Chereads / My Little Pony: Platinum Shadow / Chapter 36 - Episode 35: (Sweetie Belle Arc) Reminiscence: The Lady & The Dragon

Chapter 36 - Episode 35: (Sweetie Belle Arc) Reminiscence: The Lady & The Dragon

Scene 35.0: Ponyville, 10 Years Ago

 

Phase 1:

Perspective Of The Lady

 

***

 

"It all happened over 10 years ago…right after my sister, Twilight and the others saved and reformed Luna…you could say…that's when it all started…I went to visit Rarity at her boutique so she could tell me everything on how they managed to save Luna…then I saw him. "A Dragon in Ponyville!?" I thought to myself excitedly and he looked around my same age. Imagine how I felt when I found out he was there for Rarity."

 

"Shadow: Not Surprised That In The Least?"

 

"Exactly. Because everycreature likes how beautiful she is."

 

"Luster: Green isn't your color, Sweetie Belle."

 

"(Annoyed) My Eyes Are Green, Luster. But that's neither here nor there. Can I continue my story, please?"

 

"Luster: Sorry. Please continue."

 

"(Clears Throat) Why thank you! As I was saying…I really liked his colors – purple scales with green spikes. Those are my favorite colors, but I couldn't let anycreature know about that since back then if you like a certain combination of colors, that means everycreature will know who you had a crush on."

 

"Luster: Did you had a crush on Spike back then?"

 

"(Annoyed) We were children, Luster! We were too young to understand what love was back then!"

 

"Shadow, Luster: (Teasing Laughter) You did have a crush on him!!!"

 

"(Furious) I LEAST I KNEW HOW TO HIDE IT!!! WILL YOU LET ME TELL HOW IT HAPPENED OR NOT!?!?!?"

 

"Shadow, Luster: (Mild Chuckle) Sorry, Sorry. Please continue. We won't tease you again. (Whispering) For Now…"

 

"(Annoyed Sigh) Like I said…I knew how to hide my feelings for him, plus my life was moving pretty fast if I do say so myself. My time with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo kept me from actually delving into my feelings for Spike. (Warm Smile) I can't believe me and the girls wished to be grownups that one time. But that all changed when Twilight and Spike left Ponyville and started living in Canterlot…A few years later, Spike came back to Ponyville and he looked big and strong. I can still remember Rarity telling me that Spike outgrew his crush on her, so I thought now was my chance to get Spike to like me, now that he looks more like my type…(Annoyed) But Apple Bloom beat me to it. (Evil Smile) Luckily the whole Clyde mess happened which helped them breakup."

 

"Shadow, Luster: (Thinking) Oh, Dear…"

 

"(Annoyed) But then Scootaloo had to butt-in and ruin everything. (Evil Smug Smile) But then Spike broke up with Scootaloo because of the same reason."

 

"Shadow, Luster: (Thinking) That's pretty evil…even for you Sweetie Belle."

 

"Still…That's where it all started. While he was dating Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, I would—"

 

"Shadow: (Out Loud) Act like a Tsundere Class Himedere around him?"

 

"I'm getting tired of this"

 

"Shadow: Sorry. It won't happen again, I promise."

 

"After Spike broke up with Scootaloo, that's when I took my chance…"

 

Spike just finished breaking up with Scootaloo that night and it ended with her hoofing him hard on the face that left a very dark imprint of her horseshoe there as he returns to the castle to call it a day. However as soon as he arrives near there, he sees Sweetie Belle giving him a condescending smug sneer as Spike is not in the mood to take her abuse that night.

 

Sweetie Belle:

Oh, poor baby dragon. Did Scootaloo gave you the beating you deserve?

 

Spike:

(Annoyed)

I'm not in the mood for your [Censored {S-Word}] tonight, Sweetie Belle. I just want to go to my room, have some sleep so I can leave tomorrow and get back to Canterlot, so I can forget this whole mess ever happened.

 

Sweetie Belle:

First my sister, then Gabby, Smolder, Mina, Ember, Apple Bloom and now Scootaloo. I bet you led-on more than just them. You really are a filthy little player. You Get What You [Censored {F-Word}] Deserve, You Womanizer!

 

Spike:

(Furious)

I never led any female on! You are just jealous that unlike you, I actually have a love life.

