I'll Show them All

It had been three weeks since Twilight and her class returned from their trip to Camp Everfree. She and everyone returned to their regular days at school at Canterlot High, while Spike more or less continued to live out his days at home making the most of his ample free time. Then on a Friday afternoon, Spike was in his room reading his comics, until he checked his phone reading it was 3:00 P.M.

“Well, I better get going.” he told himself before grabbing his hoodie and hoverboard, before leaving his room.

“I'm heading out, mom. Be back later!” Spike called to Velvet.

“See you later, Spike!” Velvet replied, as she smiled.

Spike got outside, before mounting his hoverboard and went off. As he rode, he thought to himself while feeling in a good mood, 'Finally a chance to get out of the house and get involved.' he then flashed back to last night.

Last night, Spike was in his room enjoying a double cheeseburger meal he ordered from Surfer Burger to his home. He enjoyed his take out while watching anime involving voluptuous super heroines with a single male protagonist who looked way out of the girls league.

“Must be nice those girls letting him help out despite not being like they are,” Spike said in envy, until there was a knock at his door. Spike jumped before switching the channel to a regular sitcom, “Yes?”

“Spike, it's me,” came Twilight's voice, “May I come in?”

Spike sighed to himself. Despite getting over the fact she left him out of the fun at Camp Everfree he did what he always did and moved on, “Alright.” he answered her.

Twilight opened the door and walked inside, “Enjoying your meal?”

“Always,” he replied, “So what's up?”

“Well, you know the CHS Dance Bash is tomorrow night?” Twilight began.

“Yeah, I heard you talking about it with the girls around here all week. But what does it have to do with me?”

“The gymnasium still needs a bit of work done tomorrow and me and the girls were wondering if you'd like to help us set up.” she offered.

Spike blinked, “Wait, you want me to help set up?” Twilight nodded, “Don't you have a whole school of students to help you?”

Twilight sighed, “Unfortunately, so many of the others already have plans after school or didn't sign up. So we're a bit understaffed, even with Pinkie's expertise in decorating. So we were wondering if you'd like to help us?”

Spike was taken aback by Twilight's request. She was finally asking him to help her with something outside the house and get involved with her and the girls. But his thoughts of joy were quickly replaced by thoughts of suspicion.

“What's the catch?” Spike asked.

“None at all, Spike. We really want your help” Twilight explained, “I know I've been neglectful of you so much, and I really want to make up for it all. I just hope letting you help out is a start. So will you join us?”

Spike thought about it, before answering, “Sure.”

Twilight smiled, and hugged Spike, “Thank you, Spike. Swing by CHS tomorrow at three when classes let out.”

“Sure thing.” Spike said, as Twilight left his room. Spike looked back at his door and thought with a smile, 'Well, maybe there is hope yet.'

The flash back ended, as Spike boarded around a corner before pulling up outside Canterlot High. The high school where every teenager attends for an education and how to better use their special abilities to degrees they weren't able to learn in junior high and lower. Even though Spike wasn't in high school, he knew without abilities he wouldn't be able to attend the school his sister and the girls attend when he came of age in a year. The only reason he'd ever come to this school before in the past was just so he could watch Twilight participate in any special event or accept some award for being the best student or setting a school record in academics. And after the event he would listen to everyone around him talk and boast about how Twilight is the best at what she does which only added more fuel to the fire that was Spike's jealousy.

Spike shook his head not wanting to think about Twilight's fame overshadowing his existence and remembered why he was here. Twilight asked for his help, and we was going to live up to it. He entered the school and walked down the empty halls past the lockers before noticing the entrance to the gymnasium.

Spike walked inside, “Ok, I'm here. So what can I-do?” Spike stopped in place as he looked around the gymnasium seeing just about everyone from school was hard at work decorating for the dance along side Twilight's friends, with Twilight supervising.

“That's good work, everyone. Let's keep it up!” Twilight announced to her classmates.

“Twilight?” Spike asked as he approached with a confused look.

“Spike.” she greeted.

“What's going on here? I thought you said nobody else volunteered?”

