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// Chapter 7 
// Story: Dark Mistakes 
// by NakedSpaceMan 
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        Life was going great in Ponyville. Armon had a great job he loved, he had friends for the first time in centuries and he was truly happy. Over the weeks he had gotten one on one time with almost everyone like he did Applejack his first day. He hadn’t gotten to know Rarity or Pinkie Pie very much yet but he was planning to visit both soon. He was actually thinking about stopping by Rarity’s place that day.

Armon, after doing his shower and other bathroom duties, went upstairs to Twilight and Spike enjoying their breakfast. After a quick hello, he went into the kitchen to make himself something to eat. He chose just a bowl of corn flake cereal since he didn’t want to bother Spike to make more of the breakfast he made.

After preparing his meal he came back to the main room of the library where the eating table was. Spike was just about to finish his breakfast of grapefruit and a side of rubies. “Hey Twilight, do you need me today? I was hoping I could go to Rarity’s place and help out today.” said Spike.

“Sure Spike, I was planning on spending the day researching more on Armon’s time anyway.” said Twilight. Spike was excited to hear this happy news. He hadn’t seen Rarity since she came back with Armon from Canterlot. He was dying to see her.

“Actually Spike, can you hold on a minute? I was planning on seeing Rarity today as well.” said Armon. He was planning on getting to know Rarity better and see what it was that she did. “Sure Armon, just hurry up. I wanna get there as soon as possible.” Armon laughed at Spike’s eagerness but he understood why. Spike was in love with Rarity and he understood what it was like to be around someone you cared about. Even if the type of love he’s experienced was different from Spikes.

After finishing up their breakfast and getting ready, Armon and Spike set out to Rarity’s boutique. Along the way they passed by stands offering goods for bits and other houses. They even passed by a strange pony getting into a big blue box. Armon could've sworn that the box disappeared when he turned back, but he thought that it was probably just some unicorn doing magic.

“You know Spike, you never did answer my question from a couple of weeks ago.” said Armon. Spike almost stopped in his tracks. He thought he was in the clear from that question. “Wh, what do you mean?” asked Spike. He was hoping he could avoid answering Armon since he wanted to keep his secret. “I mean that question I asked you. What is Rarity to you?” asked Armon.

Spike was afraid Armon would remember that question. In his moment of panic, he couldn’t think of a single thing to get out of answering Armon’s question. Admitting defeat, he sighed. “I’ll admit it, I love her. Since the first moment I saw her, I wanted her to me mine. I think constantly about being with her and I want to make her happy. I even gave up this huge ruby I was going to eat just because she liked it.” said Spike.

Armon was warmed by Spikes answer. He unfortunately never got the chance to experience what Spike is experiencing, but he was glad for him. Spike was going to experience the joys of love and he chose a great pony to experience it with. The only question now is whether or not Rarity would return Spikes feelings. Now that Armon thought about it, today was the perfect day to find out.

After a few minutes of walking, Spike and Armon finally reached the boutique. Spike actually ran the rest of the way when the boutique came into sight. Once again Armon laughed at Spike’s enthusiasm. Spike knocked on Rarity’s front door and awaited her answer. When Armon reached the front door, Rarity answered the door. “Spike, Armon how nice to see you. I suppose you’re here to help me around here Spike?”

Spike quickly nodded and ran inside when Rarity ushered him in. Armon followed closely behind Spike inside the boutique. Inside was fabric’s and pony mannequins with dresses on them along with Rarity’s furniture, the most noticeable one being a fainting couch in the corner. “Rarity must be doing great in her business if she has this much furniture.

Spike was already doing work around the boutique to help Rarity. He had helped out enough times to know what needed to be done without Rarity telling him. Rarity was working on another dress for a client. The dress was onyx colored with white sapphires encrusting the dress in various places. Armon was impressed with the intricate design Rarity made with the fabric. The town he lived in before he got stuck in Tartarus never had anybody wearing things like the dress Rarity was making.

