> Level Flight
>  by RandomGreymane
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Level Flight - Chapter 1                by RandomGreymane (Mike Hebel)



        Twilight woke, as she had the previous day, to a sunbeam through her window.  Momentarily confused at her surroundings, she sat up cautiously before she recognized her room in the library.

        Her gaze wandered her surroundings.  Everything was as she last left it.  There’s no dust. she noticed. Spike must have been cleaning it all this time.

        All this time. she repeated to herself.

        She carefully made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen.  She found Spike seated there sipping from a steaming mug.  Her nose picked up the scent of coffee.  He looked up from the paper he was reading and smiled.

        “Welcome home.” he said.  “Sleep well?”

        Twilight cleared her throat before replying. “Actually it was the best sleep I’ve had in quite some time.  You?”

        “I always sleep well.” Spike stated while folding the paper.  He set the paper on the table and gestured to Twilight to join him.  “Like some breakfast?  I can whip up some pancakes?  Do you even eat pancakes any more?”

        “Umm...I think talking might be more important.” Twilight said as she sat across the table from him.

        “Okay then...let’s talk.” said Spike with his claws folded in front of him. “You abandoned me.”

        “I know.” said Twilight.  “I never meant...”

        “Abandoned.”  Spike continued. “When you went to Manehatten I figured you’d come back, but when you did all you ever did here was sleep!  If you weren’t asleep, you’d already gone with Scootaloo in the morning to work out. I thought after Hearths Warming that everything would return to normal.  But when you stayed at the castle afterwords...it didn’t.”

        “I’m sorry.” was all Twilight could say as the tears welled in her eyes.

        “Sorry does not begin to make this right.” Spike said as he pointed a claw in her direction. “I was left to fend on my own while you spent months hoofing it all over Equestria.  I tried to get an APPOINTMENT with you but your secretary said you were not to be disturbed.  Five times I tried.  The worst part was you took all our friends with you!  And even worse they all came back...except you.  Princess Celestia said you had some things to work out in Canterlot and other places in Equestria.  So I held on.  Like a good little dragon.  Like a good...son...should.”

        Twilight was openly crying now but Spike pretended not to notice.

        “Eventually,” he continued “I had to find some way to deal with the anger.  Fluttershy would have been my first choice but she was with you and the others off who-knows-where.  So I went to the most composed pony I know.  Big Mac.  He helped me get a handle on it.  In time, I claimed this library as my own.  That’s when I grew.  This is now MY home Twilight.  You’ll always have a place in it but you’ve left it to my care far too many times for it to be yours now.”

        “I understand.” Twilight said as she wiped away some of the tears. “And I can understand how you feel.”

        “NO YOU CAN’T!” Spike roared, causing the entire tree to shudder as if bucked. “NO!....You can’t.  For your whole life Twilight...for all your life...someone has been there for you.  Someone has been there to comfort you.  To help you up after you fell.  I was that someone on more than one occasion. And in fairness you were there for me too. But while you were gone...I was alone.  Oh there were ponies who helped me out...but nopony close.  I spent days just wishing for some word from you.  Nights lying in my bed hoping to hear you putter around the library doing your experiments.  But you had the council building for those now.  And when you weren’t out cold here...you stayed in the castle.  In Canterlot.  I tried to find time to see you there but either I couldn’t get someone to watch the library, or when I got to Canterlot, you had gone.”

        “Why didn’t you write to me Spike?”  Twilight asked.  “I would have at least written you back.”

        Spike mumbled something.

        “What was that?” Twilight asked.

        Spike sighed and said “I thought you didn’t need me any more.  I thought you’d...outgrown me.  And when I changed it was even worse.  I thought ‘Twilight isn’t going to want to see me like this.  She’ll think I’ve let my greed get to me again!’.  I was embarrassed.  And angry.  And a whole mess of other things that I don’t even have words for now!  In the end...I hid.  I’m still hiding I think...”

        Twilight said nothing and stared at the tabletop in front of her.  Eventually the tears from her eyes made a small puddle that she wiped away with her magick.  “I can’t change the past.  And...you are right.  I haven’t done right by you...not for a long time now.  So much has happened that I can’t even explain let alone come to terms with.  I don’t even know how to make this right.”

        “One of the things that Big Mac taught me is that you can be mad as all get out but you should have a reason, and a darn good one, before you let it out.” Spike said.  “All this time I felt like I had the right reasons but now that the moment is here...they all seem pointless.”

        “Nothing about you is pointless Spike.” Twilight said as she dried the last of her tears.

        “Damn right.” Spike replied with his arms folded in front of him.  After a moment he continued. “I wanted so much to hate you...but I couldn’t.  I still love you.  You’re my mom for Celestia’s sake!  But I don’t know where to go from here.”

        Reaching out a hoof, Twilight touched Spike’s cheek.  “All mothers have to let their children grow up.   I realize I never acknowledged you.  I should have done that a long time ago.”  She sighed as tears started seeping again, “No time travel spell will change the past.  But I’d like the chance for a future...with my son.”

        “I think we can work that out.” Spike said as he took Twilight’s hoof into his claws.  Staring down at it he traced the edges.  Abruptly he pulled Twilight to him and hugged her, carefully, as tight as he dared.

        “Thank you...son.” Twilight whispered.

        After a time they separated. “Now!” Spike exclaimed. “Pancakes!”

        “You’ve been good, you get waffles.” Twilight said as she bumped his side playfully. “You...do still like waffles right?”

        Spike grinned at her and sprinted to the kitchen door before replying. “Absolutely!  As long you don’t cook them.  You really are a horrible cook mom.”

        “Hey!” Twilight yelled after him as she followed him into the kitchen.

=============================================================

        Several hours of talk (and waffles) later, Twilight excused herself to use the bathroom.  While inside she teleported some paper and a quill from her office.  Quickly she penned a note to her secretary to let people know that she would be taking the day off.  She also instructed her to send over someone to watch the library as soon as possible.  She teleported the note, ink, and quill, back to her office just as Spike was knocking on the door asking if she’d fallen in.

        “Very funny.” Twilight said with a mock frown on her face. “Turns out I actually have nothing planned today.  Let’s spend the day together.”

        “And WHO’s going to run this place? Hmmm?” Spike questioned.

        Twilight opened the front door with her magick and there stood the scroll brothers.  After bowing politely, they entered the library and began preparing for the day’s patrons.

        Cornering one of the brothers, Spike poked him with a claw. “Not one wrinkled page.  Got that?”

        The scroll brother grinned nervously and nodded. “I promise!” he said with some trepidation in his voice.

        “I mean it.” Spike said as he followed Twilight out to the street.

        “Wow!” Twilight exclaimed. “Is it difficult to keep that under control?”

        “You have no idea.” Spike replied.  “When I first talked to Big Mac about it he was worried too.  It takes a fair amount to hold it back.  But here’s the thing - I have something that’s my own.  I have my own place now.  That takes an awful lot of the edge off.  I still get the urge to just grab stuff from time to time, but nothing like that birthday rampage.”

        “Are you okay talking to me about it?” Twilight asked with a note of caution in her voice. “I mean I could really start geeking out here about the dragon life-cycle.”

        Spike laughed loud enough to turn heads their direction. “Some things never change do they?  Well, mom...”  He paused briefly, savoring the term. “I like that.  Mom.  I don’t think I’ve ever said it in public.”

        “I’m happy to hear it, son!’ Twilight replied with a smile on her face.

        “Moving on, mom, I actually kinda anticipated all this.”  He said as he produced an apple from somewhere Twilight couldn’t see. “I have been keeping a journal. Two in fact.  One for you..and one for me.  It helps my generosity.  You can read the one any time.  But not the other.  That’s for me personally.  If there’s something I think that’s important to you, I’ll copy it from one to the other.  Deal?”

        “Deal!” Twilight said happily.  “Wanna tell me where you got the apple from?”

        “Dragon Magick.” Spike said as he moved to take a bite. Pausing, he used a claw to break the apple in half and give some to Twilight.

        “So...anything you’ve learned that you’d like to share?” Twilight said while chewing.

        “Well...” said Spike, after swallowing another bite “I’m not as indestructible as I was when I was younger.  Aaand while I can breathe fire much better now, water puts even more of a damper on things that it did before.  I mean I can breathe fire again in a little while but feel so bloated for the next day or two.  Talk about water weight!”

        Twilight chuckled a little and smiled at Spike. “That makes some sort of sense.  Specializing in one part of the magickal spectrum often leaves you weak in the opposite.  It took me a long time to become well rounded, and that was only because Princess Celestia...er...guided me in that direction.”

        Spike nodded slightly before continuing.  “Oh!  And I can’t seem to fly yet.”  He fidgeted a little before speaking again. “It’s kinda embarrassing.  I mean I have trouble even gliding.”

        “Well no problem with that!” Twilight exclaimed. “Why don’t you just start working out with Scootaloo and I every morning?”

