My Little Pony: Nine Elements

Book 3

Written by Brandon Nell, Rachael Ravens, and Blake Hawkins

Chapter 9: Spike at Your Service

Two days after the Apple Family reunion, Spike was busy counting a stack of books that had been mailed to Twilight just a few days ago. "Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve," he said as he counted each book one by one.

“It’s impressive, isn’t it,” Twilight said. “And Princess Celestia wants me to read and report about all of them.”

“That’s a tall order,” Spike said. “Even for you.”

“Indeed,” Twilight said. “But, if I focus on one book at a time, I should be able to get all of them done. Thank goodness we already finished our chores for the day.” She then discreetly hid some documents. “These’ll keep me busy for a while. Why don’t you take the day off and help out our friends?”*

“Sure, why not,” Spike said.

“I don’t want you going near the Everfree Forest,” Twilight said. “It’s Timberwolf mating season there. Applejack told me that some were spotted near Sweet Apple Acres recently.”

“Okay, thanks, Mom,” Spike said. “I’ll see you later.” Then, a thought occurred to him. “Wait, aren’t Timberwolves living bundles of wood in the shape of wolves?”

“Their method of mating is a bit more complicated,” Twilight said. “Though, you may have to talk to Applejack or Fluttershy about this. They know more about them than I do.”

“If they’re made of wood,” Spike asked. “Why do I have to worry about them?”

“Your scales are soft for a dragon your age,” Twilight said. “So, they can be punctured more easily with enough force. If anything happened to you out there while I’m unable to protect you, I'd be devastated. You know how much I love you, right?”

Spike took all of this in and felt Twilight’s sincerity. “I do know that and I love you, too, Mom,” he said. “Okay, for both of our sakes, I will be careful.”

“Please come back unharmed, Spike,” Twilight said. “I came close to losing you for good at the Crystal Empire. I don't want anymore scares like that."

“I’ll be with our friends,” Spike said. “I know they can keep me safe. Okay, I’m off now.”

As soon as Spike was out, Twilight turned her attention to the documents.

“It’s time to finally get this done,” Twilight said. “I’m finally going to give Spike the one thing he wanted more than anything else.”

Outside, Spike felt the good weather on his scales. He stretched a bit to loosen up.

“Okay,” he said aloud to himself. “If I’m going to hang out with everypony else, how am I going to decide who I hang out with first?” He reached into his loose scales and pulled out a scroll listing the names of the other Guardians of Harmony. “Hmm, let’s see. Rarity? No, too obvious a first choice. Fluttershy? Hmm. Well, I’ve been missing a couple tea parties with her lately. Maybe this visit can make up for it.” So, Spike headed for Fluttershy’s cottage.

He was walking casually along, enjoying the fresh air and good weather. He was blissfully unaware that a supernatural entity was watching him.

Soon, he arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage, where the canary pegasus was tending to the animals in her care.

“You’re very welcome, Primrose,” she said to a grateful rabbit. She then saw Spike. “Oh, hello, Spike,” she said in a pleasantly surprised tone. “It’s lovely to see you.”

“Ditto,” Spike said. “My mom gave me the day off so I can help you and the other Guardians.”

“Ah, I see,” Fluttershy said. “You’re welcome to help me. I’ve been tending to these animals and I see a groundhog and a squirrel who could use some assistance. But, you can only help with one job. We don’t want you overworking yourself again after your greed rampage.”

“Since I’m doing this to help one friend,” Spike said. “I should be okay. Plus, you’re also doing your part. After we’re finished, we could wash up and have some tea.”

“Sounds good to me,” Fluttershy said.

So, the two looked after the animals together. Fluttershy made sure to keep Angel and Spike separated at a lengthy distance. Unknown to them, the supernatural entity watching Spike summoned a cockatrice from the Everfree forest and sent it after them. Spike had just finished brushing a skunk’s tail into a smoother look when he thought he heard something.

“Huh?” he exclaimed as he listened carefully. “What was that?” He turned his head and saw the cockatrice. He gasped in surprise and backed away from the creature. “Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy heard Spike’s outburst and turned her attention to see what was going on. She saw the cockatrice approaching him and she gasped.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” she said with determination.

