//------------------------------// // It was an entire afternoon studying as he was used to, but this time the one studying was him // Story: Spike's custody // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// It was an entire afternoon studying as he was used to, but this time the one studying was him Five thirty, Spike only had an hour to finish all the homework Cheerilee gave him before dinner time; but he couldn’t advance. He was on Lyra and Bon-Bon’s living room with three open books, lots of paper, a bottle of ink, and a few pencils both colored and normal; this whole situation reminded Spike when Twilight was busy studying and he was helping, but this time he was the one studying. The day’s assignment was easy: to trace a map of Ponyville marking the most important places and a few two-digit-multiplications; but the problem was that aside of that, Cheerilee gave Spike an extra quiz to help him level with the others in the areas he needed. “Spike, your level are relatively low compared with the rest of your classmates,” had explained Cheerilee, “so I have to give you this extra assignment, but don’t worry is not for tomorrow. Take all the time you need” Spike just received the quiz with an annoyed groan, but Lyra gently offered to help him; and here they were, with the minty unicorn waiting patiently and assisting whenever he needed. The problem was that after years of studying with Twilight, Spike developed some kind of automatic rejection to everything related with history or theoretical magic; but luckily for him, Lyra’s specialty was precisely history and also knew how to make it interesting for her young guest. “Maybe you should look for something that motivates you to study more” suggested Lyra thoughtful after seeing Spike could only answer thirteen questions in half an hour. “Come on, there’s nothing in Equestrian history that got your attention? A legend, a battle, whatever…” Spike seemed to considerate it but shook his head. “Nothing, sorry” “Come on! There must be something!” Said Lyra. “For example when I was about your age I couldn’t stand history neither, but one day I found a legend that made me fell in love with it” “Oh, which legend?” Asked Spike a little more interested now. “The Human of Equestroy!” “The what now?” Lyra grinned. “The Human of Equestroy. You see: there was a conflict between Equestroyans and Ponirmidons, and after years of war both armies were stuck. Ponirmidons couldn’t break into the mighty walls of Equestroy; and Equestroyans couldn’t force the Ponirmidons to retreat. But one day the Ponirmidons had an idea: they knew humans were an important part of Equestroyan mythology, so they pretended to retreat and leaving a giant human made out of wood as a tribute admitting their defeat. But it was a trap! Inside of the human the entire Ponirmidon were waiting that the Equestroyans would be so stupid get the thing into their city” “And what happened?” Asked Spike. “They fell for the trick and the city of Equestroy was conquered that same night” explained Lyra. “Oh, that sounds cool!” Smiled Spike. “That really happened?” “Nopony knows, it’s a legend!” Cheered Lyra. “Now tell me, is there anything you’re interested in?” Spike scratched her head. “Well, I always liked everything related with the story of the Windigos!” Lyra smiled and after considerate it for a little, she showed Spike a couple of questions “Perfect! There are a couple of questions about them, let’s start for those!” “But what about the order?” “Who cares? All you have to do is to finish it, nopony is asking you in which order you answered the questions” Spike had to admit she was right so he began to look for the questions that seemed more interesting. It was a strange feeling, to do his homework along with Lyra; Spike felt warm inside the whole moment. Again it was like joining Twilight when she was studying, but being him the one studying while being helped felt amazing. “Okay, that’s enough for today, its dinner time!” Said Bon-Bon walking into from the kitchen. So Lyra and Spike hurried to put everything back to order so they could eat. “Thank you for everything Lyra!” “Whenever you want Spike, I’m here for you” smiled the mare. They sat on the table and Spike began to eat happily, “Wow, you always made the best food Bon-Bon!” Said Spike burping satisfied. “But don’t you want me to help you at least for once?” Bon-Bon shrugged. “Don’t worry Spike, I love cooking and also I don’t allow anyone in my kitchen. Especially Lyra” “Come on, I messed up only once!” “I don’t give second chances sweetheart” said Bon-Bon firmly before turning back to Spike. “But you can help me do the dishes again and then you go to take a bath, okay?” “Sure!” So after doing the dishes with a little help from Lyra, Spike got into the bathtub thoughtful. Even with the annoyance of the homework, this routine wasn’t as exhausting as spend the whole day helping Twilight in the library. He missed Twilight of course, but he was getting used to this new situation of going to school and playing with the others. Now that he thought about it, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to get the things back to normal. But no, he couldn’t be that selfish so he jumped out of the bathtub like escaping from those poisonous thoughts. Once he was dry and ready to sleep, he took a piece of paper from his new notebook and wrote a quick note. He couldn’t send it with his messenger breath, the social services warning him Twilight could get into more trouble if she got caught communicating with him without authorization, so he had to think in other way to talk to Twilight. Somepony knocked at his door. “Come on in!” He asked sadly. Bon-Bon got into the room and gently placed a beautiful backpack in front of him. Spike couldn’t believe it, the design, the sewing … and the gems inside. He gulped. “Is it… from Rarity?” Bon-Bon nodded sadly. “Yes, she may not be able to communicate with you, but this is her way to say she’s sorry and she misses you” “Sorry