(Condescending Smug Sneer)

I can still remember when you got a gift meant for Sugar Belle thinking you got a Secret Admirer and went around Ponyville looking for who it was. You really are the pathetic one here!

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Furious)

Why you…!!! I had a good idea who could have been, but I don't like jumping the gun on the guy I have a crush on! I had to keep him a secret in order to weigh in my options since my crush never noticed me for a very long time! Since my crush has the brain the size of a peanut!

 

Spike:

Looks like you and this crush are made from one another. I always respected you, but ever since I started dating Apple Bloom, you started acting like such a [Censored {B-Word}].

 

Sweetie Belle:

If I'm a [Censored {B-Word}] then you are a [Censored {F-Word}] A-Hole!

 

"Spike and me exchanged insults right then and there as one thing led to another and before we knew it, we were passionately embracing and kissing each other and the next morning…we woke up in his bed."

 

"Shadow: I see. All that frustration between each other was taking its toll on both of you and when it reached the boiling point of that moment, it needed a way out. Your intense bickering was the final straw that pushed you together"

 

"Yeah. After that moment…we got closer to one another and…we lost our innocence at that point."

 

"Shadow: Not surprising. If your feelings towards each other were that intense and heated, of course you would need to get it all out. Fortunately you weren't in heat, so you avoided getting pregnant. When did that happened by the way?"

 

"3 years ago on the day of the incident."

 

"Shadow: So that's why you were depressed when you visited us at doc's lab. You and Spike were going to celebrate your 3 year anniversary."

 

"Yes."

 

"Shadow: What can you tell us on the day you finally got together?"

 

Scene 35.1: Ponyville – Twilight's Castle (Spike's Room), 3 Years Ago

 

Spike wakes up and sees Sweetie Belle sleeping snugly and lovingly wrapped around his chest as he gently pats her head as she wakes up and looks at him happily.

 

Sweetie Belle:

Good morning, Spikey-Wikey.

 

Spike:

(Smiling)

Good morning, Sweetie. Can I…ask you a few questions?

 

Sweetie Belle:

Let me guess – How long was I interested in you?

 

Spike:

Yeah.

 

Sweetie Belle:

Since I saw you going into Carousel Boutique when you went to visit Rarity for the first time.

 

Spike:

But you never showed signs of being interested in me.

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Giggles)

After spending all that time with Rarity, you couldn't tell she's pretty good at hiding some aspects of herself by acting very ladylike?

 

Spike:

Yeah? I can still remember her losing her cool and acting a little too aggressive at times. But you weren't like that as I remember.

 

Sweetie Belle:

That's why because I was a filly, so I needed to act as such. Rarity's secret is pretty easy to master: "To fool everycreature, you need to behave as such and making sure you don't break character. The more you act that way, it will become your default personality." When Rarity was a filly, she wasn't prim and proper, but she worked hard on it and it became her main personality. "Hard Work Always Grants The Best Rewards." That's what Rarity would always tell me.

 

Spike:

That sounds about right, but I don't think that answers my question.

 

Sweetie Belle:

Since I was a filly, I decided to wait for you until we were all grown up, so I had to keep myself busy with my childhood so I didn't go love crazy like when the girls and me accidentally gave Big Mac and Ms. Cheerilee that Love Poison. Those two were too way out there and I didn't want to end up like them. When I found out you outgrew your crush on Rarity, I knew I had a good chance of get you for myself, but I needed to wait a little longer. Since I look like Rarity, I knew you'd fall for me…But…

(Saddened)

…Why…? Why didn't you…?

 

Spike:

(Saddened)

You said it.

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Surprised)

Huh?

 

Spike:

You look like Rarity and…you saw what happened when I found out she was dating Clyde. I…didn't want anycreature to think that you were the rebound girl because you do look like Rarity and you are her sister. I don't want everycreature to bully you for me being a – Quote-On-Quote – "womanizer" as you called me earlier. I thought I completely forgot Rarity, but…after I found out how happy she was dating Clyde…I got jealous that my long forgotten feelings came back. I hope that…I don't hurt you like I—

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Places Hoof On Spike's Mouth, Warm Smile)

Ssh. I will work hard to make you forget my sister and make you accept me as I have accepted you a long time ago.

 

Spike:

(Warm Smile)

Thank you, Sweetie Belle. I promise that I will work hard for you.

