Twilight and her friends ran frantically throughout the Opera Populaire, desperately searching for their two missing friends. When they finally got into Christine’s dressing room, the last place they saw them, they, along with Raoul, discovered they were both gone and had searched the whole place from top-to-bottom. Raoul had since left to find Monsieur’s Firmin and Andre to warn them, so they left to find Meg and Madame Giry, who were walking together in the dormitories. They had found just as they were about to enter.
“Madame Giry!” Twilight called. “Madame Giry, we need to talk to you!”
“Just a moment, my dear,” Giry responded. “I have a little pest problem that must be exterminated.”
“A pest problem?” Fluttershy asked, confused.
“Wut in tarnation does that mean?” Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s Joseph Buquet,” Meg explained. “He’s harassing the girls in the dormitories… Again.”
“Well, that’s just sick and perverted!” Twilight said, disgusted.
“No kidding!” Rainbow agreed, holding up her hooves. “Let me in there, Madame Giry. I’ll bash his head in so hard, his grandchildren will have lumps!”
“That won’t be necessary, young lady,” Madame Giry chuckled, slightly. “I’ll handle this.”
Sure enough, inside the dormitories, Joseph Buquet had apparently snuck in and was playing with the women there, scaring them with tales of the Phantom of the Opera. He spun around, holding a scratchy, brown, wool blanket over his shoulders like a cape. He let out a growl and a sneer, causing a few women to jump, scream, and some even laugh. He walked around, doing it twice more, causing more of the sleep-wear clad women to squeal. He chuckled, his messy brown hair falling around his face as he yelled out once more before he smirked.
https://m.He hurled off the blanket, acknowledging the presence of Twilight and the others. The girls and Spike shook their heads slightly, this wasn’t what they initially thought but still…
He grins as held up a noose, made of coarse rope, causing most of the women to gasp. Twilight looked down, shaking her head. From what Madame Giry had told of him, Buquet only told the stories in hopes of maybe gaining the affections of one of these women in the Opera House… Frankly, Twilight didn’t think him charming at all.
As they began to walk past him, he wraps the rope around Fluttershy, pulling her against him. She squeaked in fear, looking at him wide eyed, smelling the alcohol on his breath.
“Oh my…” She whispered, fearfully. “Please Mr. Buquet, I’m not that kind of girl!”
But he just grinned, playfully growling, as if pretending to go for her neck. Fluttershy honestly felt sick, this man wasn’t just drunk he was heavily intoxicated and delirious. She leaned as far from him as possible before Madame Giry wlaked over and yanked the rope away. She slapped him across the face, hearing the soft gasps of all the women around them. To prove her point, she placed the noose around his neck and quickly slid it up. Buquet jamming his hand underneath, to the level of his eyes, which, in a real event, would keep his neck from breaking. Madame Giry drops the rope and looks around.
“Girls, go to bed!” She ordered. “Tomorrow, we rehearse bright and early. Buquet, I think it be wise if you left, don’t you?”
He yanked the noose off his neck, gathers the rope and leaves. Twilight and the others console a quite hysterical Fluttershy, who was softly weeping to herself. To be grabbed in such a manner, face-to-face with a crazy drunken superstitious oaf like Buquet, was the most horrifying ordeal compared to everything she experienced. She hoped to never find herself in that position again.
“Shh…” Twilight cooed, rubbing her back. “It’s alright, Fluttershy. The scary man is gone.”
“I-I-I have n-never been so s-scared in all m-m-my life,” Fluttershy croaked.
“Don’t worry now, sugar cube,” Applejack said. “That drunk old fool is gone.”
“If he ever comes near you again, I’ll personally throw him from the rafters,” Rainbow threatened, protectively.
Madame Giry walks swiftly to their side kneeling beside the group.
“I am truly sorry about Buquet,” She apologized. “The man has no thought or concern for those other than himself. Now, I believe you wished to speak with me?”
“Oh yes!” Twilight recalled. “It’s about Christine and Rarity, they vanished completely, and we don’t know where they are. We’re worried about them.”
“Yeah, one minute the girls were in the dressing room and next thing they’re not,” Pinkie Pie rambled. “I mean it’s kind of like Twilight’s teleportation spell, when she could disappear, then re-appears and…”
As Pinkie rambled on, Twilight shook her head and turns to Madame Giry.
“Please, Madame Giry,” Twilight begged, frantically. “Do you know where they’ve gone?”
