What happened...Where is...what even is this...it's just...dark...and...really really warm... With eyes halfway open and a strange warmth wrapping around him like a blanket, Spike seamlessly floated through what seemed to be nowhere space, unable to draw his focus to anything but the black warm void that surrounded him. Is this a dream? But then why...why does it feel so real to me...I can feel my claws move, I can hear my heartbeat clearly. Did Twilight cast some weird dreaming spell on me? It was then that a blue aura began to fill the space in front of him, outlining something that pulsed with intensity, vibrating the entire space like an earthquake. With each pulse, Spike held his head in discomfort, his mind becoming slightly hazy in response to the vibrations. The outline slowly became more defined, eventually beginning to shift and stir then...move. Suddenly, Spike's earlier drowsiness left him, his eyes shooting wide open as he was greeted with a startling sight, a red draconic eye staring back his way. "W-what the..."

Suddenly three different flames appeared next to Spike, one red, one blue, and one green. Like some type of playful children or pixies, the flames began to circle around him continuously, up and down, left and right, all while whispering to each other which spike could obviously hear. "He's so small Din." the blue one uttered.

"Incredibly Small Nayru." The red one replied.

"Are we sure he's the one master called for?" the green one asked.

"He has to be the one." Din and Nayru responded in unison. "Did you not feel the force Farore?"

"Indeed I did. Hmm?" Farore paused before letting out a sigh. "Apologies Din, Nayru, it seems our master wishes to speak with him."

"We can't play anymore?" they whined.

"Master says no," Farore replied, the flames suddenly retreating away before stopping in a triangle formation around the eye.

"Apologies, it has been quite some time since they've seen one..." A womanly voice echoed nearly shaking the void around them.

Spike felt his body twitch with a slight hint of fear, trying his best to comprehend what his eyes were seeing. "W-who are you, what's going on, why am I here?" He rushed out in a panic. "Am I dead, maybe asleep? What did you mean by on--"

"Be calm boy, I understand you are confused...there are many questions you have I'm sure, but I cannot answer everything...You would not understand even then..."

"Are you...a dragon too?" he curiously asked.

"Hmm..." The eye closed, the flames disappearing with it as suddenly, the entire void lit up with white. With time, the light faded revealing a beautiful castle throne room, bathed in a luminescent sapphire light that seemed to have no source. Spike took notice of himself now sitting on the room floor, his eyes widening as he turned his attention toward where the throne would be placed as there sat the answer to his curiosity. With one leg crossed over the other in pure elegance and cyan scales shimmering in the strange blue light of the room, a female dragon stared back at him the 3 flames reappearing and hovering just nearby. "You are a dragon..." he said with a hint of shock before raising an eyebrow. "Wait a minute...you're small like me, I thought dragons were supposed to be huge though." As he stood up to officially introduce himself, he was met with resistance, something tugging at his hands and feet, chains bound to his arms and legs and hooked to a wall behind him. "W-what in the--What's the big idea, let me--"

Spike stopped as the cyan-colored dragon chuckled to herself. "You are quite observant, most do not figure it out so quickly. Allow me to begin introductions. I am Ember, the master of this particular realm and these are my oracles, the ones who connect your mind to this place."

"This particular realm?" He questioned still trying to jiggle himself out of the chains. "And what's with these chains?"

"This realm is known as the Sapphire castle. Not much more than that of the castle I’m afraid.” She sat up, placing her eyes upon the dragon intently and studying him. "That aside, the Oracles informed me of a change, that which now I can sense clearly."

"You still haven't told me why I'm--"

"You are here because you are a candidate, Spike."

"Candidate? C-candidate for what?"

Suddenly the three flames began to circle him, giggling to themselves as they looped around and around. "Apologies Spike, that is all I can deliver unto you, more information would only ruin what needs to be set in motion."

Din, Naryu, and Farore began to speed up, blurring in Spike's vision and in return seemingly blurring his vision. "I...just...I," Spike felt his body grow weaker as the flames circled him, dropping to one knee as inaudible whispers filled his ears. His eyes became heavy, eventually falling to all fours as the flames finally stopped and began to speak to him in soft voices.

Spike couldn't fight it anymore, his entire body going limp as sleep accepted him into his embrace.

The griffon’s eyes slowly opened to the low evening light barely filling his room, a cool breeze gently drifting in. “Ugh...I told him 3 times already not to open my bucking window.” With many groans of annoyance he reluctantly slid from his bed, eyes still half closed with hope for more sleep. A few minutes passed before his eyes could fully open and assess the sight of his dirty room. “Ugh, I’m too tired to clean...buck it, not like anyone’s gonna see it.” He shuffled over a nearby mirror, watching as his groggy golden eyes traced his black-feathered body. For a Griffon, preening was everything to hygiene, of course for this young griffon, it was never one thing he looked forward to in the morning. “I really don’t wanna spend 10 minutes fixing my feathers...why can’t we just wake up looking nice ugh...”

