Spike pressed himself as far up against the back of the tree he was hiding behind, wishing he could melt into it and hide. He needed to get away, but it was just no use.
"Spike! Come on!" Scootaloo's voice was the single most unpleasant thing in Equestria to Spike at the moment. "The sooner we do this, the sooner we can get to real crusading."
Spike shook, never having been this scared.
"What are you doing?"
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had seen him. In fact, they had been nearby, and Spike had been too busy hoping the Crusaders didn't see him to notice.
"Shh!" he brought a finger to his lips. "Shut up! If they find out I'm here, they're going to..." he gulped.
Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes. "Whatever." Flicking her tail in a dismissive fashion, she trotted over to her usual victims, with Silver Spoon following beside her.
"Well, well, well," the pink filly began her usual, by now routine diatribe. "The blank flanks out looking for something they're actually good for."
"Just ignore her, girls," Apple Bloom said. "We gotta find Spike!"
"Aw, even the dragon thinks the blank flanks are freaks!" Diamond and Silver laughed as if the latter’s comment had any wit in it at all.
"Hey, he was hanging out with us yesterday," Scootaloo jumped in. Regardless of what Apple Bloom said, she was not about to let Diamond Tiara get away with insulting her. "He's just being a wimp about our next crusade."
"Oh?" Diamond Tiara gave the condescending amusement pose she had seen in her fashion magazines. "And what's that?"
"We're going to try being kissing booth operators," Sweetie said.
At this, Diamond Tiara laughed. "Seriously? That has to be your lamest idea yet!"
Sweetie blushed, but Scootaloo was ready. "You're just saying that because no colt would ever want to kiss you."
That got the bully to stop dead. "What?"
Scootaloo put on a grin, hoping she sounded as confident as Rainbow Dash usually did. "Yeah. You think it's stupid because all the colts in class think you two are icky."
"They do not!" Silver Spoon yelled.
"Yeah they do! None of the colts gave you cards on Hearts and Hooves Day!"
"They did so! And I bet we kiss better than you!"
"Well, we'll see once we find Spike," Apple Bloom went back to looking around.
"He's right behind that tree!" Diamond Tiara shot a hoof at Spike. "Now come on, I'll be he likes my kiss more than..."
A purple blur shot out from the tree and ran as fast as his short legs would carry him. "You traitor!"
"After him!" Diamond Tiara yelled.
"No! Nooo! Twilight, how could you leave me to this!"
Twilight suddenly stopped. "That's odd..."
Applejack looked at her, stopping as well. Both were getting brushed by the sheer amount of ponies brushing past them, but Twilight at least didn't seem bothered by this. "What's wrong, Twi?"
"I just got the strangest feeling Spike got himself in trouble."
"Givin' my sister an' her friends, I think that's a given. Don't you worry, I'm sure whatever Spike’s gotten into, he’ll bounce back. Ya need to not jump every time yer “mama” instincts tell ya to.”
Twilight blushed, but the comment got her moving again. “I’m not Spike’s mom.”
“Yeah, right,” Applejack said. Then at Twilight’s look she shrugged. “I ain’t gonna argue with ya. We got better things ta do. Sides, it’s not like you can avoid me forever.”
Twilight blushed even harder. Celestia said she’d need a week to get the rings off, so it looked like they were stuck sleeping together during their travels.
“So... where we goin’, exactly?”
“We’re going to the theatre where Trixie is performing. Hopefully we can get her during rehearsal and ask her a few questions.” She stopped, then pulled out a map from her saddlebag. “It should be around here somewhere...”
“Ya think Trixie will be willin’ to talk?”
“Probably... she did sound like she wanted to change after the whole mess with the Amulet. And since we have that to hang over her, it might go smoothly.”
“Yer sayin’ we’re gonna blackmail her?”
“Not quite... ah, it’s right down this street," she began walking again. "We swept the Amulet mess under the rug when everything was over. The Princess decided that the Amulet was at fault, not her. But if we decide to detain her, it could spill out."
"So... she'll cooperate to prevent that from happenin'?"
"Pretty much. She's starting to build a name for herself. This could damage it. Here we are."
They stopped in front of a theatre. Not the biggest Manehattan had to offer, but still nice. "Come on, around the back way."
The back door was guarded by an earth pony with considerable bulk. He snorted at the pair. "Dis area's fer authorized personnel only."
Twilight pulled out a letter and handed it to him. It had a simple sentence.
"The bearer of this letter acts on my authority. Do nothing to stop her and tell nopony of her actions.
Princess Celestia
High Princess of Canterlot
Raiser of the Sun"
The stallion looked at the letter, then back at Twilight. "Yeah... yer Twilight Sparkle, ain't ya?"
"Indeed," she said, putting the letter away. "We have no time to chat. We must speak to Trixie Lulamoon at once."
"...She's rehearsin'..."
