This is a non-profit fanfiction created for entertainment purposes only. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is owned by Hasbro and Lauren Faust. This story contains content of an adult nature and is an Alternate Reality take of the character Spike as a human (who I do not own). Please support the official release.
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Twilight's Treatment Volume 2 - Chapter 8 - House Party

"I had no idea you were such a good dancer."  The boy complimented her.  "Had I known that I would have come looking for a dance with you right away."  His words were sweet and he was good looking.  He'd been giving her a lot of attention since he'd starting talking to her.  She only knew him passingly at school but lately she had been admiring him along with a few of the other boys.  None of them had noticed it before though.  Not until now at least. 

"Thank you, I just sort of have a knack for it I guess."  He stood closer to her now, she could feel her cheeks flush and wished she wasn't so embarrassed when just talking to him.  She was just so happy, finally a boy was giving her the kind of attention she wanted.  A boy she liked too.  It was almost too perfect to be true.  "Are you enjoying the party?"  Each word out of her mouth felt clumsy and difficult but she was managing somehow. 

"Yeah, it's pretty cool isn't it?  Spike's an awesome dude to throw such an awesome party.  Want some more punch?" 

"S-sure."  Taking the cup from the boy she felt their fingers touch and tried not to get too excited over something dumb like finger contact.  She had to be cool, like Rainbow Dash.  Or else he might not like her and then he might... leave.  "Thank you Rain Catcher." 

"No problem Scootaloo.  Drink up?"  She nodded and tossed back the drink along with the boy.  It felt funny in her throat, not like any punch she'd ever tasted before.  There was an odd after taste that she couldn't identify but it wasn't important.  She was sharing a glass with him.  She was trying to work up the courage to reach out and hold onto his hand when suddenly some other boy called out to him.  "Oh hey there Shot!  Hey Scootaloo, Long Shot wants to ask me something.  Give me a minute, okay?" 

"Okay!"  She found herself agreeing way too quickly and swallowed the lump in her throat.  "I mean... I'll be fine."  His arm came around her shoulders and gave her a quick little half hug against his chest.  He smiled at her as he walked away through the crowd, Scootaloo fighting every urge to just... she didn't know what!  Explode in a fit of giggles?  She had to control herself better.  Turning away from where Rain had walked off to she decide to sample some of the finger foods that Spike had laid out on the table for everyone.  "Hey, these are pretty good.  Spike  went all out on this party."  She'd have to thank him later for inviting her as things were going great.  As she was munching her way through her giddiness another person walked up to the table and stood next to her.  "Oh hey Diamond.  Are you having a good time?"  Scootaloo asked cheerfully, though the look she got in response from Diamond Tiara wasn't what she was expecting.  "Are you okay?  You look upset." 

"So I saw you were making friends with Rain Catcher."  Diamond suddenly commented and it left Scootaloo surprised, not realizing anyone had been watching the two of them.  Everything was so chaotic here that she wasn't sure how you could keep track of anything.  "Having fun with him?" 

"Well... yeah I guess.  I mean we're just talking."  She said and looked over her shoulder to be sure he wasn't near by as well and able to hear this.  "Why is there something wrong with that?" 

"He's using you."  Diamond said coldly.

"Wha... excuse me?"  Scootaloo was stunned.  Just moments earlier she'd been about as happy as she's ever been and suddenly Diamond had just come up from out of now where and practically slapped her in the face with that statement.

"He's using you.  He doesn't care about you.  To him you're just a toy or a game to play.  He's going to try and take you for everything he can."  Carefully and calmly Diamond picked up a cup and filled it with punch, turning to face Scootaloo.  "Then once he gets everything he wants he'll leave you."  She took a sip of her punch, her eyes level with Scootaloo's own.  The purple haired girl wasn't sure just how she should react.  In fact she was having a difficult time processing everything she was being told. 

"Diamond Tiara, I... this isn't funny."  Scootaloo put her drink down and looked at the girl's eyes but there was something about them that was scary.  It wasn't like when they were younger and Tiara would say mean things just to tease her.  The mocking tone in her voice wasn't present like all those past times. 

"It's not meant to be funny.  I'm trying to tell you to stay away from him.  It's for your own good." 

"Well who are you to lecture me?"  Scootaloo said challengingly to the other girl feeling a fire growing in her.  "So like, what, you see me talking with someone and you're going to just come over here and make sure I don't spend time with them?  Are you so lonely here that you want to be sure no one else is having fun too?"  Tiara actually hit her cup against the table so hard that it caught the attention of a few people near by.  Though the look in her eyes was enough to convince them not to get involved. 

"I'm telling you that he's not a good person!  Are you too stupid to know when someone's trying to help you?"  Scootaloo clenched a fist feeling the need to pop this girl in the face for insulting her like that. 

"Who are you to say that about him anyway?  He hasn't done anything wrong and you just come over here with your accusations out of the blue?"  Tiara crossed her arms and looked down at the ground, she was still clearly angry but there was something else bugging her too. 

"I... I just know okay!  He's done this before.  With other girls..."  That was when it all came together for Scootaloo, a smile coming across her face as she figured it all out. 

"Now I get it.  You're jealous of me."  Tiara's head snapped back up and her arms dropped from their crossed position.

"Jealous!?  Of you?  Why that's ludicrous.  Why in the world would I be jealous of you of all people?"  Scootaloo really wanted to pop her in the mouth now after that remark, but she knew where to hit that would hurt more. 

"Because apparently there are guys that like me a heck of a lot better than they do you.  Guys' that think I'm prettier than you.  And you can't stand the idea that a boy likes me more, can you?"  Diamond Tiara looked furious at Scootaloo for those remarks, her body shaking like she was about to scream some much stronger insults at her before she finally turned away.

"Fine!  Just do whatever you want!  This is what I get for trying to help people!"  Tiara stormed off in a huff, Scootaloo left wondering if she should feel proud for having told off one of her oldest bullies or sad to see her run away like that.  She considered following after her but before she knew it there was another person at her side. 

"Hey Scoots, hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."  Rain Catcher was with her again and before she knew it Tiara's words had faded away and were replaced with Rain Catcher's.  "So did you want to go some place and just... talk for a while?"

 
"Yeah."  Scootaloo said almost automatically.  "Yeah I'd like that a lot." 

**********

"Wow... you're a really good... dancer... Silver Spoon."  The boy huffed as he leaned on one of the book cases for support after getting off the dance floor.  The silver haired girl with the blue rimmed glasses just looked on calmly, smiling to herself. 

"You're not as bad as you claimed to be Rumble."  She said not near as out of breath as him.  "Though if you're going to want to impress Scootaloo you'll need a lot more endurance than that.  I thought you worked weather control with your older brother?"  Rumble's big brother Thunderlane was quite the athlete and Silver Spoon had to admit a hunk to boot.  Though it seemed like Rumble himself had a ways to go before he could compare to him. 

"Flying... and weather control... are different than dancing."  He stood up now finally catching enough breath.  His body happy to finally have stopped moving so quickly with his feet and arms.  "You use a lot of different muscles for each.  I just hope I can keep up with her too."  It was a little weird helping some boy out for another girl.  Especially when that other girl wasn't Diamond Tiara.  But since things had somewhat evened out between all of them Silver didn't mind being nice to the whole crowd.  Actually she was happy to have more friends now and she was hoping Tiara would come around to feeling this way too.

