Just for Sidekicks
Pony's Log Number 311: I'm still debating to this day if Spike learned ANYTHING at all after the trouble he went through while Twilight and I were away...
Inside of the Grand Oak Library, a pair of pictures were seen on a shelf, The right had a picture of Spike holding a phoenix egg in his claws. The left had Spike cuddling Peewee when he hatched. Further up was another shelf with two more pictures. The right was Spike trying to feed Peewee some ice cream and the phoenix chick not enjoying it. The left showed Twilight glaring at Spike as she had a bowl of ice cream on her head and Peewee perched on her tail. Above those pictures was one more picture featuring Spike smiling as he brought Peewee back to his family and walked away.
For the time being, Spike, wearing a chief's hat and his pink apron, was just humming to himself as Owlowiscious took his seat on a nearby perch.
"Spike is great..." the little dragon hummed as he continued to mix some batter into a bowl, "...making a jewel cake..." Spike then grabbed a handful of the jewels from the measuring cup and munched on them. Owlowiscious hooted at him.
"Me, that who," said Spike as he turned around to face the owl while holding the bowl of cake batter in his claw. He then went back to singing and mixing, "Been saving up my gems so fine...for a cake that is divine..." Spike then grabbed another handful of jewels and gobbled them up. Owlowiscious hooted at him again.
"Who are you hooting at?" Spike asked as he bent down and looked at the owl between his legs. Owlowiscious flew over to the measuring cup partially filled with jewels and hooted.
"I know, they're delicious," Spike replied as Owlowiscious just gave the dragon a look as Spike grabbed some more jewels and munched on them.
"Now you see 'em, now you don't," said Spike as he held one jewel on each finger, stuff them into his mouth and smiled with the jewels against his teeth. He then ate them and let out a satisfying belch. Owlowiscious just glared as he turned his head away from the dragon.
"Mm!" Spike hummed to himself before singing once again, "This is how you make a jewel cake: stir in some gems, and then you bake." As Spike dumped the last few gems from his measuring cup, his tongue involuntary extended and Spike ate the last of the jewels.
"Mm-hmm!" Spike continued to sing as he poured some milk and began mixing once again, "Gonna, eat, eat it up! Gonna-GASP!" Spike then noticed that his batter had no jewels and his measuring cup was completely empty.
"What happened to all my jewels?!" Spike exclaimed as he rubbed the edge of the measuring cup with a finger and licked it, "I had a bowl full of them here, and now I don't! Which means somebody took 'em!" He then headed over to a certain owl and drummed his fingers. Owlowiscious turned around flinched at the sight of the glaring dragon before him. Owlowiscious hooted at him as he pointed a wing at himself.
"Who?" Spike retorted angrily, "that's what I'm asking, who?! Who took my jewels?!" The owl glared before flying away, pounding down Spike's chief's hat. He then returned holding a metal spoon so Spike could see the glitter covering his lips.
"Oh, I'm who," said Spike and added dramatically, "this cake was gonna be so good!" It was then he found one lone yellow gem on the floor and went to put it in the batter, but his tongue intercepted it and he ate it. He didn't need long to realize his mistake.
"Why?!" Spike cried out as he raised his head and looked at the ceiling, "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!" He covered his eyes with his claws as Owlowiscious, hovering above, rolled his eyes at him.
Somepony needs to learn to little self-control.
(Main Theme)
A few minutes later, Spike was just laying on the floor as he continued to stare at the ceiling. The bowl of cake mix was behind his head and he was wearing the empty measuring cup on over his head.
"I have no jewels...I have no cake...I'm a sad little dragon..." Spike lamented, "with nothing to-"
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK
Owlowiscious hooted from above the fireplace shelf.
"...is it?" Spike asked drearily as he saw Fluttershy outside with Angel sitting on top of her head.
"Oh! Oh goodness," said Fluttershy as she saw how depressed Spike looked and leaned away nervously, "I-I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Well...I do have this cake to not bake..." said Spike as he held the cake batter in his right claw. Owlowiscious hovered above him from inside to see who it was. Fluttershy and Angel just looked at each other.
"Oh...sorry," said Fluttershy, "it's a bad time." Fluttershy turned to leave.
"Uh, inside joke," said Spike bluntly, "Talk to me." Fluttershy just entered as Spike walked up the stair case and stirred his cake batter.
"It's just that..." Fluttershy began to explain, "Princess Cadance needs us to do a great job welcoming the Head of the Equestria Games when she visits the Crystal Empire tomorrow-"
"Oh, I know all about that," said Spike bitterly, "As if I wouldn't be any help at welcoming..."
"Oh, I don't know what was I thinking," said Fluttershy, "of course you might be upset over not being invited, and...here I am coming to ask you for a favor."
"Mario had actually offered to let me go in his place, but Twilight said no," Spike added, "Can't blame him for not wanting to go help. It is the same Head of Equestria Games who prevented him from redeeming himself on the race track and left him to be humiliated. But anyways, what's the favor?"
"Oh never mind," said Fluttershy, not even bothering to make any comment about Mario, as she turned to walk away, "You were probably going to say no anyway. All I had to offer you in exchange was one little jewel."
"What was that?" Spike asked quickly as he got into Fluttershy's face.
"EEP!" Fluttershy yelped as she jumped high into the air, causing her to lose a couple of feathers from her wings. She was holding into Owlowiscious for a moment before she let go with a sheepish smile on her face.
"All I have is this jewel," said Fluttershy as she landed back on the floor by Spike and pulled out the large green jewel from her saddle bags. Spike looked at it in awe as his eyes turned into jewels and he licked his watering mouth.
"That's a really big one," Spike remarked, "A really big, juicy, perfect-for-a-cake-topper jewel." Spike was so mesmerized that he toppled over. Fluttershy then put the jewel back into her saddle bags.
"Does this mean you'll do it?" Fluttershy asked hopefully as Spike grabbed the jewel and hugged it as he sat on his tail.
"Yeah...Sure..." said Spike, still mesmerized by the jewel.
"Oh, thank you, thank you!" said Fluttershy as she rubbed the side of his head before grabbing hold of her bunny, "So while I'm gone, you'll take care of Angel, and tomorrow is Tuesday, which is his tail-fluffing day, and it's really important for him to look good." Angel's jaw dropped and he shook his head as he raised his paws in the air to say "No way!"." Spike snapped back into reality when he heard what Fluttershy had said.
"Wait, what?!" Spike exclaimed, "You want me to take care of him?" Spike knelt beside the bunny, who glared as Spike with his arms crossed and blew a raspberry at the little dragon and hopped away.
