Warrior of Harmony

The sun crept over the horizon its rays slowly dispelling the night as it rose over the city of Canterlot bathing the snow-capped peak of the mountain the city was built into. In one of the towers of Canterlot Palace, its rays found a way past the blinds to land on the face of a sleeping Human. The young man groaned as he woke mind slowly shaking off the fog of sleep as bright neon green eyes fluttered just before his mouth opened in a yawn and one hand made its way out from under the warm blankets to rub his face. However, he noticed there was something off about today as he found he couldn't use his other hand and it registered an unknown weight laid against his body and when he tried to move the weight would move with him. Lifting the covers the young man was greeted by the sight of a beautiful purple furred mare with the tale tell horn of a Unicorn sticking out of her forehead. She was wrapped around him dressed in her yellow plaid pajamas and still asleep her soft breathing tickling his bare skin where her short muzzle rested on his chest. Twilight Sparkle had found her way into his bed again which he didn't mind since they had been friends ever since they had been kids and before she became his mother's personal student. Spike smiled at the mare clinging to him as he sat up making her tighten her grip and the ears atop her head to lay back as she tried to keep him there but a substitute in the form of his pillow got her to release him. She nuzzled the pillow muttering in her sleep.

"You make the best pancakes Spike," she said making Spike cover his mouth so he didn't start laughing. He covered her back up under the blankets leaving her with the pillow to listen to her sleep talking. Her words, however, had inspired him as he knew what to prepare for their breakfast.

Silently he left his bedroom not caring to put a shirt on as he headed downstairs to start breakfast dressed in only his pajama pants. Reaching the bottom step he was greeted by the mother of all messes. Books of all shapes and sizes littered every table along with stacks of scrolls and notes that the studious mare had accumulated in her study binge the night before. Spike sighed knowing that he had to clean the mess up first before he cooked. Luckily he had a way of doing things fast as his bright green eyes glowed and the cleaning was done in a flash as he raced around the room as a green blur. Books were back on their shelves, scrolls in their proper slots and the notes organized and placed neatly on Twilight's desk. Wiping a little sweat from his brow as his eyes returned to normal the Human stepped into the kitchen and took out what he needed for their breakfast. He had taken the role as her assistant as a means of remaining close to his only friend since he was the only one of his kind in Equestria or Gia for that matter. This placed them as roommates in the tower that doubled as Twilight's study, he pulled on a pink frilly apron to cover his muscled chest as he prepared breakfast for his still slumbering friend.

He was plating the last pancake when Twilight made it down from his bedroom still dressed in her pajamas midnight blue mane with a pink and purple streak matched the tail which stuck out the back of her pajama bottoms both were a mess as she shuffled into the kitchen and sat at the table. When he placed a cup of coffee before her just how she liked it he saw her immediate change from barely awake to fully awake the moment the drink passed her lips. Twilight moaned savoring the coffee as Spike finished with breakfast placing the plates of pancakes on the table. Twilight's eyes lit up as she hungrily stared at the stack of syrup and butter covered flat cakes before hungrily starting to devour the food releasing more moans of pleasure as she enjoyed her food. Spike smiled watching her take huge bites of the food before joining her devouring his own breakfast with the same gusto as Twilight.

When she finished her meal she wiped her mouth with a napkin and smiled at Spike, "Amazing as always Spike," Twilight said in a bright and cheerful tone. "You always seem to know what I'd be craving in the mornings," she commented thoughtfully making Spike just smile at her as he picked up their plates and carried them to the sink to be washed.

"You know me Twi, always aiming to please," he said getting an even brighter smile from the mare before he turned and started washing the dishes.

"I better get my shower and dressed," Twilight said standing up from the table her eyes lingered on Spike as he nodded as he heard her words. She watched him clean eyes lingering on his muscled back noting the wide strip of black scales that ran up his back and across his shoulders that the apron didn't cover. She realized she was staring and felt her face blush turning her purple fur a shade darker as she hurried off to the shower before Spike noticed.

Spike worked in the kitchen unaware of Twilight's lingering stare as he heard her make her way to the bathroom, he dried and put the dishes away before he washed then wiped down the kitchen to keep it looking pristine. As he finished with the kitchen Twilight returned drying her mane. She was wearing a plain button up blouse under a purple vest with a purple plaid skirt that reached her knees with her cutie mark stitched into it on her hip where it was on her body. She was brushing her hair out when she looked over at Spike who was taking off the apron and hanging it up on its hook. She couldn't help staring at his muscled chest and arms her mind generating scenarios where they were wrapped around her in a more sensuous manner than a friendly hug before her mind was too absorbed in fantasies she drew her eyes away and focused on her mane. "I left some hot water for your shower," she said not turning to look at him so he didn't see her blushing face.

"Thanks, Twilight," Spike said getting only an 'Mmmmhmmm' from Twilight in response as she didn't look at him and instead busied herself counting brush strokes. It was a little odd for twilight to avoid his gaze though he probably knew why after a short trek up the stairs to the bathroom. Opening the door he was met with the lingering steam of Twilights shower along with the scent of her body wash and shampoo closing the door behind him he removed his night clothes and grabbed a towel from the cabinets. He paused at the bathroom mirror and examined himself, his face was bare with no sign of stubble which was rather sad as he always wanted a fine and distinguished mustache. His hair meanwhile was bright green cut short along the sides and left long on top and while it was usually styled right now it was mussed from sleep. Bright neon green eyes met his gaze and he quickly noticed the eeriness of his eyes as instead of being surrounded by white like most instead his eyes were surrounded in a blackness that made them appear to be floating in their sockets. This was why Twilight might have been uneasy this morning his eyes would put anyone off especially with their second oddity which was the fact his pupils were actually draconic slits. As he looked at himself he couldn't help but feel that familiar presence that seemed to watch him through his eyes every time he looked at his reflection. Sometimes he even dreamed of this other presence but he couldn't recall anything but blackness and some odd sounds that sounded like someone talking in another language that was just outside his range of understanding. Leaving those thoughts he continued his self-examination taking some pride in his muscled arms and chest that he got from sparring with the Captain of the Royal Guard and his trainer when he made the time for it as he was usually busy helping Twilight with an academic project or they were studying together.

