Oh, Spike!
Are you in here?
Hello-o-o!
Spike?
Oh, there you are!
I was starting to think you weren't here.
I realize this is last minute,
but I've decided on a quick trip to the gem cave!
I am on an urgent mission to find some
faceted iridescence for my new design.
And I can't think of anypony I'd rather have along,
than my favorite basket holder slash bodyguard.
Spike!
Spike?
Spi-i-i-ke?
Spike!
What?
Oh, hey, Rarity.
Honestly, Spike, it's almost as if you haven't been listening.
Of course I was.
But…
Just to be sure…
Could you say it all again?
I was saying,
that I had planned on visiting the gem cave.
Oh no!
Is that the time?
Of course you're right.
This is a bit of a late start and those gems won't pick themselves.
But the real question is:
which basket do you want to hold?
The smaller one, right?
Right…
Sorry, Rarity.
Can I take a rain check on?..
What was that again?
The… gem cave?
Right.
Sounds great.
But I need to get to the post office before noon.
All right, very funny.
Obviously you get the bigger basket and I…
Spike?
Hello?
I don't understand.
For as long as we've known each other,
Spike has never turned down an opportunity to join me here.
It's his favorite place.
Ideally you catch the gems, dear.
And for a trip to the post office of all places?
Maybe you should move closer?
And why would Spike need to go to the post office at all?
He sends mail by breathing.
Breathing, darling!
Breathmail.
Honestly, Applejack.
If you're going to fill in,
you could make an attempt to hold the basket the way Spike would.
And how's that?
Well, for one thing, Spike knows how to keep things quiet,
so as not to wake on the bats.
And he usually follows me closely so no gem ever touches the ground.
Rarity.
Spike's been following you closely since he got to Ponyville.
And in case you hadn't noticed…
I ain't Spike!!!
Actually, Applejack, I have noticed!
Hi, Rarity.
What's up?
Besides my mane?
Well, that is a question for Spike.
Well, Spike isn't here.
I think he's at the post office.
Again?..
What is it with Spike and the post office?
Rarity, what's going on?
Spike declined my invitation to the gem cave.
And I intend to find out why.
That doesn't sound like Spike.
Did you two have some sort of fight?
A fight?
Goodness, Twilight.
What in Equestria would we fight about?
I've had arguments with friends before.
And they can put a real strain on friendships.
Well…
Certainly.
But I think I'd remember if we had an argument.
Maybe you didn't realize it?
Do you think you could have done something that unintentionally hurt his feelings?
What if I didn't realize what I did,
how would I know what I have done when I did it?
I wonder if that's it.
It certainly would explain his behavior.
I must apologize!
For what?
That's hardly the point.
Poor Spikey-wikey!
This calls for a grand gesture!
Okay, good talk.
Wow!
That's a big crate of stuff you're mailing!
I'm not mailing it.
Then why you're pushing it into the post office?
I didn't realize griffons work in the Ponyville post office.
No. I don't work here exactly.
I'm the official mail carrier of Griffonstone.
Gabby Griffon.
Nice to meet ya!
Oh, yes.
Well…
These things aren't for sending.
They're for apologizing to Spike.
Spike was just here.
He went to go make us ice…
That's perfect!
It'll give me a chance to practice.
You stand there
and tell me if I hit the right apologetic notes.
What are you apologizing for?
Darling I don't see why that matters.
And that is why
I simply cannot bear the thought of having hurt you.
And even though I don't know what it is that I did,
I want you to know that it doesn't matter.
Because I am prepared to do anything to make it right.
And scene.
Sorry, dear. Here.
I said: that sure sounds genuine.
Well, of course it sounds genuine.
It is genuine.
Rarity?
What are you doing?
Obviously I'm working on my apology to you, Spike.
I don't know how I could be more genuine, I mean…
Spike!
Oh, Spike!
I am so sorry.
Please, forgive me.
You have to forgive me!
I don't know what I did…
Or why you're mad at me…
Just, please, say you forgive me.
Please!
Of course I forgive you, but…
What are you apologizing for?