A tea shop, quiet, simple, and fragrant with smells of various flowers, a perfect place to relax for most in the city. An older griffon sat in the kitchen, washing teacup after teacup in which dozens more sat on a shelf behind him. “Hmm...I thought that bum would be up by no--” His words were cut off by the sight of a black raven entering through a window, coming to rest its wings on the surface of a table next to the front doors. “Speak of the devil, was wondering if you’d ever get up.” The bird simply turned in the man’s direction, it’s gold eyes seemingly annoyed at the comment. “What, cat got your tongue?”

It let out a sigh as it flapped its wings and hovered behind a large pole that centered in the middle of the shop. Like an illusion, it shifted behind it and within a second, appeared the young griffon on the other side, setting a brown bag on a nearby chair. “I was pretty tired last night ok, don’t judge me.”

“Yea, staying up until 5:00 in the morning is by far your greatest idea yet.”

“Save your sarcasm Uncle.” Upon further inspection, it seemed the tea shop was empty, rather odd for a weekday. “Wait, where are all the animals?”

“Number one it’s about six in the afternoon, this is when most people stick to their homes anyway. And two, you don’t remember what tonight is?”

“Not really.”

“And to think you’ve been living here this long. It’s the Festival of Personas.”

“A festival? When in Noella did that become a thing? What even is a persona festival?”

“So ignorant, I could almost envy you.”

“S-shut up I never noticed it, what’s the big deal?”

The uncle sighed. ”First of all, it’s called the Festival of Personas, a lot of animals around here will bark your ear off if you mess it up. Secondly, it’s a festival that’s held every other month, the animals hold a celebration in the center of town that allows them to...let loose.”

“Let loose?”

“When you attend the festival, you gotta wear a mask. The whole point of this festival is to ditch your everyday stress and by putting on a mask, for most animals it’s like putting on a new face, hiding your old one and being able to really let loose without worrying your boss is watching you.”

The Nephew turned his attention to the window, watching as animals were already wearing masks while getting ready for the night. “No wonder I always avoid going to that part of town, too many animals being weird.”

“Could you stop brooding for maybe a day, you’re killing the mood?”

“Only if you stop bringing home random strangers.”

The Uncle unhooked a flask from the belt on his hip, unscrewing it before continuing. “Look, that wasn’t my fault, I had a hard day and needed someone to help me home. I was a little--”

“What?”

“I’ll be honest, I was a tiny bit...drunk.”

“You’re always drunk.”

The uncle nervously paused like a deer in the headlights, realizing his nephew was staring him down as he took a swig of the flask. Slowly he screwed the cap back on and hooked it back to his belt, flashing a nervous smile back at his nephew. “Uh so...” he awkwardly uttered returning to washing dishes. “What happened with that job you said you got yesterday?”

The Nephew scoffed. “You kidding? Everything went south as soon as they got one good look at me. I know griffons are exactly common outside of our ‘magnificent’ flying city, but this is seriously stupid.”

“Did you at least try what I told you? You didn’t lose your cool like you usually do, did you?” The nephew looked away, doing his best to avoid eye contact. “Rayvin...” he uttered in an accusatory tone. “What did you do?”

A grunt was all that escaped his beak, his eyes slowly drifting back like a child who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Ughhhhh...fine, I...may have lost my cool...for just a second.”

“Don’t give me that ‘for just a second’ bull, what did you do?”

“Look, It wasn’t my fault, that bucking turtle said move the bucking rocks from one side of the garden to the other, and they weren’t light let me tell you.”

“So how did you mess up something as simple as moving a rock?”

“He told me to...to do other stuff.”

“Like?”

“Trim the bushes, water the garden, feed the fish...”

“That’s...it?”

“Yea, that’s it.”

“So what’s wrong with that?!”

“Look, he told me, move rocks and get paid, I never agreed to be a gardener.”

“And what exactly was the job?”

“An estate keeper.”

“Oh for the love of--that’s in the job description.”

“Come again?”

“An estate keeper is a housekeeper you idiot, you take care of the house, including the garden.”

“Oh for buck’s sake, why didn’t they put that in the ad?”

“Because everyone knows what an estate keeper is.”

“Ugh, whatever, I didn’t like the turtle anyway.”

“Why, was he too nice?” he teased.

“Do not give me that tone, it’s a real problem.”

“Hey, I’m a griffon too and I’ve been getting along just fine, what’s your excuse?”

“You just don’t understand, it’s just...like...ugh...how can they be so. Happy. All the bucking time, I just wanna,” he mimicked the motion of squeezing someanimal’s head.

The other griffon sighed, making his way from behind the counter to lean against a table. “It’s called making an effort.”

“An effort to do what, be nice to everyone who’s expecting me to bust in, claws and curse words galore? If they’re gonna see a griffon as shifty and rude, then why disappoint them?” he questioned with venom in his tone. “Wait no...please, please don’t say it...”

“An effort to make friends.”

Rayvin threw his hands up in annoyance, turning away from the other griffon. “I already told you, we’re griffons, we don’t need friends, we can carry our own weight.”

“Careful, You’re emo is showing.”

“Buzz off, you sound like my mom.”

