"Hmmmmm I think it needs about five more gold ribbons" Said Rarity as she carefully pondered over the dresses design. "Spike, could you get those from the back room please?"
"Of course!" Replied Spike as he darted into the small room, returning a few moments later with the requested supplies.
"Why thank you Spike!" Rarity beamed as she accepted the supplies and continued her work. "I honestly don't know how I ever managed before I met you".
Spike's cheeks flushed lightly as he chuckled sheepishly to himself. "yeah... I don't know how you managed either!"
Rarity shot Spike an annoyed expression but let it soften as she let out a small chuckle herself. "Ok Spike, lets focus here. We still need to get this dress finished for the mayor by lunchtime".
"The mayor wants a pretty dress?" Spike asked with a quizzical expression on his face," She didn't exactly strike me as a pony who likes to fancy it up".
"I know the mayor may seem all work and no play but I assure you even she needs some time off. When she ordered the dress she told me that she was going out with somepony special tonight".
Rarity smiled devilishly to herself, amused by this latest development.
"Really?" Spike spluttered, desperately trying to contain his laughter.
"Shhhhh Spike!" Rarity was desperately trying to hush her friends laughter, "It isn't polite to laugh at others choices in life".
"I know, it's just so funny!" Spike was on the verge of falling to the floor in a fit of laughter. "Who's the lucky stallion? I bet its Caramel or Time Turner! Gosh Ditzy's going to be furious!"
"Oh! Hello Mayor Mare", Rarity greeted politely "Come to check on your fabulous new dress?"
"WHAT!" Spike jolted up in fright only to see Rarity's amused expression.
"Sorry Spike" Rarity smiled, "I had to stop you somehow".
Spike could tell by her smile that she was fighting back laughter herself now. He grumbled in disapproval and carried on with his work.
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About half an hour later the dress was complete.
"Just in time!" Rarity sighed in relief "Now all I have to do is deliver it to the mayor"
"That's great Rarity!" Spike stated "Umm.. I was just wondering if you might want to grab something to eat later?"
"Oh Spike you truly are a gentleman, but I'm afraid I was already planning to visit Pinkie Pie this evening... Something about cupcakes? Terribly sorry dear!" Rarity apologized.
"Thats fine, I was just wondering is all... I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Of course, thanks again for helping me with the dress Spike!" Rarity called as Spike trudged off.
As he got further away, Rarity's smile slowly turned to a frown of despair.
"Oh Spike, if only I had the strength to tell you that we cannot be together..."
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"Rarity still doesn't see how much she means to me" Spike moaned as he continued on his way "What is it going to take to make her see?"
He began to think of all the ways he could win over the mare of his dreams. "Lets see... helping her with her work? Well that sure hasn't worked so far. Spending lots of time with her? That's not working either!" Spike groaned in frustration.
"WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?" He yelled at the top of his voice. Fortunately, nopony was around to hear it.
Suddenly an idea hit him "Of course!" He exclaimed "I just need some help from somepony close to her! somepony who spends more time with her than even me, somepony who has known her for years. Somepony like ... Sweetie Belle!"
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"Well that was another bust" Scootaloo complained as the trio of friends entered their club house.
"Yeah, and a painful one at that" Apple Bloom added looking back at the series of bite marks all over her body. "It's a good thing those weren't venomus snakes or we would have been stuck in the ponyville hospital all week!"
"Fluttershy was very apologetic about the whole thing though" Sweetie Belle mumbled with a hint of positivity in her voice.
The three sighed in frustration at yet another failure.
"Well now what?" Scootaloo asked.
As they pondered what to do next, they heard a knock from the door of the clubhouse.
"I got it!" Sweetie Belle chimed as she ran over and swung the door open to reveal a wary young dragon.
At once Sweetie stepped back, her face reddening a little. "Oh umm... Hey Spike!" She greeted him nervously, "W-what brings you here?"
