//------------------------------// // More Decisions // Story: The Tale of the Three Sided Medallion // by FlareGun45 //------------------------------// Spike and Scorpan stayed at the Crystal for five days, and they were having a good time those few days! They both took turns helping to take care of Flurry Heart, and they both took turns to helping Sunburst with his research, and most of the time, Spike and Scorpan just share their stories with the crystal ponies. Even one time in the middle, Spike and Scorpan played O&O with Shining Armor, which they found to be the most fun, even though Spike was a tad bit upset that they had to leave out Big Mac and Discord. Day Five was nearly done, and as Spike and Scorpan were both walking down the street of the Crystal Empire, one of the royal guards stopped them on the street. “Spike the Brave and Glorious?” “That’s my name, don’t wear it out!” Spike said. “Uh, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor need you in the throne room.” The guard said. “Alright!” Spike accepted. “Huh, I wonder what they might want?” Scorpan asked as he and Spike began walking towards the castle. When they got to the throne room, they saw Shining Armor and Cadance with upset looks on their faces. “Shining! Cay-Cay! What’s the good word?” Spike asked. “There’s no good word, Spike.” Shining said. “Why is that?” Spike asked. “We got a letter from Twilight saying she wants to come and visit here because she’s really upset about something.” Cadance said. Spike and Scorpan both got nervous. “Uhh… what do you mean by that?” Spike asked as he began to sweat. “She didn’t say.” Cadance said. “She just said she would ‘explain it to us when they get here’.” “They?” Spike asked. “I guess she’s bringing her friends?” “Yeah.” Cadance said. “Do you know anything about this, Spike?” “Well now I know they’re coming!” Spike said. “I mean, did you know Twilight was really upset?” Cadance corrected herself. “Uhh…” Spike tried thinking it over, but didn’t know how to explain it. “Well, funny thing about that. Heheheh. Umm… well… I didn’t think she would miss me too much if I left.” “So she DIDN’T know you left?” Cadance asked as she glared at him. “Spike, what happened between you and Twilight?” Shining asked. “Nothing!” Spike yelled. “It’s true. It’s all me.” Scorpan admitted. “Twilight didn’t want me around anymore, so I left, and Spike came with me.” “You do realize that Twilight might be really upset about it, don’t you think?” Cadance asked. “They’re on their way here now.” Shining said. “One of my guards said they just arrived at the trainstation. Once Twilie gets here, you two will need to explain what happened, and try to fix the problem.” “Oh… umm… great!” Spike faked a smile. “Coool! Umm… you know… I think I might… umm… need some alone time with Twilight, so… I’ll try to meet her at the entrance and surprise her!” “Hmm… okay.” Shining said suspiciously. “But I really want to know what happened between you two, and probably Scorpan too.” “Absolutely!” Spike said. “Thank you both so much for all your help, and Sunburst too!” “Well, we were glad to have you here!” Cadance said with a smile. “But… maybe it’s about time you and Twilight settled things.” “Of course!” Spike understood. “Come on, Scorpan! Let’s go meet up with the others!” Scorpan just shrugs at Shining and Cadance as he follows Spike back into the corridor. Scorpan felt a little curious on Spike’s decision. He asks him as the duo arrive at the bedroom Spike slept in during their time at the empire. “So, are you really going to make up with Twilight?” “No! I’m not ready yet!” Spike said upsettingly as he runs over towards his bed and starts packing his stuff back inside his travel rag. “It’s too soon! I can’t see Twilight yet!” “But you just said to Shining and Cadance that you would.” Scorpan reminded him. “I know, and I feel so bad for lying to them again.” Spike said. “But… I just… I’m not ready to see her yet. I’m still mad at her after what she said to me… and did to you. We’re leaving.” “Already?” Scorpan asked. “But I like it here! But… if you really want to go… we can go; but how are we going to get passed Twilight and her friends on the way to the trainstation?” “Do your wings work?” Spike asked. Back down at the Crystal Empire streets, Twilight and her friends in the Mane Six, including