Chapter Seven
The Destination
Spike sighed and opened his eyes again. He stretched and gazed out the train window. Princess Celestia’s sun had already risen into the sky. He blinked, a little blinded by the bright light. He glanced over at Twilight. She was still asleep. He usually didn’t wake up before she did. He could only think of a few times where he got up early to clean the library and actually see her sleeping. This time, however, he gazed at her a moment. She looked very peaceful. He thought that this was perhaps the deepest sleep she’d had in a couple days. She fidgeted a little in her sleep and started mumbling.
“Spike…go…clean….the…library….” Spike smiled and chuckled at her.
“Um…yep…I’ll go do that, Twilight!” he whispered in her ear. “But first I have to go to dragon school!”
“Spike…you….don’t…love me…” she started whimpering. Spike’s eyes grew wide.
“No! No! Twi…don’t say that! I….” Twilight started to snore a little. For a moment, Spike almost forgot she was asleep. “I….hope you don’t think that for real…” he sighed. Twilight let out a gasp. She jolted awake and sat upright. She looked around and then at Spike, who was still staring at her.
“Oh…Spike…” she breathed a sigh of relief. He could tell by the look in her eyes she was glad her dream wasn’t reality, whatever it was. “Did you have a good nap?”
“Yeah, I did!” said Spike. “But…uh…did you have a bad dream or something?”
“Oh…kind of…” she admitted. “Why? Was I talking in my sleep by any chance?” she asked a little worried.
“Oh….no, but you were…whimpering and stuff,” Spike lied. He didn’t want her to be embarrassed.
“Oh…” Twilight chuckled and blushed a little. “I must’ve been in a very deep sleep!” Her horn glowed and she pulled a book out of her bag and started reading it. Spike yawned.
“I’m bored,” he said gloomily.
“I have other books in here,” said Twilight smiling. Spike sighed, upset with the fact that he had to read a book to keep himself preoccupied. He looked through her bag until he found a book called Silas Mane. He shrugged. Why not? He picked it up and began to read it. “I loved that story…” said Twilight looking at it out of the corner of her eye.
“Yeah-yeah,” said Spike rolling his eyes. “I’m just bored, okay?” Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes.
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Fillydelphia was a town with tall buildings and houses. The train pulled into the station slowly. Looking outside the window, Twilight could see lots of ponies and young dragons that looked like Spike walking down the streets. She looked at her dragon who was intently reading the book he started only a little over an hour ago. He was almost done with it now. She was impressed that he was fast at reading, but then she began to question whether or not he actually took the time to read every word.
“We’re here, Spike!” Twilight said, just in case he didn’t notice. There was no response. “Spike…” Twilight nudged him after he didn’t get the message the first time.
“Mm! Hold on…I’m almost done!” he said. Twilight giggled.
“I could’ve sworn an hour ago you were reluctant to read,” she teased smirking at him.
“Shh!” said Spike sharply, his bright green eyes darting left to right. At last, when the train stopped, he put a bookmark into the book and shut it. He sighed. “This book is hard to understand but it’s kind of good, I guess,” he said to her.
“What part are you at?” Twilight asked.
“It’s the part where this filly named Peppy has to decide whether or not to stay with Silas who is like….the only dad she’s ever known…or go and live with her real dad who’s stupid ‘cause he didn’t love her to begin with. She’s stuck and trying to…..decide….” his voice trailed off and he looked down. Twilight cocked her head at him curiously. “But..uh!” he continued shaking his head. “Yeah…it’s okay.”
“Hard predicament huh?” asked Twilight.
“Yeah you have no idea…” Spike muttered. Twilight glanced at him again.
“Hm?” she asked, a little confused.
“Nothing…” said Spike shrugging. “It just kind of reminds me of….oh….nothing….never mind.” He shoved the book back into her bag “I’m ready! Let’s go!”
“Okay…” said Twilight smiling. “Here we go! On to Fillydelphia!” The two got off the train and left the train station. Immediately they got to look at the tall buildings up close. Twilight was used to a few large structures when she lived in Canterlot, naming the castle and her old observatory. However, there seemed to be large buildings everywhere she turned. The streets were flocked with ponies in sharp-looking outfits. Most were off to their jobs or to the university for school. As the purple unicorn and dragon walked down the streets, looking for Spike’s school, they would occasionally see some shady-looking characters lurking in the alley-ways. “This is definitely not Ponyville, Spike,” she warned him. “Be careful around here!”
“Don’t worry, Twi,” said Spike rolling his eyes. “I’ll be fine!”
“Okay,” said Twilight, using her horn to levitate a map out of her bag. “Good thing I brought a Fillydelphia map with me. Let me see…I wrote to Princess Celestia to ask her the location of the academy and it’s near the Harmony Bell! Perfect! It’s just a couple blocks up this way.”
“The Harmony Bell?” asked Spike raising an eyebrow. “Never heard of it.”
“Oh, you know!” said Twilight. “It’s a giant bell that represents the ancient Elements of Harmony! It will be an honor, as myself being the Element of Magic, to see it in person!”
