//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Spa Day // Story: Pony Daycare // by FIckle //------------------------------// It was a delightfully sunny day in Ponyville. You could feel the radiant joy emanating from every corner of the town. It's citizens were bustling to and fro attending to business and what not. Granny Smith could be seen doing some mid-afternoon grocery shopping, Lyra and her companion Bon Bon were both sitting at a cafe enjoying each others' company, Ditzy Doo was dipping through the air delivering her daily mail, and Berry Punch was dropping her filly off at the local daycare. "But Mommy!" whined little Raspberry, "I don't wanna go! Don't wanna! Don't wanna!" "Now now, sweetie," smiled Berry Punch warmly, "You need to stay somewhere safe while mommy works! She simply cannot have you wandering the streets by yourself." "But Mommy!" whined Raspberry again, stamping her little hoof into the dirt, "Its boring over there and some times the younger fillies drool all over me!" "My word is final," stated Berry Punch in a very matter-of-factly tone. Raspberry groaned and hung her head, "Oh, sweetie poo, I only do this because I love you so much." As mother and daughter continued along, Twilight Sparkle couldn't help but giggle as she watched the scene play out in front of her library window. Berry Punch was very overprotective of her daughter, everypony knew that. Twilight watched the two disappear around a corner as little Raspberry hopped along side her mother, a renewed bounce in her step thanks to the promise of ice-cream after daycare. Again Twilight giggled. She enjoyed watching little fillies and colts interacting with their parents. They were little bundles of joy that needed care and teaching. Maybe that's why she loved children so much; they need teaching. Twilight could already imagine herself in the not so distant future. Maybe she'll even have a little filly of her own. Another mouth to feed, to act as a role model to, to mother... "Twilight! You're going to be late!" Twilight snapped out of her daydream and brought her head back in from the open window. Spike, the huffy baby dragon he was, was dashing through the main library. He was carrying Twilight's bags and was bustling about. Twilight smiled. Spike was still a baby dragon, but it was hard to decide whether he took better care of Twilight or if Twilight took better care of him. "Sorry, Spike," said Twilight still giddy with giggles, "I was just thinking." "About what?" asked Spike still bustling around. He wasn't listening very much. "Oh, you know," sighed Twilight, "Stuff." She watched Spike run around and do his errands. She was suddenly reminded very forcefully of one fact that she had constantly forgotten. "Hey, Spike," said Twilight, "Come here for a second." Spike dropped what he was doing and walked towards Twilight. Twilight suppressed an 'Aww...' as Spike's little arms swung from side to side as he walked on his little legs. "What's up, Twilight?" he asked, a forced smile on his face. "You're a BABY dragon, right?" asked Twilight eagerly. "Well, technically yeah but- woah!" Spike was suddenly cut off before he could finish his sentence. Twilight swept him up in her forehooves and held him tight. She squeezed and cuddled him in her arms. Spike made a feeble attempt to break away but failed. "Twilight!" he mumbled, "What's gotten into you?!" "Aw, Spike!" cooed Twilight still cradling him, "My little baby assistant!" Twilight gave off a girlish giggle. Twilight released Spike who toppled onto he ground. He dusted himself off and straightened his spines. "Geez," groaned Spike, "What is it with you girls and babies? Every time you think of one you go all googly eyed and girlie. They're nothing but drool and crying. Eek." Spike stuck out his tongue in disgust. This only made Twilight smile even harder. "I don't know, Spike," she sighed, "Kids are just so cute..." "Girls..." sighed Spike, "I'll never understand them and their obsession with babies..."Spike put on a mock girlish voice, "Oooh it's so cute! Can I hold him? How old is he? He looks just like you! Goochy googchy goo! Yuck.." Spike put his hands on his hips, kicked the floor, rubbed his arm, and glanced up at Twilight. "Well... Maybe just one more hug..." After another squeeze from Twilight, Spike let go and picked up his errand. "So," said Twilight, "Did you get my things ready for today's appointment?" "Sure did!" replied Spike in a considerably happier mood than before, "I've got your bag all set up and ready to go!" "Thanks, Spike," said Twilight, "What would I