"H-hi, I'm here to pick up some things I have on hay-buy."
A gruff looking stallion looked up from his book, and loomed over the counter, where he saw a small purple dragon, with a moustache. "Name?" He asked.
"Spike."
The stallion opened a drawer and started pulling out a few games and sorting through the files. "Spike, Spike- ah! Here it is." He plopped the file on the desk and read over it quickly.
He disappeared into the back room and reappeared a moment later, holding a console in his hand. "Here it is, One game, one Ponystation 4. This seems to be all paid for-" The stallion stopped, and eyed the dragon up and down, narrowing his gaze at the mustache. "Say.. How old are you again? You know this game is rated M for Mareture right?"
"18!" Spike answered quickly, in the best deep voice he could muster. He wasn't a baby anymore, he was 17, he even recently got his wings! But he couldn't handle waiting another year to get this game. While he did appear young, he had matured more mentally than physically over the years. It seemed as though this stallion has no knowledge on dragon biology, and Spike wasn't about to drop everything to give a crash course to this stallion.
A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as the stallion continued to look him over suspiciously. Spike was just about to crack under the pressure, when the stallion let out a deep sigh.
"Alright, here it is. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm about to close for the day, and I really just want to get home. Have fun....kid."
The doors to the local Gamertrot store in Ponyville swung open, with so much force it would have been close to busting off its hinges.
"HEY! Watch it!" The disgruntled stallion called from inside, out of site.
"OOPS- Sorry!" An overly excited purple dragon called back in a nervous chuckle, clasping a slim black box in his arms. Spike made his way down the path and through the main square, to the castle in the centre of the bustling town. He took off his fake moustache and chuckled over his triumph. "I can't believe that worked!"
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" He said in disbelief, as he proudly lifted the box to his line of sight, staring at it as of it were the most beautiful gemstone he had ever seen. "A brand new PS4! Top of the line too! I'm so glad I put this on hay-buy, they would have sold out!" He had made it just in time, too. The stores were about to close for the day. A bump suddenly caused him to lose grip on the console and he clawed at the air in a desperate attempt to catch it. Fortunately he did just that.
"Well am ah mighty' sorry ere youngin. I ain't seen ya there. Hope I ain't done frightened the jeebers out ah yah."
Spike, with a sigh of relief from having saved his new game station whirled around to the perpetrator who bumped into him, ready to give them a piece of his mind, when he came face to face with Granny Smith. "Oh, Granny Smith! It's alright, how are you doing today?" Spike said, regaining his composure and feeling guilty for almost raging on the sweet old earth mare.
"Well am doin just fine, Applejack and mah' self just packed up our apple cart, and was ready to call it ah day."
"Applejack? Is she here?" Spike looked around frantically, his eyes darting left to right. He found himself going red at the cheeks for some reason. It was something he had felt a lot since they saved each other from timberwolves many moons ago.
"Nah she gon an went ahead now, Big Mac gave a helpin' hoof an got ere done faster than a fruit bat to a zap apple tree." She laughed wholeheartedly, "He must'ah been mighty excited to get to y'all little get together tonight." Spikes blushed deepened. It seemed like everypony in town now new about guys night and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
"Say, sonny, whatcha got there?" Granny Smith pointed her hoof at the console in spikes claws.
"A Ponystation 4! Or- well, PS4 for short."
"It's a what now?" Granny Smith put her hoof in her ears and twirled it around, hoping to clear it out as if it could help her better understand.
"A PS4! You put a game inside and it plays on a projector. It's like.." Spike trailed off and rubbed his chin in thought on how to explain. "Its like playing a different pony, only minus the danger. You control the actions and movements to try to complete the quest!"
"Can't say ah understand all this fancy shmancy technology yeh filly's n' colts are into these days." Granny Smith stated in apparent confusion before shaking her head in indifference. "Yeh see, back in mah day-"
"Well, gotta run!" Spike called to her, already having darted off in his aimed destination. He felt bad, but knew if he was to stick around for the story, he would miss guys night for sure! "It was nice bumping into you though, literally and figuratively! Even if it almost cost me my new PS4." He muttered the last part under his breath with a nervous laugh.
"Alright you boys have fun ya hear!? Dont let that varmit Discord push yeh around either, even if he's become more of a dear since sweet ol' Fluttershy got her hooves on him." Granny called out to Spike.
"I won't! Promise!" He retorted, and disappeared into the now diminishing crowd.