        “That’s not a bad idea Twilight, but my wings are different from yours.” Spike replied as he unfolded a wingtip. “Do you think the same exercises will work for me?”

        “I don’t see why not.” Twilight said with a grin on her face.

        “Okay.” Spike said with a shrug of his shoulders. “Sounds like a plan.”

        “It does indeed.” Twilight said as she put a hoof on Spike’s hip. He’s taller than me now.  It didn’t really hit home until just now...  “We’ll start tomorrow morning.” she continued. “Now!  Still like hay fries?”

        “You know it!” Spike said.

======================================================================

        As she’d done so many times before, Twilight met Scootaloo at the door and they proceeded to the schoolyard before the sun came up.  This time though, Spike accompanied her.  

        Scootaloo’s reaction was typical of her idol.        “Meh.  No wind off my wings.  Just make sure he keeps up.”

        “I think I’ll be able to deal ‘pumpkin feather’.” Spike replied with a grin.

        “Hey!” Scootaloo exclaimed, her face sporting a similar grin. “I’ll have you know my coat is a shade of burnt orange you unripe eggplant!”

        “IF you too don’t start working out soon,” Twilight said in-between wing stretches “I’m going to have a seat and summon some some popcorn for the show.”

        Proving Twilight’s suspicions the two were just needling one another, Spike and Scootaloo simultaneously stuck their tongues out and blew raspberries at each other.  Spike’s looking so much for the moment like a party favor that Twilight lost track of what she was doing and smacked herself in the face with the end of one of her wings.  Serves me right. she thought to herself while chuckling slightly.

        The workout began in earnest.  At first Spike had no problems.  The wing extensions and general slow flapping gave him no trouble.  As they continued though, Spike experienced more and more difficulty keeping up.  

        As Twilight and Scootaloo started the more complex flexing exercise Spike suddenly became motionless.  His wings were outstretched and he had a horrified look on his face.

        “Twilight...” he said quietly. “Twilight.  My wings are stuck.”

        “Pardon?” Twilight said, a feather she had just removed still in her mouth.

        “I can’t close my wings!” Spike exclaimed. “I’M STUCK!” he roared, bowling over Twilight and Scootaloo in the process.

        “Okay Spike calm down.” Twilight said as she stood back on her hooves. “We’ll figure it out.”

        “Twilight how am I going to do anything!” Spike continued, his face contorted in an effort to close his wings. “I have to help people at the library today!  How am I going to even get inside with my wings like this!”  Frantically he began to turn around, almost knocking Twilight over in the process.

        “SPIKE!” Twilight yelled. “Calm.  Down.  We can fix this.  Trust me.  Now move a little closer to me please.  Scootaloo will you excuse Spike and I?”

        “Sure thing.” Scootaloo said.  “It’ll be okay big guy.  I had a wing cramp once and couldn’t close my wing for two days!  If I ever hear the term ‘one wing wonder’ again...”  

        Spike took in a deep breath and held it for a moment.  Slowly he let the air out, accompanied by small curls of smoke.  After a moment he nodded to Scootaloo and smiled.

        “Okay.  It’s been a while since I’ve teleported so much weight, but there’s no way you are walking anywhere like that.” Twilight said.  “We’ll sort it out son.  Okay?”

        “Okay.” Spike said, his face relaxed slightly into a half smile.

        Twilight reached and gathered her magick and wrapped herself and Spike in a bubble of purple.  As they vanished, the last thing Scootaloo heard Spike say “Wait a minute?  Did you just call me fat?”

        Shaking her head, Scootaloo headed off just as Celestia’s sun fully settled in the morning sky.
======================================================================

        “What do you mean this is my fault?” Twilight asked Zecora with a pleading look on her face.

        “Your fault it is, less so than his.  His wing are of the dragon kind, different than pony bear in mind.” Zecora spoke as she mixed a salve in her cauldron. “The twisting that your wings perform, his joints and bones do deform.  Unlike the wings of pony or hawk, the wings of dragons can open and lock.”

        “Okay....never knew that...” Twilight said quietly. Lots of things about dragons I don’t know.  Too many things...

        “This salve the muscles it will relax, his wings he should not overtax.” Zecora continued as she applied the salve to the joints along the top of the edge of Spike’s wings.  In minutes Spike could once again close his wings.  Twilight thanked Zecora and they headed down the path leading back to Ponyville.

        “Spike, I’m sorry.” Twilight said softly. “I just didn’t know.”

        “It’s okay.” Spike said as they walked. “No big deal.”

        “It IS a big deal Spike.” Twilight said, emphasizing her frustration by kicking a rock into the forest edge.  “You could have been stuck like that for a while!”  I never seem to be far from my latest failure...

        “You didn’t know, Twilight!” Spike continued. “How could you?”

        “I think that is the whole point Spike.” Twilight said as she looked into Spike’s eyes. “I DON’T know.  Not enough anyways.  Fortunately there is a solution for things like this.”

        “Magickal divination spell for speed learning?” Spike said, one eyebrow arched.

        “No!  And anyways that was only the one time in school.” Twilight replied. “No, I’m talking about getting you a dragon tutor.”

        Spike was slightly stunned and speechless for a moment.  When he recovered he spouted, “ARE YOU NUTS!”.  The nearby trees dropped tropical fruit into the dense foliage beneath their branches. “Twilight, almost every dragon we’ve ever met has tried to kill us or failing that been complete...”

        “Dung heads?” Twilight supplied helpfully.  

        “Well I was going to use a slightly stronger word but yeah.” Spike continued.

        “There’s got to be at least one out there that isn’t completely selfish and...well...nuts.” Twilight said, staring at the ground lost in thought as she walked.

        “Oh and what makes you say that?” Spike replied with more than a little peevishness in his voice.

        Twilight stopped cold and stared directly at Spike. “Because you exist.” she said.

        For the second time in their walk home, Spike was speechless.

======================================================================

        After they arrived back at the library tree, Spike headed to his room to rest.  He was unusually silent as he left Twilight standing in the front room.  Speaking only to apologize to patrons for his absence.  Without thinking, Twilight took over the duties that she had done for so long before becoming a princess.  She paused only to send a quick note to her assistant in the council building letting her know she will be unavailable for a while.  Fortunately things are a bit quiet right now. Oh ponyfeathers!  I should know better than to say that by now!

        Twilight spent most of the day tending to the library patrons and shelving books.  In the end she was slightly tired but overall felt much better.  A flurry of thoughts occupied her as she climbed the stairs to her room after closing.

        Where am I going to find a dragon tutor who doesn’t have his head up his backside?  Luna help me I don’t know what to do.  Again.  That’s so frustrating!

        Falling face-first into her pillows, Twilight was asleep the moment she collapsed.  Immediately she was in her favorite flowered field.  Resting comfortably, she inhaled the sweet smell of the flowers.

        In time she lifted her head in her dream to find Luna sitting on a large blue blanket in front of her in the field.  Not your normal cloud.  It’s good to see you regardless. she projected to the lunar princess.

        Well you did call upon me for my help Twilight. Luna replied as she produced a slightly different teapot than usual. I could not very well leave you without support.

        Hanging.  You could not leave me hanging. Twilight corrected as she took a proffered teacup.  Jasmine.  I like it.

        I do as well. Luna projected as she sipped from her own cup. Regardless, tea is not why we are here I surmise.

        You surmise correctly sister. Twilight looked into her tea before continuing. I...I am having a problem with Spike.

        Hmm...his greed again? Luna asked.

        No!  He seems to be doing well in that regard. I just... Twilight paused. I just don’t know enough about dragons to teach him what he needs to know!  I can’t even teach him flight properly!

        Calm yourself Twilight. Luna projected.  Reaching out with her magick, Luna infused Twilight with a calming silver light. I take it that what you seek then is a tutor? I might be able to help you with that.  Drink your tea and rest.  I shall contact you again tomorrow evening.  Good enough?

        Good enough. Twilight replied as she sipped her tea.  As she finished her tea, she set the cup down and it wandered off into the grass.  Luna smiled warmly at Twilight, then the blanket beneath her glowed and formed itself into a familiar cloud.  Twilight smiled and laid her head in the soft grass and flowers as the lunar princess shot into the sky and disappeared.  

        Am I good enough though? she thought to herself. Will I ever be good enough?

        She has always loved her entrances and exits. a sleepy voice projected into Twilight’s awareness. If she can not help you, there are other options my dear.  And Twilight?

        Yes? Twilight thought back.

        For the love of Tartarus stop taking things so seriously.  Everything will be all right.  You’ll see. Twilight could feel Celestia yawn over the connection.

        Twilight yawned within her dream meadow. I certainly hope so...

        In moments the breeze of her meadow whisked away her thoughts to more pleasant things and she rested.

        Far away, a lunar princess watched over the dreams of a solar one.  Brushing a wingtip on the edge of  the balcony railing to flick away a pebble, she reached out and rearranged stars and dreams for those in her charge as books from her private collection floated out and arranged themselves around her.

> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Level Flight - Chapter 2                by RandomGreymane









        Twilight woke to the sound of the patrons of the library. Shuffling to and fro, a book dropped here, pages turning, the sounds of everyday activity.   I’ve missed those sounds so much.  I wonder if Spike even hears them...






        Rising from her bed, Twilight brushed her mane and headed downstairs.  Looking at a clock as she passed she realized that it was almost the middle of the day.  Slightly surprised at that, Twilight followed Spike who was just entering the kitchen for lunch.






        “Something smells good!” Twilight remarked, the smells of the kitchen wafting under her nose as she entered.  “Glad I placed the odor shield on this room or we’d have every patron in here begging for a meal!”






        Spike just smiled to himself as he flipped something in a pan and slid it out onto a waiting plate.  “We have crispy potato pancakes with pepper gravy on the side.  I’ve also included a salad as well - just something simple.”






        “It looks delicious!” Twilight said as she levitated a pancake to her plate. Pouring the gravy she looked thoughtful.  “About your training, I talked with Princess Luna last night and she says she just might have a tutor for you.”






        Spike frowned at that while flipping another pancake.  This expression was not lost on Twilight.  “Count me skeptical as well.” she continued. “But if anyone can find you someone it’s one of our dear princesses.”






        “So where do we go with all this in the meantime?” Spike said as he sat down next to her.






        “We go on a long overdue visit to a good friend.” Twilight said between bites. “I promised Alabaster I’d stop by and that was before winter!  She must be furious with me.  I sent her a letter but she hasn’t responded.”






        “Dodge Junction huh.  Well there are worse places.” Spike said picking a tooth with his claw.  “And we could use some cherries around here anyway.  Not that apples aren’t nice but dragon can’t live by apples alone.”






        “Don’t let Applejack hear you say that.” Twilight said as she floated over another pancake to her plate.  “To hear her tell it there’s no greater food in Equestria.”






        “Big Mac is the same way.” Spike mumbled around his food.






        “Don’t talk with your mouth full please.” Twilight said reproachfully.






        Spike stopped chewing and looked at her.  Swallowing, he carefully picked up another pancake for his plate.






        “What?” Twilight responded under his sudden gaze.






        “Nothing.” Spike replied.  “Don’t worry about it.”






        Twilight considered pressing him about the issue but then thought better of it and resumed her meal.






        Once the meal was finished and cleaned up, they discussed the route and what to pack.






        “Other than the library I don’t have too much.” remarked Spike. “And what I do have fits in my dragon pocket.”






        “I _STILL_ want to know how you do that.” Twilight said with a smile. “It would save me a great deal of trouble if I could carry reference material and other things with me.  I can store things elsewhere and summon them but that portable space you have is pretty darn amazing!”






        Spike thought for a second. “Well then perhaps we both have a reason to visit a dragon tutor.”  He grinned. “Princess Twilight Sparkle - Student of Dragon Magick.  Sounds like you could get another title.”






        “Ugh.  I have all I can manage with the Scribe brothers fawning all over me.” Twilight uttered with a snort. “The last thing I need is more pomp and circumstance.”






        The tone in Twilight’s reply caused Spike to chuckle and in moments they were both laughing.  






        Calming slightly, Spike responded. “Is it really so bad?  I mean you get all of Equestria at your beck and call, you have an extended lifespan, you get all sorts of benefits!  What’s a little formality for a price?”






        Twilight paused.  “I...I just don’t know.” she replied.  “I’ve come to terms with being a princess, and I’m coming to terms with the long life thing, but it seems like I’m still not quite there.”  She looked up with surprise.  “You’ll be there.” she said softly. “You’re going to be with me through the years.”






        “Damn right.” Spike replied confidently.  “We may not always hang in the same places but I swear I’ll always be there for you.”






        Without warning, Spike’s scales glowed a brilliant purple.  The glow grew until it culminated in a flash that expanded out in a ring from his body and encompassed Twilight.  When it was gone, there was a purple afterglow coating both of them.  Eventually that faded.






        “What in the buck?” Spike said with an expression of confusion.






        “Don’t look at me but I suspect it was...” Twilight paused for effect. “Dragon Magick.”






        Twilight was barely able to dodge as Spike produced a potato pancake from nowhere and threw it at her.  






        “Damn.” Spike uttered. “I was saving that for a snack.”






        The patrons of the Golden Oaks Library found their ears overwhelmed briefly as laughter echoed through the hollow tree.






========================================================






        While packing did not take long, departing took far longer than expected.  Twilight spent an extended amount of time deciding what books she wished to take and organizing her saddlebags until not one inch of visible space remained.






        “Are saddlebags supposed to be perfectly square?” Spike asked.  The grin on his face was enough to show he wasn’t serious. “Do the new models come styled with sharp corners?”






        Twilight merely looked back at him with her wry, and obviously comical, smile.






         Spike, however, took far longer than her to be ready to depart.  Between checking over every inch of the library, making several large supplies of food vanish into seemingly nothing, and threatening the scribes with death should one scrap or binding be harmed, it was late afternoon before Spike was ready to go.






        “Finally.” Spike intoned.  “Let’s get on the road.”






        Twilight simply grinned at him and levitated her saddlebags onto her back.






        Before they’d taken a full pace of steps, Spike groaned and produced a traditional scroll with his usual belch of green flame.  Twilight immediately floated it over and opened it.






        “Hey!” Spike exclaimed.  “I DO get mail on my own sometimes!”






        “Oh!  I’m sorry!” Twilight said as she floated the scroll back to him.  “Old habits.”






        Spike looked at her sideways as he opened the scroll with his claws.  Reading the delivery notes, his shoulders slumped.  “It's for you.” he said.  His tone was completely flattened. “It’s from Luna.”  He proffered the scroll to her in his claws.






        “Well...you could read it if you wanted.” Twilight said as she floated the scroll back to her and unrolled it. “It’s probably about the tutor she found for you!” she continued brightly.






        “Naw that’s okay.” he replied.  Moments later he took a sudden interest in the scales around his right claws.






        The tension in his face was not lost on Twilight for once.  Regardless she did as he asked and read the scroll.






        -------






                My Dearest Twilight Sparkle,






                After an exhaustive amount of research it appears I have found your protege a dragon tutor.  Though admittedly I was unable to find one that is not... what is the current idiom?  Oh yes! A flank-hole.  Though I will confess this one seems to be less such a personality than expected.  His name is Loess.






                While I have indeed located the dragon tutor for Spike, strangely he replied to my simple message scroll promptly, there is an issue with obtaining his exact location.  It appears that you will have to arrive at a particular destination then proceed to his training ground through instructions you will find there.   I know that this is less than desirable but my research shows that he is well known for training dragons, and what few dragon contacts we have actually recommended him for this purpose.  (A fact I find astounding as dragons almost never recommend any of their own kind for anything except being defeated or mated with.)






                I have included directions and a small map in this scroll, however once you arrive at the location you will obviously be on your own.  






                One final thing, as he is highly regarded among dragon kind, PLEASE do your utmost to refrain from injuring Equestria’s relations by offending him.  As you are aware, we are renegotiating the trade routes and safe passage through dragon lands.  Those negotiations are currently in less than stellar conditions so any help you would be kind enough to provide by not aggravating things would be duly noted sister.






                Luna






                PS: I look forward with extreme eagerness to being regaled with your adventures sister!  Tia has us reviewing the Equestrian Tax Code for areas that may yield more efficiency.  So far I’ve managed to put myself to sleep six times.  The last time I found myself within the dreams of the nearby scribe - also asleep.  This was both confusing and unexpected for the two of us.  I believe I spent the better part of an hour apologizing.  I look forward to your tales of bravado and enchantment with much excitement!






                Safe Journey!






                L






        -------






        Twilight re-read the scroll with some amusement, then rolled it back up and placed it into her saddlebags.






        “The location, as expected, is within the badlands.” Twilight said with a frown. “At least that means we can visit Alabaster on the way.”






        “The badlands.” Spike repeated. “Not the most hospitable of places, but also I’m not surprised really.  Luna give a name?”






        “Loess.” Twilight said.  She rolled the name over he tongue. “Loess...it’s a synonym for sediment.”






        “Sand.” Spike stated.  He made a noise that was somewhere between a chuckle and growl. “His name is Sand.”






        “I’m sure it’s nothing so simple.” she replied as she started in the direction of the Ponyville Station. “Dragons are rarely so simple.” she continued with a sidelong look and a grin.






        Spike appeared not to notice, but as they were walking he stretched his arms in the air casually.  A frosted purple doughnut fell from his left claw and landed square onto Twilight’s horn.  






        Frosting side down.






        “SPIKE!” Twilight shouted.  Calming herself she laughed and levitated the doughnut and stared at it.  Suddenly the doughnut vanished and appeared around the tip of Spike’s tail.  “How do ya like them doughnuts?” Twilight smirked.






