Chapter IX:
A strategy for Spike

Spike was checking the letter from Cream Cone over and over. It was an elaborate plan and he liked it. This will allow him to keep attending the lessons from the Knights of the Silence with ease. Also, he was happy that the Great Master herself thought in this strategy for him. He would thank her next time they see each other.

The downside was that he would have to separate from Twilight for a while but this was for the greater good. He would become strong and protect her in the future.

“Okay, let’s go! I can do this!” said the dragon. “I’ll ask her right away!”

“Ask me what exactly Spike?” said Twilight entering into the drake’s room.

Then she smirked playfully. “Or have you finally decided to ask Rarity out?”

Spike smiled awkwardly as he took a deep breath taking Cream Cone’s letter on his claws.

“Twilight, lately I’ve been thinking that I would like to… you know, I want to ask you something…”

Twilight smiled. “Ask me what Spike? You know you can ask me anything! Don’t be nervous. Do you want me to buy you a especial gem or something?”

“What? No! I was thinking, I would like to go to school.”

Twilight blinked surprise. “What do you mean Spike? I thought you were happy with me homeschooling you. And your level is above average for your age.”

Spike shook his head. “You don’t understand Twilight. Is more than just education itself. I would like to have the whole experience. Waking up early, going to school, share with other ponies and making new friends. Even doing homework at a friend’s house or just hand around when school is over.”

Twilight looked at him in awe. Where did this came from?

Then she looked at the letter. “What is in this letter?”

“Remember the pony I mentioned you came to study folklore to Ponyville library? She is a college student, and she keeps telling me about her life in campus and all the experiences she had before. It sounds great and I would like to give it a try.”

Twilight smiled warmly at him. Spike was growing up so fast.

“Okay. I think you are already beyond the level of Ponyville school, but we can talk to Cheerilee and make an arrangement for you.”

Spike shook his head and shyly showed Twilight a brochure he had.

“About that, I’ve been researching schools and I would like to go here. The admission exam may be tricky but you can help me with that! Also the fees are reasonable, and I really want to go here.”

“Is this the same school your college friend attended?” asked Twilight.

“No, she went to school back at her hometown.”

Twilight nodded and examined the brochure. It looked like a good school. It wasn’t too expensive, but as a Princess money was not a problem. Most of the students were able to get into good colleges after graduating from there. Maybe Spike would never attend the Academy for Gifted Unicorns for obvious reasons but if he worked really hard he could get the grades to be accepted at the Manesachussets Institute of Technology.

There was only one problem.

“Spike, this is in Canterlot. I can’t let you go there, not until everything goes back to normal in Canterlot.”

“Of course you can! These Knights are not violent. Maybe annoying for the Crown, but aside your old headmaster they haven’t hurt anypony. And he kind of deserved it.”

Twilight shook her head. “The Knights of the Silence are not dangerous. But the other Knights surely are.”

“The Undeads would never hurt me and you know it. We are one in the same with Night Terror. Also I wouldn’t be that careless to wander around at night.”

Twilight was in a difficult position. Divided between her desire to protect Spike and her desire to please him. What she could do?

But Spike had the solution already. “I can stay with Princess Celestia. She wouldn’t mind, and you can check on me regularly. She’ll keep an eye on me and make sure I am safe in Canterlot.”

In the end the lavender alicorn nodded.

“You worked hard to convince me, right?”

Spike nodded shyly and ran to hug her. “Twilight thanks!”

Twilight returned the embrace but out of sudden she froze and pushed Spike with her magic.

“Twilight?” asked the dragon.

She shook her head. “Sorry Spike I just had a flashback of a traumatizing experience. Let me hug you again.”

Spike seemed confused but at least he wasn’t hurt.

“Okay let’s change the subject. Do you have any idea when you have to do the exam? Have you studied enough?”

“Yes, I have three months. Can I count with you to teach me?”

“I’ll do my best. We better make sure you get accepted!”

Canterlot, East Wind’s student residence:

It was Cream Cone’s turn to do the dishes of breakfast, when East Wind approached and gave her an envelope.

“Hey, you got mail from Ponyville.”

Cream’s eyes lightened and used her magic to open the letter. A few students turned to her but then they looked away. At this point everypony knew about the Knights of the Silence and that they had been teaching magic to unicorns and non-unicorns alike.

“Oh, it sees it worked! Spike would be attending school here in Canterlot and staying with the Princess.”

“Glad your idea worked. He really wants to learn and our duty as the teachers is help the students as much as we can.”

Cream nodded. “By the way Great Master, now that this worked, can you please test the defenses of Canterlot Castle? We need to find our protegee a way to go to our sessions without alerting the Princesses.”

The Great Master nodded. “I know, and we’ll find the way. I promise. He haves great potential and we’ll be happy to help him in his journey for knowledge.”

…

Three months later, Canterlot:

The Six Bearers of Harmony and Princess Celestia were waiting anxiously in a waiting room along with lots of parents. The Superior Academy of Magic and Science was one of Canterlot’s finest schools. Not as prestigious as the Academy for Gifted Unicorns or Star Swirl Magical Institute but a lot of ponies wanted to enroll their children on it since it opened the doors for the Manehattan Tech, or the MIT.

Finally the doors of the exam room opened and lots of fillies and colts exited the room with a mixture of emotions. And certain dragon was among them, looking very excited.

“I passed! I passed! I got 71 out of then, approved!”

Everypony congratulated Spike.

“That’s wonderful!”

“I knew you’ll make it!”

“As expected from our Spikey-Wikey!”

Everypony said something except for Twilight who was crying in joy and hugging Spike and Princess Celestia who seemed astonished at the result.

