//------------------------------//
// Part 6 Change in Strategy 
// Story: The Measure of a Dragon 
// by Zephyr Spark 
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	Twilight paced outside the courtroom, desperately racking her brain for some solution. In one swift stroke, Cadence had derailed her entire argument with legally approved laws and documents. Now, she had no idea what to do. Spike was legally property. She was going to lose him; it was no longer possible but inevitable.
“Twilight!” the purple alicorn looked up to see her six friends approaching with Rarity at the lead.
Twilight couldn’t even fake a smile and pretend this could all work out. Her friends noticed her despondency and wished they could offer words of counsel. 
“So,” Applejack spoke, “what do we do now?”
Twilight sighed, “I have no idea.”
“You’re not seriously suggesting we lie down and let them take Spike?” Rarity looked outraged.
Twilight could not meet her gaze, “Cadence proved her case. Spike is undoubtedly property of the science department.”
The group remained silent, unsure what to say. A yellow pegasus nervously spoke what had been on her mind.
“This is wrong,” every pony turned to look at Fluttershy. She blushed for a moment but continued. “Spike isn’t some monster or animal that the science department can claim as property. He’s a living, sentient being. What else do you call owning another being but slavery?”
Twilight blinked in surprise. She had not truly considered the implications of owning Spike, but had to admit Fluttershy was absolutely correct. Spike wasn’t a pet or a lab rat; he was family, not superior or inferior, but an equal. The law Cadence invoked implied disregarded, no, deliberately neglected that Spike was not an “object, relic, or an animal”. The six of them knew Spike was not any of these without a doubt. But Twilight still had no idea how to prove it.
“But how do I make the jury see that?” Twilight desperately wanted to know, “They already think Spike is an animal or beast they can own.”
“Well,” Fluttershy took a deep breath, “maybe you could show them who he really is on the inside. I mean that’s where we truly see who others are.”
Suddenly, Twilight recalled every moment she ever spent with Spike, hatching him from an egg, watching him breathe his first flame, feeding him gems, asking her for comfort after a nightmare, organizing all of her belongings, confiding his darkest secret with her, and calling her mama. Fluttershy was absolutely right; Spike was physically a dragon, but that didn’t begin to show who he actually was or felt. She had an epiphany. The purple alicorn knew exactly what to do to turn this trial around. Twilight rose with new vigor and enthusiasm.
“I have a plan,” all of her friends looked hopefully at Twilight. “But we need to move quickly.”
“What do you want us to do?” Rainbow Dash asked, eager to help.
“Rainbow Dash, Rarity,” she turned to the unicorn and pegasus, “I need to teleport us back to Ponyville so we can pick up some of Spike’s belongings back at the castle. Rarity, do you still have that fire ruby Spike gave you?”
Rarity nodded absolutely ready to contribute anything to this case.
“We’re going to need it for this case. And I’ll have you testify for Spike,” she turned to Fluttershy. “I need you to research anything you can on animal species similar to dragons, like amphibians, reptiles. I’ll be calling upon you as an animal expert.”
Fluttershy was uncomfortable at the thought of having every eye on her, but for her friends, she would not back down.
“Pinkie Pie, Applejack,” she turned to the two earth ponies. “Keep an eye on Dr. Saffron. We don’t need her getting any more evidence from this Dr. Facts.”
They both nodded. 
“What exactly is your plan, sugar cube?” Applejack really hoped Twilight had a plan that could solve this whole dilemma.
“No time to explain,” Twilight’s horn glowed purple as she began the spell. Within a second, she, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity had vanished, leaving the other three to go about their work.

***

Back under house arrest, Spike’s face fell to the table, mirroring Cadence’s despair. He had spent the better part of the day crying, distraught at everything Cadence had said against him, and terrified of his uncertain future without his friends. Now, he rested unmovingly on the table, truly feeling alone and helpless.
Silver Stone rested a hoof on Spike’s shoulder and wrapped him in her hooves, wishing she knew some way to solve this whole dilemma. She was present in the many ponies that came to support Spike. When the pink alicorn revealed the science department legally owned Spike, she nearly wept.
Her heart went out to the little dragon. It wasn’t right. She had managed to convince Dr. Saffron to let Spike at least be able to visit Twilight, only to have the science department claim custody over Spike. She didn’t even want to imagine how his friends were coping, or how they would cope in the distant future. Silver Stone hoped they had some master plan to turn this around, but she had no idea what they could do. The case already seemed completely closed.
