This is the 12th chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Secret of My Excess
Inside of the Golden Oak Library, Twilight uses her horn to light some candles and closed up all the window curtains.
"Are you ready to do this?" Twilight asked.
"You know me." Mario said with a smile as Twilight giggled.
She and Mario had determined looks on their faces as they made their horns glow together.
"No distractions." Twilight said. "Today is too important. Re-shelving day!"
With her eyes closed, Twilight pulled off all the books from the shelves, and then levitated some into the air and made them move around, like they were in two invisible conveyer belts.
"Name and I'll shelf it." Mario said, read for action as Twilight wiped her brow.
"Understanding Medieval Equestria goes in Pony History." Twilight said aloud as she and Mario put the books on the proper shelves. "Modern Spellcasting. That's Classics."
"The Art of Ruling 1000 Years goes in...Pony Politics?" Mario said since he wasn't as good at Library organizing as Twilight was.
"Correct, best friend." Twilight replied. "The Art of the To-Do List...Actually, I've been wanting to read that again."
"Forget it, Twilight." Mario said as he put away some other books. "The last time you read that one, you were creating to-do lists to create a to-do list."
"That's only because I was distracting myself from missing you and Comet." Twilight said. "You're with me this time and I get to spend some time with both my son and my daughter so I don't get too obsessed with making to-do lists anymore. And I still practice with you and spending time with my kids all of this time."
"Well, when we get to practice your skills, just leave me a message when you're ready. Okay?" Mario offered with a smile.
"Yes, sweetie." Twilight said with a smirk.
Mario rolled his eyes, but still smiled as they continued their work. Then, they heard someone chuckling and it made a bunch of the books hovering in the air to fall on top of them. Spike came downstairs carrying a rather large red gem in the shape of a heart.
"Spike!" Twilight said as she poked her head out of a pile of books. "What are you laughing at?"
"Did Pinkie sneak in here again to practice her comedy routine?" Mario asks, popped his own head out of the pile of books.
"No." Spike said, cuddling it and gazing at it. "This little beauty is my birthday present to myself! It's a fire ruby!"
Mario gave a low whistle.
"Now that's a beauty of a gem." Mario said, impressed.
"I've been aging it for months, and it's almost ripe." Spike said as he then uses the tuning fork to test it and giggling to himself, then headed downstairs.
Then he stopped on a dropped book on the step below and tumbled to the floor. His red gem went into the air, but he managed to catch it with his tail. Spike giggled to himself and then noticed all the books on the floor.
"Hey, you two took my advice!" Spike said. "You just the floor as one big shelf."
Both Twilight and Mario just growled at him.
Guess they could forget not having any distractions while they worked today.
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahhhh
My Little Pony
I use to wonder what friendship could be
My Little Pony
Until you all share this magic with me
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness
It's an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete
You all have my little ponies
Do you know all you're my best friends?
Soon as Mario and Twilight got back to work and Spike continued to admire his fire ruby, there was the sudden sound of light knocking on the door.
"Hellooo?" The voice of Rarity said as she peeks at the door. "Anypony home? Twilight? Mario?"
Just as Rarity and Kronk let herself inside, which she's now 8 months pregnant as she gasped when she saw Spike polishing his gem.
"Is that a fire ruby?!" Rarity exclaimed. "Huh, that must be at least 20 karats! No inclusions, pristine facets..."
"Easy, Rarity." Kronk assures with a slight chuckle.
Rarity could see her reflection as she stare into it, her eyes sparkling at the sight of the as she gave it a good look over.
"And totally delicious." Spike added.
Twilight and Mario were feeling a little annoyed at their conversation.
"Uhh...you guys don't mind?" Twilight said as she and Mario were continuing their work.
"Did you come by for a reason besides to admire his gem?" Mario asked, making Rarity and Kronk snapped out of their thoughts.
"Oh, uh, of course." Rarity said as she recomposed herself and turned to face two ponies. "Kronk and I just came by to see if you had any books on historical fashion..."
Rarity then remembered what Spike had said and saw him run a finger over the gem, licking his finger.
"Did you say...delicious?" Rarity asked, rather baffled.
"Sure did!" Spike said as he cuddled the gem against his cheek. "Next week's birthday, and this is my birthday dinner."
Spike walked off as Rarity watched him with devastated look on her face. She just couldn't handle the idea of such a rare and precious gem being used for food. Her thoughts were interrupted when a book some hovering next to her and made her lean back a bit.
"Start with this one." Twilight suggested bluntly as she walked past her.
"Thanks, Twilight." Kronk said, uses his magic to go through the pages of the book. "We've got a feeling the ruffled taffeta capes are going to make a huge comeback this season, and thought we want to be ahead of the game..."
As Kronk was speaking and skimming through the book with her magic, Twilight went back to putting the books away. Rarity discreetly looked back at Spike and his gem, biting her fore-hoof as she saw him cuddling it next to the pink box he had been keeping it safe in.
"Rarity." Mario said quietly. "You're not thinking of...charming Spike into giving you the gem, are you?"
Rarity just looked aghast, but Mario glared at her before she sighed in defeat.
"Look at this from my point of view, darling." Rarity said. "Do you want to see such a rare and nearly perfect gem end up in a dragon's stomach?"
"It's his gem, Rarity." Mario told her. "He can do what he wants with it. Besides, do you..."
"I do know that he has a crush on me." Rarity said quietly. "It's not like he hasn't hidden his affections for me after all, and I even overheard of what Comet said."
Mario rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Just don't do anything you might regret if something happens to Spike." Mario said sternly before going back to work.
Rarity just sighed, but still eyeballing the gem for a bit longer as Spike set into the box.
"I hope it's as tasty as it is beautiful, Spike." Rarity said with a smile. "I've never seen anything quite so stunning before."
Mario and Kronk just shook their heads. As much as Rarity was trying to make casual conversation, they could tell she's buttering him up a bit.
"Gosh...you really like it, huh?" Spike asked quietly as she looked at the gem.
"Like it?" Rarity repeats. "It's magnificent."
Rarity didn't hold back as she flicked her curly mane, batted her eyelashes and smiled at him. Spike just sighed as he looked at his gem once more and held it close.
"Don't let her force you into giving up, Spike." Mario warned him, ignoring Rarity's dirty look. "It's your gem. You decide what to do with it, not her."
Spike just sighed.
"Well, this is my decision." Spike replied as he held the gem and placed it on Rarity's hoof. "Then you should have it. This beautiful was meant to be with you."
As much as Rarity hoped to get the gem, she was still surprised to see Spike actually give it to her and could see by his face by giving up such a special gem wasn't an easy decision.
"I don't know what to say..." Rarity said, deeply touched as she paced around the room, but jumped when she felt a kick, meaning she's desperately wanted to come out. "Oh...Flora, I know you want to come out, but you're going to have to wait."
It was enough for Flora to settle down when Rarity rubs her belly, but she did put one gentle kick, telling her she was sorry. Rarity then turns to Spike.
"Still, this is so thoughtful." Rarity said gently. "Thank you so much."
Rarity then gave Spike a kiss on the cheek, leaving a lipstick mark on it. Spike froze the moment he felt Rarity's lips there before tumbling into his back in a splash of floating hearts.
Both Mario and Twilight watched Rarity and Kronk leave.
"Wow, Spike." Twilight said, feeling touched herself. "That's one of the kindest, most generous things you've ever done. I've never seen Rarity so happy!"
