The ponies, Spike, and Dragotron were in Manehattan excited for Power Ponies Con. As the Equestrians marveled at the big city recalling the times they've been there before while walking down the streets, Dragotron looked around in wonder and awe.
Spike noticed his robot friends look of surprise, before asking, “Enjoying the sights?”
Dragotron looked down at Spike and the girls who were just as curious, before answering, “Manehattan certainly is a big and busy place compared to the small town of Ponyville.”
“Believe me, sugarcube, I always feel the same way comin' here.” applejack assured him.
“Yes, Manehattan is much bigger than Ponyville, but you'll find this city has so much more to offer.” Rarity told the robot dragon.
“Well, the brochures I saw at the train station won't make me doubt that.”
“I just can't wait to get to Power Ponies Con.” Spike said excitedly.
“And we'll be there, Spike.” Twilight calmed him.
“But first we must make a quick detour.” Rarity said, as they made a turn of the corner and stopped before Rarity's Manehattan shop Saddle Row.
Dragotron looked at the shop, “This is your shop in Manehattan, Rarity?”
“Quite right, Dragotron. Welcome to Saddle Row.” Rarity said, as she opened the shop door and they all entered.
Coming out from the back were the raccoon family that served as workers at the shop, “Smokey! Smokey Jr! Soft Pad!” Fluttershy cheered, as the three raccoons scamper over and hug Fluttershy who hugs them back.
Dragotron looked at Rarity, “You have raccoons working at your shop here?”
“Yes, I know it's a bit unsanitary, but they're very good at their jobs.” Rarity assured him.
“Yeah, shop looks good, can we get going now?” Rainbow asked impatiently.
“Rainbow Dash, patience-patience,” Rarity replied, “After all we still have to get into our cosplay. And couldn't do it at the hotel otherwise it'd be too much of a longer walk while wearing them.” she levitated the bags over containing their costumes.
“Well, let's get our Power Pony on.” Twilight said, as they went into the back to change.
Soon enough the girls were dressed as the respective Power Pony they became while they were trapped in Spike's enchanted comic book, while Spike was of course Humdrum, and Starlight was the Maneiac.
“I actually did miss wearing this getup.” Applejack confessed, while marveling at her Mistress Marevelous costume.
“Same with me.” Rainbow said, while checking out her Zapp costume.
“I'm amazed you adding these paddings in my costume to make me look like I had so much muscle, Rarity.” Fluttershy said.
“Well, it's to keep up the appearance you're cosplaying as Saddle Rager darling.” Rarity reminded her.
“So why am I stuck wearing the villain costume?” Starlight asked looking at her outfit.
“Sorry, Starlight, but it was the only costume left.” Rarity replied.
“And we're all used to these characters looks because we've been them before.” Twilight put in.
“And you were a villain once.” Pinkie reminded Starlight who gave a dry face.
“Thanks.” she said in sarcasm.
“Excuse me.” came Dragotron's voice, as the group looked and saw the robot dragon step out from the changing room. Dragotron was wearing a fake muzzle over his mouth and pony ears colored silver, his dragon wings were folded into his body, and his dragon tail was sunk into his body and was wearing a fake pony's tail with the mane being silver, his claws and feet were covered by gloves and boots that gave him the appearance of having pony hooves.
“Ponyborg is ready to go.” Dragotron declared.
“All right!” Spike cheered.
“Awesome.” Rainbow flew around him.
“Dragotron, you look smashing.” Rarity admired.
“Thank you. I made sure to make my cosplay pieces were perfect.”
“You really do look like you'd make a good Ponyborg.” Spike admitted.
“Thank you, Spike.”
“Alright, ponies, and robot, it's off to Power Ponies Con!” Spike declared, as they left the shop and trotted off.
Soon they arrived at the convention center where the Power Ponies Con was being held at. As they approached, they already saw several ponies there. Some were cosplaying like them as the power ponies themselves, allies, and even enemies of the superheroes, while others were wearing Power Ponies memorabilia from t-shirts, hats, pins, etc.