"This can't wait," she said, gently but firmly. "I need to ask her a few questions, nothing more."
"...Alright. But be sure ta mention you're under orders. I need dis job."
With some reassurances they were inside. Almost immediately they were confronted by a stage hoof, who didn't seem too happy to see them. "May I help you?"
"We need to speak with Trixie Lula..."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie is busy. She has no time for autographs."
"We're not looking for autographs. Could you please tell Trix..."
"I don't care why you're here, get out before..."
"Twilight Sparkle?"
The voice pierced through the conversation, and all three heads turned to look. Trixie was there, looking little different than the last time she had been seen.
Only... that wasn't quite true. Trixie looked physically the same, but something was different. It seemed a far cry from the pony they knew, either before or during the incident with the Alicorn Amulet. There was no malice or self-centeredness in her stance. Indeed, she looked happy.
"Twilight Sparkle! You came to see Trixie's show! Oh, I hoped you would!" She turned her attention to the stage hoof. "Were you trying to keep them from seeing Trixie? How dare you! Go, reinspect the backgrounds. Trixie will deal with you later."
The stage hoof shot a glare at Applejack and Twilight, as if it had been their fault, then stomped off. Trixie sighed. "Forgive Trixie. He's not exactly the easiest pony to work with. But I'm glad you're here. Trixie was about to send you and your friends tickets, but you’re here now!"
Twilight and Applejack looked at each other, then back at the showmare. This hadn’t been what they were expecting.
“You... seem awfully happy to see us.” Twilight picked her words carefully. If Trixie was actually happy, the last thing she wanted to do was offend her. Applejack thought it best not to speak. She hadn’t liked Trixie from the moment she entered Ponyville, and being forced to mush her hard-grown crop for something as wasteful as a facial mask, accompanied by tickle torture when she refused, had only soured her disposition. Twilight had claimed Trixie was on the level now, but the girl had always been quick to forgive...
But don’t forget. The fact that we’re here right now is proof of that.
To both of their surprises, Trixie actually gave a bow. Not one of worship, as so many gave to Celestia and Luna, but one that conceded that the one in front of her was superior. “Twilight... you gave me another chance, even after...” She trailed off, and looked around. Nopony else was watching, but she still lowered her voice. “...everything I’d done. I can’t thank you enough for that. I was hoping I could meet you again and... we could be friends.” She sounded like she was ashamed for even having the thought.
Twilight bit her lip. This was not going to be fun. "Trixie," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm afraid this isn't a social call. We need to talk."
"...Is Trixie in trouble?" Her voice was quavering. She was really worried.
"I don't think so. But we still need to ask you a few questions. Do you have a private place we can talk?"
Spike was nearly out of breath, but he was still miles ahead of the Crusaders. He just needed to get back to the farm. He couldn't hide in the library, since he had left his only key in his room, so it was back to the Apple home to hide.
He could hear the hoofsteps, the calls for him to slow down. They were all the incentive he needed to keep running.
And then, he tripped.
He desperately tried to get up, but deep in his heart he knew he was doomed. He turned onto his back. He was just in time to see Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon both jumping down on him.
Trixie's dressing room was surprisingly plain from what Applejack had expected. Oh, there were pictures of her everywhere, but they seemed to be mostly publicity photos and posters for her show. A makeup mirror and chair, a couch, and a mess of props littered the room. It was clear that order was the last thing on Trixie's mind.
Snickering as quietly as she could, she snuck a glance at Twilight. Her natural neat freak was battling her common sense, causing her to twitch.
"Please, Trixie hasn't done anything. Trixie has been following all of the Royal Guard's instructions."
"Trixie," Twilight was fighting a losing battle to keep her voice even. "Please. We just need to ask you a few things. Will you answer?"
"Of course."
Twilight pulled out a notepad and pencil. "Where were you three nights ago?"
Trixie blinked. "Trixie was here, performing a show."
"How late does this show last?"
"Until about eleven... look, what is this about?"
"Please just answer, Trixie. We'll be out of your mane in no time. Can you teleport?"
"No, Trixie never... wait," she stopped, now looking angry. Her eyes were starting to prick with tears. "Just what am I being accused of?"
Twilight shifted. If Trixie really wasn't the one, she didn't want to admit what had happened. "Trixie, please..."
"No. Trixie has become a model citizen. She will not answer another question until she knows the meaning of this!"
Twilight and Applejack shot a look at each other. Finally, they both gave a sigh of resignation. "Somepony... messed with us a few nights ago," Twilight said. "We're trying to find out who..."
"And what makes you think Trixie did it?"
"Well... there aren't many who don't like us... we're not blaming you, I don't think it's you, but you're one of our only leads."
Trixie softened a bit, though she still looked rather offended. "Well... what is the nature of this? What..." She trailed off when realization crossed her face. “Those rings..."
