Twilight and I were watching a plumber tightening the last sprinkler on the castle wall.
“And that should about do it,” said the plumber as he climbed down. “There are shutoff switches at both ends of each hall, so you can turn these off when the fire’s put out. I’d also recommend getting fire extinguishers for some of the rooms as well.”
“Thank you, sir,” Twilight said as she paid him.
“Have a good day.” The plumber took his tools and left the castle.
“Well, now this castle’s a bit safer.” I said.
“I agree.” Twilight then noticed the strange book I was holding. “What’s that?”
“Huh? Oh, this is a manga.” I showed it to Twilight.
“Gesundheit.”
“No, that’s what this book is called: a manga. It’s like a Japonese comic book.”
I said that region correctly. There is actually a pony version of Japan called “Japone.”
“I knew you were into comics, but I never thought you’d be into comics from other places,” said Twilight.
“Well, I’ve been dabbling in manga ever since I learned Fluttershy was a…big fan.”
“Is it any good?”
“She told me this one is. The only problem I have with it is that I keep reading it the wrong way.”
“What do you mean, ‘the wrong way’?”
“When you read a manga, you have to read from right to left. I keep going the other way out of habit.”
I handed Twilight the book, and she read a few pages.
“Oh, I see what you mean,” she said. “You know, I’ve read that some old Japonese scrolls were written the same way. I guess some things never change.”
We entered the library. The selves have been filled up a lot more since we moved into the castle. Twilight had gotten the last of the books from the ruins at the Everfree Forest, and she had been trying to translate and restore them.
Speaking of the ruins, the construction ponies had already begun working on the walls and ceiling there. The cost wasn’t as expensive as we thought, though we were going to reduce our budget for Hearth’s Warming Eve gifts this year.
“Starlight’s lessons are coming up soon,” said Twilight. “I really hope I’m being a good teacher to her.”
“She’s not questioning your methods,” I replied as I continued reading my book. “That’s a start.”
That’s when a faint glow caught my eye. I looked over my manga and widened my eyes.
“Twilight!” I shouted. “Your cutie mark! It’s glowing!”
“What?!” Twilight checked her flank to confirm it. Her smile grew wide. “Yes! Finally!”
She snatched a bunch of books and dashed out of the library. I knew what this episode was.
In the episode, “The Hooffields and McColts”, Twilight and Fluttershy visit a valley to solve a dispute between two feuding families. Once again, there was nothing I could change since it was a map episode.
I bookmarked my manga and headed over to the throne room. Once I opened the double doors, my eyes were feasted with books, scrolls, and blackboards cluttering all over the room. I knew Twilight works fast, but all this could make Rainbow Dash look like a Slowpoke.
“Geeze, Twilight,” I said. “You must’ve really been waiting for this moment to happen.”
“Of course!” Twilight exclaimed. “After hearing what Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack have done for their journeys, I’ve been anxious to get my friendship problem!”
To be honest, when I first watched Season 5, I thought the map was going to call everypony but Twilight for the sake of comedy.
I pushed some books away to see Twilight’s cutie mark swirling around the Smokey Mountains. But hers wasn’t the only one present.
“Looks like Fluttershy—”
“—will be joining me!” Twilight finished my sentence. “In fact, she should be coming right about now!”
Twilight lit up her horn and vanished in a shower of sparkles. Within a few minutes, Twilight returned with Fluttershy.
“Ever since the map called us, I've been doing a ton of research,” Twilight said to Fluttershy. “Testing out potential friendship problems, diversifying my solution portfolio…”
“Ever since the map called us?” Fluttershy repeated. “But…that happened five minutes ago.”
“You’re forgetting that Twilight was really looking forward to this,” I pointed out.
Just like in the show, Twilight told Fluttershy that they would be heading to the Smokey Mountains. Twilight couldn’t find much information about the place other than from an old book. Fluttershy lightly clapped her hooves in delight over to the possibility of finding cute animals there.
“I can't wait to get started!” Twilight squealed. “I'm a little nervous since that's all I could find. I usually like to be a bit more prepared.”
Fluttershy looked at the stack of books. “You seem pretty prepared to me.” That’s when she noticed the overstuffed saddlebags. “Are those...for us?”
“Yep, I've prepared our things. Snacks, books, blankets, books...”
“You said ‘books’ twice.”
“There are a lot of books.”
“If you ask me, Twilight, you’re overdoing it.” I patted one of the bags. “The rest of the girls went with almost nothing for their friendship problems.”
“Luck favors the prepared, Spike. You know that.” Twilight put her bags on and levitated the other bags to Fluttershy. The latter almost collapsed.
“I hope you girls aren’t flying all the way there.” I helped Fluttershy up.
