//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Spike at Your Service // Story: Light and Dark // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Chapter 7: Spike at Your Service Inside the Golden Oaks Library, Spike is standing on a stool counting the number of books Princess Celestia has sent over. Recently her workload has increased as Midnight delves deeper into her advanced magical studies. "Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve." Spike said, as he counted each book one by one keeping track and taking into account every book with his finger as Midnight brings over a tray consisting of a tea pot and a tea cup. “Huh, that’s not that many.” Midnight responded sounding somewhat surprised as she walked onto her sitting pillow thinking she would be expecting more. "Are you kidding? How are you supposed to read twelve books in one weekend?" Spike asked as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well Princess Celestia obviously thinks I can do it or she would never have assigned them to me. I'm not planning on letting her down." Midnight said with serious determination as gets herself comfortable on her sitting pillow and pours herself a cup of tea. "Well, I hope you're not planning on sleeping then, either." Spike told her somewhat concerned. “Don’t worry, Spike, I’ll be fine.” Midnight reassured Spike. “In fact, why don't you take the day off?” "Really?" Spike asked surprised that Midnight is being kind enough to give him that offer. “Why not? These books are gonna keep me busy for a while.” Midnight answered as her starts reading her first book. “Hmm... I do have a long list of things I've been dying to do!” Spike said after thinking about it for a moment before running off to leave Midnight to her studies. “Just remember Spike, be careful of going around the Evergreen Forest.” Midnight called out to Spike to warn him about something before he could leave “It’s timberwolf season. So if traveling you're planning on traveling around Ponyville I recommend the hot air balloon for safe travels.” “No problem!” Spike responded as he headed out. Just after Spike leaves she pulls out her crystal orb and sets it up to observe Spike from it while she reads. As she finishes her first book she looks at her crystal orb and sees Spike causing the hot air balloon to fly away causing him to chase after it into the Evergreen Forest. Once he manages to catch up to it and secure it he finds himself pursed by three Timberwolves who chase and corner him to a dead end. But just before they could move in to eat him he is saved by Applejack when he tosses a rock at one of them to get their attention and purse her instead buying Spike time to escape. Through quick thinking and using the environment to her advantage Applejack was able to defeat and destroy the Timberwolves no problem. Spike so grateful for Applejack saving her life that he decides it’s his dragon code to serve her for the rest of his life. Midnight herself observing this smiled seeing the first part of her plan worked as she predicted impressed with both Applejack’s capabilities and Spike’s loyalty. “Predictable.” Midnight said to herself as she starts reading her second book as she knew what would happen if Spike went into the Evergreen Forest with the hot air balloon in tow that he couldn’t control. “Such great loyalty to me and those who save him to the point he will serve you to the end. What will it take I wonder to ensure your loyalty to me in the end.” Midnight said to herself thinking of an idea to ensure of that. By the time Midnight was finishing up reading her third book Spike had arrived back at the Golden Oaks Library after spending a minute hesitating whether or not how to tell her before finally deciding to go through with it. When Spike enters the room Midnight is in she had already put her orb away to ensure he doesn't knows that she was spying on him. Hearing him come in she turns her attention to him to face him. “Hello Spike.” Midnight greeted the young dragon with a smile. “I trust that you have been enjoying your day off so far.” She asked as Spike sighed before speaking. “Well, a fine day” Spike said in a tone that says not exactly. “Even though I was attacked by Timberwolves in The Everfree Forest.” “What?” Midnight responded acting surprised hearing this. Midnight then walked up to him showing concern and checking him to make sure he is not injured. “Are you okay?” Midnight asked even though she already knew. "I'm perfectly fine after Applejack saved my life." Spike reassured Midnight that he is fine no harm done. "She did?" Midnight asked still pretending to be surprised as Spike nodded yes in response. "Wow, that was very impressive. If only I can think of some way to thank her for this." Midnight added as she kept up the act. "That's