“And you sound like my idiot brother who married her. Don’t tell me that’s who told you that nonsense?”

Rayvin let out a grunt as he turned back to face the griffon. “So what if he did?”

“So what? Are we just gonna ignore the fact that that’s the exact reason she left him? I mean I can’t remember the last time that old coot wasn’t bitter or yelling at the top of his lungs.”

“He has a right to be bitter and old, he did his job of raising me.”

“Don’t be an idiot, I know what you’re thinking. My brother has never been one to care for family, only if they benefit hi--”

“Don’t you say it.” he hissed. “You just feel that way because you’re jealous of fear old br-”

“Shut your break kid, it’s not like that.” the uncle interrupted. “ I hardly even envy that status, with all that responsibility on your shoulders I’d rather be homeless.”

Rayvin felt his entire body shiver at those words. “My bad...”

The uncle sighed, the flask once again leaving his hip and pressing to his beak. “No need, it’s my bad. I know how you feel about your old man, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Look, nephew, I know I’m a little hard on you but you understand why right? I just wanna make sure you’re not pulling my wing here when you say you can handle yourself.”

Rayvin still continued to stare at the floor, a few grunts escaping his beak made his inner conflict clear. “I...I can handle myself, you don’t need to worry Uncle Qrow.”

Qrow’s smile never left his beak and yet he knew deep down, his nephew was hurting inside. “I hope so. Now get your butt over here, I need help with dinner.”

“Actually,” Rayvin interrupted, taking hold of the bag and slipping one of the straps around his arm. “I had a lead on a job before I came in last night. I would like to follow up on it.”

“Oh, way to make me feel all lonely inside.”

“I d-didn’t mean t--”

“I’m just messing with you, get your beak out of here and go get that job.”

“But--”

“You need the money don’t ya?”

“You’re not wrong.”

“Then keep it moving, do what needs to be done, nephew.”

As Rayvin slid the door closed to the tea shop, there were no words to explain the secret tension that left the room, both uncle and nephew letting out audible sighs of frustration as both went about their day. Rayvin made his way down the street, peering over his shoulder to make sure nobody was looking his way. With a swift motion, he turned down a dark alley, disappearing into the late evening darkness. Like magic, a raven appeared from the darkness, shooting above the buildings, the wind guiding his black feathers into the sky. Dozens of animals gave the raven no notice as was it’s intention, soaring over them like a thought in the back of the head, unseen, unheard, forgotten. The raven must have traveled halfway across the city before he finally landed at an obscure cafe. With finesse, the raven flew in through the bathroom window, Rayvin appearing in a stall seconds later. He slowly exited, taking care to survey his surroundings before making his way toward a table in the back hidden from prying eyes. With hesitation, he pulled something from his bag, scanning it and letting out yet another sigh.

“If that’s the way you scan a room,” a voice uttered making Rayvin quickly shove the item back into his bag. “Then you are worse than I give you credit for dweeb.”

“G-Gilda? What are you--”

“Doing here? I thought it was freaky that one of my best “employees” went dark for a week, got a little...worried.” Rayvin growled at the comment, Gilda flashing a cocky smile in response. “Don't give me those eyes dweeb, I was genuinely worried.”

“We talked about this, I’m...Just...what do you want?”

“I have a job for you.”

“That involves?”

Gilda took a second to survey her surroundings before pulling something out of her pocket and sliding it across the table. “A target.”

Rayvin’s eyes went wide at the sight. “I thought I told you I was done.”

“But nobody gets the job done like you do dweeb.”

“Call Gallus, what about him?”

“He’s been on his last assignment for nearly 2 weeks, we haven’t heard a single thing from him.”

“So get somebody else to do it.”

“You’re the only one in Ponyville capable enough.”

Rayvin internally cursed, his eyes scanning over the picture in front of him. “Look, I don’t do that anymore, so take this and hire a new recruit or something, I’m done I told you.”

“Well buck, I guess that’s understandable your highness,” she said beginning to stand up.

“W-what did you call me?”

“Oh, sorry about that, force of habit in the presence of royalty.”

“Ugh...buck.”

“What, didn’t think we’d do our research on you?” she said sitting back down once more. “How crazy is it that royalty would end up working for me, that’s almost as rare as a pony eating meat.”

Rayvin paused, eyes filled with anger and anxiety as he stared back at her. “How did you...how did you find out when--”

“Griffons don’t have the security other animals do, can barely keep an ant from getting into the castle, let alone a fully grown griffon. As for your secret second life, we’ve known ever since a week after your first mission that you were indeed the long lost prince of the griffon kingdom there in cloudsdale. Imagine my surprise when I read that novel worthy backstory. A single son born unto the royal family, grew up in royal care until the age of 14 then suddenly was banished by his own father from the kingdom and forced to make do with normal life only after the king was struck with a strange illness that left him confined to his castle. I’ll be honest, I didn’t plan for a day something like this would fall into my lap, but I’m not complaining.”

“So what, you gonna expose me now, make everyone treat me differently and make me go into hiding?”

