//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Mysteries of the Heart // by Red Keyblade Master //------------------------------// MotH: Ch3 The 'ol switcheroo /Lesson 0: Being yourself Spike hopped and bounded his way through the busy streets of Ponyville. Today, Monday, is the day he goes and helps out at Rarity's place most of the day. And since Applebloom told him about Rainbow's problem yesterday, he was eager to go and see exactly HOW Rarity expects to transform Rainbow Dash. "It's Rainbow Dash. Her being 'proper' is more impossible than Pinkie Pie being serious." Spike chuckled to himself. But just then, Pinkie Pie popped out of a trash can. "You rang?" She giggled. "Wh-what?" All Spike did was say her name. One day, he's gunna find out exactly WHAT Pinkie Pie really is. Is she an all knowing being? Heck she might be more powerful than princess Celestia for all Spike knew. "Ohh! Hiya Spike! How'd your day with Applebloom go yesterday! Great I bet! Ooooooh! Are you going to Rarity's right now! Oh by the way! Later on today I am going to reveal the new Rainbow Dash at sugarcube corner! But you already knew that! Since your going to Rarity's silly!" Pinkie Pie giggled. Spike chuckled. "Good 'ol Pinkie. Hey, can you go to Appleblooms place and tell her that I'm sorry but I'm busy till when you call us to sugarcube corner?" Spike had an extremely hard time that morning deciding whether he wanted to hang out with Applebloom, or go to Rarity's and help out. The latter one because of his curiosity about Rarity and her plans about Rainbow's transformation. But he still felt very sorry and promised himself that he'd give her the rest of the day afterwards. "Okey dokey lokey! Oh! That reminds me! I've gotta go tell Applebloom that Spike's sorry about today!" She zipped off again, leaving a confused Spike behind. "Next time, I'll make sure to say her name ALOT more quieter... Now, where was I?" Spike continued walking down the street. In spring, grass could literally grow anywhere there was dirt and open sun. Little spouts of grass were here and there on the dirt road to the Carousel Boutique. Not to mention the growth spurt of any tree-like plants. Wait a minute... "Oh. That might explain..." Spike couldn't finish his sentence as a certain Rainbow mare crashed into him. "Ow! Come on Rainbow! I almost had the answer to where my room came from!" Spike groaned from bellow her. "Hey, how come you always assume its me whenever something crashes into ya pipsqueak!" Rainbow said light heartedly as she helped him up. "Because, 90% of the time it is you." Spike dusted himself off. "How are ya?" He added as he started walking again. "Nervous." Rainbow Dash stated calmly as she walked next to him. "I bet..." Spike thought for a bit. "Wait, you nervous about the date or what Rarity might do to you?" He inquired while scratching his chin. "Both I guess. If Rarity's whole transformation thing doesn't work, I could end up ruining my date. And though I would normally not care much about my appeal or how I act, this one date could be the most important date of my life!" She threw her hoofs into the air dramatically. She took a breath to calm down, she then chuckled and lightly joked. "See, I'm already acting like Rarity. This whole thin might be a piece of cake after all!" At that moment Pinkie Pie dropped down onto Rainbow Dash with a thud. "No Dashie! The cake is a lie!" "Wh-what Pinkie!" Rainbow pushed her off. Pinkie Pie jumped off and left rapidly. Leaving a pink dust trail behind her and a horribly confused Rainbow Dash. "What the...?" "Yeah, she's doing that a lot this week." Spike calmly stated. "You mean she's done that to you too?" "Yep. Multiple times already." Spike chuckled a bit. "Well, that's Pinkie for ya." Rainbow Dash laughed a bit, then continued down the path to the Carousel Boutique. "So Spike, anything interesting happen to ya so far this week?" She asked calmly. Spike nodded. "Yeah, me an Applebloom hung out all day yesterday! We talked a lot about our selves and I learned a lot about her." "Never woulda thought you had it in ya squirt." Rainbow Dash lightly punched Spike in the side. Spike chuckled and pushed her slightly. "Heh, what do you mean?" "You really don't know? Heh, I'll let you find out on your own. Unless you take to long and end up needing MY help." Rainbow Dash looked up to see Fluttershy walking towards them smiling. "Hey Fluttershy, what's up?" Fluttershy jumped a bit, but then noticed Spike and Rainbow Dash and smiled at them. "Oh, hi Rainbow, and hello Spike." She said calmly walking up to them. "Hey Fluttershy." Spike said smiling. Fluttershy looked towards Spike. "How'd your day with Applebloom go yesterday Spike?" "It went great! But uhh... How'd ya know that?" Spike asked a bit confused. "You weren't... Spying on him were ya Shy?" Rainbow Dash added with a smirk. Fluttershy smiled and shook her head calmly, not fazed by that at all. "Oh no. I saw Applebloom walking towards the library and I asked her." "That's nice Fluttershy." Spike smiled at her. "Ugh. Boooooring! How about you tell us bout your day with Big Mac yesterday Shy." Rainbow Dash spoke smirking. Fluttershy instantly reverted back into shy mode. "Ohh... Umm... Well.. You see... Me and him... Mphmm..." All that could be heard was mumbles and a fair set of 