Equestria Girls Spikebelle 3: Summer Vacation Part 2

Chapters

Chapter 1: A New Day
Chapter 2: Beach Date
Chapter 3: Spike's Birthday
Chapter 4: A Day With Pharynx
Chapter 5: A Friendship Problem
Chapter 6: A Friendship Solution
Chapter 7 : The Date
Chapter 8: The sleepover
Chapter 10: Christmas Special
Chapter 11 New Year's
Chapter 9: The Visitors

Chapter 1: A New Day

The sun rose high in the sky bringing forth a new day.

Spike was asleep in his room, dreaming of his life before. It had only been a week ago since he defeated a mianicle mad man, reunited with his parents, and acquired a new girlfriend. For everything that he had been through, things were starting to look up for him.

He opened his eyes with a yawn. This was where he longed to be: his old room in his old house, with his family as a whole waiting for him.

Spike jumped out of bed, changed his clothes and tidied his sheets. Then, he made his way downstairs to his kitchen. Ever since he came into possession of Discord’s chaotic magic, he was looking forward to moments like this every day.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Spike was greeted by the sight of his mum carrying a plate of pancakes.

“Good morning, Spike,” Ember said, setting breakfast on the table, before taking her seat. “Boys. Breakfast,” she called to the parlour.

Like a couple of dogs called to mealtime, Sombra hurried into the room, followed by Pharynx. Both men quickly sat at the table and served themselves on the plates that were set for them.

“You two took your time getting here. I almost didn’t think you were coming,” Ember joked.

“What? And miss out on the chance to have a breakfast made by you? Never,” Pharynx said.

“Psh. Mooch,” Sombra said.

“I don’t mooch. I just come over for breakfast because I know you’d all miss me,” Pharynx answered.

Spike ate his breakfast in silence, watching the adults interact. This past week had been the best of his life, ever since he had his parents back the way they used to be. No more attempted murders. No more fatal arson. Nothing. Just the loving family he wanted. More still, Pharynx had gone from the psychotic killer he fought against before to a caring friend.

“Oh, I just remembered something. Excuse me, I'll be right back. Just have to get something from my car,” Pharynx said, as he got out of his seat, and left the house to his car.

“I wonder what he forgot,” Spike said.

Moments later, Pharynx walked back inside with a medium sized box in hand.

“What's that?” Spike asked.

“I was saving this for your birthday, but I’d rather give it to you now,” Pharynx said before placing the box on the table next to Spike's plate.

Spike moved the plate to make room for the box, anticipating what may be inside. For the grief Pharynx had caused him before, he was cautious to the gift’s nature. Still, for the preceding week, Pharynx had been nothing but good to him and his family.

The boy started to open the box, and what was inside made his eyes go wide.

“An Xbox One!? Wow! Sweet,” Spike said admiring the the gift. He looked back into the box finding a few games.

“So. Spike how's Sweetie Belle doing?” Pharynx asked.

“I honestly have no clue. I haven't seen her since we went to the waterpark, and that was a week ago,” Spike answered.

After they all finished breakfast, Spike was cleaning the dishes. Pharynx had already left a while ago, leaving the others to clean up his mess.

Spike stacked a few plates, until a knock on the door gained his attention.

“Sweetie? Finally,” Spike thought, as he walked to the door. Instead of Sweetie Belle, he found Twilight.

“Hi, Spike,” Twilight greeted with a wave.

“Hi, Twi. How's it going?” Spike said, hiding his disappointment at the arrival.

“Good. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the beach. It beats staying indoors on a day like this,” Twilight said.

“Sure, I've got nothing else to do. Wait here,” Spike said. He almost left to change into his beach clothes, but stopped when a question occurred to him. “I almost forgot: have you seen Sweetie Belle around?”

“Sorry, I haven’t. But, you might wanna start getting ready. And maybe bring some sunscreen,” Twilight said.

After Spike changed, and finished packing, he went to meet Twilight at her car, which was parked at the curb in front of his house. To his surprise, Twilight’s boyfriend, Thorax was not seated in the front seat.

“All set?” Twilight asked.

“Yep. Let’s go,” Spike affirmed.

And they were off to the beach.

At the beach, Twilight parked her car, and exited with Spike. Spike quickly ran to the wall that overlooked the beach, and surveyed the scenery. There below, he spotted Sweetie Belle sunning herself on a towel.

“Sweetie Belle!” Spike called to her.

Sweetie sat up and turned around, just in time to see Spike hop over the wall to the sand. With a smile blooming across her face, Sweetie quickly stood up and rushed to greet him.

They met halfway, and received one another with a loving embrace. The momentum of Sweetie jumping to Spike made the boy spin, twirling Sweetie around, before putting her back on the ground.

“Sweetie, why haven’t you come to see me? I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for almost a week,” Spike said.

“Uh, yeah. Sorry. Me and the others have been kind of busy lately. I wanted to see you too, but it just kind of slipped my mind. Sorry. I’m still getting used to this whole having a boyfriend thing,” Sweetie apologized.

Spike had missed this. Even though they were not lying in the sand together, it seemed just like the days when he and Sweetie belle would stay the night on the beach.

Twilight walked down from the steps that led to the sand, and watched the two younger kids. She could only wonder what Rarity must have felt to watch her sister growing up so suddenly.

Over the course of hours, sandcastles were built, they swam in the water, seashells were collected until their pockets were filled to capacity. By the end of the day, Spike and Sweetie Belle were laying on their beach towels, taking in the warmth of the sun’s last rays.

“Alright. It looks like we should be heading home now,” Twilight said.

Neither of the others wanted to go. But, for all sensible reasons, they couldn’t stay on the beach all night, leaving their families to worry.

Spike and Sweetie followed Twilight up to her car, and took their seat hand in hand in the back. Up front, Twilight glanced at them in her rearview mirror, before she started the car and drove off.

After dropping off Sweetie Belle at her house, Twilight pulled up to the curb in front of Spike’s house to drop him off.

“Thanks for bringing me, Twi. I really appreciate it. And thanks for thinking to bring Sweetie along. Seeing her was the best part of today,” Spike said.

“I just thought you two needed a little coaxing to get back together,” Twilight said. “Well, I’d better get home. Hopefully I'll see you around,” Twilight said, as Spike got out of the car.

“Bye,” Spike said, before Twilight drove off. He walked to his front door, a smile on his face as he went inside.

Chapter 2: Beach Date

It was a pleasant day out when Spike decided to spend time at the mall with Discord and Thorax. The girls were busy that day, so the guys took the opportunity to spend time with one another.

At the mall’s food court, Spike had just finished receiving the order he and the others had placed, and returned to his table.

“Alright. Which one of those is my corned beef?” Thorax wondered.

“Let’s see,” Spike said, looking at the initials on each sandwich’s wrapper. He found the one with ‘CB’ written in black marker. “Here.”

Thorax gladly took the sandwich and unwrapped it, briefly taking a moment to marvel at the stack of slow-cooked beef that was stuffed between two slices of marbled rye, and piled high with onion, radish and swiss cheese.

Spike took the next sandwich, and saw it was not his.

“What’s ‘PBB?’” Spike wondered.

“Peanut butter and bologna. Thaaank you,” Discord said, as he took his sandwich, and side of coleslaw.

“That reminds me: yoink!” Thorax said, as he took his serving of potato skins.

Spike put the tray down, and took his own serving of Monte Cristo and a side of fried fish fillets.

“So, what’s the haul? What have we hunters of the retail bagged on our trip?” Thorax asked, before taking a bite of his sandwich.

Both of the others shook their heads. Clearly, Twilight’s academia was influencing Thorax.

Discord reached into his bag first, and produced a box of exploding pens, a dog whistle, invisible ink and a spinning bow tie.

“I did a little browsing in the joke shop. Here, Spike, write something,” Discord said, offering a pen to Spike.

“Not even. I saw the box it came from,” Spike said. He reached into his own bag, and produced a video game, fresh and new in its cellophane. “Now, while you just got something for a quick guffaw, I got something worthwhile. Jealous?”

Thorax smirked at the others, feeling as if his purchase could trump both of the others.

“You think that’s worthwhile? Take a look at these little beauties,” Thorax said, as he revealed three books. Two of them were history books, the third was an encyclopaedia of scientific theory.

Now, it was Spike and Discord’s turn to smirk. Spike even chuckled quietly at the sight of what Thorax had bought.

“What is it?” Thorax asked.

“This was supposed to be a guy day,” Discord said.

“Do you really want us to think that you bought those books for yourself?” Spike added.

“Ah...I just...This might sound kind of wimpy, but I kind of miss Twilight right now,” Thorax said, as he turned a brighter shade of red.

“Aw, come on. You can’t be serious. You’re just spending one day apart from each other,” Discord said, as he dipped his sandwich into his coleslaw, before taking a bite.

“I know. It’s just that this is our first time spending a day without each other. I never realized what I had with her before. Like, the closeness and the intimacy is good. But, it just feels so weird not learning about physics and foreign languages without her around. It’s almost like some part of me I never knew I needed has gone missing,” Thorax explained.

Spike sighed internally, as he took a bite of his fish fillets. What Thorax said had actually made perfect sense to him. The way he felt about Twilight was exactly how he felt about Sweetie Belle. Without her, he may well have continued his criminal ways, and gone down the dark path Pharynx had intended for him.

“I’m no mind reader, but I think the squirt here agrees with you,” Discord said.

“That’s right. I forgot that Spike here’s gotten a little lady love of his own lately,” Thorax said, trying anything to take the attention off of himself.

“I didn’t get a lady love. She’s just my girlfriend is all,” Spike said through a mouthful of monte cristo.

“You should feel honored. Most kids your age don’t even start about dating for another year. Must be one of those early bloomers,” Discord teased.

“I’m not blooming anything. I just met a girl. I liked her. I went out with her,” Spike said.

“Okay, okay. No need to take it personal,” Discord said.

For the next few seconds, each of the boys was silent. The only time they opened their mouths was to take another bite of their respective foods.

“It kind of sucks without Fluttershy around,” Discord conceded.

The other boys hid their amicable smiles by taking a bite of their sandwiches. Discord didn’t need to see them to know that they empathized.

After lunch at the mall, the guys all decided to head home. Spike, on the other hand, took a detour to go to Carousel Boutique. After the talk with the others, he decided that he did truly want to see Sweetie Belle that day.

There it was. Partway down the path he was on, Carousel Boutique stood out like a jewel among garbage.

When he was at the front door, Spike could hear something. A simple melody hummed from the top floor of the boutique, which heated his heart as each note reached his ears.

With a twirl of his fist, Spike rapped his knuckles on the front door. A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing Rarity.

“Spike? Isn’t this a pleasant surprise. My sister said you were spending the day apart from one another,” Rarity said.

“I know. But, I got thinking that I really wanted to see her today,” Spike answered.

“Ah, yes. The longing of a young heart’s--”

“Sweetie Belle’s upstairs, right?” Spike said, cutting Rarity off before she could wax romantic.

“Yes. Wait inside, while I retrieve her,” Rarity said.

“I think it would be better if I went to her myself,” Spike said, letting himself in, and heading upstairs.

“How very presumptuous,” Rarity thought. But, she couldn’t remain indignant. After all, this was how children grew up.

Spike scurried his way upstairs to the direction he heard the humming coming from. Behind one of the doors, it was the loudest. Spike cracked the door open, and found Sweetie Belle lying on her bed with her headphones on. Her eyes were shut, making this the perfect opportunity for some romantic spontaneity.

Quickly and quietly, Spike opened the door and crept across the floor to Sweetie’s bedside. There, he stopped and took one long look at her.

She looked so beautiful lying on her bed. Her curly hair strewn about across her pillow made Spike think of the ocean waves of the beach where they had their first friendly encounter.

Slowly, Spike leaned his face closer to Sweetie Belle’s, ever careful not to put any of his weight on her mattress. Once he was close enough, he placed his hands on Sweetie’s waist, alerting her to his presence.

Before she even had a chance to open her eyes, Sweetie Belle felt the unmistakable warmth of a pair of lips pressed against her own.

There was no guessing who had suddenly arrived. Reaching up, Sweetie wrapped her arms around Spike’s shoulders. She opened her eyes, and saw Spike pulling his face away from her own, and smiled.

“Got tired of spending the day with the guys, huh?” Sweetie said.

“They were boring. All they talked about was girls,” Spike said.

“So, that’s what guys talk about when there are no girls around. And I always thought it was all about power tools and monster trucks,” Sweetie Belle joked, as she brushed her fingertips against Spike’s bangs.

“Just for those guys who are really insecure. Us real men talk about how much we missed our girlfriends all the time,” Spike said.

Sweetie laughed as she sat up and kissed Spike again.

“You know, I don’t have anything planned today. Want to go do something? Maybe the two of us can go to the beach again?” Sweetie suggested.

“I’d be upset if you didn’t want to,” Spike said.

“Okay. I’ll go grab us a change of clothes, and we can be on our way.”

A tram ride and a short walk later, Spike and Sweetie Belle were overlooking the beach. The sky was clear and the wind was low. The perfect day for a trip to the beach.

Spike was already laid out on his towel, his black shades shielding his eyes from the rays of the sun.

The sound of footsteps caught his attention, and Spike turned his head to see a pair of feet stop before him. Lowering his shades to his nose, Spike slowly cast his gaze upward, and saw Sweetie Belle changed into her usual white and purple bikini. Even now, he was amazed by the fact that her arm was no longer scarred by his actions. It was as if he was given a complete do over for all of his misdeeds.

With a smile, Sweetie Belle laid down on the towel next to Spike and wrapped her arms around him.

