A Spiked Life

Chapters

Chapter 1 - The Road of No Return
Chapter 2 - The Dream
Chapter 4 - A Rude Awakening
Chapter 5 - Meeting Twilight
Chapter 6 - A Subconscious Affection
Chapter 7 - A New Sense of Balance
Chapter 8 - The Road Home
Chapter 9 - The Realization
Chapter 10 - Twilight gone 'nanas
Chapter 11 - Stephen meets Pinkie Pie
Chapter 12 - The Ponyville Marketplace
Interlude I - The School Assignment
Chapter 13 - A Silly Pony?
Chapter 14 - A Bad Bunny
Chapter 15 - A Bad, Bad Bunny
Chapter 16 - An Old Friend
Chapter 17 - A Bittersweet Reunion
Chapter 18 - Cutie Mark? Is That Like a Beauty Mark?
Chapter 19 - Questions and Conundrums
Chapter 20 - A Sisterly Bond, A Sisterly Quarrel
Chapter 3 - Ponyville Hospital

Chapter 1 - The Road of No Return

Chapter 1 - The Road of No Return
by LightningStrike34

Hi my name is Stephen Sato, I'm an Asian-American High School Student from Montgomery, Alabama. For most people who've known me I've always had a fascination with mythical creatures from a Young Age, my joy for it started back when I went to see 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' 9 years ago with my parents and I've been hooked on it ever since then, hell I even went so far as reading every book that came out but we can save that for another time and place. The reason I'm writing this is because of a recent experience I went through and I want to start it from the top.

While I was skimming through books near the nonfiction section of my local library I happened to come across a book I've never seen before, normally this would be no big deal as people rent and check out books from here all the time but this one was really odd... When I flipped the book open to a random page I saw a complete mess of symbols and alien cursive writing that I've never seen before in my whole life. Describing it from what I saw it appeared to be some form of Cryllic writing mixed with Old Latin symbols mixed in, needless to say I was confused. Holding the book in my right hand I walked over to the section where they checked out books to get some answers, seeing that the typical person I saw there wasn't busy with someone I walked over to her to get some confirmation on this strange book.

"Hey, do you know anything about this book? It's written in some strange text I cannot understand for the life of me."

The Librarian, who's name was Catherine according to her nametag opened the book opened it up to a random page and started flipping through it page by page. "I'm sorry hun, but not even I know anything about it from looking through it. It's not any language that I'm familiar with I'm afraid, forgive me deary. Hmm... I don't remember ever seeing this book before sweetie, where did you find this?"

"It was near the nonfiction section, I came here to ask if you had any insight on this book ma'am."

She gave me a glum expression, "I'm very sorry honey but I don't know anything about it, perhaps the old owner knew about it but sadly he's not around anymore. I can check this book out for you if you're interested perhaps?"

"Ehh I dunno, I'm probably just going to look through it and see if I can notice anything interesting from it. Thanks again Catherine." Smiling and waving I headed back over to my previous location and examined the book once more with newfound curiosity. "Man, how'd I not notice how dusty this was? It looks like it's been here for decades."

After blowing the dust it flew off as a micro tornado flying into the air, after a few seconds had passed I could see that the book was GLOWING and sending off surges of energy around my body and engulfing it, soon the light had gotten so bright it had gotten to the point that I passed out from shock.

Meanwhile in another universe...

Twilight and Spike had been busy unpacking their belongings after their recent and permanent stay in Ponyville due to Princess Celestia's Decree for Twilight to stay here to discover the Magic of Friendship with their 5 new friends, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Spike was heaving from just how much he was lifting as well as what he unpacked and fell to the floor from exhaustion. "Twilight, are we done yet? It feels like it's taking forever to unpack all these boxes, are we even close to being done?"

Twilight furrowed her brow as she responded, "Almost Spike, we just need to unload a few more boxes and we're good to go."

"But you said that last time! How many more boxes do we even have left to unpack anyways? Ugh... My back is killing me."

"Spike, I told you to lift with your legs several times. Your back wouldn't ache this bad if you'd had simply followed my advice."

"Oh, isn't that right? Well it's not like talking about it is going to get us anywhere with me lying on my back doing nothing." Spike gets up and walks over to one of the empty boxes and opens it up to find a trophy inside of it surrounded by books. Spike gives off a curious look and rubs a claw under his chin, "Uhm Twilight, who's trophy is this? I don't ever remember you to be the competitive type."

Twilight trots over to see and lifts it up using her magic, written on the plaque Twilight reads. "To the greatest Canterlot Buckball Team Equestria has ever known, you shall be remembered for however long this city stands." Twilight stops reading and turns her head back over to Spike, "My brother must have sent this to me, he probably thinks I'll forget him or something." Twilight looks over to her left and spots a nearby ladder on one of the ingrained bookshelves, "Ok Spike, I have a task for you, I need you to promise you'll be careful when doing this okay?"

"I promise on my word as a Dragon I will be very careful Twilight." Spike puts his claw over his chest in jest

Twilight giggles, "Ok Soldier, now. All I need you to do is use that ladder to take the trophy up onto this shelf, you got all that?"

Spike gives a salute, "Yes Ma'am!"
Walking over to the nearby ladder he takes it in his claws and brings it over to the shelf, after that he then grabs the trophy and slowly makes his way up the ladder. While Spike is climbing the ladder he feels something is off, "Umm Twilight? Are you sure you want me to do this? What if I get hurt and fall?"

Twilight reassures him, "If anything like that happens I will catch you, you have nothing to worry about Spike."
Twilight trots over to another one of the boxes and opens it up as Spike continues slowly climbing higher and higher, just as Spike makes his way to the top one of the steps gives way causing Spike to stumble backwards and fall on the floor with a thud, a barely concious Spike looks up to notice the shelf give way and sees the Trophy and it give way knocking him unconscious soon after.

Chapter 2 - The Dream

Chapter 2 - The Dream
by LightningStrike34

Twilight's POV
While I was busy sorting the books from one of the moving boxes I had heard a thud and turned my head to see what had happened, I saw Spike was on the floor with several scratch marks among his scaly reptilian-like body and tried running over to help him only to see My Brother's trophy and the shelf giving way onto his tired looking face, I tried using my magic to levitate the statue out of the way but it fell so fast I simply didn't have time to catch it. "Oh no no no no no, even after I said I would be there for him if it happened and I blew it!"

'ButitallhappenedsofastandtherewasnothingIcoulddo' I started hyperventilating like somepony who essentially witnessed a murder, "Ok Twilight," I said to myself. "Don't freak out, that wont help Spike in this situation; I just need to see if he's okay, all I need to do is check for any external damage and I'll help from there." Walking over to his side I levitated the trophy and shelf off from top of him, his face had a nasty black eye on the left side and blood dripping from his right nostril, when I saw this I was hyperventilating again and stopped after a brief moment. "Oh Spike I'm so so so sorry."

Levitating Spike in my magic I sprinted my way into town to find the nearest hospital.

Stephen's Perspective
Waking up felt like coming out of a drunken stupor only without the alcohol fucking with your brain, when I came to I saw nothing but an empty black void of nothingness as far as the eye could see. "What the hell? Where am I? Did that stupid book kill me and now I'm in the afterlife? Great, just great." My voice echoed through the endless abyss of darkness, never fleeting from any direction, after what I assumed 10 minutes passed I tried walking through only to realize I was floating.

"Is this supposed to be some sort of Nightmare because if it is it's pretty drab, needs more zombies and sparkling vampires." Soon after I said that a decaying zombie corpse sprouted from the "ground" and soon after came Robert MOTHERFUCKING Pattinson Sparkling like he did in that one scene in the Original Twilight Movie. "Holy shit, what the hell?" I started laughing uncontrollably, "Am I having a Lucid Dream right now? Holy shit! I can create stuff out of thin air in here."
Poofing the zombie and Robert Pattinson away I imagine myself on a Pirate Ship sailing across the seven seas with my crew of Merry Men drinking and having a good time.

While I'm busy drinking some wine one of my crewmates walks up to me and gives me a metaphorically spine crushing hug. Setting me back down it shows me he's a big guy with short unkempt brownish-blonde hair that extends in several messy strands. "Hey there captain," He says with a hearty laugh. "I see yer enjoyin' me wine eh? S'is some good work I did, I give it a First Mate Bucky seal of approval Heh-heh." He gives a solemn wink

I chuckle, "Hell yeah, this wine is the shit, it's the best I've ever had, good work." I give him a thumbs up, "Now you go back to your duties or have some fun ya hear? Can't be a merry crew of pirates with our spirits low and our stomachs a rumblin' can we?" I give him a pat on the back and he heads on over to meet the rest of my crew as we set sail for a Volcanic Island.

Twilight's POV
Twilight was in a rush, galloping through Ponyville as fast as her legs could handle, fervently searching for the Hospital clearly not thinking to ask for help and with tears in her eyes she collapsed on the ground and Spike shook from the sudden stop. "Um Twilight, what the hay is going on with you today are you um... are you okay?" Looking up Twilight spotted Rainbow Dash sitting on a cloud with a concerned look on her face. "You really don't look to good what happened to you, "Rainbow Dash spotted Spike's Face as she spoke. "Err more importantly what happened to him, that's a pretty nasty accident, I should now from experience that Black Eye mixed with the dribbly nostril is not a good sign for anypony. Or in Spike's case Anydragon." Rainbow Dash flew down to Twilight's Level

Twilight took a deep breath and let it out, "Long story short, Spike fell off a Ladder when I asked him to help put my Brother's Buckball Trophy on one of the shelves, a step broke, the shelf gave way as both it and the trophy fell and hit him before I had the chance to catch it. I'm trying to find a Hospital so I can help him recover."

Rainbow Dash had her mouth open before closing it saying, "If you need to find a Hospital I know the way, it's just down this path as you take a right after half a mile. C'mon, let's get going." Rainbow flew to the Hospital as Twilight was hot on her trail following her like a moth drawn to flame. "Don't worry Spike, you'll be just fine."

Stephen's Perspective
"Oy captain, we's be ap'roachin' the Island. Let's have ye a toast before we head a'shore what ye say?" Says one of me crewmates Private Richard Long, A Short but stocky Half Asian and Irish Lad with Scruffy Ginger Hair.
I gratefully accepted his offer as we walked over to the nearby table to propose a toast to our new discovery.

"I propose a toast to me cap'n and the rest of me crew that t'would we set foot on this yonder isle there will be new riches for us to plunder as far as the eyes can see, let us rejoice in anticipation. Now let us Toast, TO UNTOLD GLORY!!!"
The rest of the crew repeated him in unison as we all chugged our wine as we set ever closer to the island.

"Who simply knows what untold riches await."

Chapter 4 - A Rude Awakening

Chapter 4 - A Rude Awakening
by LightningStrike34

Stephen's Perspective
Continuing our Journey to the shimmering cavern we made it to the foot of the cave when we heard a screech from inside, the sound alone was enough to frighten some of my men as they backed away a couple meters.

"Aye cap'n, there some kinna bloomin' monst'r in there, are ye sure we sho'd be goin' there?"

Responding to Bucky's question I said, "We wouldn't be real pirates if we always cowered in fear at the face of danger, come on lads." As we made our way into the cave we could see the walls were lined with gemstones as far as the eye could see, from Rubies to Opals and Sapphires to Diamonds we awed the spectacle from what we had witnessed. "Alright lads, one of ya head back to the ship for the spare mining equipment below deck, we're gonna need it." I turn to face Private Richard Long, "You, go and head back and you'll be given a raise in payment for this."

Richard gives me a salute, "AYY AYY CAPTAIN!" He runs to the ship as fast as his stocky body will carry him.

Soon after he left to gather supplies the screeching sound from earlier was back again, it sounded rather close and felt to be roughly 10ft away from us as My Men and I drew in a defensive stance with swords at the ready. As the creature's screeching grew louder I could see a pair of glowing eyes resembling gemstones heading our way as we prepared for what was to come, after about a few more feet the creature's appearance came clearly into view from the light of the various gemstones lining the walls. The creature's appearance closely resembled that of a goblin, but it's body was purple instead of green and it appeared to have Diamonds where the eyes should have been.

"AYE CAP'N? What be that there Monstrosity?" I gave Bucky a stern look as I turned my face back towards the creature, "Cap'n, Do you know what this beast is?"