        “Joke’s on you!” Spike replied.  Without missing a beat, his tail bent forward and he held the doughnut up to his mouth.  Taking a bite he exclaimed with a disgusted tone “Eww!  Tastes like my mom!” 






        “Serves you right!” Twilight said, managing to fake an offended tone.  She levitated any remaining frosting off her horn and deposited it in the nearby grass.






        Spike’s mock horror, however, did not prevent him from finishing the doughnut.






========================================================






        The rest of the walk to Ponyville Station was uneventful.  Spike, for some reason, chose to be completely silent as he pondered their destination. Time enough to talk about things on the train ride. he thought to himself.  Honestly though why we aren’t taking the balloon or the Wind Walker, I just don’t know.  She could easily borrow the ship!  She needs to learn to take more advantage of her station.






        Twilight was equally lost within her thoughts but, unlike her son, her thoughts were nothing cohesive at the moment.  Everything she knew about the badlands, and indeed all of the southern portion of Equestria, was cantering through her mind like a wild herd of Windingos. Ugh.  I can’t seem to get a hold of things. she berated herself mentally. 






        Twilight stopped on the platform and closed her eyes.  She worked to control her breathing first, as if she was about to perform a large spell.  Then she set to working on the meditations that she learned both from her studies and her experiences.  In moments her mind had calmed to a tranquil sheen, like the calm waters of a pond.






        That was when the pig ran into her.






        Coughing at the sudden cloud of dust surrounding her, she opened her eyes just in time to throw up a quick shield around her.  The pony chasing the wayward animal hit her dead-on, spun to the right as he bounced off the shield, and continued running.






        Spike was absolutely unable to keep his laughter hidden and it’s sound filled the station.






        “SPIKE!” Twilight sputtered. “This is not the least bit funny!”  She continued coughing and brushing herself off as she stood up.






        “You....*inhale*...you got ran over by a pig!” he said as he attempted to regain control. “A pig!”






        “Spike!” Twilight said as she stamped a hoof.  The action promptly caused another cloud of dust which induced more coughing.  “Not. Funny.  I mean honestly, Ponyville is the only town I know of that has pigs next to the train station!”






        Fanning the area a little with his wings, Spike blew most of the dust away before continuing. “Does this mean I get to call you the Porcine Princess?”






        Coughing slightly, Twilight couldn’t help but laugh at that.  “No!” she replied.  “I’m already the Patchwork Princess and a number of other names.  I heard someone use the name Twilight Spurple.  Like I was some kind of paint color.”  Indignant, she finished wiping any remaining dust from her coat.






        Spike, still chuckling slightly, leaned over the edge of the platform to observe the lights further down the tracks.  One flashing red and one unlit.  “The train should be here soon.” he said as he stood straight again.






        Twilight stretched her legs a little, then sat on her haunches on the platform. “So what was it like?” she asked. “Growing I mean.  Was it fast? Slow?  Did it...did it hurt?”






        Spike looked sideways at her before looking back out at the tracks in front of them.  “It happened all in one night if that’s what you’re asking.” he stated, his tone a bit flat. “And yes, it was a little painful.  Almost like spraining an ankle and having someone heal it immediately you know?  That immediate pain but then it’s gone and you feel a little weak but better.”  She doesn’t need to know how bad it was. he decided.  Hopefully she doesn’t ask Big Mac about how long I lay there in the library that night.  At least Zecora was able to keep people from hearing me curse and scream.






        “Well that’s something anyways.” Twilight said. She wisely refrained from adding anything further. I want so much to say I’m glad he wasn’t hurt. she thought. But I hurt him in other ways.  Best left that lay for now.






        Several minutes later, the train pulled into the station and they entered one of the cars.  Spike took a seat near a window in the middle of the car.  Twilight set the saddlebags on the seat across from him and sat down as well.






        For a few minutes neither of them spoke, choosing instead to look out the window.  After untold silence, the conductor entered the car at one end.  Noticing Twilight, he opened his mouth to say something before observing both wings and a horn.  Wisely he closed his mouth and just nodded.  Walking to the other end of the car, he stopped to whisper to the only other passenger before exiting through the door to the next car.  The passenger collected their things and followed, a last glance thrown at the two remaining occupants.






        “It’s fun to go by train.” Twilight remarked. “Do you know I asked about my old balloon?  It turns out that it’s been recycled.”






        “Recyc...no way!” said Spike “That thing had so many memories in it!  How could they do that!”






        “Well, they said that the material had been weakened and couldn’t been replaced.” she explained.  “I came to find out...it’s 500 years old.”






        “But...there’s no way...is there?” Spike responded.






        “According to Princess....Tia...” Twilight continued despite fumbling at the familiar name. “...Tia said that it was made of a material constructed during the battles with Discord.  Something they don’t make any more.”






        Spike whistled appreciatively. “Wow.  That’s unbelievable.” he said. “We were riding around in this old war relic and didn’t even know it.”






        “I know right!” Twilight exclaimed.  “Still...it’s things like this that prove to me how much I still don’t know.”






        “You’ll get the hang of it.” Spike said and smiled at her. “You’re going to be the best princess you can be.” he continued proudly.






        “Right now” Twilight replied. “I’ll settle for being the best mom I can be.”






        Spike smiled at that.  Reaching behind his back, he produced a sealed bowl.  Opening it, he set it on the table between them.  It contained a simple green salad with nuts and a smaller bowl of croutons in the center along with a small pair of wooden tongs.  Again from behind his back he produced two forks, one long, one short, and two smaller bowls.






        “Dig in!” he said as he used the tongs to place some of the salad and then croutons into his bowl.






        Twilight levitated herself a helping of salad and croutons then set about munching contentedly.  “This is delicious!” she said between bites.






        Spike merely nodded and continued eating.  Once they were both finished he collected all the items into the bowl and sealed it before it, once again, disappeared behind his back.






        “I don’t think I’m ever going to get tired of watching you do that.” Twilight said.  She grinned slightly before continuing. “You know, as your mom, it’s a good idea to tell me how those work in case something bad gets stuck in them.”






        Spike  caught the grin out of the corner of his eye as he looked out the window.  “Nice try mom.” he replied without turning his head.






        “That term...mom...” she said, stopping. Frowning slightly, she resumed talking “I love hearing it, but it feels so odd still.”






        “Well, some ponies have their children call them by name rather than title.” Spike suggested. “We used to be like that so maybe we should run with it for now.  I mean I love hearing you call me son but calling you mom...I’m not quite used to it yet.”






        “How about we just go with Spike and Twilight again?” Twilight said as she too gazed at the passing scenery.  “If that’s okay I mean...”






        “I think that’ll do just fine.” Spike said. Turning back to look at her. “After all it doesn’t mean we aren’t family.” he said.






        “I don’t think I could get a better family than the one I’ve got now!” Twilight said.  She thought back briefly to the moment she woke up in the castle with all her friends around her, the moments with her royal sisters, then the moments with Spike.  No...I don’t think I could have done better.   Feeling a little guilt, she thought about her parents and her brother.  “My family is bigger and better than I’d have ever expected.” She said finally.






        “Damn right.” Spike said as he looked back out the window.






        “Damn right.” Twilight echoed.






        Not very long afterwords, Twilight could feel the sun dip lower into the sky signaling that Princess Celestia had begun the formal setting of the sun for the day.  I never noticed that before. she mused. I wonder if I’m getting more sensitive or if it’s just the emotions of the day.  Probably best if I just sleep on that one.






        Spike noticed her yawning and motioned to her towards the direction of the sleeper cars.  She proceeded without protest.  Once they found their cabin, a sleeper with two lower bunks and no uppers, she took a moment to mentally leave a note in her mind to tell Luna she did not want to be interrupted - a sort of Do Not Disturb sign.  Once completed, she collapsed in the bunk across the cabin from Spike and fell fast asleep.






        Reaching over, Spike carefully tucked Twilight under the covers. “Goodnight mom.” he said so softly that he was not even sure he had said it.  Then he returned to his bunk and slept as well.






========================================================






        A great distance away, a rust colored set of scales bent and made scraping noises across rock as large yellow eyes gazed into a fire that had less substance, and more light, than it should have for its size.






        “Sleep well hatchling.” a deep voice rumbled. “Sleep well.  When you wake I will see if you are ready to learn.”






        A giant claw passed over the top of the flames and they went out as the sound of scales on rock faded into the darkness.








> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Level Flight - Chapter 3		by RandomGreymane



Twilight woke to a jolt from the train as it rounded a bend.  As was typical of late, the sunlight reflected in through the window at an impossible angle.

That’s getting a little old sister. she thought as she blinked the sleep from her eyes.

After only such a short time? Celestia’s voice said, a bit too loudly, in Twilight’s mind.   Cadence didn’t tell me to ‘stuff  it’ for at least 50 years. 

