//------------------------------// // The Pony With The Book // Story: Spike's Diary // by Vespa luctuosa //------------------------------// An hour went past. He was still lying on his bed, waiting for the pony with the book to come by and put him out of his misery. Scenarios went through his head, giving him the results of what could happen if certain ponies got their hooves on his book. Of course the one who he really didn't want reading his book was Rarity. It would be nice if somepony he had never heard of had the book, or if it was in a muddy ditch out in the wild where nopony would see it ever again. The diary was important to him, but his dignity was more important. After all, there was a lot in that book, which a lot of ponies could make fun of him for, or take offense for, or they could even be intensely crept out by it. After the long hour of silent thinking he was interrupted by Twilight again. “Spike!” She shouted from the bottom of the stairs. “You now have visitors!” Oh dear... Who could it be? And would they have the diary? He jumped up again, and ran down the stairs. Twilight was smiling, as usual, beside a team of three young, familiar fillies. It was the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Spike saw his diary on Apple Bloom's back, and their friendly smiles merged into evil malicious grins... Or at least from Spike's perspective. “Howdy there Spike!” Apple Bloom greeted. “Hi Spike!” Sweetie Belle squeaked. “Hey Spike!” Scootaloo beamed. Spike just wanted them to leave, even with the book. He just wanted to ignore them and go back to bed, it wasn't like there was anything about them in there... Or so he thought. “What do you three want?” Spike asked with a little drowsy acting, trying to make it seem he had no idea about why they were here. “We just came by to see if you wanted to come help us get our Cutie Marks today!” Scootaloo jumped, showing enthusiasm in her flapping wings. This only made Spike even more concerned, but he kept cool none the less. “Umm... I kinda have some stuff to do.” He pushed the idea aside, trying to sound posh in the process. “Spike, you need the fresh air, all you usually want to do is sleep.” Twilight ordered. She put him into a corner, one where he had little escape from. Why did she always have to make things so difficult? There was no way around beating the word of Twilight Sparkle. But it wouldn't really be that bad, they were just fillies... “Fine! Whatever!” The fillies smiled happily as Spike was forced to go with them. “We've got a great idea!” Apple Bloom shouted excitedly. “I'll see you soon then Spike.” Twilight kept smiling, seeming more devious by the second... But she meant well, and hopefully had no idea about the diary... They hurried out the library without another word. The journey to the Cutie Mark Crusaders club was short, and they began walking there immediately. “So err...” Spike started speaking, feeling some slight pressure represented by a mild rise in temperature. “Where did you find my book?” The trio were all smiling, it was as if they were intending to be mean to the poor dragon. Even so, they proceeded to explain politely. “I found it at the bottom of my bed this morning.” Sweetie Belle answered. “Okay... Did you read it?” “Some of it, it was interesting.” Apple bloom answered. Interesting?! That didn't sound good. What did they define interesting as? Spike was horribly nervous now. He could feel his nerves clenching, acting upon him for a vicious affect. The book was basically full of stuff he wanted nopony else to see, he even wrote dirty hate messages in it from time to time because he couldn't stand grudges he had against some ponies. “It gave us an awesome idea!” Scootaloo cheered, unable to stand the excitement. “What idea was that exactly?” “You'll see, but we really need your help.” Apple Bloom replied again. They stopped talking for the rest of the journey, which was quite a relief to Spike as the conversation got more and more awkward for him without the trio even realising... As it appeared... Through Ponyville, onto Sweet Apple Acres, at a specific tree where a tree house balanced. They met their destination. This was it, time to find out what the Cutie Mark Crusaders wanted. The four stepped into the house. For the young fillies it was like entering home. For Spike, it was more like wandering into circus training. They gathered around a desk, ready to reveal the 'awesome' idea. “Your book inspired us so much that we wanted to try writing for our Cutie Marks!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, smiling with great cheer. Spike stared at them... And they stared back, eyes wide open and lines of clean white stretching across their faces... And he stared some more... “Okay. So you didn't read much?” Spike questioned. “Of course not, most of your words made no sense!” Scootaloo snapped back. “What does 'hy- hyp- hypothe-'” “Hypothesis.” Spike interrupted. “It's kinda like a prediction. I was making guesses about what crazy adventure Twilight would having me go on next.” “Volcano lair intruding?” Apple Bloom read. “Could happen...” Spike countered. They stared at him blankly. “What?” “Nothing. But can you teach us to write now then?” Sweetie Belle pleaded, picking up a stack of lined paper and some quills. “Yeah, sure. Pass me the book first.” Spike reached for it from Apple Bloom's grasp, but his attempt was rejected. “Nope. We may need it. We found some pretty interestin' stuff 'bout you in here Spike.” Apple Bloom taunted, indicating for him to sit down and start teaching. Spike sat down on his chair next to the table. When he saw Apple Bloom turning the pages his brain clicked. Maybe there were worse things in that book than he realised... Something involving the Cutie Mark Crusaders...