Spike returned the affection and held tightly to Sweetie Belle, as though he never intended to let her go.

The two laid under the sun for many minutes, sharing not a word, but only the love that warmed them more than the sun above. And it would be this way forever and always.

Chapter 3: Spike's Birthday

The sun dawned on a new day. And what a day it was.

Spike had awoken early that morning to prepare for what was to be his thirteenth birthday. For many hours, the boy passed the time by reading whatever books he could on his bookshelf, but only ended up skimming a few pages, before switching to a new one. The excitement of what was to come was simply too much than what a simple passage in a book could take his mind off of.

He looked at the clock. 10:09. That was long enough for him. Spike put his book back on his shelf and went downstairs to greet his parents that morning. However, when he arrived, he found an unusual sight.

His parents were nowhere to be seen. Not even the noises of their footsteps sounded through the house. Not even the television in the next room sounded off with the usual morning newscast.

“Weird. Where’d they go so early in the day?” Spike wondered to himself.

Of all the days for his parents not to be home, his birthday was the one he didn’t think they’d go anywhere. Then again, he hadn’t had a birthday with his parents since he was a little boy. As far as he knew, things could still have changed during all the years that he had missed out on, before he magically altered his reality.

But, as long as his parents were out, he still had Sweetie Belle to spend his birthday with. After the day they had at the beach, maybe she would want to do it again. With Sweetie on mind, he reached into his pocket for his phone.

Before his fingers even passed the hem of his pocket, his phone started to ring. When he took it from his pocket and looked at the screen, there was just the name he hoped he would see.

“Hey, Sweetie,” Spike said.

“Hey, Spike. Happy birthday,” came the cheerful greeting on the other end of the phone.

“You remembered. That’s been the best part of my day so far,” Spike said.

“So far. There’s still the chance things can look up,” Sweetie’s voice said, rather provocatively.

“What’d you have in mind?” Spike said.

“Nothing too crazy. I thought it would be nice if the two of us would spend the day together, doing something fun,” Sweetie giggled.

“I see. And just what kind of fun did you have in mind?”

“Anything that you want to do today, birthday boy.”

“Well…” Spike took a moment to think about what to do, though he had the exact thing in mind, “How about if we went to the beach again?”

“Ah, anything but that,” Sweetie Belle said.

“What? But, you love the beach,” Spike replied.

“I do. But, it seems like that’s the only thing we do together. I kind of feel like I want to do something else today,” Sweetie said.

“Alright,” Spike said. He tried to think of something else that there was to do around the city. His eyes fell to his father’s laptop on the coffee table in the living room. “How about a movie?” Spike asked, as he booted up the device.

“Sure. We haven’t done that yet. What’s playing at the Canterlot Cinema?” Sweetie asked.

After a moment of searching for showtimes, Spike was able to bring up the list for Canterlot Cinema. His eyes traveled down the list of films, and he tried to pick the ones that seemed couple-y.

“Let me see...There’s ‘The Lovers of Misery Mire’... ‘Lost Without Love’... ‘Roots of the Heart’...”

“Is that all? Like, do you really want to watch any of those ones?” Sweetie Belle asked.

That was a little disheartening for Spike, who had wanted a romantic movie for their first date to the cinema. He went back to the beginning of the list, and read the title at the top. The one that was marked ‘Hot Ticket.’

“Well, there’s the sequel to ‘Witchcraft is Magic.’ But, I don’t know if you like--” Spike began, before he was cut off by a shrill--

“*SQUEEEE!!!* They made a sequel to ‘Witchcraft is Magic!!?’ Oh my god! That’s, like, one of my favorite movies ever!! We have to go see this one!!” Sweetie said.

“You really want to see that?” Spike said.

“Yes! Yes! If we do nothing else as a couple, it has to be seeing this movie!! Unless you can’t handle the scary ones,” Sweetie said provocatively.

“Sweetie, I’ve seen scarier stuff than you can imagine,” Spike said, recalling his burnt home, meeting his murderous father in prison, and Discord going mad with power, only to name a few.

“Alright, dragon-slayer. I’ll see you at--When’s the showtime?” Sweetie asked.

“Next show’s at eleven.”

“Great. We can make it just in time, if we catch a tram. Meet me at the theater?”

“You know it.”

“Great. Love you. Bye.”

“Love you, Sweetie Belle.”

Sweetie hung up first, leaving Spike suddenly alone in his house. The first major event on his thirteenth birthday, and he was taking his new girlfriend to a scary movie. This was turning out to be quite the interesting day. He hoped that by the end it would turn out even better.

Sweetie Belle waited patiently outside the cinema for Spike to arrive. It had only been some minutes since she herself arrived, but the wait was intolerable. Every time she glanced over at the poster of the movie she wanted to see, she felt as if time had gone backwards, and Spike was no closer to getting into the theater with her.

“Sweetie! Over here!” called a familiar voice.

Sweetie Belle looked down the concrete path, and saw the familiar green-haired head of her boyfriend poking through the crowd of pedestrians. With a smile, she stood up to receive him with a warm embrace.

“I didn’t keep you waiting long, did I?” Spike asked.

“Actually, your timing couldn’t be more perfect. We can get our tickets, go to the concessions, and still have time to find a seat,” Sweetie answered.

“Works for me. Let’s hop in the queue, before the tickets sell out,” Spike said.

The two of them got their tickets to their movie, and made a quick stop at the concessions for popcorn and drinks. When they got to their theater, they were amazed to see how full it was there.

“Damn. I was hoping for a seat at the front,” Sweetie said.

“That’s alright. There’s plenty of seats in the back,” Spike said.

“The back? But, that’s so far away from the show. And that’s where people sit when they just want to make out--Ohhh,” Sweetie Belle said, as a light dawned in her mind.

Her hand taken by Spike, Sweetie Belle found herself led up to the back of the theater, past one passionately kissing couple that looked an awful lot like another couple they knew. Once they found their seats and settled in, Spike had a few things about the movie he wondered.

“So, I looked up this movie before we came here, since I know absolutely nothing about the series,” Spike said.

“Yeah. And…?” Sweetie asked.

“Nothing really. Just, since when is a cartoon a horror movie?”

“First of all: it’s not a horror movie. It’s a gothic mystery set in a fantasy world that’s based on Victorian horror fiction,” said a familiar voice from the kissing couple nearby.

“Twilight?” Spike asked.

There she was. Just one seat over sat Twilight and Thorax, locked in one another’s arms.

“Don’t tell me you guys are in the coven too,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Me and Twilight have been fans since we saw the original movie,” Thorax said, before he resumed kissing Twilight.

“‘Coven?’ What’s that, some code word for ‘group of nerdy fans?’” Spike wondered aloud.

“No. It’s just what the fans of the film call themselves,” Thorax answered, as Twilight kissed his neck.

“So, you actually mean ‘yes?’” Spike answered.

Twilight, Thorax and Sweetie Belle all rolled their eyes. It seemed that Spike would never understand such a wonderful thing as this movie he was about to experience.

“What are you all groaning about? I just don’t see what the big deal with a cartoon is,” Spike said.

“Let me make this simple, Spike: this is not just a cartoon. A cartoon is made by nerds with hyperactive disorders. This is an animation. An animation is made by thinking, literate, mature adults,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Especially in the country this movie was made. Over there, animation is considered an art form, and is taken very seriously,” Twilight added.

“It’s a foreign movie? Am I going to have to read subtitles now?” Spike asked.

“I don’t think so. The first movie was dubbed into english. But, even if this one’s not, you can read. Can’t you?” Thorax asked.

This birthday date was not at all turning out the way Spike had envisioned. Already he was sitting in a theater he didn’t want to be in, watching a movie he didn’t choose. Still, seeing Sweetie Belle’s excitement blossom onto her face as the lights dimmed made that date seem like it may have been worthwhile after all.

The film had been an interesting experience for Spike. There were many sociological and philosophical concepts put to such subtlety that Spike felt them permeating nearly every scene, but in a good way. Not only that, but the moral ambiguities of the characters were put into such a grey area that he didn’t know who was supposed to be the hero or the villain of the story. Even though he didn’t understand half the concepts in the film, it had thankfully been dubbed from its original language. Otherwise, he would have been completely lost.

“So, what’d you think of the movie?” Sweetie asked, as she skipped alongside Spike.

“It was pretty alright. I didn’t really understand the christmas time setting, though,” Spike said.

“It wasn’t christmas. It was yule. And it was set during that time as a symbol of the change in the characters, and the hopes that things would go back to normal,” Sweetie said.

“How do you get that from a pagan holiday?”

“Because, the origins of the holiday are to celebrate the change of seasons, and the reason for the evergreen tree in their house was to represent the hope of the return of things they way they used to be after the snow passed. Haven’t you ever read a book?” Twilight said.

“Yes. Tons,” Spike answered.

“Besides ‘Hook Jaw’ and ‘The Phantom’ comics?” Twilight said.

“Not just those. Tons of other comics too,” Spike proclaimed.

“You’re incorrigible,” Twilight sighed.

“Thank you.”

Twilight didn’t bother reacting this time. She was beyond reactions at this point. Besides, she and Thorax had another engagement to attend to. One that she had to get to promptly, in order to make sure things turned out exactly perfect.

“Well, it was really nice running into you guys here,” Twilight said, as she led Thorax away by his hand, “Come on, Thorax.”

“Wait. Aren’t you going to say ‘hap--’” Thorax began, before he was abruptly pulled away.

“Later, honey,” Twilight said tersely, before leaving.

“What was wrong with those two?” Spike wondered.

“They seemed normal to me,” Sweetie dismissively said.

“That sounded normal to you?” Spike said.

“I have an idea. Why don’t we go to the beach now?” Sweetie Belle said.

“You mean what I wanted to do in the first place?”

“Yeah. That’s right,” Sweetie Belle said, partly muttering to herself when she heard her boyfriend’s despondent tone. “Spike, did you not have fun at the movie?”

“I had fun. Just a different kind of fun that what I’m normally used to,” Spike said. “I just thought that on my birthday, I could do the things that I like to do.”

“And that’s exactly what we’re going to do now. I’m going to make up for not paying enough attention to you on your birthday by taking you for the best day at the beach you’ve ever had,” Sweetie Belle declared.

“How do you plan to do that?” Spike said, hoping for a fun answer.

“There’s this one place on the beach. It’s a little out of the way, but it’s a good spot for ‘private get-togethers,’” Sweetie said.

Not knowing precisely what Sweetie Belle had in mind for their clandestine rendezvous, Spike was still excited for it. It was probably the aspect of not knowing what he was in for that made it so thrilling for him.

After a quick hop onto a tram, the two were underway to their destination.

“How much further, Sweetie Belle?” Spike panted, as he walked behind her on the sandy shore.

“I told you that it was a bit out of the way, didn’t I? I just don’t remember it being quite this out of the way,” Sweetie answered, between heavy breaths.

The two of them had been walking on the beach for what felt like hours, between the crashing waves, baking sun, squawking seabirds and the deep sand, it felt like they were castaways on some distant shore.

“Wait. There it is. Just around that rock,” Sweetie said, pointing ahead.

“That rock that’s practically on the horizon?” Spike asked, noting the distance.

“Don’t be such a whiner. You could use the exercise.”

“I won’t take this from the girl who had a chocolate bar, a box of candy, two sodas, and more than half of the popcorn at the movie today. I’m just glad I’m not walking behind you to see where all that went.”

“Did you just call me fat!!?” Sweetie shrieked.

“No. I’m just saying you probably need this walk more than I do,” Spike answered.

“Spike, you’re the worst!” Sweetie Belle said, as she reached to shove Spike.

The boy nimbly dodged Sweetie’s attack, and ran forward as fast as he could through the sand, with Sweetie Belle in hot pursuit.

There was an extra element of fun to the long walk now. One that made it seem much shorter than it would have before.

In what seemed no time at all, Spike rounded the large rock, and was greeted by an unusual sight. There was a table set up with food, and Spike was only able to just conceive the many people who were around it.

“Surprise!” they all shouted at once.

Sweetie Belle leapt from around the rock and tackled Spike to the ground.

“Call me ‘fat,’ will you, saddlebags!? Well, I--I…” Sweetie gradually let up her assault on Spike, when it dawned on her that there were others present. “Uh...Surprise. I got him here,” Sweetie said, as she helped Spike up and brushed the sand off of him.

“Got me here for what?” Spike wondered.

It was then that Spike saw who was present. His parents were both there, along with every one of his other friends from school.

“Nice job keeping him busy for the day. Even if loverboy here almost blew it,” Discord said, motioning to Thorax.

Thorax only grinned and shrugged at the implication.

“Happy birthday, son. Sorry for the deception, but we needed Sweetie to keep you busy while we set this up,” Sombra said, slapping his hand around Spike’s shoulder.

It was a feeling Spike had all but forgotten. Before he magically altered the course of his own life, his father had been in jail for attempting to murder his mum, and was never there for special occasions such as this. The surge of joy was too much for Spike to contain, and he reached out and hugged his father tightly.

“Spike? I didn’t think you’d be this happy for a birthday party,” Sombra said.

“Sorry, dad. Just...It’s perfect. Everything’s perfect,” Spike said, as he looked over the crowd before him. What were once dead or estranged parents, ambiguous friends and mortal enemies were now the most precious people in his life. And they all corroborated together for the day to celebrate his birthday.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m glad you think so,” Ember said. “But, before the festivities start, I think Twilight has one particularly special gift for you.”

Twilight smiled as she stepped forward with her hands behind her back. When she showed her hands, she revealed she was holding a tiny box. One that was too small to be the expected gift of a book, and carefully tied up with string.