"I will never wash this cheek again." Spike said in a loved daze sigh as he lay on the floor and giggled.
Twilight chuckled to herself.
"It feels so good to get a kiss from the girl you're crushing on, doesn't it, Spike?" Mario asks as Spike nods with an agreement.
Twilight kissed Mario on his cheek as he blushed a bit. Spike saw it and snapped out of his daze with a shake of his head.
"What?!" Spike exclaims surprisingly. "You don't fall down the way I do?!"
"Just because Twilight and I are dating doesn't mean I'm lovesick all the time." Mario told him with a glare before he looked at Twilight with a smile. "Besides, I may have gotten over my crush on her long ago, but I still love her."
"Oh, Mario." Twilight said with a smile, giggled.
"Whoa, what happened?" The voice of Comet asks when he and Daylight entered. "It's almost like a hurricane made a mess."
"What's going on?" Daylight asks.
"We were doing some re-shelving, until we got interrupted." Twilight told her kids, turned to Spike with a stern glare. "But right now, we're trying to re-shelve those books."
"And let me guess, he got a kiss mark from Rarity?" Comet inquires when he noticed the kiss mark on Spike's cheek.
"Yeah, but only because he gave his gem to Rarity." Mario told him.
Spike then walked to Comet when he had something on his mind.
"Hey, Comet, do you mind if I can talk to you alone?" Spike inquires. "I feel like it would be better for me to explain with both of us alone."
"Um...sure." Comet replied skeptically.
Spike follows Comet to his room and they both went inside as they sat on the chair.
"So, what's up?" Comet asks.
"Well, you see...Rarity came over to the library not too long ago." Spike explains. "At first, I thought that she was just there to pick up a book from Twilight, but..."
"But...?" Comet repeats, knew what he's telling him.
"She saw a fire ruby that I had." Spike told him. "You see, next week is my birthday and that fire ruby I had was aging for months that it became so ripe that I just wanted it as my birthday dinner."
"I see." Comet said with a hum. "The heart of the fire ruby are pretty rare to find nowadays.'
"Yeah, but getting to the point...Rarity saw the gem I was carrying and I realized how much that she admired it." Spike continued. "I just couldn't keep it any longer from somepony like Rarity, so I decided to give it to her."
Comet Stardust smiled at Spike.
"That was awfully generous of you, Spike." Comet said, impressed. "You sacrificed something you were saving and gave it to somepony else instead."
"Yeah." Spike agrees with a chuckle. "And on top of that...she gave me this to show her appreciation."
Spike turns to show Comet his left cheek which had a kiss mark on it.
"Well, well, that explains it." Comet said with a smirk. "Looks like you've got some charisma inside of you after all."
"Aw, come on you don't need to flatter me." Spike said. "But that's exactly why I came to ask you."
"Well, I get that you had a crush on Rarity, but why come to me?" Comet asks.
"Dude, have you not seen yourself?" Spike asks with a serious look. "Clearly, you've got some charisma inside of you. Some of those fillies around your age actually have eyes on you, and likely Silver Spoon likes you, too."
Comet blushed a bit and rubs the back of his head.
"Touche." Comet said.
"So, I just wanted to ask of you...when the time comes, what should I say?" Spike told him. "I mean, don't tell this to anypony, but I like to admire myself in the mirror sometimes."
Comet raises his eyebrow from that.
"However, I'm really the only dragon in Ponyville and not many ponies would actually find me attractive or heck even know what I am." Spike continued. "I don't know what to say to somepony like Rarity."
Comet noticed that Spike is starting to sweat a little in panic.
"Should I play it cool?! Get her another gem?! Be traditional?! Be desperate?! I have no idea what I-"
Comet uses his magic to cover Spike's mouth.
"Okay, how about calming down first?" Comet suggested. "Just breathe."
Comet removes his magic from Spike's mouth and he does inhaling and exhaling a few times.
"I mean, I never had any girl problems since I was having hard times back in Brooklyn." Comet points out. "And I do know the fact that some of the fillies my age likes me."
"So, why haven't you said anything about it?" Spike asks, confused.
"Well, I was too young to ask somepony out, as a matter of fact. That, and I don't really want to embarrass them or be difficult, so I was just being myself." Comet explains. "Besides, before Silver Spoon and I became close, I just don't really feel going to get a girl for myself."
"So...you can't help me?" Spike asks again, sadly.
"I never said that." Comet points out. "I'll help you out. But first, tell me what do you think of Rarity?"
Spike then looks up to the air with a lovesick expression.
"She's just...so beautiful...like she's the rarest gem that I've ever seen, waiting for someone like me to dig her up from the ground and be the only one to take possession of her." Spike admits.
"I see." Comet said with a chuckle. "Also, tell me what you think you should say to her?"
"Hmm...I feel like something like this..." Spike said with a ponder.
Spike then jumps off of the chair, then stands up in a way to where he's flexing like he's macho.
"Hey, what's up Rarity? I bet you can see that I'm the coolest dragon in town, right?" Spike said. "I mean, Twilight's number one assistant is clearly the guy you need. These scales, claws, and some fire is something that makes me look good, right?"
Spike then blows some smoke out of his nose and flex again. Comet just looks at Spike with a really weird look, blinks twice before he shakes his head to regain his composure.
"YYYYYYeeeeeeaaaahhh, no." Comet said in a deadpan look. "No offense, but...that's was too artificial."
"Well, what should I say?" Spike inquires.
"Um, have you seen the way I act when I'm around with our friends? Including my sister, and Silver Spoon?" Comet asks.
"Hmm...Touche." Spike said with a ponder. "I haven't really noticed."
"When I'm around with them, I'm just being myself." Comet points out. "I just act how they expect me to."
"So...you're telling me to me more like you?" Spike questioned, causing Comet to facehoof.
"No, you bonehead! Spike, no ones going to judge who you normally are." Comet told him. "Acting like someone that you're not is just going to make things worse. Listen, when you go up to somepony like Rarity, you don't need to act cool or use those cheesy lines. Just be simple and honest when you talk. That's all you really need to do when you speak to somepony you like."
Comet then walks up to Spike and puts his hoof on his shoulder.
"Besides, I think Rarity likes you who you really are." Comet said.
"You do?" Spike asks surprisingly.
"Yep." Comet replies with a nod. "So, take my advice, when you talk to Rarity, just be yourself and speak just you do to any other pony."
"Thanks, Comet." Spike thanked him with smile.
"No problem." Comet said.
"I guess I'll be going back downstairs to help your mom and Daylight re-shelving the books." Spike said. "My birthday is next week and I can't wait!"
"I'm sure you can't." Comet said with a chuckle. "Don't worry, I'll be there to celebrate it with you."
"Great!" Spike said excitedly.
Spike and Comet then walked out of the room to help Twilight, Mario, and Daylight re-shelving the books.
A week later, the books were shelved and Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight were setting up the main area for Spike's birthday. While Twilight, Comet, and Daylight were finishing up the main room, Mario, Nya, Kai, and Zane were in the kitchen, finishing up the party food and treats.
"Just about finished, Spike?" Twilight asked as Spike was busy setting up some decorations above the bookshelves as he stood on top of the ladder. "Everypony will be here soon."
"There. Perfect!" Spike said as he made his way down. "Everything looks perfect!"
"Not quite everything." Twilight said as she approached, carrying a cloth with her magic and handed it to Spike.