 

"That's when Spike and me got together, but he is worried that others would call us out for being together just as he fears. So we decided not to break our public character dynamic – Me acting out against him and him fighting back, but not neither of us going overboard. It worked out completely well…too well that the more we acted out in public…when we met in private…we would have a passionate meeting. He even would sneak into my room like Romeo would visit Juliet."

 

"Shadow: I hope you stayed away from each other on certain times of the month."

 

"(Offended) Of course we did!!! We are too young to be parents!!!"

 

"Shadow: Allow me to give you one piece of advice – Please For The Love of Twilight!!! Don't Let Uncle Spike Name You Children If You Do Decide To Settle Down!!!"

 

"(Sighs) I love Spike and all but…you are right. Spike really don't know how to give out names!"

 

"Luster: So you and Spike have been dating for 3 years?"

 

"(Warm Smile) Yeah…I'm glad we finally got together."

 

"Shadow: Yet you attack each other in public? Well I don't blame you. You both feel that you aren't ready to let the world know yet, right?"

 

"(Saddened) Yeah. It wasn't easy but…we managed it."

 

"Luster: Didn't you both had any close calls?"

 

"Well…there were that one time when the girls noticed something was off…"

 

Scene 35.2: Ponyville – CMC Treehouse, 3 Years Ago

 

"One day while grading test scores, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo noticed I was being way too happy…more happier than usual…and something that made me blush like crazy when they noticed…"

 

Apple Bloom:

Say Sweetie Belle? Are you…Happy?

 

Sweetie Belle:

Huh? Where did that question came all of the sudden?

 

Scootaloo:

(Laughing)

You've been singing all day and is not the only thing we've noticed. Your coat and mane looks more shinier than usual.

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Nervous, Deep Blush)

I'm trying Rarity's Beauty Secrets! Since you girls are impressed I guess it's working.

 

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo:

(Annoyed Stare)

.........…

 

Sweetie Belle:

What?

 

Apple Bloom:

Just tell us the truth, Sweetie Belle.

 

Scootaloo:

You found a special somepony, didn't you?

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Defeated Sigh)

Is it that obvious?

 

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo:

Way too obvious.

 

Apple Bloom:

So who is it?

 

Scootaloo:

Yeah. It must be somepony great to get you this happy and you haven't been this happy in a very long time.

 

Sweetie Belle:

Yeah…Do you girls remember the time we found Big Mac's Package meant for Sugar Belle? Well when we found it, I was hoping that the one who sent it to me was…my crush…of course we never saw him all day before we encountered Big Mac. But I did see him that day…

(Thinking)

…Too bad he still was focusing on Rarity after everything was resolved. But it doesn't matter. I still got Spike in the end.

 

Apple Bloom:

So who is he!?

 

Scootaloo:

Yeah! I want to know too!!!

 

Sweetie Belle:

Um…We are…we are trying to keep our relationship a secret and we feel like we aren't ready to tell everycreature just yet. I'm sorry girls.

 

Scootaloo:

(Annoyed)

Oh, Come On, Sweetie Belle!!!

 

Apple Bloom:

Is it somecreature we know?

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Proud Smile, Blushing, Nods)

Yeah, you do but…we feel like we won't be allowed to be together if you know who he is.

 

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo:

(Worried)

Is he a villain!?

 

Sweetie Belle:

No, he isn't! He just…got on everycreature's bad side…

(Thinking)

…mostly on females because of what happened between them.

 

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo:

Are you sure you will be fine?

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Happy Smile)

Yeah, because we do care for each other and want this to work, but we can only do this if you give us our privacy. I promise that one day we will let everycreature know about us. You just have to trust us, please.

 

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo:

(Worried Sigh)

Alright.

 

Apple Bloom:

But if anything happens, you'll come to us lickety-split.

 

Scootaloo:

Yeah. The last thing we want is you ending up like Spike and us.

 

Sweetie Belle:

(Nervous Smile)

Sure thing, girls. I'll keep that in mind.

(Thinking)

This is the Main Reason we don't want to tell you that we are dating just yet…!!!

 

***

 

Scene 35.3: Ponyville Detention Center, 7:04 PM, Day 62 of 365

 

Sweetie Belle:

When I saw Spike again, it looks like Big Mac and Discord confronted him about it, but just like me, he was able to sidestep it by calling out Discord of having secret rendezvous with somecreature.

