Every crystal pony in the Crystal Empire gathered around in front of the castle, eager to hear the long-awaited result from Princess Cadance. The pink alicorn herself made her way to the balcony.
“The next host of the Equestria Games is…” Cadance started. “…The Crystal Empire!”
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Rainbow Dash hugged a resident. “We did it!”
Cadance’s eyes sparkled with delight as she saw a magical beam shoot out of the Crystal Heart and into the sky, bringing Equestrian Games spirit to everyone in the Empire. She also let out a sigh of relief, knowing everything could go as planned. But still, she couldn’t help shake the feeling something was missing.
Or someone.
Twilight and her friends were now preparing to catch their train and leave for Ponyville, but not without Cadance bidding them farewell.
“We couldn’t be more than happy to help you, Cadance!” Twilight beamed with pride. But she noticed Cadance looking down. “Cadance?”
“Oh!” Cadance looked up. “Sorry! It’s just…I feel bad Spike couldn’t come along with you. Is he alright?”
“Don’t worry, Cadance.” Twilight shook her head, smiling. “Nothing’s wrong with Spike.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie hopped in the air. “You just didn’t invite him, that’s all!”
Cadance’s eyes widened. “…What?”
“Pinkie!” Twilight scolded. But she cleared her throat. “But it is true. The invitations you sent didn’t call for Spike.”
“That can’t be right,” Cadance put a hoof to her chin. “I wanted all of you to come.”
“Beggin’ your pardon, Miss Cadance.” Applejack handed her the invitation. “It’s right here in black and white.”
Cadance looked at the invitation.
This invitation to The Crystal Empire calls the following;
Twilight Sparkle
Rarity
Rainbow Dash
Fluttershy
Pinkie Pie
Applejack
Approved by Chancellor Neighsay
“Neighsay?” Cadance suddenly remembered. Shortly after the Empire was saved by Sombra, Chancellor Neighsay volunteered to help out around and be the Event Coordinator.
“What?” Twilight asked.
“It’s nothing,” Cadance spoke. “But I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding. It's just that..." Cadance placed a hoof on her chest, thinking of a memory. "I've looked after him as much as you and Celestia. I still remember holding him in my hooves...just a little baby."
"Awwww...." Rarity and Fluttershy spoke with Pinkie joining in. "Yeah, the memories..."
“Don’t worry, Cadance.” Twilight hugged her sister-in-law. “We’ll tell Spike it was an accident.”
“Thank you,” Cadance bowed as Twilight and her friends bowed back. “And I’ll make sure this won’t happen again.”
“Let’s go now, newcomers!” Chancellor Neighsay ordered. “These last couple posters aren’t going to put themselves up, you know!”
The two guards, Crescent and Riverdale started levitating the Equestria Games poster for up with their horns. “You know, we’re not touching it!” Riverdale laughed. “So, technically it IS putting itself up, huh? Am I right? Huh?”
Neighsay narrowed his eyes. “I’m not watching you crack jokes. Only work!”
Crescent and Riverdale quickly obeyed. “We totally shouldn’t have transferred here from Canterlot.” Riverdale muttered.
“I know and you know.” Crescent agreed.
“Chancellor Neighsay!”
Neighsay turned and saw Shining Armor with Cadance, back in her usual mane style walking up to him.
“Yes, your highness?” Neighsay asked.
“We would like to speak with you.” Cadance spoke.
“Of course.” Neighsay nodded, proudly. “And I must say my congratulations to this Empire for hosting this year’s games.”
"Yes, thank you.” Cadance nodded. "But when you sent out the invitations for Twilight and her friends, you left Spike out. I’m sure it was an accident, so can you-"
Neighsay didn’t even flinch when interrupting. "Pardon me, Princess Cadance. But it was no accident.”
Cadance looked surprised. “…What?…But, why?”
Shining raised an eyebrow. "You know the little guy helped save this whole Empire from King Sombra's destruction, right?”
"I’m aware,” Neighsay raised his head. “But it’s certainly not important to bring up. You two have a reputation to uphold,” He then turned with a sneer. "No need for any creature to ruin it.”
Cadance started to get angry with Neighsay’s choice of words and looked at him in the face. "That creature has a name, and it’s Spike. A dragon I’m proud to help raise to become the hero he is today!”
“Hmph,” Neighsay turned to leave. “Not my idea to deal with him.”
Now Shining started getting mad and stood in Neighsay’s way. “Are you saying what my wife did was a problem?"
Neighsay rolled his eyes. “My word, don’t make a scene. Now I’ve known you two for many years and truthfully have not agreed with some of your decisions. Truth be told, I don't understand why you or Princess Celestia helped raise that little monster, but I’ll put it blunt. Ponies and dragons do. Not. Mix."
Crescent and Riverdale were both watching in surprise. "Whoa..." Riverdale whispered. "Pretty harsh."
Neighsay turned to leave. "I volunteered to help bring The Crystal Empire back to its glory and as long I’m here, the news of that dragon will hopefully fade into obscurity."
"Well." Cadance's voice spoke. "I guess we don't need you here."
Neighsay stopped in his tracks and turned to Cadance and Shining, narrowing his eyes. "What?"
"Your services are no longer needed here." Cadance answered, trying to hold back her anger. "Understand?"
