//------------------------------//
// Intro 
// Story: Spike's Little Unsung War 
// by Penguifyer 
//------------------------------//


Spike’s Little Unsung War


By Penguifyer


“Watcha reading, Spike?” Twilight asked.
“The next volume of that sweet comic series I saw at the bookstore the other day.”
Twilight lowered her head and peeked at its cover. His hands obscured the title but she could make out the subtitle “The Unsung War.” “What’s it about?”
“Imagine the human world but in some alternate universe where massive wars break out every couple of years. Better yet, legendary pilots rule the skies and change the tide of battle while some countries build massive superweapons to gain an edge. It’s awesome.”
Twilight didn’t know if she should be concerned or not. It wasn’t exactly like reading a book, but it was close enough for now. Whether it was a step up from the Power Ponies was debatable. “Well, what’s the premise?”
“So, there are these two global superpowers called Osea and Yuktobania. And after a mysterious squadron attacks some Osean planes that shoot them back, Yuktobania declares war on Osea. The series then follows that fighter squadron throughout the war.”
“That sounds… excessive.”
“I know and I love it. I mean, just the last volume they flew way up north and sank a submarine carrier that can also launch burst missiles.”
Twilight did admit that her knowledge of how the human world waged war and resolved conflict was limited. Regardless, she wasn’t sure if it was something she wanted to expose to Spike. “Also, you forgot something.”
Spike put his comic down. “What?”
“Tomorrow is your birthday!” Twilight immediately realized it might technically be called his hatchday or something, but she always called it his birthday.
“Really!?”
Twilight nodded. “Uh-huh. And I bet Pinkie has a big party planned too.”
Spike jumped up and hugged her, nuzzling his head into her stomach. “Thank you, Twilight! I almost forgot.”
Twilight squeezed and rubbed back. “Reading can do that. Believe me, I know.”


—	—	—


Later that day, Rainbow Dash relayed to them that Applejack needed help driving away some timberwolves back into the Everfree Forest since the two of them together couldn’t drive the timberwolves away from the farm. The job wasn’t that hard since all Twilight had to do was bait them back into the forest with some illusion spells. It almost felt like an errand more than a problem.
Afterward, Applejack sighed and smiled. “Sorry for making you come out here but thanks, Twilight. We tried shooing them away for a couple of hours before coming to get you.”
“No problem, especially for you guys. It was rather simple with the right spells.”
“You hear that, Rainbow?” Applejack raised her voice. “Sometimes it’s better to get help rather than bash your head against a fence for an hour.”
“Pfft,” Dash scoffed. “Says the mare who poked at the timberwolves with sticks for an hour before I came.”
Applejack glared. “Says the mare that thought scaring them was a good idea.”
“Girls, girls, calm down,” Twilight cut them off. “It’s over now. No need to fight.”
Dash and Applejack looked away from each other before Applejack smiled back at Twilight. “You’re a real lifesaver, you know? A real hero, too.”
Twilight darted her eyes away. “No need to flatter me. They do that enough at the castle already.”
“I’m sorry if I did but I mean it.”
“Thanks, Applejack. I better get back. Ready, Spike?” Twilight looked around. “Spike?”
Some of the hay ruffled around as Spike poked his head out of a hay pile. Scratching his head, he looked at Twilight and scratched his head. “Uh… you done, Twilight?”
“Yeah, ready to go home.”
“Oh?” He hopped onto his feet and jogged with Twilight out of the barn. “See you later, Applejack, Rainbow Dash.”
“See ya,” Dash and Applejack replied in unison before glaring back at each other.
A little ways from the farm, Twilight and Spike walked down the road back to Ponyville. “So, are we not teleporting back?”
“Honestly, I feel like giving my legs a stretch for once.”
Spiked looked off into the distance. “Hmm.”
After a minute of silence between them, Twilight glanced at Spike. His stoic face barely resembled the energetic and lively dragon he was this morning. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know.” He paused, causing Twilight to stop in front of him.
“Am I useless, Twilight?”
“Useless? Why do you think you’re useless? You’re my number one assistant.”
“I know that and all, but you’re so important. You can fix everypony’s problems with friendship, magic, or even both. You’re even a princess for crying out loud and you saved Equestria countless times.”
“Spike, remember the Equestria games or the human world? Even all of your little actions are helpful and change the life of ponies around you. Don’t go doubting yourself just because you’re not the greatest pony who ever lived.”
“It’s a little hard when I live with one of them.”
“Come on, Spike. There are ponies who’d even love to be where you’re at right now.”
“I guess,” he muttered, stepping in front of Twilight.
She sighed before following after him. “Don’t forget, Tomorrow’s your birthday and it’ll all be about you.”
He looked up to the sky. “I’d give anything to be a hero.”
Her ear twitched and turned, hearing him whisper.
“I’d give anything to be an ace.”


—	—	—


That night after Spike curled up in his bed and fell asleep, Twilight eyed his comic on the couch. She remembered the Power Ponies incident from a while back. Once she finally got her hooves on one of those comics without it sucking her in, replicating the enchantment wasn’t that hard. She even added a few improvements to her version that only required connecting a few additional lines and dots here and there. Her overwhelming fluency in magic put a smirk on her face.
She stood above the comic, splayed open on the cushion, and analyzed its panels and arrangement. She hadn’t found a use for the spell yet and hesitated using it with just any book. Still, she felt a bit sorry for Spike. She couldn’t make him royalty nor could she make him a hero. Ultimately, fate had the final say in those opportunities. Maybe she could make her own fate though.
She lit her horn and enveloped the comic in magic. With a bright flash, the comic fell back onto the couch cover as she smiled and trotted away. Fate didn’t let everypony become the princess of friendship. Hopefully, she could give him the chance Equestria would not.


—	—	—


Spike woke up late in the morning and rubbed his eyes. He feigned a smile after remembering it was his birthday. He knew that after today, it’ll all be about Twilight and her friends again. He slogged through the door and plopped stomach first on the couch, eyeing his comic in front of him.
“Morning, Spike,” Twilight called, trotting behind the couch.
“Morning,” Spike mumbled back, reaching for his comic.
A cup of tea levitated in front of him, enveloped in Twilight’s aura. “Guess what day it is…”
Spike smiled for real. Regardless of his bitterness, he knew Twilight still loved him. “Yeah, I know.” He grabbed the tea and took a sip, snatching the comic with his other hand.
Twilight leaned over the couch and hugged him from behind. “And guess what?”
Spike sat his tea and rolled his eyes. “It’s my…”
“It’s your day and it’s all about you!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Spike complied, opening up his comic.
“I can’t say exactly when and where Pinkie’s party is, but I do know that… oh no.”
Spike raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”
Twilight stuttered. “Y-you didn’t just…”
A bright flash blinded him as a force yanked his arm. He gripped onto Twilight as his body pulled away from him. There was no time to speak or even think. As the couch fell away from him, he held on to Twilight as hard as he could before his consciousness slipped.