After getting their meals boxed, the two proceeded to get in the car and drive to the arcade. The two were so full that they could barely drink anymore of their large cup-sized drinks. While they were heading over to the arcade, Ember explained,

"Me and my dad often went to Mario's Pizza Palace to celebrate whenever I won a championship. It's been like that ever since freshman year when I joined the wrestling team."

"Hmm. I only get to go every summer and Christmas break. We only order out during the school year." Spike said with a hint of disappointment.

"Sounds rough."

"Not really. In fact, I feel pretty fit due to the fact that they signed me up for gymnastics when I was in middle school."

"Really?"

"What?"

"I only say that because you don't seem the athletic type."

"I'm 5'7. It's pretty hard for tall people to tell the difference. Plus, I haven't participated in years."

"Is that really saying much?"

"Well, I don't really eat much."

"Hmm. Well, we're getting close to the arcade. What're you thinking about playing?"

"Hmm. Not really sure. Maybe if there's a Capcom or a Sega game, we could play it. I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to playing arcade games."

"Alright. I think I know a game that you may love."

"Hmm?"

Ember simply ignored him and drove towards the arcade.

***

Fifteen minutes later, they made it to the arcade. After exiting the car, they went inside. The building was loud with the machines on, people talking, and the music playing. It appeared to be as if it were some haven for everyone to hang out and take their minds off their problems by playing games and conversing among one another. While Spike was lost in the loudness of the machines, Ember tugged at his arm, causing him to snap out of his trance.

"Spike!" Ember shouted.

Spike looked up at Ember, albeit in a confused manner and asked,

"So what do you wanna play first?"

"No clue. What do you feel like playing?" Ember replied.

Spike aimlessly looked around for a machine to play. There were so many that it was hard to pick and choose. Just then, Spike spotted an open arcade cabinet and said,

"Hey, Ember! There's an open one!"

Ember looked over and saw a machine over there. Upon taking a closer look at it, it came back to Ember. It read Ninja Baseball Batmen. Nobody seemed to be playing it, so they decided to go over and give it a try.

"Do you have any quarters?" Spike asked.

"I've got some. What about you?" Ember responded.

"I do. Wanna play?"

"Why not?"

After loading their coins into the cabinet, they immediately started playing. Level after level, they were having the time of their lives. They may have lost some lives here and there, but they kept inserting more coins and persevered throughout the entire game. Upon defeating the final boss, Spike said,

"Wow! That was intense!"

"No kidding. The people weren't pulling any punches when they made this game."

"Yeah. I wonder why it's not played so much?"

"No clue. We should play it some other time. It's so much fun!"

Just as they were about to play the next arcade game, they accidentally bumped into a couple familiar faces.

"Whoa! Watch where you're going, buddy!" a raspy voice shouted.

After they regained their composure, they both looked forward and saw Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

"Spike? What're you doing here?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Just as she asked Spike, Rainbow Dash moved her head and saw Ember. Immediately, Rainbow Dash freaked and hid behind Fluttershy.

"Rainbow Dash? Why are you hiding behind me?" Fluttershy asked in a clueless manner.

As soon as Rainbow Dash heard that question, she stood away from Fluttershy's back.

"Uh... no reason. Just thought she was gonna hug me for a sec." Rainbow Dash said, trying to come up with an excuse.

Spike and Ember gave each other a deadpan look about Rainbow Dash's excuse. Then they both turned towards the two and asked,

"So what brings you two here?"

"Oh nothing much. Rainbow Dash just thought she would try and beat her high score on Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. She even thought that she could use a little practice if she was gonna compete against Sunset Shimmer again." Fluttershy explained.

"Hmm. Well, when me and Spike are finished, you two can play next." Ember said.

"Huh? Not that I'm trying to pry or anything, but what're you doing here with Ember, Spike?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"What? Uh... the thing is... we're on... a date." Spike said in a quiet voice.

"That's right, and we're having a helluva time!" Ember shouted, wrapping her arm around Spike and smothering him with her right boob.

Spike felt embarrassed to tell Rainbow Dash, but he knew he had no other choice. Upon hearing this however, Rainbow Dash started to stifle from the information Spike gave her. Seconds later, she broke out into laughter.

"I-I can't believe it! You?! Dating..." Rainbow Dash shouted as she laughed.

Everybody inside the arcade gathered around to see what the commotion was. Rainbow Dash certainly was attracting the crowd. The utter thought of Spike going out with Ember made her brain combust. While she was laughing, Fluttershy covered her mouth when she looked at Ember. Spike also felt nervous when he looked at Ember. She wasn't smiling, but she wasn't angry either. If anything, she could be, in her own mind, planning to smuggle Rainbow Dash and leave her out in the desert of Los Pegasus. But instead of getting angry and beating the hell out of Rainbow Dash, Ember simply chuckled and asked,

"Hey, Rainbow?"

Immediately, Rainbow Dash stopped laughing and looked at her.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"What would you say if I made a little wager with you?"

Hearing this stumped Rainbow Dash, but decided to hear her out.

"Oh? And what would this wager be about?" she asked.

"Bragging rights."

Rainbow Dash immediately became confused and asked,

"Bragging rights? What're you planning to gain from bragging rights?"

"Simple. You and me play against each other on Street Fighter, and whoever knocks the other out gets to have bragging rights until graduation."

Everybody was blown away by the bet that Ember just made with Rainbow Dash.

"Eh. Not good enough." Rainbow Dash said, unimpressed.

"Oh? What's the matter, Rainbow Dash? Chicken?" Ember taunted.

Everybody jeered at Ember's insult towards Rainbow Dash. Trying to save face, Rainbow Dash said,

"How about we also throw in a little gamble on who gets to be the wrestling captain?"

"Huh? Aren't you already the captain of every sports team in our school?" Ember asked.

"Yeah, but I wanted to be the captain and you took it from me. If I win, you have to resign from being the captain of the wresting team."

Instead of objecting, Ember found this deal intriguing and asked,

"Alright then. But if you lose... you have to be the wrestling team's practice dummy for the entire school year."

Spike and Fluttershy were both shocked to hear that when Ember made that wager. But instead of backing out, Rainbow Dash simply smirked and said,

"I'm looking forward to paying you back for giving me that suplex back at school."

"Every move that you made against me with your competitive streak just made you sloppy. Get ready to get schooled."

After gripping each others hands in an arm wrestling-like position, everybody cheered and pulled out their quarters for Ember and Rainbow Dash as well as place bets on who would win. Spike, on the other hand, said,

"Looks like we're gonna be here for awhile."

"My sentiments exactly." Fluttershy said with a disappointed expression.

Author's Note

Hello everybody. I have a brief update for all of you. As soon as I hit the hundred follower mark, I will announcing something big while I continue writing this excellent story. I do not know when I will hit the mark, but as soon as it reads a hundred, I will be writing the announcement. Thank you all for your patience and I'll see you all on the other side.