Spike's life is turned upside-down when he is sent to school to make friends his own age. Strangely enough he meets one Button Mash who slowly becomes something more then a friend.
And thought it was cute. I did not draw this, nor commission it.
But remember Being told the site doesn't mind that, so long as you give the source.
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A story about Spike being raised by his Big Sister Twilight. How he is sent to Ponyville's school to make friends his own age. He finds his best one in the even more socially awkward Button Mash. Together they will experience many new things. They will live sweet moments, have funny adventures and be together in the sad parts of growing up. But even with all this, they will get to find their Special Somepony in each other. Will the pressure of social issues in their female dominant society deny them the courage to be happy?
WARNING: Spanking Yaoi Mpreg (talked about but no further)
Special Thanks to Gorillarmy for helping me improve the description.
Twilight and Spike's relationship had always been a bit complex. After all, a dragon being raised by a unicorn was bound to turn some heads. Especially since that pony was just a kid herself when she got him. Some ponies even asked her if Spike was her pet, which always got her really mad.
Twilight had raised him all by herself since the day she helped him hatch. She was living at Celestia's magical boarding school at the time and so couldn't get any help from her parents. However the pair acted more like siblings then a parent would with their child. Twilight took a great deal more responsibility over him then a sister normally would though.
Spike never knew how to describe it until Apple Jack compared it to her own relationship with Apple Bloom. AJ said Twilight acted like an older sibling who had been forced to raise her kid brother after their parents died, only in their case no one had really died. That actually made a lot of sense to him.
What AJ said had just felt right. It was the perfect way to describe Spike's feelings for Twilight. She wasn't his mom and he definitely wasn't her pet. She was his big sister who had been left to take care of him. He still respected her and loved to be her little helper, but he didn't imagine any kid could get away with being as blunt or snarky to their parent as he was with Twilight.
They were friends, closer then friends. He told things to Twilight that he'd be far too embarrassed to tell anyone else, especially a parent... but at the same time Twilight was still responsible for him. She gave him his daily chores (which she actually did help with contrary to popular belief) and would... punish him if he misbehaved or did something dangerous or just without thinking.
A lot of the time the punishments where just a dressing down. Where she would mercilessly scold the young dragon. Sometimes he was made to stand in time out or go to bed early. Then their was the worst, most horrible, evil punishments he absolutely hated.
If Spike was really bad Twilight would pick him up with her magic along with a hair brush. Then he'd get his little bottom smacked with the backend of the brush over and over again. Those were horrible, although he only got about 10 swats (the most he ever got being 20).
He would cry and beg and make a million promises to never do it again, but Twilight never let him off until she was sure he was properly punished. Spankings might not be the most commonly used punishment for him but he knew by the look on Twilight's face when he earned one... like the look she was wearing right now.
"It was an accident!" Spike swore. Twilight had never spanked him for an accident.
"I'm sure it was buddy," Shining Armor grinned holding the ashes of the comic inside the plastic sheath where Spike had stealthily tried to hide them... the boy never was very good at hiding the things he accidentally broke.
They were in the room Twilight designed especially for when her brother visited. Shining Armor was a major nerd despite being the tough Captain of the royal guard. He collected comic books and action figures and was very sentimental when it came to the treasures of his childhood.
Shining Armor was actually the reason Spike loved comic books so much himself. Whenever Shining came to visit Twilight at school he always brought with him a comic book for Spike. Not just any Comic books either but trades, a single book that was a large collection of issues usually holding an entire saga. Spike loved them and continued to cherish those comics to this day.
Each trade cost about 30 or 40 bits but Shining wanted Spike to get the entirety of the best stories. Shining worked hard to convert Spike to the ways of nerddom. It was really nice since Shining's allowance at the time had been 20 bits a week (he had rich nobles for parents) and he visited Twilight once a month. That meant he spent half of his allowance a month on Spike and he usually brought Twilight a book to. He was always doing selfless things like that.
He would set up these amazing scavenger hunts with riddles hidden all over the school and when the pair finally solved them all, they would find a book for Twilight and a comic for Spike. It was glorious. Shining was as much a big brother to Spike as he was to Twilight.
So of course Spike had helped Twilight set up this amazing guest room for whenever Shining Armor came to visit. Spike had made sure it was geek heaven. Since Twilight had been all Princess-fied they could easily afford it.
Being the Princess of friendship came with a lot of perks, wealth just being one of them. The vault the Castle came with was filled with so many bits that she couldn't ever hope to spend it all. She even upped Spike's allowance to what Shining's had been, when he was a foal. And was ordering lots of gems to be delivered to the castle for Spike to munch on.
Dragons could actually taste the pure magic trapped in gems and even got nourishment from it. This made Gems not only a tasty treat for Dragons but a healthy one. It used to be that gems were too expensive to get just for Spike to eat. Although they were good for dragons they weren't necessary for a healthy diet. Twilight might have came from a family of rich nobles but her trust fund was far from limitless so Gems were a rare treat for Spike.
Now that Twilight was Princess rich she could stock up on lots of gems for the boy. She would put them in fruit bowls around the Castle for Spike to munch on between meals as a healthy snack. Unlike normal food it wasn't actually possible for dragons to get fat on gems and in fact the excess magic they consumed safely added to their magical reserves.
Twilight even got Spike his own bedroom, which he'd never had before as he usually shared a room with her. She also bought a bunch of Arcade games and filled one of the larger rooms with them. Although she made it clear that this game room was for everyone and not just Spike but he could use it whenever he wanted.
She had been spreading her wealth around Ponyville as well. Everything in the Castle she had ordered from the local store owners, who in turn often ordered it from somewhere out of town. The book store owner had always liked Twilight since she bought tons of books but now he was practically in love with her.
Since this castle had such a huge library she had ordered over 20000 first editions to fill it. All the furniture throughout the Castle was custom made by local shop owners to fit with the themes her friends had when they were decorating the rooms. The Castle felt much more like a home now.
"It's only a comic. It's okay," Shining insisted.
"No it's not." Twilight glared, "All these comics are first editions! The cheapest of them are still worth over a thousand bits!"
"Twi, it's cool," Shining waved off, "Let's just look through them and see which one got burnt up," he used his magic to pull a few of the comics out from their nice box and began gushing, "A mint condition first edition Spidermare #1! Twi this thing is worth over a million bits! How did you-"
"Maybe now you'll get why I'm upset," Twilight sniped.
Shining's eyes grew large with worry at the implication. He quickly began searching through the comics, "All these comics are some of the greatest landmarks of the industry," strangely he was getting more and more worried as he saw how amazing the comics were.
"Oh no," Twilight groaned, "I can't find Action Comics #1,"
Shining paled, "Action Comics #1," he muttered putting the other comics back into their box for safe keeping then levitating the bag of ashes to his face. "One of the rarest and most priceless artifacts in comic book history... The first superhero comic ever made," he was staring at it with a stunned expression before he suddenly started screaming in terror at the ashes. After the screaming came the sobbing as he reached out and hugged the bag of ashes.
Spike tried to sneakily sneak out of the room but gasped as he was suddenly picked up by Twilight's magic. With Shining still crying in the background Spike yelled, "It was an accident! I swear Twilight! I didn't mean to!"
"I TOLD you to stay away from the comics Spike," Twilight glared, "I told you for exactly this reason! We both know you haven't mastered your fire breath!"
"I'm sorry Twilight!" Spike tried to run but his limbs wouldn't make contact with the floor.
"You destroyed something worth nearly 5 MILLION BITS!"
"I'll pay you back!" Spike swore.
"With what? A lemonade stand?"
"Please Twilight, I'll find a way!"
"Oh don't worry, I've already thought of a way," Twilight glared, "I'm taking it out of your hide!"
"Noooooooo Twilight, PLEEEEEASE! I'm sorry!"
"Sorry isn't good enough this time Spike, come on," Twilight walked out the door and Spike floated behind her. He desperately tried to grab the door frame as he was forced to follow but Twilight was used to this trick and easily made him avoid them. Shining was still hugging the bag and weeping, not noticing they left.
Twilight brought the young dragon to his room. She had put Shining Armor right next door to Spike so they could hang out more during his visit but Spike was feeling horrifically unlucky at this display of kindness. There was practically no delay in getting Spike into his room and Twilight grabbing the small paddle off the wall.
She had hung it there as a reminder to behave, although Spike didn't think she'd actually use it. Twilight had only ever taken the hairbrush to him and it didn't seem real that he had graduated to a paddle. The moment it started to glow with Twilight's magic Spike burst into tears. He cried and cried realizing he'd soon know what his new paddle felt like regardless what he did or said.
Twilight levitated Spike in front of her. She magically lifted the boy's tail out of the way of his bottom and tapped the small rump with the still floating paddle.
"Do I have your attention?"
"Y-yes hic" Spike began to hiccup from crying as he felt the paddle pat him
"Can you tell me why you're in trouble?"
"C-cuz hic c-cuz I burnt da hic da c-comic," he stuttered.
"And why, or better yet 'how', did that happen?"
"B-because I-I hic I didn't l-listen hic,"
Twilight nodded, "Good, now do you have something to say to me?"
"I-I'm s-sorry T-Twilight hic, I..." He took a gulp of air, knowing what he was supposed to say. He took a moment to force the hiccups to end, all the while Twilight waiting patiently for him to ready himself. When he finally spoke, although the hiccups were gone, he was stuttering a lot more.
"I-I'm s-sorry I-I was n-naughty... p-please S-s-spank me s-so I'll r-remember t-to be g-good," Twilight always made him say that when she was about to spank him. She said it was important that he acknowledge the fact he did something wrong and accept the responsibility, and thereby the consequences, for it. Twilight was always trying to teach stuff, even during something as horrible as a spanking.
The paddle left Spike's rump and the little dragon quickly braced himself. Sure enough it came back with a vengeance, slamming itself against the poor little boy's rear. Spike gave out a loud yelp and the moment the paddle left again he instantly covered his bottom with his claws. Unfortunately this resulted in Twilight magically forcing his arms to his back, pinning them there so he couldn't move. Her magic continued to wield the paddle with terrifying skill. Hitting his poor backside over and over.
Spike howled bloody murder as his poor rump was viciously tortured. He kicked and cried and begged as only a little boy could when in this predicament. He didn't even noticed when the spanking ended until Twilight floated him over to her and brought him into a hug, holding him tightly with her hooved arms. The pony Princess lightly kissed his forehead as she assured him it was okay and that it was over now.
Once he calmed down Twilight informed, "Sorry Spike but a spanking just won't cut it this time. I'm afraid I'm also going to have to ground you. No videogames, or TV, and especially no comic books for one month. Instead of going out to play you'll also be spending extra lessons with me over this time to focus more on training your fire breath. You understand me?"
"Y-yes" Spike sniffed rubbing his sore bottom, "I'm sorry Twilight,"
"Apology accepted, now let's go back to Shining so you can apologize to him to,"
"Noooooooo!" Spike wailed.
"Spike" Twilight gave him a stern look, "you need to apologize to Shining Armor,"
"But he hates me!" Spike sobbed.
"He doesn't hate you. You're his little buddy. Now come on," She let the boy go and gently patted his back with the top of her snout to get him going. However Spike dug his feet into the ground so he wouldn't have to face Shining Armor. Twilight rolled her eyes and pushed a bit harder, forcing Spike to scrape across the floor all the way back to Shining Armor's room.
She magically repaired the claw marks before getting her brother's attention. "Shining Armor, Spike has something too say to you," she nudged Spike with her hoof but the little Dragon started to tear up again. This time from the thought of Shining not accepting his apology. He couldn't even force himself to give it for fear of rejection.
"Aw Spike," Shining spoke with unexpected sympathy, "Did the meanie Twilly give you a spanking," Shining went over to him and gave the young dragon a hug "It's okay, your big brother Shining Armor will protect your rump from further torment,"
Spike cried hard and hugged Shining as tight as he could. Shining blinked, that's not how the reptile usually reacted when Shining coddled him after a spanking. He usually got embarrassed and bashful. Shining looked over at Twilight for an explanation, worried she might have been too hard on him this time. It be understandable since it was a lot of money Spike just destroyed but even then unacceptable to brutalize a child.
Twilight rolled her eyes dramatically, "He's worried you'll hate him for destroying one of your presents,"
"Oh Spike, I could never hate you," Shining insisted, "Yes the comic was very valuable but you matter more, you understand me buddy?"
Spike hesitantly nodded as he continued to cry into Shining's fur.
"I guess I should take this as a wake up call though. If someone like Twilight can have trouble foal proofing a house... Well at least I got a good story out of this," he levitated the bag with the ashes and looked at them, "I think I'll keep these and show them off every chance I get. I'll undoubtedly be telling this story for the next thousand years,"
Spike groaned as he imagined Shining showing off the bag of ashes and telling everyone he met about how his little brother destroyed a 5 million bit comic.
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Later that day Spike followed Twilight and her friends around as they tried to solve various riddles Shining Armor left all over town for their latest scavenger hunt. They hadn't done anything like this in years and Spike was bubbling with excitement the entire time. Although their friend Pinkie Pie seemed to be handling the excitement much worse then he was but she'd been acting really weird for the last couple of days (even by Pinkie Pie standards).
When they figured out the last of the riddles they arrived at Sugar Cube Corner like they were instructed to by the notes. Shining Armor and Cadence were waiting for them and happily announced the prize for this scavenger hunt wasn't a book but news that the royal couple were having a baby. When Spike asked where it was they explained it was in Cadence's belly but refused to explain how it got there. Spike could always ask Twilight later.
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Spike grinned happily as he stood next to the table with the baby themed cake. The shop owner, Mrs Cake, cut off a slice before hoofing it to him.
She had closed the shop early today for the private event. She was hosting royalty after all, even if it was a very small party. Only Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity had come. Spike knew each of them had hung out with Cadence at some point and they wrote each other letters but it was kind of weird that only Twilight's friends were invited to their party.
Although it was pretty cool that the scavenger hunt led to Cadence's baby shower. It was a pretty small shower with none of the guest having brought presents since it had been a surprise for them instead of the mother.
Cadence kept assuring everypony that Shining had already bought everything they would need for the baby and this was more just a party to celebrate her pregnancy. She said this had all been Shining's idea, further proof he was the nerd king. ALL PRAISES BE TO THE NERD KING!
"So how's it feel to be an uncle," Shining smiled at Spike well getting a slice of cake for himself.
"Awesome!" Spike grinned, "I can't wait for the baby to be born. I hope it's a boy. There are way too many girls in Equestria,"
Shining Armor chuckled, "If it was a boy we'd probably have to marry him off to some Noble as soon as he was of age. The Crystal Empire has a lot more... traditional traditions about gender roles. I guess it comes from being gone for a thousand years"
Shining happily accepted his slice of cake and used his magic to hold it. He even used his magic to hold his fork like many unicorns do, "They've been making a stink about me still being Captain of the royal guard instead of retiring after I got married. They want me to just be a homemaker like they expect all boys to be. They're even more upset now that Cadence is pregnant and I still haven't stepped down. They say I should focus on taking care of the baby and the household and leave matters of the Empire to Cadence,"
"That's... kind of weird." Spike frowned.
"Tell me about it. They also don't like that Cadence has allowed colts to join their guard either as they believe it is far too dangerous for boys. According to them, boys shouldn't even be allowed to work at all. They should be married off when they come of age and focus on raising the foals."
"Seriously!?"
"Well it kind of makes sense. Only one in 6 births are male so back then keeping boys safe and sheltered was done for practical reasons. After all, with the few number of colts there are it was important they get married and give their wife babies or there would be no future generations.
"Then since it was so important to protect colts it became common for their parents and eventually their wives to keep them at home as much as possible. So it became boys who were in charge of taking care of the house and the children well the fillies worked to earn money. This may have started as practical but it became expected and eventually a cultural Taboo for boys to have any other lifestyle,"
Spike nodded, "Twilight taught me about all the equal rights stuff they had during the beginning of Celestia's rule."
Shining grinned, "Of course she did. Thing is the Crystal Empire disappeared when tensions were high but no big names had appeared to actually start fighting for equal rights yet. So the Crystal Ponies are having trouble adjusting to the idea that it is now normal for boys to work and even vote.
"Cadence is trying to slowly ease them into modern concepts like that but she also needs to respect their traditions and beliefs to avoid the riots that occurred when this kind of stuff originally happened. Strangely that means I need to present myself in a very specific way. I have to act really submissive around Cadence and let her boss me around.
"We also have these formal dinners with the noble Crystal Ponies once a month where I have to just sit there quietly and even ask Cadence permission to speak when I'm interested in a topic. These dinners are more then just hosting a party though.
"The nobles of the Crystal Empire make up a board of governesses who legally have a say in how the city is run. As Cadence must respect these traditions instead of having a plane old meeting once a month she host a royal dinner and the meeting takes place after it.
"Technically when it's time to discuss politics me and the other husbands are supposed to be sent out of the room, 'to not trouble ourselves with such things' as one of the governesses said to me, but Cadence has made it where we can stay and listen and even participate in the talks during these dinners. We still have to ask our wives permission to put in our two bits and sometimes that's not given but at least it's a step in the right direction.
"However after the dinner the boys are still sent out as the noble fillies start working on policy based on earlier discussions. Although Cadence would like for the colt nobles to have a say in that to, being allowed to talk politics is very different then being allowed to actually dictate them and the fillies aren't willing to do that yet. It's too big a step for them at the moment.
"Well they talk business I take the guys to my game room where we talk ourselves but not about anything important. They enjoy playing my videogames and watching my movies and seeing the various advancements ponies have made over the years. I have even become good friends with all the male nobles. Honestly the part where we are sent out of the room is probably the best part of these formal dinners for me as I'm allowed to be myself when it's just me and the other husbands.
"Unfortunately after the governesses found out that Cadence is pregnant they kind of ruined the merriment. As per tradition we set up a large Festival where Cadence announced at the beginning of it that she was pregnant. All her subjects cheered and spent the day celebrating the future birth of royalty but many of the governesses took Cadence to the side and asked who was going to replace me as Guard Captain. They didn't take it well when she told them I'd still be handling it.