"A washcloth? I don't get it." Spike said in confusion.
Twilight gave him a stern glare and Spike soon figured out why she had given it to him.
"Ah, no way, Twilight!" Spike protested as he dropped the cloth and backed away. "I said I wasn't gonna wash the Rarity kissed, and I meant it!"
Spike turned his head, revealing a very dirty and grimy cheek with faded lipstick on it. Twilight then grabbed the washcloth and dug her hoof into the floor with determination. Spike looked at her with one eye before running off. Twilight started to chase after him.
"It's over, Spike!" Twilight declared. "I'm cleaning that cheek!"
"It's mine!" Spike said, gasping for breath as he tried to run away, Twilight used her teleportation magic to bring him back towards her, but Spike refused to stop trying to run off before she could wipe his cheek. "Stop it!"
"Never!" Twilight protested when both Comet and Daylight used their magic to stop Spike. She then uses her washcloth to wipe his cheek. "Thanks."
Twilight then walked away, pleased with herself as she carried the dirty cloth away despite Spike's look of disappointment.
"Happy birthday!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she blew her party hooter and then trumpet blast was heard. "Party time, woo-hoo!"
Pinkie Pie stood on her hind legs and tossed some confetti as the rest of their friends arrived, each of them holding a present.
"Are those...for me?" Spike asks surprisingly.
"You bet they are, birthday boy." Applejack replied as she gave him a present.
"Happy birthday, Spike." Fluttershy said as she placed her gift on top of the pile and Pinkie Pie placed her present on top of hers.
Rarity then set hers on top of the three gifts and then Rainbow Dash dropped her dumbbell on top of the packages. Spike wobbled a bit before he crashed into the floor, dropping all the gifts around him. The ponies all took notice that Spike was just eyeballing all of the presents with a puzzled look on his face.
"Don't you know you get presents on your birthday?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, actually, this is my first in Ponyville." Spike answered, then added with a bored tone. "...I usually get just one present...from Twilight. A book."
It was at that moment, Twilight was coming down with the exact present Spike had mentioned wrapped up in some ribbon. A sheep bleat was heard as Twilight smiled and blushed in embarrassment, tucked the book behind her and backed away from everypony as they just looked at her.
Mario just shook his head.
"I keep telling Twilight every year to come with me to buy something different, but she just didn't listen, as usual." Mario said, but felt a smack on the head. "OW! Hey!"
Mario glared at her, rubbing his head as Twilight gave him a dirty, but embarrassed glare.
"Hey, I forgot!" Spike said. "Mario gives me a present too! His presents every year are always so cool!"
"You got that right, little buddy." Mario said as he pulled out a comic book from behind him and handed it to Spike with his magic as Nya, Kai, and Zane appeared with their own gifts. "And Nya, Kai, and Zane have gifts I think you might like."
"Oh sweet, I've been meaning to get this one!" Spike said and then felt something behind the wrapped comic book, he grabbed the sheet of paper and gasped. "Is this a...subscription paper?!"
"Uh-huh." Mario said. "This means you'll get this issue and issues after that for the next two years."
"Awesome!" Spike replied excitedly, gave him a warm hug. "Thanks, Mario!"
"You're welcome, Spike." Mario replied, hugged him back. "Happy Birthday!"
The others awed, except Twilight, who's still fuming over being upstaged...again.
"Speaking of presents." Rarity said when Kronk shows off a newly made taffeta cape. "This is from my new line of taffeta capes. Kronk is going to make one for each of you all!"
The rest of the ponies and the foals looked it with an impressed look on their faces.
"I've been inspired by the generosity of my little Spikey-Wikey." Rarity said as she showed off a new gold necklace that had a familiar red gem in the middle of it. "Who gave me this beautiful fire ruby, one of the kindest acts I've ever experienced. Mmm."
Spike was taken aback as he looked at the red gem before Rarity pulled close and nuzzled his cheek in appreciation.
Unknown to all of them, Lord Garmadon was observing them from the flames. He shook his head with a grunt.
"I suppose they failed to realize of what they're about to witness. Dragons are well-known for their greed and they get more greedy while growing bigger." Lord Garmadon said. "Orochimaru, have you had any search for the Serpentine Staves?"
"I'm afraid not, my Lord. After the incident with Discord, we've been having trouble on finding the staves." Orochimaru replied.
"Have your group rest for now, you will begin the search by tomorrow." Lord Garmadon suggested, then turns to Pythor. "Pythor, I've got a job for you. Go to Ponyville and make sure that the ponies don't interfere of Spike's destruction of the town. He won't mature until his greed began to grow."
"Yessssss, my Lord." Pythor replied before he disappeared into the shadows.
In the Golden Oak Library, it wasn't much longer before Spike had opened the rest of the presents. What had appeared to be just a few packages ended up becoming a large mountain of gifts from toys, to scooter, a mirror, a painting, instruments, books, flowers, and even a rubber chicken. Mario was beginning to wonder if he should have given everypony those magic 'bottomless' gift boxes after all. However, he did see the happiness on Spike's face and decided to confront the issue later. At the moment, Spike was looking through another box, even poking his head out of the box as he pulled out a green and yellow checkered pattern blanket.
"Applejack, I can't thank you enough for this great blanket." Spike said as he hugged Applejack, who's snacking on an apple. "I really needed a new one."
"C'mon, Spike, you already thanked me 15 times." Applejack said, feeling a little uncomfortable as she pulled him off. "I'm startin' to get a little embarrassed."
Twilight and Nya just giggled to each other.
"I know I keep thanking you guys, but I'm just so grateful." Spike said. "I wish this party could last forever."
Everypony smiled at him and Pinkie Pie was just bouncing on top of a balloon when she heard what Spike had said, popped the balloon as she landed on it.
"Duh!" Pinkie Pie said, shoving and knocking Applejack and Twilight aside as she waved her hooves. "The party can't last forever 'cause you have to go to the Sugarcube Corner, 'cause the Cakes said they have a special surprise for you, 'cause it's your birthday!"
"No way!" Spike exclaimed excitedly, zipped his way out of the library.
"I said the party couldn't last forever, but it doesn't need to end right now!" Pinkie Pie said, laying on the floor.
SLAM!
But it's too late, Spike had already left and was on his way towards the Sugarcube Corner.
"Aw, bummer." Pinkie Pie said sadly.
"Hey, just because Spike went out doesn't mean we still can't enjoy the party." Storm Hawk points out.
"Storm Hawk's right." Twilight agrees. "I'm sure he'll be back to want to enjoy the rest of today as soon as he finished getting his one present from the Cakes."
Soon as Spike quickly made his way toward the Sugarcube Corner, Mrs. Cake was picking up a cake from the front counter and placed it on her head.
"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Cake!" Spike greets as bounced excitedly on his feet.
"There's the dragon of the hour!" Mr. Cake said as he approached the counter himself. "Happy birthday, Spike!"
"Thanks." Spike thanked him.
"When we found out it was your birthday, we couldn't resist trying out a new recipe: Sapphire!" Mrs. Cake said, ducked back down into the pantry and presented Spike with a cupcake that had blue frosting and sapphire gems on it.
"Wow!" Spike said as he smiled and looked at the cupcake hungrily. "Thank you so much."
Once Spike was outside the shop and waved 'goodbye' and 'thank you' with one hand, held his new treat with the other. The Cakes waved back before returning back inside to continue their work.
