I woke up the next day and I was hearing a lot of commotion and hooves walking across town. I got up and after a quick breakfast, I walked out to see several ponies all joining together at the Town Hall. I decided to follow with the mares who has just arrived alongside me as we walked over to the Town Hall where a crowd had gathered.

"Wow! I can't believe how many ponies showed up!" Dash exclaimed.

"I can! I mean, finding out who the Ponyville Days pony of ceremonies is is a pretty big deal!" Pinkie added.

"Yeah, but why?" I asked.

"Oh didn't you know, today is Ponyville Day." Fluttershy answered.

We saw the Mayor approach the podium as the three elder ponies took thier seats with Granny Smith among them.

"I didn't know Granny Smith was on the selection committee." Twilight said.

"Ponyville Days celebrates the founding of Ponyville, and she was right there." Applejack replied.

"I'm glad the committee didn't automatically pick me so everypony gets a chance to see how great being me actually is! Even though the festival's basically a party and the pony of ceremonies gets to organize the whole thing! So it'd totally make sense if they did pick me."

We told Pinkie to shush which was more easier said than done, considering her personality.

"Pinkie, we know you have a love interest in Cheese Sandwich, but right now, you need to calm down." I said to her.

We all went quiet when the Mayor began to speak.

"Citizens of Ponyville, this year's applicants were all exceptional, but there can only be one Ponyville Days pony of ceremonies. And that pony is..."

Pinkie suddenly inhaled before she floated up in the sky as a balloon, leaving us confused.

"Rarity!" the Mayor announced.

Rarity cheered as I looked around to see Spike not here and I kissed Rarity, whilst she got a bouquet of flowers.

"Whoo-ee! All right, Rarity!" Applejack cheered.

"Yeah! Whoo-oo-oo!" Dash joined in.

"Congratulations, Rarity!" Twilight said, "Do you know what you're gonna do?"

Spike then turned up with a huge wooden table filled with a replica-size of the town itself.

"Oh, I might have a few ideas." she replied.

"Is there one that springs to your mind?" I asked.

"There is but I'll tell you all about it when we get to my boutique"

"Then by all means, lead the way, Rarity." Spike sighed.

We were all at Carousel Boutique shortly afterwards where we saw a fashion stage set up in the centre of the room.

"I'm so excited for the festival, I can hardly stand up straight!" Pinkie exclaimed as she face-planted the floor.

"Me too. I'm glad Rarity was picked. I know she'll add a touch of elegance to the whole thing!" Twilight agreed."

"Probably more than a touch!" Applejack added.

The lights went out and the stage lights went on as Spike appeared from behind the curtain in his suit.

"This year's Ponyville Days festival, designed by Rarity, will feature various high-class events such as... a silent cider auction and tasting. A Ponyville gala in town square and, of course, a Ponyville fashion show." he announced. "This year's Ponyville Days festival pony of ceremonies creates shimmering couture of her own design."

"And the theme is...'Small Town Chic'!" Rarity added as she walked on stage in her latest dress which was stunning on her, I was speechless.

"Wow, Rarity. You really have put a lot of effort into this." Twilight complimented.

"Ah'll say." Applejack added.

"Oh, I think it's going to be magical." Fluttershy said.

"Do you really think so?" Rarity asked.

"Are you kidding? I can't wait!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"Oh, that's such a relief. But of course, I couldn't possibly do it all on my own. The festival is in three days!"

"Speaking of which, where's Coco Pommel?" I asked.

"I'm right here." she replied as she came from behind the curtain. "I was busy helping her into the dress I made."

"Getting back on topic." Dash said "Pinkie Pie and I can hang lights and decorations in the town square!"

"And ah can get Sweet Apple Acres all ready for the cider tastin'." Applejack added.

"Oh, that's just perfect!" Rarity replied happily, "And now, Twilight, if you and Fluttershy wouldn't mind helping Coco with the fashion show..."

"Of course!" Twilight answered.