"They kept insisting that since we would have children I needed to quit my job and focus on them. They even claimed, with a strange amount of genuine concern, that once the baby was born it would be 'far too much to ask' of me to have such a demanding career and take care of a foal. Once the baby is born I need to prove to the Crystal ponies that I can take care of the foal and not neglect my duties as Guard Captain. For political reasons Cadence will only be able to help me so much as she's expected to focus most of her attention on work. We need to prove we are honoring the traditions of the Empire and that our modern age beliefs won't conflict with them.
"Don't get me wrong, the Crystal Empire is great and all the ponies are really friendly and they love their new princess but we have to maintain a certain image to the public. It just goes with the territory of being royalty. It's nice to come out here and visit family and get away from all that. Twilight has it really easy being Ponyville's princess. The ponies here are much more laid back...
"If I fail to show I can handle working and taking care of the baby like I'm supposed to the nobles of the Crystal Empire will most likely demand boys be forced back into their subservient roles to fillies, but if I prove I can handle it... Well it be a big step for colts in the Empire... Pretty weird to think I'm the face of an equal rights campaign hundreds of years after the problem was put to rest for most of the world,"
"You got to take care of the baby all by yourself?" Spike stared.
Shining smiled, "Well not ALL by myself, just during the day when Cadence is working and if the baby makes a fuss at night I need to get out of bed to handle it instead of us taking turns. But well Cadence is off work she can help me a bit and give me a break. We read up on the customs of the Empire a while ago including how their family dynamic works. I can't even get the staff to help me with the baby when I'm working as that would be a sign of shirking my responsibilities in favor of my career,"
"Wow,"
"I'm sure I can manage," Shining looked confident then it seemed a light bulb went off in his head, "Hey Twily," he called for her from across the room. She and Cadence, who she was talking to, came over.
"Yeah?" Twilight smiled.
"Well Spike and I were talking about how I have to portray a certain image now that my wife is ruler of the Crystal Empire and all and I realized... why isn't Spike in school?"
Twilight blinked, "I home school him, you know that, I have since he was a baby,"
"I know that Twily," Shining admitted, "But that was before you became a princess, of friendship no less. Don't you think your ward should be mingling with foals his own age and making friendships of his own,"
"He mingles plenty. We go out and talk to ponies all the time,"
"But what about on his own? Does he even have any friends his own age?"
"Of course he does" Twilight looked offended well Spike looked uncomfortable. He hated it when they talked about him as if he wasn't there, "He hangs out with the Cutie Mark Crusaders all the time."
"Only when they're hanging out with you," Spike mumbled, unfortunately Twilight heard him.
"What are you talking about" Twilight waved off, "You go to Apple Jack's or Rarity's all the time,"
"That's to hang out with Apple Jack or Rarity," Spike rolled his eyes, "I've never even been to the CMC's clubhouse."
Twilight's eyes widened and she screamed, "AJ! Rarity!" all her friends gathered instead of just those two. They could tell Twilight was seconds away from her 'panicking over nothing' mode, "Why are your sisters excluding Spike from their club!?"
Spike groaned, Twilight could be so over dramatic, "It's called the 'Cutie Mark' Crusaders. I don't know if you realize this Twi but dragons can't get Cutie Marks."
"That doesn't mean they can't still play with you," Twilight insisted.
"They aren't excluding me Twilight. Just because you, Rarity, and Apple Jack are friends doesn't mean all your siblings have to be to!"
"THERE NOT EVEN YOUR FRIENDS!?!" was all Twilight heard, "But you talk to them all the time."
Spike shrugged "Well we know each other but it's not like they ever invited me to one of their sleepovers or camping trips or anything. We're friendly but we're not exactly friends,"
Twilight continued to gape before glaring at Apple Jack and Rarity.
AJ rolled her eyes, "I'll talk to Apple Bloom and see to it that she invites Spike to hang out with them more often. That better?"
"No!" Spike frantically waved his arms to get their attention. "Look I appreciate it but I don't want to get them in trouble. Besides I DO have friends outside you guys, I hang out with Big Mac all the time." They talked a lot of hoof ball.
AJ rolled her eyes again, "Well although Big Mac is an overgrown child ya'll need friends your own age."
"You can't force someone to be friends," Spike insisted.
Shining got their attention again, "Twily, I think school would really help Spike make friends his own age. He might be a good deal more advanced then them academically thanks to your teachings but he needs to socialize more. If he was in school you wouldn't just be forcing the kids you know to accept him. You know that could never work. They're far too old for playdates,"
Twilight sighed, "I know... this is all my fault,"
Spike rolled his eyes, "How exactly do you figure that?"
"I never use to care about friendship before and I made you stay inside and study with me. Now you don't even have any friends"
"I have LOTS of friends!" Spike snapped getting tired of this, "Big Mac is my friend, half the townsfolk are my friends, YOU'RE all my friends!"
Rarity smiled, "Of course we are sweetie but it's really not the same thing. We're all grownups. It's just not healthy spending all your time with us and not foals your own age. You'll have a different kind of friendship with them. I think school is a marvelous idea Twilight. I'll ask Sweetie Belle to look after Spike well he's there."
And with that the conversation permanently changed from babies to setting up Spike for school.
Spike grinned as he posed in front of a mirror. He wanted to look good for his first day of school so he put on some of the custom clothes Rarity made for him. Not the formal stuff of course as he didn't want to be TOO dressed up, just a white Power Ponies T-shirt and red jacket (open of course otherwise he wouldn't be able to show off the large print of the Power Ponies on his shirt). The red really brought out the purple of his scales.
Twilight had to order all his clothes as custom. With his dragon bone structure he couldn't exactly wear the mass produced clothes of his favorite characters, not when they were designed with ponies in mind. That was okay because Rarity's clothes looked a thousand times cooler and it was pretty awesome to have one of a kind shirts. Ponies (and Dragons) might spend most of their days naked but it was nice to wear something.
"Spike!" Twilight called, "Hurry up, you don't want to be late,"
"Coming," Spike grinned.
Truthfully it wasn't school that put him in such a fine mood. It was the fact that today marked the end of his grounding. Twilight, in her true Twilight fashion, completely over analyzed the whole school thing. She wanted to wait to send him until his grounding was over so he wouldn't feel like School was part of his punishment.
It also defeated the purpose of going if the only reason was for him to make friends. You couldn't exactly make friends when you weren't allowed to hang out after school. Plus Twilight said she wanted Spike to feel excited about school so having it start immediately after he got off grounding would make it seem like a reward, not further punishment.
Spike didn't know about any of that but he was excited about finally getting out of the castle. Now he knew how those poor dragons felt in all those fantasy stories where they had to stay locked up in a castle forever to guard it.
When Spike got downstairs he gave Twilight a quick hug as she gave him a bagged lunch filled with gem stones. However Spike frowned when he actually got outside and found the Cutie Mark Crusaders waiting for him.
"Hi Spike," grinned Apple Bloom, Apple Jack's little sister. Rarity's little sister Sweetie Belle was with her and so was Scootaloo, the little disabled Pegasus Rainbow Dash had adopted. Spike never really talked to Scoot about it but he did understand. Spike was a dragon that didn't even have wings. He could understand what it was like to be a flying creature that couldn't fly.
"What are you guys doing here?" Asked Spike.
Sweetie Belle shrugged, "We figured we'd walk you to school."
"Errr, thanks but you really don't have to," Spike insisted, "I know where it is."
Sweetie Belle insisted, "Rarity says you should never let a boy walk somewhere by themselves. It's unlady like."
Spike rolled his eyes, "Wanna carry my books for me then?"
Scootaloo snorted back a laugh.
Spike smiled and started heading towards school with the Crusaders right behind him. It was a strangely silent and awkward walk. Usually the Crusaders were very chattie.
"Spike," Apple Bloom finally spoke up again after ten minutes of silence.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry," Apple Bloom informed but for what Spike couldn't imagine.
"We're sorry," Scootaloo corrected.
Spike raised an eyebrow, "For what?"
Apple Bloom flushed in shame, "For never inviting you to our clubhouse."
Spike rolled his eyes, "It's fine."
Scootaloo insisted, "No, it's not."
Well Sweetie Belle said, "We never meant for you to feel like we weren't your friends."
Apple Bloom nodded, "We really do think of you as our friend, we're just pretty lousy ones."
Spike dismissed, "It's okay," thinking their sisters were making them say this, "I'm sorry I got you in trouble."
"This isn't about that," Insisted Scootaloo, "We aren't just saying this stuff cuz our sisters yelled at us. We really do mean it. We should have been better friends to you."
Spike sighed, "Look it's not like you were actually 'lousy friends'. I'm pretty sure you need to have at least one actual conversation to qualify as 'friends'. We never hang out without our siblings around, we've never-"
"That's going to change," Scootaloo insisted.
"What if I don't want it to?" Spike shocked the Crusaders, "I don't have anything against you gals but I don't want you to start hanging out with me because you got in trouble. Besides we have absolutely nothing in common. I'm a lot younger than you and I'm a major comic book nerd and you guys are WAY too active for my lazy butt to hope to keep up," and Spike really didn't want to hang out with ponies who were being forced to associate with him.
The Crusaders looked down with an odd look of shame well Sweetie Belle said, "We didn't realize we hurt you so much."
"Could we try please?" Scootaloo asked, "Like you said we weren't 'lousy friends' so much as we weren't friends at all but could we try to be? We'll do better this time."
Spike growled, "Fine you can tell you're sisters we're friends,"
###
"He thinks we're just using him," Apple Bloom moped as they sat at their desk at the school house.
Spike wasn't even sitting with them. He was on the other side of the classroom, fitting in the back looking bored out of his mind as he waited for class to start.
Sweetie Belle shook her head, "I really did think of Spike as our friend," she insisted.
"We just have to prove to him that we are real friends," Scootaloo puffed up her chest.
Apple Bloon blinked, "How do we do that? Even if we invited him to our clubhouse I don't think he'll come at this point. We spent too much time ignoring him,"
"Or treating him like a Butler," Sweetie Belle moped, "He always busted his butt making us treats each time we went to spend time with Twilight and we still never invited him to do anything with us."
Apple Bloom nodded ,"We might have been trying to find our cutie marks but we still could have invited him to play with us. We did lots of stuff I'm sure he would have enjoyed,"
"We could take him snorkeling!" Scootaloo suggested, "That was pretty fun,"
"I don't know," Apple Bloom thought, "Maybe Spike would prefer to do something less active. He runs around helping Twilight most of the day. I'm sure he'll just want to lay down and relax on his off time,"
Sweetie Belle thought about it, "We could take him to the arcade."
"He's got his own private one," Scootaloo rolled her eyes.
"We have to think of something!" Apple Bloom insisted just as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came in.
Diamond blinked spotting Spike on the other side of the room and quietly asked the Crusaders, "What's Twilight's pet dragon doing here?"
Apple started foaming, "You promised you were going to try to be less of a jerk!"
Diamond gaped at the accusation and demanded, "What I do!?"
Scootaloo glared, "He's not a pet. He's Twilight's ward which pretty much makes him the prince of Ponyville."
Diamond was stunned speechless for several moments before finding her words, "Really? I-I always assumed he was a pet."
Apple Bloom insisted, "Dragons are fully sapient creatures just like Ponies. They CAN'T be pets!"
Diamond blushed scuffing her hoof on the floor, "S-sorry," she was still trying to learn to watch what she said but sometimes she still came off as insensitive without realizing it, "... you know my mom is probably going to have a heart attack when she hears Ponyville has a Dragon for a Prince. She already has a problem with that cow colony in our boarders,"
Apple Bloom blinked, "What's she got against cows? Practically all the farms and stores trade with them for milk,"
Diamond shrugged taking a seat next to the Crusaders. Ironically, although they were the ones she bullied the most they were also some of the few kids in class that was giving her a second chance. Paying for the new playground equipment was a nice step in repairing some of the damage she inflicted to her own reputation but it was just a start. Most of the school was convinced that was just her trying to buy forgiveness instead of actually working towards it.
"Mother thinks cows and other species are... 'lesser' then ponies," Diamond was trying to find a nicer word for 'inferior' but none of the synonyms sounded very flattering.
Apple Bloom gaped, "B-but your dad is the one buying up most of the milk!"
Diamond couldn't help but shrug with a defeated expression on her face. Her dad had contracts with most of the farms. He bought up most of their goods, commercialized them into various tasty treats, and sold them around Equestria. Her family's livelihood depended on the various farms in Ponyville including not only the Cows but Apple Bloom's family as well... and Diamond's mother thought so little of all of them.
"Mom doesn't really care about insulting Dad's business partners, even the ones we rely on the most." Diamond sighed, "You know I never really realized how... messed up she was until you guys forced me to take a good look at her. I can't believe I actually wanted to be like her."
Sweetie Belle spoke up, "Family can be infuriating sometimes but they're still your family. There is nothing wrong with loving them. Even when you wish they could be nicer,"
Diamond just looked at Sweetie Belle, a bit shocked at how the foal sounded like she was speaking from experience.
Sweetie Belle groaned realizing she had to explain where that little bit of wisdom came from, "Rarity has her moment's where she's a great sister but she also has ones that make me want to crawl into my bed and cry at how selfish she can be. She might be the Element of Generocity but she is one of the most self absorbed Fillies you will ever meet, not to mention a complete Drama Queen... I think everyone is like that in some way. They aren't defined by one thing. We all have good things about us and bad things that seem to contradict it. That's just how Ponies are,"
Diamond gave a light smile, the 3 were trying so hard to make her feel accepted. They were even trying to get her not to condemn her mom as Diamond tried to better herself, "Thanks..." and she meant it. "Want to come over to my mansion after school."
The Crusaders gave a collective groan.
"Sorry we can't, " Scootaloo informed, "We're trying to figure out what we can do with Spike."
"The Dragon?" Diamond blinked and when the Crusaders started glaring at her she said, "Why don't you just bring him with you?"
Scoot snorted, "And have your mom tell him to his face that he's a 'lesser' being?"
Diamond crumpled well Sweetie Belle glared at Scootaloo.
Apple Bloom piped up, "We weren't very good friends to Spike, to the point he doesn't think we're friends at all, so we have to figure out a way to convince him we are... and he thinks the only reason we're trying to now is because our sisters yelled at us for excluding him,"
Diamond thought on it a moment, "Well all you really have to do is wait until recess. All the foals will crowd around him and no doubt ask him embarrassing questions about dragons. All you three have to do is swoop in and save him and-"
"DIAMOND!" All three Crusaders snapped.
Apple Bloom informed, "We ain't about to manipulate Spike like that."
"What's a little manipulation if it helps in the long run," Diamond gave a evil smirk, "Besides, this is going to happen no matter what. The foals are going to be curious about a dragon attending school for the first time since ever and some of them aren't going to be too happy with the idea. The fact of the matter is our dear PRINCE Spike will need someone to look out for him at recess and if it's you three it will help repair whatever damage you did. Or at least be the first step in doing so,"
The Crusaders looked too uncomfortable so Diamond continued, "My cutie mark revolves around getting ponies to do what I want. My special talent is manipulating ponies and in order to do that I need to understand them. Your the ones who taught me I could use this talent for the betterment of others. What's wrong with helping Spike and taking that first step on the road to forgiveness? You're not manipulating him for malicious reasons and in fact you WILL be helping him and all you want to get in return is forgiveness. It's a win / win for everypony involved."
Sweetie Belle shifted in her seat, "Well maybe next time you could make it sound a little less like an evil plot well explaining it."
Diamond blushed and gave a slight smile, "I'll work on that."
###
Spike didn't know why, he really didn't, but he felt his face heat up as a young colt sat next to him. The colt was brown with an orange mane cut in an adorable style and a cute little propeller hat. He hid a 'JoyBoy' device under his desk and was playing videogames on it. Spike tried to peek at just what game he was playing and sneakily got out his own JoyBoy from his backpack. He stealthily got the pony's attention by tapping the desk then held up his copy of 'Fable'.
Spike smiled as the pony looked at him. The young Dragon whispered, "Need a player 2?" and it wasn't long before they were killing virtual hobgoblins together... and continued to play after the teacher came into the room.
"Good Morning Class," The teacher smiled as she walked into the classroom getting a choir of, "Good morning Miss Cheerlee."
Cheerlee smiled, "Today we have a new student, Spike would you please come up here?... Spike? Spike!? SPIKE!"
Spike yelped and fell out of his chair, still holding his JoyBoy.
"Spike," Cheerlee narrowed her eyes, radiating parental disapproval, "Class has started young colt. Put the game away and come up here and introduce yourself."
Spike blushed, quickly saving his game and turning it off before putting it in his jacket pocket.
"Button Mash," Cheerlee looked over at the brown colt with the orange mane, "I better not have to tell you to put yours away."
Button gave a nervous grin and turned his game off as Spike came up to the front of the class.
"Everypony," Cheerlee got the attention of the snickering foals, "Today we have joining us Prince Spike, Ward of Princess Twilight please make him feel welcomed. Spike why don't you tell us a bit about yourself?"
"O-oh," Spike blushed and fidgeted, "Well I like comic books, and Videogames, and watching hoofball, and... uhmmm,"
Cheerlee encouraged, "Why don't you tell us how the Princess came to adopt you," she was trying to get all the questions the foals were bound to pester him with out of the way now, as well as get rid of any misconceptions that Spike was just a servant or a pet.
"Oh... hummm..." Spike didn't understand why he was so nervous, he spoke in front of large crowds all the time but somehow this small school house with foals of various ages was the hardest. He felt like he did when he was in front of the tens of thousands at the Equestria Games.
He took a deep breath, "My breed of dragon can only hatch when exposed to a high level of magic, usually that comes from frequent exposure to dragon fire. Someone found my egg and brought it to the Princess, I mean Princess Celestia since there are like a billion Princesses now.
"Anyway Twilight hatched my egg as part of her entrance exam. Celestia was going to try to return me to the dragons, even sent a letter to the Dragon Lord. Celestia asked Twilight to look after me well she waited for a reply and... well Twilight sort of created a international incident when she refused to give me up when the dragons finally came to collect me."
Spike shrugged, "Celestia was able to smooth things over and the Dragons decided a Wingless runt wasn't worth the hassle so they let Twilight keep me."
