Author's Note
So, this is not the story I've mentioned in my previous chapter from Spike's Kingdom, but I had this story in my heart for a long while. The idea came to me when I was rewatching one of my favorite childhood cartoons. Giving with the month we're in, I say now would be a good time to start. I will balance myself with working on these two stories and the third one coming soon.
Spoiler Alert: The crossover is MLP and Martin Mystery
New Beginning
Spike walks by Twilight's Headmare room after dismissing the students in the School of Friendship for her and notices she and the girls preparing for the retreat Twilight had devised weeks in advance; he smiles at them and approaches before they venture to the Everfree Forest right after a photographer came, took pictures and departed.
"Heya, Twilight, the students left the school to complete their homework and assignments you and the girls handed for the week since you're going on your retreat and all," Spike is hopeful Twilight would allow him to accompany them to the retreat near the Tree of Harmony.
"Thanks for the help, Spike," Twilight graciously thanks Spike for his help, especially in gathering the materials necessary for the trip and ensuring every student understands the task assigned.
"So, what will you do while we're away, Spike?" Rainbow asks Spike, now realizing Twilight didn't invite him to the retreat when they spoke about the thrills of camping and showing Starlight a good time.
"I -" Spike gags for a second, then burps a letter from Princess Celestia, which made the girls feel eerie by its' sudden timing, especially Twilight 'cause whenever Spike burps a scroll from the Princess, it's usually urgent. Spike unveils the letter to read aloud for everyone to hear.
Dear Spike,
"Huh?!" Twilight is confused about the letter issued to Spike rather than her and the girls; she's keen to comprehend why the Princess would importantly prefer Spike over the Princess of Friendship herself. Starlight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack wonder why Spike is needed more than they and hope it's a get-together since Spike is not joining them during the friendship retreat.
Spike reads ahead to himself and quickly seals the scroll Princess Celestia had written. "Twilight, there's imperative information I cannot concede to you, according to Princess Celestia, so I'm off! Bye!" Spike understands the gravity of the situation and attempts to leave when Twilight uses her magic to levitate the young dragon, forcing him to return to the room after not knowing the details of Princess Celestia's urgency.
"Spike, you need to tell us what's happening!" Twilight demands him to reveal what the Princess said regarding Spike when curiosity eats her alive about a compulsory circumstance.
"Why can't Twilight hear what the Princess wrote, Spike? Can't we listen?" Rarity wants to find loopholes within the letter to bypass whatever Princess Celestia declared when Spike read the rest to himself.
"I -" Spike hesitates within the moment because of the glaring issues that would upset Twilight, thus making her more curious to input herself into his business; he winces when he needs to explain. "can't. Princess Celestia explicitly says I cannot disclose any information with you."
"Twilight, let Spike go," Starlight understood and experienced Twilight's inquisitiveness to disguise herself as a ballerina figurine in a music box when she went to ease a friendship/sisterly problem in Canterlot; she wants Twilight to oblige Princess Celestia's authority regarding the letter written for Spike.
"Yeah, Twilight, I'm sure Spike will tell you everything once he's finished fulfilling Princess Celestia's desires," Pinkie doesn't sense anything wrong with Spike's immediate summoning to the Royal Sisters for a meeting or something relatable.
"Let the fella go, Twi," Applejack notices Spike sweating while remaining hovering due to Twilight's levitation spell; she knows Spike would return after his trip to Canterlot or elsewhere, depending on Princess Celestia's location.
"Sorry, but anything regarding Princess Celestia, I must know!" Twilight would have allowed Spike to leave, but anything involving Princess Celestia matters to her, whether life-threatening or a simple gathering; she pries the letter from Spike's grasp to continue reading aloud to her friends so they understand the dilemma.
According to Discord, by now, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends departed the School of Friendship to embark on their friendship retreat, thus leaving you behind within the Castle of Friendship. Please note not to inform Princess Twilight Sparkle or her friends about your summoning to Canterlot Castle to discuss pivotal information regarding your position, for we, Princess Luna, Discord, and myself, have much explaining regarding your status in Equestria. Do not pack your belongings. Go straight to Canterlot so we can discuss thoroughly and answer every question.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
P.S. I'll send an envoy straight to Princess Twilight Sparkle, disclosing all the details regarding your position, including a team of maidens and butlers to fulfill your duties at the Castle of Friendship from now on.
"SAY WHAT?!" Twilight is fuming after reading the letter from Princess Celestia, specifically writing to Spike regarding his Number One Assistant position and possibly losing a friend because Celestia says so.
"Spikey-Wikey is leaving us?!" Rarity doesn't enjoy the sound of her friend leaving Ponyville for who-knows-what Princess Celestia has in mind concerning Spike.
"Not again!" Rainbow becomes unhappy and remembers a pivotal moment when Spike mentioned being with Garble and the other dragons after having a party during the Dragon Migration; the news about Spike's residency in Equestria stunned her and the girls of Spike's possible departure.
"Why would Princess Celestia choose you over us to solve what may be a crisis beyond understanding?" Twilight turns to Spike, trying to piece together his worth to Princess Celestia, especially the statement mentioning not to pack and come immediately.
"I don't and won't know anything unless I go now, Twilight! Now, please, let me go!" Spike urges Twilight to set him free since she knows too much, knowing Princess Celestia gave an explicit command about Twilight; he hopes Twilight doesn't force her way to Canterlot with him.
"Girls, I'll see you at the rendezvous point near the Tree of Harmony; I'm going with Spike to Canterlot," Twilight refuses to allow Spike to go by himself to Canterlot since she has questions for Princess Celestia, Luna, and Discord about Spike's importance for the meeting and why she got excluded.
"Twilight, I'm not sure that's a good idea, considering we heard unauthorized information for being nosy," Fluttershy believes Twilight is walking on thin ice for inputting herself to travel with Spike to Canterlot for a job the Princesses and Discord are entrusting.
"I have to agree with Flutters, Twi; this doesn't feel right, considering you allowed your emotions to possess you to read confidential information none of us were supposed to hear," Applejack concurs with natural feeling of uncertainty with Fluttershy, considering they had their duties and fulfilled it undisturbedly.
"Don't do it, Twilight," Pinkie is a mare of few words, but they're impactful and meaningful; she doesn't want to see or hear her best friend suffering due to the outcome ahead in Canterlot.
"I'm going with you, Twilight," Starlight Glimmer is still not thrilled about going camping for the first time; she hopes Twilight would allow her to accompany them to Canterlot for moral support and to understand thoroughly Spike's position in Equestria.
"Okay, let's go, Spike," Twilight continues to levitate Spike out of the School of Friendship while Starlight Glimmer trots next to her teacher, feeling nervous about the affair with Twilight willing herself to disregard Princess Celestia's decree; she hopes Twilight and her don't receive an earache during the supposed meeting between Spike, the Princesses, and Discord. Starlight is more eager about Discord's involvement regarding Spike's status in Equestria than anything else.
Spike is embarrassed throughout the trip to Canterlot after hearing Twilight theorize possibilities regarding expulsion, war, a villain only a dragon could witness, or a simple get-together that doesn't involve her. Spike believes Twilight feels entitled to do what she pleases whenever it involves Princess Celestia and pleases her in every way possible or gaining favor.
Once the train arrives in Canterlot, Twilight, Starlight, and Spike depart the station and continue their walk to Canterlot Castle; Spike hopes Princess Celestia would calmly excuse Twilight and Starlight rather than things escalate into a heated conversation regarding his position in Equestria. The Royal Guards standing in attention at Canterlot Castle allowed Spike entrance while using their wings to block the pathway for Twilight and Starlight due to Princess Celestia's strict command.
"Excuse me? Please stand aside to allow Starlight and me to visit Princess Celestia!" Twilight uses her sovereignty to override the Royal Guards' authority regarding their direct orders.
"Our apologies, Twilight, but Princess Celestia explicitly advised us not to allow you or your friends to accompany Spike for an essential briefing," One of the Royal Guards informs the Princess of Friendship of their directives from Princess Celestia.
"We hope you understand -" The second Royal Guard bites his lips, watching Princess Twilight Sparkle getting in his face.
"Anything regarding the dragon I raised is my concern! Now stand aside!" Twilight speaks using her royal and motherly voice, scaring the daylights out of the Royal Guards, which allow entry for Twilight and Starlight.
