I have uploaded something after how many years now...? I will admit I am a bit of a fan of My Little Pony: FiM, however I am a fan more so of the fanart that comes from it. I follow two or three artist on Deviantart that have wonderful MLP fanart. One artist, however, has some of the most realistic fanart I've ever seen! The way she describes scenes and characters drawn give these cartoon characters more personality and life. The artist is Earthsong9405 on DA. Check her art out it's awesome! This piece is based off one of her art works, art/Doodle-I-ll-Protect-You-Spike-514473764 .
Enjoy!
Giggles and laughter rose from the gardens as a young filly and her baby dragon played among the flora. It was a beautiful day on the castle grounds and young Twilight Sparkle was enjoying it with her little Spike. The baby dragon seemed to have a never ending supply of energy, and Twilight had homework that needed to get done. So a few rounds of hide and seek seemed to be the key to get the little guy down for a nap later on. For now though the joy of just being able to play was wonderful.
"10! Ready or not here I come!" Twilight uncovered her eyes and looked around for her dragon.
At first it seemed like the little guy had found a really good hiding spot. That was until small, muffled giggles reached her ears from a nearby bush. She smiled to herself and quietly walked over to the bush, peeking in between the branches at a curled up purple and green baby dragon. Spike had his paws over his eyes. Even if she did find him, if he couldn't see her then that must mean she couldn't see him. Twilight laughed, which surprised the little dragon.
"Found you Spike!" Spike's giggles grew to laughter of his own as he leaped from the bush to Twilight.
"Twa!" He called to her. The young dragon was beginning to learn to speak. She remembered his first words to her, him gurgling out 'Mama'. She didn't mind it, but at the same time, she was too young herself to be a mother, even if she was his primary care giver. She had eventually taught Spike to start calling her Twilight, but in baby fashion 'Twa' was about as much he could get out. That and a long with a few other words, but he was a quick learner and growing fast as well.
Twilight held Spike to her chest as he cuddled into her fur, "Gain!" He looked up to her.
"Okay, okay, but you have to find a better spot or I'll find you again." She rubbed her nose to his and he giggled. She released him to start the game again. "Alright, I'm going to count now." She turned and closed her eyes beginning her count.
With a huge smile on his face, Spike ran as fast as his leg could carry him to a new and better hiding spot. He ran past the normal boundaries he stayed within to find his perfect hiding spot. Unaware of the young colts walking ahead of him. By the time he noticed them, he had run into one of the colts legs, falling back onto his back, eyes wide as stared at the larger ponies. Spike was used to seeing new ponies, but he never interacted with them very much. Most of the ponies looks curiously or kindly at him, but these colts didn't look nice at all.
"Look what we have here Skips, the favorites little pet." The first pony spoke, a look of distain on his red face.
Spike got up and curled his tail around himself as he got lower to the ground, trying his best to get out of their view. He watched as the second green colt, Skips, walked behind him. Spike was trapped between the two now.
"Awe look Blaze, the wittle freak is scared." Skips mocked.
The colts laughed at the joke, but poor Spike was get more scared. Where was his Twa? In an effort to get the ponies to leave him alone, he growled.
"HA! Listen to that, it sounded like a squeaky toy." Blaze laugh getting into Spikes face. "You don't scare me you monster, I don't even know why you're allowed to stay here anyway."
"Pffh, its cause that know-it-all Twilight Sparkle, with her 'special' private lessons." Sneered Skips.
Spike was beginning to tremble, these mean ponies wouldn't let him leave. His trembling grew worse when Skips began to poke him with his hoof.
"I wonder if the little monster can spit fire yet? You think if I poke him enough he'll do it?"
"Dunno, keep trying. Come on you little freak show us fire." Now Blaze began to prod at the baby dragon, who was now curled into a ball.
The poking didn't stop and little Spike couldn't take it anymore. He cried out.
"TWA!" Tears poured down his little face, and for a moment he thought his Twa had left him. That was until thundering hooves reached his ears.
"HEY! Leave him alone!" Twilight's angry voice carried across the grounds.
