//------------------------------// // The Crystal Faire // Story: Spike's Turnabout // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// Spike is waking up. He sees Twilight holding onto him. Twilight is smiling as she holds him. Her purple eyes saturated, her smile; benevolent. Spike feels at ease, knowing today will be another great day. Twilight tells Spike that he'll be having a month off from doing any chores around the library. He'll be spending more time with her and her friends. Spike is now ecstatic. He can finally hang out with his friends and not worry about working too much. Spike and Twilight leave the library together and meets up with Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. "Hi, guys," Spike said. "Howdy, Spike," Applejack said. "Hi, Spike," Fluttershy said as she smiles. "Hey, Spike!" Pinkie shouted happily. "Sup, Spike," Rainbow said. "Morning, Spikey-wikey," Rarity said. "So, what are we doing today?" "Today, we're going to the Crystal Empire," Pinkie shouts with joy. "Yea!" Rainbow shouts enthusiastically. "Today at the Crystal Empire, they're having a Crystal Faire! We're going to travel there right now!" "Awesome! Let's go!" Spike shouted. The girls and Spike are off to the Crystal Empire. Meanwhile, in Pony Central, Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap, and Sunny Flare are waking up. They head downstairs to the kitchen. Something is amiss with them. They decided to see who else is in Lemon's house. They check all the rooms and sigh in relief that it was only they. However, something is still amiss and can't figure it out. "Uh, do any of you feel that someone's missing?" Indigo said. "Yea, can't quite put a hoof on it," Lemon said. "Me neither. I could have sworn someone else was with us," Sunny said. "Why do I feel sad all of a sudden?" Lemon said. "I'm feeling sad as well. Like, someone is supposed to be part of our family," Sunny said. "This is freaking me out. I need so air," Indigo said frantically. Lemon's door opens widely and loudly. "Girls!" Sugarcoat shouts. "The Crystal Empire is having a Crystal Faire! Wanna come with Sour and me?" "Yes!" They shouted. Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, and Sunny Flare is heading towards the train station. On the way to the train station, Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet; feels that something is amiss. They are starting to feel sad. They couldn't help but feel someone is missing from the group. The train pulls in the station. The girls get on and sit together, discussing the feeling they are having. "Do you girls feel that someone is missing?" Sugarcoat asks. "Yea, when Lemon, Indigo, and I woke up, we felt something wasn't quite right. We explored around to see if someone else was sleeping over with us. We were wrong but still, couldn't help that someone is missing from the group. Problem, we have no idea who it is," Sunny said. "Yea. I feel that we were starting to become a better family," Lemon said. "Well, hopefully, the Crystal Faire can help us feel better," Sour said. As they travel to the Crystal Empire, Twilight and Spike are meeting up with Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. Princess Cadance asks Pinkie Pie and Rarity to set up the Crystal Faire like the last time. Applejack and Rainbow Dash are getting ready for jousting. Fluttershy is gathering the animals for the Crystal Faire petting zoo. "Twily," Shining said. "Big bro," Twilight said. Twilight and Shining hug each other. Twilight thanked Celestia that Shining Armor has no memory of Spike's journal entries and Spike's motivation for running away. She's also glad that Cadance has no idea what Spike endured in his journal entries. Everything is going smoothly for Twilight. Twilight and Cadance go up to each other and do their Sunshine Ladybug routine. "Hi, Cadance. Hi, Shining," Spike said. "Welcome back, Brave and Glorius Spike," Cadance and Shining said. "Thank you, Twilight Sparkle for coming to the Crystal Empire to help out with the Crystal Faire," "You're welcome, Cadance. Happy that my friends and I can help out once more," Twilight said. "So, what can I do to help?" Spike asks. "Well, you can bring smiles on the Crystal Ponies' faces, take pictures with them and show how to have fun at the Crystal Faire," Cadance said. "Also, the Crystal Guards will aid you when you need some assistance," Shining said. "Sounds good to me," Spike said. Spike and several Crystal Guards leave and head out to the outskirts