Chapters "Almost...done."
Twilight Sparkle sat contentedly on her crystal blue throne. The throne was one of seven, all sitting in a small ring. The walls were crystal as well, and they shimmered with a soft light in the dim light of the room. She one eye with a hoof, smoothing her frayed violet mane out with the other.
A thick brown book floated in front of her face, enveloped by a magenta aura, a color resembling the one wrapped around the mare's horn. Her eyes flitted back and forth as she scanned the pages, and her already half-closed eyelids begin to slowly shut themselves.
The book suddenly closed, and the glow vanished as the book dropped like a stone. Twilight leaned back in her chair, satisfied but exhausted, and she rubbed both of her eyes with two pale hooves. "All done!"
At that moment, a small purple dragon wandered into the room, clutching a comic book. Green scales jutted out from the top of his pale head, and his green eyes were half-closed. He blinked, an enormous yawn engulfing him.
"Are you done, Twilight?" the dragon inquired. His gaze kept flicking to the comic book in his claws, and his claws tightened their grip on the comic. "It's late."
"Yep," Twilight proudly replied. "It's been a long day of reading, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it."
"What about this mess?" The dragon tilted his head, surveying the room.The throne room, which was usually neat and spacious, was cluttered with heaps of books. Stacks of books, in varying heights, were pushed up against the wall and on several of the thrones.
"I don't know, Spike. I'm exhausted! I may just clean it up tomorrow." Twilight flashed a sheepish grin at Spike.
"Alright, then. Good night." With that, Spike turned back and began waddling back toward his room.
With another huge yawn, Twilight slid off of the throne she was sitting on and made her way to her bedroom. Spike was curled up in his bed, already snoring loudly, and the Twilight chuckled softly. She clambered into her own bed, pulling the silken purple covers over her body. As soon as her head hit the soft pillow, her breathing slowly grew deeper, and before she knew it, she had sunken into the depths of sleep.
* * *
A white unicorn with an icy blue mane sat, deep in thought.
She was sitting upon a small, upturned container, initially used for storing food, but the dark gray fabric covering it had altered its intended purpose.
As the mare sat, she frowned deeply. Crudely cut crystal walls surrounded her, shaped into a rough sphere, where the container, a makeshift bed, and a table sat.
As the unicorn continued to ponder, she began to mutter. "I suppose it's going to be time soon," she mumbled to herself, her eyes narrowed. "Though I don't like it...but I'll need help."
The unicorn glanced into the center of the room, where a bright red gem floated in midair, engulfed in a pale red sphere of light. The mare lowered her head, her horn lighting up with a bright blue aura. Magic swirled around her horn, steadily growing brighter, before a bright blue beam shot from her head and struck the sphere. The ball of light began to glow, and after a moment an image appeared in front of the unicorn. She trotted forward, her eyes widening as an image came into view.
A dark figure trotted through a forest, a deep purple cloak on his back. He paused for a moment, raising his head, and red magic filled the air. Silver fur and a sleek black mane became streaked with red light, and a pair of pale violet eyes with a slightly crazed look in them shone in the darkness.
The unicorn frowned before igniting her horn again, quickly shutting the magic off.
After heaving a deep sigh, she got to her hooves. Trotting up to a roughly carved door, she nudged it open, stepping out into the gigantic room before her.
Books. Books everywhere. Stacks the size of skyscrapers lined the walls, and the others proved to be tough obstacles as she tried to make it across the room. She grumbled to herself as she climbed over a thick, black hardback laying open.
Why can't that pony just have cleaned up a little? The white mare panted as she leaped atop a fat purple book. Princess Twilight...Princess of Friendship. I need to warn her soon, but first, I may need to have a talk about this mess. The mare glanced around the room, her eyes wide as she took in the sheer amount of giant books littering the room. She hopped off the hardback and began forward, quickly dodging a bright green book with purple swirls.
Ugh. I know she likes to read, but this is ridiculous. Surveying the room, she sighed. shaking her head. Things are hard enough when you're this small...and this enormous mess isn't making anything better! Nudging a slim red paperback out of the way, she trotted forward, scanning the room for a piece of parchment and a quill.
