The Detective Who Likes To Watch Rainbows

The sun is a prick.

I’m not saying Celestia’s art is bad or anything; it keeps the land warm and gives us light. But that ball of fire is a prick and it knows it. But... I suppose waking me at early hour isn’t too bad – that is, as long as Spike is still asleep.

And I can watch his chest rise and fall with every breath. His faint-green chest expanding.

I look down to my hoof on the carpet, frowning as it must of slipped from his grasp. Eh, dang, his claw is curled up, so I can’t even sneak it back in.

That blows.

But, since Spike is asleep, that means he isn’t conscious of anything I may do. Meaning, I could do almost  anything to him. I’d normally say this in the sense of pranks, but, that’s the furthest thing from my mind.

His shirt is still halfway down, and the urge to help it meet its end is tempting. But another idea springs to mind, something I don’t expect from myself. Standing up on two hooves, I lean my body forward, and  wrap my forehooves around his neck. I press my body against his, and thus, I create a hug!

...what is wrong with me?

My eyes wander down his shoulder, where I can see his claws raise for just a moment, before falling back down onto the carpet. I want to squeeze him as hard as I can; to just get that urge out. But there’s no way I’m going to wake up him up like this.

After a while, once my heart is satisfied, my hooves come back from his neck and return to the floor. His wrist is still covered by the bandage, with no blood seeping through. I unroll the bandage – being careful not to wake the beast. It comes off without a hitch, and a clean wrist greets me.

I blink twice at that. No traces of blood or even a cut. The wrist looks brand-spankin’ new. I look to his face expecting a smirk, yet all I see are those closed eyes. Just when did dragons get healing powers?

Meh. I throw away the bandage and let sleeping drakes lie.

The hotel room is a mess. I don’t know how, but the sheets are on the ground and the tables are littered with different type of bottles. It doesn't look like he ate, but he sure consumed a lot. I should hide most of this stuff for his own good.

And I do just that. It takes me hours at home to get myself to cleaning, but yet when in the service of others, I’m willing to do anything. Oh well – gotta pass the time somehow. As I start cleaning, I hear groans coming from the other room. I peek in, but Spike’s still asleep.

“Never… be like you,” his head falls left. “Monster… no.”

The grumbles end there, but Spike continues to twitch in his sleep. Should I wake him up? I mean, he hasn’t slept that long, and he probably needs it from all the doses he took last night. Bah! Its his fault for taking those things; livid dreams aren’t always awesome.

It isn’t until I straighten out the bedding that I hear a groan, followed by a yawn, come from other room. I huff, giving a little smirk, as I give one final pull the bed sheet. I walk over into the next room with that smirk ever so present.

“Sleep well?” I ask with the tilt of the head. He gestures a claw at me and grips his head with the other.

“What time is it?”

“Close to noon – I let you sleep in.”

“Huh,” he says. He moves his back and stretches out his limbs. He yawns, scratches the back of his neck, and then hops up into the air. “Whelp! I’ve already wasted more time than there was to spare. I’m going to hop into the shower, then we’ll head off to this nice shop.”

He tries to walk past me: I pin his tail to the ground, resulting in a surprised cry.

“You’re not in the clear yet,” I say, “we still need to chat about what happened to you last night.”

He gives a laugh and wrestles his tail out from my hoof. “First time I’ve heard that.”

I point my head to the kitchen. “What’s with the bottles?”

“Medicine to increase my high.”

“Why did you get high?”

“To solve this case.”

“Why do you need drugs to do that?”

“It helps me think better. I can place myself in any time period, with any secinaro, and it will play like it would in real-life. It like I’m actually there and away from here. Plus, it helps relieve my boredom.”

“Spike,” I say, softening my voice and looking down, “you can talk to me. I know we’ve just met, and, I like to poke fun at you. But I really don’t want see you hurting yourself.”

“Dabbling with this stuff doesn't hurt me, Rainbow Dash. It’s quite the opposite; it makes me feel good.”

“At a cost.”

“Which I’ve already deemed well spent. You’ve been around me long enough to know I think of every detail, yes?”

“Spike,” I try again with a soft voice, but look him right in the eyes. “Are you… I don’t know, sad about anything? Depressed? Suicidal?”

“Something worse I fear,” Spike says as he leans forward, “I’m bored.”

I shake my head. “That’s nothing to do drugs for!”

“And why not?” he whines. “Life has no meaning; nothing really to be done. I’ve rejected my dragon roots only to come to that conclusion.” Spike rubs his chin. “Maybe I would’ve done better to just become a dumb brute.”

“What about others, Spike?” I reason. “Surely other ponies are hurt at seeing you do this?”

“I know of no friends but acquaintances; none close enough to care. That in of itself is an issue I don’t feel like dealing with.”

“So,” I look away, playing carefully with my next words, “what if I care about you? What if it hurts me to see you doing stupid stuff?”

“Bah.” He waves a claw. “We’ve only just met; you can’t care for me yet. If anything, you may have found astonishment in my prowess, but you know nothing of Spike the being.”

“Just because I don’t know you I can’t care about you?”

“You can – but it’ll be superficial.”

“This is bull,” I say as I walk over to the kitchen. “I’m going to dump all these.”

“Please don’t,” Spike says, taking a few steps towards me. “The case isn’t done and there may be a chance we may need those.”

Crap. Is he lying or telling the truth? “Then-then, I’ll take them! I’ll be the judge if we need them if the time comes.” I swipe the bottles and place it at the bottom cabinet. I look to Spike and he shrugs.

“Alright, I guess that’s fair,” he says. Without another word, he leaves into the next room and closes the door, the running of the shower greets my ears. I know dragons, that when woken up, are grumpy, not that different from ponies, but they sure can be pricks.

Sighing, there isn’t much for me to do here. So I leave to my own hotel room and prepare a shower for myself. Maybe it’ll help me think better on what I should do next.

Spike has problems, and he’s aware of them too. He’s got so much and throwing it away for so little, and my only question is this: why?

“You look nice.”

We’re both sitting in a booth on the edge of the balcony. It’s neat place Spike took us to. It being a sandwich shop that has seats going out to the edge, which gives you a pretty good view of Canterlot. I’m surprised they don’t put scopes here and charge ya to look through them.

“Thanks,” I say back. Did I mention Spike’s horrible at making small talk? “So, what are we doing here? Besides eating sandwiches and killing time.”

“Well, the sandwiches here are like no other, so I always make it a point of coming here; we’re going to need the energy after all. Now, there is another reason why we’re here, care to guess?”

“I don’t feel like being played the idiot.”

Spike claps his claws. “Oh come on now! It’s not too hard to guess.”

I sigh and nod. I look at the seats around us and nothing pops out. Spike wanted us to sit at the edge and I thought for the view, but maybe there was another reason. So I look over the rail and at the city, everything shining under the light, yet nothing catching my eye.

I look down and I see it, grinning of course. “We’re overlooking the museum.”