“Here. I got you this,” Twilight said.

Spike wondered what was so special that Twilight wanted to give it to him first thing. Rather than stare at the box, he started to open it.

Within, Spike found a golden, heart-shaped necklace with a message engraved on the front.

To my best friend, forever and always

--Twilight Sparkle

“Twilight…” Spike said.

“Read the back,” Twilight said, unable to contain her smile.

Spike turned the necklace over, and saw another engraving

Spike

Sweetie Belle

Spike was beyond words. What he had been given was a testament to what he was afraid to have lost before. Now, it was promised to him that it would be his for all time.

“Alright. Enough of this mushy stuff. Let’s have us a party!” Pinkie Pie shouted, before she loosed a loud blast of a party blower.

No sentence was agreed with more readily, as all the others began to celebrate the birthday festivities that were prepared.

Chapter 4: A Day With Pharynx

Days had passed since Spike’s birthday, and what a birthday it was. From the beginning, it wasn’t so great. With Sweetie Belle dodging the activities he wanted to do, and the bizarre movie they went to see instead, it was turning out to be quite disappointing.

But, with the advent of a surprise party on the beach with his parents and all of his friends, things picked up quickly to make it one of the most spectacular moments of his life.

That day had gone and passed, and now, he was riding in the car with his parents. Joining him in the backseat was Sweetie Belle.

With the approaching advent of Sombra and Ember’s anniversary, Spike’s parents wanted a weekend to themselves. As it always was when that time came, they brought Spike to stay with Pharynx while they were gone. This time, however, special accommodations had to be made for the extra guest.

For hours, Pharynx had been preparing for the arrival of his young guests. Living alone and having few visitors, there was little he had to do for preparations.

A guest bedroom was set up with two rolls of bedding, a small TV, and a table for Spike to set his Xbox One onto.

After he finished dusting the last of the furniture, there came a knock on his door.

This was it. The guests had arrived. Putting aside the rest of the things he had to do, Pharynx walked to the door to receive his visitors. When he opened his door, he was greeted by the familiar faces of his friends.

“Hey, guys. Perfect timing. I just finished dusting the place,” Pharynx said.

“For once,” Sombra chuckled, as he led the others inside.

“Up yours. You don’t even know where the laundry soap is at your place. Ember told me,” Pharynx said, before addressing the children. “So, you kids need any help with your luggage?”

“No. I got this,” Spike said, heaving in a suitcase that was bigger than himself.

“I’ll get that. Pharynx, help the others with everything else,” Ember said.

“Everything else?” Pharynx thought to himself. He peered over his friend's shoulders and saw that the trunk of the car outside was popped open with luggage sticking out, with only ropes holding them in. “How the hell long did those kids think they were staying?”

“Most of it’s mine,” Sweetie Belle said.

“That’s some girl you got there, kiddo,” Pharynx said to Spike, “Guest room’s down the hall. Same room as every year.”

“Thanks,” Spike said.

He and Sweetie Belle both walked to the guest room down the hall, shortly followed by the adults, who were carrying all of the luggage.

“Don’t bother to help,” Sombra said, as he placed the luggage on the floor.

“You look like you have a handle on it,” Spike said.

Sombra rolled his eyes. His son was starting to sound like Pharynx. Speaking of, Pharynx and Ember both walked in carrying their own sets of luggage, which were promptly placed on the ground.

“Okay, that’s that,” Ember sighed. “So, Spike, behave for Pharynx while we’re gone, and we’ll be back by Monday.”

“Don’t worry about Spike. He always behaves better for me than he does for you two. He’s practically a soldier while he’s here,” Pharynx said.

“Well, see that you both stay in line while we’re gone, sergeant,” Ember said, before she and Sombra left.

Pharynx saw his friends to the front door, and watched them drive off. With a sigh, his eyes glanced to his couch. The kids would be busy unpacking for a while, he knew. It would give him time to reminisce about times past.

Walking to his couch, he reached underneath and produced a book of photographs.

Spike and Sweetie Belle immediately set to unpacking. In the meanwhile, they took the time to enjoy the time alone together.

“Thank god Pharynx agreed to let you stay. It would’ve been boring without you,” Spike said.

“What do you mean? Don’t you ever have fun when you stay here?” Sweetie wondered, as she unpacked one of her many luggage.

“I do. But, Pharynx isn’t so good with kids. At least, not when he’s by himself. With mom and dad, he’s always loads of fun. But, I guess he’s uncomfortable without them around. It’s probably why he doesn’t have any of his own kids,” Spike answered.

“At least he’s nice. I wish I had an uncle like him,” Sweetie said.

Spike winced at those words. The way Pharynx was before, a kidnapping, murdering madman in black, nobody would ever have wished to know anyone like him.

“Are you okay, Spike? You look kind of pale,” Sweetie Belle said.

“It’s-It’s nothing. It’s just...Pharynx isn’t my uncle. He was my dad’s best friend in school. You know, you don’t know what he was like before and...You want to watch a movie? I brought my Xbox,” Spike stammered.

“Yeah, alright, weirdo,” Sweetie said, not understanding what had gotten into her boyfriend.

Pharynx looked over the pictures in his album, remembering his days as a young man. Each one showed him with Ember and Sombra, enjoying their times together at various locales. One showed only himself and Ember, which he had taken extra care of.

He heard footsteps coming down the hall, and placed the book back under the couch.

“How are you settling in, kiddo?” Pharynx asked without turning around.

That was another word that made Spike wince. The same name Pharynx called him, before he had magically altered his own reality.

“Fine. I was just wondering if I could borrow a movie for me and Sweetie Belle to watch,” Spike said.

“Sure. Movies are in that box over there,” Pharynx said.

That was odd. Normally, Pharynx would have carried the box all the way to his room for Spike. It wasn’t like Pharynx to distance himself as such.

“Are you feeling okay?” Spike asked, as he picked up the box.

“Your girlfriend’s waiting for you,” Pharynx said.

Not wanting to keep Sweetie Belle waiting, Spike simply walked off, wondering what was wrong with the normally amicable Pharynx.

Spike left and Pharynx sighed as he leaned back in his seat.

There came a knock on the door.

“Ember and Sombra must have forgot something,” Pharynx thought to himself.

When he opened the door, he was greeted not by Ember and Sombra, but--

“Tirek? Chrysalis? Shouldn’t you two be at work right now?” Pharynx asked.

“We know. But, the way we figure it: if the boss doesn’t care enough to show up, neither do we,” Chrysalis said.

“Work is supposed to be playtime for the soul. When your soul’s not in your work, everyone suffers,” Tirek said.

“He means we were thinking of quitting anyway,” Chrysalis said.

“Besides, we thought it would be a good idea to check on you after that party,” Tirek said.

“...What are you talking about?” Pharynx asked after a bout of silence.

“Call it ‘woman’s intuition,’ but you seemed different after the party. Like, you were upset about something,” the waif said.

“It was nothing. I just came down with something,” Pharynx said.

“You must be feeling fine now. What with you watching Spike right now,” Chrysalis said.

“Not just him. Spike’s brought his girlfriend this time.”

“Really? And his parents are okay with that?”

“Everyone approaches manhood at a different time. Spike’s just getting there quicker than most his age,” Tirek said.

“As nice as it is talking to you: can we come in? It’s freezing out here, and I didn’t bring my jacket,” Chrysalis said, indicating the tank top she was wearing.

“Sure. Come on in,” Pharynx siad, ushering the others inside.

“I offered to let you wear my jacket,” Tirek said, as he walked in.

“There’s no way in hell I’m wearing that thing. I’d look like a charcoal briquette with legs,” Chrysalis said.

Tirek smirked, as he adjusted his enormous, black jacket.

He and Chrysalis settled themselves onto the couch, while Pharynx went to the kitchen to put together a pot of coffee for his friends.

“Hey, Pharynx. Got any popcorn for that movie?” Spike asked, as he walked back into the room. Instead of seeing Pharynx, he was greeted by the sight of his father’s other friends. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Nice to see you too, Spike,” Tirek greeted.

“Sorry. But, shouldn’t you be at work right now?”

“Us and the boss have an arrangement: she doesn’t show up, neither do we,” Chrysalis said.

“Fair enough,” Spike said. “Did you guys notice Pharynx was acting a bit strange?”

“Actually, yes. We were just talking to him about that.”

“Any idea what’s wrong with him?”

“The man’s soul is somewhere the rest of him isn’t. He needs to focus himself is all,” Tirek said.

“Will you stop that,” Chrysalis said.

“Where’s Pharynx now?” Spike wondered.

“He just went to the kitchen. He’s getting coffee for us,” Chrysalis answered.

“Thanks,” Spike said.

The boy walked to the kitchen, where he found Pharynx putting grounds into his coffee maker.

“Hey, Pharynx,” Spike said.

“Need something?” Pharynx asked.

“Yeah. Sweetie Belle wanted some popcorn for the movie we’re watching.”

Without a word, Pharynx opened his cabinet, and tossed a whole bag of kernels to Spike.

“There you go. Popper’s in that cupboard next to you. Same as the mixing bowls,” Pharynx said.

That was definitely odd. Why Pharynx was behaving this way, Spike didn’t know. But, he took the popper and large mixing bowl from the cupboard and returned to the guest room.

“That didn’t take long. Did you make the popcorn already?” Sweetie wondered.

“No. Pharynx didn’t even bother talking to me when I got down there. He didn’t seem like he wanted to talk,” Spike said.

“Well, it’s no use trying to figure out what’s wrong with him. Let’s just make some popcorn now,” Sweetie Belle said.

Spike poured in the kernels to the popper, placed the bowl to the front of it, and plugged the appliance in.

There was a loud, mechanical whirring noise as the machine started working. In seconds, popcorn started popping up and out into the bowl.

During the entire time, Spike wondered what was wrong with his dad’s friend. In the back of his mind, he dreaded the thought of Pharynx returning to the way he once was before.

Chapter 5: A Friendship Problem

Discord was bored. He was bored with the same jokes. He was bored with the same joke shop. He was especially bored with the same old merchandise the shop sold. Nothing new presented itself. Everything was the same as it was before.

“Why?” Discord wondered. “Why doesn’t anything interesting happen anymore? Same old, same old. I can’t cause any good mayhem with these things.”

“Hiya, Discord,” came an overly enthusiastic greeting from the side.

“Hey, Pinkie,” Discord said, not even having to face her to know who it was. “Looking for new pranks too?”

“Yeah. But, I’ve already used everything in this place. I’m starting to think the world is liking jokes less these days,” Pinkie said.

“Seems that way,” Discord sighed, before he started leaving for the door. “I’m going to go do something else.”

“You’re going to talk to Fluttershy?” Pinkie said.

“Yup,” Discord answered.

Back in her house, Fluttershy sat on her bed, deep in thought.

Next to her, her pet rabbit, Angel Bunny had nudged his head beneath her hand to be stroked.

Fluttershy contemplated how Twilight and Discord hadn’t talked to each other much since Spike’s birthday party, and wondered why two of the dearest people in her life didn’t seem to be getting along.

She stopped petting Angel a moment, when her phone started ringing, and she answered it.

“Grrr!” Angel said, before thumping his feet on the bed, and nudging his head back beneath Fluttershy’s free hand.

Fluttershy sighed quietly at her rabbit’s demand for attention, and answered her phone.

“Hello?” she said.

“It’s me,” answered a familiar voice.

“Discord?” Fluttershy said, standing up from her bed. “Where are you now?”

“Grrr!” Angel said, before thumping again, and hopping to the desk where Fluttershy had placed her hand.

“I just took a trip downtown. But, then I decided I’d rather see you,” Discord said.

Fluttershy giggled at the notion, and held the phone in both her hands.

Angel growled and thumped again.

“Well, I’m not really busy at the moment. You can come over...if you want,” Fluttershy said.

“GRR!” *THUMP*

Fluttershy jumped away from her rabbit, shocked by the aggressive display of neediness. She ended up sprawled on the floor.

“Angel wants attention?” Discord asked.

“Uh-huh,” Fluttershy shuddered.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be there quick to save you from the big, bad bunny. I’ll be there within the next half hour, so I won’t be long. Love you.”

“I love you too,” Fluttershy said, before hanging up.

Angel hopped over to Fluttershy, and nudged his head under her hand once more.

Fumbling with her one hand, Fluttershy had some difficulty dialing Twilight’s number. Eventually, she decided to place her phone on the floor and dial that way. Once she sent the call, she picked her phone back up.

Within seconds, the call was answered.

“Fluttershy? What’s up?” Twilight asked.

“Nothing. I was just wondering...would you mind coming over? If you want to,” Fluttershy timidly requested.

“Of course I want to. But, why?” Twilight asked.

“I just...because I want to?”

“Okay. Fair enough. I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Could you be here in a half hour?” Fluttershy said.

“Alright. If you really want me there that badly,” Twilight said.

“Okay. Thank you. Bye.”

“Goodbye, Fluttershy.”

The half hour passed quicker than Fluttershy could have known. Before she even knew it, there was a knock on her door.

Most people would have stood up from their seat. Instead, Fluttershy leapt like a rabbit from her seat. Unfortunately, Angel was on her lap at the time, and went flying to the floor.

Fluttershy landed in front of her bedroom door, and quickly rushed to her front door to receive her guests.

“Discord!” she said, throwing her arms around her boyfriend.

“Gree-tings, gorgeous,” Discord said, returning the embrace.

Fluttershy returned the affection with a peck on Discord’s cheek.