"Oh, well, yes," said Fluttershy as Angel came to stop and Owlowiscious stared the bunny down, making the bunny hop away as the owl followed after him, "But if it's too much trouble, I can always see if there is somepony else." Fluttershy grabbed the jewel back, but Spike looked a bit frantic as the yellow Pegasus put the jewel away and walked off with her head low.
"Uhh...We already agreed on the whole jewel thing," said Spike as he grabbed the gem back, "so I'll just..."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" said Fluttershy as she nuzzled his head, "Angel, aren't you just so excited?" Owlowiscious then made Angel back up so the bunny tumbled into his back and pleaded to Fluttershy for help before disappearing.
"See you tomorrow," said Fluttershy. When she turned her head to leave, Angel was seen clinging onto the back of her head. He threw Spike and Owlowiscious a raspberry as Fluttershy walked away. Spike waved goodbye to Fluttershy.
"You know..." said Spike to Owlowiscious, "She's not the only pony with a pet that might need some watching."
Later on, outside the town area where the water well was located, Tank was flying about with his specially made gyrocopter attachment. Rarity and Rainbow were there as well.
"All I'm saying is, if Fluttershy thought that her beloved little friend shouldn't be left alone while you're busy in the Crystal Empire," Spike explained to both Rarity and Rainbow, "then maybe that's just something to think about." Rarity and Rainbow just gave him looks, especially after he dangled his measuring cup with a clinking green gem inside of it. Tank then flew by in the foreground.
"Tch! Tank's not some fuzzy little bunny," said Rainbow, "He can take care of himself."
THWACK!
Rainbow then turned to see that Tank had crashed into the roof part of the well and was thudding into it continuously. Rainbow quickly redirected Tank's flying direction and let the tortoise fly off.
"He's a strong, fearless, and totally together pet," Rainbow continued.
CRASH!
Rarity gasped and Rainbow looked to see that Tank had knocked over a nearby bucket of apples and had slammed right into a wall, leaving a large indent as Tank was now stuck upside down in his shell. Rainbow groaned with her back against the tortoise. Rarity just smiled sheepishly at the blue Pegasus. Spike then looked back at the overturned turtle before repairing Tank's personal gyrocopter propeller and got the tortoise up and flying again. Rainbow had covered her eyes with her wing, but then relaxed and smiled as she saw Tank fly off.
CRASH!
Then Rainbow winced when Tank smashed into something off screen. Spike just whistled innocently.
"Alright. You can watch him," Rainbow conceded as she gave Spike a yellow-orange jewel and flew over to her, once again, overturned tortoise, "but only because...uh...Tank's got a strict flying regimen, and-and someone needs to make sure that he doesn't slack off while I'm gone." As Rainbow put a fore-hoof on his underbelly, Tank licked Rainbow on the cheek.
"Ohh!" Rarity cooed and laughed as Rainbow looked a tad annoyed as Tank nuzzled her cheek lovingly, making Rainbow blush.
"You know..." said Rainbow as she quickly got Tank upright while trying to keep her cool demeanor, "the two of us are very diligent." Rarity just walked up to the clearly flustered mare.
"Okay, whatever," said Spike dismissively as looked at his jewels.
"Yes, yes, more importantly, as for Opal," said Rarity, "she likes to eat every thirty six and a half minutes, you groom her with her silken brush, head to toe..." Spike smiled widely and grabbed some parchment to write down what Rarity was saying. By the time, Rainbow, Tank, Spike, and Rarity had arrived at her Boutique.
"...Oh, and don't forget to pooch her pillow out in the middle, that's where she likes it," said Rarity while admiring a newly created jewel studded outfit she was wearing, "And the temperature in the room should always be exactly eighty-one point four degrees. That's the only way she can get to sleep." As she spoke, Rainbow just watched Rarity skeptically. Spike just continued to write as Opal came up to Tank, smacked his head with her paw, and then purred as she nuzzled his head before walking away in her stuck up manner. As Spike finally finished his notes, the quill he was using suddenly combusted into flames.
"And, um...hmm...oh, good, so thanks for your help and good luck to you," said Rarity as Opal nuzzled her owner's flank and walked off. Spike just smiled at her in a lovesick fashion.
"A-hem..." said Rainbow, "I think the dragon was expecting a little something for his efforts." Rarity noticed that Spike as floating in the air in a lovesick daze while holding his measuring cup. Rarity then looked at her outfit and pulled off probably the smallest red jewel from it and tossed to Spike. The little dragon picked it up and gazed at it.
"Almost as beautiful as the pony who gave it to me..." said Spike.
"Shouldn't you be critter-proofing the library or something?" Rainbow asked worried as she rubbed her fore-hooves together, "Tank has a tendency too..."
CRASH!
YOWL!
Rainbow looked to see that Tank had crashed into Rarity's bed, sending several of the pillow feathers flying about and startling Opal, who meowed loudly. Tank then continued to fly about and then crashed into something else, making Rainbow and Rarity cringe before they tried to do some sort of damage control.
"Critter-proofing," said Spike to himself in a distracted manner as he just looked at his jewels, "Yeah, I'll get right on that." He then walked out of the boutique and chuckled to himself.
"Three down, three to go," said Spike as he was now holding his cup of jewels with the end of his tail.
Later that night, Spike was at Sugarcube corner trying to communicate with Gummy.
"What's that you said, Gummy?" said Spike as the little alligator, "Uh-huh. Well, you're just gonna have to ask Pinkie Pie about that one." It was then Pinkie appeared from underneath her sofa cushion and jumped out to make herself known.
"Ask me, ask me!" said Pinkie Pie excitedly as she leaned against the sofa rest with her hind legs crossed.
"Go ahead, ask her!" said Spike to the little alligator. Gummy just blinked cluelessly and shifted his eyes a bit.
"Of course you can have another cupcake!" said Pinkie as she set the treat on Gummy's head. Spike just looked at Pinkie skeptically with his claws behind his back and shook his head.
"Mm? Mm-hm? Yeah?" Pinkie asked as she leaned closer to Gummy. Spike watched excitedly as he got ready to present his measuring cup to her, "Why didn't you say so? I'll get you a bigger pond immediately." Pinkie gave Gummy a hug. Spike looked dejected for a moment, but then recomposed himself.
"I think what Gummy's trying to say is-" Spike interjected, but was interrupted.
"He's always wanted a pair of riding pants?" Pinkie guessed as she put Gummy into a pair of pants far too big for him, "His toenails need a new coat of shellac? He wants to floss twice a day instead of just one?" Pinkie then showed herself applying the shellac to Gummy's feet and then using a piece of floss to clean his gums. She giggled to herself before Spike pinched Pinkie's lips shut.
