MLP Death to Friendship

Spike

In her Hoofsteps

The sky darkened by clouds, a light rain blankets the town. Spike sits staring out the bedroom window. The small depressed dragon waits for the return of his beloved Twilight. Tears fall from his eyes as he sits there alone in the dark and for a moment Spike would become happy as the silhouette of a lavender pony would make her way up the street. Spike would focus through the wet glass and see that she had wings and blue hair, instantly sending him back into a slump. A knock at the door excites the baby dragon sending him scurrying to see who it is. Spike quickly opens the door and there standing in the light of the sun peeking through the clouds, the lavender filly with a warm smile. Tears in his eyes Spike gives her a big hug “oh pour baby, don’t worry they’ll find her I promise” Spike rubs his eyes focusing on a yellow earth pony with emerald green eyes, curly orange mane and bearing the mark of a beetle and three flowers on her flank “Junebug?” His happiness quickly turns back into sorrow; Spike falls to the ground covering his face as he cries. June moves quickly to console the heart broken dragon “Spike you can stay with me till Twilight gets back ok~” she rests next to the weeping dragon stroking back his spines “you have to stay strong my little dragon” Spike looks up to her with tears rolling from his eyes “June~!” dropping his head back down resting it in the nap of her arm. June stays there on the floor with Spike till he falls asleep. Spike wakes comfortable in bed looking up to the ceiling with no tears left to shed. June enters holding a tray of small diamonds “wake up Spike it’s time to eat, I heard you like crystals” setting them next to his bed “these are from my own collection” she smiles nudging Spike. June sits and waits, for hours Spike would lay there not make a sound, not moving just staring at the same spot on the ceiling. Night seems to come quick, she awakes to find Spike hasn’t moved and the diamonds untouched but June refuse to give up. Over the week June finds herself force feeding the half starved dragon. One dark gloomy morning Spike awoke to the sound of crying, he turns his head to see June sitting at the window, her tears fall into a bowl of diamonds on the table in before her. Spike sits up slowly still weak from his depression “June~ what’s the matter~?” June raises her head quickly and looks over to Spike with eyes wide open. She leaps from the table knocking the diamonds to the ground, rushing over to the now standing dragon “oh~ Spike~!” she cries out sliding close giving him a really tight hug. Spike’s knees become weak falling into her arms “I, I thought you were… were~” holding tight she begins to cry again. Spike’s heart begins to race “I’m sorry June for worrying you~” June releases him from the hug placing one hoof on each of his cheeks and looks deep into his eyes “promise me, promise that we will stay strong” Spike nods in her hooves “I promise June” she smiles giving him another more gentle hug. The morning after June walks into the library to find the small dragon reading from a stack of books “what are you doing?” Spike looks up to the yellow pony “I’m trying to find a tracking spell” surprised June walks over to see the book he was working from “you can do magic?” he thinks about it for a while “well I am a magic dragon” June looks at him with confused “since when?” Spike laughs “since birth” Spike stands dusting himself off “I can send letters too and receive them from Princess Celestia” Junes eyes become narrow “you can what?” concern fills the purple dragon “uh, yeah Twilight was Celestia’s disciple they would send each other letters all the time” June walked over to the window to think “ok, we’re going to send her a letter asking for help and see who side she’s on” still a little confused Spike quickly response to her query “what do you mean? The Princess is for everypony!” shocked June interpolate “ok then a letter won’t hurt, I’ll let you write it” Spike nods in agreement. Spike writes;

“Dear Princess Celestia, this is your dear friend Spike. I know you’re busy but I need your help to find my mother Twilight. I’ve been trying to learn magic from her books but I don’t know if any of it will work and a lot of ponies are sad and asking if you could please bring back the sun, your faithful friend Spike.”

Upon completion of the letter June reads over it “ok you can send it” Spike nods lifting the letter and burning it with his flame. Spike and June wait, one week after they sit to have a meal together. Spike takes one sip of Junebug’s apple soup he looks up and lets out a loud burp “is it that good?” Spike lifts his hands to his mouth and turns away from June *burp!* a small flame shoots from his mouth and forms into a letter surprising them both. June becomes excited “read it, read it!” Spike retrieves the letter and opens it “it reads; Dear, Spike sorry for not responding earlier but my sister is keeping a really close eye on me, the only time I have to myself is when I sleep. My little dragon I do miss my beloved Twilight too and I think the magic books in the castle library, please learn quick I fear there is something terribly will happen if all the elements stay apart for too long. If you find Twilight please tell her friends need her, good luck. Your best friend Princess Celestia” With this June and Spike both gained a new spirit of hope.

