Spike let out a sigh of defeat, but smiled.

"Alright, Pinkie," he said "It's best if the crew can have some fun rather than all work."

"Everyone!?" Pinkie asked, her eyes bulging and almost touching Spike's face.

"... I guess so." Pinkie jumped into the air and gave Spike one of her signature tight hugs that, though not like Applejack's, was still crushing.

"This is gonna be the BOMB!!!" Cheese Sandwich added.

"But what about the REALLY dangerous people?" Twilight asked.

"Seriously?" Rainbow Dash asked "You have a tone of soldiers here! If you need backup, I can get the Wonderbolts here ASAP."

"Or Ah can use this." Applejack asked, pulling out and cocking a shotgun. Everyone's eyes widened along with their pupils. "...What? Ah'm Prepared in case anything goes wrong."

"...Or Discord can solve our problems." Fluttershy said "He may enjoy pulling pranks on us, but he wouldn't hurt us."

"I guess that's true." Rarity spoke, though in a bit of a disgusted tone. Spike turned on his intercom.

"Spike to the Celestia," he began "Spitfire, are you there?"

"Right here, commander." The Angel replied.

"Give everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, the news."

"What is it?"

"It's party time."

It took a while for everyone on board the Celestia to come down to the city-growing colony, but as soon as Spike came out of the Castle's doors, nearly all of the colony was there, followed by everyone cheering, seeing Spike was still alive! Though a majority of the colony was excited to see him back, there were a few others that were skeptical about his return. This was quickly solved when Twilight regarded herself being vaporized & was in a heaven-like-area with Celestia before becoming into an immortal herself. Landing & exiting the shuttles, many of the crew exited, either rushing to their family &/or friends, or just experienced & stared at the castle. Spike watched his team members reacting to the even that was going to happen: Big Mac went to Applejack; Sweetie Belle ran to Rarity; the Doctor had conversations with the people around him; Sonata, Garble, Strongheart, and Diamond Tiara stood away from the crowd; Trixie showed off her less than graceful skills as a magician that impressed the kids; and Sunset Shimmer stood next to Twilight & her friends. It was then that the party planners had multiple speakers set up already and began to play some music, their first one from a group called "The Black Eye Peas". Many of the townsfolk began to dance at the music, some sexually while others not.

Might as well joint them. he thought to himself, but saw the four others not with the crowd. Or they need some talking to. He got up and walked towards the group, though he had to

Big Mac:

Big Mac gave his little sister a tight hug. Unfortunately, Appljeack was not in the mood for a hug and punched her brother across the face with a right hook. Big Mac felt the force, his jaw aching, but not broken.

"That's for a back stabbing son of a bitch!" She yelled

"A.J.," Big Mac said, his jaw hurting "I ain't a backstabber at all."

"Oh really!? Nearly three whole years, Ah've been alone! Granny Smith, Winona, Applebloom, and now, you! Ya'll, mah family, left me to do whatever you wanted to do, but never remember where your origins came from! Ah had to hire some of the folks here, which wouldn't be much of a problem, but it ain't the same with ya'll around!"

"...Sis, it ain't like that."

"Quit lying to me, brother! I know ya've been FIST-afied and don't give two shits for your family anymore!"

"But I do!" Applejack turned and crossed her arms, though taking another sip from her flask. Big Mac took in a deep sigh "Look, Ah know this is a lot to take in, but... Ah joined because we needed money, and farmwork can't pay for everything, especially with your... condition."

"Mah Condition!?"

"You're an alcoholic, sis."

"Ah ain't no alcoholic! Ah'm a hard working human on this fair colony who has her own farm and is a certified cowgirl, something that's been nearly forgotten."

"And I know that, but ya'll should know that drinking that much means you've got a problem."

"Ah can solve my problems without ya'll! In fact, ya'll can do yer own things! Ah'm Happy where Ah'm at! In fact, I should lay off everyone at the barn, do everything mahself, prove that ah can handle anything and... and-" Applejack's face began to tear up, followed by her falling to her knees and crying hard. She began to slam the ground with her fists "Why'd...ya'll...take...Winnona... AWAY!!!" She took her flask out and began to drink from it, but stopped as soon as it was empty. She threw the flask across the floor, though not far enough, as she could use her feet to get it. Big Mac took a deep breath and sat next to his sister. Without a word, Mac hugged her sister, who was still crying.

