Love Games: The Quest for Mares, Glory, and Honor!

    "Hmmm," I thought. "They're taking rather long. Maybe I should go see what's going on." I looked at everypony around the table, lost in conversation. "Excuse me, Girls," I got up, "I'll be right back. I need to go to the 'little filly's room'."

    With that, I took off. I didn't go to the restroom, however. I made my way to the front of the the building just in time to hear, "Well maybe you should think of that before you decide to show off!" Uh oh. Are they arguing? I peeked around the doorway to look at the two, fighting stallions, making sure to stay out of sight.

    "WHAT?!" Star shouted, he seemed upset, "You're the KING of show off! Why do you think I broke so many bones when we were in college?! You were always showing off to the mares, and I always got the short end of the stick!" I had no idea Bel Canto was so popular with the ladies, even before becoming a star! He does have a certain charm about him.

    I didn't hear what was said in the next couple seconds as I picked the two stallions apart, silently judging their appearances. Bel had most likely been the silent, brooding, bookish type that had lured mares in with an air of mystery about him. At that point, he would have employed his hyperactive friend into a scheme to impress those same mares. They had apparently tried many things before finally settling on performing music as their cutie marks suggested they do the entire time. I quietly giggled to myself, but shut up when Bel caught my attention.

    "You know what?" he shouted, "This means war! I challenge you to Love Games! We'll fight for her heart!" Her heart? They're fighting over a mare? Wait...I caught both of them staring at...TWILIGHT! A devious grin grew on my face. I just had to tell the girls. This was going to be good! They were coming back! Oh no! I shot to my seat at the table near the back of the restaurant. This lunch could not end sooner!

    It took forever!!! Eventually, however, Bel picked up the bill and we all began walking back to the library. On the way, we left the stallions at the inn so they could check into their rooms. While the rest of us walked, I stayed near the back. One by one, I got everypony's attention, everypony but Twilight. I gave them all the signal to meet me at the boutique, and one by one, they made excuses to leave. Twilight suspected nothing, except possibly from Applejack. The girl couldn't lie correctly if her life depended on it. I silently facehoofed as she explained that the apples needed to be re-bucked.

    In just three minutes, I was the only one left with Twilight as we approached the door to the library. It was at that point that I excused myself to work on a large order Photo Finish had laid on me earlier that day. We said our goodbyes and I ran to my boutique to find the girls, and Spike, already waiting for me. Yes! I let them in and we all sat in a circle in the living room. Sweetie Belle was still at school.

    "So, what's this super duper Über secret meeting about? Huh? Huh? Huh?" Pinkie asked excitedly.

    I took a deep breath and let it out with an audible squee. "I overheard the stallions fight over Twilight before lunch!"

    Fluttershy blushed with an, "Oh my!"

    Pinkie Pie squealed excitedly. Applejack smiled at the news while Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes. "So?" She asked bemusedly.

    "So," I respondedly, "I think we should help Bel out with Twilight!" I revealed.

    Rainbow brohoofed me, "Alright, sure!" She smiled. "He's almost as fast as me and likes books as much as Twilight! He's perfect!" Applejack looked at her smugly and she blushed, adding, "...For her."

    Applejack rolled her eyes, then looked to me, "Ah, for one, Don't like him as much as the other feller, Star." She confessed. "Ah wanna' help him. He's got spunk."

    Pinkie and Fluttershy nodded in agreement. "Star is soooo fun!" Pinkie added, "I wanna' help him too!"

    Fluttershy put her two bits in as well, trying and failing to look small, "He's...nice."

    Spike, whom had been silent thus far, spoke up at this time. "I'll help you, Rarity. I like him a lot!"

    I smiled back at him. "Thank you Spikey Wikey," I said, kissing him on the cheek. He got a dreamy look in his eyes and floated a hoof or two into the air.

    Pinkie pulled a rifle from her hair...somehow, and held it to her chest. "Well girls," She said, firing the gun. A small flag with the word "BANG" written on it popped from the barrel. "This means war!"