Chapter 44: A Bird in the Hoof
The next day, after getting back to Ponyville, Spyro was in his room and in a group call with everyone, Master Yen Sid, Kairi, Riku, Sora, Axel, and King Mickey as he sent out a message saying they needed to meet urgently via group call, one by one everyone getting on until everyone was accounted for. Spyro told them everything that had happened to him while he was in Appaloosa, about this guy called , his mission to destroying the ponies who can use the Elements of Harmony, and creatures called the Unversed attacking the village after being exposed, harnessing all the negative energy from the dark emotions from both the settlers and the buffalo and how he was with the Organization. As he was talking, Mickey looked surprised while Master Yen Sid looked concerned at the news the Unversed are now in the fight.
"This news is most troubling Spyro." Master Yen Sid said.
"But, what are they exactly?" Spyro asked. "I've never seem them before and never faced Vanitas before in my journeys."
"They are monsters created by Vanitas." Master Yen Sid replied. "They are the negative emotions that Vanitas feels for himself and uses those emotions to create these creatures. The more negative energy he acquires, the more Unversed he can make and the more dangerous he becomes."
"I'm just surprised you managed to beat him." Axel said, leaning back in his seat. "From what I am hearing, this Vanitas should be more powerful than that."
"Do not underestimate Vanitas Axel." Master Yen Sid replied. "Vanitas is the darkest thoughts and feelings of the heart, so if he is in a world filled with darkness, he will be a formidable foe. Spyro, it is imperative you protect Equestria as it is the closest to Kingdom Hearts. If his mission was to destroy those who can use the Elements of Harmony, their protection is your highest priority."
"That won't be an issue Master Yen Sid." Spyro replied. "Princess Celestia made me their herd leader and put the users of the Elements of Harmony in my herd. Protecting them will not be an issue."
"Dang Spyro, you're getting all the ladies." Sora said, teasing him. "Didn't think you'd ever find the guts to have a girlfriend, let alone six."
"Make that eight." Spyro replied, shocking him. "But at least I ain't afraid to express my feelings unlike a certain someone I know." Everyone in the chat started to laugh at the embarrassed look on Sora's face, even Donald and Goofy, who were with Sora at the time, were laughing at his embarrassment, but Spyro then looked at Yen Sid and smiled. "Sir, can I speak with you in private? I need to ask you something."
"Of course Spyro." Master Yen Sid replied. "Everyone, you are dismissed." Their screens went dark, leaving Spyro and Master Yen Sid alone on the screens to talk. "What do you wish to ask me Spyro?"
"Sir, Vanitas's appearance and the arrival of the Unversed isn't the only thing I'm concerned about." Spyro said, getting his attention. "While in Appaloosa, something else happened. The Spirits from the land of bears were also here in Equestria."
"Is that so?" He asked. "What makes you think it's the spirits from the Land of Bears?"
"The song, I recognized it." Spyro replied. "And the magic coming from them, I could also sense that it was familiar. Do the spirits of other worlds travel between them?"
Master Yen Sid stroked his beard, trying to think up the correct answer, but his knowledge of worlds beyond death and the way they travel between them was beyond his understanding. Taking in the deep breath, he looked at Spyro and waved his hand, a new book appearing on his bed.
"I may not know much about spirits and death, but I know that anything is possible." Master Yen Sid replied. "Spirits might possibly be able to traverse between worlds on their own accord, so it is likely they can travel between worlds if they deem it necessary."
"Well that's a relief." Spyro replied. "For a second, I thought I brought something critical from one world to this one by accident. Anyway, what's this book you sent me?"
"It is a list of all the Unversed known to us." Master Yen Sid said. "Study it well as it will be of great use to you now the Unversed are involved."
"Great, just what I needed." Spyro said, looking at the book. "First the Heartless, then the Nobodies, then May, and now Unversed! I really need a vacation."
"You'll get one soon, don't worry." Master Yen Sid said. "For now, begin your studies. And protect the users of the Elements of Harmony. Should they fall, that world is doomed."
The screen went dark, leaving Spyro alone in the room with the book Master Yen Sid left him and his thought, closing the tablet and putting it back into the drawer, about to open the book to start studying, but looked at the time and was going to be late for the Princess's Brunch at Sugarcube Corner. He leapt out of the bed and to the closet, putting on his royal attire and his crown before running out the house and flying into town, going as fast as he could until he reached the bakery, finding two royal guards standing outside just as Rainbow Dash came outside, trying to talk to the guards as he landed.
