After The Snap

POV: Spike

Spike was fervently writing letter after letter. He needed to rally all of the troops to join him for the battle against Tirek. He was indiscriminate in whom he needed to ask. Not just the ponies, but the griffons, the yaks, the sea ponies, the changelings, and even his fellow dragons.

Spike couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the emptiness of the castle. No Twilight Sparkle. No Owlicious. No Star.. Spike sighed, he wished that Starlight Glimmer found some courage. He needed her more than ever in this battle. He thought carefully about what to write to Starlight. Spike saved that letter for last.

Hey Starlight,

Spike here. We have figured out some important things to how Tirek did the Dusting. It involves a gauntlet and six Equestrian stones. We found it right in Twilight’s books! You are the most talented at magic of any pony I know who hasn’t been dusted..

Spike stopped writing. He didn’t think a single word in the letter would convince Starlight to return to Ponyville to help. What kind of bullshit was that? “most talented of any pony I know who hasn’t been dusted”. Starlight took the Dusting on such a personal level. He needed some help on writing the letter. What pony would be better at it than Rarity?

Suddenly, Spike felt the need to belch. Out came a response from Shining Armor.

Dear Spike,

These are certainly troubling times for us all. I hope every pony who survived is doing well. I have been trying to rebuild the Royal Guard. As you can guess, we lost about half of our soldiers. I have also not been well given the loss of my wife, my sister, and my daughter in what appears to be a snap from an ancient gauntlet. I simply do not think we are ready yet to take on Tirek. Canterlot and the Crystal Empire have both been hit very hard by the Dusting as I am sure is the case with Ponyville.
Given the state of the Royal Army, any attempt to fight Tirek would be met with disaster. Tirek is as brilliant as his level of sociopathy. I do not think it will be as simple to defeat Tirek as your letter seems to indicate. We are training very hard every day to be ready to take on Tirek. We long deeply to see the dusted return to life. However, we need to do what it takes to preserve those who have survived as well. We are all in grave danger. I will write to you again when I think the Royal Army is up to the task – however, if you choose to take Tirek on now, all I can do is wish you the best of luck. If any pony has the drive and heart to achieve this – it is you, Spike.
Sincerely,

Shining Armor

Spike looked at the letter with sadness. Without the Royal Army, their chances of fighting through the obstacles Tirek would certainly have in place were minimal. Spike understood Shining’s concerns and grief. Every pony has had their losses. Spike felt another letter pop up.

Yo Spike, I am sooooooo down to take on Tirek! We are going to kick some centaur ass – I’m leaving Cloudsdale now and will see you soon, buddy!

Rainbow Dash

Spike smiled. At least Rainbow was up for a fight.

Spike walked over to Carousel Boutique. It was after hours, so he figured he would be able to speak with his marefriend. He knocked on the door which quickly opened.

“Spikey Wikey”, said Rarity with glee, “how are the letters going?”

“Rainbow is returning to Ponyville to help us – besides that, no pony yet.”

“Oh, remember Spike, you are doing the best you can.” Spike and Rarity then held their lips together for a deep and passionate kiss. Spike never thought he would ever have a chance with Rarity. Admittedly, the Dusting had given the young dragon a chance to shine and impress her.

“There is one letter I’ve been having trouble writing.”

“Starlight Glimmer?”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“Most of Ponyville hates her – unwarranted hate in my opinion, but still I could understand why she would never want to come back.”

“I don’t get it. Honestly, if Lyra articulated herself like she used to when talking about the humans in magic school, I don’t think I would have believed her either.”

“Bon-Bon keeps saying it is more than not believing. She said that..”

“I know. I heard “Loony Lyra” far more than I care to count. But whatever, ponies should forget about that and I wish there was a way we could bring Starlight back.”

“My advice would be just to give Starlight the facts of what we discovered. Don’t beg her to return to Ponyville. If she wants to help out, she knows where to find us.”

“True. But I barely know where she is. I am taking my chances on her residence at Sire’s Hollow though.”

“Try that and the Crystal Empire. I heard that Sunburst had survived – maybe she is with him.”

“I’ll also try that weird village she put together that one time.”

“Oh, heavens. Now that is something I am sure Starlight is sick of hearing about!”

The two of them laughed.

Spike felt another belch.

“Another letter”, shouted Spike, “hopefully, something good.”

Dear Spike,

Boulder and I are coming to Ponyville to help. The rocks will survive without me being there all the time.”

From,

Maud

“Sweet”, said Spike, “we got Maud going in for the battle too.”

“At least we will make a stand”, said Rarity, “we will show Tirek that we are not just going to lie down and take in this shit.”

“So, it is you, me, Apple Bloom, Bon Bon, Rainbow Dash, and Maud Pie.”

“I guess we are now the Mane Six.”

“What about Pinkie?”

“Spike, you know that Pinkie hasn’t been quite the same.”

“I know – but I want to try anyway.”

“Good luck, Spikey Wikey.” Rarity kissed Spike on the cheek giving him the motivation.

Spike went to Sugarcube Corner. The building still had lights on but he knew that there have been no sweets for sale since The Dusting. Spike knocked on the door.

“Door’s unlocked.”

Spike opened the door and saw that Pinkie was playing hide and seek with the Cake Twins. He was glad to see that Pinkie’s pink hue was beginning to return to its full glory.

“Hey Spike”, said Pinkie, “how’s everything been?”

“As good as things could be.”

“You can say that again.”

“How are the twins?”

“They still miss their parents as do I – but we have been making the best of things, right! Wherever those two rascals are!” Pinkie and Spike could hear giggles in the cupboard.

“Oh my”, said Pinkie, “I think I have lost them forever – what will I ever do? Maybe I will eat all of this ice cream by myself.”

Suddenly the cupboard door opened with Pound chanting, “Me want ice cream! Me want ice cream”. Pumpkin rolled her eyes at her brother.

“There actually is ice cream, Spike, if you want some”, said Pinkie with a smile.

“Maybe another time”, said Spike, “I have been very busy – we think we have found a way to defeat Tirek and potentially undo the damage.”

“Really? Hold on a sec.” Pinkie rushed to the freezer and got a carton of chocolate vanilla swirl ice cream and prepared two bowls for the twins. “Ice cream’s ready!” Pound and Pumpkin happily enjoyed the ice cream.

“Yeah – Tirek used the Equestrian Stones. The stones of harmony – believe it or not. They are different than the ones in the Tree of Harmony but same concept. Tirek found an old gauntlet which fit the stones and wished half of Equestria wiped out.”

“That’s awful but..how do we?”

“Undo the damage. We are going to find Tirek and kill him. Then maybe we can take the gauntlet and fix it all up.”

“I know what you’re asking of me”, said Pinkie, “but I can’t leave the twins alone. Besides, I know that Maud is visiting to help.”

“She told you already.”

“Not yet? But my Pinkie Sense told me that I would be seeing Maud soon which made me super duper happy.” Pinkie lightly bounced once.

“We only have a team of six right now”, said Spike with a hint of sadness.

“I hope things work out”, said Pinkie, “but Pound and Pumpkin need more than ever. I can’t be going on adventures.”

Spike couldn’t help but smile. This was the most mature Spike had ever seen Pinkie Pie. He couldn’t help but think this was a good thing.

Now, they just needed a little luck and perhaps a little starlight.