> Heart Burns
>  by TheMessenger
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1 Recipe for 9 Inch Double Crust
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter One


It was rare to find Rainbow Dash in the pegasus city of Cloudsdale. Once upon a time, she had called this metropolis in the skies home. Several years ago, it wasn't uncommon to spy a little cyan filly with a ridiculously colorful mane zooming haphazardly through the city. She might have even had held a small Cloudsdale flag between her teeth as she tried to hum the anthem. That was awhile ago. The little filly with the messy rainbow mane grew into a mare who lived a little closer to earth. Ponyville was Rainbow Dash's home now, and while that city in the clouds was still dear in her heart, the pegasus didn't often visit unless a special occasion called for it simply due to sheer laziness. 

No contest Rainbow Dash would have been interested in entering was scheduled for today. The Wonderbolts were on their off-season so she couldn't have been here to see a derby or an aerobatic show display. Perhaps stranger still was the saddlebag filled with leaflets that hung over her sides, given the pegasus's disdain toward weighty accessories. 

Whatever the reason of Rainbow Dash's sudden appearance today, it didn't seem that it was entirely her decision, as demonstrated by her yawning and quiet grumbling. 

"This couldn't have waited until later?" she was groaning to nopony in particular. With little enthusiasm, she began to toss flyers from her bag at random passersby, ignoring the glares and confused looks she earned. Rainbow rubbed her eyes furiously as she bit back another yawn. "Twilight owes me big--"

She and the stallion she had flown into (or had flown into her) both grunted in surprise and shock as the two plummeted down onto the soft cushioning clouds. Flyers flew out of her saddlebag and were scattered. Rainbow Dash struggled to stop her eyes from spinning.

"Whoa, sorry 'bout," she heard the stallion say in a carefree tone tempered by concern. "My bad, wasn't paying attention. Hey, you alright?"

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash groaned, her eyes finally focusing, and the pony she collided with coming into view. "Watch where y-y-y--" Rainbow swallowed and began to choke. Her wings flared wide open as a gradual blush painted her face pink. With one hoof she held the worried pegasus back and with the other she pounded her chest. Clearing her throat, she quickly brushed her hair back and tried to smile. "Ahem, uh, I mean, yeah, guess I should have been watching where I was going too, huh Soarin'?"

"You too huh?" the Wonderbolt veteran said, chuckling. "Never thought you were the clumsy type, Rainbow Dash."

"Clumsy, m-me? Psh, as if." As Rainbow Dash waved dismissively, more flyers escaped, one flying right into the face of the blue stallion. She blushed more fiercely as Soarin' peeled the leaflet off and raised an eyebrow. "So, uh, what're you up to? I mean, I didn't think there was a Wonderbolt event today. You signing autographs or something? I mean, if it's supposed to be a secret I can totally keep quiet, Wonderbolt honor and everything." She laughed nervously.

"A little late for that," Soarin' said, nodding to the crowd slowly growing around them. He ran his hoof through his dark spiked mane. "Just here on vacation, but I got lost on my way to this one restaurant." The stallion lowered his voice. "Don't tell anypony, but I'm really bad with directions." 

The two pegasus shared a laugh, though Rainbow's seemed forced, even to herself. "So, what are you up here for?" Soarin' asked. "You live in Ponyville, right? I've always kinda wondered why you weren't part of Cloudsdale's team for the Equestria Games."

"Huh, oh yeah, Ponyville. I'm just here passing these things for a friend. Hold on, let me just..." Rainbow grabbed for one of the nearby leaflets.

"Already got one." Soarin' held up the flyer that had landed in his face. "Ponyville public library restoration bake sale," he read, his eyes widening in interest. "Hosted by Princess Twilight Sparkle, all proceeds go to replacing the books lost in the destruction of the Golden Oak Library, at Ponyville on the twenty-fifth to the twenty-seventh, both bits and books are acceptable currencies, cakes and cookies and pies and more." Soarin' quickly wiped the drool from his lips. "Wow, that's pretty cool."

"Yeah, I'm just trying to spread the word."

Another leaflet slipped out of Rainbow Dash's grip and blinded a crossing guard in the distance. She ignored the loud noisy crashes and screams that followed. "So, you thinking about coming?" Rainbow asked.

"A chance to eat pies and do some community service at the same time? Definitely count me in," Soarin' answered, nodding eagerly. "Hey, that one mare from the Grand Galloping Gala, the one in the country accent and hat, she's from Ponyville right? Man, her pies were unbelievably good."

"Oh, yeah? If you thought that was good, you haven't tasted anything yet," Rainbow challenged with a smirk. 

"Yeah?" Soarin' exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't know you baked."

"Me? Psh, I don't bake. I destroy. They don't call me awesome for no reason, you know," Rainbow said smugly. She wore a grin radiating with confidence. "Yep, I'm a mare of many talents. Bet I could make a pie twenty times better than Applejack's in, like, ten seconds."

"Now I really can't wait for this bake sale," Soarin' said. "There's no way I'm missing out on this." He tucked the flyer under his wing. "Well, guess I'll be seeing you this weekend, Rainbow."

"Y-yeah, see you at there," Rainbow said. She waved her hoof as she watched the light blue stallion fly off. The waving began to halt only after Soarin' vanished from view. As Rainbow Dash slowly brought her hoof back down and finally folded her wings against her sides, her smile disappeared. 

The screaming began shortly after. Rainbow buried her head into the clouds. Pegasi flying from every direction quickly changed course to avoid her.

"Stupid stupid stupid stupid..." Rainbow muttered as she pounded the top of her head with her hooves. "...stupid stupid stupid..." 

At last, she pulled her head out of the hole she dug in the clouds. She shook her head and sighed.

"I need to learn how to cook," Rainbow Dash declared. Her feathers shivered as her own words sent a chill down her spine.
> 1/2 Cup of Unsalted Butter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2


For the last generation or so, Ponyville had been the home of many creative architectural designs. Few towns in Equestria besides Ponyville could boast of having an oversized jester cap as a joke store. The very appearance Carousel Boutique stood as a testament of the owner's creative abilities and as a reflection of the amazingly fabulous dresses that could be purchased inside. Until its rather recent retirement, the Golden Oak Library served as an unsettling reminder of the source of book pages and paper (there was something slightly disturbing about keeping bounded bundles of processed wood in a hollowed tree) as well as the home of Princess Twilight Sparkle and her assistant, and its replacement could have fitted in perfectly at the Crystal Empire. 

Perhaps most unique of all was Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville's local bakery and confectionery. With its chocolate-brown roof edged with white swirls and large candles at the very top, the store could have been mistaken as the world's largest gingerbread house at a distance. Many a pony would wander past the shop only to be stuck by a sudden craving for pastries and would leave the block with a fuller belly and a significantly lighter wallet. 

The aromas that drifted from the store were probably also part of the problem, Rainbow Dash noted as she landed at the bakery's doorstep. As she breathed, her mouth watered as images of cupcakes and cookies danced in her head. Fresh banana nut muffins too, Rainbow Dash added, taking in the smells. She could almost taste those delicious delicacies.

Rainbow Dash shook her head and growled. "Come on, keep it together," she muttered angrily to herself. Calming down, the pegasus stepped inside.

"Oh, good morning, Rainbow Dash," Mrs. Cake greeted cheerfully from the counter.  "You're up early today, would you like some coffee cake?" The mare gestured toward the piece of brown sweet bread coated with whipped cream sitting behind the display glass. "It comes with a free glass of milk."

"Yeah, that sounds--" Rainbow Dash quickly swallowed the drool that threatened to spill out of her mouth. "Actually, I'm just here to see Pinkie Pie," she back-pedaled, rubbing the back of her head. "She free?"

"She's in the kitchen right now," Mrs. Cake explained with a smile. "The dear's been trying a new recipe, but I don't think she'd mind the company. Just tell my husband I let you in if he starts pestering you, okay dear?"

"Cool, thanks." Rainbow leapt over the counter and hurried toward the entrance of the bakery's kitchen. She paused at the threshold and slowly turned around. "And, uh, about that coffee cake."

The co-owner of Sugarcube Corner rolled her eyes. "I'll put it on your tab," she said.

Rainbow thanked the older mare again and entered the kitchen. "Hey Pinkie Pie," she said. "How's it hang...what in Equestria are you doing?"

The pink pony lifted her fizzy head and flung off the goggles she wore. "Dashie!" she screamed, leaping into a somersault toward the pegasus's side. Pinkie Pie threw her forelegs around her friend. "It's been, like, forever since we last talked!"

"I'm pretty sure we saw each other yesterday," Rainbow said, struggling out of Pinkie's grip. 

"I know, right? That was ages ago!" the bouncing pony gasped. "Who knew when we'd see each other again? I mean, besides lunch time, because I know how much you love a good cupcake for lunch. But wait, it's not lunch time yet. Are you here for breakfast? No wait, it's too late for breakfast. How about lunfast or brunch? Have you tried the coffee cake yet? It comes with a free glass of milk! That was my idea. Mr. Cake wasn't to sure about it at first, but that was at first and now it's now and now he thinks it's a great idea. Oh, and speaking of ideas, want to see my new recipe?"

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth and made a few uncommitted noises. "S-sure, yeah, sure," she finally managed to say. Pinkie beamed and dragged the pegasus toward the crowded kitchen counter. In the center, between a bag of sugarcane and a box of rock candy, was a thin crinkly sheet that reminded Rainbow a bit of paper.

"Try it!" Pinkie exclaimed, shoving the sheet into Rainbow Dash's mouth before she could protest. With little choice, Rainbow began to chew, and as she did so, her eyes lit up in surprise. 

"It's sweet," Rainbow announced. "Hey, that's not bad. What is it?"

"I call it candy cutouts. Or maybe it should be sugar sheets." The excited earth pony scratched her head. "Hmm, still working on the trademark. I made it for the bake sale Twilight's holding. Ooh, I can't wait! I'm going to make a whole bunch of these and then write some stuff on them with chocolate sauce and then sandwich them between cake layers so it looks like a book! It'll be a book you can read and eat, so you don't have to choose, isn't that neat?"

"Sounds, uh, pretty cool. Didn't know deciding whether to eat a book or not was such a problem," Rainbow said. "Hey Pinkie, about that bake sale."

"Oh, aren't you excited for it? I know I am. It's like all my favorite things combined, sugary foods and books and Twilight and the new castle that looks a lot like a tree now that I think about, which is weird since Twilight was just living in one. And Twilight said I could help decorate too if I wanted, and of course I wanted, so--"

"Pinkie, I need your help!" Rainbow cried, grabbing the chattering pony's shoulders. "You've got to teach me how to cook in time for the bake sale this weekend."

Pinkie Pie tilted her head as she stared, then began giggling. "Oh Rainbow Dash, it's a bake sale, not a cooking sale. I worry about you sometimes."

"Worry about--" Rainbow bit back a groan. "Fine, baking, I need you to teach me how to bake before the weekend."

"Hmm. I don't know," Pinkie Pie said as she rubbed her chin. "Baking is serious business, how do I know you're serious about learning?"

"Pinkie," Rainbow began lowly, "I'm serious about this, Pinkie Pie Swear and everything."

"Why so serious?" Pinkie asked, her voice suddenly ominous and husky.

"Wait, why?"

"Yeah, why," Pinkie repeated as her cheery tone returned. "I mean, you never asked before."

"Oh, you know," Rainbow answered with a shrug. She turned away as Pinkie Pie leaned forward. "Reasons."

"Oh yeah, reasons. Yeah, I totally get that," Pinkie said, nodding frantically. "Well, don't worry your pretty rainbow-dyed head--"

"Hey, my mane color's totally natural!"

"--your Auntie Pinkie Pie'll tell you everything you need to know about baking." With one swoop of her hoof, Pinkie cleared the entire counter. She ducked down and pulled out a tin muffin pan. "Since we're pressed for time, we'll have to skip waxing Gummy and bench pressing montage and go straight to lesson uno, cupcakes!" 

"Cupcakes, huh." Rainbow took a step back as Pinkie Pie began laying out an impressive knife collection next to the pan. "That doesn't sound too hard."

"It's not. It's a perfect starting point for your new journey into the world of pastry making and winning Soarin's heart through his stomach," Pinkie Pie said. Before Rainbow could respond, Pinkie tied an apron around her neck and set a toque on her head. "Cupcakes are just tiny cakes, so if you learn how to make a cupcake you'll know how to make a cake. And from there, everything else is easy."

"If you say so," Rainbow Dash said, adjusting the tall white hat on her head.

"I do say so. Now..." Pinkie Pie rolled her head and cleared her throat. "All you have to do is take a cup of flour, add it to the mix! Now just take a little something sweet, not sour, a bit of salt, just a pinch!"

Pinkie's song echoed out of the kitchen as Rainbow Dash slowly backed out of Sugarcube Corner.


*


Sweet Apple Acres was more than just a simple apple farm. It was Ponyville's historical monument, a relic from the very origins of the town that stood strong even as disasters struck all around it. Even after all these years, Sweet Apple Acres supplied the town with fritters, pies, cider, juice, cobblers, red deliciouses, Granny Smiths, Braeburns, McIntoshes, golden deliciouses, and a variety of galas. Like the elder matriarch whom stood at the head of the Apple family, Sweet Apple Acres refused to retire.

Big McIntosh stood at the entrance of the farm with a large cart attached to his back. Several bushels of fruit sat in the wagon. He chewed a short stalk of straw slow as he waited, throwing glances over his shoulder every now and then. 

"Hey, Big Mac."

The red stallion looked up toward the source of the voice and found Rainbow Dash hovering right above. He nodded in greeting.

"You know where your sister is? I need to talk to Applejack really quick," said Rainbow, landing in the cart.

Big McIntosh grunted at the sudden additional weight. His glare was ignored as the pegasus mare picked out an apple from the baskets and shined it against her chest. He sighed and opened his mouth to answer.

"It'd better be quick, 'cause I gotta set up shop soon. We're already late as it is," came a voice from behind. Both Big McIntosh and Rainbow Dash turned around as an orange earth pony mare wearing a brown, wide brimmed hat approached. She carried another basket of apples on her back.

"So, what're you up to?" Applejack asked, setting her apples into the cart with the rest and grabbing the fruit Rainbow had out of her hooves. "Hope it ain't some sort of emergency."

"Well, Equestria's not in any real danger, but..."

"But?" Applejack cued, gesturing to Rainbow Dash to continue.

The pegasus winced and bit her bottom lip. "Alright, I kind of sort of need your help with something."

"What, really?" Applejack's left eyebrow rose. "Rainbow Dash, actually askin' for help?"

"Oh, like you're one to talk," Rainbow responded with a smirk that quickly faded. "But yeah, you know the bake sale for the new library?"

"The one this weekend? Yeah, gonna be sellin' the best bite-sized apple fritters you've ever tasted there. What about it?"

"I, well, you see..." Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. "I have to learn how to bake in time for the bake sale!" she blurted out. "And I need you to teach me how!"

The farm mare's other brow joined its sister. "Why?"

"Oh, you know, helping out Ponyville and everything." Rainbow chuckled weakly. "Heh, I like helping the pony folk, that's all."

Applejack's eyes narrowed. "Uh huh," she said evenly. "Whelp, I'd love to help, but I've got work right now." She pulled Rainbow out of the wagon by her tail and nodded to her brother. "Sorry 'bout that, maybe you'll have better luck with Pinkie."

"Wait, hold on," Rainbow Dash pleaded. She grabbed Applejack's shoulder, stopping her. "Look, fine, I met a pony up in Cloudsdale and told him I could cook. He's going to be at the bake sale, and I'll be in big trouble if he finds out I was lying."

The farm mare blinked. "Why would you say that? If anythin', I'd of thought you'd be tryin' to deny bein' able to bake, since it don't 'actly work with your image and all."

"I know, I know," Rainbow groaned. "But I just ran into him so suddenly I panicked, I couldn't even think. We were talking about Twilight's bake sale, and he mentioned how much he liked your pies, and it just came out of my mouth and ugh!" Rainbow flung her hooves up over her head. "Look AJ, I'm sorry I lied, but I need your help here, and there's no way in Tartarus I'm going back to face Pinkie Pie and her musical numbers. I think she was going to make me sing along," the pegasus added in a hushed whisper.

Applejack sighed. "Well, I'd hate to make a liar out of one of my friends--"

"Yes! I knew I could count on you!"

"Hold your horses, geez," she said as she push Rainbow back. "I'd like to help, but I don't got the time right now, 'specially if you wanna be ready in time for the bake sale, and to be honest, I ain't the best teacher around."

"But--"

"Hold on, I'm not 'bout to leave you out to dry," Applejack reassured. "But why learn from me when you could learn from the best? I'm sure Granny would be more than happy to teach you how to make them pies your coltfriend seems to like so much."

"He's not my--wait, really?"

Applejack nodded. "Big Mac, you go on ahead and get the stand set up," she said to the large red stallion. "I'll catch up later after lettin' Granny know she's got a new student."

"Eeyup," Big McIntosh said in reply and began to trot off toward Ponyville. Applejack meanwhile led Rainbow Dash toward the farmhouse nearby.

"You sure Granny Smith would teach somepony outside of the Apple family?" Rainbow asked.

"Well sure, 'specially after she hears your story," answered Applejack as she pushed open the door of the house. "'sides, you're an honorary Apple family member."

"Yeah, but what about the secret Apple recipe?" Rainbow Dash inquired. "I mean, no one in Ponyville knows how to make zap apple jam besides you guys, not even other Apples, you think Granny Smith'll just let me take her pie recipe?"

"Zap apple jam's different," Applejack said, shaking a hoof. "You know what Granny's secret ingredient for the perfect apple pie is? A mare's touch!" The orange pony snorted. "That'd explain why Big Mac's pies just ain't as good as mine though, ain't that right, Granny?"

"Huh, wha--" The elderly mare Applejack had addressed rubbed her eyes and yawn. "Oh, why is it ain't pegasus with the dye job, Fluttershy right?"

"Rainbow Dash," Rainbow corrected.

"My grandson's too shy to say it, but he's taken a real shinin' to you. Why, just the other day he was in the bathroom--"

"Granny," Applejack interrupted, "Rainbow Dash here needs some pointers on how to bake. She's tryin' to impress some stallion from Cloudsdale."

"I'm not--"

"Anyways, I gotta help Big Mac with the market stand and everythin', so I'm leavin' her in your hooves, that alright?" 

"Sure, sure," Granny Smith said, bobbing her head up and down. "You go ahead, I'll take good care of Ms. Twilight Sparkle here."

"Rainbow Dash," Rainbow corrected.

"Right, Raynor Dish."

Rainbow slowly brought her hoof to her face and turned to find that Applejack had already left. "Yeah, fine, that's close enough," she said with a sigh.

"So you wanna try and win some stallion's heart, eh?" Granny Smith said as she rocked her chair. "Well, you're on the right track. Where do you think the heart's connected to?"

"Uh--"

"The stomach, of course! That's basic anatomy there, something that should be taught in schools. Why, I remember how I met my late husband, bless him. Poor stallion was little more than skin and bones when I first saw him, but the most handsome bundle of skin and bones you'd ever see. And a downright hard worker too. It was summer, and we had just started the harvest. Of course, back then harvests were longer since the crop was so much larger, not like nowadays. Anyways, we met after a hard day of work in the orchards. My pappy didn't think me bein' around a stallion my age was a good idea, so we snuck into the kitchen together. I made this one pie, you see, a new recipe and all..."

Granny Smith's story filled the entire house as Rainbow slowly backed out and left Sweet Apple Acres. The old mare failed to notice.


*


Princess Twilight Sparkle was a paradox in a pony, her very self being a self-contradiction. On one hoof, she practically thrived on paper work, on schedules, and on planning and checklists. On the other hoof, these things were some of her greatest sources of stress. With a tangled mess of a mane hardly fit for any mare, let only a princess, Twilight glared at the many sheets of parchment in front of her.

"Why did I only give myself a week to prepare?" she was muttering. "That's barely enough time." Twilight glared at the calendar nailed to her crystal wall. "Let's see, still have to finish sending advertisements to Canterlot, meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Cake to decide on prices, finish writing my speech and making flash cards..." she read off the list before her.

"Teaching Rainbow Dash how to bake."

"Teaching Rainbow Dash how to--wait." Twilight lifted her head and looked up. "Oh, hi Rainbow," she said. "Didn't hear you come in."

"Yeah, well, the front door was blocked, so I went through a window," Rainbow Dash said as she wandering further into the room. "Oh, and did you know that you have a bunch of book shelves blocking the entrance?"

"Yes, they're for the new library," the princess explained. "Not that it's going to be much of a library without books," she added wearily.

"I get the feeling that something's bothering you."

"Very astute of you."

"Thanks, I try," Rainbow said with a grin. "Wait, astute's good, right?"

"I'd point you toward the nearest dictionary, but we're a little short at the moment." Twilight shook her head. "Sorry, I'm just a little tired with all this planning. I should have thought this through."

"What's wrong? I thought we all agreed a bake sale was an awesome idea."

"It is," Twilight said, "but having one so suddenly is not. There aren't any holidays this week, so we can't assume ponies out of Ponyville or Canterlot will be able to make it. How did advertising go in Cloudsdale?"

"What, that? Pft, went without a hitch," Rainbow declared confidently. She walked over and leaned against the wall. "But that's not important--"

"I'd disagree."

"Whatever, I need your help. I have to make something for the bake sale this weekend, but I can't cook. You think you can teach me?"

Twilight stared at her friend. "Let me get this straight, you want me to teach you how to bake?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Okay, first question, why me and not Applejack or Pinkie Pie?"

"Applejack's busy, and this isn't something that can wait," Rainbow said. "And Pinkie's, well..."

"Being Pinkie Pie?" ventured Twilight. She rolled up the parchment she had been reading with her magic and set it aside on the crystal slab acting as her desk.

"Yeah, I couldn't stand it." The pegasus shuddered.

"Fair enough. Second question, why the sudden interest in baking?" Twilight asked. "You've never shown any want before."

"Ugh, is it really all that important?" Rainbow Dash grumbled. "Look, long story short, I couldn't keep my big mouth shut and ended up telling some stallion I could bake really well. He's going to be at the bake sale this weekend expecting me, so I've got to make something."

"All this for one stallion?" Twilight marveled. "Wow, this sounds awfully like a--"

"It's not a crush!" Rainbow cried out. Her cyan coat failed to hide the glowing red blush of her cheeks. "Soarin's just a pony I think is cool because he's a Wonderbolt and an awesome flyer with these really nice look wings and a really cool mane that looks really good when he steps out of a shower and these toned muscular--"

"Bet, I was going to say bet," Twilight interjected as she fought of her own blush. "How do you know how he looks like when he steps out of a shower?"

"I might have accidentally gone into the wrong changing room at the Wonderbolt academy. It only happened once, I swear!" Rainbow asserted.

"Right, okay then." Twilight coughed and forced her wings back down. "In any case, I'm not sure I can help you with much. I'm not really much of a chef either," she admitted.

"Yeah, but I'm sure you've got some how-to books on easy cooking. You lived in a library, for pony sake. Oh wait." Rainbow Dash gulped. "Right, lived."

"Yes, lived," the alicorn said darkly. "And all those cook books we had ended up cooked by Tirek when he destroyed the library. You know, my home?"

"Right, sorry."

Twilight's features softened, and she leaned forward and draped a wing over Rainbow Dash's shoulders. "It's fine, sorry for being so short with you. It's just taking some time to get used to everything. A new castle, a new throne, a new kingdom, it's a lot to take in right now."

"Hey, I think you're doing pretty well," Rainbow Dash said. "For a rookie princess, you're pretty darn awesome. Heck, I'll go out and say it, you're the Rainbow Dash of princesses."

Twilight Sparkle giggled. "Well, at least until you somehow become an alicorn princess too."

"Me, a princess?" Rainbow snorted. "As if. But back on topic, you really can't teach me?"

"Sorry, I can't even make nachos, let alone make a pie." Twilight hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe you could borrow something from the Cakes."

"And risk facing Pinkie Pie again?"

"Oh come on, her musicals aren't that bad. I'm sure--"

There was a knock at the door before it swung open. Spike, Twilight's number one assistant, stood there with an industrial-sized bag of flour in his claws. The little dragon stood there awkwardly for a moment, then waved. 

"Hey Rainbow," he said, carefully shifting the bag around. "Um, Twilight, where's the kitchen again?"

"First door of the second hall to your left," Twilight answered. "I should probably start making signs."

"Oh come on, I haven't gotten lost that often," protested Spike as he clumsily picked up the flour.

"You want some help?"

"Nah, I got it Twilight. Do you want anything special for dinner?" Spike asked.

"Not really." Twilight turned to Rainbow. "Any requests from you?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Well, unless you can somehow cook up a cooking instructor or something."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing to worry about," Twilight said. "Just be careful."

"Yeah yeah." With a final grunt, Spike heaved the giant bag of flour and waddled off. Twilight watched her assistant until he disappeared from sight.

"Hmm."

"What's up?" asked Rainbow Dash. 

A small smile spread across the exhausted princess's face. "I think I have an idea."
	
> 3 Tablespoons of Flour
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 3


Rainbow Dash and Twilight were leaning against the wall, peeking into the castle's kitchen. The clanks of pots and pans rang out from inside, like the uncoordinated percussion backup for the singing dragon's solo. 

"This is your great idea?" Rainbow hissed as she stared down at the alicorn underneath her. "I don't know about this."

Twilight blushed. "I know you're not a fan of musicals, but I promise Spike won't make you sing along. He normally just sings when he doesn't think anypony's watching."

"That's not the problem here," Rainbow Dash said quietly. She turned back to the kitchen. "Well, not the biggest problem anyways. You really think Spike can teach me how to bake? I saw the pie he tried to make when he thought he had to be Applejack's lackey for life." The pegasus shook her head in disgust. "I'm not trying to poison Soarin' here."

"Seems like somepony's forgotten how much she liked Spike's triple chunk chocolate chip cookies," Twilight countered with a smirk. "Not to mention all of his cupcakes she scarfed down at our last picnic."

"Oh." Rainbow rubbed the back of her head and grinned sheepishly. "Heh, right." The smile disappeared as she coughed. "You sure there isn't anypony else?" Her voice lowered as she said, "If word gets out I'm getting schooled by a little baby dragon, emphasis on little and baby, I'm going to be screwed."

"What wrong with being taught by someone smaller or younger?" Twilight asked. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders have certainly taught me a lot about friendship."

"Yeah, well, that's you," responded Rainbow Dash with a careless shake of her head. "You don't have my kind of reputation."

"You mean being rude, brash, and bullheaded?"

"You're getting me and Applejack mixed up," Rainbow said coolly. "I'm cool, awesome, and radical, and having to be taught by some little kid is the exact opposite of those things. It's, well, no offense to Spike or anything, lame, you get me?"

