One Ticket Extra

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3 Part 1
Chapter 3 Part 2

Chapter 1

One Ticket Extra

Note: A ‘Ticket Master’ style story, focusing on Rarity. Some sexual references, but nothing too mature. Some head-canon might be included, I wasn't exactly sure.

Rarity just couldn’t believe her luck. She had finally managed to get one after so long.

She waited excitedly for the doorbell to ring, hoping to receive a letter about her trip. She was just so excited!

Rarity had booked an expensive trip to a luxury 5-star spa in Hoofwood Forest, Trottington. The spa was everything she could dream of; natural hot springs, saunas, manicures and hooficures of all sorts, massage beds, hair stylists, and all of it was manned by a team of expert beauty stylists. She jumped with glee with anticipation, she just couldn’t wait.

She stood by the door, bouncing slightly with excitement, a big grim plastered on her face. Her hooves were shaking, her eyes glittering; she just couldn’t wait for the trip.

And, almost in an instant, there was a knocking at the door. She started shaking with excitement; her ticket for a weekend of relaxation was finally here! She opened the door with a big smile, and saw Spike, waiting at the door.

He smiled, “Hey, Rarity. You look quite excited.”

Her excitement drooped a bit, “Oh, hello Spike. It’s nice to see you, what brings you here?”

“I was wondering if you like to join me over at Sugarcube Corner for lunch, and I came round to pick you up.”

“Spike, that’s very sweet of you, but I can’t join.”

“Oh, why not?”

“I’m waiting for the Postpony.”

“Oh, I see? Is it important?”

“Very important.”

“Is it something special?”

Rarity’s patience was wearing thin.

“Spike, please, I appreciate this conversation, but this is rather important, and I’d rather not be disturbed right now, so could you please leave me be?”

“Is it for me?”

“Spike, if it was for you, why on earth would he bring it here if you don’t even live here?”

Spike paused for a moment. “Good point. I’ll go now.”

“If would be so kind.”

Rarity closed the door behind her and Spike walked off, confused about her excitable attitude.

Rarity sorted herself out, now waiting for any sign of the Postpony. Soon, she heard three knocks at the door. She opened it and smiled with excitement, her eyes gazed upon the Postpony, holding an envelope.

The Postpony smiled, “Are you Miss Rarity?”

Rarity nodded.

He continued, “Then this is for you.”

He handed her the envelope. In a flash, the letter was taken from his hooves. Rarity opened the envelope with much excitement, and found a brochure, and a ticket, with her name on it.

Rarity squealed with delight, and hugged the Postpony so tightly; he almost stumbled over his own hooves.

As she gripped the Postpony hard, he wheezed, “It’s nice to receive one of these, but could you let go, you’re crushing my ribcage?”

Rarity let go and read the brochure;

“Dear Rarity,

We are delighted to announce that you will be coming to our lovely spa over in Hoofwood Forest, Trottington. It is always a pleasure to have company here at Hoofwood Spa, so we hope your week-long stay will be an enjoyable one. You will experience the finest beauty treatments known, and taste the finest food available. We do hope that you enjoy your stay, and we hope to see you then.

E.Hoofington

Manager.”

She happily glazed through the brochure, looking at the pictures of the spa. The rooms looked large, and bright. Everything looked bright, clean and cosy, and she was going to enjoy every moment of it. She skimmed through the pages and found something of interest.

In the brochure, there was another ticket, titled to a guest. She picked it up and looked at it in confusion.

“Wait a minute, I thought I only bought one ticket, why are there two?” Rarity asked in confusion.

“You bought the 2 guest package, remember. Check your receipt.” He replied.

“This must be a mistake; I only ordered one ticket, which was for me.”

She looked at the receipt, and looked at the package. It read; ‘Double Package – 60.00’. She had bought the double by mistake.

“That guest ticket is for anyone you choose. Consider yourself lucky.” He added.

Rarity stammered, “B-but this was only for me. This was MY holiday, can’t you take this back?”

“Sorry, should’ve done that last week, not the day before the trip.”

Rarity was defeated. “Okay, thank you anyway.”

The Postpony shut the door and Rarity walked with the ticket, not sure what to do next. She thought for a moment.

“Well, this is just typical, Rarity. You’ve gone and bought another ticket and now your chances of a peaceful holiday by yourself are now in pieces. What is a pony like me to do?”

She put the ticket down on a vanity in front of her and sat in front of it, picking up a hair brush with her magic, and started to brush her mane.

“Now, Rarity, you must remain calm and vigilant. There must be something I can do. When Twilight got those gala tickets, she must’ve had a few ideas about who could go with her, because we had reasons to go, despite my dream night turning into a complete shambles.”

She put down the brush and continued to think. Her mind was filled with many ideas of what she can do with the ticket, and who it could go to, but she had no clear path as to what she could do. She slammed the desk with her hooves in frustration and looked at herself in the mirror.

“Patience, Rarity. Calm and collected now. I know, I’ll go with somepony. I know it wasn’t my plan, but I have no choice. Now, who can I go with?”

Suddenly, she heard a door open, and she turned to find Sweetie Belle walk in.

She closed the door and said, “Hi, sis.”

Rarity smiled, “Hello, Sweetie Belle. Enjoy your time at Dinky’s?”

“It was great, she was really happy to see me. Ruby would have joined, but she had other plans.”

“I see, as long as you had fun.”

“I certainly did, Dinky likes my singing as well. Do you think I should practice it more often?”

“It’s something to keep in mind.”

Sweetie Belle nodded and headed upstairs, Rarity watching as she trotted off. As she left, Rarity had a fantastic idea. She resumed thinking,

“Of course, I can take Sweetie Belle with me. She would love to go to a spa, and it would be a great sister bonding moment for us. Forget going on my own, I would simply adore for us to go to the spa together.”

She got up and walked upstairs, “Oh, Sweetie Belle!”

As she walked in, she saw Sweetie Belle packing a suitcase. Rarity didn’t know why she would be packing a suitcase. Could she read minds?

Nah, that would be stupid.

“Sweetie Belle, something came for me in the mail, which may interest you.”

“Oh, and what’s that, sis?”

Rarity sat beside Sweetie Belle.

“Well, I recently bought a double guest package to a luxury spa in Hoofwood Forest, and the extra ticket has no recipient. I thought it could go to one of my friends, but we could go together if you wanted. Is that alright with you?”

“Rarity, I’d love to go...”

Rarity grinned, her smile was making her giddy again.

“...But I can’t.”

Rarity drooped, her smile receding into a frown, “But why ever not, Sweetie Belle?”

“Don’t you remember, I’m going with the school for the weekend to that water park in Califoalia. You signed the form, saying I could go, remember?

Come to think of it, she did sign a letter about Sweetie Belle going to a water park. That’s one candidate destroyed.

“Oh yeah, I remember. Well, I’d best be off.”

“Okay then, sis. Enjoy your vacation!”

Rarity nodded, got up and left Sweetie Belle’s room, closing the door behind her. She walked downstairs and sighed, knowing that she’ll have to find someone else to go with her.

“Okay, there must be somepony that can go with me. I’ll go and get some fresh air, and maybe then I can think of somepony to join me.”

She shook her head gently, and walked outside, opening the door and closing it behind her. She walked out into the streets of Ponyville, hoping she would spot one of her friends to ask about the spa trip. She needed to find somepony to go with, no matter who it was.

After thinking of other candidates, she bumped into somepony, and lost her train of thought. She sighed in frustration and stamped the ground,

“Thank you, somepony; I’ve just lost my train of thought.”

She looked to see who she had bumped into, and found out that it was Fluttershy that she bumped into. She now regretted using a stern tone on her.

“Oh, Rarity, I’m sorry I bumped into you. I-I didn’t mean to...”

“Fluttershy, darling, forgive me. I’ve just been so worked up recently; I’m not paying attention to anything now.”

“It’s alright, Rarity. I didn’t see you either.”

Rarity chuckled lightly, still thinking of the spa trip. Then, she got another idea,

“Of course, Fluttershy can come with me. She always joins me on my spa trips, and we would feel right at home, and not forgetting that we’ll look absolutely fabulous. It’s the perfect plan!”

Rarity cleared her throat and asked, “Fluttershy, I’ve recently gotten hold of a spa ticket at Hoofwood Spa, but I seem to also have an extra one in my possession. I’ve been trying to find someone to go with for absolutely ages, and I was wondering if you like to come with me?”

Rarity put her most pleading face on, a grin showing, with big sparkling eyes.

Fluttershy replied, “Rarity, I’d love to go, but I can’t.”

Rarity drooped again, “Oh dear, what could be the matter, darling?”

“Well, Angel’s fallen ill with some sort of tummy bug, and he’s been ever so ill. I’m the only one to help him, and I’m the only one who knows his very specific diets. I simply can’t let him leave my sights, so I dashed out to get some medicine, but I shall return very soon.”

“Okay, I see. Your family comes first, I understand.”

“Please don’t be mad, this was unexpected. I’m really sorry.”

“Fluttershy, don’t be sorry. It was unexpected, and I can find somepony else to go with. I forgive you.”

“Thank you, Rarity. I’m glad you understand.”

“By the way, didn’t you say you weren’t going to leave Angel out of your sights? What are you doing outside?”

“Oh no, I forgot!”

After that, Fluttershy flapped her wings and flew off, Rarity watching her in frustration.

“There must be somepony I can go with.”

Rarity decided the most logical thing she could do, which was ask all of her friends and see who would go with her. She hoped this would go well, but unfortunately, it didn’t.

Applejack’s reply was, “Sorry, ah’m busy in Manehatten this weekend, maybe some other time.”

Pinkie Pie’s response was, “I’d love to go, but I can’t. I’m babysitting the twins this week. We’re going to a water park with

Cheerilee and her school, it’s going to be so much fun!”

Twilight’s response was, “I’m sorry, but I’ve got a huge schedule to sort out, and it’s going to take me all weekend to finish it.”

Rainbow Dash’s response was, “Hah, keeping dreamin’ Rarity!”

Rarity was defeated, she had gone to all of her friends and not one agreed to go.

Night had fallen, she was finished with the extra ticket, and she would now have to go on her own, despite the fact that she had the extra ticket. She would’ve liked to have gone on her own like planned, but with the extra ticket, she can’t go on her own. She was just about ready to call the whole thing off, but then she remembered one last friend that she can call to.

“Oh goodness, how could I have forgotten?”

She was prepared to run out of the boutique, but she thought of something that made her nervous.

“Oh, this is quite nerve-racking. I couldn’t possibly ask him to do this; he’d think I’d use this trip for something other than relaxation. What if he says no, what else can I do? What if, I have to tell him about last time I did this?..."

She pondered in circles, thinking about whether this was a good idea or not. She then stood firm, determined to get this over way.

“No, I’ve got to try. It’s worth a shot.”

She ran out the Boutique, through the streets of Ponyville and to the library. She stopped in front of the door, and knocked on it. Twilight opened the door a few seconds later.

“Oh, hey Rarity, you’re back?

“Twilight, where’s Spike?”

Spike sat upstairs, reading ‘Daring Do and the Manticore’s Maze’, when he heard hoofsteps coming up the stairs. He saw Twilight walk through the doorway.

He put down the book, “Hey, Twi, what’s up?”

Twilight replied, “Rarity’s here to see you.”

Rarity greeted, “Hello, Spike.”

Spike replied, “Hey, Rarity.”

Rarity walked towards Spike and Twilight said, “Right, I’ll leave you two to it then.”

Twilight backed out of the room and Spike asked, “Tell me, what brings you here?”

Rarity sighed, “Spike, I’m at a dilemma.”

He tilted his head in confusion, “Really, what do you mean?”

Rarity’s fears came back to her. She couldn’t possibly ask him to do this. Not after what happened last time. Would he react the same way, how would he react?

She put her hoof on his shoulder and said, “Sit on the bed with me for a moment. It’s quite hard for me to even think this.”

Spike was very confused about why Rarity wasn’t her bright, cheery self. He followed her up the stairs towards Twilight’s bed, and they sat on it, Spike looking at Rarity, who was looking at her lap, where her hooves were.

Spike knew something was wrong, but he didn’t know what exactly. He placed his claw on Rarity’s hooves, and gave her a comforting smile. Rarity looked at the claw, and then to Spike, in which she smiled back. She was quite nervous about this, and she wouldn’t know how Spike would react to this.

Spike asked, “Rarity, what’s the matter?”

Her heart was in her throat, and she gulped it back down to reply, “Spike, the thing I received in the post today was a ticket to go to a luxury spa in Hoofwood Forest. Accidentally, I bought the double package and got an extra ticket for any guest of my choice. I asked many of my friends, and they all had plans, and you were the last one on my list. I thought about this for a while now, and, Spike...”

She paused for a moment, her fears getting the best of her again. Spike leaned in a bit closer, holding her hooves tighter. She felt a bit more comfortable, but this was going to be a hard question to ask.

“Spike, would you be my guest on this spa trip, just the two of us on a... romantic getaway?”

Spike was stunned by this. Rarity had asked Spike about going on a romantic spa trip, and was scared by it? Normally, it would be him that was scared. Has she just witnessed a side of Rarity that he doesn’t know? Is she just as scared about relationships as he is?

Spike paused for a moment, and replied, “Sure, I’d love to.”

Rarity looked at Spike, “Really, you mean it?”

“Absolutely, but tell me, why were you scared about this? Are you hiding something?”

Rarity sighed, and wanted to reveal something to Spike that she had been hiding.

“Spike, you know me as an upfront mare, who is very confident about just about everything. If there is anything involving love, I’m right on the case. But, I have to tell you something I’m not too pleased about, something that had haunted me for years to come.”

“What’s that?”

She started to cry, choking back tears and sobbing quietly. Spike got more concerned, and gripped her hooves hard, making sure to guide her through whatever was bugging her, no matter what it was. Rarity dried her eyes and continued in her normal tone.

“Spike, I went to Hoofwood Spa with another colt before you and I ever met. He was the son of the owner of Hoofwood Spa, he was called Gray Hoofington, and he was a sight to behold, a build like Big Macintosh, a lovely sky blue coat, and long, luscious grey hair...”

Spike looked at Rarity awkwardly, Rarity chuckled sheepishly.

“Heh, sorry. I got a bit carried away there. Anyway, he invited me to join him on a spa trip, for free as a date. I obliged and we went there, hoping for a happy holiday with just the two of us. You see, we were having a great time together, and enjoying each other’s company, and he liked to get a bit playful at times...”

Rarity and Gray sat in a hot spring, glasses of wine sitting behind them. Rarity relaxed as she felt content in the hot spring, lying back, basking in the warmth of the water.

“Oh, Gray, this is simply marvelous.”, said Rarity in a relaxed tone.

“Isn’t it just? I got you the best spring available.”, Gray replied back.

“You are a gem, you are.”

Rarity lovingly looked at him, flicking her purple locks of hair at him. He replied by leaning forward and kissing her on the neck. Rarity pushed him away playfully, but accepted the kisses as he reached forward. She wrapped her hooves around his neck, enjoying his sweet kisses.

“Oh, Gray, you are simply divine.” She whispered; her voice slow with lust.

“My sweet, the fun has only just begun...” He replied, breathing softly into Rarity’s ear.

