I'll Show them All

It had been three weeks since the disastrous and humiliating incident for Spike at Canterlot High's Dance Bash. Spike did as he declared and hadn't gone near the school since then to avoid being recognized for his humiliating moment. The girls still felt bad for Spike even though they assured him Snips and Snails who perpetrated that incident through their idiocy were not only ordered to stay behind and clean up the dance by themselves, but were also given a weeks detention as well Spike still didn't feel better about it. When the girls also tried to tell him they talked with everyone who laughed at him who had expressed regret for how they laughed at him and wanted the girls to put in a good word for them letting him know they didn't mean to laugh, but unfortunately Spike rejected their apologies knowing since they weren't friends with him to begin with it didn't matter. So Spike just locked himself away in his room since then not even bothering to leave the house.

Still Twilight and the others hated seeing Spike this way and knew they had to do more to bring him out of his dismal demeanor. Luckily over the course of those weeks Rarity had discovered a new opportunity to make up for his humiliating experience.

In Spike's room one afternoon, the boy was laying on his bed reading comics, until someone knocked at his door.

“It's open.” he answered.

The door opened to reveal Rarity, “Spike, hello, darling.” she greeted happily.

Spike did a double take, “Rarity?” suddenly he dropped the surprise and spoke, “In case you forgot Twilight's room is on the left.”

“I'm well aware of that, but I did not come here to see Twilight. I came to see you.”

“Me?” Spike asked, “Why's that? Whenever you come to see me it's when you need an extra set of arms for one of your shopping binges. And quite frankly I am in no mood to be someone's gofer.”

Rarity sighed knowing most of the times she's ever come to the Sparkle house it's always been to see Twilight. And whenever she came over to see Spike it was always for requiring his assistance for something mostly shopping for supplies in her outfit making business.

“I'm not here for something like that, Spike,” Rarity continued, “I actually came to extend an invite to you.”

“An invite, to what?”

“Well, you're aware Sapphire Shores is performing in Canterlot City, right?” Rarity asked.

“Of course. I've been seeing ads for her concert on TV.”

“Well, as her go-to fashionista I was tasked to make her outfit for her performance and as such she extended to me a VIP pass.”

“Well, good for you.” Spike said not seeing what this had to do with him.

“But that's not all. She also sent me enough passes for all my friends,” Rarity reached into her bag and presented a pass to Spike, “Including you.”

Spike looked at the pass Rarity held out to him in surprise, “What? For me?” Rarity nodded in assurance, “Wow.” he took it.

“Spike, I know you haven't been having a good time for so long, but now I want to make it up to you. And I hope coming to the concert with me and the girls will help you forget some of the bad times, including the more recent one,” Spike looked at the pass, as Rarity continued, “Plus we're all invited to an after party backstage.”

Spike looked back at Rarity and at his pass. Rarity the most generous of girls he's ever known was showing him a sign of her generosity. And he was a fan of Sapphire Shores' music, and for a chance to see her perform live and attend an after party with her was too good to resist.

“I'll-I'll go with, Rarity.”

Rarity's face brightened, “Wonderful! Oh, my Spikey-Wikey!” she threw her arms around Spike embracing him. Spike did enjoy the comforting embrace of Rarity's hug, and suddenly felt her kiss his cheek putting a blush on his face, “I just know we're all going to have a good time there.”

“Yeah. Good times.” Spike replied still stunned from Rarity's kiss.

“Well, I best be going. Have a goodnight, Spike.” Rarity smiled sweetly.

“Yeah, you too.” As Rarity left the room, Spike looked at the pass and smiled.

Outside the room, Rarity looked over at Twilight's room with the door opened, as Twilight was standing in the entrance, “Well?” she asked with hope.

Rarity smiled, “He's agreed to come.”

Twilight sighed in relief, “This was so nice of you to do, Rarity. Especially for Spike.”

“Spike deserves this now more than ever. Especially after what happened at the dance.” Rarity said.

“I know. Even though he didn't blame us for what happened to him there, I still felt like we could've prevented it.” Twilight said in guilt.

“We can't change what happened, Twilight. All we can do is be there for Spike and let him know we do want him around.” Rarity replied, as Twilight nodded.

