From All Fronts

It was a gorgeous day in Ponyville. The sun hung in the dead center of the sky, radiating its warm light over the village. It shared its sky with only a few wispy white clouds, which helped occupy the otherwise cerulean sky. The temperature was surprisingly high despite being late in the winter.

The residents of the village were up and about, some still wearing scarves despite the warmer temperature. All the foals were playing with their friends, thankful that the ground was free of ice or snow. They could do as they wished, for they didn’t have school for the next two days. Despite the bustling ponies that could be heard throughout town, it was a rather slow day.

According to a certain librarian, that is.

The Golden Oaks Library was anything but bustling. No foal would go anywhere near the library on a weekend, and every mare or stallion had any book they would ever need already checked out. The only occupants of the library were its owners; a lavender mare, and a purple and green dragon.

The lack of ponies asking to check out books wasn’t what made the mare call it slow day though. No, it was the lack of being ambushed by Pinkie Pie, or having Rainbow Dash crash through her window, or receiving an important assignment from Princess Celestia, or something in Ponyville exploding that made it a slow day. Her assistant was bringing her coffee, waiting for the inevitable question.

“Slow day, huh Spike?” The mare said, breaking the silence.

“More like a slow week." Spike sighed.

The mare turned away from her window and opened her mouth to speak, when Spike interrupted her.

“Look Twilight, you can’t expect Celestia to send you on top priority assignments all the time. You’re a Princess, and your assignment is to study friendship. I mean, all the evils of Equestria are imprisoned, reformed, harmless, or just plain gone. Ok, I’m not sure about Discord, but you get the picture.”

Twilight stood with her mouth open mid-sentence. “…You didn’t even let me finish…”

Spike sighed again. “I knew what you were gonna ask. Besides, you should be happy it’s a slow week. That fire two weeks back was really bad.” Spike cringed at the memory, causing Twilight to lightly chuckle. “Anyway, these days off have given us some much-needed free time, haven’t they? From the way you’re talking, your little project is going great.”

That comment caused Twilight to start grinning ear-to-ear. “It’s going amazing! Just a few more finishing touches and it'll be all done!”

Spike folded his arms and pouted. “I’d be a lot happier for you if I knew what it was.”

Twilight smiled, and then walked over to her assistant and scruffled his head. “I’ll be done today, so long as our slow week continues. You’ll just have to wait and see, Spike.” Spike’s expression didn’t brighten, and Twilight put on a sardonic grin. “Besides, aren’t you busy with your special project?”

Spike’s eyes opened freakishly wide, and his normally purple face turned a bright shade of red. “Y-y-you saw t-those?” He stammered nervously.

Twilight nuzzled Spike’s cheek in a motherly fashion. “Oh Spike, you little poetry writer!” Spike’s already red face got painted two shades darker. “Oh don’t worry, I won’t tell Rarity. You can give her one of them when you’re ready.” Twilight teased.

Spike pushed Twilight away, attempting to hide his embarrassment. “Y-you should go finish your project Twilight. Your coffee is probably cold now too, I think I’ll go warm it up in the kitchen.”

As Spike began to walk upstairs with Twilight’s mug, Twilight shouted up the stairs, “Don’t use too much of my notebook paper, you little poet!”

After she heard the kitchen door shut, she began her own ascent up the stairs to her bedroom. I still can’t believe how big Spike’s gotten. She thought to herself. It seems like only yesterday he could still ride on my back.

She reached her destination and entered her bedroom while continuing her mental monologue. I mean, he’s not huge. He can still fit in the kitchen. But being able to look me in the eyes on all fours is pretty impressive. That and his wings… He just got them and he can already fly! Makes me a little jealous…

Twilight locked her bedroom door behind her. Well, time to get to work. She opened up her dresser, pulled a locked box out from inside, and set it on the floor. If I work nonstop, I should finish it within a few hours. Spike is going to be so impressed with my new invention! With that, she pulled out the parts of her invention, and began construction.

*******

“Twilight, I’m not impressed.”

“…You’re not?” Twilight responded with a despairing tone.

Spike gave her a sympathetic look, and then gestured to the object in his claw. “No offense Twilight, but it’s just a pole. Also, it’s really heavy for its size.” Spike criticized.

Twilight looked shattered by his criticism, but then her expression morphed into an inquisitive stare. “You didn’t push the button, did you?”

