//------------------------------// // Prologue - Leaving // Story: Elemental ReSearch // by RadicalDishonesty //------------------------------// Six multicolored mares stood in the center of the dark room, barely able to see even a few feet into the thick, black smoke. They erupted into an incandescent sphere and unleashed a rainbow shockwave, driving the smoke away and revealing a monstrous black night pegasus, the pegasus who had betrayed his comrades in Luna’s guard, attacked the elements, and commandeered the throne room in the palace for unknown reasons. His wings, normally leathery and batlike, had deformed spines at their tips and claws at the joint, and his ordinarily small fangs were exaggerated and huge. Next to him was a floating orb, projecting a smoky disk of purple magic behind it. The Elements gathered power, blasting a huge rainbow beam at the monstrous night pegasus. Spike, a thoroughly thrashed diminutive purple dragon, looked on in wonder from his place on the ground. He had seen the prelude to these powers a couple times before, but usually the Elements flew away to fight the monsters afterward. Seeing just the beginning it was already amazing, but that was nothing compared to what he was witnessing now. All the negativity and pain (and bruises and scorched scales) of the last few hard-fought hours bled away in the light and glory of the Elemental Rainbow. The night pegasus’s roar of rage and agony was drowned out by the blast that engulfed him. In an instant, the impurities in his body materialized as a thick, black smoke, only to be blasted away. The magical orb cracked and shuddered before crumbling into dust. But the disc of purple energy remained, flickering with images of stern equine faces. The sphere of power surrounding the Elements of Harmony faded away. The six mares of various pony tribes settled down onto the ground, their tails and mane still exaggerated and striped, the signs of The Elements empowering them without the need for the necklaces they used to require. “What is that?” Spike asked. “Home,” the collapsed pegasus croaked. “Home?!” Twilight Sparkle cried. “The home world… portal we night pegasi came through millennia ago. I made contact. I opened it.” “All those ponies hurt. The threats! Th-the priceless research destroyed! The black alchemy and all the body changes! Just to open up a lousy portal?!” The night pegasus coughed. “‘S’not even the worst part. But I’d do anything… I did anything to get to the place I belong.” “You belong in a cell,” Rainbow Dash quipped. “Hang on a sec,” Applejack said. “What do I keep seeing on the other side of this portal?” “Probably a thousand armed night pegasi,” the pegasus croaked. “I’ve been in contact with the other side. They had the knowledge I did not.” “A thousand armed… an army? At the portal?! That’s an invasion!” Twilight cried. “I told you there was something worse,” the night pegasus said. “Well, this stops now!” Twilight announced, and stepped toward the portal. Her horn glowed with its violet aura, and the Elements reacted by lending her power. She shot a rainbow beam at the portal, which rippled and distorted, but did not disappear. “W-why didn’t it close?” Spike asked. “The connection’s already made. There is no stopping it from this side anymore.” The night pegasus sighed contentedly. “I’ll be home soon.” “No!” Rainbow Dash shouted and stamped on the ground. “You don’t get to win here! We won! You can’t win!” The seven ponies and dragon stared as the portal began to clear and the army beyond it began to come into focus. There were thousands of night pegasi standing in rank and file on a rocky plain. Nobody on this side had ever seen that many of them in one place in their entire lives. Each was armed to the teeth—often literally—and at their head another huge night pegasus stood, bulky and armored. By him was a familiar glowing orb. Spike heard hoofsteps behind him, and he looked to see Twilight stepping forward. She turned back. “Okay girls, hold on… I’ll be right back.” She looked down at Spike and smiled. He tried to push himself up, but she stopped him with her hoof. Spike looked up in confusion. The purple pony, with both wings and a horn, was his whole world, and he was her number one assistant. They were partners through thick and thin. Why would she be stopping him now, just because he’s a little bruised? She ruffled his frill playfully. Her hooves were warmer than usual, and a comfortable tingle went down Spike’s spine. “It’ll be just a minute.” Spike gave a weak smile and