The two were lost in the love session, the steam of the spring enveloping them as they made out in the warmth of the water.

“Sounds like a nice enough guy, bit raunchy."

"I know, he treated me to mud baths, saunas, the best wine avaliable, it was simply--"

Spike looked at her, wanting her to keep focus on the story.

"Sorry, carried away again... It was during the second day, we had gotten to know each other, and we were happy to be a bit naughty in our bedroom. It was, what happened then...”

The door of the love suite flew open, Rarity and Grey walked into the love suite. Rarity walked to the bed and laid on it, her mane strewn across the pillow. She was ready for whatever Gray was going to do to her, and she could not be happier.

“I’m ready for you, my love...” She seductively whispered as Gray leant forward.

“Just let me get the drinks ready, darling.” He replied, pushing himself up, walking to a serving tray with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. Gray picked up the wine and poured two glasses. He made sure Rarity wasn’t looking, and opened a drawer next to him, out of Rarity’s view. He pulled a small purple vial out, opened it and poured its contents into the right glass.

“Heh heh, like bucking fish in a barrel.” He thought to himself, laughing inside.

He brought the glass to Rarity, and she took it with her magic.

“Thank you, darling. I think a drink is just what we need to get things started.”

“No problem. I added a little something that will get this night really going.” He said, trying not to contain his devious excitement.

Rarity took a large sip from the glass, and put it on the bedside table. She laid back on the bed, feeling somewhat cosy.

“Mmm, what was in that drink?” She said quietly.

“Nothing important.” He lied, hiding the vial he had placed on the drawers.

“Well, I think it’s having a bit of... an effect...” Rarity said drowsily, her speech starting to slur.

Rarity suddenly felt rather heavy, and couldn't move that much. Her vision was getting fuzzy, her hearing was muffled, and she became dizzy. Whatever was in that drink, it certainly wasn't just wine.

“Wh—What’s going on? What... did you do?...” She asked drowsily, with anger in her voice.

“You want to know the truth, do you? It’s a sleeping agent. You and I are going to have so much fun tonight...” Gray chuckled, an evil grin pasted over his face.

“You--- you complete brute. Wait until... I...” Rarity tried to move, but the agent took its toll, and sent Rarity into a deep sleep. All she heard as she drifted off were Gray’s twisted laughter as he walked towards her slowly.

“Wait a minute? You were drugged?!” Spike exclaimed, with worry in his voice.

Rarity nodded, tears starting to form. Spike was shocked at this revelation, and tried to wrap his mind around how the girl of his dreams was treated like that. He wanted to know more, to know if Gray came to justice, or Rarity got out of the situation safely.

“So, what happened then?” He asked, wanting to know more.

“I didn’t wake up until later that night. It was a big shock to me...”

Rarity shook her head slowly as she suddenly came to. Her vision was fuzzy, but she was on the bed she fell asleep on. She sat up and regained her vision, looking around the room. It was empty, and the bed covers were shaken up. Her fur was a mess and some of it was dry. She didn’t know what had happened after she fell asleep. She lookd on the bed, some lubricant and some condoms ere on the bedside table. She knew what had happened that night. Without hesitation, she ran for the door, and found it to be open.

She ran down the corridors, and bumped into an old looking pony. He had a large grey moustache, and big thick eyebrows. He was wearing a tuxedo with a rose adorned on the front.

“Ah, you’re awake, I see, and safe too.” He said in a gruff, merry tone.

“What’s happened? What did I just go through? Give me answers!” She asked, shaking the pony in a fit of panic.

“My dear, calm yourself. You’re absolutely fine. My name is Edgar Waller Hoofington; owner of the Hoofwood spa. You are Rarity, are you not?”

“Yes, I am.” Rarity quietly said, still fraught with worry.

“Dear Rarity, there is no reason to panic...”

“No reason to panic? I have just been raped by some brute, and you say not to panic?!” She shouted, gripping Hoofington in a tight grasp.

“Yes, yes, fear not. The situation has been notified. My son was arrested not merely an hour ago. We were ever so worried about you.” He replied in a calming tone, trying to calm down Rarity.

“Arrested? Oh thank Celestia. I thought, with you being his father, you would go easy on him.” Rarity sighed, trying to regain her composure.

“Easy, on my son who has willingly raped a fair lady such as yourself? I will not have it, I had him arrested as soon as word got out!” He remarked.

“Okay, thank you so much. What happens now, anyway, for me?”

“Well, we’ll have to advise you to return to Ponyville, Miss Rarity. Your bags will be delivered by the exit soon, and a coach will be here to pick you up in the next hour.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m just scared about what happened...”

“Ah, a common symptom of such an incident. Please, have a shower, my dear, clean yourself up. You look like a right blooming state.”

Rarity nodded and headed to a public shower. She was the only one there, as the other patrons had been evacuated because of the incident. She turned on the shower and stood there, with horrid memories of the night coming to her. She could imagine what Gray was doing to her, how she was being treated. All she could do, was cry. She sat on the floor, and cried, her imagination reminding her of things that may have happened that night stained inside her head.

“Wow, that’s pretty scary.”

“Spike, after that, I thought I would be over with love. I was so scared about what happened, I gave it up, never to return to it. That’s when I met you. You were the young dragon who looked at me, not for my looks, but for who I was. You sat there, listening to my stories every time we would go out, laughing with me through the enjoyable moments, and helping me through moments where I was sad. I just want to say thank you for being ever so supportive through this. I’m so glad you’re my friend, Spike.”

Rarity started to cry as she wrapped her hooves around Spike, giving him a huge hug. Spike wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling the side of her head with his own, whispering comforting noises as she wept quietly into Spike’s shoulder.

“Rarity, I just want you to know that I am always going to be here for you. No matter what the situation, no matter what the cause, I will always be here.”

“Oh, Spike...”

She lifted her head and gave Spike a quick peck on his nose, making him blush. He chuckled to himself before wiping a tear off her eye. Rarity smiled and gave Spike a large kiss on his cheek, making him blush harder. Spike was in a love trance and smiled; content with the kiss that he had received.

Spike shook his head and stroked her mane with his left claw, playing with the curly strands of hair. Rarity had smiled again, cheering up now that Spike helped her.

“You know, this trip doesn’t have to be romantic. We could just go as friends, and still enjoy ourselves.”

“You’re absolutely right, we should go as friends, but I still want us to share a bed. I do like to have something to cuddle when I’m asleep.”

Spike giggled cheekily, and smiled at Rarity, giving her his most entranced, innocent look.

He shook his head, escaped his trance, and said, “Sorry about that. When’s the trip anyway?”

Rarity replied, “Tomorrow, we have to be at the train station by ten o’clock.”

“I’d best get packing, we haven’t got much time!”

“I suppose you’re right. I need to finish packing, and we’ll meet up at the station at nine o’clock?”

“Sounds good to me, it’s been a pleasure talking to you.”

“Same here... Thank you Spike, thank you so much.”

Spike smiled meekly, still a bit shy. As Rarity turned to leave, Spike braced himself, walked up to Rarity, and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to Spike, and saw him smiling. He closed his eyes and gave Rarity a kiss on the lips. Rarity was taken aback by this, but it all felt so good. As they broke the kiss, they looked into each other’s eyes, and then they saw Twilight in the corner of their eyes, who came in to see how they were doing.

Rarity asked, “How much of that did you see, Twilight?”

Twilight replied, “I saw Spike lean in and kiss you on the lips. I’m proud of you, Spike.”

Spike blushed, not looking at Twilight due to shyness.

She asked, “Tell me, what did you two talk about?”

Spike replied, “Rarity asked me to join me on the spa trip, and I said yes... if that’s okay with you, that is?”

Twilight smiled and replied, “Oh, of course you can. I won’t be needing you for the weekend, so you’re free to do what you want.”

He punched the air and said, “Yes, score!”

Rarity and Twilight looked at Spike, who smiled shyly.

Rarity asked Twilight, “Twilight, could I send something to Celestia?”

She replied, “A friendship report? Sure! Spike, take a letter.”

Spike walked to a cupboard, muttering, “If I had a bit for every time I heard that...”

He came back with a quill and parchment, and Rarity started,

“Dear Princess Celestia,

Love is a very fickle thing. It can come and go in the blink of an eye, or it can stay with you until the day you die. I’ve learnt that love can come in many different forms. The love I’ve had in the past was just an excuse for getting intimate with others. But, now that I have Spike, I’ve learnt that not all males are the same. I’ve dreamt of meeting a dashing prince to sweep me off my hooves with his charm and looks, but now, I have a knight in shining armour, who will always be there for me, to help me through tough times and enjoy what we have. Love can be what you expect, but in some cases, it may be able to surprise you.

Your faithful subject,

Rarity.”

Spike wrote her exact words down and rolled up the parchment, leant out of the window and sent it in a burst of flames, before disappearing into smoke.

Rarity walked towards the door and said, “Well, it’s been a pleasure, but I must dash. See you tomorrow, Spikey!”

Spike waved and replied, “See ya tomorrow!”

As Rarity left, Twilight chuckled, “You know, you’re a lucky dragon. Going on holiday with the girl of your dreams, how great is that?!”

Spike replied, “I know. If I don’t come back covered in kisses and love bites, I want my money back.”

They both laughed as Rarity walked down the stairs and out of the door of the library.

She walked down the path through Ponyville, looking at the town’s lights. She thought to herself,

“I definitely think that went better than expected. I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction from him, and he was so supportive. I’ve got a holiday to go to, and I’ve got someone to enjoy it with.”

As she walked into the town, she looked back at the library and thought, “You know, I don’t think I’ve given Spike enough attention. He’s an understanding dragon, who can help me through any obstacle, no matter how big. He’s not with me just for love, he’s there for companionship, trust and understanding. That’s the way love should be.”

And with that, she walked off, towards the boutique, glad to finally finish this ticket fiasco, and she managed to get through her fears.

The End

(Another story finished. Comments and Criticism appreciated as always.)

Chapter 2

One Ticket Extra – Chapter 2

Note: After some time, Chapter 2 of One Ticket Extra is finally here. Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays/ Happy STFU to all those out there! The more offending/scary parts have been moved to later chapters.

A low wind blew throughout Ponyville, sending chills to the quiet village. The morning sun was blotted out by the murky clouds that hung above the town. A forecasted storm was planned for today, and the rain had to be out of the clouds by eleven o’clock sharp. As a result, the town was cold, and devoid of ponies.

Rarity stood inside Carousel Boutique wearing a large fur coat and mittens, waiting for her carriage ride to the spa. She paced up and down the reception area, anxious about her journey to Hoofwood Spa. The name alone scared her, even after her talk with Spike. She’d become scared to even set hoof there now that she remembered the incident years ago.

She was very excited to go yesterday, but as time passed, the memories back with full force, sending her to tears whenever she saw the place in her head. And the laughter of Gray, the sick, twisted laugh was the last thing she heard before passing out. She had managed to repress the memory long enough for her to enjoy going to Hoofwood after all years, but when her only candidate for going with her was a young dragon with a crush on her, it made her feel dead inside. It made her feel like she wanted to curl up in a ball and die, never wanting to tread on this planet and to be at peace.

She shook her head to clear her memory, but it lingered, the laugh piercing her brain like a knife cutting through butter. She had never witnessed how Gray had raped her, but with a demented laugh that lived in her head for the past few years, it only could have been sick. She shook at the doorway, her mind wavering between wanting to go or not.

Her mind retched at an image of Rarity being pushed against the bed, drugged, unconscious and confused, being raped by this brute who tortured her for that one night. “This isn’t right. I can’t do this...”

Rarity cried and threw away her scarf, running to a corner and curling into a ball, crying her eyes out. She didn’t want to go through this, being reminded of that horrible night, and the ponies that knew about it. She would be recognised, and she would be reminded of the night. She didn’t want to go through all of that, not after revealing the memory to Spike and her mind bringing the nightmare back. She just lay there, crying, her mind torn apart.

Spike sat on his bed, finding things to place into his suitcase. He crammed books, clothes and even gems into the case, eager to start his holiday. Twilight walked upstairs and chuckled when she saw the dragon cramming his luggage. “Spike, you’re only going away for a week, you’re not moving house.”

He looked at Twilight and laughed to himself, pushing the case’s contents into the case. “I know, but I can’t help myself. You’ll never know what I need.”

“You should only pack your essentials, Spike. Nothing more.”

“Yeah, these are my essentials.”

She walked to the suitcase and pulled out a hat box and opened it, containing a top hat, a fake moustache and a cloak. “What, a ‘Woo Rarity’ kit is an essential, then?”

“Yeah, you never know when the opportunity may arise.”

She chuckled and started to take stuff out with her magic. “Spike, remember that this is a holiday between you and Rarity, you’ll have a whole week to spend time with her, and you’re kind of close already. You’ve done fine with her without the kit, Spike.”

“I suppose you’re right. I guess I could go without it.”

Twilight nodded and smiled, continuing to remove stuff from the bag, commenting on some of the contents. “I mean, look at this stuff; gems, comic books, action figures...”

She then pulled out some rather saucy magazines of various female dragons posing seductively, fold outs included. She put them down without saying another word. She proceeded to pull out a large duvet out of the bag. “A duvet? You’re going to a spa for a week, they’ll have bedding there.”

Spike smiled sheepishly as Twilight sifted through the contents of the bag. “There’s also a door handle in here, a toilet cover, and a DIY guide into ‘How to Seduce your Lady Through Tightrope Tap Dancing.’”

She showed the dragon the book and he chuckled nervously to himself. “Again, you never know when the opportunity may arise.”

Twilight groaned in disbelief and walked over to Spike, slinging a hoof over his shoulder and leaning down to his level. “Spike, let’s get one thing perfectly clear. You are going on a trip with your crush, whom you may share a bed with, and she is doing this out of the kindness of her heart. I think the opportunity you have already is the only one you should take. Don’t push your luck any further.”

Spike nodded and walked to his bag, emptying its contents onto Twilight’s bed, sorting through them again. “Twilight, when do I have to be at the train station again?”

She looked at a clock on her bedside table, and read the time. “9:40 AM, you have to meet Rarity in five minutes.

The two looked at each other, and then to the clock, realising that packing is nowhere near finished in the short space of time they have.

Spike gulped nervously and asked, “Panic?”

“Panic.”

The two stared nervously at each other, and after a short pause...

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!”

The two started sorting at an incredible rate, Twilight folding clothes and stuffing books into the case and it left Spike confused, watching Twilight do all the work. She closed the case and handed it to him, teleporting the two to the front door. Twilight sighed with relief and sat down.

“Well, that could have been taken care of in a calmer fashion.”

“I’ll say.”

After the two caught their breath, Twilight opened the door and Spike picked up his suitcase, smiling. He took in a breath, let it out and gave her a hug. “See ya later, Twilight.”

She hugged him back tightly, nuzzling her nose against his right ear frill. “I’ll see you in a week, Spike. Take care of yourself and Rarity.”

They broke the hug and Spike walked out, waving to Twilight as she waved back, closing the door. Spike sighed and walked down the pathway to Ponyville. “Well, it’s just you and Rarity for a whole week, Spike. I’ll see if she’s ready and we can both head out to the train station.”

