Spike smiles as Twilight makes the last turn before they were into the rock farmlands of Pinkie Pie’s home. When twilight finds a place to park. They saw that everyone else had parked and was already there. It was logical as they were the last to leave and with the stopping for their worries for each other. Well Spike was excited and anxious about what was going to happen.
Once he got out of the car and started making his way over. He was stopped by Twilight. “I need to check ahead if they are ready for you. They have something special that they want to have ready first before you came in.”
Twilight heads inside as Spike waits to see if he was good to come in. He hopes that things go well. Last time he was given stuff he well went on a rampage. Thankfully now Ember has given him some training on how to handle it.
Once Twilight and waved her hand to lead Spike in. He made his way over to the door. She and Spike went inside saw Pinkie Pie along with everyone else come out and scream, “Happy Birthday Spike!”
Spike gives a confused look. His birthday wasn’t until next week. He then gets a hug from Pinkie Pie as she smiles, “Yeah, I know. It’s a week early, but I figured it be the best sense from the warning from Shining and Cadance. You wouldn’t be able to focus or even be able to have fun during the second week of school because their classes would have some special things planned for you and all of us. You weren’t the only one they wanted to make sure get in Cadance class.”
Spike gives Shining and Cadance a look. He wants to know what they are planning. They have a reason for this. Whatever it was there is a fair chance it can only spell trouble. Then Twilight speaks up, “Well guys, I am thankful for everyone coming to my brother’s birthday, but it’s time. Spike here really wants to know what’s been happening and… I think he deserves to know.”
“Twi’light, I know you care for your brother. Right down to your core. Are you sure it’s a good idea? This is really risky with what’s happening.” Applejack spoke.
Rainbow Dash adds on, “Yeah, I am with AJ on this one. I already dislike that Scoots here has gotten involved... Just as much as Rarity and AJ feel about Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell gotten rope in all this mess.”
"Dears, now let's calm down. This is mainly Twilight and Shining choice for they are Spike's siblings. He wants to help and so it's clear that well it's best to them say. No matter how we wish Spike to not be hurt." Rarity states.
Fluttershy speaks, "girls, this... is not the time for this. Twilight are you sure?"
"I am. I just hope you agree, Shining. For I agree with Rarity. You should just as much say I do." Twilight explains.
Everyone turns to Shining. Who seems to be thinking. Discord goes on and gives him a pat on the shoulder. Pinkie before Spike can react. Takes him outside. "SORRY, EVERYONE GOT TO TALK TO SPIKE WILL BE BACK IN A FEW SECONDS WAIT FOR US AND TALK THINGS OUT AND MAKE A PLAN FOR WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM AT HAND THIS WILL BE QUICKIER THAN YOU CAN SAY CREAM PIE!"
Spike and Pinkie Pie are gone from the rest of the group. Outside on top of a hill near her home in 10 secs. Pure randomness is part of Pinkie Pie's sub-type with her type being strength pony. This matters for it helps with her talents as well Pinkie Pie. Although Spike, a bit sick from how fast they moved, sat down and looked up at Pinkie Pie waiting.
"So, why did you bring me out here?" Spike questions.
Pinkie seems to think for a bit about what she should say. "Well...Spike, I don't want you involved in this at all. You are an amazing friend to us and an amazing brother to Twilight. My own sisters have gotten involved and have gotten hurt because of it. I nearly seen to many of my friends get... get...."
Pinkie seems to not be about to bring the words to her mouth. Spike has never seen her like this. Pinkie is someone that hardly ever does not smile. Pinkie is someone that hardly ever fears anything. Pinkie is the most innocent of heart when it comes to things like she is trying to speak of. Just what is happening to cause these guys to be this secretive. To be this worried. Discord of all people seems to be unable to make the problem just pop away. Spike could see it in his friend's eyes. He could tell Discord felt useless.
"Pinkie. No matter what happens. Please continue to smile. Your smile is one of the few things that keeps up the morale of our friends. I know you don't want to see me hurt. But I do not want to see my friends and family hurt. So, with whatever is happening. I will help even if I have to prove to Shining Armor that I can." Spike explains his feelings
Pinkie looks at Spike and thinks about the past. Spike, her wonderful friend, has been able to hold out during some of the hardest of times and was willing to risk his life before for his friends and family. It seems like that was not going to change any time soon. Pinkie hugs Spike. Spike could tell that Pinkie approves of his choice. Although she wished he didn't.
"Hey love birds! Get your butts back here! Shining has an answer!" Discord cries out.
Spike screams back as Pinkie, and he goes back down, "On our way! AND DON'T SAY THAT YOU KNOW PINKIE LIKES CHEESE SANDWICH!"
Pinkie blushes a bit as they make their way down. Once they were back with the others. Shining was standing with Twilight. He was standing up straight like he was boss fight ready to take down anyone that stands in his way. "Spike, I know you well. You are my brother, but I just ask this question if you want my approval. What would you do if you could only save one person out of two people. Who would you save. Me or Twilight."
Everyone gasps at this. This seemed like no one expected this. Flash, Wallflower and Sunset all seemed like they wanted to speak up. But Ember, Smolder and Thorax stopped them. Others decided to sit in wait. Pinkie Pie just smiles at Spike. Twilight seemed natural after her shock was gone.