Neighsay didn't look amused. "Surely, you must be joking."
"What my wife says goes." Shining kept his glare on Neighsay. "I think you should leave."
"And don't call him Shirley!" Riverdale agreed.
Cadance, Shining, Neighsay and Crescent all stared at Riverdale. "W-well, he did!"
Neighsay couldn't believe what he heard from the royals. Taking a dragon's side over him? "Why you ungrateful…you…Alright. Diminish my hard work for all I care! Let the dragon roam free here!" He was about to leave, but turned to Cadance. "And don’t come begging for my help when he grows up and takes you hostage, Princess!"
Cadance gasped at Neighsay's insult as Shining firmly pointed his hoof for the chancellor to leave. Neighsay growled and made his way to pack his belongings.
"Celestia ain't gonna be happy hearing the stuff he said. Right, honey?" Shining turned but saw Cadance was gone. "Honey?" He looked up and saw Cadance flying back to the castle. He only sighed, knowing how she must feel.
It was evening, and Cadance was now at the balcony, looking miserable and let out a sigh. Shining saw how his wife was looking and finally walked over to check on her.
Cadance glanced to Shining. "I feel awful, Shining Armor. I should've paid more attention to the invitation and-"
"Hey, sweetie." Shining spoke up. "Don't blame yourself. We'll fix this thing with Spike, you'll see."
"But it's more than that, dear." Cadance looked up to the skies. "As long as I was with Spike, I told him he always had a place with us, even if he wasn't a pony." She looked down. "But here he is, being excluded after he helped save The Crystal Empire, just because he's different...I really let him down."
"Don't take it so hard, Cadance." Shining himself looked down. "At least you didn't make somepony feel like they weren't important right to their face."
Cadance turned and realized what Shining meant. He was referring to the wedding where he wouldn't listen to Twilight about Chrysalis disguised as Cadance. She put a hoof on his own. "You were all under pressure, Shining."
"I know..." Shining sadly glanced back to Cadance. "I guess it still hurts a little."
"Oh, don't make it harder." Cadance sadly spoke. "Don't look at me with those sad eyes."
"There's one advantage." Shining stared at Cadance.
"What's that?" Cadance asked.
Shining grinned. "I get you looking at me..."
Upon those words, Cadance began to blush and turn away, giggling.
"Ah..." Shining wrapped a hoof around Cadance. "Now I see a smile...and...it is a beautiful night..."
Cadance laughed as she and Shining locked eyes...and started to move in closer...and closer...
"Your highness!"
Cadance and Shining suddenly turned to Crescent who was on the balcony.
"Yes, what is it?" Cadance asked.
"There's a group of foals that want to ask some questions." Crescent bowed.
"Thank you," Cadance bowed back as she and Shining left.
Riverdale saw the royals leaving. "Aww, I was ready to see them go crazy!"
"SHUT IT." Crescent snapped.
"Sorry." Riverdale looked down.
Cadance and Shining opened the gate and saw there were a few foals looking up.
"Hiya!" One grinned and leaped in the air. "We wanted to ask ya something!"
Cadance couldn't help but chuckle at the young one's enthusiasm. "Yes, sweetheart?"
Another foal spoke up, though not as excited. "Your highness. My brother keeps saying a dragon saved The Crystal Empire. But I know that's crazy talk!"
"He did!" The first one stood up. "Mommy and Daddy said it was 'cuz of Great And Honorable Spike The Brave And Glorious!"
"Come on, that title's too long to be real!" The second one spoke.
"Yeah!" A third one agreed. "Besides that scary gray pony said it wasn't true!"
Shining smirked. "Well, that scary gray pony doesn't work anymore."
Cadance smiled sweetly at the foals. "Part of what makes Equestria a wonderful place is recognizing all contributions. My little ponies, a dragon did save this Empire."
"No way!" The second foal grinned.
"I knew it!" The first foal leaped in the air.
"Who would've thought the gray pony had social issues?" The third foal spoke, as Cadance and Shining looked surprised by his sudden burst of vocabulary and snark.
But Cadance cleared her throat. "And you can see for yourselves as he lights the torch for The Equestria Games."
The foals all gasped in excitement. "YAAAAY!" The foals began to run back home, happily.
Cadance and Shining turned to each other with determined looks. "Shiny," Cadance spoke. "We're going to make Spike known as a hero around here."
"Okay, it's time!" Miss Harahwinny’s voice spoke.
Cadance suddenly found herself snapping back to reality after remembering past events. For the Equestria Games were now ending, and while there were mishaps of Spike trying to light the torch and wanting to sing an anthem, the young dragon stood up tall when he once again saved the Empire, this time from a giant ice cloud. And now, he was lighting the closing fireworks, a job personally appointed by Cadance.
She watched the colorful fireworks light up the sky, feeling proud of the moment. When suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked down and saw a sheepish Spike.
"Hi," He waved.
"Hello, Spike." Cadance warmly smiled. "Are you feeling better after today?"
"You know what?" Spike grinned. "I am! And uh...thanks for believing in me. I mean...not just the games, but...my whole life."
Cadance felt touched by his words and kissed his forehead. "I never doubted you once..." Cadance shared a warm embrace with Spike. "...My hero."
THE END
