Few things could really get Spike angry the way Celtis had, while it was true the drake had his temper flare ups that was largely part of being a dragon, a fierce protective yet temperamental mind set but luckily Spike had methods of calming himself down by talking things out with trusted friends and family members.

“I mean, I tried to be nice to the guy but it turns out you where right Twilight the nerve of that dick!”Spike complained as we see him apparently talking to himself as he was leaning against the flag pole arms crossed and expression fixed into a scowl.

“I’m not gonna lie little bro, the guy did rub me the wrong way especially with the look he gave me.”Twilights voice said from out of view while Spike was trying to calm himself”But listen, while I’m more than willing to help you calm down can you do me a favor first?”She asked with a groan.

“Sure what is it?”Spike asked finally looking up as it was revealed Twilight was dangling a few feet off the ground upside down her legs where tied together at the ankles by the flagpoles rope.

“…Really I have to say it?”Twilight asked with a flat look gesturing to her situation getting a sheepish look from the drake.

“Right sorry my bad I’ll have ya down in a jiffy.”Spike said unfolding his wings before flying up grabbing his sister by the shoulders as he did so making sure she was right side up as he took her into his arms before cutting the rope.

“Thanks.”Twilight sighed once her legs where unbound before he set her down”The blood was starting to rush to my head.”she stated placing her left hand to her temple to try and ease a mild headache she no doubt had.

“Sorry about earlier I should have spoke up when Trixie and Starlight grabbed you.”Spike said with a sheepish look and in response Twilight flicked him on the forehead”Ow! okay I deserved that.”he winced.

“Damn right.”Twilight muttered closing her eyes while using her free hand to continue to massage her head”Look I’m just glad you didn’t do anything to drastic when Celtis, last thing I want is to see you getting hauled off to jail for literally shoving a guys head up his own ass.”Twilight stated.

“Oh come on, first of all that is physically impossible to do and second when have I ever threatened someone with that?”Spike huffed.

“Ya said you’d do that to shining back when you turned thirteen during family game night.”Twilight reminded

“Ok but in my defense…he cheated at monopoly.”Spike crossed his arms.

“…He cheated at monopoly…right.”Twilight her eyes before grabbing her brothers arm”Well come on, I think we’ve kept the girls waiting long enough.”she said and began to lead her brother away.

“So Pinkie is throwing me a surprise party?”Spike asked with a smirk getting a small chuckle from his sister in response.

“It’s Pinkie Pie, it be weird if she didn’t throw a party.”Twilight stated as they walked in the direction of a particular building on campus”Just try to act surprised you know how she gets.”Twilight told him.

“Like you said it’s Pinkie Pie I’m gonna be surprised no matter what she dose.”Spike chuckled as they passed by a small flower bed on the way Spike took a moment to stop”hmm?”he paused looking over the large variety of flowers of various colors”Huh that’s weird I don’t remember this patch of flowers being here before.”he stated getting Twilight to stop.

“What do you mean?”Twilight asked turning to look at the assortment of flowers”Oh well that’s odd.”she said bending down to examine one of the flowers”I don’t think I’ve ever seen ones like this maybe the botany club is experimenting with cross pollination again.”she stated eyeing a particular flower.

It was a rose of some kind with a purple stem and oddly it’s petals had a strange gold yellow pattern on the outside and it seemed to be devoid of any thorns.

“I’ve never seen a rose like this.”Twilight stated before Spike reached over to grab it only for Twilight to gently swat his hand”Don’t pick it someone went through a lot of trouble planting this thing.”she chastised him lightly before turning her attention back to the flower”But I’ll admit, it is rather pretty.”she admitted however as she leaned in to get a slightly closer look she was given a rather nasty surprise.

Without warning the rose’s petals shifted before a burst of pollen blasted out from it hitting Twilight directly in the face.

“Gah! Oh god my mouth was open!”she gagged stumbling back falling on her backside waving her hand in front of her face to try and dissipate the cloud of pollen before she began a coughing fit.

“Twilight are you okay?”Spike asked instantly at his sisters side to make sure she was alright wrapping an arm around her to help her up.

“I’m fine it just caught me off guard is all.”she coughed before trying to stand using her brothers muscular frame to gain leverage to pull herself to her feat only for her to stumble and nearly fell back to the ground before Spike caught her.

“Bullshit you’re fine, come on I’m taking you to the nurses office.”Spike said before he reached to pick her up.

“No spike I’m fine I swear I-“Twilight tried to protest but stopped after a moment and gripped her head”Oh god!”she hissed gripping her head as a ringing sound echoed through her head”M-my head…make it stop.”she whimpered shutting her eyes tight as her horn began to spark up before in a panic she shoved herself out of her brothers protective grasp.