“Good!” Spike says with the faintest of a smile. “Now go on.”

Crap. I thought that would be enough to satisfy him. “To first plan what we should do next, or, you tell me whatever plan you have. Then judge from up here how the break in might of happened?”

“That’s good,” Spike says, leaning forward over the table. “Now, how do you think they broke in?”

Snuck in of course. No alarms, past the guards without an alert, zero marks left behind. I have a theory in mind, and I go to answer.

“Brother mine, you’ll never find out that way.”

The smile dies from Spike’s face as his entire being darkens. I turn my head to the voice and dash towards the source, enveloping Twilight in a big ol hug. Twilight smiles and nuzzles my cheek, I don’t even care that we’re in public as I return it.

“Twilight!” I cry. “It’s been way too long since we’ve last saw each other. Celestia, me and the girls have been wondering what’s kept you, seeing how you left after just telling us the news.”

“I know,” she says, “I know,” she says more softly. “Telling the public that the world isn’t going to end is quite the task.”

“Hehe, ponies and paperwork. Geeze, I know being a Princess must be awesome, but there’s no way I could deal with all the stuff you have to.”

Twilight ended the hug and gave me a nod. She then turned to Spike and her smile disappeared. “How have you been, Spike?”

Spike went to answer.

“Staying away from the drugs I hope?” Twilight says.

“Why of course!” Spike says. “Haven’t touched them since the day I was born.”

Twilight cocks her head right, lips taking an unusual twist. “Really? Because the way you’ve been scratching at your left wrist tells me something different. Unless, of course, that’s from another nightly session you like to partake in?”

I drive my head back. Did… Twilight… adult... joke? Cannot comprehend.

“You already know I’d rather do drugs then stoop that low,” Spike says, with a drop of a smile. “Damn. You got me.”

Twilight lowers her head and sighs. Her lips become a frown. “Spike, we’ve discussed this.”

“Not a worry, I only dabbled in it for a case I’m on.”

Spike’s changing the subject and I want to stop him. But the words don’t come out of me. Looking to Twilight, she’s got the same thing on mind.

“So… Rainbow convinced you to help out with the Elements?”

“Indeed she has; figured with sister of mine in need, I’d give her a helping claw.”

“Now aren’t I grateful.” Twilight says with the sway of the mane.

“I don’t get any of this!” I shout, both heads turning to me. “Sister mine, brother mine, how do you two know each other?”

Spike looks like he’s about to say something, but shoots his head away.

“I’m sorry I’ve never told you this before Rainbow, but I’m not the only one in the group with siblings.” Twilight’s persona seems so professional that I’m thinking this is all some kind of play. “Spike here is my adopted brother, the same dragon I hatched for my magical exam. He’s an odd one, strung along with a purpose that the world isn’t ready for.”

“Ha,” Spike fakes, “I’m surprised you didn’t say ashamed of.”

“Even with out playful relationship, that jokes goes too far!” Twilight shoots back, face almost boiling, “Spike.”

“Meh.” He goes back to looking over the city.

I turn my attention back to Twilight. “I… I don’t get it. So you and Spike are like adopted brother and sister? But how is that allowed? And, and, just who is Spike anyway!?”

“That’s a lot of questions,” Twilight says as she sits down. “Firstly, I hatched his egg when I was a filly, and me and Celestia helped raised him. Some royals had issues with it at first, but Celestia saw to it that no harm came to Spike.”

Spike groans and turns back to us. “Can we not talk about this now? When you interrupted us before, you said that I was doing something wrong.”

“Indeed you are, little brother,” Twilight says, though her lips did not take on a smirk. “Once again, you more focused with the facts than the bigger picture. Just because you know knowledge doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always needed.”

“So I should be more focused on the why of everything?”

“Precisely,” Twilight says, “you’re aware of the facts, so what of the picture? Can you paint me the crime?”

Just when did Twilight get so… royal? She’s never really been like this around us, yet when Spike is here, I have trouble differentiating Princess Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Sparkle. I look to Spike to see his eyes close.

“This isn’t my canvas to paint on, but a piece of art, which I must decipher the meaning.”

“Good,” Twilight's says. “Next?”

“Well, if all the thief wanted to do was paint a picture, then this is nothing more to him than art.”

“You mean all he wants it to put our Elements on some kind of wall?” I say and regret doing so. They both look at me like I have the title idiot above my head.

“No… well…” Twilight places a hoof on her chin.

“I mean”– Spike looks to Twilight looking concerned –“that could be part of it, right?”

Her hoof slides off her chin. “There’s a good chance! I mean, he or she gotta place them somewhere while they wait for you to find them.”

They both look to me, their smiles offering me all their pity. I’m not sure if I hate myself or them more.

“So, uhm, back to the uh… talky, thingy.” Spike takes a breath. “Whoever is doing this, must be of power or insanity, maybe both. Either way, they’re only doing this to paint some picture in their heads.”

Spike sighs, resting his eyes. Twilight places a hoof on his claw. “I know there’s a wall, but don’t stop.”

Inhaling and exhaling, Spike continues. “You girls have enemies. But they all would want to attack right away, or at least take claim to their crime.  Unless you have someone new, stalking you from the shadows, then I don’t think… this case… involves… the Element bearers...”

Twilight scrunches her nose. “Wha– what do you mean, Spike?”

“I mean, the thief could of taken anything, so that disproves that theory. Unless, the thief needed a lot of attention, in which case, nothing is more talked about nowadays then the Elements. If this theory is true, then the girls are irrelevant to the thief.”

Twilight’s throat makes some weird sounds. And, not only that, but I think Twi’s trying to play a poker face.

“Stole-art-pony irrelevant. Guard-useless-power and painting- but what all for?”

I look to Twilight and she doesn't look to me. Why is the air now so hard to breath?

“It would be so much easier the other way around; someone wants to play a game with still fragile minded pieces. But no, they are of no concern to the thrift. So then, who else is the theif interested in?”

I have to interject. “What if, someone just did for the fun of it, and you’re just looking too much into it?”

That’s enough to shake him out of his trance. Eyes blinking, he gives me a quick nod before returning to silence.

Twilight exhales. “She’s right, Spike. This is a problem you mull over – you can’t deal too much into it.”

Spike looks to Twilight and brings his claws together. “You’re smarter than me, Twi. And this case is of a bigger magnitude than finding a murderer or a cheating spouse. You know more than what you’re letting on, so why don’t you just take over?”

“I probably would have, if I hadn't found you doing it for me. But someone has to keep the press under control, Spike. Besides, I believe in you.” She smiles at the drake. A true smile, none of that acting stuff from before. “I know you’ll pull something off.”

“Alright,” he says. “The case interests me, so I’ll stick along for a bit longer.”

“That’s good to hear,” Twilight says as she steps forward, giving the drake a quick hug which he does not return. Though his eyes tell a different story. “Besides, you may find something on the trip worth keeping onto.”