Twilight froze, they had been expecting this. The shock of seeing them had worn off, and now she was looking at the rings, and noticing their similarity. "Are you... are you two married?"
"No," Twilight answered too quickly.
"...Yes," Applejack answered, cursing her Element, "but not really."
All offense was gone. Now Trixie just looked confused. "Wha?"
Twilight gave a sigh. "We... got drunk. And then... somepony married us. And they're trying to keep us together. We're trying to figure out who did it."
Silence.
Then, Trixie hit the floor laughing.
"He liked mine better!"
"Uh-uh, he liked mine!"
It was unusual to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders sharing a table with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, but neither side would leave Spike's side until he declared a winner. Refusing to do so only ensured that he'd have an entourage. He sipped at his milkshake, praying to Celestia that something would happen that would free him.
"Like you blank flanks know anything. Kissing is a big pony thing, not something for foals."
"We aren't foals!"
"Hey, I got an idea," Spike said suddenly. "Let's play the quiet game."
Silver Spoon beamed. "My parents love that game!"
"Yeah, I bet," Spike said, too quiet for the others to hear. "Why don't we start now?"
"Come on, Spike, just pick a winner!" Diamond Tiara said. "You hang around that egghead all the time, you should be smarter than this!"
Spike rubbed his head. This was not a pleasant day. "Look, can we just do something else?"
Diamond Tiara sneered. "Like what? The blank flanks just do stupid things that nearly get them killed."
"How about something nice and quiet, like... stargazing! It'll be dark in a few hours. I could get Twilight's telescope out and..."
"Spike, the keys words there are "In a few hours". Now quit trying to fool us and pick one of us!"
Scootaloo's outburst sent Spike back for a moment. "Uh... oh, look! Pound is doing loop-the-loops in the air while doing the Wonderbolts salute!"
"What?" Scootaloo whirled around to catch the younger pegasus once again outmatching her at flying. The other fillies looked as well.
He wasn't there.
But the sound of Sugar Cube Corner's bell sounding was evidence of where Spike was.
"He's getting away! After him!"
After Trixie finally stopped laughing, she gave straight answers. They had run them by the other members of Trixie’s crew, who all confirmed her story.
“Could they be coverin’ fer her?” Applejack whispered into Twilight’s ear.
“Maybe, but I don’t know.” Twilight noticed Trixie reapproaching. “We’ll talk later.”
“Is Trixie off the hook?”
“For now,” Twilight said, giving a reassuring smile. “Probably for good. I really wasn’t expecting to find anything here, but this was the first stop.”
“Then will you stay for Trixie’s show? Pretty please?” She was actually widening her eyes, making them as pouting as possible.
The two looked at one another. Applejack didn’t want to show any expression, but she was hoping that Twilight would say no.
“Why not? We had nothing planned, and we can’t leave until the chariot gets back. Sure Trixie, we’ll be there.”
It took all of Applejack’s willpower not to facehoof. Trixie practically squealed.
“Great! You’ll have balcony seats to the best show in Manehattan!”
Little nitpick: the final sentence should be either "best show in Manehattan", or "best show on Broadway". Just sayin'.
Poor spike
Did something get lost here?
And great chapter! It's nice to see Twi and AJ finally travelling after so much buildup, but only time will tell whether it bears any fruit.
~The lizardman has spoken
Heh... I'd have done exactly like Trixie.
~Skeeter The Lurker
This story is good, but lack some Discord
Great
I gotta say, I loved seeing happy Trixie, and how eager she is to prove herself a good pony now. And nicely done Scootaloo with that dig at Diamond Tiara.
Pretty sure you meant Twilight there. Aside from that, I enjoyed the chapter. Poor Spike... it's a curse, having all that baby dragon swag. ;)
I read the description...
*subtly puts on read later list then walks away whistling nonchalantly*
Run, Spike, run for your life!
Run, run RUUUNNN!!!!
Where's a freaked-out-spike emoticon when you need one?
I wander if spike can spell harem.
Spike gets all the fillies
And why do I have the feelings that not only Applejack has to deal with TwiLuna, but also a possible TwiXie ?
Oh, poor reformed Trixie.
Oh Spike...
s.mlkshk.com/r/8GRE
Yep. Still funny.
That's all I gotta say
The moment Trixie said that she was happy to see that Twilight came to see her show I started to chant "Twixie, Twixie, Twixie, Twixie, . . ." But I know that it won't happen here, it's a nice thought though.
Ah, phooey. I was really hoping for some juicy details to that soft-core Spike-raping.
Great chapter, though. Most excellent as always.
Happy Trixie, eh? I like it!
Cute! Always nice to see a reformed Trixie. Not to mention the CMC & DT/SS semi-allied in something.
citysarah.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/dumbass.jpg
That poor little dragon...
this is hilarious.
