Press On
Before Spike exited the stockade after having 'transferred' inmate number three seven five twenty three to royal custody
he scribbled on the transfer papers ' Royal Canterlot Issue of National Security RESTRICTED.' His ace card on the hole,
Detective Friday smiled a sly smile as the press quizzed him on the identity of the mystery inmate that vanished out of the drunk tank in a green haze the desk sergeant pointed in Spikes direction filing the required papers.
"Ask him I can't say anything on the matter".
"Gosh Friday That's so uncool I filed the proper stuff what gives" His feet spinning on a cloud of dust the papers blowing in the breeze .
"Next time you'll remember the jelly doughnuts with the glaze on top you know the ones I like" He yelled after the dust cloud as it's
maker zoomed through the office doors to freedom.
Spike ran till he saw that the coast was clear, with no press following he felt good the now Spike felt like a treat and the best place
to go was Sugar Cube Corner. The clock tower in town square showed a few minutes before lunch, he turned snapping his claws
and whistling a happy tune he waddled to the back of the line a happy drake waiting to order a treat for a mornings job well done.
"A sapphire and cherry cupcake for me" and he thought Lets see Rarity the kids Sweetie Belle Frosty "Pinkie's sure busy today".
'From the stockade to Sugar Cube Corner in nothing flat how does she do it????'
The line dwindled down as service continued cup cakes, slices of fruit pie, shakes, smoothies and of course cakes of all kind where
sliced boxed wrapped eaten or delivered to waiting ponies paying in cold hard bits after all it was a business.
His short march to the counter was rewarded with the dazzling blue eyes of Miss Pie herself "Hi ya Daddy O what can I get cha?"
qOp
"Somepony really hates me" he muttered as his bandages where being reapplied.
"Sergeant Buttercup of the Royal Guard Platoon five of the sixty ninth under special assignment to the Princess of Friendship
you are ordered to accompany us to Canterlot for investigation".
"He has multiple fractured ribs contusions over half his body two sprained fetlocks and a closed fracture in his right front knee".
Nurse Red Hearts eyes shot daggers at the two Canterlot Guards "You just can't take an injured pony for no reason".
"Sorry orders from the highest levels and he will be cared for under Guard supervision" His hooves passed on a copy of the orders
to the medical staff it was signed by Princess Celestia herself under pain of death.
"Under investigation for what?" Butters winced as the last of his bindings got tightened down.
"Strict need to know basis you will be informed after we deliver you to the Castle".
"Somepony really hates me" muttered the Sergeant he then spoke to the nurse "Thank you for the services catch you all later".
"Bye Butters" Nurse Red Heart sadly spoke "Take care of yourself" she looked at the chart before filing it away with a little heartfelt
sigh "Funny he didn't look like a unicorn", I'd love to be at his check up.
qOp
With the mess at the Boutique cleaned up and the dress from Tartarus laundered Rarity pondered to either wait for Spike
to return before preparing lunch or to start now as she had Sweetie and a guest to attend to along with the twins.
"Sweetie dear can you ask if Night Frost might be staying for lunch as you know we wont take no for an answer".
"Can I cook too?"
"Does Night Frost have training as a firepony?"
"You know Twilight put a fire proofing spell on this place don't you?"
"It doesn't apply itself to food stuffs, Spike might like your charcoal flavored orange juice with gem stones as a change of pace
But I believe our guest might enjoy a more rare form of venue on his menu".
"Can I get him a glass of water for now?"
"Ok Sweetie dear, I don't think any harm can come of it".
A knock came from the front door of her shop "Ah speaking of Spikey that must be him now" Rarity answered the door taking the
knob with her magic she swung it open the sight beyond stopped her in her tracks...
qOp
Spike looked out from around the mound of boxes he was carrying as Rarity guessed he had ordered enough for all
left behind at the Boutique, cucumber sandwiches with a side of endive salad for his lady a set of oat burgers ,hay fries and
vanilla shakes for the younger couple and a special hoof made gem dust formula for the pongon twins as for Spike
he lucked out with a poached Salmon salad with veggies yes today was a great day for the purple one.
Fluttershy would sometimes save a salmon or trout for Harry Bear but when she had too much the Cakes would hold some for
the not so herbivores that would stop by from time to time. The now Spike was feeling mighty good just steps away from his
destination he could see all the smiling faces and taste the sweet meaty taste of fish flesh! A few more steps he turned around
to open the door with his tail, finding the latch he bumped the door open and stepped backwards onto the threshold.
"I'm home everyone ready for" as Spike turned to greet everypony he gasped and then yelled "What are you doing here?"
