No More Letters
That's what she told me. That's how it all started. And honestly, I didn't know what to do. Look, let me just put it all down here, lay it all out for you, you'll get what I mean...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Hey, Twilight!" Spike said, striding into the main Audience Hall of the Royal Palace of Canterlot. Unannounced, without fanfare, as he'd always insisted. After all, he knew who he was. He wasn't about to put on airs.
"Hey, Spike!" Princess Twilight Sparkle smiled down at him from the rose-cushioned seat of her Friendship Throne. She nodded curtly to the Chief Steward, who bowed formally then backed out of the room, leaving the two of them alone.
"You're looking good, there, Royal Advisor," Twilight went on. "Real good! Looks like those visits to the Dragonlands agree with you."
Spike self-consciously flexed his muscular build. "Yep! Though to be honest, I still don't feel like I fit in there. I've spent so much of my life among ponies, I guess I'll always feel like one. I never really feel at home until I'm back here again."
"Well, it's good to have you back." Twilight gestured with a gold-armored forehoof at the comfortable Advisor's seat next to her throne on the dais. "Truth be told, I always feel a little at a loss up here, without some company."
Spike climbed the carpeted ramp and settled himself, cracking his knuckles ostentatiously.
Then he looked up at her. "Hey, have you gotten taller while I was away?"
"An inch or so, I guess." She made a face. "And the mane and tail keep growing out. Thank goodness for the magic spill-over that keeps them flowing like this. I wouldn't want to even imagine having to wash and comb them out every day. Still, the growth does seem to be slowing down just a bit... I think."
"Well, good!" Spike shook a finger at her. "Because I plan one day to be tall enough to look you square in the eye. And it's just not fair, if you're gonna keep on getting ahead of me like this."
Twilight laughed. "On that day, mister," she retorted, "you can move to the Dragonlands permanently. And rule there as Dragon Lord, with my blessing!"
"Twi!" Spike stared at her. "Don't even joke about that."
"Who's joking?" she teased. "After all, you're only letting Ember hold the Bloodstone Scepter for you, right? Until you're of age, and can face her in proper, mortal combat? Then win it back and rule the Dragonlands yourself, with an iron claw?"
"Twi!" Spike cringed, looking panic-stricken. "You... you wouldn't send me...? You wouldn't make me...?"
She gave him a look. "Of course, not, Spike. You know me better than that. I could never do without my trusty Advisor and Number One Assistant! Not for long, anyways."
"You mean it, Twilight?"
She nodded formally. "The job is yours, Spike, for as long as you want it. So sayeth the Crown!"
Although he could see that she'd only been joking, Spike still sighed in relief. "Thanks, Twi!"
Then he sat up straight, smiling proudly.
"Well?"
"Well, what?"
"It's Friday!"
Twilight looked at him. "Yeah, last I checked," she said, puzzled. "Not even the Princess of Equestria can just magic more days into the week... not that I haven't tried, of course, what with all there is to look after around here..."
"I mean, it's Friday afternoon," Spike reminded her. "When things are usually quiet, and you have time to write your personal letter to Princess Celestia, telling her about everything that's been going on around here. Even though you don't have to do it, you still do, right?"
Twilight's smile slipped away. She suddenly faced forward, head held high.
"No more letters, Spike."
He goggled. "What?"
"You heard me. It's time I faced up to it. I'm the Princess of Equestria. It's my responsibility, and nopony else's. I don't need to keep writing to my mentor, like some little schoolpony hoping for a good mark on a term project." She set her jaw firmly. "I'll still write to her, of course, whenever there's important news. Something that she and Luna ought to know. But... I need to stand on my own four hooves from now on. So, no more letters, Spike."
"Well..." Spike bit his lip. "Not even one? One last one?"
She shrugged. "What would there be to say? Hi, Princess Celestia! This will be my last letter to you for a while, because I'm old enough not to need your advice and guidance every five seconds?" She shook her head. "She'll understand, Spike. Somehow, she always does."
"Um..." Spike looked at his claws, unsure what to say.
"Plus, it's not really fair to you," Twilight went on. "Forcing you to incinerate and belch up scrolls all the time, if there's no need for it."
"Hey! I've never minded."
"It hurts when you cough them up, Spike. I can see it does." She gave him a look that brooked no denial. "That spell was designed for a baby dragon, with a smaller flame. And you're not a baby any longer, buster!"
"Yeah, but well... I'm a big dragon now," he objected, thumping his chest. "I can take it! It's not a big deal."