of the castle. Twilight, Shining, and Cadance are now making preparations for Celestia's and Luna's arrival. "Alright everyone, let's move towards the statue of me holding the Crystal Heart, I'm pretty sure most of the Crystal Ponies will be over there taking pictures," Spike said. Spike and the Crystal Guards trot over to the statue. They see hundreds of Crystal Ponies taking turns getting pictures. They cheer and chants Spike's name when they see him coming by. Spike could help but blush a little from the attention. Then he decides to take pictures with the Crystal Ponies. After a while of taking pictures, Spike grabs a megaphone nearby. "Everypony ready for the Crystal Faire!" Spike shouts. Crystal Ponies cheer. "Then let's go!" He along with everypony go. 2 hours later. Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, and Sunny Flare arrives at the Crystal Empire; they gaze around until they see a statue of a baby dragon holding onto the Crystal Heart. "Is anyone having the feeling that we've seen that face before?" Sugarcoat asks. "Yea, something about the statue's resemblance seems familiar," Indigo said. "Like, he was living with us," Lemon said. "I think we all are hallucinating. We never saw a baby dragon living among us," Sour said in a soured tone. "Then why does it feel like we have then?" Sunny said. "Just a weird dream and feeling. That is all. Why are we even talking about this? We're supposed to be having fun and clear this feeling out of our minds," Indigo said. Then all of a sudden, the statue glows given Lemon, Indigo, Sugarcoat, Sour, and Sunny rainbow color eyes for a moment. After they blink, they felt a presence. "Did anypony felt that?" Lemon asks. "Yea, it felt, different," Sunny said. "Like, something was calling out to us," Sugarcoat states. "Something important. I can feel it. Something about the dragon of this statue is trying to call out to us," Indigo said. "I think it's a message. A message that'll lead to something important later in the future," Sour said. "Whatever it may be, we'll be prepared," Sugarcoat said. "Agreed," The girls said in unison. As they trot towards the Crystal Faire, Spike, and several Crystal Ponies are watching Applejack and Rainbow Dash joust. Half the crowd chanting Applejack, the other half are chanting for Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash and Applejack are giving their all, neither of them wants to lose. Pinkie Pie and Rarity are having fun entertaining the Crystal Ponies. Pinkie Pie is playing the flugelhorn. She's gotten better at it while doing a dance routine with cupcakes. Rarity is designing dresses for anypony that comes into her booth. She decided to create a new style using the knowledge of the Crystal Empire. Fluttershy's petting zoo is the center of attention among the youth. Sour Sweet and Sugarcoat are eating some of the crystal corn. Lemon Zest buys a flugelhorn and plays it. Indigo Zap decides to watch the jousting matchup between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Sunny Flare, for some reason, decides to visit the Crystal Library. Sunny asks about the baby dragon statue and its origins. The librarian explains that Spike the Brave and Glorius returned the Crystal Heart, restore the love, and help defeated King Sombra. The librarian explains more of Spike and his tale. Sunny Flare thanks the librarian for her time and leaves the library. She catches up to her friends. Indigo just came back from watching the joust. "Hey, Sunny. Want some crystal corn?" Sour asks. "Maybe later, there is something I have to tell you all," Sunny said. "What is it?" Sugarcoat asks. "It's about the statue of that baby dragon. His name is Spike. His story is eerie similar to the one I heard the other day," Sunny stated. "Care to tell us?" Indigo said. Sunny Flare spent a half-hour explaining Spike's origins in the Crystal Empire. Lemon and Indigo feel that they heard of the story as well. Sour and Sugarcoat are amazed by the tale. "Wow, a baby dragon defeated the dreaded King Sombra. That's impressive," Sugarcoat states. "For some reason, I've heard of the story," Indigo said in confusion. "You as well?" Sunny questions. "Even I," Lemon said. "Something is screwy here. We're going to find out what it is," Sunny said. "Yea!" The girls said in unison. Then they decided to see the statue once more. Spike and several Crystal Guards are going back to the statue to see if anypony is over there. There is a group looking at it. Spike decides to