nodded. Twilight took off toward the portal, galloping and flapping her wings before soaring with the power of the Elements. She collided with the portal horn-first, suddenly impeded by a wall of energy. She grit her teeth, and summoned a faint shield from the Elements which parted the whorling energy of the portal and forced her way through it. The eyes of the commander on the other side widened in shock as Twilight burst forth from the portal and her horn connected with the smoking orb on his side of it. The orb shuddered and quaked, and the commander let out a mighty roar of rage, which could be felt on the Equestrian side of the portal. Twilight darted back for the portal as the armies charged her when the bubble of magic around her popped, her hair losing its extra colorful streaks from the Element’s power. Spike’s heart leapt up into his throat. The closest armored pegasus dove for Twilight. She only narrowly dodged. Spike wrenched himself upright and pushed off with his feet. Pain lanced through his legs and spine and he fell flat on his face, crying out. The portal waned as Twilight was tackled by a soldier, then another. “Twilight!” Spike cried, futilely reaching his claw towards the portal. She looked through the portal straight at Spike. Her face fell and twisted into an expression of horror. Her horn lit and there was a violet flash as the portal finally closed, with Princess Twilight Sparkle on the far side. The six ponies and dragon all stared at the closed portal. All at once they  reacted. The night pegasus now stuck in Equestria collapsed, his lifelong dream dead. Rainbow Dash darted to where the portal used to be, and screamed in rage. Applejack glared daggers and loomed over the night pegasus threateningly. Fluttershy broke down sobbing. Rarity silently held her for comfort, while trying to hold back her own tears. Pinkie Pie sat alone, quietly whimpering. And Spike lay on the ground, injured and trembling and gasping for breath, as his life fell apart. Spike awoke to the distant sound of knocking on the palace’s front door and pulled himself up from the bed. He had outgrown his basket years ago and reluctantly started sleeping in the empty bed in his room. Spike wasn't entirely comfortable using it without permission from the old owner, but it wasn’t like she was available to ask. Spike began the long trek through the empty halls of the crystalline palace. At one point not too long ago these halls were bustling with activity. First by friends, both the Elements of Harmony and other ponies from town, or even out of town. Then by servants, who helped with the upkeep as visitors to Ponyville’s crystal tree palace dwindled. Now, Spike was the only one left. Spike sighed. Moving away from Ponyville felt very different from moving to Ponyville. Moving here had all the excitement of a new town, and the new ponies who were all nice, and Twilight's new friends and newfound friendliness. Moving away felt empty. Like Spike was admitting defeat. There was another vigorous knocking on the door, and Spike gave himself a light slap on his cheek. There would be time for moping later; right now he had duties to perform. Spike surveyed the throne room for what might be the last time. He had a tiny throne that he didn’t really fit into anymore, not that he’d sit in it if the other girls weren’t here. This was their palace after all; Spike was just taking care of it. They mostly avoided the palace even more than he avoided leaving the palace. He still had to purchase groceries, after all. Spike reached the doorway, and finally answered the door. Standing outside, currently looking at the sunrise, was a rust colored pegasus. A stack of three books, tied together with a ribbon, sat upon his flank. “Finally. I swear to Celestia if you wanted me here this early you might as well have the decency to–” He looked at Spike for the first time, and his indignant expression drained as he stared upwards at the dragon. “–be... ready... when I get here,” he trailed off. Spike was much taller when he stood on two legs. He was half a head taller than even Big Macintosh, and he was the tallest stallion Spike had ever seen. Spike hadn't checked since his latest growth spurt, but he suspected he was as tall as Celestia. So of course he towered over this new pegasus, who wasn't a particularly large specimen. “Aheh,” Spike chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “Sorry about that. I'm used to late nights and... I sorta needed a bit of an alarm to wake up. And that's you! I'm