The sun shone a deep orange through the windows of the Castle of Friendship. Another day was coming to a close. All through the town of Ponyville, its residents were packing up for the evening, whatever that entailed. Stores were locking up, and the stalls that peppered the marketplace were closed as well, their contents stored away. Everyone, save for a few colts and fillies still out playing, were returning to their homes for the cool fall night. Included in this group was Spike. Who had just returned to the castle. It was in the throne room that Spike found Twilight reading a book; she was cast in the same orange glow that penetrated the castle's windows. The crystal walls reflecting the light around the room like they were made of mirrors instead.
"Twilight," Spike called from across the large room "I'm home!"
"Oh, welcome back, Spike!" Twilight put a mark into her book, closed it, and placed it back on a shelf for later. "I wasn't sure if you'd be back tonight or if you'd have to wait for a train tomorrow. It's been rather quiet in the castle for the past few days."
"Oh that was a close one, for sure! There was so much to do around the city, and I didn't have much time to do it. My wings were so sore from flying around that if the Crystal Empire guards didn't carry me to the train station, I never would've made it in time. " Spike was now firmly seated in his chair, at Twilight's side. "I understand how important it was to go there, but I still wish I had some help," he grumbled as he pulled a bag of gems out of his backpack to snack on.
"And I am sorry about that, Spike. I really am. But we both know that with winter just around the corner, there's a lot that has to be done here in Ponyville. Like with Fluttershy getting the animals ready for hibernation, everypony was busy. Tonight is the only night in the past week I haven't been up to my horn in paperwork." Twilight glanced over to the corner of the room, where comedically tall stacks of important books and forms sat. She shuddered just thinking about the sleep she didn't get. "But I can't stress how thankful I am that you took the job on alone though, Spike. With Cadance and Shining Armor away on their much needed vacation, we needed somepony to take care of the winter prep in the Crystal Empire."
"And take care of the prep I did!" Spike exclaimed, stuffing another gem into his mouth. "The Crystal Empire has never been more prepared for winter than they are now," he boasted. "Really though, I've never seen that much of the city before in such a short time. And I don't think I've been out to the outskirts before at all."
"I'm sure you did a fantastic job, Spike. That's why I suggested that you take on the task when Cadance asked. I knew I could trust you to do it. I'm sure she'll send a letter when she returns home telling me all about how good a job you did."
A silence started to fall back over the room, with only the sound of devoured gems to be heard. Twilight's book was now back in her magic grasp. However, just before she could open it back up to the bookmark, Spike spoke up again.
"Oh, right. There was a few other things I wanted to ask you about, Twilight. It's related to my trip," Spike had returned the bag of the gems to his backpack, wiping a few bits of crystal from his mouth.
"Ok, what is it?" Twilight asked, unprepared for the question to follow.
"So, hypothetically speaking, what if I were to hijack the train on the way to the Crystal Empire." Spike's question resonated against the crystal walls, his now serious tone the sole sound in the room.
The expression on Twilight's face couldn't be put into words. Shock? Confusion? Twilight was taken aback by such an odd, yet concerning question. A short, silent moment later however, she regained her composure. She let out a short chuckle, "Spike what's gotten into you to be asking something like that?"
"Well, I was just curious," he began again, showing no hint of laughter in his expression or voice. "But like, really though. What if I was to hijack the train and take it to Manehatten instead of the Crystal Empire. And then hypothetically, in Manehatten, I was to hush everyone on the train and at the station on your princess authority. And then after that, what if I went to the closest gem store and effectively robbed them. Telling them that they either fill my backpack with gems," he patted his stuffed-to the brim, but still closed, backpack, "or their store would be closed down forever. Again on your orders. Oh, and on that note too. Hypothetically speaking, it would be pretty easy for you to not notice missing scrolls and quills, considering I'm the one that's been buying them and keeping track of them lately. So what if I were to make several copies of your seal on your official scrolls and use my knowledge of your writing tendencies to create legitimate looking decrees from you about anything." Spike paused for very briefly, taking a breath.
Twilight had regained her composure from the first question, but wasn't ready for the barrage that hit her ears. Unfortunately, Spike didn't even give her time to respond. All she could bring herself to do was sit and continue to listen in utter disbelief and confusion.
"Oh, after robbing the store. What if, hypothetically speaking, I were to let loose the parasprite I had brought with me into the city. Thus causing a massive infestation that Equestria has never before seen. But then, what if I were to perform a magic ritual that not only freed Tirek from the stone prison, but also teleported him directly to Manehatten. And, what if hypothetically, Tirek was to use the densely populated streets to amass a significant amount of magic in seconds. Thus allowing him to stop any information getting to you or any other princess, either by forcefully stopping anything or anypony that tried to leave or by snuffing out the magic of anypony capable of long distance communication." Spike finished, settling back into his chair.
Twilight's face was now that of pure horror. She sat frozen, unable to move as the castle was quiet for several minutes. It was the sound of Spike eating his gems again that snapped her out of her haze. "Spike!" She screamed.
"What Twilight? Jeez, I was just asking hypothetically, why do you look so worked up?" Spike asked, looking as though Twilight was seconds from imploding.
Before Twilight could continue, she was interrupted by Spike as he burped a letter into existence, bearing the seal of Princess Cadance. Instinctively, she grabbed the letter with her magic.
"I'm just gonna go to my room, Twi. I've got some comics with my name of them," said Spike, leaving the room before Twilight could stop him.
Now in a mix of anger, shock, and confusion again. Twilight slowly opened the letter.
Dear Twilight,
Shining Armor and I have just returned from our vacation to Vanhoover. And I must say, what a wonderful vacation it was! I can't thank Spike enough for agreeing to help with the winter preparations. He did such an amazing job, and everything is ready for the transition. Be sure to thank him for me! I might have to get him to help out next year too; I've never been able to finish all the work that quickly before. That's why I intended to have him stay here for three days. The castle staff told me though that he arrived on the last day, did everything, and left on the last train home.