Before she could get close, the skunk released its musk at the cockatrice. The cockatrice squawked in disgust and backed away from the offensive eye-stinging aroma. Fluttershy quickly scooped Spike up in her front hooves.

“Spike!” she said. “Are you alright?”

“I am thanks to that skunk,” Spike said before noticing how high up he was and burying his face into Fluttershy’s chest in a panic while grabbing onto her tightly.

Fluttershy noticed and gently set Spike back on the ground. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Thank you for helping Spike, Wetherby.” However, they noticed that Wetherby had petrified legs. Fluttershy gasped. “Oh dear! I’ll have to see to that cockatrice that she cancels your petrification.”

Spike freed himself from Fluttershy’s chest and saw the cockatrice headed towards Ponyville.

“Boy,” he said to himself. “When Fluttershy gets right down to it, she can be really brave.” Then, a realization hit him. “We can’t let that cockatrice get into town! Oh, but, I promised Mom that I wouldn’t go near the Everfree Forest.”

“Don’t worry about that, Spike,” Fluttershy said. “You just help me stop her from reaching town. I’ll herd her back into the forest.”

“Right,” Spike nodded. “There’s no time to lose!”

Together, the two went after the cockatrice. The creature made eye-contact with a few animals along the way, but, the two noticed that the petrification wouldn’t complete.

“I thought petrification was complete and instantaneous,” Spike said. “How come they don’t finish up?”

“Cockatrices have to keep their eyes open for the petrification to complete,” Fluttershy said. “Blinking even once can interrupt the process.”

“Maybe when Wetherby sprayed the cockatrice,” Spike figured aloud. “It caused her eyes to be bothered. This leads her to blink to dull the pain.” He then had an idea. “Fluttershy, get me in front of the cockatrice!”

“What?!” Fluttershy gasped.

“Trust me,” Spike said. “I have a plan!”

Fluttershy was reluctant, but, she remembered that most of Spike’s ideas worked in the past, so, she decided to trust him. So, she helped him to get in front of the cockatrice. As she did, Spike pulled out his scrying mirror. Once in front of the cockatrice, he held it in front of his face before she gazed at it, petrifying her legs. She squawked in shock. She tried to run, but, her legs were too stiff. That was when Fluttershy began to comprehend Spike’s plan.

Oh, I see, she thought to herself. If the cockatrice can’t move, she can’t petrify any pony or any creature. With her blinking, she can’t completely petrify herself, meaning she could still be able to undo the petrification she’s already done. What a clever little dragon.

Fluttershy then confronted the cockatrice.

“Now, you listen here, young lady!” she said in a sharp tone of voice. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself for petrifying other animals! Now, we’ll take you back so you can release who you already partially petrified. When you're done, we’ll make sure you are turned back to normal and I can wash your eyes. But, you must not petrify other creatures without a justifiable reason. Understand?”

The cockatrice, seeing no other alternative, nodded.

“Thank you,” Fluttershy said kindly. “Okay, Spike.”

Spike, careful not to make eye contact with the cockatrice, picked the creature up by the petrified legs. They then went back and the cockatrice was able to undo the petrification spell she put on those she came across. She undid her own petrification last.

“We all good, Fluttershy?” Spike asked.

“Yes, we’re good,” Fluttershy nodded. “I’ll take things from here. Thank you for your help, Spike. It was very brave of you to use your scrying mirror against her.” She nuzzled the little dragon’s head.

“Anything to help,” Spike said modestly. “Well, I’ll see you later.” And he headed off.

After a while, he decided to go help Applejack. The farm mare smiled as she saw Spike approach.

“Howdy, Spike,” she said, tilting her stetson. “What brings ya out here?”

“My mom gave me the day off so I can help out the other guardians,” Spike explained. “I already helped out Fluttershy.”

“Ah see,” Applejack said. She sniffed lightly. “Uh, but, b’fore ya can help me with anythin’, ah think a quick tomater juice bath oughta be the first thing on the list.”

Spike took a sniff under his arm and cringed. “No argument there. But, do you even have tomatoes here?”

“We sure as sugar do,” Applejack answered. “We also got carrots, celery stalks, cabbages, corn, wheat, n’ even pumpkins.”