"Man." Spike said. "First, I get a bunch of great presents, and now an amazing Sapphire cake! Hohoh, what a day! Whoa!"
Spike was so busy talking to himself and staring at his cupcake that he didn't see a pony walking in the opposite direction and crashed into them. His cupcake went into the air, but he managed to save it with his long tongue. Then, he noticed who he bumped into as she looked rather dazed and her groceries were all on the ground.
"Oh my gosh!" Spike said. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Cheerilee."
"That's okay." Cheerlie assures him, placing the carrots on the paper bag. "What's got you so excited?"
Spike cautiously looks around before he quickly gobbled up his cupcake.
"Pinkie Pie told me that I should come see the Cakes." Spike explains with his mouth full as he helped pick up the dropped items. "So, they could give me a cake 'cause it's my birthday today."
"Well, happy birthday, Spike! I wish I had something to give you!" Cheerilee said as she quietly pondered for a moment. "Uh...oh!"
Cheerilee reached into her paper bag and pulled out a light gray fedora hat that had a red band and feather, placed it on Spike's head.
"Here you go!" Cheerilee said.
"Wow, really?" Spike said surprisingly.
"Sure!" Cheerilee answered. "Everypony should get fun gifts on their birthday!"
Spike wasted no time jumping into the air and Cheerilee a hug to say 'thank you'.
"Have a great birthday, Spike!" Cheerilee said as she headed on her way with the groceries on her back.
"I wish every day is my birthday." Spike said happily as he tugged the edges of his new hat.
Back at the Golden Oak Library, they've been waited for an hour and apparently, Spike hasn't returned to the library which started to worry them.
"Huh, it's been over an hour now." Applejack said with a hum. "Is he okay?"
"Soooooo, did the party end after all?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"I don't know, something's off." Rose Lotus states. "Spike never came this late."
"And he's sure taking his sweet time around in Ponyville." Storm Hawk adds.
"Oh, I'm sure Spike is probably having some chat with somepony about his birthday." Rarity states, but jumped when she felt a kick again. "Oh..."
"Mom, are you okay?" Golden Charm asks, worried.
"Oh, I'm fine, darling, Flora is a feisty one." Rarity told her son, rubbing her belly. "Your sister is eager to get out."
"Oh, boy, I remember that the first time she was born." Golden Charm said.
"What happened?" Kronk asks.
"Before Flora was born, she was struggling a lot before the water breaks." Golden Charm explains, turns to his mother. "Mom, if she kicks a lot more than now, it means she wants out now. She's going to break your water soon."
"Oh, dear!" Rarity exclaims, but continued rubbing her belly. "Now, Flora, I know you're eager to come out, but you're gonna have to wait."
It got Flora to settle down again, but she gave her a gentle kick, telling her she's sorry.
"I'm going to go see where he is and make sure it's nothing that involves any trouble." Twilight suggested.
"I'll go with you." Mario said. "I'm started to get worried."
"We'll go with you." Daylight said as she and her brother walk next to Twilight.
Twilight nods as they exit the Golden Oak Library to go and search for Spike. The other ponies just gave each other confused looks.
"So...what do we do then?" Rainbow Dash asks, break the silence.
"I don't know. Let's just wait and see if they come back." Applejack answered.
Outside in Ponyville, Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight were walking around the town, trying to see if Spike was anywhere and they were around Sugarcube Corner , but to their surprise, he wasn't around the area.
"That's odd. He just came here after he got the cake." Daylight said with a ponder. "This is weird."
"Yeah, something tells me Spike has definitely got into some trouble." Mario states.
"Comet, can you and Daylight find him?" Twilight said to her kids.
Both Comet and Daylight glowed their horns to try and find Spike's energy, eventually locates it.
"We found him." Comet said. "Come on."
The four ponies run off to go to where Spike was located and they eventually see him up near a fountain wearing a red and white fedora hat while talking to a mare named Junebug, who's getting a drink out of a fountain.
"Hey, Junebug!" Spike said as he came up to her. "It's my birthday!"
Spike reaches his claws out to expect a gift for him, however Junebug simply turns to him with a simple smile.
"Happy birthday, Spike." Junebug said, then walks away and Spike was a little confused.
"Aren't you gonna give me something?" Spike asked. "You know, like a birthday present?"
"Um, I...I don't have anything." Junebug said sheepishly.
Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight were out in the distance, looking at the whole situation.
"Oh, that's what he's been doing." Comet said.
"Demanding gifts?! I can't believe him." Twilight said with a disappointed glare.
"Well, how about those flowers?" Spike suggested, wiggled his claws deviously. "I'll take those-AAAUGGH!"
Spike was cut off and started to strain in pain when somepony had pressure pointed him. He looked up to see Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight glaring at him sternly.
"Spike!" Twilight interjected when Daylight uses her magic to drag Spike back away and towards the four of them.
"Sorry about that, Junebug." Comet apologized. "I guess he got carried away with having some gifts given him."
"And a tad birthday present greedy..." Mario added as he gave Spike a glare, causing the dragon to smile sheepishly.
"Uh, no problem..." Junebug replied. "H-Happy birthday, Spike!"
Junebug walks off while the four ponies glared at Spike.
"What are you doing?" Twilight asked sternly. "You're out here demanding gifts now?"
"You've got plenty of gifts back in the library." Mario added in the same tone. "There's no need to be so greedy."
"That's just disappointing, Spike." Daylight adds. "We thought you were better than that. You don't go around asking them gifts. That's straight up greedy."
Spike then looks at the ball that he's carrying on his tail and drops it, vigorously shakes his head as if trying to clear some influence out of it.
"Wow, you're right, guys." Spike said as he lowered his hat, and gave the four ponies a guilty look. "I don't know what got into me. Thanks for snapping me out of it. I better go give Cheerilee her hat back."
"No problem." Twilight said.
"Good idea." Mario adds.
"Just as long you understand." Comet told him.
"See you at home later?" Daylight asked.
"Sounds good! Bye!" Spike said as Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight walked away and waved them goodbye.
Once they're out of sight, the desire gets the better of him once again as he jams the fedora back on his head before getting an extremely mischievous look.
"Who else has a present for 'Spikey-Wikey'?" Spike wondered as his wiggled his fingers and gave a slither with his tongue.
Unknown to him, Pythor was watching from the far distance and out of sight, seeing Spike is getting more greedy.
"It ssssseemsss worse hassss yet to come." Pythor said with a sinister smirk.
The next morning, Twilight is tossing and turning in her sleep for a bit before she decided to wake up.
"Wow, what a rough night, Spike." Twilight said as she leaned over the edge of her bed. "I had the weirdest drea..."
Twilight then stopped talking when she saw that Spike's basket was loaded with various objects.
"I can't believe you!" Twilight exclaimed. "Where'd you get all this..."
Twilight went and remove some of the objects to find Spike. Twilight gasped as she dropped the items she had been holding with her magic when she saw Spike had somehow outgrown his basket overnight. Spike gave a yawn and hiss as he sat up.
"What happened?" Spike asked in a normal tone.
Twilight just leaned back nervously as she looked at him fearfully.
Twilight could feel herself panic as she rushed to her bedside table and dropped a smoke bomb as a cloud of smoke appeared before it faded away as Mario now stood in its place. He was a little dizzy a bit before he shook his head a bit.
"Whoa!" Mario said as he looked at her. "That's one way to get me here. I forgot I gave you one of my teleportation smoke bombs."