'umms'. "You can hide it now Fluttershy, but tomorrow, during Twilight's sleep over, it's ALL coming out!" Rainbow Dash made sure to let her know. "Umm... I don't follow..." Spike interjected, completely lost on the conversation going on. Weren't they just talking about him a few seconds ago? Where did Big Macintosh come into this? Rainbow Dash chuckled and turned to Spike. "Its mare talk, you wouldn't understand small-fry." She turned back to Fluttershy. "Anyway, we should really get goin. See ya Shy!" "Ok. Bye guys!" She tried calling out to them, which wasn't that loud, as they walked away. As they neared Rarity's place Spike decided to ask the question that plagued his mind ever since he heard about this. "Hey Dash, just... Why?" Rainbow Dash chuckled at him. Fully understanding his question. "I have a really important and fancy date coming up and I can't afford to screw up and act un-civilized durin the date." Rainbow Dash spoke it as if it was nothing. To her, it was like any other normal daily routine. Eat breakfast, get ready, you know the usual stuff. But to Spike it was well... "You really can't just pass it off like its nothing Dash! If the date doesn't go well from you being yourself then he's not right for you." Spike tried to reason with her. But he only received a sigh. "You wouldn't understand Spike..." I understand more than you think Dash... Spike thought to himself quietly. Still not fully on board with the whole changing thing. His arguments would have to wait though, as they had reached the Carousel Boutique, and on time for once. Rainbow knocked on the door 3 times, signaling that it was her. After a short while the doors opened and Rarity let them both in. "Darling! Your on time for once! I guess you really are taking this date as serious as you described! Come in, come in. We'll get started soon enough!" Rarity propped Rainbow Dash up on one of her modeling stands and called to Spike. "Spike, will you be a dear and fetch me some bright blue silk, shimmering yarn, and my starlight needles and thread?" "Sure Rarity." Spike began to walk towards the selected items. "So Rarity, how exactly do you plan to do this whole 'transformation' thing to Dash anyway?" Spike asked, he still didn't believe they were actually doing this. And if they did fail Spike would get 10 while bits from Twilight! So it was a win-win. "Why darling I'm so glad you asked! First, I will teach her proper manners, then, to walk and talk like a true mare. Then we will move on after that!" She spoke with grace as she examined Rainbow Dash from head to hoof. "Ugh. Alright alright Rarity! Let's gets started..." Rainbow Dash said a bit impatient. "Why of course darling! First lesson, oh thanks Spike!" Rarity replied as Spike brought back the stuff and set it down on the table to the left of them. "Hehe. Yeah Dash! Let's see those 'manners'. If you even have any!" Spike joked teasingly as he stood by Rarity, a smug look on his face. "Ahem. 'May you be a dear and pass me some punch'?" Rainbow Dash spoke with a voice much like Rarity's but with her own flair to it. Spike's jaw just dropped. "What the?! No. I'm gunna loose bits!" He kicked the imaginary dust next to him. Rarity reassured him and Rainbow Dash. "Now now, let's not get ahead of ourselves." She led Rainbow Dash into her dinning room. The table was already set up with a fancy dinner of special sauced spaghetti and fancy utensils. "Alright Rainbow, darling. Lesson number two; eating like a proper mare. Let's see what you've got." Rarity smiled as she sat Rainbow Dash down. "Alright! I've been starving!" Rainbow Dash dove right in. The only utensil she bothered to use was a fork, and even with that, sauce went flying and a lot of slurps we're heard. Needless to say, it was not a pretty sight. "Bwaahahaha! I might just win the bet!" Spike was rolling on the floor laughing, despite having sauce all over him. Rarity on the other hand was freaking out. On the inside... Mostly. "Oh. Nonononono! That just won't do darling! Oh my. This may take longer than I thought." She began to pace around, deep in thought. "Come on Rarity! I said, by any means necessary! This date has to go PERFECTLY. Don't you know a spell or something?" Rainbow Dash was practically pleading right now. "Hey! A spell is cheating!" Spike called her out on it. "Quiet squirt! When your in love you'll understand!" Rainbow Dash retaliated, then quickly looked away with the largest blush any mare could have. "...Love?" Spike scratched the back of his head in thought. Normally he would've thought of Rarity when someone mentioned the word love to him, but now... Could love mean more than just strong feelings towards one pony? Maybe. Besides, it's not like Spike will fall in love soon... Right? Now he was beginning to question himself. All he knew was that some pony's shadow popped into his head when he thought 'love' and it definitely wasn't Rarity. Who was it? She looked young... "... Hey... Spike!" "Huh? What?" Rarity shook Spike out of his trance and had him walk back over to Rainbow Dash. When and how did he end up at a table near the back? Oh well. What's more important is... "Coming! Darn, it was on the tip of my tongue..." He said quietly to himself as he stood by Rarity again. "Are you sure you would rather have me use a spell darling?" Rarity asked Rainbow