After finding a gun and a glove, Spike goes on ELECTRIFYING adventures.
One day, while on a errand for Twilight, Spike finds a glove and gun that when active give him electric powers! Join Spike as he beats up enemies, runs ponyvile (with help of course) and helps those in need. All done at the speed of lightning!
This is a partial cross over with The Azure striker Gunvolt.
Has a few concepts from the webcomic: THE GAMER Website where you can find the webcomic The Gamer: -MangaPark: http://mangapark.me/manga/the-gamer-sung-san-young -The original website where the comic can be found is in a different language. I recommend going to either the link for MangaPark or get the app Webtoon.
Thanks to Azure Drache for the all the help in this chapter as well as the edit ideas on my other story. All my little pony caac cters owned by Hasbro.
Story may include mild gore and will(sometimes) mention death.
Chapter 1: The Gun and the Glove (The Gunvolt ha get it) [Editted]
It’s a beautiful day in Equestria. The birds are singing, flowers are blooming. On days likes this, ponies like you all… should be having fun.
No seriously, it's a beautiful day in Equestria and all creatures are having fun. All except one…
Spike, the only dragon born in an area full of ponies which most dragons dislike, is currently running away from a manticore in the Everfree. How did this happen? Well, let's go back a few hours…
. .
“... Let me get this straight Twilight. You want me, the little dragon that is not quote unquote ‘responsible’ enough to own a pet, is responsible enough to go to one of Equestria’s most dangerous places alone with nothing to defend himself?” Asked a small, purple scaled dragon that also has green eyes, crest and belly who, when compared with an average human when it comes to size, is barely taller than the human's knee. This small, purple and green dragon is Spike, the faithful assistant.
“Yes that is exactly what I just said.” Said a purple furred pony who also had a purple with a pink highlight mane and tail. She also had a cutie mark of seven stars, one big and six small. This purple pony is named Twilight Sparkle. She was currently standing in the middle of her library home giving the small dragon a backpack with emergency items inside it and a map, made by a mysterious book writer and explorer named Flaming Quill.
“But it doesn't make any sense and why do you need a stamina increasing potion of all things? ...Are you planning on going exercising with both Applejack and Rainbow Dash at the SAME TIME?” Asked Spike with both curiosity and mild annoyance from Twilights answer.
“The potion is not for me, it's for you.” Stated Twilight causing the small dragon to get confused. “You see Spike, I have noticed that you are not completing all of your chores on time as well as constantly taking breaks in between so I thought ‘why not give my number one assistant some help by giving him an endurance boost. So I reached the conclusion that the best way to help you is by making sure you are in shape and so, here we are.” She stated brightly. "Besides, the exercise plan with Rainbow Dash and Applejack are on hold since they are both not here in Ponyvile. That and last time I went to exercise with both at the same time, I couldn't move or two days remember?"
Spike was not excited at all though. The reason why was that ever since Twilight became a princess and got her new castle, Spike had to do all chores now. A list of chores that Spike commonly does includes cooking, cleaning, organizing the new library, running said library, make sure the new princess doesn't drives herself up a wall, send and receive her mail through his dragon fire (which hurt a lot for him but never complained since he got used to it, sadly) and this on a good day. On bad days, which were becoming more and more common, he had to file her paper work since she spent to much time hanging out with her friends or helping them or helping save the world. The last one wasn't so bad but all the others could be organized in such a way that could make it possible to do both but she has yet to notice the lack of work. If it wasn't for Mayor Mare and the CMC (Cutie Mark Crusaders), he would have destroyed both himself and the town. Himself because of stress and the town because of lack of knowledge on how to work with important paperwork and partial leading.
The only reason why he evens bothers with it all is because his mother or better said adoptive mother, Princess Celestia, asked him to do it. She also told him that if he was ever disrespected to tell her immediately but he was to stubborn to actually tell to tell her since at some point he had convinced himself that one day he would be recognized properly.
Spike was about to say something to Twilight but she picked him with her magic and put him outside while saying, “Now go before it gets any darker and be careful and come back as quickly as possible okay.”
She than proceeds to closing the door shut leaving the baby dragon to do his new and obviously dangerous chore.
End of flashback.
. .
“Doing it for my good she says, it will help me she says. Well LOOK AT THIS SITUATION NOW TWILIGHT AND TELL ME THIS IS EASIER THAN TAKING CARE OF FREAKING BABY PHOENIX!!!” Screams Spike as he runs for his life while being chased by an angry manticore.
What happens was that as Spike was on his way to Zacora's hut through the fastest route in the Everfree, he ran into a manticore that was hunting in the general area. Luckily, Spike had dealt with situations like this before since he explored the Everfree forest when ever he got free time once the castle popped up. As such, by being the smart adventurer he is, he tried to sneak past the manticore and almost succeeded. Almost.
After a crunching sound that came from below him was made, the manticore let out a loud roar which happened to be the last ingredient for the perfect recipe for a comical forest chase.
Using his knowledge of the Everfree Forest he avoid and even made space between himself and the manticore. He was doing so well that he decided to use this chase to explore and map down more of the Everfree forest he had yet to visit. Through really cool tricks and maneuvers, most of this extreme tricks and maneuvers were learned while fighting creatures in the Everfree Forest for rescue reasons that did no include his very important friends. Thanks to the manticore chasing him, he managed to get another part of the Everfree Forest memorized and ready to map down later. The reason why he did this was mainly to help come up with ideas for his next series of books which he sells through the name Flaming Quill. The Everfree forest being mapped down just happened to be a nice side effect. He was specially lucky that his loving, adoptive mother, Princess Celestia, agreed to sell the books for him but in exchange he was now forced to sleep with her in a pair of cute pajamas whenever he went to visit.
After a while Spike took a small break since he couldn't see or hear the manticore anymore. After his small break, Spike decided to continue walking before the manticore could catch up him, that is if it found him again. Before Spike noticed though, he walked over a hole in the ground he had not noticed. He looked down to see why he stopped moving and to find out why he couldn't feel the ground. When he saw the hole, he looked up with a sad face that said this is going to hurt, he than fell into the mysterious abyss in a comedic fashion. Luckily the manticore didn't notice this and, after not finding his meal once it reached where Spike was a few moments ago, left deciding that this specific dinner was not worth the extra effort.
Below Ground…
Spike, who is unharmed thanks to his scales that thankfully absorbed most of the blow, stands up and cleans of the dust that stuck to him with only a bit of muscle pain and few possible scratches after getting out of the hole that has his body shape.
He then looked around the surprisingly well lit cave to make sure he was not in danger. He noticed that the only, currently known, exit was at the roof of the cave. Don't get me wrong, the cave did go deeper but Spike thought that maybe it was a dead end.
“I wonder…” Spike said to himself before he tried to climb up the cave wall. He made the grand discovery that the integrity of the wall was to weak for him to hold unless he felt like falling on his back while trying to climb. He also thought about digging up a new exit but discarded the idea since he wasn't sure if the manticore was still around or not. That and there was the chance that wherever the new exit leads him could end up being in front of something much more dangerous. That's not taking into account what could be in the cave itself though but since nothing had come out yet, he decided that it was save.
After a while of thinking, Spike decided to go deeper into the cave.
“You know, for an underground cave it's surprisingly well lit.” Spike told himself after walking for five minutes. He suddenly notices that he had reached a fork on the road. One side went deeper underground while the other side led to a nearby exit.
“What luck!” Spike celebrated after raising his fist into the air. “I can finally get out of here. I seriously don't want Twilight to start nagging at me again for being ten seconds late. Seriously, what was she expecting giving me a five minute time limit to go pick up HER princess documents from Mayor Mare, who happens to live on the other side of town. Seriously, I have shorter legs than the average young foal which makes it logical to believe that I would be a little late if given that distance.” Spike ranted.
Spike then decided to walk towards the exit but stops suddenly as he feels something behind him. It felt magical in nature as well as both alive and not alive at the same time but one things for sure, Spike felt that whatever it was, it was dangerous, and yet it felt like it was calling him.
"This could be a trap but my gut tells me it's not as dangerous as I think it is... mmm... decisions, decisions... nnn... you know what, let's do this! SPIIIIIIIIIKE DRAAAAAAKE!" His curiosity and intuition getting the better of him, Spike went towards whatever was calling him with a battle cry, not noticing the multi colored eyes that showered him with both kindness and respect. The hidden creature left quickly after a while.
Spike reached whatever was calling after a minute of running with his battle cry. What he saw was not an enemy but a pedestal that had a single blue glove with white circles on both the top and bottom of the palm alongside a futuristic looking gun. The gun was a grayish blue with blue energy pulsing through lines that were on the gun. Sticking to the ceiling and around the pedestal were many white gem which were reflecting light onto the pedestal, making it shine.
Not seeing any visible traps, Spike went and picked up the gun and glove to have a closer look at it. After a while of looking at the glove, he decided to put the glove on out of curiosity when suddenly the glove shrunk to fit his claw perfectly… too perfectly. Spike was scared out of his mind by the sudden change in size. He tried to take off the glove but realized that the glove was stuck to his scales.
Spike was about to enter a panic attack when he noticed a scroll behind where the glove used to be. Spike eyed the scroll as he thought to himself that maybe the scroll would mention something about his situation.
Opening it he read ‘You who finds this glove and gun, first and foremost do not put on the glove until after riding this scroll.’
After reading the first line, Spike lifted his head up with his right eye twitching and screamed as loud as he could. “F…”
On that perfect day, all creatures in Equestria could here someone drop an atomic level F bomb. Some unicorns even say that that very day, the magic in the air even spiked up, as if amplifying the scream.
Spike, somehow, went through the five stages of grieving the moment he read that sentence. He denied the existence of the possible dangerous and or parasitic glove, but after a while got angry at the fact that he put the glove on before checking anything else, as well as making a Spike face shaped hole on the wall out of pure anger. He then pleaded with any gods that existed for a solution to his problem but then became depressed over the fact that he might die (he wasn't sure if the glove was safe), and finally, he accepted his destiny no matter how grim it may be. All in the span of five minutes.
Finally, Spike decided to get back to reading the scroll, hoping that nothing too bad would happen.
‘If you did put the glove on, do not worry. I was actually going to tell you to put it on either way since the glove is perfectly safe…’ Spike then punched the pillar hard enough to split it in half. He was mad at the author of the scroll for giving him a near heart attack.
‘Now allow me to tell you what this objects are, specially since i doubt anyone has seen a gun in Equestria. The glove is a relic that goes by the name of The Volt Glove. The volt glove uses the magic in the air to allow to create lightning in whatever form the caster wants it to take. It allows it to copy spell or attacks from powerful enemies you have defeated specifically.’ Spike was surprised that something so powerful even existed and was really excited to use it but decided to keep reading since the scroll appeared to have more info on the glove.
‘But that's it. Really the glove is nearly useless since you can't even control the direction the magic it makes goes. Not without a lot of training anyways.’ Spike was disappointed. Even if he learned how to activate the magic now, Spike had no time to master the trajectory of the spells enough to use it safely. He decided to keep reading, already giving up on learning how to use the glove.
‘Do not be disappointed my friend. That is what the gun is for.’ Spike turned to look at the weird piece of metal.
“What is a gun? This just looks like a piece of metal with cool energy going through it.” Spike told himself while picking up the gun. After looking at it for a minute, he gave up on figuring out what the gun did and returned to the scroll.
‘The gun’s official name is The Volt Gun. Before I go to more detail on it I think it may be a better idea to tell you what a gun actually is. A gun is a far more advance version of a crossbow.’ Spike looked back the slab of metal to try and see the similarities. He found none.
‘Yes I know it doesn't look like a crossbow. But this small piece of metal carries smaller pieces of metal inside that work as the arrows of a crossbow. Just pull on the small lever that is in the middle of the hole in the gun with a finger to see it at work.’
Spike did as the scroll said(mostly out of curiosity since he thought that it wasn't true). To his surprise, the small piece of metal shot something out straight forward after pulling on the lever. The object hit the wall just hard enough to make a small hole on it. Spike slowly turned to the gun, then slowly looked back at the hole before putting the gun on the ground and taking ten steps back away from the gun, acting as if the gun was an extremely dangerous monster(which, in a way, was).
‘Unlike a crossbow however, a gun can shoot at least triple the distance than a crossbow can. The quote on quote arrows it shoot are too small to be captured by magic safely and it can carry hundreds of bullets, bullets are the name of the arrows for the gun, which makes it extremely deadly.’ Spike took twenty steps away from the gun this time. Or tried to since after the third step he hit the wall.
‘Do not worry my probably terrified friend. This gun was designed to not pierce living tissue to much since the gun wasn't made with killing in mind but instead was made to help the glove. Using technology far more advance then Equestrias currently has, the gun makes its own bullets making the gun have practically endless ammunition. The bullets themselves releases a special signal that allows the glove wielder to hit the target with the magic guaranteed. But enough bullets shot at a single target can kill it.’
Spike was stupefied. He was not expecting today to be the day to find to extremely dangerous relics. Actually, he never expected to find something so dangerous period. But the scroll was STILL not over.
‘The first thing that you may think of is how are this objects safe if they can kill? Well, that depends how you use them. If you use the gun only, than yes you can eventually kill innocent creatures. Same with the glove. But that depends wholeheartedly on YOU. You can choose to kill, or to spare the enemy through a knockout if the enemy doesn't want to things peacefully.’
Spike though the words written on the scroll. True, the gun could kill anyone but if it does kill someone, it was by choice not because the gun forced you to kill it. As such he wasn't as scared of the gun anymore, specially because Spike saw it as if he were himself. In all the fights he has been in with the residents of the Everfree Forest, Spike had the choice to kill them but he instead chose to just scare the creatures away instead.
After thinking about the meaning of the words, Spike went back to reading. ‘A bit more about the gun before we move forward. The gun has three types of shooting styles and they are normal shots, tracer shots and spread shot. Normal shots shoot forward and the best used for pressure and head on fighting. Tracer shots are shots that bounce around for a total of ten times and home in on target that you set your eyes on as well as follow paths you graph for it. Spread shots just shoots a ton of bullets right in front of you. Each bullet also has other thing that make it special. Normal shots can be shot a total of five times before you stop shooting all together and the bullets disappear after it goes a certain distance away from you. Tracer shots can be shot three times and can go as far as they want and get faster the more they bounce. Also the tracer shot only homes in after it hits an object since it must hit something, hence why they bounce ten times. The spread shot can only be shot once and it only goes ten pony hooves lenght in front of you but cover everything in front of you. The bullets reload at different times. Normal takes half a second after the first shot disappears, tracer ones take three seconds after it disappears, and spread bullets reload after ten seconds. All bullets leave a marker that only the glove wielder will see on whatever targets they hit that allows the ability to control the lightning or other forms of magic from the glove. Use this information intelligently.’
Spike was surprise that the gun was more complicated than it appeared to be. He also noticed a small wheel on the side that showed the bullets types meaning that that was how you changed the shooting styles.
‘Now, for the things you get for free just for having the glove on. The first thing is a major boost to your speed and stamina. The reason for this is that your body now has lightning coursing through it thanks to the glove. The best part, you have full control of how much of a boost you want. Useful when it comes to everyday life.’
Spike did a spit take when he read that. He got lost in the Everfree forest and most likely not make it to Zecora’s hut in time and yet he still did what he was sent to do.
‘You also get a screen hub. What this does is that it shows you just how much life force a creature has as well as what troubles it. The life force is shown through a bar that changes color depending on how filled it is. If it's green, the creature is perfectly healthy. If it's yellow, it means the creature is hurt. If it's red, it means that the creature is so hurt that it is near death. If the bar is empty, then the creature is plain out dead. Any and all symbols that appear near the life force bar means something bad is ailing them. For example, if a square with bubbles is next to the bar, it means the creature is poisoned and is slowly dying. Take advantage of this to help people you care about from things like that.’
Spike though it sounded a lot to what one of those health bars that appear a lot on Button Mash’s videogames. Still he loved this free skill since he could now help Fluttershy take care of her animals better or help at the local hospital.
‘But that is not all. If you swipe your left arm while saying “skill show” you can see all the skills you have gain throughout your entire life. Not just battle skills but casual skill like, for example, cooking skill. Do it now.’
Spike was not expecting that. Technically he didn't expect anything at all but he didn't see the video game like power to come from a glove that lets you shoot lightning. Seeing life force. People gives pulse that can be tracked with a bit of energy. Seeing what you know how to do was impossible since you need to be scanned. Then it hit him. Since Spike is wearing the glove, then the glove had to scan him for safety precautions.
“Skill show.” Commanded Spike. Suddenly in front of him, Spike saw three screens. All the screens were different sizes. The smallest he recognized as his health bar. He mainly recognized it as his own because it had his name on it. The second biggest screen said ‘click on a skill for more detailed information on it. The biggest screen showed all his skills and a small summary of what each was. One skill in particular got his attention though and that was his predator skill. Reading the summary though calmed him down though. It said, ‘This skill is a skill for predators only. It boost reaction time and strength while fighting. Can make you look terrifying but does not define who you really are.’
After reading the screen Spike realized something, something really important. How do you remove the screen hub. Spike decided to test something before going into a panic. “Skill down,” Spike commanded. The screen suddenly banished. All except the health bar. The health bar turned smaller to not obstruct his view which spike found useful.
Getting back to the scroll Spike read, ‘Oops, forgot to tell you that to remove the hub you need to say “skill down.”’ Spike face palmed at this. ‘That and if you say “skill show target” it shows the targets skills. Don't use in a fight though unless you want to be blind in the middle of a fight.’
Spike noticed that he was almost done with the scroll and was starting to get excited for two reasons. One reason was because the rest of the scroll may teach him how to use his new powers. The other reason was because he was finally going to be done reading the book length scroll.
‘Now for the fun part, learning how to use you powers! All I will teach you is lightning change, self regeneration 1 and 2, and finally a super called Excalibur strike 1. All other lightning skills you can use you must create yourself though. To use lightning link, all you have to do is snap your fingers and then leave your hand open. This attack requires the help of the gun to be usable though, unless you feel like getting really close to your enemy. Without the gun, this move at best creates creates a small energy ballon front of you but make sure to concentrate and train with it when you have free time. Why? If you use it without the gun at first, you will lose control of it. If you shoot a target with the gun and use lightning link, the ball of energy will instantly launch a lightning strike that will continue to hit its target until you get too far away from the target or stop using lightning link. The attack will not stop if something gets in between target and you though so careful. At first you can only target three objects at a time though but you can later, if you train, can target up to ten targets. Another you must know is that you can use multiple lightning links on one singular target.’
Spike eyes were shining, almost as if he was looking at the greatest thing in the world. Immediately Spike tried what the scroll said and found out three things. The first thing was that he could use lightning magic. Second thing he found was that his new powers looked really cool. The third thing he found is that the scroll was right. How did he found out? Because a lightning bolt flew right onto his face two seconds after lightning ball was formed. He realized with that that he really need to practice the skills if he wants to use them at their best, or at least so he doesn't get another lighting strike to the head. After the pain left, he went right back to reading.
‘Self regeneration 1 all you have to do is snap your fingers and make a close fist close to yourself. This heals you and only you. Self regeneration 2 though is much tougher. Snap your fingers and make a fist but leave your pointer finger out. If sparks come out then you that means you did it correctly. Point your finger at whoever needs healing and then get close but don't touch them unless you want to shock them. Forgot to mention that self regeneration 2 can also be used on others. Now that I think about why did I call it self regeneration 2? Meh, don't care it's just a name.’
Spike, taking advantage of the break on the scroll tried both regeneration moves. He found the first one to be ridiculously easy while the second one did nothing until his tenth try. Spike went back to the scroll after thinking of practicing the move.
‘Now then for the last move I will teach you, Excalibur Strike 1. This will be your in case of emergencies attack since it will completely tire you out. Practice this when you have a lot of free time. To use it, you must say out loud “The blade the protect all, Excalibur!” When you say Excalibur, snap your fingers in front of you and the attack will activate. Remember, this your most powerful move for now. You can improve or find better moves with time. Also the more you get used to the move the less tired you will become. Note this move creates a huge lightning sword in front of you so use this as a reference if you do use it in the future. Also the first time you use it WILL make you pass out.’
Learning that he had a move that had a cool phrase before activating made Spike excited to use the move but he knew, thanks to his experience exploring the Everfree Forest, that it's best to conserve energy if you know you are in a dangerous place.
‘Let me finish this, probably, half an hour long note with a few more things. Defeating powerful enemies will give you access to new modes for either the gun or the glove. An example would be pierce shots. This spell thought to you in specific use finger snapping for easy learning so note that not all spell can be fasted like that. Right now your glove only has access to thunder magic so if you want to cast fire spells or water spells with the gloves, you may need to fight something strong that have access to the spell. To change modes for your gun or glove, just say “Show Modes” and then point to the mode you want. Last but not least, how this power will shape the world you live in depends wholly on YOUso if your world is destroyed by the power of the glove, please realize that it was not the glove and guns fault but yours.’