Leaving the mirror he walked into the shower stall and turned on the water it felt good to wash away the last clinging feelings of drowsiness as the hot water washed over him. He hummed a tune to himself an old tune he couldn't remember where he had heard it but it came to mind whenever he was calm and his mind clear. Looking around the shower he found his shampoo and lathered up his hair stepping out of the warm spray of the shower head which left him in the cooler air for a moment. Steam rose off his muscled and sud covered chest before he stepped back under the spray and rinsed the soap from his hair and body. Finished with his shower he wrapped a towel around his waist and dried his hair as he walked into his room to find clean clothes for the day. Moments later he was back out dressed in cargo pants, black shirt with black silk short sleeved button up over it with a design of green flames crawling up from the bottom. Finishing his apparel was a pair of shoes which was an oddity as ponies had hooves for feet but he needed specially designed attire for his to keep them protected from the elements.

Spike walked back downstairs to find Twilight anxiously examining her notes and pulling out a book with her telekinesis that almost hit him if he wasn't paying attention. More books followed that he had to dodge but one still clipped his head as it sped past him. Using her magic to open and flip to the part she needed with furious speed that he feared would hurt the book as she searched for some bit of information discarding each book when she didn't find what she was after. While not unusual he was a little concerned see how she was handling the tomes as she usually handled them with greater care than she was showing now. "There it is!" she declared loudly turning and shouting for him having not realized he was no longer in his room and was, in fact, a few steps away from her which meant she was yelling in his face practically. "Spike!" was all she managed before spotting him right in front of her covering his ears from her volume. She covered her mouth with a hand smiling somewhat apologetically, "Sorry about that, but here take a look at this," she said in her quieter but a still anxious voice.

Spike looked at where she was pointing in the book it was a historical book detailing the banishment of Nightmare Moon. The lack of comprehension on his face must have registered to Twilight as she pointed to the end of the last passage just above an artist depiction of the moon now with a horned ponies profile marked onto it. " 'And the Stars will aid in her escape'. Twi, I'm not getting it," he said which got a growl of frustration from the mare.

"I was going over my astronomical notes from last night and according to the stars and the calendar today is the end of the thousand year banishment of Nightmare Moon and several stars which only align every thousand years are moving into perfect alignment today," she said her voice quickening and sounding really anxious now as she explained what it all meant.

Carefully Spike took the book from his friend and set it down, "Twi, it's just an old Fillies Tale," he began and got a glare from Twilight.

"It's not just a story Spike it's a real historical fact, I need you to send this message to Princess Celestia warning her of the impending danger. If we can get ahead of Nightmare Moon she won't be able to do too much damage," Twilight said holding up a hastily written letter on a sliver of parchment and offering it to him.

Spike looked from the letter before looking into Twilight's desperate eyes watching him and hoping he'd help her as he always did. "Alright Twilight," he said as he took the note and focused on Celestia briefly before breathing green fire on the parchment burning into ash. Luckily his mother had enchanted his flames to carry messages to her when he was very young, he remembered drawing her pictures or writing little messages to her while she was attending to Day Court and burning them to send to her. This led to an often annoyed but smiling Celestia when she eventually caught up to him and drew him into crushing hug where she attempted to shower him with mommy kisses which left them both happy and laughing.

They didn't have long to wait as Spike felt the usual sensation of something working it's way up and out of him in a fiery belch which produced a new piece of parchment. Taking it out of the air he began to read it to Twilight whose face fell from one of excitement to a depressed frown with each word.

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Twilight's mood had not improved even in the chariot which was bringing them to the destination drawn by two Pegasi Guards. Spike who had slipped on a pair of aviator sunglasses he had gotten from Spitfire his fifteenth birthday to hide his eyes was sitting next to her watching the scenery roll by beneath them, for him this was his first time beyond Canterlot. He looked over at his glum companion and decided to move closer to her, putting an arm around her shoulder he pulled her to him giving her a little shake to try and dispell her dower mood. "C'mon Twi, it's not all that bad," he said and even though it had worked with how Twilight sighed and leaned against him before she stiffened and pulled away from his grip.

"She's sending me to overlook the preparations for a party. A PARTY! When Nightmare Moon is bound to return any moment and cast Equestria into eternal night," she said annoyed and frustrated at her Mentor. "And, why do I need to make friends? I've got you," she said which made Spike feel a little happy but he knew his mother had the best intentions with this assignment. They were soon setting down just on the road leading into the town, as they stepped out and the chariot flew off back to Canterlot Spike replied.

"It couldn't hurt to have more friends, and besides the Ponies of Ponyville might have some interesting things to say," he said spotting a mare bouncing down the street towards them. She was all pink from her coat to the tip of her mane and tail wearing a powder blue tank top that seemed desperate to keep her bountiful chest covered and by the way they moved that was all the mare was wearing up top. A pair of jeans that hugged her generous hips finished her attire, she came to a stop before the two of them. "Go ahead Twi," Spike encouraged and even as she rolled her eyes Twilight was at least going to try.

