Spike hummed as he polished his collection of gems. These gems were special and were not to simply be eaten as a snack. These gems fell into three rough categories; first were the gems that Spike was ageing to maximize flavour. He took care of these gems first, trimming them with his claws, polishing them, and turning them in the sunlight. All according to the Earth Ponies' Guide to Growing Gems. The second group were the gems that he was preparing to give away as gifts. These took more time and effort as Spike had to keep them in a special solution to encourage their growth and then Spike had to extensively trim them in order to keep them growing into the right shape as well as polishing away the marks his claws would leave. Finally there were the gems Spike kept for sentimental reasons. The gems other ponies had given him as a gift or he had gotten on an adventure. Among these included the diamond Rarity gave him for saving him from Diamond Dogs, the heart shaped pink diamond Cadence awarded him for catching the Crystal Heart, and even one of the gems he swiped from the green dragon's lair in the Everfree Forest. These gems took minimal care, just a quick polish and the discipline to not eat or drool on them. Spike was just looking through these now when the knock came on the door.
“We're open,” Spike called as he packed up his collection. He turned to look at the dark blue unicorn with a black mane. He easily identified her as some sort of Canterlot noble from how she walked and more importantly, the fact that she was wearing a dress. “How can I help you, Madam?”
“Is Lady Twilight Sparkle in residence?” she asked politely as she looked around the library.
“I'm afraid not. May I enquire on what your business with her?” Spike said.
“I am Lady Starshine and I am the personal hoofmaiden to Princess Luna. I'm here to complete two tasks: one is to inform Lady Twilight that my mistress will be arriving tonight. The other is to ensure that everything is prepared for my mistress's arrival. Now what is your name?” Starshine said.
“I'm Spike. Um, why is the Princess coming here? She's not angry or anything is she?” Spike said, losing his confidence.
“She is...upset and unhappy. So it is important that everything is absolutely perfect. Understand, Squire Spike?”
“Yes, Ma'am! So what's first?” Spike said, saluting.
“First off, we need to clean this abode til it is up to my mistress's exacting standards. Then we shall need to acquire a new bed along with other furniture. Finally, we need to redecorate. This library is too...sunny for Princess Luna's tastes,” Starshine said, glaring at a large window.
“I know the perfect pony to help us with that last part,” Spike said as he started pulling out the cleaning materials, “we'll be done in no time.” The pair got to work and quickly cleaned the library. From there they went to the furniture shops in Ponyville. To Spike's frustration, Starshine at first refused to buy anything claiming it was all too low quality for Princess Luna. Finally after going to literally every furniture store in Ponyville she relented and picked out what she insisted on calling 'the best of a bad lot.' Spike led the way to Rarity's boutique, tired and annoyed with the fussy unicorn. Still he smiled as he knocked politely on Rarity's door.
“Come in,” Rarity called, “we're open.” The pair walked in and Rarity came out of the kitchen. “Hello Spike, this certainly is a pleasant surprise. And who would this be?”
“This is Starshine from Canterlot. Starshine, this is-”
“I know who she is,” Starshine interrupted, her voice cold, “and I don't see how someone like her could possibly be a help, squire.”
“Squire?” Rarity said, looking to Spike.
“I'll explain later,” Spike promised before turning back to Starshine, who was glaring at Spike for addressing Rarity before her. “Rarity is a famous fashion designer and one of Twilight's best friends. I wouldn't trust anypony else to redecorate Twilight's house into something she'll like and is still appropriate for royalty.”
“I don't care if she's been sponsored by Hoity Toity himself! I will not have her interfering with my- I mean Princess Luna's plans.”
“I don't know what your problem is but I'm not going to work with somepony who has some weird grudge against Rarity,” Spike said.
“Hmph, fine then. I shall just have to do everything myself. And you can be assured that I shall mention this dereliction of duty to the Princess,” Starshine sniffed and walked away, her nose in the air. Spike stuck his tongue out at her back and turned around, apologizing to Rarity.
“It's perfectly alright Spike, but who was that pony? And she mentioned something about Princess Luna coming to town? Also you're a squire? Why did you never tell us?” Rarity asked.
“Her name is Starshine and she's the personal hoofmaiden to Princess Luna who sent her ahead to prepare for Luna's visit. As for the squire thing, well it's kinda embarrassing. When Twilight was a filly we were playing knights and Celestia joined in. After Twilight gallantly rescued Celestia from the sock monster, Celestia decided to knight her as a reward. And well, ends up somepony heard and that made it official,” Spike explained, rubbing the back of his head.
