Author's Note

Things are starting to get serious. Leave a comment and let me know if I made any mistakes. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 6: a flame in the dark, part one

The Trip to Ponyville was a boring trip. To pass the time, Twilight tried to initiate small talk.
”So, Thorax! Have you ever been to the summer sun celebration?”
And of course, she unintentionally made it somewhat awkward.
”U-um, no, I never had the chance. I did see the fireworks one time. I didn’t know what they were at the time, so it scared me.”
Twilight, realizing her mistake as soon as Thorax began to speak, began to blush and apologize profusely, causing Spike to chuckle.
” It’s okay Twilight. We all forget about things sometimes.”
”*sigh*Thank you Thorax. I just wanted to try and speed things along by talking.”
”Hey, it ain’t a bad idea. Don’t go beating yourself up about it sis.”
Twilight smiled, internally thanking her adoptive brother for his wise words, before Thorax began to speak.

”Speaking of the celebration, have you ever been Spike? I know Twilight has, but I’ve never anything about you going.”
”Nah, it’s never really been something I wanted to do. I mainly focused on learning, and keeping in shape. I don’t know why, but I have this nagging feeling that one day, it might help.”
”Better safe than sorry, right Spike?”
Spike nodded, before scouting closer to Thorax. Twilight noticed this, and a devious smirk began to form.
”So, you two finally admit?”
Both the drake and the changeling are caught of guard by Twilights question, as their faces begin to glow brighter than the sun.
”W-WHAT?!”
”Was I really that obvious, AND oblivious?”
”Yeah. I’m glad you finally got it off your chest though. Maybe now you can make some other friends without making each other jealous.”

”A-ANYWAYS!”
Twilight chuckled at their responses, rolling her eyes.
” So Twi, what’s on the itinerary for today?”
As Twilight’s eyes begin to light up, spike realizes his mistake. His pupils shrink to pinpricks, as he realizes what he has done; he has activated lecture mode.
I’m glad you asked! First on the list, it to check In with the mayor. She’ll let us know where we’ll be staying for the duration of our trip, as well as a list of each pony in charge of a task, as well as where to find them. Next, we check up on them one by one, starting with catering. If we gotta taste test, I’m gonna want to get it out of the way first, so we can walk it off as we check out the rest of the list. Then it will likely be decorations, unless we run into a different organizer on the way there. Then we’ll swing around to weather, before stopping off at music. And finally, we’ll head back to our dormitory, before taking a quick nap. After that, we’ll head to city hall, where we should be getting to the party before it starts. Then, we help with last minute details, before enjoying the party!”
As Twilight finishes, both Thorax and Spike look relieved, before she pulls out a second list.
”And here’s a list of all possible complications, and how to assist in fixing them!”
As Twilight begins to read it off, Spike groans, regretting what he had said.

After 2 straight hours of Twilight going over every possible detail, they had finally landed in ponyville, much to the relief of the purple dragon. As he was getting up, Twilight reminded him about the cover story he had to have in order to not cause as much panic. Nodding, He quickly helped Thorax put on his cloak, before throwing himself out of the chariot, back onto solid ground. After eating a face full of dirt, Spike stood up on all fours, before using his wings to dust himself off. As Thorax disembarked the chariot, he looked over to his beloved drake, and chuckled upon seeing the state of him. Twilight got off last, and rolled her eyes at the dragons overreaction. Suddenly, a gasp rings out, causing the three to quickly snap their heads to the perpetrator: a pink earth pony. Twilight attempts to wave and say hi, but the pony disappears in a cloud of dust. More than a little confused, they decide to shrug it off, before Twilight heads off to the mayors office to discover where they would be staying.

As Spike and Thorax waited, ponies that passed by kept shooting the cloaked Changeling and the drake glances. Thorax shifted, feeling uncomfortable due to the attention, before Spike spoke up.
”Yeah, I’m not a pony, big deal. Why don’t you guys take a picture, it lasts longer.”
Ponies, now realizing how rude they were being, stopped glaring at them, as Thorax snickered a bit at how blunt the drake was. After a few minutes, a young colt walks up to them, looking no more than four years old.
”Excuse me, but what are you sir?”
Spike smiled to the young foal, somewhat relieved that a pony had finally had the guts to walk up to him.
” well aren’t you polite? I’ll be glad you answer your question kid. Im what’s called a griffon.”
” Neat! Thank you mista!”
As the kid ran off, the ponies around them softened up a bit, and spike began to wave goodbye to the little pipsqueak.

Eventually, Twilight returned, and informed them that the three of them would be staying at the local library, directly in the heart of the town. Nodding, they all grabbed their bags and began the trick to the center of pony villa, as the chariot finally lifted back into the air. As they walked through the town, they passed by many weird buildings, such as the giant gingerbread house and the strange purple carousel, until they got into the heart of ponyville. It is at this point, that they realize that the library was a literal tree with a door in it. Probably not the best place to live for a dragon, but hey, he could make do. So, they unlocked the building, got inside.

