//------------------------------//
// Loyalty 5: デート 
// Story: 友達は魔法少女　～ＦＲＩＥＮＤＳＨＩＰ　ＩＳ　ＭＡＧＩＣＡＬ　ＧＩＲＬＳ～ 
// by MythrilMoth 
//------------------------------//

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle ate breakfast with Twilight and her family.

"I think it'd be best if you girls stayed here today, just in case," Twilight said. "Your sisters agree. They'll pick you up this evening."

"So bad ninjas really were going to kill us?" Sweetie Belle asked, eyes wide.

Twilight frowned. "Well...yes. But don't worry. We won't let anything happen to you." She smiled. "With your sisters, me, the other girls, and Spike around, you're safe. I promise."

Sweetie Belle poked a fork in her pancake. "Ne, Oneesan...does Spike-kun have a girlfriend?"

Twilight blinked. "You're...interested in Spike?"

Sweetie Belle blushed.

"Well, I—" Twilight's phone rang. "Oh! Excuse me." She wandered off.

Sweetie Belle pouted. "She didn't answer my question..."

Apple Bloom nudged Sweetie Belle. "Hey. You sure about this?"

Sweetie Belle waved her off. "Spike-kun is so cool..." Her eyes began to sparkle.

"Yyyeah...you've mentioned that..."

"I want...to touch his muscles..."

Apple Bloom facepalmed. "Oi oi."





Loyalty 5: デート


Later that morning, Twilight was absorbed in research when Spike sat down next to her. "Ne, Neechan..."

Twilight looked up. "Hm? What is it, Spike?"

Spike looked down, cheeks tinged faintly red. "Will you go on a date with me?"

Twilight blinked. "That came out of nowhere," she said.

"Neechan...you know how important you are to me, right?"

Twilight swallowed. "H-hai..." She looked down. "It's just...I don't think we should..." She toyed with a page. "I've always thought of you as a brother, and...I just don't know if I..."

Spike looked away.

Twilight put a hand on his shoulder. "You know," she said, "Sweetie Belle has a crush on you."

"Yeah, I noticed," Spike said. He turned a darker shade of red. "I...I'm not really interested in her, but..." He plucked at his shirt. "Well, she's Rarity-sama's sister." He looked up at Twilight. "I don't...I mean...I want to be with you, but Rarity-sama is so..."

"Tall, gorgeous, and has huge breasts?" Twilight suggested with a teasing smile.

"All that, yeah," Spike agreed. "And more than that, she's just amazing. I know there's no way she'll ever give me the time of day, but..." He ducked his head sheepishly. "If...if I can't be with who I want to be with...I'm willing to wait and see if Sweetie Belle turns out like her sister." He looked back up at Twilight. "But you'll always be my first choice, Neechan. Always."

Twilight blushed. "Spike..."

"Just...just think about it, okay?" Spike asked. He got up and walked away, shimmering and fading from view underneath his Indifference charm.

"Spike..." Twilight said to the (probably) empty room. With a sigh, she turned her attention back to her research.


* * * * *


Monday morning, Twilight found a note in her shoe locker. She unfolded it apprehensively, dreading another missive from the Shadowbolts.




We're not in the same class, but I've noticed you, and I'd like a chance to talk to you. I'll be waiting by the A/V room after school if you're interested.




"Whatcha got there, Twilight-chan?" Pinkie Pie popped up over Twilight's shoulder, plucking the note out of her hand and reading it. "Oooh!" she cooed, a sly grin crossing her face. "Somebody just got her first loooooove letter!"

Twilight blushed. "Pinkie-san! Mou..." She snatched the note back. "What makes you think this is a love letter? It could be anything..."

"That's a boy's handwriting," Rarity said as she appeared next to Twilight. "So it's definitely a love letter."

"So, are you gonna go?" Pinkie asked.

"I..." Twilight hesitated.

"Oh, do at least see who it is, darling!" Rarity said. "What could it possibly hurt?"

Twilight sighed. "Okay, I'll meet him."


* * * * *


After school, Twilight approached the A/V room on the first floor cautiously. Pinkie and Rarity were doing an absolutely terrible job of following her inconspicuously.

