This is the 31st chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

A Dog and Pony Show

One day, Rarity is working for the new outfit. While most of the sewing and designing had been done, the most delicate part of the process involved the proper placing of various gems onto the outfit. Rarity was grabbing a blue gem with her magic as she carefully set it into its proper place.

"Perfect." Rarity said.

She then heard the doorbell ring. Rarity closed the curtain to the outfit before walking over to greet who it was, she moved forward with her eyes closed.

"Coming!" Rarity said. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique."

There before her was one of the most popular and well-known ponies in the music industry.

She has a pale light grayish gold fur coat with light brilliant cobalt blue mane and tail with light brilliant azure stripes, pale light grayish blue violet eyeshadows, and light brilliant amber. She wore a white top hat with blue violet accent, a white frilled dress with blue violet accent on the sleeves, and collar with golden buttons, a white and pale blue checkered necktie, a pale blue skirt with white and golden crown-shaped accents and turquoise gems, and a blue violet shoes with golden gems.

"Sapphire Shores! The Pony of Pop!" Rarity exclaims, feeling overwhelmed.

"Good afternoon, Miss Rarity." Sapphire Shores said.

"You...yah...Y-y-you know my name?" Rarity stuttered.

"Well, of course I do, darling." Sapphire Shores replied. "I make it a point to know all of the up-and-coming designers and Clothes Horse magazine raved about you."

Sapphire Shores continued to browse at the fashion designs as Rarity was star-struck.

"Oh my stars, if I'm dreaming, do not wake me up." Rarity whispered to herself, then turns to Sapphire Shores. "How may I help you Miss Shores?"

"Oh please, call me Sapphire." Sapphire replied, causing Rarity to giggle.

"How may I help you, Sapphire?" Rarity asked again.

"Well, as I'm sure you know." Sapphire Shores explains. "I'll be touring all of Equestria with my latest concert, Sapphire Shores Ziegfilly Follies, so I need to look seeeensational! Ow!"

Rarity was taken aback a bit from her small sample of her powerful singing voice, but was able to recompose herself right away.

"I have just what you need." Rarity said, walk towards the curtain. "Sapphire Shores, prepare yourself for the piece de resistance de la haute couture."

Rarity then pulls the curtain to reveal the garment. Sapphire Shores' eyes widen in amazement as what appeared to be a glittery and sparkly white suit covered in two types of red and blue gems.

"I used every last diamond I found on this one garment." Rarity said.

"And it is spectacular!" Sapphire Shores said with a gasp. "I'll take it."

"Really?" Rarity asked surprisingly.

"Oh yes, and five more each one done up in a different jewel." Sapphire Shores replied.

"Beg your pardon?" Rarity asked, stunned.

"Costume changes." Sapphire Shores responded.

Rarity fainted with all four legs in the air, toothy grin, eye's twitching, and stars swirling around her head.

"Yes, I do have that effect on ponies." Sapphire Shores said with a chuckle before leaving.


My Little Pony, My Little Pony

Ahhhh

My Little Pony

I use to wonder what friendship could be

My Little Pony

Until you all share this magic with me

Big adventure,

Tons of fun,

A beautiful heart,

Faithful and strong,

Sharing kindness

It's an easy feat

And magic makes it all complete

You all have my little ponies

Do you know all you're my best friends?


Once Rarity had recovered, she headed towards the Golden Oak Library. Rarity was hoping that she'll teach Comet how to hunt gems in case he needs it for the currency as she knocks the door. Twilight opens the door when she noticed Rarity.

"Oh, hey Rarity, what brings you here?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I was hoping that I can borrow Spike for the gem hunt today." Rarity explains. "Also, would you mind let me borrow your son?"

"Spike, you can, but what are you going to do with Comet?" Twilight asked, raised her eyebrow.

"I was planning to teach him of the spell that he can find gems in case if he needs it." Rarity answered. "Thus, Sapphire Shores wanted the costumes on a different gems. So..."

"No." Twilight refuses.

"Why not, darling?" Rarity asked, surprised.

"Because if I find out that Comet is in danger, I have to get him before somepony else does. I almost lost him more than once." Twilight told her.

Rarity then begins to understand why Twilight Sparkle refuse to have Comet go with her. She then remembered of her explanation a while ago, Twilight told her that she almost lost Comet at the Everfree Forest when he fell off of the ledge and unconscious which it left her quite an emotional impact.

"I understand, Twilight, but I can assure you, he won't be in any danger." Rarity assures her. "We're just going on a gem hunt and teaching him of a spell I used."

"I appreciate that, but it's still no." Twilight said, turns around. "Spike! Rarity is here."

And with that, Spike zoomed out of the library as he and Rarity left. Comet have overheard the conversation which his mother can understand why she refuse to have Rarity with the colt. He uses his magic to teleport out of the library and in front of Rarity and Spike, which it got them spooked.

"Comet, what are you doing here?" Rarity asks, exhale.

"Geez Comet, you scared us!" Spike exclaims.