Allow me to set a new record then... Twilight replied, followed by a mental cough.  Stuff. It.

Celestia’s laughter filled Twilight’s head and brought her completely awake.  There was a warmth to it far beyond what Twilight knew the princess shared with others.  Smiling slightly, Twilight rose from her bunk as the sunbeam returned to it’s normal pattern further along the wall.  Stretching, Twilight sent a mental burst of warmth herself back down the connection as the laughter faded.

Noting that Spike was not occupying his bunk, Twilight finished her normal morning routine, and went to find him. The bright sunlight streaming into the train windows told her that it was actually late morning, 

Upon entering the dining car she was only slightly surprised to see Spike standing behind the small cooking area.  What did surprise her however, was the line of ponies standing and waiting patiently in front of him.

“Morning Twilight!” Spike said without taking his attention away from the task at hand. “I started cooking you crepes and before I knew it everypony wanted some!”  

“Not really surprised here.” Twilight said with a slight grin. “You’ve always been an excellent cook.”  She seated herself in a nearby booth and waited patiently.

From somewhere, Spike produced a sign saying Kitchen Closed, and proceeded to complete the last of the pending orders.  Once completed, he brought two plates of crepes with him as he occupied the seat across from her.

“We should reach Dodge Junction today.” he said in-between mouthfuls. “Any idea what we’ll find when we get there?”

Swallowing, Twilight paused to reply. “As long as the town’s not on fire, or Alabaster’s not in jail, I’ll be happy.  Still...I have a suspicion about the weather there.  Something familiar...”

They finished the meal in silence and Spike returned the tableware to the bin behind small counter before returning to his seat.  “I’m looking forward to seeing what she’s been up to frankly!” he said. “I bet she’s set a record bucking cherries or something.  She is still a bit of an overachiever in personality.  I mean not like we don’t know where she’d get that from or anything.”  

“Whoops!” Twilight exclaimed as an empty basket appeared out of thin air directly above Spike.  

Before he could reply, the basket succumbed to gravity and covered his head completely.  A muffled voice came from within, “I guess I deserved that.”  Spike removed the basket and set it off to the side.  “Suuure, just create baskets for no reason then drop them on innocent dragon skulls.  I should report you to Princess Celestia!” he continued in mock outrage.

“I’m betting Celestia would have very little to chide me for this time.” Twilight said with a smirk.  “And anyways I do have a purpose for the basket - we aren’t going to leave Miss Jubilee’s orchard empty-handed.”

“Ohhhh!  I’m telling Applejack on you!” Spike teased.  “Them cherries, t’aint real fruit!  Gimme an apple any day!” he said in his best imitation of the orange farm pony.

Twilight’s laugh was infectious and soon Spike was laughing as well.  Shortly though, the train began to slow and they became focused on the surrounding countryside.  Looking out the window, they watched as a sign painted Dodge Junction appeared to flow leisurely past.  With a final shudder and clank, the train stopped at the station.

Twilight collected her bags as Spike led the way off the train onto the platform.  A warm breeze, filled with the scent of dry earth, blew past them.

“If I remember correctly,” Twilight said as they descended the station stairs “We’ll have to take a coach to get to Miss Jubilee’s orchard.  Unfortunately my memory is a little fuzzy on the exact location.”

“Well duh.” Spike said. “I mean you’ve only been here once before.  Let me make one of my oh-so-excellent suggestions...you need a map.”

Twilight looked at him with an amused expression. “Really.  I would have never guessed that.”   She levitated her saddlebags in front of herself to look through them.  Shortly she extracted a medium-sized scroll and unrolled it, only to find that it was a map of the Royal Canterlot Maze Garden. “What the buck?”

Looking over her shoulder, Spike was equally confused. “Whoa!  Did you actually pack the wrong map?” he asked, the surprise evident in his voice.

“I...I guess I did.” Twilight replied. “Not sure how that could have happened...”

“Will you accept another one of my oh-so-brilliant suggestions?” Spike said with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh certainly Oh Wise and Knowledgeable Dragon!” Twilight intoned.  From her tone, most onlookers would have expected a potential argument in the brewing but Spike immediately defused the situation.

“Store.” he said simply.

“What?” Twilight replied.

“Store.” Spike said again. “There.” he said as he pointed a claw at the building nearby with the dusty sign saying General Store hanging from a bracket over the entryway.

“Oh.” Twilight said in surprise. “Umm...yeah...that will do nicely.” she continued.

The store doors opened easily, without so much as a squeak, as they passed through.  The way to the long counter was blocked partially by a pony with a hammer in his mouth.  Looking up from his work, Twilight could see that he was patching the floor where something heavy had obviously broken through.  Grumbling slightly, the carpenter let them pass as they made their way to the counter.

Upon reaching the counter, another pony with a pair of saddlebags emerged from the back of the building. “Can I help ya ma’am?” he said in a gruff voice.

“We need a map of the town and the local area please.” Twilight said as she rummaged around for her bag of bits.

“Well let’s see what we all gots here...” the counter pony replied as he scanned the list of scrolls on a nearby shelf.  “Yer gonna need this one...and this one...and this other one...”

“Why would I need more than one map?” Twilight asked.

“Well, things ‘round here have become a mite confusing lately what with the snow runoff and all changing some of the paths.” the pony continued as he gathered up the scrolls and laid them on the counter.

The carpenter glanced up from his work briefly, looked back to the floor, then his head snapped quickly and dropping the hammer he focused on Twilight.  “Uhh...Bits....?” he addressed the pony behind the counter.

“Tail I’m tryin to do business with this fine filly so if you wouldn’t mahnd focusin on yer work...” Bits replied.

“Bits!” the carpenter said again. “Wings....AND horn.” he finished.

Bits just blinked for a couple of seconds before silently collecting the scrolls on the counter and putting them back on their respective shelves.  When he completed that task, he reached under the counter and pulled out a larger scroll and handed it over to Twilight.  “This here’s all ya need.  On the house.  My apologies Princess.”

“Thanks you.” Twilight said in a slightly quiet tone of voice.

His task completed for the moment, Bits retreated to the back of the store and closed a door behind him.

“Well he aint gonna live that down any time soon.” the carpenter said with a chuckle. Holding out his hoof he introduced himself, “My name’s Dovetail.”

“Twilight Sparkle.” said Twilight as she shook the proffered hoof. “What was that all about?”

“Ole Bits there keeps a bunch of maps around just fer tourist folk who come out here.” Tail explained. “Them maps all overlap ya see.  Ya only need the one but he still sells the others first.”

Spike chuckled. “I bet he saw you coming a mile away Twilight!” he said as he poked her in the side briefly.

“Oh hush you!” she replied, poking him in return. “Well I can’t thank you enough Dovetail!  I can’t imagine how much time the single map will save us.”

“Where’bouts you headed?” Dovetail asked. “This town can be a mite confusing.  ‘Haps I can pointcha in the right direction.”

“I’m headed to Miss Jubilee’s cherry orchard.” Twilight replied. “Once we got the map we were about to rent a carriage.”

“No need ma’am!”  Dovetail exclaimed. “I’d be happy ta take ya myself!  Got a wagon right outside.”

“Don’t you need to finish your repairs?” Twilight asked.  “That’s an awfully big hole in the floor...”

“It’ll keep until I get back.” he replied with a grin “Heck, it kept through the snows so I don’t reckon it’ll get any worse any time soon.”

“Okay...” Twilight said. “If you’re sure it’s no problem?”

“Not one whit.” Dovetail replied.  “Jes let me collect my tools and we’ll be on our way.”

Twilight and Spike waited politely in front of the store while Dovetail cleaned up.  Briefly, they heard some heated conversation coming from the building before Dovetail emerged.  “Moron.” he said, glancing briefly at the shopkeeper who was looking out the window.  Placing his tools into the back of the wagon, he secured the rear panel and then excused himself before walking around behind the store.

In short order he returned, followed by a large stallion.  The newcomer’s coat was grass green with white fetlocks, and a cutie mark of a steam locomotive.  “This here’s Burst.” Dovetail said in introduction. “He’s gonna be our engine for the trip.  Fastest pony I know ‘round here!”

“Well I was until that stone monster beat me out.” Burst grumped. “Darn thing can run faster’n me and pull twice my load!”  He paused while looking at his hooves. “Can’t help be be impressed though.  Never seen anythin like it.”

Twilight wisely kept her mouth shut despite Spike being unable to hide his amusement at her discomfort. They climbed into the wagon as Burst hitched himself up to the harness.  “Everypony ready?” he called back to them.

“All sorted!” Dovetail said as he grabbed the reins in his hooves.  “Any time you’re ready.”

With a snort, and some dust from his hooves, Burst set off.

Twilight was surprised considerably by how quickly they reached a high rate of speed.  Spike, however, was focused on another issue.  “I’ve never thought to ask this before...” he said to Dovetail. “but if the pony knows where to go then why do you need the reins?”