A few days later, Spike and the girls took the bullet train to downtown Canterlot City at night, where Sapphire Shores' concert was being held at the Music Hall. They marveled at the sight of all the fans outside being admitted in, “Whoo-wee, now this is a sell out.”

“It's Sapphire Shores, what do you expect?” Pinkie ashed rhetorically.

“Oh, wow, a concert and an after party?” Rainbow asked excitedly, “This is so awesome!”

Twilight looked at Spike who was smiling, “How do you feel, Spike?”

Spike looked at Twilight, “How do I feel? I feel amazing!”

“I'm glad to hear that. Because we're gonna enjoy it together.” Twilight promised.

And so the group went on inside presenting their tickets before making it to their seats. After waiting until all was seated, an announcer spoke on the intercoms all around.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Put your hands together for your Princess of Pop! The one and only Sapphire Shores!”

The fans cheered as smoke filled the stage and emerging from it was Sapphire Shores singing and dancing like the professional pop star that she was. Accompanying her as back up dancers were Blue Cutie, Magenta Surf, and Tarantella, and Foxxy Trot.

Spike watched with excitement as he saw the pop star perform along side her back up dancers, and thought, 'Sapphire Shores is so hot in so many ways.' Spike continued to enjoy the concert with Twilight and the others cheering as Sapphire performed one song after another. Soon after the finale, Rarity led the girls and Spike through before reaching backstage where they were heading for where the after party was being held.

As Spike followed behind he suddenly found himself getting blocked by other backstage workers who were walking his way.

“Hey, out of the way! Girls!” Spike called, as he hurried to catch up.

The girls were all being allowed passage by Sapphire Shores' guard Lockdown into the back area where the party was being held. Spike finally reached and was prepared to enter only for Lockdown to block him.

“Hey, what gives?!” Spike demanded.

“Sorry, kid, but this party's reserved for invited guests.” Lockdown answered.

“I am invited. I'm with those girls you just let in.”

“Sure you are.” the guard answered skeptically.

“I am! I even have a pass!” Spike showed Lockdown his pass.

Lockdown looked at the pass with Spike hoping he'd let him in now, only for the guard to say, “Nice try, pal. But I'd know the genuine thing. And this ain't it.”

“This is genuine!” Spike shouted.

“Yeah just like all the other obsessed fanboys say when they try to sneak their way in.”

“Are you mental or something?! I was with my friends whom you let in before me and you have the gall to say my pass is a fake?!” Spike continued to snap.

“Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you to move on.” Lockdown ordered.

“No! I came here with my sister and her friends, and I'm not leaving until I get in there!”

That in return resulted in Lockdown dragging Spike out through the side door and pushed him out, “Next time you wanna sneak into a private party, do the sensible thing and get a real invite.” Lockdown said before closing the door.

“Fuck you, asshole!” Spike screamed. He grunted before pulling out his phone and tried calling, “Come on, pick up, pick up!” but it just went to voice mail. Spike tried several more times to call the girls and sent many texts but none of them responded. Turned out back inside the building at the party the music was booming so loud it filtered out the ringtones of the girls phones making them unable to hear Spike calling or texting them.

Hours had passed and Spike had given up trying to send a message to Twilight and the others and just sulked on a bench outside.

“They don't even realize I'm not in there with them.” Spike told himself bitterly and angry.

Suddenly the side door opened, and out came the girls with Sapphire Shores and Lockdown following her.

“Sapphire, when you throw an after party, you really throw it.” Pinkie laughed.

“Naturally, sweetie.” Sapphire replied.

“And thank you so much for these passes, Sapphire.” Rarity thanked her top client.

“Any time, Rarity. You always help me look sensational.” the pop star continued, as the reached the limo waiting by the curb.

Twilight then spotted Spike on the bench, “Spike?”

This alerted the other girls, “Spike?!”

Spike looked over at them frowning, “Nice of you to notice me!” he said in sarcasm.

“What're you doing out here?” Applejack asked in confusion.

“Have you been out here this whole time?” Fluttershy asked in concern.

“Well, I wasn't inside that's for sure! If you even took the time to notice!”