She ran in between the two colts and stood over Spike protecting him from their prodding hooves.
"Move Sparkle, we were just trying to see if your monster could breathe fire." Blaze said standing to his full height.
Twilight glared at Skips and Blaze, the two colts had been bullying her from the start at the school. They had called her names, shoved her in the halls, and she had kept all that to herself. Now though, they were going too far.
"He's just a baby Blaze, he's too young for that. Now leave him alone!" She turned her flank to him and knelt to Spikes level and spoke gently to him. "Come one Spike let's go home."
"Just because you're the Princess's favorite, doesn't mean you can talk to us that way!" Skips said angrily.
"Well I just did, now if you don't mind we're leaving." Twilight stood tall, Spike clinging to her back leg. She began to move forward when Blaze pushed her back.
"Where do you think you're going Sparkle!?" He was advancing on her, backing her toward Skips. "No pony speaks to us that way and gets away with it. Besides we weren't done with your monster."
Blaze sneered and Twilight knew something was up. It wasn't until she heard Spike yell from behind her that she realized Skips had Spike by the tail in his mouth. Twilight had never been one to fight, she avoided violence at any cost, but now it was different. She saw Spike's terrified face, and she saw red. Steadying her front legs, she bucked out toward Skips.
Skips seeing two dark purple hooves coming toward his face, released Spike and back away to avoid a hit. "You little… How dare you try to kick me?!" Skip's front hoof blocked Spike's exit route and the poor little dragon was shaking and crying.
Twilight was mad, how dare she? How dare he try to take and hurt her baby dragon?! These bullies could mess with her all they wanted, but to involve a baby was too far. With an angry cry Twilight tackled Skips to the ground to get him away from Spike. The next moments were a blur of purple, green, and red, as Blaze joined the tuff. Hooves flew, teeth bit, and horns collided as the three ponies fought. Spike had managed to run to a nearby bush as the fight continued. Despite all of Twilight's effort to fight back, the two bigger colts managed to beat her down.
"Now stay down!" A puffing Blaze yelled at her. He was dirty and sporting a hoof shaped bruise on his flank and other places.
Skips stood beside him a black eye forming on his right eye, his coat just as dirty. He breathed heavily and glared at Twilight. "Stupid filly! Come on Blaze let's get out of here before somepony comes."
The two colts turned to leave, behind them Twilight lay on the ground. She was bruised everywhere, her fur matted with dirt, her mane tussled and her left eye swelling up. She lay there panting, as she watched them leave her there. She waited to move until they were completely gone. She needed to find Spike, make sure he was okay. Slowly rising to shaky legs, Twilight realized she hurt everywhere. Unable to stand anymore, she collapsed to ground again.
"TWA!" came Spike's little voice. She saw him emerge from the bush and run to her. More tears ran down his face as he curled into her chest. He whimpered and sniffed. Twilight was saddened that her little baby had been so scared. Wrapping a hoof around his trembling form, she lay there staring out at nothing. She wanted to cry, but what would crying solve. Twilight didn't regret her actions, but perhaps she could have solved the problem a different way. Minutes passed, until Spike had stopped shaking. She felt him move under her leg and looked down at him.
"Hey my little guy. You okay?" when she spoke, her voice was rough sounding, but gentle.
Spike looked at her with his large green eyes, some tears still trickling out here and there. He stared at her for a bit, and then moved one of tiny paws up to her left cheek. Her cheek stung at his tiny touch, and she hissed quietly. When he removed his paw, Twilight noticed the red liquid that hadn't been there before. She must be bleeding she concluded.
"Urt." Spikes small voice spoke.
"I'll be okay Spike." She replied, she lowered her head and pulled him closer to her. "I'll protect you."
A few more minutes passed before she tried to move again. She still hurt, but at least now she could get to her room and clean up. Spike clung to her from leg as they walked back toward her room. Twilight wanted to avoid any other pony, be it Blaze and Skips again or even one of the guards. However, try as she might, she was seen by one of the guards and one that knew her.