 

Shadow:

Oh, yeah…He's Fluttershy's Roommate, not her lover…Especially we already know who Fluttershy's Lover is by now.

 

Luster:

So Discord has a Secret Girlfriend too? Looks like that's a trend nowadays that I even heard rumors that Celestia even has a Secret Boyfriend.

 

Shadow:

There's also you and Pound Cake.

 

Luster:

(Annoyed)

We aren't in a secret relationship, we are just taking things a little slowly so we don't make any mistakes.

 

Shadow:

You two worry too much.

 

Sweetie Belle:

Shadow is right. You two should just go for it. I bet you two would make a great couple. When all of this is over, you can count on me to move things along since the girls and me always go there for some cupcakes with sprinkles.

 

Luster:

Thanks. I feel like I'm going to need all the help I can get.

 

Shadow:

We'll make sure to get you acquitted, but let me ask you one last question if you don't mind, Sweetie Belle.

 

Sweetie Belle:

Sure, what is it?

 

Shadow asks his question and Sweetie Belle replies just as Shadow was expecting. Using this information, Shadow bids his farewell to Sweetie Belle and heads to talk to the last one creature to talk to about that night that can shed more light into this situation. As they head out, Luster looks at Shadow and asks…

 

Luster:

Do you think he'll talk?

 

Shadow:

He has to if he really cares for Sweetie Belle as much as she cares for him.

 

Luster:

Should we put them on the witness stand?

 

Shadow:

That all depends on how well we do on the trial. If Fraulein paints us into a corner, guess we'll have no choice. But…if we hear something that could help Sweetie Belle, I won't hesitate to put them tomorrow on the witness stand as a special surprise witness.

 

Luster:

But won't Judge Neighsay bite our heads off for pulling a fast one like this?

 

Shadow:

He won't since they are vital witnesses. He won't turn us away so easily.

 

Luster:

I hope you are right for Sweetie Belle's Sake.

 

Scene 35.4: Twilight's Castle, 7:32 PM

 

Upon returning to the castle, Shadow uses his Evil Eyes one more time to look around the castle to find Spike's Magical Aura as he doesn't remember seeing or hearing Spike in Ponyville ever since the incident started that day much less in the castle; and there aren't any records of him being in Ponyville as they look very closely at their surroundings in order to find him, but Shadow is getting weaker and weaker the more he relies on these eyes and he sees a trail that has Spike's Magical Traces and it's not within the castle, but next door at the School of Friendship.

 

Scene 35.5: School Of Friendship, 7:48 PM

 

Phase 2:

Perspective Of The Dragon

 

Weakened yet staying strong, Shadow manages to find Spike hiding in a room closet deep within the School of Friendship located in the teacher's area where students rarely go after school hours as they see him doing something there but can't see what it is as he is with his back turned. Luster wants to discreetly talk to Spike so they don't startle him and find out what is it that he is doing there, but Shadow stressed out by his exhaustion in overusing his forbidden power, he abruptly confronts Spike directly which startles him and quickly hides the item he was interacting with which arouses great suspicion within Luster, but Shadow in his current condition, never noticed Spike hiding said item.

 

Shadow:

Alright, Uncle Spike…how are you here in Ponyville? Aren't you supposed to be doing some Friendship Ambassador Duties somewhere on Eastern Equestria?

 

Spike:

(Nervous Smile)

Well…I heard about the Prosecutor from Twilight and I wanted to meet her. Imagine my surprise when I found out she's the long lost cousin of the Apple Family.

 

Shadow:

Is that so? Did you meet her yourself?

 

Spike:

Only from a distance. She looks like Granny Smith, but with all of that Vampire-Like outfit, she looks like a villain in the Power Ponies Comics I used to read.

 

Shadow:

Yeah, she does. Did you know that outfit is a revamped and upscale version of her "Mara Festival" Costume. The Mara Festival is the Lýkos' Version of Nightmare Night and there are a lot of similarities between them. Actually the depiction of Mara resembles Nightmare Moon in every sense of the way, but a lot more evil looking. I wonder where she is now.

