Elemental ReSearch

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Travel and Food
Recollection - Recieving and Sending
Chapter 2 - Oscillate
Recollection - Steady
Chapter 3 - Opening Doors
Chapter 4 - A Throne of Note
Recollection - A Palace of Note
Chapter 5 - Difficult Researchers
Recollection - Difficult Nobles
Chapter 6 - Snooping
Prologue - Leaving
Recollection - Closing Doors

Chapter 1 - Travel and Food

The interior of the the train car was quite nice, and familiar too. Spike took this train quite a few times in his life, although only once to Manehattan. Since there was no express train, this train was outfitted for workers and brief travelers, with somewhat small seats and complimentary newspapers. Spike tried not to look at the rack of newspapers, he really did. But it was impossible not to see the newspaper’s headline today:

Celestia’s Student Dawn Gleam Wins Unicorn Match, Donates To Charity

Spike snatched the complementary paper off of it’s rack in the train car.

The twenty-fifth annual Best Young Casters competition was won today by Celestia’s student Dawn Gleam, who finally entered. Celestia’s young protege, who had been eligible to compete for several years now, had this to say on her delay: “I had decided that I was going to only compete once, it’s hardly fair for somepony of my expert training to dominate the competition for five years.”

Upon her victory she then proceeded to donate her winnings to the Fillydelphia Flat for Fostered Foals, stating, “I have a generous personal stipend from [Princess Celestia], and no want of riches. The little ponies need this money more than I do.”

Speculation continues on whether Celestia intends to groom Dawn Gleam for princesshood like her previous protege, and have Dawn Gleam become the next Element of Magic. One particular–

Spike snorted. ‘That arrogant brat. And even worse, nopony in the press even tries to look past her obvious self-serving attitude. Ugh.’ He buried his head in the newspaper. ‘No, it’s that they don’t want to. She is playing into the hands of the press, and they’re eating it up. She’s not the next Twilight Sparkle, she’s the next Sunset Shimmer. I don’t know what Celestia is thinking, training her.

‘She’s such a brat! She wouldn’t even be able to activate the Element of Magic, and sending her out to try would be a disaster. Of course there’s always the tiny chance that somehow she’d be able to activate the elements, then everything will get really bad.’ Spike took a deep breath. ‘Calm yourself, Spike. This is exactly what you’re going to the institute to solve. If you find a new candidate for the Element of Magic, and the other Elements, the security of Equestria will be solved without a selfish arrogant brat as Magic. Even if Celestia probably thinks she’s redeemable.’

Spike steadied his breathing, closing his eyes and sighed. Peewee chirped in curiosity, snapping Spike out of his reflection. Spike reached a claw out to Peewee's cage, and Peewee nuzzled it. Spike smiled.

“Well, do you have any ideas on how to pass the time? I don't know if you knew, but it’s gonna be all day before we get there, and I doubt the conductor would be too happy with you flying around his train,” Spike said.

Pewee lowered his head and chirped in disappointment.

As the train approached its destination, it slowly accumulated passengers. Spike wasn't even one of the first on the train, but he never found himself crowded or displaced. Nopony sat near him; they huddled up to each other. Nopony bothered him with conversation, but there were lots of whispers. Nopony even looked at him, although there were always quick glances away at the edge of Spike's vision.

Spike sighed into his book and a wisp of smoke escaped from his nostrils. This caused a large amount of shuffling and murmuring. Spike stuffed his nose further into his book. Peewee chirped. Spike read his book.

Peewee chirped again and tapped at the side of his cage insistently.

Spike huffed. “What is it Peewee?” he said, and lowered his book.

There was a pink and blue filly standing directly in front of him, previously obscured by the book. She had enormous blue eyes, and was staring at Spike, standing very still. Spike glanced around nervously. Nopony else had noticed her yet.

“Y-yes?” Spike said softly.

The filly spoke up. “Mister dragon, are you going to burn the train down?” All the eyes in the cabin swung around to the filly.

Spike spoke carefully, “No, I'm not going to burn the train down.”

“Oh,” the filly replied.

The train cabin was silent.

“Then... are you going to eat us?” the filly inquired.

Spike grinned a toothy smile, and the other passengers responded with a mixture of gasps and grimaces. Spike closed his lips and settled on what he hoped was a warm grin.

“Of course not,” Spike said.

“Oh.”

More seconds passed as the filly didn't move from the spot she was planted in, and she continued to stare at Spike. A mare with a panicked expression inched towards the filly.

“So... what do you eat?” the filly said.

Spike smiled again, and turned to his bags. He rummaged through them for a few seconds, locating a sizable emerald for a snack. As he turned back the mare who’d been inching forward, probably the filly’s mother, was dragging her away, but froze when Spike caught her eye.

Spike raised his hand with the emerald between his claws for all to see. He opened his jaw, closed his teeth upon it, and slowly bit through the emerald lengthways. The green crystal collapsed between his teeth, filling his mouth with its mineral taste. Spike savored the flavor with his eyes closed.

Spike opened his eyes to take in the reactions. A few ponies seemed genuinely relieved, some ponies kept their aghast expression, a few had covered their jewelry with their hooves.

The filly, however was showing her first reaction: outrage. “Nooo!” she exclaimed. “That was a really pretty jewel!”

“Well,” Spike replied, “Now it’s a really delicious jewel.” He flicked his long tongue out to it, wrapping the remaining emerald up, and pulled it into his mouth. “Mmmmm.”

“And now it’s all gone! Mom was right, you're a bad dragon!”

Spike was speechless. The filly wasn't scared of him, clearly, but was still angry at him. Was that a net win or net loss? Spike turned his eyes from the filly to the mare holding the filly, the filly's mother.

She winced away from Spike. “Th-thank you for your demonstration,” she said. “Now that our fears are completely cleared, I think we'll take our seats, if that's okay?”

“Yeah,” Spike nearly spat out. “Just fine.” He put his nose back in his book.

Polite fear was a much more expected reaction. Spike sighed again, being careful not to exhale more smoke by accident.

The sun was setting by the time the train reached Spike's destination: Twilight Sparkle's Institute for Magical Research. Well, it reached Manehattan. There was no train directly to the Institute. Spike would have to walk or find a coach to the institute proper.

Spike, pulling a cart laden with his luggage, stepped out of the train, stretching his legs for the first time in nearly a day. Peewee chirped excitedly from his cage. Spike smiled at him. “We'll find a place for you to stretch your wings soon, buddy. Just a little longer.”

Despite the fairly late hour, Manehattan Station was still bustling with activity. 'In Ponyville,' Spike mused, 'most ponies would be at home preparing for dinner by now, only a dedicated few worked through the evening. But, this is the city that never sleeps, and with Luna being the official royal sponsor for the Institute I guess it makes sense that she would select a city with a night life.'

Ponies of all sorts sped to their destinations. 'Not just ponies,' Spike noted, observing a pair of zebra and an impressively large griffon among the crowd. 'Of course, there's still the matter of the big dragon standing taller than anypony else here. He's definitely not a pony.'

Spike had no trouble carting his bags through the sea of ponies, though. Despite the crowding and that the ponies apparently paid him no extra attention, when Spike wanted to move there was a place for him to do so. Spike knew what this was, even if he'd never really experienced it yet: the ponies were doing their best to avoid a confrontation. At least it was something Spike could take advantage of. He went directly out of the station.

Spike set out onto the streets of Manehattan directly to the institute. Or would have if he knew where it was. And his bags weren't too heavy, but there were an awful lot of them and it was a little tough to walk. So, Spike decided to take a cab. The station had quite a few available too.

“Taxi!” Spike called out, joining the other ponies who were waiting for cabs.

A cab raced past Spike and picked up a pony behind him who had been waiting before Spike. 'Alright so the drivers know the score of who's been waiting how long. Hopefully my wait won't be too long.'

Several cabs drove past, picking up more ponies, and Spike waited patiently. He had to wait his turn like anypony else; he was a civilized dragon.

Until a brown stallion with a cravat and glasses walked up right beside Spike, his nose up in the air, and called out “Taxi!” And a taxi came right up to him to let him in.

“Hey!” Spike cried out, “I have been waiting!”

“I know you're probably some tourist who does not know who I am,” the offending stallion began, eyes still smugly closed, “but I am a very important stallion that has important places to be. I'm sure you think you're in a terrible rush, but this is Manehattan not Ruralsville, and wherever you want to be doesn't close at sundown. I'm sure wherever you're going can wait a few more minutes.”

“It’s the principle of the thing,” Spike argued through gritted teeth, and leaned down over the stallion, “And if you can just waltz up and take my cab, who's to say that some other pony can't next? How long exactly am I supposed to wait?”

The stallion, sensing this voice was coming from an unusual angle, deigned to open his eyes. He found out that raising his nose into the air didn't prevent him from making eye contact with a tall snarling dragon, but just pointed his eyes straight into Spike's green slitted ones. The color drained from the stallion’s face, and his smug expression was replaced with panic.

“Oh dear,” he squeaked. “Perhaps I could wait a few more minutes.”

“Perhaps,” Spike growled.

The stallion backpedaled into the station. Spike huffed out a puff of smoke, “Serves him right.”

The cab driver was staring agape at Spike. “What was that?! You lost my fare!”

“Lost your-I am your fare!” Spike countered, “My bits are worth just as much as his are!”

“You're nuts if you think I'm taking a fire-breathing dragon with a bird MADE of fire in my wooden, flammable taxi. Would you even fit?”

“He's not made of fire, and I'm not much bigger than a pony! I just need to get to Twilight's Insitute! It'll be a big fare and everything!”

“I ain't goin' that far out of town this late with a weirdo strange dragon in the back of my cab, and that's final.”

“Then how exactly am I supposed to get there? I don't even know where it is!”

“I dunno, buy a map or somethin'!” The cabbie galloped off.

Spike sighed, and suddenly realized that anypony who had not been staring at him before was staring at him now.

“Anypony know where I can buy a map?” Spike inquired.

A mare silently pointed to a stand across the street with her hoof.

“Thanks.”

The sun had long since set, but Manehattan was hardly dark, now alight with both gas and magic lights. It was on those streets that Spike had led the rented cart laden with his bags. Peewee, finally free of his cage, soared happily above Spike, a bright spot in the dark sky.

Manehattan was not a small city, and the Institute and train station were on opposite sides of it. The Institute was nearly directly north of the city, and Spike had to make his way through a great deal of the city in order to get to it. Dense buildings eventually gave way to sparser, more familiar rural areas, and above the trees Spike could see the tall tower central to the Institute. It was lit from within, and it hung dignified against the starry sky.

Spike was probably less than an hour's walk from the Institute, but it was already very late. While Spike didn't really have guidelines for the latest he was allowed to show up, it seemed to him that anytime near midnight would be a bit too late. So he resolved to find an inn to stay at for the night.

Spike was a little nervous about this.

'I've had really terrible luck so far today interacting with ponies who don't know me. How lucky do I need to get to find an inn that thinks a dragon would be a good tenant?' Spike sighed.

In response, Spike's stomach grumbled.

'And I need dinner too. And a place to get breakfast if I'm staying the night. I didn't think this trip through very well, did I?'

Spike looked up at Peewee. He opened the packages that Fluttershy sent with him, locating the birdseed that she had included in it. 'Fluttershy's planned better for this than I did, and she didn't even know about this until a week ago.'

Spike put two claws into his mouth, and produced a shrill whistle call for Peewee. Peewee swooped down to Spike, who held out a handful of birdseed. Peewee hovered near him, and sent a wave of flame to the seed in his hand, turning it into a charred mess.

Spike stared at the slightly burning mess of ex-seed in his hand, until Peewee started eagerly pecking away at the charcoal bits.

“Ah, you like it a little crispy huh?”

Peewee nodded and chirped.

“You know, if I was a pony that wouldn't have been a very good idea. Not all of us get to be fire-proof.” Spike considered this for a second. “You didn't do this with Fluttershy did you?” Spike narrowed his eyes at Peewee.

Peewee shook his head emphatically.

Spike continued to glare at him and said, “Really? Not even once?”

Peewee lowered his head and gave a sheepish chirp.

Spike rolled his eyes and grinned. “Just be careful.”

Spike's stomach growled in agreement. Well, in hunger, anyway.

“And I still need to take care of that.” Spike looked around for sign of a restaurant or an inn, but he only found caretakers' houses and farmhouses, which he expected would not give him a warm welcome.

So Spike trudged on. Fortune was with him, though, for as the tower loomed larger it became clear there was a village on the road into the institute. There was no wall outside of this community, and Spike knew he would have to get past an outer wall to enter the institute, so it wasn't part of the institute proper. If anywhere had an inn and a place to eat, it was here.

Unlike Manehattan, the village was not pleasantly lit this late. There were streetlights, in contrast to Ponyville, but the lights in the windows were mostly off. Not everypony was already asleep though.

In the village stood a restaurant, with a big plate and utensils adorning its sign. The plate had a bite taken out of it, and the sign read Delicious Dishes. The building itself was a plain brown color. Maybe it could be charitably described as taupe or umber, but it was probably just brown. The only adornment on the building, beyond its sign, was a plain beige trim around the windows, doors, and the roof. Even the apartment buildings nearby had wrought iron balconies or decorative trim. It was definitely the most boring building on the street, so it stuck out like a sore thumb. But it was late and it was still open.

Spike left Peewee to take care of the bags outside. As Spike entered the restaurant he noted the inside wasn't much different. The walls were unadorned. The windows were unadorned, save for plain pink curtains. The tables were plain with red cloth placemats. There was a bar at the back of the restaurant with what was the most complicated thing visible in the dining room: a series of shelves with drink bottles, and a big chalk board listing food and prices.

'Definitely no Sugarcube Corner,' Spike thought, 'I don't think I see a single curly or wavy anything here. It’s all straight lines and practical design. I guess I didn't come here for ambiance though.'

Spike's entrance didn't seem to garner any attention at all. This was probably because there was nopony currently dining, and in fact the entire restaurant seemed deserted except for a quietly snoozing unicorn mare draped over the bar. Spike took a seat.

“Excuse me,” Spike said. There was no response. “Hello?” Spike gently prodded the mare, but there was still no response. Spike groaned.

Spike loudly rapped his knuckles on the bar. The mare sat up with a start, her eyes wide and alert for a single instant, before they closed again. The mare slowly descended back onto the bar, mumbling, “Princess Celestia, you can't possibly finish all that cake alone. But it’s okay, together–”

Spike stared at the mare, who had drifted back off to sleep. “Great,” Spike said, a snarl on his face. “The one place still open and the bartender's asleep.”

The door behind the bar opened and a coral pink pegasus mare, wearing a white bandanna on her head, stepped through. “Sheesh Nightcap, what's the de-oh hey a customer.”

Spike and the mare made eye contact. Green eyes met steel blue eyes. Nightcap mumbled in her sleep, “No, it’s not sweet enough. We need to go with the ice berry wine.”

The coral mare rolled her eyes. “Jeez, she's already at wine selection? We've lost her for the night.” She sighed and rested her forehoof on the bar counter. “Well, we're still open, what can I do ya for?”

Spike's stomach grumbled.

“Of course,” the mare replied, “but can you be more specific?”

“At this point,” Spike said, “I'd be content with anything. Hay fries?”

“Hay fries?!” The mare looked offended. “You don't waltz into my cafe this late and ask for plain ole hay fries!” The mare flapped into the air, landing on the bar, and Spike found himself being looked down at. “I have been waiting in the back room bored for an hour and I am making something more delicious than hay fries.”

“Then I'll have the–” Spike looked past the mare to the chalk board "–fried eggplant?”

The mare, apparently satisfied, fluttered back towards the kitchen. “It’s a start.” She turned back, showing a clear view of her red tail and frying-pan cutie mark. “You do know that comes with appetizers right? Come on.”

“Um, into the kitchen?” Spike said.

“Yeah, unless you think Nightcap is gonna be better company,” she replied, gesturing to the sleeping unicorn.

Spike glanced at the dark blue unicorn with her cake and wine glass cutie mark, who was still snoozing and occasionally mumbling, and looked to the mare leaving to the kitchen. Spike followed.

“So what brings a tall lizard thing to the Big Apple?” she asked, pulling out ingredients: fresh herbs, tomatoes, and a dark eggplant. She began to slice up the herbs and tomatoes.

“Dragon. I'm on my way to Twilight's Institute. As to what I'm doing here right now–” On cue, Spike's stomach growled, "–I haven't had a proper meal all day, just snacks.”

“Aw, poor little dragon,” she teased, “Can't pillage for your food? I'm sure you could do some terrorizing and you'd have a full belly faster than you can say guacamole.”

Spike's entire body stiffened up at this. “Don't joke about that,” he muttered glumly.

The room became quiet, the only sound being that of a knife hitting the cutting board. The mare calmly finished her chopping, and turned to the spice rack, her back still to Spike.

“Look... Let’s try this a different way,” The mare said and she spun around abruptly to face Spike, depositing the spice on the counter in the same motion. “My name is Cayenne, and I'm the head chef for Delicious Dishes.” She held out a hoof in greeting with a smile on her face.

Spike was stunned for a moment. He tentatively reached a claw down to her hoof, grasping it to shake. “I'm Spike. Uh... research assistant at Twilight Sparkle's Institute for Magical Research.”

Cayenne shook his hand roughly and smiled. “Nice ta meetcha Spike! You've still got an appetizer to pick, what's your pleasure?”

A small smile appeared on Spike's face. “How about the soup?”

“Great! We've got a hearty bisque today.” Cayenne spun around again and pulled out more vegetables, and began to slice them.

“Does it always boil down to food for you?”

“You–” Cayenne suddenly pointed at Spike's stomach “–have not eaten all day! This means you're gonna be in a bad mood until you get that problem fixed. And I am here to help you with your problem!”

Spike's stomach growled.

“That's right!” Cayenne exclaimed.

Spike chuckled. “Alright, then put some of that eggplant on or something!”

Cayenne went back to cutting. “Ah, no.”

Spike frowned. “What? Why not?”

“I'm not done with the prep work yet.”

“Aren't you done enough to start frying the eggplant?”

“Yep, but I've got to make sure I've prepared all the ingredients first. If you don't do that things could get ugly.” Cayenne gave Spike a grave expression.

“Sounds like a real disaster,” Spike deadpanned.

“That sort of carelessness ruins dishes, Spike,” Cayenne stated, attending to her chopping. “We could have a culinary catastrophe.”

Spike threw his arms up in the air. “Well if you're gonna make me wait until all the stuff is prepared, at least let me help.”

Cayenne raised an eyebrow. “You're seriously suggesting that I let someone who walks right off the street into my kitchen to cook?”

“You invited me in.” Spike smiled smugly. “Besides, I've been cooking for years. I know my way around a kitchen.”

Cayenne smirked. “Alright big guy, let’s see what you got.”

The kitchen became a whirlwind of activity. At Cayenne's surprisingly detailed direction Spike chopped and sliced and seasoned, and did all of it with a big smile on his face. It had been far too long since he had ever just helped somepony with something, and Spike was back in his element. Tasks were completed with a smile; mistakes were rectified by laughter.

The dish wasn't particularly complicated and consisted of frying and grilling seasoned vegetables, but the smells that filled the kitchen cared not about the simplicity of the dish. As the hour of completion (not that cooking took an hour) neared though, Cayenne told Spike to return to the dining room. Insisted, really.

Spike sat at table in Delicious Dishes's dining, with the sleeping Nightcap as his only company. He lightly drummed his fingers on the table, careful not to scratch it with his claws.

So Spike waited, trying to ignore the loud protestations of his stomach, made worse by the delicious smells he endured when in the kitchen. 'What is taking that mare?'

The door to the kitchen swung open and Cayenne stepped out, a tray with two covered plates balanced on her back. “Alright,” she said as she approached Spike's table. “Who's got the eggplant?”

Spike gave her a flat look.

Cayenne chuckled. “Alright, straight to the main course, I get it.” She placed the two covered plates on the table, and lifted the covers. “Voila.”

Crispy, juicy eggplant, grilled vegetables and minced herbs filled a fluffy flat bread, covered in a mysterious beige sauce on the plate. Beside it was a bowl filled with a creamy red soup, more herbs on top. But the appearance paled in comparison to the delicious smells which Spike had been away from for just long enough to inhale anew, making his mouth water.

Spike wasted no time devouring them. To the hungry dragon, any food would have been well appreciated, but a delicious meal like this was heaven. Spike eagerly tore into the pita wrap, each bite accompanied by a satisfied hum and closed eyes, which glistened at the corners.

Cayenne looked at Spike in amusement. “Are you... crying?”

“It’sh amashing,” Spike said, not waiting to swallow. Spike blinked his eyes rapidly, reasserting his composure. “It’sh just been–” Spike swallowed "–so long since I've had a tasty meal like this.”

“What happened to bragging about cooking experience?”

“Well,” Spike replied sheepishly. “or the last several years I've been finding myself cooking simpler meals more often. The last year, especially. It’s hard to get the motivation to make something elaborate when you're just cooking for yourself.”

Cayenne rolled her eyes, although she still wore a smile on her face. “I'm not sure if years of bachelor chow counts as cooking experience.”

“I still cooked for friends occasionally, I just didn't have to cook for somepony else every night anymore,” Spike said between bites.

“Ah, moved out of your parents' house, I've been there.” Cayenne relaxed with her forehooves on the table.

“Uh... close enough. What about you?” Spike said, changing the subject, “Why are you here mostly alone so late?”

“You know how it is. Manehattan is the city that never sleeps!”

“We're not exactly in Manehattan.”

“We're pretty close. The areas around Manehattan don't sleep either.”

“Uh-huh. Which is why Nightcap over there is pleasantly snoozing, right?” Spike added, jerking his thumb over his shoulder.

“Nightcap wants this place to double as a late-night drinking establishment. Note the well-stocked bar?” Cayenne gestured towards the bar. “Problem is nopony comes in this late. Maybe we get stragglers, like you, but mostly it’s as barren as you see it tonight. No customers means no tips means no waiter wants to work this late. Nightcap says she can do it instead until business picks up, but...” Cayenne trailed off, a dubious look on her face.

“Her name says it all, huh?” Spike added with half-lidded eyes.

Cayenne nodded.

Spike shook his head. “So you're stuck picking up the slack for your boss, I guess?”

“Boss? Nightcap?” Cayenne scoffed. “Hardly. We're partners in this business. She handles the front room and the wait staff, I handle the delicious food.”

“And the food is delicious!” Spike added.

“I know,” Cayenne stated. “But let me tell you a secret.” She leaned in close to Spike, conspiratorially holding her hoof to her mouth, and whispered, “It’s still really nice to hear.”

Spike and Cayenne chuckled with each other.

Spike stood up. “Alright. Well, unless you want my help with the dishes too, I'd better find a place to stay that would take in a dragon this late.” Spike sighed. “I'm not looking forward to it, but I got lucky here!” Spike put a determined look on his face and pointed dramatically out the door. “So, I'm off.”

“Or–” Cayenne fluttered up and pushed his arm down with her hoof, “–you can save your luck for later, and I can get you a place to stay.”

“Really?”

“Yep! But I gotta warn you, it’s not gonna be a particularly nice place to stay. Because it’s the kitchen.”

“You'd... trust me to stay in your restaurant for the night?”

“I'm just gonna be upstairs. Nightcap too. By the way, you’re gonna be you helping me move her.”

“Hang on,” Spike held up a claw. “In the interest of full disclosure I've got to tell you, I've got a pet. He's well behaved but I've already had trouble tonight with arranging transport.”

“Bring it on! How bad can it be! I mean if he'll fit. He's not like a manticore or anything is he?”

“Nono, he'll fit he's... maybe I should show you.”

Spike walked through the door and onto the street. Peewee was top of his cage, which was on top of Spike's bags, and he was flaring his wings menacingly at a passing pedestrian. Spike motioned to Cayenne, who followed him out onto the street.

“Cayenne, this is Peewee. Peewee, this is Cayenne. She offered me a place to stay for the night. And dinner.”

Cayenne looked at Peewee, then back at Spike. “If my kitchen is burnt tomorrow I'm holding you responsible. Come on.”

The bedding Cayenne set up for Spike was in no way elaborate. It was basically a really thick roll-up quilt. Cayenne said it was bedding from some overseas nation, and it was pretty convenient. And surprisingly snug. Maybe that was because Spike was tall for a pony. If he were a pony, anyway.

So Spike lay, reflecting on his day. 'All in all, it’s been pretty good! I made up with my Ponyville friends, made it to Manehattan and got some delicious food. Even found someone willing to put me up for the night. I probably couldn't have asked for a better day.'

Spike frowned in his bed. 'Okay, maybe I could've done with a hundred percent less hassle from ponies today. Then I might've been at the institute already. But then I wouldn't’ve found this place. But I wouldn't’ve had to?

'I guess it’s a wash. But I've got tomorrow to look forward to! Back to research and assistance and important Equestria-saving business!'

Spike sighed and closed his eyes. “I really did it didn't I? I moved out. I don't live in Ponyville. I'm off into the big world with nopony to help me. I'm not going to know anypony at the Institute, I'll be completely on my own.'

Spike felt a bit of pressure on his chest, and looked up. Peewee was standing on his chest, and gave Spike a questioning chirp.

Spike smiled and put his claw up near Peewee's head, and Peewee gave it an affectionate nuzzle. “I'm not sure how it would work for you, but you'd rather sleep here with me?”

Peewee chirped and nodded.

“You're gonna be good with the cloth quilt? I don't wanna wake up in the middle of a fire. It’s not like it’s going to hurt me, but this bedding is on loan.”

Peewee made a chirp that Spike was sure sounded quite like a scoff, and fluffed his chest feathers impressively.

Spike chuckled. “Alright, I'm sold.”

Spike shifted around leaving a spot for Peewee in his bedding, which Peewee happily nestled into. Peewee radiated a comfortable warmth. Spike smiled and closed his eyes.

Recollection - Recieving and Sending

Spike stretched himself out on one of the reading chairs in the library. It was a slow day, the perfect day for reading comic books, and that's exactly what he was doing.

Conan the Barmareian was just about to find the location of wizard who killed her father when there was a thump from the upper floor of the library. Spike rolled his eyes. 'What did I tell Dash about not using the door? It’s not her house and it's weird! And maybe illegal.'

Spike got up, folding his comic book away. 'Better go see what she wants.' Spike was about to walk upstairs when he caught a glimpse of his calendar, with a date circled in purple with a star on it. 'Wait... is that today already? That means...!'

Spike sprinted up the stairs, no small feat on baby dragon legs. When he finally reached the bedroom, connected to the balcony, he saw her. The orange light from outside highlighted her soft violet coat. Her wings fluttered just a little, and her horn glowed violet as she took her saddlebags off.

“Twilight!” Spike shouted, running up to her and hopping up to her face to give her a hug and nuzzle. “You're home!”

Twilight Sparkle smiled. “Yep. It’s good to be back Spike. You know I'm beginning to see why Rainbow Dash insists on flying in the window instead of using the door.”

“Aw Twi, don't let her hear that. You'll encourage her,” Spike said with a smile.

Twilight giggled, “You're probably right.” A violet aura appeared around Spike as she levitated him down. “So, number one assistant, how has the library been in my absence?”

Spike stood at attention and gave a salute. “Everything is spic and span ma'am! The library's been running like clockwork.”

“At ease, Spike. Good work,” Twilight said with a smile.

Spike relaxed and returned her smile. “So how was the latest Princess lesson?”

“Tough, it’s a lot of work, but I think I'm starting to get–” Twilight Sparkle stopped her explanation as a golden puff of dust flew in from the window, circling around her horn, before a scroll formed from the magical puff and was promptly surrounded by Twilight's violet magic. “–Oh hey a letter from Princess Celestia.”

Spike's mouth fell open in shock.

Twilight smiled widely. “I hope you're not too surprised. Now that I'm going to be going around diplomatically more, Princess Celestia forged a message-sending link between us! When I was just studying magic and friendship here in Ponyville it was pretty important that I had my entire magical reserve for whatever was required at the time, but now that I'm a princess, communication is more important than full magical power. As an alicorn I've also got the magic to spare on maintaining the magical link, even if my special talent isn't message sending!”

Spike's mouth was still open in shock. 'How could she do this? Wasn't keeping in contact with Princess Celestia my job? My number one special role that nopony could ever replace me for?'

Twilight began to read the letter from Celestia, humming happily. “Spike, could you get out some paper and inkwells?”

Spike could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. He tried to blink them away, but only succeeded in decorating his face with them.

“Spike?” Twilight moved the letter to the side.

“O-of course Twilight–” Spike laughed nervously “–why wouldn't I be? What could possibly be wrong?”

“I don't know, Spike. You tell me.”

“I-it’s not like there could be anything wrong,” Spike continued.

'No wait what am I doing?' He thought.

“It’s super important that you'd be able to send messages to Celestia even if you're out alone, that would be great!”

'Stop talking, mouth!'

“It’s not like you'd need somepony weighing you down all the time.”

Twilight cocked her head to the side.

“You're a super important princess now, you need all the advantages you can get without anypony standing in your way.”

“Spike,” Twilight tried to interrupt.

“It’s not like an irreplaceable assistant is a good idea for you anyways, it’s definitely a weakness.”

“Spike.” Twilight tried again.

“And that way there's nothing that can get in the way of you and the princess. Nope. No need for a middleman. No need for a-a-a-n... assistant.” Spike choked on his words, a sob coming from his throat, and tears streaming down his face.

“Spike.” Twilight tried one more time.

Spike looked up at Twilight, his eyes red from tears, his mouth twisted into a frown.

“I already told you–” Twilight picked him up with her magic, brought him close and wrapped her hooves around him “–I'd never send you away. You're my number one assistant.”

“B-but I won't be forever,” Spike sobbed.

Twilight let Spike step away from her, and she looked at him, her eyes filled with compassion.

“Someday,” Spike sniffed. “you're not gonna need somepony to fetch you a pot of ink or a book. I bet you don't even really need it now. I bet you could get it just as easily with magic. O-or your new princess duties are going to require you to get a bunch of new assistants, that are all smarter than me and better at filing and writing.”

Twilight sighed. “Spike you really didn't think the only reason I keep you around is because you're good at filing and chores do you?”

“Don't you?”

“Of course not! You're not just my assistant, you're my friend.”

“But... I'm not your best friend. You have five best friends. Five ponies you're destined to have a special bond with. I'm just the assistant, and I'm not going to be that forever.”

Spike looked down and tried to rub his face free of tears futilely, softly sobbing.

Twilight looked sadly down at Spike. Suddenly she perked up and magically grabbed the ink and paper from inside the cupboard and set to writing something quickly.

Spike’s stomach dropped, watching his mentor and friend suddenly change her attitude completely. 'Is... it really not that important?'

Twilight turned around and triumphantly held a scroll above her head with her magic. “Okay,” she said to herself. “Now for the hard part. Spike, sit over here by me.”

Spike took a seat by Twilight, now with a bewildered frown on his face.

Twilight sat down next to Spike and closed her eyes, a soft violet glow appearing around her horn.

Spike felt... something in his gut. Twilight was casting something, but he had no idea what spell. “Twilight... what are you doing?”

Twilight stayed silent as her horn began to glow more brightly and trails of magic began to snake out of her horn. Spike was as bewildered as ever as Twilight was attempting to cast something upon him without explanation.

Twilight's face contorted in concentration as a second aura began to envelop the first, made of opaque violet energy. “C'mon,” she whispered, “why isn't it working?”

The feeling in Spike's gut intensified. Spike realized that perhaps he needed to do something for the spell to work. 'Twilight wouldn't cast something bad on me, especially now, right?' Spike closed his eyes and focused on the feeling.

He couldn't place the feeling of the spell, but it was very familiar. Spike inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with dragonfire, warming him to his core, letting magic permeate his fire. Spike exhaled slowly, holding the fire in his mouth, not letting it escape. The magical feeling, fueled by his fire, intensified. He cracked one of his eyes open, to see the curls of fire escaping from his mouth being attracted to the magical tendrils coming from Twilight's horn. He breathed the fire slowly upwards, letting it just barely meet the tendrils of magic coming from Twilight.

Twilight winced at the heat a little and opened her eyes just in time to see his fire connect to her magic, and the two mingled, her magic turned green and his fire turned violet, before both the magic and fire faded away.

Twilight looked down at her assistant, who was looking up questioningly. “What did you just do, Twi?” he said.

Twilight just smiled mysteriously. She stepped back and levitated the scroll over her head. “Watch.”

Twilight's magic flared from her horn and the scroll disappeared in a puff of smoke. A moment later Spike felt the most familiar magical sensation: that of him receiving a scroll. He belched out a puff of flame, which seemed darker than it usually did, and a scroll landed on the ground. Spike stared at it on the ground and, trembling, reached over to it.

Spike opened the letter and read it, clearly in Twilight's hornwriting:

Dear Spike,

Even if we're apart, we will always be connected.

Love,

Twilight

Spike clutched the letter close to him, and tears streamed down his face again.

“S-Spike?” Twilight said, “Are you okay? I thought you'd be happy-”

“I am!” Spike said, tears still streaming down his face, which now had a big smile on it. Spike leaped up to Twilight one more time. “Thank you! Won’t this make it harder for you to do... well magic?”

“I can handle it,” Twilight said, with a smirk. “I'm the Element of Magic, after all.”

Spike fell to the floor, his bloodshot eyes with tears in them. He was panting roughly, and the ash that covered the basement floor was mixing with his tears and smearing all over his face. His chest and stomach ached, and his head throbbed, but he saw it clearly: that time the scroll hadn’t turned to ash.

Spike wrenched himself to his feet, a mad smile on his face. 'I gotta make the note. Twilight would want the notes to be clear.' He stumbled over to the work desk and with a trembling hand made the note:

Test 113: During the fifth attempt to channel extra magic into the flame, with the mana-dense crystals nearby and with zebra ritual circle permutation #4 active, the scroll was successfully sent!

Spike roughly added the exclamation point, then fell onto his back, laughing in relief.

'Now all I need to do is wait for Twilight's reply... wait, no!' He sat back up in a panic. 'What if she doesn't know how to send it back? I have to prepare a letter detailing what I did so she can replicate the effect!'

Spike pulled out another new scroll, his claws getting it dirty with ash. As he was about to put pen to paper he felt the familiar wrench from his gut. 'The reply! She got my message and is already replying!' Spike looked down. His research was on the table, a terrible place to belch a flaming message.

He barely got himself turned around before the scroll came out, and he doubled over in pain from the involuntary spasms it caused. Spike glanced up and saw the scroll on the ash. Twilight's scroll. Finally a whole year after she disappeared he got through to her. Spike tried to pull himself to his feet, but he slipped on the tear-slick and muddy ash, smashing his face on the ground.

Spike moaned in pain. It hurt so much, but the scroll was right there. Evidence Twilight was alive. A way to find her. To save her. Spike dug his claws into the cracks between the stones, and pulled himself forward inch by inch, groaning in pain.

Finally, after what felt like an hour of crawling on the ground, Spike reached the scroll half-buried in the ash. He rolled onto his back and cut the seal with his claw, unfurling the scroll:

Spike

Please come to Canterlot. We need to talk; this isn't healthy. I will be sending a chariot tomorrow.

Princess Celestia

“No...” Spike whimpered. Spike curled up into a ball on the ground, sobbing pitifully into the ash of a hundred failed attempts to contact Twilight.

Author's Note

I know I said two weeks per chapter but this one is so short! And I'm so excited to get it out! And its Christmas, so I'm going to post it early.

On a related note: this is how I had planned to work in the backstory, in shorter chapters between "proper" chapters. The information contained within is pretty important but I can't think of the right time to work it into already-existing scenes. If Spike is getting introspective (like his infodump at the beginning of chapter 1) it will be him actually thinking it out. Should I try harder to work them into existing chapters (or append or prepend them to the chapters) or are these mid-chapters good?

Edit: Going to keep doing this, I think it's clear enough.

Chapter 2 - Oscillate

"–wing away food again?”

“Food's gotta be fresh, Nighty. Stale food is stale dishes.”

“I'm not saying we let it get stale and rancid, but surely we could keep it around for another day or two.”

Spike was dimly aware of the sound of arguing coming from somewhere. His back was sore, and he wasn't sure why.

“Not really, I'm already throwing it out at the very tail end of it tasting fresh.”

“If the food budget stays where it is, we'll never be able to afford the proper accoutrements to distinguish our restaurant.”

“Ponies don't come here for accoutrements, they come here for a meal. If the food's not top-notch they won't come back.”

“Ponies come here to dine, Cayenne. If it’s not a proper dining experience they will stay home and cook for themselves or hire a personal chef.”

The mares’ voices were getting louder. Spike groaned and wrapped his pillow around his head. 'Why are they talking so loudly? The palace shouldn’t be open this early.'

“This isn't Canterlot, Nighty. It isn't even central Manehattan. Not everypony can afford a live-in cook! In fact almost nopony can afford that! They come here to eat food they can't make themselves.”

“Ambiance is important! If we relaxed our food budget some then we would be able to afford to decorate properly sooner, maybe hire a designer.”

Spike had a niggling thought at the back of his mind. Like he was trying to remember something. No roosters had crowed though, and there was no light coming through his window, so it wasn’t not time to open the library yet. He still had time to sleep.

“We can't relax our food budget. Good food is the best draw we've got, especially since we're the new fillies on the block.”

Spike felt warm, too. 'It's not summer, why is it this warm?' He felt around with his claws, and found there were feathers pressed against his chest. 'Feathers... Peewee! He and I are traveling together. I'm not in the library at all. I'm-'

“Which is exactly why we–Cayenne what the hay is this?!” Nightcap's voice rang clear through the kitchen. Spike's eyes snapped open and he looked up to see a dark blue mare with a mixture of fear and outrage on her face.

“Umm...” Spike searched for the right words. “Good morning?”

“Aw jeez, it slipped my mind.” Cayenne squeezed by Nightcap into the kitchen. “Sorry about that, guys. Nightcap, this is Spike. He was our last customer last night while you were taking a nap, and I offered him a place to stay the night.”

“Cayenne, this is ridiculous!” Nightcap said, throwing her hooves into the air. “We can't just offer a strange dragon a bed in our kitchen. What would happen if he couldn't control his fire breath? Or if he was untrustworthy,” Nightcap said venemously.

“But he wasn't! I have a good sense about these things, Nighty.”

“A good sense... but... if...” Nightcap stamped her hoof on the ground. “I do not have the patience for this this morning. The kitchen isn't burnt down and I hope we're not missing anything, so you just make sure that remains so, and I will return later and I expect our kitchen to be sans-dragon!”

Spike and Cayenne watched as Nightcap stomped out of Delicious Dishes. Spike arose from the bed, cradling the still-asleep Peewee in his claws.

“Sorry about that, Spike,” Cayenne said shaking her head, “I shoulda warned her, and I shoulda warned you last night.”

Spike sighed. “Is it weird that an honest-to-goodness freakout was actually kinda welcome compared to the timid stammers I'd been getting yesterday?”

Cayenne raised a single eyebrow. “Like it’s a relief to get it over with?”

“Yeah, like after the big jump scare in a scary movie. The tension's gone.”

Cayenne smiled. “Haha, alright. You want some breakfast, big guy?”

“I'm not sure I want to be around when Nightcap gets back.”

“What? But you could relieve even more tension!”

“I think I'm good for now.” Spike gave Peewee's beak a nudge. “Wake up, buddy, we've got traveling to finish.”

Spike helped Cayenne pack up his bedding, and had fruit for breakfast at Cayenne's insistence. He then gathered his belongings and readied himself and Peewee for travel.

“Cayenne,” Spike said. “You have no idea how much letting me stay here meant to me.”

Cayenne closed her eyes and put on a self-satisfied grin. “I don't know, Spike, I have a pretty good imagination.” She opened her eyes and looked reassuringly at Spike. “I'm sure you would have been fine though.”

Spike gave Cayenne a grateful smile. “Look, I know we didn't talk about it or anything but...” Spike reached into his luggage and pulled out a bag of bits.

Cayenne frowned. “Put that away, Spike. I didn't do this to get paid.”

“But I got a service from you! Chances are I'd have to rent a hotel room if I could even find somewhere that would let me in that late. You saved me a lot of money and grief, so you deserve something. And... this morning I overheard–"

Spike found a hoof suddenly in his mouth, and Cayenne's eyes glaring into his. “Stop there.” She fluttered down. “If you really insist on repaying me, how about this: You owe me one.”