"Sorry, but I thought I can help you two for gem hunting." Comet said. "I know Mom is trying to protect me after what happen in the Everfree Forest, but I'm not defenseless."

"Comet, we're not saying you're not capable of handling yourself. But you could get yourself into trouble if Twilight finds out that you left without asking." Rarity told her godson.

"I know." Comet agrees. "But Rarity, the least I can do is help you out."

Both Rarity and Spike were skeptical about it since Comet just snuck out of the Golden Oak Library without telling his mother. Of course, they do need some help because of Sapphire Shores order for the costume changes, but they need to tell Twilight about Comet stowaway his way to them. And if Twilight finds out that her son isn't home, she will be furious, and they know full well of facing a scornful mother.

"Please, let me help." Comet begs.

"Oh alright, but stay close to me and don't go wandering off." Rarity reluctantly complied. "After we're done of the gem hunt, we will tell you mother about it, you understand?"

Comet responds with a nod as they head out. Of course, Spike was pulling a red wagon for the gems...which he obviously wanted to eat them. Soon as they made it to the clearing, Rarity begins teaching Comet of a spell which he was able to use it, but so far, neither of the two have any luck. Rarity can tell Comet is gifted like Twilight.

"Oh my gosh!" Spike exclaimed from behind the two ponies as he continued to pull his wagon forward. "Sapphire Shores! The Pony of Pop! She is awesome! I mean, she's gorgeous and talented, and-"

Rarity shot him a glare, making Spike give a nervous chuckle.

"-heh...and not even half the pony you are." Spike continued sheepishly. "I mean, you're ten times more gorgeous and talented and-"

"Spike, will you give it a rest." Comet said in annoyance.

"Be nice, Comet." Rarity whispered to the colt, then turns back to Spike. "And Spike, a lady is never jealous."

Comet rolled his eyes which he doubts that.

"Eh, of course not." Spike said, still thinking he had annoyed Rarity. "But were you totally flipping out or what?!"

"Ladies do not 'flip out', Spike." Rarity replied simply. "However, I was quite in awe. Oh, I need to find more jewels than ever before to decorate her costumes."

"And you need those gems for the costumes Sapphire Shores wanted?" Comet asked, looking for the jewels.

"Yes, and to let you know, darling. Sapphire Shores is the Pony of Pop from the music industry in Canterlot." Rarity explains.

"Huh, that sound like someone I know from my old world." Comet said with a ponder.

"Who?" Spike asked curiously.

"His name is Michael Jackson, he's a singer and known as the King of Pop." Comet explains, leaving both Rarity and Spike confused. "Back at his day, he used to be black as the ace of spade, and used to band together with his brothers known as 'Jackson 5'. He done his solo music career and became one of the Music Hall of Famers."

"Wow, Michael has quite an achievement. Hm, there might some link about him and Sapphire Shores." Rarity said, but she began to sense something below. "Oh, aha!"

Thanks to her magic, she could 'see' the gems below her horn.

"Did you find some?" Spike asked eagerly.

"Yes, Spike! Right there!" Rarity said.

It wasn't long when Spike digs the ground with his claws. It revealed to be a nice cluster of various gems before the dragon. Spike began to drool as he eyed them hungrily.

"Oooooo!" Spike said. "You look so delicious..."

"Spike!" Rarity interrupted to snap him out of his stupor. "I promised I'd give you gums to snack on, but we need to collect more first or I will never be able to make those outfits for Sapphire."

"Hm...I will miss you, my sweets." Spike said to the gems, hugging them to his chest and dumping them inside of the wagon.

"Come along, Spike." Rarity said as she and Comet started to search again. "We have many jewels to find."

"At your service, milady." Spike said, giving a gentlemen's bow before following the two ponies.

They continued their little expedition together. Rarity would point to a location where she detected some gems. Spike would dig them up and deposit their findings into the wagon. The first couple of trips to the wagon, Spike could feel his mouth water at the sight of so many gems.

"Spike!" Rarity called out, snapping Spike out of his little trance before he headed back to continue helping with the gem hunt.

Now, Spike was using his tail as a shovel to dig the ground up. He then used his tail again, this time as a jackhammer, continued to dig up all the gems Rarity was finding. The more gems they found, the taller the pile of gems became inside of the wagon. As for Comet, he was able to find some of the gems when Spike dig up the ground for the finding. Rarity was impressed of the little colt which his efforts was fruitful. However, Rarity is worried about Comet getting into trouble since he did get out of the library without asking Twilight. She'll have to give Twilight an explanation and hoping she won't ground Comet again.

Spike could feel his mouth water at all of the gems. Then, Rarity gives Spike a pat on the head.

"You've been very patient today, Spike." Rarity said. "And for that, you get the finest reward. This is from me to you."

Rarity used her magic to give Spike a large blue, emerald shape gem. Instead of gobbling it up, Spike just looked at Rarity in surprised look on his face.

"Is something wrong, Spike?" Rarity asked since Spike was staring as she subconsciously batted her eyes on him.

She was unaware of the sparkling aura that Spike was currently seeing her being surrounded with.

