//------------------------------//
// Feed Her! 
// Story: Catsitter 
// by MisterNick 
//------------------------------//

Perhaps it was the way she'd asked him.  Maybe it was something in her pout or the way she'd batted her eyes at him.  It might have been the way her hoof caressed  the scales along his jaw when she'd asked. Whatever it was Spike had agreed to do what Rarity had asked, to feed her cat Opalescence.

Most of the time Rarity would have asked Sweetie Belle to handle feeding the cat.  However, due to Sweetie Belle's Crusader business and the apparent urgency of this fashion  emergency she'd asked him.  Spike was glad she did as he recalled what she'd said on his way to her boutique, "If you could feed my precious Opalescence promptly at four and maybe clean out her litter box I would be ever so appreciative.  Would you do it for me? Please Spikey Wikey."  

Spike sighed.  The little purple dragon's pace slowed considerably as he envisioned the details of romantic scenes.  First, he imagined roasting marshmallows by a fireplace.  Of course he'd provided the initial flame and had to pop a mint after the fact but as they snuggled up together he was content. Then there was the fantasy of the two of them at the beach where he impressed her with his spectacular dives and eventually as the day ended they cuddled and watched the sunset.  

It wasn't until he neared Rarity's boutique that he noticed the time, 4:15.  Spike felt his cheeks flush with some embarrassment but he shrugged it off.  It was a cat after all and they couldn't tell time.  

Spike noticed a note taped to the door addressed to Sweetie Belle.  He ignored it and opened the door to the boutique with the aid of the hide-a-key under the mailbox and let himself in. No sooner had he closed the door behind him that he paused.  It was quiet, unnaturally so.  Nowhere from within the shop did Spike hear the padding of fuzzy paws or the meow of a complaining cat.  There was only silence.  It made him nervous.

Spike gulped as he swore he could feel a pair of unseen eyes judging him from some unknown vantage point. "Opal,"  he called out as he made his way into the kitchen. There was no answer.  Then again he didn't expect one.  

Once there he grabbed Opal's bowl and set it on the floor.  Then he grabbed the new box of cat food that sat on the counter.  He looked at the label.  "See No Bits and Kibbles," read Spike, "Tuna  and puffer fish flavored.  Huh. Never heard of it. Must be some designer brand."  He shrugged and pushed the tabs on the box in the order that worked.  Once open, he pour the box's contents into the bowl.  

No sooner had he finished pouring the food that he heard a loud thump followed by another against the wall that made his heart skip a beat.  Before he saw them he could feel them.  The eyes of the unseen watcher.  Slowly turned his head to see Opalescence sitting at the edge of the kitchen.  Her hair was out of its bow and stuck up at odd angles like the quills of a porcupine.  Her eyes were darker than a moonless night.  Spike gulped and offered a weak smile toward the feline.  "Hi there Opa ..."

"You are late," said the cat in a deep commanding mewl,  "You opened the box?" 

Spike's eyes widened,  "What ... you can ...."

Opalescence  stomped her paw on the ground.  When she did so the doors to the cabinets flung open. Spike jumped back in surprise. The cat glanced to her left, then her right.  When she did so several plates and cups toppled from their places of storage on to the floor and broke.  The fat feline slowly stepped forward across the broken crockery, a frown plastered on its round face. "You are late!  You opened the box!"

"What are you," whispered Spike  as he quickly backed away from the food deeper into the kitchen.  

"A cat to some. Demon to others.  I am the ultimate traveler in the realms of experience and my desire now is for the flesh of the one who opened the box late!"

"It wasn't me it was already opened," bellowed  Spike as he backed away quickly.  

"Do not test me dragon. Your words are false and they will not save you. Your stubby limbs and fire cannot prevent me from claiming what is owed."  Opalescence's claws clacked along the floor as it made its way toward Spike.  

The dragon pressed himself into the far corner of the kitchen as his heart raced.  He watched as the fat cat plodded toward him licking its lips and exposing its razor sharp teeth.  He covered his face as he felt Opalescence's breath upon him. "Go away," he pleaded.

"Take heart dragon.  Your screams of pain will echo and be distinct even in Tartarus," said the cat with a hint of smugness, "I'm going to rip your soul..."

The bell to the front door rang and a familiar voice called out from it, "Spike are you still here? Things wrapped up quicker than I thought they would.  It's amazing what a rope on a ball can do."  

"Meow," said Opalescence as she trotted back to the edge of the kitchen.

"Oh hi Opal," said Sweetie Belle as she petted the cat.

Opalescence purred and rubbed against the small white unicorns foreleg  before it cast a glance behind her toward the dragon.  Sweetie Belle looked into the kitchen and gasped. Her mouth hung open as she saw the broken dishes and cups on the floor.  "Spike, what happened?"

Spike raised his hands defensively,  "I know what it looks like but it wasn't me I swear!"

"Then who ..."

Spike pointed to Opalescence.  Sweetie Belle's gaze shifted to the cat who meowed and purred at her as it slowly wound its way through her legs and away from the kitchen.  Sweetie Belle cast a disbelieving look to Spike.

"I'm telling you Sweetie she did it! That cat can talk and it made all that stuff fall from ..."

"It's a cat Spike," said Sweetie Belle as she rolled her eyes. "They can get a little grouchy.  Did you feed her on time?"

"Well ... no."

"That explains it," said Sweetie Belle as she surveyed the mess, "Next time just add a can of white fish or whatever Rarity has on hoof to the dry food and she'll be fine." 

Spike slowly stood up from his corner then walked over to Sweetie Belle.  He watched as Opalescence wandered away then sighed, "The things she said ... did ...."

"Spike, it's a cat," said Sweetie Belle as she levitated a broom and dust pan from its storage space, "They act up."

"I'm sorry Sweetie. I'm  sorry for all of this. I guess I got too caught up in ... "

"It's okay you didn't know," said Sweetie Belle put a hoof on his shoulder and smiled at him, "Look if there's one thing I know how to do other than take care of cats its clean. It's like what I'm second best at doing next to cooking."

"Okay but ... I mean I am just really ..."

"Tell you what," said Sweetie Belle as she began to sweep, "If you clean out Opal's litter box while I get this we'll call it even okay?"

Spike nodded,  grabbed the scooper and headed to the bathroom.  He flipped the light on and was met with one of the most stunningly crafted washrooms he'd ever seen.  Every part of it was pristine and tasteful from the marble counters and floor to the plush rugs.  Even the litter box next to the toilet had an intricately designed hood of onyx with gold inlay.  

After fiddling with several buttons and tabs on the box Spike finally managed to lift off the hood. The young dragon immediately gagged and plugged his nostrils, certain he'd turn a shade of green.  "Dude it's like concentrated evil in there," he said to himself as his claw trembled not wanting to touch what lay in the box.

Then from above the medicine cabinet he heard the guttural sound of malicious laughter.  Slowly Spike looked up and saw Opalescence gazing down at him.  Her dark eyes peered into his soul.  His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't find his voice.

"Welcome to oblivion," declared the cat who then pounced and knocked little dragon into the litter box.