“I like the service here. Does this appetizer come with a full course?” Discord said, as returned multiple tiny kisses all over Fluttershy’s face.

Between the sounds of smooching and Fluttershy’s giggling, there came another noise. The sound of a car pulling up to the curb out front that caught the attention of the two.

“Expecting more company?” Discord asked.

“Yes,” Fluttershy simply replied.

“Flutter-honey, I’m heartbroken. I thought we were exclusive,” Discord said.

“It’s just Twilight,” Fluttershy giggled. “Stay here. I’m going to go bring her inside.”

Discord didn’t know what to make of this suddenly odd arrangement, but saw no harm in waiting for Fluttershy to receive her friend.

“Hi, Fluttershy,” Twilight greeted.

“Twilight. Oh, I’m so happy you came,” Fluttershy said.

“Why? We see each other almost every day,” Twilight said. Although, they hadn’t been seeing as much of one another since Fluttershy and Discord began dating. “So, what was so important that I had to come here?”

“Nothing--I mean, it’s inside--I mean...I’ll show you,” Fluttershy said.

Inside, Discord waited patiently, until Fluttershy arrived with Twilight.

“Hey, Twilight,” Discord greeted.

“Discord,” was all Twilight said.

And that was all anyone said. Fluttershy looked between the two of them, waiting for something more to be said. But, it didn’t seem like anyone had much more to convey. In the spirit of being a good hostess, Fluttershy decided to jumpstart the conversation.

“So...how are things?” Fluttershy asked.

“Fine,” Twilight said.

“Just dandy,” Discord answered.

“I’m just asking, because it doesn’t seem like you two are talking to each other very much anymore. Is something wrong?”

“Nope. Everything’s fine. Twilight’s just as organised, narrow-minded and tight-assed as normal,” Discord said.

“And Discord’s as chaotic, deceptive and lackadaisical like always,” Twilight replied.

“See? Everything’s just peachy,” Discord said.

Fluttershy could plainly see there was something wrong. Something that she would have to fix.

“I can see that something’s making you both upset. But, shouldn’t you two talk about it? After all, if you really like being friends, you should try to make things better between yourselves,” Fluttershy said.

“You want to talk? Okay, let’s talk,” Discord said. “She is always going through my locker at school. Cleaning it out, getting rid of everything she thinks I don’t need. And always without my say-so!”

“Well, if you stopped stealing my school supplies, I might not have to! Seriously, don’t you ever bring your own pencils to school? Maybe a notebook or two?” Twilight rebutted.

“It’s because I used mine for paper airplanes!” Discord said.

“That’s another thing: who needs all those joke supplies in their locker? You had enough exploding pens to blow up a small town, and not a single textbook! I don’t even know what Fluttershy sees in a boy like you!”

As soon as the words left Twilight’s mouth, she knew she had taken things a step too far.

Discord said nothing. He slowly stepped closer to Twilight, pointed a single finger at her, and silently walked away.

“Discord. Wait,” Fluttershy said.

Nothing she could have said would have made Discord stay. She could only watch helplessly as he walked away from her.

Chapter 6: A Friendship Solution

For days now, Twilight had been trying to get ahold of Discord to apologize for her atrocious behavior. She had tried calling him, and found her number was blocked. She had tried to visit him at his house, but he was never home. She had tried asking her friends to convey a message to him, but he never responded.

Things were so bad now that not even Fluttershy was able to get Discord to talk to her. But, she wasn’t about to give up. First thing when she woke up that morning, Twilight picked up her phone and composed yet another text message to Fluttershy, asking her to talk to Discord for her again.

Twilight read over her message, rewriting what she thought needed work to it. Every word had to be perfect to convey her heartfelt apology. She hoped that this would be what reached Discord. With a quiet exhale, she sent the message, before crawling out of bed.

After she changed into her street clothes, Twilight went downstairs to join her parents for breakfast. Her parents were already eating when she sat down.

“Look who decided to wake up. Decided to sleep in again, did you?” Night Light asked, as his daughter served herself a plate of pancakes and eggs.

“Yeah,” was all Twilight answered.

Both of her parents heard their daughter’s low, breathless tone. When her glasses slipped down her nose, they both saw her tired, sagging eyes clearly, before she pushed them back up.

“Honey, are you feeling alright?” Velvet asked.

“I feel fine. Why are you asking?” Twilight answered.

“It’s nothing really. It’s just that for the last couple of days, you’ve been a bit sluggish. You’ve been waking up later, and you don’t seem to talk to us as much,” Night Light said.

It was true. Twilight had been unknowingly distancing herself from her parents. By focusing so much on her problems with Discord, she had been neglecting her family. Even with this knowledge on her mind, she couldn’t stop thinking about her friends.

“Is it something with your friends?” her mother wondered.

“...Why do you ask?” Twilight said, after a moment of silence.

“Because, you normally talk about all the time you’ve spent with them during the day. But, for the last couple of days, you haven’t mentioned Fluttershy or her boyfriend,” Velvet answered.

“It’s just...I…” Twilight trailed off before answering. She could never face her parents if she told them she had ostracized her own friends. The weight on her mind became unbearable. Abruptly, she stood up and left for the door. “I need to be somewhere.”

“Wait. Twilight, where are you going?” her father asked, before Twilight left out the door.

Twilight didn’t answer. She left her parents in surprise, and her breakfast untouched as she left to make things right.

Her search began again at Discord’s house. As it was all those times before, he was not at home. With a frustrated groan, Twilight then went to search downtown Canterlot.

Once there, she checked all of Discord’s usual haunts. The joke shop. The beach. The movie theater. The improv club. He was at none of these places.

Twilight had grown desperate. She looked all around for Discord to fix their problems, but kept hitting walls. In her act of desperation, she did the last thing she could think of and called to the crowd.

“Discord! Wherever you are: I’m sorry!” Twilight shouted.

The crowd around her gave her a quick, concerned look, but ultimately went on their way. All but one boy in the crowd.

“Sounds like somebody’s in a bit of trouble,” the boy said.

“It’s not like it’s any of your business, but yes,” Twilight said, not particularly caring for the stranger’s approach.

It took a second, but she realized this boy may not have been such a stranger after all. After a second look, she thought she recognized the indigo-grey hair and the ever-present red coat he wore.

“Wait. Do I know you from somewhere?” Twilight said.

“Not really. We’ve never spoken before. Name’s Capper. We have calculus together,” the boy replied.

“Right. That’s where I’ve seen you. It was nice meeting you, but I can’t stay and talk,” Twilight said, before she started to leave.

“Looking for Discord, right? Then you might want to stay around, because I know where he is,” Capper said.

That stopped Twilight in her tracks. If she could find any leads to his whereabouts, she was going to take them.

“Where is he?” Twilight asked.

“That information comes with a price,” Capper said.

“What?”

“I’m going to need a favor from you, if you want to know how to find your friend.”

“I don’t have time for this,” Twilight said, before starting to walk away once more.

“Okay. You can just keep wandering around. Discord won’t be where he is forever, and you know he rarely stays the nights at his home. Happy hunting,” Capper provocatively said.

That got Twilight’s attention. With a sigh, she turned around to face the boy.

“Alright. What do you want?” Twilight said.

“A date with Rarity,” Capper simply answered.

“A date!?” Twilight said.

“You know, one of those things where you have fun and learn about another person. Usually over dinner and a walk in the park,” Capper replied.

“I know what a date is. Why do you want me to set you up with Rarity? Why don’t you just ask her?” Twilight said.

It seemed that she had stepped on a sensitive issue. Capper suddenly broke eye contact, and tapped his fingers to his chin.

“Well...don’t let this charismatic facade fool you. I’m actually a nervous twit when it comes to girls,” Capper answered.

Twilight rolled her eyes. If she was ever to proceed, she would have to comply with this half-cent hustler. She reached into her pocket and produced her phone, before dialing Rarity’s number. There were a few rings, before the phone was answered.

“Hello?” came the answer.

“Hi, Rarity. It’s me,” Twilight half-heartedly said.

“Twilight, darling. What brings you calling about?”

“Uh...I kind of need a favor from you.”

“Certainly, Twilight. Anything for a friend.”

“I need you to...go on a blind date,” Twilight fought to say.

“Excuse me?” Rarity asked.

“I wouldn’t ask, but I need this to find Discord. Please, Rarity,” Twilight begged.

Rarity knew full well the emotional turmoil that Twilight had been going through since she had her falling out with Discord. Going on a blind date was one of the last things she wanted to do, but she said she would do anything for a friend.

“Alright. I’ll do it. Who is the dreg I’m to meet?” Rarity said.

“Telling you who would defeat the purpose of the blind date, wouldn’t it?” Twilight said. “But, I’ll tell you that you’ll have your work cut out for this one.”

Capper huffed indignantly.

“Sounds promising,” Rarity said in a way that Twilight knew she was grimacing over the phone, “Does my knight in rusty armor have an idea of what we might do, or where we might meet?”

“Hold on,” Twilight said. She covered her phone’s speaker with her fingertips and spoke to Capper. “Where did you plan on taking Rarity.”

“Dinner at the Bridle Bistro, then to the evening concert in the park,” Capper answered.

That even sounded good to Twilight, who nodded slowly, before speaking into her phone.

“Dinner at Bridle Bistro, and a local concert,” Twilight said.

“Uh-hm,” Rarity answered. “At least it seems like I may have a decent time. But, if this goes badly, you’ll owe me for the rest of summer.”

“Understood,” Twilight conceded.

“Six P.M. tomorrow,” Capper told Twilight.

“Six P.M. tomorrow,” Twilight conveyed to Rarity.

“Perfect. I’ll see him tomorrow. Ta-ta,” Rarity said.

“Bye,” Twilight said, before hanging up.

That was that. Twilight put her phone back in her pocket and turned back to Capper.

“Okay, I gave you what you wanted,” Twilight said.

“And a deal’s a deal, so I’ll take you to Discord,” Capper said, before leading Twilight away.

It was a rather long walk to where they were headed next. So long that Twilight almost thought that by the time they got to where they were going, Discord wouldn’t be there anymore.

Finally, they reached their destination.

“The zoo?” Twilight said.

“Yup. I saw Discord and Fluttershy heading in there not fifteen minutes before I found you,” Capper answered.

Twilight then realized that she had not figured in a crucial variable to her search for Discord. He would have been in places that Fluttershy would have liked as well, hence he was now at the zoo.

“No need to thank me. I’ve done my good deed for the day,” Capper said. “I’d better be off now. I’ve got to get some new threads for my hot date coming up.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, before paying her entry to the zoo and beginning her search.

There were many paths to take around the zoo, but Twilight tried to deduce which one would lead to Discord. She tried to think like he would, and thought he would want to see something zany, active and unpredictable. Perhaps the primate house? Or the aviary? No. Discord would do what Fluttershy wanted to do. That would mean they would be somewhere where the animals were small, cuddly and friendly. With that, Twilight knew exactly where to go.

At the petting zoo, Fluttershy giggled as a lamb ate grains out of her hands. Soon the lamb was joined by another lamb. And the two lambs were then joined by a full grown billy goat.

“Now, don’t be greedy. There’s enough food for all of you,” Fluttershy said.

“Got any of that for me,” Discord joked.

“No. But, why don’t you go get some oats for Mr. Goat? If you want to,” Fluttershy said.

“I don’t know. Maybe I don’t,” Discord said.

“Oh. Sorry for bothering you.”

That sounded an awful lot like an emotional ploy. Discord raised one eyebrow, and suspiciously glanced at Fluttershy with one eye.

Fluttershy couldn’t keep a straight face. Her ploy to manipulate her boyfriend completely fell apart when she burst into a fit of giggles.

“I was going to get the grains anyway. You just keep taking care of those woolly babies, and I’ll handle gruff n’ stuff here,” Discord said, pointing to the goat.

The goat bleated excitedly at the prospect of being fed, and followed Discord to the grain bin.

Once Discord reached the dispenser, he was faced with Twilight, who was on the other side of the animal pen.

“Hi,” Twilight said, more out of a lack of anything else to say than anything else.

“You open that gate, and I’m going to set my goat on you,” Discord answered.

That wasn’t the greeting Twilight had hoped for. It seemed that Discord wasn’t in the mood for reconciliation. But, she had come this far, and wasn’t about to give up.

“Discord, listen--” she began.

“Listen to what?” Discord interjected. “More insults. More criticisms? Stop me if I get it right. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”

Discord turned around, and walked off with his goat companion. Even the goat seemed to be against Twilight, as it huffed and walked away with its snoot in the air.

This would not be the end of it. Twilight tried to open the gate, before the goat rammed it shut.

This wouldn’t stop Twilight. She simply climbed over the top of it.

“Dammit, Discord! I’m trying to--” Twilight’s sock caught on the metal paneling of the gate, and made her fall forward onto the dusty ground.

“Bah-ah-ah-ah,” the goat said, as it looked down on Twilight.

Fluttershy jumped when she heard the crashing noise and turned to see Twilight standing up from the dirt.

“Twilight!” Fluttershy greeted her. Any joy she had at seeing her friend left her when she remembered the rift she created between herself and Discord. “What are you doing here? You know that Discord’s not exactly...happy with you.”

“I know that. That’s what I’m here to fix,” Twilight said, as she dusted herself off. “If somebody would just listen to me!”

“I’m done listening, Twilight. I already know what you think. Just the idea of me and Fluttershy. Why, it goes against all that is sane and logical,” Discord said, as he fed his goat companion.

With its cheeks full of grains, the goat nodded in agreement.

“Discord, listen to me,” Twilight said, starting forward.

“Bah-ah!!” Discord’s goat companion fiercely bleated, taking a defensive stance.