Spike embarrassingly sighs while watching the two Royal Guards quiver to Twilight's command as Starlight chuckles to herself, watching the extent her teacher is willing to go when something doesn't include her when she remembers Twilight did the same to assure things go her way during her trip to Canterlot. Starlight shares an embarrassed look with Spike to the throne room.
Princess Celestia, Luna, and Discord are in the throne room, preparing themselves to answer every question Spike may ask regarding the news they'll share. They hear the doors to the throne opening and become upset that Spike allowed Twilight and Starlight to intrude on private affairs.
"Twilight," Princess Celestia is visibly disappointed that her student would disregard her authority in the letter and permit herself to accompany Spike.
"I told you to wait an hour, but noooooo -" Discord sways his arms left to right when he sarcastically says no; he does the arms cross while hovering mid-air. "and now, this has become our headache due to your impatience, Luna!" Discord stares and points at Princess Luna for ushering her sister to send the letter immediately rather than wait a little while after.
"Sorry, but we couldn't wait any longer!" Princess Luna responds to Discord's blame game; she's more angry at him for not alerting her and Celestia that Spike was still with Princess Twilight Sparkle rather than alone in the Castle of Friendship.
"Alright, enough!" Princess Celestia bellows in her throne room to calm the quarrels between her sister and Discord; she turns to Twilight and Starlight.
"Can someone explain what all of this is about?!" Twilight matches her teacher's bellow with one of her own, longing to know Spike's importance regarding his residency in Equestria.
Discord and the Princesses sigh and take a deep breath to respond to Twilight and Spike's questions since she inputs herself into a situation that'll be difficult to illustrate. Starlight wishes she was with the girls going to the campsite rather than spectating a heated debate about Spike.
"Twilight, please understand that the letter I wrote was not to disrespect you in any manner nor make you jealous regarding us; however, since you and Starlight interjected yourselves in this affair, you'll hear the news that I didn't want to convey immediately," Princess Celestia warns Twilight of an unfortunate circumstance that'll render her sadness.
"Please elaborate as to why Spike is important and not me and my friends, for we're capable of handling everything through our friendship," Princess Twilight Sparkle wants to know why Spike has become vital with the glaring issue.
"The issue we wanted to disclose with Spike has no relation with your power with friendship, nor desired for this announcement," Princess Celestia announces to her student and Starlight about the misinterpretation.
"Twilight, our world is connected throughout space and time within other planets and galaxies in this universe and the different dimensions tethered to Equestria. Earlier this week, I received a galaxy letter selecting a worthy delegate for an organization as my replacement since I'm entering retirement," Discord explains his situation and has spoken vividly to Princess Celestia and Luna about refraining from specific details about his involvement.
"Retirement from what?!" Twilight and Starlight shout and wonder what exactly Discord is retiring from and if it's his obligation as the Lord of Chaos; they fear Spike may become the new Lord of Chaos and take things seriously.
"Classified," Discord simply responds, for he cannot explain further about the organization he works for.
After Discord discussed and displayed redacted information about the organization, he examined everyone's potential, including my sister and me," Princess Celestia continues to explain further from Discord's statement involving the galaxy note.
"This led to Spike's position in Equestria, for Discord sees Spike as an assistant and nothing much with tedious jobs while you are Headmare of your School of Friendship and the Princess of Friendship with higher responsibilities than anyone else, which included your friends with their lives prioritized with teaching lessons in classes, working, and embarking on friendship quests across Equus. Discord disqualified them immediately, including his best friend, Fluttershy, for he believed Fluttershy wouldn't complete the necessary jobs the organization requires," Princess Luna sadly states, knowing Twilight would become agitated about an opportunity unlike any other.
"So, after much discussion with Princess Celestia and Luna, we've agreed to send Spike to the organization as my replacement; I'm sure you understand and feel happy that Spike gets to explore something thrilling in his life, Twilight," Discord says, hoping to soften the blow that Spike is receiving an extraordinary opportunity to become something incredible rather than an assistant.
"I don't approve of this, and I want Spike with me!" Twilight doesn't enjoy feeling separated from Spike by an organization she doesn't know about. "Don't take him away from me! Please!" She's on the verge of tears, holding Spike lovingly; earlier today, before going on the retreat with her friends, Twilight had decided to surprise Spike with an invite, knowing leaving him was wrong.
"Twilight Sparkle," Princess Celestia flies in front of her student, extending her left Alicorn wing to hug and nurture Twilight in making a difficult decision a Princess must make and not for a selfish desire; she wipes a tear off Twilight's cheek and smiling warmly at her student. "I understand wholeheartedly the love you have for someone close; however, during an essential period, you must make intricate decisions as a Princess, and some are not appealing, but it's necessary to permit and address."
Discord and Princess Luna were silent when Princess Celestia took control and eased Twilight's heart, knowing how strong her bond with Spike was, unlike any of her friends in Ponyville.
"What will happen with Spike about his residency since the letter spoke about it?" Starlight asks, hoping to understand more about Spike's new position of replacing Discord with the organization.
"Classified," Discord painfully answers since he's sworn an oath about his commitment to the agency; he cannot disclose anything due to the presence of Twilight and Starlight.
"To an extent, Discord," Princess Luna knows what to say regarding Discord's unfortunate predicament; she takes a deep breath to answer Starlight's question thoroughly without revealing unprecedented information. "Discord will take Spike to his organization where he'll work, and the location is unknown to us, for we don't have clearance to unveil all the necessary information."
"What you need to know, Twilight, Spike will experience something unique that no other has undergone before, and during a paramount course, he'll have to make a decision, which none of us can swindle him out of position. Also, it'll impact me and my retirement," Discord continued Princess Luna's statement since it's not restricted data; he hopes Twilight would understand the opportunity could be life-changing compared to her transformation into a Princess.
Spike is confused about an opportunity to see where Discord is working and perhaps endure many adventures with new friends unless the position is far different than what he's used to; he's eager to see where this path would take him, and according to Princess Luna and Discord, there'll be a time to decide to stay or return to Equestria and reunite with his friends once more. The opportunity sounds temporary, and if he doesn't enjoy working for the organization, Discord could remain a worker until he finds another suitable delegate.
"I accept the opportunity, for I know it's temporary until I decide what's best for me," Spike boldly says while Twilight still hugs him in her grasp, unwilling to let him go.
"Nooo, Spike! I -" Twilight pants with sadness, not wanting to watch her dragon leave her and possibly for good. "I-I-I -" Sorrow eats Twilight alive as she bursts into sadness, with the possibility of never seeing Spike again if he chooses to remain where he works.
Starlight hugs Twilight, knowing she must endure a painful goodbye while watching a close friend leave for a better opportunity unless Discord is lying and devising a wicked scheme for chaos' sake.
Spike hugs Twilight tightly, knowing it could be the last time they embrace unless he rejects the offer to stay within the organization. "You have to let me go, Twilight. I want to embrace the new challenges ahead of me as you have your responsibilities as Princess of Friendship; you have so much going on, and I have little. I'm not in school, I'm not teaching, I'm just doing mundane jobs as your assistant, but know that I enjoyed much of my time with you since my birth."
Twilight stares at her young dragon for acting mature when she's crying like a baby, not wanting to give up something precious to her, but the saying goes for every parent. To see their child succeed, let them explore what life offers and make the best of it. She smiles at Spike and relinquishes her hold on him, taking a few steps back.
Spike couldn't believe Twilight had accepted the events unfolding to embark on this new path laid before him. "Does this mean you're -" Spike didn't need to finish his statement after watching Twilight nod in approval.
"Who am I, the Princess of Friendship, to deny a friend's destiny of achieving greatness with an organization I don't know, and you get to decide what's best for you? You stood beside me during my transition to become a Princess, elevating my magic and staying late nights to aid me with my studies and keeping me company. You've done so much for me, and -" Twilight swallows a hard truth about Spike's youth. "I kept you away whenever I planned to be with my friends or do things without you and kept you at home when you should be reaching your potential to strive for greatness and finding where you'll stand in Equestria. I understand why Discord had chosen you, and I was blind from seeing something new in you, Spike. I want you to embrace the new challenges, and if you ever need me, don't hesitate to call; I'll teleport to you immediately."
Spike sheds a tear in happiness and is glad Twilight came with him to Canterlot, knowing Twilight is also maturing as a Princess to make a formidable decision.