“Impressive dress Rarity. I like the contrasting colors you’re using with the sapphires.” said Armon. “Well thank you Armon. My client wanted a black dress but I thought it needed some ompf in it.” said Rarity, “Armon, could you be a dear and help me hold some of the dress together? I ran out of pins and I could really use some help.”

“No problem Rarity.” said Armon. He held at points where Rarity requested and helped out where he could. Armon was doing exactly what he was hoping to do. He was getting to know Rarity better and helping her was a bonus. But he still had to ask her the question what was peaking his interest since his walk with Spike, what did Rarity think of Spike?

“Rarity can I ask you a question?” asked Armon. “Why of course darling. What is it?” asked Rarity. “What do you think of Spike?” asked Armon. “Well, I’d say Spike is just a darling. He’s so kind and sweet and he’s just the most charming gentledrake. He helps me without even asking for anything in return. And he’s just so cute. I call him my Spikey Wikey.” said Rarity.

Armon was glad to hear praise for Spike, but she didn’t exactly answer his question. “Well he sounds great but, is there anything else to him?” asked Armon. “Why whatever do you mean? What more is there to say about Spike? He’s one of my best friends.” said Rarity. “That’s exactly what I mean, is that all he is to you Rarity? A friend?” asked Armo.

“Oh well, Spike is the sweetest gentledrake. And I know about his little crush. But I know he really doesn’t love me.” said Rarity. “Rarity what are you talking about? Spike doesn’t have just a crush on you, he’s in love with you.” said Armon. “Now Armon, he’s just a baby dragon. He’ll eventually grow out of his crush and find someone else to love. It’ll pass sooner or later.” said Rarity. “Rarity I don’t think you know exactly what’s going on. Spike doesn’t just have a crush for you. He’s in love with you for real. On the way here he even told me that he would do anything to make you happy.” said Armon.

“Oh well that’s sweet, but I still think it’s just his little crush. Eventually he’ll just realize he’s being a good friend and find interest in somepony or some dragon.” said Rarity. Armon was amazed, Rarity truly didn’t believe that Spike was in love with her. Heck, Spike gave up something he would probably never get the chance to eat for his entire life just so she could be happy with that fire ruby.

“Okay Rarity, suppose Spike just has a crush on you. But let me ask you this, have you been in relationships with stallions?” asked Armon. “Well I have been in several, but they didn’t last long. Most was more interested in getting into bed if you know what I mean.” said Rarity. “Okay, have they also helped you around your boutique? asked Armon. “Well yes several did, but they mostly wanted to get on my good side to get in the bedroom.” said Rarity.

“Then let me ask you this, have they ever did things for you just to make you happy. For nothing in return?” asked Armon. “What do you mean?” asked Rarity. “Well look at Spike, he does so much to help you around this boutique. I saw him carry a huge crate across here while you were busy with your dress and he almost broke his back doing it. He even gave you that fire ruby, a birthday present, just to see you smile. Have you ever met a stallion to do that for you?” asked Armon.

Rarity thought about it for a few moments. True sometimes the stallions of her past did help out, but like she said they just did it to try to get on her good side so they would go into the bedroom. Spike has been the only one to ever do all of what she asked for nothing. Now that she thought about it, since Spike started helping her out, it has become a lot easier running this place. And now that she thought about it even more. She was happiest when Spike was by her side helping her with her dresses. Maybe Spike did have more than just a crush on her.

Before she could answer Armon’s question though, Spike came into the dress making room. “Rarity all your chores are done. Is there anything else you can use me for?” asked Spike. “Uh, no Spike thank you. You can go back to Twilight now, it is getting late.” said Rarity. “I guess I better get going too. Think about what I said Rarity.” said Armon as he walked towards the door with Spike.

Before Spike and Armon could step out the door though, Rarity called out. “Spike, could you stay behind for a minute?” asked Rarity. “Sure, I’ll see you later Armon.” said Spike as he walked back to Rarity. Armon stepped outside the door and turned to close it behind him. He took a quick glance at Rarity and noticed a warm smile on her as Spike came to her. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say Rarity was going to have a very interesting talk with Spike. “Good for you Spike.” thought Armon as he shut the door and walked towards the library.