I gave him an affirmative response, "I've trifled with this Creature's kind before, they eat gemstones as a source of food and it is their diet that made them what they are today. They have Diamonds for eyes as well as three gemstones embedded in their backs with one red one on their chest as you can see, what I can't understand is how they found their way onto this Island." As soon as I had finished speaking the creature gave out an ear piercing screech as we covered our ears in pain, after about a moment had passed the ground started to shake as a massive swarm of them rushed towards us as My Crew and I were dragged deeper and deeper inside the cave unknowing if we would ever see the light of day again.

Rainbow's POV
After Twilight had left to help deal with Spike's injuries, I was busy reading the book Twilight gave me until I saw Rarity and a little unicorn filly walk in as she talked to the nurse at the front desk as I drew her attention, "Hey Rarity, over here!" She appeared startled at the sound of my voice before walking over to me with the filly following behind her.

"Oh Rainbow Dash, I didn't expect to see you here, are you here for Spike?"

I gave her a curious look, "How would you know about that? Also I believe you've yet to introduce me to somepony here."

"Oh yes, I guess I haven't introduced you to my little sister before, say hello Sweetie Belle."

Rarity said nudging her sister forward with her muzzle, "Hi Rainbow Dash, I'm Sweetie Belle." squee

"Well it's nice to meet you too squirt, but that still begs the question Rarity, how did you know Spike was injured?"

I asked again, "Well I was on my way to give Twilight and Spike some housewarming gifts when my sister wanted to tag along and when I looked inside Twilight's home upon arrival I could see the broken ladder step as well as the shelf and trophy lying down on the floor covered in droplets of red, I put two and two together and here I am."

I gave them the benefit of the doubt, "Ok that makes sense, I should at least tell you about the incident from what Twilight told me, so from what I heard Spike fell off of the ladder after one of the legs broke and fell with a thud, Twilight heard what happened as she ran to help, what she didn't notice was the trophy and the shelf in time and tried to levitate them away but it was no use. Now we're in the hospital and Spike has a black eye and a dripping nostril."

Sweetie Belle had a sad look on her face, "Oh No! Is he gonna be alright? That's so sad."

I reassured her, "Hey kid, that little guy doesn't go down easily, besides it's not any seriously fatal injury he'll be just fine in no time."

She perked up at this, "Oh okay, thanks Rainbow Dash!"

"Anytime kid, I never leave one of my friends hanging."

Stephen's Perspective
After what felt like an eternity of pain and humiliation, the swarm threw us into an open part of the cavern as we all heard a voice call out to us, "Well well well, look what the cat dragged in, it's the little bodysnatcher and his friends."

Looking up to see what the hell was going on I turned my head to see a Small purple dragon sitting atop a throne with a scowl drawn across his face. "I guess I should say 'nice to meet you' but seeing the creature that stole my life from me I can't exactly be generous now, can I?"

I was very confused, “Bodysnatcher? Life stealer? What the hell are you talking about? Who the fuck are you even?"

The Dragon laughs maniacally, "Oh well now, I guess I should explain myself shouldn't I? I am Spike the Dragon or more accurately put I am his Subconscious mind and you have taken over as the more dominant personality effectively stealing my life away thank you very much." Those last four words were seething with a venomous malice one only could hear from a work of fiction. "Although I have to admit finding a creature like this within your memories certainly piqued my curiousity, very interesting."

"CAP'N, WHAT'S GOING ON? What's that Scaly bloke talking about?" One of my crewmates shouted in fear, I was unable to see who it was as what happened soon after rendered him out of sight.

"Swarm the Figments! Leave them all to drown under a pile of your own bodies, CHARGE!" As soon as the Swarm of Gem Goblins heard this they all came rushing towards my crew leaving me speechless as they were all left lying underneath piles of purple bodies. Seeing this I yelled in anger, " What are you doing!? What do they have to do with me?"

"They are the only thing tying you to the dream world, now that they're out of the way all I need to take care of is you."

"Now,
GEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTT OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!"

The scream was echoing to the point I could barely stand up as I was knocked out of the Dreamscape and back into Consciousness.

Author's Note

I want to see someone give their best guess as to the creature I used in this Chapter is called, good luck :trollestia:

Chapter 5 - Meeting Twilight

Author's Note

First Major chapter of the story, YAY! Guess that makes me an Official Cutie Mark Crusaders story teller right? :unsuresweetie: All jokes aside hope you'll enjoy it.

Chapter 5 - Meeting Twilight

Chapter 5 - Meeting Twilight
by LightningStrike34

Twilight's POV
"...and that's exactly what happened down to the very last detail." I said explaining the events this morning.

"Hmm... I'll take a look and see what I can do to help but I'm not much of an expert on Dragon Physiology as we typically work with helping ponies, he isn't allergic to any foods or medicines is he?" Doctor Horse asked me

I responded, "No, none that I'm aware of, the only thing he has any allergies from are the flowers found on Dragon Sneeze Trees."

Doctor Horse looks up and remembers something, "Ahh yes, I'm familiar with those trees, I saw them when I was on my previous trip to Canterlot a while back for a Vacation. Some good and interesting times that was; but enough about me let's see if he's awake, he needs to be conscious so I can get a better look at any other minor injuries he's sustained during the fall as you had described."

Looking over to Spike we could see he was getting up in a tired and drowzy state whispering, "Man, that was some freaky dream."

Spike's Perspective

I woke up in a daze after being knocked out of the Dreamscape as I held my head in pain, "Man, that was some freaky dream." I whispered. Looking down I saw and felt myself sitting on what appeared to be a hospital bed, "Why the hay am I-" I clasped my right hand at my neck in shock and horror. "W-w-what happened to me?" I said with a voice much higher than my normal one.

“Well according to Miss Sparkle, you passed out from a concussion as you were hit on the head by two blunt force objects all at once." A male sounding voice spoke to me.

"Miss Sparkle? What kind of last name i-" I stopped as I stood speechless to see two Unicorns standing at the near end of the room. The Purple one walked closer to me as I backed away in caution.

“Spike are you okay? I'm so so sorry about what happaned and it's all my fault I-"

She started to tear up as I talked back to her, "Whoa there, just calm down. You're not the one at fault here umm... Sparkle?" I said questioningly

There was a brief moment of sadness in her eyes before she spoke again, "Do you... do you not remember me?" She asked curiously.

I responded, "I don't even know why I'm here, let alone why I'm in a room with two talking Unicorns."

Sparkle sobbed as the Unicorn Doctor comforted her, "You did say that he was hit rather hard and fast, it wouldn't be a complete shock to suggest that he's developed a form of Amnesia." 'I should play along for the time being, the whole alibi that I have Amnesia is pretty believeable with the splitting headache I have.' I thought.

"Amnesia!? Oh Spike, I'm so so sorry about this I-I-" She starts tearing up again as she sobs into her foreleg.

"Whoa now," I speak up, " I may not have any idea who you are or what's going on but... from the sound of things this isn't your fault, you really shouldn't be beating yourself up over this."

Sparkle looked up with a cheerful look on her face before looking back at me with her previous expression, "Well I guess I should try jogging your memory and see if it comes back to you, My name is Twilight Sparkle," She says pointing to herself with a hoof, "and you are my number one Assistant and Friend Spike the Dragon." 'DRAGON?!'

Pulling my hand into view I didn't see a hand, what I saw instead was a SCALY PURPLE CLAW where it actually should've been, I was internally screaming my ass off from this immediate revelation, 'ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitohshit'.

The Unicorn named Twilight saw the look on my face as she gave a curious look, "Spike? Are you feeling alright?"

I gave her a somewhat honest response as to not startle her, "Well aside from my head hurting like Tartarus, I-" Tartarus? Didn't I mean to say Hell? What the fuck?' I thought, reevaluating what I just said.

Twilight gives me a curious look, " You, what?" I nervously stutter to find the right words to say, "I-I mean um... I just meant to say t-that I'm fine. You don't need to worry about- OWW!" My Right eye started to hurt as I went to hold it. "Why the buck, wait buck? Ugh, why is my eye hurting like this?" I rightfully asked.

Twilight gave me a nasty look before calming down, "Right, I guess even you wouldn't have been able to know about that beforehoof." 'Beforehoof?' "When I asked you to bring My Brother's Trophy up onto the shelf during the Renovations of our new home one of the steps on the ladder you used broke off as you-" Twilight teared up at this, "as you fell back on your back with a thud, when I went and ran over to help you it was too late for me to do anything to stop the Trophy and shelf from falling on you," Twilight cried, "I'm so so so sorry Spike, I couldn't do anything to help. Especially not after it gave you that Black eye."

I tried calming her down, "Hey, you did the best you could, you were the one who brought me to the hospital right? That means you care an awful lot for me, it was the least you could've done."

Twilight sniffled, " Thank you Spike, I-I guess I needed that. Thank you."

I blushed, "Hey I'm just being honest, no need to get sappy because of me." I paused before asking, "Hey uh, Twilight? Does this place have a mirror I could use?"

She turned towards the doctor before he gave a response, "We do but, it'll take a while before we can give it to you, do you think you can wait a few minutes?"

I gave an affirmative nod, "Yeah I can do that, thank you Doctor."

He gave me a smile, "You're very welcome, now if you'll excuse me for a moment." The Doctor trotted out of the room as he went to grab a mirror.

Chapter 6 - A Subconscious Affection

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 7 - A New Sense of Balance

Author's Note

Can any of you here guess what Fimfiction I'm referencing in this chapter? Respond in the comments if you think you got it. :trollestia:

Chapter 7 - A New Sense of Balance

Chapter 7 - A New Sense of Balance
by LightningStrike34

Sweetie Belle's POV
After about a few minutes had passed, I admired my work as I prodded Rainbow with a hoof, "Hey Rainbow Dash, look at what I made! Isn't it cool?"

Rainbow stared at it rubbing her fetlock under her muzzle, "Not bad kid, but it needs to be about 20% cooler, hold on a sec." She opened one of the built-in compartments as she grabbed a miniature red flag out of the drawer and put it on the middle castle I made earlier. "Aaaaand Done, now that is how you finish a sand castle. Not bad for a first attempt kid, maybe you'll have a future as an expert sculptor one day, might even be your special talent."

Gasping I looked at my flank to find... nothing, I sighed as Rainbow comforted me. "Hey kid, If getting a Cutie Mark were that easy I would've gotten mine a lot sooner, don't let something like this bring you down so easily I know you'll figure it out one day."

I pulled on her leg and hugged it as she returned the gesture and hugged me back as I said, "Thanks Rainbow Dash, I guess I needed that. Thank you."

Rainbow smiled, "Anytime Sweetie, I just know a pony like you is going to do great things one day." Looking up to the clock on the wall Rainbow groaned, "2:45? It's almost time for my work shift! What is she doing in there?"

Spike's Perspective
As I tried getting up onto my new legs I tripped and fell to the floor as I discovered my Center of Gravity had changed as I groaned in pain, "Owwwwww..."

I heard hoofsteps rushing over to me as I heard Twilight call out to me, "Spike! Are you okay? What happened?"

I responded, " I don't know! It's like my legs aren't working right."

I could hear Twilight hyperventilating as I looked up to see the pained expression on her face, "Oh no, Don't tell me your legs are broken too! Oh no no no no no no-"

I cut her off, "Twilight, I'm fine! I can feel them but I can't seem to use them right now." I sighed, "Can I ride on your back please?"

Twilight calmed down as she spoke again, "Of course Spike, with the day you've been having recently it's the least I can do." 'You have no idea.' After I finished my thought I could feel myself being lifted off of the ground as I panicked internally. 'Ohshitohshitohshitohshit.' Twilight could see the look on my face as she gave me a voice of concern, "Oh, I'm so sorry! Is my magic startling you? I can set you down and-"

My nerves were practically on fire as I replied, "N-no, I-it's f-fine, I-I just w-wasn't e-expecting it, p-please hurry up!"

As Twilight had finished setting me on her back I could hear the Unicorn Doctor speak up, "That facial injury is going to last at least for a few days or so, I recommend not touching it until it's cleared up. Have a safe and happy trip home you two."

As Twilight headed out the door and into the front entrance I heard her thank him as she called out, "Thank you, Doctor Horse."

Rainbow's POV
After glancing at the clock for 5 minutes I finally had enough, "Ok, that's it. I'm going in there right-" I was cut off as I heard the Laughter of a familiar voice as they spoke, "H-his name is Actually Doctor Horse?! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Another voice responded as I knew it was Twilight's as she said, "Yes Spike, his name is Doctor Horse. Why are you laughing?"

