//------------------------------// // It was a day like any other, maybe a little bit nicer than usual // Story: Spike's custody // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// It was a day like any other, maybe a little bit nicer than usual It was a nice day, yeah, the especial kind of day where everypony felt cheerful and full of energy. And for Cheerilee it was perfect, even the little pranks her students pulled during the day helped to lift her spirit her even more. It was the middle of the day and Cheerilee had bid farewell to the last student of her class and decided to go to the grocery store to do some errands before going home. And then it happened, the event that would change that beautiful day affecting not only the teacher, but everyone involved. The littlest detail could make the biggest difference. And it all started when she spotted a certain purple dragon caring a huge cart full of all kind of provisions in the line to pay. “Hi Spike! How are you? Doing the groceries of the month with Twilight?” “Hi Cheerilee!” Smiled the dragon. “Yeah, doing some errands but for today I’m all by myself. Twilight and the girls had to go to Canterlot to I-don’t-know-what and left me in charge of this.” Cheerilee seemed confused. “But hey, are you sure you can carry all this all the way to your home?” “I’m used to, isn’t that right Quick Sales?” The sales pony just smiled to the dragon and nodded while putting everything in a paper bag, then the dragon placed a bag of bits on the counter and said good bye carrying what it seemed like a tower. Cheerilee frowned, somehow this seemed wrong. Spike was turning around the corner when the teacher trotted to him. “Spike, wait!” “Oh, need something Cheerilee?” Asked Spike in a very good mood. “Nothing, just seeing if you needed some help.” Explained the teacher. Spike tilted his head confused. “Are you sure Cheerilee? The library it’s a little far from your home.” “It’s okay, I have time.” So Spike innocently thanked her and together they walked to Golden Oaks Library. As always it sparkled of clean, especially the kitchen where they placed the bags. Then Spike stretched satisfied and turned to the teacher. “Thank you for your help Cheerilee, can I offer you something to drink? We have soda and some lemonade.” “Just water please” asked the teacher politely. “So tell me kid, who does the cleaning and stuff? Twilight, you or the two of you together?” “Me. Twi likes her home spotless and I make a good effort to do my part. Uf! I’m lucky she isn’t in here for today or else I would spend the whole afternoon cleaning the disasters she makes while studying. And it’s perfect because Rarity also asked me to help her classify the different kinds of strings, buttons, and sequins; then I think Pinkie Pie asked me to separate the new wrapping papers from the old ones and then I have to feed Fluttershy’s animals. Just my Number One Assistant’s chores, so I’m happy to do it!” Cheerilee shook her head, no, something was definitely wrong in there. “Ey Spike, how can you be so positive about it? It seems exhausting, even for an adult!” “Kind of” said Spike shrugging. “But I can relax after I finish making dinner for Twilight and I by reading a good comic before bed.” Cheerilee nodded slowly. “I see. And by the way, how old are you Spike?” “Me? I just turned nine, why?” This was too much, Cheerilee had to take a seat and bite her tongue in a weak attempt to hide her indignation and not worry Spike; so she finished her water, helped Spike to put everything where it belonged and left after a quick good-bye. Once outside the library, the teacher ran to the Town Hall demanding to see Mayor Mare. “Cheerilee?” “Mayor Mare, I’m here to report of a case of child negligence and exploitation.” Mayor Mabel Mare didn’t know what to say, but this seemed very serious. Spike had just finished doing the dusting and was about to go to Rarity’s when somepony called at the door. “Who could be at this hour?” Asked the dragon. He opened the door to a couple of unknown ponies, a Pegasus and a unicorn, wearing a black jacket, buttoned shirt and tie. They seemed awfully serious and intimidating, but they turned their frowned expressions to a friendly smile when they saw Spike. “Good evening. You are Spike, right?” “Ehem… yeah, why?” “You see, we’re from the Child Protection Agency” explained the Pegasus kindly while giving an I.D. to the confused dragon. “Do you have a minute? We just want to ask you some questions.” Spike shrugged. “Sure. Come this way.” Said Spike guiding them to the living room. “But please, can it be quick? I have a lot to do!” “Precisely Spike, precisely” said the unicorn. “I understand you have a list of chores. Do you mind if we take a look?” Spike nodded and gave them the list Twilight gave him that morning. The two employees exchanged a worried look examining the list and