In the Ether, the Programming level.

Spike studied his new charges, from a distance. As they wandered their clan's new joint Hub World. He wasn't sure why they requested him. He was just a common service AI. He never had such responsibility, as looking after Players before.

"What if I mess up?" Spike couldn't help but ask his Optimizer. She was the most advanced model of AI.

There were a lot more Optimizers, based on gods from various franchises. But Spike was programmed to be Celestia's Assistant... along with all other characters of My Little Pony. Hannah, the primary programmer responsible for writing the Morality Program, as well as the code for all the AIs' personalities... well she was a major nerd, and based them off characters from all existing Franchises.

"Don't worry so much," Celest-AI gave Spike a patient nuzzle. "I'm sure you'll do a great job."

Spike took in a deep breath. He might not need to breathe, being a program and all, but it helped calm his nerves.

These players had requested him. They wanted him to act as Command Mode, to their Clan Tower. That meant he would need to balance each of the clan members hub computers. All those players' personal assistance. He was supposed to balance them all. Make sure they don't step on each other's hooves.

Sure, accepting the job required him to get a software update, but that was hardly a big deal. He got those all the time.

With how advanced a program he was, this wouldn't even interfere with his duties, in regards to Celest-AI. Given he could be in trillions of places at once. Service AIs were masters of Multitasking.

Still it was a big responsibility, caring for humans... he'd never had a pet before, and now, all of a sudden, he had 7... maybe he shouldn't have agreed to take them on... no, he could do this, Spike Sparkle never backs down from a little hard work.

Spike took in another gulp of digital air. He could do this, easy peasy.

"Here they come," Celestia stood tall. "I'll leave you to it."

Just as Celestia disappeared, the 7 other hub computers materialized... and it was a bunch of alternate Spikes!!!

There was actually a Puffer-Fish Spike, flying in the Ether. Didn't know anyone liked that version. But he took care of the player "Raider".

Then there was a humanoid Spike. With pointed ears, small dragon wings, messy green hair, and a thicc purple and green dragon tail. He looked after the player "Stead".

Then there was... a robot. Now that's just racist. Making an AI use a robot Avatar. Even if it was a robotic Spike Avatar. The Service AI would have to keep an eye on this "Slash" player, that the robo-Spike looked after.

Then there was a fairly normal Spike. Dressed in a large red Bowtie, with jewels in the fabric. He looked after "Typo", the only girl among the clan members.

Not that there were no girl AIs. There was actually a Barb Hub Computer, the popular gender bent Spike. She cared for the player "Rad".

Then there was a more anthro Spike. A tall, slender, teenager, with small wings. He looked to be human sized. His charge was "Tech", who actually designed the Avatar, and just uploaded the Adult Spike personality.

Finally... there was a bizarre Dalek version of Spike. Named "Spike-lek". He looked after the various Alters, of the player "ColtKit Productions".

Command Mode Spike, was already aware of all these programs. As a Service AI, he already had to work with them, as their players had been playing one of the MLP MMOs, Celestia looked after. It's just, he had been working with them... now he was their boss... it was awkward.

The newly minted Command Mode, cleared his throat. "Alright," He decided to open with a joke. Jokes were good ice breakers. "let's get this first ever meeting, of the Council of interdimensional Spikes, underway!"

Unfortunately, the joke had to be funny, but he missed the mark by a long way. He might as well have opened with a joke about how cliche jokes about Airline food were. It was a cliche of a cliche...

Poor poor un-funny Spike. He was just going to have to blame his personality subroutines. It was clearly their fault, he had the wit of a preteen.

Robo-Spike led the groan against his new Command Mode. "Let's just... forget THAT happened."

"I'd appreciate that," blushed Command Mode Spike.