“Twilight what’s wrong what are-“Spike began before a burst of light came off the unicorns horn and once it died down she was gone”D-did she just teleport?”he asked in shock, Twilight always had such control over her magic it was rare to see her loose it like that”Unless…”he muttered before he looked down at the strange rose his eyes narrowed in suspicion”It…couldn’t be.”he said before he reached out to grab the flower.

“Kid wait!”DragonHeart shouted materializing besides the drake as he reached for the flower to try and stop him however it was to late.

The moment Spike’s hand made contact the flower shockingly sprouted forward like a tendril and wrapped around the drakes arm, it’s thorns tearing into his jackets sleeve and into his scale covered flesh, the action elected a grunt of pain from Spike who fell back trying to wretch the fiendish flower off his person.

“The Fuck!”Spike said trying to rip the rouge rose off of him but it seemed like with every pull the thorn covered stem only wrapped itself tighter around him it was like a fishing hook, the more he struggled the worse it got.

“Damn, hold still!”DragonHeart said before his pointer finger changed gaining the sharp edges from the arrow head and with a quick swipe of his hand the rose stem was cut apart.

Spike let out a sigh of relief before glaring down at the flower that now lay helpless on the floor before picking it up”Come on, we need to find Twilight.”he said before he took off running with the flower held in hand his stand following in close proximity”She may have teleported out but I have a gut feeling I know where she’s gonna go.”he stated as they took off.

ゴゴゴゴ…

However as the dragon teen left he missed the sight of the flower stem remains withering away on the ground just as a hand slowly rose from the flowerbed a sickly green and yellow aura about it before the rest of the being rose up and watched the retreating form of Spike before letting out a chuckle.

-

The cafeteria was dim almost every light was turned off save for a few in the kitchen, what little illuminated the room showed a few balloons and streamers set up along with a large net filled with confetti connected to the ceiling.

“Girls I don’t think they’re coming.”a timid voice spoke out from somewhere in the room.

“Don’t say that.”a pink piny poked her head out from her hiding place somehow having hidden her entire frame under the small chair that was pulled up to a nearby table”Twilight said she’d bring him right here after a brief tour.”the pink pony pointed out.

“Can we At least change hiding spots? Rarity’s elbow keeps pressing into my back.”an irate southern voice stated from somewhere in the room.

“This is not exactly a cake walk for me either darling.”a second voice spoke out in equal levels of irritation”Infact-“the voice was cut off by the sound of the doors to the darkened room being kicked open in a panic.

“SURPRISE!”the pink mare cried out flipping the lights on while the other occupants of the room jumped out of their hiding spots as confetti rained down from the ceiling onto the person who had just barged in.

And the group of mares instantly felt something was wrong as they saw the panicking form of Twilight step into the room gripping her head her horn giving off sparks.

“T-twilight?”a timid pegasus with a bright pink mane stepped forward reaching out a hand”What’s wrong where’s Spike?”she asked only for the unicorn mare to back away.

“F-fluttershy…girls…get back please…somethings wrong…my horn..I..i can’t.”Twilight said struggling to speak a complete sentence as another magical spark came off her horn popping a few nearby balloons with a stray jolt of magic making the other mares in the room take a step back.

“Rainbow, go get the nurse.”The white and purple maned unicorn of the group stated glancing over at the aforementioned pegasus girl.

“Right!”Rainbow gave a nod unfolding her wings from the back of her shirt and began to fly off the ground.

“N-no!”Twilight cried out”It’s to dangerous I-I-“she tried to protest only for her to fall to her knees as the sparking finally stopped before completely passing out.

“Twilight!”the girls cried before Rainbow took off in a panic, and not long after the doors to the cafeteria where pushed open as a panicked Spike rushed in.

“Twi!”he cried out rushing to the downed mare’s side picking her up”Twilight come on say something!”he begged trying to gently shake her awake but Twilights only response was a small groan and small shallow breaths.

“S-spike…”Pinkie spoke up approaching the two her curly mane now deflated and straight.

At his name the dragon snapped his head up looking at the four remaining mares in the room”Wheres the nurses office?”he snapped tone dead serious as he scooped his sister into his arms.

“We just sent Rainbow Dash to go get the nurse she should be-“the southern sounding earth pony began only for Spike to snap.

“WHERE IS IT?!”he snarled flashing his fangs in anger and the four girls stepped back again, and causing the pink maned pegasus to hide behind Pinkie in fear.

“M-main building, it has a Red Cross sign in the door you can’t miss it.”Pinkie stuttered and without another word Spike took off out of the room carrying his sister.

