Sitting on the bathroom floor of the master suite, Rachel finally made her choice of what to do with Spike and Bouncer/brothers situation. She hoped whatever her choice was won't come back.

Either choice will change everyone's life forever.

"Professor, I have my answer." Rachel said to Brimstone.

"That is very good, my dear." Brimstone said with a heavy sigh. "Things have been tighter than ever here in the facility."

"I know, I am sorry," Rachel said sighing, "gimme a sec, I'm gonna call the twins for the conference call, they need to know too."

Rachel dialed the strip club Pon-3 real quick and waited. After the fifth ring, the phone answered with an annoying cocky voice.

"Pon-3, Neon Scott speaking." the male voice spoke loudly over the beating music in the background.

"Neon, It's Rachel. I need to talk to the twins." Rachel said.

"Sure." He said, there was a sound of movement.

After a few minutes and some certain words being thrown around, the phone was handed to the twins.

"Hey girl, we just got through feeding, what's up?" Gemcity said.

"Hey, Rachel," Ruby greeted as well.

"Girls, Brimstone, I made my decision on what to do with this Spike situation. As I know very well you girls know too."

"Oh, that Spike ki-ow!" Gemcity yelped. "Ruby, why did you pinch me?"

"Because you don't know how to keep your mouth shut." Ruby grunted before sighing. "What's the choice, baby girl?"

Rachel took in a shallow breath before closing her eyes.


The Crystal Empire was all decked out for the Gala. Ponies and other high class citizens from all walks of life attended. Since the Empire was hosting the Gala, it was themed for Hearts and Hooves day.

Pink and red decorations scattered across the castle, the grand ballroom beautifully decorated as one could get.

A dreaded Spike makes his way down to the doors to the ballroom. He knows that he's in major trouble with Rachel.

Spike knew that after the ball, he would need to talk to Rachel pronto. Explain why…

But the more he tried to think of words to explain his actions, the more the fear of her turning him in quickly rear its ugly head up to the surface. He knew Rachel would have to know sooner or later… He dreadfully wanted it to be later.

Though it is in dragon's nature to protect his mate, he knew he couldn't just sit around after what Bouncer and his brothers did to her.

The moment he saw Bouncer ripping the shirt off of Rachel, Spike wanted blood, even after he and his girlfriend spent time in Canterlot… He gave in to his dragon's needs.

The announcer pony gasped in delight when seeing Spike before clearing her throat and spoke. "Here yee, here yee, now presenting! Crystal Empire's greatest hero, Spike, the Brave and the Bold!"

Spike coughed awkwardly before entering the laverish ballroom. There were some cheers from several of the crystal ponies.

He was considering that this may be the last time he'd get to do this. Spike may not survive what would come after tonight.

"Oh my Celestia, it's Spike!" some fan mares squealed when seeing Spike.

"OMC he looks soo hot in that suit." another mare fawned over him.

Spike gave a few waves and said a few hellos as the music played. The band was playing lively music and a few were dancing in the center of the ballroom. He made his way over the buffet display where he located Flurry Heart.

The tiny princess was dressed in a poofy purple dress, her multi color curly mane in a half-updo style with crystal flowers pinning as a crown. She wasn't with her designated babysitter of the evening or her folks, trying her best to sneak a piece of delicious chocolate and raspberry cake.

Spike chuckled softly as he snuck up behind her and knelt down. "Just what are you doing, you little thief?"

Flurry gasped out of surprise and turned around. "Uncle Spike, you scared me!"

Spike giggled and gave his niece a hug. "Sorry about that, Flurrs," he said.

"Where's Aunty Rachel?" Flurry asked him.

"Rach is….not feeling too good." And that was just putting it down mildly. He reached over and got the tiny alicorn a piece of cake before grabbing a plate of his own.

"Aww, I was looking forward to dancing with her," Flurry pouted as she stuck a fork full of cake in her mouth.

"Me too…" Spike muttered softly. "Me too…" He ate a bite of cake before sighing. "Know where your old stallion is at?"

"Daddy? Yeah. I do…" She flew up to his ear and whispered. "Mommy and daddy are having a fun time at the moment."

Spike grunted, squeezing the bridge of his snout. "Should've known. Those two go at it like rabbits."

"So do you."

"We're talking about your folks, Flurry. Not me." Spike quickly said, his scales turning red. The next time Spike and his bro have their guys only talk, he's gonna make sure this little princess was nowhere near their conversation.

"Well, mommy and daddy are almost done, while you wait, wanna dance?" Flurry asked Spike.

If Rachel would see Spike dancing with another mare, he could literally kiss his life goodbye. But dancing with family just may save his skaley hide.

Spike nodded and smiled at the princess. "Absolutely." He said. After the two finished eating their yummy cake, the dragon took the young princess's hand and led her to the dance floor.


"What is your choice?" Brimstone asked Rachel during the three-way conference call.

Rachel's hand gripped ever-so tightly on the phone. Evaluating what will happen if she makes this choice. And if, God forbid, if it goes south, what would the consequences be during the fallout.

Taking in a deep breath, she made her choice. "Destroy it."

"Um, come again?" Ruby asked surprised.

"Bouncer and his bros, as unfortunate as it is, they made this mess. Don't get me wrong, Spike is still in big fucking trouble with me...but I can't stand the thought of seeing him locked up in a cage." Rachel said.

"Um, what if this comes back to us? It's not just us who is in on this investigation." Gemcity mentioned. "If someone else finds out, we're all royalty fucked."

"We would be charged in tampering evidence, conspiracy, accessory to murder after the fact. All life sentences." Brimstone stated.

