//------------------------------// // Neediness of the Nymph // Story: Dance of the Fae // by Yinglung //------------------------------// “The harmonic resonance of the extra-limbic core woul… Master Spike?” Only a soft snore came from the dozing dragon. Polytima gently nudged the dragon by flying next to and slightly touching his face. Spike’s head shot up. “Uhh… pardon me? I can’t quite catch that.” “I’m sorry, Master Spike. All this talk must be incredibly boring to you. But there must be full understanding of the mechanism of magic before practical application. Or otherwise-” “I heard that from Twilight once.” “H- Huh?” Spike grinned. “I mean, you sound almost like Twilight for a moment there.” “What?! I never!” Polytima almost shouted, for a brief moment sounded incredibly annoyed, which surprised the purple dragon. The fae quickly noticed her outburst and said with a fearful tremble. “O- Oh by Harmony, I don’t mean to shout at you, Master Spike! I’m so, so sorry! I deserve being pierced by the spears of Tartarus a thousand ti-” “No no no no!” Spike quickly interrupted the proclamation to self-harm by the panicking fae. “I’m all good! Don’t harm yourself!” “… As Master Spike commands.” Polytima sounded as if she took a long, long breath. “What’s your beef with Twilight anyway? You sound a bit… well, not seeing her from eye to eye.” “I- I- I-” The fae spluttered for a good minute, before blurting out with a somewhat uncertain voice. “I have an issue with her because she treats you like a tag-along lab assistant, without even pay. This kind of blatant exploitation aside, it severely limits your development.” “But Twi loves me and gives me food and a place to call home!” “She’s a control freak who knows no better!” “Polly! I won’t allow it if you badmouth Twilight anymore! I love her as my family and no one can change it!” Polytima wheezed aloud. After a protracted uneasy silence between the two, she began to sob quietly. “… I said I shan’t shout and disobey Master Spike anymore, but I immediately do it again. I’m an unworthy fae.” “… Don’t say that, you just have a strong opinion about this issue, I understand.” Polytima perked up audibly. “Master Spike understand?” “But I am still Twilight’s assistant. I have my duty and responsibility in return for her love and care.” Polytima slumped. “… If Master Spike insist…” “I have another thing to ask of you, Polly.” “My master’s wish is my command.” “Yeah… I just want you to not call me ‘Master Spike’ anymore.” Polytima froze mid-air, and then she began to shake. “D- Don’t abandon me, my master! I’m so sorry I shouted at you just now! I- I can change! I’ll do an-” “Hang on!” Spike interrupted again. “I just think that it’s awkward for you to call me your master every other sentence! You can just call me Spike, like how I call you Polly.” “T- T- That... I- ” Polytima’s mind went into overdrive. “Huh?” “That’s the highest honor that you can bestow upon the unworthy me, Mas-” “Polly.” “S- S- Spike.” Polytima audibly gulped. “B- But I, you… argh, that would be disrespectful…” Spike cleared his throat. “I myself can decide the form of address I think is respectful.” Polytima went quiet with awe. After a while, she cheerfully praised. “Oh my splendid Spike, such a determined aura of leadership!” Spike blinked and internally smiled wryly. It seemed to him that the fae was germane to direct commands with a stern tone. He continued with a dignified voice. “Polly, tell me about the ponies Twi and I will meet today, and what will happen afterwards. While fae magic is awesome, I want to learn them properly once we settle down in Ponyville.” “As you command, S- Spike.” Polytima dipped herself reverently towards the dragon. The fae groaned next to Spike. She was flying forward with a trail of sparks in the air. She however deliberately flying in front of Twilight Sparkle and occasionally stayed on top of her nose, making a ridiculous face out of the purple pony. In addition, she somehow made weird grumbling noises to make it seem like the purple pony was gargling pebbles. Being the only one who could see the fae, Spike tried his best not to laugh out loud. However, it was a tall order for him not to let out some accidental giggles. Twilight Sparkle frowned. “What’s wrong, Spike? You have been giggling and snorting the whole morning. Is there something on my face but you didn’t tell me?” “No, nope, nothing whatsoever.” Spike used a paw to cover his smirk and used another to take a mirror out from their belongings. She elevated her with her magic and looked closely. “Yeah, I look just as groomed as a royal overseer should be. Then what’s wrong with you?” “I- uh, just think it’s exciting to meet new friends?” “Spike!” Twilight said with frustration. “Nightmare Moon is going to return very soon! We have no time to play around like this!” “O- Okay, Twi. Calm down. Sheesh.” “I can’t! Relaxing doesn’t save Equestria from eternal night!” Polytima whispered through telepathy. “Spike, I can tickle her nose to make her sneeze more and complain less.” “No!” Spike then widened his eyes and covered his mouth again. “What?” Twilight knitted her brows. “I just-” He coughed. “… am worried about eternal night. Yep, that’s what I’m worrying