//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A firm decision // Story: Twilight the Assistant // by JusSonic //------------------------------// Chapter 1: A firm decision Things are going about as normal in the town of Ponyville in the land of Equestria. As ponies move about and do whatever it is that they normally do in their live, in the Rainbow Friendship Kingdom castle, something odd's happening, more so than usual. Like inside the library right now, the Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle is...clucking like a chicken? Yes, indeed. Twilight seems to be clucking like a chicken as if in a trance. Ben, Nyx, Koga and the Dragons are watching from nearby, with Phobos laughing his tail off. To him, it's a bit hilarious. Azure Phoenix was nearby watching, shaking his head at the performance. "All right, enough! Snap out of it!" Azure exclaims sternly as he waves a hoof as if snapping his fingers. Twilight groans as she snaps out of it, falling to the floor. "Twilight, if you wish to avoid falling from an hypnotic trance just like what happened with Cassie the Kelpie again, you got to learn to resist better." Azure was preferring to a moment to when Twilight, her friends, Spike and the ponies of Ponyville had fallen under the trance via a magical song by a Kelpie named Cassie who is using them to destroy the Ponyville dam. Ben, Nyx and Phobos were away with Chase because of Ben's training with his friend at the time with Nyx and Phobos watching, otherwise they too would've fallen under the enchanted spell and who knows what would happened if Cassie finds out and make Ben uses his Triforce powers? The ponies eventually broke out of the spell, though had no idea how it happened (it was actually the pets of the Mane Six and Ben who saved them) and never figure out the reason for their freedom. As it turns out, Cassie meant no harm. She was trying to help her water sprite friends to get to the nearby ocean before they get sick. Seeing how Cassie meant no harm, the ponies (especially a reluctant Rainbow Dash) forgives the Kelpie enough to help her out. When Ben, Nyx and Phobos came by sometime later, Ben and Twilight decided to call Azure Phoenix to help the Alicorn resist any future hypnotic spells or songs in case of evil trying to do the same thing. So far...the training is difficult. Twilight groans as she got up, saying, "I can't do it! The resisting training is difficult." "Yes, I know it is." Azure said to Twilight calmly. "But have faith. Give it time and you will complete it." "Though it's funny seeing you cluck like a chicken," Phobos laughs with a chuckle. He notices Nyx glaring at him. "What?" Twilight sighs sadly as she got up while adding, "Oh, it's too difficult. I am a failure as a princess..." "Twilight, is this one of those problems again?" Ben ask softly as he came over, hugging his love who sighs sadly. "What is the problem this time?" "Well...the thing is, right after the incident with Cassie...I mean, she meant no harm, I know, but I felt vulnerable when I was under the hypnotic spell, along with my friends. Last time, there was no evil force involved...but what would happen the next time? I want to protect our kingdom...but how can I if I can't protect myself?" "Twilight, calm down; I was under her spell too, remember?" Spike reminds his big sister with a smile. "I didn't feel too bad." "He's right, mommy. Don't forget, we got our off days too. Remember when daddy fell under Sunset Shimmer's control when she was a Demon? Or when Spike and I were corrupted by Shendu?" Nyx ask Twilight, reminding her mother of the past incidents of the group falling under hypnotic control. Twilight nods slowly. Ben said to her, "We all have our off days, Twilight. You think you yourself is weak, but you are not weak. Give it time. You can resist the hypnotic control. And if not, there are those who will find a way to break you out of it, just like how you, Spike, and everyone else broke out of Cassie's spell while Nyx, Phobos and I were gone." Koga barks eagerly, much to Spike's notice. The baby Dragon comments, "Man, Koga gets a bit excited whenever that subject is brought up." "Tell me about it." Phobos remarks with a shrug. "So does