He walked to the village centre and took a right when he saw the town hall. He walked down the dirt path and headed to the boutique. He stood in front of the door and knocked three times.

No reply.

He knocked again. Still nothing. “That’s odd. Rarity must be really busy.”

He tried opening the door, and it opened slowly. He walked in to find no lights on, so he flicked a light switch on and looked around the boutique. “Rarity, are you here? I’m all packed and ready to go.”

He walked into the room and found Rarity lying on the floor in a sobbing heap. He gasped and dropped the case, running up to her and kneeling down, trying to grab her attention.

“Rarity, what’s wrong?!” He said, shaking Rarity lightly.

She looked up at Spike, her make-up running down her cheeks. “S-Spike?”

It hurt Spike to see Rarity crying, and it made his heart sting. He hugged her tightly, wanting to get some answers. “Rarity, what’s the matter? Has something happened?”

Rarity hugged the dragon tightly and cried into his shoulder. “Spikey, I can’t go back to the spa, I still haven’t recovered!”

He placed a hoof on her mane and stroked it. “But, Rarity... Why did you book going there if you were raped there?”

“I didn’t think of it until yesterday. I can’t go Spike; it’ll just hurt me...”

He hugged the mare closely, not wanting to let go until she had calmed down. His fingers ran through her mane as she sobbed quietly into his chest. “Rarity, I know you’re a very brave pony, much braver than I am, but I want you to know that what happened there was long ago. Gray was arrested; and he may still be doing time for all we care. It’s not like he’s still going to be there, and besides; Edgar Hoofington will recognize you and will make sure that you stay safe. I’ll promise you that.”

She still buried her head in her hooves. “You can’t promise me that, Spike.”

“Have I ever lied to you, Rarity? I would never let any pony, dragon or any sort of force destroy your emotions. Nothing will come between us on this holiday, and I’m not saying that out of love. I’m saying this to you because you are my friend, and you deserve to be happy.”

She looked at Spike and smiled sweetly, giving him another hug, this time out of friendliness. “Spikey, will you keep me safe when we’re there?”

He hugged her back, leaning into her shoulder. “I’ll never let anything bad happen to you.”

She kissed the dragon on his nose and stood up, regaining her composure. “Thank you for that, Spike. I needed that.”

He nodded and smiled, humbled by his helpfulness. Rarity walked to a vanity and picked up a wet wipe, removing all of her make up before re-applying it again. Spike chuckled and waited for her to finish. She finished the last touches on her mascara and picked up a travel bag, regaining her composure. “Shall we head off, Spike?”

Spike looked at her bag, confused if that’s the only bag that she has. “Is that all you’re taking?”

Rarity shook her head and showed Spike ten more bags that were five times the size of her travel bag, and even four times the size of him. “Be a dear and help me carry this, would you?”

Spike groaned and face palmed. “I just went through this with Twilight, and she told me to pack the essentials.”

“Yes, but those bags ARE my essentials, Spikey.”

“Rarity, take the bag you have and let’s go. We only have ten minutes until the train gets here.”

She looked at her pile of bags and her travel bag and nodded. “Well, a lady must travel light.”

She smiled and walked out the door, Spike following behind her, picking up his suitcase. The two walked out of the boutique and Rarity closed the door behind her, locking it and used her magic to turn off the lights. They walked down the path to the left of the boutique to the train station.

“Rarity, who’s going to look after the boutique when we’re gone for the week?”

“Fret not, Spike. My parents have volunteered to look after it while we’re away.”

As they walked, Rarity sighed with some dread, and Spike chuckled. “Still nervous?”

She nodded, giving Spike a weak smile. He smiled back at her and rested a hand on her side as they walked. “Just remember, the manager will most likely remember you, and he’ll make sure that you are safe. Relax, and enjoy the holiday.”

Rarity smiled and turned her head to Spike. “You’re right. This holiday should be lots of fun, and I shouldn’t worry about Gray being there.”

The two walked to the train station and sat on a bench located against the station wall, facing the tracks. Rarity opened her bag and pulled out the holiday brochure, revealing two train tickets. “Okay, train tickets are here. Now we just have to wait.”

Spike sat back on the bench and opened his bag, pulling out a sandwich with what looked like raspberry jam. She looked at the sandwich and was enticed by how delicious it looked.

“Mmm, that looks delicious Spike. What’s in it?”

Spike opened up the sandwich, revealing shards of gemstone and ground up black stones. “It’s a sandwich with raspberry jam, brimstone, and ruby shards. Want one?”

She recoiled in disgust and put a hoof to his face. “Uh, no thank you.”

Spike shrugged and took a bite out of his sandwich. “Well, more for me then.”

He continued eating his sandwich, and looked around the station. It was surprisingly devoid of ponies, only the sound of wind rattling through the station could be heard. He gulped down part of the sandwich and sighed, turning to Rarity, who sat quietly. “You aren’t much of a talker when you’re waiting, are you?”

She turned to him and shook her head. “Not really. You know, what with the spa trip and all, there really isn’t much to say that hasn’t been said already.”

He smiled and patted her on the side, a smile on his face. “I know what you mean. We should go out there and enjoy ourselves. We should have fun for the week, get a pampering, come back relaxed and tell our friends all about it. It couldn’t be easier.”

Rarity nodded, a smile forming on her face. “You’re right, Spike. I should go out there and enjoy myself, like I intended to.”

Spike smiled and went back to eating his sandwich. Rarity thought of something for a moment, and tapped him on the shoulder, grabbing his attention. “Spike, do you think our room will have a double bed?”

“I’d assume so, why do you ask?”

“Well, that depends. Do you like to cuddle in bed?”

“I don’t tell everypony this, but I kind of do like to snuggle up in bed. When me and Twilight go camping or go on a long train journey, we do share a bed, and we do find ourselves cuddling each other by morning.”

“Okay, we’ll get a double bed then if there isn’t one there.”

“Why, do you want me to cuddle up to you?”

“Yes, along with sharing Jacuzzis and baths, is that a problem?”

Spike blushed, his mind racing as he tried to reply without stumbling over his own words. He escaped to his mind, trying to find the right words to say. “Oh god, Rarity wants me to share a bed with her. Okay, keep it together Spike. You know that building a relationship or bonding with a crush takes time, but does she want to sleep with me so soon?

I mean, when I imagine her in bed with me, I usually escape to the bathroom, but in doing it for real? Oh man, this is so scary. Keep it together; she just wants to cuddle you, nothing more.”

Rarity saw him panicking, and slung a hoof around him, pulling him in for a hug. He panicked even more, struggling in her grasp. “Oh god, it’s happening already!” He shouted, leaving Rarity confused.

She tilted her head in confusion and asked, “What’s happening already, Spike?”

He tried to think of a way out of this, but didn’t want to express his true thoughts. “Uh, to be honest, I didn’t expect us to start loving until we got to the spa.” He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.

Rarity laughed and patted his back, giggling slightly at what he said. “Oh Spike, we can start cuddling and kissing whenever we can. This is a holiday between you and me.”

He nodded sheepishly, raising a claw. “You’ve seemed to have recovered from your anxiety.”

She smiled and pulled him in for another hug, Spike hugging her back. “Not exactly Spike, but we’re going on holiday, and I should enjoy myself.”

Suddenly, a train trafficker unicorn walked out of the door, levitating a clipboard in front of him and calling out to the station. “The train now arriving at the station is the ten o’clock train to Hoofwood Forest. The stops are Trottingham, Neighbraska, Hayseed County and Hoofwood Forest. Please mind the gap between the train and the platform.”

The two got off the bench and picked up their bags, walking towards the platform, waiting for the train to arrive. The train travelled slowly to the station and braked at the platform. It came to a stop as steam hissed from the train engines and funnel. Some of the train workers opened the doors from the inside and a few ponies filed out, as they held the door for the couple. They picked up their bags again and walked into the train, as the conductors walked into the train, looking for any other arrivals.

Thirty seconds passed, and not another arrival was seen, so the whistle was blown and the doors were shut. The train blared its horn as a cloud of steam fumed from the funnel, making a steady departure. It rolled out of the station, and started to speed down the tracks.

Rarity and Spike found two seats next to each other and they placed their bags in the overhead shelf, taking a seat. Rarity sat by the window, Spike sitting next to her. They got themselves comfy and relaxed, all ready for the holiday.

Spike looked at Rarity and gave her a smile, and she smiled back. “Excited, Rarity?”

Rarity nodded, smiling with a pinch of worry. “Kind of. I shouldn’t let this incident get to me. It will never leave me, but if I can go and enjoy myself and leave the spa without incident, I can put the bad memories to rest and never have to worry about this sort of thing ever happening again.”

Spike laughed with admiration and patted her on the back. “Looks like you want to face this with bravery. I like that.”

She nodded and yawned, passing it on to Spike who yawned back. “You know, I’m still tired.”

He drowsily blinked, resting his head on her shoulder. “Well, it is a long way to Hoofwood, so we should get some rest before we get there.”

Rarity held a hoof around Spike’s back and rested it on his arm, pulling him close. They yawned again and closed their eyes, beginning to fall asleep. They snuggled closer, their minds drifted away as the soft rumbling of the train against the tracks lulled them into a deep sleep.

The two remained asleep for quite some time, and some muffled voices began to wake Rarity up. She shook her head and opened her eyes, as she tried to focus on the noise. As the figure standing beside her came into focus, it was the train driver. She looked at him and asked, “Is something the matter?”

“Yes, we’ve arrived at Hoofwood Forest. The train’s stopped for refuelling, so I’d advise you get off the train before we take the carriages into the warehouse to get them cleaned.” He said quietly, trying not to wake up Spike.

He walked away as Rarity looked around. “We’re here already? That was a nice sleep.” There was nopony on the train, and she looked out the window. There was a sign that read; ‘Hoofwood Forest’. Rarity looked at Spike, both of her hooves wrapped around the dragon as he gently snored. She smiled sweetly and gently rocked the dragon’s head. He moaned and opened his eyes, waking up after a deep sleep.

“Where are we?” He said drowsily, still waking up.

“We’re here, Spikey. Come on, we need to get off the train.” She replied, gently lifting the dragon off her side. He shook his head and climbed off the seat, Rarity lifting the bags down from the overhead shelf with her magic. She handed the suitcase to him and picked up her own bag, slinging the strap over her shoulder. The two stepped off the train and onto the station, walking out of the main gate into the gravel roads leading into the forest.

They set their bags down and sat at a carriage stop, waiting for a carriage to pick them up and take them to the spa. They looked around and saw one heading towards them, picking up their bags and signalling for the coach to stop, which it did. Rarity opened the door and Spike stood out of her way, letting her go in first. He carried his case inside and walked in, shutting the door.

The driver turned to them through the window. “Where do you wish to go?”

Rarity looked at him and replied, “Hoofwood Spa, please.”

He nodded and whipped the ropes connecting the ponies to the carriage. They stood to attention and walked off, carrying the carriage behind them. Spike stared out the window, a lake at the bottom of a hill to his right as large, rolling hills surrounded it. The sun glimmered through the openings in the leaves, as he watched the scenery fly by.

Rarity smiled and tapped his shoulder. “You look rather interested about the scenery, Spike.”

He nodded, looking at her with a smile. “Yeah, it just looks so fascinating. We should go for a walk in these forests.”

“I think that’s a very good idea, Spike. When I was with Gray, he took me to see a small lake surrounded by flowers as it basked in the sunlight, a large blossom tree located directly in the middle. It is a spectacle to see, and I know the exact path.”

“Well, we’ll be sure to stop there.”

Rarity chuckled and watched the scenery with Spike, watching some wild deer trot past the carriage into the flowery forests. He had never seen such a beautiful forest before, and he wanted to see it all. He looked around and saw more deer with their fawns sitting beneath a large oak tree, sleeping together. His imagination was at bursting point, and he couldn’t wait to set foot into the forests.

Soon, the carriage took a left at a pathway, up a small slope and out of the trees where a large, stone building sat. It looked very old-timey, with stone pillars and large bullet shaped windows. It was no more than three tall, but was very large in diameter. The mansion definitely did look interesting to the dragon, as Rarity shook her gut feeling away, hiding her fears from him and herself.

The carriage stopped as the two opened the door and hopped out, closing the door behind them. Rarity levitated a few bits which she pulled out of her bag and handed it to the driver. He took them and tipped his hat, before the carriage left again.

The two looked at the building and were excited to finally be here. At least for Spike, Rarity had a bit of worry inside her, but she shook it away, and wanted to enjoy the holiday.

“Shall we head inside, Spike?”

“With pleasure.”

The two nodded and walked inside, and were met with a large building adorned with wall paintings and classic art. Marble busts stood on pillars, the floor was black and white chequered tile, and a massive painting of Princess Celestia and a group of angels floating by adorned the ceiling. They walked to the main desk, where a receptionist unicorn sat, filing her forehooves.

Rarity cleared her throat and got the receptionist’s attention. “Hello, my name is Rarity, and I’m here with Spike for a week long spa treatment.”

She looked at them and asked, “Do you have any reservations?”

Rarity nodded and pulled out the holiday tickets, which she checked through before giving them to the receptionist. She examined them and stamped them with a ‘Valid’ stamp, before putting them beside her. “Okay, so that’s an adult and a minor, am I correct?”

Rarity lifted Spike to the desk with her magic. The receptionist nodded and pulled out some paperwork and a quill. “Okay, this is just to say that you have arrived safely, and you have started your holiday. This is just to check for validation and to cover any costs on the holiday.”

As Rarity signed the form, a booming voice called out from the hallway. “Sandra, have you seen my pipe anywhere? I can’t seem to my find it.”

She pulled out a pipe from her drawer and gave it to the figure. “Certainly, Mr. Hoofington, it’s right here.”

The figure in question was Edgar Hoofington, owner of Hoofwood Spa, sporting a black blazer and his large, grey moustache. He took put the pipe in his mouth and sighed. “I tell you Sandra, my father’s pipe keeps disappearing from my study area, and you always seem to have it. Do you smoke, Sandra?”

She shook her head and replied, “No, I do not, sir.”

He put tobacco into the funnel and patted his jacket and grumbled as he couldn’t find a light. He then looked at Spike, getting an idea. “Ah, young lad, be a good boy and light this up for me?”

He nodded and spat a speck of fire at the pipe, smoke billowing from the funnel. “Thank you, kind sir.” He smoked from the pipe and looked up, almost dropping his pipe at what he saw.

“Goodness gracious. Is that you Rarity?” He said in shock, the pipe almost falling out of his mouth.

She nodded and held a hoof out, shaking his hoof. “Edgar, it’s been a while.”

“I’ll say. I didn’t think you’d come back after your little incident with Gray.”

“Well, I did book a holiday here to enjoy myself, but when I booked, I had a spare ticket and I had an anxiety attack about Gray. That’s why Spike is here with me, for emotional support, and the fact that he was the only candidate to come with me.”

She showed him Spike, making Edgar laugh merrily. “Well, we don’t get many children, nor dragons here, but he’s very welcome to make himself at home.”

He smiled and Edgar shook his hand. “I guess we’ll show you to your room. Come with us.”

He walked with the two and called out, “Bellboys, carry our guest’s things, would you?”

