That afternoon, Scootaloo looked altogether put-out. An unwavering scowl had planted itself firmly on her face. Not even her fellow Crusaders could lighten the mood as they started their walk home. Spike could hear them comforting her as he walked out of the school building with Pipsqueak. Falling into step behind them, the boys listened as they conversed.

"Listen, Scootaloo, I know it stinks that yer with Tiara. But, we'll help ya with yer project!" Sweetie Belle nodding vigorously in agreement with Applebloom. Scootaloo only dragged her hooves in reply. Sweetie Belle mused, "It's weird that Ms. Cheerilee would assign them together. I mean, it's obvious we hate each other...isn't it?"

An awkward silence ensued, and Applebloom shrugged, "I don't know, maybe it isn't obvious to 'er. After all, Tiara only picks on us when Cheerilee isn't around."

Pipsqueak and Spike, who had been following closely enough to hear the conversation, drew nearer. Pipsqueak cleared his throat, which startled the three Crusaders. Coloring slightly, Applebloom spoke up, "Oh, hi there. We..err...didn't realize you two were back there."

Pipsqueak pressed on, addressing Scootaloo, "I'm sorry you got stuck with Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo. That's really unfortunate." He paused, and Spike noticed him biting his lip in hesitation. "If you'd like, you and Tiara could meet up with me and Spike to work on our projects, that way it wouldn't be so difficult to deal with her and such..." He trailed off, looking at the ground.

The Crusaders slowed to a stop and turned around, training curious eyes on the foal. Scootaloo heaved a hefty sigh. "Thanks, you guys, for the offers." She gave a half-smile, perking up. "Actually, if we all met up and worked together, that could be pretty fun. Let's do it."

Pipsqueak's eyes widened substantially, looking excited. Spike mulled over this new development. Now we get to study with Scootaloo. That's cool. Then again, that means we have to spend time with Diamond Tiara. Rubbing the back of his neck, Spike tried not to think about it.


"So, how was school?" Twilight sat with her head propped on her hooves, another RP game was in play on the floor. Spike smiled a toothy grin at his purple friend, "Really great! I got assigned to do a project with Pipsqueak."

"Oh, really? Pip seems like a nice kid." She magicked her player piece forward a few spaces, "What kind of project is it?"

Spike shrugged, leafing through his cards, "A history presentation, I think. We have to choose a historical figure and tell about them. Any suggestions?" Twilight's face lit up. "Of course! There are so many! You could do it on Celestia, or on Discord." She paused, looking thoughtful. "Then again, everypony'll be doing them. I'd recommend choosing a more obscure pony. Starswirl, for example." She smirked, "Plus, I'm sort of an expert on him, so I could help you out."

Spike giggled, "You're totally obsessed with that old guy, Twi." He drew a card from the deck, "I'll ask Pipsqueak if he's cool with that." They continued their game for a while, sipping their tea.

Spike finally spoke up. "I feel bad for Scootaloo, though. She got assigned to do the project with Diamond Tiara."

Twilight's brow furrowed, "Oh?"

"Yeah," Answered Spike, "But, Pipsqueak offered that they and Scootaloo and Applebloom work with us so she doesn't have to be miserable."

Twilight nodded slowly, a knowing grin planted smugly on her face. This didn't escape Spike's attention.

"That was nice of him." She noted, hiding the grin that had been exposed a moment before, "I'm sure it'll be fine. Cheerilee must know what she's doing." Spike felt his insides squirm a bit, unsure about all of it. I sure hope she does…

"Well, at any rate, you should probably get an early-ish night tonight. You've got school in the morning." She stood up, yawning.

"But, what about our game?" Spike interjected, feeling wide awake.

"We'll leave it out and finish tomorrow. Is that alright?" Spike stood up, weighing the options,

"Yeah, I guess. G'night, Twi!" Twilight paused on her way up the stairs, smiling at the little dragon. "Night, Spike."


