The Best Massage

“Oh, I have my proof.” Discord held up his eagle claw and snapped it. A projector and a bag of popcorn appeared near him. He’d shown along with their other friends just outside of Ponyville Day Spa.

“What are you going to show?” Twilight asked.

He looked at Sunset and Twilight with a grin. “Just a little show your friends-”

Sunset’s eyes widened. He didn’t…he wouldn’t- She took in a breath at the same time Twilight did.

“Discord!” Twilight and Sunset said at the same time sounding more like a single voice than two separate ones.

“What? I was only trying to help.” Discords said as both Twilight and Sunset narrowed their eyes at him. “Besides your reaction, alone should be the proof your friends needed.” He added with a grin and snapped his Eagle claw again causing the items to vanish. “Oh one more thing, that movie projector was blank.” He added with a chuckle.

***

“So this is the place I’ve heard dragons talk about. Ponyville.” Rogus said as he flew low beside Wild Rose.

The scent of roses followed the light pink unicorn wherever she went. Her long flowing dark red mane and tail were the source of the scent. She glanced up at him with those dark green eyes that had caught the dragon's eye the first time they’d met. “Yes, I’ve heard it’s a place dragons can go and not be judged.”

Rogue nodded. He recalled the time he’d been out the fields just outside of Ponyville. He secretly liked to go and find rose bushes; it was his favorite scent, yet he didn’t tell any other dragon. Why even like that stench. It’s not like other dragons. You’re different. He could hear the other dragons saying if they’d found out. Images flashed back to that one day that changed everything. His nose was sensitive more so than most dragons. He’d picked up on the scent of roses that held a different aroma, he felt the pull to track down the scent. He’d come over a hill far away from Dragon Land where he knew the rose bushes grew yet this scent was in the same area. Glancing down the grassy hill he’d caught the sight of a bright red mane and tail. The wind blew her tail in his direction and the scent of roses nearly knocked him over. He stood there transfixed even when she glanced up and noticed him.

Wild Rose watched the dragon with curiosity. She lifted a hoof and waved in his direction, the act made the dragon look around and then point to himself.

Does she want me to come closer…why? With curiosity building, he felt compelled to find out why. It had to have been her scent that he’d followed. Of which he was certain. He started to descend the hill and felt his hind claw catch a rock. The opening is wings he took flight before he’d started to fall. The sweet kiss of the scent of summer wild roses floats on the wind with each swish of Wild Rose's long flowing tail and mane.

Wild Rose grinned at how he’d caught himself from falling. Her green gaze followed him as he flew over towards her and landed a few feet from her. She tilted her head at him.

Wild Rose had noticed that Rogus had gotten quiet, she’d been keeping her eye on him, since he was flying there was less chance that he’d trip over something again. What are you thinking about? It’s crazy how fast our friendship grew after that time we met. One the day we met I’d been looking towards the sky and dreaming of finding that special someone... I remember seeing him that first time, he looked to be in a trance while sniffing the roses. I’d made sure he hadn’t seen me…yet every so often I’d notice him glancing up and sniffing the air. I know I already smell like roses, so I thought my scent would be masked. I didn’t know how wrong I was.

The pair walked through the streets of Ponyville. No pony seemed to pay them any mind. A unicorn walking beside a flying dragon. Is this something that’s…normal…here? The thought crossed her mind when she spotted a unique building, it was circular with windows wrapped around the structure. In an outward appearance, it looked like a carousel, minus the horses of course.It was then that the pare noticed the sound of a small group conversing near a large castle in the center of town. They looked at one another and both nodded at the same time.

Rogus landed beside Wild Rose and the two walked and followed the sound of the group until they found them, there were eight in the group, two Pegasus, two unicorns, two earth ponies, an alicorn, a dragon, and the last creature Wilde Rose wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Rogue's blue eyes widened when he caught sight of Spike. Another dragon, so it is true. He already knew this dragon's name. So Spike is living in Ponyville. I’d heard of it, but I’ve wanted to see it for myself. He watched Spike’s nose start to wiggle.

Spike turned his head when strange sent blew in the wind that swept over the group. “Huh?” His emerald eyes fixed on the strange sight before he and his friends.

Rarity’s ears twitched when Spike spoke up. “What is darling?” She asked turning in the direction he was looking. “Oh…my.” She said lifting her head.

“Um…hi.” Wild Rose said noticing the unicorn and dragon staring at them.

“Hello, darling.” Rarity said as her other friends had stopped talking all of them turned to the new arrivals in Ponyville.

“We’re walking through and…” She watched Rarity’s jaw drop open. “What?”