Spike replied, "His name is Doctor Horse," he sniggered. "And he's an ACTUAL horse, HAHAHAHA!"

I saw Twilight groan as she turned to look at him sitting on her back, "Well to be technically accurate he's a Pony, Spike, not a horse."

Spike had a confused look on his face, "A Pony? He's pretty big for a po-" I called out to Twilight and Spike as I saw Rarity behind them as well. "Hey Twilight, Spike, over here! Oh, and you too Rarity." The two of them with Spike sat on Twilight's back walked over to Sweetie Belle and I as I saw Spike staring at me intently.

"Oh, Hello Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, "Who's this little one?"

Sweetie Belle spoke up to answer her, "I'm Sweetie Belle! Rarity's little sister." She looked over to Spike as he had a nervous look on his face. "Is this Spike?" she asked, " I wasn't expecting a dragon, does he bite?"

Spike had an annoyed look on his face while Twilight spoke, "No, he doesn't bite. He's practically harmless."

Spike then looked back at me intently before speaking, "Are, are you an actual Pegasus?"

Sweetie Belle and I were both confused as I asked, "Um, Twilight? Is Spike okay?"

Rarity replied, "It's a long story Rainbow Dash, do you have time to hear it?" Looking back at the clock I could see it was 2:55 I panicked as I flew out of the hospital yelling, "Whoops, running late for weather duty, see yaaaaaaaaa!"

Spike's Perspective
Seeing the cyan colored pegasus fly away like lightning I sat there as I pondered my thoughts, 'Weather duty? Is she some kind of reporter or something? Nah that doesn't seem likely, maybe she's a stormchaser. Yeah that's probably it, with speed like that it wouldn't shock me if she was one.'

Snapping out of my thoughts I heard Twilight's voice calling out to me, "Are you ready to go Spike? We really need to finish getting everything unpacked after your little incident today."

I replied, "Y-yeah, I think I'm ready to go. You just lead the way, Twilight."

As soon as I finished speaking I could hear Rarity speaking to me as I turned my head towards her, "Please try to be more careful Spike, we all care about you very dearly and would never wish anything else bad happens to you."

I smile as my face was flushed red, "T-thank you Rarity, I'll try to remember that." And with that Twilight and I headed into town as we made the trek to her and my new home.

Chapter 8 - The Road Home

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 9 - The Realization

Chapter 9 - The Realization
by LightningStrike34

Scootaloo's POV
After Sweetie Belle asked me to walk over to her house to play I heard her speak up as she asked, "Hey Scootaloo? Where do you live, are your parents nice?"

I was a bit caught off guard before replying, "Y-yeah of course they are, It's just-" I sighed, "They're not around all that often from all the work they have to do."

Sweetie Belle asked curiously, "What kind of work do they do? Do they enjoy it?"

"You better believe they enjoy it, they travel the world to the most farthest and dangerous places in Equestria fining rare exotic plants and fighting off fearsome creatures like the Cragadile. Their work really helps pony science and medicine a lot, I can't even begin to imagine actually being there with them."

Sweetie Belle looks at me in disbelief, "That sounds waaaay too good to be true, you sure you're not just making that up?"

"I AM NOT!" I replied angrily as Sweetie Belle looked at me cautiously before we calmed down, "I-I'm sorry Sweetie, I really shouldn't have yelled at you like that, I-It's just that I can't stand it whenever I tell a pony about my parents they think I'm just lying to make me sound cooler."

Sweetie Belle replies, "And I guess I'm sorry too Scoots, I guess I didn't realize how insensitive I was being towards you like that, can you forgive me?"

She gave me a look that resembled a begging puppy as I replied to her, "H-hey don't give me that look, no fair!" Her eyes puffed out a little more, "Ugh fine! You're forgiven okay? Lay off the pity face."

Sweetie Belle looked up in thought before asking, "Speaking of your parents, who do you live with if they're away most of the time? A foalsitter?"

"I live with my Aunts, they love me just as much and I love them in return. You'll never find another couple like them, that's for sure."

Sweetie Belle had an interested look on her face, "You live with a lespony couple? That's so cool! I wish I could meet them."

"They're out working right now," I said. "they won't be back until later in the day."

Rarity overhears our conversation as we head closer to her home saying, "Don't you have anypony regularly watching you? It seems irresponsible to leave a filly like yourself without some adult supervision."

I responded, "I can take care of myself just fine," I sigh. "but my aunts don't seem to think so. Stupid foalsitter..."

Sweetie Belle overhears me asking, "And where are they now?"

Just as I was about to speak I heard the familiar voice of the aquamarine unicorn shouting at me, "SCOOTALOO! You are in so much trouble!"

Panicking, I shouted before jetting off on my scooter saying, "Whoops, gotta go! See yaaaa!"

Spike's Perspective
I was internally freaking out before calming myself back down thinking, 'Maybe it was just the one book, the can't all be like that right?' Looking through a few more books they both had the exact same unreadable text as I started freaking out again, 'Shitshitshitshitshit, it's all in that exact same font as that stupid book back home! What is this writing?!'

I saw that Twilight had finished cleaning up the mess from earlier as she called out to me in concern, "Spike? Is everything okay?"

I lied, "Uh, yeah I-I'm okay. I just thought that I uh, stepped in something."

Twilight giggled, "Well, considering everything is all fine and well for now, you just put those books up on the shelf over there." She pointed to one of the half-empty shelves as I made my way there speaking, "You want me to just put them up there as is?"

Twilight replied, "I don't want you to just stack them in there all willy-nilly Spike, please try to arrange them in alphabetical order alright?"

'Oh shit, I'm so fucked.' I-I'll get right on that." I gave a nervous chuckle as I made my way back over to the box as I looked them all over.

When I laid them all out in a straight line there were seven books in total, one being the book with the aforementioned vine as well as several others with all of them having completely different cover art than each other.

The second one appeared to be roughly the size of a guidebook with an astrological cover, the third one had cover art of an orange pegasus with a multicolored grey mane wearing an explorer's outfit riding on a vine away from a crocodile, the fourth book had a stereotypical sheet white ghost floating in front of a Jack-O'-Lantern. 'I guess these ponies must celebrate Halloween too.' I thought.

The fifth book's coloring reminded me of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels as I saw what appeared to be a bronze medallion of a lighting bolt with wings on the side of it.

The sixth one was a brown colored book with a yellow plate on the front as well as yellow bands along the side of it, opening up to one of the random pages I finally found a picture in it as I looked it over gleefully. There was a picture of a pony with seven different markings along her body as it laid out in perfect detail, one marking was on her face, two were on her legs, three on her body and one was on her tail. Closing it I looked over towards the remaining book.

The last book was brown in color with bronze bands on the side, looking at the cover there was a picture of two overlapping pillows on it, the one in the back was a light yellow color, while the one in front was periwinkle.

After I had finished mapping out each and every book here I pondered what to do next, 'I know she wants it arranged alphabetically but considering I can't read anything in here for shit so I'll have to do the next best thing and hope I get it right.'

~9~

It did not go right as well as I'd hoped, while I did get some of them right I had gotten most of them wrong. Twilight was upset that I had failed a 'simple' task as she said she would finish up the rest of it as she told me to go do whatever I felt like, after walking around the Library I found a kitchen as I saw a fridge and a table with four chairs around it.

When I went to open the fridge I found... nothing, I sighed as I made my way out and towards another room that looked to go down a ramped stairway.

Being curious I made my way down as I saw a mostly vacant basement area with what appeared to be another ingrained bookcase as I was halfway down the rampway groaning, "Great, more crap I can't read." I groaned again, "Crap. Crap. CRAP! Why can't I say Crap?!"

Twilight's voice sounded out from upstairs a bit muffled, "Spike, are you okay? I thought I heard you yelling."

I raised my voice in response, "I'm okay! I just thought I saw a bug." I could hear the sound of hoofsteps rushing towards me as I saw Twilight with her mane all frizzy.

Before I had a chance to comment on her appearance she had a manic expression on her face as she said, "WHERE?!"

Chapter 10 - Twilight gone 'nanas

Chapter 10 - Twilight gone 'nanas
by LightningStrike34

Spike's Perspective
"Um... Twilight? Are you okay?" I asked fervently. Twilight screamed out as her horn started glowing brightly, "Where is it?! WHERE?! WHERE'S THE LADYBUG?!"

I threw up my arms in alarm, "Whoa whoa whoa! Where's the fire girl? Jeez Louise, calm down."
After reevaluating what she said I asked confused, "Ladybug? You mean the little red beetle thing with black spots? Why would you be freaking out over this?"

Twilight growled angrily as her mane frizzled up even more, "Freaking out? FREAKING OUT?! I am not freaking out! I am perfectly justified in my reaction Spike! Perfectly... Justified."

Twilight gave out an awkward laugh as I pressed her for info, "Okay Miss Purplecorn, please elaborate on how and why you should be acting like this about some stupid bugs."

Twilight looked like she was going to implode from her tense behavior saying, "They are not just 'some stupid bugs', they were an infestation, an infestation that gave me night terrors every night since then. I still remember the day it all started."

The Sparkle Residence (10 years prior)

After Twilight had returned home with her parents when she finished her entrance exam not only were her parents ecstatic that their daughter had passed with flying colors but also that the Princess herself had decided to take her on as her own personal protégé, Twilight had been losing her mind since not only had she earned her cutie mark but also the idea that the princess would be teaching her magic made her incredibly flustered.

"I can't believe this, it's like a dream come true! Somepony pinch me I must be dreaming." After Twilight said this she felt a slight pinch on her left cheek, "AH!" She cried as the sounds of a familiar laugh rang through the household, "You asked for it, didn't you sis?" The young colt replied as Twilight growled angrily, "It's not funny, Shining!"

Shining rolled his eyes, "Oh come on Twiley, It's just a little harmless fun. Stop being such a party pooper."

Twilight Velvet sighed, "Now, now you two, I think I had raised you to be a little better than this. We came back home to celebrate your sister's accomplishment, not to see you two bicker. Now, what do we saaaaay?"

The two foals sighed, "We're sorry."

Twilight giggled, "Good, now that we're done with that, why don't you show them what you bought honey?"
Soon after Velvet finished speaking, Night Light pulled out a jar containing two above average sized ladybugs.

Sparkle was confused, "Ladybugs? Why did you buy ladybugs?"

Night Light responded, "Well, I had accidentally bumped into a street merchant on my way back from work earlier in the day and I'd managed to get a good deal for them, he said they were an uncommon variant of Ladybug most ponies don't know about and was really eager to sell them off. Not sure why though."

Velvet interjected, "In any case, we have decided you're both old enough to be responsible having a pet and we made our choice here."

Night Light set the jar down on the living room coffee table and said, "Anyways, have fun you two, I'm going to bed. It's not everyday you get turned into a plant you know."

Twilight nervously chuckled as Night Light headed off to bed yawning as Velvet spoke up, "I'm going to head in as well," She looked at her daughter in concern, "Twilight honey? Please try to be careful, Ladybugs are very fragile creatures. I don't want to have to see you in tears because of an accident okay?"

The filly responded, "Don't worry mom, I'll be very careful."

When Twilight Velvet had left to go upstairs to rest, Twilight Sparkle was busy looking at the jar with glee as her brother spoke up, "Hey Twilight? Did you know that the spots on a Ladybug's back are actually extra eyes?" Shining Armor had a cheeky grin on his face as Twilight pouted, "That's a lie and you know it big brother!"

The colt's smirk grew in size as he said, "Do you really know that to be true?"

Twilight shuddered at the thought, "N-no..."

Shining chuckled, "Thought so Twiley, I'm gonna go make myself a sandwich. You have fun with your little 'pet project'." He chuckled and left the room as Twilight looked at the jar again with a look of curiousity in her eyes.

"If I remember correctly from my biology class, ladybugs eat leaves for food." Twilight hummed as she noticed a flower sitting in a vase as she got an idea, "I'm sure mom and dad won't be angry with me if I just feed them one little leaf right? It'll be fine, it will all be okay." Opening the jar, Twilight lowered the leaf down to the Ladybugs as they began to eat.

~10~

"It's not okay, NOT OKAY AT ALL!" the lavender filly shouted as the room in front of her was swarming with Ladybugs as far as the eye could see, no matter where you looked there was nothing but a sea of red and black as far as the eye could see as the filly began to hyperventilate uncontrollably.