“Heh, yeah.” Spike chuckles. “Just like how you left the castle to go oversee some celebrations, and decided to not come back afterwards?”

Twilight pulls back from the hug. “That’s because I found friends on my adventure, not acquaintances, as you like to put it.”

“Always knew you were an extrovert,” Spike whispers with a half-smile.

Twilight giggles and goes to leave, but not without turning to me one last time. “Rainbow, how long do you plan on sticking around with Spike?”

“Probably until this case is done.”

“That’s good,” she says, her eyes lost in the sky behind me. “Then, please do me a favor, and take care of him?”

I give a salute. “I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

And with that, Twilight Sparkle was gone.

My turn my head over to Spike. “So you’ve got more story to you then you let on.”

“I suppose.”

“Anything you want to share?’

“I think I’ll let your imagination play with what you have.”

I chuckle. “I don’t know, I do have knack of coming up with some pretty whacky things.”

“My entire life is a whacky mess – I’m sure you’ll figure it out just fine.”

“Heh, so with that in the back of the mind, what… are we going to do next?”

Spike sighs. “Not to sure. Twilight annulled any theory I might of had, and my mind is still playing with the whys of the case. So, all we can do is go with this plan.” He looks arounds us, confirms no one is within ear shot, and leans into me. “We’re going to break into a museum.”

Should I have expected anything different? “Ohh, great.”

“And we’re going to do it in the same fashion as the robbers.”

I rest my head on my hoof. “I shouldn’t have expected anything less from you.”

Spike smiles as he points a claw to the sun. “Here’s to midnight!”

It’s midnight and I’m not sure how. Ever get the feeling that something important needs to be done, yet you put if off for another five minutes, and next thing you know: bam! It’s midnight.

Well that wasn’t the case. Sure, I got to hang out with Spike, which was pretty awesome. He didn’t say anything more on his history, but getting to know him in the present was enough for me. I’m not sure what I feel for the guy though. Badass when I first met him, gets upset easily, and something plaguing him from within.

I guess I’ve seen the best and worst of him. Not sure what judgement to make, but something’s certainly there. I’m going to hang with him a little more, so I can wait until the end of the case to see what I feel.

Regardless of the outcome: I hope we can be friends.

“Dash… Rainbow Dash?” Claw snap in front of me, causing my conscious to stir.

“Wha…”

I look up to Spike as he smiles. His coat is done up and he even has a goffy hat on. “I can’t have you phasing out like that. Now, if you don’t think you can handle–”

“Oh I can handle breaking into a place just fine, thank you,” I say. My heart is beating nervously as we approach the doors, though that’s the rush that make me feel alive. “Hey, is your heart… racing, by any chance?”

He looks at me over his shoulder. “Of course it is,” he says, looking forward. “After all, this feeling is what relieves me of my boredom and keeps me off the druggies.”

“Ah, the rush of the action; thinking of a plan!” I say a bit too loudly. I look around to make sure no one heard us. “So, the reason you solve crimes, is because you use it as an alternative to getting high?”

“Correcto!”

“But, there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

“And that is?”

“If all of this is a distraction for you, then what are you going to do when it’s time to face your fears?”

Spike halts in his step, and with the way he’s standing, I dare not take a step past him. “Absolutely nothing. There’s nothing I can do in the face of my fear; barely any reason to live, but all the reason to not die.”

Spike starts to walk and so do I. “But isn’t there more you could do in this world? I mean, there is just so much to do this in this life. Learning new things and meeting other awesome creatures, I don’t know how you could be bored of that.”

“What’s the point to doing anything if it doesn’t interest me? Besides, most ponies and I don’t get along, from who I am and what I am.” He sighs for a moment, his shoulders are low but they look so tense. “I made many sacrifices to become me, and I don’t have much to say for it.”

The conversation ended there. I wanted to say more, but I don’t think anything I say will be of use; my pep talks phasing through him. And, I’m starting to think, if I do learn more about Spike the Dragon. Then, there’s a chance, that maybe…

… I won’t like him.

Blargh. I can’t let these thoughts bother my mind. We’re about to break into prestige mesuem of Canterlot, with no excuse if we’re caught. Probably should put some brain power to being focused...

...probably.

Though as we walk side by side, we haven’t been hauled by anyone yet. The barricades are still up but no one is at guard. I look around at nearby buildings, maybe someone could be spying on us for afar. That makes sense: a good trap for if the thief were to return.

But Spike instructed that everything be the same, so that can’t be the case.

“What’s up with the lack of security?” I say.

“I don’t know,” Spike grumbles, mind somewhere else. First time I heard him say that, but I keep that thought to myself.

We reach the barricade and Spike crouches down next to it. He wipes a claw at the tip of it, then blows a green flame over the surface.

I step back in recoil, but my head inches forward. The flame sweeps over the surface, but nothing catches fire. Instead, Spike fingerprint at the tip has a candle light, illuminating his green print. “Weird,” Spike mutters, “someone’s wiped the prints.” He stands up and shoots his head around.

He looks to me as if I have something to say about this, but I haven’t a clue. So we continue our quest forward, going up the steps into the museum, where open doors greet us.

I go to shout, but Spike places his claw over my lips. Irritated, I understand why, and gulp down that shout as we enter the museum.

Once again, we stroll down that red carpet into the heart of the museum. The air hangs over us like a heavy object ready, ready to fall to fall on our heads. Well, not like that. But it does feel like something sinister is about to happen.

Sinister, really? Maybe it isn’t a good idea to stick around Spike after this.

We reach the glass case for the Elements. And that’s it, I can’t take this anymore! I just want to blather all my questions to Spike in hopes that he’ll have an answer to all of them. Instead of that though, he looks around and proposes his own question.

“I don’t get it. There’s no guards and the door was open just for us. With no prints, this place begs the no one has even step foot in here – like we’re the first guests. If that’s the case, where’s the host? I really do want to complain that all my thinking became redundant because of him.”

Spike looks at the candles above our heads. All of them lit and guided us down the path to the Elements. But the last two candles remain unlit. Cracking his neck right and left, Spike spits a flame, which splits into and lands on both candles. I clap my hooves at the trick-shot, as the two candles flare up a green light.

A wave of air wipes out all the candles except for the two, a thud coming from the entrance.

Someone closed the door!

Darkness begins to creeps around us, the only exception being the green light, illuminating the space around us with its color.

The space around us isn’t the same.

Crayon drawing are on the walls. No words, but picture that look to be drawn by little colt. Some of boxes, other of stick figures pushing things; did someone recreate a child’s sketchbook on the wall.

And on the wall, behind the Element’s display case, are the words taking up the entire wall:

I Owe You 4:

Make Yourself at Home.

I just don’t understand it. How someone could do this and why? Why why why? Where’s the Royal Guard? Where we let in or was the open door a coincidence? What do these drawings mean? Do they even have any meaning?