Every morning Spike would rise and study every book in the library, June bug passes the message that Princess Celestia was still for the ponies and needed their support. Hope once again flowed through Ponyville, some ponies even traveled to other cities sharing the news. The news soon reached the castle making Nightmare Moon unhappy causing her to lash out at her younger sister “sister is this true, you would stand against your own blood!?” stomping one hoof to the ground causing the castle grounds to shake “no sister I would never!” the young alicorn pleaded resting her head on her older sisters chest. A sharp pain like scratching coming from the deep recesses of her mind stun the dark sire “oh dear sister I would never harm you~” Selene so lightly pressed “you there!” the dark princess calling forth one of Celestia’s attendants “yes Sire?” the young pony replies “do you love your sun goddess?” the attendant freezes in fear “ye, yes Sire” Selene rose from her throne “then you are willing to bear her punishments!” the dark Sire dictates. Celest heart ponds loudly in fear of what will befall her long time friend and caretaker “please sister, forgive my trespasses, please!” Selene slowly made her way down to the shivering attendant without stopping, she then proceeding to the main hall turning into the corridor. A sigh of relief, the small regal princess lowers her head and begins to cry into her arms “don’t cry princess, I’m willing to take any punishment for you” eye overflowing with tears Celest looks to her friend “no never say such things, it is I who will bear the pain for you, and all of Equestria” the caretaker helping Celestia to her feet.

In the short time of three month Spike reads through the library twice looking for a spell of teleportation. Spike wanted to avoid trouble at all cost because the citizens Stallongrad staged a revolt. Unhappy with the new decrees of the castle at first they asked then they pleaded and after being rejected by the new Sire they began to chase the guards out of town, setting up road blocks and refused to pay any taxes to the capital in till their demands were meet. The castle pushed up security to watch over any citizens not of Canterlot.

Spike begins working on a spell given to him by the princess, the same spell used for sending scrolls. Junebug sits and watches the young determined dragon perform his fire spell over and over again on many objects. First he tries small object a rubber ball then a book, slowly making his way up to a manikin with success. Spike works at his first real spell for a few more days to prefect it for live pony use. The flames are so hot that it destroys anything it comes in contacted with and reassembling it through flames instantly transferring it to a second location. Spike sends a letter to the princess telling her that he was ready to try a live pony transfer. Later that night he receives the letter granting him passage, June nods her head in agreement and stand in the middle of the room. June knowing what ever Spike sends must burn quick or it will destroy anything going through, after removing all personal objects she gives him the ok. Spike inhales as much air as his little body could, focusing on his target standing with her eyes shut, teeth clenched holding her breath. Flames shoot out but only the heat reaches the shivering pony. June opens her eyes as she gasp for air, she looks up to see Spike holding his head down with shame “I, I can’t do it~” tears flowing from the little dragons eyes “Spike, we have to try, I trust you, now put your trust in me, for Twilight” June once again closing her eyes “I will make it” the confidence in the dragon rises once again “ok, hold your breath!” Spike once again shooting out a large blanket of flames engulfing the meek pony leaving nothing but a dark scorched mark on the ground. Spike paced in circles waiting for the good news, his belly rumble as he burps out a small letter from Junebug “yes she made it!” jumping for joy Spike becomes overwhelmed with emotion both happy and sad. Spike knowing that he is fire proof runs to the kitchen and grabs two large metal bowls pulling them together making an artificial egg. Once inside Spike repeats the process letting out a powerful flame to engulf himself. The warmth of the sun caresses his face; Spike quickly rises to find himself resting in a large bed “where am I?” Spike mummers to himself “you’re safe in my room beloved Spike” the voice of an angle bring joy to the aching dragons heart. Celest nudges the baby dragon coxing him for a hug, after obliging the princess Spike takes a quick look around “where’s Junebug?” the sound of concern breeching his voice “don’t worry Spike I dressed her as one of my personal stewards” the princesses words claiming the dragon.

Spike rises to leave but is stopped by Celest “you must stay here till night fall then I’ll take you to the library, ok” not wanting to upset the young princess Spike sits in wait. Mid day the door to the room opens and Spike ducks behind the bed not wanting to be seen. The smell of food permeates the bed chambers coxing him to take a peek “Spike are you there?” the sound of a familiar voice calms his beating heart “June your ok?!” Spike shouts s as he jumps from behind the bed. June jumps in secession with Spike, closing her eyes and swinging her front hooves “don’t hurt me!” surprised at her reaction Spike tenses up “I’m sorry did it hurt you?” June opened her eyes to see Spike with his fist balled tightly and bags under his eye. June quickly gives Spike a hug “no, no I didn’t feel a thing crossing over, it’s just once here I had a little trouble with the guards” she explained calming the little dragon.