do without you?" "You'd tell Spike where you're goin'!" Twilight blinked. She looked down to Spike who was wearing the same puzzled and confused expression as she was. "Uh... Spike?" said Twilight uncertainly. "Don't look at me!" said Spike, "I didn't say that." "Hi, Twilight!" Both Twilight and Spike looked around to the source of the voice. Pinkie Pie was poking her head through the window, her wide grin already set on her face and her bubbly personality oozing throughout the library. "Oh, hi, Pinkie Pie!" said Twilight, "When did you get here?" "Oh," said Pinkie, her head through the window, "About the time when you and Spike were hugging!" Spike blushed, "And yes, I DO love babies, too!" Her mind quickly turning to Pumpkin and Pound Cake, Twilight could immediately see Pinkie Pie being that odd aunt or babysitter everypony had at least once in their lives. "I guess you were right," said Twilight to Spike. She turned back to Pinkie Pie. "If you must know, today is kind of a tradition I used to have back in my old days at Canterlot." "Uh huh," said Pinkie Pie, who now had a bag of buttery popcorn. "Well," continued Twilight, "Princess Celestia would have a day twice a year to refresh herself. And I, as her faithful student, was always invited along with her! We'd spend time together in spas, get massages, have warm mud baths, and everything. And today is one of those days. Princess Celestia's Make Over day!" "Make over?!" cried a different but very lady-like voice. Another head poked through Twilight's window. It was Rarity's. Her lavish purple mane bounced around as she pushed her way into the small window sill along side Pinkie Pie. "H-hi, Rarity!" stammered Spike. Twilight could feel the heat radiating from his cheeks. "Oh hello, Twilight!" cooed Rarity in her usual sing song voice, "I was just passing along from the fabric shop when I saw Pinkie's bottom sticking out of your window. Of course I assumed everything was normal." Pinkie Pie smiled widely next to Rarity. "But then," continued Rarity, "I heard you talking about MAKE OVERS and, darling, I couldn't help but pop in and say hello!" "Well that's awfully kind of you," said Twilight with a warm smile, "As I was saying, I remember that every time we went, we would go to very expensive places in Canterlot." "But of course!" said Rarity, "Only the BEST for the Princess!" "Exactly!" said Twilight, "We'd be pretty pampered, too. I remember things like sea weed wraps, pomegranate scented shampoos, dragon fruit skin moisturizers, apple based hair-" "What's this ah hear 'bout apples?" Another voice interrupted Twilight. Pinkie Pie gave a squeak, giggle, and a snort while Rarity gasped and grunted in disapproval. Applejack's cowboy hatted head popped out of nowhere and squeezed itself between Pinkie Pie's and Rarity's. "Howdy y'all," said Applejack. Everyone chimed in their hellos. "So ah heard apples. What're we talkin' 'bout?" "Twilight was telling us a story!" chirped Pinkie Pie. "Yes, one about make overs!" added Rarity clapping her hooves. Applejack furrowed her eyebrows. "Make overs?" she asked in mild disgust. "I was just mentioning the products the Princess and I used back in Canterlot," said Twilight, "And I guess I said something about apples." "Apples in make overs?!" sputtered Applejack, "Ah never heard of such an abnormality!" "So you want a make over?" asked Rarity giggling. "Yay! Party!" whooped Pinkie Pie. "No!" grunted Applejack, "Buuuut... If it was apple based... Ah guess it can't be all too bad..." "Apple or not," said Twilight, who giggled at Applejack's conundrum, "The make over's weren't too bad. They were the best. I even remember Philemena came along some times to-" "Philemena?..." Another voice drifted across Twilight's sentence. It was soft and timid. Fluttershy popped her head into the already crammed window. Her kind face and pink mane sat neatly on top of Pinkie Pie's and Applejack's head. "Oh I'm sorry," said Fluttershy, "But were you talking about Philemena? Could I join too? I mean, if that's okay and all..." "We were talking about MAKE OVERS!" shouted Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy struck a puzzled look. "Yep!" said Twilight, "You go to the spa with Rarity, right? I'm sure you'll love to hear this! The Princess also dressed up and-" "Hey! What's going on here?" There was a small commotion as Rainbow Dash's head jammed itself upside-down into the already packed window. She squeezed herself in next to Fluttershy. The five ponies had their cheeks squashed together in the window as they grunted and jostled about trying