The Big Man
An Always Friends, Always More Story
A Humanized Pony Fic By Duke Moon II
Inspired by “The Girls of My Life” by Wildcard25

Chapter 5 – Consequences

Being a nurse wasn’t the only thing I did in my years at Canterlot High School. After I took on my first tutoring job, I took to being an unofficial guidance counselor to the little lambs (the students) that came through my office door. Of course, when word got out about my positive bedside manner, I became a nurse that treated emotional wounds rather than physical ones. Most students would be surprised that when I started out on my first year at CHS that I was a very lonely, terse and above all else, blunt person. Now the students see me as a big sister figure who will listen to them in their time of need (at least, the ones who weren’t sexualizing me in their love letters, which I really didn’t mind... for the most part). I love to think that I made a difference in the lives of my little lambs, and hopefully keep them from making the same mistakes I’ve made when I was their age.

Luna de la Huerta
My Life after Nightmare Moon

“Will the following students report to the Principal’s office: Twilight Sagan, Rarity Jones, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Jacqueline Apple, Iris Dash and Marilyn Flutters. Repeat: Will the following students report to the Principal’s office: Twilight, Rarity, Pinkamena, Jacqueline, Iris and Marilyn. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Spike tensed up when he had heard the announcement over the PA system. He had been writing an essay for history class, basically jotting down what he wanted to get out of this year’s lessons and not just the same old textbook lessons of years before. That seemed unimportant at the moment when he stopped writing, the announcement weighing heavily on his mind.

Time had passed since Spike and the Harmony Hotties returned to school two hours ago, each going their separate ways. He had gotten to his next class without incident, though he did notice a few looks from the students, no doubt wondering if either the football team or if the Cult of Butterflies had gotten to him at lunch, judging from the bruises on his face. Spike had ignored them for the most part, but felt that the last hours of school were going to feel like an eternity.

Spike, now in his last class of the day, wanted to be with Twilight and the others more than anything. He knew that they were in trouble. That stunt with the PA system had been Twilight’s idea, and the rest of Hotties had a part to play in saving Spike from a lunchtime beat down. Not that it mattered, thanks to Garble and his goons at Golden Oaks Park.

The only happy memory from that lunch time was that Spike showed that he wasn’t a pushover anymore. He showed he could hold his own, at least against one bully. Spike felt like he could take on anything.

Unfortunately, Spike knew the inevitable was coming for his the six girls that had meant everything to him. He knew they were going to be punished and there was nothing he could do. Spike loved each and every one of the Harmony Hotties with every fiber of his being. He wanted to dash through the classroom door just to be with them, but he knew that Twilight and the others would want him out of trouble, so he reluctantly stayed put, wishing class would just end.

Spike looked up at the classroom clock and glared at it, almost hatefully. Only a minute had passed since he stopped writing. He frowned and began to write on his paper again, hoping the minutes would go by faster.

“They’re in trouble because of me,” thought Spike, depressed. “After all that’s happened, my friends are going to suffer. This is so unfair.”

The principal’s office at Canterlot High School was one of the less intimidating places on campus. Inside, there were a couple of bookshelves, each having assorted textbooks, manuals and assorted awards, trophies and certifications. Picture frames adorned the walls, each featuring Principal Celestia de la Huerta with friends, family, and school colleagues. There were also a few school banners adorning the wall, all blue with yellow trim, and a golden horseshoe, the logo of CHS. Principal Huerta’s desk was simply kept with her nameplate in front, her own personal public announcement system with a microphone and a telephone. There was an air of warmth inside, inviting those who came in.

Still, Twilight and her friends dreaded being there at the moment. They stood before Principal Huerta, who was sitting behind her desk, pinching the bridge of her nose. This worried the Hotties, and it made them feel tense, yet they each tried to put on a brave face. It hadn’t been long since they had arrived to the principal’s office, and things weren’t looking good for them. Principal Huerta hadn’t even said a word since they arrived, which doubly worried them.

Wanting to break the silence, Twilight nervously asked, “You… you wanted to see us, Principal Huerta?”

Celestia looked up with a stern expression and responded, “It’s been a long day, young ladies. I’ll admit that this has been an interesting start to the school year. I hadn’t expected to be handing down many detention slips, suspension notices, and expulsion orders on the first day.”