Before Twilight could even introduce herself the pink mare let out an audible and over the top gasp and raced off away from them leaving only a trail of dust in her wake. Twilight looked at Spike as if this was undeniable proof that this was going to be a waste of time receiving an awkward smile and shrug from the Human. "What's first on the list?" Twilight asked resigning herself to the task since they were already there.

"Checking the banquet preparations at Sweet Apple Acres," he read off the list Celestia had sent a moment after the brief letter.

With a heavy sigh Twilight started to shuffle off through the town toward their destination, "Might as well get this over with," she muttered hearing the crunch of Spikes shoes as he caught up and kept pace with her.

The trip through town was interesting at least as they saw many ponies mostly mares since Equestria had an odd five to one ratio of mares and stallions. Twilight noticed a few of them staring at them though most she could tell were watching Spike and she felt her jealousy rising. Meanwhile, her friend was busy taking in the rustic charm of the thatched roofs and the open market where ponies were selling either flowers or produce they grew in their own little gardens.

The walk to Sweet Apple Acres was pleasant with a nice breeze to keep them cool with the occasional cloud to block the sun now and then. The smell of fresh apples on the air told them both that they were on the right path to the farm, also the huge orchard of apple trees they were passing was a good clue. A white fence blocked the apple trees from the road obviously to mark the property line and when it came to an archway with a sign that read 'Sweet Apple Acres they knew they had arrived. It was a nice quiet place with a beautiful tin roof farmhouse, barn, pig pen, chicken coop a small garden of vegetables for the household. Spike could just detect the smell of baked goods coming from the house as they approached until the quiet of the farm was broken by a loud 'YeeHah' and as one, both Spike and Twilight turned their heads and spotted the source. It was revealed to be a tall Earth Pony with a chestnut coat and blond mane done up in a braid with a red band holding it together under a Stetson hat as they rushed at an apple tree and using their muscled legs kicked the trunk with all their might. The kick connected as the tree shook dropping its bounty into strategically placed baskets that caught as many apples as they could while the pony picked up what had landed on the ground.

As they came nearer they could see the pony was a mare built for farm life with her toned physique. Her clothes displayed her body nicely since she wore a green plaid button up shirt that was done up so that it only covered the bountiful breasts of her chest there was also a sports bra underneath the shirt. This left her flat washboard stomach exposed that came to down to her slim waist before exploding out into wide hips covered by denim shorts that left the rest of her toned legs exposed. On either hip of her denim shorts was her cutie mark which appeared to be a set of three apples. She was just a few inches shorter than Spike minus the Stetson, her spring green eyes caught sight of them and she walked up to them.

"Howdy Y'all and welcome to Sweet Apple Acres," she said in a rehearsed manner but the emotion of a warm welcome was genuine in her bright smile.

"Hello, I'm Twilight Sparkle and I'm here to check on the Banquet for the Summer Sunset Celebration," Twilight responded introducing herself. She didn't get much further as the mare closed the distance in a hurry and took on of Twilight's hands in both of hers in a rapid handshake.

"Well It's a delight to be making your acquaintance Twilight Sparkle," she said shaking Twilight's hand so vigorously she was shaking.

"I-I-I t-ta-take i-it yo-your Ap-Applejack," Twilight managed which made the mare stop shaking her hand though Twilight continued to shake till Spike put a hand on her to still her getting a grateful sigh from Twilight.

"Sure as sugar are," she said proudly tipping her Stetson back, "And don't Y'all worry about the Banquet we got all the vittles ya could want. Wanna try a sample?" she asked but before she could say any more, a shout from somewhere drew their attention to an apple cart heavily loaded down with baskets of apples was rolling toward them at high speeds.

"Runaway apple cart!" a young filly warned as she chased after the aforementioned cart. Applejack grabbed Twilight to try and move them out of the way but Twilight stumbled and fell to the ground and they wouldn't make it out of the way in time. Spike reacted fast imposing himself between the cart and mares he braced himself and as the cart hit him he grunted as he just managed to stop and using the cart's momentum lifted the whole thing over his head displaying incredible strength.

"You two alright?" Spike asked getting awestruck nods from Applejack and Twilight, "That's good. Where'd you like this to go Miss Applejack?" he asked but it seemed Applejack was still too much in shock to answer as she stared at him with an odd look in her green eyes.

"Y'all okay?" said a young filly as she got closer her eyes went wide seeing the tall stranger holding the cart over his head with so little strain. "Wow-" she muttered looking up at him before she registered his question. "You can put it near the barn," she said and got a grateful nod from the strange stallion. Heavy hoof falls told them all a new arrival had shown up and when the deep voice of a stallion spoke out it seemed to be enough to snap Applejack out of her stupor.

"Applejack you okay?" asked a tall stallion with a red coat while his mane and tail were a dirty blond color. He wore plain work short sleeved shirt with a green apple on the chest, and a pair of stained jeans. More ponies arrived having heard the commotion some openly staring at Spike as he carried the cart to the barn and set it down. Some looked to have been cooking inside the house or out back gathering apples, Spike nodded politely as he strolled with the apple filled cart above his head.

"Yeah, Bigmac Ah'm fine," Applejack said at last with a sigh as she took off her hat and used it to fan herself while glancing at the odd stallion who saved her from getting struck and hurt. She looked down and noticed the stranger had lost his sunglasses in the rush to save them, she picked them up and followed after him to the barn followed by Twilight who was brushing the dirt off her skirt. She noticed her Grany was also watching the strange stallion as he lowered the cart carefully to the ground near the barns open door. "You dropped these," she said as he straightened back up and she held out the shades when he turned and she got a chance to see his eyes she was taken aback by their peculiar appearance but she caught herself as she looked into their deep green depths as he took the glasses back.