Two bellboys walked into the room and picked up the bags, walking behind them. As they walked up the stairs, they headed past the spa rooms and to the accommodation. “Not much has changed here, I’m afraid. It’s been the same old thing since you left. Not many couples show up nowadays, but we still have enough money to keep us in check. With Gray out of the way, we can save some money from his spending habits.”

Spike raised a claw, asking, “Where is Gray now, by the way?”

Edgar didn’t waste any time with a reply. “He’s still in prison, after being denied parole. He won’t be getting out for a long time, from what we heard.”

Rarity felt her sadness begin to fade, knowing now that Gray is locked up and won’t be causing anymore issues. But this whole anxiety attack has made her tense, so she couldn’t sleep easy as of yet.

The two continued to walk past another corridor and reached a staircase. They climbed up two floors and down another corridor, taking a right at the middle. They reached a room labelled; ‘325’, and Edgar passed them the keys. He bowed as the Bellboys put down their cases and said, “Here are the keys to your room. Make yourselves comfortable, and let us know if you need anything.”

Rarity nodded and put the key in the lock, turning it and opening the door. They walked into their room and shut the door, turning on the lights. The room was quite spacious, and had a double bed facing them. There was a small TV resting on a table at the end of the bed, and bedside tables rested beside the pillows, each with a lamp on them. She walked into their bathroom and found a Jacuzzi and shower stall. The room had a bay window which opened at the top and purple lace curtains.

Spike walked to the left side of the bed and sat on it, putting his case beside him. “Yeah, this is a nice room. A big bed, a table for each of us, a bathroom and a bay window. This is luxury; I’ve got to tell you.”

Rarity smiled and sat on her side of the bed, smiling. “Yes, it is quite cozy, isn’t it? It’s not as big as the room Gray had picked out. It was about three times the size of this room, and had a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.”

Spike nodded and looked at the TV, confused at what it was. “Hey, what is that?”

Rarity looked at it and picked up the piece of paper lying beside it. She read aloud the contents of the letter.

“This is a Television Set, and is able to display pre-recorded and live shows displayed by video cameras. Think of it as going to the cinema, right in your own home. Hoofwood Spa is delighted to host these marvellous machines all across the hotel, and will allow you to view a multitude of shows, films and programs.

To work the TV, simply press the power button and turn the bottom knob (The one labelled ‘Channel.’) and turn it to ‘1’. This will give you a basic program and shows what the TV can do. The top knob (The one labelled ‘Volume.’) controls the volume of the TV. Turn it anti clockwise to turn the volume down, and turn it clockwise to turn the volume up.

If there are any other issues, do let us know. Happy viewing!”

She put down the paper and shrugged, pressing the power switch. She waited for something to happen, and a fuzzy screen of static came into focus. She turned the channel knob to ‘1’, and ‘Gone with the Wind’ showed up on the screen, still in its black and white glory. She smiled and turned to two other channels, one was a current affairs program, and another was a sports channel, which were still in black and white.

Spike looked at the TV and nodded, smiling in mild surprise and satisfaction. “Well, that’s certainly interesting. Are there any other channels?”

She turned the knob and found a new program, and more static. “Nope, only four channels.”

“I understand that it isn’t very advanced, but who knew that such a small box can do such great things. I wonder why these haven’t shown up in Ponyville?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe they haven’t noticed them.”

The couple shrugged in confusion and Rarity opened up her bag, pulling out a dressing gown. She hung it on the chair beside the door with her magic and continued to sift through her bag. Spike opened up his suitcase and took out a few bits of clothing and pulled out a bag of gems. He licked his lips and began to snack on a few, leaning over to Rarity as she sorted out her things.

He leant into her bag and to her face, making her stop sorting through her bag and looked at him in annoyance. “May I help you, Spike?”

He shook his head, eating some more gems. “Not really, I just like to be nosy.”

She pushed him away as she slid back on the bed, and continued to look through her bag, stamping her hoof in frustration. “Ugh, where is it?!”

Spike looked at her and put down his gem bag. “Where’s what?”

“I’ve gone and left my bag of toiletries at home.”

“Why do you need them?”

“Isn’t it obvious, Spikey? I need them for the baths downstairs. There’s a great big bath down there the size of a swimming pool and I need my toiletries to relax.”

“Don’t you think they’ll supply them? This is a spa after all.”

She looked at him and slapped her head in idiocy. “Of course, I’m such a scatterbrain.” She then closed her bag and put it beside the bed, before walking to the door and signalled for Spike. “Come, Spike. We can finish unpacking later, right now I need a bath and I’m not going to relax standing around here, am I?”

He got off the bed and walked to the door, the two of them walking out and shutting the door behind them, locking it. She carried the key with her and proceeded to walk down the corridors and down the stairs to the main corridor, heading down the stairs and to their left, walking through a dark laminated wood corridor filled with paintings of monarchs and earls and lots of old-fashioned furniture. They walked through some double doors and found the main spa baths.

The bath in front of them was no more than 20 metres wide and 10 metres long, with a maximum depth of 12ft. A set of stairs was on the right hand side of the pool, leading into the water. The deep part was to the left, with a flat shallow end to the right at 3.5ft deep stretching out for 7 metres. The pool was steaming from warmth, and a mild fog covered the area, basking the pool in warmth.

The area was roman setting, and had pillars covering the walls of the pool room. The pool had a sky blue mosaic tiling with deep blue tiles on the deep end floor forming the shape of a pony. The room had a glass ceiling with a chandelier hanging from it on a metal support pole.

Spike smiled in amazement as this beautiful pool, making Rarity chuckle. “Isn’t it just wonderful, Spike?”

He nodded and walked towards it, looking at the mosaics at the bottom of the pool. “It sure is.” He dipped a hand in and sighed contently. “And it’s really hot, just the way I like it.” He walked to the stairs and walked in, sighing with relief as he sat on one of the stairs, the water up to his shoulders. “Man, this water’s great. You should get in, Rarity.”

She smiled and walked to the stairs, walking into the pool and swam towards the dragon, sitting next to him and resting her head back, her mane melting into a wet stream of hair. “You’re right, this is nice.” She moaned contently and looked at a shelf behind her, which held a multitude of different bottles and lotions. She levitated a body wash to her and opened the cap, squeezing the contents on her forearms and rubbed.

Spike watched her rub herself with the liquid, and then she squeezed some onto his shoulders, rubbing them in. He turned around and she proceeded to rub his back, making him smile warmly. “Thanks for that, Rarity. I really needed that.”

She giggled quietly and motioned for two ponies to come to them with hoof filers. The two ponies grabbed her hooves and rubbed them in with the file, resting as she got her hooficure. Spike looked around the area and saw another pony standing behind him with a file in her mouth. He looked at her nervously, and then back to Rarity, looking awfully content as another pony washed her hair. He sighed and held his right claw out, the pony rubbing the file against it.

He then found the manicure to be rather settling and comfortable, and turned to the spa worker. “Say, could I have something to drink?”

She stopped filing and took the file out of her mouth. “Certainly, what would you like?”

He thought for a moment and came to a conclusion. “Just a tea with sugar, please?”

She turned away and called out, “I need a tea with sugar over here.”

She then continued to file his claws as a cup of tea was handed to him. He smiled and drunk from the mug, sighing with relief as he turned to Rarity, who was in the middle of an extensive pampering. “You know, a guy like me could get used to this.”

She chuckled and turned to him, resting her back against the pool wall. “You could, couldn’t you?”

“I really am looking forward to this week, it’s going to be amazing.”

“I promise you it’ll be spectacular. I’ll take you to see that pond I was talking about tomorrow.”

The two snuggled a bit closer as the spa workers shuffled a bit closer, as Spike drunk from his mug. Rarity slung a hoof around him, making Spike nervous again. “You know, I thought I’d be really nervous cuddling up to you in a massive tub, but I’ve realised that is isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

“You just have to be bold, Spikey, and never fret about what your crush will do to you.”

“Still, you’ve gotten over your fears about Gray, haven’t you?”

“It’ll never leave me Spike, but I can assure you it’s locked away never to disturb me again.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

He drunk from the mug again, Rarity cuddling him a bit closer as she planted a kiss on his head, making him blush. They laid back and sighed, their pamperings leaving them relaxed and comforted. They could easily rest, and nothing would disturb them.

Meanwhile, in the neighbouring city of Fairtree, the moon rose over the bustling country town as it quietened down, leaving its citizens to go relax and enjoy the night.

In the State Prison, a police officer sat at a desk writing down some reports about the welfare of the prisoners. He sat in the dull glow of a lantern, as his writing was interrupted by the sounds of hooves approaching him. A prison warden stood at his desk with a letter in his mouth as he lowered it to the officer’s desk. “Could I ask you to check this letter? It’s from Hoofwood Spa.”

The officer looked at the envelope, reading aloud the details. “Gray Hoofington, Fairtree State Prison, Equestria, PY6 8HW. Do we have a Gray Hoofington here?”

“Yes sir, he was committed three years ago after a case of sexual assault on a guest at the spa he worked at; Hoofwood Spa to be precise.”

“Sounds like a desperate colt. Let’s take a look at this letter.”

He opened up the envelope and read the contents to himself.

“Dear Gray,

It’s your father here.

I just wanted to say that we got word of your parole being denied by the state, claiming that your behaviour had not changed ever since the crime. Understandably, I asked as to why and saw that you had committed more crimes ever since you got in.

Your crimes extend to arson, thievery, property damage and one group offence of an act of mayhem. I have no idea where you got these ideas, and why you have committed these crimes, but I can guess they’re from the devolving sanity of your mind.

Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to remove you from the family. I have sent a court statement to the police station to have you removed, and hopefully have a court case set up within the next two weeks. I didn’t raise a criminal, and you have greatly upset the family. If your mother could see you now, she would be ashamed to call you her son.

I’ve also come across a bit of luck on my behalf. The girl you assaulted; Rarity ahs returned to the spa and has mostly recovered from the incident, and has no intention of remembering you and thinks you are scum. She’s also found herself a new boyfriend. A bit young, but he’s a nice guy, and is very comforting towards Rarity.

Anyway, if the police approve of this court case being held, it shall commence within the next few weeks. I will visit you sometime this week to talk to you about this.

Until then, I hope you get your life back on track, but it doesn’t look like you will.

From;

Edgar Hoofington.”

He took a pen and looked for anything to censor, but it all seemed pretty clear, so he instead wrote some details on the top right of the letter. He gave the warden the letter and binned the envelope. “Alright, give that to him.”

The warden nodded and walked to his right, opening the door and closing it behind him. He walked past a large room containing some cells and through the ‘Magic Containment’ ward, where unicorns are kept and are given horn rings to block their magic. He walked to the ‘Heavy Internment’ ward and stopped at cell ‘604’. He unlocked the door and saw Gray sitting on the bed with a lamp on. He seemed to be calm, and was busy reading to waste some time.

The warden handed him the letter, which Gray took. He read the letter thoroughly and made gestures of indifference or annoyance at being divorced from the family. He then looked at the paragraph with Rarity and Spike and chuckled to himself. He put down the letter and looked at the guard.

“My good warden, be a good colt and set up a meet up with my father and Rarity, would you?” He asked coldly, his tone somewhat mocking.

“Okay, but be warned that since you have a victim of your rape crime visiting you, we’ll have to up the security.”

“Oh, it’s the 2-inch window room is it? Oh, I like that.”

The warden nodded and walked out of the room, locking the door behind him. Gray got off the bed and opened the small window above him. He looked out of the window and watched the small amounts of lights from Hoofwood just a few miles away glimmer in the distance.

He grinned and laughed in cold blood. “My dear Rarity, it’ll be a pleasure to meet up with you again. I’ll be sure to give you a warm welcome...”

He backed away from the window, and began to laugh. His laughter increased in volume as it filled the room and soon the entire ward. The warden looked back at the room and shivered, freaked out by Gray’s laughter. Gray turned to window and his laughter died down, as he continued to watch out the window, plotting his revenge.

To Be Concluded...

Chapter 3 Part 1

One Ticket Extra

Chapter 3 Part 1

After a night of Rarity and Spike spending time at the Hoofwood Spa, the tension of Rarity’s incident still lurked around the spa like a bad smell, but Edgar Hoofington, owner of the spa, made sure that the incident was never to be brought up. The couple had certainly felt relaxed, and were being pampered like nothing else.

The morning sun had risen over Equestria, basking its towns and civilisations with light, as its citizens rose from their homes to start their day. For Rarity and Spike, the two curled up in their bed as the sun warmly shone through the curtains.

The dragon groaned as the sunlight got in his eyes and awoke from his slumber, yawning as he stretched. He tried to move but found himself in the arms of Rarity, who had snuggled up to him during the night. He found himself in a bit of a panic, but calmly crawled from her grasp and crept out of bed.

His feet touched the floor as he walked to the window, moving the curtains aside so he could sit on the cushioned windowsill. He looked around the front gardens, watching the gentle sway of the trees as birds flew in and out in short intervals. His mind was flooded with questions about how he would help her during the holiday, and had no way of answering them himself.

Soon after, Rarity woke up and brought herself into focus. She looked around for Spike and saw a purple tail hang from the windowsill. She smiled and got out of bed, walking to him as she opened the curtains and stood beside him. He budged to the side as Rarity leant on the ledge, looking outside at the sunny gardens.

She sighed contently and watched carriages trail in and out of the spa. “It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?”

The dragon nodded, mumbling in agreement.

She smiled again, “Do you want to go do something today?”

“Like what?”

“Oh, I don’t know. We could go to the town centre and have a shopping trip, or we could go to the museum of natural science, it depends.”

“Well, what about that pond you wanted to show me?”

“Grand idea, we can go after breakfast. I know exactly where it is, and it’s the only good thing that Gray ever showed me.”

“What about that night in the hot tub?”

“This is nothing to do with my sex life.”

He nodded and heard his belly rumble. “Speaking of breakfast, should we go and get some?”

“That’s a grand idea, Spike. There’s a nice little cafe near the forest path, me and Gray stopped there for tea before he showed me the pond.”

“For somepony you hate and fear, you do talk a lot about him.”

“I know. Call it a curse, but I just like to talk about previous lovers.”

Spike sighed again and got off the windowsill, walking to the door and opening it, letting Rarity pass through, just before she picked up a saddlebag. He smiled and closed the door behind him, as Rarity pulled a key out of her bag and locked the door.

The two walked down the few flights of stairs and found themselves in the main hall. They headed down the main stairs and to the front doors, opening them and closing the doors behind them.

The couple walked down the pathway, to the forest path towards the village. Rarity smiled to herself and asked, “Have you ever been to a country village before, Spike?”

He looked at her and replied, “Well, doesn’t Ponyville count?”

“Yes, but Hoofwood Forest is more of a tourist village, rather than a residential area. There are more shopping outlets and places to dine and have fun than in Ponyville.”

“Oh, then no I haven’t.”

“There’s just so much to show you. I think after our little forest walk, we should stop by the local bakery. They make the most divine fudge this side of Equestria, you simply must try it.”

“Fair enough. You know, I am rather excited about this holiday. First, I thought it was just going to be pampering for a week and head back to Ponyville, but I think that we’re going to do more than sit about in massive jacuzzis all day.”

“Exactly. There’s plenty to do, and I’m going to make sure that we’re going to do everything Hoofwood has to offer.”

