//------------------------------// // Word Gets Out // Story: Casanova Spike // by Riddleja //------------------------------// Applebloom’s excitement and help from her friends got the invitations filled out in less than 5 minutes. “This is gonna be exciting!” she said. ”I can’t believe your sister’s getting married tomorrow, Applebloom!” added Sweetie Belle. ”And that we’re invited to be the Flower Fillies. Second time!” put in Scootaloo. Well, as fast as the invitations were sent, practically the entire Apple Family arrived. Among the arrivals was Applebloom’s cousin and fellow Cutie Mark Crusader from Manehattan, Babs Seed. “Hey guys,” she said. “What’s this I hear about Applejack marryin’ some Dragon?” ”We’ll catch you up on it,” said Applebloom. In the Barn, Big Macintosh and the other Apple Family Stallions were having a party for Spike. “Alright guys,” announced Braeburn, raising a mug of cider, “let’s drink a toast. To Spike and Applejack.” “To Spike and Applejack,” said the Stallions, clinking their mugs. ”Uh, well this was fun and all,” said Spike, getting out of his seat, “but I’d better be going…” “Don’t leave there, champ,” said a Stallion, cutting him off. “We've got the tradition to do.” ”Tradition?” ”Yeah,” said another Stallion. “On the night before the wedding, the Groom gets dunked in a barrel full of Cider.” Spike gulped. Suddenly, Big Macintosh and a couple Stallions grabbed him and held him up to a Barrel full of cider. ”1… 2… 3… Dunk!” They dunked Spike’s head in the Cider a couple times. Spike coughed. “You guys have a strange tradition,” he said. In the house, Applejack was having her own party. Granny Smith showed her a wedding dress. ”It’s beautiful, Granny,” admired Applejack. ”It was your mother’s,” explained Granny Smith. “If she were here she’d be so proud of you. Go try it on.” Applejack tried on the dress. ”How’s it look?” she asked. “It looks beautiful, Applejack,” commented Granny Smith. The other mares agreed. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had been looking for Spike all day and was getting tired. ”Oh man,” she said. “I hope the poor guy is alright.” “Hey, Rainbow Dash!” It was Scootaloo. “Hey kid,” called Rainbow Dash. “I've been looking for Spike all day. Have you seen him? Is he alright?” ”He’s fine,” replied Scootaloo. “He and Applejack are getting married tomorrow at Noon.” ”WHAT?!?” Rainbow Dash couldn't believe what she had heard. At Sugarcube Corner Pinkie Pie was enjoying a cupcake when the Cakes came in. ”We've got a Catering Order!” called Carrot Cake. ”Really?” asked Pinkie Pie. “Where?” ”It says for the Wedding of Applejack and Spike the Dragon,” said Cupcake, reading the order. “Wow!” cried Pinkie Pie. “Applejack’s getting married? So lucky for her… wait a minute! She’s marrying Spike?!” Her excitement changed to jealousy when she realized who the groom was. At Carousel Boutique, Rarity was getting ready to close up when Sweetie Belle came in, beaming with excitement. ”Rarity! I have exciting news!” she cried. “Applejack is getting married!” “She is?” asked Rarity. “Why didn't she say so? Who’s the lucky groom to be?” ”Spike.” Rarity’s face turned from pleased to horrified. ”She’s marrying my Spikey Wikey?!?” she bellowed. “I’ll pulverize her!!” At Fluttershy’s Cottage, a little bird was telling Fluttershy about it, in bird language of course. ”Spike is marrying Applejack?” squeaked Fluttershy. “Oh my. I’m surprised.” Angel looked at Fluttershy. ”I know you want me to be brave and take what should be mine,” said Fluttershy, “but I’m still nervous cause Applejack is my friend.” Angel nuzzled Fluttershy to calm her down. ”Such a good bunny,” said Fluttershy, petting him. Twilight had returned to the library, given up on her search for her Number One Assistant. “Where could Spike be?” she wondered. “Why doesn't he want us to be together?” “Having some problems?” said a voice. Twilight turned and saw Discord, the former Spirit of Chaos in her Library. ”Discord, what are you doing here?” she asked. ”I was just minding my own business when I heard you being a little upset about Spike not being back,” replied the draconequus. “Now what’s up with that?” ”I… I’m in love with him!” cried Twilight. “Come again?” ”I’ve fallen in love with my Number One Assistant,” explained Twilight. Discord started laughing. ”That’s not funny!” snapped Twilight. “Have you ever been in love?” Discord stopped laughing and leaned towards Twilight’s ear. “Don’t let word of this get around,” he whispered, “but when I was younger, I kinda had a crush on Celestia. But she didn't seem interested in me.” “Oh.” “Well, I’m bored,” said Discord. “By the way, letter for you.” He handed Twilight a letter and disappeared. Twilight looked at the letter. “It’s an invitation to Applejack’s Wedding,” she said. “I didn't know she was getting married. I wonder who the groom is.” She read the letter to find out. “What?!” she cried. “She’s marrying Spike? How dare she try and take my Number One Assistant from me!” That night, the Apple Family was sleeping. Spike was in the guest room at the house, but he couldn't sleep. ”Oh man,” he whispered to himself. “How did I get roped into this? What am I going to do now?” Spike closed his eyes and began to dose off as exhaustion started to take over.