Spike was surprise surprise ch simple objects had such complicated ways of using them and that they can become even better if he wants them to be but before he left he noticed something else on the scroll that made his eye twitch for a second.
‘P.S Both the gun and glove have a camouflage mode which allows it to either hide them by saying “hide Gunvolt ” or can hide your identity somewhat by saying “transform Gunvolt.” The transformation does nothing but hide your identity so don't expect to suddenly turn you into something like super mare or something.’
Seeing nothing else to do in the cave, as well as not sensing the weird feeling anymore, Spike left for the exit will trying out the gun. By the time he left the cave he had a basic understanding of how to use the gun as well as a mild headache from having walked into the tracer shot path. He noticed a small ramp outside the cave hole that lead above what guessed to be a small gorge. Once back above the Everfree, Spike shot a few trees and tried using lightning link when he saw the markers appear on his sights. He did this until he got back to Ponyville, and took notes for his map, and got one or two items that Zecora said she wanted to get, as well as got chased by Timberwolves. Let's just say the trip back was eventful. At least Spike found out regular Timberwolves did not give him powers when knocked out
Forty five minutes after leaving the cave, Spike found two things. The first thing was how his powers worked all thanks to a group of Timber Wolves that attacked him. Sure, his skill called lightning spark hit him more than the Timber Wolves that attacked him but it was far stronger than the never miss lightning link. While looking through his skill window though, Spike learned that he could rename skills so he renamed self-regeneration 2 to regeneration 1. Spike also learned he had an inventory while looking through his skill list during his walk in the forest. The second thing Spike found was the exit to the Everfree Forest. He couldn't wait to get to the back to the castle to plan out what he was going to do about the glove although Spike was a bit disappointed that he couldn't visit Zecora but Spike had other things to worry about. One of those things being Twilight's wrath.
Before he reached the exit though, Spike felt something familiar about this spot. After some thinking Spike realized this was the place the manticore attacked him. This gave Spike a bad feeling but he pushed it away.
As Spike exited the forest, he heard a scream coming from Ponyville. This spurred Spike to run back to town. As the town came into view, as far as Spike could see, was somewhat empty and worse of all decimated by what looked like a manticore from afar. Those who were in the town though, that is if Spike’s eye weren't lying to him, were… two Raritys? As Spike got closer he noticed something about the two Raritys. The first thing was that one of the Raritys was actually her little sister, Sweetie Bell.
Spike, scared for their lives, doubled his pase. As he got close, Spike saw the manticore hit Rarity before he could make it. Sweetie Belle then ran to Rarity who flew a few feet before landing with a faint thud. As Sweetie tried to awaken her sister though the manticore got close before raising his paw. Sweetie Belle’s face of absolute terror as well as Rarity weak look made something within Spike snap. As he got closer, Spike said in a low voice “Transform Gunvolt.” After saying that, his entire body was covered in lightning. As soon as he was in range for it, Spike screamed “Lightning Spark!” before hitting the manticore straight on the face in a split second. Spike didn't notice he had learned a new skill called Lightning Step which allowed him to cover the final thirty meters of distance.
Spike looked back at Rarity and Sweetie Belle to make sure they were as ok as currently possible before turning back to the manticore and screaming...
. .
Earlier that day… (Mostly from Sweetie Belle’s viewpoint)
Sweetie Belle was going toward the forest after hearing from Twilight herself that she sent Spike to pick a stamina increasing potion for himself. Sweetie Belle is a white bodied unicorn filly with a purple mane that had a pink stripe going through it. Of all things to do, she sends Spike to get a stamina potion instead of you know, hiring workers to help him take care of the castle.
“One of this days, I will tell Twilight that what she is doing to Spike, it is not right.” Sweetie said to herself.
As Sweetie Belle reached the entrance of the Everfree Forest, she heard a noise, a very cat like noise. Sweetie Belle looked into the Everfree, searching for whatever could have made the sound. She soon saw what had made the sound and she was terrified by what she saw. The creature had the body of a lion, vampire fruit bat's wings and a scorpion tail. The creature was looking like one of the fabled manticores and worst of all, it was close by. Luckily for her, it had yet to see her so Sweetie Belle did the smart thing, and started to step away slowly. Unluckily for her, she stepped on a random twig, which brings her the attention of the manticore.
“Rooooooooaaaaaaaar!” Roared the manticore. This caused Sweetie Belle to scream in terror as well as run for her life. What she didn't realize was that she led the manticore straight back into Ponyville. Her screaming did warn everyone about the manticore so most of the townsfolk managed to escape. The only one that did not run away was the one most distracted with her own thoughts, her big sister Rarity.
At first Sweetie Belle ran past Rarity screaming, only to run backwards after seeing Rarity pass by. “Rarity, Rarity, RARITY!” Screamed Sweetie, only getting a reaction when she started to scream directly in her left ear.
“GAH! Sweetie Belle what was that for and why...” Before Rarity could finish her question, she heard an ear splitting roar coming from the now very close manticore.
“Quick let's get Twilight!” Screamed Rarity when she saw the manticore. When they ran around the town to get away from the manticore, Rarity asked, “Sweetie Belle…*pant* why is a manticore chasing you?”
“I was *pant* looking for Spike to ask *pant* him if he could help me with,” she took a moment to catch her breath, “something, but I heard from *pant* Twilight that he went to *pant* the Everfree Forest. What about you, why *pant* were you so dis… let's hide here… why were you so distracted?” responded Sweetie as they hid behind a stall at the market.
“I was trying to think of designs for *pant* some dresses for this really important client. That and I thought you were in another of your crusades which resulted with another maple honey incident.” whispered Rarity.
“Rarity, you know that we stopped this types of crusades a few months after we got our cutie marks and you promised never to talk about that again.” Sweetie whispered back.
They both stop talking when they heard a sound behind them. They waited for the sound to go away and as soon as it did, they decided to check if it was still there. Luckily for them, the manticore was facing away from them after it heard movements in another stall.
“Let’s go. It’s not safe here.” whispered Rarity. While the manticore was distracted, Rarity and Sweetie Belle left their hiding spot stealthily but as luck would have it, the manticore suddenly turned around and saw them. Rarity, Sweetie Belle and the manticore stopped moving completely.
“Maybe it's vision is based on movement?” Whispered Sweetie Belle.
“ROAR!” roared the manticore before it started to chase them.
“Good guess Sweetie but that is not true at all!” Screamed Rarity in panic as they ran again. Before they could get too far away though the manticore got ahead of them by jumping over them and when he landed the manticore immediately used his scorpion tail to attack Sweetie Belle. Rarity, wanting to protect her sister jumped into the attack and was hit by the tail, which happens to be poisonous. The force of the blow sent Rarity away.
“Rarity!” Screamed Sweetie chasing after her.
“Sweetie… run…” whispered Rarity but Sweetie didn't listen.
“Come on Rarity get up, please get up… please…” as Sweetie tried to get Rarity to stand up but the poison was traveling far too quickly through her body. Sweetie then saw a shadow over her before turning, her facial expression showing great fear.
The manticore raised its paw to strike her down but…
“Lightning Spark!” suddenly there was scream right when as a blue light appeared from the face of the manticore.
Before Sweetie Belle’s eyes was her savior. Her savior had a body covered in purple scales and green spikes that slowly turned lightning blue at the edge of the crest. He wore a dark blue vest as well as two fingerless gloves on both hands as well as a pair of dark blue boots. In one of his hands, he held a weird piece of metal(gun). His entire body was radiating electricity which made him glow with an aura of great power.
Her savior turned his head towards her and looked at her without saying anything. Those green eyes that turned light blue at the outer edge though told Sweetie Belle that he was scared at he was seeing before he turned around and screamed.
“How dare you hurt them!” He roared with the force of a full grown dragon. Sweetie Belle for some reason was not scared by the roar that came from her savior for some reason.
. . (Spike PoV)
“How dare you hurt them!” Screamed Spike with the force of a full grown dragon. Although it did scared the manticore into stepping back a bit, the roar did have the unfortunate effect of snapping Spike out of his anger just enough to realize the things he did. But remembering what happened to Rarity reminded him of the big cat in the picture.
Suddenly, the world turned a shade of blue to Spike’s eyes. In the sky the word ‘warning’ appeared in red letters. After they disappeared, the manticore struck a pose as his health bar filled. Spike was confused as to why this happened but was happy to see the world return to normal after the manticore returned to its original position.
‘That manticore will pay for hurting my friends.’ Thought Spike as he got into the fighting stance he developed in the forest. The stance was having the arm holding the gun facing toward the enemy will keeping his free arm close to him. The manticore was the first to attempt a strike by pouncing Spike but missed because Spike rolled underneath him. Spike seeing the opening shot the enemy three times with the normal and activated lightning link. The first attack the manticore just shrugged it off but the lightning link hurt him alot.
In retaliation, the manticore tried to strike Spike with his tail but Spike stepped to the side to dodge it without stopping his attack. Seeing a perfect chance, Spike used his tail as a step and jumped on his back. When the manticore felt Spike on his back, he tried to shake him off of it but Spike, having ridden on Twilight’s back for multiple times now and managed to stay on her back, was unfazed by the manticores attempt. After a while, Spike used lightning spark to send the manticore flying.
Spike checked the manticores health and noticed he was halfway finished with the fight which surprised him since he only attacked the manticore a total of 6 times, three of those attacks being the low damage gun. Suddenly, the manticore roared a war like roar, which created a picture next to his health bar that showed that all of the manticore’s attack were about to do double damage. To bad for the manticore Spike saw it coming ever since the fight begun. Why? Because he had fought two manticores before. Only difference is that before he had to use sticks and stones before but that is irrelevant right now.
The manticore tried to hit Spike with his claw but Spike countered with lightning spark right into its paw making it roar in pain. Before the manticore could react, Spike shot the manticore again and used lightning link to finish the fight.
When Spike stopped using lightning link, the manticore knew he was being spared. Under normal circumstances, the manticore would take this as his chance to kill the idiot that let him go but he knew that he was out matched, so the manticore left, like a good sport should.
“Rarity! Sweetie Belle!” The scream came from above them. All on the ground looked up to to see the princess friendship Twilight. As she landed, she asked, “what's going on here? Why is Rarity knocked out and who are you?” When Twilight said this, she pointed to Spike.
“I’m not the one you should worry about. Your friend there was hit by a manticore's tail which just so happens to have a type of paralysis poison. Best you get her to the hospital fast.” Said Spike while depending his voice. Out of all his friends, which out of them all he trusted Fluttershy the most, would take away his powers for his safety. Twilight specially would take it away. So he had to hide the powers. Although he feels like is forgetting something when it comes to the poison in Rarity.
Spike turned around and was about to leave but Sweetie Belle stopped him. “Wait before you go, can you at least tell me your name?”
Giving it some though, Spike decided to use the name he says to transform. “My name is Gunvolt. Now I think you have something far more important to do.” And with that Spike ran away really quickly. After hiding behind a building a few streets away, he removed his transformation and went toward the castle to finish his chores and then call it a day… if Twilight doesn't nag him to death for being late again.
As Spike went back home, he knew going to the hospital would risk his new identity, he saw many of the townspeople leaving the castle. Many of the ponies said hello to him, ask him if he was okay or, to his confusion, congratulated him but wouldn't say why.
When he got inside he noticed the entrance of the castle was… surprisingly clean considering around a hundred ponies left it.
“We thought this would be a nice gift to Ponyville’s secret hero… that and make it easier for you knowing you were going to be late when you didn't come out of the Everfree after a while.” Said a voice Spike knew far too well.
When Spike turned around he saw his, unofficial but still paid, assistant and very good friend, Mayor Mare. Mayor mare is a pony with a tan body and a grayish mane and tail. She started helping Spike about year ago when he went and asked her on advice on how to run a town. After that, they became good friends but because Twilight wasn't supposed to know Spike filled out big part of her princess documents, Mayor Mare and him could only work during the night.
“Wait, what do you mean by gift? Also thank you for making the place spotless. Please make sure to tell the rest of the town.”. Said Spike.
“Will do, and no problem.” Said Mayor Mare. “You do help us more than we can thank you for.”
“I just like to help. More importantly, I have something important to tell you and i want you to keep this a secret, just like me being a book author and Ponyville’s hero, okay?” Said Spike seriously, although he was bit nervous of how his assistant would react and why wouldn't he since he was going to tell her everything that happens in the Everfree as well about the fact. She might think he is crazy.
“If this is about how you defeated the manticore that just attacked the town, we already promised to keep it secret.” Exclaimed Mayor.
“...what?” said Spike, not knowing what else to say since apparently the whole town knew his secret already. After a minute, his mind finally found the right things to say, “How did you guys knew i fought the manticore? I saw my reflection in one of the stores mirrors really quickly and i barely recognized myself.”
“Actually, Time Turner saw you fighting by one of the windows and used that invention he calls ‘binoculars’ and recognized your movement but wasn't sure it was you, so he told the town it was only speculation. Don't worry though, we decided to keep it secret just in case it was you.” Exclaimed Mayor.
“... Looks like that little speech about how i wanted to try being different to most heroes in my comics now belongs in the trash, and it was such a good speech too.” sighed Spike, “At least tell the town that it was me and that yes I want to keep this secret from the main six. Make sure to tell them not to tell the crusaders though, I will tell them myself.”
“Of course. So is Rarity okay? Time Turner said he saw her passed out.” Asked Mayor worriedly.
“She just got hit by manticore poison and by how fast it acted, the manticore must have been alpha since only the alpha manticores have poisons that act that fast and don't worry, the worst the poison does is temporarily stop the ability to move.” Said Spike.
“Let me guess, something you learn while working in the library?” Asked Mayor as she and Spike moved to the door.
“Yes sadly. It sucks having big part of your childhood and teenage, in pony years of course, as well as my early adult years working and reading books mostly all day. But let's get back on topic before I start ranting, again.” Said Spike, “Rarity was taken to the hospital by Twilight and should be able to move again in a day or two.”
“That's good to know. Well I must leave gotta rest before coming back here for my job. The same time right?” Asked Mayor.
“Yes.” Answered Spike.
“Okay then. I'll make sure to tell the town about what you told me and, Spike, good luck with Twilight.” said Mayor Mare with a look of pity.
Spike just smiled and waved good bye before he went inside to get more work done.
“... That kid has a tough life.”. Said Mayor as she left. “Tougher than he deserves.”
Meanwhile with Twilight, Sweetie and Rarity. Rarity was taken to the emergency room just in case it was something worse. Twilight was walking in circle meanwhile Sweetie Belle, relieved to know her sister was in the hospital, was daydreaming about her hero, Gunvolt.
‘He was so cool.’ Thought Sweetie. After a while of daydreaming she realized something important. ‘Wait… why was Twilight so late to the fight. It's understandable if it was Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow and Fluttershy since they are out of town but why was Twilight so late?’
After a bit of thinking, Sweetie finally decided to ask her. “Twilight I have a question.”
“Um, yes Sweetie Belle?” Asked Twilight as she turned to Sweetie, glad to finally find something to somewhat distract her mind from her friend.
“Why were you so late to get to us?” Asked Sweetie Belle.
“Ahh… that… um, you see I was… um… distracted working in the library and did not know what was going. Yup totally what i was doing. Ha, ha, ha…” said Twilight, really hoping she didn’t have to tell her since it was embarrassing.
“You were reading the books, weren't you?” asked Sweetie with an annoyed expression.
“No totally what i was doing. What makes you think that?” ‘Why was that her first guess and why was it so accurate.’ Said Twilight, wondering why Sweetie guessed that so quickly.
“Spike always says that once you start reading that you won't notice anything.” Said Sweetie, keeping a neutral expression.
“What, no that has never happened.”. Said Twilight through clenched teeth, thinking of hiding Spikes gems for telling his friends of that.
“Twilight, stop trying to lie to me! Everypony in town knows this since the infamous maple honey incident...” Said Sweetie and immediately shivered at the horrible memory of the crusade, “were you ended up having to be hospitalized just to get all the maple honey off of you!”
“Wait, is that why I was in the hospital? I thought I had started walking and reading at the same time again.” Said Twilight, completely forgetting she was trying to hide the fact that she was distracted by one of her favorite books called A Stallion's Desire writen by Flaming Quill. ‘And I made Spike tied me to my bed for nothing.’
“See! Even you admit you have a problwho I bet you even forgot you sent Spike to the Everfree Forest!” Said a now very irritated Sweetie Belle.
“Wait, what do you…” Suddenly, Twilight remember that she hadn’t seen Spike in a long while. Thanks to that she start panicking even more.
Reaching her boiling point, Sweetie said after standing up on her chair, “Seriously, again! I would have left if I could but my sister is here so you know what? OUT! I don't want to see you here Twilight!”
Twilight was looking at Sweetie Belle with horror and why shouldn't she, Sweetie Belle as well as few kids in Ponyville saw her as a role model, heck even a few adults saw her as one too but having someone who looked up to her get so mad at her shocked and sadden her to no end.
“But…” Twilight tried to say but got cut off by Sweetie. “No buts Twilight! You may be the Princess of Friendship but right now, to me at least, you look like the most irresponsible pony ever! So out! I don't want to see you!”
Twilight wanted to say something. She wanted to try and at least salvage the situation but she knew that right now, Sweetie Belle needed to calm down. As such, she listened to Sweetie Belle and left. Before going out though, she turned back in case Sweetie wanted her to at least stay and for Rarity together but all she got was a hoof pointing to the door and so Twilight left the hospital.
Twilight wanted to cry but she couldn't. She was the Princess of Friendship. She had to act like good role model for the town and, as such, she swallowed her tear and a walked back to her castle. The trip back was uneventful though since most of the towns ponies focused on repairing the stalls that were smashed by the manticore.
As she got close to the castle, she saw someone she desperately needed to talk to for multiple reasons on one of the higher windows. It was Spike. From what Twilight could see, he was cleaning the outside windows of the castle. Twilight was happy to see her younger ‘brother’ and number one assistant being so responsible with his chores.
“Hey, Spike!” Screamed Twilight. Hearing his name being called, Spike looked around to find who called him. When he turned to look down he saw it was Twilight who called him.
“Give me a minute!” Screamed Spike back. Spike got back to his work and finished cleaning the window quickly before lowering himself back to the ground. When he touched the ground, he pulled on his rope to get it off the building and then removed his climbing gear. Once he had everything organized to his liking, he turned to Twilight and asked, “Need anything Twilight?”
“Let's talk inside Spike but first…” Before Spike knew it, Twilight gave Spike a bear hug. He was about to ask her if something was wrong when he felt her shaking. Instead, Spike decided to return Twilight's hug and whispered things like “shush… I'm here Twilight so there is no need to cry…” and “...you are strong mare so don't cry…”
“Thanks Spike I needed that.” Said Twilight once she had calmed down a little.
“No problemo Twilight. More importantly I heard a manticore attacked the town, so what happened?”. asked Spike, acting as if he was never in the area.
“Yeah, had the guy that calls himself Gunvolt not shown up, things would of had gotten nasty. Luckily, the worst that happened was that Rarity was stung and knocked out.” Said Twilight.
“Is she okay!?” Asked Spike, totally not acting.
“Yes. Yes she is. She is just going to be stuck in the hospital for four days.”. Explained Twilight.
‘I was close…’ Spike though. “Anything else interesting happened while I was lost in the Everfree Forest?”
Aside from Sweetie Belle being really mad at me, no…” said Twilight, feeling a little depressed. The feeling of depression was shot in the head though when the words ‘lost in the Everfree Forest’ registered. “Wait, what do you mean you got lost? You had a map and everything. It should have been physically impossible!”. Exclaimed Twilight.
“Actually, unless you have one of those enchanted maps that records the path you have taken, it is very easy to get lost. Specially when you are being chased by a manticore.” Explained Spike in a matter of fact tone.
Twilight was about to say that is impossible until she remembered the manticore that attacked the this town. “Welp, we may had not gotten you that potion but at least you are safe.” Said Twilight, giving Spike another hug.
“Since I can see the Sweetie Belle thing getting to you, why don't we go inside and talk about it. Hey, maybe I can even give you some advice on what to do!” exclaimed Spike, legitimately excited to help and boss around Twilight.
“I would love that but someone has windows to clean. I’ll leave you some tea and gems on the table for after you are…” before Twilight could finish her sentence, Spike ran to the door and blocked it.
“Twilight, what did we agree on when it came to cooking?” Asked Spike in a very dark town. So dark in fact, it terrified Twilight.
“... that i was allowed to at least make tea?” asked Twilight with a sheepish yet terrified facial expression.
“...” Was all Spike said. He also looked at her.
“...that if i ever try to cook anything in the kitchen, you would tell Celestia and she will make sure every single book I own will be taken away from me.” said Twilight, more scared from losing her books than Spike death stare.