He dropped all the boxes ready to launch an attack but everything was frozen in place, the food was set down neatly by levitation
on the display platform, Spikes blood boiled he wanted nothing more than to kick flank and take names. But Spike too was frozen.
"Spikey dearest" Raritys eyes fluttered at her drake "Spikey it's alright he's a guest and wishes to apologize for his misguided
transgressions" She batted her lashes and nuzzled him softly. His raging inferno was instantly quenched to warm heart flutters
and a dopy smile his purring attracting the twin pongons who purred along side daddy. "Anything for you Rarity" .
"Does he always get this way when you do that?" the stallion asked. As Spikey settled down from the effects of the Rare stare.
"No Mr. Note Bug I always get my way when I do that" Rarity mused "No male in his right mind can resist my beautiful eyes".
"Except Trenderhoof or my half cousin Blue Blood" Spike deadpanned as he laid out the grub "As for me I just can't say no".
Spike served the Misses and put an apron on prepping to feed the babes while nibbling on the salmon. "Sweetie Frosty lunch".
Rarity and Spike gave the new guest a bit of veggies and a cucumber sandwich after all it's a little rude to eat in front of an
uninvited guest or is that guest rude for showing up uninvited in the first place?
The whole bunch ate quietly the conversation light with the days events Sweetie and Frost recounting the riot at the concert
and the whole nonsense of black flies matter trying to loot and burn in support of a known hooligan.
"So now you've apologized what's keeping you here?" Spike quizzed Note Bug "You sure you don't have anything else?"
"Well to be honest I'd like to write an article on the two of you" worry in his words seeped out along the edges "If you both don't mind?"
Spike eyed him then focused on Rarity with a shrug of his shoulders "Ok by me what do you think Rares?"
"Well in light of all that has happened I'm sure the truth should be told and what better way than by those it pertains to".
qOp
Celestia sat on the throne doing her usual business of running a country raising the sun and plotting on how to sneak
a big fat piece of that scrumlisious triple decker fudge chocolate cream cake with the coffee flourishes and cocoa bits without her
darker counterpart finding out and receiving the groan-fest of the century "Her Highness has the plot of a HIPPO oh the HORROR!"
Her musings where interrupted when the guards announced the arrival of the 'package' it was placed before the Princess of the sun
with the look of WTF am I doing here plastered all over his face and a quiet simple greeting fell on her ears
"Ah Hello there Princess Celestia ya wanted to ah see me?"
"Did you take Princess Twilight Sparkle to a concert that turned into a full scale riot?"
"The music sucked major horse apples your Highness".
"Did you enter into unlawful combat with civilians while at that event?"
"They drew the first blood your Highness".
"Did you use transformation magic on Princess Sparkle?"
"Illusion spell your Highness".
"You can call me Tia".
"Ah what?"
"Tia"
"OK"
"So you went to the concert a riot broke out you defended the Princess and protected her identity and received wounds in the line of duty".
"Yes your highness ah Tia".
"From whom did you receive said ticket for the concert?"
"Ah do I have to?" he moaned "How can they be held accountable?"
"Just a formality no charges just curious that's all".
"Spike, he got them from the Element of Generosity".
"Ok one or three more questions before we are finished".
The pregnant pause filled the room as Tia shuffled the papers into a file folder." Spike was right in sending her to me and his report".
"Did you get a chance to kiss the Princess?"
"What?"
"Did you get lucky when she was drunk on her plot?"
"WHAT ? NO! She was all over me but everything happened so fast and the fight started then she passed out and I had to carry her
out and the local patrol picked us up and she threw up all over me and the whole night was a total bust, Somepony hates me!
"So do you like her?" "Got you! Rarity I WON THE BET! YES ! She didn't even get up to bat - not even first base! yea yes yes!"
" She's a little weird".
"That's not what I asked, Do you like her?" "Spike you rascal"
"She's a little nerdy".
"My sister says otherwise" a sly grin filled Celestias muzzle her eyes glowed with the next answer. "cute I like him already".
"What Princess Luna knows? That's just flat out rude uncalled for, low . . .really. . . low down . . ."
"Do you like her?" "He's shy a nice match for Twilight, Spike did good".
"Well. . . You're not going to tell her are you?"
"Not if you help me on another problem , Do you know anything about kitchens and how to liberate a lonely piece of cake?"
"You know I'm all covered in bandages and limp a bit?"
qOp
Meanwhile back at Ponyville in the Carousel Boutique during Note Bugs first private interview with Spike and Rarity
a lone glass of water sitting in Sweetie Belles hooves started smoking then burst into flames!