//------------------------------// // The Molt Down Break Down // Story: Good Times in Equestria: Thomas at the School of Friendship // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// On a sunny day, Rarity and Spike came back from a crystal mine collecting gems as he took her to the Everfree Forest to see the phoenix nests. “I do appreciate you showing me the way to the phoenix nests, Spike,” she said. “Anything for you, Rarity. Besides, I've been meaning to visit Peewee,” Spike said. “He really was an excellent pet. I can't imagine why you set him free,” Rarity said. “Phoenixes aren't meant to be domesticated. Even in the wild, they like to keep to themselves,” Spike explained, as he was hiding something on his cheek, while Rarity was suspicious before she trotted around Spike trying to see what was wrong. “Well, they are beautiful. A few of their feathers will add just the right splash of color to my latest— Spike! What are you doing?” she asked holding him off the ground in her aura. “Uh, nothing!” Spike replied. “Is there something wrong with your face?” Rarity asked. Spike sighed, “It's a stone scale. It isn't magical or anything like the call of the Dragon Lord. It's just... red. And itchy.” He then groaned as he took his hand off his cheek, “And embarrassing.” His stone scale started throbbing. “Ooh, precious pants, that does look uncomfortable. But even I get the odd blemish from time to time. It's nothing to be embarrassed by. You could pay Zecora a visit. She makes a cream that works wonders,” Rarity said. Rarity suddenly saw Thomas picking some flowers for his mother, Fluttershy, but he suddenly gave one to a male phoenix and watched it give to the female phoenix, and made him smile. “There's Peewee's parents! But I don't see Peewee,” Spike said. “Oh, maybe he moved out. Everypony has to leave the nest at some point,” Rarity said, until she saw her nephew hug her chest after running up to her. “Oh, hello there, precious. What are you doing out here by yourself?” she asked, hugging him back with a foreleg around his shoulders. “I’m picking flowers for Momma, but I saw a couple of birdies up there, so I gave the male a flower for the female,” Thomas replied. “Aww... how sweet, darling. But those birds are actually called phoenixes,” Rarity explained. “They’re very beautifully majestic birds, and are as warm as fire.” “Wow...” Thomas said, until something fluttered over them all, until it was Spike’s pet phoenix, Peewee. “Peewee!” Spike said, as Peewee squawked and hugged his owner, before Spike’s stone scale sizzled to the warmth of his feathers. “Ouch!” Spike scratched his stone scale, until Peewee saw Thomas as he was shaking, so the bird nuzzled with him to calm his shaking, until Thomas petted the bird on the head and nicely nibbled his fingers without biting. “Do you want a snack?” Thomas asked, and Peewee chirped with a nod in reply. Thomas then took out a bread slice, and then fed it to Peewee. After he finished the slice, Peewee hugged Thomas, and then flew off leaving some feathers behind. “Bye!” he said. “You really do know how to deal with birds like your mother, precious,” Rarity said sweetly, before kissing his cheek. “Perhaps you should pay Zecora a visit sooner rather than later, Spikey-Wikey,” Rarity said, picking up the feathers and putting them in her bag. “She has a point you know,” Thomas said. “Thank you, darling,” Rarity said. Spike sighed, “I don't want anypony else to see this. Besides, I'm sure it'll clear up after a good night's sleep.” “Alright, but I’d talk to Twilight about it,” Rarity said, and then looked at Thomas. “Would you like a ride home, precious?” Thomas nodded, and then Rarity leaned down on her forelegs to let him climb up onto her back, and then they all went back to Ponyville after Rarity dropped off Thomas at his and Fluttershy’s cottage. “Momma, I’m home!” Thomas said. Fluttershy heard her son’s voice and saw him walk inside, “Where were you, sweetheart? You almost had me worried.” “I was in the safer route of the Everfree Forest, because I wanted to get you these,” Thomas said, showing her the flowers. “They’re lovely, Thomas. Thank you for taking the safe route.” Thomas nodded, “I also saw Auntie Rarity and Spike, and I fed a petted an actual phoenix, Momma. It was Spike’s pet phoenix, Peewee.” “That’s wonderful, baby,” Fluttershy said. “Spike also had something hurting his face, like a throbbing pimple,” Thomas said. “Can we ask Mrs. Zecora for help?” “Aww... poor