“Greeeaattt…” mumbled spike sarcastically.
“Come on!” said Twilight poking him in the back with her horn. She jerked her head up and he slid down her neck and onto her back. Twilight walked down the street, crossed the road a couple times and stopped at the giant bell. “Wow! It’s so beautiful!”
“Beautiful?” said Spike raising an eyebrow. “It’s old and rusted.” Twilight sighed and shook her head
“Look, Spike! It’s your school! It’s right across the road! That’ll be easy for you to find, at least!”
“Wow,” said Spike cocking his head. “It’s….really big!” It was a very large brick building. It sat in front of a large parking lot for carriages. It was several stories high and had a large sign in front.
THE FILLYDELPHIA SCHOOL FOR YOUNG DRAGONS
ORIENTATION: 10:00 AM TODAY
Spike stared at it with wide eyes. Twilight had to admit, it did look a bit intimidating.
“It’s very nice, though,” said Twilight smiling. “But the orientation doesn’t start for another hour and a half. How about we book a hotel room?”
“Sure,” said Spike sighing. Twilight could tell he was starting to feel nervous already.
“Okay,” said Twilight looking at her map again. “I’m going to try a new spell that helps me find what I want. Remember the gem-finding spell that Rarity taught me how to do? Well, maybe I can use it to find a hotel!” She made her horn glow and closed her eyes, concentrating. Then, she knew exactly where to go. Her horn started leading her on.
“You did it!” said Spike. “Awesome idea, Twilight!” Twilight smiled.
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Spike was glad that the hotel was only a ten minute walk away from the school. It gave him and Twilight plenty of time to book a room, drop off their luggage, relax for a while, and walk back down the street to the school. Spike was riding on Twilight’s back as she paused at the Harmony Bell.
“This is it, Spike!” she said looking across the road at the big building once again. Spike whined a little and turned around on her back and faced the giant bell. “Spike?” said Twilight looking in the corner of her eye at him. Spike looked at the ground. He felt a twisting feeling that was forming in his stomach. It made him feel sick. “Are you all right?” he heard Twilight ask him. He sighed and reached forward toward the Harmony Bell. He poked it and it swung back and forth a little. He continued to poke it.
“I’m just…kind of nervous,” he said shrugging.
“Oh, don’t worry,” said Twilight. “I’ll be right by your side the whole time. It’ll be fine! Look, it’s a very nice building and I already see dragons going inside too!” Spike sighed and continued to poke the bell. All of a sudden a giant crack appeared on it. He jumped a little and glanced nervously at Twilight, hoping she didn’t see it. She started to turn her head. “Spike…”
“Uhh…you’re…right!” said Spike quickly pushing her head forward. “Yeah! Let’s…aha…let’s go! I’m okay now!” He looked to the right to see a police stallion coming closer. Spike whistled nonchalantly, an attempt to appear innocent.
“All right!” said Twilight smiling. “Let’s…get going, then.” She crossed the road with light, graceful steps. Spike, now sitting right on her back, turned his head to see the policehorse examining the cracked Harmony Bell. He sighed with relief when they made it to the other side, but then started feeling sick again when they approached the building itself. He hopped off of Twilight’s back and looked up at the academy. It looked even bigger and more menacing up close. He gulped, as it felt like his nerves started to close up his throat. “Are you sure you’re okay?” asked Twilight smiling at him.
“I…I…” said Spike nervously. He could feel himself shaking. He had never felt so nervous before. He was doing his best to shake it off, because he was embarrassed by it. He didn’t want Twilight to see how terrified he was at this point. He swallowed hard. “Yes…I’m ready. Let’s go!” He puffed his chest up in an attempt to muster up the courage he knew he had. The dragon opened the door to the school and he and Twilight walked inside.
The main lobby was so large and beautiful, it was almost impossible to describe. The floor was so glossy, Twilight and Spike could both see their reflections and the reflections of the entire room and everyone in it. There were stairs leading to the different levels of the school. There were enormous bulletin boards with papers for the different classes the young dragons could take part in. There were also many lockers all lined against the walls. Looking up, the unicorn and dragon could see a giant chandelier hanging from the ceiling. And last but not least, there was a giant golden statue of a dragon with a graduation cap on his head and a diploma in his clawed hand right in the center of the room.
“Wow…” was all the two could say. Spike had seen other dragons before, but never so many of them in one place before. There were dragons of all ages, colors, and sizes. He could tell that the building was especially made for the fully grown dragons, who’s heads were far away from the ceiling because it was so tall. Most of the younger dragons were around the same size as him, but he felt like the smallest one there. It was already very overwhelming. A drab purple old woman dragon walked over to them. She had a mop of white hair on her head that looked too much like a wig to be real, considering most dragons didn’t have hair, except maybe a mustache if it ran in their family. The lady also had spectacles pushed all the way down on her nose. Her wrinkled face made it look like it was almost unnatural for her to smile. Spike couldn’t tell if she disapproved of him or if that was just the look she gave everyone. She raised her eyebrows at them.