Time seem to pass slowly as they waited for night to come, Spike rested on the bed after a good meal, June laying beside him give the little dragon support and comfort. Spike wakes to the light nudging of Celest “wakeup it’s time to go” June wakes and turns her head towards the window to see the moon shining in the dark sky. The young princess magically placed Spike onto her back “ok I’ll show you where you will live for now” Spike nods to show he understands “June will take care of you because won’t be able to leave the library, for that if my sister finds out that you were once Twilights dragon she would probably hurt you” June looks to the princess with concern “is, is your sister really that bad?” Celest puts her head down in shame “I don’t know what happen to make her this way” Spike climbs down as they reach the library “she use to be a really good pony” Spike gives the regal princess a hug “as long as we have hope right” Spike sharing his new found confidence “right!” the other two nod their heads in agreement. June returns with the princess back to the castle as Spike sets up camp in the left wing of the Royal library. Morning arrives and June brings breakfast for the young dragon only to find Spike awake and brimming with new found confidents reading his way through the library one book at a time. June happy to see Spike working hard, revigorates the fair pony “I brought you breakfast Spike” Spike looks up to acknowledge June but quickly returning back to his books, Surprised but not discouraged June leaves the small bowl of crystals next to Spike and returns to her duties. Over the week June would notice Spike would be reading more than he would eat. After a month Spike would find himself at the door of the Star Swirl the Bearded branch, Spike pushes through the large to find a well unorganized hub of information. Spike looks down to see this small red book that seem to be out of place in this very large mess, after quickly retrieving the small book Spike looks to the cover “The book of the Forget Me Not’s” he reads out loud to himself. June pulling her cart of food searches the library for any sign of Spike, it was a Library and Spike was always very quiet. After her long search June decided to retreat for the day and try again at night when she had less demand on her time. Once at the front door a claw grabbed her shoulder causing the lemon pony to tip her cart “oh, sorry didn’t mean to scare you, any way look at what I found!” June stands next to Spike and inspects the book in his palms “what is it?” Spike smiles and looks back up to June “A solution”.

Compromise

Calm before the Storm

Shadowed by the Palace is a small farming community that makes food for more than 80% of Equestria. Ponyville is the hub of that community and everypony knows each other by name. Everypony does their part to help feed the nation but since Nightmare Moon became Sire the farms began to dwindle in number do to the lack of sunlight. The Mayor of Ponyville listened to the pleas of the community and wrote a very convincing letter to the Sire explaining the significances and necessity of Ponyville, hoping she would show mercy to the humble Town. The day after the sun rose and the farm lands received their light but at a cost, with the sun came soldiers bringing marshal law to the land and all under the command of a earth pony called Commander Mustang. One look into his eyes and the ponies of Ponyville shook in fear, all but one petite blond pegasi. Any pony that tried to make friends with the Commander was quickly detained and interrogated most would return traumatized. Early the next day the young blond pegasi looked down to see new ponies in town and remembered what Pinkie once told her about making new friends so the young Pegasi decided to try her hoof at improving her social skills, now motivated the blond pony didn’t want to miss this opportunity to make new friends and tried to make a quick landing to welcome the Commander to Ponyville. The young Pegasi begins her descent focusing her eyes on the ground for her landing, she only could trust one image form her sight because one image would always drift away from the other causing her to over or under judge her point of attack. The ground seem to come too fast as the blond pegasi tries to slow down a second too late, smashing into the fresh mud on the ground splashing it onto the Commander. Annoyed and dirty the Commander looks down at the mud drenched pony giving her a sharp stare but the little Pegasi only smiled as she looked into his eyes. The General tried to hold his stare but was unable to resist the pony’s clumsy charm. struggling to hold back the commander cracks a smile as one of her eyes begins to drift adding to her silly disposition. The Commander laughs out loud as he turns and walks away, once out of sight Aloe a pink pony with a soft blue mane with eyes to match and bearing the mark of a blue blossom on her flank, who works in the spa with her twin sister rushed out to retrieved the blond pony pulling her inside. Aloe pushes the pegasus to the baths dropping her into the water “now Derpy, you really must stay away from that pony he’s no good” Aloe turns her head as tears begin to form in her eyes struggling to hold back her emotions “they’ve already traumatized my beloved sister” Derpy smile turns to a frown when she sees the pain in the face of one of her friends “I’m sorry I didn’t know” Derpy’s voice cracks as she shows her sympathy “it’s ok, you should really get home I think Harvest is probably worried about you” Derpy nods in agreement and heads out after her bath. Derpy a sky blue pegasi with a blond mane and hazel eyes bears the mark of bubbles on her flank makes haste to get back to the farm. Upon arrival she sees a wagon full of produce from the farm, not wanting to be seen she lands quietly behind the barn taking a peek inside through the cracks between the planks of the barn walls. Inside Golden Harvest a yellow pony with an orange mane and green eyes bearing the mark of two carrots on her flank sits on a ground pleading with the guards “please don’t take my harvest, there are many families that depend on this farm and the next harvest isn’t in till next month” the guards ignoring her please pushed her aside “if you interfere we will arrest you for treason, now stand aside!” Derpy annoyed with the tone of their voices grows angry, focusing her eyes on the faces of the guards. Derpy sits and waits till the guards leave with Golden’s harvest. Derpy enters the barn with her head down “are you alright Carrot?” Harvest quickly wiping away her tears “oh Derpy, yeah I’m ok, don’t worry, we just have to work harder this season” Derpy smiles receiving confidence from her weary friend. Derpy nods in agreement turning to walk back to the house, her smile dissipates as the thoughts of her other friends on other farms may probably be going through the same trauma or worst. Later that night the farmers called a community meeting. Farmers from every side of Ponyville arrived and were greeted by Hay Bailey a spotted brown and white stallion with short cut salt and pepper mane, hazel eyes and bearing the mark of a pitchfork on his flank. Mr. Bailey a culinary reporter from Manehatten received word from his mother that the farm was in trouble, quickly returning home he put together a plan to improve stock numbers. The farmers gathered inside to discuss what to do next as a few farm hooves stood watch. The meeting drew into the night and the discussion got heated at moments, the farmers knew they couldn’t fight the royal guard and the mention of building a storehouse in the ever free forest seem to be suicidal for the most part. Tired and still angry most words became incoherent, Golden Harvest grew annoyed with the belligerents of the ponies and took the stage “we’re not going to solve this in one night its best we go home and reconvene after we all got some rest” the ponies all looked at each other nodding in agreement “ok we will meet tomorrow night at sunset” Mr. Bailey declaring the meeting adjourned.