"It's alright... let it all out."

"...Ah'm a fucking wreck, Big Mac."

"Ah'm sorry for not being there with you. That dog... he really was a great member to the family."

"Yeah... she was. Sorry for punching you across the face."

"It's alright, it was mah fault."

"It wasn't. Yer... going to fight Sombra?"

"Not alone, sis. Spike's leading us, remember?"

"Ah do, it's just... make it back, for me, please?"

"Ah can try, but there's no guarantee that Ah will make it." A.J. chuckled.

"Are ya'll kidding me? Yer mah big brother, and I know that a couple of bugs aren't going to stop you."

"It's not a couple, sis, but an army of an army's worth."

"Ah was just trying to help."

"Yeah... I know. Just... try to get better, sis."

"Ah can't guarantee that."

"Then if ah come back?"

"... we'll see."

"...it feels good being home."

"It's better when others are with you."

"Yeah. ...When this mission is done, I'm quitting FIST and coming straight back home!"

"That's good to hear, ah need help with the newest recruits."

"Who are they?" A.J. got up, placed her right thumb & index finger in her mouth, and whistled. Some moments passed and two puppies ran towards them! Both puppies looked like a smaller form of Winona, but one was pure white while the other was pure brown. They both got to Big Mac and started to lick his face, making the human chuckle.

"Meet the little surprises Winona left: The white one is Saint and the brown one is Willy." Big Mac patted both one their heads.

"...Saint Willy?"

"It's best thing I got, and it matches their personalities; Willy is more of the mischievous one with the most energy and Saint is the one who listens the most."

"And Winona left these two behind?"

"She hid them well from me, surprisingly. Heard both of 'em whimper for her the next day Winona passed away. They're both so young and... cute, really."

"Yeah... they're cute. Hopefully, they'll be as good as Winona."

"Ah got a feeling they're gonna be better." Big Mac looked back at the crowd, seeing everyone getting ready for the next song.

"Wanna dance?"

"...Eh, it's much better than drinking ma life away, right?"

"Eeyup."

"And that's the big brother Ah remember!" Big Mac got up and followed her sister to the dance floor. As if Pinkie & Cheese knew they'd join, the super catchy western song by Rednex played! Shrugging, both began to square dance with each and the crowd.

The Doctor.

As the song changed, the Doctor, trying to do his best western dance, he fell with someone else. Both of them opened their eyes and looked into each other's eyes. The Doc realized that he was on top of the other person: a female angel with long, blonde hair and orange eyes with both looking separate ways.

"Oh my word!" The Doc yelled, standing right up. "I am so sorry for that!" He extended his hand. The angel accepted it and stood right up.

"Oh no," she replied "I'm sorry for that." They both stared at each other for a bit. "You look awfully familiar." The Doctor began to sweat, seeing the angel.  

"Well... I get that a lot."

"Did we meet each other before?"

"Eh... maybe... but probably not."

"Well, my name's Derpy."

"D-Derpy?"

"That's my name! What's yours?"

"...The Doctor."

"Doctor? Doctor Who?"

"Nonono, it's just the Doctor."

"Just Doctor? Strange... though I guess every name is weird now, isn't it?"

"Yes... strange."

"Why are you looking at me funny?"

"Oh! Me!? Well... you're just... pretty." She blushed at his compliment

"You think I'm pretty?"

"Yes, and your eyes pop out like two oranges, both strange but beautiful in their own way."

"Oh! You...acknowledged my eyes... in a nice way."

"Of course I did! Why? There's nothing wrong with your eyes."

"But there is; my eyes drift away from each other, making it harder for me to see straight and, as you can guess, I'm not actually the most coordinated angel around, nor the brightest."

"Ah! But you're a mailman around here, delivering packages to everyone around here and across Equestria, am I right?"

"Well... yeah... I am, but-"

"But nothing! You really are talented, even if you don't think you are. Take a bit out of life as a banana bread muffin!"

