“...Testing, testing...1, 2, 3…” A very dapper-looking Spike stood onstage, reciting a mantra of words and numbers into an oversized microphone lowered specifically for him. “Oh dragon, my dragon…”

It was a matter of minutes before the climatic moment of Twilight’s ceremonial coronation was about to start on that special sunny day in Canterlot, and completely against expectations everything so far had proceeded smoothly.

Which, if you’ve any idea of the ponies’ history of messing up big events, can be classified as a minor miracle.

Rarity had outfitted all the major players for the function, showing off her full range of sartorial talents… Applejack’s catering menu made up for taste what it lacked in variety (guess what the main ingredient was?)... Rainbow Dash’s pre-show aeronautics display featuring all the Wonderbolts had gone down a treat… even Fluttershy’s performing animals had stayed on stage and not tried to run off upon hearing the raucous crowd noises.

It was a tough act to follow Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie’s one-off performance together (particularly as, at the end of thirty minutes of relentless frivolity and fun, they’d announced their romantic relationship together which’d really brought the house down) but Spike was determined not to be outshone. Even if his duties mainly consisted of introducing the day’s special guests…

...And a fuzzy mike reception wasn’t exactly helping matters.

“Oh darn it, I can’t get the right settings on this thing!” The irritated dragon growled, fidgeting around with the device to no avail. “I sound like I’ve got a frog in my throat! If everyone hears me like this, it’ll ruin everything! All the preparations, all the pomp… wrecked because I didn’t test the equipment properly pre-show! I knew everything was going too well!”

“Psst, Spike… What are you doing? Why are you still fiddling around with that thing?! I’m ready to go up any second and I’ve told you a million times already, I don’t want to wear this dress, beautiful though it is, any longer than I have to!” An understandably nervous Twilight peeked her head out from the curtain behind the scaly emcee, her movement noticeably more constrained than usual.

“Oops, sorry Twi. When I gave Rarity your measurements last week, I didn’t realise they were from when you were a unicorn! I was so busy arranging my own speeches for this evening, I completely overlooked the difference!” Spike finally understood the old Weather Pony saying: ‘It never rains, but it pours’. “...And now, I can’t even get this stupid piece of junk to work! I bet you regret giving me such an important role now. Y-you can be honest, I don’t mind.”

“Nonsense, Spike! No-one could do a better job than my Number One Assistant of making tonight a success! I won’t hear you talk yourself down like that anymore, either!” Despite feeling like her insides were being crushed a little with every step, Twilight bravely staggered forward to envelop the sniffling Spike in one of her comforting hugs. “Rarity also didn’t catch on, probably for the same reason you didn’t… putting too much pressure on yourselves to make everything perfect! Well, I happen to think perfection is overrated! Do you remember the first Grand Galloping Gala me and the girls attended, soon after we arrived in Ponyville?”

“Y-Yeah…” Spike wiped a stray tear away before nodding, though he’d actually spent most of the night at the bar. “Kinda.”

“We put too much emphasis on trying to have a foolproof evening, instead of just letting our manes down and having a good time. And, you know what…?“ Twilight proffered her intently listening subject with a subtle wink. “It was absolutely terrible. An unmitigated disaster. If we’d just relaxed and not taken it so seriously, I’m sure it wouldn’t have turned out half as bad. You see the lesson here, don’t you?”

“E-Er… I think so?” Spike scratched the bottom of his chin thoughtfully, before responding with a question of his own. “But, didn’t Celestia like how it ended? Didn’t she say it was a nice change of pace, from all the stuffiness from years past?”

“We got lucky. I don’t think she’d accept that level of unbridled chaos every gala. Her name isn’t ‘Discord’, after all.” Twilight dared sneak a peek in the VIP section at one of the two illustrious rulers she’d soon be stepping into the horseshoes of, but she was laughing at something her sister had told her and so paid their future successor no mind. “Hmm, since when did Luna get so funny? I hope they’re not gossiping about me…”

“Hmm? Twi? Did you say something else?” Spike was still pondering the moral of his mentor’s tale when he saw her agitated face. “Uh-oh. I know that expression. You’re about to ‘Twilight’ again, aren’t you? Do I need to fetch the rest of the girls again, to give you another pep talk about how everything’ll be alright and why all your problems are just in your head?”