Even her normally calm and collected older brother started freaking out as he tried to get rid of the red menace as quickly as possible but it didn't do any good, once the bugs had set upon eating all the food in their home they began to divide into more and more and more ladybugs until you couldn't even see three steps in front of your face.

"Twilight!" Shining Armor cried out in alarm, "Everytime I boot one swarm out they just keep coming back in bigger and bigger swarms! I don't know what to do, I've tried everything I can!"

"Have you tried calling pest control?! Maybe they can handle this?" Twilight replied in a similar manner

"They live on the other side of town! Do you really think they can help us with- with this?!"

"DO YOU HAVE ANY BETTER IDEAS!?" Twilight shouted angrily

Shining replied cautiously, "W-well, did you check to see any labels on the jar?"

Twilight and Shining rushed over to the coffee table and looked over every inch of the jar until Twilight found a note underneath the lid detailing the bug in perfect detail, reading the note it said the ladybugs were a variant called Duplibugs that once fed enough nutrients begin to divide like cells quicker than a Parasprite multiplies.

"What's a Parasprite?" Shining asked but shut his question down, "You know what, never mind! We have bigger problems to deal with here, like getting rid of all of these Duplibugs!"

Golden Oaks Library (Present Day)
"And then.._" Twilight continued before cutting her off

"Whoa whoa whoa, whoa! You're saying that you actually experienced ALL of that on the same day you got accepted as a protégé for royalty? That sounds incredibly ironic don't you think, you experience one of the worlds greatest wishes only to experience one of the worlds worst nightmares?"

Twilight replied before being cut off by a knock at the door, "Well, when you put it like that it does sound pretty kar-"

A feminine voice called out from the door as she spoke, "Hey, Twilight. It's your super duperiffic best frienderino, Let me iiiiiin."

Chapter 11 - Stephen meets Pinkie Pie

Chapter 11 - Stephen meets Pinkie Pie
by LightningStrike34

Spike's Perspective
"Twilight, Twiliiiiight. I know you're in there silly." There was a giggle from behind the door as she continued, "I made you a super wonderful amazing extra special *Inhale* Present for you and Spike. So, let me in please."

Twilight groaned before she spoke to me, "Spike, can you go get the door? I still need to finish unboxing everything else, can you do that for me?"

I nodded, "You can count on me, Twilight."

Walking over to the door I could sense what smelled like fresh pastries on my way there and when I opened the door I was pelted down to the ground as a pink pony was staring at me with her blue eyes as she spoke up, "I knew it, I just knew I wasn't crazy. *Inhale* I should throw you a Welcome to Ponyville Party! Oh this'll be so much fun!" squee

"Uhh, who to the what now?" I said confused before speaking, "Wait, what was that noise?"

The Pink Pony giggled, "Oh that, That's called the squee, New Spike."

"New Spike, what makes you say that?" I was sweating bullets before she spoke up again.

"Well, you're Spike and you're also NEW! New Spike fits well if I say so myself." She said with the biggest grin I've ever seen.

"Uhhh... Okay? Aren't you here for something?"

"Oh, right could you pleaaaase give some of these to Twilight for me?" She said holding out a bag filled with 6 chocolate cupcakes with blue and pink icing before giving it over to me, "I'd really appreciate it."

"Uh, sure! You got it Pinkie."

She made her way to the door before interjecting, "Oh, and you might wanna get that eye checked out. Bye New Spike!"

"Bye!" I said aloud waving her off.

As Pinkie headed out the door, I heard Twilight walk up behind me saying, "What was that all about?"

"I dunno," I said, "It's probably just Pinkie being Pinkie? Not that I would know." I opened up the plastic bag as I grabbed one of the cupcakes and held it out, "She told to give you some, you want one?" I asked her

Twilight giggled, "Maybe later Spike, you're probably more hungry than I am anyways. You can eat as much as you'd like."

Reminded of the fridge from earlier I spoke up, "Speaking of eating, I saw the fridge was empty after walking into the kitchen. We really need to buy some food Twi."

"Oh we don't need to worry about that for a while, I have a few bits lying around in my saddlebags thanks to mom and dad looking out for us." Twilight continued, "We'll be just fine for now, although we're going to need a way of making a living here if we're staying here in Ponyville."

"Yeah that's probably-" Was all I managed to say before going into a snorty laugh, Twilight looked at me again in confusion as she spoke.

"What's so funny, Spike?" Twilight pondered

"A town that's population is majority is ponies and they decided to call it Ponyville? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" *snort*

I was busy laughing while Miss Purple Smart sighed, "Oh come on, it's not that funny. There's plenty of other places that are named after their inhabitants, Spike. I can even list a couple of them, Griffonstone, Yakyakistan, The Dragon Lands and the aforementioned Ponyville respectively."

'So this world has griffons too? Nice!' I thought before looking back at Twilight, "So, how exactly are we going to make some money? You got any ideas?"

Twilight snickered, "Two of them actually, once we get the library set up for proper presentation I was thinking of charging a small rental fee, that sound okay?"

I hummed, "That could work in theory, but not as good in practice. Anything else?"

"Well, we could do what every library does with late books and charge them late fees, that certainly sound a lot better than what I was thinking." Twilight said sheepishly

"Yeah that works, but what if there's nopony around here to even return a book late?" 'Y'know what? I'm not even upset here.'

"Well, we could ask the Princess herself for a weekly allowance for my Friendship Studies assignment. I am her personal student afterall." Twilight said

"And how are we going to do that? Isn't she like... Really busy doing royal duties or something?" I asked

"You didn't forget about your magical fire ability as well, did you Spike? We've used it to send letters before you know."

I was confused, "Magical Fire? Is that different from regular dragon fire?"

Twilight responded, "Yes Spike, there is a difference. Now wait until I'm finished and you can send it off."

Twilight pulled out a quill from her bags as she started writing down on a parchment speaking aloud, "Dear Princess Celestia, Spike and I were thinking about our recent monetary arrangements as we thought about a way to make a fair living, one of our options was to charge a late fee for any missing books as any good library does. The second option is hoping you'll give us a weekly allowance for my own personal friendship studies with our new friends in Ponyville, I hope this doesn't come as a hinderance to you as I'll hope you'd understand. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight stopped writing as she levitated the scroll and a ribbon over to where I was standing, "Ok Spike, just tie it up and send it off."

"Yes Ma'am!" Setting down the bag and the cupcake, I started wrapping the ribbon up around the scroll using my claws, I tied it up in a nice bow as I prepared for the next step, "Okay, now all I need to do is send it off. It should be fairly simple." Sucking in a deep breath I blew on the scroll as a trail of green fire erupts from my mouth as it engulfs the scroll sending it off to who knows where.

Author's Note

Welp, here's a chapter that I didn't think I'd get out this quickly I hope-

I hope all of you bronies out there enjoyed my debut appearance in this chapter *giggle* There's bound to be more of me in future chapters see you soon!

Uhh... Anyways I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. Peace out everypony and see you next time, Bye!

BYEEEEEEE!

Chapter 12 - The Ponyville Marketplace

Chapter 12 - The Ponyville Marketplace
by LightningStrike34

Canterlot Castle

'Oh Luna, how I've missed you after all these years.' thought the Elder Diarch of Equestria with tears in her eyes as she looked towards her sister, I'm so glad we're finally back together after all this time, I cannot thank Twilight and her friends enough for this.'

Upon arrival, a scroll had appeared in a vapor of green flame in front of her as she read aloud, "Dear Princess Celestia, Spike and I were thinking about our recent monetary arrangements as we thought about a way to make a fair living." 'I'm glad to hear my faithful student is occupying her time doing something other than reading books.' "one of our options was to charge a late fee for any missing books as any good library does. The second option 'Oh?' is hoping you'll give us a weekly allowance for my own personal friendship studies with our new friends in Ponyville, I hope this doesn't come as a hinderance to you as I'll hope you'd understand. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Celestia closed the scroll in her grasp before the Younger Diarch spoke in response, "Well sister? Art thou going to agree to thy students request? T'is reasonable is it not?"

"Of Course Luna," she spoke. "I wouldn't see it any other way. It's the least I can do to help her get back on her hooves so to speak."

"Verily Celestia ," the Lunar Princess spoke. "Thou still art in possession of thee Royal Vault art thou not?"

"Of course, I was just on my way there now. Care to join me?" The Solar Diarch said with a calm expression

"But of course! T'is been ages since we've last seen each other. We would love to." Luna grinned

Celestia giggled, "Well come along sister, It's not that far a walk."

The two diarchs then made their way to the Royal Vault without much haste.

Spike's Perspective
Picking the cupcake off the ground, I took the pink wrapper off it as I took a bite. Biting into it felt like pure Ambrosia, a Cupcake practically made by gods themselves.

'I NEED MOAR!' Opening the bag I took out three more cupcakes as I shoved them all down my mouth with glee from the sugary bliss I was experiencing and sighed.

Twilight giggled, "Geez Spike, you must really like those Cupcakes huh?"

I nodded heavily, "They're the best cupcakes I've EVER had. It tastes like pure divinity."

Twilight's eyes widened, "If they're that good, maybe I should try one."

"NO!" I hissed, "They're miiiiine."

Twilight spoke up, "But didn't you tell me that Pinkie Pie asked you to give me some?"

I groaned, "Ugh fiiiiine, you can have one." I pulled out a blue frosted cupcake out from the bag as Twilight levitated it towards her mouth biting into it.

Twilight hummed, "Mmm, This is good! I just have to get the recipe for these."

I grabbed the last cupcake out from the bag as I gobbled it down, once again tasting the god-like pastry with glee. "We have to visit her sometime soon, those cupcakes were sooooo good."

"They taste just like a regular cupcake to me, I don't know why you're treating them so highly." Twilight said befuddled

"To me they just taste so... SUGARY. Maybe it's a dragon thing?" I purported

Twilight giggled, "Well in anycase, let's go do a little bit of shopping until we get a response from Celestia. It may take a bit longer than normal considering what we're asking her of."

"Yeah, that sounds good, do you know where to go Twilight?"

"We can just ask the locals for directions, it shouldn't be too difficult." Twilight responded, "Now, let's get going Spike, we don't have time to waste."

~12~

After about a few interactions and awkward glares later, one of the locals gave us directions to the local marketplace. The pony in question was a Grey Wall-eyed Pegasus with Blonde Hair as she told us, "Just go straight until you hit the next intersection and turn right, you can't miss it."

As we were walking I turned my head back to see her flying away as she had a saddlebag with several bubbles on it that was similar to the mark on her rump. 'Gee, you think I could do that?' I pondered. Looking back towards the road as I ran over to Twilight as we continued our way there.

When we finally reached the marketplace it was filled with a variety of vendor stalls as far as the eye could see, at one of the stalls nearby was a Unicorn mare with a blue mane and magenta colored eyes as I spotted the sign above her had an image of several banana bunches printed onto it. 'Gee, I wonder what she's selling.'

Looking over to the other stalls I spotted one that stood out to me as I made my way there, It looked to be an exotic food shop from the image on the sign as I tried to run there before I felt something pull me back. Looking over I could see the lavender glow from Twilight's Magic as I gave a sheepish grin.

Twilight scolded me, "We're not here to get Sushi, Spike. We're just here to get the basic commodities for now, not to spend, spend, spend like a mad mare until our money's gone!"

"Uh, yeah sorry. What are we here to get?"

Twilight responded, "Just a few eggs, fruits and a hoofful of other things. It shouldn't take too long."

"Okay, well where are we stopping first?" I asked

"Well, there should be an Apple cart somewheeeere... AHA! There it is."

Looking over to the area where she'd pointed was an apple stall about 12 feet away as we headed towards the stall, making our way there I saw what appeared to be an Orange Pony wearing a Cowboy hat as we tredged forwards and when we finally arrived she greeted us with a smile on her face as she spoke, "Howdy Twilight, Spike. Glad ta see ya here, care ta buy something?"

I stood there in shock as I blurted out a simple word, "Applejack?"

Interlude I - The School Assignment

Interlude I - The School Assignment
by LightningStrike34

Windsor Elementary School (September 16th, 1999)

"Okay class, listen up! I have one last special assignment to give you all today." Mr. Andrews said as the class and I looked over, "Considering the new year is slowly reaching upon us, I want each and every one of you to do a research project on the previous decade in hopes to move forwards into the new age."

