It's Hero Time!

The girls and I teleported to the training grounds at the everfree castle. The girls said I could explore the castle as they tried out their new gear. I explored and noticed Discord and Steel, Discord looked at me. “Spike? What are you doing here?”

“The girls are trying out the gear that Steel made for them.” I said.

“So they’re in the training yard?” Steel asked.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

Discord snapped his talon. “There, they shouldn’t be able to see what’s going on here.”

The girls in the yard were adjusting to the new gear. Rainbow was flapping her wings with the new wing blades on them. “How do they feel Dash?” Twilight asked.

“It’s weird, it feels like there’s something on my wings but it’s so light I can barely notice.” She said.

“Well let’s see how well you fly with them, though take it easy. We don’t know how well these things perform at high speeds.” Twilight suggested.

“You got it egghead.” Rainbow started to fly around at a regular pegasai pace, as she flew the blades adjusted with her flight pattern. She started to go at a faster pace, and soon her regular rainbow streak was following behind her as she flew through the air. “THIS IS AWESOME!” Rainbow slowed down and met with the other girls, she looked at Twilight. “It can keep up with my speeds.”

“Now let’s test the self defense capabilities.” Twilight launched a rock into the air at Rainbow’s direction and she sliced at it with her blades. The rock was sliced clean in half and then she sliced it into more pieces. The pebbles landed on the gravel and seemingly disappeared into the ocean of rocks below.

“That was so cool.” Rainbow said as she landed.

The girls continued to test out their new gear and their new defenses. But on the Chimerian Hammer Vilgax was observing the pony’s new acquisitions. “Damn them. Turning my own technology against me!” Vilgax crushed the head of a drone. “If they want a fight, then I’ll give them a fight.” Vilgax brought up a data pad. “Get me Sixsix. I have a bounty for him.”

The ponies were trying out their new blasters and testing the range on it. I was busy messing with the omnitrix and looking through the aliens I had. Then a blaster shot next to my head and I looked up. To see Rainbow was the one who shot at me. “Watch where you aim those things!”

“Are you just going to sit around or do you want to spar?” Rainbow asked.

My eyebrows grew into a v shape and activated the omnitrix and turned into Heatblast. “You’re going to regret doing that.” I shot fire at her and she used her wing blades as a shield and planted herself into the ground. I rushed and swung at her and she responded using her blaster and shot at me, it didn’t hurt as much I thought it would and then I looked around. “Where are the other-”

The some of the other girls jumped out of hiding places and shot at me as well. “Sorry Spike!” Rarity shouted. I rolled out of the way and blasted fire at her. “EEEK!” She shouted and dodged. “IT. IS. ON!”

I chuckled and twisted the omnitrix symbol and hit it, transforming into Four Arms. Pinkie tried to attack me from behind and I grabbed her her and tossed her over my shoulder. She laughed and twisted in the air, landing on her hooves. “This is unfair!” I said.

“Sorry Spike but we have to test both ourselves and yourself.” Twilight said out loud and I reached into a bush and pulled the pesky purple pony out.

“Then I hope you’re ready to fly.” I smirked and her eyes widened.

“Spike you’re in so much TROUBLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEE!” She shouted as I launched her into the air. She spread her wings and extended her wing blades and dived after me. I looked to see Rainbow was doing the same thing. I waited until they were almost upon me and then rolled out of the way causing the both of them to crash into each other.

I smirked. “You’re going to have to do harder than that to get me.” I ran into the forest, transformed into Ghostfreak and went invisible.

The girls grouped up and walked around the forest. “Come on out sugarcube.” Applejack said. “It will make it much easier on you.”

“Are you sure about that?” I said, my voice causing chills down their spines.

“Gosh darn it. He’s Ghostfreak.” AJ said.

“Great, now he can hit us from anywhere.” Rainbow looked all around.

The girls were all back to back so I tied all their tails together. Then I made myself visible in front of Fluttershy. “Boo.” Fluttershy shrieked and that caused all the girls to jump and try to run but their tails pulled them back and made them hit each other and land in a pile.

Twilight looked at their tails. “Real mature Spike.” Twilight untied their tails using her magic.

“The omnitrix is almost out anyways. Let’s head back.” I appeared in front of them and let it timeout.