Thorax had elected to stay behind to unpack and organize, so Twilight and Spike headed out to a farm just outside of town, to check in on the catering. As they grew closer, Spike looked at the checklist Twilight had given him.
”Okay, first up: catering for the banquet, sweet apple acres. Looks like we’re here.”
As they arrived, a shout sounded out.
”Yee-haw!”
Suddenly, an orange mare came running by, before jumping up and kicking a nearby apple tree at full force. After a moment, All of the apples dropped perfectly into buckets that had been set up beforehand.
The orange mare wiped the sweat off her brow, before turning to the two.
”Well howdy there! Welcome to sweet apple acres. What can I do ya for?”
”Hello there, my name is Twilight. I came to check up on sweet apple acres to see how you were getting along for the summer sun celebration banquet, and if you needed any help.”
”Well miss Twilight, cookin’s been goin well. As for help, thanks for askin, but we Invited a bit o’ family over to help us with it, so we don’t need any help. In fact, we recently got done with another batch, as well as lunch. Miss Twilight, do ya wanna stay for lunch and sample some good ol’ fashioned apple family cookin?”
As Twilight nods, Applejack walks up to the house real quick, before ringing the triangle attached to it.
”SOUPS ON!!”

Twilight felt as if she were dying. It wasn’t just a bit of family, it was the entire apple clan. There was enough food there to feed Canterlot for a whole month, and she had tried every single dish. The amount of apple themed dishes was astonishing, and each and every one was delicious. Spike followed closely behind her, less burdened but still full. He was surprised with how welcoming of him they were, despite the fact that he wasn’t a pony. He quickly pulls out the list, before checking something off.
”catering: *urp* check. Next up: decorations.”
As they continued to walk along, Twilight looked up to the sky, and noticed how cloudy it was.
”Thats not right, it’s supposed to be clear skies. Maybe we should check up on weather first.”
”Lets ask that Pegasus what’s going on.”
Spike points up, and lo and behold, a polychromatic tail was hanging off of a nearby cloud.

”Excuse me!”
Drawing no response from the pony, she spits again, a bit louder this time. They still have yet to move, so she nudges Spike. Grinning deviously, he breathes in a lungful of air.
”HEY, YOU UP THERE! WAKE UP!!”
As Spile shouts loud enough to wake the dead, the Pony finally reacts, jumping due to the sudden noise. They look over the edge, frown evident on their face, before flying down.
”Hey, what’s the big idea?! I was getting in some z’s! Takes a lot of energy being this awesome!”
Twilight quickly clears her throat, grabbing the mares attention, before she begins to speak.
”Im sorry about that, but we wanted to ask you a question. I am Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike. We have been tasked to oversee the preparations for the summer sun celebration. We were on the way to check out the decorations, when I noticed how cloudy it was. Could you lead us to the head weather mare so we could speak to her about this?”
”Well you’re speaking to her. What ya need?”

”Oh, well then, my apologies. May I ask you why the clouds haven’t been cleared out yet?”
” just haven’t gotten to it yet. If you’re so worried about it, why not have your griffon boyfriend do it for ya, they can move clouds too.”
Before Twilight can speak, spike holds his claw up, as he suppresses a growl in his throat.
”first of all, it is your job to do it, not anybody else’s. Second of all, she is my adoptive sister, thank you very much. This of all, I would do it myself, but due to me being adopted, I never learned how to fly, thus, cannot do it.”
As Spike finishes, the mare is left speechless.
”I- I am so sorry, I meant no disrespect. Here, I’ll get on it, and be done it ten seconds flat.”
She quickly flaps back into the air, and begins to bust clouds. As she said, it was done in exactly ten seconds, much to Spike and Twilights surprise, soaking the latter in the process.
”There! Done. Sorry about that again, didn’t mean to offend ya. Names rainbow dash, fasted flier in equestria!”
Spike grips her hand and shakes, smiling a bit.
”Pleasures mine.”

Rainbow glances over at Twilight for a moment, before cringing.
”Sorry about that, cloud busting can be wet work sometimes.”
Twilight sighs, before smiling lightheartedly.
”Its okay, no harm done.”
Suddenly, the rainbow maned mare jumps up and shouts a bit.
”Hey, I just thought of something! I’ll just fry you off real quick to make up for it!”
Before Twilight can respond, the mare is already back in the air.
”One rainblow-dry, coming right up!”
Suddenly, the mare starts flying in circles around her, causing the wind to pick up. After a few moments, she stops, and lands, only to bust out laughing. The purple mare is dry alright, but her mane now looks as if she was in a tornado. Spike chuckles, eliciting a groan from Twilight.
”One more thing. You wanna learn how to fly big guy?”
Spike looks at her with curiosity, before nodding. Twilight sighs as she tries to fix her hair.”I’ll let you two get to it then. I’ll finish up the list Spike, just meet me back at the Library when you’re done.”
And as the purple mare leaves, Spikes flight training begins.