Madame Giry looked around, as if making sure they were completely alone. Closing her eyes, she released a deep sigh.
“I know where they are,” She spoke. “But you mustn’t tell a single soul.”
“Why not?” Applejack asked.
“If any information of this reaches anyone’s ears, I fear what will become to anyone involved.”
“Okay, that’s completely not cryptic and spooky at all,” Spike said, sarcastically.
“Follow me,” Madame Giry motioned. “I’ll show you where they are.”
“Thank you, Madame Giry,” Twilight thanked.
The ballet instructor led the ponies and their baby dragon friend back to Christine’s dressing room. They had just gone into the room when Madame Giry silently signaled for them to stop.
“Wait for a moment,” Madame Giry instructs. “Soon, you’ll find what you’re looking for.”
They did not quite understand what she was talking about; nonetheless, they sat in the room as Giry walked out and closed the door behind her. Ten minutes had passed since then, before long Rainbow Dash soon lost her patience.
“That’s it!” She said, standing up. “I’m going to look somewhere else.”
“But Madame Giry said to stay put!” Spike told her.
“And what’s that gonna do for us?” She questioned. “All we’re doing is sitting around doing nothing, while are friends are Celestia only knows where. They could be lost or hurt; we need to help them now!”
Suddenly, the lights of the candles quickly blew out and the room was engulfed in darkness. Fluttershy squeaked, hiding herself in her mane as every pony else stood ready. The giant mirror slowly slid open, a mist swirls from within, and inside stood three peculiar, bizarre individuals. One was a very short skinny woman, whose appearance and feathery dress reminded them of a bird; the second was a giant muscular man with a bald head and handlebar mustache; and the last, a tall gangly man with long spindly arms and fingers. For a while, they said nothing. They just stared at the motley group, smiling creepily toward the wide-eyed group of friends beckoning them towards the mirror with their fingers.
“Who are you?” Twilight asked, cautiously.
“Yeah, where are you taking us?” Pinkie asked, curiously.
“I am Miss Fleck,” The bird woman introduced.
“The Mighty Squelch,” The muscular man added.
“Doctor Gangle…” The gangly man added.
“At your service,” They said, with a bow.
Every pony faced each other unknowingly, if not partially freaked out. The trio beckons them through the mirror, drawing them down a long, stone passageway.
https://m.
(Stop at 1:22)
Their voices echoed against the walls as the ponies and Spike followed behind, the Mirror sealing from behind them. In the dressing room, the door was cracked slightly open, the eyes of Madame Giry watching silently from behind the door.
<>
A dim golden light penetrated Rarity’s vision, as the fashionista slowly regains consciousness. She sighed in bliss, toward the feeling of a soft fabric upon which she laid, and the silky material draped over her soft frame…
“Wait a minute!” Rarity thought. “That’s not right!”
Her eyes suddenly snapped, sitting up in a blink of an eye. She looked down, recognizing that she was laying on a collection of cushions on the black gondola and she was covered a large black cloak. She slowly turns her head to look at her surroundings, slowly recalling where she was. She noticed the dimly lit cave walls, the candelabras that shined brightly…
Suddenly, Rarity was startled by the piercing bellows of organ music. Rarity quickly turns toward one side and saw a man in front of an organ, playing notes on the organ as the notes bellowed along the cavern walls. She took notice all the sheet music strewn everywhere around him, the giant pipe organ bellowing some puffs of smoke from the pipes. The man hit the final notes, quivering as if feeling the note coursing through him. As he composed himself, the echoes fainting, Rarity turned to the side and noticed a figure turning and moaning in what she presumed to be a bed but did not wake. She remembered she was with Christine, though how she could sleep through that music was a miracle.
“I see you’ve awakened…”
Rarity froze in place upon hearing the deep tenor voice to her right. She slowly turns her head and saw the Phantom sitting upon the ledge, looking down at her. She turned from him to where the organ was and back, amazed how quickly he appeared as if he truly was a ghost. But unlike before, when she first locked her eyes to him, his coat was discarded leaving him in a puffy white shirt, dark pants, and matching boots. The top half of the shirt was unbuttoned, giving her a slight view of his muscular torso. Rarity hid her face in her mane, as she blushed madly at the sight of the mysterious man. A small chuckle could be heard, as the Phantom stepped off the rock ledge and down to the gondola where he grabs ahold of his cloak and slowly pulls it back to him.
