Spike dragged his hooves slowly across the dark ground of ponyville, his sweat stained mane falling across his face. “Why are you so out of shape? This is ridiculous,” Spike muttered through gasps of air.
“I am not,” Rarity claimed, only to frown when she gazed down at her body’s matted fur and now thoroughly ruined mane. “Okay so I might have been skipping my usual running routine lately but its not that bad.”
“Rarity I- er you are winded after walking halfway across town!” Spike exclaimed.
The dragon sighed. “I’m sorry dear. I really did mean to keep jogging and avoiding my nightly bowls of ice cream but I’m just so exhausted after a long day.”
“I get it,” Spike murmured. “You do know that if we get stuck like this I will make sure you stick to your routine. One way or another.”
Rarity chuckled as she plodded along on all fours next to her partner. “And maybe I’ll decide to fatten you up back to your old portly self.”
The unicorn blushed furiously. “You wouldn't dare!” He shrieked.
“Relax darling. I would never,” Rarity replied softly.
Spike grumbled, and awkwardly pushed his long mane out of his face. “Your hormones suck you know.”
“The need for drama is my blood darling,” Rarity exclaimed.
Spike chuckled as they continued to plod down the dark, empty streets of Ponyville. All around them the usually bustling town were all asleep, their homes dark and seemingly empty. Despite the lateness of the evening neither creature felt unnerved by the dark town as they had both long since grown used to it.
Lit only by the sparse streetlights spaced every block or so, the pair relied upon the bright moon more than the artificial lighting the town had provided. Though quiet, the street wasn't silent, as in the distance crickets could be heard as well as the occasional rustle of leaves, neither of which bothered them. For they knew well the difference between the sounds a racoon made while on the prowl for garbage and that produced by a roaming coyote.
In the quiet that followed the pair silently ruminated over the strange turn of events that had just occurred to them. Neither was happy about the change, but they were also no strangers to magical accidents, ancient curses and random shenanigans. They were ponyvillians after all, it merely came with territory to accept catastrophe and disaster in stride.
Plus they had gone through this particular song and dance of getting cursed more than a few times in the past and they were confident it wouldn't last much longer. After all, they werent doing the cliche thing like trying to hide the change, or pretending like it wasn't happening to them. Though both creatures silently admitted that it would be nice if noone found out about the switch, they werent dumb enough to think they could handle it on their own.
After all, they had wonderful friends like Twilight Sparkle to help them out.
A mare who had become princess Celestia’s protege at an unheard of young age after unleashing more magic than most adult unicorn’s were capable of harnessing over an entire life time. The pony who had brought the elements of harmony together and led them to battle against Nightmare Moon. After emerging victorious from a fight they should not have won, Twilight continued to defeat many more of Equestria’s enemies.
And that was without even mentioning all the schooling she had gone through, the research papers she had published or the magical breakthroughs she had been responsible for. All in all she was perhaps the best pony to have in your corner when dealing with some sort of magical ailment. Save for maybe Celestia herself, though even then, it was a close toss up between the two of them.
The familiar tree library grew closer, and it wasn't long before the pair reached Twilight’s humble abode.
Spike reached for the door only to be stopped by Rarity, who grabbed his wrist.
“Wait a second,” Rarity whispered. “We should talk about what we are going to say before going in there.”
“Why would…” Spike sighed. “Right. Wouldn't want to startle her too bad.”
“Exactly,” Rarity agreed, releasing the unicorn’s hoof and taking a step back. “She may have relaxed significantly over the years but Twilight still has a bit of a habit of overreacting.”
“True. How do you want to do this?” Spike inquired.
Rarity hummed. “I think I should do the talking. I’ll warn her, but quickly tell her what the problem is.”
“Give her no time to worry before giving her a problem to solve, thus occupying her mind. Good thinking,” Spike stated.
“Exactly my thought process,” Rarity stated, smiling slightly. “Ready?”
“Ready,” Spike replied.
Rarity carefully pulled opened the door, and stepped inside. “Twilight! Are you there darling? We need to talk!”
The pair only made it a single step inside before turning towards the couch where they heard a muffled yelp of surprise followed by the thump of a falling pony.
“Ow ow ow I hit my horn,” cursed the familiar voice of Twilight Sparkle.
“Your lucky, Sparkle. You didn't almost get your tongue bitten off,” remarked Trixie who sat up on the couch and glanced over to the new comers. “I know it's Ponyville but you could have at least knocked.”
Twilight popped up a second later, the mare’s eyes wide as she stared from Rarity to Spike. “You werent supposed to be back until tomorrow!” She shrieked.
“Well you see there was-” Spike began only to get cut off by Rarity who all but leapt over to the couch.