“Well I once asked myself the same question.” Dovetail replied without turning his head. “It was Burst himself that provided tha answer.”  He paused to adjust the reins before continuing. “Ta hear Burst tell it, it’s kinda like focusin on only one thing ta take yer mind off everything else.  With me holdin tha reins, he just has to think about pulling and nuthin else.  He told me that it helps him think about bigger things.  Now I don’t rightly know what he means by that but it sure does keep him focused!”

The conversation was interrupted by a jolt from the wagon beneath them and didn’t resume.  Shortly thereafter they arrived at their destination.

The cherry orchard was in the process of sprouting greenery at every turn.  Leaves were sprouting from the branches in clusters and every tree was brimming with them.  

“Well at least they seemed to have been unaffected by the long winter.” Twilight observed as the wagon came to a stop outside the front gate. “Thank you for the swift transportation to our destination!” she said to Dovetail and Burst with a bow.

“Our pleasure ma’am!” Dovetail replied with a nod of his head.  Twilight retrieved her saddlebags from the wagon and Dovetail promptly nodded at Burst.  In moments the wagon was headed the direction it had arrived from, the telltale cloud of dust showing that perhaps Burst was in a hurry to get back to town.

Spike turned and started into the orchard, headed in the general direction of the large barn that could be seen peeking through the trees.  Twilight followed, her focus on the trees as they passed.  

	Interesting... she mentally noted. There are several different strains of trees here but they don’t seem to be cross-pollinating.  Very similar to...

Upon approaching the barn, a dull thumping noise reached their ears.  Twilight’s train of thought broken, she focused on the sound.  

*thump*....*thump*....*thump*”Ow!  Keep yer mind on what yer ‘doin!” said a voice from inside.

“Sorry!” replied a voice that Twilight instantly recognized as Alabaster’s.

“Alabaster?” Twilight inquired as they reached the open door of the barn.

“Twilight!” Alabaster replied rushing towards her friend.

Without thinking, Twilight put up a shield bubble around herself and Spike.  Alabaster stopped in her tracks and stood very still.  Blushing, Twilight lowered the shield.  “Sorry.” she said.  “You...I...it was like the time in the...oh ponyfeathers!”

Alabaster nodded her head and then bowed to Twilight.  “Princess Twilight Sparkle, I am glad to see you and bid you welcome.” she said formally.  Looking up quickly, she then said “I’m not doing ‘a little shake’ for you though.”

The amusement in Alabaster’s voice was just the right thing for the moment and Twilight couldn’t help but laugh.  Her blush faded a bit and she replied in an equally formal tone “I am honored to be here Alabaster and I greet you in return.”

For a moment they both stood still and stared at each other, then they burst out laughing.

The laughter lasted only a short time before Twilight inquired “We heard a thumping noise coming from the barn, what in the hay is going on in there?”

“Bucking practice.” Alabaster said simply.  Turning to one side, she pointed at a large bag made of heavy cloth and suspended between a chain at top and bottom.  In the center was a medium-sized red ring.  In the center of that were the dusty, overlapping, imprints of a very large hoof.

“I’ve been having some issues due to my height.” Alabaster explained.  “I hit too far up the trunk of the cherry trees and break off branches.”

“Hmm...” Twilight said, placing her hoof on the door frame as she analyzed the configuration in front of her.  “Well the solution is simple enough!” she continued with a smile. “We’ll make you smaller!”

Alabaster was silent for a moment.  Well buck me. she thought.  I should have figured that one out on my own.

After a moment of thinking, Alabaster replied. “You’ll have to lighten my density or I’ll be bucking the entire tree down.”

“That’s easy enough.” Twilight replied as she mentally constructed the spell in her head. “The big problem here is not your size.”

“It’s not?” Alabaster asked with a slight look of confusion on her face.

“Nope.” Twilight replied with a grin. “It’s what eye color you want.  I mean...if we’re going to do it we might as well do it right.”

Alabaster was stunned.  Then, as if she were a little filly, she started jumping up and down in circles around Twilight and Spike.

The resulting tremors knocked the princess and her dragon to the ground in a cloud of dust.  “Alabaster!” Twilight said loudly while trying to hold back her laughter.  “Alabaster!”

Alabaster stopped cold. “Whoops!”  she said. “I guess we still have some reactions in common don’t we.”

Twilight stood and shook the dust off. “Well that’s not too surprising.” she replied with a smile.  “It’ll take some time for me to work out the spell matrix but Spike and I aren’t really on a fixed schedule at the moment so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Alabaster simply nodded. “Let me get you settled and I’ll show you around!” she said.

Twilight and Spike followed her to the house where Miss Jubilee was busy giving directions to several of the other farm hands.  Upon seeing Twilight she quickly motioned them away and smoothed her apron and mane.  “Welcome to Cherry Hill Ranch princess!” she said as she bowed to Twilight.

Twilight bowed in return. “It’s good to see you again Miss Jubilee!” she said, a smile on her face. “I’ve been meaning to come visit for a long time.  Alabaster became my excuse of convenience.”

“Well we are right glad to have her here.” Miss Jubilee stated.  “She’s fitting right in!”

“When I’m not leaving hoofprints in the trees...” Alabaster said quietly.  Not the first time that I’m glad I can’t blush. she thought to herself.

“I’m sure we can do something about that.” Twilight replied. “In fact I’m going to be here for a few days and we’re going to do some...adjustments...to Alabaster’s unique physique.  A makeover so to speak!”

“Rarity’s going to give you hay for not including her in the modeling.” Spike pointed out.

“Which is WHY we will be consulting her during the process.” Twilight intoned, a hint of mock-reproach in her voice.  “The last thing I need is a lecture because I got some hooves wrong or worse a mane!” she completed with a laugh.  Spike and Alabaster laughed in return.

“Returning to more mundane matters,” Twilight continued. “we need to get accommodations taken care of first.”  Her stomach rumbled.

“And some food apparently.” Spike remarked.

“Let’s see...long train ride, questionable shopkeeper, and what I believe is the second fastest wagon ride I’ve ever experienced.” Twilight said, ticking off the items one after another.  “Of course we haven’t had a chance to eat yet!”

“Questionable...oh!” Miss Jubilee exclaimed. “Let me guess - Bits tried to sell you a bunch of maps?”

“Eeeyup.” Spike replied in his best imitation of Big Macintosh.

“Well I’m none too surprised.” Miss Jubilee continued. “Bits seems to be a bit short on the ‘bits’ upstairs.  Why don’t you come inside and we’ll get you settled.”

“Oh I was just going to get a room in town!” Twilight protested. “I just wanted to check in on Alabaster first thing.  Especially since it’s been such a long time since we last talked.”

“Nonsense!” Miss Jubilee said. “The least I can do is put you up.  And it’ll save you the trip back - despite how fast Alabaster can get you there.”

“I am pretty fast.” Alabaster said.  The pride was evident in her voice.

“Well...how can I refuse!”  Twilight replied.  Her stomach rumbled again.

“Oh my!” Miss Jubilee exclaimed. “Let’s get you fed my dear!”  She turned and started towards the farmhouse.

“I don’t fit in there obviously.” Alabaster told Twilight. “I’ll catch up with you after you’re all sorted.”

“Sounds good!” Twilight said.  Her smile turned to a thoughtful look.  “And I think we can work out that first problem without too much difficulty.”

“I look forward to it.” Alabaster replied. Then she lowered her voice, “They’ve had to repair the cross-beam above the  barn door a couple of times since I’ve been here.  I keep hitting it with my head.  Being bigger than expected can cause some problems at times...”

“Tell me about it.” Spike intoned.  Twilight pointedly stepped on his foot.  He smoothly failed to show his reaction but she knew he was irritated.

“Well you won’t have to worry about it too much longer.”  Twilight replied.  “I might even have a surprise for you.”

Alabaster chuckled and then turned back towards the barn. “I’ll be in here if you need me.”

Twilight simply nodded before turning to follow Miss Jubilee down the short path to the house and then inside just as the sun started to wane slightly with the afternoon.

Amid the organized chaos of unpacking, Twilight looked out the window.  From this distance she could easily make out the telltale flicker of a lantern being lit from the main doorway of the barn.  She listened carefully but needn’t have strained her ears as the intermittent sound of Alabaster bucking the hanging bag over and over echoed clearly in the air.

“Well Spike...” she muttered to herself. “We’re a little late.  But we’re here.”

Overhearing her, Spike stepped up to the window next to her.  “Was it really that big a deal?” Spike replied.

“I feel guilty that I didn’t get out here soon enough.” Twilight remarked.  “I mean, yeah, the weather and everything else...but still...”

“Well I won’t go with the obvious ‘We’re here now.’, but I really don’t think you should worry too much about it.” Spike said evenly.  He paused for a moment, then asked “Can you really help her or are you still too afraid?”

