//------------------------------// // Prologue: The Mistletrap // Story: Mistletrapped // by Titanium Dragon //------------------------------// “Perfect,” Spike said, leaning back on the stepladder and admiring his handiwork. Sparkling strands of garland hung from the walls all around the grand hall of Twilight’s new castle. Multicolored lights lent their glow to the interior of the crystalline structure, and green wreaths and holly hung from every available surface on the ceiling, announcing to all who entered that Hearth's Warming had truly arrived. But the pièce de résistance hung directly over the golden gate which lead into the heart of the castle: a single sprig of mistletoe, tied with a ribbon, its white berries glistening dully over the door. “Heh, when Rarity walks in, won’t she be surprised,” Spike said as he began to climb down the ladder. He hopped off the last few steps, landing on the floor with a quiet thump before he folded the ladder back against the wall. “Spike! Have you finished hanging up all the decorations?” “Yup! I just put up the last one.” Twilight trotted out of the kitchen. She slowly turned around, her head tilted up towards the ceiling as she surveyed the room. “Oh, wow, it looks great. Good job, Spike.” “Well, you know, you can always count on me.” “I know.” Twilight beamed at the little dragon, before her expression slipped for a moment. “Hey, do you know where that book Princess Celestia sent me went?” Spike blinked. “Do you mean that copy of the list of royal holdings that she sent you? I thought you finished reading that.” “No, the other book. The Primary Principles of Pony Politics!” “Oh, that.” Spike shrugged. “You left it out on the table when we were setting up; I put it up in your room so you wouldn’t lose track of it.” “Would you mind bringing it down to me?” Twilight tilted her head. “Uh, why? Your friends are going to be here any minute.” “Exactly! I told Princess Celestia that I would be done with it by tonight and I’m not even halfway done!” Spike sighed. “You do realize she said she doesn’t need it back until next week, right?” “Every minute counts, Spike!” “Really?” Spike crossed his arms. “You’re going to spend all night with your nose stuck in a book while we party?” “Of course not!” Twilight stomped her hoof. “That’s why I need it now, so I can get another chapter out of the way before they get here.” “Fine, fine, I’ll go get it,” Spike grumbled, walking slowly towards the stairs, looking back over his shoulder at the dwindling shape of the doorway with the mistletoe perched on top. Twilight shook her head as she turned away from the baby dragon, trotting over to the table they had set up earlier and flattening out the tablecloth with her magic. Turning her head, she pulled out her list and counted the items perched on top, mentally checking off each item as her eyes flashed between the scroll and the cards and candies spread out over the table. A firm knock on the door brought Twilight’s ears up to full attention. Turning her head, she set the list down on the table before spreading her wings, floating over towards the door. Her horn lighting up as she landed, Twilight smiled as the golden doors parted to reveal the face of her friend. “Rarity! You’re here early.” Rarity laughed. “I would have been here earlier still if Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom hadn’t had to say goodbye to Scootaloo. I thought you might appreciate some help with the decorations.” The unicorn smiled radiantly, turning her head to the side, before her smile slipped a little. “Unfortunately, Scootaloo’s parents decided that she would not be spending the evening with her friends.” “Oh, that’s too bad.” Twilight tipped her head. “Where are Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, then?” She leaned to the side, trying to peer past Rarity down the street. “They’re still saying goodbye and exchanging their gifts. I thought I might give them a moment to themselves.” “Well, that was nice of you.” Twilight smiled a bit too broadly before she realized what she was doing. “Sorry,” she said reflexively. “Oh, there’s nothing to be sorry about. Perhaps with just the two of them your castle might be standing in the morning.” Rarity blinked as Twilight shifted from hoof to hoof. “Nervous about something, darling?” “It’s nothing,” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Just, this is the first time I’ve done a Hearth’s Warming Eve party of my own. Before, I was always in Canterlot. I even did that play with you last year.” “Ah, I understand. Well, there’s nothing to worry about. Your castle is looking quite festive, even if it still is a bit…” Rarity lifted her hoof, rolling it through the air. “Yeah, yeah,” Twilight grumbled. “Everyone in town has told me.” “Well, it certainly looks better with