 

===========================

 

Not far from there…

 

Lysithea:

(Saddened)

AAACCCHHHOOO!!! That's not a nice thing to say, Shadow…

 

===========================

 

Luster:

Spike? What did you have there?

 

Spike:

(Desperately Hiding Item, Nervous Smile)

Whatever do you mean, Luster?

 

Shadow:

(Serious Stare)

Spike…You don't want me to do something you might regret.

 

Spike:

(Worried)

Like What?

 

Shadow:

(Mischievous Smug Smile)

Luster? Did I ever tell you that Spike found a Magical Power Ponies Comic?

 

Luster:

(Annoyed)

Shadow…everycreature knows about that.

 

Shadow:

That's not completely true in the least. You are talking about the "First Time" it happened which has been made public, but you don't know about the "Other Times".

 

Luster:

(Surprised)

"Other Times"? As in "Plural"!?

 

Shadow:

Yeah. You see this one time he even made the Mane-iac fall—

 

Spike:

(Annoyed)

SHADOW!!!

 

Shadow:

Now you want to show us what you are hiding?

 

Spike:

(Annoyed Sigh)

Fine.

 

Spike pulls out a picture of him and Sweetie Belle, all snazzy and fit as the picture seems that was taken during the Grand Galloping Gala which makes Shadow wonder: "If they are together when taking the picture, Who took the picture?"

 

Shadow:

So it's true. You and Sweetie Belle are an item.

 

Spike:

I knew you would be one of the few to find out this soon. So your investigation led you to me and found out how Sweetie Belle and I got together.

 

Shadow:

It wasn't hard. You left a few clues behind and the testimonies I got from Apple Bloom and Scootaloo made it easy for me to put 2 and 2 together. Sweetie Belle told us her side of the story, now it's your turn.

 

Spike:

How much did Sweetie Belle tell you?

 

Shadow and Luster tells Spike everything Sweetie Belle told them and the Dragon sighs happily as he proudly looks at both of them which confuses them both.

 

Spike:

I'm glad you found out everything. I really want to tell everycreature about us.

 

Luster:

I thought you didn't want anycreature to find out.

 

Spike:

Yeah, I did but after what happened recently with Sweetie Belle and this trial…I want everything out in the open now more than before.

 

Shadow:

We can do it if we put you both on the witness stand, even if tomorrow is last minute, it might happened because Fraulein can spin it into an advantage for herself which won't work.

 

Spike:

If it will help Sweetie Belle, I'm going to do it.

 

Luster:

Before we go for it…what is your point of view on everything that happened?

 

***

 

Scene 35.6: Ponyville – Sweet Apple Acres (Guys' Night Barn), 3 Years Ago

 

"You already know most of it. I hated Sweetie Belle ever since I started dating Apple Bloom and started acting like a total [Censored {B-Word}] to me and I didn't know why until I broke up with Scootaloo and we snapped at each other. You already knows that and after what you told me on what Sweetie Belle told you, now I will tell you my side of the story like you asked. After we started dating…I was having trouble getting to bond with her and yes…it's because she's Rarity's little sister and I didn't feel comfortable having Sweetie Belle as a girlfriend because it felt she was a rebound girl and that is where it didn't sit right with me. So I talked to my friends by revealing my situation to them…you included Shadow, but I didn't tell you it was Sweetie Belle since you never met her."

 

"Shadow: (Surprised) I helped you!?"

 

"Yeah. You are one of the 4 Creatures that helped me accept Sweetie Belle as my Special Somepony. The other 3 are Discord, Big Mac and…your dad, Jack."

 

"Shadow: (Annoyed) Why am I not surprised I am hearing his name right now? I was really happy ignoring him after what happened last time."

 

"Well…before I talked to you…I talked to Big Mac, Discord and Jack when I visited for our Monthly Guys' Night now that we have important responsibilities to do with Big Mac being the Head of the Apple Family, Discord working for Twilight on specific missions, me being a Friendship Ambassador and Jack being…well a Jack-Of-All-Trades helping Twilight and the others with his ideas."

 

"Shadow, Luster: Except The Changelings For Some Reason."

 

"You'll need to ask him about that when you see him, I really don't know about that. Anyways…We were playing our usual Magical "Ogres & Oubliettes" Role Playing Game with Me being "Garbunkle" The Wizard, Big Mac being "Sir McBiggun" The Unicorn Knight, Discord being "Captain Wuzz" The Archer and Jack being "Bright Courage" The Chaotic Rogue."