The rest of the class groaned while I rolled my eyes as he interjected, "I know, I know, but just hold on a second class. This will be a lot more fun than you think," I had a confused expression before he continued. "We're going to be researching cartoons from the 80's, and to decide who does what," Mr. Andrews pulled out a hat as he put it on his desk saying, "You'll be drawing names from this hat."

One kid spoke up from the rest of the class, "So, if we pulled out The Ninja Turtles, we'd have to write about The Ninja Turtles?"

Mr. Andrews perked up, "That is correct, thank you Billy. Now, would anyone care to go first?"

Most of the Class and I held our hands in the air until I saw him looking towards me, "Stephen, please step up front to grab a name from the hat."

As I was walking my way over to the desk, I heard a nagging voice speak out, "Hey, no fair! I wanted to go first. Are you just giving him special treatment just because he's Asian?"

Mr. Andrews responded sternly, "He was simply the first person I saw, you'll get your turn eventually Maxwell."

Max grumbled as I stuck my hand in as I pulled out a name, "Rescue at Midnight Castle?"

A girl speaks up catching me off guard saying, "Hey! My mommy showed me that one. It was a bit scary but also fun."

"Isn't that that My Little Pony Movie?" Alex said chuckling as the rest of the guys joined in laughter.

I turned to face them saying, "Hey, you may be laughing now but wait until one of you chumps pull out 'Barbie's Magical Dream Adventure' and then we'll see who gets the last laugh."

Walking back over to my desk I felt myself falling over as a girl caught me in her arms, "Careful, you'll get hurt if you fall like that."

I chuckled, "Thanks Lill, I think someone may have tried messing with me." I said looking over at Max whistling nonchalantly, "I'm glad to have a friend like you looking out for me."

Lilly giggled, "Anytime Stephe, you're like the little brother I've never ha-" She was cut off as the school bell rung out signaling the end of the day.

Mr. Andrews called out in alarm to the sound of the school bell ringing, "It's that time already? Ok class line up over to my desk in an orderly fashion and I'll give you each a tape to watch and study."

"Sorry, gotta go. My Dad is probably waiting for me to get outside, see ya Lill." I said waving her off grabbing my things as Mr. Andrews stopped me near the doorway as I walked out.

"Hold on just a second Stephen, don't forget this on your way out." Held in his hand was a VHS Tape, in black marker had 'Rescue at Midnight Castle' written on it as I grabbed it stuffing the Tape in my backpack.

"Thank you Mr. Andrews, but my dad is waiting for me to get outside. See you tomorrow." Waving him off as I walked I glanced inside to see my remaining classmates walking over to his desk handing out VHS tapes one by one as I looked back heading outside to look for dad's car.

Montgomery, Alabama

Walking out into the parking lot I see my dad's car running over to it quickly, when dad sees my face he yells at me to come over in Japanese getting in as he makes the journey back to our house to get home in time for dinner.

On the ride home, my little sister Maggie is playing with one of those sticky hand toys as dad asks me in Japanese, "How was school today? Good grades I would hope right?"

"Yeah Dad, It's Good Grades overall as usual. Nothing too impressive."

Dad had a stern voice before speaking, "Would you say the same thing if your grades were underaverage?"

I responded before being cut off, "Well, no but-"

"Then I have proven my point."

Sighing I pulled out the VHS Tape from my bag as I saw Maggie look over to me with curiousity in her eyes, "Hey big brother, what's that?"

I responded, "It's part of some assignment Mr. Andrews gave me, he said we would have to write a paper on it. I think it's a movie?"

Handing it over to her she read the written text on the front, "Rescue at Midnight Castle? Oh, I heard that Toby's sister saw it with her mom from what he told me. He said it was really good."

"One of the girls in my class said the exact same thing, they didn't mention her brother though. Do you know her name?"

Maggie replied, "I think Toby said her name was Sarah? Sorry big brother for not knowing..."

I consoled her, "Hey- Hey Sis, it's okay. You don't have to apologize, why don't you watch this with me when we get home?"

Maggie perked up at this smiling, "You really mean it? Thank you big brother!" She pulled me into a hug as I reciprocated her gesture.

"You're welcome sis, you really mean a lot to me. Now, if only we could-"

I was interrupted as Dad spoke up in Japanese, "We are here, everyone get out of the car."

The Sato Household

After stuffing the tape back into my backpack, I walked inside to see that Mom was chopping up some salmon as she heard us come in giving us a comforting smile, "Oh, hello you three." She looked at dad, "How was your day at work honey, was there any traffic on your way back?"

Dad was fiddling his car keys into his pocket as he spoke, "Thankfully no, I am just happy you are here with me that all that mess makes it worthwhile." Dad walked over to Mom as he leaned in and kissed her on the lips for a few seconds.

Maggie gagged, "Ewww, cooties."

Mom chuckled, "You say that now, but one day you will find yourself a man who loves you as much as you will love him." Mom cleared her throat before continuing, "Would you be a dear and help me set the dishes, Margarete?"

Maggie smiled, "Yes mommy!"

As I saw Maggie run into the kitchen, dad put a hand on my shoulder, "Son, you and Margarete are our pride and joy. Do not ever forget that."

With a Flushed look on my face I said, "Hey, lay off the sentimental stuff, Dad. It's embarrassing!"

Dad laughed before speaking, "Besides the point son, do you not have an assignment to do?"

"Yeah, don't worry Dad, I'll get right on it. Hey Sis, meet me in my room after you're done there!"

Maggie shouted, "OKAY! I will."

I then soon after made my way to my bedroom to start working on my assignment.

Stephen's Room

When I first walked in I set my backpack on the foot of my bed as I laid down on my bed and collapsed into it, "Uuuggghhhh... Why does dad have to be such a softy? It's annoying!" I groaned getting up and crawled my way over to my backpack and opened it up pulling out the VHS Tape and a notebook pad and pencil. Putting the other two items on my bed I turned on my Tv as I put in the Tape and started up Midnight Castle.

The movie, (If it could be called that) started off with a small jingle accompanied by several balloons with Children's Video Library right beside it before it began with the introduction of a Rainbow with two pegasus ponies riding it while laughing and giggling until they fell into the river before the intro jingle started.

♪‘My Little Pony, My Little Pony. Isn’t the world a lovely place?’♪

♪’My Little Pony, My Little Pony. Everywhere you go, a smiling face!’♪

♪‘Smiling and skipping, merrily tripping, watching the morning unfold’♪

♪’My Little Pony, My Little Pony, what does the future hold?’♪

At the Beginning of the intro sequence, it zooms into a camera shot of an old timey castle colored pink and blue as a couple multicolored ponies run out of it, as the last one looks up and spots the two pegasi from before flying into and around a tree doing loop-de-loops with relative ease.

The pony then jumps into the air as it crash lands into a nearby pond where a yellow and blue pony with a ribbon in her tail is seen taking a bath splashing her with water as she stares to look at her laughing and giggling like a child as she spots the two pegasi flying in a loop around the nearby sky above the river.

Meanwhile, the words ‘Starring Sandy Duncan’ flash upon the screen followed by ‘Starring Tony Randall’ as a narrative voice announces them, while at the same time two ponies, one a blue pony with pink hair and a white unicorn with red hair are seen jumping off of a cliff and safely land upon the nearby ground with care.

The camera is then seen switching to a pink unicorn with white and purple hair running on a cliff and stopping to look at the water below as another pony calls out to her saying, “Look out Twilight, here I goooo!” As she’s seen rolling off the mountain wearing roller skates landing on the ground next to the blue and pink pony from before and leaping to somewhere offscreen.

The giggling pony from before is then seen running up to Twilight as she bounces off of her head saying “Now, it’s my turn.” as the Pink and Blue haired pegasus catches her before hitting the ground and bringing her down.

The gray filly whines, “Aww, I could’ve made it!”

Twilight then is seen scooting her front hooves of the side of the cliff as she repeats a mantra of “I wish” as her horn lights up and she teleports down to the ground safely.

The pink pegasus pony then gets into preparation for an air trick as the other pegasus yells out to her.

“I’m going for the double inside-out loop!”

“But it’s dangerous, Firefly!” The seafoam green pegasus warns her

“Danger is my life, Medley!” She says as she’s seen flying very high into the sky

Medley is then seen beside Twilight and the gray filly as Firefly is seen crashing into an orange pony with five red apples on her flank, as the basket of apples beside her all fall out and break into an apple mush, the apple pony says, “Apple sauce, anyone?”

The jingle music starts up again with new lyrics continuing off from where the previous started.

♪’Sunny and pleasant, Here in the present, No signs of trouble in sight!’♪

♪‘My Little Pony, My Little Pony, May all your days be bright!’♪

♪’May all your days be bright!’♪

While the theme is playing, we see Firefly covered in apple sauce from the crash earlier as Medley takes the basket off of her head. The White and Red Unicorn and the pony wearing roller skates move over to the apple pony, who i would later know as Applejack is seen shaking off excess apple sauce and accidentally causes some of it to hit the unicorn’s face as the apple pony licks her face clean.

~ Interlude ~

As the theme song ends, my sister walks into the room carrying a plate of sushi as she looks over to the tv, “Ooh, ponies!”

I pause the tape, looking over to my sister, “Did mom ask you to bring those over?”

She responded, “Yeah, mom thought you would get hungry from working,” she looked over to the tv, “what did i miss?”

I responded, “Nothing much, just the ponies giggling and laughing and having a good time. It’s been almost 2 minutes.”

“Can you start it up again?” She asks

I pet my hand on my bed gesturing her to sit down, “Yeah, come over here and take a seat and we can start it back up.”

“Okay!”

Unpausing the video, my sister and I see the gray filly asking Twilight a question, “Twilight, will I ever be able to fly like Firefly and Medley?”

Twilight has a grin on her face saying, “No Ember, not all little ponies can fly.”

Ember asks again snuggling up to her, “Will I jump far like Bow Tie? Or disappear like you can?”

Twilight speaks comforting words to Ember, “Ember, you’ll grow up to be your own special little pony.”

Just after Twilight finishes speaking, a dark storm roars like thunder as Twilight and Ember are spooked at what they’re witnessing, as Bow Tie is seen warning all of the ponies, “Everybody, quick! Come on!”

The rest of the ponies are seen with panicked looks on their faces and running away from the storm, Firefly then speaks up saying, “What’s going on?”

Bow Tie speaks up as we see a horde of green dragon-like creatures coming their way, “It’s the Stralgons!”

Twilight speaks up, “Stralgons?”

The ponies are then seen running away in fear from the sight of them as a winged Gargoyle is seen riding one of them before shouting an order, “Seize them!”

The Stralgons are then seen flying down to the ground as one of them attempts to snatch Bow Tie in their claws but drops them due to the mare struggling her way out as she falls to the ground tumbling.

They come back around as they grab two ponies, Ember and the white unicorn who I would later know to be named Moondancer, are snatched up in their claws and hoisted into the air as I later learn they’ve been taken to the Midnight Castle.

The Gargoyle who I would later know as Scorpan gives out a warning to the ponies, “You are all doomed. Soon every pony will belong to Tirak, master of Midnight Castle!”

Scorpan is then seen flying away with Ember and Moondancer off to the Midnight Castle as they’re taken up into the sky as Firefly flies out to get help.

“Firefly, no! Wait!” Cries out Glory

“Where are you going?” Says Bow Tie

“To get help!”

Medley cries out, “No, come back! It’s too dangerous! Firefly, come back! Come back!”

~ Interlude ~

I pause the video and look to see Maggie shaking, “Oh those poor ponies, you think they’ll be ok, Big brother?”

I respond, “I dunno sis, I dunno..."

Chapter 13 - A Silly Pony?

Chapter 13 - A Silly Pony?
by LightningStrike34

Spike's Perspective
"Applejack?" I blurted out, shocked at who was looking back at me

"Uh, yes?" she cringed and looked over to Twilight, noting my eye, "Uhm, should ah even ask, Twi?"

Twilight huffed, "It's a long story, Applejack. We're just here to get a few apples and then we'll be out of your hair."

"Well alright then," Applejack replied. "We just started growing a new crop of Red Gala Trees back home in the Acres, care to buy some?"

She waved her foreleg over to her Apple Cart as she pointed to the selection of apples I assumed were Red Galas as Twilight spoke up, "That would be great, thank you Applejack."

Applejack lightly blushed, "Ah shucks, Twi. Ah'm just doing mah job, ain't nothing of it."