For those who don't know, when Twilight was old enough to cook, she tried to make cereal, cereal, and she almost set fire to the whole castle. There was panic everywhere. So many injured because of cereal. She didn't get in as much trouble as she should of had gotten but she was forced to promise that if she ever tried to cook on her own, all books she owns will be taken away forever, her library card would be literally burn at the stake and someone would have to follow her when she went shopping.
That and after Spike learned to cook, the kitchen became his little piece of heaven.
“Good, so regular hot tea or hot sweet tea?” asked Spike, as if nothing happened at all. Twilight was still not used to that.
“Regular please.” Said Twilight and with that Spike got back to his chores, with his do reward as well avoiding a hellish speech from Twilight.
“... So let me get this straight. Half of the entire population in Ponyville were knocking on your door and you didn't heard them because you were reading the book A Stallion’s Desire by Flaming Quill?” asked Spike after he finished making tea and clean all the outside windows, which by the way took him three hours and one near death fall. “...If this happens again I will tell Celestia, okay Twilight.”
“Yes…” Said Twilight, not wanting to get another ultimatum from Celestia.
Spike looked at the saddened Twilight and sighed. “Look Twilight, I know you are sad about what happened but you can, somewhat, fix this. It will just take sometime to do it and when it comes to getting stuff done, I only know one pony who can do it to near perfection and that is you, Twilight! You can do it, you can do it, you can do it…”
Both Spike’s speech and little cheer worked wonders on Twilight. Looking up at Spike with a hint of determination, she said, “Spike, you are right! I can't give up without at least trying to fix things between me and Sweetie Belle. As such, I will begin making a list on how to make it up to her right now. See you in a couple of minutes, or hours depending how long it takes.”
Once Twilight left, Spike told himself, “A job well done Sp…”
“By the way Spike, here is a list of chores that need to be done before night fall. Please get them done, thank you.” Said Twilight from the door that was right behind Spike.
‘...and my mood is now dead.’ Though Spike as he got the list. Spike mood got even worse when he noticed that the list was even longer than normal. “Twilight, why is the chore list longer than normal?” Screamed Spike to Twilight.
“While you were cleaning the windows I sent Celestia a message of what happened in town and she said that she would come to check it out. So please do them as fast as possible!” Answered Twilight from another room.
Spike sighed. “What is up with today's plan going wrong?” Said Spike, having to destroy his mental draft of the letter he was going to send to the princess. “Whelp, at least I can use this time to practice my new powers. Now let’s see...umm… Ah yes, skill show.” Said Spike. As Spike looked through his skills, he noticed a few that could probably help him do his chores quicker. Those skills were Lightning Boost, Self-Regeneration 1 and Lightning Step.
“Umm… Should I use my skills or should I not do it? If I do it, I run the danger of hurting myself and my cleaning materials but if don't, Twilight will nag me to death, since there is no danger of being caught by Twilight since she is making a list so might as well try it.” Spike said out loud. Boosting himself with his passive skill Lightning Boost, he ran towards the door but the boost in speed he got was to much and ended up crashing right into it.
“Ow… the scroll really wasn't kidding about practice making perfect.” said Spike while laying on the floor. Spike stood up, went to his original spot and tried again. Still not used to the speed he crashed again.
“Ow… If running with just a regular boost is this hard then when I do this with Lightning Step I will have absolutely no control over where I run… wait, what would happen if I focused on my skill Keen Eye while running…” Spike once again stood up and went to his original spot. Once he felt ready, Spike ran towards the door. Unlike before, he could actually see where he was going and speed blur was slowed down to what would be considered normal. He opened the door and closed it. Then, he stopped. Everything felt fine, great even for Spike. He couldn't wait to try it again, but this time while also using Lightning Step. But that excitement died down when he started to feel nauseous. Some distance away, Spike spotted a potted plant. He ran to it and threw up inside it.
“Right, physics is still a thing… Eww… welp, whether I get horrible sick or just throw up again, I now have an even better reason to get to cleaning so let’s go, Skill use Lightning Step.” Said Spike before using his new power to do his chores at a much faster speed.
. .
“Done!” Scream´s Twilight. She had just finished writing the perfect plan, in her opinion, to get Sweetie Belle to at the very least not be mad at her anymore. When she turned to look at the window she saw it is noon, or in better words, the moment Celestia said she was going to arrive.
“Oh no! Celestia is coming soon! Please tell me Spike finished his chores…” said Twilight in a panic. But what she saw when she opened the door got her completely of guard.
The hall was clean, really clean. Almost ‘you can see yourself like a mirror’ clean. She went to the kitchen and it was the same. The bathroom, friendship map, library and all other rooms she checked were the same. All super clean. The only thing missing was Spike but before she could scream for him, she heard someone knocking on her door.
“I’ll be there in a minute!” Screamed Twilight. After looking around really quickly, she ran towards the main castle doors.
Once she reached the doors, she opened them but what happened was not what she expected.
“Twilight Sparkle, we are ready for the so called sleep over!” Screamed an excited midnight blue alicorn whose name is Luna. Luna is both the princess of the night and co-princess of Equestria. She ran past Twilight looking for a butler or maid to take her to guest room. Not finding a maid or butler anywhere, she ran back to Twilight and asked, “Twilight Sparkle may we ask you where our guest room is at and can you get someone to take us there?”
“Uhh…” Was all Twilight could say. The princess of the moon had just broken all cognitive though from Twilight by just mentioning the set of words “here for a sleepover.”
“Sorry about the change of plans Twilight, I told Luna I was coming over to investigate something when it occurred to her to have a sleepover. You don't mind the change of plans do you?” Asked someone with a majestic voice. When Twilight turned to the voice, she saw a blazing white alicorn named Celestia. Celestia is both the princess of the sun and the co-ruler of Equestria.
Shaking her head quickly to regain focus, Twilight said, “I don't mind princess. I just wish I knew before hand to get you a room ready.”
“Twilight, we must say that your servants definitely do a great job at cleaning thy castle up. We can see our reflect on the floor!” Said Luna looking at her reflection.
“Actually Princess Luna, I don't have any servants in the castle me and Spike take care of everything and no I don't cook unless someone is with me.” Said Twilight, leaning slightly to Celestia’s direction, hinting to the fact that she has an ultimatum on her head. Luna saw this small gesture but because she didn't know of the ultimatum, was confused by it.
“Ah, so you and Spike cleaned the place up huh?” Asked Celestia interested on the topic.
“It wasn't easy but it was done. Really, I give Spike all the credit. Whatever he did, he did an great job.” Said Twilight, feeling proud of Spike’s work.
“I must say, it is a job well done considering it's only you two, but Twilight, you really should consider getting some servants to work here.” Said Celestia.
“Actually…” Before Twilight could say anything, she was interrupted by a voice coming from the door.
“Hello Princess Celestia! Did you just get here?” Spike said as he got close to the castle.
“Hello Spike it's nice to see you again. How are you doing?”said Celestia as the two got close enough to hug, which they did.
“A bit sick but fine. You?” Asked Spike.
“Stressed. I really should do something about day court. More importantly, what do you mean by sick.” Asked Celestia.
“Yeah, why did you get sick? You didn't look sick when we talked before.” Mentioned Twilight.
“You see, I decided to use some new cleaning equipment and chemicals I got. My guess is some of the liquids just didn't mix with my body well but, hey, it was worth it.” Said Spike, pointing to the glimmer castle. It was then he noticed Luna messing with her reflection on the wall. “Why is Princess Luna here? No wait better question, why is she using the wall as a mirror?”
When she heard her name being mentioned, Luna turned towards the door and saw Spike. She blushed for being seen something embarrassing. After regaining her composure, she said “We are here for the sleep over.”
“Sleepover? Twilight, you didn't tell me we were having a sleepover with the princesses.” Spike said.
“Don't worry, I didn't know either until right now. Since the princesses are going to be staying for the night, why don't we show them to their room?” Said Twilight as she began to lead them to the guest rooms. “After that we can start talking about the incident with the manticore and Gunvolt that happened in town.”
“Ah, yes. Please tell me more about this incident Twilight, Spike. This Gunvolt character has gotten my attention and about the manticore that attacked the town, I already sent a request to have the Everfree Forest look at. A manticore being so near civilization is far too rare to be a coincidence but it couldn't have been Gunvolt sinc Gunvolt fought it off, if what you told me is right.” Said Celestia.
“Well, when I got to the place where the fight happened, it was already over so I don't know what Gunvolt can do but I did see him. He was a small dragon whose body was releasing electrical energy and was wearing a pair of both gloves and shoes. Before I could ask him any questions though he left.” Said Twilight.
“I would add more to her story but I was… Busy with something so I didn't get to see it.” Added Spike. “Sweetie Belle and Rarity also saw the fight, like the whole fight if what Twilight said is right but Sweetie Belle is in no mood to talk about because of someone,” said Spike while turning to Twilight with an unamused look, who in turn, faced away from Spike, “and Rarity right now is knocked out because she got stung by the manticore.” 'Why do I feel like I forgot something?'
“That is to bad really but this raises many questions. Who is this Gunvolt? Is he a friend or foe? Just how strong is he?” Said Celestia.
“And why would a dragon help a pony community? Except for Spike who was raised by ponies, dragons have historically been known for hating pony kind.” Added Luna.
“Thank the sun Princess Luna though of the idea of a sleepover or else Princess Celestia would of have pointless.” Said Spike out loud, which in turn got a glare from Twilight.
“SPIKE!” Screamed Twilight. Spike in return stuck his tongue at her.
“Before you say anything Twilight, I finished the checking out the new book orders that came and guess what, Flamming Quill’s newest book has come in.” Said Spike with smug grin that was not seen by Twilight since when she heard the words ‘Flamming Quill’s newest book’ she ran straight for the library, leaving behind a dust cloud in the shape of her body behind. Twilight’s reaction got a few giggles out of the princesses.
“And… She’s gone.” Said Spike before going ahead of Celestia and Luna before turning around and facing them with a serious expression, so serious it got the princesses off guard.
“Nephew why are thou looking so serious?” Asked Luna.
“Did Twilight break the ultimatum?” asked Celestia, making Luna turn to her with a questioning look.
“First off no, she has not tried to break the ultimatum. Second, I lied about not seeing the fight but I couldn't mention it with Twilight being here.” Said Spike.
“Why couldn't you say with Twilight around? What makes her being here so important that you had to send her away?” Asked Celestia.
“Let's go to an empty room before I show you.” said Spike, leading them to a nearby door. Once everyone was inside he said “The reason why I couldn't tell you when Twilight was around was because,” said Spike while mentally saying ‘Transform Gunvolt.’ As he raised his hand to his chest, he began to unleash electricity. He released so much electricity that you couldn't see his body anymore. When all the light was gone, Luna and Celestia were left speechless as well as left with their mouth so opened that their mouth hit the floor, figuratively of course. “I was the one who fought the manticore.” Spike continued saying.
“...son, why do you have the same looks of the Gunvolt dragon Twilight mentioned?” asked Celestia, still in shock.
“Because I’m Gunvolt.” Said Spike.
“That… does make a lot of sense.” said Luna. “But do explain how you became this Gunvolt fellow.”
“Actually, today is my first time as Gunvolt. It all began when i went into the Everfree Forest earlier this morning…“ Spike told of his small, unwanted adventure into the Everfree, him being chased by the manticore, finding the relics that transformed him into Gunvolt, and how he fought the manticore in town.
“... Of course this relics aren't perfect. I was trying out a couple of the abilities while cleaning and I ended up hurting myself a bit and getting motion sickness.” Finished Spike.
Celestia and Luna were stunned. How did all of that happened in one day and how was Spike able to fight a manticore if he has never fought one before, that they know of. After they got their minds back together, Celestia said “Spike, how did you do all that? No, first of, isn't that thing far too dangerous for you? You are my baby boy and I don't want you to get hurt.” Luna turned to her sister with a skeptical look when Celestia said ‘baby’ knowing full well Spike was 18 years old and officially an adult in pony years.
“You say that mom but you let six normal ponies with no training whatsoever take on the greatest enemies of Equestria! Besides, if i need help the entire town knows so they can help me. Really the only reason didn't tell Twilight was because I knew 100% that she would take new powers away no matter what I say because she cares for me, but I want to protect her too. So all I ask is that you let me keep this power mom.” Said Spike very seriously. Celestia was about to say she still wasn't sure about it but Spike interrupted her by saying, “I'll also send anything I learn about this relic and what adventures I get into.”
“What thou says makes sense and it would help thee kingdom's safety. We say that Spike keeps the relics. Besides, Spike already an adult in pony years so why not let him?” Added Luna.
Celestia found herself cornered in the argument by Spike’s and Luna's logic. Giving up on fighting, Celestia just hug Spike and said, “Okay I get it. I'll let you keep the relics just, be careful Spike. You know you are my little baby boy and I worry for your safety.” Said Celestia.
“Thanks mom. You are the best and Luna,” Luna paid attention to Spike, “you are the best aunt ever.”. After saying that, both Celestia and Spike were caught in a bearhug so powerful Spike could of have swore he heard something break.
“Uncle! Uncle!” Screamed both Spike and Celestia. After the death hug, everyone went to join Twilight so they could play boardgames.oin Twilight in the library to get the sleepover started.
Before reaching the Library...
“Hey Spike,” asked Luna “what happened while you were at the hospital?”
“Oh that. Well…”
*flashback*
After Spike finished cleaning, he left straight for the hospital to get medicine for his motion sickness (since the castle ran out of it three days ago). Sadly his motion sickness made it hard to see the road since it also made him a bit dizzy. During his run to the hospital, he tripped on a rock and then bounced off of a really springy matrices that someone forgot to take home(hint hint, it was Derpy because of… something important). On his way down though Spike saw he was going to land on a bunch of spikes, or what he though we're spikes but in reality, they were a bunch of shiny rocks, as such he panic and accidentally learned to do an air dash… sort of. By chance though, he landed on a skateboard that a foal lost control of. Luckily for Spike, the skateboard took him all the way to the hospital… after going through the worst obstacle course ever since it made Spikes motion sickness even worse.
Once he got off the skateboard and inside the hospital he went to the receptionist desk and asked while slurring his words “Do you have medicineeeee… For motion sick…” Before Spike could finish his sentence, he passed out. After waking up two hours later and getting checked out of the hospital, Spike decided that studying a bit on medicine might be a good idea if he was to continue on this path.
*Flashback ends*
“Let's just say that you do not want to go outside if you have motion sickness.” Said a blushing Spike. Luna did not get it but let it slide since Spike ran away from her when she was about to ask to clarify. That and she forgot about when the board games came.
Let the planning begin! Now what would make Sweetie happy…*picks up quill* well I did heard a rumor that the CMC wanted to upgrade their clubhouse… Sweetie's cutie mark has a music note so maybe if I get her something that could help her sing… *drops quill* No that's not it. Maybe... what if the answer to my solution is in what she said…
*Sweetie Belle's speech*
“Why were you so late to get to us?” Asked Sweetie Belle.
“Ahh… that… um, you see I was… um… distracted working in the library and did not know what was going. Yup totally what i was doing. Ha, ha, ha…” said Twilight.
“You were reading the books, weren't you?” asked Sweetie with an annoyed expression.
“No totally what i was doing. What makes you think that?” Said Twilight.
“Spike always says that once you start reading that you won't notice anything.” Said Sweetie, keeping a neutral expression.
“What, no that has never happened.”. Said Twilight.
“Twilight, stop trying to lie to me! Everypony in town knows this since the infamous maple honey incident...” Said Sweetie and immediately shivered at the horrible memory of the crusade, “were you ended up having to be hospitalized just to get all the maple honey off of you!”
“Wait, is that why I was in the hospital? I thought I had started walking and reading at the same time again.” Said Twilight.
“See! Even you admit you have a problem! I bet you even forgot you sent Spike to the Everfree Forest!” Said a now very irritated Sweetie Belle.
*memory over*
Umm… Lying stands out so let's start with that…*picks up quill and writes out ‘be more truthful’* what else can I do to fix our relationship… “I bet you even forgot you sent Spike to the Everfree Forest!” Eh… “you even forgot … Spike… Forgotten… Spike…” *shakes head very quickly to dispel the thought* That's crazy. I mean why would I forget about Spike? He is the little brother I wish I could have so there is no way I can forget him… right…? *gets back to work but has a hard time focusing from then on it*
Chapter 6: Stick with Apple Pies (If you haven't noticed, the chapter names reveals which character may be on story or may be puns of what happens in the story)
It has been two days since the manticore incident. Rarity is still stuck in the hospital (much to every ponies chagrin), the news of Gunvolt has spread as fast as lighting, and Spike… Is currently stuck working with Sweetie Belle making Rarity’s clothes.
Why is Spike stuck with Rarity’s job (even though he likes the job)? Well, the day before was the day Rarity woke up and learned that her whole body was temporarily paralyzed. Spike, being the only dragon reliable enough to work on her clothes, as well as the only cloth maker that lived in Ponyville other than herself, had Sweetie Belle ask Spike to help her. Seeing the perfect chance for her evil plan, Sweetie Belle told Spike Rarity’s request… as well as adding herself to the request. Luckily, Spike knew how bad Sweetie was at anything sewing related and agreed to not only doing Rarity’s job, he would teach Sweetie how to sew like a professional that way she can help Rarity too.
After Rarity was told the good news, and getting Twilight to agree which was made easier thanks to Celestia and Luna still being there, and Spike got right to teaching Sweetie Belle to sew, after promising that Sweetie wouldn't get close to the cloth that need to be delivered.
That night was the night Ponyville… had nothing happened since teaching Sweetie Belle to sew was easier than expected or as dangerous as expected. Actually, they finished all the dresses by midday (all thanks to an all nighter filled with the power of electricity while Sweetie Belle slept). As Spike left Carousel Boutique, he heard the sound of a cart coming. When Spike turned to look at the car he saw a pink blur try to slam into him.
A little earlier that day were both Pinkie and the Apple family were at…
“We're Apples forever, Apples together We're family, but so much more No matter what comes, we will face the weather We're Apples to the core!” Sang a group of five ponies in a cart before the big red pony said, “Eeyup!”
“Hahahahahahaha...” Everypony that was in the small brown cart laughed after finishing their song. The ponies were the mares Granny Smith, Applejack and Pinkie Pie. The stallion pulling the cart was Macintosh or how he is better known as, Big Mac. The young, yellowed body and red mane and tail with a big red bow, filly was Applebloom. Every pony in the cart were returning from a trip to the Apple family reunion. Pinkie went because she was an honorary family member. They had a lot of fun at Appleloosa but Applejack was happy to be going back home.
“Everypony! I can see the town from here.” Said Big Mac.
“Yee-haw! Can't wait to be back home!” Screamed Applejack.
“When I get home I'll tell Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo everything that happened on the trip.” Said Applebloom excited.
“I'm sure that Gummy is missing me very much. Uh! Uh! Uh! Maybe he may want one of my cakes or cupcakes or cookies or mmff…” Said Pinkie, that is until Granny Smith covered her mouth with her hoof to silence her.
“Pinkie, we are all excited but we don't need you to say all of them pastries you cook being said out loud you hear me.” Said Granny Smith. Pinkie was about to apologies before she saw one of her friends, Spike. Before anyone could react, Pinkie got off the cart and ran at great speed so she could tackle him. Had she paid attention, or ran with her eyes open, she would of had noticed that she was much closer to him than expected. Before Spike could even react, she crashed into him, hard.
“Pinkie!” Screamed a mad Spike, knowing full well Pinkie was the only pony sane enough to tackle her friends as way to say hello.
“Heya Spike!” Said an excited Pinkie.
“Gosh darn it Pinkie! You scared us all half to death.” Said Applejack after catching up.
“Sorry, just got really excited to see an old friend!” Said Pinkie as she jumped up and down on Spike.
“...Pinkie you do realize you have only been gone for a week right?” Asked Spike.
“But I like it when we are all together…” Said Pinkie while making a pouty face.
“... Not going to lie, I prefer it when we are all together too but can you get off me? I can't feel my legs.” Said Spike. Pinkie finally realized that her whole body weight was on Spike’s belly so she decided to get off quickly while blushing.
“So Spike, came to visit Rarity again or something?” Asked Applejack while wiggling her eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
“More like finishing her work since it's physically impossible to visit her at the boutique at the moment.” Said Spike. “Who knew sewing for so long could be so stressful.”
“Wait, what do you mean by ‘physically impossible to visit her at the boutique’?” Asked Applejack.
“Yeah what do you mean by that? Uhhhh! Do you mean that Rarity moved somewhere also or mmff…” Said Pinkie before Spike stopped her by putting his claw on top of her mouth.
“No, Rarity did not move somewhere. She was hospitalized two days ago after a manticore stung her.” Said Spike in a matter of fact tone. Both Pinkie’s and Applejack’s eyes became wide.
“What the hay happened this past two days?” Nearly screamed Applejack.
The next couple of minutes were spent by Spike telling them the story of the manticore attack as well as the hero who scared the manticore off.