"I think what Gummy's trying to say is that he'd like a little Spike time," the little dragon replied as he holds the little alligator with his free claw.
"Who wouldn't?!" Pinkie exclaimed despite having Spike still holding onto her lips, "Spike time is the best!"
"Alas, it doesn't come cheap," said Spike with a smirk as he showed the pink pony his measuring cup full of gems.
The next morning, Rainbow was already at the Great Oak Library talking to Spike as Tank flew about the main area.
"All I'm saying is you might wanna think about a helmet," said Rainbow, "You only want to get hit in the head by a flying turtle...once..." Rainbow then dodged out of the way just before she could suffer a head on collision by the flying tortoise. Spike was just sitting on the floor wearing his chiefs hat and reading his gem cake recipe.
"A thousand plus carats of pure deliciousness..." he read aloud when Tank flew by and knocked off his chief's hat. It was then all but Twilight and Fluttershy arrived, each of them with their pet at hoof and carrying saddle bags.
"Looks like you got a regular pet day care in here, Spike," said Applejack as Winona walked up to Spike. The little dragon grabbed the end of her leash without taking his eyes off his book, "You'll still be able to get some good play time with Winona like you said though, won't ya? She tends to get a little wild if she doesn't get her exercise." Applejack then patted Winona on the head, making her wag her tail happily. Opal and Gummy then ran across the foreground.
"Exercise," said Spike quickly, "Sure, of course." It was then Winona barked and took off and he was still holding her leash.
"Whoa!" Spike yelped as Winona dragged him away and made him slam into a wall face first. Spike managed to twist himself so he landed on his back and facing the group. Mario just rolled his eyes at him.
"I think Spike is way over his head," said Mario to Charlie, who was standing next to him. The baby koala just looked at his owner and snickered.
"Not funny, Charlie," said Mario, "I didn't raise you to take advantage of others did I?" Charlie just stopped laughing and sighed, with a discreet eye roll.
"I'm gonna need you to help Spike out," said Mario, "He's gonna need it. Can I count on you buddy?" Charlie blinked a bit before giving Mario a salute and headed over to the still dazed little dragon. Mario rolled his eyes. He could never tell if Charlie was being respectful or just acting like he was part of Royal cadets. Charlie helped Spike up to his feet.
"Ugh...Thanks, Charlie," said Spike as the koala stood before him and saluted.
"Ah, gonna be my assistant huh?" Spike replied, "I sure could use one."
"Could use Charlie for what?" said Twilight as she made her way downstairs with Owlowiscious perched on her back, "I don't remember seeing critters on the invite list."
"I'd rather they go instead of me," Mario remarked, "Charlie is more than willing to take my place. See?" Twilight glared but then felt someone tap her foreleg. She turned to see Charlie donned a polo shirt with the Crystal Empire emblem on it with a pair of khakis and some glasses on his face.
"Not happening, Charlie," Twilight remarked. Charlie snorted before walking away grumbling to himself. But then yelped when he saw Tank coming in his direction and dived to the floor and covered his head. He then grumbled at Tank to watch where he was going. Twilight and Applejack just gave Mario weird looks.
"What? I don't know why he does that!" Mario protested in his defense.
"He's your koala, Mario Star," Twilight remarked.
"Good grief," Mario groaned as Applejack snickered to herself.
"Anyway, why are all the critters here?" Twilight asked.
'Cause we're leavin' them here with Spike," Applejack answered, "He's gonna do a little critter-sittin' for us."
"Oh, really?" said Twilight skeptically as she gave Spike a glare. Before she could get an explanation, Spike then got bonked in the head as Tank slammed right into it, leaving him dazed for a moment. It was then, Fluttershy arrived. She dropped a basket loaded with beauty care supplies and Angel was riding her back with his typical pouty face and some curlers in his tail.
"Sorry I'm late," said Fluttershy, "Silly bunny had hidden his brush. Be sure you get plenty on his tail, or it won't get as poofy as he likes it."
"Oh brother," Mario muttered, "I bet Angel hid the brush on purpose."
"Come on, girls and Mario, or we're gonna miss our train," said Applejack as she stood by the front door as Tank flew by with Gummy and Opal chasing after him. Then Winona came by and lay on her back for the orange pony to scratch her belly, "One more for the road? Oh, you little puppy-wuppy, come on here!" Applejack chuckled to herself as Pinkie held Gummy in her fore-hooves.
"No, no-no-no, I love you more," said Pinkie, "No, I love you more! I love you more!" Meanwhile, Rainbow was just looking around a bit to see if nopony was looking. She then smiled and gave Tank a loving nuzzle. She then went rigid and looked around to see if anypony noticed. Mario had.
"I don't get you," said Mario annoyingly to Rainbow, "What's so wrong with openly showing you love Tank? We're your friends." Rainbow just flinched at his voice before looking at him sadly.
"It's...uncomfortable," Rainbow muttered quietly. Mario hummed.
"Sounds like something we need to talk about at our next one-on-one," said Mario. Rainbow just smiled and nodded in agreement as Fluttershy was speaking with Angel.
"Oh, I promise it'll be okay," said Fluttershy as Angel continued pouting and his back against her, "I'll fluff your tail twice next week. Three times?" Upon hearing a triple tail fluff, Angel perked up and smiled at her. Fluttershy patted his head and nuzzled his cheeks. Opal looked rather uneasy as she sat on a stool with Rarity beside her.
"Oh, I know," said Rarity as she used her magic to wrap the cat in a blue blanket, "It's a chilly eighty one point two in here. Spike, take care of this, would you please?"
"You got it!" said Spike with a thumbs up as Twilight looked at him skeptically.
"If you don't think he can handle it," Mario replied, "Then let me..."
"You're going and that's the end of it!" Twilight yelled, which cause a long silence among everypony else there. Mario just glared.
"Take care of everypony, Charlie," said Mario bluntly as he rubbed the koala's head and left the library without another word. Twilight just watched him before she felt somepony rub the side of Owlowiscious head.
"So uhh..." Spike stuttered, "What are you thinking about that hooting little friend of yours? Suppose you want me to keep an eye on him too."
"That would be nice," said Twilight, "You sure you don't already have your hands full?"
"Nah, pshaw," Spike replied, "I'll be fine. Charlie here is gonna be my assistant. But, uh, just between you and me, I gotta give priority to...paying customers." Twilight just sighed annoyingly before dumping a pink diamond cut jewel into his measuring cup. The rest of the ponies then made their way out of the Library when Twilight realized something.