The girls sighed and we all head back to the training ground. “How did you figure out how to change aliens while you are one?” Twilight asked.

“I thought that if I could change into aliens then why not apply the same principle while I am an alien.” I said to her.

She wrapped me in a hug. “I’m proud of you Spike, you’re becoming a real genius.”

“Well, it’s kind of hard not to when you live with one.” I said and Twilight smiled.

“You’re such a charmer.” Twilight said as we got back to the training grounds, but when we did get there. The princesses, Discord, and Steel Gear were standing there. “Princesses? What are you doing here?”

“We are here to inform you of the threat we face.” Luna declared.

I walked up and joined the others, “Twilight, it’s no coincidence that you received these prototypes.” Celestia said. “In fact I ordered it.”

“What are you saying?” Fluttershy asked.

“That we have known much more than we let on.” Discord said. “We have kept this knowledge hidden from the public for their safety.”

“We know who created the omnitrix.” Steel said. “We know who wants it.”

“And now we can no longer keep it hidden from you.” Celestia said.

“Spike did you know about this?” Twilight asked me and I nodded.

“Not much, but I did know some.” I said.

“Please don’t be angry with Spike, Twilight I was the one who asked him to keep it a secret.” Celestia said.

“Can somepony please explain what’s going on?” Rainbow asked.

Steel stepped forward. “Like Celestia said it’s not a coincidence that I made you these prototypes. I’m actually a part of an intergalactic police force called the Plumbers. We monitor the planet’s activity and keep the peace. We have been hidden from the public and scattered throughout the planet keeping the citizens safe from alien attack.”

“But now we face an even bigger threat than we could ever imagine.” Luna said. “Which is why we are telling you six.”

“What about us?” AJ asked.

“Time and time again you girls have shown courage in the face of adversity and were the victors.” Celestia explained. “Now, we need your help.”

“R-Really?” Rarity asked.

“Yes.” Discord said. “As much as I hate to admit it, but we cannot face Vilgax with the forces we have now. I may be the lord of chaos, but Vilgax doesn’t want chaos. He wants destruction, by any means necessary.”

“Which is why the Plumbers need you.” Steel said. “We will formally train and prepare you for any alien threat, that includes you Spike.”

“I know.” I nodded.

“Why keep it a secret?” Twilight questioned her former mentor.

“Because we were not ready for the truth.” Celestia said. “But now it may be too late. Secrets or not, we need to be prepared. I know you’re more than upset with us Twilight but think of all the things that happened here that you six have struggled with.” Celestia pointed out.

Twilight looked down at the gravel. “You could have trusted us.”

“Young Sparkle, trust is not something that is easily come by. Whether you are a friend, or a sibling.” Luna looked to her sister. “It can take years before you can fully trust somepony, with everything.”

The girls looked down, Celestia spoke up again. “Like it or not, we can and will make mistakes. No one in this entire universe is ever perfect. But if keeping a secret means protecting my subjects, then I’m willing to make that sacrifice. But now, are you girls willing to keep that secret?”

The girls looked at each other. Then Pinkie stepped forward. “I am.”

“Pinkie?” Twilight asked.

“Girls, not everything is going to be all smiles and a party. If keeping this secret means that the cake foals can grow up to be the best bakers ever, then I’m willing to make a sacrifice.” Pinkie said. “I’m not thinking of myself, but I’m thinking of those who will make this land their own. The next generation.” Soon Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow joined them. Fluttershy gulped and stepped forward as well.

Twilight was the only one who hadn’t stepped forward and the girls looked at her and so did I. “Twilight?” I asked and she said nothing. “Mom?” She looked up at me.

“I just, don’t know how to feel.” She admitted. “This is all so much.”

“Twilight, if you feel any anger at all it should be towards me.” Celestia said. “It was my decision not to tell you.”

“I am a bit angry, but at the same time I understand. Then I think back to a lesson you taught me. I hold it close to myself every day.” Twilight wiped a tear from her eye. “The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. I don’t think I’ll truly understand why you decided to do what you did princess, but I guess I’ll just have to deal with it.” Twilight stepped forward.