"Nope. My mind's made up, Spike," she replied. "You're not a post-box, and I don't intend to go on treating you like one." Then she suddenly grinned. "Because I have a much better role planned for you."
With her magic, she summoned a small golden medallion on a purple strap. Floating it over to Spike, she settled it about his neck. "In addition to being Royal Adviser, I am hereby appointing you my Friendship Ambassador," she intoned proudly. "From now on, when you take a message from me to someone, it'll be in person, with the authority to match."
Spike held up the medallion in a claw and stared at it, amazed.
"Woah... thanks, Twilight!"
"You've earned it, Spike," she said. "Don't let anyone tell you different. I've wanted to do this for a while, actually, but there never seemed to be a quiet moment. So now's the time!"
"Gee..." Spike gritted his teeth. It was a tremendous honor, and he didn't want to disappoint her...
... but he just couldn't let it rest.
"Are you really sure, Twi?" he asked. "I know how much you like sending those letters. How proud you are, to report on everything that's been going on here in Equestria, all the good progress the country is making..."
"Oh yeah, tooting my own horn, more like. Gosh! Look how Equestria's doing under the benevolent rule of Princess Twilight Sparkle! You remember how it was, Spike, when Celestia ruled here? She never had to tell anyone about the things she did. Everypony could just see it for themselves. It's why they venerated her name. It's why she ruled unchallenged for well over a thousand years."
"Well... then don't write about the country!" Spike said hurriedly. "Write about something you discovered this week, something unexpected, something that caught you by surprise, like, uh..."
"Like when that new chef mistakenly brought me quesadillas for lunch?" Twilight said. "And I had to force them down anyways, and say how good they were?"
Spike stared, an eyebrow raised. "That actually happened?"
"Uh huh. I mean, what could I do? It was his first day on the job. If I'd told him the truth, he'd have been mortified. It would have crushed him! I could tell."
"Huh. Thought you hated quesadillas," Spike said.
She shook her head. "I don't hate them, Spike. I've just never really been fond of cheesy things, or dishes with creams or sauces. Too easy to hide stuff in dishes like that. My mother used to do that to me, hide vegetables in these cheesy, creamy casserole dishes. And then, I'd have to clean my plate, every bite. Because that was the polite thing to do."
She put on a dark expression. Her voice took on a crafty, evil tone.
"So now... I despise all cheesy things! Muah hah hah hah!"
Then she giggled and smiled. "But I just couldn't disappoint that poor chef. So I took one for the team, sort of. And then quietly advised the staff after, on what I'd rather have for lunch." She nodded. "It's funny, Spike -- I'd rarely felt the weight of the crown on my head, quite so much as I did right at that moment."
"So? Write about that!" Spike said.
Twilight shook her head. "In a thousand years, I'm sure Celestia's all too familiar with that sort of thing. She's had to break in new staff, what, fifty or sixty times, at least? It'd be nothing new to her. She's seen it all before."
"Then... write about our friends, about the most recent meeting of the Friendship Council?" Spike said. "Or about Starlight's progress with the curriculum at the Friendship School? Or about..."
"Already in dispatches," Twilight said. "In the formal reports. And I summarized things in my last letter to her. There's literally nothing new I could add."
"Uhhh..." Spike was getting desperate. "Then... write about you and me."
"Huh?"
"Yeah! About me coming back just now, how happy you were to see me, and about how you gave me this swell role as your Friendship Ambassador. You can't have told her about that yet, right?"
"No... that's true," Twilight said. "To be honest, I haven't even told the Chief Steward yet. So if he asks, we pretend it was a misfiled memo or something, 'kay?"
"Right." Spike nodded, seeing his chance. "Look, it's just one more letter, huh? Just about you and me. Just like when we started out together. Whatever you're feeling like saying right now. Go out on a positive note. We don't even have to send it via my spell when we're done. We can send it by regular post -- now that they've sorted out the mess that Postmaster Derpy made around here!"
Twilight looked about to object, then nodded.
"Okay, Spike. For you... one more letter."
Reaching behind his seat, Spike fished around in the box and came up with a scroll and quill -- while quietly thanking the stars he'd remembered to stock extra. "Fire away!" he said.
"Dear Princess Celestia..." she began.
Twilight dictated, and Spike wrote. And as Twilight talked, Spike could see the smile on her face widening, could see the weight of rule lifting from her shoulders. He could see her putting it all down, putting it into words, even as he hurriedly scribbled to keep up with her. He saw Princess Twilight retreating from her gaze, just a little bit. And the familiar Twilight Sparkle that he knew so well peeking out ever so slightly, in every laugh, every self-deprecating remark, every roll of her eyes...