Twilight smiled, “It's a surprise, but when some of the students saw me and the girls getting started they decided to pitch in, and the more who saw us joined in and well we're already ahead of schedule. Isn't that great?”

“Yeah, great.” Spike answered hiding his shock, especially at how Twilight was so excited she didn't even realize how this affected him. But not wanting to disappoint her, he looked around hoping to find some way to pitch in.

As Applejack was moving a table, Pinkie was sliding by wearing sponges at the bottom of her shoes, “A little more to the left!” Applejack moved the table to the left, as Pinkie slid by again, “A little more to the right!” Applejack moved the table again, as Pinkie slid by, “A little more and... perfect!”

Applejack removed her hat and wiped her brow, before putting her hat back on. Spike walked up to her hoping to be included, “Sure you don't need any help?” he asked hopefully.

“Nah, that's ok.” Applejack politely declined.

Pinkie slid by and spoke quickly, “We have everything under control!”

Despite being rejected, Spike wasn't giving up, as he looked over seeing Rainbow Dash using her wings to hang some decorations on the walls, “Dash?”

“I'm good!” she answered.

Spike looked seeing Rarity was using her magic to decorate around the gym's stage, “Rarity?”

“All's good, darling.” Rarity replied, without even looking back at him.

“Fluttershy?” Spike asked hoping she wouldn't decline his service.

Fluttershy who was tying down some balloons, politely declined, “No thanks, Spike. I'm ok.”

Spike looked devastated that they all rejected him, before walking back to Twilight, “Isn't there one single thing I can do here?”

Pinkie once again slid by cleaning the floor answered quickly, “Don't worry about it, Spike. It's all good!”

Twilight spoke, “Well, Spike, it actually looks like we all got it. Looking good, everyone!”

“But I waited all day to come here and help! You said so yourself!” Spike reminded Twilight.

“I know, Spike. Look why don't you find a quiet spot and be on standby?” Twilight suggested, “I'm sure something's bound to open up.”

Spike looked at Twilight in disbelief, but before he could speak to her, another called out, “Twilight, is this right?”

“Oh, give me a minute, Spike.” Twilight said, before walking off and leaving him alone.

Spike looked all around seeing everyone working and didn't need any additional assistance. And remembered what Twilight just told him, 'Standby? Standby?! I've been on standby all day and she expects me to wait even longer?! She said she wanted my help and now suddenly she's acting like she never told me at all. Forget standby, I have more pride than to wait around in a place I don't belong.' with nobody paying him any mind, he left the gymnasium.

As Spike stomped down the halls with an angry expression on his face, Celestia and Luna left their office to see the progress of the gym. Upon leaving the office, they saw Spike coming down the hall in their direction and noticed his angry look.

“Spike?” Celestia asked in concern.

“Don't worry, I'm out of here.” Spike grumbled, as he walked past them.

“Spike, what's wrong? Where are you going?” Luna asked in worry.

“Home.” he answered.

“But we'd thought you'd be here to help with the decorating?” Celestia figured.

Spike stopped in place, “So did I. Turns out because everyone else showed up to help out it was so easy for Twilight to single me out, even after she asked me the night before.”

The two sisters were surprised at this, as Spike bitterly continued, “But it's ok. I mean why did I bother getting my hopes up? This is just the way it is. And why should I care anyway about this school? I'll never attend it.”

“Spike.” Celestia said in concern.

“Sorry to waste your time.” Spike said, as he ran down the hall wanting to get out of there.

The two celestial sisters watched Spike leave feeling betrayed again, before they headed for the gymnasium. As they got there they wanted to speak to Twilight about this, but knew right now wasn't the time so they waited it out while keeping an eye on the students working.

An hour later the students were called to break, and put their materials down before enjoying some snacks prepared by Pinkie Pie. Twilight and the girls gathered around a refreshment table to enjoy some cupcakes on display, before Twilight spoke up, “Spike, come have some of these cupcakes... Spike?” she asked having not heard a response from him.

“Where are ya, Spike?" Applejack looked around with the girls seeing no sign of Spike among the rest of their classmates.

