Sweetie has been having confidence issues while Spike has a hole in his heart. They meet, they become friends, and become closer than ever.
Sweetie Belle is starting to change herself and her world, thinking she's loser after a confrontation with Tiara. Spike is starting to wonder what is the meaning of life because he never can bedazzle Rarity. Suddenly these two become closer and their troubles melt away as Spike shows Sweetie she's perfect just the way she is.
"Today's the day cutie mark crusader! We're gonna get our cutie marks!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as she bounced up and down.
"How? Are we going to do pony roller derby?" Scootaloo asked starting to hover. Scootaloo's wings have grown a lot stronger throughout the months. Though her habit of ignoring the fellow crusaders hasn't changed. She looked excitedly at Sweetie Belle and Applebloom as they backed away.
"N-no Scootaloo I think we're gonna to do something else right Applebloom," Sweetie Belle pleaded ,not wanting to end up having her horn almost cut in half.
Apple Bloom made a sheepish smile. "Yeah! My sis told me that maybe we should ask each other what we think our talent is."
"Not cool but I guess I would like to hear what kind of awesome talent you guys think I have," Scootaloo answered.
"LAME," a voice cried out.
The CMC looked behind them to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking up to them. Tiara's face looking snootier then ever ,while Silver Spoon was smirking yet her eyes -yet looked at the Crusaders with worry. She was getting actually nicer and nicer when Tiara wasn't around and now when Tiara is around Silver Spoon was showing that she was tired of Tiara's bullying.
"Oh ,hi, Tiara. Hi Silver Spoon," Scootaloo sarcastically spoke.
Tiara's eyes gleamed with smugness. "Oh hi Do-Do, Peabrain, and Scaredy Hooves."
Apple Bloom looked down, tears in her eyes. She had gotten a B- on their last test ,and Tiara -as usual- told her that she's just a dumb Earth pony like her sister. Scootaloo stared at Tiara, her rage boiling. Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom with a concerned face and turned to Tiara, her white coat crimson red from rage.
"WELL AT LEAST I WON'T GET A DUMB CUTIEMARK LIKE YOURS AND BE AS SNOOTY AS YOU," Sweetie Belle blurted out.
Tiara's eyes widened in anger but then her face became a smirk as Sweetie's coat became a even lighter white.
"Looks like the kitty has claws.....Well I have sharper ones," Diamond Tiara spoke walking past Sweetie knocking her into the mud.
"Face it you're weak, you hang out with blank flanks, you're ugly, and to top it off you are an embarrassment compared to Rarity," taunted Diamond Tiara. She walked off ,leaving Silver Spoon and the Crusaders.
Silver Spoon looked at the pink filly as she trotted away as she looked at Sweetie Belle who was getting up, coated in mud. She looked Sweetie in the eyes, the only part of her not coated in mud. "Sweetie, are you okay?
"Y-yeah, its alright," Sweetie answered, before running down the path in the opposite direction Tiara went.
Sweetie Belle tried to go the way she thought was farthest from Tiara but the sky grew grey, fog rolled in, the dirt grew into more mud, and rainstorm started. Sweetie's head hung low as her mane got soaked.
"Are you? Are you? Coming to the tree," she quietly sang her mom's favorite song.
Her mom always told stories about a tree where the Headless Horse was buried when he died. Sweetie Belle's mom loved to hear this song because it reminded her of these storied.
"They strung up a stallion, they say who cursed 3," Sweetie Belle continued singing as she looked up to the sky.
"Sweetie Belle!" A familiar voice rang. Twilight Sparkle ran up to her in her purple raincoat and levitated a lateen ahead of her. "What happened to you? Never mind that, c'mon you'll get sick out here."
Twilight levitated the tired little filly onto her back and together they set out into the fog.
The rain was hard and cold- but not as cold as Spike felt. Was life gonna always be like this? That Twilight was always going to save him from everything ,including heartbreak. He remembered yesterday like it was....today.
***
Spike was just having a nap in his bed when Twilight woke him softly. "What," he whined as he sleepily opened his eyes.
Twilight hung her head "I was just having a talk with Rarity."
"Oh right! Today I was going to announce my feelings for her!" Spike interrupted ,about to exit the room.
"She sees you as a friend Spike," Twilight announced quietly.
****
Those words echoed in Spike's mind as he remembered that moment. Rarity was so easily bedazzled by stallions yet for him it was like climbing a mountain ,never reaching the top. Maybe he should give up?
"Spike!" Twilight shouted ,shattering his daydream.
