Spike The Brony Dragon

Fluttershy and I were having a picnic with Moondancer and Tyke by the Castle of the Two Sisters.

“It was nice of you to invite us over for a picnic, Fluttershy,” said Moondancer.

“The pleasure's mine,” Fluttershy replied. “I've wanted to see how the castle held up since our restoration project. Princess Celestia's guards did a good job maintaining it.”

As we continued eating, Tyke stared at some birds flying by. He then climbed on Moondancer’s back and flapped his arms. He leaped off but landed on the picnic blanket just a foot away from Moondancer.

“What was that all about?” I asked.

“I'm trying to fly,” Tyke said. “I don't know how birds are able to do it, or other flying creatures for that matter.”

“Birds can fly because they have light bodies,” said Fluttershy. “As for other creatures, like pegasi, their wings can produce enough thrust to keep them airborne. That and a little bit of magic.”

“I didn’t take you for someone interested in flying, Tyke,” I said.

“Yeah, I liked seeing the pegasi flying around and the different flying machines the other ponies used,” said Tyke. “Maybe someday, Diamond Dogs will join the skies.”

“I don't know,” Fluttershy circled her hoof. “To me, it seems like it will take a while, but it’s doable I guess.”

Moondancer said, “You could be the first flying Diamond Dog if you try hard enough, Tyke.”

“And as long as you don’t give up, you’ll go far,” I concluded.

“Thanks, you g—AH!” Tyke quickly covered his ears. “Ow! Ow!”

“Tyke, what’s wrong?!” Moondancer stood up.

“You didn’t hear that?!”

“Hear what?” Fluttershy asked.

“That high-pitched scream,” Tyke replied. “None of you heard that?”

“No. Maybe you have tinnitus?” I asked. “It’s when your ears make a ringing sound all of a sudden.”

“No, it’s…it’s gone now…” Tyke looked around. “I don’t hear that sound anymore.”

“Some dogs have highly sensitive hearing,” Fluttershy suggested. “Maybe the same goes for Diamond Dogs.”

“That would explain how I caught so many mosquitoes that one night without them biting me.”

Once our picnic was done, we left the Everfree Forest. Moondancer and Tyke went home while Fluttershy and I returned to her cottage.

“Thanks for the picnic,” I said.

“Your welcome, Spike,” Fluttershy looked at the forest. “To think that nopony would go anywhere near the Everfree Forest. Now it’s not as scary, at least a little less.”

I gave Fluttershy a hug before parting ways. On my way back home, something didn’t feel right.

Did I miss out on an episode? Maybe I’ll figure it out if I head home.

“Wow, that’s a lovely sofa, Sprinkle!” A voice called out.

I turned to see two ponies talking to each other; one of them was driving a wagon with a yellow chaise.

“Thank you,” said Sprinkle. “It wasn’t easy to get. Everypony wanted to buy it.”

Wait…I remember that couch from that scene in…uh, oh!

I dashed over to Sugarcube Corner. I didn’t have to enter to see bubbles coming out of one of the windows.

“Geeze, this remover sure takes its sweet time to remove,” Pinkie said from inside.

Oh, no! This episode is happening already! I know some episodes would occur out of order, but this of all episodes just had to show up so soon?!

I rushed over to the castle, thinking about this dreaded episode. In the show, Rarity accidentally ruins her mane, and has to find a way to restore it before her upcoming photoshoot.

While Rarity does find a way to work around her conundrum, it confused me how Twilight and Starlight were unable to help her, even though it was confirmed that growth spells were a thing. More importantly was why Rarity couldn’t wear a wig, as there were plenty in Ponyville.

I busted through the double doors and sped to the library. I slammed open the doors just to see Twilight and Starlight talking to Rarity. Rarity quickly threw her hood up.

Great! I really did miss the first half of this episode.

“S-Spike! How marvelous t-to see you!” Rarity nervously greeted. “Well, d-don’t let us waste your t-time, off you go!”

“Let me guess,” I said. “Your mane got messed up.”

“Who told you that?!”

“Gray robe. Distressed look. Pleading with Twilight and Starlight. How bad is it?”

“You don’t want to know, darling.”

“Try me.”

“Very well. You are not going to like it.”

Rarity unveiled herself. Just like in the show, her mane looked like it got hit by a weedwacker, run over by a lawnmower, and hacked by a hedge trimmer all at the same time.

“Yikes,” I said weakly.