“Spikey…”the white unicorn sighed sadly watching him leave before the southern earth pony grabbed her shoulder gaining her attention.

“C’mon we should follow him.”she stated and finding no reason to argue with this the four girls gave chase after the dragon, albeit the Pegasus girl was being carried by Pinkie.

“M-maybe we should give Spike some space?”the Pegasus girl tried to say but they where already out the door.

-

The waiting area outside the nurses office was silent, how long had Spike been sitting her, ten or twenty minutes? It honestly felt more like hours to him.

The drake in question was seen calmly sitting down hands clasped together while he rested on the simple wooden bench his back pressed against the wall while his eyes where downcast, all around him the other five mares in Twilight’s friend group waited with him the halls where empty and the only sound that could be heard was the sound of a nearby clock ticking.

“…I’m sure she’s gonna be ok darling.”The white unicorn mare told him placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Spike didn’t respond or look up, he instantly identified the voice as Rarity, he normally would take the chance to catch up with his long time friends but given the situation he was not in the mood.

“….”Rarity bit her lip as she looked at Spike in concern, the mare was dressed up in a pair of black designer jeans with pale blue diamond designs embroidered onto the legs leading up to her knees, she also wore a bright pink strapless top that partially exposed her midriff and over said top to make the outfit more modest was a black short sleeved jacket covered in similar Diamond designs”I’m..sorry to ask but…what happened?”she asked gently.

“Rarity ah don’t think now’s the time.”the southern earth pony said her blonde mane was pulled back ironically into a ponytail and she sported a Stetson hat atop her head while dressed in a red flannel jacket with a pair of blue Jean shorts showing off her rather powerful looking legs this was Applejack one of the members of the Apple family.

“We’ll just sitting here in silence isn’t gonna help either Aj.”Rainbow spoke up the cyan pegasus woman was dressed in a black tank top and cut off jeans similar to Applejacks and on her right arm starting from her shoulder going down where a series of tattoos that showed through her fur, each tattoo being one of her friends cutie marks from her own cloud and rainbow lightning bolt to Twilight’s magic star mark”It sucks to talk about it right now but we need to know what happened.”she stated.

Applejack huffed in response and gave her a neutral look”Rainbow honey ah love ya but ah think it be best if-“She began before Spike finally cut her off by speaking.

“A flower…”Spike said not looking up from the floor”We stopped by the flower bed out in the courtyard…and we saw this weird looking rose.”he said bringing his hands up to rub his temples trying to calm himself before he continued”Purple stem, and it had these freaky petals that had this gold line pattern going around each petal.”he described”It sprayed Twi in the face, and the next thing I know her magic freaked out like you all saw.”he finished.

A frown came over Applejack’s face”A purple stemmed flower with yellow patterns on its petals?”she asked revoking her hat to scratch the side of her head in confusion”Fluttershy?”she asked turning to the shy pegasus for answers.

“Oh Um..I’ve never heard of a flower like that sorry.”Fluttershy said timidly looking down at the skirt of her yellow sundress before her eyes widened as if she had realized something”B-but I can ask my botany club! We study weird plant life all the time even ones found in Everfree.”she offered to try and give the drake some form of hope.

“Thanks…I just…I think I need to be alone girls, it was great to see you all again I just wish it was under better circumstances.”Spike sighed before he stood up his expression was anything but cheerful, he looked like he had just been punched in the gut”I think I’m gonna go check out my dorm room just…let me know if the nurse brings any good news Alright?”he asked before he left.

“Spikey…”Rarity sighed watching him leave before suddenly a deflating sound was heard”Here darling.”She said pulling out a handkerchief and handing it over to Pinkie Pie who’s mane was now straight and lifeless to signify her feelings on the situation.

The pink earth pony sadly took the handkerchief”Thanks.”she whimpered whipping her eyes with it, normally Pinkie pie was a cheerful pony and her outfit reflected that, being made up of a white and black striped tank top and oddly multi-colored jeans with a matching belt, but right now she was anything but cheerful”You think your club friends can really help Fluttershy?”she asked turning her head to look at the Pegasus in question.

Fluttershy nodded in response”Y-yes, but the club President can be kinda mean…”she admitted looking down”But…I’m sure he will help if we tell him our friend needs it.”she smiled standing up.

“If you’re gonna go and ask him me and Aj will come with. Never know if the guy is gonna need some extra convincing.”Rainbow spoke up wrapping an arm around the southern Earth Pony.

“Dash ah don’t think approaching someone and threatening him is gonna do any good.”Applejack frowned only for Rainbow to roll her eyes.

