Just after leaving Spike astonished and alone in front of the Boutique, Sweetie began to jump and giggle all around.
‘’That was just fantastic and he want to repeat it soon, could this get any better?! I can’t wait to talk about this with Rarity’’ She thought with a big smile on her lips.
Spike was still looking at the door of the Boutique’s house, thinking, just thinking…
He walked back at the library silently after shocking his head, trying to process what happened a moment ago. She kissed him, SHE KISSED HIM! This little ‘’date’’ between him and Sweetie was going to put an end at the ‘’crush’’ thing, and now he didn’t even knew if he wanted to finish it. He just didn’t wish to deny it; he liked it, A LOT.
He walked through the town square, hoping to reach to the library soon. ‘’And to think that she was so close to me and I’ve never noticed it…’’
After reaching to the door he knocked a couple of times, hoping to be received by Twilight, but he was not.
‘’Oh, but look who decided to show up, do you know what time it is mister?’’ A light violet mare with silver and pallid purple mane said to him.
‘’Ms. Velvet? What are you doing here?’’ Spike questioned loudly.
‘’Now Spike, that’s not the way to receive the pony that is practically your mother’’ Another feminine voice scolded him with a giggle.
‘’Princess Cadance?!’’ Spike gasped, he instantly kneed at her, lowering his head. Even if she and Spike were rather close, Bargus taught him that friend or not, royals must be treated like what they are no mater what.
The pink alicorn gave him a confused look. ‘’Spike, I think that we know each other long enough to avoid this kind of stuff’’
‘’I know, but you’re still a princess and I am in the duty of treat you like somepony with your standing deserves it, tell me if you need something and I shall do everything in my power to make sure that you’ll have it’’ Spike said as he stood up.
Cadance raised an eyebrow. ‘’So, if I say I wish a cappuccino with extra cream, cinnamon and a cherry on the top, you will go to the kitchen and bring me one?’’
Spike bowed at her. ‘’Your word is the command mi ’lady’’ He said as he rushed at the kitchen.
‘’Wait Spike! I didn’t…’’ He was already out of earshot. ‘’Mean it…’’
Just then Twilight, Shining Armor and Night Light showed up, trotting down stairs.
‘’What’s wrong honey?’’ The white unicorn asked to his wife.
‘’I’m just confused about Spike’s behavior, that’s all’’ She responded.
‘’He’s back already?’’ Twilight asked.
‘’Yes, but he really seemed to be another drake, is he alright darling?’’ Twilight Velvet asked to her daughter.
‘’What did he do?’’ Night Light asked a little worried.
‘’W-well, when he saw me he kneed before me, then he told me that if I need something he will bring it for me and the he bowed at me’’ Cadance explained.
‘’He really did that? That sounds kinda strange’’ Shining Armor commented.
‘’Oh, don’t worry, he’s perfectly fine’’ Twilight smiled. ‘’He’s just following a new warrior code or something ‘’
‘’Excuse me?’’ Cadance was even more confused now.
Twilight giggled. ‘’You better make comfortable because this is going to take a while’’
Just then Spike returned.
‘’There you go Princess Cadance, your cappuccino with extra cream and cinnamon and to add something special I also grated some chocolate on it’’ Spike said, holding a little dish with the cup of coffee.
‘’T-thank you Spike’’ Cadance took the hot drink with her magic and toke a sip of it. ‘’Wow Spike, this is really good!’’ She exclaimed, taking another sip of the delightful drink.
Spike scratched the back of his head ‘’Thanks Cad… I mean, Princess’’
Then he turned to see the other ponies, staring at him with disbelief. ‘’Oh, good to see you Mr. Light’’ Then he turned at the white unicorn and bowed before him ‘’Captain Shining Armor’’
Shinning approached to Spike and patted him on the back. ‘’What’s with the manners little guy? It’s not the first time you talk to Cadance or to me’’ He stated.
‘’I know, it’s just that I have to be like that’’ He sighed.
‘’I was about to tell them about your experiences at the OREDR, but since you’re here I think it will be better if you tell them Spike’’ Twilight said.
‘’What’s ‘the ORDER’?’’ Velvet questioned.
Spike smiled and sighed before making himself comfortable on the couch and start.