Starlight approaches Spike and gives him a tender, loving hug a friend can share, considering she never had the chance when Sunburst departed after receiving his cutie mark. "I will miss you at home, Spike," Starlight admits her feelings for Spike since he treated her like a brother during her span in Equestria under Twilight's occupation.
"I'll miss all of my friends, but know it's not a goodbye, but a see you later," Spike hopes his comment would ease their hearts when he leaves Equestria and embarks on this new journey to Discord's organization.
"Right on time," Discord checks his watch; the hour has arrived as a blue screen entrance of an office room appears behind him with the silhouette of different anthro-morphic entities going along with their routines. Princess Luna turns to see what's beyond the blue screen when Discord uses his magic to blindfold Luna's vision. "Classified, Luna. Spike, it's time to go!"
"No fair! I'm the Princess of the Night and I want to see!" Princess Luna growls at Discord for preventing her from seeing what Discord does with the organization beyond the blue screens portal.
"You'll see once Spike and me have departed, Luna," Discord promises Princess Luna she'll have her vision, considering she pledged Discord to retrieve the information he wasn't allowed to share.
"Okay, coming!" Spike's heartbeat pounds rapidly in excitement and nervousness about traveling to who-knows-where within the galaxy since he remembers Discord receiving a galaxy letter from his agency.
"Can we have a -" Discord uses his magic to blindfold Princess Celestia, Twilight, and Starlight to prevent their curiosity from overtaking them and facing a harsh penalty for violating the organization's regulations. "No peeking, Twilight. Sorry, Starlight and Celestia, I cannot reveal what's beyond the blue screen; know that you'll hear a sound that would mean we're gone. I'll return shortly, though."
Twilight and Starlight sigh heavily, for they cannot see their friend depart one last time if Spike decides to remain with the organization. Spike hugs the duo, letting them have one final embrace as friends before his new chapter begins; he does the same with Princess Celestia, giving her a hug and feeling a teardrop hitting his upper right shoulder. Spike didn't know how much he meant to Princess Celestia until now, and he wonders about Princess Luna; he approaches Princess Luna, hugging her, and she pulls him into one, knowing it'll take a while to see him, let alone watch his valiant bravery fighting different monsters during his dreams whenever work was slow.
"Follow me, Spike," Discord extends his lion's paw to Spike, ensuring he doesn't drift when they enter the blue screen entrance.
Spike is about to grab Discord's lion's paw when he turns around, watching Princess Celestia and Luna smile graciously at him while Twilight and Starlight struggle to keep their smile, knowing they want to cry, but in happiness. "I love you all, and I'll keep you in my heart on this new journey I'm partaking. Please, let the others know that I'm doing fine, for I found a purpose to strive for!"
Despite being blindfolded, Twilight and Starlight wave bye with their front left hoof, standing proudly at their beloved friend for welcoming a new chapter without them; they'll be hurt, with notable changes in their routine; however, they'll keep Spike in their hearts in everything they do and will explain thoroughly with the girls at the retreat what went on and how to embrace the new change the following day.
"Let's go," Spike walks with Discord, entering the blue screen entrance, immediately making a distinctive sound, alerting the Princesses and Starlight that the portal has closed.
Discord's magic wears out, allowing the blindfolds to disintegrate, thus granting the girls their visions. Princess Celestia and Luna look at each other, discussing something pivotal for Twilight and Starlight to hear.
"Well, now that Spike has become an interim worker in whatever occupation Discord is affiliated with, let's rejoin our friends at the retreat, Twilight!" Starlight wants to share the good news about Spike's departure and the new adventures he'll share when he returns soon.
"Of course, and thank you, Princess Celestia and Luna, for clarifying Spike's new ambition with us!" Twilight graciously thanks her teacher and sister before departing when she notices the doors to the throne room refusing to open.
"Uh, Twilight," Starlight notices the golden aura repelling the door from opening, meaning the Princesses have something else to say regarding Spike or something different.
"Although you and Starlight witnessed a spectacle moment and learned what Spike may do for Discord, you two did disobey my strict command within the missive I've sent to Spike, so before you can embrace your friendship retreat, you'll have to endure a fitting punishment," Princess Celestia wasn't going to allow Twilight and Starlight off the hook for neglecting her command.
"And what would our penalty be, your highness?" Starlight nervously asks before Twilight can recuperate and imagine horrific, exaggerated punishments that'll make her queasy and terrified.
"Nothing too rash, right?" Twilight nervously chuckles while watching her teacher smirk devilishly, making it feel as eerie as Discord's erratic, chaotic behavior.
"Before you leave, enjoy Princess Luna's home-cooked meal!" Princess Celestia laughs like a mad pony when an experiment has gone right upon a poor soul.
Princess Luna presents Twilight and Starlight with a poorly made stack of pancakes, looking dry and pale with spoiled fruit and mayonnaise decorating the pancakes, adding a fearful, dreading, nightmarish taste unlike any other.
Starlight and Twilight clutch each other in dread while hearing Princess Luna maniacally laugh as if she were Nightmare Moon offering the punishment. They scream in horror, wishing to elude an unforgiving tastebud that'll stain their tongues for the rest of their days for being disobedient to Princess Celestia's command in the letter she addressed to Spike only.
After following Discord through the blue screen, Spike hears it shut behind him while gazing at the inhabitants wearing white uniforms walking with their co-workers, going along with their routines as some walk to their computers, working nonstop with their projects and intercepting long-distant calls from wherever.
"What is -" Spike gasps when he hears himself, then covers his mouth with his hands and panics; it would have been his dragon claws, but they're humanlike when he and Twilight went to Canterlot High a few years ago. Discord gives Spike a mirror, allowing him to observe his physique and attire; he's wearing a purple hoodie, a necklace with a dragon medallion, green jeans, and black sneakers; he is a light tan, semi-muscular young man with a green mohawk representing his spikes when he used to be a dragon; his voice sounds a little dark as a teenager, and his eyes are green.
"Enjoy your new appearance in this world?" Discord knew Spike would transform into a human rather than keep his dragon physique when entering a new world outside Equestria and its counterpart dimension partner.
"I do, and it's not a transformation that I consider being a ripoff as like when I ventured to Mt.Aris with the girls, and I turned into a puffer fish while my friends shifted into beautiful sea-mares," Spike grabs the medallion and tries to understand the jewelry's purposes around his neck. "What's with the bling, Discord?"
"It's your only method to transform into a dragon, Spike," Discord replies to Spike's question when a red laser beam scans him and Spike.
"Discord the Draqonecuus, clear!" A voice from the scanner announces after determining the genetic clearance, allowing Discord to continue his voyage, thus allowing the security scanner to download personal data on Spike after scanning his eyes and body to determine his fingerprint based on the different camera angles within the facility.
"What are you to them?" Spike has more questions about the territory he and Discord are in as the platform comes to an immediate end.
"The answers you seek will unfold soon enough, my friend," Discord walks towards the elevator, going straight to his boss' office as Spike follows and notices aliens riding on the escalator going upward but upside down, as Discord commonly walks during Guy's Night.
"Wow." Spike views himself through the reflection of the elevator glass; he wonders who he'll partner with if he gets to work with friends on a project or something relatable while understanding his new task as Discord's replacement within the facility.
Once the elevator door opens, Discord walks out, seeing his boss viewing a specimen on the lab table near the desk; the area is a vast space filtered in purple hues with different bookshelves and materials around the room. Spike follows and is confused about what's happening and what purpose he'll obliged to than what seems more inclusive than Twilight's Number One Assistant, which he loved.
"Hi, M.O.M.!" Discord shouts loud enough to make the woman groan in frustration and disturb her peace on an experiment she was working on.
"That's your mother?" Spike points to the woman still working on the specimen on the lab table; he's surprised that the woman operating is Discord's biological mother, which would make sense, considering Discord is a multi-breed creature, and the woman is examining a dead creature. Spike wonders if she gave Discord his chaotic abilities through science or other undisclosed methods.
"I'm not the lunatic's mother. I'm the Mystery Organization Manager, but I refer you to call me M.O.M." M.O.M. turns around, removing a white surgical mask. M.O.M. is slender with fair skin, black hair, thin black eyebrows, purple lips, aqua-green eyes, and a little black dot on her right upper lip; her attire consists of a white scientist lab coat with white pants and boots.
