//------------------------------// // Escalations // Story: Being A True Dragon And Friend // by Starlight Fan //------------------------------// Starlight yawns as she woke up from her sleep, she saw it was morning, and figured it was the right time to wake up. Once she got up, she noticed Twilight walking backwards out of Spike’s room and Spike heading over with plates full of a bunch of food. Before they could bump into each other, Starlight spoke up, “Twilight. Spike. Heads up.” The two immediately stopped in their tracks and saw they were both in each others’ path. “Oh, my bad Spike. My morning is not going well.” Twilight said apologetically before asking. “What is all this? How come you left the castle so early?” Starlight asked in confusion. “I didn’t leave.” Spike smiled obliviously, “I spent the night outdoors to get in touch with my dragon side.” “Outdoors?” Starlight asked curiously before narrowing her eyes, “Where did Sludge sleep?” “In Spike’s room. I saw it myself.” Twilight answered for Spike. “Yep. And now I’m bringing him the best breakfast Ponyville has to offer so Sludge can show me how a real dragon would eat it, see you later.” Spike then entered his bedroom and closed the door. Starlight made a silent gesture with her hoof as she angrily pointed at the door Spike just entered. “Alright I get it.” Twilight sighed sadly, “I didn’t want to believe you but I feel Sludge is taking advantage of Spike.” “Thank you.” Starlight sighed happily. “Even if he is his real father, Sludge should not be treating Spike this way.” Twilight told her friend, “We definitely need to talk to Spike about this.” After the day passed, Starlight and Twilight both checked the library to see a pile of books on the ground as Spike was going through them. “Hey Spike. You’re not spending the night outdoors again, right?” Starlight asked in concern. “Oh but I am.” Spike said happily, “I'm just looking for a good bedtime story to read to my dad first.” “Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” Starlight asked suspiciously. “Hey, he asked and I figured it’d be okay.” Spike smiled bubbly. That was when Twilight decided to speak up, “It's nice that you have somepony to show you dragon culture. But are you sure that's what Sludge is doing?” “I have to agree, he’s making a mess everywhere and he took over your room.” Starlight said softly. “That IS dragon culture.” Spike scoffed with a smile. “You never acted like that.” Twilight said sadly. “That’s because you and your family raised me. Now I finally have a chance to figure out who I’m supposed to be.” Spike said happily. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be any different than from who you are.” Twilight told the dragon softly. That’s when Spike turned around angrily and said, “Maybe you just don’t like that I have a REAL family now.” Starlight looked in shock at what Spike just said and saw how Twilight bit her lip sadly, clearly feeling saddened about what she just heard. “Th-that’s not true. I’m glad Sludge is here.” Twilight wiped her eyes, “I just wish he wasn’t such a…” “Dragon.” Spike said snidely, making Starlight glare at his direction, “Of all ponies, I can’t believe you would have a problem with that.” Twilight sighed as Spike left the castle, Starlight glared furiously at Spike’s direction, she could get over stuff like jokes about her past as they were hardly personal(except with Discord), but what Spike just did to Twilight needed to be reprimanded. “I’ll be right back.” Starlight took a breath and followed Spike over to where he was walking, “Well I hope you’re proud of yourself.” She said coldly. “What are you talking about?” Spike asked curiously. “You basically just said to Twilight’s face that she wasn’t your true family.” Starlight narrowed her eyes, “Even I know not to say something like that.” “Ugh. I didn’t mean it like that Starlight.” Spike rolled his eyes bitterly, “I was just saying how that Sludge is my actual family by blood relation, not that I don’t see her as an extended family of course but you know what I mean.” “If you can even call Sludge family.” Starlight said bitterly causing Spike to turn to glare at Starlight, “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Spike. I’m impulsive, not blind. Sludge is clearly using you to his own advantage. I’m not even sure he’s your father. His stories has some holes such as the Scale Collectors not taking your egg, the fact we’ve never heard of this land, and how the egg even GOT to Equestria. Combine that with the fact that you’re waiting on him, claw and tail, it all culminates that he’s using you.” Starlight said sternly before softening her gaze, “I’m not saying this to get on your case buddy, I just don’t want you to get hurt.” Spike seemed to falter a bit before shaking it off, “I-I’m not sure if I believe you Starlight, Sludge could very well be my father.” “Even if he somehow is your father, he’s still treating you badly. Yes, you’re Twilight’s assistant but she does things for you just as much you do for her. She actually cares about your feelings and even goes the extra mile for you. Name one time you spent a moment with Sludge doing something that didn’t benefit him.” Starlight told the dragon who stood agape at this argument. “Family means more than just blood relation Spike. I hope you realize that.” Starlight said softly before walking off, hopefully what she said got through to Spike. Starlight then headed back to the library to find Twilight silently weeping on the ground, that made her heart ache, no family member should have to experience what Twilight just did. “Twilight… it’s gonna be okay.” Starlight said comfortingly as she rubbed Twilight’s back softly. “But Spike, he just-he just…” Twilight whimpered. “I know what he said, I saw.” Starlight told the alicorn, she clearly didn’t need to relive that moment. “Starlight… am I a bad family member to Spike?” Twilight asked with a sniff. Starlight was shocked to hear Twilight ask that about herself, she couldn’t believe that she was starting to question her own worth as Spike’s family, and yet she couldn’t blame her, especially after Spike’s actions. “You’re not a bad family member for Spike, and don’t you dare say otherwise.” Starlight told Twilight sternly as she embraced her, “Spike was just upset. I doubt he meant what he said. Trust me, he loves you.” “It still hurts.” Twilight sighed sadly. “I know, the moment’s still fresh. Trust me, you’ll heal with time.” Starlight kept Twilight in her embrace and kept her tight. Starlight knew that Spike and Twilight would eventually talk things out but for now, she knew Twilight needed her by her side.