about.” “As we should be.” Twilight nodded severely. “By Mother Harmony, she’s one stuck up bookworm.” Polytima again commented through the mental link. Spike sighed. “Polly, can you not pick on Twilight? She’s just worried about the fate of the world. She doesn’t have the benefit of foresight like you.” “… I shudder to hand over the responsibility of saving the world to someone who’s such an unstable worrywart. You, my splendid Spike, are much more level-headed.” “Polly, I’ve been thinking…” “Yes?” “You’ve told me all about the Element-bearers, and the need to let them recognize me as someone who is dependable.” “Not just dependable, but also the guiding light of all Elements!” “Al-right.” Spike rolled his eyes. “I think as a leader, I must first get them to like me.” “That’s… reasonable, I suppose.” “Not just ‘I suppose he’s okay’ like, but ‘oh wow, this guy is super awesome’ kind of like!” “Oh… you want to impress them, am I correct?” “I guess you can say that.” “Well, that’s not difficult. The purple egghead there would be impressed if you can help her with some of her research projects.” “I have been doing this for quite a while.” “I mean not on a lab assistant level, but a collaborator or even mentor level, heh. You can help point out some of her theoretical flaws and offer some breakthrough ideas for her studies. If that happens, she would totally idolize you!” “But how? She’s the scholar, I’ve always been just her assistant, bringing stuffs along and so on. I know little about magical theories that she’s studying.” “If you don’t mind, I can provide some. You can tell her after we discuss them.” Polytima tried to hide her sneer with a deadpan voice, but she failed utterly. “She might be studious, but she’s not bright enough in my eyes. For most of the obstacles she encounters, there are multiple simple solutions that even a layperson can understand.” “But she’s the most talented unicorn out there!” “She has the most magical potential out of all living unicorns. But that doesn’t mean she must excel at magical theory. An obscure initiate, adequate but not brilliant.” “You’re too harsh on Twi as usual. She always get full marks in magical theory.” Polytima was still poised to play down Twilight Sparkle’s ability, but she dared not appear as if she was disobeying Spike again. She sighed and said. “Let’s say I can guarantee that once you share those ideas with her, she would definitely look at you with a wholly different light altogether.” A grin crept up on Spike’s face. However, it soon turned into a frown. “Polly…” “Hmm? Isn’t that a great idea to make the purple pony impressed?” “I just think that it might make her suspicious, cos I suddenly get so smart.” Polytima gasped and hurriedly said. “You’re always smart, my splendid Spike. I simply facilitate the expression of your brilliance, by supplying you with ideas that you’d most certainly think up yourself shall you devote your time to it.” “Polly, your groveling talk is getting a bit ridiculous, there is no chance in Tartarus I alone can lecture on Twilight about magical theory…” Polytima sharply inhaled, and glumly said. “I am sorry. I must have made Master Spike displeased again…” “Argh…” Spike sighed. Polytima was such a ludicrously clingy and emotionally dependent fae, he wondered what special reason was there for her to dote on him this much. He let out a breath and said. “I’m simply more worried that you might be exposed if Twilight decided to ask me where I get those ideas from. I’d never let that happen, remember?” “S- Spike…!” Polytima choke up on her words. “Don’t worry… That’s why I said we should discuss them to make sure you yourself master the ideas, so as to make them sound convincing... But for now, you’re simply the best master ever!” She shot from the purple pony’s nose to his chest. Despite being a spirit of energy, it still sent a physical shock and knock the dragon backward somewhat. “Hmm?” Twilight looked back to the unsteady dragon. “What happened? You can’t sit straight, and you’ve been quiet for a while.” Spike snapped back into reality and quickly recited his prepared excuse. “Twilight, I’m just thinking up ways to deal with Nightmare Moon once she showed up. Can’t let her snatch Equestria away from our beloved Princess Celestia and leave us with eternal night, can we?” “Spike…” Twilight muttered, and then for once in the morning smiled. “I thought you are acting weird, but you’re simply too worried… Don’t worry, Spike, maybe… hopefully I’m wrong for once.” Spike blinked with a poker face as he knew that she was not wrong. Polytima, on the other hand, cheerfully chuckled. “Excellent smooth talk, Spike. I can sense that the purple pony already thinks better of you.” “Heh. Anyway, what kind of mind-blowing ideas are you talk-” Spike’s words were interrupted by their chariot finally landing on the soil of Ponyville. The two plus the fae quickly got off the chariot. After bidding the Royal Guards farewell, they got on the way towards the town center. Polytima suddenly yelped through the mental link. “Spike!” Spike almost jumped. “W- What’s the matter, Polly?” “The pink pony- I mean, Pinkie Pie is coming this way. She’s a hundred meters away from us.” “The party pony with