Twilight didn’t have an answer.  Instead she just said “We’ll just have to wait and see.”  When she rushed at me Twilight thought it was all I could do to keep myself from blasting her!  How am I going to transform her when part of me wants to make her just...go away?

“There it is.”  Spike said as he glanced sideways at her.  He turned his eyes back to the window.

“There ‘what’ is?” Twilight responded.

“You’re arguing with yourself.” Spike said.  “When you do that you get this ‘How the buck am I going to get out of this one?’ face.  It’s actually pretty distinctive.  I think you need to take some acting lessons to learn to hide it honestly.”

“Hmph!” was Princess Twilight Sparkle’s only reply before she turned away from the window and headed back downstairs towards the sounds of Miss Jubilee preparing the evening meal.
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Level Flight - Chapter 4		by RandomGreymane



“It’s not that I can’t balance the inner circle,” Twilight remarked to Alabaster. “but it’s the outer circle that's taking more effort.”

“Have you looked at the connection subsections?” Alabaster replied. “Those could be causing the outer circle to bleed off into the inner one.”

“Hmm...” was Twilight’s only response as she focused on the minute curves between the boundaries of the casting circle.   The fine Equestrian lettering littered the spaces between the inner and outer portions of the circle until almost every available space was filled.  “I just don’t want to get this wrong.  Celestia has that ‘big empty’ to help transformations in.  The rest of us aren’t that lucky.”  Twilight half expected to hear the tinkle of royal laughter in her head but there was only silence from the connection.

Alabaster nodded from within the inner circle.  “I appreciate the effort.” she said with slight amusement in her tone.  “I mean it’s not like I couldn’t go back to being a statue or anything.  Or maybe a scarecrow-pony out on the edge of the orchard.  As long as someone would clean off the bird droppings I wouldn’t mind.  Oh! I know!  I could take my ‘rightful place’ in the Royal Gardens!”

“Oh buck you.” Twilight replied without looking up. “The spell is difficult enough without the cart-bed driving.  I still don’t see what could have caused your hooves to become frozen in place like that!”

Well at least nopony else is around to hear myself argue with...myself. Twilight thought.  I wonder...

Ugh.  It’s got to be the spell feeds! Alabaster thought. What’s taking her so bucking long to figure it out??

What is making this not work? Twilight pondered internally. I mean everything is textbook perfect!  Why in the hay is the spell just stopping halfway through?

Twilight briefly powered up the outer ring of the spell and observed the slight shifting of the characters that occurs sometimes.

“How’s it going?” Spike said.  Looking to her right, Twilight could see he was holding a basket and she could smell the aroma of warm pie from it. “I brought us a snack!” he announced.

“I’m not sure I could eat anything until I solve this Spike.  Sorry.”  Twilight said politely. Her face betrayed her frustration though as she looked intently at the spellcraft before her.

Spike stepped up and placed the basket next to the circle.  “No problem.  I’m sure I can give Miss Jubilee a hand with something.”  he said as he started to step away.

“Spike!”  Twilight exclaimed. “Don’t. Move.”

“What’s wrong?” he asked as he froze in place.

“Take one step back please.” Twilight instructed. Spike obeyed obediently. “Now step away again.  YES!”

“What?” Alabaster asked. “What is it?”

“I found the problem!”  Twilight said as she clapped her hooves together. “The problem is Spike!”

“Say what?” Spike replied. “Come again?”

“Oh I didn’t mean it in that way Spike.” Twilight said as she peeked inside the basket to observe the cherry pie within. “When you stood next to the outer ring of the circle the characters abruptly stopped moving.  It’s got to be something with your ‘dragon magick’ that’s interfering.  It’s dampening the spell circle!”

“But I wasn’t even that close to the circle when you did the spell the first time.” Spike responded.

“You didn’t need to be.” Twilight replied.

“The overflow field.” Alabaster said.

“The overflow field.” Twilight echoed.  “What most ponies don’t know is that there’s a field that always surrounds every spell.  For most spells it’s small enough that it never comes into play - an inch at most!”

“But what we have here...” Alabaster continued. “...is a complex spell that is using a TON of power and probably has a field extending...well...I don’t know how far...wow.”

“Wow indeed.” Twilight replied.  “The only reason I caught it this time was because you were standing so close.  If you’d been further away I wouldn’t have seen the effects because I wasn’t putting a lot of power into the spell.”

“So..what?” Spike asked. “I have to be out of the way while the spell is taking place?  How far?  The barn?  The house?”

“In town just to be safe.” Twilight stated.  “We are working with somepony’s life here.”

“Oh...” Spike replied.

“It’s okay Spike.” Alabaster said with a chuckle. “I’ll make sure to keep an eye on myself for you.”

“Very funny.” Spike intoned grimly while shuffling his feet slightly. “Twilight isn’t there any other way?  I mean you’ve always called me your good luck charm...”

“Spike.”  Twilight said as she placed a hoof gently on his side. “It’ll be all right.  Just this once.  I don’t want to take any chances.”

Pondering his feet for a moment Spike then inhaled deeply.  “All right then mom.  I’ll head out.  Send me a signal when it’s all over k?”

“Will do!” Twilight said, a warm smile on her face.

Mom thought Alabaster.  Wow.  I’m suddenly extremely envious.  I know I shouldn’t be but still...

Twilight watched Spike explain to a farm hand that he needed to get to town and then get in the nearby wagon.  Before too long, the wagon headed off through the orchard until it was obscured by the trees.

“We’ll give it another 30 minutes or so before we start up again.” Twilight said as she materialized a sand timer out of thin air. “Just to be safe.”  She levitated the newly created timer and set it carefully on top of a nearby post with the full end upright.

“You know...” Alabaster remarked. “Spike seemed a little put out that he couldn’t be here.  He has been at our...your...side for most of your life.”

“I know but this time it’s unavoidable.” Twilight said as she turned to position herself in the proper casting location. “I’ll make it up to him...later...”  She stopped.

“Wow.” said Alabaster.  “I always wondered what that looked like.”

“Huh?” Twilight muttered in reply as she shook her head to clear it.

“Our...your...’I just realized how stupid I’ve been.’ face.” Alabaster replied.

“Seriously?” Twilight responded.  Her voice contained all sorts of emotions. “I just realized again that I’ve always been making him wait.  I’ve always put him second to the needs at hoof, most times anyways.”

“It was always difficult to include him.” Alabaster pondered. “At first he was a true baby, then as he grew he was still too small to be included in most things.  And he had no magick really, until now that is.  But he’s always been there. Trying.  No matter what.”

“No matter what...” Twilight echoed.

Alabaster turned her head to face Twilight directly. “So what are you going to do Princess Twilight Sparkle?”

Twilight looked up.  “I...I don’t know.  For once in my life all the things that I’ve read and learned don’t seem to make any sense.”

Good answer. Alabaster thought before she continued. “When I got here I thought I knew what it was all about.  I’d buck the trees as hard as I could just because I thought that’s what it took.   It was obvious that I was damaging the trees and Miss Jubilee, while patient, was none too thrilled.  In time though I learned just the right amount of force to knock as many of the cherries off the trees in one buck as could be done.”

“What’s this got to do with Spike?” Twilight asked.

“Balance.” Alabaster replied. “There is a balance to everything.  The relationship between you and Spike is no different.”

“But...” Twilight said.

“Nopony is born knowing how to be a good parent.” Alabaster continued. “It's something that is learned as you go.  You can read all the books in Equestria, take all the classes, have all the tools and spells ready, and still...well it’s something that’s taught on-the-job.”

“When did you become so...?” Twilight asked.

“Pony?” Alabaster rebutted. “Because right now I’m not.  It affords me the luxury of a different perspective.”

“So what should I do then?” Twilight continued. “I can’t include him in everything!  I mean there’s all sorts of stuff I’m not supposed to tell anypony, and that’s just princess related!”

“You’ll figure it out.” Alabaster said.  Twilight could have sworn she heard a smile in the stone pony’s voice. “You’re good at learning on your hooves.”

Twilight pondered this as she watched the sand continue to empty into the bottom of the hourglass. “I think...” Twilight said. “I think the problem is that until recently I’ve never truly considered him my child.  Intellectually I know I hatched him and he imprinted on me...but until now it’s never sunk in before.”

“I don’t have many memories of mom any more.” Alabaster replied. “But one of them I do have still is one time she was punishing Shiney for staying out late. I believe it was when he started seeing Cadence behind our tails, before they were openly dating.  He was angry and shouted ‘You’re the worst mom ever!’ at her.”

“I remember that.” Twilight said, facing Alabaster again. “Mom didn’t seem too upset by what he said at the time.”

“Eeeyup.  And remember what she said when we asked her why not?” Alabaster said.

“’A mom isn’t always the nicest pony all the time, but she has to be the mom-est pony all the time.’” Twilight recalled.  “I never really understood that until just now.”