"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing out here?" Spyro asked, the cyan mare looking back.
"Oh, hey Spyro." She replied. "Just asking what it takes to one of the princesses royal guards."
"And you aren't having any luck?" Spyro asked.
"Not a bit of luck." She replied. "These guys are like statues, not a reaction or an answer."
She then turned to the guard on his left, starring him in the eye before doing a few funny faces, hoping to make them laugh, but the guards didn't even flinch, but Spyro couldn't help but chuckle a bit, not expecting the cyan mare to actually pull off some funny faces.
"Wow, they're good." Rainbow Dash said. "That usually works on Pinkie Pie."
"That's because she finds just about anything funny." Spyro replied, walking past the guards as Rainbow Dash followed. "Besides, you and Pinkie ain't the only funny ponies in town."
"You do have your moments." Rainbow Dash replied, walking to get something to eat.
A second later, he heard someone gasp outside, walking to the door to find it was Fluttershy, who was being blocked by the guards as their wings prevented her from entering.
"Halt!" The first guard said.
"Who goes there?" The second one asked.
"Oh, um, no one." She replied. "Sorry for bothering you."
Spyro was going to go after her, but Twilight walked up behind him and saw Fluttershy leaving, approaching the door.
"It's alright sirs." She said. "She's on the list."
The guards relaxed their wings, allowing the shy mare to come into the bakery and to her friends.
"Thank's Twilight." Fluttershy said. "I was kind of worried I might miss it."
"No problem Fluttershy." Twilight replied. "I'm glad you two could make it."
"Hey, I wouldn't miss getting to speak with our mentor Twilight." Spyro said. "I have a feeling she and I have quite a bit to talk about."
"I'm sure you do." Twilight replied. "She's at the tables having some tea on the other side of the room."
Spyro nodded his head and turned to see a lot of ponies at the many different tables filled with sweets and beverages, but he saw the princess at the farthest table on the other side of the room, drinking some tea. As he approached, he could see that every time she drank her tea, one of the Cakes would refill the cup, surprising the princess, but drank the refilled cup. Twilight and Fluttershy walked up behind him, Fluttershy talking about how she needed to take care of one of her animals before coming and Twilight saying how her friends tender loving care of small creatures is what the princess will love about her before starting to double guess herself and make herself turn into a nervous wreck.
"Geez Twilight, and I thought I get nervous at Social gatherings." Fluttershy said.
"Sorry Fluttershy." Twilight said. "I just want the princess to approve of you guys as my friends."
"Twilight, she's met them before, remember?" Spyro pointed out.
"Yeah and she has read about them in my letters." Twilight replied, everyone continuing to the princess. "But this is the first time she ever got the chance to spend some time with them Spyro. I just want to help them make a good first impression."
"As long as they act like themselves and aren't nervous, I'm sure she'll approve of them." Spyro said, holding back and wrapping his wings around both Twilight and Fluttershy. "I know I do."
Twilight just rolled her eyes, smiling at Spyro and his flirting while Fluttershy just blushed, feeling safer with him and excited at the same time.
"Well, we have nothing to worry about then." Fluttershy said, looking to Twilight. "After all, it is just a casual get together."
"Don't touch me!" The group heard Rarity say, turning their heads to see her in her dress, trying to not get her dress ruined. "Careful, you're going to spill that on me!" Mrs. Cake then brought over a tray of cupcakes with apple slices topping it off. "Oh that looks delicious. What is it? Does it stain!? Keep it away from me!"
Rarity then backed away and curled herself into a ball, being overly cautious about not ruining her dress.
"Or not that casual." Fluttershy said.
"Oh don't worry about that." Spyro said, looking at Fluttershy. "It's just Rarity being Rarity. Just be yourself Fluttershy and don't be nervous. Remember those breathing exercises I taught you if you get nervous and you'll be fine."
The three of them continued towards the princess, walking and greeting eveyrone, but Spyro then saw Applejack sitting at one of the tables, looking at all the food in front of her and reaching for something to eat before changing her mind and reaching for something else, but then double guessed herself again and gave up, just sitting there and looking at the food.
