As I looked around the sparkling and pristine room I found myself in I had to finally concede a cold hard truth. I was lost.
The search for the young dragon had been going great at first. Thanks to the seemingly abundant staff on this side of the crystal tree, I was able to continue my search even after I had lost all trace of Spike...
Some friend I am. Spike goes off to face down a potential ambush and I get lost on the way there. The room I had found myself in was the one upside to all of this, the kitchen.
... What? I was still hungry. I’m a kitty that can’t save anyone on an empty stomach.
The first thing I noticed in the overly clean room was the chef. He was a large, brown stallion, fat wise not muscle, was wearing a red apron, and he had on the classic white chef’s hat. The type that went straight up from where it was on their head and had a poofy top. I don’t know why, but I wanted that hat.
As I watched him slide some diced up vegetables into a big pot of soup, the aroma was making me move towards it. With the corner I was hiding in behind me the rest of the room was now within my line of sight.
Honestly, it looked like your basic kitchen. A countertop went all along the back wall, built into the left side was a modern looking oven. On top of that the chef was preparing two large pots of soup.
I didn’t get the chance to look at the rest of the counter as I moved on towards the chef, but I’m sure it was packed with cooking tools. As I got next to his left side, all the safeties for my kitten cuteness were turned off. This could very well kill him from daww overload, but I was getting something to eat, no matter the cost.
My eyes were as big as I could get them and locked on the stallion still preparing the meal. With my tail wrapped around my paws, the tiniest, cutest meow I could muster came out of my mouth, catching the brown stallion’s attention. Then he looked down at me, and his face soften.
‘Got ya now.’
“Why, hello there little kitty.” the chef’s voice was smooth like a classic soul singer’s, “Would you like to try some of my award winning vegan chili?”
‘I don't think that will kill me, sure.’ I gave a small meow, making the stallion smile. He turned back to one of the large pots and used a ladle to get me some on a small bowl.
Both that bowl and one filled with water were place in front of me, “Here ya go kitty. You stay out of trouble now.” he walked around the room and I heard the wheels of a trolley.
At that moment though, I really didn’t care, the chili was... words can’t describe, but I’ll try. It was like a full orchestra of flavors all playing for the party that had started anew with each mouthful of the chili. Add a little meat and it would of been perfection. In short, it was freaking awesome.
It was so awesome, in fact, that I didn’t even hear or notice the chef put one of the pots on the trolley, “You enjoy that now, I gotta go serve Princess Twilight and little Spike theirs then I’ll be back.”
Sadly, I heard that. I looked at the bowl of chili that was already half gone, then at the leaving stallion... ‘I completely forgot about Spike, crap.’
I took off towards the door, then went back, got one last mouthful, and finally took off after the stallion. Once again, like the amazing Indiana Jones, I was able to slip through the door seconds before it closed shut...
‘Note: Need sunglasses and Indiana Jones hat. Kitten sized.’
So as not to get lost or distracted, I hopped onto the trolley’s lower section that was filled with bowls and silverware. Never before had I been more thankful for the grooming Spike did to my fur. Hair would be everywhere if he hadn’t.
We passed through two doors, the first the chef had to stop, open the door, then pull the trolley through before closing it. Thankfully the second was opened by two of the guards and I was greeted with a relieving sight. Spike was sitting next to Twilight with a smile.
‘Guess I was over reacting.’
Then I saw her. I couldn’t believe I didn’t notice the chill in the room earlier, but there she was. On the other side of Spike and sitting on Twilight's right, was Sleek. An involuntary chill went through me.
She was a slightly blueish grey unicorn, had faded red hair tied up in a bun, but her eyes were what set off alarms. They were a vibrant lime green and were a great contrast to her darker color scheme... Oh and the fact she’s evil.
I know my animal instincts, I follow them a lot and it gets me free stuff. Right now, they were telling me to get as far away from this mare as possible. To be honest, that was looking like the better and better option as the trolley moved closer.
“We’ll find something for you to help with Spike, don’t worry.” Twilight said to a happy Spike as they all turned to the chef.
As we got next to the table, the chef gave a small bow to Twilight, “Hello there youngins.”
“Hey Chef.” both Twilight and Spike said.
‘His actual name is Chef?’
Twilight happily asked, “What’s on the menu today?”
“Well Princess, I got a large batch of my award winning vegan chili.” Chef stated as he hoofed an empty bowl to Spike. The young dragon passed it to Twilight and she offered it to Sleek.
“I’m not hungry. I do believe I will be taking my leave now, if that is alright Princess.” the evil mare said politely... ‘You keep up your act, me and Spike know the truth.’