“Sorry, I heard you said we…as in us, as in you and him?”

“Yes,” Rogus said glancing at Rarity while staying beside Wild Rose, he prepared himself for whatever was going to happen. “We’re just friends.” He added and noticed Wild Rose grin a little.

“Oh forgive me, darling, I meant nothing by it.” Rarity said and nudged Spike with her hoof.

“Oh…” Spike said clearing his throat. “Rarity can get very talkative, and she can tell if you need to talk about something and it’ll turn into her duty to make sure you get out what’s ever on your mind, so you’ll feel better about talking.”

“Spikey, I didn’t nudge you for that.” Rarity said causing Spike to laugh a bit. “What?”

“Sorry, Rarity, I just know you after nine years,” Spike replied.

“True darling, but we have a guest here.” She replied with a smile.

Wild Rose and Rogus watched the pair and noticed that they acted more like a couple than just friends. “Can I ask a question?” Wild Rose asked.

“Of course. You’re curious, about Spike and I'm guessing.” Rarity replied and watched the green dragon's smile widen a bit. “Might I ask your names?

“I’m Rogus.” He said jabbing a thumb at his chest. “My friend here is Wild Rose.”

“So is that why I keep smelling such a delectable scent of roses?” Spike asked.

“Yes, it’s also how I got my name.” Wild Rose said. “It does affect dragons; well I had thought it was only a thing with Rogus.”

“So, Rogus and Wild Rose.” Rarity said repeating the pair's name. “I must invite you two over for a nice cup of tea so I can hear the story of how you two met.” She noticed Spike just shaking his head.

Rogus and Wild Rose happened to notice the smiles from the rest of the group.

“This is normal with these two and more over with Rarity.” Princess Twilight said speaking up. Least this gets me out of talking about why Sunset’s here. Well for now at least. “Oh, I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends. Sunset Shimmer, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Discord.” She said going down the lineup.

“Discord? As in the Lord of Chaos?” Wild Rose asked.

“The very same, although I’m not as you’ve heard, I’m far better now thanks to this amazing group of friends. He snaked his way over to Fluttershy, picked her up, and hugged her. “Moreover, it’s my love of Fluttershy that’s made me who I am today. I wouldn’t trade her for anything.”

Fluttershy grinned and hugged him back. “Love you too, Discord.” She glanced over at Rogus and Wild Rose. “Where a unique group of friends and our village is also unique. You can just feel the love and friendship upon entering.” Her voice was soft and soothing to the ears.

“We’d noticed no one paid us any mind as we walked down the main road of this place,” Rogus said and added. “Felt nice.” He happened to look at Sunset who hadn’t stopped smiling at Twilight “Um…Sunset Shimmer was it?”

“Um, yes?” She turned to Rogus.

“Is there a reason or a story of why you keep smiling at Twilight?” He asked and watched Twilight’s face go completely red. “Did I ask the right thing or the wrong thing?”

“Um…no it’s a…fair question.” Princess Twilight Sparkle said with her face still red, she nearly matched the red in Sunset’s mane. She could see the grin on Sunset’s lips.

“You haven’t said much as to why Sunset here showed up in Ponyville out of the blue Twi.” Applejack said in her usual southern drawl. “I take it Rogus here is on to something.” She added with a wink towards Rogus.

Rogus smiled at Applejack and turned to Rarity. “Rarity is that cup of tea offers still open, it would be nice to talk to you and Spike.” He turned back to Applejack. “I do hope you’ll pardon us for a bit.”

Applejack nodded.

Rarity smiled at that. “Of course, please follow me.” I think a certain dragon wants to avoid a situation that’s brewing. Rarity thought and felt a little uneasy herself but didn’t have the foggiest reason as to why.

“Oh, tea does sound nice.” Wild Rose said following alongside Rogus while Rarity and Spike lead the way to her Boutique.

***

"So Twilight, what's been going on, and be honest sugar cube." Applejack said after Rarity, Spike, Wild Rose, and Rogus went inside.

Twilight glanced over at Sunset who was smiling. "Twi, the longer we keep this to ourselves..."

Twilight blew out a long breath and nodded. "You're right Sunset."

***

Wild Rose used her unicorn magic to hold her cup of tea while she chatted with Rarity. It felt normal in a way to talk to some other pony who was fond of a dragon.

"So, what's on your mind, Wild Rose? I am curious after all."

"I'm not sure. I've never talked openly about Rogus. I usually keep him as a secret."

"I bet that gets exciting."

"How?' Wild Rose asked tilting her head after taking a drink of tea

"Well, having a secret romance."