"AJ what are you doing?" Spyro asked, leaving Twilight and Fluttershy alone for a second.
"Oh, howdy Spyro." She replied. "Ah'm just trying to figure out what to eat first and be formal about it. Ah can;t remember which is the salad and which is the appetizer."
"You're also stressing about this?" Spyro asked, the farm mare nodding her head. "AJ, I know you want to make a good first impression, but just be yourself."
"But this is Princess Celestia we're talking about here." Applejack said. "Ah don't want to make a bad impression by eating like some ill mannered farm pony."
"You are a farm piny." Spyro pointed out.
"Not the point!" She exclaimed, looking very upset.
He just shook his head at the farm pony, being indecisive about what to eat first and to be well mannered, which she then pushed the food away and put her head on the table, giving up on trying to eat anything. He walked back to Fluttershy and Twilight, which Twilight looked a little nervous about everything and with how her friends were acting.
"Seems AJ has a case of indecisiveness." Spyro said. "And stressing herself out."
"It's ok Twilight." Fluttershy said. "So our friends ain't manners perfect. I'm sure the princess won't even notice."
A moment later, Pinkie Pie went bouncing around, giggling, laughing and snorting, talking about cakes, candy, and pie before hitting herself with one. She then found a chocolate fountain and stuck her head in it, getting chocolate all over her head and letting it solidify, which it started to crack and break apart, eating some of the chocolate. He shook his head and watched her rush around trying the different foods until she hopped onto the table the princess was sitting at, catching her for guard and about to eat her cupcake, but Pinkie was picked up by some unknown force and pulled to SPyro, being set down in front of him as he just smiled at her.
"Pinkie, calm down will ya?" Spyro asked. "You're more hyper than before. You didn't get into the coffee did you?"
"What's coffee?" She asked. "Anyway, I was just trying some of the tasty foods and delightful sweets around the place! I mean, it ain't everyday you get royalty come visit you everyday and eat your pastries before."
"Pinkie, I'm royalty, remember?" Spyro asked. "I come by sometimes and have some of this places sweets."
"Yeah, but the Princess of the Day has graced us with her presence!" Pinkie said excitedly. "I just want to make sure everything tastes super duper tasty good for her!"
"And I'm sure she'll like everything here." Spyro said. "But if you eat everything here like you did when she was supposed to first visit, she might not get to. Just tone it down a bit and let everyone have a chance to try everything here, ok?"
He then kissed her on the cheek, catching her completely off guard as she was frozen to the spot, eyes wide and full of surprise as he, Fluttershy, and Twilight walked past her, Pinkie's heart racing as he reached up to her left cheek, touching where he kissed her as a blush appeared on his face. When they were getting close tot he princess, the cakes had brought another tray of cupcakes and tea for the princess after Pinkie had accidentally knocked the first one off, which the two store owners saw him approach and bowed to him.
"Prince Spyro." Mr. Cake said. "What an honor."
"Mr. Cake, I told you, you don't need to bow to me." Spyro replied, watching him stand up. "Besides, this is just a casual brunch. No need for the formalities."
"Still, it's a great honor to have two royals in our store at once." He said, smiling nervously. "And, thanks for taking care of Pinkie Pie. She's just been eating everything she can get a hold of." He then looked up to the party pony, noticing she was looking back at Spyro with a surprised expression and with a blush on her face, completely silent. "I think this is the first time I've seen her this surprised and silent before."
"Maybe the prince had something to do with that." Mrs. Cake suggested, walking up to them. "After all, I saw him plant a peck on her cheek and she seemed more than surprised."
"He did?" Mr. Cake asked. "How did you know that would work?"
"I didn't." He replied. "But, I actually find her, and her chaotic personality, kind of cute."
Pinkie Pie had heard everything from where she was sitting, her mind racing after hearing him say he found her cute, a small X-ray revealing a coo-coo clock and the bird popping out, breaking on her as she smiled at the prince, literally falling to pieces and surprising everyone who saw her fall apart. Spyro approached the table and watched as the Cakes were refilling her tea cup every time she drank from it, looking at both the earth ponies and then pretended to take a sip of tea, letting the cup overflow and giggling.
"Gotcha." She said, the cakes smiling nervously and looked to them, Twilight hiding behind a table, nervous. "Spyro, it's good to see you again."