But none of these questions compared to this one:

“What do you make of this, Spike?”

He look to me with a look which I can’t describe. “Something more than I expected.” He took a step towards the stairs, which two smiley faces smile at. Dropping to his knees, he knocks on the step; it sounds like he was knocking on a tree.

“It’s hollow,” he says, whipping his head around the mesuem. “Stealing wasn’t an issue to thief; he owns place...”

“What?” I walk up the steps and look at him. It weird that we’re both at the same eye level.

“The thief doesn’t even consider himself a thief. Heck, we can’t even call him a thief. There wasn’t even a break in; he just used the spare door. So, this is neither a game or a work of art, but something else.” Spike stop talking after that, as his eyes wander past me. He looks lost in a away.

“Then who is he doing this for, and what does he want in the end? Could I have been right earlier?” Spike said. His voice sounds frail and ready to crack, eyes lost in the light of his own flame.

I promptly kicked him in the groin. “Spike, knock it off. Someone’s drawn some pictures on the wall and there’s something weird with the steps. You have some clues; figure it out! You’ll never find out the why unless you catch this guy.”

Spike rubs himself in the incited area before casting me a glance. “You’re right. Too caught up in the big picture to look at the facts in front of me.” He chuckles. “You really are a good partner, Dash.”

I grin and flare up my wings, hovering over to the picture to see if I can could figure anything out. I’ll describe the what I see as such:

A stick figure standing away from a group of stick figures: is he lonely?

A stick figure, pushing a stroller, with no kid inside: no clue about this.

A stick figure standing with a big head, but a small body: no clue.

Then the last one:

Two stick figure standing next to each other. The left figure has only a right eye; the right figure only has a left eye. None of them have libs, though the left figure has some sort of tail, while the right has horribly drawn wings.

I feel like there’s something here but it's flown over my head.  Both figures are different because of the opposite eyes, yet the same because they’re still missing an eye. Wings typically symbolize freedom, but what of that of a tail?

Wait. Could this be of me and Spike? No, I doubt it. But it screams of some kind of duo.

Dang it, none of this is making sense: I suppose nothing has made sense since the start of this case. Heh, I hope Spike can make something out from all of this.

Spike’s eyes dance across the room, until he notices a glass display with a small replica of a olden wagon. He walks over to the display and inspects the case. He then proceeds to push it forward – it doesn't budge and he looks like a idiot. The look in his eyes admits this to me, but I hold back the laugh.

The light that comes from the light bulb over Spike’s head contrasts the green light, but quickly disappears. But then Spike places his fist before the glass. I cough, gaining his attention.

“You do realize, that breaking the glass, and even, touching, the wagon, will net you the same crime as if you were to steal the Elements?”

Spike bounces his head right and left. “You’re right, prison does sound boring.” He retracts his claw by an inch. “But it’s not illegal as long as you don’t get caught!” And with that, the display glass was shattered.

I rear back and check my surroundings, expecting an alarm to go off with the entire Royal Army surrounding the place. Or for a magical bubble to encase the both of us, with the Princesses herself to send us away.

Second after second, only the sound of the dancing candles fill my ears. No alarms? Seriously! No wonder the Elements were stolen! It’s like a candy shop in here.

Spike’s claws run into the glass cabinet, his claw giving the handle of the waggon a little push. It moves an inch, then a click, and all is silent except for the racing steps.

My eyes flare open as we run to the newly created opening. The carpet starts to sag, and after a few more seconds, the carpet falls and lands onto the new steps perfectly. For underneath the display of the Elements of Harmony, exists a tunnel.

I look to Spike. “I’m starting to think someone either really dumb or really powerful.”

On the top of the opening, are words brought to the life with Spike’s green flame:

IOU 3:

For the hints on the wall.

I sigh

Spike gives me a nod, as we both descend into the tunnel.

The fire continues to burn behind us, but we soon lose sight of it’s existence.

The tunnel is dark and cold, my fur almost not enough to keep me warm. Despite the path being straight, I keep bumping off the walls. Spike has no issue navigating through the thick nothingness, with me using his tail as a tourguide.

This thing feels like it goes on forever. Maybe it’s the darkness playing with my head, but it feels like there’s no end to this thing. I can’t see the beginning and I’m beginning to doubt there is an end.

I want to talk but it feel like something has my throat.

My hoof is glued to Spike’s back. He says nothing of it as we press further. I wish he would give me a piggy-back ride, so I could close my eyes, and wait for this to be over.

I wish this was over.

Wind greets us. Oh great air greets us! If there’s wind, then there’s an opening somewhere. We’ve reached the end! Oh yea, who's awesome!? Making it through a long dark tunnel without muttering one complaint? This mare!

We reach the end of the tunnel, only for my spirit to die once more.

Now we get to climb a stairway.

Isn’t my life great?

The climb isn’t so bad. The tunnel drained me but at least I know the stairwell ends. The walls feel old, yet fresh – as if they’re leading me to a familiar place.

As we reach the opening at the top of the stairs, I realize that I was wrong. This place is more than familiar, I’ve been in this place more than I can count. Looking around me with suspended breath, I look to Spike, and let it all out.

Spike and I are standing in Canterlot Castle.

“This isn’t right,” I say, eyes blinking on their own, “this is way too messed up.” A million possibilities run through my head, all leading in different paths I don’t want to think about. “Spike, do you think… Princess Celestia, is she… could she...?”

Spike looks as shocked as me. But he shakes his head and facial expression returns to normal. “I-I doubt it. I know she pulls some strings for you ponies, to help you learn your lessons, but she wouldn’t go this far.”

I hum in agreeance.

“But she knows who did this,” he says with a clutch of a claw. “But she didn’t do anything to stop them.” He places his thumb on the edge of in inner-lip. “Or she can’t do anything to stop him.”

My eyes are blinking on their own now as my mind decides to call it a quits.

“Someone not only of financial power, but political power as well. Someone more powerful than the Princess... of the land.”

“Someone with a magic stronger than the Princess's,” I say, my mind unable to comprehend as my body does things of its own will.

“Maybe, but I doubt that as well.” The claw comes off his lip and that becomes my main interest. “Why then not take her place? Someone of that caliber of power should’ve been noticed by now. Some actions or plans should have been carried out by now. I don’t think this being has magic, but a power far greater than it.”

“What?” I say.

Spike looks down to me. “I’m not sure, and I’m excited and scared to find out.” He takes the lead to the outside, to where the winds of the morrow greet us. A bridge connects all seven towers of the castle.

I wonder if Celestia is in one of the towers, raising the sun. I wonder, now, if I could go to her now and ask for help. Cause honestly, it feels like my world is shattering. The wind is strong up here, almost sending us off the edge. For the first time in my life, I’m afraid of heights.

As we make it halfway across the bridge, Spike has kept the same composure. Yet his eyes is jumping to every detail of the bridge, until they settle on the tower just up ahead. This one is bigger than the last, with a giant glass chasm above it.