"Thanks," he said as he slipped them on hiding his eyes from view.

"You got some pretty eyes their partner," Applejack said before she could stop herself. She noticed the slight shy smile that appeared on the stallion's face as he scratched the back of his neck his cheeks turning pink which drew Applejack's notice. "What's your name?" she asked smiling up at him which was a little odd for her as she was usually taller than the stallions in town save her brother.

"I'm Spike," he answered offering his hand for a friendly handshake which Applejack accepted. The moment seemed to go on longer than intended as she realized she had just been standing there idly moving her hand up and down while staring at him.

She released his hand with an awkward apologetic smile as she noticed Twilight walking up to them, "You okay Twilight?" she asked the other mare as she finished checking her blouse for any dirt.

"Yeah I'm fine thanks to Spike," Twilight said smiling at him as he just returned the smile with his own.

"Well before I was interrupted I was going to offer Y'all a sample of our foods for the Banquet," she said and while Twilight tried to dismiss the offer Applejack was already moving toward a triangle which she rang calling all the ponies for their meal. "Soups on everpony!" she called loudly that both Spike and Twilight were sure she had been heard all the way in Ponyville. What happened next was still as confusing then as it was to remember as the group of ponies rushed forward with jubilant shouts as they gathered up the guests and half carried half dragged them to a table. Where Applejack proceeded to rattle off the names of all the ponies who turned out were cousins come down for a visit and had offered to help with the banquet. As each came forward they dropped off an apple treat which was either their name or to just be introduced in a blur of rushed words and a glimpse of the pony who owned the name. The last three names were spoken loudly, "This here is Big Macintosh, Applebloom, and Granny Smith," Applejack finished as the old woman approached with the aid of a cane, her mane and tail were done up in tight buns. She wore a bright green dress with an apron bearing a baked apple pie in the lower right corner.

Spike looked hungrily at the mountain of apple treats that filled the air with their sweet aromas of apple and cinnamon or caramel. Twilight, on the other hand, was rather intimidated by the pile of food as she attempted to politely decline the offer of a sample. "It looks like you have everything well in hand we best check with the rest of the preparations," she said motioning a disappointed Spike to follow her till the young filly named Applebloom who had warned them about the cart walked up to her, she had a butter yellow coat with a red mane and tail with her mane pulled up by pink bow. Her autumn orange eyes looked up at them in what could only be weaponized cuteness.

"You mean you're not staying for brunch?" she asked and Spike felt his heart stop from cuteness overload as he the little filly looked up at them with pleading eyes. Twilight couldn't say no to the cuteness and so they stayed for brunch. By the time they left Twilight was holding her stomach and only managing a slow shuffle toward the town. "I think I ate too much pie," she groaned rubbing her stomach which grumbled in distress, "What's next on the list?" she asked him.

Pulling out the parchment with the list from his pant's pocket Spike scanned the list, "Check in with Rainbow Dash whose in charge of clearing the skies for the celebration," he said and both of them looked up to see the many clouds drifting overhead.

"Well she's not doing a good job," she said then grasped her stomach as it made more unhappy noises, "I don't think I can walk like this," she said groaning as she held her stomach before turning to Spike hopefully "Spike...carry me..." Twilight pleaded as she reached toward him.

Spike sighed smiling he turned and was about to help her onto his back before a cyan blur crashed into Twilight sending her into a mud puddle and the blur into a bush. Spike rushed over to Twilight and picked her up out of the mud disregarding the mess it made of his clothes. The pony in the bushes managed to dislodge herself and flutter over to them, the pony was a pegasus mare with an athletically toned body. Her breasts were covered by a Wonderbolt tank top from what spike could tell smaller than Twilights, her mane and tail were rainbow colored and her coat was blue. Her jogging shorts had a rainbow lightning bolt coming out of a cloud stitched on the side where it would normally be. She looked at the mud-covered Twilight and smiled embarrassedly as she scratched the back of her neck.

"Sorry about that," she said then her face brightened as she flapped her wings hovering off the ground, "I can fix it just give me a sec," and with that the rainbow-maned pegasus shot off into the sky and returned with a small dark cloud which she proceeded to bounce on and cause it to release its retained water in one heavy down power which washed the mud off Twilight. When she was finished with the cloud Twilight was still soaking wet, "One last thing my patented Rainblow Dry," the Pegasus said as she flew around Twilight so fast she left a rainbow streak behind her while creating a small vortex of air. When she stopped and the wind died down they were left with a dizzy and poofy mane and tailed twilight, the pegasus mare couldn't stop her self from busting out in hysterics at the sight. Spike tried to resist laughing by covering his mouth but looking at Twilight with her poofy mane was proving too much as it looked too comical on the usually straight maned unicorn. Spike lost it and joined the cyan pegasus in laughing as well until Twilight recovered enough to talk and was obviously mad at them for laughing at her.

"No need to ask who you are," Twilight said as the rainbow-maned pegasus sat up recovering from her laughter and wiping a tear from her eye. "You must be Rainbow Dash," she said and upon hearing her name the mare perked up ears standing up as she regained her hoofs smiling cockily and proudly.

"The one and only," she said using her wings to flying up to proudly display her wings and show off her athletic body. "Fastest flyer in all Equestria and future Wonderbolt," she added with a display of speed and a simple loop-de-loop before landing on the cloud she had used to clean Twilight and laid on her stomach to look at them.