“Wait, so Twilight has been a knight the whole time we've known her?” Rarity gasped, eyes widened and hoof raised to cover her open mouth. Spike blushed and looked at his feet. “There's more? What else hasn't Twilight been saying?” Rarity asked.
“Well she's also technically the supreme commander of the Canterlot defence force, head of the Celestine Information Agency, and is Celestia's personal bodyguard,” Spike said slowly.
“Our Twilight is all that? You think you know a pony.” Rarity mused.
“It's not like anypony actually takes that seriously. It's just a joke or a game on Celestia's part,” Spike explained quickly.
“Regardless, it will still make for some prime gossip material. And Princess Luna is coming to visit as well! This is proving to be quite the fantastic week,” Rarity said.
“More like a weird week,” Spike grumbled.
“Whatever do you mean darling?” Rarity asked.
“Well, besides Twilight hurting herself casting the Want it Need it spell, Trixie showed up and asked Twilight on a date,” Spike said.
“What?!”
“That's not all. The next day Rainbow Dash showed up and kissed her,” Spike added.
“Wha?!” Rarity's mouth dropped open in surprise. “Oh dear, this news will simply break poor Fluttershy's heart when she hears it,” Rarity added, trying to regain her composure. Spike grinned, looking forward to her reaction when he dropped the last bombshell.
“Don't worry about that. After all when Fluttershy showed up, she kissed Twilight too,” Spike said with a smirk as he mentally counted. On cue Rarity fainted, dragging her red velvet couch over to gracefully flop over on. Spike chuckled and went to the kitchen, preparing Rarity's favourite tea. A few minutes later Rarity joined him when she recovered from her impromptu nap.
“Thank you,” Rarity said, accepting a tea cup. The two sat in silence for a few moments, Spike enjoying Rarity's beauty and Rarity thinking over the news Spike had brought. “Spike, I have come to a decision,” Rarity declared, “it seems to me that Twilight is in a bad situation and that it is my duty to help her.”
“How so? I mean sure, it's weird, but it'll all blow over soon enough,” Spike said.
“I'm surprised at you Spike, I thought you would have realized how important a filly's first date can be. It should be a wonderful, magical experience for the budding heart falling in love. And I doubt brutes like Trixie and Rainbow Dash will even try to provide an appropriate date. I imagine Trixie will just be yammering on about herself, never giving Twilight a chance to talk, and I bet Rainbow Dash won't even try to date Twilight,” Rarity said.
“What about Fluttershy?”
“Well, Fluttershy will try, I will grant you that. But she's never had a proper date herself. I doubt she'll manage to sweep Twilight off her hooves like she deserves. No I'm afraid that it must fall to me to safeguard Twilight's heart to ensure that Twilight matches up with the appropriate pony.”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.....wait. What?!” Spike sputtered, “you mean you are going to start dating Twilight too?”
“The proper term would be courting. And I have no true intention of courting Twilight. I shall merely be training her so that she does not foalishly entrust her heart to some barbaric pegasi or arrogant unicorn. So while this training will require me to take Twilight out on many excursions and perhaps provide her with the occasional gift, it won't be actual dating, I mean courting. You see?” Rarity said.
“I...guess,” Spike scratched the back of his skull, “it seems overly complex to me.” Rarity just shrugged and sipped on her tea. She politely changed the subject and began telling Spike about her latest project. Soon the tea ran out and Spike began to leave.
“Oh, one last thing before you go darling,” Rarity said, “would you please invite Twilight to come see me tomorrow?”
“Sure, I guess,” Spike said.
“Thank you,” Rarity sang, “have a nice day Spiky-Wiky.” Spike waved goodbye and started walking home.
“Such a weird week,” he muttered to himself as he walked.
Applejack smiled as she closed the door to the barn. The day had been a long one, but they had managed to get a fair bit of the crop harvested despite the difficulties she had early on. Her stomach growled and Applejack glanced wistfully at the house where she could smell Granny's dinner. No can do, Applejack. It's almost sunset and you've got to get to Zecora's and back again before it gets dark. Applejack thought, glancing at the sun. Sighing, she began to run into the Everfree Forest, every sense alert as she scanned the trail for signs of trouble and obstacles. Her legs were a little sore from working earlier, but she still found it easy to maintain her speed until she reached Zecora's hut. Still, Applejack was breathing a little heavier then usual as she knocked on the door.
“Come in, come in,
How are you doing Applebloom's kin?
Is there something I can help you with?