"No." Spike said happily as he hugged the gem. "It's perfect."

Comet couldn't help but chuckle a bit, had a feeling that Spike had a crush on Rarity. Even though, Comet was aware of a huge gap of the age difference between the two.

"Ooo, bring the cart, Spike. Come along, Comet." Rarity said excitedly. "There are more over here."

Comet followed his godmother as Spike continued to marvel at his new gem.

"For me, from Rarity." Spike said to himself before pulling the wagon towards Rarity.

Little did any of them know that in a nearby collection of bushes that they were being watched by someone.

"Yesss, gemsss." The voice of Rover said. "Gemsss!"

"Where?" Another voice named Fido asked.

Rover pointed towards the wagon.

"Precious gemsss!" Rover said eagerly as he looked at Spike. "He is the gem hunter. With him, we can have all the gems...and more! Let's get the dragon."

"Spike? Where are you?" Rarity called out as Spike finally caught up with the two ponies.

"Wait! Who is that?" Rover said as he watched Spike walk to Rarity and Comet.

"You know, it's terrible to keep a lady waiting." Rarity said.

"Coming!" Spike said as he began to dig the spot Rarity told him with his claws.

"I think we're going to strike gold this time, so to speak." Rarity said as she and Comet laughed.

"Hopefully, it'll be enough for the outfits." Comet said as Spike surfaced with a collection of gems as tall as him.

"Jackpot!" Spike shouted excitedly.

"Oh, it's not the dragon we want." Rover said. "It's the pony!"

"The pony..." Rover, Fido, and the third voice named Spot replied eerily.

The three were still unaware of the danger as Rarity smiled at all the gems they had collected.

"Well, Spike, I think that's all we can do for today." Rarity said. "And these will certainly get us well on our way with Sapphire's outfits. Why don't we start headi..."

Rarity was then cut off when her horn began to detect a very strong gem presence nearby. Comet's horn was glowing as well.

"Oh! What's this?" Rarity said, followed her detection towards the bushes and trees. "Oh...oh strange, it's in the trees..."

Rarity then spotted a gold gem in the bushes. It was then Rover jumped out of the bush. The gem she had detected was a yellow diamond around a dog-creature's collar. He was also wearing a tattered vest and was looking like he was ready to pounce.

"Oooo...Ewww!" Rarity exclaimed as she, Spike, and Comet stepped back. "Good day, gentle...uh, fellow. Uh, I am Rarity. This is my friend, Spike. And my godson, Comet."

"Ehe..." Spike said nervously.

Comet can only respond in silent while keeping his guard up and standing close to Rarity.

"And you are..." Rarity asked timidly.

"A Diamond Dog." Rover said mischievously, raised his paws and ready to grab them.

"Oh really?" Rarity said, now feeling uneasy. "Oh well, that explains your fine taste in jewelry. I mean...I-I-I know that diamonds are girl's best friend and now I know that they're a dog's best friend too ha, ha, ha...So, um...you're hunting for gems as well?"

"Yes, we hunt." Rover said sinisterly.

"Uh...we?" Rarity asked.

"Diamond Dogs hunt in packs, like wolves." Comet explains with a glare before two other diamond dogs jump up from behind them.

"The little pony is right, we hunt for gems." Rover said. "But you are better hunter. So now we hunt...for you."

"AAH!" Rarity screamed as Fido took a swipe her, but she ducked as the last second and avoid being captured.

Comet used his magic to conjure an auric hands and deliver a flying kick right at Fido in the face. Spike then used his tail to jackhammer Spot's tail.

"Yaaaaaah!" Spot shouted as he was tossed into the air.

Comet kicked Fido in the gut and somersaulted him in the chin, knocking him out.

"Rarity, get out of here!" Comet shouts which Rarity didn't want to leave her godson or her friend behind.

"Run, Rarity! Run! Aaaah! Uh!" Spike called out before Fido stomped him down to the ground with his finger.

Spike recovered quickly and grabbed Fido by the hind legs. Fido lost his balance and tumbled into the ground. As he tried to regain his balance, he knocked over Spot as well as he fell face first as well.

"Spike! Come on! Hurry!" Rarity said, who apparently was more worried about Spike than trying to get away from the diamond dogs.

"Gotcha!" Rover said as he surprised both of them, but Comet spin kicked him in the face.

"Not fallen for that old trick." Comet said, readied his fighting stance. "You won't have Rarity!"

"Wanna bet?" Rover asked.

"Comet, what are you doing?" Rarity asked, worried before he engaged the diamond dog.

Comet used his magic to summon a wolf spirit to protect Rarity, growling at the diamond dogs which it got them frightened.

"In case if they get any funny ideas." Comet said with a glare.

Rarity is starting to get worried about Comet fighting against Rover which she doesn't want him to get hurt. Then again, Comet did fight against the Oni and skeletons a while back at Cloudsdale and at the Everfree Forest, but if Twilight Sparkle finds out about her son left without telling her, she will be extremely furious.

