User:Mega Sean 45/Sandbox/Teacher's Assistant

Teacher's Assistant is the ninth episode of the alternate seventh season of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and the one hundred fifty-second overall.

Princess Twilight tasks Spike to teach Starlight Glimmer a friendship lesson while she’s out of town, but he has a hard time trying to find one for her.

Production
No BG ponies appear in this episode, but there is a picture of Derpy on Spike's Wall of Friendship.

The characters that Spike contains on his Wall of Friendship are each of the Mane Six, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Derpy, Little Strongheart, Thorax (both in his new and old forms), Princess Ember, Discord and Big McIntosh in their O&O costumes, each of the Mane Six's pets (from Just for Sidekicks), Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, the royal family (including Flurry Heart), Twilight Velvet and Night Light, and Starlight.

Summary
Over at the Castle of Friendship, Spike was helping Twilight Sparkle packing up her satchel for meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna at Canterlot, Spike asks Twilight if she’s sure she wants to go to Canterlot without him, but Twilight tells him that she has a special assignment for him. When Starlight Glimmer walks in to compliment Twilight on her being the best teacher she’s ever had, and she wonders what her next friendship lesson is, she realized that Twilight is leaving, which causes Starlight to think that they’re going to be skipping the lesson for that week, but Twilight tells her that she won’t be skipping, because Spike is going to be teaching her a friendship lesson, which caused both Spike and Starlight to get surprised and confused.

The next day comes, and Spike was admiring his Wall of Friendship, which contains pictures of his many friends. He looks over at his picture with Starlight and tells the picture that he won’t let her down, and that he’s going to be the best teacher she’s ever had. Owlowiscious was in the room with him, and Spike requests him to help him not mess things up again, and Owlowiscious agrees that he would. Spike then runs down stairs to meet up with Twilight and Starlight who were saying goodbye to each other. Twilight tells her that she’ll be back that night; Starlight asks if Twilight is sure that she needs to go, and Twilight says that she never ignores a request from Princess Celestia. Spike eventually walks over to them and says goodbye to Twilight. Spike then whispers to Twilight if she’s sure that Spike can handle this, and Twilight tells him that she wouldn’t have given him this task if he couldn’t handle it. Twilight wishes them both the best of luck before she leaves the castle, and enters the royal chariot being pulled by some pegasus Royal guards. After Twilight leaves, Spike starts to feel awkward as Starlight awaits her lesson. Spike then asks Starlight what she wants to do, but Starlight tells him since he’s the teacher, she awaits for him to tell her what to do. Spike nervously tries to think of something, but he just turns to Owlowiscious, hoping to get an answer from him, and Owlowsicious just shrugs. Spike first instructs Starlight to go back inside the castle with him.

After they walk into the castle, Starlight asks what she needs to do, but Spike just starts up making small talk, much to Starlight’s concern. After Spike tries to make small talk, Starlight starts to complain about when they’re going to do “real” friendship lessons. Owlowiscious hoots at Spike from the top of the staircase, showing him a cook book, which gives Spike an idea of what they can do. Spike tells Starlight to go with him to the kitchen, and when they get there, Starlight asks what they’re making, and Spike tells her that they’re going to make something sweet for the guests that are going to be arriving to help out with the friendship lesson later. Starlight gets a little excited for it, and then asks Spike what they’re going to make, but Spike insists for Starlight to choose since it’s her guests. Starlight wonders who the guests are, but Spike tells her that it’s a surprise, and wants her to pick what to bake. Starlight eventually chooses éclairs, causing Spike to complain about how hard they are to make, and will take too long, but Spike eventually accepts. When Starlight begins to use her magic to create the éclairs, Spike tells her not to use magic, and they have to do it the natural way. Starlight, while feeling annoyed, accepts the challenge, but seeing Starlight sigh starts to make Spike nervous, and then he suddenly accepts her to use her magic, which makes Starlight feel better. While Starlight starts making the éclairs using her magic, Spike tells Owlowiscious that he’s going to be the best teacher she’s ever had, and thinks even Twilight would be so impressed over his work. After Owlowscious hoots at him, Starlight tells Spike that she finished making the éclairs. Spike suddenly realizes that he still needs to buy time for Starlight before the guests come over. Starlight asks Spike what the next lesson is, and Spike gets nervous about what to do next.