“I trust you slept well,” He continued.
Rarity slowly peeled her mane away from her face, though her cheeks were still a deep crimson red. She was nervous and a little frightened to be in such a strange place with an even stranger man such as him. But, being a lady, she knew it was rude not to answer.
“Y-Y-Yes I did,” She stammered. “T-Thank you.”
“I do apologize if I have startled you, in some way,” He apologized.
Rarity just brushed it off, waving her hoof.
“Oh no, really it wasn’t any…”
She found herself cut off, as she stared directly into his entrancing blue grey eyes, which seemed to place her in some hypnotic trance. It was only when he averts his gaze to his organ Rarity snapped back to reality.
“Really, there’s nothing to apologize for sir…”
The Phantom quickly placed his coat over himself, turning back to the snow-white unicorn and slowly walks in her direction. Once he stood before her, he silently held out his hand for her to take. Rarity just sat there looking at his outstretched arm for a moment, before slowly placing a shaky hoof into it. He grasps her hoof gently, helping her step out of the boat, and onto the cavern floor. She follows him up the steps to his lair, gazing at the sight around her. The Phantom turns back to her, hearing her velvety voice. He gives a small smile.
The Phantom takes a seat on the bench in front of his organ, proceeding to write down a series of musical notes on a piece of sheet music. Rarity walks alongside him, smiling as she watched.
“Is this your latest masterpiece you’re working on?” Rarity asked.
The Phantom paused, turning to her.
“I am,” He responded. “But it’s not ready yet.”
“If I may say that song you sang when you brought Christine and I down here, that was absolutely breathtaking.”
The Phantom couldn’t help but smile again at the compliment. She did not know this, but it wasn’t often anyone, minus perhaps Christine, ever truly admired his work. Then again, most people were deathly afraid of him and the reputation he created. Nevertheless, hearing a compliment was both new and appreciative.
“How come you don’t share your music with the world?” Rarity asked, curiously.
That question wiped the smile off the Phantom’s face. He turns back around to face the organ, his gaze away from the fashionista as he sighs to himself.
“No one would listen,” He said, quietly.
Though quiet and hard to listen, Rarity heard what he said, frowning sadly. It was true, this man was a bit odd and clearly not social. But his musical genius deserved to be shared with the world. She walked up to the other side of him, hopping onto the other side of the bench beside him.
“Well, I believe your music is amazing beyond belief,” Rarity assured. “If the world does not care to listen, what a loss for them I say.”
The Phantom turns to his side, down toward the pony beside him. What an odd creature, he thought, to not be frightened immediately at the sight of him. Normally, his appearance would frighten away even the bravest of men. And yet, there beside him, sat a talking unicorn who was comfortable enough to sit beside him and at her own will too.
“Thank you,” He whispered.
“You are most welcome,” Rarity smiled. “By the way, I don’t believe I caught your name.”
But The Phantom stepped back, away from the organ. Rarity watched the man in confusion, as he walked away for simply inquiring for a name. She stood up and followed him.
“Why do you walk away? I only asked for your name.”
“I wish to not discuss this any further.”
“It is rather rude not to give your name when a lady asks for it.”
“You need not know.”
“Why ever not?”
The Phantom stopped in his tracks, raking his hand through his slicked black hair. How could a creature be so insistent and annoying, yet ever so talented? He did not have an answer for his.
“It is not something I discuss with anyone,” He said, simply.
“Not even amongst friends?” Rarity asked.
Once again, he paused and froze upon her words. Did he hear her right: Friends? Had she already considered them friends? He merely figured after abducting her and Christine, she’d want nothing to do with him. Yet, there she was, a unicorn calling herself his… Friend…
“Friends?” He whispered.
“Why yes, of course we’re friends,” Rarity nodded. “That is, I would like us to be.”
The Phantom simply walked back to his organ, sitting down to resume his work. Not another word was uttered from his mouth, as Rarity looked somewhat sad and disappointed. Here she was offering friendship and he still remained secretive, shutting her off. Perhaps, she figured, it would be best to drop the subject.
“Alright, I understand if you don’t wish to discuss this anymore,” She said, dejected. “I understand and apologize for bothering you. I should probably go.”
Rarity turned, walking toward a corner of the cave. She sits on her haunches over near the edge of the water, sighing sadly to herself.