With every word that leaved his muzzle, all the ponies in the room (excepting Twilight of course) became more and more shocked. Velvet could sense the feel of the warm tears flowing when the part of the first days of the training was being related, on the other hoof Shining Armor was utterly surprised when he heard about all the combat and survival experience the little dragon had. Cadance felt sympathy for him when he told them about the graduation ceremony and how he had to leave his draconic friends behind and Light felt proud about Spike when he heard about the things he learned and the wisdom he managed to get.
‘’And that’s why I behave like this, and I’m not lying about anything, all that I’ve just told you really happened’’ Spike finished.
‘’So, let me see if I get this straight, you went to this place called ‘the ORDER’, met 4 dragons called Grey, Vice, Lynn and Elycia, trained with this ‘Bargus’ and became a master of the martial arts in order to protect my daughter of anything that would represent a harm to her?’’ Light asked.
‘’Basically, yes’’ He responded quickly.
Velvet went to him and hugged firmly ‘’Thank you for overcoming all those things for our little Twily’’ She sniffed.
Shining Armor chuckled. ‘’That’s pretty amazing Spike, mind showing us what you got?’’
Spike smiled confidently ‘’No problem, hit me with all the strength your hoofs can give’’
Shining Armor obeyed, releasing a tremendous kick at him, making Velvet and Cadance to gasp. Unfortunately for him, Spike’s palms had lost all the sensibility on them so he didn’t felt it a bit.
He then wheeled forward, grabbing the stallion from upon and thrown him to the floor with a loud THUD.
Spike looked at him. ‘’Well, what do you think of that?’’
Shining Armor groaned. ‘’Impressive…’’ He said as he stood up.
While 4 ponies and one dragon laughed at the consequences of Spike’s little demonstration, a little filly was talking to a mare about something. You know what I’m talking about.
‘’Oh Sweetie, that’s wonderful!’’ Rarity jumped.
‘’I know!’’ She jumped too.
‘’And what happened after that?’’ She asked to her sister intrigued.
‘’Then he told me that he wanted to repeat it soon!’’ Sweetie Belle squeaked.
‘’Oh, but that’s simply darling! I’m so happy that you found a good male to give your heart to Sweetie Belle’’ Rarity commented. ‘’It’s amazing that it seemed yesterday when you were learning how to walk and now… now you’re dating!’’ She sniffed nostalgically.
Sweetie chuckled at that. ‘’Hey sis, I was wondering, how was your first date?’’ She asked innocently.
‘’Huh? Why are you asking?’’ The white mare countered.
''Well, I'll like to hear about it, that's all'' She said smiling.
‘’Well…’’ Rarity sighed and blushed at the so treasured memory. ‘’I was around your age when I had my first date darling, and I can assure you that I was so overwhelmed for happiness as you are right now. I’ve met this colt named Gentle Gaze, he had pallid grey coat and white, short mane. He was a dream come true, to put it simple’’ Rarity giggled before continue.
‘’I was playing with my friends in a park nearby our house back in Mannesota, it was getting late so my friends went back to their houses, I stayed a bit more to do something used to love, snow angels, I threw myself to the snow and started moving my four limbs, having so much fun doing it, but when I realized that the stars where already shinning upon me, I panicked, it was late and I was terrified of dark when I was a filly’’ She sighed again, smiling.
‘’And then I met him… he was in front of me, looking at me with worried eyes. He asked me if I was ok, if I needed any help reaching home, I greedy accepted his help, mostly because of the dark. I started a small talk to break the silence between us and OH.MY.GOSH.’’ She waved her hoofs like fans.
‘’He was everything I could hope for in a colt; he was brilliant, his jokes were sophisticated, yet hilarious and his manners were delightful, he was a true gentlecolt, he was perfect!’’ Rarity’s lips curved even more. ‘’After we reached to my house he ask me to meet him again at the same spot the next day. I told him that I would love to.’’ She blushed even more.
‘’The date went fantastically, as I expected. We chatted, played, had lunch together, and I ended falling for him after sharing a day with him, The story repeated every day for a month since then and I really thought it was dream or that I was teleported to a fairy tale, but I was not, he was real and he shared my feeling too’’ Rarity suddenly frowned.
‘’But one day, his parents decided to move to Canterlot, leaving a poor, heartbroken filly behind…’’ She said sadly.
