Molt Down: TLC Timeline

A moment or two after being teleported to the front of the castle, the ripe stone scales begin weakening, allowing my claws to penetrate through the crusty old coat that eventually cracks and bursts apart. I look at my body one last time. It looks as if the stone scales never happened. I can only deduce my face is back to its adorable self like I said it would when I first woke up.

I rub my face to confirm, but once I get to my chin, something touches my left elbow.

“Spike! This is amazing!” Oh, I completely forgot Starlight was still with me. “Look!”

I go for my chin again and I can feel the same thing touch my elbow.

“Did I just sprout wings?” I ask myself, reaching back and seeing what I thought I felt. “I JUST SPROUTED WINGS!!!” I throw my fists into the air in excitement. I then run to Starlight and hug her.

“Twilight told me about your stone scales and pyrotension when you woke up, and it give me an idea. Why not grab someone older to teach you what THEY went through. One quick snap to Sire’s Hollow and back, and Sheriff Mangle ended up in Ponyville.”

“Wait, so you’re saying YOU sent Mangle? That’s genius!”

A while after Twilight talked about me about Spike’s molt, we stop at Sugar Cube Corner and get some cupcakes. Midway through I hear a blast coming from the castle.

“Um, Twilight? What was that?” I ask.

“I… I’m actually not sure. Do you think that was Spike, Aita?”

“Ha- have I rubbed off on you?” I shake my head to clear away the disbelief in what Twilight just did. “Ah! Pff! That doesn’t matter! Come on, let’s go!”

Twilight nods and leads the way back to the castle. Once we get there, we hear Starlight happily sigh. Yup. Two and a half years of living with you guys finally led up to that.

What Twilight and I both notice is Spike’s new set of wings.

“Spike?!?” exclaims Twilight. “How did you get wings?!?”

“I don’t know, but they’re pretty awesome!”

I gasp, realizing Spike’s newfound ability to fly. “And do you know what this means?!?”

“What?” Starlight replies.

“We all can stay together in the air!” I explain as I jump and hover above them. “We don’t need the train anymore if it’s just us!”

Starlight tilts her head questioningly. “Are you sure? I know I can fly with just magic, but I’ve never gone from town to town before using that alone.”

“Well, we could practice together,” offers Spike. “Maybe we could visit Twilight’s old friends more often.”

“Actually, I think I have somewhere else in mind.” Twilight? What are you thinking? Are we going to the Crystal Empire? “Pretty convenient they live in the same city home to Glad-”

“Actually Twilight, you could’ve just told us you were thinking of Carve and Rusty. Besides, Aita and I aren’t mature enough for admission at Gladmane Grande.”

Twilight grabs onto Spike as Starlight grabs onto me, but before we all teleport out of Ponyville, I interject. “Wait a minute. Spike and I went with Rarity to the phoenix nests. Why not Carousel Boutique?”

My horn lights up now, allowing me to teleport to Rarity’s bedroom with Starlight. Twilight and Spike soon follow. Rarity turns around and waves to us, only to be stunned when she notices Spike’s wings.

“My! What fetching wings you have, Spike! Was this what that molt Mangle mentioned led to?”

“Somehow, but that means I’m now my adorable self in the air!”

Spike jumps in the air, cheering.

Rarity walks over to Spike as he lands, wrapping her hoof around him. “I can only imagine what you might be capable of after your trip to Sire’s Hollow. Seeing how he told you about the molt, he could ALSO teach you some advanced flying, that handsome sheriff.”

“So wait, who’s Mangle?” Twilight asks. “I didn’t see any dragons coming in or out of Ponyville. And you’re saying he’s the sheriff of Starlight’s hometown?”

Starlight nods yes. “I didn’t know you never heard of him.”

“Well, he never did compete in the Gauntlet of Fire,” ponders Rarity. “We never saw him in the dragon lands. Really though Spiky-wiky, the best way you’re going advance your flight is to learn from a dragon willing to teach you based on their experience.”

“Oh! Really… and you all wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all, Spike,” I reply. “Rarity’s right. Mangle is the perfect fit for the role.”

“As sheriff,” Starlight continues for me. “his role is more than just bringing locals to justice; it’s helping out whoever comes to him that are in need. Why don’t I go with you Spike, that way you won’t be entirely alone. It’s been a while since Dad and I had cookies together.”

Spike drops his jaw. “That’d be great! I get lessons from the sheriff, and you get to go home! Good thinking.” He now gives Starlight a friendly elbow.

I do have a question about that proposal though. “But what if Twilight gets called by the map while you and Starlight are gone?”

“That’s an easy solution, Aita. You can just stay with me.”

I blink, looking at Rarity. “That’s right… I never considered I could stay elsewhere.”

“Well Spike? Ready to head to my hometown?”

“Right behind you, Starlight!”

Starlight leads the way out of Rarity room, on the spot going to Sire’s Hollow, Spike following close behind.

Rarity watches the two leave, and as soon as they’re out of view, she turns back to me. “You don’t think the map is going to call, do you Aita?”

“We’ll see, but I doubt it will. There hasn’t been a friendship problem since Hearth’s Warming. Literally everypony we’re aware of knows us now, even Firelight.”

“Whatever happens next,” Twilight adds. “we’ll be here for each other.”

Rarity, Twilight and I engage in a group hug.

“Now it’s been nice talking, but I do have to get to making that phoenix dress. See you later Twilight, Aita!”

We nod at Rarity and leave to go home.