Chapter 14: Date Night (Part 1)
A snow white Pegasus landed in front of a ghastly looking cave. He was wearing a dark blue postal uniform, hat, and wore a tan colored satchel across his waist. A quick look of his surroundings revealed no other ponies could be found. This place looked more like a dragon’s lair then any kind of home for a pony.
“Hello, any pony here? I’ve got a delivery for-” he started to say; examining his mailing list sheet. A look of confused wrinkled his face as he examines the package; the box had no name on it. “Whoever lives in this creepy looking cave,” he mumbles to himself.
AWOOOOOO!
“GAH, what was that?” he shrieked. His hooves fumbled nervously around the box, almost dropping it. The haunting howling noises chilled him to the bones.
The Pegasus looked around the area once more, but not for the source of the howling, no, he knew exactly where the howling came from: the cave. Deep down he was hoping he was mistaken. The postal colt was searching for any kind of life to exist except whatever monster lived inside that cave, some pony or creature that could save him from what’s to come.
“Y-y-y-you know what? I think I’m j-j-j-just gonna leave this h-h-h-here and you can-”
AWOOOOOO!
“Yeah that’s good,” the Pegasus said as he bolted into the clouds; leaving the box on the ground. He flapped his wings as hard as he possibly could. The blue cap flew off his head, revealing short brown hair. The frightened flyer didn’t dare go back to retrieve his cap. He’s just lucky he got out of there in one piece.
Two howling creatures stepped out into the light. Their toxic green colored eyes glowed like neon searchlights, their jagged teeth filled jaws snarled at the package.
They were Timber wolves.
One wolf picked up the box in its jaws, it made sure not to puncture or damage the box with its teeth. The other wolf scanned the area to make certain no one was watching nearby. The two wolves returned to the shadowy blackness of the cave. The wooden creatures walked past Bubbling Cauldron and her pot as they approached Chimera Khan. The wolves instantly bowed and placed the package in front of their master.
“Very good,” Khan said as he levitated the package to his eyesight. He used his Sombra horn to blast the packaging right off; revealing Colton’s third eye inside. “Very good indeed,” Khan looked to the wolves, “Be gone from my sight.”
The wolves nodded and backed away from their master.
“Oooooh, is that a new mystical doohickey I get to work my voodoo on?” Bubbling Cauldron asked. The green unicorn clapped her hooves together eagerly. Khan groaned and rolled his eyes at her insipid mannerisms, such an infantile mind. “I’ve never played with one of those before” she said as she tried to get a closer look at it.
“IDIOT” Khan screamed thunderously. Bubbling Cauldron cowered like a foal at her master’s booming voice, she tried to hide behind her bent witch’s hat. “This is not some play thing,” Khan angrily stated; pointing to the Eye with his armored hoof. “This is the legendary Colton’s third eye. It is the most powerful artifact in all of Saddle Arabia and you will take extra care when grafting it to my armor.”
“M-m-m-my sincerest apologies master,” she whimpered; trying her best to stay on her master’s good side. “Please tell me, what does it do oh great and powerful metallic one?” she said with a forced smile. Her teeth chattered as she put on that grin. She knew Crowe was more despised then she was, but still, Khan would roast her into charcoal just as quickly if she angered him.
“Hundreds of years ago, Colton was said to be the most gifted psychic pony of his time,” Khan explained. “After years of perfecting his mental craft, he claimed to have the ability to see into other ponies’ minds, read them, and even alter them if he wished it so. Fearing the toll the power would inevitably take on him; he used a magical spell to expel all of his hard earned psychic abilities and channeled them directly into this orb.”
“Whoa, like major mind blown whoa,” Bubbling exclaimed. Khan rolled her eyes at her gaping ignorance. Once again, he was reminded how annoyingly juvenile she could be.
“This will provide additional assistance in keeping that back stabbing cow; Celestia, off our backs,” Khan said. “That; along with the protection were currently receiving from King Sombra’s horn.”
“How exactly does that work again boss?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
“As you know,” he turned to the witch and flashed a projection of Sombra’s story above her, “Sombra was able to suppress the entire Crystal Empire into another dimension with his final act. The powers of darkness that he possessed were unrivaled by any other unicorn in Equestria. After he and the Crystal Empire reappeared, Sombra’s magic kept all of the crystal ponies in a constant state of amnesia.” Khan removed the projection and pointed to Sombra’s horn, “This horn does not wield as great a power as its owner once did, but, it has enough to suppress Celestia and Luna from tracking our location, our dreams or even the ability to receive premonitions about us.”
Cauldron was greatly impressed. She knew that old dark unicorn fart was strong, but who knew his severed horn could work such major magic all by itself? Once Colton’s 3rd eye gem is added to the armor’s structure, the master’s mental powers will be unstoppable. Chimera Khan sure did know his history! She surmised that he’s either a fanatical history buff, or his intimate knowledge of royal magical items came from spending time working with some pony like Princess Celestia.
Either way, she’s just glad she’s on his side.
“I’m not going to bother wasting time waiting for that little twit to come back with the other two items,” Khan said as he tossed Colton’s eye to Cauldron. “Graft the eye to my armor immediately. The instant Crowe gets back with the other two items; we’ll quickly graft them on and assemble every monster together to prepare my army.”
“Sounds like a bucking good time to me boss,” Cauldron shouted enthusiastically; raising her hooves like she was at a party.
“They will all be linked to me. Whatever I feel, they feel, whatever I see, they’ll see; they’ll all be completely under my control and work together as a unified force,” Khan said. Cauldron continued to cheer and holler as Khan’s tone and intensity continued to rise. “I’ll save the larger creatures when things start getting extreme; I still have a few more I have to acquire anyway,” he surmised as he rubbed his chin with his hoof. “But I think what we have will be more than enough to level Ponyville, and take care of Princess Twilight and her pitiful little friends.”
“Whoa, hold it” Cauldron suddenly stopped, her eyes staring blankly at her master. Did he just say what she thought he said? “Were going after Princess Dorklight and her bimbo buddies?” she leaned on the cave wall, resting her arm sassily on her hip. “I thought your beef was with Princess Sunshine and Ink Blot,” Khan’s voice turned to a fierce, low growl. “Why are we wasting time blasting some hick pony town when we got royal rumps to roast?” she said obnoxiously.
That was the wrong thing to say.
Chimera Khan lunged at Cauldron and tackled her painfully into the wall; cracking it along her backside. The mare cried out in pain as she heard the crackling crunch of her bones merging with the cracked walls.
“ARE YOU ACTUALLY QUESTIONING MY ORDERS?!?” Khan said, howling viciously at her face.
“N-n-n-n-no sir, of c-c-c-course not,” Cauldron said nervously. She swallowed a lump down her trembling green throat. “I was j-j-j-j-just thinking-”
“YOU are not allowed to think, you’re not even permitted to take a piss unless I tell your bladder to do so,” Khan sneered. His armor began to glow brightly with red and yellow energy colors. It looked like his armor was turning into lava, the heat from the energy sizzling Cauldron’s chest felt like it too. “Question me again and I’ll rip out your tongue and eyes and boil them in your precious pot” he said; glaring intensely at the cowering witch, “Are we clear?”
She simply nodded; too terrified to form words. Khan pulled back and Cauldron slumped to the ground in a crumpled heap. She clutched her hat like a security blanket and stared up at her master, trembling all over.
“Princess Celestia wasn’t the one who defeated Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, Chrysalis or Tirek; Twilight Sparkle and the other element wielders did,” Khan explained. It took Cauldron a moment to process everything in her shaken state, but slowly and surely, she started to realize her master was right. Celestia wasn’t their biggest obstacle; Twilight was.
“They are the real problem, that’s why we’re taking them out first. Besides, it’s not enough that I simply destroy Princess Celestia,” Khan looked towards the wall; seemingly staring at nothing. Sombra’s horn started to glow just as Khan’s eyes turned blood red. “I want her to suffer; I want to kill everything and everyone that is precious to her. I want her to experience all of the misery and agony I went through when she left me for dead. She will know death when she knows absolute pain. Everything she did to me will be paid back a hundred…no…a thousand fold” Khan coldly stated. He levitated a chunk of rock from the wall with his magic and stared at it, “I want to crush her heart-”
CRUNCH!
Cauldron gulped as Khan crushed the rock with his magic like it was made of paper.
