7th Sapphire Cupcake: [Video | Goldenrod]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[The feed clicks on to Spike looking really worried, and he's surrounded by Rarity's pokemon.]

Has anypony seen Rarity? She's really pretty, with purple hair, and talks about fashion a lot.

We're staying at Goldenrod Inn together, but I haven't seen her in a couple days, and I've checked all her favourite stores. If you see her...uh...well...I guess that's okay then...tell her Spike's been looking after her pokemon...

[Screened to Pony Cast only]

Twilight? Rainbow Dash? Anypony? I can't find Rarity anywhere. You guys haven't seen her, have you? I haven't seen her since she last went shopping.

[Spike looks like he's about to start crying. He's all alone in a big city in a weird world, and he doesn't know why Rarity's pokemon are crowding around him and looking so sad. He feels really alone right now.]

You..don't think she went home, do you?

Comments

Video

[struck_out]

Which city is she at? I work at the Pokemart at Violet, and I've seen a whole lotta cute girls but none with purple hair just yet. If she's here I'll keep an eye out for her! What else do you know about her? Purple hair's a pretty big give-away but is there anything else I can look out for?

Also, is she single? Because if she is and if she's as pretty as you say she is, I'd totally be up for getting to know her!

[One might question if Leon's doing this out of the kindness of his heart, or if he's just out to score. :/ ]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike blinks. That was an unexpected question.]

Single? You mean like, she doesn't have a special ponyfriend? Well...I guess. Is that important? She's really nice, and she'd still be really nice even with a special ponyfriend.

[Yeah Spike's not quite seeing the intention here.]

Um...well, she always looks very fashionable. And she likes wearing pretty hats. And she says things like 'darling' and 'dear'.

[struck_out]

What the-!? Dude, I'm not talking about a pony! I'm talking about a boyfriend! Like, someone she's dating?

But yeah, with a description like that she'll be easier to find if she's around this town. She sounds way more elegant than 99% of the girls I've met here!

[rather_eat_turquoise]

A boyfriend?

[Spike's still not sure how that knowledge will help him find Rarity.]

No, she doesn't. [Thank goodness! Still in with a chance!]

Oh she's really elegant and smart! She loves getting dressed up and going to all the fancy balls in Canterlot.

[struck_out]

[Single and available, AND elegant and smart? Leon's definitely interested.]

She sounds like a real princess.

[He's starting to get this whole multiple worlds thing.]

'Canterlot'? ...what kinda place are you from? Some Middle-age fairytale castle land with dragons and unicorns?

[rather_eat_turquoise]

Oh she's not a princess! Not like Princess Celestia or Princess Luna.

But I think she'd make a really good one. She loves all that stuff.

[Spike's frowns, thinking for a second.]

I don't know what middle-age is. But there's definitely a castle. It's huge! That's where Princess Celestia lives - it's in Canterlot.

And yeah, Rarity is a unicorn, and I'm a dragon. Well, a baby dragon but one day I'll be a grown up dragon.

How did you know?

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

Aw, geez...!

Sorry Spike, but I think she might've. Haven't talked to her in a while myself, and Twilight once said if their 'Gear's signals vanish that's usually what happens.

Need me to swing by and get you? Won't take too long!

(Video/Screen)

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike's expression gets even sadder.]

But...I just gave her a pokemon present...and she left all her pokemon here...and the mobile fashion business...

Are you sure she isn't just lost or anything? Why would she leave without saying goodbye?

[He's starting to tear up]

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

...That's what Johto does. Same thing happened when Fluttershy vanished. I know it's hard Spike, but we'll deal.

(She's already tossed a Pokeball and out pops her Dragonite, fastest flying Dragon Pokemon.)

(Video/Screen)

[rather_eat_turquoise]

...I guess. At least she's gone home...[Spike sounds like he's trying to convince himself it'll be okay, and not doing such a great job at it.]

[It takes him a minute to realise that Rainbow Dash has her Dragonite out, and his eyes widen.]

Wait...you're picking me up now??.

[His expression changes to one of panic.]

But...but...I'm not ready! I need to get everything packed and find all of Rarity's stuff because we can't leave it here! What if she comes back? What if she wonders where we went?

[As he's talking, he's looking around the room frantically trying to figure out how to pack everything. At least Rarity bought a bajillion bags - that makes it a little easier at least.]

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

(Rainbow stops mid-tirade from Spike, listens and facepalms once realizing that Rarity had bought a LOT of things prior to being sent back.)

...How long do you think this'll take?! And how many flying Pokemon are gonna have to carry whatever Rarity's bought?

(She's pretty sure she can convince some of her Flying types to carry Rarity's things; she's tossing Charizard and Aerodactyl's Pokeballs for the time being.)

(Video/Screen)

[rather_eat_turquoise]

Um...

[Spike looks around his room. Even though he'd been here for a while, he hadn't really bought a lot of stuff. Everything he had still fit into the backpack.]

Well, it won't take long for me to get my stuff.

Hang on a second.