"I'd be honoured." Fluttershy added.

"I can focus on the thing I'm worried about most of all." Rarity said.

"Oooh, what's that?" I asked.

"Creating a Ponyville Days festival fantastic enough to impress...Trenderhoof!"

"Uh, who's Trenderhoof?" Applejack asked.

Coco stepped forward as if to answer that question for Rarity.

"Trenderhoof is one of the most amazing, handsomest travel writer to have ever travelled or written!" Coco explained, "Before Las Pegasus became an Equestria travel destination, he wrote about it. Before the culinary revolution in Trottingham, he discovered it! He knows what's going to be put on the map even before it's created."

"Sounds like somepony has a little bit of a crush." Twilight remarked, seeing Coco blush slightly.

"Oh, Twilight, "crush" doesn't even begin to describe it." Rarity replied, "He's practically divine. I can't believe he's coming!"

I looked around to see if Spike was still here, thankfully he wasn't.

"Just remember that if you have a crush on him too, think of me." I said as I kissed her.

She giggled, "Oh do be careful, Spikey wikey might still be around."

"He's not." Coco replied, "Maybe he went home to the library."

"I'll go and check on him." Twilight said, "So I guess we all better get to work on preparing the town for Trenderhoof's arrival."

"Thank you all." Rarity replied as the other mares left the boutique. "Oh Bond dear, I forgot about you. Would you mind accompanying me to the train station so I have company when Trenderhoof arrives in a few days?"

"Anything for you, my love." I replied before she kissed me. "I guess I better get going as well."

Rarity nodded as we shared a loving kiss before I left her home and walked back to mine, thinking of nothing but the Ponyville show. In the day that followed, several dresses and suits were made, the decorations were set up around the whole town and all the while, Rarity was getting more excited yet nervous at the same time. However, none of us had seen Spike since then and we were all wondering where he could've gone to and decided that once everything is in place, Twilight would go looking for him.

When the day arrived of Trenderhoof coming to Ponyville, I was with Rarity on the station and holding her hoof in the hope to keep her calm, but it didn't seem to be working or helping her much.

"Thank you ever so much for joining me, darling. I don't think I could have met Trenderhoof on my own!" Rarity said nervously.

"It's no problem, but you shouldn't be nervous about meeting him" I replied.

The train pulled into the station and several ponies got off.

"Is that him? Is he here? Bond, is he there?"

"Uhh... I'm not sure."

"You don't suppose he's decided not to come? Bond, I don't see him! What if he doesn't arrive? The whole festival will be a disaster-"

I cut her off by kissing her passionately.

"Thanks dear, I needed that."

"You have to get a hold of yourself my love. I mean, you haven't even met him yet!"

One last stallion exited the train, he was light brown with many shades of golden mane and was wearing a green sweater.

Rarity gasped, "It's him, it's him, is it him? Is it him? It's him, he's here, he's here!"

"Well, go up and talk to him!"

"I can't! Uh, hi–" she cut herself off, clearing her throat, "Hello, Mr. Trenderhoof. I am Rarity, and I have been chosen as pony of ceremonies for the Ponyville Days festival."

"Please, call me 'Trend'." he replied.

Rarity nearly fainted but I caught her in time.

"Gotcha." I sighed in relief as I put Rarity back on her hooves.

"Ahh and who are you...wait, you're an alicorn?" he gasped, "You are the new Prince Bond Racer I've heard so much about."

He then bowed at me, but it didn't bother me this time. Maybe being a Prince does have it's benefits after all.

"I am indeed, Trend..." I replied. "...and Rarity is the love of my life, so you needn't worry about any fan-girl crushes."

"That's wonderful news...now if you could be so kind to show me the town of Ponyville."

"Of course, Trend...follow us this way." Rarity replied who seemed to finally calm down.

We walked back to Ponyville with Trend as Rarity was explaining the plans.

"And over here will be the climax of the festival, the Ponyville Days gala! Music, dancing! And of course a locally sourced menu of delicious treats." she said.

