One day, Spike was in the Golden Oaks Library, stacking bookshelves, as usual, he sighed as he finished stacking the last book. After the Changeling attack, Spike suddenly had a growth spurt and was about the same height as one fifteen-year-old human teenager, from Lyra's description, although he didn't know what a human was. He also had a muscular build, emerald eyes and green spikes all along his back and tail.
Anyway, today was the day, Spike knew he could do it, all he had to do was ask her, and explain why he should have it and she should let him have it.
Let me explain. From birth, Spike was Twilight's 'number one assistant', even though he was the only one. He had been raised by Celestia and Cadence before Twilight was old enough. Spike was told that he was an assistant so he had to help Twilight, and he was able to get her through her school years, and through the years his work increased. And then once she graduated and moved to the library, Spike worked harder than ever.
He got used to it but then once the move to Ponyville happened, he was excited since he might be able to make some actual friends, but no, intact the work increased since Twilight always left to hang out with her circle of friends. He also got frustrated when the events with 'Owls well that ends well' happened, Twilight ignored him, after everything he had done for her, and even that ended with more work!
And to add icing the the gem-less cake, when Spike left to be with the other dragons during the migration, he was thinking that maybe life could be different from his normal life, but the teens had annoyed him too much, although he wouldn't mind having another go at it, maybe things would be different. He felt like this new life could be better, no more work, just gems and friends to hang out with. But sadly, it didn't work out, so he went back to his normal dull life of helping Twilight, and also helping Rarity when necessary.
Although he had a crush on her since he saw her, it slowly dimmed down to the point he only saw her as a friend, and even then he started to help her out less and less and started doing paying jobs around town, although they were just one time jobs, he still got paid fairly.
But Twilight thought she knew everything about the Drake, she didn't. She thought all he was interested in was gems and rewards for work, that was nothing like him. He had written drafts and ideas for books but didn't publish them since he feared Twilight would either get jealous or take all the credit. He was also interested in drama and acting, but couldn't join the local acting guild since when he once asked Twilight what she would do If he asked to join an acting group, he got a reply ' Well you can't join silly, you're my number one assistant!' Then ran off for a picnic with the girls. He was also interested in music, he had favourite artists and has written drafts of music when Twilight wasn't looking, he also secretly went to concerts at night. He also was a bit interested in blacksmithing, the local blacksmith had let him practise a bit, he had made a few swords and spear tips.
He then heard her enter the main room from her study, he turned to see the lavender unicorn. She has had a purple mane colour with a pink strip in it, the same was with her tail. She also had dark purple eyes and one big star and five surrounding starts for a cutie mark.
"Morning Twilight," Spike said.
"Morning Spike," Twilight said as she walked into the kitchen. Spike followed and sat at the table, Twilight soon joined him with a cup of coffee.
"Twilight?" Spike asked.
"Yes?" She replied.
"I was wondering-"
"Where your chore list is? I put it next to your bed as usual." She said.
"No, I mean. I'd like things to change." He said Twilight put on a confused face.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what I get. I'd like to be paid for my work and given more holidays and rights." He said.
"Oh, ha. Nice joke Spike. That was a good one." Twilight said.
"I'm being serious," Spike said in a deeper tone.
"Oh, well Spike, you're my assistant, and assistants help those who do the actual work, so I see no reason to pay you, also we don't work that much anyway," Twilight said.
"Yeah, when WE do stuff, but let's have a look at this. My choir list consists of doing the dishes, cleaning up your messes, dusting the books, etc. so why don't I get paid for those?" He asked as he pulled out the choir list from behind, Twilight usually dropped it by his bed at night for the next day.
"Spike there isn't that many chores anyway," Twilight said.
"There's 251! and you're usually leaving to have fun with your friends, while I stay here cleaning up everything you've left behind, and your 'standards' of a clean library are too fucking high!" He said.
"Spike, watch your tongue!" Twilight said.
"And also, I've never given a day off! The only times I do I used to help out Rarity, and then that one time with Applejack and the Timberwolves." He said.
"We'll you shouldn't have been fantasising about being with her! Like you had a chance with her." She said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Spike said as his eyes squinted.
"Oh come now, you're a dragon, she's a pony. It would never work!" She said.
"What the hell!? Why do you care who or what I go out with, I mean I heard of Griffon-pony relationships, as well as cow and pony ones and I even heard Braeburn's going out with a buffalo!" He said angrily.
"Spike, I've had enough of your nonsense! What would you even do apart from this? Nap all day?" Twilight yelled.
"Rainbow Dash seems to do it and you don't seem to care. I actually have interests and talents Twilight! Rather than a talent for the best cleaner or best slave." He shot back, smoke flaring from his nostrils.
"Spike, you are not a slave, you're my assistant!" Twilight replied.
"I get no pay and I do everything for you! How am I not a fucking slave!?" He screamed.
"Alright, I understand, you're probably made for some slacking you did. But don't blame it on me!" Twilight said. This statement didn't help, Spike was already gritting his teeth, clenching his fists and smoke flaring from his nostrils. His face now turned completely red as steam started to stream from his ears, his arms flailed uncontrollably and his teeth were starting to Hirt itself from the pressure.