Something about M.O.M.'s appearance felt natural for Spike despite only meeting her briefly; he felt a strong connection with her, allowing him to approach M.O.M. and introduce himself properly. "Hello, M.O.M. I'm Spike, Discord's interim worker since he told me about his desire to retire, thus selecting a delegate to enact temporary through vigorous trials within this facility."
"Spike, huh?" M.O.M. is unimpressed with Discord's selection but will give him a trial before accepting or dismissing his potential; she notices a dragon medallion Spike is wearing, approaches him, and holds it. "Mind explaining this?"
"Oh, um, Discord told me that the medallion allows me to transform into my dragon self!" Spike sounds nervous rather than bold in his attempt to impress M.O.M.; he hopes she likes having a dragon working with the organization.
"A dragon?" M.O.M. is interested in witnessing Spike's transformation; she stands a few feet away from Spike, allowing him breathing room to mutate his mass. "Show me."
"Spike, grab hold of the dragon medallion and concentrate," Discord instructs Spike on how to transform into a dragon that he remembers during crucial circumstances and dire situations since he won't be around to remind him again.
Spike does so on command, grabbing the medallion. His eyes turn into the iris, and his clothing withers; then his skin turns into purple scales with a green body and green spikes that go from his end to the end of his body, and his wings expand in a seven-foot, four-inch wingspan. He remains five foot, eight inches tall and semi-muscular. Spike roars, breathing green flames to incinerate the specimen she was analyzing by accident.
M.O.M. closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. "I was about to say that I was unimpressed by your transformation, for I've seen better, ask Billy. Second, I know a group that can use your abilities, and I'm sure a family wouldn't mind helping a transfer student attending Torrington Academy. As for your teammates, they'll arrive here once I have an assignment for them."
Spike blinks twice, grabbing the medallion to see if he'll revert to his human transformation, which does so according to a simple thought command. His attire returns without a tear, making him smile and not worry about clothing.
"Third, be mindful of your flames around my personal belongings, and we'll be fine," M.O.M. wanted to make it evident about her office. "Fourth, you'll become a paranormal investigator."
"A what?!" Spike is thrilled about becoming a paranormal investigator, which means adventures unlike what Twilight and her friends endure daily; he can't wait to explain his new responsibility to Twilight when he visits her.
"Did I stutter?" M.O.M. thought she made Spike's position conspicuous by disclosing his responsibility. "You're going to work as a paranormal investigator, solving mysteries and helping the earth."
"As promised, M.O.M., I brought a replacement for the Center in exchange for being relieved from all the Center's duties from here and out," Discord bows to her, respectively, for he has Fluttershy to spend an eternity with in retirement.
"I won't relieve you from all duties unless Spike succeeds in his six-month endeavor with the Center, allowing me to evaluate him through vigorous training and procedures whenever he's not on a mission."
"See you later!" Discord salutes and leaves Spike with M.O.M.; he returns to Equestria to explain all he can to the Princesses and his friends regarding Spike's six-month endeavor.
"What would happen after the six months, M.O.M.?" Even right after Discord left, Spike pondered about his duties for the Center and how to become successful with the team he'll be operating with.
"Between my agents, employees, and myself, we'll vote to see whether you are worthy or not of becoming a full-time agent; if you perform well enough, you'll keep the position unless you opt-out, then the Draqonecuus would be mine until he finds another suitable candidate for the job."
"So, what would happen if I underperform?" Spike nervously asks a possible outcome if the bar is too high for him to achieve.
"You'll be expelled and have no recollection of the Center and what we do; everything we do here is for the protection of many galaxies through some secrecy. Note, I don't like slackers, for they have no use within my domain," M.O.M. coldly states while calling for a cleanup crew to dispose of the ashes from the specimen Spike burnt using his flames a while ago.
"Understood. I want to make a bold impression with you and my potential partners, who'll become my new friends within this world I'm occupying," Spike hopes to build a foundation with M.O.M. and everyone within the facility during his stay while creating new memories to share with Twilight and the girls about friendship throughout many planets no one has explored before.
"We'll see how well you perform, but honestly, I expect nothing less from you, considering the Lord of Dufus always makes dumb decisions with his selection throughout his employment in the Center; he chose an untamed dragon to become his replacement, and I have some doubts of your credentials," M.O.M. strictly says after witnessing many missions go astray due to Discord's unpredictability and accountability whenever someone is in distress and endures chaotic behavior instead of following the protocols.
"You don't show much optimism, do you?" Spike sees her strict, serious, and uncompromising personality blooming; he walks around, analyzing M.O.M.'s gadgetry.
"I care for my agents and employees; however, this is my domain, and I don't need another dufus causing mischief!" A notification appears on her computer, mentioning a new virtual reality combat simulator. An employee wearing a white uniform delivers techno-gloves with built-in pause and play buttons to initiate the program.
"What is that?" Spike is confused about the device the guy came to give M.O.M.
"Observe and find out -" M.O.M. puts on the techno-gloves to initiate the training mode on her monitor behind the desk. Spike gets startled by an image of an alien copying M.O.M.'s movements to battle a different alien with sharp teeth.
"Hey, M.O.M.!" A tiny green alien with an extensive cranium-filled head with circular spikes in the middle of his head, flying on his mini hovercraft, he notices Spike for the first time and wonders why he's in M.O.M.'s office. "We've received a distress call of a missing child in Northern France at a library!"
"Sound the alarm and introduce yourself to our newest recruit," M.O.M. points at Spike and starts battling the alien in the simulator.
"Hey," Spike waves at the tiny alien. "I'm Spike, and you are?"
"Billy!" He's excited about the newest recruit. "I'm M.O.M.'s personal secretary, and I'll be right back with the team M.O.M. will assign you to!" He departs the office room to alarm his friends for an upcoming mystery to solve.
Spike is nervous about the assigned team and his first mission with his possible new friends but is excited about the change of pace rather than cleaning an entire castle by himself or doing errands for Twilight. Spike watches M.O.M. having fun with the simulation and wishes he had popcorn to enjoy the video game.
After ten minutes, Spike hears Billy return with three people and smiles, believing M.O.M. would station him to partner with these three teenagers. One of them becomes petrified at the virtual reality video game.
"Don't be alarmed, Java, it's just a Sander's Combat Virtual Simulator," M.O.M. responds to Java's horrid reaction to calm him down.
"Cool, can I try?" Another teen approaches the table, analyzing the virtual reality game.
"No, but you can investigate the disappearance of a child at a library in Northern France with your newest teammate," M.O.M. responds to her agent's question; she then stares at Spike. "Why don't you introduce yourself to your new team."
Spike approaches the trio, smiling widely at them. "I'm Spike, and it's a pleasure to greet my new friends."
"Hi, Spike! I'm Martin Mystery!" Martin has apricot skin, spiky blonde hair, and brown eyes; he's wearing a red and yellow short-sleeved jacket over a white t-shirt with a slate blue V-neck, grayish-tan pants, and red and white sneakers with white shoelaces.
"This is Java the Caveman!" Martin introduced Java before he could. Java is a tall, muscular caveman with blackish-blue/bluish-black hair, thick black eyebrows, tan-brown skin, dark-brown eyes, and hairy arms. He wears an orange collared t-shirt, dark navy blue pants, and navy blue shoes. He also wears a necklace with a silver shark tooth.
"I'm Diana Lombard! Nice to meet you!" Diana has apricot skin, shoulder-length light brown hair, green eyes, and light coral pink lips. Her usual clothing consists of a long-sleeved pink blouse with dark pink sleeves, light blue knee-length jeans, and lavender and white sneakers with no socks. She also sports a small purple shoulder bag with a cat design and a pair of purple hair clips, one with a pink flower and the other a star.
Spike's jaw drops after hearing Diana speaking; she sounds identical to Starlight Glimmer, and if she had a human form, this would be the likely image minus the skin color. "Did Discord know about Diana sounding like Starlight Glimmer to give me comfort coming here?" Spike couldn't believe how similar Diana was to Starlight Glimmer while matching similar color traits with her clothes.
"Hey, are you alright?" Diana asks Spike after watching him become awestruck as if he had seen a ghost or something similar.
Spike shakes his head and comes up with a lame excuse, hoping Diana will buy into his lie. "Sorry, when I see someone attractive, I kinda lose sight, hehe," Spike embarrassingly blushes in front of Diana.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Martin points at Spike like an immature and hyperactive child. "Newbie likes Diana!"