“Go right ahead Sleek.” Twilight said with a smile, “Really though, just call me Twilight.”
She smiled her evil smile before bowing and walking out of the room. As soon as she closed the door behind her Spike spoke up, “She gives me the creeps.” he then accepted another bowl from Chef.
“Really? She seems just fine to me.” Twilight said as Chef moved the trolley and filler her bowl full of chili.
“Every time I see her I get a cold chill. She just seems creepy to me.” Spike said as Chef filled his bowl.
“Ah, I’ve had a few of those in my life.” Chef spoke up as I jumped off the trolley and moved under the low table, “Don’t know what it is, but just a look will give you the heebie jeebies.”
“Yeah, how do you stop it?” Spike asked. I meanwhile sat and waited for Spike to notice me by his feat.
“Spend some time with ‘em. There ain’t a lot that some personal time together can’t fix.” Chef said, causing Spike to slump in his seat, “You want me to leave this here Princess?”
“Oh, no that’s fine. Don’t you have to feed the other staff too?” she asked as I heard two clinks of silverware against bowls as I’m sure Spike and Twilight tried the food.
“I’ve still got another batch on the oven in the kitchen.” there was a moment of silence before Chef spoke up, “I’ll ask again, do you want me to leave it here.”
“Yes please.” both of them said at the same time. I could hardly fault them for being greedy, that stuff was good.
Chef just laughed as I saw the trolley move to the side before stopping, “I’ll get it.” Twilight said before I heard a thump on the table above me.
“Thank ya Princess, have a good night now.” Chef said as he left.
“You can really just call me Twilight.” she called after him.
“I know Princess, and if you ever need something to do Spike, I could always use a helpin hoof in the kitchen.” I heard the door close behind him.
After he left I heard the whirlwind of silverware above me. From what I could guess as I saw the occasional drop of chili fall to the floor, they had forgone all manners and dug into the food. Once again, I couldn’t say anything about it as I greedily licked up any bits of chili that fell to the floor.
After about five, maybe ten minutes of this, I was completely full and tired. Slowly I put my front paws on Spike’s leg that was dangling off the stool he was using. He froze and looked down at me, mouthful of chili.
He gave a large gulp before he looked to Twilight then back to me. From what little I could gather from Twilight, since I had only seen her a handful of times in the past few weeks, she wouldn't care. So I got a dastardly plan in my head.
With wide eyes, Spike watched as I gave a cute yet loud meow and I’m sure I got Twilight’s attention. Hopefully I’ll be able to get out of the castle if Twilight knew about me... at least that was my reasoning.
“What was that?” Twilight asked.
I watched as Spike put on the fakest smile ever, “What was what? I didn’t hear anything.”
This situation need to be wrapped up before I fell asleep on the floor. So I walked over to Twilight, with Spike mentally yelling at me I’m sure and put my front two against her front leg. She looked down into my eyes and I tried to give a cute meow to win her over.
Instead I yawned, but it seemed to work as her face got the ‘daww’ look, “Ah, he’s so cute.” and she guessed I was a guy, I was liking her already.
“That’s...” Spike let out a sigh, “That’s Scruffy.”
“So this is the little secret you asked for a room on the other side of the castle for?” she said as she used her hoof to cradle me to her chest.
“Yes... please don’t make me get rid of him!” Spike said suddenly. If I had the energy to smack my face with my paw, it would be done. It was obvious that she would never do that to such a cute kitty. Sadly I was drifting off to sleep.
“So I really did waste my talk about the birds and the bees.” and just like that I was fully attentive again.
‘I missed that! Stupid short attention span.’
“Yes, and we don’t need to bring that up again, ever.” Spike said as he looked at me looking at him.
Twilight laughed as she levitated me over to Spike, “Are you sure you can take care of him?”
“Hey, I have been since we got this castle.” Spike said proudly.
Twilight was quiet for a few seconds, to antagonize Spike I’m sure, before she nodded her head with a smile, “Alright, you can keep him. After my meeting with Mayor Mare we can take him to get his shots.”
My eyes went wide as I tried to get out of Spikes claws, ‘Not again, I'd sooner die than go back there!’
“Easy, easy. I already got him his you-know-whats, he didn’t like it one bit.” Spike said as I calmed down in his claws, “It was weird too, Fluttershy's Stare didn’t work on him.”
‘If I never see that yellow demon, or her bunny henchmen again, I'll die happily... Scratch that, the bunny has to go first for me to go happily.’ I thought as Spike scratched behind my ears.
“Wow, what did Fluttershy do then?” Twilight’s voice faded as sleep finally caught up to me.