“Must have set a record.” Rainbow chimed in, trying to alleviate the situation.

“Not something we at this school can be proud of, Ms. Dash,” groaned Celestia in frustration, shaking her head, which made the rainbow-haired girl quiet down. She then continued and addressed the girls in front of her, “You’re good girls, all of you. Ever since I saw you enter this campus as freshmen, I knew that all of you were special. You’re good to each other, the best of friends. A great example of what friends should be. For what it’s worth, I think what you girls did for Spike Drake shows how much you care for not only a fellow student, but also a friend.”

Celestia stood from her chair and folded her arms, looking sternly at Twilight and her friends. For Twilight and her friends’ part, they were feeling dread, like they were awaiting their final judgment.

“I’ve had to hand down several detention slips to many students today,” said Celestia, calm and holding herself back emotionally. “Tell me why I shouldn’t do the same with you girls?”

“You’re kidding, right?” responded Rainbow incredulously. “You want to give us detention for getting our buddy out of the fire!?”

“Low tones, Miss Dash,” said Celestia sternly. “Remember that you’re in my office.”

“Sorry,” said Rainbow sheepishly.

“Begging your pardon, Principal Huerta, but I think a little first day leniency is merited in this situation,” Rarity said with a nervous smile.

“A little leniency, Miss Jones?” asked Celestia, her eyebrow rising. “Then tell me how I should show leniency to someone who not only entered the PA facility, a room that’s restricted to only campus personnel, but also used the equipment without permission.”

“Well… when you put it that way…” Rarity said meekly, looking away.

“Just how did you enter the PA facility, anyway?” asked Celestia.

“I helped lure the announcer out with some pastries I whipped up in the school cafeteria while Rarity snuck in,” explained Pinkie with a smile. This earned Pinkie a flat look from Celestia, which made the pink-haired girl grin nervously.

“And the robot, Miss Pie?” asked Celestia. “Would you mind telling me where you got the parts?”

“Um… can I plead the fifth?” asked Pinkie nervously.

“Aw, shoot.” Applejack swore. “Me and Rainbow got some leftover parts in the trash the CHS science team left over for their upcoming annual Robo-Wars event.”

“And what was your part in all this, Ms. Flutters?” Celestia inquired to Fluttershy.

“I… um… I sort of helped Pinkie… model the robot after me,” answered Fluttershy, looking away as she fidgeted.

Celestia remained quiet but couldn’t help covering her face with her right hand, feeling disappointed in the girls in front of her. She silently began to count to herself in order to calm down. Uncovering her face, Celestia looked directly at Twilight.

Fearing the worst, Twilight immediately burst out and said, “Principal Huerta, it was all my idea! I planned everything! Breaking into the PA facility, the robot, everything. I’m fully ready to take any punishment you hand down.”

“Oh, trust me, Ms. Sagan,” said Celestia in a serious tone. “You will be punished. But you won’t be alone.”

“But Principal Huerta, I-

“Enough!” Celestia cut off Twilight. “You planned this AND your friends went along with it willfully, so that does not exempt them from punishment. I’m sorry, but you and your friends have to face the consequences of your actions. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Principal Huerta,” said Twilight, her head down, sad and defeated.

“Just to let you know, I’ve called all your parents personally, so they already know what punishment I’m handing down to the six of you,” explained Celestia. She sighed and continued, “Believe me when I say that I took your good intentions into account, misguided as they were. I’m placing you six together into a month’s worth of Saturday detention with Ms. Harshwhinny.”

“WHAT!?” all six of the Hotties exclaimed.

“It could have been a lot worse, ladies,” Celestia pointed out. “Breaking into the PA facility, setting up an unauthorized school assembly and the assist in making a dangerous contraption without the guidance of a teacher…I could have expelled the lot of you, ladies. Let’s just say I was being lenient.”

After a moment, the girls muttered in agreement. It could have been a lot worse, what with the expulsions and suspensions handed out earlier to the students that were chasing Spike all over the school earlier.

“Does it have to be Ms. Harshwhinny?” complained Rainbow.

“Couldn’t you get somebody more pleasant?” asked Rarity hopefully.

“Like, anybody else but Ms. Harshwhinny?” pleaded Fluttershy.

“It’s not up to debate, ladies,” said Celestia evenly. “I’ve already let Ms. Harshwhinny know about the situation. You will report to her every Saturday this month for detention. That is all.”