They came to the end, and Spike concluded it, the way he'd always done:
From the desk of Twilight Sparkle,
as transcribed by Spike
"Thanks, Spike," Twilight said. "That was a great idea. A chance to just talk about how I feel, put it into words. I've needed that so much, lately, while you were away. I just didn't realize it." She sighed. "And now... it's all done."
"Oh, no," Spike warned. "It's not done yet."
He rolled up the scroll, affixed the seal to it. Then he held it up. With a gust of green flame, the scroll was charred to vapors which wafted away on the light breeze circulating through the hall.
"Spike, I thought you said --"
He shrugged. "It's not really done until I send it off," he told her. "Because until I do, you could always take it back. You could have me rewrite it, make corrections. Or just not send it at all. But once it's gone, once it's out there, on its way..." He held up his claws to the empty air. "You can let go. You can put it behind you. You can move on, knowing your thoughts are on their way to somepony who really wants to hear them, no matter what you have to say."
Twilight stared at him. And then nodded.
"You're right, Spike. That's what I've been writing all those letters for. Not because I have anything in particular to say. But... because I know she always wants to listen." She smiled. "I'm glad that was my last letter to her. It was... appropriate."
"Actually..." Spike said, scratching his spines in embarrassment, "it wasn't the last one. You see, Celestia removed the letter-spell a few moons ago. She noticed it was hurting me, too. I mean, I tried to object, but..."
"... but you might as well have asked the Sun to stop shining," Twilight finished for him. "How well I know that!"
"Yeah! And too, I think she knew that you were feeling ready to stop sending letters through me."
"Really?"
"It's like you said." Spike grinned. "She understands. Somehow, she always does."
Twilight nodded in agreement. Then she gave him a puzzled look. "So, why burn up the scroll? Without the spell, it went nowhere. All that effort was for nothing."
"It wasn't for nothing," Spike said. "It had already done its job. It was the telling, the writing, that mattered to you. That's what you needed." He reached out a claw, to touch her forehoof. "It always gives me pleasure to make you happy like that, Twilight. It's never a burden. So, whether we send the letters to Celestia by post, or just burn 'em up and say we're done with them... just never stop writing them, Twilight," Spike told her. "Never stop. Not so long as it's what you need to do, not as long as it makes you happy."
"All right." Twilight nodded. "And thanks, my faithful Advisor."
"Huh! And Friendship Ambassador too," he added, holding up the medallion. "Let's not forget that!"
She smirked. "You better watch out, buster," she told him. "Or the next letter I send to Celestia, I'll have you deliver personally --"
"Hey, that's no biggie..."
"-- from memory!"
Twilight glared at Spike, trying to look stern, but the smile just took over her face and she started laughing. Spike laughed with her. And their mutual happiness echoed through an Audience Hall that was suddenly a little less huge, a little less empty... and a little less lonely.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That's how she put it, word for word. But do me a favor, will ya? Don't tell her I wrote this down after and sent it by the more powerful letter spell you taught me, huh? I want to surprise her with that, when she's gotten over being Princess enough to want to start sending the personal letters again for real.
Seriously. Let me have this. Because she means everything to me.
But I don't have to tell you that, do I?
You feel the same way, too.
From the desk of Twilight Sparkle,
as transcribed by Spike
The End
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, its characters and indicia are the property of Hasbro.
No infringement is intended. This story is a work of fan fiction, written by fans for fans of the series.
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I actually fell off the MLP:FIM show watching wagon a long while ago, so I'm very behind when it comes to the lore of the show.
But this...
This is adorable, wholesome, and almost makes me want to go back and finish it. Be that as it may, I like this piece, you should absolutely be proud of it.
10174523
Many thanks! In some ways, this is me coming to terms with "all grown up" Twilight as a character, since I've tended to focus more on earlier parts of her time-line. It's still a little strange (and somewhat bittersweet) seeing a very Celestia-like Twilight in The Last Problem, with little flashes of the Twilight that we know so well peeking through. It's great to hear that I made it work for you. Thanks!
Parts of this made me think this story warranted a Comedy tag!
That was incredibly sweet and touching. Great job!
This was a sweet short story. Plus it had a few funny moments too.
Great..... another bogus Twilight is Ruler story. -_-
10174665
C'mon, man, you didn't have to make a scene over it. Now you just kinda sound like a jerk.
