//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: The Enemy Within // by scarletmanuka //------------------------------// Spike was furious with Twilight. He had woken to the sound of rain and had come downstairs to find the treehouse empty. Twilight had neglected to leave a note, and he had begun to worry. He was still upset over the incident with Rarity and he found himself pacing around the library. He grew edgy with each minute that passed, and he found himself running to the door at every small sound. When Twilight returned - over an hour later - he found himself expressing his worry by yelling at her. “Where have you been? I woke up and had no idea where you had gone. You didn't even leave a note. You always leave a note.It’s really stormy outside and I was so worried. You could have been hurt - or killed!” He paused in his tirade to take in the newcomers. “And just who are these ponies supposed to be?” Twilight smiled at his outburst. “I’m sorry, Spike. You’re right - I should have left a note. These ponies are from Starfleet Command. I’m helping them with an investigation.” Spike looked impressed at the mention of Starfleet Command and he finally dropped the scowl from his face. “Am I forgiven?” Twilight asked. She held her hooves out to the dragon. Spike nodded and stepped into the hug. “Just don’t ever do that to me again. I really was worried.” He hugged her harder and then stopped. He sniffed around Twilight. “Dior J’Adore? You’ve been to see Rarity!” Twilight laughed. “Your ability to smell Rarity on me from a brief hug is uncanny.” “Yet not surprising,” Kirk mentioned. “She is absolutely ravishing. One would assume she smells glorious also.” “Glorious?” Spike spluttered. “She smells divine. She gave me one of her bottles of perfume that had a few drops left in it. I spray it on my pillow so I can smell her as I fall asleep.” Spike wrapped his arms around himself and stared off into space. McCoy raised an eyebrow. “I’m going to go ahead and say that’s a bit creepy.” “Play nice, Bones.” Kirk laughed. “The youth is obviously smitten. Who can blame him? I doubt I’ve ever seen such wondrous beauty in all the worlds we’ve traveled too.” Spike snapped out of his reverie and he glared at his competition. “Listen here, mister! You keep your dirty hooves off Rarity! She’s off-limits.” “I’m sure the lady can make her own decisions.” Kirk disagreed. “I was here first!” Spike spat. “Bedtime!” Twilight announced and started leading Spike away from the Captain. “Before someone throws down a gauntlet,” she added under her breath. Spike gave the captain one last look before he turned and stomped up the stairs. He grumbled the entire time as Twilight tucked him into his basket, though she only caught the odd word. ‘Sycophant’ and ‘flunkie’ were repeated several times. “Try to get some sleep, Spike. Don’t worry about Kirk.” “But what if Rarity falls for him?” Spike asked. “I’ll never have a chance. Especially now that she hates me.” His eyes welled with tears. “Oh, Spike! I completely forgot to tell you that Rarity apologised for yelling at you. She said to tell her ‘Spikey Wikey’ that all is forgiven.” “Really?” Spike sat up so quickly he almost butted heads with Twilight. “Really. I’m sorry, Spike. I should have told you as soon as we got home.” He lay back down and snuggled into his blankets. “That’s okay, Twi. As long as I’m back in Rarity’s good books then nothing can go wrong. Even Captain Fancypants.” Twilight laughed and kissed his forehead before shutting the door quietly behind her. She quickly made up the spare bed and the trundles in the spare room, and then went downstairs to see to her house guests. “I apologise if I upset the little guy,” Kirk told her. “He’ll get over it,” Twilight replied. “He’s just a little possessive of Rarity.” “I’ll be more mindful of that,” Kirk told her.”I promise to rein it in.” McCoy raised an eyebrow. “Doubtful.” “Come now, Bones. You do me a disservice.” “As much as the good doctor and I are usually in disharmony, I confess I must agree with him in this instance,” Spock stated. Kirk laughed. “If you both agree then I guess you must know me better than I know myself. Come now. Let’s get some shut-eye.” ****************************** Twilight did not sleep well. She had vivid dreams that consisted of chasing after her friends, only to find that they were instead shadow creatures. The creatures led her deep into the Everfree Forest, where she stumbled upon the rotting remains of her real friends. She backed up and tripped over her own hooves, only to awaken suddenly as she hit the floor of her bedroom. Twilight pulled herself to her hooves, and rubbed at her flank. It was already getting light outside, so she dismissed the idea of trying to get back to sleep. She had a quick shower, and by the time Spike and her houseguests had risen she already had breakfast cooking. She was serving up when Rarity knocked at the door. “What’s the plan today?” Rarity asked as Twilight set a place for her at the table. Rarity sat, and tried to stifle a yawn. “I was thinking we could head over to Applejack’s,” she suggested. “Even if Rainbow Dash isn’t quite - herself - she’ll still most likely be taking care of her weather duties this morning. AJ will be the easiest to get a hold of.” Kirk nodded. “Sounds like a plan.” He looked across the table at Rarity. “May I say you look absolutely stunning today.” Rarity blushed. “Ouch!” Kirk leaned down and rubbed his shin. Spike stood next to him with his foot raised, ready to strike