The Rarest of Them All

Chapters

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Reflections
Misunderstandings
An Apple a Day.
Out of the Frying Pan and into the Spa
A Dress Fit For a Farmer
Fruit Cocktail
Festival of Honest Confessions
Ask for Kindness and Ye Shall Receive
Night of the Fireflies
The Truth Laid Bare
Life isn't all Magic and Rainbows
Sakura Springs
Of Dates and Draconequui
Magical Trevor is Ever so Clever
Double Trouble
One for Sorrow, Two for Joy

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Chapter 1

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

The blazing summer sun shone brightly against Spike’s violet scales, as he hefted yet another basket of apples into the storage cellar of the Apple family barn. Apple Bloom trotted close behind him with a basket of her own apples perched upon her back. Spike placed his own basket down and blew a short puff of air out of his nostrils. It had been five years since Twilight had been crowned as Equestria’s new princess and many of the ponies he knew and loved changed just as drastically as his big sister did.

Apple Bloom had grown into a beautiful mare, now sporting a red bandana instead of her trademark red bow. Her flanks proudly displayed an apple blossom with a pair of crossed wrenches in the middle. She still helped out on the farm from time to time, but she usually worked in the Manehatten ship yards as a mechanic. Spike had to admit that she possessed the same sort of rustic beauty her sister did but…he only had eyes for one mare.

It all came down to that mare. She was Rarity, the alabaster goddess with eyes that shined like sapphires. She was the very reason he was working on the farm today. In fact, ever since he reached his growth spurt a little over a year ago, he had taken it upon himself to work odd jobs around Ponyville to earn some extra bits.

What did Spike wish to use all those bits on? While doing a bit of window shopping, he just so happened to find a dazzling sapphire necklace during the time he was visiting Twilight in Canterlot a year ago. This necklace was crafted from the finest white gold and had an exquisitely cut sapphire in the shape of a heart set in the middle. On that day, Spike decided that he would confess his feelings to Rarity, and present her that necklace as a token of his affection.

He had just recently purchased the necklace and was merely waiting to complete his work day at the farm. Spike’s precious treasure lay neatly packaged in a small velvet box, tucked away in his pleather satchel. Despite his determination and excitement, he still had one place to go before he could visit his beloved Rarity. He needed to stop by the library to visit his big sister.

By this point, Twilight had taken to living in Canterlot for most of the year. However, summertime was when she was allotted a short reprieve from her duties as princess. For two whole weeks she would stay in Ponyville, relaxing and catching up with friends. Spike felt it would be a nice to bring over a few apples and spend some quality time with his sister.

Just as he exited the cellar, AJ and Bloom stood in front of him with satisfied smiles on their faces. The both of them proceeded to give each other a congratulatory hoof-bump and then sat on the cool grass.

AJ popped her neck. “Celestia almighty! We sure did get a lot of work done today! Thanks for all your hard work Spike, we couldn’t have done it without ya.”

“Heh…aww it was nothing AJ. Just doing my job.”

“Maybe so, but ah still wanna give ya a bonus. How’s about ya join us in the kitchen for some cider?”

“Alright, I guess a little cider wouldn’t hurt. But don’t let me drink too much because I don’t want to be drunk when I go visit Twi.”

AJ waved her hoof. “Spike, you’re a dragon not a dainty little filly. It’d probably take at least five barrels of cider just to get ya tipsy. So quit your belly achin’.”

Once the three made their way inside, they found Big Mac sitting at the table, slowly sipping a cup of tea while reading a book. Bloom got out the mugs, while AJ hefted a small keg of cider from the ice box. Once she was satisfied that everyone had gotten their fill, she took a big gulp from her mug and slammed it onto the table, letting out a sigh. Spike only took small sips from his own mug, staring out the window.

Mac cocked his eyebrow. “You look like somethin’s on your mind Spike.”

“Huh? Oh, sorry I was just thinking.”

“Thinkin’ about mares? Or should ah say a particular unicorn mare perhaps?”

Spike blushed. “I wasn’t…fine you caught me. I’m just really nervous Mac.”

“Why’s that?”

“I finally bought that necklace I saw a year ago. I’m gonna do it Mac, I’m going to tell Rarity how I feel about her tonight!”

Both Bloom and AJ smiled, letting out a soft coo that was combination of amusement and warm-fuzzy feelings. Mac, in the meantime, put down his book and patted Spike on the shoulder. The dragon finished the remainder of his cider and smiled at all of them. Now, more than ever, he felt like the Apples were his second family.

Bloom chuckled. “Well it’s about time ya told her how ya feel! Sweetie and ah were placin’ bets on how long it was gonna take ya. Looks like ah won!”

“Seriously? Ughh…that’s so wrong! I can’t believe everypony treats my love life like it’s some kind of game.”

“Now, now calm down Spike. We didn’t mean any harm by it. Although…lookin’ back on it, it does seem a might immature. I’m sorry Spike. You deserve to be happy with Rarity and ah hope everythin’ works out for the both of ya.”

Spike wrapped one of his wings around Bloom’s side. “Thanks Bloom, that means a lot to me.”

Bloom wrapped her fore-hooves around the young drake and returned his affection with a hug of her own. AJ trotted up to him and offered a gentle muzzle of her own. With a glint of steel in his eyes and a fire in his belly, Spike waved goodbye to the Apples and took off for Golden Oaks Library.

Spike landed in the middle of the town square, near Sugarcube Corner. It was still mid-afternoon and he felt that a quick pastry run wouldn’t spoil his dinner. So the drake made his way into the bakery to buy some specially made turquoise cupcakes. Mrs. Cake was busy stocking bread behind the counter, while Pinkie and Pumpkin were sitting at one of the tables by the door, playing a game of go-fish. Spike barely uttered a word before he was glomped from behind by a certain rambunctious pink party machine.

“HI SPIKE! Ooohhh I’m so glad to see you. *Gasp* My lower intestine is twitching. Do you know what that means!?”

“Uhhh…you have gas?”

“Hmm well yeah that happens sometimes, but NOPE! Thaaaat means you bought something for somepony. I’m guessing it’s a finely crafted 24 karat white gold necklace with a heart sapphire.”

“Yes, actually. How did you?” Spike just chalked it up to be Pinkie being Pinkie, “It’s a gift for Rarity; I’m going to confess to her tonight.”

“Awww that’s so sweet. I wish somepony would sweep me off my hooves like that. Rarity’s one lucky mare to have you chasing after her.”

“Y-you really think so?”

Pinkie nodded. “Mhmm. I sure do! But…”

“What? Is there something wrong?”

“I dunno Spike. I just have a really bad feeling. It’s kind of hard to explain. Sometimes my Pinkie Sense can be a little vague, even for me. All I can say is that I think something bad is going to happen and it probably has to do with you.”

Spike grabbed Pinkie’s hoof. “Are you sure can’t be any more specific than that? What if it’s something really bad like losing my wings or I end up burning somepony’s house down!? PLEASE TELL ME!”

“I-I’m sorry Spike but I can’t really tell you anything more than that. I just don’t know…”

Mrs. Cake, hearing the alarmed tone in Spike’s voice, trotted over to him and placed her hoof on his shoulder. Realizing that he might have unintentionally hurt Pinkie’s leg, the drake released her hoof and rubbed his forehead. Pinkie managed to smile, even though she rubbed her hoof lightly.

“Pinkie, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I got a bit carried away. I’m just so…damn nervous about all of this!”

Mrs. Cake rubbed his back. “It’s alright dear. We all know that you didn’t do it on purpose. If it makes you feel any better, I was a nervous wreck before I asked Carrot out on our first date.”

“Really?”

“Oh heavens yes! Carrot and I both attended the same culinary school back then. You might not believe it, but he was quite the looker and he was the best pastry chef in the whole class to boot. I really thought that I didn’t stand a chance, since a lot of the other mares had their eyes on him.”

“So what did you do?”

“I poured my heart and soul into making his favorite pastry: a triple layer lemon sponge cake. Heck, I even made into the shape of heart. The next morning I presented it to him and gave him the best Prench kiss I could manage. He went stiff as a board afterwards and didn’t say anything for a few moments. But then he started to laugh and kissed me back with just as much passion, if not more. And the rest is history.”

Pinkie wiped her eyes. “*Sniff* that story gets me every time.”

“Spike, my point is that you need to be confident and tell Rarity your feelings, regardless of if she feels the same way about you or not. I was lucky that Carrot liked me just as much but even if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have regretted confessing one bit. Now, go out there give Rarity your best million bit smile!”

Spike strode towards the Golden Oaks library with newfound confidence swelling in his chest. Tonight was going to be perfect, he just knew it. But that same nagging little thought wormed its way into the back of his mind. What if Pinkie’s bad feeling had to do with Rarity? Was it possible that she already had a special somepony? No, it couldn’t be that. Spike had known Rarity for years and he never saw her with anypony or give the slightest hint that she was in a relationship.

But…what if she didn’t see him in the same way he saw her. It wasn’t entirely unheard of for ponies to be in relationships with buffalos, griffons, or even zebras. However, Spike couldn’t recall anypony being with a dragon or even finding them attractive for that matter! Dragons, if they were mentioned, typically took mares (and the occasional stallion) as part of their hoard. Ponies were not seen as sapient beings, but rather as mere trophies or playthings.

Spike let out a morose chuckle. It all made sense, now that he thought about it. Before his growth spurt he had been a diminutive, baby dragon that most ponies found adorable. But now…he looked more like the proper gem-crunching carnivore that would raze cities without a second thought. Many of the ponies in town still treated him as they did before, considering that he was a staple fixture in Ponyville for years. Still, he couldn’t help but notice that sometimes the occasional pony would show that telltale hint of fear in their eyes, as if he would eat them on the spot. This was especially the case when he visited Canterlot.

Spike violently shook his head. Rarity had never been like that. She had always treated him with the utmost kindness and respect and that was one of the many reasons he loved her so dearly. That glorious goddess of fashion with the generous heart would never look at him as a monster. She had already proven that after his rather embarrassing greed induced growth spurt, all those years ago.

The young drake took a deep breath, pushing away any shred of doubt that still lingered. He was going to do this, whether he failed or not. It was always better to fail at something, rather than live with the regret of inaction. In any case, he didn’t want to visit Twilight as a nervous wreck. She would want him to talk about it and try to comfort him, like any good sister would. Twilight didn’t deserve to have all of his anxieties unloaded onto her. He was going to have a pleasant afternoon visit with his sister, even if his stomach felt like a cauldron full of flaming butterflies!

Spike knocked on the door. “Hey Twi, its Spike! Are you home?”

He waited for a few moments and tried calling out to her again. Several minutes went by and still no response. He checked the door and found that it was unlocked, which meant that Twilight was home. She was kind of the mare who ALWAYS locked the door before she left the library. Still, it wasn’t entirely odd that she didn’t answer the door. Sometimes Twilight would get so wrapped up in a book, that she barely paid any attention to the world around her. Perhaps she was just taking a shower. There were a myriad of different reasons for why she didn’t answer the door.

Spike stepped inside and found that Twilight wasn’t in the library. Next he checked the kitchen, she wasn’t there either. He went upstairs and found that the bathroom was also unoccupied. That could only mean that she was in her bedroom. As he approached his sister’s bedroom, he heard what sounded like…moaning? It most certainly sounded like Twilight and she didn’t sound too good. Maybe she was sick. Spike slowly cracked open the door, so as not to disturb her if she was trying to sleep.

What he witnessed in that room made his heart plummet straight into his stomach. Oh he had found Twilight that was for sure, but he also found Rarity. Under normal circumstances seeing both mares in the same room wouldn’t have been that unusual, considering that they were close friends. However, this was most certainly NOT normal circumstances.

Twilight was spread eagle on her bed, while Rarity hungrily licked her marehood. With one final lick, Rarity removed herself from her lover’s honeypot and planted a deliberately slow kiss onto her lips. After their tongues wrestled for a few seconds she broke off the kiss and placed her head in the crook of Twilight’s neck.

“I do hope you enjoyed that, my little sparkle kitten. There’s nothing like a good orgasm to melt one’s cares away.”

Twilight ran her hoof through Rarity’s mane. “I sure did. Hah! If anypony had told me that you and I would become marefriends, I would’ve said they were crazy. But I’m really glad that we did. I know you didn’t exactly find your prince but…hopefully a princess is a fair substitute?”

Rarity nibbled her ear. “More than fair darling.”

“I just…feel kind of guilty.”

“Now, why on Equestria do you feel like that? I made it perfectly clear that my feelings for you were mutual.”

“I know Rarity and believe me; I love you with all of my heart! But, what about Spike? He’s been in love with you for years and I feel like I’ve stabbed him in the heart for…making you my mare.”

“Shhh. Let’s not dwell on that.”

“B-b-but if he ever finds out…”

Rarity placed her hoof on Twilight’s lips. “Sparkle kitten, you know I admire Spike and treasure him as a dear friend, but I’m simply not attracted to dragons. I tried my best not to lead him on…but he was always so adamant with feelings towards me. That is why I agreed to keep our relationship a secret for this long. Unfortunately, we will have to tell him and his heart will be broken. There’s no avoiding it.”

Both mares looked towards the door when they heard it swing open. The drake before them was a lifeless husk, compared to his normally positive demeanor. His wings hung limply as if they were soaking wet. Spike stared at his sister with glazed emerald eyes, desperately searching for an explanation…but there was none to be found. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.

“Twilight…how could you?”

Twilight’s ears flattened against her skull. “Spike, I swear I didn’t do this to hurt you! Please, you have to believe me.”

“Why? Just tell my why. Why, of all ponies, did it HAVE to be HER?!”

“It’s not like I planned it! Rarity…s-she was there for me when I needed her. She helped me relax when I having troubles with my new duties. At first it was only tea and a quick massage but…we started talking more and then our visits started to get a bit more intimate.”

Rarity put her hoof on Spike’s shoulder. “Spike, please don’t get angry at Twilight. The feelings that I developed for her were rather spontaneous and I’m still coming to terms with the fact that I find mares…attractive.”

“Don’t you dare try to console me! Why couldn’t you have told me sooner that I wasn’t good enough for you?”

“Darling, you’ve been nothing short of an exemplary gentledrake for as long as I’ve known you. I just don’t find dragons attractive. Please don’t take it personally, but I wanted to be with a pony. I’m truly sorry Spike. I knew it would break your heart, so that’s why I wanted to avoid telling you.”

“It was never going to work out, was it? Ha! Hahahaha! What a waste…”

“I , for one, don’t believe it was a total waste. We had a perfectly wonderful friendship. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

“Oh so that’s what you want to call it? You knew about my feelings! You knew that I would do anything you asked. SO you just strung me along to do your bidding, like some servant! Is that what you call friendship?”

Rarity bit her lip. “I…. “

“That’s what I thought. I’ve had it. I’m done with everything! I think it’s high time that I leave. Oh and I don’t just mean the library. I’m done with Equestria! I’m tired of being a dragon in a pony’s world.”

Twilight frowned at Rarity and pulled herself out of bed. She slowly trotted over to Spike and wrapped her hooves around his neck, encircling him in a tight hug. The drake ceased his tirade for just a moment, but did not return his sister’s hug. He gently removed himself from her grasp and walked over to the window.

“You guys don’t know what it’s like to be a dragon. Sure, most of the ponies in town know me. Heck, I’m good friends with some of them. But…no matter where I go, ponies have that look of distrust in their eyes. It’s like they expect me to eat their foals or burn their house down. I just…can’t live like this anymore.”

“Spike, please don’t go! It doesn’t matter that you’re a dragon. You’ll always be my baby brother. I love you so much Spike. Please…just stay here. We’ll find a way to get through this!”

“I love you too Twi, but I have to do this. There’s too much heartache here.”

Spike took a deep breath, allowing a few hot tears to drop onto the wooden floor. He clenched his fists, trying to gather as much magical fire in his throat as he possibly could. The two mares in the room watched with a mixture of horror and amazement as Spike bathed his entire body in emerald flames. When he finally disappeared, Twilight collapsed onto the floor, sobbing into her hooves.

Spike materialized in a small room, filled to the brim with antiques and various heirlooms. He felt an intense wave of nausea overwhelm his senses, as he stumbled into a wall. The dragon tried to fight it but ended up vomiting all over the floor anyway. Living creatures were never meant to travel by magical flame. In fact, Spike was surprised that he even survived the journey intact. After wiping his mouth, he mustered as much strength as he could to look around the room. He let out a sigh of relief when he found what he was looking for. In the center of the room was a large, ornate mirror.

To anyone else looking at it, the mirror wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. However, Spike knew better. Five years ago, both he and his sister had found out that it was actually a portal to another universe. A universe that was full of creatures called “humans”. Oddly enough, this alternate universe had humans that mirrored all of his friends from Ponyville. The first time he had stepped through the portal, he had been transformed into a dog…much to his dismay. It was a long shot, but he held a tiny sliver of hope that perhaps this time he might become a human instead.

Spike ran his claw over the mirror’s surface and was surprised to find it rippling in response. He had nearly forgotten that the portal was only active every thirty moons. It was an extremely fortunate stroke of luck, in spite of his impulsive plan. He whispered a prayer of thanks to Luna and steeled his nerves. Spike bit his lip, realizing what cycle of the moon it was tonight. If he were to enter the portal, he would likely be stuck in the human universe for the duration of the thirty moons.

The drake reached into his satchel and pulled out the necklace he intended to give to Rarity. He clenched it tightly to his chest, pooling all of his thoughts into a singular desire. Just this once, I want to fit in. I want to be like everybody else. I want to be loved, not as a sibling or a friend but as myself. Spike closed his eyes and jumped into the mirror.

Spike opened his eyes to find that he was inside someone’s home. The first thing he noticed was how odd his body felt. He held up his claw to find that it was actually no longer a claw. It was a human hand! Spike laughed like a madman, thanking whatever bizarre power gave him this wonderful gift. Once he settled down, Spike noticed something odd. The room seemed incredibly drafty for some reason. Just as he was about to contemplate the reason why, he heard something rustle behind him. Spike took a few steps toward the sound and shouted in surprise as he stepped on something. This led him to fall straight on his ass, creating a loud thump. A few seconds later he heard a feminine voice call out.

“*Yawn* Sweetie is that you? Do you have any idea what unholy hour of the night it is? I’ll have you know that my beauty sleep is very important and I…”

Spike slowly stood up. “Umm…hi?”

The woman screamed. “WHO ARE YOU!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE AND WHY ARE YOU NAKED!?”

“C-calm down! I don’t mean you any harm.”

The woman grabbed a pillow and began pummeling him with it. “You expect me to believe that? You’re just a dirty exhibitionist pervert, intent on having your way with me! I’m warning you, I KNOW JUJITSU!”

Spike waved his hands. “I know this looks bad but just give a minute to explain!”

“Fine…but that’s all you get. You stay put while I grab you a towel. I refuse to have a conversation with a naked stranger.”

A few minutes later the woman returned with a fluffy pink towel, throwing it towards Spike. She then proceeded to turn on a lamp that was sitting on her bed stand. Spike’s mouth practically dropped to the floor when he saw her. There was no mistaking it. She was the human version of Rarity.

“Good, you’re covered up. Would you care to explain why you were prancing around my room in the nude, at two in the morning?”

“Do you happen to remember a girl named Twilight?”

Rarity cocked her eyebrow. “Yes…but what does she have to do with any of this?”

“I know this is going to sound really weird but I’m her dog, Spike. Errr…well I used to be her dog. Now I’m a human!”

“I can see that quite clearly darling. Normally I would classify you as a lunatic but due to recent events, I am slightly more inclined to believe in strange occurrences. I take it that you arrived through that magical mirror Twilight spoke of?”

“Yeah but for some reason I wound up in your room, instead of Canterlot High. Maybe the mirror just randomly picks where the portal shows up.”

“Perhaps. I know nothing of magic so I can’t really say otherwise. You know, you’re actually fortunate to have wound up in my home instead of Canterlot High. Otherwise, you might have been arrested for indecent exposure.”

Spike scratched his head. “I’m sorry…but I don’t really get why it’s such a big deal that I’m not wearing any clothes.”

“Oh right, you were a dog. Humans do not frolic about in the nude. We wear clothing for warmth, just as much as we do for modesty. And style of course! The only times when we do get naked is when we bathe or….*ehem* want to get intimate.”

“I guess that makes sense. No wonder I’m so cold.”

“I take it that you don’t have anywhere to stay or any clothes for that matter?”

“Nope, sorry.”

“Very well. I suppose I’ll let you stay in the guest room for the time being. As for clothes, there should be one of my father’s old robes in the closet. You may wear that until we get some proper attire for you at the store.”

“Thanks for being so understanding.”

Rarity smiled. “You’re quite welcome. *Yawn* Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading back to bed. Goodnight Spike.”

Reflections

Chapter 2

A single ray of early morning light pierced through the window of the guest room, ravaging Spike’s bloodshot eyes. While he certainly wasn’t any stranger to getting up early, rising at such an hour was not pleasant for someone who had slept so little the night before. As he clambered out of bed, Spike noted the clock on the opposite wall only read six in the morning. The first thing he wanted to do was take a nice, hot shower to help clear his mind. It would also help him warm up a bit, considering that he had decided to forgo wearing anything to bed.

After a few moments of searching, he found the robe Rarity had mentioned earlier. Spike practically gagged when he saw the hideous piece of nightwear. It was made from purple dyed silk with black fabric sewn onto the cuffs and outer trimmings. The initials MB were proudly embroidered in gold letters on the left breast pocket. Rarity certainly hadn’t inherited her flair for fashion from her father…that was for sure.

Back in Equestria, Spike enjoyed cranking the heat to its maximum level when taking a shower. This morning was no different. Unfortunately, the former dragon forgot that he no longer possessed the thick scales that allowed him to bask comfortably in such heat. As the scalding hot water hit his skin, he nearly yelped in pain. He hastily turned the nob back to a cooler temperature to prevent any burns to his newly minted flesh. After a few minutes the water became more tolerable, allowing him to simply enjoy its warm embrace. His thoughts started to drift back to Equestria, more specifically the day he bought the necklace…

The day had finally come. He had enough bits to buy that very special necklace for a very special mare. It was almost surreal after all of this waiting. Spike gently opened the door, making the small golden bell chime softly as it shut behind him. A grey coated earth pony stallion sporting a pair of purple spectacles nodded to him as he approached the counter.

“Ah so you’ve returned for your necklace. Give me a moment and I’ll retrieve for you.”

The stallion ducked underneath the counter and pulled out a dazzling white gold necklace with a heart shaped sapphire in the center. He gingerly placed it onto the counter and looked at Spike expectantly.

“That’ll be five hundred bits.”

Spike handed the silversmith a sack of bits. “Heh…you know it’s even more beautiful now that I’ve finally bought it. I really hope Rarity likes it.”

“That is a very special necklace you have there. In Prench it’s called Cœur de Désir, or the heart of desire. The jewel smith I bought it from claimed it was enchanted. What’s funny is I had unicorns look it over and they said they couldn’t find evidence of any kind that it was. Regardless, this necklace’s craftsmanship is without equal. I’m sure your special somepo-err…dragon will love it!”

“I hope so too.”

Realization hit Spike like a sack of bricks. It was the necklace! Was it really so farfetched that it was enchanted? He had spent most of his youth around five mares that possessed some of the most magical necklaces in all of Equestria. What was one more enchanted piece of jewelry? Initially he had been confused as to why he showed up through Rarity’s mirror, instead of the Canterlot High statue.

It was so obvious now. The necklace had granted him his deepest desire: A chance to finally be with the one he most desired. But…one errant thought still lingered in the back of his mind. This world’s Rarity wasn’t the mare he had obsessed over for so long. As far as she was concerned, Spike was practically a complete stranger.

The more Spike thought about it, the more he began to realize a simple truth. Perhaps it was a good thing that this world’s Rarity didn’t know him. What he had was the opportunity for a fresh start. This time he wouldn’t make the same mistake he made with the original fashionista. He had put the alabaster mare on a pedestal, idolizing her to the point that she no longer was a pony but an ideal.

But that was just it…she was only a pony, a pony with needs exactly like his own. Never in all of those long years he spent pursuing her, did he once consider that she might’ve had eyes for another. Yes, it was true that he had been somewhat naïve about the whole ordeal but that didn’t make the pain any less significant.

If Rarity had been involved with some other random pony, he still would have been heartbroken, but he might not have taken such drastic action. However, she wasn’t involved with just some other pony. Rarity had chosen Twilight. It wasn’t the fact that they were lovers that truly upset Spike, it was the fact that his sister chose to hide it from him. For whatever reason, she felt that keeping her relationship a secret would somehow retain the façade of Spike’s quest for affection.

Part of him wanted to hate Twilight, to punish her for her insolence. But in the end…he just couldn’t bring himself to do so. She was still his sister and he loved her, no matter how many mistakes she made. If he ever saw her again, he would embrace her like he always did and forgive her like any good sibling would. For now, he vowed to handle his new circumstances with more of an open mind. This world’s Rarity deserved that much.

Spike dried himself off once he was finished, slipping into the ugly robe. While it was hideous, he couldn’t deny that it was outrageously comfortable. A quick glance at the clock told him that only twenty minutes had passed. With nothing better to do, he decided that he should start making breakfast. Not only would it give him something to do, but it would also serve to repay Rarity’s kindness for allowing him to stay.

Much to Spike’s relief, the kitchen wasn’t too difficult to locate. It was set up very similarly to most of the kitchen’s he’d seen in Equestria, albeit there were a few extra gizmos he didn’t recognize. After rummaging through the cupboards for a few minutes, he managed to scrounge up enough supplies to make pancakes. While the pancakes were cooking, he heard the sound of shuffling footsteps.

He turned around to see Rarity dumping a few scoops of coffee into the coffee maker on the counter. She was dressed in the same stylish pink-colored pajamas when they first met, but her hair was an absolute mess. He couldn’t help but giggle, noticing that she wasn’t wearing any make-up either. The fashionista turned around and scowled at him.

“What? You can’t possibly expect me to look my best at this hour of the morning! It takes time and preparation for a lady to look her best. Besides...you have very little room to talk, wearing that hideously tacky robe.”

Spike shrugged. “Yeah but at least it’s comfy.”

“I suppose so. At any rate, thank you for making breakfast. It’s been ages since I’ve had pancakes!”

“Good, I was worried that you might not like them.”

“Why would you ever think that?”

“Err…well you seem like you’d have really refined tastes. I thought you might not want to eat them because they were commoner food.”

Rarity put her hands on her hips. “What? That’s utter nonsense! I might have refined tastes but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy regular food. My parents used to make pancakes for my sister and I all the time when we were younger, so of course I like them.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you or anything. I’ll just shut up now…”

“No, I should be the one apologizing. You had no way of knowing what kind of food I like to eat. I’m sorry Spike, but a lot of people judge me solely by the way I present myself. My temper got the best of me, I’m afraid.”

“So…we’re cool right?”

“Yes, we are most assuredly cool darling.”

Rarity sat down at the table and took a few generous swigs of coffee. Almost immediately, her expression seemed to brighten several shades from before. With a deft flick of the skillet, Spike tossed a few pancakes onto the plate in front of her and grabbed some coffee of his own. Rarity slathered her stack of flapjacks with a generous coating of butter and began to devour them like some starved maniac. Spike set down his mug and stared at her slack jawed.

Rarity let out a soft moan. “Oh my heavens, these pancakes are to DIE FOR! They’re so light and fluffy and have just the right amount of crispiness to the edges. Wherever did you learn how to cook like that?”

“I’ve had a lot of practice over the years.”

“Practice? How on earth could you have even been capable of cooking? I realize that you’re a human now but you were a dog earlier. It simply doesn’t make any sense…”

Spike scratched his head. “That’s because I wasn’t always a dog…or a human for that matter.”

“I’m still not sure that I follow.”

“Like Twilight, I came from another world called Equestria. For some reason, when we went through the mirror, it changed the both of us from our natural forms to forms that better suited this world. Back home, I was actually a dragon.”

Rarity stared at Spike with a deadpan look, as a smile slowly crept onto her lips. A few seconds later she started howling with laughter and very nearly choked on her coffee as a result. Spike blushed hard as Rarity continued to laugh. She must think I’m a total nut-case now. Maybe I should have waited to tell her the truth. I guess I can’t really blame her, since it does sound pretty far-fetched. His musings were cut short when he felt Rarity place her hand on top of his.

“I’m sorry darling. I didn’t mean to make sound like I was making fun of you. It’s just that this whole business with magic, portals and pony princesses makes me feel like I’m living in some fantasy novel. I guess you could say that I don’t find it the least bit unusual that you were once a dragon.”

“Y-you believe me?!”

Rarity shrugged. “Spike, my friends and I recently defeated a demon with a rainbow beam of friendship. If such a thing like that can happen, then who am I to say that dragons don’t exist?”

Before Spike could respond, there was a loud banging noise coming from the front door. When Rarity didn’t respond immediately the pounding continued, until whoever was behind it got fed up with waiting and decided to open the door.

Through the door marched Rainbow Dash, clad in a black sport’s bra and a matching set of spats. Her hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, so as not to get in the way of her face. Just like her Equestrian counterpart, she completely disregarded the concept of “personal space” by wedging herself in-between Spike and Rarity. In fact, she was so close that Spike caught a whiff of her scent. It was a not-quite unpleasant mixture of sweat and multi-purpose sport’s body wash.

Rainbow glared at Rarity. “C’mon Rares, it’s already seven in the morning! Why aren’t you dressed yet?”

“Well I…”

“I know, I know. You’re a proper ‘lady’ and you need time to prepare in the morning. But we’re going out for a jog, not some fancy meal. I’ll give ya ten minutes to freshen up, not a second more!”

As Rarity gave RD a sheepish grin, the young athlete’s eyes widened in surprise when she finally noticed Spike sitting at the table. Her surprise slowly turned into a smug grin as she moved closer to Rarity. Without any tact whatsoever, she elbowed Rarity in the ribs and waggled her eyebrows.

“Oohhh I get it. You don’t need to jog this morning ‘cause you already got plenty of exercise last night huh? Well I gotta hand it to ya Rares, he’s pretty hot. He looks like he’d be a monster in the sack, if those pecs of his are any indication.”

Rarity blushed furiously. “RAINBOW! T-that is an entirely inappropriate thing to say.”

“What? Everybody’s got needs. There’s nothing wrong with having a quick morning fu…”

“Enough! Spike is my guest, so please treat him with more respect. Furthermore, I can assure you that nothing untoward happened between us last night.”

Rainbow licked her lips. “Wait a second…that means he’s still up for grabs?”

“Oh for heaven’s sake Rainbow! Would you please stop thinking with your genitals for a moment and listen?”

“Fine. You aren’t fucking him, so why’s he here?”

“It’s a rather long and complicated story.”

Spike slowly raised his hand. “To make a long story short, I used to be Twilight’s dog. We both went back to our own world after you guys defeated Sunset. After a while I decided to come back here and wound up becoming a human. But when I came through from the other side, I appeared in Rarity’s room…naked. So now she’s letting me stay with her since I don’t even have a stich of clothing to my name.”

“Oh, so you’re that little purple dog from the statue mirror thingy? Eh, I can dig that. I mean we did just fight a horde of zombies and a psycho demon bitch. Compared to that, a dog turning into a human isn’t even worth picking my nose over.”

Rarity quickly finished the remainder of her coffee and started heading towards her bedroom. She poked her head out the door and said that it would only take a few minutes to retrieve her athletic attire. Rarity’s absence left Rainbow and Spike all alone together, which only led to awkward silence between them. Spike began to idly play with his coffee mug, drawing small circles in the bottom with his finger…until Rainbow rested her hands on his shoulders.

“I can tell when somebody’s in good shape. It comes with years of experience from being such an awesome athlete. You’ve got some pretty well defined shoulder muscles. So…do you lift?”

Spike blushed, feeling slightly uncomfortable. “Well, kind of I guess. I used to work on a farm back in Equestria.”

“Mhmm, that sounds about right. You’d be surprised how much muscle definition someone can get just from hard work alone. Heh…sorry I’ve got kind of a thing for sexy farm boys.”

Rainbow just dug her own grave with that statement. Spike stood up; feeling a grin that would put a Cheshire cat to shame, stretch across his lips. So this world’s Rainbow thought she was safe from a friendly bit of teasing? NOPE! Not if he had anything to say about it. Rainbow let out a surprised squeak, when Spike suddenly cupped her chin in his left hand. The young man was grateful that his readings into amateur psychology would finally serve a purpose.

“I see how it is. Flirting is your way of masking your true feelings. Sure, you might think I’m attractive and for that I’m flattered. But…let’s not kid ourselves Rainbow. You don’t really want me. You want…BIG MAC!”

Rainbow bit her lip as crimson heat filled her cheeks. “H-how do you know about that?”

“Let’s just say that your Equestrian counterpart acts very similar to you. Of course, I can’t really assume that all of you are going to be exactly the same but it seems that my hypothesis has some credibility to it.”

Rainbow looked around anxiously, making sure that Rarity wasn’t around. Once she was satisfied that her friend wouldn’t overhear, she grabbed the collar of Spike’s robe and pulled him close to her.

“Look, you can’t mention a word about this to either Rarity or AJ! Knowing them, they’d try to set me up with Mac before I’m ready. Trust me, it would be all kinds of awkward and that isn’t awesome at all!”

“I won’t tell them because it’s none of my business. Frankly, I don’t really want to get involved anyway.”

Rainbow cocked her eyebrow. “Huh? Why’s that? Is this some kind of trick?”

“No, I’m completely serious. One time, some of my friends back in Equestria took it upon themselves to try and get a couple together. Needless to say, it ended…poorly. If you want to get Mac’s attention, you need to do it yourself.”

Rainbow stood silently for a few moments, trying to collect her thoughts. She let out a heavy sigh and let go of Spike’s robe, frowning slightly as she did. She paced around the kitchen a few times before sitting in the chair across from Spike.

“Man, I acted like an inconsiderate bitch didn’t I? My friends are always telling me I gotta be a bit more considerate of other people’s feelings…but I guess I still suck at it. Ughhh damn it! This is so hard! I…I’m s-sorry Spike. I shouldn’t have started hitting on you like that.”

“It’s alright, I forgive you. But more importantly, I think you owe someone else an apology as well.”

“Oh shit! Rarity’s probably still pissed at me for what I said earlier.”

Rarity chose that very moment to waltz into the kitchen. She too was dressed in jogging attire, but it was far more conservative than Rainbow’s outfit. The fashionista wore a stylish purple windbreaker and matching set of track pants. Her hair was tied in a neat bun, instead of ponytail. With a single motion, she whipped out a pair of sunglasses from her pocket and placed them upon her brow.

“You are quite correct Rainbow. I’m still angry with you for insinuating that I would immediately throw myself at Spike. But…I know how often you commit social faux pas, so I can’t say I’m surprised.”

Rainbow wrapped Rarity in an awkward hug. “Rares, I’m sooooo sorry! You’re totally not a slut and Spike’s a really nice guy. He just…kinda needed to tell me I was being a blockhead. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”

“Ummm…alright, I forgive you darling. Just try to think before you act more often, okay? Would you mind letting me go? It’s getting very difficult to breath.”

“Heh, sorry I got a bit carried away. So…are we still up for the jog?”

“We are and I’ve decided to shower when we return. There’s no point in getting clean, just to get sweaty all over again. One caveat though, I’d like to stop at a clothing store on the way back. Spike’s going to need clothes of his own at some point and I’d rather purchase them sooner than later.”

Rainbow merely nodded, heading out the door with Rarity in tow. The both of them waved to Spike and headed down the street. The young man headed back into kitchen and poured himself another cup of coffee, contemplating the morning’s events. While he was no longer in Equestria, this place still felt familiar to him...if Rainbow and Rarity’s behavior was anything to go on. That fact alone slightly alleviated his feeling of melancholy. But it was still going to take some time before he felt completely comfortable with them and this world.

Author's Note

Here's chapter two. My editor hasn't gone through it yet so there still might be a few mistakes floating around. Hope everybody enjoys it.

-Enc.

Misunderstandings

Chapter 3

Rainbow Dash impatiently tapped her foot while Rarity rummaged through a pile of jeans. Much to Dash’s dismay, they had already spent over a half hour shopping for Spike’s clothes. Admittedly, the athlete had very little patience when it came to anything concerning fashion. When she had to buy clothing, it rarely took her any more than twenty minutes to find suitable attire. If the clothing fit and was comfortable, in the shopping basket it went. Besides, most of the more stylish stuff was either too expensive or extremely uncomfortable to move around in. Sadly, Rarity did not share her opinion.

“C’mon Rares! What’s taking so long? It’s not like he’s gonna care what you buy him as long as it’s decent.”

Rarity huffed. “Spike is my guest and ‘good enough’ simply won’t do! I want him to feel stylish when he wears his new attire.”

“Well, can’t you find stylish stuff a little faster? I don’t wanna be here all day.”

“Keep your panties on darling, I’m very nearly finished. There’s only one more article we need to buy.”

“Good. But just so you know, I don’t wear panties with my spats. They tend to chafe when I run.”

Rarity put her hand over Rainbow’s mouth. “Shhhh! You shouldn’t say those kinds of things in public!”

“Meh. I don’t really care. There are plenty of guys that go commando. What’s the big…”

“Well I care because it’s embarrassing me. Rainbow please, just this once, show a little tact and don’t talk about such things. I don’t want to attract any unwanted attention…especially from any perverts.”

Rainbows snorted. “Eh, alright I won’t talk about it anymore. But don’t worry about the pervs; I’ll just kick ‘em in the balls if they try anything.”

Rarity sighed and headed towards the men’s undergarments section. Now came the tricky part. In general, it was socially acceptable for a woman to buy clothing for a man. Such a thing happened quite frequently. However, Rarity drew the line at buying underwear. It wasn’t something she thought a proper lady should do, unless the said lady was in an intimate relationship with the aforementioned man.

Intimate thoughts began to creep into her mind, leading her to imagine Spike wearing several different pairs of undergarments that left little to the imagination. She blushed heavily and tried to dismiss such thoughts from her mind. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about Spike’s admittedly well-defined physique. Get ahold of yourself Rarity. There’s nothing amorous about buying underwear for someone who doesn’t have any at the moment. But…this wouldn’t be nearly so distracting if I hadn’t seen what was actually underneath said underwear.

Rainbow looked over at her friend and started to grow slightly concerned. Rarity was just standing there with a pack of boxers in one hand and a pack of briefs in the other, staring off into space. After a few moments, the fashionista’s face took on a pink hue as her eyes darted between the packaged undergarments. Rainbow rolled her eyes and snatched the pack of briefs from Rarity’s hand.

“Just buy him these. I’m pretty sure he won’t care that much anyway.”

“Oh, well I…are you sure he wouldn’t prefer boxers?”

“Nah, stick with briefs.”

“Is there any particular reason why?”

“Two reasons: First, boxers don’t keep anything in place. And before you ask, I know because I used to wear ‘em. Second, briefs keep things in place. What that means is you’ll get a show every time he walks around in ‘em. With briefs, everybody wins!”

Rarity blushed, looking down at the floor. “Yes…I suppose briefs would accentuate certain aspects of his anatomy. I’ll buy them. But don’t you DARE tell him I said that!”

Rainbow moved her hand across her lips, assuring her silence. Despite her unspoken promise, she grinned like a kid in a candy store. It was one of those smiles that just screamed: “I see what you did there.” Her smile was accompanied by a fit of giggles when Rarity placed the pack of pearly-white underpants onto the counter. As embarrassed as Rarity was, the clerk’s countenance remained stolidly neutral. One could even go so far as to say he looked downright bored.

