Secrets in the Shadows

The week went by fast for the trio, Apple Bloom's and Sweetie Belle's sisters, Rarity and Applejack said that they would take them to the Gala since they were going as well with their other friends, Scootaloo even got Rainbow Dash to take her.

It's was the day before the Gala and the mane six along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders were at Golden Oaks Library, talking about what they have been doing for the Gala.

"My word, this has been a very busy week", Rarity sighed with satisfaction, "I managed to finish the princesses' outfits yesterday they should be by this afternoon to pick them up."

"Princess Celestia wanted you to make their dresses? Well shoot she asked me to help out with catering", Applejack stepped in equally tired from all the cooking for the Gala.

"Oh come on, that's SOOOO not hard", Rainbow Dash sneered, "I had the most awesome job of all: Training the Wonder Bolts so that they each can create a special sonic boom for the opening ceremony of the Gala." She smiles while putting her hooves on her face, squishing her cheeks. She was hovering above them to show a little pride in herself.

"Did you accept so you can spend time with Soarin?" Rarity said with a very wicked grin about her face.

Rainbow Dash blushed, "what, no way, it was because I was training the Wonder Bolts, THE Wonder Bolts, my heroes of flight and complete awesomeness, although Spitfire and Cloudchaser were a bit snooty" ,she rolls her eyes recalling the last times those two have gotten on her nerves.

"I noticed you didn't mention the third" Rarity, smiling even more wickedly.

"For bucks sake, I don't have a crush on him", Rainbow Dash said her face turning bright red.

"Hey you two, stop arguing", Twilight snapped as she was coming downstairs with her saddle bags.

"Sorry", they said almost simultaneously.

"Now", Twilight spoke trying to regain her composure, "thanks to Lotus Blossom and Aloe, they offered a full spa treatment for everypony for half price since the Gala is happening so early. So I thought I would treat you girls to a spa day, even the Cutie Mark Crusaders can come along."

All three of them lit up, beaming and eyes glistening, they took a deep breathe preparing to yell something involving the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Luckily, Twilight saw this coming and used her magic to create ear muffs for her friends.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER'S SPA TREATMENT…."

The older mares took their ear muffs off as soon as they knew that they were done.

"Nice shootin' there partner", Applejack said as she took off her ear muffs.

"Just a little something I learned after I canceled 'Twilight Time'", Twilight replied as she narrowed in on the trio, their heads down from the memory of when Diamond Tiara got the CMC to bring the entire class to Twilight's tutoring session to which the class called it 'Twilight Time'.

They finally made it to Lotus' and Aloe's spa where they drowned themselves in relaxation and the fact it was half-price, until Apple Bloom noticed a pink earth pony, with a lavender mane, a tiara, and a cutie mark to match, Diamond Tiara, the head bully at Ponyville Elementary.

"Well it seems the blank flanks are at the spa. Tell me, like, what are you doing here?" Diamond Tiara sneered using her teenaged personality to make herself look tougher."

"If you must know", Apple Bloom said as she met the snooty filly's gaze, "Twilight is treating us to a full spa treatment so when we go to the Grand Galloping Gala, we can look our best."

"Knowing you, you are going to need a double treatment."

"Why that little…." Scootaloo was ready to give her a good pop on the nose.

"Now, now Scoots", Rainbow Dash said, "we don't need violence here, we are here to relax, not get into fights."

As much Scootaloo wanted to admit Rainbow Dash was right.

"Besides", Rainbow Dash whispers to Scootaloo, "we can get her back later."

Scootaloo giggled at the sound of that, after a few moments she looked around, "Hey has anypony seen Sweetie Belle."

"Over here guys," Sweetie Belle called while she was sinking into one of the mud baths Aloe prepared for the girls, "this stuff feels great."

She sinks in deeper to where only her face was showing. The mud seemed a little different, as if it was cleaner, which is quite ironic being that it was mud. Aloe gave all three fillies pairs of cucumbers for their eyes, Sweetie Belle did so while the other two ate them, once they realized what the tasty snack was for, they laughed over their moment of oblivion.

"At least the white one knows what she's doing", Diamond Tiara said while walking over, even though Sweetie Bell was the only one who couldn't see, all three of them jumped.

"By Celestia's rule, stop sneaking up on us like that", Sweetie Belle said with an annoyed expression on her.

"I was only complimenting you, but since you, like, didn't enjoy my appraisal, I'll just go back to calling you a blank flank", she smirked.

All three fillies gave her a dirty look as she walked away, there was a few moments of silence until Apple Bloom breaks it.

"Come on y'all let's go into the mineral bath".

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo agreed to the idea.