the owl. If I didn't know any better, I say it was the pets whose saved the day that time!" Twilight smiles as she hugs Ben while sighing, "Thanks Ben...but I would feel better if I could keep my kingdom safe. I mean, I don't even know how the princesses were immune from the hypnotic thing." "Alicorns are powerful, but unless strong enough, they too would fell under hypnotic control. The sisters weren't when they first started out but come training and time, Celestia was able to. And after a while when the Mystic Ponies reconnect with the Equestrian ones, we were able to help Luna as well." Azure explains to Twilight clearly, explaining that even the Royal Sisters weren't immune at first. He glances at the clock. "I must take my leave now. You got a kingdom to run." Right, Twilight has almost forgotten about her responsibility...for a moment. ------------------ It took a while but Twilight was able to get her royal duties done. Spike helps her out, making notes, serving snacks and such, what he always does as her assistant. Twilight smiled, always being pleased with him. Despite some moments, the mare is always pleased with her adopted son. "Thanks for assisting me with Nyx's homework, Spike." Twilight said, putting Nyx's homework away while patting Spike on the head. "You are always my number one assistant...and favorite son." "I am your only son, mom." Spike giggles while hugging Twilight a bit. "I'm glad that you're always there for me, no matter what." "We have our difficult moments, I know. But together, with Ben, Nyx and the others' help, we make it through." "I know, Spike, I know." "Hey, mom. Isn't it almost time to visit Tao now?" Nyx ask her mother curiously, moving back and forth between the two. "Yes, I believe it is." Twilight said with a thoughtful look. After the training with Azure, as well as the royal duties, it is indeed time to go visit Tao for a quick visit, "Spike?" "Got everything ready," Spike said, motioning to the stuff that he had prepared for the visit; Twilight smiles, patting her assistant/brother/son right on the head. "Good son." -------------------- Twilight, Nyx and Spike went through the Mystic Portal from Canterlot's Waterfall, which is a secret except to those who are trusted to keep it. After all, can't let enemies enter, right? After a while of travelling through the Mystic Realm, they had arrived at Tao's Apartment. They spotted Dragon Kick, Jade Adventure and Mighty Heart who were about to enter the building. Twilight and her friends met up with them with the princess calling out, "Hey, Dragon Kick." Dragon Kick notices his friend arriving. He grins while saying, "Princess Twilight, nice to see you arrive here. What brings you here?" Twilight smiled as she explains, "Just came to visit your uncle, I just want to give him special gift for helping and guiding me and my friends throughout some difficulty and mischievous adventures." Spike chuckled, "Yeah. I wouldn't want to miss him for hitting my head after some crazy Inspiration Infestation Spell. Boy; was he so angry about it." Dragon Kick smiled, shaking his head as he adds, "You had no idea," One thing that one must never do? Get Tao mad about something big that could destroy all of Equestria and everything else! "Hey Jade, whatcha you did?" Nyx ask curiously, wondering what her fellow CMC member in the Mystic Realm has been doing lately. "Trouble again?" Jade scoffed at what Nyx just said, "Nope. Just having fun; and it was awesome as always at Mystic Carnival!" "And you didn't invite me or my friends?" "Tickets sold late as always. But no worries; the next time we have the carnival, I'll try to get them for you and the rest." "Better hope so." Nyx said hopefully. She hates to miss out on all the time. The group came right into the home. Tao was preparing to have some tea while Mighty was serving it when they saw the group arriving; the old pony spoke, "Twilight, what brings you here to my home?" Twilight smiles as she levitates a gift over to Tao. The Alicorn giggles, "Here's a gift for helping and guiding me and my friends well, Mr. Tao." "Thank you, Twilight." Mighty growls in exhaustion, most likely because of the chores that he had to do today, "I'll be going