again. “I told you last night. Back off!” Kirk managed to look chastened. “My humblest apologies, Spike.” “If you’re so sorry then why do you keep doing it?” The dragon demanded. Rarity looked between the two alpha males, an amused look on her face. “The winged reptile has a point,” Spock commented. “Reptile?” Spike was not impressed. “Don’t even get me started on you, Mr Pointy Ears!” “Spike! That’s enough!” Twilight hated pulling Spike up short in front of company but he had crossed the line to plain rude. “These ponies are our guests. That is no way to speak to them. Apologise at once.” “But-” “No buts. Now.” “Fine.” He looked up at Kirk and Spock. “I’m sorry I was rude.” “Apology accepted,” Kirk told him. Spock nodded. “I’m sure it’s my fault,” Rarity interjected. “I’m sure Spikey Wikey is still upset at how poorly I treated him yesterday.” She rose from the table and took Spike into her arms. “I feel awful, dear. Can you ever forgive me?” Spike smiled and closed his eyes to lean against Rarity. “Always.” “I hate to break up this little love fest,” McCoy said. “But isn’t it time we got going? It’s only the fate of Equestria at stake.” Kirk laughed. “Melodramatic as ever, Bones. Yet you have a point. Let’s get going.” They left Spike to watch over the library and started on their way to Sweet Apple Acres. The banter over breakfast had help lighten Twilight’s mind, but she found the feeling of unease return the closer they got to the farm. Her nightmare was still fresh in her mind, and her breakfast was threatening to make a reappearance. They found Applejack bucking apples in the north orchard. Her hair was back in its ponytail and the Stetson was perched on her head. She had worked up a sweat from bucking and had a smudge of dirt on her face. ‘I’m confused.” Kirk admitted. “Is this the pony who had been unusually helpful? Because I could have sworn you said we were visiting the dress borrowing pony this morning.” “We are!” Twilight told him. “This is what Applejack normally wears. Her desire to wear a dress was what was unusual.” Twilight scratched her head with her hoof. “I guess AJ is back to normal too.” “Perhaps,” Spock said. “However we should converse with her to elicit that it is not just her physical appearance that changed.” Twilight nodded and approached the earth pony. “Hello, Applejack.” Applejack gave one final buck and turned to meet the group. “Howdy, Twilight. Rarity. What brings you here today? Worried I’d do a runner with your dress so you sent some heavies to retrieve it?” She winked at the three stallions. Twilight gave a nervous laugh. “No, not that. I’m sure you’ll return it. Speaking of the dress though… what was the occasion? It’s rare for you to get so dressed up.” Applejack gave her a direct look. “Now, Twi. It’s unlike you to be so nosey. Why do you care anyways?” “Applejack, darling, we’re just curious,” Rarity stated. “Is that so?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “So curious that you just had to march right down here while I’m busy working to ask? So curious in fact that you’ve dragged these visitors to Ponyville - who you haven’t even had the decency to introduce yet - down here just so you can inquire into my wardrobe?” Rarity stammered under Applejack’s stare. She gave up trying to justify herself and fell quiet. The orange mare turned her gaze back to Twilight. “Well?” she asked. “I ain’t got all day, Twi. There’s trees to be bucked, pigs to be fed, and hay to be stacked in the barn.” “Sorry, AJ. The truth is that these ponies are from Starfleet Command. They’re investigating a possible alien incursion by shape-shifters and are targeting ponies who aren’t acting like themselves.” “Is that so?” “I know it sounds crazy but I assure you it’s the truth.” Applejack considered this. “Well alright then. I guess me coming to you out of the blue and asking for a dress is the craziest thing that’s happened around here in a while.” “We knew you’d understand!” Rarity gushed. “Now just give us a perfectly reasonable explanation, so we don't have to expose you for a dirty, invading shape-shifter.” “Applebloom got an award at school for being so helpful in class. They had a fancy dinner for all the students who got awards and their family members. It was ‘semi formal’ so I had to make a bit of an effort. I thought you would have known, Rarity. Apple Bloom wasn’t the only filly to get an award. Sweetie Bell and Scoots did too. I was surprised not to see you there.” Rarity stared at her in horror. “That was last night? Dear Celestia, Sweetie Bell is going to kill me! I got so worked up over my designs for Hoity Toity that I completely forgot.” The unicorn started crying. “I’m such a terrible sister. How could I forget such a thing?” “She was pretty upset,” AJ told her. “You’re going to have to really make it up to her.” Rarity nodded through her tears. Kirk stood next to her, an arm around her shoulders.  “You’re lucky you missed it to be honest,” Applejack added. “Pinkie went completely over the top with the party. I’m still shaking glitter out of my tail. That pony needs to learn the meaning of the word excess.” “We’re sorry, Applejack,” Twilight told her friend. “We didn't mean to doubt you, but we had to be sure.” Applejack nodded. “It’s alright. I understand.” Twilight smiled and felt the knot in her stomach loosen a little. Only one more to go. “Fancy joining us to go and see Dash?” She asked AJ. “Is she acting weird too?” “She’s offering to help Fluttershy babysit some bunnies.” “Damn! We’re in trouble. Let’s go.”