“...One?”

“Just one.” Cayenne resumed her smile. “I did something for you, you do something for me. Fair's fair, right?”

Spike smirked. “So you mean I have to come to Delicious Dishes again just to do you a favor? Is coming back the favor?”

“Nope! Because I know after that delicious meal you're gonna come back anyway.” Cayenne winked at Spike. “I'm gonna use my one on something good.”

Spike gave an exaggerated sigh, and put away his bits bag. “Alright, but it better be a doozy.”

“I'll do my best not to disappoint you.”

Spike gave Cayenne a final wave and a smile, and walked out onto the streets.

'Cayenne felt more like Ponyville hospitality than the kind of welcome I was expecting from Manehattan,' Spike thought. 'Even her partner seemed just as upset that there was a stranger in her kitchen than that I was a dragon, which I guess is understandable. It's hard to believe I was in such a bad mood yesterday.'

A smile crept onto Spike's face and he strode the streets of the village with his head held high. He idly whistled a happy tune, and Peewee reflected his tune with a melodic call. Spike and Peewee continued their musical banter with rising intensity, mostly getting bewildered stares from ponies. Mostly.

Spike and Peewee were crossing a scenic plaza when they were confronted by a plum earth mare with a cross frown on her face.

“Who do you think you are?” she accused Spike.

Spike stopped abruptly, some bags spilling off of his cart. “E-excuse me?”

“You think you can just waltz through our town with you and your pet firebird obnoxiously crowing? That you're the big scary dragon and you can do whatever you want?”

Spike leaned back. 'I know I'm not a fantastic whistler, and Peewee could use some tuning but obnoxious? I think that's a bit much.' Spike saw some movement out the corner of his eye, and looked about. There were other ponies gathering. Lots of them had furrowed brows and frowns, but a few were putting on more determined expressions.

“Yeah!” a pony from behind Spike yelled.

“In fact, I bet you were the one pushing around Gilded Scrip yesterday too!”

Spike blinked. “Um... who?”

“He's a philanthropist who helps with the funding of the institute,” she said, gesturing to the tower looming over the village. “He arranges donors as well as being a significant donor himself. And you–" She stepped up to Spike, giving him a small poke "–nearly caused him to miss a meeting with a foreign donor when you took his cab from him yesterday!”

'A philanthropist?' Spike took a step back from the mare, bumping into his luggage, unsettling it once again. He scrambled and knelt to balance his bags, clumsily straightening them so more didn't wind up on the ground.

The ponies around Spike and Peewee had grown from a group to a crowd, possibly verging on a mob.

“You're nothing but a beast! Why don't you just leave us alone?” The mare loomed over Spike now, and he cringed under her glare.

Peewee darted between Spike and the mare, and began making a loud angry racket at the mare. His wings were flaring out more too and the flames were getting dangerously close to the mare, who recoiled.

Spike's eyes opened wide, and he roughly grabbed Peewee, who made a muffled caw. Spike hastily moved his fallen bags onto his cart. “Maybe I'll do that,” he said, and he brusquely walked through the crowd of ponies and out of the square.

When he felt like he was out of hearing of the ponies he released Peewee from his death grip, and Peewee's head snapped up as he glared daggers at Spike. Peewee chirped accusingly at Spike, and Spike apologetically smiled at Peewee.

“I'm sorry buddy,” Spike whispered, “If I flipped out and yelled it would probably just prove them right. And you need to control that fire. If you set a pony on fire it would be even worse.”

Peewee huffed and gave Spike a short glare before flying into his cage to sulk.

“I'm so glad someone stood up to that bully.” Spike's ear twitched.

“You're so brave!” a young-sounding voice squeaked from the square behind Spike.

'They're... they're praising that pony for standing up to me.' Spike's face contorted with anger. ‘I should turn around and give them a piece of my--No... if I yell at them they'll just turn it around on me.'

Spike sighed. 'And if I were in Ponyville we'd probably be halfway to a choreographed musical number by now.'

He trudged on through the streets of the village, taking care not to attract any extra attention. It wasn't very long until, rounding a building, he finally caught sight of the wall surrounding the institute.

“Peewee,” Spike smiled somewhat tiredly. “We're here.”

Peewee grumpily squawked and glared at Spike. Spike had a small wistful grin on, and Peewee's eyes softened. Peewee gave a stretch and a high pitched groan, and flew out of his cage.

If the institute was impressive from a distance, it was amazing from up close. The central tower was huge and surrounded by cloud constructs at the top and brick-and-mortar buildings at the bottom. It wasn't the largest building Spike had ever seen; he had just come from Manehattan and used to live in Canterlot after all, but it was still big. It was very nearly its own city attached to Manehattan with its own villages attached to it.

“It's the largest research institute of its kind ever built, and not just in the size of the facility but in the breadth of its study. It’s also the first to have a department focused on unicorn magic AND one to research pegasus magic.” Spike sighed wistfully. “Leave it to Twilight to decide that magical studies should include all ponies instead of just unicorns.”

Peewee left his cage and hovered near Spike, waiting for him to continue.

Spike snapped out of his nostalgia and took in the gate proper. The gate into the institute was staffed by a single guard of each pony tribe, each clad in blue and gold rounded armor with reflective blue visors. Unlike the palace guards, no effort was made to make the guards appear to be the same pony. Their coat colors were not anywhere close to similar, nor was their gender the same, and the armors had cutie marks painted onto them. Also unlike palace guards, the earth pony guard was clearly chatting with the other two guards. At least, until the unicorn pointed out Spike walking down the road, and they came to attention, the unicorn and pegasus at the sides of the gate, and the earth pony in the center at a booth of some sort.

“Halt,” the earth pony mare commanded.

Spike halted.

“Identify yourself and state your business here.”

“I am Spike, and I am going to meet with Dr. Sunny Gaze about a research position.”

“Do you have confirmation?”

“Yeah,” Spike replied and took a slightly deep breath, sending fire over his outstretched claw. Out of the fire a paper materialized: the letter Spike got stating he was accepted as a research assistant. He held it out to the earth pony guard.

She stared at the summoned piece of paper, then immediately started scanning a list she has at her booth. Spike continued to hold out his arm, blinking with a bewildered expression on his face.

His arm was just beginning to get sore from holding it outstretched, when she finally looked up from the list, with her face full of conviction. “I knew it. You're not on today's list. Did you really think I wouldn't notice your forgery?”

“Wha- it’s not a forgery! How would I even do that?”

She glared at Spike. “You just produced it from magic fire right now!”

Spike waved his arms around. “I was storing it with fire, not creating it from nothing!” Spike looked at the paper. “See! I even have his signature here. How could I forge that, even with magic? The letter clearly states that I am to meet him–" Spike suddenly stopped.

“Well?” she pressed insistently.

Spike's expression fell. “It says I was supposed to meet him yesterday.”

“So it’s not even a good forgery.” A confident grin appeared on her face. “Even without that I knew something was wrong though.”

Spike wasn't paying attention though; his mind was racing. 'I'm late. A whole day late! Because I didn't plan out the trip properly I didn't make it here even the correct day. What if Dr. Gaze decides I shouldn't come because of it? I've never even met this stallion and I'm letting him down. And now my ticket into the institute is out of date and I can't even get in!'

The pegasus guard piped up. “We could find Dr. Gaze and ask. Shouldn't be too hard to find.”

The earth pony guard sighed. “I guess that's the way to tell for sure.”

The pegasus flew away wordlessly.

“And hurry up! I don't trust this dragon any further than I could throw him.”

Spike moved his bags to the side of the road at the guard's behest, and pulled out something to read while waiting for Dr. Gaze. Daring Do was about to enter the ancient Mareyan temple when Spike heard the earth pony speak up.

“Halt. Identify yourself and state your business here.”

“I'm Argyle Weave and I'm here for a cloth delivery.”

“Alright, you're cleared. Head on through.”

Spike's head snapped up from the book he was reading, and he stared as Argyle trotted straight into the institute, no questions asked.

“What the hay was that?!” Spike exclaimed, after Argyle entered the institute.

“What was what?” the mare replied.

“You let him in without the third degree. You didn't even give him the second degree! You just let him in with nothing! I had to present a document and there was a list to check and everything! You didn't even check for that guy!”

“I already checked. I went through all of it when I looked for your name and remembered him on the list.”

“Horseapples you did!” Spike exclaimed, walking up to the earth pony. “You can't just arbitrarily apply the rules here.” He leaned over the earth pony menacingly. She was nonplussed. “Either you don't check at all and do a crappy job, or you check every single time before letting someone in.”

“I agree, rules should not be applied haphazardly,” a new voice rang from beyond the gates.

The pegasus guard, a new unicorn guard, and a pale lavender mare approached from the institute interior. The lavender earth mare continued, “It is highly unethical to show favoritism.”

“You see this cutie mark here?” earth pony motioned to the mark painted on her armor, which was an eye inside a magnifying glass. “It's for my scrutinizing eye for detail. I could tell from a glance something was suspicious, and my suspicions were confirmed. You can't tell me that's a coincidence.

“Who are you, anyway? You're not Dr. Gaze.”

“No, I am Starscribe and I will be accompanying Mister Spike to Dr. Gaze's office.” She produced a scroll from her saddlebags, emblazoned with an unrolled scroll with a constellation of stars on them. “I trust this will be sufficient to ensure his entry?”

The earth pony guard snatched the scroll from Starscribe's hoof. Unrolling it, she wordlessly read it. She gave a sigh and returned the scroll to Starscribe. “Fine. He checks out. But don't let me catch you breaking the law here.”

“I think you may need to consider your own problems first, Private Clue,” the unicorn stallion spoke sternly.

“S-seargent?” The earth pony mare backpedaled. “I-I was just doing my job.”

“To the collective embarrassment of our entire division. There is a reason guards are seen, not heard. Even if he was suspicious and his credentials did not check out, that does not excuse your attitude about it. A royal guard is supposed to act with dignity befitting guarding royalty at all times.”

“But... we're not the royal guard. We don't guard royalty.”

“This institute might as well be royalty! It is the last will of our departed Princess Twilight Sparkle, after all.”

Spike's stomach bottomed out at the mention of Twilight Sparkle by this stallion who probably never met her, but treated her with reverence. And mentioned her 'departure' so casually.

“B-but–" the mare said.

The senior guard held up his hoof, interrupting the mare. “And part of that dignity will be not arguing about this in front of civilians.”

The mare's ears flattened and she grumbled out, “Yes, sir.”

Starscribe spoke up. “If we are done here, I shall accompany Spike to Dr. Gaze's office.” She immediately set out across the grounds.

Spike glanced at the earth pony guard, gave a smirk and a single wave, and followed.

If the institute was amazing from up close, it was awesome from the inside. It didn't look like it was almost a town, it looked like a tiny functioning city. The buildings were predominantly classical Canterlotian in design, however the street layout was much closer to Manehattan. The buildings were very close to one another and never single-story, and the streets were wide and open. 'I guess this is how efficiently you can design a city that was built all at once,' Spike mused.

Of course, in the center of the institute was the massive tower that dominated the institute's skyline, with pegasus cloud buildings orbiting it like a massive orrery, and there were even several floating solid structures suspended by balloons or held in place by dark clouds. A gondola made of clouds rode a rope up to a cloud structure with a conspicuously wingless passenger.

The ground-level was less exotic, but Spike couldn't spend too much time staring at the sky or he would lose his guide. The grayish-blue mare kept a brisk pace through the streets, and Spike found it trying to keep up.

“Hey, Starscribe, right?” Spike said.

“Yes,” she replied curtly, her eyes never moving from the road.

“Thanks for helping me out with the guards.”

“I was simply doing my job. Dr. Gaze needed a runner and I was not busy, so I came.” Her eyes still never left the road in front of her.

“But you didn't have to take my side when she was not letting me through; that counts for something.”

“Mister Spike I could not allow such a flagrant display of ethical violations. Any decent pony would do the same in my position, so think nothing of it please.”

Spike frowned. “O-okay.”

The rest of the journey continued in silence, leaving Spike to his thoughts. 'She helped me and would help anypony, regardless of if they're a pony or not. That's good, right? Someone defending me like they would anypony else?' Spike sighed. 'I guess I was expecting someone that helps me to be friendly, but I should feel better I'm being treated like a pony… but I mostly don’t.'

Spike and Starscribe stood in front of a plain office building. “Here's Dr. Gaze's office. You will need to ask the front office for him, but you shouldn't have any problems if you keep that scroll with you.”

“You're not coming?”

“My duties now lie elsewhere. Good luck on the interview,” she said, before briskly walking away.

'There's that weird unfriendly help again. Maybe she just has trouble with seeming cheery? Or she's in a bad mood? Or–wait. Interview?' Spike's mouth went dry. 'As in... an interview for the job? I thought I already got the job.'

Spike's heart started beating loudly in his chest. 'If... I don't already have the job... then that means I could not get this job.'

Spike began breathing heavily. 'I might have to go back to Ponyville, except I told everypony I’d be getting a new job! I’d be a laughingstock! I can’t go back so soon… I'd have nowhere to live! I'd have to find a cave to live in! I’d have to pillage villages just to get by!'

Spike felt a piercing pain on the side of his head. “Ow!” He turned his head angrily to the side, to find Peewee staring at him with concern in the phoenix's eyes. Peewee made a soft caw, and tilted his head to the side.

Spike rubbed the side of his head. “Sorry I was kinda freaking out there. Thanks. Can you watch the bags again while I get this done?”

Peewee puffed his chest out, fluffing his feathers dramatically. He gave a self-satisfied caw.

Spike smiled. “Thanks, buddy.” He turned his head to the building and put on his determined face. “Now I'm going to go make sure we have a place to live.”

Peewee raised a wing above his head and began to exuberantly caw at Spike, before stopping and uttering a panicked, confused chirp.

Spike ignored him as well as his own nerves and entered the building. The lobby had a single stallion at the desk and above it hung a sign labeled 'Office of Interdepartmental Research.' The stallion stared at Spike, blinking. After a moment he said, “Can I help you?”

“Yeah I'm here to see Dr. Gaze,” Spike replied, presenting the scroll of summons. He did not produce it in a puff of flame. Spike had enough hassle for that in one day.

“You're the stallion Starscribe was sent for?” The stallion said. “You are... taller than I expected... Dr. Gaze is waiting on floor five.”

“Thanks,” Spike replied, and started up the flights of stairs. As indicated he found a pair of double wooden doors near the fifth floor stairwell with Dr. Gaze's name on the front of it. Spike knocked on the door, and there was a muffled “Come in!” from the other side.

Spike entered the office. Living in the castle in his early years, in addition to years of taking care of the library and living up to Twilight's expectations of cleanliness and organization, Spike had developed a fairly unusual sense for when a room was well-used and well taken care of, or simply cleaned and never used. This room was the latter sort. The books on the shelves were too cleanly organized. The desk was organized in a neat but haphazard way, as if the person sitting at it never actually used the inkwells and the scrolls. 'The inkwells were located on the opposite side of the spare paper for Luna's sake! You're just asking for it to get dripped on.' It was built to look like a professional workspace, but was probably used as just a meeting room. There was a single sheet of paper on the table that was out of order, and sitting at that pristine desk was a charcoal gray stallion with a collar and tie and cornflower yellow hair.

“Good afternoon. You must be Spike. I've been looking forward to meeting you,” he said evenly.

“I'm... thanks. You are Dr. Sunny Gaze?” Spike replied, his pulse thumping loudly in his head.

“That I am. Please, have a seat.”

“Yeah... thanks.” Spike sat down across the desk from Dr. Gaze. He fought the urge to fidget.

“So our meeting was for yesterday. What was the problem?”

“I uh...” Spike rubbed the back of his head. “I sorta didn't plan the trip well. I got into Manehattan late at night and didn't want to get here in the middle of the night. I figured that would've been a problem.”

“Well there's no curfew at the institute. You probably would not have made our appointment, though... So let’s go over some of your background,” Dr. Gaze segued into his next topic, levitating the sheet of paper in front of him with a pale blue aura. “It says here you were previously Princess Twilight Sparkle's personal aide for the entirety of her tenure as princess, as well as quite a few years before that. Is this correct?”

“Yes... she hatched me at the same time she became Princess Celestia's student.”

“Oh, so this was more like she was your mother.”

Spike recoiled a little. “No, definitely not. She was like eight years old when she hatched me. I was raised in the castle, and I knew her when I was very young, but I was... well I was still a baby dragon when she was given guardianship of me, but it was too late for her to be my mother or anything.” Spike tilted his head in thought. “I guess it wasn't too late for that but... she never felt like my mother. She was maybe more like a sister? An especially close cousin? Either way she held me to a high standard, so don't think she went easy on me because I was young or like family.”

“Okay, so it also says that after her death–" Spike did his best not to grimace at that phrase. "–you operated the palace until very recently, keeping the library open, and pursued your own avenues of research?”

Spike's eyes went wide. 'I... there are very few ponies that knew I was researching something in the library, and I definitely did NOT put that into any letters to the institute. How the hay did he find out about that?'

Dr. Gaze paused for a second. “Spike?”

Spike snapped out of his thoughts. “Yes. I did.”

“And what was the subject of the study?”

“It was... communication magic.”

“Communication magic? What caused you to–" Dr. Gaze's eyes went wide this time “–oh. Of course.” His eyes showed something for the first time, concern. It was just a flash though. “What did you learn from your study?”

'That when they tell you that if you try hard anything is possible they're lying to you. That sometimes something is beyond your grasp forever.'

“I had to study a lot of basic magical theory to develop any working hypotheses. It might be easier to ask what didn't I learn from it!” Spike added with forced excitement.

“Then what didn't you learn from it?” the stallion asked, his eyes connecting with Spike's.

He stared incredulously at Dr. Gaze. “I didn't learn anything about... weather magic.”

“Right, no weather department work, then.” Spike's boss's tossed the paper he was looking at behind him. “I think that's good for the interrogation portion of our discussion. Do you have any questions?”

“Um... there are living quarters here right?”

“Of course. Your position affords you a fairly small apartment, although if you are willing to pay you can probably find somewhere nicer. There's individual housing available west and south of the institute, and as the institute expands I expect that all the housing will be outside of our walls. They're definitely nicer than the institute-provided apartments, but I'm afraid you would have to dip into your income to afford them.”

“And uh... I can't think of anything else at the moment I suppose.”

“That's it? Well then welcome to the Department of Interdepartmental Research, Junior Researcher Spike,” for the first time a warm smile appeared on Dr. Gaze's face.

The weight on Spike's chest lifted. “Thanks I-Junior researcher?! I thought I was getting a job as a research assistant.”

Dr. Gaze smirked. “That's what a Junior Researcher does. But someday you're going to be in charge of part of a research project, or allowed to pursue your own ideas, before you know it you've got a six figure salary, junior researchers of your own, and tenure.” He chuckled. “Some of that is a bit further away than other parts though.”

Spike's mouth was open in shock. 'This is the kind of job Twilight would have gotten if she wasn't made a princess, isn't it?'

“So, who am I going to be assisting?”

“Well... I'm the pony who's going to be giving you your assignments, but this department handles work when two departments collaborate for an assignment, or the sort of research is not clearly a single department’s purview. We wind up loaning specialist researchers to other departments often. There's a lot of organizational work to be done coordinating departments, and we handle that too. So as far as who you'll be working with? It will probably change fairly often.”

“So do I have an assignment yet?”

“Ah, no,” Dr. Gaze responded, with an encouraging smile on his face. “I think you should spend today getting acquainted with the institute. Presumably you still have to move into your apartment, with your question about housing.” His smile turned upside down. “Besides, since you didn't show up yesterday we had no idea if you were showing up at all, so we didn't hold any assignments for you yet.”

“Yeah... sorry about that.” Spike rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

“It will be fine.” The stallion waved the concern away, and retrieved a scroll from his desk. “Now, I have to resume my other duties. I trust that you can find your way around unassisted?”

Spike smiled. “I think I can do that.”

“Excellent, I'll walk you out.”

Spike and Dr. Gaze walked out of the Office of Interdepartmental Research, and Dr. Gaze immediately set off in the same direction Starscribe had earlier.

Spike and Peewee spent some time finding his new apartment, but located it successfully with the help of a fairly recalcitrant guardspony. A second floor apartment awaited Spike, which meant moving bags to a second floor also awaited Spike. It wasn't Twilight's house (and job) that he was taking care of anymore, and it wasn't Celestia's bequest; he was going to earn it by working here at the institute.

Spike let those thoughts comfort him, to distract him from the quality of the apartment. The apartment wasn't terrible, but it was clearly a downgrade from the living conditions Spike had had his whole life. It was smaller than anywhere else he had lived, since most of his life was spent in various palaces. It was even smaller than the relatively small Golden Oaks Library. It was clean though, and Spike didn't need as much space as he did before, since he was no longer living where he worked. There was a balcony too, which would be handy for Peewee. It was simple, and it satisfied Spike. Well, he was sure it would satisfy him as soon as he got used to it.

Spike had finished moving his boxes into the apartment when Peewee started calling insistently at him.

Spike sighed. “I just got done, Peewee. What is it?”

Peewee held a wing out, pointing at the balcony door.

Spike held an eyebrow up. “Weren't we outside all day today?”

Peewee held his wings out wide and squawked.

Spike stared at Peewee, trying to decipher what he meant. “Um... help me out here.”

Peewee rolled his eyes and flew around in a circle, then held his wings up and out wide, squawking again.

“You... fly around a lot?”

Peewee waggled his head, chirping. He pointed outside again, held his wings above his head and let out a long squawk, folding them down.

“You... are outside... all the time usually?”

Peewee nodded and chirped happily.

Spike chuckled. “Alright, let’s go out. I should get my bearings around here anyway. Need to find a place that I can buy food from. I wonder if there's a market nearby.”

Thus Spike and Peewee set out to do some exploring of the institute.

The sun was setting as Spike entered the plaza. The institute had many plazas, most with clever historic-sounding names like Plaza of the NeoClassical Age, or Plaza of the Moon's Redemption. Spike wondered if Twilight had a theme in mind, or if it was planned out by whoever took over the plans after her disappearance. This plaza, however, was definitely NOT planned out by Twilight.

Spike stared at the statue in the center. Peewee soared overhead somewhere. The plaza itself was decorated in violet and gold. On the ground was a massive six-pointed star, with additional white rays coming from between its points, and around the plaza were five constantly-lit sparkling orbs. Spike hardly noticed all of that though; he was busy staring at the statue.

It was a two-story tall statue of Twilight Sparkle. Twilight was rearing on her back hooves, with her wings splayed out proudly, as if she was just taking off. Her face was looking upward, towards the tower in the center of the city actually, and her forehoof was reaching upwards to the sky. On her face was a fascinated expression.

The plaque at the hoof of the statue read, “Princess Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic, our sponsor and our hero. May her soul lay at rest.” Spike frowned at the plaque and went back to inspecting the statue. The sculptor really tried to make Twilight seem alive in this statue, and it was a brilliant likeness. The sculptor captured the excitement she had about knowledge and friendship impeccably. Spike's frown deepened.

'Somepony spent a long time working on this. The commission was probably huge too. They spent all this money on an artist and materials to commemorate her disappearance and none on trying to find her! They just gave up.'

Spike took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, his expression mellowing.

'Come on Spike,' he chastised himself. ‘You know better than most how poor the prospect of finding Twilight is.'

He gazed up at the statue. 'I know you're gone, Twilight, but I know you're out there somewhere. You'd never let something as silly as another world, or an army of monsters stop you, and I refuse to believe you couldn't survive it.' His eyes began to tear up. 'But wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, I hope you're ha–'

“Sweet Celestia, a dragon!” an excited voice rang out from at Spike's feet.

Spike's expression froze, and he mechanically lowered his head to meet the eyes of a pear green unicorn stallion at his feet, his nostalgia forgotten. The stallion's eyes were shining with excitement and his face was adorned with a huge, full-toothed smile.

“Um?” Spike said, trying to switch his mental track.

“So what've you come to the institute for? Are you going to take part in a special project? Ohhhh, are you going to be working with the F&F? I haven't heard of a project that would need a dragon. Can you give special dispensation to let me in on it?” The stallion took a step toward Spike, leaning toward him.

“I-what?” Spike took a bewildered step back. “Why would I be able to give you dispensation for anything? I don't even know what an F&F is.”

The stallion's split-face smile mellowed to merely a wide grin. “So here for something else then. The F&F is the department I work for: The Flora and Fauna department.” He puffed out his chest proudly.

Spike took a second to catch up to the conversation, and his jaw stiffened. “Flora and Fauna department?” he calmly said through grit teeth. “I am not fauna.”

“Well you sure as hay ain’t flora!” The stallion gave him a cheesy grin.

Spike frowned. “I mean I am as much a pony as anypony.”

The stallion's smile faltered. “No... you're not. I'm not sure if you noticed, but you're covered in scales and have claws. You're walking on two legs and probably breathe fire, too. Ponies don't do those things,” he explained with patience.

“Well that doesn't mean you have to treat me differently!” Spike yelled, throwing his arms wide above him. “I am just as normal as anypony else!”

“You really aren't, partner,” the stallion said, a small smile on his face.

'A pitying smile,' Spike thought. He snorted out a puff of smoke, and turned away. He whistled for Peewee, who flew down with a questioning chirp.

Spike motioned forward, and set off walking away from the plaza.

“And you have a pet phoenix! What are you doin' here?” The stallion's voice came from close to Spike's right. Spike whipped his head around and found the stallion walking alongside him. Fire filled his lungs instinctively and he leaned over the stallion menacingly.

“Go. Away,” he growled between gritted teeth, escaped green flames harmlessly licking at his snout.

The stallion hopped back several hooves with an amused expression on his face. His horn lit up with a sparkling amber aura and a shimmering loop extended from its tip. The stallion tossed his head a bit forward, and the loop whipped out and neatly enclosed around Spike's muzzle.

“Woah there,” the stallion said, that infuriating grin still on his face. “Maybe you should simmer down there, dragon.”

Spike could feel his interior set of eyelids instinctively tense, and his mouth filled with dragonfire. He struggled against the magical lasso. There was a snapping noise, and he let out a massive gout of flame as his mouth came free. Spike's chest puffed out, and he stood—no he loomed over the stallion. His pupils had become tiny slits.

“You wanted a dragon?” he growled. “Well, now you've got a dragon.”

The stallion stared straight at Spike, meeting his fierceness with a smirk. “The hard way then? Alright.”

Spike balled his claws up into fists, raised one back, and swung it at the stallion's muzzle with all the force he could muster.

The stallion's horn glowed like before, producing a tiny golden loop, and he ducked underneath Spike's fist. The loop lingered where his head once was, and where Spike's fist currently resided. The stallion dodged off to the right and further away from Spike, and the loop closed around Spike's fist. The stallion yanked his head back.

Spike stumbled forward, landing on his unoccupied foreclaw before he found purchase against the stallion's pull. Spike growled as he tugged against the magical line, but the stallion gave no ground with the spell.

Spike repositioned his legs, and grabbed his caught arm with his other arm, and gave a mighty pull, and was rewarded when the line suddenly lost its tension. Spike tumbled backward and gave a pained yell as his tail was folded awkwardly below him, but he had the presence of mind to look for the stallion that should be flying through the air at him.

The stallion definitely was flying at him, but not through the air. The magical glow was gone from the stallion, and he was galloping full speed at Spike, who was awkwardly raising himself from the ground. He leaped at Spike, and his forehoof crashed into Spike's muzzle with unexpected power.

The stallion twisted in midair, soaring more like a pegasus than a unicorn, landed on his four hooves, and slid just a bit. “So, are we ready to chat about this civil-like?”

Spike flexed his tail and legs, and exploded straight at the stallion, his head connecting with the stallion's. No matter how hard headed the stallion was metaphorically, literally it was Spike's head that was harder, and the stallion stumbled back, stunned by the blow to his snout.

Spike flipped himself right side up, and picked himself off of the ground.

“Guess not,” the stallion said.

Spike lunged at the stallion again, and the stallion leaped straight up, his head surrounded by a shimmering amber orb. He flung his body forward, head first, crashing the shield into Spike's head. Spike came crashing into the ground.

The stallion landed upon Spike's back, the green spikes that were never really that spiky not even bothering him, and he telekinetically grasped Spike's arms, tugging them behind Spike's back.

Spike cried out in pain as his arms were twisted and he scrambled to try to right himself, but without his arms for leverage he was hopelessly pinned.

Spike heard a new voice yelling, “Freeze!” and the sound of ponies from every direction. He was surrounded by guardsponies.

“Don't worry fellas, I got this under control,” the stallion said, shifting around on Spike’s back. “It's just a little scuffle and once this fella calms down I'm sure we can all go our separate ways.”

Spike and the stallion were promptly arrested.

Recollection - Steady

Spike stood against the wooden meter stick. He wanted to use the wall but Twilight insisted that damaging the library was out of the question, so he taped a spare meter stick to the wall. He carefully put the pencil to the top of his head, where his head frill met his scales, and made a mark. He turned around and checked the mark. He gasped in disbelief, and pressed himself back up against the wall and held his claw up, and checked again.

“Twilight!” he called out, tearing the meter stick from the wall.

Spike ran through the library, calling for Twilight. He found her upstairs in her office, rearranging official royal paperwork. “Twilight! Two inches!”

Twilight didn't even look away from her work. “Are you sure? Last time you thought it was an inch and a half but when I checked it wasn't any at all.”

“I double-checked it myself! It's two inches!” Spike put on a pout.

Twilight turned around and giggled. “Alright, I'll make sure for you.”

Spike's pout immediately turned around, and he stood up straight.

Twilight magically held the meter stick and verified his height.

“Well Spike, you were wrong about the two inches.”

He was crestfallen. “Aw, I was so careful to make sure I didn't get it too tall.”

“Well you did a good job about that. It's three.”

Spike gasped again. “You mean it?!”

“Three whole inches.”

Spike bounded about the room. “Three inches! This is great! I've been as short as I was for what feels like forever.”

“Now, Spike–” Twilight's tone was wary “–remember last time you got taller? Have you been hoarding anything lately?”

“What?! No!” Spike's eyes got wide. “I've been careful. We've been careful! I haven't felt any more weird urges to take everypony's stuff, and if I had I'd tell you! I'm just growing normally now.”

“Alright, Spike.” Twilight ruffled Spike's spikes, although they just sprang back in place. “If you have any weird urges don't be afraid to come talk to me. We still don't know much about how dragons grow up, so we need to be prepared.”

There was a knock from downstairs. Twilight's eyes widened in shock.

“My 2:30! Spike, what time is it?!” Twilight glanced at her clock. “He's early! Spike, I'm not ready yet. You go downstairs and keep him busy!” She began to usher Spike out of her office.

“Keep him busy? How am I supposed to do that?” Spike said as he was ushered out of the door.

“Make him tea! Everypony likes tea! I just need a few more minutes!” Twilight Sparkle slammed the door shut.

“I don't like tea,” Spike grumbled, and started downstairs.

The knocks came again. “I'm coming!” Spike yelled, and added, “Hold your horses,” quietly.

He opened the door to a white unicorn stallion with golden locks, wearing a white collar and black tie. His eyes were closed and he tossed his mane about, opening his baby blue eyes and looking into the opened door at pony height. Which, of course, was empty. The stallion blinked a bit.

Spike flatly said, “Down here.”

The stallion glanced down and backed away with a gasp.

Spike rolled his eyes. “Come on in.”

The stallion cleared his throat. “Yes, thank you. Where is Princess Sparkle?”

“She's gonna be a few minutes, you're early,” Spike said as he filled up the teapot and lit a fire under it with his breath.

“So...”, the stallion said. The word hung in the air for nearly a minute, while Spike busied himself with tea.

'Ugh! Another high-class stallion. Probably a potential suitor, and probably a colossal pain in the flank. You'd think that they would get the memo that they're not welcome. Well, Twilight is outta patience for these kinds of stallions, so he's gonna–'

“Do you know who I am, Spike?” The stallion finally found words.

“Huh? No, Twilight hasn't mentioned... You know who I am?” Spike said.

The stallion managed to produce a warm grin. “Of course I know who you are, Spike. You are Princess Sparkle's royal assistant, are you not? She may be the Element of Magic but you've done your fair share of heroics. You were instrumental in the salvation of the Crystal Empire, for example.”

Spike puffed out his chest. “Yeah, I'm a pretty big deal. I'm just the assistant, but it’s to the best Princess in Equestria.” Spike leaned toward the stallion, with his claw conspiratorially at his mouth, and he whispered, “Don't tell the other Princesses I said that though.”

The stallion chuckled. “My lips are sealed.”

Spike returned to the tea kettle, humming pleasantly now. ‘I guess this stallion isn't too bad. Probably still here to court Twilight, but maybe he's going to actually be a gentlecolt about it when Twilight lets him down.’

“Oh!” Spike remembered. “You were going to introduce yourself.”

The stallion smiled. “Yes of course. I am–”

“Prince Blueblood,” Twilight Sparkle said, walking down the Library's stairs. “It's good to see you again.”

“Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Prince Blueblood said. “It is good to see you again.”

Spike's mouth hung open. 'This is that awful noble that ruined Rarity's night? The one that I agonized about jealously then had the gall to be so terrible that she agonized over him afterward. That jerk! That awful, monstrous... jerk! And he had me taken in with his tricks! I was starting to like him! Well that ends NOW.' Spike's face contorted with anger, and he stomped forward.

Twilight made a panicked face, and mouthed 'no!' and gestured emphatically to Spike, before putting on a smile when Blueblood turned back to her.

Spike gestured rudely at Blueblood behind his back.

Twilight said, “Why don't we go upstairs to talk about business, Prince Blueblood.”

“Of course, Princess Sparkle.” Blueblood turned back to Spike. “It was good seeing you, Spike.” Prince Blueblood walked upstairs.

“What are you doing?! You know who Prince Blueblood is!” Spike exclaimed.

Twilight shushed Spike. “Blueblood has offered to help me with a special project I was working on, and he has valuable connections to the Canterlot elite. Besides, he's been a complete gentlecolt ever since I met him again,” she whispered back.

“You can't trust him, Twilight! He's probably got some nefarious scheme or wants to marry you for some dumb reason. You need to be careful; he's crafty. He got me to like him in just a few minutes.”

“Isn't that good?”

“Not when it's Blueblood!” Spike whispered fiercely.

The door closed upstairs. Twilight rolled her eyes. “I don't have time for this, Spike. We can talk about it later.” And she followed Blueblood upstairs, taking the heated tea kettle.

Spike sat in the kitchen, stewing. 'He's gonna get his greasy hooks into Twilight and who knows what he'll do! I need help. Somepony with experience... Only one pony to turn to.'

Spike ran out the door of the library, and all the way across town. When he got to his destination he knocked on the door roughly. Spike was panting heavily.

“Coming!” came the luxurious voice from inside. “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique where everyth–oh, hello Spike.”

“Rarity... Twilight... Blueblood... library... bad...,” Spike huffed.

“Blueblood?” Rarity inquired. “Spike please take a moment to catch your breath, I'm afraid I can't understand you.”

Spike held himself up with a claw against the door frame. He panted for quite a while, and when he could hear the town over his own heartbeats he figured it was safe to continue.

“Twilight is meeting with Prince Blueblood in the library!”

Rarity's ear twitched, but otherwise she showed no outward signs of distress. “I see. I suppose it was just a matter of time before they met in some fashion. Do you know why he has come to visit?”

“She said he was helping her with a special project. Something about his Canterlot elite connections.”

“Yes, I understand he has cultivated those relationships quite a bit,” Rarity said idly as she trotted back into her boutique.

“Aren't you worried? He could muck everything up! What if he wants her for more than business? What if he wants to court her?”

“Spike dear, I know you are worried, but Twilight is a grown mare. I think if she is being courted by a stallion she does not want she is more than capable of turning him down gracefully. I understand she's been turning down stallions quite a bit lately.”

“Yeah but he's crafty! He said ‘hi’ and was nice and researched me and everything to butter me up! What if he winds up tricking Twilight into marrying him but he's still Blueblood and she doesn't realize until it's too late!”

“You must calm down. If Twilight has a problem I am sure that we can all help her, but she must first have a problem in order for us to help.”

“Why aren't you more worried about this? Or angry about this? I mean, he's the one that ruined the perfect Gala for you.”

“Spike, that was years ago. Plenty of time to stop being bitter about a bad date. Besides, we publicly buried the hatchet less than a year after the Gala incident.”

“You... you did?”

“Yes.” She turned away from her work to address Spike more directly. “You remember Twilight's birthday that year, right?”

He crossed his arms. “How could I forget? Surprise party in Canterlot and everypony forgot to invite Spike,” he groused.

Rarity smiled apologetically at Spike. “Yes well, that year I was first making the rounds with the Canterlot elite, and trying to impress them, and Blueblood came to me with a suggestion: That I publicly forgive him—after an apology, of course—for the Gala incident. The tabloids were having a field day with him after that night, and he felt that if he and I made up I would look magnanimous, as well as remind ponies that I had a date with the Prince, and he would look like he was properly humbled by the experience and grew from it. I agreed that it would be a good opportunity, so long as afterward we stayed out of each other’s way.”

“So that was it? A little talk and you forgave him?” Spike said incredulously.

“Of course not!” Rarity exclaimed. “I doubt he even felt humbled for a moment about it. We could hardly stand to look at each other. It was dreadful, but the plan worked well. The tabloids backed off of him, the elite seemed impressed with me, and we've kept our promise to stay out of each other’s way since then.”

“Aha! But now he's involved with Twilight. That's very nearly in your business.”

“Twilight may be a close friend, the closest even, but I doubt it breaks the spirit of our agreement if he's helping with Twilight's secret project.

“But, I digress. Ponies seem to think that I am extra interested in gossip about Blueblood after the Gala incident, so keeping up with what was going on in his life was all but assured. The news I got was dreadful though. Legal battles, financial problems, he wasn't even invited to Princess Cadence's wedding. After the years, I just don't have it in me to hate him anymore.” Rarity gave Spike a sad smile.

“But what if he hurts Twilight!”

“If he does–” Rarity straightened up with resolve “–well then he's going to have to deal with all of us, isn't he. I sincerely hope it doesn't come to that, however.”

“I guess. What should I do?”

“I suppose your job is to make sure things don't get to that terrible point. I don't think rudeness would be a good plan, though. If he's acting like he's on the level then hysterics just make you look unreasonable. If he steps out of line though, you can be sure that all of us will be here for Twilight.”

Spike smiled. “Yeah!”

“Now if you will excuse me, Spike, I must return to my work. Unless you'd like to assist?”

Spike weighed his options. “Nah,I think I wanna be there when Blueblood leaves. Inspect him for more suspicious actions. Maybe I'll be back later, though.”

“Well, I could use your help, but it’s up to you.”

“Thanks! And thanks for the advice!” Spike set out across town again.

Rarity smiled and shook her head. “Don't get into too much trouble, Spike,” she said softly, knowing he was far out of earshot.

Spike made it back to the library just in time to see Blueblood walking downstairs. Blueblood gave Spike a warm smile. “Hello again. We heard you leave before, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to catch you.”

Twilight gave Spike a worried expression from behind Blueblood, and Spike put on his winningest grin. He bet it didn't even look a little forced. Twilight relaxed a little and rolled her eyes.

'I'll play along for now,' Spike thought from behind his smile, 'but I'm onto you, Blueblood.'

“So I will see you next week, Twilight?” Blueblood said.

'That's Princess Twilight to you! You're hardly on a first-name basis.'

“Yep! I'm looking forward to–oh wait.”

“Hm?” Blueblood paused and looked back, as Twilight inspected her calendar.

“We're going to have to schedule it for another time, Princess Celestia is giving me a Princess lesson then,” Twilight said.

Blueblood's face suddenly changed. His pupils shrank to dots and his lips pursed. He closed his eyes and instantly it was gone, back to his calm veneer.

Twilight was facing the other way, but Spike had noticed.

“O-of course.” He barely stumbled, but it was there. “I'll send you a letter, then, and we can schedule it at your convenience. I've got a flexible schedule.”

Blueblood hastily trotted out of the library, nodding with a smile to Spike.

Spike smiled back and nodded. ‘You don't think I saw? I did.’ He followed Blueblood with his eyes all the way out of the library. ‘I won't let you get her with whatever you have planned.’

“Spike, are you in here?” the luxurious voice rang out.

Spike awoke with a startled grunt.

