//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 (A Dog and Pony Show and Green Isn't Your Color) // Story: Spike The Brony Dragon // by red4567 //------------------------------// Since the CMC didn’t meet each other yet, the events of “Stare Master” and “The Show Stoppers” didn’t happen. I figured they would take place in the early fall, and it was still summer. Not that I was complaining, though. Summer is one of my favorite seasons, with Fall being my second favorite. Despite how Rarity acted during Dash’s flying competition, I still hung out with her. I decided I should ask her out to the gala. Fluttershy wouldn't need a date if she was going to be looking at the animals all night. Considering the fact Rarity had second thoughts about hanging out with Blueblood, she would be all alone if I went with Fluttershy. I’m hoping next gala I’ll ask Fluttershy out, that is assuming another gala happens before Discord gets reformed. I decided to visit Rarity at her boutique and ask her about the gala. I just hoped she wouldn’t take me for being just a child. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. “Come on in,” Rarity said on the other side. I opened the door. Rarity was holding a wagon and reading a list. She turned to me. “Oh, Spike. Just the dragon I needed to see,” she said. “Really?” I asked. “I’m going out to grab some gems, and it would be most desirable if you could come with me.” “Of course! I’d love to.” I remembered what this episode was. Rarity would be kidnapped by Diamond Dogs, and the rest of the Mane 6 and I hurry to go save her, but the Dogs end up giving Rarity back due to her whining and crying. I decided if I could defend Rarity from them at the beginning, then I could prevent the rest of the episode from happening. Given this was our only interaction with them throughout the entire show, sans the finale, I figured it wouldn’t be too much of a problem. “So, what do you need the gems for?” I asked Rarity as we both walked to the outskirts of Ponyville. “Sapphire Shores ordered five dresses each covered with a certain type of gem.” I remembered her. I listened to some of her albums on the record player in the library. I liked some of her songs, but I was more into jazz than pop. “The Sapphire Shores?” I asked. “The pony of pop?” Rarity nodded. “That’s amazing! Were you flipping out when you saw her?” “Ladies do not ‘flip out’, Spike,” Rarity said. “However, I was quite in awe. I need to find more jewels than ever before to decorate her costumes.” Her horn then brightly glowed, which meant she casted a spell to help her find the gems. “You couldn’t just buy some at the jewelry store?” “Oh, Spike, that would be like having Applejack buy apples to make a pie. Why buy resources when you know how to get them for free?” Rarity suddenly stopped. “Aha! I found some!” She pointed to the ground. “Right there.” I dug the ground, and sure enough, a pile of glistening gems emerged from the ground. I grabbed a bunch and put them on the wagon. It’s fortunate that these gems are already cut and polished, and given how common they are, they must be growing like daisies.  We continued searching and digging up gems until the wagon was almost full. The sight almost made me feel hungry, but I did my best not to eat any. “You've been very patient today, Spike.” Rarity patted me on the head. “And for that you get the finest reward. This is from me to you.” Rarity handed me a gem from the pile. “Th-Thank you,” I said. “Hey, I wanted to ask you something...” “Go ahead.” “Since the gala’s coming up...would it be okay...if you and I…?” Rarity’s horn started glowing again. “Oop! Hold that thought, Spike. I’m detecting more gems. Bring the cart.” I decided to hold off that question until later. As I followed Rarity, I looked around the area. Now, where are those mutts? “Spike? Where are you?” Rarity asked. “You know, it's terrible to keep a lady waiting.” “S-Sorry!” I ran up to Rarity with the gems. “The wagon’s just getting heavy.” Once again, Rarity showed me where to dig, and I dug up a huge pile of gems.  “Jackpot!” I shouted. I placed the pile onto the wagon. “Well, Spike, I think that's all we can do for today. And these will certainly get me well on my way with Sapphire's outfits.” Suddenly, Rarity’s horn started glowing again. “Oh! What's this? Another jewel.” Uh, oh. I know what that means.  Rarity approached the trees. Sure enough, Rover the Diamond Dog appeared. I don’t think his name was ever mentioned in the show directly, but I knew who he was thanks to the internet in my old world. “Oh...uh...good day gentle...fellow.” Rarity slowly backed away.  “I’m Rarity. This is Spike. And you are?” “A Diamond Dog!” Rover replied. His voice sounded like he lost a precious ring. “Oh really? Oh well, that explains your fine taste in jewelry. I mean I-I know that diamonds are a girl's best friend, and now I know that they're a dog's best friend, too. So, um, you're out hunting for gems as well?” “Yes, we hunt...” I then stepped in. “Look buddy, we found these gems fair and square. Unless you want to feel the wrath of a dragon, you’ll leave our stash alone.” Two other dogs popped up from the ground. I was sure the smaller one was named Spot, and the taller one was named Fido. “We don’t want no gems. We want...the mare!” Oh, crud. I knew what I had to do. I’ve never been in a physical fight before, but I knew what to aim for. It wasn’t going to be pretty, but I couldn’t let Rarity get captured. I started with the dog closest to me, which was Fido. I charged straight at him, driving my head right into his stomach. He tumbled backwards with a wheeze. “Ugh...I can’t breathe...” Fido whimpered. “Why did you do that?” I leaped to Rover and grabbed his collar from behind. With full force I gave it a firm yank, and it snapped off his neck like a rubber band. “Hey!” Rover quickly covered his neck. “How dare you! I’m in public! Gimme that back!” I threw the collar up the tree with all my might. Rover turned red in the face. “Why you overgrown lizard!!” Rover quickly ran up the tree to retrieve his collar. Not the plan I had in mind, but it still works. “Get away from me, you pooch!” Rarity shouted. I turned to see Spot chasing Rarity. I grabbed the gem Rarity gave me earlier and chucked it at the short diamond dog. It klunked on his head, knocking him down. Rarity sighed in relief. “Thank you, Spi—” Suddenly, Fido appeared behind her. “RARITY, DUCK!!” I shouted. I then spat a fireball right at Fido’s face. Bang!  “Yeow!!” Fido yelped. “That hurt!” The fireball didn’t leave any permanent burns, but it really stunned him. “Ugh! They’re too much trouble!” Rover called out from the tree. “The mare’s not worth it! Retreat!” The trio of Diamond Dogs quickly dug into the ground, leaving a pile of loose gravel and dirt behind. I quickly dashed to Rarity. “Are you alright, Rarity?” I asked. “Did they hurt you?” “I’m fine, Spike.” Rarity dusted herself off. “Thank you.” “I’m so sorry about all that.” “Don’t be sorry, darling. You did what you had to do to defend us.” “We better get out of here. They might send more dogs.” “I agree. Let’s.” We took the wagon of gems back to Ponyville. “I’m just glad you didn’t get kidnapped by those mangy mutts,” I said. “Who knows what might’ve happened?” “Don’t worry, Spike-wikey,” said Rarity. “I would’ve used a few tricks up my sleeve.” “I thought you weren’t one to fight.” “Just because somepony is ladylike doesn't make her weak, darling. By using her wits, she can outsmart any pony, or any dog, that might try to kidnap her.” “You should actually tell Twilight that.” “Whatever for? Does she need to know how to defend herself?” “It could be a lesson she can learn for her friendship letter.” “I see.” We arrived back at Canterlot Boutique. Rarity gave me another gem as thanks for defending her. The next few days, Rarity was able to make all the dresses for Sapphire Shores, and I was able to eat some of the leftover gems she didn’t need. We never saw those Diamond Dogs again.  Good riddance. The next episode to come up was “Green is not your color.” That was when Fluttershy became a fashion model, and Rarity became jealous. I decided I shouldn’t mess with this episode too much, as both Rarity and Fluttershy already settled their differences without any help. It was also when Twilight gave away the secret that I had a crush on Rarity. I knew that Rarity knew before this episode, but I still wanted to act like it was still a secret. Twilight, Pinkie and I were helping Rarity make a dress for Fluttershy. Earlier at the spa, Rarity told Fluttershy that Photo Finish was arriving in Ponyville, so she decided to have Fluttershy as the model for her new outfit. The scene was more or less the same as in the show, except for one thing. Even though my thick scales meant I wouldn’t feel the pins, it seemed more practical just to give her an actual pin cushion instead of sticking them on my back. “Girls, I’m gonna tell you two a secret,” I said to Twilight and Pinkie, “but you gotta promise not to tell anyone.” “I promise,” Twilight replied. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick and cupcake in my eye,” said Pinkie. We all huddled close together. I whispered my secret into their ears. “I have a crush on Rarity and Fluttershy.” Pinkie Pie gasped and covered her mouth. Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Okay, I can understand Rarity,” Twilight said, “but since when did you have feelings for Fluttershy?” “That doesn’t matter!” Pinkie hissed. “You promised Spike you wouldn't say anything. He trusts you. And losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend forever!” Twilight sighed. “My lips are sealed. Though, I'm pretty sure the two are gonna pick up on your feelings.” One of them already has. The doorbell rang. Photo Finish, along with some other ponies, bursted in. She took a bunch of pictures of Fluttershy, and then walked right out. “That was fast,” Twilight said. “She hardly took any pictures.” “I'm so sorry,” Fluttershy weeped.  “I tried my best.” “You did good, Fluttershy,” I said. “You looked really cute in that outfit.” Fluttershy quickly covered her face up after I said that. The blush on her cheeks matched her mane. “If only Photo Finish could agree on that.” Rarity sighed. “I can't believe I ever thought I could impress her.” In a flash, Photo Finish appeared back in the boutique. “It seems that I, Photo Finish, have found the next fashion star here in Ponyville!” “Really?” Rarity’s face lit up. “Yes, really! And I, Photo Finish, am going to help her to shine all over Equestria! Tomorrow, a photo shoot in ze park! I go!” Photo left the boutique with the other ponies following her. “I guess she did agree on the outfit,” I said. “Did you hear that? I am going to shine all over Equestria!” Rarity proclaimed. “Oh, Rarity. I was so worried I'd ruined everything,” Fluttershy said. “Oh, never. I knew you'd be perfect.” Rarity suddenly started squealing and pronked like Pinkie Pie. I was lucky my tail was out of the way. The next day, Twilight, Pinkie, and I were heading to the Carousel Boutique. “I hope Rarity will remember us when she becomes famous,” I said, but I knew it was Fluttershy who was going to be famous. "If she becomes famous," Twilight said. "You can't be too sure." When we entered the boutique, we saw Rarity sewing some black fabric. As it turns out, Photo Finish preferred Fluttershy over Rarity as a model. This devastated Rarity. There was nothing we could do to help, so we left the room. “I never thought Fluttershy of all ponies would end up becoming a model,” I said. “She’s too shy to even talk to her own reflection.” “Maybe Photo Finish saw something in Fluttershy that she didn’t see in Rarity,” Twilight said. “I just hope Fluttershy enjoys her new career.” I was so glad that Fluttershy was my favorite pony, because for the following days, she was everywhere. Her face was on magazines, books, shirts, drinks, banners, coasters...heck, she even made a cameo appearance in one of the comic books I bought. I haven’t seen so much Fluttershy around since the last time I was at the Fluttershy Fan Club at Bronycon. Maybe I should ask Fluttershy to the gala instead. I knew what was going to happen, unfortunately. Rarity will tell Twilight that she’s jealous of Fluttershy’s new career, and Fluttershy will tell the same purple unicorn that she hates her new career. Twilight promised the two to keep it a secret. It was going to be hard for her, so I thought I’d join her and Fluttershy just to remind the former's Pinkie promise. To be honest, the way Pinkie reminds her gets kind of creepy sometimes. I just needed to find Twilight. My first thought was to go to the spa. I can’t believe a grown man like me is going to the spa. If I didn’t have the body of a small dragon, then this would’ve been embarrassing. I entered the spa and asked if Twilight was around. She was sitting in the big hot tub. “Twilight, there you are,” I called out. “Spike, what are you doing here?” Twilight asked. “Rarity just left if you’re looking for her.” “Oh, well, I’m actually here to—” Then Fluttershy arrived. “Rarity! I'm so sorry I'm…” She then looked around. “Oh no. She's already gone, isn't she?” “Sorry,” Twilight and I said. “Oh, I can’t believe this. I’m so frustrated I could just scream.” I pretended to cover my ears as Fluttershy took a deep breath. What followed after was the quietest but cutest scream I ever heard. “Feel better?” Twilight asked. Fluttershy sighed. “No. Can I tell you two something?” “Of course.” Fluttershy told us that she hated being a model. We Pinkie-Pie-sweared not to tell Rarity about it. At least, I did. Twilight ended up poking herself in the eye. Twilight wanted to tell Fluttershy what Rarity was thinking about, but Pinkie quickly stopped her. I would’ve done the same, but I wasn’t supposed to know about Rarity’s secret. As Fluttershy (in disguise), Twilight and I exited the spa, I asked Twilight, “Why was Pinkie giving you the stink-eye?” “It’s...kind of a secret…” Twilight replied. “Oh, well, then there's no need to tell me anything else. Like what Pinkie said: Losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend—” “FOREVER!!” Pinkie popped up from a basket of apples. “Yah!” I fell backwards. “You must be a riot at hide-and-seek, Pinkie.” Twilight then said to Fluttershy, “You know, if you don’t like being a model, you could just quit.” “Oh, no. I could never do such a thing. Rarity would be devastated,” Fluttershy said.  “But Rar—OW!” I pulled Twilight’s mane and shook my head. “Okay, okay. Don’t do that next time.” “If only all these ponies didn't like me so much. Photo Finish wouldn't want me to model anymore. She'd find somepony else with... the magic!” That’s when Twilight came up with the idea of having Fluttershy humiliate herself. I wanted to stop her from doing so, but I couldn’t think of anything else she could try doing. I doubt Photo Finish would find a different model to replace Fluttershy. The next fashion show came up quickly. Twilight, Fluttershy, and I were backstage. “Do you really think it'll work?” Fluttershy asked. “They love you for being you,” Twilight replied.  “So all I have to do is make you not be you. Just leave it to me.” “I-If you girls don’t mind,” I said, “I’m gonna be in the dressing room.” I didn’t want to see what Twilight would do to my favorite pony. I quickly closed the door behind me and sat in a nearby chair, waiting for the fashion show to end. I did my best to relax, which was easier said than done. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait long to see Fluttershy and Twilight come in. The disappointment on their faces told me the tale that I already knew. The crowd, thanks to Rarity, actually liked Fluttershy's performance. "I can't believe it," Fluttershy said. "Somehow I've gotten even more popular! I'm so frustrated I could kick something." She then "kicked" a nearby vase, which barely wobbled.  "Even after what Twilight did to you?" I asked. "Those fashion ponies have the weirdest standards.” “If only Rarity didn't want me to be a model so badly.” “Can’t you just tell her you don’t like being a model? I’m sure as a friend, she can understand that there are some things that aren’t right for you.” “But what if she…?” Rarity then rushed into the dressing room. “Fluttershy! Are you alright?” “Oh...I'm...great!” Fluttershy lied. “I'm a super famous fashion model. Why wouldn't I be great?” “Out there on the runway, everyone was turning on you and... Oh... Oh, Fluttershy. It's so awful. I wanted them to.” “You did? But why?” Twilight butted in. “Because she—”  “Quiet, Twilight!” I rebutted. “Because I'm jealous!” Rarity confessed. “I wanted all the attention. And instead it was going to you. I even started hoping that you would do something silly so your modeling career would be over. But then, when it started happening, all I could think was how could I want you to fail at something you love so much?” “But Fluttershy—” Twilight tried to say, but I quickly slapped her. “Ow! Will you stop hurting me?!” “Love? Oh, Rarity. I hate being a model,” Fluttershy confessed. Rarity and Fluttershy both agreed that keeping secrets from each other wasn’t a good idea. They both Pinkie-promised not to hide their feelings ever again. Fluttershy decided to quit the modeling business, much to Photo Finish’s distraught. “Vat has just happened?” Photo asked as Rarity and Fluttershy left the room. “It’s a secret,” I replied as Twilight and I left. As we headed to the spa, Twilight said to me, “Spike, I can understand that you didn’t want me to tell the girls their secrets, but pulling and slapping me isn’t going to help.” “I’m sorry, but we both Pinkie-promised,” I said, “and you looked like you were gonna spill the beans at any minute. Do you have any idea what Pinkie might do if you break one?” “No...” “Then let’s keep it that way.” “Say, Spike...” Twilight waited until Rarity and Fluttershy were no longer within hearing range. “Let me ask you something. Since when did you have a crush on Fluttershy? You don’t seem to...look at her as much as you do to Rarity.” “Well, there’s something about her that I like. She’s kind, adorable, shy... She even called me ‘cute’ when we first met. To be honest, I can’t decide who to go with to the gala.” “I’m sure you’ll think of something,” Twilight said. Much to my surprise, Twilight didn’t give away my secret, which didn’t even matter considering Rarity knows I like her. Even if she told Photo Finish, it wasn’t like she was going to tell the whole world about it. She was a fashion photographer, not a journalist.