"Grrrrrrrrr!" Diana whacks Martin on his head. "Don't embarrass me in front of the new hunk! Uh!" Diana pauses with her statement; something about Spike seems appealing to her. "I mean, new guy!" Diana blushes at her statement and turns to M.O.M.
"Anyway, I'm assigning Spike with you guys for six months, and if he succeeds, I'll make him an official member of the Center," M.O.M. informs her agents.
"That's awesome!" Martin gets up and slams his fist on M.O.M.'s desk, causing a small glass container to fall onto the floor, which unleashes a green glob.
"Oh boy," Spike notices M.O.M.'s demeanor from straightforward and serious to flustering and angry.
"Thank you, Martin; you just set my cloning research back for about six months!" M.O.M. glares at Martin's idiocy for causing yet another setback within her study and work.
"And you almost lost our bet," Diana scolds Martin about an agreement they made, which piques Spike's interest in Starlight's stipulation for Martin's dilemma; he believes Martin could be a slob considering the mess he made from M.O.M.'s research project.
"Now, if you excuse me, I have to save Agent Anaconda from the Reptile Dispaction Cyborg," M.O.M. resumes her simulation and unleashes her anger on the virtual monster in the game.
"This way, guys!" Billy alerts Martin, Diana, Java, and Spike to a portal entering Northern France.
"Let's go, newbie!" Martin grabs Spike's right arm and enters the portal with Diana and Java; he's excited about the new adventure with a new friend.
Spike sees the beauty of Northern France for the first time, the vast open fields with trees, for what feels like a warm summer day; being in a world not occupied by ponies or any superpowered magician is a nice change of pace, but regarding his title as a paranormal investigator, he believes something from Equestria could plague a beautiful world like this for eons without notice.
"Aaaah," Diana releases a satisfying sigh to relish mother nature's beauty. "I just love the French countryside; it's so relaxing."
"Java agrees," Java smiles in delight, hearing the birds singing on the tree branch where their nest rests and feeding the baby birds. "What about you, Spike?"
"It's different, and I can appreciate a new change," Spike turns to his new friends and a yellow dune-buggy car with a license plate displaying M.O.M 2.
"Uh, hey, we have a problem over here," Martin notices a slight concern with the Center's vehicle selection. "Someone will have to walk to our destination."
"No problem. I'll follow you guys there," Spike prepares to impress his friends with his transformation.
"How exactly are you going to keep up with us?" Martin questions Spike's capabilities to move swiftly with his driving expertise.
"Watch," Spike stands a few feet away from his new friends and clutches his dragon medallion. His eyes turn into the iris, and his clothing withers; his skin turns into purple scales with a green body and green spikes that go from his end to the end of his body; his wings expand in a seven-foot, four-inch wingspan. He remains five foot, eight inches tall and semi-muscular. Spike roars after his transformation but doesn't breathe his green flames at his friends or the tree they're next to.
"DINOSAUR!" Java quivers behind Diana after hearing Spike roar.
"Dino-what?" Spike is confused by the title Java gave him.
"Oh my goodness! You're a dragon! That's so cool! Thanks, M.O.M.!" Martin is thrilled to have a dragon at his beck and call during all sorts of investigations.
"Amazing! This is amazing! Where did you come from?" Diana is perplexed and astonished by Spike's transformation; she touches Spike's wingspan and scales to see if they are real or fake.
"I've come from a land unlike any other—a world where animals govern the planet. No humans in sight," Spike replies to Starlight's question; however, he'll need to time address Diana with her actual name.
"Race ya!" Martin grabs Diana and Java swiftly to the dune-buggy and speeds off to the village where the child disappeared.
Spike flies behind the dune-buggy since he's unaware of the voyage, considering he's unfamiliar with the landscape and location of the library. Once he got near civilization, he reverted to normal so no other resident would attack or get startled by his appearance.
It's starting to get dark in the village; Spike finds the dune-buggy car near a library, indicating his friends are already inside, possibly speaking to the witness of the distress. When Spike enters, he hears Diana introducing herself to the client who sent the distress call. "Starlight Glimmer." Spike couldn't help himself but see Starlight's face on Diana's.
"And now allow us to introduce ourselves properly," Diana excuses Martin's self-righteous attitude. "I'm Diana, this is Java -" She extends her left hand to Java, and he smiles at the client. "this is Spike -" She extends her right hand to Spike, walking inside the library. "and finally, Martin," Diana uses her right thumb to point at him. "We're from the Center. Why don't you tell us what happened to you, sir?" She politely asked the client to give his backstory about what happened.
"It was closing time, and I told my Nelly not to stray out of sight..," He sighs deeply. "She didn't listen, and then I heard a scream, and she vanished without a trace."
Martin starts putting the pieces together, theorizing a likely outcome to the supposed disappearing act. "Maybe an invisible man took her? That would certainly explain the lack of evidence!"
"Why do I seriously doubt that?" Diana doesn't fathom Martin's theory about an invisible person taking a child away.
"Because you doubt everything, Diana, you're a skeptic," Martin responds to Diana's blatancy about his theories, considering she has experienced witnessing the unknown terrors before. He wanders to find evidence in the library.
"What do you think, Spike? What's your theory for a possible disappearing act?" Diana wonders if Spike is brilliant or another goofball like her step-brother, Martin.
"Yeah? M.O.M. designated you to us; let's hear what you have in mind!" Martin hopes Spike ponders a possible theory correlating to his hypothesis.
"Uh..," Spike thought long and hard about his experiences in Equestria whenever something abnormal arises; he remembers Discord doing things unorthodox and unnatural. "If I had to say what may be the cause..," Spike recalls when his Power Ponies comic became active and hauled his friends and him into the universe. "An entity with bizarre prowess emerged from a book and dragged the child into the world?"
"Uh, no!" Martin dismisses Spike's theory and sticks with his original theory about an invisible man snatching Nelly away.
"Java thinks the idea was good," Java didn't want Martin's dismissal to give Spike a bad influence on his first day at work.
"Nice presumption. I respect you for coming up with a reasonable thesis," Diana puts her right hand on Spike's left shoulder to show some encouragement.
"Gaaah!" Martin slips on the floor, knocking several books from the shelf.
"Smooth move, Mr.Secret Agent Extraordinaire," Diana mocks Martin's slip-up, standing tall with her step-brothers' clumsiness.
Martin notices something odd at first, then smirks at Diana. "Diana, it was all part of my plan; otherwise, I would have never uncovered this cool goop!"
Diana, Java, Spike, and the client witness the green goo emerging from the shelves and books.
"Woooow!" Java is amazed by the sight, while Spike and Diana gasp at the mere presence of the green goo.
"Whoa!" Martin nearly touches the green goo with his right index finger. "Oopsie, I wouldn't want to get my hands dirty and lose our little bet!" Martin refrains from losing the bet due to his curiosity nearly overrunning his mind. He watches Diana getting all hyped and then disappointed.
"How are we going to diagnose this crude?" Spike wonders if Martin, Diana, and Java have a solution to solve this dilemma.
"Since you demonstrated your power, allow me to display mine," Martin presses a button on his U-Watch.
"U-Watch Activated: Slime Scan Selected!"
Martin's U-Watch glows a bluish-green orb with a scanner materializing within. Spike becomes dumbfounded by the watch's capability to store gadgets unlike any other, except for Discord's cotton candy cloud, which reserves tons of meaningless junk. Spike watches Martin using the scanner to scoop a slime sample to examine the origins.
"Analyzing Data: Sample Identified. Composition: Acidic Substrate Compromise Chiefly of Sphagnum Moss and Peat."
"Ah-hah! Bog goo!" Martin becomes ecstatic about the latest report to the slime sampler.
"Bog goo? That's odd," The client responds to Martin's answer.
"Forget the invisible man -" Martin disposes his theory about an invisible person dragging the child away. "My guess is a reanimated bog body left this."
"So, we're going with Spike's theory, right?" Diana scolds Martin for excusing Spike's theory about the slime, causing Martin to wince.
"Well, uh..," Martin nervously sweats when he excused Spike's possible theory earlier. "He got lucky making an accurate guess; you can't rely on luck during these cases, Spike!" Martin warns Spike about the dangers of guessing using fate, which would lead to disastrous results.