"Just ask her to go easy on you.  Scootaloo's nice.  Though you better be sure to act cool and don't stumble all over yourself.  Girls don't like a guy that's sloppy and can't talk straight."  Silver lectured confidently and adjusted her glasses.  "Just be fearless, walk right up and ask her for a dance.  Simple as that." 

"Walk right up.. and ask her.  Okay I should be able to manage that."  He recited to himself as if he were trying out for an audition.  "What if she says no?" 

"Then she doesn't want to."  Silver said again calm and collected.  "Don't be too pushy either.  If you try to force it she's not going to want anything to do with you."  Rumble was nodding to himself as he took all of this in.

"Okay... I think I can do this.  Wow Silver Spoon, you really are smart about all this kind of stuff."  Rumble complimented looking at her with admiration.  Silver smiled confidently to herself and adjusted her glasses again out of habit.

"Well it's just a woman's intuition I suppose.  A girl needs to know how to handle herself around a boy.  And boys should know how to behave around a lady."  Silver said trying to appear as sophisticated as she could.  She was getting a sense of pride from the respect he was paying her.

"I guess that makes sense.  But how come you don't have a boyfriend of your own?"  That question caught her off guard for a moment and she didn't make eye contact with him, trying to come up with an appropriate response.

"Well I... just haven't found the time for it!  What with all the social obligations I have to my friends and my family's outings and my schooling there just hasn't been any room for boys."  Silver stated a bit forcefully but keeping her composure enough that Rumble didn't seem to find the statement odd or untrue.  "Besides that's also a personal matter." 

"Sorry if it upset you."  Rumble apologized sensing a bit of dissatisfaction in her voice.  "Just you seem really talented and pretty.  So I'm amazed you're not going out with anybody."  Silver was playing with the end of her braid as a nervous habit now, but she just let the statements slide over and didn't dwell on them. 

"Maybe one day.  If I can find someone I'm comfortable with."  She said out loud but more to herself than in response to Rumble.  As Silver Spoon dwelt on the complications of her own heart she noticed a familiar face of one of the only people she was ever truly comfortable with.  That face currently looked furious and that set off the warning alarms in her mind.  "Oh goodness, here we go."  Silver said getting ready to run.

"Everything okay?"  Rumble asked concerned but Silver was already in motion.

"I have to go alright, go find Scootaloo now and stop putting it off."  She winked teasingly at him and Rumble looked even more lost and embarrassed than before but Silver Spoon didn't have time to consider that.  Wading through everyone she eventually caught up with Diamond Tiara in the middle of the library and grabbed her wrist.  "Tiara!"  When the girl turned her head she had a look in her eyes like she'd been hurt, something that Silver rarely saw in the girl and made her worried instantly.  "What happened?" 

"I don't want to talk about it."  Tiara said and pulled her hand away from Silver's in a hard yank.  Though she realized right away she'd basically just snapped at her best friend and crossed her arms together.  "I'm sorry I'm sorry!  I just... I'm mad."  Tiara said not making eye contact and Silver got worried. 

"Okay Diamond, tell me what happened and I'll kick the ass of whoever did this to you."  Silver said and placed both of her hands on Tiara's shoulders.  The girl looked up still in a mixture of anger and hurt and then looked away again.

"Why not ask Scootaloo what happened?  Maybe she'll listen to you.  I know she wont listen to me." 

"Wait, what did Scootaloo do?"  Silver was surprised to hear that they'd fight... well okay that wasn't true.  If any of them were going to fight it would probably have been the two biggest firecrackers amongst all of them.  But here at the party at least she'd hoped they'd get along. 

"Who cares about her anyway?  Or that big jerk."  Diamond gripped her arms with her hands as she held them crossed together and sighed.  "I just need a second alone.  Sorry Silver... I'll be back."  Tiara turned away again and started heading to the farther side of the library where there were less people gathered.  Silver Spoon watched her friend go and sighed, feeling disappointed in herself.  It was one of the few times where Tiara hadn't confided in her when something was a problem.  Feeling depressed now too Silver Spoon wandered back into the crowd.

**********

"Y'know it ain't all that often ah come in here."  Applebloom commented looking around the library.  "Usually if ah wanna book ah just ask Sis or it's provided by Ms. Cheerilee.  Never thought the ole' library could hold so many folks." 

"I come in here a lot with my mom to check out books so I wasn't surprised.  I just didn't think there'd be so many people."  Dinky added feeling a bit crowded with how many teenagers were around them.  The present company made it bearable though.  Applebloom along with Snails and Ruby Pinch were all off to one side just having a conversation over all the sound as best they could.  The chatter of the library and the music playing didn't make it the easiest though. 

"Well we invited just about everyone."  Snails calmly explained and he got curious looks from all the girls. 

"Now hold on fer just a sec."  Applebloom spoke up.  "Why is it that ya'll were inviting people over?  Ain't this Spike's shindig?" 

"I guess so.  It's his house."  The even toned and calm response seemed to annoy Applebloom as Snails gave it.  "But it was pretty much Snips' idea.  I just went along with it." 

"And here I thought Spike was the party animal.  That's a disappointment, he's not that bad looking over all."  Ruby said and getting a few odd glances from her friends with the last part of that comment.  "Guess he is a goody goody.  So why rope him into throwing a party in the first place if it was your guys' idea?"

"Well how many people do you think would show up to a party Snips and I were throwing?"  The girls didn't need long to think about it to realize that yes, the would most likely never show up to a party hosted by the school nerds.  Even Dinky was looking away as to avoid having to acknowledge this question.  "Ya don't have to say it.  We already know.  That's why Spike was nice enough to help us out." 

"Golly, ah never considered that Spike might not actually be enjoying this."  Applebloom suddenly seemed bothered by the idea of being here at all.  "Ah wonder where he skittered off tah anyway?"  As she began searching around the quartet was approached by a shorter member of their gang, his arms filled to the brim with cups. 

"Hey guys, got the drinks!"  Snips announced as he began passing them around to everyone.  "How's everyone feeling?  Enjoying the party?"  Snips seemed in pretty good spirits despite how much he was being run ragged around here helping Spike with every little emergency that was popping up.

"I like it."  Dinky said with an innocent smile.  "You and Spike and Snails did a really good job inviting all of your friends over.  I bet everyone will be really appreciative of you."  Snails seemed to get embarrassed at the compliment and looked away from the blond girl, swishing his cup around in his hand. 

"Well geez... it wasn't really anything special.  I just passed out the invites.  It's Spike's party."  Snips admitted but Applebloom was grinning cleverly. 

"Word is ya'll are the real host 'round here."  The country girl explained.  "Snails told us how Spike was working with ya'll tah host this here hootananie.  So ya'll should feel proud of yerselves.  In fact how's 'bout a toast?"  Everyone seemed to go in for the idea, all except Ruby who rolled her eyes but joined them anyway.  The group of friends touched their plastic cups together and then took a long drink.  Then there was a long pause afterwards.  "...say.  This punch has a kick tah it." 

"It tastes kind of weird."  Dinky admitted.  "I guess it's not bad.  Isn't it just fruit punch though?"  Ruby Pinch raised an eyebrow and took another drink of her glass.  Then a knowing smile crossed her face.  "Well... guess Spike's more of a party animal than I gave him credit for." 