“Speaking of time...” Alabaster said, nodding towards the hourglass which was just about empty.  “We need to get this done because I REALLY have work to do.  You’re making me LATE! Princess. Twilight. Sparkle.”

Twilight could hear the open mocking and amusement in Alabaster’s tone and chuckled herself. “I’ll TRY not to hold you up much longer.  Don’t you have a statuary to stand in?”

“How’s the flying lessons?” Alabaster countered.  The two ponies broke into laughter as Twilight watched the sand empty it’s remaining grains into the bottom of the hourglass.

As the remaining sands slipped past the neck of the glass Twilight took her place along the edge of the circle and, as before, she began to power up the diagram. This time the magick flowed through the fine tracery, the glow slowly lighting the area as the sun started to set.

As the power flowed through the circle a stillness settled within it’s confines.  “Alabaster?” Twilight asked with a note of caution.

“Still here...” came a soft echo from within the quickly forming dome.  “I can’t move the proverbial muscle though.”

“I’m still not rushing.” Twilight replied. “You KNOW what could happen.”

No reply came from the stone pony.

Twilight extended her wings and her eyes began to glow as she poured her consciousness into the weave of the spell.

Wow....this is... Twilight thought ...a lot more complex than I expected.

	Focus Sparkle! Alabaster’s voice echoed in Twilight’s head. I’m holding steady here but if I slip...

Working on it... Twilight thought back. There’s a lot to deal with.

And you wondered why it took Celestia a whole day to put you back together. Alabaster replied.  Her mental voice was more than a little snarky.

Twilight had to admit to herself that she was having trouble keeping the complex spell structure straight AND maintaining the required power levels.

Reach. a voice said in her head.  The voice sounded strange to her mental ears. Like a number of voices combined into a single chorus. Reach. it said again.

With the spell teetering on the brink of collapse, Twilight had no choice.  She reached out in the direction of the voice and was startled to find her alicorn sisters.  Our power is yours. they said.

In moments Twilight was flooded with more power than she’d imagined possible.  I can...I can remake anything! she thought to herself.

Caution. came the calm reply within her.

Mentally nodding, Twilight drew the sea of power within, and aligned the world around her...

=========================================================

She could have shielded me or something. Spike remarked to himself as he sat on the bottom step of the general store. I mean it’s not like she couldn’t have.  She just wanted the simple solution.  And once again I lose out.  I really wanted to see this one.

He kicked a rock out into the street and watched it bounce into the distance, almost hitting the building across from him.

His eyes lit on a piece of scrub near the path the rock had taken.  He looked away then quickly back. Wait...is the shadow on that bush MOVING?? What the buck... he thought to himself.

Shading his eyes he looked up to see the moon passing in front of the sun.  In moments the eclipse was total and only the sun’s outer edge was visible.  Unlike during Nightmare Moon’s return there was still light seeping out around the edges of the moon.

“Twilight what the hay are you doing?” Spike asked aloud.  He watched the town as ponies slowly came outside to see what was going on.  Strangely they didn’t seem to be panicked in any way, more curious than anything.

Spike addressed the growing crowd. “It’s all right everypony.  Nothing to worry about.  It’s just an artificial...twilight.”  He groaned inwardly. I’m going to give her so much crap for this one.

The eclipse lasted for nearly an hour and Spike spent most of that time making sure the town remained calm. Celestia’s going to have to send out a flankload of letters explaining what happened. he thought.  If I know Twilight she’ll want to send apology scrolls to everypony.  Yeah...I’m not doing that.  He grinned slightly at the thought.

In time, and slowly, the moon moved to resume it’s normal space below the horizon and full daylight returned.  Spike wasted no time locating a cart and ponies to take him back to the orchard.

As soon as the cart arrived in front of the orchard, Spike leaped out and ran down the dirt road between the trees.

Rounding a bend he saw a familiar purple form collapsed next to the spell diagram. “Twilight!” he exclaimed.

“She’s fine.” came a voice from the nearby barn. “She’s just sleeping it off.”

Spike looked up as Alabaster emerged from the barn.  “Whoah.” he said then whistled in appreciation. “Not surprised really. Twilight always does good work.”

“Don’t I know it!” Alabaster said happily as she bent slightly to look at her flank and tail.

The once white pony was now a tanner color and Spike could see that her stone looked more like marble than her original alabaster.  Most interesting of all was that her face was now more alive.  The lips moving while she spoke, and the large green eyes tracking the movement around her.

“Looks like she also reduced your size a bit.” Spike remarked.  “You’re not quite the height you were by a long shot.”

“I know, and I’m super grateful.” Alabaster replied. “Now I don’t have to duck to get into the barn and other places.  I am even able to fit through a normal sized door!”

Spike nodded and smiled before turning his attention to Twilight.  He carefully reached out and stroked her mane. “Ya did good mom.” he said quietly.

Carefully, Spike lifted Twilight and walked to the house.  He made sure to keep light on his feet with every step so as not to awaken the sleeping pony.

Miss Jubilee saw him coming and went inside to prepare one of the spare beds.  She returned just in time to hold the door open for Spike, who entered and carried Twilight to a back room. Smiling again, he tucked her into bed.

Alabaster was waiting for him when he exited the house.  Her bobbed tail flicking slightly. “All bedded down?” she asked.

Spike simply nodded and sat himself on a nearby boulder that for all of Equestria seemed placed there for the purpose.

“Good.” continued Alabaster. “She’s earned the rest.  You have no idea what she went through to get this one done!”

“That’s...not strictly true...” Spike said as his eyes wandered to the stone pony’s eyes. “When she was first transformed...I had a dream.”

“You never told me...her...that!” Alabaster exclaimed.

“And I likely never will.” he replied with a note of hardness in his voice.  “Here’s the thing...” he began. “When Twilight didn’t reappear I immediately panicked.  I panicked so badly that I exhausted myself very quickly.  And...I fell asleep.”

“You told us about that part.” Alabaster said in a slightly soothing tone. “What else happened?”

“I...dreamed...” Spike said.  “I dreamed I was in a purple fog that was violently swirling around me.  I could hear voices.  One of them sounded like Celestia.  It said something about me being linked to Twilight because she hatched me.  Then...”

“...then?” Alabaster asked softly.

Spike took a breath before continuing. “Then...there was pain.  Quite a lot of it actually.  I could hear Celestia repeating the word sorry over and over.  She said at one point that she couldn’t break our bond and wouldn’t if she could, but that I would end up with some of Twilight’s pain because of that.  The pain of her ‘being born’ so to speak.”

“Oh Spike...” Alabaster said.

“It went on like that for some time.” Spike continued. “Eventually it went away and Celestia appeared.  She cradled me in her wing and all my fears and upset vanished.  ‘Sleep now.’ she told me. ‘Twilight will be back to you soon.’  And it wasn’t long afterwords that I woke up.  I felt refreshed and ran out and Twilight was just landing.”

“So why didn’t you tell us..er..her about it.” Alabaster asked.

“I don’t know.” Spike said. “I think it’s because I felt strangely proud to share some of her pain.  To help her without her knowing.  I got the impression that it would have been much worse if I hadn’t been involved.”

“Very likely.” Alabaster replied.  “You should probably tell her eventually.”

“Yeah I know.” Spike said as he shuffled his feet in the dirt in front of him.  “It’s just hard to find an appropriate time y’know?  I mean it’s difficult to frame a ‘Hey you remember back when you were transformed?’ conversation.  Not really an easy starter.”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Alabaster said. “You’re one of the most clever beings I know.  She probably wouldn’t tell you but I do recall being amazed constantly at your in-the-moment problem solving.  You’ll figure it out.”

“Thanks.” Spike said as he looked up and smiled.  “You’ve changed so much.  You want to know how I know?”

“How’s that?” Alabaster asked.

“I wouldn’t have told Twilight all this.” he replied. “You aren’t her any more.  You’re your own pony.  Glad ta meetcha.”  Spike held out a claw.

Alabaster reached out her hoof and shook with it. “I’m glad to meet you as well Spike the Dragon.”

Spike just grinned in response.

“So with all this excitement over...” Alabaster started. “...I’m pretty tired of being stuck in one place.  Want to take a ride with me in the desert?”

Spike looked back at the house. “Well, I don’t see Twilight waking up any time soon so, yeah, I’ll take you up on your offer!”

“Hop on!” Alabaster said, turning a side to him.

Spike easily lept onto the back of the stone pony.  Alabaster wasted no time before poking fun. “Ooof!  You’re heavy!” she exclaimed. “You gaining weight?  Eating gypsum crystals again?”

“Oh and this from the pony that is literally several stones worth of weight!” Spike yelled as they set off at a high speed.

“Hah!” Alabaster retorted. “At least I’ll never get fat!”

“No fair!” Spike said with a laugh.

Alabaster rounded the corner at the entrance of the farm and picked up speed when she hit the road.  “Let’s see what this baby can do!” she shouted.

Spike, still laughing, hung on for dear life.