Spike paced around his room that occupied Twilight's former home. Since his less than stellar predicament a week prior, he had spent most of his time staring out the large, artfully paned window that dominated the south-facing face of his wall. This view of course showed Ponyville.

While his eyes stared longingly at the tiny congregation of houses and shops in the sleepy village, his mind wandered the aisles of regret, remorse, and worry.  He still loved Twilight, he never wanted what had happened to her to happen. Once Spike had heard of his friend's punishment, his heart sank to a depth he had known only now. The dragon was also dealing with a taboo affection that still managed to maintain a fierce grip on his conscience: Applebloom.

He knew they day would never come that his dreams presented: He and the farm-filly, together. The festivities, the fanfare, the special of their wedding. Spike wasn't sure what made him think so much of a simple-minded filly, but he could care less at this point as he would likely never see her again.

Aside from the fact that he knew nothing of what had happened since “the incident”, and that he really knew nothing before it either. When he informed Celestia of Twilight's findings, he figured it was something the Princess would be interested in.  It was the distress signal, the fight, it all brought it crashing together and his life went with it.

He hated being in Canterlot. Other preferred circumstances, he would be here with his best-friend, mentor, mother: Twilight Sparkle. Though that was not the case and the Princess likely wouldn't let that happen. Spike worried about his friends. From the mane six, to the Crusaders, to everypony in Ponyville he had come to know.

The dragon managed to bring himself to turn away from the memory hole and make his way out into the main hall of the house. He had a meeting with Celstia today, something involving a trip to Ponyville. He made his way through the empty streets of Canterlot and inside the throne room of Princess Celestia.

“Oh Spike! Good, I was expecting you.” Celstia began warmly, “I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What might that be?” The dragon asked. Still tired and worn.

“The Ponyville library has been re-built and they need help re-organizing the books. Seeing as....Twilight is not available, we figured you would be the next best candidate.”

Spike was stunned. Twilight not available for a book signing?  “Where's Twilight? Sounds like her kind of thing.”

Celestia was hesitant as she knew this wasn't going to end well. “You see Spike....Twilight came into the possession of some very dangerous literature—if it got into the wrong hooves....it could spell doom for my kingdom. We sent an envoy to retrieve the books and when she refused....”

Celestia paused, which made the dragon snap.

“T—they killed her?! Why would they kill her over some stupi--”

“No Spike, she is likely alive and well.” Celestia hurried.

“Then what happened?! Where is she?” Spike was beyond concerned. “When I sent out that distress call, and sat in that hearing, I didn't want Twilight's whole life to be ruined! I did a bad thing and she was upset, the wounds healed!”

“Spike.” Celestia said calmly, “Twilight disobeyed a high-order and under Equestrian Law she commuted an act of treason. There is no need to go into detail, however we gave her and her accomplishes a light sentence: We banished them from Ponyville, however they are free to stay elsewhere. As I said to Twilight, she and her friends have done far too much good for this land to permit such cold punishment.”

“A-accomplishes? Who? Why would you banish her?” The dragon was misty-eyed and afraid. He did not want any of this, not at all.

“Spike!” Celestia was getting frustrated. “You have been asked to assist my subjects in Ponyville. Now make haste, we will discuss this another time.”

Spike deflated. He made his way out of the throne room and to his designated charriot.

“Where to sir?” One of the pulling stallions asked.

“Ponyville.” Spike dead-panned.

The chariot lifted into the sky and soared elegantly above the forest below. Spike looked over the side of the vehicle, as if he expected to see her. Nothing but evergreen trees, crystal-clear streams, and colorful wildlife, playing happily amongst one-another.

“I'm so, so sorry Twilight.” Spike said to himself softly as he curled into a ball and slept.

The sun was now starting its slow descent into the horizon. The crusaders had been asleep, practically on top of one-another for at least five hours. Rarity had finally composed herself and had managed to trot over to see them. On her way there she was met with fantastic news from one of the nurses who oversaw Scootaloo's initial operations: If Rarity saw fit, Scootaloo could leave this evening. Rarity was beyond excited but did remind herself to be calm so as not to scare the fillies as she did her last visit.

Her heart melted at the sight before her: the curtains were closed so the only light in the room was the overhead above the bed which gave off a brownish-gold glow. That glow fell upon a trioge of fillies. One in the middle, head back, mouth agape and drooling, with the other two slumped to either side with their heads resting on her shoulder. Sweetie Belle was facing stomach first and had her hooves lightly wrapped around Scootaloo's torso.