Upon entering the building they looked around seeing it was like a haven for Power Pones fans. There were booths set up for meet-and-greets, merchandise, food, prop and costume displays, and so much more.
Spike looked around in awe, “I'm in paradise.”
“Wow. Reminds me of when I attended the Daring Do Convention.” Rainbow said, as she looked around feeling impressed.
“Ooh, there's so much fun stuff to do, I don't know where to start!” Pinkie cheered while bouncing up and down.
“How about we check the schedule first?” Twilight suggested. So they all gathered around Twilight and checked the schedule mapping out everything.
Soon enough they were already exploring the con, with Spike letting out his inner fan dragon. He purchased several items from newly released comics, some figurines, even a Power Ponies Con t-shirt.
As they walked up to several display cases of Power Ponies costumes, Spike pointed them out, “This is the costume worn by the actor who played Dr. Hoofenshmirtz in the Power Ponies movie 'Power Ponies and Delilah the Detective Dalmatian'!” Spike declared dramatically, before moving on, “And this was the outfit worn by the Power Ponies ally from space Cosmo Trot. You can really appreciate the detail of these costumes when you see them up close.”
“You most certainly can,” Rarity agreed, while looking at the costumes through their cases. Props to the designers for making such magnificent costumes.”
Two con ponies walked by and spotted the group, “Hey, nice costumes.” one of them said.
“Thank you, made them myself.” Rarity said proudly.
The second pony looked to Dragotron, “Wow. You look like you could be a real robot.”
“Actually, I am a real robot.” Dragotron answered.
The two ponies looked at Dragotron and then each other before laughing, “Sure.” they replied, before walking off.
Dragotron was confused, until Rainbow flew up to him, “Pay no attention to them. They just can't see the real thing when it's right in front of them.”
Twilight looked and saw something making her smile, “Hey, Spike. I just found something you'll wanna see.”
“What is it?” Spike asked, before Twilight turned his head to see another booth dedicated to Humdrum, and to his surprise it was filled with Humdrum fans and others cosplaying as the hero like Spike was, “Wow.”
“Looks to me like Humdrum ain't such a useless sidekick to these fans.” Applejack noted, while nudging Spike.
“Yeah.” Spike smiled, as he hurried over to the booth to see the Humdrum merchandise available.
“Hey, nice costume.” a pony cosplayer said to Spike.
“Thanks. You too.” Spike complimented his fellow cosplayer, “So you're all Humdrum supporters?”
“That's right.” another fan confirmed.
“We feel it's unfair he gets treated like such a screw up.” another pony said.
“Especially since it was him who helped the Power Ponies act like friends and not just teammates.” another put in.
“Well, I hear the writer plans on making a new issue where Humdrum has the main role.”
“Really?” Spike asked excitedly.
“Oh, yes. I hope it's good.”
“You and me both.” another fan hoped.
The girls and Dragotron watched from the side, as Starlight spoke, “Wow. He's really into the character Humdrum, huh?”
“Yeah, mostly because he related so much to him, feeling useless and that he's just comic relief.” Twilight said with a sigh at the last part.
“But to be fair it was our fault for making him feel that way.” Applejack admitted.
“Right, cleaning the castle.” Starlight recalled what Spike said about how they left him out of cleaning the Royal Sisters old castle.
“But it looks as though he's come to appreciate Humdrum now.” Dragotron noticed.
“Because we reminded him that he was one of us no matter what Maneiac said about him.” Rarity remembered what the comic villain said.
“Yeah, but I wish we didn't suddenly forget about that and went back to treating him like we did before.” Fluttershy said in guilt.
The girls looked down remembering just how bad they made Spike feel like he was never their friend, until Pinkie spoke up to lighten the mood, “But that's all in the past now, remember? So let's not think about it and just enjoy the now with Spike.”