sorry.” “That's... okay,” the stallion said carefully. Several uncomfortable seconds passed. “Well you're the new steward, right? Russet Page?” Spike said. “Come on inside.” Spike lowered himself upon all four limbs and began to walk inside. When he was walking on all fours, he wasn't any taller than a normal pony, although with his tail, he was longer. He hoped it would ease Page's nerves. “S-so you're the only po–person here? W-w-what happened to the rest of the staff?” Nope, not eased at all. “I’m the only one left,” Spike responded. Page froze. “You’d be the only po–person that I would interact with?” “Well… not exactly. The reason I asked for a new steward is because I’m leaving.” Page visibly relaxed. “Oh that’s–” He frowned exaggeratedly. “–Such a shame.” He perked up. “But! I’m sure you’ve got a lot of places to be, you should be going.” “No, let me show you arou–” “I’m sure I’ve got it! Once you’ve seen one elaborate crystal tree-palace you’ve seen them all, right?” Page smiled too widely, looking at Spike, but avoiding his gaze. “I'm not gonna eat you or anything, buddy,” Spike said, eyes half lidded. “Who said anything about eating?!” Page exclaimed. “I certainly didn't! I-I was just thinking about how you probably need to leave this very instant!” Spike groaned. “At least let me tell you about what you can expect.” Page nodded insistently. “The palace is still open to visitors, particularly the throne room, ballroom, and library. Mostly nopony comes around anymore. Sometimes you get tourists or library patrons, but except for Fluttershy, who still checks out books from here primarily, we won’t get anypony unless they need something rare.” “Right! Peace and privacy!” Spike eyed Page, who shied away. “... I guess. Maybe without a big scary dragon secluding himself in the palace more ponies will be willing to come over.” Page’s smile faded just a little, confusion setting into his eyes. “... Well!” Spike forced a smile onto his face. “If you need more help Pinkie will probably be willing to tell you about where everything is in the palace, and the rest of the town. If you want somepony more… predictable you might be able to get Fluttershy to help. Applejack would be happy to help but… don’t tell her I sent you. They never really lived in the palace, even if they have rooms, but it’s still their palace. So they’re your bosses.” “O-oh.” Awkward silence fell between them, Russet Page refusing to look at Spike, sweating profusely. Page took a deep breath. “S-so. If that’s it then… goodbye?” “Yeah.” Spike, lugging his baggage, left the the Rainbow Palace and sighed. He hadn't gotten that sort of reaction from anyone before. 'Am I terrifying now? How much longer before I can't walk through the streets anywhere without causing panic? Most of Ponyville has known me since I was a small whelp, but even some of them are starting to give me weird looks, like I'm going to go nuts, break the water tower, imprison a stunt team and kidnap a damsel,' Spike thought. 'I figured by now they'd have realized that was a one-time deal. I'm not going to lose myself anytime soon.' Spike took one last look at his most recent home. ‘Goodbye. I hope Russet Page is good to you,' he thought and he set out across Ponyville. Spike avoided the market this morning. This early there probably wasn't anyone there, but occasionally Applejack would be in the market instead of at the farm, or Pinkie would be up doing something, and Spike really did not want to run into either of them. So Spike made his way around the edge of town and headed for the train station. He thankfully made it to the train station without incident. He set his bags down, then set himself down with a sigh. There were a couple stares through the town, like he suspected. ‘Guess they’re not used to the crazy secluded dragon walking around town. Without Twilight’s friends to vouch for me they’re probably uncomfortable.’ Spike smiled wryly at the thought. 'Twilight probably wouldn't have let things get that bad with her friends, at least once she knew what they meant to her. And here I am sneaking away.' Spike glanced at the clock. It was still nearly an hour until his train arrived. 'Maybe I'll send them letters after a week or two, and a few of them will forgive me,' Spike thought, and he looked over the landscape outside Ponyville. The sun was just beginning to crest the green hills and lush trees, casting long shadows. A breeze caused the tops of the trees to sway back and forth, and a bit of bright blue sky peeked out from between them. 