“We’ll rent the balloon for most of the trip,” Twilight said.
I followed Twilight and Fluttershy to the front door.
“What do you think our friendship problem's gonna be?” Twilight asked.
“I don’t know,” Fluttershy grunted. “But I'm sure we'll figure it out.”
“Good luck, you two,” I said.
I watched as the two ponies left the castle and trotted down the road to the balloon.
I wonder what I should do today. Maybe I can take care of Fluttershy’s animals while she’s—
Crash!
The sound of stuff falling grabbed my attention. I dashed down the hall and found Starlight covered in sports equipment.
“Starlight! Are you okay?” I asked as I removed the skis and hockey sticks.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I forgot Rainbow Dash gave us all this stuff.” She removed the tennis ball from her horn with her hoof. “Did Twilight leave already?”
“Yep. She and Fluttershy headed to the Smokey Mountains.”
“I don’t think I’ve heard of that place.”
“Well, there wasn’t much written about it. Say, since Fluttershy is going to be away for a while, why don’t you come help me take care of her animals?”
“I was supposed to study for Twilight’s next lessons, but since she’s not here, I guess I can join you.”
“Great.”
Starlight and I left the castle and headed over to Fluttershy’s cottage. When I knocked on the door, Angel answered immediately. He exhaled in disappointment.
“I’m sorry, Angel,” I said. “Your owner’s away on a friendship quest. But don’t worry. Starlight and I are here to help take care of you and the other creatures until she gets back.”
Angel rolled his eyes.
“Hey, come on. I did a good job feeding you last time. Fluttershy said so herself.”
Starlight and I entered the cottage. I got out all the food bags, and Starlight and I filled up the bowls and feeders.
“How much food am I supposed to give each critter?” Starlight asked.
“Just enough to fill the containers,” I said.
After we fed Fluttershy’s furry critters, we both had a cup of tea while Angel reluctantly ate the salad I gave him. It was the same kind of salad Fluttershy would make for him, so I didn’t know why he was acting so sour.
“I never seen a grumpy bunny, to be honest,” said Starlight. “Is he always like this?”
“Probably. It’s hard to tell whether or not he’s jealous because I’m in a relationship with Fluttershy,” I said right before being pelted by a cucumber skin.
“Say, I’ve been thinking about you and Fluttershy…and…well…” Starlight rubbed the back of your head. “I really don’t want to say this…but…I’m a bit worried.”
“About what? We’re doing well.”
“I meant…you’re a dragon…and Fluttershy’s a pony…”
“You got something against interspecies relationships? Wow, Glimmer. Maybe Twilight should’ve taught you how not to be…”
“I’m not against interspecies couples!” Starlight quickly denied. “I’m all for them! Honestly! What I’m trying to say is dragons tend to live longer than most ponies. I'm worried about what will happen when Fluttershy...won't be with you anymore.”
I looked at my teacup. I knew what Starlight was implying, but her sentence worked the other way as well. I wasn't sure how long I was going to be in Equestria, whether it was until the series finale or for the rest of my new draconic life.
“Our life spans may be different, but that’s not going to stop Fluttershy and me from being together,” I said calmly. “We’ll still have tea and hang out. And when the time comes, I’ll still have the memories of us together. Sure, I’ll be mourning and grieving over my loss initially, but it can’t be worse than if we never started our relationship at all. As Twilight once told me, don’t be sad because it’s over; be glad that it happened. It's just like you and Sunburst. Even though your departures were sudden, you both still cherish the memories you have.”
“Well, that’s different, Spike. I can simply visit Sunburst if I wanted to. I just…need to find the right time…”
Gee, I thought she’d be more confident this time.
Come to think of it, despite the fact that Starlight was introduced early, not much has changed with her. I honestly expected some Season 6 episodes to start sooner than in the show, but that wasn’t the case. Of course, I would have to give that more time. I didn’t know how long it was between the ending of Season 5 and the beginning of Season 6, and for all I know it might’ve been a few days at least.
After every animal, especially Angel, was done with their meal, Starlight and I checked that every critter was taken care of before we left the cottage.
Starlight sighed. “I’m sorry for what I said back there. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Don’t be,” I replied. “You did bring up a valid point. Fluttershy may not live as long as me, but we can’t let that keep us apart. Maybe when my time comes, I’ll see her again. Who knows?”
“There’s something else that’s kinda bothering me. Um…how old are you?”
“Pony years or dragon years?”
“Uh…pony?”
“Twelve.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m also concerned about. Fluttershy seems old enough to be your…” Starlight muttered a bit. “...big sister.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. In dragon years, Fluttershy and I are practically the same age, more or less. Even then, we keep things mild for both our sakes,” I replied. “The most we've ever done is hug and hold hooves.”