fluffy mane, you say?” “I’m glad you remember, Spike. She’d be the Element-bearer of Laughter.” “… I still can’t get past the idea that laughter is a virtue on par with the others.” Polytima almost ran into Twilight Sparkle’s mane at his proclamation. After calming herself down, she timidly said. “The exact composition of the Elements is the will of Mother Harmony, it’s not of my choosing and I can’t comment or vouch for it. Though I would say laughter is a clear sign of contentment and well-being, a desirable quality to be observed in all sentient beings.” “You may be right. So what do you recommend me to do?” Polytima fluttered in front of Spike. “Hmm, from the voice of master, you seem to have some ideas of your own on how to interact with that pink pony.” “Well, it’s you who told me that she was a hyperactive pony who loves party and sweets. I guess I can tell her I cook sweet dishes and love parties as well?” “Aha, it is indeed a prudent and good strategy to appeal to common interests, I give praise to your immense wisdom, my splendid Spike.” “I won’t say this count as wisdom…” Spike blinked in slight embarrassment. “Since master asked for my humble recommendations, I would say you go show an outpouring of passion and excitement towards her, and she would definitely return hers to you.” “Passion and excitement? But how exactly?” “Heh, just to put up a big smile and say you’re very excited to meet her. That’ll do for now, I think.” “I see. Thanks, Polly!” Spike smiled. Polytima perked up. “I’m always at your service, my splendid Spike!” “Aw… Twilight can also use some good social advice. If only you can advise her like you do with me.” “She? Um hmm…” Spike silently sighed. “Polly, if you can get along with Twilight, I would be very thankful.” Her voice turned somewhat bland, and she said after a long pause. “… I can’t and shouldn’t interact with her anyway.” “But can you at least, you know, be nice?” The fae let out an obvious groan of reluctance. “If master commands me to do so, I’ll try my best… not to badmouth her audibly at least.” “No, you also have to stop badmouthing her at heart. That’s what’ get along’ means.” Polytima wailed and dipped, but she squeezed out sadly. “As Master Spike commands…” “Seriously, Twilight might be a hermit, but I never see anyone-” “Sorry master, but look! Pinkie Pie this way comes!” Spike turned to the front, a pink pony cheerfully galloped down the road, and greeted everyone who came across her by name. Spike took a long breath and said. “Twilight, we should be hailing some local residents so as to fulfill the princess’s order to make some friends. That pink pony there seems friendly enough.” “Spike… She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I'll do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends.” Spike blinked and asked Polytima. “Hey Polly, is it okay for me to tell her about making friends and the Elements?” “… If she knows that the fate of Equestria does rest on making friends, she might come off as way too forceful to be genuine. But I trust that master has the appropriate judgment on what to say and what not to.” “… Got it.” Spike turned to Twilight and said reservedly. “That may well be true, but creating good will locally could help us recruit help once Nightmare Moon appears.” Polytima hummed a voice of approval. Twilight Sparkle widened her eyes and reluctantly nodded. “You might be right. Okay, let us greet the pink pony there.” Spike walked up towards the pink pony, who turned to look at them with eyes so wide that it was almost physically impossible. Spike drew in a breath, put on his best possible grin and greeted enthusiastically. “Hi there! My name’s Spike, and she’s Twilight Sparkle! We’re new around here, so I figure that we should say hello to you!” The pink pony blinked but not spoke a word. “Am I being too forceful?” Spike asked Polytima. Twilight also looked at Spike with a strange gaze. But Polytima quipped. “Having observed the pink pony, I don’t think it’s possible to be too forceful on her. If anything, try being even more forceful.” Spike briefly made an unsure face, but he decided to put currency in the fae’s words, since it was she who accurately predicted the coming of the pink pony. Spike drew in another breath, a sweet sugary scent came from the pink pony’s mane. He almost shouted. “You look like you are a fun pony! Do you like parties and sweets?! I make sweet dishes too!” “Sp-” The incredulous Twilight was interrupted by the rapturous cheering from Pinkie Pie, who looked at Spike with a pair of eyes shining like the brightest headlight. “Oooh! A party-loving baby dra-” Spike sighed. “Just ‘dragon’ would be fine.” “Okay! A party-loving dragon with a sweet tooth! This is my ideal dream super duper awesome friend that comes true! We should totally plan parties together! With my baking and party cannon and your cooking skills, we can make the most mind-blowingly delicious blastful of parties Ponyville has ever seen!!” “It works!” “My pleasure, Spike.” “So, uh!” The dragon turned to the pink pony. Pinkie Pie suddenly widened her eyes even more, and gasped sharply. She then backtrotted the way she came at a speed that was never seen by Twilight Sparkle and Spike, and