"It good to see you too princess." Spyro replied. "How's Luna doing? Haven't seen her around in a while."
"Oh, she's back at Canterlot, unfortunately." She replied. "She had a busy night last night dealing with some nightmares."
"Oh, too bad." He said. "I was looking forward to spend some time with her. Maybe I should visit her sometime and spend a little time with her."
"I think she might end up like your friend over there." She said, pointing to Pinkie Pie as she pulled herself together. "Going all to pieces." The two laughed a bit before she turned her attention to Fluttershy. "And what about you dear, Fluttershy is it?"
"Me?" She asked in surprise. "Oh, yes your highness."
"I understand from Twilight's letters you care for the needs of woodland creatures, correct?" Princess Celestia asked.
"Oh, yes your majesty." Fluttershy replied. "I love to take care of animals."
"I also care for creatures like you do Fluttershy." Princess Celestia said. "I care for all creatures, great and small. Well, except for the Heartless of course."
Everyone then laughed at the remark, having a good time and relaxing around the princess when both Spyro and Fluttershy heard something cough, looking around to see what was coughing when they saw feathers flying out of a cage near the princess. Fluttershy seemed to be concerned while Spyro was curious about what was in the cage coughing.
"Nothing means more to me than the well being of all my subjects." The princess continued, a sick looking bird flying up and onto a rest stand. "Ah, Philomena, my pet. You're awake. Say hello to our gracious hosts."
The bird coughed again, sounding like it was dying as more feathers popped off the poor thing, making both Spyro and Fluttershy worry for the poor things health.
"Oh, my..." Fluttershy said, not able to stand seeing the poor thing suffer like that.
"She is a sight to behold, isn't she?" The princess asked.
"She's something alright." Spyro replied.
"I-I-I've never seen anything quiet like her before." Fluttershy said
A moment later, one of the guards walked in and whispered something in the princesses ear, which she seemed surprised at first, but then smiled.
"I'm sorry everypony, but I need to cut this party short." Princess Celestia said, Twilight almost spitting out her tea. "The mayor has requested an audience with me. Though I would love to stay with you all, duty calls. I would like to thank you all for a wonderful time. It was a true joy to get to know you all."
She got up from the table and walked around it towards the front door, everyone bowing to her as she walked past, but accidentally left her pet behind. he wanted to call out to her and tell her she forgot Philomena, but she was already gone, but then thought to himself that she'll probably send someone to pick her up when she remembered. He then got up as well and was about to leave when he heard Applejack say something, looking over to see she was about to eat something, but Mr. Cake picked up the table cloth and moved along the edge of the table, scooping everything on it up to possibly sold later on. The orange farm pony was very unhappy and laid her head on the table, Spyro chuckling to himself as he walked over and kissed her on the head, making her smile as she looked up to him.
"Come on, I'll buy you some lunch." Spyro said.
"Thanks sugarcube." Applejack replied. "Ah'm starving."
The two of them walked side by side to the counter to get Applejack some food, which the Cakes were happy to give them the food they prepared for the party so it didn't go to waste. The two of them were walking to the door with baskets full of food, but stopped when Rarity shouted for everyone to stay where they were, backing up to the door as she didn't want anyone to ruin her dress, saying something about nobody moving and her dress wouldn't get hurt, which wasn't right at all, but just dropped it and waited for her to leave. As she finally left after slowly backing up, he and Applejack left Sugarcube corner and decided to go to the park, enjoy a nice picnic alone and away from anyone who might interrupt them. As they ate, they talked about the upcoming gala as it was only a month away and about what they could do at the gala together, which Spyro did plan on spending some time with each of them if he wasn't busy greeting some of the guests as he was pretty sure everyone there would probably want to speak with him.
The two of them stayed in the park for the day, enjoying the quiet time and hugging each other, Applejack earning some jealous looks from some of the passing ponies, thinking how lucky she was to be with a prince. The two of them then went walking in the park after finishing eating, walking along the trails and even running through a patch of flowers, laughing and enjoying themselves throughout the whole day. He then picked one of the blue flowers and put the beautiful flower behind her ear, which the two lost each other as they starred into their eyes before they shared a long and passionate kiss, the petals from some of the flower they ran through blowing in the wind around them as they flew into the air, setting a romantic scene and happy to not have to deal with any enemies or any kind of drama at the current moment and time, enjoying his free time with one of the mares he loves. A moment later, the two started to head back to town to see what they can do when two of the royal guards approached them, stern looks on their faces as they thought they did something.
