//------------------------------// // Progress in Equestria 2 // Story: Spike the Fairy // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// It's been a few months since Twilight Sparkle discovered the truth about Spike. Discord disguised himself as Spike for many months and deceived the masses in Equestria and every kingdom. The Bar of Alliance does not know about the situation with Spike. They are unaware of Discord's antics. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are in disbelief after learning what Discord pulled. Shining Armor wants Spike to come home. However, Princess Cadance believes that Spike is entitled to live his life the way he wants to, and no one has the right to strip his happiness and freedom away. The School of Friendship hasn't opened since Discord got exposed to all. The Unity Seven stood together through all the midst of the situation. The students are at home, waiting anxiously for the notification to allow them to return to class. They miss the teachings the School of Friendship produced. Starlight Glimmer is at the castle with Trixie, trying to have a good day but, nothing has worked for her. Ever since she learned the truth, Starlight has become worried about Spike's happiness and Twilight's sanity. At the Castle of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle has been reading more magic books. There is one book, in particular, that Twilight hasn't touched. The journal to communicate to Sunset Shimmer from the other realm. She prolonged the extraction of Sunset Shimmer. She's been going over her notes into believing that Discord is to blame for Sunset's involvement in a situation that she's not part of. "That Draqonecuus. How dare he involve Sunset in this crisis? She had nothing to do with Spike," Twilight groans and turns to the journal. "I can't ruin my friend's life. But, if I don't bring her back to Equestria, I won't get to apologize or even see Spike. And for all I know, Spike could be in great danger." "Twilight?" Pinkie Pie enters Twilight's room to check on her. Twilight sighs. "Hey, Pinkie." "I haven't seen you in a couple of days. How are you holding up?" "Not the greatest. I'm worried about Spike. What if Discord put Spike's life in the clutches of an unknown enemy that kills dragons for the sake of vengeance? What if Spike is getting torn apart by those who hunt dragons? What if Spike is all alone? Hungry, tired, losing his sanity? What if-" Pinkie interrupts Twilight's speech. "Twilight. Do you honestly think Discord would do that to someone he calls a friend?" Pinkie asks. "Yes!" Twilight shouts, causing Pinkie to hurl back a little. "Discord lied to us and impersonated as Spike! Discord is capable of making us suffer!" Twilight groans and flops on her bed. "I think you are overexaggerating, Twilight. Sure, Discord has done much wrong, but he's done a lot of rights as well. He stopped Spike from committing suicide." "Spike could be already dead in that other world that Discord sent him to; he could have killed him already!" Twilight snaps at Pinkie. "Like Discord, we don't know, and we can't assume anything negative, Twilight. I'm pretty sure Spike is having the time of his life!" Pinkie smiles. "Do you really think sending Spike to an unknown world is wise, Pinkie?" Twilight glares at Pinkie. "Eeeeee, uuuuuh..," Pinkie tries to come up with an answer. "No. Not wise at all..," Pinkie's mane deflates. "Exactly my point. Discord has no freaking idea what planet Spike is calling home. Discord is a liar and deceitful creature filled with the love of Chaos! He has no idea what love is supposed to be!" "That's going a bit too far, Twilight," Pinkie doesn't like Twilight's demeanor. "Let me tell you what's far. Spike. Spike is far from our reach!" "So, uh," Pinkie tries to think of a way to get Spike out of Twilight's mind. "Have you made contact with Sunset Shimmer?" Twilight sighs heavily. "No..," Twilight looks down and sees the journal to contact her. "I prolonged the inevitable, Pinkie. I'm about to take her happiness for the sake of Equestria." "You mean you, Twilight," Pinkie rephrases Twilight's statement. "Excuse me?" Twilight feels conflicted. "I'm willing to let bygones be bygones, Twilight. I, like the others, have accepted the reality of the situation. We screwed up with Spike. I do want to see him and apologize to Spike for all the wrongs I've done. I do believe there's a line we shouldn't cross. Are you willing to cross that line?" "If it means saving Spike's life from a wretched world, yes. You are blind due to your carefree nature, Pinkie. Choosing a world out of randomness and going into uncharted territory will draw a lot of attention to the surrounding area. There are creatures out there not fond of every species or anything," Twilight explains. "Without research or having any knowledge, it's like finding hay in a needle stack." "You mean a needle in a haystack?" Pinkie rephrases Twilight's statement