actually what I came here to talk to you about." Spike regretfully said as he starts breaking the bad news he has to say to her as he continues. “I know you have always been looking out for me ever since you moved in and you see me like family you never had before which I will always be grateful for.” Midnight knowing where the conversation was heading, began by saying. “Spike, I know how much the 'Noble Dragon Code' means to you." “Then you'll understand why I have to do this." Spike regretfully told her as he continues to explain. "I owe her a life debt, and I intend to serve her for the rest of my life as thanks for her saving my life." “But Spike?” Midnight started sounding a little heartbroken as she continued. "Does the dragon code mean so much to you that you are willing to give up what I gave you just because of a life debt." “You'll be fine, you've got Owlowiscious to help you." Spike calmly replied. “I know, but there is something about you that says we were meant to be together like whatever bond we have is inseparable.” Midnight said with fake but convincing sadness while remaining strong. "And if you leave, I don't know that bond will remain the same as by doing so I'll be all alone with no one for company." Spike could only struggle to keep his composure as tears start forming around his eyes as her words ring back the awful memory of the wedding rehearsal as the memory plays back in his mind thinking about Twilight when he walked to join the Mane 5 in abandoning her albeit more reluctantly out of fear of being ostracized as well. "And you can forgot about being best mare." Shining Armor angrily told Twilight as he walked off to comfort fake Cadance "In fact if I were you I wouldn't show up to the wedding at all!" Spike could not believe what had just happened and what Shining Armor had just told Twilight as he stormed off leaving Twilight saddened as she sits down turning to the others silently pleading for comfort. Spike was about to say to Twilight "It's okay Twilight, your brother can't stay mad at you forever." before Applejack unknowingly cut him off as she spoke up. "Come on y'all, let's go check up on the princess!" Applejack told the others as they walked out of the room passing by Twilight disgusted with her behavior while Spike reluctantly tags along and can only silently say in his head as he passes by a hurt Twilight "I'm sorry." As Spike leaves the room he hears Princess Celestia coldly tells her "You have a lot to think about." not even looking at her as she too decides to abandon her as if she deserved as well. Spike gasps in shock at what the Princess had just told her and could only get a brief glimpse of Twilight feeling utterly crushed with tears in her eyes as Celestia closes the doors after her as he looked back at her. Beginning to feel he has made a big mistake leaves Spike having tears form in his eyes as well as he continues to walk down the hallway. And with what had just happened afterwards, it really did turn into his biggest mistake as it all lead to the events that resulted in Twilight getting killed in a train explosion. Back to the present day, Spike has the same look on his face as he did just after abandoning Twilight being nearly-teary eyed as he was back in. “I’m sorry Midnight.” Spike said, as he turned and headed to the exit wiping away the tears formed around his eyes. "But my decision is final. I am doing this. It has been an honor serving you Midnight." Hearing those words Midnight still managed to keep her composure as she took a deep breath and said “Okay, I understand. Don’t let me stop you from doing this. Just keep in mind if you ever want to come back, my door is always open for you.” Midnight calmly added having accepting Spike’s decision before turning away to get back to reading her books. Spike was heartbroken to have to say this, but he was determined not to let it stop him from fulfilling the "Noble Dragon Code". With all said and done, he set off for Sweet Apple Acres, to begin to carry out his life long service to Applejack. As soon as Spike left, Midnight pulled out her crystal orb so she could continue secretly observing him while reading her books. She was admittedly pleased with herself with how she managed to stay thoroughly composed throughout the conversation and managed keep her trademark stoicism intact as she managed to plant the right words into Spike’s mind to get him reconsider later on. As she continues reading her books, she observes Spike following her life debt to Applejack to its fullest. She witnessed Spike attempting to make a pie for Rarity which is terribly made that Rarity had a tough time taking a bite then pretending to like it. Something that Midnight found somewhat amusing. She had witnessed Spike somehow managing a soap overflow in her kitchen which