Celestia approached with Luna and answered, "Spike's not here, girls."

"What?" Rarity asked in confusion.

"He left an hour ago." Luna added.

"Why did he leave?" Pinkie asked.

"Maybe it's because he felt he had no reason being here." Luna said hinting.

"Twilight, did you promise Spike his service would be needed if he came to help you all?" Celestia asked.

"Well, yes." she admitted.

"And because everyone else showed up you felt there was nothing he could do at all?" she questioned Twilight.

"Um..." Twilight trailed knowing she goofed.

"Basically all I'm getting from this is you invited him here all for nothing." Luna crossed her arms.

"I wouldn't blame him for leaving either." Celestia added.

The girls all started feeling guilty rejecting Spike after he was promised to actually do something with them.

“Well, I told him to be on standby in case something opened up.” Twilight tried to reason.

“And that was how long ago?” Luna questioned.

“An hour.” she deduced.

“And we were here for that amount of time since Spike left, and it didn't look like anything's opened up that would need him.” Celestia noted.

“I... Oh great.” Twilight sighed as she looked down in guilt.

“Twilight, you said you were going to make it up to Spike for neglecting to mention his invite to camp, and now once again you singled him out alone in helping with something you asked him to help with.” Celestia said in disappointment.

“And I assume the rest of you also singled him out despite knowing how much Spike wanted to be involved?” Luna asked the rest of the girls who looked just as guilty.

“You're right. It was wrong of me to get Spike's hopes up so much only to suddenly crush them and act like I didn't care how he actually felt.” Twilight apologized.

“It was wrong of all of us.” Rarity spoke up as the rest of the girls agreed not wanting Twilight to take the blame alone.

“I just wish I knew what I could do to make it up to Spike now.” Twilight said.

Celestia and Luna looked at each other and nodded, as the eldest spoke, “There may be a way for you to redeem yourself in Spike's eyes.”

Twilight looked up, “How? Whatever it is, I'll do it!”

“You can invite Spike to the dance here, regardless of him not being a student or even being the right age to attend.” Luna said.

“What a wonderful idea!” Rarity agreed with joy.

“Spike's sure to like that.” Rainbow agreed.

“He may not have helped set it up, but maybe being a part of the actual event will be just as good to him.” Fluttershy put in.

“Yes. Spike deserves it more than I ever allowed him,” Twilight agreed, “In fact, I'll go home and tell him now.”

“Good,” Celestia nodded, before speaking to the other girls, “Girls, do me a favor and go with Twilight and make sure she delivers the message this time.”

Twilight looked down, despite saying she was going to go home and tell Spike the news, Celestia didn't wanna take any chance of her suddenly forgetting it. And yet Twilight couldn't blame her for not trusting her to deliver the message this time. Even Twilight herself wasn't confident this time given she already messed up twice recently with Spike she didn't want a third strike.

Applejack put her hands on Twilight's shoulder and answered their principal, “Don't worry, Principal Celestia. We'll make sure the message gets to Spike.”

“Come on, let's go!” Pinkie called, as the girls left the gym and headed for Twilight's place.

When they finally reached the Sparkle residence, they went inside and came face to face with Velvet who looked disappointed. Twilight suspecting Spike told their mom what happened knew she had to face her.

“Mom, I know what you're thinking...”

“Twilight, if you're going to ask Spike to help you with something outside researching stuff you should do the right thing and let it happen instead of acting like they were empty words.” her mom said in disappointment.

“I know, I screwed up again. Which is why I'm prepared to make it up to him even more.” Twilight reasoned with her mom.

“And how?”

“Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna have allowed me to invite Spike to the dance tonight.”

“She even sent us to make sure Twilight would get the message to Spike this time.” Pinkie added, making Twilight drop her head.

“I see,” Velvet replied, “Well, you better get the message to Spike soon, before he decides to shut himself away again. And no he's not in his room right now.”

“Then where is he?” Fluttershy asked.

“I know,” Twilight sighed, “There's only one other place Spike goes when he's pissed at me.” Twilight walked with the girls following her.