"Excuse me your highness, but we have you seen the princesses pet?" The first guard asked.
"Not recently no." Spyro replied. "Last I saw of her pet, she was at Sugarcube Corner as Applejack and I were leaving. Why do you ask if I saw her pet?"
"We returned to pick her up, but she was missing from her cage." The second guard replied. "We are searching the town to find her and bring her back."
"Oh, well maybe I can help." Spyro suggested. "I've got experience tracking things down, maybe I can find Philomena for you guys."
"Thank you your majesty." The first guard said. "But we can find her. You two enjoy your day."
With that, the two guards left the couple alone in the middle of the road, walking around to find the sickly bird as Applejack and Spyro went further into town.
"I can't believe Philomena is missing." Spyro said. "Do you think someone took her?"
"I believe it's more than likely somepony took the little critter." Applejack said. "But if they're wanting to ransom her back to the princess, they might not have her fear long as the poor thing looked like it was about to die."
That's when it hit him, already knowing who would have taken the poor bird and would try and nurse it back to health.
"I think I have an idea who might take her AJ." Spyro said. "I'm going to go and check my theory. You enjoy yourself."
Spyro took off into the sky and flew in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage, his instincts telling him that Fluttershy might have taken the sick bird with her to try and nurse her back to health. As he reached the front door of the cottage, he was about to knock when he could sense a spike in anxiety and fear spike inside of the cottage, hearing a pony freaking out inside of the cottage and could recognize the voice inside as Twilight yelling inside, but he couldn't hear much, so he opened the door and saw Twilight and Fluttershy standing near a side table, both mares looking to the door and saw him, calming down.
"Oh Spyro, it's you." Twilight said. "For a second I thought you were someone else."
"I can see why." Spyro said, closing the door and seeing Philomena with taped up feathers all over her. "And it seems you're having trouble with the princesses pet. "Seems my instincts were right. Fluttershy, I admire your desire to help animals, but I think kidnapping the princesses pet was a good move."
"I'm sorry Spyro, but I just couldn't stand by and let her suffer." Fluttershy said. "I'm sure the princess is awe fully busy with her royal duties to properly care for her."
"Without telling anypony!?" Twilight shouted, scared and nervous. "Without asking permission!?"
"Twilight, calm down." Spyro said. "She probably has someone care for her when she's busy with something else. Right now, we need to get her back to the princess before anything else happens."
"But-" Fluttershy said, trying to defend herself.
"Listen, I know you have good intentions Fluttershy." Twilight said. "But right now we need to get her back before she realizes she's missing."
"Hate to say this Twilight, but she already knows." Spyro said, surprising her. "The princess has her guards looking for her."
"Oh no." Twilight replied. "Nononononononononononono!"
Spyro could tell she was going to have a mental break down and wanted to calm her down, but he then sensed that the princesses guards were approaching the cottage door, knowing Twilight was going to loose her mind if she sees them and Fluttershy was going to be in big trouble if the guards find her with Philomena. Before he could say anything, Twilight and Fluttershy were already working to get a basket and putting the sick bird into the basket to transport her without anyone noticing as they wanted to get her back to the princess without being in trouble.
"Ok, if we go to the princess and tell her this was a misunderstanding, we should be ok." Twilight said, rushing to the door. "Hopefully nothing bad will help them."
A moment later, she opened the door and her hair on her tail stood up on it's own, showing her shock and fear as she saw the two royal guards standing there, her heart rate spiking as adrenaline surged through her body as she started to panic. The guards came into the room and saw him, bowing to him and then stopped just short of Twilight.
"We were told twilight Sparkle is here." The first guard said. "And why are you here your majesty?"
"Same thing you are doing now." Spyro replied. "Letting Twilight, who is the pony right in front of you, know that the princesses pet is missing."
"That makes it easier for us." The second guard said, looking at the nervous mare.