“I could...or...” with a swift move, she suddenly appeared on his lap, gently sliding the picture on the table closer to them. “You could help me out with this and get paid enough to finally fix dear old daddy. Isn’t that what you want, to restore your place in the royal family and once again be in line to rule the griffons?”

Rayvin felt his entire being shiver at the thought having to work yet another throw-away job, being subjected to overworking and possibly even the racial profiling that most griffons receive on a daily basis. “And...you’ll pay me for real this time...no tricks, full amount?”

“Dweeb, if you can nail this before the end of Friday in three days, I’ll triple it.” Rayvin paused, his mind shifting from one side of the spectrum and back, over and over. On one claw, his place as the rightful heir to the throne, on the other, risk. She could easily be lying about the pay, he could easily be caught committing the crime, the target may have more protection than he thinks, there were just too many factors to consider. Then he felt the strangest thing, a kiss on his cheek. “Come on Ray, I could throw in the special treat--”

“Keep your beak off me, I’ll take the job geez.”

“I knew that would work.”

“Your special treatment isn’t why I said yes.”

“Sure it isn’t dweeb,” she said with a giggle, hopping off his lap and beginning to walk off. “Remember, before Friday or the deals off.”

“What? You said that was just the deadline for the triple pay.”

“I lied, it’s the full deadline, get it done or no pay.”

“I swear to bucking--” Gilda shot back a cocky smirk as her form was obscured a passerby, vanishing in an instant. Rayvin turned his frustrated attention back toward the picture he was given, his eyes studying it with more hesitation than he had ever felt before. His mind felt like there was a 10-ton weight on it, his claws clenched tight enough to draw blood, the sign of true guilt. “Not again...I promised uncle I wouldn’t get into this ever again. But...” He quickly got to his paws, taking the picture and his bag and exiting the cafe. As he proceeded down the street, he felt his claws twitching constantly, trying not to imagine eyes all around him, dozens of animals looking, judging. “Ignore them Rayvin, you’ve got bigger problems,” he uttered looking back at the picture. “...I don’t have a choice. If I make him better...then he’ll have to take me back, he has to.

“Would you calm down, we got to see a good portion of the city didn’t we?”

“Yea but for only like an hour, I had so many things planned today and someanimal just had to sleep until 6 in the afternoon, there’s not even enough time to spar, good job sleepy head.”

“I said I was sorry Kiki, besides what’s the rush?”

“What’s the rush?!” she said quickly grabbing him by the shoulders. “Tonight is the Festival of Personas.”

“The Festival of Personas? Wait you mean that freaky festival where everyone puts on a mask and gets all weird.”

“Hmph, you obviously don’t know culture when you see it.”

“Culture? My Grandmaster spoke so highly of this festival, but then he always came home drunk so that kinda raised a few red flags.”

“Oh boy...yep, it’s true, this is night all animals can put on a mask and be something they’re not without a boss or a princess looking over their shoulder so you know...drink away most animals say.”

“So does being a princess not allow drinking or--”

“Of course it doesn’t. Besides, I don’t drink, I hate not having a clear head. Actually,” she paused, turning her attention toward the towering castle in the distance. “When I was young, I used to peer out the window, down here at the animals and just imagine myself walking among them, talking among them, being free of my room and the constant care...then one night, I saw something, a massive concentration of lights and fireworks, singing that could be heard all the way from the castle. I didn’t know it then but...that was my first time seeing the Festival of Personas. Well...at least from a bedroom window. I’ve never once felt free of my status, even when I snuck out of the castle to come down to the school and draw. I still felt trapped, like if someone recognized me, they’d immediately bow and serve my every need, exactly what I was trying to escape. So...that’s my goal.” she said excitedly pointing out a poster of the upcoming event. “I’m going straight to the festival. With a mask on, nobody would even have a hint as to who I am, I can finally be a normal animal, let loose.”

“That sounds like a hell of a plan.”

“Yep...” Suddenly her eyes drooped to the floor, a sense of sadness coming over her stance. “But it’s stupid, it’d never work.”

“Why not, nobody knows you’re a princess without a mask, why would they know who you are with one?”

“Because...my own mom is going to be attending this year.”

“W-what?”

“My mother is going to be attending the festival tonight, I overheard her before sneaking out of the castle the morning.”

“But with the mask, she wouldn--”

“It’s a mask spike, not a full-on costume, my mother or her guards could pick me out of a crowd in an instant. Let’s not forget that there aren’t exactly a lot of white squirrels floating around.”

“That’s...actually a good point,” he said, letting out a sigh. “Based on what you told me yesterday at the clock tower, she sees you, its bye bye freedom and probably around the clock security.”

“Nailed it.”

“Hmm...” Spike let his mind work the problem in silence, his eyes staring intently Kiki’s.

“W-what, what are you looking at?”

“You’re going.”

“W-wait what?”

“You’re going to that festival.”

“B-but I just said that it’s useless, fooling my mom is almost as hard as getting a pony to eat meat.”

“Look, being cooped up in that castle doesn’t sound fun, even if you do sneak out. So, I wanna help you get into that festival.”