Three hours have passed, and Spike has finally gotten the hang of it. As spike swoops and dives, rainbow looks on, feeling smug that she was able to teach him so fast. As he lands next to her, she pays him on the back.
”Good job big guy, you’re a natural!”
”Thanks. Had a great teacher.”
Rainbow chuckles at this, before looking at him.
”Been a couple years since I last saw a griffon in equestria. How’d you get here?”
”My egg was found, and brought here. How’d you know so much about griffons?”
” My best friend in flight school was a griffon.”
Spike nods, before looking around.
”Well, I’d better get going. Don’t want Twilight to freak out and explode somepony again. Catch you on the flip side dash!”
”See you later big dude.”
And as Spike walks away, what he said finally finished processing in her mind.
”Wait, explode somepony again?!”

As Spike finally makes it back to the library, and spots Twilight, getting back around the same time.
”Hey Twi. How’s the other supervisor’s go?”
Twilight groans, before looking at her brother.
”They were nice, but it took more out of me than I thought it would. The decorator took one look at me, shrieked, then offered to do my mane, and give me a dress. The song coordinator was really talented, training birds how to sing perfectly, but by Celestia was she shy. How did your flight lessons go.”
Spike chuckles before sighing.
”They went great, but they were damn exhausting. It’s been a long day for both of us then. Hey, at least we’ll finally be able to relax now that we’re back.”
As Spike finishes saying that, he opens the door.
“SURPRISE!”
Spike sighs yet again at the apparent surprise party. This day was getting longer and longer.

The party wasn’t that bad: lots of ponies were there, the snacks were great, and the games were fun. He even saw some familiar faces. After getting himself a drink, he walks over to Twilight, who’s being hounded by the pink mare they had seen earlier today.
When she notices him, she smiles, and walks toward him, with the pink mare in hot pursuit.
”Oh, who is this?! I’ve never seen a griffon in person before! My name is Pinkie Pie, pleasure to meet you! Are you enjoying the party?!”
As his brain tried to process what she just managed to tell him in less than 2 seconds, he nods.
”GREAT! This is your triple welcome to ponyville party after all, so if you weren’t enjoying it, that would be a bummer. Oh hey, the dj is playing the pony polky!”
And with that, the mare walks off, leaving a thoroughly confused dragon.
”That mare really is something.”
”No kidding.”

As the party dies down and ponies begin to leave, the sun begins to set. Eventually, only 7 creatures remain within the library. Spike was finally able to meet the decorator, a mare named Rarity. She was a nice enough mare, if a bit flirty with him. A yellow mare, which he assumed was the mare in charge of the music, sat in a corner nearby, seemingly zoned out. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were still there, talking with Twilight. He couldn’t pick up what they were saying, but she seemed to be getting along decently with those 2. Then there was Pinkie, who was passed out on the floor, wearing a lampshade on her head. He can only assume she crashed from her sugar rush, because there was no alcohol at the party. As Spike sits to the side, wondering where Thorax is, Rarity continues to talk about how nice his feathers look, and how she’d love a stallion like him, before he sighs.
”Miss Rarity, you’re a nice mare, but I’m sorry to say, you’re not my type. I would still love to be your friend though. ”
Rarity huffs, still determined win over the mysterious yet beautiful purple griffon.
”Well darling, what is your type then?”
”Men.”
As she hear this, her mind halts. As she suddenly begins to feel guilty, she blushes and looks down.
”…ah. I’m sorry then darling, I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.”
”Its fine. You’re a nice mare Miss rarity, and whoever you find will be an extremely lucky pony.”
”Well thank you darling. Would you like to be friends still?”
”Yeah, I would.”

Finally, everypony left, and the library was empty. Spike, still worried about Thorax, calls out his name.
”Thorax! Where are you?”
Suddenly a closet bursts open, and a green changeling pops his head out.
”Are they gone?”
Spike nods his head, before hugging his special someling.
” I love you so much Thorax.”
Thorax blushes and smiles at the contact, before responding to his drakefriend.
”I love you with all my heart, Spike.”
Just then, Twilight walks up the stairs, and smiles at them.
”All right you love bugs, time to go to bed. Still need to get up nice and early for the summer sun celebration tomorrow!”
”Gotcha sis. I’ll get out the air matress,you sleep in the loft.”
”Sounds good. Good night spike, good night Thorax.”
”Goodnight Twilight.”
”Night Twi.”
And so, they all head to bed. Thorax and Spike snuggle together closely on the mattress, while Twilight gets cozy in the bed. As they all drift off to sleep, none of them expect what will happen in the morning.