//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10 
// Story: The Midnight Dance 
// by CartoonNerd12 
//------------------------------//

You're in what?!" The five mares shouted at the edge of Fluttershy's bed the very next morning.

"In love." Fluttershy repeated, "With Discord…"

"But-how-why?!" Rainbow went in her face.

"It just happened, and honestly, girls, I think I've been in love with him ever since I helped him get out that prison. I've just only realized it until now."

"But, sweetie…" motioned Rarity, "He's not even the same species as you!"

"Spike's a dragon, and Applejack fell for him and neither of you are telling her to move on."

There was silence until Pinkie said, "Ooh, she's got a point."

AJ suddenly chuckled, "That she does, Pinkie… That she does…" She went to sit next to Fluttershy, "I don't care, just as long as he doesn't hurt ya…"

"He won't… He cares about me too much that he'll make sure that no pony ever hurts me."

"You're sure?" Twilight asked.

"Very sure." she answered back.

"Well… we may not entirely approve, but we will trust your judgment and if he's willing to protect you, then that's all that matters to us…"

"But if he screws up…" Rainbow rubbed her hooves, "You know who to call."

"I'm sure it won't come to that…" She reminisced of the previous night when she kissed him quite a few times.

"Alright, now that we all have admitted we have special someponies in our lives, we need a way to convince Mother to let us chose when to marry at our own time." stated Twilight.

"Absolutely," said Rarity, "but can it wait? I have to meet with Fancy Pants after breakfast."

"And I promise to go see Cheese so we can get his joke shop back to being fun."

"Soarin' and I were going to do some cloud busting before he has to go back to Cloudsdale in a couple of days."

"And I've got to feed my animals."

"I'm already late for making breakfast."

"Alright, you guys go on ahead. I'm going to keep looking up a book that might help us out of this mess."

They nodded and headed out the door.

When breakfast was done with, Twilight was taking out books with Spike, who was making a list for them to remember where the books should go back. As much as she was keeping to her objective, she wanted to find out if Spike did have feelings for her sister Applejack now that she had feelings for him. But since he went all out the other day to help Applejack, it seemed possible. She carefully approached the subject by asking a question.

"So, did you have a hard day yesterday?"

"Somewhat," he answered, "but AJ and I got through it…" he said that in almost dreamy way.

She smirked, thinking, AJ, uh… and said out loud, "Well, that's good to hear. At least you won't be too exhausted to help me out."

"No, siree! Although, I'm really going to miss laundry duty…" he sighed.

"O-kay…" She said slowly, obviously missing something, but she decided to let it go and continued with her book findings.

Back in the kitchens, Applejack was helping cleaning up the kitchen from the breakfast rush in order to get ready for the lunch hour. Apple Bloom was helping her out by using a damp cloth for scrubbing the floor.

Apple Bloom then asked, "So, how did things go with Spike?"

AJ stopped with what she was doing, "What do you mean?" her cheeks started flushing, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Give it up, Applejack! I know you got a crush on that dragon and yesterday, you got to spend the whole day with him! So tell me everything!" she jumped up and down.

"Okay, okay! Sheesh, you're just as bad as my sister Pinkie."

"I wish I could be your sister…"

"Well, actually, in a way you are…" she pulled the filly into a hug, "For as long as I have known you, you've always been like another sister to me to take care of…"

Apple Bloom's eyes widened, "You mean that…?"

She smiled at her, "I do…" She hugged her tightly, "And since I can trust you, I might as well tell you…"

A grin ran across Apple Bloom's face, "I'm all ears."

Once she had finished the whole tale, Apple Bloom was hopping all around the place and yelling out, "Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh! At this rate, he's bound to say 'I love you' to ya!"

"Whoa there, Nelly!" she grabbed hold of her, "Now let's not get ahead of ourselves…"

"But, Applejack, what if it's true? How would you feel, then?"

"Well, I… I'd feel pretty good, I guess… in fact… If I could know for certain, I'd run to him today! And somehow I know he's on his way to me… Spike, you and I were meant to be… Far longer than forever… I'll hold you in my heart… It's almost like you're here with me… Although we're far apart…"

While in the library, as Twilight was on the other side, Spike sang, "Far longer than forever… As constant as a star… I close my eyes and I am where you are…"

"Sure as the dawn brings the sunrise, we've an unshakeable bond!"

