//------------------------------// // A Day Of Fun // Story: Equestria Girls Spikebelle // by Chaos04 //------------------------------// Waves crashed softly, and seabirds started squawking as the rising sun gently shone its rays on the shores of Canterlot beach. Spike was still asleep, but his mind was abuzz with the plans he made with Sweetie Belle last night. He couldn't wait to go to the arcade with Sweetie Belle and her friends. Her friends. That may have been a problem. As friendly as he was with Sweetie Belle at the moment, her two friends probably wouldn’t be too happy to see him. Still, he would have to take the chance in order to try and enjoy the day. He got put, stored away his pillow and blanket, then set off for his destination. ____________________________________________ Sweetie Belle was already awake, eating toast in her bedroom. When she finished, she went to the living room in search for the home phone. However, the phone was not in its cradle. Nearby, there was Rarity sitting on the couch. “Hey Rarity, do you know where the home phone is? I want to call Apple Bloom and Scootaloo,” she asked her sister as she approached. “If you wanted to call Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, you should've came to me first,” Rarity answered, as she pulled out her phone to call Applejack's number. The phone rang once, before the call was answered. “Howdy-ho, Rarity,” came the cheerful greeting. “Applejack, may you pass the phone to Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle wants to talk to her?” “Sure.” Rarity passed the phone over to Sweetie Belle. “Sweetie Belle?” asked Apple Bloom’s voice over the phone. “Hey, Apple Bloom. You want to come to the arcade?” Sweetie asked. “Sure. I been lookin’ fer somethin’ to do right about now.” “Okay. Let’s meet at Scootaloo's place,” Sweetie said, hanging up the phone and handing it to her big sister. “Thanks Rarity,” she said, exiting through the front door leaving the boutique. ____________________________________________ Spike started walking to the arcade. It wasn't a far walk, only about a 1K walk from the beach. He entered the arcade, the blaring noises and flashing lights overwhelming him like a wave on the shore. It was his first time in such a place, and almost thought this may not have been the best place for him and his new friends to spend the day. The sight of other children his own age caught his eye, and he saw the way they were happily chattering and cooperating over the many games that were arranged through the building. Something that made him think that perhaps it wasn’t such a bad idea after all. If he could garner that kind of cooperation from Sweetie Belle’s friends, things may work out for him after all. “Step right up! Feast your eyes! Come on and give it a shot!” called a voice from somewhere near. Spike looked, and saw two men wearing identical blue and white striped shirts and pork pie hats. One man wore a mustache, and a badge like an apple with a wedge cut out of it. The other man wore no mustache, and a badge in the shape of an apple wedge. Between the two of them was a large machine covered by a curtain. “I present to you fine patrons: the claw machine X. Take a chance, and you could win an Xbox one! Only five dollars for two tries,” said the man with no mustache, as he pulled a curtain off the machine. Everyone was in awe, hoping for an easy chance to win an Xbox One. As everyone crowded the machine Spike saw three girls run in, and went to greet them “Hey, Sweetie Belle,” he went to greet her, but was stopped by the disapproving glare of the red-haired girl. “So what do y'all wanna do?” Apple Bloom said, looking at the others for any answer. “I say we take a crack at that claw machine. Then, I won’t have to keep saving up for a system,” Scootaloo said. She was about to approach the claw machine, but was stopped by Apple Bloom. “Yer askin’ fer trouble if ya do,” said Apple Bloom looking at the two on stage. “That's Flim and Flam, the Flim Flam brothers. They’re nothin’ but a couple o’ two bit crooks. I learned that when they tried pullin’ the wool over my sister’s eyes a few months ago.” They overlooked the two at the claw machine, and spent the rest of the day playing the various other games at the arcade. For the time that passed, it started to seem that Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were starting to let their guard down. But, not completely. It had worked out even better than Spike had thought. Through the four player cooperative games, Spike was able to garner the trust that he sought from the others. Even though it was only a game, he was covering their backs when they were under attack, providing useful tools when they were needed, and overall worked with them like a well-oiled clock. They left the arcade that day, feeling somehow closer than when they first entered. “Well, looks like it’s time to go,” Apple Bloom said. She approached Spike, “An’ you. Make sure Sweetie Belle gets home safe.” “Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Spike answered. “Keep your smart answers to yourself, or you’re getting another beating,” Scootaloo said. She and Apple Bloom left down the path, leaving Sweetie Belle and Spike to return to the beach to watch the sunset together again. “Today was fun,” Sweetie Belle said. Spike smiled and nodded. “Do you notice that we spend a lot of time watching the sunset?” “Yeah? What about it? I like sunsets.” “But, why?” Spike hadn’t thought about it before, but remembered something he was told once. “It was just something that I used to do a lot. Mum always said that the end of a day is always the beginning of a new one. I guess I really like the idea of not knowing what’s coming next. At least, I used to,” Spike answered. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to press a sore spot,” Sweetie answered. “It’s alright. What’s done is done. Tomorrow’s another day, and all that,” Spike sighed. Sweetie Belle looked at Spike, not knowing what to say to him. Slowly, she stood up from the ground, and started walking away. “So...Bye?” she said. Spike didn’t answer. For another moment, Sweetie Belle looked at Spike, until an instinct struck her. She walked up behind him, and draped her arms around his shoulders in a gentle hug. “For what it’s worth: I’m really glad I met you. Even if I never knew we’d become friends at first,” Sweetie said. Spike simply slid his hands up, and gently grasped her arms. His one hand covered the scar on Sweetie’s arm, feeling a gentle warmth radiating from it. Why or what it was, he did not know. Sweetie Belle slid her arms from Spike’s grip, and walked away to the path up the stairs. “Well goodbye. I've got to get back home.” “Bye,” Spike said waving, as she started running back to the boutique. The day was nearly at an end, and Spike got up to retrieve his pillow and blanket. He found both the items where he had left them, and decided to call it an early night.