In Spike We Trust

In Spike We Trust

• Cornflak

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So, I open my eyes and squint because of the sun rays through my window. I can smell breakfast being made downstairs. I sit up and stretch out my arms with a yawn. I wonder if the other ponies are staying to eat with us this morning.

I blink a couple times and rub my eyes to get the crud out.

This is when I feel like I want to throw up. I’m thinking about last night with Discord. I can still feel his hot breath when he asked me to help him. I really don’t know if I’m up to it. I mean, I really like Rarity...like, a lot. But is it really worth it?

“Spike? Rise and shine! Get out of bed!” Twilight’s calling me now. I sigh and grumble, because nopony needs to be awake this early after what I just went through.

“Comingggg....” I manage to groan. I slide out of bed and give my body one more good stretch. When I loosen back up, I see something new in my room. My mouth turns dry, and I start thinking all kinds of thoughts. Like, did anypony see this in my room? Who put it here? What are they trying to tell me?

I walk over to my bookshelf and stare at the stuffed animal that’s showing off its teeth. It looks just like Discord. I almost start to think that maybe it is Discord. Maybe he’s watching me. Maybe he’ll always be watching me.

“Spikeeee?” Twilight’s getting tired of waiting.

I start planning lots of ways that I could get rid of the thing. I could just take it out back and scorch it. Easy.

“Just a second!” I call back.

It wouldn’t be that easy. Discord might think that I’m cutting off our deal, and then who knows what would happen to me?

___________________________________________________

Breakfast is really weird. Not the food. The food is really good, but like...I’m just waiting for Twilight to ask about my date like she said she would. She either forgot about the whole thing or it’s taking her a long time to get around to it. She keeps looking at me for a long time, and then she looks away when I notice it. Maybe she knows about Discord?

“So, Spike.” my tail starts wagging because I’m really nervous.

“Mhm?”

“Today is Princess Celestia’s birthday.”

“Oh! Uh, I forgot about that.” I fake a laugh and look down at my plate.

“As usual, we’ve been asked to help with the preparations.”

She’s talking about the big party that they have at the castle every year. The mane six is always asked to help set up these things. This year is the first time that I’m thinking about declining the invitation altogether.

“Hey, Twilight?” I fiddle with my thumbs. She just tilts her head and waits for me to talk, “I can tell you anything, right?”

“Of course!” she brightens up, and that kind of makes me feel better about everything. I cough in my fist and take in a long breath.

“Well, Discord’s back-”

“Spike!!” Twilight just slams her front hooves on the table, “I thought I could trust you!”

I don’t know what to say, so I just stare at her. That’s when I notice a long snaggletooth coming out of her mouth, and it looks like her eyes turned red too.

“What...?”

That’s all I can say right before there’s a purple explosion. Nothing gets knocked back, but there’s a gust of wind and everything just looks like its had purple dust thrown on it. I’m already trying to think of ways to explain this to the other ponies. I never thought I’d see the day when Twilight explodes in a purple cloud.

“Oh, Spikey Wikey. I expected better from you.” The voice on the other end of the table isn't Twilight’s anymore.

I cough and wave the purple dust out of my face. It’s all over the table and on the floor. It just kind of blends in with my scales, though. When the air clears up, I see Discord reclining in the air. He’s got this smug look on his face like he’s completely in control.

“Where’s Twilight?” I clear my throat again and wave in front of my face.

“Oh, there never was a Twilight. Not this morning, at least. Not here.”

“What do you mean?” he’s not making any sense.

“I mean that your precious pony friend is already at Celestia’s castle, helping with the festive decor.” He smiles and I can see that snaggletooth again.

“Why?” I can’t think of anything else to say.

“Because there’s a PARTY!!” he spins around in the air and bursts of confetti shower the purple dining room.

“No...why’d you play this stupid prank on me? I have enough to deal with already.”

“Oh, come now. You need to trust me. I wouldn’t have devised this magnificent charade if it wasn’t for your own good.”

I sigh and shake my head. I can’t even think of what to say.

“Spike, I needed to know that you wouldn’t tell anypony about our little deal.” he folds his arms, “Clearly, I was right to be suspicious. You didn’t even last nearly as long as I had hoped. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

“Shut up.” I look away and huff.

“Not until you promise to be on your best behavior at the birthday party.”

“Why should I? I can just tell Celestia everything and you’ll be gone.” I’m finally starting to feel like I have some control over him.

“That may be true, but I’ve adopted a new policy. You see, toying with your little ponies has too often ended in my defeat.” and before he finishes what he’s going to say, he snaps his fingers and disappears in a flash.

“Wait, where did you...” I can’t even keep talking when I feel that hot breath again on the back of my neck.

“Let me put it this way. It will be rather difficult for you to say much without a head or a tongue.” I can feel his sharp nails cutting into my arm, “I’ll always be with you, dear Spike. Utter a single word, and I’ll lash out. You'll be first, and then your lovely Rarity will follow. The rest will end in bloodshed.”