"Destined to last for a lifetime and beyond! Far longer than forever!"

"Far longer than forever!"

"I swear that I'll be true!"

"I swear that I'll be true!"

Both of them ended up singing, "I've made an everlasting vow, to find a way to you… Far longer than forever! Like no love ever known!"

AJ sang, "And with your love…"

They sang together, "I'll never be… alone…"

She sang, "Far longer than forever…"

He sang, "Much stronger than forever…"

She finished, "And with your love, I'll never be… alone…" She turned back to face Apple Bloom.

The filly stood there gawking, blinking in bewilderment.

Applejack cleared her throat and blushed, "That's… that's what I would feel if he told me."

"He has to know!" Apple Bloom jumped.

"No! I will not embarrass myself if he still has feelings for Rarity! I need to know that he loves me and only me…" she sighed, "Come on… we have to help finish cleaning up…" she said as she set off to the counter with the filly right behind her.

Owlowiscious sat on his perch while his owner was skimming through books by using her magic.

"Oh, Owlowiscious, you don't know how lucky you are…" Twilight told him.

"Who…?" hooted the owl.

"You, that's who. Oh… right…" she blushed in embarrassment, forgetting owls always say that.

Spike came up then, holding more books, "I found these on the top shelf."

Performing a spell, she looked through them and said, "Oh, I found those yesterday when you weren't here."

"Twilight, think maybe you should give up this search? Obviously, a book isn't going to help with what the queen has already decided."

"But I have to try, Spike! Not when I finally found-" she covered her mouth before she could say anything else.

"Found what?"

"Nothing, it's nothing."

"Come on, Twi. You know you can tell me anything…"

"Not this time, Spike… Too much is at stake here." Seeing the disappointment on his face, she quickly said, "Why don't you go see if Applejack needs help with lunch?" She turned away for a second, "I'm sure she could use a claw…" She saw that he was already gone and thought, Yup, looks like he's fallen head over hooves… She giggled before resuming with her research, even if it was hopeless. Suddenly, she heard a voice that made her quiver with excitement.

"More reading to do, I presume?"

She turned around to see Flash by the door and smiled at him, "Research, actually, but reading is involved."

"Who…" a voice hooted.

"Who's this feathery guy?" Flash asked, seeing the owl on the perch.

She chuckled, "This is Owlowiscious," She held out her hoof for him to get on and had him face the guard, "Owlowiscious, this is Flash."

"Who?"

"Flash, that's who," he told the owl.

"Who…"

"Don't worry. He says that a lot."

"So I see."

They both started laughing. Then, Owlowiscious flapped onto Flash's back.

"Aww, he likes you." said Twilight.

"That's good to know," he turned his head back to the owl, "I like you, too."

"Who…" Owlowiscious hooted as if to say "likewise".

They laughed again.

Winona barked as she watched her mistress bake apple fritters.

"Winona, shush!" Applejack told her under her breath, "Chef Gustave is in the other room and he'll complain if you're in here!"

"Looks like I arrived just in time." said a familiar voice.

She turned to see her favorite dragon, "Spike! I was… just thinking about you…" she turned to blush.

"You were?!" His eyes filled with hearts, but then remembered to play it cool, "That's awesome. I was just thinking about you, too…" It was his turn to blush.

"You… you were?" She felt hope swell in her heart.

"Sure, so what's the problem here?"

"Winona came up to me. Normally around this time, I play with her, but one of the cooks has gotten sick, so they need an extra hoof to get done in time. Chef Gustave doesn't like pets in his kitchen. I hate to ask this, but can you maybe…"

He lifted his claw, "Say no more! I'll play with Winona while you keep working." Suddenly, he felt her arms wrapped around him.

"Thank you…" she said in his ear, "You don't know how much this means to me…"

He sputtered, "You're… you're welcome…" It felt so right to be in her arms that he never wanted to leave them. But she broke away from him and gave him the leash he needed for Winona. He said to the dog, "Come here, girl."