"No, I don't get you," Twilight said, rolling her eyes. "But you know what else sounds pretty lame? Telling some stallion you can bake when you really can't, then showing up at the bake sale without anything to sell. If you want to learn how to cook in time to impress Soarin', Spike's your best bet right now, unless you want to try Pinkie Pie or Granny Smith again."

Rainbow Dash suppressed a shudder as Pinkie's song echoed through one ear and Granny Smith's grating rambling rang through the other. "Fine, but this has to stay between you, me, and Spike. He'd better not go around town bragging."

Twilight nodded. "Pinkie Pie Swear?" she asked, raising her hoof to her eye.

"And risk Pinkie somehow finding out? No way," Rainbow said. "Just...let's just get this over with."

Twilight gave another nod and led the way into the kitchen. Like much of the castle, most of the room was empty, bare save for a few appliances. There was a massive crystal counter in the center that was already cluttered with a variety of cook utensils and ingredients and cookbooks, and to the side was a large oven and stove. A giant sink stood on the other side clear of dirty dishes, and an icebox sat in the corner. Between each appliance, however, there was a vast empty space that could fit several ponies. The emptiness along the walls made the sole oven appear sad and lonely.

It was a true castle kitchen, designed for the preparation of feasts for hundreds by dozens of chefs. Princess Twilight Sparkle had no plans for such extravagant events, and she only needed one chef, just as she only needed one scribe, one secretary, and one number one assistant.

That mentality might have to change, Twilight figured as she watched Spike scurry from one side of the gallery all the way to the next. She felt her heart skip a beat as the dragon's little legs got tangled by the loosening straps of his apron. Before he could trip and fall, Twilight reached out with her magic and steadied him.

"Nice save, Twilight, thanks," Spike said, waving. He quickly wiped his claws on his apron, leaving white prints. "Um, sorry about the mess," he added with a embarrassed chuckle. "Just, you know, getting used to all the room."

"That's alright," Twilight assured. "We're all taking a little time adjusting. Hmm, you know, all this space might actually help us right now."

"Help us, how?" Spike asked.

"Well," the alicorn began, "Rainbow Dash here has something to ask of you."

"Hold on, what?" Rainbow exclaimed. She stared at Twilight in panic. "This whole thing was your idea!"

"Yes, but you're the one that needs help, not me," Twilight disputed.

Rainbow Dash's stare became a glare. "You're really going to make me ask him, huh? You're downright evil."

"Evil?" The princess gasped. She leaned forward and scowled. "How am I being evil? You're just being--"

"Uh, ask me what?"

Twilight and Rainbow turned from each other and toward the third presence in the room. Spike rocked on his heels awkwardly, wringing the pink apron he wore with his claws. "Did I do something?" he asked slowly.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "Look, this doesn't leave this room, alright?" she said. Rainbow quickly scanned over the room and rushed over to shut an open window before dropping her voice to a whisper. "Listen, I need your help."

"My help?" Spike said, staring in bewilderment.

"Shh, not so loud!" The pegasus began to look around as Twilight gently planted her face into her hoof. "Yeah, listen, I've got to learn how to bake a pie before the bake sale this weekend. Don't ask me why," Rainbow cut in before Spike finished opening his mouth. "It's not important--"

"I'd disagree," Twilight sang.

"It's not important," Rainbow repeated, shooting the dirty look at the alicorn before returning her glare on Spike. "And the fewer ponies that know about this, the better. You think you can do that for me, pal?"

"Wait, so let me get this straight. You want me..." Spike jabbed a thumb at himself. "...to teach you..." He pointed at the pegasus in front of him.

"How to cook, yes. Stop laughing," Rainbow said, her voice straining under irritation. "Look, can you help me or not?"

"Hmm, I don't know." Spike grinned deviously. "What's in it for me?"

"Spike..." Twilight warned.

"If it's gems you want, I'm out. I'll owe you a favor," Rainbow Dash offered. "You teach me how to bake and keep this whole thing to yourself, and you've got yourself one Rainbow Dash certified IOU. How does that sound?"

"Eh..."

"Come on, Spike, don't make me beg," Rainbow pleaded. "Seriously, don't. It's not something you want to see."

"Spike, Rainbow Dash's a friend," added Twilight. "You're not the kind of dragon whom would let a good friend like her down, are you?"

"Well, no, I guess not." Spike kicked at the floor, his bravado evaporating under Twilight's gentle chiding and the implications behind it. He looked up at his guardian. "But Twilight, I don't know. I've never tried teaching anypony before."

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Twilight assured, patting the purple dragon's spiky head. "You're a great cook, remember? So," she said, turning to Rainbow Dash. "Do we have a deal?"

"I'll try my best," Spike promised, holding a claw forward. 

Rainbow spat on her hoof and set it into Spike's extended grasp. "Alright, let's do this," she said. "Guess I'm in your hooves, uh, claws, huh?"

"Yeah," Spike gingerly said as he released Rainbow Dash's hoof and tried to wipe off her spit that clung to him. "So, um, first lesson, wash your hooves."

"I know, why don't we have Rainbow Dash help with dinner tonight?" Twilight suggested. "That way Rainbow'll have some exposure to the whole kitchen scene and how everything works."

"What, now?" Spike said, growing panicky. "But I haven't even done anything to prepare, like make flashcards or lectures or--"

"And now I'm having second thoughts," murmured Rainbow.

"Just have her watch you and practice when you think she's ready," Twilight explained. "My methods of teaching probably wouldn't translate well in the kitchen anyways." She smiled. "You two have fun," the princess said, making her way to the exit. "I can't wait to see what you and Rainbow Dash cook up for dinner."

The door shut behind her, leaving Rainbow and Spike alone in silence. Rainbow took the moment to look around and familiarize herself with the kitchen's layout while Spike coughed and followed Rainbow Dash's gaze. 

"So..." he began stiffly.

"So..." Rainbow fumbled. "That's the oven, right?" She gestured with her hoof.

"Huh? Oh, yeah."

"And it's for baking, right?"

"Yeah, and broiling." 

"Broiling?" Rainbow questioned. "What's that?"

"It--"

"Does it have anything to do with pie making?"

"Well, no, I guess not," Spike answered. "But you can--"

"Don't care anymore. What about that?" Rainbow pointed to the stove. 

"Well, you can use it to boil soup, fry eggs, sauté potatoes..."

"What about pies?" Rainbow interrupted.

"No."

"So all I care about is the oven, right?"

Spike carefully caught his head with his palm. "C-can we just start with dinner before we talk about dessert," he asked. 

"Fine," Rainbow conceded with a huff. "So we start with something small and work our way up to the more complicated stuff, right? What's on the menu tonight?"

"Well, I was thinking carrot soup with bread, maybe a salad."

"Boring," Rainbow moaned. "Isn't there anything we can start with that uses the oven?"

"I guess we could always make a casserole or baked pasta," considered Spike. "I mean, we have enough ingredients, I think."

"Baked pasta sounds awesome." Rainbow Dash grinned as she stretched and rolled her shoulders. "So tell me what I have to do," she said, flexing her foreleg confidently. "None of that watching junk, I learn best by doing."

"First," Spike started, pushing the posing pegasus toward the sink, "go wash your hooves."

"Seriously?" Rainbow said, giving her young instructor an unamused look.

"With soap and warm water," the dragon responded, just as emotionless. As if in demonstration, Spike stuck his claws under the running faucet and scrubbed them furiously. With his eyes and his head, he motioned Rainbow to mimic. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she covered her hooves with cold sudsy gel. She winced as the hot water fell upon them, washing away the soap and soaking the fur around her hooves to the edge of discomfort.

"There," Rainbow Dash grumbled, shaking loose droplets off. "Now can we--" Rainbow's frown grew even deeper at the sight of the extra apron Spike was holding toward her. "Please tell me you're kidding."

Spike bit back a grin. "Nope," he said, hoping to impersonate Big McIntosh's calm collective tone along with his word. "Kitchens are dirty places. I'm just looking out for you."

"Yeah right," Rainbow snorted. "If they're so dirty, why waste time washing? This is just payback for making fun of your getup at the dragon migration, isn't it?"

"Maybe a little," Spike said, flashing a row of fangs. "But seriously, unless you want to take a three hour bath later..."

"Fine, fine." Rainbow Dash tossed the top straps of the apron around her neck unceremoniously. The cloth hung limply and draped over the floor. "Yeah, this isn't working."

"That's because you're not wearing it right. You got to tie it around your back."

Rainbow's eyes widened as she gawked at the young dragon. Spike responded by simply setting his claws on his hips and tapping his foot impatiently as he waited. The two stood there, quietly staring at each other, the awkward silence punctuated by the soft taps of Spike's foot against the crystal ground.

Rainbow Dash was the first to turn away. She flipped herself onto her side and reached for the lacy strings at the lower portions of the apron. Once they were tangled around her hooves, Rainbow turned and tugged the straps up and around her barrel. Her wings folded and kept them in place as she strained and stretched her forelimbs back. Both she and Spike winced when they heard a sharp pop.

"What are you doing?" Spike asked, marveling at Rainbow's flexibility.

"Trying to tie the stupid thing around my back, what do you think?" the pegasus growled, gritting her teeth as she tried to reach further. "Ngh, you sure this is a right size?"

"Yeah." Spike rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Huh, I guess this is a lot harder with hooves,"

"No, really?" Rainbow Dash managed to hiss. 

"Why don't you just use your wings?"

"What do you think I've been trying to do?" Rainbow all but screamed. She took a deep breath and slowly stood back up, letting the lace fall back to the floor. "Alright, I give up, I'm not pulling a muscle just to wear this frilly thing." 

"Here," Spike said. He approached and reached forward. "Let me--"

His only warning was a sudden high-pitched yelp before he saw Rainbow Dash's hind legs kick out. His thick scales softened the impact but did nothing to prevent his short flight through the kitchen's airspace, nor did it quieten his landing into a pile of pots.

"Watch it, dragon boy!" Rainbow shouted, her wings extended and face red.

Spike tossed the pot he was wearing like a helmet to the side. "I was just trying to help, sheesh," he said, slowly getting back up. "What's your problem?"

"Give a mare a freaking warning next time!" Rainbow forced her wings back against her sides. "Your claws, they--" Her wings flew open with a soft pomf. A few loose feathers drifted to the floor. "J-just, give me a heads-up the next time you decide to get handsy, alright?"

"What, I didn't stab you, did I?" Spike swallowed as his features fell from annoyed to fear and concern. 

"I'm fine, you just hit a soft spot. Just..." Rainbow Dash sighed. "Go ahead, just be careful. No touching the wings, got it?"

"Got it," Spike answered. He slowly made his way to the pegasus's side and took hold of one of the apron's straps. Carefully, Spike looped it under the bottom of Rainbow's barrel and over her back. With his free claw, he did the same with the other strap until both strings touched.

"Hey, can you sit?" the dragon requested. "You're, uh, kind of tall."

Wordlessly, Rainbow rested down on her haunches. She rubbed a hoof against the pink cloth clinging to her chest. "Done yet?" she asked, turning her head.

"Almost," answered Spike. Rainbow watched Spike's nimble fingers fastened the apron around her back. She watched as the straps snaked around each other and curled into a complex knot. "And there," Spike announced, releasing the laces. He took a step back and patted his knees. "Wow," he said, giving Rainbow Dash a lopsided smile.

"What?" Rainbow said.

Spike scratched the back of his head. "Uh, nothing. I, um, didn't think you'd look so good in pink."

"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask you, why are all your aprons pink?" 

"Anyways," Spike said loudly, moving toward the center of the kitchen, "I think it's about time we actually did some cooking." Carefully, he climbed onto the countertop and stared down onto Rainbow Dash. He dramatically closed his eyes and lifted a finger. "Now class, who can tell me the most important thing about baking?" he asked. Spike made a show of looking over the room, as if seeking for a specific student in a lecture hall. His gaze eventually fell upon Rainbow and lingered expectantly.

"Is it the ingredients?" Rainbow Dash ventured.

"Nope."

"The tools."

"Good guess, but nope."

Rainbow frowned. "It'd better not be love or something cheesy like that."

Spike shook his head. "It's the recipe," he said as he slowly lowered himself back to the floor. "As long as you follow the recipe, everything will turn out alright." Spike began to pace. "You want to make ziti and cheese? Follow the recipe. You want to make tomato and emerald pudding? Follow the recipe. You want to make the best pie you've ever tasted?" Spike turned around and halted. He stared at Rainbow Dash with his palms out toward her.

"Follow the recipe?" Rainbow said uncertainly.

"Follow the recipe," Spike confirmed with a nod. "To the letter, until you get the hang of it anyways." 

"Really, that's it?" Rainbow Dash laughed. "Hah, I didn't think this would be so easy. Heck, I bet I'll master this whole baking business faster than you can say my full name. You know what, where's the recipe for baked pasta?" the pegasus asked with confidence shining from her eyes and her cocksure grin. "You just sit back and relax, I'll handle dinner all by myself."

Rainbow's declaration wiped away Spike's smile. "Eh, I don't think that's a good idea," he said, holding up a large cookbook like a shield. "At the very least, maybe I should read the steps out loud."

"Oh come on," Rainbow said, tearing the book away. "Here, I got this. How hard can following a few instructions be anyways?"

"Well, if you say so," Spike yielded. "I'm going to the bathroom real fast, you can start with preheating the oven while I'm gone, that's easy enough."

"Yeah, sure, sure," Rainbow Dash mumbled absentmindedly, her attention entirely placed on the page of the cookbook with the faded image of a steaming bowl of noodles as Spike rushed out of the room. "Let's see, preheat oven to three hundred fifty degrees...hmm, what if..."


*


"So, what's for dinner again?" 

"Baked pasta," Rainbow Dash said, avoiding Twilight's gaze. In the corner of her own eyes, she could see Spike shaking his head and covering his face with his claws.

Twilight stared at the blackened lumpy mess on her plate. She could see short wire-like tendrils spring out from the chunk of charcoal. She gave the creation a timid jab with her fork and watched as the entire thing collapse into ash. "Baked pasta," Twilight repeated, turning back to her chefs. "So, what happened?"

"Rainbow Dash had some trouble following the recipe," Spike explained. 

Twilight blinked. "Why am I so surprised?" she asked.

"Hey, I just thought it'd cook faster if the oven was hotter," said Rainbow, crossing her forelimbs over the dirty apron covering her chest. "How was I supposed to know that would happen?"

"How's the kitchen?" Twilight asked Spike. 

The dragon shrugged. "A little smokey, but it's still standing," he said. "Sorry, Twilight, I should have been paying attention too. I'll make sure the kitchen's clean in time for tomorrow's lesson."

"Wait." Rainbow Dash lifted her head. "Tomorrow's lesson? You're still going to try to teach me?"

"Well, sure," Spike said. "I mean, if you still want to learn from me."

"Rainbow Dash, you're not about to give up, are you?" Twilight asked.

"Of course not," Rainbow exclaimed. "I've got a lot riding on this, I'm not ready to quit just yet. But, it's just, well..." She pointed to the ashtray that had been Twilight's dish. 

"It's your first time, you can't let that discourage you," Twilight said. 

"I've definitely seen worse," Spike added. He jumped to Rainbow Dash's side and raised a fist. "I'm sure you'll get the hang of it eventually."

"Spike's right," agreed Twilight. "You just need practice."

Rainbow began to smile. "You guys..."

"And some patience," Spike said. "Seriously."

"And diligence. You need to pay attention."

"Also better eyes. You kept mixing up teaspoons and tablespoons."

"Oh, I'm sure you could use some--"

"...suck at cheering up ponies," Rainbow finished, slapping her hoof against her forehead. "Listen, I have to get going, so I'll see you tomorrow. Spike, help me out of this thing," she said, tugging at the borrowed smock.

Spike quickly untied the strings and let the cloth fall. "What time?" he asked as Rainbow threw the apron off and flung it aside.

"Just keep your schedule open," the pegasus said, crouching down into a stance.

Twilight offered a jester's mad grin. "Aren't you going to stay for dinner?" she asked. The plate floated in a misty magenta cloud as Twilight held it up with her magic.

If she had flown off any faster, Rainbow Dash might have broken the sound barrier right on takeoff.
> 1/4 Cups of Water
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4


Considering how Twilight Sparkle practically raised him, it was no real surprise that certain similarities could be drawn between Spike and Equestria's newest princess. It did not take a detective of any skill to notice that the young dragon had adopted several of Twilight's traits and mannerisms. For instance, as much as he would gripe about her extensive checklists, more than one claw cramp was self-inflicted from writing his own. Like Twilight, Spike had the tendency to pace when worried, a hidden musical talent normally showcased in the privacy of a bedroom, and a penchant for snarky sarcastic responses.

And, try as he might deny it, like Twilight, he was very fond of his routines, even if they weren't as inflexible as a certain purple somepony's or didn't officially begin until after nine in the morning, or whenever Twilight decided it was time for him to arise. Wake up, wash face, admire reflection, flex and compliment; each and every morning, barring some Equestria shaking catastrophe, Spike would run through this mental list of his. 

That had not changed, but the location most definitely did, and for the past ten minutes, Spike had been hopping from room to room as he regretted having that second glass of milk before bed. "Maybe we should label this place," Spike said, shutting the door of yet another broom closet. "Or maybe get guards that point to where everything is, like in Canter--"

Spike interrupted himself with a cheer as he opened the next room. There, standing before him, was a porcelain sink with silver taps and faucet right below a shiny sheet of reflective crystal. A massive bathtub that seemed to sparkle under the hanging golden lantern was in the center. Spike's eyes, however, went directly toward the white round seat sitting in the corner, and he ran toward it as fast as he could with his claws positioned carefully below his waist. 

A long flush echoed out of the room, past the ajar door, followed by the sound of rushing water. Water ran down Spike's scales as he splashed away the grainy remains of sleep from his eyes. He tilted his head to the side and smiled at his reflection. Mirror Spike smiled back. 

"Lookin' good Spike," the dragon said smugly, raising his arms and bending his elbows. "Lookin' real good."

"Uh, what are you doing?"

Rainbow Dash's ears flattened against her skull as Spike screamed. She winced as the little dragon tumbled backwards into the tub and flopped onto his back. Rainbow watched as Spike slowly propped himself up, only to lose his footing and collapse. Her snickers won a draconic glare that did nothing to dampen her mirth.

"Need a hoof there, big boy?" Rainbow chuckled, extending her foreleg. Spike ignored it and pushed himself back onto his feet. Carefully, he made his way to the edge of the bathtub and slowly pulled himself out.

"Ever heard of privacy?" Spike grumbled as he bent over and dusted off his knees.

"You left the door open," said Rainbow Dash. "So, you normally do that?"

Spike lifted his head. "Do what?" he asked.

"The macho pose in front of a mirror and chanting to yourself."

A bright blush burned through the scales covering Spike's cheeks. "T-that's none of your business. Forget it, you never saw anything."

"Well what about the whole screaming like a filly? Is that normal too?" the pegasus teased. She struck the front of Spike's shoulder. "Kidding, kidding, don't worry, I'll keep your little secret."

Spike tenderly rubbed the area Rainbow had hit. "What are you doing here anyways?" he asked.

"Ah, hello, did you forget? Cooking lessons?" Rainbow Dash said. "I'd have gotten you sooner, but Twilight wouldn't let me wake you. Something about you needing your sleep." Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Must suck, being treated like a baby all the time, huh?"

"If it means getting an extra hour of sleep, I'm not complaining," said Spike, yawning. He extended his arms toward the ceiling and stood on the tips of his toes. "Well, I'm up, what now?"

"Don't ask me, you're the teacher."

Spike hummed softly. "Well, I guess you could help make breakfast," he suggested. "Pancakes might be a good place to start."

"Pancakes, huh?" Rainbow shrugged. "Sounds easy enough," she said. "No problem."

"Good. Now--"

"Great, race you to the kitchen. Last one there takes the blame for the vase I broke on the way here."

"What? Wait, what vase? Hold on, no way, that's a sucker's bet. I'm not--"

"Ready-set-go!" Rainbow speed through before disappearing, leaving behind the fading trail of a rainbow. Spike ran after her, grumbling as he hurried past the shards of some expensive urn and down the stairs.


*


"I can't believe you lost."

"Give me a break," Rainbow groaned. "This place is freaking huge. Why does Twilight need so many broom closets?"

"It's not that bad, you're just making up excuses," Spike said from under the counter. 

Rainbow waited for the noisy metallic cacophony Spike was making as he searched through the cook utensils to die down before saying, "Hey, you live here. What's your excuse?"

The thin green protrusions jutting out of Spike's head poked out, like the fins of a fish in an ocean. Rainbow waited for the rest of his head to appear as he lifted himself up to the counter. "You wash your hooves yet?" he asked, placing a large frying pan next to the old recipe book.

"Yeah, yeah." Rainbow held up her hooves. "Hooves are washed."

"Alright, now turn around."

Rainbow Dash sighed. "Do I have to wear it?" she asked. 

"Yes." 

Spike's tone left no room for argument. With another heavy sigh, Rainbow turned and let the apron's top strap drape over her neck before waiting for Spike to finish tying the frilly pink garment around her waist. For her, the seconds that passed seemed to draw out into hours, and she began to dance from hoof to hoof as she grew more and more antsy.

"Could you hold still?" Spike requested.

"Could you hurry up?" Rainbow responded. She suddenly flinched and shivered.

Spike's fingers stopped. "What?" he asked worriedly. "What?"

"N-nothing, nothing," the pegasus said quickly. "You grabbed one of my feathers or something, that's all. Be more careful next time."

Spike blinked. "My claw just brushed by it. Seriously, how sensitive are you?"

"Most pegasi are."

"Twilight's not," Spike countered.

"Well, good for--GAH!" Rainbow yelped, her wings sprung out toward the sides. She turned and scowled at the dragon. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"And now we know you scream like a filly," Spike said triumphantly, patting Rainbow's shoulder. "Now, let's make some pancakes."

Rainbow Dash huffed and shook her head but went to the dragon's side when he gestured. The cookbook was opened to a page that had the picture of a large stack of pancakes with a square of butter on top. 

"So, what's the most important thing to remember when baking?" Spike asked as he scooted to side to give Rainbow a better view of the book.

"Love, of course," Rainbow deadpanned.

"Follow the recipe," Spike said just as evenly. "So this is what we're going to do. I'm going to read each step out loud and make sure you don't burn anything down."

"Har har, this coming from the walking talking fire hazard."

Spike ignored her as he continued his explanation. "I already have all the ingredients set up," he said, pointing to the row of supplies on the counter. "Each ingredient goes into that big mixing bowl on the left."

"Uh, my left or yours?" Rainbow asked.

"There's only one big bowl on the counter."

"Ah, right."

"No, left."

Rainbow Dash bit back a groan as Spike fought back a grin. "Anything else?" she inquired.

"Let's see, hmm." Spike tapped his chin. "No, not really. Just remember the teaspoon is the small one and the tablespoon is the big one. If you have any other questions, you can just ask me then. So, ready to start?" Spike said. 

The weight Spike had placed on his words made them sound like a challenge than a question, and Rainbow Dash responded accordingly:

"Bring it on."

Spike cleared his voice and began to read. "Ahem, in a large mixing bowl, that is, the big bowl in front of you with the flowery design and--"

"Spike..." Rainbow growled.

"Right, heh, sorry." Spike swallowed and began again. "In a large mixing bowl, add one-and-a-half cups of flour, three-and-a-half teaspoons of baking powder, one teaspoon of salt, one tablespoon--"

"Alright, hold on. Just, wait, hold on."

Spike looked up from the recipe. "What?"

Rainbow took a deep breath. "Okay, this will be the only time I'll ever say this, ever, but I need you to slow down," she said. "I think I hear half of what you just said and understand half of what I heard."

"One-and-a-half cups of flour," Spike repeated, this time a little more slowly. "That cup there next to the bowl, the one with all the lines and numbers, you want to use that."

"Got it. One cup of flour." Rainbow Dash dumped the white powder into the bowl and coughed as a small cloud flew out of the bowl and into her face. 

"Yeah, you want add it a little more slowly." 

"Humph. And the half cup." The speedster's face contorted as she tipped the cup onto its side and gently shook the flour in with the rest. Rainbow Dash took a moment to wipe some of the flour off her face. "Hey, why are we using half cups? Seems kind of silly."

"If you add more flour, you can make more pancakes, but then you'd have to change the whole recipe," Spike explained. "Let's just stick with one-and-a-half cups, okay?"

"Yeah, sure," said Rainbow. She set the measuring cup down and folded her legs across her chest. "Okay, what's next?"

"Next, add three-and-a-half teaspoons of baking powder. The--"

"The teaspoon is the smaller one, I got it, geez. You make one little mistake..." Rainbow muttered under her breath. 

"Actually, I was going to say the baking powder is in that small box." Spike pointed the orange box next to Rainbow's elbow. "Next is one teaspoon of salt."

"Salt?"

Spike shrugged. "Yeah, I don't get why either. Just add it."

"You sure this isn't some dragon thing?"

"The book was written by a pony," Spike said, fighting back a groan as his irritation grew. "This is going to take forever if you keep doing this."

"Doing what?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Questioning the recipe. Seriously, stop it."

"Hey, you said to ask you questions if I had any."

"Yeah, if there was anything you didn't understand, not about every little thing!" This time, Spike hadn't bothered restraining his frustration, which saturated his voice. 

"Well maybe I don't understand anything because you're not explaining anything!" Rainbow Dash yelled back. "Do you even know what you're doing?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then why are we adding salt into pancakes? They're called cakes, for pony sake!"

"I don't know, but that's what the recipe--"

"Oh, the recipe," Rainbow Dash jeered. She leaned forward until her snout was inches from Spike's face. "The recipe, recipe, recipe. Follow the recipe. What kind of advice is that?"

"It's great advice!" Spike snarled back. "You're just too stupid to take it!"

Rainbow's cerise eyes narrowed into slits. "Oh, I'm the stupid one, huh?" she hissed. "Well, maybe I am, thinking you of all ponies could teach me how to cook!"

"What's that supposed to mean? I'm a great chef."

Rainbow's laugh came out as a harsh bark. "Yeah, and that's all you're really good for, isn't it?"

"You--"

Spike instinctively shut his mouth as an sudden wave of murky amber liquid rolled over him and Rainbow Dash. His entire body tightened as the cold fluid dripped down his body. He could see that Rainbow was just as uncomfortable, demonstrated by her shaking as the liquid soaked into her fur. At least the pegasus's front was still dry, noted Spike, the apron having taken the blunt of the damage.

"Sorry," Twilight Sparkle said sheepishly. She was holding up a large kettle and a tray of cups with her magic. "I, uh, heard arguing, and read somewhere that diplomatic meetings often served tea as a calming device and figured it might help the two of you cool down. Not literally," the alicorn added hastily when her two friends turned and stared at her. "I may have gotten a little nervous from hearing you two shout."

Spike chuckled weakly. "Well, at least you didn't boil the water first."

"Heh, yeah," Rainbow agreed with a small tentative smile. "That would have sucked."