“... Apparently the manticore was driven off his home by a bunch of cocatrices and had to find new hunting ground and decided that the best place to get easy meals was close to town, or at least that's what the researchers Princess Celestia sent to the Everfree to investigate said.” Finished Spike. Everyone was left speechless at the unbelievable story. Pinkie even stopped bouncing for a second.
“That. Is. The. Coolest. Thing. EVER!!!” Screamed Pinkie once she processed the story. “The fight would have been so awesome to see, I mean hearing Rarity getting hurt during the fight is sad and all but it's still an awesome story!”
“I got to agree with Pinkie, the story sounds mighty impressive but I'm more worried about Rarity than anything else. Once we get all our stuff back into house, I'll go pay her a visit.” Said Applejack.
“Why wait Applejack? Just go visit your friend at the hospital right now. Me, Big Mac and Applebloom will take care of things.” Said Granny Smith.
“Eeyup.” Said Big Mac.
“Really? Well shucks, thank you Granny, Big Mac I'll owe you one.” Said Applejack. “I'll see y'all when I get back from visiting Rarity at the hospital.”
“Hey Applejack! Wait for me!” Screamed Pinkie before running after her. No one noticed how Pinkie’s stuff had suddenly disappeared from the cart.
“Hey, umm… Spike, is Sweetie Belle alright?” Asked Applebloom, worried for her friend.
“Physically yeah but she looks like she is scared without her sister here at the Carousel Boutique. If you want to talk to her, she is inside.” Said Spike while pointing with his dumb at the building behind him.
Applebloom instantly turned back to Granny Smith and asked “Granny, is it okay if go check up on Sweetie Belle?”
Noticing how worried for her friend Applebloom was, Granny Smith said “Sure thing sugar cube, just make sure not to cause trouble.”
Applebloom hug her Granny Smith and said good bye before running inside the building.
“Hey you don't mind if I help?” Asked Spike after he turned back to the rest of the Apple family.
“Sure thing Spike! This may even give Big Mac enough time to tend to his chores around the farm. But don't you need to help Twilight with chores?” Said Granny Smith before Big Mac could answer. Had Spike turned to Big Mac, he would had seen a look of terror. Although not in the event now called Spike at your Service incident, he did see everything he did and did not want Spike help out the farm. Granny on the other hand knew he just had an off day because he came to help her one day when she needed help and he did everything better than flawlessly. That and his cooking was godly.
With Granny Smith’s answer, they left for the farm.
Back inside Carousel Boutique, Applebloom saw Sweetie Belle putting the final piece in the project Spike told her to work on. Applebloom was impressed with just how much detail and attention she was working with. It was almost like watching Rarity work but unlike Rarity, Sweetie was humming a beautiful song. Not wanting to interrupt, Applebloom sat and looked at Sweetie work for about a minute.
“Done!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle while throwing her hooves up in the air “How in Equestria do Spike and Rarity have the patience to do this stuff for so long.”
“For Rarity, it may be because it's her destiny while Spike just loves Rarity.” Said a voice from behind Sweetie Belle. When she turned she saw Applebloom sitting in Rarity’s fainting sofa.
“...How long have you been there?” asked a creeped out Sweetie
“A minute.” answered Applebloom, still sitting on the sofa, “More importantly, are you okay Sweetie Belle?”
“Yeah, I’m. Why are you asking?” wondered Sweetie.
“I heard that Rarity got hurt by a manticore right in front of you so I though that you may have been sad.” said Applebloom.
At the mention of the memory, Sweetie got visibly scared. The memory of how the manticore was almost going to hit her was still fresh in her mind but then she remembered her hero and started to blush and stare into space. This made Applebloom curious.
‘Why is Sweetie Belle blushing? Nothing from what Spike told us should make Sweetie blush unless…’ though Applebloom. Once Applebloom connected the dots to the mystery, you could see an evil glint in her eyes. “I think someone got a crush…<3” said Applebloom. That got an immediate reaction out of Sweetie Belle. She was as red as tomato.
“What! No I don’t! I mean, what are you talking about. I don’t have a crush on Sp…” Sweetie Belle covered her mouth before she could say another word but sadly the damage was already done.
“Wait you have a crush on Spike?” asked Applebloom surprised that Sweetie said that. Applebloom wasn’t expecting that at all.
“Oh no.” Sweetie said very softly, knowing full well what came next.
“Since when? Why did you fall for him? Have you told him yet.” before Applebloom could continue, Sweetie Belle covered her mouth with her hoof.
“I will answer your questions if you promise not to tell anyone about this, okay?” asked Sweetie. She really didn’t want to deal with stuff like this.
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” said Applebloom while going through the pinkie promise motions. She was curious just why she got a crush on Spike, specially when the whole town knows that he likes Rarity.
“Fine… you see… I don’t remember when I fell for him… I just know that I like like him… As to why I like him is obvious really. He's smart, he’s strong, he’s funny, he’s responsible and he looks when he smiles and serious about what he likes and mmff…” Said Sweetie but couldn't finish because Applebloom covered her mouth.
“I asked why you like him not give me a list of everything he does. Besides, Spike is not as awesome as you make him sound. Spike is bad at cooking and he is not that funny.” Said Applebloom.
“What do you mean by bad at cooking? He once cooked dinner for Rarity and me and we both thought that what he cooked was way better than most restaurants in Ponyville, combined!” Said Sweetie.
“What? But when he was helping Applejack before, he only made mess bigger and his cooking kind exploded into a big mess,” Said Applebloom. “Or at least, that's what Applejack and Big Mac tell me.”
“Maybe it was an off day? I mean everything Twilight takes to the picnics she and her friend make is made by Spike. Sure Twilight forgets to tell them he cooks the food but still.” Said Sweetie.
“Really? I got to ask him about that then…” Said Applebloom, “I want to know something. When Spike told us the story of the manticore, he mentioned that someone saved you. Can you describe him to me? Even better let's find Scoots and then you can tell us both.”
“Yeah!” Said an excited Sweetie Belle, “...But remember not to tell anyone of my crush on Spike. I don't want others telling me things like I don't have a chance with him or tell me to do this or that to get his attention. If I want Spike to notice me then I will do it myself!” Sweetie Belle’s look when she said that was so determined that Applebloom couldn't help but admire her.
“Crusaders! Let's go find our comrade and get this discussion underway!” Said a now excited Applebloom. With that, they left Carousel Boutique to find Scootaloo.
Meanwhile at the hospital, Applejack and Pinkie saw something very surprising.
“Can you repeat that a bit louder again, I couldn’t hear all too well.” said the receptionist at the hospital.
“I SAID CAN WE VISIT RARITY!” screamed Pinkie, while using microphone. Very few ponies responded to the scream.
“Gosh darn it Pinkie! I know she can’t hear us all to well but isn’t that a little overkill.” said Applejack while she scratched her ear. She didn’t notice many of the ponies there didn’t even flinch at Pinkie’s scream.
“I’m sorry, I still couldn’t hear you. You see one of our patients would not ‘calm down,’ as such many of us can’t hear for a while.” said the receptionist. Both Pinkie and Applejack turned with a look of confusion. Who can talk so much that ponies temporarily lose their hearing? The answer came a second later.
“Ah! My fur! My beautiful fur! It’s ruined… Didn’t i just say to be careful with the spoon! HEY! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME!” a voice screamed so loudly that the hospital shook a little and worst of all… Pinkie and Applejack recognized that voice.
“Celestia bless the day she leaves.” said the receptionist, apparently still capable of hearing that.
Pinkie and Applejack didn’t even know what to do. The fact that Rarity was the one that made many of the ponies in the hospital incapable to hear embarrassed them to death. Applejack wanted to hide under a rock while Pinkie was… taking notes? Either way, Applejack got an idea.
“Hey Pinkie?” said Applejack.
“Hmm?” hummed Pinkie.
“Can I borrow a piece of paper?” said Applejack. Pinkie then ripped a piece of paper of her notepad and gave it to Applejack. Applejack then wrote down the words “Can we visit Rarity?”
“Oh! Is that what you said? Okay then, she is in the second floor, room number 45.” said the receptionist. After that, Pinkie and Applejack left to find Rarity. When they got to the third floor they saw one or two doctors passed out and many fighting each other over who should take care of Rarity. Many said that they wouldn’t take her because she was to picky or would complain way too much. But one thing was stood out like a sore dumb. Everyone in the floor either looked really irritated or sleep deprived.
One thing is for sure though, it looked like the floor went through war. Soon, the two friends reached Rarity’s room. Before they could open the door, a pony doctor opened the door with a lot of force and left crying as well as screaming “I don’t want to do this anymore!”
“Hey! I’m not done telling you how much it sucks being stuck like this! Come Back.” screamed Rarity. Pinkie and Applejack turned to each other and then back to the door. The door suddenly felt like it was the gate to Tartarus. With a heavy swallow, they walked in.
“Hey Rarity…” said a nervous Applejack. Pinkie just waved a hoof at her.
“Pinkie, Applejack? Is that you dearies? I can’t move my head at all so I can’t see you, especially since someone moved my bed down!” Said Rarity, screaming at the end. She was laying down on her back and she was completely stretched out so that her muscles didn’t cramp. Pinkie and Applejack moved closer and saw a small part of her fur coat was dirty. They guessed it was the food that was supposed to be dropped on her.
“So… umm… what just happened to the guy that left crying?” said Applejack.
“Oh I was just telling him that he should try to be more careful with his job.” said Rarity. You could almost feel her head moving upwards in a snobbish way.
“It didn’t look like that to me sugarcube. I mean he left crying.” said Applejack.
“I’m just surprise he can’t take a little criticism.” said Rarity, “everyone should be able to take a little criticism.”
“But that didn’t look like a little criticism to me.” said Pinkie, tilting her head a bit.
“I agree with Pinkie.” said Applejack.
“Okay, so maybe I gave a little bit more than just criticism but that's not the point.” said Rarity, “anyway, why are you girls here and Pinkie, you don’t mind moving my bed a little upwards.”
“Okie Dokie Lokie!” said Pinkie. After she said that she bounced over to Rarity’s bed remote and looked at the buttons carefully.
“Well, when Pinkie and me arrived into town we ran into Spike as he left your boutique. We asked him if he came to talk to you and then something him finish some really important cloth you needed and then he mention you being here in the hospital and me and Pinkie decided to visit you.” said Applejack.
“Oh, thank you! You girls are the best!” said Rarity before her eyes tried to pop out of her head. “Wait did you just say that he finished all of my orders?”
“Yeah. He said and I quote ‘More like finishing her work since it's physically impossible to visit her at the boutique at the moment.’” said Applejack.
Rarity was left speechless. ‘Maybe Sweetie didn’t tell him just how important those dresses are…’ though Rarity, trying to process how Spike finished a week's worth of work in one night. But before she could actually say anything, the bed folded into itself, squishing her in the process.
“Opps. I can fix it.” said Pinkie. She then proceeded to presses the buttons at random giving Rarity a lot of physical pain. A doctor assistant that was passing by saw this and his eyes shrunk in terror. He proceeded to run into the lobby and told everyone to prepare for the worst, not that anyone could here him. To tartarus, he could barely hear himself.
“ENOUGH!” screamed a pissed off Rarity to Pinkie. Both Applejack and Pinkie stopped moving, frozen from Rarity’s reaction. Pinkie then proceeded to press the one more time because her hoof got tired of being left in mid-air.
“Girls, you don’t mind if you stay here and keep me company do you?” asked Rarity, who was currently stuck between the folded bed cushion. The scene then slowly fades away from the hospital and in the sky you could see silhouettes of both Pinkie and Applejack.
At Scootaloo’s home…
“Scootaloo’s mom is Scoots here?” asked Sweetie Belle as Applebloom stood behind her.
“Oh, sorry sweetie but she isn’t home. She was invited by Rainbow and Fluttershy to go help her brother set up his store up in Cloudsdale.” said Scootaloo’s mom.
“Oh. Thank you for telling us Scootaloo’s mom.” said Sweetie Belle. After Scootaloo’s mom closed the door, the two fillies left for their club house.
“Ah shoot, I really wanted to see how much we could learn of this Gunvolt guy.” said Applebloom as she kicked a rock.
“We could always do it ourselves though.” said Sweetie as she walked alongside her friend.
“Do what yourselves?” asked a voice that came out of nowhere. Both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle turned quickly to see who said that. The owner of the voice was none other than Diamond Tiara. Diamond Tiara was being followed by her best friend Silver Spoon. After the incident with Diamond Tiara’s mother Spoiled Rich, the CMC and Diamond and Silver became really good friends.
“We were talking about finding out more about the guy that saved Sweetie Belle. All I know is that his name is Gunvolt and that he uses lightning but anything else in specific I don’t know.” said Applebloom. “Really, only Sweetie and Rarity know how he looks.”
“...and you haven’t asked her why?” said Diamond.
“We were going to discuss it once we got together with Scootaloo but apparently she is out helping Rainbow or how she calls her know, her honorary sister.” said Sweetie.
“So, are you guys just going to quit or are you going to continue the plan without Scootaloo?” asked Silver.
“Well yeah! I want to know who saved Sweetie and Rarity.” said Applebloom.
“Wait! You mean the story that is going around town about some hero named Gunvolt is actually true? I thought someone just spread the rumor to get attention.” said Diamond. Silver agreed with her.
“Well, he is real and he was really cool!” said Sweetie, protecting her hero’s pride.
“Then prove it…” said Diamond, not noticing that she was going back to her bad habit from her past.
“Well fine! We will prove it by having him show up!” said Applebloom.
“And how are you going to do that, uhh?” said Silver, taunting them by accident as well.
“Well, if he appeared like a superhero then maybe he will appear if we get into trouble?” said Sweetie. The moment she said that she covered her mouth, knowing full well where this was going.
“Well then. I say we find something that will make ‘Gunvolt,’ if he is even real, appear?” said Diamond, unintentionally stepping on a landmine of intense trouble and probable sap.
“Oh no…” whispered Sweetie, knowing nothing will stop Applebloom now that the plan was made.
“SO GOOD!” screamed Big Mac, falling in love with Spike’s cooking after eating an apple pie he made.
“See I told you Spike was an excellent cook!” said Granny Smith to Big Mac with a grin.
“But I remember Spike made a mess in the kitchen last time he came to help and his food was horrible.” said Big Mac, to surprised to care to stay quiet, “how do you even go from that to this?”.
“I’m still not sure what happened that day.” said Spike, “I’ve always been this good at cooking. I was taught by professional chefs because of an incident that Twilight got into.” said Spike as he finished washing dishes.
“I’m not sure either sonny but there is nothing we can do about it now. What happened happened.” said Granny Smith.
“Well all the dishes are done, except for Big Mac’s plate, so I’m going back to the castle to see if there is anything that needs to be done. When you see Applebloom, can you tell her to meet me at her club house once Scootaloo is back? I need to tell her and her friends something important.” said Spike.
“Sure thing kiddo, just make sure you don’t stay out too late. Night time is dangerous for you youngins.” said Granny Smith.
“Eeyup!” said Big Mac.
“I’m not as young as I look but sure.” said Spike. This confused both Big Mac and Granny Smith.
“What do you mean by that kiddo?” asked Granny Smith.
“Oh shoot, I keep forgetting that not everyone knows that.” said Spike as he realized that both Big Mac and Granny Smith don’t know that dragons age slower than expected, “I’m not sure if you know this but dragons age slower than most creatures and because of that, the age of some dragons can be very weird. For example, I’m called a baby dragon because most dragons I still am in that stage of growth but if I were a pony, I would already be an adult since I’m 18.” said Spike. This surprised Granny Smith and Big Mac. This also explained to Big Mac why Spike knew so much stuff that most kids wouldn’t.
“Oh, uh… sorry for treating you like a kid then sonny.” said Granny Smith. Big Mac agreed with her.
“Oh don’t worry about guys. Everyone makes mistakes and besides it’s nice to be pampered from time to time.” said Spike. “Welp, I need to get going. Don’t want Twilight to worry herself to death over the schedule again. Then again, I did throw her for a loop when I finished my chores at the castle in record time but that’s besides the point. If you need anything don’t be afraid to call me alright? Later.” said Spike as he walked toward the door. After exiting, he left to go to the castle. As he was walking he saw something in the distance. Whatever it was, it was really close to the Everfree Forest.
When Spike focused on the object a little more he drew back in shock for two reasons. One reason was because when he focused on the object, or better said ponies now that he could see them better, the world zoomed in suddenly. The second reason is that the ponies close to the Everfree Forest where the CMC and their friends Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
“...This town really needs to go into a monster free vacation.” said Spike before hiding in a bush and transforming. After transforming, he rushed to where they were to stop them from getting attacked by something.
“This is a really horrible idea.” said Sweetie with SIlver Spoon agreeing to her. The group of fillies, in hopes of meeting the mysterious hero, went straight to the Everfree Forest entrance. Both Applebloom and Diamond Tiara were excited to do this.
“Oh come on girls. What’s the worst that can happen?” said Diamond.
“Yeah! It’s not like we are going to suddenly get attacked by, i don’t, a timberwolf or something right?” said Applebloom, adding fuel to the fire. A fire known as Murphy´s law.
After Applebloom said that, a horrible smell appeared behind them. All the fillies gagged at the horrible smell. Then Applebloom froze realizing what is happening.
“...Girls…” said Applebloom.
“Yeah?” everyone said.
“...Run.” said Applebloom.
“What?” said Diamond. She suddenly started to gag more since she accidentally breathed in more of the horrible smell.
“RUUUUN!” screamed Applebloom as she ran for her life.
The others realized what was going on and ran as well. All except Diamond who was still choking on the smell.
“*cough*What…*cough*” said Diamond. When Diamond looked up, she froze with terror. She was surrounded by at least ten Timberwolves. The biggest Timberwolf suddenly shook his head in the direction of the other fillies. Then five of the Timberwolves left to chase the fillies but before they could begin the chase, three of the Timberwolves were hit by a small pellet. The Timberwolves were confused by this but before they could shake of the confusion, the Timberwolves hit by the pellets were hit with lightning, taking them apart after the a short while.
They all looked where the lighting came from only to find Gunvolt standing a short distance away.
Suddenly, three other Timberwolves felt something hit them before getting electrocuted to the point that they were torn apart. The pack leader then realized just who was causing them the trouble.
While the Timberwolves were distracted, Diamond took her chance and ran to the other fillies.
Gunvolt, seeing the filly finally ran, started running at an incredible speed toward the Timberwolves that were left. After a growl from the lead Timberwolf, the rest of the pack attacked Gunvolt but this proved to be pointless since Spike took them out immediately. He soon reached what is most likely the alpha Timberwolf.
(Switching to Spike’s view)
“whY...rrr...PrEy… rrr… oUrS…” Spike heard coming from the alpha Timberwolf. Spike was surprised at this development. To his knowledge, a Timberwolf that could talk was unheard of. Spike distraction gave the Timberwolf opening needed to attack his opponent. Spike snapped out of it rolled to the left to avoid the charge. When it landed, the Timberwolf lunged at Spike again and almost got him but Spike dodged again. Seeing the perfect opportunity, Spike used his skill Lightning Spark and hit the Timberwolf right on his torso, making the Timberwolf explode into sticks.
“... Are… huff… you all okay?” Asked Spike. All the fillies was nod speechless seeing the hero fighting… before Diamond rushed him while squealing like a fangirl.
“Oh, my gosh. Its really you. I’m like your biggest fan EVER!” screamed Diamond, completely out of character. This freaked everyone out of course.
“Than… wait, haven’t I been a hero for like what, three days?” asked Spike.
“But the whole town made you sound so cool so I just had to meet you and when I heard that the CMC were going to talk about you, I just knew this was the perfect chance to meet you!” said an excited Diamond.
After processing what Diamond said, Applebloom said, “Hey, you used us!”
“Sorry! But I just had to meet!” Said Diamond. ‘And maybe ask for something else…’ though Diamond.
Spike was about to say something when he saw something glow green out of the corner of his eye. He turned to see all the sticks that formed the pack of Timberwolves, plus a few sticks and trees from the Everfree Forest, and started to form something massive.
“Uh oh…” said Spike recognizing what was going on. They all stared as the Timberwolves suddenly became a Giant Timberwolf.
“Everyone get out of here while I distract it!” commanded Spike. All the fillies ran as far away as they could go while still being able to see the action.
“Roooaaaarrr!” roared the Giant Timberwolf at Spike. The Giant Timberwolf’s smell made Spike flinch a bit but knew that he was the only one who could stop it at the moment.
Suddenly, the world turned blue and Spike couldn't move. The word ‘Warning’ suddenly appeared in the sky and the Giant Timberwolf posed. Spike was confused but not as confused as before. The world returned to normal once the Giant Timberwolf returned to its original position and the battle begun.