“Good to know,” Spike said.

“If’n ya want,” Applejack offered. “We can do it in a barn ta give ya privacy.”

“Sure, thanks,” Spike nodded.

Soon, Applejack was helping to give Spike a bath in tomato juice, finding scrubbing Spike’s scales a bit of a challenge. After some time, the skunk smell was washed off and Spike was rinsing himself off with warm water. Applejack helped dry areas his arms could reach. Suddenly, she touched a particular scale on Spike’s back that caused him to stiffen up and go limp like a pleasured puppy.

“Whoa!” Applejack gasped. “Are ya alright?”

“Yeah,” Spike answered. “You just touched an inverted scale.”

“Oh, ah see,” Applejack said. “What do ah do?”

“It’s okay,” Spike reassured. “I can already feel my muscle control returning.”

“Ah, that’s good,” Applejack said.

Spike got himself back up again. “So, now that that’s taken care of, how can I help you?”

“Well,” Applejack said. “Ah was fixin’ ta make an apple pie fer Rarity.”

“Baking sounds good,” Spike said. “I’ve had a bit of practice.”

“That’s true,” Applejack said, remembering that Spike helped Mr. and Mrs. Cake to bake at Sugarcube Corner.

“Though, is it okay if I use the oven?” Spike asked. “I tried making pies with my fire breath, but, I was left kind of winded afterwards.”

“Yeah, that’s alright with me,” Applejack nodded. “It’d be much safer, too.”

So, while they made the pie, the supernatural entity summoned creatures made up of a viscous substance that began converging on them.

“And the timer’s set,” Spike said. “Now, we just wait for the baking to finish.”

“Yup,” Applejack nodded.

Suddenly, Spike’s ear fronds twitched. “Wait, I can hear something.”

Applejack turned her attention to listen. She heard the sound of liquid sloshing. “What is that?”

“Well, I know it can’t be your stomach,” Spike said. “It’s too quiet. And it can’t be mine since I had some tea and cookies with Fluttershy.”

“It sounds like it’s comin’ from this way,” Applejack said, following the sound. They looked out the window and saw the viscous liquid creatures approaching. “What the hay?!”

“Slimes!” Spike exclaimed.

“Slimes?!” Applejack gasped. “What do we do?!”

“We have to keep them from reaching your trees!” Spike said. “They can dissolve plants by touching them!”

“What’s the plan?!” Applejack asked.

“Grab as many empty jars as you can!” Spike said.

“Right!” Applejack saluted as she started grabbing empty jars.

The two rushed out and began using the jars to contain the smaller slimes. However, some merged together to make slimes too big to fit in a jar.

“Uh-oh!” Spike yelped.

Suddenly, one of the large slimes extended a pseudopod into a barrel full of excess rain water and stuck another into Applejack’s mouth. In seconds, the farm mare’s barrel started inflating like a water balloon. On impulse, Spike reached into his loose scales and pulled out a salt shaker before throwing it at the slime. The creature gurgled in what could only be described as pain as the pseudopod sticking into Applejack’s mouth dissolved.

“Thanks,” Applejack wheezed, coughing out excess salt.

“I think we just found the solution, Applejack!” Spike said.

“Huh?” Applejack said. “The salt?”

She threw some of the salt she coughed up at another of the larger slimes, which gurgled in pain before melting.

“Yer right!” Applejack said. “Ah got more salt in the storeroom!”

Spike quickly ran to the storeroom and grabbed some salt. He threw small pinches of salt at the slimes, being careful to avoid salting the ground so plants couldn’t grow. Applejack also did her part to help Spike. Though, she was a bit hindered from pangs in her liquid-filled belly. After a while, the slimes had dissolved. Their liquid remains were stored in jars.

“Well,” Spike said. “That took a while.”

“Yeah,” Applejack said before groaning and holding her belly.

“What’s wrong?” Spike asked.

“That slime filled mah belly with too much water too fast,” Applejack said as she rubbed her belly. “It ain’t sittin’ well.”

“I think I might have an idea,” Spike said.

“Ah’ll try anythin’,” Applejack said.

“I need you to lay down on your back,” Spike said.

