Mini Messages

Something hard and scaly knocked the breath out of Snowflake as she fell. She was grateful not to have hit the ground, but now something sharp was prodding at her ribs, making it hard to breath.

Snowflake risked a peep through one eye, and her breath caught in her throat. Oh, no. It's the assistant...holding me... Her worst fears were coming to life. Please, oh please, don't discover me... Her heart sank as his warm breath enveloped her, and a giant green eye stared directly at her. Snowflake couldn't breath, couldn't more, couldn't scratch the itch on her shoulder. Please...don't discover me...

She suddenly heard a gasp. The assistant was frozen, and she could feel his claws tense against her fur. No!

"TWILIGHT!"

Her auditory sense was instantly overwhelmed by the booming voice of the assistant. The sound flooded her ears, making her twitch a tiny bit as she tried to stop herself from writhing and moaning out loud. Taking ragged breaths, limited by the assistant's claws, she calmed her shaky nerves as her hearing slowly returned.

Wind rushed around her as the assistant ran through the hall. He was breathing hard, clutching her with a death grip. He knows...he figured it out. And now I'll have to face Twilight.Maybe it won't be so bad...I mean, once she finds out who I am, I'm sure she'll take it easy on me. And protect me. Maybe. I was planning on meeting her soon, after all, but...not like this...

"Twilight!" Another attack on her ears made her cringe, but this one wasn't nearly as bad as the last one. The assistant was pacing as the lavender alicorn opened her eyes.

Well, no use hiding any more. They'll figure out it's me anyways. She wriggled her body, forcing her hooves out of the assistant's hold on her. His claws scraped her as she poked her head out, now in a much more comfortable position.

The assistant glanced at her, an appalled expression frozen on his face. Twilight was rubbing her eyes crossly with her hooves.

"What is it, Spike? I was having a wonderful dream where all the books in the world were--"

Raising a shaking claw, the assistant...Spike...pointed at the tiny white object. Having now actually seen Snowflake's face, his shock level had risen significantly and he was breathing in short gasps.

"What is it?" Twilight was a bit annoyed with Spike as she swiveled her head.

Confusion distorted her expression as soon as she caught sight of the the tiny white unicorn mare. Her deep purple eyes blinked, then blinked again. Her jaw hung open, and Snowflake could see questions flashing through her eyes. Great.

Snowflake was still a bit uncomfortable, and she twisted herself so that her stomach was not being poked by sharp claws. She was breathing almost normally now. She was trying with all her might not to retreat back into the claw, even though the giant faces staring at her were intimidating. Instead, she swallowed her fear and met Twilight's appalled stare with an unblinking blue gaze.

"S-spike," Twilight finally whispered shakily. "Where...and how...and what..."

"Who," Snowflake corrected quickly. "I'm a pony, not an object." Pride over the fact that she was conversing calmly with these giants made her posture a little straighter. She quickly swallowed her fear and forced herself to meet the giant violet eyes that were now closely inspecting her.

"Er...sorry..." Twilight frowned. "Um...where did you find...her?"

"In the throne room," Spike rasped. He held out Snowflake, who shot him a cross glance.

A warm magenta aura wrapped around the tiny unicorn, and heat spread through her body, though not unpleasantly.She didn't bother to struggle, knowing how hard levitation was to break out of, and let herself be lifted up to Twilight.

"If you don't mind me asking," Twilight said softly. "Why are you here?"

"Um...for protection." Snowflake inwardly cringed at how squeaky her voice was.

"From what?"

"Well...let's just say that...some ponies are, um...well, one pony..." Unable to finish her sentence, she stopped.

"And why are you...the size that you are? Size magic is difficult, and it always wears off after a short amount of time. I've never seen it used on ponies before, either..."

"I'm small because..." She sighed. "Look, it's a long story. Let's just say my size is permanent. Oh, and my name is Snowflake."

There. She said it. Her words were greeted by a rush of understanding on the alicorn mare's face, also mixed with confusion. "W-wait. That was...you? You've been..."

"Yep." Snowflake gave Twilight a shaky smile, uncertain of the reaction that would receive. An awkward moment of silence stretched out between them.