again. "Not this time. The hay represents goodness, while the needles represent all uncharted territory. Leading into all sorts of dangers without any counter-measure." Pinkie sighs. "Twilight, you've really become a stick in the mud. Always assuming the worst, never the better." "Due to Discord's antics, Pinkie. Equestria was nearly on the brink of war with the other kingdoms such as the Yaks, Griffins, Dragons, and even Changelings! Discord blab his mouth instead of keeping it shut and only to Princess Cadance and my Big Brother! We could have been in a worse circumstance because of his big mouth! How can I not think of anything worse than us getting killed because of Discord?! His lies and deception caused us to suffer so much trauma. I, the Princess of Friendship, can no longer be viewed the same after everyone knows what I've done to Spike! You, the party pony of Ponyville, how many parties have you thrown recently?" Twilight angrily asks. That question hit Pinkie hard. The news about Pinkie Pie's involvement in making life difficult for the baby dragon caused some ponies in Ponyville to reject Pinkie Pie's party-throwing expertise. Then the revelation of Spike was no longer in Equestria spread like wildfire in Ponyville. More than half of the ponies in Ponyville have declined offers from Pinkie Pie. "Seven parties," Pinkie tries not to cry. "IF Discord would have kept his mouth shut, how many parties would you have thrown?" "All of them..," Pinkie Pie sighs sadly. "Exactly. Do you know how Rarity is doing in terms of selling her dresses?" Twilight angrily asks. "She's struggling..," Pinkie sadly answers. "Do you know why?" Pinkie slumps to the floor. "Because everyone knows what Rarity did because Discord opened his mouth..." "You remembered what happened to Rainbow Dash?" Pinkie is on the verge of tears. "Twilight, no more.., you made your point..." Do you think Spike is in good hooves, then?" Twilight looks at Pinkie Pie. "Well?" Pinkie Pie sniffs. She tries to think positively but, her mind is clouded because Twilight reminds her of what Discord has said. Pinkie tries to come up with an answer but, nothing is appealing in her head. Just negative thoughts. "I.., don't know.., Twilight," Pinkie looks at Twilight, nearly on the verge of crying her eyes out. "Yes or no, Pinkie?!" Twilight asks. "No.., there, is that what you wanted to hear?" Tears stream down Pinkie's face. "That you're right, and I'm wrong." Twilight sighs and gives Pinkie Pie some tissues for her to use. "Sorry, Pinkie. It's just, I'm not only Spike's friend. I'm his mother. I failed him in both categories. If Discord didn't pull what he did and Spike never made that wish, we could have done the right thing. I need this. Equestria needs this, and you know it." "I know. For the Bar of Alliance's sake as well." "Exactly. Now you're getting to see the bigger picture. Spike is vital for every creature, and we, as Equestria's protectors, cannot allow Equestria to fall into despair." "So, how are you going to address the situation with Sunset? Bring her here, tell her what happened, bring Spike back, erase everyone's mind, thus allowing Sunset to return to the other world and pretend to never happen in the first place?" Pinkie monologues the wrong info due to her mind going astray thanks to Twilight's questioning. "Pinkie," Twilight smiles widely. "You're a genius!" Pinkie Pie realizes she said something wrong. "No, don't listen to me! I take that back! I'm bad at giving advice!" Pinkie is waving her hooves as she just gave Twilight a twisted idea. "Sorry, Pinkie," Twilight said, full of hope now. "This is too good to pass up," Twilight ignites her horn and shoots a memory-erase spell to wipe Pinkie Pie's memory. That way, no one can stop her from achieving her goals and setting things right; if Spike doesn't listen to reason whatsoever. "Huh, what am I doing here?" Pinkie looks around. "Hey, Twilight! Need some help with what you're doing?" Pinkie glees. "Yes, I do," Twilight smiles. "Can you make a gem cake so delicious that'll make any dragon drool for days?" "Ooooooooooo," Pinkie nods. "Time to put my baking techniques to far exceed a dragon's taste buds. I'll need a tiny bit of time to craft a masterpiece. Just like the Cakes when they made M.M.M.M." "Take all the time you need. Right now, I'm ready to," Twilight pauses. Now reality comes in for informing Sunset of the news. She sighs a little. "Inform Sunset of the new ruling in Equestria concerning all creatures staying in the world; they originated from." "I'm sure you'll do fine, Twilight. Sunset is your friend. I'm sure she'll understand," Pinkie trots up to her friend and hugs her. "Thanks, Pinkie Pie. I don't know what I do without a friend like you," Twilight happily said. "Ah, what are friends for?" Pinkie smiles and hops out of Twilight's room. Twilight picks up the journal to send Sunset Shimmer a single message of importance. "We need to talk, Sunset Shimmer."