“Before I crush her skull” Khan finished, his eyes turned back to their regular orange color. Bubbling Cauldron shuffled her hooves nervously as Khan looked back to her. “And what better way to crush her heart then killing her most precious pupil and slaughtering each and every stallion, mare and foal in Ponyville? That is why we attack Ponyville first,” Khan said with a sickening laugh. He sounded like a deranged hyena.
“P-p-p-p-point taken boss” Cauldron said with a nervous nod. She stood back up, grabbed Colton’s 3rd eye and made her way back to her cauldron.
Everything Khan said couldn’t be denied; even though she’d gladly do so if she could come up with a good reason. The green unicorn just couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that a bookworm; like Twilight, was a bigger threat than Princess Celestia and Luna. Yes, she did defeat all those villains without Celestia lending a hoof, but it still peeved her to think that dork was made a princess.
“Princess Twilight does not carry herself in the traditional princess manner,” Khan explained. “But make no mistake; she is without a doubt the deadliest threat to my plans.”
“And that is the history of how ponies first used magic to create fires for the very first campfire gathering,” Twilight announced; proudly smiling.
The purple Alicorn stood in front of a chalkboard, covered with pictures and drawings and dates detailing every conceivable historical fact about pony campfire gatherings. Moonstruck stared blankly at Twilight’s odd grin. It was like she was waiting for him to praise her or something, like she was expecting a grade or a round of applause.
She was kind of weirding him out.
“Ugh…all I asked was if you had any marshmallows,” Moonstruck said; sighing heavily.
Twilight’s purple cheeks turned beat red. She hadn’t realized she had gone off on another lecture rant, Celestia only knows how long she went on this time.
“Oops…sorry,” she sheepishly apologized, “I just got started and I couldn’t help myself.” Moonstruck rolled his eyes at her abnormal enthusiasm for lectures. It was killing him how incredibly cute she is, but her love of boring lectures may be actually killing him for real. “I mean, all that rich magical based history is just so fascinating,” she beamed, sounding as cheerful as a filly. “I could talk about stuff like that all day!”
“Of course you could” Moonstruck said with a groan. Twilight found his sarcasm irritating, she watched him continue searching her cupboards for marshmallows.
“Is everything all right?” she asked, raising a curious eyebrow, “You’ve been acting kind of strange.”
“Why, because I’m craving marshmallows?” he asked.
“Well…yes actually but” Twilight shook her head, trying to get back on track. “I was referring to the fact you haven’t said anything about what I told you Princess Celestia said” she stated.
The stallion stopped suddenly, his hoof still holding open a cupboard door. She was right. He hadn’t said a word about everything she told him last night; all he did was thank her, wish her goodnight and then went back into the basement for sleep.
Moonstruck turned to Twilight; a grim, sunken look on his freckled cheeks. “Oh yeah…that” he said, idly poking the floor with his hooves. Twilight figured he would have been happy to have learned something; anything about his past. But now he looks more depressed than ever, like giving him that news only made things worse, but why?
“Look, I know it’s not a lot to go on but at least it’s something and I can still-” she started to say. Moonstruck shook his head and quickly stopped her before she went any further.
“No-no-no it’s not that. Believe me, I’m super grateful that you did this for me, I know it couldn’t have been easy lying to your mentor” Moonstruck said, twitching his tail. “It’s not the amount of information that bothers me,” he said, trying to explain.
“Then what it is it then?” she asked, insistently.
“It’s the nature of it” he answered. Twilight tilted her head to the side; clearly that wasn’t helping his explanation. “I have fragments of the memories of those incidents Celestia told you about: finding me in that house, discovering Starswirl’s plate, even freaking out and attacking Celestia and her guards,” he said with a twinge of sorrow in his voice. “What if my memory problems happened before Tartarus, what if I really did black out and do things without remembering them?”
Moonstruck started to cry, Twilight could see the water filling up in his eyes. His voice began to strain and choke with sadness.
“And if that’s true, that means it’s possible I…I” his lips trembled, purple muscles quaking all over. He looked like he was going to collapse to the ground in tears any second now. “It’s possible I really did ki-”
“STOP it right there,” Twilight shouted as she rushed towards Moonstruck. He gasped softly, her hooves planted gently on each cheek of his; she could feel tears dripping along her dainty hooves. “I want you to listen very carefully to me Moonstruck. You. Didn’t. do. It. Do you understand?” he tried to pull away without answering but she kept him in place. “You didn’t kill those ponies. It was some pony else, some thing else. It may have looked like you, talked like you, walked like you and even smelled like you, but it wasn’t you.”
“How, h-h-how can you be so sure?” Moonstruck cried out.
“Because when Celestia looked into that pony’s eyes, all she saw was darkness and cruelty” Twilight explained. “When I look into your eyes, all I see is kindness and courage, I see a pony that has gone through so much pain and still does what’s right over what’s easy. You’ve taken the hard way on every step of your journey and avoided all the easy way outs. You avoided them because they weren’t the right way,” she said; smiling confidently at him. “That is why I’m sure that you were framed, and I promise you I will help you clear your name and restore everything you’ve lost.”
“I don’t know what to say,” he managed to say between tears. Moonstruck knew he made the right decision by sticking by Twilight. It was like Twilight knew exactly what to say to make him feel at ease. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much this means to me”, he said as he wiped his eyes with a tissue.
“I’m happy to help, really. And I want you to know that no matter what we may find out about your past,” she said as she placed a hoof on his shoulder, “You won’t have to face it alone.” Her lips curved into the sweetest, most genuine smiles Moonstruck had ever seen. His heart felt like it melted into a pile of warm butter.
“Thank you, thank you; thank you SO much” he exclaimed. Twilight couldn’t help but giggle at seeing him so cheerful and optimistic. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you,” he leapt forward and embraced Twilight in a passionate hug. Her cheeks flashed pink, eyes widening a bit, she certainly wasn’t expecting that.
“Um you’re very, very; VERY welcome” she nervously replied. The mare looked down at the spiked green locks of her colt friend. It was so strange. Though the sudden hug took her off guard, the longer she remained in it…the better she felt.
Okay, this is certainly a new development. I’ve been hugged by my friends lots of times, but none of them ever made me feel like…this. I feel warmer; his fur feels so comfy I swear I could fall asleep like this. And what’s up with his chest muscles? They’re amazing! They’re strong like diamonds and yet they’re as comfy as pillows, how is that scientifically possible? Are these romantic symptoms? Is there a book I should read that tells me if this means I’m attracted to him or not?
“You smell nice,” Moonstruck murmured tenderly into Twilight’s ear. The colt realized what he said and immediately stepped back from the hug. “S-s-s-sorry I um that was uh a-” he started to say before being interrupted by Twilight.
“Mistake?” she interjected. She looked at him with concerned eyes, like she was worried he was going take what he said back.
“Yes NO, ugh I mean no,” he slapped himself in the face and groaned, “I meant to say that was my brain talking again.” Sweet Celestia what a stupid excuse! Sure, his brain tells him dirty stuff all the time, but this wasn’t one of his immature thoughts. He genuinely thought she smelled nice, just like lavender flowers.
“Oh I see” she replied; biting her lip with uncertainty. The curious mare believed Moonstruck when he said his brain talked to him, after all, she’s seen stranger things happen with Pinkie Pie. But something didn’t smell right about this one. “Is your brain…still talking?” she asked, casually circling her tail around her hind leg. “Like is it saying anything else?” she asked as she leaned a bit closer.
The colt loathed conversing when his brain whenever it came to Twilight. Still, he decided to give it a try and see what his brain is thinking about. If he’s going to lie to her then he might as well play the part to it’s fullest.
Tell her you want to get a quarter so you can test how tight her ass is. I bet you could bounce one half ways to Canterlot off that fine backside!
“Nothing worth repeating” Moonstruck dryly replied.
The princess sighed hopelessly. She really didn’t know why she played along with Moonstruck’s lie, or more importantly, why his words held such power over her. Everything was numbers, figures and magic with her. Nothing she was experiencing made a lick of sense. These feelings, these thoughts; none of it could be measured or documented into a scientific form; it was just like when she first experienced the concept of friendship.
And just like with friendship, love felt like an alien concept she couldn’t get her head around. Like a test she wasn’t ready to take yet.
