Hearts & Hooves - Sweetie shall go to the ball!

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Tuesday
Chapter 2 - Wednesday
Chapter 3 - Thursday
Chapter 5 - Friday - The best night ever
Chpater 6 - Friday - All good things...
Epilogue - Sunday (Hearts & Hooves Day)
Chapter 4 - Friday - First Impressions

Chapter 1 - Tuesday

Author's Note

Just a heads up to prevent any confusion - for this fic Hearts and Hooves day isn't in February/Winter (Canonically it has to be after winter wrap up/spring due to lack of snow). It's around the same time as the end of the school year so anytime in late spring / early summer.

Chapter 1 - Tuesday

Rarity was just finishing up the hemline on a dress, the final backorder almost completed. With Hearts and Hooves day at the end of the week, the dressmaker was always busy in the run up preparing the outfits for mares and stallions alike. Of course this left her virtually no time to find a special somepony of her own, but having so many friends she knew that if she got bored there would be somepony she could spend the day with.

Or some dragon will likely want to keep me company Rarity thought to herself with a slight smile.

Suddenly, the door to her boutique was flung open and her thoughts were disrupted by the sound of small hooves pounding on the floor and echoing around the showroom. She looked over just in time for her younger Sister, Sweetie Belle, to jump theatrically onto one of the elder unicorns chaise longues. Looking over to where she lay, despite the obvious upset her sister was feeling, Rarity had to try not to laugh as the smaller unicorn was doing a fairly good impersonation of her dramatic whallowings.

Rarity trotted over and knelt down to speak to her sister “Are you okay?”

“My life is over!” Sweetie Belle moaned, some tears falling from her eyes.

Rarity still had to suppress a smile, as nopony acting like this was really in trouble - after all being the mistress of the over-reacting, she knew it was usually just a way of getting the emotions out. “I’m sure your life is over, Sweetie? Why don’t you tell your big sister all about it!”

“Whats the point of anything!” Sweetie Belle sobbed.

Rarity knew how to solve this. She lit her horn, channeling a spell, and a few moments later a big bowl came floating from the kitchen over to her.

“I have ice-cream” Rarity replied in almost a sing song voice.

“I don’t care” Sweetie replied, although Rarity picked up Sweetie was already a little perkier.

“It’s honey-oat flavour, with Sprinkles” Rarity continued with her soft teasing tone.

Sweetie Belle sniffed. “Sprinkles?” she squeaked.

Rarity smiled as Sweetie Belle sat up and looked at her sister with bloodshot eyes. Rarity levitated the bowl over to her, Sweetie Belle thanking her and starting to tuck in right away. “So, why don’t you tell your big sister all about it?”

“But...we made a deal!”

“I'ma sorry Sweetie Belle!” Applebloom looked guiltily at her friend. “I sorta panicked when Diamond Tiara made fun of us for not having somepony to go to the end of term Hearts and Hooves Ball with.”

“Yeah, me too!” Scootaloo added, her wings dropping to her sides.

The earth filly continued “And when Snips and Snails asked us, it didn’t feel right to turn them down!”

“Snips and Snails? You broke a promise to go together over them?” the unicorn squeaked.

Applebloom felt really bad for her friend “You can still come along, it’s not like most of the class are going there seriously or anything!”

“What, and be the only pony there without a date?”

“It’s not a date!” Scootaloo protested.

“Can’t you find…” Applebloom began.

“There’s nopony left!” Sweetie Belle cried “We knew that there was one more filly than colt in the class, and thats why agreed to go together so there wouldn’t be a lone pony without a date.”

“It’s not a date!” Scootaloo protested again “Colts are yucky!”

Sweetie Belle turned on her Pegasus friend “Not so yucky that you wouldn’t abandon me for one! We are supposed to be a trio, work as a team. I can't beleive you would do this!”

“Calm down Sweetie Belle, nopony’s really going to care if we all turn up as a group!” Applebloom replied.

“I’m not going!”

Applebloom gasped, “But Sweetie it’s the end of term ball, you’ve been looking forward to this for weeks!”

“I don’t care!” Sweetie Belle squeaked one last time, before running out of the clubhouse. Scootaloo got up ready to chase after her, but was stopped by a hoof from Applebloom.

“I think we need to give her some thinking time right now.”

Rarity waited for the end of the story, and passed over a box of tissues. “Awww, Sweetie Belle, that does seem rather tragic."

“I know right?” the young filly replied, finding herself somehow now comfortably leaning up against her sister on the sofa.

“But it’s the Hearts and Hooves Ball, the last event before School breaks up for the Summer. You really don’t want to miss that do you?”

“I can’t be the only one there without a date, it’ll be so embarrassing! It’s only a one-off thing anyway”

“I know it’s a new event, but Cheerilee is just trying her best to make things fun for everypony. I’m sure most of the ‘couples’ -” Rarity did a little quotation gesture with her hooves “- aren’t really going as couples, it’s just to add something different to the usual parties!”

“I don’t care, everypony will laugh at me.”

“You can’t miss your end of year school ball, what about the dress I made you?”

Sweetie Belle sniffed and looked up guiltily to her sister “Sorry sis, I know you put a lot of effort into it. But I can’t turn up alone, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon will torment me all night.”

“And theres nopony else?”

“No, there’s nopony left my age in the town to go with.”

The word nopony stuck in Rarity’s head “So, if I could find you a suitable date for the Ball you will go?”

“Huh, but theres nopony else.”

“I have connections, and might be able to find you a partner for the ball”

“If you do, you’d be the best sister ever. Wait, the bestest, bestester...well, even more best than you are now!” Sweetie sort of stumbled in the sentence, causing Rarity to gently hug her.

Around twenty minutes later Rarity knocked on the door of the Friendship Castle, and it was opened by Twilight Sparkle.

“Hello Princess” Rarity began, dropping into a bow.

Twilight rolled her eyes “Rarity, how many times do I have to tell you I don’t mind other ponies addressing me that way, but not my friends, and especially not somepony else on the friendship council!”

“Excuse a pony for liking the fact she has royal connections” Rarity winked as she rose “I won’t embarrass you around the others, but when it’s just us please allow me a little indulgence.”

“Fine, commoner, what do you want?” the alicorn replied, putting on a more grandiose voice.

“Commoner?” Rarity replied with a hint of hurt on her voice.

“Okay then, peasant...”

“Peasant?” Rarity mock skriked.