“Ew.”
“What? You ponies are Amish or something?”
“Oh, I wasn’t referring to the hoof-holding. I was reading that.” Starlight pointed to a poster on one of Sugarcube Corner’s windows.
“‘New Cupcake Flavor: Spinach and Raspberry Flavor!’” I read. “Ew indeed. Must be Pinkie’s idea. She always comes up with ideas like that.”
“Figured as much.”
We returned and waited for Twilight and Fluttershy to return. While Starlight was fixing one of her kites, I continued reading my manga.
The manga itself was about a school-pony who had a special spirit with her, and they would travel around the world fighting other ponies with special spirits. I had no idea if this was based on one anime, a combination of a few anime shows, or a new series altogether.
“Come on, Mesu-chan!” The spirit in the manga whined. He looked like the hybrid of a mouse and dragon. “I wanna fight other spirits! Not waste time drawing numbers and shapes!”
“It’s called ‘geometry, ’” Mesu said as she adjusted her oversized glasses with her magic. “I may be away from school, but I still need to keep my education in check, Iki-kun.”
“But if you stay here and read all the time, we’ll never find ponies to battle!” Iki slithered his yellow transparent form around Mesu like a garden snake.
A thought bubble appeared above Mesu’s annoyed face. “Maybe this is what it’s like to have a younger sibling.”
I was so entranced in the manga, that I didn’t notice Twilight and Fluttershy returning until the former opened the library doors.
“Spike?” Twilight asked. “Oh, there you are.”
I looked up from my manga. “Twilight! You’re back already?”
“What do you mean already? It’s almost nighttime.”
Twilight pointed at a nearby clock. Both hands were on the 6.
“Oh, oops. Guess this manga really makes time fly.”
“Did you spend all day reading it?” Twilight took a book off one of the shelves and sat down at a nearby table. “And I thought I was the only pony who can be so hooked on books.”
“I didn’t spend the entire day. Starlight and I fed Fluttershy’s animals during lunchtime. We also chatted a bit before heading back.” I closed the manga book. “So how were the Smokey Mountains?”
“Well, as it turns out, two families had settled on top of those mountains, and they’ve been feuding with each other for a very long time. There were a few complications, but we found out that both families had ancestors who wanted to preserve the valley, but due to creative differences, they kept fighting each other instead. Thankfully, we were able to sort things out, and soon both families started working together to restore the place for all the animals.”
“That’s good. I’m glad you two could solve the problem.”
Twilight nodded. “You know, the map called for all of us except you. I wonder what your friendship problem would be? Or better yet, how would the map call you? You don’t have a cutie mark.”
I shrugged. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
I don’t know if I will get called to the map anytime soon. Once the changelings get reformed, I would purposely get them and the dragons unified and hopefully avoid the events of “Triple Threat” altogether.
But for now, I continued reading my manga. I needed to know the outcome of Mesu and Iki's first battle!
A very nice chapter indeed! Been waiting for this to come and I'm enjoying it so far!
Keep up the great job!
Great chapter. Wonder what comes next? Then again some are in order, some are not.
Like a randomizer spinning the questions and answers.
And I'm loving every minute of it.
I was worried too, Spike will wait 20 years for the season 9 epilogue and he will return to the human world or he stay like Spike forever?
I hope he can find a way to rein in the crazy parents of the show considering they acted ridiculous in every way possible besides gaslighting. And hopefully he can convince scootaloo not to try to kill herself just because she is disabled and rainbow tends to dream of her being a wonderbolt. I keep thinking if that how she shows that she is grown up then she isn't even slightly grown up risking life and limb just for a sunt show.
That sounds like Shaman King to me.
Good talk between Spike & Starlight regarding his relationship with Flutters, although I do wonder what will happen when S9 rolls around, will Dave go back or not? (not to mention canon Spike's fate as well🤔)
We are thee, thou art us!
11125801
It could be that Dave and Spike are the same being Spiritually?
I forget of Luna said anything about the Original Spike when she met Dave in the Dream World, so I do not remember if she said anything concerning that.
I remember another story, can not remember what it was called, where when a souls reincarnate and remembering that life so clearly is almost impossible.
OR
We will find out when we get there.
11125779
Huh, I've never seen that manga. Is it worth reading?
Kinda disappointed that Slice of Life seems to have been skipped over. However, I am curious as to whether or not Times They Are A Changeling will still happen. I can see Thorax either getting kicked out or leaving because the hive still wants to drain ponies instead of giving peace a chance, and trying to make friends in Equestria and getting up to the Crystal Empire.
11125948
Slice of life hasn't happened yet.