"What's that supposed tah mean?"  Applebloom asked suspiciously and Ruby didn't hesitate to take another drink.  Snails was giving Snips a questioning look as well but the boy was doing everything he could to avoid making eye contact. 

"Nothing."  Ruby said quickly with amusement in her voice.  "I guess this is his special mix.  Spiked Punch I'd call it."  The other girls didn't seem to get it but the boys knew right away what she was referring to. 

"Maybe ah outta ask him what he put in this here mix a his?"  Applebloom said eying her drink suspiciously.  "Where the heck is he anyway?" 

"Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara have been gone for a while too."  Dinky added looking around now along with Applebloom.  "I don't know where they are." 

"I saw them."  Snips interjected, glad to get the conversation off of the punch and onto other people.  "They were on the other side of the library.  Scootaloo was with them too, I think she was talking with that guy Rain Catcher."  Snails and Ruby gave each other a glance at that name. 

"That's trouble."  Snails suddenly said which caught everyone by surprise as outbursts weren't his normal style. 

"Why would that be trouble?  Isn't Rain Catcher the team captain at school?"  Dinky asked and Snails and Ruby shared another glance between each other.  "It's really weird when you two do that."  She commented and that actually made the lanky boy and the pink haired girl look embarrassed. 

"There's nothing weird about it."  Ruby corrected and averted her gaze from everyone now sounding upset.  "No one asked you." 

"I didn't mean anything by it."  Dinky apologized sad but confused as to how she'd offended the girl in the first place.  "I'm sorry Ruby.  Is something going on with...?" 

"It's Diamond Tiara."  Snails suddenly spoke up, pointing over to the girl in the crown as she was pushing her way through the crowd over to a less occupied corner of the party.  She had a face that suggested she wasn't enjoying herself in the least and everyone felt a heavy cloud over them knowing what that could mean.  "She's in a bad mood." 

"Aww haybales.  She was all rustled up comin' over here in tha first place.  Wonderin' why she even bothered."  Applebloom sighed.  "Where's Silver Spoon when ya need her?" 

"Right here."  The silver haired girl announced walking up to the group, though she didn't look very happy either. 

"Hi Silver."  Dinky waved to the girl and Silver couldn't help but smile and wave back.  "Is Tiara okay?  She looks really upset." 

"She's just got in a fight with Scootaloo I guess.  I think it was over some guy."  Applebloom let out a tired sigh and Snails gave a glance Ruby's way but she wasn't returning it this time after getting noticed previously.  "I tried talking to her but she didn't want to speak to me about it at all.  I think she might feel... I don't know.  I guess isolated." 

"How's that?"  Snips asked genuinely.  "We're surrounded wall to wall by people.  I haven't found a single place in here that doesn't have someone in it." 

"Not in the literal sense."  Silver said a bit haughty in Snips direction, earning her a glare from the shorter boy.  "I mean she just isn't getting along with people very well.  She's trying though, I can tell.  Otherwise we would have all heard that fight when it started."

"Maybe someone should go talk to her."  Snails suggested and everyone looked around the group trying to figure out who the best candidate was with Silver Spoon out of the running.  Applebloom sighed figuring it was going to be her anyway." 

"Well shucks, guess ah can take a minute tah-" 

"Applebloom?"  The male voice that approached from behind her nearly made the girl leap out of her shorts.

"Spike!?  Where the heck have ya been?"  There was something noticeably wrong with the dragon-blooded boy.  Earlier he'd looked a little annoyed by all the activity in his home but he at least seemed lively and happy to see his friends.  But now it was as if all the color had been washed out of his skin.  His eyes even seemed dimmed in an odd way as if they couldn't reflect any of the energy behind them. 

"I was upstairs... with Sweetie Belle."  Everyone looked amongst each other when they heard that.

"Wait, Sweetie's here?  Ah didn't even see her come in tha door." 

"Yeah, she is.  Um... listen, she's upstairs right now.  In the bathroom.  In the bedroom."  There were confused expressions all around over this information and no one seemed to know what to make of it.  "She's asking if you'd come up there." 

"Oh golly, ah hope she's feelin' all right.  It's just upstairs?"  Spike nodded quietly, just adding to the confusion of the situation.  "Alrighty then, ah'll head right up."  Applebloom handed her cup off to Spike and dutifully ran towards the stairs to check on her friend.  Spike just stood on as the red head passed by him, not saying anything and bringing an awkward silence to everyone.  Ruby was staring at Spike intently and he didn't appreciate it.

"Something wrong?"  Spike asked annoyed. 

"Nothing.  Nice punch by the way, glad you made use of my gift."  Spike cocked his head as if he had no idea what she was talking about.  Though that got a reaction out of Snips quickly.

"Say uh, I'll go talk to Tiara!"  The chubby boy offered and that brought everyone's attention to him unintentionally.  "She's still upset right?"  Silver looked like she didn't have much faith in the man that had signed up for the job.

"Are you sure?"  The bespectacled girl asked.  "I mean Diamond can be a little difficult to get through.  She might just tell you to get lost... only not near as politely."  Snips shrugged. 

"Well then it wont cause anymore harm either, huh?"  Downing his drink in one gulp and turning on his heels Snips exited the group quickly to head towards the fuming young woman who was occupying a lone corner by herself. 

"I got a bad feeling about this."  Silver sighed. 

"You know I think I'll go check on Sweetie Belle too."  Ruby suddenly stated getting a surprised look from Snails and a concerned look from Spike.  "After all she might need help from more than one person while she's up there.  Anyone else coming?"  No one spoke up, but Snails let out a breath, downed his cup of punch in a single slam as well and turned to follow her.  The remaining trio watched on as they walked off, Snails dutifully following behind Ruby as they went up the stairs. 

"What's up with those two?"  Silver suddenly asked adjusting her glasses.  "It seems like he's responding to every little thing she says." 

"Maybe they're dating?"  Dinky offered simply. 

"What?  I couldn't even imagine Ruby going out with someone like Snails.  Considering her... reputation I couldn't expect him to possibly be able to keep her interest."  Silver analyzed and felt confident in her assessment.  "Maybe he's just hoping to get somewhere with her considering some of the rumors I've heard at school."

"Opposites do tend to attract.  Besides maybe she finds tall guys sexy?  Or maybe he's just really well endowed?"  Silver and Spike were left speechless after the oddly innocent way Dinky had offered her suggestions to why a relationship between a nerd and the supposed school harlot could work out.  "Oh Spike did you put that bottle of alcohol in the punch?  It tastes kind of funny."  Spike had to shake his head quickly to recover from the second impact that the pretty blond girl had hit him with? 

"Wait, what!?"  Spike tasted the punch from the cup Apple Bloom had given him and realization came over his expression.  "That little... he dumped it in the punch bowl!"

"So the punch has been spiked?"  Silver asked and Spike gave her the most sickening expression over the unintentional pun.  "Oh Celestia... Diamond drank about three glasses of that already." 

**********

Diamond Tiara leaned against the wall of one of the few places in the library that didn't have a bookshelf on it.  She was furious and more than a little hurt over her conversation with Scootaloo about Rain Catcher.  It wasn't just that she'd been so stubborn as to not listen to Tiara when she tried to warn her.  But she'd been so hurtful about it as well.  Diamond had been trying so hard lately to get along with people besides Silver Spoon but no one seemed to understand her.  Every conversation and interaction just rubbed her the wrong way and when she wanted to explode she had to hold it all in.  Why did everyone have to be so stupid!?  Even when she went out of her way to help someone they just treated her with spite.  Maybe she should go over there and give Scootaloo a piece of her mind?  Sure she'd probably start a fight but at least she'd avoid having to go through anything like...

