Chapter 1: Preparations
Dear Princess Celestia,
When I was crowned Princess of Friendship, I wanted to take on the responsibilities and tasks that would come with the crown. For a while, I thought that all I’d be doing was smiling and waving, but after our confrontation with Lord Tirek, I’ve come to understand friendship on a deeper level and what it means to be the Princess of Friendship. I feel that with every challenge we face, our friendship only grows stronger. True, my new duties may be greater than I had originally anticipated, but it is nothing that I cannot handle, especially when I have such amazing friends who have, since first coming to Ponyville, stood by my side through thick and thin.
Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship
Spike finished writing Twilight’s letter. He rolled and sealed the scroll. Holding it up, he took a breath and exhaled magical green fire upon it. Consumed by flames, the scroll disintegrated and was whisked away to be delivered to Twilight’s former teacher.
“There you go, Twilight,” said Spike. “Your letter is on its way!”
“Thank you, Spike,” Twilight replied. “Princess Celestia will be happy to know that I’m ready for whatever obstacles come our way.” She stood straight like a soldier at attention. “Let enemies of Harmony try to take away our friendship. Just let them try to break down our doors and-”
Boom, boom, boom! Twilight’s speech was interrupted as a thunderous sound echoed throughout the Castle of Friendship.
“Uh, Twilight…” Spike began in a shaky voice. “I think you spoke too soon.”
“It’s just somepony at the door,” Twilight explained.
“I don’t know. You can never be too careful.”
Twilight assured, “Whoever it is, we can handle them.”
With her number one assistant close by her side, the Princess of Friendship walked to the castle door. With a sturdy disposition, she extended her hoof to open it. Standing on the other side wasn’t an enemy of Harmony; rather, a Crystal Pony.
“Stand back, fiend!” Spike avowed. “I’m warning you.”
“It’s okay, Spike,” Twilight calmed him down. “She’s a Crystal Pony."
The visitor bowed. “Princess Twilight Sparkle. Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious.” Rising up, she announced, “I bring news from the Crystal Empire.” She introduced herself, “My name is Diamond Solitaire and I am the president of the Spike Fan Club.”
“The Spike Fan Club?” questioned Spike.
“Yes! The Spike Fan Club was founded to honor your saving the Crystal Empire, not just once, but twice!” Diamond Solitaire explained. “To show our gratitude, the Crystal Empire is celebrating the first ever Spike Day. There will be a parade and everything! We would be so honored if you could come.”
“A day all about me,” Spike said in wonderment, his eyes growing big as he imagined what a day all to himself would be like. “Of course, I’ll come. Wait, can my friends come, too?”
“Certainly. You may invite anypony you like. We’ll send the Crystal Train for you.” She smiled. “This is so great! The Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious himself is coming to our first ever Spike Day!” She bowed to Twilight and to Spike. “Thank you for your time. We look forward to your visit.”
Before leaving, Diamond Solitaire gave Spike a poster advertising his special day. The little dragon set out at once to Sweet Apple Acres, Carousel Boutique, Sugarcube Corner, Fluttershy’s cottage, and to Rainbow Dash’s favorite relaxing cloud above Ponyville to call his friends to the Castle of Friendship where he shared with them his exciting news and to invite them to the first Spike Day celebration. Everypony commended him for his big day.
“I can’t believe my little Spikey-wikey has his very own day,” said Rarity with happiness. “You must allow me to design a special ensemble for you.”
Rainbow Dash chimed in, “Having a whole day dedicated to you is the ultimate awesome!”
“Imagine the celebrating, the partying, the balloons!” Pinkie Pie mused with excitement.
“I was hoping you all would come to the Crystal Empire with me for the parade,” said Spike.
“There’s a parade, too?!” Pinkie Pie was ecstatic. “I love parades!”
“Of course, we’ll come, Spike,” said Fluttershy.
“Darn tootin’!” Applejack agreed. “We’ll be there, partner.”
“We sure will be, Spike,” said Twilight.
They all embraced him in a congratulatory group hug.
On the day before the big celebration, Spike and the Mane Six journeyed to the Crystal Empire. When they arrived, they were warmly welcomed by a crowd of Crystal Ponies.
"He's here!" exclaimed one Crystal Pony.
"Look, it's him!" said another.
"Hey, everypony!" Spike greeted. "It's great to be here."
As Spike mingled with his admirers, he was greeted by the Spike Fan Club.
“Oh, Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious, you’re here!” exclaimed Diamond Solitaire. “Princess Twilight Sparkle,” she greeted as she genuflected.
“Please, just call me Twilight,” the Princess of Friendship requested.
“As you wish, Princess, er, I mean, Twilight.” She turned to the others, “And you must be Spike’s friends.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Applejack replied. “Ah’m Applejack, and this here’s Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.”
“Any friends of Spike are friends of the Spike Fan Club. Speaking of which, we have a meeting starting soon concerning tomorrow’s celebration. You’re all very welcome to join us. Today, our meeting will be at the Crystal Palace. We’re making final preparations with Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor. Let's go!”
Spike, the Mane Six, and the Spike Fan Club were escorted to the palace by the Crystal Guard. There, the Crystal Captain announced their arrival, "Your Highnesses, I present the Spike Fan Club, the Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and their friends from Ponyville."
Twilight was happy to see her brother and sister-in-law. “Shining Armor! Cadance!” she exclaimed.
“Twily!” Shining Armor cried out. “Come give your Big Brother Best Friend Forever a hug.”
“Twilight, it’s so good to see you again,” said Cadance. She and Twilight recited their foalhood rhyme, “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”
Then began their conference. Diamond Solitaire announced, “This meeting of the Spike Fan Club is now in session. Our first order of business: tomorrow is the Crystal Empire’s first Spike Day.” She addressed Cadance and Shining Armor, “Your Highnesses, we have mapped out the path of the parade, beginning at our clubhouse and concluding here at the palace.”
“Well done, Diamond Solitaire,” said Cadance.
“Thank you, Princess Cadance. We’ve also got the parade floats and the big Spike balloon ready to go!”
“Excellent!” Shining Armor exclaimed. “I can’t wait to see it!”
“Me neither!” Pinkie Pie squealed with excitement.
Diamond Solitaire proceeded, “Now, our second order of business: The Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious is here with all his friends from Ponyville, including Princess Twilight Sparkle! How great is that?”
The members of the Spike Fan Club responded in the positive.
Diamond Solitaire turned to Spike, “Your big day is tomorrow. How does that make you feel?”
Spike replied, “I suppose a little recognition couldn’t hurt.”
“That’s right!” Rainbow Dash jumped in. “Ponies better recognize!”
“Well as a special treat,” continued Diamond Solitaire, “we’re giving you and your friends a day of pampering and relaxation at the Crystal Spa, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
At the Crystal Spa, Spike and friends were treated like royalty! They bathed in the hot tub, got deep tissue massages, had facial masks applied, and received hooficures. A delicious bowl of green gems was brought for Spike as he was getting his scales shined. Refreshed and rejuvenated, the friends from Ponyville were ready for the next day’s festivities.