“Oh, for--” Twilight said. She knew the solution to this problem. She reached into the grain bin and grabbed a handful. “Come here, goat!”

The goat eyed the massive handful of grains Twilight had produced, then glanced to the pitiful amount Discord had left. Its mind was made up. After kicking a tiny bit of dust at Discord, the goat trotted over to Twilight to eat her morsels.

“Traitor!” Discord accused the goat.

Now that he was without a bodyguard, Twilight passed the grains off to Fluttershy to approach Discord.

“Discord, I’m trying to apologize,” Twilight said.

“Accepted. Now, beat it,” Discord answered.

“Um, Discord,” Fluttershy began. “Twilight’s clearly been through a lot of trouble to be here. Don’t you think you should at least give her a chance to say what she wants?”

Twilight knew then that she had Discord. While unpredictable, he always did whatever Fluttershy asked of him.

“Alright. You have thirty seconds,” Discord said.

That wouldn’t give Twilight much time to say what she had wanted to. Knowing she had to make every second count, she cut straight to the point.

“Discord, I know you have every reason to be mad at me,” Twilight began.

“Twenty-five seconds,” Discord said, motioning for Twilight to hurry it along.

Twilight felt this almost wasn’t worth the effort she had gone through. But, the thought of filching out of her effort after setting Rarity up on a blind date kept her going. After all, that would be worth nothing if she gave up now.

“I realize what I saw was really hurtful--”

“You mean only now?” Discord said.

“--But,” Twilight continued, ignoring the verbal jab, “I’ve done a lot of thinking since then. I realize that the only reason Fluttershy would be with someone like you--”

Twilight stalled to a halt. One look from Discord, and she knew she had used the wrong words. But, she continued to power through her verbal misstep.

“--I mean, she’d be with you if she saw something truly special. Look at you now. I searched all over for you to apologize, but I never found you because you were spending all that time with someone you love. And instead of watching the monkeys break public decency laws, you came to the petting zoo with her. You’re someone who puts the enjoyment of someone you love ahead of your own.”

Twilight hoped she was getting through to Discord.

“Go on,” Discord said.

“Not only that, but you changed yourself for her. You’re the kind of person who sees what’s wrong with themselves, and changes for the better so easily. I...I wish I was more like you,” Twilight said.

Discord, Twilight, nor Fluttershy said much for several seconds. Both Twilight and Fluttershy hoped for something to be said, but neither dared to speak, for fear of saying something wrong.

Fluttershy flinched internally when she saw Discord’s chin shift, and his jaw open just the slightest bit. At first, Discord said nothing. After a second, he spoke.

“Are you saying you’d like to be the kind of person Fluttershy would date?” Discord said.

Twilight squeezed out a laugh from the back of her throat. If that wasn’t an acceptance of an apology, she didn’t know what was. All the more, it was accepted in a way that only real friends would do and understand.

“Yes, I’m saying I’d like to be someone Fluttershy would date--Wait!” Twilight said, when she realized what she answered.

Fluttershy gasped, blushed and covered her face as she giggled into her palms.

“No! I didn’t mean it that way!” Twilight laughed.

“Too laaate,” Discord said. He reached out and put his arms around both Fluttershy and Twilight, holding them closely to himself. “Although, I have wondered if you two would consider going out. That’d be pretty wicked.”

“Sure,” Twilight said.

Fluttershy turned a darker shade of red.

“After you go out with Thorax,” Twilight finished.

Fluttershy had to bury her face in Discord’s shoulder to muffle her hysterical laughter. Discord, however, was not so amused.

“Point taken,” Discord said.

As Fluttershy’s laughter died down, Discord released his lady friends. Past them, he saw a red llama wearing a colorful manta. Currently, the llama was trying to nudge open the grain bin to reach the snacks inside.

“Let’s give that llama a hand. She looks hungry,” Discord said.

The three friends all scooped their hands into the grain bin and began feeding the animals at the petting zoo. Discord and Twilight fed the llama together, giggling as its lips tickled their hands.

Sure, things were never perfect. But, as long as they valued their friendship, things could be as close to perfect as possible.

Chapter 7 : The Date

This was the evening Rarity dreaded. Ever since she woke up, she had been mulling over the blind date she had been coerced into going on.

Normally, she loved working on her image in the mirror. This time, her heart just wasn’t in it. Every time she ran her brush through her hair, a new idea of how the date could go wrong entered her mind. The next time she saw Twilight, Rarity was going to make her repay this favor with interest.

As she applied her makeup, she went through every way that Twilight was going to repay her for this. Perhaps it would be better to sentence Twilight to a month of free favors.

The last of her makeup was applied, and all was set. Her hair was sub par, she only used minimal makeup, and she didn’t even bother making sure her shoes matched the rest of her clothes.

“Well, this is it. Let’s see that ‘first impression’ smile,” Rarity thought to herself.

She looked deeply into her mirror, and tried to smile pleasantly at her reflection. The smile her date would see was not going to be a pleasant one, that was for sure. Instead of her normal, welcoming smile, she put on more of a crooked grimace that would have made even her cat run for cover.

“Send me on a bombing raid. Inject me with a new strain of the plague. But, no. Twilight wants to set me up on a blind date,” Rarity thought. With a defeated sigh, she buried her face into her arms as she slumped onto her desk.

She was snapped from her funk when the doorbell rang, signalling the arrival of the babysitter. She hadn’t anticipated on doing anything in the evening after Sweetie Belle returned home from her weekend trip, but with a few hasty last minute arrangements, she managed to set something up.

A look to her bedside clock, and she saw it was time to go, if she was to make it to the bistro in time for her date.

With a deep breath, Rarity was able to coax herself to stand up and answer the door.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw that Sweetie Belle was already answering the door.

“Hey, Sweetie. How’s things going?” Rainbow Dash asked, after the door was opened for her.

“I’m almost fourteen years old, and my sister still thinks I need a babysitter. How well do you think things are?” Sweetie replied.

“Sweetie Belle, you know that it just won’t do for one to leave a young girl on their own,” Rarity said, before addressing Rainbow Dash. “Thank you so much for agreeing to this, Rainbow Dash. I know you must have had plans and--”

“It was nothing, Rares. I actually didn’t have anything to do anyway. Besides, I had to be the first one to see how things turned out after your blind date, heh-heh,” Dash said.

“Yes. Thank you for your compassion,” Rarity deadpanned. “I’m afraid I must be off now. Sweetie Belle, you know the protocol: no messes, and be in bed by 8:30.”

“Heaven forbid I’m overtired,” Sweetie said.

Rarity said nothing more before leaving. She sashayed over to her car, started it up and drove off, leaving Dash and Sweetie Belle to see her off, until she was out of sight around the corner.

“Alright, she’s gone now,” Sweetie Belle said to the alleyway next to the boutique.

In that moment, Scootaloo walked from the narrow crevasse, carrying a large duffel bag over her shoulder.

“What do you got, squirt?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“All the good stuff. I brought the video games, the scary movies, a boatload of s’more ingredients, and the menu from the Pimento Green Deli,” Scootaloo answered.

“Awesome. You kids set up the gaming session. I’m going to order one of those three meter sandwiches from the deli,” Dash said, as she guided the children inside.

Even if Rarity didn’t have a good time, Dash, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were going to make the most of theirs.

Rarity had been sitting at her table at the Bridle Bistro for nearly ten minutes with no sign of her blind date. She had been reading the menu to occupy herself, by now knowing precisely what she wanted to order. But, she would never get her hands on the rosemary chicken she so desired.

Another look to her phone from her handbag, and she saw that her date was now twelve minutes late.

“Ugh! The bastard’s going to pay dearly for this,” Rarity said.

“You’re not talking about me, are you?” said a boy, as he sat down at the table with Rarity.

Rarity looked up from her phone and saw a boy with neatly combed indigo-grey hair and a neatly pressed red coat sitting across from her.

“I’m sorry, but that seat’s already taken,” Rarity said.

“I know. By me,” the boy answered.

“No. I mean that it’s spoken for. I’m here on a blind date--”

“--Which you agreed to do as a favor for your friend, Twilight Sparkle.”

The pieces had come together, and Rarity mentally analyzed the boy before her.

“You? You’re my blind date?” Rarity said.

“Yes, dear lady. It is I: Capper,” the boy said, spreading his arms and bowing his head. Had he been looking, he would have seen how he made a waiter nearly lose his balance and topple over.

“We’re off to a great start already,” Rarity thought. One last look over the boy, and she thought she recognized him from somewhere. “Hold on a moment. Didn’t we go to seventh grade together?”

“And I asked you out even then,” Capper affirmed. “Then you rejected me, but that would only stop a weaker man.”

“I suppose I was wise beyond my years back then,” Rarity said.

“Don’t give me that. I know you’ve been pining after me since then,” Capper said.

“Oh, hell. You’re one of those,” Rarity sighed.

“And so much more,” Capper said, as he looked over the menu.

Rarity wanted to leave in that moment, but was stopped when she saw the waiter approaching them from the corner of her eye.

“Ah. I see the other in your party arrived. Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked.

“Yeah. I’ll have the rack of lamb with the potato on the side,” Capper said. He turned his attention to his date. “What’ll you have, Rares? Order what you want. It’s all on me.”

Rares? That was a name she only allowed her friends to call her. They boy she had just met had no right to go using it so flippantly. She was already upset with him for being late, and now she was going to make him pay out the nose for his display of irritating machismo.

“I’ll have the rosemary chicken,” Rarity said with a devious smirk.

“Alright. I’ll get your orders to the kitchen,” the waiter said, as he wrote down the orders.

“And I’ll have the caprese salad, eggplant parmesan, pasta margherita, grilled salmon, a side of breadsticks, another side of spiced olives, and what is the most expensive drink on the menu?” Rarity asked.

“That’d be the Piscio D’uva,” the waiter said.

“Wine? Oh, heaven knows I’m not old enough for that yet. Instead, I’ll just have this lovely ten dollar glass of strawberry lemonade. Made with actual fruits?” Rarity said.

“I squeezed the lemons and sliced the strawberries myself,” the waiter said.

“Perfect! I’ll have that. And for dessert, I’ll be having the cherry amaretto gelato sundae. With extra fudge, if you please,” Rarity said, as she handed the menu back to the waiter.

The waiter had just finished writing Rarity’s order, before he took the menus and brought their orders to the kitchen.

“Rarity, I’m surprised that you can keep that figure for how much you eat,” Capper said.

“Oh, no, no. Normally, I don’t eat like a horse. But, on such a special occasion, I want to simply treat myself. Besides, I think I earned it after sitting here for so long,” Rarity said.

“Ah…” Capper trailed off into uncomfortable laughter. He heard Rarity’s message loud and clear, and was now paying for his misstep. “I guess I was asking for that. So, how are things at the boutique?”

“You take me out for a lovely evening, and you start by asking me about work?” Rarity asked.

“Oh. Sorry,” Capper said, calm and collected as ever. In spite of his steady tone, he could not stop his forehead from perspiring. Things were not going the way he had hoped.

“As it so happens, my work is just lovely,” Rarity said. “Just this week, I’ve received a special order from a rather upscale client.”

“Upscale, eh? Who might it be, and how upscale were they?” Capper said.

“Only the owner of Cat’s Eye Software. One Rocky Clawswell,” Rarity said, touting the major client.

“No way. This is such a major coincidence. Rocky Clawswell is my uncle,” Capper said.

“Oh, please. You’re already late. Don’t tell me you’re a liar too,” Rarity said.

“You want proof? Okay. It just so happens I have the pudding what bears the proof,” Capper said, as he produced his wallet from his pocket.

When Capper opened his wallet, Rarity saw him flash a series of hundred dollar bills for just a moment. She was all ready to roll her eyes at the display, when Capper took a photograph from within and slid it across the table to Rarity.

“There you go. Take a look at that,” Capper said.

Rarity looked at the photograph that showed a family get-together of some sort. Among them was Capper, two people who were presumably his parents, and another older man who she thought may have been his grandfather. But, in the same picture was a man that Rarity most certainly recognized. A man who had come to her boutique to order a new suit that very week.

“Oh. I see,” Rarity said as she slid the photo back across the table, feeling slightly ashamed for doubting the boy.

“Yeah, he’s quite a character. You know, he bought me a jet ski to make up for missing my birthday,” Capper chuckled, as he put the photo back into his wallet.

“Yes. Quite,” Rarity said, not sure how to answer such a thing.

“You know, if you wanted, I could take you to the beach some time after this to ride that jet ski around. What do you say?” Capper said, flashing a smile as he casually leaned back in his seat.

“Um...I’ll think about it,” Rarity said.

“Here are your appetizers. Try not to fill up too much on them,” the waiter said to Rarity, before he left.

Capper took one of the bread rolls that had been left for them, before continuing their conversation.

“Look at that. Crusty on the outside, soft on the inside. That’s some quality stuff there,” Capper said.

Rarity watched Capper take a bite of his roll, when she had a question of her own.

“Capper, there’s something I must know: if you come from all this money, why take me to a small eatery like this? Why not a four-star restaurant with a month long waiting list?” Rarity said.

“Hey, look! Garlic butter!” Capper said.

“Yes, I see. But you didn’t--”

“You think they got parmesan butter here? I should ask. Waiter!”

So far, the date was not going well. Her date was late, he was a materialistic snob, and he was terrible at carrying a conversation. Rarity sighed quietly as she took a roll of her own. To her, the meal couldn’t end soon enough.