Twilight's eyes widened, and she slapped herself in the forehead. The kettle and tea set clattered against the floor. "I knew I was forgetting something!"


*


At Twilight's insistence, both Spike and Rainbow stood outside the bathroom with a towel over their backs. They stared into the room, at the crystal walls, at the ceiling and floor, anywhere any other than each other.

"So..." they both began before immediately shutting up. 

Spike kicked at the floor. "Uh, ladies first," he said, stepping to the side. 

"Nah, you go right ahead," Rainbow responded, taking a step away from the entrance as well. "I really don't need a bath, it's just tea."

"Well, I don't need one either. That stuff just runs off my scales without a problem, but won't the tea stain your coat?"

Rainbow Dash lowered her head and mumbled.

"Huh?"

"I said I don't like using other pony's bathrooms," Rainbow said. She frowned. "It's, you know, weird." 

"What's so weird about that? You know Twilight."

"Yeah, and that's what makes it weird. Being in the same bathtub she's been in?" Rainbow Dash shuddered. 

Spike scratched his head. "I don't get it," he said. "I mean, it's not like she's in there with you. She keeps it pretty clean, if that's what you're worried about."

"That's not--forget it," Rainbow groaned. She went forward and pushed open the door. "Fine, give me ten seconds, that's all I'll need."

"I'm going to need more than ten seconds when it's my turn, you know that right?"

The pegasus sighed. "Yeah, I can wait. Just don't end up taking a seven hour bubble bath, I want to finish those pancakes before lunchtime."

"Okay." Spike said, rubbing the back of his arm. "Uh, Rainbow?" he began just as Rainbow Dash started to shut the door behind her.

"Yeah? What's up?"

Spike squeezed his eyes closed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called you stupid." The dragon sat down and pulled his knees to his chest. "I should have explained thing better, but I was just being impatient and ended up frustrated. Guess I'm a pretty lousy teacher," he said sadly, turning away. He blinked in surprise as Rainbow Dash took a seat beside him.

"Well, I wasn't exactly a model student either," she said, scratching her cheek. "I was pretty impatient too. I just want to figure out this cooking stuff already and get over it, and when things weren't exactly going my speed, well..." Rainbow shrugged. "I kind of took my frustration out on you and gave you a hard time. I'll try not to do that next time. So, yeah." Rainbow Dash held out a hoof. "Sorry. You know when I said cooking for us was all you were good for? I was just got caught up in the moment, I didn't mean it. We cool?"

Spike's claw curled into a fist and bumped against the offered hoof. "Yeah, we're cool." 

The two shared a smile, small but genuine. Rainbow Dash quickly broke the brief tender moment by standing up. "So, uh, see you in a bit," she said, raising her hoof to her forehead in a mock salute. Spike began to laugh, and Rainbow's lopsided grin grew. She closed the bathroom door, and Spike slowly got back to his feet just as Twilight walked down the hall, levitating a several large books.

"Done already?" she asked incredulously.

"Not yet," Spike answered. "Rainbow's going first."

"You do realize we have more than one bathroom now, right?"

"Yeah, but finding the others is too much work," complained Spike as he leaned against the wall. "Besides, it's Rainbow Dash, I'm not going to have to wait for very long."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "If you say so," she said. "Anyways, there's somepony at the door that wants you."

"Wants me?" Spike questioned. His confused features suddenly lit up, and the dragon jumped to his feet. "Is it Rarity?" he asked eagerly.

Once again Twilight's eyes spun toward the ceiling. "Sorry to get your hopes up, Casanova," she said with a teasing smile. "It's those two troublemaking colts from Cheerilee's class, Snips and Snails."

"Snips and Snails?" Spike said disappointedly. His entire being seemed to deflate. "What do those guys want?"

"I'm not sure, I didn't ask. They just told me they wanted to see you." Twilight smiled. "It's nice to see you having friends outside our circle."

"They're not--never mind." Spike hurried toward the stairs. "I'll go see what they want real quick," he said over his shoulder. "It can't be too important."

"Unless they brought another Ursa Minor into town," Twilight called back.

"I don't hear screaming," Spike replied, though from this distance he couldn't tell if Twilight could hear him. He might as well had been reassuring himself. As Spike made his way downstairs, past the many rooms and through the long halls, he thought to himself, maybe he was. 

"Come on, Spike," he said to himself, pushing through the forest of empty bookshelves in the castle lobby. "Sure, maybe they're not the brightest bunch, but what are the chances of them bringing another giant monster from the Everfree?" Spike laughed nervously. "I mean, they know better now."

As he approached the entrance, Spike began to relax. The two unicorn colts stood there waiting, one long and gangly with a light brown coat and turquoise mane, the other short and plump with short brownish-orange hair and gray-teal fur. Spike was looking past the two colts at scenery behind them, releasing a breath of relief once he saw the town intact. The two ponies waved eagerly as Spike approached.

"Twilight said you wanted to see me?" Spike said as a greeting, his stares alternating between the two colts. Both nodded so quickly, Spike's eyes began to rotate.

"Yeah," said the shorter colt, his voice squeaking and threatening to crack. "Listen, we need your help, man."

"Really badly," his lanky companion added, leaning forward. Spike backed away from the doorway. He turned to the short one whom also stared at the dragon intensely. Spike took another step away. When Snips remained silent, Spike turned back to Snails and swallowed when he noticed just how close the tall colt's face was to his own.

"Well?" Snips finally said.

"Well, what?" Spike asked, confused.

Snails frowned and looked to his partner. "Uh, are you going to help us?" he said after Snips gave him a shrug.

"With what?" demanded Spike, throwing his arms in the air in exasperation. 

"Oh, well, me and Snails are heading up to Froggy Bottom Bog," Snips explained.

"Gonna catch a bunch of frogs," Snails plugged in, nodding like bobblehead doll.

"Yeah, and we really need your help."

Spike blinked. "My help?" he said slowly. "Why? I've never tried catching frogs before. You tried asking Scootaloo or Apple Bloom? I think they tried Cutie Mark Crusaders Frog Catchers a while ago, they might have some pointers."

"No no, we can't ask the Crusaders," Snips hissed, looking around behind him shiftily. "They'll ruin everything."

"Oh come on, they're not that bad. I mean, sure, they've probably caused more property damage than the three of us combined, and that's considering the Ursa Minor and--"

"No, it's not that," interrupted Snips. "They're, you know..." The small colt waved his hoof, prompting Spike to finish the thought.

"Destructive?"

"No."

"Irresponsible?"

"No, no. You know, they're not..." Snips pointed at himself, at Snails, and then at Spike.

"Partially or questionable greenish?" the lost dragon ventured. 

"No! They aren't guys!" Snips exclaimed loudly. The only sign indicating that he noticed the looks bystanders were giving him was a light blush as he grabbed Spike by the shoulders, forcing the dragon to lean back under the sudden weight. "This is a guy thing," Snips whispered. "You know, a little stallion time, without any annoying fillies butting in or anything, you get me?"

"No, could you please get off me?" 

Snips released Spike and fell face first into the dirt. As Snails helped him up, he said, "Look, we were just hoping you could just talk to frogs, maybe make catching them easier."

"What makes you think I can speak frog?" Spike asked, crossing his arms. 

"Well, frogs are reptiles, aren't they?" said Snails.

"They're amphibians."

Snips nodded. "Exactly, reptiles. So that means you can totally talk to them, 'cause you're a dragon and everything."

Spike shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He opened his mouth and sputtered unintelligibly before slamming door in Snips' face. The two colts waited patiently as Spike reopened the door. The dragon took a few deep breaths and slowly calmed himself.

"No, sorry but I can't talk to frogs," he said. "That's something you should be asking Fluttershy about, really."

"We told you, this is a guy thing," Snips groaned. "Come on, what don't you understand about that?"

"No girls allowed," piped in Snails fiercely. "It's funner that way."

"Funner's not a word," Spike said, channeling Twilight and mimicking the special frown she normally set aside for diction misusage. "Look, I can't help you. I've got a lot to do right now, sorry."

"Oh come on, what do you have to do that's more important than some stallion time?" Snips protested. "It's not like you've got any books to shelve or anything."

"It'll be lots of fun," Snails tempted, hopping from one hoof to the next. "We'll get to play in the mud and look for bugs and, uh..."

"Catch frogs?" suggested Spike dully.

"Yeah, catch frogs!"

"What, or do you want to stay indoors all day?" Snips asked. He shook his head. "That can't be fun, spending all your time with the princess. I definitely couldn't stand it, always being around Princess Twilight," the colt said before he shuddered.

"What's wrong with Twilight?" the dragon asked, frowning deeply. Those green draconic eyes slowly became thinner. "Maybe she does sometimes overwork me, but I like spending time with her."

"Well, but, you know..." Snips began with a nervous, uncommitted noise. "I mean, she's pretty cool, for a mare, but...ah, forget it," he finished lamely. "Well, if you really have something to do, then that's too bad. We'll be at the bog if you finish early."

"See you, Spike!" Snails said happily. Spike returned the smile and the wave the taller colt gave him as he followed his friend away, though with obviously much less energy. Slowly, Spike shut the door and began to walk back to the bathroom. Rainbow Dash was likely finished with her bath and was now waiting impatiently for him to get cleaned up. Spike's pace up the stairs immediately quickened as he imagined the pegasus tapping her hoof against the floor, waiting for him to finish.

"Hmm, I wonder if those guys know about the hydra," he muttered to himself as he approached the top. Ten seconds later, Spike suddenly found himself running through town, chasing after the two troublemaking colts, hoping to avert another monster attack on the town, courtesy of Snips and Snails.
> 1/2 Cup of Flour
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5


Steam billowed out as the door swung open. With a satisfied grin, Spike stepped out of the bathroom with one towel tied around his waist and another around his head. Whistling cheerfully, the dragon removed the cloth wrap from his head and used it to dry the moisture that clung stubbornly to his face. 

"Nothing beats a bubble bath," he said contently, stretching his arms toward the roof. "Sorry about the wait, Rainbow. We can--Rainbow Dash?" Spike's smile swiftly vanished as he looked around. The entire hall was practically deserted, the sole exception being Spike himself. "Rainbow?" he called out again.

His only reply was from his own echo.

Spike's frown deepened, and he crossed his arms. "Maybe something came up, and she had to go home," he thought aloud. Spike began to blush. "Maybe I shouldn't have soaked for so long. Oh well." The dragon sighed and made his way through the hall and toward the stairs leading down. "I'll look for her after cleaning up the kitchen," Spike decided.

As he walked, a loud rumble rang out through the castle. Spike winced and patted his belly. "And maybe I'll just finish up that patch of pancakes we started. Hopefully, Twilight won't mind brunch for lunch."

He stomach protested again as Spike began to imagine a table full of breakfast items. He saw bowls of sugary cereals with marshmallows and sliced bananas. His mouth started to water at the projected images of fried eggs and cheese and mushroom omelets next to plates of cinnamon French toast drenched in thick maple syrup. He could almost smell all those stacks of delectable waffles and pancakes with toppings piled mountain high; strawberries and blueberries, zap apple jam and preserved persimmons, pineapples, shredded sapphires and cheese, butter, honey, smoke, rubies--

Wait...

Spike sniffed at the air again and started running toward the kitchen. His eyes grew wide and his pupils thinned as the smoke could now be seen as easily as it had been to smell. Spike's face became a significantly lighter shade when a soft cough came out of the kitchen along with the smog. Spike held his breath and rushed into the blacken kitchen, only to find himself tumbling back out as a sudden gust of wind forced him back.

"Ack, well that was a bust."

Spike shook his head and rubbed the stars away from his eyes. "Rainbow Dash?" he said, staring at the snoot covered pegasus whom was folding her wings back against her sides. "W-what were you--what happened?"

Rainbow grinned shyly and rubbed the back of her head. "Oh, you know," she said as nonchalantly as she could. "You were taking too long so I decided...well, you know."

"Do I want to know?" Spike asked, looking over Rainbow toward the room's interior. Most of the smoke had been cleared away thanks to Rainbow Dash and what smog remained was slowly leaving through an opened window. Spike marched past Rainbow and toward the burnt loaf on the countertop. 

"I know I said I'd try to be a little more patient, but you took so long, and I thought--" Rainbow Dash sighed. "Sorry."

Spike shook his head. "It's okay, I'm the one who should be sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have taken so long. I mean, I knew you were waiting for me and needed my help and I--" He sighed. "Sorry."

The silence in the room grew heavy as the two allowed their apologies linger in the air. Rainbow lifted her head and broke the awkward reticence by saying, "Well, I, uh, kind of need another bath. I couldn't get that stupid apron on and kept getting egg on me. Oh, and you're out of eggs by the way, thought you'd like to know."

"That's fine," said Spike. "We needed groceries anyways." He approached the hard black lump on the counter. "So, uh..."

"Yeah, I know," Rainbow Dash said glumly. "It sucks, you don't need to rub it in."

"What happened?" Spike asked.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Fine, we can try again later. First we'll clean up here and--" The dragon drew in a sharp breath of air as he clipped his shins against the oven door. Spike bent down to shut the oven only to pause and sniff. He wrinkled his nose as the harsh acrid scent of smoke drifted up his nostrils. "You didn't."

"I tried using the stove, really, I did," Rainbow exclaimed wildly. "But I kept burning myself and couldn't get a grip on the pan. The recipe just said to cook it for a few minutes over a medium heat, I figured..." Rainbow's voice trailed off into an unconfident whisper. Her shoulders slumped. "It was dumb," she said. "Maybe we should just call it a day, I'm exhausted."

Spike made no reply. "Look, I know I shouldn't have touched the oven without you supervising," Rainbow began, lifting her head. "It's just--" Rainbow Dash blinked. She squinted at Spike with her mouth partially opened as he climbed onto the counter and reached for the burnt block of pancake batter. "Spike, what are you--"

Rainbow grimaced as Spike took a large bite out of her creation and began to chew. She watched Spike shove his mouthful to one cheek, then to the other. His thin slender tongue slithered along his teeth, collecting black crumbs that dotted those sharp pearly whites, before retreating back inside. At last, he swallowed, and Rainbow Dash followed the partially digested food with her gaze as it traveled down Spike's esophagus as a little bulge in the dragon's neck.

"How was it?" Rainbow asked. Her cool and collected tone failed to hide the shaking and nervousness in her voice. She cleared her throat and said more loudly, "Come on, how bad was it?"

Spike frowned. "Well, it was burnt," he analyzed. 

"Yeah, I can see that." The pegasus rolled her eyes and nodded toward the charred cake that could have been mistaken to be a piece of charcoal. "Anything else?"

"I meant it's burnt, even on dragon standards," Spike explained, clawing at his tongue. "Seriously, it was like eating coal, only without the indigestion and gas. I couldn't taste anything but ash. Just...wow." Spike shuddered. "I haven't tasted anything like that for years."

"Wonderful," Rainbow Dash groaned. She let her chin fall onto the tile floor and covered her head with her forelegs. "There's no way I'm feeding anypony that. Maybe I can just pretend I'm sick on the day of the bake sale." Rainbow sighed and closed her eyes. "This is hopeless."

Rainbow felt something pat against her side. She opened her eyes and found her young instructor leaning over her with a small smile and a claw outstretched. "Come on, Rainbow," Spike said, "you can't give up now. I haven't yet, so you can't either."

"You're the one who tasted that thing I made," Rainbow grumbled, but even as she did so, she slowly sat back up. "If anything, you should be the one who knows how hopeless this is."

"Aw, everypony messes up when they first start," declared Spike. "It's like...I know, like flying!"

"Flying?" 

Spike nodded. "Yeah, flying. Twilight wasn't, well, a very good flier when she first got her wings, remember? She was always crashing into clouds, and trees, and the ground, and she couldn't stay in the air for more than a couple of minutes, she kept landing face first or on her back."

The tips of Rainbow Dash's lips gently tilted upward. "I remember," she said. "It was painful just watching her."

"Yeah, but now Twilight's a great flier!"

The pegasus made a face. "Eh, great's a little generous."

"Okay, well, she's definitely a lot better now than she was before. My point is that Twilight eventually got better, and that's because she kept practicing over and over again." Spike pounded a fist into the palm of his open claw in emphasis. "It's the same deal here. I'm sure you could get the hang of cooking if you just practiced. Well, that and stop messing with the oven," the dragon added with a rueful grin before becoming serious again. "I mean, you're the Rainbow Dash, the future Wonderbolt extraordinaire, the only pegasus in history who's been able to do a Sonic Rainboom. You're not going to stop after burning a few pancakes, are you?"

Spike kept his claw stretch toward her as he waited for her expectantly. Rainbow grabbed hold of the extended limb and climbed up onto her feet. "Heh, yeah, I am Rainbow Dash," she said proudly, her head up high. "I've beaten monsters, fought off storms, and saved Equestria more times than I can count, and there's no way I'm going to let something like cooking get the best of me!"

Before Spike could stop her, Rainbow jumped up and performed a loop in the air. She landed on the counter, scattering cooking materials. "That's right, I just need practice," she said with a smirk, kicking her failed attempt with her hind legs and sending it into the wall "You're looking at a future Wonderbolt and master chef. Come on Spike!" Rainbow laughed. "Let's do this!"

Spike looked around the dirty kitchen and sighed. "Maybe I should keep my pep talks for just Twilight. At least she keeps her ego in check," he whispered. In a louder voice, he said, "We should probably clean up first and restock on supplies. We need to buy more eggs." Spike jerked his head toward the three cartons filled with brown and white shells. "And flour," he added, noting the torn bag Rainbow had just kicked off the counter. "And milk. And a new frying pan. And sugar. And--"


*


"Do we really need a new pack of sponges?" Rainbow complained, looking over Spike's shoulder to peer at the checklist he held. The parchment fell all the way to his feet, and Spike struggled to avoid dragging it in the dirt.

"Those stains on the wall have to be cleaned off somehow," Spike insisted, frowning. 

"Can't Twilight just use her magic or something?" Rainbow Dash suggested. She hovered just above Spike's head and followed him into Ponyville's marketplace. As the two passed the first stalls, Rainbow turned her head and stared at the screaming attendants offering their produce at anypony that wandered too closely. Nearby dainty housewives argued furiously with burly farmers over the price of cabbages, carrots, and cherries. The hard clack of solid gold being tossed on tables on every and all fronts rang out like hammers on anvils.

"Yeah, maybe," Spike began over the chaotic clamor of the market, "but she's kind of busy right now, planning the bake sale and everything. You know, princess stuff." Spike carefully rolled the parchment up. "Okay, there's a lot of stuff we have to get so I'm thinking we should split up," he said, pulling out a small sack and counting the shiny coins inside. "Here," Spike said, giving Rainbow Dash several of the bits. "You start with the eggs, then he milk, then the--"

"Wait, wait, hold on."

"Don't worry, I made you a copy of the list," Spike announced, holding up another scroll.

"No, not that," Rainbow said, shaking her head. "Just..." She landed and slowly turned in a complete circle. "Where can I buy eggs?"

"There's a stand next to the milkmare's stall."

"And where's that?"

"Next to the horseshoe maker?"

"And where's that?"

"How do you not know where the horseshoe maker is? He's next to--" Spike closed his mouth and stared at the pegasus walking beside him.

"What?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "What?"

"You have been to the marketplace before, right?" Spike asked hesitantly.

"Of course," Rainbow said fiercely. "Just not to this part."

"What part?"

"You know." Rainbow bit her lip and whispered, "The groceries." 

Spike stopped in his tracks. An elderly mare bumped into him and began to swear angrily, but Spike, as he looked at his companion in bewilderment, didn't seem to notice her. "You don't buy groceries?" he said, awed. "What do you eat?"

"I eat out," Rainbow declared proudly, puffing out her chest.

"What, like all the time?"

"Yep."

"How in Equestria are you not fat?"

"I work out," Rainbow Dash said defensively, her eyebrows slowly slanting toward her snout. "Look, why am I even here? I told you, I don't have any bits on me, I can't pay for anything."

"And I told you, I need help carrying everything back to the library." Spike winced. "I mean, the castle," he corrected. "I was also kind of hoping we could split up, you know, to cover more ground and finish this quicker, but if you don't know where you're going..." Spike shrugged. "Well, it can't be helped, but at least you can still help me carry everything."

"Fine, I can do that," Rainbow said. "I guess I do kind of owe you and Twilight. So, where to now?"

"Well, first is eggs--"

"Can't we just go to Fluttershy's place for those?" asked Rainbow. "She's got chickens."

Spike shook his head. "We need a lot of eggs, and there's only one place in Ponyville that sells them in bulk. Come on," Spike said, motioning Rainbow forward before diving into the crowd. Rainbow Dash followed as closely as she could, pushing and shoving her way through the mass of ponies. 

"Is it always this crowded?" she shouted.

"No, not usually!" Spike called back. He seemed to be having more difficulty than her at navigating. "Then again, I'm normally with Twilight so..."

Rainbow Dash waited a moment for Spike to continue. "So?" she prompted, glancing over her shoulder. She could see ponies of all shapes and colors but no little purple dragons. Rainbow swiftly came to a halt. "Spike?" she called, ignoring the grumbles of the shoppers that pushed by her. "Hey, Spike!"

A scaly arm emerged from the sea of bodies and waved weakly. With two wing beats, Rainbow Dash was in the air, and she hurried to the waving claw. She grabbed it and slowly pulled Spike out of the mob. 

"Th-thanks," the dragon said meekly, clutching to Rainbow's leg so hard he was shivering. "T-Twilight let's me ride on her back when we reach the market center. She always told me it was to keep me from getting lost. I always called her silly." Spike released a half-hearted chuckle. "Guess she was right."

"Yeah, guess so." Rainbow winced. "Hey, uh, not that I'm complaining here or anything, but you mind loosening your grip?" she asked. "I think you're cutting off my blood flow."

"Oops, sor--"

The instant Spike released Rainbow's leg, he fell like a stone. Rainbow Dash fell faster, catching the dragon on her back before either could hit the ground. "I didn't mean let go," Rainbow said, rolling her eyes.

Spike rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry, I thought I was hurting you," he said. 

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "Please, you need to try harder than--yah!" She screamed and her wings sprung out stiffly. The screams intensified once Spike added his own cries as Rainbow lost control and the two spiraled toward the ground. More screaming joined their own as the crowd below dispersed in every direction to avoid the incoming pegasus. Moments she and Spike could collide with the ground, Rainbow Dash craned her entire body upward. Her wings flapped furiously, pushing air against the ground and slowing their descent. With one last mighty wing beat, the pegasus shot back into the air like a rubber band. 

"What did I say about the wings and the claws?" Rainbow shouted, glaring at her shaking passenger. Her face was red from the effort, and her breathing was in short bursts. 

Spike timidly unwrapped his arms from her neck "Sorry," he muttered. "It was an accident, I swear. I was just looking for something to hold on to."

"What, does Twilight normally let you grab her wings when she flies?" Rainbow demanded, her glare as unrelenting as ever.

"Hey, I just brushed a feather. It's not my fault your wings are so sensitive," Spike answered. "And no, I don't, that'd be dumb and dangerous and Twilight stopped me after the first time."

"Well fine, what do you grab when Twilight flies with you?" asked Rainbow. 

"Oh, I, uh, sort of kind of, you know, hug her."

"Hug her?" Rainbow repeated.

"Yeah, kind of," Spike said, slowly turning red. "At least, that's how Twilight always explained it to me."

"Well then, what are you waiting for?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Huh?"

"Listen, I don't want to waste the entire day buying supplies when we could be practicing, and flying'll be way faster than walking," Rainbow said. "We can at least avoid the crowd anyways, so hurry up and, ngh," she groaned, "hug me."

Spike gulped. "You sure?" he asked warily. 

"I'd rather not have to stop and catch you every five minutes, so yeah. Just...don't go overboard, okay?" Rainbow Dash requested. "Like, try not to choke me."

"Well, if you're okay with it." Spike leaned forward and extended his hesitant claws. His fingers interlocked tightly with each other over Rainbow Dash's front, giving the pegasus an odd scaly necklace. A strand of blue hair for, her mane tickled the dragon's nose, forcing Spike to lower his head against Rainbow's neck. "Is this alright?" he asked.

"Can you move a little closer to the front?" said Rainbow. "Your claws are digging into my chest, and it's a little tight."

Spike leaned closer, burying his cheek in blue fur. 

Rainbow sniggered. "Hey, that tickles!"

"S-sorry," Spike quickly said, freezing in position. "So, uh...oh, there's the miller. We need the flour."

"Where?"

"The brown tent with blue stripes on your right," described Spike.

"The one next to the pole with a bunch of flags on it?" Rainbow asked, placing a hoof right above her eyes.

"Yeah, that one." 

"Got it, hold on," Rainbow Dash warned before the two shot through the air like an arrow released from a bow. Instinctively, Spike pulled himself closer to Rainbow, hiding his face in her fur as she dived toward the earth. He shut his eyes as the ground got nearer. His jaw began to pain from how forcefully his teeth were clenched as he waited for the impact.

"So, what'll be?"

"Huh?" Spike opened his eyes and stared back at the stocky stallion looking at him. The earth pony wore a brown rounded cap and a bored expression. His cheeks were white with powder, as were his legs, chest, and flanks. A cutie mark of a gray stone wheel peeked out from beneath the powder.

"Well, buddy, what'll be?" the stallion repeated, waving a hoof over the large heavy sacks sitting at his feet. Each one had the simple design of a stalk of wheat, just like the one the stallion was carrying in between his teeth. 

"Hey, Spike," Rainbow whispered, "you can let go now."

"Right." Spike quickly jerked away his claws and removed his head from Rainbow Dash's neck. "One bag of flour, medium sized please."

"Medium sized?" Rainbow gave Spike a look of confusion. "Just medium? You really think that going to be enough for practice?"

"One medium sized bag o' flour," the miller announced, dropping a bulging burlap sack larger than Spike into the young dragon's arms. Rainbow Dash's legs buckled, and she began to sag under the sudden addition of weight. 

"That's a medium?" she said as she recovered. With wide eyes full of disbelief, she stared at massive bag of flour Spike held. 

"Yep," Spike said as he reached into the bag of bits and tossed a few into the air. The miller caught them all with a sweep of his tail. "What, haven't you seen these before?"

"I don't buy flour, remember?"

"Yeah, but what about that prank you pulled last week?" Spike asked. 

"Pinkie Pie bought the flour," Rainbow Dash explained. "I just thought she just had so much because she's Pinkie." She rolled her eyes and started to walk. "Alright, let's hurry this up before I collapse. What's next?"

"We could always drop the bag off at the castle first," suggest Spike. "I mean, if it's too heavy--"

"Who said anything about anything being heavy?" Rainbow challenged, her teeth grinding together. "I'm fine, just tell me where to go next."

"Uh, well..." Spike turned his head and looked side to side. He sat up as straight as he could with the massive flour sack in his lap. "Let's see..."

"Tell me we're not lost," Rainbow groaned.