“Erik…”
Rarity slowly turned her head to see The Phantom at work. She got back on her hooves, slowly walking back to him.
“Beg your pardon?” Rarity asked.
The Phantom took a long deep breath before responding.
“My name… Erik.”
Rarity gave a smile, as she sat alongside him on the bench. She slowly placed her hoof back onto his hand, smiling at him as he turned his eyes.
“C’est us grand plasir de vouc recontrer, Erik,” She said, in Prench.
‘It’s a great pleasure to meet you, Erik’
The Phantom, or Erik, slowly turns his head to her. She had been the first creature to ever tell his real name, not even Christine. Never before in his life had he ever thought anyone could trust him enough for him to reveal a part of his life. But with her, there was something about this creature that assured him he could trust her entirely. He wraps a hand over her hoof, smiling back at her too.
“Le plasir est tout á moi mon ami, Rarity.”
‘Pleasure is all mine my friend, Rarity.’
Aw, I just can’t… Too precious…
For the longest time, they stared at one another, hoof in hand, and vice versa, smiling. For Erik, it was rather odd to entrust someone so quickly as he had done. But this girl, this mythical unicorn, he felt he had found something he always wanted but never truly had.
A friend…
<>
It was cold and wet as they traveled down the underground passage, the three scary figures leading them in hopes of finding their companions. For the longest time, the ponies and Spike said nothing, their efforts to inquire about who they were and how they knew this place seemed to pass over their heads. How all this could exist under the Opera Populaire and no one else noticing is beyond their understanding. This mystery surrounding the Opera House only grew stranger, what with the additional talk of the mysterious Opera Ghost.
Eventually, the three figures stop and beckon their arms toward an open space. The ponies and Spike silently make their way forward with uncertainty, keeping a close watch on the trio before they went on. Eventually, they found themselves in a very mysterious place: Candelabras lit everywhere, a gondola sits at the edge of a cavern passage, and all assortment of paintings, sheets of music, and other qualities of art all over. Twilight had turned back to ask the three what place this is, when her eyes widen as the others turn.
As mysterious as the three appeared, they just disappeared without a trace, no noise, no evidence that they had left. It’s like they too were… Ghosts. Suffice to say, everything about this scenario gave them the creeps. Just then, they heard the sound of faint chiming and turn to the side.
There, lying atop a bed covered by a curtain, their friend Christine stirred, awaken by the faint chiming and melody. Sitting up and pulling the cord, the black curtain surrounding her lifts up. She spots a music box, the figure of a monkey sitting atop, clinking the cymbals together. The movement stops, as did the melody. It was a warm relief for the ponies, seeing that she was okay. But that wasn’t the only thing they saw.
As Christine looks around, seeing the familiar sights of a place she had thought was a dream, Rarity came down from the cavern steps and approached her. It filled her with warm relief seeing a familiar face, as they silently acknowledged each other’s presence. Rarity helps Christine slowly swing her legs over the edge of the bed, setting her stocking clad feet upon the ground and then stood. As they walked forward, they soon acknowledged the presence of other figures. To their surprise and awe, their friends stood before them, having found them somehow. Spike, working his way through the group, was most happy to see them, but mostly Rarity.
“Rarity,” Spike whispered, loudly.
“Spiky-Wikey!” Rarity whispered.
They rushed toward each other, as the ponies followed Spike. Spike and Rarity hugged each other, while the rest came together surrounding the girls in a group hug. They were relieved to see that their friends were unharmed.
“Twilight! Girls!” Christine said. “H-H-How did you find us?”
“Honestly, we haven’t a clue,” Rainbow admitted. “This has been a strange night for all of us.”
“But that don’t matter now,” Applejack said. “We found ya.”
“What happened to you two?” Twilight asked. “Did the Ghost hurt you?”
“Oh, no, no, no, we’re fine!” Rarity assured. “Really we are. More than fine actually.”
“Tell us what happened,” Spike urged. “Can you recall anything?”
“That is if you can remember?” Fluttershy added.
Running a hand through her hair, Christine walked forward with Rarity following as the group looked on.
https://m.
Christine stepped out of the small cavern-like room they were in, out towards the lake with candles lit everywhere. The group are unaware of a figure sitting at the organ, working on his magnum opus. The ballet girl and fashionista turn their attention to the figure at the organ, as the others follow and finally acknowledge the presence of the mystery man. The masked half of his face showed, he held a quill pen in his hand, and it appears he has just been writing music. The presence of the additional ponies and a little dragon beside the two women came unexpected. If there was surprise in his face, he barely showed it.