Comet started charging after Rover and jumped, gave the diamond dog a flying kick to the face and then an enziguri combo. Rover then ducked down to the underground. Comet stayed calm until he felt a tremor underneath his feet. Comet then jumped up as Rover surfaced.

"Gotcha! Huh?" Rover said, stunned when Comet wasn't there before getting a stomp on a head.

Rover groaned as he dived back underground. When he surfaced, Rover looked rather woozy when Comet gave him another stomp.

"I have a headache." Rover groaned.

Comet then knocked him out by punching him in the jaw and the wolf spirit vanished. Spot appeared behind him and used one of his paws to clock Comet on the top of his head, knocking him out.

"Comet! No!" Rarity screamed.

"Now you're ours." Rover said as he grabbed Rarity while Spot grabs Comet.

"WAAAAAAAAH!" Rarity screamed. "Spike!"

"I got'em, Rarity! I got'em!" Spike groaned.

Spike was still trying to hold into Fido's leg to keep him away from her.

"Haha! Nope!" Fido said as he sent Spike flying into a tree, his spikes made him stuck on a tree branch.

"Sorry, scaly one." Spot mockingly apologizes.

"Wait! Rarity?! Comet?!" Spike groaned from the tree.

"Unhand me this instant, you ruffians." Rarity said as Rover and Spot carried the two ponies into a nearby hole with Fido right behind them. "Stop! Put us down, you thugs! You brutes!"

"Rarity! Comet!" Spike gasped as he saw the diamond dogs take Rarity and Comet down to a hole.

"Spike!" Rarity said, trying to crawl away until she saw her hoof was coated in dirt. "Ah dirt!"

Her fussiness made her lose her grip as the diamond dogs grabbed her and pulled her back down.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! SPIIIKE!" Rarity screamed as she disappeared into the hole once more.

"Which, what, where?" Spike stuttered as he tried to rave towards the hole to save them, but he was too late. Rarity and Comet were already gone.

"Save me!" The voice of Rarity echoed.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Spike screamed at the top of his lungs.

It didn't take long before Mario and the rest of the Mane 5 had been gathered up and were heading towards the location Rarity had been captured. Spike was currently on Twilight's back, breathing through a paper bag. The rest of the four foals stayed with the CMCs at the treehouse so they

"Spike, can you breathe now?" Twilight asked him as Spike continued to do his breathing.

"Yes...I think so." Spike said, panting.

"Good, now tell us what you know." Twilight said.

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash added. "'Cause all you said earlier was..."

Few minutes earlier

Spike rushed over to Mario, and the Mane five in full panic as they were outside the town hall building.

"Aaaah! Rarity...woods...jewels...dogs...hole...taken...Save them!" Spike panted.

Back to the present

"Not a whole lot to go on there, sport." Applejack said as they continued to run towards the area.

"Sorry." Spike said. "Rarity, Comet, and I..."

"Hold on, Comet?" Twilight said, stopped. "You never said anything about Comet being with you guys. And speaking of...where's Comet? Isn't he playing with his friends?"

Spike knew that Twilight would be angry if she finds out about her son being foal-napped by the diamond dogs. He then decided to tell her the truth.

"Must have forgot from the panicking." Spike said. "Anyway, Comet was helping me and Rarity looking for gems. He..."

"He did WHAT?!" Twilight shouts, furious. "I thought I told Comet to stay in Ponyville where it's safe. And here he is wandering off on his own and..."

"Actually, he's with me and Rarity." Spike interrupts. "This is...until..."

"Until what, Spike? What happen to my son?" Twilight asked with a very angry momma glare on her face.

"He...He was...foalnapped by creepy guys..." Spike stuttered, gulped nervously.

"WWWWWWHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT?!" Twilight yelled angrily. "ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT COMET IS FOALNAPPED BY CREEPY GUYS?!"

Spike and the Mane 5 looked at Twilight in fear which they know full well if anything happens to a foal, the mother would be really mad. Mario walked towards Twilight, placing his hoof on her shoulder.

"Twilight, you need to calm down. We'll get your son back." Mario assures her. "Right now, our priority is to find out about those creepy guys."

Twilight softens her expression as she inhales and exhales slowly, tried to calm down.

"You're right, we need to learn more about them." Twilight agrees, but she's still angry. "Spike, what can you tell us about those creepy guys?"

"They called themselves the Diamond Dogs." Spike explains. "They grabbed both Rarity and Comet and disappeared down a hole in the ground."

"Well, this sounds mighty easy." Applejack said. "Just take us to that their hole and we'll save Rarity and Comet."

"And I'm gonna have a serious talk with Comet after this is over." Twilight adds with a serious glare.

But when they arrived, they all gasped at what was before them. The entire area was loaded with dozens of holes.

"Holy moly, that's a lot of holeys." Pinkie Pie said.

"Wait...look." Fluttershy said, pointed at the wolf spirit. "Comet must've used his magic to summon an animal spirit. And I think it's going to help us."

Twilight then approaches to the wolf spirit.

"Can you take us to which hole where Comet and Rarity are at?" Twilight asked.