"We're not lost," said Spike, biting the tip of a claw. "It's just, Twilight and I go through the market in a certain order. Starting in the middle of the market's a bit confusing. I mean, we just skipped, like, four other things we needed."

"Seriously?"

"Uh huh." Spike shaded his eyes with his palm and squinted. "Okay, we need milk, and I can see the dairy stand over there. Might as well pick up some butter too."

Rainbow Dash tried following the dragon's gaze. "Where?"

"You see the stall with a red canopy?" Spike asked, pointing. "The one next to the pink pony and the white unicorn?"

"You mean the pink pony waving at us that looks an awful like Pinkie Pie who's coming this way right now?"

"Ye--"

"Hi guys!"

Rainbow Dash stumbled backwards with a shout in response to Pinkie Pie's sudden appearance in front of her. Her passenger yelped as he fell back, grabbing instinctively at Rainbow's mane to save himself. More screams fill the air as Rainbow cried out in pain and Pinkie Pie screamed for the sake of joining in. 

Spike had released Rainbow Dash's mane almost as soon as she had screamed. He barely had time to regret the decision before Rainbow arched her back and launched both him and the flour into the air. Luckily, the bag of flour survived the landing relatively unscathed; Spike served as a surprisingly effective cushion.

"Spikey-wikey!" the dragon heard a mare say in a familiar posh voice. He felt the weight of the flour lift from his body and the cool aura of magic help him up. A white unicorn with a intricately curled violet mane stood before him, her lips pursed in concern as she dusted him off. "Rainbow Dash," she said, frowning at the pegasus who had calmed down, "was that truly necessary?"

"Hey, it's not I did that on purpose," Rainbow Dash grumbled, kicking at the dirt.

The unicorn shook her head and turned to Spike. "Are you alright, dear?" she asked. "You're not hurt, are you? Where's Twilight?"

"I'm fine Rarity," Spike said weakly, blushing as the unicorn continued to fuss over him. "Really, I'm alright."

"Very well then," Rarity conceded, giving the dragon space. Pinkie Pie giggled and Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at the disappointment in Spike's features as Rarity stepped away. "Odd, is Twilight not with you today?" she asked, looking around.

"Not today. She had a meeting with the mayor," Spike explained. "You know, for the bake sale."

"Ah, yes." Rarity nodding approvingly. "It's quite amazing how generous dear Twilight's being, donating an entire section of her castle to house a new library for Ponyville. Truly amazing, but not all that surprising, really." She smiled warmly at Spike before turning to Rainbow Dash. The pegasus had been snickering at some joke Pinkie had made.

"And how have you been, Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked, giving her friend a quick appraisal. "I must say, you look marvelous. Rainbow," she said with a sly grin, "have you been visiting the spa without telling me?"

"What?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in disgust. "No, no way! What in Equestria gave you that idea."

Rarity held her hooves up. "No need to be so defensive, darling. It's just that I noticed how shiny your coat is today. A new shampoo, perhaps?"

"And it smells like blueberries," added Pinkie Pie, planting her snout in Rainbow's mane and sniffing. "You smell just like Twilight!"

"I-is that right?" Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously as she backed away from Pinkie. "That's j-just crazy. Me, smell like Twilight. Ha, what a laugh, eh Spike?" She jabbed playfully at Spike's stomach.

"Wait, blueberries?" Spike groaned. "That's Twilight's favorite. Great, now we have to pick up some more--"

Rainbow poked the dragon a little harder, cutting him off. With sweat streaking down her face, she turned away from the grumbling dragon rubbing his sore belly and towards Rarity. The look Rarity gave her, with her eyebrows raised ever so slightly and her head tilted just an inch to the side, dissolved all the half-baked excuses Rainbow had set on the tip of her tongue. Her heart froze as she saw a small smile spread across Rarity's face.

"Rainbow, dear, there's nothing to be ashamed about," the unicorn said. "I understand completely. I mean, who could resist bathing in a castle? Tell me, were the baths made of crystal? Ooh, of course they were!" Rarity squealed and hugged herself. "I can't even imagine the feeling, soaking in warm water, surrounded by dazzling gems reflecting the light of a scented candle."

"Uh..."

"Ooh, ooh, do you think the tubs are as big as the jacuzzis from the spa?" Pinkie Pie said, hopping. "We could have a pool party in the castle!"

Rainbow Dash shot Spike a pleading glance as Pinkie and Rarity chatted and giggled around her. Spike shrugged helplessly, shaking his head anxiously. Suppressing a groan, Rainbow cleared her throat and said, "Well, it's been great catching up and all, but me and Spike got to dash." She quickly went to Spike's side and tossed the dragon onto her back, grunting as the bag of flour plopped onto her. "So, uh..."

"Wait a minute, dear." Rarity stopped Rainbow with an extended hoof. "Me and Spike?"

"Really?" Rainbow Dash grumbled. "Fine, Spike and I. Happy?"

"Hardly," Rarity declared flatly. "It sounds like the two of you are here together."  She sighed before turning to Spike. "I must admit, I am a bit envious." 

Spike tired to leap off of Rainbow's back. The heavy flour sack anchored him down however. "W-wait, you got it all wrong," he said, panicking. "We're not--"

"You must tell me your secret, Spikey. How in Equestria did you get Rainbow Dash to agree to shopping?"

The rest of Spike's wild protest left the dragon's mouth as an uncommitted wheeze. "Eh?"

"I've been trying to convince Rainbow Dash to show me around the new shopping district in Cloudsdale for months," Rarity explained. "I heard whispers about a boutique that sells dresses spun from repurposed clouds, and I've been absolutely dying to discover how, but every time she gives me the same excuses. 'Oh, I have to work this weekend', 'Tank's trying on new shells this afternoon', 'I can't shop on days that start with the letter T, it's a medical condition'."

"Hey, teedayitus is total legit," retorted Rainbow.

"Of course it is, dear," Rarity said, smiling. She looked up into the sky as Rainbow grumbled and gasped. "Oh my, I hadn't realized how late it was. I best be off now," the unicorn announced, giving Pinkie Pie a quick hug. "I'm so sorry I have to cut our little shopping trip short."

"No biggie," Pinkie Pie assured, patting Rarity's curls and watching them spring back up. She giggled. "I should probably head back to Sugar Cube Corner anyways."

"And I'm sorry we couldn't talk longer," Rarity said to Rainbow and Spike. "Oh, and Spikey? Might I bother you for a favor? My sapphire supply is running rather low. I was wondering..." Rarity fluttered her eyelashes. "...perhaps the two of us could go gem hunting later today?"

"Gem hunting," Spike repeated dreamily, his voice light and slightly slurred, "with you?" The dragon swayed and threatened to topple from Rainbow Dash's back. "Of course I--"

"Can't."

Everypony turned and stared at Rainbow, who quickly looked away. "He can't," she said, rubbing her shin awkwardly. "Spike's busy this week."

"I am?" Spike felt Rainbow Dash's sides stiffen underneath him and his eyes widened with realization. "Oh, right," he squeaked. "Sorry, Rarity." The dragon kept his face downcast, refusing to look up at the unicorn's surprised expression. "I'm busy."

"Oh."

Spike's grasp on the flour tightened, coating his scales white. "May I ask what you're so busy with?" he heard Rarity inquire. He couldn't tell if it was curiosity in her tone or hurt. He opened his eyes and ventured a glance, hoping to find a clue in Rarity's features. She wore a simple mask of indifference, betraying nothing. Her lips slowly pressed together and the tips were raised slightly. Had Rarity seen Spike's discomfort and tried to reassure him with a smile? If anything, her smile had the opposite effect, and the dragon began to fidget nervously.

"It's..." Spike turned to Rainbow Dash. The moment their eyes met, Rainbow quickly swiped a hoof across the front of her throat and shook her head rapidly, only to grimace in pain and grab at her neck. "It's a secret," Spike finally mumbled numbly to the ground.

"A secret?" Rarity said, staring as Rainbow massaged her neck, groaning obliviously every time it made a sharp crack. Once she noticed Rarity's narrowing gaze, Rainbow immediately straightened herself and tried to lean to the side in a laid back manner. Spike and the heavy bag on her back made the motion look stiff and awkward, rather than the natural appearing action she had hoped. The artificial grin she wore faltered as Pinkie Pie moved forward and added her glare along with Rarity's. 

Finally, Rarity's appearance softened. "Well, Spike, I'm sure whatever you have planned with Rainbow Dash, it must be important," she said, reaching out and gently stroking the top of the dragon's head. "Another time then?"

Spike raised his head and stared. "Y-you're not mad, are you?" he asked, rubbing his feet together nervously.

"As long as the two of you aren't scheming for some awful prank," Rarity assured, laughing. The mirthful sound was cut short, however, as Rarity's scowl returned, directed toward Rainbow. "Seriously, I do not want to return home and find my floors covered in fake vomit or something just as childish, and I most certainly wouldn't appreciate it to find Spike taking up some of your less desirable habits."

"Huh? Oh!" Rainbow Dash turned her head and coughed to the side. "Yeah, s-sure, no problem."

"Hmm," Rarity hummed, regarding the grinning pegasus with slitting eyes. "Very well then," she said with a sigh, glancing up at the sun. "I suppose I shall see you all later, ta ta."

"Bye Rarity," Spike called, waving at the unicorn's retreating figure

"Yeah, see you around," Rainbow said, waving as well. Once the purple of Rarity's tail finally disappeared from view, Rainbow Dash released a long exhausted breath. "That was way too close," she said. "Seriously dude? A secret?" Rainbow snorted. "You couldn't have made something up?"

"I tried," Spike hissed back. "Believe me, I really tried, but I couldn't think of anything with Rarity staring at me like that. My mind just went blank. You don't think she knows what we're doing, do you?"

"Not sure. She probably knows we're doing something together but not what." Rainbow groaned. "And knowing Rarity and gossip, the whole town'll learn about this before the weekend."

"So?" Spike asked.

"So then everypony in town will know that I'm hanging out with you."

"Yeah, so? How's that suspicious?" The dragon crossed his arms. "We're friends, right? We're supposed to hang out."

"Yeah, but with other ponies too," Rainbow Dash explained. "I'm mean, when was the last time the we actually had a one-on-one together? Also, you refusing Rarity and gems to spend time with some other mare? Yeah, even if that mare's as awesome as me, that's going to look suspicious."

"And then it'll only be a matter of time before somepony figures out what secrets and lies the two of you are up to."

"Yeah, exact--" Rainbow Dash swallowed. Spike hadn't spoken; the voice she heard belonged didn't belong to him. It was a mare's voice, obvious even when deepened by a concerning amount of venom and disgust. Slowly, and with Spike, Rainbow turned toward the pink pony wearing an uncharacteristically grim glower as she leaned over the two. 

"H-hey Pinkie," Rainbow Dash said slowly, doing her best to smile. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Oh, long enough to hear everything you two said," Pinkie Pie declared cheerfully, her scowl disappearing and replaced with a grin as her mane expanded suddenly like a balloon. "So, what are we planning?" the pony asked. "Another surprise birthday party? Ooh, is it Twilight's? No, wait, is it Princess Luna's? Is it mine? Oh, I bet it's mine!"

"It's..." Rainbow Dash wagged her head side to side and chewed on her lip for a moment. "...a secret. Yeah, a secret," she finished confidently, nodding as if in affirmation while Spike planted his face into the center of his palm. "It's a secret."

"A secret huh?" Pinkie Pie shrugged. "Okay, you two have fun," she said before bouncing off.

"Hold on, you mean you're not going to ask us what the secret is?" Rainbow Dash asked, stopping the mare. "I-I mean, not that I want you to or anything," she quickly added as Pinkie Pie spun around and stuck her head forward while Spike smacked himself in the forehead again. "It's just kind of, I don't know, suspicious."

"Silly Dashie," Pinkie Pie giggled, throwing her foreleg around Rainbow's shoulders and Spike's neck. "If you have a secret just between the two of you, then as a good friend I should respect your privacy and leave it alone."  

"Wow, Pinkie," Rainbow Dash said, staring at her with eyes wide with awe. "That was--"

"Besides," Pinkie Pie continued, releasing Rainbow and Spike, "I'll just put Spike in a dark room with a painfully bright lamp and a bowl of gems and make him confess later."

"--what?"

"Have a nice date, you two." Pinkie gave Spike a pat on the head, flattening the green ridges. "See you soon, real soon," she said, grinning widely before hopping away and vocalizing. 

"S-she's probably just joking, you know," Rainbow said, her nervous chuckle demonstrating a lack of confidence in that assurance. "I mean, sure, Pinkie might be crazy, but she wouldn't kidnap somepony just to make them spill a secret."

"She's done it before," said Spike with a shiver. "So, uh, I know I promised you and everything, but if Pinkie Pie catches me..."

"Right!" Rainbow shouted loudly, drawing the attention of a few passersby. "Shopping! What's next on the list so we can finish up here and return to the safety of Twilight's crystal rainbow castle of friendship and locked doors?"

"Maybe we should just go now," Spike suggested, looking behind him warily. "Hey, what did Pinkie mean--"

"I still need practice, and the sooner I figure out this whole cooking business, the sooner we can stop worrying about this whole thing," Rainbow whispered. "So what's next?"

Spike took out the list. "Milk," he read. "Dairy's at the red tent over there, and we can get some butter too. But--"  

"Right, hold on," Rainbow warned before galloping off toward the diary stand. Spike barely had time to lean forward and keep himself from falling off as each thundering step sent a jolt up through his spine. 

The red canopy grew larger and drew closer. "Hey, Rainbow?" he whispered softly and hesitantly as they approached. "What do you think Pinkie meant, have a nice date?"

Rainbow Dash came to a sudden stop, launching her passenger into the display table exhibiting a pyramid of milk bottles.
> 1/2 Cup of Packed Brown Sugar 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6


The strings hung loosely in Spike's claws. He wrapped them tightly around his fingers, then released them, letting the lace droop limply in his grasp. Spike stared aimlessly around the kitchen, and his blurred reflection peeking through the recently restored crystal walls stared back, returning the troubled look he had gave them. The dragon turned away, looking instead at the countertop covered with bags and bottles and cartons. The large, aged recipe book sat opened, perched on its spine and leaned against a large bowl.

Have a nice date, you two.

Spike's fingers fumbled clumsily with the strings as he slowly coaxed them into knots. One over the other, right above left. Over and under, now pull. The knot instantly fell apart, leaving him with the two separate straps. Spike tried again, pressing down with a finger to hold the lace in place. Another loop he decided, twisting the strings around each other carefully. He lifted his finger, frowning after discovering the strings tied closely around it.

Have a nice date...

The strings released the dragon's finger after a few sharp tugs. A puff of steam flew from his nostrils as he breathed out in frustration. Taking a lace in each claw, Spike pulled at them, causing them to stretch. One over the other, right above the left. Loop around, over and under, now pull.

"Hey, Spike? You think you could loosen that? I can't breath."

Spike blinked, gasped, then immediately attacked at the apron's straps. "S-sorry, Rainbow," he said. "I don't know what I was doing."

"It's cool, it's cool," Rainbow Dash assured. "Well, besides the apron and everything," she added, patting at the cloth. "I really hope I don't get used to wearing this thing."

"I don't know why you keep complaining," said Spike as he finished securing the apron around Rainbow Dash's back. "I think it looks fine."

"Well, thanks, but it's cramping my style, you know?" Rainbow frowned. "It feels wrong. Like, Rainbow Dash in an apron?" The pegasus shuddered. "So what's up with you?"

Spike jumped off of Rainbow's back and gave her a confused look. His head was slightly leaned to the side, and the line he wore his mouth as was barely curved, betraying the uncertainty in the frown. "What do you mean?"

"You've been acting all moping ever since we met Pinkie Pie and Rarity. We've been here for an hour already, and you've barely spoken," Rainbow Dash said, crossing her forelegs. "I thought you'd at least complain when I dropped the eggs. Seriously, what's wrong? Is this about the milk bottles? I told you, it was a total accident, and I'm really sorry that happened."

Spike shook his head. "It's not that, it's...you dropped the eggs?"

"Don't worry about them, they're fine," Rainbow affirmed with a disregarding wave. "Come on, stay on topic. Was it something I did?"

"No, it's..." Spike wrung his claws together and stared at the ground. "What Pinkie Pie said's still bother me."

"Still?" Rainbow groaned. She walked over to the dragon's side. "Hey, I told, don't worry about it. you probably just misheard Pinkie, and she actually said have a nice day."

Spike scratched at his arm. "Maybe."

"Besides," Rainbow Dash continued, "it's Pinkie Pie, who knows what goes inside that head of hers? Just because she thought we were on a date doesn't mean anypony else would have."

"Are you sure?" Spike asked nervously.

"Oh come on, give Rarity some credit," Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "If anypony can tell the difference between a date and a not-date, it's Rarity. And look at us." Rainbow gestured to herself, then gently jabbed at Spike's shoulder. "What kind of pony would see the two of us walking around together and think we were going out?"

"Well, Pinkie Pie apparently," Spike answered slowly.

"Exactly, Pinkie Pie."

"Oh, right."

"So seriously dude," Rainbow Dash said, forcing Spike to look up from the ground by tapping at his forehead, "stop worrying so much. Rarity's not going to end up thinking you're suddenly taken or some other weird misunderstanding out of a cliche romantic-comedy book or something."

"Yeah, but--" Spike suddenly shook his head. "Actually, yeah, you're right. I'm just being silly right now." The dragon leapt to his feet. "We've got other things to do anyways."

"Finally, yes!" Rainbow Dash cheered, jumping into the air and performing a backflip. She quickly returned to the ground as Spike regarded her with a raised eyebrow. "What?" she challenged, rubbing her reddening snout. In hopes of hiding the blush, Rainbow turned away. "What? I just want to get this over with, that's all," she said. "What are you grinning at?"

Spike shrugged, making no attempt to wipe away the smile on his face. "Nothing, nothing," he said. "For a second I just thought you might have been excited about cooking."

"Yeah, well, you thought wrong," Rainbow Dash said as she reached for the bag of flour and used it to cover her reddening face. "One-and-a-half cups, right?"

"Hold on." Spike ran toward the counter and pulled himself up to the cookbook. He quickly flipped through the large book until he found the worn depiction of the plate carrying a stack of fluffy pancakes. Spike's finger slowly descended down the page. "Yeah, that's right, one-and-a-half cups of flour," he confirmed with a nod. "Next is the baking soda."

"Got it." Carefully balancing the spoon in her mouth, Rainbow scooped out the white powder from its bag and shook it into the mixing bowl. She repeated the action a second, and third, and finally a fourth time.

"Next is salt," Spike said, pointing. "One teaspoon."

"One...teaspoon...of salt," Rainbow Dash mumbled, shaking the spoonful of minuscule crystals into the snowy white mix. She spat the teaspoon out of her mouth and tossed it into the sink. "Okay, next is..."

"One tablespoon of sugar." Spike held up the silver utensil, which Rainbow accepted before grabbing the little brown bag decorated with a pair of black-stripped candy canes crossed over each other at the top.

"Hmm."

Spike looked up from the book. "Hmm?"

"I really want to add another spoonful," Rainbow Dash said, staring at the bag of sugar in her hooves. "It just feels like one tablespoon isn't going to cut it."

"Better not," warned Spike. "We should probably--"

"Follow the recipe, I know, I know," Rainbow finished, sighing. "I'm just thinking they'd taste better if they were sweeter."

"That's what syrup and jelly's for," the dragon said. Even as he spoke, Spike frowned and tapped the side of his cheek thoughtfully. "But I guess another spoonful wouldn't hurt," he conceded. "Go ahead."

"Right, then milk--whoa!" Rainbow Dash quickly steadied the teetering glass bottle full of milk.

"Careful, we just cleaned this place," said Spike. He lifted up a measuring cup toward her. Slowly, Rainbow poured the sweet,white liquid into the container until it had filled up right about the last measuring mark. She set the bottle down, took the cup from Spike, and added the milk to the mix.

"And now the hard part," Rainbow murmured, opening the brown carton and removing an egg. The lopsided oval rest in between the pegasus's hooves for a few seconds before shattering. Rainbow's yolk covered hooves clapped together, sending globules of egg and shells through the air. Spike flinched as one struck his nose like a sticky raindrop during a stormy afternoon.

"Dang it," grumbled Rainbow Dash. "This keeps happening."

Spike wiped his nose. "No wonder you went through so many eggs," he said, his brow raised. The dragon reached over and pulled out his own egg. "You have to be careful." With the egg gently tucked between the tips of his claws, Spike tapped against the countertop, then held the egg toward Rainbow Dash. "See?" he said, pointing at the cracks before leaning over and releasing the egg's interiors into the bowl, then tossing the shells into the skin. "It's not hard."

Rainbow frowned. "Yeah, maybe if you have claws," she said, crossing her front legs over her chest.

"Oh come on, even Twilight can crack open an egg," Spike protested.

"Twilight's got magic," responded Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, heh, right." Spike rubbed the back of his head. "So, uh, could you try holding the egg with one hoof?"

Rainbow pulled the egg carton closer to her and, with her teeth gritting together, cautiously took out an egg. It wobbled in her hoof for a couple of seconds before tumbling out of her grasp like a high diving aquapony performing at a swim meet. The imagined trill of a slide whistle rang through Spike and Rainbow Dash's minds as they watched the egg fall and splat against the floor.

"Okay, so that doesn't work," Spike noted. "Hmm."

"How does Pinkie Pie do this? Or the Cakes?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "It can't be earth pony magic, can it?"

"Dunno, maybe," Spike said with a shrug. "I wonder how Fluttershy cracks open eggs, if she actually eats them." The dragon drummed his claws against the mixing bowl. "I guess I could handle the eggs for you and--"

"No," Rainbow Dash answered shortly. She grabbed another egg. "I've got to do this myself now, or I won't be ready when it comes to baking that pie. This has to be one hundred percent authentic all natural Rainbow Dash, with no artificial substitutes." The little white egg followed a similar fate as the first, bursting in Rainbow's hooves and covering them with its innards. "Accept no substitutes," she growled as the fourth egg slipped out of her gooey grip and splattered against the kitchen wall. "No Pinkie Pie--"

The mess on the floor grew.

"No Spike or Twilight--"

Spike winced as he watched yolk slowly drip down from the ceiling.

"No Applejack--"

Spike quickly yanked the carton out of Rainbow Dash's reach, taking noted of its significant loss of weight. "Okay, first, doesn't getting my help in the first place count?"

"That's different. It's not like you're actually making the pie for me," Rainbow Dash explained.

"Well, what about the author who made the recipe?" Spike questioned. "Doesn't that make pie sort of theirs? I mean, you're kind of just copying what some other pony did."

"Then I'll just make my own recipe."

"In time for the bake sale?" asked Spike, the ridge over his right eye rising.

"Yeah, how hard can it be? I'll just take some boring old recipe for apple pie and change a few things," Rainbow said. "Just like in school. Now, will you give me the eggs already?" She toward the carton the dragon held.

Spike kept the eggs close. "Can I ask you something first?"

"What?" Rainbow Dash demanded, stretching her sticky hooves forward.

"Why are you so set on learning how to bake?"

Rainbow groaned. "I told you already, I told somepony I could bake, and he's showing up at the bake sale this weekend. I promised this guy pie, so he's going to get pie."

"So why can't somepony help you make the pie, but you don't tell him?" Spike inquired. "Or why not just get a pie and say you made it? I'm not saying you should lie and cheat or anything," he quickly added, "but it's not like this guy'll find out, right? I dunno, all this work just to make a pie for some random pony? It doesn't sound, well, it doesn't sound like you."

"It's not just for some random pony, he's--" Rainbow Dash shook her head. "I-it's complicated, alright? It's complicated and boring and I don't want to talk about and none of your business so drop it and hoof over the eggs so we can finish these pancakes and continue on with our lives!"

Spike stepped back, holding the carton in front of him like a shield. "R-Rainbow Dash, are you alright?"

"S-sorry, I-I'm just getting a little frustrated." The pegasus groaned. "Okay, a lot frustrated. I know I promised I wouldn't take it out on you, and I'm sorry I shouted. I just...I want to do this on my own, without needing somepony or some dragon to do it for me."

Spike placed an uncertain claw on Rainbow's shoulder. "It's okay," he said, kicking his feet awkwardly. "I shouldn't have pried. Sorry, but, uh..." Spike let out a dull chuckle. "We've been burning through eggs pretty fast. Maybe we should think of how you're going to crack them before we waste any more."

"Right, heh." Rainbow let out an embarrassed snicker. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea." She inhaled deeply. "So, any ideas?"

"How'd you get the egg in for the first patch," Spike asked. "You know, before we went shopping."

"I just threw an egg into the batter, punched it, then scooped out the shells. Hey don't give me that look, I got desperate."

"Hmm, you think you could try using your wings?" Spike suggested. "I've seen Fluttershy use hers to open bags and stuff, maybe that's how she does it?"

Rainbow Dash quickly glanced at her wings. "I don't know," she said. "I'd hate to get egg in my feathers, but it's worth a shot. Give me an egg."

Spike opened the carton and held it toward Rainbow. Rainbow Dash extended a wing and, with her tongue peeking through the space between her teeth, slowly wrapped her blue pinions around one of the few remaining eggs. Holding her breath, Rainbow lifted the egg out of its carton and moved to the countertop. She turned to the dragon next to her, who extended his thumb toward the roof. Rainbow nodded in return and let her encumbered wing drop.

She and Spike flinched at the soft sound the egg made as it tapped on the counter, next to the mixing bowl. Rainbow Dash lifted it closer toward her to examine it.

"Do it again," Spike suggested. Nodding, Rainbow tapped the egg a few more times. Her eyes widened at the sight of a crack growing across the white shell. Spike's knuckles whitened as he grabbed onto the counter and bounced on the soles of his feet. "Again," he said.

The crack became larger and darker, more visible against the white background. Rainbow Dash swallowed as she watched little lines branch from the crack like roots. She swiftly loosened her grip on the egg as she felt just how weak the structure had become. Rainbow shivered, hoping that the sensation of cold slime leaking over her feathers was entirely imaginary. "Ngh, I'm going to need another bath," she muttered.

"That's good!" Spike cheered, clapping his claws together. "Now bring it over the bowl."

Rainbow Dash obeyed, holding the fissuring egg over the rest of the added ingredients. "Okay, what next?"

"Now put the egg in."

"How?" the pegasus asked, the one-word question emphasized with irritation and slight panic.

"I dunno, um, can you move your feathers individually?"

"Are you crazy? Not without breaking one or messing up my entire feather arrangement."

"Okay, then..." Spike looked around the kitchen as he searched for an answer. "Okay, try hitting the egg against the edge of the bowl. Carefully."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow but followed the suggestion. Despite all her efforts in softening the blow, bits and pieces of the shell chipped off, and the insides slowly oozed out through the holes. "Spike..."

"Now hold it over the bowl and squeeze gently."

