Finding Your Family

Spike went through the last few gifts, including a lackluster but still appreciated one from Rainbow, being scale polish, and a framed picture from Pinkie Pie that showed Twilight and her friends that Spike had taken, but with Spike cut into the picture to remind him that he was part of the friend group, even if he was mostly mechanically involved. They were old pictures, too, meaning Pinkie had been keeping these for a very long time. That pony really knew how to bring out a smile.

"Thank you all for thinking of me," smiled Spike. "It's good to know that I have so many friends who care about me enough to celebrate my engagement."

"But apparently not enough to read the whole invitation," whispered Thorax to Pharynx, who chuckled in turn.

"Seriously, this means a lot to me. My only regret with tonight is that not everyone could be here to revel in the joy I feel tonight. I wish everypony in Ponyville could participate in this. I understand that they have their own things to do, but... It'd be nice to bring happiness to ponies like Applejack. Aunty Lofty and Aunt Holiday, they deserve a good time, and you all know how wonderful it is when Rarity smiles."

"And that's my cue!"

The lights shut off, and a spotlight shone down to one of the doors. Through it walked Rarity, wearing the same protective suit she had been seen leaving in.

"Rarity?" questioned Twilight. "I thought you were going to watch over Scootaloo's party to make sure it didn't run out of hoof?"

"Oh, nevermind that, darling," chuckled Rarity. "They're all fine. They have each other, don't they?"

"Well..."

"Besides, it's my Spikey-wikey's last big party being single! I would never dream of missing his big day! Especially since I have a present for him!"

"It's ready?" asked Fluttershy, her jaw dropping. "We were only a third of the way done this afternoon!"

"Not that one, dear..." Rarity unzipped the outer shell of her clothing. Under the protective coating, a second outfit hid, and as she kicked aside her protective gear, what was left was the seductress Spike had created, Princess Shmarity. "This is one I've been working on alone for a long time."

She gave a twirl, and showed off her crotchless panties and quarter-cup bra. Pulling a makeup kit from a puff of smoke, she adorned her lips with a cherry-red lipstick and a lavender eyeshadow.

"Rarity, what are you doing?" asked Spike, already uncomfortable. He'd dreamed about Rarity for years, but he'd openly admitted to her that, in all of his fantasies, it was an intimate, private, quiet affair. If she was going to do this, a public event was not the place. If she had just asked him, he would have brought her home to plead with Scootaloo to give him permission. And knowing Scootaloo, she'd probably let him, after giving him a list of stipulations.

"What does it look like, mighty Garbuncle?" Rarity asked, her horn lighting up with a green aura that pulled a chair over to collide with the back of Spike's knees, knocking him into a sitting position. "I'm going to give you something I've always wanted to." She climbed up on the chair with him and sat down on his lap, digging her tongue into his mouth.

Spike grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her back, but she'd grabbed his tongue between her teeth. "Rarithy, sthtop id," he slurred.

"Now, now, Spikey-wikey," argued Rarity, pushing his claws behind his back. "You know better than to touch without asking."

"Can we slow down a bit and just talk?"

"Oh, Spike, you know actions speak louder than words..." She reached down between his legs and ran her hoof along his slit.

"I said no!" shouted Spike, tossing her aside and bolting from the room.

He didn't slow down until he was outside, his eyes filled with tears. He looked around to make sure there were no pegasi up here on the roof or flying overhead before he lowered his back against the wall, sobbing quietly. He felt betrayed, on a night that was supposed to be a happy occasion.

Twenty minutes passed before he felt a hoof on his shoulder. "Mind if I sit?" asked Thorax.

Spike uncurled his tail and scooted over, wiping his face. "Why did she have to embarrass me like that?"

"I don't know," answered Thorax. "I specifically told her not to do that."

"You knew Rarity was going to show up?"

Thorax wrapped a hoof around Spike's shoulder. "That wasn't Rarity. When you threw her to the ground, her disguise slipped off. It was one of the changelings we'd brought with us."

Spike sniffed. "It felt real, though..."

"I'm sure. She's very good at disguises."

"Why would she do that if you told her not to? Doesn't she know that a king's word is law?"

"We don't know. And we won't know until she regains consciousness."

Spike looked up, his eyes wide. "I... I didn't mean..."

"You didn't," waved Thorax. "Not wholly, anyway. Pharynx said there was something wrong with her eyes and vowed to eviscerate whoever had been puppeteering her. Quite loudly, too. That's probably why nopony's coming forward; he's vicious."

As Thorax pulled out a hoofkerchief, Spike blew his nose and wiped his face. "I hope he's not serious. I don't want anypony else to be hurt on my account..."

"It's the way he cares," shrugged Thorax. "He won't actually hurt them, I don't think, he's just angry because he likes you, kind of, and he hates when somepony tries to hurt somepony he likes. A little tough to work with, but, hey, he's my brother."

Spike took a deep breath.

"Hey, listen. Nopony would blame you if you just went home. After that little snafu, some ponies already left, much to Pharynx's chagrin. He wouldn't stop blocking the door until Twilight promised him that she'd find out who tried to ruin your party. So if you'd rather go home and see your kids, maybe wait for Scootaloo, I'll tell everypony to head home, and we'll bring all your gifts by tomorrow evening. You know, so your kids don't see the worst of them."

Spike took a deep breath and swallowed hard. "No. I'll take them home tonight. The right thing for me to do is go back downstairs and let everypony know that I'm okay."

"Are you, though?"

Spike shook his head. "But I should tell them I am. Otherwise, they're just going to worry about me. I'll manage."

"If you're sure," said Thorax, standing up and offering his hoof to Spike.

"I am," answered Spike, taking his hoof and standing up. "And thanks."