"Hate to break it to you, pal, but my experiences with the abnormal led to me making that assumption," Spike responds to Martin's statement about using luck to speculate a reason for the goo.
"Ooooh!" Diana points at Martin. "He roasted you!" Diana loved Spike standing his ground to make Martin look foolish on his first day working on the investigation.
Martin is fuming in anger, steam and an angry tic forms on his head. He's mad that Spike made him look foolish when he, Diana, Java, Spike, and the client hear a loud shrill outside the library. They run outside to inspect the shrill when they notice a woman weeping by a fountain.
"I told my Ian he wasn't allowed to leave the house, but he didn't listen, and now that thing stole him away!" The mother is in tears of anguish, explaining to the agents about the mysterious creature capturing her son.
"Heeeelp!" Ian cries when a creature swiftly moves near the fountain, carrying him away from his mother; Martin, Diana, Java, and Spike see a creature physique consisting of vines and wood, looking back with red eyes.
"Monster!" Java becomes afraid of the mere sight of the behemoth.
"I knew it! Don't worry, we'll get your son back!" Martin proclaims and starts sprinting after the creature with his friends when Diana grabs his arm.
Ian continues to shout for help as Martin, Diana, Java, and Spike give chase to the creature at the end of the street, then see the silhouette of the shadow near another home with emerald lighting near an alleyway.
"Where are they?" Diana doesn't see the creature and Ian anywhere.
"Down!" Java petrifying points at the creature descending into the ground with Andy in its' grasp through a portal of maggot-like worms.
Martin, Diana, Java, and Spike come closer to inspect the portal with shock and wonder.
"Whoa, that's the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen!" Martin is in awe when the maggot-like worms dissipate, exposing a green light into a different dimension.
"The fact that our abductor turned into a pile of worms or the fact that the ground is glowing?" Diana asks Martin which of the two amazes him more in a stupor.
"Both, I mean sure; I've heard of shape shifting in space-time -" Spike interrupts Martin's monologuing.
"Hate to interrupt, but shouldn't we get in there and stop the creature?" Spike notices the portal shrinking due to the maggot-like worms entering inside.
"Too late and too small to enter. Also, diving into that hole would mean I'm Java's toe-toucher," Martin smirks at Diana with an excuse to elude a dire situation over a bet.
"WHAT?!" Diana and Spike become pissed about Martin's blatant excuse to save Ian over a bet.
"Dude! We could have saved that child and the other from whatever that thing is doing to them!" Spike uses his strength to lift Martin's hair, hoistering him angrily.
"Ow! Spike! That hurts!" Martin cringes and feels the jolt of pain surging from his hair from Spike's grasp. "Cut it out!" Spike drops Martin onto the ground.
"So now, because of our stupid bet, the trail is cold?" Diana couldn't believe Martin wouldn't jeopardize his cleanliness over a bet.
"Not cold," Java holds a book covered in bog goo with a key attached to a locket.
"Huh, it's a book covered in bog goo; you must have found it in the library!" Martin is impressed with Java's quick thinking of snagging a book covered in the bog goo.
"I'll read it, Java," Spike takes the book out of Java's hand so Martin doesn't have to worry about dirtying himself. Everyone gets closer to listening to what the story has to offer.
"Tale of the Bogeyman?" Diana reads the book's title, in which the front cover depicts an image of the creature they saw moments ago. "Sounds like a freaky fairy tale."
"More like non-fiction. Open the book, Spike!" Martin is eager to find answers about the Bogeyman.
"On it," Spike uses the key to unlock the seal, allowing his new friends to read the pages.
"Hey, look at the main characters. Check what they're about to do!" Martin's excitement gets the better of him when he sees three kids on the first page.
"No way!" Spike reads a passage about the Bogeyman's objective, which is horrific and inhumane.
"He's stealing kids!" Diana is appalled that the Bogeyman would steal children.
"And dragging them to his evil bog world," Martin says after Spike turns the next page over.
"Oooh, this is too freaky!" Diana complains about the explicit details of the Bogeyman capturing and torturing kids in another dimension.
"Try handling a creature that's empowered by fear, using black and dark magic, shadows, and crystals to enslave a kingdom, then we'll talk," Spike replied to Diana's comment about a creature kidnapping kids when he learned about King Sombra's spell to plunge the Crystal Empire into a thousand years of darkness.
"Okay, when this is over, I want to know everything about you, even where you're from!" Martin is eager to know more about Spike and his adventures in the world he originated.
"Fair enough," Spike wants to tell his tale to Martin, Java, and Diana when the time arrives.
"So, now that we know who our bad guy is, how do we stop him?" Diana asks the question Martin has an answer to.
"Piece of cake! All we have to do is read ahead and find out how this Bogeyman story ends!" Martin's simple solution eases Diana's stress about the Bogeyman with the horrid thoughts of the children enduring its' wrath.
"We have a problem, Martin," Spike flips the page, revealing the ending page torn off the book.
"Darn it!" Martin is livid about the missing page.
"So much for outsmarting our monster," Diana loses some hope with the Bogeyman one step ahead.
"Well, there's one thing we haven't tried," Martin's optimism returns within an instant after he remembers a device that upholds every data. Martin presses a button on his U-Watch.
"U-Watch Activated: Legendex Selected!"
Martin's U-Watch glows a bluish-green orb with a small digitized panel appearing. He presses a button, quoting Bogeyman to find the results. "According to the Legendex, the Bogeyman is a mythological nursery monster from thirteen century France. He comes out at night and steals naughty children, sealing them away in his bogey world for all eternity," Martin remembers a crucial pivot point about Ian and Nelly that would allure the Bogeyman's presence. "Wait a minute! Nelly and Ian were naughty! That's why the Bogeyman took them."
"Hey, you're right, but that doesn't mean we know how to stop him," Diana said, unsure how to defeat the Bogeyman.
"However, we now know how to lure the Bogeyman to us." Spike knows how to allure the Bogeyman and hopefully enter his dimensional plain to rescue Nelly and Ian from enduring hellish nightmares for eternity.
"Yes! And I'm with you! Diana, Java, scatter to find every naughty child in the village!" Martin commands, already knowing Spike's plan to trap the Bogeyman.
After an hour of scouring the town, Spike, Martin, Dina, and Java meet up at an abandoned hospital called St.Joseph. They brought three naughty kids, two boys, and one girl, allowing them to misbehave, running around and attacking each other.
"I am unsure about using them as bait, Spike and Martin," Diana is uncomfortable using the last remnant of naughty children to reel in the Bogeyman like a fish.
The parents present hate the idea of having their children attract the Bogeyman and possibly take them into his pocket dimension, never to be seen and loved ever again.
"I have to admit, son," One of the mothers addresses the issues. "That doesn't sound like a bright idea to me," She hugs her child.
"How would you lure a nursery demon, knowing its' sole purpose is to appear and gather naughty children? Make the behaved ones pretend to act disobedient?" Spike asks the mother and the parents standing by to devise a better scheme than his and Martin's.
"Trust us, you have nothing to fear," Martin proudly speaks while defending Spike. "Java, Spike, and I are here to protect your children."
"Alright, and if you need help, we'll be outside," The parents leave the abandoned hospital.
"Okay, time to get this party starting!" Martin turns to the kids. "Who's up for jumping on their beds!?" He hears the trio of troublemakers shouting: me! "Well, get to it!"
The kids jump on the beds, laughing in bliss for a minute while Martin, Diana, Java, and Spike wait patiently for the Bogeyman's arrival; the clouds outside thunder with lightning seeping through the skies. Martin and Java start playing with the kids, increasing their naughtiness to attract the Bogeyman to their location as Diana and Spike remain stationary, waiting for the Bogeyman.
The fun comes to an end when the Bogeyman enters the bedroom. He's a giant, vaguely humanoid composed of plant matter in the form of a tree with a face. He has red eyes that glow. He has a long face with pointed ears and three branches on the forehead.
"Whoa!" Spike is amazed that the Bogeyman looks like a timberwolf from the Everfree forest; he wonders if the Timberwolves are his creation.
Java is in front of the kids, preparing to fight the entity; the Bogeyman draws near and watches a kid fleeing, setting his eyes on the naughty child, allowing Java to lung and grab hold of the Bogeyman, which he quickly overpowers Java and tosses him aside like a rag doll.