Spike tried to use his Volt Gun against the Giant Timberwolf but all the bullets bounced of the wood. This told Spike that the Giant Timberwolf somehow made the trees and sticks as tough as scales, making his current pellet shots were useless but this gave Spike the perfect chance to try his new gun mode, Pierce. Before he could activate it, the Giant Timberwolf tried to smash him with his paw. Spike used Lightning Step to get out of the way of the attack.
When the Giant Timberwolf lifted its paw, Spike saw a giant paw print three feet deep. Realizing that staying in the ground was far too dangerous for him, Spike decided to climb on its body the next time tried to squash him. After activating Pierce, Spike shot his pellets at the Giant Timberwolf and just like he expected, the pellets pierced the wood allowing him to finally use Lightning Link. When Spike used it though, he noticed that it wasn’t affecting it at all. The Timberwolf then tried to squash Spike while he was surprised but Spike dodged it again but barely. Spike then rushed to get on the Timberwolf’s paw before it got too far for him to reach.
“Gunvolt!” screamed Sweetie Belle, “The joint on the top part of his leg glowed both times it tried to stomp you!”
Spike heard her and waited on the Giant Timberwolf’s leg to see if that would happen again. He saw the Giant Timberwolf sit on its hind legs and then tried to swat him with his other paw. Spike ran away from the strike but did notice that the joint of the leg glowed with power while it was attacking. Deciding that maybe he should try to hit that instead, Spike attacked the area with his pellets. When the pellets hit the area, it glowed green again and Spike attacked. The Giant Timberwolf flinched in pain while the spot turned from green to yellow and then from yellow to red before it blew up with energy. Suddenly, a huge chunk of the leg fell off but not the whole thing. When Spike looked at the spot again he saw it was glowing green again but much weaker than before. Spike then decided to attack it but then he saw the spot glow and formed a magic shield. After shooting his pellets at the shield and having them bounce right of it, Spike realized that the Pierce mode couldn't go through magic. As such he decided to aim for another weak spot. He then saw the head trying to bite him but he ran higher up the body to escape the attack. The Giant Timberwolf flinched from biting itself which show two more weak spots, those being the knees of the back leg.
Learning this, Spike went on the offensive. He ran to one of the trees sticking out of its back and attacked the weak spot on the leg he was on. The wolf once again howled in pain before a chunk of its leg fell of. The wolf suddenly got on all four feet again making Spike fall of the tree he was on because of the extreme change in angle. As he was falling, Spike shot the other weak spots in hope that at least he can use the moment to his advantage.
When he looked back down, he saw a couple of sticks were acting like spikes. As such, Spike used his Air Dash to escape what could very well be instant death spikes. The Air Dash however made him dash into a stick that was on his path. He was only lucky that stick was not pointing at him with its sharp end.
As Spike held on to one of the trees, he saw that his pellets hit their intended targets as such he used Lightning Link to damage it. After the weak spot exploded, another chunk of the wolf fell of. With one of its legs being longer than the other and not being able to regenerate it, the Giant Timberwolf fell to its side from lack of balance. Had Spike not jumped from tree to tree while using Lightning Boost and Lightning Step, he would of had been squashed by the fallen Giant Timberwolf.
“Go Gunvolt, Go!” screamed all the excited fillies.
“What's going on!?” screamed Twilight as she got to the scene.
“Twilight!” screamed Applebloom, “A pack of Timberwolf attacked us and then Gunvolt saved us.”
“After that, the Timberwolf turned into, well, that.” Said Silver while pointing at the Giant Timberwolf.
“And now Gunvolt is defeating! He is so cool!” Said Diamond, excited she not only got to see Gunvolt in action but was also saved by him, twice!
“Really. But how is he…” suddenly there was the sound of an explosion. They all turned to see a strange shield appear on the back leg of the wolf. Suddenly the body of the wolf glowed green before the glow went deep into its body.
“Oh no you don't!” Screamed Spike. He then chased the weak spot into the Giant Timberwolf’s body, not noticing that the body was trying to regenerate again.
“What was that!” Asked Twilight.
“That was the weak spot on the Timberwolf being destroyed.” Said Silver.
Inside the body…
“This is ridiculously dangerous!” screamed Spike as he ran for his life as the tunnel he was running in was closing on him as well as sticks sharp enough to, probably, penetrate his scales were appearing around him at random. He saw an opening soon and jumped in with no hesitation. The trapped stopped at the door.
“Okay…*huff* that was difficult… *huff*.” said Spike, tuckered out from the run he did. When he turned to the center of the room he found the glowing weak spot… in the shape of pissed of Timberwolf. Suddenly, the Timberwolf unleashed a beam of pure energy at Spike from its mouth.
Spike ran to his left but the glow behind him didn't grow weaker. He looked at the center noticing that the wolf was following with its attack. Spike ran from the energy attack for a few seconds longer until he noticed the attack stopped. When he turned he saw the Timberwolf was tired. Deciding that this was the perfect opportunity to counter attack, Spike attacked it and just like before, the Timberwolf went from green to yellow and from yellow to red before… collapsing into itself?
“What's it doing?” Asked Spike as he dropped his guard. Suddenly the wolf exploded with great force, pushing Spike out of its body.
(Outside, seconds before the explosion within the body.)
The Giant Timberwolf roared in pain before releasing a giant wave of energy that blew everything back.
“What happened?” Asked a dizzy Diamond.
“I don't know but does anyone else hear screaming?” Asked Applebloom.
When everyone turned to the source of the scream they saw Spike flying in the sky before faceplanting into the ground a few feet away from them… hard. Soon after the sound of something falling apart was heard and everyone , except Spike who is still stuck on the ground, turned to see the Giant Timberwolf turn just a little bit smaller than before.
“...Did i get it or is it still standing?” asked Spike, still in the ground.
“Nope. It's still standing but it did get smaller.” Pointed out Sweetie.
“Expected as much.” Said Spike as he stood up again with one or two scratched scales, “That’s how things always go. Ready!”
The Giant Timberwolf was now pissed. The first thing it did was roar at Spike but he had already left the spot. When everypony and dragon looked at the spot the wolf roared at, they noticed that everything was almost dead.
“... I know they have bad breath and all but isn't that just a bit too much?” Asked Spike, surprised at the power the wolf breath had. Spike then got back to action and shot the leg farthest from him to attack it but unlike before, the wolf protected its weak spot by using his paw as a shield.
“And it's also much smarter. Great.” Moaned Spike from seeing this. Spike then ran from his spot as the Giant Timberwolf tried to once again smash him with his paw. Spike to the chance and jumped on the leg but again the wolf did something that caught him of guard. The leg now had walls that prevented Spike from just climbing straight up the leg.
“Oh come on!” Screamed Spike. Spike then heard the sound of the wolf moving and noticed it was trying to swat him off again. As such, Spike climb faster around the walls to get to higher ground. Once he was in a good enough spot, Spike attacked the leg farthest from him and then destroyed the weak spot. Unlike before though, the destroyed weak spot didn't return as well as the whole leg fell off. The wolf was even more pissed of now and once again tried to bite Spike but what it didn't know was that when it lost the leg, it moved so suddenly that Spike was launched skyward.
“Ahhh!” Screamed Spike in a girly manner. Then he felt no momentum and opened his eyes to look why he stopped. What he saw was that the reason he stopped was that the momentum used to throw him had ran out and was now floating in the sky for a few seconds.
Spike looked toward a metaphorical screen and said “Mommy.” before he screamed as he was going back down. Spike saw he was going to land in the back of the Giant Timberwolf but at the speed he was falling onew he was going to be badly hurt if he didn't try to stop his momentum. As such, Spike flailed around trying to see if anything was going to help him. Once he was close to wolf he, by accident, did a jump like motion. Spike suddenly felt like he rose a centimeter before falling on a branch.
“Celestia, thank you for this miracle!” Prayed Spike. He then noticed that his Blueprint skill had a new blueprint called Double Jump.
Taking the chance that he was safe, Spike attacked the leg he was flung off of while the wolf was distracted looking for him. Spike was successful in completely destroying another leg. The Giant Timberwolf was now bouncing on its back legs, trying to keep its balance. Spike had to hold on to the branch he was on for dear life.
Noticing the bouncing was going to end soon, Spike switched from Normal Pellet style to Tracer style and tried to target one of the back legs after creating a mental target for it. Spike shot three tracer pellets and they all missed the leg but bounced off the ground and aimed straight for their original target and hitting it.
Spike then decided that he needed to jump of before attacking and did just that. Spike was not expecting to fly that far though. Still, he followed his plan and use Lightning Link to take the leg down. The third leg than exploded and fell of completely. Spike then tried to do the Double Jump again and mildly succeeded… in gaining even more momentum because of the force he was following was not directly above him but right in front of him. As such he rolled all the way up to the ponies.
“...Hey…” said Spike as he noticed Twilight.
“...Hi?” Responded Twilight, confused by the sudden greeting. Spike then got right back up and shot the last weak spot that was visible and destroyed it while the wolf was down. With another explosion. The Giant Timberwolf was left with only a torso and a head which soon glowed showing it was the final weak spot. Before Spike could for it though, the head removed itself from the legless torso and dived bomb Spike and the ponies.
“Run!” Screamed Spike and everypony ran off in a different direction. When the wolf head hit the ground, it stunned itself with the force of the dive bomb. Taking this as his chance, Spike ran straight into the head to find the weak spot that hide within the head again. The same thing happened within the head as did in the torso with the tunnel only this time it was much shorter. After a few seconds of running and dodging, Spike reached a room where a Timberwolf made of energy was at. The wolf then attacked Spike with another energy beam and Spike ran away to dodge it but even this was harder since now he had to dodge vines that were growing in his way. At the last second, Spike tripped on one of the vines and was almost hit by the laser but was lucky because the Timberwolf got tired the very second before it reached Spike.
“Let’s finish this!” Said Spike and then he shot his normal pellets at the wolf, only to learn the wolf had a shield up as well.
“What!” Said a surprised Spike. The Timberwolf recovered and then shot the laser again. Spike ran to dodge the laser and the vines the best he could, waiting for his chance to attack. When the attack stopped, Spike ran up to the Timberwolf and used Lightning Spark but that failed to because the shield was just too tough. Spike was nervous now. All of his attacks had no effect on the shield. Then Spike remembered he still had one more move and used it.
Suddenly the world turned blue as Spike said, “The Blade that Protects All, Excalibur!”. Suddenly, right in front of him, a giant sword appeared cutting straight through the shield and Timberwolf at the same time.
The wolf howled in pain before it exploded with great force just like when he fought the other energy Timberwolf in the torso. Spike flew right out of the head and was about to faceplant into the ground again. He closed his eyes expecting the worst but after a few seconds of not feeling a crash, he opened his eyes to seeing himself glowing green and stopped midair after a while of slowing down.
“What… ?” Said Spike tiredly.
“Yay! I saved the one who saved me!” Screamed Sweetie.
“...Thanks.” Spike said smiling.
“You're welcome Mister Gunvolt.” Said Sweetie. She then lowered him to the ground before letting go. Spike could now barely stand thanks to the fatigue from using his ultimate.
“Two thing before… *huff* I go.” said Spike, “One, if… *huff* you want to meet me… *huff* just declare it to the whole town instead of looking for trouble. I'll appear within a couple of minutes if you declare it. Two, you, your friend Applebloom and your other friend Scootaloo, I want to meet you later together… that's all.” Said Spike as he got up and left at his highest before anyone could do anything about it.
“Hey wait! I'm not done talking to you about going out with me!” Screamed Diamond as she tried to chase Spike. Everyone look at her weirdly as she tried to catch up to him.
“... Let's never talk about what Diamond just did…” said Silver. Everyone agreed.
“Anyway…” said Twilight, changing the topic, “Are you girls okay?”
“Except for the scare, yeah we're fine.” said Applebloom, “Beats getting hurt or…” before she could finish, tree sap landed on her head. “... Getting covered in tree sap…”
“Does someone feel like the Timberwolf pack was a bit… bigger than normal?” said Sweetie Belle but was ignored.
“Well, that is great because you are all in a lot of trouble for pulling this stunt.” Said Twilight.
“... Scatter!” Screamed Applebloom and before Twilight, or Sweetie Belle knew, they all ran away. Sweetie Belle really didn’t want to do that but reacted without thinking at being told to run.
As Spike entered the hospital to ask if they could give him some painkillers when he saw Applejack and Pinkie coming out.
“Hey Applejack, Pinkie!” Screamed Spike but was ignored by the girls. He then ran in front of them and waved his hands to get their attention.
“Hey Spike.” Said Pinkie with a lot of energy as Applejack tipped her hat.
“What are you doing here?” Asked Spike.
“What!” Asked Pinkie. Applejack just waved goodbye and left, knowing that conversation would take a while before it was over. Spike waved good bye.
“I said, what are you doing coming out of the hospital?” Said Spike.
“What!” asked Pinkie again.
Raising his brow, Spike asked louder “What were you doing at the hospital.”
“What!” Asked Pinkie.
“I said, why are you here!” screamed Spike, a little pissed off at the pink pony.
“I can't hear you!” Screamed Pinkie.
“I said, why are you here!!!” Screamed Spike reaching his limit on Pinkie's antics.
“I can't hear you! Me and Applejack came to visit Rarity at the hospital but before we could leave she asked us to stay to talk but she talked and whinned so much that me and Applejack temporarily lost our sense of hearing!” Screamed Pinkie.
“...” Is all Spike said before waving goodbye and left for the hospital.
“...What!!!” Screamed Pinkie annoyed at not hearing Spike even though Spike said nothing.
“Wait! Couldn’t had just bit the Timberwolf with my fire breath?” ask Spike to himself in the middle of the night. “... Oh god i totally could've had done it. Dang it!”
*getting into the castle after scolding the girls* Spike, I'm home!
*groaning can be heard from above the stairs* What Twilight?
Twilight: You won't believe what happened today! *spoke in an excited tone*
Spike: *sounding tired* Can it wait for tomorrow I'm sore from all the work I had to do today.
Twilight: What! Common Spike it's not that much work.
Spike: Seriously, I'm tired so *yawn* tell me later… *leaves for his room*
Twilight: Come on, it's not that much work right. *suddenly the words stand out as much as a white pony in the middle of a bunch of red ponies* … right?
“Sore, so sore!” Moaned Spike and who wouldn't after being shot out of a Giant Timberwolf via explosions multiple times. “I'm so thankful Sweetie caught me or else it would be so much worse.”
Spike was currently on the roof of one of the hallways with one of his brand new skills he learned when he woke up, Self-Magnetism! Though when he first learned it, he was stuck on the blanket and by the time he got unstuck Twilight was awake and cranky for not getting her morning coffee.
“A pain to use but a lot of fun once it works!” Said Spike while hanging from the roof, “... And have the metal needed to use this skill in such a place it can be useful.”
As Spike continued cleaning the hallway, Twilight was eating her breakfast slowly. Last night, Twilight had a dream about one of her birthday parties but for some reason the dream felt like it was missing something important but she didn't know what it was.
Suddenly, someone was knocking at her door. Curious as to who it was, Twilight got up from eating her breakfast and went to open the door. When she opened the door, she saw the Zebra Zecora.
“Hello Twilight Sparkle.” Said Zecora.
“Zecora!” Said a surprised Twilight, “What are you doing here?”
"I'm staying at range, for the potion you didn't claim." Said Zecora.
“Potion…?” Said Twilight. After some time she remembered the potion that Spike couldn't get. “Ah the stamina potion! Sorry about that. I sent Spike to go get but on his way he was attacked by a manticore. Don’t worry, Spike is okay.”
"His welfare puts me at ease, but him I still wish to see." Said Zecora.
“Okay. He's… somewhere in the castle cleaning. I would take you but I don't actually know where in the castle he is.” Said Twilight.
“Where is who?” asked Spike who had finished messing around with his ability and went to check on Twilight.
“Spike!” said a surprised Twilight, “Don’t do that again please. Anyway, Zecora is here with the Stamina Potion from last time.” said Twilight.
“Potion? What potion?” said Spike, not remembering being told about another potion.
“You know the potion I sent you to get but couldn’t because of the manticore.” said Twilight.
“Oh! That potion. Totally forgot about it.” said Spike.
“I feared Twilight was speaking empty. Here is the potion, if you're not fully healthy.” said Zecora.
“Thank you Zecora. It may come in handy.” said Spike as he received the potion. He then got an idea. “Hey Twilight? Can I take a break now. There is something I want to do in town today.”
“Sure… but you do realize that you have chores to do right?” asked Twilight.
“I finished a few minutes ago.” said Spike.
“Are you sure cause the castle is pretty big.” said Twilight, worried that Spike was letting go of his responsibilities.
“I did. I actually found a few short cuts for cleaning the castle and add to that the fact that I’m using a brand new cleaning supplies and it's no wonder I can finish much faster than before.” said Spike, “And no the shortcuts are not sweeping all the trash under the rug.”
Twilight didn’t believe him. Before was understandable since he had almost all day to clean but now, now it was just a tad bit too fast to be reasonable.
“Fine, you can go and help Rarity but if I find anything even remotely dirty, you will have to clean the entire castle all over again as punishment. Deal?” asked Twilight.
“Deal.” said Spike confidently. ‘I did, after all, triple check all the spots I clean to make sure I didn’t forget any spot… did I just did a Twilight?’
After shaking his head, Spike turned to Zecora and asked, “Hey Zecora, can you let me walk with you to your hut? I want to talk to you for a bit since we rarely talk.”
"A partner would be appreciated. Someone to listen makes me very elated." agreed Zecora.
“Later Twilight!” exclaimed Spike.
“Bye Spike, bye Zecora!” scream Twilight.
"Until next time, Ms. Twilight.” said Zecora in a respectful manner. After the goodbyes were said, Spike and Zecora left the castle and walked toward the other side of the town.
“If I may be so bold, what do you wish to be told?” questioned Zecora, emphasising Spike’s name.
“I want you to help me learn how to make potions.” said Spike wanting to get to the point.
"I question that claim. This power you have, it is very strange. Asking your friend may have been a bit too scrying, so straight from the source: what is it you're hiding?" questioned Zecora. Spike then remembered that because Zecora doesn’t live near town that she doesn’t know that he has superpowers now.
“It really is me Zecora and to explain the aura of power, let’s just say I got superpowers from a relic from the Everfree Forest.” said Spike in calm manner. “Just ask anyone in town and they will tell you the same thing.”
Zecora just eyed him suspiciously. Why would a potential enemy outright tell her that everyone in town knows he is someone he may not be? Before she could make more conspiracy theories, Spike said, “If you still don’t trust me, just use one of your potions to reveal the truth.”
Zecora, still suspicious, agreed to this and took the small dragon to her home to check if what he said is true.
Elsewhere in the Everfree Forest, Spike and Zecora where walking to Zecora’s house when Spike suddenly trembled.
“... Is it just me or is something bad going to happen?” asked Spike.
"From what to hide, it could just be your mind." said Zecora, still on guard. The walk to Zecora’s house was really quiet but Spike understood why. Zecora is the only pony, well zebra in this case, in Ponyville aside from Twilight that can feel changes in the magic that flows through the air and why wouldn’t she, the zebra is someone who messes with magic without a horn. Twilight didn’t notice the sudden change in Spike magical aura though because she has not studied that for some strange reason.
A few minutes later, Spike and Zecora reach her house. After entering, Zecora grabbed a few ingredients and after a while, made a potion that would reveal if this was truly Spike or not.
"This mixture will reveal the truth. If nothing occurs, I shall believe you." said Zecora as she passed Spike a potion that had a grey color. When Spike got it close to his nose, he flinch at the smell of the potion. The potion smelled horrible and this terrified him but because him learning how to make potions depended on this he thought ‘Well, down the hatch it goes…’ Surprisingly, the potion tasted like a mixture of cupcakes, acorns and… fur. The taste made Spike slightly nauseous and improved the level of quality for his Toxic skill which didn’t really made him happy.
‘Hope that doesn’t happen every time I want to throw up.’ thought a green faced Spike.
Aside from the green hue his face took from the test, Zecora finally realized the this really was Spike. This realization made her happy because she really liked Spike. He was the like the little brother she wished she had. But that moment of happiness ended the moment she realized that she made him nauseous. Immediately she got the materials ready to make another potion the would cure him of his nauseousness.
"I wish to amend, for the foul taste, my friend." said Zecora.
“Don’t worry about it. You just had to make sure it was me for everyone safety so it's understandable. Just wished I didn’t get this nauseous again. Open Inventory.” said Spike. Zecora was confused with what he said when suddenly a blue screen with small boxes appeared in front of him. He then tried to grab a square that had a picture of medicine. What surprised Zecora even more was that when he pulled his arm back, the picture was removed from the square and turned into actual medicine which Spike immediately drank.
“Much better.” said Spike. “Thank you for existing inventory. Close Inventory.” As he said that, he put back the medicine bottle back in his inventory before it disappeared.