“Y-you’re serious?”

“I can always go home if you’re not feeling--”

“No no no, it’s cool it’s cool, I reeeally wanna go.”

“Then it’s a plan, but first we have to figure out how to make you completely unrecognizable, even underneath a mask.”

Kiki felt a hint of curiosity slowly make itself known. “But how, I mean we could avoid her, but...all the best stuff is usually in the center of everything, most likely where she’ll be. There’s no way she wouldn’t see me.”

“Well simply avoiding her sounds boring so let’s take a different approach. What we need is to hide you in plain sight.”

“In plain sight...like a costume?”

“Maybe, but I was thinking something a bit more clumsy-proof.”

“Hey, I’m not that clumsy.”

“You almost knocked me off the clocktower three times before we finally got down.”

“That was an...accident...”

“Aka, not going up there ever again. Anyway, what we need to do is simply change your appearance. you know, fur color or something?”

A gasp escaped Kiki. “Your a genius, dyeing my fur is exactly what I need to do, why didn’t I think of that?”

“Why didn’t you?” Spike mocked.

“Shut your muzzle and follow me, I know a mare who can do just what we’re looking for. I just hope she’s not still holding a grudge...”

“What was that?”

“Uh, nothing, just excited about how I’m gonna get to go to the festival is all.” Spike gave an annoyed grunt as they took off down the street. With a turn here and a turn there, they finally landed at their destination, a mix of excitement and fear on Kiki’s face. “This is it. Oh boy...”

“I can still hear you, what are you getting nervous about now?”

“N-nothing, you’re just hearing things, c’mon let’s go inside silly.” She quickly shot back with a creepily happy smile.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this...”

A bell placed above the doorway chimed their entrance as the door slid open. In front of them was a counter, a glass case behind it holding dozens of beauty products. To their left was what Spike assumed to actually be the store itself, housing 4 chairs on each side with large dome-like machine hooked to the back of them. “What... is this pla--” Spike’s lips froze, his eyes instantly widening at the smell that now registered in his brain, covering his nose nearly a second later. “Oh dear Celestia, that is...I’ve survived plants that use tons and tons of pheromones to capture prey, but this is just...overwhelmingly strong.”

“No kidding, you’ll get used to it though, it’s kind of her thing as is all things fashionista.”

“And who exactly is she?”

“Coming darling, just putting a few finishing touches on a project!” A voice called from deep in the back of the building. “And...done.” the voice uttered before the sound of a door opening alerted them that whoever it was finally coming their way. “Apologies darling, I have been simply obsessed with trying to perfect this latest design and it is--Hmm?”

Spike watched as the mare paused, her eyes widening as she finally got a good look at him. Oh...oh wow, she is...just wow. She could not get any prettier, I mean just...those azure blue eyes and that purple hair...crap, focus Spike, focus. “Sorry for interrupting your prett--I mean mam. My name is Spike and I was wondering if you could kiss--I mean help me and my friend here out with something.”

For a moment, the mare didn’t speak, her eyes tracing Spike’s frame as if to study him. “Well well...this is quite a surprise.” Spike felt his breath escape him as the mare closed her eyes and an eerie smile crept onto her face. “You are by far the cutest thing that has ever walked into my salon.” Spike couldn’t help but blink twice as a blush covered his cheeks. “I apologize, I’m not one for believing in fairy tales.”

“Uh, I don’t quite understand mam.”

“Oh how rude, your sure adorableness seems to have made me forget my manners, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rarity, but you may call me...beauty.”

Beauty doesn’t even begin to cover it... Spike thought as his mind became hazy at the sound of her name, not even realizing the bit of drool dripping from his mouth. Spike came to that realization as soon as a giggle came from Rarity. “Oh crap, sorry, I didn’t mean t-to stare or like--”

“Hehe, it’s quite fine actually, I find it to be quite...endearing. That aside, Spike was it, you are a real dragon yes?”

“Y-yes mam, through and through, I can breathe fire and everything.”

“So that means the scales upon your back are...authentic?”

“As far as I know, I’m the only dragon left.”

Spike’s infatuation was immediately joined by a shiver up his spine, not of excitement but fear. An almost devilish smile had crept onto the mare’s face, her eyes locking onto his. “Oh heavens, what luck the princesses have granted me.”

“Kiki?” he whispered. “She’s really pretty but now she’s starting to creep me ou-” Wait, w-what the...S-she’s gone, where did she go?! Did she just throw me under the cart or--

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for someone of your caliber to come along. A dragon, a real dragon, gracing my salon with his presence, I can’t believe it.” Like a blur, the mare latched onto Spike’s shoulders, a strange red shine beginning to form on the edge of her blue eyes. “I need your help Spikey Wikey, you’re the only one who can.”

Spike’s blush returned, ten times the amount now. “A-as great as that sound, w-we need your help...actually...please...”

“Oh Spikey, you do this for me,” she uttered tracing a finger across his chest. “And anything you want is free of charge.”

“I’m not gonna have to fight am I?”