"Wow! You have your way with words!" She froze. "Hold on... how'd you know I'm a mailman when I'm not in uniform?" the Doc froze and began to sweat.

"Uh... you... just struck me as a mailman, that's all."

"And how'd you know I love muffins?"

"You... I use muffins as an analogy, that's all. If you love muffins, then that was just a coincidence."

"Hm... why are you sweating so hard?"

"All the dancing and... well... seeing you."

"Me? Why am I making you so sweaty?"

"You see... I have a wife, and... she's a lot like you."

"Really? How?"

"She loved muffins a lot, and she was a mailman before she got a better job from Luna."

"Princess Luna gave her a job?"

"Indeed. It wasn't necessarily militaristic, she needed to fight sometimes, but her job was making sure people going in & out followed the rules and didn't try, say, world domination."

"There were people like that?"

"A bunch of them! But, I'm sorry for asking, but do you have a child?"

"...I don't. Do you?"

"I do. Her name is Amethyst Star, but we both knew her as our Dinky Doo."

"Dinky Doo? That sounds so adorable!"

"It was, and most would say she's really my child more than hers."

"You share many things in common?"

"More like a LOT of things."

"Where is your wife? She sounds fun!"

"...She's dying."

"What!?"

"Yes... shes going to pass soon enough, and, as much as I want to, there's nothing I can do to save her."

"But... what are you going to do?"

"What I'm here for; I'm with Commander Spike, and we're going to stop Sombra." She gasped

"You're going to stop him!?"

"Us and a really good crew."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"It will be, and if I don't make it, at least I know I'll meet her again."

"But, what about your daughter?"

"...She's a young adult, and she already knows what may happen to me."

"So you're just going to give up your life right now and die!?"

"Something wrong with that?"

"Plenty! I don't know your wife, but from what you've told me, I'm certain that she'd tell you to live and care for your daughter! Live, fight, and survive for not just your sake, but for hers, for her adventure ended, but yours is still going on!" The Doctor smiled.

"That's exactly what she'd say." They stared into each other's eyes.

"What is her name?"

"...Her name is Ditzy."

"Strange... my parents wanted me to be named Ditzy."

"Ditzy, Derpy, does it really make a difference?"

"...I guess not." At that moment, the music changed to a more relaxed, love song from Redbone.

"...Wanna dance?"

"With you? Uh... sure." The two walked into the crowd and slowly danced to the music. "Is it strange that I've got a feeling that, if you come back, we're going to be married?"

"...Not really."

Sweetie Belle:

Sweetie Belle and her big sister, Rarity, watched from the distance, seeing the crowd of people dance.

"Is that man with Derpy a part of your crew?" Rarity asked

"It's not my crew," Sweetie replied "but yeah, he's with us."

"They look so adorable together."

"Yeah, they look like a agó̱nas gínetai ston ouranó."

"Oh! You've been studying the mage language, Mikrí̱ aderfí̱?"

"I have, Megáli̱ aderfí̱."

"Very good, Sweetie Belle. It's getting very rare to see someone learn our planet's old language, but we have it down, right?"

"Kanoume."

"...where are your friends, by the way?"

"Applebloom and Scootaloo? I thought Applebloom was here."

"She isn't, Sweetie, and neither is Scootaloo."

"Oh... maybe FIST needs them for something."

"I just hope that they're not hurt. FIST... af̱tá ta kathármata."

"Hey!"

"Sorry, but it's the truth. They'll kill their own ypallí̱lous just to get a pay raise or for their 'anakalýpseis'."

"Yeah... your right. I just hope that, when Sombra is finished, I can find a better ergasía than this."

"Hm... I think I can get Twilight to help you out on that."

"Really?"

"But of course! I heard that Celestia needs some new, young and smart mages to help maintain Canterlot's temperature in check. I'm pretty sure that with the help of Twilight & I, with your added níki̱ in defeating Sombra, you're bound to get it!"

"You really think so?"

"Xéro̱ óti étsi." Sweetie Belle hugged Rarity

"S 'agapó̱, adelfí̱."

"And S 'agapó̱ pára polý, adelfí̱."

"I just hope I survive this apostolí̱ af̱toktonías."

"Ti!?" At that moment, an unfitting song from Ke$ha played over their conversation.