As the girls made their way back to Rarity’s home, Dash abruptly stopped and grabbed Rarity by the shoulder. The fashionista squeaked in surprise and very nearly dropped the bag of clothing onto the dirty sidewalk. She glared back at Dash, silently demanding an explanation. Seeing how upset Rarity was, Rainbow withdrew her hand immediately.

“Excuse me darling but…WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SO IMPORTANT THAT IT REQUIRES SCARING ME HALF TO DEATH?!!”

“Sorry Rares, I didn’t mean to spook you. But uhhm…do mind if we take a slight detour?”

“Why, pray tell, do we need to make a detour?”

Rainbow’s stomach gurgled. “I uhh…might not have actually eaten breakfast. So, do you mind if we stop by Sugarcube Corner and grab a bite to eat?”

“Hmm. Come to think of it, I have been in the mood for one of Mr. Cake’s delicious croissants. Alright we can go.”

Rarity daintily nibbled on her croissant, savoring its rich, buttery flavor. It still amazed her, even to this day, how Mr. Cake got them to taste so sinfully delicious. Even taking one bite of the crescent shaped pastry was like having a buttery little cherub dance across your tongue. Unfortunately, her monument of unadulterated bliss was rudely interrupted by the loud chewing noises of one Rainbow Merriam Dash.

The young athlete was about as refined with her manners as the average silverback gorilla. What made it even worse was her choice of pastries. They were two jelly doughnuts bursting at the seams with delicious grape flavored goop that seemed to drip everywhere except into Rainbow’s mouth.

Oh and of course, one mustn’t forget the powdered sugar! It was smeared all over Dash’s fingers and mouth, making her look like a crazed cocaine addict after a late-night binge. The whole scene almost made Rarity want to puke. But…she had her croissant. And croissants make any situation slightly more tolerable.

Rainbow belched. “Oh man, those were some damn fine doughnuts. You rock Mr. Cake!”

“I appreciate the compliment Rainbow, but I didn’t make those. Pinkie did.”

“Huh. I guess I owe Pinkie a…”

RD suddenly found herself being smothered by something incredibly soft and…cotton candy scented? Such a combination was only possible with one girl. She was a certain hyperactive baker, who just so happened to work at Sugarcube Corner. Aaaaannd…now it was starting to get difficult to breath.

“Hey Pinkie, it’s great to see you but umm…would you mind giving me some air? You’re kind of squishing my face with your boobs.”

Pinkie giggled. “Oh sorry Dashie, I got a bit carried away. But I’m sooooo happy that you like my new Ginormous Gooey Grape Doughnuts or GGGD for short! Although…calling them the ‘Triple G’ sounds a lot cooler. What do YOU think I should call them?”

“Uhhh…triple g sounds cool, I guess.”

Pinkie squished Dash’s face into her breasts once more. “I KNEW IT! That’s what I’m gonna call ‘em from now on.”

Rarity couldn’t help but giggle at Pinkie’s antics. She was always such a carefree spirit, if a tad bit overbearing. But such a thing didn’t bother Rarity in the least, for it was worth seeing Rainbow look uncomfortable after all of the nonsense she had to put up with earlier this morning. Upon further inspection, one thing did bother her. Pinkie’s shirt was absolutely filthy from all the powdered sugar and doughnut residue she had accumulated from squishing Dash’s face into her chest. Needless to say, t-shirts did not make for very good napkins.

Rarity cleared her throat. “Pinkie, I don’t mean to be rude but it seems that you’ve gotten your wonderful pink top all messy. If you don’t treat it soon, the stains will set.”

“Oh my gosh! You’re absolutely right. I was just so excited to see Dashie that I totally forgot that she eats like a gorilla!”

Much to everyone’s dismay, Pinkie chucked off her shirt and started running up the stairs to get another one. She came back down wearing a blue t-shirt with a picture of some palm trees and sand stating: Life’s a Beach, in big red letters. She stood in front of everyone and grinned, as if nothing was wrong. Mr. Cake simply shook his head and went back into the kitchen, while Rarity gave her a stern look.

“Pinkie, it is extremely unlady-like to just casually take off one’s shirt in public.”

The baker scratched her head. “Huh? But you said it was dirty and that if I didn’t treat it right away, the stain was gonna set.”

“Perhaps, but that doesn’t mean you should strip in front of everyone.”

“What’s the big deal? I was wearing a bra, so it’s not like anybody saw my boobs.”

Rarity rubbed her temples. “Ah…of course. My mistake, please carry on.”

“Okie dokie lokie!”

Mr. Cake came back with a tray of piping hot blueberry muffins and began to place them inside the glass display counter. Once he was done, he wiped his forehead with a dishtowel and took a seat between Rarity and Dash.

“So what have you girls been up to this morning?”

Before Rarity could respond, Pinkie placed her finger on Rarity’s lips. “WAIT! I WANNA GUESS! Ok, so like early in the morning some weird naked guy showed up at your house. And Rarity being Rarity freaked and kicked him in the face. BUT…it turns out that the guy isn’t so weird ‘cause he’s actually Spike. Oh and due to your super generous nature, you decided to let him stay at your house and buy him some clothes!”

“Hmm, yes that about sums it up. Good job Pinkie.”

The baker’s hair immediately began to sag. “B-but aren’t you supposed to ask how I know all of that?”

“Of course not, darling. I gave up trying to figure you out ages ago.”

With a dejected look, Pinkie shuffled back into the kitchen, claiming that she had some bagels to boil. Once she was out of view, Rainbow instantly hit the floor rolling with laughter. Mr. Cake at least had the decency to poke his head out of the kitchen to investigate, but was quickly dissuaded from any notions of wrongdoing…if Rarity’s elegant grin had anything to say about it.

Rainbow wiped her eyes. “Oh man, Rares that was freakin’ hilarious!”

“Well, you and I both know that it’s pointless to try and understand that girl’s inexplicable ability to predict things. Humorous or not, my statement got her back to work. She can’t just sit around and chat with us all morning.”

“Yeah…umm speaking of doing things all morning, I probably should get going too. I’ve got some training to do and I really need a shower.”

Rarity nodded. “Ah yes, a shower is most definitely in order. Good luck with your training, Dash.”

Rarity’s Home, Ponyville

Spike was absolutely bored at this point. The girls had been gone for well over an hour now. He couldn’t understand why a quick jog and shopping trip would possibly take this long. Back in Equestria he usually worked most of the day, thus occupying a majority of his free time. He suspected that Rarity had at least some books and magazines lying around but he didn’t even know if he could actually read them.

Sure, he understood what everyone was saying but that didn’t mean that both of the universes shared the same writing system. With little else to do for the past hour and a half, he just sat in the kitchen sipping numerous cups of coffee and thinking.

Much to his relief, Rarity finally decided to return carrying a large plastic bag. She dropped it in front of Spike and immediately loosened her hair from its previously tight bun. He was so used to seeing her mane (hair now he supposed) so elegantly styled, that it came as a complete shock witnessing her hair in its natural state.

While it was true that he’d seen her bed-head this morning, too much had been going on for him to pay attention to it. Spike swallowed hard, feeling that oh so familiar heat creep into his cheeks. Did he really find her attractive already? They were both humans now, so theoretically there shouldn’t be any problem with that. He couldn’t deny that he had been infatuated with her during his previous visit but this was entirely different. Calm down Spike, it’s all of those hormones coursing through your new mammalian body. But…even so, some part of me still likes her. Urgghh this so damn frustrating! I want to tell her but it’s just too soon! She barely knows me.

Rarity cleared her throat. “Spike, is there something wrong? You look a bit flushed. Oh dear! I hope you aren’t getting a cold.”

“Uhhh no. I think I’m alright.”

“Ok. But if you do start feeling under the weather, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.”

“Sure thing, Rarity. Thanks for the clothing, I appreciate it.”

Rarity waved her hand. “You’re quite welcome and don’t you dare even think about paying me back. Consider them a gift. Feel free to try them on while I take a shower.”

Spike made his way back to the guest room and dumped all of the clothes onto his bed. From what he could tell, most of it was your standard human attire. There were several pairs of jeans ranging from dark blue to black, along with two pairs of khaki dress pants. Since it seemed to be summer time right now, Rarity had bought quite a few t-shirts but there were a few longer-sleeved dress shirts as well.

Despite not wearing clothing on a regular basis as a dragon, most of the articles were at least vaguely familiar to him. Except a strange package of bundled white things. He tore open the cellophane and realized what they were.

Only once had he ever seen these in person. He had been cleaning out one of Twilight’s drawers at the time. While dumping the drawer’s contents, he found a wadded up pair of frilly-laced purple panties. Spike had been old enough at the time to feel positively disgusted upon discovering his sister’s intimate wear.

Clearly, the undergarments that Rarity had bought him were far plainer than Twilight’s but it still brought an uncomfortable blush to his face. What exactly were Rarity’s intentions? Was this some kind of subtle sign that she liked him? Spike threw the robe onto the bed and slipped on a pair of briefs, glancing at himself in the mirror. Being naked was one thing but something about wearing these panty things made him feel extremely self-conscious.

Even so, he couldn’t help but notice how well defined his new muscles were. Granted, he’d never actually seen a human naked before so now was as good a time as any to learn. If only to avoid awkward questions later. After wearing only a robe for some time, he now understood why humans chose to wear so much clothing. They had next to no fur (except on the top of their heads), which made him feel chilly even just walking around.

As a dragon, he could’ve stepped outside in the snow and would have barely felt the cold. At least the underwear was comfortable and afforded some degree of warmth to his nether region. That was another awkward thing about humans. Their genitals were on the outside! How stupid was that? Dragons had convenient, retractable sheaths along with internal testicles. This prevented your precious family jewels from being damaged, as well as avoiding any awkward situations. Now, he had a pair of fleshy balls dangling between his legs.

Oh and he knew just how vulnerable they were. Earlier, he ended up painfully squashing them against the hard, unforgiving surface of a wooden chair. The pain was so intense that he might have shed a few manly tears, accompanied by a strong urge to vomit. From that moment onward, he vowed to take greater care with how he seated himself.

But what really made him feel self-conscious was that his penis was on full display for the entire world to see. Now he understood why Rarity had been so embarrassed when she first saw him enter through the mirror. She probably thought he was flaunting his drag—manhood around in some kind of mating display. The very thought brought a fresh wave of blood to his cheeks.

Pushing some of his shame aside, he stared at his reflection with newly found determination. If Rarity had gone out of her way to buy him these ridiculously comfortable pairs of underwear, then by Celestia he was going to wear them proudly in front of her. Even if it was going to be a bit embarrassing…

Rarity stepped out of the shower feeling like a brand new woman. It always amazed her how a little hot water and some scented shampoos made all of the day’s stress and grime just melt away. Wrapped in a fluffy purple towel, she padded over to her dresser to find some suitable attire for the rest of the day.

First on the list was her choice of panties and it’s accompanying bra. While she was generally the only one to actually see them, it bothered her immensely if they weren’t color coded. It was simply part of her fashion designer state of mind. She chose a modest set of baby blue cotton panties with a tiny bow on the front, with a bra of similar design.

Next in line were the bottoms. It was supposed to be hot today so it was probably best if she chose something a bit more breathable. Jeans were ok during the spring, but in the summer they tended to cling to her legs from all the sweat. But a skirt was not only fashionable but nice and breezy. So she picked out a lavender colored frilled skirt. Thankfully, the top was the easiest of the three to choose. She had enough designer t-shirts to fill a small department store. Rarity picked out a lavender colored t-shirt with a cute, white kitten on the front.

Satisfied with her choice of attire, she sat in front of the mirror and began to comb her hair. Normally, she’d go all out and curl her hair into a brilliant coiffure but today she just wasn’t in the mood. Instead, she opted to simply comb it straight down. Eventually she would tie the end of it into a ponytail with a scrunchie, when it was dry enough.

Rarity would get to all of that dressing and hair business later. Now was a very special time of the day for her. It was that Zen moment of relaxation she cherished before the hustle and bustle of the day began. She slipped out of her towel, grabbed her favorite romance novel and plopped onto the bed. This was a time that she affectionately dubbed “skinny-skimming”.

The bare beauty’s moment of relaxation was not meant to last. In her single-minded desire to shower and relax, Rarity had momentarily forgotten that another person was living with her. As such, she had failed to lock her door…which meant that anyone could enter her room. And enter someone did. No sooner had she completed the second paragraph of the chapter, did Spike come barging into the room, dressed only in a pair of briefs.

It took her a few seconds to realize Spike was standing in the doorway but when she did, her face transformed into a credible caricature of a tomato. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she chucked the romance novel right at Spike’s face. While he was momentarily stunned, she hastily covered herself with bed sheets. Spike finally recovered only to be shoved out of the room, which made him fall straight on his ass.

“Rarity…I don’t understand! What’s wrong?”

“J-just go away Spike.”

“But I…”

“Don’t you dare come back in here!”

“Did I…do something wrong?”

“Ugggghhhhhh! You’re the most blockheaded man I’ve ever met! OF COURSE YOU DID SOMETHING WRONG!! First of all, you came barging into my room without my permission and all you were wearing was a pair of underwear. That’s extremely inappropriate. Second of all…I WAS NAKED!!! Can you even fathom how embarrassing this whole situation is for me?”

“I t-thought you wanted me to wear these.”

“I do, but not to flaunt them in front of me. Undergarments are called undergarments for a reason, Spike. They’re supposed to go under your other clothes.”

“Oh…”

Rarity’s voice softened. “Look, I’m sorry darling. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I keep forgetting that you’re new to this whole being human thing. You have to understand that human women are more sensitive about being seen naked, than dragons or ponies are.”

“Umm, not to contradict you or anything but you looked pretty comfortable to me.”

“Well…yes, I was. Relaxing and reading in the nude is absurdly comfortable, but that’s not really the point. From now on, knock before you enter my room and do try to wear more clothing around the house as well…for both of our sakes.”

An Apple a Day.

Chapter 4

Rarity’s Home, Ponyville

Spike finally managed to put on some clothes after his little incident with Rarity. He now sported a pair of dark blue jeans, an emerald colored polo, and a pair of stylish but rather comfortable sneakers. The former drake had wondered why he even needed any sort of footwear because ponies certainly had little need for it, considering that they had hard hooves to trot on. His own claws had been equally durable, capable of crushing gems and able to withstand blisteringly hot temperatures. Sadly, he realized the necessity of properly covering his human feet just prior to donning his shoes, when he stubbed his toe into the wall.

As he paced around the room, his thoughts slowly drifted back to what happened with Rarity earlier. He was still extremely confused as to why Rarity had been so upset when he entered the room. Spike understood that humans needed to wear clothing at times to keep warm, but surely they didn’t have to wear them all the time.

Why had Rarity been so embarrassed to be seen in her natural form? Did she believe she was ugly? Just judging from the brief glance that he got of her, Spike certainly didn’t think so. In fact, now that he thought about it, she was actually rather beautiful in his opinion with her smooth alabaster skin and her perky pink—Sweet Celestia! My thoughts are starting to wander into very dangerous territory…

With a slight blush, Spike pushed such wanton thoughts to the back of his mind. Earlier he had blamed hormones, but now he wasn’t quite so certain they were solely to blame. Still…it was an absolutely ridiculous notion to him that any creature could be ashamed of the skin they were born in. Humans were vexingly odd creatures and it was going to take quite a long time to understand their cultural norms.

After letting out a heavy sight, Spike heard someone knock on the door lightly. “Spike are you dressed yet?”

“Yeah, I’m good to go. You can come in Rarity.”

Rarity too, was dressed this time. Both her skirt and t-shirt were the same shade of lavender, as well as her knee length boots. Spike had to suppress a giggle when noticed a little white kitten on the front of her shirt. It very nearly looked like Opal and he would have thought it was, save for the fact that he hadn’t seen the aforementioned feline around Rarity’s house since he arrived.

What surprised him the most though was how she chose to style her hair. The Equestrian Rarity always kept her mane in that coiffured style she loved so much. While he always had thought it was beautiful, Spike often wondered why she never changed it. This world’s Rarity had no such compunctions.

Today, she chose to straighten out her hair, which included a small braid that trailed down her left shoulder. It reminded him of how AJ styled her mane sometimes but far more elegant. He paused for a moment, content to simply admire her handy work. Of course, his stare didn’t go unnoticed.

“Spike? Hello. Earth to Spike! Whatever are you staring at?”

“Oh sorry, I was just admiring your new hair style. It’s really hard for me to put in words but…I think the best way to describe it is simplistic.”

“Simplistic? That’s hardly…”

“Allow me to finish. What I mean is the style isn’t overly complex but it doesn’t need to be. It gives you a sort of…girl next door look I think. Yeah. Just elegant simplicity, that’s it!”

“Really?”

“Mhmm. I like it. You should try new hairstyles out more often. I bet you could pull off just about any style and still look positively radiant.”

Rarity blushed as she played with end of her braid. “O-oh why thank you Spike. I didn’t want to curl my hair today because it would get all frizzy from the heat and humidity. But…I think from now on I’ll try different styles and not just for the sake of practicality.”

“I’m glad to hear that. So…what exactly do you have planned for today?”

“Well, I was thinking that we could go visit my friend Applejack. Before you arrived, I promised that I would help her with a personal issue she’s been having for quite some time.”

Spike scratched his head. “What kind of personal issue are we talking about?”

“Umm…I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say. I promised her I wouldn’t tell another soul about it. Surely you can understand a lady’s agreement, right Spike?”

“I guess so. AJ is a really good friend of mine too…or at least she was back in Equestria. I’ll respect her privacy.”

Rarity placed her hand on his shoulder. “Don’t fret darling. I’m sure she’ll be more than eager to become your friend. She’s always been the most extroverted out of all my friends…errr with the exception of Pinkie, of course.”

“No doubt. I swear, Pinkie would befriend a flesh-eating zombie, if the opportunity presented itself.”

Rarity giggled. “That’s so true! And she’d even try to throw the thing a party, I bet. The banner would read: Welcome to Ponyville and sorry that you have a horrible, disgusting skin condition party!.”

The both of them shared a laugh as they walked out the front door of Rarity’s home. Once Spike caught his breath, he realized something. How exactly did Rarity intend to arrive at Sweet Apple Acres? When he’d been a dragon, it was as simple as just flying to wherever he needed to go. Clearly, humans didn’t have wings so did she want to walk there? His thoughts drifted back to when he stubbed his toe. Humans didn’t have hooves either and even with shoes, they didn’t really seem built to walk for long distances.

Spike’s curiosity only increased when Rarity walked up to a strange-looking carriage. It didn’t appear to have any kind of harness, so how did it even move? Furthermore, the whole vehicle appeared to be crafted from some kind of metal. This thing, whatever it was, must have cost her a fortune!

What put the icing on the cake was when Rarity took out a small rectangular device from her purse and pointed it towards the carriage. In response, the thing make a loud honking noise that made him yelp in surprise. The fashionista scrunched her brow with concern, gently placing her hand on Spike’s shoulder.

“What’s wrong?”

Spike pointed at the carriage. “W-what is that monstrosity?”

“It’s just a car, darling. You act like you’ve never seen—oh right you haven’t. I’m sorry Spike. I keep forgetting that you didn’t grow up on earth.”

“It’s alright but would mind telling me exactly what a car is?”

“Well, a car is basically a self-propelled vehicle that transports people from place to place.”

“Uhh…does it run on magic or something?”

“Oh heavens no! Cars run on gasoline which fuels the engine.”

Spike frowned. “Ok, I know what an engine is because I’ve seen trains before. But the ones I’ve seen run on coal and steam. What exactly is gasoline?”

“Hmm I guess you could say that gasoline is like a liquid form of coal. It combusts inside the engine to create miniature explosions that in turn, drive the wheels forward.”

“Explosions? There’s no way in Tartarus I’m even getting inside some contraption that explodes all the time. That’s extremely dangerous!”

“I assure you that it’s completely safe, otherwise I wouldn’t be using it myself.”

“I dunno…”

Rarity stuck out her bottom lip. “You…don’t trust me?”

“I… fine, I’ll get in the damned thing. But if I die in some horrible explosion, you’re going to be the first person I haunt!”

“Oh stop being such a drama queen! That’s my job, after all.”

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

After a fifteen minute white-knuckled car ride, Rarity and Spike finally arrived at the Apple family’s prized orchard. To his credit, Spike didn’t scream or do anything drastic during the ride over but as soon as he opened the door, he immediately sank to his knees and kissed the grass. Despite feeling a slight twinge of sympathy for the young man, Rarity still couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Even if he wasn’t used to cars, there was positively no need for him to be acting like that. I’m starting to think that Spike is nothing more than an overgrown man-child. I even drove at a pace that would’ve made my grandmother look like a speed demon! Yet…he still has the gall to act as if he was traveling at mach-speeds.

Rarity’s slightly sour mood quickly evaporated when she spotted AJ riding in the back of an old red pick-up truck as it pulled up next to her own car. AJ’s trademark Stetson still sat upon her head but her clothing was more appropriate for hot, sweaty, physical labor. She wore a tattered pair of daisy dukes, work boots and a flannel t-shirt tied just below her breasts, leaving her midriff exposed.

With a surprising amount of athletic grace, the cowgirl jumped out of the truck bed and jogged over to Rarity, giving her a firm hug. While Rarity was happy to return her friend’s embrace, she still cringed slightly, knowing all of filth and sweat AJ’s body was undoubtedly covered in. Rarity chuckled to herself, finding it amusing that AJ always managed to smell faintly of apples even when she worked like a dog.

“Howdy Rares. It’s nice ta see ya!”

“And you as well darling. I take it you’ve been hard at work this morning?”

AJ wiped her forehead. “Mhmm. We got half o’ the west orchard pruned already and it’s only ten in the mornin’. Ah guess ah got mah new worker ta thank for that. She’s been a real asset the last few months.”

“I’m glad to hear that. By chance, is this a good time to discuss your...issue? If it isn’t, I can always come back later.”

AJ put her finger on Rarity’s mouth. “Shhhh keep it on the down low! Ah don’t want Bloom or Mac nosin’ around in mah personal matters.”

“Ah yes, I can certainly relate. We wouldn’t want a repeat of the whole ‘Crusader’s Dating Service’ incident. But I am curious about one thing though. Why are you so concerned about Big Mac? He doesn’t strike me as the type of man to meddle in other people’s affairs.”

“Normally, you’d be right about that. But…ah ain’t what you’d call a normal person to him. He can get kind o’ protective of me sometimes…which scares off a lot of mah potential romantic interests.”

“Oh dear. That’s unfortunate, but you can’t blame anyone for being a bit intimidated. I mean no offence to your brother, but he’s practically a brick wall of muscle.”

AJ sighed. “Ah know all too well. Maybe if he had a special girl o’ his own, he’d be less inclined ta worry ‘bout his little sister.”

“Ah ah, only one Apple sibling at a time dear. I’ll ask once more: Is this a good time?”

“Sort of ah guess. Even though we got quite o’ bit of work done, there’s still plenty ta go ‘round. I’m not sure if ah can just drop everthin’ and talk with ya. It’d look mighty suspicious…and not ta mention lazy.”

Rarity grinned. “I just so happen to have a solution to your labor shortage.”

“That so?”

“Tell me Applejack, do you remember Twilight Sparkle and her dog?”

“O’ course ah do, but what do they have ta do with mah labor shortage?”

“I know that this sounds utterly ridiculous but I actually brought Spike with me today. You see, he’s returned to us…as a human male. A very strong and capable human male, if you catch my drift.”

AJ rolled her eyes. “More o’ that fancy magic ah presume? Oh well, at least it ain’t as bad as a rampagin’ demon girl.”

“Quite. Now before you ask, I’m certain he’ll be willing to help. He was apparently good friends with your pony counterpart.”

“Fine by me. Ah ain’t never been one ta look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“Excellent. I’ll handle Spike’s temporary employment, all you need to do is wait right here.”

Rarity quickly ran over to Spike and grabbed him by the hand, pulling him towards Big Mac’s truck. With her best puppy dog eyes she stared at Spike, while gently grasping his hand with both of her own. The former drake was completely caught off guard, only offering a slight blush and a gaping mouth in response.

“Uhhh…is there something you need Rarity?”

“OH SPIKE! I feel so terrible but I desperately need to ask a favor of you.”

“Sure, name it.”

Rarity smiled. “I knew you were a true gentleman! I’m afraid that Applejack and I need some girl-time, you know…to talk about things. As a result, the farm needs an extra hand to fill in for her absence. Would you mind helping Big Mac out while we chat? I know AJ would be grateful if you did.”

“I don’t mind at all. I could probably use the exercise anyway.”

“That’s the spirit! I promise that we won’t take too long. Oh and make sure that you stay hydrated. I don’t want to have to take you to the hospital.”

“Right. Enjoy your girl talk.”

While Rarity and AJ conversed amongst themselves, Spike ambled over to Big Mac’s pick-up truck. Granted, he was no expert when it came to vehicles, considering that he saw his first car only twenty minutes ago. But even he had to admit that Mac’s truck looked…shabby. Compared to Rarity’s car (which happened to be just as tidy as her sense of fashion), the truck’s red paint was faded and a few spots of rust covered the areas where wheels sat. Spike giggled to himself, completely unsurprised that the thing was caked in mud too. As he approached the passenger door, Mac rolled down the window whilst chewing a sprig of wheat.

“Get in.”

Spike gingerly took his place next to Mac, nervously twiddling his thumbs. In Equestria, Mac had been almost like a big brother to him, always giving him advice and offering assistance to him whenever he needed it most. But…it wasn’t always that way. Back when he had originally volunteered to help out at Sweet Apple Acres, he was actually rather intimidated by the lumbering red stallion.

Now was no different. Mac, the human, was just as intimidating. Although he was seated, the man still gave off the impression of burliness. Even through his flannel shirt, Spike could clearly the man’s rippling muscles. His emerald eyes still gave off a sense of serenity, but were backed by that same stern intensity they always seemed to exude. The man must have sensed how nervous Spike was, so he softened his expression by raising an eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, ah don’t bite. Unless…ya do somethin’ stupid, then all bets are off.”

Spike’s voice cracked. “S-sorry I…uhh…I’m just a bit nervous.”

“Eeyup. No kiddin’. Ah take it you’re here ta fill in for mah sister?”

“Yeah, but how do you know that? She didn’t say anything to you, did she?”

“Nope. She’s been distracted for a while now. It’s probably ‘cause she’s got a man on her mind. Ah figure it’s best just ta let Miss Rarity and her iron it out.”

“Huh, well that’s pretty much it. Man, you must be psychic!”

“Nah. It’s only because I’ve known AJ since she was in diapers. That and…well ah might not have reacted in the most civil manner the last time she was interested in datin’.”

“What happened?”

Mac sighed. “Ah acted like a stubborn jackass, that’s what. She liked some fella in town and the first day she brought ‘im over…ah intimidated the poor guy. Ah might o’ mentioned that if he broke mah sister’s hymen, I’d break his legs.”

“Wow that’s…pretty harsh.”

“Eeyup. Ever since that time she hasn’t really dated at all. Ah feel like it’s mah fault and ah just want her to try again without feelin’ like she has to get mah approval. AJ’s a woman now and she’s allowed ta make her own choices.”

“I guess everyone’s entitled to their own choices, even if you don’t agree with them.”

“Mah thoughts exactly. Not ta change the subject too abruptly, but ah couldn’t help but notice that ya got some muscles on ya. Did ya ever do farm work before?”

“I did for a while, mostly because I needed money. But as time went on, I enjoyed doing it because I was helping my friends. In fact, I’d even go so far as to say that they practically became a second family to me.”

Mac offered his hand. “Anyone willin’ ta help mah sister is a friend o’ mine. Name’s Big Macintosh, most just call me Mac.”

Spike shook it. “I’m Spike. Hey...umm I know we got a bit off topic, but what exactly am I going to be doing?”

“Well Mr. Spike, you’re gonna be helpin’ our newest worker chop some firewood.”

“Firewood? But there’s only apple trees around here…”

“Eeyup. Every so often we prune the healthy trees and chop down any unhealthy ones. We either use the firewood for makin’ cider or we sell it in town. Ah would’ve figured you’d know about that, considerin’ ya worked on a farm before.”

“Oh well…I mostly helped out with the harvesting part.”

“It ain’t a big deal. All ya gotta do is chop up timber.”

“This worker of yours, is he going to be helping me?”

Mac chuckled. “Nope. She’ll be helpin’ you.”

“SHE?! I’m sorry but this kind of work doesn’t seem fit for a mar—woman. Well…expect for your sister but she’s been doing this kind of work her whole life.”

“This particular woman is an exception, Mr. Spike. You could say that she’s workin’ for us as a kind o’ community service, on account of her past deeds. Don’t get me wrong. She’s a hard worker and we provide for her needs just fine, but service is still service.”

Mac parked the truck near a small clearing in the orchard, motioning Spike to follow him. The elder farmhand led him to a small shack that had the remains of an ancient stump sitting next to it. As they drew closer, Spike nostrils were filled with the scents of freshly cut lumber and a slight hint of smoke. Mac stopped in front of the shack and knocked on its door a few times.

A few moments later a young woman opened the door with a slight look of surprise on her face, not expecting Mac to bring a visitor. She was about average height with orange tinted skin that was dark enough to be considered a shade of bronze, suggesting that she had acquired a healthy tan. Her two-toned ruby and gold hair was tied back with a dark blue handkerchief, both to absorb sweat and keep her hair out of the way while she worked.

Like Mac, she too wore a plaid shirt; the only difference was that the sleeves were torn off. As was popular with the rest of the Apple clan, she also chose to wear a pair of jean shorts, although they were far less tattered than AJ’s. The woman rapped her gloved fingers along the side of the door as if to ask: “Yes, what do you want?”

Mac gestured towards the woman. “Spike, I’d like to you meet your new workmate, Sunset Shimmer.”

Out of the Frying Pan and into the Spa

Chapter 5

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Sunset felt a familiar throbbing sensation in her temples once again. She had busted her rump all morning long, helping Applejack prune the west orchard. Her entire body ached, even in places she didn’t know she had. Was it really so much to ask for a measly fifteen minute break? And to top it all off, Mac decided to bring along some dorky looking guy who seemed like he was better suited for swinging a golf club than an axe. As annoyed as she was, Sunset had to put on a façade of pleasantry, lest she agitate her gracious host.

“Hello Mr. Macintosh! What brings you by my neck of the woods?”

Mac placed his hand on Spike’s shoulder. “Mornin’ Ms. Shimmer. This here is Spike and he’s gonna be helpin’ ya cut wood for the time bein’. Before ya say anythin’, he’s worked on a farm before, so ah reckon he’s plenty competent for the job.”

“Good. I always appreciate extra help. It’ll make the job go by so much faster!”

“Eeyup, that’s the idea. I’m gonna head back and tend the cider still. I’ll be back ta pick up Mr. Spike later.”

Sunset waved to Mac as he slowly made his way back to the center of the farm. Once his truck was out of sight, she yanked a bewildered Spike into the shack and stared at him with her arms crossed. Knowing who she was, the former drake couldn’t help but feel slightly intimidated which prompted him to back up against the door.

Spike gulped. “Hi. I’m Spike. Nice to…meet you?”

“Sunset. Charmed I’m sure. So are you actually going to be helping me or are you just gonna get in my way? I do have a quota to meet you know.”

“Hey! I’ve chopped wood plenty of times before. If you don’t think…”

“Talk is cheap. Prove to me that you’re capable by keeping up with my pace.”

Sunset stomped across the room and grabbed two axes, shoving one into Spike’s hand and swinging the other across her shoulder. She immediately stepped outside, retrieved a log from the woodpile, and deftly split it in a single swing. After she chopped several more logs within the space of thirty seconds, Spike just stood in the doorway, gawking like an idiot. Noticing his inaction, Sunset dropped her axe and placed her hands on her hips.

“Are you going to keep staring at my ass or chop wood? ‘Cause if it’s the former, I’m gonna kick yours until it’s the color of the apples around here.”

Spike blushed. “I w-wasn’t staring at your butt! I didn’t expect you to…”

“Oh, so my ass isn’t good enough for you?”

“NO! I mean…yes it’s probably good enough…GAH! I’ll just shut up and chop wood.”

Sunset bellowed with laughter. “You’re so awkward! It’s way too easy to tease you.”

“You were…joking?”

“Well I gotta entertain myself somehow, otherwise I’d go crazy. But…now that I think about, all of this hard labor certainly must have tightened my ass, probably my tummy too. Hmm. I’ll have to ask Applejack if I could borrow her mirror, so I can give myself a good look-over, just to be sure.”

Spike cleared his throat. “Yeah…you do that. I’ll start chopping now.”

“So what’s your story?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Well, for starters, why are you here instead of Applejack?”

“From what I understand, Rarity had to talk to her about some issue she was having. I guess it must have been important enough to pry her away from the farm.”

“Ha! I guarantee that it’s about her abysmal love life. That woman practically oozes sexual frustration. Good for her I say! ‘Cause she seriously needs to get laid.”

Spike coughed awkwardly. “H-how did you know?”

“Spike, I’ve worked and lived with the Apples for the past few months. I think I know Applejack’s personality quirks by now. But if I had to narrow it down to a single factor, it’s mostly how she carries herself.”

“She didn’t act strangely when I saw her talking with Rarity.”

“It’s more subtle than that, Spike. Despite her honest nature, Applejack’s a woman who’s very good at hiding her desires. No, her real feelings only start to surface when she works. That’s when she has time to reflect upon them.”

“I honestly had no idea she was dealing with so much. Now I understand why Rarity was so eager to help her. But still, it sounds to me like you’re speaking from personal experience, rather than just pure observation.”

Sunset let out a sad chuckle. “I know what she’s going through, because I spent years crafting a mask for myself. A long time ago, I was the prized student of an important prin—person because I showed a lot of potential, so everyone had really high expectations of me. For years, I tried to live up to those expectations but it wasn’t what I really wanted. In the end, the pressure became too much for me to bear and I…snapped.”

“That’s…terrible. What happened after you snapped?”

“I was ousted from my position as prized student. The irony was that I should have been happy to have finally been freed of my burden, but instead I only grew jealous and bitter. The girl that replaced me, she was just so much more successful than I was…it made me feel like I was a total failure! As time wore on, I selfishly cast aside my dreams of a normal life and embraced my inner hatred. It felt good, Spike. That was most terrible part of it all. Every waking moment I wanted nothing more than to prove that I could be better than her, better than my teacher!”

“No one’s perfect Sunset. Anger can affect even the most level-minded individuals. What really matters is if you’re truly sorry for what you did. Even after all of that, there’s no possible you’re beyond redemption. If you were, the Apples wouldn’t have agreed to take you in.”

Sunset gently dropped her axe and slumped to the floor. Much to her annoyance, she felt hot tears stream down her cheeks. Worse yet, she didn’t even know why she was even talking about her past with a virtual stranger. It just felt…right somehow, like she was releasing a long-held burden off her shoulders.

The young woman closed her eyes in an attempt to clear her mind but immediately shot them open more when she felt Spike pull her into a gentle hug. For a few seconds she did nothing, not quite sure how to respond to this spontaneous act of consolation. Eventually, she decided to throw her pride out the window and hugged Spike back as tightly as she dared. To his credit, the young man didn’t even flinch.

As soon as she collected her wits once more, Sunset shuffled over to a small sink situated in the corner of the shack. After taking off her work gloves, she splashed a few generous handfuls of water on her face, both to freshen up and lessen the redness in her eyes. Sunset took a deep breath and turned towards Spike.

“I’m sorry you had to see that. I don’t normally get all emotional.”

Spike smiled. “There’s no reason for you to be sorry. You needed a shoulder to cry on, so I provided you with one.”

“Heh, it’s really strange. You’re unusually sensitive for a guy.”

“Well…I’m not exactly what you’d call a normal guy.”

Sunset cocked her eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

“Uhh…can you keep a secret?”

“Maybe, but I’ll make you a deal. You tell me your secret and I’ll tell you one of mine. That way, we’ll be even.”

Spike rubbed the back of his neck. “You see…I’m not exactly from around here. In fact, I wasn’t even a human. I was actually a dragon. Originally, I came from another world called Equestria which is populated by a bunch of sapient…”

“Ponies?”

“Yeah, good guess.”

“I didn’t guess. The reason I know about Equestria is because I used to live there too but I was a unicorn instead of a dragon.”

“Well, I guess we’re kind of in the same boat huh?”

Sunset scrunched her eyebrows. “Mhmm…wait a minute. Your colors seem awfully familiar to me. By chance, are you that little hatchling that followed Twilight Sparkle around?!”

“Yes, but I’m not exactly a hatchling anymore.”

“Well this is just fucking great! I had a feeling that Twilight Sparkle wouldn’t just leave me alone after all I did. And worst of all, she didn’t even have the courage to come get me herself. She…she sent her dragon lackey instead!”

“It isn’t like that!”

Sunset sniffed. “Oh yeah? Then what’s the real reason you’re here? Is it just to get me to open up to you and then kick me while I’m down?!”

“I’m not here to take you back. Hell, I’m probably not going back either.”

“…huh?”

“Before I arrived here, I had a bit of a falling out with Twi.”

Sunset’s expression softened. “You’re serious, aren’t you? If it’s not too personal, might I ask what happened?”

“I suppose that’s fair, since you opened up to me. Twilight was sleeping with the mare I had loved for a long time, behind my back, knowing full well that I was intending to confess. As you might imagine…I took it pretty hard. That’s why I’m here now, to get away from Equestria.”

Sunset patted his back. “You have my sympathy. And I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions earlier; I guess I’m still a bit paranoid.”

“Thanks. The mare I loved, she has a counterpart in this universe, so I’m hoping that I can somehow win her heart instead.”

“You’re a decent guy. I’m sure she’ll warm up to you soon enough. Oh and Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“We’re friends now, so if you ever need someone to talk to…I’ll be here.”

Aloe & Lotus’s Luxury Spa, Ponyville

Rarity gleefully grabbed AJ out of the car as they made their way through the glass double doors of Ponyville’s premier spa. AJ knew something was fishy when she saw Rarity playing with her keys as they talked and now her suspicions were confirmed. With a slightly disgruntled sigh, AJ really hoped that her fashion conscious friend was just going to have a normal conversation that for once, didn’t involve a mani-pedi and a deep tissue massage. It wasn’t as if AJ was adverse to going to the spa, no she actually enjoyed some of the treatments from time to time. She felt that now just wasn’t an appropriate time for such an indulgence.

When they reached the counter, the duo was met by non-other than Lotus herself, who wore a simple pink track suit that perfectly complimented her hair. Somehow, Rarity must have planned this well in advance, for the spa proprietor wasted no time in guiding them to the female locker room so that they could get changed.

“Rares, do ya mind tellin’ me why we had ta come here?”

“It’s quite simple darling. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible before you start talking about a potentially stressful subject. Besides, I was due up for a visit this week anyway. I might as well get it done early!”

Much to AJ’s horror, Rarity was already stripped and in a towel before she even had the chance to take off her boots. Most of the time, the prissy fashionista took forever to do anything, but she was quicker than greased lighting when it concerned her spa treatments. After a few moments, AJ had managed to get down to her underwear when Rarity shoved her towards the showers.

“Hey! What the hell are ya doin’?”

Rarity scrunched her nose. “I’m making sure that you’re clean before we begin the treatment. You just got done thrashing about in the fields, Applejack. There’s no doubt in my mind that you are positively covered in sweat and filth. Now, march your behind in there and shower!”