“Oh, quite the opposite you handsome little drake.”

Ok, this is fine. We’re cool. Even if she’s incredibly hot, I have to focus and get through this. Dye fur, get out, simple as that. “I-I-I’ll consider it...W-what is it exactly?”

“I need a source of material for my next piece and it just so happens a very handsome dragon entered my humble shop.”

“I don’t know how well fire would mix with fabri--”

“No no silly.” Suddenly that small sheen of red surrounded her entire iris, glowing with unpredictable intent. “What I need Spikey is your scales.”

“Oh that makes sense, why would you wanna bur--come again?”

“Your scales darling, they shine with a most...delectable shade of purple. If you’d be so kind as to part with a few of them, I’d be happy to fulfill your request...free of charge of course.

Spike’s infatuation dissipated like smoke on the wind, his body instinctively jumping back. “No no no no no no no, not a chance.”

“Whatever is the matter darling, why so protective of something that will most likely grow back?”

“Because it’s so. Itchy. Imagine the worst itch you’ve ever had and multiply that by a thousand, I never wanna go through that pain again.”

“Oh my...” Rarity uttered in a dramatic tone before supposedly fainting.

Spike’s quick reflexes couldn’t help but kick in as he slid across the floor to catch her in his arms. “Rarity?! H-hey, are you ok what happened?”

“Oh my, it seems I’m a bit dehydrated...I felt so weak. But to be caught by such a strapping young man...”

His infatuation in the mare didn’t stay gone long as the blush once again returned to his face. “Y-you’re gonna be fine Rarity, I swear on my life. I-I’ll get you to a clinic and--”

“Please darling, allow me to say something...before I lose consciousness.”

“A-are you sure, you look pretty weak ri--”

“Darling...Spikey Wikey...the only way to heal me...is with the love of a ki--”

“And I’m done.”

With a swift motion, he let her body drop the ground, his eyes obviously annoyed as she rubbed her back in discomfort. “H-how rude, that is not a way to treat a lady who simply wanted a kiss.”

“You say a kiss but don’t think I didn’t feel those tweezers trying to pluck a scale off me.”

“W-what a ludicrous accusation...” she said quickly sliding the tweezers behind her leg. “How rude to accuse me, a proper mare, of such an act. You’re lucky I find you so...devishly handsome or I would have the authorities here in minutes.”

“No need to go that far, all me and Kiki want is--”

“Kiki? You came in here alone did you not?”

“Uh, no actually--where is...” Rarity felt a hint of confusion as Spike searched the waiting area for his friend. After a minute, Spike let out a sound of victory, his arm reaching underneath a nearby table covered by a red cloth. “What are you doing under there?”

“No no, don’t let her know I’m here.” Her voice whispered back.

“Come out of there, you’re the one getting your fur dyed aren’t you?”

“Spike no I--” her words were cut short as Spike dragged her from under the table, a nervous smile spread across her face as Rarity finally locked eyes with her. “Oh, hey there...Rarity.”

“Well well well...What luck...it is that you of all animals would end up in my salon again...thief.”

“Oh come on Rarity, don’t you remember how good of friends we were?”

“I remember plenty you shifty little rodent.”

“You’re not seriously still holding a grudge are you?”

“Oh, I’m holding more than grudge darling.” Spike could only watch as Rarity seemed to more get more fired over the course of a minute, Kiki doing the best she could to deflect each and every word that came from the mare’s mouth. “Just admit you took it and your punishment won’t be as severe.”

“I didn’t take anything Rarity, you’re just imagining things, you didn’t believe then and you still won’t believe me now, I guess that’s how prim and proper ladies work nowadays huh?”

Rarity’s face once elegant and beautiful, suddenly became filled with anger. “Don’t you insult me just because I have proper manners, growing up in Canterlot was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Ok ok ok ok!” Spike interrupted quieting the two instantly. “I’ve seen better catfights from actual cats, what is up with you two?”

Kiki sighed. “Ms. priss over here thinks I stole something a suuuuper long time ago when I knew better to steal, I’m no thief.”

Rarity scoffed at that comment. “And I know I wasn’t hallucinating, I made sure to take count of everything I owned and something just so happen to come up missing the last day this thief was working for me.”

Spike let out a sigh. “Ugh, and I thought dealing with the twin's arguments back in the Everfree was bad. Kiki, please tell me you’re not fighting this hard for a lie?”

“What, I’m serious, I didn’t take anything.”

“Kiki...” he uttered in an accusatory tone. “You wanna go to that festival, don’t you? If you took something, now’s the time to own it.”

An annoyed grunt escaped Kiki as she turned to face away from Rarity. “I just...ugh fine.”

“So you did take something?” Rarity quickly shot back.

“I...borrowed it?”

“What did you take?” Spike asked.

Kiki let out a sigh as she turned back to face Rarity. “I took...a bottle of perfume.”

