A Gem Unwrought

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A dragon assistant toiling away in the Castle of Friendship suddenly found himself as a familiar unicorn fashionista. What's more, he was shocked to find himself stranded in a critical moment of the not-so-distant past.

Although this story might seem to share similarity to Elements of Spike and Shrinking Lavender, it has a different set-up, more so than the difference between the two previous stories, and will go quite differently as well. Still, please kindly bear with my very last indulgence on this Spiketastic ~~genre~~ plot-bunny.

Cover art by: myself

20th of September, 2016 update: Now with story illustrations in Chapter 1 and 4!

Chapters (6)

Chapter 1 · 13th Sep 2016 · 1,228 words
1,228
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Chapter 2 · 17th Sep 2016 · 2,435 words
2,435
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Chapter 3 · 18th Sep 2016 · 2,048 words
2,048
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Chapter 4 · 19th Sep 2016 · 4,937 words
4,937
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Chapter 5 · 21st Sep 2016 · 3,786 words
3,786
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Chapter 6 · 24th Dec 2017 · 3,244 words
3,244
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Comments ( 16 )

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ferret

ferret #1 · Sep 22nd, 2016 · 1 · · Chapter 5 ·

>no next chapter

RadicalDishonesty

RadicalDishonesty #2 · Nov 11th, 2016 · · · Chapter 5 ·

I missed a chapter, somehow!

So... Spike still has some form of his magic? And Rarity's magic?

And maybe some more things?

Interesting... I wonder if Spike giving herself to NMM is a generous enough act, or if something more unusual will happen.

Yinglung

Yinglung #3 · Nov 12th, 2016 · · · Chapter 5 ·

7713556 Heheh, I'm revising the latter part of the story, because I'm a bit dissatisfied at how it turned out. But I think for now I would prioritize Shrinking Lavender first, so as not to spread myself too thin.

RadicalDishonesty

RadicalDishonesty #4 · Nov 12th, 2016 · · · Chapter 5 ·

7715239
Understandable. Looks like you've had a lot of updates on a story I missed in the meantime too.

SWEETOLEBOB18

SWEETOLEBOB18 #5 · Dec 17th, 2016 · · · Chapter 5 ·

Twilight was being too modest. Rewatch The Cutie Mark Chronicles (S1 E23). During her entrance exam, Spike grew to the point that his head grew through the dome + Twilight turned her parents into potted plants. Even in Canterlot, that has to cause gossip. If Rarity really had Canterlot connections, she would have heard of it.

Spike, you're an idiot not to have figured out where Rarity is. You "just know" how to use a completely unfamiliar type of magic & "just happen" to be able to fashion decorations? Hello! You're being coached, Einstein! Rarity hasn't gone anywhere, she's still inside her head. It's a case of demonic possession (somehow, Spikeonic possession doesn't sound quite right)

Congratulations on breaking reality & destroying the space/time continuum. Too bad Pinkie can't throw you a party.

Blade Dancer

Blade Dancer #6 · Dec 17th, 2016 · · · Chapter 5 ·

This looks really interesting i want to see more soon

Kuairu

Kuairu #7 · Dec 25th, 2017 · · · Chapter 6 ·

Whoa. Were you meaning to add an ending to this story like this one?

Yinglung

Yinglung #8 · Dec 25th, 2017 · · · Chapter 6 ·

8628905
Yes. The ending sat in my manuscript because I was pondering whether I should go on or not. At the end, I think it appropriate to conclude it thusly and leave any bittersweet slices of life to a potential sequel. One that will come up after I tie up the other loose ends in my repertoire of fics.

Thanks for asking!

SWEETOLEBOB18

SWEETOLEBOB18 #9 · Dec 30th, 2017 · · · Chapter 2 ·

However, the white fur now absorbed the momentum of the stream. It felt so different, as if someone was massaging his (him) using many teeny-tiny appendages. The careless caresses tickled, causing his to snicker involuntarily as he tried to scrub the nerve (nerves?) out of his body.

“Big sis, I don’t think there’s any. (anything) You said you wanted to focus on the Summer Sun Celebration, remember? You even told me yesterday that you’ve finished all remaining orders by staying up late for the last few days, before promising me to go out together!”

