Title:           Hocus Pocus 4
Author:          jenseits
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/PJJ9vK9L
First Edit:      Thursday 24th of April 2014 10:03:55 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Thursday 24th of April 2014 10:03:55 PM CDT

>Rainbow walks into the library.
>She finds Twilight catching up on some new literature, of course.
>”Hey Rainbow, what brings you here?”
>”Just looking for Anon.  Applejack said he was off today so I thought we’d go to the gym early.”
>”You sure like working out with him, there something you’re not telling me?”
>Twilight can’t help but say this with a smirk.
>Dash doesn’t miss a beat.
>”Yeah your flank is huge.”
>Twilight drops the smirk shoots a concerned glance at her behind.
>”Pffft hahaha, you’re too easy.”
>”Very funny.  Anon’s upstairs, he hasn’t gotten up yet.”
>”Wow, still?”
>”Yeah he likes his sleep on his off days.  He sleeps almost as much as you.”
>Dash gives an indignant look to her.
>Twilight smirks again, this time leaving her with no comeback.
>”I’ll go get him.”
>”No wait, I’ll go surprise him.” Rainbow interjects.
>”This I have to see.”
>Rainbow and Twilight fly very quietly so as not to make a sound on the steps.  
>She gets to Twilight’s room, but doesn’t find you.
>They hear the faucet running.
>”He must be in the bathroom.”
>Dash walks right up to the door and goes into a pouncing position.
>”You’re not gonna-“
>She turns to Twilight to shush her.
>You approach the door, completely unsuspecting of what’s on the other side.
>The element of surprise is hers.
“Some-“
>The door flings open.
>It’s the last thing Rainbow sees as it swings towards her.
“BODY once told me, the world is gonna roll me, I ain’t the sharpest tool in the sheeeeed~”
>You carry the tune out of the bathroom, singing along with your phone, completely oblivious that you just plastered your friend on the other side of the door.
“Well she was looking kinda dumb, with her finger and her…thumb….”
>Your voice trails off as you notice Twilight standing there with her eyes wide and hoof over her mouth.
>Good opportunity to pause it.
“Uh…hey Twilight, what’s up?”
>She points behind you.
>Turning towards the door, it slowly closes as a familiar blue pegasus collapses on the ground, clutching her snout.
“Oh crap. You alright, Dash?”
>There’s a loud groan as you hustle to her.
“What were you doing there?”
>”I…ugh…I was gonna try and surprise you… but that backfired.”
“Well that was a stupid idea.”
>”No kidding…”
“You shouldn’t scare me like that, it’s not very nice.”
>She continues to rub her nose while looking at you in confusion.
“It’s alright, I forgive you.”
>She wants to say something, but Twilight walks up, with a pained expression.  
>Like she’s desperately trying to hold back laughter.
>”A-are you ok Rainbow?”
>”I think so…oh Celestia did that hurt.”
>”PFFT”
>Twilight clasps her mouth with her hoof.
>”I’m sorry…but that was hilarious…”
>”Gee thanks, princess…”
>”Really, I’m sorry, let me help.”
>Her horn glows faintly and so does Dash’s snout.
>”Better?”
>”A little.”
“Here I’ll kiss it and make it all better.”
>You go to cup her nose.
>She fights to squirm and get away.
“Ewewewww no stop really it’s fine!”
>You all make your way back down stairs and before leaving, grab an apple for breakfast.
>It’s not much, but it’s hard to work out on a full stomach with Rainbow.
>As the door to the library closes, Twilight can be heard busting out laughing.
>”Tch, egghead…”
>You chuckle under your breath.
>It was another beautiful day.
>Life here has been good the past few months.
>It took only a little over a week to get into a routine.
>Wake up, work the farm, go to the gym, eat, sleep, repeat.
>The town quickly got over their initial shock and you were just another citizen.
>Applejack paid well.
>At least well enough to provide for yourself.
>Eventually you found a second job working as a clocksmith.
>Turns out that your knack for tinkering came in handy at a local clock shop.
>They needed someone to fix a backlog of clocks, watches, and other time pieces.
>It was as easy as walking in, demonstrating on a couple broken pieces, and a hoofshake.
>Best part was, you didn’t need to work at the shop.  
>Sometimes you took a few projects back to work on to pass the time.
>Twilight was impressed and Spike took a fascination to it.
>Now there was ample income to give some to Twilight in the form of rent.
>She insisted that you didn’t owe her anything, but becoming a moocher didn’t sit well.
>Eventually she gave up and used the proceeds to get more books for the library.
>You still helped out however you could, cleaning and cooking with Spike.
>He loved doing chores now that he had more help, also your phone provided tunes to work to.
>You tried to get him interested in the music a young boy around his age should be into.