“Oh, there you are! There are guards asking for you. They assured me that you weren't in trouble and they were just fetching you for Princess Celestia but nopony couuuuaaaaAAAAAAAAA.” the voice turned into a startled scream.

Spike sat up from his sleeping place in the center of the ash pile.

“Spike, this room is filthy! And you're filthy! How could you fall asleep in a pile of ash!? What have you been doing down here?” her voice rang out.

Spike couldn't even get excited at the sight of the loveliest mare in the world, especially through blurry vision. His head and gut still had a dull ache from the events of last night. Was it last night?

Spike moaned, “What time is it?”

Rarity tentatively reached a hoof down to the ash covered floor, with a pained expression on her face, and looked at Spike. She steeled herself to step toward him.

“Spike... dear... you look awful.”

Spike's bloodshot eyes stared blankly at Rarity.

“C-come on, Spike.” Rarity reached for Spike tentatively. “You need to get a bath. You shouldn't be meeting with royalty while so filthy.” She wrapped a hoof around Spike's claw, tugging at him gently.

Spike stood up.

Spike stared straight forward, nearly at Rarity's eyes. He had grown half a foot in the previous month.

“Spike… when did you get this tall?” Rarity questioned.

He shrugged, and he winced as a sharp pain pricked at his neck. He rolled his shoulders carefully.

“Come on upstairs, Spike,” Rarity gently said. “Take a bath; the warm water will do you good.”

Spike nodded numbly, and allowed himself to be led upstairs.

Spike entered Celestia's antechamber, the location for semi-private meetings with officials or celebrities. Only trusted guards were allowed in this room. The kind that are paid extra to be especially quiet. Spike had seen this room a lot in his life; it had been only a year since he was here last.

Celestia, Princess of the Sun, stood in this room, always regal, always collected.

“Spike, thank you for coming to see me.”

Spike bowed low, but looked back up confused. “I thought this was a royal edict.”

Celestia closed her eyes. “Spike, I don't want orders to come into this.”

Spike blinked in confusion. “So... what did you want?”

“Spike... I know you've been trying to contact Twilight.”

“And what's wrong with that?” Spike said, wincing at the slight harshness of his tone.

“I also know you're letting it consume you. Rarity found you in a pile of ash, after not seeing you outside of the palace for a month. It's not healthy.”

“S-somepony had to keep trying,” Spike said, nervous at disagreeing with Princess Celestia. “I'm her number one assistant, it's my job to assist her. Even if she's not around to give me orders.”

“Spike... we don't know if Twilight Sparkle is alive.”

“She's faced down the hugest threats to Equestria, of course she's not dead. So she's out there, no doubt. What kind of assistant–what kind of friend would I be if I didn't do everything I could to get her back?”

Celestia looked down at Spike sadly.

“R-right? Her being dead is nonsense right?!”

Celestia's eyes became stern. “We have no way of knowing that, Spike.”

“That shouldn't matter! I have faith she's still alive! I know it,” Spike insisted.

“And I'm glad for your dedication, I truly am, but wherever she is, we cannot reach her.”

“But what if we could? What if there's some method that we've overlooked?” Spike's eyes shifted around nervously. “What... what have you tried?” Spike accused hesitantly.

“Spike, do you know how many different night pegasi have attempted to find their home world in the past thousand years?”

Spike shook his head mutely.

“Every generation there's one or two that attempt to find a method. After a thousand years that means that there were probably fifty ponies that have dedicated their whole lives to doing what you're trying to do now.”

Spike's face fell, his heart felt hollow. “B-but the traitor that made the portal Twilight went through... he knew how to get there. D-don't we have his notes, or can interrogate him, or other information on his–”

“No,” Celestia said. “His notes were incomplete, and the cleansing from the Elements affected his memory. It’s unclear why. The two-way link that Twilight shattered suggests that he had help from the other world, and we have no way to contact it now.”

“So even if I somehow discovered the method he used to make the portal–”

“Twilight may still have been lost to us.”

Her voice was soft, but to Spike even that was too much. Spike's world bottomed out. A year of work. A year of hope. Gone.

Celestia stepped closer to him, and gently nuzzled his snout. “Come back to the castle, Spike. I know you wanted to stay with your friends in Ponyville, but you spent a great amount of time this year secluded.”

Spike stared at the floor. “But... what would I do?”

Celestia smiled a warm smile. “Anything you'd like. I know you've been studying magic, and you could continue. Although there is a project I would like your assistance with; something I think you are uniquely qualified for.”

Spike looked up to Celestia, his eyes filled with wary hope. “Something... just for me?” Feelings of pride, obscured for so long by loneliness and helplessness bubbled up inside him. “What is it?”

“It’s not a what. It’s a who.”

Spike stared at Celestia.

Celestia chuckled warmly. “Come with me, Spike.”

As Spike followed Celestia through the hallways, his pain battled his hope. ‘Would I be betraying Twilight by giving up? If what I'm doing is pointless she would want me to be happy. But Twilight didn't always know what was best for herself. But... she usually knew what was best for me.’

Spike suddenly found his vision dominated by Celestia's wing.

“Spike, we're here,” Celestia said, and drew back her wing.

They were on a balcony, looking into one of the castle's opulent dining rooms. A unicorn filly, coated in gray blue with soft yellow and blue hair, sat alone at a table and glowered at an amazingly stoic palace servant. Spike could hear her complaint from the second floor: “I said mild seasoning, not bland seasoning.”

Spike wrinkled his nose.

Celestia frowned slightly. “That is Dawn Gleam, and we are going to have to have another chat about respect, I see.”

“So who is she?”

Celestia's eyes softened. “Somepony bright and young. And idealistic, even if it doesn't look it at first glance. Somepony with potential, but somepony who needs a friend to help her see beyond herself. Something you already have experience with, Spike. I believe that you were very important to helping Twilight break out of her shell, and sticking by her even if she was being stubborn. I want you to do that again.

“Dawn Gleam is my new student.”

Spike's mouth twisted into a frown and he mumbled something.

Celestia paused. “Come again?”

Spike's eyes widened in horror. “You.. you... you...” His voice lowered into a terrified whisper. “You replaced her?”

“Dawn Gleam is not a replacement, Spike,” Celestia stated sternly. “I had already been considering finding a new student before Twilight disappeared. We had discussed it. She was looking forward to holding tutoring sessions.”

“And... and I would be her assistant?” Spike stared at Celestia dumbly. He wanted to shout at her. To tell her how insulting it was that she'd want to pass him off to her next student. Like he was a servant. Like he was a pet.

This wasn't one of his friends though. This was the princess, and unless he could find words that weren't angry it would be better to be silent.

“Assistant would be your title, but you would be doing very different things from when you assisted Twilight. Dawn is bright but she is older than Twilight was when she started, and she needs to catch up, both in knowledge and diligence. If you had not proven to have those things before this last year, I feel your study this year, while misguided, has proven you definitely do now.”

Spike was silent, staring at the floor.

“I understand this was sudden.” Celestia gave a warm, motherly smile. “Take some time to think about it.”

Author's Note

Hi! It's been two weeks! Now for some not so good news: This is the first chapter I'm posting where the next chapter is not nearing its final draft. This does not necessarily mean I'm going to be late, but it's a possibility, and if I don't get my act together it means it may be the last one on time. The next chapter has had a lot of scenes where I didn't have a strong concept of the scene before I started it, but it's not THAT many words I should be able to handle it dangit. The flashbacks tend to be extremely easy to write though, so that might buy me some more time.

Chapter 3 - Opening Doors

'Does Ponyville even have a lockup?' Spike mused.

Spike mostly knew these kinds of things from comic books. Usually the words dingy or dank were used. This cell was pretty clean, however. The walls weren't stone or brick; they were beige concrete . The bars were still metal, although they were thin and had horizontal in addition to vertical bars. There were several cells, and none were currently occupied.

Spike was led into the cell on all fours. The guardspony wordlessly loomed over him, the thick visor obscuring the guard’s eyes. It reminded Spike that he wasn't actually any larger than a pony, just taller on two legs. As if getting his flank kicked wasn't enough of a reminder.

'I went six years without rampaging or hoarding. I’ve been a pretty good pony.' Spike flopped down roughly in his cell.

‘But you’re not a pony,’ a rebellious pear colored voice said from inside Spike’s head. ‘You’re just pretending to be one. You’re a dragon and you always will be.’

‘But I’m a good dragon! I’ve always been a good dragon!’

‘Except all the times you weren’t,’ the pear voice thought. ‘And it’s only going to get worse the older you get. You already barely fit into pony society. You attacked somepony.’

‘H-he was a jerk! And it’s not like I hurt him.’

‘So you’re a pathetic dragon. What if this wasn’t a jerk who wouldn’t leave you alone? What if it was a genuine monster? You can’t even fight an unusually athletic unicorn.’

The cell door slammed shut, startling Spike out of his thoughts. The guard briskly marched away, leaving Spike alone. He curled up on the cell floor, his tail barely scraping across the stallion in the other half of the cell.

'Waitaminute.'

Across from Spike lay the same pear colored wiry stallion that he had been fighting, his muzzle beginning to bruise from the impact of Spike’s head. The stallion and Spike’s eyes met. The stallion stared blankly at Spike for a moment, offered a small grin, and laid his head back on the side of the cell, his wild aqua mane following the movement.

Spike grabbed the bars of the cell and shouted, “Who the hay thought putting two people who were arrested for fighting each other in the same cell was a good idea?”

The stallion chuckled. “It’s standard procedure, actually. I think it’s based on something Twilight Sparkle wrote.”

Spike’s mouth fell open.

“I always thought it was to make them easier to keep an eye on,” rang a voice from the outside of the cell, and a tan earth mare in uniform walked into view. “And if you two wanted to keep fighting, you can be my guest. Not an awful lot of room in there to fight though.”

“What if they seriously hurt each other?!”

“It’s never actually been a problem. You’re stuck in the cell: you feel like fighting until either of you are seriously hurt?”

Spike looked back at the stallion in the cell with him. The stallion sent him a smirk. Spike could feel his cheeks burn with shame, but he covered it with a groan and an eye roll. ‘I don’t particularly feel like getting my flank kicked again,’ he thought bitterly.

The mare gave a wry smile. “That’s what I thought.” She began to pace back and forth in front of the cell. “So it took you less than one day to find yourself arrested, Spike?”

Spike’s head dipped further toward the ground, at least until he caught a glimpse of her cutie mark: an eye inside a magnifying glass. “Hey, you’re that mare that stopped me at the gate this morning! Private... Clue?”

The mare grimaced and cursed under her breath.

“Hold on,” the pear stallion said. “She was on gate duty this morning?”

“You shut up,” she spat at him.

He threw his head back and laughed heartily.

Spike stared at the stallion. “Yeah, let’s just leave me confused, then,” Spike droned.

The stallion finished on a chuckle. “If she was working the front gate this morning, then she’s being punished with this shift. If normal guarding bores you to sleep, guarding the jail bores you to death. Nopony wants the jailhouse shift.”

Spike shot the mare a nasty smirk. “Private Clue did stop me at the gate, and was busy getting chewed out for it when I left.”

“It was a totally reasonable misunderstanding,” she protested.

“I’m pretty sure overreacting to a magic ability you haven’t seen in the biggest magical research institute in Equestria does not qualify as reasonable. You should probably expect to see something new every week.”

“It’s part of my job to make sure anything suspicious gets due consideration,” she stated. “That sort of thing needs to be double checked.”

“Yeah right, you didn’t stop me because I ‘maybe forged a document’, you stopped me because I’m a dragon. If I was a unicorn you wouldn’t have raised any stink at all,” Spike said, raising his voice.

“You’re a tall, scaled firebreather. That puts you straight in the ‘suspicious’ category.”

“But I was totally on the level. The invitation was good, and I’ve got a job here and everything. It was completely uncalled for, and maybe it deserves a damn apology!”

“It took you less than a day to get yourself arrested. This joker is in here every few weeks, and even he didn’t get arrested his first day. It’s an institute record, for Luna’s sake! I’d say my suspicion was totally called for!”

Spike grimaced. “It was his fault we got into the fight. He started it,” he said lamely.

“A witness put you as the one that threw the first blow.”

“He tied up my muzzle with magic!”

“So then you’d what, burn him to a crisp?”

“He didn’t use his fire breath,” the stallion across from Spike suddenly spoke. Spike turned his head to him, surprised.

“He didn’t claw at me, or go for the bite, either,” the stallion explained. “Hay, he didn’t even try to smack me around with his tail, which would have done much more damage than his arms.”

The guardsmare stared at the stallion incredulously. “He threatened you. He attacked you. You’re okay with this?”

The stallion shrugged. “I walked away from that fight with nothin’ more than a bruise. Ain’t much to be angry about. It was just a little scuffle. Had ‘em all the time back home.”

Private Clue stared at the stallion, blinking. “I think I just solved the mystery of why you’re here monthly.”

The stallion chuckled. “Yeah, probably.”

The mare groaned and put her hoof to her forehead in frustration. She then turned around and briskly trotted back to a desk at the other end of the cells. She sat down at it, and began shuffling papers around.

Spike laid back down in his cell in silence. He idly picked at a flake of paint on the wall.

“So,” the stallion said. “What do you do here at the institute?”

Spike shot him a glare, before softening his gaze. “Leave me alone,” he said despondently, laying his head down.

“I could uh... tell you about my job? We could talk about dragons?” the stallion offered.

Spike said, “No.”

The stallion walked up to the cell bars. “What about you Bright? Fancy a chat about uh... evidence? I haven’t read the latest Sherclop Holmes but I heard it’s pretty good. What was it… The Mare With the Twisted Lip? Have you read it?”

Private Clue ignored him in favor of paperwork.

The stallion slumped himself down in the cell, pouting. “Jail is boring.”

Spike turned inward once more. ‘First day, and I get arrested for violence. I’m gonna lose my job and have to live in a cave. Then again...’ Spike glanced at his cellmate. ‘If he’s here that often and not fired maybe it’s not such a big deal. Of course, he also doesn’t get ‘automatically suspicious’ like I do does he?’

Spike sighed and lay down, closing his eyes. There was only so much sulking Spike could do before he was overwhelmed by boredom. Eventually boredom gave way to the pleasant null state that was sleep.

Spike awoke to a loud clang and flinched.

“Awuh?” the stallion across from him in his cell moaned.

A pumpkin-shaded unicorn guard, in full visor armor, stood in front of the cell. “Spike, it’s time to let you out.”

Spike stared blankly. “Um... what?”

“You’re being vouched for. Again,” Private Clue spat.

“Private Bright Clue,” the orange unicorn said. “I think that attitude is what landed you down here in the first place.”

Bright Clue groaned, but remained silent otherwise.

The stallion opened the door with a red glow, and Spike stepped out. “So... that’s it? I’m out now? No strings attached?”

“Thats it,” the stallion said. “Although your benefactor requests a meeting, they said to inform you it was optional.”

“So who was it?”

“Your benefactor also requested to remain anonymous.”

“So... If I meet with them I’ll know?”

“Presumably.”

Spike groaned. “I guess I’ll go, then. So, if I don’t know who this is how am I supposed to meet with them? Am I supposed to follow you?”

The stallion levitated a sheet of paper to Spike. “Directions. You are expected.”

The stallion trotted out, leaving Spike with Bright Clue and his former cellmate. Spike stared, bewildered, at the paper in his claw.

“So,” the pear unicorn said. “You’ve got a friend in the institute higher-ups, huh?”

Spike furrowed his brow, ignoring Bright Clue’s sharp look. “This is in the central tower?”

The unicorn whistled. “Impressive.”

Spike cast a quick glare at the stallion, who looked back innocently. Spike breathed a burst of green flame at the paper in his hand, and it became a greenish dust that swirled and disappeared. Bright Clue scowled and snorted.

“Hang on... what was that for?” the stallion asked.

“Well, I’ll be off,” Spike said, ignoring the stallion behind him.

Bright Clue huffed, returning to her paperwork. “Yeah, sure.”

Spike scanned the skies, looking for a tiny spark of orange flying around. It was all the dull gray of morning. Then he saw a tiny speck of orange. Spike squinted, attempting to peer closer at the speck, but that just made it harder to see. It flew up in the sky, and came crashing down on a cloud, which split in half and dissipated. ‘Oh.’

Spike produced the mysterious benefactor’s note in a puff of flame. It said he was expected in less than an hour. He wrinkled his nose.

‘If I want to meet with this pony it has to be now. I hope Peewee is okay without me and not freaking out. Its already been a night, I hope another hour is okay.’ Spike looked up at the huge tower, and back to his note. It listed an awfully high floor number.

‘Okay, maybe a couple hours.’

When he entered the tower, he saw books. Shelves and shelves and wings and reading desks and ponies organizing books. Spike leaned back, amazed by the size of it all.

‘This is massive! It’s probably the size of the Canterlot library. If it doesn’t contain most of the Canterlot library.’ Spike chuckled and shook his head. ‘Of course the biggest building in here would be the library; it was designed by Twilight,’ He looked up at the interior of the tower walls, at the network of arches that formed walkways and supported the tower, and the walls of books all the way up. At the core of the tower there were six rails, clearly lined with crystals and faintly glowing, with suspended platforms moving up and down them.

Spike got some stares from ponies, but he barely noticed and cared even less. He stepped onto the magical elevator, directing it upward. Spike marveled at the huge library around him, with ponies bustling around to access all the knowledge.

As he ascended the tower the archways became less frequent, and the shelves of books gave way to suspended rooms and exits to the outside for pegasi, with more magical elevators to the outside where the cloud buildings resided. Eventually he came to a ceiling of sorts, where the walls closed in on the central elevators, with open doorways on each floor labeled with numbers. Spike stopped at the number in the note.

There was no receptionist in this office. A few ponies bustled about, paying no attention to Spike. ‘I guess anyone who comes here has to know where they’re going. I wonder how new appointments get scheduled, then?’

Spike followed the directions to the office he was meeting in. Unhelpfully, there was a place for a name on the door but the name was replaced with the words “Come in.”

Spike rolled his eyes and opened the door.

The office had a huge window to the outside overlooking the institute proper and Manehattan. Standing with his back to the door, looking out of the window, was a white unicorn.

“It’s not on the top floor, but the view is still breathtaking,” the stallion said. “And I don’t even get the glare from the sun in the morning,” he said, turning to face Spike with a smirk.

Spike’s eyes widened. “Blueblood?”

“It’s good to see you again, Spike.” Blueblood gave Spike a reassuring nod.

Spike stared at Blueblood silently. Recovering after a few seconds, he said, “Uh, likewise?”

Blueblood chuckled. “I wanted to surprise you with the anonymous note, but I think I did too good a job.”

Spike scratched the back of his head and furrowed his brow. “No offense, but this is pretty far out of left field for me.”

Blueblood frowned in disapproval. “It shouldn’t be. I worked on a ‘secret project’ with Twilight starting several months before she announced her plans to start the institute?”

Spike’s brow cleared up, realization dawning on him.

“And was the first to urge the continuation of the project after her disappearance?”

Spike tilted his head. “I thought Luna was the big royal sponsor for the institute.”

Blueblood grunted, and trotted up to his desk. “I have had a larger effect on this project’s success than she did. I rallied private donors and investors. Even the royal coffers are not bottomless. I also acquired property, aided in the design of the institute, attracted research talent, and now I am the working every day here. I put a great deal into this project before Luna even knew about it, second only to Twilight herself. Luna came on after Twilight’s disappearance as the ‘official royal sponsor’ to help her rocky reputation.”

“I’m pretty sure it was to honor Twilight’s dream. I even asked her myself, before–” Spike stopped himself short.

Blueblood waited only a moment for Spike to finish, then scoffed. “Nopony does something for just one reason, and the most important ones are usually the ones they don’t readily share.”

Spike frowned. “So what, you think she was just using Twilight’s legacy to boost her own reputation?”

“I’m not sure if using is the correct word, but I’m sure that was part of her decision. She swayed public opinion very far in her favor between that and taking Twilight’s place as Magic several times with the other element bearers.”

Spike wrinkled his snout in disgust. “I don’t think Luna sees herself as a replacement for Twilight.”

“Neither do I, but I believe part of the affection the public reserved for Twilight carried over to her. She doesn’t have Celestia’s untouchable reputation.” Blueblood sighed. “I didn’t invite you here to have a discussion about royalty. I wanted to see how you were doing.”

Spike sat down in front of the desk in the office. “How do you think? I had a terrified car on the train whispering about me, and a filly asking me if I’m going to eat her. Then I was denied a cab because I was a dragon after I waited patiently in line. Then I woke up to someone angry at me for staying in her kitchen, despite the fact that I was offered to stay there by her partner.”

Spike began to raise his voice. “Then I was confronted by a crowd in the village outside the instituted who were accusing me of pushing around some important institute donor when I was being ignored to get a cab in Manehattan. Then I was stopped at the damn gate by some wannabe detective who thought I was ‘suspicious’, just because I was a dragon.”

Spike threw his arms into the air. “And then I get accosted by some animal expert who insults me and ties up my snout, get in a stupid fight with him and get arrested. And now I’m a hundred stories up in a town where I don’t know anypony, I don’t know where my phoenix is, and I don’t even know if I still have a job after this!”

Spike breathed heavily after his outburst, and sat back down.

Blueblood gave an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry your experience has been so poor so far.”

Spike groaned. “I just wish everypony would treat me like anypony else.”

“I’m sure they’ll come around. You are a fine gentlecolt by all reports.”

“Except the police reports,” Spike deadpanned.

Blueblood snorted and coughed, putting his hoof to his mouth. His lips pursed and twisted and he inhaled deeply with his eyes closed, before resuming his calm posture, a bland smile appearing on his face.

Spike spoke up. “Did... you just stifle a–”

“No,” Blueblood stated.

Spike stared at Blueblood’s eyes. Blueblood stared back. “No, I think–”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about the police report,” Blueblood interrupted. “Your arrest has been stricken from the record.”

“It... stricken? Like gone?”

“Yes.”

“By you?” Spike pointed at Blueblood, his eyes wide in shock.

“Yyyes,” Blueblood said slowly.

“How... what exactly do you do here?”

“Well,”– Blueblood smiled smugly –“I am the head of the History department.”

“That gives you clout over the royal guard?”

Blueblood stared at Spike, blinking. “You may remember I am a prince. That gives me clout over the royal guard. Not to mention most of these ponies would not have their jobs if it was not for my work.”

Spike raised his eyebrow. “Isn’t this an abuse of power?”

Blueblood matched his eyebrow. “So you’re saying this wasn’t a case of self-defense which ended with you unfairly arrested?”

“Well... only sorta. He started it but... I kinda lost my temper and got violent,” Spike said, his ear frills drooping.

Then his eyes widened. “No. No, I didn’t just say that. I-it-it was an accident,” Spike stammered.

Blueblood chuckled. “Please, don’t worry. I’m not going to judge you. And don’t consider it an abuse; it wasn’t a major violation after all. There are a few worried voices in the upper echelons, however. None of them know you personally, so I made sure they knew you were not the type to cause trouble normally.”

“I...” Spike hesitated.

“I can also make sure that more of the institute knows there is a friendly dragon here, and to treat him with respect. Your job will take you quite a ways around the institute afterall.”

“That’s great. Thanks,” Spike said hastily. “I...” Spike looked for an excuse. “I still have to find my phoenix.” He started to back out of the room. “So, uh... I’ll see you around, eh?”

“Wait, there was something else I wanted to talk about!”

Spike did not wait. Instead he quickly made his way to the lift and sent himself down on it, staring up to see if Blueblood was in pursuit. After several seconds he was satisfied that Blueblood was not, and sighed in relief.

‘That was... weird. He’s probably one of the last ponies I thought I would find here. I haven’t seen him since... before Twilight disappeared.

‘I guess it was pretty rude of me to run off like that. It feels like he was buttering me up again. Of course I felt like he was buttering me up years ago too, ready to betray Twilight, or court her, or something. Except he never wound up actually doing anything. And now I know what his ‘nefarious plan’ was, and he’s bailed me out of jail and offered to help me and I wouldn’t even listen to him. Did I misjudge him?’

Spike watched the patrons of the library as his lift floated down. ‘I guess I sorta owe it to him to hear whatever he wanted to say. It’s weird to suddenly get royal favors again. Although I do still need to find Peewee. I’ll hear him out later, once I get some time to get over that he’s actually here and one of the heads of the institute.’

He reached the bottom and exited the library. He began to scan the skies again. No sign of Peewee, and no real clue on where to look. The sun peeked out above the forest, signaling that morning had definitely begun. There was something about the morning that irked Spike, though. Something in the back of his mind was vying for his attention, but he couldn't exactly recall...

Spike's eyes snapped wide open. 'Aw horseapples, my job starts today!' he thought, and he took off toward the Office of Interdepartmental Research on all fours. ‘Sorry Peewee, you’re going to have to wait. You’ve taken care of yourself before, so you’ll be fine… probably.’

Spike groaned as he ran. ‘This is such a mess.’

Spike entered the Office of Interdepartmental Research out of breath. ‘I swear, it wasn’t that far to the office. I should have gotten out of the library more often.’ “I’m here,” he huffed with shallow breaths.

Starscribe was waiting for him, along with the receptionist. “Spike. Where have you been?” she said.

“We were about to give up,” the receptionist added.

“I–” he exhaled loudly “–didn’t know when I needed to be in. And–” Spike paused. “Yeah. I’m sorry.”

‘Best not to tell them I was in jail last night. Maybe they won’t hear about it?’

Starscribe blinked for a moment. “Well, if you don’t have an assignment typically you need to be here by eight, not by ten. Fortunately, the assignment we had for you started later. I was going to run a short orientation but now there’s no time for that.”

“S-sorry.”

Starscribe sighed and produced a folder. “The assignment is with the Arcane Department. Report to Xenon Shine.”

“Arcanists?” Spike said.

“Unicorn magic, essentially,” she said. “They needed somepony to operate fairly complicated tools and Dr. Gaze reasoned that would either have to be a unicorn or you.” She passed the folder to Spike.

Spike peeked inside. Apparently Xenon Shine was working with the Technology department on a limited replication device.

“You should get going, unless you were planning on running across the Institute again.”

Spike sighed. “Right.”

Spike arrived at the Arcane Department’s building. Well at one of its buildings. It wasn’t an ugly or plain building—a multi-storied soft blue building with purple trim—but it was pretty underwhelming for a department headquarters. ‘I’m pretty sure the main office would be a bit more opulent than this. Well… except the Office of Interdepartmental Research is in a pretty crummy building. But the History Department is in the tower, and that’s the most opulent place here. That might have been Blueblood’s doing.’

Spike rolled his eyes and strode inside, searching for his destination room. ‘It doesn’t matter what it looks like,’ he chastised himself. ‘Inside is Xenon Shine, a unicorn who wants my help with research.’– Spike began to bounce slightly through the hallways –’And I’m gonna show her what I’m made of. Nopony’s gonna care about some lame trouble first day after I impress the buck outta them. I’m the Number One Assistant, after all.’

Spike grinned to himself, then shook his head. ‘But I’m not gonna get any of that done waiting out here hopping around like a schoolfilly. Calm yourself, Spike.’ Spike inhaled slowly and exhaled. It only made him feel out of breath. ‘This isn’t Ponyville, Xenon Shine will be expecting a professional attitude.’

Finding the room with his new temporary boss, he steeled himself and opened the door. The room had… crates. Lots of crates. There was also a desk, of a fashion, and a cool gray unicorn staring at the door.

“It’s about time, I’ve been–” the unicorn’s mouth fell open.

Spike glanced around, and smiled timidly. ‘Oh no, the dragon thing. No, don’t show teeth!–’ Spike pursed his lips together ‘–down on all fours–’ he fell on his forelimbs ‘–aaand damage control.’

Spike stepped forward and addressed the unicorn cordially. “Hello I am–”

“I need a unicorn for this job!” the unicorn whined. “I was specific. You will need to be using delicate tools. It is too delicate for hoof work.” She stamped the ground.

Spike blinked, and held up a claw. “I don’t have hooves; I’ve got digits,” he said, wiggling his claws.

The unicorn narrowed her eyes and her horn glowed. There was a spark and orb of blue light where she was, and a corresponding orb next to Spike, as the unicorn teleported to Spike’s side. She surrounded Spike’s claw with her blue levitation aura, and began to examine Spike’s digits, murmuring to herself.

Spike’s heart leapt. ‘A unicorn that knows how to teleport! I haven’t met a unicorn that talented for years now!’ Spike leaned over to inspect Xenon’s cutie mark. It was an orb with rays of light shining off of it. Spike nodded. ‘Definitely for magic. I knew coming here was the right move. I wish I had some paper to write her name down. Oh! A list of potential candidates for all the Elements! I need to remember that.’

“Well?” a sharp voice rang out from the other side of the room.

Spike glanced up, Xenon had moved back across the room. He was still holding his claw out. He put it down, laughing nervously, and joined her across the room.

“So… I’m sorry, I missed that. What are we doing?” he asked.

Xenon groaned. “Measuring these parts. I’m going to show you what to measure, then you demonstrate, so I can make sure this is in good uh… claws.”

Spike looked at the desk. There was a metal set of measuring calipers that Spike recognized from… somewhere. He knew what they were, anyway.

“And I see you didn’t bring any writing utensils or paper at all. Fantastic.”

Spike opened his mouth to explain.

“No. I’ve got spares, but they’re my personal spares so if you snap them in half there will be Tartarus to pay.”

Spike gave his most confident grin. “Don’t worry about it. I know my way around a quill.”

She rolled her eyes. Spike squeed a little inside. ‘Ohhh, that brings me back! Twilight’– Spike’s ear frills fell and his brow knitted –’would roll her eyes when I turned on my bravado, too...’

“Hey!” Xenon said. “Pay attention!”

Her horn lit up, and she levitated a… thing onto the table. Spike couldn’t quite describe it. It was made of metal, and a very complicated piece. There were shafts hanging out of it, and grooves etched into the sides, and slots where probably some sort of enchanted gem would fit. It was very detailed, almost beautiful, but Spike had no idea what it was for.

“So,” Xenon said. “There are twelve separate measurements we need. Each needs to be marked down to the millimeter.” She demonstrated each of the measurements and where to mark them down. “Do you have it?”

Spike nodded.

“Show me.”

Spike went through the motions, measuring and marking twelve times. It was simple, but stopping to write after each measurement was time consuming in a way it was not for Xenon. He couldn’t hold three things with his claws after all.

Xenon sighed. “I guess it could be worse. And I can’t do anything about this anyway.” She trotted out of the room. “I’ll be back here to see you tomorrow morning.”

“Right.”

The door to the room closed, and Spike was left alone with his work. He surveyed the crates. He glanced into the crate opened by Xenon. There must have been a hundred doohickeys in this single crate. He gazed over the room, filled with crates.

‘Just one day to finish it… Fine. It’s not like I haven’t done a lot of work like this before! Let’s do this!’

Spike sighed. He had gotten through his first crate, and it wasn’t going so well. At this rate he would never get done on time. He only had one day!

‘I had forgotten how much I hated this stuff. And that’s how much I didn’t like this when Twilight was there to talk to, to roll her eyes at my behavior and… it was just a lot more fun with Twilight.

‘Urgh, and how pointless is this? The measurements are either the exact same size or a few millimeters off. Sometimes there’s an outlier, but I keep seeing the same damn numbers.’

He put his head down on the desk, staring at one of the pieces.

‘I should probably just measure a whole piece and mark it all down at once, but then I’d have to memorize all those numbers…’ Spike tilted his head, an idea coming. ‘But the numbers are mostly the same ones. I just need to memorize the differences, and have a master sheet to reference… yeah!’

He got to work again.

Crate two went faster. Much, much faster. ‘Hah! Take THAT, terrible measuring job. I am smarter than you.’ He lifted the finished crate with some difficulty and moved it over with his other finished crate. He put his hands on his hips, grinned, and turned back to his working desk.

There were still many crates waiting. Spike sighed.

Spike pried open the fourth box. All the previous boxes had pretty consistent sizes… but even at first glance this box did not. Not every piece was marked, either.

Spike growled, and it turned into an anguished yell. “How the hay am I supposed to record these!?”

Spike’s head hit the table in front of him and he groaned. He looked outside to see the setting sun. ‘I should be off by now. I should be done. Xenon probably even expects me to be done now.’

He looked over at the crates that had yet to be done. They were outnumbered by the crates that were. ‘Well. At least there’s that.’

Spike stared at the stars outside. ‘I wonder if that Starscribe mare is looking up at the stars now. She has an astronomy cutie mark… Is there an astronomy department? Is it part of History? Arcane? Why is she part of Interdepartmental Research? Maybe there isn’t a dedicated astronomy department and there’s no place for astronomers? No, Luna was involved in the institute, it would be silly for her not to include it at least somewhere. I bet there’s a big telescope somewhere on that tower.’

Spike looked down at the doodad he was working on. Well, the doodad he was supposed to be working on. How long had it been since he last wrote down a measurement? Five minutes? Ten?

Spike groaned. ‘It’s getting really hard to concentrate… I wish I could take a break. Or the job was less… mind-numbing. That would be great.’

He leaned down and forced himself to resume working.

Spike mechanically placed the last piece of this crate neatly back into it. He closed it up and dragged it over to the other finished crates, then turned around and trudged back to his waiting crates. There were no crates on the opposite side of the room anymore.

‘Oh. That was the last one,’ Spike thought. ‘I’m done.’

Spike stood in his room staring at the blank wall. ‘I am done. I don’t have to do any of these anymore, tonight. I can leave!’

Spike burst out of the Arcane department’s doors, sliding on his knees. “AWWW YEAAAAH.” He hopped up and spun around on his heels, dancing in the middle of the street.

A guardsmare trotted up to him and held up a hoof authoritatively. “Sir, you need to quiet down. It is getting late and some ponies are trying to sleep.”

Spike grabbed her outstretched hoof and whipped her around him, twirling her elegantly on her back two hooves, before pulling her closer and dipping her low to the ground.

“My apologies, my good guardsmare,” Spike spoke with a dignified accent. “I was so excited I quite lost myself in glee. I will endeavour to keep myself quiet at this late hour.”

He twirled her once more for good measure before depositing her back on all fours. Spinning himself, he faced her with eyes closed, and her mouth fell open as he was seemingly pulled away from her, gliding backwards on his feet in a bizarre shuffle.

Spike cracked an eye open, watching her gape. ‘Took me a while to figure this one out.’He smiled to himself.‘But I still got it!’

She straightened her armor and grunted. “J-just don’t do it again,” she grumbled.

Spike’s smile waned when he opened the door to his apartment. More boxes loomed for him, this time filled with his own unpacked stuff, and the bare walls were sobering.At least he knew there was a bed already in the apartment, so he wouldn’t have to sleep on the floor. But something nagged at Spike. Something he forgot.

‘Peewee! I still don’t know where he is! He could be anywhere! He could have been picked up by another pony, or be hungry and alone!’ Spike thought in a panic. ‘And I have no idea where I could find him.’

‘Or... I guess he could be fine?’ he rationalized.'I don’t know if he took care of himself in the forest or not. Critters grow up really fast, after all.

‘But phoenixes also can live an awful long time; what if they grow up slowly? Don’t I have a book on this…’ Spike’s thoughts trailed off as he started to dig through his unpacked boxes.

As he rummaged in his foyer, he became aware of a light tapping. Spike’s ears perked up and he went to the door, opening it. There was nopony at the door. Spike stared out confused until he heard the tapping again, this time clearly from behind him.

Spike turned around and saw a familiar yellow-orange flare at his balcony door window. Spike darted across the room and threw the door open. “Peewee!” he shouted, and wrapped his arms around the phoenix.

Peewee squawked in surprise, and struggled to free himself from Spike’s grip.

Spike looked down at the phoenix squirming in his group, and let him go. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. “Er, sorry.”

Peewee landed on the balcony railing and fluffed his chest feathers, shooting Spike an annoyed glance. He began to preen and smooth his ruffled feathers.

“Uh... Peewee, are you okay?”

Peewee glanced back at Spike and tilted his head.

“I just mean, I got all dragged off to jail and you were alone for a while and the past two days we had been entirely with each other so... I was worried.”

Peewee’s eyes fell to half-mast, and he chirped.

“Yeah, I guess you’re not stupid and can find your way here, huh?” Spike said, closing the door, “And you’ve spent a lot of time alone in the forest? I’ll try to leave a window open if I’m gone. In fact, why don’t I just do that anyway? It worked in Ponyville with Owloicious.”

Peewee flitted into his cage.

“Oh man, today was terrible, Peewee. I woke up in jail and my job is awful. And Blueblood was there. And I don’t know anypony here except him. A stuck up jerk is the pony in town I know best! All my friends are in Ponyville. I left… I left everything to come here.’

Spike roughly flopped down on his rump. “My home is half a country away now… My job is the most mind-numbing thing I have ever done. I got arrested and half the ponies I meet are jerks because I’m a dragon, and the other half are just regular jerks. Then tomorrow I get to look forward to working for the mare that just asked me to write ten-thousand numbers on paper today!”

He put his head into his claws. “W-what in Tartarus was I thinking?”

He looked over at his companion, who was now sleeping in his cage.

Spike blinked for a minute, then flopped down on his back. “You’re a fantastic conversationalist,” he grumbled. Spike’s stomach grumbled too.

“And I haven’t eaten all day.” He chuckled wryly. “Wonderful. What am I supposed to do for food at this time of–”

Spike’s wry grin fell, and a genuine grin replaced it. Of course he knew what he could do for food late at night.

Spike didn’t even hesitate to open the door to Delicious Dishes. The restaurant wasn’t empty today; there was a couple making kissy faces. There were no staff to be found, but unless those customers cake brought their cake themselves then somepony was working. Spike took a seat at one of the tables and waited.

In a few minutes, Nightcap trotted out, head held just a smidge lower than snooty, floating a tray with a fresh bottle of wine on it. After she attended to the young lovers, she finally took note of Spike. She frowned for only a moment, before raising her head high and trotting back into the kitchen.

Spike frowned, too, and went back to waiting.

The door to the kitchen swung open, and a coral pink mare stepped out, wearing a scarf on her head and a notepad clipped to a saddle. Spike smiled and waved at Cayenne. She trotted up to Spike’s table, and flipped out the notepad. “Hello, welcome to Delicious Dishes. What can I get you?” she droned.

Spike’s smile fell. “Um… di–”

“The chef recommends her lasagna,” she interrupted monotonously. “It’s especially fresh.”

“I’ll… have the lasagna?”

“Alright,” she said then promptly turned around and trotted back into the kitchen.

Spike stared at the door. ‘That was… confusing. Maybe I misread thi–’

This time the door burst open as a coral pink blur flew into the room and landed next to the table, not wearing a scarf. Spike finally got a good look at her red and violet mane, which didn’t fall so much as stand. “Spike!” Cayenne exclaimed.

Spike gaped at her. “What the hay was that?!”

She shrugged. “Just gettin’ the business side over with first.” She slid into the seat across from Spike. “So. It did not take you long to get back to me.” She smirked. “That good huh?”

“Ahh well–” Spike’s stomach grumbled. “–I sorta got caught up in work today and haven’t really eaten at all.”

“So, I’m your last resort?” She glowered at Spike. “We’re the last darn place open in town and so you were unfortunately driven here?”

“A… uh… ahm…” Spike stammered.

“Relax.” Cayenne disarmed Spike with her smile. “I am teasing. You get flustered easily.”

“I… It’s been a pretty intense couple of days. Sorry.”

Cayenne waved her hoof. “Don’t be. Seriously, that’s the weirdest thing to apologize for.”

“If you’re here… who’s cooking the lasagna?”

“It was already in the oven when you came in. Nighty can–” The kitchen door opened. “–speak of the devil.”

Nightcap stood in the kitchen doorway and levitated two plates of lasagna across the room.

“What about ‘dining’?!” Cayenne called out, but the door was already closed.

“What’s her problem?”

“We argued about you after you left for a while. She made me promise to keep you—all non-employees, actually—out of the kitchen.”

Spike rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

“Quit with the apologies!” Cayenne lightly punched Spike’s shoulder.

“S–”

“If you say that one more time I swear I’m turning this diner around right now,” Cayenne said, pointing her hoof at Spike.

He held his claws up in surrender. “Fine. No apologies, but I can’t be held responsible for any and all offenses for the rest of tonight.”

“Good. So, how’s the institute treatin ya?”