Spike shut the door behind him and slid to the floor with a soft thump. Although it would be dark soon and the crowd wasn't so big and pushy as before, it was still an immense effort to make his way through, taking extra care not to have damaged his new PS4. He would have flown, but if he had stumbled and dropped his goods, the PPS4 would have broke for sure from that distance, and he didn't want to risk it. He hugged his console and sighed in relief before gazing at it again, rubbing his claw along the edges. "I bet the guys are gonna love this!" he said out loud with delight.
"Love what?"
Spike screamed as a certain draconequus's face appeared inches away from his own. "Discord!" Spike hissed. He collected himself and stood up, and placed the PS4 on the small, oak coffee table a few feet away. "I suppose I should be used to those entrances by now, though," He admitted.
Discord put his paw to his head in a dramatic display, "YES WELL, it should come as no surprise to see me for another rousing guys night of Ogres and Oubliettes. What IS surprising however, is why you and Big Mac have kept me waiting with the ever so delightful princess of bookworms no less, for so long. Honestly spike, I never expected a princesses assistant such as yourself to be tardy now." Discord huffed and turned away from Spike, arms crossed and clearly disgruntled. "And where pray-tell is Big Mac anyway? Sun-Butt has already begun to lower the sun, and soon Loony Luna will be raising the moon."
"Big Macs not here yet? hm, maybe he got caught up after all." Spike pondered aloud, cupping his chin in his claw. "And I'm sorry i'm late, I had to get to Gamertrot before it closed! I've got a big surprise for -"
Spike was cut off as twilight entered the room. "Oh hi guys! don't mind me! I promise i'll be out of your mane soon, the girls are coming to pick me up and should be here in a few minutes, then you can enjoy your guys night without us mares in the way." She shot an annoyed glance at Discord, "If somepony doesn't keep me from packing any further."
Discord blew a raspberry at the alicorn princess. "MOI? pfft, all I asked for was a teensy glass of water."
Rubbing her temple to ease the headache that always seemed to come to her when Discord was around, she made her way to the door to collect her saddlebag when she spied the slim black box on the table and tilted her head to the side. "Oh, Whatcha got there Spike?" She asked, curiously.
"The new Ponystation 4!" Spike said proudly as he puffed up his chest, "Its a gaming system! It plays on a projector, and speaking of which..." He rubbed his feet on the ground anxiously and looked up at Twilight with pleading eyes, "Can I borrow your projector for it Twilight, Pretty please with a fire ruby on top?"
Twilight smiled pleasantly, "Of course Spike, let me just go get it for you, I think I left it in my library from one of my studies last week." With that she turned tail, and disappeared up the stairs again.
Discord made himself comfy on the couch while he waited, though unsure of what for, already dressed in his traditional Captain Wuzz outfit. "UGH- I can't stand this, am I to die from boredom? C'mon lets get this guys night on a role already!" He flung his hands to the air in emphasis. "If Big Mac is being held up by another one of those pies for sugar belle i'm gonna-"
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"That must be the girls," Spike said and he rushed to the door, flinging it open. Standing outside were the 5 ponies Twilight was expecting, their saddle bags packed at their sides. "Hey Everypony! Twilight will be down in a minute. Why don't you all come in?" He gestured inside holding the door open as they made their way into Twilights small castle.
"Thank you, Spike. I hope we aren't interrupting your guys night." Fluttershy said with her usual soft mannerism.
Discords ears immediately perked up at the sound of her voice, and in a flash he was beside her, scooping her up in his arms, "Fluttershy!" He said enthusiastically, a small blush appearing on both their faces. As he felt his face warm he turned away briefly in an attempt to hide it. He still couldn't quite understand how a shy yellow pegasus on the opposite end of his spectrum had such an effect on him.
"Discord! Its so good to see you!" She smiled, fluttering back from his mismatched arms after awhile and smiling. "Sorry I missed Tuesday tea this week, you got my letter didn't you?" She questioned anxiously. She knew no harm was done, but she still felt it impolite to have had to cancel something that meant so much to Discord, and admittedly, herself.
"Yes I did, and it is most definitely alright my dear. I understand that Demo- I mean Angel Bunny of yours got incredibly sick with hop fever." He snickered at the thought of that fluffy monster getting his just deserts. "Just means we will have to make time for TWO Tuesday teas next week."
"I'd like that."