>Spike was a fun male diversion from your otherwise female friends.
>After a rigorous workout, you bump into Applejack.
>”Ya know, y’all should really use your days off ta rest.”
“There’s plenty of hours in the day for resting.”
>”Even though there’s a party tonight?”
“Party?”
>A pink blur appears next to you.
>”RARITY’S BIRTHDAY PARTY!”
>Streamers suddenly explode as Pinkie, Spike in tow, bursts onto the scene.
>Even living here for a hundred years, that would STILL scare the daylights out of you.
>“Ya mean you forgot?”
>”Yeah dude didn’t Pinkie tell you?”
>”Of COURSE I told him! I told everyone!”
“Ok, ok!  I remember now.”
>”I’m helping Pinkie to make this the best birthday ever for her!” Spike proclaims.
“I don’t doubt that.”
>”But we have soooooo much to do! I have to finish her diamond shaped marble cake! And get the special table cloths that Fluttershy made! And set the party favors! An-“
>”We get it, sugarcube, y’all got a lot in store fer her.”
“GAH! I need to get her a present!”
>”Seriously?  You never got her anything?” asks Rainbow, as if in shock.
“I’ve been busy.”
>There’s utter silence as they all stare at you.
“What? I do things!”
>”Uh huh.”
>”Why dontcha ask Spike?  He’s been helping me plan it, I’m sure he has lots of ideas.”
>”Well she loves sewing and making outfits of course, and artsy stuff like plays, and gems!  She can always use gems for her designs.”
“Well what did you get her?”
>He closes his eyes, opens his mouth and raises a finger.
>And freezes.
>His eyes shoot open, and said finger droops.
“…You didn’t get her anything either, huh?”
>”OH NO, I’VE BEEN SO BUSY PLANNING THIS PARTY THAT I FORGOT! I kept thinking about it and tried to pick something she’d love, but I got so excited I never actually got anything!”
>He looks like he’s about to crack.
>”Woah there, partner.  Just calm down, ya already know what she likes, try startin’ there.”
>”O-ok…uh, sewing supplies!  Maybe I can get her a nice new sewing kit.”
>”OOO! Just like the one I got her!”
>Spike looks at Pinkie with a grave face.
>”You already got her that?...”
>”Yup! I got it, like, six months ago, just barely in the nick of time.”
>”I can’t get that, I want mine to be special…”
“What else?”
>”…Wait!  The spa!  I can get her a pass to the spa!”
>”Uh…heh heh…”
>Applejack tilts her hat over her eyes slightly.
>”Me and Fluttershy kinda went half way and got her that for the three of us…”
“I never figured you one for the spa.”
>”They had a buy-two-get-one, so we’re gonna use it ta keep her busy fer a while so y’all can start settin’ up the party at her house.  Plus a gal likes ta treat herself now an’ then.”
“Ooook.  So, what else can we do?”
>Spike snaps his fingers.
>”I’ve got it! There’s a play tonight, ‘The Mare and the Mask.’  Sweetie Belle told me she wouldn’t stop talking about it, I can get two tickets and take her-“
>”Ahem…”
>That came from a sheepish Rainbow Dash.
>”OH COME ON!!!”
“I’m getting a door.”
>”Waitwaitwait! I heard her talking about it while on cloud duty!…and I…got us…tickets.”
“Us?”
>”Hey don’t judge me.  Besides, it’ll keep her busy right up until the party.”
>Poor Spike.
>He looks completely defeated.
>You could at least play off the excuse that you’re new.
>Him?
>He loved that mare.
“You said she liked gems.  What kind of gems?”
>He sighs.
>”Any kind, really.  She uses them for her designs.”
“Aren’t they expensive?”
>”If you buy them, ya, but…”
>His voice picks up, but then his ears droop.
“But?”
>”Well…it’s just that Rarity knows a spell to find them easily. But without her, we’d just be digging around.”
>Pinkie steps in.
>”You should go ask Twilight! She’s super smart, I’ll bet she knows the spell!”
>You and Spike look her, then each other, and bolt off back to the library.
>”Thanks Pinkieeeeee!”
>Spike can’t keep up with your strides, so you carry him under arm.
>It makes for a spectacle as the door is thrown open.
>”TWILIGHT.”
“TWILIGHT.”
>She freezes in place and stares, dawning a pair of saddle bags.
>”H-hey guys, what’s going on?”
“SPELL.”
>”MAGIC.”
“HORN THINGY.”
>”NEED HELP.”
>”Woah calm down! What are you talking about?”
>Spike jumps from your grasp.
>”Do you know the spell for finding gems?”
>”Well, yeah, there’s a few.”
>”Great! We need your help to-“
“WAIT SPIKE.”