We need more narratives like this. I'm always a fan of romance stories with plots beyond the usual "Someone close to us doesn't approve of our love!" or "I have to get X to like me!" You can do some fun things with those basic plots, but for the most part, they fall flat unless you're looking for fluff. This feels much more organic and realistic in how the relationship develops.
The characters in this situation don't just gradually become more and more attached as time goes on. That happens, but not just because. It isn't something along the lines of, "Actually, now that we're together, I wanna tap that." They don't always agree and they can get on each others nerves. There can be real tension between them, even awkwardness, and it feels natural. Not every moment advances the romantic subplot, and everyone is focused on something other than that. The situations they get into as a result of their predicament turn romantic because of the chemistry between them in spite of that.
Solid chapter, and an equally solid setup for the next one, which I am looking forward to immensely.
I hope this Spike gets his own anime-style spinoff series.
I need more!
You had me at Trixie.
Well, you had me before Trixie, but you especially have me now.
I really think that it's time for AJ to let bygones be bygones. Trixie seems genuinely interested in making peace and so does Twilight. Of course, being a bit unforgiving and unrelenting is in AJ's nature.
As for Spike? He's in pre-teen male hell. Which is odd, in a way, because in about five years, the thought of five mares wanting to 'practice kissing' on him would be heaven. It just goes to show you about how it's the context that makes the punishment!
4249972
Twixijack, Twixijack... hey. If the rings don't come off, she'll have to be around for all the dates and more. Might as well join in so she's not bored.
4252894 THREEWAY!!!!!
Next chapter now or I will have your head.
Spike better have a harem at the end of this
I check EVERY minute to see if the next chapter is up yet. And it still isn't! Get it up NOW Mr! (Or Ms?) Please?
Best line. Nice chapter.
4248358 but Manehattan is a town. It'd be like saying "the best show in New York". She's referring to the city, not the road that they happen to be on.
That aside, other then the simple mistake that was mentioned earlier, where the author meant to write Twilight's name, not Trixie... great chapter!
4256704 You know that 'Broadway' can refer to either a road, or the metaphorical 'popular' crowd in terms of theater?
Somehow I see in the next chapter, "And the Great and Powerful Trixie would like to welcome two guests to the show this evening. Two of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, Princess Celestia's private student Twilight Spackle and her wife, Applejack. Stand up and take a bow, you two..."
4258190 Oh, yes, please XD
Poor Spike
you can run but you can't hide!
I think Bernard Black had the best summation for a situation like this. "I'll flip this coin and hope it somehow explodes and kills me." I think that sums it up.
4248358, 4248710 Thank you.
4248386 Something was
4252373 Keep in mind, AJ was enslaved and was as close to tortured as the show would allow. That's not a little grudge there.
4253939, 4251430 ...Maybe as a spin-off.
4255343 Because they fear what Shining will do to Applejack when he finds out.
U making mure orrr... wat
While being chased by members of the opposite sex is typically not a bad thing, I think Spike should take this time to locate the nearest exits and hiding spots before the girls return.
I was kinda hoping Scoots would grab Diamond Tiara by the metaphorical lapels and lay one on her.
Not that I ship that or anything (Dear Celestia, no!) but it would be hilarious to watch the fuses blowing in Tiara's brain.
Followed by Spoon's, because I do ship that.
ObSpellcheck:
From context, you probably meant "wasn't".
Still very much enjoying the fic!
...which is actually a pretty clear indication already that she didn't do this, you know
Well, that sounds omiously black ops / spy games
I remember seeing a comic like that somewhere, where the Mane Six ask (and get) from Celestia a letter basically saying "We save this country on a weekly basis. Stop giving us shit and get lost", and then shots from several episodes where you see them dig up and show that paper to people (I distinctly remember seeing Flim & Flam) to just give a big "nope" to the whole episode's plot
This is strange and confusing. She's mixing up first and third person
Damn right, Trix! Tell it to them! And ask a lawyer, while you're at it! They can't just treat you like this!
Heehee.I knew it'd end like that.
It's a date!
Remarks and corrections:
> Givin' my sister an' her friends, I think that's a given.
I'm fairly sure that first word should be "given" as well, actually.
> Sides, it’s not like you can avoid me forever.
Should be <'Sides>, with an apostrophe in front: when cutting off a word (like "besides" here), put an apostrophe at the place where something is cut off, to avoid mixing it up with other words (because, "sides" is a perfectly valid word on its own).
> Sure Trixie, we’ll be there.
Comma before "Trixie". Addressing terms always need to be split off from the rest of the sentence with commas.
Technically AJ shouldn't be mad since everything that happened around Trixie was completely AJ's and RD's fault. Well that and the horrible parenting skills of Ponyville. If anything AJ should be apologizing to Trixie.
Thank you for the smiles.
Spike better make like a serial lover and run like balls.