“Come on, girls,” said Twilight sadly as she turned around and walked towards the door. “There’s nothing more we can do.”

Twilight opened the door and walked out, the other girls in the room following suit, leaving Celestia alone in her office.

Celestia sighed as she leaned back on her chair. It had been a long day for her, and she felt that it was going to be a long semester.

The final bell had rung ,and Spike couldn’t get out of the classroom fast enough. He dashed towards his locker and just piled his things inside his bag. Spike wanted to know what had happened to Twilight and the others, and was desperate to meet with them.

“Spike!” a voice called out to him.

Spike immediately recognized the voice as that of his friend Featherweight. He stopped and went over to him.

“Featherweight, whatever it is, it can wait,” said Spike in a rushed tone.

“Yeah, well it concerns your girlfriends, buddy,” said Featherweight seriously.

“What happened to them?” asked Spike with concern on his face, his heart racing.

“Word around the school is that they got detention, man.” Featherweight explained. “That little stunt with the PA system got them busted.”

“Oh, no… no…” Spike’s shook his head, voice cracking as he as once broke into a run.

“Don’t do anything stupid, Drake!” Featherweight called out to Spike.

Spike paid no heed as he made his way to the principal’s office. He sidestepped a few students, but did bump into a few other people along the way. Spike was distraught at what had happened to his friends, the Hotties. He had already feared the worst, and now that Featherweight had told him that all of them had gotten detention, Spike, more than anything, wanted to let himself be heard, and make a case for his friends before the principal if he could. All these thoughts ran through Spike’s head as he finally arrived at the door of the principal’s office.

“Little lamb,” called out a voice, which stopped Spike from touching the doorknob.

Spike turned his head to the side and found that Luna was right there beside him, arms folded with a sympathetic look on her face.

“Just what do you hope to accomplish in there?” asked Luna.

“My friends got detention because me,” said Spike somberly.

“And you want to save them by barging into the Principal’s office to state your case,” Luna said, shaking her head. “It’s a noble gesture, but ultimately foolhardy.”

“I have to do something,” said Spike, his voice growing desperate.

“Judging from those bruises on your face, I think you’ve been through enough,” Luna said, placing her hand on top of Spike’s hand. “I think you and I need to have a chat.”

The nurse’s office wasn’t as spacious as the classrooms of CHS, but it had enough room for its purposes. There were two cots for the patients as well as desk for the nurse, plus several cabinets for storing medicines, bandages, and other medical supplies. There was also a small laptop computer and a coffee/tea-maker on the desk, plus few medical books. There was a small refrigerator at the far right corner of the room. Finally, there was a lone window that was open to let in the breeze. All in all, it was very quaint room with a view.

Spike sat on the side of one of cots, his arms folded with his head down, looking sadly at the floor. He hadn’t said a word since Luna had led him to the nurse’s office. He thought it best not say anything without sounding rude, so he waited as Luna made two cups of tea.

“Any syrup or lemon with your tea?” asked Luna.

“Syrup, thank you,” nodded Spike.

Luna went to the small refrigerator, opened it and picked up a syrup bottle and half a lemon. She closed the refrigerator door with a kick and went to the two hot cups of tea on her desk. She squeezed the lemon juice in her cup and proceeded to pour syrup in Spike’s. After mixing both cups with a spoon, she handed Spike of cup of tea and proceed to sit at her desk, her own tea in hand.

“So… I see you have had quite the interesting day since we last saw each other.” Luna started as she took a sip of her tea.

“To put it mildly, yes,” responded Spike with a sigh.

“You know, I was on my way to lunch when I saw you being chased by that mob,” said Luna, shaking her head. “I figured you were going to need some medical attention if I didn’t get to you first, so I ran after you and the mob. Too bad I’m not built for athletics, which is why I couldn’t keep up. Depending on how you look at it, it’s a good thing Miss Jones saved you with that stunt with the PA system.”

“Yeah… good thing,” said Spike, unsure.

“Which begs the question: how did those bruises get on your face if you escaped that mob?” inquired Luna.

“Lunch time fight at Golden Oaks Park,” answered Spike, gripping his tea cup. “Guess I have a knack for getting into trouble, no matter how much I don’t want to.”

