Author's Notes:

This interlude is going to be a short one, due to the fact that I have a part time job and I really couldn't think much about Nia, Spike and the Crusaders. I also mentioned that Spike and Applebloom are an item, but it was only hinted in some chapters. Anyway enjoy this because this is the only interlude we have until the next arc.

This is an interlude until the next Arc of The Unexpected Adventure. This focuses on Nia, Spike, and the Crusaders on a recess that lead to their sleepover during school before winter. Hope you guys will enjoy.

-Spike's point of view-

"What's going to happen today?" I asked.

"We're having another magic session and we need a little bit of privacy." Frank said munching on his omelet.

I sighed, "What am I suppose to do until then?" I asked.

"Spike, I won't hold it against you if you go to the school house and spend time with Applebloom during recess." Twilight told me.

Twilight, Frank and I were currently having breakfast and they already knew that I'm dating Applebloom. This happened to irritate me that they knew about us being an item. I don't know what caused me to feel like this, but I understood why they're having another magic session. It was so I could improve my relationship with Applebloom. Frank was improving his magic and that was a given because Twilight wanted to get him to learn a whole bunch of spells. Because of this, I was able to spend more time with Applebloom.

I sighed as I finished my crystal cereal, "Yeah, that will be fine. You guys have fun." I got out of my seat and headed out of the dining room.

"Have fun today, Spike." Frank waved.

I waved back, "See ya!" I said.

The weather outside was perfect, clear skies, but mostly warm before fall. I heard the Crusaders made a new friend and her name is Nia. I believe it was Ryan who adopted her from that beam of light that was in Canterlot for several months. Now, Applebloom may have convinced her to stay with us at the club house. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle know about Applebloom and I. This caused me to be inducted into the Cutie Mark Crusaders as a scribe. The whole reason why The Crusaders were interested in Nia was because she herself doesn't have a cutie mark, plus I heard her eyes were weird, but unique.

I passed Rarity's Boutique and eventually made it to the school house, where recess just got started. I walked by the front gate to meet up with Ms. Cheerilee, she was in a happy mood for some reason. Probably because her and Big Mac are finally hooking up? I didn't know, I did not want to pry on the subject. I tapped her shoulder and her attention turned to me.

"Ah, Spike. Did Twilight sent you here for an errand?" She asked.

I shook my head, "No I'm here to meet up with The Crusaders and the new Pegasus."

"Ah! You mean Nia? She has been a wonderful angel and is very smart for her age as well." She explained.

"Are they here?" I asked looking over her shoulder to search for Applebloom.

"They're over at the jungle gym near the group of trees." She points in that general direction.

I thanked her and headed towards the Crusaders. As I made my way towards the jungle gym, the Crusaders were currently talking to Nia, and they turn their attention to me. Nia knows about me because I was visiting Rarity's Boutique for a Crusader meeting. At first, she was scared of me, since I wasn't a pony, but overtime in the meeting she grew to like me as a friend.

"Hey guys." I greeted.

"Afternoon Spike." Applebloom pecked my cheek which made me blushed.

Scootaloo makes an 'ech' noise, but continues, "Hey Spike."

Whereas Sweetie Belle was opposite and cooed 'Aw', "Afternoon Spike."

"Oh!" Nia walked forward to me and continued, "Afternoon Spike! I hope you're doing well today?"

This sort of surprised me, but her personality is unusual which was infectious to many other ponies. I noticed the surrounds and the male ponies were looking at Nia as if they were attracted to her. I think she is pretty with her white fur, white to bluish mane, and her eyes were unique that it made you wonder who this filly is. Though I already knew about this, thanks to Ryan, and I was surprised about her when we first met. Now we're friends and this made Applebloom happier for some reason, but I hope it continues.

"So what are you guys going to focus on today?" I asked.

"We're being careful to get our cutie marks the safe way." Applebloom said nuzzling my neck.

I ran my fingers through her mane as she did this, "That's good to hear. Is it working?"

Scootaloo sighed, "We're moving along like snails, but ever since Babs Seed got her cutie mark she always wanted, we had to try to brain storm what our talents are going to be."

"Instead of doing a lot of activities, we need to have meetings to figure out our destiny." Sweetie Belle added.

"What we're trying to do now is to figure out what Nia's destiny is." Applebloom said wrapping her tail around my legs.

I crossed my arms, "Should we have a sleep over to talk about this subject?" I asked.

All four look at me and smiled, "That is a great idea Spike!" Nia complimented.

I scratched me chin, "Aw shucks, you're too much."

Applebloom nuzzled me again, "No seriously, it's a wonderful idea."

Scootaloo sticked out her tongue in disgust, "Can you two get a room please? Anyway it's a good plan to execute."

I smirked, "Alright Scootaloo, we'll stop for now, but don't expect things to stop once we get to the house."

She shook her head, "On second thought, bad idea! Bad Idea!"

Sweetie Belle booped her nose, "Scootaloo, they're just teasing."

Applebloom smiled, "Yeah, besides we'll do that kind of stuff when we're asleep."

The girls look at her as I face-palmed, she realized what she said and shuddered, "T-That isn't what I m-meant! I meant cuddling!!!"

