Chapter 1: Sunburst's Favor
Author's Note
My second attempt at a story. Read at your pleasure.
For those who enjoy Spike's new mansion. It's unfortunately put on hold for now. Also, this story is unrelated to Spike's new Mansion.
Chapter 1: Sunburst's Favor
During an average day within the quiet town of Ponyville, Ponies were going about their usual business and routines. Some were managing their stores at the marketplace, others were simply having a good day. One dragon in particular was walking through town, enjoying his free time and no catastrophe befalling over their heads.
He just finished helping out his farmer mare friend, Applejack, at the farm. The orange mare needed an extra hoof… or claw, with harvesting the apples. Spike was happy to help, especially if he got a chance to have a piece of Granny Smith’s delicious apple pies. Once evening began to show itself, Spike completed the last of the harvesting and headed home, ready to relax.
Spike continued on with his walk, humming to himself, taking a path back home to the Castle of Friendship. While Spike kinda missed the quiet and cozy Golden Oaks library that was his and Twilight’s home, he quickly adapted to living in a large castle made of crystals. Unlike Starlight, it was easy to know the place inside-out. He had to help his unicorn friend how to navigate the place after a few embarrassing walk-ins with him in the bathroom… in nothing but a towel.
Spike mentally slapped himself back from his thoughts as turned onto the main path to the castle.
“I wonder what Twilight and Starlight are doing?” Spike thought to himself. “Knowing Twilight, she’s probably reshelving books in the library again.”
Spike chuckled to himself on that thought. Since the day he was brought under Twilight’s care, he had to deal with the bookworms antics with the library. Though the dragon was often annoyed at handling any kind of large book, aside from comic books, Twilight loved every chance the purple alicorn got when handling any book, be it reading or sorting.
Spike finally reached the front door but upon opening and entering, a couple of loud voices were heard.
“Aw come on Starlight! I’m begging you!!” A male voiced shouted from across the hallway to the map room. The voice sounded familiar to Spike.
“I’m not doing it and there is nothing you can do or say that will change my mind!” A mare’s voice said in angry defiance. This voice Spike recognized was indeed his housemate, Starlight Glimmer.
Spike peaked past the opened door and saw three ponies he knew all too well. Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship, sitting at her throne in between the two other ponies, the orange furred Sunburst and Starlight.
Starlight Glimmer was a tall unicorn with pale-pink coat with a purple mane that had aquamarine streaks in it. She also possessed a slime hourglass figure with nicely shaped breasts and hips.
Twilight Sparkle, Spike’s surrogate elder sister, was a purple alicorn with a light purple coat and a deep purple mane that had various purple and pink streaks in it. She had a figure similar to Starlight but since becoming an alicorn, her womanly assets become more pronounced. Though Spike wouldn’t really admit it but he has noticed such a development.
Sunburst, his friend from the Crystal Empire, was a bright orange stallion with orange-red hair. Physically, Sunburst was borderline lanky in comparison to an average Stallion. He kinda reminded Spike of his younger days, just entering his teenage years, before he developed more muscles.
All three looked well into their mid-twenties while Spike just passed the adult age of twenty.
“Please Starlight, would you do this for a friend?” Sunburst pleaded.
From what Spike could see on Sunburst’s face, he really looked desperate. Almost ready to drop onto his knees to get Starlight to comply with whatever he needs.
“I’m not going to Sire’s Hollow just so you can avoid your mom’s obsession with “modernizing” the town.” Starlight said with an annoyed tone in her voice.
“I-It’s not really that! She just needs an honest, outside opinion with her plans for the town.” Sunburst replied in honesty but with a sheepish, pleading smile.
“Oh please, you just don’t want to hear anymore of her crazy ideas or want to hear her scold you for not finding a marefriend.” Starlight pointed out with narrowed eyes.
Sunburst’s shoulders slumped in defeat. It was true that Stellar Flare had some schemes to get the two together but such plans only annoyed Starlight and embarrassed him.
Twilight looked both uncomfortable and nervous. She didn’t like seeing two friends argue and tried to be the peacekeeper but when it reached their personal issues, it only became awkward.
“What’s going on?” Spike chimed in.
All three ponies looked towards the entrance and saw Spike enter.
“Oh Spike! Your back from AJ’s.” Twilight said in surprise.
“Yeah, a good workout for the day. So what’s going on with you three?” Spike asked again.
“It’s nothing Spike, just Sunburst wants me to go to Sire’s Hollow to be his mom’s assistant in her committee’s project.” Twilight explained with slight annoyance in her voice.
“Please Starlight!?” Sunburst begged again. “I’ll do anything! I’ll give you some of my more valuable books.”
Starlight gave a deadpanned look. Though Twilight looked interested, it was a failed bargain to convince Starlight.
“Not. Going. To happen.” Starlight said sternly, cowing Sunburst.