[Spike opens up the connecting door to Rarity's room, and turns the gear so that Rainbow Dash can see. There is stuff EVERYWHERE. Rainbow Dash would be hard pressed to find a surface that wasn't covered in clothes, material, sewing equipment, work notes, drawings etc..]

...this could take a while.

[Spike sighs sadly. He really doesn't want to be packing Rarity's things away, still trying to accept that she's gone.]

I could maybe do it all in an hour? How long will it take you to fly here?

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

(Rainbow stares at the screen in disbelief at what Rarity had bought...and facepalmed. Again and again for quite a while.)

...You think?!

Ahh, probably less than that if I take Spitfire; she's my Dragonite. Might be an hour or so if I take one of my other Flyers here, but...I'll give you one day. Think that'll be enough time to get Rarity's stuff together?

(Video/Screen)

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike shrugs helplessly, looking around Rarity's room. She certainly had done a lot of shopping in the past couple months. He sighed sadly. This wasn't how it was supposed to go! He'd had a great time here with Rarity while Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie had gone to get badges. What was he going to do now?]

Yeah...I guess that's okay. What time do you think you'll get here, and where do you want me to meet you?

[Spike wonders if he needs to make a list as he pets Rarity's Petilil, who was taking the loss pretty hard.]

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

(Rainbow's expression at Spike's question is mixed with disbelief and...nope, just disbelief. She's not sure what time she'll get there; she usually tries to sleep in!)

Eh, probably before lunch. How about in front of the Pokemon Center? Should be big enough for Pokemon to pick up her stuff.

...Wait, isn't her stuff mobile?

(Video/Screen)

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike's not sure why Rainbow Dash is giving him that expression. Maybe she was still shocked by the sheer amount of stuff Rarity had.]

Yeah that should be okay. There's a courtyard area there. I can put all her stuff out there so that it's easier to get it all.

[Spike raises an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash.]

...well...yes...but this is Rarity we're talking about. Her version of mobile is...yeah.

Remember the camping trip you guys went on with the crusaders?

[Yeah. He'd heard all about that. Poor Sweetiebelle.]

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

Sweet! I'll look for the courtyard when I fly in on Spitfire.

(She would, but she hasn't experienced it yet; only bits and pieces from what Twilight told her, but...she can fathom a guess. Just because it's Rarity they're talking about.)

Ha, good thing I have really strong Pokemon. Twilight too.

(Video/Screen)

[rather_eat_turquoise]

Okay, it should be pretty easy to spot from the sky. I'll be waiting with all the stuff.

[A beat]

Twilight's coming too?

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

Sweet! Try not to forget any awesome stuff she might've bought me.

(A beat.)

Eheh, no; I might see about borrowing some of her Pokemon, though.

(Video/Screen)

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[That made Spike smile a little.]

There's probably a rainbow coloured travel outfit in here somewhere, knowing her.

[Spike looks a little wary.]

It's not the other not as great Spike is it?

[Spike knew that Twilight hadn't replaced him, and that Spike the Dragonite was actually really nice...but still. He didn't really want to be rescued by his equivalent. That was kind of rubbing salt in the wound.]

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

(That brightens Rainbow's spirits a lot; something cool Rarity bought for her! She's gonna check it out first chance she gets.)

Really? Awesome~!

(She laughs lightly and shakes her head. No way would she consider another Dragonite to rescue Spike that wasn't named Spitfire!)

Hehehe, nope! Promise it won't be the other Dragonite.

(Video/Screen)

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike laughs at Rainbow Dash's enthusiasm.]

Probably. I know she said she was going to work on travel outfits, but I have no idea if she finished them, or even had a chance to start them...

[Spike breathes a sigh of relief.]

Awesome. I mean, uh, you know. It's not that I don't like him or anything...

[Spike sighs as he looks around.]

I guess I should start sorting through everything. I guess I'll see you tomorrow Rainbow Dash.

[He pauses for a second and then says in a rush]

Be careful, okay? [Read: Please don't disappear too...]

(Video/Screen)

[bestofthebest]

Yeah, I checked in on her now and then; she seemed real busy with making outfits and stuff.

(She laughs and nods, understanding what he's going through.)

It's cool, Spike. Take your time and get to know him when you're ready. Besides, he's Spike 2 not Spike 1!

(She nods briefly while giving him a thumbs up.)

Gotcha! You too, little guy. (She gets it; she's not going anywhere...)

[video]

[rocketralph]

Aw, Jeez, I'm sorry, kid. I haven't spoken to her for a while.

[video]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike hasn't seen this big guy before, but it sounds like Rarity has met him.]

When did you see her last? Did she say she was going somewhere?

She usually tells me if she's going to go out...

What if something bad happened to her?

[video]

[rocketralph]

_{[Ralph rubs the back of his neck. Kid looked like a mess.]}

It was a while ago--she was talking about how she'd just opened a shop in Goldenrod.

[video]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

Yeah, she was really excited about her shop too, and she said she was getting a lot of business.