>He looks in confusion as you point a stern finger at Twilight and leer.
“…what did you get Rarity for her birthday?...”
>”Uh, I got her a few books in a romance series?”
“Oh thank God…”
>”What is this all about?”
>”Twilight we need your help to find gems for Rarity.”
>”Why can’t you ask her?”
>”Uhhhh….”
>”You forgot to get her a present, didn’t you?”
“NO!”
>Twilight raises an eye.
“Yes…”
>”I’d love to help you guys, but I have to go to Canterlot to meet with Princess Celestia.”
>Just one thing after another.
>Spike hangs his head.
>”I’m sorry Spike.”
>”It’s alright Twilight, it’s my fault anyway.”
“So you aren’t going to be at the party either?”
>”Oh no I’ll be there.”
“How are you getting back and forth so fast?”
>”Special teleportation spell I’m trying out.  Only works between special points, one here drawn here-“
>She points to a circle with markings.
>”And one in the castle Luna made.”
“Well speaking of magic, isn’t there any way we can use magic?  I mean I can’t but maybe Spike?”
>”Only unicorns can really cast magic, although…”
>She suddenly runs to the shelf and pulls a book.
>”I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before!  This is a great time to try some enchanting spells!”
>”Enchanting?”
>”Yes, I just need to find the spell, tweak it a little, and I can cast it on just about any object.”
>”Twilight you’re a genius!”
>”I do what I can.”
>She flips through the pages until she finds the spell.
>”Here. Now to find something to cast it on.”
>”Oh wait!”
>Spike runs into the kitchen and returns with a…
“Is that a spatula?”
>”Yep.”
“Why?”
>”It looks like a wand.  She said anything.”
>”That’ll work.”
>She casts a spell and focuses on the spatula.
>It turns a few colors, and when she stops casting, it’s glowing.
>”Try that.”
>Spike picks it up.
>”What do I do?”
>”Just point it.  When you’re close, it’ll glow in the color of the gems it found.”
>Twilight hovers over some emeralds that Spike set aside in a snack bowl.
>When the spatula is aimed at it, it glows green.  
“Now that’s cool.”
>”This is perfect! Thank you so much Twilight.”  He says with a hug.
>”Anon just make sure you don’t touch it or the spell will disappear.”
“Right. Spike?  We got some gems to find.”
>You ask Applejack if you can borrow a cart from the farm for the gems.
>She obliges, and within an hour you’re following Spike to a vast quarry.
>With a magic spatula.
 “So this is where you get gems?”
>”Yup, this place has tons of them. I came here with Rarity one time to help her get some.”
“I’m surprised there aren’t a ton of ponies here digging around.”
>”Weeelllll…”
“What?”
>”They, uh, just don’t like traveling this far.”
>That’s odd.
>They walk for miles around town already.
>And pegasi can fly, so why no one but you two?
“Spiiiiike, is there something you’re not telling me?”
>He looks nervous.
>”Aw alright, this is Diamond Dog territory, they don’t really like others coming around here taking gems.”
>You remember reading about them and asking Twilight.
>Talk, walking dog-like creatures, cause why not?
“And you didn’t tell me this before because?”
>”I thought you might get scared and not help me…I’m sorry.”
>He can’t even look at you, but it’s obvious he feels bad.
“Hey, look at me.  You can ask me for just about anything, and I’ll do whatever I can to help.  I don’t scare off, especially when it comes to my friends.”
>His spirits lift greatly.
>”Thanks Anon, that means a lot.”
“No problem, now let’s get digging.”
>The digging came from Spike.
>He could burrow into the ground faster than an auger.
>It was something to watch.
>Twilight’s spell worked like a charm.
>It even glowed more intensely if the gem was big.
>Spike gave you the gems, and you were quickly filling up the cart with exquisite rocks.
>What was really funny was how hard Spike tried not to eat them.
>He took the smaller ones, but the biggest ones he saved for Rarity.
>The sun was beginning to lower, and there was only a few hours before the party.
“I got four o’clock here, we should probably get going soon.”
>”Think we got enough?”
>The cart is almost overflowing.
>On Earth, a whole family would never work another day in their lives with a haul like this.
“Yeah I think we did good.”
>”Alright, maybe one more.”
>He aims the spatula to a few far off points, but the glowing is faint.
>Suddenly the wand glows bright.
>And not just one color.
>It’s flickering between all the shades.
>”Woah!”
“What kind of gem does that?”
>”I have no idea!  But it’s big, and right over there!”
>Spike runs off to a nearby outcrop and digs for all it’s worth.
>The cart is heavy and makes catching up to him difficult.
>He’s really going deep, as it’s starting to echo.
>You yell in for him.
“Don’t go too deep Spike, last thing I need is to dig you out if it cav-“
>”HOLY CELESTIA!”