Midnight personally raises the question to herself of how he even managed that. She then witnessed Spike make a very tall and unstable rock tower for Rainbow Dash to smash through. She was surprised that Spike actually managed that but to Rainbow’s credit she managed to do so even if it left her dazed from the impact. Midnight herself was impressed that Spike was able to create that tower and how Rainbow Dash was able to back up her claims. No matter what, Spike is remaining fully dedicated and loyal to Applejack no matter what. Seeing that his loyalty his currently unbreakable now sees it is now time for the next part of her plan. By the time Applejack comes inside the library, Midnight is already finishing up her sixth book. “Midnight? Midnight are you there? Midnight?” Applejack called out as she enters the room Midnight is in. Hearing Applejack come in, Midnight quickly puts her crystal orb away as Applejack enters the room. “Yes?” Midnight answered turning her attention to Applejack while closing the book as she was already finished reading it. “What’s up?” She asked. “I know Spike told you that he was gonna follow his dragon code, and serve me forever for savin' him from the timberwolves, and that you were okay with it, but I don’t feel all right with him serving me for the rest of his life over all this.” Applejack uneasily explained to her that she doesn't feel right about what Spike is doing for her. “Look I know you don’t feel comfortable with Spike constantly serving you, but there is not much I can do about that.” Midnight sighed as she explained to Applejack that her hooves are tied in the matter while understanding what Applejack is asking of her. “This is dragon code were talking about and I did try talking him out of him but he’s made up his mind about following it.” Midnight added as she walks up to Applejack. “Surely you know how important the dragon code is to a dragon!” “I sure am startin' to.” Applejack said coming to agree with her and understand what she’s saying. “There's only one other way Spike is gonna fulfill the debt he feels he owes you.” Midnight said as she thinks about what to do next. “And that’s by him returning the favor, and I’ve got just the plan for that.” Midnight said smiling seeing that everything is falling into place. By the time the two get to Sweet Apple Acres and the rest of the girls are already there ready to help Applejack while Spike under Applejack’s request has managed to keep Spike busy by having him count the blades of grass on the lawn. “Seventy, seventy-one, seventy-two, seventy-three, seventy-four, seventy-five...” Spike flicking the blades of grass one by one. “All right, y'all, here's the deal. Spike needs to save my life.” Applejack said as she walked back into the barn. As Pinkie Pie raised her hoof as she begins to explain her idea. “And you want us to shoot you out of a cannon towards a hornet's nest and give Spike a butterfly net so he can catch you mere seconds before you hit the nest and are stung by a thousand angry hornets!” Pinkie said as she puts a beekeeper hat on Midnight, puts a butterfly net in Fluttershy’s mouth and briefly pulls down a chart depicting Spike catching Applejack from being shot out from a cannon in the direction of a hornet’s nest. “I'll wear this mustache.” She grinned deviously as put on her moustache. “No.” Applejack said in response to Pinkie’s zany scheme. “No. I am gonna be attacked by a timberwolf!” Applejack said with a confident smile. This causes the other girls except Midnight who she had gave Applejack the plan to begin with to gasp while Midnight herself grinned liking where this is going. Appearing by Applejack’s side while still wearing the fake mustache. “Can I still wear the moustache?” Pinkie asked earning her an annoyed glare from Applejack. All the girls would go outside back to the pile of rocks from the previously created and destroyed tower where Applejack’s explains the plan. Obviously, they can’t summon a real timberwolf so they plan to create a fake timberwolf and stage an attack. Midnight personally feels the plan would work better if they did summon a real one but decided to roll with it even though she knows that plan is going to fail. “When I give the signal, Pinkie Pie and Rarity will come runnin' out of the woods, bein' pursued by the timberwolf” Applejack starts to explain as she points to a drawing of herself with her hoof stuck in a pile of rocks. “I'll start to run too, but then pretend to get my hoof stuck.” She then points to a drawing of her being freed from the rock pile by Spike. “I'll ask Spike to help me dislodge it, and he will, and I'll be able to get away from the terrifyin' timberwolf!” As she points to a drawing of a timberwolf. “Havin' saved me from certain doom, Spike will then consider us even. Everybody get it?” Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy reply “Uh-huh” in agreement as they set out to carry out their tasks. Midnight despite knowing the plan isn’t going to work replies. “I’ll do my best.” as she teleports away to carry out her instructions. As she prepares by creating the fake timberwolf with her magic she observes Applejack showing her damsel in distress act to Rarity and Pinkie Pie which obviously is terrible. “Good luck, getting that to fly.” Midnight snarked under her breath “No wonder you’re element is honesty because you are a terrible liar.” At that moment Spike called for Applejack causing her to instruct the others to get in position to put her plan into motion. “Applejack! You said you had something else you needed me to do?” Spike asked as he approached the earth pony. “Oh, yes, I, I was just hopin' you could maybe, uh, sweep up all those leaves for a compost pile, and–“ Applejack asked as she pointed towards the pile of leaves. “But of course!” Spike replied while grabbing the rake as he prepares to do the request. “Oh, by the way” Spike continued as he walked off “There are exactly twenty-four million, five hundred and sixty-seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty seven blades of grass at Sweet Apple Acres.” “I can't believe you counted every single one of 'em...” Applejack amazed that he actually did it. Midnight herself hearing this is further impressed with Spike’s capabilities. “You asked me to.” Spike said as Applejack secretly winking to Rainbow Dash to start as she takes a deep breath as Fluttershy covers her ears “And, as a noble dragon and follower of my dragon code, I–“ At that moment, Spike is interrupted by the sound of a timberwolf roar which is really Rainbow Dash perfectly imitating a timberwolf roar. At that moment Pinkie and Rarity ran out of the forest and away as Rarity screams “Timberwolves! We are doomed!” Rarity says as she leans down to Spike’s eye level with her hoof around Spike while Pinkie Pie fakes a scream while smiling with Rarity as they trot past Applejack. Observing this from a tree, Midnight uses her magic to hold up her fake timberwolf which is held like puppet while Fluttershy wearing long wooden boots mimics the timberwolf’ s footsteps. So far Spike is seemingly terrified as Midnight uses her magic to open the timberwolf’s mouth hearing no immediate response she motions to Rainbow Dash who is laughing at Spike being fooled by the charade which to Fluttershy getting his attention to fake another timberwolf roar. As Spike looks on terrified he hears Applejack speak unconvincingly as she trots up to the small rock pile and puts her hoof in between the rocks. “Oh no! I seem to have got my hoof caught in between two rocks! I cannot run away! I am a damsel in distress! Help me, Spike!” She cried out as the timberwolf puppet put’s his jaw over Applejack’s head while smiling a bit. “Oh, for crying out lot.” Midnight face-hoofs herself exasperated by Applejack’s terrible acting. She quickly and secretly uses her magic to summon a real timberwolf from behind her back having decided to take matters into her own hooves. “You want something done right you got to do it yourself.” Midnight irritably said knowing the charade is going to be up at this point. Sure enough, Spike snapping out of his terror senses something off. “Wait a minute.” Spike said suspiciously catching Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy’s attention. “No, no, don't wait a minute. Save me from the terrifyin' timberwolf!” Applejack said still trying to sell the unconvincing act but it was no use as Spike walks up showing no fear in the face of it. “Well, he would be terrifying if he wasn't a fake!” Spike said as he points a finger at the puppet then holds up the puppet’s wooden claws. “You got the clomping on his claws...” Placing a finger on the puppet’s jaw and holding the puppet’s jaw. “The roar was spot on, and the detail on his face is pretty good.” “But you forgot one thing…” Spike said while walking up to Applejack “…His breath. You could smell a real timberwolf’s breathe from a mile…” At that moment he and Applejack spell a strong odor but Spike still assumes this is still an act. “Too late, I'm already on–“ Spike is suddenly interrupted by Midnight teleporting in between and running away. “Run!” she screamed. “Timberwolf!” Rainbow Dash added. At that moment three timberwolves emerged from the forest who roar all together off the top of their lunges. After running to a safe distance, Midnight observes the timberwolves scene from a spot Applejack and Spike can’t see her. She sees Applejack pushing a huge boulder from the rock pile down at the three timberwolves causing them to fall to pieces from the impact. At that moment, Applejack slide down from the rock she was on. As she