It was late morning in the small town of Ponyville. Just like any other day dozen of ponies walked through its dusty streets as they cheerfully greeted each other. And just like any other day two creatures moved about inside the slight famous Carousel Boutique. One of them was its owner, Rarity; the other was Ponyville’s number one assistant and resident dragon, Spike.
But, differently from any other day, Spike didn’t answered to Rarity’s beck and call, neither did he lost himself on the beauty of the mare of his dreams. Instead he just dozed off in place, the little of consciousness that he had left keeping him from falling face first into the boutique’s floor.
“Spike.”
The dragon didn’t answered the sweet tone that called for him. Instead he stared blankly at one of the couple of mannequins that the boutique had.
“Spike.”
The sweet voice called again, and once again it failed to reach him. The fog that covered his mind turning any sensorial input into vapid vapor.
“Spike!”
With a more authoritarian and loud tone the voice penetrated through the fog and awoke Spike from his standing sleep, causing him to jump back in surprise.
“Wha what?!” he asked as he looked around searching for the source of the voice. After a few seconds his gaze set on Rarity who was standing in front of him with a worried look on her face.
“Spike, haven’t you been sleeping well?”
Spike thought for a moment before answering, he really wanted to put a brave face, to tell her that everything was fine, but she knew him to well and lying would just be a waste of time.
A heavy sigh left Spike’s mouth. “No, I keep having this strange dream and it’s keeping me awake all night.”
“Oh dear, if you’re not feeling well then you don’t need to come help me if you don’t want to,” Rarity said as she sat beside him and wrapped her foreleg around him.
“But I want to help.”
“Oh please darling, in the way you are you’re going to be more of a burden than help. And it would severely pain me to see you work half-dead because of me, besides, I was able to work before without you, there’s no need for you to bother yourself with that.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Now, Spikey Wikey, would please tell me what are these dreams that are bothering you?”
“It’s not these, it’s it. Do you remember the whole ‘human world’ incident a few weeks back?”
Rarity just nodded her head up and down.
“Well, I don’t know if it has anything to do with it. But the thing that I keep dreaming of is this human.
I’m surrounded by darkness and the only thing I can see is him. He is really tall, as tall as Celestia, and strong, he could give Big Mac a run for his money. His hair is long and gold, his upper body is covered in scars that look like constellations, and he wear this torned cloth on his waist that looks like Luna’s mane, you know with the whole ethereal night sky. His skin is also of a very dark blue.
But what really makes him scary is his face, it has this gold lightning bolt tattooed across it and his expression is completely blank. Like he’s some sort of stone statue or something, and it just creeps me out.”
After finishing his story, Rarity looked at him for a moment with her mind trying to find a way to help the little dragon.
“Hum… have you tried talking to Twilight about it?”
“Yes,” Spike said with defeated tone. “She tried out a bunch of different spells, from dream-eaters, to mental purification, to something called Stone Sleep. Nothing worked. I also tried talking to Luna but she said that whatever this is it is something that she has never seen before.”
Rarity return to deep thought as she tried to find someway to help. The poor thing is dead tired. He reminds of myself when I just can’t sleep of worry. That particular thought brought an idea to her. Rarity then walked away from Spike and to her kitchen.
“Rarity? Where are you going?”
“One minute, darling!” she exclaimed from the kitchen.
Not even a full minute after, Rarity appeared carrying a plastic transparent pot that was filled halfway with a grey powder. “Here, Spikey,” she said handing the pot to him.
“What is it?” Spike asked as he looked at the grey powder.
“It is a special powder that Zecora made for me. Put on some hot water and you got yourself something that will make you sleep from one morning to the other.” Rarity gave Spike a reassuring wink and went back to her dresses. “Now go get some well deserved rest, and promise me that you will only come help when you’re feeling better.”
“Thanks, Rarity! But I make no promises, I will come help even if it might kill me!” Spike said before leaving the boutique.
Rarity chuckled at his sudden enthusiasm. Such a charm… maybe one day...
Spike rapidly walked through the streets of Ponyville, the anticipation of finally getting some rest powering his body. But then a sign that was hanging from a wagon made him come to a halt.
“Deepsight’s One-Hundred-Percent Accurate Fortune Reading,” he said reading the sign aloud.
Spike took a moment to think about it. Eh, why not?