Spike ran down the stairs. Twilight couldn't have finished her safety inspection this early-she left 5 minutes ago! Spike reached the bottom of the stairs to find Twilight carrying a towel for a young filly. Spike almost didn't recognize Sweetie-she looked so...sad. Her coat was glazed with mud. Her hair was dirty with mud, and the rain had flattened her characteristic curls. Her eyes...they seemed full of hurt, yet somehow emotionless at the same time.
"Spike! There you are ,I need you to babysit Sweetie Belle while I get," Twilight paused, not wanting to mention Rarity's name after what happened yesterday,"....her sister to pick her up while I complete the safety inspection." Twilight teleported away.
Spike stared as Sweetie as she rubbed her face with the towel. What could he do? Ever since yesterday's chat about Rarity ,Spike has barely been out bed; he hadn't been much of an assistant for Twilight. The least he can do for Twilight is shine Sweetie's hooves. Spike got Twilight's hoof brush and walked up to Sweetie Belle.
"What do you want?" Sweetie gave Spike a hollow gaze.
"Polishing your hooves," Spike answered. He took Sweetie's hoof and started wiping away the mud. Sweetie blushed and avoided his intense gaze. Spike continued wiping away the mud, realizing Sweetie Belle can't get mud all over herself from the rainstorm. "Sweetie what happened."
Sweetie Belle stayed silent.
"Sweetie Belle what happened?" he asked insistently .
Sweetie's eyes started filling up with tears. "I-I g-got in a fight in D-Diamond."
"And?" Spike asked more gently putting the paper towel to the side.
"A-and she called so many things," Sweetie Belle sobbed and hugged Spike.
Spike didn't know what to say. Diamond Tiara did that! Why? Poor Sweetie. Spike just hugged her back.
Sweetie Belle laid sadly in her bed. Everything Diamond Tiara was hurtful but true. She can't live on like this. Sweetie Belle can ignore Tiara but those things were again true. Wait, thats it! If you can beat her join her. Quit the CMC, dress yourself up (that will impress Tiara), join Tiara's side, and maybe (with her future friends' help) she could get her cutie mark and learn some beauty tips from Diamond. She does have a flawless mane. But how will the CMC, Rarity, and the rest of her friends feel? Well popularity equals beauty and beauty hurts...Right? With a sad smile Sweetie Belle finally dozed off.
Next Morning
"Sweetie Belle!" Sweetie heard Rarity called. Sweetie Belle sighed angrily and fixed her pink bow which blended with her straightened mane.
"Coming si.." Sweetie Belle paused mid sentence. It was elegant to call everyone by their name, no nick names or something else. "Rarity."
Sweetie Belle trotted lightly down the stairs (it was uncouth to gallop). At the bottom of the stairs was Rarity looking perfect as always, just some pancake batter dotted her mane. Sweetie Belle silently sighed. She could never be as perfect as her sister.
"Sweetie Melody Belle! What are you wearing?" Rarity's perfect smile turned into a frown right when she saw her. Did Sweetie look that ugly? Sweetie Belle hid her embarrassment by making the haughtiest face she could make.
"My new look," Sweetie answered and turned to the new mirror Rarity got to check how she looked.
Her mane was straightened and had a gorgeous pink bow resting at the side. She wore white top with pink polka dots with a hot pink skirt. What was there not to like? Rarity's face became gentle and concerned as she placed her hoof (batter covered) on Sweetie Belle's top which gently smudged some pancake batter on it. "Sweetie Belle? Are you okay?"
"Rarity, stop making my top dirty," Sweetie Belle answered and walked away excepting Rarity to be in shock but instead Rarity went through a sequence of emotions. First it was sadness. Rarity's eyes were full of hurt as her ear's drooped but then her eyes became full of rage and she clenched her teeth but then it became a smug smile.
"Well then if you decide to be fancy I guess I'll eat the pancakes I baked myself," Rarity replied and trotted off. Sweetie Belle's stomach growled. Pancakes were her favorite. She knew she had to apologize but Diamond Tiara never apologizes and thats who she wants to impress. Plus she was getting chubby anyways.
******
"Sweetie Belle, what in apple are you wearing?" Apple Bloom ran up to Sweetie Belle with Scootaloo trailing behind in the playground.
"Yeah you look like Diamond Tiara," Scottaloo pointed out. Unlike Applebloom, who looked this was all a joke, Scootaloo was wearing a look of suspicion.
"Glad you noticed, now I going to hang out with my friends," Sweetie Belle put her snout up in the air and walked away to an impressed Diamond Tiara and surprised Silver Spoon.
"Sweetie Belle," Diamond Tiara's eyes scanned Sweetie Belle. "I see you followed my advice, stick with us and you'll get your cutie mark in no time."