"Reminds me of the 'Spring Fling meets Manehattan Wedding' I wrote about in Gallop & Prance." Trend replied.

"Exactly! I, I can't even describe how much your work has influenced me!"

We then carried on walking till we arrived at the Apple farm.

"And finally, Sweet Apple Acres. Ponyville's core, heh-heh, so to speak, where our quaint little hamlet began."

"Oh, breathtaking! I've heard about it of course, but to see it in vérité, to stand on the soil of a working farm... You can really feel the authenticity."

"Oh, yes, uh, they, they really do grow apples here."

"Thank you, Rarity. Thank you for bringing me here. This farm is truly something special."

"Oh, I had planned to transform it into an elegant country inn for the festival... but now I see just how special it is au naturel."

"Au naturel indeed."

When we saw Applejack, I noticed Trend's expression suddenly change.

"Who... is... that?"

"Who? Applejack?" Rarity asked, "Why are you staring at her like that?"

"I've seen a lot in my travels, but I've never beheld such beauty. Applejack...The pony of my dreams..."

"Oh...I see. Well, do you want to talk to her?"

"Uh not yet, I'd much rather focus on the main task of seeing Ponyville and impressing me."

I snickered as quiet as I could, thinking that Trend has no chance with Applejack. As we were walking back to the town, Rarity grabbed my hoof for a moment.

"Bond darling, I'll take it from here. I'm calm enough to show him the rest of the town."

"Alright my love, I'll see you later."

We then shared another kiss before I walked back to my home, as I walked in, I heard a few growls coming from somewhere.

"Hmm, that's weird, there's no wildlife creatures around here." I said to myself.

I got myself a drink and then I heard the growl again.

"Okay, this is getting a bit freaky, if anypony is in here, please come out."

"Y-ARGH!" a voice yelled as I looked up.

"What the!"

I jumped backwards so that it didn't catch me...it was then revealed to be Spike and he was looking rough, but why?

"Spike, what are you doing here?"

"Trying to find out the truth myself!" he snapped, "It's taken a while but now I know something is up."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me! I figured out what's going on and now I wanna hear it from your mouth...are you and Rarity together?"

Looks like I was busted, guess the secret was gonna come out sooner or later, but I never expected Spike to be that smart.

"Yes Spike...Rarity and I are a couple and we have been that way since Trixie got reformed where if you and the others remember, I had to split up with her after that amulet incident."

"Yeah I know that, I still don't understand why none of you ever bothered to tell me."

"Because Rarity was worried that if any of us told you, you would've been heartbroken, because we all know how much of a crush you have on Rarity and how much you love her."

Spike began to sniff.

"We had to hide the truth about us, because we all care about you and what if Twilight found out that you tried to attack me?"

"She would be angry and disappointed in me...and that I let my jealous emotions get the better of me...again."

"And after what you went through when you thought Owlicious was replacing you, none of us didn't want you to go through that again."

Spike began wiping away his tears.

"I know that...I'm really sorry that I tried to attack you Bond, I almost blew it by letting my emotions go out of control."

"It's alright Spike...if I was your age and a dragon, I'd be feeling the same. Now you probably won't ever be with Rarity and in love, but I'm sure that you have a very special place in her heart. You know she cares for you and she always has since you confessed that you had a crush on her a long time ago."

"You're right, dude...I should've reminded myself of that."

"So are you alright with it now, are we cool on me and Rarity showing our love, even with you around?"

"Yeah, water under the bridge and all that."

He then held out his claw and I responded by shaking it with my hoof.

"Just one thing you have to promise me...don't do anything that will hurt Rarity in any way unless it's out of your control."

"I can promise you that for sure, Spike, she'll always have full protection with me by her side."

"Thanks, Bond."

"You're welcome...now let's go and see if we can find the rest of them, they've been worried sick about you since you disappeared three days ago."

"Okay, let's go."

Spike and I left my home and it was sunset by the time we saw the others at the Ponyville show and we went into a group hug with Spike joining in.