To say Zecora was surprised was an understatement. She had never seen somepony do something like that before. The closest thing to something to what Spike did was Pinkie pulling stuff out off thin air but that wasn’t as visually appealing to what Spike had done.
She shook her head before asking, "That mysterious view, what is the truth?"
“Remember that weird magic aura you mentioned that I had?” said Spike, “That aura comes from a pair of relics I found called the Volt Gun and Volt Glove. Show Gunvolt.” He then showed Zecora the relics.
"May I see these relics, please?" asked Zecora eyeing the relics.
“I would but the I can’t take off the glove. I can let you see the gun though just be careful not to pull the small trigger.” warned Spike. He then gave Zecora the gun for her to inspect it.
"A 'trigger' you say?" asked Zecora. Zecora then realized something more important. "And this 'gun', please explain."
“From what the scroll left with the relics said, a gun is just crossbow but better. If you want we can go outside and show what I mean.” said Spike.
"Though it fascinates me greatly, bigger things are waiting." said Zecora.
“Oh! I’m not taking your time from something important am I?” asked Spike worried.
After she giggled a bit, Zecora said, "Because Spike, you are at the top. You wished to learn potions, did you not?"
“Wait. You will help me? Awesome!” exclaimed Spike. “Yes, now I can make potions to help those who need it.”
"For those that need it, I believe it?" asked Zecora.
“Yes. You see, after Rarity got stung by the Alpha Manticore, I thought that maybe I should learn how to make cures for emergencies. I mean, regular medicine is good and all but in a moment of great danger, something that reacts faster is better right?” said Spike.
"That sounds justified, I suppose... wait, what almost put Rarity in death's throes?" said Zecora. The second part was said in fear.
Confused by the sudden behavior, Spike said, “She was stung by an Alpha Manticore…”
"Your left her where?" asked Zecora.
“At the hospital…” said Spike worried.
"We have to get over there! We should tranquilize her, before ears ring like wildfire." said a panicked Zecora.
“Why?” asked Spike.
"Alpha Manticores are a fun conundrum. Your body won't move, but your heart will run." said Zecora.
“Wait ener…” then Spike remembered. In Equestria’s past, many ponies experimented with many substances in the name of medicine. One of this ingredients was Manticore and Alpha Manticore poison. They discovered that a regular Manticore’s poison paralyzed the victims for about five minutes before they could move again. An Alpha Manticore’s poison on the other hand, paralyze its victims for almost 4 days before it wore off but that wasn’t the only thing they discovered. The poison, for whatever reason, also worked as a really potent energizer. The only problem with was that the part was the energizer and the part that paralyzed were one and the same meaning that they couldn’t be separated. Many ponies tried and failed to separate the poison. Now in modern Equestria, Alpha Manticore poison is now known as the useless energizer. But that is not all. In many of the test that were done, there would be rumors that both the testers and the scientist would end up depth because the poison energized the testers into talking endlessly. Many modern scientist recommend not to let anyone that wines or talks a lot to take this poison unless they have a soundproof barrier ready.
“... So that is why I felt I forgot something.” said Spike after remembering that fact. “Explains why Pinkie couldn’t hear me when I went to the hospital that one time.”
In Sugarcube Corner…
“WHAT!!!” claimed Pinkie suddenly. Her scream startled the sleeping Cake children, waking them up as well as making them cry.
“Ah! I’m sorry for waking you up after I put you to sleep.” Then she went back to trying to put the Cake’s children back to sleep.
"This potion must be made before more useless ears are bade." said Zecora. Spike saw her throw a bunch of things inside her cauldron. The few things he recognized were some sunflowers and red grasses but aside from that, he didn’t recognise any of the other ingredients.
“Zecora, why did you throw in a sunflower?” asked Spike.
"The 'Cold Absorber' is being produced. It was made for predators, their energy reduced. Siphoning energy from its intended target, the sunflower is so she won't drop it." explained Zecora.
“Cool. But it won't harm her right because from what you said I can guess that the potion won’t stop removing energy until it wears off and if we follow the laws of physics which says that energy can’t be created or destroyed then where does the absorbed energy goes to?” asked Spike.
"One little catch we cannot rectify. The user gets colder well over time. It hasn't been lethal, but it will seem to be, to those who aren't privy like you and me." said Zecora.
Spike didn’t understand what Zecora said for a few seconds but it then hit like a mallet to the face.
“I’ll just stand here in the corner then.” said Spike with a scared look.
"Did I startle you with the info? You don't need to steer clear of it, though." said Zecora with a playful smile.
“Thank you.” said Spike in a calmer voice. “...But please don’t scare me like that again.”
One trip to Ponyville’s hospital and back to Zecora’s hut later, Zecora started explaining to Spike how to make three basic potions.
"Three elixirs will need to be mixed: one for health and energy, and another to cure health to be fixed." said Zecora.
“The health potion and the energy potion are straight to the point on what they do but what does the cure potion do?” asked Spike.
"The 'cure' was known to fix any possible woe. Now, medicine is used, as it tastes just so. The cure potion is more of a last resort, if modern cures do no fixing of any sort." said Zecora.
“Nice. So what do I have to do?” asked Spike.
"The curing potion requires a particular herb. Two blades, if proportions are a thing you prefer. A dash of alfalfa if also needed, and three cups of lemon juice is preferably heeded." said Zecora.
“... alfalfa and lemon juice? Really.” asked Spike. All Zecora did was raise her eyebrow in such a way that is said ‘Are you questioning the zebra that has done this for years?’ “Fine but I want an explanation as to why we need alfalfa and lemon juice.”
While Spike went around her hut looking for the ingredients, Zecora explain why she said alfalfa and lemon juice. "The real ingredients are too long to list, so I'll just leave the explanation at this: The potion was sometimes needed too soon to rely, and deep in the forest did the ingredients lie. A more ready solution would be invaluable, and the lemon juice would make the remedy edible."
“Okay...?” said Spike. “By the way, what does the ‘peculiar herb’ look like?”
"A scent of lavender permeates, and after smelling, puts your mind in a calmer state." Said Zecora. With that said, Spike walked around sniffing at the many grasses Zecora had in her hut. He found the grass quickly and got.
"The materials, you are prepared to deal?” asked Zecora. Spike nodded his head in agreement.
"Mix it in a cauldron full of boiling water. It's more effective if done when the cauldron is hotter." said Zecora. "While this is something you can do in the kitchen, don't scale down the recipe, or cures are unbidden."
“Okay. I was expecting this to be much harder but it’s actually quite simple really. It’s just like cooking but more precise.” said Spike.
"The myth the can be cold is unfathomably old." said Zecora. After Zecora said that, she sat down and watched Spike make the potion.
Looking at his ingredients, Spike decided to start off with the healing herbs. After cutting them up with one of the knives from his inventory, he dropped them into the cauldron and waited to see what would happen. When the water turned green, he added the lemon juice and the alfalfa, after crushing it of course. What happened next scared him. The potion suddenly changed colors very quickly before it released a small explosion that blinded him. After it went away he turned back to see… a thick green liquid in the cauldron.
"The tremors alerted me to a potion that must be working." said Zecora.
“...What terrors? Wait, do you mean the explosion? So the force of the explosion is how effective the potion is?” asked Spike after looking over the new skill that popped up in front of his eyes called Brewing Mastery.
"That wasn't too hard, but now we truly start. The mix for Energy is up next, you see. A lightning flower's petal and thirty oak seeds, is just half of the potion's recipe. Then there's two blades of yellow grass and some copper spore, exactly one spoonful, no less, no more." said Zecora.
“Wait, wait, wait. You mean we need a petal from the really dangerous lighting flower and a spoon full of spore from a copper plant which are known for having an incredibly potent smell?” asked Spike.
"The life of a mixer will never be clear. To attain the ingredients would give anyone fear. The materials are here, lucky as that is. Otherwise, this fiasco would be on the fritz." said Zecora. She then walked to the wall behind Spike and clicked a secret panel that made the wall move to reveal many items that helped in collecting other items. She went to the wall and walked in, somehow, and came back with a military grade gas mask and a pair of wood twisers.
“Why do you have so many weird things in a hidden room? No, better question. Why and how do you have a hidden room?” asked Spike confused.
"As my hometown's medic, and the militia's in tandem, the reagents needed would almost always be random. The pay was decent, the corpses weren't recent, and the room's sealed with certain magic, in tandem." said Zecora with a proud smile.
“If I was Twilight right now, I would so totally start asking so many questions of how Zebrican magic works but luckily I’m not Twilight.” said Spike poking fun at Twilight's usual behavior, “... but do I really have to pick up the ingredients alone?”
"There are bushes back there where the garden lays bare." said Zecora in the most blunt way possible.
“... Okay then. I’ll just get the gas mask and get to work.” said Spike as he got the gas mask. Zecora nodded and went to clean the spoon and cauldron they used to make the potion. Before she got started on cleaning the spoon though she realized something important. Spike left without getting the twisers. In a panic, she ran outside as fast as she could. When she caught up with him, it was already too late. She saw him reach for the flower. “Spike!” Zecora screamed in panic.
“GAH!” screamed Spike, startled by Zecora’s scream. She startled him so much that he accidentally pulled the whole plant with him.
“What… what is going? Is something bad happening!” asked Spike in a panic. Zecora was just staring at Spike who still had just pulled out a flower with enough electrical power in it to kill any creature that is not wearing insulation or resistance to electricity.
"Painlessly holding the flower... I'm again amazed by that power." asked a flabbergasted Zecora.
“I know right. My new powers make me mostly immune to electricity. Sorry if I scared you.” said Spike after getting the ingredient. “My powers are more than just making things appear in the air.”
"I wish to not be startled by any new secrets. Can you list your powers before something happens we'll regret?" asked Zecora. Spike opened his inventory and gives her a list he premade for such occasions.
“I had many made after Princess Celestia asked me to make her one just in case.” said Spike. With that, he put the mask on and went looking for the copper plant.
A little bit of pollen gathering later…
“Let’s do this.” said Spike while standing in front of a the now empty cauldron. He and Zecora bottled some of the potion when Spike came back with the ingredients.
"The ingredients I listed must be inserted in sequence." said Zecora. Spike nodded before he took the lighting flower and dropped in the water. He then crushed all the seeds and chopped the grass to small shapes before he dropped them into the cauldron. Lastly, he dropped the spore in the cauldron and mixed it until the formula reacted. Though he was expecting a bigger explosion than what he got.
“What gives? I though I did everything correctly?” asked Spike.
“Something must have gone wrong to make this potion refuse. It's typically not this lighter hue." said Zecora.
“Wait what? But what can do that?” asked Spike until he realized something. “Zecora, did we ever cleaned this Spoon?”
"Cleaned it? Oh no... That's why this is just so..." said Zecora. While Zecora panicked about the now unknown potion, Spike stared at it thinking if he should test it or not when suddenly a screen appeared in front of him telling he learned a new skill: Observe.
“...What the hay is this skill?” asked Spike.
Zecora stopped we heard him say that and asked, "Another new skill? What bonuses are revealed?"
“I just got a new skill named Observe. Let’s check what it does shall we. Skill Show.” said Spike. After looking through the Spike Skill folder, Spike found that skill observe. He clicked on it and it told him, ‘Observe: Learn what things are for just by looking at them but since this not the gamer ability, expect this ability to be a hard to get type of ability. This skill allows you to see what objects can do if you target an inanimate object. If used on a living creature, it will have the same effect as Target Status Window. To use it say observe while looking at something or someone. Quality level 1. (Active)’
“...Well, that’s convenient.” said Spike, not really feeling any emotion at getting this skill until what it meant sunk in. “OH CELESTIA WHAT AM I SAYING! THIS SUPER USEFUL!” screamed Spike. Spike didn’t realize this but he almost hit Zecora on her snout from his excitement as well as scaring her from the sudden shout.
"Could you please summarize for me?" asked Zecora.
“It let’s me identify what items do. I no longer need to guess what things do with this!” said Spike.
"Giving the answer away, now that could be handy. What is this mixture's modus operandi?" said Zecora.
“[Observe.]” said Spike looking at the cyan potion. The skill identified the potion as the Quick Ailment Heal potion. As he read the items description, he learned that this potion heal sicknesses faster but only works on few ailments. “Okay, this skill is going get overpowered really fast.” said Spike.
“So what is it?” asked Zecora.
“It’s a Quick Ailment Heal potion. It has the same effects as the Cure potion but it works faster but doesn’t cure as many things.” said Spike.
"A narrower scope, but more efficient for those?" asked Zecora.
“Yes.” said Spike.
"A warning I must give before your live gives in. Experimentation tends to yield straight toxin. Rarely, if ever will it not put you in a coffin. That newly obtained skill could be the only thing keeping others from indulging in a poisonous drink." asked Zecora.
“I promise not to let anyone near the potion that I make unless they are labeled.” said Spike in a scared tone. “Now then, what do I have to do to make the Health potion?”
“For the last potion you need 1 nether wart, 1 glistering melon and 1 life core.” said Zecora.
“... What is a life core?” asked Spike.
"Think of a prosthetic, magical heart. It gives life to constructs that should be falling apart." said Zecora.
“So its a magical heart and it gives lifes to things the should be falling apart… wait, are you talking about Timberwolves?” said Spike nervously. All Zecora did was nod.
“So we are going to hunt Timberwolves then?” asked Spike, really hoping to not doing it. The Giant Timberwolf was a pain to deal with and he did not want to run into another one again.
"Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds. With this, we just need one with no others around." explained Zecora
“...It won’t turn giant will it? Also, we won’t actually kill them, will we?” asked Spike, hoping for the answer to yes.
"Only an alpha can do such a thing. As for the second, it'll still be alive, but a lot more weak." said Zecora.
“Doesn’t alpha mean a pack leader?” asked Spike.
"That, my friend, is a loaded question. You could brand alphas as leaders of their sessions. However, scientifically they're a subspecies, and not even the alphas, to quite a few studies." said Zecora. “Why ask?”
“I have run into two of them in my time here in Ponyville.” said Spike.
“Wow.” said Zecora. “You are lucky to stay alive since this creatures would of had ended it fast.”
Spike gulp when he heard that. Sure he won the fight against the second Giant Timberwolf but Zecora just reconfirmed just how dangerous the creature can be.
‘Here is hoping we don’t have trouble.’ though Spike before he and Zecora left to hunt.
Spike is really glad to say that nothing has yet to happen. But he was curious about something so he turned to Zecora.
“Hey Zecora, why are you so excited to go hunting?” asked Spike.
"Truth be told, hunting is rather fun. Always more so when it's with someone." said Zecora.
“Okay then. Never took you for someone that liked to hunt.” said Spike.
"I didn't think I'd meet a drake that I've never seen eating a steak." said Zecora. Spike froze when she said that.
“...Dragons eat meat?” asked Spike with a horrified look.
"Without meat, a dragon's growth is stinted. Until 18, it could remain hitched." said Zecora.
“...But I’m 18.” said Spike with a look of absolute terror. Zecora then also stopped walking.
"You'd better take notes, you'll need to learn the ropes." said Zecora. She turned to Spike only to see him scared.
“But I don’t want to hurt anyone.” said Spike. Zecora then realized that no one told Spike that meat is something that he would have to eat at some point and that the never truly crossed his mind.
"Spike, ponies know you forwards and back. Few should care if some of the local critters get attacked. It's better you starting prowling her now, lest you instinctively terrorize and hunt residents of the town." Although Zecora said all that, she could still see doubt in Spike’s eyes. She then came up with the perfect set of words to convince Spike to not be afraid of doing this. "There is one difference, if you're still hesitant. Monsters kill for fun, but you hunt for benefit. If there is any remorse, you're still lucid, of course."
Spike looked up at Zecora with a pleading look, “...Really? I won’t become some monster?”
"If you do it for sport, THAT is when you'll fall. But as far as I'm concerned, you're not a monster at all." said Zecora trying to comfort the you dragon. Just to get her point across even more, she walked up to him and then hugged him to add to confort.
“Thanks.” said Spike. After wiping his eyes, he said, “Let’s finish this before it gets to dark.”
They both then heard a noise near them and they both turned. They got closer to the noise, which happen to be on the other side of a bush, to see a lone Timberwolf digging into the ground.
“...For once the world feels nice enough to give me something nice.” said Spike. Zecora turned to him with a raised eyebrow. Knowing he had enough of this type of talks, she decided to get back to the thing they were doing, hunting the Timberwolf. She opened the bottle and almost instantly it turned to their direction.
"Spike, when I say so, get ready to fight. When I tell you to chomp, do so...” said Zecora and Spike agreed. They waited just a few more seconds. “BITE!”
Spike instantly jumped out of the bush and grabbed shut the mouth of the terrified Timberwolf. Zecora then jumped out and went to the side of the Timberwolf and punched the it close to its chest. The blow was so strong it took the Timberwolf apart (from Spike perspective, in reality she kicked it in a really sensitive spot). She then grabbed a green glowing stick that appeared alongside the other sticks and leaves of the body of the Timberwolf.
Zecora inspected the core with a nice smile. Spike was just standing in the same spot with his mouth opened. The moment Spike grabbed the mouth of the Timberwolf was pointless since Zecora reached and destroyed it a second after Spike touched the mouth. Spike shook his head and was about to say something when a small earthquake happened. They both looked around in a panic until they saw a single tree sprout right where the Timberwolf was digging.
“Zecora, is it normal for trees to sprout out of the ground to full size in a couple of seconds after Timberwolf dug into its spot.” asked Spike while looking at the tree from his spot.
"It is somewhat common, but VERY unwanted." said Zecora who also has not moved from her spot and was looking at the tree.
“Why?” asked Spike not turning to her.
“Most creatures evolve in some way shape or form and Timberwolves are no exception. It first starts as a Baby Timberwolf but after a few years of growth and training, it evolves into a regular Timberwolf. After that, Timberwolf can evolve into one of three evolutions. The first and easiest form for a Timberwolf to evolve into is the Alpha Timberwolf which can later evolve into its final form the Giant Timberwolf. It evolves into a Giant Timberwolf when the Alpha Timberwolf is in extreme danger and surrounded by ally Timberwolf. Second form a Timberwolf can evolve into is the Oak Timberwolf. It evolves into an Oak Timberwolf after it has lived for roughly 100 years without falling apart. If an Oak Timberwolf then lives for another 200 years without falling apart, it becomes and Ancient Timberwolf. Ancient Timberwolf are extremely tough to take apart but if you do manage to take it apart, it will evolve into a Life Spirit. Life Spirits are Timberwolves that no longer need a body to live since it can feed off of the energy in the air and it’s commonly considered to be a forest guardian.” said Zecora, laying off her rhyming style of speech, but before she could finish Spike interrupted her.
“This has to do with the Timberwolf because…” asked Spike.
“If you had let me finish I would had told why it relates to this so let me finish. The third form of evolutions happens when a Timberwolf searches for place to dig after living on its own for a few months without a pack of other Timberwolves. After it makes the hole, it jumps in and waits until its body falls apart on its own or someone destroy him. The name of the evolution is Treant. Treant are tree monsters that feed on Life Magic rarely leave the spot it was born from. If the treant manages to feed on enough Life Magic, it will evolve into a Great Treant which is much more powerful. If the Great Treant finds someone it trusts greatly or its left alone for many years, around 150 years, it while plants its roots or give Life Core to the one it trust and evolve into its final and incredibly rare form the Nymph. The Nymph then lives the rest of its life where the tree planted its roots or will live with the one it gave its core to. The reason why Nymphs are so rare is because it dies when its tree dies and Nymphs that live with a companion are almost myth since they happen almost once every 1000 years.” finished Zecora, again laying off rhyming.
“So… a Treant is in front of us?” asked Spike.
“Yes.” said Zecora.
“What is the plan?” asked Spike.
“I want to see what will happen to this Treant so I don’t want to kill it.” said Zecora.
“How far will it chase us if we use plan B?” asked Spike.
“Not to far that is for sure.” said Zecora. “The Treant is far too young so it doesn’t know its true power just yet so we will live that is for sure.” After she said that, the tree then opened what appeared to be eyes and looked at them.
“So… Plan B?” asked Spike.
“Yes.” said Zecora. She then got closer to Spike and asked in a whisper, “What is Plan B?”
“RUN!” screamed Spike just when the Treant gave an ear splitting roar. The Treant then chased after them through a large portion of the way back home (around ⅚ of the way). In their rush to get to Zecora’s home, they decide to just plow through everything so by the time they got to her house both were pretty injured. Okay that was a lie, Zecora was pretty injured, Spike was just sore from some the sticks that hit him.
“*huff* Just drop *huff* everything in the *huff* cauldron since there *huff* is no specific *huff* order to make the potion.*cough* The effects are better if you *huff* do try to make in different ways.*huff* Please hurry since *huff* I really need it.” said Zecora who had a wide but not dangerous cut on one side of her body and multiple ones everywhere else.
“I *huff* will make the *huff* best potion to *huff* heal you.” exclaimed Spike in tired manner.