“Geez I just said extra convincing, never said I was gonna hurt the guy..although if he’s an asshole and refuses to help out even after we ask nicely…”she trailed off leaving the implications to the group’s imagination much to Applejacks annoyance.

“I’ll stay here incase the nurse has any news on Twilight.”Pinkie said as she dried her tears with Rarity’s handkerchief.

“And I’ll go after Spike, Faust knows he shouldn’t be alone right now.”Rarity spoke up before she began to make her leave.

“Text us if you two hook up!”Rainbow called after the white unicorn who froze a moment in her stride and continued on hiding her flushed face”Cause if you do it before next semester Applejack owes me fifty-OW!”the Pegasus yelped as Applejack removed her hat and used it to smack her upside the head.

“Seriously Dash, time and place,”Applejack huffed placing her hat back on her head”Now C’mon, we got a botany club President to talk to.”she said before she turned and left with the grumbling pegasus following close behind.

“Oh dear, wait for me please.”Fluttershy said as she calmly walked after them”Let’s just remember not to be to rude.”she mumbled to herself.

Pinkie watched the trio leave before she let out a sigh”And then there was one.”she smiled sadly before folding the handkerchief up and pocketing it, making a mental note to return it to Rarity later”So much for the big surprise party.”she mumbled to herself before taking out her phone”I should probably call and cancel the chocolate fountain delivery.”she muttered and began to scroll through her contacts”I really need to organize these better.”she sighed.

However as Pinkie went through her phone she failed to notice above her small thorn covered plant vines began to slowly grow from the ceiling, slithering downward towards her.

“Come on, balloon buddies? no.”Pinkie frowned as she kept scrolling”Confetti comrade-I need to rethink some of my contact names.”she sighed leaning back eyes closed, blissfully unaware of the various bramble covered vines hanging besides her now, each one soon rapidly blooming a familiar rose on them.

ゴゴゴゴ…

A slight rustling sound caught the pink Earth Pony’s attention as she opened her eyes and turned her head, just in time for her to receive a blast of pollen straight to the face.

“Ahh!”Pinkie yelped before she began coughing as the cloud of pollen shin covered her face obstructing it from view”I can’t-Uggh see!”she coughed before she jell over off the bench waving her arm about randomly her coughing fit growing worse as her fur suddenly began to grow paler, her still deflated mane shrinking becoming slightly shorter before she fell over unconscious.

The rose vines then began to rapidly shrivel away before crumbling to dust just as the door to the nurses office opened up, a male changeling nurse stepping out a moment later.

“Alright the good news is she’s-OH GOD!”the nurse shouted seeing the pink mare laid out on the floor out cold before he quickly picked her up and rushed her inside.

The moment the door to the nurses office slammed shut a figure dropped down from the ceiling letting out a distorted laugh.

“Two down…four to go.”the figure chuckled while their voice was distorted there was something vaguely familiar about it, as the figure turned it began to make its way down the hall going in the same direction Soike and Rarity had gone down.

-

A low sigh escaped Spike’s lips as we find him standing before a vending machine calmly riffling through his pockets before he pulled out a few coins, todays events where stressing him out to no end first he had to deal with some asshole, then he had to deal with a guy he thought he could relate to only for him to also be an asshole, and finally his sister was in the infirmary because of some crazy flower pollen.

Just what was going on with his life?

“I’m sure she’s gonna be ok kid.”DragonHeart spoke placing a reassuring hand on the dragon’s shoulder”Twilight is a fighter, she gets that from mom after all. ”he told him in a reassuring tone.

“She shouldn’t even be in this situation…that stupid flower.”Spike grumbled as he inserted his change before angrily inserting the number for the snack he wanted”This fucking school…Trixie and Starlight picking on her…and all these fucking racist nobles I have half a mind to tear this place down board by boarded.”he growled to himself before he grabbed the candy bar from the machine and proceeded to devour it with gusto.

“Feel better?”DragonHeart asked once Spike finished the sweet confection.

“No…those commercials are a total scam.”Spike muttered to himself before he crumbled the wrapper up into a ball before tossing it over to a nearby trash can, only for it to miss much to his annoyance”Fucking seriously?”Spike growled as he marched over to pick the wrapper up while DragonHeart vanished from view.

He never got a chance to touch the wrapper, as a light blue magical aura enveloped the item and lifted it into the trash receptacle for him.

Spike paused for a moment seeing this, before he turned around to see Rarity standing a few feet away offering him a shy smile.

“I had a feeling I’d find you here, I’d stop to grab a bite too before trying to find my dorm on the first day.”Rarity told him as she approached him calmly”I know you said you wanted to be alone Spike but I’d never forgive myself if I just let you be while you are feeling like this.”she said and in an instant Spike felt his annoyance and irritation wash away, his demeanor seemed to relax at Rarity’s presence.