"Spike!" Twilight exclaimed, "There you are, me and everypony else have missed you, where have you been?"

"Calm down Twilight, I just needed time to think things through for a few days." he replied, "But I'm back and I have something to tell you all later when this event is over."

"Whatever it is, we'll make sure to listen to ya, sugarcube." Applejack said.

Just then, Trenderhoof showed up.

"Well Rarity, after seeing what I've seen today, I'm moving to Ponyville!" he announced, "Being the most interesting pony in Equestria is exhausting. I want to leave my exotic, exciting life behind and live on a farm!"

"What?!" We all asked.

"Well, that's real nice, but ah sure hope you weren't thinkin' of Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack said.

"Oh." Trend replied, feeling embarrassed.

"Uh, look, you're a fine pony, but, uh, well, ah'm, uh..."

"I think what Applejack is trying to say is that there's something unappealing about a pony who'd change themselves so much just to impress somepony else. If somepony doesn't like you for who you are, it's their loss." Rarity said.

"Well, this is awkward." Trend said quietly.

"Not at all. In fact, I know somepony who knows just how you feel."

"Really, then who?"

"She's Coco Pommel and I'll introduce you to her later."

"Alright."

Trend began to smile.

Sometime later, we had all the events taking place that Rarity planned and it all went amazing. When it came to the gala dance, a slow number came on and Rarity and I were dancing slowly together and in love. I saw Spike who smiled and waved at us from the table with the food, confirming that he was alright with me and Rarity being together. We then heard a quick conversation behind us.

"Hi there, you must be Coco, Rarity's friend?" Trend asked her who was dressed up.

"I am and you must be Trenderhoof...wanna dance with me?" Coco offered whilst blushing.

"I'd love to."

Coco and Trend then began to dance slowly together, all the while chatting and getting to know each other better. I wasn't sure what I heard, I think some of the words were to do with Trend being offered to stay at Coco's house for the time, but I must've been hearing things.

When the Ponyville Day event was finished by night-time, all the Ponyville citizens helped with taking down the decorations and packing up the leftover food and drinks. Coco and Trend had already called it a night with us overhearing that Trend was being offered Coco's sofa as his bed.

The seven of us and Spike were in the library as Rarity was writing down what was learnt today in the group journal.

"Organizing the Ponyville Day celebration was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But I learned an important lesson. Real friends will like you for who you are, and changing yourself to impress them is no way to make new ones. And when you're as fabulous as I am, it's practically a crime!"

When she was done writing it in, we gathered around to hear what Spike had to say. I already knew about it earlier, but he said practically the same thing to the others but in a more gentle and confident manner. The mares then each gave him a close friendly hug.

"Spikey wikey, I'm proud of you. Bond Racer is right, he and I are together and in love, but you will always have a special place in my life." Rarity said as she hugged him.

"Thanks Rarity and you'll have a special place in mine too...along with Twilight." he replied.

Twilight giggled.

"Well, ah think it's time we called it a night, ya'll, we've earned our night's rest." Applejack advised.

"Good idea, have a goodnight all." I said as Rarity and I left the library, holding hooves.

"I'm so happy right now, everything was wonderful today." Rarity said as I walked her to her home. "My event was a huge success and we no longer have to worry about Spike's feelings."

"Agreed and plus, Trend and Coco seem to be getting along well from what we saw."

"Yes...anyways, have a goodnight my darling."

"You too my love."

We began sharing a passionate kiss and hugged, before she walked into her home whilst I walked back to mine. I did check the ceiling in case Spike was there, but he wasn't. I got to my bed and began to wait until my eyes allowed me to sleep. Ponyville Day was terrific and very classy. But the important thing is that Spike has finally come to terms with his crush and Rarity and I no longer have to hide our love from him.

I wonder how Trend and Coco will get along in the times to come...maybe something will happen, you never know... Next Chapter: Filli Vanilli Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 37 Minutes