Why does everypony keep hopping on that?
Wait, don't you know?
No. I'm not mad at you about anything.
B-b-but… I don't understand.
If you're not upset with me,
why in Equestria would you refuse to go to the gem cave?
Because I had other plans?
With me!
I don't understand…
You two know each other?
Gabby and I are sort of pen pals.
Yeah!
There was this whole thing where I pretended to get a cutie mark, because griffons don't get cutie marks,
so Princess Twilight had Spike send a bunch of letters off to Griffonstone
about the first griffon ever to get a cutie mark!..
Which I really didn't have.
Gabby wrote back explaining things.
And after that we just started writing back and forth.
Turns out we have a lot in common.
We both come from cultures that…
don't have the friendliest of reputations.
And we're both in the message sending business.
A-ha.
I sure wish I can send scrolls with my breath.
Yes.
Now I understand why you didn't come to the gem cave.
Having a friend in town is a rare treat.
But, since you are busy today,
maybe we can do something tomorrow?
Fabric shopping?
I know how you love to pick out the colors.
Actually…
Now that there's a griffon at Twilight's school,
Gabby's here all the time.
Grandpa Gruff asks for a lot of updates
about how Gallus is doing.
Speaking of which,
I better get going.
I'll fly with you.
Oh, all right, you two fly along,
I'm sure Spike and I can do something some other…
…time?
I cannot decide which shade of purple is the most royal.
Then there's the pink?
How will I ever choose?
Too bad Spike's not here.
I bet he could help you narrow it down.
He is a good sounding board, isn't he?
Could you bring the pin cushion a little closer, dear?
I suppose that Spike's always so busy with Gabby,
I'm just now realizing how much his presence has meant to me over the years.
Even closer, darling.
I don't want to prick you.
I have to admit everything feels a bit less than without him.
Too close!
Oh, darling.
It's no use.
Thank you for trying.
I'm just accustomed to the help of a small highly attentive dragon.
Maybe you should let Spike know how grateful you are
for everything he's done for you?
Oh, I am sorry, Spike.
I didn't mean to frighten you.
Rarity?
What are you doing here?
Well, I realize it's late.
Or rather early.
But I have a surprise and I just couldn't wait to share it.
The great gem crevasse of the Crystal mountains!
Whoa.
It is only accessible once a year and I felt a little day trip
would make a wonderful thank you for all the help
you've given me over the years.
But… I'm supposed to meet Gabby today for her rounds.
I see.
Well.
There's always next year.
You know what?
I'll just write her a note.
Are you sure?
Absolutely.
Wow.
Rarity, you weren't kidding.
The gem crevasse was amazing!
I'll be snacking on these for a week.
What did I tell you?
Hey, Spike!
Gabby!
You won't believe where I went today.
Actually, I think I will.
I got your scroll.
The great gem crevasse sounds a lot better than doing my rounds.
Wow!
That's definitely better!
I gotta get back to Griffonstone,
but you have to tell me all about the crevasse tomorrow.
Absolutely.
Thanks again, Rarity.
What a great day.
Okay.
Start from the beginning,
because I want to hear everything!
Well.
To get to the crevasse you have to climb across a rope bridge,
because the air's too thin to fly.
That is amazing!
Then what?
Sorry, Rarity.
Oh, no apology necessary, Spike.
In fact, I was just looking for you.
You were? Why?
Because I just acquired these!
Passes to "Power Pony"-Palooza?
For today?
I know we just went to the crevasse,
but I feel I've barely scratched the surface of expressing
my gratitude for all you do.
Of course I wanna go but…
That'll be two days in a row we haven't hung out.
Are you kidding?
It's "Power Pony"-Palooza.
You have to go.
And… now you'll have… two things to tell me about.
Okay.
Come on, Rarity. Let's go!
My claws sore.
Indeed.
I had no idea how much walking there is on a "Power Pony" convention.
I know I told Gabby we'd hang out tomorrow, but…
I might need the whole day to rest.
I know what you mean.
Perhaps you could… just send her another note.