"Gotcha now!" Spike sprints after the Bogeyman and makes a crucial error; he thought he turned into his dragon self to use his superior strength to topple the Bogeyman, but he grabs Spike and chucks him at Java. "Ow," Spike rubs his back from the impact. "Sorry, Java."
"Forgiven..," Java replies in pain from the Bogeyman's display of strength.
"Don't worry, you two, I got it!" Martin sprints after the Bogeyman with a better plan rather than trying to out-muscle him.
The Bogeyman crawls on the ceiling, fleeing from the room as Martin continues his pursuit to apprehend him. Martin selects the X-Rod, a portable net, from the U-Watch and traps the Bogeyman under the net. It squirms, trying to break his imprisonment. Martin thinks of a different idea to elude confinement; the Bogeyman transitions into many worms and makes a portal to the Bog World.
Spike, Diana, and Java arrive beside Martin, gazing at the portal; he grabs Diana and jumps into the portal, giving Spike and Java no choice but to follow pursuit to help locate Ian and Nelly from the Bog World. Diana, Java, and Spike land in marsh waters, while Martin lands on the dirt ground without getting any stains from the impact.
The Bog World is a yellowish-green swamp-like area filtered with fog. It features trees with branches that resemble demonic claws and fingers, withered grass, and some plants.
"Hey, look, I managed to stay completely clean!" Martin is impressed by his sheer luck in staying clean. "Am I good or what?" He sounds cocky about his circumstance, hoping to elude the penalty of losing the bet.
"Yuck," Spike rises from the swamp waters with Diana and Java; they walk looking for Martin.
"If you're so good, why don't you find the stolen kids and get us out of this creepy place," Diana urges Martin to find the solution before the Bogeyman returns.
"Looks like the portal magically transported us into some sort of alternate world!" Martin says after noticing the different environment.
Diana gets an idea, reaching into Java's shirt to find the book he stored after Spike took it from him to read a while ago. Java blushes when Diana searches his shirt and imagines his reward when the bet ends. "I thought this place looked familiar," Diana turns the pages and displays a section where the image of the Bogeyman gets revealed within his domain. "Check it out; this is the Bogeyman's world!"
"Whoa, you're right. That just leaves us with one question. Where is the Bogeyman?" Martin hoped to see the Bogeyman within his realm to find where he keeps the kids contained.
A child screams for help as the fog gets denser, making everyone's vision seem blurry. Martin, Diana, Java, and Spike can't see each other and vanish, one by one; then they reunite near a tree in the middle with four small waterfalls around the tree like a cubic formation.
Spike follows Martin, Diana, and Java, observing ancient toys in the water, when they find two kids, Nelly and Ian, cowering with bumps and scrapes inside a hole under the tree.
"It's the Bogeyman!" Nelly and Ian shriek in terror when Diana kneels to comfort them.
"No, no, we're the good guys," Diana reassures the younglings that they're safe. "We're here to help you!" She smiles at them, letting the duo know they'll return home sooner than later.
"We want to go home now!" Ian speaks on behalf of Nelly and himself after crawling out of the hole.
"Don't worry, you're with the master now; I'll get us out of here in no time," Martin's cockiness gets the better of Diana's good nature with the kids.
"Not unlikely!" The Bogeyman appears behind Spike and Java, standing ten feet tall, scaring the daylights out of everyone with his sudden appearance.
Ian and Nelly hug Diana, fearing what the Bogeyman may do to them next. "What kind of -" Diana stutters with her speech at the sight of the Bogeyman. "whatever you are brings innocent people to a place like this?"
"You're here because you are naughty children, and you're never going to leave!" The Bogeyman speaks venomously, making Ian and Nelly tear in sadness and fear.
"Excuse me, I'm not a child. I am a young lady," Diana confidencely quotes, knowing she had done nothing wrong to provoke the Bogeyman's wrath.
"A very naughty young lady hopes don't do a late homework," The Bogeyman says, knowing Diana's sins even though he has never met her.
Diana gasps horridly and turns to the Bogeyman. "How did you know that?"
"I know all!" The Bogeyman's body transforms into maggots as he ascends into the skies to create another portal. "Enjoy eternity!" He leaves his domain to search for the remaining naughty children of Northern France.
Spike smirks after the Bogeyman departs, leaving the portal wide open to return to Northern France; he turns to the cowering kids, holding onto Diana. "Hey, kids, do you know what the Bogeyman is afraid of?" Ian and Nelly turn to Spike, shaking their heads. "Dragons!" Spike smiles at the kids, then morphs into one after grabbing his medallion; he extends his wings to flap and roars proudly to encourage the kids to drop their fears.
"COOOOOOOL!" Ian and Nelly's anxiety turns into excitement when they see Spike transform into a dragon.
"Grab hold!" Spike instructs everyone to clutch onto his body while he holds the kids, allowing Martin, Java, and Diana to grab his shoulder and back when he takes off straight into the portal before it shrinks and traps them within the Bog World. Spike, Martin, Diana, Java, Nelly, and Ian arrive in the village through the fountain's water, smiling and laughing.
"Way to go, dude!" Martin puts his right arm around Spike, throwing a thumbs up in appreciation.
"You're amazing, Mr.Dragon!" Nelly said in happiness and is ready to return home.
"You're awesome!" Ian says in delight and leaves the fountain; he yearns to return home and be with his mother.
"Java likes dragons!" Java claps and is glad to call Spike his friend after he saves everyone from who-knows-what within the Bogeyman's domain.
"Alright, I'm going to tell M.O.M. you're a keeper, Spike. We need you!" Diana admits that having a friend who can fly would be super beneficial in every scenario.
"Mommy!" Ian calls for his mother, running to hug her.
"Daddy!" Nelly runs to her father, allowing him to hoist her in delight. "The dragon is here to help us!"
"Now, to find that monster," Martin says and notices an angry mob with torches, shovels, and pitchforks going after the Bogeyman to protect their children from his wrath.
"We have to stop him before he takes the children back to his world!" Diana turns to Martin, hoping he can solve the dilemma.
"I'll distract him!" Spike gets out of the fountain. "Find out how the Bogeyman's book ends!" He roars, catching the attention of the people and the Bogeyman; then, he flies after him, colliding with the Bogeyman to the ground.
The Bogeyman shoves Spike into a wall of someone's house with brute force. "Insolent worm! You'll regret that when I send you to my domain!"
"I liked to see you try!" Spike gets back up and tackles the Bogeyman to the ground, using his fire breath to incinerate his physique while the angry mob attempts to puncture the behemoth with their pitchforks and set it on fire with their torches.
Martin enjoys the battle so much he doesn't want to leave; he wishes he had popcorn to watch a dragon battling the Bogeyman when Diana yanks his arm, dragging Martin to the library. Minutes later, Martin, Diana, and Java return to the library and split up, trying to locate the last page of the Bogeyman's story to understand how to defeat the behemoth.
Diana decides to inspect the area where Nelly disappeared when she gets startled after hearing Spike crashing into several bookshelves behind her. "Spike?!" She runs up to him, removing the books. "Where is he?" Diana wonders where the Bogeyman has gone since he defeated Spike.
"Lurking," Spike replies, his eyes widening in horror when he sees the Bogeyman behind Diana. "BEHIND YOU!" He warns Diana about the Bogeyman's presence.
Diana turns around swiftly and doesn't see him; she turns to Spike angrily as he's pulling a prank. "NOT FUNNY!"
"I wasn't joking. I don't kid around during eminent danger!" Spike reassures Diana that what he saw is real and the Bogeyman is developing mind games.
"Hey, what's this -" Diana finds a torn page near Spike's left hand with the books piled up on him; she reconnects the paper with the book and understands how to defeat the Bogeyman. "I know how to defeat the Bogeyman! But first!" Diana helps Spike get up after removing the mountain pile of books.
"Thanks, Starlight," Spike gasps and covers his mouth, eyes widened for the slip-up when he meant to say Diana.
"Starlight?" Diana is confused about the name; she thinks it's a nickname Spike may want to address her, but first, she must ask. "What do you mean by Starlight?"
Spike wishes he referred to Diana by her name instead of someone he knows wholeheartedly since they both have the same voice; now, he has to come up with an excuse rather than explain a thorough similarity between her and Starlight Glimmer. "Well -" He pauses, stuttering momentarily, while staring at Diana, trying not to imagine Starlight's face. "when I see you, Diana, I see the light shine like a star and glimmer in radiance and beauty," Spike embarrassingly blushes since he lied to Diana, now making her believe he sees more than potential through her.