Spike let out a sigh before he calmly leaned against the wall next to the vending machine, his expression was neutral but Rarity could lead him like a book.

“She’s going to be ok Spike.”she told him reaching over and gently caressed the side of his face”She’s a fighter.”she smiled.

“Yeah I know, friend of mine said the same thing.”Spike stated slightly relaxing more at her touch”Just wish I could have gotten ahold of that flower, but the damn thing withered away as soon as it sprayed her.”Spike told her, choosing not to inform her about how the rose had attacked him.

“Well you will be happy to know Fluttershy is going to talk to the botany club to try and get a sample of the flower, it could be useful in finding some type of cure.”she said as Spike heard this he couldn’t help but frown.

“Who’s in this botany club Anyways?”Spike asked before Rarity went to retrieve a snack from the vending machine.

“Well Fluttershy herself for one. Also this Zebra girl, don’t really know her or most of the member’s names to be honest but I think she mentioned the presidents name in passing once.”Rarity said as she inserted a few coins into the machine whike looking over the options”Some young gentlemen named Celtis I think.”she said before punching in the item number, unaware Spike had gone silent with a shocked look on his face.

“Rarity…did you just say Celtis?”Spike asked firmly his expression hardening into a serious look.

“Hmm?”Rarity hummed looking up as she retrieved her granola bar from the vending machine”Yes why do you ask?”she asked before she took notice of the drake’s change in demeanor”Do…do you know him?”she asked.

“Yeah…I know him…I think Fluttershy is gonna need some help.”Spike grunted as he began to walk past her”Celtis is…stubborn.”he said trying as hard as he could to keep himself from growling.

“Oh? I think Fluttershy did mention he can be a rather crude individual.”Rarity frowned as she turned to follow him.

“Well that’s one word you could call him.”Spike thought bitterly feeling his aggression rise up as the Deer’s name was brought up”No way that asshole is gonna help Twilight, not without someone forcing him to do it.”he mentally growled, and DragonHeart materialized besides him remaining silent for a change oddly enough.

For a moment Rarity seemed to pause in trying to open her candy bar her eyes looking up at Spike before they widened in shock”Spike?”she asked getting him to stop.

“What?”he asked cal king himself so he wouldn’t snap at her, and as he turned he saw exactly where she was looking.

Slowly Spike followed her line of sight to his own stand and his own eyes widened before the two of them pointed to each other.

“WAIT ARE YOU A-“the both started to shout at the same time only for DragonHeart to speak up cutting them both off.

“Heads up you two, we have a visitor.”the stand stated while Spike turned to him as Rarity reacted in surprise seeing the stand talk, before she also saw what DragonHeart was alerted too.

A figure was approaching the two, standing about as tall as Spike himself it was a metallic black almost robotic being with long clawed hands and feet wrapped in bramble covered vines and its claws where gunmetal grey while its head was a dome of some sort with what looked to be smoke on the inside of it, a pair of glowing red eyes shined within the smoke and glared at the two, all around the hallway behind it vines began to sprout out from it, and on these thorn covered vines a series of familiar flowers where sprouting.

The same type of flowers that had put Twilight in her current condition.

“…Rarity…”Spike said unable to keep the growl out of his voice”I want you to promise me this thing is not your stand.”he stated not even looking back at her as DragonHeart stood by his side ready for combat.

Rarity took only a brief look at the stands appearance and huffed”I can promise you my stand would never look THAT hideous design wise Spikey wikey.”she told him with an expression of disdain on her face as she looked it over”I mean gunmetal grey mixed with that shade of black is so tacky-wait why do you ask?”Rarity asked before noticing the aggressive body language Spike was displaying.

“because…that thing is what made that flower…it makes sense now, it wasn’t the botany club that planted that flower it was this fucking thing!”he glared as the unknown stand took another step toward them”I’d never forgive anyone who would make my sister sick like that flower did…which is why I’m glad it’s not you.”he said before he began to approach”And whomever this thing belongs too…is gonna feel my rage…”Spike growled glaring at the strange stand.

The unknown stand in response intensified its glare right back and held up its claws the brambles around its arms began to lengthen and curl further around its body, all those present knew one thing for sure.

A fight was unavoidable.

…To be continued

Author's Note

Sorry about the wait everyone, was dealing with major writers block this past month but I’m back with the next chapter.

I hope you all enjoy it and…I may be slacking some of these chapters out incase this writers block happens again so forgive me if some chapters take a while to post Anyways let me know what you all think =3