Rachel let in a sharp inhale and slowly exhaled. "As always, you don't play around." she grunted, rubbing her face. "We will figure it out. I'm not afraid of going to prison. I just don't want Spike going there."

"That reminds us, Lt. Fisher Story is wondering if you and Spike would like to come to a backyard party next week?" Gemcity giggled.

"Depending how the talk is going to go with Spike, I highly doubt that may happen."

"Are you sure about this?" Ruby grunted. Dealing with this Spike situation was more important than some grillout.

"I am." Rachel quickly replied. "Destroy any evidence, any files, DNA, destroy everything."

After a few sounds over in Brimstone's line, he let out a cough. "It is done."

Rachel let out a small noise before uttering a thank you. "Let's hope...I swear to god...I hope I'm not making a big mistake."

"We'll leave that to the hands of fate." Brimstone said with a cough.

"Hey, we gotta go, The day before and after Hearts and Hooves Day is really busy." Ruby said. "He owes you a lot for this…"

"Depending how the talk is going to go with Spike, I fucking own him." Rachel sighed heavily. Now whatever or not she means that was up for debate.

"Take care, my dear." Brimstone said before the three way disconnected.

Rachel shook her head, "Spike...you got a lot of explaining…" She whispered before getting up on her feet. "After the Gala." She goes out of the restroom to get ready.

After getting dressed in a black dress and having her hair teased a little, the human opened the door to leave…

And found Flurry Heart standing there. "Feeling better?"

Rachel jumped to find her standing there. "Geez, princess, you scared me." Rachel said.

"Sorry," Flurry giggled, looking up at her. "Uncle Spike was upset you weren't at the ball. I came to check on you." She then looks at Rachel's dress, eyes narrowing at her. "That looks like absolute crap."

She narrowed at Flurry. "Gee thanks." Rachel sighed, shaking her head. "Listen, I'm just on my way to the Gala-"

"Not dressed like that!"

With that, Flurry engulfed Rachel in the gold aura of magic and levitated her. The princess had some trouble lifting her but got her up off the ground by a foot.

"H-h-hey!" Rachel snapped. "Sweetie, let me down. I don't like being magic handled." Rachel grunted as she struggled in the magic barrier but couldn't break free.

"Oh you'll be fine." Flurry giggled softly as she flew through the halls carrying Rachel. "We get to play dress up!"

"Help me? Anyone, please?"

After having the last minute touches done on his deep, velvet red coat, Prince Blueblood was finally ready to attend the Gala. One such nobility always arrives precisely when they enter the doors. Admiring himself from the long mirror, he chuckled.

"My my, I have got to be the most handsomest prince across the land." The prince grinned, slicking his mane back.

"The handsomest of all." The seamstress pony sighed heavily, looking at him in awe.

Blueblood nodded to the seamstress before heading out.

The prince walked down the lively lit halls of the crystal castle. Longly gazing at what Cadence and soldier boy had done with this place. Everything she has done was wrong.

"You should have never inherited these hallowed halls…" he muttered softly.

He sees a portrait of the said princess with her husband and Flurry hanging on the walls.

"That is so atrocious, I'm actually going to hurl." He groaned in disgust. Blueblood stared at the painting for a long time before he realized that he forgot something to bring with him.

A date….


"Flurry, I feel weird in this get up." Rachel moaned softly after experiencing what she could only describe, was a brutal makeover.

And this wasn't the first time she was subjected to a makeover session too.

"You look beautiful. Perfect for Uncle Spikie." Flurry giggled, helping her walk in high heels Rachel was wearing underneath her long, mermaid style dress.

"Trust me, I'm anything but perfect. D-do I have to wear this crown thingy on my head?"

"Yes! You look like a princess." Flurry beamed in pride.

"Flurry Heart!" Rachel and Flurry jumped when they heard this elderly mare's voice called out to the princess.

It was Flurry's babysitter of the evening.

"Crap. sorry, Rachel!" Flurry then bails the human and takes off running with a squeal of delight as the babysitter chased after her.

"Get back here little filly!"

Rachel watched this go and sighed heavily. "You gotta be shitting me." she moaned, carefully not to mess with the makeup that was painfully painted on her face. "I don't even know where the ballroom is at…"

Now she would have to go ask someone to show her around...alone.

"If I get attacked by some asshat who has an opinion about humans, I'm gonna flip." Rachel grumbled as she walked down the halls. Hopefully by luck...she could find her way to the ballroom.

….

….

….

"Maybe I should've gone on that tour when Spike offered the first time." Rachel moaned annoyance after fifteen minutes.

She walked over to a pillar and leaned against it. Reaching down and took off one of her heels and rubbed her aching feet. "Geez, these heels look cute for appearance...not so much for comfort." She said to herself.

Her eyes looked at the bracelet Twilight and Starlight gave her. She used two out of three of the special gems. With the purple/green gradient dress she was wearing, the bracelet made it stand out.

"What is that smell?" a male stallion voice made it's way to Rachel's ears.

"What smell?" a mare's voice carried as well.

Rachel quickly slipped her heels back up and followed the voices all the way to a stallion leaning against the wall chatting to the mare.

"Um, excuse me," Rachel calls out to them.

The stallion turns around - revealing to be Blueblood talking to a Jessica Rabbit looking pegasus. He softly gasped when seeing Rachel.

"But, can one of you tell me where the ballroom is at, please?" Rachel asked.

Spike tilted his head to the side. This sudden anger rose up to the surface, pupils turned to slits. A growl escaped from his lips. Which made the ponies around him grow uncomfortable around him.

Something told him there was something wrong, terribly wrong.