Chapter 6: Our Last Night

"Who wants cupcakes~?" Pinkie Pie sang while she appeared from behind a couch causing her five friends to yelp in surprise, or in Rainbow's case jump to the ceiling. Only Spike remained mostly unaffected, still, he was holding a pillow in front of his face, just in case.

"Gosh darn it, girl! How many times do we have to tell you to not do that!" Applejack reprimanded before taking a cupcake from the tray Pinkie was presenting.

"I'm glad you got your Pinkieness back, Pinkie Pie dear, but I'm afraid I'll need some time to get-- Could you pass me the strawberry one, Applejack?-- used to it again, darling." Rarity finished receiving the cupcake and then take a dainty little nom on it.

"Sorry," Pinkie said with a giggle. "You can come down now, Dashie!"

Rainbow landed on her spot on the couch watching as Fluttershy and Twilight received their cupcakes before glaring at Pinkie. "I am so pranking you for that."

"Just don't let it become a prank war, okay? Ponyville is not yet ready to withstand that." Spike said taking his emerald infused cupcake. He put it in his maw and chomped for a few seconds. "Ofh mah gosh, thisshh ish shou good!" He swallowed. "I actually forgot what eating felt like!" Spike said slurping his lips. "My compliments to the chef." He said bowing his head to Pinkie.

Pinkie giggled before handing him another cupcake out from her mane. "Here, I made you an extra one, just in case!"

"Can we focus on the show again? It's about to get to the good part!" Twilight said before nibbling on her cupcake and Pinkie taking her seat once more.

The group of seven turned their attention back to the crystalline screen and saw a pony wearing leather armor and a thick black back fur cloth. The stallion had in his hands a bastard sword with the pommel ending in the head of a white wolf. He then abruptly cut a rope and four other ponies; three stallions and one colt got hanged and began to squirm for air. The scene then showed several ponies, griffons, and zebras looking at the four dying stallions for several moments until they were dead and unmoving.

"Heck yeah, they got what they deserved for killing Hoof Snow," Rainbow whispered with a satisfied grin.

"A bit unrealistic though, it takes a long while to be hanged like that," Applejack commented.

"Shhh, just enjoy the awesome," Twilight muttered, her grin wider than Rainbow's.

The group kept watching as Hoof Snow talked with another pony. Spike glanced at the six girls seeing them wearing their warm pajamas; wings and horns recovered and fully healed. He himself wore nothing except for the iron collar around his neck; both because he didn't want to and because he now felt comfortable without them. He smiled lightly seeing his closest and best friends huddled together enjoying something from way back in the day.

"My watch is ended." Hoof Snow stated before walking down a stone tunnel while many others watched him go. Then the credits rolled.

"Oh C'mon! They ended it there?" Pinkie complained crossing her arms. "Pinkie not happy! Put the next, put the next!"

"That was the last episode to come out before, you know," Fluttershy said standing up. There was a moment of silence before she turned to her friends. "But I heard that they are planning on continuing the show later," Fluttershy added with a sincere, warm smile.

"I hope those rumors are true. I really want to see what's going to happen next!" Twilight exclaimed while she stood up and stretched out. "It's still early enough, do you want to play a game? How about Mono--"

"No." Six voices called at the same time.

"B-But--"

"No." The six voices called again.

"I was just suggesting--!"

"No." Again, the six voices called.

"Ughhhh, fine then! Spike, do you still have your Ogres and Oubliettes game?"

"Suuure have it!" He smirked. "Buuuut we are not going to play it. You're no guys. Ogres and Oubliettes is for Guys Night and guys only. Sorry, dudette."

"... Do you want us to start a makeover session with you as our test subject again, Spike?" Twilight asked with half closed eyes. The remaining five mares looking at him with almost mocking expressions.

Spike, defiant, crossed his arms. "Do your worst."

*Half an hour later*

"I have made a huge mistake..." Spike lamented as he saw his face covered in makeup. His eyelids were now heavy with eyeshadow, fake eyelashes, cheeks had a faint pink blush cover, his lips covered in red lipstick, and Rarity had even managed to get a set of earrings on his ear-fins.

"Pish-posh, darling. You brought this onto yourself," Rarity said barely holding back her giggling. "Such a shame you don't have a mane, I know the peeeeerfect style that would fit you," she then flicked her mane.

Spike was about to say something but decided to keep the secret that he could alter the shape of his crest at will for short moments.

"You look so pretty like that, Barbara!" Applejack called.

"B-Barbara!?" Spike half-yelled. "Twilight! You promised not to tell them!"

"Uhmmmm.... sorry?" Twilight offered without much honesty.

"Relax Barby-Waby, it's not your fault you dressed like a filly when you were just a little hatchling!" Rainbow said before erupting into a fit of laughter and wheezing. Pinkie soon joined her, hugging each other trying to control their laughter.

"Fine then, laugh it up for all I care!" Spike called crossing his arms while his face was struck by a heavy blush.

"I think you look really pretty, Barbara. But I think I like you better as a male," Fluttershy said with a little giggle of her own.

