I'll Show them All

The group of heroes were currently in a small town resting and collecting more supplies for their travel. Pinkie was currently at the supermarket picking up some essentials for when they cook. As Pinkie was by the snacks aisle, Saffron walked by pushing the cart.

“Try to ease up on the snacks, Pinkie. We need room for others.” she told the party girl.

“I know, I just can't help myself when I see these kinds of things.” Pinkie answered.

Saffron rolled her eyes playfully, “Your reputation for that really precedes you.”

Pinkie grinned, “I try.”

As the two continued on through the store, Pinkie decided it was best to get to know her new friend, “So, Saffron, how did an excellent cook like you end up traveling with Spike?”

Saffron looked to Pinkie feeling this would eventually be brought up, “Well, before I started traveling with Spike this all started with me and my father Coriander Cumin. Many years ago my parents migrated to this side of the world and opened up a restaurant called the Tasty Treat.”

“Ooh, sounds tasty.” Pinkie licked her lips.

“Yes, though it was struggle for my parents at first, they eventually started attracting plenty of customers and soon business was booming. After I was born I grew up learning the ways of the restaurant becoming my mother's cook apprentice. She taught me everything I knew and soon I was cooking for the restaurant along side my parents. But unfortunately one day, my mother passed away.”

“Oh, no!” Pinkie gasped.

“Yes,” Saffron sighed, “Since then my father and I continued to try running our restaurant on our own. Though we were still raking in customers, we really had to pull our weight around even more. Then we started getting visited by this gang called the Terror Pack. They started running protection rackets with us being their favorite 'clients'. Anyone refusing to pay their fee ends up losing their establishment. Through arson.”

“That's horrible!”

“I know. And they swore if any of us went to the police they would come after us personally,” the cook continued, “Then one night a few years back, my father and I decided enough was enough. The Terror Pack had been swindling enough of our profits from us we were finding it harder and harder to buy new ingredients and make pay so it was time we made a stand.”

“That's very brave.” Pinkie said admirably.

“Yes, but we realize we might've bitten off more than we can chew,” Saffron sighed, “But then Spike and the girls arrived and fought them off. The Terror Pack stood no chance against them all, and soon they were arrested and exposed for their crimes. As thanks my father and I offered to cook them a free meal. Needless to say they were all very impressed.”

“So Spike told you about himself and that he was traveling?” the party girl inquired.

“More or less. I just couldn't believe someone exists without any of the tribes special abilities. And yet he proved to be capable of so much without either.” Saffron said impressed.

“Yeah,” Pinkie agreed with a sigh, “More than we realized.”

Saffron continued, “As we kept getting to know each other more, I told Spike and the girls how it's my dream to expand my horizons and experiment with new recipes. Suddenly I was met by my father and Spike who talked it over and both decided I should join Spike on his journey. At first I was against the idea knowing how much my father needed me, but he assured me he would be fine as he decided he was going to start hiring extra help like he should've done rather then let it be just between the family. And so I agreed to join Spike, Fleur, and the rest of the girls as the team cook. Of course cooking isn't my only field. While traveling with them I learned some new moves like combining spices to make blinding powder, and making chili pepper bombs to feed to ravage beasts to slow them down.”

“And that is impressive,” Pinkie commended her, “Just because your talent is cooking doesn't mean you can't fight.”

Saffron nodded, before remembering, “Why couldn't you give that kind of support to Spike?”

Pinkie hearing that felt down, “I know. We never really gave Spike the chance to truly prove his worth. But to be fair during the time I knew him he wasn't capable of what you've seen what he could do.”

“Even so, he's been training like this even before I met him. So he is no slacker or probably ever was.” Saffron noted.

“He was a very hard worker, more than knew,” Pinkie sighed, “But now I wanna make amends with Spike. To show him I don't see him as helpless or powerless.”

Saffron nodded knowing she wanted to do the right thing, “And I'll be there when you do.”

Pinkie smiled, “Thanks, Saffron.” And so the two paid for their groceries before headed back to rendezvous with the others.

Later on the two girls and the others were having a cookout with both chef girls working together whipping up something good.

“Ok, come and get it!” Pinkie called.