"Now, I'm going to the spa to see Rarity, and I want this mess that you caused cleaned up!" She said as she walked out and angrily slammed the door, causing the books to fall from the shelves and cover the floor from the energy Twilight's Horn released.
"Fuck this! I'm out." He said as he walked up the stairs to his room where he wrote a letter to Princess Celestia and then wrote another note for Twilight, then he did a final check on his letter before breathing fire and sending it up to Celestia.
Dear Princess Celestia
It's me, Spike, I was wondering if it was okay with you and Luna if I stayed in Canterlot?
From, your humble dragon, Spike.
Meanwhile as Spike waited, he pondered of what had happened, Twilight, the pony who he had assisted all of his life just wouldn't listen to him, even if he was taller and more mature, she still considered him as a baby, which annoyed him since he felt like he was at least at an adult pony age.
"I've been used my whole life... and when I need to be listened to. I'm drowned out...hell, Twilight didn't even care about my side of the story when Owlicious came here..." He had to calm down a bit, he couldn't find himself to be filled with rage, he wasn't that type of dragon.
One of the main reason he decided to ask the princess first, was because when he was little and was taken care of by Celestia and sometimes Cadence, he felt like he was treated right. Like he could do what he liked if he did his work, and he did. and he was also thanked for his hard work, unlike Twilight. He then belched out a scroll and started to read it.
To my Dear Spike
Of course it's ok for you to stay here in the castle, I think Luna would be very happy to play with her favourite nephew again, and I can't wait to see my little dragon all grown up.
From your mother, Princess Celestia.
Spike smiled as he finished reading the note and putting it away in the bin. Spike was the first to admit, he had a weird family. From his mum to his wacky aunt, not many could say they had a princess as a mum. Spike and Luna had grown a close friendship with each other as Spike started to play video games, he was able to afford them with the money he saves from doing odd jobs for ponies when he could, if he wasn't busy with Twilight's demands, their favourites were Halo, Portal 2, Team Fortress 2, Pony Kart and of course, Super Pony Bros
But anyway, Spike, now happy that his work life with Twilight would stop, headed for the Ponyville train station, bought a ticket, and boarded the train to Canterlot.
_____________________________________________________________
Spike soon got off the Canterlot express, and started to head towards the castle, he decided to walk through the alleyways. Sure it was dangerous, but he was a dragon, about as tall as the princess, there probably wouldn't be anyone who would want to attack.
But as he walked through one, he heard whimpering and crying, he followed the noise until he saw something that shocked him.
It was a mare, hugging a colt and a filly very close to her. The mare was a deep dark blue, with a dark orange mane, it seemed to be very long and straight. She also had beautiful dark aqua eyes and a paintbrush cutie mark.
The colt seemed to have a dark blue mane, a brown fur, and no cutie mark, the filly was the same, no cutie mark, but instead had orange fur and a yellow mane.
"Mommy, I'm scared." The filly said.
"Shhh, it's ok honey, we'll survive." The mare said comforting her children.
"Um," Spike said making his presence known, the mare and the foals looked at the dragon with scared and frightened faces.
"Please, do what you want to me but leave my children alone." She asked,
"Hey, hey, hey. I'm not going to hurt you, alright." Spike said.
"O-Okay." The mare said.
"What's the matter?" Spike asked.
"Well, my husband just took my home, and my money, I have no job. And now. I and my babies have to stay on the street here." She said with tears in her eyes.
"That's sad...hey, how about you come with me?" Spike asked.
"Really!?" The colt asked.
"Yeah, why not?" Spike asked.
"Oh thank you mister dragon!" The filly said.
"Don't worry."
"What's your name?" The mare asked.
"My name's Spike, what about you?"
"My names Creative Paint, these are my children, Electric Buzzer and Singing Melody." The mare said pointing to her children as they got up, but she reluctantly walked towards him. While her children quickly rushed to Spike as they started to follow him.
"So where are we going Mister Spike?" Melody asked.
"Oh, it's a surprise," Spike said, she just tried the puppy eyes, and it worked as Spike immediatly gave up.
"Alright, how about I give you a piggy back?" Spike asked, he couldn't react before the little filly was on his back, holding onto his shoulders, he just smiled and walked on.
"Weeeee!" She said, Creative just smiled, even though this Drake could just be tricking them for personal gain, and he was a dragon which could burn her and her family, she was happy to see her little filly having fun.
They soon found themselves in front of the Canterlot castle doors.
"What are we doing here?" Buzzer asked.
"You'll see," Spike said, soon two royal guards opened the door.
"Princess Celestia will see you now." One of them said Spike nodded while Creative, Buzzer and Melody's jaws all dropped.
"You know the princess, Mr Spike?" Melody asked.
"Eeyup," Spike said as they started to walk into the throne room.