I think maybe you're right.
Honestly, I might need to spend tomorrow putting my hoofs up as well.
I hadn't counted on "Power Pony"-Palooza being quite so draining, but…
I thought we might spend the day recuperating together.
No way.
"Ogres and Oubliettes"?
But I know how much you enjoy it.
And this seemed like the perfect opportunity for you to teach me the game.
Spike!
I got your note!
I figured I'd come by before my rounds
with a bowl of energizing turnip soup.
…and Princess Shmarity use her Shield of the porphyre
to defend herself from the purveyor of poor color coordination.
Oh, she can try…
Success!
Shmarity's shield holds against the green-eyed monster's attack.
And then…
Spike?
Hi, Gabby.
We were just…
Your scroll said you were too tired to do anything today.
But I guess you were just too tired to do anything with me.
No, no, no, no!
That's not true.
I can come with you on your rounds right now.
I don't think so Spike.
Maybe I'll just handle the rounds on my own from now on.
Princess Shmarity uses her prismatic beam
to change that poor monster's color
to a more pleasing shade of purple.
What do you think, Spike?
Solids or prints?
Prints, I guess.
You already have a lot of solid colors.
You are so right.
Prints it is.
So nice to have you back, Spike.
Although…
I hope you're able to reconcile with Gabby.
I'm… pretty sure she doesn't want to.
I… quite enjoyed our day together, Spike.
Yeah.
Hi, Spike.
I've never seen Spike this sad before.
Do you know what happened?
Yes, well…
Perhaps he's still just tired from Power Pony Palooza.
I don't think that's it.
I suppose…
it's possible that could have something to do with…
Gaby not wanting to spend time with him anymore.
What?
I thought the two of them were hanging out all the time.
They were.
Honestly, it took everything I had to convince him to spend any time with me at all.
But between crystal gem crevasses,
"Power Pony" convention
and a marathon game of O&O
I managed to get some time in.
It sounds like you made sure he didn't have any time to spend with Gabby at all.
What?
I certainly did not.
Well, I…
suppose I may have monopolized him a teeny bit.
I've just grown so used to having Spikey-wikey around.
I wasn't prepared for how much I'd miss him when he wasn't.
Friendships change,
but just because Spike made a new friend,
doesn't mean he stops being yours.
I know.
But now I have to share him.
Which I suppose I'll have to get used to.
Right after I fix this mess I've made.
Good talk.
Rarity, is all this stuff for Spike again?
Wouldn't be easier to just give it to him?
And why are you even here?
I am here…
to apologize actually, more to confess.
And all of this stuff isn't for Spike.
It's the evidence against me!
Evidence?
For what?
For my act of utter selfishness.
I don't understand.
These are the items I use to lure Spike
into spending as much time with me as possible.
They are?
You did?
Rarity.
What are you doing?
Well, obviously I'm apologizing to Gabby,
so the two of you can renew your friendship, Spike.
Now please,
even if you can't forgive me you simply must forgive…
Spike?!
I actually owe you an apology too.
You apologize a lot.
I wish I didn't need to.
But the more time you two spent together,
the more I missed my time with Spike.
And the more I used every means at my disposal to get it back.
I am truly sorry.
You really miss spending time with me?
Of course.
I have to say,
after not hanging out with you
I understand why.
You're kinda awesome!
And…
I know what it's like to miss that now too.
So…
Do you think maybe we could start hanging out again?
Absolutely.
I don't suppose you'd like some company on your rounds right now.
I sure want!
Wonderful.
I can't tell you how pleased I am,
that the two of you have…
…reconciled.
I suppose Twilight is right.
Friendships do change.
Of course Spike and I will always be friends.
And I can get used to sharing him.
Sorry.
I just didn't want to drop another one and wake the bats.
Darling.
Catching the gems is what the basket is for.
Wow.
You two need to be a lot quieter.
Spike!
How wonderful to see you.
Yeah.
Gabby and I had a great day,
but I'll always still want my Rarity time.
So that's how it works?
SCHASTLIVIY PONETS
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