A boy leaned against the wall next to the door. He was reasonably cute, with spiky dark blue hair. A second-year pin was affixed to the collar of his white uniform shirt, and he had his hands in his pants pockets.

She walked up to him. "Excuse me," she said. "Are you the one who put that note in my shoe locker?"

He smiled. "Yeah," he said. "Umm...I wanted to meet you because, well..." His cheeks turned pink. "I think you're pretty cute." He ran a hand through his hair. "My name's Flash Sentry."

"Oh. Um...I'm Twilight Sparkle. But you already knew that."

"Yeah..." Flash chuckled. "I'm in Class 2-B. One of your friends is in my class."

"Fluttershy-san, hai." Twilight tilted her head. "So you..." She toyed with a lock of her hair. "You're...interested in me?"

"Are you, I mean, do you have a boyfriend?" Flash asked.

"No," Twilight said, shaking her head. "There's...somebody who's interested in me, but I don't know if..."

"I see," Flash said. "Look, I'll get right to the point. I want to go out with you."

"Oh..." Twilight blushed. She looked back at Pinkie and Rarity, who were nodding their heads rapidly, wearing huge smiles. "Well...alright. Maybe...Sunday?"

"Sunday's good," Flash said. "Umm...can I give you my number?"

"Of course," Twilight said, exchanging numbers with Flash. "Well...I have to go now," she said. "I have a lot to do this afternoon. Text me about Sunday!"

She headed back over to her friends, who were giggling like idiots. "Oooh, he's CUTE!" Pinkie said.

"He is that," Rarity agreed. "I do believe I've seen girls chasing after that one."

Twilight pushed up her glasses. "I just don't know," she said. "But...I'll at least go out with him. I mean, there's no reason not to."


* * * * *


Monday evening, Sweetie Belle showed up at the bookstore.

"Good evening, Sweetie Belle!" Velvet said. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Sweetie Belle said. "Is...is Spike-kun here?"

"He's upstairs," Velvet said. "He just finished a patrol. Go on up."

Sweetie Belle bowed politely, then headed upstairs. Once inside the apartment, she removed her shoes, then shuffled into the living room, where she found Spike watching television. "Anou...Spike-kun?"

Spike looked up. "Oh, hey."

Sweetie Belle dug her toe into the floor, ducking her head. "Anou...I..." She swallowed nervously. "Will you go on a date with me?"

"A date?"

"H-hai," Sweetie Belle squeaked. "I...I want to go on a date with you." She blushed furiously. "Please!"

Spike shrugged. "Okay, I guess so."

"R-really?"

"Sure."

Sweetie Belle gasped joyfully. "Arigatou!" She smoothed down her skirt. "I...I was thinking we could go to Jungle Land..."

"Jungle Land?"

"It's an amusement park," Sweetie Belle said.

Spike scratched his nose. "I've never been to an amusement park," he said. "They look kinda neat."

"How about Sunday then?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Cool," Spike said.

Twilight wandered in from her room. "Oh, hello Sweetie Belle!"

"Ah...Oneesan!"

"What brings you here?"

"She came to ask me out," Spike said. "We're going on a date on Sunday."

Twilight smiled. "That's wonderful! I hope you two have a good time."

Sweetie Belle sat and talked with the two of them for a while before heading home. Once she was gone, Twilight sat next to Spike and hugged him. "I'm glad you changed your mind about her," she said.

"I haven't really," Spike said. "I just don't want to be a jerk about it. Going on a date with her doesn't mean I've changed my mind."

"I see..."


* * * * *


On Wednesday, Twilight got a text from Flash.




I thought we might go to Jungle Land. It's a fun place.




"Jungle Land, huh...?" She smiled. "That sounds like fun!" She texted Flash back.


* * * * *


Sunday morning, Twilight put on a dark purple, almost black skirt, a short-sleeved blue-violet shirt, black stockings, and dark purple flats, then headed out into the living room.

Spike blinked at her. "Wow, you're all dressed up, Neechan. You look amazing..."

Twilight blushed. "I, umm...I'm going out today," she said.

Spike frowned. "You have a date?"

"Well..." Twilight sighed. "Hai."

"I see..."