"Hey Diamond."  A voice spoke up and Tiara looked over to see the portly boy before her, holding two cups in his hand.  "I brought you some punch.  I thought you might like some."  The high society girl looked at the glass she was being offered.  At first her instincts told her to slap it out of his hands.  Who was he to think he could even approach someone like her?  But... she'd promised her daddy and Silver that she'd try to be nicer.  He was being the kindest one to her so far at this party too.  So without a word she accepted the glass and continued to stare blankly out a nearby window instead of making eye contact. 

Annoyingly he didn't go away after she had taken the glass from him.  Just standing there nearby as if he actually had some business with her.  Diamond tried to ignore him but it was just too difficult to act like he wasn't right there and occupying her space and breathing the same air as her and geez would he just go away!?  "Can I help you?"  Diamond finally asked. 

"Well um... you looked kind of lonely over here.  So thought I'd see how you were doing." 

"Lucky me."  Diamond responded, grumbling to herself.  She looked over at the boy again.  "You're Snips right?" 

"That's right.  We're in the same class together.  My father runs the barber shop in town."  Snips replied sounding hopeful.  Tiara was still a bit indifferent though to the whole conversation. 

"Oh yeah, daddy goes there often to get his hair done."  Diamond took a sip of her punch and went back to ignoring him.  He didn't seem to notice the intention though. 

"So... I'd heard you and Scootaloo had an argument?"  Diamond felt herself flare up a bit internally and tried to keep it under wraps. 

"So she's going around telling everyone about how horrible I am, is she?"  Her grip around her plastic cup increased and made a small noise as it dented in on itself.  Diamond tried to ignore that and regain her composure. 

"Actually Silver Spoon mentioned it to her friends.  I haven't heard anything from Scootaloo talking about it."  Well... maybe she wasn't bragging about how she'd humiliated her publicly after all Diamond tried to do was help her.  That didn't mean she wasn't still over there gloating over it.  "What was it about?" 

"You wouldn't understand."  Tiara said in a huff and turned back towards the window.  "It's complicated."

"Well... I don't know about that.  I mean sure I'm not as popular as you but I'm not in the dark about what goes on with everyone."  Diamond didn't turn towards him but didn't feel the need to tell him off either.  It was odd that she didn't want to snap at him.  "Why don't you try me?  I wont blab about it to everyone.  The only one I ever talk to is Snails really and he doesn't need to hear about it."  Why was this little nerd so persistent?  All logical faculties in Diamond's head told her to distance herself from the tubby boy for fear of her reputation suffering.  But... she had just snapped at her only real friend in this whole place.  It would be nice to have someone to talk to. 

"She yelled at me when I tried to help her."  Diamond admitted and Snips listened closely and quietly.  "I was trying to warn her about him and she didn't listen to me." 

"About who?"

"Rain Catcher."  Diamond said with a little bit of disdain in her voice.  Snips grumbled as well at the name and took a sip of his drink.  "You know him?" 

"Yeah, of course.  Guy likes to push around anyone smaller than him."  Snips said sounding like he was holding back a lot of upset emotions himself.  "He always acts like he's just messing around or it's not a big deal and he's still your friend.  But you know... he's just laughing at you when your back is turned." 

"Yeah."  Tiara said sympathetically.  "That's what I tried to tell Scootaloo but she just... she just wouldn't listen to me."  Tiara said holding her cup close as if it would comfort her.  "Then she said that I couldn't handle some guy liking her more than me and it's just... that's not it at all, you know?  I just wanted to help someone and I thought that if I did then... I don't know.  We'd be friends?  Real friends."  Tiara looked down sad.  "Snips, am I a bad person?" 

"You're asking me?"  Snips sounded surprised and Tiara looked at him seriously. 

"I need to know because I'm trying to be different and everything is just turning out wrong.  It's like everyone thinks I'm horrible and no one wants to talk to me but I don't want things to be that way."  She put both hands around her cup now, she didn't know why she was gushing out to some guy that she normally would never associate herself with.  But she wanted to talk to someone.  Anyone.  "So am I?"  Snips emptied his drink in one gulp and took a breath like he was steadying himself which didn't make Tiara feel any better. 

"Well... you used to be real mean.  Like really mean, you know?"  Tiara looked down at the ground.  "I've seen you say and do some really hurtful stuff.  Mostly to Scootaloo and her friends but sometimes Snails and me too.  You probably don't remember any of that though." 

"I do."  Diamond admitted.  "I got Silver Spoon to make fun of you when we were going to sell cookies around town to raise money for the school.  I accused you of eating them all up before they'd even leave your house."  She tapped her cup with her finger feeling a twinge of shame.  "I um... I'm sorry about that.  It was mean.  It probably doesn't mean much to you to hear it now though." 

"It means more than you think."  Snips said and that got her to look up again.  "I wont admit that I know a lot Tiara.  I mean... look at me.  I'm not the guy people talk to or share stuff with often, you know?  I'm not in the loop."  Tiara didn't want to say that out loud after they'd been talking like this but she knew just as well as he.  He was a nerd and she was the rich, popular girl.  These two didn't mix and one was clearly on the bottom of the social food chain while the other was at the top.  "But you're obviously trying and I think you shouldn't quit.  Silver Spoon was really worried about you and so was Applebloom.  In fact she was going to come over here first but I guess Sweetie Belle needed help.  So you got stuck with me."  Snips said it as a joking apology.

"Wait, Sweetie is here too?  I didn't even see her come in." 

"Yeah I guess she met up with Spike or something.  He said she was upstairs in his bedroom.  I guess she got sick?  He didn't really explain much about it."  That got Diamond's attention quickly, cutting through the annoying haze that had been effecting most of her judgement and emotions tonight.

"Spike had her upstairs in his room with her?"  Snips was surprised by her sudden attentiveness and just nodded, Diamond getting a more intense look.  "Oh that fire breathing rat, thinks I don't know what he's up to after last time?  Where the heck is he?  I'm not having anyone else getting taken advantage of tonight."  Snips was completely confused now but did as she asked. 

"Well he was right over-"

"FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!"  There was a sudden chanting over the sound of the normal noises of the party and music from a group of the party goers opposite of where Snips and Tiara were standing.  It stopped their conversation cold and there was a shout of "what's going on" in the crowed that Snips was sure belonged to Spike but he couldn't tell with how loud it was. 

"That's where I left Scootaloo."  Diamond said and started pushing her way through the crowd.

**********

The dark haired boy had been working up his courage for a while now.  The task was simple in its execution; just ask Scootaloo if she'd like to have a dance.  Nothing more and nothing less.  Approach her, tell her you'd like to have a dance with her and maybe strike up a conversation afterwards.  Rumble had gotten himself psyched for this moment but there was one obstacle in the way that was going to prove to be a lot more difficult than he expected; Rain Catcher. 

It would figure wouldn't it?  The prettiest and coolest girl in class and rather than be satisfied with the girls he'd been with before he was moving in on her.  The only one that Rumble was interested in himself.  They were over by the staircase just standing and talking.  Scootaloo looked like she was enjoying herself and it was killing him just how much she smiled at Rain Catcher whenever they looked at each other.  Why couldn't that have been himself?  Why shouldn't it be himself?  In fact who's to say Rumble wasn't better than that big jerk?  Sure he was the team captain at school but what did that matter?  Rumble took another drink of the odd tasting punch and set the cup aside on a book shelf.  He was gonna do it.