“(sighs) I’ll take anyone at this point but all the other ponies I’ve asked refused or said they didn’t have time.” Sunburst said in defeat.
After a moment of thought (or sulking on Sunburst’s part), Spike stepped forward.
“Well, I could fill in for you.” Spike volunteered.
All three ponies looked at Spike in utter surprised. Sunburst looked like he met his savior while Starlight looked at him with dread in her eyes. Twilight looked a little concerned, likely out of her protective nature when it comes to him.
“You do that for me Spike?” Sunburst asked, hoping he heard right.
“Yeah, I mean I’ve rarely left Ponyville in the recent years. The only places I’ve ever really gone to was Canterlot to visit Celestia, the Crystal Empire being its hero and all or to Appleloosa to see the rodeos .” Spike reasoned. “So going to somewhere like Sire’s Hollow would be a nice and quiet adventure.”
Starlight chuckled nervously a bit. “That’s all ok Spike, but you don’t really know anything about Sire’s Hollow or being a critic to a development committee.” Starlight pointed out.
“True but since I’ve been to both rural and urban places, I could provide some good input to balance out Stellar’s plans so they don’t resemble a shopping mall.” Spike explained. “That and I have experience in being a good, faithful assistant.”
Twilight looked deep in thought, analyzing Spike’s proposal and he did make some good points. Starlight still didn’t like the idea of Spike going to Sire’s Hollow to be an eccentric mare’s assistant but then again he’s been Twilight’s assistant since the beginning and if he could handle being Twilight’s assistant, then he could probably handle Stellar Flare. Sunburst looked completely on board with this plan.
“He makes some good points Starlight.” Twilight said in agreement. “I don’t normally like Spike going on extended trips but this could be a good experience for him.”
Starlight looked back at her former teacher ready to argue again but sighed in defeat. “Alright, it does sound like a good plan but I still don’t like it.”
“YES!!” Sunburst cried out in joy. He ran over to Spike and shaked his hand wildly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Spike!”
“N-No problem, Sunburst.” Spike said, a little surprised with Sunburst’s joyous outburst.
“I’ll send a letter to my mom immediately, telling her I can’t make it and that you will be filling in for me.” Sunburst said before zooming past Spike and out of the map room.
“Well… looks like I better pack things together.” Spike said before taking his leave. Though his back was turned, he could feel both Twilight’s concerned gaze and Starlight’s annoyed stare.
After Spike left, Twilight and Starlight almost immediately looked at each other.
“I still don’t like this.” Starlight firmly stated. “I feel Stellar Flare is going to be a bad influence on him.”
“Oh don’t be like that Starlight.” Twilight replied. “This could be good for Spike. Visiting a different town than those he’s used to and being an assistant to a pony besides me could be good experience.”
“Maybe Twilight.” Starlight said with reservation. ‘Either that or be eaten alive by a crazy urban planner.’ She thought in dread.
Chapter 2: Welcome to Sire's Hollow
On a train heading for the small town of Sire’s Hollow, Spike and Sunburst were enjoying the quiet ride to Sunburst’s and Starlight’s hometown. Sunburst came along only to briefly introduce Spike to his mother and then take another train back to the Crystal Empire. Though he could’ve just left instructions for Spike to find Stellar Flare, both Twilight and Starlight “insisted” that Sunburst should at least show Spike around and introduce him to Stellar Flare before heading back up north.
Spike glanced out the window, observing the land as the train moved without a problem. Sunburst remained glued to one of his books he brought along for the trip. Spike couldn’t help but make the similarities between Sunburst and Twilight, both loved books and reading books, almost regardless to the type of book. However, a part of Spike wanted to ask Sunburst a few questions regarding his temporary job as Stellar Flare’s assistant.
“Hey Sunburst.” Spike said, gaining his attention. “Exactly what kind of project is this Development Committee of your mom’s doing?”
“She didn’t really give me specifics but last time I was there, my mom and her group were seriously considering in either doing a restaurant or some kind of shop that ponies from all over would want to visit.” Sunburst explained.
“That sounds like a tall order for a town like Sire’s Hollow.” Spike thought honestly. “The town doesn’t exactly have the living space to contain a massive tourism boom.”
“That’s what I said.” Sunburst replied. “My mom’s committee has been working for weeks to fix that problem. I can only imagine what she came up with.” He said with a hint of dread in his voice.
“I’m sure it won’t be that bad.” Spike tried to assure his friend.
“I can only hope, Spike. I mean she did practically transform half of the town into a shopping mall fit for Manehattan or Las Pegasus.” Sunburst remembered embarrassingly. “Only Starlight’s dad, Firelight, and his Preservation Society stopped most her plans but also tried to make the town into a museum.”
“Sounds like a real mess when you and Starlight visited during your friendship mission.” Spike replied.