A red quill was sticking out of a deep blue book, and some ink still clung to the end. The snowy-coated unicorn grabbed the quill and continued her search for parchment. A corner was subsequently found sticking out from under a leathery brown book with golden cursive inscribed on the cover. With a burst of blue magic, the book flipped open, and the the parchment was free. The mare grabbed it and yanked it away.
Levitating the quill, she brought it over to the parchment and began to write. After a moment filled with the sound of quill on parchment, she dropped the quill and levitated the parchment upwards and onto the massive table rising up above her.
Pausing for a moment, she considered taking down the letter and lose the risk of discovery. No...It's about time I revealed myself...Besides, if she'll be my friend, she can help. She's a princess, so I must be able to trust her...and maybe she'll protect me. Hopefully... Shrugging off her apprehension, she began to write, but paused once more.
Hmm...magic practice will be hard in this mess. But maybe... She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling. A baby-blue aura enveloped her horn immediately, a corresponding light beginning to wrap itself around a heavy gray hardback. The aura was weak, but steadily grew stronger, and the book began to wobble. Sweat beaded her forehead as she lifted it several inches off the ground, and she grit her teeth, her icy blue eyes narrowing. With a grunt, her horn lost its glow and the book crashed onto the ground.
Sitting down, she smiled. Yeah, looks like I need some more practice. Maybe this mess was a good thing after all...those buttons and quills and other trinkets that fall into the corners are no challenge anymore. This'll be interesting.
Taking a deep breath, the tiny unicorn re-ignited her horn and began practicing.
* * *
"Rise and shine!"
Spike rolled over in bed, one pale green eye fluttering open slowly. "Wha?" Standing over him was Twilight Sparkle, bright-eyed and beaming as she prodded him. "Time to get up!"
Spike rolled back over, closing his eyes. "Five more minutes," he mumbled into his pillow.
Twilight giggled. "I'll be in the throne room." With that, she turned and trotted off, the sound of her hooves echoing around the hall.
She then entered the throne room, which was still full of books, and quickly lit her horn. It's about time I begin cleaning this up! I'll return them to the library later...well, what's left of it. I'm glad they were able to save some of the the books.
Twilight closed her eyes and sat herself down, taking a deep breath. Placing a hoof to her temple, she quickly ignited her horn. Every book instantly began to glow, wrapped in a magenta aura, and they slowly began to bob upwards. The books instantly straightened out, quickly arranging themselves into lines. From there, they piled themselves into neat stacks off to the side, then rearranged themselves into new stacks.
A satisfied smirk grew on Twilight's face as she surveyed her hard work, and she hopped back onto her hooves. Humming, she levitated a book from the top of the stack and sat down in her throne. Flipping it open, she began to read, but something caught her eye.
A piece of parchment sat square in the middle of the floor. Twilight frowned. Funny. I don't remember this being here. With one hoof she reached out, pulled it closer to her and began to read.
Dear Occupant,
I just want to let you know that you left a mess in this room last night. You are not the only occupant in this palace. Please take that into consideration. Thank you.
~Other Occupant
"Huh?" Twilight reread the letter, then reread it, then read it backwards, flipped it over, and reread it one last time. She frowned, crossing her forelegs. "This...this doesn't make sense! Another occupant?! I thought I was the only one in the castle! Besides Spike, of course. How could there be another occupant? "
"Another...what?"
Spike had just stumbled into the room, still weary from sleep. Twilight sighed. "N-nothing, Spike. I just got this letter...and according to it, there's someone else living here. Besides you, I guess." Twilight rubbed her chin thoughtfully, struck by a sudden idea. "Did you do this as a prank?"
"Not me," snorted Spike. "It was probably Dash or Pinkie. Now what do you want for breakfast?"
"Uh...just a hay smoothie, I guess." Twilight inspected the letter closely. Realizing something, she straightened up. "This writing was done by magic! You can see how the strokes are smooth and straight and light...only levitation can to that kind of work."
"Rarity?" guessed Spike as he began making breakfast.
"Not the pranking type," Twilight murmured. "Who could have done this?"
"I don't know, but it was probably some sort of joke. Do you want apples in your smoothie?"
"No thanks," Twilight mumbled.
Spike sighed. "Twilight, stop worrying! It's just a little note. There are more important things going on right now."
