“Thank you, A.J.”

Later Spike got up, “I'm gonna get firewood for tonight.”

“Ok, just try not to go too far.” Moondancer warned him.

“Got it.”

“I'll come with.” Rara offered.

“Thanks, Rara.” Spike smiled.

“And we will too!” Rainbow offered herself and Applejack who smiled.

Spike just rolled his eyes, “Alright.” So Spike started walking, as Rara followed behind. Before Applejack and Rainbow followed they looked back at the others girls before nodding knowing it was their chance to get back into Spike's good graces.

Soon the four were out further in the forest gathering wood, with Rara using her gauntlet to punch some tree pieces off, Spike using his sword to chop some, Applejack using her raw strength, and Rainbow zipping around so fast she'd chop branches up.

When Applejack and Rainbow decided to take a break, they saw Spike was still using his sword to chop up more firewood. A determined look grew on Rainbow's face, before speaking to Applejack, “Don't take from my pile.”

“What're you doin'?” A.J asked.

“Gonna go talk to Spike.”

Before Rainbow could go forward, Applejack pulled her back, “Hold on there, missy. You ain't talkin' to Spike unless we both do. That's the whole reason we both came out here for.”

“Ok, we'll both go talk to him.” Rainbow replied, as the two walked passed Rara who followed along wanting to see how it'd go.

Spike had just finished chopping up some more wood before putting it in his big pile, “Hey, Spike!” Rainbow called, as the three girls walked over.

“What is it?” he asked.

“We just got done with our wood piles.” Rara began.

“Well, so have I.” Spike replied.

They noticed Spike had more wood in his pile than they did together, “I don't think we'd need this much.” Rara said.

“I guess I was too caught up in doing it I didn't realize how much I already had.” Spike admitted.

Applejack whistled as she looked at all the wood Spike chopped, “Still, this sure is something to be impressed by. You really chopped all this on your own?”

“Is it that surprising?” Spike raised a brow.

“Don't get me wrong, sugarcube. I think it's impressive you were able to do all this on your own.” Applejack quickly corrected herself.

“Yeah. You're a lot different than how you used to be.” Rainbow admitted.

Spike could only frown at what Rainbow said, “What makes you think you even knew me at all back then?”

“Spike?” Rainbow and Applejack asked feeling they triggered him.

“Among all of Twilight's friends, the both of you underestimated me the most physically, and yet you always had to prove how superior you were to me in that field.” Spike began with squinted eyes.

“What do ya mean?” Applejack asked.

“Don't play ignorant with me, Applejack! You remember years back during the Annual Canterlot City Park Picnic?” Spike began, “I was so excited because I was finally old enough to start competing in the contests they would hold for the older participants.”

Rainbow and Applejack looked at each other knowing what Spike was getting at, as Rara spoke, “So what happened, Spike?”

“I'll tell you what happened.” Spike began flashbacking, “We were all setting up for the picnic in the park by order of Mayor Mare who asked Twilight, the girls, and even Twilight's parents and even me to set up.”

Years ago at Canterlot City's Park, the girls who were all fifteen years of age, and even Spike who was twelve were setting things up, while the adults were talking with the mayor. Spike spoke to the girls as he was setting tablecloths over the picnic tables.

“I definitely wouldn't miss this picnic for anything. I think it's fair to warn you girls. I plan to win some of those prizes.”

“Don't get your hopes up too high,” Rainbow warned him, “I mean, you're speaking to the champ after all.” she laughed.

“Like you're one to talk getting your hopes high,” Applejack butted in, “I mean I ain't no rookie, you know?”

“True, you are the only one to give me a challenge.” Rainbow confessed.

“Well, that's going to change,” Spike said, “To be a winner you have to practice and try. And I've been in training in the last month for this day.”

“It's nice to see you're confident, Spike.” Twilight smiled.

Night Light called out, “Could someone get the box of prizes and set them up?”

Spike spoke up, “I'll do it!”

“Are you sure, Spike?” Fluttershy wondered.

“I think I can handle a box of prizes. I don't need super strength to carry that.” Spike replied dryly, before going over to where the stuff was.

Spike looked into the box and saw several prizes from first place trophies to awards. He smiled and spoke to them, “Soon, some of you will be mine.” He picked the box up and began carrying over to the table where they were to be set up.

As Spike was getting closer, he saw two bees flying uncomfortably close to him. He tried blowing them away while gripping onto the box, but they wouldn't fly away from him. When they got too close for comfort, Spike screamed as he accidentally threw the box of prizes up much to his own horror, only for Rainbow Dash to fly in and catch them.