The dragon nodded as the two wandered along the large gravel road, eventually making their way to Hoofwood Village. The village was quite small compared to Ponyville, but there were more ponies roaming the streets and it was more confined to pavements and roads rather than grass. The village looked out over a large hill, the sun shining in the distance as the forest seemingly stretched out to infinity.

Rarity walked down the path and took a left turn at the main junction, breaking away from the busy village outlets and to a quiet, secluded field. The couple eventually made it to the cafe, hidden in the forest and made out of wood. They walked into the cafe and looked around.

Spike looked to his right and saw a pony of interest, grabbing Rarity’s attention. “Look, isn’t that Edgar?”

The old pony was infact Edgar, sitting at the table with a mug, reading a newspaper. The unicorn smiled and walked to him, clearing her throat. The old pony put down his paper and smiled when he saw the couple. “Well, if it isn’t Rarity and Spike. How did the spa treat you last night?”

Rarity smiled, replying, “Oh, it was simply marvellous, darling. The spa hasn’t changed at all.”

“Fantastic, I am glad you two are enjoying your stay. Please, sit down, I’m just about to order some breakfast.”

The two sat opposite Edgar, Rarity replying, “That’s very kind of you, Edgar, thank you very much.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, dear girl. I’m sure after a long day, my friends would enjoy a fine breakfast.”

A waitress stood at the table and asked, “Hey, Edgar. How are you today?”

“Ah, I’m fine, Ms. Dove. Have you met my friends here, this is Rarity and her friend; Spike.” He showed the waitress his friends.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Rarity.”

She smiled and replied, “Yes, well, I have gotten over the worst of it. And now that I have my little Spikey Wikey here with me, I’m making sure that my visit here will be enjoyable.”

“Great to hear, Rarity. Now, what do you want today?”

Edgar cleared his throat and asked, “You know what I want, a large egg and tomatoes, with plenty of salad on the side.”

Rarity asked, “I’ll have a stack of pancakes. How about you, Spike?”

He replied, “I’ll have the same as her. Just replace the maple sauce with chocolate sauce.”

The waitress wrote their orders down, “Okay, they’ll be ready in the next ten minutes.”

As she walked off, Edgar let a small chuckle loose, “Ah, Ms Dove. She works ever so hard, and likes everypony’s company.”

Rarity nodded and asked, “Tell me, do you visit here often?”

“Oh, most certainly, Rarity. I’ve been having breakfast here for almost 30 years, and I’d be damned if I go someplace else. Ever since Mrs Aroma passed on, Ms Dove has taken in her hoofsteps, and a damn fine job she’s done.”

Spike asked, “So, is it just Ms Dove that works here?”

“Well, she brings her boyfriend in to help her out, and I tend to fill in when either one of them fall ill. Heck, even Gray used to work here when he left school.”

“Still, I wonder how he became who he was.”

“Nopony knows, not even me. Regardless, that’s best if that incident remains well hidden between us three.”

Spike leant back and let out a sigh. Edgar cleared his throat and asked, “So, what have you two got planned for today?”

Rarity smiled and replied, “Oh, me and Spike are off to visit that lake that Gray showed me, and then we’re off shopping.”

“Sounds like fun. I hope you two have a lovely day.”

He then pulled out a pen from his jacket and wrote on a napkin. “Before I forget, give this to the clothes shop two doors from the bakery. Tell them I sent you, you’ll like it.”

Rarity took the napkin and read it. There was a number on it and an address, detailing the shop and who the dress was for. “Thank you, but what is it for?”

“It’s a surprise, my dear. You’ll just have to find out, won’t you?”

Rarity was suddenly drawn to the smell of pancakes in the kitchen, sniffing the air and sighing happily. Spike then said, “That must be our breakfast.”

“Yes, Dove’s cooking has that effect, she’s very good at it. Are you a cook, Spike?”

“On occasion, but I can cook. I mostly specialise in cakes, my friend works at a local bakery, you see.”

“Ah, good. What sort of cakes do you make?”

“I mostly make Gem cake, it’s the cake I’m best at. That, and I’m the only one who can eat it.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m the only dragon in Ponyville. Heck, I may be the only legally registered dragon resident in the country.”

“Goodness, is this true, Rarity?”

She shook her head, trying to focus away from the delicious smells. “Huh, pardon?”

“Spike just said that he’s the only legally registered dragon resident in Equestria. Is this true?”

“I’m not sure. Are you?”

“I’m most probably sure. I’ll have to ask Twilight or Celestia.”

Edgar held out a hoof. “Wait, Celestia? As in, THE Princess Celestia?”

“Sure. My guardian, Twilight is Celestia’s student, so I know her personally.”

“My word, a dragon who knows royalty. Well, I’m honoured to know someone close to royalty. Do you know that Celestia visits the spa in the summer? But, tell me, were you two close?”

“Close? I was raised by her since Twilight hatched me. She’s practically my grandmother.”

Edgar suddenly became slack-jawed. He just could not believe what he was hearing. “Do you think I can get some conformation on this from Celestia?”

“Certainly. Have you got some paper?”

Edgar pulled out a sheet of parchment from his jacket, as Spike began to write on the scroll;

‘Dear Celestia,

I’ve just met the owner of Hoofwood Spa, and I’ve told him how I know you, and how you raised me. He needs more conformation from you, so could you write down a brief summary of how I know you?

Yours, Spike.’

He rolled up the scroll and stepped outside, breathing fire onto it and watching it vanish. He walked back in and sat down again, “Give it a few minutes.”

“So, what happened? Did he burn the scroll up?”

Rarity replied, “No, that’s his way of sending letters. He knows a small bit of magic, and can transport things with his fire to Celestia.”

“This is all becoming a bit much for me to handle. Where’s my breakfast?”

Then, Dove walked back into the room, three plates held up. “Here it is, Mr Edgar.”

She waltzed over to them and served up the group’s breakfast, the group giving their thanks to her. Before she could walk off again, Edgar stopped her and said, “Did you know that the young dragon there knows Celestia?”

“Really? Has he got any proof?”

Spike felt a churn in his stomach, as he burped out a letter, startling Edgar and Dove. He unravelled the scroll and smiled, skimming through it and giving it to them, “Read that.”

Edgar shuffled to Dove as he read the letter’s contents aloud.

‘Dear Spike,

I’m quite glad you needed proof of our friendship, so I’ve decided to write down everything Edgar will need to know.

Spike was hatched nearly twelve years ago by my student, Twilight Sparkle. He has been in my care since he was born, and was given to my student eight years after his birth. When he was in my care, I taught him how to send and receive letters through his fire breath, as well as schooling him.

Twilight took possession of Spike and began to take care of him much like I did years ago. When he lived in Canterlot, I always used to take him fishing during the spring, when the rainbow fish begin their mating season and they breach from the lake. He also liked to eat his weight in gems quite often, and since I had plenty, he’s got a stash of them hidden here in the castle.

When he moved to Ponyville with Twilight, he made friends with her new friends. I’ve received lots of letters from Spike re-telling my student’s lessons about friendship, along with her friends. I’ve also got souvenirs from their travels and their many adventures, along with a number of pictures. I’ve enclosed a picture of me,Spike, Twilight and her friends in the letter.

That’s basically all you need to know. If there is anything else you need to know, let Spike know.

Thank you for your understanding,

Princess Celestia.’

He put down the letter and found the photo of Spike, Celestia and their friends beside one another, and was amazed.

“My god, it’s all here. This photo simply proves it, he does know Celestia, as well as Rarity!”

Dove asked, “But wait, don’t you know her?”

“Yes, I do, but I’d never suspect a young dragon to be raised by the Princess.”

Whilst he was reading, the two had finished their breakfasts, patting their bellies as they sighed, slightly giggling.

Edgar gave the letter back to Spike, who gave it back to him. “Keep it, I’ve got nowhere to put it.”

Edgar shrugged and put the letter in his jacket. He then began to eat his breakfast, when the couple got up, Rarity saying, “Well, we mustn’t bother you any further, we shall be going.”

Edgar waved them off with a smile, “Have fun, you two.”

The couple walked out, as Edgar turned to Dove and said, “My mind has officially been blown.”

“Yeah. Well, there’s a lot of interesting characters in this country.” Dove smiled and walked off, leaving Edgar on his own.

Spike and Rarity walked down the path, leading down a gentle slope through the forest, breaking off from the main path. Rarity walked in the lead as the dragon followed behind. He looked at her and asked, “How far is the pond from here?”

She smiled and replied, “It’s about half a mile this way. It won’t take long.”

He nodded and walked beside her, the two walking past the towering trees as they followed the small path, its edges covered with flowers and colourful foliage of all sorts. They walked to a log hanging over a small creek, to which Rarity hopped up to and walked over, Spike following behind. They saw sunlight beaming down on them in the distance, an open area in the thick forest. They walked through the tall grass covering the entrance and found themselves at the pond.

The pond was in an open area, not covered by any trees as the sun shined through. The only tree in the area was a pink blossom tree, the petals flowing from the tree into the pond as a brook trickled in the distance. The pond was surrounded by flowers of all sorts, as butterflies hovered above, their wings refracting off the water.

Rarity gazed at the pond and for once had a happy memory of her time with Gray, the two cuddling together as they sat on the water’s edge, watching the schools of fish flow in the water.

She laid on the edge of the pond, dipping her forehooves into the water. Spike sat beside her, dipping his feet into the water as he kicked gently. The unicorn sighed, smiling, “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Spike nodded, looking in awe at his surroundings. She giggled to herself, “This pond is still the same after all these years.”

“I bet it is. Not much can change to hills and countryside in three years.”

“Certainly not.”

The young dragon kicked at the water again, a question burning inside his head. He looked at Rarity and sighed, wanting the answer to this question he wanted to know for a long time. “Rarity, be truthful. How close were you to Gray?”

She looked at him and sighed, looking at her reflection in the water. “Spike, I told you a few nights ago how I was... a bit open with my boyfriends. Heck, I wouldn’t call most of them ‘actual’ boyfriends.”

“Yeah?”

“I should tell you when I was younger, that I got around a lot, and had hanky-panky with many different colts and mares back in college.”

Spike looked at his reflection in disbelief, but wanted to know her relationship. “Was it a lot?”

“I had a sex addiction in college, to be honest. But, there were the few times I was truly in love with a colt. Not for one night, but a pony I would like to spend my life with, and I managed to curb the addiction. Too bad they all ended in not seeing each other, or the colt cheating on me.

I began to know just how much it hurt to be heartbroken. I was transforming back into the lady I was when I was a little filly, and I stayed that way through my life. Then Gray appeared.”

Spike shuffled closer, wanting to hear more of the story.

“Gray was the first colt I met in college who seemed like the pony I would spend eternity with, that we would go to the stars and back to enjoy our lives. He took me out to dinner and he decided to invite me for a pampering at the spa he worked for. He took he under his hoof and we had a lot of fun, believe me...

Well, it was the third day of my visit here, and that morning, he took me here to this pond, because it was his own special place, where he would find peace and serenity. It was the first time I knew that love was something that must be treasured...”

She began to tear up. “And how easy it is to break.”

Spike placed an arm around her as she continued, tears streaming down her face. “After that night, I thought I would never love again, to think I would spend my time as a lonely mare who was used for sexual actions. Prince Blueblood was the colt I targeted afterwards, ever since I got a crush on him in elementary school.”

Spike added, “And then the gala happened...”

“Yes, the gala happened. To be honest, my love life was tarnished after that night, and then I thought I would never love again. That was when I started to treat you better.

When we met, I mostly used you for my tasks, and I didn’t see you as the dragon who would become one of my closest friends. I saw him as a doormat, to be walked over, and I know that is not how you should be treated. I stopped using you as a pincushion, and began spending time with you, such as Twilight’s after-birthday party, Peewee’s discovery...”

“Hearts and Hooves day.”

“Oh, Hearts and Hooves day... What a day that was, Spike. That was when I saw you as a friend, someone who can be trusted, and treated fairly without being looked down upon. The dinner, the fireworks show, and our first true kiss.”

The couple cuddled together, reminiscing of their night out. They watched the pond ripple as the gentle trickle of the brook lingered in the air.

The unicorn looked at Spike and said, “Spike, have I ever told you that you are the best friend I could ever ask for?”

“I think you have.”

“Spike, I want you to know that me, Twilight and our friends love you so much, and that you shouldn’t let anypony tell you differently.”

“Thanks, Rarity... I love you.”

“I love you too, Spikey Wikey...”

The couple turned and kissed, their lips meeting as they held their kiss, the sound of the forest whistling past them. They broke the kiss as Spike said, “But don’t you think I’m too young for you?”

“That may be so, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pin you down and smother you in hugs and kisses, does it?”

“Rarity, what do you have in mind?”

She pounced the dragon and pinned him by his arms, kissing the dragon repeatedly as her lips climbed around his face and neck. He laughed as he received the kisses, his hands reaching to her cheeks as she leant in for another long kiss. They broke the kiss and sat up, giggling.

Spike smiled and asked, “Yeah... should we go shopping?”

“Yeah, I think I’ve reminisced long enough now.”

She stood up and stretched, as Spike walked to her. “Ready, Spike?”

The couple walked out of their small area and back into the forest, walking up the trail and back to civilisation.

Edgar walked through the main garden of the spa, his pipe sticking out of his mouth. He walked to the main stairs and saw a mailpony waiting at the door, the colt having a yellow coat and brown hair.

Edgar walked to the mailpony and asked, “Ah, good morning. Is there something for me?”

He pulled a letter out of his bag, “Yes, it’s from the Fairtree Prison.”

“Goodness. It must be my son.” He took the letter and opened it.

He scanned the letter and dropped his pipe in shock. The mailpony looked at him and asked, “Are you alright, sir?”

“Oh god, I knew I shouldn’t have told him about Rarity...”

He took the letter, picked up his pipe and ran off, heading back down the hill as the mailpony watched in confusion. Sandra, the receptionist, walked out and saw Edgar run off. “What’s with Edgar?”

“I just gave him a letter from the prison. He said something about ‘Rarity’.”

“Rarity? Oh dear, Gray’s been reminded...”

She closed the door, leaving the mailpony on his own. “So, do I get tipped for this, or what?”

Back at the village, Rarity and Spike walked towards the bakery and headed inside, a strong smell of caramel filling the room. A middle-aged, female pony came out of the kitchen and walked to the counter, “Hello, how may I help you?”

Rarity smiled and asked, “Yes, can we have two slices of your caramel fudge, please?”

“Certainly!” She smiled as she picked up some tongs, picked up two medium sized blocks of fudge and put them in a paper bag. She handed them the bag and said, “Okay, that’ll be five bits total, please?”

“Rarity handed her the bits and took the bag, walking off with a wave as the baker said, “Have a nice day, you two!”

The couple walked outside and took a slice of fudge each, and took a bite out of it. Spike felt his legs go weak as he bit into the fudge, the sweet, syrupy taste of the caramel welling inside him.

He looked at Rarity, his eyes gleaming as he moaned, “Oh, sweet Cadence, that’s the best fudge ever...”

Rarity giggled and replied, “I told you so, didn’t I? It’s my most favourite fudge in Equestria, and I order some every few months. Sweetie Belle has grown addicted to it as I have as well.”