“Well, it works both ways. Oh, and just be glad I didn’t decide to make Ponyville my demesne, Serf!” Twilight deadpanned, before winking and causing them both to laugh.

Rarity smiled at her friend, who could enjoy a bit of class-based humour without the awkwardness of some of her other friends “Is Spike in?”

Twilight caught her own breath, enjoying the banter herself “No, he’s out doing some shopping at the moment.”

“Good, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

The pair went inside to a rather comfortably furnished reading room. After Twilight had got them both some tea, that sat down to chat. Rarity filled Twilight in with what had happened and her possible solution. “What do you think?” Rarity finished, taking a sip from a cup.

“Hmmmm, it’s a tough one. On one hoof, I’m sure Spike wouldn't mind. In fact, I think it’ll be good for Spike to get out and meet other ponies, although perhaps he is a year or two too old.”

“Aren’t they about the same age?” Rarity asked.

Twilight sighed “Yes, biologically speaking. But dragons and ponies mature differently, and so he is physically a little behind ponies, but his maturity is probably ahead of your sister...no offence.”

Rarity smiled as Twilight ears drooped “None taken. Afterall, he sometimes can be as mature as us, and then goes and does foolish things I would expect of my sister.”

“Exactly. And also I’m sure he'd want to help out Sweetie Belle or any of the Crusaders. So I don't see any harm except…”

“Except how to ask him, right?” Rarity interrupted.

Twilight was caught off guard “How did you know?”

Rarity sighed “Because thats my conundrum. If we actually ask him, then he might feel pressured into saying yes, either because he might see it as an order from you…”

“Or because of his...friendship...with you?” Twilight filled in the gap.

“Exactly” Rarity slightly blushed “And then Sweetie Belle may still say no.”

Twilight pondered for a moment “Well, we’ll just have to come up with a way that means he makes the decision on his own.”

Rarity had left before Spike had returned, and the unicorn was thankful she hadn’t bumped into him before getting back as that may have ruined the plan. Upon returning to her home, she found Sweetie Belle sat in her room doing her homework. After checking she was okay, and bringing up a snack and a glass of juice, Rarity returned downstairs to finish up her work.

She spent the evening playing and reading with her sister, trying to cheer the filly up. Of course the tears were long gone, but Sweetie Belle was upset at missing the ball. Rarity tried to gently persuade the filly to go on her own, but she was having none if it. She only hoped the plan she had come up with with Twilight would work.

Chapter 2 - Wednesday

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Chapter 3 - Thursday

Spike woke up at the usual time and got on with his chores which were ample today. Thursdays was the day Twilight held the Ponyville’s weekly book club meeting.

When Twilight first started it, it wasn’t too popular with only a few ponies regularly attending - Cheerilee, Mrs Cake and Bonbon mostly. However, once she became a Princess it was surprising how a few other ponies suddenly found an interest in books, especially the ponies that considered themselves ‘mares that munch’ such as Mrs Rich. Since Golden Oaks Library had been blown up and the meeting switched to the Friendship Castle, attendance had skyrocketed.

Twilight was originally concerned that it was going to end up like that time with the fillies and colts - ponies only coming to 'hang out' with a Princess. But unlike that incident it seemed that the adults, whatever their original intentions, actually wanted to read and expand their minds. So the book club had gone from strength to strength.

Of course this meant that there was a lot of preparing to do before the large meeting. Spike was still Twilights number one assistant, but with a large castle to clean Twilight had got some help in to do this, and Spike saw the three mares working away dusting the room as he walked towards the castle doors on his way to market.

Spike still took care of all the catering arrangements, a side effect of Twilight’s awful cooking as they grew up training him to be the one to cook by deafult. The young whelp therefore spent most of the morning shopping for snacks and drinks. It took a little longer than usual as the dragon had a distraction in the back of his mind - a white unicorn.

But unlike his usual thoughts, this unicorn did not have a purple mane, but two softer shades. As he was trying on focusing on his shopping, he was constantly thinking back to the previous afternoon.

The way she acted kindly towards the dragon.

The way she delicately nibbled on her cookie like a mare, rather than gobbling up like a filly her age.

The way her face lit up when she had asked her to the ball.

The blush when she said yes.

Sweetie Belle was her name, and being cute was clearly her game.

However, as Spike did the shopping, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was perhaps a mistake to ask her to the ball. The dragon hadn’t spent much time round the fillies and colts of Ponyville school, and didn’t really know how to act around them. Plus, he had never been on an actual date before. But it wasn't really a date.

Was it?

It was lunchtime at the Ponyville Schoolhouse, and like in the previous day Sweetie Belle was eating alone. Scootaloo and Applebloom had sat at their usual table for three, leaving enough room for their friend to sit, but the stool remained empty. She hadn’t yet forgiven them yet.

Of course, with the summer break coming up, she knew she would have a choice to either spend the summer alone, working in her sisters shop, or going out crusading with her best friends. Sweetie decided that she might try to patch things up after the ball, once she had sprung the little surprise of her turning up with Spike. But until then the pain of betrayal was too much.

Sweetie Belle also knew she had been struggling all day trying to concentrate on the schoolwork, but with only two days to go to the end of the school (actually one and a half as tomorrow was a half day) that wasn't surprising. However, unlike the other students, it wasn’t the thought of the summer school holiday that was distracting her. The reason she was struggling to concentrate was due to one word.

Pretty.

Somepony other than her parents or her sister had called her pretty. For the first time.

With the time on her hoof to think, she reflected on that. Sweetie Belle wasn’t a stupid unicorn, and she knew that some of the colts in the class found her attractive, so much so some found themselves barely able to talk to her. But none of them had ever actually compliment her before.

She was lucky enough to have natural beauty. Her coat colour and soft toned mane was considered by many to be the most desirable qualities in a unicorn, something she was lucky to share with her sister. And despite eating a little too much junk food with her parents, she had a naturally thin figure.

However, seeing her sister grow in the past few years with Twilight and her other friends, the filly knew beauty was more than skin deep. Ponies seemed to like her for more than her looks. Having had a very good role model in her sister. she knew that when she wanted to be, she could be the very model of ladylike behaviour. But also wasn't afraid of getting her hooves dirty to have some fun.

As the filly looked around the playground, she considered other aspects of herself. She was fairly intelligent, both with book-smarts and street-smarts. She had been told many times she was kind and generous and unlike some other unicorns she knew, was modest about it. The squeaks in her voice were considered cute by most ponies and apparently she had a good singing voice even if she didn’t really think so herself.