Starlight, walked over towards the castle. Twilight was still upset as her friends guided her towards the castle. Rarity sighs and says, “I always love coming here to Crystal Empire! It never seizes to amaze me of how gorgeous it is!” “But remember, we’re here to support Twilight durin’ her bad time.” Applejack reminded her. “Oh I know!” Rarity said upsettingly. “Poor Spikey-Wikey! Lost… and alone! Well, not really alone, he has Scorpan. No wait! That’s even worse! That monster took Spike from us! Wait till I get my hooves on him for stealing MY CUTE LITTLE HANDSOME DRAGON!” “I know!” Rainbow said angrily. “After all we did for him! He took advantage over us, used us, and he stole Spike from us! He’s no different than Tirek! We should send him straight to Tartarus to reunite him with his brother; and settle into his new home!” “Oooo! Rarity can help him decorate!” Pinkie suggested. “I could throw him a super fun house-warming party! Ooo, and a reunion party!” “But he’s not the monster we claim him to be.” Fluttershy said. “He still wants to reunite with his brother. I’m sure he’s just misunderstood, and Spike just doesn’t want to leave him.” “Ah’m afraid ah’ll have to disagree with you, Fluttershy.” Applejack said. “He asked for help, and we did, and he’s not even takin’ our help into consideration. We just wasted our time.” “But he’ll come back.” Fluttershy said. “I mean, that’s what the plan was, right?” “Look, can we all just stop talking about Scorpan, and Spike, and… everything?!” Twilight asked angrily. “Can we talk about something positive for a change?!” “Ummm… pizza? Cake? Pizza cake?” Pinkie asked. Twilight sighs and says sarcastically, “Gee, thanks, Pinkie. That helps a lot.” “Hmm… was that sarcasm?” Pinkie asked curiously. “No.” Twilight said sarcastically. “Oh! Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie said excitedly. “Glad to help, Twilight!” Just then, her happiness fades away. “Oh, woops. THAT was sarcasm too, wasn’t it?” “You really can’t tell?” Rainbow asked. “Sure, like anypony could understand what sarcasm is!” Pinkie said sarcastically. “Well, it doesn’t matter.” Twilight said angrily. “I don’t need him! I don’t need Spike! He’s his own dragon, just like what Scorpan said. I’m better off without him, and he’s better off without me! I’ve got you girls as my friends and number one assistants! Easily replaceable!” Spike overhears the conversation from the balcony up above, and he begins to tear up again. “Let’s get outta here, dude.” He said as he climbs on Scorpan’s back. “Now ah know you don’t mean that, sugarcube.” Applejack comforts Twilight. “Oh do I, ‘sugarcube’?” Twilight asks, teasing her as Scorpan flies away from above without anypony noticing. Applejack felt really hurt when Twilight said that, but Fluttershy pats Applejack on the back and says, “Don’t be upset with her, Applejack. She’s just going through denial.” “Yeah, the five stages of grief. I remember that.” Rainbow said. “But we’re her friends! We’ll always be there for Twilight during her grieving process, and Spike WILL come back; and when he does, we will party all night long, and won’t wake up till noon the next day with a huge headache!” “Well, other than that last part, Pinkie is right!” Starlight said. “Spike will come back, and so will Scorpan! Just give them some time. I’m sure they’ll be home in Ponyville waiting for us by the time we get back!” “For Twilight’s sake, ah hope you’re right, Starlight.” Applejack said. Spike and Scorpan arrived at the trainstation to get buy their tickets. Spike gives a few bits to the ticket pony and says, “Two tickets to Appleloosa, please.” “Appleloosa?” Scorpan asked. “Why are we going there? Are we going to see a buffalos next? You said you’re respected there too.” “Yeah, but I haven’t kept in contact with any of them; I think it’s best I go see somepony I’m more close with.” Spike said as he receives the tickets from the ticket pony. “Who?” Scorpan asked. “Appleloosa is the closest place the Friendship Express can go that’s nearest to the Changeling Kingdom.” Spike explained as he and Scorpan walked over towards the boarding area. “So I’m guessing we’ll see Thorax?” Scorpan asked. “Yep!” Spike said. “I can help him out at his kingdom, and since we’re really good friends, he’ll be alright with us staying!” “No lies this time, right?” Scorpan