Spike got to work on the Health potion really quickly. He first cut the glistering melon into 8 pieces and then dropped all of the insides into the the boiling water. Then he took the Nether Wart and quickly crushed it and placed it in the water as well. Then he used the Life Core stick to mix the potion and when he saw it was really well mixed, he dropped the stick in. Before Spike could step away from the cauldron though, the explosion happen. The explosion was so strong that Spike flew out the nearest window and Zecora crashed into the wall. Miraculously, everything else was still intact. Once the explosion ended Zecora ran for a cup and got some of the Health potion and drank it immediately.
“Delicious.” said Zecora already feeling better. Spike then walked in at the right moment to see Zecora’s cuts slowly closing themselves.
“Are the cuts on your body supposed to close that quickly?” asked Spike. Zecora looked at her cuts and noticed them closing faster than she thought they would for a first attempt Health Potion.
“...And you passed the rank 1 Brewer Test.” said Zecora.
“The what now?” asked Spike.
“You see Spike, back in Zebrica there are test called Brewer Test. Brewer Test are done to Zebras that want to become potion brewers. By passing ten test, these brewers would be allowed to make any and all potions and recognized as potion brewing masters.” said Spike.
“Cool.” said Spike. “Question, why was the explosion so powerful? I mean aside from the fact that I am awesome, it shouldn’t have exploded like that right or was it that I used the Live Core correctly by accident?”
“Actually, you made the potion the exact correct way.” said Zecora.
“So perfect potions have explosions of that much force? That has got to hurt.” said Spike.
“That is why I always have many pre made potions.” said Zecora.
“One more question before I leave then. What is a Live Core specifically?” asked Spike. “We went looking for one because we needed it but I have no idea what it actually was. I have been thinking about it for a while and from what you said when we ran into the treant, it made realize something but because I’m not one hundred percent sure if I'm right, I just had to ask.”
“Mmm. Oh a Live Core is an everyday object infused with a lot of raw Life Magic.” said Zecora. She turned to look at Spike and noticed he had no emotions showing.
“...Zecora, I want to test something out so can I borrow an item you don’t plan to use.” said Spike in a monotone voice.
“Yes…?” said Zecora. She went to one of her shelfs and brought out a broken spoon. “Here.”
Before grabbing the spoon, Spike said “Transform Gunvolt” and then said “Life Mode.” When he said that, his body started to radiate a lot of Life Magic instead of Electric Magic. The lines from his body also changed from blue to green showing the magic that was currently flowing through him. He then grabbed the spoon from a flabbergasted Zecora.
“Ready.” he said more to himself then to Zecora. He then started to channel Life Magic into the spoon until it reached a similar level of glow to the other Live Core that was used.
“...So I really could make them…” said Spike. Zecora said nothing since she was now even more flabbergasted at the second incredible thing she saw. Spike then saw a skill be created before he felt the new Live Core float out of his hand and create… a baby Timberwolf. Both Spike and Zecora stared at the puppy with wide eyes.
“Woof.” said the puppy.
“Welp, I’m going home.” said Spike acting as if nothing happened. He then left Zecora’s hut and walked back to the castle, never noticing the puppy following him after barking good bye to Zecora. All Zecora did was pass out from the overload of surprises that happened that moment.
“Sore, so sore!” Moaned Spike and who wouldn't after being shot out of a Giant Timberwolf via explosions multiple times. “I'm so thankful Sweetie caught me or else it would be so much worse.”
Spike was currently on the roof of one of the hallways with one of his brand new skills he learned when he woke up, Self-Magnetism! Though when he first learned it, he was stuck on the blanket and by the time he got unstuck Twilight was awake and cranky for not getting her morning coffee.
“A pain to use but a lot of fun once it works!” Said Spike while hanging from the roof, “... And have the metal needed to use this skill in such a place it can be useful.”
As Spike continued cleaning the hallway, Twilight was eating her breakfast slowly. Last night, Twilight had a dream about one of her birthday parties but for some reason the dream felt like it was missing something important but she didn't know what it was.
Suddenly, someone was knocking at her door. Curious as to who it was, Twilight got up from eating her breakfast and went to open the door. When she opened the door, she saw the Zebra Zecora.
“Hello Twilight Sparkle.” Said Zecora.
“Zecora!” exclaimed a surprised Twilight, “What are you doing here?”
“I'm taking caution since you didn't come for your potion.” Said Zecora.
“Potion…?” Said Twilight. After some time she remembered the potion that Spike couldn't get. “Ah the stamina potion! Sorry about that. I sent Spike to go get but on his way he was attacked by a manticore. Don’t worry, Spike is okay.”
“Ah, that is good news indeed but since I'm here I'll check on him.” Said Zecora.
“Okay. He's… somewhere in the castle cleaning. I would take you but I don't actually know where in the castle he is.” Said Twilight.
“Where is who?” asked Spike who had finished messing around with his ability and went to check on Twilight.
“Spike!” said a surprised Twilight, “Don’t do that again please. Anyway, Zecora is here with the Stamina Potion from last time.” said Twilight.
“Potion? What potion?” said Spike, not remembering being told about another potion.
“You know the potion I sent you to get but couldn’t because of the manticore.” said Twilight.
“Oh! That potion. Totally forgot about it.” said Spike.
“I was worried for your safety as such I came to check if you were healthy. I also came to give you the potion.” said Zecora.
“Thank you Zecora. It may come in handy.” said Spike as he received the potion. He then got an idea. “Hey Twilight? Can I take a break now. There is something I want to do in town today.”
“Sure… but you do realize that you have chores to do right?” asked Twilight.
“I finished a few minutes ago.” said Spike.
“Are you sure cause the castle is pretty big.” said Twilight, worried that Spike was letting go of his responsibilities.
“I did. I actually found a few short cuts for cleaning the castle and add to that the fact that I’m using a brand new cleaning supplies and it's no wonder I can finish much faster than before.” said Spike, “And no the shortcuts are not sweeping all the trash under the rug.”
Twilight didn’t believe him. Before was understandable since he had almost all day to clean but now, now it was just a tad bit too fast to be reasonable.
“Fine, you can go and help Rarity but if I find anything even remotely dirty, you will have to clean the entire castle all over again as punishment. Deal?” asked Twilight.
“Deal.” said Spike confidently. ‘I did, after all, triple check all the spots I clean to make sure I didn’t forget any spot… did I just did a Twilight?’
After shaking his head, Spike turned to Zecora and asked, “Hey Zecora, can you let me walk with you to your hut? I want to talk to you for a bit since we rarely talk.”
“That is fine young Spike. It would actually be nice to talk to someone on my way back.” agreed Zecora.
“Later Twilight!” exclaimed Spike.
“Bye Spike, bye Zecora!” scream Twilight.
“Goodbye Twilight Sparkle.” said Zecora in a respectful manner. After the goodbyes were said, Spike and Zecora left the castle and walked toward the other side of the town.
“So tell me Spike, what do you want from me?” questioned Zecora, emphasising Spike’s name.
“I want you to help me learn how to make potions.” said Spike wanting to get to the point.
“Why should I help you? You may look like Spike but the aura around you tells otherwise. The only reason why I didn't mention it to Twilight was because it would be rude but just who are you?” questioned Zecora. Spike then remembered that because Zecora doesn’t live near town that she doesn’t know that he has superpowers now.
“It really is me Zecora and to explain the aura of power, let’s just say I got superpowers from a relic from the Everfree Forest.” said Spike in calm manner. “Just ask anyone in town and they will tell you the same thing.”
Zecora just eyed him suspiciously. Why would a potential enemy outright tell her that everyone in town knows he is someone he may not be? Before she could make more conspiracy theories, Spike said, “If you still don’t trust me, just use one of your potions to reveal the truth.”
Zecora, still suspicious, agreed to this and took the small dragon to her home to check if what he said is true.
A few moments before reaching Zecora's hut...
“... Is it just me or is something bad going to happen?” asked Spike.
“Most likely it’s only you.” said Zecora, still on guard. The walk to Zecora’s house was really quiet but Spike understood why. Zecora is the only pony, well zebra in this case, in Ponyville aside from Twilight that can feel changes in the magic that flows through the air and why wouldn’t she, the zebra is someone who messes with magic without a horn. Twilight didn’t notice the sudden change in Spike magical aura though because she has not studied that for some strange reason.
A few minutes later, Spike and Zecora reach her house. After entering, Zecora grabbed a few ingredients and after a while, made a potion that would reveal if this was truly Spike or not.
“Here, drink this. If you don’t change form or if no evil spirit leaves you then I’ll believe you.” said Zecora as she passed Spike a potion that had a grey color. When Spike got it close to his nose, he flinch at the smell of the potion. The potion smelled horrible and this terrified him but because him learning how to make potions depended on this he thought ‘Well, down the hatch it goes…’ Surprisingly, the potion tasted like a mixture of cupcakes, acorns and… fur. The taste made Spike slightly nauseous and improved the level of quality for his Toxic skill which didn’t really made him happy.
‘Hope that doesn’t happen every time I want to throw up.’ thought a green faced Spike.
Aside from the green hue his face took from the test, Zecora finally realized the this really was Spike. This realization made her happy because she really liked Spike. He was the like the little brother she wished she had. But that moment of happiness ended the moment she realized that she made him nauseous. Immediately she got the materials ready to make another potion the would cure him of his nauseousness.
“Sorry about that Spike, I just…” before she could finish her sentence sentence, Spike interrupted her.
“You just had to make sure it was me. Don’t worry, I knew. Just wished I didn’t get this nauseous again. Open Inventory.” said Spike. Zecora was confused with what he said when suddenly a blue screen with small boxes appeared in front of him. He then tried to grab a square that had a picture of medicine. What surprised Zecora even more was that when he pulled his arm back, the picture was removed from the square and turned into actual medicine which Spike immediately drank.
“Much better.” said Spike. “Thank you for existing inventory. Close Inventory.” As he said that, he put back the medicine bottle back in his inventory before it disappeared.
To say Zecora was surprised was an understatement. She had never seen somepony do something like that before. The closest thing to something to what Spike did was Pinkie pulling stuff out off thin air but that wasn’t as visually appealing to what Spike had done.
She shook her head before asking, “Spike, how did you do that?”
“Remember that weird magic aura you mentioned that I had?” said Spike, “That aura comes from a pair of relics I found called the Volt Gun and Volt Glove. Show Gunvolt.” He then showed Zecora the relics.
“You don’t mind if I see them closer do you?” asked Zecora eyeing the relics.
"I would but the I can’t take off the glove. I can let you see the gun though just be careful not to pull the small trigger.” warned Spike. He then gave Zecora the gun for her to inspect it.
“This trigger?” asked Zecora. Zecora then realized something more important. “Spike, what is a gun?”
“From what the scroll left with the relics said, a gun is just crossbow but better. If you want we can go outside and show what I mean.” said Spike.
“As much as I would like to see it, there are things more important to do.” said Zecora.
“Oh! I’m not taking your time from something important am I?” asked Spike worried.
After she giggled a bit, Zecora said, “The important thing is you Spike. You did ask me to teach you how to make potions.”
“Wait. You will help me? Awesome!” exclaimed Spike. “Yes, now I can make potions to help those who need it.”
“Is that why you want to learn?” asked Zecora.
“Yes. You see, after Rarity got stung by the Alpha Manticore, I thought that maybe I should learn how to make cures for emergencies. I mean, regular medicine is good and all but in a moment of great danger, something that reacts faster is better right?” said Spike.
“Okay that is a good enough reason to…” said Zecora before stopping suddenly mid sentence. “Spike, what did you say stung Rarity?”
Confused by the sudden behavior, Spike said, “She was stung by an Alpha Manticore…”
“Where did you leave her?” asked Zecora.
“At the hospital…” said Spike worried.
“Quick! We must make something to put Rarity to sleep before everyone there loses their hearing.” said a panicked Zecora.
“Why?” asked Spike.
“An Alpha Manticore’s poison is widely known in Zebrica as the pointless energizer. Just one drop of that poison will leave the drinker both paralyzed and energized.” said Zecora.
“Wait ener…” then Spike remembered. In Equestria’s past, many ponies experimented with many substances in the name of medicine. One of this ingredients was Manticore and Alpha Manticore poison. They discovered that a regular Manticore’s poison paralyzed the victims for about five minutes before they could move again. An Alpha Manticore’s poison on the other hand, paralyze its victims for almost 4 days before it wore off but that wasn’t the only thing they discovered. The poison, for whatever reason, also worked as a really potent energizer. The only problem with was that the part was the energizer and the part that paralyzed were one and the same meaning that they couldn’t be separated. Many ponies tried and failed to separate the poison. Now in modern Equestria, Alpha Manticore poison is now known as the useless energizer. But that is not all. In many of the test that were done, there would be rumors that both the testers and the scientist would end up depth because the poison energized the testers into talking endlessly. Many modern scientist recommend not to let anyone that wines or talks a lot to take this poison unless they have a soundproof barrier ready.
“... So that is why I felt I forgot something.” said Spike after remembering that fact. “Explains why Pinkie couldn’t hear me when I went to the hospital that one time.”
In Sugarcube Corner…
“WHAT!!!” claimed Pinkie suddenly. Her scream startled the sleeping Cake children, waking them up as well as making them cry.
“Ah! I’m sorry for waking you up after I put you to sleep.” Then she went back to trying to put the Cake’s children back to sleep.
“Quickly, we must make a knock out potion before there are more casualties.” said Zecora. Spike saw her throw a bunch of things inside her cauldron. The few things he recognized were some sunflowers and red grasses but aside from that, he didn’t recognise any of the other ingredients.
“Zecora, why did you throw in a sunflower?” asked Spike.
“This potion I’m making is called the Cold Absorber. The potion was originally created to quickly tire out predators so we could escape. What it does is that it absorbs excess energy from any creature that has swallowed it. The sunflower is so that it taste good.” explained Zecora.
“Cool. But it won't harm her right because from what you said I can guess that the potion won’t stop removing energy until it wears off and if we follow the laws of physics which says that energy can’t be created or destroyed then where does the absorbed energy goes to?” asked Spike.
“There is a side effect that we potion brewers never figured how to remove. The creature that drinks this starts to get colder and colder over time. We are only lucky that it stops getting colder after a certain temperature but most cold blooded creatures fall into a death like sleep from this.” said Zecora not realizing she just said something really terrifying to Spike who just happens to be a creature naturally born cold blooded.
“I’ll just stand here in the corner then.” said Spike with a scared look.
“...Why?” asked Zecora. Then she remembered that Spike was a dragon. “Sorry for scaring you like that Spike. I’ll be careful where I put the potion for your safety.”
“Thank you.” said Spike in a calmer voice.
One trip to Ponyville’s hospital and back to Zecora’s hut later, Zecora started explaining to Spike how to make three basic potions.
“Okay Spike. The potion you will make are the health potion, the energy potion and curing potion.” said Zecora.
“The health potion and the energy potion are straight to the point on what they do but what does the cure potion do?” asked Spike.
“The cure potion was originally made to cure any ailment that was known. Now a days, medicine is used instead since they taste better but when it comes to quality, cure potions can cure many things quicker at once then medicine.” said Zecora.
“Nice. So what do I have to do?” asked Spike.
“To make the cure potion you need a pinch of alfalfa, three cups of lemon juice and two blades of cure herb.” said Zecora.
“... alfalfa and lemon juice? Really.” asked Spike. All Zecora did was raise her eyebrow in such a way that is said ‘Are you questioning the zebra that has done this for years?’ “Fine but I want an explanation as to why we need alfalfa and lemon juice.”
While Spike went around her hut looking for the ingredients, Zecora explain why she said alfalfa and lemon juice. “You see Spike, the real ingredients for a cure potion are blue acorns, pumpkin core, red grass, a drop of cocatrice blood and heal herb but since many of this ingredients grow deep within the Everfree or outside of Equestria, I had to find a way to make the potion without having to deal with waiting for someone to bring them to me via mail. During my research I discovered that alfalfa and lemon juice made a nice replacement and it made the potion delicious too.”
“You lost me at cockatrice blood.” said Spike. “By the way, what does a heal herb look like?”
“Heal herb is grass that smells of lavender and makes you feel calmer after breathing it in.” Said Zecora. With that said, Spike walked around sniffing at the many grasses Zecora had in her hut. He found the grass quickly and got.
“So you got them all?” asked Zecora. Spike nodded his head in agreement.
“Okay, put the ingredients in the cauldron after you filled it with hot water and then mix. You will always get a cure potion if you do this but depending on how you make it is how effective it is.” said Zecora. “Oh, and you can make the potion without the need of cauldron. You can even use a cooking pot to make it, but the amount for the potion must not be changed okay.”
“Okay. I was expecting this to be much harder but it’s actually quite simple really. It’s just like cooking but more precise.” said Spike.
“And don’t forget that they all must be made with hot water.” said Zecora. After Zecora said that, she sat down and watched Spike make the potion.
Looking at his ingredients, Spike decided to start off with the healing herbs. After cutting them up with one of the knives from his inventory, he dropped them into the cauldron and waited to see what would happen. When the water turned green, he added the lemon juice and the alfalfa, after crushing it of course. What happened next scared him. The potion suddenly changed colors very quickly before it released a small explosion that blinded him. After it went away he turned back to see… a thick green liquid in the cauldron.
“Well done Spike.” said Zecora, “And from the force of the explosion, I can see that you made quite the potent cure potion.”
“Wait, the force of the explosion is how effective the potion is?” asked Spike after looking over the new skill that popped up in front of his eyes called Brewing Mastery.
“Yes but this was only the first potion and to be quite frank, the easiest of all potion to make.” said Zecora. “Now we will make the Energy Potion. To make it we need a petal of a lighting flower, thirty oak seeds, two blades of yellow grass and a spoon full of spore from a copper plant.” said Zecora.
“Wait, wait, wait. You mean we need a petal from the really dangerous lighting flower and a spoon full of spore from a copper plant which are known for having an incredibly potent smell?” asked Spike.
“Yes. This is one the difficult things of being a potion brewer. Some of the ingredients needed come from really dangerous places. Don’t worry, I have the things need to be able to get the ingredients.” said Zecora. She then walked to the wall behind Spike and clicked a secret panel that made the wall move to reveal many items that helped in collecting other items. She went to the wall and walked in, somehow, and came back with a military grade gas mask and a pair of wood twisers.
“Why do you have so many weird things in a hidden room? No, better question. Why and how do you have a hidden room?” asked Spike confused.
“Aside from being a witch doctor back at my village, I was also working for the Zebrican military as part of the clean up force for strange items left behind by old military teams before I decided to move to Ponyville. The job paid well and there was no need to worry about dead since the bodies disappeared years ago. As for the hidden room, I used secret Zebrican Magic only we Zebricans can use.” said Zecora with a proud smile.
“If I was Twilight right now, I would so totally start asking so many questions of how Zebrican magic works but luckily I’m not Twilight.” said Spike poking fun at Twilight's usual behavior, “... but do I really have to pick up the ingredients alone?”
“Yes. My garden is hidden behind some bushes behind my house.” said Zecora in the most blunt way possible.
“... Okay then. I’ll just get the gas mask and get to work.” said Spike as he got the gas mask. Zecora nodded and went to clean the spoon and cauldron they used to make the potion. Before she got started on cleaning the spoon though she realized something important. Spike left without getting the twisers.
“Spike wait!” screamed Zecora in panic as she ran outside. When she caught up with him, it was already too late. She saw him reach for the flower. “Spike!” Zecora screamed in panic.
“GAH!” screamed Spike, startled by Zecora’s scream. She startled him so much that he accidentally pulled the whole plant with him.
“What… what is going? Is something bad happening!” asked Spike in a panic. Zecora was just staring at Spike who still had just pulled out a flower with enough electrical power in it to kill any creature that is not wearing insulation or resistance to electricity.
“No, how are you holding to the flower without getting hurt?” asked a flabbergasted Zecora.
“My new powers make me mostly immune to electricity. Sorry if I scared you.” said Spike after getting the ingredient. “My powers are more than just making things appear in the air.”
“...Can you make me list of what you can do now because if I’m going to teach you, I don’t want another scare like that again, okay?” asked Zecora. Spike opened his inventory and gives her a list he premade for such occasions.
“I had many made after Princess Celestia asked me to make her one just in case.” said Spike. With that, he put the mask on and went looking for the copper plant.
A little bit of pollen gathering later…
“Let’s do this.” said Spike while standing in front of a the now empty cauldron. He and Zecora bottled some of the potion when Spike came back with the ingredients.
“Remember Spike, to make the Energy potion you need to put the petal of a lighting flower, thirty oak seeds, two blades of yellow grass and a spoon full of spore from a copper plant in that order.” said Zecora. Spike nodded before he took the lighting flower and dropped in the water. He then crushed all the seeds and chopped the grass to small shapes before he dropped them into the cauldron. Lastly, he dropped the spore in the cauldron and mixed it until the formula reacted. Though he was expecting a bigger explosion than what he got.