Entering the wagon, Spike founded himself face to face with circular table that was covered with a light blue cloth, and facing him was an earth-pony mare that sat on the end of the table.
“Come in, young dragon,” the mare said with a rough voice that penetrated Spike ears all the way to his very soul.
As he walked towards the table Spike noticed all the different trinkets that hanged from the ceiling: from dream-catchers, to smooth carved stones, a few wooden totems, and even some silver coins. All of them adding to the magical and mysterious atmosphere that flooded the wagon.
Spike sat on the wooden chair opposite to the mare. And the moment he took a good look at her, he questioned her early estatement. Because the mare’s eyes were completely white, a sign that showed to the world her blindness.
“Give me your claw, young dragon.”
Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and bidding by her will he extended his hand to her.
“Wait, how do you?”
“Shesshh…” she said putting her hooves over his claw and then looking down.
“Bits,” she muttered.
“What?”
“You forgot to put the bits on the table. Three bits will do.”
Spike put the pot on the ground and then grabbed three bits from his scale pocket which he then immediately threw on the table.
Hearing the sound of the coins hitting the soft cloth and the hardwood underneath it the mare smiled. “Good,” she said.
For a few moments the only sound was the soft mumbling that left the mare’s mouth. But then she suddenly stopped and raised her head. Her white eyes stared directly at Spike’s green, even if her inability would make such act impossible, and just like with her voice Spike felt her gaze penetrated his corporeal body and stare directly at his soul.
She then released his claw and using her hooves slid the bits back to him. “You can have your bits back.”
“What? Why? What did you saw?”
“Nothing.”
“What?”
“You see, there are some folks that we in the business call ‘fateless’. They go on with their lives doing as they see fit, changing their destinies with every action they make. You have no fortune, young dragon, none at all. I have nothing to tell you, and so, here’s your bits back.”
As he walked outside, Spike had a blank expression on his face, his brain completely failing on creating a worthy reaction. Until one word finally appeared on his mind. “What.”
It took a couple of minutes, but Spike was finally home. Now he only needed to walk inside, drink the stuff that Rarity gave him, and hopefully get some sleep.
“Ah Spike! You’re home early!” Twilight exclaimed as he walked inside.
Spike winced at her tone, that excited tone that she had when she found something interesting to do, a tone that gave Spike a very clear message. I’m not gonna be sleeping any time soon.
“Hi, Twilight... who is this guy?” Spike said pointing to a blue unicorn that was sitting on the ground surrounded by books and that had one floating in front of his face.
“Have manners, Spike! This is Keen Eye, he is a collector of books.”
“Hello,” the unicorn said. He then lowered the book from his face and looked at Twilight. “I have to say, Miss Sparkle, your library has a fine collection of books.”
That's it! That’s the breach that Spike needed! They’re going to start talking about books and forget about anything else, now Spike only needs to very quietly go upstairs and he is free!
“Oh, thanks. And please don’t call me Miss Sparkle, that would be my grandmother.”
Very lightly Spike stepped on the the library’s stair, as to not make any sound that would bring Twilight back from her book world. He was halfway there, just a few more steps….
“I’ll remember that. Say, my throat is a little dry, do you have anything to drink?”
“Of course we do! Spike!”
Twilight’s yell put to a complete stop Spike’s ascend and caused a heavy sigh to leave his mouth. “Yes, Twilight…”
“Would you please go make some tea for us?”
“Yes, Twilight,” Spike said as he slowly descended and then walked to the kitchen. You’re really lucky that I love you as much as I do…
Once in the kitchen, Spike quickly grabbed two mugs, put water on both of them, and then with a breath of green fire he instantly heated them. After putting the tea leaves on the water Spike idled for a moment, but then something on the kitchen caught his attention. There’s a fly on the wall… how do flies keep themselves like that anyway?
In the corner of his eye Spike noticed that the tea was ready. But before taking them to Twilight, an idea appeared on his head. I really hope Twilight and her guest like their tea steaming hot! He thought as a wicked smile formed on his face, once again he blew fire on to the mugs heating them even more.
Spike could barely contain his laughter as he walked back to Twilight. But then the moment he entered the room his laughter completely died down, and its place came a mix of terror and worry produced by the scene before him.
Twilight laid unconscious on the floor with Keen Eye knelt besides her.
“What happened?!” Spike managed to say, barely stopping himself from panicking.