"Did you say Wonderbolt?" Twilight asked looking up at the cyan pegasus.

"Yep, they're the best aerial acrobatic team in all Equestria and they'll be putting on a show tonight for the Summer Sun Celebration," she said excitedly. "That's when I'm going to show them my stuff," she continued going on about how she'd wow the crowd with her acrobatics before finishing it off with something she calls the Buckaneer Blaze. "They'll be so impressed they'll beg me to join them," the prismatic mare finished with a huge smile on her face as she looked like she had already received such an invitation.

"Yeah, like Captain Spitfire will want a weather pegasus who can't keep the skies clear for one measly day," Twilight in a matter of fact tone which caught Rainbow Dash's attention.

"What this? I can clear this up in ten seconds flat," she boasted smiling smugly at her as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Prove it," Twilight challenged and Rainbow Dash smirked before taking off. She moved so fast she left a rainbow-colored trail behind her as she kicked, punched and tail swatted the clouds out of the sky faster than they had ever seen a pegasus fly before. It was precisely ten seconds later when the Pegasi finished with a smug smile still on her face before she laughed at their expressions. Both Spike and Twilight's jaws had hit the floor as Rainbow Dash laughed as she flew off.

"You're okay Twilight Sparkle can't wait to hang with you again and you too shades," she said to the two of them before taking off leaving only a rainbow streak across the sky.

"Well that's taken care of," Twilight said as he shook off her amazement, "What's next?" she asked.

"Decoration a Miss Rarity Belle is in charge of that," Spike answered and pointed off into the distance at a tall purple and white building with the Equestrian flag fluttering in the breeze atop it. "In Town Hall," he continued adjusting his sunglasses on his face.

The stroll to Town Hall was uneventful as it seemed the ponies that were out and about before had vanished for some reason. Twilight busied herself fussing over her poofy mane and tail as she tried in vain to undo what Rainbowdash's 'help' had done to it. She muttered and struggled till she just gave up and resigned herself to living with it till she could take care of it. As they approached they took a short path to a set of double doors on the outside of the larger part of the building. The Town Hall had two parts, the main building which was for official town business and where the Mayor's office was located. The second was the gathering hall which was the much larger part of the building with the flag atop it which is where Spike and Twilight entered. The whole building was decorated in golden ribbons with banners depicting Celestia's Cutie Mark of the sun, poles held more banners but these were the Equestrian flag showing Celestia and her sister Luna both with their respective charges over their heads separating the Gold from the black which was dotted with small silver stars. The floor was bare save for the carpet going from the doors Twilight and he had just come through which lead up to the stage used by the school for plays or the Mayor for announcements.

"Well, this looks perfectly fine to me," Twilight said but when she didn't receive a confirmation from Spike she looked back at him and caught him staring at a white coated mare as she used her magic to float different color ribbons before her eyes. Twilight took in her well-proportioned curves and well styled purple mane and tail. The look on Spike's face was that of dumbstruck infatuation and she couldn't help feeling a pain in her chest and a wave of jealousy as she glared at the mare before she reigned in these feelings. Spike was her best friend and nothing more so to feel this way was silly she told her self as she approached the mare followed by Spike whose eyes never left the mare.

She was wearing a light purple silk shirt with mother of pearl buttons the top five buttons were undone giving just a peek at her cleavage. She tucked the shirt into her suit pants to perfectly accentuate her slim stomach before you came to her hip-hugging pinstripe pants. Her perfectly styled mane curled at the end same as her tail giving her an even more elegant look. The sleeves of her shirt had been rolled up as she worked muttering a no as she dismissed one ribbon after another. Twilight could just spot the light application of eyeshadow over each of her eyes giving them a seductive appearance. She was clearly the Miss Rarity Belle that the list had mentioned, the mare continued her browsing of ribbons until Twilight coughed politely to get her attention. When she turned and saw Twilight her eyes widened and she moved back from her as though she had seen something horrid.

"Hi, I'm Twilight Sparkle and this is Spike we're just inspecting the preparations for the Celebration and it seems you got this under control so we'll get out of your hair," she said quickly embarrassed by her appearance in front of such a refined mare.

"My hair? What about your hair?" she said as she approached the two of them looking over Twilight first then Spike. When she looked at him she had a similar reaction to the mud and grime on his clothes from when he pulled Twilight out of the mud which he had forgotten was there after all the laughing he had done. "Oh my you're both a mess," she said and with a flash of her horn, she had teleported them and herself to a different location looking around they were surrounded by shelves covered in bolts of cloth from every kind of fabric. Ponyquins stood with partially finished dresses or suits on them all for varying occasions. "I shan't allow this travesty to persist," the Fashionista continued as she rushed the two of them to separate bathrooms so they could clean themselves. She left Spike once he had closed the door and returned to Twilight to help her with her hair.

"So you run a boutique?" Twilight asked once she was dried off and Rarity was fussing with her mane.

"Of course Darling," Rarity answered smiling, "Rarity's Boutique where everything is Chique, Unique, and Magnifique," she said using her store motto and everything. "I'm sure you've heard of it?" she said looking at Twilight expectantly.

"No sorry," Twilight replied with an apologetic smile and Rarity's smile faded.

"Ah well," Rarity sighed but then got down to business, "First your hair must be fixed, honestly did you lose a fight with you blowdryer?" she asked getting a chuckle out of Twilight.

"No, I had a run in with Rainbow Dash," Twilight answered once her giggles had gone with her mane done up to look like a swan.

"Ah, say no more Darling," Rarity said while using her magic to put Twilight's hair into all manner of styles but dismissing them as quickly for some reason or other. "It also explains why your boyfriend was covered in mud," she continued getting a laugh and a shake of Twilight's head which messed up the swan letting her mane return to its normal state.