Brave Heart, a pegasus, was one of the personal guards for Princess Celestia, and would on occasion escort the young unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, to her private lessons with the Princess. The young filly was easily excited by the thought of learning and eager to gain as much knowledge as she could. She was polite and kind to all around her, so to see her limping back to her room was a surprise. He took in her matted and dirty coat, the cut on her cheek, and the scared baby dragon that clung to her. Brave Heart could tell what had happened. Young Twilight had been in a fight. He knew she had had some bullying problems, but had the young filly had said nothing. Since he, himself, had not seen the bullying occur he could do nothing about it. Until now.
He followed, at a distance, behind Twilight to make sure she reached her room without any further obstacles. Once he was sure she was safe in her room, he made his way to the infirmary. There he instructed one of the nurses, Nurse Daisy Field, to check in on Twilight. Happy that the young filly would get some medical care, he then made his way to see Princess Celestia. He walked down the longs halls until he reached the throne room. There, the Princess was in audience with one of her councilors.
"The Mayor of Ponyville asks that there be an extra rain shower this month, as requested by the Apple family." The councilor read.
"Approved. They produce some of the loveliest apples." The Princess smiled.
"They do indeed, I hear you were able to get some of their Zap Apple Jam this year as well." The councilor laughed.
"I did, Granny Smith has out done herself. Is there anything else today?" She asked.
"No your Highness, that concludes the requests." He rolled the parchment he held, and placed it in his saddle bag.
"Very good. You have a wonderful day Feather Pen."
With a bow, he left, greeting Brave Heart with a smile and nod.
"Ah Brave Heart, what brings you here today?" Celestia rose from her throne, her mane flowing around her. She walked down the ramp to greet the guard.
Bowing to his Princess, Brave Heart cleared his throat. "I bring news about your student, Twilight Sparkle."
Startled by the comment of her student, Celestia stopped, her great wings flaring out. "Oh? What is the matter?"
"I have, for some time, suspected that young Twilight has been bullied by her fellow classmates."
Celestia look surprised, "Is it true?"
"I'm afraid so, Majesty. I saw her today, just a few minutes ago, making her way to her room. She was badly beaten." He lowered his head in respect and sadness as he spoke,
"What!? Is she in her room now?" Before Brave Heart could reply, Celestia was already moving.
Moving with her, they made their way to the young filly's room, he continued to explain.
"Yes ma'am, she is. I had a nurse go to her to tend to any wounds she may have had."
In no time, they had reached Twilight's room, and the door was open a fraction. Opening it more, Brave Heart stood aside as Celestia entered.
Lying on a pile of pillows, an ice pack held to her eye by magic, Twilight let Nurse Daisy tend to her cheek. Her coat was cleaner, but parts were darker than others. Hoof prints were clearly noticeable. Lying near Twilight curled into a tight ball was Spike. His tail was curled over his face, as his little chest rose and fell steadily. Small dark marks dotted the baby dragons' tail, making it clear that not even he was left untouched.
Celestia was horrified at the condition of her student and the hatchling. "Oh Twilight."
At the mention of her name, Twilight looked up surprised to see the Princess of the Sun in her room.
"Pri..Princess Celestia, what are you doing here?"
The Princess did not answer, instead she came closer to the young unicorn and looked at her. On Twilights'' back was a cloth stained lightly with pink; using her magic to lift it, Celestia inspected her student. The bandage covered a scratch that was beginning to scab over, gently she placed the cloth back.
"Nurse Daisy, what is the extent of her wounds?" She asked quietly.
"Princess I'm…" Twilight began to speak up, but a stern look from the Princess stopped her.
"She has a few bruises, a black eye, and cuts. The one on her back will heal, as will everything, however I'm afraid the cut on her cheek is deep. It will scar." Nurse Daisy replied.
"And Spike?" Gentle purple eyes glanced at the little dragon.
"Slight bruising on the tail, but otherwise fine."
Celestia looked at her student again, the ice pack that had hidden the bruised eye was gone. "Thank you Nurse Daisy, I'll take care of the rest."