Staring at the broken dragon, she could only say what she had been thinking since they became friends. Slowly, she retracted her hooves, realizing this was all her fault.
“I’m sorry, Spike.” The dragon lifted his red, puffy eyes and stared at Silver Stone as her eyes became moist, “If it weren’t for me, this whole case wouldn’t have happened.”
Rubbing his eyes with a clawed hand, he shook his head. Silver Stone’s very heart felt pierced; he must hate her. She lost her first true friend. She began to sniff.
“I don’t blame you for this.” Spike assured her. He bitterly turned away, “You weren’t the one who argued I’m just property.”
Silver Stone winced at his harsh words. She recalled how enraged she felt at her mentor from separating Spike from his family. This was the exact same situation with Spike. She had to help him.
“Dr. Saffron told me Cadence doesn’t have a choice,” she said. “If she refused to testify, you might not even have a trial.”
Spike knew she was right, and he wished he were capable of forgiving Cadence. But now, forgiveness was the last thing on his mind.
“I know it’s hard to see it,” Silver Stone sighed, “but she’s doing this for you. And believe me when I say it’s tearing her apart, saying things she and every pony with half a brain doesn’t believe.”
He looked at the filly who had fought back her tears, amazed she could be so wise. She was right. He knew it. Cadence had broken down in the middle of her case, disgusted with herself for prosecuting him. If he was suffering from being called a beast, how much more Cadence must have suffered calling Spike such a name. It was a lose-lose scenario for every pony. No one was to blame.
Staring at the filly, his lips broke into a small, weak, momentary smile. Truly, he was glad they became friends. If any good thing came out of this whole cursed trial, it was their friendship. It made this whole ordeal so much more tolerable. He wanted to say something, anything to this unicorn, just to let her know how much he appreciated her. How could he? It was like trying to thank Twilight for everything she did for him: impossible. But he would at least try to express some of his gratitude.
“Thanks, Silver Stone,” Spike met her cerulean eyes. “You have no idea what that means.”
The gray unicorn leaned over and kissed Spike’s cheek. It was a sisterly, friendly kiss, but it still left Spike blushing and smiling. She grinned, blushing a little, but grateful she could make her friend feel better, even for a little while. 
Spike remembered her parents, and once again could not help marveling they even became friends. They should have been enemies, but some how were capable of looking beyond their differences, to find camaraderie.
Then he noticed Silver Stone’s smile fade as she began to frown. His interest was piqued.
“Spike,” she choked a bit. “I want you to know that you’re the best friend, no, the only true friend, I’ve ever had.”
“You’re my friend too, Silver Stone,” he placed a clawed hand on her hoof, only for her to slowly pull back. This movement concerned him. Had he done something wrong?
“So I hope you can forgive me.”
His eyebrows rose in confusion and worry. He hoped she wasn’t about to leave him.
“Forgive you for what?” he wasn’t sure he could endure if he lost her friendship.
“For my parents,” she met Spike’s eyes. “And what they did to provoke that dragon.”

***

Dr. Saffron stared at Dr. Ruby and Dr. Sapphire’s journal. No wonder Dr. Facts and the science department had withheld it all these years. They wanted to respect the memories of Silver Stone’s parents and not tarnish their reputations. It was also painfully clear why Dr. Facts had sent her the journal now of all times. It was a warning of the future that she had to join. These methods, these measures, soon they would become the norm, the only practice. Dr. Saffron’s beliefs and morals were outdated and archaic. From now on, the ends would justify the means. If she could find Dr. Facts, she would be seriously tempted to strangle him. If only he used his actual name or physically appeared to others, then he could not promote his ideals from the shadows. Somehow, he managed to achieve complete anonymity, giving him freedom to promote his ideas. She kept referring to Dr. Facts as a he, for all she knew the doctor was a mare or a little filly. She was well aware the doctor had covered up his tracks and manipulated this entire case to his liking.
She was also aware that a pony was spying on her from her window. She had tolerated that pony for some time, but grew wary of spying eyes. Placing the journal into a drawer and locking it with key, she stood up and trotted outside. 
Approaching a bush adjacent to her window, on the other side of the street beside a lamppost, her horn glowed as she lifted the bush to reveal an orange pony with a yellow mane and brown hat. She recognized the pony as one of the bearers of the elements of harmony, and one of the many present at the trial. When the pony realized her disguise had been discarded, she panicked as Dr. Saffron spoke.