“Why were you out here anyway?” Rainbow asked.

Spike pointed to Lockdown, “Thank the douchebag there! He wouldn't let me into the party because he thought I was just trying to sneak my way in. He even said my VIP pass was a fake!”

The girls hearing that turned to Lockdown frowning, “You didn't let my brother in with us?!” Twilight asked angrily.

“Wait, he really was with your party?” Lockdown asked in confusion.

“Of course he was!” Rarity snapped, “That VIP pass of his was given to me by Sapphire herself along with the rest of ours!”

Lockdown suddenly felt like an idiot until he saw Sapphire Shores looking just as livid, “Lockdown, did you really deny access to someone who was on the invite list? And one who was part of my go-to Fashion designer's party?”

“I-I thought he was just another crazy fan boy trying to get in.” Lockdown tried to excuse his behavior.

“And how do you figure that?” Rainbow asked.

“Well, I...” Lockdown tried to find an answer but turns out he had none.

“I'm starting to wonder if any of the others you've thrown out from trying to get to the after parties before in the past were actually on the invite list but you turned them away because of some ridiculous belief that they were all just party crashers.” she continued.

“I'm sorry-”

“Get in the limo!” Sapphire ordered, “When we get back to the hotel we're gonna have a long talk about your disgraceful behavior on the job.”

“I'm guessing fired is in my future.” Lockdown winced.

Sapphire squinted firmly, “You'll be lucky getting fired is the only thing you'll get from me. Now get in!” Lockdown hung his head in shame and got into the limo. When he got in, Sapphire's firm look softened and looked to Spike in regret, “Spike is it? Hon, I am so sorry for the idiocy of my bodyguard. I promise you he will get what he deserves. And if there's any way I can make this up to a fan.”

Spike spoke up bitterly, “There's nothing you can do. Party's over.” he turned and was ready to walk away.

“Spike, wait!” Twilight tried to stop him, as he spun around and looked at the girls angrily.

“And where were all of you when I needed you?!” he demanded, “I sent you countless texts and calls and you didn't respond at all!”

“In our defense the music was playing really loud.” Rainbow tried to explain.

“Yeah, I could barely hear my own voice.” Pinkie added.

That unfortunately wasn't helping the situation, “And you all didn't even realize I wasn't at the party with you?!”

“Well, we were all there caught up in what we were doing we even forgot we were with each other.” Applejack explained but knew that wasn't a good excuse.

Spike betrayed more than ever frowned, “So much for having a good time with all of you! I was looking forward to the after party! A chance to see Sapphire Shores up close, but now it's over.”

“Spike, if we had known that guard had kept you out we would've-” Twilight was cut off.

“Well, it doesn’t matter now! It's too late! God, I hate this!” Spike vented, “Once again you girls were not there for me!”

“And we feel awful for it, Spike,” Rarity explained, “So next time we'll-”

“Forget next time!” Spike shouted, “Besides why do you all suddenly care so much?”

“Because you're our friend.” Fluttershy tried to reason with him.

That word clicked in Spike's head while thinking back to everything that's happened with him, Twilight, and the girls and knew it was all a lie, “Friend? We're not friends. You're Twilight's friends.”

“Spike.” the girls gasped.

“I was never your friend, and you girls were never really mine,” he continued, “I don't even know how you thought we were friends when you sure never really treated me like I was one. Friends don't neglect others, friends don't forget about others, and friends don't agree when someone calls them a nuisance and weak!” The girls remembering that time years ago when Twilight regrettably called Spike that to his face when he wanted to join them on another mission and the girls automatically agreeing with her without caring about how Spike felt about that.

“Spike, I didn't mean when I said that back then. I told you.” Twilight reminded him.

“Yeah only to keep putting me down by saying you're 'trying to protect me', or 'it's for my own good'. You all never gave me enough credit and always underestimate what I'm capable of! You and everyone here just flaunt whatever talent you have making life so much easier for you, when I have to struggle day in and day out trying to prove to you and everyone my worth! But it doesn't matter does it?”

“What?” Applejack asked.

“No matter what I do I will always be the same in your eyes. A weak powerless boy, who will never amount to anything compared to you or to anyone here. I'm starting to think this whole city is hazardous to me.”