“What, what is it?”
>”I…I don’t know!  Hold on.”
>Spike comes out finally holding a stone almost as big as his head.
>It’s a rough shape, but what catches your eye is how clear it is.
>Spike’s claws show up distorted but very visible and a green and purple hue matching his scales shine from it.
>”I’ve never seen a gem like this.”
>He licks it.
>”Oooooh~.  Wow, it tastes like…like a bunch of different gems in one! Rarity is gonna go nuts when she sees this!”
“Let me see.”
>You hold it up to the sky, and it starts shining all kinds of colors.
“It’s like a diamond but…different.  It’s so clear and…"
>”Shiny.”
>That wasn’t Spike.
>It came from behind.
>Turning, the sight that greets you is none too welcoming.
>Four creatures are standing there.
>They’re oddly shaped.
>Smallish legs, but long arms, and their mugs…
>Now that’s a face only a mother could love.
>”D-D-Diamond Dogs!”
>They start to approach you.
>The largest one, maybe a couple inches shorter than yourself, addresses you in a firm, guttural tone.
>”What this?  We got trespassers?”
>”Looks like it, boss.”
“Just getting some gems for a friend.”
>”You mean OUR gems?”
“Says who?”
>”This -our- territory.”
>”Land belongs to us, same with gems, ponies mine without permission.”
>”That’s a lie! No one owns this area. You guys just hog all the gems for yourselves!”
>The dog points his club at Spike.
>”Quiet, welp!”
“Oy, take it easy.”
>He looks at you sternly.
>”Boss, what that thing?” a scrappier little one inquires.
>”Not sure, never seen before.”
>”Look at rock it has!  Rainbow gem!”
>”Yup.   Very, very rare, didn’t know they grow here.”
“Look, we don’t want any trouble, just let us get out of your way with our haul and we won’t bother you again.”
>They all start to chuckle.
>”We should take, big score, others get jealous.”
>”I like plan. Take big and little one to mine, and their glowy stick thing. Make finding gems easier.”
>You hand the gem to Spike.
>Probably can’t outrun them
“Yeah that ain’t happening.”
>Two on left are small, one has a club.  
>Shouldn’t be too much of a threat.
>”Told you, this OUR property.”
>One to right of boss, larger, but slower most likely.
>Leader is biggest, but you still outsize him some.
>”Anon what do we do?”
>Disarm leader, take out another fast.
>Even the odds.
“Can’t say we didn’t try to be nice about it. You want to give them the gem?”
>”Huh?  Well no bu-“
“Me neither.”
>”Then we TAKE gem.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
>He signals over the big one on his right, who walks up and reaches for you.
>Here goes nothing.
>Your left hand swings up to swat it away and is almost simultaneously followed by a right hook.
>One fluid move catches him right in the jaw with a hard crack.
>He staggers on one foot, then face plants.
>There’s a stunned silence for a moment, as their boss snaps to.
>”You pay for that!”
>He raises his club.
>Your left arm shoots up and blocks his mid swing.
>A quick right hook into abdomen winds him slightly.
>You grab the left arm, right hand on back of his head, pull him into a knee.
>His club drops.
>In a quick twisting motion, you bring your left elbow down hard on his back.
>He wheezes and crashes to the ground.
>The smaller, unarmed one comes at you fast.
>Using his momentum against him, your right forearm slams across his chest and clotheslines him.
>His speed lifts him off his feet for a good second as he crashes down on his back.
>The final one comes with club raised, but you take a strong step, plant and thrust your other leg into his chest, shooting him back.
>Spike is at a loss of for words.
>”Woah…”
“Spike get out of here.”
>”What?”
“Take that gem and go.”
>”But…but I’m not leaving you!”
>Try to keep a calm tone.
“I can handle them, just go ahead, don’t want you getting caught up in this.”
>”Anon I won’t abandon you like that!”
>Now you look at him and stare.
“Spike! Please, just…go…I promise I’ll catch up.”
>He gives a very concerned look, but nods and begins to run.
>You turn to pick up where you left off.
>There’s a yell behind you.
>You snap around and another two Diamond Dogs burst from the ground.  
>Spike backpedals, but they give chase.
“Spike!”
>Mistake number one: turning your back on a downed foe.
>A sharp smack cracks your upper back and staggers you a step.
>It stings, but the adrenaline makes the pain subside for now.
>He catches you again across the upper arm.
>Another stinger, but being able to prep for it helped absorb some of the blow.
>As you shake your arm to numb the tingling, he goes for a third strike, aimed at your ribs.
>Stepping in close and catching the whole arm, this time you wrap your other arm around his head and twist around fast, shooting a right leg out to cut his own and take him to the ground.