She really didn't want to ruin this, yet it would be better if they left now so they could eat and relax for the rest of the evening. They all deserved it.

Rarity made her way to Scootaloo and craned her head to hers and nuzzled her lightly. Scootaloo slowly opened her eyes and noticed she was unable to wipe her face. Courtesy of the fillies who had her hooves pinned. Her attempt to move them had woken up Applebloom, yet Sweetie Belle was still fast asleep. Snoring even.

“Scootaloo.” Rarity couldn't help but smile. “I just spoke with the nurse and, well, we can leave now.”

Scootaloo's eyes widened and Applebloom shot up from her lazy slump.

“REALLY?!” Scootaloo practically yelled. Jarring Sweetie Belle from her sleep.

“Yes darling now be--”  Rarity was going to remind the girls to keep their voices down. Too little, too late.

“YAAAAYYYY!” A ear-shattering cry came from the three fillies who scampered off the bed and down the hall. Dodging medical equipment, staff, and even a patient on crutches. With Rarity briskly apologizing to each one as she passed them while trying to keep pace with the girls.

Scootaloo went head-first and slammed the doors open,

“YAAHOOOOO!” The filly howled, as she took a whiff of fresh air.

Not only could the commotion of the fillies be heard to all the displeased patrons below, it also could be heard well into the sky, Attracting the attention of a now half-asleep Spike.

He recognized that voice: That raspy, tom-colt. That was Scootaloo. Spike examined the spectale down below and could make out another features as well. A white unicorn with a purple mane. Rarity.

This could only mean one thing: Twilight was down there.

Spike wasn't sure what to do. A million causes and effects were balanced, assesed, and measured a million miles per hour. He kept glancing over the chariot to make sure his eyes and ears wern't deceiving him. Then he smelled it. Rarity's rather potent perfume.

It was all but confirmed at this point.

“Hey uh...excuse me?” He asked the stallions pulling the charriot.

“Yes sir!” They hastily replied.

“Whyyy don't we take a short rest....wherever we are.”

“Ponyville is only two hours away now sir. We are more than capable of getting you there on time.” They began to speed up. Causing Spike to panic.

“N-No! I am really, really tired and I think you guys could use some relaxing yourseves huh?” He attempted to work the stallions to his will.

“Negative. Princess Celestia needs us to return and transport another diplomat this evening!”

“Well....uh...” Dodge City was slowly leaving his view.  “I can walk the rest of the way. I would really like to stop here.”

The stallions hesitated. “That is not what the princess asked...”

“But the 150 bits I have here are on my side.”

The stallions looked at one another. A little white lie never hurt anypony. They would rest as well, only enough to fake the trip's duration, and then make it back in brighter spirits. (And far better pay.)

“Whatever you wish Spike.” The stallions agreed.

“Now we're talkin'” Spike grinned.

The drivers landed in a clearing just outside of town so as not to stir interest and risk Celestia finding out about this little deal.

They made there separate routes and Spike headed cautiously into town. He wasn't sure about how this meeting was going to go. He just wanted to find Twilight, but figured he'd have to confront somepony. As soon as he came close to where he saw the crusaders, he hid behind the wall of a neaby building and peeked around the corner. He could hear Rarity say something about waiting and servations. The unicorn then entered a nearby restaurant while the fillies waited. Bouncing in anticipation.

Spike figured Twilight was in there. The fillies were distracted so he might as well make a run for the door before they spotted him.

He sent himself with all the speed he could muster across the wide street, he did not look to the side while doing so. If he did, he would have likely been able to doge a certain orange pegasus that tackled him to the ground.

“What they buck are YOU doing here?” Scootaloo growled as she pinned the dragon down.

“Ow! Scootaloo! I'm just here to see Twi--”  Scootaloo smacked him in the face. “Hey! What's that for?”

“That's for what you did to Applebloom you sick freak!” Sweetie Belle was now standing overt him as well. Screaming in his face. Applebloom stayed behind, watching from a distance. Unsure of what to think.

“I was intoxicated! I couldn't think straight! I never meant to--” Spike plead, but the pegasus wasn't hearing it.

“Shut the buck up you monster!” The orange filly roared as she sent a relentless torent of hooves, right and left at corresponding sides of the dragons' face. The filly's powerful back hooves kep Spike pinned with no way of freeing himself. Sweetie Belle was slightly disheartened by her friends' agression yet instead of suggesting she stop, Sweetie busied herself with a fanciful store display.