The meals were eaten, the hefty bill was paid in full by Capper, and they were now seated in the grass of the city park. Rarity took her shoes off to get herself comfortable while they waited for the concert to begin. And for nearly ten minutes afterward, she said nothing to Capper.

Capper tried to think of some way that he could relate to Rarity. Subjects he hadn’t covered yet were current events, school, literature, art, music.

“Music,” Capper thought. He hadn’t thought about it before, but Rarity was in a band. That was sure to be a conversation starter. Now that he had an opening, he turned to talk to his date. “Have you ever played a stage like this, Rarity?”

Unfortunately, Rarity was not paying attention to him. He was so deep in thought, that he hadn’t noticed Rarity was giggling happily at the juggler before her.

The juggler bent, twisted, and contorted his whole body as he threw his juggling balls into the air. With a flourish, he threw his hat into the air and caught it on his shoulders.

Rarity’s eyes sparkled as she watched the juggler roll his hat across his shoulders and juggled at the same time.

Capper grumbled quietly at the sight. Of all the things, Rarity was impressed by an unemployed nobody with way too much time on his hands. What was it about this guy that impressed Rarity so much? It couldn’t have been his clothes. All the juggler wore was a black jacket, black jeans, a white t-shirt, black shoes and a black pork pie hat. Hardly the kind of thing that would attract Rarity’s awe and wonder. And it irritated him to no end to think it could have been his juggling tricks.

The juggler placed his hat on the ground, allowing his juggling balls to fall into it. Without even using his hands, the juggler performed a flawless cartwheel that placed his head inside his hat. When he finished, he landed on his feet with his hat on his head.

“Do it again!” Rarity said, as she delightedly clapped her hands.

“Rarity,” Capper interjected, “We’re here to watch the concert.”

“But, the concert hasn’t even begun. So, I think I’ll pass the time with this lovely gentleman,” Rarity answered.

“Yeah. But, your date’s with me. Not this nobody,” Capper said, pointing to the juggler.

“I think you’re right. I don’t remember her asking me out,” the juggler said.

“Capper! That’s a terrible thing to say. I’m supposed to be enjoying myself, and I’m doing just that. And he is no nobody,” Rarity rebutted.

“Actually, I kind of am,” the juggler said.

“That’s not the point. I’m supposed to be the one giving you a good time,” Capper said.

“Then you’d better start. Because if he doesn’t, nobody will,” Rarity said, indicating the juggler.

“I thought that’s what I was doing,” the juggler answered.

“Will you shut up already!?” Capper snapped at the juggler, before returning his attention to Rarity. “Look, what’s it going to take to get us to go out again?”

“We won’t,” Rarity said. She collected her shoes, took the juggler’s hand and used it to help herself up.

“Uh...Rarity?” Capper said, not able to think of what else to say.

“Capper,” Rarity began, as she put on her shoes, “You’ve been nothing, if not unpleasant all evening. I don’t care how much money you have, who your relative are, or how much private space you own at the marina. I have no desire to continue this date.”

Those words clutched to Capper’s chest. All he had was his family money to impress others. It was how he made friends his whole life. The worst part was when his friends suddenly left him after his parents’ money took a dip and forced them to sell their house and almost all of their furnishings. Without any of that, it was no wonder to him that he lost Rarity.

Capper sat silently as he watched Rarity leave. He knew there was nothing he could have done to save the date. If only he could have afforded something higher grade than this.

“Call me stupid, but I don’t think she was happy with you,” the juggler said.

“No kidding, stupid!” Capper said.

“Actually, the name’s Nobody,” the juggler said.

Capper groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Onstage, the local band took their places to begin the concert. Rarity didn’t even stop to listen as the first chords were struck. She had parked her car somewhere between the park and the restaurant, knowing the two were not far from one another. Now, she was ready to put the night behind herself.

It was barely eight o’ clock as Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were digging into their portion of the three meter sandwich they had ordered as Rarity’s car pull up to the front of the shop.

“She’s back already!?” Sweetie Belle gasped.

Quick as a wink, she and the others set to work packing up everything Scootaloo had brought. When they were done, Scootaloo had just climbed out the nearest window, just as Rarity walked in the door.

“Heya, Rares. Back so soon?” Dash asked, as she hid her half meter of sandwich behind her back.

“Yes. Unfortunately,” Rarity answered.

“Bad date?” Sweetie Belle asked, as she nudged what was visible of her sandwich behind the couch.

“Let’s just say its downs outnumbered its ups,” Rarity said, as she walked past the others, and headed upstairs.

“Guess it was a really bad date,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Nothing we can do about it now. And since she’s here, our night’s spoiled. I guess I’ll head home now,” Dash said.

Sweetie Belle walked to the front door with Dash, where Scootaloo was waiting for them. She hadn’t eaten much of her portion of sandwich, which left much of it sticking out of her duffel bag.

“Are we going to get to finish this night later? We didn’t even get to the s’mores and scary movies,” Scootaloo said.

“Friday at Applejack’s place. Me and her already arranged a sleepover. You two can stay in Apple Bloom’s room,” Dash said.

“Just like that?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“You know how Granny Smith is. You two can come over to stay the night, and she’ll barely question it.”

“Got it. This Friday?” Scootaloo asked.

“This Friday,” Dash affirmed.

“Can we order another sandwich?”

“I bet Granny would make one if we asked.”

Dash and Scootaloo continued their conversation as they left for home.

Sweetie Belle closed the door behind them, and went to bed wondering just what had gone wrong with her sister’s date.

Chapter 8: The sleepover

Friday had come. Rainbow Dash drove down the road. The night of the sleepover had arrived, and she was racing to Applejack’s house with Scootaloo riding passenger, and Sweetie Belle in the back.

Spike had also come along after arrangements were made with his parents. They didn’t even bother to arrange with Granny Smith, knowing she was two steps from senility.

The two passengers in the back held hands, grateful for the opportunity to spend time with one another again. Only, this time it was special. This time, they would be spending the night together like at Pharynx’s house.

The ride was spent mostly in silence, when they finally reached the dirt road that led to Applejack’s house.

“Okay. This is it: the last stretch. Let’s go over the checklist one last time,” Rainbow Dash said. “Marshmallows?”

“Check,” Scootaloo said.

“Graham crackers?”

“Check.”

“Chocolate bars?”

“Check,” Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Spike and Dash all said in unison.

“Sleeping bags and pillows. I know for a fact that’s a check,” Dash said, having seen each of her passengers carrying them to the car. “Popcorn?”

“Check,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Video games and system?”

“Got it,” Spike said.

“Obscenely violent movie you kids shouldn’t be watching at your age?”

“I brought two,” Spike answered.

“A choice. Nice,” Dash said, before finishing the final item on the list, “List of slumber party games?”

“Check,” Sweetie answered, producing the list from her pocket.

“What do we need that for?” Spike wondered.

“Haven’t you ever been to a slumber party before? There’s always a game that you can play at one that you can’t anywhere else,” Scootaloo said.

“Truth or dare and spin the bottle are staples. It’s a rule that you have to play those at slumber parties,” Sweetie Belle said, as she batted her eyelashes at Spike.

“Only at a kid’s party. I think you guys are old enough to see what happens at a big girl party tonight,” Dash said.

That was a bit of an odd thing to say. The minds of the children whirled with ideas of what could change, or how much it would.

After what seemed like an extra mile of driving on a bumpy road, they found themselves pulling up to the great, red house.

Dash and her young passengers all disembarked the vehicle, and walked to the front door. With a rapid knock, Dash alerted the residents to their presence.

“I’m-a comin’. Keep yer skirt on,” called a voice from inside.

Dash, Scootaloo, Spike and Sweetie all waited for what felt like a minute, as they could hear footsteps slowly hobbling toward them.

Just as Dash was about to open the door herself, the door opened to reveal the stout, elderly form of Granny Smith.

“Rainbow Dash? An’ all the little seedlings? Ain’t this a pleasant surprise,” Granny greeted them.

“It’s no surprise, Granny. We’re here for the sleepover,” Scootaloo said.

“Sleepover? Naw, that ain’t ‘til Friday,” Granny answered.

“It is Friday,” Dash said.

“You sure? Aint’ it the ninth today?”

“Yes. It’s Friday the ninth,” Dash said.

Granny was silent a moment, as she processed the information she was given.

“So it is,” Granny said, before calling to somewhere in the other rooms, “Applejack! Apple Bloom! Yer company’s here!”

Like a pair of dogs called to dinner, Granny’s younger grandchildren came bounding into the room to greet their guests.

“Ya finally came!” Apple Bloom greeted her friends.

“Who here’s ready fer a ding-dang of a hodown?” Applejack added.

“Right here!” Dash said, as she and the others walked in to begin the festivities.

In the light of the setting sun, Capper sat in the last rays of the day in one of Canterlot’s many pizzerias.

“Everything was supposed to be perfect,” Capper said, as he placed a slice of bell peppers and chicken on his plate. “I don’t know how all of it could have gone so wrong. One minute, we were talking to each other. The next, she wants to go home early. Girls are so weird like that.”

Capper took a bite of his pizza as he mulled over his date.

“I know I could have made it go right. If only I had the means to do it. I could have taken her to a better restaurant. I could have shown her a really good time at my parent’s private harbor. If they still had that harbor…”

With a shake of his head, Capper began idly tapping his pizza to his plate.

“I guess that’s just one of those things that couldn’t have been prevented. Mom and dad never were exactly frugal. Now, this whole extravagant lifestyle they’ve bought for us all is coming back to bite us,” Capper muttered.

His thoughts traveled back to the date with Rarity. How the girl didn’t seem as impressed with his exorbitant money and wealthy upbringing as he hoped she’d have been.

“I guess there are some things you can’t get with money. But, what is it about people that draws them to people with money? Sure, it’s great to have your own yacht, a house staff, and a front lawn the size of a city part. But, now that I don’t have any of that, I’m starting to wonder what the point of it all is? Status? Sure, it’s nice to have that beacon thrown up. But, besides that, it doesn’t do you any good.”

Capper thoughtfully stirred his drink with his finger, and sighed quietly.

“It’s like they say: you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Then again, I guess I just didn’t know what I was missing because of everything that I had...Crap.”

Across the table he was sitting at, the juggler from the park juggled his side of meatballs that he ordered for himself.

“Why are you telling me this?” Nobody asked, as he played with his food.

“Because, you’re the only one dumb enough to listen,” Capper answered.

“Oh. Okay,” Nobody said, before he threw all three meatballs into the air, and let them land neatly on his plate. “Do you think girls like jugglers?”

“No. Why?” Capper wondered.

“Because a lot of girls stop to watch me on my corner. Maybe your date would have liked you if you were more like me,” Nobody said, before he stuffed all three fist-sized meatballs into his mouth at once.

Capper watched his dinner companion with dismay. If he were anything like this buffoon, he may well have keeled over on the spot.

Still, the juggler did have a point. If he was going to win over Rarity, he would have to try something different.

Things were much sunnier on Sweet Apple Acres, even with the encroaching darkness of the night. At the moment, Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were both shouting loudly as they raced the final lap around the circuit in their video game. Behind them, Applejack, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were all driving backseat (so to speak).

“Left turn! Power slide!”

“Did you not see the speed booster!?”

“Bring them blue sparks!!”

“Wrong game, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo said, as she focused her mind on the race track.

Unfortunately, she was not focused enough, as she was blown off the track, leaving Rainbow Dash to cross the finish line.

“And the cup is mine!” Dash victoriously declared.

“Yeah, only ever in the game,” Scootaloo said, knowing what would make Dash tick.

“What’s that mean?” Dash said.

“She means that if you tried racecar drivin’ in real life, the only cup you’d get is the one fer a dopin’ test,” Applejack chuckled.

“Oh yeah! You want to try it now?” Dash challenged.

“In what racecar?”

That was a good point. Without a racecar, there was no way for Dash to prove herself as a competent driver.

“One of these days, AJ, you’re going to regret this challenge,” Dash said.

“Sure thing, sugarcube. Meantime, it’s my turn to play winner,” Applejack said.

The three younger kids sat back, having already established the turns for each round. After Applejack, it would be Apple Bloom’s turn, and then Spike’s.

Sweetie Belle then wondered in that moment: where was Spike. After a quick look around, she couldn’t see him anywhere in the room.

Not wanting her boyfriend to miss his turn at the game, she decided to go looking for him.

It wasn’t long before she noticed him outside on the front porch, staring into space.

“Here you are,” Sweetie Belle said, as she stepped outside. “Come on in. It’s your turn next.”

Spike didn’t answer her.

“Spike? Did you hear me?”

In truth, Spike was lost in thought about the day he had first met Sweetie Belle. The way that it had happened before he had magically altered the world around him.

It still haunted him to that moment. When he and Garble were simply meandering around, looking for trouble. And they found an opportunity to start some.

Three girls had been wandering through the alleyway they were in at the time. Garble had goaded Spike into confronting them. In his misguided youth, Spike readily jumped at the chance.

He recalled how he had demanded their money, and how the girls wouldn’t comply. Not wanting to let Garble down, Spike decided to up the ante. He pulled a rusty exhaust pipe from a wall and swung it at one of the girls.

Had he known what would have happened next. Had he know he would one day be so close to the girl he assaulted, Spike would never have done so.

Spike remembered how the rusted pipe burst into jagged metal, and embedded deep into the girl’s arm.

In that moment, Spike was filled with dread and regret, especially when he heard the girl screaming.

“Spike?”

Spike was snapped out of his thoughts, and quickly turned to face Sweetie Belle.