About ten minutes later, a very clean but irritated Applejack emerged, wearing an identical white towel to the one Rarity had donned earlier. Outside the locker room, Aloe and Lotus greeted the girls with a polite bow and proceeded to lead them into the massage parlor. Since it was still early in the day, most of the spa was practically deserted. The massage parlor was no exception. It was almost as if Rarity and AJ were VIPs and the whole room was reserved just for them.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Rarity padded over to the one of the plush massage tables and whipped off her towel, indicating that she was ready for her treatment. On the other hand, AJ was far more hesitant as she nervously stepped towards an adjacent table. Noticing this, Rarity cracked open one of her eyes and shot her friend a concerned look.

“Applejack, whatever is the matter?”

AJ bit her lip. “Well…uhh ah didn’t realize we’d have ta get naked for this.”

“Of course darling, don’t be silly! How else do you expect Aloe and Lotus to get all of those nooks and crannies? A towel would simply get in the way.”

“I’m not so sure I’m comfortable with this…”

Rarity snorted. “My dear, we’re all women so it’s not like what you have is anything we haven’t seen before.”

Feeling like she was fighting a losing battle, AJ gave in and gingerly removed her towel. Unbeknownst to many, the cowgirl was very conscious of her body. It was something that started when she had stayed with her aunt and uncle in Manehatten all those years ago.

The two of them dragged AJ along to parties where rich and beautiful people were in bountiful supply. While AJ herself had been dolled up at the time, quite a bit of the small talk focused on the “uncouth” country bumpkins/common folk and how they could never achieve the beauty and sophistication of the wealthy.

Sadly, AJ was extremely impressionable at the time and took all of this to mean that she was potentially unattractive because of what she did for a living. It was also what drove her to go back to Ponyville; she just felt so out of place with her aunt and uncle. Even after all these years and a myriad of accepting friends, the ancient specter of self-doubt still managed to plague her mind.

As AJ pressed herself against the soft contours of the massage table, she heard all three of the women in the room gasp. Immediately, AJ felt a hot blush burn across her face as she hesitantly tilted her head back to see what all the commotion was about. Much to her chagrin, both of the spa sisters were intently staring at her backside, offering whispers between each other in their native tongue.

Lotus giggled. “Oh my, Ms. Applejack you have a simply marvelous tushie! I would easily give a thousand dollars to possess such a divinely shaped rump as yours. Please! Tell me your secret.”

Aloe clapped her hands. “Eller hur! And don’t forget her abs sister. I could practically wash my clothes on them.”

AJ squirmed against the table, feeling even more embarrassed and exposed than before. As she mentally groaned, a sudden thought popped into her mind. None of the girls were ridiculing her body. On the contrary, they actually admired it! Maybe her fears of other people finding her unattractive were completely unfounded…or at least significantly lessened.

“W-well it’s really simple a-actually. Ah suppose all o’ that work on the farm does wonders for burnin’ calories and keepin’ away the fat. Eeyup. Ah reckon that’s it!”

Aloe clicked her tongue. “Ja, that sounds about right…even if it is a bit disappointing. My sister and I aren’t exactly cut for long hours of physical labor but I suppose we could try going to the gym more often. Of course, it doesn’t help that we live so close to Sugarcube Corner and all of their sinfully delicious treats.”

“Yeah, ah hear ya there. The Cakes do make a mean éclair. However, ya ain’t tasted heaven ‘till you’ve tried mah granny’s apple dumplings.”

“Hmm, well I shall have to try one sometime. So, Ms. Applejack, where would you like me to start?”

“Ah suppose ya could start ‘round mah lower back. It’s been feeling a bit sore as o’ late.”

AJ shivered slightly as she felt Aloe apply a glob of warm massage oil onto her back. Considering that AJ rarely ever received massages of any kind, she was under the assumption that the actual massage would start right away. This was not the case. The poor cowgirl nearly jumped off the table when she felt Aloe’s soft hands glide across her skin, applying the oil onto every surface she could find. Sensing the tension in AJ’s muscles, Aloe immediately stopped.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry Ms. Applejack! I thought you were aware of all the procedures involved in this treatment. It’s nothing untoward, I assure you.”

AJ coughed nervously. “Ah didn’t realize that ya…umm were gonna be puttin’ your hands all over me like that. N-not that it didn’t feel good, mind ya. Just…warn me when you’re gonna do somethin’ like that again.”

Rarity, on the other hand, was unabashedly moaning as Lotus rubbed the tension away in her shoulder blades. It spoke volumes to the sheer quantity of treatments Rarity went through on any given month of the year. Upon hearing AJ’s protests, the fashionista lazily opened her eyes and noticed how uncomfortable her friend looked.

“Damn it, Applejack! You’re never going to enjoy the massage if you keep tensing up like that. Just relax and let Aloe do her job.”

“Ah don’t think ah can.”

“That’s preposterous! Seriously, what’s the problem now? Are you still hung-up over this whole nudity thing?”

“Well…bein’ naked as a jay-bird is a bit awkward but…that’s not botherin’ me as much as it did when we first came in here.”

“Ok, but you still haven’t told me what the real problem is.”

AJ blushed. “It’s kind of…personal. Ah don’t think ah could talk about it with Aloe and Lotus around.”

“Girls, I’m terribly sorry but would excuse my friend and I for a few moments? We need to discuss something private.”

“Of course, Ms. Rarity! We shall wait outside the parlor. When the both of you are ready to resume your treatments, just knock on the doors three times.”

Once the spa twins were out of sight, Rarity shuffled over to AJ’s table and took a seat next to her. As a gesture of comfort, Rarity gently placed her hand on the cowgirl’s shoulder but was surprised when she felt AJ’s shoulder sag.

AJ sighed. “Ah guess ah might as well get this over with. The reason why ah was a tad uncomfortable earlier was because….Aloe’s massage was makin’ me a bit hot under the collar.”

“WHAT!? I d-don’t understand! I thought you liked…men.”

“Heh. That’s the funny part. Ah do. And…ah also like women too. Took me a while ta come ta terms with it but ah think that’s always been the case, even when ah was younger.”

“Hold on a moment. Is this what you really wanted to talk about?”

AJ nodded. “Partially anyway. The other part of it is: Ah think I’ve got a crush on another woman right now.”

“Is it any of the girls…or me?”

“No. Y’all are just good friends ta me. But you have met her before, even if it wasn't under the friendliest of circumstances.”

“Met her before? That really only leaves…OH MY WORD! You can’t possibly mean…Sunset?!”

“I’m afraid so. Ya have ta understand, ah didn’t start really seein’ her in that way until after she’d been with us for a few months.”

“So…what exactly attracted you to her?”

AJ smiled. “She’s got a fire in her belly that ah can’t help but admire. Even though she went through all o’ those horrible things, she didn’t let it all come crashin’ down on her head. She just keeps on goin’. Also, ah like that fact that she’s just so damn blunt most o’ the time. You’d think that’d be a turn off, but ah think it’s a breath o’ fresh air.”

“Ah so her personality is what drew your attention. Admirable I suppose.”

“Well, for the most part. Ah ain’t gonna lie, she’s quite the looker too. Especially ever since she’s trimmed down from all o’ that work we’ve put her through.”

Rarity wrapped her friend in a tight hug. “I’m glad you told me about this…even if it did come off as a bit of a surprise. However, take comfort in the knowledge that I shall support your romantic endeavor 110% of the way!”

“Thanks, Rares. It means a lot to hear you say that.”

“That’s what friends are for darling.”

A Dress Fit For a Farmer

Chapter 6

Aloe & Lotus’s Luxury Spa, Ponyville

Once AJ and Rarity had concluded their “discussion” the rest of the treatment resumed like clockwork. Before the both of them knew it, Aloe informed them their appointment was finished. Afterwards, they made their way back to the locker room and dressed. AJ couldn’t help but whistle in amazement to find that her clothing was neatly washed, warm and smelled like a babbling brook. They probably used the fancy laundry detergent, not the cheap stuff that Granny Smith always bought at the Bargain Mart.

Once she was done admiring the twins’ laundering skills, she grinned in satisfaction. At first, the massage had been a bit awkward but after a while she got used to it. And she had to admit that she felt great. All of the tension the cowgirl had been building up for countless months all seemed to melt away. AJ rubbed her chin as she regarded her newly limbered muscles. Perhaps she’d visit the spa on a regular basis from now on…but not too often, of course. Maybe she could even bring Sunset along some time…

Rarity grinned. “I can tell someone enjoyed her treatment.”

“Yeah, I’ll admit that it wasn’t too bad. Ah reckon ah might come back for more; maybe even make this a regular thing.”

“Yet another successful conversion!”

“Uhh…come again, sugarcube?”

“Oh well, you have to understand that you weren’t the only person who had some trepidation about her spa treatment. I remember the first time I treated Fluttershy to a full massage. The poor dear nearly passed out from all of the blushing. But like you, she got over it…eventually.”

AJ chuckled. “Sure sounds like ‘Shy alright. Ah suppose we better high-tail it back to the Acres. Even if a majority o’ the day’s work is done, there’s still supper to be make and such.”

“I’m afraid not, Applejack.”

“Why the hell not?”

“We still have one more activity to complete.”

“Now lookie here Rares, ah didn’t sign up for…”

Rarity put her finger on AJ’s lips. “Ah ah, there shall be no complaining. This is NOT up for negotiation. We are going to buy you some new clothes, whether you like it or not.”

“Pssht, mah clothes are fine! Ah mean sure, they’re a bit worn but it’s not like they’re fallin’ off or nothin’.”

“Be that as it may, they are still rough looking. Plus, I’m guessing that you have very little variety in your wardrobe if you don’t count flannel or blue jeans. Am I right?”

AJ huffed. “What are you implyin’?”

“What I am implying is that you need more clothing that accentuates your womanly figure. You can’t possibly expect to catch Sunset’s eye with your current attire.”

“B-but ah don’t…k-know if ah…would look that good in a dress.”

“Nonsense! What did we just get done discussing?”

“That ah have a decent figure…”

“No Applejack, you have more than just a decent figure. You are beautiful. I want you to say it. Go on.”

AJ blushed. “I’m…b-b…beautiful.”

“Good. I know that you aren’t used to wearing as Rainbow would term ‘frou-frou’ clothes, but you certainly have the lithe figure to do so. I want you to look your absolute best so that you can knock Sunset’s socks off! And even if you don’t…I’m certain that you’ll catch someone’s attention.”

AJ and Rarity made their way towards an average looking clothing store that was located just a block away from the spa. The farmer wasn’t surprised in the slightest when the cashier recognized Rarity by name and waved to her as soon as they entered the store. At a glance, the store wasn’t nearly as frilly as AJ had expected. After all, this wasn’t some expensive lingerie store like Candy’s Secret…not that she would know.

The place seemed to have just about any article of clothing you could possibly want. There were suits, pants, jeans, dresses and even a bathing suit/intimates section. AJ gulped nervously, hoping that such a selection meant that the prices wouldn’t be out of her range. But when she took a glance at one of the tags on a blouse, she was legitimately surprised to see that they were quite affordable. Noticing her friend glancing at the tags, Rarity clicked her tongue.

“I know what you’re thinking and the answer is no.”

“Ah can’t have you payin’ for everythin’. Land sakes Rarity, ah feel like a freeloader! We always pay our debts! It’s part o’ the Apple family code.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “This isn’t a debt. I’m simply treating my friend to a day out. These are gifts darling, not investments you need to pay back. Now, why don’t we try and find you a nice dress?”

AJ sighed as Rarity grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the section of the store that contained dresses. Surprisingly, the fashionista didn’t start picking out dresses that had frills, sequins or any other gaudy accessories. Most of the dresses she currently held in her arms were relatively plain, containing only a single color or a modest set of designs. The one in particular that caught AJ’s eye was a simple red-colored dress with bits of green trimming on the hems. Rarity grinned like a Cheshire cat when she noticed AJ taking a glance at it.

“I take it you see something you like?”

AJ rubbed the back of her neck. “Ah might have taken a fancy to that there red dress.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“It…uhh…ah guess it speaks to me. And ah like the colors, reminds me o’ apples.”

“Well this certainly is a landmark event! Applejack actually likes an article of clothing because of its color, NOT just because of its functionality! I must say, I’m gob smacked.”

“Oh come on Rares! Ya asked me for mah honest opinion. I’m not gonna get anythin’ if ya keep teasin’ me about every damned dress ah pick up!”

“Sorry darling, I couldn’t help myself. I promise that it won’t happen again. But seriously, this dress’s colors match your eyes and complexion quite well. I think you’ll look marvelous in it!”

AJ grabbed the dress and shuffled into one of the vacant changing rooms. Wanting to get this whole thing over with, she quickly stripped down to her skivvies and threw the dress over her head. With a slight adjustment to the shoulder straps, she looked at herself in the mirror. She had to admit, the dress really looked good. AJ yelled in surprise when she turned around to find that Rarity had somehow managed to sneak into the tiny changing room without her noticing.

“Damn it Rarity, don’t sneak up on me like that! Ya scared the shit outta me!”

Rarity waved her hand. “Oh…terribly sorry darling, I just wanted to see you in the dress. Hmm, I must say it suits you very well. Could you hold still for moment please?”

“Alright but if…WHAT HELL ARE YA DOIN’?”

The cowgirl blushed heavily as Rarity proceeded to lift the dress all the way above AJ’s navel. Ignoring her friend’s curses, the fashionista rubbed the bottom of her chin in silent contemplation. Of course, that only lasted until AJ swatted away Rarity’s other hand and yanked her dress back down. A slightly confused Rarity furrowed her eyebrows when she noticed AJ glaring daggers at her.

“Is there something wrong, Applejack?”

“Somethin’ wrong? Oh ah dunno, maybe you takin’ a gander at mah panties!”

“It wasn’t anything untoward. I simply needed to see what I’m working with.”

AJ crossed her arms. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“My dear, what a woman wears underneath her dress is just as important as the dress itself. And judging by what I just saw, you are in serious need of some new undergarments.”

“Oh lord, here we go…”

“Yes, here we go indeed. The issue I have with your panties is the same one I had with your attire. They are far too plain! And before you complain, yes I understand the need to have comfortable underwear whilst working but…you also need underwear that’s sexy.”

“Ah don’t understand why ah can’t just wear these. All I’m gonna do is take ‘em off anyway, so why go through the effort o’ buyin’ fancy ones? Plus, sexy panties cost so much money! These things come in a pack o’ six and they’re damn comfortable!”

Rarity sighed. “Applejack, it’s not always about what’s underneath the panties that’s important. It’s the thought of what’s underneath them.”

“Ah don’t follow.”

“Think of it this way: During your birthday, do you enjoy opening presents?”

“Yeah, everybody does.”

“Mhmm. Now, when it comes to presents, do you find yourself more intrigued by an ornately wrapped present or something that’s been hastily wrapped in a plastic bag?”

“The fancy one ‘o course! The wrappin’ paper shows that the person took the time to wrap your gift. It means that they care. People that use plastic bags for gift wrappin’…well, they’re just plain lazy!”

“Correct! Tell me Applejack. How do you think Sunset would prefer your present to be wrapped: In a tacky plastic bag or…fancy wrapping paper?”

AJ blushed. “F-fancy, ah r-reckon.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere. Hmm…yes. I think you would look ravishing in a frilly lace thong. Maybe I should…no, the garters would be a bit much. Red would match the dress but…green would bring out the color of your eyes. YES! Green it is.”

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Spike put down his axe for moment to wipe the sweat starting to form on his brow. For the past hour or so, he and Sunset barely spoke to each other. But it didn’t really bother him that much. There was no need for them to speak. The two of them perfectly understood each other and knew they had a job to do. The silence continued…at least until they noticed someone approach them.

A helmeted girl (Spike assumed, because she had a rather sizeable bust) stepped off of a strange, two-wheeled vehicle with a rectangular engine on the back. She unstrapped her helmet and placed it on the seat, revealing her long-flowing hair in all of its pink glory. The girl slowly made her way over to Sunset and tapped her on the shoulder.

“Umm…hello Sunset. I don’t mean to interrupt…but have you seen Big Mac? I really need to talk to him.”

Sunset put down her axe. “I’m sorry Fluttershy, but I haven’t seen him for almost an hour. Mac told us he was tending the stills. If you hurry, he might still be there.”

“Wait a second…why did you say ‘us’? Aren’t you the only one here?”

“Oh yeah, I forgot that you haven’t met Spike yet.”

Sunset grabbed Shy by the arm and led her over to the former drake, who was currently sitting on the ground trying to catch his breath. After brushing a few errant blades of grass from his pants, he smiled at Shy and waved. Despite being from an entirely different world, the pink haired girl reacted in exactly the same manner as her pegasus counterpart would, had she been introduced to a stranger. Her nervous reaction was further compounded by the fact that Spike was also a boy…and an attractive boy at that. Rather than return Spike’s greeting, Shy decided that hiding behind Sunset and blushing to be preferable alternative.

Spike shook his head. “I should’ve seen that coming.”

“W-why would say that? Umm considering that you don’t know me…”

“Well, that’s not entirely true. You have met me before, just not as I am now.”

“I’m sorry but I’ve never seen you before. Oh no…y-you’re not one of those c-creepy internet stalkers are you? I just knew it was a bad idea to model for that magazine! A-and even though it’s been a while…there are still some really aggressive and dedicated fans out there. Sunset, I’m having trouble breathing. I think I’m having a panic…”

Without a second of hesitation, Sunset dashed over to Fluttershy’s scooter and rummaged around in the storage compartment, desperately searching for shy girl’s emergency inhaler. Once Sunset found it, she shoved the device into Shy’s mouth and gave it a few puffs.

Shy blinked away a few tears. “Thank you! That was some very quick thinking on your part. If you hadn’t been here…I might not have gotten to my inhaler in time.”

“You’re welcome but…you don’t have to have a panic attack every time you meet a new person. And Spike, I thought you were said you were going to keep who you were a secret.”

Spike frowned. “I am keeping it a secret! But Fluttershy has a right to know. She knew me from before.”

“Umm…excuse me but I’m confused. I still don’t recognize you…Mr. Spike. Do you mind telling me where I met you? I mean…that is, if you want to.”

“Like I’ve been telling everyone else, I was here with Twilight. However, I was a dog instead of a human.”

Fluttershy’s eyes lit up. “YOU WERE THAT CUTE LITTLE DOGGIE?!”

“Umm…yes?”

“It all makes sense now! You look so much like him. And you even sound the same. I don’t know why I didn’t make that connection before.”

“Don’t feel too bad. I mean, magic isn’t exactly commonplace around here.”

“I guess so…not that I’ve had much experience with it.”

“So what brings you all the way out to Sweet Apple Acres? Are you dating Big Mac or something?”

Shy blushed and waved her hands. “Oh no, it’s nothing like that! I wanted to see him because he asked me to perform a check-up on Winona. Seeing that he’s busy, I’ll just come back later…”

Sunset rolled her eyes. “No, you’re going to see him whether you like it or not.”

“B-but I don’t want to be a bother…”

“Shy, it’s not your fault that the big lug forgot you were coming over. You made the effort to drive the whole way here, so you might as well do it now.”

Feeling that now was as good a time as any to take a break, Sunset grabbed Shy’s arm and motioned for Spike to follow her. Under normal circumstances, the Apple family would use some mode of mechanized transportation to get from one area of the farm to the other. It was simply more efficient than walking and as any Apple would tell you: “To waste one’s time is to waste one’s dime.” But…seeing as the plucky trio lacked a vehicle large enough to transport themselves, they had to get there on foot.

One twenty minute walk later and the trio arrived at the still. Now, to call this place a still was simply not doing it justice. It was a large enough operation to be considered a micro-brewery. This was no hillbilly’s moonshining shack. The Apples had a reputation to uphold! Of course, they also didn’t want to get in trouble with the law for making illegal liquor (even though previous generations of Apples had indeed used stills to create such a product).

The Apple family’s most famous alcoholic beverage was cider but they typically produced that as a seasonal product during the fall. During the summer they produced a potent apple-based whiskey called Zap-shine, aptly named for the “zap” you got when the stuff hit your stomach. Big Mac was currently testing a batch of Fuji apple Zap-shine with a stainless steel ladle when he felt Shy tap him on the shoulder.

“Good afternoon Mac. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Mmnope. Just finishin’ up. What are y’all doin’ here? Ah thought there was still wood that needed chopin’.”

“Oh…well, Sunset said they cut enough logs. But I’m here because you asked me to visit.”

Mac scratched his head. “I’m sorry Ms. Fluttershy but ah can’t seem to recall why.”

“That’s ok, I’m sure you just forgot because you’ve been so busy. I was supposed to give Winona a checkup today.”

“Hmm…eeyup. That’s sounds about right. She should be in her doghouse right now, takin’ a nap. Always takes one at exactly two thirty, like clockwork. You can go ahead and wake her up but don’t be too surprised if she’s a might cranky.”

The four of them left the confines of the distillery and headed towards the small farm house where the Apple family resided. While Fluttershy went out back to check up on Winona, the other three decided to hang out in the kitchen. Once Sunset and Spike were seated at the table, Mac opened the door to the fridge and tossed them two cans of soda while he grabbed a beer.

Mac burped. “Nothin’ like a cold brew after workin’ yer ass off.”

Sunset shrugged. “I prefer tea.”

“You sound like Ms. Rarity. Ah don’t even want to think what that girl is like when she’s drunk. She’d probably be real annoyin’ or worse yet…mopey.”

“Hey! I don’t even remotely sound like her. And why does everyone associate tea with high-class girls? Normal girls can enjoy it too!”

“Ah never said there was anythin’ wrong with tea. And no, ah didn’t mean you literally sounded like her. It was only a comparison concernin’ drinkin’ habits. She just doesn’t strike me as the type who’d like to drink a whole lot, much less drink beer.”

Sunset held her finger up to respond but was abruptly cut off when she heard the tell-tale crinkle of plastic bags hitting a solid surface. She turned around to see what all the ruckus was about, only to find an unamused Rarity glaring daggers at Big Mac. The normally stoic farmer, who was placid only moments before, looked as if death itself had shown up on his front porch.

Rarity huffed. “So, is this what everyone talks about when I’m not around? Well, I’ll have you know that I do enjoy a good glass of wine every once and a while, but it is improper for a lady such as myself to get ‘wasted’ as it were. But…I absolutely despise beer. It’s disgusting.”

“Ah figured as much. Uhh…ah wasn’t expectin’ the both of ya ta be back so soon.”

“Honestly Big Mac, did you truly believe it would take all day to go to the spa and do a little shopping?”

“Well…ah know AJ doesn’t like to do those sorts o’ things. But you do. Ah figured you’d want ta take yer time…doin’ women stuff.”

“Perhaps if it were Fluttershy and I. However, you said it yourself. Applejack isn’t one to indulge in such things, but we were successful nonetheless.”

Rarity sat next to Spike at the table while AJ took her bags up to her room and put them away. As Mac had predicted, the fashionista opted to drink a glass of iced tea instead of soda while they waited for AJ to return. While they waited, Fluttershy entered the kitchen with a slightly perturbed look on her face and took a seat in-between Mac and Rarity.

“Hello darling, I didn’t know you were visiting the Apples. Any particular occasion?”

Shy sighed. “Big Mac wanted me to check up on Winona. And it…didn’t turn out so well. She’s healthy but she…was a really cranky puppy. It put me in a bit of a bad mood.”

“I’m sure she’ll be her chipper old self in no time. Don’t take it too personally, Fluttershy.”

“Y-you’re right…I just need to take a deep breath and relax for a while.”

AJ grabbed a beer out of the fridge. “Hot dog am ah parched! Oh, howdy ‘Shy.”

“Hello Applejack. Umm…not to be rude but you really shouldn’t drink beer if you’re dehydrated. Water would be better…”

“I’ll be alright. Thanks for the concern though. Now that you’re over here, ah got a question for ya.”

“Ok. What is it?”

“Actually is more of a question for everyone, except Mac. In a week’s time the Summer Festival is gonna be held in Appleloosa. Ah was wonderin’ if y’all wanted ta come along.”

“Oh, that sounds like it would be awfully expensive.”

“Nah. It ain’t that expensive if we go by express train. We use it all the time to go out that way so we’ve got a whole lot o’ free miles saved up. Besides, aren’t you eager to see Braeburn again? Y’all are pen-pals right?”

Shy blushed. “M-maybe. He d-did mention that he was excited about the festival in his last letter. It might be nice to go see it with him…”

“What about you: Rarity, Spike?”

Both of them nodded. “That sounds splendid darling.”

AJ rubbed the back of her neck. “Oh and umm…you’re welcome to come along too Sunset.”

“Alright, I’m game. It’s not like I’ve got anything better to do.”

Author's Note

Sorry about how late this update is. I've been really busy the past two weeks, so it's put a pretty big dent in my writing time. In honor of the season 4 premiere, I made a little Game of Thrones reference in this chapter. I will post a saucy picture of humanized Fluttershy on the userpage of whoever finds it first.

Happy hunting darlings~

-Enc

Fruit Cocktail

Chapter 7

Appleloosa, Equestria

As Spike stepped off of the train, there was one thing that he noticed before anything else. It was hot…so Celestia damned hot. Yes, it was true that he had technically visited Appleloosa before but…that was when he was a dragon, not a human. Dragons were built to resist heat, nay, they thrived in it! In his previously scaly form, he could have taken a bath in hot lava and came out no worse for wear. However, much to his dismay, his new human form didn’t withstand the heat quite so well.

He glanced over at Sunset and AJ and grumbled to himself when he saw that they didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. Fluttershy didn’t seem too bothered either but that was only because she was wearing a thin sun-dress. So that only left Rarity, the only other person in the group who shared his plight. Much like Spike, she had opted to wear a t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Spike had yet to verbalize his discomfort but Rarity had no such compunctions.

Rarity adjusted the collar of her shirt. “Uggh! Why does it HAVE to be so hot out here? I sincerely hope that it won’t take Braeburn very long to meet us. I’d rather not stew in my own sweat, thank you very much!”

“Calm down Rares. Brae’s usually a punctual fella. He’ll be here soon.”

“Very well. But so help me, Applejack. If your aunt’s house doesn’t have air conditioning…”

Before Rarity could finish her sentence, Braeburn came barreling down the terminal towards them. Without a moment’s hesitation, he crushed AJ’s poor ribcage with a fierce Apple Family bear-hug. Ever the gentleman, he released AJ and started gathering some of Rarity and Shy’s luggage.

AJ coughed. “Nice ta see you too Brae.”

“Likewise AJ! Ah see ya brought some o’ yer friends along. Howdy y’all and welcome to Aaaaaaapplelooosa! Hmm…ah recognize Ms. Rarity and o’ course, Ms. Fluttershy. But I’ve never seen the green haired fella or the fiery-haired gal before.”

“The guy's name is Spike, and the other one is Sunset. It’s their first time in Appleloosa and ah wanted ta show ‘em how fun the Summer Festival is.”

“Ain’t that swell? I’m sure they’ll have a grand ole’ time. If y’all will follow me, we’ll get yer stuff loaded onto the truck.”

One very bumpy and complaint ridden truck ride later, the Ponyville entourage arrived at Cherry Hill Ranch. The ranch itself was owned by AJ’s aunt, Cherry Jubilee. She inherited it after her husband, Cortland Apple, died from a heart attack five years prior. Unlike her husband, she wasn’t entirely fond of farming, even though her family had made a name for themselves selling cherries all over Equestria. Cherry’s true passion was marketing. She left all of the growing to her employees, while she sold a variety of cherry based products. As a result, she became a very wealthy woman but she was still very much the same kind-hearted country girl that Cortland fell in love with two decades ago.

Cherry kissed Braeburn on the cheek. “Welcome back. I trust our guests have arrived as well?”

“Sure have Ma. Although, there was a bit o’ complainin’ on account o’ the bumpy road. Especially from Ms. Rarity. But…ah reckon she’ll be right as rain as soon as she sees her quarters.”

“I imagine so. She always struck me as the prim and proper type. Hmm…if I’m not mistaken, it seems that Ms. Fluttershy has decided to stay as well. How very interesting…”

“Umm…yeah. So she has. What of it?”

“Oh nothing. I was just thinking of how nice it must be to have your favorite pen-pal come over for a visit. And during the Summer Festival no less.”

Braeburn blushed. “Ah r-reckon it is rather nice.”

“So…are you going to ask her to accompany you to the festival?”

“The uhhh…thought might have c-crossed mah mind.”

Cherry patted him on the back. “A word of advice son: Do a little less thinking and a bit more asking. Oh and for what it’s worth, you’ve made an excellent choice. She’s got quite a pair of knockers for her age.”

“MA! T-that ain’t proper! You know I like her for more than just that.”

“Good, that means I raised you right. But…I still think she’s really cute.”

Braeburn shook his head while he tried to compose himself. He realized long ago that it was pointless to argue with his mother. She always liked to tease the people that were near and dear to her heart. Although embarrassing, it was never done out of spite but out of love. Noticing that Spike had already taken Rarity’s suitcase as well as his own, Braeburn decided that it would be both polite and prudent to take Fluttershy’s luggage.

As soon as Cherry’s guests entered her home, their mouths all hung open in shock. Having never actually visited the ranch itself, they expected it to be modestly sized and furnished. However, they were met with the complete opposite. It was a sprawling complex that easily compared to a luxury resort or grand hotel. The inside was crafted from brilliantly lacquered wood that was made from the finest imported Zebrican ebony. Hung along the walls were genuine Buffalo Tribe quilts and art that most certainly were older than Appleloosa itself. It gave the ranch a sort of rustic feel that one might get when visiting a lodge, but with flair of sophistication. Once everyone stopped gawking, Cherry stood in front of her guests and spread out her arms.

“Welcome to my humble abode! I hope that the accommodations will be to your liking.”

Rarity gasped. “You call this humble?! My word…I w-was expecting a rustic little farmhouse b-but this is simply MARVELOUS! I feel like I’m staying at some opulent summer lodge, nestled in the mountains of Prance.”

“Thank you kindly, Ms. Rarity. I take quite a bit of pride in keeping my home as presentable as possible.

“And quite presentable it is! I have a feeling that this week is…going…to…be THE BEST POSSIBLE THING!”

Spike chuckled. “Whoa save some of that enthusiasm for the festival. I wouldn’t want you to tire yourself out before we got to do anything.”

“We? What exactly do you mean by that Spike?”

“Uhh…you know, all of us.”

“Ah. So we’re going to the festival as a group then?”

AJ held up her hand. “Now hold on a second Rares. Let’s not jump to any conclusions just yet.”

“Excuse me darling, but I was under the impression that this little sortie was all planned out.”

“Well…kind of ah guess. BUT! It wouldn’t hurt to go over some ground rules. You know, just to make absolute sure that we know exactly who we’re going with—ah umm…mean what we’re doin’. Yeah…that’s it!”

“Fluttershy, do you agree with Applejack?”

Shy shuffled her feet. “Umm…I think it would be a pretty good idea. I mean, what’s the harm in planning things out a little better?”

“Worry not my dear companions, for I am a reasonable woman. And women of reason listen to the opinions of their friends. Tomorrow morning, we shall convene to decide who goes with whom. As for now I’m tired…and hungry enough to devour an entire buffet table. It’s improper for a lady to make any decisions on an empty stomach, after all.”

Braeburn rubbed his hands together. “Whelp, all the luggage is now officially stashed. Seein’ as it’s already four thirty, we might as well grab an early dinner. Are y’all up for a bite to eat?”

“You have impeccable timing, Braeburn! I was just commenting on how famished I am. An early dinner sounds like a wonderful idea. I doubt anyone will oppose because we had a very light lunch aboard the train.”

“Good. I’ll take y’all to mah favorite restaurant in town! It ain’t the fanciest joint around, but the food is down-right delicious.”

The Whiskey Keg: Tavern & Grille, Appleloosa

Braeburn led his group of friends to a quaint little stone tavern on the edge of town. It looked somewhat out of place compared to many of the modern buildings around it, simply because it was far older than any of them. In fact, the tavern had been founded the very same day the town had, making it a historical landmark. Above its time-worn oaken doors, a painted sign displayed an overflowing whiskey barrel. Below the sign in flowing cursive it said: “Rest ye weary travelers from yon desert’s harshest gale, and wander inside for the finest ale.”

Despite the tavern’s outward appearance, the inside was a strange blend of modern and historical. Old iron chandeliers hung from the ceiling, powered by electric bulbs instead of candles. The mugs at the bar were made from pewter but the bartender filled all of them from a modern tap. Nestled in the middle of the room was a large hearth, complete with a roaring fire and a rifle placed upon the mantle. Across from the hearth was a karaoke machine.

The six of them sat at a large circular table situated between the karaoke machine and the hearth while the barkeep wandered over to take their orders. The barkeep was a burly man who wore a pair of blue jeans, a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a leather vest. His modern attire clashed heavily with his choice of hairstyle. The man’s black hair was slicked back and finely combed which complimented his thick mutton chops. Noticing all the ladies present at the table, he bowed slightly and smiled.

“Welcome to the Keg! What’ll everyone be havin’ this evening?”

Braeburn waved. “Howdy General, ah brought some o’ my friends from Ponyville here to sample your fine cuisine and do bit o’ drinkin’ too. As for me, I’ll have a steak.”

Fluttershy and Rarity both ordered a Caesar Salad because they were the lightest eaters of the group (despite her earlier boast, Rarity had a figure to maintain). Applejack ordered a rack of ribs, while Sunset opted to order a simple hamburger. Spike, used to consuming vegetarian dishes and gemstones, thought that it was high time to try some meat. In the end, he decided to get something called “Pulled Pork BBQ” and “French Fries”. Once the barkeep scribbled down their orders he handed a tiny slip of paper to his cook and resumed his duties behind the counter.

Spike took a bite out of his dinner roll. “Why did you call that guy a general? Did he serve in the military or something?”

“He didn’t serve in the military as far as ah know. We call ‘im the general ‘cause his hair makes him look like the famous frontier commander, General Ironsides. His real name’s Barley Oats, though I haven’t heard anyone call ‘im that in a long time.”

Spike and Braeburn continued to chat about various things, even after their food. Rarity wiped her mouth and took a moment to observe the two. She couldn’t help but stifle a small giggle when she saw how wide Spike’s eyes became when he bit into the pork sandwich. He chewed it slowly, as if it was the last thing he would ever eat. It could have just been the murky lighting of the tavern, but Rarity swore she saw him shed a few tears in apparent joy.

“I have no words. This is like…THE BEST SANDWICH I'VE EVER HAD!”

Braeburn laughed. “Well, this place is famous for ‘em.”

“You don’t understand. I’ve never had pork before. Sure, I’ve heard about it and I’ve seen plenty of pigs…but I never knew pork was so…DIVINE! It makes me wonder what other things I’ve been missing…”

“Ah ain’t never seen a man get so emotional over BBQ.”

While Spike continued to espouse the glories of roasted swine flesh, Rarity shifted her attention towards Fluttershy. It worried Rarity that her introverted friend had barely touched the salad in front of her. Instead, she was using her fork to fiddle with a crouton while staring at Braeburn wistfully.

Rarity knew that Shy was smitten with AJ’s admittedly handsome cousin, due to their constant (and adorably romantic in her own humble opinion) correspondence since the Buffalo Tribe incident. But she also knew that the subject of her friend’s affection was a delicate one. There would be no lewd jokes or teasing, as she had done with Applejack. Such things would only serve to embarrass her friend and possibly discourage her from even attempting to court Braeburn. No, only the gentlest approach would do in this situation. Rarity positioned her chair slightly closer to Shy while gripping her hand firmly.

“What’s wrong darling? You’ve barely touched your salad.”

Shy sighed. “Oh…sorry, I got lost in thought. It won’t happen again.”

“Well, that's perfectly alright. Actually, I believe I need to go powder my nose. Would you care to join me?”

Fluttershy blinked. “Huh? Oh, but I--”

“I insist,” Rarity hissed, before grabbing Fluttershy's wrist and hauling her off her chair.

AJ raised her brow. "Where are you two goin' in such a hurry?"

"We just need to freshen up a bit. Don't worry, we'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail!"

"Hmmm, well alright. Just don't take too long."

Rarity dragged Shy into the bathroom and stood in front of the sink, tapping her foot.

“It’s going to take more than that to brush me off. You know I won’t stop asking until you tell me what’s actually wrong.”

“I’m…frustrated.”

“Frustrated with what exactly?”

Shy rubbed her forehead. “Rarity, I don’t mean to be rude but…please don’t act like you have no idea what I’m referencing just to spare my feelings. This is serious!”

“Ah…very well Fluttershy. Why doyou feel frustrated?”

“I was really hoping that I could ask Braeburn to go with me to the festival. And by me, I mean just the two of us. No…groups. But…I h-haven’t really had the chance to talk with him one on one.”

“Between you and I, that was the whole reason I suggested we wait until morning to decide the festival’s…arrangements. We all have a certain someone we’d like to go with.”

“I see. You want to go with Spike, don’t you?”

Rarity coughed awkwardly. “Ehem…yes, I do. I hope that this festival might transform our current relationship into…something more.”

“I was wondering if you liked him. It’s nice to see that you’ve finally set your eyes on a guy that actually exists.”

“What exactly do you mean by actually exists?”

“Well…you’re always talking about how you’re going to find a handsome prince to sweep you off your feet. That’s really romantic but…it isn’t very realistic. Sorry…but it’s true.”

“Yes, I suppose it is. However, we’re veering off topic darling. I want to talk about your issues, not mine.”

Shy bit her lip. “R-right…sorry. What’s so frustrating is that I j-just can’t work up the nerve to actually talk to him about…d-d-dating!”

“I know you have some reservations, but talking to him in person can’t be that much different than writing to him. Please tell me the both of you discuss more than just the weather in your letters…”

“We do! I mean…it started off as small talk but it got more complicated as time went on. I practically bared my soul in some of those letters! A-and he might have too…”

Rarity cooed. “That’s so wonderful! This sounds almost like a romance novel. A handsome and rugged farmhand, who’s really a poet at heart, captures the heart of an innocent maiden. *Squee*! Do you have an idea how lucky you are?”

“Umm…I guess so. But why is so hard to talk to guys? Every time I see Braeburn I just clam up and feel like I want to hide. I don’t get that way when I write to him. H-how am I going to work up the courage? I…just don’t know if I can do it.”

“I think it’s because you’re afraid that he won’t return your affections, or that you’ll end up making a fool of yourself. Fear is a very natural thing to feel in this sort of situation but you can’t let it rob you of your happiness.”

“But…”

“Answer this simple question: If Braeburn didn’t care for you, why would he continue to write back? And for that matter, why would he express himself so thoroughly unless he wanted you to know him on a deeper level?”

“I guess…I never thought about it that way. But…THAT STILL DOESN’T CHANGE THE FACT THAT I’M TERRIFIED TO TALK WITH HIM!”

“Ok, just calm down darling. I promise that we’ll figure something out. Ughh…I wish I had some wine to calm my nerves. Nothing helps me relax like a hot bubbly bath and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. But…it’s too early for that now.”

Fluttershy gasped. “That’s it! I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before.”

“Think of what?”

“Booze! It’s the answer to my problem. If I just have a little bit to drink, it’ll give me enough courage to ask Braeburn out.”

Rarity winced. “Fluttershy, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Nonsense! I’ll just get something fruity, like a wine cooler. Those don’t have very much alcohol in them anyway. I’ll be fine.”

“Whatever you say dear. Just don’t go overboard.”