Winona barked and landed on top of him, licking his face, "Ah! Okay! Okay! Heel!"

AJ giggled at the sight, "Have fun, you two."

Spike sat up saying while putting the leash on, "I'll be back with her in a hour." He walked her out or rather, Winona walked him out.

Fancy Pants clopped to the suite that Rarity owned. They agreed to meet in that room for now since their confession of their newfound feelings for each other. He was about to knock on the door when he heard from the other side of the door his love shouting.

"Opal, no!"

He rushed in to see the white feline up high on a shelf, licking her paw.

"Opal, please come down from there!" Rarity begged.

"What seems to be the trouble?" he asked.

"Oh, Fancy, darling! It's Opal! She refuses to come down!"

"Um, have you tried…" he pointed to his own horn.

"I dare not! The last time I did that, she wouldn't come near me for a whole month!"

"That is problematic…" he pondered.

"Yes, so I'm trying to get her down without the use of force."

"Hmm…" Fancy analyzed the situation, therefore coming up with a solution, "I'll be right back…" He left the room for a while, and then came back magically carrying a bowl and a glass bottle full of cream. He set them down, poured the cream in, and called up to the cat, "For you, Miss Opalescence…" He gave a bow.

Opal was intrigued by the pony's manners and slowly came down to begin drinking the cream. Fancy smiled to a completely baffled Princess Rarity.

"Oh… my…"

"It was nothing to it, really. Just had to appeal to her nature, since I do know for a fact she loves being pampered."

"That she does…"

"Just like her owner."

"Right again!" She batted her eyelashes at him, "And do you know what would make me feel pampered now?"

"Hm, no, I'm afraid not." he played along.

She wrapped her hooves around him, "This would…" She pulled him into a kiss.

Pinkie and Cheese were unpacking boxes at a fast pace, putting things back to the way they were. Gummy was biting on Pinkie's tail while she was bouncing around.

"Cheesy, can you walk Gummy around now?" she asked her coltfriend.

"Sure! I can do that!" he took hold of Gummy and put him on his tail.

"Aw, he's wagging his own tail! That's means he likes it!" she giggled and resumed the redecorating.

Rainbow flopped down on a cloud, saying, "Whew! I'm beat!"

"Yeah!" Soarin' flopped beside her, "Me, too!"

A whirling sound filled the air and a tortoise in propeller gear came up to join them.

"Tank! Perfect timing, buddy!" Dash seized him.

Soarin' chuckled while rubbing his shell, "He always was one tough dude."

She smirked, "Tank loves you, too, and I'll prove it." She moved him to face the colt and in a second, the tortoise licked Soarin's cheek.

"Agh!" he wiped the kiss away, "Gross, Tank! Gross!"

Rainbow was guffawing away.

Fluttershy was humming around the gardens, feeding all the animals that lived in the Canterlot gardens. Then, she came across her favorite of the lot: her precious Angel Bunny. She was trying to feed him his carrots, but he was being difficult, "Oh, please, Angel… just three bites?" He would not budge, "Two bites…?" She drew out, "One bite at least?" But he just pushed the carrot away.

"Stubborn fellow, isn't he?" a voice behind her said.

She turned around happily to see the creature she deeply loved and ran into his arms as he twirled her for a bit before putting her down. Then, she went back to her problem.

"I don't know what else to do! He won't eat! And he needs his nutrients!"

Discord cracked his knuckles, "No biggie. Let me handle this so-called angel…" he went on all fours and stared down at the rabbit, who in turned stared hard at him. "Now you listen to me, Angel Bunny…" he growled, "You got this mare who practically serves you paw and foot… You know how many rabbits or creatures would give to be in your place…? So… You start treating your owner with respect! You got that?!" he eyeballed him with a large eyeball and that scared Angel to grab the carrot and started eating it whole.

Discord faced back to his mare and gave off a proud pose, "And that should take care of that."

"Thank you…" she whispered.

"So, tell me, my dear. Did you actually tell them?"

"This morning."

"And…?"

"They don't completely approve…"

He scoffed, "As was expected…"

"But… they trust my judgment that you will not harm me."