"Hey Sweetie Belle! Hey guys!" Spike said waving at Applebloom and Scootaloo. "I just came by to ask for your help Sweetie Belle. I mean, if you aren't alreay busy... What happened to the three of you?" He asked looking at them a little concerned.
"Don't ask." Apple Bloom replied as Sweetie Belle's face turned from a light shade of pink to a much darker shad of red.
"You want MY help?" Sweetie could hardly control her excitement. For a while now she had been seeing more of Spike and while she had been speaking with him a lot, he had never gone out of his way to see her, let alone ask for her help. This way the best day ever!
"Yeah, so will you help?" Spike asked
"Yes Yes Yes Yes! of course I will help you Spike!" Sweetie squealed uncontrollably as she wrapped spike in a tight hug.
"T-that's really n-nice Sweetie, but would you mind not hugging me so tight please? I c-can't breath!"
"Oh, sorry!" Sweetie Belle said as she released Spike from her tight embrace.
"So, what do you need her help with anyway?" Scootaloo questioned
"I'll tell you but you all must promise not to tell anypony else, got it?" Said Spike stepping a little closer to them.
"Ok Spike" Apple Bloom sighed, she knew where this was going.
"CROSS MY HEART, HOPE TO FLY, STICK A CUPCAKE IN MY EYE!" They all Said in unison.
"Okay here's the thing... I've been trying to win over Rarity's heart for a while now... Oh wait you don't know do you? Well, I have a crush on Rarity and..."
"We know" Apple Bloom said flatly.
"YOU DO! WHO TOLD YOU?" Said Spike, stepping back a little in shock.
"Oh come on Spike! Everypony has figured it out by now" Scootaloo affirmed.
"OH COME ON EVERYONE KNOWS? Everyone... Except Rarity" Spike sighed in frustration.
"Anyway, I need Sweetie's help because she knows Rarity better than anyone. Right, Sweetie Belle?"
Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle was lost in thought. 'Spike came here to ask me for help on how to get Rarity? But... that's not fair! Why can't Spike see how much he means to me?' her face was to the ground as she fought back tears.
"Umm... Sweetie Belle?" Spike asked looking confused.
"Huh? Oh! Sure I'll help you Spike..." Sweetie could feel an aching in her heart, something that didn't go unnoticed by Apple Bloom.
"Ok cool!" Spike replied brightly.
"Well we weren't doing anything anyway, I guess I'll just head home!" Scootaloo said heading towards the door of the club house.
"Me too, but before I go could I just have a word with you Sweetie?" Apple Bloom asked
"Sure, I'll just be a minute Spike!" Sweetie said, forcing a smile.
"Ok I'll wait outside!" Spike replied exiting the clubhouse with Scootaloo, leaving Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom alone.
"Are you ok Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked with a concerned voice.
"Yeah... I'm fine! why wouldn't I be?" Sweetie responded forcing yet another smile but sounding far from fine.
"You've got a thing for him don't ya?" Asked Apple Bloom matter of factly.
"I ... Why would you think that?" Sweetie responded sounding a little shocked that her friend could read her so well.
"Its ok, you can tell me Sweetie Belle. I'm one of your best friends!" Apple Bloom reassured her.
"Fine, your right! I do like him. I-I have a crush on a dragon who has a crush on my sister. I'm just some freak of nature! No wonder those snakes bit me..."
"y'all aint a freak of nature Sweetie Belle. Those snakes bit all of us! And besides, everypony knows about Spikes crush and they don't call him a freak. So why would it be any different the other way around?"
"I suppose... But I'm still never going to be with him. He has his sights set on Rarity and nothing is going to change that!" tears began to form in Sweeties eyes as she finished saying those painful words.
Apple Bloom placed a forehoof on Sweeties shoulder as she spoke, "Well it may seem hopeless but y'all would be surprised what a little kindness, loyalty and well all that elements a harmony stuff can do. Who knows? Maybe by helping him out he will see ya in a new light?"