'Wait...'Spike looked at the sky. It was mostly a dull gray from the morning sun, yet to leave the horizon. 'So where is the blue–' Spike's thought was interrupted as a bright blue blur burst from the treeline outside the train station. It rose until it was high in the sky and hung there. The speck might have been far away then, but Spike didn't have any problems correctly guessing what, or more accurately who, it was. The blue pegasus began her descent, and spun herself into a corkscrew pattern. The corkscrew's radius increased as she went down, and so did her speed, but she kept descending at the same rate. As her speed increased, her multicolored mane cast a longer and longer translucent rainbow behind her. All at once the rainbow became opaque, flying outward from the corkscrew's center like a ribbon being let go. The stunt became a spectacle of expanding rainbows as the mare tightened the corkscrew, and the measured descent became terrifyingly fast. The mare broke her dive just a few feet above the ground and turned upward, spreading her wings dramatically. Rainbow Dash fluttered down gently onto the train platform, eyes closed. “And that's how you make an entrance.” Spike's mouth was gaping. He was rendered speechless by the stunt, although there was a tiny voice in the back of his head trying to get his attention. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes. “Wait, where is everypony? Am I early?” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Of course I'm early. Now I did my new trick and only one pony got to see it, and he's not even a pony! (No offense Spike.)” Rainbow Dash threw her hooves over her head and plopped down on the bench next to the stunned dragon. “It’s probably for the best, I guess. Spitfire would end me if I got another new trick in the paper before we had a chance to actually perform it.” “D-Dash?” Spike managed to say after collecting himself a little. “Yeah?” Rainbow Dash turned a little to face Spike. Her eyes widened. “Sweet Celestia, you shot up, Spike. I know it has been the better part of a year but jeez, how tall are you? Am I gonna have to start calling you 'big guy'? Yeah I think–” “Dash!” Spike interjected. “Yeah, big guy?” “Early for what?” Rainbow Dash gave him a sheepish grin and chuckled nervously. “Well... you see...” There was a festive squeak and from outside of Spike's vision as all manner of decorations assaulted the train station. Where before there was nothing, now there were streamers and balloons and confetti. A cart with a cake on it slowly rolled into Spike's sight, and to cap all of it off, a banner unfolded from the ceiling reading: “Good Luck Spike!” A pink pony with hair like cotton candy popped up from between the platform and the railroad tracks. “Surprise!” yelled Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie! What are you doing here?!” Spike exclaimed. “Well I knew you were leaving town without telling anypony and I asked myself, 'Pinkamena Diane Pie, why would Spikey not tell anypony he was leaving?' and I told myself, 'Because he's trying to tell you he really, really wants a surprise party, because the only other reason he'd leave without telling anypony is he's feeling awkward and alienated because he's cooped himself up in the palace and feels like everypony doesn't really want to see him, especially if he thinks he's just abandoning them, and would rather secretly leave than confront and apologize to everypony, even though that would all but destroy what friendship he had with them and abandon them for real.' But I knew better than that!” “Of... course that would be ridiculous, Pinkie,” Spike said cautiously. “Thanks for the party.” Pinkie Pie winked at Spike. “No problem, Spikey, I am Ponyville's premier party planner. If I wasn't able to throw a going-away party for a friend on a moment's notice I wouldn't be much of one, would I?” “Uh, Pinkie,” Dash interjected. “I got my invitation a week ago.” “Details, Dashie. Unimportant details.” “Pinkie!” Spike leapt up and grabbed her by her shoulders, lifting her up. “How many other ponies did you invite?” “Just the essentials! The girls, and the ponies formerly known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Zecora, and the Cakes, and the rest of the Apples, and the shopkeeper of Quills and Sofas, and the Princesses (although I give them invitations to all my parties and they never show up), and Shining Armor, and Little Strongheart, and the candy store owner, and the new steward, and... I think that was it.” Pinkie brought her hoof to her chin. “I might have sent out a few more I forgot about.” Spike's mouth hung wide open. 