upstairs to take a bath." Tao whacked Mighty Heart's head, making him yelp in alarm. The old pony scowls like he always do when he's upset or annoyed, "No time to rest, Mighty Heart! Tao has found his old Magic Spell Encyclopedia! Thanks to this one, I was able to banished most of Demo Lords when I was young and helped the Royal Sisters and William Family. So, you must study it before I could test you." Mighty Heart sighed in irritation, "Yes, Sensei." "One more thing! Do not forget to sweep!" "Yes, Sensei." Mighty Heart took the book, preparing to head off for some studying. But the old pony stops him once more, "One more thing! I need you send Celestia's Photo Album to Lord Azure! He always forgets about his personal stuffs!" Mighty Heart groaned softly, "Yes, Sensei." Twilight for some reason is getting a bit uneasy as if this scene is familiar to her. It's kinda similar to how often she sometimes treat Spike. "One more thing; Phew Eew; rotten bat's boos! What did you do?! Make noise to Terrorcreep's Vampire Fruit Bats again?! Take a bath!" Tao scowls, waving a hoof at the scent from his assistant; Mighty growled in annoyance once more, "One more thing!" "No more things!" Tao gasped in shock at what Mighty just said, "You disrespect me?! I took you in! Put roof over your head! Put foods on your belly, lots of them! And this is how you repay me?!" Mighty has had enough of this. Tao has been too demanding lately! The big pony slams his hooves onto the table, snapping to his master, "I cook! I clean! I traveled through both realms to be smarter than Orcs! And you thank me by demanding 'Many More Things'! This must be the reason your son had left and betrayed you! I guess he deserve to be a bad guy than a good guy. You're nothing but a rotten and bad influenced father." Everyone and even Twilight and her family gasped in shock and fear. The latter is stunned by not only Mighty Heart being more disrespectful, but the son part! Twilight never knew that Tao had a son! Why didn't he mention him before? Tao gasped in anger and disbelief, "You not only disrespect me, but disrespect the very son I had raise since my old time! How dare you, you no good and lousy criminal?! I bet Shredkiller treat you well with his 'kindness'. No wonder your mother had some problem with you, you show no respect!" Mighty growl at Tao's last words, "Don't you speak of Shredkiller! But never insult my mother, old pony!" "You insult my son! Do you had any idea of how much he means to me?!" "What about my mother?! You always treated her like she was a nobody; you, cowardly billy goat!" "Excusable servant," Tao exclaims furiously, getting into an argument with Mighty. As the others watch on, Mighty shouts right back at Tao, "Selfish old pony!" "Flightless Mystic Pegasus!" "Weakling master!" "No good mama's boy!" Tao insults Mighty once more. "Stupid bad influenced boy's father!" Mighty exclaims angrily to Tao. Twilight shakes her head in disbelief. This argument is getting ridiculous yet funny at the same time. Twilight turns to Dragon Kick in concern as she ask, "Shouldn't we stop them? And Tao has the son? How come I didn't know that?" Dragon Kick sighs, speaking, "Well, I will try. And for Tao's son, he was very special and important to him until... he did something bad before he died. He meant very much and well to my uncle so much. And... he meant very well to me..." "Wow, I wonder what happened?" Spike asks in concern. He wonders what Tao's son did that was so terrible that Mighty Heart brought him up. "Must be sometime worst," Nyx said in concern, shaking her head. "I hope to never meet Tao's son if he was still alive...and still bad." Tao and Mighty kept on with the insults to one another. The old pony scowls, "You are nothing but a no good and stupid apprentice!" Mighty growls at the insult; He snaps right back at Tao, "And you're no master of mine! You're nothing but a slave master!" Twilight gasped at the last part, "Slave... Master..." Twilight thought about the past of how she treat and care for Spike. Even when she didn't treat him, sometimes the mare would treat him like a slave...and even leave him behind on the Mane Six's adventures even when he wanted to go. Flashbacks and