“Good day,” she said. Whenever she talked it sounded snooty. “Ah…is this the Spike I’ve been hearing about?”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Twilight cheerfully. “This is him! He is one of Princess Celestia’s most trusted servants. He was assigned to help me with my studies, you see. My name is Twilight Sparkle.”
“Mmm…” said the dragon lady nodding. She moved her mouth to one side and scrunched up her nose (if she could scrunch it up any more than it already was). “How…charming. Though, it is a bit of a shame his potential was wasted in…serving a unicorn.” Twilight’s ears drooped a little at the insult and she looked like she shrunk a little. Spike thought she looked a bit like Fluttershy. He was just as taken aback at the comment as she was, but he would not stand for it!
“Hey!” he said crossing his arms at the old lady. “Twilight is my best friend, so you shouldn’t talk to her like that! She’s taught me a lot over the years, and one thing I’ve learned is that no one picks on my friends!” Twilight looked at him and smiled a silent thank you at him. The old dragon lady hmph’d at him in surprise.
“Ah…feisty are we?” she said raising an eyebrow. “Such behavior can be corrected. You should have more respect for your future head mistress.”
“You run the school?!” asked Spike a little nervous now.
“Indeed,” replied the lady. “I am Head Mistress Haldana. Now, you must know as head mistress, I look for the potential in each child. As for you, Spike, you will learn many things including respect. I suggest you get a head start on that.”
“You know what…?!” said Spike, getting angry at her. Twilight stepped on his foot with her hoof. “Ow!” he looked up at Twilight questioningly.
“Spike,” she whispered, raising her eyebrows. “Just obey her.”
“But….!” Spike began, until she interrupted him.
“Obey her,” said Twilight, clenching her teeth together. Spike sighed and reluctantly looked up at the old woman dragon.
“Yes, ma’am,” he muttered. Head Mistress Haldana nodded at him and hmph’d again. She walked away. Spike growled under her breath. “Why did you make me do that?!” he asked Twilight. “She insulted you! I wanted to show her what happens when people insult my Twilight! I was about to…..GRRR!” Twilight almost chuckled a little at him. He turned red, sighed, and crossed his arms. He never intended to appear cute when he was angry, but he knew he probably looked cute, unfortunately.
“Spike,” Twilight said calmly. “I myself didn’t appreciate the comment she made, but we still need to respect our elders, especially you, considering she’s your head mistress. She is right in that sense.” Spike sighed and grumbled.
“Fine,” he murmured reluctantly.
“And…sorry to break it to you, but you look kind of….small…and….cute when you’re angry.” She smirked at him.
“Shut up!” said Spike annoyed. Twilight laughed at him. “Come on,” said the purple dragon walking toward the sea of dragons before them and pulling her along. Head Mistress Haldana got everyone’s attention.
“Welcome dragons,” she said, holding her head high. The crowd’s voices died down and all the dragons turned their heads to hear her speak. “The orientation will now begin. I will proceed in leading the tour around the school. The tour will take approximately two hours time. We will now begin with this grand lobby. As you can see, the floor and ceiling is thoroughly cleaned every day. This statue is the magnificent work of…..” At this point, Spike turned his ears off to whatever the old dragon was rambling about.
“Man!” he whispered rolling his eyes. “Who cares where the statue came from?!”
“Shh!” said Twilight glaring at him. “This is the history of the building’s contents! It’s interesting! Just listen! She may be a bit bitter, but she is very knowledgeable.”
“Bitter is an understatement,” said Spike chuckling a little. “I mean just look at her! She looks like she’s been sucking on lemons!”
“Spike!” said Twilight hitting him with her hoof. Spike sighed and started looking around the building. He saw the door opened out of the corner of his eye. A dragon family that was a bit late entered the room and approached the crowd. Just then, Spike had to do a double take, as a beautiful girl dragon walked by him and Twilight, along with her parents. She was white with a blue chest and had crystal blue eyes. One thing that made her stand out was the fact that she actually had long blue hair on her head. It was wavy and bouncy. She slowly brushed it behind her ear.
'Woah,' Spike thought. 'I can’t stand that head mistress, but SHE is gorgeous. I could learn to like it here!' Head Mistress Haldana finished talking and started leading them upstairs. 'I’ve got to get through the crowd so I can get a chance to talk to that beautiful girl before ‘Lemon Lady’ starts flapping her gums again!'
“Would you stop drooling?” said Twilight chuckling at him.
“She’s beautiful,” said Spike in awe.
“As beautiful as Rarity?” Twilight asked nudging him.
“I…..might be ready to move on,” said Spike dreamily. “I’m….going to try to talk to her.” Twilight rolled her eyes. She watched as a blushing Spike started running through the crowd to go talk to her.
He’ll never want to leave now, she thought giggling a little. As she trotted to catch up with him, she glanced over at Head Mistress Haldana.
“Lemons…” she couldn’t help but chuckle under her breath.
TO BE CONTINUED…