We’re close now, and my heart is jumping out of my chest. I hear whispers and steps from ahead, and I can’t quite calm myself down. Spike is faring better than me, but even his claw is giving a little twitch.

We walk together and brace whats comes next, together.

“These is horse manure,” a voice from within the tower says, “Falco. You zad client would be here, yet no a client. Dangerous here: leave right away.”

I and Spike hurl ourselves next to the tower’s entrance, keeping our ears pressed to the wall.

“Leave and J will skin you,” another voice says. “After all, we wouldn’t want to disappoint our dear J. All that faith he’s placed in you would burn away.”

“Ze two idiots shut up! Working here won’t get ze out being where you shouldn’t. J has promised a lot and done a lot, but I’m growing weary of him. He looked at us last time like we were nothing more than toys.”

“Aww! But at least we’re rich little toyses. Besides, with the kind of work we do, this the only coin we’ll ever get. Mmm, better not dissapoint J, for these Elements are quite valuable, and I hate for him smash them out of anger over poor choice of words.”

“The Elements!” I shout and wirl out from hiding. Spike bangs a claw against the wall but I don’t care. I see the three thieves in all of their dirty glory.

“Who’d are–” The words die in his throat as his eyes realize who I am.

“The name is Rainbow Dash, the Element of Harmony. I know I didn’t let you finish, but I knew what you were going to say anyways.”

A brown coated Earth pony; one mint green pegasi, and… a griffon with a coat whiter than that of Princess Celestia’s fur. He looks like a holy image that came out of his stained glass. I shake the crazy thought my head.

Three thieves, all going on the beating train!

“The Elements,” I say, “Give them back. Now.”

The ponies laugh, though the griffon looks amused. I continue on forward. “This isn’t my first rodeo, and last time, I took on an army. Taking you three out will be a cinch.”

They continue to laugh as I take another step forward. The pegasus steps away from the Earth pony and I feel my heart stop. My legs begin to buckle as my eyes light up; I’m unable to scream at what I see.

There’s a sway of the jacket. A small bang resounds off the walls. The pained face of Spike fills my vision; struggling to give me a smile.

“You really gotta start planning shit out,” he squeaks out, looking over his shoulder down his back. Then his eyes light up.

“Bastard,” he whispers, standing up. “You bastard!” He picks up the bottom of the jacket, displaying a hole with the circle burning. “This a new jacket!”

He sprints to the Earth pony, who just finishes reloading his hand cannon. He points it at Spike’s head, but as Spike is a foot away, his hoof shakes; Spike twirls his right leg back, and brings it forward onto the hoof holding the gun; sending both flying.

Two talons dig into his shoulder. Spike shrieks as the griffon leans into his ear.“May I have some fun too?” Spike headbutts backwards, but the griffon leans his head left. Raising his left talon up, he smashes it down on Spike’s throat; the back of his head meeting the floor.

The griffon chuckles, but his talons are swept by a claw, and he too, meets the floor. Spike charges his body forward, lunging at him with a claw already changed, but the same swept talons land on his belly, and send him flying.

The first thing to meet the floor this time is Spike’s claw, as he uses it to propel his body back onto his feet. He’s panting, a claw running down his throat.

Both griffon and dragon stand tall, both smiling. Spike wipes his lip; the griffon polishes his feathers.

“Have you been bored, Spike?” the griffon asks.

“Oh have I,” Spike moans, readying his posture.

“Interesting. And, here I am! Thinking dragons were too stupid with themselves to ever get bored.”

“Guess I’m different.”

“Oh yes you are!” The griffon claps its talons. “You’re a special little snowflake.”

I can Spike claw clutch. But the breath in his chest is struggling keep him still. “You’ve gotten my blood pumping, surely you’re not going to keep me hanging.”

The griffon smiles. “Oh, I’ll never leave you hanging.” He licks his beak; my lips jump back as the need to vomit arises.

The two go at it. claw and talon at each others faces; dragon vs griffon. Spike has the upper edge with his strength, but the griffon is dancing around him. Sweeping past the oncoming claw and giving Spike a little poke on his side, now I really want to punch this guy.

But, maybe, I should be punching the Earth Pony going for the gun. “And what do you think you’re doing?”

I leap past the oncoming hind legs and give a little BOP on the Earth pony’s snout. Oh boy, he doesn’t like that; his face is steaming.

My own blood begins to boil – it’s been awhile since I’ve last been in a fight. Heck. Let’s do it!

The guy twirls around, is he stupid? He’s doing the same attack again. So, in honor of Spike’s first move, when I once again dodge the oncoming legs, I let my right hind leg give a good smack across the face.

His entire body swirls around, his hoof dropping down and picking up the gun. Oh crap, that was his intention. He strikes the gun in front of my face, but my hoof inches it away before it fires off.

It sounds like I was standing next to a canon as it fired. My ears ringing with the world not staying still. A frowny face is before me, next I find myself looking at the roof. The frowny face tries to jump on me, but my hind legs send him flying into the wall.

I wouldn’t be a good circus performer.

I shake my head, pink and green flying past my eyes. I have a better sense of my surroundings. I look to the right of me, and there’s this holy right creature with blood beautifully painting his coat.

Then there’s this purple dragon, who get’s my heart pounding at just the sight of him! I move my lips left as his jacket is torn up; it was a nice black jacket. Maybe Rarity could patch it up.

His face looks cool with blood on it, with those serious looking eyes. I’m not sure whose blood is it is. Both are bleeding, so I guess there just sharing blood.

The dragon’s face comes out a bit, like you expect from a dragon. But his snout is no bigger than that of a pony; what’s the reason for that? I scratch my head, my mane feeling so soft under my touch.

But what get’s me most about the drake’s appearance is his eyes. Such a bright green that they shined even when we were in the darkness of the tunnel or his room. Yet, they look so young. The rest of his body demands that he be seen as mature, yet his eyes show you the child within.

Spike is childish and I think he knows it. He tries to sound so smart, yet he does things that of a kid.

Maybe Spike is secretly a kid.

Kid.

Kid.

OH SHIT I FORGOT I’M SUPPOSED TO BE FIGHTING.

I spring up and look to the earth pony: he hit his face pretty good on the wall. His eyes are closed but his chest rises with breath in them.

Spike looks to be struggling, but he’s holding his own. I want help him out, but this is his fight. It doesn’t feel right to take his glory.

Wait, there was three of them. Where did the pegasus go?

Stairs ascend in the glass casam, the next story filled with shelves of books. The pegasus in hovers over a wooden box, waiting for the glass chasm to open.

I fly up behind her, giving a clearing of the throat. She twirls around at me and raises her eyebrows. “I ze someone isn’t dead.”

“Faulty weaponry.”

“Ah,” she says, “never could rely on a gun to it’z job. I prefer a hoof to za face: more pleasure come from it.”

