It had been four months since Spike and Macintosh had decided to wed after Spike received the collar allowing him to change sizes. He had suggested Twilight name the device The M.A.C. or, Magical Adjustment Collar. She agreed to it since it had been the shy stallion's idea to begin with. Macintosh denied taking very much credit as Twilight had actually toiled away to create the thing.
Tonight, Macintosh was at his bachelor party in Appleoosa. It was being hosted by Braeburn, a close cousin that Spike knew was a good pony. Spike was likewise having his own party back in Ponyville with the girls. Normally this sort of thing was handled by male friends, but Spike had always found himself swimming in mares. The wedding was to be exactly a week from tonight, making sure there was enough time for final preparations and the like, and ensuring there would be no hangovers getting in the way. Both of the grooms had agreed to keep things chaste during their fun.
The group had agreed to keep things simple, Spike had never been one for over the top parties. They were currently doing truth or dare, but if the pony (or dragon) completed their task or spoke their truth the darer had to drink. If you gave up or passed out you lost. Spike got to go first as it was his party, he looked over the group, carefully selecting his prey.
"Rainbow Dash, truth or dare?" Spike asked as he readied his glass of hard cider.
"Truth." She replied with a look of absolute confidence.
"What's the worst thing you've ever done without getting caught?" Spike asked with a toothy grin. Everypony ooed at the question, there was almost definitely something she was hiding.
Rainbow's pupils shrank instantly and her wings drooped. She hadn't anticipated that, she expected something much tamer in nature. However, Rainbow Dash was not one to shy away from a challenge.
"During middle school, Gilda dared me to pee in the cloud condenser in the weather factory after everypony had left for the night. I did it, and she turned it on and made a cloud out of it. She took it and moved it over a teacher we hated's head the next day and made it rain on them. She flew away too fast for anypony to see her do it." Rainbow Dash explained guiltily.
"Eeww." Spike said before downing his drink. "Your turn then Dash."
"Umm, Rarity, truth or dare." Dash uttered as she pointed a hoof at the prissy unicorn.
"Dare I suppose." Rarity replied nervously. Dash appraised the unicorn like a jeweler would a fine stone, and after a moment she spoke.
"I dare you to let Pinkie Pie change your mane to look like hers." Dash said with a grin that would have looked at home on Discord's face. Rarity paled visibly, an impressive feat for having such an white coat.
"Ha! Good one." Pinkie said happily as she positioned herself behind the white mare.
"No! I default, I will drink all the liquor in Equestria, just don't destroy my hair!" Rarity said before downing her own beverage in surrender. She left the circle and took a seat on a nearby sofa.
"Well, already one down. I think Pinkie should go next since she didn't get to have her fun." Spike chimed in before downing another drink regardless of turns, he had an unfair advantage so needed to level the playing field.
The game continued on for about an hour and a half. Surprisingly enough, Fluttershy was the ultimate victor. Everypony was in shock when she revealed her greatest secret, but all were forced to be bound to a Pinkie promise. Even still, the group could hardly believe it.
Afterwards the group played several more drinking games. The most awkward of which was I never, they were all worried about Pinkie's liver after that one. Eventually everypony was pretty sloshed, so they settled down and watched movies with particularly attractive stallions in the lead roles. They also gorged themselves on pizzas bought from, and delivered by a twenty four hour place in town.
As the night wore on the mares sobered up and left with words of congratulations. The only ones left as the sun peaked over the horizon were Twilight, and Trixie who had come to fetch her, but ended up staying. Spike himself had been asleep on the couch opposite them. All three of them were asleep when a thunderous roar shook the whole house, the sudden acoustic barrage broke several windows. With a second roar the rest soon followed. Spike was at full alert, rising from the couch fast enough to knock it over.
"What in the world is happening?" A very nervous Trixie replied hanging on to her alicorn for dear life.
"It's coming from the Everfree." Twilight added, likewise holding on to Trixie.
"That was a dragon, I'm sure of it." Spike said with absolute certainty. He clutched the pendant of the collar and returned himself to his maximum size, preparing for the worst.
"Are we being attacked?" Trixie asked with a look of fear in her eyes.
"No, I don't think so. Those were cries of pain if I'm right." Spike said walking over to the nearby closet.
From the closet he pulled a large weapon, a hammer bigger than any Twilight or Trixie had seen. It's handle was twice the height of a normal pony, and was a polished silver. It's head was black like a night with no stars. It was a gift from Luna, she had used it herself against dragons thousands of years ago. Ponies possessed no weapons that could cut the hide of a grown dragon. Luna had settled for breaking bones, a feat only she had ever accomplished. She had always been one for the direct approach, while Celestia was the planner. Spike was grateful for it, his young claws and fangs had no hope of harming a dragon of advanced age. Even for him it was quite heavy, Luna had needed both might and magic to wield it properly.
"Spike? You can't possibly be going to fight whatever is out there that's hurting a grown dragon." Twilight said in disbelief.
"I'm the protector of Equestria now, and we don't have the elements. I'd rather take a crack at it than let you girls or mom and Luna have try." Spike said holding the immense weapon with both hands.
"Twilight is right, we can't let you do this Spike. You should at least call for backup." Trixie reasoned.
"No time, the forest is awfully close to Ponyville. Whatever it is could get there sooner than help could come." Spike replied as he headed to the door.
"Then I'm coming with you." Twilight said with absolute finality before teleporting herself between Spike and the exit.
"What?!" Both Trixie and Spike asked in disbelief.
"I'm the most magically gifted pony in Equestria even if I don't have the most raw power. I could help." Twilight explained.
"If you go then I go, you've taught me a lot of magic recently and it's my special talent. I could offer some support if nothing else." Trixie said taking a place at Twilight's side.
Spike looked the mares over, the determination in those eyes was something he was very familiar with. It was the same look Twilight had whenever things were there darkest, as did the rest of the elements. Trixie, while new to the group had already mastered it. She had already proven herself to Spike, he knew she was good for his sister and they would be miserable without each other. She had even stopped speaking in third person for her. Aside from that, they were extremely competent mages and he wouldn't be able to stop them from following him if they desired to do so without harming them.
"Fine, but if either of you get hurt I will literally carry the guilt with me forever. Just keep that in mind." Spike said with a scowl as he wagged a claw in their faces as if he were scolding children.
"Okay, then. We'll just have to be careful." Twilight replied with a smug smile.