Applejack rolled her eyes and smiled at Discord and Fluttershy, the two sure have gotten close after the last year and a bit. She made her way over to Spike as the girls put their saddlebags down to stretch out before the long journey ahead. They were heading to Cantelot to attend the next summer sun celebration, as they now did annually. And had even managed to get substitute teachers for the school, so they could head over a week early and enjoy some much needed down time.
"Howdy Sugarcube, nice to see ya again, Big Mac is gonna be a bit late tonight, ah feel I should let ya know. He Kindly offered to finish my chores so I wouldn't keep all the girls waiting on me to make this trip."
"Oh! so thats why he isn't here yet, well thats okay, we have all night after all!"
"Spike." Twilights disapproving voice came from below the stairs, a projector levitating beside her. "I still expect you to get sleep, NO all-nighters!"
"Awwww but Twilight-"
"No butts, or do I have lock this projector in my room?" She narrowed her eyes and smiled slyly at the little dragon. Although he wasn't a baby anymore in the slightest, its still unhealthy to stay up all night, for anyone and although it be a bit hypocritical of her, given her own late night endeavours, delving into her books or studies, she refused to have spike follow in her bad habited hoof steps.
Spike sighed in defeat, "Fiiiiinneee."
Twilight levitated the projector over to him and lifted the cords connected to it, but was at a loss. "So where do you want me to put these?" She asked with uncertainty, as she looked back and forth between the cords and the PS4.
"Its okay Twilight I got it!" Spike leapt into the air and grasped the cords from their purple aura. He made his way over to the console and started putting them in their correct ports. The mane 6 watched in intrigue as he did so, Discord merely had an expression of disinterest, and gave a small yawn.
"Ohmygosh! ohmygosh! What is that?!" Pinkie asked as she bounced around the table. Spike tried hard to not be distracted by the eccentric mares antics, and get the last cable in correctly.
"I know what it is!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly, "Its the new PS4, even I don't have one of those yet! AWESOME!" She ran her hoof over shiny black console, her eyes sparkling made evident in the reflection.
Spike lightly slapped her hoof away and glared at her. He finally plugged the last cable in and a bright light shone against a bare wall, flashing a variety of colours before turning black, the PS4 traditional logo appearing. Shortly after, the whole screen turning a hue of blue. Clapping his claws together jovially, his eyes glistened with delight. The girls shared in a series of ooh's and aah's.
Discord hovered over to the screen, blocking the projectors light and stroked his goatee in thought. "So this is a PS4, never tried it before, looks.. err..what does it do again?"
Spike pulled out a game from the slim box and pushed it into Discords face ecstatically. "Well I got this game for it, and I was thinking we could switch it up a bit from our regular Ogres and Oubliettes tonight. What do you think Discord?"
"Skyrim: The Star Swirl scrolls." Discord read the cover aloud. "Hmmph, and whats wrong with Ogres and Oubliettes?" He asked, his face showing clear signs of perplexment.
"Ugh- well, nothing, I just thought we could shake things up a bit, you know?"
"HO-HO, I think not." Discord stated matter-factly.
"What? Why not?" Spike asked, bewildered.
Discord grasped the game and dangled it in his eagle talon in front of Spike, "Why should we play this, when Ogres and Oubliettes is so much better?"
"Have you played it before?" Spike asked, as he flailed his arms about, jumping to get ahold of the game again.
"Well, no, not exactly." Discord admitted, as Spike managed to swipe it back from him.
"Then how would you know its not just as good, if not better?"
"Spike, when something isn't broke, don't fix it. Ogres and Oubliettes could win the game of games as far as I am concerned."
Fluttershy's sweet laugh drew the attention of the room, "Discord! it's not like you at all to not try something new!" she fluttered across the room and to his eye level. "You should at least try it, I found I like video games myself!"
Everypony's jaw dropped at this.
Rarity emitted an "OOF" as Rainbow pounced on her back, shoving her to the floor in the process.
"YOU'RE A GAMER?" Rainbow Dash chimed in with disbelief.
"Oh yes! I have my very own Gamecolt at home! I tried to get into Ponkemon, b-but I didn't like making them fight! I do however enjoy animal crossing" Fluttershy squeed.
"OH OH, I LIKE COOKING MAMA!" Pinky added.
Rarity got up from the floor and shot a look at Rainbow, once she dusted herself off she made her way over to the console, looking at her reflection on the shiny PS4, "I've never been one for gaming," She said. "But I definitely like the cover of this console, though." And she poofed her mane lightly with her hoof, smiling.