The girls nodded, as Dragotron spoke, “Agreed. And we best get Spike away from there before we miss some of the other activities.” The girls nodded, as they went to collect Spike and press onward.
Later on the group was in the food court enjoying lunch. As Spike enjoyed some rubies he spoke to the girls, “I tell ya, this has been the most fun I've had in a long time.”
“Me too.” Pinkie agreed.
“I gotta admit Spike, you bringing us here was a great idea.” Applejack said, as she enjoyed her hayburger.
“A toast, to Spike.” Twilight said levitating her drink up, followed the rest of the girls raising theirs.
“To Spike!” Spike smiled at the appreciation he was receiving as he enjoyed his drink with the rest of them.
“Well, if this isn't a small world.” came a voice.
Rainbow's ears perked up, as she and the others looked to see A.K Yearling or Daring Do approaching them.
“A.K!” Rainbow cheered, as she greeted her, “It's good to see you.”
“Good to see you, Rainbow Dash, and the rest of your friends.”
“Thanks, but what're you doing at a Power Ponies Convention?” Rainbow wondered in confusion.
“I may be a big time writer of a popular book series, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy other forms of writing.” A.K confessed.
“She has a point.” Twilight admitted.
Spike looked at the pony and thought to himself, 'So this is A.K Yearling, the real Daring Do.'
A.K took notice of Spike looking at her and smiled before going over to him, “Well, hi there. I've never seen you before.”
Rainbow flew over and put an arm around Spike, “A.K, this is my good friend Spike the dragon.”
“You're really friends with a dragon?” A.K asked.
“That's right, and proud of it too.” Rainbow replied.
A.K smiled, “Well, it's nice to finally meet you, Spike.” she shook his claw with her hoof.
“Please, it's a pleasure to finally meet you.” Spike admitted.
“I wished I could've introduced you to him when we first met, but we kinda forgot to bring him along.” Rainbow said with guilt.
“Well, better late than never,” A.K said before turning to Dragotron, “And who might you be?”
“I am Dragotron. A pleasure it is to meet you.”
“Dragotron is a robot dragon built by Spike.” Rainbow explained.
“No way.” A.K gasped.
“Yes way.” Dragotron assured her.
A.K turned to Spike, “Spike, you have some talent.”
Spike blushed, “Well, I'm just full of surprises.”
“You know, I'm actually here to meet with a colleague of mine here. Mr. Steed Leap.”
Spike's eyes widened in joy, “Steed Leap? The creator of the Power Ponies comics?”
“One and the same.” A.K smirked with confirmation.
“This is amazing!” Spike cheered.
“Well, I got something to make it more amazing,” A.K put a hoof around Spike, “How would you and your friends like to meet him backstage at his Panel?”
Spike's excitement rose even more, “Really?!”
“If you're with me, then it can be done.” she promised.
Spike looked to the girls, “Can we?”
“I would certainly like to see the creative genius behind the Power Ponies up close.” Dragotron admitted.
“Well, we did come all this way.” Twilight said, as the rest of the girls nodded in agreement.
Spike ran to Twilight and hugged her, “Thank you!” Twilight smiled and hugged him back.
Later on, A.K brought the whole group backstage in one of the theater rooms where they saw out on stage in front of an audience of fan ponies was a unicorn stallion with his most noticeable features being short gray mane with a mustache, and wore a pair of sunglasses.
“There he is.” Spike whispered.
“Steed Leap.” Dragotron whispered feeling just as excited.
They watched backstage as Steed Leap spoke to the fans about his creation of the Power Ponies, as well as comics in general, while answering fan questions. Spike watched feeling so happy he was this close to a pony he admired for his work and couldn't wait to meet him up close.
Soon the panel ended, and the fans took their leave to move onto other con activities. Steed headed backstage where he was greeted by A.K.
“Not a bad panel, Steed.” A.K told him.
“Hey, A.K, glad you could make it.” the two writers hugged like old friends.
“Wouldn't have missed it. And I hope you don't mind but I brought some guests with me who're just dying to meet you.”