Sunset Shimmer and Trixie:

Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer stood together, seeing Rarity's left eye twitch as the music played.

"Looks like Sweetie Belle told her about your suicide mission." Twilight commented.

"I'm just impressed on how that radio finds the right songs for these things." Sunset added.

"I think it's really Pinkie... or Discord... or it's a series of coincidences."

"Doubt it's a coincidence."

"Yeah. It's nice seeing you again, Sunset. How long has it been?"

"About a few months."

"And you've been attacking gangs?"

"Sorta; I try to take out their leaders first, but things got complimented."

"And Spike saved you from the trouble?"

"I'm glad he came along and not any more mercs." Both chuckled at the joke. Trixie appeared next to them.

"Hello, Twilight Sparkle." Trixie greeted herself.

"Hello... Trixie." Twilight replied, though sounding a bit confused.

"Do you not remember me at all!?"

"It's been a couple of years since we've seen each other. Plus, I remember you distinctively wearing your hat and cape. Where are those accessories?"

"Uh... they're... they're back in my home."

"You don't have a home." Sunset commented.

"What did you say!?"

"You don't have a home; you're not technically homeless, you just wander wherever you need to go and steal from others."

"Steal?" Twilight asked

"Stealing is a harsh word," Trixie commented "I prefer... scavenging."

"From other's pockets?" Sunset asked

"...Shut up."

"You're a kléfti̱s?" Twilight asked

"I am not a Cleft person! Do I look like I have a cleft?" Sunset chuckled. "What's so funny!?"

"She didn't ask if you have a cleft," Sunset replied "kléfti̱s means 'Thief' in our language."

"What the-!? I am not a thief at all! I do not steal from people! Only from the rich."

"Like the vasílissa and prinkípisses?" Twilight asked

"Uh... no! Not from people in Vermont or pringles." Both Twilight and Sunset began to giggle at Trixie's remark. "What!?"

"You seriously don't know anything about our language!?" Twilight asked

"Of course I do!"

"Oh really?" Sunset asked with a smirk "Then, Trixie, just say this in our language: Hi there."

"Uh...  pordés Skýlos." Both Sunset and Twilight began to roll into laughter at her answer. "What!?"

"You said 'Dog Farts'!" Twilight replied, tears coming down her eyes. "That, coming from someone who says they're 'the great and powerful Trixie', this is too funny!!!"

"Well... Spike doesn't know anything!"

"He does, actually. I've taught him a couple of things when he was young." Trixie's eye twitched as she gritted her teeth.

"You're lucky I'm apologetic after that incident."

"Incident?" Sunset asked

"It's a long tale," Twilight replied "but let's say that Trixie was my first person to help reform before Discord and you."

"Yes!" Trixie replied "And I would've taken over the galaxy were it not for her tricking the trickster!"

"What happened?" Sunset asked, interested on what they have to say.

"Treláthi̱ke me ti̱n exousía." Twilight simply replied.

"Ah, like me?"

"...almost." Twilight extended her wings and made both Sunset and Trixie closer to her, until they were in a group hug "Please, make sure Spike is safe."

"We will, Ypóschomai."

"Yeah," Trixie replied, though rolling her eyes "Ebola's may... and you tried to take over the word, Sunset?"

"I tried to."

"How'd you do it?"

"I stole Twilight's crown and used it on myself in a virtual reality where I'd use Equestria's technology against itself."

"...I have to hear this."

"You can discuss it," Twilight said. "I want to see how Spike's doing." She opened her wing and flew over the crowd, looking out for Spike. The music changed to a Neru song

Everyone else:

Spike made his way through the crowd of people and made it where Diamond Tiara, Sonata, Strongheart, and Garble stood.

"Hello, Commander." Diamond said, crossing her arms.

"What are you four doing here?" Spike asked "This is a party, you should be having fun!"

"We are on a serious mission, people are being kidnapped, Sombra is still out there with his army of Doppelgangers, doing whatever they want on them, and we are here, PARTYING!?!?!?"

"Diamond, I know it sounds bad, but if we're going to die, we should at least have some fun, right?"

"We can have all the fun we have AFTER Sombra is finished off!" She stomped out and into the crowd.