As Rumble got closer he saw that Rain Catcher had an arm around Scootaloo, like he was claiming her or something.  Well that only fueled Rumble's cause to free her from this horrible person before he made her do something she'd regret.  He could just see how appreciative she was going to be after this.  Walking up to them Rumble stood in front of the two while they were talking quietly to each other.  Practically whispering into her ear.  After standing there for a moment Rumble cleared his throat and they looked up at him, Rain Catcher smirking. 

"Well if it isn't Rumble.  What you need man?"  Look at him acting all friendly, the jerk.  Who did he think he was that he could talk to him like that?  They weren't friends.  Ignoring him Rumble looked right to Scootaloo who seemed really confused by the boy's sudden appearance. 

"Scootaloo."  Rumble said trying to sound as confident as possible.  "Would you like to dance with me?"  Scootaloo's eyes lit up in surprise seeing this boy approach her.  Rain Catcher actually laughed a little and stopped himself before it became too apparent.  The purple haired girl looked at Rain and then back to Rumble with uncertainty. 

"Well... um..."  The girl was unsure suddenly on what to do, though someone made the choice for her. 

"Okay, listen up."  Rain Catcher removed his arm from around Scootaloo's shoulders and stood forward to face Rumble, but he wasn't backing down.  "We're kind of in the middle of something here, bro.  So if you just find someone else to go ask to have a little dance with I'll just act like everything's cool, alright?"  Rain was taller than Rumble but the darker haired boy still held his ground.

"I didn't ask you."  He said to Rain Catcher.  "I asked Scootaloo.  I'll respect any answer she gives me.  But I'm not taking it from you."  Rain's smile dropped when Rumble actually stood up to him and he didn't look at all pleased with Rumble's answer.  Rumble turned to face Scootaloo again.  "Well?  Would you like to dance with me?"  Scootaloo looked between the two boys, still reeling from the attention she was getting. 

"I... I guess that..." 

"Hold up a sec, Scoots."  Rain Catcher put his hand up to cut her off and looked down at Rumble again.  "I don't think you understand here.  You're interrupting our conversation, okay?  You're butting in right now.  What makes you think I'm gonna just sit back and take that?"  His voice was getting more aggressive and his posture equally so.  Although Scootaloo herself didn't like being butted in on when she was talking.

"Rain it's okay.  I can talk for myself, alright?"

"Who are you to make decisions for her?"  Rumble suddenly said in challenge to Rain Catcher and both boys were getting serious.  "Must be a nice relationship you're planning huh?  Already bossing her around." 

"Wait a second, who said anything about-"  Scootaloo tried to question but they weren't even looking at her now.

"You are walking a thin line you little punk."  Rain Catcher said and leaned down to look him in the eye.  "Now why don't you go take a walk somewhere before I remember how weak you are on the field and knock you on your ass here too?"  The situation was getting tense enough between both boys that other people around them were starting to take notice.  Scootaloo felt trapped in a situation that she didn't know how it got out of control so fast.  Though she had an idea who was probably the one that could cause the most damage of the two and responded appropriately.

"Okay Rain Catcher, you should just calm down for a second?  Everyone's getting a little tensed up right now." 

"Why don't you sit down."  Rumble suddenly said.  "You can wait it out while we head out to the dance floor real quick.  Maybe get yourself back under control."  Rumble actually grinned at that statement and it was enough that Rain Catcher was being tired of having this guy talk down to him.  It surprised all three people when he suddenly shoved Rumble away from him, causing the boy to stumble backwards into two girls who were standing nearby.  They pushed him back up onto his feet and soon all three realized everyone near by had their eyes on the scene going on before them.  Rain Catcher took a deep breath and shook his head.

"Just walk away."  He said to Rumble seriously.  "Just walk man, I'll forget all about it.  You don't want what's coming next."  Scootaloo's eyes went wide as it was sinking in that there were suddenly two guys about to fight over her.  She didn't know if she should be excited or frightened but everything seemed to stand still despite the people around them.  In that tense moment Rumble made the next move, and gave Rain a hard shove right back.  He only stumbled about a step but it was enough to entice him to retaliate with another small push. 

"That's all you got huh?"  Rumble said and tried to shove Rain Catcher harder but he efforts were being deflected by the taller boy's longer arms.  Somewhere in Rumble's desperate struggle to try and demean his antagonist and Rain Catcher's attempt to not lose face in front of a whole crowd there was a sudden loud clapping noise as Rain Catcher slapped Rumble across the face.  Hard enough that his head swung with the hit. 

Scootaloo shuddered but froze up again as both boys stopped their fighting for an instant.  "What I tell you!?"  Rain Catcher said forcefully.  "If you don't get out of here now you're not walking away."  His words sounded serious, but not as serious as Rumble's fist as it came around to punch Rain Catcher in the face.  That got everyone going.

"FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!"  The crowd was chanting now, all except Scootaloo who was standing aside and had no idea what to do in this situation.  Rain Catcher touched his lip and saw a bit of blood on his finger afterwards, not much but enough he could taste it.  After that he went after Rumble and the dark haired boy responded by lunging back at him.  There was a futile struggle as they gripped onto each others' collars, trying to get around the arms of the other with a very sloppy, school yard fighting.  There was a loud cry of a male voice in the background of "what's going on" but Rumble didn't have time to think about it.  He was trying to make sure he didn't get his nose broken from one of those longer arms getting lose and bringing a fist to his face.  People were pushing back and forth to get a closer look at the fight.  Some seemed to want to try and stop it while others kept them out to let it carry on.  With his adrenaline pumping Rumble didn't have much time to consider the actions of anyone else around him.  Rain Catcher got lucky and broke his arms free from Rumble's grip.

Grabbing Rumble's shoulders, Rain Catcher threw him backwards making the boy stumble onto his heels.  Some people in the crowd caught him and pushed him back.  He thought he saw Scootaloo pleading for them to stop but it was far too late for that now.  As he was forced back into the fight he could see Rain bringing a fist back to connect to his face.  All he could think of in those few seconds was just how ugly he was going to look with a busted up face.  There was a swing and a thud as the fist hit hard against flesh.  But Rumble felt fine.  Opening his eyes he felt a hand on his chest that didn't belong to Rain Catcher, someone had stepped in to stop the fight.  They had taken his punch for him.  There was only one person he could think of that would have been close enough.

"Scoota-"  he stopped mid word seeing the body before him.  It wasn't Scootaloo at all that had jumped in; it was Spike.  And Rain Catcher had just punched the dragon-blooded party host right in the face.

**********

Spike had to consider just how well he'd predicted tonight into becoming something he had never wanted to be a part of.  Just as he'd foreseen the party had gotten out of control nearly right away.  The library was a huge mess and it was just getting worse with everyone's habits of leaving their cups and plates all over the place.  Thankfully he'd been wrong about something getting broken (hopefully) as they'd saved Twilight's divination crystal ball.  But as all the pieces were falling into place now he was onto the main event as the punch had been so ironically spiked and a fight had broken out between two idiots.