"Did...Mario pay too?" Twilight asked. Spike snorted.
"He said I'll get paid after I finish the job," Spike remarked, "It's like he doesn't trust me or something."
"I see," said Twilight, though deep down she was wondering why she hadn't thought of doing that, "You absolutely sure you can do this?"
"Of course," said Spike as the pets all sit behind him and puts his chiefs hat on, "Wouldn't have agreed to it if I couldn't. Piece of cake. Speaking of cake. I got a little something I need to attend to." Spike looked at his cookbook as Twilight glared at him.
"Yeah, like keeping an eye on a house full of critters," Twilight remarked. Spike licked his lips but quickly recovered when he heard Twilight.
"Uh, yeah, uh, that was totally what I was talking about," said Spike, "Relax. Go to your welcoming thing at the Crystal Empire and help Mario get over those bad memories. Spike's got it all under control." Twilight just gave Spike a weary smile as the two waved goodbye. Spike then shut the door. Spike gasped as seeing that all the critters were running, or flying amok about the library. Charlie was also running about trying to avoid getting tripped up or sky-dived at when he finally reached Spike and tried to catch his breath. Spike then gasped when Tank crashed into his head, dazing Spike and knocking him out.
(Lose a life fanfare)
Charlie laughed.
THUNK
Then Tank slammed into his head, making Charlie see stars and soon was knocked out as well.
(Lose a life fanfare...again)
Charlie was the first to recover as Spike was still dazed and laying on his back as the animals continued to make a mess. Winona was chasing Angel, Gummy was running through a book and ripping the pages out it, and Opal was jumping on the curtains and shredding them with her claws. Owlowiscious just tried to sit on his perch. He saw Tank coming in for a landing and stepped out the way to share his perch, but Tank was too heavy as he made the perch bend to the side. Poor Owlowiscious was sent flying off when Tank got off and the perch recoiled. The owl crashed somewhere off-screen. Spike looked overwhelmed and even Charlie was trying to figure out what to do.
"Alight, sidekicks, front and center!" Spike called out. However, only Charlie and Winona stood before Spike as the latter gave a friendly bark.
"There are seven of you, but there's only two right here in front of me!" said Spike angrily and then barely dodged to avoid Tank and forced the Tortoise to land, "Gah...Three. And what I say goes!" Owlowiscious then peaked out from behind Spike and hooted. Spike just set him beside Tank.
"Spike, the boss of you, that's who," said the little dragon sternly to the owl, "One, two, three, four! Nngh, come on, number five!" Spike then stomped over to Opal, who was clawing his bed. He angrily pulled Opal off, ripping open the sheet and cushion as Opal angrily yowled and scratched about. This caused Spike to fall over, but then he looked back to see that Gummy was now sucking on his foot. Spike then set both Opal and Gummy side by side with the rest.
"One, two, three, four, five, six..." said Spike, "Argh, who's missing?" Charlie raised his claw.
"Yes?" Spike asked annoyingly. Charlie then squeaked and pointed at the front door. There just outside the front door was a certain bratty bunny smirking at them. He waved goodbye and took off.
"Angel," said Spike as he narrowed his eyes and Tank crashed into his head again.
Later that day, Spike had put on a helmet and had the other six critters tied up with leashes as he walked about the town in search of Angel. His feet were also off the ground as he was pulled forward. Winona was taking the lead, trying to sniff the bunny out, Owlowiscious was flying overhead holding Gummy in his claws, Tank was just hovering nearby, occasionally bumping into Spike's head from time to time, and Opal was in the back, being dragged along against her will. Charlie was beside Spike, fuming at having to wear a leash.
"All I wanted were some jewels," Spike grumbled to himself, "Big, juicy, delicious jewels. Now what do I have? A missing rabbit and-" Charlie than squeaked and grumbled irritably as he tugged the end of his leash.
"Sorry, Charlie," said Spike, "You may be my assistant, but you gotta wear the leash like everybody else." It was just then Winona stopped sniffing, barked and took off in another direction. She had apparently picked up on something and took off. Charlie hopped on for a ride as Spike and the rest of the critters were dragged behind Winona. She then stopped and pointed toward the location of the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse. They were apparently enjoying themselves since Angel had gone to visit them.
"Aww, little fluffy Angel Bunny-kins!" Sweetie Belle cooed as she, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo continued to play with him, "You're so cute! The natural weaves in his fluff are to die for!" Spike then made his way inside and cleared his throat to get their attention. The three fillies looked at Spike for a moment before getting back to playing with Angel, who was thumping impatiently for attention.
"Isn't Angel just the cutest thing you've ever seen?!" Sweetie Belle remarked. Angel then gave the other critters a loud raspberry. The six critters glared at the bunny. Even Spike looked rather indignant until he smirked and got an idea. Angel still had his tongue hanging out at them when Spike grabbed the bunny so they were eye-to-eye.
"Look, you don't wanna be with me," Spike told him, "I'd rather not chase you around all over the place when I could be enjoying some jewel cake. Watch me solve both of our problems." Spike then turned to the three fillies.
"Y'know, I'm supposed to be watching him," said Spike casually, "but you all have just hit it off so well that maybe, maybe I could let you take care of him instead."
"We would, but we've got some major Crusaders business planned for today!" said Apple Bloom as she and the other two fillies were dressed up goggles and backpacks.
"Major," said Scootaloo as she showed Spike a poster, "We're getting our skydiving cutie marks today!"
"Ha! Yeah!" the three fillies said at once.
"Well, I suppose, if you've got other plans..." said Spike, "it's just, you're so good with them. Like get-a-cutie-mark-for-bunny-sitting good?" Charlie couldn't help but facepalm himself at Spike's behavior. However, Spike's little plan had worked as the three fillies dropped all their gear in an instant.
"A bunny-sittin' cutie mark..." Apple Bloom pondered.
"That would be adorable!" Sweetie Belle remarked in a giddy tone.
"He does seem to like us," Scootaloo added as Angel pleaded to let him stay.
"And we haven't exactly figured out how we're gonna pull off this whole skydivin' thing," Apple Bloom pointed out.
What else is new?
"You know what?" said Spike as he unclipped the leashes to the rest of the animals and put his helmet on Scootaloo's head. Just in time since Tank bumped into her and sent the orange Pegasus bumping into the other two fillies, "As hard as it's gonna be for me to part with these little guys, I think you probably just take all of them. If you ask me, nngh, the more critters you take care of, the more chances you have of getting some kind of critter-sitting cutie mark. Am I right or am I right?" As Spike finished setting Gummy down, Charlie just shook his head with disapproval and crossed his arms, but Spike quickly shoved him out of the way and gave the three fillies a wink.