'I thought I kept this a pretty good secret! Just how long has everypony known about it?' There was a hoof on Spike's chin, gently closing his mouth. “Don't get too excited, big guy; I doubt everypony on her list is showing up. Pinkie always invites a huge number of ponies and she's lucky if half show up,” Rainbow Dash said. “But with somepony leaving how could I miss it?” Spike sighed. “I hope nopony else shows up. I'm not really in the mood for a fight.” Spike dropped Pinkie. “Woah, a fight with who?” Rainbow Dash said. “Spikey is probably just worried everypony's going to still be upset and awkward about his messy breakup with Apple Bloom. But you shouldn't be, Spikey Wikey! That was almost a year ago, I'm sure everypony is over it,” Pinkie Pie said. “Wait, almost a year ago?” Rainbow Dash's face was wide with recognition. “I remember that! Applejack was going on about the monster that broke her sister's heart. I've never seen her so mad!” Spike plopped down on the bench, and squeezed his eyes shut. 'Here it comes,' he thought. 'I hurt her friend and there's no way the former Element of Loyalty would not go ballistic. This is why I wanted to sneak away.' Rainbow Dash took a seat next to him. “So, you wanna talk about it, big guy?” Spike's eyes opened wide, looking at the pegasus seated next to him. “You-you're not going to yell at me?” “Well, maybe, depends on what comes next. I mean, it’s not like I've heard it from your perspective yet.” “It’s not much better, Dash.” Several seconds passed in silence while Dash looked at Spike expectantly. Spike sighed and turned to face her. “It’s not that complicated. Eventually I decided to gave up my crush on Rarity… and found Apple Bloom. Supposedly. Except shortly after Rarity moved to Canterlot… She came back with stallion troubles. I… ran back to her side. I told myself I was just being a good friend, but Apple Bloom could tell that was a lie. “I broke her heart. I wanted to feel like I was really getting over Rarity, so I jumped into a relationship and just hurt her. I never deserved her. “After that I couldn't face any of the Apples, and Rarity and I agreed it was best if I stopped coming by... Fluttershy still drops by the library, but I can barely get a squeak out of her, and I can't show up at any of Pinkie's parties 'cause I don't want to find that Applejack or Apple Bloom were there. The rest of the Crusaders are still upset at me, too.” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head with a hoof.  “Wow, Spike, that was all... really dumb. You're pretty stupid.” Spike winced. He was ready for a tongue lashing, but her flat condemnation still hurt.  “I know. I should have stayed away from her or took more time getting over Rarity or–“ “Not that part,” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Well, I mean, that was stupid too but it wasn't the really stupid part.” Rainbow Dash hovered up close to Spike's face, poking his chest with her hoof. “The really stupid part is when you decided you couldn't fix it! Instead, you kept yourself cooped up in the palace for a year!” Spike stood there, stunned. “Dashie's right!” Pinkie added.  “Even if she's being a big meanypants about it, hiding from your problems isn't fixing them.” “There isn't anything to fix.” Spike stated flatly. “I hurt her, now I let her move on with her life, and I move on with mine.” “You never know unless you try, Spike! If you haven't tried to do anything, how do you know nothing’s going to work?” Rainbow Dash asked. Spike stammered,  “B-but I–“ Pinkie shushed Spike. “I know you didn’t do good, but it’s not the end of the world.” “Pinkie,” Spike stated, not making eye contact. “You don’t have to comfort me. This was my fault and I’m just taking responsibility.” Pinkie looked down. “But you’re hurting yourself more than she’s been hurt by you.” She shrank. “I asked her.” Spike sat numbly. “I-is she coming?” Pinkie closed her eyes and shook her head. “No.” Spike looked away. “It’s for the best.” Several quiet seconds passed before Rainbow Dash crashed into the conversation, roping both of their necks with her forehooves. “Guys, is this a pity party or a regular one?!” “You’re not angry?” Spike said, smooshed against her chest. “Not really!” She released her friends. “Sounds like getting angry won’t do anypony any good, and it happened like a year ago.” She held her hoof out to Spike and smirked. “We’re good.” Spike balled up a fist and bumped her hoof with a smile. “Thanks.” “Yay!” Pinkie shouted, accompanied by throwing confetti and baloons up into the air. “Then we’re ready to get this party started!” The party was in full swing. More townsponies had shown up for the festivities. There was cake and punch and music. Spike said farewell to Zecora, who couldn't stay. 