Soon they entered the Sparkle Family garage, where they found Spike wearing boxing gloves while punching a hanging punching bag repetitively. Twilight was correct, for several times in the past whenever she wronged Spike unintentionally or not, he would go to the garage and take his frustrations out by punching his punching bag, which was an addition to Spike's training outside working with Shining Armor when there was time.

Twilight knowing to get it over with approached, “Spike?” Spike didn't response, nor did he even look back, “Spike, I need to talk to you.”

“Can't you see I'm busy?” Spike asked in irritation.

“You're hitting a punching bag.” Applejack said dryly.

“Exactly. Busy.” he replied.

“Spike, this is really important. Please.” Twilight pleaded.

Spike stopped hitting the punching bag and looked back at the girls, “You better make this worth my time. It's already been wasted enough today.”

Twilight seeing she had Spike's attention knew what she had to do, “Spike, once again I am so sorry I acted like I didn't care about how you felt. I asked you to help out and-” Spike cut her off.

“No-no. It's fine. I mean why should I feel so bad about being left out in decorating a school that I'll never attend. Then again what the hell was I thinking? My sister needed my help outside the house to want to include me? That's just not how things work for me. Never did. Never will.”

“Now, Spike, I know you're pissed at Twilight-” Applejack tried to reason, but he cut her off.

“It's not just Twilight. It's all of you,” the girls braced themselves, “You knew I was pissed when I was left out at camp, and you could tell I came to help out today because Twilight asked. And yet when I wanted to offer my service you all just brushed me aside without hesitation. Especially you, Pinkie! You just bluntly declared that you all didn't need me without even thinking about my feelings!”

Pinkie's hair deflated a bit, “I know that was so not nice of me to say.”

“And this wouldn't be the first time you all left me out of something and yet knew I wanted to be part of,” Spike continued, “Last year the Crystal City was hosting the National Dessert Competition, and before that I was talking about looking forward to it all giving you a hint as clear as day. And when the day came, you all left to go there without me! You knew I wanted to go, but you all just took off leaving me behind! I couldn’t even take the train there because mom and dad didn't want me going alone and they themselves couldn't take me. And you all came home stuffed with desserts and none to spare.”

The girls looked guilty, as Applejack spoke, “We wanted to bring you back some samples, Spike.”

“But someone had to devour them on the ride home.” Rarity said, as they all motioned to Pinkie.

“You know I can't help myself with desserts!” Pinkie bawled.

Twilight spoke up, “I know we all screwed up with you, Spike, but I'm here to make it up to you this time.”

“What empty words have you got for me now?” Spike asked skeptically.

“I may have left you out of helping set up the gym for the dance, but how would you like to go to the dance itself instead?” she offered.

“Wait, what?” Spike asked taken aback.

“Yes, Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna have granted you permission to go to the dance with all of us.” Rarity explained.

Pinkie's hair poofed back up, “So you see, now you're not being left out.”

“And Principal Celestia sent all of us with Twilight to make sure she delivered the message this time.” Rainbow added.

“Can we please stop bringing that part up?” Twilight asked irritated.

“Point is, Spike, you can come have fun with the rest of us.” Fluttershy said.

Spike hearing this felt a glimmer of hope in him, but all his past experiences started to overshadow it, “So basically you just want me there so Principal Celestia won't be disappointed in you anymore, Twilight?”

“No!” Twilight denied, only for Spike to give her a dry look, “Well, maybe a little. But that's not the main reason. We all want you to go, Spike. I want you to go,” Spike continued to look skeptical, “Spike, I know I said before you have no reason to trust me, but I implore you with all my being this time I genuinely want you to join us.”

Spike looked at Twilight hearing she sounded more sincere than she's ever been with him before. He even saw the rest of the girls giving him pleading looks. Despite his skepticism, his desire for fun and to be included were overwhelming. He let out a sigh and answered, “Ok, I'll come with.”

Twilight and the others cheered excitedly, as Twilight hugged Spike, “Thank you, Spike! We'll make sure you have the best time ever.”

“Ya darn tootin'!” Applejack agreed.

Spike looked down still in doubt, as he thought, 'I hope so.'