"Sure!" said Apple Bloom as Spike closed the door to the clubhouse.
"Yes!" said Spike with a fist pump.
"But wait!" said Apple Bloom as she poked her head out of the front door, "How are we gonna take good care of them without treats for when they are good?"
"And we need beds for when they're tired!" Sweetie Belle added.
"And toys!" said Scootaloo, "They need toys!"
"It's an afternoon," said Spike dismissively, "They don't need all that stuff. They'll be fine."
"We need to be able to buy them some things!" said Apple Bloom, "One jewel might be able to cover it all."
"Uh...what would I possibly be doing with jewels?" said Spike, trying to play dumb and hide his measuring cup behind his back.
"I happen to know for a fact that Applejack gave you a gem to watch Winona," said Apple Bloom sternly as she and the other two fillies glared at Spike, "which means..." Apple Bloom extending a hoof to demand payment. Spike knew he had no choice otherwise risk having the three fillies tell Applejack that he had literally dumped his responsibilities on them. This was assuming Charlie or Angel didn't tell Mario and/or Fluttershy first.
"Obviously, no one around here is getting a cutie mark for kindness toward a poor, hungry, little dragon," Spike complained as he grabbed the smallest jewel he had from his cup, "take it or leave it."
"We'll take it," said Apple Bloom as she grabbed the jewel and shut the door. Spike just walked away feeling very pleased with himself. He hadn't noticed that Charlie had watched him leave with a hurt and betrayed look on his face.
"Aw, don't worry about Spike, Charlie," said Scootaloo, "We'll have lots of fun together."
"Yeah, cheer up," said Apple Bloom as she gave the koala a hug, "Oooooh! He's like hugging a warm teddy bear!"
"Really? Let me try!" said Sweetie Belle as she hugged him.
"Hey! I want a turn!" Scootaloo remarked as she found a space to him hug as well.
Charlie just smiled.
I could get used to this he thought to himself.
Later that day, Spike had finished collecting some fresh ingredients for his little gem/jewel cake from the Ponyville market area.
"Gonna put in some flour," Spike sang to himself, "and add a little sugar for my five de-li-cious jewels." It was then he passed by the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse, which was a short distance away.
"But pink feathers would look so good with your eyes," said Sweetie Belle. Spike flinched when he heard that remark but quickly recomposed himself.
"Meh...that bird could use a little color," Spike remarked and was about to leave when.
"Aw, c'mon Charlie, you'd look so dapper in the lederhosen!" Apple Bloom said excitedly and Spike laughed.
"I hope they get a picture of that," Spike remarked to himself.
"Has anyone seen Tank's head?" Scootaloo asked, "Where's his head?!" Spike cringed, dropped his groceries and ran all the way back to the club house and burst the door open.
"What have you done to the turtle?!" Spike demanded frantically. He then saw that Tank and Scootaloo was covered in paint. Scootaloo looked rather banged up and her tail was a mess. Tank then stuck his head out of his shell.
"Ohh," said Scootaloo, "I totally forgot he could do that. Heh." Spike just rolled his eyes as he looked around. Not only was the clubhouse a complete mess and filled with splattered paint and balloons. Angel was hopping about the edge of a bathtub as Gummy jumped out of the water and tried to bite the bunny. Opal was just destroying the clubhouse walls. Tank was just flying about. And Charlie was just standing still wearing lederhosen with a very irritated look on his face.
"Hey, lookin' good Charlie!" Spike remarked with a snickered.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
Charlie removed his outfit and smacked Spike in the face with it three times before venting out his anger and frustration on the dragon in his own dialect.
"Okay, okay, I get it!" said Spike irritably as Charlie just turned his back against the dragon with his arms crossed. Spike then noticed that all three the Cutie Mark Crusaders looked rather battered.
"You three look like you went into a turn battle and lost...badly," said Spike.
"Yeah, so, pretty sure critter-sittin' cutie marks are out," said Apple Bloom.
"And our critter-grooming cutie marks probably aren't going to appear anytime soon either," said Sweetie Belle. Owlowiscious hooted as he sat perched on the bar that held the destroyed curtains. He was covered in pink paint and had a brush, a hair clip, and a straighter comb stuck to his body. Spike just groaned. '
"Alright, load 'em up," said Spike, "And you can gimme back that jewel I gave you."
"Sorry, we don't have it anymore," said Apple Bloom.
"What? Why not?!" Spike demanded.
"How do you think we paid for the industrial-sized pet hair dryer?" Scootaloo remarked. Spike looked outside to see Winona sitting under a giant machine that was blowing a gust of air that was so powerful that the dog literally looked like a pancake. On the bright end, Winona was happy. Spike just face-palmed himself.
"Oh," Spike groaned.
It wasn't long before he was once again on the march as he held all seven critters by leashes. Spike just let them drag him forward through town with Winona barking, Opal yowling, and Charlie just fuming.
CRASH!
Then Spike smacked face first into a tree as the other seven critters ran around him and Spike soon found himself tied to it. Both Angel and Charlie laughed at Spike. A short distance away, a familiar zebra noticed that Spike was in trouble.
"Zecora knows just what to do about all this bad mojo that's floating around you," the zebra replied to the struggling Spike.
"I'm thinking a cage and a great big lock might be next," Spike remarked as he continued to struggle to free himself and glare at the seven animals.
"Zecora can take the bad away if you do just what I say," the zebra offered.
"Really?" Spike asked hopefully.
"But before I can do my duty," said Zecora, "I am going to need some of your booty." Spike just sighed and shifted his tail to grab one of his jewels and gave it to the zebra. Zecora walked away with the gem on her nose.
"Where are you going?" Spike asked as Zecora headed toward a little filly standing at a donation box. Charlie then uses his claws to loosen the bonds to help Spike get out as the little dragon made his way to Zecora and try to grab his jewel back. But Zecora had already deposited it into the donation box before Spike could reach her.
"You think jewels are what you need," said Zecora with a smirk as she walked away, "but there's no worse mojo than a dragon's greed." A dramatic cord was heard as Spike realizes he had been tricked out of a jewel. Angel just continued to laugh at him as the little dragon balled his fists angrily. Then all the critters minus Charlie and Angel started fighting with each other. Spike just sighed and leaned forward sadly. He then noticed Charlie just standing nearby with his claws balled on his sides.