“If you’re here to spy on me, you’re doing a pretty poor job,” the doctor’s calm attitude unnerved Applejack, who stood rigidly upright. “Quite strange to find the element of honesty deceitfully watching some pony.”
Applejack sweated nervously, “Spy? Why, I was just –.“
“Please, don’t lie,” Dr. Saffron interrupted. “I’m not a simpleton. I’ve known you were here for quite some time. Can I assume Twilight sent you?”
Applejack was ready to deny for the sake of her friend, when Dr. Saffron interrupted again.
“Of course she sent you. Well, you can run back and tell her I’m sorry. I never intended for the case to go this far, and I never wanted Spike to become property of the entire science department.”
The orange pony looked perplexed at the unicorn’s apology. “What are you talking about?”
“Why don’t you come inside?” The doctor offered, “We don’t need other ponies eavesdropping on us.”
“Whoa! How did you know I was here?” A pink pony’s head popped from behind the lamppost, nearly giving the doctor a heart attack. How had the pony hidden perfectly behind the lamppost without being seen? How long had she been there?
“Who—? How long have you been– ?” The doctor was so flustered and astonished she had difficulty formulating her thoughts into cohesive words.
“Pinkamena Diane Pie! But you can call me Pinkie Pie,” the earth pony stretched her limbs as she moved out of the lamppost. “I’ve been here as long as Applejack.”
The pink pony gasped excitedly, “Are you saying you didn’t know I was here?”
The wide-eyed doctor shook her head, flabbergasted.
“See, Applejack?” Pinkie Pie turned to give the other pony a smug grin, “I told you lampposts were better hiding places than bushes!”
Regaining her composure as best she could, the doctor cleared her throat and gestured to her house, “So may I invite you both inside?”
Applejack scowled, “Well, forgive me if I don’t trust ya. But I ain’t going.”
“What in the world do you think I’m going to do to you?” The doctor exclaimed exasperated. Calming herself, she looked at the pony in the eyes. “If you refuse, I can always tell the council that two of Twilight’s friends were spying on me.”
Applejack’s eyes narrowed, and she reluctantly followed the doctor into her house with Pinkie Pie in tow. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were led to a living room and offered places on a couch, while the doctor sat down on an adjacent chair. The two sat down and met the doctor’s gaze.
“As I was saying,” Dr. Saffron said with despondent eyes. “I am truly sorry. I never anticipated Cadence acquiring so much evidence or finding that ancient law.”
The two blinked uncertainly. Was the doctor legitimately sincere in her apology?	“Wait, why are you apologizing?” Applejack asked. “You’re the one who brought this case to court.”
“Yes,” the doctor admitted. “I did indeed bring it to court. But I only intended to show the jury the benefits that studying a dragon would bring, not that he’s,” she scowled in disgust, “property.”
“Well, if ya don’t believe in the case, then just drop it.” Applejack told her plainly, “Let Spike walk away.”
The unicorn shook her head, “I’m afraid I can’t. If I dropped the case, some other pony would simply take it up and have no qualms against using their unorthodox methods to study Spike. And if I did, I would be dooming him.”
Applejack cocked her head. “What are ya talking about?”
“The way the case currently stands, Spike is property of the science department. I could indeed drop the case, but that wouldn’t change the law invoked during this case.” The doctor laid her hooves on her temples, massaging them, before returning them to her sides. “If I dropped the case now, I would simply deny Twilight the chance to defend him, and many scientists would insist the law should prevail.”
Applejack scowled. She wasn’t sure she could believe the doctor completely, but her statements were somewhat logical. She folded her hooves in deep thought. 
“Why the sudden change in heart?” Applejack asked, “I thought ya wanted to study Spike.”
“I’m a scientist,” the doctor explained, “given new, more convincing evidence I will reevaluate my previous assessments to accommodate new findings. Recently, I have been given reason to question my initial assessments of Spike.”
“And what was that?”
The scientist lowered her gaze for a moment. “My assistant revealed Spike considers Twilight his family, that he loves her. I cannot in good conscience separate a family merely for the sake of science.”
She rested back in her chair, “I was willing to compromise. Should I have won custody, I planned to let Twilight visit him or let him visit my lab every so often for inspections so he could stay with her. I would not harm him in any physical or mental way. But now,” she brought her hooves together, touching under her chin, in contemplation, “now the science department will own him and experiment on him any way they like. I’m truly sorry. This is all my fault.”