Yeah, the pilot is June 19-21/22 (depending on "How long did it take them to go out & beat Nightmare Night?"). The Crusaders don't meet until Call of the Cutie, probably first week in August. (They have a cameo, hiding together from NMM but I've heard Hasbro says that's a continuity error)

SWEETOLEBOB18

SWEETOLEBOB18 #10 · Dec 30th, 2017 · · · Chapter 4 ·

Twilight did not notice the sweat-dropping look on the white mare’s face. Instead, she jokingly commented. “Seeing how this is a boutique filled with so many clothes and dresses, I totally expect (expected) to be shoved around and dressed in different clothes like a doll.”

He threw his curly mane backwards with a flourish. “But now, you should finish your official assignment, and I should give a final touch-up to the town hall. We can meet later tonight at the library to discuss ......"it" or "things"......further. Don’t worry too much, darling, it’s not like the world’s going to end.”

“Whoa.” The dragon could not even think of a response, only absorbing the words of wisdom from his mare, who seemed to have a sharp mind in addition to pretty look (looks) as well.

Twilight politely smiled. “Anyway, I know, right? All the ponies in this town are a bit loco. You seem to be only one who know (knows) what time it is.”

Twilight widened her eyes speechless, while the white mare let out a deeply regretful sigh and continued. “I know about all these, but I never (don't) know what exactly to do to ensure it comes to pass. I want everything to go the way I wish it would go, with every one of us becoming good friends at the end of this, setting the stage for many future adventures. I don’t know that my intervention would mess things up far more than if I just sit at the side and watch.”

Twilight let out a muted nasal noise. The white mare was not quite certain what she was signaling by that, so she just continued. “I know it’s going to sound weird to be this invested in somepony else’s life story, but I think that it’s extra admirable how you brought Spike up in addition of (to) pursuing your study.” ("studies" or "studying")

“It is not easy to balance between work and care. Umm… Like me, I got flustered when I have to deal with boutique orders and take care of my little sister Sweetie Belle at the same time. But you bring (brought) Spike up from....a...... mere egg to a proud little dragon boy. Not even many parents can raise their foal alone properly and at the same time having to study or work. I can’t help but feel more amazed and appreciative when I see you two in the person. Again, dear, sorry for everything, and please excuse me, I must’ve accidentally given off a stalker vibe by saying all these, ("this" or "these things") ha.”

Twilight muttered with sadness. “I shouldn’t be (have been) that rash and did that to you. You sound like a pony who means well after all… I must be quite disappointing to meet in person, aren’t I?”

You seem to be having trouble with your verb tenses

SWEETOLEBOB18

SWEETOLEBOB18 #11 · Dec 30th, 2017 · · · Chapter 5 ·

He did eventually come to terms with himself, but by then, Twilight alreadt casted (had already cast) a hair growth spell and successfully befriended the sea monster to carry them across the river. She then even said that she could have just teleported them all across as a last resort. The white mare could only glare in resignation.

He quietly slapped his own forehead. Aw, bulls. (balls) We’ve arrived at the old castle.

“Back when society was simpler, ponies were mostly agricultural. So it was natural that they worked in the day and slept at night. But now more and more ponies live in big bustling metropolises. Be them (they) restaurant and bar workers, shipping workers and couriers, store clerks, journalists and media personalities, entertainment workers, and even different types of emergency personnel, a lot of them would feel very glad if they have (had) a royal patron of the night, looking over them with peaceful serenity as they go about their life. These ponies do not need to be forced to respect the night. The night is their life. The night court would not be empty even if you go back as… Luna.”

“So what if I do?” ("I am" or "I did)The white mare grunted.

SWEETOLEBOB18

SWEETOLEBOB18 #12 · Dec 30th, 2017 · · · Chapter 6 ·

The voice audibly gulped. “And I’m afraid that once I let go off my veneer of ladylike aloof, (aloofness) he would treat me as simply a gem in his pile of treasure, no longer worthy of but the briefest glance.”

"I'm so sorry to just... go away like that, Spikey-wikey. I never envisioned that things will (would) turn south so badly. You must've been distraught..." The white mare winced, and then squeezed out the best gentle smile he could offer, even though it was evidently bittersweet. "And I know... I know all about that."

Aether Spark