“Sooooooo” Moonstruck said, trying to break up the awkward silence. “What’s the next step? Perhaps trying some unlocking spells or some kind of barrier breaker magic to try and crack the seal on my back” he suggested.
Twilight snapped back to reality and shook her head in response. “I don’t think that would be a very good idea” she explained, “Celestia’s spell was designed to repel any kind of magical energy; from within or from the outside. Best case scenario: any spell we try just bounces off, worst case scenario: you could get seriously hurt or make the mark even stronger,” she rubbed her chin curiously. A trio of books levitated from Twilight’s shelves and hovered in front of her face as she read through them.
“What are you looking for?” the colt asked.
“I’m still going to see if there is some way I can remove the seal with my magic, but in the meantime, I want you to explore another angle” she answered; focusing on the books. Two books were levitated towards Moonstruck. One was black and green and contained all the information regarding changelings, the other was orange and royal blue and was titled: Tips and tricks with transformations.
“You want me to read up on shapeshifting?” he asked, examining the books.
“Getting your seal broken and returning your memories is only half the battle. Even if we accomplish that, there’s still the matter of the murderous imposter that framed you,” Twilight explained. “We have to find out how he, or she, took on your appearance and track them down.”
“Oh I get it”, he nodded in agreement, “That way if things go south with breaking the seal, then at least we can clear my name and Celestia can just pardon me and remove the seal herself; after we catch the imposter of course.”
“Exactly, you catch on fast,” Twilight said with a warm smile.
The upstairs bathroom door opened. Both Twilight and Moonstruck looked up to see Spike walking out; wearing a towel over his waist and head. The dragon’s purple scales shined like gold coins, he just finished a 7 hour bubble bath in preparation for his date.
“Hey Twilight, hey Moonstruck, how’s the research going?” the young dragon asked as he dried himself off.
“Hit a few dead ends but were branching off and trying some new angles. Were still trying to dig up information on Moonstruck’s hex, but were also investigating the imposter that framed him” Twilight politely answered. She kept her attention focused on her studying; another trio of books was swapped into her line of sight. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover on both fronts so were pretty much going to be held up in here studying all night” she added.
“Heh, what else is new?” Spike chuckled.
He walked into his room to get dressed and spray a little cologne on, Spike wanted everything to be perfect tonight.
“Oh that reminds me Crackers,” Twilight looked up from her books and glared angrily at Moonstruck for using that accursed nickname. “Oops, I mean Twilight” he immediately apologized, “I was thinking then we should probably get some takeout since were going to be in for the long haul. How do hay burgers, fries and some soda drinks sound to you?” Moonstruck asked.
“That sounds perfect! I can’t remember the last time I had a good hay burger,” she cheerfully replied. The mare’s gaze slowly turned from her books to Moonstruck, her brief irritation over that nickname vanishing quickly. It was amazing how that colt simultaneously annoyed and enchanted her so easily.
Moonstruck chuckled softly at Twilight’s reply and charmingly returned a glance her way.
“So, how do I look guys?” Spike announced as he exited his room.
He was wearing a small black suit, similar to the one he wore while attending the Grand Galloping Gala; only he wore a silver shirt instead of a white ruffled one. Adorning his neck was the red bow tie covered with gems that Rarity gave him a while back. Spike had a small bouquet of roses under one arm and a sealed up box from Sugar cube corner.
“What do you think? Too much, too little, should I lose the tie?” Spike asked; still anxiously waiting for a reply.
Spike looked at both ponies with a sour frown. They were giggling and smiling at each other, so much so they didn’t even look at him or hear his question. He recognized that kind of look, that’s the same kind of look he made towards Rarity. Maybe they were too busy making googly eyes at each other to remember the young dragon was standing right in front of them while they were doing this.
Either way, he didn’t like it.
“Hey, could I talk to you over here for a minute?” Spike asked the dark unicorn.
“Huh? Oh yeah sure,” he replied as he walked over to the side with the small fire breather, away from Twilight. “So what’s up Spike? Did you need advice for your date with Rarity tonight?” he asked; smiling proudly as he hoof bumped Spike, “Congrats on that by the way. You clean up nice bud.”
“Yeah, now you notice” Spike replied sarcastically. “Thanks for that, but actually, I needed to give you some advice,” he said firmly. His scaly face had a serious edge to it. Spike preferred being the same sweet little dragon every pony knew; opposed to being aggressive like most dragons, but he felt this situation needed him to be a bit more direct.
“Advice? I don’t understand, what do you think I-” he started to say before Spike interrupted him.
“Just because I’m younger and smaller than you, doesn’t mean I don’t recognize when two ponies are making kissy faces at each other,” Spike stated.
“Whoa, whoa, KISSY faces?!?” Moonstruck gasped. The colt waved his hooves in front of Spike’s face, frantically trying to clear up this miscommunication. “Look, Spike, buddy, I assure you that-that wasn’t-” he said; trying to explain his side.
“Either way, here’s my advice: Don’t hurt her” Spike said. Moonstruck continued to babble on nervously, he felt like he was being interrogated by Twilight’s father! Spike leaned in and pressed his claw firmly into Moonstruck’s chest; hammering in each and every word, “Don’t. You. Dare. Hurt. Her.”
Moonstruck didn’t know how to reply, he was actually scared of this pint sized, purple reptile! The look in those emerald green eyes, they look like they would burst into flaming daggers at any moment. He nodded and smiled nervously to the young drake.
Spike nodded in affirmation and headed on out for his date with Rarity. Twilight turned to him and complimented his snazzy wardrobe; wishing him the best of luck on his date. He smiled and hugged his adoptive mother before exiting the library.
The dragon felt confident Moonstruck wouldn’t try anything. He wasn’t worried about Twilight getting physically harmed or assaulted, Princess Celestia’s story confirmed he wasn’t a killer and he trusted Twilight’s judgment on the matter.
But still.
Twilight was the most precious Pony in his life, along with Rarity of course. Spike saw her as his best friend and adopted mother, and he would always see her and think of her that way…even if she or any of his other friends didn’t understand that relationship. Dragons are instinctually protective of their horde of gems. Each piece was just as important as the next one, and if anyone dared try to steal or break a dragon’s precious gems; they would pay severely.
“I really do think he’s a nice guy, I just want to make sure he treats my mom right. Eh I think they’ll be all right tonight,” Spike said to himself. The dragon’s eyes were deadlocked on that beautiful little shop ahead of him; eagerly awaiting to greet the shop’s even more beautiful owner.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“7 on the dot, just like I asked” Rarity said with a giggle, “Such a punctual little dragon.”
Rarity used her magic to open the door. Spike stood before her, offering flowers, dessert and the most charming smile his scaly lips and cheeks could pull off.
“Good evening my lady, for you” Spike said as he bowed. He offered the gifts to her, like a queen being presented with her crown.
He looks like such a gentlemen, and he’s wearing the tie I made for him, how terribly sweet of him! I knew he was bringing over dessert but I didn’t think he was doing all of this too.
The dragon looked up as Rarity took the flowers and dessert. Now it was his turn to be surprised. Rarity was wearing the fire ruby necklace around her neck, the same ruby he gave to her on his birthday. That was the same day she kissed him for the first time.
“Wow, you look absolutely amazing” Spike said. He was almost too stunned by Rarity’s beauty to speak clearly. Her beautiful mane was shining like there were stars embedded in the strands, and that heavenly scent brimming off her snow white fur; it had to be Victoria Saddle’s: Love is Celestial perfume.
“Oh you” Rarity giggled, she waved her hoof in a playful manner at Spike’s compliment. “So nice to see some pony who actually appreciates all the hard work I put into my fabulous looks. It’s quite taxing really, but still, I feel it’s worth it,” she explained.
“Me too” Spike said, cheerfully agreeing.
The seamstress welcomed Spike into her home and closed the door behind him. Spike was pleasantly surprised to see a cozy little table set up for just the two of them, complete with candlelight, a royal gold colored tablecloth, two chairs and two plates. He could feel his nose twitch from the smells wafting from the kitchen.
“Mmmm that smells good, smells like gemstones coated in honey” Spike commented.
“That’s part of it darling but there’s certainly more,” Rarity explained, “I don’t know much about gemstone cooking so I decided to be creative and try to give you some new ways to enjoy your favorite dish.”