Wild Rose's eyes widened a bit, a slight pink hue was visible on her cheeks. "We're just…friends."

"Does he know?" Rarity asked not missing a beat or the look Wild Rose gave. "Trust me darling when I say. I know what it's like to keep emotions bottled up."

Spike had been sitting beside Rarity snacking on a sapphire gem and couldn't help grinning at the situation. He still couldn't quite figure out why he had been affected by Wild Rose's rose aroma outside but while inside Rarity's Boutique, the aroma didn't bug him. He glanced over when he heard Rogus choke on a ruby.

"Problems there Rogus?" Spike asked while patting him on the back. He couldn't help chuckling when Rogus narrowed his eyes.

Rogus let out another cough and took in a deep breath. "I'm fine. I assume that sapphire gems are your favorite. Where mine is rubies."

"You don't need to gorge Rogus." Wild Rose said to him with a grin.

Spike kept watching Rogus he could see the pink in his cheeks wanting to show yet Rogus was trying his best not to let that happen. "You're just like me."

Rogus turned to Spike with a wide-eyed look.

Spike noticed that Rogus was shaking his head but trying not to make it look obvious. He lifted an eyebrow and leaned un closer. "Don't wait forever. Trust me." He kept his voice barely above a whisper. For dragons, a pin dropping would sound louder.

"What if-"

"Then you won't know the answer," Spike said interjecting. "Trust me." He emphasized those two words.

"How do I?"

Wild Rose and Rarity noticed that the dragons had been talking amongst themselves to where they couldn't be heard.

"Darling, I believe Spike is giving Rogus some words of wisdom." Rarity said.

"Are you sure? Rogus appears to be blushing a bit. Must be some good wisdom."

Rarity knew Spike well and could guess what they were talking about. This could turn out to be fun.

"You okay Rarity." Wild Rose asked seeing the look in Rarity’s eyes.

"Huh? Oh, um yes, darling. Just thinking."

"About?' Wild Rose could feel her curiosity brewing.

"A wonderful massage Spike gave me the other day. Dragon claws are like magic, a much more physical kind of magic..." Rarity's voice trails off when a strange feeling comes over her followed by a sensation in the pit of her stomach. "Um...excuse me, for a second....darling..."

Rarity ran off towards the restroom.

Spike noticed Rarity bolt off. "Did she look a little...green?" He asked taking off after her.

"Did I miss something?" Rogus asked.

"Unique would be a good word." Wild Rose said.

Rogus thought for a second and his eyes widened.

"Yeah, that's the unique part." Wild Rose replied once Rogus caught her meaning.

***

"It's only been a day...there's...no...way-" Rarity said with her head still hanging over the toilet.

"Rarity are you okay," Spike asked from just outside the door.

"Fine darling...just um...a little...um queasy." Rarity said, he heard a pause from Spike.

"Um..." Spike's voice trailed off. "I..." She couldn't see Spike running a claw through his spikes. "Are...you...um..."

"I'm not sure Spikey." Rarity replied feeling nausea starting to subside. She cleaned up and walked out of the bathroom to see a grinning Spike waiting for her. "Darling I am just a little queasy." She couldn't help grinning back. The words dragon and magic kept echoing in her mind. It's not possible...right? That question was on repeat in her voice in her head.

"You want this to be true. I can see it in those beautiful sapphire eyes of yours."

"Spikey..."

They'd been walking back out to the main area of her Boutique and happened to catch the grins from Rogus and Wild Rose.

"Is it true?' Wild Rose asked.

Rarity couldn't help blushing even more. "I would love for it to be. Dragons are magical after all."

Spike was smiling from ear to ear. “Look let's go join the others outside, I have a feeling more secrets are going to come out.”

Rarity, Rogus, and Wild Rose followed Spike back outside as the four of them rejoined the group.

"I do have a little secret to tell," Twilight said she summoned her alicorn magic and everypony and dragon vanished from the area that also included Discord. Within seconds they reappeared inside Friendship Castle.

"It's got something to do with Sunset being here, doesn't it?" Rainbow asked with a grin and an eyebrow wiggle.

Twilight looked right at Discord.

"What? Don't blame me, I just set things in motion. I have no control over the outcome. All though that brilliant flash of light coming from Ponyville Day Spa was spectacular. However, did that happen?" Discord’s grinned even wider.

That got a few giggles from Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

"My Pinkie sense sure was tingling like crazy."

Twilight and Sunset glanced at one another and then heard Pinkie giggling.

"What...oh, not from that silly." Pinkie waved a hoof at them. "I just meant for the two new residences of Ponyville, Wild Rose and Rogus. They're not from Equestria."

