Candy Girl

Offer

Peppermint Twist was barely there as Cheerilee delivered today's lesson. Every word was background noise to the torrent of questions raging in her mind. Spike had not only moved out of the library, but he was throwing a party as well. One she had to hear about from her classmates who got invited. She knew she meant something to Spike so why was he acting like this.

It seemed like everything had gone topsy turvy since she last saw him. She needed to talk to him and set things straight. It was destiny that she and Spike be together. She just needed to prove it to him. Once he knew about the good news, he'd know it too.

She looked down at her belly and rubbed it gently. It made her happy to think that something was about to come to life thanks to the love she and Spike shared. It kept her calm despite all the uncertainty surrounding her. This was the one thing no one could take away.

"Psst!" Twist sighed as she recognized the not so subtle sound of Snails trying to get her intention. He was trying to pass her another note. He had sent one almost every time Cheerilee turned her back asking every inane question he could think of. It was a miracle he hadn't been caught yet. She took the paper from him quickly and read it.

"Are you hungry?" She sighed as he had been watching her the entire time she rubbed her belly. She was more than fed up with the colt and his overbearing attention. Normally, she'd pass him a letter telling him to stop for the hundredth time. Instead, she balled it up and flicked it off her desk.

The colt looked down at the crumpled piece of paper. Twist gave him an indignant frown before turning her attention back to Miss Cheerilee's lesson. Snails just turned his eyes downward toward his desk and buried his head in his forelegs. It seemed like everything he did pushed Twist further away. Snips' words from yesterday crept back into the center of his mind.

"The only person she cares about is-"

The colt's thoughts were as interrupted as he noticed the piece of paper was placed on the desk again. He lifted his head to find Sweetie Belle standing next to him. A gentle smile on her face as she looked at him.

"Thanks." The colt said taking the balled up sheet and looking at it.

"Are you going to be okay?" She asked in that super sweet tone of voice of hers. He gave her a nod and turned away. Sweetie Belle's smile made him feel conflicted for some reason. He knew she liked him, but he was committed to Twist. It felt wrong to give up on this relationship. He knew if he kept trying he and Twist could have something really special.

Peppermint Twist saw the encounter out of the corner of her eye. She had gotten wise to Sweetie Belle's attempt to steal Snails long ago. After today, she'd be done with the colt anyway. The unicorn could have the annoying dolt. The two of them were perfect for each other.

"The hapless halfwit and the brainless bimbo. The two of them might cobble together enough brain cells to actually get a clue." She thought to herself.

The bell rang signaling the end of class. Every filly and colt had one thing on their mind as they grab their bags and made a beeline for the exit. The only thing anypony talked about that day was the awesome party Spike was throwing at his house.

Peppermint Twist was no exception as she prepared to leave. The filly was looking forward to seeing the dragon again. Although it had only been a day, she had been aching to see him again. Snails didn't share her enthusiasm.

The colt didn't want to go to Spike's party. He knew that Twist was loyal, bu she had a thing for the dragon that made him uncomfortable. As he walked with her to the dragon's new abode, Snips warning from that night ran through his head. He shook his head and hoped he was just overthinking this.

Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara were the last two students left in the class. They hadn't talked at all since their encounter with Spike. Diamond Tiara couldn't foget the way her friend shivered in the dragon presence. She had never seen her that scared before. Spike had done something that had her absolutely terrified of him.

"You're going, aren't you?" Diamond Tiara asked her friend. She didn't reply as she slowly packed her books into her bag. She slung the bag on her back and started to walk away when Diamond Tiara put a hoof on her shoulder.

"At least tell me what he did to you! Why are you so scared of him?" Diamond Tiara demanded. Silver Spoon looked back her with tears behind her glasses. All the emotions that she held back seemed ready to explode forth from thoes purple eyes. It was like she wanted to scream but had

"I'm sorry. I just can't." She said shaking off her hoof and running away. Diamond Tiara stood there with the image of her friend's face crying out for help but at the same time rejecting her.

"Is everything alright?" Miss Cheerilee asked witnessing the entire scene. The filly normally wouldn't have gone to an adult for help, but that look in Silver Spoon's eyes seemed like something she couldn't handle alone.

"I think Silver Spoon is in trouble and Spike is involved." Diamond Tiara proceeded to tell her about their encounter with Spike that morning and Silver Spoon's fearful reaction to his presence.

"Do you remember anything else?" The teacher asked.

"Apple Bloom was with him, but she just hung back for the most part."

"I'm going to check on Apple Bloom and then I'm going to this supposed party of his. I think it's time I had a talk with Spike. If anything happened between them, I'll get to the bottom of it." The teacher promised.