Spike was bleeding pretty bad now. Scootaloo had proceeded to pinning the dragon to the wall of a building with her hoof planted firmly on her throat.

“You think you were going to get her again you pig?” The pegasus fumed, she was practically foaming at the mouth.

“N-No! I swear! I wasn't!  Please just let me go!”

Applebloom sat and watched this play out as the memories of what happened passed through her mind. Compared to what had taken place with her sister and brother, Spike's menevelance was petty. Though she wasn't privvy on being his friend anytime soon, she was rather disgusted by Scootaloo's aggression.

“Scootaloo, that's enough!” Applebloom barked.

Sweetie Belle had turned to see what was happening.

“Scootaloo!” Applebloom hollered but didn't move. No use.

“Please, just let me go! I-I'm not here to hurt her I promise!” Spike continued to beg as he was again on the ground at the mercy of a rather angry pegasus.

Scootaloo was essentially in a state of rage. It wasn't simply Spike's attempt to allegedly assault her friend, pent up anger from a many instances before was contributing to this wild behavior. She couldn't stop, she wouldn't, she would make him pay. If Rainbow Dash couldn't be punished, if all the fillies who had teased and bullied her couldn't be punished, then he would pay if forward.

Sweetie Belle saw the look of desperation on Applebloom's face.  

“Scootaloo, Enough!” Sweetie Belle barked. She stormed over to where Scootaloo was.

“Scootaloo! I said stop!” Sweetie Belle ordered. A firm look on her face.

The pegasus let up her attack and sat idle.

“Get off of him....Now.” Sweetie Belle growled.

Scootaloo slowly got off of the injured dragon.  Sweetie gestured a hoof to a bench nearby and Scootaloo reluctantly went and sat on it.

Spike slowly got up on his two legs. The filly's sporadic nature gave him the fortune of the misses outnumbering the strikes. However, the hooves that did hit, they hit very hard.

Spike turned around to face Sweetie Belle and was surprised to see Applebloom walking over to them. She sat a good few feet away and stared blankly at him Her face unable to be read.

Sweetie looked over the injured dragon and shot a scowl at Scootaloo with every ghastly bruise she left behind.

“I--” Spike began tearfully.  “I'm so sorry Applebloom....I—didn't mean to do what I did. Thank Celestia you stopped me...I don't expect you to forgive me for any of it, as long as you know I would never in a million years hurt you...I was--”  The words stopped and he hung his head. The silence affirmed rejection in his mind. Instead, a yellow hoof lifted his chin to see an apathetic face.

“Ah accept your apology Spike.” Applebloom said, voice shaky. “What you did was wrong, very wrong but you wern't thinkin' straight, jus' like mah sister. But at least you care enough to know you did wrong and to apologize.” She let her hoof back down to the ground.  “Ah can't forgive ya, Ah'm still a bit scared but...Ah don't hate you.”

Spike was somewhat shocked, Sweetie was stunned, and Scootaloo was still pouting and could give two shits and a shake about what just happened.

It took some time for the dragon to place his wordfs and say them. “Thank you.” He began to head towards the restaurant doors when Twilight came out to see what the crusaders were up to. She galloped to spike and scooped him up in a tight hug.

“Spike! You came back! I--” Twilight backed off and looked at his pummled state. “What in Equestria happened to you?!”

Sweetie Belle cleared her throat and aimed a hoof in the direction of the pouting pegasus.

Twilight chose to let Rarity handle that as she was far too excited with Spike's return. Though her skeptical side was still in check.

“What made you come back? I thought you....hated me.” Twilight's ears dropped as she wondered if this was just some kind of smite-ladened joke.

“Twilight. I did a terrible thing, I deserved what happened. To be honest, I had no idea you guys were banished!”

“...and everything else?” Twilight added.

“What do you mean...'everything else'?” Spike was worried.

“Celestia retired my place as the 'Element Of Friendship', she also...stripped me of my magic.”

Spike was speechless. The idea that Twilight Sparkle, quite possibly the greatest unicorn in tecent history, attributed to an unthinkable amount of contributions to Equestria, who had done so much and had studied tirelessly....to just loose the very thing she cherished, was sickening.

“That....that....monster!” Spike was incapable of saying anything else, he was shaking with fury.

“Now Spike, It's past now. We have a job to do and we are going to do it. Let's go inside and just try to relax.” Twilight turned to Scootaloo. “And please...no fighting.” Next Chapter: Prepare to Qualify... Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 12 Minutes