"We're not...we're just friends," Twilight said trying to hide her blush as she fussed with her hair Rarity did notice however and she smiled while letting Twilight pull on a robe and they left the bathroom. Rarity led Twilight to another part of her store and began to rummage around for something for her to wear.

"Well I don't blame you he's an odd looking Stallion," Rarity said testing her theory on her attraction to Spike

"What do you mean odd?" Twilight said and apparently by her tone the mare could tell she was getting defensive.

"Well I did notice he doesn't look like a pony," she started trying to be tactful and smooth things over with Twilight. Seeing she was about to say something Rarity hastened onward, "It's not a bad thing Darling we don't see many mixed couples here in our quaint little town," she continued and noticed Twilight's reaction.

"I told you we're not a couple, we're just friends," she said at last, "I doubt he'd go for such a plain mare as me," she finished sadly.

"My dear no mare is ever plain," Rarity said gently getting Twilight to look at her as she put a hand on her shoulder, "All it takes is the right dress a touch of makeup and a dash of allure and a mare can catch any stallion," Rarity said encouragingly. Spike's return was announced by the sound of shuffling behind them. Twilight looked over at Spike noticing he had altered his appearance giving himself a tail obviously to hold up the pants that were made with a tail hole. Rarity noticed the black scaled appendage and was rather surprised by it noticing the green spines running down the middle toward the splayed tip. "Black and green is definitely your color," she said but then noticed he wasn't wearing the shirt which gave her a fine look at Spike's toned arms and muscled chest. The black scales had wrapped around the edges of his front giving him a striped appearance.

"The shirt was too small," he said as he lifted his and Twilight's dirty clothes, "I'll put these in the wash just tell me where," he offered.

"Oh right, it's down the hall over there and to the left just put them in for a power wash with a cap of soap," she instructed and Spike nodded before strolling off to put the clothes in the wash. Rarity watched him go biting her lower lip as she watched his muscles move under the black scales covering his back. When she looked at Twilight she noticed her flushed face and her own lingering and longing stare. "I believe you want to be more than friends don't you?" she asked shocking Twilight from her fantasies.

"W-what? N-no," she said but when Rarity raised a well-groomed eyebrow Twilight couldn't hide it anymore, "Yes but what if he doesn't like me that way? We've been friends since we were foals," she said sadly.

"Well Darling, you never know if you don't try and I suggest doing so sooner than later," Rarity advised. "Not many mares around here who wouldn't jump on an available stallion to Herd with if they got the chance," she added her eyes drifting in Spikes direction as he returned chest still bare and Rarity couldn't hide her attraction to his rippling muscles and broad shoulders. Even Twilight was staring as well which made Spike look a little nervous as he removed his sunglasses.

"What? Do I have mud on my face?" he asked as his green draconic slitted eyes falling on the two mares. Rarity was surprised by his eyes as she felt something predatory about them but this seemed to excite her rather than turn her off the strange stallion.

Rarity was quick to recover though and spoke up, "It's nothing dear just you have rather...stunning eyes," she said waving her hand dismissively and smiling at him. "Now wait in the main room while I fix Twilight's hair," she instructed and Spike who once again obeyed and went toward the front of the boutique where ponyquins held finished dresses or suits. Once he was gone Rarity directed Twilight to remove the robe as she offered up a selection of clothes for Twilight to try. "So tell me, dear, where are the two of you from?" she asked as she tried to squeeze Twilight into a dress with a corset making Twilight gasp 'Canterlot'. At once Rarity lost her grip on the corset's strings as she gripped Twilight's shoulders and spun her around pressing the tip of her muzzle against Twilight's. "Canterlot! Oh, I've always dreamed of opening a boutique there," she said dreamily, "The culture, the sophistication all of it is simply divine," she said smiling as she seemed to imagine herself rubbing shoulders with the Canterlot elite. "Tell me all about it," she pleaded.

"Sorry Rarity but we have a few more preparations to check for the celebration," Twilight said apologetically to the Fashionista.

"Oh yes, of course, another time perhaps?" she said and Twilight nodded.

In the end, Twilight pulled on her regular clothes after she dried them and Spikes clothes instantly with a simple drying spell that Rarity asked her to show her sometime. They brought Spike's clothes out to him catching him snoozing in a chair near the front window. He woke with a single prod from Twilight who giggled at his groggy face as he shook off the light sleep. They handed him his dry clothes and he went back into the back rooms to change and when he returned he was back to normal with no tail. This too got Rarity's attention as she seemed surprised at the changes and tried to puzzle it out.

"He's a Kirin," Twilight spoke up to explain why Spike had a tail one moment and didn't the next. Rarity appeared to accept this as she hummed to herself and saw them out of her boutique telling them both goodbye before teleporting back to Town Hall to finish her decorating. Once they were on their way Twilight glanced at Spike, "What's left?" she asked and waited for him to pull the parchment from his pocket which he had luckily remembered to remove before putting them in the wash.

"Last is music led by Miss Fluttershy," he said and he tapped his chin as he tried to think where they could find the final pony in charge of helping the celebration.

As they walked they began to hear the song of birds but this was different instead of each bird singing their own song they were singing in harmony. The music was beautiful and the two friends glanced at one another before diverting off the path to find the source of the music. They were needless to say surprised at what they found. A choir of birds sitting on a specially made perch each bird singing with the others led by a pegasus mare who was quietly singing along as she leads the choir. She was a beautiful mare with flowing pink mane and tail with a butter yellow coat, she wore a spring grass green sundress with a set of three butterflies on her wide hips. She was pleasantly curved and with a generous bust that if Spike had anything to compare them to would be slightly bigger than Applejacks'. The music continued until a Blue Jay began to sing his own tune which threw off the other birds and the mare stopped them quietly speaking to the Blue Jay to correct him.