Spike looked puzzled, and then began to scan the pole in his hand. After turning over the shiny silver object again, he found a comically large button, that he’d previously assumed was just an out-of-place strip of steel. “Oh. This is a button?” Spike asked sheepishly.

Twilight just nodded, and gestured for him to press it. He gingerly pressed down on it, but nothing happened. “Spiiiike,” Twilight groaned, “You have to put some muscle into it.”

Spike gave her an unamused look, and then turned his attention back to the button. He raised his free hand into the air, and pushed down on the button again. This time, he showed the button no mercy, and put much more strength behind his arm. The button clicked.

What happened next caused Spike to drop the invention, and nearly jump out of his scales. The previously short steel pole suddenly opened on both of its ends, and shot out two equally long extensions from each of them. The pole nearly quadrupled in size. After Spike remembered how to breathe, he looked in awe at the now much longer rod, which was lying on the floor between him and Twilight.

“Whoa…” Spike gaped.

Twilight beamed. “Isn’t it cool? It’s a telescoping pole! It works like a telescope, but it’s longer, and it grows to full size in less than a second!” Twilight explained happily.

Spike picked up the invention in his two front claws and continued to look over it. “So, this is the invention you’ve been working on lately?”

“Yup! I’m surprised no one has made one yet!” Twilight’s horn lit up, and she levitated the pole back over to her. She then pushed it together with her front hooves until it was back to its original size.

“So… what inspired you to make it?” Spike pondered.

Twilight stopped beaming, and began scratching the back of her head with a forced smile on her face. “Eheheh… I don’t actually know.” She said very sheepishly.

Spike raised an eyebrow at the nervous mare. “So one day, you just had an urge to make a… telescoping pole?” He asked accusingly.

“…Yes?” Twilight answered pathetically.

Spike chuckled, and then continued. “Ok, so this wasn’t a secret project from Celestia or anything?”

“…No.”

Spike smirked sarcastically. “And here I thought you were working on some new spell that creates diamonds from thin air, or a replica of the Elements of Harmony, or-”

“Spike, can’t you just be proud of my invention?” Twilight snapped.

“I’m only teasing you, Twilight.” Spike said in a mocking tone.

Twilight deflated and muttered to her herself, “That’s my line…”

Spike laughed at Twilight’s expression, and decided to keep up his teasing. “Hahaha, you shouldn’t let yourself get worked up by a little baby dragon, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight flinched, but then smiled warmly at her assistant. “I’ve told you to just call me Twilight.” She walked over to Spike, wrapped a foreleg around his neck, and started to playfully noogie him. “Also, you’re not a wittle baby dwagon anymore Spike, you’re as tall as I am!”

“Ok, I get it, you can stop now Twilight.” Spike said in a giggly tone as Twilight noogied him. But Twilight paid him no attention and continued. “Um, stop, Twilight!” Spike pleaded, but Twilight grew a mischievous grin and ignored him.

Spike flared his wings up and reared up on his hind legs, causing Twilight to lose her hold on him and topple forward onto the floor. Spike began to giggle again, and soon both of them were on their backs, overtaken by fits of merry laughter. They laughed on the floor, but stopped when Twilight’s stomach growled very noisily.

Twilight offered an embarrassed smile, and then the pair began to laugh even harder.

“Haha…oh… Spike, what time is it?” Twilight asked while she tried to compose herself.

“Haha… oh it’s about… 2:30.” Spike stated after wiping a tear from his eye.

Twilight picked herself off of the ground, and then shot Spike another warm smile. “Hey, are you feeling up to a late lunch?”

Spike rocketed off of the floor and stood at attention. “C-can we go to… that café? The one with the ruby-studded donuts?!”

Twilight giggled and levitated her wallet over to herself. “You know how unhealthy those are, Spike.” She opened her wallet and glanced inside. Hmm… I suppose I have enough. Plus, those daffodil sandwiches are god-like… and Spike deserves a treat once in a while.

“Please Twilight!” Spike begged with his hands clasped together, while standing on one knee.

“Ok Spike. We can go, even though you made fun of my invention.” Twilight said teasingly, as she levitated her saddle-bag onto her back.

Spike shot off of his knee. “N-no I didn’t! Your telescopic-“

“Telescoping.” Twilight corrected.