A sickness, a hurt, or a lover's tiff?” Zecora said as she opened the door.
Applejack suppressed a groan. I still can't figure out what Zecora's saying. I don't know how Applebloom does it. “Hey Zecora. I was hopin you'd be able to help me get rid of a spell. You see Ah've been enchanted to love Twilight and it's distractin me to no end. Can you help?” Applejack said. Zecora thought for a few minutes before speaking.
“I cannot help but please do not glower,
but I have no chance against a spell of Twilight's power.
A solution does exist
but it requires you to persist
in avoiding all thoughts of Twilight
til the sun and moon repeat their light.
Achieving such a task
will break any false love's mask.”
Applejack just stared at Zecora for a few moments, her mouth moving as she mentally went over the poem. “Um, Ah think Ah've got it. But just in case Ah forget could you please write that er lovely poem down on some paper? That way Ah won't forget it when Ah go to sleep tonight. Alright?” Applejack said her eyes shifting away from Zecora. Zecora just smiled and quickly wrote her instructions down on a piece of parchment and wrapping it up into a scroll.
“There you go my orange pony friend,
I hope that your curse will soon be on the mend,” she chanted as she handed the scroll over to Applejack, who promptly tucked it under her hat.
“Thank you kindly Zecora, now Ah hate to just rush off but Ah need to get back home before it gets too dark. But next time you're in town, you make sure to stop by Sweet Apple Acres, alright?” Applejack said, before tipping her hat goodbye. Zecora nodded and bid her goodbye as Applejack ran back as fast as she could. As the light of the sun dimmed, Applejack could hear the various critters of the Everfree Forest become more active. Hearing a hiss, Applejack glanced to the side and quickly shut her eyes. The cockatrice hissed again in frustration as the orange pony quickly escaped and continued her journey back home. She heard more creatures stirring and even caught whiff of a timber wolf, but none crossed her path and Applejack soon left the forest. She took a short break to catch her breath and returned home at a much slower speed. Once she got home, she headed straight up to Applebloom's room.
“Hey Applejack, do you want something?” Applebloom said, raising her head up from her homework.
“Hey sis. Can you read something for me? Ah got some instructions from Zecora but Ah can't understand them at all,” Applejack said.
“No problem,” Applebloom replied, used to translating Zecora's words for her sister. She quickly read through the poem Zecora had given Applejack and thought about it for a few seconds. “Ah think what it's saying is that any love spell can be broken by the victim not thinking about the other pony for an entire day.”
“Is that all? Ah bet that'll be easy enough. Ah'll be over Twilight by tomorrow night,” Applejack said.
“Wait, you're in love with Twilight?” Applebloom asked, raising her head from the poem.
“Not really, Ah think she messed up the Want it Need it spell again, but this time aimed at me,” Applejack explained.
“Oh alright, goodnight Sis.”
“Goodnight Applebloom,” Applejack said, closing the door behind her. She headed to her own bed full of relief. Tired from her run ,she quickly fell asleep, drifting off into dreams about a purple mare and apples.
Twilight groaned as she opened her eyes to a world of blue. As she stirred, she felt the blue object move and groan in response. Twilight shook and lifted her head. Her world expanded to see Trixie lying under her, her head turned to look up at Twilight.
“Trixie is glad to see you're awake Twilight Sparkle, but could you kindly get off of Trixie?” she groaned. Twilight nodded, rolled off of Trixie, and stood up. Her head ached a bit but besides that her injuries were practically nonexistent. Trixie, on the other hoof was in much worse shape. There was a small gash on her head oozing blood and she noticeably limped as she walked over to Twilight.
“Trixie are you okay? How'd you get hurt so bad?” Twilight looked around wildly, “and where's Pinkie Pie? She didn't get thrown loose did she?”
“Trixie is perfectly fine Twilight. After softening your fall with her own marvellous body, she suffered a few minor scratches, but Trixie assures you that she not only has had worse but that she's persevered in spite of her injuries every time without fail!” Trixie said as she tried to stand up straighter. “As for that pink demon, well Trixie saw her run off after the crash telling Trixie to wait here.”
“And now I'm back!” Pinkie said, trotting up. She quickly began cleaning Trixie's injury and quickly wrapped it up in a white cotton bandage. Twilight looked Pinkie over. She didn't see a single injury, bruise, or even a fleck of dirt of the crash.
“How are you not injured? And where did you get that first aid kit? No wait, don't tell me, you've got them stashed around Ponyville in case of medical emergency,” Twilight said.