"Please help her. She's my only friend and seeing her like that...." Diamond Tiara wiped her eyes as she tried to hide her face. Miss Cheerilee gave the filly a reassuring hug. Diamond Tiara welcomed the embrace as she leaned into her chest.

"I promise I'll do everything in my power to make sure Silver Spoon is fine." Miss Cheerilee told her. The teacher should've talk to him earlier but was afraid of overstepping her bounds. Spike wasn't one of her students after all. If he did do something to negatively affect one of her students, it was her job to talk to him about it and try to resolve the matter. She just hoped it wasn't too serious.

Meanwhile

Sweetie Belle was alone as she followed Snails and Peppermint Twist towards Spike's party. Scootaloo was obviously in no mood to go to a party hosted by her ex and Apple Bloom had skipped class altogether. She had assumed Apple Bloom went home. She did look a bit flushed when they met up earlier so maybe she was just sick. She could always visit her later.

"Hey, Sweetie Belle!" A famiiar voice called out. It was Snips. She had hoped he wouldn't come. The colt had all but ignored her attempts to dissuade any romantic notions between them.

"Hi, Snips." She said focusing on Snails.

"So you're still going after Snails, huh?" He said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Yeah, I have to save him from Twist." She said glaring at the filly.

"What about you?" Snips asked.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I mean you're spending all this time chasing after Snails. Have you ever thought that maybe he isn't worth it?" She stopped and looked at him. The confusion was evident in her face.

"You know as well as I do what Twist doesn't care about him."

"But he chose to stay with her. Whatever happens is on him now. I'm worried about you."

"Worried about me? Why?"

"You're stalking him and waiting for Twist to make her move. It just seems wrong. I know you don't like me the same way. I understand that now, but this waiting is just making you miserable and I hate seeing you that way. You deserve better. I know I'm not as good as Snails in your eyes, but if you gave me a chance, I promise you that I can be."

Snips' word gave the filly pause. She couldn't deny that there was some truth in his words. She didn't like all this waiting and being turned down by Snails at every turn. Sweetie Belle had never considered Snips in a romantic light, but his genuine concern for her changed that a bit.

"Snips, I don't know what to say."

"It's just something I wanted to get off my chest. I'm going on ahead to check things out. I'll see you later." Snips said running ahead. Sweetie Belle just watched as he passed Twist and Snails. She was thinking about what was best for Snails this entire time, but what about what was best for her?

Twist watched as Snips ran ahead of her. She wondered why he was in such a rush. It wasn't like the party was going anywhere. She would've like to move a bit faster as well, but Snail was dragging his hooves. She couldn't wait til Spike saw her with him so she could get some use out of him. She could at least get that much out of him.

As they approached, they noticed all the student ahead of them were in front of the house. A pair of royal guards stood outside the home keeping everyone from entering. Twist wasted no time running up and pushing her way to the front of the crowd. The presence of the armored ponies made her fear for Spike's safety. Her worry was short lived as the dragon came out of his home and stood in the doorway.

Snails managed to make his way to the front of the crowd near Twist. At that moment, he saw the look on her face as she saw the dragon again. It was the way her eyes seem to light up as she watched Spike from afar. Her eyes never did that when she looked at him. He looked over to Spike who hadn't even paid attention to Twist and wondered why she couldn't look at him like that. What did he have that made him so much better?

"Fillies and gentlecolts! I want to set something straight before we begin. The guards are not here to watch us. They're here to ensure no one interrupts my party. You aren't bound by any rules in my home. We have the finest food and drinks that Canterlot has to offer. Enjoy yourselves!" Spike stepped aside and the guards let them in. The dragon made a point to greet each and every pony who came in, especially the fillies. He immediately recognized Dinky who had been blushing as she walked up. It was time to make his move.

"Hey, I'm so glad you came." Spike said holding out his claw to her.

"You make it seem like such a big deal." She said putting her hoof into his claw. The dragon smiled as he grasped it and pulled her close. Her horn pushed up against his forehead as his green eyes stared deeply into her own. Their breaths mingling as they stood there.

"It is. I'm really glad you showed up." He said about to go in for the kiss.

"Hey, Spike!" Peppermint Twist said walking up amd abruptly pushing Dinky aside.

"What the hay!" The gray filly said more than a little peeved at her violent interruption.

"I'm sorry. I meant to tap you on the shoulder. Silly me! Guess I don't know my own strength." Twist said playing innocent. Dinky was about to say something when Spike interrupted her.

"Why don't you go inside, Dinky? I'll meet you inside." Dinky looked at the dragon then Twist. She stuck her tongue out at the
filly as she reluctantly walked into the house.

"Spike." Snails said making his presence known.

"I'm glad you could make it, buddy. How's it going?" Spike greeted the colt.