all these ribbons on it.” Rarity glanced up, her eyes focusing on the little green leaves hanging over the doorway, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Well, well, someone is eager for a kiss. Is that stallion of yours coming?” Twilight’s ears drooped. “Flash? Nah. We broke up.” She shuffled her hoof against the floor. “Not like we were ever really together in the first place.” “What?” Rarity’s voice rose an octave as she stepped forward. “But I thought he liked you?” “He did,” Twilight said, shaking her head. “But he kind of freaked out when I took him to Equestria the first time. He said I looked… freaky.” “Freaky?” Rarity screeched. “Freaky? You?” Twilight winced. “Yeah. He said it was kind of creepy dating a horse.” She lifted her hoof to rub at the back of her mane. “Well I never! The nerve.” Rarity rushed forward to give Twilight a hug. “When did this happen?” Twilight tensed as she was suddenly wrapped in white hooves. “Oh, it was a few weeks ago. I mean, I thought, since we kissed, I might as well take him to Equestria for a date.” Twilight laughed nervously. “That’s terrible, darling!” “Oh, it’s alright. I’m fine.” “But I thought you liked him!” Twilight rolled her eyes. “It’s not like it was true love. He was just kind of nice, that’s all.” “Yes, well, I’m certain your opinion of him has changed now.” “Heh, I guess a little.” Twilight’s shoulders fell. “It’s alright, though, I’m over it.” “You are? But…” Rarity trailed off, her eyes flicking upwards once more before she smiled. “Of course you are!” The unicorn squeezed her friend all the more tightly. “So, who is it?” “Who is who?” “Your new crush!” Twilight jerked back, pulling herself out of Rarity’s grasp. “My what?” “Oh come now. There’s no need to hide it from me. This is so wonderful!” Rarity trotted in place. “I’m not hiding anything! I don’t know what you’re talking about!” “Of course, of course.” Rarity stilled herself and took a deep breath. “So who did you invite? Is it Big Mac? Thunderlane? Ooh, is it—” “What?” Twilight stared. “I didn’t invite anyone but you girls. And the Crusaders; Spike really could use some friends his age.” “But…” Rarity glanced up again, before her eyes narrowed. “Oh, I see,” she said sultrily. “You see what?” “We just have to talk!” “Rarity…” The two ponies slowly walked into the center of the great hall as Twilight’s horn lit up, swinging the great doors shut with a loud thump behind them. They made their way across the room, Twilight shaking her head as Rarity laughed loudly, nudging Twilight with her shoulder. Upstairs, Spike ran out onto the staircase, taking the steps two at a time as he bounded down. “Hey, Twilight, I found your book!” he called, waving the item in question before stopping short at the sight of Rarity. “Aw, nuts.” “Oh, thank you, Spike! But Rarity came right after you went upstairs.” Twilight nodded to the pony standing beside her. “I’m sorry.” “It’s alright,” Spike muttered, scuffing his foot against the smooth floor as he walked over towards the pair. “Why so down in the dumps?” Twilight asked, stepping forward. “Oh, no reason.” Spike looked down at the floor before leaning forward, speaking in a low voice. “Did you give Rarity her card yet?” “I was just getting to that.” There was another knock on the door. “Would you mind getting it, Spike?” “Sure,” Spike said unenthusiastically, shaking his head as he trudged across the floor to the doors. Standing up on his tip-toes, he leaned forward, pushing them open. “Oh, hey, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom.” “Howdy, Spike,” Apple Bloom said. “Applejack said before I left that she was gonna be late; somethin’ about clearin’ the snow from the trees in the east orchard ‘fore their branches break.” “Oh, that’s too bad. I’ll let Twilight know.” “Is Rarity here yet?” Sweetie Belle leaned to the side, trying to look past the dragon. “Yeah.” Spike pointed his thumb back over his shoulder. “She’s talking with Twilight about something. You two want to come inside?” He took a step back. “Why, certainly,” Sweetie Belle said, before Apple Bloom stuck a hoof out in front of her chest. “Nope. Look up.” Sweetie Belle stopped in her tracks, tilting her head back to peer up. Her cheeks flushed. “Ya see it?” “Yup.” Sweetie Belle looked to over to Apple Bloom, who had adopted a predatory grin. “See what?” Spike asked, peering up over the doorway before he realized, too late, what it was that she had seen. Out of the corner of his vision, he saw Sweetie Belle move forward, and felt something soft and warm press against his cheek. The young dragon staggered backwards, falling back onto his tail as Sweetie Belle giggled before trotting past him into the castle. “Woah,” Spike said, raising a claw to touch his cheek. “I should take that down before somebody gets hurt.”