//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Spike 
// by Nekiyha 
//------------------------------//

Spike snuck through the crystal hallways of Twilight’s castle, staying low to the ground and being careful to not scuff his claws against the crystal floor. He didn’t want Twilight, or Starlight, waking up because he didn’t want to get in trouble.

Spike carefully made his way to the open door of the kitchen, and peered inside carefully. Spike sighed in relief, allowing himself to stand upright again. Last time he’d tried this, Starlight had been awake studying, drinking some warm milk in preparation for going to bed.

Now though, Spike was free to do what he wanted. Moving his step-stool to the counter, Spike climbed onto the counter to reach his prize: the dessert tray. Pinkie had been over earlier, and brownies had been her mark. Twilight had only let Spike have one of them. One-a growing dragon needed more than one!

Spike lifted the lid off of the dome over the massive tray, and plucked two of the thick cut brownies from the tray. Placing the tray carefully back, Spike crept into the pantry where nopony could see him from the hall. There, he devoured the thick, fudgy treats in peace.

Finally satisfied, and rubbing his plush belly contentedly, Spike made his way back to his room. Now he’d be able to fall into a full sleep. Falling into his basket, Spike cuddled into his warm nest of bedding, and fell asleep.


The next morning, Spike awoke to the now-common sounds of Twilight and Starlight in the library practicing magic. Blinking away sleep, and scratching at his plump belly, Spike got out of bed. He stretched, and caught sight of himself in the mirror.

Spike still had smudges of frosting on his muzzle. Moving to the jug of water Twilight insisted he keep in his room, he dipped the edge of a towel in and cleaned his muzzle. The last thing he needed was Twilight suspecting his small raids of the kitchen. Because of her diet plans, his midnight raids were the only thing that kept him full like he felt a dragon should be: besides, a couple of cookies wouldn’t hurt anypony, right?

After finishing washing his face, Spike finally left his room. His stomach rumbled hungrily, but he wanted to check in on Twilight and Starlight first. Sometimes, they had breakfast ready in the library so that they didn’t need to stop reading or practicing spells.

Spike opened the ornate door, squeezing himself in so he didn’t need to open to door too wide. Even after all the years he’d lived with Twilight, the sight inside the library was an unusual one. The tables inside the library were pushed against the shelves, and a magical circle was drawn on the floor with...chalk?

Starlight and Twilight were on one side of the circle, facing Spike. Their horns were alight with magic, and when Spike shut the door, Starlight started.
Spike was struck dumb when he saw Starlight’s concentration break, and the spell sailed over the magical circle and toward Spike. Twilight shouted something but by the time she dismissed the spell she’d been casting, it was too late.

Spike wanted to move, but tables blocked his way to either side, and it was too early to do anything else so soon after waking up. Spike squeezed his eyes shut, and braced for impact. He felt himself collide with the door behind him, and the world went white.


“Spike, Sweet Celestia, are you okay!?”

Spike groaned, blinking slowly as he came back to consciousness. He was laying on something soft, so they’d moved him. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a croaky groan. How long had he been out?

Spike tried again, “Starlight?” Spike blinked his eyes open, squinting through the brightness of the lights above him.

“Thank goodness,” Twilight loomed over Spike, “We thought something had happened! Without the circle, maybe the magic just knocked you out? We were so worried.”

“Me too,” Spike muttered. He could feel Starlight’s guilt spike, and he heaved a sigh, “It’s okay, Starlight. It’s not the first time I’ve been caught up in magic. I’ll be okay.”

Sitting himself up, Spike was surprised to see he was covered in...soot? Ash? Spike ran a hand over the purple scales of his stomach, and wiped clean a line in the ash, “I think I’m going to go clean up.”

Twilight’s head tilted to one side questioningly, “Why? You look fine to me. You washed your face when you got up, right?”

Spike blinked, then nodded slowly, “You don’t see anything wrong with me? Like I’m not dirty?”

“Not at all,” Starlight spoke up, “You look normal to me.”

“What was that spell supposed to do, Twilight?” Spike asked cautiously, feeling something strange settle in the pit of his stomach.

“It was supposed to change the visible properties of that crystal,” Twilight pointed towards the still intact circle, where a piece of crystal lay in the center of the runes, “We weren’t sure what it would do to you, with you not being the target or being within the circle. But you’re still visible, and you’re up and talking. So, no harm done?”

Spike looked down at his ash-coated body, and smiled, “Nope, no harm done. Thanks, Twilight!”

With that, Spike hopped off of the couch, and sped out of the library.

Starlight sighed, “Do you really think he’s okay?”

Twilight shrugged, “We couldn’t see anything, and our magic says he’s okay. We’ll keep an eye on him for a bit, but he should be fine. Now, do you feel up to trying again?”

Starlight nodded, “Okay.”

(LINE BREAK)

Spike cleaned the ash off of his body, then wandered around the halls of Twilight’s castle. He wasn’t sure what to do or think: clearly the spell’s original function had worked in some way: it just applied to him differently than anticipated. 

An idea washed through the small dragon's mind, and he couldn't help but smile widely in response. He hurried to the kitchen, dragging his stool to where the brownies were. He scampered on top of the counter, sitting on the edge like Twilight had warned him against time and again. He lifted the dome off of the brownie tray, and started eating.

This is the best day ever.