“Pretty awful. The ponies at the institute are mostly pretty big jerks. And today I just spent like twelve hours measuring nearly identical parts.”

“Sheesh, twelve hours?”

“Yep. Took me forever to get it done.”

“At least you did get it done, right?”

Spike smirked. “Of course! I’m not Equestria’s Number One Assistant for nothing.”

“Number one?” Cayenne raised her eyebrow. “Pretty high claim.”

“You’ve seen it first hoof. Best assistant in all of Equestria. None greater.”

“I haven’t had a lot of assistants, Spike. I’ll take your word for it though.”

“Good. Equestria’s Number One Assistant wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

Cayenne snickered. “Alright, big guy,” she said. “We should get to eating, this lasagna is nowhere near as good when it’s room temperature.”

Spike dug in with gusto.

Spike dragged himself into the room he had become so acquainted with the previous day. He breathed a sigh of relief at the sight that he had arrived first, and sat down in his seat. His maw opened up and a huge yawn escaped. ‘I’m not used to this kind of sleeping schedule, and traveling and staying up too late with Cayenne did not help. I shouldn’ta listened to her when she said I’d just put on pounds if I went to sleep too soon after a big meal.’

Finally his yawn subsided, and in front of him stood Xenon Shine. She was staring. ‘Aw, me and my huge gaping maw filled with pointy teeth.’

She closed her eyes. Her eyebrow twitched. “I notice you did not bring your own papers or writing utensil today.”

Spike winced. “Sorry, I uh–”

She held up a hoof, silencing him. “I sincerely hope you made sure to get plenty of rest. I did not ask you here to laze about.”

“O-of course. I’m good to go. What am I doin’ today?”

She gave him a flat look. “Finishing the measurements.”

“Finishing them? Today?”

She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Well, no. I have you for another two days, so it needs to be done by the end of tomorrow. Did you expect to be able to leave it half-finished? You’re measuring all these parts. Even without magic it shouldn’t be beyond your reach.”

“No I mean… I already finished them all.”

Her eyebrow raised up. “All of them? I find that hard to believe.”

Spike presented her the papers. “Here.”

The papers were yanked out of his hand in a blue aura. “We’ll see,” she said.

Sliding out a paper from the center, she opened the crate with the corresponding piece, and measured it. She stared at the paper and the piece for a moment, before quickly sliding out another paper and piece. “Another match?” she muttered. Four more pieces were measured from four different boxes.

“It’s true… it’s already done,” she whispered.

“I thought I only had one day to do it. So I did it in one day,” Spike stated.

She gazed at him with astonishment for a moment, before closing her eyes and shaking her head very slightly. Her gaze returned to her usual critical glower. “Hmph. Good job.

“I don’t have anything else for you. I’ll report the results to your department myself later, so feel free to take today off.”

Spike blinked. “That’s it?”

She turned away from him, and trotted out of the room. “Yes.”

“Hang on! What were these pieces for?!”

She turned back for a moment. “The pieces were just to test the duplication device. We’re going to melt them down for material next week,” she said, and trotted away.

Spike’s maw fell open. ‘Just to test it? The parts had no purpose at all?!’ “I just spent twelve hours depriving myself of sleep for a bunch of pointless doohickeys?!” he shouted. He punched the air impotently and growled.

He let his arms fall to his side and sighed. “I’m gonna get breakfast.”

Author's Note

It's back! Sorry it took... jeez one day short of two months. A little bit longer than the two weeks I estimated.
As promised, if there were revisions to content I would tell you all. I have added a new scene at the beginning of the prologue, helping explain what's going on, rather than hoping that the mystery is enough. So if this chapter wasn't posted by the time you read the prologue, you can go back and read it.

Also the infodump at the beginning of chapter 1, and Celestia's explanation as to why Spike's research was hopeless have been edited too to be consistent with the new content, although it is still majorly the same

Chapter 4 - A Throne of Note

Author's Note

It's here! Jeez three months is long...

Here's a necessary announcement. For those of you who do not already know, I have made revisions to the previous chapters to bring the fic in line with Season 4. If you didn't read the previous chapters by the time this chapter was published, and you'd like to reread them, the chapters are there, but if you wouldn't like to reread them but want to know what changed anyway I have a blog post with all the content changes in more detail. There was enough in the last few episodes that I wanted to work in, including an already-planned-for plot point that's suspiciously similar to an event in the last couple of episodes. I didn't think I should leave that with no logic behind it.

Edit: Oops! Forgot to credit my prereader Amneiger! Sorry helper person!

Chapter 4 - A Throne of Note

Spike placed the scroll paper roll by the other stacks. There were six sheets for the lists of potential Element Bearers, three different kinds of identification (one a couple sheets long), two institute maps, and an extra long length of scroll paper. It was about five times as much stuff as he had stored with fire before… and about as much paper as would fit into a saddlebag.

Spike groaned. ‘But it’s so convenient to store it like this.’ He looked down at several small backpacks, all specially designed for his dragon frame. When he was several feet shorter. ‘And all my old packs don’t fit. Regular saddlebags fall off if I stand up. I should be able to handle it anyway. It’s no effort to store a few papers… this is only about fifteen times more than that.’

He inhaled quickly and let his lungs fill with magic fire. He had to produce enough flame to incinerate all of the papers almost instantly or he would only store scraps, destroying any use they might have had. He exhaled sharply over the stack of papers, covering them with green flame. The papers all turned to magic swirling ash, mingling with his fire, and he inhaled again, allowing his fire back into his lungs. The heat died down and all that remained was a subtle feeling of pressure in his chest as his magical flame turned into… well, probably just magic.

When he first figured out the trick to store papers with his fire it was a little uncomfortable, but it became sort of pleasant once he got used to it. Of course… the pressure was significantly higher this time. Spike patted his chest and grunted a little in discomfort. ‘Okay, I guess I need to get used to this much now.’

Spike took another look around his apartment, still laden with unpacked boxes.

‘I’ve been putting unpacking off too long. Hasn’t it been more than a week? I need to stop making excuses.’

He sucked in just a tiny bit of air, making sure to isolate the papers he needed with his magic. He carefully exhaled a plume of flame and reached out his claw at the papers as the flame swirled in front of him. A disorganized mess coalesced out of the fire and Spike snatched at them frantically, managing to grab just one, the others falling to the floor.

Spike gave a good natured groan. ‘That didn’t go as well as I hoped.’

Magic was the only list that actually had a name on it. He looked at his clock. ‘And work is soon, so it’s not like I have time to clean now.’

He scoffed at himself. ‘I think that was a good run of not making excuses. Two whole minutes.’

Saying his farewell to Peewee, he left his apartment and set out for the Office of Interdepartmental Research. He didn’t know anything about the new assignment waiting for him, except that it would be with a partner.

The conference room was empty when he got in. It was a sparsely decorated room with a large window letting in natural light. The view wasn’t particularly spectacular, just of the street and the building across it. Spike watched the ponies walking in the street while he waited.

The door opened, and Spike turned to see a lavender mare with a blue mane walk in.

Starscribe gave a polite nod. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Spike said. “So the new project is the two of us?”

Starscribe nodded again and sat down at the conference table. “Indeed.”

Spike took a seat across from Starscribe. ‘Oh. I should have guessed, my partner’s going to be Starscribe. It’s like the whole department is me, Dr. Gaze, and her. And the receptionist that’s always at his desk.’

She shuffled the papers around, pulling out the main assignment form. “We will be working to settle a dispute over what department or departments are going to be allowed to study an ancient magical relic.”

Spike’s brow raised. “Really? That seems like a pretty big deal.”

“So I understand. The artifact in question is controversial, too, which is why there was a neutral third party chosen for the deliberations.”

“Wow... What is it?”

“It is called the Throne of Absorption. It’s an artifact from the Late Classical Era, designed to transfer the magic of one pony to another.”

Spike’s blood ran cold. “... What?” he whispered.

For a moment Starscribe’s brow furrowed. As quickly as the expression came it was gone, though, and her face became neutral again. “Yes. I understand the reluctance.”

Spike’s voice was stern. “No, you probably don’t. We’re talking the same power that a monster once used to nearly destroy Equestria.”

Starscribe blinked. “Yes, I am aware.”

“But you weren’t there. I’ve seen a lot of creatures the size of buildings but there was nothing like Tirek,” Spike ranted. “He captured–” Spike stopped himself.

A moment passed. “I… wasn’t aware he took an interest in dragons.” Starscribe’s voice was tender. “Did he drain your family of their magic as well?”

“Ah… yes!” Spike half-lied. ‘Twilight is family, right? Just not a dragon.’ “The fight was really destructive. I was taken hostage and… my family got their magic drained .”

Starscribe cast her gaze down. “I see. I hadn’t realized that even non-Equestrians were drained. You dragons shouldn’t keep to yourselves so much.”

Spike smiled weakly. ‘Because a dragon living in Equestria is not an Equestrian, I guess.’ “Y-yeah. Maybe you’re right.”

Starscribe nodded. “Well, it was just as bad for many other ponies. But–” Starscribe’s gaze met Spike’s, and a tiny smile appeared on her face. “–Twilight Sparkle was also transferred power to her from the other princesses to be able to fight Tirek long enough to activate the Elements of Harmony.”

She closed her eyes serenely. “Twilight wielded the most magic that a single pony ever had to fight Tirek, but it wasn’t until she gave up the power for the sake of her friends that the Elements of Harmony activated for her.”

Spike glanced around nervously. ‘She knows the story that well, but hadn’t made the connection that I was there? Even after I told her the story from my perspective a few minutes ago? I can’t tell if I’m relieved or offended.’

Starscribe opened her eyes slowly. “It’s a wonderful tale about cooperation and friendship. Raw magical power was nothing without her bonds. The heroism and strength and care for others, even when she had no magic whatsoever, is a perfect demonstration of why Twilight was a princess in the first place.”

A smile slowly spread across Spike’s face. “Yeah. You’re absolutely right.”

Starscribe’s smile widened. “And now there are not one, but three different departments that want to examine this artifact, and it’s our job to make sure that it does the most good it can for all of Equestria. It’s what this institute was founded by Twilight to do: to use that knowledge for everypony–sorry, everyone’s benefit.”

Spike sighed. “You’re right, but the potential for abuse is massive.”

Starscribe’s smile waned. “I doubt anyone has designs on powering themselves up by tearing the magic from their fellow pony, but I suppose it’s a possibility.” Her face’s expression became neutral again. “Let’s begin.”

She fanned out three forms from the folder. “The three departments that have requested to research the artifact are Technology, Medical, and History.”

Spike picked up one of the request sheets and read through it. He furrowed his brow. “The Medical Department wants it so they can develop a modern method to transfer one pony’s magic to another. Isn’t that… exactly what I was afraid of?”

Starscribe frowned. “There must be a good justification for it. What would the method be used for?”

Spike scanned the paper. “It doesn’t say.”

Starscribe was scanning one of the other papers. “The Technology Department doesn’t say what its research would be used for either, just that they want to extract a new magical conductor.”

Spike rolled his eyes, and retrieved the third page. “The History Department’s paper just says they want to ‘examine the historical significance.’ So… we need to figure out more about their motivations.”

“Agreed. I believe the forms have a contact. They should hopefully be available without having to schedule an appointment.”

Spike scanned History’s document for the contact’s name. He scrunched up his snout when he saw who it was.

‘I shoulda known it would be Blueblood.’ Spike inwardly groaned. ‘I don’t know what he wants from me, but I don’t particularly want to deal with him. I’ve got other stuff I have to work on, anyway.’

“Why… don’t you take the History department?” Spike offered.

Starscribe tilted her head. “Perhaps. I would like to ask for their assistance in some preliminary research. We clearly must know something about the artifact, we do know its name, but I’m afraid the information that you and I have is insufficient. I would like to gather some more information on the artifact, and asking the History department for what they know is a good first step.”

“Right. You do that, I’ll handle getting the arguments from the Technology and Medical departments.” Spike stood up and made his way out.

Starscribe nodded and followed Spike out of the room. “I agree.”

Spike and Starscribe walked down the hallways. When they reached an intersection, Spike turned back to Starscribe. “Alright, good–”

She was already walking away.

“–luck.”

Spike stared at her as she walked away. ‘So… still distant?’ He sighed. ‘I think every pony here at the institute is difficult. Fight-happy unicorns, jerk guardsmares, Blueblood… and whatever is going on with Starscribe. She fangirled over Twilight. Maybe I should try deliberately bringing her up?’

Green flame incinerated the documents, storing them for later. ‘Something to think about, I guess.’

Spike made sure to walk on all fours through the hallways of the Medical department. The rooms Spike was passing were all tastefully clad in hardwood furniture, and the air was sterile and quiet, the tan walls and deep blue carpet muffling sound.

The few researchers he saw would hastily go on their way, giving him a wide berth.

He sighed and knocked on the office of Light Heart.

A cheery voice rang out. “Come in!”

Spike relaxed at the cheer and opened the door. Inside was a pale pink mare sitting at a big hardwood desk, with pristine colorful quills and statuettes covering it. All of them were well lit by the natural light filtering through the drapes. There was a strong smell of popurri. Her eyes widened a tad at the sight of Spike, and she broke out into a big toothy grin.

“Good morning, I’m Miss Light Heart. How may I help you?” she said.

Spike relaxed a little more and smiled, making sure not to show his teeth in return. “I’m Spike, sent from the Office of Interdepartmental Research, here to discuss the Throne of Absorption.”

Light Heart blinked at him, grinning away. “Of course.” She tilted her head. “How may I help you?”

Spike sat on his haunches across the table from the mare. “We need to know more about the research planned with it. What do you want it for?”

“Well, the doctors are going to study the Throne to understand the method it used to extract magic from ponies,” she chirped.

He nodded. “The document said as much. I need to know why they want to understand the method.”

“Well, perhaps you’ve heard of Tirek?”

Spike’s smile faltered. ‘Of course I’ve heard of Tirek, I’ve met him!

‘No,’ he reminded himself. ‘She couldn’t know that.’ He forced the smile onto his face again. “Yes, I am aware of him and how he devoured the magic of tons of ponies, including the princesses–”

Her eyes twitched and her smile strained.

“–In order to make himself more powerful. It’s why we need to know what you plan to do with that information.”

“I was getting to that,” she said between clenched teeth, her lips still curled up. “After he was defeated, a small percent of the populace became afflicted with hypoaethia when their magic returned improperly, usually if they already had an aetheric deficiency or were injured in the course of the disaster.

“Hypoaethia is a condition that eludes treatment for earth ponies and pegasi. A well-trained unicorn can use their horn to transfer a part of their magic to another, until that pony’s body is capable of regenerating their own, but for non-unicorns no treatment is effective beyond rest and attempting to stay healthy.

“But, if there were a method to allow the transfer of non-unicorn magics, then we could treat them as well. And if we could create a device to do it, we could free up some very talented medical unicorns who spend a lot of time regulating magic donations to aethericly deficient patients for other life-saving procedures.

“It is the opinion of the Medical Department that the Throne might hold the missing key in this sort of research.”

Spike’s smile waned. “I see. How common is hypoaethia?”

“Well, hypoaethia afflicts about one in four ponies at some point in their lives.”

Spike reared back in shock. “Why haven’t I heard of it then? It seems like a serious issue.”

The mare’s eyes lit up. “I’m sure it’s a big oversight. So you see the importance of giving us the exclusive rights to the Throne.”

Spike blinked and narrowed his eyes. “How many of those cases require medical treatment?”

Light Heart squirmed, the smile still glued to her face. “... About one in a hundred cases.”

“Hypoaethia’s just a fancy word for magical exhaustion, isn’t it? One in four means… most unicorns and probably a good number of the other tribes deplete their magic through normal use.”

“Yes… most cases simply require ponies to not exert themselves.” Her cheerful tone strained. “Sometimes unicorns use up much too much magic and require bed rest for several days, and very rarely pegasi or earth ponies do that too, but usually their bodies become exhausted at the same rate, so it’s very difficult for them to keep pushing their magic if they are physically exhausted.

“There are serious cases of chronic hypoaethia, and we have twelve patients attended by three medical unicorns right here at the institute.” Her smile was very nearly a grimace.

Spike glared at the Light Heart. “So… this is a fairly minor problem.”

“Who knows what kind of other useful discoveries we might find?” she said with an exaggerated shrug and that forced rictus still plastered on her face.

Spike snarled and stood up, causing Light Heart to flinch back, her face stretched to a degree that looked painful. “Any research does that. Do you have anything else of value to add?”

“N-nope!” she chirped painfully.

“Then we’ll contact you.” Spike marched out through the halls.

Spike stomped on two legs through the halls of the medical office.

‘I hate people like that. She can’t be honest for two seconds, instead she gives me bogus massaged statistics, trying to get me to panic about a rare condition. Does she think I’m stupid?’

He was dimly aware he was passing others in the hallway.

‘And that ridiculous fake smile! She can’t not know it’s obvious. Can I get a little honesty?’ Spike huffed loudly.

There was a soft thump sound to his left, and Spike twisted his head to the left. He saw a stallion in a doctor’s coat pressed up against the wall across from him. The doctor was breathing heavily and he averted his eyes when Spike looked at him.

Spike became aware of his bared teeth and that he was lightly spewing smoke. He fell down onto four legs roughly, and the doctor flinched slightly.

Spike also flinched back. “Sorry! I’m sorry.”

“No it’s fine,” the doctor said.

“I-I-I was just stomping through the halls in a bad mood, I’m not gonna hurt anypony.”

“Noone was suggesting that,” the doctor said, starting to walk away. “Why don’t you just keep going, and I keep going, and we forget all of this?”

“Y-yeah. Okay.” Spike watched him walk away for a minute. He sighed and left the building.

The faint smell of smoke and chemicals wafted about the Department of Technology. It wasn’t a single building as it was a complex. The buildings were much more varied in this area as well. Down the street, there was a crew of ponies clearing debris from the street outside of a boarded up hole in the wall.

Spike breathed in heavily, stretching his limbs up high and groaning pleasantly. ‘It smells kind of nice, a bit like a volcano mixed with one of Twilight’s labs. I guess most ponies wouldn’t really like it like I do.’

Spike located the building his contact was located in, and knocked on the door. There was a grunt and a muffled “Come in!”

The room was a wreck; tools and scrap were strewn haphazardly across workbenches and the floor. Toward the back of the room an earth pony with goggles covering her eyes was spinning a wheel of some kind back and forth attached to a faintly glowing crystal, inspecting it. “You need something?” she asked, without turning around.

“I’m from the Department of Interdepartmental Research. I’m here to discuss the Throne of Absorption’s use for research.”

She began to take notes. “Oh. Goo’,” she slurred through the pencil in her mouth. “I wss looin’ frrward ta tnkering wff it.”

Spike sighed. “We haven’t decided who is going to get it for research. I need to know what the benefits are if we allow you to research it.”

The mare continued to take notes. “Shldnnt be tu haard tu deecde–” she spat out the pencil, but continued tinkering with her gadget “–this is magical technology, and the best way to get the most value is bringing it to us for reverse engineering. Open and shut. Pretty much doesn’t matter what the other departments want.”

Spike groaned. “In this case that’s not good enough. Medical and History have their eyes on this, and it’s a very potentially dangerous relic.”

“What?!” she exclaimed. “What does the past department think it’s doing? Every time we’ve got–” she wheeled around and stopped with a start.

Spike smiled sheepishly.

She barely missed a beat “–something old here they start saying that it’s got ‘historical significance’ or is ‘too dangerous’ to research. What the horseapples is it this time? Maybe an ancient artifact to change mane color they’re afraid will cause awful mismatched ponies?” she mocked.

Spike frowned. “You don’t even know what it’s used for?”

She threw her hooves up in the air. “I’ve been busy! Besides, it doesn’t matter what it does.” She returned to tinkering. “There’s so much lost knowledge in ancient relics its a huge waste to let them sit in a display case somewhere.”

“Leaving it alone is what needs to be done with it.”

She scrunched up her nose. “You’re joking. What exactly does this thing do that–”

“Steals ponies’ magic,” Spike said flatly.

The mare paused and pursed her lips.

Spike closed his eyes with satisfaction. “Yeah. Now you understand?”

She tapped on her chin for a moment. “Yeah, there’s a lot of potential in reverse engineering that.”

Spike’s eyebrows fell down and he glared at the mare. “What exactly is the potential?”

The goggled mare groaned. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

“Do you have to...” Spike muttered to himself. “Yes!” he exclaimed. “That is what I am here for, an explanation of the potential benefits.”

“I’m busy. I don’t have time to explain, I have a job to do,” she said, still staring at her work.

Spike scowled and stomped across the room, summoning the request paper with his fire. He shoved the paper between the mare and her wheel. “Is this your name on this line?”

She reeled back in shock. “Y-yes.”

“And it’s not a forgery? It’s your signature?”

“Yyyyeah.”

“Then, it’s your job.”

She slammed her hooves onto the table. “It’s not my job. My job is to pursue new technology, not try to convince some ignorant dragon to give us things to work on. Get out of my lab so I can do what I came here to do!”

Spike tossed the paper up in the air, incinerating it back into his lungs. “Fine.”

Spike slumped down in the conference room and breathed heavily. ‘What’s wrong with those ponies? I bet Twilight would’ve been able to handle them. I bet anypony else but me would have. I saw how they reacted to a big scary dragon. They’d open up to a pony, right?’

The door opened and Starscribe trotted in. “Good afternoon, Spike. How did the meetings go?”

Spike waved halfheartedly. “Not too well. Yours?”

“It went well enough.”

Spike sighed. “Well… that’s good. What did Blueblood want it for?”

“For its historical significance, mostly. I then told him I would be pursuing some preliminary information. He offered assistance, but I felt no need to inconvenience him further.”

‘You mean inconvenience his assistants. He wouldn’t be helping you personally.’ “I see,” Spike said. “And what did you find out about the relic?”

Starscribe frowned lightly. “Mostly pretty terrifying things. The only reference I could find all day was that it was created—or found, history is inconclusive—by King Electrum, a brutal conqueror.

“He was a unicorn that was reputed to be able to stand on clouds without the aid of spells, shatter stones with his bare hooves, and overpower armies by himself. There were only a few references to the Throne of Absorption… well, just the Throne. Apparently the ponies who discovered it added ‘of Absorption’ to aid in distinguishing it from the throne that sat in the palace. Either way there was only one source explaining its use, but I think it’s pretty clear that he used it to give himself those powers.”

Spike rubbed his eyes and groaned. “Right. So if we’re worried about abuse… who could we give it to?”

Starscribe straightened up and looked into Spike’s eyes. “I think we shouldn’t worry too much about abuse.”

Spike blinked. “... I’m pretty sure that’s the most important part.”

Starscribe shook her head. “No matter where it goes, unless we decide to destroy it somepony might use it for evil. But we’re trying to find out where it’s going to do the most good. So, how much good would it do in the other departments?”

Spike rolled his eyes. “Probably not much.”

Starscribe tilted her head. “... That’s it? What information did you gather?”

‘Uh oh...’ Spike’s grimace melted away. “Um…” He scratched the back of his head. “Pretty much… nothing.”

Starscribe closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes her expression was soft. “What happened?”

“I…” Spike avoided her gaze. “The medical department was evasive. She gave me some massaged statistic about being able to cure something that afflicts one in four ponies. Except it was only considered a medical problem in every couple hundred of those cases, and we can already solve it in a lot of those cases.

“Technology was worse. The contact didn’t even want to tell me about the potential benefits. She was too busy tinkering with her… whatever it was to bother. She gave me a line about how she didn’t want History to get it.”

The air was heavy in the room as Spike waited for a chastisement, or a sigh of disappointment, or even a frown. None were forthcoming from the mare, though.

“... Blueblood didn’t give me trouble per se, he did offer help and was very polite, but I didn’t get a particularly concrete argument for the History department.”

Spike snorted. “That sounds like Blueblood.”

Starscribe’s eyes widened. “... You have previous experience with the prince?”

“... Yeah. We worked with the same pony about five years ago.”

“Then maybe we’re doing the wrong parts of this job.”

Prince Blueblood.

That’s what the new request form said. That’s who Spike agreed to meet with the next day.

He set out some seed for Peewee.

‘Why did I agree to this again? Blueblood is probably worse than the jerks I met today!’

He roughly grabbed one of his unpacked boxes labeled “Gems”, causing several others to fall over. Spike groaned and sat down, opening the box.

‘Maybe it won’t be so bad… I can probably handle him better than Starscribe can, since she doesn’t know to look out for his lies.

‘Maybe I can bring up one of his known hot button issues to get him acting like the Blueblood I know and hate. Get Starscribe to see it.’ Spike chuckled grimly. ‘That sounds like a great way to sabotage my reputation and lose my job.’

He idly rummaged in the box, trying to find a sizable gem for dinner.

‘So, no making Blueblood mad, no matter how much he deserves it… probably. He hasn’t done anything worse than being a jerk I guess. And I don’t have to worry about him freaking out about a huge pointy-toothed dragon like I do with everypony else.’

Spike sighed. ‘That… makes me feel better than it should. It’s still Blueblood.

‘And where’s my dinner?’ He finally paid attention to his claw in the box, only feeling tiny gems. He looked down to find he had eaten all the significantly sized gems already.

His ear frills fell. ‘Great.’ He looked to his window. ‘It’s still light out… I bet the market’s still open. Not looking forward to that. I wonder if there’s a cheap jeweler around somewhere… or better yet, a quarry.’

As he turned to leave the room, his foot caught on something and he was painfully introduced to his floor. He moaned and looked back. A box was spilled out on the floor, which he had carelessly let fall earlier. The whole room was in disarray, half opened unpacked boxes strewn about.

‘And I need to get started on–’ Spike’s stomach growled.

‘... First things first. I’ll do this later. Again.’

Blueblood’s door didn’t have any snarky comments on it this morning. Spike ran his claw over the nameplate, which was one piece and unremovable. ‘I guess the other day he changed it with magic? Some sort of detailed transmutation? Or maybe an exchange spell?’

He knocked on the door, and was rewarded with a distant, “Come in.”

Opening the door he saw Blueblood pouring over some papers.

“Did you find what you needed yesterday, Starscribe?” he asked without looking up. “If you want some help today I need to push out some paperwork first, but I’ll be ready shortly.”

Spike watched Blueblood float a quill by his head, making notes about whatever he was working on. ‘He really does paperwork like this? Or is this just for Starscribe’s “benefit”?’

He cleared his throat loudly.

Blueblood looked up. “Spike? I–” Blueblood paused and his face flashed a frown, then a thoughtful expression, then a grimace, followed by a buisnesslike face. “I apologize, Spike, now is not a good time. I am waiting for a pony from the Department of Interdepartmental Research. Perhaps we could reschedule later?”

Spike gave him a wry grin. “It’s good I’m here for research on the Throne of Absorption, not a social call then.”

Blueblood blinked at Spike. “So… Starscribe–”

“–and I swapped jobs today,” Spike finished. “She’s meeting with the ponies I met with yesterday, and I’m meeting with you.”

Blueblood tilted his head. “So… do you have her research from yesterday? I would like to be kept abreast what we’ve discovered about it.”

Spike took a shallow breath and carefully breathed out Starscribe’s notes from the previous day, they formed in a neat stack which he then snatched out of the air. ‘Hah! Got it that time.’

Blueblood’s eyes widened. “You sent the notes to Cele–the Princess?”

“What? N–Oh! The fire thing.” Spike grinned. “Nah, I figured out how to store papers with fire years ago. It comes in handy.”

“I can imagine so...” Blueblood seemed surprised, but he levitated the papers over to him all the same, beginning to browse them. He frowned. “These sort of tyrant powered relics are far too common.”

“Really? Don’t you guys get a lot of mundane relics? Like unmagical stuff?”

Blueblood sighed. “I suppose so, but those are so mundane nopony is fighting over them. The lower level ponies handle it. And about six months ago we got some relics recently discovered in secret chambers in the Crystal Empire, so I’ve been approving tentative research on tons of relics that were created by Sombra. It’s becoming tiresome.”

“... I guess they’re really keen on sending anything that reminds them of Sombra away, huh?”

“Oh no–” Blueblood scoffed “–they want to destroy anything that reminds them of him. We had to fight tooth-and-hoof to get them to agree to simply send every bit they find out of the empire for study, just so Equestria doesn’t forget the reign of a tyrant and duplicate it.”

“... Huh. Guess you take this History Department thing pretty seriously.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow. “And why wouldn’t I?” he asked sternly.

Spike gave a nervous full-tooth grin. “Well… you didn’t seem too happy about your position as the head of the Department.”

“Well, I certainly would like a more important position, but I can’t do that by making myself look like an incompetent fool. Besides–” Blueblood grunted. “–it really isn’t the worst position in the world. I am still in charge, afterall.” He returned to his paperwork. “I really do have to finish this paperwork before I can focus on the Throne, however. I trust you know your way around a library?”

Spike turned to leave. ‘Yeah. I know my way around a library, even a crazy tower library with a filing system I don’t understand, that I don’t know my way around and that I’ve never looked up a single book in...’ Spike sighed and turned back.

“Actually… I really don’t know my way around the tower yet. Can I get some assistance?”

Blueblood and Spike rode down the tower on the magical lift, saying nothing. ‘Great… I try to avoid him and now I’m stuck working with him all day.’

Spike avoided looking at Blueblood, making a show of taking in the sights of the books of the towers.

Blueblood cleared his throat. “So, Spike, what do you think of the tower?”

“Twilight would’ve loved it,” he said, still not facing Blueblood.

“She did.”

Spike wheeled around to Blueblood. “What?! But the institute only opened up two years ago.”

Blueblood smirked. “The tower had been in my family for generations, used to store arcane lore and historical tomes. It had fallen into disuse. Nopony in my family had been particularly magically or academically inclined. I was the most inclined in generations, and I’ve probably spent more time at parties than at study.

“Showing Twilight the tower was the deciding factor in the location of the Institute,” Blueblood said proudly. “It was…” His tone became soft. “It was the last time we met.”

“But… Twilight revealed the location half a year before she disappeared. You two stopped meeting before that. What happened?”

“We split up.” Blueblood idly pushed a hair out of his face. “Location was the last big detail that we had to iron out together. After that, we divided and conquered, contacting each other with letters. I worked businessponies and donors to handle funding, she started drumming up support in the academic community to attract the best talent.”

Spike scratched his chin. “We did visit an awful lot of universities and libraries in the months leading up to her disappearance.”

Blueblood put on a satisfied grin. “I think we did a pretty good job even after her untimely demise–”

“–disappearance.” Spike interjected.

Blueblood stopped and gave Spike an incredulous look for a moment, before following up with, “... Of course. After that, the rest of the trusted staff and I were able to continue to recruit academic talent. Everypony was chomping at the bit to help out the martyred princess, after all.”

The conversation abruptly stopped there, and Blueblood and Spike waited in awkward silence as the lift descended.

Spike sighed. “Look, I shouldn’t have interrupted. I know most ponies believe Twilight died the day she entered the portal, but I can’t believe it. You don’t have to pretend you believe otherwise though.”

“Well… perhaps the less said on that the better, then. We have arrived anyway,” Blueblood said, his horn glowing blue and the lift stopping.

They were halfway up the tower, the lift opening onto the web of staircases and platforms allowing access to the tomes in the walls.

“How um… stable is all of this?” Spike asked, looking over a hoofrail. “We’re up awfully high.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. We have had a collapse, but the same source of magic that empowers the lifts protected the falling ponies and prevented the debris from causing further destruction.”

“Woah…”

Blueblood flipped his hair haughtily. “Yes, it is truly a marvel of magic.”

Spike gave a flat expression and raised his eyebrow.

“... Anyway”–Blueblood continued, walking over to a stack of books on the platform–“This is the section covering the Late Classical Era, and these are… whatever books Starscribe had set apart. There were other texts that were found with the artifact, but they are still in the process of being archived and copied.”

Spike furrowed his brow. “So, if there are still more texts, couldn’t the history department study those, while another department gets the artifact itself?”

“I assume that the Throne wouldn’t be particularly useful without instructions on its use. Or on hypothetical effects. Tinkering randomly with a relic like this is an awful idea. It should probably be simply locked away, or at least examined heavily before attempting to use it.” Blueblood levitated a book off of the stack “It seems like a very dangerous relic.”

Spike smiled faintly. ‘Wait no!’ He shook his head and wiped the smile off of his face. ‘He’s doing it again! Just because he agrees with me doesn’t mean I should give him a pass. And him trying to get all sentimental about Twilight.’ Spike narrowed his eyes. ‘I’m on to you… again.’ He walked over to a bookshelf and started scanning them for potentially applicable tomes.

Progress was slow. There was a lot of literature on the Late Classical Era, of which King Electrum was just a cruel footnote. Works talked much about his superlative magical prowess and miraculous tribe-transcending feats, which were constantly referred to as exaggeration and myth. Of course, the existence of the Throne of Absorption suggested otherwise.

The breakthrough came late afternoon. Spike was going through an obscure text, Collected Journals of the Late Classical Era(‘What a compelling name,’ Spike thought sarcastically.) when the name Electrum started appearing with regularity.

That specific journal was detailing the observations of the palace doctor, Steady Pulse.

His Highness, King Electrum had the most unusual request for me today. He requested I investigate a method to test magical prowess in any pony, whether they be of the land, skies, or aether. Of course, it is not difficult to tell a strong land pony from a weak one through casual observation, but he was looking for something more specific, possible to record the progress of a single pony over time. I hope this does not take too much time from my duties of healing. I am a healer foremost, after all.

Spike read on, the journal detailing Doctor Pulse’s process of seeking out powerful mares and stallions to administer magical tests on, and then the resulting methods of judging magical power. Unicorns levitated various items and shot beams, powers practically every unicorn could demonstrate. Earth ponies were judged on feats of strength and a single test on their effect on a plant referred to as land’s flame, which the transcriber noted either no longer exists or whose modern name was unknown. Pegasi tests involved flying and wind control using their wings.

‘It’s always fascinating reading about ancient ponies and seeing what used to pass for scientific research. Most of the tests test skill or physical ability just as much, if not more, than sheer magic. Not to mention with special talents things get really complicated. And even then there are tons of magical traits that are left out that could indicate strength, like a unicorn’s magic sensitivity, and it seems that some earth pony magic only comes out in the very long term.’

His Highness was displeased with the tests I have devised for a sky pony. Naturally, since the more powerful sky ponies are always competent fliers, the test was based heavily on their ability to use their wings. This infuriated him. I feel I only have one more chance to correct this, or my life may be forefit. I require assistance, but have no idea who would volunteer under these circumstances. Perhaps subterfuge may be my ally here.

Following this was a description of tests based on cloud control and weather magic. ‘It’s a little better, but I think it’s only better by luck, rather than because he did a lot of thorough testing.’ Spike examined the relative dates on the entries. ‘A few months is a long time. I suppose he must have done at least some testing.’

Thankfully, I have survived the second presentation to His Highness. He then demanded to be tested using all three tests. In shock I protested, but thankfully he was in a forgiving mood. The results shocked me. I knew he was a powerful sorcerer, but he proved more than a match for most land and sky ponies as well. I have never seen a pony of the aether, even as mighty as His Highness, stand freely upon a cloud and control it like a sky pony would. He… must be the coming of unity. The three tribes in one pony. I am honored to be serving one such as he, even if I must weather his mercurial nature from time to time.

The greatest pony must have the greatest standards, after all.

One of the subjects I recruited, Stones Throw, the strongest Earth pony that I could find, came in weak and ill today. There were no symptoms beyond a general weakness. I decided to run him through the land pony tests, upon a whim. Of course they came out with weak magic, as his general weakness. His testing was remarkably stable before this. I have asked him to stay in the capital, and he revealed to me that he was already asked to stay by the king, with the clear implication that he was being forced to stay.

Many entries passed with no more mentions of King Electrum or Stones Throw, until Spike found the following entry:

I have not been writing on this, because it has become routine now to care for Stones Throw, whose condition continues to oscillate between healthy and unhealthy. I have even found several other patients with the same condition, which fluctuates at the same rate of Stones, although the severity varies between each case, the worsening always happens at the same time.

I have… made several correlative observations that are disquieting. I fear even to think of them, much less put them to paper. I shall write no more on this subject.

It is with shame that I admit I have come to fear my liege. Recently he has delivered Stones Throw to me for treatment personally. Stones Throw was heavily bandaged on his barrel and his flank, and unconscious. Even when the ailment was at its worst the salts would still rouse Stones Throw, but now he only wakes for several hours every day, and refuses to speak except of his basic needs. Something has been taken from this stallion, and I suspect I know what it was, hidden by his bandages.

His Highness wears full formal dress all the time now, but he was not when Stones Throw was delivered to me. I clearly saw the symbol upon his flank. Like usual it was a resplendent emperor’s headdress, the sign of his ability to rule. But… I wish I could convince myself I had not seen it, it was embellished with gleams and rays of light when before it was simply the headdress. His refusal to expose his flank has all but confirmed my suspicion.

The other ponies with the same condition as Stones Throw have begun to fall similarly ill. I should not, but my curiosity as an academic and my oath as a healer prevent me from leaving this fallow.

More exceptional ponies have come to the capital under the guise of fighting in His Highness’s army today. They were not summoned to the armories, but instead were admitted to my care. The king was already preparing them for travel, even as they were afflicted.

I used this time to converse with one of the ponies, a sky pony named Faint Breeze. I began making small talk with her. I learned of the kingdom outside of our lands. Our people suffer. Starvation plagues our lands.

But what most broke my heart is what she told me next.

She told me of a throne, well crafted but not opulent, and a set of shackles. the king led her to the shackles and sat upon the throne, and the throne took her magic for the king. And she was happy. Happy to sacrifice her strength for the king. That she could lend him her strength to save our nation from the outside invaders. But I know, from the diplomats, this war is our invasion, not the invasion from others. The king taunts new enemies to prove his strength, and puts all our resources to waging this war.

Perhaps it is madness that causes our king to press forward in battle-frenzy? Could the empowerment of himself with the artifact have led to this? I fear that I am now the only one that truly understands the depths of his corruption.

I have shored up my knowledge, and gathered allies for the conflict ahead. Five capable others I have found to share in my quest.

We have meticulously planned our treachery. Better that the next generation not know our plan, it is the plan of cowards and wretches. But the king’s madness grows. He neglects his duty to his country, in favor of his glory of conquest… and as terrified as I am of his wrath, I am more terrified of what would become of our country if he were allowed to persist.

Tonight we act.

That was the last entry. Spike closed the tome, his blood running cold and mouth dry. ‘He must have failed… This wasn’t just some story. This was a pony who actually lived and died at the hands of King Electrum.’

Spike took a deep breath, calming himself. ‘Remember, this was thousands of years ago. Electrum was deposed eventually.’

Spike looked at the journal pensively, and took a deep breath to calm himself.

“Blueblood,” he called out. “I found something.”

Blueblood exhaled, closing the book. “That is chilling. Well… we know the effects of the relic on its victims.”

“Yeah,” Spike said curtly. “I think we can safely say that this is too dangerous to study.”

“I agree it’s dangerous, but studying it is the only way to make it not dangerous.”

“Unless we destroy it.”

Blueblood frowned. “There are a lot of problems with that, Spike. If we don’t research it someone else will discover it eventually. Besides, what if another monster shows up like Tirek? We don’t have the benefit of the Elements of Harmony anymore.”

“Um… oh. Yeah.” Spike’s ear frills fell. “We do still have Discord and three princesses to help. Besides, the arguments for the other departments were weak at best.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow. “They were? That’s unusual. We sort of have first claim on artifacts like this, and to contest it the other departments need to be fairly serious. They wouldn’t do it if they didn’t have a good reason.”

‘Maybe they did, and you were just too much of a dragon for them.’ Spike’s thoughts betrayed him.‘Too intimidating, too impatient. I bet Starscribe’s doing a good job.’

“Spike!” Blueblood called.

Spike jolted slightly, snapped out of his thoughts. Blueblood was standing on the lift back up. “Uh… did I miss something?”

Blueblood raised his eyebrow. “Apparently. I think this is probably the best we’re going to find today, and I was inviting you back up to my office. I suppose you could stay to continue your search–”

“No!” Spike said, louder than he intended. “I mean, that sounds like a good idea,” he said, dialing his volume back.

Blueblood stared at Spike for a few minutes, Spike not moving. “Well…” he said. “Are you coming?”