“It nearly was until Starlight and I were able to set them straight a bit.” Sunburst confirmed. “But there are still times my mom can go a little overboard with the planning for the town.”
“Look Sunburst, I may not have experience in town-planning, but I do when it comes to mares who are very plan-oriented and I will do my best to make sure she doesn’t cause any more problems.” Spike promised.
“Thanks Spike. I really appreciate this.” Sunburst said in complete gratitude. “We should be reaching Sire’s Hollow soon. Better get prepared.”
Back at Twilight’s Castle, Starlight was having snacks with Twilight but it was clear to the alicorn that something was bothering her former pupil.
“What’s the matter Starlight?” Twilight asked with concern.
“It’s nothing Twilight.” Starlight defended but the look on her face said differently and Twilight knew it. “Oh alright.” She groaned
“I don’t think it was a good idea to have Spike volunteer as Sunburst’s mom’s assistant. Even if it is just a couple of days.” Starlight explained.
“Oh come on Starlight, even I didn’t get this worried over Spike during his trip for mother’s day in Canterlot to see Celestia or his invitation to the Dragon Lands to visit Ember.” Twilight recalled. “Spike will be fine. What’s the worst Stellar Flare can do?”
“Be a bad influence for starters and she can be a little overbearing when it comes to becoming successful.” Starlight explained. “Listen, I don’t doubt that Spike can and will do an amazing job as an assistant but I just feel that he will get overwhelmed by her antics or even use him to get Sunburst more “friendship missions” since he’s practically related to you and has legitimately worked for you a bit.”
“I see your point Starlight.” Twilight agreed. “From what you told me when you got back from your friendship mission with Sunburst, Stellar Flare can be a little eccentric. But if he is able to handle helping me and the other girls, I’m sure Spike will do fine.”
“Maybe.” Starlight spoke aloud while glancing away.
“Is there something your not telling me Starlight?” Twilight asked suspiciously.
“Well…. I didn’t really want to say it in front of Sunburst but Stellar Flare has garnered another kind of reputation.” Starlight answered very nervously.
“And what kind of reputation is that?”
“...The kind that says Stellar Flare is the… hottest single mare in Sire’s Hollow…” Starlight said with a very sheepish smile. “Annnnd she might have a thing for young guys….”
Twilight’s eyes widened like the full moon in horror as she dropped her tea cup.
“WHAT HAVE I DONE!?!?!” Twilight screamed which could be heard across the castle and a bit through Ponyville, causing some people to freeze in their tracks. Starlight was already hiding beneath the coffee table.
It was no secret, except maybe to the dragon himself, that Spike was considered very attractive and that most mare’s wanted to date him or do so much more. The entire Crystal Empire mare population (minus one pink alicorn princess just slightly), would love nothing more than to spend nights ravishing the young dragon or him ravishing them. Even some of the Mane 6 have spent nights making love to the dragon, two mare’s in particular, and Twilight is still very upset about that.
Now though, the purple alicorn has practically thrown him into the lap of Sire’s Hollow “hottest mare”. Perfect, just perfect.
Meanwhile, in Sire’s Hollow, a middle-aged but highly attractive orange-coated unicorn mare with orange-red hair was walking through town to the train station with a small group of mares.
Stellar Flare, head of the Sire’s Hollow Development Committee, had a nice hourglass figure with perfect breeding-ready hips, a juicy rear, large breasts that jiggled with every bit of movement. She was wearing a professional navy blue business suit that formed perfectly over her figure. However, the top part of her shirt was unbuttoned a bit, showing a decent amount of cleavage that would make anyone have difficulty focusing. Around her neck was a fine and beautiful pearl necklace. Finally, there was a certain beauty mark on the top part of her left breast. Certainly an attention grabber.
“Are you sure everything is set up?” Stellar Flare asked her grey-coated associate.
“Yes, Miss Flare.” Ever Essence spoke. “Your office and that of your new assistant’s is ready at the projects location.”
“Good, I can’t wait to finish this project.” Stellar smiled as they neared the train station. Though part of her was a little annoyed.
Stellar Flare hoped that her son would work with her on her committee’s new project for Sire’s Hollow’s development. Unlike some of her previous ideas, Stellar believed this project would work. As such, Stellar wanted her son to be a part of its success but instead he found a stranger to take his place as her assistant. At first, she protested but Sunburst made a convincing case that this friend of his was more than qualified for the job.
In his letter, Sunburst listed his friend as having experience as an assistant, is hardworking and practical. Not to mention, he is well-known up north in the Crystal Empire. Though Stellar was still a bit upset that Sunburst found a way to avoid spending time with her, if this friend of his proved capable then she will let it slide for now.