The wolf spirit nods as it caught Comet's scent, leading the ponies to the hole. The wolf spirit was able to catch onto Comet's scent while avoiding the holes.

"How come we follow that wolf and not looking at the holes?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The wolf spirit knows that the Diamond Dogs are waiting for us." Mario answered. "And we need to walk quietly because the holes have a tunnel network in the underground."

"How do you know about that?" Applejack asked curiously.

"Because I've been there before during my travels with Cole and the others, fighting against the other Diamond Dogs that cause trouble at the mines at Canter Creeks." Mario explains. "It's not easy, but we were able to pull trouble, if it wasn't for a certain rock-for-brains used his hammer to cause tremors in the underground."

That got Spike and the Mane 5 cringed a bit of Mario's previous adventures. The wolf spirit stops when they noticed a hole which happens to be where Rarity and Comet came in along with the Diamond Dogs.

"Okay, that's easy enough." Rainbow Dash said. "But the question is, how do we get there?"

Spike pondered and then got an idea.

"I got it!" Spike exclaimed as he pulled out a gem and rushed towards the hole. "I'll save you, my sweet."

"Huh?" The five mares and Mario wondered curiously.

It wasn't long before Mario helped Spike make a fishing rod using a stick and a rope. They tied the large blue gem to the rope, hoping that one of the Diamond Dogs would grab it so they could find a way to Rarity. Twilight smiled as Spike concentrated in holding the gem steady down the deep hole.

"Spike, it is very noble of you..."

"Shh!" Spike shushed harshly.

"...to sacrifice the gem Rarity gave you." Twilight finished in a softer tone.

"Oh my Lady Rarity, my damsel in distress." Spike said, causing Mario to chuckle.

Began Dream Sequence

Spike was now imagining himself as a taller, more muscular, and more handsome dragon named Sir Spike.

"I shall save you." Sir Spike said. "Show yourselves, you dogs! You curs!"

The Diamond revealed themselves when they heard him, but Spike stood bravely before them.

"Ah! There you are you mangy mutts!" Sir Spike said which the Diamond Dogs took offense.

"Who are you calling mutts?!" Rover growled angrily. "Unleash the hounds!"

Rover then blew a dog whistle, making several Diamond Dogs donning some armor appear before Spike. The Diamond Dogs were barking and yelping as Sir Spike drove them all away with ease, using his jousting lance. Sir Spike then laughed as he launched a massive flame at the remaining Diamond Dogs before pinning the three against the wall.

"No, where is Lady Rarity?" Sir Spike demanded.

The three Diamond Dogs pointed at the prison door, which Spike bashes open with his pure strength. There in a corner is Rarity, wearing a Renaissance style princess outfit.

"Spike! I knew you would save me!" Rarity gasped as she smiled at him.

"Nothing can stop me, milady." Sir Spike said.

"Ohohohoh, Spike." Rarity said happily. "You are my...hero."

Rarity puckered up to give him a big kiss. Sir Spike does the same as he smiled and puckered his lips to kiss back.

End Dream Sequence

Unfortunately, Spike was so into his little daydream that he was about to kiss Applejack in the lips.

"Hoho there, lover boy." Applejack said with a smile as she pulled away, snapping Spike out of it as the others smiled.

Before Spike could feel any sort of embarrassment, there was a strong tug from his fishing rod.

"Whoa! Whoa-whoa-whoawhoawhoa..." Spike said. "I got a bite! I got a bite!"

"We'll see if we can capture who grabbed the gem so we can get some answers." Mario said as he dived down a hole.

Spike tried to hold on for dear life, but was getting dragged towards the hole very quickly.

"Hold on, little fella." Applejack said as she grabbed his tail by her teeth, but she and Spike were pulled into the hole.

"Applejack." Twilight said as she grabbed Applejack's tail by her teeth and was getting pulled down as well.

"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she grabbed Twilight's tail.

She ever tried to hover above the ground since the last time she did that with Applejack in a tug of war, she had the upper hand. However, this Diamond Dog was too strong and Rainbow Dash was fighting not to get pulled into the hole.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness..." Fluttershy panicked before she grabbed Rainbow Dash's tail, but was losing gound too quickly.

"Wait for me!" Pinkie Pie said as she grabbed Fluttershy's tail.

However, Pinkie Pie made no effort to pull back and just let herself get pulled into the hole with the rest.

"Oh!" Fluttershy yelped.

"Whee!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly as they all tumbled down the hole.

Spike yelped as he and the rest of the ponies are dragged deeper and deeper down the hole. Everyone continued to yelp as they were being pulled further down the hole and were soon all launched off an underground ramp.

"Whee! Ha, ha, ha!" Pinkie Pie giggled as they flew over the gap and into another tunnel.

"Oh, oh!" Spike yelped as they were soon all deposited out of the hole from the ceiling and into the ground below, grunted as they hit the ground.

"Ha, ha, it worked! We're in!" Spike said. "Great work, Mario! Now we can finally save Rarity!"

"Um...Which way do we go?" Twilight asked.