Did Spike see all of this in her? Is that why he asked her or was he only doing it out of pity?

Twilight heard Spike preparing everything in the kitchen. The book club wasn’t due for a few hours yet which gave her enough time to speak to Spike about something. She got up, opened the door of the room she was sat in a poked her head out. She bite her lip, but knew she had to do this.

“Spike, I need to talk to you!” she called out.

A few moments later she saw Spike walking down the corridor, and she beckoned him in. “Please, take a seat, we have something to discuss.”

Spike sat down and had a quick glance around the room he hadn’t frequently visited, Twilights personal reading room. Whilst they had shared all the facilities of Golden Oaks together, the extra space in the castle allowed them to have areas of their own. Of course, nothing was off limits to each other, but Twilight had a room for quiet reading and reflexion, whilst Spike had his own to store his comics and associated collectables.

Twilight settled herself back down and smiled at the dragon “Spike, I want to talk to you about the ball tomorrow.”

“Okay?” Spike replied, worried about Twilights view on the matter. Did she disapprove of him taking Sweetie Belle? Should he have asked her permission before arranging an evening out? Did she have plans and he would have to cancel?

“Do you know how to treat a filly properly at a formal ball?” Twilight asked.

Spike practically laughed in response “Of course, I’m not called a gentledrake for no reason!”

“Oh really?” Twilight smiled back at the confidence of her dragon son. She had been concerned that the little dragon would feel overwhelmed by his first date and it warmed her heart that he seemed to have some trust in himself “So, when you arrive what is the first thing you do?”

“I’ll give her the corsage.”

“You have a corsage?” Twilight replied in shock.

“Ordered one with Roseluck this morning.”

“Nice!” Twilight smiled 1-0 to Spike so far “And have you booked a carriage to take you to the town hall?”

Spikes face dropped a bit “No. I didn’t have enough bits and it’s not far from the boutique so I thought a short walk wouldn’t hurt.”

“Thats okay, I’ll get something sorted for you” 1-1

“Really? Thanks!” Spike smiled back.

“And what about when you first arrive at the ball?”

“I offer to take her coat. Well, probably a shawl given the warm weather. And I’ll get us both a drink…”

Twilight raised a hoof to stop him “Excellent, it does sound you know you what you are doing!”

“Well, I think most of the stuff I do with Rarity should pretty much suffice!” the dragon beamed back.

Twilight had a question stuck in the back of her mind, and as the reasonable care-giver to the dragon she was raising, she had to ask it. And Spike had just given her the perfect opportunity to do so. “Spike, you aren’t just doing this for Rarity are you?”

“No!” the dragon replied in shock “I would never do something like that. It’s just...it seemed like something nice to do for somepony. You know, Sweetie Belle was really down and there was something I could do to help. I thought back to all the parties and stuff you missed in Canterlot, before you made friends, and I didn’t want Sweetie Belle to miss this.”

Twilight practically leaped across the gap between them and swept him up in a hug “Oh Spike, you are a sweet thing sometimes.”

Spike pretended to push Twilight away, but secretly enjoyed the affectionate hug from her. After a few moments, she pulled away. “Well, it seems you have everything under control Spike!”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I have everything covered. And if not, I’ll just think about what you would do and follow that!”

“Me?” Twilight gasped in surprise.

Spike got a slight bashful look about him “Yeah, for all your flaws, you tend to be so graceful and elegant when you need to be.”

Twilight giggled, remembering the one clear way she was most definitely not graceful, which brought a clear question into her mind “Spike, do you know how to dance?

The dragon looked at her with one eyebrow raised “Like, dance dance, or dance?”

“Okay, lets not get confusing here. I mean both really, as in how to dance at a formal event as well as, well, slow dancing.”

Spike’s eyebrow remained “Well, it doesn’t look too difficult.”

“Maybe Spike, but it’s not something I’m very good at!”

Spike sniggered slightly and put a claw on Twilight’s leg “I’ve seen you dance...you just need to relax and put a little less effort into it!”

Twilight giggled back “So, you think you can dance?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. Standing upright gives me some moves of my own to do. But…” Spike demeanor changed slightly “...I’m not too sure about slow dancing.”

Twilight smiled, putting a reassuring hoof on top of the claw still on her leg “I thought as much. Come, let me show you, Celestia made me take lessons recently.”

Twilight stood up, lit her horn, and in front of Spike’s eyes the alicorn slowly shrunk down until she was around the same size as Sweetie Belle. A further spell was cast and a gramophone in the corner started up, playing a slow waltz.

“Come” Twilight gestured, her voice slightly higher in the smaller body.

“Twilight, I can’t dance with you!” Spike blushed “I mean, it just doesn't feel right.”

Twilight rolled her eyes “Sure you can, friends and family can dance together, it doesn’t have to mean anything!”

Spike nervously stepped forwards to what turned out to be a very interesting, and informative, dancing lesson.

As Sweetie Belle was finishing up her evening chores, Rarity knocked on the open door on her room. “How’s everything going Sweetie?”

“Fine!” the filly half moaned “I’ve nearly finished tidying my room”

“Good. Now, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask you. Do you want me to do your mane and makeup tomorrow, or would you prefer Aloe and Lotus Blossom to do it at the spa?”

“Spa?”

“Why of course darling, I’ve made a reservation at the spa for your mane and makeup to be done. Reserved it weeks ago to make sure.”

“Wait, you would do that?” Sweetie Belle replied.

“Of course, it’s your special day and I know you don’t always like your elder sister doing everything for you.” the elder unicorn smiled. As much as they cared for each other, Rarity knew that sometimes her sister felt a little suffocated by her skills.

Sweetie Belle came galloping across and gave her sister a big hug “Wow, you’re like the best sister ever, but of course I want your help me with getting ready. You are my big sister, and even if we don’t always see eye to eye, you're still the best at what you do!”

Author's Note

Apologises if you don't like this chapter but the story is so dialogue heavy I decided to try to add a lot of non dialogue here to balance. :unsuresweetie:

Chapter 5 - Friday - The best night ever

Inside the town hall, the ball had been underway for a while. Cheerilee had always run an end of year party in some form, the students loved it, but decided to go all out this year with the Hearts and Hooves theme. And not just because she had her own date for Hearts and Hooves day Sunday.

No, not at all!