 

"Luster: (Surprised) Shadow!? Isn't that—!?"

 

"Shadow: (Furious) Sonuva—! He never told my mom his real name, but he uses it for a Tabletop Role Playing Game!?"

 

"Can I continue telling my story?"

 

"Shadow: (Annoyed Sigh, Calms Down) Sorry about that."

 

"I get the feeling you interrupted Sweetie Belle like this too. But let's get back to the topic at hand. The guys and me were doing a raid on the Squizard's Fortress to rescue the fair maiden and we were being assisted by our ally, a spy in the Squizard's Mage Army, The Bone Warrior Skellinore. But all of them noticed that I was feeling conflicted on my situation."

 

Skellinore:

Are you alright, Master Garbunkle?

 

Spike:

(Nervous Smile)

Oh! I'm fine, Skellinore. Why wouldn't I be and why you ask?

 

Discord:

Are you serious!? You've been lost in thought ever since you got here. Did Sweetie Belle bite your head off again?

 

Jack:

You should tell her how you feel and put her in her place already. That's how I deal with Juli all the times she tries to overrule me.

 

Big Mac:

Eeyup.

 

Spike:

It's not like that.

 

Discord:

Then what is it?

 

Spike:

Promise me you won't tell anycreature until I'm ready to tell them all myself.

 

"They all agreed and told them what you already know. And they were all shocked to hear Sweetie Belle and me are actually dating and that all they witnessed until today was all a front. But them being surprised didn't last long after I explained the situation."

 

Skellinore:

You remind me of this Bone Warrior with the same situation.

 

Spike:

And how did it turned out?

 

Skellinore:

They eloped because the Squizard won't let anycreature in his army to get married until he becomes the ruler of this world; and are happily married last I heard.

 

Discord:

I traveled the world through many timelines and I have seen those types of couples. I always thought of them as weird at first, but then after they get married, they behave like a normal married couple…well as normal as they can be since they still have the same personality, but they are extremely loyal to one another, although the males always behave passive-aggressively in public, but in private…let's just say they always paint the town red from their love nest.

 

Big Mac:

Eeyup.

 

Jack:

You might not believe me but when my wife passed away, Juli helped me out in my time of need. Sure we aren't a couple, but she did save me as I was about to go over the edge upon my wife's death. If you are going to ask, yeah…she's a lot more docile when we are in private.

 

Spike:

So neither of you are against us being together?

 

Big Mac, Skellinore, Discord, Jack:

Nnope!

 

Jack:

Spike? Are you two worried on what others will think of you?

 

"I explained them everything on our worries and they seem to understand our predicament."

 

Jack:

I see. I don't blame you since I understand where you are coming from since I have met creatures that behave on that manner of thinking. But Spike…if you worry about this too much, this fear can affect your relationship, social life and career. If you want to get rid of it, you need to come clean with everyone, not just us.

 

Skellinore:

He's right, Garbunkle. How much you love this mare?

 

Spike:

She's everything to me now more than ever.

 

Discord:

Then go for it, you have our support. But we should take this slowly and carefully. "Baby-Steps"…like Fluttershy always say.

 

Jack:

I can give you some pointers. I wish I could be there helping you, but my advice will have to do and I bet Big Mac feels the same way.

 

Big Mac:

(Nods Assertively)

Eeyup.

 

Discord:

I can be there myself, but not all of the time.

 

Spike:

Won't she know I told you?

 

Discord:

Just tell her you found out I have a secret girlfriend and you are going to tell everycreature if I tell on you.

 

Spike:

Isn't that kinda mean?

 

Discord:

True, but none of you don't know who my girlfriend is, do you?

 

Spike:

Riiight…

 

"And so they gave me some pointers meanwhile Discord decided to help me out when he could while confessing to me that he himself has a girlfriend he even is keeping their relationship a secret."

 

"Shadow: Looking at this picture you have, it was Discord who took the picture, wasn't he?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"Luster: This background…you took it at the gala, didn't you?

 

"Yeah, him and his girlfriend, but Sweetie Belle doesn't know as we made sure for her not to notice."

