//------------------------------// // Finding a Place in Life // Story: Transformation // by PaladinColt //------------------------------// "So let me get this straight." said Apple Bloom. "You asked Twilight to turn you into a stallion so you could be with Rarity." "Yup!" replied Spike. "But in order to stay a stallion, you need to get your cutie mark within three days?" added Scootaloo. "Yup!" replied Spike. "And you're doing this because you want to have a chance to hook up with my sister?" added Sweetie Belle. "Definitely." The three fillies looked at Spike, then back at each other. The idea of helping Spike get his cutie mark was thrilling, but it also dawned on them that, if he does get his cutie mark, he would stay as a pony forever, which means he will not be able to become a dragon again. "Won't 'ya miss being a dragon, Spike?" asked Apple Bloom. "I guess I will." replied Spike, scratching his hoof on the back of this mane. "But sacrifices need to be made, especially for a pony as special as Rarity." Scootaloo gestured a disgusted face at hearing Spike's cheesy remark. Sweetie Bell added, "Are you sure you're up for this? You should know that it would take more than just becoming a Stallion to impress Rarity." "That's why I need you guys to help me." Spike added. "Hey, I bet my special talent will be impressing Rarity." "I highly doubt it." remarked Scootaloo. "Anyway," added Apple Bloom. "I suppose we can help you get your cutie mark within three days." "Really?" asked Spike. "Eeyup." she replied. "But we still need to initiate you into the cutie mark crusaders!" Immediately, Scootaloo took a cape from the corner of the tree house and put it around Spike's neck. Sweetie Belle stood at the pulpit and began to initiate the "ritual" of membership. "We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders," she proclaimed. "Elect Spike the dra- errr... I mean pony... to join us as a siste- errr... I mean brother... Ummmm...." Sweetie Belle found it hard to find male equivalents for the list of words that Scootaloo had made in the list. She decided to skip most of the list and get to the ending part, saying, "... and fellow Cutie Mark Crusader. You are solemnly sworn in here this day in witness of your fellow Crusaders to achieve your ultimate goal: to get your cutie mark!" The three fillies then ran up to Spike and hugged him. "Welcome to the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" they said. A smile came to Spike's face as he felt accepted into their group. "Thanks guys." he said. "Now, where do we start in getting our cutie marks?" An idea came to Scootaloo's head and she said, "Let's go wave boarding!" "Yeah!!!" exclaimed the other fillies as they ran outside of their club house. "Hey!" called Spike, trying to catch up. "Wait for me!" - Meanwhile, back at the castle, Twilight Sparkle was in her library reading some books to pass the time, as always. She felt the need to write something down and she said, "Spike, could you reach me my quill, ink and paper?" She waited for a response for a while, but nothing came. She called out again, "Spike, quill, ink and paper please!" Still no response. "Spi-" Before she could call a third time, she suddenly remembered, "Oh yeah, I forgot..." She stood up from her seat and made her way to the desk to get her stuff. She made a sigh as she picked up a quill pen, and some ink and paper with her magic. She knew that this would have to be the new routine if ever Spike did succeed in getting his cutie mark and stay as a stallion. The idea was daunting for her, but she knew that this was the only way to keep him happy. And if he is happy, she guessed that she would be happy too. Twilight was on her way back to her books when suddenly, a knock was head from her library door. She put her stuff down on the table beside her books and made her way to the door to answer it. Sure enough, there stood Rarity. "Oh, hello Rarity." she greeted. "Good morning, dear." the white unicorn replied. "May I ask, is Spike around?" Twilight paused and tried to think of something to reply her with. She did not want Rarity to know yet what Spike had planned for her, so she decided to say something else. "He... umm... went out for a while..." she said, unsure of what else to say, and not wanting to lie to her friend. "Awww." said Rarity, disapointed. "That's too bad. I really wanted him to help me find some