10174684
I just don't like the way the show ended like this, okay? :/
In what episode did that happen? Or are you talking about those letters the Mane Six sent up until season four?
10174712
I am assuming that Twilight, even though she's no longer required to send a letter a week as a "homework assignment" on her Friendship studies, would have kept up her correspondence with Celestia, simply as a regular interaction with her mentor. It was an interesting linguistic puzzle, figuring out how to succinctly express that in the cover summary, making it clear that I know it's no longer a requirement, but is something Twilight still does apart from any official correspondence, because deep down she finds it personally beneficial. Though it's a good thing Spike happened to come back in time to remind her of that...
10174684
If Hasbro and DHX Media wanted to be original with the final season, they could of just.... oh I don't know.... made it by not copying what Lauren Faust had for the show originally if it ended when she was still part of it?!! :/
10174665
If you like, you can think of it as "another Spike manipulates Twilight because she's the same immature, dependent nebbish she always was" story. Is that better?
10174769
Maybe. That could work somewhat. :P
Rather enjoyable one-shot. REALLY good job on the exchange, characterizations and general wrap-up in all the right places. Yeah, I LOVE how this is set early in Twilight's reign. Spike's reaction to Twilight's news was well done as was Twilight's point about how it wasn't fair to Spike to keep using him in that manner. And, yeah, Spike got a better job out of the deal, albeit one that will keep him pretty busy.
I have a feeling that one of those bits of important news is going to be Sunset and her human friends graduating from Canterlot High in the human world (Celestia would DEFINITELY want to know about THAT so she could attend the graduation ceremony), as well as probably Pinkie and Cheese's wedding and Rainbow's promotion to Wonderbolt Captain (both of those would at least qualify as important news).
Anyway, as I said, great one-shot and I'll definitely be looking forward to more of your work in general.
This was very sweet. Glad to see more stories following Twilight and Spike as they manage the country. And happy to see them happy doing it.
10174709
Then don't fucking read stories based on the ending you didn't like. That way, you don't have to leave comments in stories you didn't even read. And if you did read it, see Point One.
There. Problem solved. Don't thank me, thank your recruiter.
10174874
-rolls eyes- Whatever..... :/
I'm still adamant anyways. :T
Nice. Not quite feelsy enough for tears, but quite touching.
Yea Twilight couldn't stop writing to Celestia for very long, the content of the letters might change sure but she'd be back to it in no time. Also Celestia would miss them too, and likely insist Twilight keep sending them literally to vent her frustrations about the minutia of rule to someone who understands what it's like. Also I still think Celly and Luna will only stay "retired" for a few decades, when you live for Millennia your going to come out of and go back into retirement repeatedly to keep sane.
This was wonderful!
10174735
What does that have to do with THIS story?
Chill already.
--Spade
10175633
Like I said: I'm adamant. :/
10175745
Meh.
I don't see anyone trying to change your mind.
Your opinion is your opinion.
My question is why respond to this story?
What did this author do to you?
Wouldn't your subject be better suited for a blog post?
10175809
I just don't like seeing Older Alicorn Twilight Sparkle as the cover art. :/
10175840
Noted.
10175848
Besides.... Hasbro could of been more original with using a older design for Alicorn Twilight rather than just copy Celestia's design. :/
A very nice reasoning for Spike to ask her to make more letters, processing would change Twilight at least a little and for the first few years it makes sense someone like her would be so much into the role that she would need help to unwind here and there. Spike is pretty much the only one by her side as her friends are so far away now and meet up here and there.
10175855
Again, your opinion has been noted.
You might want to find a better way to express it then with random negative comments on people's stories.
This was a very nice and sweet story. I really enjoyed reading it, especially for the characterization of Spike throughout it. The bit at the very end was just the cherry on top.
Nice!
10175855
Yeah, they could have copied Cadance's or Luna's design!
10175979
He's been saying the same thing ever since the finale. Same words every time more or less. And he's saying it on the stories that come after it, and no place else.
I think he's looking for these kinds of stories so he can bitch about the finale. Instead of doing it as a blog post, so not everyone on the site can see it.
10178321
Granted I can see why they did if. They were not going to spend extra money on one new puppet for a single episode. So them using celestia is understandable
That was a pretty sweet story well worth the read
Cute story that I could almost see as an actual episode, Have an upvote & I look forward to more of your work in the future!
Sweet story it shows how well spike knows twilight (even though it could be read as spike needing the letters too