memories enter her mind...especially that moment during Lorcan's return.... Flashback Spike was cleaning up the kitchen...but yelps as he trips. The Dragon grabs some cloth in hopes to stop his fall, only for him to cause some dishes on the table to break right onto the floor hard. Twilight, whose was a unicorn during that time, came in, looking upset as she snaps, "Spike! Clean that up! Honestly!" "Sorry." Spike groans a bit, shaking his head as he goes get a broom to clean up the broken dishes." ---------------------------- "I told you before, Twilight, you're being too paranoid as usual." Spike said in concern. It was a day before Twilight's birthday and the two are arguing over something ridiculous." "I do not be paranoid as usual!" Twilight exclaims angrily to Spike. "I just want to be careful because too many mistakes could make Celestia kick me out of being a student!" "Yeah, sounds like being paranoid to me." "Stop it, Spike!" "And another thing, why can't you help me out with the chores more often," Spike complains, getting on Twilight's nerves some more, "What, too lazy?" "I AM NOT LAZY!" Twilight exclaims angrily to Spike. "I was too busy!" "Yeah...busy being paranoid." "All right, that's it! Forget coming to my birthday party tomorrow if you're going to accuse me of being a paranoid freak like a jerk!" Spike groans a bit, shaking his head as he goes upstairs. Twilight sighs a bit as she goes back to her studies. The mare has a lot to do before she gets ready for her party tomorrow. And yet, Twilight felt bad for what she just said to Spike... --------------------- "You're right. It's time that I do the right thing." Twilight mumbles a bit. Then she saw Spike coming to the ponies...looking upset. "Oh, Spike. Good timing, I was going to see you." "Oh sure, keep me out of this one...like you did many times before." Spike mumbles angrily to Twilight, much to her concern. "Uh, excuse me?" "No, excuse me! But then again, don't bother! You never wanted me!" "Spike, what are you talking about?" Rarity asks Spike in alarm. The other ponies, Celestia included, saw what's going on and watch on. "This!" Spike snaps furiously as he holds out Twilight's diary to an entry. "'That ugly lizard dribbles on my study books! Why did the princess ever let me have him? I've never wanted him?' Try explaining that, Miss Sparkle, or the fact that you have a history of dragons the whole time and never mention it once!" Twilight gasps in alarm. She was afraid of this... "She what," Ben asked in shock. Twilight gritted her teeth a bit, then spoke up, "Spike, please! I was upset over what happened to Starlight and Ben when I made that journal entry! I should never have said those awful things! I regret doing so to this day." "That still doesn't explain the book thing!" Spike growled to Twilight furiously. "I didn't want you to find out about Lorcan or Tadaka." Twilight said to Spike in sadness. "I only did it because I cared!" "That doesn't give you the right not to tell me before!" Spike shouts furiously to Twilight. "You kept me as a replacement for your own brother!" "Now settle down there, sugarcube." Applejack said to Spike in concern. "There's no reason 'ta lash out an' act all so stubborn." "Oh, you're the one to talk about being stubborn, Miss Applebuck until I Drop Girl!" Spike snaps furiously. "Or wait, maybe I could call you 'Second Place Coward' because you sure as Tartarus ran off right after not winning the prize money at the last rodeo for Ponyville!" This got Applejack to gasp in shock from what Spike just said. "Hey, yew can't talk about mah sister like 'dat!" Apple Bloom shouted angrily, standing up for her sister. "Oh, right, this is coming from someone who hasn't got a cutie mark. Well, I got news for you, Blank Flank, FIND ONE THAT IS YOUR OWN STINKING TALENT!" Spike yells at Apple Bloom furiously. Apple Bloom gasped in shock and horror at that as tears welled up in her eyes. "Hey, come on, you can't talk to her like that!" Rainbow snaps to Spike in anger. "Oh, look whose just spoke up, Miss Flight School Dropout who couldn't make it into the Wonderbolts yet!" Spike scowled at Rainbow. "I still haven't forgotten how you hold out on me of my fans as well as