"I get it, I had that coming," said Spike, "Probably could have saved a jewel if I had just asked you for help. You're supposed to be my assistant after all..." Spike just gritted his teeth before cringing angrily before he sighed to himself. Charlie rolled his eyes before he gave Spike a little hug.
"Thanks, Charlie," said Spike, giving him a small smile, "and thanks for trying to help me get out of those binds too. Maybe it's time we started working together, especially when dealing with that bunny..." Charlie glanced at Angel and then pondered to himself. He then searched about the area until something caught his eye.
"Ah!" Charlie squeaked excitedly as he pointed Spike at a nearby red fabric. Spike then smirked before the two had actually bound the critters together into a large ball. Spike and Charlie just rolled the ball along.
"Almost there..." Spike muttered to Charlie when Granny Smith caught sight of them.
"Mm-hm," said Granny Smith disapprovingly as she looked directly as Spike. Charlie gave Spike a "don't you dare blame this on me" glare.
"Just taking good care of everyone's animals," said Spike as he patted the ball with a sheepish smile on his face. Granny Smith just kept glaring.
"What am I gonna have to do to get this to go away?" Spike asked as he sat on his knees and pulled on Granny Smith's cheeks, making them droop. Charlie then gestured for the little dragon to write a letter and send it with his fire.
"That only works with sending letters to Princess Celestia," Spike pointed out, "She doesn't need to know about this!" Spike then noticed Granny Smith still glaring at him and sighed as he grabbed another jewel and placed it in her fore-hoof.
"And this is just between you and me, right?" Spike pleaded, "No other pony has to hear a word about this right?"
RIIIIIIIIIIP!
"AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE! YOW!" Charlie yelped as the binding broke and the pets broke into a fight with Charlie caught in the thick of it. Spike was then run over by the dust cloud of fighting critters, leaving Spike embedded face first into the dirt with Charlie laying on his back looking battered and dizzy.
"A word about what now?" Granny Smith remarked as she walked off. Spike then shot up as steam hissed and he had a look of livid rage on his face. Owlowiscious then landed on Spike and turned him 180 degrees as Charlie squeaked and pointed at something in the distance.
"What is it now?" Spike asked bluntly.
"ALL ABOARD!" somepony shouted and the little dragon was agape when he noticed a familiar bunny smirking and waving at him while standing on the back end of a train.
"Angel," said Spike darkly as the rest of the critters glared before they all rushed to catch the train before it pulled out of the station. But as soon as they were on the station platform, they were stopped.
"I can't have all these animals on my train," said the conductor firmly, "Not without tickets and without chaperones."
"All I need is to get on for one minute, grab a bunny, and get off! Promise!" said Spike.
"Likely story," said the conductor with a laugh that showed he didn't believe the dragon, "No chaperone, no train." Charlie pondered and then got an idea as he pulled a sweater, which had the name "Pony Cool" on it, out of nowhere and some black sunglasses and smirked for the conductor.
"Is he serious?" the conductor asked annoyingly. Charlie slumped over. The whole point was that he was pony enough, or at least trained enough, to be a chaperone.
"Don't worry, buddy," said Spike as he patted Charlie's back, "You'll always be a pony to me." Charlie felt better but Spike still needed more chaperones. Spike then heard some familiar giggled nearby. Spike then saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders with the gear on ready to try skydiving from...the top of a small bridge?
"Sky diving cutie marks!" Scootaloo called out as they prepared to jump. But then Spike grabbed them all at once, knocking their gear off, which some of it fell into the water below. He quickly brought them over to the station platform.
"Is three ponies enough?" Spike asked. The conductor said nothing but extended his fore-leg for payment. Spike just sighed as he handed over another jewel.
"At least I have you two left, my delicate little treasures," Spike said to himself. The group quickly got on board as all but the three fillies began to search for their bratty bunny companion. It was then the train gave a loud whistle.
"All aboard the Crystal Empire!" the conductor announced.
"Crystal Empire?" the three fillies said excitedly as Spike gave them a discreet glare.
"I've always wanted to see the Crystal Empire!" said Scootaloo.
"I wish I were dressed for it, but still..." Sweetie Belle added before giving an adorable happy squeal of glee, "THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!"
"We're not really going!" Spike snapped irritably as Charlie started dashing about trying to search every nook and cranny for Angel, "We just needed to get on the train so I can get that rabbit. And when I do, we're off!"
"What?!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"That's not fair!" Apple Bloom protested. It was then Charlie squeaked loudly as he got Spike's attention. Spike turned to see Angel just a short distance away. Angel blew a raspberry at Spike.
"There he is!" Spike exclaimed. Charlie went into action. Remembering what Mario had taught him, he leaped into the air along side Spike. Charlie then curled up into a ball and home attacked at the bunny, stomping and stunning Angel from moving any further. Spike then tackled the bunny and grabbed him.
"Next stop, the Crystal Empire!" the conductor shouted again.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" Spike cried out frantically as he ran for the back of the train holding the bunny in his claws. But it was too late. The train had already pulled out of the station and was on its way to the Crystal Empire.
As the train chugged along through the cold and bitter arctic north, Spike, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and all seven critters were all sitting inside their own private cabin despite the fact the train ride wasn't overnight. Despite all the fuss the three fillies had caused Charlie, he apparently had taken a liking to Apple Bloom since he was letting her hold him as the three fillies sat across from Spike. The other critters were staring out the window of their cabin when Donut Joe rolled by with a cart filled with delicious donuts.
"So it seems like the Crystal Empire would be really cold," Apple Bloom explained, "but I've heard that it's not! It's as warm as can be!"
"Do you think the walls are crystal?" Scootaloo wondered before gasping excitedly, "Maybe even-see through! Can you imagine see through walls?" Spike wasn't really listening, he was just staring at the two remaining jewels inside of his measuring cup. Then there was trouble, Charlie looked up and saw that one of the critters was trying to open the cabin door...and they actually managed to get it open!
"YIPE!" Charlie yelped.
"GASP!" the three fillies exclaimed right after. Spike tried to go after them but...
CRASH!
...too late. Donut Joe came up to Spike with a raised fore-hoof, covered in donut glaze as Opal and Winona were clinging to him.
"Take it! Just take it!" Spike exclaimed dramatically as he gave Donut Joe the blue jewel. The stallion quickly snatched it and walked off. Spike felt his eyes water. Charlie just patted the little dragon's back supportively before going after the other critters. It didn't take too long for Spike and Charlie to round everyone back up into the cabin. And soon enough, the train pulled into the station of the Crystal Empire. The three fillies looked out the window to marvel at the sight.
"So beautiful," said Scootaloo.