“Don’t worry, she was only knocked out,” Keen Eye said raising from the floor, his voice cold and stern. “I don’t like hurting anyone that isn’t my target, unless it is necessary.”
“What?”
“Now, would you kindly die for me?”
Moved by pure instinct and fear, Spike jumped back into the kitchen, and just in time as a invisible force swiped where he previously were taking part of the wall with it.
Spike hid himself behind one of the kitchens cabinet, his mind working in overdrive as he tried to come up with a plan. I need to find help, but I can’t just leave Twilight with him… Spike then looked to his left and saw the kitchen’s window. That’s it! I’m just gonna walk to the window and yell for help! But before he could take even a single step Keen Eye’s voice reverberated through the library.
“I hope you don’t try to run or call for help. Or else your dear Twilight might not wake up.”
This stopped Spike completely.
“Look, dragon, my job here is to kill you and only you. So how about this: you come to me with no resistance and I promise that I will not lay a single hoof on your friend.”
The weight of the situation and the decision that he would had to make caused him to sweat heavily. A storm of thoughts raged inside his mind composed of all the things he would lose with his sacrifice, all the things he would never experience… but then the storm completely vanished when he thought about all the things that she would lose.
I can’t protect Twilight… but I can save her.
Making his resolution, Spike left his hiding spot and slowly walked to his doom. Once he was face to face with Keen Eye he looked at the unicorn not with fear or dread, but with courage.
“I made my choice, give me your best shot.” Spike then spread his arms leaving himself completely open to anything that the unicorn could throw at him.
“You’re very brave for a young dragon. Now die!”
At the last moment Spike closed his eyes and waited for the attack. But after a few seconds of feeling nothing he opened his eyes, and the sight that met him left him speechless.
Standing before Spike, with his back turned to him, was a very tall man. But even without looking at his face Spike knew who this was: the long flowing golden hair, the scar plagued body, all the same characteristics that figure that haunted his dreams had.
“What?!”
Keen Eye’s cry snapped Spike back to reality, in doing so Spike noticed the reason why the figure had appeared. In front of him was a pony, or at least something that looked like a pony. It had not single strand of hair. Its body was made of a reddish leather, instead of eyes it had two long cylindrical lanterns that were carved into its face, and where the mouth should be there was a long sticht that gave the impression of a smile.
Keen Eye backed away from Spike and the figure, the leather pony following him. “You, you’re also a Stand User?!”
“Stand User?” Before Spike could question what that meant, a strange feeling washed over him; natural but indescribable at the same time, similar of how someone is aware of their limbs. Changing his attention to the figure, Spike realised what the feeling was. The figure’s eye were his own, his fists were his fists, his body was free for him to control.
Spike clenched both of his fists as resolution and anger gave his face a stern look capable of scaring even Discord away. I can feel it... its immense strength, the weightless of its body, and even its name. Yes, my Starman. And with him, I can finally protect Twilight.
Keen Eye, on the other hand, hadn’t recovered himself from the surprise of Starman’s sudden appearance. I wasn't informed of this! I need to rethink my strategy, buy some time to think this through.
But before he could move, Starman sent a punch right to his face. In only a few seconds Keen Eye’s Stand defended the punch with both forelegs, but the punch was so strong that it sent them back a few meters. Too fast, and so strong! If I was delayed even for a second I would have been knocked out!
Without giving him time to compose himself, Spike launched another punch at him. But this time Keen Eye evaded the punch by jumping to the left. Spike could only watch as Keen Eye’s Stand digged its metal hooves into the floor and opened a hole that they both fell into before closing itself.
“What.” Was all that Spike could say as confusion softened his stern expression.
“Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Confused? This is my Rats in the Cellar ability, the ultimate escape power! With it I can hide and move inside any surface! This makes me the greatest assassin, not even Princess Celestia herself is save from me and Rats in the Cellar!”
Keen Eye’s voice echoed through the library as Spike wandered aimlessly.
“Now, the moment you turn your back to me I will strike you down so fast that not even your Stand will be able to protect you!”
Inside the library’s wall Keen Eye was already smacking his lips in anticipation. But then Spike stopped walking, looked directly where he was hidden, and smirked at him.
“Found you.”
With blinding speed, Starman punched a hole where Keen Eye was, grabbed him, and threw him across the room.