Cheerlee gave a comforting smile, "Can you tell us why Twilight calls you her 'Assistant',"
"O-oh y-yeah sure," he cleared his throat, "Twilight was never very good at taking care of herself. She'd get too caught up in her research and her various duties. She always took good care of me but she would often forget to feed herself so I would make her sandwiches to make sure she ate.
"Despite how obsessed she is about organizing things she tends to be a bit messy as she tries to do a billion things at once. I started picking up after her to help and putting things back where she liked them. I helped her keep track of her schedule since she'd put so much work on herself she'd forget what she had to do. Of course she got really obsessive about that later...
"She started calling me her 'little assistant' because she often said she didn't know what she'd do with herself without me and well... I liked being her little helper and... yeah the title just sort of stuck,"
"Thank you Spike," Cheerlee nodded, "Please have a seat," Spike sighed with relief and ran back to his desk.
"Now class," Cheerlee decided to begin her lesson, "today we will talk about the origins of Equestria.
"I'm sure you've all heard about the three tribes living in conflict and the first Hearts Warming. That was nearly 10 thousand years ago, making Equestria one of the oldest civilizations on the planet. However even after the three tribes came together their was still much conflict in Equestria.
"For the first 200 years the leaders of the three tribes ruled together on a Council until the appearance of the first officially recorded Alicorn, one Queen Platinum, formerly princess of the Unicorn tribe. She ruled Equestria with an Iron hoof and remained in power until she died of old age. She ascended into an Alicorn when she was around 300, so still a relatively young adult seeing with how ponies have an average lifespan of 540 years. While Alicorns have a life expectancy of 2500 years.
"I know it is common to think of Alicorns as gods but in fact they are just ponies who have reached a form of enlightenment, a superior level of self awareness, which greatly increases their magical power and gives them the traits of all three races (The strength and connection to nature of Earth Ponies, The flight and weather magic of Pegasus, and the versatile magical abilities of Unicorns).
"Queen Platinum was the first Alicorn who had ever been officially confirmed up until that point, although myths of them had existed throughout all recorded history. She is why so many ponies think of Alicorns as gods. She advertised herself as one and convinced the other ponies to worship her.
"After her passing a new Council was set up, representing the various city states in Equestria. They ruled as a democracy for the next 600 years until the arrival of the Alicorn Dynasty. Queen Justice Divine was just as cruel as her predecessor and demanded ponies worship her. However when a second Alicorn appeared Queen Justice Divine invited her into her empire, Declaring her Queen of one of the city states and continued the practice for each Alicorn that appeared.
"The Alicorn Dynasty had the largest population of Alicorns in recorded history. This was a result of Queen Justice Divine purposely teaching others how to become Alicorns. Her school was only accessible to nobles, which is why most noble families are descendants of Alicorns now.
"Unfortunately the Alicorn Dynasty was filled with greed and corruption with the nobles living in luxury and all others living as peasants. The Alicorn Dynasty stood long after Justice Divine passed and ruled cruelly for thousands of years.
"They were eventually defeated by one of our true gods, the Draconequus. In this case a Spirit of Chaos, Discord himself. Although Discord has proven himself a friend to pony kind in recent years, back then he was far from it.
"Discord destroyed the Alicorns for falsely declaring themselves gods and decided to show Equestria what a real god could do. He spent the next thousand years warping reality and making things very difficult for ponies. However he was overthrown by the Two Sisters, Celestia and Luna, with help of the Elements of Harmony. Once mere Pegasi peasants they achieved enlightenment on there own during the rule of Discord.
"After his defeat the two sisters assumed the role as rulers of Equestria as per tradition with Alicorns. However instead of calling themselves 'Queens' the two sisters, as I'm sure you all know, took the title 'Princess' and declared anyone descended from them was to be called 'Duchess' or 'Prince' well the current nobles retained their titles. They wanted to assure their subjects that they would not hold themselves so above them as their predecessors had done,"
"They even made it impossible for Alicorns to have absolute political power as tradition dictated. They gave each City State the ability to elect someone to represent them on a new Senate. The Senate was to keep the Alicorns in check and hold them accountable as well as have a say in policy. Although Alicorns have the final word in most cases if the Senate votes with a 70% majority, against, then the Alicorn's ruling is dismissed.
"It should be noted that the Senator also works as the Mayor of their city in between Senate meetings. They are meant to act as the voice of the ponies of their city. However not even they have absolute power even within their borders. Each city has a council of nobles who the mayor must listen to and respect. This makes our current government a mixture of a matriarchy and a democracy.
"Since then Celestia has made many social changes, including gender equality in Equestria. She did away with poverty and has turned Equestria into a near utopian society and now that Princess Luna has returned to us things are better then ever. Well Celestia looks at the whole Luna handles the individuals by visiting the dreams of many of her subjects and helping them through personal crises and... BUTTON!"
Button hurriedly tried to hide his game. Unfortunately it was too late and Cheerlee walked over and held her hoof out. Button groaned but reluctantly handed over his JoyBoy.
"See me during recess," She ordered before walking back to the front of the class and continuing the lecture.
###
Spike chewed on his bottom lip as the class cleared out and Button reluctantly stepped in front of the teacher. Spike took a deep breath and built up his courage. He got out of his chair and walked over to Cheerlee, "M-miss Cheerlee?" he dared, "B-button wasn't the only one playing videogames... I was playing with him,"
Button stared at the Dragon like he was insane.
"I should receive the same punishment as him," Spike insisted.
Cheerlee smiled, "Thank you for telling me Spike, that was very brave and noble, but Button is in a lot of trouble because this is the 3rd time I caught him playing that game during class. I don't think it be fair to punish you as harshly since this is your first offense,"
"Please Miss Cheerlee, I'd feel just awful otherwise!"
Cheerlee smiled, "Alright Spike but how about I tell you how Button is going to be punished first then you can decide, okay?"
Spike hesitantly nodded.
"Button is going to spend some time over my lap for a firm spanking and after school he'll deliver a note from me to his parents that needs to be signed... do you really want Twilight to learn you got spanked on your first day of school?"
Spike gulped and hesitantly looked at Button, "I-it's only fair,"
Cheerlee continued to smile pleasantly, "Alright," She pulled out her chair from behind her desk and sat down, "Alright boys, both of you get over my lap,"
The boys blushed and crawled over their teacher's lap, pressing right up against each other so they could fit. She patted their butts with her hoof, "Alright boys, you know you're not supposed to play videogames during class right?"
"Yes Miss Cheerlee," Both the boys chiored.
"But you did it anyway?"
"Yes Ma'am,"
"That was very very naughty," Cheerlee informed, "and what do naughty colts get?"
Spike blushed well Button wiggled a bit. It felt weird to have fur rubbing against his scales like that.
Button answered, "A spanking Miss Cheerlee,"
"That's right Button. Now Spike, what do naughty boys get?"
"A spanking," Spike blushed.
"That's right," Cheerlee brought her front leg down across both the small bottoms, "They. Get. A. Spanking." SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK. She delivered a series of solid smacks to each getting the boys to cry and squirm from the start.
She began switching between them, going from smacking a scaled to furred hide. She wasn't quite sure how much armor the young dragon's scales provided so she might have been hitting him harder then she would other foals but wasn't giving him as many swats as Button. She wasn't sure if this was the right way to go about this as the little dragon felt soft, like snake skin.
The boys little legs began to kick as they struggled but Cheerlee had them pinned under her other hoof. The boys continued to cry and gave out little shrieks each time her hoof made contact with their rumps. She smiled as she saw the little dragon's claw tightly grasp Button's hoof and the young colt squeezing right back.
"We're S-sOWWie!" Button cried as his body jetted forward from the force of the smack.
Miss Cheerlee held them both down firmly with her free hoof, pressing the boys tightly next to each other as they both just barely fit over her lap. She also used that hoof to pin both their tails to their backs, and out of the way of the spanking. She felt them weakly struggling, with their tails desperately wanting to go back down to protect their rumps.
She gave one last smack and let the boys up. Button reached back with one of his hooves and tenderly rubbed his bottom all the while saying "Ow ow ow ow ow," well Spike did some bizarre little dance where he hopped from foot to foot well rubbing his bottom with his claws. It was cute in a weird way.
"Now wait right there," Cheerlee went to her desk and got out two red notes before quickly writing out a message on both. She then gave the notes to the boys, "Be sure your moms get those as soon as you get home and bring them back signed. Am I clear boys?"
Spike sniffed as he took the note "Y-yes Ma'am" well Button looked at it with dread.
"Alright boys, you can go play now. Enjoy the rest of your recess"
The boys continued to rub their bottoms as they walked outside. As soon as they were free from earshot Button said, "You know you're crazy right?"
"Eh?" Spike blinked.
"Who in their right mind volunteers for a spanking!?" Button gaped.
Spike blushed, "It wouldn't be fair if you got in trouble and I didn't."
"I guess," Button was still looking at him weird, "... wanna play on the swings? Miss Cheerlee still has my JoyBoy so we can't play with those anymore,"
"How about something that doesn't involve sitting?"
"... we would lay on our bellies and swing. It might even get our butts to cool down from the breeze,"
Spike blushed at the reasoning, "... ok,"
Button Smiled, "Race ya," and immediately took off.
"Hey no fair," Spike gaped before running after him.
Princess Twilight Sparkle was frantically looking over her schedule. It was pretty hard to keep up with everything without Spike around. She had trouble just making the list on her own.
She sighed, missing her little assistant already. Unfortunately her duties as Princess couldn't be put off until after school so Spike could help her.
For example her next meeting. She walked into Mayor Mare's office who was busy filling out paperwork. Her unicorn assistants were levitating the papers over to her for her to quickly read and sign.
"You wanted to see me?" Twilight asked.
"Ah yes, Your Highness," Mayor Mare gently shooed away her helpers and put her quil down, "Sorry, I was expecting you to stop by more then an hour ago. So I decided to catch up on my work. You're usually so punctual,"
Twilight sighed, "Sorry, it's Spike's first day of school and I'm still adjusting to not having him around,"
Mayor Mare chuckled, "You can hardly expect to get used to not having the foals underhoof in one day. Now shall we start the meeting. I have a formal request to make,"
"Of course," Twilight nodded watching as Mayor Mare walked over to her desk and pulled out a large scroll.
"You might not know this but I've been trying to get Princess Celestia to grant Ponyville the rights of a city state for some years now," She informed bringing the scroll over and giving it to Twilight, "Technically right now we are just considered a large village which falls under the jurisdiction of Canterlot, but as a City State we would be allowed to participate in setting down national law. It would greatly increase our trade and help with tourism,"
"That sounds good," Twilight nodded. She knew all about the benefits of being one of the city states. She had been Celestia's apprentice after all and learned a lot about politics, if not just from watching her. This meant she understood the disadvantages of being a City State as well. They could no longer rely on Canterlot's army and would have to form their own royal guard. They would also have more responsibilities and a greater level of independence which could be good or bad.
Mayor Mare continued, "Princess Celestia has denied my various request, stating that Ponyville was just not ready, but after you ascended into an Alicorn she has been giving us a longer leash. She even allowed Ponyville to participate in the Equestria Games. That was a big step in the public's recognition of us... if you were to make the request of her..."
"You want me to ask Princess Celestia if we can be a City State?" Twilight blinked.
"With respect, I think she is waiting for you to ask. You are already considered Ponyville's Princess but it isn't actually official. You would need to personally tell Princess Celestia your ready to lead. You've taken on a large amount of responsibility since you became the Princess of friendship, but most of what you do in Ponyville you aren't actually required to. Since you are technically a resident and not our official Princess. You've been doing the job for near a year now, regardless. So I think it's time to make it official,"
Twilight shifted uncomfortably. She knew the town relied on her a lot but actually seperating from Canterlot and declaring herself Ponyville's official Princess? She didn't even like it when ponies called her by her title.
"In here," Mayor Mare patted the scroll Twilight was now holding, "Are my suggestions for turning Ponyville into a City State. You need to have a firm grasp on where you want Ponyville to go in order for the request to be taken seriously. Firstly there is the matter of officially recognizing Spike as Ponyville's prince,"
"What?" Twilight blinked.
"Well he is your ward and he helps you a great deal with your duties. I think he will be able to handle the responsibility when he's older. Don't you?"
"O-of course," Twilight fumbled over her words for a moment. Spike might let the title 'Prince' go to his head though.
"Much of Ponyville already understands him to be our prince, but sadly most of our population believe him to be your... servant," truthfully most of the townsfolk thought Spike was her dragon slave or some kind of familiar.
"WHAT!?" Twilight gaped.
Mayor Mare poked the scroll firmly, "This would help nip that misconception in the bud," she stated, "Next we have the matter of selecting the City's nobles. Obviously you would want your friends to fill that role,"
"I would?" Twilight blinked again.
"Please take this more seriously your highness. If Ponyville is truly to become a City State you would need to hold yourself with highest confidence,"
"R-right," Twilight blushed but steeled herself and tried to act more Regal, "Yes, yes of course but what I mean to say is why would my friends be a good choice? Other then being my friends I mean,"
"Well you already run a 'Council of Friendship' with them were you spread across Equestria handling diplomatic disturbances both large and small. This means each of them have the essential understandings of what it means to be in a position of authority,"
'By solving Friendship problems?' Twilight thought to herself.
"And if they were genuine nobles ponies would be more inclined to listen to them when you send them off on one of these diplomatic ventures. And although you might not realize this the very fact they're your friends plays a large part. They can keep you grounded and won't be afraid to disagree with you or call you out when they think you have gone too far. Such qualities are the very reason City States have governesses to begin with,"
"Well... I imagine Rarity would love being a Governess... still, I need to talk with them to see if they are willing to take the job,"
"Of course and I have one final suggestion for a noble to serve on the Council,"
"Who?"
"Filthy Rich, his family is largely responsible for making Ponyville what it is today. Making him a noble would make him happy and insure his family maintain it's roots here bringing us more business. It would also help him spread his influence and potentially make more money which would again help Ponyville. Also, although it is rude to say, having a stallion on your Council would make you look very good and progressive,"
"So you want a token Stallion," Twilight gaped.
"No of course not, I never meant to imply that. Everything I said was true. Having him serve on your Council would greatly help. His family, along with the Apples, are responsible for building this town and should be recognized for that. As Applejack is serving on your Council of Friendship and would already be made a noble her family would be represented properly.
"The Rich family might actually be insulted if you gave the Apples such an honor and not them as they are equally responsible for building this town. Besides Filthy Rich is a reasonable colt, even if his wife is a bit unbearable, and his heir has had a dramatic change of heart and might actually be capable of doing some good herself when she's older. Their family already understands politics and you would need someone with such experience as one of your advisors." the fact he was a Stallion, which would look good to the voters, was just a bonus.
Twilight nodded, "That makes sense, I would like to read over the scroll myself, make a few adjustments and get back to you later this week,"
"Of course your highness, that is exactly what you should do."
###
A few hours later Twilight's friends were sitting around the map in her house. She just finished explaining in detail the request as well as had a copy of the scroll in front of each of them. She had decided to reschedule her other meetings for later in the day as she was already far behind and this was important... Spike was probably in recess by now, her mind strangely wondered.
Applejack eyed the scroll with disdain, "So Mayor Mare wants us to become fancy-fied nobles. Sorry Twilight but I don't think I'm really cut out for that,"
Rarity scoffed, "Oh Applejack don't let yourself miss out on the opportunity. If nothing else think of what being a Governess will do for your family business. You'll be selling apple confectionaries all across Equestria,"
"I already sell all across Equestria," AJ informed, "I got an agreement with Filthy Rich,"
Rarity shook her head, "I promise you dear it will be great for business. You went to sell apples at the Grand Galloping Gala in order to increase your client base,"
"And look how that turned out."
"My point is as a governess you will have all those doors opened to you automatically. You're sales will easily increase three fold by the end of the year,"
AJ blinked, "You think so,"
"I know so darling. You might not even be nearly as dependent on Filthy Rich as you could start selling to other large companies as well."
"I don't know about that. The Riches and Apples have been doing business since Grannie was a filly."
"You would still be doing business with him of course but you'd also be selling to a lot of other ponies as well,"
Applejack sighed, "I suppose it couldn't hurt. I just ain't like the idea of having to rub elbows with all those snobs. Having to go to the Gala was bad enough."
Rarity dismissed, "Trust me darling it will be magnificent "
Twilight assured, "You'll all be compensated as well,"
Rainbow Dash blinked, "Compensated? for getting to be kick ass royalty?"
Twilight sighed, "Being a Governess comes with a lot of responsibility, not just from you but from your family and future generations. It's customary to give the families enough money to support themselves. Governesses have an average salary of twenty thousand bits a month"
The entire room grew quiet before Rainbow Dash screamed, "I'm RICH!"
Twilight rolled her eyes, "Normally that money is gotten from collected Taxes but if we do this the private vault in the Castle will become the town treasury. Money from taxes will go in there and everything else in Ponyville will be paid for through it. I'll have to set up a smaller vault and just pay myself a monthly check out of the castle's vault instead of just buying everything I please like I have been doing... Mayor Mare suggested keeping taxes as a matter of 'Sales Tax' and 'Business Tax' exclusively so we aren't charging ponies more money then they can afford to buy,"
AJ shrugged, "I don't know Twilight, those business taxes are a mite high. Half of what I make goes into taxes,"
"Same here," Rarity nodded.
Pinkie shrugged "Come on they have to get their money from somewhere. And if you didn't give so many bits too the government how could I afford to pay for all those parties?"
Rainbow Dash gaped, "You mean our TAXES pay for your parties,"
Pinkie shrugged, "Well I am the town's party pony. I try to keep things fun but simple so not to take too much money out of the treasury,"
Twilight shrugged, "With how a pony's mood can effect the environment around her it's important to keep them happy. Why wouldn't taxes be used to pay for morale maintenance?"
Dash groaned, "So that meant my birthiversary must have taken a lot out of the Treasury," she moped.
Pinkie shrugged, "Well no, Cheese Sandwich is a certified party pony. He gets funding from Celestia herself to be used at his discretion as he throws parties all around the country. Best. Job. EVER!" she cheered.