other things not worth talking about. Or probably once has the ego the size of Trixie before being outshined by Mare-Do Well! Want some advice? READ A REAL BOOK SOMETIME, EGGHEAD!" This got Rainbow shocked from hearing what Spike just called her. "Nopony yells at Rainbow Dash like that!" Scootaloo yelled angrily at Spike. "Oh, great, the chicken who can't fly; Oh, wait, I guess you can...just not very good!" Spike snapped to Scootaloo, making her gasp a bit. "Now, Spike, I know you're upset, but you can't take it out on us like this." Rarity said to Spike. "Since when the hay do you care? You never notice me! Even when I told ya my feelings one time, we never went beyond that!" Spike scowls at Rarity. "And get a haircut, hippie, your hairstyle is two seasons ago!" "EXCUSE ME?!" Rarity shouted, offended at what Spike just said about her hair. "And the fact that you probably only uses me for slavery, made you even worst as Twilight!" Spike added much more, much to Rarity's horror. "Spike, that's SO uncalled for!" Sweetie shouted angrily, not liking what the purple dragon said about her sister, "You take back what you just said to her and my friends right now!" "I'm ignoring you because I don't have anything rotten to say to you!" Spike snaps to Sweetie before going over to Fluttershy. "You...I don't have anything rotten to say to you either, but I'm sure you're a coward!" This got Fluttershy's feelings hurt as her eyes welled up in tears as she started whimpering. "Spike, how could you be so mean?" She sniveled. "Hey, how about we calm down and have a party?" Pinkie asks gently, trying to calm Spike down. "Ugh, Miss Party Pony Girl...never knows when to leave folks alone and how can you throw those parties without any money? Did you wipe out your employers' bank account?" Spike snaps at Pinkie making her drop her smile. "Another question; am I getting through to whatever alternative reality you're living in right now," Hearing this got Pinkie shocked. Spike never yelled at her like that before. "Mom, couldn't you do something?" Ben asked Celestia in worry and alarm. Spike is going too far in his anger and madness. "I can't. He got some anger to let out. We can only hope that it doesn't go too far to the point of no return." Celestia said in sadness, forcing Ben to watch on helplessly. Spike then goes up to Twilight who looks at him in concern. The dragon snapped, "You are the worst of them all! All you thought of me is a slave, a nuisance and you are ungrateful for all the things I've done for you and yet you didn't even invite me to your birthday party one time all because of our pointless argument! The only family members you give a horsecrap about your own family, Ben and...and..." Spike points to Nyx while snapping, "That it known as Nightmare Moon!" Nyx gasped in horror and shock at what he called her. "Don't you DARE talk about my daughter that way!" Twilight shouted angrily. "It doesn't deserve to be your daughter!" Spike yelled at Twilight angrily, making tears come out of Nyx's eyes. "But you're still the worst of them all, nothing more than a slave-master who doesn't even care!" "Spike, stop! I only not told you about Lorcan because I did it to protect you!" Twilight pleaded to Spike in sadness. The dragon turned around. "Spike, please try to understand!" She spoke in trying to get the baby dragon to see reason of her words. "Oh, I understand, all right..." Spike motioned off with a dry tone in not at first, looking back at Twilight in hearing her desperate cry. Spike, sad and angry, glances at the crowd of ponies in Ponyville, Twilight looking close to tears. "That you never loved me! I was just some replacement!" Spike pointed to Twilight, declaring out that after all this time, the unicorn never loved him in the first place, it was only for a selfish empty feeling to be replacement from what this pony lost long ago. Twilight flinches. Ben called out, "Spike..." End Flashback "You okay," Jade spoke, snapping Twilight out of her daydreaming. "Yeah... I'd better go... I just hope Tao and Mighty Heart figured something out in fixing their relationship." Twilight said with a slow nod. Perhaps it's best to leave before she, Nyx and Spike get caught up in