left their sight completely. “She’s gone…” “What the hay was that…?” Twilight Sparkle muttered. “Ah well… Spike, you tried your best to greet her. We still have a lot to inspect today, we should really be going.” “Alright…” Polytima floated next to the purple mare’s ear, and mockingly said even though the pony couldn’t hear it. “Pfft. She goes to plan the surprise welcome party for you, you clod.” “Polly…” Spike raised a brow and frowned. “But really?” Polytima pretended not to hear the tone of disapproval in Spike’s mental mutterings. “The party pony throws party for every newcomer. Before I could finally break through the confines of Everfree and its vicinity, my eyes went numb seeing her throw parties for every passing ponies, donkeys, alligators, et cetera.” “Oh. But confines? What confines?” “The terrible confines that limited my area of action and prevented me from reaching my one and true master…” Polytima said with wistful irritation. “It’s only when the stars aligned just right, that I could harness the surge in Harmony Magic and escape. Before that, I was kinda like a plant rooted inside Everfree, unable to reach places further than the forest and the town of Ponyville.” “… No offense, but won’t Nightmare Moon escape from the moon by the same way?” Polytima paused and then chuckled. “… My master truly is perceptive. The conditions that boosted the Harmony Magic and those that will soon create an expressway from the moon to Equestria are indeed the same. The difference, of course, is that I’m not evil.” Spike blinked and kept quiet. “Master…?!” Polytima was stunned at Spike’s reaction. Or rather, lack of reaction. “You can’t be thinking that I’m actually…?!” Spike’s attention snapped back to her, and he hurriedly spluttered. “N- No, of course not! I’m just, uh, thinking that I still don’t know you as well as I’d like to, and yet you seem so very fond of me. I feel a bit uncomfortable because I don’t think I do much to merit your affection. I mean, Twi I understand, I live with her and work for her for so long-” Polytima angrily snapped. “That accursed purple pony!” “W- What?” “Don’t believe in her twisted ways, my splendid Spike! Dedication, like mine, is completely without expectation of favor in return!” “Uh… I won’t, uh…” Spike was tongue-tied. “She loves me regardless, I think…” “She won’t! Not that you would ever err, my magnificent master, but if she decides spontaneously, out of her demented way of thinking, to pick flaws in your perfection, I doubt she would be able to maintain her hypocritical façade for long. She clearly knew not how splendid is my good master, for when I came yesterday, I saw her maliciously harm you with her dastardly door swinging and then carelessly crumble your painstakingly hand-crafted gift!” “Actually it was just an accident, and I picked up the gift set from the corner sh-” “Grr… Nightmare Moon be darned, I’m going to punish her right here and now!” “Polly! You’re not allowed to harm Twilight in any way or form! I- I’ll abandon you if you do that!” Spike mentally yelled, and then immediately realized that this statement was going to set the fae into a panicked craze. He drew in a breath and prepared himself for a trembling emotional burst, but instead, the light sphere dimmed and fell onto the ground listlessly. He gasped, and scooped up the fae with his claws. Twilight Sparkle raised a brow and turned. “What are you doing, Spike?” The dragon flashed a rather unconvincing grin, as he pocketed the fae surreptitiously “Eh, ehehe, I’m just stretching.” “Spike…” Twilight Sparkle felt a welling of regret in her heart. “I’m sorry to have brought up the issue of Nightmare Moon with you. This should have been something that I have to deal with myself, as Princess Celestia’s trusted student and a unicorn with some magic. You’re way too young to be worrying over a national threat this much.” Spike exhaled with gritted teeth. If Twilight thought that he’s acting strange because of his supposedly overwhelming worry, then he could roll with it. “I- Indeed…! Woe to the peaceful land of Equestria! What can we, a mere pair of unicorn and dragon, possibly do to save her?” He coughed and sighed dramatically, but his mind was actually filled with concern for the fae. The purple mare felt a bit wetness in her eyes. “Oh, Spike… It’s so great to have someone who care about this as much as me, but it pains me to see you like this. Can you promise me not to worry about this too much, hmm? I- I will find out a way to defeat any ancient evil that might come to us tomorrow.” Spike mentally sighed. If Polytima was awake for this particular moment, perhaps she could be convinced that Twilight wasn’t an awful slave-driver that physically dripped evil. However, he decided to calm Twilight Sparkle first, knowing that their victory was prophesized. “Twi, I’m sorry I acted weird this whole morning. But you shouldn’t worry about me. Two heads are always better than one. You’re not in this alone, remember! Whatever obstacles we may meet today will not get the better of us, the perfect pair of partners… and family.” Twilight Sparkle held back a sniffle. She ignored the prying gazes from the onlookers, and tightly embraced the purple dragon.