The morning was no better I had to get a citizenship and the only two places I know that offers a citizenship test is the mayor’s office and the library. I needed to study, so I killed two birds with one stone. The key to doing that, small birds big rock. I grabbed my jacket, t-shirt that said, ‘I will not keep calm and you can go fuck yourself’ and a pair of jeans. I put on my boots and headed into town.

I stopped taking my truck into town the ponies wind up poking it with sticks trying to see what would happen. It’s ruining the paint job and I only use it because it’s convenient, walking is much better it’s exercise. Ironically Mac had actually asked if he could take it off my hands, I told him that I’d think about it. I’d have to show him how to operate it, but he’s a dependable guy I trust him like I’d trust my own brother if I had one. It’d really help overhaul with his family’s farm, still I don’t know.

I got to my destination within the span of a few minutes. I found the treebrary and knocked on the door.

“It’s open!” I heard Spike say and I walked in.

“Hey Spike.” I said as I went into the library. “Do you know where Twilight is?”

“She’s out at the farm, it’s applebuck season and Applejack asked the girls to help. Why?”

“You know my problem of needing a job right?”

“Yeah.”

“I can’t get that job unless I’m a citizen of Equestria.” I told him.

“So you need to study to take the citizenship test?” He asked.

“Bingo, I was hoping Twi would help me out but I won’t drag her away from helping, could you help me?” I asked.

“Really you want my help?” Spike asked kind of shocked that I would suggest such a thing.

“Yeah, it’ll be great. We’ll get some time to get to know each other a little bit more.” I smiled.

“Nopony usually wants my help. I just stay behind and do chores, on occasion I’ll go out with Sweetie Belle.” Spike said fidgeting.

“That’s a bit unfair. Do you ever say anything to Twi’ about it?”

“I tried but then she usually goes on another adventure, without me.” He sighed sounding a little depressed at the end.

I’ve seen this before, within myself. I was depressed when my parents died and I just recently ran away from my foster home, luckily my parents were looking out for me up there and some people came across me sleeping next to a trash can. It was an young couple probably early 30’s or 40’s. They took me into their home the Demetri’s, they had never been able to have children. I was their saving grace. Martin Demetri was a former boxer and was coaching ameuter boxers in the profession. Angela Demetri was a kind caregiver and gave me new warm clothes. When the police came to return me to my foster home, they had gone to court and won custody over me.

Martin could see in my eyes that I was a fighter, I had that wild blazing fire within. I was a bundle of boundless energy. Instead of putting me on medication Martin turned me into a disciplined fighter. Now I could see the same thing in Spike, he has that fire in him both literally and figuratively. I see what he can accomplish and now it’s my turn to make him into the best fighter and man he can be.

“I feel your pain Spike.” I said. That got his attention. “I’ve been where you are, depressed thinking that it can’t get any worse or better than this.”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “Mickey you’ve got it all. Mares who love you, children on the way and great friends. How is it that you just seem so…….”

“Invincible?” I answered for him.

“Yeah.”

“Trust me kid, I’m far from that, I put up the mask to block myself from getting hurt. I only let it down for ones I love and respect. It’s my confidence but it takes years to build up. I was once like you Spike, but a person took me in and showed me the light. He told me that no one is going to stand up for yourself but you, no one is going to fight your battles but you. When you fight you fight to win, and the strength you fight with comes from within.” I pointed to my heart. “He told me that I have a fire that is a wild blaze it’s my fighting spirit. I can see the same thing in you Spike. I can see that fire, that willingness to fight for your friends but you need to harness it. I can show you how.” I held out my hand. “If you’re willing to learn, then I’m willing to teach.”

Spike went past my held out hand and wrapped his arms around me. “No one has ever told me that. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome son.” I said while rubbing his scaly head.

“What’d you call me?” He asked.

“I said you’re welcome son.” I repeated. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve never had a dad. Twilight is practically my mom, would you mind if I called you dad?”

“I’d love if you called me dad.” I hugged the drake and he hugged me tighter.

“I have a dad, I’ve got a dad.” Spike sobbed tears of joy. We stood there for a few minutes, just like that I went from a soon-to-be father to dad. “Wait if you marry Rarity then my girlfriend would be my aunt.”

“You wanna know what to say if someone gets lippy about that?”

“What?”

“Fuck off.” I grinned.

“Twilight doesn’t like it if I swear.” Spike said.

“Twi isn’t here, now is she?” I asked.

“No.”

“Then go nuts kid.” I smiled.

“Oh HELL YES!” Spike shouted and he unattached his body from mine. There’s only so much that guys can hug other guys before it gets weird.

“Before we get all power crazy let’s get those books so you can help your old man become a citizen.” I said.

“Sure thing….dad.” He said. “Follow me.”

I sat down at the table and Spike carried in some textbooks on history, culture, and other things. He got me a quill and parchment, and some ink. I started to take some notes, the hours went by. I learned how equestria was founded, how the princesses came into power, Discord’s reign, the banishment of Luna, also how the pony evolved as a species. The door opened and I heard Twilight call out. “Spike I’m home, I know how disappointed you were in not being able to come so Applejack made a apple and gemstone pie just for you.”

