XIII:
For the Great Master, from Spike. A goodbye present

Princess Celestia was happily waiting in front of Canterlot Station. Finally the train from Ponyville arrived, with Twilight Sparkle and her friends on it. The group of friends walked off the train headed by a certain over-energetic pink earth pony bouncing around.

“Hiya Princess Celestia! Sorry the delay, but we have a little situation in our hooves. Nothing to worry about, we only have problems taking Twilight out of the train.”

Celestia was surprised at first but then she chuckled and went to help Twilight get off the train.

Celestia couldn’t help but chuckle. “She got emotional, right?”

Pinkie Pie nodded and Celestia entered the train where the others were trying to move Twilight away from a mountain of used tissues as she continued to cry.

“I am so HAPPPPYYYYY! Spiiiiiike, my Spiiiikie! Is he graduating? Oh I’m so happyyyyyy!”

Celestia rolled her eyes as she smiled and hugged Twilight under her wing.

“Oh Twilight I’m very happy for the two of you as well. Would you like a cup of tea or something?”

Twilight looked at the Princess confused. “Princess Celestia? So we’re on Canterlot? Oh I see… Oh my Spiiiiike, he is graduating! I can’t believe it! I feel like I hatched him just yesterday! Oh, my son is a grown dragon now!”

Princess Celestia nodded understanding. “I know, is always hard to accept that our children are fully grownup now. But come on, you wouldn’t want that Spike sees you crying, right? Let’s go to the castle and clean yourself up before meeting Spike.”

Twilight looked at the Princess and nodded slowly. “Yes, you’re right. We have to be ready for Spike’s graduation party! My Spike is graduatiiiiing…”

With this they finally managed to get Twilight off the train.

“Thanks Faust the Princess arrived, because I could not stand her anymore!” complained Rainbow Dash.

“Ya’ must understand how Twilight is feelin’ partner. Is a very especial moment for her.” said Applejack.

“But the Princess is right! Let’s prepare ourselves for the big night!” added Rarity. “I’ve spent two weeks in making the perfect dresses for all of us!”

They went to the Castle, as they discussed Spike’s future plans.

“So what does Spike want to do now?” asked Fluttershy.

Princess Celestia smiled. “He plans to go to college, with his grades he can apply wherever he wants to go.”

“But not in Canterlot!” said Twilight firmly. “The city had been getting more dangerous during the last years.”

Celestia sighed. “Yes, unfortunately I have to agree. Because of the Knights of the Silence and the increasing crime rate, Canterlot is no longer Equestria’s educational metropolis. But let’s forget about depressing themes. Today we are celebrating Spike’s achievements!”

The six friends agreed and they finally arrived to Canterlot Castle. Spike was on the school practicing the events with his classmates so Twilight had time to shower and drink a cup of tea to relax and get dressed for the big event.

As always, Rarity’s dresses get stares from all the attendants making her smile proudly.

“Hey Twilight!” greeted somepony.

She turned and smiled happily. “Cadence, Shine, you came!”

“Hey, I wouldn’t miss my nephew’s big day for anything in the world.” said Shining Armor happily.

“And we brought company.” added Cadence.

Twilight Velvet and Night Light arrived to join Twilight and her friends.

“I can’t believe that my grandson is about to graduate!” said Velvet happily. “I am so proud of him!”

“Yeah, we also brought him a graduation present!” said Night Light showing a big box he carried with his magic.

Twilight hugged her parents happily. “I’m glad you could make it! So what did you guys get for Spike?”

“It’s a surprise dear, we have to wait until Spike opens it.”

And with the help of her family, Twilight was finally able to hold her tears and walked into the school to witness Spike’s big day.

The Academy of Magic and Science had become second most prestigious school of all Equestria, and unlike the Academy for Gifted Unicorns it accepted all races and species. All the Sparkle family was happy that their dear Spike was able to graduate from such a prestigious school.

“I wish he could graduate from Celestia’s Academy like you and your brother, but they do not accept dragons.” sighed Twilight Velvet. “I think they should start accepting other races now that everypony can do magic thanks to the Knights.”

Celestia frowned. “Miss Velvet, I do not negotiate with terrorist. I would not change the rules on my Academy because of them!”

Velvet did not insist more.

And finally the act begun with Spike’s class coming to the podium as the headmaster waited the parents to sit and start with a small speech.

“Welcome everypony. As always it is a great honor to say goodbye to a new generation of students to go forge their destiny. Despite the difficult times we are living, their thirst of knowledge and wiling to improve is what makes this Academy big. I am and always will be proud of all their effort and growth.”

The attendants clapped their hooves at the speech. The headmaster let them finish, then he continued.

“Now a few words from the class president of generation #245 of this prestigious school!”

Spike walked in proudly, wearing his custom-made toga with proud and a huge smile. After making a quick wave to his family, he took the microphone.

“Thank you headmaster.” He then took a deep breath, and began.

“Parents, teachers, and especially classmates. Today I would like to thank you for the opportunities that you have given us. It is true that we went this far because of our own efforts but is also truth that we wouldn’t make it without all of your unconditional support and you being there for us when we needed you the most. It could be dark times, but thanks to you we did not let that stop us. On the contrary, it gave us the strength to continue.”