"Well enjoy it while you can," said Spike in a very annoyed and irritable tone, "'cause we're not getting out of this car until we're back in Ponyville!"
"There is no way, no how, we're comin' all the way to the Crystal Empire without lookin' around!" Apple Bloom protested as the three fillies tried to leave.
"Nopony's gonna get past this dragon!" said Spike as he blocked the doorway. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom both gave Spike devious smirks as the latter plucked a feather from one of the former's wings.
"You wouldn't dare!" Spike challenged as he tried to stare Apple Bloom down. Then Apple Bloom used the feather to tickle Spike, making him laugh and cry all at once. While the tickle fest was going on, Angel looked out the window and saw Twilight, Mario, Pinkie, and Fluttershy outside. Angel tapped the window loudly to get Fluttershy's attention, but was left unheard. Angel slouched in defeat as he looked at Spike and then at the door. Angel got an idea, but it hadn't gone unnoticed as Charlie glared at the bunny. Angel then jumped into the air and kicked Tank at the door. Charlie squeaked loudly to get the other's attention. Spike ducked just in time, but Tank hit the door so hard that it opened up and Angel hopped on Spike's head and ran out.
"Oh no!" Spike exclaimed as he and the three fillies all went after him, leaving poor Tank spinning about since landed propeller first from the crash. Angel continued to find a way to get off the train when Charlie landed in front of him. Charlie and Angel exchanged growls at each other. Then Charlie snarled viciously as he tackled the bunny and the two engaged in tussle against each other as Spike, the three fillies, and the other critters caught up to them. Then Angel managed to break free of the tussle, leaving Charlie dazed as he landed on his back.
"C'mon buddy!" Spike called out as he helped the still dazed koala to his feet as the bunny got off the train and was hopping about the platform. Charlie then began to cry in frustration before Apple Bloom scooped him onto her back.
"You did yer best, Charlie," said Apple Bloom gently. Charlie felt better as they all headed out of the train and onto the platform. Spike continued to scan around and then saw that the mane seven, along with Shenran, were on the train platform. Spike gasped as he and the other critters hid behind a white chest. Owlowiscious and Winona tried to peek out but Spike pulled them back to keep incognito. Charlie continued to scan the area when Spike found the three fillies looking at a display window.
"Whoa, just whoa," said Scootaloo as the they looked at some Crystal Empire snow globes and giggled to each other.
"Ah! I'm in crystal heaven!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly.
"Shh! They're right there!" said Spike as he pointed out the eight ponies not too far away. The three fillies then went to join Spike behind the white chest. Charlie was still scanning about when he suddenly yelped and growled.
"There's the bunny!" said Spike as he saw Angel standing on some luggage. The bunny smugly waved them off and then hopped off the luggage to get to Fluttershy. Spike went after him. Angel was then stopped when a pony put their suitcase in his way. He looked around it to see that Fluttershy was still there, talking to Rarity as Shenran headed off the platform. Nearby was also a very wobbly stack of luggage. Angel smiled and continued on his way.
"Please, please, pretty please don't go there!" Spike pleaded to the bunny, knowing he was going to be in deep trouble if Angel made it to the mane seven, "I'll fluff your tail! I'll perm, highlight, and blow it out if you'll just stop!" Angel just gave Spike a raspberry and kept going.
"What do you want?! Name it, and it's yours!" Spike begged and panted as he tried to catch up with Angel, but the bunny just glared and kept going. Charlie then came within range and tried another homing attack at the bunny, but Angel side-stepped at the last minute so Charlie missed him. Spike then noticed the buckle to the strap holding the wobbly stack of luggage as he grabbed his last jewel. He groaned as he looked at the jewel before giving it a kiss.
"Hyah!" Spike called out as he threw the jewel as hard and accurately as he could. The three fillies gasped as the other critters watched with worried looks on their faces. Angel continued running and gave a loud squeak as he saw the jewel hit the buckle button, releasing all the luggage in front of him and blocking his path to Fluttershy and sending the jewel onto the top of the rain gutter above the station roof.
"Oh my goodness," Fluttershy exclaimed as she suspiciously examined the luggage pile.
"All aboard!" called the conductor as Fluttershy quickly ran for the train. Angel hopped up and down to try and get Fluttershy's attention before Spike sternly grabbed him.
"Hah! You're coming with me!" Spike told him firmly before heading to the back of the train with the rest of the critters and the three fillies. Angel just cried the whole time Spike held him and the group all boarded the train.
"We made it!" said Spike with relief as he took a seat and still holding the crying bunny in his claws. The three fillies were certainly not happy about it.
"Without seeing the palace!" Sweetie Belle grumbled. Charlie then yelled at Angel sternly in his own dialect. Angel simply snubbed Charlie and gave him a raspberry. Charlie then grabbed Angel with one claw and balled the other, ready to pound the bunny into smashed carrots when he heard something in the distance.
"I think this car's empty," said the voice of a familiar purple pony, "You'll sit with me this time, right my sweetie?"
"Of course," said her even more familiar coltfriend, especially to Charlie.
"YIPE!" Charlie yelped, dropping Angel and tried to hide.
"They're coming this way!" said Spike frantically, "Everybody down!" Spike, Winona, Tank, Gummy, Angel, and Owlowiscious took refuge under one seat. Apple Bloom and Charlie ducked under another seat across and one row behind Spike's as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were right across from the little dragon.
"There has to be a better solution!" Sweetie Belle protested.
"Shh!" Spike hushed as the mane seven made their way into the passenger car they were in.
"Oh, don't sit down, don't sit down!" Spike pleaded, but unfortunately Applejack decided to take a seat right above them.
"Whooeee!" said Applejack, "My dogs are barkin'." As the orange pony took a seat, Winona barked.
"Did y'all hear that?" said Applejack as she grabbed one of her hind legs and rubbed it with a fore-hoof, "They really are!" Down below, Spike was holding Winona's mouth shut to keep her quiet.
"Huh, bummer Spike had to miss out on all this," said Rainbow, "He woulda' had fun here." It was then Spike saw Angel get in his face. Spike cringed fearfully as the bunny deviously headed under a nearby chair and raised his foot. One good kick would most likely alert the Mane seven to their presence and Spike knew it.
"I'm sure he's having a great time watching all the critter back at home," said Twilight, unaware that Spike was pleading silently for Angel not to expose them. Owlowiscious and Winona just looked worried.
"I sure hope Charlie had been able to help Spike out when necessary," Mario added as the koala just groaned inwardly and faceplanted the floor. Apple Bloom just side hugged him for comfort.