Spike ran out of the room and hugged Twilight. “Hey Twilight, I’m glad you’re back.”

“I never get this kind of reception unless something good happened. Did Sweetie Belle come over?”

I peeked into the room. “No, you have three guesses and the first two don’t count.”

“Mickey! What are you doing here?” Twi ran over and hugged me. Spike caught the apple and gemstone pie.

“I came to study for taking the citizenship test a couple of hours ago, but you weren’t here. Spike was, and since he knows the library like the back of his claw I figured that he could help me.”

“Oh Spike that was so responsible of you to help Mickey when I was gone. You can stay up later to read your comics for doing such a good job, okay?” Twilight said to Spike.

“REALLY! THANKS MOM!” Spike said out of excitement and hugged Twilight.

Twilight was taken aback about what Spike just said. “Spike did you just call me mom?”

Spike got really red in the face. “Y-Yes…….d-do you mind?”

“Oh Spike, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear those words.” She hugged Spike back.

“Wait if I’m your mother, then would that make your girlfriend your aunt?” She looked at me for an answer.

I just shrugged. “Fuck it.”

“Oh shut it you.” Twilight said and kissed me, after we broke apart she concluded another thing. “If I’m your mother, does that make Mickey your father?”

“I think he prefers to call me dad.” I answered for an already apple red Spike. We broke apart from the group hug, “So what’s for dinner?”

Twi just sighed. “Stallions.”

“You’ve gotta know by know babe, guys have three things on their mind: Beer, Babes, and Burgers.”

“I was going to make Spaghetti and Hay balls. I can change the recipe if you’d like.” Spike said.

“No go ahead kid, just don’t put any hay on mine ‘kay?”

“Yes sir.” Spike said and departed to the kitchen.

“What did you do to him Mickey? First he calls me mom, and you dad. Then he hugs me when I come in the door, and now he’s using manners? What happened while I was out?” She asked.

“I’m sorry Twi, but that stays between me and Spike.” I gave her a peck on the lips. “I’ve got some other news but that’ll have to wait until we get all the girls together.”

“Let’s worry about that later. We have supper first.” Twilight suggested.

I pat Twilight’s head. “Atta girl.” I head into the dining room to clear the table of my study materials.

“Wow you studied up a storm, you must be really serious about your citizenship test.” Twi said.

“It’s the only way I can get a job. I don’t want to be a deadbeat dad who relies on others to do his job for him.” I said. “It’s pretty personal to me.”

“I can see that, I’m glad we have a stallion like you, you don’t take shit from anypony and when the going gets tough you get going.”

“I’m just glad I have girls like you to keep me in line. I wish something exciting would happen every once in an while though.”

“I wish I had your life sometimes honey, our life can get really exciting being the elements of harmony.”

“Trust me you don’t want my life, especially my past.” I shuddered.

“Are you okay?” Twi asked.

“I’ll be fine, just some bad memories.” I replied.

Twilight hugged me, “We’ll always be with you, please don’t be afraid to tell us anything on your mind.”

“I’m not afraid, but I appreciate the sentiment. Thank you.” I hugged her back, kissing her forehead right below her horn.

“Foods ready!” Spike said from the kitchen.

I held out my arm. “Shall we dine my sweet?”

Twilight giggled and compiled. “Indeed we shall, my stallion.” She looped her arm in mine and we proceeded to enter the kitchen to help Spike serve the food.

I ate my spaghetti with some tomato sauce and had some great garlic bread. I smiled and helped wash the dishes afterwards, when we got done we sat in the living room and ate dessert, I couldn’t exactly eat the pie that AJ made for Spike due to the fact that I can’t eat gemstones. I settled for sharing a bowl of cookie dough ice cream with Twilight. I looked at Spike getting his second piece of pie. “Hey Spike wanna make that pie an a la mode?”

“What’s that?” Spike asked.

“Of all the things missing in this world I myself would think that at least Pinkie would have tried this.”

“Tried what?” Twi asked.

I took a scoop of ice cream and dropped it on Spike’s pie. “Try that, tell me what it’s like.” I sat back as Spike ate both the pie and the ice cream.

Then he fell over, still holding the plate upright. “It’s the most amazing combination in the world, there is nothing that could get any better than this moment.”

“How about ice cream cake?” I asked.

Spike sat back up creaking like an old rocking chair. “What did you say?”

“Ice cream cake, a cake made of ice cream. That still holds no comparison to Twinkies, I miss Twinkies.” I said as I hung my head. Suddenly there was an explosion of popcorn and noise makers from a party and there was a gift in the middle of the living room. I didn’t know what to make of it so Twilight got up and looked at the gift.

“It’s from Discord.”

“I thought he went on a vacation and wouldn’t be back until next week.” Spike said while he started sweep the popcorn, I decided to help him.

“There’s a note, to Mickey?” She said questioning the last part then opened it.