"I know, I know. You're right." Pushing the note away, she smiled. "I should get ready. I have a meeting with Jackhammer to discuss several repairs."
"That's the spirit!" Spike passed her a cup filled with a thick yellow. Twilight downed it in a few gulps, licking her lips. "Thanks, Spike."
"No problem. See you later!"
"Bye!"
* * *
The unicorn opened the small door slowly, peering through the tiny crack. The dragon who lived with the princess was sweeping the floor and humming under his breath. She had heard his reaction to the note, and she frowned, her eyes narrowing. I wish they'd take it more seriously...but I guess I can't blame them. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer. She pushed the door closed and flopped on makeshift bed, which consisted of a matchbox covered in a scrap of yellow fabric and a cotton ball.
She lit her horn, ice-blue light filling the tiny hole, and continued to wait.
* * *
Twilight opened the great doors of her new home, satisfied with the construction plans. She practically skipped up the stairs and into the great hall. Reconstruction of the library, her former home, was being planned, and she was thrilled! She hummed to herself as she trotted along.
"Spike! I'm home!"
She trotted through the halls, arriving at the doors of the throne room. She peered inside, seeing Spike sleeping in the throne with three apples engraved into the top. Chuckling, Twilight walked in, but her attention was diverted by the note, still in the middle of the floor.
Staring at it, she frowned. Perhaps I could just consider...I mean, maybe...somepony had to have done this. Somehow they knew I had left a mess in here, and they're a unicorn...who lives here? But who in Equestria lives here besides Spike and me? Ugh...I've got to find out who this is!
Suddenly, Twilight straightened up. I have an idea! She levitated a nearby piece of parchment and a quill and began scribbling a note. Smirking to herself, she switched the one she had received last night with the new one. Then, she placed another piece of parchment plus the quill by her note. Carrying the new note to her bedroom, she smiled, satisfied.
This should work...and now all I have to do is wait!
Hello, Other Occupant.
First of all, my name is Princess Twilight Sparkle, but my friends call me Twilight. I apologize for the mess I left last night; I was not aware of your presence.
Also, would you mind answering some questions? If there is a guest in my palace, then I would like to know a little bit about them. I would like to know how long you've been here, why you're here, and where exactly have you been staying? And if you wouldn't mind, I would like to meet you some day. Please reply ASAP; I've left parchment and a quill by this note for you to write back. Thank you.
~Twilight
The unicorn was a bit surprised. She hadn't expected a reply. Then again, who wouldn't want to know about a guest who happens to be staying in your house behind your back? Levitating the quill, she began a reply.
* * *
Twilight practically leaped out of bed the next morning. She galloped into the kitchen, leaving a snoring Spike behind, and scanned for a letter.
There it was! In the middle of the table sat a new note. Twilight excitedly grabbed it and began reading.
Twilight,
I understand you did not know I was here. Don't worry about that. As for the questions, I have lived here for a few months. As for why I'm here, well, I'm not going to get into that just yet. Where I live? I think I'll show you a little later. I think I should wait a little while to meet you. Sorry I cannot provide more information, but it's for your safety.
Oh, and as for you, I'm tired of eating scraps. I would appreciate it if you left some food in the middle of the table each night. Thanks. And by the way, my name is Snowflake.
~Snowflake
Twilight's heart was beating rapidly. I can't believe it! I have a guest in my palace who I'm talking to! Well, not talking to, more like writing to, but still! I wish I could meet her, but she seems to be a little too uncomfortable with that. Oh well. Hopefully I'll get to meet her in the future.
"Morning, Twi." A familiar voice drifted into the room, and Spike walked in. "What are you reading?"
"Oh, nothing," Twilight sang. Excitement and confusion were coursing through her. She couldn't wait to learn more about this pony...hopefully Snowflake wasn't dangerous! Was Snowflake comfortable? When would they get to meet?
"TWILIGHT!"
"What?" Twilight blinked, snapped out of her stupor by Spike's yell.
"I said, what do you want for breakfast?"
"Oh. Um...anything's fine."
"Ok." Spike looked at her, concerned. "Twilight? Are you okay?"
"Yeah! Why wouldn't I be?"
"I dunno. You just seem...different."