Starlight noticed Spike freaking out, and then asks him what he likes to do. Spike tells her that one of the things he likes to do is make the castle clean for Twilight, which causes Starlight to quickly accept doing that, and just wants to know what needs cleaning. Spike gives Starlight the list of chores which includes dusting the library, cleaning the bathroom, clean up Owlowiscious’ den, gather Twilight’s notes in her room and stack them on Twilight’s desk so she can organize them later, and to drop off some scrolls over at Town Hall. Starlight does it all instantly with her magic, which really impressed Spike. Starlight tells him that it was easy, and Spike tells her that she should do his chores more often. Just then, there was a knock on the castle’s door; Spike insists on Starlight answering it. When Starlight gets to the door, she realizes that it was her two best friends, Sunburst and Trixie.

Starlight was happy to see them both, but wondered why they came in such short notice; Sunburst tells her that he received a letter from her, asking him to come over and hang out. Trixie tells her that she received the same thing, but is excited to be hanging out with her best friend, and afterwards, Sunburst becomes concerned because he thought he was her best friend. Starlight asks both Sunburst and Trixie to excuse her for a second so she can talk to Spike. She asks Spike why he invited Sunburst and Trixie, and Spike tells her that they’re part of her friendship lesson, because what better friendship lesson can there be without having her closest friends to be a part of it? Starlight agrees that it’s true, and then Spike asks Starlight to escort her friends to the throne room while he gets the éclairs. Starlight chuckles embarrassingly as she shows Trixie and Sunburst to the throne room, as Trixie tells Sunburst all her advantages that makes her better than him, much to Sunburst’s annoyance. Starlight tries to change the subject by asking what’s new with them; Sunburst starts talking about the fun he had with Flurry Heart, but Trixie then interrupts him and tells Starlight about her last show and how much she nailed it. Starlight tells that she finds it interesting, but before she could tell her that she was talking to Sunburst, she keeps telling her about she blew her audience away with her previous show. Sunburst, feeling annoyed, asks Trixie if he’s allowed to talk, and Trixie eventually allows him, but before he gets a chance to talk, Spike comes back to the lobby with the éclairs, and offers some to Sunburst and Trixie. When they complement on how delicious the éclairs are, Trixie asks who made them, and Spike tells her that Starlight made them, just for them. When Trixie thanks Starlight for making the éclairs just for her because she’s the best friend, Sunburst and Trixie both begin to argue over who the best friend is again, by Sunburst telling her that he knew her longer, but Trixie gets back at him by saying at least she never abandoned her. Starlight just suggests that all of them should just hang out upstairs and not argue about who’s the favorite, and then Spike suggests an activity they can all do together.

When they all head over to the library, Spike, Starlight, Sunburst, and Trixie were all sitting in their own seats, wondering what’s going on, but Spike tells them to wait because it’s going to be a really fun activity. Trixie starts to question Spike’s judgement on whether it’s going to be fun for the rest of them, but Starlight tells her to give him a chance since he’s giving her the friendship lesson, and Trixie eventually accepts. When Sunburst asks what the fun activity is, Owlowiscious flies in with Spike’s collection of comic books. Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst become weirded out by the chosen activity. Spike tells them to just choose a comic book and start reading, even though the others aren’t really comic book fans, but Starlight tells them that Spike is the teacher, so Sunburst and Trixie decide to start reading the comics. However, they couldn’t read the comic books for three whole minutes without Trixie complaining about her boredom, and Sunburst eventually agrees with her, much to Trixie’s disappointment. Starlight reminds them that Spike is the teacher, and even though they are bored, they at least she has to do what he says. Spike immediately tells them all to stop reading the comics, which makes Sunburst and Trixie feel a lot better, but Starlight was curious to why he wants them to stop. Spike nervously begins to think about a reason, and tells her that he has a new friendship lesson for her, but Spike gets even more nervous because now he has to think of another friendship lesson for her. Owlowiscious hoots to gain Spike’s attention, and Spike sees him holding a 20-sided die, which gives Spike an idea of what they can do next.