I spoke up, "Well, your job is important right? Where would all the ponies buy their apples if not from you?"

Applejack pondered, "My brother for one thang, I wouldn't think of sending mah granny out inta town unsupervised."

Twilight spoke up, "Well, what about your mother and father? Aren't they helping out to?"

Applejack had a sullen look before sighing deeply, "If... If only I were able to. Sadly... they're not here anymore."

My heart ached while Twilight spoke teary-eyed, "I'm- I'm so so sorry, I- I didn't know I-"

Applejack sighed, "No, it's mah fault for bringing it up. Ah'm sorry for bringing this into my workplace." She snorted before resuming her previous demeanor, "Anyways, here you go." Applejack held out three apples in her hoof as Twilight levitated them over in her magic, "That'll be three bits."

"Oh, um hold on a second," Twilight spoke as her horn lit up, pulling out three gold coins from thin air as she levitated them over to Applejack. "And that should be it."

Witnessing that brief display in front of my eyes, I spoke up, "Umm... What was that?"

Twilight asked befuddled, "What was what?"

I responded, "Uhh, you pulling coins magically out of thin air?"

Twilight and Applejack had confused expressions as Twilight spoke up, "You mean the Hammerspace Pocket? It's a fairly intermediate unicorn-level spell to learn Spike, it's not that complex."

"Hammerspace? Is that some kind of Pocket Dimension?"

Twilight is about to respond until Applejack puts a hoof on Twilight's shoulder before speaking, "Uhh, Ah don't mean ta interrupt but," 'But you're going to do it anyways. sigh.' Shouldn't he already be aware of this?"

"Uhm, a-about that uh-" was all I said before Twilight spoke up.

"He is... having memory problems, Applejack."

Applejack had a sceptical look, "How so?"

Twilight opened her mouth as I spoke up, "Oh gee, I dunno. What do you think blunt force trauma straight to the head does to somepony?"

Applejack looked ready to sock me as Twilight walked in front of me, "Sorry about him, he's had a pretty rough morning today."

Applejack poked out her head to look at me while I smiled sheepishly, "Ah can see that," I walked around to see Applejack looking back at Twilight, "Still. Don' make it right ta act like a might blowhard."

Twilight spoke up, "Don't worry AJ, I'll straighten him out."

"Uhh, I can hear you, ya kno-"

"HEY! Quit holdin' up the line." A gruff masculine voice spoke from behind us, "Some of us have places to be!"

Twilight and I spoke in unison as we backed away, "Sorry!"

As a well-built stallion walks over and pick up an apple, Twilight speaks over his shoulder, "We can talk later." Twilight then pocketed the apples as we headed on our way.

~13~

While we were walking away from the Apple Cart, I spoke up asking, "Ok, what's next on the agenda?"

Twilight responded, "Next should be the Banana stand, we passed by it not that long ago and if I'm right should be cheaper than the one's in Canterlot."

"And how much are they in Canterlot?"

"I think they were about 9 bits per bunch, I don't exactly remember." Twilight sheepishly grinned

"Bits?"

Twilight spoke up, "You saw me give some to Applejack, remember?"

"You mean those gold plated coins?" I asked

Twilight responded, "Not plated, but yes. Those are bits."

I spoke up, "You mean to tell me you use pure gold for coins? Why?"

"It's not Pure Gold, Spike it's-" Before Twilight could finish speaking, we had made our trek over to the Banana Stand as the aforementioned unicorn spoke up, "Hello there hun, I'm Banana Split. What can I do for ya?"

'I can't help but begin to notice a pattern here.' I thought chucking.

The blue and yellow unicorn looked down towards me, "Care to fill me in on what's funny? I love a good joke now and then."

"It's nothing really... I just find it a bit humorous that the ponies here have jobs equal to their names."

Banana Split asked, "Didn't the ponies in your old town have names like ours, hun?"

Twilight spoke sheepishly, "Sorry, he's having memory issues. I apologize for any inconveniences he's caused you miss."

Banana retorted, "No no, he's alright dear. It would explain the injury anyways." She turns her head towards me and kisses me above my eye, "Get better soon hun."

I blushed, "Thank you ma'am, I'll promise you that much."

"And he's a Gentlecolt as well, or whatever the equivalent is for a dragon anyhow."

"Gentledrake?" I purported

She giggled, "That sounds about right, thank you dear."

Twilight interjected before I could respond, "Aaaanyways, we're here to pick up some bananas, if you would be so kind Miss Split?"

"Right away, hun." Levitating a banana bunch in her magic she brought them over to us as Twilight opened her magic pocket and brought out a coin bag.

"How much is it for a bunch here?" Twilight asked

Banana Split responded, "It's 4 bits, hun."

Twilight smirked as she opened the coin pouch and levitated 4 bits over to the counter, "Pleasure doing business with you ma'am."

"And to you as well Miss... I never did catch your name."

Twilight giggled, "My name is Twilight Sparkle. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Chapter 14 - A Bad Bunny

Chapter 14 - A Bad Bunny
by LightningStrike34

Fluttershy's Cottage

It was a typical day in her homestead, Fluttershy was tending to her animals per usual when all of a sudden, a slice of cucumber had whapped the back of her head and yelped to see Angel Bunny tip tapping his little rabbit foot impatiently on the oak wood floor.

Fluttershy sighed, "Angel, please don't do this right now. Mama Fluttershy is very busy, now go on and eat your vegetables like a good little bunny." Fluttershy grabbed the cucumber slice in her hoof and held it out to Angel before he kicked it from her grasp as he chittered angrily, "Now Angel, I know how much you dislike eating your greens, so I got you something as a little incentive."

Fluttershy opened one of her wings slightly as she grabbed a carrot out from under it and held it in her hoof, "If you eat all of your food Angel, I'll give you this carrot."

Angel hesitated for a moment before chittering as he bit into a cucumber slice and chewed it whole giving of a brief smile before he began eating.

Fluttershy smiled, "Good boy Angel, now where is Hummingway? I know he's around here somewhe-"

Suddenly a loud crash had erupted from behind her door as the nearby animals fled in fear, Fluttershy realizing the situation tried calming them down, "Please don't panic Everycreature, let's remain calm and figure out what happened first." Fluttershy then made her way towards her doorstep to see an orange filly groaning in pain as she spoke up and said, "How many times has that been today? Owww..."

Scootaloo's POV

"How many times has that been today? Owww..." I said groaning in pain as I looked up to see a buttercream mare staring right at me.

She spoke up in concern asking me, "O-oh my, are you alright little one?"

I nodded before holding my throbbing head with a hoof, "I-I'm fine, it's n-nothing I haven't handled before. You don't need to worry about-" I felt bile fill up in my mouth before vomiting on the nearby floor.

I could hear her gasping before she replied, "I'll go get you a bucket!"

When I thought the vomiting stopped I replied before I began puking again, "Y-you don't need to-"

I heard hoofsteps rushing over towards me as a Bucket had been placed under my muzzle as the remaining puke fell into it.

The mare responded to me concerningly, "A-are you ok now?"

I coughed before responding, "I- I think so."

She stammered, "T-that's good I suppose," She sighed before asking, "Do you have a name, little one?"

I responded, "I'm Scootaloo, and who are you?"

The mare giggled, "You can call me, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy's POV
"Would you like to come inside, Scootaloo? I-if that's not a problem I mean."

Scootaloo responded, "Yeah, it's no problem. Thank you, Fluttershy."

Scootaloo and I walked our way inside to see Angel Bunny munching on a carrot as I spoke up, "Angel, drop that carrot right this second mister and finish your salad."

He spat at me as he ate the rest of it down whole and hopped away into the kitchen. Scootaloo spoke in response asking me, "Is he always like that?"

I sighed, "He's a bit of a cranky bunny, but once he warms up to you he's not so bad."

Scootaloo deadpanned, "If you say so." She took a couple steps inside before looking around and said, "This is a pretty nice place you got here, but what's up with all the animals?"

Harry gave out a growl in annoyance, "Well she is an animal caretaker, how hard would that be to understand?"

"Now Harry, she's just gotten to know me. Please be more considerate."

Harry groaned before responding, "Only for you, Fluttershy."

I replied, "Thank you."

Scootaloo glanced in my direction asking, "You can talk to animals?"

I responded, "Yes, for some reason I've always been able to talk to animals. It certainly helps with me being an animal caretaker afterall."

Scootaloo replied, "That's pretty cool I guess, Do you think I could learn to talk to animals like you can?"

I giggled, "Maybe one day, but try not to test your luck. You should just be happy being who you are."

Scootaloo groaned, "Ugh, you sound like my Aunt Holiday. I wanna be able to be more than just a no-talent pegasus who can barely get off of the ground."

I responded tersely, "Now don't go beating yourself up, I'm sure there's plenty you can do that other ponies could only wish they could do."

Gabriel spoke up, "Yeah! There's a lot of things you ponies can do that I couldn't even think I'd be able to do."

"See? Even Gabriel agrees. You're better than this, you just need to have a little faith in yourself."

Scootaloo sighed, "I don't know if I can though, what if I screw everything up or I make something worse?"

I gave off a comforting smile, "Then I know that you'll always have somepony to rely on when things get rough."

Looking over towards the clock, I could see it was 3:15pm as I got up and made my way over towards the back entrance, "Could you just excuse me for a moment? It's Elizabeak's feeding time."

Scootaloo looked over to me responding, "Huh? Oh yeah, I can do that."

"Thank you, Scootaloo." I then made my way outside as I headed off to the Henhouse.

Scootaloo's POV
When Fluttershy left, Angel hopped back into the room chewing a baby carrot in his mouth and looked towards me. Noticing this I spoke up in response as I trotted over to him, "Hey, didn't she ask you to lay off the carrots mister? She'd be pretty disappointed if she saw you doing this."

Angel spat at me and hopped on my head as I felt him yanking on my hair as I tried shoving him off, "H-hey! Get off of me!" I could feel a tighter tug on my scalp as I stumbled as my body threw itself towards the front door, I heard the sound of it opening and when I opened my eyes I could see him hop out of the doorway as he made his way outside.

I shouted, "No wait, come back!" But he didn't listen as he kept hopping forwards, realizing what I needed to do I made my way to catch up with him.

Chapter 15 - A Bad, Bad Bunny

Chapter 15 - A Bad, Bad Bunny
by LightningStrike34

Chicken Coop, Fluttershy's Cottage

Walking outside Fluttershy trotted her way over towards the chicken coop as she passed several animals on her trek there, Billy Goat bleated, Scout the Flamingo honked in excitement to see her, the Red and Bluejays tweeted happily and the Raccoon chittered as he scampered up into a nearby tree upon her arrival.

"Okay Everycreature, I'll get to you all in just a moment." Fluttershy said as she entered through the wired fence as she grabbed the bag of chicken feed sitting on it in her mouth as she walked inside the chicken coop. When Fluttershy entered the coop, everyhen was staring at her in anticipation as one of them clucked quite jovially, "Don't worry Filo, you know I wouldn't forget about you." Another hen clucked to her, "Oh, and you as well, Marilyn."

The rest of hens clucked as they saw her until Fluttershy had derisen the situation, "Elizabeak, Pippi, Clara, Donna. You'll all be getting your fill too, don't worry." She then trotted her way over to Elizabeak as she tipped the feedbag and poured the seedy content down to her as Elizabeak ate it. She clucked gleefully as Fluttershy made her way to feeding the rest of her hens.

Scootaloo's POV

As we were entering Ponyville, Angel started sprinting even faster as a voice called out my name, "Scootaloo, where are you? Your aunts are not going to be happy if they find out you've been galloping off again."

Angel Bunny catching the conversation started running closer to the souce of the noise as I sped up and caught him when she spotted me, "Scootaloo! There you are, I've been worried sick about you. What did you think you'd get from this little missy?" She looks down to spot him, "Oh hello little guy, what's your name?"

Angel chitters angrily struggling as I speak, "Angel, Ironically enough. This bunny is anything but so."

My Foalsitter, Lyra, speaks up, "Oh Scootaloo, I doubt such an adorable little bunny could cause too much trouble. Now come on, let him go and we can-" was all she spoke before Angel kicked me in the gut as I groaned in pain, releasing him as he hopped away into town.

Lyra's POV
Seeing her groan I spoke up in shock, "Scootaloo! Are you okay?"

She heaved before standing back up on her hooves, "Y-yeah I'm okay," Scootaloo growled," that little fuzzball is toast!" She attempted to run away before I pulled out a foreleg in front of her, "Hey! What gives?"