Applejack complied and laid down on her back. Spike stepped back a bit before getting close and performing a cannon ball on Applejack’s belly, forcing the liquid out her mouth like a gusher. Applejack coughed out the excess drops of water.

“Yer idea worked, Spike,” Applejack said.

“Did I hurt you?” Spike asked.

“Don’t fret, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “Ah got a bit o’ natural paddin’ from years o’ apple treats.”

“Ah, that’s good,” Spike said. At that moment, the timer went off.

“Ah, the pie’s ready,” Applejack said. “Come on inside, Spike.”

After removing the pie from the oven, they made their way to Carousel Boutique. Spike politely knocked on the front door. Rarity opened the top half.

“Ah, hello,” she greeted. “Hello, Spike. Hello, Applejack. I see you both decided to deliver the pie. I’ll let you two in.” She opened the bottom half and looked at the pie. “Ooh, looks heavenly.”

“I helped bake it,” Spike said with humble pride.

“Knowing that is going to make the pie taste all the sweeter,” Rarity said in a flattering manner. She used her magic to cut it up and take a bite. It was by far the best pie she’d tasted in some time. “Mmm~ it is absolutely divine~!”

“Uh, Rarity,” Spike said. “Is it okay if I use your bathroom?”

“Of course you may,” Rarity said, swallowing her bite. As soon as Spike left, she turned her attention to Applejack. “So, why, pray tell, is Spike not helping out Twilight?”

“She gave him the day off,” Applejack said. “He’s usin’ it ta help the rest o’ the Guardians out. ‘Fore me, he helped Fluttershy.”

“Interesting,” Rarity said. “Although I am appreciative of both his and your efforts, I do wish he would take the opportunity to really relax. It is his day off after all.”

“Well,” Applejack said. “Doin’ one job should be fine so he don’t overwork himself. Though, our job got interrupted by slimes attackin’.”

“Slimes?” Rarity gasped. “That sounds dreadful!”

“Yer tellin’ me,” Applejack said. “One drank water from a rain barrel n’ turned me inta a water balloon.”

“Oh my,” Rarity said. “I can’t imagine that awful taste.”

“Actually,” Applejack said. “It tasted like fresh water. Though, when Spike threw a salt shaker at it, it tasted like salt water.”

“Salt?” Rarity asked. “Oh, is that the slimes’ weakness?”

“Must be,” Applejack said. “Soon as it touched a slime, it started meltin’ like an ice statue on a hot day.”

“I see,” Rarity said. “These slimes must be like a more powerful version of slugs and snails, needing moisture to survive.”

“Well, they’re mostly liquid anyhow,” Applejack said. “So, it makes sense. Before the salt, we trapped smaller slimes in jars.”

“I see,” Rarity said. “What are you going to do with the jarred slimes?”

“Don’t rightly know,” Applejack shrugged. “Ah reckon ah may as well ask Zecora what ah should do with ‘em.”

“Alright,” Rarity nodded. At that moment, Spike approached the mares.

“Thanks, Rarity,” Spike said. “I couldn’t help but overhear you discussing what to do with slimes.”

“Yeah,” Applejack said. “Did ya have a better idea?”

“Well,” Spike answered. “Zecora told me that you can feed slimes various fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, and even fish when the slimes are alive to make them into flavored jams and jellies.”

“Some of those flavor ideas sound intriguing,” Rarity said.

“I’ve tried grape slime jelly visiting Zecora once,” Spike nodded. “It’s actually quite good on toast. I couldn’t even tell the difference from regular grape jelly.”

“Ah see,” Applejack said. “So, if ah fed some slimes apples, they could be made inta apple jam?”

“In theory, yes,” Spike answered. “Though, word of advice, making them into jams and jellies while they’re alive can be a hassle.”

“Understandable,” Rarity said. “Now, Applejack tells me Twilight gave you the day off to help the rest of the Guardians out?”

“That’s right,” Spike said. “Mom was given 12 books to read and report on. And since she and I already finished the chores for the day, she told me I had the day off.”

“Well,” Rarity said. “I’m having a rather slow business day today, so, what would you say to a gem hunt?”

“Sure,” Spike said. “We haven’t done that in a while.”