to make more room to accommodate the newest rainbow maned member. "Rainbow Dash?!" said Twilight, "You're the last person I thought would be interested in any of this." "What do you mean?" asked Dash, "I saw everypony here so I thought something fun was going on!" "Hey, that's not a bad idea..." piped up Twilight, "We should all go today!" Twilight clapped her hooves together in elation. "Oh it'll be so much fun!" All five ponies in the tight window sill grunted and nodded in agreement. Rainbow Dash looked around in a confused excitement. "Oh awesome!" she cried, "Sweetness! What are we doing? I love fun things!" *********** "This is NOT fun..." Rainbow Dash hung her head. She was trapped in a flying carriage to Canterlot. Little did she realize earlier that it was a one-way trip to a girly make over party. Her five other friends were sitting along side her giggling and talking as the carriage flew along. Twilight saw Rainbow Dash in her gloom and was reminded of Spike. "Hey, you guys," said Twilight thinking back to what Spike had said. Everypony grew silent. "I was just wondering, what do you guys think about babies?" There was a collective 'Oooh!' as the word 'baby' was uttered. "Are y' gettin' hitched?" asked Applejack nudging Twilight with her elbow. "Wh- no!" cried Twilight. "I never knew you were planning to elope!" said Rarity. "I am NOT!" cried Twilight. "Does it have a godmother yet?" asked Fluttershy with mild hopes. "Yay! Twilight's a mommy!" giggled Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash let out a hearty guffaw. "Since when?!" shouted Twilight, "I was just asking a general question!" "We're jus' messin' with you, Twi!" reassured Applejack, "Ah live with Applebloom, so ah know how to handle a filly. Ah can't say ah hate kids. Most of my kin ARE kids!" "The same goes for me," said Rarity, "My little sister always keeps me on my horseshoes. Plus, baby fillies are just SO adorable! They just make me want to squeeze them to death! Plus they look absolutely ADORABLE in babies' clothing." Applejack cringed. "I don't mind babies..." murmured Fluttershy, "I take care of baby animals all the time! That's kind of the same right?" "Me too!" piped up Pinkie Pie, "They're just super duper fun to play with and have so much fun! Plus they're super cute!" "Now, now, Pinkie Pie," said Rarity, "Babies are not toys." "I know that, silly!" snortled Pinkie Pie, "How about you, Twilight?" "Me?" said Twilight, "I guess I give them a thought now and again. I mean, I DO live with Spike and he IS a baby dragon." "Bleh...." grumbled Rainbow Dash, "I hate kids. They're just so annoying..." "Oh yer jus' sore 'cause we forced you t' come with us today!" said Applejack. "Am not!" said Rainbow Dash, "I'm pretty sure we weren't that annoying when WE were kids... I mean, all they do it get in the way, cry, poop, and drool everywhere!" The four friends babbled on about babies and fillies. Applejack talked on and on about all of her little cousins from around the Apple, Orange, Peach, and Pear family. Rarity went on about her little sister, Sweetie Belle, and how even though she could be a hoof full, that Sweetie was, in a matter a fact, a sweetie. Pinkie Pie reminisced about how her sisters were always fun to play with as fillies and babbled endlessly about the Cake twins. Even Fluttershy mentioned a baby cousin or two. Twilight was an only child but knew a few distant younger cousins. "What about you, Rainbow Dash?" asked Applejack. Rainbow Dash hadn't really said anything or mentioned family at all. Dash just smirked and kept her cool look on her face. "Me?" she asked, "I'm a solo flier! I was an only kid to my folks and I didn't really keep in touch with cousins and stuff like that." Dash puffed out her chest. "Yep! Never really liked kids. Kinda cramped my style!" Applejack was about to say something smart before the carriage came to a sudden halt. There was a quick rapping on the door then a royal pony stuck her head in. "We have arrived, Madams," she said, her eyes shut and nose pointed in the air. "Thank you," replied Twilight with a nod. She beckoned to the others who promptly followed. The carriage door was held open wide as the six friends descended it's golden fold out steps. The carriage was stopped in front of a fancy spa where service ponies stood at the doorways, their noses pointed high in the air and adorned with expensive looking uniforms. Rarity had to stuff her hoof into her mouth to prevent a squeal of excitement as she approached the doorway. But alas... "Oh!" gasped Rarity as she entered the front doors of the spa. There were tall turrets and pillars of marble with golden trimmings, shelves upon shelves of opulent perfumes and creams, the latest and greatest hair care products, foreign massage chairs with that EXTRA little feature, and so much more. The floorboards practically leaked class and luxury. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy only managed to squeak their joy. Even Rainbow Dash and Applejack, as tomboyish as they were, were struck dumb silent as the cornucopia of wealth and style flooded their senses. "Well, here we are!" chimed Twilight at the head on the group. She spoke in a very non-formal manner as if this was a regular trip to the bathroom. "I'm so jealous!" cooed Rarity. She hugged Twilight tightly and smiled broadly. "All this glitz and glamour! The style, the pampering! And you got to do this every year?!" "Twice," blushed Twilight. Rarity released Twilight, did a small but dramatic pirouette, and landed in Applejack's hooves as if in a tango. "Spare me the details!" sighed Rarity, "Or else I'll faint!" "And ah'll have to catch you again," murmured Applejack with a grin. Everypony giggled and laughed as they watched Rarity in such rapture. They were all looking forward to a day at the spa, even Rainbow Dash. Everypony could use some freshening up and pampering from time to time. Plus this was all free thanks to Twilight and the Princess. "Lady Sparkle?" A tuxedo-ed stallion cantered out of a hidden doorway. He looked left, then right, then spotted Twilight at the spa entrance. His face lit up as he galloped towards her and her friends. "Hello, Maurice!" said Twilight waving her hoof, "Long time no see! Is the Princess already here?" "Yes yes, but of course!" chimed Maurice. He straightened his little red bow tie and smoothed his hair mane. "Might I add that you look lovey this afternoon? May I offer you something to drink? Fresh spring water perhaps? Sparkling water maybe?" "No, it fine really," said Twilight, "Maybe my friends would like something?" "Oh, your.. friends?" said Maurice, "Of course! Friends of Lady Sparkle! Yes, yes. Can I offer you ladies anything? A complimentary sample of our finest perfume? Some luxury bath bubbles to take home?" Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash just stared in disbelief. Their mouths were even hanging open. Such service, such fancy was too much for them. "Ah... yes..." said Maurice, "Perhaps later. Come! Follow me and I with lead you to your private bath! The Princess is waiting most eagerly." Maurice cantered away ahead of them. Twilight sighed. She almost forgot that she was one of the higher classes in Canterlot. Next to regular Ponyville citizens, she probably looked like royalty. Twilight looked around to see her still dumb struck friends. She clicked her hooves together and snapped them out of their stunned states. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak up. "So!" she said with a crafty smirk, "LADY Sparkle? Since when did you have such a title?" Twilight just smiled meekly. Rarity, on the other hoof, stared at Twilight in utter admiration. Twilight and her friends all followed Maurice as he lead them through the almost labyrinthine spa center. They could see numerous different rooms each with it's own guest. There were mud baths, sea weed wraps, hoof and horn shining, sensual wing massages, mineral clay masks, steam baths, hot sand beds, hot stone therapies, aroma-therapies, full body scrub downs, and so on and so forth. It wasn't to say that the Ponyville spa didn't have most of these things, it was just that it wasn't available in such high quality as this. Twilight and her friends, each craning their necks around to catch every glimpse of the spa, finally reached a large ornate pair of double doors. This was the top suite. Twilight of course knew this. She had been here before. "Here we are, madams! The master chambers!" said Maurice. He opened the doors with a flourish and bowed the six mares inside. Inside the elephantine room there was a huge hot bath along with every commodity offered at the spa. Sitting at the far end of the suite was Princess Celestia, her head already wrapped in a towel. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle! My most faithful student," called Celestia. She got up from her pile of poofs and pillows and walked gracefully towards Twilight. "And I see you've brought your friends as well!" The six ponies bowed low. Twilight even got her special hug from the Princess. "I hope you don't mind," murmured Twilight, "But I did hint at it last time we had a spa day together." "No, of course not, Twilight!" chuckled Celestia, "In fact, I've even brought a guest myself." And at that moment, another door creaked open. Princess Luna stepped out in a tight blue and black swimsuit. It emphasized every perfect curve and detail of her thin and lean body. She walked into the room without even noticing Twilight and her friends. "Does this make our haunches look big?" asked Luna. She looked down at herself and struck different poses. "We think it's kinda sexy, do you not agree? Black and blue. We approve!" "Luna," said Celestia. "And what of the other ones?" continued Luna, "Doth thou remember the one with straps?" "Ah.. dearest sister I-" "But this one fits our fancy!" said Luna looking at a mirror. She shook her bottom at the mirror and watched the effect from behind, her tail swishing to and fro. "Additionally, we don't think red really matches with our coat color." "Luna!" Princess Luna blinked and turned to face Celestia. "Yes, dear sister?" Celestia put her hoof to her lips and giggled. "We have guests," she said calmly. Luna's smile dropped from her face faster than a Sonic Rainboom. Her eyes widened as they fell upon Twilight and her five friends. The Elements of Harmony. An incredible blush blossomed across Luna's face like wild fire. She was standing in an inappropriate swimsuit in front of her sister's student and friends. Luna grabbed a towel, held it in front of her, and tried her best to hide herself. "Oh! Uh..." mumbled Luna, "H-hullo." "H-" "Yesyesthiswasquitewonderful!" babbled Luna abnormally quickly, "Itsgoodtoyouyouallsohappyandhealthyandwefindthatyourgoodhealth bringsusmuchjoy! Nowifyou'llexcuseuswe'llbeRIGHTback!" And with that, Luna dashed off back into the changing room and slammed the door. Twilight turned to her friends, all of which had faces of numb shock on their faces. Twilight shot them each a look that told them 'forget everything you just saw'. Then suddenly Luna trotted out of the changing room, her mane wrapped tightly in a towel. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle!" she chimed, "We can see that you made it here without any problems. And you have brought your friends as well! We hope you don't us joining you, too?" Twilight blinked. Luna's manner was odd, if not comical. Twilight had read about this somewhere in a psychology book. 'I think it was called repression...' she thought to herself. "Yes, well," began Twilight, "The more the merrier, right?" "Quite," agreed Luna. Luna sat herself next to her sister, her head poised with grace with a stiff upper lip. Celestia winked at Twilight. "Well, then," started Celestia, "Let's not stand around and dilly dally. We came here to relax. Come! Help yourselves to anything in this room!" Twilight and her friends snapped back to reality. "Oh, well don't mind if I do!" exclaimed Rarity, "Oh but what to do first? A mud bath? The steam room? A shiatsu? Hoof polishing?" "Well, we're here for the whole day," said Twilight with a smile, "I'm sure you have time for just about everything." As Rarity squealed and trotted away, the rest of the gang soon followed suit. "Ooh! I'm going to try the bubbly hot tub!" said Pinkie Pie with jump. "Aroma-therapy sounds just lovely," sighed Fluttershy. "Betcha can't out last me in th' sauna," said Applejack nudging Rainbow Dash. "You. Are. On!" she replied. And so, the spa day had begun. Twilight sat herself down next to Celestia and Luna. One of the spa attendants started a hooficure for her, shorty followed by a horn polish. As she sat there, Twilight talked with the two princesses. They conversed on a number of topics. Random gossip around the castle, politics, and even some favorite television shows were covered. Luna and Twilight even got carried away talking about their favorite books while Celestia fell asleep in the hot tub. It was apparent that everypony was enjoying the spa treatments. Rarity was laying sprawled out on a massage table with a nimble masseuse balancing on Rarity's back, popping and cracking stiff joints and muscles. Fluttershy was wrapped in warm towels and had cucumber slices on her eyes. She was dozing on a squashy recliner with incense and scented candles burning around her. Pinkie Pie could be seen giggling in the bubble hot tub with a foamy top hat perched on her head. Meanwhile, Applejack and Rainbow Dash both tumbled out of the sauna drenched in sweat and panting. They immediately started arguing about who had given up due to the heat first. As the spa day went along, everypony got pampered and treated. If there was any way to relax, this