"Likewise," Applejack added, "Errr- about gaming. Too busy with the farm and all ya know?"
"I think the best games are educational ones." Twilight smiled, nodding her head.
Rainbow rolled her eyes with aggrandise, "Lammeee. I like the action packed ones, like Daring Do's Tomb Raider." She started punching at the air giddily, "Or Super Smash Flim-Flam Brothers, or Super Mario! In fact, princess peach looks a lot like princess Cadence."
Spike grabbed his game and briefly read the description. "Well speaking of princess Cadence, according to this, all Equestrias most famous ponies feature in this game in some way or form."
There was an uproar of excitement, one that surprised the small dragon, he never expected his other friends to get so excited over a game as much as he was. In fact they all seemed more excited than the one pon- well, draconequus he was trying to impress. However even Discords interest took a flip at this, and he suddenly also became a tad more enthused than before. If Spike had fur it would have surely stood up on the back of his neck as he watched the scene unfold before him, ponies jumping up and down on the spot, none higher than Pinkie Pie however. An array of "Oh my gosh!" and "This is sooo cool!" coming from the mares before him. Spike felt a weight on his shoulders, it was Twilight.
Twilight spun Spike around and pressed her face right up against his, grinning ear to ear. "You mean princess Celestia and Luna are in here too!? What about Cadence and-" She gasped. "What about my brother, Shining Armor?"
Spike chuckled nervously and pushed her away from his face, happy to put some personal space between them. "Yea, pretty sure! I even think some of the bad guys we've fought are in here."
"Well, I suppose if IM in there, there would be no harm in giving this a try tonight." Discord chimed in, cockily.
"I had a feeling you'd have a change of heart, Discord." Fluttershy said, a knowing smile on her face.
Pinkie, laughing and still bouncing almost as high as the ceiling, causing a few books to fall from the shelf, emitted a noise nopony could explain. "I THINK FLUTTERSHY IS RIGHT! It wasn't much like YOU, Discord, to not try something new!" Twilight rushed to her beloved books aid, to keep them from getting trampled on by the eccentric pink mare.
Rarity calmed down and returned to her reflection in the surface of the shiny PS4. "Indeed." She agreed with pinkie.
Rainbow Dash flew to Discord and shoved her hoof at his chest, smirking. "Between finding out Fluttershy is into gaming and stepping out of her comfort zone, and you not wanting to try a new game or something different, It almost seems you two have switched personalities!"
Fluttershy and Discord exchanged a nervous glance at each other. They weren't sure if they liked to be put in the spotlight like this.
"Now hold ya horses Everypony, I agree here, but what I think y'all need ta' realise is that maybe its just because they bring out the best in each other."
"Huh?" The girls, including Discord and Spike said in unsion at Applejacks statement.
"Well ya see, Discord helps Fluttershy to try new things, in a good way. Fluttershy helps Discord to find fun in the more simple things he already knows and likes, and to be more content and relaxed, to control his urges to go off the rails, ya see?" The girls all verbally agreed after a moment of thought. "And I Dare say they're truly rubbing off on one another, and that, y'all, is what friendship can do." Fluttershy and Discord smiled at each other, both turning away after a moment in a blush. They were certainly doing a lot of that tonight.
"Well put darling." Rarity stated, The corners of her mouth turned slightly upright, the kind of look a pony would give if they had just received some juicy gossip.
Pinky gasped, "DOES THIS MEAN WE ARE IN THE GAME TOO?!" And suddenly much to Spikes dismay, everypony's ecstatic eyes were on him again.
"WELL DUH OF COURSE IT DOES!" Rainbow Dash scoffed, "How many times have we saved Equestria from certain doom? We are the Elements of harmony for Celestia sake!" She crossed her arms in a display of cockiness, much like Discord was doing earlier. Everypony agreed happily, she made a fair point.
Reading the back cover briefly again, Spike let out an audible gulp. "they're not gonna like this," he thought to himself. "Um well... it actually doesn't look like any of you are in this, not even you Discord. Or...me?" Spike sadly lowered his head and sighed, Everypony else's jaw dropped.
"HOW DARE THEY! Not put the likes of us in this- this- GAME!" Rarity shouted in distress. "As Rainbow said, we've saved all of Equestria countless of times! This is an outrage!"
"You don't even like video games, Rarity!"