The alicorn cleared her throat after a moment and finally said, "Well, then, I guess we should get you situated."

* * *

"Thanks." Snowflake took a deep breath, taking a quick sip out of teacup that Twilight had shrunken for her. The mare had found a shrinking spell and modified it slightly to make the effect last longer. The cup was full of chamomile tea, a warm substance that Snowflake had fallen in love with since she had first tasted it, which was five minutes ago.

"No problem! My pleasure, in fact." Twilight Sparkle sat across from the tiny mare, sipping a cup of her own tea. Her eyes were bright as they gazed over the mare. "So, um...Snowflake, right? Well, Snowflake, it's nice to finally meet you."

"You too." Snowflake set her miniature cup down. "Twilight, I, um, I'm here for a reason, and I...I need your help."

"Oh?" The mare frowned, tilting her head, her eyes quizzical. "What?"

Snowflake took a deep breath. "I...I won't tell you now, because knowing could potentially put you in danger, but...I need you to keep my existence a secret. Please."

Twilight nodded solemnly. "Of course." Using one hoof, she crossed her heart, and began chanting. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Seeing Snowflake's odd glance, the mare giggled, a hoof flying to her mouth. "Oh...sorry. It's just a special type of promise that my friends and I use...it basically means that the promise will not be broken, under any circumstances."

"Um...okay. I'll hold you to it."

"Mm...morning."

Spike mumbled incoherently as he waddled into the throne room, collapsing in a throne.

"I'm going out this morning after breakfast," Twilight announced to him. "But I should be back in no more than a couple hours. It'll give you two some quality time together!"

Snowflake exchanged a glance with Spike. Neither she nor the dragon seemed very happy about that, but they both forced smiles anyways.

Ever since the two had met, the tension between them had been nothing short of thick.

"Great!" Spike chuckled weakly, but Twilight didn't seem to see through his false remark She clapped her hooves together eagerly.

"So, breakfast?" Spike prompted after another moment. Twilight perked up instantly, her eyes shining. "Oh, right! I'll have..." With a glance at Snowflake, she quickly said, "Why don't we let our guest decide?"

Snowflake instantly blushed, her reddened cheeks easily visible with her pale coat. She was unused to this hospitality, and she felt honored that she was being treated so kindly.

"Oh...just some hay is fine," she said quietly. Twilight nodded, a smile on her face. "Got that, Spike?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it," Spike grumbled. He began to grab plates and pike hay onto them, adding some apple slices to the side.

Twilight was muttering to herself, scribbling notes on a piece of parchment. She cast a glance towards Snowflake, then turned back to her notes and scribbled something else. Looking up again, she asked, "How old are you, Snowflake?"

Snowflake frowned. "Well, I, um...it's kinda complicated. Why?"

"Ah...no reason."

After a moment, Spike announced, "Breakfast is ready!" He set the food on the table before sitting down with a comic book in his claws.

Snowflake glanced at the plate before her. It was really a bottle cap, one side full of shredded hay, and the other had slivers of apple. She was impressed that Spike had thought to prepare her food to accommodate for her size. She looked up at the young dragon, who was already lost in his comic.

"Thanks, Spike," she piped up. The dragon looked at her over his comic, then mumbled, "You're welcome."

Snowflake gratefully began on her meal. The hay was perfectly crunchy, and the apple was juicy and sweet. She finished quickly, and Twilight soon after.

The lavender mare then got to her hooves, strapping on her saddlebags and stuffing her papers into them. "I'm going out," she announced. "I'll be back in a few hours. Are you two okay here alone?"

"We're fine, Twilight," Spike mumbled.

"Have fun, then!" With that, the alicorn trotted away eagerly, leaving Snowflake alone with Spike.

Spike shut his comic, mumbling a song under his breath, and pulled out a chef hat. Placing on his hat, he exited the room. A moment later he entered with a large bowl, measuring cups, and a pile of ingredients, all piled precariously in his arms. Humming, he set his ingredients on the table.

"Um...what are you doing?"

Spike looked up from adding baking soda and vanilla to the bowl. "Huh?"