Pinkie Pie had been more than helpful in the preparations both before the day and the hours beforehand, using her untold energies to decorate and help cater. Some other ponies around town were also helping out as chaperones, and generally assisting the teacher. As for the music, well, Cheerilee had managed to get DJ Pon to perform - whilst she would never normally do something as ordinary as a school ball, as she and Cheerilee went way back the DJ did it as a favour for her friend.

However, at latest announcement from Pinkie Pie, even the music from the well known DJ was all but forgotten as the room fell silent. Sweetie Belle and Spike walked in to see all eyes fall on them, making the pair a little bit self conscious. However, Spike had dealt with worse at the Equestria Games, and strode forwards with confidence allowing Sweetie Belle to feed off this and do the same.

The other ponies started whispering as the two made their way over to some chairs. Nopony had expected Sweetie Belle to turn up, and yet here she was along with a date. Not just any old date, but a national hero by her side dressed to the nines. Whilst dragons were cool, dragons in bow-ties were even cooler.

Spike led Sweetie to a chair, and offered to get the pair a drink. He walked over to where the punchbowl was, with Cheerilee standing watch. “Miss Cheerilee” Spike greeted her as he approached

“Mr Spike, or should I be calling you Spike the Great and Glorious?” the teacher smiled in response, her natural warmth putting the dragon at ease.

“No need for all that, Spike will do!”

“Then just call me Cheerilee.”

“Oh, I couldn’t be so bold” Spike responded as he carefully ladled two drinks into cups.

“But you’ve called me Cheerilee before?”

“Yeah, but you don’t let your students call you that, and given the situation I thought it was best, Miss.”

“You’re not one of my students Spike, no need to be so formal. I insist.” The teacher paused for a moment “I was never sure whether to ask you to any school events. Or to class itself for that.”

Spike smiled back as Cheerilee looked a little worried “Yeah, it’s kind of confusing for everybody how my age and maturity matches that of ponies older than me...well, most of the time. Anyway, I must go back to Sweetie Belle. Catch up with you soon?”

“Of course Spike, hope you have a wonderful evening.”

Spike walked back and gave Sweetie her drink. The unicorn took a sip, and then realised she didn't know what to do next. Should they chat? Dance? Grab a snack?” “So…?” Sweetie Belle trailed off.

However, Spike knew exactly what to say “First things first, go and make up with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.”

“What?” Sweetie squeaked.

“It’ll just be awkward for the rest of the night if you don’t, and I don't want anything to spoil this night for you...I mean us.”

Sweetie Belle smiled at Spike who had a fairly determined look on his face and she rolled her eyes in response “Fine…for you Spike”. She instinctively put a hoof on his claw, then quickly retracted it and blushed, before quickly leaving.

As Sweetie Belle went over to her two friends, Spike wandered over to the other side of the hall where a bunch of the colts were hanging out. He looked out the corner of his eye whilst he chatted with them, noticing the three crusaders seemed to quickly make up. Despite not being a mind reader, he could then tell that they started talking about their manes, dresses and all the girly stuff from the way they moved around each other and pointed.

It was probably more interesting than the conversation Spike was listening to about the latest blockbuster movies and sporting results. So, after listening for a polite amount of time, the dragon made his excuses. Spike started walking back, but paused halfway across. He noticed that the hall seemed to be split into two halves, with the fillies on one side, the colts on the other.

Spike managed to suppress a laugh as he walked over to the punchbowl again. “What gives?” he asked Cheerilee, pointing to the two sides of the room.

“I think the colts are too afraid of the fillies and vice versa!” Cheerilee laughed in response.

At this Spike facepalmed “Really? Gah, I do forget how foalish ponies this age can be sometimes.”

“Didn’t you not know what a Bachelor Party is?” Cheerilee raised an eyebrow.

“Heh, blame Twilight for that one, she kept me away from all sorts of fun things. But it’s time to get this ball rolling.”

Spike confidently strode back to the crusaders trio, and asked Sweetie if she would like to dance, something she eagerly accepted. The two walked out onto the empty dancefloor. DJ Pon-3 saw the pair reach the middle, and Spike shot her a double thumbs up. Taking her cue, the mare placed a bit of a faster track on and increased the volume a little bit.

As soon as the beat started, Spike began to dance and the dragon knew how to strut. Discord had recently given the dragon a few dancing ideas, the pair of them bonding over being bipeds in a world of quadrupeds. Sweetie Belle knew all eyes were on them, but she didn’t care...she just wanted to dance and soon she found herself lost in the moment. The two of them danced alone for a little while, before Scootaloo and Applebloom came over.

Bit by bit others joined, firstly mostly the fillies but after a whole a few of the colts started. Eventually, everypony was dancing and the teacher let out a huge breath that the ice had been broken.Seeing his job was done, Spike turned to Sweetie Belle.

“Fancy a snack?”

“Sure” the filly replied, the two of them making their way over to the snack table, putting a few cakes and crisps on their plates before finding an empty table.

“It’s good to see everypony dancing.” Sweetie Belle laughed between bites of her tart “And it’s all down to us...well...you.”

“You came with me, that was brave.” Spike replied “Not everypony can be as confident as us. I mean, we did take part in the Equestria Games.”

“I was only part of a team with my friend, you went out there alone...three times!”

Spike blushed a bit in response “Well, once you save a kingdom or two, a crowd seems less intimidating."

“And dancing with a filly is foalsplay, hey?”

Spike gulped “Actually, no, it was super nerve-wrecking.”

“It was?” Sweetie Belle squeaked in response.

Spike realised this was a conversation he didn’t want to have so steered it away “New Dress?”

“Yeah”

“Really suits you.”

Sweetie Belle blushed “Thanks, my sister designed it for me.” At the very mention of Rarity, both of them sort of tensed up a bit, but Sweetie kept the conversation moving “You look different somehow?”

“Yeah, I polished my scales with a new product. Took a while but I really shine!”

“I noticed” Sweetie replied with a coy look.

“I really like your mane up, it really brings out the tones, and your neck.”

“My neck?”

“Yeah, you have a long neck...a bit like a princess!”

Sweetie Belle blushed profusely at being called a princess, and took a big gulp of her drink. A slight awkwardness could be felt between the two of them, but at the same time they both felt oddly comfortable. The music changed to Sapphire Shores latest hit and Sweetie Belle’s ears perked up “Oh, this is my song!”

The pair therefore returned to the dancefloor, cutting a rug with the rest of the foals.

DJ-Pon3 was having an okay evening. Keeping the music going at a school disco was hardly the hardest thing she had done, but she did have to change her style from normal. Rather than just being a constant stream of bass, she had to mix popular songs together in a way that also gave the younger ponies a chance to catch their breath. It may have been a bit underneath her, but she owed Cheerilee for everything.