“Seventy-one? But I though you needed Seventy-five in order to be approved.”

A teacher glared at her. “Tell that to the ponies who you’ve been unable to stop. A lot of ponies stopped applying after they realized they can get all of our knowledge almost for free.”

Celestia frowned, but decided to ignore this at least for now. Everypony was too happy for her to ruin the mood just like that.

“It’s official, I am in!” announced Spike.

Twilight hugged her as she cleaned her tears. “Of course you can stay Spike. I’ll miss be your personal tutor, but I understand this is something you need to do.”

Rainbow simply gave him a friendly punch on his shoulder. “Good for you buddy! I guess it’ll be good for you to get some friends of your age. We’re gonna miss you pal.”

“Promise us you’ll write often.” said Fluttershy.

Pinkie was crying like crazy.

“I promised I won’t cry but, WAAAAAA! SPIKE TAKE CARE! HAVE A GOOD TIME AT SCHOOL AND WITH THE PRINCEEEEES, WAAAA!”

Rarity smiled at him and gave him a beautiful backpack she just made for him. “I took the liberty to make a little something for you. I made it water-proof and Twilight made it flame-proof so it last all of your school life. What do you think Spike?”

Spike looked at the backpack and hugged Rarity happily. He would always treasure this gift.

“Keep all your notebooks safe, okay?” added Twilight.

Twilight turned to hug her too. “I love it! Thank you Twilight!”

“Good for ya’ partner!” said Applejack. “Work hard, and when ye’re done work harder. Okay?”

Out of sudden Pinkie ran and hugged the Princess’ legs. “TAKE GOOOD CARE OF HIIIIIIM!”

Celestia smiled at her and nodded. “I will Pinkie Pie. Don’t worry.”

Twilight smiled at her mentor and bowed before her. “I can’t thank you enough Princess Celestia. Thank you for taking care of him, especially in times like these after we failed…”

“It’s okay Twilight, my pleasure to help the two of you. Consider this my way to make it up for you after forcing you to stay in here for over a month with no results.”

Twilight nodded, smiling.

“Let me walk you to the train station.” said Celestia.

With that Spike and Celestia said goodbye to the Bearers on the train station and the two of them went to the Castle.

“Thank you Princess.” said Spike shyly.

Celestia nodded and smiled warmly at him. “I prepared you your old room. The one you used to share with Twilight.”

The dragon smiled happily. “Thank you, Princess! I promise you I’ll pay you back one day!”

“Oh nonsense. I’ve watched you grow up Spike and you are very dear to me. I am glad that you decided to make this step in your life. But you better study hard. 71 percent is good but it can be better.”

Spike nodded. “I know, this was one of the conditions that Twilight set for me to stay.”

“I’ll help you with homework and to study. Okay?”

“Thank you!”

That night after a light dinner along with the Princesses Spike decided to take a walk around the Castle. This would be his home for a while and he wanted to know it better. Not only to feel more comfortable but also because he wanted to look for an escape room.

He was in an excellent mood, humming to himself. But he froze when he sent a presence.

“Great Master!” he greeted.

East Wind materialized from the shadows and smiled at the dragon. “Pst! Not so loud kid! We don’t want that the Princesses realize I am here.”

“So, tonight?”

“No not tonight kid. The Royal Guard is constantly over our heads, following and questioning every non-unicorn they spot doing magic. Sending undercover agents to the universities to see if they can get the date for our next session.”

“They haven’t get anypony?”

“No, we can read souls so they are not able to fool us. But we better be careful. Relax, you haven’t miss any sessions. Honestly I could use a rest.”

“So what are you doing here?”

“Same thing you’re doing. Looking for a weak spot on the defenses so you can sneak to our sessions. Also to congratulate you for entering into your dream school, Spike. I’ve never agreed with formal education but I have to admit this would open lots of doors for you.”

Spike bowed before her. “Thanks to you Great Master. You gave me motivation to follow my dreams.”

“I encouraged you, the motivation came from yourself. Don’t forget that.” said the Great Master winking an eye at him. “And don’t worry, I’ll come to find you when it’s time for our next study session. In the meantime do your best at school, okay?”

“Thanks Great Master! Also, can you please thank Cream Cone for her idea?”

The Great Master nodded and disappeared on the shadows waving to Spike.

In the meantime Princess Luna opened the door of her balcony when she felt that strange aura. Powerful and dark but somehow benevolent.

“Who is this? Show yourself!”

But nopony showed up.

Luna frowned. “Great Master?”

Royal Sisters’ Castle:

A white unicorn with purple mane, and a triple-diamond Cutie Mark entered, as she looked around. She grinned exposing her fangs.

“Oh my! What happened here?!”

The giant undead dragon looked at his visitor and shrugged. “Nothing, an intruder.”

“Oh, and what happened?”

“I ate him. What the fuck do you want, Gothic?”

Gothic sighed and looked around. “Such a mess! It had to be a big fight. Right?”

Night Terror grinned. “No, I was just teasing the poor bastard.”

Gothic giggled. “You never change Nighty-Tighty! Such a playful kid. Anyway, Midnight have finally thought in something, and it is time for regroup.”

“Oh great! I was getting bored of waiting.”

“All of us darling. But it is finally time to kill some knights! I can’t wait!”

Night Terror extended his black wings and offered a claw to Gothic. “Are you coming?”

“You are such a darling!” said the dark unicorn jumping into the clay as the dragon placed her on his back.

With this, the two undead monsters flew to the horizon.

“Nighty-Tighty, when did your crush on me disappeared?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care.”

They didn’t say more and continued flying.

Author's Note

So the story continues. Spike is in position and ready to learn from the Knights. I hope you liked it, and as usual,

Read ya’ later!