11125934
I've only seen bits and pieces of its anime so I couldn't tell you.
11125954
Oh. I sorta thought the story progressed based on episode number. Hooffields and McColts is 114 and Slice of Life is 100
11125962
Yeah, the thing is that some episodes in this fanfic don't happen in the same order as in the show, like when Spike went on a dragon quest before his birthday for example.
11125964
Yeah, that's true, considering he's "screwing with the timeline"
You don’t need me to say it every time you do a great chapter, but here it is.
Keep it up!
11098828
Yeah and they also showed how to be ungrateful when someone is doing something nice and how to be a bad losers. Nobody is guaranteed to win every time and if someone is subbing to be on your team then be a good sport even if you lose. Applebloom was ungrateful and a bad loser. She was never guaranteed the win and to take it out on her brother because she wasn't winning is wrong.
I still feel like that hasbro could have added a few more friendship journeys before ending the series.
Are you gonna include the season 10 comics? I’m waiting for someone to do a comic dub for them.
11088165
That might be something to cover during the stupid pie fight. If rainbow hates pies and then how did she win the social. It wouldn't hurt scootaloo to lose a little of that hero worship.
I wonder if you can get David/Spike to convince Princess Luna to find the last future villain. After all, it would be nice to finally get the answers to one of the unanswered questions. What happened to lead this filly to villainy?
i.pinimg.com/originals/28/95/e9/2895e9df38cd986acee7bc1b6fef17e5.png
To be fair, Spike have been solving Friendship problems even before the Map coming into existence. Maybe the Map trust him to do it on his own? Or maybe assign him a secret assignment?
11126081
I do think there will be some non-cannon episodes where Spike/David is needed. Like no one else in the main 6 will be able to solve. for example, the time he went on a journey to save Starlight, the encountered a few Diamond dogs, I don't remember much of it, but I do think it's going to be something in the future Chapters
10922420
Yes but trying to change nature is not a good idea unless you know what you are doing and nobody had any ideas for change beyond stop eating the apples. That doesn't really work for change. They should have found a natural predator or found somewhere where they they could eat and not cause trouble. You can't force change nature to change without going with it some. They didn't do that and it backfired.
11125779
Look up Zatch Bell!, it's what I thought of when I read it.
Please please PLEASE do changes for "What About Discord?" and "Once Upon a Zeppelin".
11141351
Once Upon a Zeppelin is a season 7 episode, and the author is at Season 5.
11141655
I know.
I'm just saying this now. In advance.
11126081
An Original Friendship problem could be a nice change of pace, let him know that he's making a change...
I don't think any of us would find that funny.
Spike, maybe you need to let the others finish their thoughts before you accuse them of speciesm. Just saying.
Jeez, what a combination.
Amen to that.
He has a flame symbol on his seat, perhaps he get a flame on his Tail? Dragon fire mail? Become a Dragon Torch for a moment? Weird case the map is the only indicator and the pony he is paired up tells him his symbol is shown as well.
I've always preferred calling it Neighpon. After Nippon.
I believe that's the most popular fanon name, too.
Is this a JoJo reference?!
The Hooffields and the McColts:
I know it will not be taken into account either because Fluuteshy and Twilight had problems with the war between neighbors; but he solved the problem. In the plot change at the beginning, Spike tells Twilight not to exaggerate things either. Knowing that the backpacks they carry are very heavy. She just advises him whatever is necessary and solves the problem. Both with the help of the animals that were important in resolving the conflict. Because he reminds me a lot of the neighbors at war movie. When Timmy Turner's father fought Dinkelberg.
Well at least you solved the issue. So I discard it. Because you already had that idea in mind.
Dave-Spike prevent a lifetime worth of Villains. Maybe he becomes a friendship problem for a change of pace
Wait, what? Was it in show?
Very medium-sneaky of you Dashie! Too bad you got the wrong unicorn!
(I mean, that's a G5 reference, right?)
Mm. So you're living in that hole you dug yourself. The one with that flawed reasoning you established way back (I mean, assuming you're aware of your mistake with it). You sure you wanna do that and not fix it? Maybe at the very least have him admit the point with his age (Dragon or Pony) and say that's why he's keeping things mild with her.
I think that's what I'd likely do if I ever did an audio drama of the story. (Btw it'd be cool to have one, don't you agree?)
11446428
derpicdn.net/img/view/2021/7/3/2648284.jpg
Angel Bunny should learn to behave, perhaps Dave-Spike share his mate in turn. Double the fun and stuff...
Shaman King? JoJo adventures?
11453337
The horror - THE HORROR!
Isn't that to terrifying to watch? They really just made a new show with very few elements of the show and slapped the fancise universe above it