Pinkie continued, "I get a small salary from the city as a government employee but I have to work a second job at Sugarcube Corner. Luckily they let me live in a spare bedroom as part of my paycheck. All the party stuff comes out of the treasury so I don't actually have to pay for any of that myself.
"There are over ten thousand ponies living in Ponyville and I have to plan parties for each one of their birthdays, big ones for when the foals earn their Cutie Marks, not to mention the holidays and festivals. I could never afford all that on my own, but like I said I try to keep everything on a strict budget so I don't impact the treasury too much.
"Parties are great but the Treasury also pays for the hospital's upkeep, the city wide health insurance policy, the school house, other government employees and offices, and stuff like that. I don't want to be taking their money."
Dash was staring at Pinkie. With how much of an airhead the pink Earth Pony could be, it was easy to forget sometimes that she was not only considerate but really smart.
"Wait a minute!" Pinkie suddenly gaped, "If we do this whole Governess thing won't that mean I'll be working THREE jobs!?"
Twilight calmed, "Honestly all a governess really does is advice their Princess or Mayor, which you gals already do. It just be giving you an official title... and a nice salary," she assured.
"Oh, Okay I'm in," Pinkie bounced.
Twilight looked around at the others.
AJ sighed, "Yeah I guess I'm in too,"
Rarity smiled, "This will be fabulous darlings, just wait and see,"
Rainbow Dash grinned, "You bet I'm in,"
Twilight looked over at the last member of their group, "Fluttershy, you've been pretty quiet,"
"It's just..." the yellow Pegasus tried to explain. Then choked back her nerves, "I suppose I could give it a try if everyone else is," this sounded like a lot of responsibility and she didn't know if she was really cut out for it. She had made great strides these past few years but to become a legitimate pony in authority? It was a lot to take in but if she had her friends with her she could manage.
"Then it's settled," Twilight smiled, "Now we just need to go through every detail of this request letter and make adjustments where we see fit, SPIKE!" she called. Then blushed when she remembered Spike was at school. She noticed her friends were looking at her funny. She cleared her throat and said, "Let's get started."
Spike tried his best not to cower as the foals ganged up on him at the playground. He didn't even make it to the swings. As soon as the other children noticed him they swarmed and began asking a billion embarrassing questions. Spike was trying to be polite and answer them.
Shining Armor's speech about public image had really hit home. The last thing Spike wanted to do was embarrass Twilight and since Spike was her ward, everything he did reflected on her. Shining Armor... he's the one that pointed out to Spike that he was Ponyville's unofficial Prince. Spike HAD to go to school and be an expert of Friendship or he'd bring shame to Twilight... Shining Armor hadn't phrased it like that but Spike had developed Twilight's habit of over analyzing everything. He wasn't as bad as her but he did tend to do it if he was honest with himself.
"Why don't you have wings?" one asked.
Spike blushed and explained, "It's a birth defect from being born from pony magic instead of dragon fire," his lack of wings was actually something he was pretty self conscious about, since the dragon migration. He learned a lot being with the other dragons during that time but sadly the biggest lesson he'd learned was how all dragons are jerks... well not ALL he should say.
There were more civilized Dragons in districts found in many of the big pony cities. Spike had been to one of those areas when a rogue fire snail was setting fires all over Manehattan. The cops automatically assumed it was the Dragons doing it and there had been a lot of... problems as a result. Princess Luna had gotten Spike to help as even the dragons living in pony cities were very tight lipped around ponies. She thought Spike would have better luck finding out what was going on...
None of that really matters now other then Spike did learn that he wasn't actually the only Dragon in the world who wore aprons or read comic books. City dragons were actually decent folks, even if they are very distrustful of ponies, but with how most ponies treat them he couldn't really blame them.
"You're not going to hulk out on us and destroy the town again are you?" Another asked, referring to the time Spike turned into a giant full sized dragon and attacked the town in a greed filled rage.
Spike blushed and shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, "N-no t-that was a one time thing... see dragons kind of lose control of themselves if they collect too much stuff too fast,"
The foals gaped, "So you can't own ANYTHING!?"
"No I can own stuff. I just can't get a lot of stuff at once. I have to collect things slowly. A few new items a week won't matter. So I don't get overwhelmed by my own greed,"
The city dragons from Manehattan had actually explained that to him. It was why city dragons were less jerky then nomadic ones. They were very conscious of collecting their hoard slowly over time, so as to not overwhelm themselves to their basic instincts.
Embarrassingly one of the dragons actually gave Spike a book on Dragon anatomy. Spike didn't really understand how he could read it, as it was in some strange hieroglyphs that literally looked like chicken scratches, but it all made perfect sense to him. The book explained that dragons instinctively understood the ancient language of Draconic and although few actually spoke it anymore nearly everything they wrote was in the language in order to preserve their secrets.
Spike actually practiced writing the Language himself and was a little shocked how easy and natural it was. He tried to actually teach Twilight but the subtle dips and curves were really tripping her up as even the slightest change could make the symbols have entirely different meaning. It was easy for Spike but Twilight couldn't even read the stuff.
The book also explained that Spike wasn't actually a boy but "Omni-sexual". He might have boy bits but he could also get pregnant to, like all dragons. Although the book didn't explain how somepony (or "some-dragon" rather) could get pregnant... Twilight wouldn't tell him either. She just said a mare's husband put "seeds" in the girl's belly but refused to say what kind of seeds or where you got them. She promised to explain when he was married but not before... and he wasn't allowed to get married until he was a hundred, she had added.
"Well Dragons will eventually grow up to be as big as Skyscrapers. We can also change size at will by tapping into our greed." Spike explained, "We can even use it to make ourselves as small as flees." At least theoretically. Spike still hadn't figured out how to do that as the book said size alteration was very dangerous and easy to lose control to your instincts. It didn't advise practicing outside of dragon school, or rather outside of an older dragons supervision.
"Is it true dragons eat defenseless animals for breakfast!?" one foal asked, pulling Spike from his thoughts. Before he could answer another quickly scoffed "Idiot they eat ponies, not critters,"
Spike shifted a bit, as he knew both were true... of nomadic dragons at least, "I'm on a strict pony diet,"
One of the foals screamed, "He DOES eat ponies!"
"No no!" Spike quickly backtracked, "I mean I eat hay and flowers and fruits and pastries and all the normal stuff ponies eat," he assured, "The only really strange thing I eat is gems,"
"You eat rocks?" Another asked.
"No I eat gems," Spike corrected, "There magic is good for my scales and bones, plus they strengthen my own magical reserves," he flexed his muscles before flinching back when the foals actually reached out and TOUCHED him.
One of the foals giggled, "he feels like a snake," "I thought they'd be all hard and rough,"
That is when Button stepped in and literally shoved the ponies away, "What's the matter with you foals!?" the young colt demanded, "Just cuz Spike isn't a pony doesn't mean you have the right to treat him like a freak show! Spike totally sacrificed himself to Miss Cheerlee for me," he proclaimed as over dramatically as possible, "He's a good guy and it doesn't matter that he isn't a pony! So leave him alone! I bet the Princess would lock you in her dungeon for harassing him like this!"
The foals grumbled but reluctantly disbanded.
Spike couldn't help but sigh with relief, "Thanks,"
Button blushed, "Sorry I ran so far ahead, I thought you were right behind me,"
"I was until I was foal napped by the... well... foals," Spike shrugged.
Button nodded, "Just forget about them. Come on, the Swings are still calling us,"
Spike reluctantly nodded and followed closely after.
###
Diamond raised an eyebrow as she stared at Button Mash and the Dragon. She turned to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "Looks like somepony else declared themselves Spike's hero."
Apple Bloom mumbled, "It was a dumb plan anyway,"
Scootaloo sighed, "It wasn't like we had any other plans,"
Diamond shrugged, "You three can still come by my mansion if you want... or... we could stalk Spike after school and see what he's up to,"
Sweetie Belle groaned, "We aren't going to stalk Spike,"
Diamond huffed "So it's okay for you girls to spy on me but not Spike?" then gave a slight smirk as the girls shifted uncomfortably. She might be trying to use her powers of manipulation for good now but she was still prone to getting what she wanted, "If we watch them we'll be able to figure out our next move into getting Spike to like you again. Just wait and see girls, it will be brilliant,"
###
"Y-you sure the Princess won't mind?" Button hesitated as Spike lead him to the castle door.
"It's fine," Spike Swore, "Don't you want to see Twilight's private Arcade?"
The young colt really did. He already spent his week's allowance and couldn't go to the local Arcade at the moment... and he knew soon as he got home his mom would ground him for getting in trouble at school.
Button's groundings weren't really typical. His mom would make him go outside and play, since he usually didn't. Of course he wasn't allowed to watch TV or play videogames either. It usually lasted for a whole week but it might be longer this time since he didn't just get in trouble at school but got his flank smacked (for the fifth time this year). This might be his last chance to enjoy an arcade for a while.
On the other hoof he was nervous to meet the Princess, especially since he got her ward in so much trouble on his first day of school.
"Just wait till you see it!" Spike boasted, "Twilight has more Arcade stuff then the actual Arcade. It's like bucking Las Pegasus in there."
Button nodded and stepped inside when Spike held the door open.
They were immediately greeted by the lavender Princess, "Spike! You're home! I..." She looked at Button for a moment before grinning from ear to ear, "You made a new friend already? Spike I'm so proud of you!"
Spike looked down all shamed face, not being able to hide anything.
Twilight immediately picked up on it, "What's wrong?"
Spike hesitantly pulled out the letter and handed it over.
Twilight blinked taking it, "What's this?"
Button gaped at her. How could she not know what a red letter was? Surely she got at least one when she was in school, or at the very least had a friend who got smacked.
Glancing over the first line of the letter she gaped, "You got a SPANKING!?"
Spike blushed a bit well scuffing his foot on cold floor, "S-sorry Twilight, I know I was supposed to be good but-"
"We'll talk about it later Spike," Twilight glared then glanced at Button, "For now you can just play with your new friend but once he goes home you come and find me,"
Spike looked over at Button and asked, "Wanna stay for a sleep over?" However this was immediately met by Twilight whacking him upside the head, "It was worth a shot," the young dragon mumbled.
"I can talk to... what's your name Sweetie?"
Button blushed, "B-Button Mash, your highness,"
Twilight nodded, "Please just call me Twilight. And see me before you leave and I'll have a letter to give to your mom about setting up a sleep over for the two of you some other time,"
Button nodded, a little shocked and really pleased to hear that. As the Boys ran off to play Videogames Twilight read the rest of the letter.
###
Twilight immediately regretted her decision on promising to set up a sleep over. According to the letter that colt was the reason Spike got in trouble.
He tricked Spike into playing video games during class! DURING CLASS! Spike knew how important his studies were. At least he admitted to the teacher what he did after his new friend was caught. The teacher was very impressed with Spike's character as the boy actually asked to be spanked with Button as they both did the same thing wrong.
Twilight was more then a little proud herself. Spike could have kept quiet and gotten away with it but he did the right thing.
Still, neglecting his studies was serious but Twilight didn't really know what to do. That was the type of thing she would normally spank him for but he already got spanked so... maybe she should just deny him his dessert. No that wouldn't be enough. Ground him? No Spike just got off a very long grounding. That would be too harsh. Twilight was at a loss of what to do.
###
Button caught the girls looking at them through the corner of his eye. They were peeking through the doorway. They were just sitting their, watching them play games, "Spike," the colt whispered.
"Just ignore them," Spike shrugged as he mashed buttons on the arcade box, not to be confused with the colt beside him.
"What do they want?"
"For me to tell their sisters we're best friends even though they never wanted to hang out with me until their sisters yelled at them."
"Really?" Button blinked, "I always thought the Crusaders were cool."
Spike sighed, "They are but I accidentally let it slip that they never asked me to hang out at their clubhouse so they got in trouble. Now they suddenly want to be friends... they're just doing it because they got yelled at."
Button huffed before looking directly at the Crusaders, "Either come in or go away! You're creeping me out,"
The girls gulped and hesitantly walked inside.
"H-hi Spike," Apple Bloom waved as Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Diamond Tiara stepped in, "Mind if we play to."
"It's a big arcade," Spike shrugged, then went back to ignoring them.
Diamond Tiara scuffed, "Honestly Spike how long are you going to make the Crusaders feel like glue?"
"Excuse me?" Spike glared while Button gaped at the horrible curse Diamond just used.
Diamond continued, "They know they messed up and all your doing is making them feel worse. You said you forgave them."
"I do forgive them!" Spike insisted, "I know they never meant to hurt me,"
"Exactly. You have known them for years. You know that they really do care about you. They might not have been very good friends but that doesn't change the fact they always considered you one. I know you feel bad that it took their sisters yelling at them to get them to apologize. You were probably hoping they would do that on their own but now that can't happen. Sometimes it takes somepony else to make us realized when we're being idiots"
Diamond smiled surprisingly sweetly, "Tell me honestly, do you really think these fillies, who you've known for years and memorized all their little quirks, would try to befriend you just cuz the grownups told them to? Does that really sound like them?"
Spike hung his head, "No... it doesn't..."
Diamond then nudged Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom gulped, "We're really sorry for how we treated you,"
Scootaloo added, "and for not realizing it on our own."
Sweetie Belle sighed, "We're really sorry for everything. Can you please forgive us?"
Spike sighed, "Yeah... I forgive you and I'm sorry to. I shouldn't have treated you like that after you apologized the first time..." He slowly cracked a smile, "Wow Diamond, you're really getting used to using your powers for good. I didn't even know I felt that way."
Diamond blushed, "Thanks,"
"Have you thought about apprenticing under Doctor Wolf? I bet you'd make a great therapist."
Diamond blinked, "I never really thought about it. I always figured I'd inherit father's company some day. He probably won't be stepping down for a few more hundred years though so... I haven't really thought about what I'd do in the meantime... therapist," She rolled the title around her tongue, "That really sounds like something the Crusaders would be better at."
"No way Diamond," Apple Bloom grinned, "I think that's a great idea. Like you said earlier. Your cutie mark let's you understand ponies and if you want to help them you can use your talent to do it. I think it be the perfect way to use your talent to do some good,"
Diamond hesitantly smiled, "I'll talk to my dad about it. For now, we're in the Princess' private arcade. Let's go crazy." she stood up on her hind legs and waved her hooves about as the other children cheered.
Spike hesitantly waved goodbye to his friends as they walked out the castle door. Twilight stood beside him waving them off as well.
Button looked back with a good deal of sympathy, nibbling the notes in his mouth. One from Cheerlee and another from the Princess. One note telling of his trouble at school and the other inviting Button's mom over to the castle tomorrow for tea and to discuss setting up a sleep over. Button really hoped his mom let him go. He liked Spike.
He blushed as Spike caught his eye. Turning he quickly galloped away, his chest fluttering a bit. He assumed it was because he was scared about facing his own mother.
###
Twilight sighed at her Ward as she closed the castle doors, "Okay Spike. I think it is important that we talk,"
Spike gulped, "I'm sorry Twilight. Cheerlee was just going over stuff you already taught me so I got bored."
"You know how important your studies are. Reviewing old material isn't going to kill you. It might even be good for you."
Spike groaned, "They were going over the founding of Equestria and how the government worked. Celestia taught us that when I was still in diapers,"
Twilight glared, "Spike, you KNOW how serious I take your education and I had hoped that you took it seriously to,"
"I do Twilight," Spike assured, "But I learned all the important stuff with you. I'm just at school to make friends,"
"School is still school," Twilight glared, "It's important to pay attention,"
Spike sighed, "I know..."
Twilight sighed, "I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do about this. I can't exactly ground you and it wouldn't be right to take the paddle to you when you already got spanked... How about this Spike. I'll let you pick your punishment,"
"Really!?" Spike gaped. Twilight NEVER let him decide how he would get punished.
"You can either get 5 swats from the paddle or grounded for 3 days,"
"TWILIGHT!" Spike wailed, "Both of those sound HORRIBLE! I just got off a month long grounding!"
"And then you immediately brake one of the most important rules in the house! Tell me honestly Spike. Would you have even considered playing with your JoyBoy if you'd been sitting through one of MY lectures? Even if we were reviewing old material?"
Spike sighed, "No... but I told Miss Cheerlee I was being bad. That should count for something!
Twilight sighed, "You're right it should but I really have no idea what to do with you,"
Spike gulped as he spent a moment thinking through Punishments that weren't nearly so harsh but that Twilight might actually agree to, "You could put me in the corner for an hour or send me to my room for the night,"
Twilight rolled her eyes, "That isn't nearly enough and you know it. Playing games during class is a HUGE deal!"
Spike groaned, "How... how about you spank me like Miss Cheerlee did?"
"How did she spank you?" Twilight blinked.
"Over her lap... with her hoof..." Spike blushed.
Twilight tilted her head, "That's it? I figured she caned you like Shining Armor occasionally got at School,"
Spike shrugged, "It still hurt," really bad actually, probably as a result of her Earth Pony strength but Twilight didn't need to know that.
"I haven't spanked you like that since you were 5," Not since she realized that although Spike's scales were soft they were remarkably dense.
"It really REALLY hurt Twilight," Spike insisted, blushing as he rubbed his bottom in remembrance. It wasn't nearly as bad as the paddle but it still did hurt.
Twilight sighed, "Well... I do need to think of a consistent way to handle misdeeds at school. Knowing you this won't be the last time you get in trouble and if spankings are how they handle punishments... Maybe going back to the old way, for school misdeeds, is best," she agreed.
Spike's eyes widened, "I-I didn't agree to that! I-it's just this one time!"
Twilight rolled her eyes and began herding Spike to his room.
That was the thing about Twilight. Give her a logical enough argument you can talk her into anything. Just be careful you aren't TOO logical because she'll turn it against you!
When they got to the room Twilight pulled out his desk chair and sat down, summoning him to come with her hoof. Spike gulped and began tiptoeing his way over.
Twilight rolled her eyes, "Honestly Spike this was your idea,"
"M-maybe being grounded won't be so bad. I mean what's 3 days,"
"Here, now," She insisted.
Spike groaned and found his way too her all too quickly. Twilight rolled her eyes and picked him up with her magic before laying him over her lap.