>It’s a little sloppy for a hip throw, but it gets the job done.
>”Anon!”
>Spike is now cornered, gem still in hand.
“Hang on!”
>One step is all you take as your foot catches.
>A sudden weight latches onto your back and you fall.
>The leader had grabbed your foot and the goon you kicked leaped on.
>Mistake number two: not finishing the job.
>Now he hugged both legs desperately.
>“You go nowhere now!”
>No way to get to Spike in time.
>Only one option.
>For the few months you lived with him and Twilight, you taught Spike a lot.
>One of those things was self-defense.
>He may be a dragon, but he’s still young and it’s never too early to teach.
>A couple days out of the week you snuck in a few lessons.
 “Spike, remember what I taught you! Do it for Rarity!”
>He looks to you, the fire in his eye lights up, and he looks back at the dogs.
>”Give us gem, dragon.”
>”NO! YOU CAN’T HAVE MY PURSE!”
>There’s a pause as they glance at each other.
>Spike leaps head first right into the closest one’s groin.
>He squeals, clutching his most delicate of areas as he doubles over.
>Spike takes this chance to bash him over the head with the gem, and he goes down.
>The other one, in shock, tries to grab Spike, but he goes between the legs and chomps down on his tale.
>He yelps as he tries to shake him, but trips over his fallen comrade and falls.
“Atta boy.”
>Spike cries out.
>”Anon watch out!"
>A shadow casts over you.
>The big one you thought was out cold recovered and loomed over you with his club raised.
>”Hold him still.”
>The one on your back re-positions slightly to give him a shot.
>Still can’t get your legs free.
>Got to dig deep for this.
>You push up against the weight of the one dog with a loud grunt.
>It takes a lot of effort, but with a roar you swipe your one arm in front of you in in a scooping motion as hard as you can and sweep a leg out from under the standing dog.
>It’s just enough to make his other leg buckle and he falls.
>His head smacks off the ground and the club rolls free.
>You take it and smack their leader on the nose.
>He lets go and grasps his nose in a howl, and with your free leg, kick him completely off.
>The one on your back tries to squeeze harder, not letting go as you try to get up right.
>Now that your legs are free, you can stand upright, plus one Diamond Dog.
>His arm is wrapped just under your throat, but since you’re taller, he has no real leverage.
>The one you clotheslined is staggering to his feet.
>Your hand shoots over your back and grabs the back of your hijacker's head.
>You take a few steps forward and heave your body over, whipping him overhead and into the other.
>They collapse in a heap.
>Looking around, that appears to take care of them.
>”Alright Anon! You did it.”
>Spike cheers, but just behind him, the one whose tail he bit is upright and about to give chase.
“Behind you!”
>Spike sees him, and takes off towards you.
>With the club still in hand, you hurl it at the oncoming dog.
>It makes contact with his face.
>He stops and clutches it in pain.
>This presents a golden opportunity to bolt after him and leap just over Spike.
>He looks up in awe as you cock a fist back and make eye contact with a very surprised Diamond Dog.
>The punch that follows carries all your momentum into his face and decks him to the soil.
>That’s six.
>Spike’s mouth is agape.
>”That. Was. AWESOME!”
>You flash him a smile and look around.
>The air is filled with groans.
>With things looking clear, it’s time to get the heck out of Dodge.
>Spike mounts the cart.
>While walking away, you pass the leader and hear him mutter.
>”Need…better…job….”
“Hey you started it, I finished it.”
>He just groans some more.
>”…orry.”
“What?”
>”Sorry…”
“You’re sorry?”
>He gives a slight nod while wincing.
“You try to capture us, then attack us, and all you have to say for yourself is you’re sorry?”
>”We…we needed lots of gems, or big boss get mad. Not…not give us food rations again.” 
>He lowers his head
>”So you were gonna steal all ours and force us to work for you?”
>”Rough times, we…not very good diggers.”
>What a completely ridiculous idea.
>How could he make something like that up?
>Short answer, he probably can’t.
>You sigh.
“Spike, give them our wand.”
>”What? Why?”
“If his story is true, then I can sort of understand, despite them going about this is the dumbest way possible.”
>”But they attacked us!”
“I know, I know. Sometimes a little forgiveness can go a long way, though. Besides, I’ll get you another spatula.”
>”Alright, if you say so…”
>He tosses it at their feet and they grab it.
>”You...y-you give us magic wand?”
“Just don’t make me regret being nice. I do NOT want to have to do this again.”
>Those words carry a heavy tone, and the Diamond Dog leader quickly nods as he tries to gather his group.
>The walk back is longer.
>A full cart, lots of scrapes and sore muscles don’t help.
>All things considered, you both came out of that alright and that’s all anyone can ask for.
>”Still can’t believe we gave them our spatula.”