“Yeah, could you save some for me if you order some?”

“Certainly, Spike. I shall save some for the others as well.”

The two walked across the road and to the clothes shop, Rarity pulling out the napkin from earlier out of her bag. She read the number and address and walked into the shop, walking towards the counter.

The clerk, a unicorn colt with an ocean gray coat and white hair stood at the till, looking at Rarity as she walked forward.

“Hello, how may I help you?”

She looked at the napkin and handed it to the clerk, “Yes, I got this from Edgar Hoofington, and he told me to give it to you.”

The clerk examined the napkin, and smiled, “Ah, a friend of Edgar, are we? Please, follow me.”

The couple followed the clerk to the aisles and said, “You see, Edgar is a friend of mine, and he used to work for me. This napkin contains his ordering info from his membership account, so this allows you to order a dress for yourself, and a suit for your friend.”

Rarity gasped in excitement, “A new dress?! Oh, Edgar, what a wonderful pony he is!”

The clerk chuckled and said, “Pick out a dress that suits you, Miss...”

“Rarity.”

“Rarity, Miss Rarity.”

The unicorn scanned the dresses lined up for her, inspecting each one. The clerk watched her examine each dress, and turned to the dragon, “Does she always examine dresses like this?”

“She’s a seamstress; she does this on a regular basis.”

“I see. Well, a taste for dresses would be her forte.”

Rarity found a pink ball gown, with white frills lining the hem and a poufy carriage, reminding her a lot of her gala dress, only more fabulous. “I want this one, please.”

“Fair enough. And for the dragon?”

“Just fit me with a snazzy suit and I’m good.”

“Very well. If you two would like to follow me...”

The couple followed the clerk, their choices of clothing hovering past them as they walked into a dressing room. The lights flicked on as a podium surrounded by mirrors stood before them. The clerk held a hoof for Rarity to stand on the podium as she took the dress. She climbed into the dress as she clipped the back, the dress snuggling up against her.

She turned to the mirror and gasped, “Oh my goodness, this dress looks more amazing when worn!”

She pulled a few poses and looked at each of the dresses sides, the clerk watching in wonder. “I say, you look simply fabulous.”

“Thank you. Spike, what do you think?”

“I think it may be the best thing you’ve worn in ages, and you look amazing in it.”

She beamed as she looked back into the mirror; her cheeks blushed a pink colour.

The clerk then asked, “Would your friend like to try his own, now?”

“Oh, of course.” She replied, stepping off the podium as Spike put his shirt on. He climbed into his trousers, fitted his blazer on and fitting his tie as he climbed onto the podium. He looked at the mirror and whistled, “Darn, I look sexy.”

Rarity giggled, the clerk asking, “How does it fit?”

“It fits really well, thank you. I could see myself using this in the future. Rarity, what are your thoughts?”

“You look simply smashing, darling. I’d definitely take you out to dinner in that.”

He chuckled to himself and walked off the podium. The clerk walked out of the dressing room and back to the till, removing the tags and rang them up, using Edgar’s account number to serve as their payment. He gave the napkin back and gave them their purchases. “Thank you for shopping with us, I do hope you shop again soon.”

The two walked out of the shop and back into the street, their purchases in a bag. Rarity looked at Spike and said, “You know, I’ve really enjoyed today, and we’ve only just started.”

“I know, it’s been amazing. I’m so glad I got to spend this holiday with you.”

“I agree. If I went with one of the girls, we would spend most of our time sitting about gossiping. With you, I have so much to show you, it’s unbelievable.”

“Yeah, but you could take that mentality with our friends. I mean, they’ve never been here, you could show them everything here, and they’d be as surprised and satisfied as I would be.”

“That’s quite right, Spike. I think we should go back to the spa and have a nice bath, we’ve been walking for a while now, and that bath is simply amazing.”

Before they could even cross the road, they saw Edgar running towards them, Rarity asking, “Edgar, I simply must thank you for the new dress. It’s simply—“

Edgar cut them off and said, “There’s no time for that now. There’s something you must read.”

He handed her the letter as she put the bag down and read it;

‘Dear Edgar Hoofington,

Your son, Gray Hoofington has booked a meeting with you, Miss Rarity and Mr Spike at the Fairtree Prison heavy internment meeting rooms.

The meeting will commence at 11 o’clock today, and has specified two separate meetings with you, and then with Miss Rarity and Mr Spike. Each meeting will be ten minutes long, and you will be required to attend.

If you have any queries, do contact us and let us know.

Signed,

Night Watch, Chief Constable of Fairtree Police.’

Rarity shook as she finished reading the letter, her gut churning at the mere reminder of having to meet Gray Hoofington. She stared at the letter in sheer dread and fear, tears streaming down her eyes as her pupils shrank. Edgar shook the mare, bringing her back to reality. “Rarity, remain calm. The meeting rooms are safely barricaded, so Gray can do nothing to you.

I know meeting him after all these years is scary, but you will be safe, and we will make sure of that. Come on, we must catch a carriage.”

Edgar and Spike ushered Rarity to the bus stop, picking up the shopping bag as they got onto a carriage. “Driver; Fairtree Prison, please.”

The carriage trotted off down the pathway, towards the main city of Fairtree.

The prison had a dull light in its waiting room, the heavy interment ward looming over Rarity and Spike as they sat on a bench, the unicorn shaking in her seat as Spike patted her, making sure she was safe.

He quietly asked, “Are you okay, Rarity?”

She nodded, muttering her agreement through her tears.

Edgar walked out of the meeting room, letting a deep sigh out. “Well, it’s your turn, you two.”

He walked to the couple and helped Rarity into the room, Spike closing the door behind them as a guard stood in the corner of the room. Rarity sat down on the seat as the dragon stood beside her.

Gray sat in front of her, looking at the table in front of him. He looked up, and gave a twisted smile. “Hello, Rarity. It’s been a long time.”

She nodded and replied quietly, “It has been, yeah...”

He sat back and chuckled, “Three years I’ve been locked up in this prison. Three years... has it really been that long?”

He turned to the guard, “Hey, guard, has it been three years already?!”

“Gray, you only have ten minutes. Don’t test me right now.”

He laughed, turning back to Rarity and noticing the dragon standing before her. “So, this is Spike, is it? I thought he’d be a bit taller and older, but opposites attract, you know...”

The dragon said nothing as Gray looked at him, waiting for an answer. He nodded and laughed again, “Quite the silent bunch, aren’t you? Come on, the guard said we only have ten minutes, and I want some answers.”

Rarity looked at Spike, and nodded, “Okay, what is you wish to know, Gray?”

“Isn’t it obvious to you already? I only wanted to see you again. It’s been far too long, dear, and time is a fickle thing. It waits for nopony. And I’ve been honestly dying to see how you’ve got on.”

He leant forward and asked, “So, how’s life? Made some new friends?”

“Why should you know?”

“I’m just curious. Don’t worry; I’ve got no-one to tell my stories to. Your secrets are safe with me.”

Rarity sighed and replied, “I’ve made some new friends, yes. I’ve been very well since the incident.”

“Excellent. See, now we’re getting somewhere!”

Spike looked at him and replied, “You know, Rarity isn’t one to be mocked!”

“Oh, pardon me, but I didn’t want any brat interrupting me at the moment, so shut your lip and I’ll speak to you in due time.”

Rarity looked at him angrily, “Don’t speak to Spike like that!”

“Oh, the cat has claws, I see? The cat I took under my horn and fucked her brains out...”

Rarity winced at his words, Gray leaning forward. “Do you remember when we first met? How you were instantly smitten for me, like you always were towards other colts? Like the little slut that you are...”

Spike spoke up again, “Hey, don’t call her a slut!”

“Oh, shut your yap, you insufferable prick! You’ll speak when spoken to, alright?!”

The guard restrained Gray as Spike winced, the colt laughing quietly, “Oh yes, my bad behaviour isn’t tolerated here...”

He sat forward as the guard stood back, “You remember, don’t you? How you fell under my spell because I could afford five summer homes. You were just too easy.”

She flicked her hair, “Yes, I was a stupid girl back in high school, but now I can see who you really are. I bet this isn’t the first time you’ve done this. I bet that you are a two-timing, ill-minded good-for-nothing brute, aren’t you?!”

She seethed through her teeth, her fear now building into pure rage. Gray smiled, “The claws are sharp with this one. I do like strong, dominating girls, you know...”

She sat back, breathing heavily. Gray nodded and asked, “Can I ask you something, Spike?”

He looked up in fear, “What?”

“What made you fall for this girl? Was it her looks, her personality, her money?”

Spike sighed, “Her looks.”

He chuckled, “See, Rarity? Even boys aren’t so different.”

She spoke again, “Look, Gray. I know you just want to put us down, and I apologize for my language, but I just want to cut the bullshit and tell you to back off!”

Gray looked at her in mild surprise, sitting back and twiddling his hooves. “Well, you’ve certainly grown some during my stay. Maybe your boyfriend could learn something from you.”

Spike then felt the courage to speak up again, “You know, Rarity’s right, just cut the bull dung and back off. You have no right to put us down, and you can just crawl back into whatever hole you crawled out off and die a slow, painful death, you horrible backstabber.”

Gray nodded, “You decide to disobey me, why?”

“Because you said to learn something from Rarity, and I did, by not taking any more abuse.”

He smiled and clapped his hooves together, “Well done, my friend. You learn quickly for a young dragon such as yourself. Trust me, the feeling of victory won’t last for long.”

Spike laughed, “What can you do? You’re in there, and we’re out here.”

He leant forward, “That still doesn’t mean I’m not going to fuck your girlfriend’s brains out...”

“Hello, earth to Gray? You’re in prison, and we’re in the free world, able to do as we please. You can’t do diddly-squat.”

Gray clenched his teeth, and looked at the cocky dragon again, “You don’t think I’m scary enough? Just watch me, you cocky little fuck.”

The guard tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Come on, Gray. Visitin’ time is over.”

He sighed, walking with the guard, “I’m glad we had this little talk, Rarity. It’ll be sweet nothings compared to when I get out of here...”

His voice dropped to a low, pissed off growl, “You may not think I will, but I will, and your boyfriend is the first to go.”

Spike looked at him with slight worry, starting to become scared to Gray again. He was ushered out of the room as Rarity sat there, looking at the ground. The dragon patted her thigh and asked, “Rarity?”

She looked at him through teary eyes, her make-up running. Spike smiled at her, “Don’t worry. He won’t get us. He doesn’t even know where we live, and he’ll have no chance of getting out.”

She sniffled and gave the dragon a smile, and a hug, before walking out. Edgar greeting them and walked them out of the prison. Rarity looked at the old pony and said, “Gray’s a bit different, isn’t he?”

Edgar nodded, “I believe so, yes.”

Spike added, “He said he’ll get us when he gets out of jail, but what chance does he have of getting out with that attitude?”

“Exactly, dear boy. Gray hasn’t got a hope in the world that he’ll get out, and be grateful, he’s a bit twisted ever since he was committed.”

“We can see that.”

Rarity smiled and said, “Well, I don’t think Gray will be leaving soon, but what if he does?”

“Don’t worry, Rarity. He won’t get past us, and if he lays a single hoof on you, he’ll be sorry.”

She nodded and placed a hoof around Spike, “I guess you’re right.”

The three walked back into the sunlight, leaving the prison and Gray behind. Rarity hopped on the coach with a new smile on her face, her friends hopping on with her as the coach took off, heading back to the town.

That night, back inside the prison, Gray laid on his bed, reading a classy adult novel to calm him down. He looked at the clock, the time reading 2:24AM. He looked up when the door opened, a large Pegasus walking in, dressed in a prisoner’s uniform. Gray put the book down and said, “Ah, good evening, Nimbus.”

He replied in a gruff tone, “’Sup, Gray?”

“Oh, not much, I’ve just been busy. How about you, my friend?”

“I’m alright.”

Gray nodded, and remembered that the door is usually locked and nopony can get in. “Wait, how did you get into my room? Did you sneak in for some hanky-panky again, you naughty dog, you?”

Nimbus grimaced and walked aside, showing a bag of laundry. He prompted Gray to open it, and found a guard with a broken neck lying inside. “Oh, nasty. Tell me, how did you do it?”

“Simple. I asked a guard to check on me and come in, a quick manoeuvre and boom. One dead guard.”

“Nice. But why did you bring a dead guard to me, and let me out of my cell when guards are walking about above us?”

“I plan to get you out by sacrificing myself.”

“Sacrifice? But why?”

“I’ve lived a good lie, and I’m not gonna spend three hundred years locked up in here. I might as well get it over with.”

“But, Equestria doesn’t believe in the death penalty.”

“They’re gonna wish they did.”

Nimbus stood by the balcony and pulled the dead guard out of the bag, and tossing it up.

The guard flinched in horror at the dead guard and talked into his radio, “Sir, we’ve got two escapees and a dead guard. Send in the squad and pursue the prisoners.”

The guard gave chase as more guards began following them, a mob eventually forming. The two leapt from a balcony onto lower ground, charging past guards in the vain hope of making an escape. Soon, attack dogs were unleashed on the prisoners, as they made it through the wards and past the mess hall, barging past the tables and benches as Nimbus acted as a battering ram.

They made their way to the entrance, and their escape was halted by a mob of guards. Nimbus and Gray looked around them, circled by guards, attack dogs and riot squad. The Pegasus looked at Gray as he picked him up and aimed at a window, “Good luck out there, Gray.”

“But, what about you?”

“I’ll be alright. I’ve lived long enough.”

Gray nodded and pointed at the window, as Nimbus flung him from it before being dogpiled by guards, Gray flying down the hill and into the trees. He crashed and rolled on the slope and eventually stopped by a tree before getting to his feet, stripping his uniform off and giving a slasher smile, running to the north, towards the village.

He ran past the trees, the smile planted on his face, “So, after a lucky escape, I’m free. First order of business, Rarity.”

As he ran, another evil laugh escaped him, his laughter ringing through the trees as he dashed towards the town, the night sky glowing above him. Gray had escaped, his plan now under way. Now nothing can go wrong.

To Be Concluded...

Chapter 3 Part 2

One Ticket Extra

Chapter 3 Part 2

Warning: This chapter contains scenes of a violent and disturbing nature. Viewer discretion is advised. It's not much to bump it up to mature, but do be careful.

In the village of Hoofwood, the villagers had retreated to their homes, their work finished for the day as the moon rose over the sleepy village. The villagers were all ready to head off to bed, when a barrage of lights flashed in the forest. Nopony noticed at first, but suddenly took notice when the amount of flash lights grew, the hustle and bustle of ponies in the distance.

The large amount of police force workers grew, talking to one another as police officers searched the forest, bringing sniffer dogs with them. The villagers began to walk to the scene, curious at all the commotion, but were stopped by officers.

The clothes shop clerk looked around and asked, “Goodness, what’s going on here?”

A police officer began backing the villagers up. “Please remain calm, villagers. I assure you that all is well, but I must ask you to return to your homes.”

“But why? Is something wrong?”

“Sir, a convicted criminal has escaped Fairtree Prison, and is roaming the area. We must get everypony back inside so that we can ensure that nopony gets hurt.”