"Et Tu, Fluttershy?" Spike deadpanned before looking at the clock. "Oh, would you look at the time. I better get over to the kitchen before the cookies burn. Be back soon," Spike got up and walked out of the royal bedroom where the rest of the girls were now trying to make Rainbow and Pinkie stop laughing. He smiled widely as he made his way to the kitchen.

Soon enough, he entered the kitchen in time to hear a chiming sound coming from one of the many ovens. He walked up to it, opened it, and then pulled out a tray fresh of cookies. He smelled them and his mouth watered.

"Perfect," Spike whispered to himself watching his rich chocolate creations with pride. He then walked to the nearby table and put the tray on it. "Nnnggghhh!" He grunted in pain as he took a hold of his chest and leaned forward on the table, there he saw his reflection and his flickering eyes changing from green to white. "N-not yet, please." He grunted again. "Not yet." He whispered pressing his chest. After a few agonizing seconds, the pain stopped and he sighed in relief.

"Spike?" A somewhat worried voice called. "I-is something the matter, dearest?"

Spike turned to face Rarity, the mare wearing her white, furry pajama, and his eyes focused a moment on the S shaped mark on the side of her neck before drifting up to meet hers. He then smiled widely showing her his fangs.

"Dandy! I was afraid the cookies weren't done yet. Turns out they are more than perfect!" Spike let out a throaty laugh. He watched as Rarity visibly relaxed and she walked up to him.

"Do you need any help, dearest?"

"Nah, the cookies just need a while to cool off enough for you girls. How are the rest of the girls doing?"

"Twilight and Applejack managed to calm Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie down and Fluttershy went to the ladies room. I decided to see if you needed any help, Spikey."

"So thoughtful of you, thank you, Rarity. No wonder you're the Bearer of Generosity," he chuckled. "But as I said before, I think I can manage on my own here. Although, there is one thing you can help me with if you want to."

Rarity smiled. "Of course! I'll do whatever I can to help you, Spikey."

Spike smiled back before his expression turned a little bit more serious. "Listen, Rarity, we all know I won't be around for much longer-- let me finish--" Spike interrupted raising a claw before Rarity could protest. "And well, I don't want to leave before making sure a few loose ends are taken care off. And I only have one more to tie down." Spike turned for a moment to see the cookies. He picked up the tray and turned back. "Rarity, would you... take care of Peewee when he comes back? I think he's going to take a couple of years more until he matures, and I don't want to leave him alone like that."

Rarity looked into his eyes for several seconds, her posture unmoving and her expression firm. Finally, she slowly nodded. "Y-yes, a-anything for you, precious scales. I'll...I will take care of poor Peewee for you, d-d-dearest."

"Rarity, please, don't cry," Spike begged.

Rarity shook her head and wiped her forming tears away. "You're right. This night is supposed to be a happy event!" Rarity smiled at him. "C-come on now, Spikey dearest, the girls must be eager to eat your scrumptious looking cookies!" She then turned around, using her magic to grab Spike's left wrist and gently pull him.

They traveled in silence until they heard the voices of their friends coming from the only partially illuminated room left in the castle.

The seven friends enjoyed themselves with jokes, memories, short games, and a pillow fight-turned-war for a couple of hours more until the mares were all but spent. Spike was ready to leave and let them rest when a magical aura picked him up and tossed him onto the ample bed.

"Ouufff!" Spike said upon landing.

"Where do you think you're going?" Twilight asked sitting next to him. "Did you honestly thought you were getting away that easily? Oh no, you're sleeping with the rest of us, Spike."

"B-But..." Spike stammered, but otherwise the usual repugnance he felt when a female was near... it simply wasn't there for some reason. He looked at the six pairs of eyes looking at him, silently pleading him to stay. "Okay. But only because I don't want to leave you unprotected."

"Dragon Snuggle Pile!" Pinkie cheered before taking a hold of his tail and hugged it close. "Good night!" And just like that, she was asleep the next second.

One by one, the mares carefully picked a spot to sleep on: Twilight and Rarity snuggled at each side of Spike. Applejack and Rainbow moved until their heads rested at each side of Spike's head whilst laying on opposite directions. And Fluttershy slept close by holding in between her hands one of his hands.

"Sleep tight, Spike. We have a big day tomorrow," Twilight yawned and snuggled a little closer to the drake.

"I'm not going. I'll be of more use here helping to rebuild than sitting over at Canterlot. Besides, I don't even need to sleep anymore." Spike said before a yawn escaped his throat.

"Just sleep already, Barbara." Rainbow let out a chuckle before yawning, too. "Dang, I'm pretty beat. Great cookies, though."

Spike smiled and closed his eyes. He yawned once more and for the first and last time since merging with th Crystal Heart, he allowed himself to fall asleep; surrounded by his best friends. Knowing too, that they would sleep peacefully with him being near them. Just like in his cherished memories.

And a peaceful slumber passed for all seven of them.

Author's Note

Special thanks to everyone that read this!