Sweetie felt bad for her sister. ‘’That must be rough, I hope that you can find him someday’’
Rarity shocked her head, and then smiled again at her little sister. ‘’Don’t worry about me Sweethums, you should be thinking about your next date with Spike, I’m still surprised that you’re growing so fast, and start loving’’
‘’I know, the idea was kinda weird at first, but now I realize that it was the best decision I’ve ever made, and it’s all thanks to you big sis!’’ The filly had the checks tired for smiling all the time she told her sister what happened while she was in the Crystal Empire but she didn’t care.
‘’But you are the beautiful lady that caught his eye darling, I’ve only helped with mere, insignificant details’’ Rarity said waving a hoof.
Sweetie Belle blushed a bit. ‘’Well, would’ve never happened if you didn’t help me Rarity, thank you so very much!’’ She hugged her big sister.
‘’Oh, don’t thank me yet, thank me when you two have your first anniversary, or in your wedding, or…’’ Rarity was cut off by her sister, blushing fiercely.
‘’P-please Rarity, don’t get too excited, we’ve just have our first date and a wedding is still way too far…but I like the idea!’’ Sweetie and Rarity giggled before keep their little girl out.
Back with Spike they were having a comfortable dinner, with a familiar atmosphere and good meal, made by Spike of course.
‘’Wow Spike, this is so delicious, why my husband can’t cook like you?’’ She complained to herself.
Shining cleared his throat. ‘’I’m still here you know’’ He said with a bemused look on his face.
And again, they all shared a laugh, then Twilight decided to ask about his afternoon. ‘’So, tell me Spike, how was your date with Sweetie Belle?’’
‘’DATE?!’’ Velvet and Cadance blurted, stomping their hoofs on the table.
‘’Umm, yeah, I was dating a girl so…’’
‘’When?! Where?! How?! Oh, you gotta tell me everything!’’ Cadence cut off Spike abruptly, grabbing his checks.
Spike looked hopefully at Shining and Light ‘’A little help here?’’
Shining chuckled at his useless prays for help, he wasn’t going to get out of this one ‘’Sorry Spike, but there isn’t much that we can do about this’’
Spike gulped and then looked at the 2 mares, looking him like a predator to its next victim would.
‘’You will tell us everything!’’ They both grinned devilish at them in unison.
‘’Oh dear Celestia, please help me…’’
That may have been a request for later, because far away from Ponyville a little filly, surrounded by a platoon of bodyguards, with a diamond tiara was heading to the dragon territory, planning how to make Spike miserable for humiliating her.
She looked in every direction, searching for someone qualified enough for her little ‘job’ and then she spotted some teenager dragons. ’’Perfect!’’
She approached to them with an evil grin on her face. ‘’That low-class lizard is gonna to pay for mocking me the way he did!’’
She cleared her throat to drown their attention. ‘’I am Diamond Tiara, Filthy Rich’s only daughter and a girl with a lot of money and therefore, a lot of power, I need some of you to complete a task!’’ She exclaimed.
The dragons looked at her with annoyance. ‘’I don’t care who you are but we’re not your slaves, so you better beat it or prepare to be our next meal for talking us like that!’’ A red dragon with short, orange spines shouted.
The bodyguards noticed this and prepared to charge at the dragon when their boss commanded the opposite.
‘’Stop! This one is perfect for the job!’’ She smiled devilish at him. ‘’And I’ve never said that you’ll not going to be rewarded, and judging on what I can see I can guess that all the gems that you can eat will fill your expectatives’’
The dragon chuckled ‘’All right, I guess we’re getting to a deal, by the way my name is Garble if you want to know’’
‘’I was going to ask for it anyway, so have we are partners at this?’’ Diamond Tiara asked.
‘’Sure’’ Garble agreed. ‘’What do you need us to do?’’
‘’I need you to beat up the dragon that lives in Ponyville’’ The dragon’s eyes widened. ‘’His name is…’’
‘’Spike’’ Garble interrupted her with fury remarked on his voice, clenching his fist.
‘’Do you…know about him?’’ The pink filly questioned, fighting back a grin.
‘’That miserable brat gave us a hard time with something really important for us, oh but if I see him again I’ll make him pay with his scales!’’ Garble hit his right fist again his left palm.
‘’So…’’ Diamond Tiara could no longer hold back the grin. ‘’Deal?’’ She extended her hoof at the angry dragon.
Garble did not hesitate a second on respond. ‘’Deal’’