A moment later, the sick bird coughed, which freaked out the lavender mare as she rushed next to Fluttershy, starting to cough to pretend she had something in her throat, which Spyro knew she was trying to throw them off that her friend has the princesses pet. As soon as she stopped, the sick bird coughed again, which she started to cough again and indicated for Fluttershy to start coughing as well, the two mares putting on a show for the guards, which made them look at each other trying to figure out what was going on while Spyro just face smacked himself at the poor acting they were doing, but that was just him and he knew all about acting.
"Must be that night dry air." Twilight suggested, sweating as she said it.
"Either that or you got a case of laryngitis." Spyro said, walking up. "Don't worry guys, we'll help find Princess Celestia's pet before she leaves."
"Thank you your highness." The first guard replied. "We shall keep you informed if we find her."
After a moment, the two royal guards walking out of the cottage, which Twilight quickly closed and started to breath quickly, clearly not having a good day as she looked out to make sure the guards were gone before turning back to her friends, clearly about to have a mental breakdown. Both he and Fluttershy looked at each other, both understanding how she feels and went to the door to leave so they are able to return her pet, but Twilight got in the way and stopped them.
"What are you two doing?" She asked in a panic.
"We're going to return Philomena." Fluttershy replied.
"We can't now!" She replied. "Do you have any idea what the princess will do if she finds out you're the one who took her pet!?"
"Do you?" Fluttershy asked.
"Well, no." Twilight replied. "But it can't anything good. She could throw you in a dungeon. Or banish you from Equestria. Or worse, she'll banish you and throw you into a dungeon in the place where you've been banished to!"
Spyro could tell Twilight was spouting the worst that the princess could possibly do, working herself into a frenzy like he went into when he was finding Scootaloo, starting to make Fluttershy think that too and make her worry as well.
"Do you really think she'll do that?" Fluttershy asked.
"I doubt it." Spyro replied, walking to them. "She doesn't seem the type to do that kind of thing."
"You don't know that." Twilight said.
"And neither do you." Spyro replied. "Last thing we need right now is to put crazy ideas into each other's minds."
"Ok, maybe you're right." Twilight said. "But do you guys really want to take that risk?"
"All that matters is that little Philomena gets better." Fluttershy said, the sick bird coughing.
"That's very noble of you Fluttershy." Twilight said. "I'll be sure to write to you when you're banished. Unless I'm banished too that doesn't have a post office! Then, maybe the two of you can write to me, deal?"
"Twilight, relax." Spyro said. "That is not going to happen to either of you. She doesn't seem like that kind of pony."
Twilight knew he was probably right, but still couldn't relax as ideas of what could possibly happen to her friends still flooded her mind, worrying about what could happen to her friend if the princess knew Fluttershy took her pet and what she was going to do, starting to have a panic attack as she started to breath heavily, starting to hyperventilate as panic clouded her mind. Spyro saw the panic and walked over, wrapping his wing around her and pulling her in, feeling her anxiety reach a boiling point, so he hugged and used the Force to calm her down, the mares breathing slowing down as her heart rate returned to normal, Twilight returning the hug and she smiled, happy to be with him.
"Better?" Spyro asked.
"Much better." She replied, breaking up the hug. "Now Fluttershy, you tried to give her some medicine?"
"Yes, I tried but she won't take it." Fluttershy replied.
"Then you need to make her take it!" Fluttershy said sternly. "You can't be a pushover. You need to show her who's the boss and step up! Make her straighten up and fly right!"
"But, she can't fly." Fluttershy replied.
"No excuses Fluttershy!" Twilight said, taking a pill from the nearby table.
While Twilight was busy doing everything she could to move Philomena's recovery along, Spyro was watching trying to pull out some of her feathers just after Twilight had gave him the pill, but then put a cone on the sick birds head to prevent her from pulling out anymore feathers than she already did or had already lost due to her coughing. Philomena tried to get the cone off of her head, rolling around as she didn't seem to like it one bit, but was probably for her own good, Twilight calling it tough love while Spyro thought it was something else, the bird seemingly suffering more than it already was, so he decided to reach out with the Force to calm her down, but was interrupted when Twilight put Philomena into a cage, putting a cover over the cage and agitating her.
"Twilight, I'm not so sure this is helping her recover." Spyro said. "This seems to only be agitating her."
"Spyro, we need to help her get better so we can get her back to the princess." Twilight said.
"But Twilight-" Spyro tried to say but was interrupted.
"No buts Spyro." Twilight said.