Then, he looked to Twilight and noticed how panicked she look.
"What's wrong, Twi?" Mario asked with concern as she hugged him and pointed in the direction of Spike. "Oh, hey, Spike. Umm...I don't see the prob...WHOA!"
Mario then noticed as he held her more securely.
"Are you two going to...kiss?" Spiek asks, made a face and then noticed his arms was and started to look panicked himself. "What's happening to me?!"
Both Comet and Daylight got out of the room from that noise, but it got the two foals shocked of his growth. Spike tried to get the fedora hat off his head while Twilight and Mario were searching through various books.
"I don't know!" Twilight said. "Think back to last night. Did something happened?"
"Did you go behind our backs and ask for more presents?" Mario asked.
Spike finally got the hat off of his head and then looked around the library. He began to look at his long arms and long legs again before he starts to stare at some books, Twilight's bed, and even more books. All of the items were sparkling and he wanted them.
"Spike?" Twilight called him as she got in front of his view. "What did you do after we saw you?"
"Spike, did you ask for more birthday presents?" Comet asks sternly when Spike slapped his head to recomposed himself.
"I went to talk...to..."
Spike then noticed the nearby globe and started to zone out again.
"Spike!" Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight yelled as they pulled the globe away and made Spike crash to the floor, leaving dazed for a moment.
"You went to talk to who, Spike?" Daylight questions.
"Who did you see and did you ask them for a present?" Mario asked more firmly.
"Oh, um...I don't remember." Spike answered quickly. "Hey, can I have the globe? You're not using it, right?"
Spike then snatched it and took it towards his collection of other objects.
"What about this book?" Spike asked as he grabbed it.
Twilight then grabbed it away from him as she teleported on top of his mountain of objects and Mario stood in front of it.
"Spike, I'm worried about you." Twilight said. "You're usually not so...grabby!"
"Such stages of random grabbing are usually found in young foals, not dragons with random growth spurts." Mario added as Spike snatched the book away from Twilight.
"My arms aren't usually this long either." Spike said slyly as he covered his mouth.
Spike had not only smart mouthed Twilight and Mario, but his voice was now a good octave lower.
"What's happening to me?" Spike asked in his now lower voice with concern.
Twilight and Mario just rubbed their chins in concern.
"We need to get to Zecora." Comet suggested. "If anypony know about dragons, it's her."
And with that in mind, they're in Zecora's hut. Zecora wasted no time examining Spike as she felt and squeezed his head, making it squeak. She then knocked a few times and then dangled a pocket watch before his eyes, Spike seemed rather entranced at the swinging watch as he tried to snatch it, but missed in annoyance. Zecora then grabbed one of Spike's arm with her mouth.
"I'd step back if I were you." Mario warned her since she was standing next to Spike.
"Why?" Twilight asked as Zecora made Spike's arm wiggle, causing the other arm to wiggle by reflex and slapping her in the face.
"That's why." Mario answered simply as Twilight just looked very annoyed.
"Ooh, he's starting to mature." Zecora said as Spike just scratches his back. "Of this fact, I am sure."
"Mature?" Twilight repeats. "So, he's just...growing up? But that doesn't explain why he keeps grabbing things."
Spike had tried to bend down and grab a pot, which Twilight uses her magic to pull away.
"A dragons heart is prone to greed." Zecora explains as she approached her cauldron as Twilight stood next to her. "A steady diet to make growth speed. Then, the resulting bigger size only makes their hunger rise. If this trait should go unchecked, if Spike continues to collect, more growth will certainly occur-he is going to turn into a monster."
Zecora then animated Spike's fate in her cauldron and Twilight gasped at what she saw.
"You mean the more things a dragon collects, the bigger and greedier he gets?" Twilight said in panic. "But how do we stop him before he's completely out of control?"
"If his monstrous ways you wish to impede, you must prevent him from practicing greed." Zecora answered sternly.
As they were talking, there was some crashing and shuffling in the background. Twilight bit her lip with worry until she and Zecora looked to see Spike gone as well as the rest of her items. Twilight just laughed nervously as they began to chase after him.
Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight ran at full speed back to Ponyville. They didn't bother to slow down once they were heading down the streets of town. Then, they came to a stop one they found Spike doing tug of war with Scootaloo's scooter.
"Get away from her, you brute!" Apple Bloom yelled.
"Spike want!" Spike said, in a much deeper tone and he became more aggressive.
"You're not getting my scooter!" Scootaloo added.
"Spike want!" Spike repeated.
"We gotta figure a way to stop him!" Comet said with worry.
Mario was about to say something when he stopped and noticed something on the roof, making him widen his eyes. On the roof of a house was Pythor observing.
"Um, guys." Mario called them, earned their attention. "I think we might have bigger problems to worry about. Look!"
Twilight, Comet, and Daylight turned their heads where Mario was pointing and gasped in shock to see Pythor watches everything.
"Oh no, it's the Anacondrai!" Twilight exclaimed in alarm.
"We gotta lose him and get Spike inside of the library somehow!" Daylight said.
Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight look around before they saw a broom. They exchange smiles with each other as they get the same idea.
"Hey Spike!" Twilight called him as she hovered the broom near him. "Check out this amazing broom!"
That got Spike's attention as he let go of the scooter, sending the three fillies flying back a few yards.
"Spike want!" Spike hissed.
Spike gave a loud roar as he grew larger in size before chasing after the broom on all fours. Mario, Twilight, Comet, and Daylight noticed just how big Spike had gotten and they made a mad dash for the Golden Oak Library.
"C'mon, big-boy!" Twilight taunted in a sing-song voice once she, Mario, Comet, and Daylight stepped inside. "Look at this incredible broom!"
Because he's big now, Spike had some difficulty getting through the door, but managed to squeeze himself in.
"Spike want!" Spike said, chasing after the broom.
Twilight tossed the broom into another room. As soon as Spike went inside, she slammed the door. Spike began to try to get out as Mario, Twilight, Comet, and Daylight stoon on their hind legs and held the door back.
"Fight all you want, we're not letting you out!" Twilight said sternly when the struggling suddenly stopped.
Mario, Twilight, Comet, and Daylight exchanged worried looks before they opened the door and saw Spike hoarding a small mountain of books.
"Oh Spike, we just re-shelved this room." Twilight said as she used her magic to knock Spike off the book pile and set them outside the door, closed it firmly.
Twilight then sighed with exasperation as Mario placed a hoof on her back.
"What are you doing?" Twilight asked defensively.
"Easy, Twilight. I just trying to offer you some comfort." Mario said softly. "From the look on your face, I think you might be having a hard time keeping everything under control."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you, Mario." Twilight apologizes with a sigh. "Guess I'm just stressed out. Actually...I wouldn't mind if you held me a bit."
Mario then tried again and held Twilight close. This time, she rested her head under his chin and both Comet and Daylight joins. Sadly, the moment only lasted three seconds before they heard a loud crash.
"What now?" Mario, Twilight, Comet, and Daylight groaned together in irritation.
They opened the door and saw a huge indentation showing that Spike had smashed himself right out of the library and was running loose once more.
"What are we gonna do now, Mario?" Twilight asked with worried look. "With Spike on the loose, he could destroy Ponyville in an hour! Not to mention we have a problem with the Serpentine!"