this intense madness...as well as something else. Twilight, Nyx and Spike exited Tao's Apartment. The filly, noticing the upset look on her mother's face, asks, "Mommy? Are you alright?" "I... I'm fine.... Yeah, I am." The truth is, though, Twilight isn't fine... ------------ Later, Twilight's friends were in the council room, waiting for the princess as they were conversing with each other. "Soooo....Applejack, how was the Apple-Con? Did you enjoy it?" Rarity asked Applejack with a smile. "Shucks, wit' me an' mah family working there, what 'ta enjoy," Applejack asked her friends with a shrug. "Oh, but yew ain't gonna believe 'dis but Film 'an' Flam were there." "Those fugitive con artists," Rarity asked Applejack with a frown. "What were they up to?" "Well, they plumb broke up their act at first. Fro' what Granny Smith told me, it was over a mare; But they got back together...an' git ‘dis. Granny was 'de one who helped them out!" Applejack explained to her friends with a chuckle. "Seriously," Rainbow asked in shock. "Yeah, Ah was surprised, too." Applejack remarked with a shrug. "I wonder how Twilight is doing with her training." Pinkie said, enjoying herself to some cupcakes. "She suuuuuuure was trying to resist hypnotism since the incident with Cassie." "I still haven't figure out how we broke out of it. We fell under the same spell and Ben, Nyx and Phobos were away during that time." Rainbow remarked with a frown, feeling back in her chair. "It's like someone secret helped us." "Yes, Angel seems edgy whenever I bring that topic up." Fluttershy said thoughtfully. "If I didn't know any better, I say he and the pets saved us." "What? No offense to our pals, but I doubt it. Tank couldn't do much without me there to guide him." Rainbow remarked to Fluttershy skeptically. "And Opal is almost always being lazy." Rarity added. "Still, our pets are more than we can give them credit there." Pinkie said playfully. Just then the door opens as Twilight with a worried look on her face came by, in followed by Ben and Nyx. As the girls got up, their princess said, "Sit, sit, no need to get up yet, girls. We need to talk." "Uh-oh; When somepony say 'we need to talk', it means something bad," Pinkie said in concern by the sound of Twilight's voice. "Right on the mark, Pinkie," Twilight replied. "So what is it? Evil villain attacking," Applejack asked Twilight curiously. "A city needs to be saved?" Rarity asked in concern. "Monsters are going to invade unless we stop them?" Fluttershy asked Twilight, almost hiding under the table. "We're out of cupcakes?!" Pinkie gasped in fear on that last part. "You finally realize that you got a thing for your teacher?" Rainbow asked Twilight with a devilish smirk. "No, no, no, no, and you need help Rainbow Dash!" Twilight said, snapping at Rainbow on the last part. "So shoot, girl, don't keep us in suspense!" Applejack exclaimed in frustration. "What is 'de matter?" Twilight sighs as she sat in her own chair in sadness. She looks up to her friends while asking, "Everypony, you think I am being bad and selfish to Spike?" This brought looks of surprise on everypony else's faces, even Fluttershy who just came out from under the table from hearing it. "Wait, bad and selfish," Rarity asked Twilight, stunned. "Why, don't be silly." "Come on, despite some bad spots, you treated Spike quite fine." Rainbow assured Twilight, though she noticed how sad Twilight is. "There's a problem, is there?" "Well, I dunno. There were some points in my life when I treated Spike like slave, not being considerate about him." Twilight said in sadness, looking down. "And what he told me back when Lorcan return is still in my mind." "Hang on, hang on, Twilight." Applejack said to Twilight with a frown as she stood up. "Shoot, sure yew got into some tight spots before...but yew are still a good sister/mother 'ta Spike." "Yes, you took care of Spike, right?" Fluttershy asked Twilight with a smile on her face. "Well, yes, that's true." Twilight said with a slow nod. "And you are able to help and save him whenever is needed, right?" Fluttershy asked Twilight, reminding her friend of the times when she saved Spike whenever is needed, like when the Dragon was once corrupted