asked. “Nope! Thorax is closer to me than he is with Twilight, so he’ll for sure take my side!” Spike said. “I can’t wait for you two to meet!” “I can’t wait to meet him!” Scorpan said. “Just don’t go fighting over me, alright?” Spike teases. “I like you both just the same.” “Oh don’t worry, I’ll make sure he wins the fight!” Scorpan teases back. “Ooo burn!” Spike said as he and Scorpan both laughed. As Scorpan and Spike hears a toot from the distance, Scorpan points out, “Here comes the train.” “Well, now it’s goodbye Crystal Empire, hello Appleloosa, and then hello Changeling Kingdom!” Spike said. Back inside the crystal palace, the Mane Six and Starlight enter the throne room as Cadance and Shining were waiting for them. When they spot her, they were both happy, but were more comforting towards her. “Hey, Twily!” Shining said as he walks over to her to give her a hug. “Hey, B.B.B.F.F.” Twilight said, trying to be happy, but can’t. “How’s it been going at home?” Shining asked. “Hectic, but I’ll survive.” Twilight said. “My magic hasn’t been working very well lately, but I guess it’s because of my mood.” “Yeah, I’m sure it’s tough at home without Spike around.” Cadance said. “Yeah.” Twilight agreed; but just then, she started to get suspicious. “Wait, how did you know Spike left? I didn’t mention it in the letter.” Cadance and Shining both were stumped as they didn’t know what to say next, but they realized they had to let Twilight know the truth. “Uh, Twiliy, I don’t know how else to tell you this, but… you deserve to know the truth.” “Well? Spit it out, big brother! What is it?” Twilight asked. “He was… here.” Shining admitted. “Wait… what?!” Twilight asked surprisingly. “Spike was here?! For how long?” Rarity asked. “Five days.” Cadance said. “I’m guessing that’s when he left?” “Is he here now?” Rainbow asked. “He said he would meet you at the entrance.” Cadance said suspiciously. “Wait… what happened? Where is Spike?” Shining uses his magic to scan the whole castle from his one standing spot. As he was scanning, Twilight yelled, “Here’s here?! Spike’s here?!” Shining sighs as he finishes his scan. “No. He’s gone.” “SCAN THE ENTIRE EMPIRE THEN-“ Twilight yelled but immediately cut herself off. “Actually, I’ll do it!” Twilight uses her own magic to scan the entire Crystal Empire. “I can’t believe Spike was here!” Fluttershy said surprisingly. “Well, this is where he’s most respected.” Starlight reminded her. “NO!” Twilight cried. “What happened?” Starlight asked. “Spike’s at the trainstation boarding a train!” Twilight yelled. “Well, what are we waiting for?! Let’s go catch it!” Rainbow suggested. “NO!” Twilight yelled in anger. “It’s too late! He’s gone! We will never make it in time!” “I’m sure we can try to stop them.” Cadance suggested. “FORGET IT!” Twilight yelled. “Some help YOU two were! You could’ve told me he was here! Why didn’t you tell me?!” “Well… he kinda lied to us, and… said you knew he was there.” Shining admitted. “AAAH!” Twilight screamed as her horn started glowing with her anger. “Don’t you find it suspicious that Spike was here without me?! I would always come with him so I can see my FAMILY! But noooooo, you automatically assume Spike would just waltz in here with gargoyle you don’t even know without me sending you a letter first to let you know AHEAD OF TIME!” “Now, Twilight… deep breaths… just like I taught you.” Cadance nervously reminds her. “Deep breaths?!” Twilight yelled as her magic started getting stronger. “DEEP BREATHS?! AAAAAAAAAAAH!” Twilight started screaming in rage as all her friends were really nervous. They thought Twilight was about to burst a large amount of magic out of her, but it turned out to be a dud. Twilight immediately gets tired out as the only thing that came out of her horn was a small spark. “Huh, that was anti-climatic.” Rainbow commented. “So I guess her emotion really is draining her magic, huh?” Pinkie asked. “No… her anger should’ve made her magic stronger.” Starlight said. “Emotion is what makes magic strong, and Twilight was full of emotion.” “So… what could this mean then?” Applejack asked. “It means… her magic is being drained.” Starlight said. “But why? Did she use a lot of magic like I did back at Cadance and mine’s wedding and her magic just drained?” Shining asked. “No… she hasn’t.” Starlight said confusingly.