"A guy from school asked me out," Twilight said, shrugging. "He's cute, I thought it wouldn't hurt to go out with him once. Pinkie-san and Senpai pretty much pressured me into it."

"I see."

"Well, I'd better get going," Twilight said. "Need to catch a train." She tilted her head. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for your date?"

"In a minute," Spike said. He smirked. "I'm teleporting to her place, then teleporting us there."

Twilight blinked. "You're wasting that much energy?"

Spike shrugged. "Eh. I need to let off a little. I'm overcharged."

Twilight frowned. "How can you be overcharged?"

Spike grinned. "I've been watching this one girl at your school. Every day she goes up to the roof after school and has sex." He scratched his cheek. "She hasn't been with the same guy twice..."

Twilight's face turned crimson. "Spike! You shouldn't...you shouldn't be spying on people doing...!" She broke off, eyes wide. "On the roof? Seriously?"

"She's freakin' loud, too. I'm amazed she hasn't gotten caught."

Twilight shook her head. "I'm off. Mata ne!"


* * * * *


Sweetie Belle adjusted the modest off-white summer dress she wore. "I don't know about these shoes," she said, wobbling unsteadily on the high-heeled white sandals she wore.

"Oh, but they look splendid on you!" Rarity said. "You want to look your best for Spike-kun, don't you?"

The doorbell rang. Rarity answered it, finding Spike on the other side, wearing faded blue jeans, purple sneakers, and a black T-shirt. "Yo," he said, shuffling awkwardly.

"Good morning, Spike-kun. Sweetie Belle is ready."

Sweetie Belle walked up beside Rarity and waved. "Hi, Spike-kun," she said.

"You look nice," Spike said.

"Thank you."

Spike looked from Rarity to Sweetie Belle, shifting his weight. "So, uhh...we'd best get going," he said. He reached out a hand.

Sweetie Belle blushed and took it hesitantly. As soon as her fingers closed around Spike's, the two of them vanished in a burst of emerald fire.

Rarity blinked. "Goodness..."


* * * * *


Twilight met up with Flash at the entrance to the crowded train station nearest Jungle Land. He grinned lazily as he looked her up and down. "Wow, you look amazing," he said.

"Thank you," Twilight said. She fiddled with her hands. "So, shall we go?"

"Of course."

It took a few minutes before they found themselves in line, waiting to enter the huge log gates of Jungle Land. "I've never been to an amusement park before," Twilight said.

"Never?"

"There aren't any...where I'm from."

"Oh." Flash shrugged. "Well, there's plenty to do here."

"I'm looking forward to it..."


* * * * *


Sweetie Belle let out an alarmed squeak as suddenly she was standing at the outer gates of Jungle Land. "Wh-what?!"

Spike grinned. "Way better than taking the train, huh?"

"That was a little scary," Sweetie Belle said, patting her chest. "S-so, umm...I'm glad you agreed to go out with me."

"Let's have fun, ne?"

A twenty minute wait later, they were inside the park. "So what do we do first?" Spike asked.

"How about the river tour?" Sweetie Belle asked. "It's supposed to be a good way to see the entire park..."

"Sure," Spike said, shrugging. They checked the park directory, then headed for the line of people waiting to board the Jungle River Raft Ride.


* * * * *


"That was fun," Twilight said as she and Flash exited the "log raft" that had carried them around the artificial river encircling Jungle Land. "Now what?"

"Let's play some games," Flash suggested. "I'll try to win you a prize."

"Alright," Twilight said. Flash led her over to a long row of game booths. There was one booth with flashy lights and racks of colorful prizes that caught Twilight's eye; she steered Flash in that direction. The sign on the booth proclaimed it to be "FEED THE GORILLA!". At the back of the booth, a giant plastic gorilla with a slowly opening and closing mouth moved back and forth and up and down on a motorized track. Piles of rubber bananas were stacked up on the counter.

The attendant smiled at them. "Try your luck, kid? Win your girl a prize?"

"Sure, I'm game," Flash said.

"Three throws for 500 yen," the attendant said.

Flash placed a coin on the counter; the attendant slid three rubber bananas in front of him. "Make one throw, get a prize from the bottom rack. Make two, get a prize from the middle rack or two from the bottom rack. Make all three, take any prize you want from the top rack, or two from the middle rack."