'Man, it’s been a long time since I had a conversation with that zebra.' Spike stood up tall and spent a moment gazing over the party ponies. Many ponies from the town did indeed show up, save for Apple Bloom and her family and friends. Rainbow Dash was boasting to a group of foals who were wearing rainbow colored wigs, Pinkie had cornered Russet Page, describing the terrifyingly friendly day she had planned for him, and Fluttershy... Spike couldn't recall seeing Fluttershy that day. 'Maybe she's not here. I bet it’s the dragon thing, isn't it? I'm not cute baby Spike anymore; I'm already larger than she is. She's probably secretly terrified. Or maybe she is here and she's being a wallflower.' Spike looked more critically at the crowd, trying to see a sign of Fluttershy he might have missed. He caught a bit of pale yellow and pink disappearing around the corner of the train station. Spike excused his way across the party. Fluttershy was standing outside of the station, facing away from Spike. By her was her cart, unhitched, filled with animal care supplies. Spike couldn't make out what Fluttershy was saying to herself, but she seemed distressed. 'She's too nervous to make it to the party... maybe I should confront her. Confrontations are going well today, and even if she won't talk to me I bet I can get Dash and Pinkie to get her to have some cake,' Spike thought, and so approached Fluttershy. “Fluttershy?” Spike spoke. Fluttershy squeaked in shock, jumping a good distance into the air as she twirled to face Spike. For a moment she was cowering, trembling with tiny pupils, and Spike felt bad for surprising her. However, she then closed her eyes and breathed deeply, her posture becoming neutral. Then her eyes snapped open, glaring at Spike's own. Fluttershy flew up above Spike, her expression fierce. Spike felt smaller than when he first met her. Fluttershy was the kindest creature in the world, and she was angry. There was a small realization inside of Spike: 'This is it. This is The Stare. I never knew. I thought it was magical, or supernatural, but it’s not. Fluttershy is the most accepting mare in the world, and I managed to make her angry. I'm not worthy to be alive. No. NO! I have to make this right. She's gotta be angry about something and I'm going to make it right!' “You listen here, mister!”  Fluttershy sternly stated, her typical version of a shout. “You've done a bad thing and you need to apologize and work it out!” “I-I-I-I'm sorry, Fluttershy!” Spike stammered, and fell to his knees before her.  “I broke Apple Bloom’s heart, and I can’t do anything about it, a-a-and I know I did wrong when I tried to sneak out of town and I've been apologizing all morning! I'm so, so sorry!” “Oh, that's wonderful,” Fluttershy began, her tone demure for a moment, before returning to her fierce determination. “But that's not what I'm talking about! You need to wait here until you can work this out!” Spike cringed, waiting for the... whatever it was to happen. Seconds passed with Spike trembling. He looked around nervously, failing to develop even one plan to handle the unknown. A minute passed. Two minutes passed. Still no new things. “Um... Fluttershy” Spike said, “What am I waiting–“ A loud bird call pierced Spike's ears, causing him to wince. There was a sound of wings, and when Spike opened his eyes, between himself and Fluttershy there was a brilliant orange and yellow bird. “Peewee?” Spike said. Peewee erupted into an angry cacophony of chirps, and sent tufts of fire at Spike, causing him to wince, even though they were harmless against Spike's scales. Fluttershy's head appeared from behind Peewee.  “Peewee is very angry that you haven't come and visited in over a year, Spike. And then you were going to leave without even telling him! He wouldn't even know if I hadn't come by after I got Pinkie's invitation. You should feel ashamed of yourself.” Spike looked into Peewee's eyes, which were filled with determination. Spike hung his head, “I'm sorry, Peewee. I've been a bad friend to everypony this past year. Can you forgive me?” Peewee gave Spike a considering look, before closing his eyes and nodding. He chirped happily. “He accepts your apology! Now he has a question. Are you going to have to take a lot of time taking care of where you’re going to live now?” Spike blinked at Peewee, confused. “I don't think so,” Spike ventured. Peewee flew up above Spike with more happy chirps, flying in loops and corkscrews in the air excitedly. Spike was still confused. “Why's he so happy?” he asked Fluttershy. “Well he's happy because that was the reason he couldn't live with you before, right? Now that you’re not going to have to take care of the palace all the time, he can go to live with you.” Spike watched Peewee dancing in midair. 'I guess it’s not like he'd be too big of a burden, and he's old enough that I won't have to watch him all the time to make sure he's not accidentally lighting something on fire. And I don't have to take care of where I'm living anymore, I bet. There might be a place where he can fly around without worrying, too! It’s not like Princess Celestia isn't able to keep Philomena around, and she lives in the center of Canterlot!' “Peewee!” Spike called out to him. “You really wanna come?” Peewee chirped and nodded, returning to Spike's eye level. “You do know you won't be as free where I'm going right? You won't be free to fly everywhere you want to, and you might have to follow other rules too, like being in a cage sometimes. If you lived in the wild you wouldn't have to worry about any of that. Are you sure you want to give all that up?” Peewee dismissed the notion with a swipe of his wing, unconcerned with it. “Then welcome to the family! Again!” Spike smiled, but then his facial expression dropped.  “But wait! I gave you back to your parents in the first place because I didn't know how to care for a phoenix. What do you eat? How much exercise do you need? What if you're sick? I'd look it up in the library, but I don't live there anymore! I don't have time to look it up before the train gets here either! And what about things like a cage? I don't wanna keep you cooped up, but the train might not let you on unless you're in one! And I don't know the rules about keeping pets at the Institute.” Spike was silenced by an orange wing pressing on his lips. Peewee flew over to Fluttershy's cart, and retrieved a birdcage from it, carrying it with his claws and thrusting it into Spike's claw. Then Peewee flew into the cage himself, closing the door behind him. Peewee posed proudly inside his cage. “I got you a book about phoenixes,” Fluttershy added. “I'm so glad Peewee's going to be living with you now. He talked about you whenever I visited; I had to keep checking up on you in the library so I would have things to tell him.” “He did? I thought I wasn't that important to him.” Peewee gave Spike an incredulous look. “Oh no, he never forgot you. You were there when he hatched! And you saved his egg! You're very important to him,” Fluttershy said. “Well, great! So let’s get back to the party. Can you have cake, Peewee?” As the time of the train's arrival grew closer, the party at the station dwindled down to only Spike's closest friends: Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Peewee. Rainbow Dash piped up, “So... we've been here the whole time, and I'm still not sure where exactly it is Spike is going. I mean, were you just leaving because of the whole arguing with Apple Bloom thing?” “Shhhhh!” Pinkie shushed Scootaloo. “Not yet! We have to wait.” “It’s okay Pinkie,” Spike said. “I don't mind. I found it a little weird nopony had asked yet. I'm going–“ Pinkie clamped Spike's mouth shut with her hooves. “No! Not yet! We have to wait!” Behind him, Spike could hear the sounds of the arriving train. He attempted to talk, muffled by Pinkie's hooves, “Btt thh trns ullrdy hrr. Whuu m I waaaing fr? I wnnt hv ny tmm.” “The train won't leave for fifteen minutes, Spike! That's plenty of time!” The doors to the nearest train car then opened, and a dazzling white unicorn stepped out. It was Spike's one time dream mare. As always she was impeccably groomed, even this early in the morning, stepping off of a train that left even earlier. “I'm sorry I'm so late, everypony,” Rarity said, “but this was the earliest train and I absolutely could not miss my client meeting last night. I hope I haven't missed too many of the festivities for my brief visit.” Rarity's attitude was casual, as if this was a daily occurrence. But Spike hadn't seen Rarity for a year, and her visits to the others were not too frequent either. “Glad you could pencil us into your busy schedule, Rares,” Rainbow Dash teased. “Rainbow Dash! I may be busy, but