“Mm,” I sway my head, “I kinda prefer magic. It’s easier and can be done from a distance. Besides, since I don’t have magic, that means someone else does the fighting for me.”

“Zah!” she goes, “then this shall be easiest!”

I chuckle. “Don’t count on it.”

We both stand up onto two hooves and each throw a punch. Both miss and we dance past each other, not before using our fist to twirl our bodies around. The fists meet,  zapping my left hoof forward. That meets too.

She cracks a smirk, as I crack her ribs with a kick to the stomach. Her head recoils back with breath taken away from her, but her head flashes forward onto mine. I taste the floor, and see a the shadow of the hoof hovering above my head.

I roll right, the proceeding sound a stomp. Her face wheezes back as I could almost hear a pop from her leg; she was counting on my body being a cushion. This is my chance, I wind up and dash right at her; then her head came down onto mine and once again it tasted the floor.

My head feels light and my body is sore. I scream out in pain as her next leg comes down unto my back. I can hear something pop and wings flare up out of pain. The action startles her, as I struggle to get up.

I barely get up one leg before she’s coming at me. Though a griffon collided with her as both flew into a wall.

Footsteps are behind me and the touch of the claw is around my neck. “Da-sh, y...okay?”

I shake my head and try looking at him. Heh, he’s always looking stoic or confused. Now he looks like a baby ready to cry.

A really bloody baby ready to cry.

I hold out my hoof and he takes it, supporting my weight as I get back onto my hooves. I didn’t really need the help – a few more seconds and I would be standing tall – just wanted an excuse to hold his claw.

I stand on my own and he let’s go of my hoof. I frown, but I see he’s about to place it on my back. Then a griffon collided with him, flashed me the biggest smile, and lifted Spike across the room.

I hear a smash, the glass is broken, and the in the distance two bodies hurdle to the ground. A few seconds later, I feel the world shake.

My pained is removed as my worry for Spike takes over. I looks past the hole in the glass and I can’t see them in the distance. I look over to that green pegasus bitch, wearing a smirk that I’m about to rip off.

“What?” she says, as I’m on her in less then a second. A punch to the face – she wasn’t expecting that. I gave her another, than another. She tried to dodge, but kick to the side puts her in the perfect place.

I wish I had a million hooves so I could punch her a million times. But as I think about how hard I want to punch her, I realize now none of my punches are making contact with her.

She’s on my left, and now I’m on the ground. The world is nothing but a blur to me now, but I recognize Spike’s coat next to me. I grab a special something offa it. Then a shadow looms over me.

“Za stupid, bike!” she screams, once again raising a hoof. I never fall for something twice; Momma raised no fool! I roll under the floor and look up her belly. I rise up past and grab a certain something I threw up on the left side of her. I tighten the deal and back away into the the railing. The knocked out Earth pony looking so far down.

My flank is against the railing. I slide my back against it; those head blows are starting to get to me, as I have to wheeze my every breath.

“Tired already, ze stupid filly?” I nod my head, putting on a frown that beggs for forgiveness. “Then I zall put you asleep for all of eternity!” She charges back her hoof and I make no attempt to dodge.

I saw every inch the hoof traveled before it met my face, I sigh, and proceed with my master plan.

I slide down the railing until my flank meets the floor. I look up to her as she looks down angrily at me, of balanced, she trips over my hoof and flies past my head and over the railing.

“Fool!” she calls. “I have wing–” a bang sounds  throughout the tower. I get up and lean lazily over the railing, my head swaying all over the place. But the picture of both ponies laying knocked out on the ground is clear to me.

Spike’s jacket already has a bullet hole, so I hope he doesn’t mind my taking of a string.

“Not enough for you to notice, but enough to keep your wings held for a second or two. Now who's the genius!” I say. They don’t respond; they can’t: they’re unconscious.

I sway over the the chest, the world loading a bit better for me. Still, I lay down, inch my hoof forward, and unlock the latch and open the chest.

My smile lazily stretches to my cheeks, as all my collected stress is vanishes. My eyes feel wet and I exhale, for below me is the Elements of Harmony. My cutie mark is calling to the Element of Loyalty.

“The case is solved, Spike,” I say. “We did it. Got letter, found you, took a train, pissed of some guards, stayed at a hotel, snuck into a museum, solved a puzzle, and got yourself one heck of a fight!”

Silence.

“Spike, aren’t you happy?” I ask no one. Oh yea, there’s a chance he may be dead. Horsefeathers.

My body cries out as I stand up, but I have no choice. Spike may need my help, he may be dead, he may be alive. Spike needs me. I need to find him.

I cast out my wings and take off in the same way that griffon did. “Please be okay, Spike.”

I fly out of the tower in the same fashion as that griffon. Up ahead is another tower, with a lower chunk missing from it. Oh wait, it fell down to grass below; doesn’t look like anypony was hurt.

I place myself in the chunk and kick off from there.

My eyes light up, I already aware of where they went next: the stained glass of the castle depicting the six of us is smashed. I double time into the castle and stick the landing. I look around me.

Spike and the griffon are fighting. Shining Armor and Troops rush in. The griffon screams, Spike has him by the throat. His eyes narrow, yet the biggest grin on his face. His claw’s getting tighter; the griffon’s turning blue.

Then there was a cannon, an explosion. Spike began to fly back, as the griffon became free.

My head follows Spike, as he slowly passes by me. Eyes wider than mine, with lips that admit defeat. The world at the world around me but never at me. My head refuses to turn anymore, as I hear the loudest thud of my life.

What just happened? I blink. What just happened?

The griffon retreats up the steps to the throne, where he takes a seat and wipes his beak. He wipes the blood off his feathers and gives it a lick. Moaning in delight as the Royal Guard charge in the direction of Spike, with spikes in their hooves.

I jump in their way. My throat is too shaky to talk, my legs buckling under my emotions. I simply blink to rid the wetness out of my eye. They all look at me, not sure what to do, as I’m ready to cry.

Then a laughter eruptes from the throne. “Well, tis been fun.” His tongue flicks around his beak. “Buuut, I have to places to go and ponies to play with. So, this is goodbye for now, and Jim. Sends. His. Regards!”

The Royal Guard didn’t do anything. They looked to Shining, who still hadn’t processed what had occurred. He looks past my shoulder and I swear I see a tear in his eye.

“Arrest that–” My eyes burn and my ears ring. The Royal Guard suffer the same pain, as most start to tear off their own armor.

“rising...sun…” I twirl around to find the source of the voice, but my eyes are ruined by the sun. The ringing is killing me, and my body feels so warm.

Then, the light fades from my eye but the buzzing stays. I look to the empty throne, and sigh at my defeat.

Good fight, Spike.

IOU 2

Cannon to the chest isn’t a good 3, is it?

I’m going to kill both that griffon and J. But, first I have… check on… ah. I turn my head, inhaling till my chest is full, and look at the mess behind me. My shoulders fall as I release the breath, and stand over the drake.