"Twist and I are... ummm..." The colt wanted to say they were dating but at this point he wasn't sure enough to make such a statement. It was becoming harder to ignore the fact that she was more interested in Spike than him. He was about to give up when Twist wrapped her hooves around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss.

The colt was at a complete loss of words as he experienced his first kiss. The softness and warmth of her lips was far better than he could have imagined. He looked at her beautiful face and wanted nothing more than to be by her side. The kiss had reignited his waning hope in this relationship. He had to make it work . He just had to.

As Twist pulled back, she looked to the dragon who had been watching the display. A look of confusion on his face. She didn't expect to explode and knock him out, but confusion was a good start. Though the idea of Spike knocking out Snails in a fit of unbridled passion would have been a dream come true to say the least.

"So you two are an item, huh?" Spike asked. It was obviously a ploy to make him jealous. Twist was head over hooves in love with him and she had made it clear long ago that she had no romantic feelings for Snails at all. He wondered how long she would keep this up before she found out that he had moved on.

He turned his attention to Snails who had this big, goofy smile on his face. He was considerably less sympathetic to the colt. If he couldn't see what was going on, that was his problem.

"Congratulations." Spike said smiling and holding out hs claw to the colt.

"Gee, thanks." Snails said shaking his claw.

"You two lovebirds enjoy the party." Spike extended his in a sweeping gesture welcoming them inside. Spike seemed way too happy about this. He should have at least looked a little upset given all they had done together. Maybe he was just putting on a really good act. She was left to think about it as she entered the house with Snails.

As Spike turned his attention to his other guest, he noticed Sweetie Belle and Snips walking up together. The dragon found himself a bit upset to see the two of them together. Nailing Sweetie Belle would have been a great way of messing with Rarity.

"First, Snails and Peppermint Twist are a couple. Now I see you two walk up together. I kind of feel like a fifth wheel now." The dragon joked. Snips became flustered at his insinuation.

"It's not like that. We're just friends. Right, Sweetie Belle?" Snips looked to the unicorn who had really concerned look on her face. She wiped her eyes as she tried to hide her tears. She looked up at the two of them and realized she was being watched.

"I'm sorry. I need a minute." The filly said before rushing into the house.

"Sweetie Belle?" Snips said worried about the filly.

"So she's technically single... and vulnerable?" Spike said watching the filly. Snips was quick to shut the dragon down.

"She's off limits!" The colt said glaring at the dragon.

"Whoa! I'm just kidding, pal. Take it easy." Spike laughed. The colt didn't bother to reply as he ran after her.

He turned to see his last guest walking up. Her eyes darting cautiously between the big guards standing in front of his home. Spike watched her with a smile on his face. Her fear was somehow arousing to him. Something about seeing the filly so apprehensive made him feel more powerful.

"I'm here. Can I go now?" Silver Spoon said not making eye contact as she walked up to him.

"Silvie! I'm hurt! You didn't even come in. I want you to enjoy yourself." The dragon said in an overfriendly tone. The filly's insistence on not looking at him was making him angry. He grabbed her jaw and forced her eyes upward.

"You're going to fucking look at me when I'm talking!" He said in a low, threatening voice. His claw clenching her jaw to the point of pain. She nodded as best she could with Spike holding her head up.

"Good! I asked you here because I'm willing to compromise. I'll leave you alone if you do one thing for me." He said releasing her chin.

"R-really? You won't talk to me or approach me?" She asked cautiously optimistic.

"Yep! You just got to do me one tiny, little favor and I'm out of your life for good."

"What do I have to do?"

"It's simple. Bring Diamond Tiara to my house tomorrow afternoon. That's it!"

"I-I... There must be something else you want! My family is rich! I can get you anything."

"Ha! I have Princess Celestia behind me. Wealth and material things means nothing to me. I want Diamond Tiara and you're
going to bring her to me." The filly couldn't subject her best friend to the horrors she had gone through, but she desperately wanted to get on with her life and Spike would never let that happen if she didn't do as he asked. It was Diamond Tiara's life or her own.

"Why? Why are you doing this? Haven't you taken enough from me already?" The filly said as she started to cry. He smiled and caressed her cheeks.

"You don't seem to understand your situation so I'll put this in words even you could understand. You belong to me until you bring me Diamond Tiara. You're a piece of property to be traded at my leisure. I'm doing this as a favor to you."

"I.... I can't... She's my best friend." Spike sighed and shook his head.

"Listen, it's either you or her. I expect you here with Diamond Tiara tomorrow or I'll have to break my promise." The dragon told her.

"But you said-" The dragon put his finger to her mouth before removing it.

"I know what I said and that's why I'm making this offer. Think about it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a party to attend to." The dragon said closing the door. The filly was left stunned as the sounds of the party came from behind the door. She couldn't go through that again. Diamond Tiara's face flashed in her mind. If there was a way out, she had to take it.