“I wouldn’t want you working too much on your day off,” Rarity said, rubbing the top of his head.

“Ah’ll let ya two get ta that,” Applejack smiled. “Ah got ta get back ta Sweet Apple Acres anyway, but, it was great spendin’ time with ya, Spike.”

“Ditto,” Spike said.

On the way to a spot to find gems, Spike rode on Rarity’s back when he had a puzzled look on his face. Rarity noticed.

“Is something on your mind?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Spike said. “I remembered Zecora telling me that slimes were territorial creatures that thrive in places like dungeons, caves, sewers, or swamps. I don’t think Sweet Apple Acres is near any of those.”

“Hmm, that is true,” Rarity said. “It would be strange for slimes to be at Sweet Apple Acres with the information given.”

“So, the only question is, where exactly did they come from?” Spike pondered. “Same with that cockatrice when I helped Fluttershy.”

“Cockatrice?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah,” Spike said. “They usually stay in the Everfree Forest.”

“It’s true, from what Fluttershy told me,” Rarity said. “That is truly bizarre.”

Neither suspected that the same supernatural entity was spying on them. With a flash, a bulky, bipedal being made of gray metallic shards came into existence.

Rarity and Spike were having a picnic lunch, with Rarity having a veggie sandwich and Spike having gems they harvested, when suddenly, the ground started to tremor.

“Whoa!” they exclaimed.

“Is it an earthquake?!” Rarity gasped.

Spike looked around. “Worse!”

Rarity turned her attention and saw the giant bulky bipedal being.

“What is that?!” Rarity exclaimed.

“A metal golem!” Spike answered.

“What do we do?!” Rarity quivered.

“From what Zecora told me,” Spike said. “Golems don’t typically attack unless provoked.” The golem turned its right arm into a blunt weapon. “Unless they’re created specifically with combat in mind!” The two dodged the golem’s strike just in time.

Rarity panted with a mixture of fright and slight weariness from the dodge. “Looks like this is a case of that!”

“Right!” Spike panted. “But, as scared as we both are, we’ll have to keep a level head about this.”

“Has Zecora told you if they have any weaknesses?” Rarity asked.

“Well,” Spike said. “The best way to defeat a golem of any kind is to destroy its core.”

“Seems like an ‘easier said than done’ situation,” Rarity said. “But, we must try!”

The golem got ready for another attack. Rarity, while backing away, focused her Mystic Eyes on the golem, looking for any signs of a weakness in the golem’s body. Her Mystic Eyes highlighted a circular spot in the center of the golem’s chest. She focused a magical blast at the spot, knocking the golem back a bit and leaving a burn mark where the blast struck.

“Spike,” Rarity said. “I think I found the core!”

“Awesome, Rarity!” Spike said. He then focused his fire breath on the burn mark, turning the golem red hot and melting a hole in the chest, revealing a glowing red sphere.

“Bravo, Spike!” Rarity said.

“Don’t congratulate me yet!” Spike said as he drew his sword and jumped for the sphere. Once close enough, he thrust his sword into the sphere, shattering it like glass. The golem’s movement ceased and its body collapsed into lifeless metal fragments. Rarity was able to catch Spike before he could fall to the ground, careful of the sword he was wielding. She hugged him tightly.

“Oh, Spike~!” she said warmly. “You were ever so brave!”

“Thanks, Rarity,” Spike said modestly. “But, don’t forget that you were amazing, too.”

She kissed his forehead. Spike couldn’t help but blush about that.

“I think you’ve helped me quite enough,” Rarity said. “Don’t want you to tire yourself out.”

“I’m glad I could spend time with you,” Spike said. “See you later, Rarity.”

Spike later walked into town and saw that the last two options were Pinkie and Rainbow.

“Between the two of them,” he said aloud to himself. “How do I choose who I spend my time with next?” He didn’t have to wonder long when he suddenly found himself playfully tackled by Pinkie. “Oof!”

“Hiya, Spike!” Pinkie said. “Fluttershy told me Twilight gave you the day off to help the rest of the Guardians.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” said Spike when he could find his breath.

“Who’s left on the list?” Pinkie asked.

