//------------------------------// // Internal Affairs // Story: Spike the Fairy // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// It's a new day in United Equestria. Twilight (Sci-Twi) wakes up and notices Spike is not in the room. "Of course, his usual morning routine with the Dragons," Twilight (Sci-Twi) said as she got out of bed. As of late, Spike has been training hard with Garble, Smolder, Charcoal, and the rest of the Dragons to hone their magic power. Twilight (Sci-Twi) makes the bed and leaves the room. She trots down to the kitchen and sees Neighsay and Sunset having coffee. "Morning, you two," Twilight (Sci-Twi) smiles at her guildmates. "Morning, Twilight. Say, any word on Pinkie Pie?" Sunset asks, knowing Twilight (Sci-Twi) has the journal. "No news besides surviving the carnage. Maybe the book got blown to smithereens during their crossroad journey to District Equestria. I wish I had more info despite it being over a year since we came here..," Twilight (Sci-Twi) sadly groans. "You still miss that other world, huh?" Neighsay trots up to Twilight (Sci-Twi). "Uh-huh," Twilight (Sci-Twi) nods. "Seeing my friends die by that-" A clone of Discord blows an air horn, bleeping Twilight (Sci-Twi)'s curse word. "We don't condone that language here, young lady," The clone said. Twilight (Sci-Twi) takes a deep breath. "Sorry. I'm used to saying it back home. I guess I'm still struggling to clean my mouth." "No worries. However, only at my house; the language is acceptable." "Is the original around?" Twilight (Sci-Twi) asks the clone. "He should be. Why do you ask?" The clone reads Twilight's (Sci-Twi) body language like a book. "I have an internal struggle I want him to uplift. That way, she won't become influenced by that wretched demon." The clone nods with understanding. "I'll take you to Discord's realm. Anything else you require before we leave?" "Spike's whereabouts," Twilight (Sci-Twi) replies. "He's with Chrysalis, Terax, Princess Cadance, and Flurry Heart on a playdate. Spike is not with the Dragons today." "Alright then. Can one of your clones inform Spike that I'm taking care of my internal affairs?" "One of them will. I'm sending a voicemail into the inbox," The clone spawns a letter and whispers words inside. Then the clone gives the mail wings for it to fly. "See you later!" The clone waves. "Alright, let's get going," The clone snaps his claw, teleporting him and Twilight (Sci-Twi) to Discord's house. The clone and Twilight (Sci-Twi) arrive at Discord's house. They enter and catch Discord and Princess Luna kissing each other after having dinner for breakfast. "Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh," Discord and Princess Luna blush while being in an awkward situation. "Sorry for the intrusion. Do you have a few minutes of your time?" Twilight (Sci-Twi) asks Discord. "If not, I'll come back later." "I should get some sleep for my night duties, Discord," Princess Luna trots to her bedroom upstairs. Discord takes a deep breath. "Have a good rest, Princess Luna," Discord fix his gaze at Twilight (Sci-Twi). "So, what do you need?" Discord's eyes widen when the stone statue of Midnight Sparkle's head illuminates. Twilight (Sci-Twi) is in front of the stone statue headpiece. "There's something I need to get off my chest," Twilight (Sci-Twi) said with determination. "I want you to extract the Midnight Sparkle out of me." "What?!" Discord doesn't know how to react at the moment, with the headpiece of Midnight Sparkle illuminating more. "I don't want to be forced to turn into her. Grogar is a powerful evil of darkness, right?" "Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-es," Discord nods. Then the revelation comes to him. "Let's do it. Luna!" Discord calls for his mare friend. "Coming!" Princess Luna gallops down the stairs to aid Discord in any way she can. "What do you need, Discord?" "You're assistance. We're eradicating Midnight Sparkle." "WHAT?!" Princess Luna panics and turns to look at the headpiece of Midnight Sparkle. She sees it emitting light. "I thought she was gone for good! That dragon shattered her, and we divided the stone fragments!" "It's not your Midnight Sparkle, Princess. It's mine. I turned into Midnight Sparkle after getting peer-pressured by my classmates at Crystal Prep. Principal Cinch enticed and blackmailed me into unleashing the magic I've captured during the Friendship Games. Since we've encountered a Demonic Midnight Sparkle, I don't want my demon let loose. I humbly ask if you and Discord can remove the Midnight in me." Princess Luna takes a deep breath. With Grogar running amuck elsewhere and could use Twilight's (Sci-Twi) Midnight Sparkle memories and prowess of the stone statue fragments to empower herself into a compatible ally for Grogar. "We need the United Species with us in case this Midnight Sparkle goes beserk if she steals our magic power," Princess Luna advises Discord. "I'll be back," Discord snaps his claw, teleporting to the Guildhall of Harmony. Princess Luna tells Twilight (Sci-Twi) to follow her to the basement. Twilight (Sci-Twi) complies as the clone follows the two. Discord arrives in the Guildhall of Harmony. He sees the United Species having a pointless pillow brawl. Feathers and pillows are scattered everywhere, while some creatures are down for the count. Discord approaches Neighsay. "Neighsay." "Discord," Neighsay put his chug of apple cider aside. "What brings you here, my friend?" Neighsay sees Discord's eyes and knows it's serious. Discord has an emotionless face which shows the severity of the situation. "I require all members of United Species to come into my home. We have urgent business," Discord calmly expresses without making a scene. All other members of United Species are with Discord