"Do you have something to say to me?" She asked
Well this wasn't as scary as when a paddle was involved, still it was a bit terrifying, "I'm sorry I was naughty, please..." Spike gulped building up his courage, "Please spank me so I'll remember to be good,"
Twilight smiled teasingly, "Getting a little ahead of ourselves aren't we? Try telling me why your in trouble,"
Spike blushed and squirmed on her lap a bit. It was awkward because of how her pony legs bent so sitting like this couldn't be comfortable for Twilight either.
"Because..." Spike gulped again then said in one long breath, "Because I played videogames during class and that's bad because I need to take my studies seriously so that I'll grow up to be a respectable member of society." Twilight gave him that lecture a lot when she tutored him and his mind wandered. She didn't often have to wack him for it, just a lecture was usually enough to show him he'd done wrong. He hated disappointing Twilight and her dressing downs were fearsome. He always come out of them in tears and feeling a great deal of shame.
"Somepony is eager to get this over with," Twilight commented.
"Come on Twilight," Spike blushed. "Please stop teasing me and get it over with. I know it's not as serious as a paddling but it's still going to hurt!"
Twilight sighed, "Right right. I'm just feeling nostalgic. The last time I had you over my lap like this you were just a hatchling,"
Spike blushed, squirming, "Well I'm not to thrilled about it,"
Twilight rolled her eyes, "This was your idea,"
"Since when do you listen to me!?"
Twilight huffed, "Fine, let's get this over with," she raised her hoof, "ready?"
Spike felt the dread fill him but answered, "Y-yeah,"
With that Twilight's hoof came down. Spike yelped as he felt the hard keratin assault his rump. He could feel the light sparks of magic radiating from the hoof that let her hold things with them. The magic zapped at his scaled hide.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Spike yelped.
She was probably doing that zapping thing on purpose. It didn't feel that way when Cheerlee spanked him. Still it was better then the occasional stinging hex Twilight threw at his butt as a warning when he did something wrong.
"This is how my mom spanked me," Twilight explained, "If you focus it right you can channel the magic in hooves to give a little sting through touch,"
"YOU NEVER DID IT BEFORE!" Spike yelled as the hoof came down and zapped him again just as it hit him.
Twilight shrugged, "I was just a foal last time I spanked you like this. I didn't have a lot of control of my hooves,"
SMACK ZAP
Spike hollered, "I changed my mind! Get the paddle! Get the paddle!
Twilight rolled her eyes, "Come on Spike," Twilight wasn't missing a beat as she continued to smack his rump, "I was spanked like this all the time. I know it stings but it DEFINITELY doesn't hurt as much as a paddle,"
That was true but it was pretty different from how Spike was used to being spanked.
The hoof went up again and came back down. Spike yelped again. Twilight wasn't hitting as hard as Cheerlee did but those zaps hurt.
Spike squirmed and it wasn't long before he was crying from the pain in his rear. He felt his backend burning as all four of his cheeks reddened. His eyes began to sting from his own tears. He grabbed at the green fins on the sides of his head to prevent himself from reaching back.
Twilight didn't seem to keep to her rule of ten since this was a hoof spanking. Spike really should have gone for the whacks with the Paddle.
Unicorns weren't as strong as Earth Ponies. If Twilight relyed purely on her physical power he probably wouldn't even have felt it but the zaps bad. This as bad as the spanking he got from Cheerlee.
Twilight gave him one last zapping smack before picking him up with her horn magic and pulling him into a hug.
Spike sniffed well rubbing his rump, "Geez Twilight you've gotten really good at that," he couldn't help but point out, "Have you been practicing?"
Twilight rolled her eyes, "Yes Spike. I like to sneak into the rooms of naughty foals and give them a spanking just so I'll be ready for you,"
Spike pouted. He was sure she was being sarcastic but part of him believed her.
###
Spike groaned the next morning as light poured into his bedroom... he wish he could say it was from the sun.
"Discord," Spike groaned pulling the sheets over his head at the bright flash that had woken him up.
"Not quite," A... female voice?
Spike's eyes snapped up as he covered himself with his sheets. A purple Earth Pony was standing... errr Floating, in his room. She had spirals in her pupil-less eyes and wore a propeller hat like Button's. Her cutie mark was that of a baseball and a screw.
"This is ALL YOUR FAULT!" The floating filly snarled.
"Eh?" Spike blinked before yelling, "Luna! I think I'm having a nightmare. Come fix it like you did for the Crusaders,"
"Your not dreaming glue face!" wow this girl had a mouth, "You're too busy DESTROYING MY LIFE!"
Spike just blinked at the figment of his imagination, "I really have no clue why I'm dreaming about some crazy filly,"
"I'm not crazy! and for the last time your not dreaming!" She landed on the floor, "I'm Screwball,"
"I'll say," Spike agreed and strangely the figment reached out and whacked him, "OWWW, That HURT! Wait a second... dreams can't hurt,"
"For the last time I'M NOT A DREAM!"
Spike gaped for a second before he started screaming his head off, "RAPE!"
Twilight immediately appeared in a flash of purple light and looked around frantically, "What's going on!?" she demanded.
"She raped me!" Spike pointed at the filly.
"I did not!"
Spike glared, "She hit me well I was in bed! Remember Twilight, that one time after I found that word in my comic book you explained that's what it meant,"
Screwball just stared at Spike well Twilight groaned. The filly snorted, "You're an idiot,"
"Why? What's it mean?"
"Okay!" Twilight smiled, "Spike needs to get ready for school and... WHAT ARE YOU DOING SNEAKING INTO A BOY'S BEDROOM!?" Twilight suddenly yelled at the filly, realizing she existed.
The filly just snorted as she whipped her mane back.
"I expect an explanation young lady," Twilight glared.
"My dad was talking to Fluttershy and she told him how Spike was going to school and now I HAVE TA GO!" Screwball glared at Spike, "It's all your fault!"
Spike demanded, "How's it my fault! I don't even know you!"
Twilight saw the filly's eyes and groaned, "You're Screwball I take it,"
"That's what she claims," Spike huffed, "Like I'm supposed to know who that is,"
Now Twilight looked at Spike like he was an idiot, "She's Discord's daughter,"
"DISCORD HAS A KID!" Spike yelped, "Why didn't anyone tell me Fluttershy was pregnant!? Or is she Celestia's?"
Screwball glared, "Neither, my dad ripped off a piece of his soul and sculpted it into me," she said as if that wasn't the weirdest thing ever.
"How come I've never seen you before?"
"I live in the chaos dimension with the other Draconequus," Screwball rolled her eyes.
"THERE ARE OTHER DRACONEQUUS!?" Screamed Twilight and Spike. Who looked at each other in horror at the thought.
"Relax they're nowhere near as powerful as daddy," Screwball dismissed, "In fact they're kinda scared of him... and me," she deflated but quickly caught herself, "Not that I care! I'm far more powerful then them to,"
Twilight got a sympathetic look on her face, "Is that why your dad is sending you to Ponyville's Schoolhouse? I'm sure you'll make lots of friends there,"
"Why would I want to make friends with mortals," Screwball huffed, not really wanting an answer. She looked Spike up and down, "I guess you'll do, being a dragon and all. It's not like you're a mortal creature yourself but you're no deity. I guess I can be friends with you, even though you ruined my life,"
"Wow thanks," Spike rolled his eyes as he got out of bed.
"Hurry up and get ready so we can go!" Screwball demanded with the bossiness fitting a Demigod.
The next day... Twilight was a wreck. Here she was standing before Celestia asking for Ponyville to be made a city state. Asking for more freedom and independence from Canterlot... asking to be taken seriously and have a voice in decision making for all of Equestria.
Honestly? She felt exactly like she did when she told her mom she was moving out. She felt like she was taking that first leap after a lifetime of baby steps. She felt like she was finally becoming an adult... WHO WOULDN'T BE TERRIFIED!?
"Well Twilight," Celestia smiled although it was one of those bitter sweet smiles of hers, "This is certainly well thought out. You have a good idea for converting the Castle treasury into the city treasury and a good budget planned out for the next..." she chuckled, "300 years, including a nice emergency fund.
"Oh, I see you have a plan to have your royal guard act as not only the domestic police force but your military as well. I like how you plan to make the extra requirements for Stallions to be allowed in combat situation as standard training for all your guards. As you say 'A necessity for a city that suffers frequent monster attack'.
"I particularly like your request to expand your boarders to include the Pie Rock Farm. It not only allows you access to their crystal mine and erosion production but will give you room to grow. Your ideas about what to do with the land are impressive, especially the dragon district you want to build.
"Overall a well thought out and brilliant proposal... no,"
Twilight blinked, "No what?"
"No, I will not allow you to seperate from Canterlot," Celestia said mournfully, "While I know you have brilliant leadership ideas I don't believe you are ready to act independently. But perhaps we can implement some of-"
"Not ready!?" Twilight gaped, "I've been doing the job for a year,"
"After Cadence ascended into an Alicorn I had her study under me for ten years before I trusted her with her own City State,"
"She was a child,"
"So are you,"
Twilight recoiled as if struck but stood her ground, "What about letting Ponyville participate in the Equestria Games? That's usually only reserved for city states,"
The Princess of the sun blinked, "I thought you might like it if I made an exception for you. I didn't mean for you to think Ponyville was ready to..." Celestia sighed, "Twilight you aren't even a hundred yet. You have plenty of time to prepare yourself for-"
"You didn't think I was too young to save your sister," Twilight stood tall and Regal, "Nor to stop Discord, nor REFORM him. I beat Tirek even when all you wanted me to do was hide. I've lead a small village into a thriving city in less then 5 years. I am ready for this. The question is Celestia, are you?"
Celestia stared at the younger Alicorn for a moment, at all her confidence and irritation. If the Sun Princess didn't grant this she would lose Twilight anyway. So Celestia chose to speak honestly, "Maybe not... Twilight I know you've grown up and accomplished great things but... You're right Twilight. The fact is I'm not ready for you to be completely on your own yet... for you to to cut all ties with me,"
Twilight's hard eyes couldn't help but turn soft, "Princess Celestia..." but didn't know what to say to that.
"I know you've grown up a lot since you were my student but I'm not ready to let go completely yet. Please respect that and be patient. You could still benefit from-"
"You're wrong,"
Now Celestia recoiled.
"No I mean wrong about cutting all ties with you. Celestia, that's not what this is about. I will always need you. It's not like I'm telling you I never want to see you again. I just want..." Twilight fidgeted but decided she should be honest to, "for you to acknowledge I've grown up, but just because I have doesn't mean I don't need you anymore. We'll still exchange letters and see each other regularly for tea like we do now. All this proposal is about is exactly what it says it's about. Ponyville, ready to stand on it's own. I am ready to lead a City State,"
Celestia stared at her a moment. The fidgeting had stopped and a look of pure determination had replaced it. She really did look ready, "Alright Twilight... I hereby grant Ponyville it's independence from Canterlot... on the condition you write me weekly reports of your progress,"
Twilight chuckled, getting a little nostalgic as she remembered the letters Celestia made her write when she first moved away, "Of course Princess,"
###
As Twilight returned home she was met by a yellow pony with a brown mane sitting in the main hall of her castle. Next to her was a black Stallion with a white mane. With them was Mayor Mare.
The Mayor didn't waste anytime as she trotted over the moment Twilight was inside, "Your highness? This is lady Love Tap and her husband, XP Grinder. They say you summoned them,"
"I did?" Twilight blinked.
Love Tap informed, "We're Button Mash's parents your majesty,"
"Oh!" Twilight grinned, "Yes of course, I'm sorry I wasn't expecting you so soon. Were you waiting long?"
"Not at all," Love Tap smiled.
"Only 4 hours," XP muttered only to have his wife elbow his ribs.
Twilight groaned, "I'm so sorry. I was expecting you to come by after school as I had a meeting with Celestia this morning,"
"How did that go?" Mayor Mare jumped in.
Twilight gave her a disapproving look, "I think the Taps have been waiting long enough. I will say the meeting went well but we will discuss the details later,"
"As you wish your highness," Mayor Mare bowed, "I really need to get you a secretary so these scheduling conflicts don't keep popping up,"
"Later Mayor," Twilight repeated, not liking the idea of replacing Spike as her assistant. Yes he was in school and had other responsibilities but judging by how he reacted when Twilight got a pet and he thought he had to compete for affection... yeah that wouldn't go over well.
"Mrs. Tap," Twilight got the yellow mare's attention, "If you would follow me,"
"Of course," She signal her husband to follow.
###
"You're a Demigod?" Diamond scrunched up her nose.
"Be nice," Apple Bloom whispered dangerously in her ear.
All the kids were hanging out on the playground in front of the school house, enjoying their lunch outside. The Crusaders, Button Mash, and Diamond were sitting at a picnic table with Spike and the new girl Screwball.
Screwball seemed uninterested in all of them, except for Spike, "So these are your pets?" she asked the dragon. Spike just groaned.
"Pets!?" Diamond roared, "How could we possibly be pets to a dragon!?" but her question was ignored.
"They're my friends," Spike glared.
Screwball rolled her spiral eyes, "That's just sad. Don't you have any real friends?"
Scootaloo stood tall, "We ARE his real friends!? We're a million times better friends then you could ever-!" but Screwball didn't look like she could even hear her.
"A yappy bunch aren't they?" Screwball rubbed her ear with her hoof.
"You don't have to eat with us," Spike glared.
"Who else am I going to eat with?" Screwball scoffed, "There's nothing but fruit flies here," looking at all the ponies everywhere.
"That's it!" Spike snapped, "I don't care if you're Discord's daughter, GO AWAY!"
Screwball flinched looking... hurt, "Why? I didn't do anything!"
"You've done nothing but insult my friends well ignoring them," Spike glared, "Why would I want to be your friend. You're horrible!"
Screwball... looked like she was going to start crying, "Fine! Who needs you!" she jumped off the table and ran, pushing a nearby filly as she left the grounds, "Out of my way insect!"
"Wow," Diamond gaped, "Please tell me I was never that awful,"
Scootaloo reminded, "You once made fun of me for being disabled,"
Diamond groaned.
Sweetie finally spoke up, "But we forgave her. Isn't that what ponies are supposed to do? Forgive and help others be better? Remember how horrible Discord used to be? And now look at him. He's an honorary Crusader!"
Apple Bloom sighed, "He would be pretty sad to know we couldn't get on with his daughter,"
Spike groaned, "Come on! I get ponies love second chances but she treated you guys like you weren't even worth her notice,"
Button sighed, "She is pretty full of herself. Be honest. Do any of you even WANT to hang out with her again? You shouldn't invite somepony to your table out of pity,"
Diamond reminded, "Discord became an evil terror on our entire planet to the point our sun can't even move without an Alicorn's help, and ponies have to control everything from clouds to erosion. Do you really think it is safe to let his daughter run off in tears?"
Spike groaned, "I'll go talk to her. I'm the only one she even bothers to acknowledge anyway," he got up and left his friends behind.
###
Screwball sat at the pond willing herself not to cry, demanding she wouldn't cry. It was just like those stupid Draconequus children all over again. Spike... wasn't scared of her though. He found her... "horrible" for who she is, not what she is, or where she came from.
"Screwball?"
The Demigod tried to harden herself but the sniffles could still be heard through her voice, "What do you want?"
Spike sighed as he sat down next to her, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have been so harsh. I was just mad you were being so mean to my friends,"
"... you shouldn't trust them,"
Spike just rolled his eyes.
"I'm serious, you can't trust mortals!"
At the dragon's scoff Screwball knew she had to explain, "When I was born... well 'created' I guess... the world was beautiful. The sun and moon danced in the sky together, streets were made of slippery soap you could skate on, life-giving chocolate rained from the sky... My daddy woke me up and let me see it all,"
###
● Flashback: The Return of Harmony
Discord was having such fun. He'd successfully stolen the elements and brought chaos back to the land of Harmony but knew it couldn't last. He needed a backup plan. Something that could revive him should he be turned back to stone. Something that could act independently from him... or rather somepony. It been a while since he so perverted the natural order to create life from nothing... it didn't go over so well the last time as the original race of Draconequus hardly wanted to play with him... play? He giggled with delight at the notion.
He snapped his fingers and a block of clay, on a pedestal, appeared in front of him. He whacked the block with his paw and began to shape it as it spun. It quickly took the image of a child, an Earth Pony filly no older then 6, plain and ordinary to blend into pony culture. Still it needed a bit of a kick so he could recognize it as his. He drew spirals in it's eyes instead of irises, or even pupils. There much better, he doubted the ponies would notice that. After all, mortals could be such dull creatures.
He summoned a cotton candy cloud and had it rain chocolate milk on the wet clay. He sucked in a breath and blew on the sculpture. A white gas seeping from his mouth and into the statue. A bit of his soul filling the clay.
The chocolate milk began to wash away the clay and beneath it was revealed to be something of flesh and blood. A coat of light purple fur and a darker purple mane with white spirals in the curles. He did love how wavy hair had the occasional curle.
The filly suddenly opened her eyes. The cloud shot lightening bolts, but not of his doing, as she screamed, "It's alive!" as her clothes suddenly changed to a mad scientists outfit mixed with elements of the Frankenstein monster.
"Oh I'm going to like you," Discord chuckled.
"I should hope so, Daddy," The filly grinned giving him an unexpected hug as her outfit vanished.
Discord's eyes shot wide, not knowing what to do.
"Happy Birthday," She muttered to herself as she hugged him.
"Birthday..." Discord rolled the word over his tongue, literally chewing the letters a bit before swallowing them, "Right, birthday. You need a present," he pulled her off him and held out his paw. In a flash of white light appeared a little propeller hat, "Happy birthday, my little abomination," he said with surprisingly more affection then he intended.
"Wow cool daddy! Can I fly with it!?"
"What kind of propeller can't fly," Discord stated with a smile.
She put it on her head and spun the blade, strangely her butt rose into the air, allowing her to float. She giggled with delight at the strangeness, "Thanks daddy,"
"Don't mention it sweetie. Now why don't you go enjoy the rest of your birthday and find some ponies to play with,"
"REALLY!? Thank you so much daddy," She grinned excitedly before flying off.
She flew through the sky with gleeful determination until she spotted a group of foals. They were running around a baseball field in the patches of chocolate rain and splashing in the chocolate puddles. The little abomination giggled with delight before disappearing in a flash of white light and reappearing on the field. "Can I play!" she demanded more then asked as the ponies yelped in surprise.
