//------------------------------// // Party aftermath // Story: For the world, just you. For me, the entire world. // by Shadowlight Wanderer //------------------------------// Spike groaned and stretched up, opening his eyes, only to be blinded by intensive light of a morning winter sun, penetrating the stain glassed windows of the castle's party room. His back cracked a little. Spike muttered a curse in the native language of dragonlands (Twilight was repeating that as far as Spike had a good influence on Ember, it wasn't working so good the other way around) and finally got out of a gigantic bowl of Heartswarming pudding. He didn't recall how he got in there and he wasn't sure that he wanted to know. What was even weirder, he was certain that was "percentage free" party, since Flurry Heart was included. So cider blackout wasn't an option. He looked around and his eyes widened. "Mother of Luna, WHAT THE ACTUAL HAY ??!!!" The room was a mess. Not a complete wasteland, but the walls definitely saw something more crazy than a calm tea party that night. There was a pudding splashed everywhere, covered in a layer of confetti. All the chairs and sofas where either laying on the side or upside down. And that was basically it. It wasn't like the aftermath of party thrown by Pinkie Pie on hyper-sugar rush combined with a well coordinated hoof of a drunk Rainbow Dash. It was a decent chaos, as Discord would call it. But what stood up the most was the former party ponies. Twilight somehow found herself in the middle of Heartswarming Tree, so the Fire of Friendship was burning directly atop of her horn. She somehow managed to sleep stretched behind the branches. Spike flinched, wondering how many needles will he have to help remove from Twilight's butt when she'll wake up. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both hanging from a crystal chandelier, in rather questionable positions, yet somehow managing to sleep soundly. Pinkie Pie was snoring deep inside of her party canon and the sound was resonating through the entire room. Fluttershy on the other hand, was curled into a yellow ball covered in a veil of pink mane. On top of her, also sleeping peacefully, rested a small winterchilla, which had to transform back from her ferocious night form, winterzilla. They were both surrounded by towers of empty bowls filled with...once again, Spike wasn't sure if his mind was ready for the answer. Or if he could even comprehend it. Shining Armor was sleeping under a pile of various weaponry and accessories, while Cadence was laying with face in the cake, only her nose and ears sticking out. The Princess of Love was hugging a bag of flour to herself. That meant that Flurry escaped once again and Spike had to find her, before little alicorn, with a magic more powerful than any foal unicorn in Equestria, would blow up the castle. Spike sighed and smiled to himself, looking at each and everypony No matter how crazy and out of this world their antics were, they were his family, his very own shelter. As an orphaned egg, he could really be hatched in much darker and scarier places. It was so fortunate that he encountered Twilight and later, the rest of their friends. Suddenly, he blinked in surprise. Somepony was missing. Rarity Of course, the thought of her immediately triggered a way of feelings that accompanied him during his gift search and during last night's party. He spent so much time trying to trade ponies and to get Rarity that he didn't have any idea what to do next. His attempts of crafting a gift failed miserably. But before the girls returned to the castle and the horror of magical pudding/winterzilla occurred, he finished one of his gift attempts, a small guitar, in the last minute. He actually planned to give it to Rarity for her to practice playing herself. Spike remembered that Pinkie Pie was hyperventilating while telling him and Twilight about how amazingly skilled Rarity was with the guitar. And since it was apparently relaxing for her, Spike saw guitar as a great thing for a gift. Well, that was the original plan. But it all changed when he saw Rarity being pulled in by the magical, semi-sentient pudding and calling for help. Spike of course was to rush to the rescue in a heartbeat. But in that very moment he was levitating upside down, being used as a sparkling bait for winterzilla (He really needed to discuss the problem of his... usage in Twilight's plans). Nevertheless, when he finally found himself back on the ground, Rarity was already saved by Cadence. But that short period of uncertainty towards Rarity's well-being made him change his mind. He and the girls have been going on the crazy adventures for years now. And those trips could sometimes end really badly. Spike shivered, imagining what would happen if he was left behind during their trip to Tartarus, and the six students didn't realize Cozy Glow's scheme. Of course, the story would probably resolved in a good way, just differently. But just a possibility... The point was, Spike could easily picture girls getting stuck somewhere, away from him and unable to contact him. He would loose them all, his friends, his family. And in all of that, he would loose the chance to tell Rarity how he felt about her. He would be living thousands of years alone, replaying different scenarios in his mind and... Spike shook his head and inhaled deeply. The attitude of a certain OCD alicorn was rubbing off on him after all. Still, all of this caused him to create a song. Nothing grand and magnificent, just including two things: I am sorry and thank you. Because that's what Spike always felt towards Rarity :I am sorry that I couldn't be older, stronger, wiser and better for You (and because he kinda screwed the gift too, of course). And thank you for just being here. Despite what somepony might think, Spike was a romantic