"You really think so?" replied Sweetie Belle, tears still falling down her cheeks.
"I know so" Apple Bloom replied confidently, giving her friend a small smile.
"Thank you Apple Bloom..." Sweetie sniffed, wiping the tears from her eyes "You're the best friend ever!"
"Ah, don't mention it! I'm just happy to help" Apple Bloom replied removing her forehoof from Sweetie's shoulder.
The two friends hugged and proceeded to walk towards the door. Once outside, the two parted ways.
Spike and Sweetie walked down the street towards Sugar Cube Corner.
"So Spike, what's the plan?" Sweetie asked, still a hint of pink on her cheeks.
"Well, I was thinking maybe we could head over to sugar cube corner to get a milkshake?" Spike explained, "Then we can sit down and discuss the best course of action."
Sweetie was once again beyond excitement. 'Me and Spike going to get milkshakes together at sugar cube corner? It's almost like a date!' she thought excitedly, 'No, It's just a milkshake... I mean how silly would it be to have a date in sugar cube corner? Even if we are just filly's ... well, a filly and a baby dragon'
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"Here we are!" Spike announced as they entered the brightly coloured café.
"Hey guys!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed the moment she saw them "How are you two doing?"
"We're good, just came in to order a couple of milkshakes" Spike replied.
"Ooooh I see!" Pinkie said squealing with delight "You two do make quite the couple!"
"What? Oh no! We're just hanging, right Sweetie Belle?"
"Y-yeah..." Sweetie said quietly, a ton of sadness resonating in her voice.
"I mean who would go on a date here anyway? No offense Pinkie, but no one has gone on a date here since the love poison incident" Spike replied crossing his arms.
Sweetie Belle looked down at the floor in guilt.
Pinkie Pie looked unconvinced but took their word for it.
"Sooo what can I get you two 'good' friends" Asked Pinkie giving them a wink at the end of her question.
"Do you have any gem milkshakes?" Spike asked, Pinkie shook her head "Well in that case, I'll just have a chocolate milkshake"
Pinkie Pie nodded and noted down his order, "What about you Sweetie Belle?"
"I'll have a strawberry milkshake" She said still sounding a little disheartened.
Pinkie nodded and bounced off with their orders in a happier mood than usual, leaving the two to discuss what happens next.
"So Sweetie Belle, what do you think will make Rarity notice my feelings?" Spike asked as he sat down.
"Ummm..." Despite her attempts, Sweetie couldn't think. 'Oh my gosh! I'm sitting right next to Spike, and he is asking what I think he should do... Oh what should I say?'
"Umm, Sweetie Belle are you ok?" Spike asked with a concerned voice placing a clawed hand on her shoulder.
Sweetie jolted at the suddenness of the gesture. "Oh, yes! I'm great, never better!" She replied hurriedly.
"uh, ok?" Replied Spike, retracting his hand.
'Oh what am I doing? I just need to give him some advice on how to 'wow' Rarity, that's all! I just need to tell the boy of my dreams how to get ... My sister. No, don't think like that! Just focus on the task at hoof. Now lets see, how to get my sister? Hmm... wait a minute! that's it!"
"Order Up!" Pinkie yelled as she appeared seemingly out on no were with their drinks.
"Thanks Pinkie!" They both exclaimed as they received their milkshakes.
Once Pinkie had left, Sweetie decided to tell Spike about her idea.
"Hey Spike, I have an idea. Y'know, about the Rarity thing?" She said sounding a little pleased with herself.
"Really, What is it?" Spike asked expectantly
"Well, when Stallions ask Rarity out they usually get her a gift. And sometimes she accepts! She hasn't really seen any of them again after the first date of course, but if you got her something she really liked she may accept if you ask her out!"
Sweetie knew the plan was far from perfect, but it was the best she could come up with.