by Shendu. "What Fluttershy means is, although you didn't mean to treat Spike like a servant and get upset with him, deep down, you love Spike as a son enough to save him and take care of the little guy." Ben explained to Twilight what Fluttershy meant. "Just like when you love me and take care of me, Mommy." Nyx added with a smile as she hugged Twilight. "Where did you get an idea that you didn't?" Rarity asked Twilight in bewilderment. Twilight sighed, letting go of Nyx while explaining, "Nyx, Spike and I were at Tao's earlier. He got into an argument with Mighty Heart, Mighty called Tao a slave master. That made me think of how I often unfairly treat Spike." "Ugh, I knew I should've come along." Ben said with a sigh of annoyance, shaking his head. He was on princely duties during his love's visit to Tao. "Look, Twilight, whatever happened with Tao and Mighty Heart, you shouldn't let their argument become yours." "Nnope! Yer are a good pony, a mother, a sister, an' a friend." Applejack said in agreement. "Even if yew an' Spike git into scrapes, yew two always find a way 'ta put it behind ya." "Yep! You were the Super Duper Greatest Team since you both show up in Ponyville!" Pinkie exclaimed, blowing into a pony horn. "Why, if Spike hated you, you wouldn't have lasted a day here!" "I still get uncomfortable thinking about when Spike insulted me and scratched me in the face." Nyx commented aloud, putting a hoof to her cheek, which Spike scratched back in that war with Lorcan. "Nyx, calm down; He didn't mean it." Twilight said to Nyx, nuzzling her daughter a bit. "He was just angry...kinda how I sometimes say things that I never meant to say." "Hmmm, apparently you want Spike fair and square." Rarity said, putting a hoof on her chin, then smile, "Idea!" "Ooooh, what is it? A party," Pinkie asked Rarity eagerly. Whenever the white unicorn said 'idea', it means she got an idea that could work. "Twilight, why don't you and Spike trade places for the day," Rarity asked Twilight thoughtfully. "Trade places?" Nyx asked in surprise. "What I mean is, Twilight be the assistant while Spike be the owner of the Library and the Prince of Friendship." Rarity said with a nod. "That way, Spike can prove that he isn't bitter to you and will treat you like how you wanted to treat him." "So wait, you want me to be an assistant for the day?" Twilight asked Rarity in disbelief." "Actually, the idea does have merit." Ben said, agreeing with Rarity. "Hay, why not make it a week?" "Yeah, a week would be awesome!" Rainbow exclaimed with a laugh. "It would be funny to see the Egghead taking orders from Spike for once." "Rainbow," Twilight scolded Rainbow for the remark. "What's the point of doing this anyway?" "Well, if you don't want to drive a wedge as you fear..." Fluttershy began to say to Twilight, trying to explain what she should do. "Oh, and believe me, a wedge is very hard to drive, especially with hooves at the wheel!" Pinkie exclaimed randomly as usual. "....then go ahead and do it." Fluttershy said to Twilight gently. "Be the assistant and see how Spike treats you. This will prove your mind at ease." Twilight paused a bit, thinking about what everyone else has said. They did have a point. If she and Spike switched places for the week...maybe it will prove how wrong she was. "Well, okay." Twilight said with a soft smile to everyone else. "I will tell Spike the idea in the morning. Thank you. You are just good friends that a princess like me can have." Ben and Nyx hugged Twilight with the filly assuring, "That's what we're here for." ----------------------- It was the next morning at Twilight's Library inside the castle. Spike is busy dusting the place as he like to do every morning. The baby Dragon was unaware of what happened at the meeting which he wasn't invited to. But Spike is sure that Twilight will tell him what it is, right? Speaking of the Alicorn, Twilight came into the room with a serious look on her face. She begins to speak, getting her son's daughter, "Spike, I need to talk to you." "What is it about? Did I do something bad?" Spike asks Twilight worried. Whenever his mother/sister/whatever gets like that, it means something bad has happened usually. "Look, I