“You miss it that bad?”
>”Not really, but the whole thing with them attacking us, it just felt weird.”
“Yeah, at first I wasn’t going to, then I thought about it. Sometimes you gotta see both sides. Never know, maybe they really were struggling to make ends meet, maybe they had a bad stretch of luck and got desperate. It’s not worth holding a grudge over.”
>”I guess you’re right. I was…I was scared, that’s all.”
“Me too.”
>”You?  Coulda fooled me.”
>”I tried to keep calm, but inside I was scared about what would happen if they caught us, if they caught you, but you did good.”
>”Me? I barely did anything, you were unbelievable.”
“You held your own, and I just got lucky.  That’s about all there was to it.”
>”Nah luck doesn’t fight off a pack of Diamond Dogs.”
“Maybe, but it sure wasn’t experience.”
>”What do you mean?”
“Never been in a fight like that before.”
>”Really?”
“Yep.”
>”But then how did you do all that?”
“Most of it was from years of classes.  I used to practice it a lot, but I always tried to avoid fighting, which is a good thing, really.  Rather never have to use it than use it all the time.”
>”So you learned all that from classes?”
“A little bit came from movies.”
>You stop.
“I never showed you any of my movies, huh?”
>”I don’t think so.”
>A whole folder of action movies was sitting on the laptop at the library, but it had completely slipped your mind.
“Oh you’re in for a treat when I get the time.”
>”So, do you think Rarity will like what we got her?”
“You said she liked gems, didn’t you?”
>”Ya but…do you think it’s enough?”
>For a second time, you stop and stare at the cart, then Spike on top of a mountain of gems.
“Seriously?”
>”I mean, I don’t know, maybe she wanted something more.”
“She’s the most generous person I’ve ever met, she’ll be happy with whatever you give her.”
>”I hope so.”
“Look at it this way.  You dug each of these up on your own, and picked the best ones.  You worked for this, and then you have that little beauty in your hands.  She’ll be floored.”
>He smiles.
“Provided, ya know, you don’t eat all of em.”
>”Huh?”
“I saw you sneak a couple.”
>He looks away sheepishly.
>Finally getting back to the farm, no one is around, so you borrow a tarp to cover the gems.
>It takes a while to sneak the cart to back of the boutique, but there’s a nice spot to tuck it out of sight
>It’s almost sundown, so the both of you hustle back to the library.
>No Twilight yet, that’s alright, gives more time to clean up.
>The shower does wonders to clean the cuts and ease the aches, especially your back.
“Gonna be sore in the morning.”
>A quick change of clothes allows you and Spike make your way to Rarity’s.
>Inside, Pinkie and the Crusaders are finishing up with decorations while Fluttershy and Applejack set the tables.
>”Hey fellas, how’d it go?”
>”Come take a look.”
>Spike leads them outside and pulls off the cover.
>Applejack gives a whistle.
>“Ooooooooooo!”
>”Oh my, you got all those yourselves?” asks Fluttershy.
>”Sure did.”
>Sweetie pipes up.
>”You guys did awesome! Rarity is gonna love this, she was just going on this morning about she was running out of gems.”
>There’s some huffing and puffing and flapping of wings.
>Twilights makes a winded landing and pants.
>”Hah…hah…wow,  I forgot how long that flight was…”
>”Well howdy there, princess, how’d the studyin’ go?”
>”Great, I wanted to do more, but it started getting late, so I was going to come back early and help.  Turns out Celestia didn’t tell me that spell was one way, since the circles disappear when you use them…”
“So you had to fly all the way back?”
>”Yeah…I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it in time.”
>She glances at the cart.
>”Looks like my spell work, you guys really outdid yourselves!”
>”Thanks so much Twilight.”
>”Hey you’re the ones who found them, where did you go anyway?”
>”We, uh-“
“-found a little place outside of town.”
>You wink at Spike.
>”Really?  Well I’m glad that our make-shift wand worked. What did you do with it anyway?  I’d like to study it.”
“Uhhhhh-“
>"Uhhhhhh-"
>”QUICK, EVERYONE INSIDE, THEY’RE COMING BACK.”
>Thank you Pinkie…again.
>Everyone rushes inside the dark house.
>”-must see that play again! Oh that was simply wonderful! Thank you soooo much Rainbow Dash.”
>”Hey, anytime.”
>The door opens and she flicks the lights.
>”SURPRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSEEEEEEEE!~”
>A cannon of confetti goes off and shakes the whole room.
>”WAHAHHA-“
>Rarity clamps her mouth in shock.
>”Happy Birthday Rarity!”
>”Oh my word, what’s all this?!”
>”What does it look like, silly?  It’s your party!”
>”I should’ve known, but you didn’t have to do all this!”
