//------------------------------// // Later in the Evening // Story: Spike's Turnabout // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// It's now 6:30 in the afternoon. Twilight Sparkle has searched every room, hoping to find a hidden book somewhere in the Castle of the Two Sisters. She insanely laughs maniacally in her quest to restore what she lost; Spike. Spike is Twilight's number one assistant and friend. She raised him when he hatched, fed him, cared for him, and loved him. She feels betrayed by her friends for giving up on redeeming themselves with Spike. Also, Twilight feels that Princess Celestia and Luna have given her unfair punishments. She can't sleep due to nightmare punishment and being unable to visit or write to Spike. Twilight accidentally falls into a hidden room in the castle. She looks to see where she land. Twilight uses her magic to illuminate the room. Twilight now sees she stumbled upon a hidden library. "Yes!" Twilight shouts. "Now, let's start searching for the right book!" Twilight Sparkle, now rejuvenated, can commence her research for finding the right spell to fix all of her problems. It's now 7:00 at night. Indigo Zap has finished taking her nap, Sunny Flare is done meditating, and Spike stops playing with his Power Pony action figures. Lemon Zest is now calling for her friends to come for dinner. Spike, Sunny Flare, and Indigo Zap heads to the kitchen and sits near the table. Lemon Zest carries a big bowl of haystack fries, some gems for Spike to eat, and a lemon cherry crunch cake. Lemon then sits next to Spike and Sunny. "Eat up everypony and dragon," Lemon said. Spike passes the plates to everypony. Spike then takes a handful of haystack fries to go along with his gems as he starts chowing down. Lemon, Sunny, and Indigo take turns placing haystack fries onto their plate. Then they start eating. "Wow, Lemon. These haystack fries are delicious," Spike said. "Thanks, Spike." "You're welcome." "So, Indigo? How was your training this morning?" Lemon asks. "It went well. Foal Mountain has treated me well during my training up there. Intense flying, different twist, and turns in my flight pattern, doing push-ups with my wings, lifting heavy objects attached with my teeth, lifting weights with my hooves; I'm starting to get stronger by the day." "Cool," Lemon said. "Hey, Indigo? How often you train?" Spike asks. "Every other day. Need a rest after a day of hard work. Gotta pace myself properly if I ever want to join the Shadowbolts." "If I were to get my wings when I'm older, would you or the Shadowbolts consider me as a contender to join them?" "You want to be a Shadowbolt, Spike?" Indigo said in confusion. "Well, earlier today while helping Lemon delivery lemons, we stopped by at the Weather Command Station, Star Bolt told me when I grow my wings, I can join the weather team or defense team," "Ah, Star Bolt. If he sees potential in you, Spike. I would recommend it if you are interested." "Really?" "Of course, Star Bolt is a Shadowbolt Legend. The Shadowbolts, Spike, are better elite fliers than the Wonderbolts. Shadowbolts has more pride, heart, bravery, respect, and discipline than any other Wonderbolt. Shadowbolts only allow those who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, have dedication to what you believe in, work hard on improving your; body, soul, and mind." "Wow," Spike said. "However, being a Shadowbolt is not for everyone. It takes many years and training to have the right mindset. Right now, I'm still in the beginning stage of my training. I'm not ready yet. I will be in a few more years." "Hmm, I'll think about becoming one if or when I'm older or see how things pan out with the weather team or do something else with my life. Right now, all I want is to spend my time and life with my friends and family I do have." Indigo, Sunny, and Lemon smile. Lemon cuts the first piece of the lemon cherry crunch cake and gives it to Spike, first. Then she gives the next slice to Sunny then Indigo and finally herself. Spike eats the cake. His taste buds go berserk as he eats the cake. "This is delicious, Lemon! Who taught you how to bake so well?" "Sour Sweet when she and I were younger, Spike." "Cool," Spike said as he bites a gem. After Spike and his friends finished eating, they go back to the living room. Indigo, Sunny, Lemon, and Spike decide to play Parcheesi again. As they play Parcheesi, Lemon, Indigo, and Sunny shared some stories with Spike. Lemon mentions her life living in Pony Central with her family before they left, Indigo mentions more about the Shadowbolts and her dreams of becoming an official member and Sunny tells her tale about her family being separated by an uncontrollable storm, which is why she wanted to be part of the weather team in Pony Central. Sunny also mentions that she never saw her family since the storm. She figured that their lives have ended. Spike couldn't help but share a few tears, he walks up to Sunny and hugs her. Sunny hugs back and smile. Spike couldn't help but stare at the beauty of Sunny Flare. Her smile, her elegance made him blush a little. Sunny couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Then the two go back to playing the game. Another hour goes by in the Castle of the Two Sisters. It's now 8:30 at night, Twilight Sparkle, found the book she's been looking for; it contains a passageway to redemption. The book is known as "D.W.A.D." Its location for Twilight to perform her ritual is in Manehattan. She gathers her belongings and goes to the train station. She's now waiting for the next train to take her to Manehattan.