"I think he's here to observe the destruction and Spike growing." Mario said with a ponder. "If I have to guess, Lord Garmadon must've sent only one Serpentine."
"You don't think Garmadon wanted Spike for his own gain, do you?" Twilight asked with worry.
"Either that or he's probably wanted some entertainment." Mario said with a matter of fact tone before he looked at Twilight. "But if he did send that Anacondrai here, then that would mean he doesn't want us to interfere."
"But should we go after Spike?" Daylight asks.
"We can go after him and the Anacondrai." Mario told her.
And with that, they left the library, chasing after Spike.
In Sweet Apple Acres, both Applejack and Apple Shine had been left shocked and puzzled.
"Now, who in Ponyville would steal our apples?" Applejack asked aloud.
"For that matter, who would steal our leaves?" Apple Shine asked.
It was then, Mario, Twilight, Comet, and Daylight appeared.
"Applejack, Apple Shine, help!" Twilight said. "Spike's running wild and I need you to lasso him!"
"Not only that, but the Anacondrai is also watching!" Mario adds.
All Applejack and Apple Shine could do after hearing the news was to laugh.
"Oh, that's a good one, Twilight and Mario." Applejack replied as she patted Twilight with a fore-hoof. "Sweet little Spike, running wild. Ha, what a laugh. And the Anacondrai watching him."
Mario, Twilight, Comet, and Daylight looked indignantly until Spike stomped by carrying a large collection of apples and leaves. Some of the leaves flew off the pile as he went by. Four of the leaves landed on between Applejack and Apple Shine's noses, giving them a mustache. The six ponies glared at him.
"Twilight, Mario, get our rope." Applejack said bluntly.
It wasn't much longer before Twilight, Applejack, Apple Shine, and Comet were charging at Spike with Mario and Daylight leading the charge between them. Both Mario and Daylight jumped into the air and grab a hold of his spines, making the dragon roar in surprise as he tried to reach them, but no avail. Mario then uses the nature element, calling out the roots to wrap around Spike's legs. Once Spike was distracted, Applejack, Twilight, Comet, and Apple Shine would pin him down and tie him up.
Once they're close enough while tried to tie him up, but Spike eventually grabbed Mario and Daylight, slammed them to the ground. He noticed the apple on the ground and bent down to pick it up. This made the four ponies had chosen the exact moment to dive at Spike and they ended up getting themselves tied into the tree. Spike just smirked at them before giving a loud roar when snapping the roots out of his legs. Spike snorted and stomped away, leaving the six ponies alone.
"Man, this is not good." Mario said as he and Daylight tried to straighten themselves.
Comet uses his magic to teleport him, Apple Shine, Twilight, and Applejack out of the ropes.
"Thanks, sugarcube." Applejack thanked her godson.
Then, both Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk appeared.
"Guys, what's going on?" Rainbow Dash asks. "Why-"
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
"What was that?" Applejack asks with a gasp.
"Sounded like Fluttershy to me!" Rainbow Dash said as she and the others ran towards the cottage.
Then, they all headed directly for Fluttershy's cottage.
"Fluttershy?! Winter?!" Twilight called out.
"Where are you two?!" Mario called out as well, worried.
"We're up here!" Fluttershy said.
The ponies all looked up and saw both Fluttershy and Winter Breeze was high in the tree. Fluttershy was hugging the branch for dear with some squirrels nearby for company while Winter Breeze flew down towards her friends.
"What happened?" Twilight asked.
"We were helping our squirrel friends with a dance step, and all of a sudden, a giant, r-rampaging d-d-d-dragon storm through!" Fluttershy explained.
"That was Spike!" Daylight said below.
"Spike?!" Fluttershy exclaims in shock. "But why would Spike steal my chicken coop?"
Fluttershy looked towards the area where only the ramp and flooring remaining, along with a few chickens.
"He just pulled it out of the ground and filled it with a bunch of apples and stuff." Winter Breeze told them.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
"That sounded like Pinkie!" Storm Hawk called out.
"Come on, guys!" Twilight said with a determined look on her face as they headed directly for Sugarcube Corner.
At the moment, Pinkie Pie was sitting on top of a cabinet as she tossed cake after cake at Spike.
"Back! Get back!" Pinkie Pie yelled.
Spike hissed as he was hugging his collected items in a corner and trying to dodge the incoming cakes. Pinkie Pie grunted as she tossed another cake and Spike caught it. He quickly added it to his collection. Pinkie Pie tossed two more cakes, which splattered on the ground near him. The others gasped as they saw the now larger and greedier Spike.
"Pinkie, where's Rose?" Comet questions.
"She and Djali are safe inside of the kitchen!" Pinkie Pie told him.
"Pinkie Pie! Stop giving him cake!" Twilight called out.
"I'm not giving him cake!" Pinkie Pie retorted. "I'm assaulting him with cake!"
Spike then grabbed all of the cakes on the pantry Pinkie Pie was standing on, causing her to fall to the floor face first.
"How dare you take the cake!" Pinkie Pie yelled angrily as she raised her hooves into the air.
Spike gave a growl before he grew in size once more, but this time it was into a fully sized giant rampaging dragon. As a result, the roof of Sugarcube Corner was smashed apart. Spike gave a loud roar and noticed something in the distance, walked away.
Then, Rainbow Dash noticed the Anacondrai was observing from the rooftop.
"Hey, Mario. What's that serpentine doing here?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"We got a serious problem." Mario answered with a grim expression. "Garmadon sent him to observe. He must've figured out a way to get Spike greedy while he's watching him grow."
"Garmadon sent him?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in shock.
"That and he doesn't want us to interfere." Mario replied.
"He's completely out of control!" Twilight said, worried. "Who knows where he'll go next?!"
"I think I have a good idea." Mario said. "And it involves a certain pony with a fire ruby necklace. We have to get Kai, Nya, and Zane!"
Mario and Twilight quickly made their exit with Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Storm Hawk, Apple Shine, and Winter Breeze right behind them. Applejack and Rose Lotus had to drag Pinkie Pie along by the tail since she'd gone into complete shock with her face hanging out. Both Comet and Daylight had some other ideas since they knew that Rarity will be having a baby real soon and they don't want anything happen to her. They use their magic to call out the animal spirits.
Inside of the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was just humming for her upcoming daughter while rubbing her belly. She was now wearing a new taffeta cape along with her fire ruby necklace. She was unaware that Spike was peeking in at her with a single giant green eyeball.
"Hm, perhaps some more ruffle." Rarity said when she turned around and her eyes shrunk in complete shock.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Rarity shrieked loudly as a giant claw was about to reach her.
However, the giant gorilla spirit grabs hold of Spike and tossed him away from the Carousel Boutique with a roar. Spike was enraged as he roars at the gorilla, but the gorilla spirit roars back at him as he bangs his chest. And just as Spike was about to charge after it, lightning strikes the dragon when the giant moth appeared from the sky. Both Comet and Daylight arrived at the Carousel Boutique when Kronk and Golden Charm approached them.
"Is Rarity alright?" Comet asks, worried.
"For now, but Mom won't be able to hold Flora for long." Golden Charm told him. "We need to get her out."
"Kronk, can you go get her so we can get out?" Daylight suggested.
Kronk replied with a nod as he quickly ran upstairs to get Rarity.
"But guys, what's going on?" Golden Charm asks. "Why is the giant dragon on a rampage?"
"That was Spike." Comet told him. "Long story, but we need to ger Rarity out of here."