“How- how did you do that?” Keen Eye desperately tried to get away from Spike, but he was so overruned with fear that the only thing he could was slowly slide himself away.
In response, Spike tapped his right ear with his right hand while resting his elbow on the back of his left hand. “My hearing is better than even a cat’s. I also know this library inside out, even better than Twilight.”
As Spike and Starman approached him, Keen Eye began to panicked.
“Look, there’s no need to do anything drastic okay? I’ll tell everything you want to know, just- just don’t do anything that you might regret.”
“You… you threaten me, you hurt Twilight! Oh YES, you’re going to tell me everything you know… from your hospital bed!”
Keen Eye could only release a small weep before getting every bone of his body, except for his jaw, broken by Starman’s lightning fast barrage of punches.
“ZORARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARA RAAAA!!”
Keen Eye… Rats in the Cellar…
Left unable to fight...
The first thing that appeared on Keen Eye’s mind, as consciousness returned to his body, was the memories of what had happened to him. Images of Spike and Starman looking down on him, the ear-bursting sound of their battle-cry, the unbearable pain caused by the punches. So much pain that it caused him to black out for who knows how long, and that even in the form of a dream filled him with such dread that he quickly awoke from his sleep.
Darting his eyes wide open, the color white assaulted his blurry vision, causing his eyes to burn with the sudden light.
Keen Eye blinked a few times and shook his head in an attempted to take the blurriness from his vision. Succeeding in doing so, the first thing that caught his attention was that his body was covered from the neck down into an armor of plaster.
Looking around, he saw that he was on a small hospital room, with only a single window and a table beside his bed.
Lifting his gaze, he noticed a nurse standing by the door. But before he could ask her where he was, the nurse looked at him and then left the room.
Soon after, a tall figure entered the room. And the moment his vision set on the tall figure, his eyes widened in terror and his mouth hung wide open as he tried to scream, but the fear that flooded his body left him unable to.
The figure responsible for this reaction was none other then the Princess of the Sun, the ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia.
And she didn’t looked happy.
Using her magic, she closed the door and then enveloped the room on a sound proof bubble. She then took a step forward and looked down at Keen Eye with an unforgiving stare.
“You dared to hurt my friend and fellow princess Twilight. You tried to kill my son!”
“Son?” Keen Eye managed to squeak in a pathetic tone as he tried to run away from her.
But unfortunately for him the plaster kept him bound to his bed.
“Now, you’re going to tell me who you are, who send you, and what is this ‘Stand’. Or I swear by myself, that I’m not gonna send you to the moon. But a place way hotter.”
“Okay I will tell you everything!” he screamed all at once.
“Good. First of all, who sent you?”
“I- I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I can’t remember about him. If I try to I can only see this shadowy figure. I don’t even know his race, or if he is actually a he.”
Celestia glared at him with such rage that if it was possible he would had burst into flames right there. “I’m telling the true! Please don’t hurt me.”
“What about this Stands? Where do they come from?”
“I don’t know, he was the one that gave it to me.”
“So how did he do that? And why does he want Spike dead?”
“I told you I can’t remember! Everything that I try to remember about him just comes covered in fog and shadows! I don’t know why he wants the dragon dead either, I just follow orders.” Keen Eye had completely cracked under the pressure and fear, causing drops of tears to fall from his eyes.
“If you don’t even know who he is, then why do you follow his orders?”
“Because he saved me! I was just a poor bastard living in the streets of Manehattan, selling my lunch so I could have a dinner. And then he appeared. He gave me a new purpose in life, and with it the power to do as I saw fit, the power of the Stand.”
“One last thing. Is there any more ponies working for him?”
“I… I don’t know. It’s that all?”
“Yes. You will remain in Ponyville Hospital until you’re recovered from your wounds, then you will be taken to Canterlot where you will be hold on trial for treason. And just to make sure, there will be two Royal Guards watching over you at all times.”
Celestia then left the room, and the moment she walked into the hospital’s corridor she was met by an eager Spike.
“So, what did he said?” Spike asked.
“Nothing of use, is a possibility that whoever sent him messed with his mind,” Celestia said with a serious expression as she tried to think of a way to help.
Looking back at Spike, she softened her expression and smile at him. “How’s Twilight?”
“She’s okay. It was just a soft blow on the head, nothing too dangerous. She’s already back at home doing her own research on Stands.”