“I know! It’s a disaster!” Rarity cried. “I accidentally used a remover potion Zecora made and this happened! What’s worse is that I have a photoshoot tomorrow, and Twilight and Starlight are too stubborn to restore my mane!”

“We’re not being stubborn Rarity,” Twilight retorted. “We just can’t do it ability-wise.”

“It’s just like Zecora said,'' Starlight pointed out. “Fixing manes with magic is...”

“TRICKY! I KNOW!” Rarity shouted.

“Hold on a moment,” I said to Starlight and Twilight. “You can duplicate yourself, make a dragon travel through time, teleport to tons of locations, even move a ginormous ball of gas across the sky, and yet growing a simple mane is nigh impossible?”

“Pretty much,” Starlight bluntly said.

“But it can’t be that hard. If Twilight can cast a spell to give a dragon a mustache, I’m sure she can do the same to give a mare a new mane. Hint, hint?”

“Growing a mustache is much different than growing a mane, Spike,” Twilight said.

“Much different, my tail! All you have to do is cast it on top of her head rather than on her face.”

Twilight bit her lip. “Okay...” Twilight held Rarity’s head. She then pointed her horn on top of her scalp. “Keep in mind, it’s been a while since I cast that spell. Here goes…”

One flash of her horn, and suddenly hair grew, but not on Rarity’s head.

“Gah! Twilight!” Rarity had a goatee on her face.

“Sorry! Sorry! I can fix it!” Twilight screamed. Another flash and Rarity was clean-shaven. “See, Spike? I can’t grow hair directly from her mane.”

“Can’t Rarity just wear a wig, then?” I asked. “There’s a store that sells plenty of them.”

“Oh, no! I am not wearing those plastic things!” Rarity barked. “Photo Finish has the eyes of a hawk. She will know and think I’m a fraud! I never wore a fake mane, and in spite of my demolished hairdo I am not that desperate to do so today!”

Good grief…

All at once, Zecora showed up.

“At last, Rarity, I have searched for so long!” Zecora said. “What I told you before was totally wrong!”

“Zecora, you found a cure?” Twilight asked. “That's amazing!”

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Even with Zecora's potioneering, Rarity's mane wouldn't be restored in time before her photoshoot, much to the fashionista’s chagrin.

“Hey, Rarity, listen.” I gave her some tissues. “I know your mane getting ruined has destroyed some of your confidence, but you shouldn't let that hold you back. You've done a lot of things, such as building a fashion business in three different cities, making all your friends look and feel fashionable in all your creations, and even sacrificing your tail to help a sea serpent. It doesn't matter what happens to your appearance. You could have an entirely shaved head, hot butter spilled on your face, and the skin of an elderly walrus and that wouldn't alter a thing. You're still our friend, Rarity, and nothing will ever change that.”

Rarity wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. “I do appreciate the encouragement, Spikey-Wikey, but unfortunately these photographers at Vanity Mare couldn’t care less of somepony’s personality as long as their looks are exceptional. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.”

She pulled out a mirror and looked at herself. I half-expected it to shatter like in a cartoon, but thankfully, it didn’t happen.

“If you ask me, those ponies are punks for thinking that way,” I snarked.

“Punks…punks…” Rarity gasped. “That’s it!” She sprang up from the sofa. “I know just how to fix this mane! Get all the girls and bring them to the boutique later today! I’ve got something that just might work!”

She raced out of the room, not even bothering to pull her hood up. Twilight, Starlight, and Zecora exchanged confused looks.

“I wonder what she has in mind,” Starlight pondered.

“We'll just have to wait and see,” I responded. “Oh, and Zecora?”

“Hmm?” Zecora raised an eyebrow.

“Try to label your potions better!”

“For that kind of advice, you don't need to say twice.”

Later that day, the girls (excluding Rarity), Starlight, and I headed over to Rarity’s boutique. Pinkie’s mane was significantly puffier than usual thanks to the shampoo.

“I knew something was off about the remover when it hardly made a dent in the sticky-string,” said Pinkie. “Good thing you stopped me, Twilight. I could've filled the entire place with bubbles. Not that I wouldn't be thrilled if it happened.”

“Yeah, and now I know how and why Rarity used a remover potion on her mane,” Twilight said.

“Didn't see her all day,” Applejack said. “Was it really that bad?”

Twilight, Starlight, and I shared uncomfortable verbal confirmations.