With a noticeable bounce in her step, Fluttershy left the restroom and made her way up to the bar. Barely Oats liked to clean the mugs and glasses when business was slow, but he never failed to spot a patron in need of spirits. Years of bartending had honed his ability to multi-task to the point that he could clean anything without really thinking about it. As the pink haired girl set her hands on counter, he put down the mug he was cleaning and looked at her expectantly.

“What can I get ya miss?”

“I’ll take the fruitiest drink you have please!”

“Sure thing. One Desert Sunrise comin’ right up!”

Shy wasn’t sure exactly what a “Desert Sunrise” was, but it sounded pleasant enough. In her limited experience, she found that most exotic sounding drinks tended to be on the weaker side. While she pondered what she was going to say to Braeburn, she jumped in surprise when the bartender slammed a glass onto the counter. She had expected it to take at least a few minutes for the drink to be prepared but it had only been a little less than a minute. Whoever this bartender was, he knew his craft.

The drink itself was poured into a tall glass, roughly the size of a pint but much thinner. The liquid inside was a mixture of orange and red juices that made it look very much like its namesake. Shy took a tiny sip and found that it was not only very delicious, but it was also bubbly! Giggling loudly to herself, she chugged through the rest of the drink with gusto then slid it across the counter towards the waiting bartender.

Shy burped. “Say…what was in that drink? It was REALLY tasty!”

“Thank you ma’am. Let’s see…there’s orange juice, maraschino cherry syrup, seltzer water, a hint of agave nectar and…a healthy dose of Buffalo Tribe Silver Label Tequila.”

“Izzat all? Hahahaha! Well I LIKED it! *Errup* Oh my! Well anyway, I wuz…wonderin’, do you have like…anything in here that plays music?”

“Sure do. The karaoke machine is on the wall opposite o’ the hearth. Can’t miss it.”

“Thanks! Now if you’ll *hic* excuuuuussse me, I gotta go sing to that sexy cowboy over there so he notices me.”

Rarity watched in abject horror as a visibly intoxicated Fluttershy stumbled her way over to the karaoke machine and inserted a few coins to select a song. A few seconds later, the sound system crackled to life, playing a jaunty tune that would have been right at home in one of those old speak-easies. By some miracle, Shy managed to walk all the way over to the table without falling straight on her ass. She paused for a just a moment, then yanked Braeburn and his chair away from the table and plopped herself on top of his lap.

♫ No one to talk with…all by myself ♫

♫ No one to walk with…but I’m happy on the shelf ♫

♫ Ain’t misbavin’, I’m saying my love for you! ♫

“Uhh…Ms. Flutterhy, what do ya think you’re doin’?”

♫ I know for certain, the one I love! ♫

♫ I’m through with flirtin’…it’s just you I’m thinking of ♫

♫ AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’! I’M SAYIN’ MY LOVE FOR YOOOOOU! ♫

Once she was done belting out the last line, Shy dropped the microphone and started playing with Braeburn’s hair. Meanwhile, Brae desperately looked around the table for anyone who might bail him out of this extremely awkward situation, but everyone looked either too amused or embarrassed to help.

“Well now…that was certainly a nice song. You have a wonderful voice, Ms. Fluttershy.”

Shy giggled. “Thanks, but just call me Shy. All that Ms. stuff makes it sound like you don’t even know me! Oh, by the way …I sang that song just for you.”

“Really? I’m flattered. Honestly, ah am.”

“Well…you should be! It took all of the courage I could muster to *erup*…sing that.”

“Does that mean that you…lo—ike me?”

Shy scrunched her nose. “Duh! Do I have to put up a big *hic* neon sign too!?”

“I can’t believe it….”

“Pbbbfft! You still don’t get it? Fine. I’ll just have to give you another hint!”

Shy grabbed Braeburn’s face and jammed her lips against his own. Such was his surprise that he didn’t really react…until Fluttershy started using her tongue to wrestle with his. Alarm bells rang in his head, telling him that it was improper to take advantage of an inebriated woman. But…a more primitive and far hornier part told him: “Atta boy, tiger!” He allowed the kiss to linger for just a few more seconds and then disengaged himself from Shy’s mouth with a wet pop. With a heavy blush upon his face, he tore his attention away from the girl sitting on his lap and tried to compose himself.

Shy rested her head on his chest. “Mmmm…you’re so warm and cuddly. I think…a little nap is in order. Yeah…jussst…a quick one.”

Within seconds she was fast asleep and slobbering all over Braeburn’s shirt.

Author's Note

I had way too much fun writing Flutterdrunk. The entire scene was ripped off--err...I mean inspired by a comic called "The five levels of Fluttershyness" by JayNaylor on Deviantart. ----> [http://jaynaylor.deviantart.com/art/One-Pony-3-282763293]. The next chapter is all about the Summer Festival, where you can expect gratuitous shipping and fuzzy/snuggly feels.

Festival of Honest Confessions

Chapter 8

Cherry’s Ranch, Appleloosa (The Morning of the Festival)

Applejack stared at her underwear clad form in the bathroom mirror, hoping that this day would end in her favor. In her heart, she knew that even with all of the preparation and wishful thinking in the world, her feelings for the woman she had come to admire over the past few months might be one-sided. Despite their familiarity, never once did Sunset mention her sexual preferences. For all AJ knew, the former unicorn might find the thought of female romance disgusting.

But…she had to do this. She had to admit her feelings regardless of the consequences. Otherwise, she’d be forever haunted by the specters of what if and could have been. She chuckled, thinking of something Granny always told her when she found herself burdened by a difficult decision: “It’s better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.”

Taking a deep breath, AJ splashed a handful of water onto her face to help clear her mind. After using a towel to dry off, she nearly stumbled into the tub when someone knocked on the door. She hesitated to answer because, quite frankly, she wasn’t exactly decent. Furthermore, due to her distracted state of mind, she’d completely neglected to bring any clothes with her into the bathroom. So, she was stuck in the bathroom with only risqué undergarments to preserve her “modesty”.

“Uhh…in case ya haven’t noticed, the bathroom’s currently occupied!”

A muffled giggle came from the other side of the door. “Not to worry, it’s only me darling.”

“Still doesn’t change the fact that ah ain’t decent!”

“While I believe that modesty is an admirable trait in a woman, this is neither the time nor place for such nonsense. We have a date to prepare for! And for that matter, why on earth would you be embarrassed to be seen by me? We literally went to spa naked together, dear.”

AJ’s shoulders sagged in defeat. “Alright, gimme a sec to unlock the door.”

Rarity smirked upon entering the bathroom, noting that AJ had chosen to wear the bra and panties they’d purchased back in Ponyville. Hmm. It looks like she’s pulling out all the stops. I have to admire her determination…and her boldness, of course. Even so, I’m sure she won’t mind if I help spruce her up a bit more.

“Ah know that smirk! You’re up to somethin’. Go on and spill the beans.”

“A thought occurred to me, Applejack. While you have a gorgeous dress and sexy lingerie, we have neglected something.”

AJ sighed. “And what would that be?”

“Why, your make-up of course!”

“Aw hell no! Wearin’ make-up is a huge pain in the ass. Ya spend hours puttin’ it on, just to worry if it’s gonna get smudged while ya go about your business. Are you…sure it’s necessary?”

“I’m one hundred and ten percent certain. Ooohh I know the perfect eye shadow to compliment your dress. Give me a moment to fetch my purse and we can begin, post haste!”

Rarity came back mere seconds later, sporting her glittery purple purse. AJ sighed and sat on top of the toilet seat so that Rarity could work her magic. Much to the farmer’s surprise, Rarity only got out a single tube of lipstick and some eyeliner. Ah gotta admit, I’m surprised. Considerin’ how dolled up she gets sometimes, ah was expectin’ her to bring enough make-up to fill up a department store. Hopefully that means it won’t take forever.

“Hold your breath darling, I’m going to apply some hairspray. Trust me; it’s not something you want to ingest.”

“Now hold on a just a damned minute! Ah though you were only puttin’ make-up on me. You never said anythin’ about mah hair.”

Rarity clicked her tongue. “Well, if I’m going through the effort of beautifying you, I can’t leave your hair unattended.”

“Ughhh…alright. Just make it quick. Ah don’t wanna sit in here all day.”

Ignoring her blonde friend’s attitude, Rarity applied a few final touches of make-up, satisfied with the results. With a few careful applications of hairspray, she curled AJ’s flowing locks into a style that was more befitting of a movie star rather than a simple farmer. She was pleasantly surprised to note that AJ’s hair was actually…well cared for. Other than a few split ends, it was as smooth and soft as silk. Rarity clapped her hands in satisfaction as she gazed upon her work.

“You’re all set darling. Go ahead and take a look at yourself.”

AJ slowly opened her eyes and gazed upon her reflection. The face of the woman that stared back at her was nearly unrecognizable. Her hair was groomed into many elegant, short curls that flowed behind her like strands of spun sugar. Light purple eye shadow now adorned her eyelids, contrastingly wonderfully with her emerald irises. Finally, her lips were coated in dark red lipstick, giving them some extra luster and volume. AJ was speechless.

“Did I do a good job?”

“Good job? No Rares, ya didn’t do a good job. What you did…was downright amazing! A-ah look like a princess!”

“I didn’t do very much. You were already beautiful to begin with. I just…emphasized what you already had. It was nothing, darling.”

“Well it sure as hell ain’t nothin’ to me. Ah had mah doubts at first but…I’m glad we decided to do this.”

“As am I. I’ll be rooting for you tonight.”

AJ wrapped Rarity in a tight hug. “Ah can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. I’m damned lucky to have a friend like you. For what it’s worth, ah hope everythin’ works out with Spike too.”

“I hope so as well. Now, go find Sunset and head off to the festival.”

“What about you?”

Rarity waved her hand. “I have to stay behind and make myself presentable. Rest assured Spike and I will arrive within the hour.”

Sunset yawned loudly as she stepped out of the shower and padded over to her dresser. She was never much of a morning person (or pony) and hated getting up early unless it was absolutely necessary. Even though she was technically on vacation, she didn’t mind it since today was the Summer Festival. Before last night’s highly amusing events, she was under the impression that they were going to attend the festival as a group. However, it seemed that Rarity, Fluttershy and even Applejack were against the idea.

She knew why Spike wanted to be alone with Rarity, but she had no idea that Fluttershy was interested in Braeburn. Then again, it wasn’t as if she paid much attention to the shy girl’s love life or her regular life for that matter. Sunset was more curious about Applejack. Why had she insisted that they go separately? Maybe the cowgirl was privy to her compatriots’ romantic interests and being the good friend that she was, had decided to help move things along.

Whatever the case was, Sunset didn’t mind going with Applejack. She was one of the few people in this world that Sunset considered a close friend. Plus, the farmer was generally fun to hang out with and easy to talk to. Sure, her experience wasn’t going to be nearly as romantic as Rarity’s but that didn’t dampen her spirits whatsoever. Today was all about enjoying herself and the company of a close friend. She could live with that.

Speaking of living with choices…she was having a terrible time picking out a decent set of underwear. Back in Equestria, a mare didn’t really have to concern herself with such a burden because undergarments simply weren’t needed. In this world, however, they were somewhat of a necessity. Instead of teats, human females had these fleshy protruding breasts that dangled off of their chests. It was so annoying! Worse yet, they needed to be contained within a bra, otherwise they’d sag or the males would give her lewd stares.

The panties weren’t too bad, she supposed. But they were aggravating to wear whenever it was hot, making them stick to the skin, causing terrible chafing. With a growl of frustration, she slammed the dresser drawer shut and stared at the digital thermostat sitting in the window. Appleloosa was hot this time of year, and today was no exception. Even this early in the morning, the temperature was already in the upper seventies. It was going to be unbearably hot today.

“Aww fuck it! I’m not wearing underwear today.”

Decision made, she rummaged through her dresser once more to pick out a dress. She chose a brightly colored yellow sundress covered in floral designs. Satisfied with her choice, she slipped it on and went back into the bathroom. The only thing she had to worry about now was her hair. Sunset’s hair was still somewhat damp from the shower so she decided to just flatten it out in her usual style. Why change what worked?

Giving herself one final look over, she exited the bathroom and put on her favorite leather boots. She made her way to the kitchen to grab something light for breakfast, not that she was particularly hungry, but because it was simply not healthy to skip the first meal of the day. After a few moments consideration, she chose to pour herself a bowl of corn flakes and a cup of coffee.

Sunset nearly spat out a mouthful of hot coffee when she saw AJ enter the room. It was like looking at an entirely different person. The once simple looking country girl, now looked like she belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine. AJ took a seat next to Sunset and greeted her, but the former unicorn was unable to formulate a response.

“Hey Sunset are you feelin’ alright? You’re lookin’ a bit pale.”

Sunset cleared her throat. “Sorry, you caught me off guard. You look…amazing! It’s like you’re a totally different person. My compliments to whoever picked out the dress. It suits you quite well.”

AJ blushed. “Thanks. Heh…ah was the one who picked out the dress. Rarity did all the rest.”

“So…what’s the occasion?”

“Well, ah thought it would be nice ta get dolled up for the festival.”

“Huh, if you say so…”

“Are you implyin’ that just because I’m a country girl and ah like ta get mah hands dirty, that ah can’t pretty mahself up every one and a while?”

Sunset waved her hands. “NO! I didn’t mean anything like that. It’s just that…I’ve never seen you dress up like this before.”

“Ah reckon you haven’t. Are you sure ya don’t mind goin’ to the festival with me? We can always do somethin’ else if it makes ya feel uncomfortable…”

“Well, I didn’t come all the way out to Appleloosa just to stare at a bunch of tumble weeds. Of course we’re still going! And why would you think I’d feel uncomfortable?”

AJ twiddled her thumbs. “Ah dunno. Maybe ‘cause everyone else is bringin’ a fella along.”

“Pssht. If Rarity and Fluttershy want to turn this into something romantic, that’s their prerogative. I’m perfectly happy spending a day having fun with a good friend.”

“A good friend…r-right.”

Sunset took one final bite of her cornflakes. “Let’s get this show on the road!”

AJ and Sunset were having so much fun that hours passed by as if they were mere seconds. Initially, it had been difficult for AJ to get into the spirit of things because her mind was so focused on the difficult task that lay ahead of her. However, once the two of them walked around the grounds for a while and played some games, she began to loosen up. After enjoying a veritable buffet of severely unhealthy fried morsels, the two of them sat upon a bench, allowing their poor stomachs to digest. AJ blushed heavily after loosening a rather audible belch a few seconds later.

“Sorry…ah guess that one slipped out.”

“I’m shocked that such a refined lady could be so uncouth!”

“Shut up! It ain’t mah fault that fried foods give me gas.”

Sunset belched even louder. “Hahaha! Don’t sweat it, Applejack. I was just messing with you. You can burp as loud as you want around me.”

“Ughh…just don’t mention that around Rainbow. She’ll make it into a competition.”

“Noted. So, is there anything in particular you’d like to do next?”

“Hmm. Ah think ah saw a target range down yonder. Ya up for a little friendly shootin’ match?”

“I could be convinced. What’s the wager?”

AJ stroked her chin. “Winner gets ta decide what we do this evenin’. Sound good?”

“Sure, why the hell not? All I planned to do tonight was curl up in my bed and read.”

“Seriously? That’s what ya do in your free time? Ah didn’t take ya for the scholarly type.”

“I used to be the princess’s top student, remember? Reading was my bread and butter! At least it was until I had my episode…”

AJ frowned. “Damn it! I’m sorry Sunset. Ah didn’t mean to dredge up a bad memory.”

“No…it’s alright. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve put my past behind me but…it has a way of sneaking up on me from time to time.”

“That’s a relief. Mind mah askin’ but what sort o’ books do ya like to read?”

“As weird as it sounds, I really enjoy a good old fashioned romance novel. Not those smutty ones they keep pumping out that’re all about bondage and stuff. You know, stories with an actual plot.”

AJ chuckled. “I’m willin’ ta bet Rarity’s read a few o’ those. Even if she won’t admit to it. Any particular reason ya like ‘em?”

“They speak to me, I suppose.”

“What do ya mean by that?”

“The way that the main characters fall so deeply in love, it’s beautiful to me. It makes me want to feel something like that. I want to find someone who’s strong and dependable but gentle enough to comfort me when I hit rock bottom. All of this sounds terribly corny, doesn’t it?”

AJ bit her lip. “A-ah don’t think so.”

“Ha! You don’t have to lie to me, Applejack.”

“Ah ain’t lyin’! There’s nothin’ wrong with a gal wantin’ some romance in her life. ‘Sides, ah thought what you said was rather poetic. Ah might even agree with ya on some points.”

“Hmm. Applejack, what do you look for in an ideal partner?”

“Let’s see…they’ve gotta be easy ta talk to and have a decent sense of humor. Plus, they’ve gotta be honest and have a good work ethic! O’ course, it wouldn’t hurt if they were good lookin’ too.”

Sunset giggled. “I expected as much.”

“Well, excuse me for bein’ so pre-dic-ta-ble!”

“Hey, no need to get your panties in a bunch. Your criteria just happened to match what I thought you’d say because I know you so well.”

“Mhmm. Ah think it’s high time we get a move-on to the shootin’ gallery.”

The two of them took their time getting to the shooting gallery due to the severe food coma that just so happened to hit them right as they started walking. But as soon as they arrived, the competitive spirit burning within their bellies energized them once more. The mustachioed man running the stand noticed their excitement and immediately began to rub his hands together. Nothing pleased him more than people willing to blow a ton of money in the name of competition.

“Good afternoon ladies! I take it you’re interested in a fine game of shoot-out?”

AJ nodded. “Sure am! How much are ya chargin’?”

“Why it’s only a mere five dollars for one hundred rounds!”

“I’ll take two hundred rounds and two guns.”

The chipper gallery vendor eagerly took her money and showed the two of them the target area. AJ was expecting it to be your run of the mill range with simple metal placed at varying intervals. What she got was some gaudy, over the top circus show. Sure, there were a few metal targets but the majority of them were life-sized plastic mannequins that happened to look like creepy circus clowns. Their grinning plastic faces only made AJ want to shoot them even more. She hated clowns with the unbridled passion of a thousand suns.

Sunset thought she was doing pretty well when she managed to hit a small metal target about twenty five yards away. However, that was nothing compared to the carnage AJ was laying down. Clown after clown had their face shot repeatedly as AJ cackled like a madwoman. Both Sunset and the gallery owner looked at each other, unsure if they should say anything. In the end, they wisely decided not to say a word and let AJ’s little tantrum play out.

“Take that ya slimy little varmints!”

The gallery owner shut down the targets. “Well…I think we have ourselves a winner!”

“What in tarnation? Ah didn’t think this had any prizes…”

“Not normally ma’am, but this is a special case! Enjoy this complimentary basket of assorted wines and cheeses.”

“Uhh…thanks ah guess.”

Sunset whispered into the owner’s ear. “Was that really a prize?”

“Of course it wasn’t! That was supposed to be a gift for my sister in law. But I don’t really like that cold-hearted bitch anyway. Now, if you don’t mind, could the both of you kindly leave my gallery? I have a lot of cleaning up to do.”

“That was some pretty fine shooting, Applejack! As promised, you get to decide what we’re doing next. So…what do you want to do?”

AJ shuffled her feet. “Ah heard there was gonna be a fireworks display later in the evenin’. I’d like ta find a nice secluded spot so we can watch it without all the crowds. Heh…we could even enjoy some o’ that wine and such.”

“Huh. That’s the second time you’ve surprised me today. I was kind of expecting you to want to go mechanical bull riding or something.”

AJ huffed. “Whatever. Are ya gonna join me or not?”

“Sounds good to me, lead the way.”

The two young women sat on a blanket, spread out near an old oak tree, about a quarter mile away from the festival grounds. Just as AJ had promised, there wasn’t another living soul in the vicinity. The two of them were far enough from the grounds that the only sounds they heard were the occasional chirping of crickets and spring peepers. AJ giggled as she took a big sip from her bottle of wine, wiggling her toes in the cool grass at the edge of the blanket. Sunset had decided to take off her boots as well and was quietly nursing her own bottle.

AJ sighed. “Ain’t it beautiful out here?”

“Mhmm. How’d you ever find this place?”

“Back when we were kids, Brae and ah used to catch frogs ‘round here.”

“Well, you made a good choice. At this point, I don’t even care if we see any fireworks or not.”

AJ snickered. “Be that as it may, ah don’t intend ta be made into a liar.”

As if on cue, several fireworks shot into the sky, exploding into a cacophony of vibrant colors. Some were pink, blue, green and even gold. Most of the colorful explosives lacked any kind of pattern, other than a simple circle but a few formed into the crude shapes of animals. AJ couldn’t help but giggle when she saw a really bad caricature of a rabbit flash into existence. After about ten minutes (fireworks are expensive you know) the show ended, allowing nature to continue its nocturnal symphony once again.

AJ took one final swig of her wine, hoping that it would give her the courage to tell Sunset about the long suppressed feelings of affection she’d kept hidden for months. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, feeling nervous despite her obvious state of intoxication. This was it. Her entire relationship with Sunset hinged on what she said next. It would either bring them closer together, or further apart.

“H-hey Sunset. Do ya mind if ah tell ya somethin’…personal?”

“Go ahead, I’m listening.”

AJ nervously rubbed her palm. “Over the past few months, I’ve c-come ta consider ya a close f-friend.”

“As have I.”

“A-a-and…perhaps, just maybe…I’ve entertained thoughts that we might…umm…become more than that.”

Sunset cocked her eyebrow. “Oh?”

“W-what I’m trying’ ta say is…ah…AW TA HELL WITH IT!”

AJ grabbed Sunset by the cheeks and pulled the fiery haired woman into a passionate kiss. After a few seconds AJ pulled away, leaving a strand of saliva between them. Sunset just sat there, eyes widened in total disbelief, desperately trying to come to her senses. On the other hand, AJ was blushing profusely, hoping that she hadn’t made a huge mistake.

“Ah should’ve known. This was a bad idea. Ah didn’t even ask if ya were into…”

AJ was interrupted when Sunset returned an equally passionate kiss upon her lips.

Sunset panted. “Thank Celestia! You don’t know how happy I am to know that like me!”

“Uhh…what?”

“Applejack, didn’t you know I was a lesbian?”

“Quite frankly, no. Ya never mentioned before. A-and what about that Brad fella? Weren’t ya datin’ him for a while?”

“Why does everyone think that I fucked him? What we had wasn’t even the least bit romantic! I was just using him at the time, that’s all.”

“Oh. So…you’re happy that I like ya?”

Sunset caressed her cheek. “Of course I am! DO you even know how many months I thought about you? It drove me insane! I always thought you were straight, so I didn’t try to make any moves.”

“Ah ain’t exactly straight. But ah ain’t a lesbian either.”

“Oooh, so you’re bi? That’s…surprising.”

“Yeah, it took me a while ta come ta terms with that. But that don’t change the fact that ah like ya. Ehem…so what attracted ya to me?”

“You’re far more attractive than you give yourself credit for, Applejack. In the end though, it’s probably the fact that I have a soft-spot for blondes. What about me?”

“Ah love your hair too but…what ah admire the most about ya is your personality. Ya had all o’ those terrible things happen and yet…ya didn’t let that get ya down. It’s downright inspirin’.”

Sunset kissed AJ on the neck. “How about I show you just how inspiring I can be?”

“Inspire me, sugarcube.”

Sunset wasted no time relieving AJ of her dress, revealing the lacy green lingerie that lay beneath. The sight made Sunset’s heart melt, realizing that Applejack must have worn them just to impress her. It also ignited a fire in her loins because AJ looked so damn sexy, laying there in frilly underwear with a blush painted on her face.

Sunset growled. “I love it when my presents are covered in such beautiful wrapping paper. Can’t. Wait. To. See. What’s. Inside…”

AJ moaned softly when Sunset removed her lacy green bra and began to fondle her left breast. She grasped the other breast and gently flicked her tongue across AJ’s hardened nipple, enjoying the slightly salty taste of her lover’s skin.

“Unnghh…Sunset! That…f-feels amazin’.”

Encouraged by AJ’s response, Sunset refocused her attention on the farmer’s beautifully sculpted abs. With her finger, she traced a figure eight pattern amid the hardened pack of muscles. Sunset could feel AJ’s body shiver from her ministrations. In response, AJ let out a cry that sounded like something in between a whimper and a giggle.

Sunset licked AJ’s abs. “Do you want me to go lower?”

AJ could already feel a damp spot forming in her panties. Her lips practically screamed for attention. They wanted to be kissed, licked, and played with. They wanted anything to relieve the burning desire that surged through them.

“Take ‘em off! Lick mah pussy for all it’s worth. Ah need it so bad…”

Sunset peeled off her panties. “Don’t mind if I do.”

The scent coming from AJ’s swollen lips was overpowering. It made Sunset all the more eager to taste her lover’s sweet nectar. She used two of her fingers to spread AJ’s lips slightly, to gain better access inside. Sunset slowly inserted her tongue, letting it probe AJ’s deepest depths, relishing the sweet and musky flavor it had to offer. While she continued to swirl her tongue, she used her other fingers to gently pinch AJ’s clit. In response, AJ gasped as her muscles contracted around Sunset’s tongue.

“Sunset…ah…oohhh lord…that feels so good! J-just keep it up! Ah think I’m getting’ close.”

A few seconds later, AJ’s entire body contorted upwards as Sunset felt a something wet trickle onto her face. The former unicorn smiled as she removed her tongue from AJ’s honeypot, enjoying the sight of her lover’s exhausted and sweaty form. She wiped her face on the blanket and stripped out of her own dress, tossing it in the grass nearby.

AJ’s eye’s widened. “Ya…weren’t wearin’ underwear the whole time?”

“Nope. It was too damn hot out. Do you like what you see?”

“Nah. Ah don’t like what I see. Ah love what ah see.”

AJ sat up and ran her fingers through Sunset’s hair while planting a deep kiss upon her lips. She became aroused once more when she tasted a hint of her own juices in Sunset’s mouth. AJ wasn’t sure how much her lover enjoyed being played with, but she was far too horny to care.

Instead, she decided to go straight for the jugular (or the honeypot in this case). She pushed Sunset onto the ground and started grinding her pussy against her lover’s, causing Sunset to moan loudly. The two of them continued scissoring for several minutes until Sunset finally reached her climax, followed closely by AJ.

Once they finished, neither of them felt the need for words. The only sound that escaped their lips was the occasional bout of panting as they tried to calm themselves down. AJ huddled closer and set her head on Sunset’s soft breast, enjoying the pleasant scent of sweat and roses that wafted from her lover’s skin.

AJ kissed Sunset’s nipple. “Can we just snuggle for a while?”

Sunset sighed contentedly. “I’d like nothing more.”

Author's Note

Well I hope everyone enjoys the Sunnyjack shipping. I tried to make it feel as authentic and natural as I could. Hopefully it didn't feel forced. Hmm...what to say about the lesbian clop? I'll admit, it's not my forte. But damn it! I did my best to make it as sexy as possible. The next chapter's still going to be during the Festival but from Spike x Rarity's/ Braeburn x Shy's perspective.

~Look forward to it!

-Enc

Ask for Kindness and Ye Shall Receive

Chapter 9

Cherry’s Ranch, Appleloosa (The Day of the Festival)

A single beam of sunlight managed to make its way through the bedroom window. It hit Fluttershy’s face at just the right angle, so as to wake her in the most annoying way possible. She slowly opened her bloodshot eyes, trying to make sense of her situation. Somehow, she had ended up back in her bed at Cherry’s Ranch but she didn’t know how. The last thing she remembered was having a drink at the tavern, which led to…her making a fool of herself.

Shy groaned as the jumbled collage of last night’s events began to piece back together in her mind. All she wanted was to give herself an extra boost of courage, not to end up completely wasted. Now, not only did she feel like a complete idiot but she also had a massive hangover to contend with. She rubbed her temples and sighed. I can’t believe I did that. Braeburn probably thinks I’m s-some kind of…hussy with the way I threw myself at him. What if…what if he doesn’t want to be my friend anymore? Stupid Fluttershy! You’ve ruined your chances…

The shy girl was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she failed to notice Braeburn as he entered the room. He cringed when he noticed just how distraught Shy seemed but reminded himself that she had every right to be. It wasn’t going to be easy trying to convince her that he wasn’t upset.

If anything, he was actually quite pleased that they shared a mutual attraction to each other. Even though her method of revealing said attraction hadn’t occurred during the most ideal of circumstances. Walking softly, so as not to frighten the poor girl, Brae set a cup of hot tea on the small nightstand next to Shy’s bed.

“Good Mornin’ Miss Fluttershy. Ah brought ya a cup o’ tea, figurin’ that ya might need somethin’ ta take the edge off o’ that nasty hangover.”

Shy squeaked in surprise. “Braeburn?! W-what are you doing here?”

“Like ah said, ya probably needed some caffeine so…”

“I’m not talking about the tea. What I mean is: Why are you being so nice to me? After the horribly embarrassing thing I did to you last night, I figured you wouldn’t want to see me again.”

“Yeah, it was embarrassin’ but ah want ya ta understand somethin’. Everybody makes mistakes. So ya had a wee bit too much ta drink. It ain’t the end o’ the world.”

“YES IT IS! What kind of shameless hussy forces herself on someone else? I knew it was a bad idea, taking that drink! I’ve never been able to hold my liquor. *Sniff* I…even got drunk off of cough syrup one time.”

Brae rubbed her back. “Shhhh. Just take a deep breath and calm down for a second. Look at me.”

“But…”

“Look at me! You are not a whore.”

Shy lifted her head. “How can you say that? I…k-kissed you without permission!”

“Perhaps. But that’s not important. Ah don’t want ya ta beat yourself up over somethin’ that ah can easily forgive. Plus, ah might have enjoyed it a bit more than ah care ta admit…”

“You…did?”

Braeburn blushed. “Yeah. It was actually a pretty decent kiss. Ehem…well…since ya went to the trouble of expressin’ your feelings like that, it would only be proper to give ya an answer.”

“Umm…ok.”

Braeburn gently squeezed her hand. “I’ve liked ya for a long time. Ah just…couldn’t tell ya in a letter. It would’ve felt…impersonal. Ah wanted ta tell ya in person. Since the festival was goin’ on, ah felt like that was opportune moment to express mah feelin’s towards ya. But…ah guess that’s a moot point, considerin’ it’s already midday.”

A confusing cocktail of emotions swirled in Fluttershy’s mind. She was relieved to hear that Braeburn actually liked her, even after what happened last night. She was slightly annoyed that she had slept in so late, causing her to miss the opening of the festival. But underneath all of that was the overwhelming feeling of giddiness that gave her a strong urge to squeal at the top of her lungs. Instead, she chose to kiss Braeburn on the cheek.

“Umm…I’d be more than happy to be your girlfriend. If that’s ok with you…”

Braeburn simply sat there, rubbing his cheek in disbelief. This was really happening. She actually said yes! He spent last night, lying in bed awake, worrying about how badly this situation could turn out. After all, people said and did things they didn’t mean when they were drunk. Never in his wildest imaginings did he believe that Fluttershy’s intoxicated antics had genuine feelings behind them. Once he gathered his bearings, he grinned like an idiot.

“That’d be more than ok.”

Shy squealed. “Yay! Oh umm…sorry, but I’m just so happy!”

“No need ta be sorry. You’re cute when ya get all excited.”

Shy blushed. “Oh…ok. I’m really grateful that you stayed behind to look after me, but I feel really bad for making you miss the festival. Is it…too late to go now?”

“I’m afraid so. The festival staff closed the entrance gate at ten. They used ta let folks in all day but a few years back they started havin’ problems with overcrowdin’. That’s why it’s limited access now.”

Shy frowned. “Sorry. I know you were really looking forward to it.”

“It ain’t that big of a deal. I’ve been to ‘em before. The most important part was goin’ there with you. If ya want…we could do somethin’ else instead.”

“Like what?”

“Well, ah happen ta know a place ‘round here that’d suit your interests.”

“You mean…like an animal shelter?”

“Not exactly. I’m good friends with Little Strongheart, whose father just so happens to be the Buffalo Tribe’s chief. They run a buffalo preserve a few miles outside of town. Would you be interested in visitin’ it?”

“I’ve never seen live buffalo before. Sure, I’d love to go.”

Buffalo Tribe Reserve, Appleloosa

Braeburn parked his pickup truck close to the entrance of what appeared to be a much larger ranch, albeit less maintained, than his mother’s. As Fluttershy exited the vehicle she gasped in awe when she saw dozens of buffalo grazing about, without a care in the world.

Moments later, a tan skinned woman dressed in khakis and a beaded leather vest came galloping up on a palomino stallion. She jumped off of the horse and adjusted a single hawk feather affixed in her sandy blonde hair. After she finished her adjustments, the woman proceeded to give Braeburn a quick hug.

“Greetings Braeburn, it has been far too long since your last visit!”

“Hiya Strongheart. Ah hope ya don’t mind that ah brought someone with me this time.”

“This someone you refer to wouldn’t happen to be the pink haired woman cowering behind your back, would it?”

Braeburn rubbed his neck. “She’s not exactly the outgoin’ type.”

“Not all of us can be as extroverted as you, my friend.”

As always, Shy felt nervous meeting new people for the first time. But there was another, more powerful emotion that washed over her. For some odd reason, she didn’t like how this Little Strongheart was so chummy with Braeburn. But…why did she feel that way? It wasn’t as if the girl had said anything mean to her or hurt anyone.

Shy bit her lip in frustration. Could it be? Was she…jealous of how affectionate Strongheart was with Braeburn? Even if a tiny part of her admitted that she was jealous, she didn’t want to make an enemy out of Strongheart right off the bat. So, despite her conflicting feelings, Shy felt that the girl at least deserved a proper greeting.

“H-hello I’m…Fluttershy.”

Strongheart waved. “Good day to you! My name is Little Strongheart. Tell me, Ms. Fluttershy, do you like animals?”

“Oh…very much so. Back home, I work at a veterinary clinic and I h-hope to run my own practice someday.”

“A fellow animal lover hmm? Excellent! I do not claim to be a veterinarian, but I am quite experienced when it comes to caring for buffaloes and horses.”

Shy twirled a lock of her hair. “That’s…nice. I’ve worked with horses before, but I’ve never seen a live buffalo.”

“It is fortunate that you came over to visit today. One of the cows gave birth to a calf only a few days ago.”

“I LOVE BABY ANIMALS! Ermm…I mean it would be nice if I could see the calf.”

“Follow me then, I shall lead you to the nursery pens.”

After Strongheart put her stallion in the stable, she led the two of them to the nursery pens. It looked like any other grazing area, save for the fact that it was smaller and had a metal fence built around it. This ensured that the calves wouldn’t wander too far from their mothers. The lone cow stood in the middle of the pen, lazily chewing on some grass while her calf busied himself by chasing a butterfly.

Strongheart slowly approached the cow, making herself appear as non-threatening as possible. While the cow was familiar with Strongheart, she knew just how powerful and protective enraged buffaloes could be. She gently ran her fingers along the cow’s muzzle while singing an ancient lullaby in her people’s native tongue. The cow let out a soft grunt and licked Strongheart’s hand, signaling her approval.

“Ok. Both of you may enter the pen now. But approach slowly. The calf is still in the process of getting used to humans.”

Fluttershy carefully crept towards the calf, feeling her heart melt when the little guy fell on his rump when he lost his balance. He snorted in annoyance and pulled himself back up again, albeit in the most awkward way possible. In all fairness, he’d only been using his legs for a few days. Once he got his bearings, the calf finally noticed the new guest in his pen. The calf was uncertain of this new creature’s intentions, so his first instinct was to back away. Sensing the calf’s fear, Shy got on her knees to appear less threatening.

“It’s ok little one. I won’t hurt you.”

The calf liked the sound of this creature’s voice. It was a lot like the other creature that looked after him and his mother. Plus, she smelled like flowers. Anything that smelled like flowers couldn’t be that bad, right? With equal parts trust and curiosity he proceeded to lick the creature’s outstretched appendage.

Shy giggled. “That tickles! But it’s ok. You’re just a curious little guy, aren’t you?”

As the calf got more comfortable around Shy, he allowed her to pet him. In her opinion, the fur was rather coarse almost like a sheep’s but not quite as thick. Shy closed her eyes, content to be in the company of an adorable baby animal…unfortunately that made her completely oblivious to everything else. The calf was getting hungry and did what any calf would do in his situation. He searched for a nipple to latch onto.

It wasn’t very hard for him to find one. The creature that was petting him had rather large ones, but they weren’t very easy to get to like his mother’s. They were covered by something. In a desperate attempt to obtain life sustaining milk, he began to poke around Shy’s chest, covering her dress in buffalo slobber. The poor girl yelped in surprise and ran towards Braeburn and Strongheart. Noticing Shy’s disheveled appearance, Strongheart shook her head.

“The little one must be hungry. I’ll take him to his mother. Once I’m finished with that, we can head to the house so you can clean up.”

Shy blushed. “I’m glad I got to pet him but…that could’ve turned out better.”

Braeburn snickered as he struggled to contain his laughter. It was just the perfect mix of adorable and funny! He was about to offer Shy a conciliatory hug until…he noticed two VERY distracting things. For reasons he couldn’t possibly begin to understand, Shy had neglected to wear a bra today.

The messy little calf’s slobber had done wonders to make the girl’s dress cling to her bountiful breasts, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. To make matters worse, her nipples were fully erect from all of the rooting the calf had done. It was what they were designed to do, after all.

Braeburn coughed loudly. “Well…umm…are you doin’ ok?”

“I’m fine. It’s not like I’m mad at the little guy, he was just hungry. Braeburn, are you feeling alright? Your face is awfully red. Oh my…you’re not getting heat stroke, are you?!”

“Heh, ah guess ah am a bit overheated. It’d probably be best if we head inside.”

Braeburn heaved a sigh of relief as he plopped onto a plushy couch inside of Strongheart’s living room. He had come very close to pitching a tent right in front of Fluttershy. Yes, they were technically dating each other and he knew her quite well at this point but…Braeburn wasn’t entirely certain that he felt comfortable with the physical aspects of their relationship just yet.

What was even worse was the fact that Shy had been completely oblivious as to why he was so flustered. He just didn’t have the heart to tell the poor girl that her breasts were on full display for the entire world to see. It would’ve broken her already fragile ego into a thousand tiny pieces. With an angry grunt, he sank deeper into the cushion, feeling like a total schmuck.

Strongheart sat next to him, drinking a cup of herbal tea. “What troubles you, my friend?”

“Me.”

“I’m afraid…I don’t understand.”

“Ah sort o’ lied ta Fluttershy.”

“Oh? About what?”

“Ah reckon ya saw the condition she was in after that calf slobbered all over her dress. Well, ah couldn’t help but stare at her…umm…assets. She asked me what was wrong and ah just told her ah was overheated a bit.”

Strongheart chuckled. “Indeed. She certainly is well-endowed. Would it not have upset her further had you mentioned that she was exposing herself?”

“Yeah, ah guess so. But it still doesn’t feel right.”

“Lying or staring at her breasts?”

Braeburn blushed. “B-both.”

“It is natural for a man to desire a woman, especially if they are in a relationship. It is also wise to keep a woman calm when she is at her most vulnerable…even if that means you must lie to do so.”

“H-how did ya guess that we were datin’? Ah haven’t told anyone yet.”

“You frequently speak of your correspondence with Fluttershy and your desire to court her. Considering how rarely she visits Appleloosa, I suspected that you would capitalize on any opportunity to express your feelings towards her. I simply put two and two together.”

“Ah guess that makes me feel a little better. But ah still think ah should apologize, even if she gets embarrassed or upset.”