“Spike?”

He exhales, eyes fluttering open on his dopey head. “S...up.”

I giggle to myself as I wipe the tears from my eyes.

“So,” he says, the back of his head plastered to the floor. “How bad is it?”

I scan over his body. His face is covered with scratch marks, none meeting the eye. His arms look they were put to good use, but his jacket is torn. It’s a good thing he doesn't wear pants or they would’ve been painted red and brown.

His scales are still purple. That’s good.

Though the extra purple around his chest isn’t so good. “You’re jacket still kinda on fire, but I bet you’ll still look great without it.”

“Oh,” he wheezes, some air making it to his lungs, “so you wanna see me without my clothes.”

“Oh yeah,” I can’t suppress the giggle that came with the statement, “it’s weird to see anypony wearing clothes; it’ll be unique view to see you without them.”

“Careful Dash,” he says, wheezing but breathing, “you cried over me – now you’re saying stuff like that.” He chuckles, gripping his chest as he does so. “Ponies may get the wrong idea that you like a freak.”

Is it really a wrong idea to like someone like Spike? He’s different because he’s a dragon. He’s weird because of his mind. He’s an ass because of his past. But does not everypony have similar sins?

Multiple hoofsteps are behind me, and a pair reach the side of me.

“The Elements,” he breathes out.

“Yeah.” I drop down and bring my face close to his, placing my hoof under his head. “We found them, they’re safe.”

“No,” he says, and my heart skips a beat. The Elements looked real to me, my cutie mark even called out to it. Was there something I missed?

“You’re an idiot for confronting them like that,’ he jokes, cracking a small smirk. Maybe I should drop his head onto back to the floor. But part of me thinks he’s not joking.

“You’re right,” I say, “I let the thrill steal our security. We could’ve learned more about them and even captured the griffon, plus, you wouldn’t have been shot by a cannon.”

“Yeah,” he dances his claws over his chest, wincing whenever his claws glossed over the sour spot. “My scales took most of the damage, though I should get checked for any broken ribs or internal bleeding. But, I think I’ll be alright.”

I nuzzel my head against his cheek. I feel something wet but I don’t care. “Boy am I glad you’re a dragon.”

He chuckles, nuzzling back quick before dropping his head back to the floor. I take back my hoof. “For the first in a while, I’m glad to be a dragon.” He chuckles, while I laugh. The stressful past seeming like a distant memory.

Yet our future looks non-existent.

“Twilly's going to kill me,” the voice sighs next to me. I turn my head right and was ready to give Shining Armor a slap with the back of my hoof.

“You better get ready to survive the same spell-blast she used on Triek, Shining,” I say, the anger escaping past my teeth. “I take it you know Spike as well?”

“Yeah.” He swoops down next to Spike, his horn glowing blue. The same aura appears over Spike’s chest. “Here, that should freeze any internal bleeding and keep the ribs as they are. We’ll have to get you loaded up into a stretcher and hauled to the medical bay.”

Mist came out of Spike’s mouth, as his body seemed at peace. “You know, Shinning; that if you keep finding ways to kill me, Twilight actually going to kill you.”

“I know,” he drops his face with a frown. “You wearing that stupid hat with the jacket; I couldn’t see your face while you held a griffon in deathlock. I had to make a call.”

“You suck at poker,” Spike joke.

“Yeah,” Shining gives a small laugh. “But, if I didn’t shoot you, what was going to happen next?”

And with that, Spike exhales and closes his eyes. “I’m not sure. Probably something I wouldn’t have been proud of.”

Shining sighs along with them, as a silence takes over. Everyone with their own thoughts, wondering different things. Though it was Spike who broke the chain.

 “But, since you did hit me with a cannon…” Spike eyes trail off, starting to look nervous. “Um, do you remember? That one time, when me and Twi came to visit, and I, you know, kinda burned your comic collection.” Spike coughs, a small blush occupying his cheeks. “Um, can we, ah, call it a truce?”

Shining erupted with laughter, so much, that his own guard looks at him  like he were a freak. “That! You’re still mulling over that!?”

“Well, kinda,” Spike says, “you were so mad, and I didn’t see you till next year, after my power demila thing.”

“Spike, I completely forgot about that! You were so young, you didn’t know any better.”

“So… we’re cool?”

Shining holds out his hoof. Spike smiles as he raises his claw. The two brofist.

“We’re cool,” Shinning says with a bright smile. “Besides, we’re brothers, aren’t we?”

Spike moves his lips and looks to the ceiling. “Hm, I wouldn’t call us that yet.”

“Ha! I see someone hasn’t changed.” Shinning looks to me, that smile never dying. “I’ve known him almost since birth, so has Cadance, and he refuses still to this day to even call us family!” He laughs. “Twilight had to beat him in some debate in order for him to call her sister, and even then, they have a weird way of saying it.”

“Sister mine is a perfectly normal way of saying it,” Spike groans. I shoot a hoof to him as he tries to sit up on his own, but he does so without my assistance.

“Yet I never hear Twily say brother mine to me,” Shining cocks his head left with a smirk this time.

“That’s because she likes me more.”

Pfft! My shoulders are shaking uncontrollably as my mouth spurs laughter. When Spike wants to, he can be a funny fellow. Shinning is chuckling as well, but his face is wondering if what Spike said may be true.

Soon the Guard approaches Spike, each bearing a face of concern or worry, some even guilt. Together they stand in speak. “Spike the Dragon!”

Spike winced at hearing that.

“We sincerely open firing at you. We take all the responsibility for the shot, and are willing to bear the punishment Celestia and Princess Twilight will have on us. Any punishment is just when firing on a member of the Royal Family.”

Royal Family? Did I hear the right? Spike, a dragon living in the neck of the woods belongs to the Royal Family? I mean, Spike and Twilight must be close, but never full fledge siblings. The whole brother mine sister mine, I thought that was some kind of gag they had or something.

Shining is the brother of Twilight, so of course he may know of Spike. The whole cannon thing took my mind off just who is Spike. Spike the dragon – Spike the detective. Spike. D. Spike of the Royal Family.

“Just who is Spike?” I say out loud and cover my lips.

Spike chuckles as he looks to me. “I’m not really sure myself. Here, mind giving me a lift?”

I keep my mouth shut as I comply, passing my head over his arm and past his side. I think my fur is tickling him, as he can’t help but giggle.

“Here,” Shining goes by his other side, and together, we help lift him. A pop comes from Spike’s back, but he struggles to stand up. With a little help from us, he’s on his own two feet. We take a few steps together, and slowly, but surely, is Spike walking again.

The smooth scales of Spike side battle with the fur of my coat, and I realize all too soon that Spike’s arm is over my neck. He’s relying his weight on me, holding me close even. I cough as my cheeks become hot.

Just a little closer and me and Spike would be side by side. But how? Oh yeah, I can just take advantage of that.