That revelation caused the group to pause momentarily and everypony turned to them.

"Pinkie in this world is correct as usual." Wild Rose admitted.

"I was wondering when she'd say something myself," Rogus added.

"So what's the big secret with you already Twilight? " Rainbow asked.

Pinkie Pie took in a deep breath.

Twilight used her magic to clamp Pinkie Pie's mouth shut. "I can do this-" She heard a slight squeak come from Pinkie Pie. She released her hold. "Tell me you didn't just-"

"Oops." Pinkie said with a big smile. "To much air trapped inside...sorry." She shot off leaving Twilight standing there.

Twilight just shook her head and closed her mouth for a bit and the others back away.

"Hey, it wasn't me-" Twilight paused when Rainbow Dash used her wings to create a gust of wind to clear the air. "Thanks, Rainbow," Twilight said she said after taking in a lung full of fresh air.

"No problem," Rainbow replied landing beside her. "Now come clean, what in Equestria is going on with you?"

"Well...Discord teleported me and Sunset Shimmer into a room in Ponyville Day Spa. It was his idea-"

"I was just studying for a test in the human world and the next thing I knew I was alone with Twilight," Sunset added.

"Huh...I figured that you would end up with Flash Century." Rainbow replied with a smirk.

"Rainbow, human flash liked me in the human world, not the Equestrian Flash..." She put her hoof on her temple and began rubbing it. "This gets confusing."

Discord rubbed his chin, lifted an eyebrow, and started to lift his eagle claw.

"Discord, don't even think about it," Fluttershy said knowing that look on his face.

"What? It would be so much fun." Discord replied.

Fluttershy used her wings to lift herself to Discord's ear. What she whispered into his ear had his eyes widening and his face turned red.

"Really?" Discord replied.

"Uh-huh," Fluttershy replied with a grin. Her gaze held him like a vice.

Discord dropped his eagle claw to his side.

"So are you and Sunset here an item or what?" Applejack's southern drawl rang out in her voice.

Twilight and Sunset glanced at one another.

"Well, I had offered to invite Twilight back with me to the human world," Sunset revealed to the others.

"I've already agreed to go back with you. This'll be strange for them too."

"So it's true then darling. I must admit I find this adorable."

"Rarity I never...we...never admitted..." Twilight's voice trailed off she could feel the heat on her cheeks. Then something else caught her eye. She noticed Rarity holding her stomach and looking a tad bit green. "Are you okay Rarity?"

"Um...not exactly darling." Rarity replied feeling her stomach rolling again. She glanced over at Fluttershy. "Um, Fluttershy darling have you experienced anything unusual...recently?" Rarity asked not sure how she'd take it.

"Oh...um so you and Spike..." Fluttershy felt her cheeks turning red from even hinting at such a personal matter.

"Well, yes darling." Rarity replied with a small smile. "Spike is magical and of course, Discord would be as well." She paused before adding. "Did you and him..." The second Rarity said that she watched the blush spread on Fluttershy's face. "I'll take that as a yes."

"I bet that I'm glowing," Fluttershy said.

"As am I." Rarity replied.

Spike kept looking at Rarity. "Twilight." He turned to her.

"Yes, Spike."

"When you go back to the human world I would like to stay behind."

"But darling...you like going." Rarity said speaking up. “I couldn’t think of denying-”

"Not if you'll need me," Spike replied to Rarity and pulled her into a hug. "Besides, I want to be here. I want to be with you when we find out together." He could see Rarity's face turning red. "Don't you want me here?"

"Of course, I would love that darling." She felt her heart squeezing at what Spike had said. "It's no wonder why I love you."

"Oh, you're just saying that," Spike said with a grin.

Rarity couldn't help but giggle at him. "What am I to do with my Spikey-Wikey?"

“I think you already have that covered. Be honest, did you plan any of this?” His emerald gaze held her the same as the smile on his face.

“I’ll never tell Spikey-Wikey.” Rarity replied with a sly grin.

“I have ways of making you talk Rarity,” Spike replied.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “I’m really glad that you two are finally together.” She said and looked over at Discord and Fluttershy. “Same for you two as well.”

“Does this mean that you’re ready for the human world Twilight? I promise that you’re not going to regret it. Seeing your old friends.” She held out her hoof.

“I wonder what adventures await us on the other side?”

“Let’s find out together.” Sunset Shimmer replied and watched Twilight’s alicorn magic activate the portal that would take them to the human world.

Together the pair jumped through the portal to whatever awaited them on the other side.

ROGUS AND WILD ROSE