Strongheart sipped her tea. “That is entirely up to you. Though, might I make a suggestion?”

“Ok. Shoot.”

“Instead of brooding on the couch, why don’t you do something help clear your mind?”

“That’s sound alright, ah guess. What’d ya have in mind?”

“I find that a good swim helps to clear my thoughts. Perhaps it would help you as well.”

“Hmm. A nice refreshing dip doesn’t sound too bad right now. Ah think I’ll take ya up on that offer.”

“Excellent. Help yourself to the indoor pool. The towels are located in the large white cabinet right near the entrance.”

“Thanks Strongheart!”

Strongheart smiled as she watched Braeburn leave the living room. Hopefully, I have provided them with the perfect opportunity to become more intimate with each other.

Fluttershy sighed as she continued to float on her back. She had to admit that she hadn’t felt this relaxed in a long time. The shy girl had been a bit hesitant to try skinny dipping at first, but Strongheart convinced her that it was perfectly fine because she was the only one swimming in the pool.

It felt positively invigorating not having to wear a swimsuit! Gone was the cloying feeling of a one-piece as it stuck to the skin, as well as the occasional (and embarrassing) weggie. The cool water felt wonderful as it enveloped her body like a liquid cocoon, nearly lulling her to sleep. That was…until she heard someone else enter the room.

Shy stood still for moment, wondering if perhaps she simply misheard. After a few seconds, she heard the distinct sound of bare feet slapping against concrete, confirming her suspicions. How could that be possible? There wasn’t supposed to be anyone else in here!

Panic set in as she realized that the only article of clothing she had right now was a flimsy bath towel and it was currently sitting halfway across the room. Maybe if she got out of the pool fast enough, she could get to the towel before anyone saw her. It wasn’t exactly the safest solution, but it could very well save her dignity. Shy took a few quick breaths to steel her resolve and hopped out of the pool towards her salvation.

Braeburn popped his neck. Ah can’t believe ah didn’t think o’ this before. Then again, ah don’t have a fancy swimmin’ pool like Strongheart does. Hopefully, the cool water will help me collect mah—

The rancher’s thought went unfished as something knocked him flat on his ass. The first thought that came to his mind was the absurd amount of pain he was in. Falling on concrete generally hurts like hell, but even more so when all you’re wearing is a towel to cover yourself. Once the pain subsided, he felt something incredibly soft press up against his chest. If he didn’t know any better, it felt an awful lot like…breasts?

Braeburn slowly opened his eyes. “What in tarnation…SWEET MERCIFUL HEAVENS!”

His deduction had been entirely correct. And what a sight it was to behold! A slightly stunned and completely naked Fluttershy was pressed up against him. Her buttery skin was still wet, making it rather obvious that she had been swimming. Ever the gentleman, Braeburn (reluctantly) removed Fluttershy from his chest and waited for the girl to regain her senses.

Shy rubbed her head. “Ughhh…what happened?”

“Well, we had a bit of a tumble…BUT ah reckon neither of us are seriously injured. Hahaha! Nope, there’s absolutely no r-reason to freak out!”

“Freak out? Why would I…”

Realization hit Fluttershy like a freight train loaded with TNT. In her moment of panic she had rammed right into Braeburn. But that wasn’t the worst part. She was naked…IN FRONT OF A GUY!! The poor girl’s face became almost completely red, as a hot blush blossomed across her cheeks. She stumbled back, using one arm to cover her chest and jammed the other over her privates.

Braeburn waved his hands. “I’m sorry! Ah had no idea anyone else was usin’ the pool. Strongheart told me it was unoccupied, ah swear!”

Rather than reply, Shy whimpered and looked as if she was on the verge of tears.

“I’ll…just leave so you can find somethin’ ta wear. Again, I’m really sorry that this happened. If ya don’t want ta talk with me for a while…that’s understandable.”

Despite her distraught state of mind, Shy couldn’t help but feel a twinge of frustration swell in her chest. It wasn’t directed at Braeburn, he had done nothing wrong. He had no idea she was skinny dipping (which was extremely out of character for her in the first place). No, she was frustrated at herself for acting so embarrassed.

Braeburn was her boyfriend now. And it’s not supposed to be a big deal if your boyfriend sees you naked. At least…that’s what all of the movies and magazines said. Unfortunately, that sentiment did little to comfort her. It was simply in her nature to be shy and reserved. Asking her to be anything else was like asking a crocodile to become vegetarian. Even so, she had one thing going for her: She loved Braeburn. And that love gave her the strength to assert herself because Braeburn deserved nothing less.

“Wait!” Fluttershy cried out, as she grabbed Braeburn’s hand. “You don’t have to go, i-if you don’t want to…”

“But ah thought…”

Shy silenced him with a soft kiss to the lips. “It’s a-alright. We’re in a relationship now, so we were bound to see each other naked at some point. Umm…it’s a little sooner than I’d like but…I’m ok w-with it.”

Braeburn swallowed a massive lump in his throat, trying desperately to calm his nerves. Now that he got a really good look at Fluttershy’s body, he was beyond captivated. She had a figure that could make Venus weep in envy.

With the exception of her breasts, the girl’s entire body was fit and trim, suggesting that she exercised regularly. Her buttery yellow skin had nary a blemish in sight and was sinfully soft to the touch. But…the part of her that finally drove Braeburn over the edge was her pussy. It managed to be heart wrenchingly adorable and sexy at the same time. A single strip of pink hair was all that adorned it, complimenting her equally pink lips below.

She gently caressed his cheek and stared at him with those beautiful teal eyes, begging him to stay. At this very moment, a beautiful naked woman wanted him as company. How could he possibly refuse? The acceptance of her invitation was not given verbally, but in the most primal and physical way possible. Much the rancher’s embarrassment, his now fully erect member poked through the towel, expressing its approval.

“Sorry…ah couldn’t help mahself.”

Shy giggled. “There’s no need to be sorry. It’s perfectly natural for males to get an erection when they become aroused.”

“Well…ah guess ah might as well get rid o’ this towel. It’s only fair, considerin’ that I’ve seen ya naked.”

Shy stared at his throbbing cock. “Oh. My. *Ehem*…y-you know…I could…umm…take care of that for you, if you want.”

“I’d be lyin’ if ah said ah didn’t want it, but…are you certain you’re up to it? Ah just don’t want ya ta feel uncomfortable.”

“I appreciate your concern but I really want to do this for you. B-but…if you want to…you can return the favor once I’m done.”

Fluttershy began by gently massaging Braeburn’s balls and peppering his shaft with tiny kisses. She really hoped she was doing this right, considering this was her first time getting…intimate with a man. Shy kissed his shaft one last time and started to focus on his head. She gave it an experimental nudge, noticing just how spongy it was.

Braeburn shuddered. “That’s r-really sensitive, Shy.”

Ignoring her boyfriend’s warning, she grasped his shaft and started swirling the tip of her tongue around Brae’s head, making him sigh with pleasure. As she continued to lick, her thoughts drifted back to one of Pinkie’s sleep overs…

“I’m s-supposed to put that in my mouth!?”

Pinkie giggled. “Well duh! That’s why it’s called a blowjob.”

“Umm…w -what if I’m not very good at it?”

“Don’t worry about that. Guys love blowjobs, even if they’re bad! Just remember to take it slow and only suck on as much as you feel comfortable with. Trust me, there’s nothing sexy about choking.”

Shy blushed. “What do I do if…he…c-cums?”

“That’s easy. You swallow it! It’s not as yummy as icing but definitely a close second!”

“I don’t think it’s supposed to taste that good…”

Pinkie rubbed her chin. “I dunno. Most of the time, cum is kinda salty and bitter. But I heard that it can be sweet. It depends on what the guy eats.”

“That’s very…interesting, Pinkie.”

“Mhmm. *Yawn* Whelp, I think I’m gonna hit the sack. Feel free to wake me up if you need a schlicking buddy. Ya never know when the twitchy itch needs scratchin’, especially with all of this sex talk!”

Shy nestled into her sleeping bag. “O-ok, I’ll keep that in mind. Night, Pinkie.”

Fluttershy could tell Braeburn was enjoying this, which boosted her confidence greatly, but she wanted to do more. She ceased licking his head and started stroking his shaft with her thumb, giving herself a few moments to work up nerve to put him in her mouth.

Braeburn whimpered. “Please…stop teasin’ me. Ah can’t t-take it anymore! If you’re gonna…unnghhhh!”

Shy slowly moved her lips down Brae’s length, testing to see how much of him she could fit into her mouth. Much to her surprise it, wasn’t too difficult to accommodate him. So she continued to suck his length, steadily increasing her pace as time went on. Braeburn said nothing for a while, only offering up an occasional moan…until Shy felt his head flare up.

“S-shy…I’m really c-close. Ah don’t think ah can hold it much longer.”

Within seconds, Fluttershy felt a blast of hot semen coat the inside of her mouth. She squeaked in surprise and removed Brae’s cock from her mouth with a resounding slick pop. While her boyfriend recovered, she swished his cum around, trying to determine its flavor. Much to her surprise, it was somewhat sweet…reminding her of apples. With a satisfied smile, she swallowed every last drop.

Braeburn blushed heavily. “Ya actually…swallowed it?”

“Mhmm. Did you enjoy that?”

“That was probably the best damn blowjob I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. I don’t mean to sound needy but…I’m really horny right now. Do you think you could…umm…pleasure me too?”

“Oh…of course! What kind o’ man would ah be if ah didn’t please mah gal? Just lie on your back and I’ll start lickin’ your—”

Shy put her finger on his lips. “No. I need you inside of me!”

Braeburn stared at his semi-flaccid cock, wondering if he even had the stamina to give her what she wanted. It wasn’t as if he didn’t want to make with her. He craved it just as much as she did! But the flesh had limits, even if the mind was willing.

“Ah don’t know if ah have it in me. Ya darn near almost sucked me dry.”

This is going to be so embarrassing, but it’s the only way he’ll get hard again. Shy got on all fours and wiggled her ass. “Take me! I’m all yours! But…please be gentle it’s my f-first time.”

Shy’s gambit had the desired effect. Braeburn was now fully erect. He carefully inserted his cock into her warm, pink folds…inch by agonizing inch. It was barely a third of the way in when Shy let out a pained cry, immediately causing him to stop.

“What’s wrong? Does it hurt? Ah can stop if ya want.”

Shy bit her lip. “N-no, just keep going, I’ll be fine.”

At last, he finally managed to fit his entire length within her. He hadn’t even started moving yet and he could already feel her clamping down on him, trying to milk him for all he was worth. Braeburn started thrusting slowly to ensure that he wouldn’t hurt Shy in the process. As time wore on, the two of them became used to one another and began to develop a rhythm. Where there was once hesitation, now there were only the constant sounds of moaning and flesh slapping against flesh. Both of them cried out in ecstasy as a powerful orgasm rocked their bodies, causing them to collapse onto the floor in utter exhaustion.

“I needed that.” Fluttershy whispered as she laid her head on Braeburn’s chest.

“That was amazin’. Ah had no idea mah first time would be so…intense.”

“T-that was your first time too?!”

“Yeah, sorry ah didn’t mention it before. Ah didn’t want ya ta get nervous on account of me not knowin’ what ah was doin’.”

Shy kissed his chest. “It’s ok. Everything worked out in the end. And you were gentle like I asked…at least in the beginning, anyway. So…umm…now that we’re all sweaty, would you like to go for a swim?”

“Ah reckon I’d like that.”

“Good, I’d like to as well but no funny business mister!”

Braeburn chuckled. “Fair enough. We can always do somethin’ later if ya like, though.”

“O-ok. That might be…nice.”

Author's Note

In case anyone was curious, there is an artist on Deviantart whom I draw inspiration from as far as how my characters are depicted. His (or her I have no idea) drawings have better proportions than the terribly skinny, rectangle legged Hasbro versions of the EG-verse characters. The dude's name is Uotapo, check out his page if you've got the time. You won't regret it!

Night of the Fireflies

Chapter 10

Cherry’s Ranch, Appleloosa (The Morning of the Festival)

Spike sat on the edge of his bed, grasping the very necklace that had given him his human form. After a few moments of staring at the heart shaped sapphire, he was immediately reminded of Rarity…or more specifically her eyes. Ah yes, those beautiful blue eyes. Beautiful blue eyes that he would need to gaze upon in order to confess his most sincere desire. There was no better opportunity than this. A fun-filled day at the fair was the perfect set up for a romantic confession and it would all be topped off by giving her this necklace.

Despite his optimistic scenario, Spike couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of sadness. It was not so much for his current situation but for the original reason he bought the necklace for in the first place. He spent, what felt like an eternity, earning the bits for this so he could express his love to the mare that his heart had so earnestly yearned for.

To Spike, this trinket was so much more than mere metal and stone…it felt like it was part of his very being. That’s why it was important that he give it only to someone he truly cared for. And even though he hadn’t known this world’s Rarity for long, he cared for the woman as if he’d known her for years.

Spike chuckled to himself. The irony of it is: I really did know her for years…at least the mare version anyway. It never ceases to amaze me how similar those two are despite the species difference. Maybe…that’s why I still love her, n-not that this world’s Rarity isn’t any less beautiful. It’s just in a more…human way, I guess. Geez…now I’m even THINKING like a human.

With a deep breath, he focused his mind once more. The choice was so obvious now. He needed to give her this necklace, regardless of whether she had feelings for him or not. It was the very least he could do to repay the generosity she’d shown him. And this time there would be no sadness or heartbreak to question his resolve! This necklace was always destined to be in Rarity’s possession, so who was Spike to deny fate any longer?

The young man was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he failed to hear someone enter the room. To be fair though, it wasn’t as if his door was locked or even shut for that matter so anyone could’ve taken the open door as an invitation to enter. Only after a few seconds did he hear the bed creak as someone else sat next to him. Much to his surprise, it wasn’t Rarity but Cherry for some reason. Noticing the look of shock upon his face, she carefully placed her hand on his leg.

“No need to look so spooked, hon. I just came in to check up on you.”

Spike cleared his throat. “Oh…sorry I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Ha ha ha! Well that much is obvious! Say, that’s a real fancy necklace ya got there. Is it a present for someone? Perhaps…it’s for a special someone?”

“You could say that.”

Cherry chuckled. “Well now, that would certainly explain why you weren’t paying attention to the world around you. Men always get so caught up in their romantic musings. So who’s the lucky gal?”

“Uhh…I don’t know if I should even be talking to you about this. No offence, but I just don’t know you very well.”

“None taken. But bear in mind that I was married at one point. So…I kinda have some experience with relationships, kiddo.”

Spike rubbed his neck. “I suppose that’s true. If you must know…i-it’s for Rarity.”

“So the dressmaker’s got your eye, huh? She’s definitely a looker. I’ll bet she’s got legions of men bending themselves over backwards just to please her all the time. What makes you think she’ll notice your advances?”

Spike nodded. “I don’t want to give her this necklace because I think it’ll impress her or anything like that. I want to give it to her because of what she’s done for me. She let me, a complete stranger, stay in her house because I had nowhere else to go. She bought me clothes when I didn’t have any more to wear. She offered me her friendship without hesitation. I’m giving her this necklace because she deserves it. Even if she rejects my feelings for her, I’m not going to regret giving her my most prized possession.”

“If you ask me, Rarity would be a fool not to snatch you up. It’s rare to find a man who’s so devoted to a woman that he wouldn’t ask for anything in return. And just between you and me, I don’t think your feelings are as one-sided as you think. That gal wouldn’t be dolling herself up so carefully right now for a guy she didn’t care about. Have faith, Spike. I have feeling that everything will work out just fine.”

“You really think so?”

“Mhmm. Call it woman’s intuition.”

Right as Cherry was about to leave, Rarity entered the room. She was wearing a light blue sundress that went down to her ankles and a pair of ebony colored cowboy boots. In the spirit of the festival, she chose to style her hair into pigtails that tapered off with a pair of ribbons that matched her boots.

The fashionista looked somewhat confused when she noticed that Cherry was in the room but didn’t comment otherwise. Once Cherry left, she daintily folded her dress underneath her legs and sat down next to Spike.

“I’m terribly sorry for taking so long. I had to help Applejack with her ensemble and take care of my own as well. Is…everything alright? You looked rather somber when Cherry was sitting next to you.”

Spike smiled. “Yep. Everything is alright. We were just discussing a few things. It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

“Well, alright. But don’t hesitate to tell me if something’s wrong. I don’t mind offering advice or lending an ear to listen.”

“I appreciate that Rarity. I honestly do. But this was something I had to ask someone older about. You know…somebody who’s been around the block a few times.”

Rarity frowned slightly in disappointment. “I suppose so. In any case, are you ready to depart?”

“Ready as I'll ever be, I guess. Hey…uhh sorry I didn’t dress up more.”

“It’s alright darling; the important thing is to enjoy the festivities.”

“I know but you really outdid yourself. I think you’d give AJ a run for her money with the whole country girl look. I especially love the cowboy boots. They’re down on the farm but sexy at the same time!”

Rarity blushed. “Ah well…it seems that great minds think alike! And if I may say so, you look quite dashing in that leather vest and cowboy hat.”

Spike tipped his white Stetson. “Why, thank ya kindly miss. How’s about we saddle up and git on outta here?”

The Festival Grounds, Appleloosa

After a light lunch, Spike and Rarity walked amongst the various snack stalls the festival had to offer. The one in particular that caught Spike’s eye was a vendor selling something called “funnel cake”. From the looks of it, the cake resembled a mass of doughy spaghetti with a liberal dousing of powdered sugar. And to top it all off, the damn thing was deep fried!

He had no doubt that Pinkie would’ve gone ballistic over such a decadent treat, were she here right now. But since she wasn’t here right now, it was his duty to try it for her. For a mere two dollars and fifty cents the vendor handed him a piping hot cake buried in powdered sugar.

Spike nibbled on a strand. “This…is AMAZING! Rarity you have to try some of this!”

“Oh I don’t think so darling. But thanks for asking.”

“Why not? It’s delicious!”

Rarity scrunched her nose. “I’m sure it is…to some people. But I’m afraid I can’t partake. It is simply far too greasy for my tastes.”

“Oh for Celestia’s sake, we’re at a festival! You’re supposed to eat unhealthy stuff. One little bite isn’t gonna kill you.”

“How can you be so certain? That thing you call a cake is loaded with an unholy amount of saturated fat and sugar! Why, I can see the oil soaking through the paper plate as we speak!”

“But fat means flavor! Delicious, artery clogging FLAVOR!”

“I prefer my arteries unclogged, thank you very much.”

Spike groaned. “Fine. Is there anything here that you’ll actually consider eating?”

“Well…there is one thing. Oh but I really shouldn’t.”

“C’mon Rarity just tell me! I promise that I’ll pay for it. What do you have to lose?”

Rarity huffed. “Aside from my trim waistline, nothing I suppose. Very well. If you must know, I’m rather partial to cotton candy.”

Luckily for Spike, there just so happened to be a vendor a few stalls down who sold cotton candy. Now, you’d think that anyone selling this particular product would have a certain look about them. A look that screamed “look at me I’m a candy maker!” or something to that effect.

Considering that Spike had been exposed to such individuals as the Cakes, Bon-Bon and Pinkie Pie, his assumption was completely understandable. However, this was not the case. The blonde haired man running the stall looked like he was about twice the size of Big Mac with enough muscle to make even the most seasoned body builder weep in shame. He stared at Spike with his fiery red eyes expectantly.

Spike twiddled his fingers. “Good day to you mister! I was wondering…if I could get some cotton candy.”

The burly man smiled. “Sure can do buddy! What flavor do you want? I’ve got plenty to choose from. Let’s see: there’s grape, cherry, orange, regular and maple!”

“Heh, uhh…maple sounds good.”

“YEEAAAAAHHHHH! That’s my favorite flavor too. You owe me two bucks, buddy.”

“H-here you go. Say, I don’t mean to be rude but how did a guy like you end up selling cotton candy?”

The burly man bellowed with laughter. “I get that question a lot. I’m usually a body builder during the pro season but I’ve always enjoyed making candy as a hobby. It helps bring in some extra CAAAAAASHHHHHH!”

“That’s cool. I can totally respect that. My name’s Spike, by the way, and the lady over there is Rarity. We’re in town for a few days to enjoy the festival.”

“Bulk, nice to meet you. I hope your lady-friend enjoys the candy. Here’s my card if you’re interested in catering for parties.”

Spike took the card and shook his hand. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Later, Bulk.”

“Enjoy the rest of your DAAAAAAYYYYY!”

Despite her earlier protests, Rarity looked as if she was in a state of pure bliss as she nibbled on her sugary treat. Spike couldn’t help but start giggling when he noticed several clumps of candy sticking to her face. Realizing this, Rarity blushed and tried her damnedest to wipe the offending confection from her face but it only ended making her situation even worse. By this point, Spike graduated from giggling to full out belly laughing while Rarity gave him the death stare.

Rarity puffed out her cheeks. “It’s not funny Spike!”

“Bwahahaha! S-sorry—hahaha! You looked just like a little kid!”

“Well I’m terribly sorry that I enjoy cotton candy! It happens to remind me of my childhood. Hmmph!”

“It’s ok Rarity, calm down. I wasn’t trying to insult you. I thought it made you look really adorable…for some reason.”

Rarity coughed awkwardly and blushed. “F-fine! But I really don’t appreciate being laughed at.”

“Ok, ok. I’m sorry I laughed at you. I’ll try not to do it again. But at least you enjoyed the candy, right?”

Rarity sighed. “Yes, I will admit that it was delicious. In fact, I was surprised that such a muscular looking man could craft such fine confections.”

“Yeah, me too. I thought he was going to break me in half just for looking at him funny. But he seemed like a pretty cool guy.”

“Mhmm. It’s true what they say. One mustn’t judge a book by its cover!”

Spike kicked a pebble. “That’s certainly true. So uhh…is there anything in particular you want to do?”

“I didn’t really have any concrete plans, no. However, I wouldn’t mind if we tried out a few games. Specifically, the ones where you can win prizes if you achieve a certain goal. Applejack is always rambling on about how good she is at target shooting games, so I’d like to check out at least one of them…if for no other reason than to sate my curiosity.”

Spike let out a soft sigh of relief because he didn’t have anything planned either. Granted, he wasn’t exactly experienced with this whole “going on a date” thing but even he knew that a lack of activity led to awkward silence and eventually boredom. And boring was never an adjective anyone wanted used to describe their date.

As luck would have it, the area where the games were located wasn’t very far from the snack stalls. Spike had to wonder if it was set up that way on purpose. After all, when people were done eating they tended not to think about food anymore. When you don’t think about food, your mind craves other things to occupy itself with. During a festival, one of the best ways to occupy one’s mind (and in some cases wallet) was with carnival games.

When Spike started walking again, he was surprised to feel Rarity grab his arm and intertwine it with her own. He paused for a moment just to see if it was perhaps a mistake or maybe she lost her footing and needed him to prevent her from falling. As time wore on she didn’t relinquish her grip, providing evidence that she was holding onto him of her own volition. Granted, it wasn’t as intimate as a kiss or even a hug but it proved that the young woman was comfortable around him. This was definitely a good sign.

Speaking of good signs, Spike happened to notice a promising game that offered prizes that he was fairly certain Rarity would like. The premise was simple: all you had to do was hit some little metal plate as hard as you could with a hammer and depending on the score you got, you could choose a prize. Most of the lower end prizes were comprised of various stickers and posters while the higher end prizes consisted of a plethora of plushies that would please even the pickiest person.

Rarity squeezed his arm. “Why don’t we try this one?”

“Sure, why not? Is there any prize in particular that you want me to win?”

“Oh…well it doesn’t matter, I suppose. As long as you try your best and have fun.”

Spike chuckled. “I’ll be sure to aim for one of the plushies!”

Rarity rolled her eyes when she saw Spike grab the largest and heaviest hammer available. Men. Always trying to show off in front of others, if only to prove their own machismo. I mean…it’s not that I don’t appreciate that he’s trying to win me a good prize but that’s no reason for him to potentially hurt himself. Oh dear…that hammer does look rather heavy. I hope he doesn’t pull a muscle…

With practiced ease that surprised everyone, Spike effortlessly whacked the tiny metal plate. A few seconds later the digital meter next to the strength test read 990 (the highest possible score was 1000). The slack-jawed owner of the stall quietly congratulated the young man and allowed him to pick any prize he wanted. Naturally, he picked the cutest stuffed animal he could find. It was a green dragon with purple wings and adorable mismatched googly eyes. He presented Rarity her prize with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“I hope you like it.”

Rarity squealed and hugged the dragon. “It’s soooooo adorable! I absolutely love it! But if I may ask, how in world did you manage to score so high on the strength test?”

“Eh? It wasn’t really that hard. I used to haul stuff around a farm all day, back in Equestria. I guess I must be pretty strong then?”

“I would certainly say so, darling. The same likely applies to Big Mac, considering that he is in a similar line of work…and AJ as well, I imagine.”

“Huh, you’re probably right. I guess that’s why I have so many muscles as a human.”

Rarity bit her lip. “Indeed…not that it’s a bad thing. Anyway, what else would you like to do?”

“Well…I’d like to do something a little off the beaten path, if you don’t mind.”

“Like what?”

“The sun’s going to set soon and uhh…I’d like us to spend some time together just watching the fireflies. Is t-that alright? Heh, I mean I can totally understand if you don’t want to. You know, since it’s kind of boring and all…”

Rarity smiled. “I’d love to. And please don’t fret. There is nothing boring about enjoying nature in the company of a good friend.”

“Thank Celes—errr I mean that’s cool. Shall we get going?”

“Lead the way, darling.”

Rarity and Spike sat on a wool blanket they purchased from one of the local Buffalo Tribe weavers and watched as dozens of fireflies lazily hovered around them. Since the blanket was relatively small, the two of them had to sit pressed up against each other’s shoulders, but neither of them minded. For a half hour they didn’t utter a single word. They were content to bask in one another's presence and simply enjoy the nature around them.

Rarity rested her head against Spike’s shoulder. “It’s so beautiful Spike. I feel as if I could sit here and watch them fly around forever.”

“They are something, aren’t they?”

“Mhmm.”

“Hey Rarity, do you mind if I tell you something…a little personal?”

“Go on darling, I’m all ears.”

Taking a deep breath, Spike reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace. It didn’t shine as brightly as it would have had the sun still been out but it still glimmered in the late evening moonlight. As soon as Rarity saw it, her heart skipped a beat.

“Rarity. This is the only thing I have left from my world. I consider it my most prized possession and I truly believe that it was responsible for transforming me into a human. That being said, I want you to have it.”

Rarity gasped. “I-it’s beautiful. But I can’t possibly take it! It’s far too precious to you!”

“I know, but it’s important that you accept it. I want you to have it because I think there is no one more deserving of it than you.”

“W-what exactly did I do to deserve such a fabulous gift?”

Spike laughed. “Everything, Rarity. You provided me with a home when I had none. You clothed me when I didn’t even have a shirt to place upon my back. But most importantly…you offered me your friendship and believed my story when you had absolutely no reason to trust me.”

“I…w-was only doing what I thought was right. It’s not really that big of a deal…”

“IT’S A BIG DEAL TO ME! I know I can’t possibly repay the kindness and generosity you’ve shown me but the least I can do is give you this necklace. Please, just accept it.”

Rarity gently grasped the necklace. “This isn’t just a token of gratitude…is it?”

“Rarity…I know we haven’t known each other for very long but I’ve grown to love you. Maybe it’s your silky hair or the way the sun reflects in your beautiful blue eyes…or that melodious laugh you make when you’re happy. I can’t really narrow it down to any one thing. I just…love everything about you! Even if…you don’t feel the same way about me, I still want you to have the necklace.”

Rarity stared at the necklace in her hands while hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Never in her entire life had she ever heard such a passionate, honest and moving confession. She had to admit that she did, in fact, feel attracted to Spike. But now, after hearing his confession, it was hard to say if her crush hadn’t evolved into something…more serious.

How could she possibly refuse him? It would break the poor man’s heart if she didn’t return his feelings in earnest. Here was her knight in shining armor, ready to whisk her to a faraway castle. All she had left to do was offer a token of her affection and hope that it was enough.

After taking a deep breath, Rarity tackled Spike to ground and jammed her lips against his. At first, Spike didn’t respond because he was so surprised but he eventually returned her affection by slowly caressing her tongue with his own. Rarity eventually (and reluctantly) broke off the kiss but not before nibbling on Spike’s lower lip. Once she composed herself, she grabbed Spike’s hand and laid her head on his chest.

“I don’t know if my feelings for you are quite as strong, but rest assured I will try my hardest to return them.”

Spike kissed her forehead. “That’s all I ask.”

Author's Note

Whew~ I think I maxed out my feels-o-meter writing this. I really hope that the Sparity shipping feels natural. I didn't want it to feel abrupt or awkward. As for the next chapter I'm going to be focusing back on Ponyville (The one with Humans in it) and what's going on around there. Oh and trust me, it's going to be hilarious because some surprise guests come to visit Rarity's house.

The Truth Laid Bare

Chapter 11

Train Station, Ponyville

Spike smiled as ran his hand through Rarity’s hair. About an hour ago, she had fallen asleep and was comfortably resting on his lap. He really didn’t want to wake her up because she looked so serene…but he had to, out of necessity. They would be arriving at Ponyville Station any minute now and a train’s intercom wasn’t exactly the most pleasant thing to wake up to. He kissed her gently on the cheek and whispered in her ear.

“Hey, it’s time to get up sleepy-head.”

Rarity yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Hmm. Oh…are we in Ponyville already?”

“Not quite, but we will be soon. I just wanted to wake you up so you had some time to compose yourself.”

Rarity gave him a quick peck to the lips. “You know me so well. Would you be a dear and carry our bags while I freshen up?”

“No problem. Just don’t take too long. I don’t wanna miss our stop.”

“Not to worry darling, I’ll be out in two shakes of a lamb’s tail!”

While Spike unloaded the bags from the overhead compartment, Sunset made her way down the hall, carrying her own bags as well. Standing a few paces behind, Applejack packed an assortment of goodies that Cherry had given them into a larger suitcase. With a grunt, Sunset dropped her bags and helped Spike dislodge Rarity’s oversized carry-on.

“What the hell does she have in there?”

“Most likely an entire summer ensemble, including matching shoes.”

“I imagine you’re right. So…how’s everything going between you two?”

Spike sighed. “As well as could be expected, I suppose.”

“What’s the problem? She responded to your feelings, didn’t she?”

“Yeah but…I guess I expected something more dramatic.”

Sunset raised her eyebrow. “Hey now, don’t go looking a gift horse in the mouth! Real life isn’t some fairy tale where you go charging in on a white stallion and sweep the princess off her feet.”

“I-I know but it just feels so…surreal to finally be with Rarity.”

“Ha! How do you think I feel? I used to find mares sexy for Celestia’s sake! Now, I’m in a relationship with a human. And she’s a human that, by all rights, should have little reason to like me because I treated her so poorly in the past. The universe truly works in mysterious ways…”

Spike twiddled his fingers. “So…did you like…do it…with AJ yet?”

“Do what exactly?”

“You know…h-have sex.”

“THAT’S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSSINESS! Geez…you act like you’ve never gotten laid before.”

Spike blushed. “Umm…what if I said no?”

“By the creator, you’re serious! Aren’t you like…twenty?”

“Well yeah, but how many mares can you name that would be willing to do that kind of stuff with a dragon?!”

Sunset chuckled awkwardly. “Oh…forgot about that. Look, I’m not exactly an expert on relationships but you probably shouldn’t rush into the sex part.”

“But what if—”

“Do. Not. Rush. It! The last thing you want is for Rarity to get upset because you forced yourself on her. I know that you’re tempted but women like her just don’t work that way.”

“I don’t understand. The Rarity back in Equestria was perfectly fine with idea of rutting my sister! Why would this world’s Rarity feel any—”

Sunset rubbed her temples. “It’s because they aren’t the same, Spike! If I’ve noticed anything from living in this world, it’s that the people here might be very similar to the ponies we know but they aren’t carbon copies of each other. As far as I can tell, this world’s Rarity seems to be a lot more conservative. In your case, this is probably a good thing.”

“I’m sorry, I got a little ahead of myself. But what should I do? I mean, how do I know when she’s ready to take the next step?”

“My advice: talk with her about it. I’m not saying to talk with her about it right away, but wait until the both of you start getting more comfortable with each other.”

“O-ok, that sounds good. Hey…uhh…no offence or anything but it sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”

Sunset blushed heavily. “Eh…well I might have jumped AJ’s bones a bit too quick.”

“Really?”

“S-shut up! We were both a little drunk, ok!”

“I’m seriously starting to question the authenticity of your advice.”

Sunset poked his chest. “It’s n-not like it wasn’t consensual! Plus…I promised her that we’d take it slow and make it more romantic next time.”

AJ happened to finish packing at that very moment and chose to wrap her arm around Sunset’s shoulder. Since she was already in a flustered state, the poor woman let out an extremely girlish scream which sent Spike into a fit of giggles.

“Whoa sorry there Sugarcube, didn’t mean ta scare ya. What’re y’all talkin’ about?”

“N-nothing important! Just…small talk. Have you finished packing?”

AJ grinned. “Eeyup! I’m sure that Mac, Bloom and Granny will love all the goodies that Aunt Cherry gave us. Though…ah outta give Pinkie somethin’ too. She’ll be madder than a swarm o’ hornets if ah have some sweets and didn’t give her any.”

“How about you give her one of those sugary chimi things?”

“A chimicherrychanga? Yeah, ah reckon she’ll like that. Anyway, we should start hustlin’ so we can get off in time.”

As if on cue, the intercom crackled to life, announcing that the train had arrived in Ponyville. Sunset and AJ briefly hugged Spike and started hauling their bags out of the car and headed towards Big Mac’s beat-up truck. Upon hearing the intercom, Rarity scrambled out of the bathroom and grabbed her carry-on. She had fixed her “bed hair” but didn’t have the time to apply a lot of make-up, so she only wore a light coating of sparkly purple lip gloss. Once they were outside, she let out a puff of air.

“I’m terribly sorry Spike, but my hair was being difficult. I knew I should have brought my deluxe French spray! But noooo I settled for the cheap knock-off brand. Well, I shan’t be making that mistake again!”

Spike looked at the station’s clock. “It’s ok, we’re still on schedule. Umm…just so we’re clear, you asked Pinkie to pick us up, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Is there a problem?”

“I dunno, maybe? Are you sure she won’t forget?”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “While I understand that Pinkie can get rather…distracted sometimes, I assure you that she won’t forget to pick us up. She “Pinkie Promised” me that she would be here and she’s always been a woman of her word.”

“How will we know—nevermind.”

In front of the parking lot stood Pinkie, waving a huge glitter covered sign that said: Welcome Back Rarity & Spike! As soon as Spike waved, Pinkie immediately ran towards them at a pace that could have easily qualified for the Olympic One Hundred Meter dash. Before either of them could utter a word, the hyperactive girl enveloped them in a bone-crushing hug.

“Hi guys! It’s sooooooo good to see you! Did ya have a nice trip?”

Rarity coughed. “Yes darling, we had a wonderful time.”

“Heeey wait a minute! Something changed, didn’t it? WAIT! Don’t tell me. You guys went to the fair and had a super duper good time and then found a really romantic spot and confessed your undying love for each other!”

Spike blushed. “That pretty much sums it up.”

“I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS! Buuuuut…you can’t be the only couple that found love on this trip. My nipples twitched at least THREE times! So who are the other two? Oh and speaking of others, where’s Fluttershy?”

“Shy decided to stay in Appleloosa for the rest of the summer and work at the Buffalo Tribe Reserve. Apparently, they’re going to help her get a veterinary scholarship. As for the other couple, it’s AJ and Sunset. They already went back to Sweet Apple Acres.”

Pinkie nodded. “Good for AJ. She’s been acting like a grumpy, hasn’tbeenlaidinawhile pants for a while now. And as for Shy…HOLY SPRINLES AND CHOCOLATE ICING! She finally hooked up with Braeburn?!”

“I think so. We really didn’t get much of a chance to talk with her before we left.”

“Awww it’s ok. I’ll miss her but I can understand why she chose to stay in Appleloosa. It’s really reeeeaaally hard to get any bow-chicka bow-wow time when your boyfriend is like…hundreds of miles away.”

“Yeah…no doubt. So, how are we going to get home?”

Pinkie giggled. “With my car silly!”

Sure enough, Pinkie led both of them to a Pink (big surprise there) VW Bug parked in the front row. If it wasn’t bad enough that her car was pink, the license plate read PARTY G1RL in multi colored letters. After they loaded their luggage into the trunk and seated themselves, Pinkie started the car and cranked up the radio.

Despite her manic tendencies, she was actually a pretty decent driver. She stopped at all the stop signs and red lights, stayed well within the speed limit and braked as smoothly as a professional limo driver. The only thing she did that could be considered annoying was singing along to I’m a Barbie Girl at full blast.

Rarity tapped Pinkie on the shoulder. “Excuse me, Pinkie. But who taught you how to drive?”

“Hmm? Oh, my big sister Maud. She’s a really good driver. She always told me to…what was it? Oh yeah! Be calm like a rock, still like a rock…and always wear a seatbelt!”

“That’s some very sound advice, darling.”

“Yeppers! That’s why I love my big sister! She’s always looking out for me.”

Rarity chuckled. “My sister can be quite a handful sometimes but I still can’t help but adore that little scamp. Speaking of, I wonder what’s she’s doing right now.”

“She isn’t staying at your house?”

“Not…right now, anyway. Sweetie actually lives with my parents but she occasionally comes over to stay, since most of her friends live here in Ponyville. But not to worry, my parents only live a short distance away in Canterlot.”

“Wow! They must have a lot of dough to able to live there.”

Rarity played with a strand of her hair. “Yes, well…that’s because my Father used to be a professional football player. He played for the Canterlot Colts as their quarterback until he retired six years ago. As for my mother, she continues to work as a personal trainer for all of Canterlot’s celebrities and athletes.”

“That’s so cool! I had no idea that one of my friends had a super famous dad. My dad’s just a geologist but we still love him all the same.”

“No need to fret darling, I wasn’t trying to make a contest out of it.”

“It’s ok, I know you weren’t. But I find if kind of weird that during the whole time I’ve known you, you haven’t really talked about your parents very much.”

“Ah…well I suppose the subject was never broached upon very often.”

Pinkie gave her a deadpan stare. “C’mon Rarity, you and I both know that’s a load of bullcookies. What’s the matter, do you guys have a bad relationship or something?”

“No, it’s not that. If anything, they’re very affectionate and supportive. I love them dearly but it’s just that they have very…unusual living habits.”

Pinkie gasped. “Do they sacrifice baby seals in order to appease Lord Cthulhu?!”

“What? No! Look…I’d rather not talk about it, if it’s all the same to you.”

“Okie dokie loki! If it makes you that uncomfortable, then we won’t talk about it.”

Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

“No problem! That’s what friends are for. Oh look, we’re almost to your house! But wait a second…there’s another car in the driveway. Did you meet some new friends that I’m not aware of?”

Much to Rarity’s horror, she recognized the car. It wasn’t just any old car either. It was her father’s classic baby blue Mustang Convertible. Of all the times they could chose to visit, why did it have to be today? I just hope that when Spike and Pinkie meet them, it won’t be too awkward. But that still leaves the possibility of death by embarrassment! Well…here’s goes nothing.

Rarity slowly opened the door while Pinkie and Spike followed close behind with the luggage. Nothing seemed out of place, except for the distinct smell of coffee wafting from the kitchen. Rarity shook her head. Her father had a caffeine addiction that rivaled her own and she was not the least bit surprised that he would help himself to her stash of coffee.