[Spike looks down sadly.]

She wouldn't just leave it all behind, would she? She's not that kind of pony! She worked so hard...

[video]

[rocketralph]

Y'know, she might nota left on purpose. I had a friend up and disappear too. She went home.

[video]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike frowns. He knew that Fluttershy had gone home...just not how it had happened.]

Really? I mean, they don't say goodbye, or take anything with them or anything?

They just...go?

...but how do they get home? Is it like how we just woke up here? Will she ever come back?

[Spike desperately hopes that Rarity did make it back to Ponyville safely.]

[video]

[rocketralph]

_{[Ralph shakes his head.]}

I dunno, she was just gone one morning. My poke'gear said her number didn't even exist. I've been told that's the surefire way to tell if somebody's, 'yknow, gone gone and not just missing.

_{[He scratches the back of his neck again. He's reeeeally not good at the comforting thing. Would Rarity ever come back?]}

Maybe?

[video]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[That doesn't give Spike much hope, and he looks down at his gear in dismay. He'll be double checking for Rarity's number as soon as he can.]

So...it's like they weren't even here? That's awful.

...but I guess...

If she's back home...

That's better than being trapped here, right?

[Spike's voice is almost pleading, like he's trying to either talk himself into believing it, or seeking confirmation from the big guy.]

[video]

[rocketralph]

Yeah, tell me about it...

She comes from a nice place, though, right?

_{[He sure hopes it's better than that Sugar Rush game the kid told him about.]}

[Video/screened]

[loveisabattlefield]

(Uh oh...this is bad. Very very bad.)

...I think she might have, Spike. I can't find her signal anywhere and if her all of her Pokemon are there with you...

...I'm so sorry, Spike.

[Video/screened]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike hasn't talked to Cadence in a while, and he's glad to see her, especially now.]

Princess Cadence! But...why would she leave? She didn't even say goodbye...

[He looks around at Rarity's pokemon, which are crowding in on him, nudging and nuzzling him sadly. Tears prick his eyes.]

What am I going to do with them all? I can't give them away! They're Rarity's pokemon!

[Video/screened]

[loveisabattlefield]

Sometimes someone can just suddenly disappear from this world without warning or reason. Remember when we first arrived here? The same thing happened to Fluttershy. We can figure this out, okay?

[Video/screened]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

But...

I didn't realise that Fluttershy never said goodbye! I knew she left, I just didn't...

You mean she's really just gone? Just like that?

[Spike realises that now he's alone in Goldenrod.]

[In a small voice]

I hope Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie come back soon.

[Video/screened]

[loveisabattlefield]

I'm sure they will. Just give them some time and they'll be there.

(Cadence frowns.)

How would you feel about a song, Spike?

[Video]

[friendyousohard]

Spike...

[How does she say this? How does she tell him, "yes, one of my best friends and the woman you have a crush on has just been sent home randomly and abruptly."]

I... yes. I'm sorry.

[Video]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

[Spike knows that kind of tone when it comes from Twilight - trying to break bad news and/or comfort him. He looks so lost and forlorn in the video feed.]

But...she never even said goodbye....

Is that what happened to Fluttershy? [No one had ever really gone into it with him.]

[Spike has been proud of himself for being pretty independent in this weird world, especially during his time in Goldenrod, but...]

...what do I do Twilight?

[Video]

[friendyousohard]

Yes. And it's what happened to everypony else over a year ago... And it never, ever gets any easier. I wish I could tell you it does.

[She swallows back her own tears as she tries to keep her focus. She can break down on the combined shoulders of AJ and Cadence later, right now she has to stay strong for her little buddy.]

Wait for Rainbow to get there. Gather up everything you think she'd value, and just... let your feelings out. Don't be alone if you can, okay? I'll stay on the line as long as you need me too, just... don't be by yourself.

[Video]

[rather_eat_turquoise]

Everypony? They all just disappeared?

[Spike hadn't realised that Twilight had been through this so many times. He thought it had only been Fluttershy, and suddenly felt awful for Twilight. It must have been horrible, seeing everyone disappear around you and being left alone.]

There's no way of knowing who's going to go?

[He really wanted to give her a hug, but he'd have to wait until after Rainbow Dash had picked him up.]

[Instead, he went back into his room, keeping Twilight on the line. It was comforting to know that she was still here, and, to be honest, he was a little afraid of hanging up, just in case she disappeared as well.]

[Rarity's pokemon were following him like sad lost sheep as he began to move around his room, slowing picking up his things and carefully packing them into his backpack.]

What about all of Rarity's pokemon? They can stay with us, right?

[There's a little bit of desperation in his voice. Even if Spike has to look after them all himself, he just can't give them up.]

[Video]

[friendyousohard]

Except for me and Fluttershy, yes... and she'd already been through it once.

[In Twilight's opinion, Fluttershy's still the one to feel more sorry for.]

No, there's no way to know. But of course they can stay with us... though maybe if she had some friends here who might want reminders of her, one or two of them could go to them?