"Oh thank you, just something I put together," Sweetie Belle flipped her hair. Diamond Tiara looked at Silver Spoon, who was maintaining a shocked face, and smirked.
"You just have to pass one test," Diamond Tiara gestured to the CMC who were standing still, shocked. Sweetie Belle slowly walked to her friends knowing this may be the last conversation they may have as friends.
"S-Sweetie Belle, this isn't funny," Applebloom's eyes were concerned.
"Don't you get it, I'm over with you two," Sweetie muttered, tears starting to fill her eyes.
"Sweetie Belle, what do you mean," Scootaloo started walking closer to Sweetie Belle.
"DON'T YOU GET IT, I'M DONE WITH BEING A LOSER. NO WONDER YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, ALL YOU ARE A FLIGHTLESS FREAK AND A DUMB OL' EARTH PONY!" Sweetie Belle shouted, not letting anypony see that tears were streaming down her face. Then thoughts popped into her head. Was this the price to being popular? Would she get prettier by following Diamond Tiara's advice?
"Look Silver if you wanna join the blank flanks FINE! Just know that we'll never miss you! LOSER!" Sweetie Belle turned around to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon arguing. Finally Silver Spoon ran to Apple Bloom and Scotaloo who were running away from their old friend.
"Who needs her? C'mon Sweetie Belle, school's starting," and with that Diamond Tiara started walking into school, obviously gonna be met with adoring crowds. Sweetie Belle looked back at Applebloom, Silver Spoon, and Scootaloo who instead will be laughed and scolded at for being late. They were friends but...they wouldn't make her better than Rarity. Sweetie Belle wiped her mane out of her face, smoothed her mane and clothes, and than walked into school with Diamond Tiara, ready to be greeted with dozens of fans.
******
"This will be our secret, promise?" Spike held Sweetie Belle's hoof.
"Promise," Spike looked up to see...filly Twilight?
"SPIKE!" Spike awoke from that weird dream to see adult Twilight leaning over him. Wow, she looked very tired. She had sags under her eyes, beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead, her mane was frizzed like when she didn't send a letter to Princess Celestia, her horn was dimly shining, and now she looked like she was using all her energy just to maintain a small smile.
"Thank goodness! You're awake. I know I promised you a day off but.." Twilight paused, not wanting to say Rarity's name..again. "My friend had to make a last minute trip to Fillydelphia to make some dresses for a fashion and she wants us to babysit Sweetie Belle, but I've been so busy doing princess duties ,I need you to pick up Sweetie Belle from and bring her here, y'know show her around and stuff," and with that Twilight ran out with a trail of papers behind her.
Spike got up and yawned. He ran his fingers on his spikes and then set off to "The Academy for Gifted Fillies". The road to the school was awkward. Everyone who personally know the Mane 6 were all being sweet. Too sweet. Who cares? Nothing mattered to him now. Just be Twilight's assistant, that's all.
Finally, he got to the school. Probably school wasn't over because no one was leaving. Spike jumped on the bench and started whistling. Finally he heard the school bell ring and the giggles of fillies.
"Howdy Spike," Spike looked to see Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Silver Spoon?
"Silver Spoon? I thought you bullied them!" the CMC giggled and explained the whole story about Silver Spoon becoming the CMC's trainer because she already had her cutie mark.
"Oh good for you four," the CMC with their new trainer expressed looks of confusion.
"Um. Where's Sweetie Belle?" the second he finished that sentence, all their smiles turned into glares as Scootaloo pointed to the entrance of the school. There he saw Diamond Tiara and a completely different Sweetie Belle chatting like they were besties. Her iconic curls were straightened, she was wearing clothes, and was wearing a snarky smirk. Spike stopped staring in shock ,made a fist, and walked up to the giggling duet.
"Sweetie Belle, your sister went on a trip so you're staying with Twilight and me," Spike grabbed Sweetie Belle's hoof and started stomping off.
"Wait! Aren't you like Rarity's and Twilight's "assistant"? If so, right now wouldn't you be the same to Sweetie now that she is staying in the castle?" Spike grimaced at Rarity's name but then nodded to answer Diamond Tiara's question. Diamond Tiara whispered something in Sweetie Belle's ear and Sweetie Belle's face become a light pink.
"Then I order you..." Sweetie Belle took a deep breath. "To kiss me."
Spike's face became a scarlet. He leaned and Sweetie Belle too but then he leaned out at the last second.
"No please no,"Spike turned around and Sweetie Belle shyly followed. Did he just almost kiss her? That seemed sort of nice. A kiss from the real Sweetie Belle would of been better. Did he just think that.
