//------------------------------// // Chapter 9. // Story: I'm your son too // by Synthetic Soul //------------------------------// Spike held Skylight in his arms, rocking the child to sleep as best he could. The foals constant crying drilled into Spikes ears, so much so that he couldn’t even hear himself think. It took a while, but he was finally able to lull the child to sleep. His cries dying down, Spike laid him down in his crib. Letting out a sigh of relief, Spike wiped his forehead, before slumping to the ground. He sat like that for several minutes, before getting back up. “Well, now I can finally have some time to myself! Time to go read that new comic I got!” Spike jogged away from the crib, and made his way up the stairs, to his room. He went to the spot where he kept his comics, and pulled out the newest edition of Power Ponies. Setting himself down in his basket, he began to read the Power Ponies newest adventure. About halfway through the story, Spike was thoroughly engaged in his reading, really enjoying the story. The young dragon was about to turn the page, when he felt a familiar building up in his stomach. Setting his comic down, he let out a burp, allowing a bound scroll to materialize in the air. He reached out and caught it. Observing it for a second, Spike stood up from his bed, and walked to the center of the room. “A letter from the Princess?” questioned Spike. His first thought was to set it down, and wait for Twilight to return to read it. Spike was about to do so, when a second thought emerged. ‘What if it’s important? Maybe it has something to do with that new villain?’ If it was important, then Spike would need to get it to Twilight as soon as possible. Spike decided that he would need to read the letter himself to decide. Using his claw to cut the ribbon seal, he then unrolled the letter, and read its contents. Dear Princess Twilight, An urgent matter has come up in regards to the capture of Tirek. I request that you come to Canterlot immediately, for this is a matter that must be discussed by all four Alicorns. Sincerely yours, Princess Celestia Spike lowered the letter, a look of worry on his face. This sounded important. Making his up mind, turned and ran down the stairway, heading to the front door. He scampered across the floor, to the door. He gripped the knob, and was about to turn it, when a familiar voice made itself known. ‘Forgetting something?’ “What could I possibly be forgetting?” questioned Spike, before he heard sounds of the baby sleeping. He turned his head to see the foal, sleeping soundly in its crib. “Dang it!” Releasing his grip on the handle, he made his way back towards the crib, and looked down at the child. “I need to get this letter to Twilight, but I can’t leave Skylight alone!” Spike walked a few steps away from the crib, and racked his brain, trying to think of a solution to this problem. “Let’s see…I just leave him here all alone…I also can’t bring him with me to the castle, if something happened to him in the Everfree, Twilight would kill me!” contemplated Spike as he paced back and forth, his hands behind his back. ‘This is quite the predicament. If you take the letter to Twilight, you’ll be in trouble for leaving the kid alone. You don’t take the letter to Twilight; she’ll probably drill into you for not letting her know that she’s needed in Canterlot. He he, it sucks to be you.’ “Shut up!” snapped Spike, trying to think. ‘I could drop Skylight off at somepony else’s, and have them watch him.’ Spike tried to think of any other options. The only other thing he could think of, would be to have somepony else deliver the letter, but he knew that wouldn’t work. Ponies were terrified of the Everfree, and besides, this letter was too important to trust with anypony else. Spike made up his mind. Spike made his way to the crib, and picked up the still snoozing foal. The child was slightly roused, but quickly fall back to sleep. With the letter in hand, Spike made his way out the door. Spike knew that Twilight had taken the girls with her to the castle; meaning that having one of them watch the baby was out of the question. So who else could watch Skylight? The only other ponies he could think of were the Cakes. Next to Twilights friends, the Cakes where probably Twilight’s next closest friends. And they had children of their own, which meant that they were probably the most prepared to take care of a baby. Making up his mind, he made his way towards Sugar Cube Corner. A few minutes later, Spike made it to the bakery. Opening the door, he stepped in, with the baby in tow. The bell opened, alerting the proprietors to his entrance. Spike walked up to the counter, soon to be greeted by Mrs. Cake, as she made her way up to the counter. “Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner, how can I- Oh, hello Spike!” greeted the baker. “Hi Mrs. Cake,” replied Spike. Mrs. Cake was about to ask Spike what brought him here, when she took notice of the foal in his arms. “Oh, and hello to you too Skylight! How are you today?” cooed the mare. The question roused Skylight from his nap, causing him to open his eyes and look towards the baker. “Ooh, so cute,” complimented Mrs. Cake. “So, what brings you two here today?” “Well, actually, I was hoping you could do me a favor,” said Spike. “And what’s that dearie?” “I just got this important message from Princess Celestia, and I need to give it to Twilight, but she’s at the Castle of the Two Sisters. I don’t think it would be a good idea to bring Skylight with me. I was hoping you or Mr. Cake could watch him, until I get back." “Hm…well, I suppose we could put him in the crib with Pumpkin and Pound Cake, and check up on them every so often.” “Really? Thanks Mrs. Cake! That would really help me out!” “Oh, its no trouble Spike,” said the mare with a wave of her hoof. Walking around the display case, Spike handed the child over to the mare. “Thanks a lot Mrs. Cake! I’ll be back as soon as I can!” said Spike, who then made his way out the door. Spike made his way through the Everfree, navigating for about half an hour, before he came to the castle, the scroll griped in his hand. Spike started making his way towards the castle. But as he got closer, he caught a movement from the corner of his eye. Looking to his right, he saw the underground cavern that housed the tree of harmony. Down, gathered around it, were Twilight, and her friends. Taking notice of this, Spike changed his course, and went down the steps. Coming to the ground, he started jogging towards the group, calling out to his caretaker. “Twilight! Twilight!” called the young dragon, running as fast as his little legs could take him. Surprised, Twilight and the girls turned around, and faced the young drake. “Spike?! What are you doing here?” questioned the Alicorn. “You got a letter from Princess Celestia,” replied Spike. “A letter…wait, where’s Skylight!” “I left him with the Cakes,” said Spike, coming to a stop in front of Twilight. “The Cakes? Spike, you were supposed to watch him, not the Cakes!” “I-yeah, I know, but this letter is Important! It’s an urgent message from Celestia!” Twilight wordlessly took the letter from Spike and began reading. Her expression changing from one of slight anger, to surprise and concern. “What’ it say?” questioned Pinkie. “It says that I’m needed in Canterlot at once,” said Twilight, lowering the note. “What about?” asked Applejack. “I’m not sure, but it sounds like something went wrong with the capture of this new villain.” Twilight dropped the letter, and started walking forward. “I’m sorry girls, but I have to leave for Canterlot right now! I’ll see you all later!” Flapping her wings, Twilight took to the sky, leaving her friends, and Spike down below. “Gee, I wonder what’s going on,” questioned Rainbow Dash. “I’m not sure but, I have a bad feeling about this,” said Pinkie Pie. ‘You know something…so do I.’