//------------------------------// // Tug at the heart strings // Story: The New King // by ShowShine //------------------------------// Spike stood in front of a mirror, wearing his royal attire. He let out a shaky breath. “Are you ready?” Starswirl asked. Spike swallowed nervously. “Yes.” Spike said. He definitely not ready. Spike stood in the same building where Shining Armor and Cadance got married. In front of him, there where two large golden doors. On the other side was his chance at a brand new life. He took in a deep breath and opened the door. There was no turning back now. Hundreds of creature sat in the room. Everyone in the room looked at him, some of their eyes red from crying. He straightened his posture and walked down the isle. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him. A soft soothing tune played as he walked up to the alter. Starswirl and a few gaurds stood on the alter, watching his every move. Next to them, a tan stallion with grey hair stood there, wearing a robe and a fancy hat. Spike recognized him as the bishop. Since Celestia wasn’t there to perform the coronation, they had to get the towns bishop to do this. ”Are you ready?” He whispered. Spike nodded his head. The bishop cleared his throat. “We are here today to celebrate the new ruling over Equestria.” The stallion said. He wasn’t yelling, but his voice was loud enough to echo around the room. He turned towards Spike. “Your Majesty, are you willing to take the Oath?” He asked. “I am willing.” Spike said, loud enough for others to hear. He and Starswirl had went over everything he had to say the other night. “Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Creatures in Equestria and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?” He asked. “I solemnly promise so to do.” Spike answered. “Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of Faust and the true profession of the Harmony? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in Equestria the Protestant Reformed Harmony established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of Equestria, and the doctrine, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in Equestria?” The stallion asked the final question. “I will.” Spike said. The bishop placed a golden crown with blue fabric on his head. He handed him a staff with a small blue heart on top, which resembled the Crystal Heart. The bishop touched Spikes shoulders so that he was facing the crowd. Creatures clapped and stomped their hooves at their new king. Two guards on the alter started walk down the isle. Spike and Starswirl walked behind them. Two more guards stood behind him. He could hear the ponies chattering quietly to each other. They all left the room and the door closed behind him. Spike exhaled loudly. “You did great.” Starswirl said with a smile. “I was on the verge of tears.” Spike said. Starswirl chuckled. “I noticed.” He responded. “A train will be ready at the train station when we get there. We’re going to the Crystal Empire.” Spike looked at the passing trees as the train sped to the Crystal Empire. They were sitting on a crystal train the Shining Armor and Cadance used for private transportation. Starswirl, who sat across from him, cleared his throat, making Spike look at him. “When you get to the Crystal Empire you have to make sure everyone is calmed down, and come up with a plan on how to watch the Empire while staying in Canterlot. You have two hours before the after party starts to you need to think of something quickly.” Starswirl said. Spike nodded his head and looked back out the window. They pulled up to the Crystal Empire. Spike got up and walked out of the train, guards surrounded him, so he could barely see anything. They were ordered to stay in the Empire until Spike told them what to do. He could hear ponies muttering from the outside of his secluded circle. The guards from in front of him moved out of the way, revealing crystal stairs. He was right in front of the castle. Spike walked up the stairs with Starswirl and two guards following him. When he got upstairs, he saw all of the Royal Guards standing in two lines. They all bowed when the saw Spike. All of the bowing from the past few days had been making him uncomfortable. “Let’s go find out how you can protect the Empire without you being here.” Starswirl said. Spike sat at a table with a stack of papers on it. He read through a few of them. All of the papers read about anything dangerous that happened in the Empire. Starswirl laud next to him with his eyes closed, not helping at all. Spike put the paper down. “These are all ridiculous. None of these reports are even that dangerous. This worst things that have happened is the Crystal Heart being hidden by Sombra, and Flurry destroying the Heart.” Spike said. He let out a small gasp and stood up. “I know what to do.” He said as he walked out the room. Starswirl stood up and followed him down the hallway. He saw Spike talking to the guards. They nodded there heads and went off into different directions. “What did you figure out?” Starswirl asked. Spike turned to look at him. “Well I realized the only two major events where based around the Crystal Heart getting destroyed or stolen. Sombra is dead and Flurry is staying with me so there’s nothing to worry about. I told the guards to keep post at every street corner. Since there are so many, they’ll be taking turns instead of losing there jobs. Also the Empire isn’t much bigger than Appleloosa and there they only have a sheriff.” Spike said. Starswirl raised his eyebrows. “That’s very impressive to come up with that in such a short amount of time.” Starswirl said. Spike smiled. “I’ve been told I’m a fast learner.” Spike said, beaming brightly. Spike walked towards the balcony. Before he stepped on, he took a deep breath and straightened his posture. He walked onto the balcony to see the whole Empire standing there, waiting for directions. “As you all know, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor won’t be able to rule any more. The royal guards willl be at every corner for your protection. As for Princess Flurry Heart, she’ll be staying with me in Canterlot. I advise you to all live your normal lives as best a you can.” Spike said. Ponies applauded at the speech as he walked back into the castle. Starswirl smiled. “That was an excellent speech. Let’s go back to Canterlot. We still have an hour to spare.” Starswirl said. “Hold on, I need to do one more thing before we go. You can wait on the train.” Spike said. Spike knocked on Sunburst door. There was a rustling noise. The door swung open to reveal Sunburst. His hair was frazzled and he had bags under his eyes, but that was normal. “Oh Spike, what brings you here and why are you wearing that?” Sunburst asked with a smile. Spike gave him a confused look. “Do you not know what happened?” Spike asked. “What happened?” Sunburst asked. Spike took in a deep breath. It would be hard to break the news. “A few days ago someone kidnapped the Princesses, we don’t know who did it. Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Shining Armor, Cadance, and Starlight went to go save them. They lost and they...they died.” Spike said. Sunburst eyes widened before he let out a laugh. “That’s very funny Spike, did Starlight put you up to this? She was always trying to prank me when we were kids.” He said with a laugh. His voice was shaky. Spike shook his head and took a few steps closer. “This isn’t a joke, they’re really gone.” Spike said. Sunburst’s smile dropped and he started to shake slightly. “N-no that can’t be true.” He said, tears starting to slide down his cheeks. He started to sob into his hooves. Spike touched his hoof. “It’s okay.” Spike said, trying to comfort him. Sunburst slapped his hand away. “IT’S NOT OKAY!” He exclaimed, making Spike jump back. He was never the type to yell. “The moment I finally get her back, she dies! Did no one think about informing me about this news?!” Sunburst exclaimed in anger. “We sent out letters to everyone in the Empire.” Spike stated. “If I would have just went outside for once then I would have known.” Sunburst muttered. Before Spike could say anything else, Sunburst spoke up. “Leave me alone. I need some time to myself.” He muttered. Spike nodded his head and left the house, closing the door behind him. Spike let out a sigh and walked back to the train station. Time to go back to Canterlot.