Spike noticed the labyrinth of the tunnel before them and then looked at Mario.

"I tried to pin them down, but the rope was already broken when I landed." Mario explains, showing the torn rope. "I have no clue where the Diamond Dogs took off...and where they took your gem as well."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Spike screamed once again.

Once Spike calms down, Twilight began to look around.

"All these tunnels..." Twilight said as she scouted around. "How are we ever gonna find Rarity?"

"Guess we're just gonna have to start goin' down them one by one." Applejack said.

"That could take forever!" Rainbow Dash said. "There's gotta be a way to narrow it down!"

"Look, over there." Mario said, points at the hare spirit. "Comet must've conjured another animal spirit to help us lead to them."

The hare spirit then uses it ears to capture the sounds. The hare spirit managed to caught a sound as it headed towards the tunnel.

"C'mon, the rabbit spirit managed to catch the sound." Twilight said as she and the others followed the hare spirit.

"We're coming, Rarity! We'll save you. Just hold on!" Spike said, riding on Twilight's back.

'Just hold on, Comet! We're coming!' Twilight mentally thought, hoping her son is all right.

Meanwhile, the three Diamond Dogs had just backed Rarity and held Comet at the prison cage.

"Oh please, Diamond Dogs, please let us go." Rarity pleads.

"No!" Spot said.

"You're our precious little ponies." Fido said.

"Forever!" Rover added. "Muhahaha!"

"But whatever do you want from me?" Rarity asked.

"Rarity, don't do this!" Comet shouts. "They just want those gems for themselves!"

"Quiet you!" Fido said, banging the prison bars.

"Please, don't harm my godson!" Rarity pleads. "Just tell me what you want?"

"Gemsss!" Rover answered.

"Yes! The gems. The jewels." Spot said.

"Find them! Find them all!" Fido added.

"Don't do it, Rarity!" Comet shouts.

"Don't worry Comet, I'll get us out." Rarity said, walking towards her godson while leaning to his ear. "Listen, I've got an idea."

Comet then listens to Rarity, who's telling her about the plan which it got him surprised as he gives her nod.

"You might need these." Rarity whispered, extends an ear plugs. "To cover your ears when I start the dramatic act."

Comet nods, using his magic to levitate the ear plugs as he plugged his ears.

"Good luck, Rarity." Comet said, earned a nod from Rarity while kissed him on the forehead.

"Now! Is that all?" Rarity said as she lit up her horn and began to search the caravan.

It wasn't much longer before she detected some gems below. Using a stick she found lying nearby, marked the digging spot with an X.

"There." Rarity said. "A lovely pocket of jewels are right there. Now, if you'd let Comet free and be so kind as to show us the exit?"

However, one of the Diamond Dog pointed the spear at Rarity which they're not letting the two ponies go.

"Good!" Rover replied with a laugh. "Now, dig them up, pony."

"What?" Rarity exclaims, stunned. "But you said you wanted to find gems."

That was actually true, but these three Diamond Dogs were willing to play dumb to it...literally.

"Yes!" Spot said. "Find and then dig."

"Dig?" Rarity exclaims in a deadpan expression.

"Yes. Dig." Fido said.

"Ohh..." Rarity groaned wearily, but turns to Comet which he was worried about her. Rarity gives him a wink, letting him know she knows what she's doing.

Rarity then feebly began to fuss over the dirt and weakly dig. The three Diamon Dogs were mostly annoyed and not amused of her digging.

"What are you doing?" Fido demands. "We said dig!"

"Forgive me." Rarity said indignantly. "But prior to you so rudely knocking out my godson, Comet, and then dragging us into your dirt pit, but I had a pony-pedi and I am not about to chip a because you dislike my style of digging."

Rarity began to timidly dig her hoof into the dirt. Her prissy nature was straining their patience.

"Of for goodness-Fine!" Rover snapped. "Just stop! Stop! Dig, dogs! Dig! And fast!"

The group of the guard dogs appeared and began to dig up the gems, yelping and barking as they did so. Rarity just smiled, pleased with herself, but not for long.

"She won't dig! She pulls!" Fido proposed as he and Spot grabbed a rusty harness that was connected to the wagon and brought it towards her.

"I beg your pardon, but what, pray tell, are you doing?" Rarity asked, taking a few steps back while Fido and Spot moves forward.

"Others will dig, you will haul the wagon." Fido answered when Rarity was next to the wall.

"Prrrescious pony-pedi will be preserved." Spot adds as he roughly put the harness on her, thinking they had overcome Rarity's hoof issue.

Comet knew full well that Rarity's issues hasn't overcome, not yet. Rarity then continued her prissy nature.

"Well, somepony certainly needs proper nail care." Rarity retorted as she noticed the Diamond Dogs' sharp, uneven claws as they were holding her still to secure the harness. "When was the last time you two had a manicure? You're scratching up my coat with those jagged things!"

"Please be quiet!" Rover snapped, getting in her face.

"Good heaves, what is that smell?" Rarity asked, disgusted.

"Smeeeeeell?" Rover said slowly, exhaling a terrible stinky breath into Rarity's face.