As the evening drew on, a slight mischievous thought entered her mind Well, it is supposed to be a Hearts and Hooves ball afterall. Over the course of a few songs DJ-Pon3 lowered the tempo until on exactly nine o’clock, she put a slow song on.

Instantly, everypony on the dance floor first froze, then separated from each other. The tension in the air was palpable and DJ-Pon3 realised that she may have made a mistake - perhaps these ponies were just a little too young.

Spike just smiled to himself Trust Twilight to get me prepared for anything and he turned to his date “May I have this dance?”

“Sh..sure” Sweetie Belle stammered. Spike took her by a hoof to the centre of the floor. He went to raise the hoof further but Sweetie seemed nervous and slightly resisted.

“Trust me” Spike smiled at the filly, before placing Sweetie’s hoof on his shoulder, causing the filly to have to stand on her rear legs and she put her other hoof on his shoulder instinctively. The unicorn was unsure at what was happening, but had faith in her date. Spike placed one claw on her shoulder, and supported the pony’s weight slightly with the other. Unspoken, and with only a smile to start, the pair began moving in time with the music.

Sweetie Belle rested her head next to Spikes as they danced, causing the dragons mind to race Good job Twilight and I practised this first With Sweetie Belle’s mane next to his face, the smell of her mane drifted into his mind and he took a deep sniff - it smelt of raspberry but was intoxicating in a unique sort of way.

Cheerilee wished she had a camera (a piece of equipment well outside her earnings) as the scene of the two of them was so cute. Sweetie Belle was being completely supported by her dancing partner, and showed a level of trust that warmed the teacher’s heart. It also seems a rather close way of dancing. Hmmmm.

Featherweight then approached his date, and the two of them started dancing, albeit it in the more traditional four hooves on the ground sort of way. The two other crusaders looked over to their dates and decided against it - Snips and Snails may have been nice colts in a dumb sort of way, but a slow dance was taking it a little too far.

After a couple of slow songs, DJ-Pon3 put a bit of a faster track back on so all the youngster could join in again and the pair separated from their close embrace. A faint blush was visible on the filly’s cheeks but this went unnoticed by the dragon. Sweetie Belle went off to the side to speak to her two crusader friends whilst Spike went off to the restroom.

Across the room, Diamond Tiara stared daggers at the crusaders, but mostly Sweetie Belle. During the whole evening, the unicorn had shown her up at every opportunity. Her dress was better despite being both being designed by Rarity, the filly had lead the way on the dancefloor and her date was attentive to Sweetie unlike Diamonds, who seemed to very quickly distance himself from her.

The earth pony went stomping across the floor to the trio, her silver furred partner in crime following her. Cheerilee noticed this and started to move subtly towards the group to make sure nothing ruined the evening.

"I'm surprised you bothered to along to the ball Sweetie Belle, you couldn’t even rustle up a date!”

“She has a date, she came with Spike!” Scootaloo replied, the first to always get riled up by Diamond Tiara.

“Couldn’t even get a date in your own species hey, you had to get one of your sisters friends to come.”

“That’s not why he came” Sweetie Belle protested, although the line hit at the insecurity that had been at the back of her mind since she had been asked.

"Yeah, trust her to come with a date that’s also a… blank flank!" Silver Spoon added, with Diamond joining in for the final two words.

"Dragons don't get Cutie Marks..." Applebloom replied with an eye roll.

Diamond Tiara saw Sweetie Belle seemed upset, so continued her attack "Doesn't matter, Spike's not exactly a mature dragon so no doubt he would be a crusader and a blank flank like you losers!"

"Would I?" the deeper voice of Spike boomed from behind the bully, the pony jumping a bit and turning towards the dragon standing right behind her.

Cheerilee had been watching all of this and edged a little closer, ready to step in should things escalate.

Diamond Tiara looked at the dragon who was staring at her, a glint of something in his eyes, something that chilled Diamond Tiara to the bone. She was unable to form any words, leaving the dragon able to go on the offensive.

"So, you got your mark in what exactly? Designing a tiara that was worn by the Princess? Finding a natural talent in metallurgy?" Seeing his prey, mental prey at least, dumbstruck the dragon continued. “It’s true I don’t have a Cutie Mark, although I suspect if I were a pony I may have gotten one by now…maybe some form of scroll symbol for acting as the official courier between Princess Celestia and her personal student? Maybe a book mark from running a library since the age of two?”

“Maybe a crystal heart from when you saved the Crystal Empire?” Applebloom added

“Yeah, or maybe a fire mark from saving thousands of ponies at the Equestria Games?”

“A fire cutie mark would be so cool!” Scootaloo gushed, trying to figure out a way of getting that one herself.

Spike started circling around Diamond Tiara, the outnumbered filly seemingly stunned into listening “I’ve done a whole bunch of stuff worthy of a cutie mark, as have the crusaders. The fact they are still to find the one unique thing, on top of everything they've done before, just shows how special they are. Compared to that meaningless mark of yours, I know who I would rather be. So why don’t you just go away and leave us in peace!”

Too shocked to do anything else, the filly head sank and she plodded slowly away from the others, Silver Spoon retreating in a similar style. Spike looked over to Cheerilee and mouthed “Too harsh?”

Cheerilee kept the frown, although her eyes told a different story and mouthed slowly back “On the record, yes. But…she started it so it’s her own fault.”

“Spike!” a squeak from Sweetie Belle focused his attention back to the group. “That was amazing, thank you” and she gave her date a hug.

Holding back a massive blush, Spike managed to stammer out a “No problem” in response.

With that unpleasantness behind them, the pair continued to enjoy the rest of the evening. But all too quickly it hit eleven o’clock and the parents started arrived to take their children home. Seeing that there time was nearly up, both of them had the same though running through their minds:

I wish this evening didn’t have to end

Author's Note

Bow Ties are cool :moustache:

Chpater 6 - Friday - All good things...

Spike and Sweetie Belle walked out of the town hall, the cooler evening air hitting them as soon as they did so. Only outside did they realise how warm the party inside had been.

It was a gloriously clear and warm night, with Luna’s stars twinkling overhead. As it was such a nice evening, barious schoolponies and their parents were milling about, chatting to each other and many were in no rush to leave. Some of the children were pretty tired and wanted to go home to sleep, whilst others were too excited to go home. Ms Cheerilee oversaw the scene to ensure that the relevant parents were picking up some of the younger ponies.