“You and Rainbow,” Spike answered.

“In that case, I don’t think you need to worry about helping Rainbow,” Pinkie considered. “Her job is taking care of the weather. You can’t fly and you’re afraid of heights.”

“That’s true,” Spike said. “So, how can I help you, Pinkie?”

“Well,” Pinkie replied. “I was on my way to pick some wild berries for a recipe I’m trying out.”

“That I can help you with,” Spike said. “I’ll just need to wash my claws. Rarity and I were on a gem hunt earlier and had to deal with a metal golem.”

“A metal golem?” Pinkie asked.

“It’s like a regular stone golem,” Spike explained. “Only made of metal. That one seemed to be made specifically with combat in mind.”

“Weird that it would face off against you and Rarity specifically,” Pinkie said. “I mean, I don’t think you would do anything to bother the golem, so, why would it want to attack you guys?”

“I don’t know,” Spike confessed. “Today, it’s been one territorial creature attack after another.”

“That’s weird,” Pinkie said. “Hope it doesn’t happen again. Not just today, but, ever again.”

While picking wild berries, Spike and Pinkie were unaware of the same supernatural entity summoning a manticore.

“So, what’s the recipe you’re going to work on with these berries?” Spike asked.

“Mixed berry cupcakes,” Pinkie said. “I want you to be the first to try it.”

“Aww, thanks,” Spike smiled. He then spotted something. “Uh, Pinkie, remember how I told you it’s been one territorial creature attack after another today?”

“Yeah, why?” Pinkie asked. Suddenly, she felt her knees get pinchy upon her from her Pinkie Sense. “Oh, that’s why.” She turned around to see the manticore. “Isn’t that Manny Roar or is this a different manticore?”

“I don’t know and I’m not exactly eager to find out!” Spike responded.

“Good idea!” Pinkie yelped. She grabbed him and the berries and ran as quickly as she could. “We got to get to safety!”

Spike saw that the manticore was following them.

“The manticore’s on our tail!” Spike said. “As in, it’s following us!”

“We can’t lead it into town!” Pinkie cried.

“Right!” Spike said. “Lead it towards the Everfree Forest!”

“Got it!” Pinkie said.

So, Pinkie, with Spike on her back, bolted towards the Everfree Forest with the manticore still chasing them. She then leapt into a nearby tree that the manticore crashed its head into, knocking Spike onto its back.

“Oof!” Spike coughed. He quickly became aware of where he was and jumped off in a panic.

“Whoops!” Pinkie yelped. “Sorry, Spike!”

“Sorry doesn’t really help right now!” Spike said as he started running with the manticore in pursuit.

“Oh, no, you don’t, Mister or Miss Manticore!” Pinkie growled. And she ran ahead of the manticore, scooping up Spike and helping him onto her back.

“I have an idea, Pinkie!” Spike said.

“What is it?” Pinkie asked, still running.

“You see that hole in that tree?” Spike pointed out.

“Yeah,” Pinkie said.

“It looks like you could fit through,” Spike explained. “But, not the manticore.”

“Ooh~” Pinkie nodded. “I’m picking up what you’re putting down~”

And she ran towards the hole in the aforementioned tree. She deliberately wiggled her plump rear to entice the pursuing manticore.

“Yoo-hoo~” she taunted. “Over here~!”

The manticore took the bait and followed Pinkie to the tree. Pinkie was able to squeeze in through the hole in the tree, but, the manticore found itself lodged in.

“Nice use of your…” Spike started before trailing off, trying to avoid mentioning fat.

“It’s okay, Spike,” Pinkie said. “You can call it fat.”

“Oh, okay,” Spike said. “All the same, nice work. Hopefully after it takes some time to cool off, some creature will rescue the manticore.”

After Spike climbed down, Pinkie turned to face the manticore.

“You big bully!” Pinkie said and immaturely blew a raspberry in its face. The manticore snapped its jaws, nearly taking Pinkie’s tongue with it.** “Yipe! Note to self: never taunt a creature with really big teeth up close!” She then took Spike out of the forest.

“Now that that’s over,” Spike said. “Let’s head back to Sugarcube Corner where it’s safer.”