"Um...Excuse me, Mr.Blue Jay...Um...Your singing is beautiful but we need everyone's singing the same so...Um...Would you mind trying to sing with the others?" she asked politely and the bird nodded getting a grateful 'thank you' from the mare. That's when Twilight decided to introduce herself.

"Hello," she said her voice startling the mare and her birds as they flew off in a flutter of wings and chirps. "Oops, sorry about that," Twilight apologized.

"It's okay, they'll be back," she said still in her quiet tone as the mare nervously tried to hide behind her flowing pink mane. Spike fought the urge to clutch his chest as he thought his heart would stop from cute overload.

"Well I'm Twilight Sparkle who are you?" she asked the shy pegasus.

"I'm Fluttershy," she said so low that Spike or Twilight couldn't hear her.

"What?" Twilight asked again leaning closer the mare looked even more nervous as she shook a little.

"I'm Fluttershy," she answered again and Twilight just managed to hear her.

"Oh, you're the Fluttershy in charge of the music for the celebration," Twilight said happily, "We got to hear some of it and it's wonderful," Twilight said complimenting Fluttershy on her contribution.

"Oh...um...Thank you but it's nothing really," muttered but then her ears perked up as something Twilight said registered. "We?" she said confused till she looked around and saw Spike. "Oh my," she said coming up to him her shyness seemingly forgotten. "I've never seen a pony like you before," she said smiling as she looked him over.

"Well I'm Spike and I'm not a Pony I'm a Kirin," he said smiling at Fluttershy as her eyes brightened as she returned the smile.

"Fascinating I've never met a Kirin before," she said walking around him curiously.

"Well you have today," he said as he scratched the back of his neck feeling odd about his race being a big deal to anypony.

"I'd like to ask you some questions...if you don't mind?" she asked her shy demeanor returning as she stepped back and hiding behind her mane again.

"Well...what would you like to know?" he asked her and was surprised when she was suddenly up close to him her breasts pushed against his chest with her hands on his shoulders.

"Everything!" she said enthusiastically throwing herself at Spike which had the effect of pressing her overly generous bosom against his chest and bringing her face right up to his. Her blue eyes shimmered with intense interest as she seemed to be very excited to learn about his race. Spike for his part was speechless having such a beautiful mare pressed against him in such an intimate way was sending his male hormones into the red as his mind was starting to fill with dirty thoughts of the butter yellow pegasus mare. A forced cough from their right drew his attention to a rather angry looking Twilight as she eyed how intimately close he and Fluttershy were. The other mare seemed to realize this as well as she made a cute 'meep' noise and moved away from him.

"I-I'm sor-sorry about that," she said blushing brightly as she hid her face behind her long pink hair again her voice was so quiet Spike actually had to strain his ears to hear her.

"It's fine really," Spike said scratching his neck blushing himself as he tried not to think about what he had been imagining with the shy Pegasus. "Well how about I tell you about Kirin while we walk to the library?" he suggested and only received a shy nod from Fluttershy as she kept most of her blushing face hidden from sight. The three of them began to walk then as he started telling Fluttershy all he knew about Kirin which after learning what he was from his mother he had done deep research about. The information was limited since Kirin were so rare to the point of near Myth to Ponies but still, he told the attentive pegasus mare what he had found.

The Ponyville Library was a large tree in the center of town built with the help of Unicorn and Earthpony magic to keep it alive and growing while also being able to allow the librarian to live and work inside it. It wasn't the only one of its kind but was the largest as far as Spike knew. Golden Oaks Library was advertised from a sign hanging above the door under a carving of who he assumed was Celestia with her Wings outstretched as she was depicted reading a book to young fillies and colts. It was around when he and Twilight reached the door that his lecture on Kirin came to an end.

"Well we're here," Twilight said hastily opening the door even as Fluttershy appeared to be trying to warn her but still hadn't recovered from her awkward moment with Spike to voice her warning before a blast of "SURPRISE!!" came from the darkened Library as the lights came on and many Ponies jumped out from their hiding places. The shock and surprise had made the oblivious Twilight jump higher than Spike had ever thought possible as he managed to catch her before she landed and hurt herself. Once the Unicorn Mare was on her feet again a pink blur rushed up to her.

"Hi, I'm Pinkameana Diane Pie but you can call me Pinkie Pie," she said talking rather fast as she gave Twilight a tight hug. Spike recognized her as the first pony they met upon arriving in town as she too gave him a welcoming hug. "Were you surprised? Huh, huh?" she asked bouncing in place which naturally made her boobs bounce as well giving proof she wore no bra under her top. Pinkie continued to ramble on about how she knew everypony in Ponyville but when she met them she didn't know them so that meant they were new and had to throw them a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party. "As Ponyville's one and only party planner Pony it was easy to get everything done," she finished at last. She vanished as quickly as she appeared among the mass of Ponies talking and partying while music played.

"Howdy Y'all," came the familiar drawl of the farm pony Applejack as she and a few of the others they had met walked up to them out of the crowd. "Pinkie sure knows how to throw a humdinger of a welcome party, huh?" she continued smiling at him and Twilight who was looking rather annoyed that once again her plan to do research on Nightmare Moon had been delayed.