"Errrrrr.... sure?" said a gray Unicorn filly. With the strangeness of today a filly appearing out of no where was hardly the weirdest thing they saw. Even a filly with bizarro eyes, "We do have an odd number right now, and not nearly enough players for a full team, but do you know how?"
"I know lots of things!" The abomination grinned. She really did. She didn't know how but she knew a lot. Reading, Writing, advanced calculus, and especially games, she knew it all... or rather she knew everything her daddy wanted her to know, "Can I be the pitcher!"
"but I'm the pitcher!" a colt cried.
The grayish filly rolled her eyes and said to the new filly, "You can be the Pitcher for my team but we're batting right now,"
"Kay!" said the abomination eagerly and quickly ran to the end of the bat line.
The game... was a disaster, but the fun kinda disaster. She was really bad at this. Balancing on your hind legs well swinging a bat was really hard. Pitching was more fun though as she was actually really good at that. The ball kept spiraling through the air and dodging the bat. Her teammates all cheered as they enjoyed the raining sun.
They didn't keep score. They just kept playing with the loosest of rules. The only thing they really insisted on was that the gray filly hold the bat like everypony else and not cheat with her Unicorn magic. The abomination took that to mean she shouldn't use her magic either, although none of the kids told her that directly.
"LOOK!?" One of the fillies screamed with excitement as she pointed at The abomination's flank, "You got your cutie mark!"
"I did?" She looked down to see the tattoo like image on her butt. It was a baseball and a screw, "Ball screw?" She blinked looking at it, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Not ball screw," one of the Colts snickered, "Screw ball, you know like that crazy pitch of yours! You're supposed to be a professional pitcher! That's so cool!"
The other pitcher pouted, "That's not fair! I've been pitching all day to! Where's my mark!?"
"Now don't spoil this for her," The gray Unicorn glared, "We need to celebrate," She hopped up and down, "Hey Rocket!" She looked over at a Pegasus colt, "Those clouds are made of Cotton candy, right? Go get us one! We'll have our own private party!"
The kids all cheered and began snacking on their lunch of chocolate milk and cotton candy. They cheered and laughed until they were exhausted and nursing their bellies on the wet grass.
"Hey!" One of the Colts stood up after the sugar high kicked it, "Let's play freeze tag!"
"Cool!" The Abomination snapped up. Finally a game with magic! "I'll be it!" She hopped on the spot with an over eager grin. She reached out and touched the colt, playing by the rules her dad gave her.
The colt tried to scream as his body was coated in warm ice. He became frozen like a statue as his eyes darted about behind the ice. He was breathing normally but frightened out of his mind as he didn't understand what was going on... well no more then she did.
The Abomination grinned excitedly, not understanding the implications of what she just did. She just looked at her new friends, eager to start the game, "This is the part where you run,"
She played exactly as her daddy taught her. She didn't understand these weren't the proper rules to freeze tag. She thought they were having fun to. They were running around screaming their heads off, looked like lots of fun. The Abomination couldn't wait until it was her turn to run away... but for some reason when the game was over all the kids demanded she leave. They wouldn't let her play with them anymore. She didn't understand what she did wrong.
She decided to play with the grown ups. They would have stronger stomachs for games. She found some adventurers and introduced them to her daddy's pets from the Ever Free Forest... but they didn't like that either... THEY KILLED A KITTY SCORPION! At the same time they were insisting there was something wrong with her!
No pony was getting hurt but they were acting like they were in fear for their lives... they were afraid of her. Some even tried to hurt her but she was just playing.
Suddenly the beauty of the world disappeared for something more orderly and less colorful. A part of her just knew, felt it deep inside her bones, something was wrong with daddy.
She felt something pull her, telling her where to go. She vanished in a white flash and followed it. She found herself in Canterlot, in a garden late at night... staring at a statue with the screaming face of her father. It looked like he was trying to shield himself from something.
"D-Daddy," She tried to reach the statue's foot but it was too high up, "DADDY!" She begged him to answer. She spun her propeller and floated up to his face, "Wake up Daddy! Please wake up! I don't like this game," She touched his stone face with her hoof but nothing happened, "What am I supposed to do?" She landed on his shoulder and hugged his neck, "This has been a horrible birthday... all the ponies were mean to me. I just wanted to play... Daddy?... I don't think you made me right," She clung to the statue as tightly as she could.
"Halt!" somepony yelled as they ran over. It was a Stallion dressed in golden armor. He blinked when he realized what was on the statue wasn't one of Discord's hell monsters but a child. He couldn't see her eyes in the dark, "Get down from there kid!" he urged, "If you accidentally break the statue you'll release him all over again,"
"I will!?" She gaped, "Thanks for the info," She pulled her body in the opposite direction well still clinging to the stone. She pulled with all her might to make the statue fall over but her tiny body couldn't make it budge.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" The guard yelled, "Are you insane!?" he ran over to her to get her off but she raised her hoof and he was lifted into the air by an invisible force.
He gave a yelp of shock before pulling out a whistle from around his neck and giving it a harsh blow. More guards quickly poured out from the castle but the abomination wouldn't let them react to her. She warped the plants around them and grabbed at them with the roots before she began frantically punching the statue with her hoof.
"Kill it!" Somepony screamed, "It's one of Discord's monsters! Just look at it's eyes!"
Some of the soldiers managed to break free of the roots and shot their arrows at her. She screamed and disappeared in a flash of light before reappearing behind them.
"Monster!?" She yelled as she hurled fireballs that froze everything they hit in a block of ice, "You're the only monsters here! You're evil! All you ponies are pure evil! Ever last one of you! YOU'RE DEMONS! All we wanted to do was play!"
She wasn't paying attention to her magic reserves in her rage, just throwing fireball after fireball until she was completely exhausted. She couldn't teleport away from the next barrage of arrows.
"ENOUGH!" A mighty voice echoed across the garden. The arrows transformed into butterflies and harmlessly flew away as a white Alicorn appeared in between the abomination and the guards, "What is wrong with you!" she demanded of the guards, "This is a child!"
"She's one of Discord's monsters," One of the guards insisted, "Look what she did to the courtyard," it was covered in ice.
"Why don't you look at it!?" the Alicorn snarled, "Not so much as a plant has been injured. The guards trapped in ice are merely TRAPPED. The spell will dissolve in a few minutes with them no worse for wear. Even as you try to kill her she shows you mercy!"
The guards looked around, many becoming shame faced when they realized what she said was true.
The Alicorn gave one last glare at her guard before turning kinder eyes on the child, "Are you alright?"
The filly backed away from her, panting heavily from exhaustion.
"I won't hurt you," the Alicorn promised.
"LIAR!!!" the filly screamed, "You turned my daddy into a statue!"
"You're daddy?" the Alicorn puzzled, sparing a glance at Discord, "I see..." looking back to her, "You're a Demigod," she took a single step forward and the filly tried to scamper away. The girl ended up falling down and couldn't stand back up, "Easy," the Alicorn picked her up with her hooves, "You're suffering from magical exhaustion. It fatigues the body," she explained.
"I know what it does!" The filly snapped but was too weak to struggle.
"My name is Celestia," Said the Alicorn, "What's your's?"
"I..." The filly looked annoyed before realization hit her, "I... I don't have a name..." she drooped her head, "Daddy forgot to give me one,"
Celestia turned a glare at Discord's Statue, "I see," before turning a compassionate eye back to the filly, "Well let's fix that shall we? You have a very distinctive Cutie Mark for such a young filly. Did your daddy give you that?"
"No..." The abomination reluctantly admitted, "I earned it playing Baseball. I was the Pitcher,"
"So young to earn your cutie mark, you must be an extra special filly," Celestia smiled, "Mhmm... how about 'Screwball' for a name,"
The filly looked down and shrugged, "I guess..." not really liking it as it reminded her of the foals that chased her off. Still she didn't have it in her enough to complain as she was lost in her thoughts. Why hadn't her daddy given her a name?
"Well come on Screwball," Celestia smiled, "It's late and your obviously tired. I'll put you to bed in Spike's old nursery. He's my adopted son but he's run off to live with his big sister in Ponyville. He's always following her around everywhere, it's adorable. I'm sure you'll meet him soon. You can stay with me for as long as you need,"
"What about Daddy!?" Screwball distressed, "Are you going to leave him like that?"
Celestia looked back at the statue, "I'll see what I can do,"
End Flashback
###
"I guess I did my job though," Said Screwball, "Celestia eventually freed my daddy. Hoofed him over to Fluttershy to control the god of disorder... But daddy was scared. He told me he was going to find a... a safer way to play with the ponies but I never wanted to play with them again. He took me to his realm and hid me there... so they couldn't hurt me.
"Now, all of a sudden, he's thrown me back into this world. I still don't understand it, don't understand them... their evil Spike. Evil in the worst way,"
Spike sighed after hearing the tale, "Ponies aren't evil, no more then you are. The ponies you... played with thought you were trying to hurt them. They were defending themselves..."
"... If I wanted to hurt them I would have..." was all she said before getting up. She walked a bit away before speaking again, her back facing Spike, "Draconequus children play rough with each other all the time but they never injure or even cause a spark of pain... nothing I did hurt. I just played... like my daddy taught me. I was even mindful to make sure I DIDN'T injure them... I don't understand..." she shook her head.
Spike sighed, "You can hurt somepony... mortals, in more ways then just physical. There's mental pain and even emotional. What you did to those ponies they interpreted as those kinds of hurt... They didn't understand what was going on any more then you did. Tartarus I doubt Discord even understands that lesson yet. He mostly looks to Fluttershy to tell him where the line is. I get your both cosmic entities and you don't really understand how mortals feel and think but-"
"You're not going to change my mind about them. If my father wants to tip toe around mortals let him. Let him corrupt himself to the point he fades from existence. I doubt any of these ponies will care despite how much he loves them... We are chaos Spike. Just as you dragons are physical manifestations of magic. We Draconequus are living chaos... and ponies are so cruel they control the very skys. It... hurts to be in this world, everything is so ordered... Draconequus are spirits of chaos and Discord is our god but... they shackled him... so arrogant and so cruel they even expect the gods to obey their laws... how are these creatures anything but evil?"
Spike stared at her a moment, a loss for words, not able to explain how ponies weren't evil when she put it like that. He knew they weren't but how do you explain it to her... he forced himself to think on it longer, and she stood their patiently, clearly begging for a real answer. He needed to give her one, "They didn't 'shackle' Discord. Discord wanted friendship, somepony to understand him. Who WANTS to play with him but in order to do that he had to make compromises. Sometimes he and Fluttershy do what he wants and other times they do what she wants,"
"When you're friends you can't always have things your way all the time," Screwball repeated something her dad had told her.
Spike smiled, "Exactly, if ponies had truly shackled Discord he would be handling all our problems like the whole Sombra thing or our current issues with The Changelings, we don't expect him to fight our battles for us. We understand what he is and respect that. All we ask is that he respect our desires to. And Discord's crazy antics can be fun just as long as he's mindful were the line is before he hurts somepony, physically or emotionally,"
Screwball just shook her head, clearly not understanding. It's like her very brain was wired differently from their's, "You should get back to class," was all she said before disappearing in a flash of white light.
###
Button Mash eyed his new friend as he came back to the table, "You okay Spike? She didn't say anything to you did she?"
"We talked and..." Spike trailed off before saying, "I think I understand her... a little bit... I think... I think she's scared of ponies and that fear has turned to hate... We need to help her,"
Button and the Crusaders and even Diamond had followed Spike home from school as planned. Unfortunately Spike hadn't seen Screwball since she teleported away. She hadn't even come back to school all week. He'd asked Discord to invite her to the sleep over on the condition she gave his other friends a chance... but he hadn't heard back.
It was a mid Friday afternoon and Spike had led his band from school straight home. After a boring week they were finally at their 3 day long sleep over. They would return to their own beds come Monday after school.
"Welcome to the first official foals only castle sleep over," Spike pumped his fist into the air as he opened the door to the castle.
Diamond gave a cheeky grin, "Does that mean your not allowed in?"
Spike rolled his eyes as Button said, "Spike's pretty much a scaled foal,"
"SHAME ON YOU!" Pinkie Pie suddenly jumped out of a small vase that clearly shouldn't have been able to fit her.
Button just gaped as Pinkie slithered out of the vase and got right up in his face, "SHAME! Don't you know you're not supposed to directly say the title of a Story like that! It's supposed to have depth, meaning, not be a cheap laugh! You need to put more effort in it then that!"
"W-what?" Button worried, she sure looked mad but she was speaking gibberish.
From around the corner came the exasperated groan of Twilight as she came into view, "Spike?" she looked all kinds of happy upon seeing him, "The map called me away with Fluttershy! I'm finally going on a friendship adventure!"
"That's great Twilight!" Spike smiled, "That mean Big Mac coming over?" he asked eagerly. Big Mac was always his foalsitter.
"Sorry Spike, not this time," Twilight sighed. She knew how much Spike looked forward to Big Mac watching him but- "Some of Applejack's trees have come down with a case of apple blight and needs his help. It was hard to convince her to let Apple Bloom off work,"
"Maybe I should skip the sleep over if the Apples are in that much danger," said Apple Bloom, looking worried.
"The other girls are helping them. They might not know a lot about farming but they can do what AJ tells them and Big Mac can do the heavy lifting,"
"Oh..." Spike deflated.
"But Pinkie is here to watch you. If anyone can make your sleep over a blast, it's her,"
The 4 fillies all cheered excitedly well the boys looked uncertain. Spike just wanted a relaxing few days with his friends, not a party. Pinkie's parties were always fun but it's not how he wanted his first sleep over to go. As for Button... he didn't really like Pinkies parties. His mom usually forced him to go and she wouldn't let him bring his Joy Boy so he was bored the whole day.
"Don't worry Spike," Pinkie smiled, "We'll keep it low key. After all, you can't eat Sweets for 3 days straight,"
"Awwwwwww," the fillies whined.
Twilight gave Spike a kiss to his forehead before reminding Pinkie, "I'm counting on you,"
"Don't worry Twilight, I'll see to it they have a blast," and they did.
After Twilight left, Pinkie directed the group to various activities all over the castle: Hide and seek in the dungeons, swimming in the pool on the roof of one of the towers, and of course a couple hours in the Arcade on Button's insistence. They had a great time, Pinkie directed them to each of the activities and left them to their own devices for the most part. She occasionally appeared to "bring them snacks" well not so secretly checking up on them. It truly had been a blast... too bad it had to end so horribly.
When night fell the children sat around in a circle, playing the most ancient of all sleep over games "Truth or Dare" or as Spike was coming to understand it "Pain or humiliation"
"I dare you to... kiss Button," Scootaloo grinned evilly at Sweetie Belle. The little colt blushed bright red all the way through his brown coat well Sweetie Belle eeped.
"Scootaloo!" Sweetie hissed at her friend. Ever since they started hanging out with Button, Scootaloo had been harassing them about making a cute couple. Sweetie was fully aware the little guy had a crush on her for years but seriously, she was nearly 2 years older then him. It wasn't funny! Why would she want to date a little kid!?
"That's dumb," Spike huffed as his chest got all tight at the idea, "You should switch to truth," He told Sweetie. They had been allowing each other to switch if they didn't like the first choice then choose between the two awful options.
Button gulped, staring at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie just groaned.
"Fine!" Scootaloo grinned even larger, "How many times a day do you masturbate?"
"Scootaloo!" Sweetie screamed.
Spike blinked, "Master-what?"
Button shrugged, "Mom told me that's when you touch your no no place,"
"Like when you pee?" Spike blinked
Button blushed, "You got to touch your thing when you pee? All I got to do is lift my leg in front of the toilet,"
"Stop talking about peeing!" Sweetie demanded before glaring at Scootaloo, "How could you ask me a question like that in front of 10 year olds!"
"They got to learn about this stuff some time," Scootaloo shrugged, "Now answer the question or kiss Button,"
"I'm pretty sure I'd go to jail if I did either those things," Sweetie glared.
Apple Bloom reminded, "No dares that can land somepony in jail,"
Button blinked, "Does that really need to be a rule?"
Apple Bloom insisted, "It is well playing with Scootaloo. First time we played this game she dared me to rob Filthy,"
"WHAT!?" Diamond yelped.
Scootaloo scuffed, "I dared her to sneak some candy, that's all,"
Apple wailed at the memory, "Filthy caught me, swatted my flank at least a hundred times,"
"More like 20," Scootaloo smirked.
Apple Bloom glared before continuing, "Then he brought me home to the farm where Grannie made me cut a switch! It was horrible. Not only did I get ANOTHER spanking but AJ grounded me for a month!"
Diamond did her best not to laugh but her little snickers were forcing their way past her lips.
"Is not FUNNY!?" Apple Bloom insisted.
Scootaloo full on laughed, " You're right, it's hysterical!"
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, "You know, if Rainbow had been your guardian back then she would have given you the switch to,"
Scoot just stuck out her tongue.
Sweetie glared, "So choose a different dare!"
Scoot huffed, "Fine since your such a wimp I'll choose somepony else. Button, I dare you to kiss... Spike!"
All the fillies gaped at Scootaloo, "What? They are the only one's who are the same age and it's not illegal for colts to kiss,"
"Scoot that's not-" Sweetie Belle tried to start but was interrupt by Button saying, "Okay," with a bit too much eagerness in his voice.
Without warning Button turned to Spike and planted his lips against the other scaled foal's. Spike... melted. Not literally of course but his body got all tight and his stomach had little butterflies that were trying to get out. He instinctively gave a light bite to the colt's lower lip, gettting a yelp of surprise and then a moan of pleasure. They continued kissing for several seconds with the girls blushing at them... and then Pinkie Pie showed up.
###
3 hours later
Pinkie sighed as she stepped in the little dragons room, he was sobbing into his pillow, "I'm sorry I had to spank you Spike but-"
"You didn't have to send them all away!" Spike snapped, glaring at the party planner, "We'd been looking forward to this all week!"