“What do you mean hazardous?” Fluttershy asked in confusion.

“I mean whether it's you girls forgetting about me or leaving me out, or assholes like him,” Spike motioned to Lockdown sitting in the limo who dropped his head down further upon hearing Spike's rant, “Or even those dumbasses who ruined my night at the dance through their brain dead idiocy! Someone always seems to ruin my life! And I've had it!”

The girls were distraught by Spike's venting and knew this time they really screwed up. Even though it was Lockdown's fault Spike didn't get into the party they should've realized he wasn't there.

“Oh, Spike.” Twilight gasped.

“You know what, forget it. Let's just go home,” Spike turned around prepared to walk while noticing the girls still standing by Sapphire's limo, “Well, come on!” The girls started to slowly walk Spike's way, as Rarity spoke to Sapphire.

“I'm so sorry for this, Sapphire.” Rarity apologized.

“So am I. If you'll excuse me, I got to deal with someone.” Sapphire went into the limo that drove away while Rarity went to catch up to the girls who were walking behind Spike giving him his space.

There was silence on the train ride home, with Spike sitting far away from the girls still bitter and angry. The girls wanted to talk to Spike but they knew he wouldn't listen to them, especially when he felt he had no reason to listen to them anymore.

When they reached the stop the girls went their separate ways with Spike and Twilight walking home. The whole walk back Spike continued to be silent and walk ahead of Twilight not wanting to be near her. Twilight was too guilty and sad to even know what to do for Spike. As they reached the house Spike entered first, as Night Light and Velvet saw him first.

“Spike, how was the concert?” Night Light asked.

“Don't ask.” Spike answered, as he walked past them and headed for his room.

“Spike?” Velvet asked in concern, before the two saw Twilight enter, “Twilight, what happened?”

Twilight looked up, “Mom, dad, we failed again.”

“What?” Night Light asked, as he and Velvet were confused.

As Twilight explained to their parents what happened at the end of the concert, Spike was back in his room with the lights off with only the light from the lamps outside shining into his window. Spike sat on his bed hugging his knees. He was still hurt from being denied entrance to the party by Lockdown and Twilight and the girls being too caught up in the party to realize he wasn't there with them. He reached over onto his dresser and pulled over a small picture in a frame. The picture was of Spike and Twilight when they were just kids with the picture being taken not long after Spike was adopted by the Sparkle's.

Spike remembered how happy he felt being adopted into the family, and meeting Twilight. It was the happiest he ever felt, and Twilight herself was happy too.

“Spike, you're my very best friend.”

“You're mine too, Twilight.”

“And we'll always be friends forever. Won't we?”

“Yeah, forever.”

Spike suddenly remembered how things changed since they started getting older. Twilight got real friends, started spending less time with him, and when she and her friends became the chosen guardians her reputation started to overshadow Spike's existence with everyone always wanting to be closer to her than with him. Frowning he threw the picture aside as the frame broke upon hitting the floor, but he no longer cared.

“This whole city is nothing but a curse for me,” he told himself, “I'll never get anywhere because everyone looks down on me, patronizes me, make me feel so inferior compared to them. And Twilight. As long as I'm stuck in her shadow I will never make a name of my own no matter how hard I try. And the girls, I never really meant anything to them.” he had tears drop from his face.

Spike looked out the window of his room seeing the city in the distance and wondered what it was truly like out there beyond Canterlot City, beyond the Crystal City. There had to be more out there, infinite possibilities for one such as him that nobody would dare give him the opportunity. It was in that moment Spike decided on something. What would probably be the biggest decision of his life. Many would dissuade him from it, but he was done listening to others who never listened to him.

Through an overlapping montage during the hours of the night, Spike was writing something out at his desk, and packing several things in a Magical Bag capable of holding more things than what it initially looks like it can hold. When he was finished, he put the bag on his back and grabbed his hoverboard. He slid open his sliding window and stepped out closing it from the outside.

Spike carefully made his way down the side of the house before reaching the ground. He walked to the edge of the block before looking back at his home.

“Never again.” He mounted his hoverboard and took off into the night.