Spike looked around the shop and noticed it was fairly dark, aside from the candle light. Everything looked so secluded and fancy, like it was a private restaurant closed off for just the two of them. The seamstress smiled as she noticed Spike was enjoying her cozy little dinner-for-two set up. She levitated the flowers into a vase filled with fresh water and placed the dessert off to the side.
“Now go on, please take a seat,” Rarity said as she winked towards the young dragon. “I’m bringing out dinner as we speak.” The dragon nodded and sat down at the table, he tucked his tail to the side of his leg so it wouldn’t be jammed against the back of the chair. Rarity sat down as well; levitating several dinner plates across the table. Two glasses were added as well, Rarity’s had sparkling grape juice and Spike’s had regular cola.
“Whoa, now THAT is what I call a spread” Spike exclaimed.
There were gemstones on numerous plates, each one coated with a different sauce, seasoning; or paired with oats and hay. Rarity had imported oats coated with cinnamon and a sweet, royal jelly like sauce. Her plate was surrounded by fresh rose petals from one of Spike’s flowers.
“Why thank you Spikey Wikey,” she beamed, “I certainly do hope it’s to your liking. Being creative comes naturally, but I must admit, cooking fine cuisine for a dragon certainly was a culinary challenge.”
“Are you kidding? If it tastes half as good as it smells and looks, I know I’m going to be blown away” Spike happily replied. The unicorn blushed faintly at the drake’s kind words; it felt good to hear someone actually appreciate her hard work. He took a bite of the honey coated gems and nearly jumped out of his scales; Spike greedily took several more gulps and stopped when he had to breathe. “This is amazing, it’s like a sonic rainboom of flavor; I love it!” he beamed.
“Music to my ears” she sweetly said after sipping her drink. The two sat there in comfortable silence eating their dinners. Rarity’s batting eyelashes never leaving Spike out of her sight, watching his body movements and reactions; as if studying him. The seamstress seemed to be searching for something, but as for what, she may not even be sure.
“Is everything all right Rarity, do I have sauce on my face or something?” Spike asked hesitantly. He raised his claws towards his cheeks in search of any sauce stains.
“No-no nothing like that darling, I just had something on my mind” she answered softly.
“Well what is it? You can ask me anything. That is what you do on dates right, ask each other questions and talk?” he asked curiously.
“Yes most dates go that way, though some can end up being a bit more,” her cheeks burned bright red, “Different, yes let’s go with that word; different.” Spike’s innocence towards the world of dating was rather obvious.
“So then what’s on your mind?”
“Well you mentioned there was something terribly important you wanted to talk to me about, and I was just wondering what it was” she asked as she swirled her drink.
Spike nearly choked and gagged on his gemstones, he quickly slammed his chest and worked the stones down his throat.
In all the wooing and romantic dinner arrangements, Spike nearly forgot he had to have that talk with Rarity. More likely he wanted to forget having this talk altogether. His body felt like he’d crumble into a million pieces if he told her the truth. Once she hears the truth, she’ll be furious and this date will be over. Seeing her angry or in pain was one of the most horrible things Spike had ever experienced, and if she lashes out at him; rightfully so too, he knows her words would cut him down without any difficulty.
“Oh yeah…that” Spike said solemnly.
“Is everything all right darling? You look so wounded,” Rarity asked, sincerely concerned.
“I didn’t bring it up because I knew the minute I did this date would be over,” Spike answered as he stared down at his glass.
“Darling please” Rarity said with a small laugh, “Nothing you could possibly say would make me want to end this lovely little evening with you.”
“Even if I told you I told your sister and her friends about Moonstruck in exchange for her putting a good word in for me with you?” Spike said as he cringed. He knew he was one dead dragon but he couldn’t lie to her, not to Rarity.
Even if it meant she would throw him out of her house for this.
Rarity’s blue eyes widened with alarm. She tensed up as her smile quickly vanished; the mare wasn’t expecting to hear that. An uncomfortable silence settled that neither one had the courage to break apart. Rarity continued to stare at Spike, she appeared composed but her body language clearly indicated she was deeply bothered by Spike’s confession.
“I see” Rarity said in a sterile tone. Spike tried to explain himself but the seamstress stood up and turned her back to him, she headed towards the kitchen to pour herself another glass of sparkling water.
Spike didn’t know what was worse, being yelled at by Rarity or being given the silent treatment. Both scenarios made his stomach twist up like a pretzel. He felt like he wanted to scream, get on his knees and desperately beg her for forgiveness.
“Rarity PLEASE; say something,” he pleaded as he approached her. “I know I screwed up, I know it was wrong of me to break your guys trust like that but I was just-”
“I am VERY disappointed in you Spike” Rarity snapped; quickly cutting Spike off. He flinched as he felt her enraged voice piercing into his heart like a jagged sword. If he wasn’t visibly wounded before, he certainly was now. “Now I understand why Sweetie Bell was defending you yesterday, and why the Crusaders stopped pestering us about our collective secret,” she said as she stomped her hoof.
“It was stupid, it was a terrible, unforgivable mistake and I know it was the wrong thing to do,” Spike clutched his fists and looked down.
“Then why Spike, why would you so blatantly break our trust in you like that?” she angrily asked. “We trusted you; I trusted you and you gave up such an important and dangerous secret because a filly, MY filly sister promised she’d butter you up for me?”
“You don’t understand, it’s complicated and I just-”
“Well un-complicate it and tell me right this instant!” Rarity demanded. Her chest rise and fell rapidly, cheeks puffing up with volatile anger. If the seamstress didn’t get an answer that would quell her bubbling rage, she would do exactly as Spike feared: demand he leave her sight and possibly lose her as a friend and…whatever else she could have been to him. “I want an answer and if you don’t give me the honest truth, then whatever-this-is between us ends RIGHT NOW. So tell me Spike” his name sounded cold as ice from her lips, “Why? I want to know WHY!”
“Because I wanted you to notice me and like me,” he shook his head and clarified, “I mean like me like me.”
“Oh PLEASE! Are you honestly telling me that getting me to like you is worth risking the potential safety of Ponyville and all of Equestria?!?” Rarity fiercely asked.
“YES, YES IT IS” Spike blurted out. The dragon slapped his claws over his lips just as quickly as he spoke those words. Rarity gasped in shock, her eyes shimmering like ripples in the ocean.
It was like Spike cast a magic spell of his own; freezing time and Rarity herself by uttering those 4 simple world shaking words. The very nature of their night and relationship forever changed. Where do they go from here? Spike and Rarity just stared at each other, too terrified to want to keep looking at each other, and yet, both felt incapable of leaving the other’s line of sight.
“S-s-s-spike, I uh” Rarity started to say. Her voice trembled; she raised a shaky hoof to hold her throbbing head. The mare was confused in ways she never thought possible and she wanted, no, she needed to know why. “How could you-” but Spike interrupted her before she could finish.
“I know what I said sounds crazy,” he clutched his tail as he spoke, “I know it’s selfish and stupid, and Twilight would probably never let me ask you out ever again after hearing that.” The young boy slowly found his courage. He released his tail and looked right at Rarity, staring right into those sparkling orbs of hers with all the courage that burned inside his young dragon heart. “But it’s the truth and I don’t think it’s bad that I feel this way.”
“Oh darling” she said, her voice softening. Rarity couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the sadness in Spike’s words. He sounded so guilty, so ashamed. She can’t imagine how long he has been shouldering all of this for fear of being separated from her company.
“You asked me why I wanted Sweetie Bell to help boost my image with you,” Spike firmly stated. Rarity silently nodded in reply. “I asked her because I’m desperate and I need all the help I can get. I mean come on”, Spike motioned to his body and then motioned to Rarity’s, “Look at me and then look at you.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand darling. What do you mean look at you then look at me?” she nervously asked.
“You’re you; THAT’S what! You’re a total knock out, you run a successful business, your creative, you get ponies asking you for a date or new outfit left and right,” Spike said; flailing his arms in exasperation. The fashionista never stopped to think about it but yes, he was right, she was successful in almost every angle from every area of her life. “And then look at me,” Spike said with a heavy sigh; slumping his shoulders. “I’m short, immature, I don’t have big fancy connections or charming good looks to offer, and worst of all…I’m a dragon” Spike’s voice grew low and heavy with that last word.
Rarity felt her eyes soften and form small tear droplets. She sniffled loudly; the poor thing still suffered from low self-esteem after all this time.