Rarity managed to keep her composure despite the disgusted cloud of bad breath,

"Ah, mystery solved, it's your breath." Rarity said simply.

Rover looked stunned as he exhaled into his hand and took a whiff. He stiffened a bit before getting very irritated.

"Enough!" Rover snapped. "Search, pony!"

"Well, if you insist." Rarity said as she began to mark down dig spots for gems as she pulled her cart while the guard dogs continued to dig the gems up. However, Rarity made it her mission not to keep her mouth shut and free her godson. "But I must say the working conditions in here are simply dreadful. Musty and damp, it's going to wreak havoc on my name. And this air is stifling, suffocating. And I when I try to take a deep breath, the stench of all you dogs makes me nauseated."

It was then some of the guard dogs that were digging got a huge stalactite from the ceiling crash down on them.

"You look and smell like you haven't bathed in weeks." Rarity said as she passed by two more guard dogs. "Haven't you all heard of soap? You all could use a good round of soap and water."

The two dogs sniffed their armpits, only to stiffen and passed out.

"Oh water, oh water, I'm terribly thirsty." Rarity demanded. "Could I please have some water?"

The three Diamond Dogs gritted their teeth and covering their ears from Rarity's talking. Comet was watching and find this amusing which to him, it's like he was watching a comedy show.

"Good gracious, I can't take this anymore!" Spot snapped. "Be quiet, pony!"

"Hey genius, she has a name!" Comet shouts.

"He's right, which that's another thing." Rarity added indignantly. "I would appreciate if you stopped calling me 'pony'. I am a lady and I wish to be addressed as such. So, you may call me 'Miss' or 'Rarity' or 'Miss Rarity'."

"Enough! Your whining!" Rover said in irritation. "It-it-it hurts!"

"Whining?! I am not whining. I am complaining. Do you want to hear whining?" Rarity exclaims indignantly as Comet covers his ears since he still got ear plugs on him. "Thiiiiss iiiss whiiining! Ooh, this harness is too tiiight! It's going to chafe. Can't you loosen it?! Ooooh, it hurts and it's sooo ruuusty! Why didn't you clean it first?! It's gonna leave a staaain! And the wagons getting heeeavy! Why do I have to pull it?!"

By now, Rarity's rants were becoming unbearable, even Fido had to dive underneath the pile of gems inside of the wagon and block out Rarity's voice. The other Diamond Dogs were covering their ears with painful expressions on their faces.

"Aaah!" Spot screamed. "Make it stop!"

"Stop whining!" Rover bellowed.

"But I thought you wanted whiining!" Rarity ranted dramatically.

"Geh! We'll do anything, pony!" Rover pleaded before realizing what Rarity had said before about being called 'pony'. "Oh, uh, uh, we'll do anything, 'Miss Rarity'."

"Anything?" Rarity said dreamily.

One would have thought that Rarity would have used this opportunity to escape with Comet, but instead, she had the Diamond Dogs free the little colt and decorate their caravan with some fabrics. Rarity had two guard dogs fanning her and Comet while she drank some water from a golden goblet.

"This water is hardly sparkling, but I suppose it will have to do." Rarity said with sigh.

"But we won't stay for long." Comet said, earned her attention. "Mom and the others are coming."

"How can you tell?" Rarity asks curiously.

"After I recover my consciousness, I used my magic to summon the animal spirits to lead them here." Comet explains. "Spike have already told them since he was the one who didn't get captured."

"Smart thinking, but Comet, you and I both know how Twilight feels when she finds out about it." Rarity points out since she knows Twilight pretty well.

"I know, I guess I'll be facing the music sooner or later." Comet said with a sigh.

Rarity then gives him a side hug with a smile on her face.

"Don't worry, Comet, it'll work out." Rarity assures him. "We started this thing together, and that's how we'll finish it."

As Rarity and Comet hugged, the three main Diamond Dogs were busy pulling the wagons loaded with gems.

"Wait!" Rover said, panting from the heavy wagon. "Why are we doing this?"

"To stop the awful noises from the pony's mouth, remember?" Spot answered before starting whining, but Rover covers his mouth with his paw.

"Yes, yes, I know." Rover replied. "This is ridiculous! Letting a pony order us around. What are we? Mice or dogs?"

"Mi...dogs?" Fido and Spot answered.

"Dogs do not pull, ponies pull." Rover said. "Let her make the awful noises."

"Uh oh, guess we over welcome our stay." Comet said as he then noticed Rover coming his way, delivering a spinning heel kick to the face which it got the Diamond Dog crashed against the wall.

Rover shook his daze out of his head, glaring at the colt.

"Why don't you pick on somepony your own size." Comet said, readied his fighting stance.

"Like you?" Fido said.

"Oops..." Comet said with panic.

And just as the Diamond Dogs were about to lunge after Comet, Rarity used his magic to levitate them and pushes them back with full force, sending them flying.

"Nopony messes with my godson!" Rarity shouts in anger.