“Dear Twilight and present company,

How’ve you been? I’m doing well, playing pranks has never been so fun! Sun-butt and Moon-butt have been asking me to help with the negotiations over in other countries, that’s sooooooooo boooooooooring. I was having a little bit of harmless fun with the delegates when I felt a huge presence of dread come from equestria. I felt as if someone turn me inside out and backwards then took away all my chaos powers. Anyhoo I felt what you tiny little ponies call sympathy for the source. I could feel his heart cry, and decided to do something about it. Within the gift is a box of never ending Twinkies from Mickey’s world, I tried a few before sending them over and I must say that they are just as chaotic as I am. There’s also some Mountain Dew and Doritos, the boxes are blank, just ask for what flavor and they will fill with the desired snack food.

Ta-ta for now~

Much Chaos, Discord.”

I stared at the box, this was very generous of someone I’ve never even met. Still I’ve got Twinkies, Mountain Dew, and Doritos. I was a rabid dog and tore open the gift, one of few objects that I had missed from my homeworld is finally here. It’ll never run out! “WAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

“How can you be so excited about snack foods?” Twilight asked.

“You never know what you’ll have until you have lived without it.” I answered her. She raised a finger to reply then lowered it and then scratched her chin. I smirked and tossed her a Twinkie. “Try it, it’s delicious.”

“Does it have any meat in it?” Twilight asked. It was a legitimate concern when dealing with alien foods.

“No, you’re good.” I said, she opened the plastic packaging and hesitantly bit into the pastry. Her pupils dilated and she fell back.

“It’s so yummy.” She then devoured the rest of the Twinkie and asked for more.

“Don’t get too carried away, if you don’t watch yourself you could develop a little belly pudge.” I poked her in the stomach, I then handed her one more and closed the box. “That’s all you get for today. I don’t want to have to roll you out the door everyday.”

“Pffft.” Twilight blew raspberries at me.

“Real mature.” I commented. “Sweet Tooth Sparkle.”

“Well, excuse me for liking sweets. It’s kind of hard not to when one of your herdmates is a baker.”

“You could stand to get some exercise though, it’s healthy and a great way to start the day.” I said.

“Are you insinuating that I’m fat?” Twilight asked sort of peeved.

“I never said that, it’s just not everyone has proportions like a princess.” I said.

Twilight cooled off fast, “Well that’s true. I’ve always been too afraid to try to exercise anything other than my mind.”

“The brain is an important muscle to exercise, but your body is important as well.”

“What do you do to keep in shape?” Twi asked me.

“Every morning I wake up have a balanced breakfast put my running gear on and go on a three mile run around the border of Ponyville.”

“What about after that?”

“I cool off, take about an hour to catch my breath then do 50 pushups and 50 situps. Then shower and I’m good.”

“Rainbow and the other girls go to the local gym, but I’m afraid of joining.”

“Even Rarity?” I asked.

“Yeah, even though she hates getting sweaty she says it’s worth it.”

“Well she can’t maintain a bod like that without putting some work into it.” I concluded. “Listen Twi, if you’re really serious about this then the best thing you can do is go at your own pace.”

“How do you mean?” She asked.

“Look at me, I’m not apart of that gym yet I stay as healthy as I can. I go at my own pace, considering that I cut down trees that’s a career that requires a lot of exercise. On and off the job, the best thing about going at your own pace is that you decide what days you get to exercise.” I smiled.

“What do you suggest I could do about it?”

“Set aside one hour a day to getting outside and playing, you could jog around the town or sign up for a sports team, or just grab a ball or something and have fun.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Twi stretched and yawned. “Look at the time, it’s almost midnight. Spike it’s time for bed….Spike?” She looked over to see the teenage drake pass out with his face covered in pie and ice cream.

“Sugar crash, I remember my first one I had a headache afterwards. I’ll take him up to bed, if you’ll clean up?” I asked.

“Sure thing.” Twi said as she started to clean up the mess Spike made.

I picked up the sleeping drake walking up the stairs and opening the door to his room. I took off his purple and green hoodie and took off his pants (not like that you pervs.) I left him in his boxers and shirt after draping a blanket over him. “G’night son.” I said before I left his room.

Twilight was finished cleaning and was heading to her room. “Wanna spend the night? I’ve got a friendship report I wanna write.”

“Doesn’t Spike usually send those?” I ask.

“Yeah, it can wait one night but I did want to run it by you first.”

“Why me?” I wondered.

“It’s about us three.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

Hello again it’s Twilight, how are you doing? I’m fine, today I learned quite a few things. The first is about Applejack and Pinkie, it was harvesting the apple orchards with them being pregnant it’s starting to affect their lives, the other girls and I assured them that we would be there for them whenever they needed it.
The other thing is about my stallion Mickey and Spike, for a long time I had thought of Spike was nothing more than an assistant to me. I had given him compliments and gems when he deserved it, but my eyes have been opened up. When I came home today I had a great reception from Spike and when I rewarded he called my Mom. I was shocked at first and then, I realised that I did in fact have an incredible son. I wanted to thank you, for allowing me the opportunity to raise him.

~ your faithful student and excited mother, Twilight Sparkle.

“How’s that?” Twilight asked me as she showed me the letter.

“It’s perfect.” I kissed her.