for an event like this I will definitely show up.” “For the last fifteen minutes,” Rainbow Dash snickered, and a few others did too. “Yes! And now that I am here I don't want to spend the whole time arguing about how I just got here.” Rarity flipped her hair indignantly and approached Spike, Pinkie still hanging off of his head. Her voice became soft. “Spike, it’s good to see you. How have you been?” “I've been... to tell the truth, kinda miserable. But now I feel great! How has Canterlot been treating you?” “Living so near the pulse of fashion is wonderful. I wake up every day to the most beautiful city in Equestria, and with quick access to all sorts of materials. It really is a dream come true. But it gets lonely from time to time, and I miss the simplicity of living here in Ponyville.” “Spike was just about to tell us what he's going-away to!” Pinkie said, hopping off of Spike. “Of course! I got an invitation for a party but I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest about your destination.” “Well!” Spike hopped up on a table, adopting a regal posture.  “As you may know, before Twilight's sacrifice and subsequent disappearance, she was planning her first major act as a Princess of Equestria. She wanted to create a place where experts of all sorts of magic can gather and share knowledge and bring that knowledge forward for all of Equestria. “Even though she's gone now, Luna decided it was such a good idea, and an enduring dedication to her, that she went forward with Twilight's plans. The part you probably all know is that Twilight Sparkle's Institute for Magical Research opened up two years ago. “Well... after consideration, I decided that as Twilight's previous number one assistant, helping her dream succeed is a natural step. So... considering that I did it for Twilight for years, I applied for a position as a research assistant. I studied a lot in the past year to make sure I was ready.” “Oh my,” Rarity said, “That's right outside Manehattan, isn’t it? It’s a very prestigious institution. Many of my clients brag about their involvement in the institute.” The gathered ponies all made various impressed sounds. “Aw shucks, it’s not that impressive, guys,” Spike said, rubbing the back of his head and smiling. “It’s basically the lowest position they have. I think being the previous assistant to the school's namesake went a long way.” “Don't sell yourself short, big guy!” Rainbow Dash said. “You think they let anyone into that place? I bet not! It’s the Wonderbolts of eggheads! Best of the best, even if you're a rookie!” Spike rolled his eyes, but his smile remained on his face. “And... guys... I just wanted to say…. Thank you. “I know I haven't always been the best friend, and this last year especially I've been pretty awful, but you all are here now and I couldn't have made it through the past five years without you. You all are so great”– Spike began to get choked up–“And I was gonna leave without telling you all goodbye. But now you all are here wishing me good luck anyway! I don't deserve you guys.” “Of course you don't!” Rainbow Dash said. Everypony stared at her, agape. “But you got us anyways.” Spike smiled softly and chuckled. “Thanks, Dash. And everypony else.” Spike stepped off of his table soapbox, and found himself surrounded by ponies. There were hooves all wrapped around each other, and around him. Spike found himself in a big group hug, and he couldn't stop himself anymore. The tears were falling from his eyes freely. “Thank you,” Spike whispered. The train conductor announced that it was time to board the train. Spike and the others loaded his bags onto the train. “Well... this is it,” Spike said, standing just outside the train. “Waaaait! One more thing!” Pinkie said, and held up a camera.  “Everypony get in line for the photo!” The five gathered ponies, a dragon, and a phoenix all posed for the photo. There was a pause, then a flash and a click. “Alright, now this is really it,” Spike said. “Goodbye, girls.” “Goodbye, Spike,” they said in unison. Spike, Peewee's occupied cage in claw, got on the train out of Ponyville. Spike sat down on his seat in the train car. It was going to be a long ride to the Institute, which was built right outside of Manehattan. Spike sighed. 'I'm gonna miss Ponyville. I guess I can go visit still, now that everypony's forgiven me. I'm so glad I'm still friends with them.' Spike winced a little. 'Of course, it just makes me feel worse that I lied to all of them when I told them why I was going to the institute.'