“Phew, that was close!” Rainbow said, as she flew over to the table and sat the box down.

“That was great, Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie smiled, as the girls went over.

“Piece of cake.” Rainbow said acting modest, as Spike spoke up.

“Hey, I had things under control!”

“Sure ya did, little buddy.” Applejack replied to humor him.

But Spike caught hint of her condescending tone, “Why did you say it in that tone?”

Rarity stepped in, “Uh, perhaps we should all get back to work?”

“Agreed. The picnic starts in thirty.” Twilight agreed, as the girls hurried to resume setting up while Spike crossed his arms.

“Stupid bees.”

Soon after everything was set up, people from the city, families and friends were all coming together to enjoy the picnic. While standing on a stage was the city's Mayor; Mare who spoke into a loudspeaker.

“Attention, everyone! I am pleased to welcome you all to the Annual Canterlot City Park Picnic!” the attendees cheered, as she continued, “For those wishing to compete in the first competition meet at the starting line!”

Spike hearing that looked determined, “This is my chance to show I'm just as capable of being as good as everyone else without special abilities.”

Soon Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, and several others met at the starting line. Twilight and the rest of the girls watched with the crowd to cheer their friends and Spike on, as the mayor announced, “The first to reach the top of the hill wins. Ready? Go!”

The competitors took off running down a path, with Applejack and Rainbow taking the lead neck in neck. Suddenly to their surprise, they saw pulling ahead from the others was Spike who was on an adrenaline rush determined to win.

As he caught up to the two competitive girls, Rainbow spoke to him, “Good luck, little buddy!”

“Don't need any of it, Rainbow. I got this!” Spike answered, as he started running ahead of them.

“What say we give Spike a little time to run ahead before we get to the finish line?” Applejack asked Rainbow.

“Well, why not?” Rainbow agreed, as they decided to let Spike get a head start of them.

Up ahead at a fork in the road. A squirrel tried climbing up the pole causing the arrow pointed to move up that was in the direction that led to the hill to the other direction leading away from it. Unfortunately for Spike he hadn't notice this and followed the arrow pointing in the opposite direction he should've gone.

“Yes! At this rate that prize is mine for sure!” Spike said confidently, until he stepped right off a cliff-side and hung onto the edge. He looked down seeing how high up he looked, and knew if he let go it would still hurt, “Help!”

While Spike was hanging on, another squirrel climbed onto the arrow pointed and ended up causing the arrow to move back pointing upward to the right path. It was just in time as Applejack and Rainbow ran past it heading up with hill, with Applejack pulling ahead of Rainbow and made it to the finish line before she did.

“Applejack wins!” the ref standing close to the finish line announced.

“Yee-haw!” Applejack cheered while throwing her hat up, before catching it and put it back on.

“Yeah, you won this round, but next race will be mine.” Rainbow warned her.

“We'll see,” Applejack chuckled, before realizing something, “Where did Spike go? We didn't pass him while we were on our way here.”

“He probably stopped and went off to the side to tie his shoe or something.” Rainbow suggested until they heard Spike call out.

“Help!”

“Spike?!” the two asked, before looking down and saw Spike danging from the cliff.

“Oh, no!” Rainbow gasped, as she flew down, “I'll save ya, little buddy!”

Spike grunted as he tried holding on, “I'm slipping!”

Rainbow flew in and grabbed his arm, “Gotcha!” she flew back around dropping Spike off at the hill where the finish line was.

Twilight and the girls arrived having witnessed what happened, “Rainbow, you saved Spike!” Pinkie cheered, “That was awesome!”

“Hey, it was nothing.” Rainbow said acting humble.

As Rainbow and Applejack walked, Spike frowned, as the others took notice, “Spike, are you alright?” Twilight asked.

“It was rigged!” Spike frowned, as he walked past them to get back to the others while Twilight and the others were concerned.

But despite that unintentional sabotage of a hiccup for Spike, he was still determined to win one of the several more contests planned out. The next contest was in trivia with Spike competing against Twilight and others. With every question, Spike prepared himself to answer whatever he knew the answer too, but Twilight or someone else always managed to hit their buzzer before him and get the question right. Even when one of the other competitors got the answer wrong, Spike still wasn't fast enough to hit his buzzer before one of the others did to get a shot at answering it. When the Trivia Challenge was done, Twilight as always for a competition like that was in first while the others placed behind her, with Spike being in dead last. Even though he knew trying to compete against Twilight in trivia was a lost cause he still wanted to at least get some points.

Following that he tried competing in an eating challenge with Pinkie Pie and others, but Pinkie devoured everything that was served to her, while the other competitors placed behind her. And unfortunately for Spike despite how much he forced himself to eat it wasn't as much as the others. And after Pinkie received her prize, Spike bolted for the closest porta potty and upchucked all he tried to devour.