"Got it," Flash said. He picked up the first banana, watching the gorilla carefully. He drew back his arm, tensed, paused, and let fly.

It sailed right into the gorilla's mouth. Lights flashed and a bell buzzed.

"Good shot!" the attendant said. "Try to get another!"

Again, Flash watched the gorilla carefully. It was moving faster now. He tracked it for almost a full minute, then let fly, banking the banana off the wall of the booth and right into its mouth.

The attendant's jaw dropped. "Incredible!"

Flash grinned. "Let's see if I can get the third one."

The gorilla was moving a lot faster now, its mouth snapping shut as soon as it was open and its eyes glowing red. Flash waited, watching it, tensed to throw...

He suddenly let loose with an underhand throw which arced up, barely scraping into the gorilla's mouth just as it was snapping shut.

Fireworks exploded from the top of the booth, and the lights and bells went crazy.

"I can't believe it!" the attendant said. "Nobody ever makes the third shot!"

Flash grinned. "So, which prize do you want?" he asked Twilight.

Twilight scanned the top row. "That one," she said, pointing to a large purple unicorn plush with broad, feathery wings.

The attendant pulled it down and handed it to her. "Here you go, miss," he said. "Enjoy!"

Twilight squeezed the plush tightly. "Thank you, Sentry-san," she said. "That was amazing! How did you do that?"

Flash shrugged. "Boomerang lessons," he said. He looked around the park. "Hey, why don't we ride the Swinging Lemur next?"


* * * * *


Sweetie Belle staggered away from the exit to the Swinging Lemur, clutching her stomach. "Ooooh," she moaned. "I'm gonna throw up again..." She suddenly rushed over to one of the many decorative trees in the park and doubled over, emptying her stomach.

Spike winced. "Why don't we play some of the carnival games?" he suggested. "They look like a lot of fun."

"Sure, that sounds good," Sweetie Belle said, face still green.


* * * * *


"That was pretty fun," Twilight said brightly as she and Flash left the Swinging Lemur.

"Yeah, but I thought for sure that one kid was gonna hork all over me," Flash said.

Twilight giggled. "I guess it's not a good idea for people with motion sickness to ride things like that, huh?"

"Hey, wanna get something to eat before we pick another ride?"

Twilight checked the time. "Well...yes, I guess it's as good a time as any to eat," she said. They headed for the food court, taking their time to peruse the available offerings.

"I'm having a lot of fun with you today, Sparkle-san," Flash said as they found an open table to sit at.

"Yeah, this is...nice," Twilight said, smiling. "This place is a lot of fun..."


* * * * *


"This just isn't my day," the attendant moaned as he took two medium-sized plush toys off the middle rack and handed them to Spike, who handed them to Sweetie Belle.

As they walked away from Feed The Gorilla, Spike asked, "So, where to now?" His stomach rumbled. "I'm actually getting kinda hungry..."

"Yeah, I should probably eat too," Sweetie Belle said. "I think my stomach's calmed down enough."

They headed for the food court, where they took their time perusing the various kiosks, deciding what they wanted to eat. Once they had their food and had sat down at a small plastic table, Sweetie Belle said, "Ne, Spike-kun...I wanted to ask you something."

Spike squirted mustard on the paper tray in front of him, then rolled his corn dog in it. "What is it?"

Sweetie Belle ducked her eyes. "Why...why do you have all those bras and panties in your closet?"

Spike shrugged. "You know about my ninja magic, right?"

"Hai..."

"I don't have the same kind of power Neechan and Obasan have. The ninja clans from Sun Island get their power from..." He shrugged. "Vice."

"Vice?"

"Yeah. My clan usually uses greed to power their magic. You know, hoarding stuff, seeking treasure, that kind of thing. But I chose a different vice." He frowned, suddenly uncomfortable with talking about this with a younger girl. "I, umm..."

"You get your magic from being a pervert?" Sweetie Belle said, eyes wide.

"Well...yeah."

Sweetie Belle's face turned red. "I see..."

