Author's Note

This is a brief interlude from Spike's perspective. I apologize for the delay as well as the significantly lower word count than previous chapters. I have been dealing with end-of-year stress in college. Apologies, I hope you enjoy regardless.

Chapter Four: A Brief Interlude

Spike was not having a great time. Well, he was trying to, at least. His scales felt itchy, and the mere act of getting out of bed each day required a motivation from deep within his heart. Every time he felt the sun’s warm rays stream through his windows or the moonlight cast its pale light over the land, he felt more at ease. Whether Twilight had gone, she was still dying her basic duty as Princess. So there was that, to be grateful for.

When he had found the scroll, neatly wrapped in recycled twine beside his bed, he thought it must have been yet another royal decree or party invitation meant for Twilight. But when he opened it to see Twilight’s characteristic penponyship, the entire world went on pause as he carefully read her message.

“Dear Spike,
I hope this message finds you well-rested and content. Neither of those words can be applied to me at the moment, I’m afraid. As we both know, these last few moons have been immensely challenging to everyone involved with the crown. In this flood of problems and chaos, I have been drowning, just barely getting by. In the interest of being candid with you, I am unwell. We are on the precipice of disaster, and it is high time that I do something about that. You and all of our friends have reminded me how important it is that I continue to grow and change as a pony. In simple terms, I need to get myself out of this rut, and I am going to visit the two ponies that can help me more than any pony: Celestia and Luna. I will be traveling to their home, a location that I cannot locate on any map, enchanted or otherwise. What this means is that I might be gone for a while as I attempt to navigate this chapter of my life. Spike, I didn’t want it to come to this. I didn’t want to take a break from my sacred duties as ruler. But I am faced with no other choice if I want to become myself again. I know this is challenging to read, and my temporary absence will certainly cause some confusion amongst citizens of Equestria. Please know that I will be back as soon as I can, and I will write to you again to update you on this.

In the meantime, please delegate my duties to all members of my staff, as well as the Friendship Council. Please delegate a specific group to keep threats against myself and other rulers at bay. I am concerned that after what happened at the wedding, other ponies might be in danger as well. Attached to this letter you will find a short statement that I would like to be released to the public immediately. I would like for our citizens to remain calm. The last thing anypony needs is more to worry about.

Best,
Twilight Sparkle

True to her word, underneath the scroll was an official, gold-bordered piece of paper complete with the royal seal. It was a small bit of text that simply stated:

“Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria will be absent from her royal duties in the immediate future. She is temporarily vacating her position for personal health reasons. The Princess thanks everypony for their understanding and support during this challenging time, and she plans to continue her duties as soon as she can. In her absence, all royal responsibilities will be handled by the Friendship Council and other Canterlot officials. Any inquiries can be sent by mail at the Canterlot Post Office. Thank you.”

Spike had rubbed his tired eyes again to make sure he was reading the message right. A few too many glasses of fruit punch and staying up late to read the latest Power Ponies comic had made the dragon pretty lethargic. But his eyes hadn’t deceived him, because what he had read was simply the truth. Twilight was gone, and he was going to break the news to every pony. He yawned and shook off his blanket, his joints popping like firecrackers as he stepped on the cold crystal floor.

“Well, this is what I get for skipping my seven-hour bubble bath,” he had muttered for no one to hear. His joints eventually calmed down and he shuffled out the door and down the castle’s halls, eventually reaching Twilight’s royal office to send out the scroll.

A few hours later, he was slumped over the desk, trying to catch the evasive thing ponies called sleep. He couldn’t remember a night when he wasn’t awoken at least once from Twilight’s hooves clicking down the hall during one of her late-night freak outs.

And now he found himself alone in an office that wasn’t his, waiting for the arrival of the castle’s staff for the morning meeting while still trying to get a quick nap in. He just hoped that when the staff entered they wouldn’t find him asleep…how embarrassing would that be?

“The Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious, wake up!” A familiar voice shouted.

Spike could have sworn he hadn’t dozed off at all, but the mid-morning rays and the ringing in his ears proved otherwise. He rubbed his eyes and faced what he assumed to be Twilight’s closest guards and officials.

Instead, he was faced with the recent arrivals from the Crystal Empire. That at least explained the ostentatiously long introduction.

Shining Armor and Princess Cadence looked only marginally better than Spike felt. It seemed that a night of partying and socializing had taken a toll on the parents of two. Even with the help of family members and nannies, it must have been tough on their busy schedules.

“Sorry Spike, we didn’t mean to startle you. It’s just…we got your message and wanted to come as soon as we could! Luckily we were still in Canterlot because of the wedding! We were almost on the train when your scroll arrived, just in time.” Cadence’s voice was soft and sweet but did little to soothe the thrumming in Spike’s ever-tightening chest.

How was he supposed to be a leader? He wasn’t even a pony, for Celestia’s sake! He wasn’t cut out for this. Whenever Twilight came back, she would have a complete fit! He would probably do so terribly in the role that he would be banished to the Dragon Lands, forced to endure teasing from Garble and face orders from his friend, the Dragon Queen Ember! Or worse, he would just be hauled up into the town square and…and….

Wait, Equestria outlawed executions even before Celestia and Luna’s reign! He was getting ahead of himself. He took a deep breath.

“Thanks guys. Truthfully, it’s been…” No more words were spoken as his world seemed to tilt out of alignment. Tears welled in his eyes and he buried his face in his claws. He felt the embrace of neither Shining Armor or Cadence, but of Flurry Heart. He hadn’t noticed her when he came in, but the little pony’s grasp was unmistakable.

“I’m sorry you are sad, Spikey-Wikey. We want to help.”

The little filly’s simple words touched him deeply, and the thrumming of his heart managed to quiet just a little.

Shining Armor broke the calm silence. It was time to get down to business.

“So, we need a plan, Spike. And everyone is prepared to help.”

Suddenly, the doors flew open, but not from malice, just chaos. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash filed in, and Discord and the Cutie Mark Crusaders followed. Zecora made her entrance, and so did Sunburst. Even scrolls of support from fellow leaders such as Ember and Thorax popped into the air.

If one’s emotions could go from zero to one-hundred in the span of a few minutes, then Spike certainly has experienced such a shift. The ensuing conversations he had with his friends and colleagues filled him with enough hope to light the entire sky.

If only Twilight was here to see how much good their was in the world.