When the chanting for a fight had started Spike had been doing his best to avoid questions from both Dinky and Silver.  They were worried about Sweetie and rightfully so but what could he say?  He didn't want to tell them what he'd done but he didn't want to lie either.  So it left him just dodging questions or outright not answering at all and making both girls even more worried.  Frankly the idea of a fist fight was welcome in comparison to the questions being hurled his way.  Crying out "what's going on" over the crowd's chanting Spike pushed his way through everyone to get to the center of the action. 

Some taller boy and a shorter one were at each others' throats.  He thought they looked familiar but he didn't have much time to dwell on it.  Instead pushing his way past everyone to try and break it up.  When he finally got his hands on them the taller boy had pushed the shorter one away and the crowd was pushing him right back (thanks a lot, jerks).  This was an opening though as Spike wedged his way in between them to stop them from colliding into another mess of arms gripping onto shirts.  His palm hit against the dark haired boy's chest and he realized suddenly that this was the kid that had arrived with Snails.  Least Spike knew who to dump him with once he got this stopped.  As he turned to be sure to keep the other boy apart as well Spike was suddenly met with a fist to his face in a solid hit. 

It hurt.  Even with how tough his skin was a solid impact while he wasn't ready for it still stung a lot.  Though that wasn't really what got to him.  It was the fact someone had punched him at all.  Someone wanted a fight with him.  Funny enough, right at this moment, he wanted that too. 

The taller boy pulled his hand away from Spike's face and backed up when he saw he'd punched someone other than who his intended target was.  "Oh man!  Oh Spike, man are you hurt!?  I'm so sorry bro, I didn't mean it."  Rain Catcher was apologizing rapidly but Spike wasn't really listening.  Actually the voices were drowning out around him and he took his hand off the other boy's chest, turning to face Rain Catcher. 

"So... you want to fight?"  Spike asked and looked at the other boy.  His face didn't hurt much anymore, the pain just washed away.  Actually he didn't feel that bad at all.  He felt better!  Like all of his problems were suddenly rolled up in a tiny ball that he'd put in his fist and he could just let it all out with one swing.  It was the best he'd felt all night.

"No.  Spike, listen man, it was an accident.  I'm sorry, we're still cool right?"  Oh they so were not cool.  Not by a long shot. 

"Spike, your eyes."  Scootaloo said quietly and Spike glanced at her for only a moment, turning his attention right back to the punching bag he could let out all his aggression on. 

"Sure.  We'll be 'cool'.  Just as soon as I take care of something."  His feet felt heavy but powerful as he approached Rain Catcher and prepared to slam the boy's head right against the wall he was standing by. 

"Spike!"  A girl's voice suddenly cried out and a hand grabbed Spike by the shoulder and forced him to turn around.  The red headed farm girl was looking him dead in the eyes and she looked mad.  "What in tarnation is goin' on 'round here!?" 

"Applebloom."  She was upset but he didn't know why and furthermore didn't care in the least.  "Move, I gotta..."  He tried to turn away from her but in a surprising show of strength she turned him back to face her. 

"Ya'll ain't gotta do nuthin' but talk tah me!  Ah just got back from checkin' on Sweetie."  That got his attention as he suddenly felt his body lock up and his anger turn into icy cold fear.  She leaned in and said the next part quietly.  "Ya'll stop this now an yer commin' with me, ya hear?"  Spike stopped trying to pull at her grip and looked down at her, letting out a sigh and nodding.  "Good."  She turned and pointed at Rain Catcher.  "You, skedaddle.  Go, git."  Rain Catcher looked a bit relieved to not suddenly be in a new fight with a lot tougher opponent.  But he wasn't fond of having the farm girl talk down to him like some kind of child.

"Hey, I'm not the one that started all this.  It was an accident."  He tried to argue further but Diamond Tiara came out of the crowd and grabbed his arm. 

"For Celestia's sake just shut up you idiot."  The girl in the crown pulled him aside and away from Spike just to get some distance.  Dinky and Silver Spoon had expertly made a move to do the same with Rumble and keep him away from the other two boys.  Spike watched as everyone was keeping their distance from him and Applebloom and she pulled him another direction to keep all the territorial boys apart. 

"All right, ya'll just wait fer a second and calm down.  Ah'll be back for ya."  Spike nodded and the farm girl watched him for a moment before turning to go do whatever it was she felt she needed to.  Spike put his hands to his fore head and rubbed, letting out a breath and letting himself settle.  He'd been so angry.  He was going to seriously hurt that guy, someone he hadn't ever met before and who didn't even want to start a fight with him in the first place.  Spike had seriously considered harming him as severely as he could and he hadn't felt bad about it at all.  What was wrong with him?  As he took his head from his forehead he noticed something odd about his fingers. 

"Spike?"  Looking up Spike made eye contact with the purple haired girl this fight had all been about in the beginning.  Seeing her made him try to hide his hands so she wouldn't be able to spot their sudden problem.  "Spike, are you okay?"

"Yeah... yeah I'm fine."  Spike lied and tried not to make eye contact.  "My face doesn't even hurt anymore." 

"Oh, that's good.  But I was actually asking about something else."  Spike looked up at her again and she sighed a breath of relief.  "Thank goodness, they're back to normal." 

"What are?"  Spike reached up and felt around his face, wondering if maybe that punch had done more damage than he thought and messed up his nose or ears or something. 

"Your eyes.  After Rain Catcher punched you they were glowing.  But your hands..."  Spike realized he'd just forgotten that he was trying to hide those from her and revealed the pointed claws on the ends of his fingers that had grown from his finger nails.  "Your teeth look sharper too.  Are you okay Spike?"  Scootaloo watched him with concern and Spike sighed, not sure how to respond to that. 

"I don't know."  He said looking down at the floor.  "This was all a mistake.  I never should have had this party.  I'm doing everything so wrong lately.  I just can't seem to... I mean I just don't know what I'm feeling.  I don't know how to deal with what I'm feeling.  I'm sorry Scootaloo.  I'm not a good person." 

"That's not true."  Scootaloo said in protest.  "You're a great person.  You've always been a good friend to everyone and you were nice enough to throw a party for everybody and... and... you walked me home that night.  And the holding the hoop thing with Rainbow Dash and the fire and... all that stuff."  Scootaloo was doing her best but expressing emotions wasn't her strongest suit either.  Funny enough it made Spike feel a little bit better regardless.  "I'm glad you're my friend." 

"You might not be after tonight."  Spike said. 

"Oh please, how much worse can things get?"  Spike would look back on this moment as the one where he realized you're not supposed to tempt fate.  As if one cue one voice at the front of the library suddenly cut above all the other noise and everyone heard them with perfect clarity as they said the dreaded name.

"Ms. Cheerilee!"  Funny enough the music stopped at the mention of her name.  Whoever had been by the record player must have turned it off as soon as her name was uttered and it just seemed so fitting for the moment.  It was too bad Spike was too terrified to laugh.  Everyone made room as the pink haired school teacher walked into the library and looked around.  Snips and Snails had been right; she was really pretty and a low cut shirt made her that much more attractive.  Too bad there wasn't time to admire it.  

The school teacher looked around the library as if she were recording everyone's faces.  No one dared speak.  Almost casually she walked over the the punch bowl and without a word poured herself a cup, tasting it and filling Spike with that much more dread.  He was doomed.  As she set the cup down Cheerilee turned towards the crowd.  "So... is everyone having a good time?"  No one said anything.  "Really?  That's too bad.  It seemed like everyone was having a good time.  Every single one of you who's faces I recognize from my class."  There was a low mumble and some kids were trying to duck out of sight in hopes she may not have seen them.  "Staying out late, throwing a party in the library while Ms. Sparkle is away on business and drinking alcohol.  I am very upset with all of you." 