Spike. Don’t worry, we’ll talk to your Auntie Twilight about it, and see what Zecora can do about his problem,” Fluttershy said, kissing her son on the forehead. Thomas nodded, and then hugged his mother real quick. “Why don’t you go upstairs to your room and play with your toys quietly for a few minutes, and I’ll call you when dinner’s ready?” Thomas nodded and then went upstairs to his room to play with his toys. When they had dinner, Thomas had his bedtime bath, and then Fluttershy tucked him into his bed and kissed him on the forehead, so that he would have a good night’s sleep as he had his Snuggle Bear teddy on his side. The next day, Spike was asleep and snoring, until the door opened, revealing Twilight. “I can't believe you're still asleep!” she said. Spike groaned, “Just five more minutes...” He then continued snoring. “It's nearly noon, and you promised to help me with my lecture for class today!” Spike said. “Noon? Whoa! I slept like a rock! Which reminds me – all that sleep probably cleared up my stone scale!” Spike said, until Twilight gasped with a shocking reaction. “Um, on second thought...” she chuckled nervously. “You can go back to sleep if you want.” Spike went to a mirror and saw more stone scales on his scales, until he let out an echoing scream. Spike jumped and drew the curtains shut, and hid underneath his blankets. “Spike, what are you doing?” Twilight asked. “Hiding from my hideous face!” Spike replied. “I'm sure it feels terrible, but it's just a breakout. It's not the end of the world,” Twilight said. “That's easy for you to say. Your face isn't covered in itchy red spots!” Spike said, as he started scratching his scales. “I used to get terrible breakouts any time I had a final exam with Celestia. Who probably never had a blemish her whole life,” Twilight said. “Well, I'm not in magic school,” Spike said. “No, but these things can be stress-related. And you did spend yesterday with Rarity, and Thomas seemed to enjoy meeting your old pet phoenix,” Twilight said. Spike chuckled nervously, “What could possibly be stressful about that?” Twilight Sparkle groaned, “You could try Zecora. She makes a cream that—“ “Works wonders. I've heard. But I'm not leaving the castle until my face is back to its adorable self,” Spike said trying to undo the scales, until he tried to pop one of his stone scales, but he winced at it hurt. “Fine. But you're still gonna help me practice my lecture,” Twilight said, as Spike groaned while holding her lecture. Twilight then cleared her throat and began, “The element of generosity and its importance in relation to the other Elements of Harmony—” Spike gagged and then breathed fire, until her lecture was now ash. Twilight gasped, “My lecture!” Spike held the ashes, “I don't know what happened! I just had a sudden case of—” Twilight teleported away, until Spike kept breathing fire while gagging, and then Twilight came back and sprayed a fire extinguisher at Spike to cool down his gagging. “...indigestion. I'm so sorry!” Twilight sighed, and then hugged Spike, “Shhhhhh... It's okay, Spike. I’m not mad at you. I'm sure I can rewrite the lecture from my notes. I have a lot. But maybe later, I can take you somewhere that can help with your problem, so for now... why don’t you go somewhere less... flammable?” Spike sighed, and then left the castle. At the School of Friendship, while the ponies were chattering, Spike, wearing a trench coat and a fedora hat and sunglasses, was looking at his reflection in the lake, “Hey there, not handsome.” “Oh, Spike!” Rarity’s voice called in singsong, as she looked at his outfit. “My, what a fetching ensemble you put together. Very noir-esque.” She giggled, “I believe Shadow Spade herself would approve.” “Uh, thanks,” Spike said. “But I wonder if you wouldn't mind taking it off,” Rarity said. “What? Oh, I, uh... I...” Spike said. “Oh, I know how you feel about yesterday. It's just that I absolutely must have a model for my phoenix feather dress, and nopony else is available,” Rarity said. “Sorry, Rarity, but I... I am super busy all day...” Spike suddenly saw a stare of confusion in her yes, until he ran off in a panic. “Hmm... well, off to my shop, so much to do,” Rarity said trotting off to her boutique. Later on, Spike was still outside the school so that he wouldn’t set it on fire, thinking about how he would be back to his normal self, but as he got to the library for some quiet, he suddenly started scratching his scales as they started stinging with an