Through the Cavern

"They're not even using the CARD CATALOGUE!!!" Twilight sobbed, curling up into a fetal position. Luna sighed "I am not wasting my powers on this."

Cheerilee's class was running wild through the library, climbing on ladders and pulling books off the shelves. Over in the corner, Spike had built himself a little fortress out of chairs.

"What do they want from us?!" Spike sobbed, sucking a claw. Ricky tried to process everything, ducking to avoid a heavy tome.

"Please, Luna! I can't take another second of this insanity!" Twilight begged "I mean, I know I should be used to having them come, but...NO! Put that down, NOW!!!"

Ricky looked over and saw two colts examining a bejewelled lamp, which looked far too heavy for them to be holding anyway. Walking over, he said "Hey guys, maybe you oughta do as she says...I think she's about to blow a fuse."

"This isn't happening...this isn't happening..." Twilight was now rocking back and forth, whimpering.

"Sure. All she had to do was ask." The orange colt set the lamp on the edge of the table. It toppled over a second later, landing on Ricky's foot. Crying out in pain, he turned to face Luna.

"Um...maybe you could use a bit of magic? Son of a..." He hobbled over to a nearby chair and sat, only to have Diamond Tiara pull it out from under him. Crashing to the floor, he glared at the filly, who stuck her tongue out at him and pranced off.

"Well, I suppose I have no choice..." Luna sighed, her horn beginning to glow. The mayhem ended abruptly, the young ponies frozen in their tracks. Books, quills and many other objects began flying back to where they originally sat. Ricky was lifted off the ground while his chair positioned itself beneath him.

When Luna was finished, the library was pristine. The colts and fillys were lined up in straight rows, and everything was back in its place. A grateful Twilight threw herself at Luna's hooves "Oh, thank you, THANK YOU!!!"

"Pull thyself together, Princess." Luna replied, blushing slightly. Twilight hurriedly picked herself "I'm sorry, your highness!" Taking a deep breath, she turned to the class "I'm very, VERY disappointed in you all."

"Well, you should have been watching us." Scootaloo chimed in. Twilight suddenly tried to shush her, but Luna caught it.

"What? What does she mean?" Luna asked sternly "Twilight Sparkle! Were you preoccupied from your duties?"

"No...well...that is to say..." Twilight shuffled her hooves awkwardly, turning away. This only caused Luna to lean closer, eyes narrowing.

"And what, pray tell, was so important that you were unable to do as you were instructed?"

"I...um...new...DrngDr...." Twilight mumbled, while Spike walked over to them.

"Do I have to do everything around here? Sheesh...she was reading the new Daring Do book, ok?" The dragon said, shrugging it off.

"Well, technically, it was just before they got here..." Twilight offered sheepishly, only to recieve a stare from Luna.

"Whatever the reasoning might be, never allow anything come before your duties again. Is that understood?" Twilight nodded earnestly and replied "Yes, yes, of course!"

"Good. Now, I believe we ought to be going, Ricky. We have just enough time for two more dreams."Luna said, walking over to where Ricky sat.

"Alright, then." Ricky stood "Glad everything worked out for you, Twilight."

"You have no idea..." Twilight gave the group of students an annoyed look.

"Shall we?" Luna's horn began to glow. Nodding, Ricky moved next to her. Just before he closed his eyes, though, Luna added "Oh, and Twilight?"

"Yes, Princess?" Twilight snapped to attention, prompting giggles from the class.

"Please try to figure these things out for yourself every now and then. It has become rather bothersome as of late." Twilight blushed and gave a tiny nod. Ricky waved to the class, closing his eyes as he did so. Just before they vanished, he heard Diamond Tiara say "See, I told you he'd be an easy target." Before Ricky could respond, however, they were gone.

***

Ricky stared at their latest surroundings "Are we...back at the castle?" There were ponies in fancy dress all around them, laughing and dancing.

"Yes. Is it that difficult to tell?" Luna asked, giving him a strange look "This is the Grand Galloping Gala, after all."

"Oh, really? I got tickets for this from your sister, but I have no idea when it happens." Ricky replied, accepting an offered drink from a waiter "Oh, thank you..."

"It will take place in a few months, but that is not an issue. A reminder will be sent to you at the appropriate time." Luna said, looking over and chuckling "I believe I know who this dream belongs to now."