turned to Spike. “This is a very long list.” Mumbled the unicorn. “Tell me, how can you do all of this and attend to school at the same time?” Asked the Pegasus kindly. “Actually I don’t attend school.” Explained Spike a little ashamed. “I mean, Twilight home-schools me when she has time, but she’s too busy with her own studies to worry about mine, but I don’t really mind; so I try do my best to support her by taking care of the house” The two ponies nodded. “That’s it. Pack up your things kid, we’re leaving.” Said the Pegasus. “WHAT? This is… this is foa…” “No, it’s not foalnapping” explained the unicorn. “You cannot live where you’re getting exploited and ignored, not to mention you seem very satisfied with the situation.” Spike shook his head. “No, NO! I’ll write to Princess Celestia, let’s see what SHE has to say about this!” “Please go ahead” said the Pegasus taking a letter from her jacket. “But please send her this letter as well.” Spike did as he was told and the Princess’ answer didn’t delayed to appear. Dear Spike, please go with this ponies, I’ll have a very serious talk with my faithful student tomorrow morning, and for the sake of the two of you I hope this is only a misunderstanding; but the process is already open and I cannot interfere. In the meantime I assure you, you can trust in this ponies. Princess Celestia. “I don’t get, it… please don’t do this…” said Spike trembling. “Don’t worry kid, you’re safe now” said the Pegasus. “You’ll stay in Ponyville in a safe house while we locate your family” assured the unicorn. “But…” “Don’t make this harder kid, we don’t expect you to understand nor forgive us; but this is for your own good.” So they took the very scared and confused dragon out of the library. What was going on? Why this was happening to him? Twilight and her friends returned from their little improvised excursion very proud of themselves, another adventure that ended well for everypony. “Now it’s time to celebrate!” Cheered Pinkie Pie. Twilight agreed. “I’ll ask Spike to make some tea. Spike! Spike, we’re home! Would you mind to making some tea please? Spike!” No one answered. “Maybe he’s still at my place feeding the creatures” suggested Fluttershy. “It takes some time.” “Yeah, the kid is taking his time, big deal!” Said Rainbow Dash shrugging. Twilight nodded, but no, something deep inside her was telling the lavender unicorn that something else was going on. Without hesitation, she trotted inside her home and a couple of seconds later, their friends followed her, finding Twilight completely in shock. “No… NO!!” “What happened?” Asked Dash. Twilight quickly showed them the letter she found on the table: Dear Miss Sparkle, This letter we inform you that the minor under your charge, Spike Sparkle, has been separated from your custody due to conditions of negligence and exploitation. A hearing in the Family Court has been scheduled three weeks after the reception of the present notification, until then you or your friends have completely forbidden to be within twenty meters or communicate with the minor. Child Protection Agency. And then Celestia’s letter: Twilight, I’m very disappointed in you. No, I’m furious, and I hope for your sake this is all a misunderstanding. I don’t want to believe this accusations are true but the process is already open and I will not interfere under any chance. Tomorrow first thing in the morning you and I will have a very serious talk about Spike’s conditions, and again, I hope this is all a misunderstanding. Your teacher, Princess Celestia. No pony dared to say a thing, this was a very serious problem. In the meantime, Spike was taken to a small house in Ponyville, as they promised. This somehow helped to comfort the dragon, at least he wouldn’t be that far from Twilight. Lyra and Bon-Bon opened the door. “Spike, please come on in!” Smiled Lyra. “Make yourself comfortable, my house is your house.” Spike stood there with his head low. “Don’t worry kid, you’re safe now” assured Bon-Bon. “So relax, okay?” Spike shook his head crying. “NO, this can’t be! This is all a misunderstanding, I shouldn’t be here!” “Maybe it is” said Bon-Bon. “I don’t know Twilight that well but I cannot picture her as somepony who mistreats a minor. But the process is open and we must adhere to the law, so we’ll take care of you until your family comes. You know you can trust us, right?” Spike looked at them and nodded, yeah, he knew Lyra and Bon-Bon very well and he could say they were very nice ponies. Besides in Ponyville everypony trusted each other. “I guess so…” said Spike. “And I do know Twilight from school and yeah, I can say this is all a dumb mistake” said Lyra. “So don’t worry, everything will be fine in no time!” Spike smiled and then he got in the house. The two mares only could smile and do their best to make him feel better, god knows that’s what he truly needed.