for what?” Asked Spike much for Bon-Bon’s anger, but she still managed to control herself. “Nothing, I meant that she’s worried about you” explained the mare. “However, I think you’ll like carrying your books inside of this backpack instead Lyra’s old one” Spike smiled brightly. “Thanks. Ehem, can you say Rarity ‘thank you’ for me? You know, since I’m not allowed to get close to her” “I’ll try” said Bon-Bon awkwardly. “Now go to sleep, you still have to go to school tomorrow” And she left leaving Spike alone with his thoughts. All he could do now was to write a second note, but not much more. Twilight was lying on her bed looking at the roof with empty eyes, she didn’t even bothered to open the library since the last day. Now that she was alone, the whole place seemed too big, too overwhelming… and solitary. “Spike…” Then somepony called at the door. Now what? Anyway, she didn’t care, nothing mattered anymore for Twilight; but the knocking continued so she automatically went downstairs. “Yes?” She asked in a monotonic voice. “Mail” said Derpy giving her a couple of letters. Mail? Twilight sighed, of course. Usually all her acquaintances communicated with her via Spike’s messenger breath, great, another reminder of her mistakes with her little brother. “Thank you Derpy. Do I have to sign something or…?” “No, that’s for packages only” explained the mail mare. It was just Twilight’s imagination or she actually detected a spark of disdain in the gray pegasus’ eyes. And she flew away. Twilight stood there looking at the letters, they came from Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. The lavender unicorn gulped, usually when she received mail from her parents and big brother she felt excited and happy; but now she shivered. If she thought her mentor’s scolding was bad, was only because she forgot about her family, Spike’s family. Both letters started with an angered: We received a notification from the social services… That day at school was pretty similar to the last one, the only significant change was that Spike was given the chance to get out of the goal. “Do you think you have what it takes?” Asked Rumble, the captain of his team. “Of course I have!” “You better or you’ll be in that goal the rest of the semester” warned him Button Mash. “Whatever, let’s go!” Said Spike kicking the ball to Feather Weight. But Scootaloo blocked the pass and kicked it to Pipsqueak. “You can do it Pip!” Pipsqueak demonstrated huge skill to retain the ball, avoiding the attempts of Spike, Rumble and Feather to take it from him; unfortunately Feather distracted him a fraction of a second, just what Spike needed to recover the ball and kicked it to Apple Bloom; who agilely sent it straight to the goal. Sinps, who was the goalkeeper, screamed in fear and ducked permitting Rumble’s team to score. “Snips!” Protested Scootaloo. “Ey last time I received a blow with a ball from her I lost a tooth!” Said the unicorn. “Don’t be such a crybaby!” Face-hoofed the orange Pegasus. “It was already a little loose and also it was a milk tooth! And couldn’t you use magic? “It’s against the rules” reminded Rumble with a sufficiency smile. “Or did you wanted me to win su much that you were about to give your own team a penalty? So sweet!” Scootaloo frowned. “Wanna fight, Rumble?!” “I’m not afraid of a filly!” And the pegasi were about to start to fight when Cheerilee made sound the bell that announced the end of the recess. “Whoa, that was a close one” mumbled Spike. “Don’t worry, those two fight all the time” giggled Twist. “All-the-time” “Love is in the air” said Sweetie dreamily. “Shut up!” Shouted Rumble and Scoots at the unison. But before the problem escalated, the teacher appeared and announced that it was time to resume classes. “Okay kids, are you ready for the next lesson?” All the kids groaned in protest (the usual after the recess) but she didn’t mind and continued: “Now open you text books in page 147, the legend of the Human of Equestroy. Button please start reading” The kid shrugged and began: “After Prince of Equestroy Rector killed his best friend Patroclus, Equiilles presented in front of the walls of Equestroy and demanded a one-on-one fight with him…” Spike smiled remembering his little study session with Lyra, when Rumble called his attention by whispering: “Pst, pst, Spike, and next time you don’t have to be the goalkeeper. You’re great at soccer pal!” “That’s great, but I like the position too” answered Spike whispering too. “For real?” “Sure. Until now I never played soccer before so any position is good” “Dude, that sounds terrible!” Exclaimed the white pegasus not being able to imagine a lifetime without his favorite game. But Spike ignored his reaction. Now that he thought about it, why he never had the chance to play soccer until now? To play with other kids in general… but no, Spike shook his head and tried to focus in the reading to erase those awful thoughts. The rest of the day nothing worth to mention happened, they finished to read Lyra’s favorite legend and then made a draw about it; and after that they solved a few divisions. Then the kids arranged another soccer encounter at the park after lunch and left to their respective homes, but Spike stopped Sweetie Belle. “Sweetie, wait!” Called the dragon. “Yes Spike?” Asked the unicorn filly. Spike took the two letters he wrote the last night and gave it to Sweetie Belle. “I know it’s unusual, but can you deliver this letters for me? One for Twilight and the other for Rarity?” Sweetie Belle seemed confused, but nodded happily. “Sure! Twilight and Rarity, yes? No problem but… why don’t you send them with your magic breath?” Spike lowered his head. “It’s complicated” “Okay, don’t worry then” Spike thanked the filly and ran back to Lyra and Bon-Bon’s, but Sweetie stopped him before he went too far. “Spike, something really bad happened, right?” “I don’t want to talk about it” said Spike sadly. And something in his eyes convinced Sweetie Belle she didn’t wanted to know.