Ricky followed her gaze and laughed at the sight of Spike wearing a ridiculous getup. He looked like an 18th century monarch, powdered wig and all. Mares and stallions were treating him like royalty, and he was clearly loving every minute of it. Noticing Luna and Ricky, he began to make his way over to them. Luna took the opportunity to wander off, saying "This one is on you, Ricky."

"Ah! Welcome, my dear friends! I ask, have either of you seen the fair Lady Rarity?" Spike asked with an exaggerated accent. Smirking, Ricky shook his head "No, I can't say I have."

"A shame, really. Well, If you happen to see her, please inform her that Lord Spike the Valient is saving a dance for her?" Spike took a sip of wine, and immediately gagged.

"Uh...sure?" Ricky glanced around awkwardly, looking for a familiar face. He saw Octavia playing onstage, and a snack counter run by Applejack. Figuring they'd be too busy, he noticed Fluttershy near the corner, watching the festivities.

"Tell you what, I'll go and take a look over there, sound good?"

"Marvelous, old bean." Spike took another sip of wine, spitting it out a second later "Sooo gross..."

Shaking his head, Ricky stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled over to where Fluttershy sat. Seeing him, she sighed in relief "Oh, thank heavens, a familiar face."

"Really? What, did everyone ditch you?" Ricky asked, leaning against a large vase. Fluttershy shook her head "Well, we sort of split up when we got here, you see, and there are so many other ponies here..."

"You don't feel like looking for them, eh?" Ricky reached for his smokes, but decided against lighting up indoors "I don't really blame you. Back in my world, people used to drag me to school dances and shit constantly, and I always got ditched almost instantly. I'd try to find my friends, but they were always near impossible to locate. I usually ended up leaving early."

Fluttershy nodded "I know what you mean. I usually avoid parties if I can, on account of there being so many ponies I don't know. I don't like the idea of having to speak to them in order to find my friends. Frankly, the very idea of it terrifies me." She shuddered at the thought of it.

"Yeah...speaking of that, have you seen Rarity? 'Lord Spike' wants to see her." Ricky rolled his eyes, and Fluttershy giggled.

"I saw her go out to the balcony with a fancy looking unicorn stallion a little while back. They looked like they were arguing, but I couldn't tell." At this, Ricky looked up abruptly.

"Unicorn stallion...did he open the door himself?"

"No, that seemed to be what they were arguing about, actually. Why, do you know him?" Fluttershy asked curiously. Ricky groaned "We've got a very brief history together. Come on...we've gotta find Spike."

Ricky strode through the crowd, Fluttershy close behind "Um...is it really necessary for me to go with you...?"

"Under different circumstances, no. Right now, you're my eyewitness so I kind of need you at the moment." Ricky saw Spike and made a beeline for him.

"Ah, Ricky! Come to- hey, where are we going?" Spike wasn't expecting to be grabbed by the arm and pulled. Fluttershy tried to take the opportunity to slip away, but Ricky caught her in the act.

"Rarity's gone out to the balcony with Blueblood. I don't even want to think about what he might try to pull out there." They stopped at a large doorway, Ricky rolling up his sleeves "This might get a little violent, but I sure as hell hope it doesn't. "

Striding through the door, he saw a visibly uncomfortable Rarity trying to get away from the arrogant prince. She looked around desperately, but didn't see Ricky or his companions.

"How many times must I tell you, the answer is no?! Even if I were REMOTELY interested in kissing you, I am in no way willing to degrade myself so that you may brag to your peers!" Rarity backed up against the wall. Blueblood sneered "Oh, please. We both know that no pony would ever want to be around someone as stuck up as you anyway, so you might as well-OOOFF!!!"

Blueblood fell to the ground in shock, and looked up to find Spike standing over him, rubbing his fist. Ricky was both surprised and impressed "Wow, you beat me to it. Nice one, buddy."

"Wh-what just happened?" Rarity stammered, looking from Spike to Ricky, and then down at Blueblood, who was bleeding from the lip "Spike, what did you just-?"

"I'm still trying to figure that out myself. " Spike said "That really hurt...I have no idea what just came over me." On the ground, Blueblood tried to stand but fell back down. Rolling his eyes, Ricky abruptly pulled the prince up by the collar "You okay?"

"Um...yes, I-OW!!!!" Blueblood yelped as Ricky grabbed his leg and twisted it behind his back "Apologize, asshole!"