“Jeez, why so jumpy? And what are you doing out here?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Spike tried to think of an answer. His eyes traveled to Sweetie Belle’s arm, bared by her tank top. There was no trace of the wound he had inflicted on her at all. However they had met in this reality, Spike could only think it was on better terms than before.

“Nothing. Just thinking,” Spike said.

“Yeah? About what?” Sweetie wondered.

“Nothing in particular. Just...It seems like kind of a dull summer.”

“Dull how?”

“Nothing’s really happened. Sure, there was my birthday. Then we’ve gone out a lot. Then Twilight’s been going out with Thorax. Discord’s been going out with Fluttershy. Even Rarity had a date. It just seems like a lot of people are going on a lot of dates,” Spike explained, grasping for any reason not to tell Sweetie Belle what he was actually thinking.

“It’s probably just a part of things changing. I don’t really know why, but a lot goes on as we grow up,” Sweetie said. “Now, come on back inside. Apple Bloom’s about to lose to Dash, then it’s your turn next.”

“Great. Sure,” Spike said, as Sweetie Belle led him back inside.

Chapter 10: Christmas Special

It was a lovely Christmas Eve. The sky seemed to arrange itself in a way that was decorated as festively as the city of Canterlot below it.

In Spike’s house, nestled warmly in the boy’s bedroom were Spike and Sweetie Belle, abated from the cold outside by the blanket they shared.

The day had been busy for them both. Between the fun of decorating their homes and shopping for their friends, they had been helping to prepare for the party Spike’s parents were hosting tomorrow.

After the exhausting day, the two now slept, ready to begin the next day.

When the sun rose on the next day, Sweetie Belle was stirred from her sleep by the rays of sunlight shining on her face.

As she awoke, she was aware of Spike’s arm around her. From the way he was breathing, she couldn’t tell if he was awake or not. Either way, she was going to have a little fun with him.

“Morning,” Sweetie Belle whispered.

Spike twitched slightly when he felt something touch his nose.

“Wake up,” Sweetie said, gently tapping her finger to Spike’s nose over and over. “Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.”

“Sweetie Belle,” Spike grumbled, “If I didn’t love you so much, I’d destroy you. Starting with that finger.”

Sweetie giggled, before kissing Spike good morning.

“Merry Christmas, Spike.”

“And the same to you.”

Both children stayed in bed, neither wanting to leave the warmth of the blanket. But, Spike knew that it had to be done.

“Come on. We can’t keep mum and dad waiting,” Spike said.

“You’re parents are expecting you?” Sweetie asked.

“Kind of. It’s not like we ever plan anything, but mum always makes something special for breakfast on Christmas,” Spike answered.

The air was as sweet and as thick as honey when the children quietly made their way downstairs.

Spike stopped just before entering the kitchen. This was a moment that he once thought would be lost forever. Now, as he held Sweetie Belle’s hand, he knew these moments would be better than ever.

Hand in hand, they entered the kitchen. Surely enough, there were both of Spike’s parents. Ember stood at the stove, idley cradling herself in Sombra’s arms, as a pan of thick bacon and a pot of raspberry oat pudding slowly cooked on the burners. On the counter, a plate of huevos rancheros and pan dulce laid steaming and ready to eat.

“You’re up early this year,” Sombra said.

“I wanted Sweetie Belle to see what goes on here on Christmas morning,” Spike said.

“Then, I bet you told her about the butter rum. Your dad made a pot of it last night. Over there,” Ember said, indicating a crock on the table.

“Sweetie, you’re in for a real treat today,” Spike said, as he led his girlfriend to the vat of the drink.

There were already four glasses placed before the crock, and a serving ladle. Spike readily took the ladle and served two glasses.

“Um...Spike, aren’t we too young to be having rum?” Sweetie asked.

“It’s alright. There’s not actually any alcohol in it. It’s just butterscotch with cream spiced with cinnamon, honey and cloves,” Spike explained.

Sweetie Belle looked apprehensively at the drink. It sounded sickeningly sweet enough, and the way Spike was sipping it down made her wary of the nature of the drink. Still, she was a guest in the house, and did not want to offend her boyfriend’s parents.

She placed the glass to her lips, and tilted her head back. Her mouth was filled with a thick, creamy, sweet sensation. After swallowing her first mouthful, the spices took their effect.

Sweetie Belle could taste it in her nose and down her throat. The overpowering sensation of cloves and cinnamon tickled her every sense. Her eyes began to water, and her ears began to tingle. In a second, she had to put down her drink and gag on the taste.

“Good stuff, huh?” Spike said, as he took another sip.

“Yeah...good stuff…” Sweetie choked.

“It’s the same for every first timer. You just have to take it in little sips,” Sombra said, as he put together two plates of bacon, huevos, pan dulce, and two bowls of oat pudding. He handed one of each to his son. “Here you go, Spike. Breakfast.”

“And this is yours, Sweetie Belle,” Ember said, as she placed a plate and a bowl at a spot for their guest. Afterward, she took her seat with her own servings of food.

“So, who’s excited for the Christmas party tonight?” Sombra asked.

“Me!” Sweetie Belle said.

“I don’t know. Who else is coming, besides us?” Spike asked.

Both of Spike’s parents shook their heads at their son’s question.

“So far, the RSVP’s are--” Ember said, as she mentally ran down a list of the guests, “There’s all of us. Night Light, Velvet, their daughter and all of her friends, Discord, Sweetie Belle’s friends, Apple Bloom’s brother and grandma, Chrysalis, Tirek and...who else?”

“Come on. Don’t pretend you forgot Pharynx. He’s only with us for everything,” Sombra chuckled.

Spike smiled slightly at the list of guests, but inside he was beaming. It was going to be the best party of his life. And the fact that Pinkie Pie was organizing it was only the icing on the cake.

The time for the party had come. The guests arrived one after the other, and placed their gifts for one another beneath the massive tree in the living room.

Everyone was dressed to their best. Even Rarity felt herself outshined by several of the others around her.

The night had been long, and full of games, conversation and songs. In the backyard, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom sat on the back steps, while Sweetie Belle and Spike lay huddled on the porch swing.

“Can you believe how fast this year’s gone,” Scootaloo sighed, as she gazed skyward.

“I know. Seems almost yesterday we started school,” Apple Bloom answered.

For Spike and Sweetie, the time passed all too quickly to them. What seemed a blissful eternity during every moment now seemed to have passed in a blink. Now more than ever, they knew they had to make every moment of their time together count.

The back door opened, and Sombra stepped out.

“Spike, girls, come on in. We’re opening presents now,” he said.

That was the magic word for them. Each of the kids filed into the house, and gathered around the tree with everyone else.

“So, who’s first?” Ember said.

“I got first dibs,” Discord called. He confidently strode up to the tree, and collected a parcel.

“I wonder who that one’s for,” Twilight said to Fluttershy.

“Twilight,” Discord said, as he presented her the package. “Merry Christmas.”

It was the most unexpected thing Twilight could have experienced in the moment. After what they had been through during the year, she was profoundly touched.

With eager anticipation, she tore the wrapping from her gift. What she found beneath took her breath away. A limited edition of Witchcraft is Magic. Printed in its native language, no less.

“Oh, my-- Discord, how did you get this!?” Twilight said, as she threw her arms around Discord.

“It was nothing. I pulled a few strings. Called in a few favors. Spent a hell of a lot of money.”

“It kind of makes me feel bad that I didn’t get you something as special,” Twilight said.

“Okay. Maybe I don’t want it.”

“Discord!” Fluttershy admonished her boyfriend.

“Alright. I admit, it was tasteless. Thanks Twilight,” Discord said, as he accepted the gift.

What he found it to be was a massive box that Twilight had to carry over from the corner of the room.

“Jeez, did you buy him a whole joke shop?” Dash asked.

“Well--” Twilight began.

Discord opened the box, and a spring-loaded boxing glove uppercutted him to the ceiling. When he landed in the box, he found it was filled with all kinds of props he never would have dreamed to find in any local joke shop.

“Twilight, this is amazing! We’ve got disguise kits! Exploding pocket change! And I don’t even know what this is supposed to be--OUCH!!--Okay, that’s what it does,” Discord’s voice said from inside the box.

Discord jumped out like a living jack-in-the-box and hugged Twilight.

Over the course of the next hours, the gifts were all opened, and the guests all left a little happier than before.

“That was one hell of a party,” Ember said.

“And we still have to prepare for New Year’s,” Sombra added.

Spike watched the guests leave from the living room window. He watched Sweetie Belle climb into her sister’s car, and take one last look at him before she drove away.

To Spike, the ‘Power Princess’ comic she gave him would be the part of her he kept after she left for home.

While his parents cleaned up after the party, Spike walked upstairs for bed. The night had been long and nothing but fun. It was his deepest wish that it could last for all time, but he knew it to only be a dream. And he would carry that wish long after he fell asleep.

Chapter 11 New Year's

When Spike awoke that morning, he wasted no time getting ready for the day. Quick as he could, he got dressed, haphazardly tidied his bed, picked up one or two items that were lying about his room. Once that was done, he rushed downstairs.

Ember and Sombra had already made breakfast, and were sitting down to eat. Sombra was busily ticking away at the keys of his laptop, his eyes darting back and forth across the screen.

“Sombra, can’t you save work for after breakfast?” Ember said.

“Sorry, dear. These articles don’t write themselves, and I’m already behind,” Sombra answered.

Ember placed her hand on top of the device, and closed it over her husband’s fingers.

“Then, you’ll do it after we’ve had our family meal,” Ember said.

Sombra sighed, and pulled his fingers out from within his laptop. Of all the luck, he married the old-fashioned type of woman. But, he hadn’t regretted it once, and he didn’t regret it now.

Both of their attention was drawn to the stairs, as they heard their son’s feet rapidly thumping down. In less then a second, Spike had descended, and entered the kitchen.

“Morning--” Ember began, before she saw her son quickly grab a waffle, and wrap it around an egg and a piece of bacon. “--Spike?”

“Sorry, mum. No time. I’m going out now,” Spike said.

“Where?” Ember asked.

“Arcade. I’m meeting some friends there. See you,” Spike said, before hurrying out the door.

The adults both watched as their son left like a big, purple blur.

“So much for the family breakfast,” Sombra said, as he began opening his laptop again.

Ember’s hand shot out, and kept the device closed.

Canterlot mall was always a happy place. Even if one was not shopping, it was a place where friends and lovers could go to spend their time together. But, for a certain man in black, it was just another outlet.

Pharynx walked through the pristine aisles, doing his best to avoid noticing the happy couples around him.

The exit was growing near. As he descended the escalator, he saw a familiar sight. There, roaming the lower floor was the red-headed police woman he knew so well. And she was standing with her back to him. The perfect setup for a surprise reunion.

Pharynx quickly walked down the rest of the escalator, and behind a small crowd when the officer turned in his direction. When she looked away, Pharynx continued his advance.

He was right behind her now. He leaned closer to her.

“Tempest,” he quietly said.

The officer jumped and reached for her tazer as she turned around.

Pharynx quickly caught her arm before she could unholster her weapon.

“Pharynx!?” Tempest said, at once relieved and delighted to see him. “Don’t sneak up on me like that! Do you know how close you came to getting tazed?”

“Yeah. Fasted gun in the west,” Pharynx said, still holding Tempest’s arm. He let go, and Tempest released her weapon. “So, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with the youth correctional program?”

“That’s why I’m here. About a week ago, one of the kids got away from us. Since I was his correctional officer, I have to be the one looking for him. Nice deal, right?” Tempest said.

“Sounds like a raw deal. How about some help?” Pharynx offered.

“Please, that would be great. If you see this kid, call me,” Tempest said, as she held up her phone to Pharynx. On the screen was a mugshot of a teenage boy with orange hair.

“I’ll do you one better. How about I accompany you on your investigation?” Pharynx offered.

“That’s sweet of you, but I’m on duty. I can’t have civilian help right now.”

“I’m not a civilian. I’m an ex-con. You’ll just be keeping an eye on another known lawbreaker while you’re looking for some punk kid,” Pharynx offered, taking a step closer to Tempest.

Tempest stopped his advance with a gentle hand on his chest.

“Former lawbreaker,” the officer said. “But, I’m off duty at 4:00 today. How about you accompany me then?”

“Sure. We’ll start our search at the usual spots where the scum and delinquents hang around?” Pharynx said.

“It’s a date,” Tempest said, before leaving.

“See you then,” Pharynx said.

Time passed quickly that day. 11:58 PM. The New Year’s party had gone on for nearly two hours by that time. Everything was set up. Everyone had arrived. With one notable exception.

Sombra sidled away from his wife’s side, as she talked to Velvet. From there, he made his way over to Tirek and Chrysalis.

“You guys know where Pharynx is yet? He’s going to miss this,” Sombra said.

“No idea,” Chrysalis said.

“Something tells me that he’s gone off somewhere else. Whether or not he’ll be back, who can say?” Tirek answered.

“Damn. We’re just going to have to do this without him,” Sombra said. “Alright. Just make sure everyone’s ready. I have to go look for my son now.”

“How long will that take?” Chrysalis said.

“I think he knows right where his boy is,” Tirek answered.

Out on the balcony, Spike stood with his arms wrapped around Sweetie Belle’s waist. Both gazed skyward, simply counting the stars as they enjoyed one another’s presence.

“What do you think that group looks like?” Sweetie asked, pointing to a cluster of stars.

“I’m not sure. But, I think it looks like a dragon,” Spike said.

“That’s what you said about all of them,” Sweetie said.

“I know. I just have to balance out all the ones you said looked like unicorns.”

Far in the distance, fireworks went off, reigning in the new year. And the two children had the best view of the spectacle.