"Oh."
Twilight was planning out what to write next. Should I ask more questions? I don't want to seem nosy. How do I know I can trust Snowflake? Maybe I should ask when they'll feel alright to meet? What if I sound pushy? And the food...I'll have to remember to set some food out.
Spike set a plate in front of Twilight loaded with apples and daisies. Twilight began to slowly eat breakfast, pondering her reply.
"Twilight?"
"Hmm?"
"Um...won't you be late for your meeting with Mayor Mare?"
"What?" All thoughts of her next letter instantly vanished as her heartbeat sped up even more. "I'm going to be....TARDY?" Twilight's horn lit up and in a magenta burst, she was gone.
Spike sighed and rolled his eyes. "Bye, Twilight," he muttered.
* * *
Snowflake couldn't believe it when she found another reply, as well as a platter full of apple slices set out for her. She only needed one of the slices, but she was grateful for the gesture. She gobbled one down, grateful for the juicy, sweet taste. Ah...that's the most I've eaten in awhile.
After her snack, she settled down to read the reply, her eyes skimming over the neat writing of Twilight Sparkle.
Snowflake,
Thank you for that much information. I suppose I can wait to find out the other information, but eventually, I may need to know it. What I want to know mainly is when you'll feel comfortable meeting me? I don't want to force you to before your ready, but if you're living in my palace, I would like to know a little bit about you. Also, is there anything else you need? Just let me know and I'll see what I can do.
~Twilight
Her lips curled up in a slight smirk. She wants to meet me, huh? I think she'd be pretty surprised when she saw me. Chuckling aloud, she grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and began her reply.
* * *
Spike was annoyed.
Twilight had been very distracted lately. She had been reading tiny slips of parchment nonstop lately, and Spike had no idea what they meant. The one he had read made no sense to him, and Twilight refused to explain. And now he barely even got to talk to her because she was so busy.
I hope she's not mad at me...what if she doesn't need me any more and has been trying to tell me that by ignoring me? Spike's eyes widened. No, that couldn't be it. Could it? .
Spike groaned, pulling the covers up to his chin. It was the middle of the night, and he was restless. He couldn't stop thinking about Twilight and the pieces of parchment. Not only had the mare been sneaking snacks outside and been acting obsessed with the slips of paper on her table, but the mare had been acting extremely wary. She always seemed to be on the lookout for something, and she often begun staring into space for so long that Spike had had to snap her out of it.
After another moment, he sat up, pushing the covers away, and crawled out of his bed. He made is way into the kitchen, where he grabbed a bowl of gems and flopped down on a chair in the throne room. Grasping a ruby in his claws, he shoved it in his mouth, savoring the sweet taste.
Wait a second... He looked at the floor again to see a tiny piece of parchment sitting in the middle. How'd I miss that? He grabbed it, prepared to toss it, but after another glance he realized that the paper had words on it.
What is it? The temptation to read the paper was weighing on Spike, but he turned away. It's not mine...and Twilight said I shouldn't snoop...
But the urge was too strong. His eyes snuck a quick glance at the paper, and he was instantly hooked. Entranced, he kept reading.
Dear Twilight,
I understand that you're willing to meet me. A stranger in your house, living behind your back? It's probably s bit scary. You're going to have to trust me that I'm not a bad guy. But a meeting may not be the best thing...let's just say that my appearance may be a surprise. Again, just trust me that I'm okay.
Oh, and about things I need...Even though I don't like huge messes, if you could leave a few books of varying sizes out, that would also be great. Thanks.
~Snowflake
It was another note from...Snowflake? Who the hay was that? And the note said she was living behind Twilight's back? Spike swallowed the crushed pieces of an emerald, beginning to fret. This Snowflake could be a threat! She's somehow living in this castle? But...how? Something strange is going on, and I'm going to find out...
* * *
Snowflake was peering through the tiny peephole she had carved into the door. The assistant...whatever his name was...was reading her letter!
How dare he! She turned and began to pace, silently seething. Those are between Twilight and me only!
She bit her lip angrily, fighting the urge to go out there and give him a piece of her mind. But she couldn't risk revealing herself to him . Not yet. She continued to pace the perimeter of her tiny home angrily, stopping to peer through the peephole. The assistant was now looking closely at the note, a worried expression on his face.