Diamond Tiara was making a big deal of standing by the private carriage, even though some of the fillies noted that her date was long gone. “Well, time for me to leave in this fabulous carriage my rich father paid for!” the pink earth pony gloated to anypony unfortunately in earshot.

Spike saw something approaching and whispered something to Sweetie Belle, causing the filly to giggle as the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. As everypony present turned their heads away from Diamonds carriage, the filly looked around the side of her vehicle to see what was distracting the ponies from her father's display of wealth.

Diamond Tiara’s mouth practically hit the floor as the much fancier royal carriage came to a rest, the light dancing off it’s gold gilding and the crystal armour of the guards. Sweetie Belle wanted to gloat, but that was beneath a lady such as herself and wouldn’t be the right thing to do in front of Spike. Besides she would see Diamond around town soon enough and could rub it in then.

Spike didn’t want to rush the end of the night so as the pair walked towards the carriage he turned to Sweetie Belle “It’s not late, fancy walking home?”

“Sure!” Sweetie Belle squeaked a little too enthusiastically

Spike was about to dismiss the carriage when another idea popped into his head Let's really try to show up Diamond Tiara now . The dragon walked back to the hall and found a familiar pair “Applebloom, how are you and Applejack getting home”

“Walking, why?”

Spike gestured to the carriage “You can take this, me and Sweetie are going to walk”

“Thats mighty generous of you sugarcube - “ Applejack replied “- but we don’t need it.”

“Applebloom’s been dancing all night, and the farm is quiet some way away.”

“I am a little tuckered sis” the yellow filly replied with a hint of a yawn.

“But I can’t ride in a royal carriage!” Applejack slightly blushed.

“Didn’t you say we’re all family?”

Applejack scowled a little at the dragon “Yes but…”

“Then what's Twilight’s and mine is yours” Spike finished with a slight wink.

Applejack conceded defeat, and the two earth mares got into the carriage. Spike explained to the guards what was happening and the carriage set of for Sweet Apple Acres, Applebloom poking her tongue out at Diamond as the carriages passed each other. With the final revenge on Diamond Tiara complete, Spike and Sweetie Belle started walking through the town.

With it being a clear and cloud free evening, Spike started discussing the stars with Sweetie. He had learnt a lot about it from Twilight’s studies, and then from discussions with Princess Luna. When they came across a bench, they sat down and Spike started pointing out all the constellations. The pairs heads grew closer as Spike lent in to point out various stars.

The pair then turned towards each other at the same time and they realised how close they were, both backing away a little with a faint blush. With a pause in the star talk, Sweetie Belle turned the conversation onto something she had been meaning to say.

“I had a really nice night tonight Spike. Thank you for taking me to the ball.”

Spike smiled at the pony “It was a nice evening. I enjoyed spending time with you.”

“I know you only did it because my sister asked you but…”

“Rarity didn’t ask me.” Spike interrupted.

Sweetie Belle was taken aback “She didn’t?”. When Spike nodded no, she added “Then why did you ask me?”

Spike struggled to hide a blush “Well, because you had nopony to go with, were sad and because, you know, I...well...like you!” he mumbled at the end.

“Really?” Sweetie squeaked

Spike was surprised to see the filly surprised “Yeah. Didn’t you know?”

“No! I mean, apart from a few occasions like trips with our sisters, we barely see each other.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t like you...and that I wouldn’t mind spending more time with you and your friends.”

Sweetie Belle was still in shock “But you never come crusading or anything?”

Spike sniggered “I have a lot of chores to do...if you think the library was bad, imagine running the whole castle!”

“Running?”

“Well, basically, Twilight’s always too busy reading, being a princess or saving the world to think about things such as cooking.”

Sweetie Belle laughed “Lucky that your allowed to cook, I’m banned by my sister!”

As the both of them laughed, Spike noticed something. Hushing the pony next to him, Spike nodded first to the bushes where a part of Rarity’s mane was sticking out, then up to a cloud with a slight purple wing showing.

“Well, where do you want to go?” Spike winked at Sweetie as he spoke a little louder.

“What do you mean?” Sweetie replied, a little unsure what was happening.

“Well, it is your prom night and there are traditions that go with that…” Spike trailed off, hoping the filly would pick up on the prank he was pulling. Luckily, she did.

“Oh, well I know Applebloom is planning on meeting Snips in the barn so thats out?”

“What about the clubhouse?”

“Nah, Scootaloo has set that up for her and Snails.”

“Drat, there must be somewhere we can go” Spike

“Yeah, I really want you to kiss…” Sweetie Belle started until a silence of the night was rudely interrupted.

“WHAT!” Rarity shrieked and came bursting out of the bushes at full gallop towards the pair. Spike jumped out of the bench and took a few steps back as Rarity jumped between the two and was about to launch a verbal tired until she heard giggling from above.

“Relax Rarity” Twilight laughed as she glided down “I think they spotted us a minute ago.”

Rarity looked between them all “Oh!”

“You were spying on me, how could you…” Sweetie Belle squealed at her sister, but before she could really get going she felt a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

“She was just looking out for you - “ Spike interjected calmly “- thats nothing to be angry about.”

Rarity was looking a bit bashful and pawing the ground slightly “Sorry Sweetie Belle.”

The younger sister took a deep cleansing breath “Okay Rarity, I know you have my interests at heart, but you shouldn’t be spying on me.”

Twilight walked forwards and placed a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder “Lets leave the two of them alone, shall we? Afterall, I think both Spike and Sweetie can look after themselves.” As the two older ponies walk away, Twilight added “Just don’t be too late.”

Spike came at sat back down on the bench, but the interuption had caused a painful pause in their conversation.

“So, you like me?” Sweetie Belle broke the ice, adding “You’ve never shown it?”

Spike could sense that the filly didn’t quite believe him “Well, who did I hang out with and dance all night with at Cadences Wedding?”

“True, but you...well...love my sister!”

Spike winced slightly “I have, had, no, have - “ Spike battled to find the right words “ - a crush on Rarity. Yes. But, thats just a silly crush really.”

“It’s not just a silly crush is it?”

“Don’t you have a crush on anypony famous or something?”

“Yeah, but that’s different!”

Spike sighed and his head “Yeah, I know. I do have a crush on Rarity, but we’re just friends. and it was, is, just a crush. A foalish crush that I had the first time I saw her. And it blinded me from lots of things, like my silly actions and other ponies around town.”

