//------------------------------//
// The Duke 
// Story: Shakespony: Twelfth Night 
// by DisneyFanatic23 
//------------------------------//

	The Lady Twilight Sparkle was not surprised to find her adoptive brother in the throne room, nor was she surprised to see him lying on the throne, his claw to his head, listening to Octavia play her cello. Since he had laid eyes on the Lady Rarity, this was all he ever did. It got worse each time she rejected him. By the pathetic look in his eyes, she guessed it had happened again.

She worried about him. He should be out, engaging himself in some other activity, reading a book, anything to get his mind off Lady Rarity. It was bad enough that the ponies had mixed feelings towards the idea of a dragon governing their land, but his sulking made him look lazy in the eyes of the citizens.

He hardly admitted any pony, whether it be a peasant seeking aid or a noblepony paying a visit. He ignored the concerns from the City Council and neglected his duties. If he did not clean up his act soon, the Duchy of Illyrimane was sure to fall apart.

The young unicorn shook her head.

"Is this how you're going to spend the rest of your days?" she asked sternly, approaching the dragon. "Wasting yourself away, listening to depressing melodies, pining over that unicorn?"

The Duke Spike sighed. "Music is the food of love. Play on, Octavia."

"I can't believe you! You're supposed to be a duke! A dragon of respect! How can you expect the ponies to respect you when you do nothing but sulk?"

"And I suppose what you do is any better? You spend your days in the library reading those dusty old books! A mare like you should be married by now!"

Twilight grunted. "Don't try and act like Father, Spike! After all, I am older than you."

"But I am the master of this house!" the dragon spat, sitting up in frustration. "You're just jealous that Father left everything to me and not to you!"

The unicorn was taken aback at this insult. Spike sighed guiltily.

"I am sorry, sister," he apologized. "I have not been myself lately."

"I noticed," Twilight said. "Why are you wasting your time with this one mare, anyway? There are plenty of single mares out there who would be happy to..."

"Why do you suppose she will not marry me? I have position, I have wealth..."

"You won't if you keep eating those gems..."

"Does my breath smell? Are my spines crooked?"

"Your breath is fine..."

"Is it because I'm a dragon?"

Twilight said nothing. Spike groaned and turned onto his back again.

"Play it, Octavia," he said gruffly.

The mare was about to play when a knock on the door made everyone's head turn.

"Now what?" Spike huffed.

The door was opened by a goldenrod pegasus in armor. Twilight's face lit up at the sight of him.

"My lord," the guard spoke, "there is a Mister Iron Will to see you, along with a colt and a filly."

"Whatever they're selling, I'm not interested!" the dragon bellowed. "Can't you see I'm busy?!"

"They said they wish to offer their services."

"I don't care! I don't need any more servants!"

"Spike!" Twilight exclaimed. "It's rude to turn some pony away before hearing their business!"

"Don't tell me what to do, mare!"

"Spike!"

The dragon groaned in annoyance. "Fine! Whatever! Send them in, err...what was your name?"

"Flash Sentry, my lord," the guard responded. "I'll retrieve them."

Before he turned to leave, he met Twilight's eyes, making her blush. The guard returned a minute later with a tall blue minotaur carrying a red trunk, a yellow filly with a red mane and a well-dressed orange stallion with blonde hair and a young face.

Applejack gazed in wonder at the dragon on the throne. His purple scales glinted in the candlelight, his green spines looked soft enough to touch, and when he turned to look at them, she saw his brilliant green reptilian eyes. Even though they were filled with annoyance, she could not help but find them adorable.

She whispered to her male companion. "I didn't think he'd be so...short."

"Dragons grow at a slower rate," Iron Will explained. "He's actually around your age."

She chuckled slightly. "He's kind of cute."

There was silence for a while as the three visitors waited for permission to speak. Twilight glanced at the dragon, hoping he would say something. He was studying the colt with curiosity. He had the form of a stallion, but his freckled face was almost marish. He had luminous green eyes that reminded the dragon of emeralds.

When it was clear her brother was not going to speak, Twilight spoke instead.

"I bid you all welcome. Allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Lady Twilight Sparkle and this is my adoptive brother, Spike, Duke of Illyrimane."

"They know who we are," the dragon snapped. "The question is who are they?"

Iron Will set down the chest and bowed humbly. "My lord, I am Iron Will, a sea captain. These two are orphans who have served me well for many years, but I cannot pay them any longer. They seek employment from you, my lord."

"And they are...?"

Applejack stepped forth and crossed her hooves to curtsy. Applebloom coughed, pointing out her sister's mistake. With a blush, she quickly corrected her gesture into a bow.

"My name is Applejack, my lord," she said in her masculine voice. "This is my sister, Applebloom."

The filly curtsied. "My lord."

"You're not from Illyrimane, are you?" Spike asked abruptly. "Your accents are funny."

Applejack gasped and narrowed her eyes at the Duke. Ponies from outside of Haystings were always poking fun at their dialect, calling it garish and unsophisticated. This dragon seemed to be just as much a snob as the nobleponies.