for the urgency. "Understood. Please, help me gather the rest of my guild," Neighsay asks. "I'll grab them. Teleport to my house," Discord uses his magic to teleport to Spike and Chrysalis. Spike is at the Crystal Empire Fields with Terax, Flurry Heart, Princess Cadance, and Chrysalis. Spike is playing tag with Terax and Flurry Heart. Chrysalis and Princess Cadance talk about recent events and prepare for a possible war with Grogar with his new alliance with Lord Tirek. Sure, they fought in wars and took down vicious foes, but that was with the aid of Earth Land Wizards and the Magic of Friendship by their side. Still, with the Eternal Cataclysmic Scepter in Grogar's grasp, they don't know what power the Scepter embodies compared to Grogar's Bell. "Tag, you're it!" Flurry Heart shouts and flies away after taking Terax. "Not again!" Terax flies after Spike and Flurry Heart. Discord arrives and seems to step into two bowls of potato salad some pony else made. "Way to go, buddy. It took us three days to make that potato salad!" A Crystal Pony is infuriated with the clone's antics on April Fool's Day. He's with his wife and daughter. Discord hightails away from the family. "Three days!" The Crystal Pony raises his hoof at Discord. "Sorry!" Discord uses his magic to spawn two new bowls of potato salad for the family. "Tag! You're it!" Terax tags Discord and flies away. "Oh, great. I intruded in a game of tag," Discord said, unamused at the moment while searching for Spike and Chrysalis. Chrysalis watches Terax tagging Discord. She believes something amiss is happening. "Discord!" Chrysalis shouts to get Discord's attention. "Oh, boy. What's running amuck now?" Princess Cadance dreads any news spoken by Discord, knowing it's serious. Discord lands in front of the two. "Chrysalis, I need your assistance on an urgent matter." "What's the status of the situation, Discord?" Princess Cadance asks Discord. "Twilight has requested to revoke her inner demon, Princess Cadance," Discord calmly replies. Spike overhears the conversation and flies down to greet Discord. "Twilight is getting rid of her today, Discord?" Discord nods. "Twilight fears Grogar using her power for his benefit." "Let's get going," Spike seriously states. His body gets engulfed in Sparkling Green Flames. "What? Mommy, I don't want to stop playing," Flurry Heart flies next to her mother, knowing the game of tag and her playdate has ended. "Sorry, Flurry. Perhaps another time. They have their priorities of the day," Princess Cadance motherly says to Flurry Heart. "I'll tell you what. We'll go for ice cream." "Yay!" Flurry Heart does a loop of joy and flies with her mom to the Crystal Empire Ice Cream Shop. "See you later," Terax waves Flurry Heart goodbye. "Bye, Terax! Bye, Spike!" Flurry Heart happily shouts while flying to the ice cream shop. Discord snaps his claw, teleporting Chrysalis, Terax, and Spike to his basement. They see United Species forming a circle around Twilight (Sci-Twi). Princess Luna approaches Discord. "While you were away, the headpiece of Midnight Sparkle quaked. I believe if we stall, whatever presence of Midnight Sparkle within her petrified state may entice Twilight's Midnight Sparkle and take her place. We need to operate quickly before another dilemma arises," Princess Luna advises. "Alright. Chrysalis, Spike; Take your place," Discord walks with Princess Luna to the center of the circle. Twilight (Sci-Twi) steadies her breathing, unsure how the extraction would feel. Spike decides to stand next to Twilight (Sci-Twi) and hold her hoof. "I'm with you, Twilight." Twilight (Sci-Twi) smiles at Spike. "Thanks, Spike. That means a lot. Everyone, I want this Midnight Sparkle dead. She cannot have a moment to flee. She sees what I see and know what's about to happen." "She sees what you see?" Sunset Shimmer is baffled at the revelation. "Yes," Twilight (Sci-Twi) sadly nods. "It's like Fairy Rage but the opposite. Instead of helping me, she wants to turn on me and take back control." "Why didn't you ask this when you first arrived?" Garble said. He's doing an arm cross while suppressing his anger. "Yea! We could have taken out two birds with one stone!" Clump angrily stomps his foot on the floor, quaking Discord's house with his strength. "I was afraid of Equestria's Midnight Sparkle gaining more power if she merged with mine or worse..," Twilight (Sci-Twi) looks down with shame. "Look, Midnight Sparkle, before turning to stone was rampant. We didn't need two working together. I know that the Midnight in my Twilight is in stasis, but she's biding her time, plotting, scheming, and planning for a pivotal time to erupt. I would advise Twilight to wait until she's ready to confront the situation. With everyone closer and more powerful, this is the perfect opportunity to strike. It's never easy discussing her Midnight Sparkle because of what Equestria's version unleashed last year," Spike said, quieting down those that are angry dealing with another Midnight Sparkle crisis. "Can we just turn your Midnight Sparkle into stone?" Gallus asks Twilight (Sci-Twi). Twilight (Sci-Twi) shakes her head. "No. I'm afraid turning Midnight Sparkle into stone would be futile. She needs to go; that way, Grogar's power doesn't increase." Neighsay and every creature else sigh. "We have no choice." "Discord, make sure there are no escape attempts if she flees from our battle," Princess Luna suggests. "Way ahead of you, Luna. My clones are standing by to subdue her if she gets passed all of us," Discord confirms. "Alright, let's begin," Princess Luna said. She and every creature around power up while Discord and Spike place their claw on Twilight's (Sci-Twi) head. They will combine their power to unleash Midnight Sparkle within Twilight (Sci-Twi).