“Run that by me again, a bottle of perfume?” she nodded. “Wait, why would you hold a grudge over--”

“You don’t understand Spikey Wikey,” Rarity quickly chimed in. “It was a priceless bottle of Celeste Symphony, one, if not, the most expensive perfume known to pony kind, developed and released by Princess Celestia herself. It cost me half of what I pay for this store to get my hands on one, and took me nearly 5 years to replace after sticky paws over here ran off with it.”

“I’m...sorry about that.” Kiki tried to apologize but Rarity felt it couldn’t be justified, a fire now burning deep within her eyes.

“What was your reasoning for taking such a priceless thing from under my nose, did you ever really care about working here or were you simply using me to scope out items of value.”

“Look I--”

“Oh no no, you don’t get to escape darling, you’re going to work back every single bit until--”

“Whoa whoa whoa, Rarity please, let’s take it down a level.” Spike quickly asked.

“Why should I, she admitted to her crime, why shouldn’t there be a punishment?”

“Ok, I can see that you’re a bit... well, pissed. But the least you can do is hear her out, please? Pretty Please?”

Her face twisted with anger, her mouth opening and closing as if to want to get out an insult but words never left it. Eventually, she crossed her arms and let out a sigh. “Fine, we shall see how she justifies such an expensive crime.”

Spike motioned to Kiki to continue. “Hmm...look, I’m really sorry about that, I’m not that kind of animal anymore.”

“And why should I believe you.”

“Because the only reason I stole that perfume was to fund my art. When I sold the bottle, I used the money to buy me a few dozen art books.”

“Wait, but you were already--”

“I was afraid to ask for a raise...I didn’t want you to think I was taking advantage of you...which now that I think about it, I was not very smart.”

“Let me see,” she replied coldly.

“S-see what?”

“Your drawings, let. Me. See. Them.”

“Ok ok, just stop giving me the death stare already.”

Kiki reluctantly pulled the sketchbook from her tail and handed it to Rarity, she could swear a bead of sweat rolled down her cheek as the mare flipped through the pages. “Hmm...Interesting...I see.”

For a moment it seemed she was lost in the drawings, constantly flipping back and forth between 2 drawings then flipping to another before once again flipping back to the first. After what seemed like an eternity, she closed the book and handed it back to Kiki. “Well...what did you think?”

A long silence followed that question, a certain tension in the air never seeming to fade as Rarity seemingly empowered it with pure willpower alone. “Well...I can’t say that completely forgive her...or trust her.” Rarity began, a certain hesitation shining through every word that left her mouth. “But...I’m willing to overlook this incident this one time.”

“R-really?”

“Yes yes, I’m already regretting it but...your art is quite detailed, I can see now that at least my hard-earned money wasn’t wasted on something so...trivial.”

“Thank Celestia,” Kiki uttered finally releasing an anxiety-filled breath.

“Be happy darling, cause that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.”

“Wait what?”

“You may have saved yourself this time, and an even harsher punishment later, but that doesn’t mean punishment isn’t still in order.

“Oh, that’s just great, really looking forward to it...” Kiki whined.

“Don’t worry, it’ll play to your...new strengths. Now, what exactly did you need from Ms. Rarity’s salon?”

Spike took a step forward, finally able to place himself back in the conversation. “Oh yea, we need your fashion expertise on something.”

“But Spikey wikey, you’re simply divine, scales shimmering like crystals in the sunlight, the cutest little green eyes---”

“Not me...” he said letting a little blush fill his cheeks.

“Oh, you mean...” she said turning her attention to Kiki. “Is that so?” she uttered, an eerie smile once again spreading across her face. “How may I be of ssssservice darling?”

Great, she still exaggerates her s’s like a weird snake person, really missed that can’t get enough. Kiki thought as she felt a shiver go up her spine, taking a step behind Spike in fear. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea...”

“Nonesssssense darling, you can ask anything of me...anything.”

“You know what, maybe the festival isn’t such a good id--”

“We need you to dye her fur.” Spike chimed in.

“Quite a simple task, although it wouldn’t hurt to know why?”

“Uh...why?”

“Yes why, is it for the festival?”

“You could say that.” Spike nervously replied.

“I detect a hint of hesitation in that response, you aren’t trying to hide something are you?”

An exaggerated laugh left both their mouths as Rarity stared at them with confusion. “Us, hiding something, no way,” they both said. Don’t figure it out, don’t figure it out, don’t figure it out, don’t figure it out, don’t figure it out, don’t figure it out.

Rarity paused a moment, her eyes scanning their every motion and emotion. “Hmm...well I suppose it’s none of my business.” Spike and Kiki both let out a sigh of relief. “So what are we looking to do, the tail, a paw, a leg--”

“My entire body.” Kiki interrupted.

“From head to toe? That’s a steep order, and so close to the start of the festival too.”

“I know it’s a huge ask on such short notice, but I need to be completely unrecognizable.”

“That sounds suspicious.”

“Uh no no, it’s just...uh, help me out here Spike,” she whispered.

“She has a...stalker yea, a stalker. He follows her everywhere and will probably be at the festival tonight.”

“Oh my, if that’s the case then I’ll gladly do it. Your price is 700 bits.”

“Wow, that is...expensive.”