Pinkie’s belly gave a deep rumbling noise. “Good idea,” she said. “All that running around made me hungry.”

Spike’s stomach gave a similar gurgle. “Me too,” he admitted.

After making the cupcakes, Spike had the first sample.

“Whoa~” Spike said after swallowing his biteful. “This is really delicious!”

Pinkie took a sample as well.

“Hey, that is delicious!” Pinkie said. “I’d say this recipe is a success.” She then noticed Spike seemed a bit drowsy. “Looks like you could use some rest. How about I take you home?”

“Thanks anyway,” Spike replied. “I can manage.”

On his way back, Spike felt the fatigue starting to get to him. The next thing he knew, he bumped into Rainbow Dash from behind.

“Huh?” Rainbow turned around to see Spike. “Oh, hi, Spike. Whoa, you look like you’re about to pass out. Are you okay?”

“Well, I was given the day off to help out the other Guardians,” Spike wearily answered. “But, then, each time I helped on, a normally territorial creature attacked. First, a cockatrice. Then, slimes. Then, a metal golem. And more recently, a manticore.”

“Whoa, that would even wear me out,” Rainbow admitted. “What you need is some good old-fashioned relaxation. Luckily, I know some places on the ground that are super relaxing.” She lowered herself so Spike could climb on. “I won’t even need to fly to take you there.”

Spike carefully climbed onto the prismatic-maned pegasus and clamped on with a vice-like grip. Rainbow walked towards the lake with the swing. Once there, she let Spike down gently.

“Let the chill atmosphere of this melt your troubles away,” Rainbow said.

Spike relaxed when suddenly, something occurred to him. “I just realized something.”

“What’s that?” Rainbow asked.

Spike explained while counting on his claws. “Cockatrice, slime, metal golem, manticore. Each creature name starts with the last syllable of the one before.”

Rainbow took a moment to hear what Spike had said. “Huh,” Rainbow said. “That is weird.”

“The way things have been today,” Spike added. “The next creature to attack us will likely start with ‘r.’”

“Well, if it attacks,” Rainbow said. “I’ll make it sorry that it came towards you. And I’m not just saying that because Twilight would chew me out if I let it happen.”

“I get that,” Spike said. “Though, it wouldn’t be good to just hit something blindly. It helps to have a plan.”

“The only creature I can think of that starts with r is rabbit,” Rainbow said. “And those aren’t really a threat to a dragon.”

“That’s true,” Spike said. “But, there are other creatures. Ravens, rooks, rock golems, or…” He trailed off as he looked to the distance.

“Or what?” Rainbow asked.

“A rompo…” Spike squeaked.

“A what now?” Rainbow asked, looking at what Spike was looking at. She saw a creature with the head and mouth of a hare, the ears of a primate, a mane, a slender body approximately three hooves in length, a long tail ending in a hairy brush, the front feet of a badger, and the rear feet of a bear.*** “What the hay?!”

“Those creatures feed on dead bodies!” Spike said.

“There aren’t any around here!” Rainbow yelped. At that moment, a dead eagle landed near them. “I stand corrected.”

“Normally,” Spike said. “Rompos slowly circle any dead body they find before eating them.”

“Doesn’t seem to be the case with this guy,” Rainbow said. The rompo was making a mad dash for the duo. “Whoa! Spike, look out!”

“Split up!” Spike said.

Spike ran to the left while Rainbow bolted to the right. The rompo made its way in Spike’s direction. Rainbow saw this and gasped.

“Not on your life!” she said before charging into the rompo.

The rompo breathed heavily as it charged at Spike. Its concentration was broken when Rainbow tackled the beast. As Spike kept running, Rainbow spotted him headed for the Everfree Forest.

“Spike, be careful!” Rainbow called.

By the time Spike became aware of what was going on, he bumped into a wolf-like creature made entirely of wood.

“Uh oh…” Spike said. “Timberwolf! If that thing doesn’t kill me first, mom will ground me for life!” He then remembered something. “Wait, what am I worried about?” He breathed fire from his mouth, but, due to his exhaustion, it was weaker than he intended. The timberwolf growled as it prowled slowly towards him.

Spike slowly backed up when suddenly, a rock was thrown at the timberwolf’s head.