"Damn, what's gotten into her?"

"I have no idea." Sonata replied

"Well why aren't you having fun?"

"The soldiers give me the evil eye."

"They aren't."

"Then Twilight doesn't trust me."

"Sunset Shimmer and I have our eyes on you, and Twilight doesn't really mind you."

"Well... the... I got shot."

"If you're talking about redheart, that was medicine."

"...Fine... there's no tacos around here." One of Spike's eyebrows raised

"There's a table serving tacos across the field."

"...Across the field!?"

"Uh-huh."

"TACOS!!!" She ran ahead, disappearing into the crowd.

"Garble?"

"I'm getting paid to shoot those bugs and take down Sombra with you. I am not dancing!"

"...Did Mr. Rich pay you to follow me?"

"Yes."

"And you have to listen to everything I say?"

"He said that."

"And you mustn't question my orders?"

"What are you getting at?"

"I order to have fun and party." Garble stared at Spike, grumbled to himself, and went into the crowd to dance.

"...I'm not a sociable person." Strongheart simply said.

"You don't need to talk while you dance."

"Fair enough." she walked out and began to dance as she headed into the crowd. He smiled as he turned, seeing many of the crew members dancing together. While it's true some of the main members he worked with, he saw the Flim-Flam brothers doing a synchronized robot dance, Mr. & Mrs. Cake chatting with each other on what's been happening, and both Spitfire & Rainbow Dash discussing with each other about the wonderbolts & how life's been for both.

"There you are!" Twilight's voice yelled. Spike turned around and looked up, seeing Twilight descending much more graceful than when she became an immortal. "I've been looking everywhere for you! What are you doing!?"

"Sorry, Twi." Spike apologized "I just saw some of my crew not joining on the fun."

"Ah! Want everyone to have fun before you go head-to-head against Sombra?"

"Not just that, but as a way to thank them for being with me. I know have two more to pick up, but I'll find a way to thank both if they stick with me for a while."

"A second party request for Pinkie?"

"...Maybe."

"I... I just want to say that... with what you're doing... this group of yours-"

"Please, don't say anything."

"I'm just concerned about you, Spike. I know I don't trust FIST, but do you?"

"I don't trust them, I only trust the people I'm with now. Big Mac is my best friend & a brother I wish I had; Diamond Tiara may be the daughter of Mr. Filthy Rich, but her job is to keep me alive, even if it means taking hers away; Sunset may had a troubled past, but she's redeemed herself and is like family; The Doctor is weird, but he means no harm at all; Sonata is dangerous, but she has no real feud with us, after learning her sisters abandoned her; Strongeart is a behemoth, and her kind respects us Drakes more than any other species; Garble is only here for the money and he's only protecting me for that; Trixie may be a thief, but she's trying her best to move on and make her own life again. As for those not in battle: Redheart's a nurse and is going to keep us healthy; Mrs. Cake's the chef on our ship and will keep us full; the Flim-Flam brothers may be con artists, but they know how to keep the ship up & not kill us all."

"Oh... I... really didn't need to know that."

"Sorry, just keeping a mental list on them, though... it seems everyone has something on their minds that they want to share."

"Are you going to ask them now?"

"...Nah, back on the ship, I will."

"Alright. And what was the name of your ship, exactly?"

"The Celestia."

"The... Celestia?"

"Yes." She giggled at his response and he smiled with her. "I know, it's just their attempt to kiss Celestia's ass."

"I know one thing that Celestia would truly love."

"Hm... would it be a cake baking center?"

"With a tea dispenser inside." They both chuckled at their joke.

"I wonder what Celestia would say to that?"

"'Do you have that inside?'." They both laughed together. "Oh... I hope Celestia doesn't get angry with that!"

"I'm sure Luna and Cadence do the same thing as well."

"Hm... maybe. But Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"If you do this, stopping Sombra, and you come back alive, what will you do?"

"...I have no idea."

"Well... I'm going to keep an open spot for you."

"An open spot?"

"With what you're doing, and the others won't probably do it, but when you come back, the thing you've wanted to do, I should be able to do it."

"...I'll be you captain of the royal guard!?"

