//------------------------------//
// Conjuring 
// Story: 20-04 
// by MellowSoul 
//------------------------------//

Just as Twilight predicted, her internet was installed the following week. She made it a priority to contact Rainbow as soon as possible. She could only think to send one word.

"Hey."

Rainbow responded almost immediately.

"'sup, princess?"

The Alicorn stared at her monitor in bewilderment.

"How did you find out?"

"Gossip is Rarity's thing. She's always keepin' up with the tabloids and magazines."

"She must've seen the news when Shining and Cadance got married."

"Your brother knocked up the babysitter."

"Are you mad I didn't tell you?"

"Nah. Figured you were hiding it for a reason."

"I dressed in normal clothes so no one would recognize me. I thought if people knew, they'd assume there was nepotism going on behind the scenes."

"Hey, don't worry. I totally get it."

"Did you tell the others?"

"No. Rarity was practically delirious when she told me. She mentioned it after a rather...Interesting...Conversation about chocolate milk."

"They'll probably figure it out sooner or later. I may as well come clean next time we see each other."

"There's something I still don't get. Why did you guys move so far from home? Why aren't you closer to your folks?"

"I guess you could say I had a bit of an existential crisis."

"I thought something weird was up. You didn't so much as crack a smile while the rest of were laughing our asses off."

"Shining and I were never particularly close. Most of the time, we were indifferent to each other's existences. When I realized how limited the world was, I made plans to end my life."

"Holy shit. What changed your mind?"

"Spike."

"I thought you guys seemed pretty tight."

"Having him around helped me find humor in the absurdity of it all. I realized laughing my way through was the only alternative."

"You've got some serious depth. I respect that."

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

"I'm kinda curious about something. You're pretty popular online. I'm sure you've gotten your share of hate mail."

"I've been called a murderer a couple times."

"Jesus."

"When deranged individuals bastardize our philosophy, it demolishes everything we've worked so hard to build."

"i know. It pisses me off, too."

"Nothing justifies the premeditated slaughter of innocent people. That's why it's called murder."

"Did you ever make a public statement about it?"

"No. I don't know the families. It's not my place. Besides, I'm probably the last person they'd want to hear from."

"I gotcha."

"I'm about to sign off soon. It's getting late."

"We'll make plans to meet up soon."

"Sounds good."

"I'll send you the files in the morning."

"I'll be waiting."

"You should take a couple shots of your game collection. I'd imagine you have some interesting stuff hiding in there."

"Sure. If you see anything that looks interesting, I'll let you borrow it next time."

"Awesome."

"Good night."

"Night."

Twilight closed her email window. She leaned back in her chair and stretched before getting up to check on Spike. The dragon had fallen asleep to a classic metal compilation some hours before.

"Mmm...Rarity..." he muttered as he shifted on his pillow.

Twilight giggled. Seeing her younger brother in such a state was arguably one of the more adorable things she'd witnessed during her lifetime.

"Yep. Just like Shining." she confirmed.




The next morning, Spike awoke to the smell of sausage from the kitchen. He licked his lips with his serpentine tongue. Had he been more alert, he might've daydreamed about its more...Entertaining...Uses. He slowly opened his emerald green eyes. He rubbed the sand away and traced the scent's origin.

"Morning." he greeted his sister.

"Heard you listening to W.A.S.P last night. I think I know what's on your mind."

"That easy to read, huh?"

"I think it's cute. You're like a walking contradiction to Eighteen Visions' No Time for Love."

"The song titles for that were so weird."

"Tell me about it."

"Did you talk to Cadance yet?"

"I called her earlier. Things seem to be going well."

"That's good."

"After breakfast, I'm gonna upload a couple pictures. Wanna join in?"

"Definitely."

"You might be able to see Rarity again this weekend."

"For real?"

"I'm still working out the details with Rainbow. Think you can keep yourself in check?"

"No promises."

"Good. It's more fun that way."