Pinkie sighed, "I'm sorry Spike, but after that confusing game the girls made you play I think it's better if you spend some time away from Button Mash, and the girls needed their parents to explain to them why what they made you do was wrong,"
"That was SOOOOOOOO embarrassing!" Spike wailed, "You had me marching in shame, door to door, and telling everypony about my first kiss!"
Pinkie's eyes widened, "That was your first kiss?" but Spike didn't answer, "I'm sorry Spike. The girls really shouldn't have made you give up your first kiss like that. That moment should be special. It should be with somepony you really like,"
"I... kinda liked it," Spike muttered.
Pinkie groaned, "I know you're confused but Stallions kissing is very very naughty,"
"Mares kiss each other all the time!" Spike glared.
Pinkie sighed, "I know they do, and I agree it's not fair, but it's a Stallion's duty to... to only kiss girls,"
"Eh?" Spike blinked.
Pinkie sighed, "I know Twilight doesn't want to have 'the talk' with you yet so... Let's say it's a Stallion's duty to only kiss mares because kissing leads to marriage and marriage leads to foals. You see, Stallions can only have foals with a Mare, not another Stallion,"
"How come?" Spike blinked. Even in his distraught state he was still eager to trick Pinkie into revealing the secrets of life.
Unfortunately Pinkie didn't fall for it, "Stallions just aren't built to get pregnant. Twilight will explain why when you're older, it's just boring anatomy stuff,"
Spike pouted.
"I'm sure you've noted there are a lot more Mares then there are Stallions. The reason mares can choose each other is because most will never even get the opportunity to even date a Stallion, much less marry one, because of how few boys there are. That means many mares have to marry another mare if they want a special somepony. However it's a Stallion's duty to marry a Mare and have as many foals as possible. If even a small number of Stallions married other Stallions then they couldn't have babies.
"Our population wouldn't grow very fast at all then and it's almost guaranteed even fewer colts would be born. That goes on for too long and ponies, as a species, will die out. It's not fair and it's not even right but it is necessary. Necessary for our species as a whole. Stallions can't be selfish and choose another Stallion, not when faced with the survival of our entire species.
"Stallions have completely equal rights in everything else. You can choose to marry any mare you want... but for the sake of our species it has to be a mare,"
"But... I'm a dragon," Spike pointed out, "Not a Stallion. That book on dragons I got in Manehattan's Dragon Town said I could get pregnant,"
Pinkie sighed, "I know," Twilight had told her. The book worm was always eager to share new knowledge, "But that doesn't mean you should, at least not with a Stallion. If you choose a male dragon nopony will mind, but Stallions are precious to us. We need every one of them to do their part. Honestly you might even get in bigger trouble because you're a dragon.
"If you had hybrids with a mare nopony would care. They would even congratulate you because you gave a mare a child when they usually couldn't have one... but if you choose a Stallion... things will go very bad. You'd be seen as preventing them from having a pure blooded foal. You'd still be taking away from the pony population no matter how many foals you had. After all, your foals wouldn't really be ponies but a new species of their own.
"Not many Mares would mind having hybrid foals but that's because they would never have the opportunity to have a pure blooded foal of their own... but then you're children, regardless of their gender, would never be all to marry a Stallion either...
"I'm sorry Spike but that is how life is, not everything can be as great as a party,"
"... You ruined my party," Spike accused, not seeing passed that for anything else she had to say.
Pinkie, for her part, flinched, "I know I did, but some things are more important then parties," she brushed away Spike's tears, "Hopefully you'll understand when you're older,"
Spike sniffed in his basket, snuggling the Rarity plushie Fluttershy made for him. Pinkie had left him alone a few hours ago, leaving him his favorite treat by his basket... he wasn't normally allowed to eat in bed but despite the opportunity he couldn't make himself enjoy it. He was too busy crying. The food had long since gone cold.
"Spike?"
The young dragon's head jerked with a start as he recognized the voice. He looked up to see a pair of spiral eyes looking down at him.
"I told you mortals are evil,"
Spike groaned, "Please don't start on that, Screwball,"
"... Sorry..." Screwball said emotionlessly. She looked at the door, as if she was debating leaving but then looked back at Spike. After a moment she floated into the basket and laid down, "Sorry your sleep over ended like that,"
"Is okay," Spike sniffed, "Well, not really but at least your here now,"
"I'm a fairly awesome consolation prize," Screwball smiled.
"Were... were you here the whole time?" Spike asked.
Screwball shrugged, "Kinda, I was in a dimensional frequency which let me perceive you but you couldn't perceive me,"
"... so you were invisible," Spike deadpanned.
"Not really," Screwball shrugged, "invisibility is a result of bending light. I was on the edge of the dimensional barrier so I wasn't really here but at the same time I was... I can teach you how if you want?"
"I can't learn magic," Spike sighed, hugging the plushie tightly as his eyes stopped burning from tears. Talking to Screwball was a nice distraction.
"Of course you can," Screwball rolled her eyes, "What kinda Eastern Dragon can't learn magic," she didn't really ask.
"... I'm an Earth Drake," Spike answered.
Screwball stared at him like he was stupid, then she put her hand on his back, "See this bump?"
"Yeah?" Spike blinked.
"It's there because you are bending your spine in ways that would be unnatural to an Earth Drake. If you stretched it out, you would be a good 6 inches taller. You're not because you are effectively slouching all the time, cuz your lazy," she said the last part teasingly.
Spike just gaped at her, not sure what to say.
"My dad is a god who uploaded all the secrets of the universe into my head," Screwball shrugged, "It be kinda pathetic if I didn't know what type of dragon you were... almost as pathetic as a dragon who didn't know what they were," she smirked teasingly, however Spike was not amused.
Spike hung his head, "Ponies don't know a lot about Dragons,"
"Of course not," Screwball shrugged, "Dragons are isolationist, with a major phobia of other creatures trying to touch their hoard. They don't even like living near other dragons and leave the communal nest as soon as they can,"
"Nest?" Spike blinked.
"Whelps, baby dragons like you, are looked after by the Lord of the territory in a large communal nest," Screwball explained, "When they turn a hundred they are allowed to live anywhere in that lord's territory. Often they will build communities of their own like the one in Manehatten you visited. They live together til they turn a thousand where they are forced to leave due to their size making their resources scarce. That means living together is no longer practical so they fly off on their own, meeting once every 500 years for mating season, then leave the eggs with the Dragon Lord.
"The older dragons will often visit their nest but seeing as they lay a few dozen eggs at a time they don't really have the resources to care for them themselves. But they can pay taxes to the Dragon Lord of their Territory and by pulling their resources they can take care of all Whelps,"
Spike awed, never in all his life did he think he could actually learn so much about dragons in one sitting, "Think you can tell me more... about dragons?"
"Sure," Screwball shrugged indifferently, not knowing just how much this meant to her new friend, especially today of all days.
She looked down at the bowl by Spike's basket. It had a bunch of worms in muffins.
Spike blushed and explained, "Shortly after I first moved to Ponyville AJ kinda... poisoned the town with 'Baked Bads', but since I liked them so much Pinkie makes them for me occasionally,"
Screwball raised an eyebrow, "and you think that's weird?"
Spike blinked, looking up at her, "It's soda and chips baked with worms,"
"... well I don't see why you would put Chips in it but soda is frequently baked into pastries and worms is just part of a basic whelp diet,"
"They are?" Spike blinked.
Screwball groaned, "No wonder you're so small. Don't tell me these ponies feed you all the plant crap they eat,"
Spike blushed again.
A hand suddenly formed at the end of Screwball's tail, seemingly made out of her fur. The fur fingers snapped and a book suddenly appeared floating in front of Spike's face.
"Lizard Gizzards?" Spike blinked, reading the title.
"It's a cook book for Sapient reptiles," Screwball shrugged, "A lot of bug and fish recipes. Figured you wouldn't want a book for typical dragons given they often eat pigs and bunnies, which clash with your pony upbringing. This book is a good, pony approved, substitute,"
Spike awed as he opened the pages. The first thing he saw was a grilled grasshopper dish with cherries and chocolate sauce, "Thanks," Closing the book and hugging it along with the Rarity plush.
"Wanna go try out some of the recipes?" Screwball asked, "It's not bedtime yet?"
"Sure,"
###
Soon after they found themselves wearing aprons and baking the large bugs Screwball teleported into the kitchen. Strangely Screwball didn't have a problem eating the bug muffins nor the pancakes. She explained that, like Draconequus, she was actually an omnivore.
Pinkie blinked as she wandered in but didn't question Screwballs sudden appearance nor the bug muffins, "Finally decided to step out of the 5th dimension?" Well maybe Pinkie asked one question about it, "I know your dad has been trying to get you out of there for a week,"
Screwball, however, wasn't so pleasant, "Well after you so thoroughly ruined Spike's first ever sleep over I couldn't very well stay there, could I?"
Pinkie's mane instantly exploded and became completely straight as she got a broken expression on her face, "Well I'll leave you to it," as she quickly fled.
"Screwball!" Spike snapped, "You seriously need to learn some tact. Pinkie was only doing what she thought was right,"
"You were sitting in your room crying for 3 hours," Screwball reminded.
"Yeah well adults suck sometimes but they only ever do what they think is best," Spike naively said, "You know, so we grow up right and all that,"
Screwball rolled her eyes but didn't comment. Instead she passed him the books version of the worm muffin. It tasted even better then Pinkie's, probably because it was an actual recipe.
###
"YOU DID WHAT!?" Twilight couldn't prevent herself from screaming when she returned early the next day.
Pinkie didn't look so concerned, "It's normal for colts to experiment," she insisted, "Ponies are naturally Bisexual, we just can't afford to let Stallions act out on their natural impulses. All you got to do is explain to colts why what they did was wrong, which I already did. Spike and Button will probably still be curious about each other for a little while but that's normal. Just stay consistent well voicing your displeasure and they will grow out of it,"
Twilight glared, "That's not what I'm upset about Pinkie! How could you not only spank Spike but cancel his sleep over!?"
Pinkie gaped, "Didn't you hear what I said? Spike and Button were KISSING!"
Twilight glared, "And you just admitted that it's natural for ponies to be curious about the same gender. I NEVER agreed with how Stallion couples are treated. If Spike wants to experiment he has that right, like any other pony. It might be taboo but it's far from illegal,"
Pinkie just gaped, not sure what to say.
"I think you should go," Twilight glared.
Pinkie gaped before screaming, "Don't you DARE make me the bad guy in this! You have any idea how hard a life Spike will have if he actually got involved with a Stallion!? Think about what is actually best for him before you push your liberal agenda onto your son!" Pinkie stomped off and slammed the door behind her.
Twilight blinked as she tried to process Pinkie's reaction. It sounded like she thought she had the moral high ground instead of just being a homophobe...
Twilight sighed, she knew Pinkie wasn't one to let her fear control her, and probably actually thought she was just looking out for Spike's best interest but this was more then a "liberal agenda"...
Blue Blood, Celestia's favorite descendant and adopted son, was gay. Celestia loved him but she also made him hide who he really was so as to not create a scandal, even to the point Blue Blood had to entertain the mares at the social events. He made this bearable for himself by tormenting "gold diggers" as he called any mare who showed the slightest interest in him.
Blue Blood had to live a double life, scared of ever being discovered by the public because it would embarrass his adoptive mother, Celestia... scared he would make her regret adopting him... Twilight didn't want that for her ward. She wasn't going to let Spike be ashamed of who he was. If he wanted to date a colt more power to him.
She marched up to Spike's room, intending to give him this big speech about he should ignore Pinkie and make Button his special somepony, if he really wanted... but when she got their she found the boy asleep in his basket with Screwball spooning him... Pinkie hadn't told her Screwball was here... probably because she got mad and stormed out...
Screwball was snuggling Spike in her sleep, treating him like a plushie. This wasn't the type of situation a guardian would like to catch their ward in. Still it was rather obvious this was a perfectly innocent moment.
Twilight was about to leave when the squeaky door woke up Spike, "Twilight?" He rubbed his little eyes with a much smaller hand.
"Go back to sleep Spike," Twilight insisted, "I want you to enjoy what's left of your sleep over, that you can salvage,"
Spike looked like he was going to cry, "I'm sorry!" he insisted, "I didn't mean to be bad well you were gone!"
"You weren't bad Spike," Twilight assured as she came inside.
"But Pinkie said-" Spike tried.
"There are many ponies that will claim what you did was wrong. That your thoughts are unnatural but I promise you they are not," Twilight picked him up with her magic, careful not to wake Screwball as she took away her plushie. The mare hugged her ward / little brother, "You did nothing wrong and there is nothing wrong with you,"
"But... what about the population thing?"
Oh that myth, curse you Pinkie, "There are over a half a billion Stallions in the world. If some of them choose to date another Stallion we aren't going to die out. That has been happening since before Equestria was founded regardless of how much we shame them for it, and we are still here. Besides, limited stallions is what we have herd agreements for," She absentmindedly said the last part.
"Herd agreements?" Spike blinked.
Twilight blushed, "It's... like a much bigger family. Where lots of mares, who are really close friends, will marry the same Stallion. A Stallion that likes the idea of having a bunch of wives and tons of kids and agrees to it of their own free will... many Stallions don't like the idea of being shared like that but more then enough of them do that it easily counters the 10% of them that just aren't attracted to females... It's perfectly okay if you like kissing Button... nothing bad will happen,"
Spike looked down, all kinds of confused. Pinkie was pretty adamant that his life would become Tartarus if he dated a Stallion but Twilight said it would be okay... he was inclined to believe Twilight. Pinkie was probably just overreacting.
###
Later that day, as Screwball and Spike played around town, Twilight went to visit Love Tap.
The Mare opened the door, it looked like she had been crying. Twilight's ears pinned at just how badly she was taking this.
"Your highness!" Love Tap gaped, "Please come in," she quickly ushered Twilight inside and closed the door before anypony could see her, "I am so sorry!" Tap insisted, "Button is a good boy! He's just confused. I tried getting him to stop looking at Stallion magazines. I even tried sending him to one of those reeducation camps over the summer but all they did was shame him and make him cry and I just couldn't-" Her mouth snapped shut as she realized she said too much, before insisting, "He didn't mean to shame your ward! He's never actually acted on his feelings before! Please, he-"
Twilight held up her hoof, "I filed a new law today through Townhall. Our town's first official law as a city state,"
Love Tap gulped, "Y-yes Your Highness?"
Twilight took a breath and stood regal, "In it details how any crime against a Stallion, for being attracted to other Stallions, will be treated as a hate crime," Love Tap was speechless but Twilight wasn't finished, "And any Stallions, that want to legalize their union through marriage, are welcome to do so, with all rights and privileges that entails,"
Love tap's eyes filled up with tears, but they were happy tears this time. She collapsed onto Twilight, crying with heavy sobs. Twilight hugged her with a wing, "I'll make the world a better place for both our boys," she swore.
Twilight sat at her throne, before her friends. Plus Mayor Mare, as the town's representative... and... Filthy Rich. With Filthy, temporarily, sitting in Spike's throne. At least, until his own was finished being constructed.
They were all skimming through her first bill... with mixed expressions on their faces.
Rainbow was all about freedom and equal rights, even for Stallions. Once even voicing how she disagreed with how Stallions needed specialized training, just to allow them in combat. Even for Royal Guards.
Rarity might envy the upper class unicorns, but she wouldn't blindly follow traditions that hurt others.
Fluttershy was the element of kindness... enough said.
Pinkie... well if last night was anything to go by, what Pinkie's vote would be was obvious.
Twilight, as the Princess, wouldn't be allowed to vote. She could only veto their bills. But didn't have the power of a vote. Especially not where her own bills were concerned.
Filthy, was the wild card. Twilight could guess how her friends would take this. Her Earth pony friends were much more traditional... and Filthy may fall under that, being from a wealthy Earth Pony family. If that was the case, they would have enough votes to contradict her. Given Mayor Mare most assuredly would vote, "No," as well.
Regardless, Twilight didn't know Filthy well enough... that would change, after today.
Filthy calmly put down the scroll, looked Twilight right in the eye. Then said, with the seriousness this deserved. "You should consider, for your coronation ceremony next week-"
Twilight was already in charge, but the ceremony was still important. As a way of presenting Ponyville to the world. Reporters from around the country, would be arriving to see it.
"Announcing the passing of this bill, in your acceptance speech."
Pinkie gaped, while Rainbow snickers.
"Have something you want to tell us," RD asked the Stallion.
Filthy retained his diplomatic posture. "Lady Dash, there is not a Stallion alive, that has not heard the 'Stallions Duty' speech, at least once in their life...
"And because of that, I'm in a loveless marriage with a gold digging harlot. That I only married because my mother threatened to disown me, if I didn't.
"Meanwhile, you have been publicly shagging any mare to show the slightest interest in you. While loudly declaring you have no interest in Stallions at all... and not a single pony has ever raised an eyebrow towards you... Is that personal enough for you, Lady Dash?" his voice remained calm, and completely neutral. As if he was discussing the weather.
RD's ears pinned. She had only been teasing. She certainly wouldn't have said anything, if she even suspected he really was actually...
Next, Applejack spoke up, "Thankfully Granny isn't that bad..." Then sighed. "I'm about to trust yall with something that ain't ever leave this room."
Filthy raised an eyebrow, "Sure that's your secret to tell?"
AJ sighed, "Maybe not, but my words are ta hold any weight, Yall need to know where I'm coming from..."
Twilight's eyes widened, as she inferred, "Big Mac is gay," and from there, could guess her assumption about how her friend would vote, was most definitely wrong.
AJ hesitantly nodded, "Fact is most ponies are bi, but for a small few, they just like a specific gender. Some mares only like mares, other mares only like Stallions. Is a tiny number, but plenty of mares die alone, cuz there ain't enough Stallions to get with them. Others feel they have to settle."
"Exactly," Pinkie started, "It's-"
"But ain't no gay Stallions take away from that!" AJ glared at Pinkie. "Some Stallions, like ma brother, just plane don't like mares. And Ah'll tell ya right now, y'all vote against this bill. Which gonna protect Stallions, like my brother, from getting linched... Ah tell ya, Ah can forgive a lot, but ain't nothin' hurt my family. Y'all vote against this. Y'all voting against my kin... Ah ain't willing to forgive that."
Pinkie looked conflicted.