“Er… yes.” Spike scrambled to the lift.

Blueblood engaged the lift, and turned to Spike. “Spike, are you okay? You’ve been zoning out a lot today.”

“I’m fine. I’m always like this,” Spike said curtly.

Blueblood’s ear twitched. “You weren’t when we met before. I remem–”

“Well it’s been a long time!” Spike snapped. “And you didn’t really know me then anyway! I don’t know where this familiarity is coming from but…” Spike trailed off.

Blueblood’s ears pressed against his head, but he said nothing and looked away.

Spike closed his eyes and breathed deeply, his own ear frills pressed down. ‘This is ridiculous, why am I snapping at him? It’s not his fault the rest of the institute is filled with jerks. He’s been perfectly polite the whole time.

‘Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you can trust him,’ a part of him retorted.

‘But he’s never done anything suspicious!’ he subvocalized back.

‘He used to get into arguments with Twilight.

‘Considering the subject matter, and that she kept associating with him, that’s probably just another reason to trust him. She has obviously been a good influence on him. He dedicated his life to fulfilling her dream, even!’

Spike glanced to Blueblood, trying not to attract his attention. ‘... He is isn’t he? But he could still be untrustworthy...’

“Um… hey,” Spike said.

Blueblood looked back at Spike. “Hm?”

“What’s uh… your department’s reason for wanting the Throne of Absorption?”

Blueblood shrugged. “To be honest, we don’t have one.”

Spike stared at Blueblood incredulously. “Then, why are you in the running for it at all? Why not freely give it to another department?”

Blueblood smirked. “Well… I already said these sorts of artifacts default to the History department, but I make sure to contest the decision to make the other departments utilize the artifacts. Sometimes they don’t have a good reason, and it would be going to waste not at least preserving these artifacts with respect to their historical value. By contesting it I ensure the artifact goes to the place it will do the most good, even if it’s not my department.”

“But, isn’t that kind of–” Spike searched for the word “–jerky to your own department?”

Blueblood shifted officiously. “The purpose of the departments is to further the research of the whole of Equestria, not to look out for their own interests. If all the departments felt this way, then I would not have to use antagonism to ensure that the limited resources I have control over go to the best places.” Blueblood sighed. “But I must work with the tools I have.”

“Wow, that’s like… actually noble,” Spike said.

Blueblood huffed and muttered, “Don’t act too surprised.”

The lift reached his floor. “So–” Blueblood said, stamping his hoof for emphasis “–with that in mind, what will Starscribe and you be doing with it?”

Spike groaned gently. “It’s… going to depend on what information she brings back.”

“I see.” He levitated the journal over to Spike. “Well, if you think it could help, perhaps you should bring this.”

Spike plucked the book from Blueblood’s blue magic aura. “Sure.”

The lights had just come on when Spike arrived at the conference room again. Starscribe was waiting.

“Good afternoon, Spike,” she said.

“Afternoon. Have you been waiting long?”

She waved her hoof. “It’s not a problem.”

Spike blinked. “That… didn’t answer my question.”

“No, I’m sorry,” she said, then paused, as if waiting for a response. “Have you discovered any more about the Throne of Absorption?”

“Um… yeah,” Spike said, placing the book on the table, a visible bookmark in it. “This is an entry in this penned by a doctor under King Electrum’s employ.” He proceeded to abridge the tale of Doctor Steady Pulse.

A look of concern was on Starscribe’s face. “I… see. It is more or less what I expected.” There was a flash of an apprehensive look at Spike, before her face returned to a neutral expression.

‘What was that?’ Spike thought, before responding. “... Yeah. So did you get any better information from the other departments?”

“... Yes. The Medical Department elaborated on the impact they believed this research would have on ponies’ lives. Admittedly it is not a huge impact, but there are many ponies that this research would help, and there are always additional unknown benefits when purusing new research.”

Spike nodded. “That’s about as much as I got. What about Technology? Did you get anything out of her?”

Starscribe nodded. “She was considerably more difficult, but I was able to work out the potential benefits of allowing her to reverse-engineer the Throne of Absorption. Primarily she is looking for the method it uses to actually transfer the magical source, a generic method to transfer any sort of magic. Currently, in order to conduct magic a source must be prepared for a single pony’s source… the hope is that this artifact is a physical mechanism to store or conduct any pony’s magic, and is not too small or atomic to determine the method when taking it apart.”

“Well… that sounds pretty good, actually.”

Starscribe shook her head. “It’s pretty much all predicated on the notion that there is something to examine inside of it. The throne seems to be of mechanical construction, rather than an magical artifact like the Crystal Heart or similar, and the first step would be to take it apart. If we give it to Technology and they are incorrect, we have destroyed the artifact for nothing.”

Spike tapped his chin with his claw. “Wouldn’t Medical have to do it as well?”

“Miss Heart explained the process to me, and it would involve examining the effects first with diagnostic tools prepared. In fact, I suspect improved diagnostics might come from simply trying to measure the artifact’s effect. They would not be taking it apart except as a last resort.”

“So if we wanted to get the most potential aid from the artifact… Medical’s our bet.”

“Yes, but if we wanted to eliminate the danger of misuse, we should give it to the Technology department. If they are successful in reverse engineering it then the information can be used by a doctor just as easily as someone else, but if they are not then we might only get a little benefit from it.”

“Yeah…” Spike said, looking up in thought. “Alright… I think we should give it to the Medical department.”

Starscribe paused again, tilting her head. “You’ve changed your mind?”

Spike scratched the back of his head. “Uh… Blueblo–the prince changed my mind.”

Starscribe blinked incredulously at him. “That was his opinion? I thought he would have wanted it for his department.”

“Nah, he wanted it to go where it would help the most. I guess he didn’t tell you?”

Starscribe shook her head, eyes closed. “Of course not, the prince is notoriously cagey. He gave me as little information as I imagine he could… I didn’t know how to handle him.”

Spike laughed. “Well I couldn’t handle Miss Liar and Mrs. Grumpy Pants.”

Starscribe frowned. “That’s unfair to them. Neither of them expected to be asked to compete for research material. The mare in technology was forced into her role as a punishment for causing one too many accidents on a previous project.”

Spike wrinkled his nose and crossed his arms. “I’m not exactly doing what I expected to do, but you don’t hear me complaining,” Spike complained.

Starscribe raised an eyebrow at him.

“... Alright maybe that was a bad way to say that.”

Starscribe looked at Spike forebearingly. “She might have been difficult to deal with, but she was frustrated by her circumstance. No, she was not nice to you, and not nice to me, but getting upset about it doesn’t solve the problem. She is a real pony with a real grievance, even if we don’t immediately understand her or think she should be reacting the way she did. Being callous about it doesn’t help her or us.”

Spike shrank in his chair, he could feel his cheeks burning. “Yeah… I guess.”

Starscribe offered a smile. “Don’t be harsh on yourself,” she said. “Everypony has problems, and you just need to keep cognizant your own and to to do better next time. Besides, you’re much better with the prince than I am.”

‘There’s that smile again… ’ Spike shrugged. “I guess. I just knew him from when we both knew T–my old boss. It’s not really a big deal.”

“I think it might be.” Starscribe handed the book back to Spike “The History department doesn’t normally loan out their research volumes.”

Spike looked at the book in his claw.

Starscribe headed out the conference room. “Let’s meet again tomorrow morning, make sure we know what to do, then sign the requisite paperwork.”

“Yeah…” Spike said, still staring at the book. ‘Blueblood gave it to me with no hesitation… He’s just trying to get on my good side, I bet. I should take this back so that he doesn’t get any ideas.’

The main shaft of the tower was well lit from the inside, even later at night, but it was clear the floors were mostly dark.

Spike made to leave the book on the receptionist’s desk, even if it didn’t seem to actually have a receptionist, when he realized that he could actually see the book in front of his face without blowing any fire for light. A faint light was shining from down the hall. The hall Blueblood’s office was in.

Spike looked down the hall, and, sure enough, the light was coming from the crack underneath Blueblood’s office. Spike quietly made his way over to the door, giving it a soft knock.

“... Hello?” He heard Blueblood’s voice inside his office.

Spike opened the door, poking his head in. Blueblood was at his office with a stack of papers, pouring over them.

“Hey,” Spike said softly.

“Spike? What are you doing here so late?”

Spike stepped into the room and held the book up in his claw. “I came to return the book. What are you doing here so late?”

Blueblood motioned to his paperwork. “Well… I was busy researching all day, so it kind of piled up. I’m basically done, just making sure I haven’t missed anything.”

Spike walked over to the desk and set the book gingerly on top of it. “Alright then, I’ll just leave this here…”

“... Good. Did you make a decision?”

“Yeah, we have. It’s going to Medical.”

Blueblood nodded. “Good.” He returned to his paperwork.

Spike watched him do papework for a minute, then made to leave the office. As he was opening the door he turned around. “So… I heard loaning out books wasn’t really done by the History department.”

“Not… typically, no.”

“So why am I special?”

“Well normally it’s a concern for the security and care taken of the books. Of course, since you once were Twilight Sparkle’s assistant, I had nothing to worry about. I know you are trustworthy.”

“But you spent all day working with me, even though you knew you would have to make up the work later that night. Even though I might have been able to work on my own.”

Blueblood frowned. “This is my job. I wouldn’t be able to keep doing it if I were unwilling to go the extra mile, as it were.”

Spike hesitated again. He looked over at Blueblood. ‘Have I been too harsh on him? I guess I haven’t really treated him that badly… other than running out on him. And snapping at him. And avoiding him…’ “Blueblood… you had wanted before to speak to me about something before I um… ran out on you?”

“Yes… You wanted to speak on it now?”

“Yeah. I’ll hear you out.”

Blueblood quickly levitated the remaining papers into his outbox, dumping them unceremoniously into it. “Could you close the door? And please, have a seat.”

Spike closed the door gently, and took a seat on the other side of Blueblood’s desk.

Blueblood drew the drapes over his window.

Spike’s stomach dropped. ‘Oh no, what have I got myself into?’

Blueblood turned back to Spike and sat at his desk. “Spike, I’d like your help with a project, but first–” Blueblood shifted his eyes around as if he was looking for someone to spy on him “–if I tell you, could I get your guarantee that, agree or disagree, you don’t spread what I am doing around?”

“Just what are you asking my help with?” Spike narrowed his eyes.

“Nothing illegal, but I’m afraid there are some ponies that might not take it as something good. I have Equestria’s best interests at heart.”

Spike eyed Blueblood warily. “Alright… I’ll keep it a secret, unless it’s overtly evil.”

Blueblood nodded. “Good. Spike, I’d like for you to help me identify candidates for new bearers of the Elements of Harmony.”

Spike’s mouth hit the floor.

“Now,” Blueblood quickly added, holding up a hoof. “Please let me finish before you respond.

“I think the Elements have become an important part of Equestria’s safety. You remember when the Smokey Mountains erupted, and it took a small army of ponies to prevent collateral damage, and they still failed mostly? The mountain wouldn’t have erupted at all if it weren’t for the old dark magic infecting it that had been sealed away by the Elements. Now we can’t even tell if the dark magic is gone, or if it’s going to erupt again after the magic builds up.”

Spike continued to stare at Blueblood, his mouth agape.

“And that’s not the only disaster that the Elements could have mitigated, and I think everypony is secretly dreading another Tirek- or Nightmare Moon-level disaster. They are not uncommon, after all, and I think everyone would be more comfortable if we had the Elements as well as the princesses and–” Blueblood gave a small shudder “–Discord.”

Spike blinked in Blueblood’s direction.

“Now, you may be wondering why I am asking for your help… and that’s because you are uniquely qualified to locate new Elements. Apart from the princesses and the former Elements —whom I would expect would be fairly reluctant to locate a new set—you are probably the most knowledgeable creature alive when it comes to the Elements. You have known all the different Elements for years, and knew Twilight for nearly all of her life… certainly all of your life.”

Spike did nothing but blink more vigorously.

Blueblood straightened himself up. “And I’m far too conspicuous and suspicious to find excuses for myself to investigate a large number of ponies around the institute, although I can be discreet enough about acquiring background information. I have been trying to do this alone, and I simply don’t know enough about the Elements, so–”

Blueblood looked Spike in the eye. “–will you help me?”

Spike said nothing for a minute, before breaking into a full body laugh. He cackled wildly, his chest and shoulders heaving with every laugh. Pretty soon he was gasping for breath, and had to prop himself up with his forearm.

Blueblood’s lip twitched. “I didn’t realize it was so hilarious. Are you quite finished?”

“Yeah,” Spike said between breaths and chuckles. “Just… it’s not... what you think. Gimme… a… minute.”

Spike finally composed himself. “Okay.” He took a breath and suddenly doubled over, coughing. A puff of flame drifted up and formed six sheets of paper, which appeared in a messy group in the air, scattering on the way to the ground.

Blueblood grabbed a sheet and hovered it in front of his face, mumbling, “Honesty?” His magic aura enveloped another sheet, bringing it up. “Generosity?” The other sheets were gathered and examined as well.

He set the sheets down on the table, with wide eyes and slack jaw. “So, you were already looking for Elements?”

Spike gave a sputtering chuckle. “Yeah.”

Blueblood stared at the Magic sheet, with Xenon’s name on it.

Spike gave a half cough. “So, um… you were asking me for my help?”

Blueblood shook his head lightly. “Yes… yes, of course. Help to do… what you were already doing.”

“That’s the gist of it, yeah.”

Blueblood tensed up. “So will you do it?”

“I…” ‘I shouldn’t. He’s Blueblood, right?’ Spike thought.

He hasn’t done anything wrong,’ he retorted. ‘And he’s offering to help me. And he can help me find the time to look for the Elements. And he knows the institute better than I do. And… he has spent his life pursuing Twilight’s dream. Even though it’s probably not what he wanted to do with his life… Maybe I should give him a chance.’

Spike straightened up and looked Blueblood in the eyes. “Yes. I’ll do it.”

Blueblood’s shoulders relaxed. “Really?” He laughed lightly. “That’s wonderful!”

Spike broke into an amused grin, and offered his claws curled up into a fist.

Blueblood looked at it for a moment, confused. “Oh,” he said softly, and lifted his hoof to align with Spike’s fist.

Blueblood lightly bumped his hoof to it. He looked at his hoof for a moment, and then back to Spike, and smiled.

Recollection - A Palace of Note

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 5 - Difficult Researchers

Spike huffed as he ran across the institute on four claws, which has always been his faster mode of transportation, narrowly dodging ponies along the way. A particularly irate pony said some unpleasant terms Spike hadn’t ever heard before. He hadn’t known there were slurs for dragons.

But all of that couldn’t keep Spike’s mood down.

‘I just have to get through today! Then I’ve got to meet Blueblood and we can start figuring out what the first step in with searching!’ He gave a wheezing chuckle to himself. ‘I was avoiding him so much before, and now I’m looking forward to it because he offered to help me with the search?

‘Ahh, whatever. I’m in a good mood, and I won’t let silly things like logic ruin it!’

Spike collapsed on his stomach, breathing heavily when he arrived at the Office of Interdepartmental Research.

The receptionist raised his eyebrow at Spike. “Good morning,” he stated.

“Hey.” Spike panted. “Sorry for being late… I hope it hasn’t been a problem.”

“Not for me,” the receptionist said.

“Good”

“But you should probably be worried about the stallion who’s been waiting for you since before I got here this morning.”

Spike’s eyes snapped open and he scrambled onto his hind legs. “Okay! Yes! I’m ready for work!”

The receptionist handed Spike a folder. “The stallion asked for you specifically.”

‘I’m already getting a good reputation! That’s the power of Equestria’s Number One Assistant in action… or maybe the power of Blueblood putting in a good word for me.’ Spike smiled a toothy grin and exclaimed, “I’ll do it!” He dramatically slammed the papers down on the receptionists desk.

“Awesome!” a familiar voice rang out from around the corner of the hallway.

Spike’s smile faded from his face.

A familiar peach coated unicorn with an aqua mane trotted out from the hallway. “I was worried you wouldn’t be happy about it!”

Spike’s eye twitched. ‘It’s this jerk again?!’ Spike snatched up the request papers and actually looked at the assignment he was given.

It read: Proposal for Data Gathering on Dragon Biology.

‘This isn’t for an assistant position! It’s to be a guinea pig!’ Spike scowled at the unicorn stallion. “I changed my mind.”

“What?!” the stallion exclaimed. “You can’t do that! You agreed to it already!”

“I hadn’t looked at the papers yet,” Spike stated, keeping himself calm. “I didn’t know it was to be studying me. Do you have anything else for me?” He looked at the receptionist.

“It’s not like anyone else can do this, so no,” the receptionist droned.

“Come on!” the stallion implored. “There’s no reliable data on dragons for anything! It’s all legends and hearsay. We can only learn so much by watching dragons from a distance.”

“I–” ‘He’s right, though. The information we have on dragons is everything but scientific. The best books we have mostly deal in rumors… one claimed that dragons need to eat a tenth their weight in gems every month or they’ll go on a murderous rampage… Well, I have that gullible researcher to thank for Celestia making gems part of my diet, but how many other rumors like this are so dumb that they would hurt ponies?’ Spike looked down at the paperwork again. It indicated the planned tests are interviews about lifestyle, physical tests, a few blood samples, and magical scans. Like a more intensive doctor’s physical. ‘And it would look pretty bad for me to turn down my first request for me specifically…’

Spike sighed. “Fine.”

The unicorn lept into the air, pumping his hoof. “Yes! You won’t regret it! It’ll be the best thing!”

Spike pinched the bridge of his muzzle. ‘We’ll see about that.’

“Here it is: The Flora and Fauna Department!” the stallion announced, showing it off with his hoof.

He wheeled around and strutted into the department grounds. The buildings for this department were highly specialized. Many buildings had large doors, and some had no doors at all, opening to large workshops where ponies examined various critters. Trees and other plants were growing on the roof of several buildings, and greenhouses dotted the district.

The unicorn leading Spike stopped in front of a building with a very large loading door, but approached the pony-sized door. He jiggled the door knob with his hoof, finding it locked.

He rapped loudly on the door and called, “Sea Dream!”

There was a faint sound of approaching hoofsteps. The door opened a crack and a beige pony’s head stuck out. “What do you want, Whiptail?”

“It’s the first day of my project, Dreamy!”

Sea Dream groaned and rolled her eyes. “Whiptail, I’m busy with the irrigation project. I don’t have time to entertain your dragon research fantasies.”

“They’re not fantasies anymore,” Whiptail said, cocksure.

Dream stared at Whiptail. She started pushing the door further open. “You can’t tell me you found a dragon to actually agree to–” She stopped suddenly, finally catching a glimpse of Spike. “... No way.”

The door opened and Sea Dream, a beige and blue earth pony, walked out, marveling at Spike. “You’re–” She cocked her head “–not that big.”

“I noticed,” Spike said flatly.

She reeled back in surprise at Spike’s voice.

Whiptail piped up. “So, you’re ready to begin, right? You signed up for it.”

Sea Dream sighed. “Yeah, let me just go tell the irrigation team.” She disappeared back into the building.

“... What’s an irrigation?” Spike asked.

“Something that minotaurs do to water plants instead of getting a pegasus to do it.”

Spike cocked his head. “Why would–”

The door flew open again revealing Sea Dream. “Right. Let’s get on with this.”

Whiptail twisted around and dramatically pointed his hoof. “This way!” he announced in a melodramatic heroic voice.

The three of them set out across the Flora and Fauna department, but didn’t get very far before Whiptail interrupted them with a quick, “Hang on, I wanna talk to someone.”

Across the street were five ponies transporting several large carts with a few large tropical trees laid down on their sides, the kind with broad fronds that Spike would see on beaches in comics. Instead of coconuts, however, the trees had clusters of vibrantly colored fibers formed into balls growing off the trunk.

The rustling sound they made as the tree shifted was pleasant, but Spike was in no mood for cheer.

Whiptail called out, “Hey, Garden Spice! Check it out!”

More than just the group of ponies moving the tree turned to look at Whiptail. It felt like the entire street turned their heads to face Whiptail, and immediately locked their eyes on Spike.

“Guess who got a bona-fide dragon for his research!” Whiptail called out.

A cry was heard from a pony across the street. Some ponies recoiled, others simply widened their eyes, a few of them started whispering to each other.

“I know, awesome, right?” Whiptail yelled.

There was no visible response, but Whiptail just hopped and twisted around to face Spike and Sea Dream. “Come on, we don’t have time to deal with speechless ponies.” He set out to the aforementioned destination.

Sea Dream sighed and, following Whiptail, muttered, “Agreeing to this was a mistake.”

Whiptail made sure to get lots of attention, calling to every pony he knew, strutting proudly ahead of Spike and Sea Dream. Which meant there were lots of gawkers at Spike.

He fought off the urge to scowl as ponies whispered too loudly to each other and stared. Spike glared at a pony off to the side, who averted her eyes and started whistling, pretending to mind her own business.

Spike snorted. ‘I can’t believe this guy. Strutting around like he discovered me, all for his own glory.’

"So, where did you find this dragon, Whiptail?" Sea Dream said.

Whiptail laughed. "I just found him near the statue a couple days ago, and asked the Office of Interdepartmental Research if they could find me a dragon."

‘I’m right here! You can literally ask me!’ Spike groused internally.

“Well, seems like a lucky break,” Sea Dream said. “Given that you have been rambling about dragon research for months.”

“Sure was! I figur–”

“I work here,” Spike spat, interrupting Whiptail.

Whiptail and Sea Dream both stopped, shocked. Spike continued on forward.

“I’ve been working for the Office of Interdepartmental Research as a junior researcher for about a week and a half now,” Spike groused, walking past them.

Spike stopped in place and squeezed his eyes closed. ‘Oh no, I just told a dragon-obsessed jerk that I was staying here permanently. For a brief second of witty satisfaction, that wasn’t even that good.’

“That’s fantastic!” Whiptail exclaimed.

‘I’m so stupid.’

“So,” Whiptail said, jumping in front of Spike, a broad toothy smile on his face. “If we don’t finish today you’ll still be available?”

Spike calmed himself, and opened his eyes. “I still have my job to do, in addition to this. I’m a busy dragon.”

“Then let’s not waste time!” Whiptail exclaimed, and excitedly headed off through the department grounds.

Spike sat, looking very put out, on an examination bench surrounded by advanced medical equipment. This office was very spartan. There weren’t any posters on the walls, save for a few reminders for the doctors, nor was the bench padded very well. In fact, the comfortable amenities that ponies would be accustomed to were missing from this clinic, Spike expected.

This is because it was a veterinary clinic.

Sea Dream gently tapped Spike’s knee with a small hammer.

“You’re gonna need to hit it at least twice that hard to get through his scales,” Whiptail intruded. “They’re tough.”

Spike fought off a snarl. “How much longer are we going to be doing this part?”

Whiptail picked up a clipboard with papers with his hoof, and idly flipped through them. “Well… the physical health examinations, scans, blood samples and photographic records are probably going to take a couple more hours, and then we’ll get to the fun stuff.”

Sea Dream narrowly dodged Spike’s reflexive rear claw flail.

“... The fun stuff,” Spike said in disbelief.

Whiptail grinned. “The strength and endurance tests.”

Spike groaned.

Whiptail cocked his head to the side. “What’s wrong with that? It’s more interesting than this part, for sure.”

Spike huffed. ‘Can’t disagree with him, there.’

The earth pony currently measuring the proportions of Spike’s limbs piped up. “So, the reason I’m here is because this is such a boring job you can’t bring yourself to do it yourself?” she said snidely.

“Naw,” Whiptail replied. “You’re here ‘cause I dunno how to use the scanning equipment.”

Sea Dream sighed. “Right… how you got clearance to be in charge of this project is beyond me.”

Whiptail smirked. “I have insider dragon knowledge. Besides, I came up with the idea!”

‘Insider… knowledge? What does he me–’

Sea Dream grunted, held up a small magical light near Spike’s muzzle. “Open wide please.”

Spike opened his mouth, and she peered into his maw, inspecting his teeth. “Stick out your tongue please.”

Spike slithered his tongue slightly, and she grabbed it roughly, pulling it out as far as it will go. “Aaaauw,” Spike protested as she measured its length.

“Hooo-ee that is long,” Whiptail marveled.

Sea Dream made some notes on her clipboard. “Isn’t there something you can actually do to research right now, instead of just watching me work?” She got up and moved towards the more advance equipment.

“Calm down, I was gettin’ to that,” Whiptail explained. “Couldn’t ask him questions ‘til after you’re done with that part.” He produced his clipboard. “So, first off: Diet. What do you eat and in what composition?”

“A mixture of vegetables and gemstones. More vegetables these days,” Spike replied.

Whiptail raised his eyebrow. “No meat?”

“Nope.”

“Not ever?”

“Well not… never.” Spike fidgeted. “I used to eat fish sometimes, and I’ve tried a few other things… but no, I generally don’t eat meat. I get funny looks when I try to.”

“Weird. Uh… what about eating other kinds of treasure?”

Spike blinked. “Other… kinds?”

“Like gold.”

“I can do that?”

“I dunno. I heard somewhere dragons could.”

“Well, I’ve never tried.”

“Alright. What about rocks?”

Spike put on an unamused expression. “Rocks.”

“Yeah!”

“No,” Spike said sternly.

“Why not? They’re made of the same stuff as gems.”

“Do you eat dirt?”

“... Course not.”

“Why not? It’s made of the same stuff that plants are made of.”

“Yeah, but it’s not in the right structure to be used by our bo–oh.”

“Eeyup,” Spike said with a neutral face.

Whiptail blinked and tilted his head. Spike mentally facepalmed. ‘That’s right, no Big Macintosh means no one understands the reference.’

“Rrrright,” Whiptail said. He picked up his pen with his hoof and put it in his mouth, making a note. “Queshtin two: How old are you?”

“Nineteen.”

He chuckled through his pen. “Shomething we haff in common.” He took a note. “When didjoo have any growth shpurtsh?”

“Um… I don’t remember when I was really young… but–” ‘I grew a bit when Twilight became princess… but not much. I didn’t shoot up until right after she disappeared.’ “–the first one started about four years ago.”

“Enny othersh?”

‘The last one… after the breakup I shot up the last foot and a half.’ “A year ago.”

Whiptail nodded through his writing. “Mhm, mhm. Any shignificant thingsh happen to you thosh yearsh?”

Spike managed to look anywhere but at Whiptail. “... Nothing much.”

“Uh… ok.”

“The magic scanners are ready!” Sea Dream announced.

Whiptail spat his pencil out. “Great! We’ll do more of this later!”

Spike got himself hooked up to the scanner, which involved attaching magic-sensitive nodes to a variety of places on himself, all hooked up to a metal device of some sort. He remembered something very similar used to be in the library’s basement, complete with a large metal dome for a hat.

Spike sat silently for a few minutes as Sea Dream worked the device.

“... Wow,” she said.

Whiptail peered over at the readings, hidden from Spike. “... Is that good?”

“Well, it’s a pretty high reading.”

“Oh… How high?”

“He’s reading about three times as much as a typical pony would. Even if his body is less magic-efficient and emitting more residual magic, it still indicates a big reserve,” Sea Dream explained. “Not quite as much as a really powerful unicorn gives off.”

“These spikes here mean most of the magic is from his chest?”

“Yes, there’s a large amount of residual magic coming from the upper chest region.”

Whiptail nodded. “Mm. Dragonfire. Yes. What else?”

Sea Dream examined the values more. “Everything that fire goes through is a bit more magical than everything else. I… think maybe his teeth are pretty magical? I’d have to change the locations of the diodes to work… and figure out how to stick them in his mouth.”

Spike frowned. ‘I knew it, they’re considering more invasive tests.’

Sea Dream looked up. “Can you get him to breathe some dragonfire to see the results?”

“You could just ask,” Spike groused.

She looked up with an embarrassed grimace. “I wanted to know if that was in the bounds of the experiment.”

Whiptail shrugged. “I guess so.”

Sea Dream looked at him agape. “You… guess?”

“Just make sure it’s not too rough for the next part of the test,” he followed up.

Spike raised his eyebrow, but took a deep breath anyway, and blew gently out a constant gout of green fire, trying to limit the distance from his muzzle.

The researcher’s eyes went wide. “It’s… green?”

Whiptail wiggled his eyebrows. “Yeah. Pretty cool huh?”

‘Great. I’m a sideshow. Just like earlier today.’ Spike stopped his flame, while the two equine researchers poured over the information. ‘The biggest irony is, if this were five years ago I would eat up this attention and not even notice it was condescending.’ He puffed out smoke in a huff. ‘Just shows how much wiser I am now.’

Whiptail turned to Spike. “Alright, we’re done with this part, dragon.”

Spike grunted.

“There’s more coming, though. Bloodwork and some more questions, so let’s get to it!”

Spike surveyed the white limestone quarry in front of him. It was cut down into the side of a hill, and even the shallow side was deeper than he was tall. The walls were straight and cut, and there were large rectangular stones that were cut out of the walls but hadn’t been moved, and a lot of half broken larger bricks and rubble.

“Right. So we’re here,” Spike said.

“It’s true!” Whiptail replied.

“Yeah. Why are we here?”

“The fun part!” Whiptail said, hopping high into the air. “The physical limits test!” He trotted out into the white expanse.

“... But why are we an hour out of town for this?”

“Because it’s got everything we need! Big rocks for strength testing, target practice for fire, lots of room for endurance,” he said, clearly indicating those as he explained.

Spike sighed. “Right. Let’s get this going.”

“Aww,” Whiptail said. “Don’t be down, I know no one else will be here to see how awesome you are, but it’ll all be recorded for posterity.” He hoisted his saddlebags off onto a nearby stone. “We’ve got a lot of stuff to do, and we need some warm-ups, first. So, come on!” He took off at a brisk pace around the upper rim of the quarry.

“I… hold on!” Spike called, and started out after Whiptail.

Whiptail just laughed.

Spike flopped down on the ground, finally released from Whiptail’s excessive warm-up. His legs ached and he he was short of breath.

Whiptail trotted over Spike. “Whoo, you are not in shape, are ya?”

Spike couldn’t muster the energy to snarl. Instead he groaned.

Whiptail laughed again. “We’ll take a break, then move onto the actual tests.”

Spike laid on the ground until his limbs felt better… then laid down for a few more minutes for good measure, then sat up. Whiptail had moved slightly down into the quarry proper, laid out several clipboards, and marked several stones and walls with black marks, stark against the white sandstone walls. Currently he was measuring a particularly large stone with a measuring tape, held with his hooves.

Spike watched him measure for a moment, wondering why it seemed weird he was using his hooves and mouth. His eyes drifted to Whiptail’s horn. ‘Oh. That’s why. Why isn’t he using his magic for this? It’s not like his horn doesn’t work, he beat me pretty good with it the other day...’

Spike glanced down at Whiptail’s flank. It was adorned with a lasso cutie mark. ‘I guess that explains the lasso spell… doesn’t quite explain the shield. What’s his mark for? Critter wrangling?’

Whiptail spun around, and broke into a big toothy grin. “Aha! Have you caught your breath? I’m ready for the next part!”

Spike nodded hesitantly.

“Good!” He roared, “Time for fire!” He lifted a device, which had a gage and a pointing wand, above his head.

“Um…”

“Come on!” he said, beckoning energetically with his forehoof. “Time to get to the best part! How much fire you can breathe!”

‘Another test I’d probably be super excited to do when I was younger,’ Spike thought. He sighed and walked down into the quarry, next to Whiptail. “Right, what do you need?”

“I’m gonna use this doohickey–” Whiptail motioned to the device in his hoof “–to measure the heat in the center of your fire, and the magic levels of it.”

He motioned to a stone marked with a black X. “Aim for the mark, and breathe the biggest fireball you can.”

Spike calmed his breathing, closed his eyes, and linked to the well of magic he could feel deep in his chest. He gathered his magic, filling his lungs with as much magic as he felt he could muster, preparing for a whopper of a fireball. He inhaled and could feel himself warming up as that magic prepared to become fire. He opened his eyes, parted his muzzle slightly to aim, and sharply exhaled, expelling the gathered magic along with the heated air in his lungs. A large green plume of flame burst from his muzzle, forming a hefty plume that struck the marked stone in its center, scorching a good meter-wide mark in the limestone.

After a moment, a disappointed sound came from slightly behind him. “... Huh.”

“Whaddya mean, ‘huh’?” Spike wheeled around.

Whiptail was looking unimpressed, and he plodded over to his notes.

“That was premium dragon fire!” Spike exclaimed, pointing at the scorch mark on the wall.

“Well…” Whiptail waggled his head back and forth, not looking at Spike. “I guess it was pretty hot, and the green color is really cool, but I sorta expected it to be… bigger.”

Spike pursed his lips together and grunted.

“Not that it’s a big deal.” Whiptail said, dismissing the issue with a wave of his hoof. “I just thought it would be a lot bigger based on your size.”

Spike looked back at the scorch mark. ‘... It’s not like this is really much bigger than it was when I was a baby dragon. Shouldn’t I have improved more?’

A memory formed in Spike’s mind of a huge plume of orange flame he produced to save an entire stadium. ‘I was capable of more fire that long ago too… even if it was during an emergency. I should be capable of… a bit more than this, right?’

“Wait,” Spike announced, holding his claw out to stop Whiptail from taking his notes. “I’ll try again.”

Spike gathered magic in his chest again, trying to force more magic into it, inhaled deeply and breathed out forcibly again, sending another brilliant green blast of fire at the wall. It succeeded in expanding the scorch mark by a couple feet, but was only slightly larger.

Whiptail made a thoughtful grunt. “It was… a little bit better. But only a little.”

“I know,” Spike growled. “I’ve made much more fire before.”

“And… what, you forgot how?” Whiptail said incredulously.

“It was an emergency,” Spike snapped. “I just did it instinctively.”

“So, do it instinctively... again?”

Spike wrinkled his snout. “It doesn’t work that way. Even if it was instinctively I’d be able to figure out at least how it was done.”

“Well, maybe we could reproduce the circumstances? What happened last time to set it off?”

‘A gigantic falling ice cloud… that would be a bad plan.’ “... There was a lot of ice. I melted it.”

Whiptail raised an eyebrow. “Uh… that’s it? When was this?”

“The past. I’m going to keep trying,” Spike said, turning back to his target and inhaling deeply. His chest expanded as he tried to puff every bit of space he could for more air and magic and exhaled forcefully, trying to get every bit of air and gathered magic out of his lungs… producing a slightly larger fireball.

Spike panted. ‘How did I do it? I should be still able to do something at least slightly close, but this is completely different. Just slightly larger fireballs. I can’t breathe more air or gather much more magic than I am. I’m not running out of fire or anything… I’ve got a lot of magic left. Probably because my lungs are still pretty small. I just can’t use more magic at once.’

Spike inhaled again, as deep as he could, and gathered as much magic as he could muster at once. He spat the flames out his mouth, poorly aiming and not producing a visibly larger flame, just a messier one. He forced more air of his mouth, his flames dwindling to a thin wispy plume wafting from his lips, both his breath and the magic in his lungs dwindled.

Right before the end, he pushed just a bit more magic from his gut, burping out a bright green plume. The fire came unbidden, without his breath, although it didn’t coalesce into a paper.

Spike stopped in surprise. ‘Wait… that was more fire than I had breath… created by magic? That’s the trick!’

A hoof suddenly laid on Spike’s shoulder, and he twitched in shock, and whirled around. Whiptail was there, a worried look on his face.

“That last one was pretty uh… raw. Maybe we should move on”–

“No!” Spike interrupted, a wild look in his eyes. “I got it now!” He spun around and faced the irregular scorch mark. “Stand back,” he commanded, moving Whiptail slightly back with his claw.

Spike inhaled one more time, gathering magic as he usually did… and pursed his lips and slowly exhaled the fire, but not gently. He blew a strong but thin stream of fire out of his mouth, drawing more magic into his lungs as he breathed it out.

The stream of flame, much thinner than his flamboyant fire blasts from before, licked out toward the target, barely touching it. Spike increased the pressure of his magic and found that as he fed his fire more magic, more was simply produced without running out of breath as quickly. He didn’t have to force it out of his lungs as he had to hold his lungs steady. Spike fed more and more magic to his fire, the core still green but the edges turning orange, opening his maw wider as the pressure of the fire coming from his mouth increased.

The flame roared as its intensity increased. Spike could feel the heat from the flames, pleasant for a dragon, but surely not as pleasant for the poor rock, which was completely bathed in green and orange fire, as well as a good part of the surrounding ground and walls by the time Spike truly ran out of breath and magic.

Of course, being rocks they didn’t really light on fire, instead the center of the target was glowing orange.

Spike panted, and a warmth spread over Spike from his lungs. He puffed up his chest proudly, and snorted out a small cloud of smoke. ‘Hah! That’s how I did it back in the Crystal Empire! Instead of shoving all the gathered magic out in just one big flame, I kept feeding the fire in my lungs more magic in desperation. Doing it this way is a lot more satisfying than the old way.’

“Hoooo yeah! That’s more like it!” Whiptail’s voice resounded from behind Spike.

Spike glanced back at Whiptail, who was bounding, and looked away to hide his smile.

Whiptail laughed. “I can see that smile there. Ain’t it better like this than bein’ all mopey?”

Spike’s smile faded. “Mopey…?”

Whiptail trotted toward the center of the target, but it didn’t take long before he started making mild yelps of pain and hopped away. “Wooh. That is hot.” He looked at his unadorned hooves. “Maybe I should get some boots.”

Spike stomped up in front of Whiptail, barely even noticing the heated stone on his claws. “Whaddya mean mopey?”

Whiptail looked up at Spike, blinking innocently. “Uh… you’ve been mopin’, like, all day.”

“You… you knew I was in a bad mood?!” Spike said incredulously.

Whiptail raised an eyebrow. “It was pretty obvious, mate.”

Spike frowned. “So you knew and still paraded me around town?”

Whiptail shrugged. “Yeah… it didn’t put you in a better mood. I dunno why.”

“Why would a bunch of whispering nervous strangers put me in a good mood?!”

Whiptail frowned. “Nervous? They weren’t nervous, they were amazed. You’re way more impressive than the usual critters that we get.”

“They were gawking! I’m not a critter, and I’m not a… carnival attraction!”

“Of course you aren’t, but that’s not a reason to be all mopey about bein’ a dragon.”

“Being a... “ A lightbulb went off in Spike’s head “This is about the same thing that it was the day at Twilight’s statue, isn’t it?”

“Well… yeah. You were in a bad mood then too.”

“You were insisting that I was just a brainless animal,” Spike growled.

“I… what?” Whiptail scrunched up his nose. “No!” he protested.

Spike leaned down close to Whiptail’s face. “Yeah you did. You were all about how I wasn’t a pony, and how I belonged in the fauna department. Like I was just a dumb animal.”

Whiptail rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I–”

“And then you asked me to be your guinea pig,” Spike said.

Whiptail shrugged. “You agreed to it.”

Spike turned around and flung his hands into the air. “And now you’ve dragged me all the way into this quarry out in the middle of nowhere to marvel at how great it is that I can breathe fire.”

“It’s hardly the middle of now–”

Spike snapped his head back to Whiptail. “And you won’t quit with that smug insufferable tone!” he shouted. “Just. Shut. Up.”

Whiptail stopped mid word, his mouth hanging open.

“So, if we’re done, why don’t you just leave me alone,” Spike said.

Spike started stomping away, but was halted by Whiptail’s voice, free of the usual humor.

“Because you’re mopey.”

Spike turned back, surprised.

Whiptail continued. “I saw a dragon—a ferocious, firebreathing dragon!—looking like he was about to cry in front of Princess Twilight’s statue.” Whiptail stepped toward Spike, the normal bounce gone from his step. “So, I decided to interrupt him. Get him thinking about something else.”

“By reminding me how much a pony I’m not.”

“By reminding you you’re a dragon. One of the mightiest races on this planet.”

Spike huffed out a puff of smoke. “Trust me, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

Whiptail raised his eyebrow. “Why not? Dragons are strong, tough, and amazing. Why aren’t you proud to be a dragon?”

“Yeah… because nervous stares and whispers from ponies that might’ve even known you for years is pleasant,” Spike ranted, throwing his claws into the air.

“So there are some jerks out there. So what? Forget ‘em.”

“It’s not a few jerks. I’ve got self-righteous mares who get lauded for defending the town against the horrible dragons… entire crowds who stare at me when I show up.”