The crowd of kids was a mix of reactions but the most common was dread at having been caught in this situation.  Now that they'd been seen there wasn't any way out.  "I don't want to hear excuses.  I know for a fact Twilight Sparkle left, I spoke with the Cakes to be sure this wasn't a party Pinkie Pie had thrown when I saw two students who should not have been out this late come into the library.  So what I want to know right now from everyone is who set up this party?"  The school teacher crossed her arms under her chest and looked out amongst the see of teenagers.  Waiting for someone to sacrifice one of their own in hopes of getting out of punishment.  She tapped her fingers looking around and becoming impatient.  Spike decided it was time to face the music.  Maybe if he confessed to everything he'd done at once they would go easy on him before Sweetie and Apple Bloom got to her. 

"I did it."  The voice spoke up, but it surprised Spike since it wasn't his own.  Out of the crowd stepped the short, portly Snips before Ms. Cheerilee.  "I did it.  I'm the one that set up the party."  Spike stared awe struck as the boy walked forward to take the punishment that belonged to him. 

"Snips?"  Ms. Cheerilee asked looking just as surprised as anyone else.  "You did this?"  No, this was all wrong. 

"Wait, no.  I'm-"  Spike tried to say but suddenly Diamond Tiara was before him.  Before he could react she shoved him hard onto the floor on his butt.  Scootaloo was still near by and looked at the situation like it was crazy as Tiara leaned down and put a blanket around Spike.  "What the...?  Diamond what are you doing?" 

"Stay down and shut up."  Tiara said and dropped a lamp shad on top of Spike's head.  Making him look like a very misshapen night stand.  As if someone had put a lamp on a bean bag.  "Help me keep him out of sight."  Tiara then grabbed Scootaloo and pulled her in front of Spike as well, essentially disguising him and blocking him out of sight from Cheerilee.  Spike had no idea what was happening and was still recovering from all the other events from tonight to be able to put up an argument.

Snips was still before Cheerilee now, confessing to everything.  "Yes... it was me.  I'm the one that organized the party.  I got everyone to come here tonight.  I'm even the one that put the alcohol in the punch."  Cheerilee was watching carefully with the skill of a woman who's dealt with kid's lying and fabrications as a career. 

"How did you get into the library with Ms. Sparkle out of town?" 

"I took the key from Spike.  I don't think he even knows I used it to get in here for this party.  I told him it was going to be to borrow some books.  I think he left with Twilight Sparkle when she left too."  Snips confessed carefully and sadly, the school teacher watching him the whole time.  After a moment she sighed and shook her head.

"I'm surprised at you Snips.  Really surprised and really disappointed.  I'll have to have a talk with your father later and Ms. Sparkle when she returns." 

"Wait!"  Snips suddenly said.  "Ms. Cheerilee please don't tell Ms. Sparkle.  I don't want Spike to get in trouble for what I did."  This was insanity.  Why was Snips confessing for all of this when it was just as much Spike's own fault?  Where the heck was Snails to stop him when he needed to?  "Everyone will take all of their trash out with them and be sure the place is clean as we leave, right guys?"  Snips turned to the crowd and everyone looked amongst each other.  Though they all nodded their heads, not wanting to say anything that would upset Cheerilee further.  Cheerilee thought it over carefully and looked around at everyone.

"Fine."  She finally said with an upset tone.  "I want this place spotless before everyone leaves.  Take all your trash out to the dumpster and don't leave a single thing behind.  And Snips, I'll still be talking to your father about this."  Snips nodded and started to pick up the closest trash he could on the table.  Soon the room was alive with the sound of bustling activity as everyone was frantically trying to clean up the mess of a full night's partying.  As everyone started moving about Spike heard Tiara's voice as she leaned down next to him. 

"Don't you come out till everyone's gone.  I don't want you screwing this up like a dumb animal."  He had no idea what she was talking about but he decided to take her advice and stayed perfectly still.  Scootaloo also leaned down to tell him a quick good bye as he heard feet move all about the library and heading out the door.  Everyone must have worked crazy efficient because it didn't seem to take long to get everyone outside.  Cheerilee must have really known how to crack the whip when she needed to.  Despite how quick it had been time felt like it was passing painfully slow before finally there were only a few foot steps and voices left.  Soon after Spike heard the door to the library shut and he waited for a while to be sure no one was around.  Turns out he still wasn't alone.

"Spike?"  A female voice called out.  "Spike, where are ya?  Spike?" 

"Applebloom?"  The girl let out a little startled shout as the lumpy night stand called out to her and the lamp shade was taken off of his head by the farm girl.

"What the land sakes are you doing down there?"  Spike took off the blanket and stood up, stretching out his back after being forced to squat there for so long.

"Diamond Tiara dressed me up like that.  I don't know why."  He really didn't but it must have had something to do with keeping him out of trouble while Snips took the blame.  Why would she care about keeping him out of trouble though?  Or going along with a plan Snips wanted to do?  "Is everyone gone?" 

"Guess so.  Ah don't think Ms. Cheerilee saw me.  Good thing too, ah bet Applejack woulda whooped me good if she found out ah'd been drinking alcohol.  Ah still can't believe Snips did that." 

"Yeah... wonder who gave him the idea to."  Spike knew who must have done that.  Although that hadn't been what Spike had meant when he had told the boy to take care of the bottle.  "Listen about Sweetie Belle." 

"No, ya'll listen.  What in tarnation were ya thinkin' of!?"  Applebloom suddenly laid into him and Spike did nothing to resist.  This was just a taste of what he deserved.  "Pressuring a girl like that when ya know she couldn't handle it." 

"I'm sorry I just... I haven't been thinking straight."  What now you were going to make up excuses Spike?  Be a man for once in your life and face what you've done.  "I'm so sorry." 

"Well... Ah guess ah can forgive ya." 

"Wait... what?"  Spike asked completely surprised. 

"Well yeah.  Ah can understand wantin' all yer friends tah come over tah yer big fancy party.  But askin' a girl tah show up when she's feelin' ill ain't very gentleman like, y'know."  Spike stared blankly at the red head as he tried to process what she was saying.

"What?" 

"Now don't play dumb.  Ah know ya'll wanna show off in front a all the girls but ya gotta be more civil ya'know.  Can't be forcing a girl tah do something she's not able to muster herself up fer.  Thankfully ah'm a bit brighter apple in the bunch that ah can see past all this macho manly showin' off yer goin' on about.  It's gonna git ya in trouble y'know.  Like how ya got them glowin' eyes again when ya were pickin' a fight back there."  The strange physical change Spike had undergone was so far out of his thoughts he barely remembered what she was talking about.  So focused on one subject alone.

"So then... Sweetie Belle is..." 

"She's in the back room waitin' fer ya.  Wanted tah talk before she had tah git home.  I gotta run mahself before granny notices ah've been gone awful late.  Ya'll be kind tah her, ya hear?"  Spike nodded to Applebloom and she took that as an agreement, patting him on the shoulder before heading out of the library herself.  Spike stood there dumb founded and soon found himself walking past the stair case and to the door leading to the back part of the library.  Sure enough when he had arrived there Sweetie Belle was standing in the middle of the room waiting for him.  Her eyes were sad.  It hurt his heart.