crashes down onto the ground some rocks fall onto her legs and the timberwolves quickly and literally piece themselves back together into one huge timberwolf ready to attack again. Unfortunately for Applejack she is really stuck in a pile of rocks and can’t move while Spike assumes she is messing around like before. After realizing this is not an act, Spike tosses a rock at the timberwolf lodging it in his throat causing him to have a tough time breathing and clearing his throat of the obstruction then frees Applejack using a stick to pry away the rocks trapping her and manage to get away just in time as the timberwolf collapses and falls apart for good this time. Midnight is now pleased that her plan worked teleports away and caught up with the other girls who are looking for Applejack and Spike as at that moment Applejack and Spike managed to catch up to them as well. “What happened to you guys back there? Thought you were right behind us!” Midnight asked acting concerned for the two of them. “My hoof was stuck, and that timberwolf was coming right at me!” Applejack explained as she briefly held up her hoof that was actually stuck. “Wait, you were actually stuck?” Rarity asked in surprise. “Uh-huh!” Spike responded yes to confirm it’s true. “But Spike picked up a pebble, and rocketed that thing right at the huge timberwolf's mouth, and saved my life!” Applejack explained accidentally pushing Spike onto his back on the ground and put her hoof in the air briefly. “Ah, it was nothing.” Spike said while blushing and rubbing the back of his neck in the tone to think nothing of it. “It was somethin' alright!” Applejack thankfully said while walking up to him smiling before dropping the smile as he lifts Spike to his feet. “'Course, I wouldn't've needed help if I hadn't been tryin' to stage a fake timberwolf attack in the first place.” She admittedly confesses. “Yeah what was that all about?” Spike questioned while crossing his arms demanding an answer causing Applejack to sigh as she continues explaining herself. “I know this code thing's important to you, but if somethin' like this comes up in the future, think maybe we can go back to my code, say "that's what friends do" and leave it at that?” Applejack honestly explained. “I promise I won't think of you as any less noble.” Applejack continued as she briefly takes her hat off in respect to reassure Spike of her word. “Sounds good to me.” Spike responded having come to an agreement with Applejack. Hearing this causes the girls even Midnight to smile hearing this. “But, maybe let's just try to avoid situations where one of us actually needs the other one to save their life?” Spike asked not wanting a repeat situation to ever happen again. “You got yourself a deal.” Applejack happily answered as she held her hoof out which Spike reaches out to initially hoof shake but then goes for the hoof-bump. “Well, now that everything is all taken care of…” Midnight spoke up “I better get going and finish up reading my books.” She added as she begin heading back to the library. Turning to Spike for a moment Midnight asks. “Well, now that your debt to Applejack has been fulfilled, would you like to come back to serve by my side? My door is still open.” She offered. “Of course!” Spike eagerly said as she walked up beside her leaving the two to walk back home together. When they get back to the library, Midnight continues reading her books which she continues to read well into the night having now started reading her tenth book. At that point of the day she is having trouble reading in the dark even when she is using her horn as a nightlight. At that moment, Spike lifts a lantern over Midnight’s head allowing her to read with no problem know. “Thanks Spike.” Midnight gratefully thanked Spike for his services. “Happy to help.” Spike happily replied. “Don’t know what I’d do without you.” Midnight responded as she flips through another page. She then finds herself being hugged by Spike who wraps himself around her back leg’s “No really! I'm really really really happy to help you! Loyal to you to the end for real this time!” He told her as he cements his undying loyalty to her. “Aww…” Midnight affectionately said in response. Usually not a pony for hugs aside from hugging Cadance that one time back at the Crystal Empire allows Spike to embrace her. Thinking to herself she is pleased to see that her plan of ensuring Spike’s undying loyalty to her and proving his capabilities while he was at it worked wonders aside from having to put up with Applejack’s attempted charade before having to summon a real timberwolf without any pony noticing. She also thinks that Spike has great potential to her for what she has in mind for him in the future now that she has cemented the bond she has with Spike now as she smirks to herself.