"That's a great idea Sweetie Belle! You know, you're really clever" Spike said thoughtfully.
Sweetie blushed intensely at this complement and attempted to hide her face by holding her milkshake up to it and taking a large gulp of the pink liquid.
"But I have given Rarity gifts before, you should have seen the huge fire ruby I gave to her on my birthday!" Spike sighed, "That looked like a really tasty one to... but still!"
"Well, maybe you need to get something really super special!" Sweetie pointed out.
Spike thought for a minute "You know... Speaking of gems, Rarity does like them a lot"
"Well it is what's on her cutie mark" Sweetie Belle pointed out.
"Yeah, I can remember reading one of the Books in the library about gems. There was this one really rare gem called ummm... A black opal I think?"
"Well, how are we going to get one of those?" Sweetie asked.
"I think the Book gave the location of one in the everfree forest" Spike said with a determined look on his face "And I'm going to find it!"
"Spike you cant go in there all by your self, its to dangerous!" replied Sweetie Belle with a concerned look on her face.
"Look Sweetie" Spike placed both hands on Sweetie Belle's shoulders "This is something I need to do. I've been trying to get Rarity's attention as long as I have known her and I feel like this plan is my only hope!"
At those words Sweeties heart sunk like a stone but she forced her self to be strong, for Spike.
"And besides I wont be alone, your coming with me of course!" Spike said nonchalantly taking a sip of his milkshake
"WHAT!" Sweetie exclaimed only to be quickly hushed by Spike.
"Were in a café remember?" he said quickly.
"Spike, I cant go into the everfree forest" she whispered, "its far too dangerous"
"Sweetie Belle your the only one who knows about our plan! I cant risk telling anypony else. Besides, you've been a great friend to me these last few weeks and I trust you. I promise nothing bad will happen just... Please help me"
Sweetie was about to protest further but Spikes compliment and reassuring voice managed to convince her otherwise. "Ok... I'm in" she said sighing in defeat.
"Great, I knew I could count on you!" he beamed at her warmly causing Sweeties whole body to go limp and a dreamy smile to spread across her face.
"Um, Sweetie are you ok? Hello? Anypony in there?" Spike asked waving a claw in front of her face.
Sweetie whom had been staring at Spike in a very odd way, bolted upright, her face once again glowing red. "Oh, sorry! Yes, I'm fine" she squeaked quickly trying to regain her composure.
"Ok good! Meet me at the entrance to the everfree forest tomorrow morning around 6am, that should give us enough time to leave before anypony misses us" Spike said pushing away his empty milkshake glass.
"Cant we at least leave a note explaining where we have gone?" Sweetie Belle asked looking a little nervous.
"Well only a vague note, it can't say exactly where we have gone or exactly why we have gone, deal?" Spike held out a clawed hand for sweetie to shake
"Ok, deal!" Sweetie replied holding out a hoof which Spike took in his claws and shook firmly.
"Great!" Spike said cheerfully, "Well, I'm going to head back to the library now. Don't worry about paying I'll cover it"
Spike walked over to the counter and handed two bits to Pinkie. As he did this Pinkie grinned to herself and gave a small giggle.
"Thanks Spike!" Sweetie called "I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Bye!" he called back as he exited the café.
"Oh Spike, you say you weren't dating Sweetie but I'm onto you!" Pinkie giggled to herself as Sweetie Belle got up to leave. "Why else would you two be whispering to each other and sitting so close?"
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As Spike began his journey back to the library he noticed the mayor speaking with somepony hidden from view behind a building.
Curiously he ran over and poked his head around the wall to get a better look, ensuring he was hidden from view.
"So are we still on for dinner tonight Thunderlain?" Asked the mayoress of the town.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world pumpkin!" he said playfully as the two leaned in and touched noses affectionately.
Spike looked shocked, but then left and continued on his way.
"Well well well mayor, I didn't think you were into that kind of stallion" He said to himself, chuckling all the while.