He could tell she was extremely worried for Fluttershy, but he knew the route she was going down in helping her was then wrong one, agitating the bird and causing her molt even more feathers. Wanting to get to the bottom of what was going on, he picked up one of the feathers and left the cottage, leaving Twilight and Fluttershy alone while he went back to his Gummi Garage to figure out what was going on and how he could help the bird. He started by pulling up the bestiary of all the animals in Equestria and put the feather into a scanner to figure out what kind of bird it was in the first place and to figure out what was wrong with it. When the analysis was complete, an image of what the bird really was popped up, along with all it's details and what was wrong with her, surprised by what he discovered and needed to tell the girls so they can return the Princesses pet and explain Fluttershy's actions, hoping to at least get her off the hook without any kind of punishment.
When he got back to the cottage, he caught sight of Fluttershy and Twilight running out of the cottage, panicked and fearful as if something horrible had happened. He looked in the direction they were running in and saw Philomena running away from them, understanding what had happened, he flew after them and followed the girls as they chased the sick bird, first running around a tree, which he stopped and hovered in the air, watching the girls continuously running around the tree while Philomena was in the top of the tree, how she got there he didn't know but watched as it just ran across the branch and to town. Twilight and Fluttershy stopped running around and were confused, loosing the bird and running in the opposite direction of where the bird went, so he flew down and landed in front of them, making them stop.
"Girls, you're going the wrong way." Spyro said. "Philomena went the other way."
"Thanks Spyro." Twilight replied.
She and Fluttershy ran after Philomena before he could tell them what he had learned, shaking his head as he ran after them. He followed the group into town to look for the ill avian, running through town until they had just reached the park and looked around, finding someone on the bench with a newspaper and went over to see if he or she could help. As they got over there, the one holding the newspaper was actually Philomena wearing a mustache, smiling that they had just caught up with her and was ready to grab her, but was stopped by Twilight and Fluttershy.
"Excuse me, have you seen a bird with tape and molting feathers run by?" Twilight asked.
The disguised Philomena shrugged her shoulders and pretended to go back to reading the newspaper, the two girls running away, which Spyro face smacked himself at how easily tricked the girls were and reached out with her Force, picking them up, which they yelped in surprise, and pulled them back to where he was standing and set them down gently, Twilight looking annoyed while Fluttershy was confused.
"Girls, doesn't this bird seem familiar to you?" Spyro asked, pulling down the newspaper.
"Nothing comes to mind." Twilight replied.
"I don't think so." Fluttershy answered.
"One second." Spyro said, pulling the mustache off and exposing Philomena. "How about now?"
"Oh, awkward." Twilight said, feeling stupid for falling for it.
"Honestly, I'd come up with a better disguise out of a ruined rag than this." Spyro said. "Better than-"
He then looked down and saw that Philomena had just escaped, pressing his hoof against his forehead at how he allowed the sick bird to escape while he was distracted. They then ran back into town, being careful not to be seen by the guards, as they chased the sick bird all over the place, through buildings, around the streets, even chasing her behind flagpoles, which Spyro ran through it, both he and Philomena running out of another one, confusing the girls as to how he did it, but ran after the two of them to see if they could catch up. They ran after the bird, following her down a street, but when they rounded a corner, they lost her, vanishing without a trace, so they ran down the direction of that corner and followed it to a fountain where their friends were, Fluttershy picking Pinkie up to look under her then Twilight picked up Rarity to look underneath her, who was disturbed and demanded to be put down and she did, Rarity looking at her friend in annoyance.
"What it tarnation is going on?" Applejack asked.
"Sorry girls." Fluttershy asked. "We need to find-"
"The princesses pet bird!" One of the royal guards shouted, pointing up to the fountain.
On top of the fountain, they saw Philomena, who had lost all her feathers, but one, which fell off and she started to act like she was dying, one time actually playing dead, until she fell off the fountain and started to drop to the ground, Fluttershy ran up to catch the bird and diving to catch her, but Philomena burst into flames, surprising everyone as she turned into ash right in front of them. When Fluttershy caught the ash, she looked like she was about to burst into tears, Spyro walking over to the crying mare as he wanted to comfort her, the Pegasus running to him and starting to cry in his chest, Spyro patting her head and wrapped his wings around her to calm her down.