There’s a bright light and I have to shield my face with my claw. I see an image of Discord sitting on the throne in Celestia’s castle. All of the ponies are bowing down to him. I don’t know if I’m watching this happen or if I’m a ghost. I try to pick out all of the ponies in the throne room.

I see Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. They all look miserable. I wish I knew where Twilight and Fluttershy were. I already know where Rarity is. It’s probably the worst part about everything I’m seeing right now. I don’t wanna talk about what I’m looking at. Thank Celestia she’s not alive to see her beautiful self being treated like this. Discord doesn’t even look like Discord anymore. He looks like something that would give birth to someone like Discord. He’s just looking down at all of these ponies like he’s their king.

Then he snaps his fingers and there’s another flash. When I look up, he’s floating above the dining room table again and looking like his usual silly self. I almost missed him.

“So we still have a deal? I’d rather we didn’t have to resort to such harsh methods.” he puts his claws on his hips.

I’m trying to catch my breath. I’m caught in between tackling him or just shutting up and crying. I guess what I really want is to make him go away, so I decide to play by his rules for now.

“Okay. I’m sorry.” I hang my head in shame. The other ponies would be disappointed in me.

“Wonderful! I’ll be watching you at the party!” he flies up to me and pats me on the head, “Try to have a good time, now.” and he vanishes in another flash.

I open my eyes and the house is back to normal. There’s no more purple, and there’s no more Discord. Well...not exactly. I look in front of me and I can see that stupid stuffed animal sitting in the other chair across from me.

One of its red eyes winks at me.

_____________________________________________________

The party starts in another couple of hours. We’re still trying to get everything perfect for tonight. Thoughts of Discord still haunt me. It hasn’t really soaked in yet. This Discord isn’t the same prankster that we were all familiar with. This one is a lot more violent, and it feels like he isn’t afraid to get his claws dirty this time. But still...I have to try and believe that he’ll help me with Rarity. After that, he’ll go away.

“Spike, ya made it!” I hear Applejack coming up from behind me. I turn around and try to keep my cool.

“Heh, yeah. I kind of overslept a little.”

“A little? We went and tried everything just to wake yer lazy bones!” she laughs, looking over at some ponies that are balancing on ladders to pin up a giant ‘Happy Birthday’ banner, “Ya think she’ll like everything?”

“She always does.” I cross my arms watch the hardworking ponies with Applejack. I keep my eye on a small one that’s at the very top of the ladder. It looks like he’s trying his best to reach over and pin the banner to the wall, “Do you know where Rarity is?”

Applejack looks away and up like she knows something I don’t.

“She, uhh...didn’t feel like comin’ tonight.” she says quickly. I already know the answer when I’m about to ask my question.

“What’s wrong?”

“Bad hair day, she said.” she keeps saying all of this like she knows it’s my fault, “So, what all have ya done to help out so far?” Applejack and I don’t look at each other while we’re talking. I can’t tell if she’s talking about Rarity’s hair or the party decorations, so I just go with the decorations.

“Oh, you know.” I shrug.

There’s an awkward pause. I almost want her to laugh so that she thinks I’m joking or something, but it’s the truth. Luckily, the uncomfortable silence is broken when that little worker pony falls off the ladder. He crashes into a bunch of equipment and the ladder follows him all the way down. The racket can be heard bouncing all over the castle walls.

“Oh, shoot! Uh, I’m comin’!” This is when Applejack darts in that direction, but not before she looks back at me and says, “Ah’ll be right back, Spike!”

I just sigh. I can’t try and act like any of this is exciting. I have a lot of other stuff on the brain.

Speaking of other stuff...

I look around and make sure that nopony’s watching me. It looks like the ladder accident has everypony distracted, so I slide out of the room and hurry down some long hallways. I hope I can remember which way it is. It’s been a while since I’ve had to actually find it, because I usually just stay home and deliver all the letters magically.

That’s when I stop and look up. The throne room’s double doors almost stretch to the ceiling. I can’t waste any time. Anypony could trot by at any second, so I rush into the door and use all my strength to try and make them budge. One of the doors starts to inch forward. That’s good enough. I slip through the open crack and look around.

It’s so weird to be in here without Princess Celestia’s permission. Every step I take on her red carpet feels like something stolen. I look to one side and I see the stained glass windows. Each one tells a story about something big that happened in Equestria. I can’t help but think that maybe my story will make it on one of those windows after this is done.

I’m getting closer to the bejeweled door when I remember something. The Elements of Harmony are sealed by a spell that only Celestia can break. I should have thought about this when Discord asked me to do this in the first place. What am I supposed to do now?

I’m worrying so much about the door that I almost don’t notice it glowing brightly. The room starts shaking and I have to keep myself from falling on my face. Can everypony hear what’s going on? How am I gonna explain this to them?