The group finally made to the train station, which during Sunburst’s last visit was just a wooden platform. Stellar Flare smirked in satisfaction that one of her latest projects worked out. She and her committee upgraded the area where the train stops, allowing a legitimate train station to be built and provide some new jobs to the town. It was one of the few projects that even Firelight and his Preservation Society actually approved of, thus making it quick to plan and make.
It could best be compared to Ponyville’s train station, humble and decently sized yet more modern in aesthetic design.
Stellar Flare could hear the train whistle from the distance, marking the train’s arrival in just a few minutes. Part of the mare was getting a little impatient, she wanted to meet this friend of her son’s and get a quick interview to see if he is what Sunburst says he is. Only then could she finally finish her newest development project.
The train finally slowed down to a halt, allowing its few passengers to disembark and Stellar Flare was lightly tapping her hoof in impatience in waiting for her son and his friend to appear. After a minute, she recognized the bright coat and red mane stallion that was her son. However, what walked beside him really caught her attention and that of her group. An average-sized adult dragon with a decent yet attractive build, purple scales and green spikes who Stellar couldn’t take her eyes off. The same could be said for her group. Ever Essence’s face was bringing up a bright blush while the others were starting to give bedroom eyes towards the drake. One was even slightly drooling a bit.
Regaining her focus Stellar Flare called out to her son. “Sunburst! Over here, welcome home!” She recognized the messy red mane and gotee of his anywhere.
Sunburst and Spike heard Stellar Flare and walked over to her and her group. “Hi mom.” Sunburst meekly said as his mom gave him a strong hug.
“How do you like Sire Hollow’s new train station?” Stellar eagerly asked.
“I have to admit, I was kinda surprised to find a legitimate station outside of town.” Sunburst said. “Last time I was here there was nothing but a small platform. I take it you are behind this.”
“My Committee and I are responsible, yes.” Stellar said with a triumphant smile on her face.
“Well I gotta say, this project seems to work.” Sunburst admitted. “What do you think Spike?”
“I have to agree.” Spike said. “It’s not too big for the town yet modern looking. Kind of reminds me of the one we have in Ponyville, only ours is a bit more rustic.”
Stellar Flare’s attention then turned to the dragon whom Sunburst identified as Spike.
“So your my new assistant that Sunburst has found.” Stellar said with curiosity.
“That’s me. My name is Spike.” Spike said with a nervous smile, now that he was looking at a very attractive mare that was Sunburst’s mother.
“A pleasure to meet you.” Stellar said in a suggestive tone. “If you don’t me asking but could you provide me some qualifications you have? Sunburst didn’t exactly provide much in detail.”
“Oh well I’m sure he mentioned that I did quite a bit of work as an assistant and various other odd jobs.” Spike explained. “I lived in Canterlot when I was very young, went as far as Appleloosa and traveled up north to the Crystal Empire. So I have seen quite a bit for both urban and rural settings.”
“Very interesting and impressive.” Stellar was already liking this young drake and not just because he looked very fetching. “And who exactly were your employers during your time as an assistant?”
Sunburst now looked a bit scared.
“Well back in Canterlot, I worked as an assistant for certain figures but most of the time, I worked as the assistant for Twilight Sparkle.” Spike explained which caused Stellar’s eyes to widen in surprise.
“You mean Princess Twilight Sparkle!?!”
“Y-Yes…”
“Sunburst! Why didn’t you tell me!?” Stellar demanded. “I would’ve accepted him in a heartbeat if you told me he worked for royalty.”
“Yeah I wasn’t entirely sure how you would react.” Sunburst sheepishly admitted while looking away in embarrassment.
“Since he’s your friend, why didn’t you have him convince the Princess to give more missions?”
“Because it does not work like that!!!!” Sunburst yelled, leading to a slight stare off between mother and son, leaving everyone else feeling a little awkward.
“Um… He is right Miss Flare.” Spike said, hoping to end the staring and have everyone calm down.
“Really?” Stellar Flare said somewhat sarcastically but didn’t look quite convinced.
“Yes and I’ll explain that later but why don’t we head into town and get everything ready for this project.” Spike offered. “That is, if you accept me for the position.”
Stellar Flare looked him over and while he was drop dead gorgeous to her, he made a polite and valid point.
“Oh you have the job my dear and you are right, we should discuss this back in town.” Stellar said getting back to her more pleasant mood.
“Thank you Miss Flare.”
“Think nothing of it and please call me Stellar Flare or just Stellar if you would like.” Stellar Flare informed him with a suggestive look which caused Sunburst to raise an eyebrow a bit.
“If you would like Stellar.” Spike said nervously.
“Excellent.” Stellar proclaimed happily. She was already blushing and warming up on the inside.
“Well then Spike, Welcome to Sire’s Hollow.” Sunburst said hoping that he and Spike made a mistake… He also mentally slapped himself on account that he sounded like that annoying audio voice at the gate.