“It’s him!” Fluttershy whispered. “The Phantom of the Opera!”
“Well, heavens to betsy!” Applejack whispered. “There really is an Opera Ghost.”
“He’s not a ghost, Applejack,” Rarity assured. “He’s just a man, the man responsible for all the music.”
“A man in a mask who writes music,” Rainbow Dash spoke, nodding. “Sure… I can believe that.”
As they cautiously approached him, The Phantom turned his attention back to his music. His shirt had been unbuttoned at the top, the collar pulled out a bit, clad in a relaxed looking black coat with a small beaded pattern on the back, and his eyes locked on the music. He tried to think what to put down on paper next, attempting not to acknowledge the approaching figures.
Christine leaned to the side as she neared the Phantom, a smile slowly forming on her lips as she climbed up the steps. So many questions raced in her head, as Christine walked toward him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. He shut his eyes, feeling her gentle hands touch his face. As one hand gently rested on his exposed cheek, the other wandered up the top of the mask. He slowly opened his eyes before they flew open in shock as he felt the mask pulled from his face. His immediately flew where the mask had been before, shoving Christine to the floor, standing in anger much to the shock of Rarity and her friends.
He marched toward a canvas covered mirror, ripping the fabric off, removing his hand from his face to see his own reflection in the mirror.
Though the view wasn’t perfect, from what the group could see a part of his cheek was covered in pinkish exposed flesh, a part of his lip curled up and slightly red. But it was clear, this man was partially deformed. Christine shook in hear, staring in shock by the sight of his horrible face as the girls came to her aid. Rarity stood close by the group watching the man’s hand fly up to his face again, spinning away from the damned reflection in the mirror.
He shot at her, twisting, and spinning, every which way, as if not knowing where to go. Pure raged and hate seeped through his veins, not believing what this… Angel would do to him.
Christine cowered against the floor, Rarity doing her best to comfort her friend, as the other ponies, minus Fluttershy and Spike, stood in front of them in a defensive stance against the enraged man. He began to slow down, shoving a candle and its stand to the floor, his back to the group. He walks toward the edge of the water, covering his face again, then dropping his hand as if not knowing what to do. Concerned, Rarity cautiously approached the man.
“Erik…” Rarity reached out.
“NO!” The Phantom yelled, brushing off. “Don’t touch me! Please… You don’t know! How could you know who I—What I am…”
Rarity backed away, not because she was afraid, but because she did feel the man was too stressed for comfort. In a way, she understood how that felt though she tried not to cry.
“Try…” Rarity whispered. “Try to help us understand.”
At first, The Phantom or Erik, said nothing to her. Twilight and her friends could only look at Rarity then back at The Phantom, not sure what to think. On the one hand, The Phantom had lashed out for no reason at all and yet here she was, one of their own friends, actually sympathizing with her. True, Fluttershy would want to understand this person too, but at the moment she was still a bit scared. Though, at the same time, when The Phantom did speak, or ‘sing’, she was willing to listen.
He lifts his hand again, sheltering his face. He faced the group as Christine slowly sat up, while he slowly walks again. They watched him, especially Christine and Rarity with watery eyes, as he turns to the wedding dress-clad mannequin of the former’s likeness.
The Phantom walked towards her, as Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash stood at the ready preventing him from coming too close. But instead, he sat an angle on the stairs as Rarity watched him out of pity, while Christine still held the mask in her hand. Though they were afraid, they could see the anguish on the man’s face as he covered the deformed half, he was most ashamed of.
His head was bent, his eyes half closed, as he stared at the stone beneath his feet. Fluttershy bravely stood beside her friends, her eyes having not leaving the man during his lament. She was terrified, but she was the first to realize his pain was quite clear.
“Oh, Christine…” He whispered, sadly.
“You just wanted love,” Fluttershy whispered, to him. “You want love, but your face…”
“Erik…” Rarity whispered.
Tears dripped down Christine’s cheeks, down to her chin, looking at his out-stretched hand. She then looks at the half-mask in her hand, sadness coursing through her. This man wasn’t who she thought she was, at all…
But then a magic aura surrounds the mask and lifts from her grasp. Christine turns to see Rarity, her horn glowing, lifting the mask in mid-air. They did not say a word, but Christine nodded as if to say this was for the best. Then Rarity slowly turns toward The Phantom, holding the mask out to him, as every pony (And Spike) watched him take it. He lifts the mask to his face as he stood, putting it back in place. They watched him as he towered over them.