in heart and Rarity's existence was the greatest gift for him. Even if the seamstress didn't share his feelings, she was still a wonderful friend who helped him overcome the greed of his draconic nature. Spike made his way downstairs, looking around for fashionista but white unicorn seemingly vanished. Spike was starting to get nervous. Considering how crazy the party had to get after the official part and the places where he found the others, he hoped she didn't get into any trouble. He was marching around the castle and in the same time thinking about what he could remember from last night. After he sang the song, Rarity kissed him on the cheek, smiling. Then Twilight continued with her version and after they sang it together... He was sure that he and Rarity didn't exchange another word during that night. He was dragged aside by Discord and Shining Armor, while Rarity trotted away, still in a particularly good mood, to chat with Fluttershy. His foster big brother and the spirit of chaos where continuously giving him a pats and blows, while winking in somehow synchronized way. Finally, Spike had enough of those "manly signals" and suggested a quick round of O&O somewhere aside and then...he couldn't reach further. No alcohol and no hard injuries of the head...the weird blackout still remained a mystery. Spike stopped and rubbed his head. Since he was living in a library for some time, he read many kinds of books, including the mystery novels. In each and every one , the detective had to search the place when the missing was last spotted. And that meant the party room. He shrugged and turned back, going to the point from which he started. When he thought about it, he did recall some events from later that night...unfortunately none of them were useful when it came to solving the problem of blackout and Rarity's disappearance. Rather... they all had one in common. Twilight approached him, drying her eyes. "I am so proud of you Spike. You could have saved yourself in many ways from that situation but the gift you chose... I am so glad that you are maturing and I managed to taught you well" Spike shook his head. As pleasant as those glimpses were, he would rather prefer something useful... Spike was starting to feel dizzy when Pinkie Pie was dancing with him in her embrace "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh Spike !!!! That was a fantastic gift you gave !!! And as a veteran gift-giver, I know what I mean !!! That was so splendorificaly amazing !!!! I can throw you a party when you two get together, can I, can I, can I ?..." No, something else... "Cadence slowly moved towards him and whispered to his ear "Spike, since we came to Ponyville before we knew about the Heartswarming Helper, we prepared a small gifts for you all. I wanted to give it to you tomorrow but after that beautiful song I just had to do it now. The pink alicorn levitated a small business card towards him: "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza VIP Love Advice Line Adress: Crystal Palace, Crystal Empire//LAL Write now and get an amazing advice from your favorite princess, that will guide you throughout the phenomenon of dating, creating limits of your personal space, survival with the parents of your significant other, marriage complications and blessings. Advice includes mediating through the conflicts, gift suggestions and Crystal Empire recipes for impotency. First 3 letters are free of charge, the next will cost 5 bits each, all the money will be supporting the Crystal Empire orphanage. So get to wrirting ! The Princess of Love will help you out with joy ! " Spike's eye was twitching and his vision was blurred. Cadence giggled and patted him on the shoulder "No need to thank me Spike, this is what family is for. Now, where did Flurry go again..." No, DEFINATELY SOMETHING ELSE... Spike facepalmed as he approached the party room. No, his memories were too messy for him to get something that will help him solve this mystery. He pushed the door, reentering the room. Something had to be here... Spike examined the sleeping silhouettes around him when something patted him on the shoulder. He quickly turned around...to find nothing beside him. Then, the sound of a window opening wide and slamming gently, but repeatedly against the wall caught his attention. The gust of chilly wind blew across the room. Spike dashed across the floor and flew up, closing the window. After he landed, something occurred to him 'Since when do we have opening windows in this part of the castle ?' He clunched his head. That was too much ! PAM ! He slowly turned around. Twilight's Heartswarming doll fell to the floor from her place above the fireplace, probably cause of the strong wind earlier. Spike flew over and pick her up, sitting her on her rightful place. Suddenly, he noticed something. The doll next to Twilight's, which resembled Spike, had a white piece of paper in her embrace. Spike carefully took the mysterious paper and looked at it. It was, without a doubt, an envelope. And envelope meant a letter. He looked around, wondering who could leave the letter here of all places. Who...and to whom ? He looked at it and noticed a symbol made with green ink: a set of lines that combined looked like a green flame. Spike scratched his chin. No, that couldn't be right... He hesitated for a moment then held a letter above his head. And after a moment, he clearly saw a fateful words Dear Spike Wha... he didn't expect any mail... But maybe this letter had some clues he was missing... He slowly retracted one of his claws and tore through the envelope's side, being careful not to damage the letter. He unfolded it and his eyes went even wider He knew this stylish, cursive like hornwritting. Only one pony could write like this. Unable to stop his heart from beating above the average rate, Spike began to read.