Spike paused to make sure Sweetie was looking at him “But I really like you! Your fun, the sensible one in the crusaders group, pretty, kind and just, well, sorta perfect.”

“Well, I really like you too!” Sweetie Belle replied.

The tension between the two started to grow, but Spike knew it was getting late and Sweetie Belle was still a young pony “Come on, we better get you home before Rarity gets all mad again.”

They reached a few steps away from the front door of Carousel Boutique, and after all the good times they had, the evening was nearly at an end.

Spike looked one last time over to his date as they paused outside the shop. After exchanging a few last pleasantries, Spike felt that he just had to hold the filly one last time. He gently reached down and lifted one of her front hooves in his claws.

“I had a wonderful time tonight Sweetie” he smiled widely at the filly.

“I had a wonderful time too Spike” the filly replied a little coyly.

Spike was still holding onto the hoof, and the filly released the ball was clearly in her court - the gentledrake was leaving it to her to break the contact...or not.

The animals of Equestria each had their own way of showing affection, and ponies had a wider range than most.

Hugs were for everybody, by the friend, family or even strangers if Pinkie Pie was involved. Nuzzling was a very different activity despite a similar level of touch and there had to be a level of closeness unrelated to love to do a much more primitive act. And a kiss - well, a kiss is something truly special, something only shared by ponies whose love was never in doubt.

But for young love there was an alternative to this - so much more than a hug, so much less than a kiss.

Sweetie Belle slowly leaned forward and placed her nose against Spike’s, rubbing in a quick small circle before pulling away. Instantly, both of the young creatures blushed and looked away from each other. Spike realised he was still holding the hoof, but neither of them seemed to want to let go.

Slowly, they both turned back and their eyes met. There was a new spark between them, something that they had felt all evening. In each touch, in each smell, in each giggle, and in each look. After a comfortable pause, Spike finally let go of the filly’s leg.

“Thank you for everything tonight Spike” Sweetie turned and started walking towards the door. Just before she entered, with one final smile over her shoulder, the filly added “and perhaps should you decide you like the younger sister in this house, she’ll be waiting for you “ before quickly shutting the door behind her.

Spike started the journey home, his mind reeling with what was happening whilst inside the two sisters settled down with hot chocolate to gossip about the dance...

Author's Note

The bit with the hug/kiss/noses etc is inspried (and slightly stolen) from The Descendant, and especially the awesome story
A Sweet Taste of Cake

Epilogue - Sunday (Hearts & Hooves Day)

Rarity woke up and had that brief moment of bliss between waking up and remembering what day was it. But as she remembered what day it was, she relaxed. Today was a rest day, a Sunday and on top of it all it was Hearts and Hooves day.

Despite waking up a little earlier then she liked to, she decided to get out of bed and start on Breakfast. Sweetie Belle was still staying with her and so she had to be the big sister. As she was preparing the first meal of the day, she reflected on what to do. She was completely up to date with the orders and deserved a couple of days rest before starting on the autumn line. So, she could do what she, or perhaps her and and her sister, liked.

Later, she planned to go around town and ponywatch - to see the various garments she had made being used on romantic dates appealed to the fashionista. Even if she was without a special somepony again, she could still take heart in the romance she was helping to create.

But first was breakfast. Within moments of the smells of her cooking wafting around the building, she heard the clip-clops of Sweetie’s hoofs coming down the stairs. After a quick hug, the sisters enjoyed breakfast together.

Once breakfast had been eaten and cleared away, Rarity sat on her sofa in the boutique reading. The position was designed such she could see anypony approaching the store, so she could be ready to react to any patrons. Whilst she didn't expect anypony today, there may have been an emergency repair or two required.

Around nine o’clock she could see somepony, or more accurately some dragon, approaching the store. The little dragon looked so happy, with a bouquet of flowers in hand and a big smile on his face. Rarity quickly checked her mane in the mirror and was ready for the knock on the door when it rang out, the unicorn calling out in her usual sing-song voice “It’s open!”

Spike pushed open the door “Hello Rarity”

“Hello Spike” she greeted warmly, waiting to see what the excuse was this year for him to spend the day with her. Sometimes she was running late on orders and he could help, and last year she did need to go on a gem hunt.

Spike looked around “Is Sweetie Belle in?”

Rarity managed to contain her normal warm facade as her heart shattered a little inside “Yes, I’ll go get her.” The mare quickly trotted upstairs to go find her sister, telling her she had a visitor. Sweetie Belle rushed downstairs and Rarity paused up the top so she could see what happens without being too nearby.

Spike presented Sweetie with the flowers, and moments later the two of them walked out of the store side by side, Sweetie nibbling on a flower whilst Spike carried the others. As Rarity watched the two leave, she had a warm feeling inside of seeing her sister happy, even if it came at her own loneliness. Still, there was something that could fix that.

A few moments later, just as Rarity reached the ice-cream in her freezer, there was another knock on the door. Rarity trotted over and opened it, seeing one of Twilight’s royal guards standing outside - a fine pegasus stallion.

“Oh, hello sir, is there anything I can do for you?” Rarity greeted the stallion.

“Ms Belle, I mean, can I call you Rarity?”

Rarity fluttered her eyelids a little at the handsome stallion “Of course, how can I help you?”

The guard took his helmet off and looked around nervously “Would you, that is, what I mean…” He paused for a second, before blurting out “Doyouwanttogotothecafewithme?”

Author's Note

Sorry if this is not the ending you all want, but I don't want to write chapter after chapter of Spike and Sweetie :moustache: :unsuresweetie: dating, I just couldn't find an angle I liked and it wouldn't be interesting.

And I thought Rarity deserved a happy ending as well :raritywink:

Chapter 4 - Friday - First Impressions

Twilight was amazed. She had made sure to include a fair amount of time in the afternoon schedule for Spike to get ready for the ball.

What she hadn’t counted on was that Spike would actually take a bath without her forcing him to. But then she realised that maybe her little dragon assistant was growing up Perhaps it’s time to stop treating him like a baby, and then he won’t act like it so much...I’ll still have to keep an eye on his ice cream intake though.

Twilight was very interested in how Spike as he had already been in their for over an hour, a long time for a simple soak. However, instead of the obviousness of just sitting outside, she sat in their shared living room and started reading the latest trade agreement she had to co-sign.

After about a further ten minutes, she heard the bathroom door open and the familiar click of Spike’s feet walking down the crystalline hallway. Spike entered the room and the alicorn looked up as the dragon stood in the doorway, practically shining in the early evening light.