approach and tell his tale. As Spike gets closer to the group of ponies, two Crystal Guards snatches him and takes him back to Twilight and Princess Cadance. The group of ponies turns for a second. When they turn, Spike gets a glimpse of who they are. They look familiar to him. As the Crystal Statue shines, his eyes for a moment turn into a rainbow. A magical presence made itself known. Spike wants to know who that group of ponies is. He feels the need to be closer to them. The Crystal Guards drop Spike in front of Twilight and Cadance, Spike immediately, tries to run back to the group of ponies outside. Only to be levitated by Twilight's magic. "Where are you off to, Spike?" Twilight asks. "To that group of ponies, I saw seeing the statue upfront," Spike said. "Another set of your adoring fans?" Twilight asks jokingly. "No! Those ponies are visitors. I want to see them!" Spike shouts. Twilight feels suspicious. She trots over to a binocular to have a look. When she looks through, Twilight is stunned. She sees the ponies Spike called as his new friends and family. Twilight in fear thought of an excuse for Spike to stay to stall time. "Hey Spike, you look a bit peckish. Eat some gems and relax for a while. Princess Celestia and Luna will be arriving soon. I'll need your assistance when they show up," Twilight said, smiling nervously. "Alright, Twilight. Anyways, I am a bit hungry for gems," Spike said as he rubs his belly. Twilight sighs in relief. "That was a close one. I gotta make sure Spike stays away from those ponies," Twilight said. "Can't have my soul-binding agreement dissolving on my watch." Twilight looks again and still sees the group staring at the statue. It's becoming unnerving for Twilight Sparkle. Just last night when she went to Ragna Rock and now, is karma coming after her already? No, she refuses to allow karma to strike her. She's going to keep Spike out of their hooves. She's going to take care of Spike, love him, and make sure he's happy on her watch. After the festivities, Princess Celestia and Luna show up importantly. Twilight Sparkle and Princess Cadance go with Celestia and Luna to a private room to have a meeting. "Our apologies for showing up later when the festivities are over," Princess Luna said. "My sister and I received a message from the Dignitaries that they'll be arriving tomorrow at the Crystal Empire. Twilight, I would love for you to smile, wave, and unveil a banner," Princess Celestia said. "Sure, no problem," Twilight said as she twitches a little. "Twilight, is there a problem?" Princess Cadance asks. "Yes and no," Twilight exclaims. "Well, if you need anything, let us know." "Well, since the Dignitaries are coming to the Crystal Empire tomorrow, I think we should dismiss the ponies who aren't living in the Crystal Empire. For such important, we need to take this seriously," Twilight said. Hoping this would be a good enough excuse to have Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, and Sunny Flare leave the premises without questioning orders. "Very well, Twilight. I'll have the Crystal Guards escort visiting ponies back to the train station," Princess Cadance said calmly. "Crystal Guards!" Cadance shouts. Two Crystal Guards trots in and bowing in respect. "Yes, your highness," "Escort the visiting ponies back to the train station. The Crystal Faire is about to end." "Yes, Princess." The Crystal Guards leave them and gathers a platoon to escort the visiting ponies. As this is going on, Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, and Sunny Flare are still staring at the statue. When the Crystal Guards come up to them, they didn't move. They spoke but didn't listen. The Crystal Guards take excessive force and picks up the girls. After the escort, the Crystal Guards lets them know that tomorrow is not a day for visiting. Lemon Zest and her friends understand and leave peacefully. They are now starting to feel a connection with the baby dragon despite having no memory. The magic they felt earlier seems to get stronger by the second. Twilight meets up with Spike and their friends. Twilight tells them about tomorrow's event with the Dignitaries. Twilight and her friends decide to call it a day and get some rest. Little did they know that Discord is observing from afar. "Hmm, it seems that the Magic of Friendship is changing course or, the Magic of Friendship is trying to uplift your contract Twilight. We'll see how things play out from there," Discord says as he's spying on ponies.