One Ticket Extra

by SmegAndTheHeads

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.

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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.

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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.