"I'm not letting you run off again, Scootaloo. I was asked to watch you and I'm very certain I'm not letting you out of my sight again."

Scootaloo spoke up, "But we need to track him! He's not just a wild animal, he's somepony's pet!"

I spoke in rebuttal, "I'm sure the owner will realize he's gone missing sooner or later, now come on Scootaloo. Your aunts asked me to do a bit off shopping for them while they're working and I know you must be hungry right?"

Our stomach's growled in unison, "And I guess I'm hungry as well, come on Scoots. I think I saw a Hayburger joint on my way here."

We then set our way towards the Hayburger near the Shopping District.

Fluttershy's POV
When I was making my way outside the hen house, Gabriel ran over to me as fast as his little Gopher feet could carry him as he panted, "Fluttershy! Angel is missing, we think he ran out the front door or something. Help!"

I gasped, "Well we have to go find him, he must be scared and confused!"

Rigby skittered down the nearby tree he was resting in when he spoke up, "I dunno, It hasn't been the first time he's done this before. I'm sure the little fuzzball is fine, Fluttershy."

"Well, I can't just leave him out there all alone, I have to find him!"

Margaret spoke up as she justled her feathers, "Oh come on now Rigby, have a heart once in a while would ya? Would it kill you to be a bit more sympathetic?"

"And since when has the fuzzball ever earned my sympathy? Remember when he kicked me in the face for 'standing too close' to him?"

I spoke up in defense, "Look, haven't we all made our fair share of regrettable actions? Maybe he's sorry?"

He laughed, "HA, that'll be the day. I'll eat my own foot if it comes to that."

Margaret sighed, "Even still, a pain or not, he's still just a little bunny who could never take care of himself alone. You know this, right Fluttershy?"

"Yes of course, thank you very much. I'll see you all later, bye everycreature."

They all shouted in unison, "Bye, Fluttershy!" As I headed my way outside to go look for Angel.

Author's Note

Shorter than usual but necessary for plot progression, Happy Halloween and Nightmare Night, Everycreature. See you next time!

Chapter 16 - An Old Friend

Chapter 16 - An Old Friend
by LightningStrike34

Spike's Perspective
After Twilight finished chatting with Banana Split, we set out towards another stand when my stomach started grumbling.

Twilight noticing this spoke up and giggled, "I can see somepony's rather hungry."

I had a puzzled look on my face as I spoke up, "Wouldn't somedragon be more accurate? I'm not exactly a pony, Twilight."

"You've never been bothered by it before Spike, but regardless-" Twilight spoke before being cut off by her own stomach grumbling as well. "And I guess I'm hungry as well, come on Spike. I think I saw a restaurant on our way here."

"But don't we have more shopping to do? What about that?"

Twilight responded, "We can take a short breather, I doubt it'll take too long. C'mon, let's get going."

Scootaloo's POV
As we trotted over to the direction of the Hayburger, Lyra looked to be deep in thought as I spoke up, "Something on your mind?"

She stopped to look back at me, "I was just thinking of this pony I 'met' recently, I bumped into her on accident while I was still settling in."

"Do you know her name?"

Lyra spoke up, "I never did get her name, but she was an earth pony from what I remember. I'm not 100% sure."

"Oh okay," I spoke casually. "Maybe you'll run into her again sometime, who knows?"

Lyra giggled, "Maybe I will." She looked around before she spotted it and pointed. "There it is, I knew I wasn't crazy!"

I giggle snorted as Lyra turned back to face me, "What's so funny?"

"It's nothing to worry about, just the thought of my own foalsitter acting like Pinkie Pie constantly sounds funny."

Lyra responded, "Well come on Scoots, it's only about a few more feet. Shouldn't take us that much longer."

And so we set our trek ever closer to the Hayburger as we spotted the familiar sign hanging above the doorway and went inside.

Spike's Perspective
As we took our time getting there, a pony had crossed our path as he jumped up and screamed before running away, "Ahh! A Dragon!"

After taking my time processing the situation, I felt my eyes well up with tears as Twilight comforted me, "Shh, it's okay Spike. It's just one pony, they just need time to get to know you better."

Rubbing the tears away from my eyes I sighed before replying, "T-thank you, Twilight. I needed that."

She leaned down to give me a hug before we continued walking as I spoke up, "Where exactly are we going anyways, if you even know that is."

Twilight replied, "A fast food joint if I recall, it must've been a Hayburger joint."

"Hayburger? Like... Burgers made from Hay?"

Twilight replied with a curious look on her face, "Umm, yes? What else would they be made of?"

I was about to respond before I pondered my thoughts, 'Well I can't exactly say meat can I? Ponies are Herbivorous in nature so it would apply here as well right?' "Uhh, nevermind. They do serve other things that aren't hay-related, right?"

She exhaled deeply before responding, "Aside from drinks I'll have to ask, I know how you don't like eating hay but, if they don't have anything like that would you turn it down?"

I thought about it a bit and sighed before replying, "I'll try it, hopefully it doesn't kill me."

Twilight responded, "We've had food from them before Spike, you've never had issues with it before." She sighed, "I-I just wish you would remember."

I sighed with a dour look on my face before she continued, "And I know you don't want me blaming myself for this, I get that. But, I still can't shake the feeling that I'm responsible for this."

I sighed again, "I know you do Twilight, if anything I can't help but feel this is more my fault." I paused before continuing, "L-let's just keep going, I think I see it up ahead."

Lyra's POV
After ordering our food, we made our way over to a vacant table as we sat down and ate. After finishing off my burger and a couple of hay fries, I decided to start a conversation to pass the time, "So, aside from all the running around you were doing, how was your day?"

Scootaloo replied, "I-It was okay, I guess." She munched on a hooful of Hayfries before continuing, "I guess I sorta met somepony while I was in town."

"Did you get their name?"

Scootaloo responded, "I think her name was Sweetie Belle from what I remember, a white unicorn filly with a mulberry mane and tail."

"Oh, I think I know who you're talking about. Rarity's little sister, right?"

"Yeah, I think so." Scootaloo continued deadpanning, "I didn't exactly have the best impression of her big sister."

I chuckled, "I know what you mean, she has that high-class vibe, so to speak." Doing my best Rarity Impression I spoke, "I must say with utmost confidence, I shall never dare wear a frock such as this. It's simply hideous!"

Scootaloo laughed as she wiped a tear from her eye before speaking, "T-that. That was hilarious! It was the funniest thing I've heard all day."

"I try my best, now let's get back to eating before we cause a scene."

Twilight's POV
Making our way inside, I trotted over to the register area where a colt with glasses in a Hayburger outfit stood behind the register as he spoke in a nasally voice, "Hi, welcome to Hayburger's, can I take your order miss?"

"Yes you may, but I have a question for you if you don't mind me asking." I said before continuing, "Do you have anything non-drink related without hay? I'm asking for a friend."

The colt gave me a questioning look before speaking, "Is this friend of yours an animal? We don't sell food to pets, miss."

Spike spoke up in response, "Uh no, I'm down here ya dingus."

The colt startled by the voice, looked down over the counter as he saw Spike continue speaking, "It's a simple yes or no answer, right? It shouldn't be too difficult."

The colt, who's name was Gizmo by his nametag, fainted as he fell back behind the counter as the rest of the crew stood in shock.

Spike rolled his eyes and put two claws between his closed eyes groaning, "It's gonna be one of these days, isn't it?"

Spike's Perspective
'Seriously, what is with these ponies? Some don't bat an eye and the rest either run away or faint.'

I growled before speaking, "Seriously? What do I have to do to get some more respect here? I'm not going to hurt somepony if that's what you're thinking." I groaned, "Give me a break, all I want is some food."

Twilight sighed before speaking, "Maybe we should just head back home Spike, I don't want you to-"

She was cut off by a voice as they called out, "Twilight, is that you?"

Chapter 17 - A Bittersweet Reunion

Chapter 17 - A Bittersweet Reunion
by LightningStrike34

Spike's Perspective
"Twilight, is that you?" A voice rang out as I looked in the direction of the sound only to hear Twilight gasp upon spotting her.

"Lyra Heartstrings? I didn't expect to see you here, it's great to see you!" Twilight walked over to her and gave her a hug as she continued, "What are you doing in Ponyville?"

The aquamarine unicorn, Lyra was shocked at the kind gesture before responding, "I've been living here since yesterday, Twilight. Never did I expect you to be so open like that before though."

Twilight chuckled blushingly before responding, "I-I'm sorry, it's just been so long since we've had any proper interactions that I guess I got a little excited."

"Well, sounds like somepony got an attitude adjustment since I last saw them," Lyra spoke. "You don't sound like the pony you used to be, that's for sure."

I spoke up questioningly, "The pony she used to be?"

Lyra turned looking at me before wincing, "I-uhm uhh... Spike? What happened to you?"

I remembered the black eye from earlier as I responded, "I-it's a long story, do you mind if we have a seat here?"

Scootaloo's POV
"No, I don't mind, have a seat you two." Lyra spoke as my eyes nervously glanced over towards the dragon sitting across from us.

"Thank you, at least you're being the most sensible pony here."

Lyra sighed, "Yeah, I kinda noticed what happened back there on the counter, it isn't right for him to just act up like that during work hours."

"Yeah no kidding, it's so degrading to have to deal with-" He stopped speaking as he caught me looking at him before he spoke up, "Uh, hello. What's your name?"

I stuttered nervously, "I, um, uhh..."

Lyra spoke up, "Come on Scootaloo, you don't have to be nervous. Spike's a very good friend of mine."

"Um, uhh".

"That's a cool name, do you mind if I call you Scoots?" The dragon replied

"Um Spike, maybe you should-" was all the unicorn spoke as I cut her off.

I replied, "Uh, no i-it's fine, m-most ponies do anyways."

He had a smirk on his face before speaking, "Well, it's not everyday you get to hear that from a dragon right? That's pretty cool in my book."

I stammered as I turned to Lyra before bolting, "I uhm, Lyra! I have to go to the little fillies room, b-be right back!"

Spike's Perspective
I attempted to call out to her but she ran off so fast it was like talking to a bullet train, useless. I sighed as the aquamarine unicorn spoke up, "Hey, don't worry about her. Once she gets to know you I'm sure you'll be good friends."

"I guess..." Remembering something from earlier I spoke up, "What did you mean by 'Pony she used to be'?"

Lyra had a confused look as we turned to see Twilight chuckling frantically as I spoke, "Um, Twilight? Hello? Are you okay?"

Crazy Twilight appeared to be back as her mane frizzled up once more as she spoke, "Oh, me? I'm perfectly fine! It's not like something happened or anything."

Lyra turned towards Twilight speaking in a serious manner, "Ok, what happened? You clearly don't get like this unless something's wrong."

Twilight had a series of manic laughter before having a mental breakdown as she cried into her hooves. I could feel eyes staring down my neck as there were a few ponies staring at us, mostly Twilight and I as the mixed crowd had looks of remorse and anger, the latter directed at me as I turned back to the table and planted my face into my arms.

Lyra's POV

'Maybe I should go but...' I pondered my thoughts before speaking. "Twilight, I'm sorry if I brought up something uncomfortable, should I just go or..."

Twilight sniffled, "N-no, it's not you, you had nothing to do with this. P-please stay."

I sighed in relief, "I will Twilight, just. If something is wrong, I'll help you through it. Spike related or not, nopony should have to deal with problems on their own."

Twilight smiled, "T-thank you, that means a lot to me."

We then both embraced in a heartfelt hug before hearing the sound of an opening door and looked to see Scootaloo coming out of the bathroom with a piece of toilet paper stuck to her right foreleg.

Scootaloo's POV

"Man, I didn't think I actually had to go." I said before groaning as I saw Lyra gestured me to come back, "Please tell me he's gone, I can't stand another heartache." I muttered to myself

When I looked back at the table, I saw that he was still there but his face was laid down in his forelimbs as he appeared to be resting or something. "I can handle this." I told myself repeatedly as I made my way back to the table before I felt myself trip out from beneath me as my forelegs fell in an awkward mess as I planted face first onto the floor.

I groaned as I heard some hoofsteps touch the floor before what sounded like something hitting the floor and when I looked up I saw a claw reach out to me as he spoke, "Hey, need some help?"

Chapter 18 - Cutie Mark? Is That Like a Beauty Mark?