Rarity was nervous. She had never done what she was about to do. Normally it was stallions that were trying to get to Rarity, she never sought out anyone. But Armon’s words made her realize that Spike really was just the person she had wanted in a significant other. “Spike I was wondering, are you going to be busy in the next few days?” asked Rarity. 

“No, other than helping Twilight at the library I don’t have anything on my plate. Do you need me to come back and help you some more?” asked Spike. “No it’s not that, I just thought that maybe you would enjoy taking a lunch with me. You’ve been working so hard for me and I must find a way to repay you.” said Rarity. Spike blushed at Rarity’s request but didn’t want to accept her offer of payment. “Oh, there’s no need Rarity. Just a thank you is fine enough for me.” said Spike.

“No no, I simply must repay you for all the help you give me. How about we call it a date?” said Rarity. Spike couldn’t believe what he heard. Did Rarity just ask him out on a date? No, she said they’d call it a date. It wasn’t an actual date. “I don’t know Rarity. I don’t wanna bother you with your schedule.” said Spike. “Nonsense, going out with you would be a pleasure.” said Rarity. Spike was awestruck, now she wanted to go out with me? This is crazy. “Rarity, are you asking me out on a date?” asked Spike. Rarity blushed as his question but quickly pulled herself together. “Yes Spike, I’m asking you out on a date. Lunch for two at the park. What do you say?” asked Rarity.

Spike couldn't believe it. She asked him out! He had been dreaming about this for a long time and now it was finally happening! “Yeah! I mean, yeah it sounds like fun. How about the day after tomorrow?” asked Spike. “That sounds divine darling. The day after tomorrow it is.” said Rarity. After settling their date, Rarity gave spike a quick kiss on the cheek and sent him on his way. After Spike left she thought more on what Armon said and decided that he was right. Spike really was in love with her. She wasn’t fully sure on her feelings on him but she knew her date with him would decide it. She was actually getting excited.

After her thinking about her upcoming date, she closed her shop and got ready for dinner and bed. While she was doing that, Spike was walking around Ponyville daydreaming about his upcoming date. He was so excited. Armon meanwhile was answering more questions that Twilight had for him on old Equestrian living. Ending their day on happy notes.

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Inside the vault of Canterlot Castle, Luna was going over her personal book collection. She normally would just go out to the royal library to store her books but she didn’t want her sister to find them. Especially since these books were of the more sensual nature. Her sister finding them would just embarrass her to death. While she was putting her books away and selecting books for her to read later she heard a noise. It was coming from the Elements of Harmony case. Did a rat get into the vault again? She walked over to the case and opened it to check. The site inside horrified her. Each of the elements had turned a dark color and had a crack across all but one. The one without a crack was almost black in color with a pulsating purple light coming from inside while the rest looked like they were dead.

Luna was about to get her sister to see if something was wrong when the element of magic glowed an intense light. The light blinded Luna temporarily. When she regained her sight she saw a black mass in front of her. It was smoke like in it’s form and it looked menacing. Just taking a look at it made her realize it was evil. But before Luna could react, the mass overtook her and wrapped her in it’s smoke body. Luna struggled to break free but it was useless. The black mass then squeezed Luna until she cried out in pain. At that moment the black mass plunged into her mouth and forced it’s way into her insides. She struggled but after a while she went limp. Whatever was forcing it’s way inside her was clouding her mind and she couldn’t do anything about it.

After a few minutes, all of the mass was inside Luna and she dropped to the floor. A few seconds of silence passed by before she coughed and opened her eyes. Her normal night blue eyes changed to red. Luna got up and dusted herself off. After checking to see if she was in one piece, she let out an evil laugh. Whatever drove itself into her body had taken over. And now she had no control. In what was left of her mind she could do nothing but watch as whatever took over her body laughed. The only thing that she could think of also frightened her, what could be so evil and powerful that even she couldn’t stop it?