"What are you making?"

"Oh. I'm making a jewel cake."

"Can I help?"

Spike hesitated, sizing Snowflake up as if he weren't sure if she was able to help or not. "Um..."

Without taking an answer, Snowflake marched up to the bag of flour. "How much?"

"I...what?"

"How much flour?"

"One and a half cups. Why do y--" Spike stopped, surprised, at the sight of the tiny unicorn shoving her shoulder into the bag of flour. "Um..." He reached forward to stop her, but she shot him a glare.

"You could just do it with magic, you know!" Spike exclaimed.

"No...I...can...do it..." She grit her teeth, squeezing her eyes shut. She pushed the flour bag even harder, sweat breaking out on her forehead. The heavy bag suddenly tipped, pouring into the measuring cup but also making flour spill out onto the table in a soft white heap. Spike groaned.

Snowflake winced. "Um...sorry?"

* * *

"Okay, what's next?"

"Eggs!"

Snowflake levitated two eggs up to the bowl and slammed them into the side. She tipped the eggshells, full of golden yolk, and the silky liquid slid into the bowl. Spike peered into the bowl, then glanced at the recipe book.

"Sugar!" Spike leaned forward, studying the book with bright eyes. He had grown used to Snowflake's assistance, and though he hadn't quite warmed up to her, he was comfortable with her help.

"Mmm!" Snowflake pushed the half-filled sugar bag forward with magic, and Spike poured the white crystals into the measuring cup. Watching the shining white sweets fall into the cup made Snowflake's mouth water, and, unable to help herself, she leaped under the flow of crystals. Sugar fell into her mane and became entangled with the light blue locks. As she stuck out her tongue, several pieces of sugar dropped onto it. Hopping out of the sugar shower, she consumed the crystals, and her blue eyes shone.

At the sight of the sugar-coated mare, Spike let out a giggle. Snowflake shot him a glare, then shook her coat. The sugar slid off of her in a tiny white pile.

"Time for the best part...gems!" Spike held up a cup full of dazzling jewels. His excitement showed in his eyes, and he licked his lips. As he began to pour the gems into the bowl, his tongue instinctively flicked out, and he closed his eyes. Expecting to feel the smooth, hard gems hit his tongue, he was surprised when a moment passed and no gems dropped onto his tongue. Opening his eyes, he saw the gems floating towards the bowl, glowing ice-blue.

"Huh?" He glanced at Snowflake's glowing horn, then winced.

"That wasn't necessary," he snapped. "I wasn't going to eat them..."

"Sure," Snowflake snorted. She released the gems, and they dropped into the bowl with a splat!

"Now to bake them," Spike quickly said, trying to hide the blush on his face. Snowflake hid a giggle.

He left the room, then returned a moment later. "And now...we wait." He sighed, laying his head on the table.

Snowflake glanced at the ingredients sitting on the table, her eyes quickly locating the sugar. A grin slowly grew on her face as she trotted up to it. Spike instantly saw what she was doing and blocked her by slamming his claws onto the table.

"You're not serious," he snorted. The unicorn mare ignored him and weaved around his claws, trotting excitedly.

"No!" Spike tried to snatch the bag of sugar, but Snowflake grabbed it with her levitation. Spike tugged, and she tugged back, and the two were both pulling with all their might.

Suddenly, the bag ripped open, and sugar poured out all over the table. Snowflake and Spike both fell backwards, but Snowflake quickly righted herself and trotted towards the sugar. With a thrust of her hind legs, she leaped into the sugar, landing in the pile of crystals. Sticky sugar clung to her coat and mane, and she stuffed some into her mouth.

Her eyes widened, the formed into a wince. "S-sweet!"

She collapsed into the sugar, coughing and wheezing uncontrollably. Spike giggled a bit, then began laughing. Snowflake glared at him again, then wheezed, "Water...please?"

Spike fell back in an uncontrollable fit of laughing, but he managed to fill a thimble full of water anyways and hand it to her. She downed it in a few gulps, then set the empty thimble down.

After a second, Spike snorted, "Nice." He smiled as he began to clean up.