Spike pointed a claw at Whiptail. “But you know the worst part…” He let his claw down as his shoulders drooped. “I can hardly blame them. Every single dragon I’ve met has been a monster. Jerks who can’t handle not getting their way, animalistic feral dragons who would kill over a few stolen scraps, monsters who can’t even take a nap without endangering hundreds of lives.”

Spike looked away. “Greedy beasts who can’t tell friends from possessions anymore.”

He looked back at Whiptail, his gaze meeting Whiptail’s. “You wondered why I wasn’t proud of being a dragon? Dragons are monsters, and I don’t want to be a monster. That’s why I’m not proud of it.”

Whiptail looked back at Spike with pity in his eyes. “You can’t just… stop being what you are. If you can’t accept what you are you’ll never really be happy.”

Spike frowned and looked away.

“Besides, I’ve met another good dragon.”

Spike looked back in shock.

Whiptail was smirking again. “That’s right,” he said, his mirth returning. “I knew a great dragon. He wasn’t even you.”

Spike made a ‘go on’ motion.

The stallion puffed up his chest. “The great dragon Whiptail.”

Spike lowered his eyelids in a deadpan expression. “No.”

“Um…. what?”

“No. I refuse to believe that you’ve been some kind of dragon-in-disguise this whole time.”

“Oh… I…” Whiptail laughed. “No. Nononononono. That’s not what I mean at all. I’m not Whiptail the dragon. I was named for Whiptail the dragon.”

Spike’s jaw dropped.

Whiptail chuckled. “This would have been easier if I had introduced myself earlier.” He cleared his throat, stood up straight, looked Spike in the eye, and held out his hoof. “Whiptail Shoot, at your service.”

Spike looked at the proffered hoof dubiously. “You paraded me around all day.”

“To let you show off.”

“You constantly reminded me that I’m not a pony when we first met.”

“Because you’re not one, and you should be proud of that.”

“You didn’t leave me alone when I clearly walked away from you.”

“Because you were in a bad mood.”

“... You taunted me when I was angry. You attacked me with your magic lasso.”

Whiptail raised his eyebrow challengingly. “I didn’t know whether you were really dangerous or just frustrated. Confronting you was the best way to find out… besides it was fun.”

Spike pinched his muzzle with his claws. “I… could’ve seriously hurt you!”

Whiptail smirked. “But you didn’t. I think it went alright.”

“We both wound up arrested.”

“I didn’t say it went well.”

Spike sighed laboriously. “... You’ve seriously been trying to cheer me up this whole time?”

“More or less.”

“You’ve been doing a crummy job.”

Whiptail shrugged with a smile. “I was closin’ in on the right way to do it. I got you to smile about the fire, didn’t I?”

Spike sighed again. “Fine, let’s start over.” He balled up his fist and lightly tapped Whiptail’s hoof. “I’m Spike.”

Whiptail finally put his hoof back on the ground. “Nice to meetcha, Spike. Thanks for helpin’ me with my project here. I’ve been interested in dragons for a long, long time.”

“Yeah… you’re welcome.”

Whiptail trotted over to his notes. “Now, I know you thought we were done, but we aren’t. I wanted to get some strength tests.”

“Hmn… okay.” Spike stretched his arms. “Let’s do it.”

Spike’s muscles ached as he plodded back to the institute on all fours down the path through the wooded area. Whiptail, by contrast, was waiting ahead for Spike to catch up for the third time.

When Spike finally caught up, Whiptail said, “I think, overall, today went pretty well.”

“I think I’d care more if I wasn’t completely exhausted, and you would wait for me,” Spike groused.

Whiptail just laughed. “Sure!” He faced Spike and walked backwards. “Is this better?”

Spike furrowed his brow. “I guess.”

They walked in silence, Whiptail walking backwards, grinning at Spike the whole time, making eye contact.

Spike groaned. “You know you’re gonna trip, right?”

“Ha-ha,” he said sarcastically, hopping a bit and gesturing with his forehooves. “I don’t need to worry abo-ouou–” His hind leg got caught on a tiny rock and his forelegs left the ground. He stumbled back on his hind hooves, waving his forelegs in the air.

Spike’s eyes widened and he reached out with his claw only to find that Whiptail was just out of reach. He pushed his lethargic muscles a little, but Whiptail stumbled back right when Spike’s claw got close.

Spike reached out again, and again Whiptail stumbled away.

Spike glared at Whiptail, who swapped his uneasy expression with a cocky grin. Whiptail stumbled back one last time, leaning far back over and lifting his hooves over his head to connect with the ground.

He deftly flipped his hind legs over his body, landing squarely on all fours.

He closed his eyes in satisfaction. “–out me,” he finished matter-of-factly, and bowed.

Spike raised his eyebrow. “Really?”

Whiptail smirked and finally waited for Spike, turning around and joining him in walking quietly.

“So... you’re working here at the Office of Interdepartmental Research? The OIR? Hm…” Whiptail waggled his jaw back and forth, staring off into the distance. “O.I.R… Oyer.. Oh Ear? It doesn’t roll off the tongue really well.”

Spike shook his head and smiled, and summoned the papers identifying him as an employee for the institute with a puff of flame. “Yeah… as far as I know it doesn’t have a nickname.”

“Well it should! A good one too!” Whiptail twisted around back to Spike. “So what made you want to join that department instead of the F&F?”

Spike shrugged. “Nothing did. I just submitted an application and my credentials, and this is where I was offered a position.”

Whiptail cocked his head to the side and stared at Spike.

Spike blew flames over his identification papers, returning them to magical storage. Whiptail was still just staring at him. “... What?”

“That’s right!” Whiptail shouted.

Spike recoiled back slightly at Whiptail’s shout. “Um…”

Whiptail darted up to Spike, his eyes wide and his . “Fire and papers!”

Spike blinked once. “That doesn’t–”

Whiptail bounced in place. “You just did the thing where you produce paper from you fire, and I forgot to put it on the research proposal!”

“If you forgot… why are you excited?”

Whiptail glared in mock offense at Spike. “Because it’s exciting! How does your fire do that? I’ve never seen a dragon do anything of the sort!”

Spike chuckled. “I’ve been doing it for most of my life, so it’s not really that earth-shattering for me.”

Whiptail’s eyes got even wider. “Are you a special kind of dragon that has storage fire?”

Spike backed up. “What? No. It’s just a modification of a sending spell. The same sort a unicorn can use.”

Whiptail’s lips broke, showing a toothy smile. “You can use unicorn magic?!”

Spike frowned. “Not really, just that one spell.”

“Well, have you tried any more?”

“Uh… not really.”

Whiptail lept up to Spike, grabbing Spike’s face with his hooves and pressing his forehead to Spike’s, making maximum eye contact. “Why not?! This has huge implications on the nature of magic! What if all magic is the same kind of magic?!”

Spike pushed Whiptail off of him. “All magic is the same kind of magic.”

Whiptail cocked his head. “That’s common knowledge for dragons?”

“What? No, it’s common knowledge for–” ‘For ponies who knew Twilight... Well I can’t tell him that.’ “–why… Twilight Sparkle started the institute in the first place. To study magic, not ‘magic unicorns can use’ but… just magic.”

“Yeah, but different ponies use different types of magic.”

“It’s not really different types,” Spike replied. “I mean, unicorns have growing spells and cloudwalking spells, they’re just more difficult to use.”

Whiptail scoffed, and started walking down the path again. “Yeah, because unicorns horns are pretty versatile, but there is tons of stuff that earth ponies can do that unicorns wouldn’t be able to do because they have different kinds of magic.”

Spike walked alongside Whiptail. ‘He’s not on the side of unicorns?’ “It’s not that the magic is different, it’s that the magic is expressed differently. They use the same magic, or very similar magic, in different ways because their body is wired that way.”

Whiptail raised his eyebrow. “So what, you’re saying that an Earth Pony could fly?”

“Nah, but I bet if they figured out how they could walk on clouds….”

Spike and Whiptail continued their conversation as they headed back to the institute.

Spike stood in front of Blueblood’s office’s door, labeled with his name again. Even though the day wound up well, and Spike had been excited, he found anxiety cropping up as he hesitated to knock.

He took a deep breath to calm himself. ‘What the heck is this? It’s just Blueblood, and we’re just talking about… okay about the one thing I really came here to do, that I don’t have a solid idea how to do, and he’s expecting me to be an expert on.’

Spike sighed. ‘Great pep talk, Spike.’

Mustering his resolve, he knocked on the door, and received a muffled, “Come in.”

Inside his office, Blueblood appeared to be patiently waiting for Spike. “Good evening.”

“Hey,” Spike said.

Blueblood’s brow furrowed briefly, but returned before Spike could really react. He levitated a stack of papers to the seat set up in front of his desk. “Well, let’s get to it.”

“Yeah…” Spike took a seat at the table, and picked up the papers. The first had the words Procedures: Step 1 – Identify candidates printed at the top, followed by a large blank space, and midway down the page it read, Step 2 and had no other text. The next six had the Elements of Harmony’s names printed on the top. ‘He’s got… just about as little as I do.’

Blueblood looked expectantly at Spike. “So, where do we begin?”

Spike chuckled nervously and spread out the sheets on the desk. “Well… do you know anyone who’s particularly… any of these?”

“I…” Blueblood paused. “There are a few on my mind, but there must be more to it than that. What was your plan to find the Elements?”

“Yeah… I had a plan.” Spike said. “It was a–” Spike shifted uncomfortably, looking at the babules on Blueblood’s table. “–good plan, that was well thought out.” Spike waited.

“And… what was it?”

“Oh! Um… Well I was going to look for the Element of Magic first.”

Blueblood blinked. “And…” he gyrated his hoof, urging Spike on.

“And… I… thought that I’d find some others along the way and try to find them around the Element of Magic?”

“And… what are you looking for as the Element of Magic? Why did you come here?”

“Well… this is the densest gathering of magical ponies in the world.” Spike rubbed the back of his head. “So, I guessed if I was going to find the next Element this was the place to look.”

Blueblood’s eyelids drooped to half-mast. “So you don’t have much of a plan at all, do you?”

Spike drummed his claws lightly on Blueblood’s desk. “I was… still working it out.”

Blueblood groaned. “Were just… hoping that it came to you by accident?”

Spike shrank down. “I was hoping I’d work it out.”

Blueblood huffed and put his hoof to his forehead. “Hoping to work…” he muttered. He composed himself. “I was expecting a bit… more from you.”

Spike scrambled for an answer. “It’s not like it’s hopeless… I…” Spike produced a sheet of paper with his magic. “Why don’t we start at the beginning? That will give both of us a fresh perspective, and we’ll be sure to be on the same page.”

Blueblood put his hoof back on the table. “Yes… yes, let’s start from scratch.” He levitated out an ink well and a quill.

“Right!” Spike picked up the quill. “The very beginning: What are the Elements of Harmony?” he said, taking the question down.

Blueblood responded, “They are six magical artifacts that, while useless on their own, when their power is joined together with six bearers they can accomplish miraculous feats. Each, except for one, represents a significant harmonious virtue that the bearer must be superlative in.”

Spike wrote this down, but paused. “I don’t think there needs to be strictly six. Celestia and Luna did it with just the two of them. And Celestia did it alone.”

“And then they turned off for a thousand years. I think it’s safer if we assume that we’re going to need six ponies.”

“Right, play it safe.” Spike took the notes.

Blueblood nodded. “So… we’d be looking for the six ponies, of which we need the most honest, the most generous, the kindest, the most loyal, the… funniest?”

“Pinkie was funny… but not for the reason you think.” Spike smiled and looked up at Blueblood, stopping his notes. “She told jokes sometimes, but that wasn’t why she was the Element of Laughter. It’s more like her entire life was about laughter. About cheering up ponies, about telling them, no–showing them that they don’t have to be sad. She constantly threw parties, she was always trying to cheer someone up.”

Spike smiled fondly. “She didn’t just laugh, I mean there’s mocking laughter and all sorts of terrible ways to laugh, she shared laughter. It was her special talent, and it was her whole life.”

Blueblood tilted his head. “So… we need to find ponies whose special talents are related to the Elements?”

Spike shook his head. “No… Pinkie was the only one who had her talent directly relate to her Element. Fluttershy used her Element to be better at her talent, and Rarity used generosity to forward her career but… Applejack and Rainbow Dash just lived with those virtues. They didn’t really focus on them or use them in their jobs, although it definitely affected their lives.”

“What about Twilight?” Blueblood asked.

Spike’s smile turned wistful. “Twilight’s cutie mark was for magic… but the magic of the Element of Magic is more than just about the power of a unicorn’s horn.”

Blueblood ears perked up. “It is?”

Spike nodded slightly. “She brought the girls together and led them, but even then it didn’t activate until she realized how important those around her were. Every step of the way, it was the power of her friends that helped her along. The power of the magic of friendship is what saved Equestria time and time again, and eventually that same thing is what made her a princess.”

Blueblood furrowed his brow. “So we’re looking for the friendliest pony?”

Spike shook his head. “Twilight was… more than even that. She brought the girls together, and even when she didn’t realize how important friendship was she was driven to do good. When she found out that Nightmare Moon was coming back, she immediately set to solving the problem, even if it was an impossible problem. But she was a mare that could do the impossible.”

Spike’s eyes stung. “She was always looking out for others. She was a fantastic friend–” He sat back in his seat and tried to blink something out of his eyes “–and always willing to help.”

Spike’s voice cracked and he leaned his head back, looking at the ceiling. “…Celestia told me, years later that Twilight didn’t have to take me in as her assistant. Celestia didn’t want to force her to take care of me if she wasn’t ready for or had no desire to, but Twilight never even questioned that if I wanted to help her she wanted my help.” He choked back a sob. “Even when I was a burden, turning into a huge dragon and wrecking the town, running away to meet other dragons who just turned out to be jerks, ruining books and ceremonies and all the stupid clumsy stuff I’ve done over the years she was always there for me, even if I didn’t know I needed her.”

Spike closed his eyes, and he could feel tears streaming down his face. ‘Dammit, Spike. Pull yourself together.’ He breathed deeply, and tried to unobviously wipe his face.

He brought his face back down to Blueblood’s. “Twilight was just… good. Pure and completely good.”

Blueblood smiled faintly. “She really was good. She was the best.”

Spike returned the smile.

Blueblood enveloped Spike’s notes in a blue aura, and began to levitate them over to himself. “Why don’t we continue this in a few days?”

Spike slammed his claw onto the paper, breaking the aura. “B-but, we haven’t gotten anywhere, and we shouldn’t stop just because I’m getting a little emotional. The fate of Equestria hangs in the balance.”

Blueblood gave Spike a confused look and then paused, thinking. “How about this? The Element of Magic needs to be a powerful unicorn, right?”

Spike nodded.

“I will try to secure a list of the most powerful, and when we meet again we can start discussing the merits of them.”

Spike frowned. “That’s it? There must be more.”

“We can discuss the other Elements later… but you had a single potential Magician, right?”

Spike nodded eagerly. “Yeah… yeah! I can spend some time looking up information on Xenon Shine, then!”

“Yes. Discreetly observing Xenon Shine might be a good idea.”

Spike puffed out his chest a bit. “Great, I can be totally discreet. Most ponies don’t even want me to be around.”

Blueblood blinked at Spike.

Spike smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “It’s a joke… because I’m a scary dragon?”

“... That’s a good point. You are fairly visible, as a dragon.”

Spike’s smile fell.

Blueblood rubbed his chin. “As something unusual you will always be unusual, so your behavior may be scrutinized… perhaps you could make the excuse that you are observing how ponies interact?”

Spike squirmed a little. “I could probably do that… I’m not very good at lying.”

Blueblood tilted his head. “But… This is Twilight’s own institute. You should be highly respected for your position and relationship with her.”

Spike chuckled nervously. “No… I don’t really want it to be spread around. It’s just… easier that way.”

“I see,” Blueblood said reluctantly. “Well!” He perked up. “It works out in our favor, so that’s perfectly fine.”

“Y-yeah.”

“So–” Blueblood trotted out from behind his desk. “–Now that we both have something productive to do let’s be off.”

They rode the lift down, left the mostly empty library behind, and said their farewells at the s Spike walked out, the guardsmare’s helmet clearly rotated to keep him in view. Spike fought to not roll his eyes or glare at her.

‘Just cool your jets, Spike. Blueblood’s right, I’m going to be treated like I’m exceptional, especially before I am a normal thing to see in the institute. I can’t take it personally, or I’ll wind up having situations like with Whiptail my whole life.’

Spike smiled a broad cheeky smile and raised his eyebrow at the guardsmare, who snapped her head back to forward.

His smile became genuine. ‘Ha. Maybe Whiptail’s got the right idea on how to deal with a little attitude. Certainly feels good.’

Spike set off back to his apartment, whistling softly, and not looking back at the guardsmare, whose helmet immediately snapped back to watch Spike walk off, then pulled out a notepad and made a quick note.

Author's Note

It's still Christmas where I am... still the holiday.

Of course, it's still the "holiday season" until at least the first... But it still counts! I made my self-imposed deadline.

It's really been a year since I started publishing, huh... Well! Here's to the next one being better than the first!

Recollection - Difficult Nobles

Spike hopped in place excitedly in an ornate crystalline room, with a comic book held gingerly between his claws. Behind him was a well-organized shelf that receded into the crystal wall with numerous comic books on it, properly coded by series and ordered by issue number.

Spike said, “So, in this one, Fili-Second just came back to life, right? So she, the original Fili-Second, the new Fili-Second that filled in for her when she was dead, the original’s old mentor Heather Hydragyrum, Foal Fili-Second and the youngest Fili-Second’s foals all have to team up to fight the original Doctor Flash who’s come back to life too!”

He threw his arms into the air, flopping the comic around. “It has all these references to old stuff that happened too. It’s like this huge capstone on like… years of comics!”

Able Wing, the grey and orange pegasus who was sitting on a fancy cushion, looked at Spike and cocked an ear. “So… you read a lot of comics just so you could read this one?”

Spike rubbed the back of his head with his free claw. “Well… no. But it makes me wish I could! It’s probably a lot of comics, though…”

Able sighed. “I’m sorry, Spike. I just don’t… really see what the big deal is.”

“But the Power Ponies are so cool! They’re superheroes!”

Able shook his head. “They’re not heroes, Spike. They’re just stories.”

Spike frowned. “But they’re really good stories.”

“They’re not as amazing as the ponies that really lived, though,” Able said, his ears perking up in excitement.

“Well, I really like the Power Ponies," Spike said. "History is kinda boring."

Able’s ears laid flat against his head. “O-oh. Okay.”

The air hung between Spike and Able. Able put his head down on his sitting cushion. “When do you think Twilight and Blueblood will be back?”

Spike grunted. “I don’t know. Just like… read this, I guess.” He dropped the Fili-Second comic by Able’s head.

Able flipped open the first page and mumbled, “Okay.”

Spike turned his attention back to the bookshelf, looking for another suitable comic book for him to reread. ‘Maybe… 365? Planet Rager?’

Choosing a comic book, he sat down, rereading it for the fifth time. Able, however, read his comic book very slowly, his lips sometimes twitching downward for a second. Spike kept one eye on Able, who eventually stopped turning the pages, began staring off into space, a dour expression on his face.

Spike furrowed his brow at this and sighed. He got up and walked over to Able. “So, uh, Able?”

Able turned a glazed face to Spike. “Yes...”

“So… you said you really liked historical heroes.”

Able nodded, slowly coming out of his daze.

“Do you, uh… have a favorite?”

Able blinked a few times, and smiled faintly. “Commander Uplift.”

Spike tilted his head. “Who?”

“He was a hero in the last Griffon-Pegasus war.” Able shifted around to face Spike, his tone lightening. “Towards the last part of the war, when the ponies wanted the war to finally end, they sent Uplift, who was their greatest warrior, to escort the captured griffon princess to her homeland, making peace.”

Spike raised an eyebrow. “Alright. It’s cool but not that cool.”

“That’s not all, though,” Able said, smiling. “The reason they had to send the best was because some griffons didn’t want the war to end, so he had to dodge and fight tons of griffons, and even some ponies, on the way to her kingdom. It took him nearly a whole year to make it there.”

Able scooted closer to Spike. “But that wasn’t the best part of him. The best part is…” Able held his hoof to his mouth.

Spike leaned closer to hear.

“He hated griffons,” Able Wing whispered.

Spike blinked.

“He trained his entire life to fight the griffons, and then his commander ordered him to deliver the princess straight to the heart of enemy territory on a peace mission. He’d done nothing but fought his entire life, and then he does this mission so they can stop fighting. And he did it because he trusted his commander’s wisdom.” Able looked off into the distance, stars in his eyes. “Because it wasn’t his duty to fight griffons, it was his duty to do what his commander asks, and because he did this he started peace that lasted to this very day.”

“You really like him?” Spike said.

Able nodded enthusiastically. “He’s my favorite.”

Spike rubbed his chin. “I guess… it’s pretty cool. What, uh, other cool historical figures do you like?”

Able smiled widely and launched into a long, rambling tale of all his favorite historical heroes.

Spike tried to keep a smile on his face the whole time, and he found it wasn't as difficult as he thought it would be.

It was later in the evening, and Spike was sharing his limited knowledge of historical heroes, mostly of the unicorn scholars that Twilight idolized, when both he and Able heard a distant echoing door close.

Able shot up off his cushion. “Is it them?” He took off out of Spike’s room toward the front door. Spike got up and huffed on two legs behind him. He finally caught up with Able near the throne room, to find Twilight Sparkle plodding into the room. She was a wreck. Her mane was unkempt and wet, with twigs and leaves stuck to it, and her wings were in a similar condition.

“Twilight! Are you okay?”

Twilight smiled weakly. “Yes, Spike. We’re okay.”

From behind Twilight stepped out a dingy, mud spattered unicorn. His tie and collar were in tatters, and he had a frazzled dirty mane. His eyes met Spike’s for a moment, and he quickly lifted his muzzle into the air. Closing his eyes he announced, “I have been promised the use of a bath.”

Spike’s jaw dropped. ‘That’s Blueblood?!’

The unicorn, only vaguely resembling Blueblood without his finely coiffed mane and white coat, snarled slightly. “Could we please get a move on,” he said through gritted teeth.

Twilight looked apologetically at Spike. “Could you show him to a guest bath? The one near the library. And then we can work on preparing some rooms for Blueblood and Able and handling dinner.”

Spike rolled his eyes and nodded, motioning for Blueblood to follow. He led Blueblood through the crystalline tree to the unoccupied bathroom. “Here it is.”

Blueblood sniffed haughtily, inhaling a leaf stuck to his snout, and screeched. He shook his head violently, trying to clear his nose, snorting and whipping his head around, whimpering the whole time.

Spike failed to bite back a snort of laughter.

Blueblood made a massive snort, expelling the offending leaf. Spike snickered again, and Blueblood whipped his head to face Spike, glaring at him.

Spike stifled his smile, pursing his lips and forcing the edges of his mouth down.

Blueblood huffed. “I presume the bath is stocked with soaps?”

“Ye–”

Blueblood stamped his hoof. “Nothing nice, I assume.”

“I do–”

“It will have to do.” Blueblood stomped into the bath, slamming the door behind him.

Spike stared at the shut door. “Sheesh, what’s his problem?”

As he returned, he heard the muffled voices of Twilight and Able conversing. Spike paused at the door. ‘Well… I guess this worked out well last time.’ He peered around the corner, seeing both Twilight and Able facing away from him

“...feel so stupid that I didn’t even think to look,” Twilight said.

“He doesn’t like talking about it,” came Able’s reply. “It always puts him in a bad mood.”

There was a pause, and the sound of hooves on the crystal floor as Twilight shifted around to face Able. Spike retreated around the corner, trying to poke out from it as little as possible. “Blueblood’s hurting, Able. And all his haughtiness and his pride are there to protect him from everypony else even though it doesn’t work, and it winds up hurting him and everypony around him instead. He thinks he’s all alone, and that nopony wants to help him.”

Able sat down on his haunches. “Mom and Dad and everypony else barely tolerate him… and I know they think the same thing about me. They sent me here to help him because I’m no good anywhere else.”

“Able…” Twilight said, and put one hoof on Able’s withers. “I’m sure nopony thinks that about you. You remind me of someone else who always sells himself short, when you’ve got all the potential in the world.”

Able flung his forehooves into the air, shifting Twilight’s hoof off his withers. “Then why do I have this stupid blank flank still!” Able exclaimed, gesturing to his flank. “If I was useful then I’d be good at something by now!”

Twilight smiled warmly at Able. “A cutie mark isn’t just something you’re good at, Able, it’s what’s important to you. If you can figure out what’s important to you, you’ll find it.”

Able sighed. Twilight looked up from Able, her eyes meeting Spike’s peering around the corner. Spike retreated around the corner, but felt the familiar tingling sensation of Twilight’s magic on his ear. He yelped as Twilight pulled him around the corner and, not missing a beat, announced, “There you are, Spike! You’re just in time to show Able to a guest room.”

Able turned around, the morose expression still on his face.

“Y-you betcha!” Spike said. “He can use the one near mine.”

“That sounds perfect.” Twilight smiled an exceptionally broad smile. “The walls are pretty thick, too, so he’ll have some privacy, right, Spike?”

Spike gulped. “Of course. Come on, Able…”

Spike showed Able to his room and then was off to the kitchen to help with dinner.

Spike sat down at the work desk, the product of six months of research resting on it. It was a comprehensive history of the night pegasi, taken from every source Spike could muster, from common knowledge to the rarest books Spike could get his claws on. It started way back at their appearance in Equestria millennia ago and detailed the rise and fall of their own kingdom. It covered when Luna reached out to the scattered remnants of their kingdom, gaining their allegiance. It covered their ostracization once Luna disappeared and they were blamed for taking part in her fall. Spike even took notes on the recent reintegration into Equestrian society, and the problems they were having after one of their own caused the disappearance of one of Equestria’s prime heroes.

In particular his section on the theoretical discussions as to how they crossed the barrier from their own world to Equestria was highly detailed, examining any links between the different theories and looking for oversights in old research.

And none of it pointed to a plausible solution as to how to cross the barrier between worlds.

Spike carefully opened his latest temporary acquisition: a seven century old journal of a night pegasus researcher who was obsessed with finding the way back to their home world, on loan from an archivist in Baltimare. Unfortunately, the further Spike progressed in the journal the more unhinged the researcher became. The personal notes from the researcher disintegrated into crazy rants as he made more and more elaborate and risky plays at knowledge but still managed to consistently get nowhere. The failure ate at him for the rest of his days, until he eventually lost his life in a research related accident. One where he took a risk that he never should have, out of desperation.

Meanwhile, from elsewhere in the castle a loud din was raised, followed by a happy-sounding shriek. The latest Official Welcome To Ponyville Pinkie Party had started for a new member of the castle’s staff.

He could hear another cheer from the party. No doubt it would be spectacular, like all the parties Pinkie Pie had been throwing for the new employees, with a delicious cupcakes, fun party games, and Spike knew that Pinkie had more than a few cupcakes with gems baked in, just in case he showed up...

Spike rested his head on his claw and sighed. “This isn’t getting me anywhere…”

Pinkie Pie’s voice rang out from the door. “Spikey! Theeere you are!”

Spike jumped up with a yelp. “Pinkie!” he said, wheeling around to face her, his heart racing. “You’re gonna give me a heart attack!”

Pinkie Pie just giggled.

Spike panted heavily, with his claw on his chest. He inhaled one last time deeply, and said, “Okay. What do you want?”

“Yooou–” she closed the distance between her and Spike with a slide “–are missing the welcome party.” She bopped Spike on the nose.

Spike wrinkled his nose in discomfort. “I’m busy. There have been too many new employees and too many Pinkie Parties.”

Pinkie smiled broadly. “There can never be too many parties, Spikey! The castle’s bustling all the time now. Everypony wants to have their party here at the crystal friendship castle. It’s the swankiest joint in all of Ponyville! It needs more ponies to help clean and run the place.”

Spike groaned. “But they just keep coming! The first staff that arrived six months ago were all rotated out, and the new staff is just replacing them!”

Pinkie laughed. “I know, isn’t it great! You get to meet all these new ponies, even if it’s sad they leave later. So, it’s important to get to know her now, while the gettin’s good!”

“I’m just going to have to show her around the castle and get her trained anyway,” Spike said. “She doesn’t have any experience, like a lot of the workers set here.”

Pinkie Pie threw her forehooves up into the air. “But Spike! You have to get to know her now! Nobody wants to be friends with someone who only talks to them when they’re working!”

“Pinkie…” Spike said, turning away from her. “I don’t need any more friends.”

Pinkie gasped in horror. “Spike! How could you say that?”

Spike picked up the quill on his desk. “It's fine. I’ll be okay.”

“Cooped up in this dark room all day, all alone with nothing but books for company?”

“Twilight had nothing but books for company plenty of times” Spike dipped his quill into ink.

“Nuh-uh!” Pinkie twisted Spike, chair and all, around. “Twilight always had company, because she always had you.”

Spike lifted himself in his chair, and turned around in place back around to face his desk. “And I’m trying to keep it that way, wherever she is she still needs my help, even a year and a half later.”

“Aww, come on, Spike. You need to take a break.” Pinkie spun Spike’s chair around again.

Spike twisted back to the table. “I can’t take any breaks! I haven’t got any closer to an answer.”

“Because you haven’t been taking breaks, silly!”

“I… huh?” Spike looked back at Pinkie.

“How are you supposed to get any work done if you never take a break? Your brain’ll be too pooped to get anything done!”

Spike moved his mouth wordlessly for a few seconds, before finally saying, “Pinkie… I have to keep working.”

Spike put pen to paper, scrawling something about the madness of the diary owner. It was unimportant, really. Just documenting another dead end.

“Spike…” Pinkie didn’t spin Spike around, and just put a hoof on his shoulder. “Twilight wouldn’t want you to do this to yourself.”

Spike’s face screwed up in anger for a moment, but it fell into a morose frown quickly. “I-I know… I just… I couldn’t help her when she needed it most. Wherever she is… I should be there with her. She needs... she needs my help.”

He slammed his fists on the table. “But I can’t help! I’m working in circles! Each lead is as useless as the next one!”

Spike banged his head on the table in front of him.

Pinkie rubbed Spike’s shoulder lightly. “If you’re feeling up to it, I’ve made sapphire cupcakes for you. You should come by and party with the other ponies that will be helping you run the castle, you’ll feel better.”

Spike listened to the fading sounds of Pinkie’s hooves on the crystal floors. He sighed and reopened the journal he was reading.

The journal of the madpony who let his failures consume his life, making himself miserable until he eventually died without finishing his life's work.

Spike blinked at the diary, put it down, and went out to the party.

Author's Note

Wooh! More chapters, more Blueblood. And Spike too, I guess.

The flashback chapters are winding down, so there is probably just one more to serve as a denouement.

Again, thanks to Amneiger for prereading.

Chapter 6 - Snooping

Spike stood on all fours in a disorganized office. The desk was covered with papers, broken quills, and empty inkwells. In the corner of the desk, used as a paperweight, was some kind of metal ring puzzle.

Beside Spike was a young yellow unicorn mare, almost pressed up against Spike’s side in the cramped office. She shifted her weight uneasily, not looking at Spike and, trying to stay out of contact with the somewhat-larger dragon.

Stalking around the two of them was a beige unicorn with a well coiffed curly mane.

Fine Dust, the beige unicorn, looked over Spike with a discerning eye. “So. You’re the dragon I’ve been hearing about.”

Spike straightened up and puffed his chest out, a smug grin on his face.

Fine Dust raised an eyebrow. “Not all of it’s been good.”

Spike’s chest deflated.

Fine Dust chuckled mirthlessly. “I heard it only took you a day to get arrested for fighting.”

The mare recoiled from Spike slightly, who lowered his head in shame. He laughed nervously. “It was… kind of a misunderstanding.”

“There were some good reports too. Xenon’s not an easy mare to impress, you know.”

Spike’s eyes widened.

Fine Dust stepped back. “So, that means I’ve got the unknown–” she gestured to the mare, who . “–and the ambivalent.” She gestured toward Spike.

Spike and the mare beside him glanced at each other. Fine Dust cleared her throat, and the two of them snapped back to attention.

“Well, at least we have you. It’s been months since I submitted that request. We have some basic tasks for you–”

Spike furrowed his brow as she continued. ‘But… I know Whiptail got his request through really fast. What was the holdup? I mean, it’s good for me because I got this job when I needed it, but it seems a little… unfair for the department.’

“–And that should sum up the basics of what will be expected of you here.”

‘Wait, what?’

The mare to Spike’s right nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“U-uh-yes,” Spike said.

Fine Dust rolled her eyes. “Good, well I’ve got your first deliveries right here.” She levitated two packages over to Spike and the mare, giving Spike the larger one. “When you’re done make sure that the recipients don’t need anything else, and come back here when you’re done.”

Spike and the other assistant both left the room together, stepping into the cool brown hallway of the arcane building.

Spike knew if he was going to ask for information he had to be on good terms with the other employees, and this mare was clearly somewhat anxious, maybe because of the job, maybe because of Spike himself. He had met more than a few nervous assistants in the castle that needed to be put at ease, and he just needed to turn on the charm.

‘If I’m gonna get any information about anyone I need to be on good terms with them. Let’s work that ole Spike magic.’

He turned to his fellow-assistant and smiled his toothless smile in a way he hoped was comforting. “Well, that was a little blunt, wasn’t it?”

The mare widened her eyes a bit, but nodded. “Y-yes.”

“I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself before we had to meet with Fine Dust.” He offered his open claw to her. “My name’s Spike.”

She stared at the offered claw, and scrunched up her nose.

Spike quickly put his claw down and laughed nervously. “Sorry.”

She stared at his claw on the ground for a moment, before shaking her head. “I’m Goldenrod,” she said.

“So where are you headed first?”

She levitated the package around to look at the label. “It says I’m headed to… the arcane sigil building to meet with Point Agile.”

“Right, well I’m off too, uh, says here Professor Bog. I… don’t know where he is, though. It just says ‘potions room 225.’”

Goldenrod raised an eyebrow. “That’s the second potions building, 5 on the second floor. Most sections have multiple buildings for their purposes, and potions are on the right as you leave.”

Spike nodded. “Thanks. Good luck.”

“Yeah… you too.”

Professor Bog was an emaciated green stallion with a scraggly black mane, stooping over an honest-to-goodness black cauldron. He looked up as Spike entered, an eyebrow raising. “Well, well. What have we here? A dragon?”

“Uh…” Spike looked around himself. “That’s me.” He held up his box. “I have a package from the Arcane department.”

“Be careful with that,” Professor Bog said, getting up and trotting to the doorway. “There are very… delicate components in that package.” He enveloped the package in a dark green aura, and shuffled it onto a workbench.

Quickly looking into it, he said, “Yes. This all seems to be in order.”

He resumed stooping over his cauldron and he sniffed at it. “This also seems to be in order.”

Spike cleared his throat. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Seemingly just noticing Spike’s continued presence, he looked back at Spike, and a thoughtful expression crossed his face. “Could you close that door? I’ve been in need of an assistant.”

Closing the door, Spike frowned. ‘If I’m stuck here with Professor Bog… how am I going to find Xenon?’

“Excellent, please fetch the newtseye for me. In the cupboard over there.”

Spike sighed and trudged over to the cupboard, opening it. There were tons of jars filled with powders, liquids, and other mysterious almost-fluids.

A quick glance showed, though, that there were no animal body parts, though. Certainly no jars filled with eyeballs.

“Uh… I can’t find any kind of eyes in here.”

A groan emanated from behind Spike. “You ignorance is astounding. Newtseye isn’t the eye of newts, it’s a powdered flower whose function resembles the eye of a newt. I don’t use–” Spike heard a shudder from behind him “–animal bits if I can avoid them. I’m not a barbarian.”

Spike snarled. ‘Like I’d be expected to know that off the top of my head.’ The powdered jar labeled ‘newtseye’ was easy to find, once he knew what he was looking for.

Hoisting it up he plonked it on the table next to Professor Bog, who was stirring his concoction carefully clockwise, then counterclockwise. Levitating a spoon with his magic, he scooped up a small bit of newtseye, sprinkling it into the cauldron. “Excellent,” he whispered. “Now, be very quiet, too much noise may agitate the mixture.”

Spike shut his mouth as he was told, and waited.

And watched Professor Bog wait as well.

The waiting seemed to drag on, and there was no change to the mixture. Professor Bog was intently focused on the state of the cauldron.

Spike, his tongue parting his lips slightly in concentration, slowly inched backward, toward the door, gently opened it, and, very quietly, closed the door behind him.

Fine Dust was waiting for Spike when Spike returned. “Hm? That was fast.”

Spike laughed nervously. “He was in the middle of something and let me go.”

Fine Dust’s eyebrows raised. “Really? That surprises me.” She narrowed his eyes at Spike. “Usually he’s difficult about it.”

Spike put on a big fake grin. “Nope, he just didn’t want to interrupt his mixing.”

“Alright, well next–” She opened a closet nearby. Inside were more packages to deliver. “–I’ve–”

There were three quick raps on the door to the office. Fine Dust groaned. “Come in.”

The door opened and a pony head popped in. “Hey, Dusty, can I–” she abruptly stopped, noticing Spike. Her eyes went wide for a moment, looking up to meet Spike’s eyes. After a moment, she looked back to Fine Dust. “Can I have a minute?”

She nodded. “Of course. I have to take this, hang on.” She trotted out of the room, leaving Spike alone.

In a second Spike was across the office and snooping at the packages. He lifted each package quickly and gingerly stacked them on Fine Dust’s desk right behind him, to make sure to keep the order clear. He didn’t know if he would have much time to look at them.

‘Score!’ Right near the top there was a small book-shaped white package, labeled to be delivered to Xenon Shine. He giggled like a schoolfilly. ‘This is perfect. I thought I was going to have to keep wandering around, trying to find her.’

Then, as Spike was congratulating himself for his luck, the door opened a crack and a pony’s voice rang out clearly. “–and that’s why I need twenty liters of pudding.”

Spike started rapidly taking the packages from their resting place on their desk and transferring them back into the closet, trying to quickly and gingerly stack the packages.

Fine Dust groaned. “This is a mess. I’ll see what I can do.”

Spike vaulted over Fine Dust’s desk, knocking the paperweight ring puzzle onto the ground with a clatter. He whirled around and bent over, desperately grasping for it on the ground, but in his haste, it kept slipping out of his claws.

From behind Spike he heard Fine Dust clear his throat.

Spike, kneeling on the floor and panting lightly, finally grasped the puzzle, turned back, and laughed nervously.

Fine Dust rolled her eyes. “You don’t need to hide you’re playing with it, you know. It’s there to be fiddled with.”

“I… yeah. Sure… sorry.”

Fine Dust shook her head. She levitated the package off the top of the stack and shut the closet. “Here’s the next delivery.”

It was a soft round package.

‘And now I know where Xenon Shine is. She’s… she is...’ He wracked his memories for where the package said it was destined to go to. ‘I didn’t bother to actually look at where she was!’ He groaned. ‘Okay… I need to get my claws on that package. I just have to make sure I get the delivery.’

The next few deliveries were relatively uneventful, with Spike doing his best to not get caught up in someone’s chores. Every time Spike came back, the pile of packages dwindled, Goldenrod obviously taking longer for her deliveries than he did.

Each time Fine Dust opened the closet, the stack of packages was smaller, until finally, resting on the top was the book-shaped package destined for Xenon Shine.

Right at the same height as another package.

Which is the one that Fine Dust enveloped with her aura, and levitated over to Spike.

He fought off a grimace as Fine Dust said, “This will be good for you, it’s addressed to your department.”

The package was indeed addressed to Sunny Gaze, the director of the Department of Interdepartmental Research. In other words, Spike’s boss. Spike cursed inwardly. Sunny Gaze was almost never actually in his office. But maybe that was perfect. If he could never be trusted to be at his office, Spike could probably drop the package off with the receptionist and be back before Goldenrod came by for Xenon’s package.

Spike nodded. “Can do!”

Spike snatched up Sunny Gaze’s package and darted out of the office. As he threw the door open, Spike almost ran straight into a familiar yellow unicorn.

Goldenrod yelped, and Spike twisted out of the way, collided with the doorjamb, and crumpled down on the floor.

“Sorry,” Spike mumbled.

“It’s… sure,” Goldenrod said, and moved out of the way.