“Or if your mouth isn’t getting you into trouble,” Luna pointed out, remembering Spike’s encounter with Blueblood and his goons from earlier in the day.

“Just because I don’t want any trouble, doesn’t mean I’ll take any crap from anyone,” said Spike firmly, but realized what he said at the end and said, “Sorry about the language.”

“I’ll excuse it this time,” dismissed Luna. “But it doesn’t change the fact that you were seeking trouble by going to the principal’s office, even if it was to plead a case for your friends.”

“It’s my fault they got detention.” Spike countered heatedly.

“And I think you’re being too hard on yourself for something that clearly wasn’t your doing,” Luna countered back.

“You don’t understand,” said Spike, his voice breaking as gripped the heated tea cup.

“Try me.” Luna challenged.

Spike sighed and the chugged down the tea from his cup. This surprised Luna and found that Spike didn’t seem to mind the heat from the tea coursing down his throat. She shook her head and tabled her curiosity for the scene for another time. As soon as Spike finished, he let out a breath.

“Those girls have been my friends ever since we met back in grade school,” started Spike. “Since then, they’ve been there for me, whether it was to help me study, or defending me from bullies. There’s never a dull moment with them around, like everyday there was an adventure to be had. I was always happy to have them.”

Spike sighed, but then he gripped the tea cup again, this time in frustration and anger.

“And you know what I did to thank them?” Spike continued. “I tossed them aside because I thought they were holding me back! I even blamed them for trying to keep me as their helpless little baby brother! I even let my ex-girlfriend egg me on about it, only for her to dump me days later! I felt so shitty afterwards that I wanted to take every nasty thing I said to them back, but I was too much of a coward to face them! I ran away from home, only to join a gang, which is just another mistake I’m paying for today!”

Spike began to breathe heavily for a few moments, the calmed himself and continued to vent.

“I still can’t believe they took me back. After all the nasty things I said to their faces, they took me back. Even now, saying I’m sorry didn’t feel like I was doing enough, so I promised myself that I was going to be there for them just like they were there for me. I don’t ever want to turn my back on those girls… not ever again.”

Spike stayed quiet for a moment before finally saying, “I definitely don’t want them to pay for protecting me… or for my mistakes.”

Luna had listened intently as she sipped the last of her tea. She really felt for Spike as she listened to his story and his reasons for wanting to help his friends. She set her tea cup down on her desk and sat next to Spike on the cot.

“Little lamb, I think you’re being too hard on yourself,” said Luna soothingly. “You shouldn’t be punishing yourself for whatever mistakes you made in the past. Believe me when I tell you that dwelling on past mistakes can never be good for you.”

“You ever join a gang, Nurse Luna?” asked Spike.

“I didn’t need a gang to cause trouble, little lamb,” answered Luna.

“Did you just boast?” Spike laughed slightly.

“Let’s just say I was too young and stupid to realize I was hurting a lot of people,” Luna said, looking away in embarrassment. “It got so bad that I almost got my big sister killed over my actions. Even after all that, my big sister forgave me. She even forgave me for what I did to her prom dress I shredded.”

“The girls did forgive me for everything bad I said and did to them.” Spike sighed, still feeling unsure.

“Don’t you think it’s time to forgive yourself?” Luna asked softly.

Spike stayed quiet for a moment, as if trying to find the right answer. Luna took this as her cue to continue.

“I know it’s difficult to forgive yourself sometimes, little lamb. It wasn’t just my sister I wronged all those years ago, I hurt a lot of people when I was young, mostly on the misguided notion that they had wronged me. When I realized the enormity of all the bad things I did, I felt so horrible that I thought I couldn’t go on with my life. I let it haunt me for so many years, and it got to the point where I couldn’t face my sister, my parents, and what little friends I had left. When I finished high school, I decided to study somewhere far away from my family so I could suffer on my own.

“It wasn’t until my sister offered me a job here that I started to move on. Celestia had forgiven me, but I had to forgive myself. It wasn’t easy because I dwelled in my past too much. It wasn’t until I started treating and counseling the students that I found joy again. It helps when you have a caring sister helping you along the way…not to mention, having a meat-headed, but loving and understanding boyfriend.”

“So he’s your big ram, huh?” inquired Spike with a smile.

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” replied Luna in a dreamy, husky tone. She noted that Spike looked very awkwardly at her, and shook her head. “Um… look, little lamb, the point is that you shouldn’t dwell too much on the past and focus on moving forward. Your friends wouldn’t want you to beat yourself over it.”