###
Button hesitantly answered the door, having seen who was on the other side.
"Ha-hi..." Spike greeted, looking nervous, "can I come in?"
Button chewed the inside of his cheek, "S-sure..." stepping to the side, as he opened the door wider.
Spike hesitantly wandered inside.
"Oh... Hi Misses Button?" Spike greeted, seeing Love Tap sitting at the coffee table, cutting coupons.
She was a complete wretch with nerves, even though she was trying to hide it from Button. Who could easily tell she was just busying herself.
"Have they finished voting?" Tap asked. Somehow both eager, and scared, to hear the answer.
"Not yet," Spike clawed at the floor with his not hoof. Making sure not to scratch it, despite how nervous he, himself, was. "They just started actually. Twilight told me to play in town, since this was a very important grownup talk, and didn't want me eavesdropping." he paraphrased his big sister's words.
Love Tap sighed, "I imagine so... You've... come to play with Button?"
Spike gave a hesitant nod, while Button was looking at the ground, his face flushed.
"Alright," Love Tap sighed, "Go play, just... keep the door to Button's room open."
The boys were both blushing now, though they didn't know why. Regardless, they hurried to the colt's room.
XP Grinder hesitantly walked into the living room, watching his son go upstairs with his colt friend.
He came over to the couch, and nuzzled his wife. "You're a good mom." He insisted.
"A good mother wouldn't tolerate this kind of behavior from their colt... much less encourage it." Love Tap insisted.
"Maybe not... but the best mothers do." He sat next to her.
"You know... Button probably gets this from me..." he confessed.
Love Tap snorted, "Please, you never even look at another Stallion."
"That's entirely my point," XP sighed. "Do you have any idea of how rare that is? I never even went through a phase where I was curious about other Stallions... Maybe, Button got this mono attraction thing... from me..."
Tap sighed, "I don't know... We've done everything we can, followed all the books... but... he really isn't interested in fillies... if the Princess doesn't pass this bill..."
"She will... Her own son is depending on it."
Tap snorted, "Brother, not son. But regardless, Spike is a dragon. They are practically mono gendered, with only 1 in a hundred eggs being female. They don't even mate for life, much less raise their own children."
XP Grinder stared at his wife.
She shrugged, "Some filly gave me a book on Dragons. I think her name was... Screwball?"
The Stallion nodded, "I... I don't see Prince Spike just abandoning Button. He was raised with pony values. Just think of him as a Scaled Foal... IF things progress that far, he'll do the right thing by our Button."
###
Rainbow Dash added, a strange soberness to her words. "There are just as many lesbian mares, as there are gay Stallions... in fact, there might be more, given mares coupling is encouraged. A few gay stallions won't change that."
Fluttershy added, "I... I don't know much about gay Stallions... but it is unfair, they aren't allowed to marry. I mean, they aren't going to marry mares anyway."
Sensing the way the votes were going, Mayor Mare felt compelled to say, "It also be a big boost to our image. We would look extremely progressive to the rest of the world." Mind, if the votes had been going the other way, She would have talked about preserving there traditions. She was, after all, a politician.
Pinkie was doing her best not to explode. These were her friends. They were just being ignorant. "Girls, I didn't make the world, and yes it's unfair. But fact is, gay Stallions have very difficult lives. We should be encouraging them to find mares."
"Dey don't WANT mares!!!" AJ glared.
Filthy smirked, "Big Mac once told me he can't even 'get et up' when he's with a mare. He be absolutely no use as a husband."
AJ gah'ed, "I ain't wanna know that!!!"
"You brought him into this talk." Filthy dismissed.
Rarity looked considerate, "Pinkie, darling. What if we reached a compromise. We could add additional benefits to Stallions marrying multiple mares. Herds could receive better tax breaks. Mind you that only helps when businesses are involved, but we could make it easier for herds to get business loans, and maybe better government assistance. OH!!! Maybe send Stallions a check for every 2 or more mares they marry."
Twilight sighed, "That... is kinda illegal. Given mares used to control Stallions, through various ways. One of those being financial."
Filthy nodded, "Stallions wouldn't feel... appreciative, if they were given money so they could give mares babies. Although... maybe having more media, showing herds in loving marriages. But in Stallion focused media, such as action films and comic books.
"Herds have a bit of a stigma for Stallions. As something to be feared, and ripe with abuse. If we changed the public Perception. More Stallions might be willing to form herds... I'd be willing to buy a few companies to accomplish this. Maybe move the studios to Ponyville. It would help with the economy."
Twilight thought on that. "Maybe you could throw in a few gay couples, to promote them as well."
Filthy blushed, showing he already thought of that.
Twilight smirked, not minding he tried to throw a fast one. Given the goal seemed pretty noble to her. "I'll help you through the red tape, of purchasing some of the bigger colt focused studios."
Buying any company's licensing rights, involved LOTS of red tape. To insure it was harder for monopolies to form.
Pinkie sighed, "You girls KNOW how uncomfortable I am with this. You have any idea how many deviants will be moving to our town? And I'll be the one having to set up welcoming parties for them! This has bad idea written all over it."
AJ glared, and growled out. "Ma Brother ain't no deviant."
"No, He's selfish-"
"PINKIE!!!" Twilight snapped.
Applejack barked, "I say we vote now. It's clear we ain't gonna get through to her."
Rarity agreed, "I second the motion. I believe we know where everypony stands."
Twilight sighed, "The motion has been seconded. We will proceed to voting. All in favor."
Twilight watched as 6 hooves went up... a pink one obviously missing... The young Alicorn almost dreaded to say, "All opposed."
And thankfully no hooves went up.
The council looked at Pinkie.
"I'm not willing to vote against Applejack's family, but I don't want my name on the 'Aye' side either." Pinkie glared at them all.
Spike sat in Button's room... feeling all kinds of awkward. He didn't know what to say. Regardless what the adults thought, they hadn't actually declared their interest to become special someponies... Spike knew he should clear that up... but wasn't sure how.
He liked Button, and now knowing it was a possibility, he thought the colt was cute... but could he really betray Rarity?... that was kinda stupid. Rarity thought of him as an adorable little kid. It was kind of obvious, nothing would ever happen there.
But did that mean he should go for Button.
"I..." Strangely, it was Button that broke the silence. "I kinda liked the kiss."
Spike blushed, "Me-me too." he admitted, through his stutters.
Button perked, his ears standing up at attention. "REALLY!!!"
Spike hesitantly nodded, blushing, "But... my big sister thinks we're dating now..."
"So does my mom," informed Button.
Spike squirmed, "Sooooo... are we?"
Button blushed, "I... I don't know. My parents like the idea. Cuz, what with you being a dragon and all, you can give them grand foals... but I don't really want to get in a relationship just cuz our families approve."
Spike deflated, "Oh... is that... the only reason you'd want to get together?"
Button's eyes grew wide, and he quickly shook his head. "No I... I like you Spike... but the only colt I ever kissed was at this camp my mom sent me to... We got in a lot of trouble when we were discovered... so we never became special someponies...
"I don't know what to do... part of me is shocked mom is suddenly okay with it... these passed couple of years, since I realized I like colts... they've been pretty hard...
"You're pretty lucky. I mean, the moment your family found out, they freaking pass laws to let you do what you want!... My mom kept trying to fix me..."
"I think..." Spike chewed the inside of his lip. Wondering what was safe to say. Not that he didn't trust Button, but Blue Blood's secrets weren't his to tell. "I mean I never understood why, but I know a Stallion that went through a hard time... his guardian made him pretend he was interested in mares... even though he wasn't. Kinda just recently occurred to me, that was probably because he liked Stallions instead... Twilight, doesn't want to put me through what her childhood friend did."
###
Celestia re-read Twilight's letter. Somewhat horrified Twilight seemed to think she would be against her first independent law. Where as, in reality, the sun Princess-
The door to her private chambers suddenly opened. Revealing a young Stallion, so accustomed to coming in whenever he pleased, without thought of knocking.
"You summoned me, Auntie?" Blue Blood trotted in. So casual and cute.
Many ponies don't realize it, but Bluey's relation with her was not actually through her.
He was a direct descendant of Luna, through one of her consorts at the time... a consort Celestia hadn't approved of. As they were a bat pony. Subponies were looked down on, back in those days. Celestia's deepest regret, was binding the fetus' family line, so that their third chromosome chain remained dormant. Then forbidding Luna from seeing the bat pony, in public... and pretended not to know the two still met in private.
Those had been darker days. With a great amount of tribalist views. With Celestia's greatest shame being she had thought that way, herself... and letting that destroy her relationship with her sister. It was the first of many cruelties Celestia inflicted on her baby sister.
Celestia had mellowed, quite a bit, since her original rule. Even reversed many hateful laws, and prevented others from being passed... but her greatest flaw was how obsessed with appearances she was. She no longer minded what any of her family did behind closed doors. And Blue Blood had many of his own cousins to carry on the Thestral's bloodline.
Celestia had insisted Bluey humor the mares that approached him. He didn't have to marry any of them, and she certainly wouldn't force him to take them to his bed chambers, but she did expect him to be nice and polite. To let the mares pamper him, as nobles were far more traditional, and to... let them believe they had a chance.
That last one might have been crossing the line.
"As you know, Ponyville has recently been declared a city state," Celestia began.
Bluey smiled, all proud of his foal-hood friend. They were both moving up in the world. With Bluey being one of the prize ambassadors in Canterlot.
"As such," Celestia continued. "I will be transfering a number of my best and brightest, to act as heads of her departments, and train her own agents. As well as a few of the more promising guards."
Blue Blood tilted his head. That was all pretty standard. So why had he been summoned to his Auntie's personal chambers?
"And I think," Celestia smiled, "You're ready to act as lead Ambassador."
Blue Blood's eyes widened, as his eyebrow's rose. "Auntie, while I'm flattered. Swimming in back waters is more Twilight's thing." He waved off. "I can't imagine there is a thing Ponyville could offer me."
"Oh really?" Celestia smiled, levitating the copy of the law she had just been sent. Although not the letter that came with it. That was rather personal, and not for other's eyes. The letter had even been teleported to her, instead of sent by Dragon Fire. Twilight wouldn't have done that, unless she didn't want even Spike to be aware of what she said.
Bluey took the scroll in his magic, and began to read. Almost immediately his stunned demeanor grew. Then he looked up at Celestia.
Celestia smiled, "You can go."
Bluey instantly launched himself at his aunt, hugging her tight. Celestia affectionately nuzzling him back.
She teased, while giving her blessing, "You might want to see if Fancy would be interested in moving into the castle with you."
###
"Sooooo... now what?" Spike fidgeted.
"I... I don't know," Button blushed at the young dragon. "Would you... would maybe..."
"Would you..." Button gulped. Not able to bring himself to ask. "GAAAH!!!"
Spike suddenly yelped, as a jet of fire escaped his mouth. It barely missed Button. Twisting about, Until it turned into a letter.
Amazed, Button pick it up. "It's addressed to my mom...." he worried.
"They must have finished voting," Spike acknowledged.
"We... we better get this to her," Button started to leave the room.
"WAIT!!!" Spike exclaimed, perhaps louder then he intended. It got Button to stop at least. "Before we find out what it says... we should decide for ourselves. Right here, right now, and damn the consequences..." Spike took in a deep breath. "Do you want to be my special somepony?"
Button blushed. "I... I..." he didn't know what to say. He liked spike, but he didn't want the boy to be with him just because they were the only gay boys in town. Spike probably thought he didn't have any other options.
"Please Button!" Spike seemed a tad desperate. "I've... I didn't really understand it, but I think I've had a crush on you since we met." he blushed.
Something in Button clicked. The warm feeling spread. The same one he often felt while near Spike... and he realized... he felt the same way.
"all-alright," Button blushed. And gently pressed his lips to Spike's. Their first real kiss. Not a dare. There was no audience. It was just them. Breaking apart, and hearing Spike try to catch his breath. Button assured, "I'll be your special somepony."
Blue Blood stood in the throne room, completely taking over the more mundane task of running a castle. He did, after all, have a good deal of experience with this.
He was organizing the new servants, posting schedules on the billboard in their breakroom, even designating where every ponies slept...
Well he might have experience with this, it was so far outside his job description, it wasn't funny.
"You need an ACTUAL Assistant," Blue Blood glared at the newly crowned princess. "I am a poor substitute."
"Bluey," unfortunately, this Princess of Friendship, did not seem to want to have this discussion.
Blue Blood looked down at her, from the sheer level of height his nose had. "Time Turner comes highly recommended by your local Mayor, herself. At least interview him."
Twilight sighed, "You know Spike isn't going to like this."
"You're ward is busy playing with the commoners."
"Going to school," Twilight corrected.
"Either way," Bluey scoffed. "He has other priorities. Much like yourself."
"Wait," Twilight raised a hoof. "Are you MAD that Spike is going to school?"
"I studied under the finest tutors in the land," Blue Blood glared. "It's expected of a prince to have more then a mere public school education. Especially from such a... quaint school house. By Auntie, they have all the children in this entire town learning from the same teacher. They don't even seperate them by grade!"
Twilight explained, "There aren't really enough foals in town to have multiple classes."
"Bloody backwater," Blue Blood scoffed.
Twilight glared, "You didn't have to move here."
Blue Blood glared right back, "We both know that's not true."
"Uncle Bluey!!!" Spike cheered, spotting the snow white unicorn the moment the child stepped into the room.
Spike ran over, and was about to give Blue Blood a hug. When the baby dragon suddenly remembered he was supposed to be mad at him.
Blue Blood blinked as his energetic nephew suddenly stopped, to glare at him. He was rather looking forward to the hug that usually followed Spike spotting him.
"Why did you treat Rarity like that!?" the little guy demanded.
Blue Blood blinked some more, "Who?" he puzzled.
Twilight deadpanned, "You threw a cake at her at the last Gala."
"Oh THAT ruffian," Blue Blood sneered. "First off, I did not throw the cake. Secondly, It's bad enough when I have to humor the nobles. But that... lovely mare, hadn't the slightest clue how to treat a Stallion of breeding. Not only did she feed me grease covered carnival food, which we both know I'm allergic to. But she even attempted to get me to open the door for HER. You have any idea the kind of gossip that would have started!
"I can just see the paper now. Prince Blue Blood forgets his station, has the audacity to open door for a mare!"
Twilight sweat dropped, "I doubt it be in the paper."
"EVERYTHING I DO ENDS UP IN THE PAPER!!!" Blue Blood snapped. "And let's talk about the cake! Since your so keen on blaming me.
"You KNOW I'm supposed to leave it to my escort to handle danger. It's unbecoming for Stallions to be anywhere but behind their mare, when a trouble arises. Although I should be grateful she acted like a complete monster afterwards. Otherwise the court would expect me to actually give that hag a kiss of gratitude." He shuddered.
Spike glared more at the "Hag" comment. But Blue Blood ignored him, "That mare had absolutely no idea how she was supposed to treat a Stallion! It's like she didn't even realize she was suppose to be courting ME!!! I was humiliated!!! Gods damned peasant!
"And YOU, why didn't you tell her how to behave! If she was your friend, the least you should have done is given her lessons on proper etiquette!"
Twilight flushed. Rarity behaved like such a refined mare, Twilight sometimes forgot she had a middle class upbringing. Of course she wouldn't have gotten the same lessons in etiquette Twilight had... even though the purple Princess chose to ignore most of them as unimportant... or down right closed minded at points. Regardless, Twilight did know how to act at fancy get togethers.
Rarity, for all her refined taste, apparently didn't know how the nobility really worked.
"Can I have my hug now?" Bluey eyed Spike.
The little dragon huffed, "If you promise to apologize to Rarity."
Blue Blood huffed back. "She should be apologizing to me!"
Spike crossed his arms, "Then I'll be taking my hugs elsewhere!" giving an extra huffy huff. Before turning around.
Bluey sighed, realizing his pride wasn't more important then his nephew"s feelings. "Fine, I'll apologize."
Spike stop, looking back, "Promise?"
"Have I ever gone back on my word?" Blue Blood stuck his nose even higher in the air. Only to be tackled to the floor. Spike's arms around his withers.
Bluey could only smile, before hugging the boy back.
"I can't wait to introduce you to my Colt friend!" Spike loudly declared... far too loudly...
Blue Blood tensed. Looking around at all the servants, and even the guards, that were giving the boy odd looks.
"Spike," Blue Blood tried to give the boy an out. "It is improper to address friends as such. That is a title reserved for intimate partners."
"We are intimate!" Spike chose to dig himself deeper. "We've been dating for a few days now. It's all very serious." Spike nodded adamantly... thinking with that child like innocence. That having a partner for more than a day qualified as a "serious relationship".
Blue Blood couldn't stop himself. His royal mask broke, by letting out an undignified groan. "It is improper to discuss such things in public. Twilight, kindly direct us to your study."
###
Once they had some privacy, Blue Blood sighed in worry, dropping his mask completely. "The rumor mill is going to love this," He used his royal hoof to rub his royal temple. Before looking at Twilight, "I take it this is what prompted you to pass that marriage law?"
Twilight gave a hesitant nod, "Didn't Celestia tell you?"
Blue Blood sighed again, "You know how closely Auntie likes to play things. She is not one to volunteer information... I must admit, I assumed you passed that law for me." Bluey gave a weak chuckle.
Twilight's eyes widened, "But I was thinking of you!!! I didn't want Spike to go through what you did!"
Blue Blood gave a light smirk, "I can assure you, Twily. My upbringing was more pleasant then most. At least Auntie didn't disown me, when she discovered my interest. Although I don't think she ever told Grandmother." Who knew how Luna would react if she ever found out. After all, in her day and age, Gay Stallions would literally get linched.
Twilight looked down at the floor.
Blue Blood faced Spike, "It would have been better if you kept this private. Just because your elder sister gave us some rights, doesn't mean Stallions like us are accepted."
"So far, only Pinkie really has a problem with it," Spike shrugged.
Bluey gave a groan, "Just be more careful who you tell, or who can overhear you... okay?"
Spike sighed, not seeing the point "Yes sir... does that mean you don't want to meet my colt friend?" Spike just loved saying "Colt friend".
Blue Blood smiled, "I would love to meet him. After all, I must insure he's worthy of dating a prince."