“Silly Twilight, I just bounced! That's why I'm not hurt. And I don't stash first aid kits around Ponyville, no, I stash them around all of Equestria! Go someplace new, hide a first aid kit, that's my motto!” Pinkie said. Twilight stared for a second and shook her head in resigned exasperation.
“Lets just get back to Ponyville as fast as possible,” Twilight said as she helped Trixie limp along. Recognizing the look on Twilight's face, Pinkie stayed silent and just hopped ahead. Her stomach kept twisting whenever she looked at how close Twilight's and Trixie's faces were together. So she quietly hummed a little tune and focused on the adventure at hand.
“So tell Trixie, why you were so worried about this gorge? It seems pleasant and monster-free to Trixie,” Trixie asked after a few minutes of silence.
“Well it's not entirely monster free. Ghastly Gorge is home to the Quarry Eel. It's a massive rock dwelling eel that hates sunlight and will eat anything that crosses it's path. Unfortunately Ghastly Gorge is shrouded in fog nearly 80% of the time,” Twilight explained.
“Well it's not foggy now,” Trixie pointed out. Pinkie suddenly spun around and gasped. “What is it? Did you see something?”
“You just jinxed us! I mean, Twilight was pushing it, but you just had to point out how lucky we were and now we'll be guaranteed to get some fog now,” Pinkie said.
“Don't be ridic...” Twilight trailed off as before her eyes a thick fog arose from the ground. Within seconds she could barely make out Trixie and Pinkie let alone the trail. Twilight didn't say anything, she just quickly gathered the trio together and kept moving. When Pinkie or Trixie went to say something she quickly hushed them. They travelled slowly using the river as a guide. Soon though, shadowy shapes filled the fog around them as well as a cacophony of hisses and the sound of gashing teeth.
“Quarry Eels I take it?” Trixie asked quietly, her voice trembling slightly.
“Yes, just stay quiet and move slowly,” Twilight hissed back. They did as she said, Pinkie looking alert, and Trixie with a spell shimmering on her horn. Twilight stayed focused on the shapes and shadows surrounding them. As they moved Twilight's face grew more and more grim. “We are about to be attacked,” Twilight announced suddenly, “it'll come from directly in front of us. Trixie, when I shout I want you to cast the brightest and loudest spell you can. Pinkie, you've got your party cannon right? Use that to knock it over and we'll start running as fast as we can,” Trixie and Pinkie nodded. Trixie's horn started to spark as she collected all the magic she could in it. “NOW!” Twilight shouted as the Quarry Eel burst out of the fog in front of them, its gaping mouth spread wide to swallow them all whole.
Trixie shouted a battle cry and charged forward, a ball of light shooting from her horn. It almost reached the eel's head before it exploded into a shock wave of rainbows and noise. Blinded and stung the Quarry Eel reared up, hissing its displeasure. As it started to fall down upon the trio Pinkie rushed forward. At point blank range, she pulled her party cannon out of nowhere and fired it. The blast managed to lift the entire eel up and throw it backwards. As soon as it hit the ground it was mobbed by other Quarry Eels, each tearing and swallowing as much flesh as possible.
“Everypony run! Go go go go!” Twilight shouted when Pinkie and Trixie stopped to stare at the carnage. The three ponies ran as hard as they could, Trixie wincing at every step as her battered hoof sent waves of pain shooting up her leg.
“Twilight! Twitchy tail!” Pinkie shouted as they ran. Trixie saw another Quarry Eel lunge at them from the side. Thinking fast she pulled the other two down with her magic so that the eel passed harmlessly overhead. It slammed into the gorge wall, the impact sending rocks falling down. Trixie tried to dodge but she tripped as her leg seized up from the pain of her hoof. She watched helplessly as the rocks fell around her throwing up clouds of gravel and dust. She gaped in awe as she watched Pinkie effortlessly weave her way through the falling rocks as she ran over to Trixie. Pinkie flung Trixie on her back and kept moving in one smooth motion as she dodged and danced around the boulders. Pinkie quickly made her way to the edge of the rock slide where Twilight was anxiously waiting.
“Thank goodness you're alright,” Twilight said, breathing a sigh of relief. She nuzzled Pinkie, then Trixie before turning around. “Come on, we're almost home,” Twilight said as she set off. Trixie shifted to get off of Pinkie but she was stopped by Pinkie.