“Yeah… I think you’re right.” Spike agreed.

“You feeling a bit better?” asked Luna with a smile.

“Better than I was a few minutes ago, thanks.” Spike answered appreciatively.

“Before you go, there is one more thing I have to ask.” Luna said curiously. She then gave Spike a smirk and asked, “That fight you mentioned you had at lunch… did you give as good as you got?”

With a confident smile, Spike responded, “That and more, Nurse Luna.”

“I’m glad to know that you’re no pushover, little lamb,” said Luna brightly. “But I think I’ve kept you long enough. You wouldn’t want your friends or parents to worry now, would you?”

“Thanks for the talk, Nurse Luna,” Spike said as he got up and placed the teacup on the desk. He almost made it to the door until Luna placed a hand on his shoulder, which caused him look back at a smiling Luna.

“If you ever need counseling, feel free to drop by, little lamb,” said Luna genuinely.

“You sure your boyfriend won’t mind?” asked Spike jokingly.

“I think I can squeeze you in,” laughed Luna.

With that, Luna let Spike go on his way, noting that the boy walking with an extra skip in his step.

“Such a good boy.” Luna said as she smiled to herself.

Spike had made it out of the school building without incident. Though he still felt like he could have done something on the Hotties' behalf, Spike knew that Nurse Luna was right and shouldn’t make a bad situation worse. His friends meant a lot to him, but he knew they wouldn’t want him to get into trouble.

“Spike!” someone called out.

Spike turned to the sound of who called him out and smiled as he noticed that Twilight, along with her friends, were waving at him. Spike smiled wider as he dashed towards the Harmony Hotties. He noticed that they all wore worried expressions on their faces and as soon as he was there with Twilight and the others, he decided to set them at ease.

“I’m alright, girls,” smiled Spike. “Just had to get a few things straight, that’s all.”

“I’m glad,” sighed Twilight in relief. “I thought you had left without us.”

“Where were you anyway?” asked a curious Rarity.

“Had a talk with Nurse Luna,” answered Spike. “Well, she had to stop me from doing something stupid beforehand.”

“Nurse Luna, huh?” smirked Rainbow. “You mean every boy’s wet dream besides us? I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to stick with her for the rest of the day.”

“Rainbow,” Spike said, his face red in embarrassment. He pulled himself together and asked, “So… how much time did you girls get for saving me?”

“A month’s worth of Saturday detention.” Applejack said with a frown. “Guess it’s better than expulsion, but darn it, Granny and Big Mac aren’t gonna let me hear the end of it.”

“And it’s with Ms. Harshwhinny,” shivered Fluttershy. “I’m really not looking forward to it.”

“I hear she really loves playing the quiet game above all else.” Pinkie moaned sadly.

“I’m really sorry about all this girls,” said Spike apologetically.

“Don’t be,” said Twilight with a smile as she placed her hands on Spike’s shoulders. “Despite what happened, we had a great school day. We had a great lunch together, you showed that you can stand up for yourself and, from what I heard, you got kissed by a very bold and beautiful girl in between classes.”

“I wouldn’t say it was that bold,” Fluttershy looked away, red faced.

“Admit it, Marilyn Flutters. You put the naughty moves on Spike,” Rainbow said as she put her arm around Fluttershy’s shoulder, causing the shy girl to blush deeper.

“I guess there is some good to see after all that’s happened,” admitted Spike.

“Well, you still have to help me on star gazing tonight,” smiled Twilight, only to become a bit worried. “That is, if my parents don’t kill me first.”

“I’m sure they’ll be more than understanding,” Spike assured.

“I hope so,” Twilight smiled.

“Well…here’s hoping for a brighter tomorrow,” said Applejack with a cheer.

Spike and the girls cheered as they joined in a group hug followed by a high five. Today was an interesting first day of school, filled with highs and lows, but least they ended it with their heads held high. Maybe there will be a brighter tomorrow and Spike and the Harmony Hotties were looking forward to it.

Author's Note

And that's the end of school day. I want to thank Wildcard25 and F14m3rz for pre-reading and editing this chapter.

Spike and The Harmony Hotties may have survived the first school day, but that doesn't mean the day is done with them. Stay tuned...