“I see.”
Silence reigned for a moment, but then Celestia wrapped Spike on her wings and pushed him closer to her. “Oh Spike, I was so worried about you,” she said as she nuzzled the young dragon.
“Stop it, mom!” Spike replied with his cheeks burning red from embarrassment. “I’m okay ain’t I?”
The two Royal Guards that stood by chuckled at the display of affection, while the nurse had a wide smile on her face.
“Yes, you are. But who knows what will happen next time? I knew that letting you and Twilight live here in Ponyville after her coronation was a bad idea.”
“Mom, stop,” Spike said with an unusual serious tone.
Not used to him talking like this, especially to her, Celestia looked at him with a perplexed expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t even think about that. You know how much me and Twilight love Ponyville.”
“I do, but someone is trying to kill you. I can’t just leave you and Twilight unprotected.”
“But we’re not unprotected. You know how strong Twilight is, and now with this Stand I can finally protect myself and her too.”
Looking at the determination and strength that Spike had on his eyes caused Celestia to smile warmly. After a small sigh, Celestia closed her eyes, thought for a moment, and then looked back at Spike.
“Okay, but you are going to promise me that you will be careful, and if things get out of hand you’re going to call me immediately.”
“Alright, thanks mom,” Spike said before hugging her leg, which caused the nurse to almost fall into the ground from the sheer cuteness if it wasn’t for the fast thinking guards that grabbed her before she hit the ground.
“One more thing, I’m going to send a Royal Guard to keep an eye on things here.”
“Mom…”
“Don’t worry, I’m going to send a very nice one.” Celestia then turned away and began to walk, but before she could take a single step she felt something tugging her tail. Turning around she found that Spike was holding her tail. “What is it?”
“Well… we never get to hang out. So I was thinking if it would be alright if I rode or your back, and we just talked until we got to your carriage.”
“But of course.” Enveloping him on a yellow aura, Celestia floated Spike off the ground and into her back. “My little dragon.”
They then rode off, leaving two very amused Royal Guards and a very happy nurse behind.
After Celestia returned to Canterlot on her carriage, Spike immediately walked back to the library.
The moment Spike opened the library’s door he was met by an ocean of books that completely covered the library’s floor.
“Hum… Twilight?” he asked as he, very hardly, moved through the countless books.
“I’m here, Spike.”
Localizing where her voice came from, Spike walked there. Through the gaps between the books, he saw glimpses of Twilight’s purple fur.
Moving the books away, Spike found Twilight laying on the floor with her face buried into a open book.
“Hum… did you know that you were buried by a bunch of books?”
“Yes, yes. So, what did Princess Celestia found out?” Twilight said without moving her attention from the book in front of her.
“Nothing much, that Keen Eye guy knows as much about Stands as we do. And speaking of Celestia, why didn’t you came see her?”
“Because, Spike, that would delay my research! We need to find out about this Stands, where do they come from, what are they capabilities.”
“So… had any luck?”
A defeated sigh left Twilight's mouth. “No, I literally read every book that we have and I found nothing. Whatever this Stands are, it is something that was never seen before.” At the moment those words left her mouth, an idea appeared on Twilight’s mind. An idea that caused her to turn to Spike and look at him with the most joyful eyes imaginable.
“Wha-” Was all that Spike could say before getting compressed by Twilight’s body as she enveloped him into a tight embrace.
“There’s no time to explain! To the basement!” And with that, and a bright flash, they disappeared from the main room and reappeared in the library’s basement.
“Twilight, what-”
“One moment. I forgot my clipboard.” With another flash, Twilight was gone. And soon after she reappeared with another flash, carrying with her magical aura a clipboard and a quill.
“Now we can begin.”
“Begin what?!”
“Our research, of course. Nopony has ever heard of this Stands, and so it is our duty as ponies of science, in your case dragon, to test it and record our findings.”
Knowing first hand how crazy Twilight can get with her research, Spike really didn’t wanted to do this. But, filled with the desire for answers and new discoveries, he decided that just this time he would fully support Twilight’s research. “Okay, so how are we gonna do this?”
“I thought that first we should go over what we already know, then we start the tests. What do we know so far about this Stands?”
“Well… I can control Starman like he is a second body of mine, I can see what he sees and his arms are like my own.”