Stupid dragon. He should know better than to snoop. She stabbed the ground with her hoof angrily as the assistant turned the paper over.
After what felt like forever, the assistant let out a long, unsatisfied sigh and set the letter back down. He picked up a half-eaten gem and waddled out of the room, finally leaving Snowflake alone. She waited one more minute before trotting out once more.
She sat down in front of the massive bowl full of gems. The dragon had left them, and there were several left. Perfect. She instantly closed her eyes for a moment, igniting her horn, then concentrated on a massive sapphire. A weak aura began to form around it, and she slowly willed it upwards.
The gem was heavy, but Snowflake was persistent. Beads of sweat began to drip down her face, and she let out a tiny grunt as the sapphire glided up.
As continued to levitate the heavy gem, a sharp sound broke suddenly echoed throughout the room. Her concentration instantly broke, and her eyes widened as the sapphire flung itself against the bowl of gems. Snowflake squeaked, then clapped a hoof over her mouth. Her ears pricked as the noise grew louder.
Loud clinks filled the room as gems spilled everywhere, the quiet sound magnified by the crystal walls. Snowflake clapped her hooves over her ears, the sound too great for her sensitive hearing. Oh no...
Footsteps sounded in the hall as the noise subsided. Snowflake turned to run back to her home, but a maze of gems blocked her path. Her magic, already well-used from that night's practice session, was much harder to summon and control as she attempted to levitate the objects out of her path. Panic coursing through her, she quickly cut off the flow of magic and begun to swerve around the jewels littering the floor.
No! Snowflake dove behind a sapphire, her muscles tense and ready to run if she were discovered. Sweat now drenched her body instead of just beading her forehead, and she tried desperately to make her breaths silent.
It was the assistant. She could hear him muttering as he picked up the gems.
Oh, no. Please, Celestia, don't let him see me, please...
Closer and closer. In one last desperate attempt, she lit her horn and tried to teleport, but her already weakened magic refused to perform such a spell. The assistant was now dangerously close, breathing fire-warmed breath in her direction.
His claws were coming. If she ran, she would be seen. Maybe if I grab on, he won't see me...
She hugged her hooves around the gleaming blue stone a heartbeat before she felt herself being lifted into the air. She drew in her hind legs tightly as she struggled to keep a hold on the gem. The assistant wasn't even bothering to look at the gem as he moved back towards the bowl. Almost there...
Suddenly, her forelegs, wrapped tightly around the gem, began to slip. She squeezed the sapphire with all her might, but her efforts were in vain. She was falling.
Please, just put me back in the bowl...before I slip...
Now, just the very end of her forelegs were hanging on. Her body was shaking, and her legs ached, but she held on. Just a few more more seconds...
Without warning, she was no longer clinging to the gem, but plummeting downwards like a rock. With no way to soften her fall, she curled into a tiny ball and prepared for the earth-shattering impact. Terror made her heartbeat speed up, and time seemed to slow around her as she fell, her icy blue mane streaming upwards. Make it quick, Celestia, please...
* * *
Spike was a bit confused and more than a bit miffed at the sight of all of his precious gems on the floor. He had heard a chorus of clinks on his way to get some water and come to check it out, and was greeted with this sight.
How the hay did these even fall over? Annoyed, he grasped a gem in his claw and deposited it into the bowl. He continued this for a moment, picking up gems and dropping them into the bowl.
With a only a few to go, he picked up a sapphire and turned back towards the bowl. He didn't bother to inspect the gem for dust that may have coated it; he was just glad to almost be through with the tedious task of replacing gems. Plus, it was making him hungry again.
Suddenly, a white shape fell from the gem. It appeared to be a snowy white ball, small enough to fit in his palm. Curious, he plucked it out of the air to further inspect it. Mm...maybe it's a diamond that got stuck to it? Wait...diamonds are shiny and hard. This thing is not shiny and hard.
What is this thing? And more importantly, what was it doing on my gem? He leaned in closely, studying it. It was soft, as if it had fur. And it had something silky and icy blue trailing from it.
Looking even closer, he frowned. Wait a second, that looks like...no, it can't be. Could it?
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."