"Yep! With your devotion to this mission, and your really welcoming surprise, it's fitting that I repay you for your service by leading all of my guards." Spike smiled.

"Thank you, sister."

"But there's one thing you have to do first."

"Yes?" She grabbed onto his left arm.

"Dance with me!"

"What!?"

"Come on! Dance with me! This may be the last time we have a moment like this!" Twilight ran ahead, dragging Spike with her as they got into the dance floor. The crowd parted as they saw Twilight & Spike running into the dance floor, leaving both in the middle with everyone staring at them

"Twi... you know you can't dance, and I haven't danced in a long time."

"Oh Spike, I took some dance lessons from Pinkie & the others, and I'm sure you haven't forgotten how to dance after those years." Spike took a deep sigh.

"Alright... only for you, Twilight." The song 'Dreams of our Generation' played. Without any much explanation, nor any reasoning, both Twilight and Spike were in synch with each other and did the same dance at the same time, making everyone cheer and gasp at how they were like. Some of the people, including the crew of the Celestia, recorded them dancing as everyone stared with their mouths open, none ever seeing their Princess or famous Hero-Commander dance, let alone, with each other with such finesse.

It was late at night, and everyone had to go back. Spike and everyone with him said their last goodbyes to their friends & family, as this may be the last time they saw each other. On their shuttle, Spike saw everyone watching the footage recorded of him and Twilight dancing together.

"How'd you dance like that?" One of them asked.

"I was young and I had a lot of free time when I wasn't cleaning." Spike answered.

"You never told us you could dance like that."

"I also never told any of you that I took down a whole club filled with Doppelgangers, now did I?" They looked and whispered to each other, but stayed silent.

In a few moments, everyone was back onto the Celestia, and everyone went back to their work areas. The Celestia soon moved away, and Spike, standing next to Spitfire, watched as his home shrunk until it was nothing.

"That was some party." Spitfire commented.

"Yeah... it was." Spike replied "What were you and Dash talking about?"

"I was checking to see how the Wonderbolts were doing after I left. Turns out, Dash's energy went into the team, and new recruits are exceeding. Who knew she'd make a great leader."

"Still wish you were with the Wonderbolts?"

"...Nah. You wouldn't believe how raspy my voice gets at the end of those days from all that yelling. I'm sure Dash is going to make the best out of everything now."

"I hope so." The hologram of WOONA appeared.

"Welcome back, Commander. Mr. Rich would like to see you in the briefing room."

"Already? But we didn't get the last two."

"It's urgent.."

"I'll be patching it through." Spitfire said, pressing onto the controls. Spike nodded and wane into the briefing room, everything turning into the black area with Mr. Rich standing and smoking.

"Mr. Rich?" He asked.

"Spike," he replied "we caught a break; I intercepted a distress cal from an Angel patrol. They stumbled onto a Doppelganger ship a few light years from Canterlot. The Angels were wiped out, but not before the crippled the Doppelganger vessel. I need you to board that ship and get some hard data on the Doppelgangers; that should find us a way to get their homeworld and back."

"It's kinda hard to imagine an Angel patrol could take out a Doppelganger ship."

"The reports indicate the hull's intact, but all systems are offline. They could be making repairs as we speak. I'm not saying it won't be dangerous, but we can't let an opportunity like this slip by."

"Well if the Angels have a patrol out there, why aren't they sending a recon team in?"

"They will, eventually, but I intercepted the transmissions. In the meantime, we're feeding them false reports. I can hold them off while you go in & out before they learn the truth."

"Are you sure this information is good?"

"Information is my weapon, Spike. It's excellent!"

"Alright, send me the coordinates and I'll take care of it."

"Already sent. Once you're aboard, establish an uplink with WOONA; She'll mine their data regarding the changes on Apis and Sombra's influence on them. Good luck, Spike." Spike nodded as the hologram went away & the light came back up.

"Coordinates are punched in," Spitfire spoke through the intercoms "Let's go find us a Doppelganger ship."  

Who will go into the Doppelganger Ship with Spike? (Pick 2)

-Big Macintosh

-Diamond Tiara

-The Doctor

-Sunset Shimmer

-Sonata Dusk

-Strongheart

-Garble

-Trixie

-Sweetie Belle