itching effect. “This is so embarrassing! Make it stop!” he whined while scratching. “Could you please stop shouting? We're trying to do our homework, and it's kind of distracting,” Smolder said. “Was I shouting? Sorry,” Spike said, until he cleared his throat. “My scales are really it—” He then belched and breathed fire, burning his disguise into ash, revealing his stone scales. He gasped about his look and then ran off somewhere to hide. Spike suddenly breathed fire while hiding in a broom closet, until his nostrils let out a cloud of smoke, suddenly the door opened and he saw Starlight, Sunset and Smolder as well. “If you're trying to hide, you need to do a better job,” Smolder said. “All we had to do was follow the smoke,” Sunset said, as Starlight closed the door. “Leave me alone!” Spike said in a strained low tone. “What?” Starlight asked. “Leave! Me! Alone!” Spike said in the same tone. “I can't under... Was that "sleeves made of foam"?” Smolder asked. “I said, leave me alone!” Spike shouted normally as he belched fire and then sighed before sitting down with a depressing look, until Starlight walked over to the poor drake and hugged him. “I brought you a pail of water,” Thomas said. “Thanks, honey,” Starlight said, and then he stood by Sunset. “Is he gonna be okay?” Thomas asked. “I don’t know, sweetie. But I’m sure something will happen,” Sunset said. “Well, I have seen some pretty bad molts in my time, but yours takes the cake,” Smolder said. “Molts?” Spike asked. “The molt? Super painful stone scales, fire burps, uncontrollable volume shifts? It's all part of growing up dragon,” Smolder said. “That’s what’s happening to him?” Sunset said, as Thomas started taking notes. “No-no-no-no-no. The last time I grew up, I turned into a giant greedy monster,” Spike said. “Greed-induced bigness. That's totally different. The molt is completely normal. Every dragon goes through it. Pretty soon, you'll leave and strike out on your own,” Smolder said. “Why would he do that?” Thomas asked. “Have you been living with ponies your whole life?” Smolder asked. “Uh-huh,” Spike said. “Twilight and her family are my legal guardians.” “Oh. Well, in the Dragon Lands, a molter's loved ones kicks them out at the first stone scale,” Smolder said. “What? Why?” Spike asked. “I think it's biological. We call it the "molt effect". I haven't even told you about the smell,” Smolder said. “Smell?” Spike sniffed himself, “Ugh!” “I can smell it too,” Thomas said, until he used his finger and thumb to block his nose from smelling it. “Yeah. I mean, I love my brother and all, but one whiff, and I was all "See ya!"” Smolder said, until she sniffed Spike. “Speaking of which...” As she was about to leave, but Thomas and Spike grabbed her leg and tail. “Wait! Does the molt effect happen to ponies too?” Spike gasped, “Twilight already asked me to leave the castle today. If she kicks me out, where am I gonna live? I'm too young to grow up!” “You can’t let him suffer like this! He’s a kid like me!” Thomas said. “I'm sure you'll find a nice...” Smolder cut herself off by pulling her tail away from Spike and gently removing Thomas from her leg, “...hoard of gems to guard or a village to terrorize. Oh, now that dragons and ponies are friends, I guess that's off the table.” “So no creature's gonna wanna be around me?” Spike asked. “Oh, I didn't say that,” Smolder said. “That molt stench is a magnet for predators. Tatzlwurms, hydras, rocs...” “Dragons are scared of rocks?” Spike asked. “R-O-C-S. Rocs?” Smolder said. “What’s a roc?” Thomas asked. “Humongous birds of prey that can snack on a molting dragon like candy!” Smolder said. Spike gulped nervously as Starlight showed him a page showing a picture of the bird. Later on, in the afternoon, Thomas went over to Zecora after asking Fluttershy for permission, but made sure he stayed out of trouble while walking over. As he got there, he knocked on the door, and the door opened revealing Zecora the zebra. “Hi, Mrs. Zecora. Can I come in for a moment?” Thomas asked. “Yes, little one. You are more than welcome,” Zecora replied as she let him inside and handed him a bowl of stew for lunch. “So, what brings you to my hut?” Zecora asked. “Well, it’s about Spike. He’s having some kind of itching problem with some red stone scales as some are drying out, but he’s also burping fire like he ate something funny, and he smells like he really needs a bath, but sometimes when he speaks, he has a hard time saying it out loud,” Thomas