Spike stepped out and the door slammed behind him. ‘Horseapples. if leave now I’ll miss Xenon entirely...’ He looked down at the package he had. He was pretty sure that Sunny Gaze didn’t need it right away… It would be fine if Spike delivered it later. Spike hid behind a nearby corner and waited for Goldenrod to exit the office.

Spike easily tailed Goldenrod through the institute streets, the package for Sunny tucked underneath his forelimb, ignored for now. He’d handle it later. In the meantime, tailing her was easy because she was making a beeline for the central tower. Once she got into the tower, inside the library, it was an entirely different story.

The library was busy. Spike had seen how busy the library here was before, but he hadn’t actually spent any time to pay attention to anypony browsing the stacks. It would have been a wonderful sight any other time, but today it just made it harder to follow Goldenrod without being seen as she asked around for Xenon Shine. It didn’t help that Spike still didn’t really know his way around the ground floors of the library.

Fortunately Goldenrod seemed to know where she was going, finding Xenon in short order.

Spike sidled up behind a nearby bookcase, grabbing and opening a nearby book, peeking at Xenon and Goldenrod above it.

Goldenrod trotted up to Xenon Shine, presenting the package in her magic glimmer. “Good afternoon, Miss Shine.”

Xenon Shine mumbled out a hello, quickly glancing at Goldenrod and taking the package into her magic.

Goldenrod faltered, but resumed smiling just a moment later. “Will you need anything else?”

Xenon looked at Goldenrod up and down. “... Yes. I believe I would. Please, follow me.”

‘This is perfect.’ Spike smiled broadly. ‘If I was the one delivering the package then she’d be talking to me. But now I can observe from afar.’

Spike stalked Xenon and Goldenrod as they made their way through the library. He padded along carefully on all fours, tiptoeing around carefully and staying several bookshelves away to avoid detection, pretending to be browsing the library when another pony would walk past. Occasionally Xenon would stop and direct Goldenrod to fetch a book, which was almost always flipped through quickly before replaced. A few went into Xenon’s saddlebags instead.

And Xenon did it while hardly ever glancing at Goldenrod.

The library was quiet, but the books still muffled whatever they were saying, preventing Spike from hearing their interaction. He lowered himself onto all fours and crouched low to the ground, ready to move to a closer bookshelf, when he heard a feminine voice come from behind him.

“Spike?”

Spike started to yelp, but clapped his claws over his mouth. His torso and jaw slammed onto the ground with a dull thud, bereft of the support of his forelimbs. Spike groaned and he wrenched himself up and around, coming face to face with a placid lavender and blue earth pony, Starscribe. “What?” he hissed.

Her eyes widened, and she backed up slightly. She blinked a few times, breathing deeply, and she relaxed. “Yes–” She cleared her throat softly “–hello.”

Spike looked back at Xenon and Goldenrod, who hadn’t noticed his outburst, and crouched down close to Starscribe, cupping his claw to his mouth. “What is it?” he whispered, trying to soften his tone.

“... I was going to just say hello, but what are you doing?”

Spike glanced back at Xenon and Goldenrod again. “Nothing.”

Looking back at Starscribe revealed she was staring at the package he was carrying.

“You’re working for the arcane department today, right?” she said.

Spike laughed nervously. “Y-yeah, that’s right...”

She glanced up at Spike, raising an eyebrow.

Spike grinned a thin, nervous grin.

Her eyebrow returned to its normal level. “All right.”

Spike let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding.

A grumble emanated from one bookcase over. Spike peered between the bookshelves to see Goldenrod in the next closest bookcase. His eyes widened, and he grabbed a book, stuffing his face into it, crouching down, and twisting his head to put his ear closest to Goldenrod, listening intently.

From the corner of Spike’s eye he saw Starscribe staring at him. She tentatively leaned her ear over to listen in as well.

“This is ridiculous,” Goldenrod grumbled to herself. “I am the prize apprentice of Sage Rose. Sure, she’s no Princess Celestia or anything, but she is a well-respected researcher. I learned everything there is to know from her, studied for years for this opportunity. And now that I’m here at the best institute in the world? Am I working on exciting new research? No. I’m stuck working as a gofer for a jerk.”

Spike and Starscribe shared a look with each other.

“The stupid department is basically putting me out as a personal assistant for all the ponies who happen to need a one,” Goldenrod said with a groan. There was a dull thunk that could only be her smacking her head onto the bookshelf. “And I’m just letting her push me around. I bet the dragon doesn’t have this problem.”

Starscribe looked at Spike with her typical inscrutable expression. Maybe she was… confused?

Spike mouthed, ‘What?’

She furrowed her brow slightly and returned to listening to Goldenrod.

There was a light slapping sound of a hoof on fur. “Get it together, Goldie. She can’t keep you here forever, and once it’s over you can find that spa, relax with a book… dream about not having to work with her ever again. Good things.” There was a long controlled breath and then the soft shuffling of hooves on carpet.

Starscribe pursed her lips.“Well, she must be fairly disappointed about her job here to be so vitriolic,” she whispered.

Spike turned around and peered around the corner of the bookshelf, watching Goldenrod trot away. “Or, the mare she’s working for really is that awful,” he whispered, narrowing his eyes.

Spike crouched down low to the ground on all fours and proceeded to scuttle softly toward the bookcase nearest Xenon’s position, before either Xenon or Goldenrod thought to look back. Pressing his back up against the bookcase, he peered around the corner, making sure that Xenon wasn’t moving too far away to hear.

Starscribe’s voice rang out from beside Spike. “You’re very persistent about this, aren’t you?”

He twisted around to see her standing nearly in the hallway. His eyes widened as he noticed that she was basically standing in the hallway, in clear view of Spike’s targets.

“What are you doing? They’ll notice us,” he hissed, grabbing her hoof and pulling her behind the bookshelf. She stumbled a bit at the end, and Spike stared at her, realizing exactly what he had done: he had just physically jerked around someone he barely knew.

He bit his lip. “Er… oh no. Oh no no no, I’m so sorry,” Spike pleaded, almost putting his hand on her shoulder to comfort her, but wincing away at the last second, thinking better of still touching her.

She steadied herself. “It’s… it’s fine. I am unhurt,” she said.

Spike grimaced with a face full of teeth. “No it’s… I’m sorry I shouldn’t have grabbed you and–” His ear frill twitched when he heard Goldenrod clear her throat. He mouthed ‘sorry’ one last time, and held his ear near the bookcase.

“I think I’ve got it,” Goldenrod said from behind the bookcase.

“Let’s see,” Xenon said. There were a few rustling sounds. “... This is a book on the sunflower family.”

“Well… the snowcoast sunweed was supposed to turn into a hawkweed whenever it was taken out of its natural environment. I found that hawkweed was of the sunflower family so…”

“So you thought that this very general and broad book would have the very specific information I needed on the snowcoast sunweed, which was thought extinct when this book was published?” Xenon said, with a significant edge to her voice.

“I…” Goldenrod sighed. “Yes… I did.”

“And did you make sure it had the information I need?”

“No…” Goldenrod grumbled.

“I didn’t think so.” There was the thick clap sound of a book being snapped shut, and Goldenrod made a soft oof. “Try again.”

Goldenrod took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Alright, I’ll head back and look again.”

“Maybe this time spend some time thinking about it and making sure you actually found it before you bring me back something like this, hm?”

Spike frowned. ‘Sweet Celestia… she’s awful. I hadn’t imagined that she was this awful when I worked with her… of course I did finish what she expected was days of work in a single day, to not much of a compliment from her.

‘I don’t think I want someone like that following up Twilight’s legacy.’

Leaning away from the wall, Spike sighed and turned his attention back to the person he was talking to. “I’m sorry for–”

Starscribe’s eyes were widened in shock, her mouth open in a gaping frown.

Spike cocked his head. ‘Well that’s a much more significant reaction than she had before.’

Starscribe’s eyes focused on Spike and strained a little wider open, and she clamped her mouth shut. “I-I…”

‘She’s been so impassive until now. But Xenon’s so bad that she’ll even make someone so composed lose it.” Spike leaned a little closer. “What is it?”

Starscribe leaned back a bit as Spike leaned in. “I’m…” She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, composing herself. She opened her eyes with a demure expression and slightly bowed her head. “Please excuse me.”

Spike set himself back down on all fours. “... It’s okay. Xenon’s being pretty mean.”

Starscribe shook her head. “That’s no excuse for losing my composure like that.”

“No, it really is fine.” Spike grinned at her. “No harm done.”

“Well…” Starscribe bowed her head very slightly. “Thank you.”

A frustrated groan resounded from Goldenrod from behind the bookcase. “I can’t believe her! This is an impossible task. There is no information on the plant in this entire library, I’d bet, and I’m stuck here until she decides it’s entirely futile? She’s not even looking for it!”

Starscribe’s face showed a very slight frown. “That is no way to treat an assistant,” she said softly.

“Yeah. It’s awful…”

From beyond the wall, Goldenrod said, “Well, whatever. I guess it’s back to the botany section for a more thorough examination. Hopefully I’ll get it done quickly.”

Spike rolled his eyes. “It’s going to take her an awful long time starting there for the information.”

Starscribe tilted her head. “It will?”

“Well… yeah. The botany section probably has only the most up to date texts, and if the snowcoast sunweed was thought to be extinct there wouldn’t be much information. Her best bet would be trying to find some journals from a researcher who would be recording botany in the biomes that they grow in. Wherever that is.”

“Old… journals?” Starscribe said, tilting her head.

Spike peered around the corner. “Yeah, there’s a lot of information contained in old journals,” he said, watching around the corner. “It’s a good place to find really obscure information, and a lot of naturalists were also ponies who were naturally inquisitive.”

Goldenrod trotted off to the section that no doubt held botany. Spike watched her leave his field of view. “I feel kinda bad for her.”

When he turned back, Starscribe was staring into his eyes challengingly. “So… why don’t you help her?”

Spike pursed his lips and scrunched up his snout. “I… I’ve kinda been spying on her, and I don’t really want to tell her that I was.”

She raised a disapproving eyebrow, practically glaring at him.

Spike shrank a little under her gaze.

“Wait here,” she commanded.

Spike blinked and watched Starscribe about face and trot directly at Goldenrod.

“Starscribe, wait,” Spike hissed under his breath and swiped at her, backing off before he left the confines of the bookcase. He backed up and peeked his head around the bookcase.

Starscribe approached Goldenrod and got her attention. Spike retracted completely behind the bookcase as Goldenrod turned her head toward him.

Spike didn’t dare poke his head out while Goldenrod could be looking his way. But the problem was he had no way of knowing whether or not she was anymore. His pulse quickened a little and he tried to control his breathing. ‘Is Goldenrod still talking to Starscribe? Is she done? Is she telling Goldenrod that I’m here?’ he thought, not daring to make a move. He spent several minutes crouched behind the bookshelf, uncertain if it was safe to peek his head out.

Starscribe’s voice suddenly resounded beside him. “As the name suggests, it only grows on snowy coasts.”

Spike jumped up into the air and yelped. He landed and breathed in and out heavily, a claw to his chest.

“I… I’m sorry,” Starscribe said, her brow furrowed.

“Don’t sneak up on a dragon like that.” Spike gasped for breath. “Three times.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Duly noted.”

Spike took a moment to compose himself, then said, “So… what did you ask Goldenrod about?”

“The snowcoast sunweed only grows on snowy coastal areas, and was last heard of a hundred and twenty years ago. There were a few regions that Goldenrod knew of specifically.”

Spike blinked. “Right… so…”

“So now you can help her without telling her you are here,” she said, as a matter of fact.

“Well–” Spike scratched the back of his head. “–I guess so…”

“So, let us go to the section with the journals,” she finished, trotting over to the lift.

Spike watched Starscribe walk away, before sighing and following her.

Running her hoof along the bookshelf, Starscribe quickly scanned for the tome she needed, and with a practiced motion slipped it off of the bookshelf.

Spike watched her with curiosity. ‘She knows her way around books pretty well, and, once she knew what she was looking for, knows her way around these journals too… ’ His gaze drifted to her cutie mark: a scroll with a group of stars gathered in a constellation on it. ‘Maybe she’s looked through these for star charts, before?’

He tapped his chin with a claw. ‘Maybe… but she didn’t seem to be aware of the informational side of these...’

He watched as Starscribe carefully flipped through the pages of the old journal. A small smile appeared on her face as she read through the entries of the journal.

‘It takes a lot to get a reaction out of her… right? I wonder if she’s found something...’

“Hey, Starscribe?”

The smile was fading when she looked up to Spike. “Yes?”

“What did you find?”

“I… It is nothing,” Starscribe said, a little too quickly.

Spike raised his eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

Starscribe closed the book quickly and turned away. “Y-yes. I… I was indulging myself in reading the journals whether or not they were likely to include the information we need, instead of helping Goldenrod, as my suggestion. I will make sure to not tolerate my dalliances anymore and get back on track.”

Spike watched Starscribe return to scanning the bookshelf. “It’s… okay. It didn’t really take up any time...”

Starscribe didn’t respond, returning the book and continuing scanning.

Spike blinked and muttered, “Okay then,” under his breath.

They worked together in mostly silence, communicating only when it was about the work. It was a comfortable situation for Spike, harkening to the days when Twilight would focus on her work. He occasionally caught glimpses of Starscribe smiling as she read her work, not interrupting like he had before.

The search was not actually that difficult. Narrowing it down by region and particularly by the date expedited the search significantly. And, Spike had to reiterate to himself, Starscribe really did know her way around these journals. She was quite an efficient scanner, even when the journals were poorly organized or illegible. Spike wondered if she was faster than he was. She certainly made the job much quicker.

Before long, they had located a journal of one Garden Spice, a young mare who had grown up around snowcoast sunweeds, and only started taking notes in her adulthood after learning about the scarcity of the flower she grew up with.

Spike peered out from behind another bookcase as Starscribe approached Goldenrod with the tome in her saddlebags. When presented with the book and proof of the existence of the information she was looking for, Goldenrod squealed with delight, which got her a few nasty looks, since she was still in a library. Blushing, she compromised by hopping and clapping her hooves together softly.

Spike snuck around behind them as they located Xenon, and when Starscribe finally found her way behind a nearby bookcase he joined her, using his height to his advantage to peek over her. He saw Goldenrod approaching Xenon Shine.

Biting her lower lip, Goldenrod approached her and announced, “Xenon Shine, I have found the information you need.”

“Is that so?” Xenon’s voice was filled with doubt, and she raised an eyebrow.

Shirking under Xenon’s scrutiny, Goldenrod managed to say, “O-of course,” and presented the journal.

Xenon opened the journal to the marked page and started flipping through it. Goldenrod (and Starscribe and Spike from their hiding place) waited with bated breath.

After a couple minutes Xenon closed the book, placed it into her saddlebag, and turned back to what she was working on.

Goldenrod motioned with her hoof for Xenon to continue, a dumbfounded expression on her face. After it became clear no response was coming, she stomped on the ground.

Xenon looked back, bemused. “Can I help you?”

Goldenrod snapped at Xenon loudly. “Is it right or not?!” Nearby heads turned to watch.

Xenon frowned slightly. “Of course it is. That’s why I put it in my pack instead of sending it back.”

“So why didn’t you say so?” Goldenrod hissed.

With a roll of her eyes, Xenon said, “I didn’t think I needed to. I thought you’d at least be sharp enough to figure it out.”

Goldenrod sputtered. “Maybe because this is the fourth time I brought you information on it.”

“Why are you getting angry?” Xenon said, starting to get a sharpness from her voice. “It’s not my fault it took you four tries to get to the information I needed.”

“It’s an obscure piece of information! Besides, it’s here now, isn’t it?”

“... It is.”

“So maybe at least you could acknowledge that my job is complete!”

Xenon stared daggers at Goldenrod. “Fine. You’re done. I release you. Now go away.” She turned away, returning to looking through the stacks herself.

Meanwhile, Spike was grinding his teeth. ‘Look at this. I can’t believe I even considered she would be a good candidate for the Element of Magic. She’s unappreciative, rude, self-absorbed… I lucked out when she gave me a vague compliment when I finished my work.

‘Twilight would have reacted properly to this.’

Spike snorted out a puff of smoke, eliciting a light cough from Starscribe below him.

“This is a very sensitive topic for you, isn’t it?” Starscribe asked him.

“Er…” Spike grimaced. ‘Nope, can’t talk to Twilight to this stranger...’ He stepped back, so he was no longer looming over her. “I have a little experience with… assistance, and I just think it’s… terrible for someone to be that rude.”

Starscribe looked at Spike impassively. “I… see.”

Goldenrod stomped up to Starscribe. “I absolutely cannot sta–” She stopped short, staring with eyes wide at Spike. “The dragon? What are you doing here?”

‘Horseapples.’

Her eyes shifted down, to the package that Spike was still toting around. He smiled sheepishly and hid it behind him. “I was just… well… around and… kind of…”

“Spike–” Starscribe gestured to him “–helped me locate the journal.”

“Really?!” Goldenrod said, with just a bit too much disbelief in her voice.

Spike frowned. “Yeah, I helped.”

“He knew to look in the historic journals to find this information, and this expedited the inquiry immensely.”

“Oh… well… thanks.” Goldenrod looked away, crossing her hooves petulantly. “Not that it made Xenon any nicer,” she grumbled.

“Yes, she was quite acerbic,” Starscribe said.

“I mean, it’s not like the work isn’t done. On time even! It’s not like she was working on it. There’s no reason she would be–”

“Stop,” Starscribe interrupted firmly.

“What? Is it wrong for me to want to do the job I thought I came here to do?”

“No.” Starscribe laid a hoof on Goldenrod’s shoulder, and in a much softer tone she said, “We’re still in the library.”

“So, the real problem isn’t just that I have to do these kinds of errands. I get it, I’m at the bottom of the pecking order, someone has to do them.” Goldenrod sipped from her coffee cup. “But that’s the only thing I’ve done so far! I’ve been here for two months, and I’ve done a lot of fetching, delivering, clerical duties, searching for texts and such… but I haven’t done any actual research.”

Starscribe nodded placidly. “Surely you’ve done those things before, though.”

A frown appeared on Goldenrod’s face. “Well… yeah. But… I haven’t just done them for years now. I did nothing but that stuff under Sage Rose, my old mentor, as a part of my apprenticeship, but… I had thought I had moved past it, you know? I was working on my own stuff, pioneering spells or techniques.”

Shrugging, Goldenrod said, “Sure, I had to do a lot of the legwork myself, but I thought I had proven myself, and that I’d finally be moving out from my master’s hooves and onto bigger better things.”

She raised her hooves dramatically. “Come to Princess Twilight’s Institute for Magical Research! It’s the next step for my research and my whole career!” She sighed. “But instead I just traded my good position under my mentor with one where I’m back at the bottom again.”

Spike sipped his coffee; it was a little bitter but not unpleasantly so, and he looked around awkwardly. He had passed this open-air cafe many times, but had always been on the move. It was pleasant, especially since the sun was well past its zenith and the air was cool and dry.

He rested his claw gently on his undelivered package, still destined for the director of the Office of Interdepartmental Research.

Goldenrod made a miserable face. “But that doesn’t excuse this whole damn department from using me like slave labor, though!”

… Listening to Goldenrod going in mental circles like this was only dampening the mood a little bit.

‘The Arcane department sounds like it doesn’t do very well by its younger employees … I wonder if that’s why the assignment was unfulfilled for so long: because my department doesn’t actually want to send us to do random gofer work for the Arcane department.’

“And the nerve of Xenon! Would it kill her to show some gratitude?”

Spike nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, I–”

Starscribe backed up out of Goldenrod’s line of sight and glared a little at Spike, shaking her head.

Spike stared back, blinking repeatedly.

“... You what?”

Spike’s head mechanically rotated to Goldenrod. “Uhhh…” He opened his maw and dumped the rest of the coffee into it. The strong bitter taste bothered him more than the heat did. “I’m out of coffee. Let me go fix that.”

Getting up to go to the counter, Spike inwardly cursed when he realized he’d be paying extra for the coffee refill, and this was not a cheap place. He could still collect a stipend for technically still being a steward of the Ponyville castle but… it didn’t feel right, taking money for a job he didn’t do anymore. And that meant no royal funds.

A diet of gemstones, even a few gemstones, was not cheap, and Spike hadn’t yet found a source of low-quality cheap gemstones. They weren’t as tasty, but they were still the gems Spike’s biology needed, and he could mature a few, if they were already of enough quality.

Spike sighed as he paid the price. ‘I shoulda come up with a better excuse. One that doesn’t fine me five bits.’

When he returned to the table, both Goldenrod and Starscribe had stood up and were still chatting.

“Uh… what’s up?” Spike asked.

Noticing him finally, Goldenrod turned to Spike. “I have to go.” She took a deep breath and held her hoof out to Spike. “Thank you for your help today.”

Spike grinned, and bumped it with his closed fist. “You’re welcome.”

Goldenrod shared his grin, turned back to Starscribe, and said, “And thank you, too. I would probably still be looking for data, or… I would have failed, and I can only imagine what Miss Shine would have been like if I had failed to find the information she needed.”

With that, Goldenrod turned about face and trotted away, but stopped for a moment. She didn’t turn back to face them, but said “And… thanks for listening,” and continued off.

Spike stared blankly off into the space Goldenrod used to be in. His coffee cup slipped from his claw, spilling out onto the ground. He didn’t even look down.

“Spike… are you alright?” Starscribe asked.

“I… why did I even buy the extra coffee if she was about to leave?!” he said, holding his hands out in outrage.

Starscribe frowned. “I’m sorry, had I realized I might’ve recommended that you not get a refill.”

“Well, why did you stop me from saying what I was going to say?!” Spike said, raising his voice.

“I believed it would be intrusive,” Starscribe said, completely unflapped by Spike’s outburst. “She was expressing her frustration, and we were listening to her. It would be rude, and I believe counterproductive, to intrude with our own frustrations.”

Spike lost his steam. “Well, I… I was just going to agree with her.”

“And I am aware how strongly you feel about Xenon’s actions, but I think that it would be counterproductive to her own mood. She was doing a good job working herself out of her frustrations on her own, I didn’t think interrupting her would help.”

“... Even with your own frustrations? I know you weren’t very happy with Xenon Shine’s actions.”

Starscribe sighed, and pursed her lips. “Of course I wasn’t. It was counterproductive arrogance and cruelty. Especially as she was losing her temper at the end there.” She shook her head. “But it would be just as counterproductive for me to lose my temper.”

Spike scratched the back of his head. “Oh uh… I guess it would… wouldn’t it. Sorry.”

A small smile appeared on Starscribe’s face. “It’s okay. There was no harm done.”

Spike mirrored her smile and chuckled weakly. “Well… thank you.”

Starscribe covered her smile with her hoof, cleared her throat, and when she removed the hoof the smile was gone. “Now, I must be off.” She trotted off, and it seemed like she had a little spring in her step as she left.

Spike smiled to himself, picked up the package and started off to the last delivery of his day.

Spike walked back into Fine Dust’s office, a satisfied grin on his face. “Done with my delivery for Sunny Gaze.”

Fine Dust looked up from his work and gave a glance at the clock on the wall. “It’s been hours.” She shot a piercing glance at Spike. “It couldn’t possibly have taken you that long. Where have you been?”

‘Spying and helping Goldenrod do her job, instead of mine.’ Spike definitely couldn’t tell her that, so instead he said, “Sunny Gaze had some tasks for me.”

Fine Dust raised her eyebrow dubiously. “Really? But he has you all the time anyway. Why would he send you to us, only to monopolize your time?"

Spike rubbed the back of his head. "I guess it just... worked out that way."

"Just like how it 'just worked out' that you didn't take much time at all in all the other deliveries?"

"Y-yeah." Spike laughed nervously.

"Even though Professor Bog came in earlier complaining that you left him before he was done with you?"

'Busted.'

The glare Fine Dust was shooting at Spike darkened. “Just what exactly were you doing all afternoon?”

Spike grimaced. ‘Ugh… okay. Honesty time. Mostly honesty.’ “I was… well I followed Goldenrod to Xenon’s delivery.”

Fine Dust’s glare turned to surprise. “You… did? Why?”

Spike licked his lips and looked away from Fine Dust’s eyes as he fought to come up with an excuse. “Well… I thought… That Xenon was so demanding and hard to please that I’d just… see if she needed help...”

Fine Dust rotated her hoof as if to say ‘go on.’

“... And then I did. We helped locate a journal for Xenon Shine.”

“And the reason I didn’t hear about this is…”

“W-well… I’d imagine it would be pretty embarrassing for Goldenrod to admit…”

Fine Dust’s eyes narrowed as she peered at Spike.

Spike put on the biggest winningest smile he could muster.

The seconds dragged on as Fine Dust scrutinized Spike. After a time, Fine Dust closed her eyes and seemed to shrug. “Alright.”

Spike’s smile turned genuine. “Great. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

He turned to leave, and as he was opening the door, Fine Dust interrupted him. “Hopefully this time you’ll actually stick around for your assignments, and I won’t have to share that your performance was disappointing with Doctor Gaze.”

Spike twisted his head back slowly, to see Fine Dust looking at him with a sly expression. Spike laughed nervously. “D-duly noted.”

Author's Note

It's here! Four months isn't great, but it also isn't six months!

... Of course, it was six months since the last main chapter.

So here's to some progress, and making better progress later. Hopefully it isn't so long that people start to forget where we are in the plot and it becomes hard to follow.

As always, Amneiger helped me out with prereading and brainstorming. Thanks!

Prologue - Leaving

Six multicolored mares stood in the center of the dark room, barely able to see even a few feet into the thick, black smoke. They erupted into an incandescent sphere and unleashed a rainbow shockwave, driving the smoke away and revealing a monstrous black night pegasus, the pegasus who had betrayed his comrades in Luna’s guard, attacked the elements, and commandeered the throne room in the palace for unknown reasons.

His wings, normally leathery and batlike, had deformed spines at their tips and claws at the joint, and his ordinarily small fangs were exaggerated and huge. Next to him was a floating orb, projecting a smoky disk of purple magic behind it. The Elements gathered power, blasting a huge rainbow beam at the monstrous night pegasus.

Spike, a thoroughly thrashed diminutive purple dragon, looked on in wonder from his place on the ground. He had seen the prelude to these powers a couple times before, but usually the Elements flew away to fight the monsters afterward. Seeing just the beginning it was already amazing, but that was nothing compared to what he was witnessing now. All the negativity and pain (and bruises and scorched scales) of the last few hard-fought hours bled away in the light and glory of the Elemental Rainbow.

The night pegasus’s roar of rage and agony was drowned out by the blast that engulfed him. In an instant, the impurities in his body materialized as a thick, black smoke, only to be blasted away. The magical orb cracked and shuddered before crumbling into dust.

But the disc of purple energy remained, flickering with images of stern equine faces.

The sphere of power surrounding the Elements of Harmony faded away. The six mares of various pony tribes settled down onto the ground, their tails and mane still exaggerated and striped, the signs of The Elements empowering them without the need for the necklaces they used to require.

“What is that?” Spike asked.

“Home,” the collapsed pegasus croaked.

“Home?!” Twilight Sparkle cried.

“The home world… portal we night pegasi came through millennia ago. I made contact. I opened it.”

“All those ponies hurt. The threats! Th-the priceless research destroyed! The black alchemy and all the body changes! Just to open up a lousy portal?!”

The night pegasus coughed. “‘S’not even the worst part. But I’d do anything… I did anything to get to the place I belong.”

“You belong in a cell,” Rainbow Dash quipped.

“Hang on a sec,” Applejack said. “What do I keep seeing on the other side of this portal?”

“Probably a thousand armed night pegasi,” the pegasus croaked. “I’ve been in contact with the other side. They had the knowledge I did not.”

“A thousand armed… an army? At the portal?! That’s an invasion!” Twilight cried.

“I told you there was something worse,” the night pegasus said.

“Well, this stops now!” Twilight announced, and stepped toward the portal. Her horn glowed with its violet aura, and the Elements reacted by lending her power. She shot a rainbow beam at the portal, which rippled and distorted, but did not disappear.

“W-why didn’t it close?” Spike asked.

“The connection’s already made. There is no stopping it from this side anymore.” The night pegasus sighed contentedly. “I’ll be home soon.”

“No!” Rainbow Dash shouted and stamped on the ground. “You don’t get to win here! We won! You can’t win!”

The seven ponies and dragon stared as the portal began to clear and the army beyond it began to come into focus. There were thousands of night pegasi standing in rank and file on a rocky plain. Nobody on this side had ever seen that many of them in one place in their entire lives. Each was armed to the teeth—often literally—and at their head another huge night pegasus stood, bulky and armored. By him was a familiar glowing orb.

Spike heard hoofsteps behind him, and he looked to see Twilight stepping forward. She turned back. “Okay girls, hold on… I’ll be right back.”

She looked down at Spike and smiled. He tried to push himself up, but she stopped him with her hoof. Spike looked up in confusion. The purple pony, with both wings and a horn, was his whole world, and he was her number one assistant. They were partners through thick and thin. Why would she be stopping him now, just because he’s a little bruised? She ruffled his frill playfully. Her hooves were warmer than usual, and a comfortable tingle went down Spike’s spine.

“It’ll be just a minute.”

Spike gave a weak smile and nodded.

Twilight took off toward the portal, galloping and flapping her wings before soaring with the power of the Elements. She collided with the portal horn-first, suddenly impeded by a wall of energy. She grit her teeth, and summoned a faint shield from the Elements which parted the whorling energy of the portal and forced her way through it.

The eyes of the commander on the other side widened in shock as Twilight burst forth from the portal and her horn connected with the smoking orb on his side of it. The orb shuddered and quaked, and the commander let out a mighty roar of rage, which could be felt on the Equestrian side of the portal.

Twilight darted back for the portal as the armies charged her when the bubble of magic around her popped, her hair losing its extra colorful streaks from the Element’s power. Spike’s heart leapt up into his throat. The closest armored pegasus dove for Twilight. She only narrowly dodged. Spike wrenched himself upright and pushed off with his feet. Pain lanced through his legs and spine and he fell flat on his face, crying out.

The portal waned as Twilight was tackled by a soldier, then another. “Twilight!” Spike cried, futilely reaching his claw towards the portal.

She looked through the portal straight at Spike. Her face fell and twisted into an expression of horror. Her horn lit and there was a violet flash as the portal finally closed, with Princess Twilight Sparkle on the far side.

The six ponies and dragon all stared at the closed portal. All at once they reacted. The night pegasus now stuck in Equestria collapsed, his lifelong dream dead. Rainbow Dash darted to where the portal used to be, and screamed in rage. Applejack glared daggers and loomed over the night pegasus threateningly. Fluttershy broke down sobbing. Rarity silently held her for comfort, while trying to hold back her own tears. Pinkie Pie sat alone, quietly whimpering.

And Spike lay on the ground, injured and trembling and gasping for breath, as his life fell apart.

Spike awoke to the distant sound of knocking on the palace’s front door and pulled himself up from the bed. He had outgrown his basket years ago and reluctantly started sleeping in the empty bed in his room. Spike wasn't entirely comfortable using it without permission from the old owner, but it wasn’t like she was available to ask.

Spike began the long trek through the empty halls of the crystalline palace. At one point not too long ago these halls were bustling with activity. First by friends, both the Elements of Harmony and other ponies from town, or even out of town. Then by servants, who helped with the upkeep as visitors to Ponyville’s crystal tree palace dwindled. Now, Spike was the only one left.

Spike sighed. Moving away from Ponyville felt very different from moving to Ponyville. Moving here had all the excitement of a new town, and the new ponies who were all nice, and Twilight's new friends and newfound friendliness. Moving away felt empty. Like Spike was admitting defeat.

There was another vigorous knocking on the door, and Spike gave himself a light slap on his cheek. There would be time for moping later; right now he had duties to perform.

Spike surveyed the throne room for what might be the last time. He had a tiny throne that he didn’t really fit into anymore, not that he’d sit in it if the other girls weren’t here. This was their palace after all; Spike was just taking care of it. They mostly avoided the palace even more than he avoided leaving the palace. He still had to purchase groceries, after all.

Spike reached the doorway, and finally answered the door. Standing outside, currently looking at the sunrise, was a rust colored pegasus. A stack of three books, tied together with a ribbon, sat upon his flank.

“Finally. I swear to Celestia if you wanted me here this early you might as well have the decency to–” He looked at Spike for the first time, and his indignant expression drained as he stared upwards at the dragon. “–be... ready... when I get here,” he trailed off.

Spike was much taller when he stood on two legs. He was half a head taller than even Big Macintosh, and he was the tallest stallion Spike had ever seen. Spike hadn't checked since his latest growth spurt, but he suspected he was as tall as Celestia.

So of course he towered over this new pegasus, who wasn't a particularly large specimen.

“Aheh,” Spike chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “Sorry about that. I'm used to late nights and... I sorta needed a bit of an alarm to wake up. And that's you! I'm sorry.”

“That's... okay,” the stallion said carefully.

Several uncomfortable seconds passed. “Well you're the new steward, right? Russet Page?” Spike said. “Come on inside.”

Spike lowered himself upon all four limbs and began to walk inside. When he was walking on all fours, he wasn't any taller than a normal pony, although with his tail, he was longer. He hoped it would ease Page's nerves.

“S-so you're the only po–person here? W-w-what happened to the rest of the staff?”

Nope, not eased at all.

“I’m the only one left,” Spike responded.

Page froze. “You’d be the only po–person that I would interact with?”

“Well… not exactly. The reason I asked for a new steward is because I’m leaving.”

Page visibly relaxed. “Oh that’s–” He frowned exaggeratedly. “–Such a shame.” He perked up. “But! I’m sure you’ve got a lot of places to be, you should be going.”

“No, let me show you arou–”

“I’m sure I’ve got it! Once you’ve seen one elaborate crystal tree-palace you’ve seen them all, right?” Page smiled too widely, looking at Spike, but avoiding his gaze.

“I'm not gonna eat you or anything, buddy,” Spike said, eyes half lidded.

“Who said anything about eating?!” Page exclaimed. “I certainly didn't! I-I was just thinking about how you probably need to leave this very instant!”

Spike groaned. “At least let me tell you about what you can expect.”

Page nodded insistently.

“The palace is still open to visitors, particularly the throne room, ballroom, and library. Mostly nopony comes around anymore. Sometimes you get tourists or library patrons, but except for Fluttershy, who still checks out books from here primarily, we won’t get anypony unless they need something rare.”

“Right! Peace and privacy!”

Spike eyed Page, who shied away. “... I guess. Maybe without a big scary dragon secluding himself in the palace more ponies will be willing to come over.”

Page’s smile faded just a little, confusion setting into his eyes.

“... Well!” Spike forced a smile onto his face. “If you need more help Pinkie will probably be willing to tell you about where everything is in the palace, and the rest of the town. If you want somepony more… predictable you might be able to get Fluttershy to help. Applejack would be happy to help but… don’t tell her I sent you. They never really lived in the palace, even if they have rooms, but it’s still their palace. So they’re your bosses.”

“O-oh.”

Awkward silence fell between them, Russet Page refusing to look at Spike, sweating profusely.

Page took a deep breath. “S-so. If that’s it then… goodbye?”

“Yeah.”

Spike, lugging his baggage, left the the Rainbow Palace and sighed. He hadn't gotten that sort of reaction from anyone before. 'Am I terrifying now? How much longer before I can't walk through the streets anywhere without causing panic? Most of Ponyville has known me since I was a small whelp, but even some of them are starting to give me weird looks, like I'm going to go nuts, break the water tower, imprison a stunt team and kidnap a damsel,' Spike thought. 'I figured by now they'd have realized that was a one-time deal. I'm not going to lose myself anytime soon.'

Spike took one last look at his most recent home. ‘Goodbye. I hope Russet Page is good to you,' he thought and he set out across Ponyville.

Spike avoided the market this morning. This early there probably wasn't anyone there, but occasionally Applejack would be in the market instead of at the farm, or Pinkie would be up doing something, and Spike really did not want to run into either of them.

So Spike made his way around the edge of town and headed for the train station.

He thankfully made it to the train station without incident. He set his bags down, then set himself down with a sigh. There were a couple stares through the town, like he suspected. ‘Guess they’re not used to the crazy secluded dragon walking around town. Without Twilight’s friends to vouch for me they’re probably uncomfortable.’

Spike smiled wryly at the thought. 'Twilight probably wouldn't have let things get that bad with her friends, at least once she knew what they meant to her. And here I am sneaking away.'

Spike glanced at the clock. It was still nearly an hour until his train arrived.

'Maybe I'll send them letters after a week or two, and a few of them will forgive me,' Spike thought, and he looked over the landscape outside Ponyville. The sun was just beginning to crest the green hills and lush trees, casting long shadows. A breeze caused the tops of the trees to sway back and forth, and a bit of bright blue sky peeked out from between them.

'Wait...'Spike looked at the sky. It was mostly a dull gray from the morning sun, yet to leave the horizon. 'So where is the blue–'

Spike's thought was interrupted as a bright blue blur burst from the treeline outside the train station. It rose until it was high in the sky and hung there. The speck might have been far away then, but Spike didn't have any problems correctly guessing what, or more accurately who, it was.

The blue pegasus began her descent, and spun herself into a corkscrew pattern. The corkscrew's radius increased as she went down, and so did her speed, but she kept descending at the same rate. As her speed increased, her multicolored mane cast a longer and longer translucent rainbow behind her. All at once the rainbow became opaque, flying outward from the corkscrew's center like a ribbon being let go. The stunt became a spectacle of expanding rainbows as the mare tightened the corkscrew, and the measured descent became terrifyingly fast. The mare broke her dive just a few feet above the ground and turned upward, spreading her wings dramatically.

Rainbow Dash fluttered down gently onto the train platform, eyes closed. “And that's how you make an entrance.”

Spike's mouth was gaping. He was rendered speechless by the stunt, although there was a tiny voice in the back of his head trying to get his attention.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes. “Wait, where is everypony? Am I early?” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Of course I'm early. Now I did my new trick and only one pony got to see it, and he's not even a pony! (No offense Spike.)”

Rainbow Dash threw her hooves over her head and plopped down on the bench next to the stunned dragon.

“It’s probably for the best, I guess. Spitfire would end me if I got another new trick in the paper before we had a chance to actually perform it.”

“D-Dash?” Spike managed to say after collecting himself a little.

“Yeah?” Rainbow Dash turned a little to face Spike. Her eyes widened. “Sweet Celestia, you shot up, Spike. I know it has been the better part of a year but jeez, how tall are you? Am I gonna have to start calling you 'big guy'? Yeah I think–”

“Dash!” Spike interjected.

“Yeah, big guy?”

“Early for what?”

Rainbow Dash gave him a sheepish grin and chuckled nervously. “Well... you see...”

There was a festive squeak and from outside of Spike's vision as all manner of decorations assaulted the train station. Where before there was nothing, now there were streamers and balloons and confetti. A cart with a cake on it slowly rolled into Spike's sight, and to cap all of it off, a banner unfolded from the ceiling reading: “Good Luck Spike!”

A pink pony with hair like cotton candy popped up from between the platform and the railroad tracks. “Surprise!” yelled Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie! What are you doing here?!” Spike exclaimed.

“Well I knew you were leaving town without telling anypony and I asked myself, 'Pinkamena Diane Pie, why would Spikey not tell anypony he was leaving?' and I told myself, 'Because he's trying to tell you he really, really wants a surprise party, because the only other reason he'd leave without telling anypony is he's feeling awkward and alienated because he's cooped himself up in the palace and feels like everypony doesn't really want to see him, especially if he thinks he's just abandoning them, and would rather secretly leave than confront and apologize to everypony, even though that would all but destroy what friendship he had with them and abandon them for real.' But I knew better than that!”

“Of... course that would be ridiculous, Pinkie,” Spike said cautiously. “Thanks for the party.”

Pinkie Pie winked at Spike. “No problem, Spikey, I am Ponyville's premier party planner. If I wasn't able to throw a going-away party for a friend on a moment's notice I wouldn't be much of one, would I?”

“Uh, Pinkie,” Dash interjected. “I got my invitation a week ago.”

“Details, Dashie. Unimportant details.”

“Pinkie!” Spike leapt up and grabbed her by her shoulders, lifting her up. “How many other ponies did you invite?”