The villagers began backing up and walking back to the village, all talking amongst one another. The clerk turned to the local baker and asked, “My word, an escaped criminal. I never would have expected that, Fairtree is really secure.”

“Somepony must’ve gotten desperate to escape that place. We should probably stay in our homes until it’s safe.”

The clerk nodded and turned to his shop, his mind buzzing with worry and surprise.

Meanwhile, Ms. Dove was just about to head to bed, dressed in a bath robe and dimming the lights in her room as she settled on the bed, reading a romance novel. She laid back on her bed, idly flipping through the book as she began to doze off.

Suddenly, a loud knocking came from the cafe, prompting her to sigh with annoyance as she got up, lighting the cafe. “Hold on, I’m coming.”

She walked to the door and unlocked it, opening it. “Sorry, but we’re closed, could you come back—“

Her voice was cut off by who was waiting at the door for her. She walked backwards in fright, shaking in fear, “G-Gray, is that—“

The colt grinned, his eyes shining at her. “Why yes, it is me.”

Ms. Dove gulped and asked, “What are you d-doing here?”

“Oh, I was just passing by the neighbourhood and I was wondering if I could borrow a few things. I just need a paper bag, and a furnace lighter. I’ll go and get them, while you wait right there.”

The colt walked beside her to the front desk, searching the area. He heard a few hoofsteps behind her, and smiled wickedly. He quickly grabbed the plant vase sitting beside him and threw it at Ms. Dove, crashing into her and showering her in shards of porcelain, blood spraying from her nose and mouth as she fell to the ground. She grabbed her nose as Gray grabbed her, holding her by her mane.

He looked into her eyes and mockingly said, “You are just too easy, my dear. I told you not to move, but did you listen?”

Dove coughed a small amount of blood out as Gray got the items he needed, gently letting go of her and walking towards the door. “Thanks for being a darling, Ms. Dove. I think I might come back for a coffee some point...” He walked off with a low laugh, dashing into the forest.

Dove sat there, crawling towards the door as she felt a few of her teeth on the floor. Flash lights were heading in her direction, a few police officers crowding around the cafe as one knelt to Dove. “Good lord, what happened here?”

She coughed more blood as she mumbled, “Gray came here and took a few items. He ran into the forest behind you...”

She passed out from blood loss and blunt force trauma, prompting medical staff to help her into an ambulance. The officer stood up and turned to his co-workers, teeming with rage. “Okay, search the forest and find Gray, and don’t stop until you find him!”

His assistants ran into the forest, the officer sitting next to Dove as he comforted her.

At the spa, Edgar sat in his office, along with a few of his friends and workers. They were idly discussing current affairs over a few glasses of red wine. Edgar laughed and said, “So, I heard that your son is going into acting, Newton.”

Newton looked at him and sighed in disgust, “Don’t get me started. I thought he was going to do Vaudeville, but turns out he was going to do burlesque.”

“Well, it’s definitely something different, to say the least. As long as he’s out doing something and earning money.”

“Yes, but his current agenda consist of him doing strip shows.”

Sandra turned to him and said, “Newton, this may sound weird coming from me, but I’d have your son if he was ten years older than he was.”

“Are you attracted to my son?”

“Hey, he’s got a nice ass, what can you do? Maybe that or I’m really drunk.”

Edgar smiled and said, “Sandra does like a bit to drink at this time of night, Newton. If your son wants to go into burlesque, I’d say let him. He’s a grown lad; he can do what he wants. Just as long as he doesn’t pull a ‘Gray’.”

Sandra turned to him and asked, “How was he, by the way?”

“A bit more twisted since I last saw him, but he seems to be coping.”

“So, you’re still glad he’s in prison.”

“Got it in one, Sandra.” He took a sip from his wine glass, sitting back and relaxing.

He looked at the clock and yawned, “Goodness, is it three AM already? We’ve been up for a while.”

The colt next to Newton replied, “Hey, since it’s three, we should pull an all-nighter. We deserve a bit of drink after your recent visit to the prison.”

Edgar laughed and filled up his glass with whiskey, “I suppose you’re right.”

Outside the spa building, Gray emerged from the trees, holding the tools he needs in his mouth as he slunk through the trees to Edgar’s office. “Dad’s light is still on. This’ll get his attention.”

The colt put the tools down and opened up the bag, noticing the crawling ivy above him. It was too high to set alight by himself, so he grabbed a selection of roses, tulips and lilies at his feet and filled the paper bag. He turned the furnace lighter on and lit the bag on fire. He set the bag down and ran to the main entrance, eager that his plan will work.

Gray opened the doors to the spa and walked quickly to reception, grabbing the attention of the receptionist.

The receptionist glanced at him, putting down a file and said, “Hold on, I’m doing my hooves up.”

She looked at her hooves again, and did a double take at who was in front of him. Before she could even stammer, Gray leant forward and punched the mare in the face, knocking her out. He shook his hoof and said to himself, “No time for the pleasantries, you scatty mare. I just need to take care of business.”

He walked up the stairs and took a turn right, towards his father’s office. He noticed the large sofa facing it and lifted it, placing it at his door. “Dad’s office is a pull to enter affair. This’ll raise a smile.”

Edgar continued talking to his friends, “Well, I talked to Camphor the other day and he said that my father’s pipe was the first pipe he ever made. I’ve known this pipe ever since I was a lad, but I’d never expect it to have such a history.”

Sandra replied, “And a price. How much was it again?”

“Over 1,500 bits. It’s my prized possession, as it’s the only thing I have to remember my father by.”

Edgar sat back and resumed smoking his pipe, when he smelt a foul, dungy smell in the air. He looked around and said, “Has anyone farted around here?”

His friends also noticed the smell as Newton asked, “Not me, unless somepony’s farted dead flowers.”

Edgar looked around for the smell and noticed the smell emanating from the window. He opened it and looked out, noticing the smell of burning flowers. “Oh good lord. I swear, these village’s kids are getting out of hoof!”

“What is it?”

“It’s a bag of what I presume are my prized roses, on fire.” He replied in between sniffs.

Sandra sniffed the air and replied, “Oh no, I can smell it from here.”

Edgar closed the window to keep the smell out as he pointed to the door. “Let’s get out of here and take care of it, come on.”

His friends stood up and Edgar walked to the door, noticing that he can’t open it. “That’s odd, the door won’t open.”

“Do you have to pull?”

“No, it’s a push door, I had it installed that way before safety laws stated that all doors must pull to get out.”

Sandra helped to push, but noticed no movement. “That is odd, who could be doing this to us?”

Edgar stood at the door and shouted, “Whoever is doing this, it is not funny! Now, let us out!”

A laugh could be heard from outside, a voice replying, “Oh, I knew you would hate that, father. That’s why I did it, just to annoy you.”

Edgar backed away from the door, “Gray?”

“Surprised to hear me, father? It’s been a while since I’ve been here, you know. It hasn’t changed much since I last came here. You didn’t even change the door, how sad is that?”

“How did you escape?!”

“Oh, it was simply marvellous, my escape. One of my inmates decided to help me break out when he broke a guard’s neck, slung him into a bag, and used the corpse as bait as we made our escape. When we were cornered, my friend slung me out the window, and I got out scot free. It was so amazing; it should have been filmed, it was genius!”

Edgar sneered and replied with concern, “While clever, I would have expected you to get out of prison, because revenge was always your number one priority through your life.”

“If you expected me to get out, why didn’t you do anything about that? Add in some more security, lock the doors once in a while... fix the door so it opens inwards instead of out?”

“Don’t mess with me, boy.” Edgar’s voice dropped in tone, his voice becoming grizzled.

Gray let out a short laugh, “My father’s angry, is he? You haven’t been the same since mother died... Shame, really, you used to be so nice to everypony.”

“Your mother’s death broke me, and there wasn’t anything I could do about that.”

“Besides grow a pair and suck it up?”

Edgar growled and banged on the door, “You listen here; you do not speak like that about my wife!”

“Oh, this kitty has claws. Meow.” Gray replied in a falsetto tone, almost mockingly.

Edgar growled and backed up from the door, Gray leaning by the wall and saying, “Still, with you in your office, I can go and do my business.”

Newton asked, “What, you’re going to find a plant pot to shit in?”

“You’re glad I don’t piss down your throat, you piece of shit.”

Newton backed off in fear as Gray then said, “No, I had a hunch I would come back here, and since Rarity’s visiting, I knew just where she would be...”

Edgar gasped and banged the door again, “If you lay a single hoof on Rarity, I’ll rip your goddamn spine out!”

“Hello, earth to father? You are trapped in a room with a door that has no obligations towards safety laws, and I am out here. What can you do to stop me?”

Edgar said nothing, prompting Gray to lean up against the wall and say, “Nothing to add? No ‘He doesn’t know where she is’ because I have the guest book downstairs? I’d know where she is anyway, because if Rarity was visiting, where else would she stay? You’re clever, father. Really clever, but you ain’t got shit on me. Ta ta.”

Gray pushed off the wall and ran towards the stairs, almost tumbling down in anticipation as staff and guests all looked on in panic as a loose convict roamed the spa, scared to do anything. Some ponies headed out to get help, but Gray didn’t notice and got to the main desk.

He stepped over the unconscious body of the clerk and said, “Whoop, ‘scuse me, ma’am. Didn’t see you there.” He flipped through the book, looking through the pages to find Rarity’s name.

He looked up when a loud bang emitted, a local gardener approaching him with a pitchfork. Gray smiled with a mental gleefulness as the gardener approached him, hell bent on sorting him out. He eventually found Rarity’s name, pointed out the room number, closed the book and picked up the nearest plant pot, lobbing it at the gardener’s face.

The gardener stumbled, dropping the pitchfork as Gray leapt over the desk, grabbing the pitchfork and jamming it into the gardener’s leg, blood gushing from the wound as he yelled in agony. Gray stood over him and punched him in the face, knocking a few teeth out. “Bit slow on the draw, buddy.”

He smiled and ran upstairs, his eyes now filled with lust and rage as a wicked smile crossed his face, the staff now attending the injured gardener than to stop the raging colt. Gray dashed through the corridors and barged past ponies in the way, nothing stopping him finding the mare he desired.

Upstairs, Rarity and Spike were in their room, the dragon idly watching the television. He flicked through the limited channels as Rarity sat by the windowsill, looking out into the night. Spike turned to her and said, “How’re you holding up?”

Rarity yawned in thought and replied, “Getting better.”

“Good. I thought Gray being more threatening than I ever thought would scare you off. Apparently, you’re much tougher than I ever thought, and after the Diamond Dogs, I thought you were pretty tough.”

“Thank you, Spike. A lady always keeps a tough demeanour through any situation, but always drops in times of leisure for a more friendly approach.”

“Amen to that. Still, it must be scary that somepony that mental would do that to you, and still hold it against you after all these years. I’m surprised you kept quiet about it for a long time.”

“Well, I have told the story to Twilight, but you were the first pony that actively supported me through my moments of need. Twilight was helpful and gave me comfort, but never actively helped me through my fear.”

“Thanks. I just wish I was quite tough, I’ve never been a ‘knight in shining armour’ type dragon, you know.”

Rarity walked from the windowsill and sat beside Spike on the bed, patting his head, “Oh, I don’t think you’re not tough. How many ponies can say they’ve survived accidental base jumping and saved a baby phoenix egg from three rampaging dragons? I think you’re my ‘knight in shining armour’.”

“I suppose you have a point. Thanks again, Rarity.”

“Not a problem, Spikey.”

She gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead, making him blush as they cuddled. But their peace was disturbed when the door suddenly flew open, the familiar figure of Gray Hoofington stepping through the frame. He grinned at them and said, “Rarity, it’s nice to meet you again.”

The couple screamed in terror, leaping off the bed and standing before him. Rarity watched as Gray locked the door behind him, breaking off the handle as she said, “Gray, you escaped?!”

“Yes, I did. And it was all thanks to a psychotic inmate who threw me out of an open window. Pure class.”

Spike stood in front of Rarity and angrily said, “What do you want from us?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I just want a few short moments with your girlfriend, nothing more. All I ask is that you hand her over, nice and easy.”

Spike hissed at him through clenched teeth, smoke blowing from his nose as his pupils thinned. Gray looked at him coldly and replied, “Fair enough, if that’s the way you want it.”

He lowered himself and pounced into the dragon, knocking them over to the side of the room. Rarity watched on in horror as she backed up against the door, afraid that she’s trapped in a room with a psychotic rapist. Gray sat on the dragon, pounding his hooves into his face as Spike pushed them away, scratching at him and blowing fire into his face.

A lot of ponies heard the ruckus coming from Rarity’s room, and crowded round to help, but the locked door meant that nopony could get in or out. Spike gained an upper hand and dug his claws into Gray’s forearms, making him pull back in pain as he pounced on him, scratching at him with great force as his nose and mouth bled. The dragon was kicked into a wall by Gray, who dashed at him and punched him in the face, the young dragon’s face and body now becoming battered.

Rarity looked on and tried to help Spike by charging at Gray, but was overpowered and tossed away as Spike grabbed onto his back, clawing at his throat. The colt fell to the ground as Spike clawed at his face, leaving a large, deep gash into his left eye. Blood dripped from his face as he paused to inspect the damage.

Spike smiled with courage as he thought he had overpowered him, but Gray growled at him and shouted, “I’ve had enough of you, you little shit!”

He then grabbed his arm and snapped the bone, tossing him at the wall like a ragdoll, colliding into the bedside lamp. Rarity looked on in fright as she ran to the dragon, “Spike!!”

Gray stood up and pushed Rarity aside, picking up the beaten dragon as he looked at him. The colt smiled as he choked the dragon, Rarity trying to fight back, but was kicked in the chest and winded, leaving Gray with a window of opportunity to finish him off. He smiled with great evil as he growled, “Farewell, Spike. You’ve lived a formidable life.”

He then tossed him out of the two story window, falling to the ground with a loud thud as glass shards rained on him. Rarity ran to the window, screaming the dragon’s name. “Spike! SPIKE!!”

Meanwhile, Edgar looked out from the window, noticing Spike fly out the window as Rarity’s screams for help rang throughout the gardens. He turned to his co-workers and began panicking, “Get that door open, Gray’s found Rarity!”

His co-workers barged at the door, hoping to unblock it through brute force, but to no avail. Edgar took the predicament they were in and decided that the only way out was through more brute force. “Move out of the way.”

The two ponies trying to get the door open moved out of the way, as Edgar steadied himself, and with a few short breaths, charged at the door. The door shattered on impact, allowing Edgar and his co-workers to break out and exit the room. Gray shook his head, slightly dazed as he smiled confusedly, “Well, that’s the last time I’m going to ignore safety laws.”

He regained focus, and turned to his co-workers. “Okay, I want you two to get the guests out of the spa and outside. Phone the police, and get them here as soon as possible.”

Sandra panicked and said, “What about you, sir?”

“Me? It’s time I showed Edgar what happens when he disrespects his elders.” He growled with fury, and charged down the corridor, the co-workers now running down the corridors, as they pulled fire alarms, urging ponies to leave.

Back in Rarity’s room, Gray laughed wickedly as he grabbed the mare by her throat, leaning her against the bed as she screamed in horror and pain. The colt smiled with glee as he spread her legs apart, revealing her vagina. “Well, there’s something that I’ve missed in a long time. Ready to meet your old friend?”