“Erik…” Rarity spoke again. “I can’t imagine what happened to you; we’re so sorry…”
“We?” Rainbow Dash asked, raising an eyebrow. “Who’s—”
Before Rainbow could continue, she felt a nudge on her shoulder and turned. Twilight just looked at her, shaking her head with a frown. Now was not the time or place for questions, they would deal with this matter another time. Then they turned back to The Phantom, who looked over the water as if a thought came to him. On one hand, he could just keep them all here in his lair. It was one thing for Christine and Rarity to find his hideout, but if their friends know about this place then others will soon come.
On the other hand, these ponies and even Spike, who glared at him as he stood beside Rarity… He knew they were close to this creature who befriended him. If he were to keep them here, against the fair unicorn’s wishes… She would only hate him more, even if her eyes didn’t say so. Still, he knew it would break her heart… He knew what must be done.
“Come, we must return,” The Phantom told them. “Those two… Fools who run my theatre will be missing you.”
The ponies nod as they help Christine to her feet, as he gestures the group toward his boat. One by one, they entered it, thankful there was more than enough room for them, as the Phantom was the last to join in. The trip back towards the mirror was silent, not a single word from any pony or anyone. Christine hugged her knees, still shaking over what passed between her, Rarity, and The Phantom, especially in front of their friends. She couldn’t believe her eyes, as it replayed in her mind…
A man she thought to believe as a kind, gentle Angel… Wasn’t. Instead, this was just a man with a temper-an apparently very violent temper. And yet, he wished, no, he longed to be normal-to not have half of his face deformed as such. And for that, all she could do was pity her teacher. Her eyes still stung from tears, running cold on her cheeks. A hoof touched her lap she turned to see Twilight’s reassuring gaze, telling her that everything’s going to be okay… Even if Christine felt otherwise.
By the time they got toward the mirror, Christine was the first to exit toward her dressing room, never looking back or even saying goodbye. The rest of her friends silently followed Christine as The Phantom looked on. Rarity was the last pony to make her exit while the others were ahead, as The Phantom turned to leave. But she didn’t take a step past the entrance when she turned back one last time.
“Erik!” Rarity called out.
The Phantom stopped in his tracks, but he didn’t look back. The fact he heeded her call at all was enough. Rarity could only look on, hoping to hear at least one more word from the man. Anything.
“Rarity… You and your friends must promise me…” The Phantom began. “Promise me you will never tell anyone what you’ve seen.”
“Erik, I…” Rarity began.
“Promise me!” The Phantom interrupted, shouting. “Please…”
For a moment Rarity said nothing in case he were to lash out again. But the more she thought about it, the more she understood why he would ask this much of her. It was clear The Phantom would not let just ‘anyone’ know of his secret place, where he could compose his music in peace, away from the prying eyes of a world who could never accept him for what he is or as he believes. And yet, if Rarity were truly his friend, the only friend he ever had, it’s no wonder he would ask her to do this much for him despite everything. Rarity slowly nodded, understanding that for all intents and purposes this was the right thing.
“We won’t tell anyone, Erik…” Rarity assured. “I promise.”
That was more than enough for The Phantom to hear, as he slowly walked down the passage. Rarity sighed and was about to turn and leave when her eyes caught something else. Three addition figures: A midget woman, a muscular bald man, and a gangly man walking behind The Phantom, whether he knew them or not. They slowly turned to Rarity, uttering not a syllable or sound, but just smiled in unison though they came off as creepy. Rarity did not know what to think, but it had already been a long night. She eventually turned away and walked off to catch up with the others as the mirror sealed behind her.
As Rarity ran to meet with her friends, to tell everyone that they had been found, another figure watched her while standing by the dressing room door. Spike, the little dragon friend, who had a crush on Rarity for so long, stood silently watching Rarity run ahead. He had overheard everything, he had overheard her promise to that scary man that the world won’t know of what they’ve seen, having them make a promise to him on ‘her’ behalf. He could not believe what he heard.
“Why would she stand up for a man who kidnapped her?” Spike wondered, confused. “Why would she feel sorry for him? Does… Does she ‘like’ him?”