A decision was agreed upon to build the storehouse and over the next few weeks the farmers and their helpers would secretly enter the forest to build it. Unicorns would place the shield to protect the workers, pegasi would retrieve the supplies and the earth ponies would put it all together. Before the ponies knew it, it was time for harvest again. The farmers quickly worked their fields not knowing when the guards would arrive. A single lookout waited on each road ready to send word back to the farms, after tilling and stocking their barns with half their harvest the farmers sent then rest to the secret storehouse. After all was done the farmers were surprised to not have any trouble from the royal guard. Two days later the guard returned to claim the new stock only to find half of what they gathered last season. The captain steps forward looking down into Bailey’s eyes “where is the rest of the stock Pony?” the captain said so calmly “that’s as much as I could harvest this season, the rest is not ready yet” Shivering in fear of what the guard would do to him. The captain walks over to take a look at the field “when will the rest be ready?” the guards question surprising Bailey “in a month~ I guess?” eyes wide open he waits for the guards response “if it’s not ready I will take your full stock and return for the rest, do you understand?” Bailey bowing his head “yes I understand” the guards take inventory and leave without taking anything with them. Later that night the farmers meet to discuss the events off the day. The farmers all agree that the guards my become wise to the lack of stock and agreed to start building smaller farms in the forest as well, a few brave ponies also agree to live in the forest to till the land. The farmers prepared the rest of their harvest for the guards and awaited their return. The day came to an end and the farmers turn in for the night only to be awoken by the sound of marching. Golden Harvest rise to see what the commotion is, a bright light shines down on the farm as the royal unicorn guard ignited their horns raiding the farm leaving barely enough for a family. Golden Harvest stood and watch as the guards searched the house for hidden stocks, the captain approaches her with a glair in his eye “have a good season.” as if to thank her for the food. The steeds lock down the harvest and continue to the next farm. Golden Harvest shocked, sits thinking about how she would survive if this keep up. A soft hove lands on her shoulder Derpy sit to comfort her, the blond pony gets an idea “I know I’ll get a job with the mail service” Derpy jokes “you just might have too muffin” Harvest rising to return to bed. For three seasons the guards would take more and more from the farmers to the point where most of them would just move permanently into the ever free forest a place even the guards would not go. The remaining farmers refuse to close down their farms because of bullies; some of the farm hands would attack the guards to no avail and were taken away to the castle for judgment. On several occasions the farmers would even stand against the guard knowing they were too important to the castle to harm. The guards would make them pay for their insubordination by attacking their family members causing the farmers to fall back in line. All in all the fields of Ponyville seem to be under control and this make the Sire Nightmare Moon happy.