"Think he's got a handle on things?" Applejack asked, "Spike I mean."
"If he's staying calm and collected," said Twilight as she looked out the train window, "I bet he's doing a terrific job as a leader." For the moment, Spike was just panicking, but as soon as he heard Twilight's words. He felt very guilty and ashamed.
"Go ahead, bunny. Do your worst," said Spike in defeat, "I deserve it." Angel was just about to have his foot make contact with the underside of the seat when he stopped himself and headed back to Spike and pouted in his bratty manner.
"I ignored you, tried to pawn you off on somepony else," said Spike, "I didn't take these silly things out, or fluff this like I was supposed to." Spike then removed the curls off of Angel's tail and fluffed it for him, making the bunny smile, "I wasn't really thinking about you at all. Any of you. Just wanted the jewels. I hope you'll all forgive me someday." Winona instantly licked his cheek.
"You will?" said Spike with a smile until his stomach gave a loud growl. Angel just glared at him, "Oh great. I'm gonna be the one who gives us away." Angel then looked at Spike and took off, Spike pleaded for the bunny not to leave and watched him disappear. It didn't take long for Angel to return with the green jewel and somehow was not even noticed. At least that was what was presumed...
"Where did you-" Spike tried to ask before Angel shoved the green jewel into his mouth. Spike took a nice bite out of it and gulped. His stomach growling soon subsided.
"You all hear that?" Applejack asked curiously but received no answer. Spike just patted his stomach contently.
It didn't take long before the train pulled into the Ponyville station.
"I can't wait to scratch the belly on Winona," said Applejack, "Oh, I miss her."
"I can't wait to see Owlowiscious!" said Twilight with a giggle.
"Same here with Charlie," said Mario as the Mane seven headed toward the front of the train while Spike, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the seven critters headed off the back of the train. The group quickly positioned themselves as the train pulled away so the Mane seven could see them. There was no way they could make it back to the Library without being seen, or for Spike to get the Cutie Mark Crusaders back to their clubhouse.
"Hello!" Spike called out as he and the three fillies smiled to hide the fact they were out of breath, "Thought we'd meet you at the station!"
"So we could hear all about the Crystal Empire," said Sweetie Belle before blurting out, "and find out if you brought us one of those crystal snow globes that they sell at the train station!" Rarity looked at her stunned.
"How did you know about the snow globes?" Rarity asked suspiciously. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, who were with their respective sisters, shot Sweetie Belle frantic looks. Spike even looked agape.
"Um...lucky guess?" said Sweetie Belle as she snuggled her older sister. Rarity just looked at her skeptically.
"Leave her alone, Rares," said Mario, "it's obvious that Sweetie Belle saw my surprise present." Mario then pulled out the three snow globes from his sack and handed them to the girls.
"Yay!"
"Oh cool!"
"Thanks Mario!" said the three fillies happily as they took the globes and looked at them excitedly. Spike looked at him suspiciously when Mario got into his face.
"I saw you on the train," Mario whispered to him, "especially a certain bunny hopping by." Spike smiled sheepishly.
"What can I do for you to keep quiet about that?" Spike pleaded. Mario smirked.
"Well, I did owe you for taking care of Charlie," said Mario, "and since you owe me something now. I'd say we're even." Spike blinked, realizing that Mario just gotten out of paying him any jewels for taking care of Charlie. Spike growled.
"Fine..." Spike conceded bitterly. As they were talking, Fluttershy and the others, minus Rarity, rushed over to their respective pets.
"I've gotta hand it to you, Spike," said Twilight, "You did a really great job of taking care of the animals." It was then Tank was seen spinning about with Opal cling on to him for dear life.
"Oh, Spike," said Fluttershy as she admired Angel's fluffed tail, "Angel looks perfect! You did such a good job fluffing his tail."
"Yeah, well..." said Spike sheepishly as he twisted two fingers together, "we're like this now." Mario, who was standing nearby with Charlie on his back, both rolled their eyes at the little dragon. Owlowiscious hooted.
"You know who," said Spike sternly as Owlowiscious lightly slapped the side of Spike's head with his wing. Spike just smiled with relief.
It wasn't long before Twilight, Owlowiscious, Mario, Charlie, and Spike headed back to the Great Oak Library. Owlowiscious hooted as he flew inside as Twilight, Mario, and Charlie walked below the owl. Spike was right behind them holding the partially eaten green jewel in one claw and then grabbed the bowl of cake batter in another.
"So what are you thinking?" Twilight wondered, "Bake 'em into a jewel pie? Ooh, six layer gem cake sounds pretty good!"
"Yeah, it does," said Spike as he went to drop the jewel into the batter. Just like the other two times, Spike's tongue involuntary slurped the gem before it hit the batter, "It really, really does." As soon as Spike gulped, he realized that he had done it again.
"WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!"
Just outside the Library, Apple Bloom and Applejack were startled as Winona howled in reply. Back inside, Mario and Charlie just shook their heads in annoyance.
"He'll never learn will he?" Mario retorted to Charlie.
"Mm-mm," Charlie hummed in agreement.
"Spike took our pets and sisters to do what?!"
"Angel Bunny! You're in so much trouble when we get home!"
Spike stopped his lament and suddenly went rigid as he heard the shouts outside.
"Somepony snitched," he muttered to himself when Twilight got into his face.
"Spike," she said in slow but threatening tone, "What really happened while we were gone?" Spike just chuckled nervously to himself.
Many of you wonder who snitched aren't you?
Could have it been Angel himself? He would do that, even at the risk of getting himself in trouble.
But it wasn't him.
Did Sweetie Belle accidentally reveal truth like she almost did earlier?
Nope...
If you check inside of Sugarcube Corner, a certain alligator was standing on a table with a name tag that had the following words written on it.
"Stool Pigeon"
In the end...
Spike...no more jewels for a month.
Angel...a severe scolding from Fluttershy, no extra treats and no extra tail pampering for two months
The Cutie Mark Crusaders...since they had helped watch over the critters and Spike had forced them into helping out, they were promised a trip to the Crystal Empire in the future.
Charlie...always cool.
While this chapter may have been very light on Mario content, I tried to compensate by providing lots of Charlie content. If you hadn't noticed, Charlie does have a personality similar to Snoopy from Peanuts. And you could say the friendship between Charlie and Angel is similar to Tom and Jerry.
If you've followed the story up to this point, you should know why Mario is having issues about helping out the Equestria Games. But there will be a refresher in the next chapter.
I'll do my best to not be inconsistent since next chapter runs alongside this one.
Peace Pony Fans!