Then, Kronk pushes Rarity, who's in the wheelchair as they came down to the front.
"Children, what is that dragon doing here? And why is it after me?" Rarity asks with worry.
"Um, Rarity, it'll be hard to explain to you, but right now, we need to get you out of the boutique. You have Flora on the way." Comet told her, but as they're about to leave when Pythor arrived at the entrance.
"I think not." Pythor said with a sinister smirk, hissing. "With you ponies here, you aren't going anywhere! And I get to enjoy my meal!"
And just as Pythor slithers inside of the boutique, about to have his dinner, he was dragged away from them by magic. Mario and his friends arrived along with the 3 Elemental Masters.
"Pythor!" Zane shouted as he glared at the Anacondrai angrily along with his friends.
"Well, well, if it isssssn't the Elemental Masterssss." Pythor said sinisterly.
"How dare you come here to Ponyville?! And how dare you try to take my friends and my kids?!" Twilight shouts angrily as she and the others glared at Pythor, the Oni, and the Serpentine.
"Look at you pathetic foolssss." Pythor said, taunting. "Watching your pitiful baby dragon friend terrorizing your home."
(Mothra Theme)
Then, the giant moth sending out powder at Spike along with Pythor and the Oni that stuns them, causing them to cough the power. The giant gorilla spirit them swings his arm, punches Spike in the jaw and followed by an uppercut, then a dropkick, leaving the dragon stumbled back a bit. The giant moth fires the stingers at Pythor and the Oni, causing them to dodge the stingers.
"Mario, what do we do now?" Fluttershy asks, worried.
"You guys get Rarity to the hospital. Kai, Nya, Zane, and I will take care Pythor and the Oni!" Mario said as he along the three Elemental Masters lit their horns as they stood on their hind legs as they created auric hands on their hooves before taking out their respective weapons.
They get into a fighting stance as the Oni and Pythor charges after them. Twilight led the others away as Mario, Kai, Nya, and Zane took on the Oni.
The giant gorilla and the giant moth are working together as they continue to fight against Spike. The gorilla lifts Spike up in the air, slamming him against the ground while the giant moth fires the beam from its antenna right at his chest, causing the dragon the roar in pain.
Spike is now enraged as he spews fire at the two spirits which they're able to dodge. Spike then charges after the gorilla spirit when he's about to use his spiked scales for a headbutt, but the gorilla spirit dodged from the right and tosses him to ground. The moth spirit then flew towards Spike, sending out the powder down to him.
"Wow, man, it's almost like the clash of the titans!" Storm Hawk exclaims, watches the fight.
"Yeah, it's awesome!" Rainbow Dash agrees.
"Um, guys, we need to get Rarity out, remember?" Twilight told them as both Storm Hawk and Rainbow Dash snapped out of their thoughts, catches up with the others.
Back with Mario and the Elemental Masters, they continued to fight off against Pythor and the Oni. Mario dodged and kicked two Oni to the ground before clashing blades against Pythor.
"Haven't you learn by now?!" Pythor said he wrapped Mario in the neck with his tail, swings the unicorn stallion right into the ground.
Mario grunts in pain before getting into the fighting stance and they continued to clash with each other.
"I am the second-in-command of the Anacondrai tribe!" Pythor said.
But Mario uses his nature element by wrapping Pythor in the neck with vines, swinging him against the tree as the Anacondrai grunts in pain.
"Keep telling yourself that, Pythor!" Mario countered, stood on his ground. "This fight is just getting started!"
Nya uses her spear to slashes two Oni and kicks three to the side before going into a fighting stance with her spear. One of the Oni snarled and tried to attack her when Zane uses the ice element to freeze it. Nya then uses her somersault, kicking the Oni aside.
Kai uses his fire element to conjure a smokescreen, blinding the three Oni. Kai then knocked the three Oni with punches and kicks.
Mario continued to clash blades with Pythor as the unicorn stallion gained the upper hand when he uses the nature element to wrap the Anacondrai around with vines.
"It's over, Pythor!" Mario said. "You lost!"
"Ha!" Pythor scoffed with a sinister grin. "You won't be able to stop the little dragon in his new form. Sssssoon, he'll take every last one of the ponies preccccious things and sssssssssssoon the whole world of Equessssstria!"
Unfortunately, it didn't go his way when both the giant gorilla spirit and the giant moth spirit gained the upper hand by weakening Spike. Golden Charm then thought of an idea since he knows exactly why Spike came here at the Carousel Boutique.
"I'm really sorry about this, Mom." Golden Charm quietly apologizes as he uses his magic to take the golden necklace off of Rarity.
Golden Charm then rush towards the giant dragon when Spike turned to the Irish colt.
"Hey, Spike! Remember this?!" Golden Charm shouts, showing the necklace which it got the dragon shocked. "This was given to Mom by you! Remember what you did for her!?"
Spike then grunted as a memory appeared in his head. Spike remembered that he had given Rarity that fire ruby.
'Here, Rarity, you take it. It would mean even more to see you happy than to eat it myself.'
'I...don't know what to say. This is just so generous.'
He even remembered Rarity giving him a kiss.
Spike's eyes soften as he shakes his head and puts his hand on the spot that Rarity kissed before he starts to tremble. Spike then cringed and his body twitched before he instantly returned back to his original size. Golden Charm saw Spike floating in the air as he screamed and about to plummet to the ground when the Irish colt uses his magic to stop him from falling.
(Music Ends)
"I got you, Spike." Golden Charm said, places the baby dragon down to the ground.
Soon the giant gorilla and the giant moth vanishes and Pythor hissed angrily.
"This...isn't over!" Pythor vowed before he summoned a portal as he and the Oni retreated.
The ponies then gathered Golden Charm and Spike around, but Rarity jumped when she felt a kick.
"Oh." Rarity said.
"Are you alright, Rarity?" Twilight asked, worried.
"I'll be fine, darling." Rarity assures her. "Flora seems to be a little bit fiesty."
Then, her eyes widened as she looked down, noticed that her wheelchair was soaked.
"Oh no." Rarity said.
"What is it?" Applejack inquires.
"MY WATER BROKE!?" Rarity yelled.
The ponies heard in panic as Twilight and Mario uses their magic to teleport Rarity to the hospital. The rest of them watched Twilight, Mario, and Rarity teleported away.
Comet looks over to the side of the bridge to see Spike sitting on the rail of the bridge and staring glumly out at the destruction that he has inflicted on Ponyville. He holds one his hands out to see it compared to one of giant footprints oh monstrous self. His eyes then quiver a bit at the thought that he almost destroyed his own home. Comet and Daylight then walks up to him.
"You doing alright there, Spike?" Comet asks with concern.
"I just can't believe that I turned into...that." Spike said sadly, sighed. "I feel so ashamed."
Both Comet and Daylight gives Spike a sympathetic look.
"Don't worry about it." Daylight said. "Nopony knew that you're going to go out of control like that. If anything, we're just glad you're okay and back to normal."
Spike smiled at that.
"We better go to the hospital." Comet suggested. "Mom and Mario are waiting."
And with that, the ponies rush towards the hospital to meet up with Twilight and Mario.
At the hospital, Golden Charm was pacing in a straight line across the waiting room. Rarity had been in the maternity ward for a while and it worries him. The Mane 6, the 5 foals, Kronk, Spike, and the 3 Elemental Masters knew that Golden Charm is worried about his mother been in labor for a while.