Rarity screamed more, hoping to attract attention as the door banged, a crowd of ponies wanting to get in as Gray took the mare and pushed a cabinet against the door, effectively blocking it. He took the mare to the bathroom and opened up the medicine cabinet, pulling out a bottle of chloroform.

He grinned wickedly as he pulled out a handkerchief from the cabinet, taking the mare back to the bed as he began to dab the cloth onto the chloroform, dampening it with the liquid. He then looked at the bottle and said, “Ah, to hell with it.”

He then placed the cloth over her mouth as he took the safety cap off and poured it onto her, water boarding her with the liquid. Rarity screamed again, her struggles to stay conscious now fading. She tried to use her magic, but no good was coming from it. She was almost beaten, her struggles fading as she felt some penetrate her from her crotch area, making out that it was Gray’s rather large cock.

Her mind trailed to her predicament, fading by the second as the liquid overpowered her senses. She thought of her family and friends, and hoped that this was all a nightmare. Judging by how much pain she felt and the fact that she was being raped viciously meant that this wasn’t a dream. She had lost hope, and was soon to die.

However, before she blacked out, she heard a voice call out to her, that of her mother’s;

“Rarity, I know that someday, you will go out into the world, and you are destined for great things. You are a lady at heart, I can see that, but you should never ever let any sort of negativity get to you. Be smart, be kind, be friendly, and generous. That is you goal in life, Rarity. Never give it up.”

Then she heard the voice of Twilight and herself call to her; “Well, I learnt something today, Rarity.”

“Oh, and what’s that?”

“Just because somepony is a lady doesn’t mean she’s weak.”

It all added up. She is destined for great things, and nothing will ever break the mare. She was stronger than this, she always had been. The incident with the Diamond Dogs, the teenage dragons, the Changeling Invasion, she just needed her wits and the courage to bring her from the depths of depression and hopelessness and turn her into the mare she is today.

Her mind began to pipe up, saying to her, “I know I’m a lady, and I know that I’m not for getting into scraps. But this ends now, I shall show that a lady can fight for herself, I will prove my loved ones how tough I am, and I will not let this brute take that away from me!!”

She then opened her eyes, used her magic to lift up the television, as Gray turned to see a large wooden box fly towards him and collide into his face, knocking him into the bedside table. He stumbled with a moan as blood sprayed on impact, and slumped onto the floor, losing consciousness.

Rarity stood up, her legs weak from being raped as blood trailed from her nose, the chloroform and Gray’s roughness taking a toll on her. She turned to the door as it broke down, a large mass of ponies barging through. They stopped at Rarity, noticing Gray on the floor, blood leaking from his face.

Edgar barged through the group, panting after a dash upstairs. “Rarity, thank goodness you’re alright!”

He hugged the unicorn as she tried to gather her bearings, “Yes, I’m fine.”

The sound of police sirens gathered outside, the hustle and bustle of police officers now rising as panicked guests flooded out the doors. Rarity looked around, and then realised the whereabouts of Spike. “Oh god, Spike!!”

She barged past the crowd, running through the corridors, downstairs, through the foyer and outside. She pushed past a massive crowd of guests, confused and scared about why they were woken up so early, the sound of fire bells ringing throughout the spa.

She saw the dragon, lying on the grass in a pile of broken glass and blood as she grabbed the dragon, her eyes streaming with tears. “Spike, speak to me! Spike!!”

She shook the dragon, hoping to get a response. Suddenly, through some miracle, the young dragon coughed, blood and bits of teeth spewing out. She helped him sit up, helping him clear his mouth. He looked at the mare and weakly chimed, “Rarity, you’re alright!”

Rarity cried happily as he hugged the dragon, her panic now fading into pure, unfiltered joy and relief. “Spike, thank goodness you’re alright! I was just so worried about you, when you flew out that window, I was sure it killed you, and... and...”

Spike placed a finger to her lips, shushing her as he replied, “What happened to Gray?”

She smiled back and responded, “Don’t worry... he’s not going to be bugging us anymore.”

The dragon smiled and hugged the mare, Edgar eventually finding them safe and sound. “Spike, what on earth happened to you?”

“I’ve been thrown out of a window, beaten to a pulp and my left arm is broken. Apart from that, I’m doing okay, I guess.”

“Thank heavens you’re alive. Shall I let the ambulance people know you’re okay?”

“Please...”

Edgar ran to the police squad behind them, leaving the couple to hug their worries away, Gray finally taken care off. Spike chuckled and said, “Now you won’t have to worry about Gray. Rarity.”

“Yes, and thank heavens for that.”

They continued hugging, ponies now streaming out of the spa in vast numbers.

About twenty minutes had passed, and police had retrieved the unconscious body of Gray and hauled him into a police ambulance, the doors closing as the carriage dashed off into the distance. Many ponies were being questioned and/or comforted about why they were suddenly startled by fire alarms, but the police urged them that the situation had been handled, and there was nothing to worry about.

Spike sat in a parked ambulance, his broken arm in a cast, waiting to be taken to the hospital. A doctor walked to him and said, “Sorry about the wait, it’s just that we’ve got to make a few checks here and there, but you aren’t seriously injured, are you?”

The dragon checked his arm cast, smiling. “My arm is alright for the moment. Apart from that, no other major injuries to report.”

“Good, we’ve given it a few painkillers and slung it in a cast, so it should be alright for now. Are you waiting for anyone at the moment?”

“Well, Rarity was writing a letter to my guardian, Twilight to come check on me, so I should wait for her first.”

“Okay, I’ll give you another ten minutes.”

The doctor walked to the police, giving them idle chat as Rarity walked out of the spa and to the ambulance, looking at Spike. “Okay, Twilight should be arriving very shortly, she’s teleporting in.”

“Okay. It’s nice of her to see me at three in the morning.”

“Well, she cares about you, Spike. She’ll be awfully shaken up when she arrives, so keep a smile on your face.”

“Don’t worry. Twilight always makes me smile, no matter what the situation.”

A bright flash appeared at the entrance to the spa, Twilight emerging from the light as she looked around. She walked to a police officer and asked, “Excuse me, I’m looking for Spike, have you seen him?”

The officer pointed to the ambulance, “Yeah, he’s in the ambulance.”

She saw the dragon sitting in the ambulance as he hopped out and into Twilight’s arms, tears streaming down her face. “Oh Spike, I was so worried about you! Rarity told me everything that happened and how you were injured, and I literally teleported in an instant.”

“Twilight, relax. I’m alright. A bit shaken up, beaten and bruised, but I’m alright.”

“I’m just so glad you’re okay...”

Rarity giggled and walked to her, her own injuries bandaged up as she said, “We’re sorry to drag you out a hundred miles from Ponyville, but Spike did bring up the idea for you to come with him to the hospital.”

Twilight turned to her and replied, “Speaking of you, you must’ve been shaken up with Gray doing those... ghastly things to you.”

“I’m very weak at the knees at the moment, but you shouldn’t worry about me. Spikey just had his arm broken and was beaten up, and that’s getting just as much attention as the escaped convict who came here and raped me.”

Spike added, “Well, maybe it’s because I’m young.”

Twilight hugged him and replied, “Maybe so.”

The doctor returned, a policeman standing next to him. He cleared his throat and said, “Okay, we’ve made some last minute checks, is there anything else that needs doing before you and Rarity head to the hospital?”

Twilight raised her hoof and said, “Can I come with Spike?”

“Certainly, just sit next to him there.” The doctor pointed toward the front of the ambulance, where she got into and shuffled up.

The doctor nodded as he closed the door, climbing up the front as the carriage rode off, leaving the spa behind. Rarity looked out the window, her behind bandaged. Spike looked at her and said, “I guess he got you fairly rough, didn’t he?”

She looked at the dragon and said, “Yes, he most certainly did. It might be a while before I sit comfortably again, but I can walk it off.”

“You can talk. Look at me, I look like garbage.” He showed off his bandages and arm cast, a weak smile on his face.

Twilight wrapped a hoof around him and said, “Well, I am surprised that you’re taking this rather well.”

“As long as I’m with my friends, I can live through anything.”

Rarity smiled at him and said, “Twilight, I have to say that your advice saved my life.”

The purple unicorn looked at her and asked, “Advice?”

“Just because she’s a lady doesn’t mean she weak.”

“Oh, that. How did it help, exactly?”

“Throughout the holiday, I was a complete shambles of how I normally am, and when I thought my time was up, I remembered what you said. I should’ve been more confident with this, like I started off, but then I remembered him...”

Spike looked up at her and replied, “That really wasn’t your fault. You didn’t say why you wanted to come back here, other than you still had a good time, regardless of what happened those few years back. I assume you just wanted to re-visit there because you liked it there.”

“That’s pretty much the gist of it, Spike. But I really should’ve put more forethought into this. If I chose somewhere else, none of this would have happened. I feel like this has all been my fault.”

Twilight smiled and responded, “Now, Rarity. I understand fully that you feel like you’ve made a mistake, but it really shouldn’t get past you. If Gray didn’t get out, you would have been fine, so you shouldn’t place yourself as the main cause of this.”

Spike then added, “Yeah, if anything, it was Edgar’s fault mostly, for telling Gray that you were here. I’m sure he understands that, but it’s not your fault.”

“Exactly. I think what you should do is just put the past behind you and look to the future. Nothing like this is ever going to happen again, as long as you keep it that way. Don’t blame yourself for things you can’t control, you’re better than that.”

“If anything, you should ask Edgar for an apology.”

Rarity thought about what they had said for a short moment before turning to them and smiling, tears forming in her eyes. “You know, I think you two are right, I shouldn’t let this get me down, because I overcame my fears, and stopped a catastrophe from happening. I should be proud with what I’ve accomplished, and I should look into the future with dry eyes and a big smile.”

She sighed contently, before looking at Spike. “But first, I want to apologize to Spike.”

He looked at her in confusion, “What for?”

“For making you endure this nightmare, and not being able to help you. I feel that you deserve better than this, Spike.”

“Don’t worry yourself. Nopony saw this coming, and I tried to help.”

Twilight looked at him and asked, “So, was Spike thrown out of the window initially, I haven’t got the full story here.”

Rarity smiled and said, “Twilight, Spike was my hero tonight. He stood by my side and helped me throughout this whole holiday. He calmed me down when I was upset, and when Gray broke in, he fought him off while I tried to escape. If anything, Spike should be the hero here, not me.”

Spike blushed as he was praised, prompting Twilight to hug him. The dragon felt Rarity hug him as well, as the mares nuzzled his cheeks. The dragon giggled and pushed them away, “Girls, stop it!...”

He looked at them as they smiled at him, the dragon giving in to their warm expressions. He shrugged and held his arms open, “Ah, go on then.”

The mares hugged him again, nuzzling him like before as the ambulance drove into the distance towards the hospital.

Some time later, the sun began to rise over Fairtree. Twilight walked down the corridor of the hospitals, heading towards the wards. She walked towards two large double doors as she saw Spike and Rarity in neighbouring beds, quietly chatting away. With a smile, she walked to them and said, “Hey, guys. How are you doing?”

Spike looked at her and greeted, “Hi, Twi. We’re fine at the moment, the doctors fixed my arm into a better cast, and we’re just busy talking.”

Rarity smiled and turned to her, “Heard any news about Edgar?”

The purple unicorn moved out of the way as the gruff spa owner walked in, clearing his throat. He stood beside Twilight and said, “Looks like I owe you an apology.”

“What, for telling Gray that I came to the spa?”

“Yes, I am so sorry for revealing such private information to the police, and they too send their regards for not censoring it. I feel that my lack of forethought is what put this whole week into calamity.”

Rarity gave him a warm smile and replied, “Well, I forgive you. What about you, Spike?”

The dragon nodded, adding, “Yeah, I forgive you.”

Edgar smiled and said, “That’s just fantastic. Now, I understand that you might want to head back to the spa after your trip here, but the police have closed it off due to investigations, and none of the guests are allowed to come back. Tell me, what time does your holiday end?”

Rarity replied, “On Sunday.”

“The investigation doesn’t end until next Tuesday. I’m afraid I’ll have to send you home, it isn’t safe to return just yet.”

“I see. Thank you for taking care of us, and I should visit again sometime in the future.”

“Oh, no problem. I have been offering refunds to our patrons, so expect yours at your Boutique in the next few days.”

“Thank you, Edgar. I wasn’t expecting you to do such a thing.”

“Well, I only want what’s best for my guests. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must see Mrs Dove. She was involved in an attack with Gray, so I must dash.” With that, he walked out the room, waving farewell. “Farewell, Rarity, Spike and Twilight. I hope to see you again soon. And by the way, your bags are outside the ward.”

They waved him off as he left the room, Rarity thinking of something. “Twilight, this may sound awfully strange, but I want to share a lesson about friendship with Celestia.”

The purple unicorn shrugged, “Sure. Just let me...” She used her magic to materialise a quill, some ink and a scroll as Rarity took the objects with her own magic. She read aloud her findings;

“Dear Princess Celestia,

This week has definitely been the most eventful week of my life. I won’t bore you with the details, but I feel like something must be addressed. Friendship is a very fickle thing. Some friendships can last somepony their whole lives, while some just come and go. Yesterday, I found that friendships and memories can be treasured forever.

Sometimes, to see what needs doing in this world, you just need to step back and remember the marvellous things friendship has taught you, what your family has taught you, what life itself has taught you. I found that any obstacle you find, you can overcome it, whether it be personality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, whatever. Anything you set your mind to, you can overcome your fears, and any obstacles you find.

I’ve managed to overcome my biggest fear; dealing with a tragic past. Through determination, memories, courage and friendship, I have now put what once was wrong, right. I can look to the future with my head held high, dry eyes, and a big smile. Life has a way of working out, and I know that my life has been eased once more, through the power of friendship.

Your faithful subject,

Rarity.”

She rolled up the scroll and passed it to Spike, who walked to the window and blew the scroll out the window, disappearing in a cloud of fire and smoke. He walked back to Rarity as she got out of bed, helping her out as her hooves touched the ground. The doctor from the ambulance walked in and said, “Ah, I’m glad you’re out of bed. I just wanted to tell you that you and Spike are free to leave. You seem in good condition even with your injuries, so go in your own time.”

The white unicorn nodded, “Thank you, doctor.”

He nodded and left as the three walked out of the ward, picking up their bags as they trotted through the foyer, leading outside the hospital. Rarity looked at the rising sun and said, “It’s a lovely day...”

Twilight nodded gently and replied, “It sure is...” She looked around and said, “So, we need to head to the train station, do we?”

Spike thought of an idea and said, “Wait, why don’t we show Twilight the town? I mean, we haven’t got any train tickets at the moment, so we could spend a bit of time here before we leave.”

Rarity smiled and said, “Spike, that’s a grand idea. Twilight, there is a bakery I implore you to go in and try their fudge, it is heavenly.”

The purple unicorn giggled and replied, “Alright, lead the way!”

The three walked down the pathway and towards the town, memories of the week flooding their minds. They had been through a lot in this few days, and now that peace once again wins the day, they can easily rest.

For Rarity, it had been an intense week, but now, she can finally rest, a large smile on her face as she was ready to face the new day.

The End