"Oh, look! It's the blank flank group, whom has a pet dragon and another blank member." A familiar voice giggled.

I turned around to see Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon smiling as they made their way towards us. The Crusaders convinced Nia to join their side before Tiara got to her because it would've ended like the Babs Seed incident.

I sighed, "You know I have a name right? I am an assistant of Princess Twilight Sparkle." I explained.

"Well is she here?" Diamond asked.

"No, she is training her significant other in the ways of magic." I said.

"Pfft!" Silver Spoon held her snickering, "That's so funny! This dragon doesn't even know that he's getting replaced!" She smiled.

'What are they up to?' I thought as I shook my head, "Even though Twilight has Princess duties, I still help her out when she needs me."

This made them laugh even more and the Crusaders were about to step in, but I blocked them with my arms. I didn't want them to get involved in any way because this was currently my fight.

"This makes the truth all too clear!" Diamond states.

"That is enough!" Nia shouted.

I look to my left and Nia walks up to them with her wings unfolded, "I have never been the one who likes bullies, but I believe I found the very reason why you pick on Spike and my friends."

Diamond Tiara tried to recover from Nia's outburst, but Silver Spoon cut in, "What do you mean you found a reason?" She questioned.

I look at Nia and wondered what kind of reason does she have that can expose them? I really didn't have a clue or anything, but what I was going to hear would probably decide whether I like these two as friends or hate them as enemies. I really didn't want to be talked at by a filly who knows what is going on in my life that I can't handle, but it does give me a few questions to ask Twilight about if what Diamond Tiara's sayings were true.

Nia took a deep breath, "For the Crusaders and I, you are jealous of us because we don't have our cutie marks and that our destinies have not been revealed scares you both. It scares you because our cutie marks might be better than yours altogether. Also, you'll have no reason to make fun of us once we get our cutie mark. As for Spike, he himself has done nothing to you, but despite this, you'll make fun of him because your running out of efforts to make fun of the Crusaders." I look at the two, who were backing away slowly and she continued, "I rest my case. Run along now." She waved her hoof.

Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon stomped away in fury which made me believe what Nia said was true. The Crusaders and I gave her a big hug in return of her actions, but once we let go, we saw something that made us gasp.

"Nia! Your cutie mark!" Apple Bloom shouted pointing towards her flank.

Nia turned her head to see her bottom had a cutie mark: it had an envelop with the world behind it. She gasped at it as she was bouncing in glee because she has a cutie mark. The Crusaders and I bounced with her as well, there was no jealous between us, just the excitement that the second Crusader earned her cutie mark.

Later on, we all made it to Sweetie Belle's parents house for a sleep over due to the fact that Rarity was going to get busy. The last time I saw her was she was in a rush for a last minute fashion appointment in Canterlot and we said good-bye before we made our way to Sweetie Belles. We also celebrated Nia's cutie mark with apple cider and candy from Sugarcube corner. I on the other hand, was gnawing on a ruby that Twilight and Frank gave to me when they got back from Canterlot. Apple Bloom was cuddling against me as I pet her mane while Nia, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were talking.

"What does your cutie mark mean?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I have no idea, but it looks wicked." Scootaloo complemented.

I glanced at her cutie mark, "It means that she is a messenger of some kind, the envelope means that she is a deliverer and the world in the background means the letter inside will help the world somehow." I explained.

"You mean she delivered a message to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon the harsh truth is related to her cutie mark?" Apple Bloom asked.

I nodded, "It's the only explanation I can come up with because I've read 'To define your Cutie Mark'."

Nia claps her hooves together, "Maybe that's it! I'm must be some sort of preacher!"

"Say what now?" Scootaloo asked.

"It means she helps ponies that have issues with their life and tries to help them." Sweetie Belle explained.

"What are you? A dictionary?" Scootaloo teased.

I rolled my eyes, "No, everybody knows what the word means Scoots." I stated.

Scootaloo harrumphed while Nia continued, "What else shall we do for this night of celebrating?" She asked.

"How about we play Monopoly?" I asked.

Apple Bloom nuzzled me, "That's fine with me."

Everyone else agreed and I made my way downstairs to get the board game. The one thing that I didn't notice was that Apple Bloom followed and hugged me from behind. Her warmth welcomed me as I turned around to face her and set the game next to me. She pecked me on the cheek and I returned it.

"I wish we could stay like this forever." She said.

"Me too, but our friends are waiting to play the game." I said petting her mane.

"I know, I know. I just wanted to do this and perhaps do something... Bold." She whispered in my ear.

I was confused, but then her lips were on contact with mine for a moment. I felt my cheeks burning up, "Apple Bloom." I tried to muster words.

"Shh." She said, "I just only want to have a kiss on the lips and thats it."

I nodded, "T-That's fine, but it caught me by surprise."

She smirked, "Really?"

"Yep." I smiled.

She kissed me again and walked up stairs to her friends. I sighed, 'She's a keeper.' I thought. I grabbed the game once more and headed up the stairs to play a long game of Monopoly.

Note: This game did not destroy their friendship because their version of Monopoly is very different from ours.