ARt & INSPIRATION BY:
Sweetie Lover
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"...What do you mean I drank the wrong potion?" a very annoyed Discord asked.
Spike brought up the 'Ogres & Oubliettes' rule book and held it before the draconequus with a smirk.
"Remember how you purchased that healing potion from the zebra shaman apprentice?" he more stated than asked.
"Of course I do!" snapped Discord. "I saved two gold for a healing potion."
Spike's grin widened.
"Apprentice zebra shamans can make mistakes that experienced shaman's, like the one you didn't want to buy from, do not," he continued. "So, along with rolling a 1 upon using the potion, you were open to one of the following effects listed on the chart here."
SNATCH!
"Give me that!" Discord growled. "It could have also given me berserk status, which sounds like a lot of fun, or changed me into a different creature or class."
THWUMP!
All the figures on the table fell as the O&O book crashed down upon it.
FWISH
Discord positioned himself face-to-face with Spike.
"So why did I get the worst possible outcome of being turned into an Earth Pony foal!" he barked.
The purple-scaled dragon maintained his cool as he held up a 20-sided die.
"Because the 1 you rolled gave a -10 on the outcome roll and an 8 was rolled on the outcome die," he explained with a hint of a snicker. "You went into the negatives and a negative outcome equals newborn foal."
The Lord Of Chaos burned, literally, with magical fire over how he had ended up in such a position.
"When does this effect wear off?" he growled with clenched teeth.
Spike picked up the book as Big Mac worked to fix the positions of the game pieces.
"24 hours," Spike read aloud.
"But we're battling against the Squizzard's second-in-command right now!" spat Discord. "What can I possibly do as a foal?"
"Nothin'," sighed Big Mac.
"Don't worry, Captain Wuzz!" proclaimed Spike. "Garbunkle The Green will safely store you in his enchanted bag of holding until the fight is won!"
Discord clenched his fist.
"But I won't get any experience points and I did the most damage to him of all of you with my lightning arrows!" he growled.
"You'll still get experience points," assured Spike as he rolled to safely store away foal Captain Wuzz. "At least you won't die as a result of this thanks to my enchanted bag."
"Eeyup!" added Big Mac as he considered his next move against the Squizzard's Kraken Commander.
Discord huffed.
"So what do I do while I'm stuck in that bag of yours?" he asked.
Spike reviewed the book.
"Unfortunately you can't do anything until the effects of the potion wear off," he said.
The draconequus glared.
"Fine!" he spat. "I'm sure Fluttershy wouldn't mind having some company as you two take all the credit for freeing the Northeastern Territory."
SNAP-POOF!
Spike and Big Mac looked at each other for a moment before breaking out into full out laughter.
"He plays the part of a foal better than he does his own character!" chuckled Spike.
"Eeyup!" Big Mac said between laughs.
"Well," said Spike as he picked up a 10-sided die. "Time to finish this guy off and make Spiketopia even more free of the Squizzard scourge."
***
A few days later, Spike was asked by Rarity to help model some costumes she was working on with Coco Pommel.
"How delightful that we are going to be able to put on a whole new production featuring other creatures!" Rarity cheered while showing off a regal-looking cape of blue and gold. "You are simply going to look just dashing in this, Spikey-Wikey!"
Spike blushed as Rarity used her magic to place the cape over him.
"Coco, darling!" Rarity called. "How are those props coming along?"
Ms. Pommel came over with a very detailed sword and scabbard. The sword had fancy runes etched into it while its hip-positioned sheath featured gold-colored gemstones.
"Simply amazing, darling!" Rarity cooed while helping Spike take hold of the props. "You truly do have a talent for the theater, Coco."
Ms. Pommel blushed.
"Only because you helped me find my calling," she modestly replied.
"Pish-posh," the white Unicorn fashionista dismissed. "All you ever needed was away from that awful suri Polomare."
"Was she always that, uh, bossy?" the cream-colored Earth Pony inquired. "she did say she knew you."
Rarity brought over a pair of boots to go with Spike's costume and, as before, used her magic to help him into them.
"She was, well, never one for teamwork," she replied. "Though she chose her path and I'm glad you found yours through just being you."
Coco blushed more.
"Well," she said with her head lowered a bit. "I still thank you for helping me find my place and giving me the confidence to stand up to Suri."
Rarity smiled.
"What are friends for, darling?" she calmly stated. "You'd have done, well, you did do the same thing for me by making sure I didn't miss out on being recognized for my hard work during Fashion week."
Spike appeared very proud in his costume and was already daydreaming about saving rarity from a fierce hydra. Unfortunately this caused him to not notice Discord winking in to the room just long enough to see an opportunity to get even for the other night's events during Ogres & Oubliettes.
"Oh how I love a great opportunity to get even with some pony," he said to himself before disappearing once more.
***
Spike was in his own world as he, along with rarity and Coco, headed out to a spot near the Everfree Forest to take the promotional shot of the brave dragon knight who'd be in the highly anticipated Bridleway play, "Unity Of The Six Kingdoms".