Dash silently wishing she will say 'no'. "Yes. Now, hurry up and cast the spell so we can move on to, bleh, clothes and makeup." Rainbow Dash made a gagging motion at the mention of makeup. "Alright then..." Rarity let out a breath and stood back. Truth be told, Spike was a bit nervous too. It had to be a really powerful spell for it to work the way they want it to. If something went wrong... That would end terribly to say the least. Spike shut his eyes and crossed his fingers in anticipation. "This is gunna hurt..." Rarity braced herself and tried casting the spell. Her horn began to glow softly, then grew brighter. Until... It shimmered out. "Oh. Well this is embarrassing... It seems I'm not powerful enough. Umm... Let's see if there's a different spell in here..." Rarity flipped through the pages of her spell book. "Here's one but... Oh my." Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. "What?" "It seems the only way we can do this is if... I give you my qualities and vice-versa.." Rarity spoke in uncertainty. "...Let's go for it." Rainbow Dash smiled at Rarity. "I mean, what's the worst that could happen? Can't you make it where if we both want to change back we can?" Rarity nodded. "Yes. But I'm not quite sure..." Rainbow Dash gave Rarity an adorable stare, one which she couldn't resist.. "Oh alright! I'll give you this one thing Dash! But you will owe me big time!" She began to cast the spell. Spike was dumbstruck. "Your both really going through with this?! Yeah, I'll just go and... Take cover!" Spike leaped behind the table, knocking it over (there was nothing on it, luckily) and using it for cover. "Tell me when it's over!" Rarity's horn glowed brightly. A big spark flew from her horn. Causing Spike to duck again. Not long after a popping noise was heard and bright blue smoke covered the whole Boutique. Spike coughed as he went to open a window. "Geez. Can't any of yours and Twilights spells go without creating a bunch of smoke? I mean, come on. I'm a dragon and I don't even give off this much smoke!" He complained as he aired the room. "You two ok?" he finally said. "Yeah yeah, I'm fine. Definitely wasn't the worse thing that happend in here." A voice spoke from the dust. "I do hope it worked dear. Otherwise coming here would've been a waste of my time." Another voice spoke. The smoke started to clear slowly. It first revealed Rarity, but not the one Spike knew. Her mane wasn't done all fancy anymore. It looked normal, her fancy make-up was gone for some reason. Along with her 'darling' phrase at the end. "Woah. Last time I do a spell inside my Boutique. How you feeling Dash. What happened to my voice?" Rarity shook herself. Her voice now sounded normal. Much like Twilight's but smooth like Fluttershy's. She looked towards Rainbow Dash. "I feel prissy. But very elegant. I think the spell went smashing dear." Rainbow Dash spoke. Her mane now looked neatly done, covering one eye on her right side of her face, her voice sounded a million times smoother, yet you could still hear her original voice a bit. It seems all of Rarity's make-up went to her. She had long eyelashes, eye shadow and liner. Also, if you looked closely enough, you could see glitter on her. The smoke cleared completely, both mares looked towards an astounded Spike. Rarity raised an eyebrow. "You alright there Spike?" Spike was awestruck, looking back and forth between Rarity and Rainbow Dash he spoke "Yeah, I just... How does this... Okay" He took a minute to compose himself. "How do you reverse it?" Rarity chuckled unlike herself, and took notice, as she walked towards Spike. "It's really simple. It wears off after 15 hours. Or sooner if wanted, or later." She turned towards Rainbow Dash. "We ARE going to switch back ok? I DO NOT want to be like this forever." Rainbow Dash nodded and fluttered her eyelashes. "Dear, of course! Just one date and then I'll be myself again! I promise you that." Rarity nodded. "Good. Now Spike." she turned towards him with a smile. "Go on ahead and meet us at Sugarcube Corner. Don't you have Applebloom and her friends waiting?" Spike chuckled and nodded. "Alright. See ya Rarity!" He calmly walked out the door. As he let the door close behind him he spoke to himself softly. "Oh ho. This is gunna be one fun day." He walked away mischievously. As he walked, he caught sight of Applejack walking towards Sugarcube corner as well. Being nice, he called out to her as he jogged to catch up. "Hey Applejack!" Applejack turned and chuckled at Spike. "Well hey there fellah. You headin ta Pinkies place as well?" Spike nodded with a smile. "Yeah, Appleblooms already there right?" Applejack smiled at Spike. "Yessire. By the way Spike, gotta thank you. Ever since she got home from hangin out with ya, she's been so much more happier. What did y'all do?" Spike blushed a bit at the mention of her behavior. A blush that didn't go unnoticed as Applejack smiled mischievously like he did earlier. "Well, we talked and played some board games. Had fun and annoyed Twilight. I'd say it was a pretty good day! Speaking of Twilight, do you know why she's looking up Discord so much?" He finished a bit puzzled. Something was definitely up with Twilight. And he wasn't gunna let it just slide. Oh no. Not when she pesters him on everything that's wrong. "Twi's at it again