Some parents nodded approvingly. Twilight could just stare at Spike, realizing how much he have matured during this time.

Spike continued. “If this experience have taught us something is that darkness is not the end, but the beginning. Because when everything that surrounds you is darkness it means you have to find the light and the strength inside yourself and use it to teach others the way. Because of this I want to thank you for everything. My dear teachers, and classmates.”

The parents clapped their hooves at Spike who blushed and went back to his classmates. But Shining Armor seemed worried. What was with that speech about darkness? He couldn’t help but think that there was some kind of hidden meaning. But nopony else seemed to notice.

“Thank you Spike!” said the Headmaster. “Now let’s continue…”

The rest of the ceremony consisted in the headmaster calling the graduates alphabetically and giving them their diplomas and honor mentions. Finally, it was over. The whole group headed back to the castle. Twilight was happy-crying over Spike’s shoulder who was simply smiling and accepting the embrace from her.

“Come on Twilight! This is not the time for being sad! This is a party!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

So they started a big party on the castle’s garden.

“I want to propose a toast!” said Twilight suddenly, raising her glass of champagne. “For Spike! Who have always honored us with his unconditional care and kindness. He is now starting a new stage on his life and I couldn’t be prouder. Cheers!”

“CHEERS!” said everypony, making Spike blush but he was really happy.

The party continued, with Spike opening his presents.

Miss and Mister Sparkle’s present was a writing machine much to Spike’s delight.

“Oh this is great! Thank you!”

“We heard you graduated as bilingual secretary, and every good secretary needs one of these!” said Velvet.

“I love it!” said Spike. “See Twilight? Next time you dictate me letters I will use this, no more handwriting for good old Spike.”

Twilight just laughed so loud that she fell on her hooves. “Whoopsie! Sorry guys…”

Celestia sighed. “I guess somepony drank a little too much. Oh well, I was planning to let her borrow a few documents from my private archives, but I guess it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

“I can go for the documents if you want.” said Spike. “I was about to go to bed anyway so I can pick those up and take them to Twilight’s room. No worries.”

“Are you sure you want to leave? This is your party.” said Celestia.

“Yes, I’m sure. You see, the girls are a bit drunk and this feels uncomfortable. Also I’m tired.”

Celestia smiled. “You are a life saver Spike. And I’m sorry you had to leave. I don’t know who thought it was a good idea to bring alcohol to your graduation party, but I’ll have a talk with them tomorrow.”

“It’s okay, no big deal.”

Princess Celestia made appear a small piece of parchment and signed it. “Give this to the guard on my library and he’ll let you pass. Okay? You are looking for document number 12-CC-1”

“On it! Good night Princess Celestia.”

“Good night Spike!”

The young dragon said goodbye to everypony and then headed to Celestia’s personal library. After showing the authorization to the guard on the door he began to scoop around the shelves looking for the document. Then he found it, and take a peek.

His jaw dropped.

“Wait! Is she seriously planning to give Twilight this spell? What the…?”

Then he noticed he was checking on document 12-C-1, not 12-CC-1.

“Damn library codes, why do they have to be so complicated? Oh, whatever.”

Spike was about to place the document back on the shelf but he stopped looking at it. It was knowledge and knowledge belonged to everypony. He had a duty as a Knight of the Silence.

“Sorry Princess Celestia, but I have to do this.”

Spike took the document’s shadow and hided it on his. The shadow itself was as good as the real document for someone who have mastered the power of Shadows. And Spike did mastered it a long time ago.

Then he found the document he was looking for, and after the soldier on the door checked everything was okay, he went to Twilight’s room and put it on the desk.

“Here you go Twilight.”

…

Once in his room Spike hurried to lock the door and took the document’s shadow. After reading it carefully he copied all the details on a piece of paper, and then put it on an envelope. He would mail it to the Great Master tomorrow. He wished he could use his messenger breath but he could not risk Night Terror intercepting the letter. Also, he made it look it was a regular letter for a friend in case somepony decided to check his mail.

At the next day Spike was on his way back to Ponyville with Twilight and her friends, but before they arrived to the train station he rushed to the post office to send the letter.

“Hey Spike! Hurry up!”

“On it!” said the dragon. “I just wanted to make sure my goodbye letter is mailed.”

“Oh, who are you writing to?”

“The student I met four years ago on the library. The one who inspired me to go to school.” Explained Spike innocently.

Twilight nodded. “Yes. I should thank her too, anyway, let’s go Spike. Your old room is waiting for you!”

“Okay Twilight!”

East Wind was reading on the living room when one of her tenants gave her the letter.

“You have mail East!”

“Thanks Star Glaze!” said East Wind taking the envelope. “Oh, it’s from Spike!”

She began to read the goodbye message, when she found the other piece of paper, the spell. Her jaw dropped. How in Equestria did he managed to get this piece of knowledge? How was this even possible?

“Hey! Are you okay East?” asked Emerald Horn seeing how shocked she was.

She looked at him really nervous.

“I am fine, is just that… we have to reunite all the Knights. This cannot wait. What are you waiting for? We have to hurry!”

Author's Note

And here it is, I know it looks like a filling chapter but is important for the next stage on the story. Anyway I hope you liked it and as always,

Read ya’ later!!