“Oh, my. I can't imagine how devastated she felt when it happened.” Fluttershy shivered.

“The important thing is that she found some way to fix it.” Twilight scratched her chin. “Whatever it was.”

Once we arrived at the boutique, Twilight knocked on the front door.

“Come in!” Rarity singsonged from the other side.

“She doesn't sound so devastated now,” Rainbow said.

We entered the boutique. Rarity was nowhere to be seen, but shuffling noises emitted behind one of the changing screens.

“We’re all here, Rarity,” announced Twilight. “What did you want to show us?”

“Well, I'm sure at least half of you already know about my predicament in regards to my mane earlier today, but fear not. Since I cannot shine from the outside in…”

Rarity appeared from the screens. Her mane was now a mohawk, and she wore a studded vest and bracelets to boot.

“...I'm preparing to shine from the inside out!” She concluded.

Everypony around me reacted with great astonishment.

“Wow, Rarity. You look different,” Pinkie pointed out. “Did you get a new hoof polish?”

The rest of the day played out like in the show. Rarity returned to each shop she previously visited with her ruined mane, but with significantly better results.

Later, the girls and I met up with Rarity at the furniture store.

Applejack said, “Well, Rarity, if you wanted to shine from the inside out, I think this afternoon, you became the brightest filly in Equestria!”

“Oh, Applejack. I'm simply making up for all the time I wasted feeling sorry for myself,” Rarity said humbly.

“I don't know why you were so upset,” Rainbow said. “Your mane looks awesome!”

“Thank you. I'm just glad Spikey-Wikey reminded me that I can look good on the outside as long as I feel good on the inside.”

“Yeah,” I said. “The ‘It’s the inside that counts’ lesson may be a cliché, but it’s still a great lesson nonetheless.”

“I hope the ponies at Vanity Mare will admire your new look,” said Starlight.

“Not to worry,” Rarity responded. “I've a good feeling about this.”

Tomorrow arrived so quickly. I grouped with Rarity to witness the photoshoot.

“Thank you for joining me, Spike,” said Rarity.

“Don’t mention it. I wanted to see how Vanity Mare would react to your new style.”

We entered the studio and checked in. We then went to the photo room just in time for the photographers to finish with another model. From what I could tell, they looked like they were ready to fall asleep.

“Alright, that’s enough time,” Photo Finish’s voice said. “You go now, Floo-er.”

Fleur-de-lis nodded and left the studio. She passed us with wide eyes.

“Oh, I love your manecut, miss,” Fleur said as she exited the building.

“Next is…Miss Rarity! Vhere is she?!” Photo called out.

“Here I am!” Rarity announced as she and I approached the photographers.

Immediately, everypony perked up and pointed their cameras at Rarity.

“Finally! Something diff…er, something with zhe magics!” Photo declared. That’s when the sound of camera shutters resonated behind her. “No! No! Vait until she’s near the backdrop!”

The photographers stood patiently as Rarity got into position. Then the flood of flash photography came bursting in. The session lasted so long that by the time the crew finished, they ran out of film and were half an hour behind schedule for the next models.

“Wunderbar!” Photo exclaimed. “You will shine across Equestria, I vill guarantee it!”

Rarity’s face lit up as if the cameras took more photos.

Photo Finish wasn’t kidding about Rarity shining, because once the magazine published, Rarity’s punk rock style took the entire town by storm. Most residents wore mohawk wigs and punk outfits. I almost convinced Twilight to buy me an electric guitar.

“Who knew Rarity could turn a ruined mane into a new fashion trend?” Twilight asked as we walked down the street.

“Yeah, once she gets over the drama, she can pretty much make lemonade out of her given lemons, or rather a gourmet platter of lemon-themed treats,” I said.

I was still disappointed that this episode happened. I could’ve prevented the potion mix-up or the super sticky string incident had I known sooner. But I still liked Rarity’s new look, and I was glad to see it firsthand.

“Hey, guys,” Pinkie approached us. Her mane was…different.

“Pinkie! Your mane!” Twilight gasped.

“Oh, yeah,” Pinkie patted her head. “I accidentally used the remover potion as shampoo by mistake. Don't worry, I can fix it.”

She blew into her hoof, and her mane poofed back to normal. She then pronked away.

“‘Fixing manes is tricky,’ huh?” I asked Twilight.

“She’s Pinkie Pie,” Twilight retorted. “It's different.”