>”Of COURSE we had to, who else would?”
>”You all are too much…”
>The party is a lot of fun, but what you and Spike were waiting for was present time.
>Finally she starts getting to them.
>When it's your turn, Spike walks up to Rarity with his gift all wrapped up.
>She begins to open it, and when she finally does, her face is in complete shock as the stone starts reflecting a myriad of colors.
>”Thi…This is…”
>Twilight tries to finish Rarity’s thought
>”Wait, is that a-“
>”PRISMATIC GEMSTONE!!!”  
>Rarity is beside herself bouncing around.
>”Prisawhatit?”
>”It’s an incredibly rare and valuable gem.  It can reflect any color around it, and they only form under the most extreme conditions.  How in Equestria did you get one of those?”
“Ooooh, we have our ways, don’t we Spike.”
>He smiles and nods.
>”The size, the shape, the smoothness, it’s utterly perfect! Oh I simply can’t thank you boys enough!”
“Gee Spike guess we didn’t need to bring that cart after all?”
>”Cart?”
>You point out the window.
>She trots outside.
>There’s silence, then a shriek.
>”I was in dire need of more gems today, this is just marvelous!”
>She rushes back in and grabs Spike in a bear hug and twirls him around.
>The girls are laughing at the spectacle, but you give a thumbs up to him.
>He tries to return it, but he’s far too dizzy.
>”That was so worth fighting Diamond dogs for.”
>You cringe, and bring a hand to your face, semi-hiding it.
>His eyes widened as he realizes what he just said.
>Why Spike, why?
>”You did WHAT?!”
>Twilight doesn’t seem too pleased.
>Spike looks at you with apologetic eyes, but it’s too late.
>”Spike, you can’t mean…you went THERE to get those gems?!”
>”…Um...Yeah…”
>”What in all of Equestria were you thinking? Don’t you remember what happened the last time we went?!”
“Alright look, it was my idea.  I asked where the best place to go was, he told me about that, but didn’t want to go because of those Diamond Dogs. I pushed him into it.”
>Twilight is about to inject some choice words.
>”Anon are y-“
>”Twilight stop!  It wasn’t his idea, it was mine…”
“You’re killing me here, Spike.”
>”I’m not letting you get in trouble because of me.  I didn’t tell Anon where we were going, and I didn’t tell him about the Diamond Dogs until we got there.  We really didn’t have any problems, in fact we were just about to leave when they showed up…”
>”But why would you do something so dangerous?”
>”Because, Rarity, I…I didn’t want to let you down on your birthday.”
>She cups a hoof under his chin.
>”Oh Spikey Wikey, you could never let me down.  I don’t care if I never get anything for my birthday, even though I do love all these gifts.  Just you being there and wishing happy birthday is more than I could ask.  And nothing is worth your well-being, I’d trade a mountain of diamonds if it meant you stayed safe.”
>There’s a collective 'dawww' from the room.
>It almost draws a tear from you.
>She pulls him in for a much gentler hug.
>”Promise me you’ll never do something so foolish again.”
>”I promise.”
>Scootaloo, oddly enough, steps in to break up the moment.
>”So, wait, what happened with the Diamond Dogs?”
>Spike steps back and looks to you.
“Might as well tell them.”
>He regales the whole scene, and pantomimes your moves.
>Everyone listens intently, while you step into the kitchen for some punch.
>The door shuts behind you hard.
>It was Twilight.
>”How could you do something so reckless?”
“What?”
>”You know what.  Fighting Diamond Dogs?  Are you crazy?!”
“Well mostly bu-“
>”This isn’t a joke, Anon!”
“ALRIGHT.  What did you want me to do?  Surrender?”
>”You should’ve left when he told you where you were!”
“We didn’t have that kind of time, and by the way, you never told us where we could and couldn’t go.”
>”It didn’t cross my mind at all that he would go there, but you should’ve gone somewhere, anywhere else!”
”Oh like I knew things were gonna turn out like that.”
>”I told you they were dangerous, just look at you! You’re covered in cuts and scrapes. And what if something had happened to Spike?”
>Your tone becomes serious.
“No, nothing was going to happen to Spike, you know why?  Because he’s my friend, and I’d walk through fire for my friends. He almost reminds me of my little brother when we were younger.  I know you two are as close as family, well that’s how I look at him too.  I’ll be DEAD before I let anything happens to my friends.”
>”That’s exactly my point!  You could’ve been seriously hurt or…or worse! What if Discord comes back and he has no one to take back home to your family because you went and got yourself killed, what happens then? Did you ever once think about that?”
“About not ever returning home, having something happen here and never seeing anyone I ever loved again?  That it turns out for whatever reason I really can’t go back and I’m stranded? No Twilight, that never once kept me awake at night because it was so painful. By the way, that’s SARCASM.”