The five of them all head down to the catacombs of the castle; Spike was wearing his Garbunkle costume, while Starlight was wearing a white knight costume, Sunburst was wearing an elf archer costume, and Trixie was wearing a goblin costume. Trixie and Sunburst start to question what they’re doing, and Spike tells them that they’re playing real-life Ogres & Oubliettes. While Trixie and Sunburst continue complaining, Starlight tells them that Spike is the teacher and to give him a chance, since the game seems more fun than reading comic books. When they hear a hooting coming from the distance, Spike tells them that it’s the sound of the evil gargoyle Stonebeak. He explains that they are wandering around his cave looking for old pirate treasure that’s been hidden there, and the treasure also contains an enchanted ruby sword that can be used to defeat the Squidzard once and for all. Starlight asks Spike for orders, and Spike tells her that they need to look through all the doors to locate the treasure, but to be aware that some of the doors might contain surprises in them. Trixie starts complaining about why she isn’t a magician, but Spike tells her that it’s all the costumes they have. Sunburst then tells her that she’s if a magician for real life, it would make the pretend world let’s “pretendy”, but Trixie angrily comes back at him, teasing him about his choice of costume. Spike asks them both to shush because Stonebeak was nearby, flying in the shadows. Spike tells them to move quietly as they check the rooms one by one for the treasure. Starlight checks one room, and it’s empty; Sunburst checks another, and he ends up with a pie on his face; and Trixie opens another, with a giant cardboard monster popping out, and scaring her, causing her to jump on Sunburst’s back, much to her embarrassment.

After searching through a lot of doors, Starlight complains that they’re not finding the treasure. Spike tells them to be patient, and to be on the alert for the evil Stonebeak, and about all the evil things he can do, like give everypony equal signs for cutie marks and stop friendships from happening by travelling back in time, which causes Starlight to feel annoyed; and then Spike turns to Trixie and tells her that he can turn ponies into wheels and steal their peanut butter crackers, which causes Trixie to be legitimately scared, but she tries her best to hide it. Trixie tries to make sure that they’re still playing the game, but Sunburst teases her about how Stonebeak is real because he read about him in his books. He tells her that Spike isn’t just giving them some fairytale adventure, but an actual perilous journey through uncharted territory. He then tells Trixie that nopony has been down the castle catacombs ever before, mainly because Princess Twilight told him about the evil gargoyle that once turned her into a wheel. Starlight asks Sunburst to stop scaring Trixie, but Sunburst tells her that’s all in good fun. Just then, something creeps by through the shadows, which startles to Trixie. The shadow swoops through again, and then a wheel rolls in front of Trixie, which really starts to scare her. Spike and Sunburst were both feeling amused, but Starlight felt weirded out. Once a peanut butter jar immediately drops down with a clank, Stonebeak shows up and hoots very loudly, which causes Trixie to scream and start blasting magic spells all over the place, turning random objects (including a rat) into gag materials.