“Your telescoping pole is the coolest thing ever! You should show it to everypony, they might like it! A-as much as I do I mean!” Spike hurriedly praised.

Twilight snickered and then smirked at him. “Well said, Spike. I think I will, actually.” She said as she put her invention in the bag opposite her wallet. Then she walked over to the library’s front door and threw it open. “Well, let’s go. Those sandwiches and donuts won’t wait forever.”

Spike fist pumped, and then charged out the front door after her.

*******

“Mmm… that was so good!” Spike exclaimed blissfully.

Twilight swallowed a bite of her daffodil sandwich and lightheartedly chuckled. “This really is. You wouldn’t think that they could make such a simple dish so divine.”

Spike and Twilight returned to their late lunches, their waitress eyeing the pair with a dreamy look in her eyes. The duo occupied one of the many tables of Ponyville’s most popular outdoor café. The lunch rush was clearing out, so they had gotten a table with relative ease. At the moment, there were only two other occupied tables; one by a group of two unicorns, who had also worked through lunch, and at the other a group of five foals; two colts and three fillies. They were rather boisterous with their eating, and Twilight smiled endearingly at their childish banter.

“I love this café, Spike. Maybe we should eat out here more often.” Twilight said with a dreamy look in her eyes. “The food is incredible, the atmosphere is so lively, and the service is so friendly.” Twilight continued speaking as she wolfed down the last of her meal.

Spike swallowed another of his gem-coated donuts and then beamed at Twilight. “‘Incredible’ doesn’t do it justice enough. And you should go out more often. Your diet of coffee and grass can’t be enough for all the work you do.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Oh, so stuffing my face here every day is a good alternative.” Spike shrugged and went back to devouring his lunch. Twilight sighed and took another glance around the café, causing her to regain her smile. “Although, it is a good idea to get out of the house. See how the ponies of Ponyville are doing and all.”

Spike glanced behind Twilight, and then gave her a sly grin. “Speaking of the ponies of Ponyville, that friendly waitress you mentioned earlier has been staring at our table for a while now.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at Spike, and then snuck a glance behind her. She quickly picked out her waitress, who was now serving the foals’ table. She was a pegasus the same color as sea foam, and from what Twilight could tell, she seemed like she had just turned old enough to get a job. The waitress turned and caught Twilight’s gaze, then quickly turned the other direction. Understanding suddenly dawned on Twilight, and she gave Spike a neutral expression.

“Oh Spike, she’s just curious.” Twilight told him matter-of-factly. “Even as well known as we are in this town, it must still be strange to be serving a Princess and a dragon lunch at the local café.”

Spike’s sly grin grew wider as he responded, “I dunno Twilight, her attention has been rather focused on you, not our table.”

Twilight felt a slight heat in her cheeks as she shot back, “So what if she’s staring at me? Even if I don't like to admit it, I’m a Princess now, and the Element of Magic. She’s probably just star-struck, like I was the first time I saw Princess Celestia.”

“If you say so Twilight, but I’m an expert when it comes to giving someone a captivated stare, and that’s exactly how she’s been looking at you.” Spike persisted.

The flame in Twilight's cheeks erupted at his suggestion. Spike’s eyes went half-lidded, he leaned across the table, and slowly finished, “Not to mention, she’s been checking you out completely, and has been particularly interested in your flank-”

“Hey Spike! How would you like another plate?!” Twilight frantically asked, her normally purple face now painted three shades redder.

“Well actually Twilight, I’m not that hungry-”

“GREAT! No need to thank me!” Twilight shouted.

“But-” Spike attempted to interrupt.

“WAITRESS!” Twilight nearly screamed.

The sea foam-color mare jumped nearly the height of another pony upon hearing her shout, and then ran over to the table.

“Y-yes?” The mortified pegasus asked, attempting to avoid their gazes. Upon seeing how scared the waitress was, Twilight recomposed herself and offered a calm smile.

“My friend here would like another plate of donuts.” Twilight said completely calmly. The waitress looked up at the two, no longer afraid, and caught Spike’s gaze. He seemed more embarrassed than either of the two mares.

“A-actually!” Spike shouted while raising a hand in the air. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

The pegasus looked at the pair with a confused look, but blushed and turned away when she looked at Twilight.