"Shining... You know that is a trick question. I would save you both no matter the cost to me and only me. Not the lives of others." Spike gives a firm answer before deflecting a magic shot at PINKIE from Shining.
Everyone looks at Shining. They don't move or say anything. Shining after a bit, gives a second shot at Twilight which Spike as quickly as he could get over and barely blocks it. Shining then speaks, "Good work. I figured you could handle that. I just needed to make sure you always be on your toes little bro. Sorry Pinkie and Sis. I just had to make sure Spike could at least defend others sense I already know he can defend himself."
Before he gets a whack to the head from Cadance, Applejack, and Fluttershy. Once everyone calms down and makes sure Shining, Spike, Twilight and Pinkie are ok. Cadance gives Shining a little talk on how that was a bit too far. Spike makes sure both Pinkie and Twilight are alright. While everyone else is talking about plans. How to deal with the dangers of the threats they face. Discord seems to be preparing something to show while Rarity seems to be bringing whatever item they thought Spike would be able to tell right off the bat what it is without how much gift wrapping it has. IT seemed to just be a huge box twice his size.
"Alright. I am sorry dear. Look, I just didn't know what else to do. If we want to deal with the danger that is coming Spike needed to show he was able to help out in some way so the others won't doubt him. You know how for years he was treated like a baby by everyone, even his closest friends. Oh, everyone would have tried to protect him 24/7." Shining explains the worries on his mind.
Many of Spike friends wanted to protest, but those who knew he was right like Big Mac, Discord, Rainbow Dash, Sunset and more stopped them. Knowing that it was true for some time. Twilight speaks up, "HEY! I didn't baby him that bad."
Everyone gives her some looks. Before she looks away. Everyone knows she still babies him sometimes. Spike has expressed his dislike of it. These things had all happened before and well Spike knew it was time to move on. Spike stands up and hugs his sister. Before signaling to Pinkie asking if he could begin to open the huge gift. Pinkie gives a thumbs up.
Spike begins slowly opening the gift and as he takes down about 20 layers which takes 30 mins of opening. Which everyone gives Pinkie a look for. She just shrugs them off and sees that the gift is unwrapped enough that you can see the glow coming from the gift. Spike then realizes what it is. Goes speed demon mode in a metaphorical since and rips up the wrapping to nothing until you can see what is within. What everyone sees within the gift is a shining stone in the shape of Spike and his size. This is the power up stone for spike. Everyone gets a power-up stone that allows them to increase a special area of their talents they have gained throughout their life which is normally given on once 18th birthday, but many exceptions have been made throughout the history ever sense the change that made everyone had special types that gave them powers. Spike looks at everyone making sure he wasn't seeing things. Everyone just smiles at him.
Spike quickly takes the statue of stone by the hand and speaks, "I am Spike with the Dragon-blood type with sub-type Magic-FLAME!"
Spike vanishes from everyone for a sec before returning. Although for everyone it was a sec. Spike was planning his upgrade in another world. He looks through the choices which we will see, but Spike won't say what he got for he plans to surprise everyone with it. Choices: Flame damage = increase the damage your damage flame attack can do. Flame arts = makes it so Spike gains multiple new spells, he can use within his flames. Final furry = can use a powered-up raged dragon form. unknown = a coin flip mystery upgrade that is twice as good or twice as bad.
Plus, other things he increased in terms of what he can do. Once he got back, his body looked normal, well normal for a dragon-blood. He had his wings and scales on his body. So, everything accounted for. Then Spike looked at the gang, it was clear in his expression. He wanted answers now about what was going on before the party started.
"Well then Spike why didn't you just say it. Oh right, proper writing format. My mistake. I am Discord the being of chaos and disharmony for a reason dear viewer." *winks* at the readers as the story continues and he begins explaining to Spike who was confused on who he was talking to for a sec but put the pieces together. "Now have you heard of the multi-verse theory. To give a quick explanation. It's real and evil versions of each of us and hundreds of our friends are invading our world for some reason. Plus, I think we have fought five different evil Sunsets at this point along with 2 evil Discords, 5 armies of apple and orange families. Don't get me started on that fight. Chaos copies of Twilight, Rarity and Sweetie Bell. Elements of perverts, elements of greed, seven deadly sin copies of you, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity. You were greed and one of the hardest to take down. A transformed Shining Armor of a changer type. Evil Celestia, plus so many more evil versions or worlds that I don't want to go down the list of that we have or know are going to come after us. Oh, and be on the lookout for an evil Pinkie Pie. That we called Cupcake Pinkie. Celestia has said to kill on sight that Pinkie Pie. You don't want to know; you don't want to read about her and be ready to fight well yourself sometimes."
Spike looks like he has been hit by a truck. Well, it feels like it at least for him. All the others understand this is going to take some time to get through his head. They are going to be fighting evil different world versions/copies of himself and his friends. Some seemed to be marked as to be killed on sight! That is well. Worrisome in so many ways. Spikes minds are running through all the info and now start over thinking and start to mumble everything that could go terribly wrong. What if He can't tell the difference between one of his friends and an evil version from a different world. What if he can't protect those he loves, and they get hurt because he is too slow or too weak? What if he lets his emotions and/or logical thinking brain fight over what to do for so long that he looks frozen as a statue and fails to help? What if-.