didn't mean to eat the rubies and diamonds! I was so hungry, honest!" "Never mind about that. Listen, Spike; I've been thinking... Did I treat you bad?" "BAD?! Why would you say that?! Come on! No way! You'd never treat me bad! I mean, maybe about Owlowiscious and me being a big greedy bad Dragon and not to mention about my origin, I was angry and upset. But the point is, Twilight; you're a cool master for me to take orders from." "That's the point, Spike! I'm not your master! I'm your friend, your guardian and your mother. And what kind of a mother am I to treat her son like a slave?" Twilight ask Spike in sadness. "Well... Uh...." Spike begins to say in concern. He is not sure how to respond to this. The Alicorn is definitely upset about that subject of her treating him like a slave unintentionally as well as some of the other times she got upset with him. Twilight sighed, "Look, Spike. The point of why we're talking about this is that I want to treat you fair and square. And that is why I will become your assistant." "What?! You're gotta be kidding me! I can't let you take that job." "It's already decided, Spike. I'll be your assistant while you be both the master and owner of Library and Prince of Friendship." "Twilight! Please! I don't want to take that kind of job! Why are you doing this," Spike asks Twilight in shock. Why would she want to trade places with him for a while? It doesn't make sense to him! "Because I don't want a wedge between us, especially with what happen to Tao and Mighty Heart!" Twilight explains, referring to what happened at Tao's apartment yesterday. "That's why? Twilight, I'm honored to be an assistant! You don't have to do anything favorable to me." "I had to, Spike. As your mother and owner, I must treat you fair and square. Please, Spike. Do it for me as I did for you..." Spike thought for the moment before he sighed, "Fine... I'm doing this not because of you being my master, but my mother. After all, that's what we've been through." "Thanks Spike." The Princess said as Twilight and Spike hugged together. The two can get through the week with no problem at all, just to prove the girls are right about them. "But I don't know how to start." Twilight smiled as she winks to her 'prince' while explaining to him, "That's what assistants do. They help their masters and owners in doing what they can in a difficult situation." Unknown to the two, a familiar foe is peeking in on the conversion through one of the windows. Tech smirks wickedly before letting go...hitting the ground hard. After recovering, the villain make a portal appear and uses it to leave the area without being seen. Dark Curse would love to hear about this! -------- "Dark Curse; Hey boss," Tech exclaims as he gallops into Dark Curse's throne room, looking around. "I gotta speak with ya; Dark Curse!" "What is it, Tech?" A familiar voice snaps as the throne turns around. To Tech's surprise, Dark Curse isn't in it, but Shadow Dragon himself. "Wait, Shadow Dragon? Where's the boss?" "Dark Curse is having a meeting with the Superior, discussing the plans for Guildenstern and his Ultimate Assassin's trip for the Human Realm. By the time they're finished, it will be close to noon tomorrow. I am in charge in the meantime. So what do you want?" "Guess what? I overheard a conversion between the princess and her little pet Dragon." Tech exclaims eagerly to Shadow Dragon who arches an eyebrow at this. "They're going to trade places for the day, all because Twilight thinks she's being a cruel master to her brother! We should take advantage of this." "Hmmmm...I supposed we should. Tell me, who do we have that is available?" Shadow Dragon ask Tech, putting a hoof to his chin. Perhaps the Dark Mystic Ponies should take advantage of the Trading Places idea. "Well...that would be Burnblast...but are you sure? His loyalties are questionable lately." "He is our clever, ambitious, arrogant, overconfident, sadistic, ruthless and fierce Pegasus commander that we got. He will get the job done. Summon him at once!" "Yes, boss!" Tech exclaims, saluting Shadow Dragon before rushing out to go get Burnblast. This is going to be interesting weeks for both Mortal Ponies and Dark Mystic Ponies alike!