Diana had never heard any guy talk to her like that, and the way Spike explained thoroughly what Starlight now meant to her, she smiled at Spike, gently kissing his cheek in appreciation. "Thank you."
"Oh boy, I regret lying to her, but I can't break her heart!" Spike snaps out of his forced love trance to remind Diana of their objective. "We have to find Martin and Java to defeat the Bogeyman!"
"Right!" Diana snaps herself into reality and runs down the hallway, searching for Martin and Java with Spike.
Martin and Java continue their venture around the library when they hear a demonic entity talking. "There's no escape for naughty boys!" He scares the daylights out of the duo.
The Bogeyman causes the books on shelves to fall and collide with Java since Martin uses his U-Watch to activate a turbo bungee cord latching itself to a chandelier hanging above the mountain pile, only to fall seconds later. The Bogeyman grabs Java, hoisting him in triumph, which gives Martin enough time to shove the bookshelves, having them fall like dominos to pin the Bogeyman.
"Martin, Java, I figured it out!" Diana finds the duo to reveal what she discovered; the missing page demonstrates the conclusion of the Bogeyman's demise. "Look, in the end, the children send the Bogeyman back into his book!"
The Bogeyman stands up. "Surprise!" He scatters the shelves away from him and prepares to attack Martin, Java, and Diana.
Spike wasn't with Diana when she regrouped with Martin and Java; he walked around to jump the Bogeyman. "Surprise!" He had transformed into a dragon for leverage.
"Away from me, you vermin!" The Bogeyman grabs Spike and angrily chucks him at Java and Diana, intending to pin them; his body turns into maggots, soaring at them, and takes them back to his domain for all eternity.
Martin grabs the book Diana had shown them and opens it, creating a portal to bring the Bogeyman back into his imprisonment; the Bogeyman screams in defeat when Martin closes the book. "Gotcha!" Martin struggles to keep the book close while the Bogeyman attempts to force the book open and escape again with bog goo squirting out.
Since the bog goo kept squirting out, Spike caught a sample on his fingers when an idea came to mind.
"Man, this guy doesn't give up," Martin notices the key on the book and uses it to seal the locket, closing the book and the abnormal power of the Bogeyman deceased. "And they all live happily ever after."
Morning arises in Northern France. The townsfolk thank the Center for aiding them, rescuing their kids, reuniting families, and defeating a nursery demon.
Martin was happy until he saw something more terrifying than the Bogeyman on his shirt. "Noooo -" He whines a little, realizing his unfortunate fate of losing the bet with Diana. "even after being so careful, I still got a stain on my shirt," There's a small pale spot on his upper right shirt.
Diana smiles widely, knowing she'll elude a nightmare worse than the Bogeyman's world. "Oh, I guess we know who's going to be Java's personal foot slave!"
"Massage!" Java claps in delight; he can't wait to enjoy the splendor of having his friend rub his feet after losing a bet.
M.O.M. arrives in her vehicle with Billy floating beside her; she gets out and approaches Martin, Diana, Java, and Spike. "I was in the area and thought I'd drop by and congratulate you on a job well done, troops, especially our newest recruit," M.O.M. smiles at her team and wonders if they have anything to share regarding Spike's potential and teamwork.
"M.O.M., I don't think we need to vote for Spike's six-month trial. He's official, and he helped so much today! Let him stay with us as our partner!" Diana speaks on behalf of the team; she's happy to call Spike a friend and so much more later on.
"Java likes dragons!" Java claps and refers to Spike since he can fight and fly.
"Having Spike around is fantastic! He's smarter than he looks, and it would be unwise to let him go and work on something else! He even fought the monster, allowing us to escape his domain and bought us time to defeat the Bogeyman by returning his physical form to his book!" Martin praises Spike despite feeling bitter when he yanked his hair or came up with a better theory than an invisible man. "Don't take our dragon away from us!"
"We like Mr.Dragon!" Ian and Nelly excitedly shout, which is exceedingly for M.O.M. to accept Spike, but she still needs more time to evaluate him.
"Very well," M.O.M. turns to Spike. "I'll need a thorough written examination of your input in today's job, Spike. That'll be your second assignment; also, welcome to Torrington Academy," She hands him a student I.D. card, including a last name she thought of.
"Spike Lee?" Spike reads the credentials written on the student's I.D. card and notices his picture in the upper left corner. "So, uh, where would I sleep? Where would I call home while attending this school?"
"Martin, Diana, say hello to your new roommate," M.O.M. points to Spike, causing Martin and Diana to shrill in the excitement of having a dragon living with them. More so with Diana, which would allow her to become closer to Spike after the kind words he'd expressed at the library earlier. M.O.M. takes the book Martin was holding, walks to her car to sit in the back with Billy, and departs.
The townsfolk continue to praise Martin, Java, Diana, and Spike's help, they want to do something nice in return. Spike suggested a breakfast buffet since he and the others hadn't eaten in a while, and they accepted the terms.
"Nice work, buddy! I can grab a bite before we head home, and you -" Martin pokes Spike's chest. "tell us more about yourself, this shadow demon you mentioned, and everything you've experienced!"
"Java wants to hear stories, but massage first!" Martin winces at the idea of massaging Java's feet.
"Get to it, Martin! I'm pretty sure Java has stinky feet," Diana makes a hand gesture in front of her nose, waving at the disgusting possibility of smelling something putrid to taunt Martin when creating a breeze motion at Martin's shirt, revealing his stain is nothing more than a shred of paper falling off. Diana froze in fear of what was yet to come.
"Hey, look! It wasn't a stain, after all. It's a piece of paper from the library -" Martin turns to Diana, which allows Spike to swiftly smudge Martin's shirt with the bog goo he kept on his fingers. "looks like I'm really clean, and you're really massaging Java's feet!" Diana panics and screams internally after losing the bet with Martin about his cleanliness.
Spike chuckles in delight. "Not so fast, hotshot!" Spike devilishly laughs at Martin. "You have something green on the left side of your shirt.
"What -" Martin turns to Spike, using his left hand to feel something abnormal. He slowly sees the substance on his left index and middle finger and freaks out. "WHAT!?! NO! THEN THAT MEANS!" Martin removes his shirt. His eyes pop out of his sockets in horror when he sees the bog goo staining his shirt.
Diana laughs in celebration while pointing at Martin's perfection and turning into slobbery. "Not me, but you're going to massage his feet!"
The words echo in Martin's head. He tried wholeheartedly to stay clean but got dirted in the end; then, he realized his downfall. The bog goo squirted from the book when he struggled to keep it closed. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Martin bellows, causing the birds in the area to scatter after hearing a tantalizing yell of horror.
Diana continued to laugh when she saw Spike winking, revealing his dirty hand covered in bog goo, ensuring that Spike had her back throughout anything tomfoolery involving Martin Mystery.
"Java," Martin puts his right arm around Java's neck. "Good buddy of mine, let's eat, then head home! I'll give you a massage another day."
"Java want now!" Java wants his day to begin with a foot massage before breakfast, causing Martin to groan in defeat.
Diana grabs a chair, allowing Java to sit near the fountain and remove his shoes. "A deal is a deal, Martin. Now, get to it."
"Java, why haven't you -" Martin gags on the sweaty, stinky socks Java wore, which smelled like two weeks old. He whimpers while massaging Java's feet slowly.
Diana and Spike notice the townsfolk informing them about the breakfast buffet and alert Martin and Java that food will be ready in an hour. Diana pulls Spike away from the crowd to speak privately. "Thank you for saving me from humiliation and so much more," She smiles at him.
"What are friends for? Plus, Martin did delay us from following the Bogeyman when we first saw the portal, and the way he expressed himself as all-knowing, I think he deserved to eat a humble pie," Spike chuckles while hearing Martin's groaning to Java's delight.
"And, I like the nickname you've given me, Starlight. I'm your Starlight now, huh?" Diana blushes and leans closer, causing him to blush and remember the lie he said.
"That's correct," Spike nods, but he feels wrong about lying to his new friend. Hopefully, when things settle down, he will explain how Starlight and Diana are similar once he knows more about Diana. "Despite this feeling, I will enjoy being a paranormal investigator."