“What gives? I though I did everything correctly?” asked Spike.
“Probably something went wrong while making it.” said Zecora. “Though most Energy Potions I have seen and made aren’t Cyan in color but blue.”
“Wait what? But what can do that?” asked Spike until he realized something. “Zecora, did we ever cleaned this Spoon?”
“I don’t think so. Why… Oh! This may not be good…” said Zecora. While Zecora panicked about the now unknown potion, Spike stared at it thinking if he should test it or not when suddenly a screen appeared in front of him telling he learned a new skill: Observe.
“...What the hay is this skill?” asked Spike.
Zecora stopped we heard him say that and asked, “Skill? What skill are you talking about?”
“I just got a new skill named Observe. Let’s check what it does shall we. Skill Show.” said Spike. After looking through the Spike Skill folder, Spike found that skill observe. He clicked on it and it told him, ‘Observe: Learn what things are for just by looking at them but since this not the gamer ability, expect this ability to be a hard to get type of ability. This skill allows you to see what objects can do if you target an inanimate object. If used on a living creature, it will have the same effect as Target Status Window. To use it say observe while looking at something or someone. Quality level 1. (Active)’
“...Well, that’s convenient.” said Spike, not really feeling any emotion at getting this skill until what it meant sunk in. “OH CELESTIA WHAT AM I SAYING! THIS SUPER USEFUL!” screamed Spike. Spike didn’t realize this but he almost hit Zecora on her snout from his excitement as well as scaring her from the sudden shout.
“So what does your new skill do?” asked Zecora.
“It let’s me identify what items do. I no longer need to guess what things do with this!” said Spike.
“Really then, try using it on the potion.” said Zecora.
“Observe.” said Spike looking at the cyan potion. The skill identified the potion as the Quick Ailment Heal potion. As he read the items description, he learned that this potion heal sicknesses faster but only works on few ailments. “Okay, this skill is going get overpowered really fast.” said Spike.
“So what is it?” asked Zecora.
“It’s a Quick Ailment Heal potion. It has the same effects as the Cure potion but it works faster but doesn’t cure as many things.” said Spike.
“So instant effect?” asked Zecora.
“Yes.” said Spike.
“On a few things.” asked Zecora again.
“Yes and why are you asking so many question like that?” asked Spike.
“You see Spike, mixing potions like that will not give you new good potions. 1 out 10 times it will but the other 9 attempts will be poison potions that look exactly the same as the good potion. Your observe skill is the only thing that will prevent others and yourself from getting badly hurt but please be careful.” asked Zecora.
“I promise not to let anyone near the potion that I make unless they are labeled.” said Spike. “Now then, what do I have to do to make the Health potion?”
“For the last potion you need 1 nether wart, 1 glistering melon and 1 life core.” said Zecora.
“... What is a life core?” asked Spike.
“A life core is an object that has a lot of magic in it. It is commonly found on creatures that should, theoretically, not be alive like for example a Timberwolf.” said Zecora.
“So we are going to hunt Timberwolves then?” asked Spike, really hoping to not doing it. The Giant Timberwolf was a pain to deal with and he did not want to run into another one again.
“Yes and it will be a very simple process.” said Zecora. She then walks toward a bottle that has a glowing green light in it. “With this Coreless Energy, we can attract Timberwolves to us. We just need to find one that is on its own or in small pack.”
“...It won’t turn giant will it? Also, we won’t actually kill them, will we?” asked Spike, hoping for the answer to yes.
“Turn giant? Timberwolves can’t turn giant. Only reason it can do that is because it evolved from an Alpha Timberwolf and those are very rare Also, no it won’t die. The timberwolf will be weaker but it won’t die.” said Zecora.
“Doesn’t alpha mean a pack leader?” asked Spike.
“Yes it does and no it doesn’t at the same time. Alpha is used on any creature that stands as the leader of their group. Alpha Timberwolves, on the other hand are sub-species of Timberwolves that are stronger than normal and when in extreme danger and enough comrades, evolve into its next and final evolution called Giant Timberwolf. Half the time Alpha Timberwolves aren’t even the alphas of their pack.” said Zecora. “Why did you ask if it would turn giant?”
“I have run into two of them in my time here in Ponyville.” said Spike.
“Wow.” said Zecora. “You are lucky to stay alive then since Giant Timberwolves are, well, giant. But that is not important. Let’s go hunt us some Life Cores.”
When Zecora said that, a picture of the CMC appeared in Spike’s mind and knew that this was not going to turn out right. From his guess, he is pretty sure that Zecora has never actually hunted Timberwolves since her arrival to Ponyville but who knows he may be wrong.
‘Here is hoping we don’t have trouble.’ though Spike before he and Zecora left to hunt.
Spike currently is really glad that nothing has yet to happen. But he was curious about something so he turned to Zecora.
“Hey Zecora, why are you so excited to go hunting?” asked Spike.
“It’s the first time that I can go hunting with someone since I came to Ponyville.” said Zecora.
“Okay then. Never took you for someone that liked to hunt.” said Spike.
“And I never thought I would meet a dragon that did not eat meat.” said Zecora. Spike froze when she said that.
“...Dragons eat meat?” asked Spike with a horrified look.
“Yes since they can’t develop properly without meat or at least until they reach a 18 years of age.” said Zecora.
“...But I’m 18.” said Spike with a look of absolute terror. Zecora then also stopped walking.
“...Then you better learn how to hunt in the Everfree.” said Zecora. She turned to Spike only to see him scared.
“But I don’t want to hurt anyone.” said Spike. Zecora then realized that no one told Spike that meat is something that he would have to eat at some point and that the never truly crossed his mind.
“Spike, no matter what happens, everyone who knows and loves you will trust you. It doesn’t matter if you eat meat or not. It is actually more dangerous for everyone around you if you don’t eat meat because not only will you hurt yourself, at some point you will go feral and eat anything in your sight until you are satisfied. It’s for the best to learn to hunt and eat meat now before some type of problem happens.” Although Zecora said all that, she could still see doubt in Spike’s eyes. She then came up with the perfect set of words to convince Spike to not be afraid of doing this. “Spike. If you feel that bad to have to kill an innocent creature for your survival just remember this. What makes you different from others who kill to survive is that you feel bad just thinking about it. As long as you respect the creatures that you kill, you will never become some type of monster.”
Spike looked up at Zecora with a pleading look, “...Really? I won’t become some monster?”
“You only become a monster if you only kill for fun Spike.” said Zecora. She walked up to him and then hugged him to conform him. “Besides, I have seen many creatures that do this to so remember that you will never be a monster in my eyes.”
“Thanks.” said Spike. After wiping his eyes, he said, “Let’s finish this before it gets to dark.”
They both then heard a noise near them and they both turned. They got closer to the noise, which happen to be on the other side of a bush, to see a lone Timberwolf digging into the ground.
“...For once the world feels nice enough to give me something nice.” said Spike. Zecora turned to him with a raised eyebrow. Knowing he had enough of this type of talks, she decided to get back to the thing they were doing, hunting the Timberwolf. She opened the bottle and almost instantly it turned to their direction.
“Spike, when it comes really close, grab its mouth and do not let him go.” said Zecora and Spike agreed. They waited just a few more seconds. “...NOW!”
Spike instantly jumped out of the bush and grabbed shut the mouth of the terrified Timberwolf. Zecora then jumped out and went to the side of the Timberwolf and punched the it close to its chest. The blow was so strong it took the Timberwolf apart (from Spike perspective, in reality she kicked it in a really sensitive spot). She then grabbed a green glowing stick that appeared alongside the other sticks and leaves of the body of the Timberwolf.
“Here we go. One Life Core safely secured.” said Zecora. Spike was just standing in the same spot with his mouth opened. The moment Spike grabbed the mouth of the Timberwolf was pointless since Zecora reached and destroyed it a second after Spike touched the mouth. Spike shook his head and was about to say something when a small earthquake happened. They both looked around in a panic until they saw a single tree sprout right where the Timberwolf was digging.
“Zecora, is it normal for trees to sprout out of the ground to full size in a couple of seconds after Timberwolf dug into its spot.” asked Spike while looking at the tree from his spot.
“Yes but it usually means bad things.” said Zecora who also has not moved from her spot and was looking at the tree.
“Why?” asked Spike not turning to her.
“Most creatures evolve in some way shape or form and Timberwolves are no exception. It first starts as a Baby Timberwolf but after a few years of growth and training, it evolves into a regular Timberwolf. After that, Timberwolf can evolve into one of three evolutions. The first and easiest form for a Timberwolf to evolve into is the Alpha Timberwolf which can later evolve into its final form the Giant Timberwolf. It evolves into a Giant Timberwolf when the Alpha Timberwolf is in extreme danger and surrounded by ally Timberwolf. Second form a Timberwolf can evolve into is the Oak Timberwolf. It evolves into an Oak Timberwolf after it has lived for roughly 100 years without falling apart. If an Oak Timberwolf then lives for another 200 years without falling apart, it becomes and Ancient Timberwolf. Ancient Timberwolf are extremely tough to take apart but if you do manage to take it apart, it will evolve into a Life Spirit. Life Spirits are Timberwolves that no longer need a body to live since it can feed off of the energy in the air and it’s commonly considered to be a forest guardian.” said Zecora but before she could finish Spike interrupted her.
“This has to do with the Timberwolf because…” asked Spike.
“If you had let me finish I would had told why it relates to this so let me finish. The third form of evolutions happens when a Timberwolf searches for place to dig after living on its own for a few months without a pack of other Timberwolves. After it makes the hole, it jumps in and waits until its body falls apart on its own or someone destroy him. The name of the evolution is Treant. Treant are tree monsters that feed on Life Magic rarely leave the spot it was born from. If the treant manages to feed on enough Life Magic, it will evolve into a Great Treant which is much more powerful. If the Great Treant finds someone it trusts greatly or its left alone for many years, around 150 years, it while plants its roots or give Life Core to the one it trust and evolve into its final and incredibly rare form the Nymph. The Nymph then lives the rest of its life where the tree planted its roots or will live with the one it gave its core to. The reason why Nymphs are so rare is because it dies when its tree dies and Nymphs that live with a companion are almost myth since they happen almost once every 1000 years.” finished Zecora.
“So… a Treant is in front of us?” asked Spike.
“Yes.” said Zecora.
“What is the plan?” asked Spike.
“I want to see what will happen to this Treant so I don’t want to kill it.” said Zecora.
“How far will it chase us if we use plan B?” asked Spike.
“Not to far that is for sure.” said Zecora. “The Treant is far too young so it doesn’t know its true power just yet so we will live that is for sure.” After she said that, the tree then opened what appeared to be eyes and looked at them.
“So… Plan B?” asked Spike.
“Yes.” said Zecora. She then got closer to Spike and asked in a whisper, “What is Plan B?”
“RUN!” screamed Spike just when the Treant gave an ear splitting roar. The Treant then chased after them through a large portion of the way back home (around ⅚ of the way). In their rush to get to Zecora’s home, they decide to just plow through everything so by the time they got to her house both were pretty injured. Okay that was a lie, Zecora was pretty injured, Spike was just sore from some the sticks that hit him.
“*huff* Just drop *huff* everything in the *huff* cauldron since there *huff* is no specific *huff* order to make the potion.*cough* The effects are better if you *huff* do try to make in different ways.*huff* Please hurry since *huff* I really need it.” said Zecora who had a wide but not dangerous cut on one side of her body and multiple ones everywhere else.
“I *huff* will make the *huff* best potion to *huff* heal you.” exclaimed Spike in tired manner.
Spike got to work on the Health potion really quickly. He first cut the glistering melon into 8 pieces and then dropped all of the insides into the the boiling water. Then he took the Nether Wart and quickly crushed it and placed it in the water as well. Then he used the Life Core stick to mix the potion and when he saw it was really well mixed, he dropped the stick in. Before Spike could step away from the cauldron though, the explosion happen. The explosion was so strong that Spike flew out the nearest window and Zecora crashed into the wall. Miraculously, everything else was still intact. Once the explosion ended Zecora ran for a cup and got some of the Health potion and drank it immediately.
“Delicious.” said Zecora already feeling better. Spike then walked in at the right moment to see Zecora’s cuts slowly closing themselves.
“Are the cuts on your body supposed to close that quickly?” asked Spike. Zecora looked at her cuts and noticed them closing faster than she thought they would for a first attempt Health Potion.
“...And you passed the rank 1 Brewer Test.” said Zecora.
“The what now?” asked Spike.
“You see Spike, back in Zebrica there are test called Brewer Test. Brewer Test are done to Zebras that want to become potion brewers. By passing ten test, these brewers would be allowed to make any and all potions and recognized as potion brewing masters.” said Spike.
“Cool.” said Spike. “Question, why was the explosion so powerful? I mean aside from the fact that I am awesome, it shouldn’t have exploded like that right or was it that I used the Live Core correctly by accident?”
“Actually, you made the potion the exact correct way.” said Zecora.
“So perfect potions have explosions of that much force? That has got to hurt.” said Spike.
“That is why I always have many pre made potions.” said Zecora.
“One more question before I leave then. What is a Live Core specifically?” asked Spike. “We went looking for one because we needed it but I have no idea what it actually was. I have been thinking about it for a while and from what you said when we ran into the treant, it made realize something but because I’m not one hundred percent sure if I'm right, I just had to ask.”
“Mmm. Oh a Live Core is an everyday object infused with a lot of raw Life Magic.” said Zecora. She turned to look at Spike and noticed he had no emotions showing.
“...Zecora, I want to test something out so can I borrow an item you don’t plan to use.” said Spike in a monotone voice.
“Yes…?” said Zecora. She went to one of her shelfs and brought out a broken spoon. “Here.”
Before grabbing the spoon, Spike said “Transform Gunvolt” and then said “Life Mode.” When he said that, his body started to radiate a lot of Life Magic instead of Electric Magic. The lines from his body also changed from blue to green showing the magic that was currently flowing through him. He then grabbed the spoon from a flabbergasted Zecora.
“Ready.” he said more to himself then to Zecora. He then started to channel Life Magic into the spoon until it reached a similar level of glow to the other Live Core that was used.
“...So I really could make them…” said Spike. Zecora said nothing since she was now even more flabbergasted at the second incredible thing she saw. Spike then saw a skill be created before he felt the new Live Core float out of his hand and create… a baby Timberwolf. Both Spike and Zecora stared at the puppy with wide eyes.
“Woof.” said the puppy.
“Welp, I’m going home.” said Spike acting as if nothing happened. He then left Zecora’s hut and walked back to the castle, never noticing the puppy following him after barking good bye to Zecora. All Zecora did was pass out from the overload of surprises that happened that moment.
By the time Spike got home, he had given up on the idea of ignoring the puppies existence. Actually, after carefully looking and touching the puppy, he fell in love with it. But he had to be careful with it since Twilight will definitely tell something is wrong if he brought a BABY TIMBERWOLF back home. That is until he saw his assistant, Mayor Mare.
“Hi Mayor Mare!” said Spike.
When she heard him, she turned to him and said “Hi SpiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKEEEEE!” She did not expect to see him walking toward the castle with a Timberwolf. In fact, almost everyone that saw him wanted to scream in fear but because they knew Spike wouldn’t just put them in danger out of nowhere, they held back all of their instincts. Three of them didn’t make it.
“Spike, why do you have a Timberwolf.” asked Mayor Mare in a type of control terror. P.S. She was doing a good job of controlling her fear.
“I went to Zecora to learn a few things and while testing something I made him.” said Spike. “It’s actually a good thing I found you here. You don't mind taking care of him at your home, do you?” asked Spike making his best puppy dog eyes. It was more effective than normal since the puppy was doing it too, except the puppy didn’t know why he had to do it. “I promise he will be good and since he is made of wood, he won’t leave any nasty surprises so please…? Or she, I don’t know the actual gender of my little puppy. Best part is, it won’t smell bad.” ‘For now at least…’ though Spike secretly.
Mayor Mare had absolutely no idea what to do. She wanted to say no because she was absolutely terrified of the Timberwolf but at the same time, the Timberwolf was acting a lot like Applejack’s dog, Winona. She also knew that Spike has wanted a pet for a very long time but Twilight always said that Owlicious was all what they needed for a pet, even though he was exclusively Twilight’s pet.
“...Fine…?” answered Mayor Mare.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” said Spike. “Now, Mayor Mare will take care of you while I find a room in the castle to hid you in or with Mayor, if Mayor actually ends up liking you.” When he said that, Spike turned to look at Mayor Mare with a cheeky smile. “So be good Timberwolf and do as Mayor says okay? And don’t cause her any trouble.”
The puppy barked in agreement and ran to Mayor Mare. It then licked her hooves in a playful manner. Mayor Mare flinched at that after looking at puppy’s eyes, she felt bad for being scared of it.
“Does it have a name?” asked Mayor.
“At the moment no put I’ll tell you when I come up with one.” said Spike.
“Okay. Common little… Timberwolf… I’ll take you to my home. Just please don’t attack me or anyone please.” said Mayor Mare with a really nervous smile. The puppy barked in agreement, not realizing that what the mare said was really bad.
“Thank you Mayor Mare. I really wanted to keep him with me in the castle but I know Twilight won’t let me. I’ll still go to see you my little puppy.” and with that, Spike left to the castle.
Chapter 7.67: Intervension 2 The Only One Officially Punished
At the CMC clubhouse, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara are currently discussing why Gunvolt would want to talk to them. Actually, everyone are there to discuss about Gunvolt. Diamond Tiara was only there because she followed Silver. After they found out how much of a fan girl Diamond was for Gunvolt, everyone made a bow to avoid the topic of Gunvolt if she was around.
“Does anyone else here had a nightmare about how Diamond acted yesterday?” asked Applebloom in secret as to not hurt Diamond's feelings. They managed to get her distracted by telling her that they wanted her help at making a poster of Gunvolt for their clubhouse. She bought it.
“Yes and I thought we wouldn’t talk about it.” said Sweetie shivering at the memory of the out of character Diamond.
“Anyway, what do you think Gunvolt will talk to us about?” said Silver.
“I’m pretty sure he said only me, Applebloom and Scootaloo would talk with him.” said Scootaloo. “What will he talk about though?”
“What if he is going to tell us who he really is!” said Applebloom. “Or, or, or what if he is going to wants us to be heroes with him! We are just as famous as our sisters now."
“Two things Applebloom. One, most likely his name really is Gunvolt and two, why would he wants to have ponies that have nothing to do with him to help him out? I doubt he ponies he risked his life to safe to be in constant danger.” said Sweetie.
"You never know." said Applebloom.
"True. Anyway, another idea for Gunvolt coming here maybe to either tells us where he lives or that he wants to use the clubhouse as temporary home." said Silver.
"What if he wants to send us to some sort of quest that only we can do!" exclaimed Applebloom. She was slowly become more and more excited at the idea of a superhero coming to visit her and her friends. No one noticed the fact that Diamond was listening to the conversation.
"Nothing can be hidden away from when it's about Gunvolt... because he said it out loud when he mention the visit." whispered Diamond. It was plain to see that she had some sort of plan. If you looked at her eyes, you would see the eyes of a hunter...
Applebloom had returned home after talking with the other Crusaders. She was really happy since the meeting was both a huge success and a lot of fun. But all the fun died when she saw Applejack at the front door with a look she did not recognize.
“Applebloom, a little birdy told me that you did something stupid.” said Applejack.
Everything in Applebloom told her to lie but then she remembered the story about Applejack lying going out of control she decided to tell a truthful answer instead “...Yes?” Applejack was caught off guard but she didn’t show it.
“Yeah, Twilight told me you got attacked by a Giant Timberwolf and only made it out alive because of Gunvolt so you are so grounded.” After saying that, Applejack gave Applebloom a bear hugged. “Please be more careful you are the only sister I have and I don't want to lose you.” Applebloom would of have been moved the statement if she wasn't being slowly being suffocated.
"Uncle, uncle!" said Applebloom while tapping her sister three times. Applejack realized she was accidentally suffocating her sister so with a sheepish smile, she let her go.
“Thank you for worrying sis. The Timberwolves attacking us was an accident we didn't plan for at all. A better question is why did Twilight take so long to tell you?” asked Applebloom.
“She wanted to know why Giant Timberwolf exist as well as researching what makes Gunvolt so special.” said Applejack. “She said she was very sorry for that. She even told me all that happen and all she learned.”
“Fell asleep at the second half?” asked Applebloom.
“Almost but the fact that someone with magic that cannot be explained with the normal magic rules. To be honest, it scares me a bit since it feels like that guy is going to attract a lot of unwanted trouble.” said Applejack.
"That is something to worry about now that I think about it..." though Applebloom. She never thought of the possibility that Gunvolt would want to be with them just to cause trouble.
“...You are still grounded though.” said Applejack after a moment of silence.
“Darn.” said Applebloom being caught trying to distract her sister from her grounding.