“One step out of Ponyville and I’m reminded that I’m the thing that parents tell their foals to hide under their beds from,” Spike said somberly. He looked to Rarity before heading towards the door; slowly turning his back to her. “What chance does a guy like me have with an angel like you?” he waved goodbye to her without looking back, “I’m sorry I wasted your time; enjoy the dessert.”
“Don’t you dare take one more step Mr. the Dragon!” Rarity shouted.
Like being scolded by an angry parent, Spike stopped in his tracks; flinching like an electrical current just ran through him. His iron tough scales softened like jelly at the shrill, heart piercing ferocity of that once lovely sounding voice. Spike slowly turned his head to look at Rarity, his eyes full of uncertainty and dread.
“We’ve known each other for quite some time now”, Rarity stated, she approached Spike step by step. Her voice was strict and focused; like a demanding drill sergeant. “And while there are many things about you I have yet to learn about, there is one thing I know about you that has always been unquestionably true,” Rarity looked directly at him.
Spike was too terrified to reply; he simply nodded in compliance and frightfully waited to be slammed with another negative trait. He just hoped she’d do it quickly so this disastrous date could end.
“You have always been, without a doubt, the most chivalrous, most respectable young gentlemen that I have ever known,” Rarity said matter-of-factly. Spike calmed down, he felt all his sadness and frustration melting away as Rarity walked back towards the dinner table. Rarity turned her head towards Spike and gave him a tender smile. “And the last thing a fine, upstanding young colt like you would do is leave a lady to dine all by her lonesome,” Rarity said sweetly, she magically pulled out Spike’s chair. “Care to give this date another try, Spikey Wikey?” she asked.
Spike once again found himself unable to speak. But this time, his silence came from a warmer, more content and happy place. He nodded and eagerly sat down to join his beloved seamstress.
“Mmmmm Mmm this is so good!” Twilight stated, her cheeks puffing out from the burger she happily munched on. Red sauce was splattered all over her purple cheeks. Twilight and Moonstruck had taken a break from their research to enjoy their takeout dinner.
“Man for a princess you sure-” Moonstruck started to say. One angry glare from the purple mare quickly stopped him from finishing; he needed to choose his next words very carefully. “Uh er I mean for a princess you umm s-s-sure do have excellent…taste! Yes, excellent taste in the uh b-b-burgers” he corrected; laughing weakly. Twilight soothed her scathing gaze and returned to enjoying her meal.
Nice one slick, you sure do know how to charm the ladies. Why don’t you just call her the Princess of Fatness while you’re at it? She’ll be dying to show off a prize jackass like you to her folks.
“Don’t make me come in there and kick your brain ass” Moonstruck silently hissed.
“Did you say something Moonstruck?”
“Oh n-n-n-no Twilight I was just saying I uh,” he quickly looked around for the closest book to him and flipped it open, “I was having trouble coming up with any other leads on the whole transmodificiation thing.”
“Actually its transmogrification,” Twilight politely corrected. Moonstruck blinked curiously at her explanation, he examined the word closely in the book and saw she was correct. She walked up to his side to examine the book, cheeks still stained with red sauce. “Here let me help you with that,” she said.
“Transmogrification spells” he looked to Twilight to make sure he said it right, she smiled and nodded. “Transmogrification spells are very difficult for ponies to cast themselves” he explained, “Many have tried to perfect this spell but no pony has ever been recorded as being successful in creating a perfect body duplication. The only ones on record who are capable of this are Changelings and Discord,” Moonstruck sighed and hung his head.
“And we know both of those candidates aren’t responsible for framing you,” Twilight surmised. She knew Changelings to be malicious little monsters but they crave love; they’d kill for it most likely, but not for magical artifacts. And as bad as Discord used to be, he never would have done something that cruel. “Wait, what’s this smudged section over here?” Twilight asked as she leaned in closer to look at the page.
“Huh, I never noticed that before” Moonstruck added. He curiously leaned closer as well; squinting his silver eyes to try and make out the words. The section was at the bottom of the right corner of the page. The words were muddied, dirty, smeared and even burnt a little, as if an attempt was made to burn it off. “I think it’s talking about one of the pony groups that tried to duplicate the spell and failed,” both ponies leaned closer as Moonstruck went on, “It says the group that came the closest was called the…the…Wing and Horn Society.”
“I’ve read every book there is about ancient pony groups, cults and long lost civilizations,” Twilight started to say.
“You are such a librarian,” Moonstruck said; rolling his eyes.
“As I was saying,” Twilight ignored the remark and continued, “This is the first I’ve ever heard about this Wing and Horn Society. They sound important, like they had a big following, why is this the first time I’m hearing about this?”
“Twilight, I know your brilliant and all but you can’t possibly-” the unicorn started to say before his voice trailed off.
Suddenly Moonstruck and Twilight realized how close they were to each other. Their cheeks had inadvertently rubbed together; smearing sauce on Moonstruck’s cheek as well. The two ponies found themselves trapped in the simple beauty of each other’s eyes. They didn’t speak, didn’t move, they just stared and felt the world seemingly dissolve away into the background.
It was just the two of them…alone.
“Here you got a little something on your” they both said in unison. Twilight and Moonstruck simultaneously lifted their hooves to the other’s cheeks; they slowly and softly wiped the sauce off each other’s faces. Though the gesture was simple, the skin on skin contact sent both of their hearts into a feverous flurry of raw, intoxicating emotions. Their hooves simultaneously stopped at the edge of each cheek, they felt the heat of their mutual blushing warm the tip of their hooves.
It felt so good, sweet Celestia it felt so unbelievably good. They stared at each other like they wanted to remain in this moment for all of eternity. The ponies slowly started to lean closer, their eyes closing as their lips began to purse. Twilight and Moonstruck were on the edge of experiencing a brand of happiness neither one had ever experienced before.
Flashback
“GET AWAY FROM ME,” Moonstruck savagely screamed. The dark pony’s voice roared like thunder, his magic was wildly attacking Princess Celestia and her guards. “You have no idea who or what I am,” he bellowed.
A dark cave appeared; surrounded by monsters shackled to the ground. The snapping jaws of Cerberus chomped saliva soaked fangs towards every living soul in the prison known as Tartarus.
Several hooded ponies were fighting against two unicorns, one male and one female. They were screaming and struggling about something but their voices were silent.
“You both agreed to this! He is our one chance to achieve all of our life’s work, and I will not let you ruin everything because you don’t have the balls to keep your word” a cloaked pony said. His cold, unnerving words were directed at the two unicorns.
Everything was engulfed in a violent explosion; blurring everything from white to dark.
KABOOM!
End Flashback
Moonstruck snapped out of his fractured flashback, he was drenched with sweat and trembling with anxiety. He gasped and jerked back from Twilight before their lips could lock. Twilight was jarred out of her romantic moment with the same sense of alarm; she looked to her colt friend and saw he had become an emotional wreck in a matter of seconds.
What just happened?
“Moonstruck, are you all right, what happened to you?” she asked insistently. The mare raised her hoof to Moonstruck’s shoulder but he backed away in fear. Twilight felt a twinge of pain seeing him avoid her like that. “D-d-d-did I do something to offend or frighten you, was it that… you know…did that scare you?” Twilight said, nervously stripping over every word.
“NO, no-no-no-no nothing like that” he quickly assured her, “I just had something weird happen to me; that’s all.” Moonstruck rubbed his arm as his ears twitched.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yeah-yeah, please, d-d-don’t worry about me” he answered; licking his lips softly. “I think I’ll be better once I eat something, preferably a marshmallow” he started looking around again for the sugary treat, even though he had already checked Twilight’s home from top to bottom for marshmallows and found none.
“You know, for a pony who thinks my love of reading is weird, you got a pretty weird obsession with marshmallows,” Twilight said as she raised a curious eyebrow.
“Did someone say PISTACHIO?” Pinkie pie shouted.
Both Moonstruck and Twilight practically jumped out of their skins. Pinkie suddenly popped in through a-now-open window, holding a carton of pistachio ice cream and an ice cream scoop in her hooves.
“PINKIE, you nearly gave us a heart attack!” Twilight angrily huffed, “And he was asking for marshmallows; not pistachio.”
“Oops, sorry about that” Pinkie giggled and shrugged, “Common mistake.”