Starlight tries to calm Trixie down, but she still keeps freaking out; Spike eventually reveals that Stonebeak was actually Owlowiscious in a gargoyle disguise, saying it was part of the game. Trixie tries to catch her breath, but not without yelling angrily at Spike of how freaked out she was. Sunburst tells her that it was obviously fake, and wonders why she fell for it, and Trixie yells at him, telling him that she has history with wheels, and peanut butter crackers happen to be her favorite snack, and are not to be joked around like that. Sunburst tells her to calm down because it’s not a big deal, and Trixie yells at him, asking about how he could be so calm all the time, making her feel embarrassed in front of her best friend, and Sunburst reminds her that he was her best friend first. Over all the arguing that Sunburst and Trixie have been doing, Starlight yells at them to stop while teleporting all five of them back to the castle lobby without their O&O outfits. She yells angrily at both Trixie and Sunburst that both of them are being ridiculous over their fighting over her, and says that if both of her best friends can’t get along that maybe she should think of getting another best friend that’s not either of them, which causes both of them to get surprised. She then yells angrily at Spike, complaining about how boring and ridiculous his friendship lessons have been. When Spike tells her that he was just trying to help, Starlight asks him what all the friendship lessons meant, or if they were even friendship lessons at all, Spike didn’t say anything back. Starlight then tells him that he should stop trying so hard to be a good teacher because she doesn’t find him to be a very good teacher. What she said hurts Spike’s feelings, and he runs off. Owlowiscious glares at Starlight, and flies off after him. After Starlight looks over at Sunburst and Trixie, feeling in an awkward situation, Starlight starts to feel bad about yelling at all of them.

First, Starlight apologizes to both Sunburst and Trixie for threatening to find a new best friend, and tells them that nopony could replace either of them. She tells them that she can’t choose a favorite, but they should know that they both mean everything to her. Sunburst and Trixie then apologized to each other at the exact same time, even though they were both insisting for the other to go first, but eventually they accepted each other’s apologies, and shook hooves in agreement to both being Starlight’s best friends; that was when Starlight realized that she needed to apologize to her third best friend.

Meanwhile in Spike’s room, Spike was sniffling as he looks at his picture of himself and Starlight. Owlowiscious tries to cheer him up when Spike tells him that he tried his best, and Owlowiscious agreed; that was when Starlight knocked on the door asking if she could come in. Spike pretends to be a pre-recorded message, asking her to go away, but Spike decides to come in anyway, much to Spike’s annoyance. Spike immediately hides her picture before Starlight walks over to cheer him up. Starlight apologizes for not being grateful for all he’s done for her, but Spike then apologizes for trying so hard to be a good teacher, and that she was right about him not being a good teacher. Starlight then admits that he is a good teacher, and that she’s just a bad student for not giving him a chance to accept the lessons. She then admits that she hasn’t given Spike enough credit for everything he’s done for her over the time of being Twilight’s student, and that he’s an amazing friend who she can always rely on for help. She then tells him that he doesn’t have to try so hard to impress her just because Twilight told him to, but Spike admits to her that he doesn’t do it for Twilight, and that he just cares about her, like he cares about all his friends. Starlight spots Spike’s Wall of Friendship and sees all the pictures of his friends that he has hung up there. Starlight then figures out that he doesn’t have a picture of her up there. Spike embarrassingly takes the picture out from under his pillow, saying that he was just dusting it before hanging it back up. To help wipe Spike’s embarrassment off his face, she gives him a hug and thanks him for being there for her, and wouldn’t know where she would be without him or Twilight.

Sunburst and Trixie eventually join in. Sunburst tells Spike that if it weren’t for him, he wouldn’t have been able to reunite with Starlight, and thus the Crystal Empire would’ve been buried by the Frozen North; and then Trixie tells him that she’s really happy he invited her over, because she can’t wait to rub it in Twilight’s face when she realizes that Spike invited her to hang out. Sunburst then suggests that the drama is over, they should hang out for real. When Trixie asks what they should do, Starlight asks Spike for instructions. Spike then tells her that they’re just hanging out, and they should do whatever they want to do. The four of them immediately begin to do some fun activates such as baking treats, watch Trixie perform a magic show, participate in more O&O, and playing hockey in the lobby (Starlight and Sunburst vs. Spike and Trixie). During the hockey tournament, Owlowiscious takes a picture of them, and Spike hangs it on his Wall of Friendship.