"Oh, Spike?" Snowflake called out idly as she slid over to the pile of sugar.

"Yeah?"

"Think fast." A flurry of sugar crystals bombarded him suddenly, covering his scales in white. He wiped crystals out of his eyes and glared at Snowflake, his face turning bright red.

"Oh, it's on," Spike snarled. He grabbed a clawful of sugar and launched it at the tiny pony, who shrieked and leapt out of the way. Her magic lifted some sugar and catapulted it towards Spike, who ducked.

"No more fooling around!" Spike grabbed the bag, which still had a little sugar left in it. He tipped it upside down and sugar rained down on the tiny unicorn in a white haze.

The mare began shaking. Smoke rose up into the air, and her coat reddened. Sugar slid off of her. Her eyes burned, and her horn began to glow brighter and brighter.

Spike's eyes widened, and he backed up against the wall. "I, uh..."

Her eyes glowed, along with her horn, and all of the sugar surrounding her floated up into the air. Spike crouched, curled into a ball, and the baby-blue-glowing sugar gathered into one pile above Spike's head. Spike gasped, and Snowflake slowly walked forward, her eyes bright with anger.

"N-no! P-please...have m-mercy..." Spike's efforts were in vain. Snowflake's horn went dark. The sugar dropped.

Crystal after crystal fell onto Spike, bouncing against his scales, in a glimmering shower of white. Sugar covered the little dragon from head to toe in a coat of sweetness. It stuck to his purple scales, making him gleam in the light of the room.

He spit sugar out of his mouth, and wiped himself with his claws. He narrowed his eyes at Snowflake, who smirked at him, her horn sparking to life. The two lunged at each other, firing sugar like cannonballs, and the room soon became full of white dust. The two began shouting battle cries as dust flew at each other..

"Surrender, Sir Spike! You're outmatched!"

"Never, Sergeant Snowflake! You are the one who will surrender!"

The purple dragon scooped a clawful of sugar and launched it towards the tiny unicorn. She danced to the side, launching her own attack.

"Feel my wrath, Sir!"

Sugar continued flying everywhere. Spike deftly avoided a particularly thick clod of sugar, then gathered a huge pile in his arms. He rolled it around into a ball of sugar, making it firm, and crouched behind the table. With a single thrust of his claws, the sugar sailed into the air. Snowflake was circling, levitating some sugar, when she looked up.

A precisely aimed, perfectly rounded ball of sugar was flying through the air, right at Snowflake. She leapt to the side, but she slipped on a pile of sugar, and went flying. Her hooves flailed wildly as the sugar ball hit her.

She went flying across the table as the sugar collided with her. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and she lay motionless, her hooves sprawled out. Sugar clung to her mane and coat and eyelashes, making a large pile.

"Haha, Sergeant! Looks like I have...Snowflake?"

The frail white pony did not respond.

Spike leaned over her, desperate. "N-no, p-please, please wake up...I didn't m-mean to...to..."

Suddenly, an inexplicable rush of sweetness flooded his mouth, making him gag. He fell backwards, coughing up a cloud of white dust, as crystals filled his mouth and nose.

"Ha!" Snowflake leaped forward, her false act of weakness gone. She smirked at Spike, who had sugar spilling out of his mouth. "Any last words, Sir Spike?"

Spike wheezed, his eyes closed, then rasped, "Can I have some water?"

* * *

"All done," Spike sighed. The room, which had been covered in sugar, was now back to its normal self and was sparkling like new. Both of them had cleaned off all of the crystals that had clung to them. The jewel cake sat on the table, cooling.

"I think I won that," boasted Snowflake as she gulped down another glass of water.

"Uh, no way. That last one wasn't nearly as powerful as the one that knocked you down!"

"Please, that was fake. I could've used my magic if I--"

Snowflake was cut off by the sound of hooves. Both looked up to see Twilight trotting into the room, a box floating beside her.

"How was it?" she asked. Seeing the jewel cake, she smiled. "Mm, looks good. Did you two bake it?"

The two shared a smile. "Yeah," Spike said.

"What else did you do?" asked Twilight, setting the box down.

"Ah...nothing."