"What is going on here?" Princess Celestia asked, approaching everyone as everyone bowed, but Spyro kept hugging her until she got up. "Twilight, what is going on?"
"Well princess, there's been a... terrible accident." Twilight replied.
"It's my fault." Fluttershy said, scaring Twilight.
"No princess, Fluttershy didn't know any better." Twilight said, trying to protect her. "It's my fault."
"But I'm the one who took her." Fluttershy said.
"You were only trying to help." Twilight pointed out.
"Some help I was." Fluttershy said.
"Girls, please, no need to say another word." Spyro said, turning to the princess. "Fluttershy wanted to help Philomena to recover without knowing what she really was."
Twilight was confused by what Spyro said, wanting to ask what he meant, but Fluttershy walked up to Princess Celestia, leaving him and Twilight with their friends.
"Thanks for trying to protect me guys." Fluttershy said. "But Princess Celestia, it was e who took your pet bird. All I wanted to do was help her get better and then I'd bring her right back to you. Honest." Princess Celestia walked up to the pile of ash that Spyro was standing next to and lowered her head to the pile of ash as Fluttershy walked up. "So, if you want to banish me and lock me in a prison in the place where you banished me, then I deserve it."
The princess was sad about her pet, but Spyro just walked up to her and smiled, the princess looking up to see him and smiled back at him.
"Does she do this all the time?" Spyro asked, confusing everyone.
"Every single time." The Princess replied. "She's always so dramatic. Stop fooling around Philomena, you're scaring everypony."
A moment later, the ash started to swirl around, turning into a small torrent of ash and dust, making the girls gasp as it turning into a mini twister until a flash of light turned the ash into a majestic Phoenix, red and orange feathers, flying over head and shocking the girls, Fluttershy included.
"I... I don't understand." Fluttershy said, the phoenix landing on Princess Celestia's foreleg. "What is that thing? What happened to Philomena?"
"Wait, you really don't know?" Spyro asked, walking up. "This is Philomena. Is this your first time seeing a Phoenix?"
"A Phoenix!?" Fluttershy asked.
A Phoenix is a majestic and magical kind of bird." Princess Celestia answered. "While it appears healthy and happy most of the time, when it comes time for it to renew themselves, they shed all their feathers and burst into flames."
"And when they burst into flames, they shall rise back up from the ashes of the old." Spyro added. "Didn't recognize her as one at first until I analyzed one of her feathers."
"And a bit melodramatic if you ask me." Princess Celestia said, Philomena landing back on her foreleg. "And it seems she took the opportunity to have a little fun with you Fluttershy." She then lowered her leg as Philomena covered her face to hide herself, but fail. "Say you're sorry young lady."
Philomena turned and made a few squawking noises, which Spyro took as her apology.
"So, you're not going to banish me?" Fluttershy asked. "Or lock me in a dungeon? Or banish me, then lock me in the dungeon of the place you banished me to?"
"Of course not my little pony." Princess Celestia replied. "Whatever possessed you to think that?"
"I think it she has an overactive imagination." Spyro replied, looking over and smiling at Twilight.
"Fluttershy really did want to help with Philomena princess." Twilight said.
"And I appreciate that." Princess Celestia replied. "And admire how your heart is in the right place child. But all you needed to do is ask me and I would have told you Philomena was a Phoenix, saving you all this trouble."
"I know, I should have asked instead of jumping to conclusions." Fluttershy said. "Next time, I'll ask before taking matters into my own hooves."
A moment later, Philomena had put a feather behind Fluttershy's ear, a form of an apology form the mischievous Phoenix as she flew into the sky waiting for her master to take her home. A moment later, Spyro noticed Rainbow Dash smilie mischievously and flew up to the phoenix, whispering something in her ear, which he Phoenix flew down to her cage and perched herself on the top of it, using her wings to tickle the guards noses, which they did try and resist, but failed and broke character, laughing from the tickling, which everyone else started to laugh, everyone having a good time with he rest of their day after the princess had finished her royal business, spending the rest of the day with her two pupils and their friends as the sun went down. When the sun went down, Spyro and Applejack had returned to Sweet Apple Acres and got the fillies ready for bed, helping them to finish their homework and went to their rooms to sleep the night away, but for Spyro, he pulled out the tome Yen Sid sent him, opening it's pages to see what he could learn about his new enemy and how he can prepare himself for when they come.