“Hey Shining, the Elements of Harmony,” I construct my words carefully, “they’re safe in the tower with the hole in it. But there’s a chance that griffon may go back there and try to steal them.”

Shining stops and causes all of us to halt.

“You’re right. I better go and make sure they’re secure. Someone take over he–”

“That’s fine,” I interject, inches Spike foot right so that he falls into me. My legs start to buckle but I carry the weight, he gets his feet back into place, reliving some weight. But still, having Spike lean into me feels... pretty good.

“Alright,” Shinning says, bowing his head. His eyes look up to me as offerers a smirk; the guy knows what I’m up to! I look back at him, mouthing a ‘thank you’. He smiles.

“Alright boys, I want this place cleaned and the area free of any hostiles. Anyone suspicious is to be brought to me immediately. Two of you escort the detective and Element of Loyalty to the infirmary, and the rest of come with me to recover the Elements.”

“Sir!” They call. And one by one, they left.

Walking behind the two guards, Spike remains quiet while he limps. I could hear his every breath. Each were light, as he closes his eyes and smiles. He looks so happy, and without the use of drugs this time.

“Can we stop for a moment,” he asks. We stop, and he stands on his own. I’m stand next to him incase he falls. He brings a claw to his chest and tears off his shirt and jacket, which were filled with holes from the fight.

Casting it behind him, he once again enlist my help as we walk side by side.

And I finally got my wish. He looks so special, without any clothes on. His body is slim yet not too ripped. Slender, asking a hoof to gloss over it. Seeing Spike naked for the first time makes me want to fly around the room. The image burned into my head for the rest of my days.

And here I am, supposed to be happy that we recovered the Elements. I laugh, Spike raises a brow but I keep laughing. And together, with Spike limping and me standing tall, we walk out of the last scene of the Elemental case.

The next few days fly by. Newspapers bringing relief to those read them, that once again, Equestria was defended. Joy came to those who were interested by the case, and more faith was placed in the guard and myself.

Elements Are Safe, All Thanks To Rainbow Dash and the Royal Guard.

The articles went as far as call me a sluth, finding the small things that organizations tend to miss. With a larger mass, overconfidence becomes a problem, and small little details elude the mind. That’s the case sometimes when it comes to mysteries. That’s why the world needs consulting detectives; they look for everything.

You could almost call it their job elementary.

Although I love seeing my name in the papers; with the word around town being my name, I don’t feel like I deserve the headway. Sure I helped, but I wasn’t the one who solved the case.

It was Spike.

But no where is he mention by the article, though a weird dragon hanging around the mesuem pops up once. The truth is being held, and I know why. But, what bothers me the most is this:

Is the why good enough?

I sigh before the flashes, popping a smile at the shutters of the cameras. I’m on a stage and everypony is before me at tables, eating away in honor of our victory. I can see the girls in the front, all looking excited for me.

Afterall, I was the one who solved the case and came back alright. Fluttershy is smiling brightly, Applejack’s grinning, Pinkie is jumping, and Twilight has a half-smile, her eyes lost in the background.

Once the flashes are over and I shake a few hooves, a medal is placed over my neck and once again a few flashes go off. I’ve always wanted my life to be about this; everything about me and everyone wanting to know about me.

Now I just want to know what Spike is up to. But he’s no-where to be seen. I doubt he was invited, and even if he was, he hates crowds. I like that my friends are here and are happy for me, but I would love for Spike to be sitting next to them.

I guess with the case done, I should get use to that. He’s already disappeared, and he already made it known that he not returning home.

Oh, crap. Celestia’s giving me a speech. Awesome. Cool. Honored. Thanks, Celestia. The speech seems so hollow, and my respect for Celestia is missing. So many questions about the tunnel and how this Jim fellow had access to the mesuem. But even more so, why Spike, an apparent member of the Royal Family, isn’t gaining any recognition.

I bet he wouldn’t want the attention anyways.

The speech is done and I give my bow. I leave the stage and descend the steps, preparing to go to my friends and receive even more attention that I don’t feel like returning. Then something catches my eye.

Off in the distance, on a roof high enough to oversee the celebration, was a dragon with an apple in his claw. He tosses it in the air. Once he see’s that I see him – he smiles.

He catches his apple, points it at me, and takes a bite. He turns around and holds the apple to the sky, and with a wave, he walks away.

Is this the last time I’m going to see Spike the dragon?

“Oh hell no.”

I skip past my friends and get into a dash. I’m wearing my rainbow dress – the same one from the gala – so I can’t fly. But you sure as heck bet on me getting it dirty: I’m seeing Spike tonight even if it kills me.

I hear my friends call for me, but I run. The guard call to see if everything is alright, but I’m already out the door.

The dark streets only lighted by the streetlamps come into view, as I run into the darkness and briefly saved by the light. The wall running along with me on the left, and buildings of those who live here on my right.

I run to go see Spike the dragon.

“Looks who's trying to get out of bed early?”

“It’s only a bruise, the bandages overqualified for the job. I just want to get out of here as fast as I can.”

I turn the corner, the road getting darker. Fewer lamps are here, but I keep running; nothing's stopping me.

“You’re free to be free, Spike my buddy. Say, I brought the newspaper with me, wanna read it together?”

“I’ve glossed over it, but please, read it over to me.”

Another corner, barely any lights. I gotta keep going, even if I run into a pole!

“This is horsefeathers! Just because you’re a dragon you can be awarded?”

“More to it than that, Dash. By my being involved, the faith in the Royal guard dimminses. Dragons are dumb foes around here, so for one to do their job better than them, then we’ll see an uprising.”

“That’s still not fair!”

“Most things aren’t Dash. My life has always been like that; away from the masses, and lately, by those close to me. I prefer my solitude because I can be think and live as I wish.”

“Even at the cost of your health.”

“I don’t care for life Dash; whatever keeps me entertained.”

Next street, slim and no lights. I trudge on through the darkness.

“So, this is it, eh? Hm, even though I dislike the title, it was a lot of fun being you number one assistant.”

“After that fight, I think partner in crime suits you best. But as with all good things, they must come to an end. Heh, it’s been fun, Rainbow Dash. Meeting you and going on this case has been a lot of fun, plus it made me think to.”

“Think, eh? Did it  m-make you think about... making friends?”

“I’m afraid I’m still heartless. Even if we aren’t friends, we’re still partners. And it was of the greatest pleasure of knowing your existence – thanks to you, I talk a bit more simple now.”

“Is that a compliment?.”

“It is. Thank you, my dear Rainbow Dash. You hold so much wisdom that you aren’t even aware of yet. But hey, maybe one day, in the future, if we meet again, you can show me a better way to live my life.”

“Goodbye Spike. And even though you’re already gone, you’ll always be more than a partner on a whacky case to me. You’ll always be my friend.”

The darkness offers no support in slightest, but I can see the building from whence Spike stood on. Maybe he’s still up there, eating his dumb apple. And maybe, we’ll—