The dragon grabbed Twilight Sparkle by the shoulders and hefted her off the ground, forcing their noses to meet. “Tell me everything!” Demanded Rarity.
“I-er… what?” Twilight murmured.
Trixie pulled a cigarette out of somewhere and casually ignited the end before puffing on it. “I think he's asking about us,” Trixie inferred.
“How long have you been together? Where did you meet? Are you special someponys yet? Can I make the dresses for your wedding?” Rarity demanded, her words exiting her mouth so fast that even Pinkie Pie would have been jealous.
“Bwuh?” Twilight muttered in disbelief, her back legs dangling off the floor.
Trixie sighed. “We aren't. We met at one of my shows. Like I said, we aren't and maybe if you give Trixie a deal on a good rental.”
“You aren't together… Oh my goodness!” Rarity shrieked, spinning Twilight around. “This is exactly like this absolutely wonderful book I’ve been reading titled the notebook. Do come to me if you ever have any questions about love!”
“What is happening?” Twilight murmured, her eyeballs rolling loosely inside her skull.
Spike sighed, and ran a hoof down his face. “I really should have done the talking.”
“The great and powerful Trixie will be in her wagon. Good luck dealing with whatever this is,” Trixie remarked flippantly before trotting past Spike and walking outside.
“Could you put me down please?” Twilight asked, flailing her back legs in emphasis.
Rarity blinked. “Oh right. Sorry darling. I’m afraid I got rather carried away.”
“It's okay Spike, but why do you sound like Rarity?” Twilight asked after being placed on her own four hooves once more.
“That's because she is Rarity,” declared Spike.
“Spike! I thought we agreed to warn her before we said that!” Rarity hissed.
The unicorn shrugged. “The cat was already out of the bag.”
“Wait, you two got turned into one another?” Twilight asked, cocking her head. “How is that even possible?”
“Cursed magical rings,” Spike deadpanned, pointing to his horn in emphasis.
Twilight sighed. “Well I suppose that's a relief. I was already preparing this whole speech for Discord about how it's irresponsible to make people switch bodies against their will.”
“I’d file that one away for later because after he gets back from vacation and learns of this he may get some ideas,” Spike added.
“Augh. This is going to be a whole thing isn't it?” Twilight whined.
“It may, but that's not important right now,” Rarity exclaimed, waving a fist in the air. “What we must know is how you and Trixie became entangled with one another.”
“We aren't…” Twilight paused. “That is a good way of putting it, but it's a long story and your guys’ thing is much more important.”
“But Twilight!” Rarity complained.
“We can tease Twilight about her dating life later. We got bigger problems right now dear,” Spike declared.
Rarity sighed, and fell back down to all fours. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Let's start from the top. Tell me everything you know about this curse,” Twilight began, the unicorn settling into an armchair.
Spike sighed, and sat across from the other pony, settling his puzzle box on the table. “Well it all began on a dark and stormy night not even a month ago…”
“And that pretty much gets us here,” Spike concluded, glancing to his left to where Rarity sat next to him. “Isn't that right?”
“Indeed it does darling,” Rarity agreed.
“Vaguely prophetic, slightly irritating and altogether unhelpful. Whomever sold this to our resident curse dealer definitely knew what those rings did,” Twilight murmured.
“That makes sense, but why?” Spike remarked.
Twilight shrugged. “That unfortunately, is anyone’s guess.”
“Well can't you find out who they were? You have the princesses’ ear after all,” Rarity pressed.
Twilight shook her head. “I can't do that. The princess could only intervene if it was a criminal case, or if it was war time.”
“Does the war against my masculinity count?” Spike deadpanned, pushing his ruined mane out of his face.
“I’m afraid not,” Twilight replied with a slight chuckle.
“Damn,” Spike cursed.
“There must be something you can do, surely,” Rarity pleaded.
“There isn't, and don't call me Shirley,” Twilight retorted, giggling at her own joke.
Spike groaned, and ran a hoof down his face. “You really have to stop making references to things you saw in the human world. Noone here gets them.”
“Oh right,” Twilight cleared her throat. “Regardless there really isn't anything the princess or I could do in this situation.”
“Maybe we could hire a private investigator?” Rarity asked.
“Going from what the antique dealer said it's unlikely that they would have anything to go on,” Twilight reasoned. “I mean other then them owning a pair of rings at some point in the last forty years.”
“Which could be several thousand ponies at the minimum,” Rarity murmured, running a clawed hand down her face.
“The previous owner might not even be a pony. Both gryphons and minotaurs utilize rings in their marriage proposals,” Twilight explained, only to blink. “Congratulations by the way. Sorry I didn't mention that sooner.”
“It's fine,” Spike declared, waving a hoof dismissively. “We got rather caught up in the whole curse thing to really focus on that part.”