“Just the essentials! The girls, and the ponies formerly known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Zecora, and the Cakes, and the rest of the Apples, and the shopkeeper of Quills and Sofas, and the Princesses (although I give them invitations to all my parties and they never show up), and Shining Armor, and Little Strongheart, and the candy store owner, and the new steward, and... I think that was it.” Pinkie brought her hoof to her chin. “I might have sent out a few more I forgot about.”

Spike's mouth hung wide open. 'I thought I kept this a pretty good secret! Just how long has everypony known about it?'

There was a hoof on Spike's chin, gently closing his mouth. “Don't get too excited, big guy; I doubt everypony on her list is showing up. Pinkie always invites a huge number of ponies and she's lucky if half show up,” Rainbow Dash said. “But with somepony leaving how could I miss it?”

Spike sighed. “I hope nopony else shows up. I'm not really in the mood for a fight.” Spike dropped Pinkie.

“Woah, a fight with who?” Rainbow Dash said.

“Spikey is probably just worried everypony's going to still be upset and awkward about his messy breakup with Apple Bloom. But you shouldn't be, Spikey Wikey! That was almost a year ago, I'm sure everypony is over it,” Pinkie Pie said.

“Wait, almost a year ago?” Rainbow Dash's face was wide with recognition. “I remember that! Applejack was going on about the monster that broke her sister's heart. I've never seen her so mad!”

Spike plopped down on the bench, and squeezed his eyes shut. 'Here it comes,' he thought. 'I hurt her friend and there's no way the former Element of Loyalty would not go ballistic. This is why I wanted to sneak away.'

Rainbow Dash took a seat next to him. “So, you wanna talk about it, big guy?”

Spike's eyes opened wide, looking at the pegasus seated next to him. “You-you're not going to yell at me?”

“Well, maybe, depends on what comes next. I mean, it’s not like I've heard it from your perspective yet.”

“It’s not much better, Dash.”

Several seconds passed in silence while Dash looked at Spike expectantly. Spike sighed and turned to face her. “It’s not that complicated. Eventually I decided to gave up my crush on Rarity… and found Apple Bloom. Supposedly. Except shortly after Rarity moved to Canterlot… She came back with stallion troubles. I… ran back to her side. I told myself I was just being a good friend, but Apple Bloom could tell that was a lie.

“I broke her heart. I wanted to feel like I was really getting over Rarity, so I jumped into a relationship and just hurt her. I never deserved her.

“After that I couldn't face any of the Apples, and Rarity and I agreed it was best if I stopped coming by... Fluttershy still drops by the library, but I can barely get a squeak out of her, and I can't show up at any of Pinkie's parties 'cause I don't want to find that Applejack or Apple Bloom were there. The rest of the Crusaders are still upset at me, too.”

Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. “Wow, Spike, that was all... really dumb. You're pretty stupid.”

Spike winced. He was ready for a tongue lashing, but her flat condemnation still hurt. “I know. I should have stayed away from her or took more time getting over Rarity or–“

“Not that part,” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Well, I mean, that was stupid too but it wasn't the really stupid part.” Rainbow Dash hovered up close to Spike's face, poking his chest with her hoof. “The really stupid part is when you decided you couldn't fix it! Instead, you kept yourself cooped up in the palace for a year!”

Spike stood there, stunned.

“Dashie's right!” Pinkie added. “Even if she's being a big meanypants about it, hiding from your problems isn't fixing them.”

“There isn't anything to fix.” Spike stated flatly. “I hurt her, now I let her move on with her life, and I move on with mine.”

“You never know unless you try, Spike! If you haven't tried to do anything, how do you know nothing’s going to work?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Spike stammered, “B-but I–“

Pinkie shushed Spike. “I know you didn’t do good, but it’s not the end of the world.”

“Pinkie,” Spike stated, not making eye contact. “You don’t have to comfort me. This was my fault and I’m just taking responsibility.”

Pinkie looked down. “But you’re hurting yourself more than she’s been hurt by you.” She shrank. “I asked her.”

Spike sat numbly. “I-is she coming?”

Pinkie closed her eyes and shook her head. “No.”

Spike looked away. “It’s for the best.”

Several quiet seconds passed before Rainbow Dash crashed into the conversation, roping both of their necks with her forehooves. “Guys, is this a pity party or a regular one?!”

“You’re not angry?” Spike said, smooshed against her chest.

“Not really!” She released her friends. “Sounds like getting angry won’t do anypony any good, and it happened like a year ago.” She held her hoof out to Spike and smirked. “We’re good.”

Spike balled up a fist and bumped her hoof with a smile. “Thanks.”

“Yay!” Pinkie shouted, accompanied by throwing confetti and baloons up into the air. “Then we’re ready to get this party started!”

The party was in full swing. More townsponies had shown up for the festivities. There was cake and punch and music. Spike said farewell to Zecora, who couldn't stay. 'Man, it’s been a long time since I had a conversation with that zebra.'

Spike stood up tall and spent a moment gazing over the party ponies. Many ponies from the town did indeed show up, save for Apple Bloom and her family and friends. Rainbow Dash was boasting to a group of foals who were wearing rainbow colored wigs, Pinkie had cornered Russet Page, describing the terrifyingly friendly day she had planned for him, and Fluttershy... Spike couldn't recall seeing Fluttershy that day. 'Maybe she's not here. I bet it’s the dragon thing, isn't it? I'm not cute baby Spike anymore; I'm already larger than she is. She's probably secretly terrified. Or maybe she is here and she's being a wallflower.'

Spike looked more critically at the crowd, trying to see a sign of Fluttershy he might have missed. He caught a bit of pale yellow and pink disappearing around the corner of the train station. Spike excused his way across the party.

Fluttershy was standing outside of the station, facing away from Spike. By her was her cart, unhitched, filled with animal care supplies. Spike couldn't make out what Fluttershy was saying to herself, but she seemed distressed. 'She's too nervous to make it to the party... maybe I should confront her. Confrontations are going well today, and even if she won't talk to me I bet I can get Dash and Pinkie to get her to have some cake,' Spike thought, and so approached Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy?” Spike spoke.

Fluttershy squeaked in shock, jumping a good distance into the air as she twirled to face Spike. For a moment she was cowering, trembling with tiny pupils, and Spike felt bad for surprising her. However, she then closed her eyes and breathed deeply, her posture becoming neutral.

Then her eyes snapped open, glaring at Spike's own.

Fluttershy flew up above Spike, her expression fierce. Spike felt smaller than when he first met her. Fluttershy was the kindest creature in the world, and she was angry. There was a small realization inside of Spike: 'This is it. This is The Stare. I never knew. I thought it was magical, or supernatural, but it’s not. Fluttershy is the most accepting mare in the world, and I managed to make her angry. I'm not worthy to be alive. No. NO! I have to make this right. She's gotta be angry about something and I'm going to make it right!'

“You listen here, mister!” Fluttershy sternly stated, her typical version of a shout. “You've done a bad thing and you need to apologize and work it out!”

“I-I-I-I'm sorry, Fluttershy!” Spike stammered, and fell to his knees before her. “I broke Apple Bloom’s heart, and I can’t do anything about it, a-a-and I know I did wrong when I tried to sneak out of town and I've been apologizing all morning! I'm so, so sorry!”

“Oh, that's wonderful,” Fluttershy began, her tone demure for a moment, before returning to her fierce determination. “But that's not what I'm talking about! You need to wait here until you can work this out!”

Spike cringed, waiting for the... whatever it was to happen. Seconds passed with Spike trembling. He looked around nervously, failing to develop even one plan to handle the unknown. A minute passed. Two minutes passed. Still no new things.

“Um... Fluttershy” Spike said, “What am I waiting–“

A loud bird call pierced Spike's ears, causing him to wince. There was a sound of wings, and when Spike opened his eyes, between himself and Fluttershy there was a brilliant orange and yellow bird.

“Peewee?” Spike said.

Peewee erupted into an angry cacophony of chirps, and sent tufts of fire at Spike, causing him to wince, even though they were harmless against Spike's scales.

Fluttershy's head appeared from behind Peewee. “Peewee is very angry that you haven't come and visited in over a year, Spike. And then you were going to leave without even telling him! He wouldn't even know if I hadn't come by after I got Pinkie's invitation. You should feel ashamed of yourself.”

Spike looked into Peewee's eyes, which were filled with determination. Spike hung his head, “I'm sorry, Peewee. I've been a bad friend to everypony this past year. Can you forgive me?”

Peewee gave Spike a considering look, before closing his eyes and nodding. He chirped happily.

“He accepts your apology! Now he has a question. Are you going to have to take a lot of time taking care of where you’re going to live now?”

Spike blinked at Peewee, confused. “I don't think so,” Spike ventured.

Peewee flew up above Spike with more happy chirps, flying in loops and corkscrews in the air excitedly.

Spike was still confused. “Why's he so happy?” he asked Fluttershy.

“Well he's happy because that was the reason he couldn't live with you before, right? Now that you’re not going to have to take care of the palace all the time, he can go to live with you.”

Spike watched Peewee dancing in midair. 'I guess it’s not like he'd be too big of a burden, and he's old enough that I won't have to watch him all the time to make sure he's not accidentally lighting something on fire. And I don't have to take care of where I'm living anymore, I bet. There might be a place where he can fly around without worrying, too! It’s not like Princess Celestia isn't able to keep Philomena around, and she lives in the center of Canterlot!'

“Peewee!” Spike called out to him. “You really wanna come?”

Peewee chirped and nodded, returning to Spike's eye level.

“You do know you won't be as free where I'm going right? You won't be free to fly everywhere you want to, and you might have to follow other rules too, like being in a cage sometimes. If you lived in the wild you wouldn't have to worry about any of that. Are you sure you want to give all that up?”

Peewee dismissed the notion with a swipe of his wing, unconcerned with it.

“Then welcome to the family! Again!” Spike smiled, but then his facial expression dropped. “But wait! I gave you back to your parents in the first place because I didn't know how to care for a phoenix. What do you eat? How much exercise do you need? What if you're sick? I'd look it up in the library, but I don't live there anymore! I don't have time to look it up before the train gets here either! And what about things like a cage? I don't wanna keep you cooped up, but the train might not let you on unless you're in one! And I don't know the rules about keeping pets at the Institute.”

Spike was silenced by an orange wing pressing on his lips. Peewee flew over to Fluttershy's cart, and retrieved a birdcage from it, carrying it with his claws and thrusting it into Spike's claw. Then Peewee flew into the cage himself, closing the door behind him. Peewee posed proudly inside his cage.

“I got you a book about phoenixes,” Fluttershy added. “I'm so glad Peewee's going to be living with you now. He talked about you whenever I visited; I had to keep checking up on you in the library so I would have things to tell him.”

“He did? I thought I wasn't that important to him.”

Peewee gave Spike an incredulous look.

“Oh no, he never forgot you. You were there when he hatched! And you saved his egg! You're very important to him,” Fluttershy said.

“Well, great! So let’s get back to the party. Can you have cake, Peewee?”

As the time of the train's arrival grew closer, the party at the station dwindled down to only Spike's closest friends: Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Peewee.

Rainbow Dash piped up, “So... we've been here the whole time, and I'm still not sure where exactly it is Spike is going. I mean, were you just leaving because of the whole arguing with Apple Bloom thing?”

“Shhhhh!” Pinkie shushed Scootaloo. “Not yet! We have to wait.”

“It’s okay Pinkie,” Spike said. “I don't mind. I found it a little weird nopony had asked yet. I'm going–“

Pinkie clamped Spike's mouth shut with her hooves. “No! Not yet! We have to wait!”

Behind him, Spike could hear the sounds of the arriving train. He attempted to talk, muffled by Pinkie's hooves, “Btt thh trns ullrdy hrr. Whuu m I waaaing fr? I wnnt hv ny tmm.”

“The train won't leave for fifteen minutes, Spike! That's plenty of time!”

The doors to the nearest train car then opened, and a dazzling white unicorn stepped out. It was Spike's one time dream mare. As always she was impeccably groomed, even this early in the morning, stepping off of a train that left even earlier.

“I'm sorry I'm so late, everypony,” Rarity said, “but this was the earliest train and I absolutely could not miss my client meeting last night. I hope I haven't missed too many of the festivities for my brief visit.”

Rarity's attitude was casual, as if this was a daily occurrence. But Spike hadn't seen Rarity for a year, and her visits to the others were not too frequent either.

“Glad you could pencil us into your busy schedule, Rares,” Rainbow Dash teased.

“Rainbow Dash! I may be busy, but for an event like this I will definitely show up.”

“For the last fifteen minutes,” Rainbow Dash snickered, and a few others did too.

“Yes! And now that I am here I don't want to spend the whole time arguing about how I just got here.” Rarity flipped her hair indignantly and approached Spike, Pinkie still hanging off of his head. Her voice became soft. “Spike, it’s good to see you. How have you been?”

“I've been... to tell the truth, kinda miserable. But now I feel great! How has Canterlot been treating you?”

“Living so near the pulse of fashion is wonderful. I wake up every day to the most beautiful city in Equestria, and with quick access to all sorts of materials. It really is a dream come true. But it gets lonely from time to time, and I miss the simplicity of living here in Ponyville.”

“Spike was just about to tell us what he's going-away to!” Pinkie said, hopping off of Spike.

“Of course! I got an invitation for a party but I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest about your destination.”

“Well!” Spike hopped up on a table, adopting a regal posture. “As you may know, before Twilight's sacrifice and subsequent disappearance, she was planning her first major act as a Princess of Equestria. She wanted to create a place where experts of all sorts of magic can gather and share knowledge and bring that knowledge forward for all of Equestria.

“Even though she's gone now, Luna decided it was such a good idea, and an enduring dedication to her, that she went forward with Twilight's plans. The part you probably all know is that Twilight Sparkle's Institute for Magical Research opened up two years ago.

“Well... after consideration, I decided that as Twilight's previous number one assistant, helping her dream succeed is a natural step. So... considering that I did it for Twilight for years, I applied for a position as a research assistant. I studied a lot in the past year to make sure I was ready.”

“Oh my,” Rarity said, “That's right outside Manehattan, isn’t it? It’s a very prestigious institution. Many of my clients brag about their involvement in the institute.”

The gathered ponies all made various impressed sounds.

“Aw shucks, it’s not that impressive, guys,” Spike said, rubbing the back of his head and smiling. “It’s basically the lowest position they have. I think being the previous assistant to the school's namesake went a long way.”

“Don't sell yourself short, big guy!” Rainbow Dash said. “You think they let anyone into that place? I bet not! It’s the Wonderbolts of eggheads! Best of the best, even if you're a rookie!”

Spike rolled his eyes, but his smile remained on his face. “And... guys... I just wanted to say…. Thank you.

“I know I haven't always been the best friend, and this last year especially I've been pretty awful, but you all are here now and I couldn't have made it through the past five years without you. You all are so great”– Spike began to get choked up–“And I was gonna leave without telling you all goodbye. But now you all are here wishing me good luck anyway! I don't deserve you guys.”

“Of course you don't!” Rainbow Dash said. Everypony stared at her, agape. “But you got us anyways.”

Spike smiled softly and chuckled. “Thanks, Dash. And everypony else.”

Spike stepped off of his table soapbox, and found himself surrounded by ponies. There were hooves all wrapped around each other, and around him. Spike found himself in a big group hug, and he couldn't stop himself anymore. The tears were falling from his eyes freely.

“Thank you,” Spike whispered.

The train conductor announced that it was time to board the train. Spike and the others loaded his bags onto the train.

“Well... this is it,” Spike said, standing just outside the train.

“Waaaait! One more thing!” Pinkie said, and held up a camera. “Everypony get in line for the photo!”

The five gathered ponies, a dragon, and a phoenix all posed for the photo. There was a pause, then a flash and a click.

“Alright, now this is really it,” Spike said. “Goodbye, girls.”

“Goodbye, Spike,” they said in unison.

Spike, Peewee's occupied cage in claw, got on the train out of Ponyville.

Spike sat down on his seat in the train car. It was going to be a long ride to the Institute, which was built right outside of Manehattan.

Spike sighed. 'I'm gonna miss Ponyville. I guess I can go visit still, now that everypony's forgiven me. I'm so glad I'm still friends with them.'

Spike winced a little. 'Of course, it just makes me feel worse that I lied to all of them when I told them why I was going to the institute.'

Recollection - Closing Doors

Green slitted eyes peered out from the bushes beside the Ponyville Train Station. The skies were clear, the sun was shining, and the birds were chirping. ‘Perfect day to catch a villain,’ Spike thought.

‘It was easy to convince Twilight to give me some time off. I remember back when she’d need my help all the time, I couldn’t get time off with anything less than a note from Celestia! But now it’s just a little excuse and she’s willing to give me some time off. She doesn’t need me anymore, after all.’

His ear frills fell a bit. “No, come on, Spike,” he whispered to himself, slapping his face lightly. “You already worked that out. You’re not just her assistant, you’re her friend. And now you’re doing what any friend would do: spy on her buisness-noble-contact… somepony for her own good.” He gave himself a reassuring nod.

A train whistle snapped him to attention. ‘Okay. The 1:25 came from the northeast. That’s–’ He crawled over to his train schedule and map ‘–the express from Manehattan? He didn’t come in from Canterlot?’

“Be careful with those.” Blueblood’s voice rang out. “They are important.”

“Y-yes, sir,” a young voice stammered.

Spike returned to his vantage point in the bush, peering out. He saw Blueblood standing next to a gray pegasus colt with bright orange hair, the colt laden with paperwork and scrolls. Blueblood glared at the younger pony and cleared his throat.

“I-I mean, Your Highness.”

Blueblood gave what he probably thought was a gracious nod, and the colt shied away, wearing a tiny smile. Spike scrunched up his face. ‘Ugh.’

“Now–” Blueblood levitated a stack of papers off of his assistant’s bags, only barely lessening the load “–I am going to meet with Princess Sparkle. Wait here and ensure these documents are secure, and if I need more of them I shall return to get them.”

“Yes, your highness,” the colt said.

Spike wrinkled his nose. ‘Y’know, I’m sure Twilight wouldn’t mind a paperwork-laden assistant wandering around the library. Celestia knows I do it often enough myself.’

Blueblood trotted away, and Spike was left watching the colt. The colt hesitantly hoisted his saddlebags onto a nearby table, exposing his notably blank flank and a pair of wings at his side.

Spike watched the colt look around nervously, and set his head down on the table. ‘This is my chance. A colt, nervous and alone, perfect to interrogate or steal some of those papers from so I can figure out Blueblood’s nefarious plan.’

Spike stumbled out of the bushes, and steeled himself. He puffed himself up as big as he could make himself, and stamped over to the table with the colt. “You there!” he said in his most commanding voice.

The colt jumped with a start, and twisted around. “A-a dragon!”

“That’s right! And I demand you tell me what Blueblood is doing here.”

“H-he’s meeting with the Princess.”

Spike huffed and rolled his eyes, losing his menacing pose for a moment. “I know that already.” He puffed himself back up. “I mean what are his plans for the Princess?” he boomed (as much as a young dragon could.)

“I-I-I don’t know,” the colt stammered, shrinking under Spike’s gaze.

“Are you sure? I am a ferocious fire-breathing dragon!” Spike puffed a small green flame into the air above him. He brandished his claws menacingly, ready to pounce. “I think you know more than you’re telling me,” he growled.

“I-i-it’s a big secret. I don’t even know what most of these papers are for.” The colt threw himself on his hindlegs’s knees and bowed low. “He hasn’t told me I just don’t know please don’t hurt me.”

Spike growled and stepped to the table. “Then just step aside, and I’ll look at them.”

The colt’s head snapped up. “W-wh… N-no,” he whispered.

Spike stepped back once. “W-what?”

“I won’t,” he said, with tears in the corner of his eyes. He rose up a bit, putting himself between Spike and the papers, his wings partially flared out . “E-even if you’re a ferocious dragon. I’ve been given just one job, to protect these papers. And I won’t let Prince Blueblood down! I’m gonna be a good assistant!”

Spike stepped back again. He stared into the colt’s eyes, which were filled with conviction even as they were tearing up. ‘He’s just trying to be a good assistant… like I would be. Even if his boss is a jerk.’ His ear frills fell down and he deflated. “Y-yeah… you’re doing a pretty good job…”

The colt’s ears stood up in confusion.

“Y-yeah,” Spike continued. “You’ve passed the uh… assistant’s test. That I was giving you now.”

The colt’s posture relaxed. “It was all a test? Really?”

Spike looked down and wrung his claws. “No,” he admitted. He perked up with forced enthusiasm. “But it sure sounded good, right!”

The colt frowned. “No.”

The two of them stared at each other for a moment. Spike broke the silence. “I’m sorry… let me make it up to you. Do you like cupcakes?”

The colt tensed up and eyed Spike warily. “...Yeah. I like cupcakes.”

“There’s a great place nearby for ‘em.” Spike turned around and started walking toward Sugarcube Corner. “Come on, let’s go.”

The colt backed up to the table. “I’ve got to protect these papers.”

“So bring ‘em with us.”

The colt eyed Spike warily. “You’re trying to trick me. You’re gonna lead me somewhere where it’s easier to steal them. Or distract me with sweets. Or go all dragon on me.”

Spike waved his hands in a panic. “No, it’s not like that! I’m trying to apologize for going all dragon on you! I promise I won’t look at the papers.”

The colt didn’t move from his spot, keeping his eye on Spike.

“Look I… I’ll even Pinkie Promise. Watch.”

Spike recited the Pinkie Promise, ending with smashing an imaginary cupcake on his eye.

“What was that?”

“Oh, um… it’s a really serious promise. If I break it I could lose a friend.”

The colt tilted his head, a bewildered look briefly overtaking his outraged one.

‘Oh.. yeah. I just met this colt. Losing a friend isn’t really a threat.’ “Uh… it’d be bad. Worse than a breaking a regular one.”

“Oh…” The colt glared at Spike.“...Okay.” He turned around and began the slow process of attaching his saddlebags.

Spike tapped his foot as the colt continued to fumble with his saddlebags. He frowned and stepped toward the the colt. “Hey, let me help?”

The colt flinched away. “N-no. I’ll get it.”

Spike stepped back again and his ear frills fell. ‘He’s… still a little scared of me.’

The colt finished putting on his saddlebags and collecting the fallen papers. He nodded to Spike. “Alright. Go ahead.”

“Y-yeah. It’s not very far.”

The two walked in silence through the Ponyville’s beautiful sunny day. It wasn’t for very long though, Sugarcube Corner was just down the street.

Spike cleared his throat. “Here it is! Sugarcube Corner! The tastiest, pastriest shop in all of Ponyville!”

Spike swore he could have seen a moment of wonder in the gray colt’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced with caution. He nodded at the door, indicating that Spike should go first. Spike smiled flimsily, and proceeded inside to the counter.

Pinkie Pie was watching the counter. She waved excitedly at Spike, and he grinned. ‘Perfect.’

He sauntered up to the counter, putting his elbow on it and giving a smarmy smile. “Pinkie, can I get a couple of cupcakes for myself and my new friend here? It’s his first time in Ponyville,” he said with a significant wink.

Pinkie’s smile grew wider, as did her eyes. “Really?!” The colt’s eyes also widened, and he backed up a little. She hopped over the counter to hover over the colt. “It’s your first ever time in Ponyville?!”

“Y-yes,” he squeaked.

“And you’re Spike’s new friend?!”

“Um… yes?”

“And you like to party?!”

“Y-yeah…”

Pinkie Pie squealed. “Oh, this is the bestest thing! I haven’t thrown a Welcome to Ponyville Party in eighteen and a half days! Ooh there’s gonna be streamers and banners and cupcakes! I have to go get ready!”

“W-wait!” he cried.

Pinkie stopped.

“I’m not going to be here very long. There’s no time for a–” Pinkie Pie hopped off into the back room “–party.”

The colt looked around for his guide. Spike waved to him from a table, and motioned to the open seat opposite him. The colt tentatively took a seat.

“... Okay, what was that?” the colt asked.

“Pinkie Pie,” Spike stated.

The colt blinked at Spike. “That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Sure it does!”

“That doesn’t helpfully answer my question.”

“Oh… no it probably doesn’t. If you’re looking for an explanation you might be out of luck. Twilight tried that once. It didn’t go well.”

“So, that’s the second time you mentioned Twi?” He was interrupted by a loud squeak and a rain of confetti and streamers. A song rang out.

I welcome you to Ponyville and I am here to say,

I hope that you enjoy our town before you go away

But even though you can’t stay long,

I hope that you enjoy my song,

And have a super special happy daaaaay.

Yay!

The colt looked on in astonishment as Pinkie bounced around him, singing her song. She sat down beside the table and produced an orange cupcake. She set it down gently on the table. “For a little visit–” she nudged it toward him “–a little party.”

The colt smiled hesitantly, and took a bite out of the cupcake. His eyes lit up and he messily stuffed the rest in his face. Pinkie Pie’s smile widened.

“I’m glad you like it!”

“Fank fuu,” he said.

There was the sound of a bell and Pinkie’s ears perked up. “Oops! I’m supposed to be watching the counter. Bye!” She hopped away.

Spike watched the colt chew his overstuffed mouth with a knowing smile. The colt noticed. His enthusiastic chewing slowed and he visibly swallowed.

Spike took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. “I’m sorry for scaring you when you came into town.”

The colt eyed Spike. “Why did you do it?”

Spike sighed. “I was worried about Twilight. I don’t think Blueblood has good intentions with her.”

The colt frowned. “I don’t think he’s planning anything bad.”

“But you don’t know that.”

“... No. Why do you care? Who are you?”

Spike smiled and puffed his chest out in pride. “I’m Spike! Princess Twilight Sparkle’s number one assistant!”

The colt’s eyes widened and his tense posture relaxed. He composed himself and said, “I’m Able Wing, Prince Blueblood’s assistant.”

He held out his hoof with a smile on his face.

Spike smiled back, balled his claw up into a fist, and bumped his hoof.

“You’re his cousin? So you’re royalty too?”

“Um… no, my dad’s a count.”

“Ohhh… that’s still pretty impressive. So what’s a future count doing working as an assistant?” Spike teased.

“What’s a ferocious dragon doing working as an assistant?” Able Wing retorted with a smirk.

Spike puffed up his chest. “The best job. I’m the number one assistant for a reason.”

Able Wing laughed. “My older sister’s going to be countess when she grows up. I’m not being groomed for leadership.”

“Oh… well that just means you’re free to pursue your own special talent, right?”

Able Wing looked back at his flank, bare of any cutie mark. “Maybe if I actually had a special talent. Twelve is too old to not know it yet. Mom sent me with Blueblood to ‘broaden my horizons.’ I’m probably just sent to him because he got a late cutie mark too.”

Spike smiled sympathetically. “Are you sure it’s not something staring you in the face? Because there are these three fillies whose special talents are totally obvious but they don’t have–”

There was a slam of the door, and Prince Blueblood stormed in.

“Able Wing!” he roared.

“S-sir!” Able said.

“That’s ‘Your Highness’,” Blueblood growled. “Where have you been?”

“I-I was just–”

“Not waiting for me at the train station,” Blueblood spat. “There are documents I require and you were unavailable. I have been scouring Ponyville only to find that you have been lazing about here in a PASTRY SHOP.”

The door opened again, and Twilight trotted in. “Oh. Is this your assistant? I guess we should call off the search, then.”

Blueblood straightened up. “Yes. Against my direct instruction he is lazing about with your assistant here.”

Able and Spike both shrunk down in their seats.

Twilight cocked her head. “Spike? Is this the ‘important thing’ you needed to take care of today?”

Spike shrunk down further into his seat. “N-not really. It just sorta… came up.”

“This is unacceptable,” Blueblood shrieked, his eyes were pinpricks. “You would disrespect me like this Able? I will have you sent back to your–”

“W-wait!” Spike interrupted.

Blueblood ceased shouting, breathing heavily.

“It… was my idea. I took him from the train station here. Pinkie always throws parties for new ponies… I thought it would be nice.”

Blueblood grimaced at Spike, and opened his mouth to continue his berating, when Twilight laid a hoof on Blueblood’s shoulder. “Blueblood. Can we speak for a minute? Alone?”

Blueblood glared at Twilight for a moment. “Y-yes.” He took a deep breath and composed himself. “Of course.” He followed Twilight outside.

“This is your fault,” Able Wing mumbled.

“I guess,” Spike said. “I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“I wasn’t there when he needed me. My only responsibility was to have these papers available and I wasn’t.”

“Well… no, it wasn’t perfect. But what’s the harm in getting a cupcake?”

“Blueblood asks for perfection! He’s going to send me back to my parents and they’re going to... I don’t even know! This was my last chance!”

“Relax. I’m sure Twilight has it handled. Trust me.”

Able fidgeted. “I hope you’re right.”

The time passed in silence, Able Wing staring at the decorations and Spike swinging his feet. Then Pinkie hopped in.

“Hey! Why is everyone all saddy? I thought this was supposed to be a party!”

“Sorry, Pinkie,” Spike said. “We’re tensely waiting for Twilight and Blueblood to come back.”

“Ohh. Okay, I’ll leave you to that. Have fun!” She hopped off.

Spike noticed Able staring at him in disbelief. “What?”

Blueblood entered Sugarcube Corner with Twilight in tow. He approached Able Wing and loomed over him. Able met his eyes, before looking down and staring at the ground.

“You have disobeyed my direct orders,” Blueblood stated harshly.

Able Wing cringed.

“However, the stakes were unimportant, and beyond my own personal inconvenience, there were no repercussions. So, your repercussions will be similar. This time.”

The pegasus colt melted in relief.

“But in the future I expect you to follow my instructions to the letter.”

Twilight cleared her throat behind him.

Blueblood looked back and caught Twilight’s glance. He rolled his eyes. “And I will make an attempt to not inconvenience you with my instructions if at all possible.”

Twilight smiled and nodded.

Able Wing fell to his knees in relief. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he said in a quiet voice.

Blueblood turned to him, his eyes losing their harshness. His chin rose and he positively beamed, looking down on his assistant with his best smugly benevolent expression.

Spike fought back the urge to gag.

Blueblood levitated the document-laden saddlebags onto his assistant. “These should include the documents I was referring to. Shall we return to the library to discuss?”

“Let’s.”

Blueblood trotted out of Sugarcube Corner, head held high. “Well, Able, don’t dawdle,” he said.

The pegasus colt scampered behind him.

Twilight watched the two of them leave her alone with her assistant, a satisfied smile on her face.

“That went well,” she said.

Spike raised an eyebrow. “Were we watching the same conversation? Even when he was being ‘nice’, Blueblood barely backed off, mostly because you told him to.”

“I think Blueblood made some significant strides today.”

“So he wasn’t already a complete gentlecolt?” Spike said mischieviously.

“I’m saying he’s definitely putting in an effort. I mean, is it so hard to believe he could be a better pony? We’ve seen worse reform. I know you haven’t forgotten Discord.”

“Twi, if Discord is our example of reformation, we’re setting the bar pretty low.”

Twilight gently nudged Spike. “Oh, hush.”

Spike chuckled to himself. “Well, let’s get to the library before he decides to enact his devilish plan to be an entitled jerk to his assistant.”

Spike stared at the tiny basket at his feet. 'I'm not going to fit in this. Why not? I fit in the basket in Ponyville. I guess… we did get a new one in Ponyville. Did she get a larger one? I would have remembered if she was replacing my baskets when I was getting taller… right?

‘... But she talked with Celestia about a new student, without me. And worked on the institute for nearly a year without telling me. I thought I knew everything about her. Was there more she wasn’t telling me?’

Spike decided to collapse on the bed. ‘I hate feeling this way. Twilight was my rock, and I was her support, right? We were a team for as long as I could remember. So what if there were some arguments? Nopony gets along all the time. And so what if she didn’t share everything with me? I didn’t share everything with her. I snuck around for a while spying on Blueblood. If she was hiding something from me, or omitted it, it was probably for my own good.’

He shifted on the bed to get comfortable. ‘I’ve just been getting too little sleep, and now I hear something mildly shocking from Celestia and I’m all suspicious of Twilight.’ He chuckled to himself. ‘Silly.’ He sighed.

There was knocking on the door to his room. Spike groaned and walked to it.

A royal guard stood stoically at the door. Although… for a stoic guard he seemed even more surly than usual.

“Outta the way!” a shrill voice came from behind the guard.

He languidly shuffled aside, revealing a light blue filly. Dawn Gleam’s eyes were locked on Spike, and shining with excitement. She was still pretty young, slightly shorter than Spike was.

Spike sighed. “Can I help you?”

“Yes. I am Dawn Gleam,” she said.

“I know,” Spike said flatly. “What–”

“You’re Spike. You were Twilight Sparkle’s dragon.”

Spike frowned. “You make it sound like she own–”

“And I know why you’re here!” she very nearly sang, and pointed at him. “You’re gonna be my dragon, now!”

Spike paused for a second. He said, “I’m still thinking about it.”

Her excited expression fell. “What? What’s there to think about?”

“What’s there not to think about? Coming back to the castle is a big decision!”

“No, it’s not. Look at it logically,” she trotted into the room. The guard followed.

“You get to live in the most opulent city in Equestria, instead of podunk Ponyville, and you get to do something important, instead of whatever you do if you’re not a farmer in a farm village. Which is nothing, I guess.”

Spike glowered at her. “Ponyville has a lot of different sorts of things going on.”

“Yeah, but none of them are of any importance except farming. Ponies still have to eat.”

Spike glared at Dawn. “Rarity lives in Ponyville. You know, important rising star in fashion? And Rainbow Dash, waiting for her Wonderbolts acceptance letter right now.”

Dawn rolled her eyes. “Yeah, two things that both coulda been done better outside of Ponyville. Not to mention neither are very important. Clothes and shows. Either could disappear and Equestria would probably be better off.”

“Those are the Elements of Harmony you’re talking about.”

“Well, they’re not the important ones.”

Spike grit his teeth. “Those unimportant ones are my friends.”

“But they’re not Twilight. Twilight was Celestia’s student, the most powerful unicorn, and was ascended to princess. How can you say a pastry chef and a farmer are as important as she was?”

Spike inhaled severely, a growl-like sound emanating from his throat. “The Elements of Harmony don’t activate unless all the elements are there. Twilight would not be a hero, and Equestria would be covered in darkness or ruled by Discord if it weren’t for the rest of them.”

“I’m pretty sure it could be any sufficiently loyal or laughy person. Twilight had to be the most powerful unicorn of her generation in order to be the Element of Magic. Not to mention she was personally trained by Princess Celestia for years too,” she said as she examined the room around her. “Then she became a princess. None of the others were princesses because they weren’t important.”

Spike opened his mouth to lash out, but cut himself off. ‘This is part of what Celestia was talking about, wasn’t it. Being unable to look past herself?’

Spike took a deep breath to calm himself, and straightened up. ‘Nothing a good lecture can’t solve.’

“The Elements of Harmony don’t respond to the magical power of the wielder. The relationship with the bearers, all of which embody a particular virtue, is what activates the Elements of Harmony. Twilight would have been nothing without her friends,” Spike said, puffing his chest out. “They are just as important as she is.”

“If being friends is more important than being magical, why didn’t Celestia just find a really friendly pony to be Magic?”

Spike struggled to find words to refute her claim. “That… doesn’t mean she’s the only important one.”

Dawn shrugged. “A hundred years from now almost nopony’s going to remember Rarity the dressmaker, but everypony’s going to remember Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She puffed out her chest. “And everypony’s going to remember Dawn Gleam, the next Element of Magic!”

“I’m pretty sure they’re not. Everypony knows that the Elements are back on the Tree of Harmony. I know Celestia didn’t keep that a secret.”

Dawn smirked, her nose in the air. “But I know a thing you don’t. The Elements fell off the tree.”

Spike’s jaw fell open. “W-what?! Why would they do that? What about the vines beneath it?”

“Discord did something about it.” She waved her hoof dismissively. “It took him like a week to finish making sure they were all gone. Anyway”– She returned to excitement –“Celestia won’t tell me why, but I know the Elements fell off the tree to tell everypony they want to find new bearers.”

“And that’s you,” Spike said flatly.

“Why else would Celestia be teaching me?”

Spike paused, watching her continue to examine Twilight’s old room around him. He grit his teeth. “You’d be an awful Element of Magic.”

Dawn Gleam finally wheeled around and glared at Spike. “No, I wouldn’t!”

Spike glared down at the slightly shorter filly. “Yes, you would. Twilight has respect for others, no matter where they’re from or what their job is, and it’s a big part of who she is. You think anypony who’s not Celestia’s student is useless.”

“That’s not true! I don’t think you’re useless.”

This halted Spike’s rant right in its tracks.

Dawn smirked. “Yeah. I’ve heard nothing but good stuff about you, Spike. You’re diligent, smart, and loyal. The perfect assistant. So come with me, and you can be helping Celestia’s next student too!”

Spike tried not to scowl. “I’m not done helping her previous student,” he said coldly.

“W-what? She’s been dead for–”

“She’s not dead!” Spike roared.

Dawn recoiled. “She was sent to another, unknown world with an army bearing down on her. She’s probably been executed by now.”

“Twilight was the most amazing pony ever! She can handle it, and when I find how to contact her everypony will see.”

“That's what you’ve been wasting your time with in Ponyville?”

Spike scowled. “It’s not a waste of time. Ponyville is a great place! What would be a waste of time is spending my life helping YOU.”

Dawn Gleam’s face twisted into a scowl. “What?! I am Celestia’s personal student,” she screeched. “Much more important than trying to find a dead pony in a podunk town with ponies that don’t matter!”

“Those ponies are Twilight’s best friends. Those ponies are my best friends!”

“If they’re so much more important than me then you can just go back to Ponyville!”

“I will!” Spike shouted.

“Fine!” Dawn Gleam screamed. “Come on,” she commanded the guard, and scrambled out of the tower. “Slam the door.” The guard complied and slammed the door so hard the room vibrated.

Spike breathed heavily, flames snaking out of his mouth. He screamed in wordless rage. Spike swung his claw around, almost hitting a bookcase on the wall, but he stopped himself. It wasn’t his, he couldn’t smash Twilight’s stuff. There was only one thing that was just his.

His poor basket wasn’t in sleeping condition anymore.

Spike plodded through the hallway to his summons. In the antechamber Rarity waited with Celestia. Spike stared at the ground, quietly fuming.

Celestia addressed Spike with an inscrutably even tone. “Spike. You are aware of why I have summoned you?”

Spike nodded, avoiding her gaze.

Celestia sighed. “I have misjudged your feelings. The wound left when Twilight disappeared is more fresh than I suspected .”

Spike winced.

“And I now realize I made a mistake in asking you away from Ponyville so quickly. It has become more your home than I understood.”

Spike continued to to stare at the ground.

“Do you have any other words before you part? For me or for Dawn?”

“I’m sorry,” Spike said.

“For?”

Spike hesitated. “For wasting your time.”

Celestia sighed. “I see.” She gave Rarity a significant look, and Rarity trotted over to Spike.

“Are you ready to go now, Spike?” she asked gently.

Spike looked up at her. He wasn’t too much shorter than she was anymore but he still felt like she towered over him. She was a beautiful paragon of generosity. He was just a small dragon.

Spike nodded.

Rarity silently trotted alongside him through the empty hallways.

“Rarity, I’m sorry,” Spike said.

She tilted her head. “Whatever for?”

“Because I dragged you here. Because I made you worry and let you find me in a pile of ash. Because I’ve been a bad friend.”

Rarity smiled. “Spike… you’ve been hurt worse than anypony by this. It’s natural that you would feel a little withdrawn. If anything it’s partially our fault for neglecting you so.”

“And…” he whispered.

“And what, dear?”

“For–”

There was a cry from the side of the hallway. Both Rarity and Spike twisted to see Dawn Gleam, pushing herself up from a stumble. Her eyes were red. She glared at Spike with a trembling lip.

Spike’s and her eyes met for a moment. She turned her snout upward with a wavering huff, and walked away slowly, trembling some.

Spike frowned and continued down the hallway. “Let’s go.”

Author's Note

It's here! I think a month is the new around time I should be estimating at for chapters.
Edit: wow that... wow. Bungled those words pretty badly. I hope you guys get the jist.

In good news: I got a prereader! Thanks Amneiger!

Also it's the right time to thank my proofreader and editor, who's helped me since the prologue: Selbin. Yeah, you. Thanks.

In other news: I feel dirty for using a limerick that's not even a little dirty. Pinkie should feel bad too, but I bet she doesn't.