The cyan wing was lifted over the bowl. Rainbow sighed, shut her eyes, and braced herself for the disgusting feel of yolk in her feathers as they pressed against the egg. The egg cracked even further under the applied pressure, and more egg slowly dripped through, landing into the pancake mix.

"Okay, so I just realized you're going to need to wash your wings."

Rainbow bit back a scowl. "What ticked you off, the egg in my feathers?"

"No, I mean before we start cooking," Spike expanded, "if you're going to use them like that, unless we cover your wings with something. Maybe I have another apron, no wait, I've got an oven mitt from Pinkie Pie, maybe we can use that."

"Wait, you want to cover my wings with something?" Rainbow shook her head rapidly several times. "No way pal, that's not happening."

"Well we have to do something with them," Spike said. "It's either that or washing them every time before you start cooking."

"Ugh," groaned Rainbow. "Are you serious? Come on, I didn't have to brush my teeth every time I washed my hooves, and I've been using my mouth almost as much."

"Yeah, I've been thinking, maybe you should. Also, you can throw the shells into the sink now."

"Throw the shells..." Rainbow turned and stared at the empty hollowed husk gripped in her feathers. "Wait, did I just--"

The pegasus leaned over the mixing bowl and stared into it. Her eyes grew as she saw an island of yellow on top of a milky hill. "I did it," Rainbow whispered. "Oh my gosh, I got the egg in. I got the egg into the mix without any of the shells."

Spike looked into the bowl. "Actually, I think I see a few--"

Rainbow Dash laugh. "Aw yeah, I got this!" she yelled, leaping up and tossing the shells into the air. Just as they were about to hit the countertop, Rainbow slammed her hoof on them, crushing the shells into millions of tiny flying shards. Spike instinctively covered his face, and the pieces bounced harmlessly off his scales. "Heh, sorry," Rainbow said sheepishly under the dragon's glare.

"Do you think you could celebrate a little less crazily?" he pleaded. "We kind of need the kitchen after all this. Like, I don't know, maybe just a small cheer or something like that, please?"

"Yay?"

"Yeah, that'll work," Spike said. Using a spoon, he slowly fished out a few small gooey white chips out of the bowl and tossed them into the skin. "Alright, and finally three table spoons of melted butter."

"Wait, melted?" Rainbow Dash picked up one of the yellow stick and stared at it. "Shoot, did we buy the wrong butter?"

"I don't think you can buy melted butter," Spike said as he took the bar of butter and set it on a plate in front of him. He placed the tablespoon under the heavy stream released from kitchen sink's faucet, washing away the last goops of yolk before drying the utensil with a few quick swings in the air. "We have to melt the butter ourselves," he said, digging out a spoonful out of the golden stick. The dragon drew in a breath and released it as a small trail of bright viridescent flame right beneath the spoon's bowl. Once the chunk of butter became a puddle, Spike held the spoon out to Rainbow Dash.

"It doesn't count as me doing it for you if you add the butter yourself, right?" Spike said, noticing Rainbow's hesitation. "Look, you could just do that over a stove or something, but my way is way faster."

Rainbow Dash regarded the spoon with a frown. She stared at it, prodding it cautiously. Once she was confident that the metal handle was safe to take, she accepted the melted butter, holding the spoon carefully in between her teeth. She leaned over the bowl and dipped the spoon into the bowl, letting the liquified butter soak into the flour.

"Two more," Rainbow muttered, stabbing the spoon into the butter stick and shoveling up a generous portion. "Alright Spike, light it up."

Now Spike began to hesitate. "I don't know," he said, staring at the spoon Rainbow was jabbing into his face. "That's pretty dangerous. What if I miss and end up hitting you?"

"Then just be careful, like what you did before," Rainbow said as clearly as she could.

"Yeah, I don't know if I can. Maybe you could just give it over to me, and I'll give it back after the butter's ready."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, it doesn't sound that hard. Quit wasting time."

"Have you tried breathing fire?" Spike exclaimed. "It's not easy keeping it under control. It's way harder than I make it look. Do you want to lose your eyebrows?"

"Eyebrows are overrated," Rainbow scoffed. "Spike, you're the best fire spitter I know--"

"I'm the only fire spitter you know."

"Yeah well, yeah, doesn't change the fact that you've got some pretty awesome fire breathing skills. Believe me, you're not gonna end up setting me on fire or anything," the pegasus assured.

Spike bit his lip. "Hmm, I don't know."

A muffled groan escaped Rainbow. "If you can't trust yourself, can you at least trust me?" she asked, bordering on pleading.

"Are the few seconds we'd save by not swapping the spoon between us every time really worth the risk?" asked Spike, his head tilted to the side and his brow slightly furrowed.

"Yes!" was Rainbow's exasperated answer.

"And you know we're just wasting time by arguing, right?"

"Yes! Spike, hurry up!" Rainbow growled. She flinched as emerald flames flew by, covering all of the exposed portions of the spoon she held. The fire vanished almost as immediately as it appeared, leaving behind a few dying sparks. Rainbow Dash almost went cross-eyed as she tried to stare at the glowing utensil in her mouth. Droplets of butter fell to the floor.

Spike covered his mouth, the green of his eyes shrunken into tiny dots painted on a large whitewashed wall. "Oh gosh," he gasped. "I'm so sorry, I-I guess I was surprised or something, I don't know. I-I didn't mean to--"

Rainbow's breathing slowed to normal as she felt the spoon cool. With a shrug, she pour the butter into the mix. "It's cool, it's cool," she said. "See, even still have my eyebrows, you did fine. Besides," she added, smirking, "you've got to admit, that was pretty darn radical."

"Well..." Spike sighed. "Yeah, I guess."

"So, one more tablespoon?" Rainbow asked, reaching for the plate of butter.

"You know, I think two tablespoons is probably enough."

"What happened to sticking to the recipe?" Rainbow questioned as she returned with another chunk of butter.

"We already changed it by adding an extra spoonful of sugar, I think they'll be fine with a little less butter." Spike grabbed the spoon from Rainbow and popped its contents into his mouth. "What?" he said to the staring pegasus while he chewed.

"That's just gross," Rainbow said, shaking her head in disgust. "Baked bads made out of worms and dirt's one thing, but just plain butter, without anything else?" She stuck her tongue out. "Bleh."

Spike licked his lips. "Geez, you too? Pinkie Pie's the only one who understands," he grumbled before setting the spoon in the sink. He grabbed a new one from the drawer, this spoon larger and made of wood. Spike stabbed the spoon into the center of the doughy blend and pushed the bowl toward Rainbow. "Alright, now mix."

Rainbow Dash stared at the wooden handle sticking out of the mixture like a branch in mud. She extended her next, turned her head to the side, and grabbed the spoon with her mouth. Muffled grunts spilled through her teeth as she tried to push and prod the spoon through the mix. Saliva soaked into the spoon, and Rainbow Dash felt the crick in her neck before she heard the painful crack, shortly followed by another loud snap as she bit through the wood.

"Try using your hooves," Spike suggested as the dragon removed the utensil from Rainbow's mouth. He cringed as his claws ran over deep teeth marks and splinters. Spike quickly retrieved a replacement, placing the new spoon in Rainbow Dash's hooves.

The pegasus poked the dough a few times before thrusting the spoon into the bowl like a knife. Some pancake mix landed on her apron. With her jaws grinding together, she forced the spoon through the blend, then dragged it along the sides of the bowl.

"You have to get the center too," instructed Spike. Rainbow Dash nodded shortly before pulling the spoon toward her through the middle of the bowl, splitting apart a yolk. From the center, she moved the spoon toward the bowl's edges in a spiral fashion. She repeated the motion, moving toward the center, then circling outward, then returning to the center. She began to pick up speed, slowly at first, like the initial build of a tornado, then into a full blown hurricane. Pancake batter escaped the bowl, finding new homes on the floor, the countertop, Rainbow's nose.

Spike grabbed the pegasus's hoof, stopping her. "Carefully," he said. "And you have to do it more evenly, like this." With the cyan leg still in his claws, he whirled the spoon through the batter, cutting through the thick mixture with relative ease. The spoon pushed through in an oval shape rather than Rainbow's messy spiral. It dipped down into the mix and surfaced, revealing the chunkiness hidden near the bottom of the bowl. Soon, however, the uneven pieces of flour and egg and milk vanished, blended together with the rest of the smooth mixture as they forced the spoon forward. 

"Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I got it, you can let go now," Rainbow said.

"R-right, sorry." Spike swiftly released Rainbow Dash's hoof as the pegasus turned to the side and coughed. The dragon rubbed the back of his claw as awkwardly as the silence that soon grew to saturate the room. The soft clicks the wood made against the metal sides only seemed to accentuate the embarrassing quiet.

"Done, I think," Rainbow announced after a few minutes.

"Huh?" Spike shook himself out of his stupor and peered into the bowl. The mix stared back, even and smooth and all the same tannish color. Spike stuck out his claw with the thumb up, and Rainbow found herself wearing the same silly grin the young dragon wore. Spike clapped his hands together. "Alright, the mix is finally done. Are you ready to cook some pancakes or should we take a break first?"

"Uh, hello? Did you forget who we're dealing with?" Rainbow Dash laughed.

"Whom," Spike immediately corrected. He cringed before the word finished leaving his mouth and mentally kicked himself.

"What?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Sorry, I guess I did forget for a second," he said with a snicker, his previous shameful display forgotten.

"Well then, let me remind you pal. The name's Rainbow Dash, fastest and most radical pegasus in Equestria, future Wonderbolt and master chef. Does that sound like the kind of pony who needs a break?" she challenged, smiling confidently.

"Can you--"

"And no, I won't stop jumping on the countertop. Seriously, I think I get why Pinkie does it all the time."

"Well, be more careful," Spike said, scowling as he pulled the bowl of pancake mix away from Rainbow's hooves. "I get it, no breaks, now get down already and hand me that spatula."

Rainbow Dash glanced below her. "Okay, which one's the..."

"You're pointing at the whisk," said Spike. The dragon placed his claws over his hips. "You know, that thing that looks like a stick with a flat thing at the end."

"A flat thing?" Rainbow repeated.

"You know, like a...a...a fin! Yeah, like a fin."

"Can you just point it out for me?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The thing next to your left leg. No, your other left leg," Spike instructed. "As in your left hind leg. How do you not know what a spatula is?"

"I just called it the flipper or the turner," Rainbow replied, grabbing the tool and leaping back onto the floor. "I didn't think their names were all that important. What, do you know what all the types of clouds are called?"

"Sure, white puffy and gray stormy." Spike placed the bowl back onto the counter and took out a shiny frying pan. He placed the pan on the stove, then moved the mix and a clean plate to the counter adjacent to the stove. "Okay, you're going to watch me make one pancake, then it's your turn."

"Can't you just run through the steps while I do the baking?" Rainbow Dash suggested.

"Would you rather try it yourself after seeing how it's done or have me order you around for a bit?" asked Spike, his claw opened and outstretched as he silently asked for the spatula.

"Good point," Rainbow Dash said before relinquishing the utensil to her teacher. "Okay then, show me how it's done."

"Right," Spike said with a nod. "So first you--"

Three loud bumps rang through the castle and into the kitchen. Spike turned toward the direction of the castle entrance.

"It's probably just the wind," Rainbow assured. "Come on, let's start already."

"Okay." Spike turned one of the nobs sticking out in front of him. The stove began to hiss softly, and both his and Rainbow's noses wrinkled at the scent of gas.

Three more knocks stole Spike's attention. "I should probably get that," he said, shutting off the stove. "It might be Twilight."

"Doesn't Twilight have a key or something?"

"Well, if she does, why is she knocking?" Spike swallowed. "You don't think...Pinkie Pie?"

More knocking echoed through the room. "Alright, let's go," Rainbow said. "I'll keep an eye on you from a distance and rush in if there's trouble."

"At a distance?"

"Yeah, there's no way I'm letting anypony catch me wearing an apron," the pegasus hissed. "Hey, remember who you're dealing with. I'll get you out of there at the first sign of trouble."

"Whom--never mind." Spike shook his head and hurried out of the kitchen. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" he shouted down the hall, uncertain if whoever was knocking could hear him. He weaved past the bare bookcases in the front foyer. He looked behind him, hoping to catch some evidence that Rainbow was still behind him somewhere. After seeing a blue hoof wave at him from behind one of the bookshelves, Spike pushed open the door, squinting as sunlight beamed into the castle. Once his vision had adjusted, the dragon noticed the trio of stallions standing before him.

The largest was red with a blond mane, with a large green apple on his flank and an old dusty harness around his back. The stallion on his left was of a light tan color, his mane brown and flattening near the top while slightly curled at the bangs and near the bottom. Three blue horseshoes served as his cutie mark. On the very left was a blue stallion with a darker blue mane and two pairs of eight notes on both flanks.

"Hey, Spike," the tan stallion greeted. His gaze drifted past the dragon's face, to the stained apron that covered his scaly chest and stomach. "We, uh, catch you in the middle of something?" the stallion asked.

Spike quickly smoothed out the wrinkly hills and valleys in the pink cloth and tried to beat off the powdery residues of flour. "Yeah, something like that," he said. "What's up, Caramel?"

"Is Princess Twilight around?" Caramel asked, peeking inside. "We need a book, you know, something that tells us that as long as the hoofball passes the line and is being held, the touchdown's good."

"You mean something that tells us that the guy holding the hoofball has to be completely over the line for the touchdown to count," snapped the blue stallion.

"Oh, quiet, Notes," Caramel said with a roll of his eyes. He turned back to the dragon in the doorway. "So can you grab the princess and help us settle this once and for all?"

"What makes you think Twilight would know anything about hoofball?" Spike asked. "She's not much of a fan for sports."

"Yeah, but we figured she'd have a book or something," Noteworthy explained. "Right, Big McIntosh?"

"Eeyup," said the large red stallion, nodding his head.

"Sorry guys, Twilight's at a meeting with the mayor and, well," Spike sighed, "we don't have any books at the moment. Remember, we're having that bake sale this weekend?"

"Oh, right. Is it this weekend?" Caramel said. "Well, we were kind of hoping something survived, or at least Princess Twilight knew the rules. I mean, she likes rules, right?"

"Well, I--"

"I guess it doesn't really matter," Noteworthy said. "I can settle for a draw. We should probably go see how Thunderlane's muzzle is doing, I don't think we gave him enough ice." The blue stallion whistled. "Rumble's got one heck of a tackle."

"I could--"

"I'd be more worried about his ego," Caramel cackled as he followed his friend. Big McIntosh gave Spike a hasty nod and a mumbled apology before retreating after the other two, leaving the dragon alone at the empty entrance.

"Caramel's right!" Spike called out toward the trio in the distance, already too far away to hear. Grumbling quietly to himself, he closed the door and started back to the kitchen. Rainbow Dash soon joined him, walking a step or two ahead of him.

"They could have asked me," Spike grumbled.

Rainbow Dash looked her shoulder. "Huh?"

"They could just have asked me," repeated Spike. He quickened his pace so that he now march side to side with Rainbow. "I know the rules. I love hoofball."

Rainbow blinked "Really?" she said.

"Yeah. Well, okay, maybe love's a bit strong. I like hoofball," Spike amended. "I mean, I don't know if I'd actually enjoy playing it, I've never tried it, but watching ponies play is always fun."

"Huh, wow, didn't expect to learn that about you," Rainbow said as they entered the kitchen.

Spike picked up the spatula he had left on the counter. "How come?" he asked.

"You read comic books, wear pink, are half my size, and was raised by the greatest egghead in history." The pegasus shrugged. "The whole sports fan thing, for a full contact sport involving a bunch of muscle bound knuckleheads ramming into each other, it doesn't exactly fit your image."

"Like cooking doesn't really fit yours?"

"Exactly. Speaking of which..." Rainbow gestured to frying pan waiting for them on the stove. "So show me what I've got to do."

With a few turns on the nob, a small flame sprouted out of the stove's mouth, licking the bottom of the frying pan. Spike lifted the bowl of pancake mix over the pan, tilting it slightly to the side. "Do you want me to explain what I'm doing or do you just want to watch?" he asked.

"I think I'll just watch from up here," Rainbow answered as she hovered over the stove, keeping herself steady with each wing beat.

"You sure you can see?" Spike asked, looking up.

"Yeah, I'm good, go on," the pegasus prompted. Spike nodded and began to slowly pour batter onto the sizzling pan. Once the mix covered a good portion of the pan's floor, creating a small creamy circle, Spike set the bowl to the side. He leaned forward and watched as small bubbles formed and popped in the batter. The blue flames shrunk as Spike adjusted the gas. The dragon slid the spatula underneath the batter and lifted up the side of circle, examining the bottom and noting its golden color.

With one claw holding the spatula and the other wrapped tightly around the pan's handle, Spike carefully flipped the pancake over, revealing the brown cooked side completely.

"Wait, you're not going to toss it in the air?" Rainbow Dash asked, frowning.

"You hovering right above me makes me nervous," the dragon admitted as he pressed the pancake with the spatula's blade, making a soft hissing sound. A thin trail of steam drifted lazily up. "I don't want to hit you in the face with a hot pancake."

"That sounds like something out of a bad joke," Rainbow scoffed.

"Heh, yeah, that does sound kind of silly," Spike admitted, flipping the pancake over again. "Can you grab the plate?" He set the spatula down, grabbed the pan's handle with both claws, and gently shook the hot cake onto the plate Rainbow Dash held out toward him. "There, one pancake," he said with a triumphant grin as he put the pan back on the stove and wiped his claws on his apron.

Rainbow stared at the pancake she held. "Is that it?" she asked.

"It's harder than it looks," Spike said, taking the plate from the pegasus. "You ready to give it a try?"

"Ha, as if you needed to ask," Rainbow Dash laughed before taking her place in front of the stove. Spike pushed the bowl of mix toward her, which Rainbow accepted and tipped it over.

"Wait, not so much," Spike said, grabbing the pegasus's foreleg. A large glob of batter leaped out and splattered against their aprons as Rainbow jerked the bowl back. "S-sorry," he said as he let go of Rainbow Dash's hooves. She shrugged and patted the sticky spot on the pink cloth protecting her front.

"Next time just give me a warming," Rainbow Dash suggested, turning back to the frying pan. In the center sat a shapeless blob with many arms reaching toward or over the edges. She frowned as she compared the mess she had made to the near perfect circle that was Spike's pancake.

Spike grabbed the spatula laying on the counter and gave it to Rainbow Dash. "Here," he offered. "You can fix it pretty easily with this." The pegasus took the tool with a nod of understanding and prodded at her pancake, cutting off its limbs and feeding them to the main body. Switching between holding the utensil with her mouth and with her hooves, Rainbow reshaped the bubbling batter until it looked more like a simple cloud than something out of a biology manual.

"Good enough," Rainbow muttered as she dropped the spatula into her hoof. She set the blade parallel to the pan's bottom and struggled to wedge it between the pan and the cake. She slid the spatula back and forth and wiggled it to the sides. As she raised the pancake to peek at its underside to gauge her progress, just as Spike did, a large tear ran through the edge of the pancake towards the center. Awkwardly, Rainbow rotated the spatula to the side and tilted her head.

"It's--"

"Shh, I know," Rainbow said, licking her lips. She forced the spatula forward, ignoring the additional fissures that appeared in the hardening mix. She pulled the tool back, attacking the the pancake at a different side, at a new angle. She chipped away at the pancake's hold on the pan until finally it was free. Taking the spatula in her mouth, Rainbow twisted her head and folded one half of the flapjack over the other, sandwiching the uncooked batter in between. A low growl escaped the pegasus as she forced apart the halves that clung stubbornly together thanks to the sticky mix in the middle.

At last, the raw side of the pancake now sizzled against the hot pan. Rainbow took a moment to rub her forehead against her foreleg. "Ugh, that was painful."

"Eh, it could have been worse," said Spike, pulling himself up to look into the pan. "At least it's still intact. Try again."

The spatula's blade dug under the sizzling mix, clinging desperately to the pan as Rainbow Dash forced it up. She turned the tool and let the pancake fall back onto the pan. As the spatula drove back under the pancake and flipped it over, Rainbow began to grin. "Hey, alright, I think I'm getting the hang of it," she said, nodding confidently. 

"See, it's not that hard," Spike said. The dragon let go of the counter and let himself drop to the floor. He quickly dusted his claws against his apron. 

"Not that hard?" Rainbow tossed her head and scoffed. "Psh, this is easy! Are you telling me the hard part was getting all the ingredients together? A pie's going to be a cinch, all I've gotta do is shove it in an oven."

"It's burning."

"Huh?" Rainbow turned back to the stove and groaned. "Oh, horse feathers," she grumbled as she tried to peel away the charring pancake off the pan's bottom. "Just, give me a sec, let me just...Spike, get me a plate!"

"Well, it's edible, at least," Spike said as Rainbow dumped her partially blackened, lopsided pancake on top of his. A few burnt flakes sprinkled on the lumpy mass. Its edges were uneven and rough from the burning, with trails of black smoke still rising from them. Spike ripped off a chunk from the lightest side and threw it into his mouth. "Yep," he said as he chewed, "way better than your first one."

"Not like that was hard to do," Rainbow muttered and frowned.

"You said it, not me," Spike said before folding what was left of Rainbow's pancake in his own and taking a large bite out of the wrap. 

Rainbow shook her head. "Whatever, I just need more practice, where's the mix?" She tipped the bowl and made another blob of batter in the center of the pan. She smoothed the borders of the pancake so that it resembled more of a circle than a beat-up cloud. Rainbow inhaled deeply. "Okay, so how do I know when it's done?"

"When it's brown, I guess," Spike instructed as he licked his claws then stuck them under a running faucet.

"What, that's it?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Just wait for it to turn brown?"

"Yeah, so pay attention," Spike said, pointing at the pan. The pegasus immediately lowered her gaze to the pancake. "And you need to check both sides," Spike added, prompting Rainbow to toss the flat cake onto its other side. "Pancakes don't take very long to cook, you don't have to wait very long."

"Well, that's good," said Rainbow as she flipped the pancake over. "I can handle fast. Where's the plate?"

"On your left. There, perfect!" Spike exclaimed clapping his hands together. He rushed to Rainbow's side and held the plate up. "See, it looks great."

Rainbow stared at the little pancake sitting under her nose. Small invaginations blemished the sides, and the brown shade was uneven throughout the pancake's body; some sections were darker than others, even bordering on black. "Great, huh?" she said with a frown.

"Okay, maybe not great-great," Spike amended, deflating a bit. "Seriously, Rainbow Dash not taking a compliment? Whatever happened to 'everything I do is awesome'?"

"Okay, one, I don't sound like that, and I don't talk like that, and I don't think I've ever said that. Two, I take compliments I deserve, which is often since everything I do is awesome." Rainbow allowed herself a small smirk as Spike rolled his eyes and snickered. The smile swiftly vanished and she pointed at the pancake in front of her. "Well, except this isn't awesome. It doesn't even look half as good as yours did."

"Well, it's definitely pretty good for your first day," Spike insisted. "I mean, you don't want to know what happened when I first tried making pancakes."

"What happened?"

The dragon shuddered. "I just told you, you don't want to know." Spike reached over and patted Rainbow's shoulder. "I bet you're sick of hearing this, but you'll get better with practice. Look how much better this one was than your last one, and don't forget how much better that one was than your first attempt."

"Ugh, don't remind me," Rainbow said, shaking her head even as a smile lit across her face. She sighed and closed her eyes. "There really wasn't any way I could've done worse than that."

"Want a bite?"

"Huh?" Rainbow turned and found half of her latest creation held a few inches away from her muzzle in Spike's claws. Crumbs dotted the dragon's lips and cheeks as he chewed on the other half. 

Spike swallowed and wiped his lips. "Here," he offered. "It tastes pretty good, and that's what matters, right?"

Rainbow Dash stared at the torn pancake in Spike's claw. She turned to the dragon, who gave her an encouraging nod. Rainbow sighed and leaned forward, tearing off a large chunk with her teeth. Her mouth moved slowly, and her cheeks swelled slightly. 

"Well?" Spike asked as Rainbow swallowed. "I mean, yeah, I guess it could some jam, maybe a few emeralds--whoa!" the dragon yelped as the rest of the pancake was suddenly ripped out of his grasp. 

"Yeah, it could definitely use some syrup," Rainbow agreed, spraying bits and pieces of pancake as she spoke and chewed. "It wasn't awesome...but it wasn't the worst thing I've eaten," she said with a small smile. "Yeah, you know what? It wasn't too bad."

Spike brushed his claw against his front and lifted the mixing bowl. "We still got a lot of batter left," he said, "ready for another shot?"

Rainbow Dash grabbed the spatula and set a hoof on her flexing foreleg. "You know it," she declared, smirking. "Now hoof over the--"

The kitchen door flung open, and in stepped Twilight. Tuffs of hair stubbornly shot out of her mane, with more rebellious strands springing out with every tired step the alicorn took. Dust coated her body, dulling the lavender shine of her fur. She kept her head low as she approached the stove. Spike and Rainbow shared a look before placing down their utensils and rushing to the princess's side. 

"Twilight, are you--" Spike began.

"Please tell me dinner's soon," Twilight Sparkle begged, collapsing and grabbing Spike's apron. 

"Dinner?" Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow. "A little early don't you--oh yikes, wow," she exclaimed as she noted what number the hour hand of the kitchen clock pointed to. 

"It's already that late?" Spike lowered his head. "S-sorry Twilight," he said, trying to knock off the persistent dirt from the princess's neck. "I lost track of time. Don't worry, I-I'll--"

"It's fine, Spike," Twilight assured with a weary smile. "It looks like the two of you were hard at work," she said. She clenched her teeth tightly to contain a yawn. "It's fine," Twilight continued, "we can just go out to eat or something."

"Actually, how do pancakes sound?"

Twilight slowly raised her head toward Rainbow Dash. "Pancakes?" she repeated.

"Yeah, some good old one hundred percent natural Rainbow Dash pancakes for dinner," Rainbow said, rubbing her hoof on her chest. "Not a big deal, bet I could whip some up in no time."

Twilight turned to Spike, giving her assistant an asking look.

"We've got plenty of sauces and topping to drown out the taste," he joked. "Though maybe you should stick to fruit tonight."

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash growled.

"No, really, they're not bad," Spike said. "Pretty good even, and it won't take long. Dinner'll be read by the time you finish taking a bath."

"Okay then. A bath does sound good right now." Twilight started toward the kitchen exit, taking a few steps, then turned her head and giggled. "I'm sorry," she said, "it's just, this is all just a little surreal."

"What, me making dinner?" Rainbow Dash asked in mock defensiveness undermined by her smile as she crossed her forelegs over her chest.

"Actually, I'm more troubled by the idea of having breakfast for dinner. What are we supposed to eat tomorrow morning?" The alicorn snorted. "But now that you mention it, you wear that apron well, Rainbow Dash."