“Twilight, words cannot express how proud I am of you, of all of you.” Celestia said. “Twilight you have been a natural born leader, it’s part of the reason why I made you a princess. But now I think it’s time for somepony else to take the position of leadership. Or should I say, somedrake?” Celestia looked at me.

“M-Me?” I pointed to myself.

“Yes, Spike. You.” Celestia said. “There are a few things I’d wish to address before continuing.” Celestia turned back to the girls. “There has been a drastic change in the attitude in the six of you since after Spike had received the omnitrix.”

“How do you mean?” Applejack asked.

“Your respect towards him or lack thereof.” Celestia noted. “Previously you have left Spike in the wind and treated him like a pet.” Her eyes narrowed. “I must say I am ashamed of you girls for treating him so. Just because he isn’t a pony doesn’t mean he’s a lesser creature.” The girls all took a sudden interest in the ground below them. “Do you have any explanation to as why you would treat him like this?”

“No ma’am.” Twilight barely squeaked out in front of the solar diarch menacing gaze.

“Twilight I must say I’m ashamed of you most of all.” Celestia’s gaze turned softer. “You took an innocent child and turned him into a tool of convenience. You were the one who brought Spike into this world, and you saw him as nothing more than an assistant. How do you think that would make him feel?”

Twilight was crying now. “It would make him feel like that I didn’t really care for him, like I didn’t see him as a part of my family.”

“And you girls didn’t treat him with much respect until he got the omnitrix. Ignoring him.” Fluttershy winced. “Teasing and making fun of him for not being a REAL dragon.” Rainbow sighed. “Treating him like he was insane for trying to help.” Applejack looked down. “Not listening to him when he needed a friend.” Pinkie’s mane deflated. “But most of all, using his feelings to your advantage.” Celestia stopped at Rarity, who had tears in her eyes. “For every friendship report I got from Twilight and you girls, I also got a letter from Spike.” Celestia stopped. “You girls all hold the paragon of harmony and friendship within yourselves. But friendship is not just limited to you six. You all should know that.”

The girls all nodded then slowly approached me and held me tight in a group hug, repeating the words I’m sorry. For the first time in a few years, I felt like I was one of them.

“As heartwarming as this moment is, we have work to do and I don’t think that copy of you will hold for much longer Tia.” Discord said.

“You’re right Discord.” Celestia looked back at the six girls. “You all need to do some deep soul searching before you return here.” Celestia and Luna lit up their horns and teleported back to Canterlot.

“While you seven talk, Discord and I will contact the other Plumbers and help with restoring the castle to a proper defendable position.” Steel said.

The girls nodded and Discord teleported them back into Twilight’s castle. When the girls got back to the castle I separated from the hug. “I need to do some thinking.” I walked out and went into my room.

The girls looked at each other then they departed as well. Twilight walked slowly to her room. She thought back to when she was fighting Tirek and when he shot that energy beam towards the library. She saved her owl and the journal for her and the girls. She never even thought about Spike. “He could have died, and it would have been all my fault.” She then thought back to their room, and how he slept in a basket. Like a dog, “I had a comfortable bed that I could have shared, but I didn’t.” When she got into her room she found a picture book, on the cover was Memories. It was a gift for her parents after she lost Golden Oaks.

She opened the book and leafed through the pages. She saw herself as a baby, then a filly, then she had Spike, the little baby dragon that was too busy sucking the tip of his tail to pay attention to anything else. Except when it came time to eat, still she was so happy she felt like she had the chance to be the bigger sibling for once. It was clear that as a baby he thought Twilight was his mother, but being a clueless filly she didn’t know any better. Twilight sighed and noticed how Spike appeared less and less as she moved to Ponyville. “I treated my baby like a slave…” She cried to herself. Though her crying was interrupted by the opening of a door. When she looked up she saw the little baby dragon.

I saw Twilight was crying, it was obvious her eyes were red and I could hear her crying. I walked into her room and sat next to her. She wrapped her hooves around me and held me tight. “I’m so sorry Spike.” I hugged her back, not saying anything. She pet my head gently with her hoof.

I can’t say that I agree with what Celestia said, but it needed to be said. Because deep down I felt that I wasn’t accepted by the girls. We soon both fell asleep in the other’s arms.