Chapter 18 - Cutie Mark? Is That Like a Beauty Mark?
by LightningStrike34

Spike's Perspective
I held out my clawed hand in gest as she puts a hoof down into it, pulling her up I winced slightly before she stood upright. When all is said and done, I felt something soft on her hoof as I spotted something before briefly chuckling in amusement, "Um, Scootaloo. You got Tee-pee on your hoof."

She pulls her hoof up to her face before blushing as she rips it off using her mouth; throwing it on the floor. I pick it up before anyone else has a chance to step on it and makes the same mistake as I roll up the small strip.

As soon as I finished said task, Lyra spoke up in response as she asked me, "Spike, can you keep an eye on Scootaloo for me? I want to have a private conversation with Twilight, can you two play somewhere else?"

"Uh, sure. I can do that I guess, you ok with that Scoots?"

As I turned to face her, she looked to be deep in thought as I tried snapping my clawed fingers only to fail several times before calling out to her, "Helloooo, Scootaloo? Equestria to..." I paused as I re-evaluated my prior statement and pondered my thoughts, 'Excuse me, whaaaat?!'

As I flashed back into reality, I saw Scootaloo shake her head before she spoke, "H-huh? Oh! Uhh... I guess so?"

I looked around as I spotted a nearby vacant area next to the window before responding, "Uhhh, let's just head over to that empty window," I pointed before continuing, "there's not too many ponies that'll bother us there."

"Umm, o-okay. Lead the way, I guess."

~18~

After we made our way over to the window counter, Scootaloo put her front legs on one off the nearby stools as she scooted herself up and sat down on the chair as I caught a glance at her flank before asking, "Hey, how come you don't have one of those marks?"

Scootaloo gave me a curious look, "Do you not know what a Cutie Mark is?"

"You mean like a Beauty Mark?"

"Wha-huh?" Scootaloo spoke in confusion before replying, "No no no no no, that's completely different. A Cutie Mark symbolizes a pony's special talent, did you get hit on the head or something?"

I recalled an earlier conversation with Twilight as I responded, pointing to my black eye, "Funny you should mention that."

Scootaloo gagged, "Eww, no! I don't wanna have to focus on it. Gross!"

I spoke in alarm, "Alright! Sorry, sorry. I was just trying to prove a point."

"Prove that you have brain damage?"

I responded before registering her full statement, "Yes, to prove that I have- No! I do not have brain damage!"

Scootaloo replied in a serious manner, "Okaaaay, then tell me this. What is your favorite kind of Gemstone?" 'Gemstone? Just what is she-' I pondered before giving a response.

"Uhh, Garnet?"

Scootaloo was looking at me intently, "What kind of Garnet?"

I responded in a sing-song voice, "Hessonite?"

Scootaloo shook her head groaning, "Not what I meant, I mean where the Gemstone was found. Not varieties of Garnet."

I was puzzled, "Then why didn't you just say that?"

Scootaloo shouted at me, "Because it's Dragon 101, Dragon's love eating gemstones. Especially when it comes from areas like Canterlot."

Initially shocked, I pondered what she said, 'I guess that makes sense, what else would the dragons eat in fantasy movies back home when meat was spare?' I then had a quick thought before making an estimated guess, "Wait, how do you even know this? You're an Elementary School Student, right?"

She was surprised before she responded, "Oh right, Miss Cheerilee was teaching us about Geology and it came up as a lesson we were taught."

I facepalmed before replying, "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Is she a good teacher?"

Scootaloo moped, "Yeah, I guess so. I don't really like school all that much though."

"Well you seem to know your stuff, did you have any other lessons from her?"

Scootaloo was cut off before she responded, "Well, we had this one lesson on-"

Lyra called out to us as we turned to look at her, "Okay Scootaloo, Spike, you two can come back now!"

"I guess that's our cue." I said in response as we then headed back over to the table.

Chapter 19 - Questions and Conundrums

Chapter 19 - Questions and Conundrums
by LightningStrike34

Lyra's POV
"Umm, o-okay. Lead the way, I guess." Scootaloo said as Twilight and I saw them make haste.

Soon after they were gone, Twilight spoke up and asked me, "So... What exactly did you want to talk about?"

"Oh, I think you already know the answer to that question, Twilight."

She sighed before responding, "Let's see if I can simplify this. An accident happened, Spike got injured, rushing to find a hospital, bumped into a friend-"

"Oh you made a friend? That's-"

"Let me finish." Twilight replied curtly

I blushed sheepishly, "Sorry, my bad."

Sighing before continuing, Twilight spoke, "She knew the way there, I followed her, waited for a bit, nurse implyed I bring him in, talk to the doctor, Spike wakes up, realize he has amnesia-"

I spoke out in alarm stamping a hoof down on the table, "Whoa, what?! He has-"

Twilight raised her voice before continuing bitterly, "As far as I know! I don't know what to do..."

I pondered my thoughts, 'If it's that bad maybe she should... I mean it would help to fix-' "Maybe you should head back home to Canterlot, Twilight, If Spike's condition is as serious as I think it is you should-"

"I can't do that! Celestia made a huge royal decree and everything, I can't go back now!"

"Well, what about Moondancer, Twilight? You should at least go back and see her after you flanked out on her party!"

Twilight had a look of defeat on her face sighing as she replied sullenly, "I wasn't in the best state of mind back then, I'll admit that. With all the stuff about Nightmare Moon and the Summer Sun Celebration happening I didn't think it was all that important. But I can't just go back after everything that's happened! I've made friends here, Celestia knows I couldn't just up and leave them because of one mistake."

She sighed deeply, "Do you think you could give her my regards for me, I need to say I'm sorry but..."

I snorted before replying, "You already know I have a job here in Ponyville, Twilight. Scootaloo needs me more than you think. Can't you just have Spike send her a message?"

"Even if I wanted to it's not like he's an automatic message relay service, he needs to have remembered seeing who they are in-pony for him to send messages to specific ponies."

"Okay, then what about Princess Celestia? Wasn't there that time you asked him to send her a letter and he didn't remember seeing them then?"

Twilight responded, "Princess Celestia is registered as a default for whatever reason, I was surprised he was even able to do it." She paused before continuing, "Let's just say I didn't expect her to receive a message like that."

I giggled, "Did you send her a prank mail or something? You gotta tell me."

Twilight laughed nervously, "Maaaaybe for another time, Lyra. Could we wrap this up, please?"

"Right, sorry. I should give you something at least to make it easier." Conjuring a Hammerspace Rift, I pulled out a photo of our close knit group of Canterlot pals as I pass it over to her. "Here Twilight, I want you to have this."

She stares at the photo smiling before responding, "I can't take this from you, it's yours Lyra. You should have it."

"After everything you've been through, you deserve to have it much more than me."

Sighing, I respond calmly, " I think I'm done here, should I call them or you?"

"You can go ahead, I don't mind."

"Alright then, last words." I chuckle before looking over and calling out to them, "Okay Scootaloo, Spike, you two can come back now!"

Twilight sighed as we saw them come back before she grabbed the photo and said, "Thank you, Lyra. I'll treasure this."

Chapter 20 - A Sisterly Bond, A Sisterly Quarrel

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3 - Ponyville Hospital

Chapter 3 - Ponyville Hospital
by LightningStrike34

Rarity's POV
After hearing that Twilight would be making a permanent stay here in Ponyville, I just knew that I had to get her a little housewarming gift for her personally, oh and Spike as well can't forget about that adorable little dragon assistant she has now can I? After I had finished up a simple yet chic ensemble for Twilight I rummaged through my gem chest as a little present for him.

“Hey sis, what are you doing, can I help too?" I jumped a bit at the sound only to realize Sweetie Belle was standing right beside me with a sombre expression.

"Oh, Sweetie Belle, you startled me for a second. I was just about to head out to give the newest residents in Ponyville a housewarming gift."

Sweetie Belle perked up at this, "Ooh Ooh Ooh, can I come as well? Pleeeeaaaasssseeee?"

Seeing her expression I told her down, "Now now Sweetie Belle, You can come but you simply have to be on your best behavior when we get there, do I make myself clear?"

"Don't worry sis, I WILL! I'll be good." squee

"Well alright then, come along Sweetie Belle and follow me, I don't want you getting lost."
Sweetie Belle and I set a path towards the Ponyville Library as we went to welcome the newest residents.

Twilight's POV
As Rainbow and I made our way we came to the front entrance and made a stop by the front desk to make an appointment. "I'm here to make an immediate appointment, there was an accident and we really need help."

The nurse sitting at the front desk had her mane done in a bun, "Name and appointment?"

"My name is Twilight Sparkle and we're here to help my Assistant Spike, we really need your help."

Nurse Tenderheart gets a good look at him held in My Magic and scrunches her face, "This is pretty bad, I'll get a doctor for him as soon as I can. You're going to have to wait a little bit, find him a place to rest on one of the seats and sit down, it may take a while. Sorry deary."

I sigh deeply as I walk over to the nearby chairs as Rainbow comforts me, "Hey, It's going to be okay, be strong for him and for you as well. He wouldn't want to see you beating yourself up over this."

"But it practically is my fault Rainbow," I said setting down Spike crying. " I said I would catch him and he would be fine but but-"

Rainbow gives me a stern look, "Hey, you didn't know what was going to happen and you did the best you could right? That has to count for something." Rainbow Dash bumps me teasingly

"Y-yeah I guess you're right, m-maybe I have been beating myself u-"

Spike started muttering in his sleep, "Let's set sail for Volcano Island, Yar."

Rainbow Dash chuckled, "Heh heh, I wonder what he's dreaming about."

Stephen's Perspective

"Alright Men, Let's set sail for Volcano Island, YAR HAR!" They rejoiced in excitement repeating my last words as we neared the shore of Volcano Island. Nearing the shoreline we could see a plethora of dense jungle foliage and vines further in as well as a cavern that on a glance I swear I saw something shimmering within. "Oy men, set course for that cavern, I see something in there." They all shouted in unison, "AYE AYE CAPTAIN!" Plotting course for the shimmering glow we set upon the sandy shoreline as a couple of my men complaing that they shouldn't have been wearing sandals today. 'Good thing I'm wearing boots' I thought. After about a couple of minutes of my men walking over to the grassland they spent their time cleaning sand out of their sandals as we continued our trek to possible untold riches.

Rarity's POV
As we made our trip to Twilight's Library, I could detect the faint scent of a foul odor, upon getting closer to our destination I saw drips of blood outside the door and immediately began to panic fearing the worst. I could see Sweetie Belle was shaken up from this as well as she asked me, "U-um Sis, w-what happened h-here?"

I responded, "I-I don't know, l-let's not jump to any conclusions and see inside." Walking in I glanced to the left to notice a ladder with a broken step, below it was a Trophy and a shelf that were slightly covered in blood. "Sweetie Belle, please stay outside. This isn't something you should be seeing, there appears to have been an accident and I'm afraid one of our new residents has gotten himself badly injured." Glancing back at my sister I saw the sorrowful look on her face.

"W-well maybe they went over to The Ponyville Hospital? If they're not here maybe they went there."

I nodded, "Good Idea, let's get going. We can turn our housewarming gift into a get well gift as well, ONWARD!"

Twilight's POV
"Miss Sparkle? Doctor Horse is ready to see him now."

"Well finally..." Rainbow groaned, "We've been waiting for like half an hour."

I corrected her, "Rainbow, it's only been 10 minutes."

"Well it's FELT longer!" Rainbow groaned again, "Let's just get going so we can get this over with."

As Rainbow was getting up Nurse Tenderheart told her, "Hold on just a sec, we just need Miss Sparkle and the Patient to come with us, you need to stay here."

Rainbow Dash yelled, "WHAT?! You mean I waited here this long and now I have to sit here for Celestia-knows however long? WHY!?"

The Nurse responded, "At least one guest is required to sit outside until one of them leaves seeing a patient and because you and Miss Sparkle are the only one's here for him you'll have to sit outside."

"That still doesn't explain why I have to be the one to sit outside here, it'll be sooooo boring."

I responded, "Well they probably want me to levitate him in considering I'm the Unicorn out of the two of us, besides there's plenty of reading material here." I look to see a familiar adventure book sitting on one of the nearby tables and Levitate it over to Rainbow Dash. "You'll enjoy this book, it's one of my favorites in the series, you just sit here and be comfortable and I'll be back as soon as you know it." I grab Spike in My Magic as we make my way over to the Doctor's room.