huh. Can't stop that pony fer anything." She then paused a bit, knowing that both Applebloom and Spike needed a push towards each other. "You know Spike, Applebloom really likes y'all's company." Spike smiled. "I really like her company too." Applejack chuckled. "You wanna make her happy right sugarcube? Well, she likes hugs and she likes you. Put that together and you get..." "Hold on. Why does everyone tell me that? I know she likes me. Otherwise she wouldn't be my friend. I don't even know what the other stuff means. Should I?" Applejack sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, Spike she..." At that moment, Pinkie Pie burst through the door of Sugarcube corner. "FOREVER!" Spike didn't realize they were already there. "Wow, that was fast." He then looked at Applejack and Pinkie Pie. "Don't tell me your keeping some thing from me! Come on! What did I do?!" Applejack sighed. "Nothing. Everything is okay sugarcube. It's just Pinkie here made us promise not to interfere with your relationship life." "Relationship life? Is there something I don't know about?" Pinkie growled at Applejack. "That's borderline breaking the promise Applejack." She narrowed her eyes menacingly and harshly whispered loud enough for Spike to hear. "Nobody. Breaks. A. Pinkie. Promise." Applejack gulped frightened and nodded, walking in. "Pinkamena?" Spike wondered to himself where that word came from. "Hehe! Come on in Spike! Appleblooms waiting with her friends!" She picked him up and tossed him in. "Woah! Pinkie!" -PoV Break: Applebloom, 10 minutes earlier- Sweetie Belle walked up to her friends who were already waiting at the punch bowl. "I can't believe my sister kicked me out of the house! I wanted to see what she would do to Rainbow Dash..." she complained as she got a drink. It wasn't like she was mad much or anything, but she at least wanted to help out and maybe catch a blimps before everyone else... "But isn't that what this party's for Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo replied with a chuckle. "Yeah, we just have ta be patient right?" Applebloom added with a smile. She would have to be the most patient, as she was waiting for a certain friend to show up after he was done doing his daily chores and helping out at Rarity's. Sweetie Belle nodded as she took a sip of her punch. "I guess, but how come they let Spike help and not me? Its my sister!" "Don't you remember the last time you 'helped' Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked. Applebloom began laughing. "Ya mean when she tore up her sister's dresses? Ooh, and the time when she turned em green?" "Or what about the time Rarity's hair was green!" Scootaloo added, laughing as well. Sweetie Belle growled. Though laughing on the inside, considering they did this to each other a lot and she enjoyed the times she spent with her friends. This time though, she had come prepared and with a come back. "Hey! I'm not the only one who messes up! Remember the zap apples Applebloom?" Applebloom growled, seeing the wild card that Sweetie Belle had pulled out, to bad it was her idea to begin with by rushing them out... "Hey it was your idea! Tell her Scootaloo!" Scootaloo was staring off somewhere and it took the other two a while to figure out at where, until they noticed a certain Diamond named pony in the distance. "Oh, her..." Sweetie Belle said in almost a hiss. "Id like to give her a piece of my mind..." Scootaloo added with a growl. She hated Diamond Tiara the most, even though the insults weren't ever directly at her, she took them the hardest all the time, maybe it was because of her idol and the made she always tried to become as good as had set her goals very high, and the insults always seemed to make it look much farther away. She would never let her friends know this though... Diamond Tiara merely looked at them, then turned away almost sadly. "Just ignore her..." Applebloom said calmly, knowing from her sister that everypony has some kind of troubles hidden behind their face and that it was always best to try to be friendly with everyone than put them down and just add to their baggage... "Its like ma sister says, don't go lookin for trouble..." she turned back and looked at Scootaloo. "Don't think we forgot about the things you messed up Scootaloo!" "Aw come on!" Scootaloo replied while laughing, knowing they were about to mention the rainbow incident... Applebloom really didn't want to start the story again, so she changed the subject, bringing up a certain dragon to her mind, she zoned out. "Seriously, where is he?" Applebloom spoke quietly to herself as she looked towards the door, waiting for Spike. "...So then I decided I should... Hey! You even listening Applebloom?" Scootaloo tapped Applebloom on her shoulder. "Huh. Wha?" Applebloom looked back towards her friends. They were waiting by the punch bowl. Applebloom more impatient than Sweetie Bell or Scootaloo. "You alright there Applebloom? You've been looking at that door all day. Sure, me and Scootaloo can't wait either but we're not starring down the door. Who are you really waiting for?" Sweetiebell asked her with a smile while Scootaloo just rolled her eyes and drank more punch. "Isn't it obvious? She's waiting for Spike." Scootaloo turned towards Applebloom smiling. "I know about your date yesterday." She