After a few seconds, Applejack decided to test if the doctor was truly remorseful.
“If you really mean everything you’ve said,” the unicorn met the earth pony’s gaze, “then tell us where we can find ‘Dr. Facts’. We don’t need him interfering in this case anymore.”
The unicorn was slightly taken aback, when they mentioned the doctor’s name, unsure how they heard of him. She nodded. They were right. He needed to be stopped or brought to court for his meddling. Unfortunately, she could not help.
“I wish I could tell you.” She sighed, “No pony know who Dr. Facts truly is. The name is an alias. He’s likely been sending all of these documents through lackeys, and even they diligently cover their tracks.”
“But ya must have some idea who he could be?” Applejack suggested, “Some pony on the science department?”
“Perhaps,” the doctor mused, “but there’s no way to know for sure. No way to locate him.”
“Yes, there is,” Applejack and Dr. Saffron turned to look at the pink pony who was silent this whole time. 
“What are ya taking about, Pinkie?” Applejack really didn’t have time for Pinkie’s games now.
“Don’t you remember, Applejack?” Pinkie Pie grinned as the idea took over, “The librarian said she received those papers from Dr. Facts, or at least one of his buddies. We just need to find her and ask what they looked like, track them down, and make them tell us where Dr. Facts is.”
Applejack and Dr. Saffron’s jaws dropped a bit, as they stared wide-eyed at the pony who pointed out the solution to the dilemma that they were overthinking. Pinkie Pie shrugged her shoulders.
“What? It seemed like the obvious thing to do.”

***

Spike listened to Silver Stone’s entire story as she described the journal detailing her parents’ final moments and what truly happened that day. He knew that he should be enraged or astounded, but he was already emotionally drained. Before he could even process everything she said, he heard voices from outside the doorway. One of them he instantly recognized as Twilight’s as she argued with the guards. He and Silver Stone turned as Twilight entered the room. Spike ran to greet her in an embrace; one that he feared could be his last.
When they finally broke from the embrace, Twilight noticed Silver Stone watching them and narrowed her eyes. The filly could sense the alicorn’s protective nature, warning her to stay away.
“It’s alright, Twilight,” Spike waved for her attention. “Silver Stone is a friend. She can be trusted.”
Twilight turned to look at him slightly surprised. Somehow, Spike had managed to make friends with the assistant of Dr. Saffron? He never ceased to amaze her. She remembered that she only had so much time.
“Spike, listen to me,” she leaned in closely and lowered her voice. “We have a plan. If it works, it just might turn this whole trial in our favor.”
“What are you going to do?” Spike asked. Twilight eyed Silver Stone once again, not willing to trust her.
“Sorry, I don’t want the prosecution getting wind of our plans,” she stated.
Noticing her glance at the filly, Spike was about to tell her that Silver Stone could be trusted not to blab when the little filly spoke up.
“It’s fine, Spike.” She waved away his concern, “It’s probably better if I have no idea about her plans whatsoever. Don’t want to risk the truth sneaking out.”
Twilight blinked, wondering for a moment if the filly was tricking her somehow. Then she remembered this was a filly, she was paranoid, and didn’t have much time.
“The point is for this plan to work, we need you to honestly answer any question we ask you no matter how personal,” she began.
“Of course, Twilight,” Spike interrupted.
“Spike, listen to me.” She frowned, “What I’m asking you to do isn’t answer some simple yes or no questions. You’re going to have to reveal some very personal things if you want to go free.”
Spike’s eyes narrowed in concern, “Like what?”
“Sorry,” Twilight said, “I don’t want to take the risk of any pony finding out and stopping us. I just need you to trust me, promise you’ll do exactly what I say. And know that everything I do, I do because I love you.”
Staring into her eyes, Spike had no doubt the purple alicorn’s affections for him ran incredibly deep. Before this whole trial began, he told Twilight that he trusted her and knew she could win. She could win, but she needed his help, his active participation. Anything she did was indeed motivated by love. And between becoming a lab rat or revealing a few embarrassing secrets, the latter option was far more appealing.
“Okay, Twilight. I trust you, ” he said, “I’ll answer any question you ask me honestly.”
She smiled, and embraced him once more; hoping this wouldn’t be the last time they ever would. She believed her plan could indeed win the day and set Spike free. But she was worried he might never forgive her.