"Excuse my brother's rudeness," Twilight said, shooting a glare at the dragon. "He is not in his wits today. Based on your accents, I'd say you're from Haystings, am I correct?"

Applejack shared a glance with her sister. "We are, milady."

"You shall have to tell me all about it! I've always longed to travel and I read so much about..."

Spike groaned. "You and your books again." He looked back to the trio. "You say you want to work for me. What can you do?"

Applejack cleared her throat. "My lord, I wish to be a page and my sister is handy with needle and thread. She can also do some housework and whatever task you have for her."

"I do have some dresses that need mending," Twilight noted.

Spike was now speaking directly to the disguised mare. "Can you read and write?"

"Yes, my lord," Applejack responded.

He rubbed his chin. "Do you like music?"

The mare was confused by this, but she nodded.

"What kind?"

"I like whatever music should pique my interest."

The dragon seemed to like this answer, for he smiled.

"Would you say you, uh...have a way with words?"

"It depends on the type of speech I am given."

Spike's smile widened. "Okay, you've got the job."

Applejack blinked suddenly. "Just like that?"

"Just like that. Oh, your sister too, so long as she doesn't disturb me while I'm busy."

"She will not, my lord. I assure you. Applebloom is as well-behaved as any noblemare."

He smirked. "Well, that's a big promise."

"It's true, my lord."

The dragon leapt off the throne and walked toward them. Applejack could now see exactly how short he was. He stood no higher than her chest. It was certainly going to be strange taking orders from a midget. Still, his height made him look all the more adorable.

The Duke took gold out of his purse and handed it to the minotaur.

"Here's for your troubles," he said bluntly. "You may leave now."

Iron Will glanced down at the two sisters and flung his arms around them. The fillies returned his embrace. They had known the captain for many years and he had paid them so much kindness.

"Good luck," he whispered.

The two watched his back until the doors closed on him.

"Caramel!" Spike shouted.

In a few minutes, an orange stallion with slick brown hair came panting into the throne room.

"Yes, your lordship?"

The dragon pointed at the duo. "Take my new page and his sister to the servant's quarters and see that they each get a bed."

"Uh, if it please your lordship," Applejack said, "my sister and I would like our own room."

Spike turned around and raised his eyebrow. "Your own room? What do you think this is? An inn?"

"Beg pardon, my lord. It does not have to be anything fancy. It's just...my sister is nervous around strangers and she'd rather share a room with me."

Applejack nudged her sister with her back hoof. Applebloom got the message and hugged the older sibling's leg.

"Yes! Please?"

"If I may," Twilight said, "there is an empty room with two beds in the servant's quarters. It's small, but it should be suitable enough."

"It is all I request, my lord," Applejack said, bowing her head.

She so hoped she did not have to share a room with stallions. Suppose some pony walked in while she was undressing?

Spike liked the way this colt spoke: so reasonably, so honestly, yet courteously at the same time. His voice was a little high for a stallion's, but smooth and clear. His visage was pleasant and youthful, his eyes stripped of falseness and filled with persistance. He was just the kind of colt he was looking for.

"Very well."

Applejack looked up in shock. Twilight was equally stunned.

"Do not look so surprised," Spike said with a laugh. "It's a small request which I am happy to fulfill. Caramel, take them to this room." He turned back to Applejack. "Once you two are settled, come back here and we shall discuss your duties."

Applejack noticed the change in the dragon's voice. It was softer and kinder than a few minutes ago. The smile he gave her was warm and friendly. Applejack found herself smiling back.

"Thank you, my lord."

As she watched Caramel lead the siblings away, Twilight looked at her brother curiously. She was about to say something when he interrupted her.

"What do you think of our new servants?"

The unicorn glanced back in the direction the pair had gone. "They both seem well-behaved, even the filly. I hope she is as good with needle and thread as her brother says."

"I'll take his word for it. He appears to be an honest colt."

"Quite handsome, too, though...did he not seem a bit...marish?"

"Don't be rude, Twilight. The appearance of one's face does not account for one's personality. I mean...look at me."

"If appearance does not count, then how do you know he is honest?"

"I can see it in his eyes."

Twilight tilted her head. "Is that why you hired them so quickly?"

"I have my reasons and they are none of your business!" Spike snapped as he sat back on his throne. "Start playing, Octavia."

The unicorn studied the dragon as the music rang from the cello.

"You know something, Spike?"

"What?"

She smirked. "That was the first time I've seen you smile in months."





Not too far from the Duke's manor was the estate of the Lady Rarity. Surrounding the grand house was an apple orchard and walking in that orchard was a yellow pegasus with a flowing pink mane. She was searching the skies furiously.

"Discord!" she cried, holding up an animated hairbrush that was struggling to escape her hoof. "I know you're behind this!"

She heard laughter, but she could not find the source.

"Oh, come on! You have to admit it was funny!"