smirked. Applebloom blushed madly. "It was not a date! We were just hanging out." It was right? Would Spike say it was a date? She hopped so... What what?! No, ignoring that thought. As long as Sweetiebell and Scootaloo didn't... "Well Applebloom? Do you like Spike?" Sweetiebell asked her innocently. "Yeah. Do you Applebloom? Doooo you?" Scootaloo got closer to Applebloom. "Oh, umm... Okay. I..." Applebloom couldn't finish. Because at that point a certain purple and green dragon flew through the door and into Scootaloo. "Oww... Gotta work on my landings. Hey girls..." Spike got up and smiled sheepishly. "So, how's it going?" Scootaloo chuckled and went back o the punch bowl while Sweetiebell stayed there and examined them. Applebloom smiled. "Hiya Spike! How'd it go with Rarity?" she asked sounding a bit to interested. Spike chuckled nervously. "You'll never believe what they ended up doing..." Applebloom raised an eyebrow. "What?" "You'll see when they get here. So.." "How's my lil sis an her colt, err, dragon friend?" Applejack walked up to Spike, Applebloom and the CMC. "Were good thanks sis. Wait... What?!" Applebloom blushed madly and backed up a bit. Getting nervous. "Ha! I knew it! You've got a crush on Spike!" Scootaloo chimed in. "I'll admit it is cute." Sweetiebell added nicely. Applebloom hid behind her bow, feeling completely worthless. "I... I.." Spike growled, unknown anger building up inside him. "Hey that's enough!" he stepped in between them angrily. Smoke emitting from his nostrils. Sweetiebell and Scootalo backed up, while Applejack grinned knowingly. He turned an helped Applebloom up. "Let's go somewhere else. I gotta say hi to Twi anyway." They calmly walked away from a surprised, group. Well, Applejack knew exactly what happened though... "Heh. They may be right for each other after all..." Applejack spoke quietly to herself. Spike walked away calmly with Applebloom. "Sorry, I should've jumped in sooner." "No, it's fine. Thanks Spike. I appreciate it." Applebloom blushed and hugged Spike. She enjoyed it, maybe too much, but all to soon it ended. "I might do that more now Spike." The words escaped before she even knew. At that moment she understood. Sweetiebell and Scootaloo were right. She DID have a crush on Spike. It felt pretty big too... Now all she wants to do is be by him and compliment him. Great. More complications. "Spike, I umm..." She darted her eyes around them, more him than the room around them. "Oh there you are Spike! And Applebloom. I see your hanging out already." Twilight walked up to them. Breaking Appleblooms thoughts and giving her a distraction. "How was Rarity's Spike?" Twilight said with a 'hint' of their bet. "Yeah, yeah. I get it." Spike handed her the bits. "But the spell didn't go the way it was supposed to. They had to... ehh... Improvise..." Twilight eyed him. "Improvise?" Spike chuckled. "You'll see. Things are gunna get weird today..." Twilight blinked. "Well, as long as they don't wreck the place. Pinkie's already doing that as we speak..." A crash was heard in the kitchen nearby. "Whooo!!!" Applebloom giggled. "Sounds I'll have my hoofs full with you huh Spike?" "I'm not the one who wanted her life to be interesting." Spike laughed. "Trust me Spike. This is the best time I've had in a while." She smiled at him. Not knowing how to flirt, she only complimented him lightly. Not even knowing about winking. Spike chuckled. "Well, I do try my best to be interesting." "And trust me. You are Spike. Say Spike, do you believe in miracles?" She added at the end. Spike shook his head. "Not anymore." "Ohh... Applebloom lowered her head a bit, then brought it back up. Remembering that everyone's their own pony, with beliefs and everything. But still... "Ahem." Twilight announced her presence. "Well, after Rarity and Dash get here, Pinkie is having a Karaoke contest. Why don't you sing Spike? I've heard you before. Your pretty good." She finished. Spike waved his arms in front of him in defense. "Nooo way Twi. What song would I sing anyway? Nope, not doing it, nuh uh." Applebloom giggled. "Well, I wanna sing. I may not sing that good but there has to be something I can do." She bounced in place a bit. Twilight mouthed Spike 'don't you dare make her to alone' which received a nod from Spike, signaling he was on board. "Well, Applebloom if your going up, then I am too." Spike said proudly. Like he came up with it himself. "Hey everyone!" Pinkie called from from the kitchen as she walked out a bit. "Rarity and Dashie just came in through the back! Everyone gather around hehee!" She called everyone to around the kitchen door. That being the point of the party, everyone obliged. "Okay! Preeeesenting the new, improved, awesome... Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie bounced to the side revealing Rainbow Dash in a short, fancy dress. Next to her was a average looking Rarity who was wiping tears from herself, proud of her 'amazing work'. Everyone was in awe and remained speechless. That is, until Spike sneezed and caused the crowed to go into an uproar of clapping and 'whoos!' "Thank you, thank you all dears!" Rainbow Dash said aloud, stunning the crowed again before they went back to the party. Some staying to chat. "Oh, bless you Spike." Applebloom added as they walked up to Rainbow Dash and Rarity. "Thanks." "How did you manage to perform that powerful of a spell Rarity?" Twilight asked with a smile. "Well, the one we were shooting for didn't work out. So we just settled for a personality switch spell, weaker of course but hey, it worked right?" Rarity spoke nonchalantly. "You sound different Miss. Rarity." Applebloom added as she stayed near Spike the whole time. Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Your ok with this? Never thought I'd see the day." "We'll, dear there's a first time for everything." Rainbow Dash chimed in. She turned towards the other corner of the room, where Pinkie Pie finished setting up the small stage with some speakers and a karaoke machine. "Does this house get bigger every time were here or is it just me dear?" "No, it's just Pinkie..." Twilight replied with a sweat drop. She turned towards Spike and Applebloom "Oh, I signed you both up for first and seconded. Spike, Applebloom." Twilight turned back to discuss things with Rarity and Rainbow Dash. "Great." "What song you gunna sing Spike?" Applebloom asked as she looked towards the stage. She knew what song she was gunna sing. She was just nervous and tried to relax because Spike was going first. "I know exactly what song." He looked back at Twilight then to Applebloom. "Twi's been trying to get me to be more like her. But I don't wanna be like her. I wanna be my own person, she has her anthem, and I've got mine." "Oh. I know what song Spike!" she giggled and bounced a bit. He was gunna sing THAT song. He sang it the other day for her, he was gunna do perfectly. "Heh yeah. You?" "I was gunna sing.." She couldn't finish because at that moment Pinkie Pie began speaking. "Alright party ponys! It's karaoke time! First up is... Spike! Get up here dude!" Pinkie appeared out of nowhere behind Spike and tossed him onto the stage. He landed with a bounce and picked up the mic nervously. He chuckled nervously. "Hey every one..." Applebloom smiled and waited patiently. Staring at his eyes for some reason... No response from the crowed towards Spike. "Well, uh... Here's a song about choosing your own path in life... Not by me of course, but it fits me well during this time.." he chuckled nervously. "Well here it is..." "The Anthem. By Good Charlotte." The music picked up, half the crowed instantly recognizing it and gave some 'whoos' the first line was coming up. Spike prepared and... "Yeah Here, we go" Okay, intro done. Spike stood there waiting for the lyrics to begin again. "It's a new day But it all feels old It's a good life That's what I'm told But every day, it all just feels the same" He began to slowly enjoy himself. He started smiling and walking around a bit on stage. Applebloom couldn't take her eyes off him for some reason... "And my high school It felt more to me Like a jail cell A penitentiary My time spent there it only made me see" Chorus time. Now Spike was having fun. Dancing a bit holding the mic in one hand as he sang causing Applebloom to giggle and sigh as she imagined him holding her... No denying it now... "That I don't ever wanna be like you! I don't wanna do the things you do! I'm never gonna hear the words you say! And I don't ever wanna I don't ever wanna be You, don't wanna be just like you What I'm sayin' is, this is the anthem Throw all your hands up You, don't wanna be you!" Spike was singing perfectly, almost as if he wrote the song himself. Twilight seemed a bit hurt by the choice of song, but he'd deal with that later. Right now it was impress Applebloom time. Didn't even fight the thought there. Applebloom looked back towards a slightly sad Twilight and calmly told her. "You've gotta let him be his own person." "Yeah... I know.." She replied softly. "Go to college A university Get a real job That's what they said to me But I could never, live the way they want" In all truth, Spike couldn't be like Twilight, it jut wasn't him. He needs to be himself. "I'm gonna get by And just do my time Out of step while They all get in line I'm just a minor threat so pay no mind" Everyone was enjoying Spike now. Even Twilight. He felt on top of the world and he was, he was on top of Appleblooms world. "Do you really wanna to be like them? Do you really wanna be another trend? Do you wanna be part of that crowd?" Applebloom hopped up and down enjoying it as the crowed did to. "'Cause I don't ever wanna I don't ever wanna be, you Don't wanna be just like you What I'm saying is, this is the anthem Throw all your hands up You, don't wanna be you" "Shake it once that's fine Shake it twice that's okay Shake it three times Your enjoying it to much.. Again!" Spike danced and hopped. Calming down for the breakdown. "(You, don't wanna be just like you)" He prepared for what was next... He jumped high just as he said the next verse. "What I'm saying is, this is the anthem Throw all your hands up Now you can feel me Sing if you're with me You, don't wanna be just like you (Just like you)" Spike guesteurd towards the crowed to sing with him, they complied happily. "This is the anthem Throw all your hands up Now you can feel me Sing if you're with me Never loose your anthem (Wahoo) Never loose your anthem (Wahoo) Never loose your anthem (Wahoo) Never loose your anthem!" The song ended. Applebloom rushed towards Spike as he began to walk off stage, meeting him half way. "That