But that wasn’t the only thing she noticed. She also heard someone chopping something with a kitchen knife. Since her father rarely cooked, there was only one other person who could be doing that. It was her mother. Now she knew that death by embarrassment wasn’t just a possibility but a certainty. With a heavy sigh she motioned for Spike and Pinkie to follow, only wanting to get this whole meet and greet over with.

Rarity waved. “Hello mother, father. I’m…home.”

Pearl Belle, Rarity’s mother, put down the knife she was using and padded across the kitchen to envelop her daughter in a bone crushing hug. Normally, Rarity was more than happy to receive such a gesture of affection but this hug was exceptionally awkward. Why do you ask? Well, it was because Pearl was completely naked. As such, Rarity found her face inevitably squashed between Pearl’s perky bosoms.

“Hiya Sweetheart! It’s so good to see you!”

Rarity blushed. “A-and you as well…mother. Would you mind letting me go? Your…ehem…breasts are squishing me.”

“Why are you so embarrassed? You act like you haven’t seen my boobs before. Anywho, I made some finger sandwiches if you’re hungry. They’re even your favorite, cucumber and tzadziki!”

“Mother! That’s beside the point! I have guests over.”

Pearl waved when she saw Pinkie and Spike standing across the room. Poor Spike was slack jawed and at a loss for words. Pinkie, on the other hand, wasted no time stripping out of her clothes and proceeded to enjoy a finger sandwich.

Rarity blushed even harder. “Pinkie! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

“Hmm? Oh, I’m just enjoying one these yummy sandwiches your mom made. It is almost lunch time, ya know.”

“N-not that! I mean, why on earth are you naked?”

Pinkie shrugged. “When in Rome…”

“Uggh. J-just put your clothes back on!”

“Oh come on Rarity, don’t be such a prude! Being naked is awesome. Just think of all the fun things you can do. Like swimming, running, hiking, and trampoline jumping! Oh but you probably shouldn’t cook bacon. ‘Cause bacon grease on the coochie would hurt reaaaaally bad!”

Magnum Belle, also naked, was seated at the table reading the paper and nursing a cup of coffee. Upon hearing Pinkie’s little spiel he couldn’t help but chuckle. Magnum could never understand why Rarity was so embarrassed by the fact that they were nudists. Sweetie Belle certainly had no problem with it. In fact, she wholeheartedly embraced the lifestyle.

He supposed that the only reason Rarity didn’t like it was because she wasn’t as young as Sweetie was when they decided to become nudists. The funny thing was the whole reason he and Pearl even considered living like this was because of a gift.

Immediately after he retired six years ago, one of his coworkers had bought him a pair of tickets for an all-expenses paid trip to some tropical island in the Bahamas. As fate would have it, the resort happened to be clothing optional. At first, they were a little hesitant to try walking around in the buff but as the week-long vacation wore on, they found that they liked it. And thus, their new lifestyle began.

Sweetie, who was only eight at the time, was impressionable enough that she had no problem accepting and adapting to her parent’s choice. Rarity, being twelve years old, had a far more difficult time because she was almost a teenager. It probably didn’t help matters that she witnessed (on several awkward occasions) her parents during some rather heated make-out sessions.

Magnum stared lecherously at his wife’s delightfully firm bottom. He had to admit that Pearl was smoking hot for her age. She was probably in better shape than most people half her age. So was he, if only because she insisted that he work out with her and stick to a healthy diet. Was he sorry that his wife still aroused him? No, he wasn’t sorry for that. Becoming a nudist spiced up his sex-life and he wasn’t sorry for that at all. But he really shouldn’t be thinking about such things at the moment because boners were very awkward…even for nudists.

Magnum chuckled. “I like your friend, princess. She’s got spunk.”

“Father! Don’t encourage her!”

“So, I noticed that you brought another guest. Care to explain who he is?”

Rarity bit her lip. “Umm…well, he’s actually my boyfriend. We just recently started dating.”

“Hmm. Is that so? How do I know he’s good enough for my princess?”

“Father, please don’t harass him. He’s been nothing but a perfect gentleman. Now if you’ll just—”

Magnum held up his hand. “Ah! I won’t hear any of that. Son, get you hind end over here! We need to have a chat.”

Spike finally snapped out of his state of shock upon hearing his name being called. Hesitantly, he made his way over to the table and took a seat. Magnum took one more sip of his coffee, pushed his chair in and stood in front of Spike to give him a once over.

Oh great. As if Rarity’s mom wasn’t distracting enough. Now, I’ve gotta deal with her dad too. Ok Spike. Whatever you do, don’t look at his penis. Don’t look at his penis. Don’t look at…aww damn it, I LOOKED! Huh, I wonder how mine compares. Will Rarity care how big mine is? A-alright now isn’t the time to be thinking about that. Just try and focus…on his eyes. Yeah, that’s better.

Magnum stroked his chin. “You look like you’re got a set of strong shoulders. Not the kind you get from working out but from good, honest work. I like that. And I’m sure Rarity likes the muscles too.”

“T-thank you, sir.”

“Don’t thank me yet, son. You know what? I’ll just get straight to the point. Why do you deserve a place in Rarity’s heart?”

Spike took a deep breath. “Because I’ll do everything within my power to make sure that I never break it. And if it does break…I’ll be the first one there to mend it back together.”

“Good answer. But I warn you, if you EVER break her heart I will not hesitate to break your legs. Got it?”

“G-got it, sir.”

“Alright, enough with the formality. C’mere and give me a hug!”

While Spike received the most awkward hug of his entire life, Pinkie and Pearl chatted amongst themselves over a cup tea. Rarity went into her room to unpack because she was angry at her father and just wanted to get away from the whole embarrassing situation.

Pinkie stared at Pearl’s privates. “I guess you must like to wax. My friend Rainbow does too. But as for me, I like to keep just enough so I can cut it into fun shapes! I made mine a heart this time!”

“Yes, Magnum and I like to keep ourselves well groomed. Although…your idea does have some merit, even if it’s a bit more work. I think it looks cute, Pinkie.”

“Thanks! Hey, not be sound rude but how’s come you guys decided to visit?”

“We wanted to see our daughter and give her a gift as well.”

Pinkie grinned. “I LOVE PRESENTS! So, what did ya get her?”

“I received a pair of tickets to a luxury resort on my birthday from one of my clients. The only problem is Magnum and I already have a prior engagement for when the reservations are supposed to occur. As such, we decided to give them to Rarity in case she might be able to make use out of them.”

“Aww that’s so sweet. You guys are such nice parents. So, do ya think she’ll make use of them?”

Pearl smiled. “Yes, I believe she will. Especially now that she has a boyfriend. Who knows? Perhaps it will serve to strengthen their relationship.”

Author's Note

Rarity's parents are NUDISTS?! Bet you didn't see that one coming. Honestly though, I've always been fascinated with the concept of nudism. Not in a sexual deviant sort of way but like in a: "I wonder what that would be like" kind of way. I dunno, it's something to think about. Feel free to discuss it...or not. In any case, I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.

Life isn't all Magic and Rainbows

Chapter 13

Rarity’s Car, En route to her House

Rainbow sighed as she looked out the window, content to let herself become lost in thoughts of potential romance. But as she continued to think, her mind began to drift towards more practical things. Like, take for instance, what she would wear for her upcoming date.

There was also the issue of how much make-up she needed to apply and whether or not she should style her hair. The normally tomboyish athlete gnashed her teeth at the thought of actually caring about such girly things. However, it was clear to her that Trevor took great pains to appear fashionable and her stubborn pride refused to let that go unanswered.

I may not like all that frou-frou stuff, but I’m still a woman damn it! The only problem is…I don’t really know a whole lot about what guys find attractive. I mean, Trevor did say I was beautiful but…is that really enough? Ughhh…I guess I’m gonna have to bite the bullet and ask for Rarity’s help.

Rainbow cleared her throat. “Hey Rares. Would you mind…helping me out with this whole date thing?”

“I wouldn’t mind at all, darling. In fact, we’re not very far from the spa right now. It would only take a few minutes to get there and I know for a fact that Aloe and Lotus welcome walk-ins.”

“The spa? I meant more like dresses and stuff.”

Rarity sighed. “Rainbow, it’s far more important for a woman to look beautiful in her own skin before she even puts on a single stitch of clothing.”

“Well it’s not like I’m going to get naked right away! Geez…”

“That’s not what I meant. You see, men notice things like how well groomed your hair is and the smoothness of your skin. While what you chose to dress in is important, what you must remember is that clothing is designed to complement your own natural beauty.”

Rainbow rubbed her neck. “Oh…well I guess that makes sense. Sorry, I thought you were saying that it was important to look good naked.”

“That’s part of it, certainly. But it’s only your first date! You don’t need to worry about that issue quite yet.”

Rainbow laughed nervously. “Silly me, what was I thinking? It’s not like Trevor and I were gonna have sex right after it.”

“Well, to be fair, some people do. However, that’s not what you should be thinking about on your first date. It’s all about getting to know him.”

“Ok, ok point taken. I sorry, it’s just that I’m new to this whole dating thing.”

“We both are, darling. I simply want you to connect with the man that you might become intimate with in the near future. Your first time deserves to be special.”

“Is…that why you were so hesitant with Spike?”

Rarity frowned. “That’s one of the reasons. However, it was mostly because I didn’t feel ready to take that step yet. I’m terrified that it might end up being painful! Or worse yet, I’d disappoint Spike with my lack of experience…”

“Hey, don’t worry about all that. Spike’ll understand if you ask him to be gentle. And about the whole experience thing, everybody has to start somewhere. Do you think I was born as an awesome soccer player? Nope! I had to practice to get good. Just like everybody else. All it takes is time and little bit of patience.”

“Perhaps…but I still can’t help but worry.”

Rainbow put her hand on Rarity’s leg. “We’ll get through this together, I promise.”

“Thank you, Rainbow. Your support means so much to me.”

Rainbow blushed. “Whoa no need to get all sappy, Rares! I’m just doing what any good friend would do.”

“I know, and that’s why I’m taking you to the spa! As they say: A friend in need is a friend indeed~”

Aloe & Lotus’s Luxury Spa, Ponyville

Rainbow sighed in relief as she sank deeper into the hot tub. The warm, mineral rich water felt amazing against her bare skin and as an added bonus; it helped loosen up all of her muscles. She was expecting to get some icky green goop spread on her face along with some cucumber slices, but much to her surprise that hadn’t happened. Instead, when Rarity talked with Aloe and Lotus she asked for something called “The Swedish Special”. Whatever it was, it involved soaking in a tub for a while and Rainbow was just fine with that.

The young athlete started to close her eyes…until she heard Rarity enter the tub. In all of the time she’d known the fashionista, Rainbow had never actually seen her naked. It wasn’t as if she had any burning desire to witness her friend’s natural form, but she was curious. Rainbow assumed that Rarity had to be in decent shape, if their weekly jogging routine was anything to go by. But assuming and witnessing were two very different things. Try as she might, Rainbow couldn’t help but stare.

Rarity was an absolute knock out! Her figure wasn’t as trim as Rainbow’s but there wasn’t an ounce of misplaced pudge to be found anywhere. The fashionista’s elegantly toned legs led to her equally toned tushie. It was like staring at a perfectly proportioned pearly peach. With a slight twinge of jealously, Rainbow begrudgingly admitted that her friend possessed one of the most beautiful behinds she’d ever witnessed.

Unlike Fluttershy, Rarity’s breasts were only slightly larger than average. However, they were so finely shaped that you’d swear they were sculpted from pure marble. And of course, Rarity’s fussy nature when it came to tidiness also applied to all of her body hair. That is to say, she waxed all of it. Once her observations were complete, Rainbow came to a single conclusion. Spike was one lucky son of a bitch.

Rarity let out a soft moan. “Ah, these mineral baths are simply the best. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The athlete was so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn’t paid attention to anything Rarity said. Instead, she found herself inching ever closer to her friend’s chest, eager to sate her curiosity. She lifted her hand out of the water and cupped Rarity’s left breast, giving it and experimental squeeze. Holy shit! It looks firm but it’s totally soft. Feels just like a damn marshmallow. How the hell does that work?

Rarity let out a surprised yelp upon receiving her unsolicited breast fondling. At first, she dismissed it as a mere accident but as the seconds dragged on she began to realize that Dash was doing it on purpose. Loathe as she was to admit it, her friend’s ministrations weren’t entirely unpleasant but…they still needed to stop. With a reddened face that wasn’t due to the hot water, she grabbed Dash’s hand.

“Excuse me d-darling…but why are you…ahhnn…fondling my breast?”

Dash’s eyes widened as she retracted her hand. “Oh shit! I’m soooo sorry, Rares! I swear I didn’t mean to do it that long.”

“Wait. You did that…on PURPOSE?! For what reason?”

Dash blushed. “Errr...I was curious.”

“Oh, well that’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.”

“Heh, that’s relief. For a second there I—”

Rarity’s eye twitched. “I WAS BEING SARCASTIC! What in the world would possess you to grope me? Have you suddenly become attracted to women? Or…have you all along? No, no no…this simply can’t be happening! I love you as a friend, Rainbow. But I will not be part of some bisexual tryst!”

“Rares, calm down! I’m not bisexual. I only like guys.”

“Be that as it may, it still doesn’t explain your actions.”

Rainbow blew some bubbles in the water. “I…might have been a bit of jealous of your boobs. So, I wanted to see if they were real. I mean, can you blame me? They look like they belong on a statue!”

“Hmm…I see. Well, I’m glad that someone finally noticed the extreme amount of care I put into maintaining my figure.”

“Ha! No kidding. You could be a freakin’ supermodel.”

Rarity blushed. “Oh, I don’t about that but thank you for the compliment. Still, you didn’t have to grope me…”

“Man, I feel like a total douche right now. I know I shouldn’t feel jealous, but I totally am!”

“Whatever for, darling? You’re in excellent shape.”

Rainbow looked down at her chest. “Yeah, everything except my boobs.”

“You’re self-conscious of your breasts? But that hardly makes any sense! You always struck me as woman who’s quite comfortable in her own skin.”

Rainbow let out a frustrated sigh. “I…well, sort of. It’s really hard to explain. Forget I mentioned it, alright?”

Rarity rubbed her forehead as she felt a wave of déjà vu overcome her mind. What was it about her friends and their neurosis concerning physical appearance? Both Applejack and Rainbow were in excellent shape, and yet they both seemed to view themselves as undesirable. While she had to admit that Rainbow’s breasts were a bit on the smaller side, they were quite perky and had a nice shape to them. Was it possible that she believed men only cared about size?

Whatever the reason, Rarity couldn’t stand to see her friend in such a state of self-depreciation. If Rainbow didn’t iron out her issues, there was no telling how much worse it could get once Trevor started taking a real interest in her. Regardless of whether Rainbow was comfortable with it or not, Rarity decided that now was the time to talk about it.

Deep down, Rarity knew that the best way to initiate such things was through a bit of physical affection. It was something her mother had often done when she was having issues. And as awkward as it had been being pressed against her mother’s bare breast, there was also something incredibly comforting about it.

The sensation was almost primal, harkening back to simpler times when children sought safety in their mother’s bosom. And so, with a slight blush she pressed the side of Rainbow’s face against her breast, while gently stroking her hair.

“Rarity w-what are you doing?”

“Shhh. Just relax. Rainbow, I want you to know that you can trust me. If there is anything at all that you need to talk about, I’m here for you.”

Rainbow blushed. “I do trust you! B-but do I really need to squish up against your boob to prove it?!”

“I suppose not. But is it making you feel any better?”

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. I’ll talk but…can you let me go first? This is getting reaaaally awkward.”

Rarity giggled. “Sorry, it was something my mother used to do when I was feeling stressed out.”

“Your family are a bunch of weirdos.”

“Yes, I am well aware of that fact. But I still love them.”

Dash chuckled in response, knowing full well how weird her own parents were. She had mixed feelings concerning her friend’s declaration. On the one hand, it was comforting to know that Rarity was willing to hear her out. On the other hand, she was terrified to admit her greatest fears.

One thing was absolutely clear. She needed this. Since the beginning, she’d bottled up all of her negative feelings and shoved them to some dark corner in the back of her mind, hoping that willpower alone would keep them at bay. But now that she had an outlet, there was no stopping the floodgates from bursting open. Rainbow took a deep breath, fully aware of the hot tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I guess…I should start at the beginning.”

Rarity grasped her friend’s hand. “Go on, I’m listening.”

“I’ve never really been into girly stuff. Even when I was little I used to play with action figures and hung out with all of the boys in my neighborhood, instead of going to tea parties and frou-frou stuff like that.”

“You make it sound as if tea parties are a bad thing!”

“Nah, it just wasn’t my thing. Anyway, as I started getting older I started to notice guys in a romantic way and not just as playmates. But…they never seemed to notice me. I guess…I can’t really blame them ‘cause I didn’t really look or act much like a girl but it still hurt my feelings a little.”

“We can take a break if you’re having trouble. I don’t mind.”

Rainbow’s voice cracked. “All of the other girls around me started to change and mature when I still looked like a little kid. Rarity…I didn’t even start to grow boobs until sophomore year! Do you know how painful it is to go into the locker room and hear all of the other girls whispering and snickering behind your back?!”

“Oh Rainbow, you poor dear.”

“Sure, the name calling was bad but that wasn’t the worst of it. While I was on the soccer team, I had a huge crush on the team captain. And near the end of sophomore year, I finally worked up the nerve to ask him to the prom. Much to my surprise, he actually said yes. Heh, you should’ve seen it. I bought a pretty dress and put on tons of make-up, all to impress him. But when I finally showed up to the prom he was already with another girl, surrounded by the rest of his friends.”

“You…were shown up?”

Rainbow started to sob. “T-that dickhead only said yes…b-because he made a bet with his buddies. It was all just some…f-fucking game to him! Once I started crying all he said to me was: I thought it would be funny to see a monkey in dress and I was right! That’s why I had to transfer schools. I was too embarrassed and ashamed to ever show my face there again…”

As soon as Dash finished her sentence, she began to sob in earnest. The athlete hugged her legs tight to her chest and took deep, ragged breaths as her tough-girl façade crumbled away. It was such a heartbreaking display that Rarity was moved to tears as well, but had enough sense to gently rub her friend’s back to try and calm her down.

After a few minutes, Dash calmed down enough that her sobs were reduced to sniffles. Sensing an opportunity, Rarity used a towel to gently wipe her friend’s face and then placed a soft kiss upon her forehead.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, darling. But I want you to know that I’ll do everything I can to make sure your date goes smoothly.”

“Thanks, Rares.” Rainbow croaked. “Do…you really think I have chance with Trevor?”

“In my own humble opinion, yes I do.”

“Y-you don’t think he’ll mind that I have tiny boobs o-or that I’m not as pretty as some other girls?”

Rarity placed her hand on Dash’s cheek. “He told me so himself. Very candidly, I might add.”

“He…did?”

“Mhmm. The only thing you need to worry about now is looking your absolute best for the date. And even if he doesn’t think you need make up or fancy clothes, it never hurts to put on the razzle dazzle!”

Rainbow smiled ever so slightly. “Yeah! But…umm nothing too girly, alright?”

“Of course not. I’ll make sure it’s something simple but sexy.”

“Heh, I don’t think I’ve ever felt sexy before…”

Rarity giggled. “There’s a first time for everything, darling! Oh and speak of the devil, here come Aloe and Lotus to help you with your hair and nails.”

Much to Dash’s surprise, the two sisters just waltzed over to the tub and greeted Rarity with a polite wave. What struck Dash as odd was the fact that neither of them had brought any towels or robes with them. The only things them seemed to be carrying with them were a pair of clippers and a brush. Dash finally began to panic when Rarity casually stepped out of the tub and began walking over to a set of padded tables.

“Hey…uhh what’s going on?”

Rarity sat on the table. “Our treatment.”

“Aren’t they gonna give us like a robe or something?”

Aloe giggled. “Ms. Dash, this is all part of The Swedish Treatment.”

“B-but we aren’t wearing anything!”

“That’s because you aren’t supposed to wear anything the entire time, similar to the saunas back home. We like to think of it as…hmm what’s the word? Ah yes, skinship! Now come along, we need to get started!”

“I guess so…”

As instructed, Rainbow took a seat on the table next to Rarity’s. She hadn’t minded the whole hot tub thing but this was way beyond her comfort level. Much to her chagrin, Rarity didn’t seem bothered by it in the least. In fact, she was just sitting there patiently reading a magazine!

Meanwhile, Lotus began to brush Rainbow’s hair while Aloe worked on her nails. Even though the two of them were extremely professional, Dash couldn’t help but feel an uncomfortable heat blossom upon her cheeks.

“Guys…I’m sorry but this is really embarrassing.”

Lotus clicked her tongue. “Both your hair and body are beautiful, Ms. Dash. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“Yeah…so my friends tell me.”

“Tsk tsk. It’s such a shame that the women of this country place so much value upon the size of their breasts. Back in our homeland, athletic women are highly sought after!”

Rainbow cocked her brow. “Why’s that?”

“I have heard men say that athletic women are far more skilled and have greater stamina when it comes to sex. Is this true in your case, Ms. Dash?”

Rainbow pressed her legs together and blushed. “I’m still a virgin.”

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry! I meant no offense. I was merely curious.”

“Eh…no harm done, I guess.”

Lotus grinned wickedly. “Good, good! But I am correct in assuming you are getting this treatment to impress a man, no?”

“Maybe…”

“Did you hear that sister? We have to make her extra pretty. There’s a man at stake!”

Aloe laughed. “Oh ho! What’s his name?”

“Trevelyan…not that it’s any of your business.”

“Lotus, isn’t that the name of the handsome magic shop owner down the street?”

Lotus clapped her hands. “I do believe you’re right! Ms. Dash, you have absolutely exquisite taste. Why, I’ve been trying to nab hi—”

Rarity practically scrambled from the table and clamped her hand over Lotus’s mouth. As much as she loved the twins on a professional level, the two of them were terrible gossips. And the last thing she needed right now was for Dash to feel like she had competition for Trevor’s affection. Left with no other choice, Rarity gave Lotus the exact same stink eye she gave her sister whenever the little scamp caused any trouble.

“You’d better not finish that sentence, Lotus!” Rarity hissed into her ear. “Rainbow’s already had a troubled past when it comes to matters of romance. DON’T. COMPLICATE. THINGS. FURTHER!”

“Ahahaha! I wouldn’t dream of it, Ms. Rarity. Do you…require any further treatment?”

Rarity shook her head. “I’m fine. Just focus on making Rainbow as beautiful as possible. It is of paramount importance that her date is successful. Have I made myself clear?”

“Crystal…”

Rainbow furrowed her brow. “Rares, is everything alright?”

“Everything’s just peachy! We were discussing what color your dress should be. I was thinking that you’d look splendid in a tight little black dress. Wouldn’t you agree, Lotus?”

Lotus nodded vigorously. “Certainly! Black is such a slimming color. And as an added bonus, it would show off all tight curves of your exceptionally trim figure.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever worn a black dress before. But if you think it’ll make me look sexy, I’m up for it.”

Rarity grinned. “Good, then it’s settled. Once we’re done here, we’ll make a quick pit stop at the dress store. Perhaps while we’re there we could get some undergarments as well. A sexy dress deserves something sexy underneath, after all!”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt. I just don’t wanna be out shopping for the rest of the day...”

“Not to worry, darling. We’ll just get you some lacy black panties. They practically go with anything.”

Rarity’s House, Ponyville

After an arduous day of spa treatments and picking out clothes for a self-admitted tomboy, Rarity was ready to collapse on the couch and chug a bottle of her favorite red wine. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans. And those plans involved a certain former drake, who just so happened to be drinking said bottle of wine while slumped on the kitchen table.

She cringed slightly, seeing Spike in such a sorry state, knowing full well she was mostly to blame. Even though she knew his mouth was going to taste terrible, Rarity gently lifted his head and gave him an “I’m sorry kiss” that involved at least fifteen seconds of tongue wrestling. Almost instantly, Spike perked up and smiled.

“I’m sorry, darling. Our little excursion took a tad longer than expected.”

Spike sniffed. “Do you even know how worried I was? I damn near had a panic attack, just like my freakin’ sister! I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I messed up a-and then after a while I started to get really depressed. So yeah, I sort of went on a drinking binge.”

“Ah, well it’s entirely my fault. I should’ve called or something. Are you still upset with me? I mean, I’d completely understand if you were. I…just need to know.”

Spike wrapped her in a bone-crushing hug. “I was but I love you too much to let my anger get between us. Let’s just try and learn from this and move on, ok?”

Rarity melted in Spike’s grasp, counting her lucky stars that Spike was so forgiving. She stayed like that for what seemed like hours, even though it only amounted to about minute. Once she let go, something placed on the table happened to catch her eye. They appeared to be two light pink colored slips of paper. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say they were tickets.

“Spike, do you happen to know what these are?”

“Oh, Pinkie put those there. Apparently you parents left them for you. I have no idea what they’re for though.”

Rarity gasped. “Spike…these are tickets to a luxury resort. And not just any resort for that matter! They’re for an acclaimed Japanese style lodge called Sakura Springs. The best part about is that the lodge is only an hour’s drive from here.”

“So, I take it that you’d like to go?”

“That would be an understatement, darling.”

Author's Note

I really hope you guys like this chapter because it was incredibly difficult for me to write. In general, I don't enjoy putting my characters through difficult situations be they emotional or physical tribulations. Unfortunately, it had be done to help explain Rainbow's backstory....even if it was painful to write. Not to worry though, things will only improve for her as time goes on.

Sakura Springs

Chapter 14

Sakura Springs Lodge, North of Ponyville

When Spike first stepped out of the car, he was awestruck by the sheer size of the lodge. Admittedly, he had very little knowledge of such places but the ones that he had seen advertised back home were far smaller in comparison. Lodges were often little more than oversized cabins constructed from logs and thatch. This place was more along the lines of those old Neighponese castles rather than some simple wooden construct. The lodge even boasted its own moat!

Well…it wasn’t exactly a moat, more like a glorified pond. Still, the whole setup was impressive none the less. Amidst all the grandeur, there was also an underlying current of peace and tranquility. The lodge itself was about halfway up a mountain, nestled deep within a forest. The earthy scent of pine saturated the air along with a mineral-like undertone, revealing why the lodge had been built here in the first place.

Spike took a deep breath and closed his eyes, feeling very much at peace with the world. After he let out his breath he started listening to a finch warbling its little heart out…until Rarity scared it away by dropping her suitcase.

“Isn’t this place just wonderful?”

Spike frowned. “You kind of ruined my Zen moment...”

“Hehe. I’m terribly sorry, darling. I suppose I got a bit overexcited.”

“Mhmm. This place just screams Rarity! I bet you can’t wait to let all that mineral rich water work its magic on your skin.”

Rarity crossed her arms. “Well yes, but this place is also supposed to be romantic and fun! There are plenty of other things to do here other than soak in the hot springs. Besides, staying in there too long may cause you to pass out. More importantly, it makes your skin get all pruny and nobody wants that.”

Ever since Rarity had come back from her spa trip, Spike felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. All of the stress and worry melted away as soon as she pressed her lips against his. He chuckled to himself, knowing full well that the kiss had to have tasted awful but she did it anyway. Personal sacrifice, Spike concluded, was the purest expression of love.

Right now, Rarity was glaring daggers at him for his rather sarcastic comment but she looked more beautiful to him than ever before. While he stared at his lover, the young man’s chest threatened to burst with all of the affection that had welled up inside. Since talk was cheap, he decided to grab Rarity by the shoulders and kiss her for all she was worth.

“Spike…” Rarity gasped. “What…was that for?”

“I just realized how much I love you.”

Rarity giggled. “Aww that’s sweet. But for future reference, please tell me when you’re going to do that. I very nearly bit your tongue.”

“Sure, no problem. I guess we should take our bags to the ro—”

The young couple was so engrossed in their kiss; they failed to notice that someone else had been standing in front of them. The young woman was wearing an emerald green kimono along with a red chrysanthemum flower weaved into her hair. A fierce blush blazed across her cheeks as she twirled a lock of her silky teal bangs, suggesting that she had witnessed their passionate little bout in its entirety.

“I-I’m sorry! Am I…interrupting anything?”

Spike rubbed his neck. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were standing there. Yeah, we’re done. Can we help you miss?”

“You don’t have to do anything for me. My name’s Coco and I’m here to help you! Would you like me to take your bags, sir?”

“Uhh…sure I guess. But I’m ok with car—”

Coco snatched the suitcase from Spike’s hand. “NO! You’re one of our valued guests! It’s our job to take care of everything. All you need to do is relax.”

“Just holler if you need any help. Those suitcases can get pretty heavy after a while.”

Ten minutes later they arrived at their room and poor Coco practically fell onto the floor, completely exhausted. Due to her cream-colored complexion, any sign of physical exertion was made painfully obvious by the flushing of her skin. As she sat there breathing heavily, Spike felt a pang of guilt hit him straight in the gut.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m…” Coco huffed. “…fine. Just…need…to catch…my breath.”

“Take all the time you need. We aren’t in any hurry. But…you really should have let me help you.”

Coco cleared her throat. “I wouldn’t have been doing my job if I let you do everything. So, there’s no need to feel guilty about it. You guys go ahead and start unpacking. While you’re doing that, I’ll go grab some refreshments.”

Spike didn’t take very long to unpack his things, considering that he only brought what was absolutely necessary. Rarity, on the other hand, took quite a bit longer. It wasn’t because she had packed an absurd amount of clothing. No, it was because her clothes had to be organized and folded exactly to her liking. Once she was done with her task, Rarity took a quick survey of the room to see all it had to offer.

Goodness, I must say the décor in this place is spot-on! I feel like I’m actually in Japan. Hmm…climate control, floor lighting oh and one mustn’t forget the luxurious king sized futon! Why, it’s roomy enough for…two? Oh no no no no! THERE’S ONLY ONE BED! I suppose it makes sense but…I-I’m not sure if I’m ready to sleep in the same bed with Spike.

No…I simply can’t keep thinking that way. Spike has already proven to be an honorable gentleman. He tempered his lust for the sake of my comfort. Such valorous behavior must be rewarded with trust and due affection. Otherwise, I could scarcely call myself a lady…

Rarity’s thoughts were interrupted when Coco returned carrying a bamboo tray loaded with cups of sake and onigiri. Time seemed to slow down for the fashionista as she watched Coco’s sandal catch on the door frame. While it couldn’t be said that Rarity was an athlete, her hand eye coordination was honed by years of working a needle and thread. In that regard, Rarity was quick enough to catch Coco before the clumsy girl could face-plant onto the floor.

The tray, however, was not so lucky. It flew through the air and managed to dump all of its contents all over a thoroughly surprised Spike. Luckily, the tray itself hadn’t whacked Spike in the noggin but that didn’t change that fact that his whole upper torso and head were sopping wet and covered in bits of rice and seaweed. After helping Coco to her feet, Rarity rushed over to Spike.

“Are you alright, darling?”

Spike sighed. “I’m not hurt or anything, just a bit soggy. Is Coco ok?”

“Yes, I believe she is. I managed to catch her before she fell.”

“That’s a relief! I didn’t want her to get her hurt over something as trivial as refre—”

Spike immediately paused when he heard the sound of sniffling. Behind him, Coco was slumped upon the floor unabashedly sobbing into her hands. Thinking fast, he grabbed a tissue and tried to comfort the despondent girl by rubbing her back.

“Hey, it was just an accident. There’s no need to be so upset. I’m totally ok!”

“NO, IT’S NOT OK! YOU ALMOST GOT HURT!” Coco wailed. “I-I’m just a clumsy failure of a hostess!”

“Coco, you aren’t a failure. In fact, you’ve been a very polite and attentive hostess ever since we arrived.”

Coco sniffed. “Y-you don’t understand! I’ve always been pretty clumsy a-and a lots of guests have complained about it. Sometimes I’ll drop trays or break something when I’m trying to clean it or…spill things on guests. Today was my last chance. My Aunt said that she’d have to send me back to Manehatten if I had one more incident!”

“I won’t tell your aunt about what happened if it helps you out. But…you have to promise me that you’ll cheer up. As far as your clumsiness is concerned, Rarity can give you some pointers on how to compose yourself better.”

Coco smiled. “Oh thank you thank you thank you! This means so much to me. Can I get you anything else, anything at all? Oh I know! I’ll go grab some yukatas for the both of you to wear. It’s tradition to wear them around the resort and umm…you’ll probably want to get out of those dirty clothes anyway.”

“That’d be nice. But…I still think I’m gonna need a shower or something.”

“Ah, I almost forgot! You can use the onsen out back to clean up. If you give me about five minutes, I can gather all of the soaps and towels for you.”

“Sure, that sounds good. Oh and Rarity…sorry about all this. I guess we’ll just have to do something fun later.”

Rarity waved her hand. “It’s alright, I understand. Go ahead and do what you need to do. In the meantime, Coco and I are going to have a little girl time.”

Bar Lounge, Sakura Springs Lodge

Despite her initial reservations, Rarity had to admit that Coco was right. The violet hued yukata she now donned was far more comfortable without undergarments. Now that she thought about it, the Japanese custom was certainly not unique. After all, kilts were worn in a very similar fashion. The good thing about yukatas was that they covered the entire body, so the risk of accidently exposing one’s private parts was highly unlikely…unless one was drunk.

Fortunately for Rarity, she was only pleasantly tipsy. While sake was not her first choice of spirits, the brand Sakura Springs carried was far milder than the kerosene flavored swill her father allowed her to try a while back. Regardless of the taste, the main reason she was drinking the stuff now was because it was included in the cost of her ticket.

She smiled to herself as she took another sip, recalling how funny it had been to see her mother get angry at her father after he consumed the whole bottle. People tend to get upset when you’re shit-faced drunk and peeing all over the carpet. Needless to say, Magnum slept on the couch that night…after hand scrubbing the carpet for two hours.

Ah, Magnum and Pearl. They were the very reason she was here right now. Despite being completely oblivious to social decorum, they never failed to show affection and generosity towards their daughters. Rarity loved them unconditionally for this and wouldn’t have traded the two for all of the diamonds in the world.

However, just this one time, she was pleasantly surprised at their choice of resort. When she first saw the tickets, she expected them to be for some out of the way nudist colony. That would have been extremely awkward to say the least. In Rarity’s personal opinion, being nude was something one did in private or in socially acceptable settings. Strutting about naked for hundreds of people to see was an act completely out of her comfort zone. She was already nervous enough at the thought of one particular person seeing her in the nude…

Coco tapped Rarity’s shoulder. “You’ve been awful quiet, Ms. Rarity. Are you feeling ok?”

“Hmm? Sorry dear, I’m afraid I got a bit lost in thought.”

“What were you thinking about?”

Rarity sighed. “I don’t mean to be rude but most of it was rather personal.”

“Oh, sorry. If you don’t feel comfortable talking about it, you don’t have to say anything more.”

Rarity stared at her cup. “Well, we’re both women so I suppose it couldn’t hurt to talk about it. You see, Spike and I… we haven’t…had sex yet. The main reason I wanted to come here with him was to progress that part of our relationship because I promised myself that I would.”

“He seems like a really nice guy. What’s the problem…if you don’t mind me asking?”

Rarity bit her lip. “I’m still a virgin. I mean, I’ve pleasured myself before so it’s not as if I don’t know what sex is all about. But…I still find myself a nervous wreck when I think about Spike entering me. What if I’m not good enough? What if it hurts? I-I…just don’t know what to do!”

“I umm…I’m not an expert at giving advice on relationships. But I can tell you this: take it slow and try to do the best you can. Once the both of you become familiar enough with each other, things will get better and you’ll feel more comfortable.”

“That’s very sensible advice. Thank you, Coco.”

“Just so you know…” Coco whispered into her ear. “The onsen is mixed gender, so there would be nothing stopping from joining your boyfriend.”

Rarity turned beet red. “Do couples…actually make love out there?”

“Oh yes, it’s quite common. We use a two pass system to ensure privacy. One for each half of the couple. If you present it to the attendant, nobody will bother you until the pass is returned. I umm…gave one to Spike for his session and I have another one in case you’d like to join him.”

“Oh, that’s very thoughtful of you.”

Coco nodded. “Thanks for the compliment but I was only doing my job. After all, the vast majority of our patrons are couples.”

“I’m thankful nonetheless.”

“You’re welcome; it’s the least I could do after what happened earlier. So…are you interested in the pass?”

Rarity took another swig of sake. “I believe…I shall make use of it.”

“Good luck, Ms. Rarity.”

Spike closed his eyes as he sank deeper into the mineral rich water. He had finished rinsing off a while ago and was currently just relaxing. The temperature was just right. Warm enough to melt all of the tension away but not hot enough to make you feel like a boiled lobster. Even though he initially teased Rarity about her desire to bathe, the young man begrudgingly admitted that it more pleasant than he gave it credit for.

After letting out a contented sigh, he stared up at the night sky, admiring the beautiful tapestry of stars above him. It was the kind of scenery that inspired astronomers to chart the heavens, philosophers to question if they were alone in the universe, and lovers to whisper sweet nothings while entwined in each other’s embrace.

As he continued to survey the heavens, he noticed just how beautiful the full moon looked tonight. Its pale glowing surface reminded him of Rarity and just how much he longed for her presence. Earlier, he hadn’t failed to notice that the room they were staying in contained only a single futon. Perhaps…if she was comfortable with it, they could at least snuggle. It wasn’t exactly the kind of intimacy he craved, but they had to start somewhere.

Spike was so absorbed in his own little world that he wasn’t paying any attention to his surroundings. That is, until he heard the distinct sound of someone entering the water behind him. Panic began to rise in his chest as the sound became louder. Coco had assured him that no one else was supposed to enter the spring before he returned his pass. Perhaps the attendant made a mistake?

“I’m sorry but the spring is occupied right now. I promise that I won’t be too much longer, so if you’ll…”

The words in Spike’s throat were immediately silenced when he felt a pair of slender arms wrap around his chest. Then it hit him. The unmistakable scent of lilac perfume that Rarity loved to wear flooded his nostrils. If that wasn’t enough to give her away, she tightened her embrace, pressing her breasts against his back. Such was Spike’s surprise that he just stood there completely dumbfounded.

Rarity kissed his neck. “I’d be highly disappointed if you left now, darling.”

“Rarity?! What are you doing here?”

“Why, I’m enjoying a dip in the hot spring with my boyfriend.”

“B-b-but…you’re n-naked.” Spike squeaked.

“Did you honestly expect me to wear a bathing suit? We’re soaking in a hot spring, not the community pool.”

“I thought you weren’t comfortable being naked around me…”

Rarity laid her head on his shoulder. “For the longest time, I wasn’t. But after talking to Rainbow and Coco, I realized something. I have nothing to be afraid of because I know that you’ll be gentle and understanding no matter what happens.”

“You were afraid? Rarity, if I had known I wouldn’t have—”

“Spike, you don’t have to apologize. I let my own anxiety get the better of me when I should’ve discussed it with you in the first place. But that’s all in the past. Granted, I’m still a bit nervous…but let’s just focus on enjoying ourselves, alright?”

Spike swallowed a lump in his throat. “O-ok. What exactly did you umm…have in mind?”

“Stand up, if you would please. I’d like to see what I’m working with.”

Never in his wildest imaginings did Spike believe that tonight would turn out like this. A muddled cocktail of emotions swirled within his mind, none claiming dominance over the other. The two that seemed to be in a shouting match right now were embarrassment and nervousness.