Nurse Daisy nodded her head and moved away from Twilight, leaving her medical kit behind, as Princess Celestia moved into her place. Twilight hung her head, hiding her face from her mentor. Brave Heart quietly thanked the nurse pony as she left the room, and stood guard at the door. Silence ruled the room as the Princess observed Twilight.
"How long has this been happening?" Celestia's voice final broke the silence.
Twilight said nothing, she only shook her head, her bangs hiding most of her face. With a sigh, Celestia gently used her hoof to lift her pupils chin. What she saw was a look of anger, sadness, pain, and shame. All these emotions were written on the young unicorns face.
"Twilight, I cannot help you, if you do not tell me what happened."
Tears bubbled on the corner of Twilights eyes, her lower lip trembling. "They…" She started, her voice quiet and trembling
"Go on." Celestia encouraged.
"They mess with me, all the time." Twilight paused, fighting to steady her voice. "They call me names, talk about me behind my back. I don't care if they mess with me, they can hurt me all they want." The more she spoke, the louder Twilight became.
"But, they messed with Spike, they hurt Spike. He's just a baby, they didn't have to hurt him! He was having fun, and they scared him!" Tears streamed down her face, the anger and fear of what had happened earlier that day clearly visible.
Sensing and hearing Twilights distress, Spike awoke. Wide green eyes glanced at Princess Celestia and then to Twilight. His ears lowered in unease, not sure of what was going on.
"Hello little Spike." Celestia greeted. "Everything is okay, I'm here to find out what happened today."
Spike uncurled and faced the Princess, "Twa play, ide 'n seek." Spike spoke.
" I 'ide, I run into Kips." Celestia listened to the young dragon tell his tale.
"Kips make fun of me, 'n Baze call me…'monter'. Tey poke me. Et 'urt!"The more he spoke, the more animated Spike became in telling the story. "I cry 'n Twa come get me. Baze 'n Kips no move, Kips pull my tail! Twa make dem leabe me lone! Tey 'urt Twa!"
By the time he had finished, he was huffing. Princess Celestia understood now what had occurred. It seemed Twilight was subject to bullying, and until now, name calling had been the worse she's received. However, it seemed this 'Kips and Baze' had taken the bullying to a new level, by including the baby dragon.
"Twilight, I wish you had come to me and told me you were being bullied."
"I didn't want to bother you, besides I could handle it. If I ignored them, they would have stopped." By now the purple unicorn had stopped crying, dark streaks were all that was left as evidence.
"You would not have bothered me Twilight. Bullying is something I will not tolerate within my school." Celestia's voice was gentle, but strong as she spoke. "I need to know who did this Twilight, please tell me."
Celestia could see Twilight was conflicted. "Telling me who did this will not make you a tattle tale or a snitch. What it will do, is ensure others are not harmed as you have been."
Twilight stared at her teacher for a moment, her eyes searching Celestia's eye. With a deep breathe, she finally spoke.
"Blazing Light and Skip Along. They're a year ahead of me at school."
Looking to Brave Heart, Celestia only had to nod to him and he was gone. Bringing her attention back to her pupil, she used her magic to place the ice pack back on Twilights black eye. Spike sat next to Twilight leaning on her, one paw brushing through her purple coat.
"Twa ok?" He asked.
"Yes, Spike, Twilight will be alright." Celestia spoke. "Now, let us cover that cut up, shall we?"
Twilight nodded her head as the Princess used her magic to place the bandage on her cheek. The uneasiness that clung to the room before was no long there, in its stead was the gentle humming from Princess Celestia. Once done with the medical supplies, and moving them aside, the Princess moved to lie next to her student.
"Oh, Princess, you don't have to stay here. I'm okay now. I don't want to hold you up from any work you have." Protested Twilight.
"For now, Twilight Sparkle, you are my job." Celestia giggled lightly. She moved close to the smaller pony, and spreading her wing over Twilight, pulling the filly closer to her. Spike sat between Twilights' front legs.