explained. “Hmm... it appears that I assume you’ve witnessed the molting process, as you presume?” Zecora asked. Thomas nodded, “How’d you know?” “I’ve had some books of legends or effects of other creatures far from Equestria that inhabit themselves from our kingdoms, but from which they are mysteriously unknown to come,” Zecora explained. “Do you think there’s some to help him?” Thomas asked. “The cream that you want is just over here. It's a popular potion for all creatures this year,” Zecora said. Thomas then smiled as he went up and hugged the zebra, “Thank you, Mrs. Zecora. It should help him.” Zecora smiled warmly and then hugged him back, “You are welcome, dear one.” Thomas nodded and then gave his soup bowl back to Zecora and then made his way out of the Everfree Forest. Suddenly, Spike walked through the Everfree Forest for some privacy and to get away from the ponies for a little while so that his molt wouldn’t cause a problem. As he was walking, he scratched his scales on a tree, and then continued walking. Thomas then continued journeying his was out of the forest, until he saw Spike running for his life, until he jumped into a bush and hid himself. Thomas then went over to the bush and went to Spike. “Hey, Spike,” he said. Spike jumped after belching fire and burning the bush, until he looked at Thomas, “Thomas? What are you doing here?” “I went to see Mrs. Zecora for some help on your scales, so I asked her if she had something that can help, but luckily, she had this itching cream right here,” Thomas explained, and then he noticed Spike was hiding again. “Spike? What are you hiding from? There’s no one around but us.” “I'm not hiding from ponies. I'm hiding from that!” Spike said, pointing at a humongous roc, as it was flying over towards them both with a screech, but it missed as it dive bombed them. “Was that a... roc?” Thomas asked as he was now afraid. “Did I forget to mention the molt smell attracts predators?” Spike asked, until the roc was coming back. “Run!” Thomas and Spike started running, as the roc screeched as it was chasing after them both, and kept trying to claw them with its talons. “It's only after me! I'll lead it away while you get help!” Spike said, as he and Thomas split up. “This way, birdy-bird! Molting dragon over here!” Spike was grunting and huffing while running as the roc nearly grabbed him, but he hid underneath a bush, “Okay, maybe this wasn't a good plan.” Thomas came back and helped him up, “What are you doing?! We gotta get outta here!” “I know!” Spike said, until they bumped into a coat of white fur, until they saw that it was Rarity. “Spike, what are you and Thomas doing here?” Rarity asked. “Rarity! You need to get outta here! There’s a giant roc after us and wanting to eat us, but mostly me!” Spike said. “Oh, dear. I’m sure that there’s nothing to worry about, but I’m very worried about your scales, darling,” Rarity said, until they saw the roc coming back. “Auntie Rarity, look out!” Thomas said, as Rarity turned around and saw the roc flying towards them making a screeching sound, and then as they were running, it grabbed them, and started flying holding them hostage and then Spike, Rarity Thomas saw themselves in the air from underneath the roc’s toes and talons. “Put us down!” Spike said, until he tried squirming free, and then hung upside down, before he gagged and breathed fire at the roc, making it drop Spike, but it still got Thomas and Rarity. “Spike!” Spike screamed while falling, but thudded on the bushes and then landed on the ground. Spike sighed, until he scratched his scales, and made wailing groans. “Spike, what are you doing?” Twilight asked as she was in the forest. “If my stone scales didn't itch so much and we weren't in immediate danger, this would be really embarrassing!” Spike replied. “Danger?” Twilight asked, until she heard the roc screech as it was about to grab her and Spike but before they teleported out of the way. “Well, I was headed to Zecora's to get some cream for your scales. I had no idea you were—” Spike groaned, “About to be eaten by a giant predator attracted to my molt smell?!” He kept scratching. “Molt smell?” Twilight asked, as she sniffed him, but gagged. The roc screeched again, until they heard Rarity screaming and another voice, “MOMMA!” “Was that Thomas?” Twilight asked. “And Rarity! We tried to save each other’s flanks, but it's all I can do to stop scratching long enough to dive out of the way when that bird attacks!” Spike said. “I’ll take