He was slightly embarrassed because the water no longer hid his fully erect manhood, which Rarity now studied intently. He was nervous because he had no idea what he was doing or what to expect from Rarity. Last but certainly not least, he was aroused. Rarity’s naked form set a fire in his loins that could have ignited solid stone. After every single heartbeat, he felt his cock throb, desperately screaming for attention. It was both maddening and exciting all at once!

“Oh my…you certainly don’t lack for size, darling.”

Spike blushed. “I was kind of wondering about that. Do you…like it?”

“I would have liked it no matter the shape or size because it belongs to the one I love. But if it helps your manly pride, then yes I am quite impressed.”
“Heh, that’s cool.”

Rarity gently fondled his balls. “What would you like me to do?”

“Ahhh…could you please suck on it? If you don’t mind, that is.”

Rarity giggled. “How could I possibly say no to an adorable request like that?”

Spike shuddered when he felt Rarity’s tongue slide the entire way up his shaft. She continued to massage his balls but paused as she got to his head. Perhaps she was just mentally preparing herself or deliberately teasing him. Whatever the reason, it drove Spike mad.

He was just about to beg Rarity to get on with it…until he felt a wonderfully warm and wet sensation envelop the tip of cock. Second by agonizing second, she slowly took the rest of his length into her mouth, stopping a half inch shy of his balls. Despite the pleasure he now felt, Spike became concerned when he noticed that Rarity looked like she was about to gag.

“Rarity, are you ok? You can stop if this is making you uncomfortable.”

Rather than reply, she closed her eyes and began to move her soft lips up and down his shaft, steadily increasing her pace as time went on. She had neither skill nor technique but her devotion, as it were, made up for that in spades. Every now and then, her teeth would scrape against Spike’s shaft but the action didn’t hurt him enough to bother mentioning it.

“Mmm…does it feel…good? S-should I move my head a bit faster or perhaps use my tongue a little more?”

Considering that Spike’s penis was still inside her mouth, her attempts to speak made some funny things happen to it. At this point, he didn’t really have any right to complain so the young man let nature take its course.

“N-no, you’re fine as is.”

“Sorry…for not knowing much about this…mmm…”

“No, no it’s great.” Spike whimpered. “You’re awesome, Rarity!”

Upon seeing her lover’s smile, the fashionista promptly returned to her ministrations. As she continued to bob her head up and down, Spike couldn’t help but notice that she was looking at him straight in the eyes. Immediately, he felt a familiar tightening sensation deep within his balls as he reached his limit.

“R-rarity…I…don’t think I can—”

It was too late. Before Spike could even finish his sentence, he unleashed a gooey torrent of cum into his lover’s mouth. In response, Rarity’s eyes widened briefly in surprise but she eventually swallowed every last drop. Once she was finished, she cleared her throat and looked at Spike expectantly.

“Did you enjoy that?”

“That was amazing.” Spike gasped. “Still, I’m sorry that I didn’t give you enough of a warning. I couldn’t hold back anymore…”

“It’s quite alright, darling. I’m happy that I was able to make you feel good. Besides, your…seed wasn’t nearly as unpleasant tasting as I had initially expected.”

Spike licked his lips. “Good. Now, it’s your turn. Just lie down on that ledge over there and spread your legs. I’ll do all the rest.”

The way that Rarity looked, sitting there upon the ledge, nearly gave Spike a heart attack. All of the bravado she had earlier seemingly vanished into thin air. Her legs were tightly pressed together while she cradled her breasts underneath crossed arms.

As Spike approached closer, a musky yet slightly flowery scent hit him like a freight train. It all made sense now. She was embarrassed because she had become so aroused. While Spike considered this to be a very good thing, he knew that he had to be very careful about not embarrassing her further. Ignoring the pleas of his hardening member, he gently kissed her on the lips.

“I want to make you feel good. But…I won’t do anything unless you want me to. Are you ready for us to become one?”

Rarity bit her lip. “I think so. Sorry darling, but I’m just not used to having a man seeing me in such a state of arousal. It’s rather embarrassing…”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I mean, look at me! I’m already hard again.”

Rarity blushed. “Yes…I noticed. Let us join together but…please be gentle.”

“Don’t worry, I will.”

Spike grasped his cock and carefully guided it into Rarity’s waiting lips. He was only about a quarter of the way when he heard her let out a quiet whimper. Fearing that he’d hurt her, he immediately stopped.

“Are you sure you want to go through with this? If it hurts, I can stop.”

Rarity shook her head. “I-I’m ok. Keep going.”

For what felt like an eternity, Spike continued to inch himself into Rarity’s warm and slippery depths. When he finally hilted himself, he heard Rarity moan as she wrapped her arms and legs around his back. Taking that as his unspoken cue, the young man slowly began to thrust. As he quickened his pace, the meaty sounds of flesh slapping against flesh increased in volume and frequency. That, coupled with Rarity’s mewls of pleasure, made his chest burn with unbridled passion for the woman he loved.

Spike could tell he was nearing his limit again. Rarity was gripping him tighter and tighter with each passing moment, trying to milk his manhood for all its worth. Suddenly, he felt her grip him one last time while she let out a throaty moan. Mere moments later, he too moaned in ecstasy as he pumped his thick seed into her womb. Afterwards, the exhausted and sweaty couple plopped back into the hot spring, embraced one another and enjoyed watching the stars.

Author's Note

I hope this chapter was worth the wait. When I first considered the two of them staying at a hot spring lodge, I immediately thought of Uncle from Jackie Chan Adventures.

"Ayeyaaaaah, must do research!"

And so, two dozen hentai mangas involving hot springs later, I lovingly constructed the last part of this chapter. Hopefully, it is to everyone's liking Honestly, I tried my best to make it as romantic and paced out as I could. Sorry if any of you feel otherwise, that's just how I write my sex scenes. Next chapter, I'll probably focus on Rainbow's date. But I'd like to ask all of you a question first. Should I include the CMC in this story?

Of Dates and Draconequui

Chapter 15

Fluttershy’s Cottage, Ponyville

Discord had to admit that being reformed certainly had its perks. Sure, he wasn’t able to summon a chocolate milkshake hurricane or a stampeding army of tap-dancing penguins on a whim anymore but he could still pull the occasional prank or two. Much to his surprise, he found out just how pleasant it was to have friends and a certain somepony who was far more than that.

He was currently baking a carrot cake for his dearest and closest confident of the past five years. It was a small gesture to show that he cared and he was quite certain that the shy pegasus would eat it up, both literally and figuratively.

Right as he was about to start applying the icing, the front door of the cottage slammed open, causing him to squirt the confection all over his face. With a snap of his claw, he teleported in front of the door, ready to give the poor wretch who dared disturb his cake time a piece of his mind.

His thoughts of vengeance were abruptly cut short when he realized who was standing just outside the door. There stood Princess Twilight Sparkle. Her puffy bloodshot eyes glared at him, daring Discord to utter even a single comment.

Her usually well-kempt mane looked like a flock of pigeons had decided to take roost inside of it and a few of her primaries were crooked as well. The frazzled alicorn slammed the door shut with her magic and poked Discord’s chest with her hoof.

“Spike’s gone missing and you’re going to help me find him!”

Discord scoffed. “Forgive me, my dear, but aren’t you a great and powerful magic pony princess now? Surely, you have the skills and the brains to find your scaly little brother without poor ole’ Discord’s help.”

“Look…I don’t like admitting it but this a little bit out of my league. I think that Spike might have gone through the mirror portal into the other world. And if he did, that means we’ll have to wait thirty moons before we can even send anypony over to investigate. I can’t afford to wait that long!”

“While your concern for Spike is touching…what exactly do you want me to do about it?”

“For starters, you can quit being so snarky about it.”

Discord made a halo appear over his head. “But Princess, I can’t help it! I was born this way.”

“Ugghhh! No you weren’t! Discord, I’m not in the mood for your games. I seriously need your help.”

“Oh fine, I’ll try be a bit more cordial. You don’t have to go all ‘Princess Crabby Feathers’ on me though. Now, as I said before, what do you want me to do about it?”

Twilight’s ears sagged. “I’m not powerful enough to breach dimensional barriers yet. Even if I was as old and experienced as Celestia or Luna…it would still be a long shot. And I don’t think even they can do it! Please…you’re the only one I can turn to right now.”

“I hate to break it you kiddo, but alicorns were never meant to travel between dimensions. You’re pretty much…oh what’s the expression? Ah yes, Shit out of luck.”

“NO! That’s impossible! There has to be a way. You’re the GOD of CHAOS for Celestia’s sake! Can’t you just…I dunno…snap your claws and take me there?”

Discord’s expression darkened. “What little you know, Twilight Sparkle. Yes, I do have the ability to make such a thing transpire. Such as it is, I would have to accompany you to the realm Spike currently resides in for you to have any hope of returning. But before I even consider helping you, I must ask one thing.”

“What would that be?”

“Are you truly interested in finding Spike, or are you trying to alleviate your own guilt?”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “H-how…could you possibly know that?”

“Do you really think that Celestia is the only immortal around here that sets plans in motion years before they occur? Ha! How utterly naïve you are.”

“What did you do?! If you hurt Spike, I’ll blast you into—”

Discord held up his claw. “I assure you that I did nothing to harm him physically or…emotionally. I merely presented the plucky young drake with an opportunity to explore new venues. Tell me Twilight, do you recall Spike purchasing a necklace by chance?”

“Yes…but what does that have to do with him disappearing?”

“That necklace was something I crafted just shortly after Fluttershy reformed me. Why do you ask? Well, I felt bad for Spike. Perhaps it was because he and I share some draconic heritage or maybe I’ve just grown soft. But…there is no doubt that his affection was a thing of chaotic beauty. Even so, I couldn’t help but feel that Rarity would never return his feelings.”

“Then…why did you even create the necklace in the first place? And what exactly does it do?”

Discord twirled his goatee. “If Spike managed to win Rarity over, then it would’ve remained an ordinary necklace. If she rejected his feelings and he chose to step through the mirror, the necklace’s chaos magic would activate. It gave him what he has always craved: a chance to walk a mile in everypony’s hooves…so to speak.”

“B-but Spike has family and friends that care about him here! Why would he abandon everypony over a simple crush?”

Discord shook his head. “Did you ever consider that it was more than just a crush to him? That’s exactly why you feel so guilty about all of this. You knew how he felt about Rarity. Yet…you did nothing to dissuade the little marshmallow from giving you a generous cunt-licking.”

“HOW DARE YOU! Are you insinuating that the feelings I have for Rarity are purely carnal in nature?”

Discord chuckled. “Oh I’m positive your feelings are quite genuine. But that’s the point, isn’t it? You love Rarity and Rarity loves you. There simply isn’t any room in her heart for another.”

“But we could wor—”

“Don’t try and tell me that it would’ve worked out somehow. Just think how difficult it would be for Spike to constantly be reminded of her rejection every time he saw you two together. He would eventually become so depressed that he’d start disregarding his job, his friends, his family, and eventually his own health!”

Twilight started to sob. “I-I didn’t mean for this happen! I…c-can’t help that I fell in love with Rarity.”

“No being can ever help falling in love, Twilight. It just happens. But…you can choose to help those whom you love. I will help you only if you respect Spike’s choice. I won’t lift a claw if you’re only doing this out of mere guilt.”

Twilight sniffed. “A-alright…you’ve made your point. I won’t force him to come back, but I want to at least have the chance to talk with him.”

“Good girl. I knew that big brain of yours was useful for something.”

Twilight was about to retort with a snarky comeback of her own, but was interrupted by the sound of the cottage door closing. A visibly pregnant but otherwise perky Fluttershy waddled over to the counter and dropped off a basket full of wild flowers. Afterwards, she trotted towards Discord and nuzzled his leg.

“I’m back, dear. And I see Twilight decided to come over for a visit. I hope I’m not interrupting anything…”

Discord kissed her forehead. “Not at all my little flutter-butter! The princess was just expressing her desire to take a quaint little vacation through the mirror with yours truly.”

“Oh, well I guess that sounds…nice.”

Twilight cleared her throat. “Actually, it’s not really a vacation. I’m going to the other world to have a talk with Spike.”

“You mean…you’ve found out where he is? Oh thank goodness! I was worried that something terrible happened to him.”

“Yeah, I thought so too since he pretty much vanished without a trace. But…your husband was kind enough to explain where he went and agreed to take me there as well. Isn’t that right, Discord?”

Fluttershy narrowed her eyes. “You have a lot of explaining to do, MISTER!”

“O-of course, my dear. And I promise I will…once we come back!”

Fluttershy flared her wings. “Oh no! You’re going to march your keister straight into the kitchen and we’re going to have a long discussion about keeping secr—”

Much to the poor mare’s frustration, both Twilight and Discord disappeared in a flash of golden light. In the past, such a thing would have scared the feathers off of her but…living with a god of chaos for so long made such events utterly commonplace. After letting out a heavy sigh, the pregnant pegasus grabbed a bag of cheesy puffs along with a tub of Strawberry n’ Oats Frozen Yogurt© and plopped onto the couch. Once she got comfortable, she sprinkled a few cheese puffs into the yogurt and began to shovel down her frozen treat with reckless abandon.

Shy scrunched her muzzle. “Ooohhh I’m so mad at him! If he thinks he can keep secrets from everypony and just go off on random adventures, then he’s got another thing coming! Well, I think a month without any NOOKIE will fix that attitude of his…”

Palazzo di Formaggio, Ponyville

Rainbow nervously fidgeted in her black cocktail dress while she looked over the menu. Part of the reason was due to the fact that the entire menu was written in Italian, which she had little to no understanding of. She was pretty sure that Trevor could read it because he was a classy type of guy. Plus, he was the one who suggested this restaurant in the first place, claiming the spaghetti was the best in town. Only a complete idiot would’ve suggested a restaurant based on pure hearsay, right? In any case, she didn’t want look stupid in front of such a sophisticated guy. Unfortunately, she had more pressing matters to worry about.

The other issue she was experiencing, concerned the tightness of her dress. As a tomboy, Rainbow rarely wore clothing that wasn’t strictly functional or just plain comfortable. In other words, such articles as cocktail dresses were completely foreign and…extremely uncomfortable to her. The dress’s tightness also left very little to the imagination because it hugged every little curve of her lithe form. And she was certain that more than a few guys had been ogling her ever since she entered the restaurant.

Such attention should have made her feel happy, but it only made her feel uncomfortable and slightly angry. She didn’t want to believe it, but it was true. The only reason all of these men were staring at her now was because she was wearing make-up and a sexy dress. That only left the proverbial cherry on top of the cake.

Much to her annoyance, Rarity had insisted that she wear fancy underwear to accompany her equally fancy dress. She had forgone wearing a bra; simply because the dress had spaghetti straps and it would’ve looked horribly tacky if she did. Plus the fact she didn’t happen to own a single adhesive bandeau within her entire wardrobe. However, that still left the panties.

For most of her life, Rainbow preferred to buy simple cotton panties that came in packs of six. They were affordable, comfortable, and practical. They were not, however, particularly sexy. She remembered the look of horror upon Rarity’s face when they entered the changing room of the lingerie store. At the time, she was wearing a pair of white panties that were about as exotic and exciting as the interior décor of a hospital room.

“What’s the big deal, Rares? It’s not like I’m going to let Trevor seem ‘em yet!”

Rarity rubbed her temples. “Sexy panties are supposed to make you feel sexy, Rainbow. And…when you do finally allow Trevor to see them, he will appreciate your beauty even more. Besides, that…erm particular color…doesn’t go very well with black.”

“Whatever, you’re the fashion expert. So…what do you suggest I wear?”

Rarity held up a lacy black thong. “I think your tushie would look marvelous in this, don’t you agree?”

“NO WAY! There’s hardly any fabric on that…THING! Won’t it…ya know, give me a wedgie?”

“One must sometimes sacrifice comfort for fashion, darling. Now, hold still so I can slip these on…”

Upon wearing the lacy underwear, Rainbow’s theory was immediately proven correct. She tried wearing it around her apartment for a while, just to see if it was simply a matter of getting used to the thing. Unfortunately, the young athlete never got used to the sensation of a thin strip of fabric trying its level best to floss her butt crack. Despite the discomfort, she stubbornly refused to wear anything else under her dress.

She only lasted about five minutes after arriving at the restaurant. Rainbow found that sitting down in the wretched undergarment was at least twenty percent worse than walking in them. So, she politely excused herself and promptly balled them up in her purse while visiting the restroom. Afterwards, she felt immensely more comfortable but at the cost of feeling far more nervous. From that point on, Rainbow was very careful about how she got up or moved her legs, lest the other patrons or her date sneak a peek of something they shouldn’t.

“Rainbow, is there something wrong? You look upset about something.”

“Oh…well, umm…I can’t read the menu. Sorry, I don’t know any Italian except for pizza and mamma mia!”

“It’s alright, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Trevor chuckled. “Italian is a tricky language to learn. Just tell me what you like to eat and I’ll order something for you.”

Dash twirled a lock of her hair. “You said the spaghetti here is good, right? I guess I’ll have that.”

“An excellent choice, I was thinking about ordering that myself. Do you want any wine to go with it?”

Dash bit her lip. “Well…I don’t really drink a whole lot of wine. That’s more Rarity’s thing.”

“Ah, I see. Tell me, Rainbow. Do you enjoy slushies?”

“ARE YOU KIDDING!? I LO—I mean, yeah they’re alright.”

Trevor smiled. “Excellent. It’s nice to see a fellow slushie enthusiast. And it just so happens that there is a drink served in this very restaurant that is comparable to one.”

“Huh? But I thought swanky places like this didn’t serve drinks like that.”

“Well, it isn’t exactly your run of the mill slushie that gas stations tend to stock. The drink is called a Sangria…or more precisely Sangria Congelato. Think of it like a slushie with fancy wine and bits of fruit.”

Dash’s eyes sparkled. “That sounds awesome! But umm…it sounds kind of expensive too. I mean you really don’t have to spend so much money on me. I’m ok with getting a so—”

“Rainbow, you don’t have to worry about that. Tonight’s dinner is my treat, so go ahead and get whatever you want.”

“Alright, but I’m treating you to dinner next time! No ifs ands or buts!”

Trevor laughed. “Next time, eh? That’s a pretty bold statement considering we’ve barely begun our first date.”

“Sh-shut up! It’s rude not to accept a free meal, ya know. Besides, I know you’ve been checking me out the whole time…so you totally want to go on a second date with me.”

Trevor shrugged. “Guilty as charged.”

“Heh, really? I was kind of joking a little bit…”

Trevor nodded. “I’m completely serious. Rainbow, I already thought you were beautiful when we first met and now…well, you’re positively stunning! Can you honestly blame me?”

“I uhh…didn’t really pick this dress out, my friend did. And she taught me how to do all the other…stuff. But thanks, Trevor. It means a lot to me that you think…I’m cute.”

“Then your friend has exquisite taste. However, she isn’t the one wearing it, is she? All of the sexiness I’m seeing right now is one hundred percent Rainbow Dash.”

Dash’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Haaaaa—H-HOW ABOUT WE ORDER OUR FOOD!? YEAH, THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN AWESOME IDEA…‘CAUSE I’M REALLY HUNGRY RIGHT NOW! HAHAHHAA!”

With a slight nod, Trevor signaled the waiter that they were ready. To avoid any further awkward situations, he took it upon himself to order both the meals and the drinks. After the waiter took their menus, Trevor focused his attention on Rainbow once more.

I feel kind of bad for causing her to become so flustered but can’t help it. She’s just so damn cute when she gets embarrassed~ Ah, but it makes the atmosphere between us so very awkward. I suppose I’ll just have to get her talking about something she’s more comfortable with.

“Excuse me, Rainbow. Do you happen to have any hobbies?”

Dash rubbed her neck. “Well, I know this is gonna sound really nerdy but…I love reading the Daring Do series. Especially now that they’ve turned the first three books into movies.”

“What a coincidence! My sister loves to read them as well. Although, I don’t think she likes the cinema versions as much as you do.”

“We talked about it for while at your shop. She certainly liked to umm…point out how the movies weren’t one hundred percent exactly like the books.”

Trevor sighed. “Ah yes, Trixie certainly enjoys complaining. Even when she was a little girl, she would whine about her dresses not being sparkly enough or how her tea had too much sugar. Sometimes it nearly drove me mad! Even so, I love that little scamp to bits and wouldn’t trade her for the world! Tell me Rainbow, do you have any siblings?”

“Not any that are related to me, if that’s what you’re asking. But…there is Scootaloo. She’s a kid in town who practically idolizes me for some reason. So, whenever we hang out I always try to act like her big sister. Ya know, ‘cause kids need good role models!”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Rainbow. I’m certain that she’ll grow up to be a fine young woman.”

Dash blushed. “Aww, it’s not a big deal.”

“I respectfully disagree. Children need a good role model to look up to. I also think it’s wonderful that Scootaloo trusts you enough to call you her big sister.”

Dash grinned. “It’s part of my personal credo. Leaving needy people hanging just…isn’t cool. Sure, there are gonna be times where they try push you away or the effort seems like too much trouble, but ya gotta stick by them no matter what!”

Trevor watched her eyes light up in excitement as she finished her declaration, feeling a surge of his own admiration beginning to swell deep within his chest. Mixed within that surge were the smoldering embers of desire, not only for Rainbow’s beautiful physique but her personal outlook on life.

It was an outlook that placed compassion and loyalty above all else. He mentally thanked whatever force in the universe had brought this prismatic gem into his store yesterday. Yet, as he continued to watch her laugh, Trevor desperately hoped that he could prove himself worthy of her affection.

The soft clattering of plates broke Trevor out of his reverie after the waiter placed their drinks and dinners upon the table. Almost immediately, he noticed that Dash was taking rather generous gulps from her Sangria. Not quite fast enough to cause a brain-freeze, but certainly fast enough to get drunk. After putting down the drink she giggled loudly and began to loudly slurp her spaghetti, splattering the tablecloth and her face with tomato sauce.

Dash smacked her lips. “Awwww yeah! You were t-toootally right, Trevor. Thish…stuff ish reeeeally good. Hahaha…I got some on my face.”

“Oh, how lovely. I’m…glad you like it. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“Nah, go right ahead…handsome.”

“You don’t hold your liquor very well, do you?”

Dash snorted. “Nope, not at all! You know…ish kind of funny. O-one time I got sick and had to take cold medishcine…a-a-and I got tipsy off of cough sshhhyrup. That’s pretty much why I don’t d-drink booze very often.”

“Hmm, that would certainly explain your current state.”

Dash waved her hand. “I only ordered the…umm…slushie thing ‘cause I was really nervous and didn’t know how ta break the ice once we shhtarted…eating.”

“I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable earlier. But I thought we had a good conversation going.”

“Don’t worry about it. You can’t help it. I’m just really distracted ‘cause your so haaaawwwt.”

Trevor coughed. “Well, I’m flattered that you think I’m attractive.”

Just when the amateur magician thought the situation couldn’t get any more awkward, he felt Rainbow’s bare foot begin to snake its way up his leg. Before it could wander any closer to his crotch, he pushed his chair out slightly and cleared his throat.

“I think you might have dropped your shoe.”

Rainbow stuck out her tongue and winked. “Oopsie.”

“I’ll just put it back on for you.”

After crawling underneath the table, Trevor went about returning Rainbow’s missing sandal to its proper place. And just as he was about to adjust the strap, he witnessed something that left him completely gob smacked. For reasons he couldn’t possibly comprehend, Rainbow had neglected to wear any panties underneath her dress.

As a result, he got quite a good look at her naughty bits, even though it was probably unintentional. His inner gentleman screamed that it wasn’t proper to stare…but he found himself staring for quite a bit longer than he cared to admit. The intoxicating aroma of flowery perfume mixed with subtle undertones of Rainbow’s sweat hit his nostrils like a sledgehammer.

Much to Trevor’s dismay, his traitorous mind immediately began to conjure several lewd fantasies, causing him to blush heavily. With a quick shake of his head, he dismissed such thoughts and finished tying the strap. His task complete, he returned to his seat before any other parts of his anatomy could embarrass him further.

Trevor frowned. “Rainbow, I’m sorry tha—”

The young magician’s apology quickly turned into laughter when he noticed that Rainbow was fast asleep. It would have been heart-meltingly adorable, save for the fact that half of her face was covered in spaghetti.

“I should count myself lucky that you’re asleep because it would’ve been very difficult for me to explain why I was down there so long. Hmm…I know its breaking protocol, but I’d better take you home with me. I can’t, in good conscience, just dump you off at your apartment all messy and hung-over…”

Author's Note

Welp, this chapter took about four days longer to publish than intended. Why? I had to re-edit the damn thing several times to get it to where I felt it was at least "acceptable". Hopefully you guys liked it. Me, on the other hand, I have mixed feelings about it.

Magical Trevor is Ever so Clever

Chapter 16

Lulamoon’s Magical Gifts & Collectables, Ponyville

Rainbow awoke feeling like her brain had been squeezed through a meat grinder and then pounded by a hammer a few thousand times, just for good measure. After rubbing her aching eyeballs, she mentally vowed that she’d never drink booze with such reckless abandon EVER again. As the rusty cogs of her mind finally began to turn, a thought occurred to her. She had somehow wound up in a bed that wasn’t her own, in a room that she didn’t recognize.

Not only that, but she was clad in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of pink gym shorts that hung loosely around her trim waistline. Neither articles of clothing could possibly belong to her due to how poorly they fit. All of the clues led to one conclusion: She had passed out last night and was currently residing on top floor of Trevor’s shop. Unfortunately, the aforementioned conclusion led Rainbow to “have an episode” as Rarity so eloquently phrased it.

DAMN IT! This is totally not cool! My first date with a hot guy that actually likes me back was a complete and total disaster. I put all that effort into wearing a sexy dress, panties, make-up, and all that frou-frou garbage just to end up hung over in someone else’s bed! He probably thinks I’m total loser at this point. Way to fuck everything up Dash…

The pain from her skull crushing headache and self-loathing left Rainbow feeling like she had little else to lose, so she opted to bury her face into the pillow and sob out her frustration. It wasn’t until twenty minutes later that she heard a quiet knock on the door.

She had no desire to see anyone right now, but she wasn’t in a position to refuse simply because this wasn’t her home to begin with. After rubbing the tears and snot from her face, she found enough strength to sit up.

“Hey Rainbow. It’s Trevor. Can I come in?”

Dash sniffed. “Yeah…I guess so.”

Unlike last night, the young magician wasn’t wearing a suit or fancy shoes. He was decked out in a dark blue polo shirt, khakis, and a pair of well-worn penny loafers. With a look of concern, he set the tray of food he was carrying on the stand next to the bed and sat next to Dash.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve been crying. If your headache hurts that bad, I can get some medicine for you. In fact, I’ll go get a washcloth too.”

“Trevor, you don’t ha—”

Before she could offer any signs of protest, Trevor was already wiping her face with a warm washcloth. Normally, she would’ve been embarrassed to have her face cleaned up like a little kid, but the heat from the cloth did wonders to settle her frazzled nerves and rid her face of any residual snot and tears.

“There, that’s better.”

Rainbow rubbed her cheek. “T-thanks. How did you know I needed that?”

“I used to do the same thing when Trixie got upset. It calmed her down every time.”

“Hehe…yeah, that makes sense.”

Trevor gestured towards the tray. “I brought some food in case you were hungry. It’s a platter of chicken fingers and french fries. I know they aren’t exactly healthy, but fatty foods are the best for curing hang-overs.”

Rainbow had to admit that she was incredibly hungry. And as soon as she glanced at the clock, she immediately understood why. It was nearly three o’clock in the afternoon. She had practically slept the entire day away! Completely ignoring manners or any sort of decorum, Dash tore into the chicken fingers and fries like a starved maniac. She only gave pause when she heard Trevor chuckle.

“I’m glad you like them so much. They’re my own recipe.”

Rainbow licked her fingers. “Really? These things are awesome. Like restaurant quality awesome!”

“Thanks. I’m sorry about the clothes not fitting properly. They were the best my sister and I could cobble together on such short notice. And uh…Trixie was the one who dressed you, not me.”

“I appreciate how considerate you’ve been, but I should be the one apologizing. Our date last night was supposed to be fun and romantic but I just…screwed everything up.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I had fun, even if it was a bit awkward.”

Dash crossed her arms. “Ughhh! I HATE when things get awkward. That was the whole reason I dressed up and went to Rarity for advice and stuff. I wanted last night to be perfect but nooooo! Instead, I ended up making a complete ass out of myself. And now I’m burdening you again with this whole hangover thing.”

“Rainbow, you were in an unfamiliar environment, wearing unfamiliar attire. It made you nervous and that’s completely understandable. I should’ve suggested a more casual restaurant for our first date.”

Dash smiled. “It’s alright, Trevor. I know you were only trying to be a gentleman. I should have told you that I wasn’t into the whole fancy scene in the first place. Let’s just call it a mutual misunderstanding, kay?”

“Ok, I can live with that. Next time, no fancy clothes or expensive food. Just you, me, and two of the greasiest burger platters Joe’s Diner has to offer. How’s that sound?”

Rainbow rubbed her shoulder. “Yeah, I’d like that. Umm…I don’t mean to change the subject, but do you mind if use your shower? I kinda feel all sweaty and nasty, ya know?”

“Oh, certainly! The bathroom is right across the hall. Do you want me to get you a fresh set of clothes? They probably won’t fit any better than what you have on now, but at least they’ll be clean.”

“Sure, if you can find any that’d be cool.”

While Trevor went off to fetch some fresh clothes, Rainbow made her way to the bathroom. As far as bathrooms went the Lulamoons obviously valued cleanliness. If Dash hadn’t known any better, she would’ve thought the bathroom belonged to a five star hotel instead of a couple amateur magicians. The tiles and mirrors were squeaky clean and there wasn’t a speck of dust or rust to be found anywhere.

What nearly made her squeal with joy was when she opened the tiny cabinet under the sink, and found that it contained a plethora of freshly laundered towels. Despite her somewhat lackadaisical approach to matters of fashion and manners, Rainbow was an absolute stickler when it concerned personal hygiene. Since she worked out constantly, the young athlete developed a particular set of habits.

First and foremost, she despised smelling like sweat. Granted, she wasn’t the type of girl who liked to wear perfume but she did like to buy long-lasting athletic deodorant, body wash, and shampoo. And even though Rarity constantly claimed that her sweat didn’t smell bad, Dash insisted on masking the perceived odor with extreme prejudice.

Second, but only by a fraction of a margin, she was decidedly against the idea of body hair. Dash went to extreme lengths to ensure that it was waxed, plucked, or shaved out of existence. One of the few beauty products she did indulge in was the purchase of high quality wax, which she applied liberally to her legs, armpits, and privates. It was mostly because the presence of hair caused chafing while she exercised, but it also made her feel sleek and sexy (not that she would admit it aloud).

Last but certainly not least was Dash’s inclination to sing while showering. Most people who tended to do this were positively terrible singers. Dash, on the other hand, was actually quite talented when it came to singing. While it wasn’t her life’s passion, Rainbow did dabble a bit in guitar playing and vocals when her schedule allowed.

Sometimes, she performed gigs here and there just to earn some extra cash. But it was never anything serious. She often wondered if the rest of the girls would be interested in forming a band sometime, just for fun. She even had a name for it: The Rainbooms. AJ could play a mean banjo, Pinkie was a beast on the drums, and Shy could probably sing accompanying vocals if she got over her anxieties first. Dash wasn’t really sure about Rarity. Maybe she could design the costumes or something.

As fate would have it, Rainbow was so occupied with singing after her quick shower that she failed to notice Trevor enter the bathroom with a fresh set of clothes. The sound of Dash singing her heart out drowned out the sound of running water, which led Trevor to believe she was still bathing. Unfortunately for them both, this was not the case.

Rainbow rubbed her hair with a towel. ♫ Yeah, I'm awesome, take caution, Watch out for me; I’m awesome as I wanna be! I—♫

Trevor stood across from her, his face beet red, mouth agape. The set of clothes he’d been carrying were now on floor as he tried to regain any shred of composure he could muster. Slowly he began to raise his hands.

“Ah, I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t know you were done showering, I SWEAR!”

Rainbow immediately dropped her towel and stared blankly at her host. It took a few moments for her brain to catch up to what was happening, but once it did her pupils shrank to pinpricks. She was butt naked in front of a guy. Not just any guy, but a hot guy who she was VERY much interested in. In her mad scramble to cover up, Dash’s foot snagged on a bath rug, sending her on a crash course straight into Trevor’s arms.

With a loud thud, the two of them fell onto the floor. Trevor was on the bottom, while Rainbow was on top. She was so tightly pressed against his chest that Trevor could sense the warmth still radiating from her skin, smell the fruity aroma of the shampoo she used. But the most distracting thing of all was feeling her nipples poke through the thin fabric of his polo.

“Rainbow, y-you should probably try to get up now. Your clothes are over—mrrrpmmff!”

Dash was sick and tired of these kinds of things happening to her. It was as if the universe was purposely trying to get her into the most embarrassing situations possible, like some kind of cosmic prank! Well no more. While she was mortified upon being seen naked and put into a compromising position, she was also determined to make the best of it. To that end, she decided to give Trevor a saucy kiss, just to gauge his reaction and maybe…sort of…for her own satisfaction too.

Rainbow awkwardly cleared her throat. “So yeah, that happened.”

“Uh huh.”

“Umm do you maybe wanna go a bit further? ‘Cause I can totally feel your boner against my leg right now…”

Trevor blushed. “Sorry, I can’t really help it. You know, naked woman pressed up against me and all.”

“Hehehe, totally understandable. So…does that mean you think I’m sexy?”

“W-well, I certainly thought you were beautiful before. But…I had no idea how toned you were. Yes, you’re incredibly sexy.”

Rainbow bit her lip. “I don’t know what to say. Nobody’s ever really…called me sexy before.”

“I’m happy to be the first.”

“That’s really sweet of you, Trevor. Does that mean we’re gonna bang now?”

Trevor coughed. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to, but we don’t have to if you feel uncomfortable about it. I-I mean…we’ve barely been on a single date.”

“I’d be cool with it a-as long as you’re nice and gentle.”

“Nice and gentle?”

Rainbow cheeks lit up. “It’s important to be gentle with girls during their f-first time.”

“Merciful heavens, I had no idea you were still a virgin! I just assumed that—”

Dash scowled. “What? I’m not allowed to wait for the right guy to pop my cherry?!”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that! I guess I’m just bit surprised is all. But…are you sure you want me to take it from you?”

Rainbow caressed his cheek. “I’m sure. But can we move to the bed? I don’t really wanna go at it on the bathroom floor.”

Nodding in agreement, Trevor picked up Dash princess style and carried her over to the bed. After gently setting her down, he stripped out of his own clothes and casually tossed them on the floor. Now that she was finally able to get a good look at his fully erect penis, Dash’s earlier bravado evaporated like a glass of water on the surface of the sun.

It wasn’t as though he was particularly large. If anything, Trevor’s length was just a little bit above average. No, what made Dash nervous was the fact that this was the first time she’d witnessed an actual guy’s junk in front of her. Out of curiosity, she carefully wrapped her fingers around it.

What she felt made her gasp, both out of excitement and surprise. It was incredibly warm and throbbed so much that she could practically tell what his heartrate was. Indulging herself a bit, Dash gave it a gentle squeeze and discovered how rock solid the thing was. After hearing Trevor let out a soft groan, she immediately let go.

“Shit! I didn’t hurt you did I?”

Trevor shivered. “No…you just surprised me.”

“Is it painful when it’s all hard like that?”

“Somewhat, I suppose. But it’ll get better once we start.”

Dash twiddled her fingers. “Do you…want me to massage it or something?”

“No, you don’t have to. I want you to enjoy this experience as much as possible. I can wait. All you need to do now is relax and let me get you ready.”

“O-ok. I just wanna make you feel good too.”

Trevor kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, you will.”

Rainbow Dash did not like sitting on the sidelines while others took charge. But in the case, she begrudgingly admitted to herself that Trevor was the one who had a hell of a lot more experience than her when it concerned love-making. For now though, she slowly spread her legs to allow her lover better access.

Once again, Trevor didn’t waste any time. Within seconds Rainbow felt his warm tongue sliding along her lips, probing deeper and deeper as time marched ever forward. The pleasure magnified tenfold when he started twisting the tip of his tongue, making it writhe inside her like an angry snake. Rainbow tried her best to keep quite but it was no use. As the familiar warm of an approaching orgasm filled her belly, she chose to ignore her own embarrassment and began to squeak and moan in earnest.

“Ahnn…Trevor…I think I’m getting close.”

Instead verbally responding, Trevor instead chose to lick even faster while gently pinching her clit. It was far too much stimulation for poor Rainbow. She screamed in ecstasy as a massive wave of pleasure rippled through her entire body, causing her to cum all over her lover’s face. As she laid there panting, Trevor removed himself while licking his lips.

“I didn’t know you were a screamer. I guess that means I was doing it right then.”

“S-shut up. I couldn’t…help it.”

Trevor licked his lips. “Interesting. You taste slightly tangy, kind of like an orange.”

“Well, h-how the hell would I know that?!”

“Here, I’ll show you.”

Before she could protest, Trevor was already pressing his lips against hers. Unlike their previous kisses, this one was sloppy and involved quite a bit of tongue wrestling. Part of Rainbow’s psyche screamed that it was totally weird tasting her own brand, but the majority of her lust addled mind didn’t really care. And true to his word, the taste did remind her a bit of oranges. Not that she really knew why.

Rainbow blushed. “Jeez, warn me next time you intend to make me taste my own cum!”

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. You were making such a cute pouty face.”

“Whatever. I’ll forgive you this time, but only ‘cause you did such a good job making me feel good.”

“No problem. The way I see it, you have an opportunity to make me feel good too. With how wet you are right now; I shouldn’t have any problems sliding right in.”

“Just go nice and slow, ok?”

Trevor smiled. “Don’t worry, I promise.”

Rainbow couldn’t help but tremble slightly as she watched Trevor position himself slightly above her waist. In order to make his entrance smooth as possible, Trevor rubbed his cock against her moistened lips in order to lubricate himself. He tried to push inside her as slowly and carefully as he could, but because she was so wet he ended up hilting her in a single thrust.

Dash grunted. “Unngghh…what the fuck?! You said you were gonna be gentle!”

“I-I’m sorry! I tried to but you’re just so wet that I slid right in. Does it hurt?”

“Nah. I already broke my hymen with a dildo a few years back. I just wasn’t ready to be bottomed out so quickly…”

Trevor blushed. “Oh…umm good. Is it ok if I start moving now?”

“Mhmm g-go ahead.”

Now, Trevor began moving his hips in earnest. Much to his own embarrassment, he quickly began to realize how difficult it was going to be to last more than a minute or two without releasing his load. Like most athletes, Rainbow’s pussy was exceptionally tight; making it feel like a warm, fleshy vice was trying to squeeze his manhood for all it was worth. He ignored the clenching feeling deep in his balls and simply slowed down his thrusts.

Dash moaned. “Ahnn…damn…that…feels…awesome.”

“Rainbow, I have to honest. I’m not sure if I can keep this up for much longer.”

“It’s—haahh alright. I’m really close to cumming again anyway. If it m-makes you feel good, there’s no need to hold ba—UNNGH FUCK!!”

With Rainbow’s loud scream confirming her earlier declaration, Trevor felt her walls clench around him with twice as much intensity as before. The young magician would have taken great pride in the knowledge that he was giving his new paramour so much pleasure, if he wasn’t so preoccupied with pumping her full of his seed.