“Who commonly mistakes marshmallows for pistachio ice cream?” Moonstruck asked; turning his head to Twilight. She shrugged and rolled her eyes. It was her way of saying: that’s Pinkie Pie for you, don’t question it.
“Any who, you needn’t worry, I got marshmallows stashed all over Ponyville,” Pinkie said. She pulled a bag full of them out of one of Twilight’s book shelves and hoofed it to Moonstruck. “In case of marshmallow emergency” she added.
Moonstruck tried to ask another question but he remembered what Twilight said and just accepted it. Pinkie waved goodbye and vanished just as quickly as she appeared. The two remaining ponies looked to each other and shrugged, they figured it’d be best just to forget what just happened and continue with their conversation.
“Yes, man I cannot tell you how long I have been craving one of these” he happily stated. The unicorn levitated a cup from Twilight’s cupboard, poured some hot chocolate mix into it, heated it up and dropped in several marshmallows. “Mmmmm freedom never tasted so sweet,” he said after sipping from his cup. Twilight stared blankly at the colt as he munched on his marshmallows.
“Okay seriously, you have to tell me what your deal is with marshmallows,” Twilight said with a bit of impatience in her voice.
“It’s kind of hard to explain, in fact, it’s kind of sad and it might be stupid too” Moonstruck shyly admitted.
“Why do you think it might be stupid?” Twilight asked.
“Because…I think it’s something my mom told me about,” he sadly replied, “I don’t know for sure though. My memories about everything, including my family, are a real blur.” Twilight couldn’t hide her sadness. Moonstruck lightly scuffed the floor with his hoof, trying to avoid eye contact as he expressed his confusion and sadness. “I remember bits and pieces of things but I don’t remember the when, the why or who. I don’t even remember what my mom looks like or even if she was the one who taught me about this” he said.
“Please,” Twilight said as she lightly rubbed the colt’s shoulder. Moonstruck looked up and saw that beautiful, adorably nerdy face of hers looking right at him; eyes so loving and caring. Her touch felt like when he escaped Tartarus and felt the sun on his face for the first time in years. “Tell me anyway?” she sweetly asked.
“All right, if you insist” he caved and agreed to tell her. He lifted the cup of hot chocolate with his hoof; idly staring at the marshmallows floating around. “I remember some pony telling me that marshmallows are the greatest thing pony kind has ever created. They’re soft, sweet, tasty, they mix well with almost everything, but most of all…they’re pure,” he said with a warm smile. “There’s no hidden dark side to them. No matter how you look at them or what you put them with; they always retains their pure sweet shape and core. I like that; it’s like it’s always good on the inside no matter what you layer its outside with.”
Twilight looked at her colt friend with fondness and content. There he goes again, saying something sweet and wonderful when she least expected it. Here, right here, right now, this was all the proof she needed to know Moonstruck was wrongfully convicted and incarcerated of those terrible crimes.
“Plus I really just like saying the word: marshmallow”, he chuckled softly, “It’s my favorite word.”
How could anyone think this pony is a cold blooded killer?
“Thank you, thank you so much for sharing that Moonstruck,” Twilight said. Her smile widened as she saw him smiling in return. He looked so much better when he was smiling.
“No, thank you for listening Twilight” he replied. He closed his eyes and let loose a lengthy yawn, Twilight’s smile disappeared. Is he going to bed already? “I think I’m going to hit the hay, my mind feels like it just ran 50 miles,” he stated.
“Are you sure? I mean we still have lots more research to go over and I don’t mind-”
“I would love to help you Twilight, I really would” he politely interrupted, “But I haven’t been sleeping well lately so I figured I should turn in early and try and catch up. Besides, you’ll be up studying long after all of Equestria goes to sleep”, he said with a laugh.
“A-a-a-all right then,” Twilight said. She really wanted him to stay up with her and continue doing research, or perhaps, she just wanted him to stick around in general. Regardless, he had made up his mind. Twilight sighed and nodded in defeat, she weakly smiled to him as he headed towards the basement. “Goodnight Moonstruck” she said.
“Goodnight Crackers” he replied.
Twilight’s cheeks puffed out like a red colored balloon. Oh how she hated, hated, HATED that nickname! She turned around and buried herself into her research, trying anything she could to forget about that stupid little pet name he gave her. Why couldn’t it have been something cute instead of something as insulting as…ugh…crackers?
“I wonder if Spike is having any better luck with his night then I am,” Twilight said with a heavy sigh.
Spike chuckled loudly inside the Boutique. The dragon and fashionista were sitting at the dining table enjoying Spike’s homemade dessert. Rarity looked at him with a slight, sheepish pink color to her cheeks; slightly embarrassed about Spike’s sudden outburst.
“I don’t believe it, so you’re a closet detective fan girl?” Spike asked.
“Well, I don’t know if I’d use those words but-” Rarity started to say. Her tone and manner was shaky and nervous, as if scared for revealing this secret to the young dragon.
“That’s awesome!”
Rarity blinked in surprise at that statement. Spike wasn’t mocking her, no, he actually liked that she liked detective stories.
“W-w-wait, you don’t think it’s s-s-silly that I like detective stories?” Rarity curiously asked.
“No, of course not” Spike quickly answered, “Your talking to some pony who lives in a library and reads superhero comic books all day. I always thought of detective stories like super hero adventure stories, but you know, without super powers.” Spike wiped a piece of pie from his face with a napkin, “Like fighting crimes with their mind and stuff.”
“Ah yes, I guess that is one way of looking at it” Rarity said as she giggled. She should have known that since both Spike and Twilight live in the library, admitting she loves any kind of book series wouldn’t have been too shocking to either one of them. “I just can’t resist the cunning charm of such intelligent and independent women like Shadow Spade and Nancy Horseshoe,” Rarity smiled contently as she rattled off her favorite detective characters.
“So why’d you think I would think your silly for liking detective stories?” Spike asked as he chomped down another chunk of dessert cake.
“Well when I mentioned it to that,” Rarity almost vomited just mentioning his name, “Uncouth cur, Slick Charmer, he said broads like me should worry more about keeping our bodies in shape; rather than keeping our brains sharp with pointless literature.” The unicorn felt like she needed a full day spay treatment every time that creep popped back into her mind.
“Awe what does he know? That guy was a total dick” Spike bluntly stated.
“Spikey Wikey! That is a dreadfully vulgar word that should never be mentioned in front of ladies, nor should someone of your age be using it” Rarity huffed. She always kept an air of professionalism and grace; even when bad mouthing a womanizer who deserved it.
“Oh, sorry Rarity”, Spike weakly nodded and scooped more cake into his mouth.
“But to be perfectly honest”, Rarity’s proper tone turned giggly and immature, “You’re absolutely right; he really was a dick!”
Both Spike and Rarity burst with laughter. Rarity laughed so hard she even snorted like a pig, she held a hoof to her lips; slightly embarrassed by such a crude reaction. Spike simply laughed harder as a result and seeing that made Rarity laugh even harder and louder. The fashionista couldn’t remember the last time she enjoyed another colt’s company this much. This is the best date she’s had in months, and to think, it was with the very same adorable little dragon that had been at her beck and call all this time. Who knew?
“Man, mom would be so mad if she heard me talking like that,” Spike chuckled.
“Mom?” Rarity curiously asked.
“Oh I um mean eh Twilight, that’s what I meant to say” Spike quickly corrected. The dragon was feeling so comfortable around Rarity, he forgot he didn’t normally call Twilight mom in front of other ponies. Well this just got awkward real fast.
“Darling, I hope you won’t find this terribly rude of me to ask but,” Rarity started to say, her eyes twinkling with sincere curiosity. She wanted him to know that she wouldn’t dare mock him for his answer if he did tell her the truth. “Why did you call Twilight mom just now? I understand she raised you, but you’ve known that and yet you always just call her by her name. So why call her mother now?” she raised a hoof politely, “You don’t have to answer if you’re not comfortable with it sweetie. I completely understand,” she added.
“After my quest to find other dragons ended, I started calling Twilight mom only in my head. I didn’t want to freak her out and make her feel uncomfortable by calling her mom out loud,” Spike explained, “But after I thought Moonstruck was going to hurt her, I realized that if anything happened to her, my only real family would be gone and I’d be left all alone.”
Rarity reached her hoof out towards Spike’s claw; she gently held it and gave him the sweetest smile. She batted her eyes endearingly towards him. The dragon returned the smile and gently held her hoof back.