As the four made their way through. Creative and her foals looked around at the fine crafted Marble. Spike also looked but wasn’t as interested. Having already walked these halls before. They finally entered the throne room were Celestia and Luna both sat on different thrones. Creative and her foals quickly bowed to them, Spike soon followed.
“Please rise,” Celestia said. The group getting back on their knees.
“Spike, it has been much too long since we talked,” Celestia said as she walked down and hugged the Drake, he returning it back.
“I missed you too.” He said as the two broke the hug.
“I did not know you were bringing guests with you.”
“Well, I was making my way here through the alleyways, to avoid all the traffic. I ran across these three, I found them with nothing and decided to help those, at least providing shelter. So…If it’s okay with you, can they stay in the castle for a while?” He said sheepishly.
“Oh, and you decided to do this without asking me first?” she said, causing Spike and the others to worry. But soon broke out laughing.
“Do not worry. I know your heart was in the right place. I will allow them to stay.” She said. Causing the two foals to jump high in excitement and Creative to smile on the verge of tears.
“Oh thank you! Thank you!” She said. Luna then came down.
“Sister let me show these two to the rooms, to get them off of your hooves.”
“If you please,” Celestia said.
“Come on, let us go,” Luna said, the two foals following behind her. Looking at each other as the doors close.
“Alright, now we have some privacy. You must realize we will need you to do some work for us. We don’t want to show the image that we are renting out rooms for free. I am letting Spike stay here as a guest and a friend.” Celestia said. Creative nodded.
“I understand.”
“Please tell me, what is your name?”
“Creative Paint, my foals are called Electric Buzzer and Singing Melody.” She said.
“Mrs. Paint, I assume by your name that you are talented with a brush?” Celestia said.
“It's actually misses now.”
“Oh, my apologies.”
“It is alright, not your fault. But, yes. I am very good with painting.”
“Well, Miss Paint. I believe we have a solution. I hereby pronounce that Creative Paint and her foals shall stay in the castle and Miss Paint herself will paint a portrait when requested. But the request has to go through me and Luna first.” Celestia said.
Creative Paint once again bowed.
“Thank you, Princess. I swear I will not let you down.” She said.
“It is alright. Now I would like to have a private talk with Spike here. I’m sure Luna will be able to help you. My guards will be able to assist you in the right direction.”
“Of Course, and once again. Thank you.” Creative said as she left the room leaving the Drake and the princess alone.
“So Spike. What is troubling you so much that you decide to move far away from your friends?” Celestia asked. Spike tried his best to lie through his teeth.
“Um. I just felt like I needed to start somewhere new, I am getting older.” Spike said, Celestia just chuckled and gave a grin.
“I have lived for more than a thousand years and have known you all your life. I know when you’re lying or not. So what’s really troubling you?”
Spike sighed, he knew there was no other option. He just hoped he wouldn’t be turned into stone or sent to the moon for saying what he was about to say about her personal student.
“Basically, I’ve had enough of Twilight and the crap I’ve had to put up with. Every time she and her friends go off on adventures, I’m left behind cleaning up her messes and completing her way to fucking high standards and long pointless chore lists. So I asked her if she could at least start paying me at least, she and I had an argument. In the end, I decided that if she wouldn’t change, I wasn’t going to stay there. And the only place I knew that I could stay at was here in Canterlot. And that’s how I stand before you today.” He finished, expecting the worse to come. Ike maybe at least a few strong words in the royal Canterlot voice.
“Well. It seems that if what you said is true, then I will gladly let you stay here. You do deserve a rest for years of service to my student. And you are growing so you may make a life for yourself.” She spoke, this caught Spike off guard.
“Really, is that it? No stone prisons or even some shouting in the Royal Canterlot?”
“Oh, I see how you confused. Yes, I am mad that you have said such things about my student. But your service under her as her assistant has been long, so I see to it that you get some rest and once you feel you’re ready. You can make the choices of what to do with your life.” She finishes. Spike smiles before hugging Celestia tight.
“Thank you. But how will you message Twilight?”
“That is something me and her will have to figure out later. But for now, there is no need for you to worry.”
“Alright then.”
“Well, I think it’s time you get settled. I will take you there myself.” Celestia said.
The Drake and the princess made their way down the halls until Celestia showed Spike his new bedroom. King sized bed with some drawers, balcony, mirror and desk.
“I will let you get settled. And you may add anything you’d like to your room. Like Posters and such.”
“Great. And again, thank you so much for all of this you are doing. Not only for me but for Creative and her foals.” Spike told her. Celestia smiled and nodded.
“Of course. Anything for my baby dragon.” Celestia said grabbing Spike and pulling him down into another hug, nuzzling Spike's cheek, making Spike blush.
"Mum, I'm not a baby anymore," Spike said, Celestia just giggled before she let him go and began to trot out of the room.
"Okay, Mister Grown up Dragon. I have to finish court, i'll see you at dinner."
Celestia soon left Spike to himself as he walked out to the balcony. He breathed in the air and watched the Canterlot streets below him. He smirked as he saw his old home in the distance before walking back into his room.
“Well, my new life starts now. Bring it on.”