Pipsqueak's home was small and tidy. Rather than being spread out on the ground like most of the other houses, it had multiple levels and sat wedged between other buildings on the street. Spike enjoyed its homey feel; the way the photos were neatly arranged on shelves and comfortable chairs were in every corner. His friend's parents were nice, what with their courtly manners and smooth accents, they were hard not to like.

"Would you like anything to drink, Spike?" Offered Pip's dad, ready to leave them to work on their project.

"Tea would be great! Thank you, sir." Spike answered, smiling his thanks. Pip and Spike arranged themselves on the living room floor, along with various school papers and history books.

"The Crusaders and Tiara should be here any minute," Pip informed him, propping his chin comfortably on his hooves, "So, should we decide who we're going to do the project on?"

"Well, Twi suggested Starswirl the Bearded, she knows a lot about him."

Pipsqueak cast a sidelong glance at the door, "Yeah, that sounds good. Or we could do Luna. She's one of my favorites." He added with a blush.

"Luna is great, but, I'll bet a lot of ponies are doing her. Which one do you think?" Pipsqueak shrugged,

"Let's just stick with Starswirl." Just then, his dad bustled in with two cups of tea. Magicking them to the kids, he said,

"If you need anything else, just let me know."

"Thanks, Dad!"

A few moments later, an aggressive knock sounded at the door. Pipsqueak jumped up; Spike followed him across the room to the door. When they answered, Scootaloo was practically fuming. Diamond Tiara stood next to her, holding her head high and refusing to acknowledge the unwelcoming atmosphere. Behind them, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle waved their silent greetings. Spike waved back.

"Hi, Scootaloo!" Pipsqueak chimed. Scootaloo grunted an indiscernable reply. The four fillies stepped into the threshold, Tiara clearly judging every aspect of it. Scootaloo trumped into the living room and sat down next to Pipsqeak; as far away from Tiara as she could. "Wow, Pipsqueak, I like yer place!" Applebloom commented, examining their foreign decor.

"Thanks!" He answered, gesturing for them to take a seat on the ground. Pip leaned over to Scootaloo, lowering his voice as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom sat down. "Is everything alright? Has she been mean to you, again?" Scootaloo shrugged, looking slightly more at ease now. "Her usual, charming self, I guess." Pipsqueak laughed.

Spike plopped down on the other side of Pip while Diamond Tiara stood a little ways from the group. Finally, she sat down and Spike cleared his throat, "Well, should we get started on our projects?"

"Who're you doing your project on?" Pipsqueak asked Scootaloo with apparent interest. Looking a little perkier, Scootaloo replied, "Discord. We figured I already know a ton about him." Tiara snorted, but the group ignored this.

"How about you guys?" Spike inclined his head to Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. "Cadence!" They chirped in unison.

"Twilight can probably help you with that," Spike told them matter-of-factly, "Since she was Twilight's old foalsitter and she's married to Twi's brother now."

"It's so cool that Twilight's a princess now!" Sweetie Belle gushed, "Do you think that makes you, like, related to all the princesses or something?"

Spike shrugged, "I dunno. She's still the same, old Twilight to me."

Applebloom elbowed Spike, "Don't be so modest, Spike. She's royalty! You've got connections with the most famous ponies in equestria!"

Spike wrinkled his nose, not entirely sure that was true. It seemed like he should have more connections now, but the only thing he was getting from it was less time with Twilight.

Diamond Tiara spoke up for the first time, "Oh, for goodness sake. Will you all hush up? The way you go on about him, you'd think he was Celestia! It's not like it matters. He's not famous. Stop acting like he's more important than he is." The group shot a collective glare at her.

"Spike's a great friend, don't be mean about 'im! It doesn't matter whether he's famous or not." Applebloom defended, but it sounded like a feeble comeback to Spike. He bit his lip. Everything Tiara had said was true, however badly he hated to admit it.

"Let's just work on our projects." Tiara muttered, rolling her eyes.


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