Spike's snickers joined Twilight's trailing laughter while Rainbow Dash groaned and tugged at the lacy pink cloth over her. "See, pink does look good on you," Spike teased.

"Ha ha, laugh it up," Rainbow grumbled as she retrieved the spatula. "Pass me the pancake mix."


*


Steam billowed out of the bathroom and Twilight, dressed in a pink bathrobe, stepped out and sighed. "Oh, I definitely needed that," she said to herself with a shudder. Her smile turned to a grimace as her stomach rumbled in want. She giggled and shook her head. "Yeah, and I guess I could also use some dinner," Twilight said, taking hold of the bathrobe with her magic and removing it before making her way down the hallway. 

Spike was waiting for her at the end of the hall. Seeing the alicorn approach, he leapt up and ran to her side. "Geez, what took you so long?" he asked, placing his hands on his hips as he followed Twilight into the dinning room. "Rainbow Dash had to leave, by the way."

"I had a pretty rough day," Twilight said. "I think I deserve a two hour bubble bath once in a while."

"As long as you left me some hot water," the little dragon said, taking a seat at the table. Before him was a plate with a stack of two brown pancakes and a bowl of oats. Twilight sat down in front a similar arrangement, though her bowl was larger than Spike's. A jug of milk sat in the center of the table, along with a bowl of strawberries and blueberries and a dispenser of amber syrup. The princess stared woefully at her tiny stack as Spike grabbed the syrup dispenser and drowned his pancakes with syrup. "Something wrong?" Spike asked, noticing Twilight's disappointed look.

Twilight quickly shook her head. "Sorry, it's just I was hoping...is this it?" she asked, wincing as the needy whine escaped her. 

"We, uh, made a few mistakes earlier," Spike explained, "wasted a lot of the mix. We have cereal if you're still hungry," Spike offered, pointing to the bowl of oats in front of Twilight. "Is that okay? I can try making something else if you want."

"This is fine, Spike," assured Twilight, giving her assistant a smile as she took the syrup and the bowl of fruit. "Sorry if I sounded like I was complaining. It looks great, I'll have to let Rainbow Dash know next time I see her."

"She's coming back tomorrow for more practice," Spike said with his mouth full. He poured some milk over his oat and washed down the pancakes with a gulp of milk. "I think we'll try something harder tomorrow, like cookies or maybe even a cake."

"You think she's ready for that?" Twilight questioned as she carefully arranged the blueberries and strawberries in perfect even ratios before pouring syrup over the pancakes in straight crisscrossing lines.

Spike struggled. "I think so," he said. "At least, I hope so. We don't have a lot of time left before the bake sale."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Twilight asked. "I mean, I know I don't have a lot of personal experience with baking, but there must be something I can do."

"Nah, that's okay," Spike said as he took another bite out of his pancakes. "I guess you could always taste test, but you're busy enough as it is. What happened today anyways? You looked horrible."

"Thanks for the honest assessment," the princess grumbled with a roll of her eyes. "I had to cut my meeting with the mayor short to help Applejack. A hydra wandered onto Sweet Apple Acres from Froggy Bottom Bog that had to be dealt with."

Spike choked on his milk. "A-a hydra?" 

Twilight nodded. "Yeah, how it got there is still a mystery," she said while adding milk to her cereal. "But at least it wasn't hostile, just a little confused and lost. Well, it was until somepony threw a hoofball at it."

"Yikes," Spike said with a low whistle. 

"No kidding," said Twilight as she lifted the fork to her lips. "So that was the majority of my day, fighting off multi-headed monsters before being lectured by Fluttershy. And..." Twilight suddenly went silent, leaving the sentence unfinished. Spike lifted his head and watch Twilight set the fork on the plate and chewed slowly. She swallowed and smiled at the dragon sitting across from her. 

"Looks like you've been pretty busy yourself," she said as she took up the fork and began to tear the pancakes into chunks. "Rainbow Dash's definitely improved," Twilight praised with her mouth full.

Spike threw his fist up into the air and screamed, "Yes!" His chair clattered against the floor as he leapt to his feet. Spike, with his cheeks bright pink under Twilight's stare and in the presence of her raised eyebrow, immediately set the seat upright and sunk into it. "I-I mean, I bet Rainbow's going to love hearing that."

"Oh Spike," Twilight giggled. "There's nothing wrong with a teacher taking a little pride in the success of their students. Rainbow Dash is improving because you're teaching her. You're doing a good job, Spike."

"Heh, ah well..." Spike's blush deepened, and he rubbed the back of his neck. He coughed and stuck out his chest. "Of course, I mean, come on, it's me," Spike said, his chest puffed out like a bird. "I'm like the..." Spike stared down at his claws and counted silently, lowering fingers and raising them. "...fif--six...no, seventh best cook in Ponyville," he finished proudly as Twilight shook in a effort to contain her laughter. 

"I think you've been spending too much time with Rainbow," the alicorn snickered as her assistant lowered himself into his seat. "Her ego's been rubbing off on you."

"Heh, maybe," Spike said, shrugging. "It's actually kind of fun, teaching Rainbow, I mean."

Twilight smiled. "Well I'm glad you're enjoying your time with Rainbow Dash," she said. "Remember how reluctant you were before? Hmm..." 

Her thoughtful hum drifted down the table. "Something wrong?" Spike inquired as the sound passed him. Twilight shook her head.

"Nothing's wrong," she assured, "there's just something I want to ask Rainbow Dash tomorrow. that's all. She wasn't too keen about being your student at first, so I was wondering if her attitude's changed just like yours did."

"Well, I think she's having fun," Spike said as he wrapped blueberries and strawberries in a syrup-soaked pancake. 

"Really? Because it sounded like the two of you were about to rip each other apart when I stepped in this morning."

Spike waved his claw. "Yeah, but that was that morning. You should have seen her when we were cracking eggs..."

The plates and bowls slowly emptied as Spike's tale continued between mouthfuls. The windows darkened as the day gave way to evening, the orange sky replaced by a sheet of dark blue sprinkled with lights. Even as the princess and her assistant cleared the table and cleaned the dishware, Spike chatted about his and Rainbow's trip to the marketplace and all the little steps they took before Rainbow Dash finally made the pancakes now inside them.

"Sounds like the two of you had one pretty exciting day," Twilight was saying as she led the little dragon down the hall, toward the bedroom. "In all honesty, I never thought Rainbow Dash would have expressed this much enthusiasm for cooking."

"Me neither," Spike said, shuffling closely behind. "Then again, I never thought I'd ever see Rainbow Dash read willingly."

"Hmm, well she gave reading a chance because she found a book that was interesting..."

"Maybe I'm just that good of a teacher, huh?" Spike suggested. Twilight rolled her eyes at Spike's smirk.

"Whatever you say, Spike," she said, playfully jabbing at the dragon's belly before sighing. She opened the door and walked straight to the large bed in the center of the room. "We'd better go to bed soon, tomorrow's going to be another long day."

"Yeah, for the both of us," Spike groaned as he reached toward the ceiling, then bent down to touch his toes. 

Twilight lifted the covers of the bed and dove beneath them. "From what you've told me, it sounds like the two of you are just messing up the kitchen and having fun," she joked as she watched Spike curled underneath his own blanket, making a little nest in his bassinet.

"Doesn't mean it's not hard work," Spike yawned. "H-hey, Twilight?" the dragon began, peeking out of his basket.

"Hmm?" 

"How do you know if something's a date?"

Twilight sat up and stared as Spike hid himself under his blanket. "Why are you asking me?" she asked. "It's not like I have a lot of experience on the subject."

"I was hoping you read something about it," Spike said, "or that Shining Armor or Princess Cadence told you something. I mean, Princess Cadence seems awfully insistent about introducing you to that blue-maned guard."

Twilight pulled her blanket over her own glowing muzzle. "Isn't this something Rarity would know more about?" she asked. "I don't really read romance, but Rarity's a fan of those and she might have some personal...oh, ooh oh." The covers were dropped, revealing Twilight's knowing smile. "I think I get it, Casanova."

"Get what?" Spike asked. Seeing Twilight's smile sent the dragon into a panic, and he frantically tried to untangle himself from his blanket. 

Twilight winced as Spike tripped and sent the basket flipping over. "Guess you need a new bed soon," she said, mentally adding it to her to-do list.

"I-it's not like that," Spike asserted, glowing pink from under the basket. "It's not about Rarity. I mean, I guess it kind of does but not really but, well, not directly, more indirectly sort of I think..." 

Spike's rambling trailed to nothing as Twilight fixed his bed and levitated him on to hers, right next to her. "Aren't you a little young to be thinking about dating?" she said softly. 

"You're the one who says you can never be too young to learn," Spike argued. Twilight laughed.

"That's true," she conceded. "A date is...is..." Twilight turned to the nightstand at her bedside and pulled out a large tome from the drawer. "A particular mouth, day, and year..." she read. "...time or period to which any...time during which anything lasts...ah, here we go, this is what we're looking for," Twilight announced confidently. She tapped the book page and cleared her throat. "Ahem, a social appointment, engagement, or occasion arranged beforehand with another pony, or dragon," the princess added with a grin toward Spike. Spike slowly began to smile back.

"So a date isn't just with your special pony, right? You can have dates with friends?" Spike asked hesitantly.

"Sure seems like it," Twilight answered. "Maybe I do have more dating experience than I thought," she joked.

Spike laughed. "Maybe," he said, giving Twilight a quick hug before jumping off her bed. "Thanks Twilight."

"No problem, Spike," Twilight said as she watched the dragon nestle in his bassinet. "Try to get some sleep, okay. I've got to finish that important date with the mayor tomorrow, and it looks like you've got a pretty big date with Rainbow Dash."

A groan came out of the bundle of blankets. "Not you too," Spike mumble sleepily.

Twilight sat back up. "'Too'? What do you mean, 'too'?" she questioned, turning to Spike. The only answer she received were the dragon's snores. "Good night, Spike," Twilight whispered before resting her head on her pillow and closing her eyes.
> 1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7


Twilight Sparkle awoke to the sound of knocking, of heavy thuds of a hoof banging against crystal. The princess tried to ignore the knocking that echoed through her bedroom and bounced around her ears. She threw her pillow over her head and held it down to the point of smothering. She squeezed her eyes shut, reaching desperately for the dream she was swiftly forgetting. The princess tossed and turned, covering one ear with the bed and the other with her pillow. 

The noise was muffled, but her makeshift earmuffs did nothing to quiet the raucous debate between her conscious and her exhausted body. 

Responsibilities, her conscious had argued in her ear, first gently whispered, then screamed. What if one of her friends was at the door because they needed her help, her conscious guilted. She was a good friend, wasn't she? What would ponies say if they knew the Princess of Friendship failed to help a friend, neglected to care for her subjects, because she refused to rise from beneath her comforter?

Sleep, her tired body countered sluggishly, and Twilight had to admit her body made a good point. Slowly, however, that argument lost ground as Twilight felt sleep slip away from her with every resounding knock, as if the noise had frightened it away. 

"Someone gonna get that?" Spike mumbled, curling more tightly in his basket, barely audible over the pounding. The knocks were growing louder and more frequent. With a defeated sigh, Twilight slowly lifted an eyelid and peeked at the clock on her nightstand. The time incited a loud groan, but it was already too late; her eyes were open, and she was awake. 

"Seriously, who could be at the door so earlier?" Twilight muttered as she peeled away the covers and pushed herself up. She rubbed her eyes, stretched, then walked to the window of her room and slid aside the curtain. "I don't think the sun's even up y--"

Twilight blinked, then rubbed her eyes once more before continuing her stare at the blue pegasus tapping furiously in front of her. "Spike? Spike!"

The dragon fell out of his basket, startled out of his slumber by Twilight's scream. "Foowhatsit?" he groaned as he struggled onto his feet. He glanced toward the clock and frowned. "Twilight, do you know what time--"

The rest of Spike's sentence was cut off by his yelp of surprise as Twilight grabbed him with her magic and pulled him to her side. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" the princess asked.

Spike blinked, then rubbed his eyes. "Uh, are you seeing Rainbow Dash trying to break our window?"

The knocking grew louder. "Yes," Twilight answered. "I don't suppose you know why she's here so early." 

"No idea," said Spike with a yawn. "I thought she always slept in."

"Not if there's something important," Twilight said, frowning. 

Spike shuffled back to his bed and snuggled back in. "Better let her in and see what she wants then," he said, covering himself with his quilt. "I'm going back to sleep, have fun."

Twilight rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to scold her scaly assistant, only to be interrupted by a successive series of angry hoof stomps against the crystal pane in front of her. Twilight poked and prodded at the thick glass panel, searching for a latch or something similar under Rainbow Dash's impatient glare. At last, the window slid open, and Rainbow dove into the room, cushioning her landing with Twilight's bed.

"It's about time," Rainbow grumbled as she tossed aside pillows and the blanket. "I spent, like, an hour trying to get your attention."

Twilight crossed her forelegs over chest and raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Have you counted how many window's this place has?" Rainbow asked. She jabbed a hoof shaking in exasperation at the walls. "And being made out of crystal definitely didn't make anything easier. Finding your room was a shot in the dark."

"And you couldn't just use the front door?" asked Twilight.

"Tried," Rainbow answered, "but no one let me in. Guess no one heard me, castle's a pretty big place after all."

"Oh." Twilight bit her lip. "That's a problem, I'll have to figure something out, like a spell that let's me know when somepony's at the door or maybe a herald or--" The alicorn brought her hoof to her mouth as she stifled a yawn. "Sorry, it's still a little early," she said, shaking her an in an effort to stimulate herself. "Especially for you, Rainbow. What's wrong? Is there the emergency?"

"Emergency?" Rainbow Dash repeated. She frowned and slowly approached the bundle of blankets within the basket at the foot of Twilight's bed. "Nothing's wrong, I'm just here for training."

"Training?" Twilight said. "Well, I suppose I could use a little exercise, but I've got plans for today so let's not go overboard like last time."

"Not flight training." Rainbow's eyes darted around the room before she lowered the voice and whispered, "For, you know, baking. I thought I told Spike I'd be over early tomorrow. He didn't tell you?"

"He..." Twilight began, then rubbed the back of her head. "...might have said something last night while he was telling me about his day, but I didn't think he meant early early. You could have given us an actual time."

"Well I'm here now, come on Spike." Rainbow Dash poked at the blankets. "We're burning daylight--"

"Technically, since the sun isn't up yet, there isn't any sunlight to burn."

"--wasting time here," Rainbow amended, glaring at the sheepish alicorn. "Come on Spike, I got up this morning for a reason, let's get to work."

Spike replied with an incomprehensible grumble and pulled the covers more tightly around him. "We should let him be," Twilight said. She lowered her head and gently nuzzled the quilt-covered dragon. "Baby dragons need their sleep," she added sternly just as Rainbow opened her mouth in protest. 

"R-right, sorry," Rainbow apologized. "Geez, I keep forgetting Spike's just a...well, maybe calling him a kid isn't fair. He doesn't act like one very much."

Twilight giggled. "Sometimes, yeah, but at others?" The princess shook her head. "Give him a few more hours."

"A few more hours?" Rainbow Dash groaned. "What am I supposed to do until then?" 

"Maybe you could get a head start in the kitchen, maybe get some practice in?" Twilight suggested. "Spike'll probably wake up sooner if he smells pancakes. Or smoke," Twilight added with a smirk.

"Hey, it's your kitchen," said Rainbow, throwing up her front hooves. "No skin off my back if I burn it down."

The two mares shared a laugh as they exited the bedroom, leaving behind the snoring dragon bundled tightly in his basket. "So, how were they?" Rainbow asked after they were a good distance away. "The, you know, the pancakes last night. Not too bad, right?"

"Not too bad," Twilight echoed as they made their way down the stairs. She turned and watched Rainbow's confident grin falter. "Yeah, they were pretty good, considering that was your first time."

"Heh, well, what can I say?" Rainbow said, tossing her short colorful bangs with a collected flick of her hoof. "I'm just a natural. Bet Spike's first time didn't go down as smoothly."

"Well, no, but he was four and didn't have anyone guiding him, so that's hardly a fair comparison."

"Wait, really?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, surprised. "He started cooking that young?"

"That was his first time trying anyways," Twilight said. "It didn't end well, but, well..." She shook her head. "Actually, it's kind of a private thing, maybe I shouldn't tell."

"Aw, come on, Twilight," Rainbow groaned. "Now you've got me curious, what happened?"

"Ask Spike, he should be the one to tell it," Twilight said, shaking her head again. "But anyways, I think calling yourself a natural might be going a little far. I don't think a natural would have had so much trouble cracking eggs. You must have spent my entire weekly budget on eggs yesterday, really should have let Spike handle that."

Rainbow Dash winced. "I'll pay you back when this whole thing's over."

"That's alright, I'm happy to help, even if all I can do is provide supplies," Twilight said, pushing open the kitchen door. "But can I ask you a question?"

"A question?" Rainbow shrugged. "Sure, about what?"

"Just..." Twilight waved her hoof indecisively. "It's just, Spike told me how yesterday went--"

"Oh, that can't be good," said Rainbow, crossing her forelegs over her front as she leaned against the counter.

"Calm down, he didn't say anything bad. I just thought your enthusiasm was interesting, surprising even."

"Hey, you know me, I give everything I do one hundred and one percent," Rainbow Dash declared with a grin. She rubbed her hoof against her chest.

"Except for studying," Twilight countered. "And your job as weather manager half of the time."

"Yeah, well, I make up more than enough for it in the other half," Rainbow snorted. "What, you didn't think I'd take baking seriously?"

"No," Twilight answered bluntly, "not really. Well, not as seriously as Spike's been making you seem like."

Rainbow Dash's smile vanished. "What'd he say?"

"From what he told me, it's been a little like that one Applebucking Season Big McIntosh couldn't work, and Applejack tried to do everything herself, only if Applejack started shouting at little dragons for offering help instead of being sleep deprived."

Rainbow ducked her head. "Sorry," she said. "I'll try to cut down on the shouting."

"Spike'll appreciate that. But anyways, I just thought it was a little strange how much you were against receiving help." Twilight walked past Rainbow, toward the refrigerator. "At first I thought you were just being stubborn, that it was a matter of pride or something similar, but then I remembered that you already accepted Spike's assistance as a tutor." The alicorn returned to Rainbow Dash's side by the countertop with butter, milk, and eggs. "Why was cracking eggs for you any different?"

"It...it's just something I had to myself," Rainbow said, raising her head. 

"Something you had to do by yourself?"

"Yeah. I told Soarin' I'd make him a pie," answered Rainbow Dash with a sharp nod. "Not Spike or Applejack or Pinkie Pie; me, a pie from Rainbow Dash. That mean I've got to be able to do everything, the mixing, the eggs, the butter melting, the baking, everything."

"So it's a pride thing?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow nodded. "Exactly, like how it had to be you saving the Crystal Empire, a pride thing."

"Hey, that was a test, not some 'pride thing', it's completely different!" snapped Twilight, her wings shooting open and ruffling her feathers. Rainbow bit back a laugh as she watched the grumbling alicorn pull and push her feathers back into place. 

"Whatever you say," she snickered.

Twilight humphed as she folder her wings back against her side. "Still, all the effort, even if it's just to save face...I've only seen you work so hard during flight training. The stallion's in the Wonderbolts, right?" Twilight narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not trying to bribe Soarin' with pie," Rainbow assured. "I'm already in the reserves, it'd be easier flying my way into the Wonderbolts than learning how to bake."

"I guess." Twilight's expression softened, and she giggled. "Yeah, you're right. Guess you must really like this stallion, huh?"

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash's eyes flew wide. "N-no, it's not like that!" she attested, emphasizing with her forelegs. A bright glow painted her face pink. "I think he's a cool guy and a great flyer and everything, but it's not like that. Seriously, it's not like that, stopping thinking about--"

"Rainbow Dash, be careful!" Twilight shouted, lowering her horn just as Rainbow's wild hoof brushed all the gathered ingredients off the counter. The butter and the plate it had sat on hovered separately in the air, caught in the princess's magic. A wave of milk that had been rushing out of the jug froze in place, still touching the levitated container's lip. Four eggs floated below the carton they had tumbled out, one barely an inch away from splattering against the kitchen floor. Taking a deep breath, Twilight set the ingredients back on the countertop, placing the butter back on the plate and refilling the milk jug as she replaced the eggs into their carton.

"Heh, sorry," Rainbow Dash apologized, turning red. 

"I'm beginning to understand how the kitchen got as dirty as Spike told me," Twilight said with a sigh. 

"Well, at least we cleaned everything up in the end," Rainbow said before shrugging. She leaned forward and stretched, then moved along the cabinets, opening the drawers. "Now, where's that cookbook?" she muttered as she reached inside the cupboards and pantries. Grunting, she pulled the large book out and propped it up against an empty fruit basket. 

"What page is the recipe on?" Twilight asked, looking over the pegasus's shoulder. She pulled the book closer with her magic and opened it near the middle. A pink lacy cloth fell out. Before Twilight could speak, Rainbow Dash swooped by, grabbed the apron, and tossed it into the cupboards, slamming them shut. 

"What?" Rainbow said, meeting Twilight's blank stare. "It's not like I actually need that girly thing. I bet Spike just makes me wear it to tease me."

"Well, I need it," Twilight said, opening the cupboard doors and levitating the apron out. "I can't afford to spend two hours washing flour out of my coat, I've got too much to do." As she spoke, the strings looped together around her neck on their own, pulling the pink cloth tightly over her front. "Alright, how can I help?"

"Just grab me what I need, and I'll do the rest." Rainbow leaned over the recipe book, flipping through pages. "Uh, okay, we need a mixing bowl, and butter, and an egg...no, was it two?"

The kitchen came to life with noise as Rainbow mumbled and searched through the cook book while Twilight gathered utensils and ingredients, only for Rainbow Dash to send them back.


*


Spike smacked his lips together, running his serpentine tongue along the dry walls of his mouth. His eyes squeezed together tightly, and he pulled the blanket over him closer. Slowly, however, Spike's eye lids lifted, revealing the green orbs hidden behind. With a sigh, Spike threw off his comforter. "Guess it's time to get up," he murmured to himself as he pushed himself up and crawled out of his basket. 

Locking his claws together, the dragon reached up and stretched, then started walking out the bedroom. As Spike entered the hallway, he began to count the doors along the wall across. "Bedroom, bedroom..." he muttered as his pointer finger bounced between each door. When his finger landed on the door directly in front of him, he hesitated. Frowning, Spike approached and grabbed the door handle. He pulled the door open and sighed. "Bedroom," he grumbled before moving to the next room over.

The porcelain sink with silver tap and faucet met him on the other side of the door, along with a wet shower mat, a couple of puddles, and an occupied bathtub. Through a sea of bubbles, Rainbow Dash stared at the gaping dragon standing at the doorway. A bright pink flush painted his scales as Spike shuffled out of the bathroom and shut the door behind him. 

The door opened minutes later, and out stepped Rainbow Dash with a towel draped over her back. Spike slowly climbed up onto his feet as she approached. "So, uh, bathroom's free," she said, tilting her head and rubbing the back of her neck. "You, um, didn't see anything, did you?"

"I saw everything," Spike said, crossing her arms together. "The bubbles, the rubber ducky, everything."

"Ponyfeathers," Rainbow groaned. "Look, keep it to yourself, alright? Nopony needs to know that Rainbow Dash likes bubble baths."

"First cooking and now bubble baths, what's with you and trying to hate the things I like?" Spike asked. "Whatever, just let me through, I really need to..." He gestured to the toilet behind Rainbow. "...you know."

"What? Take a leak? Go number one? Water the flowers? Make the bladder gladder? Tinkle?" Rainbow snickered. "Sorry, go ahead," she said, stepping out of Spike's way. "There's breakfast in the kitchen, so meet me there when you're done!" she called out as Spike slammed the door shut. 

Tossing the towel onto the floor, Rainbow Dash made her way back to the kitchen. "Oh, hi," Twilight greeted, setting down the pen she was using. "That was quick, you sure you got all that flour out?" She lifted a cup of orange juice to lips

"Eh, probably," Rainbow said with a shrug. "More or less. Spike walked in on me so I kind of cut the wash short. Whoa!" Rainbow Dash leaped back as juice sputtered out of Twilight's mouth. "Geez, I just took a bath, careful!"

"Spike walked in on you?" Twilight exclaimed, her eyes wide, threatening to bulge out. "As in, while you were bathing?"

"Yeah. What's the big deal?" Rainbow asked. She walked to the counter and reached for the plate of pancakes sitting on it. "Heck, you bring him to those spa sessions, their hot tub isn't much different from a bathtub," she said with her mouth full of food. 

"That's different," Twilight protested. "It, bathing is supposed to be a private thing, and Spike's getting to that age where, if the press got a hold of this, oh, the last thing I need right now is a scandal, especially with the fundraiser so close."

"Don't worry, he didn't see anything important," Rainbow assured, fanning herself with a pancake. "No harm, no foul. Hey, where do you keep the syrup?"

"Third drawer to your left," directed Twilight immediately before shaking her head. "And him walking in on you while you're in the bath doesn't bother you?"

"Nah, not really. Don't get me wrong, I get the whole modesty thing when you're in the bathroom, but come on, it's Spike," Rainbow Dash scoffed. "He's, well..." Rainbow frowned and waved her hoof aimlessly. "He's Spike. I mean, what, you don't trust him or something?"

"What, no!" Twilight nearly shouted. "It's just, I don't want him to, you know, see..." The alicorn coughed. "...things before he's..." She gasped. "And last night he was talking about, can we please talk about something else?" the blushing princess pleaded.

Rainbow shrugged. "What're you writing there?" she asked, pointing at the parchment sitting in front of Twilight. Twilight lifted the paper and shook off the streaks of spittle and orange juice. 

"A checklist--"

"No way."

"It's for you and Spike," Twilight continued, ignoring Rainbow's sarcastic comment. "I took a look through the apple pie recipe in our cookbook and through our inventory and recorded all the ingredients we're missing or that we'd need more on." She held the list to Rainbow Dash but kept it away from her until she had wiped the sticky syrup from her hooves. "Everything is listed in quantities that would ensure enough supply will be present to provide for what I calculate to be the maximum number of attempts and that could be taken within a ten to twelve hour period, with predicted mistakes factored in."

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. "Uh, okay. Now this time, in Equestrian."

"You need to buy enough supplies to practice with so just follow what the list says," Twilight explained. She pulled out a bulging cloth bag tied shut with string. The coins inside clinked together as Twilight dropped it into Rainbow Dash's waiting hooves. "This should be enough bits to pay for everything. Maybe it'd cheaper just to buy all of the replacement books," she added under her breath. "Anyways, I need to get going, try to save a few pancakes for Spike okay?"

"'Kay," Rainbow answered with her mouth full of pancake. "What?" she said under the princess's stare. "That was the last one, promise. The rest are for Spike, sheesh. I thought you had a meeting to get to, like right now. Shouldn't you get moving?" 