"Golden, are you okay?" Kronk asks.
"I wish." Golden Charm said. "I'm worried about Mom. She's going into labor and there's nothing I can do to help, I'm really worried. I just hope that Mom will handle Flora from here on."
"I'm sure Rarity will be able to handle it." Rainbow Dash said. "She's able to handle anything. Even with her friends by her side."
"Mom's right." Storm Hawk adds. "Rarity will be able to handle it. And there's no way we're going to let her go through this alone."
"We'll be able to help you two as much as we can." Twilight said.
"Thank you." Golden Charm thanked them with a smile. "I just hope that Mom would be able to take the pain."
Few hours later, Rarity panted heavily since she's been through a painful labor, but it was worth it to give that baby back to life.
"Congratulations, Rarity." Doctor Horse said, handing the baby pony, who's carrying in his fore-hooves. "It's a beautiful baby girl."
"Hello...Flora..." Rarity said, soothing to her with a smile as Flora then started to calm down. "How long do I have to stay here until we leave?"
"You'll be able to leave in 24 hours." Doctor Horse informed her. "Now, let's get your baby girl into a diaper, and we'll get you some much needed rest."
"Wait." Rarity said. "Send Golden Charm in. He should see his baby sister."
"Right away, ma'am." Doctor Horse replied, turns to Nurse Redheart. "Send in the kid named Golden Charm here."
"Right away." Nurse Redheart replied as she then headed out since Rarity wanted her son to see her newborn daughter.
A few moments later, both Golden Charm and Spike came running in and ran over to the bed. He smiled to see his little sister again.
"She's beautiful, Mom." Golden Charm said.
"And she has a wonderful big brother she has to look up to." Rarity told him. "We're going to have to stay for the night. Less than 24 hours, we'll be able to leave. You understand, right?"
"Yeah, Mom, I understand." Golden Charm said as Rarity pulled him in for a hug.
But Rarity noticed that Spike is here, who's touched of the heartwarming sight.
"But Spike, what are you doing here?" Rarity asks surprisingly.
Spike was about to give her an answer, but remembered that he has to be honest. He took a deep breath as he spoke.
"Rarity, there's something that I've been meaning to tell you for a while now." Spike said, twiddling his fingers.
"Oh, what is it?" Rarity asks with intrigue.
"You see ever since we met, I've always thought that you were really beautiful and we're known each other for a while now." Spike said with a blush. "Each time you've complimented me, given me a gift, thanked me, or even called me 'Spikey-Wikey' just made my heart flutter."
Rarity went wide-eyed by this as Spike was confessing his love to her.
"I really like you ever since we first became friends, but now...I just can't shake off the feeling in my heart that I want us to be more than friends. The day you thanked me when I gave you the fire ruby was the day I just couldn't wait any longer and I wanted to tell you how I feel about you." Spike continues, takes one of Rarity's hooves with both of his hands. "Rarity...I...I love you. I want us to be more than friends."
Rarity was so surprised by this before she smiles.
"Spike, you're so helpful, generous, and smart. I mean I don't really think that you could be any better of a friend than you are now. The fire ruby you gave me was like I said, 'the most thoughtful and generous thing you've done for me'." Rarity said, but begins to frown. "However, while I am very touched from what you've told me, Spike...I am very sorry to say that...I'll have to decline your feelings."
Spike felt so heartbroken by this as he let go of Rarity's hoof and slumps down to the floor.
"I'm sure this had to have taken a bunch of courage for you to tell me this Spike, and I'm glad you had that kind of courage to tell me something like this. It just goes to show that you know that I like you just the way you are and nothing more. I may not have the same feelings that you do, but I will say that I do see you not just a friend." Rarity continued as Spike looks up to her with sad look on his face. "I don't see you as just my friend, but I do see you like a really nice brother that I could always want. You treat ponies like me with respect and you're very helpful with everypony, especially Twilight. Sometimes I wish it were true that we could be siblings, but unfortunately that can't be possible. Someponies may find it weird to see a dragon all across Ponyville, but I don't. I like you just the way you are, Spike. I'm sorry that I have to say that I don't feel the same feelings that you do, but any day you'll still be my Spikey-Wikey."
Rarity gives one last kiss to Spike on the cheek before holding her daughter. Spike sadly turns around and walks solemnly out of the room, but Golden Charm then walked out of the room as he catches up to him.
"Sorry, mate." Golden Charm apologizes with sincere as Spike tears up a bit.
"I...I...never felt so depressed." Spike sobs. "It felt like my heart shattered into a billion pieces."
"I know it's hard for you, laddie. And I know how you feel right now." Golden Charm told him.
"Golden, I just...I just don't know how I'm supposed to get over this." Spiks said. "She was the biggest crush that I've ever had and...now it just turns out she doesn't see me that way."
"Spike, look at me." Golden Charm said as Spike turns his head towards the Irish colt. "A lot ponies go through these kinds of things and do become how you are right now. Trust me, I felt the same when I heard of my birth parents were killed, and the social services tried to get me and my sister separated, and Flora was on the brink of death when we came here for the first time. But you know what helped get over it?"
"What...?" Spike asks.
"Our friends." Golden Charm answered. "Our friends and Mom were there for me, and it was because of them I was able to get a second chance, including Flora. Everypony goes through depressing things like this, but don't worry you heard what she said, she loves you like you're a brother she's wanted. That means she really cares about you so much, and even though Rarity may not like you the same way. That doesn't mean there are more lassies out there for you."
Spike smiles from this and he starts to wipe his tears out of his eyes.
"You really think so?" Spike asks.
"Aye, I know so. So, don't let all of this wear you down, lad." Golden Charm said. "We're your friends and we'll always be there to make sure that you stay happy. And like I said, you may just find the right lass for you someday. She may be a pony, dragon, or other, but I'm sure you'll find your special somepony someday. That's a promise."
Spike felt better from this as he stood up and hugged the Irish colt.
"Thanks, Golden." Spike thanked him. "I'm glad to have somepony like you around as a friend."
"Thanks, lad. You too." Golden Charm replied as they break a hug. "I better go inside. She's going to need some help on taking care of Flora. I'll see ya."
Spike then watches Golden Charm went back inside of the room.
The next day, the Mane 7, the 6 foals, the 3 Elemental Masters, and Kronk were around the Carousel Boutique and Rarity has a new cape around and she pulls out 16 new ones for each of her friends that were in their exact designs. She puts each cape around each of them and the other ponies were all really grateful for them. Flora let out a giggle as Rarity holds her with a smile and Golden Charm walk towards his mother and his sister, but he felt his flank was glowing as the Irish pulled his cape and noticed that he had a cutie mark.
Golden Charms cutie mark resembles a Celtic cross.
Rarity and the others were surprised and shocked of his new cutie mark, but proud of him.
Spike was writing a letter to Princess Celestia about what he learned about friendship.
'Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I learned a great lesson about friendship. Well, you might think that it would feel good to get lots and lots of stuff, but it doesn't feel nearly as good as giving something special to somepony you really care about. But I learned that it truly is better to give than to receive, and that kindness and generosity are what lead to true friendship. And that's more valuable than anything in the world. Sometimes when you have to go through something that makes you sad, just know that your friends are always there to cheer you up and help no matter what.'
Spike might find someone to love as he understood now why Mario moved his crush from Twilight long ago, but he's slowly getting back to it.
That's it for the 12th chapter.