"Hey Spike."  Sweetie said quietly and the dragon-blooded boy closed the door behind him as he walked into the room.  "I guess your party got ruined, huh?" 

"Yeah, I guess so."  Spike said rubbing the back of his head, finding it hard to look her in the eye.  Before he had admired them so when she glanced at him with that flirtatious look.  But now after what had happened he just felt guilt for his actions.  "It's okay though.  I mean I think I kind of deserved to have it ruined.  I wasn't being a very good host." 

"I guess so."  Sweetie said quietly and the two stood before each other in silence.  Spike decided that he finally needed to man up and confess what he'd done wrong to one person at least.  Snips and Sweetie having covered for him so far and making him feel like a complete heel.  "Sweetie, I need to say something." 

"I do too."  Sweetie said and the duo made eye contact.  The purple haired girl took a deep breath and gathered her courage.  "Spike, I want you to believe me when I say this."  Here it comes.  The truth; he's a monster.  He's a rapist.  He's a terrible creature and he deserves to be locked up and she never wants to see him again.  And he deserved all of it.  "I'm sorry." 

"...you're what?" 

"I'm sorry."  Sweetie repeated and stepped away from Spike, looking at one of the book cases.  "I'm sorry I did that to you.  I didn't mean to end up like that but I just... I don't know.  I guess I got scared.  I realized I didn't know what I was doing.  I felt like a little kid all of a sudden."  She clasped her hands together and faced him.  "I let things get out of hand and then I just... fell apart.  I'm sorry Spike.  Can you forgive me?" 

It was too good to be true.  He'd dodged every bullet.  The party wouldn't be blamed on him, Twilight was never going to find out, Sweetie had covered for him with Applebloom and now even the very act he'd committed in his bedroom with her was off his shoulders.  He'd gotten away with all of it and none of it would come back to haunt him.  He'd won.  He was the king of the world.  Nothing could stop him now. 

"No."  Spike suddenly said and Sweetie looked heart broken.

"No?"  She asked, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks again.  Spike put his hands on her shoulders. 

"No, I wont forgive you because you did nothing wrong.  I'm... I can't keep doing this.  I can't just let everyone let me get away with these things.  Sweetie what I did was wrong.  I'm so sorry I made you cry.  I'm sorry I pushed you that far when you didn't want to.  It was all my fault and I don't want you to feel bad about any of it."  He had to be a man, not a monster.  He was going to make that choice right here and now.  "Can you forgive me?" 

"Of course."  She hugged him suddenly and he hugged her back.  Despite everything she still let him get away with it even after confessing all of his sins.  He felt like he owed her more and that he hadn't paid enough.  But if she was happy then well... that's what's most important.  He could pay up the rest later over time.  "Spike, please don't be mad but I don't think I'm ready to be a girlfriend." 

"I'm not mad."  Spike said calmly.  "Maybe I'm not ready to be a boyfriend either."  She nodded and stepped back to look at him.  Things were different now and Spike suspected they probably wouldn't be the same going forward.  But perhaps there was a new found respect for each other now and that was something precious to keep between them.  A secret, but more than that their understanding of their limits together.  Spike walked her out of the back room and towards the door, holding it open for her.  "Do you need me to walk you home?"

"No, that's okay.  I can make it just fine.  But Spike?"  Sweetie said and darted up, giving him a quick kiss on the lips.  "When we are ready to be a boyfriend and a girlfriend, do you want to try it with each other again?"  Spike blushed at getting the kiss but smiled in return to her. 

"Sure.  If we're ready, maybe we can try it again."  Sweetie giggled in that adorable way that made him feel good inside and said her goodbyes as she walked out the door.  Spike closed it behind her and touched his own lips.  Even after all of that she was willing to give him a parting gift that was so sweet.  Spike let out a breath and caught a little spout of flame coming out of his lips.  "Shoot... guess she got me pretty good with that last one." 

Spike looked around the library, other than the larger than usual amount of foot prints on the floor the place actually looked pretty good.  Seemed his party guests were honest about cleaning up after themselves, another bullet dodged thankfully.  Spike headed up the stairs to his room looking to get a shower and maybe some quick personal relief after all the pressure Sweetie Belle had built up in him.  He could use something to calm him down after all.  As he got up to the top of the stairs and reached for the door handle it swung open first and Spike found himself face to face with a left over from the party that could have helped with that relief but he doubted it would be a very good idea.  "Ruby Pinch?" 

"Hey party man.  Nice punch you mixed up for us tonight."  Ruby Pinch said looking like she'd enjoyed a few cups of them herself.  "Guess it's all over already huh?  That's fine, I was looking to head home anyway."  Ruby walked past him with a sway in her hips that made the boy a little upset she was leaving the one place he could use a girl right now.  Though a more important question was stuck in his mind.

"What the heck were you doing in my room?" 

"Helping Applebloom."  A slow response came from the doorway and Spike turned around quickly to see a lanky boy walking out of the bedroom as well.

"What the... Snails?  What are you guys doing?  Applebloom was down stairs."  Ruby hadn't stopped to have a conversation as she was still walking towards the door, Snails looking after her as she did.

"Yep, she took her down after a while to see you.  Looks like the party ended pretty early."  He responded in a low and slow tone, though there was something about it that was kind of... anxious.  Spike didn't know how to describe it.  Snails didn't get agitated or excited like most boys.  "Where's Snips?"

"He uh... he took the blame for the party.  Cheerilee showed up."  Spike said simply and Snails face when from uninterested to concerned faster than Spike had ever seen it change before.  "I don't know why he did it." 

"Hmmm... that's trouble."  Was just about all the analysis he had to offer.  "Hey, I'm gonna walk Ruby home right now.  You want me to come back to help you clean up?" 

"No man, it's okay.  Everyone did it before they left.  Cheerilee made them but uh... Snails what's going on here?"  Spike asked nodding over towards where Ruby was standing by the open door of the library and awaiting her escort.  Snails looked at Spike then down at the pink haired girl and back to his buddy. 

"Nothing."  Snails said but Spike raised an eye brow in curiosity.  "Well then I'll see you later.  I'll keep you updated on Snips." 

"Yeah... sure."  Spike said waving to them both from the stairwell as they exited the library.  That response had been weird and Spike wasn't really sure what was going on between them but he was sure it was something now.  Where they really going out?  He wasn't sure and didn't have any proof but the fact they were still up here while Applebloom was downstairs was troubling to say the least.  Deciding he was now way more tired than earlier Spike went around the library to be sure all of the lights were off and then trudged back upstairs to just go to bed.

Once he was in his room he turned the lights off and just fell on top of the covers, groaning and kicking his shoes off.  "I sure hope Twilight had a better night than me."  Was all he could think as he was drifting off to sleep.  Adjusting on his bed his arm went up around his pillow and he felt something odd.  "Whats... that?"  Gripping it in his fingers Spike pulled the object back up and found he was holding a pair of pink panties. 

"These aren't Twilight's."  Spike commented to himself.  "... they're not Sweetie Belle's either."  Looking at the panties for a while Spike slowly just put them back where he found them and tried to put it out of his mind as he went to bed.  He sighed loudly.  "What the heck is the deal with this bedroom and people getting naked anyway?"