gems for a new outfit I've been working on for Sapphire Shores." "I see." replied Twilight, a tone of guilt in her voice. "Well, I'm not sure when Spike will come back." "Well, I guess I'll have to took for gems the old fashioned way." said Rarity. "Thank you, anyway, Twilight." "No problem." the princess replied. "Good luck." Rarity made her exit, leaving Twilight still standing there, thinking to herself, "I really hope you know what you're doing, Spike." - "Well that was a disaster." said Scootaloo, soaking wet. "I thought you knew how to drive a speed boat." added Spike as he shook his head to get the water off his mane. "Did you really expect a filly to know how to drive a speed boat?" said Apple Bloom as she squeezed the water out of her bow. "Did 'ya get your cutie mark yet?" Spike took a glance at his flank and replied, "Nope." "Welcome to our world, Spike." joked Sweetie Belle as she got back up on her hooves. Just as they were drying themselves up, Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared in their midst and said, "Hey, new guy!" Spike was startled at Pinkie's sudden appearance out of nowhere. The crusaders were also startled, but knowing Pinkie Pie, this was not uncommon. "I haven't seen you before." said Pinkie. "But it feels like we've met somewhere before." "Ummm..." Spike did not want to tell Pinkie that he was actually Spike. He wanted to keep this a secret from most ponies, and only he, Twilight and the Crusaders knew who he was. The Crusaders also knew that Spike was keeping this as a secret, so they butted in, saying, "He's a new member of the cutie mark crusaders." "A cutie mark crusader?" said Pinkie as she checked Spike's flank. "How can somepony as old as you not have a cutie mark yet?" "Ummm..." said Spike, thinking of what to say. "I was never really good at finding my special talent yet... ? " Pinkie looked intently at Spike, examining him from face to tail. Knowing Pinkie, Spike was afraid that she might figure out his secret and blurt it out to everypony. But the pink mare suddenly made a huge grin and said, "Okee Dokee Lokee!" Spike and the crusaders made a sigh of relief at that. Pinkie added, "Since you're new here, I think we should throw a party for you." "I don't think that's necessary." replied Spike. "Aww come on!" encouraged Pinkie. "It'll be fun, and I'll invite all my friends to meet you." Hearing this, Spike asked, "All your friends?" "Yup!" she replied. "Including Rarity?" "Yep!" she replied, then asked, "How do you know Rarity?" Spike bit his lip as he nearly gave away his secret plan. He made a split moment decision and replied, "Well... I've heard about her from... errr... magazines and articles. She's really famous outside of Ponyville, y'know." "Okay, then!" replied Pinkie. "I'll tell her you're a fan of her, then. I bet you'll love to meet her at the party." "Yeah." said Spike, blushing and a little love struck. "I'm sure I will..." "When and where's the party?" asked Apple Bloom. "Well since I got a ton of other parties to do tonight and tomorrow, I guess we can do it... three days from now at Sugar Cube Corner." The four were surprised at hearing that. It was like as if Pinkie meant to put the party on the exact same day as the deadline for Spike to get his cutie mark. They looked at each other, then back at Pinkie and said, "We'll be there." "Perfect!" said Pinkie Pie. "Before I go, can I ask something?" "Sure." replied Spike. "What's your name?" Spike paused. The crusaders could not help him with this one, so he had to come up with a name fast. "My name is... Ummm... Sp- .... Spa... Spe..." He looked back at the lake and saw the speed boat that hey had used awhile ago when they wave boarded. He then finally thought of a name and said to Pinkie Pie, "Speedy! My name is Speedy." "Alrighty, Umm Spa Spe Speedy," said Pinkie Pie. "I'll see you at the party!" "Alright." replied Spike as he watched Pinkie bounce away. When she had finally gone away, Scotaloo remarked Spike, saying, "Really? Speedy?" "Hey, I couldn't think of anything else, okay!" replied Spike. "Whatever." she giggled. "Anyway, now we have a real deadline for getting your cutie mark, Spike." "Eeyup." added Apple Bloom. "So, what should we do now?" "How about we go sky diving!" said Sweetie Belle. "Yeah!" exclaimed the other two. Spike just stood there and said to himself, "These three are gonna be the death of me..."