“Don’t get me wrong, I think of you guys as my real family too, honestly I do” Spike clarified.
“I know what you meant Spikey Wikey, and it means so much to all of us that you feel that way” Rarity kindly replied. Still holding onto his claw.
“It’s just,” Spike stared at his empty plate and looked at his food smeared reflection. “I don’t know if I’ll ever find the mom and dad who laid my egg, or if I have any brothers or sisters out there. Everything I learned about dragons just makes me glad I’ll never be one of them,” he said, looking back to Rarity. “But at the same time, I feel like I need something to call my own, to have some part of the family I never was a part of; like having a mom. So I decided that Twilight is my mom. She raised me, educated me, fed me, gave me a roof over my head, and a job as her number one assistant. She’s the one figure who has always been there for me and I know she always will be. So, who cares if ponies think it’s weird? I don’t care, I’m just lucky that Twilight is the mom I ended up with.”
“Oh Spike that is”, Rarity let go of Spike’s claw and grabbed a handkerchief, she immediately started to sob into the cloth; mascara slightly running down her cheeks. “That is the sweetest, most touching thing I have ever heard” she wailed, tears gushing out like waterfalls.
“Uh thanks Rarity…I think?” Spike said, not exactly sure if Rarity bawling her eyes out is a good thing or a bad thing. He quickly tried to change the subject. “A-a-actually the fact that I’m a dragon is kind of why I like superhero comic books so much” Spike said.
“What do you mean darling?” she asked; finally ceasing her crying. She placed the handkerchief to the side and composed herself more properly.
“The Power Ponies have super powers and they kick major butt, no doubt about it, but it’s those very same powers that actually keep them cut off from the other citizens of Maretropolis,” Spike explained.
“I don’t understand, wouldn’t the citizens be grateful to have such strong and fabulous heroes protecting them?” Rarity asked; wiping off her smeared mascara stains.
“Having super powers makes them different. Every pony knows how strong they are, but that’s also what makes ponies scared of them sometimes. Sometimes ponies only see the bad or the potential bad in others, like they’re only cool and helpful until they prove to be too dangerous to control one day,” Spike said. He remembered all the damage he caused on his birthday when he turned into a rampaging monster. Everyone in Ponyville had been nothing but warm and welcoming to him, and while they forgave and understood about his greed transformation, that still doesn’t mean he forgave himself.
“You relate to the Power Ponies because you’re special and you’re worried that one day, the very thing that makes you special, will scare everyone off and you’ll end up all alone” Rarity stated. Spike nodded sadly, it’s amazing how perceptive she can be when she pays attention to him for a change.
The seamstress stood up from her seat and approached Spike. He watched her curiously; unsure of what she was doing. Rarity embraced Spike in a warm and tender hug; wrapping her hooves around him and nuzzling him close to her frosty white chest. Both of them remained speechless. Spike felt his cheeks redden; being this close to Rarity was mesmerizing; he felt completely at peace and completely on edge at the same time. His tensed up tail slowly unrolled like a carpet, the mare could feel all of the dragon’s stresses and anxieties melting off his little body.
“Your right about one thing Spikey Wikey” she said softly. The young drake lifted his glimmering green eyes upward upon hearing her voice. “You are special, and while I can’t speak for everyone in Equestria, I can say with absolute clarity that everyone in Ponyville loves and accepts you just the way you are” she sweetly stated.
“Thanks Rarity, I really needed to hear that” he said; smiling back to his beloved unicorn friend. “I mean, I knew that; I really did, but hearing you say it? It makes a world of difference to me.”
“Anytime darling, anytime at all” Rarity giggled.
The two separated from their hug. They started cleaning up the dishes and clearing off the table. Rarity insisted Spike didn’t need to help clean up since he was the guest, but the dragon said it would be most “un-gentlemen like” if he didn’t help out. Spike let loose a hearty yawn as he finished drying off the last dish. Rarity took a quick glance at her nearest clock and saw it was getting rather late. Her eyes wandered back to her scaly, purple companion; her smile widened as he rubbed his eyes with his little claws.
The poor thing, he must be exhausted from all this emotional stress. I had no idea he had so much weighing on this shoulders. Perhaps I should have had a heart to heart with him ages ago. Still, even though it’s been a long night and were both quite tired, I’m rather sad that our evening has come to an end. This was far more…special than I thought it would be.
“It looks like a certain young dragon needs to get his beauty sleep,” Rarity pointed out.
“Huh? Oh yeah, I guess it is pretty late,” he said as he yawned once more.
“It’s been a long and wonderful night darling” Rarity leaned in and nuzzled Spike’s cheek, “And I think I could also benefit from a good night’s sleep.”
He nodded and gave Rarity one more tight hug before heading towards the door. Oddly enough, as sad as Spike was now that his date was over, he felt happy with how it all turned out. Sure, there were some rough patches but he managed to get through the whole date without acting like a lovesick fool or clinging to her every word and whim. It felt good to end the date on a high note.
“Well, this has been the most awesomely amazing first date I’ve ever been on,” Spike happily exclaimed. Rarity let loose a melodious giggle at that remark. Of course it was an amazing first date; it was the only date he’s ever been on! Still, his enthusiasm and warm smiles were infectiously endearing. The dragon pushed the door open and was about to exit the boutique.
“W-w-w-wait just a minute dear” Spike stopped and turned, still holding the door. Rarity’s cheeks were slightly flushed; her once composed and regal like demeanor had been replaced with a shuffling, nervous demeanor that made her look like a high school filly trying to make a speech in front of a classroom. Rarity was never nervous or antsy unless she was meeting some big fashion designer she admired, or meeting a pony she had a major crush on.
“Yeah, what is it?”
“It occurred to me that you did most of the sharing tonight. A proper date requires that both parties contribute personal stories and discussions, and it would be unfitting for a lady of my stature to not share something personal after you’ve shared so much.”
“Umm okay, what would you like to tell me?”
“Well, since we were talking about your beloved comic book superheroes, I thought I would tell you who my favorite super hero is.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you liked super heroes enough that you had a favorite! Heh, mine is Radiance, if you couldn’t already guess that.”
Rarity’s cheeks turned a few shades pinker. She wasn’t the least bit surprised by that answer; nevertheless, hearing it still made her heart flutter.
“So who’s your favorite hero?”
The mare hesitated answering for a moment. Her eyes sparkled luminously in the star studded night sky as they stared down at her purple, scaly, loveable little friend. She bit her lip and grinned to the confused dragon. Rarity leaned down and planted a soft, yet, powerfully sweet kiss on his chubby purple cheek. The soft smack of her lipstick coated lips crackled like thunderstorms in Spike’s ears. His eyes bulged before shrinking into tiny little pink hearts; he felt his whole face fill up with every shade of red.
“You are Spikey Poo,” Rarity said; in her sweetest, most seductive voice. It sent shivers up and down Spike’s plated spine and through his tail tip. “Goodnight darling, this has been a most wonderful evening and I look forward to the next one” she said with a sultry purr.
Spike was too awestruck to form a coherent response. Every time he had been kissed by Rarity, he felt as if the effect she had on him got stronger with each peck. He mumbled a string of nonsensical words and stumbled out of Rarity’s shop as if he were drunk. Spike nodded and waved blindly to Rarity; his best effort to wish her a goodnight and a fond farewell. Rarity let loose the most adorable little chuckle as she watched him wobble his way home.
She closed the door and locked it shut. Every part of her felt tingly, so refreshingly warm and content. Rarity sighed as she leaned back against the door; letting her purple curls slide up the door as she dreamily smiled. “Now that…was a lovely date” Rarity blissfully cooed.
CRASH!
Twilight jerked up from her research book, her half dazed eyes quickly adjusting back into focus. She looked around the room to find the source of that deafening crash. It sounded like something was being broken.
“Spike, Moonstruck, is that you?”
The princess waited for a few seconds but no one bothered to reply to her call. She didn’t hear or see Spike come back yet, so either she was so tired she missed him coming and going to bed, or most likely; he hadn’t returned from his date yet. Owlicious had been right by her side this whole time so she knows he didn’t drop or break anything.
RAHHHHH!
“What in Equestria is that?”
It was a scream, a scream from a pony, a pony that was living in her basement. Twilight almost didn’t believe it was Moonstruck. The scream sounded so angry, so dark and violent; it sounded more like a monster than her silver eyed friend.