The pegasus's words cracked like a whip over Twilight's head, and with a gasp the princess propelled herself out of the kitchen, nearly knocking Spike down as she flew past him at the kitchen entrance. Spike turned his head toward the direction Twilight was going just as a loud slam echoed from the castle's front door. Slowly, Spike got up and dusted his knees.

"Twilight running late?" he asked, walking to the counter. He stretched out his arms toward the plate of pancakes just out of reach. Rainbow Dash pushed the plate closer and slid the syrup holder toward him.

"Yep," she said. "Guess me coming here so early messed her schedule up pretty badly."

"Hmm." Spike lifted a claw to his mouth and yawned. "Guess so," he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Aw come on, don't tell me you're still tired," Rainbow Dash exclaimed. 

"Eh, a little," Spike said as he started to pour syrup on the pancakes. "What's that?" the dragon asked, pointing at the sheet of parchment Rainbow was holding. "Twilight didn't make us a schedule, did she?" 

"It's a shopping list," Rainbow Dash explained, setting the parchment between the plate of pancakes and syrup. Spike leaned over the counter and quickly scanned through it, releasing a low whistle when he had reached the bottom.

"How many pies does Twilight think we're going to make today?" Spike said. "It's going to take us, like, five trips to get everything back to the castle. That, or we need to borrow somepony's wagon."

"Then let's cut some of it down," Rainbow Dash said. She picked up the pen Twilight had dropped and grabbed the list, moving it in front of her. "Maybe half as much," she muttered, scratching out numbers and replacing them with smaller values. "Why the hay would anypony need this much salt to make pies? I still don't get what it's for in pancakes."

Spike shrugged as he set the syrup dispenser aside. Placing the plate between his arms, Spike rubbed his palms together. "I think it's supposed to add taste or something."

"What, make it taste salty?" Rainbow Dash stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes. "Whatever, let's get going," she said, tucking the list underneath a wing. 

"What, right now?" asked Spike just as he bent over to take a bite.

"Yes, right now," Rainbow exclaimed with an irritated exhale. "I need to get as much practice as possible in today so we can't waste too much time getting supplies. Come on, let's go."

"But the market's not open for another hour," Spike protested. 

"Another hour?" Rainbow Dash groaned. "Alright, let's see..." she muttered, taking out the checklist. "Flour, sugar, apples, blah blah blah, I bet Pinkie Pie has extra flour and stuff laying around somewhere, and we can just go to Applejack for apples. They're probably up by now anyways." Carefully, Rainbow folded the list in half, then tore through the crease and gave Spike the top half. "Here, you head to Sugarcube Corner while I go to Sweet Apple Acres, we'll meet back here. Ready?"

"Okay, just--" Spike began.

"Let's go!" Rainbow shouted, taking off into the air and flying out of the kitchen. "Last one back's a rotten--"

Spike ran after her, following Rainbow's tapering challenge. He got as far as the front foyer before stopping, placing his claws on his knees for support as he gasped for air. "Wait, you didn't leave me any bits!" he called out. "Rainbow Dash!" 

His cry faded into an echo, and as he leaned back and groaned, Spike figured that Rainbow wouldn't be returning for him. Like always, the stuntmare was just a little too fast for him. Or perhaps, Spike thought glumly, she had simply ignored him, like always.

Spike shook his head. That wasn't true, he argued as he ran back inside and into a castle study. As he peaked underneath a desk and emerged with a light purple backpack, Spike reminded himself of the times Rainbow had caught him before he had hit the ground and hurt himself. She had followed him with Twilight and Rarity when he left to join the dragon migration. And she came to him of all dragons and ponies for lessons on cooking, that had to have meant something. Spike stuck his chest out and grinned at the thought, and with pride he tightened the straps of his backpack and marched out, taking a quick second to secure the castle door behind him.

He greeted the few ponies he met on his way to Sugarcube Corner, though, like many of Spike's mornings, his trip through was largely uneventful. It didn't take long before Spike stood before the doorstep of massive gingerbread house. He took a deep breath, taking in the aromas wafting through the window and door cracks. Suddenly, Spike couldn't even remember having breakfast. He stepped forward and pushed.

The door stubbornly refused to move. Spike looked around, ducking his head in order to cover his glowing blush, then grabbed the door handle and pulled. Again, the door did not budge. Locked, Spike realized, planting his face into the palm of his claw. He knocked twice,  then rocked back and forth on his heels as he waited. After a few minutes passed, he tried again, and this time he was rewarded as the door flew open so fast, Spike barely had time to leap out of the way.

Pinkie Pie's head popped out of the store. "Spike!" she exclaimed. "You're our first customer of the day! Or, at least I'd say that if we were open right now. Ooh, but maybe I can sneak you in just for day, I need some help cleaning out the mixing bowls full of frosting, and you're the fourth best Ponyville-y for the job!"

"Um, actually, I need to borrow some stuff," Spike said, pulling out his half of the list. "I need..."

"Wowizers!" Pinkie said, holding the piece of parchment at an arm's length. "That's a lot of flour. And eggs. And salt. And--oh wait, do you want the numbers crossed out or the numbers written in the worst hoofwriting ever?"

"The worst hoofwriting ever," Spike answered, snickering.

Pinkie Pie sighed. "Rainbow Dash's writing gets harder to read every day."

"How do you, that's not--"

"Oh yeah, psh, I've got plenty of this stuff," Pinkie said, tossing the list back to Spike. "So what're you and Rainbow Dash up today? Is this for a super big prank?" The earth pony gasped. "How come she didn't tell me about it? How come you didn't tell me about it?" Pinkie Pie's blue eyes began to quiver, and her bottom lip began to tremble. "I thought we were friends."

"We were! I mean, we are!" Spike quickly assured, holding out his open claws. "It's just a, just a..." Spike chewed his lower lip, fighting the urge to wipe away the sweat accumulating on his brow. "It's a secret!" he said suddenly. "Yeah, a secret or a--"

"A surprise?" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, her eyes wide and her mouth gaping. "Is it for a surprise party? Wait, a surprise party I don't know about?" Pinkie gasped again. "Is it for me? Is it my birthday already? Did we miss Gummy's birthday? How long have I been asleep?"

"It's not for a party! Rainbow just needs help practicing for--" Spike quickly covered his mouth, muffling the rest of the sentence. He turned away, fearful of further betrayal on his part, as Pinkie Pie tilted her head and stared, curiosity brimming from her eyes. Spike squeezed shut his own, hoping that somehow, someway, Pinkie hadn't heard his little slip up.

"Practice? Practice for want?" asked Pinkie, leaning forward until her face nearly touched Spike's. "What kind of flying stunt needs a whole lot of eggs and flour?"

"An, uh, awesome one?" Spike said meekly with a strained smile, taking a step back.

"Hmm, something doesn't add up," Pinkie Pie declared, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. Spike jumped out of the way as she started to pace in and out of the bakery. "I mean, I get the eggs, but cinnamon's just ridiculous. If that stuff gets in your eyes..." Pinkie shivered. "Not even Rainbow Dash's daring enough to try the Super Deluxe Loop-de-Loop Dempsey Spice Roll of the Seven Suns."

"The, the what now?"

"Oh, it's this legendary Wonderbolt routine I made up on the fly." Pinkie snorted. "Get it, on the fly? But seriously, if it's not a prank, I can't figure out why Rainbow Dash would need cooking supplies."

Spike began to fidget. "Well maybe--" 

"And weren't you and Rainbow in the market buying flour the other day?" Pinkie Pie continued, her eyes narrowing. "What are you two up to? Tell me!" Pinkie cried, jumping circles around the haggard dragon. "Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell--"

There was a loud ding from inside, and Pinkie gasped. "Muffins are ready!" she shouted before rushing into the store. Spike turned to leave, but before he could run, Pinkie Pie reappeared, screeching to a stop with tray of baked goods in her mouth and a large wagon laden with heavy sacks powdered white, egg cartons, and several plastic bags behind her.

"Sorry 'bout the wait," Pinkie said as she set the tray down. She placed a muffin in one of Spike's claw and the wagon's handle in the other. "If you need anymore, just let your Auntie Pinkie Pie know."

"Wait, you're just giving me everything?" Spike said in disbelief. "Then what was with the third degree?"

"Eh, I had a lot of time to think while on the way to the kitchen," explained Pinkie with a shrug. "I figured, you two must have a pretty good reason to be keeping whatever it is a secret, especially if you have to keep it from me." Her smile faltered slightly. "Kind of wish you and Rainbow could tell me at least, oh well."

Spike lowered his head. "Sorry, Pinkie," he said, "but I promise I wouldn't tell. Rainbow, she--"

This time, it was a pink hoof that covered Spike's mouth. "Uup, uup, uup," Pinkie said, shaking her head and smiling. "You should probably run along before you tell me anything else."

"Yeah, you're right," Spike agreed with a laugh. "Guess I'll see you later then," he said, grunting as he pulled the wagon of supplies toward him. 

"Want some help?" Pinkie Pie offered as she watched Spike struggle with the heavy load. 

"N-no, I've got this!" Spike insisted, pulling with all his might. His face turned pink from the effort, but the wagon barely budged. "Just, just need to, almost got it!"

Pinkie Pie tilted her head, and gently gave the little red cart a small push, sending Spike stumbling forward. "Why don't you use both claws?" she asked.

"Because..." Spike began to explain before recognizing that Pinkie had a valid point. The only thing preventing the use of both claws, Spike swiftly realized, was the muffin he had been holding. His stomach grumbled at the sight of the baked good, reminding him of the plate of abandoned pancakes back at home, and with a shrug, the dragon scarfed the muffin down, barely giving himself time to enjoy it. He swallowed and wiped crumbs off his lips, then placed the freed claw around the wagon handle. This time, when Spike pulled, the wagon moved with him.

The two said their good byes and separated, Pinkie Pie returning to the bakery as Spike slowly made his way through the town. The streets had grown more crowded, and Spike bumped and jostled ponies here and there all the way back to Twilight's castle. Several shot him haughty glares and recoiled when he brushed by or accidentally touched their jackets.

"Geez, what's with these ponies?" Spike muttered to himself as he passed by a group of chortling ladies wearing sun hats and carrying parasols. "They look like they're all from Canterlot. Definitely act like it too," he added, watching a stallion in a top hat tilt his nose upward and sniffed rudely at one of the local flower stand. 

The number of fancy coats and parasols grew as Spike got closer to the castle. Some ponies even sat on checkered blankets and stared at the entrance through opera glasses. The wagon became harder to maneuver, and Spike tried his best to avoid hitting ponies with the burdened cart. Grunts and hisses and exclamations followed him as flour sprinkled onto expensive dresses. At last, the castle doors came into view, where Rainbow Dash and Applejack stood in front of with cart full of barrels.

"What's Applejack doing here?" Spike wondered aloud. Both mares appeared impatient, the dragon observed, so Spike broke into a jog, the fastest speed his load and surroundings would permit. He hadn't gotten far before he felt something pull his arm back, threatening to tear it from his shoulder. Yelping, Spike released the wagon and gently massaged the area around the socket. When the pain subsided, he picked up the wagon's handle and pulled.

The little red wagon refused to move. "Oh, come on," Spike muttered as he grabbed the handle with both claws and tugged as hard as he could. Again, the cart stubbornly stood in place. Spike let go of the handle and walked behind the wagon. He pushed against the back, first with his palms, then with his shoulder. His feet dug into the dirt as he forced the wagon forward. Finally, Spike felt the cart begin to roll.

"Yes!" he exclaimed, only to fall flat on his face once the wagon rolled too far away to support him. Spike's eyes widened in horror as he watched it reach the edge of the slope and began to rocket toward the castle. Spike scrambled to his feet and ran, ignoring the fancy mares and stallions gasping at him.

"Watch out!" he screamed to Rainbow and Applejack as the wagon full of flour and sugar flew uncontrollably towards them. Instead of dodging to the sides, the two mares ran toward the runaway cart and braced themselves. The wagon collided against the makeshift pony barricade, then stopped, coating Rainbow Dash and Applejack with flour but no worse for wear.

"Sorry guys," Spike said once he had reached them.

"No problem, sugar cube," Applejack replied as she dusted powder off her hat. "Of course, you could always make it up to me by tellin' me why Rainbow needs all these apples. And all that flour, egg, and whatever else you got in here," the farmer added, gesturing to the wagon.

"W-what do you mean?" Spike asked nervously. He glanced over to Rainbow Dash, questioning her with a look. Rainbow only sighed and shook her head.

"Rainbow here arrived at the farm just as I was 'bout to leave for market with a whole bunch of bits I know she couldn't have saved. Mare spends every last bit she gets each month," Applejack said, frowning at the shrugging pegasus. "Then she tries buyin' everything I got right here." Applejack pasted the large cart beside her. 

"Come on, Applejack," Rainbow pleaded, "can't you trust a friend?"

"You can't blame me for bein' a little suspicious," responded Applejack with a scowl, "fool me once. Anyhow, I figured I'd better make sure Rainbow here wasn't up to no good, and then she tells me to ask you what's goin' on. Now I find you packing enough ingredients to make enough biscuits to feed an entire family of sleepy bears in the middle of fall. What in Equestria are the two of you up to?"

"W-we're not up to anything," Spike answered, taking a step back. "Really."

"Really?" Applejack asked, frowning as Spike quickly looked away. "Spike, be honest."

"We're just..." Spike kicked at the dirt and shuffled. "W-we're just, you know--"

"We're making, uh," Rainbow Dash suddenly jumped in, "you know, just making--"

"Pies!" Spike blurted out before slamming his claws over his mouth. Rainbow Dash covered her face with a hoof as Applejack raised an eyebrow at him.

"You're, makin' pies?" Applejack said slowly as she considered the squirming dragon. Suddenly, her face lit up. "Oh hey, right!" 

Rainbow Dash fought the urge to cringe as Applejack turned to her. "That's right, you wanted to make a pie for that fella you've been eying."

"Not so loud!" Rainbow hissed. "Just, yeah, all this is for that, just keep it to yourself, okay?"

"Fine, fine, nopony'll hear it from me," Applejack assured, drawing an X over her front. "Honestly, Granny had no idea what I was talkin' about when I asked her how you were learning so I kinda figured you gave up."

"Me, give up?" Rainbow snorted. "Ha, since when does Rainbow Dash admit defeat?"

"Pinkie Pie?"

"Doesn't count," Rainbow immediately said. 

"Well then, I guess you've got this whole baking thing figured out. Who ended up teaching you?" Applejack asked.

"Please, this baking business's easy," Rainbow said, fanning herself with a hoof. "It wasn't too hard to figure it out on my own. I just need a few hours of practice, and I'll be a master at baking."

"Really?" Applejack said. "Huh, who'd have guessed Rainbow Dash of all ponies had a knack at that baking?"

"Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it?" Spike laughed as he tried to push the beaming Rainbow toward the castle. "But we've still got a lot of practice to do, and I'm sure you're busy, so we'll be leaving now."

Applejack stopped Spike and Rainbow with a hoof on Spike's scaly shoulder. "Hold on," she said, "why're you here practicin' at Twilight's? Seems awfully rude, considering she just got the place."

"Oh, well, that's because, uh, I don't have an oven in my house," Rainbow explained quickly. "And, um, oh! Have you seen their kitchen?" she asked, pointing toward the castle. Rainbow stretched her forelegs out as far as she could. "It's huge! Twilight didn't mind since most of it wasn't being used, and, uh, yeah." She let her limbs fall back to the ground and turned to Spike. "Right?"

O-oh, yeah, right!" Spike agreed, nodding furiously.

"Hmm, I guess that makes sense," Applejack considered. "Big castle pro'ly means big kitchen. Still, I'm surprised Twilight let you in there unsupervised."

"Maybe she just trusts me, unlike some ponies," Rainbow declared.

"Hey, I'm there too," Spike announced, placing his claws around his hips. 

"Yeah, and Spike's supervising," Rainbow added.

"Tell ya'll what, why don't the two of you come over to my place to practice?" Applejack suggested. "Granny plannin' to teach Apple Bloom her recipe this mornin' with her friends, and maybe you could learn somethin'. We've got plenty of apples and ingredients so you won't have to keep running to the market for more." The farmer grinned. "And 'course, Rainbow Dash bakin' is somethin' I've got to see for myself."

"Sorry, AJ, but that's kind of a private show," Rainbow Dash answered with a rueful smile. "We don't need more ponies on this secret, and I'm pretty sure I'll manage on my own."

"Shoot, too bad," Applejack sighed. "A darn shame, we were planning a picnic afterwards, figured the more the merry, and--"

"She'll do it!"

Both mares turned to the rapidly reddening dragon. "Spike..." Rainbow began lowly, her eyes narrowing.

"Great, I'll let Granny know," Applejack said as she walked to the cart full of apples and hitched herself to it. "Well, come on ya'll, let's go make some pies."

"Yeah yeah, you go on ahead, we'll catch up," Rainbow said before glaring back at Spike. "Me and Spike got some stuff to deal with first."

"Alright then," Applejack cheerfully exclaimed. "See ya'll in a bit."

Rainbow Dash waited for the farm mare to disappear from sight before whipping around to face Spike. "What. The. Heck?"

Spike cringed under the pegasus's stare. He groaned, crouched down, and wrapped his arms over his face just as Rainbow heard a low, pained growl. "Sorry, Rainbow," Spike said, "but when Applejack said picnic, and then she said pies, like the Granny Smith kind of pies..."

"Are you serious?"

Spike's stomach rumbled again. "All I've had today was a muffin, I wasn't thinking. I heard picnic and pies, and my mind sort of, you know, went blank."

"You went blank?" Rainbow groaned. 

"Sorry."

"Stop it, why didn't you just--" Rainbow Dash stopped herself with a exasperated groan. "Ugh, great, now what?"

"Not my fault I didn't finish breakfast," Spike mumbled toward the ground.

"Yeah, sorry."

Spike raised his head. "Huh?"

"I said I'm sorry," Rainbow said, rubbing the front of her foreleg awkwardly. "I shouldn't have rushed you this morning, but I just wanted to start practicing so badly, and when I realized we had to go grocery shopping first, and then we had to wait for the market to open..."

"Your mind went blank?" Spike asked. Rainbow Dash sighed in response.

"Exactly," she said before falling backwards onto her back. "Now what? Applejack's expecting us so we can't not go."

"Well, maybe this is good," Spike considered. He sat down next to Rainbow, prompting her to roll off her back. "I mean, you'll get to practice, and I've seen the Apple family pantries, they're filled with cooking supplies."

"Yeah, but Applejack and Granny Smith and Apple Bloom'll be there."

"So?" said Spike. "It seems like Applejack and Granny Smith already know you're trying to learn how to bake, and Applejack said she'd keep it a secret. Plus, they think you figured it out on your own, and as long as we're careful, they'll never know I've been teaching, so your reputation'll stay safe."

"It's not that," Rainbow Dash said with a frown. "Well, that's not all of it anyways. I just, well, I don't know if I'm ready."

"Of course you're not ready," Spike replied bluntly. "You've barely gotten pancakes down, that's why we're practicing today."

"Well, maybe I don't feel comfortable practicing in front of an audience."

"Rainbow, come on, you practically live for the spotlight," Spike said, jumping to his feet. "Just like stunt flying."

"Except I know I'm good at flying," Rainbow countered. "But I know I'm not as good at baking as I told Applejack, and when everypony sees me screw up, just, argh!" Rainbow Dash pulled at her mane, lifted her head, and screamed into the sky, causing nearby ponies to stop and stare. She felt something tug at her shoulder and opened her eyes. 

Spike's claw rested firmly around the top of Rainbow's foreleg. "You alright?"

"I'll be fine, I just need a few seconds," Rainbow said, taking a deep breath. "It's just, I want, need to look good when I'm in front of other ponies. I don't want others to think I'm a screw-up or anything."

"Even if it's something like cooking?" Spike asked.

"Cooking, flying, opening a jar of peanut butter."

"What about me?" Spike wondered. "You didn't mind messing up in front of me yesterday."

"Yeah, but it's, well, it's you!" Rainbow flung both forelegs at Spike's direction, gesturing wildly. "Come on, it's you."

Spike crossed his arms. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" he asked.

"I didn't mean it like a bad thing, it's, it's, I don't know," Rainbow said with a shrug. "I don't know why, but messing up around you isn't embarrassing. It's still frustrating as heck, but I don't feel like I screwed up. It's like, it doesn't feel like you're judging me or something, and it's okay to make mistakes."

"I don't get it."

"Yeah, me neither," Rainbow muttered. 

"Well, why would Applejack and Apple Bloom and Granny Smith be any different? They're your friends too. I don't think they'd judge you too harshly for burning a couple of pies." Spike rubbed his chin thoughtfully before adding, "They'd probably even expect that from you."

Now it was Rainbow Dash's turn to act indignant. "Hey!" she growled, leaping up onto her feet. Spike quickly held up his claws defensively.

"Just saying you shouldn't worry so much about what Applejack and her family thinks about your cooking," he said. "Applejack knows you're still practicing, and something tells me she didn't fall for everything you said." Spike lowered his arms and made his way to Rainbow's side. "Look, I'll be with you all the way, just like with the pancakes. Just follow the recipe, and you'll be fine, and if this really doesn't work out, we can always return to the castle to practice instead."

Rainbow Dash regarded Spike with a careful scrutinizing look. "You really want to go on this picnic, huh?"

"By now it's probably already closer to lunch than to breakfast," Spike said with an eager nod.

"Apple pies do sound pretty good right now," Rainbow admitted with a sigh. "Well, Applejack took all the apples so it's not like we've got much choice. Alright, grab the cookbook, we've got a show to put on."
> Preheat Oven to 220 Degrees C
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	

Chapter 8


Twilight always insisted it was all in his head. Most of the roads in Ponyville were dirt, not like the cold cement streets of Manehattan or the stone paved trails leading to the castle in Canterlot. Saying that the road leading to Sweet Apple Acres seemed dirtier than all the other dusty roads of Ponyville was just plain silly, not to mention awfully rude, and yet as Spike walked right below Rainbow Dash as she flew, he couldn't help but think otherwise. 

Still, it was a nice little way of gauging one's position: the dirtier your feet, the closer you were to the apple farm. Spike wiggled his toes, rubbing away the collection of dust between them. "You sure you don't want to go over the recipe first?" he asked Rainbow, lifting the large cookbook. A few pink strings and some cloth peeked out from between the pages.

Rainbow shook her head. "Too risky," she said. "You saw those ponies laughing at us when you started reading the recipe out loud. We almost blew my entire reputation back there."

"They were in front of the prank store, they could have been laughing at anything," said Spike. "Besides, there's nopony out here except for us."

"Dude, that kind of thinking's what reveals secrets," Rainbow Dash groaned. "You know, it's one of those phrases that practically begs the universe to mess with you,"

"Like, what's the worse that could happen?"

"Exactly," Rainbow answered with a nod. "We're pretty close anyways, I don't think I can memorize that recipe in, like, three minutes."

"You don't have to memorize it, just get a little familiar with it," Spike said. He decided against pursuing the issue further however, and he carefully tucked the heavy book under his arm. Rainbow was right, they were getting rather close. From where he stood, Spike could already see the barn, or rather, what was left of it. 

"Looks like Applejack's going to need another barn raising," noted Rainbow as she followed Spike's gaze. "That thing looks like it'll fall apart any second."

Spike nodded in agreement. The barn desperately needed a new coat of paint to replace the red peels barely hanging onto the blacken walls. A huge chunk of the roof was gone, as if ripped away, and one of the large doors that should've been guarding the entrance was missing.

"I wonder what happened there," Spike said. "You think that was recent?"

"Maybe. I mean, I didn't ask the last time I was here, and that was only--" Rainbow Dash grimaced. "Oh, this can't end well."

"Why? What's wrong?" asked Spike as they approached the farmhouse. 

"Just remember stuff. I get that Granny Smith's pretty awesome for the whole zap apples thing and the founder of Ponyville shtick, but she still, well, she's still kind of old," Rainbow said. "She thought I was Fluttershy or something and kept trying to tell me the story of how she met Applejack's granddad." The pegasus shook her head as she landed on the front porch of the house, next to the bushel of apples. "Yeah, don't know what I'm supposed to learn from her."

"Well, it'll be good practice at least," Spike said, raising a claw and knocking on the door.

"It's open, come in!" somepony yelled from inside. The two entered the house and almost immediately bumped into Applejack. 

"Oh, hey, good to see you," she said. Applejack quickly adjusted her hat's position on her head. "Granny and Apple Bloom and her friends are in the kitchen. You're just in time, they haven' started yet. Y'know remember where the kitchen is?"

"Nope." Rainbow Dash frowned. "Wait, when was the last time I was actually inside your house?"

"Well, there was a couple of days ago when you were lookin' for somepony to teach you bakin'," Applejack answered. "And then there's was, uh, y'know..." The farmer started to frown as well. "Huh, well, welcome to the homestead, make yourself at home. Kitchen's where all the noise is at. I know Spike knows where it is so you can just follow him."

"Aren't you helping out too?" Spike asked as Applejack nudged her way by. 

"Gotta bring in a few more apples," Applejack explained. "Don' worry, I'll be back soon. I told you," she said, smirking at Rainbow, "I gotta see Rainbow Dash bake for myself. That should be a hoot."

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Way to be a supportive friend, AJ," she said.

"Here you stand usin' my apples and my supplies in my house, I think I've been pretty supportive," Applejack said with a chuckle. "You two had better get to the kitchen, before they start before you." With a final nod, Applejack made her way past Spike and Rainbow and pushed open the front door. Spike and Rainbow watched as the door swung shut behind the earth pony before making their way toward the kitchen. Spike led the way through the rooms filled with well used pieces of furniture and apple related knickknacks. 

A large open book laying on the little table beside the rocking chair, its contents revealed to the world. The grainy photograph it showed of maybe three dozen ponies, of all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, and ages, standing in front of a barn caught Rainbow's attention, and she walked towards it for a better look.

Spike turned around, noticing that he and Rainbow were suddenly separated. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"Looking for some blackmail material," Rainbow said. "Got to pay Applejack back somehow."

"For letting us use her apples and her supplies in her house?"

"What, no, it's for the whole teasing thing," Rainbow Dash said. "You know, for saying that junk about how she had to see me bake? Come on, help me look."

Reluctantly, Spike stood next to Rainbow and peeked into the photo album Rainbow Dash was flipping through. "What are we looking for?" he asked.

"Baby pictures, Applejack playing dress up or getting kissed, anything silly," Rainbow replied.

"Like that one?" Spike pointed at a picture of a little orange foal sitting underneath a picnic table. The top of filly's head was hidden under a pot she wore as a helmet, with a pair of short, stubby, yellow tails sticking out. Freckles, crumbs, and apple sauce dotted her chubby cheeks, and she raised her sticky, short legs upward. She was leaning forward with her mouth wide open, as if to devour the camera. Rainbow and Spike glanced at each other for a second before bursting into laughter.