“Hey, wolfie!” called the one who threw the rock. “Bet you can’t catch me!” Spike looked up to see Rainbow.

The timberwolf was clearly vexed by Rainbow taunting it and he leapt towards the pegasus. No sooner had he done that than Applejack sprung out and delivered a powerful kick to the creature.

“Hi-yah!” Applejack grunted. “Yer not hurtin’ our friend ‘round here!”

Rarity used her magic to levitate Spike to safety. “Are you alright, Spikey-wikey?”

“I’m exhausted, I was too weak to fight off a living pile of wood, and I broke my promise to my mom,” Spike said. “I wouldn’t exactly call that alright.”

“Not to worry,” Rarity said soothingly. “We’ll help to explain to her what happened.”

“We best do it quick!” Applejack said. “That timberwolf’s pullin’ himself tagether!”

“What’s the go-plan, AJ?” asked Pinkie after popping out of a bush.

“They’ll take a few seconds ta reform,” Applejack said. “So, ah suggest we turn ‘round n’ run like Tartarus!”

“Uh… okay then,” nodded Fluttershy.

And so, they all did.

After the run, Spike was breathing rather heavily. “How… did… that… help?” he panted.

“Timberwolves can’t stay outside the Everfree Forest er they’ll turn ta lifeless kindlin’,” Applejack said. “Besides, they can't chase nothin’ while broken up.”

“That… makes sense…” Spike replied.

“Catch your breath, Spikey-Wikey,” soothed Rarity. “You need a rest after all the helping and escaping today.”

“Yeah,” nodded Rainbow. “You need a proper day off after all that.”

“We’ll take you back to Twilight so you can save your energy,” Fluttershy said. “You can ride on my back.”

At the Golden Oak library, Twilight was wrapping up her last book.

“Ah, that’s about it,” she hummed. It was at that point she heard the front door open. “Spike must be back. Good thing I have his surprise ready.” She rolled up the documents and headed downstairs. She was surprised to see not only Spike, but, the rest of her friends.

“Spike, I wasn’t expecting you to be with all the girls at once,” she cried. “I mean, it’s great to see you, but… what’s the story?”

“Well,” Spike said awkwardly. “Remember how, this morning, I promised not to go into the Everfree Forest?”

“You went to the Everfree Forest?” gasped Twilight. “Tell me Zecora was able to help!”

“If it’s any consolation,” Rarity said. “We were able to help. Spike helped each of us throughout the day and we felt it fair we help him in return.”

Twilight was slightly relieved. “That’s good to hear. I just wish I knew so I could help too…”

“You’ve helped me more than I could ever repay,” Spike said. “You brought me into the world, fed, and bathed me. You’ve been there for me when few others would.”

“But, before today,” Twilight lamented. “I haven’t given you the one thing you wanted more than anything else.” She then spoke with more determination. “That changes now.” She levitated the documents and revealed them to be adoption papers.

“Wh-what is… how…” Spike stammered.

“Yesterday,” Twilight explained. “I finally got the adoption forms to officially make you my son.” The little dragon happily hugged the lavender mare.

“Congrats, Spike!” grinned Rainbow.

“An excellent ending to a day like this,” Rarity added.

“We should celebrate!” cried Pinkie. “I’m making Spike a cupcake with emerald sprinkles!”

“Aw, thanks, Pinkie,” smiled Spike. He and the ponies got into a big group hug and Rarity kissed Spike on the cheek.

Little did they know the supernatural entity was watching them from a dark realm.

“I’ll let them savor their fleeting victory for now,” the entity said. “But, one thing is clear. Any group that can topple Discord, one of my creations, is not to be trifled with. I’ll need to bide my time.” The entity’s silhouette made that of a ram.****

End of Chapter.

Author's Note

Here's the next chapter.

*Idea by Comickook.

**Little Mermaid reference.

***This is legit mythology. Proof.

****I defy you to guess who this is.

Now, Blake's on vacation until June 8th, meaning no new chapter next week. If you're reading this past June 8th, kindly disregard this message.

Shoutouts to Comickook for their ideas.

If you liked this chapter, feel free to contact me via private messages if you'd like to help make future chapters.