Spike, Dragotron, and the girls approached, as Twilight spoke, “Mr. Steed Leap, a pleasure to meet you. I am...”
“Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Steed began as he bowed his head to her, “A pleasure to meet you, your excellency.”
“Yes, but there's no need for formality.” Twilight replied.
“Of course. It's so nice you and your friends could come to Power Ponies Con.”
“Well, we had a little persuasion to come, a little persuasion from a special fan who's just excited to meet you.” Twilight smiled, as she stepped aside allowing Spike to come forward.
“Mr. Steed Leap, it's an honor to meet you.” Spike said trying to keep it cool.
Steed used his magic to fix his sunglasses, “If my eyes aren't playing tricks on me, you're Spike the Brave and Glorious; the hero of the Crystal Empire.”
Spike's eyes widened, “You know my name?” he turned to his friends, “Steed Leap knows my name!”
The girls giggled, as Steed spoke, “Well, of course I do. I make it a habit to know all about the heroes of Equestria, and you rank up with the Pillars and Twilight and her friends.”
Spike smiled while feeling flustered from the compliment, as Dragotron approached, “Greetings, Mr. Leap.”
Steed looked up at the robot and whistled, “Well, some pony sure took their cosplay to a big level.”
“Actually, not all of this is cosplay.” Dragotron explained, as he removed the fake muzzle over his mouth.
“Mr. Leap, this is Dragotron, a robot I built.” Spike introduced him.
“No kidding? You built this?” Steed asked in awe.
“He sure did.” Applejack confirmed.
“I was actually inspired to make him based off your character Ponyborg.” Spike explained.
Steed looked Dragotron over, “Well, I dare say you did some impressive work here. He looks like he could very well be a character in one of my comics.”
“How kind of you to say.” Dragotron said.
“Listen, sir, if it's not too much trouble. Could you sign my comic?” Spike held out one of the comics he had.
“And mine too?” Dragotron asked.
“But of course.” Steed Leap said, as he autographed their comics.
“And could you also say it for us?” Spike pleaded.
“Say what?” Steed asked.
“You know.” Spike said, giving him the hint much to the girls confusion.
“Oh, that,” Steed playfully caught on, “Tell you what, let's both say it on three?”
Spike smiled, and turned to his robot friend, “Dragotron, count.”
Dragotron nodded, and spoke, “One, two, three...”
Spike and Steed announced together, “Excelsior!” the two laughed together as the girls smiled.
“And could I discuss something with you in private?” Spike asked.
“Sure.”
The girls and Dragotron gave Spike and Steed some privacy, as the dragon spoke, “Did you happen to have made an issue of the Power Ponies that brings the reader into the comic itself?”
Steed smiled, “Ah, I see you found my most special editions of the Power Ponies.”
“Special edition?”
Steed nodded and explained, “I designed that comic to give the reader the experience of a lifetime by giving them a taste of what it means to be a superhero.”
“Well, we got a taste of it all right. My friends and I became the Power Ponies and had to fight the Maneiac. And I felt so bad for myself having been turned into Humdrum I felt completely useless.”
“Useless, you say?” Steed asked curiously, as Spike nodded. Steed smirked, as he levitated a familiar comic book out from his bag, “Well, this would say otherwise.” he opened the comic to a spot and Spike looked and gasped seeing the image panels on the page displayed Spike as Humdrum rescuing the girls from the Maneiac.
“But that-how?” Spike gasped.
“Sometimes, a character that may seem like a useless screw up can be more than what others make them out to be.” Steed winked at Spike who smiled with his eyes watering.
“Hey, you two!” A.K called, “How about a commemorative picture?”
Spike nodded, as Steed spoke, “Shall we, Humdrum?”
“Yes, sir!” Spike answered, as they went to the group and stood together as a picture was taken. Today had proven to be a great day for Spike for not only did his friends do something he wanted to do but for feeling a confidence boost from a pony whom he admired for something he especially loved.