“I see,” Twilight said as she scribbled on the clipboard. “It’s a possibility that Stands and their users have some sort of deep mental connection, or something like that.”
“Now that you said that, I remember that in my fight against Keen Eye I punched his Stand, but he moved backwards, as if he also had felt the punch.”
“Hum… the connection is so deep that whatever happens to one happens to the other…”
“That would explain why he didn’t used his Stand after I defeated him! Since he can’t move neither can his Stand!” Spike exclaimed, excited from his discovery.
“Exactly!” Twilight exclaimed, finished writing on the clipboard. “Isn’t researching fun?”
“Yeah, a little bit. I blame you for making me like this science stuff.” Spike then threw a weak jab at Twilight’s leg and smiled at her.
Twilight smiled back before going back to her research. “So, what else do we know?”
“Hum… ah! I got someting!”
From nowhere, Starman appeared beside Spike who them turned to Twilight and pointed at him. “Can you see him?”
“See who?”
“Exactly! This explains why Keen Eye knocked you out so easily, you can’t see a Stand. But me and Keen Eye could see each other Stands, which means that only Stand Users can see Stands!”
“Wow.” Was the only thing that Twilight could say in face of Spike’s logic. While in the outside her expression was of bewilderment from how solid Spike’s theory was, on the inside she was the happiest pony in all of Equestria. He’s growing up so fast.
“Am I good, or am I good?!” Spike said, spreading his arms on a victory pose.
Twilight chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Yes, Spike, you’re great. Anything else that we know?”
“Keen Eye’s Stand had this power that allowed him to go inside things.”
“Interesting, does your Stand have any powers?”
“I don’t know.”
“So we’re going to leave whether all Stands have powers as a question mark. I think this is all, now we can start the tests.”
“And what are these tests going to be?”
“We are going to see exactly what are the capabilities of your Stand. And we’re going to start with its durability. Now please, Spike, go stand over there.”
Spike moved to the other side of the room where Twilight was pointing to. “What now?”
“Now, I’m going to fire a bolt of magic at you and I want you to defend it with your Stand,” Twilight said already preparing herself to fire the blast.
“Wait, wait ,wait!” Spike shook his hands left and right as he tried to stop Twilight. “Are you sure about this? What if I get hurt?”
“Don’t worry, Spike. The blast is going to be concussive.”
“What’s concussive?”
“It means that the worst that’s going to happen is that you’re going to get knocked out. Now defend yourself!” Without giving time for Spike to object, Twilight fired a purple bolt of magic at him.
A soft weep left Spike’s mouth, but before the bolt could hit him he summoned Starman to defend him. The bolt hit Starman’s chest, and then immediately dissipated without even causing it to flinch.
“Twilight, are you crazy?!”
“Calm down, Spike. All worked out in the end didn’t it?”
“Yeah, but who knows what would had happened if I hadn’t called Starman?”
“You’re a strong boy, you would be fine. But anyway, did you felt anything?”
“Not really. Why?”
“If our theory is correct, and the Stand and its user have a bond so strong that anything that happens to one happens to the other. Then you should had felt the impact of the bolt regardless of Starman protecting you.”
“Wait, you knew that could happen and you still fired the bolt?!”
“That’s why I fired a concussive bolt, Spike.”
“I don’t know if I should be angry at you, or happy that you care about me.”
“But anyway, since you didn’t feel anything then is possible that only other Stands can hurt a Stand.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Yeah, it makes Stands really dangerous. But this isn’t conclusive yet.”
“It isn’t?”
“Of course not, we need to test different types of magic on it. From sleeping spells, to shapeshifting, maybe some pyrotechnics…”
At this point, Twilight rambled on about all the different things they would need to throw at Starman and consequently Spike, her excitement growing with each spell that she thought off. Spike, on the other hand, realized that maybe he should had thought more about it before agreeing to this idea.
“Hum, Twilight, I think I hear Rarity calling me so I gonna have to go bye!” And with a speed that would make Rainbow Dash jealously, Spike left the basement and the library.
“I don’t hear Rarity.
Spike?”
Twilight looked around in search of him, but the only thing she found was the opened basement’s door.
“Spike!”
Spike was already a few good meters away from the library when he stopped running. Now what? He thought for a moment and then just shrugged. Mind as well go see if Rarity needs any help.