was definitely the right way. Around this time, food had been brought into the suite. It was a magnificent catering complete with a floral centerpiece. As the ponies gathered together to enjoy their midafternoon meal, Celestia brought up the subject of Twilight's studies. So, Twilight," she said, "Any news on some new spells? From what Spike has told me, you seem to have mastered group teleportation." "Mmhm!" replied Twilight. Her urge to show off to her teacher started bubbling, "Observe!" Twilight wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood up on all fours. "Princesses," said Twilight, "Look out that window, please." Celestia and Luna looked at each other mildly interested. They both got up and made their way to the window. They drew back the curtains and peered outside. Luna gave and audible gasp and Celestia's raised her eyebrows. Twilight and her friends were outside on the lawn. Twilight waved enthusiastically at the two sisters. They were still wrapped in their bath robes and enjoying their meal outside. In fact, Celestia even saw the whole surprised catering crew and the food carts outside as well. The princesses doubled back just in time to see everypony and everything teleport back with a burst of purple light into their original places. "Astounding," murmured Luna. Celestia concurred and smiled. "Hm?" piped up Pinkie Pie looking up from her plate, "Did something happen?" "Just showing off what I learned, Pinkie," Twilight said, puffing out her chest in pride. "Ooh, a magic trick!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. She put down her plate of food and watched Twilight in rapt attention. Everypony just stared at her. "What?" Celestia chuckled. She saw what potential Twilight possessed. She was learning new spells at impressive rates and she was obviously proud of that. Celestia felt the need to further challenge her favorite student. "Very impressive," said Celesita. Twilight beamed at the praise. "It is, however, nothing I haven't seen before. But it was very impressive none the less." Celestia saw Twilight's ears droop a little out of the corner of her eye. Perhaps that would motivate her to take on more challenging work. She could tell Twilight's mind was racing. What else could she do to wow the princess? Her brows were furrowed and she was tapping her hoof on the tiled floor. Celestia chuckled silently to herself. She had the utmost confidence in her student. This would help her progress in her magical ability and maybe she would even learn a thing or two more about friendshi- "OH!" cried Twilight. Celestia snapped out of her thoughts. "Well, I have been practicing another spell..." Celestia blinked. "No, Twilight, I-" "Its pretty hard to do," continued Twilight, "The book was literally five inches thick." "Twilight, dear, what I meant was-" "How many nights of sleep did I lose from this?..." "Twilight, I meant tha-" "Well I think I'm ready.. I have been researching and practicing for quite a while." "Dear, you don-" "Yeah. I think I am ready!" "What? No, if you're not ready, don't-" "Earlier tests had a sixty three percent success rate... In terms of science, that's pretty adequate. It's more likely that I won't fail and not that I would." "Sixty what?! Twilight, I-" "Okay!" chimed Twilight, "Princess, now that you mention it, there is a new spell I've been learning that is categorized in a higher magical tier than teleportation. I- uh... Princess?" Celestia had her face in her hooves. Twilight hadn't heard anything the she had said. Celestia took a deep breath. 'Confidence, Celestia. Confidence.' she thought to herself. She looked up at Twilight in her usual caring gaze. "A new spell?" she asked, "If you have the ability and confidence, you are welcome to show me!" Twilight smiled but Celestia looked at her with a hint of panic. "If, Twilight. IF.." "Don't worry, Princess," reassured Twilight, "I am absolutely certain that I can do this! You are SURE to be impressed!" ************* Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Princess Luna all watched the scene before them unfold. Twilight seemed to be talking to herself nonstop. Celestia on the other hoof, seemed to be trying to get Twilight's attention and failing to do so constantly. They watched as Celestia buried her face in her hooves while Twilight talked herself silly. After a while, Celestia's posture slumped in a defeated pose. Applejack turned to the rest of the on looking group. "What in tarnation just happened?..." she asked. In perfect unison, the rest of the spectating group answered. "I have no idea..."