In an arts and crafts challenge, Spike, Rarity, and many others were assigned to weave a basket and the most creative basket would win first prize. When they were all done, the judges inspected the baskets with Rarity's looking the most creative, while the others were nice and average at best, while Spike's didn't look like it was as put together as well as the others, thus putting him in last place. As Spike watched Rarity receive first prize, and the other competitors commended on their hard work by their friends and families. Spike frowned and dumped his mess of a basket into the nearest garbage bin knowing there was nothing to commend about it.

The next challenge had the competitors dog walking. Each competitor had to walk a dog for the judges. And the walker with the most grace and style with the dog they were given would win. Fluttershy led while walking the dog she was assigned like a professional. It helped because of her natural magnetism for animals, and their love for her. The other competitors walked naturally with their assigned dog, while Spike unfortunately got saddled with a more unruly dog that wouldn't stay the course. Spike tried to control his dog, but the stubborn mutt wasn't having any of it. Finally the dog saw a squirrel nearby and growled before taking off after it while dragging Spike across the ground while he held onto the leash. Many of the guests at the picnic watching couldn't help but laugh at Spike's predicament, until the dog dragged Spike through a mud puddle and he finally let go of the leash allowing the dog to chase after the squirrel without having to toe Spike. The girls raced over to Spike who picked himself up with his face and the front of his clothes dripping in mud. When Fluttershy offered him a rag to clean himself off Spike took it without a word and walked away to get cleaned up.

Eventually the next contest began, as competitors were climbing into inner tubes in the river, as Mayor Mare announced, “The first across the river wins the prize! Go!”

And so the competitors started using their arms to paddle down the river while sitting in their tubes. At first Rainbow and Applejack were once again leading, until Spike was paddling up to them.

“Hey, little buddy, you sure are moving.” Applejack commended him.

“At this rate I will be at the other side, before you two get half way!” Spike announced, as he paddled ahead of them.

As Spike paddled, he was unaware under the water his tube was brushing right by a very sharp twig that tore right through his tube letting the air out. Spike suddenly found himself sinking into the river and was swept up clinging to a floating rock.

“Help!”

Rainbow and Applejack hearing this looked at each other, as Applejack spoke, “I got this one.”

“Thanks, A.J!” Rainbow said, as they split up with Rainbow winning the race, as Applejack paddled by and snatched Spike.

“Gotcha!” She said, as she paddled their way back to shore where Rainbow Dash returned having made it to the other side of the river before flying back. The rest of the girls and even Mayor Mare arrived.

“Applejack saved Spike and let Rainbow Dash win!” Pinkie cheered.

“I could've won without Applejack going back for Spike.” Rainbow replied.

“It was nothing, sugarcube.” Applejack said, as she and Rainbow put their arms around Spike, “Just helping out our little buddy.” the two smiled, while blissfully unaware of the frown on Spike's face and his fists clenching at the mention of that nickname.

Mayor Mare noticed this and spoke in sympathy, “Poor Spike's having a really bad day.”

Applejack spoke to the boy, “Hey, don't fret, little buddy. These things happen. Ya win some and ya lose some. But things are bound to change.”

“Yeah, what she said,” Rainbow agreed, “Why don't you leave it to us? I'll bet we can find a challenge you're sure to win a prize at.”

Spike finally having enough condescending and pity spoke up angrily, “You know what? You two and everyone else can win every other prize for all I care. I quit!” he pushed past Rainbow and Applejack.

“Huh?” the two asked in surprise.

As Spike stormed off, Twilight called, “Spike, where are you going?”

“Home. I've had enough humiliation for the day!” Spike answered, as he continued to walk off soaking wet leaving the others surprised.

Later on, after Spike returned home, he changed out of his muddy and wet clothes into a new pair and was currently in his room laying down and facing his wall still embarrassed at how poorly he performed at the picnic's challenges despite the long month of practicing he had done in preparation, and the humiliation from needing to be rescued by both Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

“What was I thinking competing against any of them?” he asked himself bitterly, until there was a knock at his door, “What?”

Twilight walked in, “Hi, Spike.”

“Oh, you're all back,” Spike replied, “How was the picnic?”

“It was good, Spike. Of course you'd know if you'd just stick around. Nobody said you had to keep competing.”

“And what listen to others talk about me and laugh at my humiliation and how pathetic I was?” Spike scowled.

“You know, you weren't the only one that didn't actually win a prize, Spike.” Twilight reminded him of the other competitors that didn't win first place.