Spike and the girls lined up, as the two put some curry on their plates. When the others were served, the two put some curry on their own plates and sat down with them. They took a bite and each of them panted before drinking some water.

“Spicy as always, Saffron.” Spike commended her.

“Well, I had Pinkie help this time.” she admitted.

“That's right.” Pinkie grinned.

“You both make quite a team with food.” Rarity said, as she ate her curry.

“That's for sure. This' spicy but delicious.” Applejack said joyfully.

“Gotta love that spicy feeling.” Rainbow agreed.

“Yeah, I could actually go for seconds.” Sunset said.

“Me too.” Twilight seconded.

“I could too.” Fluttershy added.

“I think we all could.” Moondancer suggested, and they all agreed.

Pinkie spoke up, “So, Spike, Saffron told us you and the girls helped saved her and her family's shop from protection racket running thugs.”

The rest of the Guardians of Harmony turned to Spike, Fleur and the others, “Spike, is this true?” Twilight asked.

“Yes,” Spike answered, “When we came into town one night, we saw the Terror Pack terrorizing Saffron's family restaurant The Tasty Treat shaking them down for protection money.”

Fleur spoke, “It was horrible watching those uncouth punks make trouble in such a fine establishment.”

“So we did what we could to protect it and succeeded.” Rara noted.

“And we got a free meal out of it.” Gabby smiled.

“Now that's doing good,” Applejack commended them, “I mean if some varmints were trying to shake us at Sweet Apple Acres down for protection money we'd give them the what for!”

“And Spike convinced Saffron's dad to let her join them.” Pinkie finished.

“Spike, that's so kind of you.” Twilight smiled.

“I just couldn't bare someone with such talent to be limited to one location her whole life while there's so much out there.” he answered.

“And every day I'm grateful he did that for me.” Saffron smiled at Spike who looked away with a faint blush.

“He did it for all of us.” Moondancer said, as she and the rest of her friends felt grateful to Spike, while Twilight and the others did feel proud of him.

After dinner, the group was ready to head to the inn, only for Spike to speak up, “I'm going for a walk, be back later.”

“Don't stay out too late now.” Fleur warned him.

“Yes, mother.” Spike joked, making Applejack, Gabby, and Rainbow chuckle.

“Hey, Spike, may Saffron and I join you?” Pinkie asked hopefully.

Spike looked at the two with Saffron giving him a nod, “Sure.” he answered making Pinkie smile.

“All of you be careful.” Twilight told them.

“We will.” Pinkie answered, as they split up.

As Spike walked with Pinkie and Saffron, he noticed the two were close like friends, “You two seem to be getting along well.”

“How can we not?” Pinkie asked rhetorically, “We both share a deep love of cooking.”

“Plus, Fleur, Gabby, and Rara have gotten closer with Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack.” Saffron reminded him.

“Point.” he admitted.

“And hearing what Saffron say what you did for her and her dad made me feel so proud of you, Spike,” Pinkie added, as she walked at his side, “It brought a big smile to my face.”

Spike sighed, “Wish you could've done it for me more.”

“Spike?”

Spike spoke up, “You say it's your job to bring a smile to everyone's face and make them laugh and be happy. And yet you barely did it for me. How can one be happy when one is neglected and ignored.”

“I didn't always ignore you!” Pinkie argued, “Every year I always made sure to throw you a birthday party, remember?”

“I do,” Spike admitted, “But then again you did it for everybody.”

“Yes but only for my closest friends I made sure to go all out. And you can't deny when we'd celebrate your birthday I really went all out. Remember the Power Girls theme party I threw you when you were twelve?”

Spike couldn't help but smile, “Yeah. That was fun. But even so, why is it there were times you left me out of stuff I could've partook in. Like that day you threw a pancake breakfast for Twilight and the others? I like pancakes too!”

“Well, so does everyone else I'm friends with but I didn't invite them all. That'd be overkill. And not even I could've cooked for a whole city by myself. I may be full of surprised but I can't do everything.”

Spike sighed seeing the logic, “Well, what about when your sister Maud came to visit? I like meeting new people even before they learn I couldn't do whatever everyone else could.”

“Well, didn't Twilight tell you it didn't go off to a good start because they couldn't understand my sister the way I do?” Pinkie asked.

“What do you mean?” Saffron asked.