"I'll say! When I heard Pinkie was throwing a Welcoming bash I knew I had to be there," replied Rainbow Dash standing next to the Earthpony, "Hey Flutters glad you came out," she added reminding Twilight and Spike of their tag along. The mentioned mare smiled at her fellow Pegasus and made a small wave of greeting.

"Of course Pinkie's parties are always a good time Rainbow Dash," Rarity spoke casually tossing her purple curls over her shoulder.

"Why don't I go get some drinks and snacks for us?" Spike offered in hopes to give Twilight a chance to get to know the mares without him. He didn't wait for a response as he walked into the crowd.

**POV Twilight**

Before she knew it Spike had left her alone with five mares and she was feeling incredibly nervous as she rarely talked to other ponies besides spike. A part of her just wanted to find a quiet place and wait for the celebration in the morning hoping that Spike and Celestia were right that she was merely getting worked up for nothing with this whole Nightmare Moon story. But she couldn't just ignore this growing feeling in her gut that something bad was going to happen even with Spike's optimism.

"So what's the story with that guy?" Rainbow Dash asked pulling Twilight from her thoughts. Twilight didn't know who she was talking about till the rainbow maned pegasus pointed over to where Spike was still making his way through the crowd of ponies.

"Oh Spike? He's my assistant," Twilight answered as she looked around not really paying attention to the conversation and as the crowd parted they revealed a near empty punch bowl with a few bottled drinks nearby. Twilight made her way over to it as the girls followed now talking about Spike. Talking about him had been the last thing on her mind as it stirred up her emotions and she didn't know how she could handle it much more.

"He is quite handsome for a...Um," Rarity started but couldn't remember what Twilight had called Spike's Race.

"Kirin," Fluttershy said getting Rarity's attention.

"Yes, thank you Fluttershy Darling," the Fashionista said gratefully.

"Well he's not 'Soarin' handsome but he's okay," Rainbow Dash said shrugging her shoulders.

"Who wants some twiggy Pegasus show pony when ya can have a strong Stallion around the house," Applejack butted in getting a glare from Rainbow Dash.

Twilight for her part was only half paying attention as she tried preparing herself a drink. Her mind was so cluttered with thoughts and feeling she didn't notice as she picked up a hot sauce bottle and poured it into a cup. Looking back at the girls it seemed Rainbow Dash and Applejack were squaring off for something.

"Pegasi aren't 'Twiggy'," Rainbow Dash growled as she came muzzle to muzzle with Applejack.

"Oh, yeah? Prove it," Applejack challenged smiling confidently at Rainbow Dash who glared back with an equally confident grin as she approached Applejack till Rarity intervened.

"Will you two honestly give this silly rivalry between you a rest for one evening," Rarity said getting between the two of them.

With no one else to talk to Fluttershy took this moment to work up the courage and ask Twilight a question just as said mare was taking a drink of what she thought was a normal drink. "Um...I was wondering...What's it like having a boyfriend like Spike? If you don't mind my asking," she asked as kindly innocent and curious as she could.

Twilight was so caught off guard not only by the question from Fluttershy but also from the hot taste of Hot Sauce in her mouth and throat. She coughed and hacked as the heat from the sauce made her face flush. Fluttershy was apologizing and hurriedly tried to fix a drink but her flustered state made her too panicked to do much while Twilight tried to breathe with tears in her eyes. The other girls tried to help as well but all the other bottles were empty. Twilight was saved by the timely return of Spike as he quickly passed her a drink to cool her burning mouth. She gasped and panted as she finished the drink and leaned her head against Spike's broad chest as she calmed down. She looked up into the smiling face of Spike.

"You okay?" he asked her.

Twilight felt fortunate that the Hot Sauce had given her a flushed face as it was easier to blame it rather than her growing attraction to her best friend and number one assistant. She didn't answer except to nod as she wiped the tears the coughing fit had brought from her eyes. Fluttershy was relieved that Twilight was alright as she tried apologizing in her shy quiet voice and it took Twilight telling her it was okay a few times before the worried pegasus calmed down. This little episode seemed to have ended the argument between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. At this time Pinkie Pie appeared as if from nowhere as she examined the bottle of Sauce.

"There it is, how'd you get over here?" she said as she picked up the bottle. To the disgust of the others, she poured the sauce over a cupcake and proceeded to eat it with a satisfied look on her face. Pinkie noticed the looks on their faces and after swallowing the snack she gave them all a questioning look, "What? It's good," she said in her defense with a bright genuine smile. While the girls just shrugged this off having lived with Pinkie for so long they just accepted her quirks. Pinkie walked up to the Twilight and Spike, she was looking at Spike right in his eyes as she got closer and before he could say anything Pinkie smiled. "Your eyes are really cool," she said while continuing to stare at an increasingly uncomfortable looking Spike.

Twilight just couldn't take any more as she pushed away from Spike and started making her way to the stairs that led to the bedrooms. "I'm going to lay down for a bit," she said not waiting for a response as she started walking leaving Spike with the others. Once she reached one of the rooms she fell on the bed feeling exhausted with all that happened today while outside the moon rose. As it's pale light fell on her she looked up at the moon and saw the silhouette of the Mare in the Moon still upon its surface and her feeling of worry only grew. She let her thoughts wander as she tried to process that she might be wrong about Nightmare Moon but another thought crept up and that was how she felt about Spike. She cared for him more than anything but was it Love or something else. She had never been in a situation like this and even trying to push the thoughts away didn't work. She groaned grabbing a pillow and covering her head with it as just wanted an answer to all the questions building in her head. With her head covered by the pillow, she didn't notice the silhouette on the moon vanish as four stars moved into alignment around the moon.