Spike shrugged. "What can I say? I'm the most powerful mage in my clan's history because I chose lust instead of greed as a power source."

Sweetie Belle took a moment to think about that. "Because it's easier to be a pervert than it is to hoard a bunch of stuff?"

"Exactly."

"I see..."

Spike took a bite of his corn dog. "Guess that makes me a pretty creepy guy, huh?"

"Well...a little," Sweetie Belle said. "But...I still think you're cool," she said. She ducked her head over her own food, a silly smile on her face.

Spike stared at her. "Uhh...thanks," he said. "So anyway..." He trailed off as a couple sitting on the other side of the food court caught his attention.


* * * * *


Twilight blinked as she caught sight of Spike and Sweetie Belle sitting on the other side of the food court. "You're kidding!"

"Hm? What's that?" Flash asked.

"I didn't know Spike and Sweetie Belle were coming here today!"

Flash followed her gaze, brow furrowing. "You know them?"

"Spike's my, umm...little brother," Twilight said. "I wasn't expecting to see him here today."

"I see," Flash said. "His little girlfriend is pretty. He must be a real charmer."

Twilight smirked. "That's one way of looking at it..."


* * * * *


"Okay, who the hell is that guy?" Spike grumbled under his breath.

"Spike-kun?" Sweetie Belle followed his gaze. "Ah! Twilight-oneesan is on a date today too?"

"Yeah," Spike said sourly.

Sweetie Belle studied Spike for a minute. Her face fell. "Oh...so that's how it is," she said.

"Eh?"

Sweetie Belle sighed. "You have a thing for Twilight-oneesan, don't you?"

"Ah...that's..."

"It's okay," Sweetie Belle said with a sad smile.

Spike sighed. "It doesn't matter," he said. "She...sees me as a little brother. She always will..."

Sweetie Belle reached across the table and took his hand. "Don't give up, Spike-kun," she said.

"Sweetie Belle..."

She smiled. "And I'm not going to give up either," she said. "Twilight-oneesan is my rival now, just like that blue-haired oniisan is your rival."

Spike stared at her, blinking...then laughed. "You're weird," he said. "But fun."


* * * * *


The sun was low in the sky when Twilight finally bid Flash goodbye at the train station. It was almost sunset when she arrived at the bookstore.

"Tadaima." Twilight slipped off her shoes and walked into the living room.

"Okaeri," Spike called. "Did you have a good time?"

"I did," Twilight said. She held up her winged unicorn plushie.

Spike snorted. "I won Sweetie Belle two stuffed animals," he said.

"This one's from the top rack," Twilight said. "You didn't tell me you were going to Jungle Land."

"You didn't tell me you were going to Jungle Land," Spike accused. "That guy you were with looks like a dork."

"Spike!" Twilight said indignantly. "Sentry-san is very nice. I had fun."

"So is he your boyfriend now?"

Twilight shrugged. "Not really," she said. "Like I said, I had fun, but...I don't really know him all that well yet."

"Are you going to go out with him again?"

"Maybe," Twilight said. "How about you and Sweetie Belle?"

"Probably." Spike shrugged. "She's still not...you."

Twilight sighed. "I'll go get changed for dinner..."


* * * * *


"So, did you have a good time with Spike-kun today?" Rarity asked.

"Hai!" Sweetie Belle answered. "Even though...I know he'd rather be with somebody else than me...but that's okay, because I'm going to fight for him!"

Rarity smiled. "Good luck, Sweetie Belle. Now, go get changed and washed up for dinner."

"Hai!"


* * * * *


"Tadaima."

Flash Sentry kicked off his shoes at the genkan, passed through the kitchen to grab a soda, then flopped down on the living room sofa.

"Did you do it, boy?"

Flash uncapped his drink and took a swig before replying. "These things take time, Oyaji."

A deep, dismissive snort answered him. "Right. Because you haven't bedded half the girls you go out with on the first date."

Flash shrugged. "Hey, I have to do this one by charm alone. It'll take longer. I'll get it done."

"You'd better boy. The Element of Magic is the key. If you eliminate Twilight Sparkle, there will be nothing standing in the way of Her return."

"Hai, hai..." Flash waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry, I'll get everything I want out of her."