“Yeah? Well, they all still did far better than I did. And after a whole month of training for all this I didn't do anywhere near as good as the others.” he grumbled.

Twilight sighed, “I know it felt like your training was all for nothing, but I'm not here to talk about that. I'm here to give you this.” she presented him with a red hand made ribbon.

“What's that?”

“Even though you didn't actually win, all competitors received these Participation Ribbons. Proving despite whatever place you took, you still tried your hardest. Because you left, Mayor Mare wasn't able to give it to you like she did the other competitors so I offered to give it to you instead. So, here you go.” she offered it.

Spike looked at the ribbon before frowning, “I don't want it.”

“Spike?” Twilight asked.

“I don't want some pity prize!”

“But, Spike-”

“All I ever get is something out of pity, not because I made something of myself or won anything. But because people feel sorry for me for being so pathetic compared to everyone else!” Spike explained as his anger grew.

“But at least you tried, and that's all that matters.” Twilight tried calming him.

“Easy for you to say! You and your friends always come in first at anything either of you excel in. Neither of you had to struggle the way I do just to try to even make a rank. And everyone else not as good as you just has to be better than me. Well, now you'll all have one less competition to worry about because I'll never compete against any of you again!”

“Oh, Spike.”

“Just go,” Spike dismissed Twilight, “And the next time you see Rainbow and Applejack, tell them to never call me Little Buddy ever again.”

Twilight knowing Spike was too angry for consoling, especially not from her took his advice and left, but placed the Participation Ribbon on his desk. Spike looked at the ribbon before turning away not wanting to look at it.

The Flashback ended as Applejack and Rainbow looked down in shame realizing how poorly they treated Spike, as Rara was just as surprised, “You two really made him feel that inferior?”

“Well, it's not like we were trying to.” Rainbow argued.

“But we could've been more sensitive to Spike.” Applejack admitted.

“Yeah, you could’ve, but you didn't,” Spike frowned, “Instead you demeaned me with your little buddy talk while playing humble when you were praised for helping poor pathetic me!”

“We never thought you were pathetic!” Rainbow continued to argue.

“Yeah, well ya sure never made me feel like I wasn't!” he argued back, “You never made me feel like I was ever wanted.”

“What do you mean?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, you wanna know? Well, let's keep going back. Any time it was apple picking or harvest time at your family farm, you would ask everyone to help out when there was too much to be done. You'd ask everyone... but me.”

Rara looked to the country girl, “Applejack?” A.J herself looked down knowing Spike was right.

“I get that apple picking was hard work, but you made it feel like rocket science to me. Maybe I can't fly or use magic to pick them. But ladders exist for a reason. And it didn't even have to be apple picking. I could've done other things there but no, it never occurred to you, did it?”

Applejack continued to feel shame at how she neglected Spike, until Spike turned his attention towards Rainbow Dash, “And you. You would always come by and ask Twilight if she wanted to attend the Wonderbolts games with you. Did you ever stop to think there was someone else at that house you could've asked when she declined?”

“Well, you never...”

“Just because I don't always talk about them or litter my room with sports stuff doesn't mean I'm not a fan. In fact you knew I enjoyed reading Daring Do and watch the movies, and yet you didn't ask me if I wanted to attend the Daring Do Con like you asked the other girls?”

Rara turned to the rainbow haired girl, “Low blow.”

“Ok, I admit, we were neglectful of you! And we're sorry for never thinking about you when we should've. But it's not like we hated you or anything!” Rainbow shouted not wanting to keep getting laid into.

“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack scolded knowing that wasn't helping.

“Well, you didn't exactly show you cared about me either. That Little Buddy talk you two always did around me wasn't because you thought of me as a friend. You called me that because you always made me feel so much smaller than you and incapable of doing anything without anybody to help.”

“But that was years ago, Spike. And we know we never gave you enough credit in what you were capable of,” Applejack spoke up, while motioning to Spike's log pile, “But now we see we were wrong. You survived four years without needing us. You've grown in strength, speed, and all that. You even chopped more wood than me and Rainbow did. And I feel mighty proud to see how far you've come!” Applejack let some tears flow.

“So do I!” Rainbow confessed, “You really are more than what I or anyone in Canterlot has ever given you credit for.”

Spike looked at the two competitive girls seeing they no longer looked like the cocky competitive girls he remembered them as and started seeing they truly were more humble and honest about him than they ever were. Before he said anything they heard roaring sounds, and the four looked and saw five bear-like monsters approach looking for a fight.

“Devi-Bears!!!” Rara and Rainbow Dash cried in shock, as Applejack gasped while Spike looked on in surprise.