//------------------------------// // Debrief // Story: The D.S.P.I. // by DungeonMiner //------------------------------// Spike grumbled as he walked up into the Castle, report in hand. Celestia would order a copy of this one to be hand delivered. Couldn’t let him stay behind and deal with Valentine’s death and Rarity coming back, no, he had to come up and tell her everything. “Right this way, sir,” the guard said, leading Spike up to the solarium where the Princess was waiting for him. As if he didn’t know where that was. Up the stairs of the southern tower, to the room that sat like a bulbous growth on its side, the guard led him, and when they finally arrived he knocked three times on the door, exactly as he was trained to. “Who is it?” the Princess’ voice called. “Your Highness, the dragon whose audience you requested is here,” the guard said. “Let him in,” she said. The guard nodded, even though she couldn’t see him, and let him in. “Sir,” he said, motioning for Spike to head inside. Spike sighed, and did so, refusing to acknowledge the guard that was a little too much by the book. Celestia sat in the sun, lounging on a series of overstuffed cushions with a book in front of her. “Ah, Spike. There you are. Did you bring your report?” “You better believe I did! I did not just cross half of Equestria to deliver a report that’s still sitting on my desk.” “Well…” “And if you mention that time forty years ago again, I swear!” Celestia smiled as she closed her book. “It was forty-five years ago.” “Don’t even!” Spike warned, before throwing the folder down in front of her. The Princess caught it effortlessly, and hovered it in front of her, spreading the pages. “Let’s see. First of all, Rarity is alive, or at the very least a vampire. I’d imagine that news made you happy.” “As well as finding out that your friend is now an undead can make you happy,” Spike said. “Still, I do have to admit that it’s nice to talk to her again.” “Has she made any moves to return to civilian life?” Spike shook his head. “She said she couldn’t stand being anypony but herself. She’s decided to try for a desk job at the Department. Which is probably for the best since we’re a little low on ponypower at the moment.” “And have you set her up properly?” “Finding blood will be a little harder than supplying apples, but I can arrange for some shipments.” “Good, good. Make sure to expedite that, she needs to get her strength back. You may use my seal to do so.” “Thank you, Princess,” Spike said, standing in front of her before moving to lean against a window. She nodded, and scanned through the papers again. “You’ve taken care of the mole?” “Didn't need to. He was practically ripped to shreds by some of the team ponies.” Celestia nodded. “Repairs?” “Underway. Structural damage was a minimum, it’s the loss of personnel that really hurt.” She nodded, flipping through the pages. “And let's see...Valentine. He’s dead then?” Spike grit his teeth and looked out the window. “Yup.” “Good,” she said, looking over the report. Spike growled. “You were right again…” he muttered with a sigh. “The moment the tide began to turn, he practically leapt at our blades and claws. All that to die so easily,” he growled, claws tightening until he drew blood from his palm. Celestia said nothing. “It's a shame he was too much of a coward to do the job for me.” “And you know what fate is left for those who fall to self slaughter,” Celestia said gently. Spike sighed. He knew. “He still started down this path on his own.” “And he realized what monster he became,” Celestial said. “The fact doesn't change that he won. He got what he wanted.” Spike sighed. “I know. I know…” “Then you know the problem hasn't gone away, either?” Spike sighed. “No. Now every thrall that was under him is freed, and while that’s good news for Rarity, the chances of every other monster deciding to turn over a new leaf is slim to none.” The Princess nodded. “We have traded one large problem for many smaller ones.” Spike smirked. “At least I still have a job, right?” Celestia smiled, before she continued to read the report in silence. Spike waited. “Alright, thank you Spike. It's good to see you taking everything well.” He nodded. “Yeah...it's good to see you too, Celestia.” She packed up the report and handed it over. The dragon took it, gave his thanks, and began to walk away. “Oh, Princess?” “Yes Commander?” She answered, opening her book again. “You know the retirement program we talked about?” She looked at him in surprise. “Someone made five years of service?” “No,” Spike answered, “but there is a pair of ponies that might be able to forge a life from here.” “Really?” She asked. “Who?” “Silver Dust and Silk Star,” Spike told her. “Really now? Well, I’ll just have to see what can be done about that.” Spike nodded. “By the way, Spike,” she said as the dragon stood in front of the doorway. “Apparently there's this strange, heavily equipped rescue team that gained quite a bit of popularity back when that carriage bomb went off in Canterlot. In fact it’s gained so much popularity that the guard has had a flood of new volunteers, all wanting to join the Department with all the cool toys.” Spike blinked and turned to the Princess. “And what does that entail?” “Well, you know I won't turn down a volunteer…” Spike nodded. “I see.” “You're dismissed, Commander.” Spike nodded, and pushed open the door. The guard from before was waiting for him. “Sir?” “Just take me back to where you found me. I can make my way back from there.” “Yes, sir.” They walked slowly, down the tight, spiral stairs of the large tower, before Spike turned. “Guard.” “Yes, sir?” “What’s your name?”