"SPIKE!" Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight, Ember, Sunset and Thorax yell out to Spike getting him out of his rambling mind.
Once spike had calmed down and cleared his head. He talked to the others. So, the plan was to prepare him in training with Shining Armor and everyone else on Fridays in his class. For now, Celestia had told everyone to relax for they had all dealt with a great amount of stress as of late and that Celestia, Luna and some of their allies would look over the world and watch out for invaders. So, with that the party really started. Everyone was talking. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo were making friendly bets on who would start dating. Babs Seed, Gabby, Pipsqueak and Featherweight were planning some activities to do during the weekend. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Ember, Glida, Grable and Smolder were doing some small friendly iron pony challenges. Wallflower Blush, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Discord, Thorax and Big Mac are planning a game night for the weekend which Spike is invited to. Twilight, Sunburst, Flash Sentry, Rarity, Cadance and Shining Armor are planning an outdoor learning experience for themselves where they could tell some scary stories together during the night's end.
Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Zephyr Breeze, Gallus, Silverstream, Smolder, Yona, Sandbar and Ocellus are planning an animal tea party with some side activities for Gallus and Sandbar to do. Coco Pommel, Quibble Pants, Coloratura, Soarin, and Tree Hugger are planning to do a reading group meet up and talk about their fav books and activities to do sense these guys out of the group don't know each other that well and decided they want to get to know one another better. Sonata Dusk, Skystar, Blueblood, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Cheese Sandwich, Autumn Blaze and Pharynx are all talking about some of their wacky stories and adventures they have had before and after meeting and becoming a part of this huge group of friends. Spike was just hopping around catching up with everyone. Sense he was busy during the Summer Break, he didn't really have time to hang out with them.
What was he doing over the Summer you ask? He decided to take some special fencing classes sense he wanted something to do other than his job and play around. The unexpected stress and hard training he got from it left him a bit unable to join in outdoor group activities. When they had game nights, roleplaying action, and some other things that he could find ways around his tired body. He was able to have fun like everyone else with the group.
Spike then hears Sonata Dusk calling to him, "Spike! do you hear that!"
"Hear what?!" Spike calls out back.
Sonata Dusks five feet from Spike and points to his pocket, "That, something in your pocket. It's making some type of painful noise to my ears can you please make it stop?"
Spike looked worried at Sonata. Sirens have some special ears that lets them hear sounds that no others can. An example would be able to hear the mind controlling waves of the Sirens voice which allows the Siren to know who another Siren is and to be able to adjust and change the way the sound plays in the heads of others to make it work on making the person do what the Siren wants. The fact that something he has is causing pain in her ears and she can't stop it. Well, it is strange that a sound can cause a Siren pain alone. Everyone sees this and gathers around. Spike takes out everything he can expect from his pockets and Sonata makes it clear that none of them are the cause.
"Well Spike what dang else could you have in your pockets!?" Apple Bloom cries out.
Spike takes out the last time which was the mirror like stone, "Look there is no way this-"
"THAT'S WHATS CAUSING IT AND IT'S WORSE NOW! PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!" Sonata likes out a whale like cry of pain.
Spike quicky acts. He doesn't like to see his friends in pain. Pinkie Pie for some reason tries to stop him as he drops the stone to the ground and smashes it under his foot. Pinkie Pie grabs onto him as they both vanish, and the stone is broken. Everyone is shocked as Sonata looks up on her face no longer in physical pain, but emotional.
As everyone looks around trying to find any clues to what just happened Discord speaks up, "Enough! They are not dead. I can sense they are alive. But not in our world anymore."
"Then can you bring them back!? What was that stone!? Who gave it to Spike!? Why did it cause pain to Sonata!?" Twilight seems to lose it a bit as she cries out these questions in Discords face. Discord was about to respond before a voice from outside spoke, "No, even Discord won't be able to. That was a mirror stone. Connected to the myth of mirror pond. Which takes those who do cause a surge of kinetic energy to be teleported to the mirror pond's realm. Which none have returned from ever. The reason it caused Sonata pain was mirror stones were often used to banish Sirens. So, Sirens even before hand by genetics learn to detect when a mirror stone was around by the pain it would cause their ears. Before Starswirl the bearded banned them for he found out the painful ends that all who enter the realm meet. Saying that is no justice, that is cruelty. Ever daring to explain what he saw within his vision of those trapped inside. " Maud pie explained with a tear coming down her face.
The rest of the Pie family had returned as well. Each tried to hide their tears. Limestone breaking the most. As everyone sees a poof of smoke come from the stone making an outline of laughing dragon. Everyone heard the laughs of this dragon and it familiar yet evil and cruel.
Discord growls, "Of course it was him of all the evil psychos I know from the multi-verse."
Then the smoke keeps laughing as it goes up and away as Pinkie Pie and Spike were gone. Into the unknown of the Mirror Pond.