"Of course I won't!" he took her into his arms, "I could never harm a single hair on this pretty mane… but you finally feel better that they know?"

"Very, but it'll still take some time for them to get used to it. But all that matters is that I'm free to be with you…" she nuzzled under his chin.

"I as well, Fluttershy… I as well…" He rubbed his chin to her head.

When the family had finished with lunch, Celestia said, "Girls, it's best you don't go anywhere this afternoon."

"But why?" Twilight questioned.

"You'll have to meet with Ms. Harshwinny for your… betrothal standards…"

"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?!" Rainbow stipulated.

"Yes, Mother, please clarify as to what you are talking about?" Rarity asked.

By then, Ms. Harshwinny walked in when she overheard them, "It means, Your Highnesses, that you must look your best when being presented to your future husbands." She looked at Rainbow Dash and Applejack, who were wearing their simple gowns, "And it seems I have my work cut out for me…"

Twilight gulped, "Ah, Mother… is this really necessary?"

"Quite necessary, Your Majesty." Harshwinny answered for the queen.

The girls gave each other glances.

Rainbow gritted her teeth while the seamstresses fitted her in a frou-frou dress and the hairdressers put her hair up. Next to her was AJ, who was having the same trouble as a seamstress tightened her corset, making it hard for her to breath. Rarity was complaining that she couldn't have her mane the way she wanted it done or choose a dress she made. Fluttershy was being fitted in a big ruffled green dress and her hair was up in three bumps. The makeup ponies were deciding how much blush to put on her.

Pinkie was having a hard time standing still and her dress wasn't making it any easier while her poofy mane was up. Twilight had her hair in a bun and her dress was big and puffy. They all had to wear their ceremonial tiaras. Once the fittings and manes were done, Ms. Harshwinny had them line up in their birth order.

She looked them over one at a time, going, "Hm-mm… Yes… Properly attired… Much better… Suitable… Acceptable…"

Rainbow whispered to Applejack, "What is this? Bridal inspections or bridle inspections?" Both ended up giggling.

That caught Harshwinny's attention, "Who's snickering?!"

They both started laughing away.

"What is so funny?!" she demanded.

Rainbow said between laughs, "Sorry… I thought you said who's nickering?!"

That caused the rest of the princesses to release a laugh and with Pinkie laughing so hard, her hair came undone and the buttons on her dress popped off.

"Now look what you've done! We'll have to redo the whole thing!"

The jokes ended when Pinkie was forced back to fit in a new dress and Ms. Harshwinny began inspections on each of them. She touched Fluttershy's chin and stated, "You have a pretty face and know when to not to talk. You will make an excellent wife to a duke or regent."

She moved on to Rarity, "Hmm… you are too beautiful. That could send the wrong message to any noble."

As she moved on, Rarity sent her an appalling look and said under her breath, fuming, "Why, I never!"

Harshwinny moved around Applejack, "You are a hard worker. No doubt that you will keep on your hooves to serve your husband well. But you must keep up your appearances to prove you are a lady of noble birth." With that said, she went to Rainbow, saying, "Same goes for you. You are a young mare born into royalty. Leave the fighting and expeditions to your husband as it'll be your duty to greet him whenever he comes home."

"You mean I just have to sit on the sidelines?!"

"As it will be expected of you." She went to Pinkie, "As for you, princess, you need to stay in one place and not think of having a party every day."

"No parties?! But… but… no parties means no happiness! And no happiness means every pony becomes sad and gloomy!"

"I'm sure every pony can do without a party every single day."

"Have you ever been to one?!"

She lifted her head high to not answer that and moved on to Twilight, "And for you, Your Highness, you are the prime example of how a wife should be to a royal. It's a shame you have to marry a lesser noble since your sisters need to marry in higher status."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, as the heir to your mother's throne, you need a regent that's not in line for his own throne." She turned back to face all of them, "As for the rest of you, you will need to be by your husbands as their queens or any title bearing their own."

Suddenly, it occurred to the girls that by marrying far from Canterlot, they would probably never see each other again! This marriage business just became more real for them than ever…