“So what do we do then?” Rarity asked in a slightly desperate tone. “No offence to you my dear, but I can't live so unfashionably.”
“Speak for yourself. At least my look is low maintenance,” Spike muttered, pushing the mane out of his face again. “I don't even know how to style your hair.”
Rarity winced and gently moved a strip of hair from Spike’s face. “Really darling you simply must treat my, or should I say your hair better.”
“Augh. This is the worst,” Spike muttered as Rarity began to fix his mane for him.
“Well if you want my opinion I would suggest just going about your daily lives as you would otherwise. All the research I’ve done into curses says that living normally usually gets rid of them in time,” Twilight exclaimed.
“Like, normal normal?” Spike muttered, waving a hand over his body. “Because I don't want to get married to Rarity, in her body.”
“The feeling is mutual darling,” Rarity added.
Twilight hummed thoughtfully as she rubbed her chin. “Perhaps that is what the curse wants you to do. Maybe it wants you to get married like this.”
“Why do you say that?” Questioned Spike.
“I keep going back to what he said to you guys. It sounds like the rings want you to know just how much the other cares and what is getting married other than the ultimate symbol of that?” Twilight reasoned.
“I suppose that makes sense,” Spike muttered, only to yelp in pain. “Hey watch the claws!”
“Sorry darling,” murmured Rarity. “I’m still getting used to these things.”
“If you wanna mangle your mane with my claws that's fine by me but I think you should keep your scalp in one peice,” Spike exclaimed with a snort.
Rarity rolled her eyes. “You’ll be fine, now stop slouching so much. Your going to give me a hunch.”
“That's not…” Spike sighed, and straightened his back. “There, are you happy now?”
“Quite,” Rarity replied.
“So…” Twilight began somewhat awkwardly. “Are you guys still going to get married then?”
“Of course,” Rarity stated before Spike even had a chance to open his mouth. “I may be in the body of the person whom I am marrying, but if that's how to get rid of the curse then so be it.”
Spike winced. “Well that's good to hear. You were so angry that I thought for sure you would call things off.”
Rarity sighed. “It may not be perfect but what is this if not another adventure hmm?”
“That's an excellent way of putting it,” Twilight declared. “Do you need any help?”
“Oh yes. I am going to require several additional hooves if we are going to do this soon,” Rarity remarked idly as she continued to do Spike’s mane. “Perhaps if we work quickly we can get it all planned before summer.”
“Oh thats awesome! Summer is only a few weeks away!” Spike declared, grinning excitedly.
“No darling. Next summer,” Rarity explained. “My dream venue needs to be booked over a year in advance and organizing everything else will take several months.”
“Whuh? A year? Rarity I am not being you for a whole year!” Spike screeched.
“Tut tut darling. There is no need for such hysterics. A year is the absolute quickest way we can remedy our current predicament,” Rarity stated.
“Actually. I may be able to help with that,” Twilight interjected. “Where exactly were you thinking?”
“Why the Belmond of course,” Rarity answered. “Sure it may cost several thousand bits for a single night stay but it is simply the most perfect destination in the world.”
Spike’s jaw hung open. “The Belmond? But isn't that halfway across the world?”
“It is in the heart of old Equestria, and built on foundations older than Canterlot itself,” Rarity explained in a wistful tone. “It has everything. Stunning views of both the mountains and beach as well as a five star restaurant.”
Twilight winced. “I don't suppose they have any rooms that cost a little less?”
“Why go all the way to the old country just to stay in a room you could find right here in Ponyville?” Rarity replied.
“It's really expensive, and you know what? This is a discussion for another time,” Spike remarked. “Let's shelve that topic and discuss what else needs to be done.”
“It's all rather simple. We just need to go through twenty more easy steps and we’ll be ready for the big day,” Rarity explained.
“That's a lot of steps,” Twilight murmured. “What else could you possibly need to do?”
Rarity scoffed. “Planning a wedding isn't very hard; we just need to follow lady Haywood’s steps. Like for example step one, setting a budget.”
“That sounds easy enough,” murmured Spike. “How much were you thinking?”
“Oh just thirty, maybe forty thousand bits,” Rarity flippantly replied as she picked at her claws.
“Whuh?” Twilight muttered, mouth agape.
“Rarity that's our entire savings account!” Spike yelled, throwing up his hooves.
“Yes, but it will all be worth it darling. After all we need to pay everyone a fair wage,” Rarity stated.
“We can worry about those kinds of details later,” Spike muttered half to himself, half to Rarity. “What else do we need to do?
“Simple. Next we must get inspired,” Rarity exclaimed in a dramatic fashion. “We must dig deep and think of what emotions we wish to evoke with our wedding then we will be ready to come up with a theme. After that it will be a simple matter to figure out the finer details of doing just that.”