Before I can come up with an answer, the door flies open. I guess everything makes sense. Discord stole the Elements last time, so he could easily do it again. But he needs my help, because Celestia’s new spell won’t let him lay a claw on the Elements.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...” I flinch and squeal a little when I hear an army of ponies singing in another room. It sounds muffled and really far away. I guess that means nopony knows I’m here yet.

Inside this chamber, I can see the chest that holds the Elements. All I have to do is grab it and go. Just grab it and go, Spike! Just tell Twilight you got bored and went home. Nopony can prove anything. There’s no evidence. Just hide the Elements really well and nopony can trace this back to you. Just do it!

“...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR CELESTIAAAA...”

I gulp, fill up my lungs with air...and make a run for the hallway. I can’t do this. It’s so wrong! I should’ve just screamed and called for Twilight when Discord showed up at the sleepover. I run as fast as my little legs can carry me. The party starts in just a few minutes. I don’t even think to close the doors behind me.

“...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUU!” Everypony in the ballroom finishes their song and stomps their hooves. It feels like every single pony in Equestria was invited tonight. I’m having trouble just walking around the room. I have to squeeze between flanks and apologize to ponies I’ve never seen before. All I’m trying to do is find Twilight so I can tell her that I’m leaving.

Then I hear somepony tapping on a microphone. The sound of it pulses through the room, and then somepony coughs into the microphone.

“Princess Celestia never fails to impress. Whether it’s her undeniable beauty or her fearless attitude, the princess gives promise to the ponies-”

I start blocking it out after that. It’s just some stallion giving a speech about how great Celestia is. I don’t recognize the voice. I don’t really care. All I want right now is to find Twilight, but all of these ponies are practically trees in a jungle. I eventually throw my claws in the air and give up. Nothing’s going right tonight.

“Are you okay, Mister Spike?” I look around when I hear my name. The voice sounds like it could be coming from a mouse, “Down here, Mister Spike!”

I look down at the floor and see a small pegasus pony. His big, brown eyes almost take up his whole head. I almost wanna ask him if he’s eaten anything today, because his legs look like they can barely hold him up. He brushes a hoof through his brown mane and laughs.

“Gee, I’m almost as big as you!” he says this without looking at me in the face. I guess he’s pretty shy.

“Uhh, yeah. Do I know you, little guy?” I have to ask.

“I know you, Mister Spike! You live with Twilight Sparkle!”

“Well...yeah, I do. What’s up?”

“I’m a photographer!” he bounces a little. I don’t know how I missed the giant camera hanging around his neck. I can see myself in the big lens. I look pretty fat. I hope that’s just the lens and not my eating habits.

“Oh! That’s pretty cool.” I try to sound like I’m really interested in this pony.

“Yup! I wanted to take a picture of Princess Celestia...” he stops looking happy and looks down at the floor. He starts to trace the tiles with his hoof, “...I’m too little and I can’t see her very good.”

I nod and cross my arms. I know how he feels, I guess. I can hardly get anywhere in this crowded room.

And then something weird starts happening.

I start thinking about Rarity.

And then I start thinking about this little colt and his picture of Celestia.

Looking back on everything, I just really want Rarity to like me.

And this little guy just wants his picture so he can put it in the paper.

I feel like maybe we can both get what we want, no matter how hard it is.

So I shake my head and make up my mind. I walk away from everything and I head back to the hallways. The little pony squeaks a little bit and causes me to turn around.

“Where are you going?” he looks like somepony just took his camera and smashed it in front of him. I just laugh and cup my claws around my mouth.

“Use your wings!” I call out to him. I think he forgot that he’s a pegasus pony. The frown on his face flips upside down again. His little wings start flapping fast and hard, and then he slowly rises off the ground.

“Oh yeah! Thanks, Mister Spike!” he waves at me and flies higher.

I give him one more smile and turn back to the long halls. It doesn’t take me long to find the throne room again. All of the doors are still open, just how I left them. I quickly head inside the chamber, snatch the chest from its pedestal, and tuck it under my arm. After that, I’m already running for the front doors. I should make a living out of this whole stealing thing!

CRASH

I run straight into a pony around a corner.

There’s a blinding flash, followed by the sound of camera shutters, and then I tumble to the floor.

“Ow, ow, ow! Oh, gee! Mister Spike! I’m so sorry! I was just looking for you-”

“It’s okay, little guy.” I slowly get up and dust myself off. The photographer looks more excited than before.

“Spike, Spike! I got the picture! I did what you said and I flew really, really high! She looked right at me and smiled for the camera!” he keeps bouncing off the floor.

“That’s good.” I can’t even act like I care this time. I’m just looking around myself to try and find that chest. Oh, there it is. I rush over to it and swipe it from the floor.

“Hey, what’s that?” the little guy tilts his head to the side.

“Uhh...just some stuff. Hey, I need to go. Keep taking pictures!” I yell before I turn and zip through the front doors.

“...Mister Spike?”