Spike Has Three Mommies

Chapter Nineteen

As she flew over the boulevard, Rainbow Dash waved for everyone’s attention. “Hey, check it out! The Great Migration’s a week early!”

Everyone looked up in amazement. Thousands of butterflies fluttering through the cloudy sky, a brilliant stream of white, orange, and pink. Fluttershy was flying at the rear, using two white butterflies to direct the whole parade up the street. She didn’t seem the least bit anxious about everyone watching her.

While all this was going on, hardly anyone noticed a small cluster of butterflies peeling off from the rest of the swarm, taking a detour downtown toward the library—and Twilight’s apartment.

As a small cloud of white butterflies entered through Twilight’s front door, Rarity found herself giddy with anticipation. It wasn’t supposed to be a surprise, but she couldn’t help herself. The spectacle was just too magnificent!

Then Twilight came out from the kitchen and waved her hand, parting the butterflies with a ripple of violet light. Shining Armor and Cadance stepped out from the cloud, holding hands and laughing. Twilight waved again, opening the front door with her magic as the butterflies flew away.

“Wow,” said Cadance. She wobbled and leaned into Shining Armor for support. “That’s pretty fun. We should travel like that more often!”

“I’m sure Fluttershy would be happy to arrange it!” Twilight replied. She went back to bouncing up and down like an eager schoolgirl. “But right now, dinner is being served!”

Applejack and Pinkie Pie stepped out of the kitchen, presenting a table laden with rich foods and drinks. Rarity noticed that Spike was already surreptitiously dipping his finger into a layer of frosting on one of the cakes, but decided not to say anything. It would be easier to remember not to eat from that particular cake.

“On account of you being our guests, we’ve spared no expense tonight!” Applejack declared. She tipped her hat and pointed out the different foods. “Everything from applesauce to apple fritters! Baked apples, apple pie, apple salad, apple strudel…” She stopped for a quick breath, then added, “And as for the second course—”

“Also, carrot cake!” Pinkie Pie held up a surprisingly small cake on a dish. “If you’re not too keen on apples.”

Shining Armor laughed. “Don’t worry, we like them just fine.”

Applejack looked back at the table. “Well, good! I’d hate for all this to go to waste!”

A few minutes later, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy arrived. Rarity was pleased to see Fluttershy wearing the simple gown she’d designed for the occasion. However, Rainbow Dash had decided to wear her sweat-stained, dirt-covered flight suit. It was marginally cleaner than usual, but still a disgrace in Rarity’s eyes. How could any person go out looking like that—even up in the air?

“Hey, Rarity,” said Twilight, pulling her aside. “If you have any free time tomorrow, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Why, of course, darling!” Rarity’s head was already buzzing with calculations. She could fit in Twilight’s request in between designing mittens and sewing t-shirts.

Before she could go on, Twilight quickly glanced over her shoulder at the gathering dinner party. Then she leaned in and whispered, “What I really need is what you did for Spike. But… in my size.”

“Oh.” Rarity felt her cheeks redden. “Oh, I see. Well, that shouldn’t be too hard, I suppose.”

“Glad to hear it.” Twilight began to bounce back and forth, then glanced once more at the dinner table. “And on that note, I need to use the little girls’ room. I’ll come by tomorrow, then?”

“Of course! Come anytime, darling.”

Twilight waved as she dashed upstairs to the bathroom. Rarity smiled and turned away. What a strange coincidence, she mused.

But on her way to join the others, something caught her eye. A sudden dull gleam of light from her bracelet. Rarity frowned. It shouldn’t have done that.

Then she looked up at Spike, sitting in between Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash. Now that she thought about it, Spike did seem a bit nervous. He couldn’t stop shifting in his seat, even while he stuffed his mouth with apple pie and sandwiches.

It looks like someone’s going to need a firm talk when this is over, Rarity decided. But she put on a brave smile and took her seat beside Fluttershy, as if nothing could possibly be wrong.