"You are strong Twilight, and brave for protecting Spike. However, I do not want to see you hurt again. Next time come to me and talk with me about these things." Princess spoke softly to Twilight. "Okay?'
Burying her face into the soft white coat of the Princess, Twilights' muffled voice replied. "I will."
They sat there for some time, Celestia humming a gentle song, as her student slowly drifted into a much needed nap. Spike had curled himself against Twilight, returning to his nap. The Princess of the Sun thought about all that had been said and was upset by it all. She never liked to see anypony hurt and to see Twilight so bruised was too much. Her eyes grew moist, tears threatening to fall, as she watched the filly sleep.
"Princess?" A deep, but quiet voice called from the door. Brave Heart had returned.
Nodding her head, confirming she had heard him, she began to move slowly. Using her magic to levitate a blanket to her, she placed it on the sleeping filly and her baby dragon. Before leaving the room, Celestia used her magic one last time to partly close the curtains on the window, diming her sun into the room. Quietly she and Brave Heart left, closing the door behind them.
The two walked in silence for a time being, until they were a few halls away from Twilights' room.
Brave Heart was the first to speak. "Is she alright?"
"She will be alright."
"Good. I have contacted the Dean of the school, he will have the information on the two ponies to you soon." Brave Heart said.
"Has anyone contacted her parents?" Princess Celestia asked.
"No ma'am, I will have the Dean do that as well."
"No, no. That is alright, I will contact them. After all, I am Twilights' guardian while she is here."
They made their way toward the grounds of the school, some students still lingered on campus. Most were surprised at the presence of the Princess, young ponies smiled and bowing as she passed. Celestia smiled in return to them, she may have been worried about the current situation, but these young ponies were Equstria's future. Down winding halls, and up a few stare cases, Brave Heart and Princess Celestia finally arrived at Dean Starry Night's door. With a quick knock, Brave Heart opened the door for Celestia.
"Ah, Princess Celestia, it is nice to see you. I wish it were under better circumstances though." The Dean greeted.
"Yes, I too wish these were better circumstances, however, it seems we have a troubling situation on our hooves."
"Hm, seems so." Bring out two files from his desk, Starry Night, laid them on his desk for the Princess to look over.
He pointed to the first file. "Our first pony is a colt by the name of Blazing Light. He's a smart unicorn, has great potential for electrical items, and is a rising star in the schools Hoofball team. I have had a few complaints about him from other students, but nothing physical."
"I see." Celestia looked at the photo attached to the file.
"Our second pony, a colt and frind of Blaze's. Very apt at potions, and also part of the Hoofball team. Again similar complaints to what I've received about Blaze."
"What complaints are listed?"
Dean Starry Night's horn glowed as he turned the two files to their next pages.
"Name calling, insults mostly. From what Captain Brave Heart told me of your young student, I am very surprised to hear what happened."
"Can you have these two colts called in please? I wish to get their side of the story." Celestia continued to look over the two files.
"Of course, and please use my desk. I'll ask Mrs. Cherry Tart to retrieve them."
Leaving his office the Dean went about his task. It was ten minutes later when two young unicorns, followed by Dean Starry Night entered. Celestia took in the two colts' appearance. Blazing Light was limping slightly, some bruises visible on his shoulder. Skip Along had more visible bruising, his right eye swollen some and dark. The two ponies bowed to her, and waited.
"Do you two know why you were called here?" Princess Celestia questioned them.
Both ponies replied, "No, ma'am."
"Then if you could, please, tell me how you two received such bruises?"
Both colt's eyes widened slightly. Skips was the first to respond and quickly. "Hoofball practice. It gets rough sometimes, you know."
"I see, is this your answer as well Blazing Light?" Celestia questioned him.
"Ye..yes ma'am." Blaze looked away from the Princess as he answered.
"I feel you two are not being truthful to me." As she said this, both colts looked away. "I recently saw my student, and your fellow classmate, Twilight Sparkle. She was hurt quite badly. Was she playing Hoofball with you two?"
Two different answers greeted her. "Yes!" "No."