After a few minutes of walking, Spike reached Carousel Boutique. Without bothering with knocking, Spike opened the door and walked inside. “Rarity? Are you there?”
“In the kitchen, Spike.”
Walking into the kitchen, Spike was met not only by Rarity, but also by the famous Hoity Toity. Who, even in something as simple as a friendly visit, still wore the last trend of fashion over his grey coat. Both of them sitting at the dinner table, enjoying some tea and butter biscuits.
“Hello there,” Hoity Toity said turning to Spike. “You must be Spike, Rarity talks a lot about you.” He then extend his hoof to Spike who immediately shook it with his hand.
“Yes, and Rarity also speaks a lot about you, Mister Hoity Toity.”
“Oh please, just call me Hoity Toity. Friends of Rarity are my friends, especially one that helps her so much.”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I just do what I can to help,” Spike said, rubbing the back of his head while having a big goofy smile on his face.
“Not only he is helpful, he is also humble. I do say, Rarity, you got yourself a keeper.”
At this, both Spike and Rarity blushed a deep red. Hoity Toity, meanwhile, just laughed at how embarrassed both of them became.
“If there’s one thing that I learned on my years in the industry, is that the most important thing that a designer needs is a competent and helpful hand. So, Rarity, treat Spike well. And you, Spike, be proud of your job.”
“I sure will, Hoity Toity!” Spike said, saluting the pony. It’s not everyday that you find someone that appreciates your job like that. “So, Rarity, I suppose you don’t need me today?”
“No, darling, you can go do something else. But before you go, I’m sorry about not being there for Twilight after she got attacked, I just had this important order that I needed to finish.”
“Don’t worry about it, it was only a small blow. She’s already up and running.”
“I’m glad that’s the case. And what about your nightmares? Are you better?”
“I sure am! Next time I’ll bring back the powder that you gave me.” Spike then left the boutique but not before saying some parting words to Rarity and Hoity Toity. “See you later, Rarity! Good to see you, Hoity Toity.”
A small sigh left Rarity’s mouth, which preceded a small but sincere smile.
“He really cares about you, I can tell just by looking at how he looks at you.”
“Yeah, he does. And I do too.”
“So why don’t you make a move?”
The smile faded from Rarity’s face, and in its place came a look filled with sadness and doubt.
“You don’t need to tell me if you don’t want to.”
“No, its okay. You’re my friend and a very wise pony. Maybe you could help me.”
Rarity took a deep breath and looked hoity Toity straight in the eye.
“The problem is…”
Spike found himself walking aimlessly through Ponyville. He couldn't go back to Twilight, and Rarity didn’t need his help, so what to do now?
The Crusaders, Dinky, Snips, and Snails are in school. Everypony else that I know is working right now. Except for…
Snapping his fingers, an idea came to his mind. Fluttershy! She works in her house, and I always wanted to spend some more time with her. I think she needs the help of Equestria’s Number One Assistant!
And with that, Spike set his course to Fluttershy’s cottage. In the sky, clouds dark as lead swarmed the sky until not one bit of blue was able to be seen. Spike was so involved on his own thoughts that he completely ignored the obvious signs of rain. And also the pony that closely followed him.
A stray raindrop fell into Spike’s head, causing him, by reflex, to move his right hand to his head to check what fell on him. Feeling the wetness in both his hand and head, Spike looked up and finally noticed the upcoming rain.
To hide himself from the rain, Spike walked to the closest house and stayed beneath its awning. Soon after, the rain heavily fell across Ponyville, leaving a stranded Spike with nothing to do but wait for it to calm down.
Looking around, he saw not a single pony. That, combined with the very degraded houses, made Spike realize that he was on the abandoned part of Ponyville.
Great, I’m the middle of nowhere. Why Fluttershy had to live so out of the way.
I wonder if I could use Starman to shield myself from the rain… Spike thought as he bored looked at the rain.
But before he could act on his plan, the vision of his right eye went completely away alongside the feeling of the area around it.
What?! Barely keeping himself from panicking, Spike moved his right hand to see what had happened. But the moment he touched his head with his hand, a chill went down Spike’s spine as a very familiar texture collided with his right hand.
Sweating heavily, Spike moved his right hand to the vision of his left eye. Despair filled Spike as he gazed upon his right hand. For instead of its natural purple, a grey color covered it.
My hand… turned into stone?