"AND NOPONY MESSES MY SON!" The voice of Twilight Sparkle yells in pure anger when she and her friends made smashed the door into pieces.

Twilight Sparkle used her magic to blast and sent the Diamond Dogs flying right towards the wall with pure motherly rage. Mario and the others were watching Twilight the scene and not to get involved when it comes to a scornful mother. The battle ended rather quickly when Twilight levitated the three main Diamond Dogs next to the wall.

"Oh, please! Please! Uncle! Uncle! Uncle!" Rover pleaded nervously.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Spot complained.

"QUIET!" Twilight yelled.

"Oh, we're gonna shut up right now!" Fido said nervously.

"We're really sorry!" Rover added.

"If you ever come near my son again." Twilight said angrily.

"Oh, this is...this is your son?!" Rover asked nervously.

"Yours?" Fido asked.

"Did you know that?" Rover asked.

"No...me? I-I-I didn't know that. Did you?" Fido stammered.

"No! Of course not!" Spot answered.

Unfortunately, Twilight is in no mood of their excuses as she them flying and have their heads buried in the wall, leaving them knocked out. Spike walked to Twilight's side and looked at him with a grin, only for her to look back down at him with a hard glare, causing a baby dragon to shrink back down. Both Rarity and Comet came to her nervously.

"Mom, I..."

"You deliberately disobeyed me." Twilight said with a glare, turns to her son.

"Mom, I'm...I'm sorry." Comet said, tried to apologize.

"Let's go home." Twilight ordered angrily.

And just as they hooked themselves up a single wagon each, they left the tunnel.

Few hours later back in Ponyville, Rarity was at the Carousel Boutique to work on the new outfits for Sapphire Shores. Mario and the four mares headed home while Twilight headed to the Golden Oak Library with an angry glare. Comet followed her with his head down in shame while Spike look at the two nervously.

"Spike!" Twilight called him, breaking the silence as Spike approaches her.

"Yes, Twilight?" Spike said nervously.

"Go on home without us. I've got to teach my son a lesson." Twilight said sternly while looking back towards her son.

Comet crouched lower to try to hide. Spike started heading home while looking at Comet sadly, hoping Twilight won't be too harsh on him.

"Comet!" Twilight called him sternly.

Comet then flinched, which he's both nervous and sad as he stands up and began walking over to Twilight. As he continued to walk, his hoof landed on Twilight's hoofprint, seeing how smaller and younger he was compared to his mother and how he would have big shoes to fill someday. Looking back up, Comet continued to walk towards his mother. He made his way towards Twilight, sat down beside her with his head down in shame.

Still facing away, Twilight slowly turns to her son.

"Comet, I'm very disappointed in you." Twilight said.

"I know." Comet replied sadly.

"You could've been killed! You deliberately disobeyed me! And what's worse, you put yourself in danger!" Twilight scolds. "You're lucky Mario made a report to Princess Celestia earlier and have those Diamond Dogs captured!"

"I just thought I can help Rarity and hoping that I can take care of myself. And I had been in training in magic and martial arts for years...That I thought I was capable enough. I thought I could do it." Comet explained.

"Comet, I didn't say you weren't capable in defending yourself." Twilight said, softened her glare. "And you may have been improved, but what you did was reckless. You could've been hurt very bad or worse like last time at the Everfree Forest."

"I-I was just trying to be brave like you." Comet said as he came very close to crying.

"I'm only brave when I have to be." Twilight told her son. "Comet...being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble."

"But you're not scared about anything." Comet argued.

"I was today and back." Twilight replied. "Back at the parasprite incident, you used a high-level magic to restore Ponyville and it got you unconscious. And back in the Everfree Forest, you were almost got yourself killed when you and Winter fell off of the cliff."

"You were?" Comet asked.

"Yes. I thought I might lose you." Twilight answered, bent down to the colt's level.

"Oh, I guess everypony got scared?" Comet asked, earned a nod from Twilight. "But you know what?"

"What?" Twilight asked.

"I bet those Diamond Dogs were even scared." Comet replied with a grin which Twilight laughed.

"That's because nopony messes with your mom." Twilight said with a smirk. "Come here, you!"

With that, she pulled Comet and gave him a noogie.

"Oh, no! No! Aaagh! Errggh!" Comet shouted in dismay while trying to break free.

After a short struggle, he broke free and pounced at Twilight, knocking her down. Once Twilight got up, she started running away from her son in laughter as he chases after her. Comet managed to pounce at Twilight, bringing her to the ground. They were all in a laughter as Comet started playfully tugging Twilight's ear, and came to rest on top of his mother's shoulders and held on to her horn and mane.

"Mom?" Comet asked her, earned her attention. "I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart." Twilight replied.

"We'll always be together, right?" Comet asked.

"Always." Twilight answered, felt Comet kiss her horn.

Twilight then stood up and let Comet sat on her back before heading home to get some sleep. Mario, the Mane 5, and the four foals were happy and relieved that the two made up after the talk. Spike even watched the scene since both Twilight and Comet were very close as mother and son.

That's it for the 31st chapter.