“I can’t run such an expensive salon on scraps darling.”

“So...theoretically speaking...”

“Hmm?”

“Let’s say I don’t...currently have 700 bits. There isn’t like... anyway I could put this on a tab?”

“Heavens no, this would require at least a full bottle of fur dye, I simply couldn’t fathom the loss...unlesssssssss...” she uttered, that creepy smile returning to her face as she stared at Spike.

“Oh no...”

“This is amazing, I can’t believe how different I look!” Kiki happily exclaimed as she and Spike walked down the street.

“You think Rarity has a boyfriend?”

“I mean just look at me, I knew white squirrels were rare but a black squirrel, mom will never see this coming.”

“I mean know has the crazy tick for my scales and that weird snake speech thing, but she is wow wow amazing.”

“Now all we need is the mask and I'll be completely incognito, I think there’s a shop near here that sells them actually. What kind of mask do you want?”

“If I can make her forget about my scales, then I think a first date would be complet--”

“Hey!”

Spike shook his head in confusion, turning back to her with ignorance in his eyes. “Were you saying something?”

“You weren’t listening at all were you?”

“Y-yea, I was, I defintely was.”

“Then what did I say?”

“Huh?”

“What. Did. I. Say?”

“You were talking about...Rar--”

“If you say Rarity, I will smack you with my tail.”

“N-nevermind.”

“Ugh, it’s bad enough that she started calling you Spikey Wikey. Although, if it weren’t for Spikey Wikey, we would have been out and arm and a leg so at least something came out of it. Now, enough that very awkward topic, we need masks and then we need a festival.”

“I’m actually pretty curious to see what this festival is like up close. A party is one thing but an entire festival sounds fun, of course, my drunk grandmaster isn’t giving me a lot of good expectations.”

“And Twilight?”

“Planned any and every bit of the few parties she did get the chance to throw me. If it didn’t go as planned, she kind of went off the deep end. Thank Celestia we had Pinkie Pie there to lighten the mood.”

“Oh Twilight, she’s the shiniest of gems.”

“And you’re still idolizing her, that is some extreme dedication.”

“Enough small talk, I saw a bunch of animals coming from that way with masks on, that must be where the shop is, let’s go!” Kiki excitedly exclaimed running off like middle schooler.

Spike was about to rush to follow until a certain...smell caught his nose. He turned it upward, sniffing the air, trying to track it down but ultimately came to no conclusion. “Must be something on the wind, coulda sworn I smelled a--”

“Are you coming?!” Kiki angrily yelled.

“Oh yea sorry sorry sorry, I’m coming.”

Spike rushed to catch up to Kiki. Unbeknownst to him, a certain animal with a rather familiar set of piercing red eyes gave a smile, a chuckle following it. The skunk got to his feet and proceeded in the opposite direction of Spike and Kiki, pulling a communicator from his person and placing it to his ear. “Turqoi, you online?”

“...”

“Turqoi? Turqoi, get your nose out of whatever you're reading and answer me.”

“Would you be quiet you simpleton, you’re interrupting one of the greatest read I’ve ever found.”

“More important than your mission?”

“It’s the 2nd part to the origin of magic, I never dreamed the Ponyville library would have such an interesting find, it’s truly wonder--”

“Ugh, take off your geek cap for ten seconds and give me an update.”

“Hmph, how rude. The least you could do is try and be excited about the world’s history Beryl. Now, am I to assume this hastiness means nothing came of your endeavor?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, I’m offended you think so little of me.”

“Your offense is irrelevant, did you or did you not accomplish your goal?”

“Oh Turqoi, do you even have to ask? Looks like our squirrel is partying it up tonight at the festival, and being pretty dang obvious about it. Funny thing, she dyed her fur completely black.”

“An adept plan I see, hiding in plain sight.”

“And what’d you get on your end, hopefully not a bunch of egghead nonsense.”

A sigh escaped her as the sound of pages flipping filled the silence. “That Egghead nonsense is called history, maybe you should take a second to learn it.” she coldly shot back.

“Nah, that’s all you Turqoi, I can only tolerate one bookworm in my life.”

“Don’t be surprised if you end up encased in a block of ice Beryl.”

“So did you get the info or not?”

“Even with my level of skill, I had a hard time tracking down a good source. Even so, I was able to eventually pinpoint an unusually high concentration of magic coming from a location on the edge of the city, a clinic I believe.”

“Perfect, that gives us enough time to put things in motion. You’re ok to take care of the magic right?”

“It’s not like anybody else would do it correctly. And you?”

“I just feel so bad that I was forced to walk away from my fight so awkwardly, sooo very bad that I want to make it up to that Squirrel.”

“You gonna ask her out now romeo?” Turqoi teased.

“Don’t be jealous Turqoi, it’s only natural that women fall for me.”

“Cute,” she sarcastically responded.

“First things first, I need to formally introduce myself, and what better day to do that,” he said sneakily plucking a mask off a merchant’s cart and putting it on, his red eyes shining like rubies through the eyes holes. “Then at a party.”