"My stars! Ricky, aren't you being a little too rough?" Rarity asked, but she had a trace of laughter in her voice. Ricky shook his head "Nope. It's gonna hurt for a bit, but he'll live. Now, about that apology..."

"Never!" Blueblood spat in Ricky's face. Taken aback, saliva running down his chin, Ricky took a deep breath and said "Spike, is Princess Celestia on hand? I think she would love to know what just went on here. "

Blueblood laughed "Oh, please. Threatening a royal will only make things more difficult for you, human. You two are in enough trouble as it is!"

"Okay then, I'll put it in a way that even you could understand: You can let your aunt find out what a what a low-brow prick you've been tonight, or Spike and I can grab a few of our stallion friends and beat the living shit out of you and leave you out here in pain. But, the decision is up to you. Don't let us influence you in any way." At this, Blueblood gulped nervously.

"Yes...well, I suppose some form of apology is in order here." Taking a deep breath, the prince began "Rarity...I a...apol...I apolo..." Rarity rolled her eyes and gave Ricky an exasperated look. Spike groaned "Oh for the love of Celestia, spit it out already!!!"

"FINE!!! I apologize for my actions, and I swear never to repeat them in any way, shape or form. Please don't tell my auntie about this!!" Blueblood blurted out, turning to Ricky for approval. But, Ricky shook his head "Don't look at me, she's the one you're talking to. " Glaring at him, Blueblood faced Rarity "Well?"

"I suppose it will do." Rarity replied, slowly approaching the prince "Now, kindly do us all a favor and get out of our sights! And if I ever see you again, or hear that you have gone back to your sick, lecherous ways, I will not hesitate to bring you into a world of pain myself. Do you understand me?!"

"L-l-loud and clear, ma'am!" Blueblood nodded vigorously. There was a pause after he spoke, causing Rarity to scream "Did you not hear me? SCRAM!!!!!!"

Terrified, Blueblood took off running, crashing into the door as he did. After picking himself back up, he threw the door open and bolted. Rarity began to laugh at this, and soon Ricky and Spike joined in.

"I must say, that was handled extremely well. Thank you both, really." Rarity wiped away a tear.

"I was pretty surprised myself." Ricky replied, sitting down and lighting a smoke.

"M-me too." Fluttershy chimed in, causing Rarity to jump with shock "Why, Fluttershy, darling! How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to learn that you shouldn't make Ricky mad." Fluttershy blushed, looking at her friend with a mixture of awe and fear. Ricky sighed "Look, sorry for blowing up like that. I really hate seeing people get pushed around. I guess that getting treated like that as a kid made me that way."

"You? Bullied?" Spike asked incredulously, Ricky nodding in return "Yep. I was pretty shy, and being short didn't help. Luckily I had a growth spurt in junior high, though. That was where I met my first real friend, too."

"You really had no friends until then? My word, darling...it must have been quite lonely for you." Rarity said, shaking her head. Fluttershy's lip was starting to wobble.

"Pretty much. I picked up the guitar during that time, hoping it would make me popular. I sucked hard, though. Then, one day this kid named Jules saw me trying to play, and offered to show me what I was doing wrong. One thing led to another, and soon I was hanging out with him and his friends." Ricky pitched his smoke and stretched "But, regardless of all of that, Rarity's the one who really put him in his place. Frankly, I never want to get on her bad side."

"My word...I'm not THAT bad, am I?" Rarity said with a surprised tone. Spike and Fluttershy exchanged glances at this "Um..."

"THERE you are!" Ricky turned to see Luna approaching him "We really must be moving on, Richard. We've spent more time here than we should have. If we're going to visit one more dream, then we had better go."

"Alright, then." Ricky walked up to her "Well, this one's been interesting, guys. I hope the rest of your night goes better. "

"You and me both." Spike replied. Rarity walked up to Ricky and planted a small peck on his cheek, catching him off guard "Thank you for your assistance, darling."

"Wha-? Uh...sure, no problem." Ricky turned to Luna "I'll explain later. "

"That would be much appreciated, yes." Luna said, her horn glowing again "Do enjoy yourselves at the Gala. And Spike?"

"Yes, your highness?" Spike said, snapping to attention.

"PLEASE do us all a favor and get rid of that ridiculous wig. It is very unbecoming of you." Spike's jaw dropped, while Rarity and Fluttershy began giggling like mad. Before he could answer, however, Luna and Ricky had vanished once more.