"Ready, Spikey-Wikey?" asked Rarity as she gestured towards a patch of grass that had a decorative rock strategically placed upon it.
"Of course!" he cheered with pride. "Spike The Brave & Glorious is always ready to save the day!"
Rarity chuckled.
"Well," she said. "What we need now is a handsome dragon knight to pose all gallant right over there."
"I think he'd look best holding out the sword with his one foot on the decorative stone as he stares outward," remarked Coco. "Kind of like he is being ever vigilant in keeping the world safe from evil."
"Ooh!" cooed Rarity. "My thoughts exactly! Now, Spike, go forth and be gloriously fabulous!"
Spike fought back a blush as he basked in all the attention rarity was giving him for this promotional shot. This was a big deal and would finally earn him some respect outside of being Twilight's #1 Assistant.
"Maybe they'll make a statue here in Ponyville of me like they did in The Crystal Empire?" he thought as he got caught up in the moment.
***
POOF
Discord appeared in a very tiny form a fair distance away.
"Oh, yes," he grinned while rubbing his paw and hand together. "You'll certainly be the talk of Equestria after this."
***
"Ready, Spike?" asked Rarity as she levitated the camera. "Hold that pose!"
CLICK
Discord snapped his fingers...
SNAP-SNAP
SNAP-SNAP-SNAP
SNAP
...and Spike was having his picture taken in an entirely different outfit. His sword was now a padded rattle of sorts, his cape was removed, and his belt and scabbard were exchanged for a thick, cutely-printed diaper. The stone he was standing on had also turned into a package of diapers.
CLICK!
Discord snapped his fingers again, which returned the green-bellied dragon back to his original appearance.
"And that should do it!" proclaimed Rarity.
"I'll get this to the post office so we can meet the deadline for the Manehattan newspapers," stated Coco. "There's no rest in a city that never sleeps."
"Thanks, darling," Rarity said. "We definitely want to be on schedule. There is quite a lot of promotion to do as we get this play underway. It's going to be as big as Twilight's Friendship Festival!"
Coco nodded and trotted off.
"Though...," pondered Rarity as she looked at the playful young dragon. "I swear something didn't seem right...? Oh, I'm just probably overthinking things again. Come along spike!"
Spike delightfully complied.
"Shall I take the lead to protect you, my lady?" he asked.
Rarity giggled while rubbing at Spike's head spikes.
"By all means, my hero."
SMOOCH
Spike was lost in how he had gotten a kiss from his Unicorn crush. It was definitely a good day for the little dragon.
***
The next day, Rarity eagerly awaited her copy of the newspaper to arrive. However the front cover was a far cry from what she had expected.
"Brave baby dragon set to take center stage as hero of The Fire Kingdom," Rarity gasped upon noticing how different the picture in the newspaper was from what she had saw before getting caught up in capturing all angles of Spike in the proper costume.
POOF!
Rarity turned upon hearing the familiar entrance of discord.
"You!" she scowled. "You sabotaged my work!"
"I don't know," the draconequus shrugged. "From what i've heard it seems to have really got the attention of many creatures for how bold it is. I've even heard of merchandising lines and a potential deal with Silly Filly for their youth-sized incontinence products."
"Discord!" Rarity barked. "You've totally humiliated me and poor little Spikey-Wikey!"
The draconequus smiled.
"Pardon me for trying to spice things up a bit," he said before removing himself from rarity's Carousel Boutique.
***
Meanwhile, back at the Castle Of Friendship...
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!
"Spike?" asked twilight. "Aren't you going to come down for breakfast?"
"No!" he cried. "I'm never leaving my room ever again!"
Starlight came up alongside Twilight.
"I know it looks bad," said Starlight.
"Bad?" whined the young dragon. "No creature will ever take me seriously ever again!"
"Well...," trailed Starlight as she levitated a letter under Spike's door. "You may want to take a look at this then."
There was a brief pause.
"Model for Silly Filly diapers!" the young dragon exploded. "They're already working on the design based upon my costume!"
"You know," said Starlight. "I think he needs some time to himself."
Twilight wasn't keen on the idea, but had no other ideas to get her #1 Assistant to leave his room.
***
POOF!
Spike looked up to see discord with a wide smirk across his face.
"You did this!" growled Spike. "Why?"
FLICK
A large 20-sided die appeared in the paw of the draconequus.
"You rolled a 1," he said casually. "Seems your cloak was cursed and, well, you know."
Spike's jaw dropped.
"You just wait, Discord!" he shouted. "I'll get you for this!"
SNAP!
Spike was, yet again, clad in the outfit he was put into for the photo shoot.
"Bring it on, Spike The Cuddly And Diapered," replied discord. "Though you'll never be able to outdo me."
POOF!
Discord vanished as Spike tore off the diaper and tossed the rattle-like object to the far side of his room.
"Next time," he said to himself. "I'm going to make sure I keep a piece of Chrysalis' Throne with me. Then we'll see who gets the last laugh."