"Oh, oh, that's a good one!" Rainbow Dash breathed, grabbing the chair for support. Spike nodded in agreement, unable to form words as laughter spewed from his mouth. 

A third chuckle came from behind. "Yep, I remember that reunion like it was yesterday."

Struggling to stifle their giggles, Rainbow and Spike raised their heads and found the old Apple matriarch in front of them, dabbing at the edge of her eye as she chortled. "Yeah, the year of the missin' fritters," Granny Smith said fondly, "and Aunt Crabapple's lucky soup pot. That mare never really forgave Applejack completely."

Rainbow slowly shut the photo album. "H-hey, uh..." Rainbow turned to Spike and whispered, "What do I call her?"

"Granny Smith, what else?"

"No, that's weird," Rainbow asserted. "I mean, she's not my grandma."

"What're you young'un's babblin' about, eh?" Granny Smith asked, squinting at the two whisperers. 

"Just wondering if you'd mind us calling you Granny Smith," Spike replied innocently, ignoring Rainbow as she cradled her face in between her hooves and groaned. "Can we?"

The old mare laughed and rubbed the little dragon's head roughly, folding over a few of the dull spikes on his head. "Aw, ain't that precious? Course you can, little fella. Come on, you two, Applejack told me you were gonna join us for a little bit of pie makin'. Jus', ah, give me a moment." Granny Smith scowled as she narrowed her eyes at the coffee table before moving her glare toward the book shelves. "Darn fangled spectacles, you two see any glasses lyin' 'round here?"

"You mean like the ones on your head?" Rainbow deadpanned with a raised eyebrow.

"Eh?" Granny Smith patted the top of her head, knocking the pair of glasses lodged in her mane onto her nose. "Well, whadda know? How in Equestria did it get there?" She chuckled and adjusted the glasses so that they stood straight. "Well, come on now, get to the kitchen," she said, motioning toward Rainbow Dash and Spike. "We haven't all day, y'know."

Spike grabbed the recipe book and cloth inside and hurried behind Rainbow as the two followed Granny Smith into the kitchen. Clanks and bangs of metal pots and pans and groans of annoyance greeted them as they stepped into the room. 

"It was Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exclaimed immediately, pointing at the unicorn under the mountain of pot lids. Sweetie Belle muttered under her breath as she tried to pull herself out.

"I didn't mean to," the filly said shyly, staring at the ground. "I just, I don't know, thought we could help set things up before you got here."

Granny Smith smiled and pulled Sweetie Belle free. "Not sure how that's gonna help, but I appreciate the effort. You know what they say about hard work."

"That it's hard?" Rainbow whispered. Spike covered his mouth and snickered.

"Do you think we could get our cutie marks in pie makin', Granny?" Apple Bloom asked, bouncing in excitement. Sweetie Belle began to jump as well, leaving Scootaloo alone to stand about awkwardly still.

"Don' see why not," Granny Smith declared. "Speakin' of which, you ever hear 'bout how I got my cutie mark? Now that's a tale, course I always tell it 'round a nice pipin' hot plate of pie. Helps works the appetite. Speakin' of which," she said with a smirk, "who's ready to make a few?"

The Crusaders cheered, striking the air with their hooves. Even Scootaloo joined in as the fillies cried out, "Cutie Mark Crusader pie makers, go!"

"Well gather 'round the table," Granny Smith ordered as she ducked down and started opening cabinets. "And make sure you've got plenty of room, there's a bunch of you, and I don' wanna see any hittin'."

The three fillies crowded around the kitchen table, which held several large mixing bowls, a rolling pin, and a stick of butter. Three sets of eyes stared as Rainbow Dash and Spike approached as well, and they shuffled slowly along to make room. The fillies watched as Spike opened the book he carried and removed a lacy pink apron from between the pages.

Rainbow lowered herself, letting Spike drape the apron over her neck. As he began to secure the straps behind her, Rainbow noticed the wide eyed stare Scootaloo was giving her and paled. 

"Rainbow Dash," the pegasus filly began, "you, uh, what are you doing with that girly apron?"

"I, really don't want to take another bath today," Rainbow answered, rubbing the back of her head. "Flour's kind of a pain in the flank to wash off."

Apple Bloom leaned forward over the table. "Hold on, you're gonna be makin' pies with us?" she asked.

"Uh, well..." Rainbow chewed her lip as she tried to avoid Scootaloo's stare. Aw, ponyfeathers she thought. "I, er--"

"We switched bodies!" Spike suddenly exclaimed, drawing everypony's attention. "Y-yeah, we, uh--"

"It was a spell," Rainbow Dash jumped in. "You know, Twilight."

"Yeah, and I, I mean, Spike wanted pies so that's why we're here," Spike continued.

"But why are you trying to bake as Rainbow?" Sweetie Belle asked. "That seems like an awful lot of work just for some lunch."

"Because--" Rainbow Dash and Spike said at the same time. The two turned around and whispered frantically. After a few moments of panicked deliberation, Rainbow Dash and Spike turned back around.

"Because I, Spike, really wanted pies," Rainbow Dash answered confidently. "And, and, uh, Applejack told me I'd have to help out first."

"And I, Rainbow Dash, don't know how to bake because, uh..." Spike scratched his head and frowned. "Oh, right! Because that's just how I roll!"

"Fly," Rainbow Dash hissed.

"Fly, because just how I fly." Spike placed his claws on his hips and tried to grin. Rainbow tapped on the dragon's shoulder and shook her head, and Spike let his arms fall back against his side. "Was that right?" he whispered.

"You make a horrible me, but I think they're buying it," Rainbow whispered back. "So yeah, that's what's up," she said more loudly, this time toward Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom. The three fillies turned to each other, then stared back at Rainbow and Spike.

"Uh huh. If you say so," Scootaloo said slowly, sitting back down. All three wore a thoughtful frown, but before anypony could say more, Granny Smith marched by. 

"Now," the old mare exclaimed, pulling the largest mixing bowl toward her, "apple pies are like--"

"Ooh, ooh!" Sweetie Belle suddenly said as she waved a hoof wildly in the air, forcing Scootaloo and Apple Bloom to duck. "Like being sisters! You can have amazing apples, and you can have a wonderfully crispy crust, but only together can you have a perfect apple pie." Everyone in the kitchen stared with varying degrees of confusion as the little unicorn relaxed and settled down. "What?" she asked.

Granny Smith shook her head, "Well, I plumb forgot what I was gonna say, but I guess Sweetie's right," she said with a shrug. "Ain't gonna get anywhere without a decent crust, so that's what we'll be workin' on first. Everypony grab a bowl."

A flurry of hooves flew across the table, reaching for the mixing bowls. Once one was in front of each pony, Granny Smith continued, saying, "Now for some flour, can't make crust without flour. Now where did I put that sack?"

"I've got it," Spike said, leaping up and making his way to the giant bag in the corner that was as large as him. Some white powder fell onto the floor as he tried to lift it. Granny Smith quickly went to Spike's side. 

"That's alright, Spike," Granny Smith said, coaxing the bag out of dragon's arms. "Why don' you, uh..." She looked around the kitchen anxiously. "Why don' you sit here and make sure these pots don' go anywhere?"

Spike blinked at the pile of pots Sweetie Belle had escaped from. Slowly, he lifted a finger and pointed. "These?"

"Yep, jus' make sure they don' leave and, uh..." The elderly mare's eyes wandered aimlessly until they came across the window above the sink and noticed the red stallion walking by with his back burdened with gardening supplies. "Actually, why don' you go help Big McIntosh?" Granny Smith suggested. "Ain't much around here for you to do anyhow."

"Help Big Mac?" Spike glanced nervously at Rainbow Dash, who in turn shot him an anxious look and shook her head furious. "But I want to help you guys," Spike said. "I could--"

"Aw, you're a sweet fella," Granny Smith cooed as she nudged the dragon out the kitchen, "but don' you worry 'bout us. We've got everythin' under control in here."

Rainbow Dash stood up. "Uh, maybe he could--" she began, only to struggle in articulating the rest of the sentence. What was she going to say, help her? Rainbow sat back down. Saying anything like that would just draw unwanted suspicion. She turned to the trio of fillies sitting next to her. Between the three of them, somepony was bound to figure out that something was wrong, and Rainbow had to admit, she and Spike weren't dealing with invasive questions very well.

And besides, Spike had helped plenty already, having guided her through the basics. Rainbow Dash had to admit, Spike was a pretty decent teacher, but wasn't there always an opportunity for the student to prove themselves and shine? She stared at the ingredients and utensils spread over the table, then looked down at her hooves. She couldn't have somepony or somedragon hold her hoof forever, Rainbow thought with a snort. She had to try doing this without Spike's assistance. She was ready, Rainbow Dash added confidently.

I'll thank Spike later, with a slice of authentic Rainbow Dash-made pie.

"Somethin' funny, Rainbow?" Apple Bloom asked, wiping the grin off of the pegasus's face.

"Huh? Oh, just a-a joke Pinkie Pie told me," Rainbow hurriedly explained. "Heh, classic Pinkie."

"Oh, I love Pinkie Pie's jokes," Sweetie Belle giggled. "Was it the one about frog that got turned into an orange and became friends with a rock?"

Scootaloo started to laugh. "Hey, I remember that one. That's definitely a good one."

"I don' think I've heard that one before," Apple Bloom said with a frown. "How does it go?"

"Okay, so there's this orange that got turned into a frog--"

"No, no," Sweetie Belle interrupted, "it's a frog that got turned into an orange."

Granny Smith barged into the kitchen just as Scootaloo opened her mouth to argue. "Whew, now that that's taken care of, we can finally get started." The bag of flour slowly approached the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Rainbow Dash as Granny Smith shoved it forward, grunting with each step. 

"Why'd you make Spike leave?" Sweetie Belle asked as Rainbow Dash glided to the old mare's side and offered to take the heavy sack instead. "It sounded like he really wanted to help."

Granny Smith sighed and made her way to the sink and washed her hooves. "Last time this place saw his help, me an' Applejack spent an hour cleaning batter off the floor, ceilin', and all four walls." She shook her hooves dry. "A determined little fella, just not all that careful. Hate to say it, but his help ain't 'actly all that helpful. Least he can't do too much damage with Big Mac around. Don' think he would've had much fun in here anyways," Granny Smith added as she took a seat beside her granddaughter just as Rainbow dropped the flour next to the table.

"Now where was I?" Granny Smith muttered as Rainbow returned to her seat. "Oh, that's right, crust. Can't have a pie without crust, and you can't have crust without dough. So everypony start gettin' some flour into those bowls. Cups over on the counter."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders made a mad dash to the counter, grabbing for the differing styled cups. Rainbow stared at the one she managed to get, rotating around to examine every side. It looked nothing like the measuring cups she had used before, what with it's ceramic composition and odd red color. It didn't look much different from a normal drinking mug.

Granny Smith walked by and stopped beside her. "Somethin' wrong?" 

"Huh? Oh, yeah. It's just, where are the lines and numbers?" Rainbow asked, holding the cup toward the older mare and pointing at its solid sides. "How do I, well, measure what I'm adding?"

"Oh, we haven't got 'nough measurin' cups for everypony, and I figured gettin' everypony to share was as smart as cooking pig slop," Granny Smith patted Rainbow's shoulder and smiled. "Don' worry too much 'bout it, jus' added as much as you feel is right."

"As much as I feel is right?"

Granny Smith nodded. "Of course. Bakin's not somethin' you can jus' teach, you know. Gotta follow them instincts." She gestured to the flour bag that the Cutie Mark Crusaders were crowding around. Already, the floor near it was covered in the white powder as Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo fought to fill their bowls. "Go on, give it a try."

"Okay, if you say so," said Rainbow, her words lacking her usual confidence. She scowled and tightened her grip on the cup. "Okay," she said again, this time with more conviction. She walked up to bag and reached over Scootaloo's shoulder. One cup ought to be enough Rainbow decided as she dipped her cup into the bag and filled it to the brim. She removed the cup and brought it to her bowl. 

As Rainbow poured the flour into the bowl, she looked across the flour covered table at the Crusaders' bowls. Scootaloo had nearly filled hers entirely while Rainbow could barely see the flour in Sweetie Belle's bowl. Apple Bloom was somewhere between the two, using about the amount of flour Rainbow had. Rainbow tapped her chin thoughtfully as she considered the contents of her own mixing bowl. Apple Bloom probably had the most experience out of the three fillies (maybe even more than her, Rainbow begrudgingly added), so hopefully she was on the right track.

Before Rainbow could contemplate further, Granny Smith approached, wrinkling her nose at the sight of the mess in front of her. "Eh, looks like we'll hafta draw ya'll a bath when we're done. Well, 'cept for Rainbow." 

The old mare pointed at the pink cloth protecting the pegasus's front, making Rainbow Dash blush. "Now that's smart. Scootaloo, we're makin' pie, not bread. You don' that much flour, share some with, uh, oh right, Sweetie Belle."  Granny Smith nodded. "Yeah, you're gonna need a lot more than that, Sweetie Belle. And be a little more careful when you're pourin', yeah? You're covered in so much flour, I can't even tell what your coat color's supposed to be."

Sweetie rubbed her cheeks and stared at her hooves as her friends giggled beside her. "Wait, I'm supposed to be white, aren't I?" she whispered to them. "I can't tell, do I have flour on my face?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo's laughs grew.

"Next, ya'll wanna add a pinch of salt. Jus' a pinch, mind you," Granny Smith continued, holding up a white salt dispenser for everypony to see before passing it over to Rainbow Dash. "Go ahead, and remember, jus' a pinch."

A pinch? What does that mean? Rainbow held up the salt container and gave it a shake. "Spike, what's a--" She quickly shut her mouth and chewed at her cheek. Spike, not being present, hadn't heard, and Rainbow hoped everypony else hadn't either. "So, just a pinch, huh?" she said, keeping her tone steady as she tipped the dispenser over her bowl and jerked it. Uncertain if any had even entered the mix, she shook the dispenser again before passing it over to Scootaloo.

The filly regarded the salt with narrowed eyes. "Pies are supposed to be sweet, right?" she asked. 

"You bet your boots, 'least apple pies are." Granny Smith's face twisted in disgust. "Don' know about them sour cherry ones, 'course every family has that one cousin that just tastes things differently. Apple Bloom's old great aunt, her special recipe used a dozen ripe green apples and--"

"Okay, so what's the salt for?" Scootaloo held it away from her at foreleg length. "Salt's, well, salty, right? I'm not being crazy, am I?" She looked to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle before turning to Rainbow for support. She breathed out in relief when all three nodded and continued, saying, "You sure we're supposed to use salt and not something like sugar?"

"As sure as cider and bits next to a rodeo clown's hearse."

Apple Bloom whistled. "That's pretty sure."

"Salt brings out the flavor," Granny Smith explained. "You want something sweeter? Add a little bit of salt. An' don' go askin' how it works," the old mare added with a wag of her hoof. "Earth pony secret. Maybe we don' got fancy horns or wings, but we've still got some magic tricks up our sleeves too, you know." 

Sweetie Belle pounded on the table. "I knew cooking was witchcraft!" she exclaimed.

As Apple Bloom and Rainbow stifled their snickers and Sweetie Belle shrunk under Granny Smith's disapproving gaze, Scootaloo stared with a frown at the salt dispenser before her. She nudged it toward Apple Bloom. "Um, I think I'll go without it."

Granny Smith shrugged. "Eh, suit yourself."

"Well, what happens if I use more than just a bit of salt?" Apple Bloom asked. "If a pinch'll give the pie more flavor, would addin' more give even more flavor?"

"It don' work like that," answered Granny Smith with a shake of her head. "Too much salt'll ruin a pie. You've got to be careful. Enough to bring out the flavor, but not without makin' everythin' salty."

Apple Bloom held the salt over the flour she gathered. "So a pinch?" she said, giving the container a shake.

"Exactly." Granny Smith took the salt and passed it to Sweetie Belle. "Your turn. Careful now," she warned, grabbing the dispenser as it shook and wobbled in the unicorn's grip. "Remember, you've got to add just the right amount. Not too much, else--"

The container slipped out of Sweetie Belle's hooves and landed into her bowl, opening first. Little pale salt grains streamed into the mix, building up increasingly visible white mountains amid the floury dunes. Gasping in panic, Sweetie's horn alighted and encased the salt dispenser in a similar glow. As she tried to remove it from the bowl, the dispenser lid slid off, dumping the rest of the contents in. 

As Sweetie Belle hid herself behind her hooves, the dispenser was released and dropped into the salt and flour. Debris from both flew out and painted the kitchen table, the floor, and the mares close by. 

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"Ah, ain't a problem," Granny Smith assured, chuckling. She patted the filly's shoulder, then grabbed the cup Sweetie Belle had used for retrieving flour. With the cup, Granny Smith scooped out what salt she could, putting it and any flour that came with into the emptied container. "There you go. It ain't pretty, but you can still use it for practice."

"I guess I won't be getting a cutie mark in baking any time soon," Sweetie Belle said, frowning. Granny Smith gave her another encouraging pat.

"Aw, cheer up, filly. Ain't no shame to mess up on your first try. The important thin' is that you stick to it." The old mare pushed the bowl toward Sweetie Belle, who caught it and stared inside. She took a deep breath, sat up, and nodded, grabbing onto the bowl.

"Alright," she said with more confidence, "what's the next step?"

Granny Smith beamed before making her way to the refrigerator and ducking her head inside. "So, let's see. We've got flour, salt, what next? Ah, of course." She shut the refrigerator and returned to the table, setting down a bright yellow bar on a plate.

Scootaloo leaned forward and stared with a raised eyebrow. "First salt, now butter?" 

"Makes the dough smooth an' easier to work with," Granny Smith said, pulling open drawers and searching through them. "Now where did I, ah! Here it is," she announced, removing a dull, silver knife and placing next to the butter. Apple Bloom reached for the blade, only to recoil with a yelp as Granny Smith batted her hoof away.

"I'm doin' this step for you. Now don' you start complainin'," she said just as the Crusaders started to cry out. "The last thin' I need is for a mob of angry ponies knockin' down my door 'cause you cut yourselves.

"With a butter knife?" Scootaloo said, rolling her eyes.

Granny Smith nodded. "You'd be surprised." She turned to Apple Bloom who groaned.

"One time," the filly muttered. Granny Smith ignored her as she passed the butter and the knife to Rainbow Dash. 

"Well, go ahead an' cut off a few chunks," she instructed her. "You want a good bit, enough to hold in your hoof. You, uh, know how to use that, right?" Granny Smith asked as she watched Rainbow stare blankly at the blade. Rainbow Dash shook herself quickly.

"What? Yeah, of course," she said, picking up the knife. Rainbow pressed it into the butter and pushed down. The blade sunk slowly through the yellow bar, stopping in the center. Rainbow pressed down on the handle again, forcing the knife forward until it clattered against the plate and bounced out of her hold. 

Everypony ducked as the knife and butter chunk flew through the air. The butter landed in Sweetie Belle's bowl, kicking up a small white cloud while the knife buried itself blade first in Scootaloo's flour. Slowly, with caution, everypony peeked from under the table. 

Rainbow Dash rubbed her neck sheepishly. "Heh, oops?"

"That. Was. Awesome!" Scootaloo screamed. She leapt up onto the table and stared at the knife handle sticking out of her bowl. "Did you guys see that?"

"I think we were a little busy tryin' not to get skewered," Apple Bloom deadpanned as she returned to her seat. "By a butter knife."

"Ooh, do you think next time you could get the butter into my bowl?" Scootaloo asked, her wings buzzing with excitement. "Come on, that'd be super cool."

Granny Smith yanked the knife out of Scootaloo's bowl with a humph. "I think I'll be handlin' the rest of this job now," she said, frowning at Rainbow Dash. The pegasus quickly held up her hooves and leaned back.

"No objections here," she said before giving Scootaloo a quick nudge. "Maybe next time, squirt," she whispered, winning a short laugh from the filly as Granny Smith sliced off small pieces of butter into the mixing bowls. Once everypony had received some, she set the knife in the sink.

"Alrighty, now before we add water, we've got to start mixin' everythin' together. Now we don' have enough of these spoons for everypony," Granny Smith said, holding up a pair of large wooden spoons, "so you'll have to share. One of you'll mix, an' the other'll add the water, then you switch."

"Let me guess," Apple Bloom said with a slight sneer just as Scootaloo opened her mouth, "dibs on Rainbow Dash?" Everypony laughed as Scootaloo started to blush and sputter. Rainbow extended a wing and blanketed the younger pegasus's back. 

"So, you want to mix first or water?"

"Mix," Scootaloo answered, nodding frantically. "I mean, if you're cool with it," she added, hiding her excitement with a shrug. "It doesn't really matter, I'm good with whatever."

"No problem." Rainbow stretched forward and grabbed her cup. "I'll get the water."

"You don' need a whole lot of water," Granny Smith explained as Rainbow and Sweetie Belle made their way to the sink. "Just maybe a fourth of a cup. And you want to add it in slowly, just a little bit each time. It ain't cider, so no need to pour it like it is."

"Ooh, cider in pies." Sweetie Belle licked her lips. "That sounds good."

Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Cider sounds good with anything." The two returned to the table with partially filled cups, Sweetie Belle making her way to Apple Bloom's side and Rainbow to Scootaloo's. Apple Bloom tapped her spoon against her bowl while Scootaloo waved hers in the air as Rainbow approached. 

"Alright, now add a little water. Just a bit."

At Granny Smith's command, Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle tipped their cups to the side, adding a portion of its contents into the mix. As she pulled hers away, Rainbow stared into the cup, giving it a shake. She watched the water slosh around and frowned. Wow, already used a lot, not much water left. Is this going to be enough?

"Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow lifted her head. "Yeah?" 

Gooey tannish glop dripped off of Scootaloo's spoon. "Is something wrong?" the filly asked. "You looked kind of, um, worried."

"Me? Worried?" Rainbow scoffed. "Please, as if. Why would I be worried?"

Scootaloo shrugged. "I don't know, you had this weird look on your face, like you were thinking hard about something. Hey, can you add some more water?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure." More water was poured into the bowl, this time more slowly and more controlled, with both of Rainbow Dash's hooves around the cup's rim. She watched as Scootaloo struggled to move the spoon stuck in the mix. She added just a little bit more water, and slowly, Scootaloo's spoon began to cut through the hardening flour. 

"Alright, I got this," the filly declared as she forced the spoon forward, then back.

"Make sure you get that butter all in there," Granny Smith instructed, standing over Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "You gotta make all crumby. Put your back into it now, gotta get all nice an' mixed. C'mon, ya'll."

Grunts and encouragements resonated through the kitchen as the ponies shaped their mix into lumps of dough. At last, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom laid their spoons on the table and leaned back in their seats. Granny Smith regarded the dough with scrutinizing eyes and glared into the bowls. 

"Scootaloo? Yours isn't mixed thoroughly enough, I can still see the butter in the flour," she said, pushing the bowl back. "Apple Bloom, I don' know if you didn' enough water or had too much flour, but that dough ain' sticking together very well." To demonstrate, the old mare dug the spoon Apple Bloom dropped into the dough. The white lump broke apart into smaller chunks as Granny Smith pulled the spoon out. She rapped it against the bowl's edge, shaking off the clinging bits of flour. "Alright, swap places. Let's see if your friends can do better."

As Scootaloo made her way to the sink, with her cup in her hooves, Rainbow stared at the large wooden spoon she held. She rotated it around her hoof before settling it into a sturdy grip. She drew a few circles in the air, mixing an imaginary batter. "More evenly," she muttered, slowing down. "Get the center."

"What was that?" 

Rainbow Dash quickly placed the spoon back down. "Nothing, just, nothing," she assured Scootaloo. "You got enough water?"

"Yep." Scootaloo tapped the cup, making waves with its contents that threatened to wash over the sides. "Here we go," she announced, leaning the cup over the bowl's edge. Already, the water began to soak through the flour, causing it to go hard. 

"Whoa, careful!" Rainbow exclaimed. She could feel the flour grab hold of her spoon, threatening to wrestle it out of her grasp. Fighting back the urge to growl at the utensil, Rainbow forced the spoon through the mix. Her frustration grew as the spoon moved excruciatingly slow. 

"Come on," she muttered under her breath, too quiet for Scootaloo to hear, "this wasn't so hard before." Rainbow lifted her head and turned to the filly beside her. "More water."

Scootaloo shook the empty cup and shrugged. "Sorry," she said, just as Granny Smith walked over and looked into Rainbow's bowl and frowned.

"Well, you've got the sides at least, but don' forget to get the center. An' be more even, the crust'll taste funny if the butter ain't spread out." Granny Smith opened her mouth to continue, but she was interrupted by a loud crash that shook the kitchen. Everypony's head turned to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, whose faces were covered in wet, muddy flour. The handle of the spoon, with its bowl missing, floated in the air, held aloft by Sweetie's magic.

"It was an accident!" Sweetie Belle shrieked, dropping the wooden handle. "I just thought I'd speed things up with my magic."

"You can't speed things up with bakin', young'un," Granny Smith said as she ushered the unicorn toward her granddaughter and threw a towel over the heads of the two fillies. "The best things in life are the things we take our time with. Otherwise, you just end up with a pile of phooey, like with those two Flim Flam scoundrels. Or here," Granny Smith added, gesturing at the empty bowl on the ground. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shared an embarrassed look before giggling.

Clapping her hooves together, Granny Smith returned to the front of the table. "Well, now that that's over, why don' ya'll set those bowls of dough to the side. If there's any room in the ice box, put 'em in there."

"Wait, what about makin' the crust?" asked Apple Bloom. "Don' we need the dough?"

Sweetie Belle pulled the towel off. "And what about me? Should I try making more?"

"Nah, don' worry 'bout it," Granny Smith said. "I mean, I guess you could've if you wanted to make more. You'd have time since we'd have to wait for the dough to settle first before we could use it anyways."

"How long?" Scootaloo asked as Rainbow Dash bit her bottom lip and turned toward the kitchen clock.

"Well, with this," Granny Smith said, pointing into Scootaloo's bowl, "we'd have to let it sit overnight first, but--"

Another crash rang through the kitchen. Slowly, Rainbow, covered in flour, crawled back onto her feet. "Overnight?" she cried, covering her face and groaning. "But that's, ngh."

"Yep, overnight," Granny Smith repeated with nod. She smiled as she made her way to the oven and opened it, revealing a massive bowl, much larger than the ones Rainbow and the Cutie Mark Crusaders had been using. "Which is why Applejack an' me busted our chops off yesterday makin' sure you four'd have enough dough to work with today.

"The last hour or so, I taught ya'll how to make dough. You want to bake anything, you've gotta know how to do that first. Right now, though..." Granny Smith smirked as she duck down and stuck her head into a cupboard. When she returned, she threw a stack of tin dishes, with raised edges like walls. They landed on the table, one in front of each pony.

"Right now, ladies, I'm gonna teach you how to bake a pie."

"Freaking finally!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.