care of it. Stay here,” Twilight said, as he flew to the roc to save Rarity and her nephew. Spike then suddenly couldn’t stop scratching, until he grabbed the potion bottle full of itching cream, and then rubbed it all over his scales, and then he felt not so itchy anymore, “Finally! I didn't think that itching would ever stop! The cream worked!” Suddenly, Spike couldn’t move as his scales were crackling into stone, “What's happening?! I... I can't move!” The stone covered his entire body, and then as Twilight fought off the roc, a crack appeared in the solidified Spike, and then he reappeared with no more stone scales. “What just... happened?” he asked, until he suddenly saw wings on his back, “Did I just sprout wings? I just sprouted wings!” “HELP!” Thomas screamed, as the roc screeched. Spike gasped, “I've gotta help them! W-Whoa! Whooaaa! I’m flying! I’m flying!” Spike then ceased the excitement and then made a brave look and flew off to help Twilight stop the roc and save Thomas. Twilight suddenly saw Spike flying, and his new wings, “Spike?! How did you get wings?!” “I don't know! But they're pretty awesome!” Spike replied. The roc screeched, as Thomas peeked himself out, “Help me!” “Do you think you can fly up and distract him while I work on freeing Thomas and Rarity?” Twilight asked, and then Spike flew towards the roc’s face. “Hey, giant chicken! If you like dragons so much, come and get me!” Spike yelled, as the roc snapped its beak at him but missed. “Greetings.” The bird snapped its beak again, but Spike felt his stomach rumble, and then he breathed fire at the bird, and then it dropped Thomas as he fell screaming, before Twilight caught him in her hooves and cradled him against her chest while flying. Spike caught Rarity with his arms by grabbing her. As the roc flew away to find something else to eat, Twilight carried Thomas to the ground and then stood on her forelegs and then hugged Thomas. “Thomas? Are you okay?” she asked in concern. Thomas nodded, and then whimpered while he shook. Spike flew down and then placed Rarity on the ground, “My hero!” She kissed his cheek, making the young drake blush. “I know that the molt produced surprising things. But I'm glad that the last was a new pair of wings!” Zecora said, as she walked out. “Thanks to your cream, it stopped the itching,” Spike said. “Yes. And also, I'm glad you've got wings,” Rarity said. “This is amazing! I didn't know if you'd ever get wings. I'm so happy for you. Does it have something to do with this molt you were talking about?” Twilight asked. Spike sighed, “It's what's been going on with me. The breakout, the fire burps. The molt is when dragons get older and start to change. I wish I could stop it, but I can't. I-I should go.” “Go? What are you talking about?” Thomas asked. “In the Dragon Lands, families make molters leave home. It's called the molt effect,” Spike explained. “Well, this isn't the Dragon Lands, and molt effect or no, I don't want you going anywhere,” Twilight said. “But I'm growing up. What if something even worse happens?” Spike asked nervously, before he was kissed on the forehead by Twilight. “You're supposed to grow up, but you'll always be you. And whatever happens, we'll get through it together,” she said. Spike then hugged her on the chest, and then hugged Thomas, “Thanks for sticking up for me, pal.” Thomas nodded, and then Spike flew up onto Twilight’s back. “Uh, I don't need to carry you anymore, do I? You have wings,” she said. “They are new, and I don't want to overdo it,” Spike said. They then laughed together, and then they all went home. Later on, at Rarity’s boutique, Spike was hovering with her phoenix feather dress on by playing as a mannequin. “I can't believe you thought any of us would send you away because of some silly molt effect,” Rarity said. “Even if the symptoms were slightly unsettling. And let's face it, the odor wasn't pleasant. Nopony would stop caring for you just because you were getting older. Everypony goes through changes, but sometimes change can be wonderful. Like being able to model for any length of dress!” She giggled, until Spike lost his hover a little, “Uh, a bit higher, darling, please?” “I'm glad to help, Rarity. But don't you think there's wonderful things about flying that don't involve dresses?” Spike asked. “Of course, darling. Flying will also be beneficial for you to help me with gowns, frocks, robes, shifts, skirts, minis, maxis...” Rarity said, as she faded out until Spike sighed.