Spike sighed as he lounged on his bed reading Power Ponies, this was the life. He quite enjoyed his home in Ponyville, it’s usually so peaceful and calm, if you don’t count the major villain attacks, though those seemed to be happening less and less, especially with the reformations of Trixie, Discord, Sunset, and Starlight.
All things considered he was content.
Suddenly he heard a knock on the door, and smiled, “It’s open!” He shouted joyfully.
“Twilight opened the door with a bit of an awkward frown, “Uh… hey Spike. I think we need to talk.”
Spike sighed and threw his comic to the side, knowing what that usually means, “What did I do?” He groaned in annoyance, “Did Discord leave some excess chaos behind from our last guys’ night?”
“No no no.” Twilight smiled with a giggle before frowning again, “It’s just that you haven’t been really picking up on your chores since you befriended Discord and Thorax and I think the only reason I haven’t noticed until now is because I’ve been checking Starlight’s progress on her friendship lessons.”
“Oh.” Spike said in shock before smiling sheepishly, “How… is she doing on those by the way?”
“Eh. It’s a bit hectic, but she’s done well on taking care of animals with Fluttershy, organizing photos with Applejack for her scrapbook and…” Twilight began before frowning sternly, “I am getting off topic. Look, I’m gonna be away at Canterlot as Princess Celestia requested me to give her students a quick overview on the history of enchanted objects in Equestria. I’ll be back by tonight, so while I’m gone…” Twilight then levitated a list out of her left wing and gave it to Spike.
“Follow this list.” Twilight spoke again, “Starlight can help you if she wants, but I want these done regardless. I’m not saying they need to be done by the time I get back since well… there’s quite a few chores, but I want at least some of them taken care of. Understand?” She finished softly.
“Sure thing Twilight.” Spike smiled as he accepted the list, “I won’t let you down.” He saluted bravely.
Spike soon began reading the list to himself, looking a bit shocked.
“Whoa. I have to wash the dishes, clean the kitchen, wash the windows, move the remaining Hearths Warming Eve decorations down to the basement. How am I supposed to do all that in one day?!” Spike asked himself incredulously before sighing sadly, “I might as well organize the bookshelves, that’s the easiest job.”
Spike soon headed towards the library to find Starlight putting some books on the ground in the shelves with her magic. There were like ten of them too.
“Oh hey Spike.” Starlight smiled warmly at the dragon, “I was just putting some books into the empty shelves. I was gonna read a bit since I don’t have much to do, but I noticed those were loose on the ground.”
“Oh… thank you Starlight.” Spike said in shock, “I usually take care of putting the books in the shelves.”
“No problem Spike. I’m always willing to help.” Starlight said happily.
Spike then looked at his list and back at Starlight. She was able to but those books away without breaking a sweat, it sometimes took some time for him to organize the bookshelves, and he was great at it.
Spike beamed brightly, a plan was forming in his head, and it would probably benefit him AND Starlight.
“What if I told you that Twilight gave you some friendship lessons to do while she was away?” Spike asked with a smile.
“Huh? Really?” Starlight asked in shock, “She never told me about this.”
“Well she did.” Spike said wholeheartedly, “She was in a hurry so she wanted me to find you and give you this list.”
He then handed the list to Starlight who levitated it towards her and hummed, “This seems like some basic chore list.” She said in confusion.
“Oh sure.” Spike waved it off with a scoff, “It might SEEM like some normal chore list but these all have hidden friendship meanings. Organizing books is a metaphor for how you organize things to do with your friends. Twilight does like organization after all.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Starlight admitted thoughtfully, “Didn’t you say that you do the book organization though?”
Spike began to sweat a little before smiling nervously, “I know what I said but that’s just what I do normally.” He lied sheepishly, “I was just surprised to see you do it.”
Starlight seemed a bit weirded out but shrugged, “I guess it makes sense.”
Spike inwardly sighed in relief, he was so thankful Starlight bought that.
“So what does washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen have to do with friendship?” Starlight asked curiously.
“Oh that.” Spike smiled sheepishly, “That’s simple. It’s a metaphor for cleansing your mind of your past mistakes.”
Starlight seemed to buy this as she smiled brightly, “Oh. That actually makes sense. I’m on it!”
And with a flash, she teleported away and left Spike smiling brightly.
“It worked! It actually worked!” Spike smiled giddily.
“Oh yes. Wonderful act my friend.” A familiar eerie voice he was used to spoke up.
“Discord?” Spike asked in shock.
A book soon opened and Discord pops out of it, “In the flesh.” He smiled enthusiastically.
“What are you doing here?” Spike asked, a bit weirded out his friend was around.
“I was just bored and decided to pay a visit to by SBFWIAM.” Discord smiled innocently.
“Meaning…” Spike raised an eyebrow.
“Second Best Friend Who Is Also Male.” Discord smiled teasingly, “Silly Spike. Aren’t you used to acronyms? Though I guess you’re too busy prepping your manipulation skills on Starlight to look at a dictionary.” He added with a smirk.
Spike looked wide-eyed, Manipulating Starlight? I would never do that.
“Oh please. I’m giving her my own edition of a friendship lesson.” Spike smirked nonchalantly, “Twilight’s a good teacher but I think I can also teach Starlight just as well.”
“Ah yes. And if it happens to benefit you as well. Who are you to stop that?” Discord shrugged his shoulders mockingly.
“Mock me all you want Discord.” Spike rolled his eyes angrily, “But this is a perfect learning experience for Starlight.”
“Ah. So I suppose you won’t mind I stick around and check out this ‘friendship lesson’.” Discord rolled his eyes, once again, mocking Spike.
“Alright then.” Spike shrugged uncaringly, “Stick around but when Starlight’s friendship lesson is successful, I’ll be getting the last laugh.”
“We’ll see Spike. We’ll see.” Discord smirked confidently.