“Happy New Year, Spike,” Sweetie Belle said, leaning deeper into Spike’s embrace.

“Happy New Year, Sweetie,” Spike said, as he kissed her cheek.

They heard steps behind them, but barely reacted.

“Spike. Sweetie Belle. It’s picture time,” Sombra’s voice said behind them.

Now, they had to go. There was no way that they were going to miss the group picture of them all.

Spike and Sweetie followed Sombra downstairs, where all of the others were getting ready. Twilight took her place beside Thorax. Fluttershy was spending her time straightening out Discord’s appearance for the picture. Applejack, Pinkie and Dash were all picking their poses for the moment of truth. Rarity had taken the juggler from the park as her date, and was passing time with him by learning how to catch a ball. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were occupying themselves with idle conversation. Tirek tried taking his spot at the front, only to be moved to the back Chrysalis, so that he wouldn’t block everyone from view. Velvet and Night Light took their spots, and waited for the photo to be taken.

“Okay. Is that everyone?” Ember asked.

The door opened, and in walked Pharynx.

“Oh, thank god. I’m not too late,” he said.

“Pharynx! Son of a gun, where have you been?” Sombra asked.

“I was just getting acquainted with my date for the party. There’s still going to be a party after this, right?” Pharynx asked.

“Of course there is. But, now I’m curious: who’s your date?” Ember asked.

In came Tempest.

“Sorry. I forgot to leave my gun in the car,” Tempest said.

Spike was surprised to see just how much things had changed. When he first saw Tempest and Pharynx in the same room, Pharynx was beating her bloody with a broken phone. Now, there they were, dressed in their best, and going to a party together.

“Introduce us after the picture. Come on, you two. Over there,” Ember said, hustling the new arrivals along.

Pharynx and Tempest took their spot next to Spike and Sweetie Belle.

“Hey there, kiddo,” Pharynx greeted them.

Spike didn’t say anything. As his parents set up the camera, and took their places with the others, he knew that everything was going to be alright from now on. And the moment frozen in time by the ensuing flash was going to be testament to that forever.

Chapter 9: The Visitors

The air was electric with the excitement the group of four were feeling. The months had passed, and the most hallowed of annual celebrations was nearly begun: Christmas.

At the front of Canterlot High, by the statue of the horse, Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Applejack all waited for their holiday visitor.

“Are you girls excited!? I’m so excited! We haven’t seen her in so long, and--” Pinkie cheered.

Pinkie expressed her enthusiasm by hopping around the statue. Dash, Sunset and Applejack all watched their friend almost literally bounce off the walls as they leaned against the statue.

For as happy as they were, watching Pinkie had become exhausting for them. Dash reached out and snagged Pinkie by the back of her shirt.

“Enough, Pinkie. We’re all excited, for the hundredth time,” Dash said.

“But, are you really excited? Really, reeeaally excited?” Pinkie asked.

“Ya don’t have to keep askin’. We’re all happy Starlight’s comin’. We’re just better at not buggin’ everyone else about it,” Applejack said.

It was a wonder to Pinkie that nobody would want to express their happiness as much as she was doing. For the girl with pink hair, nothing was so unbelievable. All of a sudden, her friends seemed more to her like the villains of the seasonal holiday specials. If that were the case she would need to be the hero who showed them the true meaning of the season.

“Come on, everyone! Where’s that holiday spirit! Where’s that cheer that--” Pinkie began, before she was cut off by Sunset’s fingers over her mouth.

Dash and AJ silently thanked Sunset for her service to them. They recognized Pinkie’s speech as the very same one from ‘The Christmas Party at Snowflake Lake.’ The same speech the lead character in that movie said, just before she broke into song. Pinkie’s favorite holiday song.

“So, how long is Starlight stayin’? After Christmas?” Applejack asked.

“No. She can’t stay with us, because she has to be home for Hearth Warming,” Sunset said.

“That stinks. What’s Hearth Warming?” Dash asked.

Sunset had forgotten that she hadn’t enlightened her friends to the seasonal celebrations in Equestria. Willing as she was to explain to her friends about the culture of another kingdom, it would have to wait.

The statue behind them started to glow, and a silhouette appeared within the light.

“Why don’t you ask our visitor?” Sunset said to Dash.

The light faded, and standing among them now was a girl much like themselves. She was taller than any of them, and had very little weight to her body. Her face was mousey, her eyes were beady. And as far as anyone could tell, her clothes, hairstyle and backpack were all at least fifty years out of date.

As unremarkable and plain as she appeared, her entire body seemed to glow with a shine that could only be noticed if one were looking for it. With her eyes that sparkled, her hair that shined, and her skin that seemed to glow, the newcomer did live up to her name.

“Starlight Glimmer,” Sunset greeted their guest, “Welcome to Canterlot City.”

Deep in the darkness of a passage between buildings, where the eyes of a thousand hoods and lowlifes gazed on the grimey asphalt ground and the graffiti-covered walls, a figure lurked. His torn jeans and stained coat lending to the remiss state of the alley, he was truly as one spawned from the depths of depravity.

Since his escape from that horrible place where all delinquent children stayed, he swore revenge against the one who had put him there.

For months, he had stewed in his own hate, frustration and rage. What was once a promising future of knocking over shops and corrupting the hearts and minds of Canterlot City’s youth, it all came crashing down with one horrific twist: someone ratted on him.

“You’ll be sorry you crossed me,” the boy said, as he ran his fingers through his orange hair.

His steps into the light beyond the alley were his first into a new world. One where he would reclaim what was his, and bring down the one who turned on him.

“I’m coming for you, Spike. I’m coming,” he said.

In a happier part of the city, where the buildings were clean and the people were friendly, Sunset, Dash, Pinkie, Applejack all took Starlight to one of their favorite hangout spots: ‘The Bean Scene.’ Though it was not Canterlot’s hottest cafe, or even trendy in any way, shape or form, the girls loved the place for its excellent coffee, personable service and local amateurs trying their hand at music and poetry.

When they took their seats, they each ordered their drinks, and a sixth for Fluttershy, who was scheduled to join them.

With talks of what they had been up to, and the holidays of their homes, they accelerated the time until Fluttershy walked through the door.

“I’m here. I’m sorry. Am I late?” Fluttershy asked.

“You can’t be late. We never agreed on a time to meet,” Sunset said.

“Oh. Oh, thank goodness,” Fluttershy sighed, before she sat down in the empty chair at the table. There, her drink was already set before herself.

Fluttershy stared at the cup of iced brew that was intended for her. To her, no greater beast was that of the unknown. Not knowing what was ordered for her made her hesitant to take the cup to her lips.

“What is it?” Starlight asked.

“Nothing. But, um...is this decaf? I don’t like caffeinated. It makes my hands sweaty and shaky,” Fluttershy said.

Everyone at the table moaned with exasperation. All but Starlight, who giggled warmly at Fluttershy’s answer.

“It’s okay. It’s decaf. I remembered that’s what the other you likes in Equestria,” Starlight explained.

“Oh. Okay. Thank you,” Fluttershy said.

Starlight looked around the table at all the others. Even though she had crossed to a world apart from her own, she felt as if she were still in her own home having drinks with her own friends.

“It looks like some things don’t change,” Starlight said. “Except, when the others and I were talking, they did tell me about something new: is it true you have a boyfriend here?”

“A boyfriend? Who is it?” asked a new voice from somewhere nearby.

A rudimentary look around them, and none of the girls could find who had asked.

“Who’s there?” Sunset asked.

Starlight’s bag jumped up onto the table all by itself. Though it was zipped shut, it split apart as if it were held together by velcro. From out of the bag crawled a tiny creature the likes of which nobody in Canterlot City had ever seen.

“Discord!” Starlight said. “What are you doing here!? You should be back home in Equestria!”

To be left behind and not experience something new was not in the nature of Discord. By definition, it went against the very nature of chaos for him to not do what was wished of him.

“Don’t be such a party pooper, Starlight. You know I’d never pass up the chance to tag along and see a new place,” Discord explained.

“Starlight? What is that?” Applejack asked.

It was a question Discord always hoped someone would ask. Never passing up a chance to wow the crowds with his special brand of chaotic magic, the tiny creature danced across the table to address the others.

“Back home, folks call me Discord. But, you can call me ‘Your Royal Zaniness,” Discord said, before he materialized a cane and a top hat to his person.

Whatever Discord hoped to do next, the god of chaos was distracted from it when Rainbow Dash started poking him with her spoon.

“He looks like a really ugly caterpillar,” Dash said.

“Hey! Knock that off! Do you know what I can do to that thing?” Discord said.

Discord snapped his fingers, hoping to make something catastrophic happen to that piece of silverware. Have the coffee eat it? Make it sprout arms and legs and run away? Destroy it with a tiny nuclear explosion? Even Discord didn’t know what, but it was sure to be fun to watch.

Instead of anything Discord hoped for, he was prodded again by Dash’s spoon.

“That’s it! You’re asking for it now!” Discord said.

Another snap of the draconequus’ fingers, and nothing happened. Nothing but getting poked by the spoon again.

It was Discord’s worst nightmare come true. Though not lost, his powers had become muted and softened by the travel to another world. Now, he was at the mercy of Dash’s silverware.

“Rainbow Dash! Stop that!” Fluttershy said, as she scooped up Discord and protectively cradled him in her palms.

“Thanks. It looks like some people have respect for a deity,’ Discord said.

Fluttershy giggled at the praise. Looking down at the creature in her hands, she smiled giddily. Even though he looked completely different, she could truly believe that this was another form of her beloved boyfriend. The same mischievous sparkle in his mismatched eyes, and the very same crooked smile that gave Discord away when he was thinking of something he wished not to tell.

“So, you’re Discord?” Fluttershy asked.

“That’s right. And I’m here to see the sights,” Discord said, before donning himself with a straw hat, floral shirt and sunglasses.

“Discord, don’t!” Starlight said.

“Oh, please. I just got here, and you already want me out of your hair. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine on my own,” Discord said.

With a puff of smoke, Discord disappeared, ready to make his way through the city that was at once new and familiar.

Having seen what Discord could do firsthand, each of the girls at the table knew things could go very wrong very fast. But, Fluttershy knew that no such thing would happen. With herself around, she would keep him in line for whenever he started trouble.

Friday night at Applejack’s house had been magical for Spike. As if he were a caterpillar metamorphosing to a butterfly, the trip into and beyond that night felt like it had made a new man out of Spike. Somehow, for some reason, he felt bolder and stronger. Like he could take on anything that came his way.

With his newfound fortitude coursing through his veins, Spike felt he had the nerve to go and surprise Sweetie Belle at her house without calling her.

Puffing his chest and slicking his hair, Spike began walking to his bedroom door to announce himself beneath the window of his love like a scene from Shakespeare.

“Whoah!!” Spike shouted, as he fell to the floor from his bed.

When Spike landed, he knew that something was very wrong. Looking up, he saw that somehow his bed had grown at least a meter and a half taller without his notice.

“Careful. That first step’s a real loo-loo,” called a familiar voice.

“God dammit, Discord! What have you gotten into this time!?” Spike shouted.

“Into? I didn’t get into anything. I’m just here on vacation, and I wanted to see how you were doing,” the voice called.

Spike looked all around his room, but couldn’t find where Discord was hiding. Knowing Discord, he would not be in an obvious place, and would be somewhere like the laundry basket. Or with his magic, he would be hiding under the crack in the door.

Then again, in the spirit of not being obvious, Discord would be in exactly the first place Spike would look.

The elevated bed was obvious enough. After grabbing the leg, Spike pulled it so that it shrunk to the floor. Once it was on its normal level, he pulled back the bedsheets. Beneath, he found a surprising sight. A tiny creature that was the same as the one he met in that other world of colorful ponies.

“You?” Spike said.

“That’s right. Long time, no see, Spike. How have you been since you visited us?” the tiny Discord asked.

“Not bad. Great, actually. What have you been doing?” Spike asked.

“Aw, nothing much. Things are a little too harmonious back home, so I decided to take a vacation. Know any good places for fun?” the miniature deity asked.

“Sure. I have a friend who knows all the good places to go,” Spike answered.

Spike jumped slightly when the tiny Discord crawled up his arm and settled onto his shoulder.

“Then, lead the way, mighty steed. Show me where fun can be found!” Discord ordered, as he pointed ahead like a general of a cavalry.

Spike was never one to take orders lightly. But, as long as fun was to be had, he decided to put off seeing Sweetie Belle to indulge his new visitor.

Over countless cups of coffee, and even more of listening to every hack with a pen and paper, Sunset, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, Dash and Starlight all caught one another up on their day to day lives.

Finally, as the sun was going down and the sky was painting itself with its glorious golden hues, Starlight had to go back to her home.

It was a somewhat somber gathering at the statue front of Canterlot High. But, the girls knew their friend had to go home. Farewells were exchanged and affections were given as Starlight prepared to head back to Equestria.

“So long, sugarcube. Too bad ya can’t stay longer,” Applejack said.

“Me too. But, Twilight has me helping with the Hearth Warming pageant, and I can’t leave her hanging,” Starlight said.

“Wait. Don’t you have to wait for Discord?” Fluttershy said.

“No need. Here I am,” Discord said, appearing from within Starlight’s bouffant hairdo.

“That’s everything I need. Goodbye, everyone,” Starlight bade the others.

“And a fond adieu to you,” Discord said to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy giggled as Discord waved a tiny paw at her.

In a flash, the visitors disappeared back to their home. Though it was sad to see their friend go, the present Rainbooms too knew they had holiday responsibilities to tend to. Side by side, they all left, ready to make this a Christmas to remember.