"Where are you?!" the mare shouted furiously.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around to face a tall creature with a gray head of a pony, a long serpentine body covered in brown fur, a lion's paw, an eagle claw, a bat wing, a blue pegasus wing, a goat leg, a dragon leg, a snake tail, and a deer antler and goat horn on his head. He also had a white goat beard, a long black mane, bushy white eyebrows and yellow eyes with red pupils. Any pony not used to this sort of sight would have been frightened, but this mare did not even flinch.

"You're lucky I'm the one who found this!" she exclaimed, poking the screaming brush into his stomach. "If my lady knew about this, she would banish you from the manor for sure!"

The creature scoffed. "You think my niece would object to a brush that not only styles her mane but compliments on it?"

The mare narrowed her eyes. "She lets you stay here on the condition that you do not cause mischief! Now turn this brush to normal or I will show it to my lady!"

He groaned. "Really, Fluttershy! Have you no sense of humor?"

"Discord..."

"Fine!"

The creature snapped his lion fingers and the brush stopped screaming and was lifeless again.

"Thank you," Fluttershy said. "See that this doesn't happen again."

"Must you suck the fun out of everything?" Discord complained. "I swear, you're getting to be as boring as Cranky Doodle!"

She sighed. "Discord, you promised Lady Rarity that you wouldn't use your magic in this way. You really must break this habit or I'll have to inform your niece..."

"If you were going to tell her, you would have done so already." He smirked. "Why haven't you?"

Fluttershy opened her mouth but could not come up with a proper excuse. She gasped as Discord suddenly grabbed her hoof.

"You know what I think?" he said, wriggling his eyebrows. "I think my charms have had an effect on you."

The pegasus' cheeks flushed red. Then she scowled and wrenched her hoof away.

"I'm serious, Discord," she warned. "You must keep yourself in check! It's bad enough that you pull these little tricks in the house, but if my lady knew of your nightly excursions with those mischievous knights..."

"Who? Sir Soarin and Sir Rainbow Dash?"

"Who do you think? The elaborate pranks the three of you pull always get out of hoof! You could seriously hurt some pony these days!"

"Do they bother you, my dear?"

The mare shook her head. "No. I will admit, I do not mind Sir Rainbow Dash as much, but that Sir Soarin...he is absolutly uncouth! I do not understand why you wish your niece to marry him!"

"He's as tall a stallion as any is in Illyrimane."

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. "What does his height have to do with anything?"

Discord looked at his paw nonchalantly. "Why, with the height of three thousand bits a year."

The pegasus could not help but giggle, which made the creature grin.

"Aha!" he cried, pointing a finger at her. "See? You do have a sense of humor!"

Fluttershy stopped laughing. "The knight might have money, but he's not exactly...bright. I have heard Lady Rarity often say she would prefer a well-educated stallion."

"What? He's got brains."

The mare looked at him wearily.

"He does! I swear!"

"You sure the reason you want him to marry your niece isn't simply that you want your friend to be part of the family?"

Discord scoffed. "What? No! That's silly! Why, Soarin's the perfect match for my niece! You'll see!"

"But why Soarin and not Rainbow Dash?"

"Eh. Dashie's okay, but he can be a real grump sometimes. Plus..." He glanced around and leaned closer to her. "Between you and me, he acts a bit marish sometimes."

"But he is so brave and strong, far worthier a husband than Sir Soarin would ever make."

"Well, if you think he's so brave and strong," Discord said with disgust, "why don't you marry him?"

Fluttershy blushed. "Oh, I do not think I will marry for a while, not while my mistress is in mourning."

"Why does she have to be so dramatic? So her brother died. So what? Yes, it's sad and all, but she should liven up! As I always say, out with the old..."

The mare gasped as Discord pulled himself inside out, transforming into a baby draconequus.

"In with the new!"

In a flash he was back to normal. Once again, Fluttershy could not contain her giggle.

"Admit it!" he exclaimed. "Admit that you like my jokes!"

She cleared her throat. "They are...amusing."

"Bah! Stop trying to be such a stiff, Fluttershy! Have a little fun once in a while!"

"Fluttershy!"

They both turned at the sound of a filly's voice. A young white unicorn with a curly pink and purple mane and green eyes was running toward them. She stopped in front of them to catch her breath. Fluttershy smiled and knelt down to the filly.

"What is it, Sweetie Belle?"

The unicorn panted. "My sister...locked...in...room...again."

The pegasus sighed. "Excuse me, Discord. I have to go comfort my lady."

Discord huffed. "Oh, let her continue the theatrics! Maybe she'll get tired and finally give us some peace."

He covered his ears as he heard a loud bawl come from the manor.

"Then again, stop her now, please!"

Fluttershy rolled her eyes. "Must you be so insensitive, Discord?"

He groaned. "Must you be so serious about everything, Fluttershy?"

"It's a serious matter! Don't let me catch you up to your antics again! I promise you, next time, I won't let it slide! Come on, Sweetie."

Discord watched as the mare walked with the filly into the mansion.

"Pretty thing," he admitted under his breath, "but such a killjoy!"