>Twilight flinches at that last burst.
>Maybe you actually got through to her.
>But that rant took a lot out of you as you recollected all your worries at once.
>There’s a stool  by a window, and you plop yourself onto it.
>One leg cracks and it collapses, now you’re sitting like a lump on the floor.
“Coulda done without that…”
>You lean your head against the wall.
>Twilight walks over.
>Everything you said was true.
>What -if- you couldn’t go back?
>If this was your new life?
>Sure it was pretty great, but you still have family and friends.
>Sometimes you couldn’t sleep.
>“What happened to your arm?”
>Your sleeve crept up, revealing a now nicely visible shiner from the club shot.
“Got hit.”
>It’s a hollow response.
>”This is what I’m talking about. I’m sorry if I yelled, and I’m sorry I brought that up.  But I was scared, ok?  Not just about Spike, I was worried about you as well.”
“I know, and I’m sorry too.  I didn’t mean to go off like that.”
>”I care about you, we all do, especially Spike, he’s been so happy to have you around, I can tell how he looks up to you.”
"He does?”
>Twilight reaches out and pulls you into a firm, one-leg hug.
>”Yes, so don’t think you’re in this alone.”
“Thanks Twilight…”
>She pats you on the back, the sore portion, and you can’t withhold a grunt.
>Your collar is tugged slightly so she can look in and see the other larger welt on your back, and follows it up with a sigh.
“It’s not as bad as it looks.”
>”What isn’t?” Rarity asks.
>You open your eyes and see everyone in the kitchen.
>”Are you two alright?  Why are you on th- is that my stool?!”
“That was my bad...”
>”Oh don’t worry about it dear, I’ll just get another.”
>Getting up is slightly awkward.
>Rainbow flies up to your face.
>”You are a real jerk you know that?”
“Yes, but just so we’re clear, why?”
>”Because you went and got into a fight without me being there!  I would’ve loved to see you beat those mutts up!”
>”Rainbow, must you be so crass?!”
>”I’m just kidding, but seriously, that sounded so awesome, I wish I could’ve seen it.”
>The Crusaders approach you.
>”Can ya teach us ta do that Anon?”
>”Yeah that would be sooo cool!”
>”Pleeeeeasse?”
“Suuuure.  Before you know it, you’ll be putting other fillies in headlocks and making them tap out.”
>They give a collective cheer
>”Annnon…”
“Sorry Twilight.  I mean fighting is bad, and stuff.”
>A subtle wink goes to the girls.
>”I saw that.”
“What?”
>”That little wink there.”
“No you didn’t.”
>”Yes, I did, I was looking right at you.”
“Fiiiiine, no fighting.”
>You slip a more subtle wink to them.
>”Stop winking!”
“WHY DO YOU HATE FUN!?”
>”Speaking of fun, we still need to have a party!”
>”Pinkie’s right, gals, we sho-“
>”NO MORE TALKING.  LIVING ROOM. PARTY. PRONTO!” Pinkie shouts.
>Everyone hurries into the room and carries on with the party.
>The night finally gets underway and the party is a blast.
>It was something you didn’t realize you needed, but you couldn’t have asked for much better company.
>…
>…
>This process takes far too long.
>Your children take turns, different shifts, healing your fractured horn.
>It seems like it has been ages since you could use yo-
>”My queen, how are you feeling today?”
“The same as I told you yesterday.  And the day before that. And the day before that…”
>The curt words make the drone bow apologetically.
>They’ve been trying to move the healing along and, to their credit, it’s working.
>But just how muc-
>”Your horn should should be completely restored soon.“
“…So you keep saying…”
>”Forgive us, but this spell is new for all of us.  It was significantly damaged, after all.”
“And yet princess Celestia managed to have hers restored that day, by one alicorn.”
>At least, your spy said as much, bearing witness disguised as a guard when it happened.
>But what else could you expect?
>She -always- gets her way, always has others doing all her dirty work.
>Never mind she was completely at your mercy and got a lucky burst of power.
>But then she survives the impact, in the Everfree forest no less.
>And from what your spy said, was saved by some kind of alien?
>When will her luck ru-
>”My queen w-“
“I’M TRYING TO HAVE AN INTERNAL MONOLOGUE HERE.”
>The chamber goes silent.
>Your soldiers look at each other in confusion.
>You sigh.
“Oh forget it.  You were saying?”
>”W-we found another piece.”
>Finally, good news.
“Bring it here.”
>They set the red chunk of bone down.
>Small, but it’s progress.
“Perfect.”
>You add it to the rest of the partial horn pile.
>Just a few more.
>You look it over the pieces.
“You had better be worth the trouble…”