“Maud is like my total opposite to some people, and not many can tell what she's feeling.”

Spike continued, “Yeah Twilight told me about how awkward it was with her, but I still would've wanted to see her myself. Based off how Twilight told me about her she probably wouldn't have had an issue with me being powerless.”

Pinkie nodded, “Maud never was one to be judgmental.”

“And don't think I forgot about the National Dessert Competition,” Spike squinted, “I was ticked you all went without me, but I was pissed that you had ate all the samples Twilight and the girls planned to bring me when they got back.”

Pinkie cried, “And every day I regretted doing that! But you know when it comes to desserts I have no self control!” she calmed down, “But don't you remember I made it up to you the next day? Twilight brought you over to Sugarcube Corner where I made you a special cake for you. I did feel bad I gave into my urges and devoured the samples. And I spent all that night finding a way to make it up to you. So I made that cake for you to have. Didn't that mean anything?”

Spike thought back and while he did hate he was left out of seeing the competition and Pinkie eating the samples they wanted to bring back, what she did for him did make him feel a little better.

Pinkie still knew she still had to open up more, “Spike, I know I came off like I didn't care about your feelings, but the last thing I ever wanted to do was make anybody feel sad or unloved. But I failed that with you. And that has haunted me ever since you left home. I know I can't take back the loneliness I inflicted on you by not inviting you to more stuff I'd host, but traveling here right now with you has felt so good to me. And seeing how much you've really grown has made me so proud. I just wish I could've been there to see it myself.”

Spike still felt unsure, until Pinkie knew it was time to pull out the big guns, “Spike, if you still don't believe me, then I'm going to do something I should've done a long time ago.”

Saffron was confused, as Spike looked at Pinkie and asked, “And that would be?”

“I'm going to Pinkie Promise to never leave you out again.” she declared.

Spike's eyes widened in shock, “Wait, you what?”

“You heard me, Spike.”

“You're just going to do a pinky promise?” Saffron asked confused.

Spike shook his head, “Not like that, Saffron. The Pinkie Promise she has in mind is a sure fire way to let others know she fully intends to keep that promise. It's the real deal.”

Pinkie nodded, and performed the chant, “Cross my Heart, and Hope to Fly! Stick a Cupcake in my Eye!” Pinkie let out a breath of relief, “And now it's done. There's no turning back from it.”

Spike blinked in surprise, “You really made that promise for me?”

Pinkie nodded, “I should've done it years ago, but never thought too.”

Spike's eyes started watering, before a smile grew on his face. This in turn caught Pinkie's attention, “You smiled! You really smiled!”

Spike nodded, “Yes. And it's because you finally showed me you really do care enough about me.”

“Oh, Spike!” Pinkie hugged him tight. Despite how tight her hug was, Spike didn't care. Knowing he finally was acknowledged by Pinkie left him feeling more happy around her than he ever was. He returned the hug, as Saffron joined in hugging them both.

As it was starting to get late, the three headed to the inn they were staying at. When the girls saw Spike and Pinkie looking closer than they did this morning it gave the Guardians the hint Pinkie was forgiven by Spike.

Soon Spike, Pinkie, and Saffron were on a balcony of the inn looking out into the distance, “Nice night, isn't it?” the young man asked.

“Gorgeous.” Saffron agreed.

“It's beautiful.” Pinkie smiled, as she scooted closer to Spike.

Spike glanced down at Pinkie seeing her hand trembling as if she wanted something to hold. Spike smiled as he took her hand into his making Pinkie blush as she looked at him. Seeing his smile put one on her face, as she spoke.

“Spike, when this is all over I'm going to throw the biggest party ever with you as the guest of honor.” she promised.

“And I will cook the biggest feast I've ever done.” Saffron added.

“Girls...”

“I owe you so much, so when the time comes let me?” Pinkie pleaded.

“And me?” Saffron pleaded as well.

Spike smiled again and hugged the two, “Ok, you two.”

“Thank you so much.” Pinkie embraced Spike with Saffron.

The girls soon lifted their heads up from Spike's shoulders and looked him in the eyes before the three leaned forward with both girls kissing Spike in the moonlight. Pinkie felt an enormous weight off of her now that she had reconciled with Spike and with her promise would never neglect him again.