“Wow!” is what Twilight could only say in response..

“Yeah.” Spike replied “ I used the stuff Luna, I mean Princess Luna, sent to me for Hearths Warming. It really makes my scales shine!”

Twilight smiled at this. Everypony wanted to get Spike presents, but due to issues with hoarding, it had decided that presents had to be temporary or expendable, like food or vouchers etc. Luna had instead come up with the idea of getting the growing dragon some specialist cleaning products, something until now the dragon was less than impressed with. Whilst Spike may have alway been clean in dragon standards, right now he was clean to Pony standards. Perhaps even Rarity’s standards Twilight thought to herself.

“It seems a waste really when half of me is going to be covered by the tux” Spike looked himself over in the light.

“Well, that is true, but you sure do look nice. Mind if I touch?”

Spike shrugged his shoulders to indicate he wasn't too bothered, and Twilight ran a hoof over his spines which were even softer and shinier than normal. She then ran the hoof across his scales, causing a slight squeak as the hoof slid across the buffed surface, causing them both to laugh. Spike then proceeded to go and get changed into his old tux from the gala and the wedding, which still fit him.

A few minutes later and Spike was ready to go and pick up Sweetie Belle. Twilight walked with him to the door, the dragon grinding to the halt outside.

“No way?” he exclaimed

“Yes way!” Twilight laughed back at the dragons response at seeing her royal carriage waiting.

“I...I can’t, it doesn't seem right!” Spike gushed.

“Spike, it’s my carriage, I can do what I want with it. And as my long term companion, you have as much as a right to it as I do!” Twilight turned and gave her dragon a hug “Now, go and have a good time, and just try to be home by midnight!”

“Aren’t you going to come to see me inside? I mean, most of the parents are…” the dragon fell away

“I can if you want, but I think you’ll make a better impression on your own” Twilight winked, causing “Besides, I know you can handle yourself unlike some of the students in school.”

“Thanks Twilight!” the dragon almost shed a tear as he climbed into the carriage, and with a final smile to the pony that raised him, the carriage set off towards town. Leaving behind a pony who was so proud of the growing dragon she helped raise.

The afternoon in Carousel Boutique was slightly more hectic. Rarity had made sure all the parents had come to collect the dresses and suits for their children by four o’clock, and managed to get them all fitted and finalised in time. This left a little over two hours before Sweetie Belle was due to be picked up, bearly enough time for the full makeover planned.

After a bath, Sweetie Belle stood on the platform whilst Rarity worked on her tail until it was it’s usual bouncy self. Rarity then got the dress off the ponyquin and helped the filly into it. It wasn’t too dissimilar from the dress she wore to the Royal Wedding as a flower filly, but instead of being white it was cream with light purple and pink accents to match her mane.

Once the dress was on, Rarity started work on the mane. Whilst Sweetie Belle prefered her mane to hang naturally with a few curls, she had let her sister try to put it up and to put a few accessories in it. It wasn't going to be as overtop as the Crystal Headdress, but as it came together the filly was amazed on how much more grown up it made her look.

Last of all was the makeup. Sweetie Belle’s own magic wasn't fine enough to do this, and Rarity gently applied a little mascara, blush and eyeshadow to gently bring out her sisters best features Not too much Rarity, she is still only a filly. Once complete, Rarity took a step back.

“My my, Sweetie Belle, you do look lovely!”

Sweetie Belle turned around in the showroom mirror so she could see the whole ensemble “Thanks Rarity, you are the best sister ever!”

“Impossible, because you are the best sister in the whole world!” They shared a gentle hug, making sure not to muck up the makeup or creese the dress.

As Sweetie Belle continued to twirl around in the mirror, there was a loud knock on the front door, and looking over to the clock they noticed it was around the time Spike said he was going to arrive.

“He’s here!” Sweetie Belle squeaked, galloping towards the door before the nerves kicked in, making her pause. She was about to go on the first date, or whatever this was, in her life. After taking a deep breath, she opened the door, Rarity keeping a suitable distance back but within view of what was about to happen.

The younger unicorn opened the door and the two youngsters eye both widened in surprise as they looked at each other.

“Hello Sweetie Belle, you look lovely”

The young filly shirked away a little bit “Thanks, you do too!”

“This is for you” Spike presented the corsage to the filly, causing a little squeal of delight from her. Spike gently lifted the filly front left hoof and place the flower round her cannon. “Shall we go, my lady?”

Sweetie Belle nodded but as he looked behind the slightly bowing dragon, she let out a gasp, her sister doing the same behind her. “Is that a royal carriage?” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

Spike sort of giggled nervously “I couldn't afford a carriage but apparently I’m unofficially part of Equestrian Royalty so I get to use this for free.”

Sweetie Belle giggled with laughter in response, wiggling around slightly on her hooves until she calmed down enough to remember her manners. The pair walked side by side to the carriage, and Spike opened the door and helped Sweetie inside. As the carriage set off Rarity had a big smile on her face The royal carriage, Spike certainly does know how to make a pony feel special!

The journey to the town hall was only a few minutes away by carriage, but it was a few minutes Sweetie Belle would never forget. The filly just couldn't believe she was riding in a Princess's carriage, whilst Spike just felt happy at seeing Sweetie Belle’s smile on the journey.

Outside the town, many of the parents were milling around and chatting to each other, including Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Most had walked their precious children to the ball, although some such as Mr Rich had got a carriage. But Spike, thanks to Twilight, had them all topped. They all looked on in disbelief as the golden carriage, pulled by two fine examples of Stallion Royal Guards, came to a halt outside.

The stallions unhooked themselves from the front, and come round the side to open the door and help the lady out.

“Thank you kind sir!” Sweetie Belle turned and nodded to the guard.

“It is my honour, Ms Belle” the Guard bowed and Spike mentally congratulated himself at the impression they were making. It may have been a bit over the top, but the smile and a wink he noted from Applejack told him that he was right on the mark - A end of term ball should be a special event for a young filly, and the dragon was delivering so far.

Inside the hall, most of the school children had arrived. Pinkie Pie, having helped set up the party, was introducing the couples as they arrived in an attempt to make the whole thing a little more grand - it was a ball rather than a party afterall. Pinkie saw her friends siblings (or whatever Spike was) walk towards the halls entrance. Of course, not knowing what had just happened outside, the announcement seemed even more apt as pinkie cleared her throat:

“Ms Sweetie Belle and the Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious.”