It was so much more intense than he’d ever remember having before. Maybe it was just because she was so tight, or perhaps because it had been quite some time since he’d made love with another woman. But one thing was certain. Every little face she made, every little squeak or moan she uttered simultaneously made his heart melt and filled his loins with burning desire. There could be little doubt. He had fallen hard for the brash prismatic-haired athlete.

The young couple had little to say between them that hadn’t already been expressed through their bout of passionate love-making. Instead, they collapsed onto the bed sweaty and exhausted, content to simply cuddle for a few moments. With a satisfied sigh, Rainbow nestled her head against Trevor’s chest and used her free hand to gently caress his stomach.

“Even though I was little scared at the beginning, I’m glad that my first time was with you.”

Trevor ran his fingers through her hair. “It was my pleasure. I…realize that we haven’t been together for very long, but I want you to know that I do care about you. You’re a special woman, Rainbow. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

“That’s…” Rainbow sniffed. “…the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me. Aww damn it! Now I’m crying! Stupid post-coital hormones…”

“Really? I hope they’re mostly happy tears.”

Dash punched his stomach. “Of course they are you oaf! Seriously though, I care about you too. You’re the first guy who’s ever paid attention to the real me and that’s a big deal in my book.”

“Well, I’m glad to know that I’m such a big deal.”

Dash sighed. “Mhmm. Ugh…after we’re done cuddling, I think another shower is in order. Maybe a good freshener spray too. I don’t think your sister would appreciate us or the room smelling like sweaty sex.”

“Yeah, that’s for sure. I just hope she’s still tending the shop.”

“Why’s that?”

Trevor chuckled nervously. “It would be kind of awkward for her to come up here right now. This is her bedroom, after all.”

Before Rainbow could utter a response, the door swung open, revealing Trixie in the doorway. The poor girl’s mouth widened in abject horror upon witnessing her sweaty and very naked brother cuddled up to an equally naked girl. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she could clearly make out various stains on the bedsheets (her bedsheets) that left no doubt the couple had recently finished doing the horizontal tango.

Trixie blushed. “HOW DARE YOU SOIL THE SANCTATY OF TRIXIE’S BEDROOM!”

“Sister, please calm down. I can expla—”

“There is no explanation needed, brother. You decided to jam your magic wand, in a girl you just met, ON MY BED!! Now the whole room smells like—urgghh—stinky, sweaty love juice. And don’t even get me started on the sheets. I’m going to have to burn them!”

Trevor rubbed his neck. “Sorry, we got caught up in the heat of the moment. I promise I’ll buy you a whole new sheet set and…pay to have your room professionally steam cleaned.”

“I suppose that will suffice for the moment being. But don’t think I’ve forgiven you just yet. In any case, you two need to wash up right this instant. AND NO CANOODLING IN THE SHOWER!”

“Hehe…right. C’mon Rainbow, we’d best get to it. I’d rather not upset my sister any further.”

Trixie nodded. “Good. Once the two of you are clean and dressed, you can join me in the dining room for some pizza.”

Author's Note

^Trixie's reaction in a nutshell.

Hope everybody liked this chapter. And again, I'm sorry about it taking so long to come out.

Double Trouble

Chapter 17

Rarity’s Home, Ponyville

The new couple’s trip had gone far better than either of them could have expected. It had been a relaxing, rejuvenating, and…passionate four days. But, like all good things, it had to eventually come to an end. As Rarity pulled up to the curb next to her home, she allowed herself a wistful sigh. Upon hearing this, Spike looked over at his lover with concern.

“What’s wrong, Rarity?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just a bit sad that we’re back so soon. I already miss those wonderful hot spring baths…”

Spike rubbed his neck. “Well it’s not like you can’t take a bath at home, right?”

“I suppose so. But it’s just not the same! Think of all those minerals, Spike.”

“What’s so special about a bunch of minerals?”

Rarity grabbed his collar. “YOU. DID. NOT. JUST. SAY. THAT!”

“I uhh…sorry?”

“Not to worry, darling. I shall forgive your ignorance this time. You are a man, after all. The collection of minerals found in hot springs helps to fortify your skin’s complexion. That’s why mine is so shiny today!”

“Oh, well that’s good.”

Rarity nodded. “Indeed it is. Now that you’ve had your dermatology lesson for the day, would you mind carrying our luggage inside while I start preparing lunch?”

“Sure. What’re you gonna make?”

“How’s chicken club sandwiches sound?”

Spike licked his lips. “I’m sure whatever you make will be fine. But umm…what exactly is a club sandwich?”

“How do you not—oh right, another dimension. Sorry darling, I keep forgetting. Club sandwiches generally contain lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, and some form of poultry.”

“You know, I thought eating meat would be weird. But…I actually like it. A lot. Especially that bacon stuff. I don’t know how I ever went without it in Equestria.”

Rarity clapped her hands. “Then I’m certain you shall enjoy these. Just remember not to strain yourself too hard. I don’t want to have to take you to the hospital for any sprained muscles.”

“Right. I’ll see you in about ten minutes.”

Unsurprisingly, Spike’s luggage was rather sparse. All he took with him was a small carry on with the bare minimum of clothes and toiletries needed for a few days. Rarity, on the hand, had brought a full suitcase that weighed at least thirty pounds. Erring on the side of caution, the fashionista decided that she needed at least ten outfits for what only amounted to a three night stay.

As Spike lugged the suitcase to Rarity’s room, he contemplated the irony of the situation. It wasn’t so much that the abundance of clothing was out character for her, but more the fact that neither of them really wore much of anything a majority of their stay. The two of them found it bothersome to even don a bathrobe and only did so when they occasionally ventured outside of their room. Why you ask? The answer is really quite simple: As young lovers are wont to do, they copulated frequently over the course of their four day excursion.

After their first time in the actual hot springs, Rarity and Spike agreed that it was best not to do so again. It was mostly because they felt guilty for making such a mess for some poor employee (mostly likely Coco) to clean up. Instead, they decided to concentrate all of their love-making inside of the room.

That isn’t to say that they didn’t make an absolute mess of the room itself. They most certainly did. There had even come a point, on the third day, where they just lounged around naked and lazily made love all day long. They still bathed of course, but Spike was certain that the entire room probably reeked of sweat and sex and would need a thorough cleansing before it was fit for human habitation once more.

Once again, Spike found himself questioning his new mammalian physiology. What is it with these humans? Do they have a freaking twenty four hour heat cycle or something? I barely start thinking about how soft Rarity’s skin is and how good she smells….and how incredibly warm it feels inside her—OH CRAP! NOT AGAIN!

The familiar, if somewhat awkward, sensation of blood rushing to his extremities was too much for Spike to bear. He really didn’t want to deal with this right now. When he was still a dragon, he most certainly got erections but they were rare and relatively easy to get rid of. But that was back when he was dealing with pseudo-reptilian hormones.

Now, he was a squishy monkey creature that had the sex drive of a bunny rabbit during late spring. And boy did his penis like to remind him of it! Early on, he had noticed that erections were far easier to deal with when you weren’t wearing anything. That was simply due to the fact that it had room to expand. But with pants on, it was an entirely different story.

Spike groaned in frustration. There was no way in Tartarus that the now very noticeable bulge in his pants was going to go away anytime soon. Especially considering that every time he walked, his crotch rubbed against the fabric of his (incredibly silky as picked out by Rarity) undergarments. After tugging his shirt over his waist in a pathetic attempt to conceal his boner, he awkwardly hobbled into the kitchen where Rarity was busy pouring iced tea into some glasses.

“How’s lunch coming along?”

Rarity cocked her eyebrow. “Swimmingly! All I need to do now is—Spike, why are you standing like that?”

“Uhh…no reason. Just comfortable I guess.”

“Darling, there is no way that is comfortable unless you were born a hunchback. Stand up properly or you’ll start getting back pain.”

“That’s ok, I’m good.”

Rarity put her hands on her hips. “You are most certainly not good! I will not have you ruin your posture. It isn’t healthy.”

“Fine…”

Slowly, and with as much dignity as he could muster, Spike stood a bit straighter in both senses of the word. Upon seeing the bulge in his pants, Rarity blushed lightly and played with a lock of her hair.

“My apologies Spike. I didn’t realize you had an erection. Would you perhaps…like me to help you get rid of it?”

“I couldn’t possibly ask you to. We’re just about to eat lunch!”

Rarity bit her lip. “I’m well aware of that. However, what kind of girlfriend would I be if I let poor Spikey-Wikey suffer in his textile prison?”

“Ugghh…Rarity, do you have to call it that?”

“Every sword of note deserves a name, darling. Even those made of flesh.”

Spike blushed. “A-alright. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want you to. But I still wanna eat lunch.”

“Not to worry, our lunch isn’t going anywhere. But I know exactly what my appetizer is going to be~”

Like always, Rarity was swift in undoing Spike’s pants. And just as she began to suck on his length, the both of them froze in place when they heard the refrigerator door open. Across the room, stood a teenage girl with curly locks of purple and pink hair, holding a can of soda. What made this encounter so unusual was that Rarity hadn’t been expecting any further company this week and…the fact that the only thing the girl was currently wearing was a gaming headset.

Rarity’s eyes widened. “Swmmmhm?”

“Uhh…surprise?”

Upon realizing her sordid state of affairs, Rarity withdrew herself from “Spikey-Wikey” as gently as she could and zipped up Spike’s pants with practiced ease. Since he was just as shocked, Spike practically forgot about his boner and gawked at the nude teenage girl with a growing blush on his face. After what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence, Rarity cleared her throat.

“My dear sister…WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE?!”

Sweetie grinned sheepishly. “I thought Mom and Dad told you I was staying here for a week. I guess they didn’t?”

“Obviously not! And for heaven’s sake, please put some clothes on. There is a male in the house and your nudity is just going to make things even more awkward.”

“Not as awkward as seeing you sucking on his weenie like a popsicle.”

Rarity’s face flushed. “T-that’s none of your concern! Spike and I are grown adults. Now, go put some clothes on!”

“Oh come on, Rarity! I’m pretty sure your boyfriend has already seen you naked before, so what’s the big deal if he sees me that way?”

Rarity ground her teeth. “Just because Mother and Father tolerate that sort of…lifestyle, does not mean that I am comfortable having a teenage girl frolicking about in the nude within my abode. If you live in my home, you live by my rules!”

“Fine. I’ll throw on a dress. But just so you know, I’m not wearing any underwear.”

Rarity sighed. “Very well, just so long as you conduct yourself like a proper lady. That means I don’t want you sitting around with your legs wide open, privates on full display.”

Rather than respond directly, Sweetie stormed off in a huff grumbling about how her sister was a hypocritical prude. Meanwhile, Spike did his level best to calm down and think of something meaningful to say. But as in most cases, during times of duress, the mouth often moves before the brain has a chance to stop it.

“Is it unusual that your sister is so…mature looking?”

Rarity punched his arm. “I can’t believe you were ogling my sister. MY BABY SISTER!”

“I wasn’t trying to. Honest! It’s just kind of hard not to look when she’s literally right in front of me.”

“Well, I suppose so. And to answer your question: Sweetie takes after my mother, which means that puberty hit her like a heavy weight boxer on steroids. It actually makes me somewhat jealous. I didn’t really start filling out until I was seventeen.”

“Hey, don’t talk like that. You’re absolutely beautiful in your own right. You shouldn’t try to compare yourself to others. Rarity is Rarity. And that’s just how I like it.”

Rarity gently kissed him on the lips. “I’d say you just won yourself some major brownie points, darling. It almost makes up for the stupid question you asked earlier.”

“So…you aren’t mad anymore?”

“I guess not. Although, I admit that I may have overacted a bit. I’m sorry; it was because I was stressed out and angry at my parents for not telling me about Sweetie’s visit.”

Spike twiddled his fingers. “I’m sorry for staring at your sister. I know that didn’t exactly help.”

“It’s quite alright. I mean, I understand that men can’t help staring at other women, especially if they’re naked. But it’s just that she’s only fourteen! And it scares me to death thinking about what would happen if she invited a boy her age over to ‘hang-out’ with.”

“Why’s that?”

Rarity rubbed her temples. “Much like my parents, she doesn’t really care if other people see her naked. And I can assure you that the vast majority of boys her age wouldn’t be able to… resist taking advantage of her attitude, as it were.”

“Just so we’re clear: by ‘taking advantage’ you mean...what exactly?”

Rarity shook her head. “I swear you can be so naive sometimes. They would try to have sex with her, Spike. Not like the kind we had, but forcing it upon her without consent.”

“Oh. Yeah, that’s not good. Is it because of these weird human hormones that they think about those kinds of things? Because I can’t seem to stop thinking about it either…”

“What you have to understand is that teenagers have much higher concentrations than adults because they’re still growing. That makes it harder for them to resist their baser…urges. But yes, you do indeed have the same hormones running through your veins, just not in the same concentration. Don’t worry, it is completely normal.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. How did you learn about all that stuff?”

Rarity waved her hand. “I’m an avid reader, nothing more complex than that. But it never hurts to learn about how one’s body functions.”

With little else left to be said on the subject, Spike gave Rarity a quick hug and went about eating his long overdue lunch. As the fashionista began to eat her own sandwich, she pondered all of things she would need to shop for due to her sister’s surprise visit. But all of that would be taken care of in due time. All she wanted to do now was finish her lunch, curl up on the couch, and read a good book.

Physics Lab, Canterlot University

The halls of Canterlot University were mostly deserted, due to it being the middle of the summer holiday for students. However, some of the staff still found the motivation to come in to work despite this time of year being a holiday for them as well. One such staff member sat on his pleather office chair and stroked his thin lavender beard in contemplation, while he viewed various charts on a computer screen.

A few months ago, there had been a strange spike of energy originating from Ponyville and no one seemed to be able to explain what exactly it was. As head of the Physics Department, Dr. Shine was responsible for investigating any strange energetic phenomenon no matter how inconsequential it may be. And how strange it was!

It was unlike any type of energy he’d seen before. The wavelength was very similar to gamma rays, but yet so alien in many respects. For one thing, it was actually within the visible spectrum, which should not have even been possible considering the absurd frequency it achieved. And on top of that, no one within the radius of the event had complained of radiation sickness.

Dr. Shine took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “I think I’ve been in this damn lab too long. I’m starting to think that we’re dealing with an extradimensional form of energy. Ha! Like that’s actually the case.”

Before he could go back to finishing an email to a colleague in Vanhoover, the distinguished doctor felt a soft pair of lips press against his forehead, accompanied by the wonderful aroma of citrus scented perfume. When he turned around in his chair, he smiled at the woman before him.

She wasn’t exactly tall, almost an entire foot shorter than he was, but she made up for it in spades with her bubbly optimism. As usual, her emerald locks were tied up in a single braid that went around her left shoulder. But what Dr. Shine loved the most about her was the pearly white smile she returned in kind when he kissed her back.

“Hey Barb, are you done with the chameleon genome coding already?”

“No. I just needed a break. It was starting to get a bit tedious. And I wanted to check up on you. You know how you get when you’re absorbed in a project…”

Dr. Shine chuckled. “Yeah, I know. Do you want to go on that romantic dinner I promised tonight?”

“You mean we can actually go to Palazzo di Formaggio…TONIGHT?!”

“Sure. Just let me finish this email and I’ll start heading home.”

Barb squeezed the doctor in bone-crushing hug. “Oh Dusk you’re the best! And I’ll make sure to wear that sexy little red dress you like so much. See you soon!”

“Later, Barb.”

Good grief, it’s been ages since I’ve seen her so excited. But I guess I have been putting a lot of hours into the lab lately. In any case, a nice dinner with Barb should help me relax for a while. And if I’m lucky…we might be able to sneak in some sexy time afterwards. I wonder if she’ll up to riding cowgirl toni—

Dr. Shine’s naughty thoughts were interrupted by what sounded an awful lot like a small explosion. And judging by how loud it was, he suspected that blast’s epicenter was quite close by. After grabbing his lab coat, he looked around the facility and found a large cloud of dust and debris near the edge of the southern sector.

That particular sector of the lab didn’t have anything terribly important contained there, like a hadron collider or anything. The only things stored there were simple cleaning supplies and the like. Still, he wanted to make sure that no one was hurt or anything was on fire.

As the dust settled, a bizarre scene played out before. Sitting on the floor was a woman. She looked to be in her mid to late twenties and had eerily similar physical characteristics as Dusk, save for the fact that she was an attractive woman. But that wasn’t the bizarre part. What made Dr. Shine practically choke on his own spit was the fact that she was stark naked.

“Who are you and what are you doing here? And more importantly, why are you naked?!”

Twilight stood up slowly. “I don’t know! The last time I came here I was wearing clothes. And…where is here exactly?”

“The last time you were here? You mean to tell me that you’ve trespassed in the labs before?”

“What? No! I meant to say that I’ve been to this world before.”

Dr. Shine blushed. “Great! Not only do I get to deal with a massive mess but a crazy naked lady to boot! Look, I don’t really have the time to deal with whatever this situation is right now. I promised my girlfriend that I’d take her out to dinner in an hour.”

“I’m not crazy! Just a bit lost and confused. I promise I won’t take up much more of your time. But umm…could you possibly get me something to wear? It’s a bit chilly in here.”

Dusk handed her his lab coat. “Wear this for now. It’s still going to be really hard to explain why I’m walking around the university with a barefoot woman in a lab coat, but at least the cops won’t arrest you for indecent exposure.”

“Thanks. And there’s one other thing. I don’t have any money or a place to stay. Do you think…you could possibly let me stay at your place? Please?”

Dusk began to hyperventilate. “Seriously?! I live with my girlfriend. I can’t just bring some random naked woman home with me. I’ll get dumped faster than a sack of bricks.”

“You mean…she’d think I was in a relationship with you?”

“YES! What else could anyone possibly think if they saw me with an attractive, naked woman?”

Twilight smiled sheepishly. “I’m flattered that you think I’m attractive, but I’m already in a relationship.”

“Arrrgghh! That’s not the issue at hand here. It’s like you have no common sense regarding social conventions or clothing for that matter!”

“Well, I don’t normally wear clothes. Except for special occasions.”

Dusk rubbed his forehead. “Yep. You’re definitely from some hippie nudist commune. Look…I’ll let you come with me but you have to promise not to ask any questions and just play along with whatever I say. And for the love of Newton, put some actual clothes on when we get to the apartment.”

“Like your girlfriend’s clothes?”

“No, you’ll be wearing my spare gym clothes for the time being. We look about the same size anyway. And when Barb asks: just say that you’re my cousin who came into town for a visit.”

After a long and rather awkward walk through Canterlot University, Dusk and Twilight got into the car and began the short drive to the apartment. In all the commotion, Twilight only now realized that Discord was nowhere to be seen. Of course he wasn’t here. Typical spirit of chaos! Now she was left to suffer alone, penniless, and naked at the mercy of a complete stranger.

Well…not a complete stranger. It was actually kind of odd how much this Dusk person looked like her. As a matter of fact, it was kind of creepy. He had the same hair color, eye color, and even some of his mannerisms were identical. After a moment of intense thought, a lightbulb went off in Twilight’s mind.

Sweet Celestia! He’s my doppelgänger in this world! Okay Twilight, don’t panic. Just take a deep breath. Yeah, Discord totally ditched you for whatever reason but at least you have…you to rely on? No…that’s not quite right. Because he certainly doesn’t act exactly the same way. Although that does make a certain amount of sense. He was raised in a completely different society with different rules and—ok now I’m rambling. I guess I’m just going to have to “roll with the punches” like Rainbow always says.

Twilight’s thought process ground to a screeching halt when she felt a piece of paper slip into her hand. She tried to ignore the fact that it hadn’t been there a mere moment ago, and that it was embossed with a small portrait of Discord’s face on the top. Much to her frustration, the contents of the letter basically told her what she knew already.

Dear Princess Sparkle Butt,

If you’re reading this, then you already know that I’m not standing right next to you. Not to worry though, I’m in this universe. Just not in the immediate area you are. Why you ask? Well, it’s quite simple really. Despite being the Spirit of Chaos, I too must follow some rules. Especially when it concerns trans-dimensional travel. Sorry to say it, but you’re basically the pony version of Kyle Reese.

I know it’s a real drag showing up naked and confused in an unfamiliar world. But chaos magic follows Terminator logic when crossing dimensions, not Hasbro logic. What? You have no idea what I’m talking about? You really need to brush up on your 80s pop culture references, Princess. I thought everybody saw that movie! In any case, I set you up with your male counterpart to make things a bit easier. And yes, before you ask, I do ship it. Arrivederci for now~

Your chaotic companion,

-Discord, Spirt of Chaos Esq.

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy

Chapter 12

Rarity’s House, Ponyville

Spike lifted his hand to knock on Rarity’s door but hesitated for a moment. He had no idea what sort of mental state she was in at the moment and had no desire to further agitate the situation. Spike had to admit that the visit from Rarity’s parents had been…a bit awkward to say the least, but they seemed like good people. He could’ve done without Magnum’s hug but at least Pearl had the decency to limit her affection to a simple peck on the cheek.

Unfortunately, Pinkie had no such reservations. The hyperactive girl practically gave him a mouthful of nipple when she assaulted him with a goodbye hug. And by Celestia did she have a soft set of knockers! Not only that but as an added bonus, she smelled like cake! With a chuckle, Spike realized that both traits were likely attributed to the copious amount of baked goods she consumed and worked with on a daily basis.

Much to his relief, it was a quick hug…because Pinkie would have noticed Spike Jr popping up to say hello had it lasted any longer. While it was true that he was only interested in Rarity, he had to admit that Pinkie was attractive…in her own way. Especially the cute heart shaped pattern of her—nope, don’t go there Spike. Despite the unintended arousal, that wasn’t even the worst part. Pinkamena Diane Pie, airhead extraordinaire, would’ve driven the whole way back to Sugarcube Corner stark naked if he hadn’t reminded the girl to put her clothes back on.

With a deep breath, Spike hardened his resolve and knocked on the door. He waited. A whole minute went by and there was still was no response whatsoever. Spike was about to knock a second time, until he heard the doorknob click. Afterwards, the door slowly swung open, revealing a distraught Rarity sitting on her bed. Her eyes were severely bloodshot and she had what appeared to be a large box of chocolates in her hand.

“Hey Rarity, do you mind if I come in?”

Rarity sniffed. “No, go ahead and take a seat next to me. But don’t be too surprised if I start to snuggle you. I’m…in need of some comfort right now.”

Spike sat next to her and put his arm around her shoulder, wrapping her in a gentle hug. Instead of saying anything, she simply leaned into the embrace, content to enjoy the warmth of her lover’s chest. After a few minutes, she sighed and grasped Spike’s hand.

“I’m sorry, darling. I probably shouldn’t be so upset about this whole situation. But I just…can’t help it!”

“Look, I don’t want to sound like a jerk but…why exactly are you so upset? I mean, yeah it’s pretty weird that your parents walk around naked all the time but they didn’t seem like bad people to me.”

Rarity huffed. “That’s just it, Spike! They aren’t bad people. I’m upset because…I was never very comfortable with the whole nudist thing. And they’ve always been so oblivious to my discomfort, even after six years!”

“I’m probably not the best person to judge such a thing. I uhh…pretty much lived most of my life in the buff and so did most of my friends. But umm…I can kind of see why it would be awkward for humans because…all of your stuff is on display.”

“Yes, that would be a rather accurate summation. But the point is: people who chose to live in the nude are amongst the minority in this world. As such, it is absolutely mortifying to have one’s parents greet friends and lovers in such a state. Make no mistake; it is a social faux pas on several different levels!”

Spike frowned. “Well, you gotta give them the benefit of the doubt. They couldn’t have known you were bringing friends over or that I was staying here. Still…it is sort of rude that they would just walk around naked in your house.”

“Exactly!”

“Even so, I’d still like to know why you’re so uncomfortable with it.”

“To put it bluntly: my parents have a VERY active sex life. And since they are always naked, it is far easier for them to have sex wherever and whenever they want. Let us just say that I have been the unfortunate witness to such activities on several different occasions.”

Spike coughed and blushed. “Oh. Yeah that’s…pretty bad. Although, that would explain why your dad was staring at your mom’s butt the whole time I was talking to him…”

“Spike, how did you know my father was staring in that particular direction?”

“I—uhh—well…I might have stared too.”

Rarity groaned. “Damn it all! But…I guess you couldn’t help it. My mother is quite attractive for a woman her age and it’s nigh impossible for a healthy male not to stare when her entire body is on display.”

Thank Celestia she doesn’t know what happened with Pinkie. “Yeah that’s true. Still, I’m sorry for looking at your mom that way. But…is it ok if I look at you that way?”

Rarity blushed. “I d-don't think I'd mind...”

Spike felt his heart pound furiously inside of his chest. In all of the years that he had yearned for Rarity’s affection, never had she looked sexier than she did right now. Perhaps it was her timid expression that triggered his lust or perhaps, for the first time, it was because she wanted Spike to look at her.

In a fit of passion, he cupped Rarity’s chin with his hand and kissed her softly on the lips. Rarity responded in kind by nibbling on his lower lip and rubbing her fingers through his hair. While they continued to kiss, he began to move his other hand up her leg until he felt the soft fabric of her panties brush up against his fingers. Right as he was about the pull down on the waistband, she suddenly stopped and pushed Spike away.

“Did I…do something wrong?”

“I’m terribly sorry, Spike.” Rarity whispered. “I…just don’t think I’m ready yet.”

“I’m sorry! I thought it was what you wanted. B-but I swear, if I did anything wrong please tell me!”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, darling. However, for the time being, let me have some time to myself to sort out my feelings.”

Spike felt his chest tighten. “So…you’re leaving?”

“Just for a while. I promise I’ll be back in few hours.”

With a sad smile, Rarity kissed Spike on the forehead and walked out of the room. Once she was gone, Spike buried his face into her pillow and screamed. He was a fool. He had let his own desires get the better of him. Now, he wasn’t even sure if everything was going to work out with Rarity or not. As the final shreds of his willpower faded away, he slowly drifted to sleep, noting how the pillow smelled like her.

Rainbow’s Apartment, Ponyville

After a long week of training for the upcoming season of soccer, it was about time that Rainbow got a day off. Naturally, that meant that today was all about relaxing and doing absolutely nothing productive. With a happy squeal she plopped onto the couch and began to enjoy a huge cheesesteak sandwich, some french fries, and a large blue raspberry slushy.

The night prior, she had decided to rent the latest Daring Do film titled: Legend of the Sapphire Skull and was currently watching it in full HD. That is…until she heard the doorbell ring. With an annoyed grunt she paused the movie and opened the door. Much to her surprise, Rarity of all people was standing outside. And for some odd reason she looked really disheveled and upset.

Rarity cleared her throat. “Hello, Rainbow. I hope…I’m not interrupting anything. I just needed a friend to talk to.”

“Nah, it’s alright Rares. I was only watching a movie. C’mon inside and take a seat. So, what do ya wanna talk about?”

“I’m afraid it has to do with Spike and I.”

Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. “Aww Geez. Rares, you know I’m not very good with all of that relationship stuff. No offence, but why didn’t you go visit AJ or Mrs. Cake or something?”

“Mrs. Cake and Applejack are both working at the moment. However, I remembered that you had off from your training regimen today so...”

“So…you’re saying that the only reason you came over here is because it’s my day off. Wow, I’m sooo glad that my schedule was convenient for you.”

Rarity groaned. “Look, I will admit that it is convenient but I really need to share my thoughts with someone and I consider you a trustworthy enough friend to share such thoughts with. And besides, you certainly aren’t dressed to be doing anything important.”

“Hey! A t-shirt and gym shorts are perfectly ok to wear, Ms. Fashion-Pants! Still…I’m glad that you think I’m such a good friend. Anyway, what’s the problem?”

“As you might be aware, Spike and I traveled to Appleloosa for a few days to attend the Summer Festival. We both had a wonderful time and he ended up confessing his romantic feelings towards me.”

“Did ya say yes?”

Rarity nodded. “Indeed I did. Now, I will admit that I certainly found Spike attractive prior to his confession but…my feelings for him aren’t quite as passionate as his towards me.”

“Hmm. That is a bit of a problem but all you need to do is spend some more time with him, right? I’m sure that once you get to know him better, it’ll all work out.”

“I know, but something happened earlier today that might have put our relationship in jeopardy. And I’m a-afraid it was entirely all my fault…”

Rainbow’s expression darkened. “He didn’t…try to rape you, did he? If he did, I’ll kick his ass so hard that he’ll have to unbutton the collar of his shirt to take a dump!”

“Good heavens, no! He didn’t rape me. If anything he was very gentle. It’s just that he started to pull down my underwear while we were kissing a-and…I couldn’t go any further. I was terrified, Rainbow! I’ve thought about making love for so long, but when I finally found myself about to do it…I wasn’t anywhere near ready. What should I do? Spike probably thinks that I don’t want to be with him anymore or that…he did something wrong!”

Rainbow wrapped Rarity in a gentle hug. “Rares, it’s ok to be afraid. Heh…if we’re being honest, I’m a little scared about sex too. And I’m willing to bet that he’s nervous about it too. That being said, it’s in your best interest to tell Spike about how you feel. He seems like a pretty smart guy, so I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“You’re right, darling. I feel like such an idiot. Why didn’t I think of that in the first place?”

“It’s probably because you aren’t as awesome as I am.”

Rarity giggled. “Thank you, Rainbow. All joking aside, I appreciate your advice.”

“No Prob. That’s what friends are for! So…do you wanna hang out and watch this movie with me or something? It might help you clear your mind a bit.”

“Ah, the latest Daring Do film I presume? No thank you, I’m not much a fan of action movies. But I would still like us to ‘hang out’, if you’re open to my suggestion.”

“Uhh…sure. What do ya have in mind?”

Rarity rubbed her chin. “Well, I was thinking that we could do a bit of shopping. NOT clothing though. I’m going to buy an apology gift for Spike, to be more specific. Would you mind coming along?”

“Eh, alright. Is there any specific place you want go to?”

Rarity grinned. “Why yes there is, in fact. It’s a quaint little gift shop in town. And I’m fairly certain they’ll have something Spike will enjoy.”

Shopping District, Ponyville

Rainbow was beginning to regret her decision. Instead of watching an awesome movie, she was hopelessly bored sitting inside of Rarity’s car. When her fashion savvy friend had told her the shop was in town, she hadn’t specified how incredibly far in town it actually was. Needless to say, it wasn’t exactly on her hit parade to sit inside of a car listening to classical music for nearly a half hour. She immediately perked up when Rarity parked in front of an old-timey looking shop with a sign in big cursive letters saying: Lulamoon’s Magical Gifts & Collectables.

Rainbow whistled. “I gotta admit, this place looks pretty cool.”

“Isn’t it, though? The whole entire shop’s motif is based off of nineteenth century English architecture! And it has the most wonderful items inside. Come, let’s go in.”

Sure enough, as they entered the shop, it was like stepping back in time. The whole place had dozens of old oak and glass cabinets arranged in rows with various nick-knacks and antiques displayed inside. A large grandfather clock stood next to a counter, where a very bored looking girl stood behind. Upon hearing the doorbell chime, the girl immediately stopped reading her magazine and smiled at Rarity and Rainbow.

“Welcome to Lulamoon’s Magical Gifts & Collectables! My name is Trixie, should you require any assistance. Today all of the—wait a moment! Both of you seem…familiar somehow.”

Rainbow scoffed. “Oh yeah…you’re the GREAT AND POWERFUL Trixie, aren’t you? I swear I loaned you some lunch money and you never paid it back…”

“Trix—err…I mean I don’t refer to myself in the third person anymore! I’ve been…going to therapy to try and fix that annoying little habit, as well as improve my communication skills. And how much do I…ehem…owe you?”

“I don’t really remember to be honest. Just gimme five bucks and we’ll call it even.”

Trixie slapped a five onto the counter. “DEAL! So what brings you to my family’s humble shop?”

“I’m not really here for anything. My friend is the one you want to talk to.”

Rarity smiled. “I’m looking to purchase a gift for my boyfriend, darling.”

“Ah, what exactly did you have in mind? We’re running a special on magic trick kits right now. Buy one get one free! Would your lover be interested in one of those?”

“Ehhh…I don’t think so. I was thinking more along the lines of a piece of jewelry. Perhaps a necklace or a ring?”

Trixie frowned. “Oh. Well, I don’t really know very much about jewelry. B-but my brother knows quite a bit. Hold on a moment while I go get him.”

Only a moment later, Trixie returned to the counter with an older man in tow. He was at least a head taller than his sister and possessed the same silver hair that she did, except it was much shorter and slicked back with hair gel. Much to Rarity and Rainbow’s surprise, he was wearing a stylish violet colored suit that perfectly matched his eyes. He gave the both of them a roguish grin that would’ve put Han Solo to shame.

Rainbow whispered into Rarity’s ear. “Whoa…he’s really hawt.”

“I completely agree, but I was under the impression that you were smitten with Big Mac.”

Rainbow frowned. “Yeah, about that. I might have tried to ask him out while you guys were in Appleloosa. It…didn’t go very well. He’s apparently been dating Cheerilee for like two months already. Seriously, I had no idea! I’ve never even seen them together!”

“Hmm. That’s interesting. I didn’t know that either. Applejack certainly didn’t mention it.”

The older man cleared his throat. “Excuse me ladies, but am I interrupting something? If so, I can assist you later.”

“Oh I’m terribly sorry sir. I assure you that we are quite finished.”

The man bowed. “In that case, Trevelyan Lulamoon at your service. But you may call me Trevor.”

“My name is Rarity and I was wondering if you could assist me in finding an appropriate gift for my significant other.”

With a flourish of his hand, Trevor produced a white rose in his hand and presented it to Rarity. Once she took the flower, he smiled and made a set of keys appear out of thin air.

“One gift deserves another, my dear. And I’m sure that whoever your lover is, he’s lucky to have you. Now, what kind of gift were you looking to purchase?”

Rarity giggled. “Oh my, such a gentleman! Are you, by chance, a magician?”

“How very astute! Indeed I am. When the mood strikes me, I take on the name: The Mysterious and Mystical Trevor! It’s somewhat of a part time thing, though. This shop is where I work most of the year.”

“I should like to see one of your shows sometime. In any case, I’m looking for jewelry. A necklace or ring would suffice.”

Trevor clapped his hands. “We have plenty of jewelry! Follow me to that case at the far end of the shop and we’ll pick something out.”

As Rarity perused the many pieces of finely crafted jewelry, Trevor stood next to her seemingly staring off into space. Rarity happened to notice his odd behavior but didn’t comment on it right away because she thought he was just waiting for her to make a decision.

After a few more moments of browsing, she found a lovely jade ring with an oriental dragon etched into the design. It was very fitting in her opinion. But when she turned around to ask Trevor to unlock the case, he was still staring…at something. Now, she was genuinely worried.

“Excuse me, Trevor. Is there something wrong?”

Trevor blushed. “Oh…ehem…sorry. Have you made a decision?”

“Yes, I would like that little jade ring. However, I’m slightly concerned about your behavior. Are you feeling alright?”

“Am I really that obvious? Very well. If you must know, I find myself quite enamored with your beautiful friend.”

Rarity’s jaw dropped. “WHAT?! B-but I don’t understand. I thought you were flirting with me earlier.”

“Ah, well that was just my attempt at being polite. I’m sorry if you thought I was trying to umm…put the moves on you.”

“It’s alright, darling. Still…Rainbow? Not to be rude, but I just assumed that you were into women of class and sophistication.”

Trevor rubbed his forehead. “Quite frankly, it upsets me that so many people come to that conclusion. What? Just because I dress nicely, I must automatically like a certain type of woman?”

“Fine, I’m sorry that I jumped to conclusions. But what…exactly do you find so attractive about Rainbow? It can’t possibly be her choice of attire.”

“Don’t you see? That’s exactly what makes her so charming! She’s so comfortable with her own image that she doesn’t care if men see her in a simple t-shirt and gym shorts. Not that she isn’t beautiful to begin with!”

“I have no words.”

Trevor sighed. “Sporty girls truly are the best! Most men love big breasts but as for me, I don’t care if they’re small. It’s all about the legs and buttocks! Oooh they’re just so firm on athletes~ Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.”

“We all have our preferences, I suppose. As luck would have it, she told me earlier that she found you attractive as well. I also happen to know that she’s on the market and currently looking for handsome man to fill the gaping void in her life. So...why don’t you go introduce yourself to her?”

Trevor rubbed his chin. “I believe I shall. It’s not as if I have anything to lose. But where are my manners? I haven’t retrieved your ring yet!”

With a relieved smile upon her lips, Rarity made her way back to the counter so that she could purchase Spike’s gift. As odd as it sounded, Rainbow and Trixie were having a lively conversation discussing the nuances of the Daring Do series until Trevor cleared his throat.

Trixie blushed. “Sorry, I got a bit carried away. Ah, you’re in luck Ms. Rarity! This particular ring is fifty percent off. That brings your total down to twenty five dollars!”

“Thank you, darling. I’m sure Spike will love it. Rainbow, do you mind if I browse around the shop for a while longer?”

“I guess not. I’ll just hang with Trixie for a while longer.”

Rarity winked. “Don’t worry, I shan’t be long.”

Taking that as his cue, Trevor gently tapped Rainbow on the shoulder and gave her the sexiest smile he could muster. The young athlete’s eyes widened in surprise for just a moment but after she got over her initial shock, a light blush spread across her cheeks.

“Hey I’m Rainbow, ‘sup?”

“What a lovely name! It certainly suits you. I am Trevelyan Lulamoon, part time magician and partial owner of this fine shop. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

OH MY GOSH! He’s actually talking to me! “That’s cool. Can you like, do any magic tricks right now?”

Trevor chuckled. “Why certainly! Just hold out your hand and I’ll do the rest.”

Normally, Rainbow would’ve been pretty suspicious about letting some random guy hold her hand but…she could make an exception in this case. It took all of her willpower not to squeal in girlish delight when he made a red rose appear in her hand. Despite what others might think, Rainbow didn’t mind receiving flowers. What made this particular rose so special was the fact that this was the first time a guy had ever given her one.

Rainbow sniffed the flower and grinned. “It’s beautiful.”

“A beautiful woman deserves a beautiful flower, no?”

“Y-you really t-t-think I’m…beautiful? But…I-I’m not even dressed up o-or wearing make-up!”

“Don’t be silly. You don’t need all of those things to be beautiful. You’re charming just the way you are.”

Rainbow turned beet red. “Haaaaaa….I THINK YOU’RE SEXY TOO! WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET DINNER SOME TIME? Ya know…if that’s cool with you.”

“I’d like that. There’s a lovely Italian restaurant called Palazzo di Formaggio just a few blocks away from here. They make some of the best spaghetti in town. How does six o’ clock tomorrow evening sound?”

Rainbow jotted down her address on a scrap of paper. “A-awesome I love Italian food! Oh a-and here’s my address. So…I guess I’ll see ya tomorrow, then?”

“Tomorrow it is.”

With a noticeable bounce in her step, Rainbow got into Rarity’s car and let out a girlish giggle. Rarity couldn’t help but smile because she was happy that her tomboyish friend had finally found a man that was interested in her. As they drove back to the house, Rainbow took one more sniff of the rose and placed it in her hair. Inevitably, Rarity’s thoughts drifted back to Spike.

I really hope Spike isn’t too upset. But what happened, happened. There’s no changing it. However, I can ask for his forgiveness and hopefully we can talk about how to approach making love. I have to trust that we will work something out, even if it takes me a while to come to terms with it. Please be patient with me, Spike….