Day Two

Why did I agree to do this?

Spike was sitting in bed and looking at the library ceiling, thinking about the plan Pinkie Pie had told him. He, in a desperate moment of weakness, had agreed to the plan mainly to stop her from pestering him about it. She had told him point blank if he didn't say yes that she would hold her breath until he did. After 20 seconds of this he relented with a sigh and a very unenthusiastic "fine".

But thinking in bed he thought that maybe there had been more to it than that. Maybe just a hint of hope.

I must be desperate if I think this plan could ever work.

He was spared from more of these unhappy thoughts when Twilight came downstairs. He couldn't see Twilight because of the huge mound of books hovering in front of her, but only Twilight would have that many books at any particular time.

"Good morning", said Spike as Twilight came into the library.

"Good morning Spike," said Twilight as she walked past. "I'm going to really need your help today Spike. Princess Celestia has given me a lot of books to prepare myself to be a Princess and I'm determined to read them all."

"There's a surprise," muttered Spike.

"What?" Said Twilight distractedly.

"Nothing," said Spike.

At least I'll have time to think over the plan while I'm helping Twilight.

One boring and long day of studying later

"I don't know about this Spike. What do you think?" said Twilight.

"What!?" said Spike, startled from thinking.

"Come on Spike! You've been daydreaming all day. What's going on? You're never this quiet," said Twilight.

She looked at him long and hard. Spike squirmed uncomfortably. He was never very good at keeping things bottled up, especially when Twilight stared at him like that. They had been through too much together for him to lie to her convincingly.

A knock sounded on the door.

"I'll get it," Said Spike, relieved to have a reason to leave.

When he opened the door to reveal Fluttershy and Opal, both soaked to the bone. However, Fluttershy was not soaking due to the dripping cat, but because she was so distraught that her face was stained with tears.

"What's wrong?" asked Spike. He quickly leading them both in, careful to steer them clear of the books. He knew first hoof what Twilight did when you ruined her books.

Fluttershy spoke first. "I was walking to the market to get more carrots for Angel when I saw poor, sweet Opal sopping wet. We need to dry her off right away before she gets a cold." Spike nodded, running to get some towels.

After they had successfully dried her off, Fluttershy thanked them and said she was going to go see if Rarity was in so she could return Opal to her.

"Are you sure you should go now?" asked Spike. "Twilight could give you a book about how to take care of Opal." Spike didn't want Fluttershy to leave. If she left, it would mean more awkward questions about Rarity from Twilight.

"That's okay," said Fluttershy, "I'm sure that if she is still not well, Rarity will come to look for something."

"Well Twilight had something important to tell you anyway," said Spike.

"I do?" Twilight looked at Spike quizzically.

Spike nodded. "Yeah, you have to show her what you found out in your studies."

"Oh, well, I guess if Fluttershy is interested." said Twilight.

"I, uh, I guess," said Fluttershy. Spike could tell that she didn't much like the idea of listening to Twilight drone on and on about her books, but at the same time could not think of a polite reason to say no. "Oh, but I need to bring Opal to Rarity, or else she'll worry."

"Don't worry, I'll bring Opal to Rarity for you so that you can listen to Twilight." Spike formed his face into what he hoped was a smile.

"Oh, uh... Great." said Fluttershy, even more softly than usual. Spike quickly picked up Opal and ran out the door before anyone could raise anymore objectives.

"Boy what a close one!" he said.

Now all I have to do is give Opal to Rarity and then...

He paused. Spike had never considered that while questions from Twilight were not very comfortable, they were still no match against the real thing. He didn't feel much like trying to make conversation with Rarity at the moment. He tried to think of a way out of it.

Maybe I could give her to Applejack or Pinkie Pie and say I'm in a rush and if they could please give Opal to Rarity for me.

However, as he turned in the direction of SugarCube Corner, an even better thought came to him.

Sweetie Belle!