“That sounds like a lot of work,” Twilight whispered.
“It will all be worth it darling. After all you only marry your soul mate once,” Rarity stated.
Spike sniffed. “Aww that's so sweet.”
Rarity grinned, and wiped a stray hair from Spike’s face. “It is worth it for you darling.”
Twilight coughed, lifting a scroll she had teleported to her hooves. “So, what else do you need to do? I’ve got everything you mentioned so far.”
“The wedding registry would need to be set up at a local shop. After that it's a simple matter of booking vendors, finalizing the guest list, sending out the invitations, rehearsals, honeymoon as well as bridal shower, and bachelor party planning,” Rarity stopped to take a breath. “And of course shopping for the dress, suit, acquiring the marriage license, reception seating chart, confirming the other details and of course the big day itself!”
“That is… a lot,” Spike murmured.
Twilight hastily scrawled down every item in the list, a frown crossing her face. “That sure is a good number of things to get done.”
“Can't we just get mayor mare to marry us at city hall?” Spike asked.
Rarity gasped so hard she nearly ran out of air. “And ruin the perfect day I’ve been dreaming of since I was a child? Absolutely not!”
“I hate to side with Rarity on this one but the curse would likely know the difference between a real marriage and something rushed like that” Twilight added.
“Thank you darling… I think,” Rarity murmured.
Spike sighed. “Fine. But there is absolutely no way we are staying this way for an entire year. A few weeks is fine, maybe even a month but anything more is absolutely out of the question.”
“But-” Rarity began, only for a hoof to press against her lips.
“Rarity. I love you dearly but I refuse to be you for that long,” Spike stated. “We have lives to get to and neither of us can put those things on hold for twelve months or more.”
Rarity frowned, but reluctantly nodded her head. “I suppose I will just have to convince someone to give up their spot on the waiting list so we may still have it at the Belmond.”
“That's not what I… you know what. I don't care where we get married. I’ll leave that part to you,” Spike exclaimed.
“As you should darling. I’ve been thinking about this for years,” Rarity exclaimed.
“Would you like to come over tomorrow so we can figure things out together?” Twilight offered.
Spike hummed thoughtfully. “I think we can handle the first part on our own. Seems like a good chunk of it is just doing some basic planning and junk.”
“That is a gross generalization but is more or less correct,” Rarity admitted.
“Alright. I’ll come check in on you on monday then,” Twilight exclaimed, putting down her checklist.
“Excellent. Let's go home Rarity. Any longer without a little TLC and I think your mane is going to end up ruined permanently,” Spike remarked.
“You should make sure to cover that eye by the way,” Twilight pointed out. “It looks like it's going to puff up and get pretty ugly.”
Rarity hummed as she inspected Spike’s eye closely. “It might. Don't worry darling I have more than enough makeup to cover all that.”
Spike groaned. “Please keep it to a minimum. What you put on this morning was already quite a bit.”
“I beg to differ, though I understand why you might think so,” Rarity remarked.
“Excellent. Sorry I couldn't be more help,” Twilight apologized.
“It's no matter darling,” Rarity exclaimed.
“Yeah you at least pointed us in the right direction,” Spike added.
“Very true,” Rarity agreed. “I fear I would have been quite out of sorts had we not had a plan in mind at this point.”
“I’m glad to hear it and don't forget that my offer to assist in planning is still open. The library is pretty quiet until summer, so I have plenty of time,” Twilight offered.
“Thanks. Now come on Rarity. Lets get home and hit the shower,” Spike exclaimed.
“Wait. Twilight didn't enlighten us about her little relationship,” Rarity pointed out.
“I’ll tell you another time,” Twilight murmured, blushing furiously. “I think I need to have a talk with Trixie anyway.”
“Then we must absolutely go to the spa next week,” Rarity declared.
Twilight’s face turned redder still. “Maybe. It depends how the conversation goes.”
“Oh?” Spike prompted.
“Otherwise we may need to go to the bar instead,” Twilight murmured.
Rarity nodded sagely. “I know the feeling. Now come on darling. We musnt terry any longer.”
“Right, just a second,” Spike replied, stepping up to Twilight and opening a forehoof. “Thanks again Twilight. I’ll see you again soon.”
“Try to stay sane,” Twilight offered, accepting the hug and squeezing the pony tightly.
“I’ll try. Though something tells me not being able to eat any gems is going to get to me,” Spike stated with a chuckle.
Twilight pushed her friend back and flashed him a smile. “Very true. You two are going to have a lot to get used to.”
“Even still. Its nothing we can't work on together,” Rarity remarked.
“Very true,” Spike agreed.