“Uh uh, you're too hurt to be walking Trixie. I'll carry you the rest of the way back,” Pinkie said as she walked alongside Twilight. Behind them they could hear the Quarry Eels falling into a feeding frenzy over their second fallen brother. They stayed silent just in case but luckily their adventure was over and they soon emerged from the fog at the end of the gorge. A short walk later and they were back safely in Ponyville. The trio was silent for a moment and Trixie got off of Pinkie and glared at her.
“So why did you decide to sabotage Trixie's date? Did Trixie wrong you in some way for you to so comprehensively ruin her date?” Trixie said.
“Well you shouldn't have taken Twilight on such a boring date. I couldn't let that stand, so I made sure that Twilight's first date was going to be unforgettable!” Pinkie said.
“That's for sure. But Pinkie that doesn't excuse you from endangering our lives. We could have been killed by those Quarry Eels, or even just the hot air balloon crash,” Twilight said.
“I didn’t think things would spiral so far out of control. The RPP wouldn't have hurt Trixie, that much, and I didn't think she would actually manage to board the hot air balloon. But you know what? It was fun! We had an adventure, we saved each others lives, and I got to kiss Twilight,” Pinkie rattled off quickly before lunging forward and planting a smooch on Twilight's lips.
“Why did you do that?” both unicorns shrieked, as Twilight rubbed her lips with a hoof.
“Silly fillies, everypony knows that when you rescue somepony the rescuee gets kissed by the rescuer. Oh that reminds me, I saved you as well back in Ghastly Gorge,” Pinkie said.
“Wait what-” Trixie was interrupted by Pinkie's kiss. It was just a quick smooch, but it shocked Trixie into silence. Pinkie sat and hummed thoughtfully.
“You aren't as fun to kiss as Twilight,” Pinkie said, somewhat accusatory, before she ran off in the direction of Sugarcube Corner. Trixie slowly turned to look at Twilight.
“Trixie?” Twilight asked, worried.
“Trixie is going to pretend that that never happened, okay?” Trixie said slowly. Twilight quickly nodded in response. “Good. Now Twilight, would you like to go on another, proper, date tomorrow evening?”
“That sounds wonderful,” Twilight replied, “now, I don't know about you but I'm exhausted. I'll see you tomorrow Trixie,” Twilight headed home after Trixie said goodbye. She idly planned on taking a long luxurious bath while eating whatever scrumptious dinner Spike had made before collapsing into a well deserved rest. She sleepily walked up to the door only to stumble when she tripped on something.
“Ow! Twilight ,watch where you're going,” Spike complained, rubbing his stepped on tail.
“Spike? Why are you sleeping outside?” Twilight asked.
“Figured I should warn you before you got back. But I couldn't find you around town so I just hung in front of the library. Princess Luna has come back to Ponyville and wants to talk to you. She also brought her annoying assistant for some reason,” Spike explained.
“What? Princess Luna is here, why?” Twilight said, the shock jolting her fully awake.
“I'm not sure. I know she wants to talk to you about something though,” Spike said. Twilight rushed inside to see Luna sitting by the fireplace, reading a book. When she saw Twilight she rushed over and enveloped Twilight in a giant hug.
“Ah, Twilight! We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival. We have so much to talk to you about,” Luna said, happily spinning Twilight around.
“I'm sorry Princess, if I realized you were coming I would have been here waiting,” Twilight said.
“Don't worry Twilight, we should have realized that an important mare like yourself would require more notice then we gave to ensure your readiness. And please Twilight, call us Luna,” Luna said.
“Alright Luna. So what brings you to Ponyville?” Twilight asked.
“When we returned to Canterlot it occurred to us that we owe you a debt, no don't protest, Twilight. We still owe thee, I mean you, for saving us from our own insanity as Nightmare Moon. But the other day we compounded our debt by causing you to miscast that spell. Your current injuries are due to our carelessness,” Luna said.
“Luna it's okay, I don't blame you in any way,” Twilight said, leaning closer to Luna.
“We know Twilight,” Luna smiled warmly but continued on, “yet honour is not satisfied. It demands that We personally do something to make up for Our mistake. So We decided that We shall spend the next week caring for you and making sure that recover properly. Also We think it would be fun,” Luna added with a grin.
“I'm sure it will be. Do you have any ideas on how to start?” Twilight said.
“Well, We were just reading about how some ponies use the positions of the stars to predict the future. We were curious if that was actually possible and how it would work. After all, the stars' location is purely determined by Our will and desires,” Luna said. Twilight started to explain but quickly got distracted when a question caused Luna to explain how she controlled the stars and why constellations existed. They talked on, read books, and generally had a good time, Twilight's exhaustion being momentarily forgotten.