 

"Shadow: So you met her!? I'm not going to ask who it is yet since we are trying to figure out a way to get Sweetie Belle acquitted and diving into Discord's Private Affairs won't get us the evidence we need unless they are linked which I highly doubt they are. We'll talk about Discord and his girlfriend another time."

 

"Thanks for that, Shadow."

 

"Shadow: Let's say that we are even on what you told Sweetie Belle about me. By the way…what else can you tell us? Like the Crystal Flower for example."

 

"You already told everycreature in court – I asked Mistmane to make me a One-Of-A-Kind Flower to give Sweetie Belle. But she asked me to get a very special crystal located near Yeti Territory. I was able to get it and she made the flower. Look at the photo."

 

***

 

Shadow:

(Notices Crystal Flower On Sweetie Belle's Mane)

So you gave the flower to her at the gala.

 

Spike:

(Smiling)

Do you know a better time or place?

 

Shadow:

Yeah, I do. I can think of a better time and place than the gala.

 

Luster:

(Annoyed)

– OBJECTION –

The gala is the perfect place for a romantic setting!

 

Shadow:

I beg to differ. But I can listen to your reasoning on why that is later. Right now I want to focus on Spike's side of the story, especially that I'm too tired to get in an argument with you.

 

Luster:

Tut!

 

Shadow:

Can you tell us what happened when you visited her the night of the incident?

 

***

 

Scene 35.7: Ponyville – Sweetie Belle's Home, 2 Days Ago

 

"I was supposed to date Sweetie Belle that morning for brunch, but something came up that I couldn't be there in time. After I finished dealing with the situation Twilight asked me to look for, I went to Sweetie Belle's home, got up to her room through the Climbing Rose and surprised her with a late night dinner instead."

 

"Shadow: (Surprised) Late Night Dinner!? What time exactly did you showed up to make her dinner!?"

 

"I think I started dinner around 10 o'clock since I sneaked up to her room between 9:00 and 9:30 when her parents left for another one of their adventurous trips around that same time. I needed them to be gone before I start making my specialty dish."

 

***

 

Shadow:

(Doubtful, Notices Something On Spike's Neck)

Are you sure about that? Neither of you didn't do anything between 9:00 and 9:30?

 

Spike:

(Annoyed, Blushing, Hiding Shame Behind Angry Attitude)

What are you getting at, Shadow!?

 

Shadow:

(Notices Spike's Reaction, Smiling)

Nothing. Never mind. Now that I think about it, I will call you and Sweetie Belle to the stand as a last resort since we don't know Fraulein's Strategy to get her Guilty Verdict. For now…let's just go home and think of a plan of action tomorrow at the defendant's lobby.

 

Luster:

Alright, I'm getting hungry.

 

Shadow:

I hope you either choose between leftovers or takeout, because I'm way too tired to cook anything today.

 

Luster:

Good thing you cook the best food, because takeout is very unhealthy.

 

Spike:

I'll be there tomorrow to see the trial and if you really need our testimony, it will be a good idea I be there when you call on us.

 

Luster:

Thank you.

 

Shadow:

We will. I promise to get to the bottom of this.

 

Spike smiles and waves goodbye at Shadow and Luster as they return to the castle and are unable to eat the leftovers since everycreature in the castle beat them to it, so they are forced to order takeout.

 

Scene 35.Final: Twilight's Castle, 9:19 PM

 

After eating their Chinese takeout food, Shadow and Luster are about to go to their respective rooms, but Luster asks Shadow a question before going to sleep.

 

Luster:

Shadow?

 

Shadow:

(Yawn)

What is it, Luster? I'm about to collapse, so make it quick.

 

Luster:

Were Spike and Sweetie Belle being very intimate that night during the time between 9:00 and 9:30? Because I saw a number of hickeys on Spikes neck.

 

Shadow:

(Annoyed)

Good night, Luster.

 

Luster:

Good night, Shadow.

(Thinking, Smug Smile)

And thank you for confirming it.

 

As they both enter their respective rooms, Luster starts to write in her own diary on everything that happened today, meanwhile Shadow almost collapses upon walking to his bed as his magic is in disarray upon overusing his evil eyes that his eyes are suffering from bloodshot that both his Chaos Aura and Symbiote start working overtime to get him healed before sunrise. But with his magic in disarray, how will he function during the trial the next morning?

 

To Be Continued…