“But…” Spike said deviously. He then gestured for the waitress to come around to his side of the table. She complied, and Spike leaned in close to her ear, and muttered something to her. The waitress’ face exploded into a bright red color, and her wings flared up, knocking over Spike’s plate in the process. It hit the ground, and split into five glass shards.

“I’m so sorry! I’ll clean that up right away!” The flustered mare apologized.

Spike was doing his best to suppress his laughter, and Twilight glared daggers at him. Then she lit up her horn, and levitated the shards into the air with her magic. “It’s fine, it’s fine.” Twilight assured. Her horn then began to glow a bright magenta hue, and the plate put itself back together. “Here, we were finished eating anyway.”

The pegasus was dumbstruck, and her amber eyes were giving Twilight their undivided attention. Then she tore her eyes away and took the plates from Twilight. “I am so, so sorry for all this. H-have a nice day you two.” The waitress squeaked before sprinting back inside the café’s kitchen.

Spike let out his suppressed laughter, and Twilight turned her glare back to him. “Well, scratch what I said earlier. Now we can never come back here.”

Spike’s laughter died instantly, and he shot Twilight his best puppy-dog stare. “I was only playing around…”

Twilight kept up her icy stare. “Even if you were, it wasn’t funny. I don’t know what you said, and I don’t need to. But look at what you did to that poor mare.”

Spike deflated and cast his gaze to the floor. “I know. I’m sorry, Twilight.”

Twilight attempted to stay angry, but then she sighed and put on a softer expression. “Ok, I forgive you Spike. But you’re going to have to face the consequences of your actions.”

“Ok Twilight…” Spike said dejectedly.

Twilight began to think of what his consequences were. “Well, you’ve caused both me and that mare a lot of embarrassment today, so first things first; you have to apologize to her.” Spike nodded knowingly, and then Twilight grew a devilish grin. “But… that’s a little too easy. I think to compensate for our embarrassment, a fitting punishment would be… I don’t know… reading Rarity one of your writings?”

Spike looked up and shot her a pleading stare. “You wouldn’t…”

“So which one would you prefer Spike?” Twilight said, ignoring his pleas. “‘The Mare of My Dreams?’ Or what about, ‘The Dragon and the Pony?’”

“Twilight! Please!” Spike begged, growing a blush as red as the waitress’ from earlier.

Twilight smiled at him with a condescending look, and then burst into a fit of giggles. Spike shot her a hurt look. “Very funny…” He muttered.

“Oh Spike, I wouldn’t dream of it. But you’re just so easy to tease.” Twilight giggled.

Spike gave her an accusing stare. “So it’s wrong when I do it?”

“I guess we’re both easy to tease.” Twilight said giddily. “But you can’t just tease everypony, somepony might take it the wrong way.

Spike nodded in understanding, and then asked completely seriously, “So, were you serious about never coming back here?”

Twilight burst out into laughter at how serious he sounded. When she calmed down, she grinned at him and said, “Was I serious the last two times?” Spike perked up, but let her finish. “In fact, why don’t we come back tomorrow? You can apologize to that mare then. That and I’m just feeling generous lately.”

Spike gave her another sly grin. “Gonna talk to your number one fan?”

“Haha, don’t push me Spike.” Twilight responded in an unamused voice.

The two both fell into a fit of light giggles, and then Spike gave Twilight an unreadable smile. Twilight gave him a caring smile, and was about to speak, until her ears perked up at a new sound. She heard nervous murmurs around her, and some louder voices from the center of town. Spike heard it too, and they turned towards the source of the noise.

The top of the town hall was noticeable from their table, and at the tip was a large figure. As Twilight focused her vision, she could make out the details of the pony. She was a tall, white pony, with a flowing, multi-colored mane. Twilight’s eyes widened as she recognized the all-too-familiar alicorn. “Princess Celestia?!”

The princess stood at the tip of the town hall with her wings flared, gathering the attention of the ponies that lived in the town. She looked around the town square, assured that she had their undivided attention. Then she spoke, with a tone the entire town could hear; the Royal Canterlot Voice.

“CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! I DON’T HAVE TIME TO EXPLAIN! YOU MUST EVACUATE THIS TOWN! FLEE TO CANTERLOT ON THE TRAIN! EQUESTRIA IS BEING INVADED!”