"Well, yes, i-i know, but-but - STILL!" She huffed, turning her nose to the ceiling.
"I agree with Rarity, why in the hay are we not featured?" Rainbow Dash coolly stated, in a complimenting mixture of anger and disbelief.
Pinkie, Discord and Rarity started talking all at once over each other, expressing their disappointment over this rather distressing new found information. Fluttershy, with a look of worry etched on her features, desperately tried to calm them all herself, but her soft voice was easily drowned out by the racket being made.
Applejack put her hoof down, the loud smack on the castle floor enough to cease the commotion. "Now, now Everypony, it ain't the end of the world. We don't save Equestria or help other ponies to be featured in games, or stories, or glass windows." Everypony hung their heads low at Applejacks very true statement, understanding where she was coming from, and starting to feel disappointed in themselves for their behaviour. "We do it to help everypony, and our friends. We do it because, well, we gosh darn want to. Its our responsibility."
"Applejack is right," Twilight said, in a calm and unhurried voice. "Our duty to Equestria is an important one, AND a humble one."
"Though," Applejack started again, Twirling her hoof in circles on the ground. "It is a little... dissapointing." She added meekly.
"WHAT?!" Twilight rebuked.
And the room once again went into an uproar, the motivational speech now already forgotten. Twilight sighed defeated and then calmly cleared her throat for attention again, this time they all stopped immediately.
"Look Everypony, Celestia and Luna are going to be out of contact for a few days in preparation for the summer sun celebration, and aside from all other duties they have, the princessess had to make a stop in Saddle Arabia to pick up more supplies for the citizens attending." She drew a deep breath and stood tall, regaining her composure. "And that is why we mustn't be late over some foals game."
"Hey its not a foals game! its for grown ups!" Spike stated in defence.
Everypony ignoring Spikes comments, murmered in agreement.
"But darling, we are arriving a week early, are we not?"
"Yes Rarity, but I thought we would go early so we could not only help in any means necessary, but so we could have a nice relaxing vacation from the school as well, but we won't have any time for that if Everypony is bickering about a game." Twilight walked over to her saddlebag by the door and strapped it around herself. "Now come on girls, lets go." Twilights cheery manner returned. "Lets let the guys have their guys night." The girls all started to grab their things to follow suit.
"WAIT!" Discord shouted, not in a panic, but in more of a demanding tone. causing all of them to stop in their tracks.
"Mphhmph?" Pinkie muffled, her saddlebag in her mouth.
Everypony cocked their heads, having not understood a word she had said.
Pinkie spat her bag out, "I said, whats up Discord?" Pinkie merrily answered.
Everypony could almost hear Discords eyes roll. "I think I can find a way to put us all as characters into the game!" Discord said, snapping his fingers and making it shower confetti across the room.
"YOU CAN?!" Everypony except Twilight said in excited unison.
Twilight's face deadpanned, "C'mon girls! we don't have time for this! We are going to miss our train!" She grumbled.
"Oh please Twilight, I think we would all love to see ourselves in this game!" Fluttershy pleaded softly. Everypony seemed to agree.
"Well that settles it!" Discord said, as he cracked his knuckles. "I think you were right about this game Spike. This is going to be an absolute HOOT! - No offence to Owlowiscious."
"I am?" Spike asked.
But before Spike could even get an answer, Discord unusually snapped both his paw and eagle talon at the same time, a sly grin on his face. A menacing glow came from the PS4 and it slowly started to shift into a swirling mass, much like a tornado. The mane 6 and Discord himself lifted into the air, their own glowing aura connecting with that of the consoles. They didn't have time to think before they started being sucked into the spinning vortex and into the PS4. The girls screamed, all except Pinkie Pie who simply squealed and laughed with delight. Spike had to hold on to one of Twilights incredibly heavy books to keep from joining them.
After a moment, the winds in the castle died, and Spike finally felt it was safe to let go and open his eyes. He scanned around the castle, the room they were in seemingly empty. Swallowing nervously, he called out to his friends and received no response. Taking a glance over to the PS4, he noticed the glowing aura had now started to fade. The pieces of what took place started coming together.
The projector displayed the Skyrim: The Star Swirl scrolls, loading screen, and seeming to function on its own clicked over to the slot which was labeled "New." After a few seconds the game had officially started, and there on the display itself, the mane 6 and Discord stood front and centre with high definition, in the lush forests of the Skyrim.
"This can't be good."