“GET THE BUCK AWAY FROM ME!”
WHAM!
Something slammed against the basement door. The sound of broken wood planks could be heard, a crate must have been smashed against the door. Twilight approached the door but flinched when she heard another violent crash. She knows she’s a powerful Alicorn and can handle anything or anyone that comes against her, but still, she didn’t like this one little bit.
Moonstruck is down there and it sounds like something is in there too, and trying to hurt him! I don’t know what’s going on but I can’t just stay up here and listen to him suffer down there. I’ve got to figure out what’s going on.
“Moonstruck, are you all right down there?” she asked impatiently. She tried leaning her ear up against the door but she was afraid of something slamming against it again. “Look, don’t be scared” she magically opened the door and shined a flash of light from her horn, “I’m coming down.”
The young princess didn’t know what she hated more: the violent screams and crashing sounds, or the eerie silence from her friend. Either way, she had to investigate. Twilight stepped down into the basement, her glowing horn shined over the room like a flashlight. There were boxes shattered, glass jars broken and fragments of various objects scattered across the room like confetti.
“I don’t understand, did some kind of wild animal-” Twilight started to say.
Moonstruck leapt out of a pile of mangled debris; scaring Twilight and causing her to jump. His eyes were half open, they had a glazed; almost hypnotic look to them. The colt wasn’t awake but neither was he fully asleep. He was experiencing some kind of horrible night terror or post traumatic shock.
“Moonstruck, thank Celestia your all right” Twilight happily exclaimed.
“NO, GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FILTHY BEASTS” he screamed in reply.
The unicorn charged at Twilight like a rampaging bull, he bent his horn down and plowed forward. Twilight gasped and flew up high enough to dodge the attack. Moonstruck collided with a stack of boxes filled with paper documents and science materials. The boxes collapsed and scattered their contents everywhere, Moonstruck shook it off.
“Moonstruck, look at me, please look at me” she insisted, “It’s me, Twilight. You know, Crackers? I’m your friend. All I want you to do is calm down and listen-”
“I’m nothing like you freaks” Moonstruck interrupted. He fired a laser beam from his horn, Twilight gasped as it sliced across her cheek. She hadn’t expected him to react so violently like that. The mare rubbed the burn mark on her cheek with her hoof; she winced but ignored the pain and focused back on Moonstruck.
“Moonstruck, PLEASE just listen to my voice,” she said firmly; yet with a soft and soothing undertone. She had to get his attention and calm him down before he hurts himself. “You’re not in Tartarus anymore, your safe and sound in my home” Twilight looked to him with pleading eyes. “No one is trying to hurt you; there are no monsters or beasts in here at all.”
He looked around the room as if searching for multiple foes. Moonstruck was sweating furiously, muscles twitching; he looked like he was deranged and feral. Nothing around him made sense and Twilight’s words seemed only to agitate and aggravate his unstable condition.
“Y-y-you don’t belong here, no, I don’t belong here; NONE OF THIS MAKES ANY SENSE” he collapsed and clutched his head.
Twilight extended a friendly hoof to the poor pony, he angrily swatted it away. She quickly stepped back from Moonstruck. He snapped at her like a wolf, growling and snarling like he was going to bite her if she tried to touch him again.
“I’m only trying to help. Please, you have to believe me Moonstruck.”
“N-n-n-n-no, there’s t-t-t-too much darkness. It’s around me, its inside m-m-m-m-me, it’s all I see when I shut my eyes and sleep,” he babbled. “C-c-can’t escape it, I can feel it in my lungs and in my heart; choking me, suffocating me!” He went down on his knees and screamed out loud, he pounded his hooves against the ground and cried louder with every punch.
Twilight felt sick to her stomach. Hasn’t he suffered enough, why is this happening to him? He didn’t deserve to endure this mental Hell. “Moonstruck, just listen to my voice, all you have to do is breath slowly and listen to my voice. Pay attention to nothing else but the sound of my voice. I can help you, I promise I won’t hurt you” she leaned forward and tried to reach for him again, “Just take my hoof; it’ll be all right…everything will be all right if you just-”
“LEAVE ME ALONE!” he violently screamed.
Moonstruck unleashed a powerful shockwave of magical energy. The red sphere blasted Twilight away from Moonstruck like a force field, dozens of broken boxes and various items went flying back along with her from the shockwave. Twilight grunted as she was buried under the piles of basement junk like an avalanche. She teleported out of the mess and groaned as she felt a bruise forming on her temple, the scar on her cheek was still stinging as well.
“P-p-p-p-p-please…make it s-s-s-s-stop…someone please just…m-m-m-make it stop” he whimpered.
Twilight’s body was sore from that last attack, but what she saw next, would cause her heart pain like she never felt before.
Moonstruck was cowering on the ground, his hooves held behind his neck in a duck and cover formation. He was shaking, trembling, every inch of him was rattling with overwhelming fear. The poor colt looked like a foal trying to hide under his bed from a lighting storm. His eyes were frightfully staring straight ahead, tears pouring down his face, sobbing uncontrollably. “I didn’t do anything wrong, I swear. I’m a good boy, I swear I am, I just want to go home” his voice became more shrill, “I don’t like it here…I don’t like being this way. Why was I left in here, why was I left with the monsters, where’s my mom and dad, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?!”
He broke down into an inconsolable, weeping mess; burying his tear soaked cheeks into his hooves. Twilight clutched her chest and blinked out tears of her own, seeing this was breaking her heart. This wasn’t a killer. This is a pony who is devoted, determined and intelligent; not some cold blooded thief. To see him reduced to this was one of the most gut wrenching things Twilight has ever seen, and she refused to let him stay down here and suffer any longer; even if it’s going to cause problems.
This…this is just…horrible! What in Celestia’s name has that imposter done to this sweet pony? I’ve never seen such pain and suffering before. Look at what 2 years in Tartarus has done to him! He doesn’t deserve this, he’s in absolute misery.
Twilight blinked as she suddenly noticed something about their surroundings. It was dark, grungy, spooky and very isolating. No wonder he still thought he was in Tartarus.
Of course, living in the basement must have reminded him of what it was like to live in Tartarus. Oh Moonstruck I am SO, SO sorry. I had no idea I was putting you through this by keeping you down here. I’ve got to get him out of here before he gets any worse.
Twilight approached him silently this time. She was worried if she tried to verbally console him again before she could get to him; he might automatically back away and try to fire another spell at her. Luckily he still had his face buried in his hooves so he couldn’t see her. Her soft hooves gently and quietly padded across the room at a slow and delicate pace. She stretched out a single fore hoof right above the sobbing Moonstruck. Before he could react, Twilight moved in and embraced him in a comforting but tight bear hug.
“GRRR” Moonstruck snarled. He instantly resisted her hug and squirmed against her; fighting back like a wild dog. Twilight cried out as she felt a stinging pain in her hoof. Moonstruck actually bit into her fore hoof and drew blood; he shook his head vigorously and intensified the bite until Twilight would have to release him. The princess remained strong and held him down.
She fought against the pain and continued trying to calm him down. “Shhhhhh its okay,” she sweetly whispered into his ear, “I’m here now…it’s just you and me…no pony else.” Twilight started stroking Moonstruck’s spiky green hair.
The angry unicorn continued to bite and resist, but his anger was slowly starting to subside. His teeth lessened up little by little until he eventually let go of Twilight’s hoof.
“That’s it, just relax and take it easy,” she nuzzled his cheek softly. Moonstruck’s squirms ultimately stopped altogether and his eyes returned to their normal silver color. “I’ve got you Moonstruck; it’s just me and me alone. Just stay here, stay here with me and I promise” she gently pulled his face towards her chest, “I won’t let anyone ever hurt you again.”
Though still not fully awake, Moonstruck’s night terror/freak out vanished and he returned to his normal self. He buried his face in Twilight’s chest and just cried, cried for what seemed like ages. Twilight kept him close to her and continued stroking his mane, her hooves stayed around him; keeping him warm and safe. Moonstruck couldn’t speak, he could only cry; harder and louder with every sob choked breath.
Twilight leaned down and softly kissed his forehead. “It’s all right now, I’m here and I’m never letting you go”, she leaned closer into the hug and wrapped her wings around him, “I’ll always be here for you…always.”
To be continued…