was amazing Spike!" "Heh, thanks Applebloom. What song are you going to sing?" he asked as he got off stage. "You'll see Spike. You'll see..." She hopped on stage for her turn. She let out a breath. "Miracle. By Paramoure." Applejack raised an eyebrow at the choice of song. "Well, if she's got somethin ta say a songs the next best thing ta talkin I guess..." As always, the drums started and Applebloom took off her bow an let her long name flow, the now was there to keep it shorter but she let it out for the purpose of the song. "I've gone for too long Living like I'm not alive So I'm going to start over tonight Beginning with you and I Will this memory fade? I'm gonna make sure it's stayin With chances taken, hope embraced And have I told you?" She sang perfectly as well, amazing everyone, even Pinkie Pie. She even moved around quite dramatically, letting her hair bounce around and flow. Needless to say, Spike was staring. "I'm not going 'cause I've been waiting for a miracle And I'm not leaving I won't let you, let you give up on a miracle When it might save you" She sang towards Spikes direction. Now he understood the song. It was about her life so far and about him... Deep meanings. Thought spike. "We've learned to run from Anything uncomfortable We've tied our pain below And no one ever has to know That inside we're broken I try to patch things up again To count my tears and kill these fears But have I told you, have I?" Applejack was sorry to her sister. The song made her realize that Applebloom does have these problems. And she's been putting them off as simple one day problems. "What a sis I've been..." "You just didn't know..." Spike reassured her, standing by her after getting off the stage. "I'm not going 'cause I've been waiting for a miracle And I'm not leaving I won't let you, let you give up on a miracle When it might save you" The crowed was loving her. Spike was feeling her pain, sorrow, and happiness. It was like the song told her story perfectly. The story only she knew. "Wow..." "It's not faith if, if you use your eyes Oh why? We'll get it right this time Let's leave this all behind Oh why? We'll get it right this time It's not faith if you're using your eyes Oh why?" Now I've gone for too long Living like I'm not alive So I'm going to start over tonight Beginning with you and I I don't want to run from Anything uncomfortable I just want, no I just need this pain to end right here She smiled towards Spike, reviving a smile back. At that moment, a connection was made. As they gazed into each others eyes, time seemed to freeze for a moment. A click was heard. Then time resumed... Applebloom jumped and sang again. "I'm not going 'cause I've been waiting for a miracle And I'm not leaving I won't let you, let you give up on a miracle 'Cause it might save you Yeah, it might save you Oh, it might save you It's not faith if, if you use your eyes If you use your eyes If you use your eyes..." Applebloom finished. She walked off stage and towards Spike and her sister, almost tripping over her mane. "How'd I do?" "You were great Applebloom! How'd you learn to sing like that?" Spike hopped, pumping his fist into the air. "Singing lessons from Sweetiebell. And accent-loosing lessons from Rarity." She calmly replied. "I think y'all was great sugarcube. Just lemme know, next time, when somethins really botherin you. Ok? An if I don't listen, tell me up front it's serous ok?" Applejack hugged her sister softly. "Ok sis. Help me with my bow?" She asked as she passed it to her sister. "Of course sugarcube." Applejack took the bow and fixed Applebloom's hair with it. "So, what you gunna do now sugarcube?" Applebloom turned and started walking towards the kitchen. "Gunna get me a cupcake. C'mon Spike!" Spike chuckled and followed her. Leaving behind a smiling Applejack. "Those two are gunna get along great..." "Say Spike, what's your favorite cupcake flavor?" She asked as she opend the door to the kitchen. "I'd say it's.." "What do you mean not changing back!?" Spike and Applebloom stopped to see Rarity and Rainbow Dash arguing. "I'm saying dear, that everyone is looking at me a lot more and now, even YOUR jealous. Makes me feel great!" "What! If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't even be like this!" "I thank you for that, but the reality is that I pull it off better than you dear. Now go, and leave me." "What?! You did not just tell me that! Grr! Fine! Live like that! See if I care. At least I want to BE MYSELF!." And with that, Rarity ran upstairs, crying. Spike and Applebloom looked in awe. Until Spike spoke. "This isn't right." He had his face in his claws. "Maybe this will get me my bits back, but we should probably fix it..." "Yeah. Rainbow Dash is getting way outta line. But, how do we fix this?" Applebloom replied as she saw Rainbow Dash walk out into the night, crying a bit as well. Spike thought for a bit. "Hmm... We have to convince Rainbow Dash to be herself. But knowing Rarity, if someone doesn't talk to her she won't come back down for the rest of the night... You go talk to Dash, I'll go talk to Rarity. Fair deal?" Applebloom nodded, then jogged outside. Spike turning and going upstairs. Applebloom felt the cool night air as she slowed to a walk outside. During this time of year, the streets were slightly illuminated