"Blaze!" Skips complained to his friend.
"It's the Princess, you can't lie to her." Blaze said through his teeth.
"Will you tell me what happened today?" Celestia sat and listened as both ponies retold what little Spike had told her. With each description, the two grew quieter, their head lowered to the floor.
It was the Dean who spoke first. "Why would you two do such a thing?! You could have done serious harm to her or the young dragon. What reason do you two, and others from what I am hearing, have for harassing Miss Sparkle?"
For a moment the two young colts were quiet.
"Well?" The Dean urged them.
"Because, she gets special treatment. She gets lessons from the Princess while the rest of us get normal lessons. What makes her so special!?" Blaze, voice bitter and angry, answered the question.
At this Princess Celestia rose from her seat, walked to the front of the desk and looked at the two unicorns.
"Twilight Sparkle is my personal student, not because I favor her over any other pony. It is because she has shown a potential that no other student has shown in pure magic. I am disappointed in you both, to do such harm to another pony, just because you were jealous." Shaking her head, Celestia looked at the two.
"I hear you each have great potential in different fields with your magical abilities. Not to mention within the schools Hoofball team." Looking to Dean Starry Night, Princess Celestia nodded. A silent understanding between the two ponies was noted.
"As of today, you two will be suspended from the Hoofball team, until such time you can prove kindness to others."Celestia spoke sternly.
Blaze and Skips began to protest, when the sound of a clearing throat stopped them.
"Furthermore, you will both be serving detention for a month after school. And both of you will do community service during that time."
Having laid out the punishment for the two colts, Celestia spoke to the Dean.
"Dean Starry Night, does this seem fair?"
"For the harm they did, yes. You two will take your punishment and learn from your mistakes. Your parents will be contacted and informed of the situation as well." Dean Starry Night stood next to the Princess.
The two colts had their heads down, shame and disappointment on their faces.
"Dean, if you could for later tomorrow, assemble the school for an announcement. I will put a stop this bullying at once, a student of mine or any other teacher's should not have to be tormented at a place of safety."
With a nod from the Dean, the Princess turned to leave, but not before addressing the two younger ponies one last time.
"I hope you two have learned a valuable lesson. I am disappointed with the acts you two did, but I will give you a second chance. The Dean will report to me on your progresses, do not waste this opportunity."
The two colts nodded without a word.
Sometime later, Celestia followed by Brave Heart, returned to the castle. She'd checked on Twilight one last time, the young filly was still sleeping, her baby dragon curled up next to her. She made her way back to her chambers and excused Brave Heart after asking him to inform Twilights brother, a cadet at the Royal Guard Academy, of what had happened. She would write to the parents to tell them what had happened as well.
Finally alone for the first time since she'd been told of the incident, Celestia sighed heavily as a single tear fell. It had scared her to see Twilight so hurt, so upset, but most of all she was saddened that her student had not informed her sooner of the bullying. She could have saved her from the harm she had faced today. She took a moment to compose herself before she continued on to her next task. Her horn glowed a radiant yellow as a quill and parchment floated to her. With quick and careful words, she scribed the letter to Twilights parents. Once she had finished, she used her magic to transport the letter to the parents and waited for what would come in the following days.
Things would a bit different from then on for her student, and Twilight's withdrawal from other foals her age, did not go unnoticed. However, despite her lack of friends at the school, Twilight was still kind to all around her, if not a bit guarded. The wounds had healed well, and just as Nurse Daisy had said, the cut on her cheek had scared. Blaze and Skips had served their punishment, volunteering at the Canterlot Animal Shelter and other places. The two colts would even create a club within the school to help those who had been bullied and to stop bullying. Twilight forgave the two colts, but remained stand offish from her peers none the less.
"Have you made any new friends?" Celestia would ask on occasion.
The young filly would look away unhappy and a little upset. "No, I don't need friends, I need to focus on my studies. Besides I have you and Spike."
This would be Twilight's response to that question every time. From then on, Princess Celestia vowed to help her student learn that friendship was the most important thing.