“W-What do you mea… no, I feel fine! It’s all fine!! Seriously! Don’t worry about me!” Twilight spun around at light speed to reassure the dragon, but her uncontrollably twitching left eye told a different story. “Why is it, whenever I try helping you out with a difficulty, you end up teaching me something valuable as well? You’ve noticed that too, right?”

“I guess that means we compliment each other well.” Spike shrugged his shoulders by way of a response. “You, the neurotic librarian destined to be a great leader, as crazy as it sounds. Me, the snarky ‘sidekick’ who’ll grow up to be your most valued and loyal adviser. I learned to fly already, so it seems the most logical step, don’t you think(!)”

“Oh Spike, don’t ever change. I mean, you might get bigger one day and your voice may sound different with age, but as long as your loving heart stays the same, I don’t think any of that matters.” Twilight went in for another hug, and this full-on embrace involved her wings too… so when Spike eventually replied, his voice sounded somewhat muffled.

“Hey, when it comes to size, I have a feeling both of us are gonna go through some slight… modifications in the future.” Spike said smugly through the feathers, based on the maturation process of the other alicorns he knew. “But don’t worry… even if I didn’t have all the future perks of a top job in the royal court to look forward to, like free lava baths and all the gems I can eat, I’d still stay by your side ‘til the bitter end. After all… isn’t that what ‘True Friends’ do?”

“Wait. Your contract doesn’t state anything about…” Twilight exclaimed, before a cheeky grin from her scampish companion cut her short. “Oh, you! Well, I’ll see what I can do. Wouldn’t want to show any excessive favouritism to anycreature, would I? Even if they did deserve it. At least you’ve just demonstrated that you paid some attention to my friendship lectures over the years. And there was me thinking you just snored through most of them…”

Listen? I helped edit most of them! Thousands upon thousands of pages thrown away! It’s a good job I know where the recycling bin is! These were Spike’s initial thoughts just then, but he wisely decided this was a debate for another day, now that the ‘big moment’ was swiftly approaching.

“Anyway, are you sure it’s okay if I sound a bit weird through this mike? I mean, I don’t want to detract from the occasion…”

“Spike, did you see anycreature else here bothered when you introduced our friends to the stage? I know this is a bit rich coming from me, but try not to let small things like that get you down, ‘kay?” Twilight finally disentangled herself from Spike’s personage, but not before giving him a firm pat on the back for good luck. “You got this. You’ve carried out your role impeccably so far, and I see no reason why that can’t continue. Go get ‘em, champ!”

‘Champ’?! What’s that supposed to… But Spike had no more time to dwell on Twilight’s strange choice of words. She’d popped back behind the curtain, Octavia’s orchestra was in full voice, the mixed crowd went silent with anticipation and he realised one of the defining moments of his short life was now here.

Right. This is it, Spikey Wikey. No running away. No backing out. No hiding under the covers with a flashlight and a heap of special edition comics. It’s time to show them the old Spike, the one who never took anything seriously and made sardonic comments about everything and everyone is long gone. This is the new me. Strong. Resilient. Ready to take on my new responsibilities and run with them. Get ready world, you’re not gonna know what’s hit you…

The passion and commitment were there. The things he needed to say were clear in his head. Everything was set up so well…

The optimism lasted all of half a second.

“H-hi…” Was all the determined dragon was able to squeak out, before he was unceremoniously bundled to the floor by a diving pegasus.

Cozy Nights stood unapologetically over his dazed form as she took possession of the microphone, her pleasantly smiling moon Cutie Mark in direct contrast to her angry words.

“What have you ponies done with my daughter?!”

Author's Note

Whoa. Drama. Though, not as much as in the comments section, admittedly... my notification bell has been ringing off the hook...

Seriously though, it's all good. As long as passions don't run too high and we end up resorting to threats and insults. After all, we're not animals... we just happen to like a show which has them as the heroes.

On another topic, I know I promised I'd reveal both the Cutie marks of our leading couple this chapter, but one outta two ain't bad, right? I swear though, Ocean Glow's special symbol with be revealed in the opening paragraphs of the next part. You don't have to believe me... you'll see for yourself soon.

Hope you enjoyed the Spike & Twi bonding, anyway. It was fun to write. Better enjoy the feelz while you still can though. Because believe me, things are about to get a lot heavier...

P.S I changed the chapter title.