by fireflies dancing about. Above the trees, near the ground, and above their heads. She looked right and saw a bit of fireflies dancing sadly around a crying Rainbow Dash. "Here goes nothing..." She said quietly to herself as she approached her. "Dash, why'd you yell at Rarity?" she calmly said as she say by her on the ground. "I.. I don't know dear... I guess I'm just afraid. What if Soarin falls in love with this Rainbow Dash instead of the real me? It's not like he could fall in love with the real me anyway..." Applebloom sighed. "Rainbow Dash... You shouldn't try to change yourself just because your afraid of what someone will think of you." Rainbow Dash stopped crying and turned towards her. "But what if he doesn't end up liking me for who I am?" Applebloom smiled. "Then he's a jerk. Doesn't know what he's missing. Rainbow Dash, always, always, ALWAYS, be proud of yourself, let the world know who you are. And make it accept you, even if it doesn't want to at first. You've gotta push towards your goals. If Soarin doesn't like you for who you are, then he's not good enough for you, and neither are the wonderbolts." Rainbow Dash smiled and stood up proudly. "Yes... Your right dear. I don't need this 'fancy' stuff. I need to be myself! I need to fly faster than the wind, make everyone's day 20% cooler! And most importantly, be myself!" Spike had dragged Rarity out at the perfect time during the speech, causing purple dust to rise from Rainbow Dash. The same, but with blue dust, happened to Rarity. And the two magical essences found their way home. Along with the personalities of their owners. "Wha? Sweet! I sound like myself again!" RainbowDash, now lacking any make up and regained her normal mane. Did a few flips in the air. "Yes!" Rarity flipped her mane. "It feels so much better being myself again!" Rainbow Dash chuckled then looked at Spike and Applebloom. "Thanks squirts. You two are just on fire today huh?" Spike chuckled. "Well." Applebloom giggled then began to walk back inside, the others following closely, but not as closely as Spike. "Today was quite a day huh Applebloom." "Sure was. Can't wait for tomorrow. What do you wanna do then?" Applebloom asked as she walked back into the party room with Spike. Rainbow Dash and Rarity went off to wait by the door. "I dunno. All I know is I wanna spend it with you Applebloom." He said nonchalantly. "Awww that's sweet Spike." Applebloom smiled at him. "Not you two!" Spike joked while laughing. "Hehe, don't worry Spike. I'll tell you everything soon. When I figure it out myself." She laughed as Pinkie went up to the stage. "Hi every pony! Hope everyone's having a super duper fun time! Oh! I'd like to introduce Soarin! He's Rainbow Dash's date!" She gestured towards the couple in the corner, Rainbow Dash chuckled as Soarin waved shyly. Pinkie Pie turned towards the crowed again. "Alright! We've got one last song for tonight! Who wants to sing it!?" Pinkie Pie asked. Applebloom turned and smiled at Rainbow Dash before raising her hoof while holding onto Spikes hand. A duet. "Oh! It seems Applebloom and Spike wanna sing! Get up here you two!" Pinkie Pie bounced off the stage as they walked up. Applebloom waved at the crowd with a smile and grabbed a microphone. "You ready Spike?" "Yeah. I am." Spike looked at Rainbow Dash and Soarin getting along, then to Twilight, who was teleporting the books she had for him back to the library. Applebloom looked towards Applejack who smiled at her, then to Spike, her crush. She fully accepted it. And she loved every moment of having a crush. Yeah. Today was perfect. The music started, and they both knew exactly what song it was. Spike smiled and looked at Applebloom. Who winked back with a smile and started the first verse. "Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world She took the midnight train goin' anywhere" Applebloom stole a look at Spike. She was glad to have a crush on him. "Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit He took the midnight train goin' anywhere" She walked around slowly. Smiling as the crowd listens contently. "A singer in a smokey room A smell of wine and cheap perfume For a smile they can share the night It goes on and on and on and on " Spike joined her for the chorus. Stepping next to her. "Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard Their shadows searching in the night Streetlights people, living just to find emotion Hiding, somewhere in the night." Spike took the next verse, smiling at all his friends. "Working hard to get my fill, Everybody wants a thrill Payin' anything to roll the dice, Just one more time Some will win, some will lose Some were born to sing the blues Oh, the movie never ends It goes on and on and on and on". Spike and Applebloom stood close to each other. Smiling happily. "Don't stop believin' Hold on to the feelin' Streetlights people" Spike did the extends at the end of certain words. Everyone loved them. "Don't stop believin' Hold on Streetlight people Don't stop believin' Hold on to the feelin' Streetlights people They prepared for the last line, tomorrow, and unknowingly, their relationship. And it's all a day or two away... Don't stop!" The crowd applauded them. Spike thanked everyone while smiling. He looked at Applebloom and felt it. And he knew she felt it too. He was home.