Later that night, Twilight returns to her dark and empty castle lobby. She calls out for Starlight and Spike, but neither of them answers. She eventually finds both of them all sleeping in the library after reading comic books. Twilight was surprised to see Sunburst and Trixie there. Trixie, Sunburst, and Starlight eventually wake up to see Twilight. Trixie walks up to Twilight in an attempt to taunt her over the fact that Spike invited her, but she was too tired to finish, so she decides to just taunt her in the morning. Sunburst tells Twilight that it was really fun hanging out with not just Starlight, but Spike and Trixie too, and suggests that they should do it more often. When Sunburst and Trixie both leave, Twilight asks Starlight how Spike did as a teacher, and she teases her saying that she might be thinking of replacing Twilight, which starts to get Twilight worried, but she tells her that she was joking, but admits that Spike was really good, and knew she wouldn’t be able to have that experience if Princess Celestia didn’t call Twilight over. Just then, Twilight confesses that Celestia didn’t invite her to Canterlot, and just asked to hang out for the day. Starlight then becomes curious to why Twilight would schedule a date with Celestia on the day they’re supposed to do a friendship lesson; and Twilight tells her that having Spike as the teacher was the lesson, because she wanted to know what it was like to have Spike teaching Starlight since she won’t always be around to teach her. Starlight tells her that she can’t wait to have him teach her again, and then she adds that she might’ve taught him a thing or two at the same time. As Twilight was just about to carry Spike to bed, Starlight offers to take him, which makes Twilight smile. When Starlight uses her magic to place Spike on her back, and on the way to Spike’s room, Spike mumbles to Starlight that he wants them to hang out again soon, and Starlight eventually agrees, as Owlowiscious hoots in agreement as well.

Credits

 * Cathy Weseluck as Spike
 * Kelly Sheridan as Starlight Glimmer
 * Kathleen Barr as Trixie
 * Ian Hanlin as Sunburst
 * Tara Strong as Twilight Sparkle

Quotes

 * Starlight Glimmer: Are you sure you have to go see Princess Celestia today?
 * Twilight Sparkle: Starlight, I never ignore a request from Princess Celestia.
 * Starlight Glimmer: I know, that’s what scares me. If she tells you to jump off a bridge, would you do it?
 * Twilight Sparkle: I totally would!
 * Starlight Glimmer: Oh I was just joking! Really?
 * Twilight Sparkle: Um, Starlight… (she spreads wings)
 * Starlight Glimmer: Riiiight.


 * Starlight Glimmer: Alright, teacher! We’re inside the castle now! What to do want to do?
 * Spike: Umm… we can talk.
 * Starlight Glimmer: Err, okay. What do you want to talk about?
 * Spike: Umm… how-how are you doing?
 * Starlight Glimmer: Seriously? Small talk? Come on, Spike, you’re better than that.


 * Spike: So what do you want to bake, Starlight? Anything you want!
 * Starlight Glimmer: Well, since they’re my guests, I guess I’ll have to pick… éclairs!
 * Spike: Eclairs? Starlight you know hard those are to make? You know how long it’s going to take to… actually, you know what? Eclairs it is!


 * Spike: Wow! That was amazing, Starlight! You pretty much did all my chores four hours earlier than I usually do them!
 * Starlight Glimmer: Hey, it was a piece of cake! Or more like an éclair. (laughs)
 * Spike: I should let you do my chores more often!


 * Trixie: Yeah, I have received that same letter too. I have to say, the Great and Humblable Trixie would always to spend time with her best friend!
 * Sunburst: Best friend? Hang on, Starlight, I thought I was your best friend!


 * Starlight Glimmer: Sooo… anyway, how’s it going, guys?
 * Sunburst: Well actually, Flurry Heart did the craziest thing yesterday! After I woke her up from her afternoon nap, I-
 * Trixie: I totally nailed my last show, Starlight! It was probably the best show Trixie ever performed!
 * Starlight Glimmer: Oh really? That’s… great, Trixie! But Sunburst was-
 * Trixie: I blew everypony away with my handkerchief trick! It was an oldie, but a goodie!
 * (awkward silence)
 * Sunburst: Uh huh… can I talk now?


 * Trixie: Mmm! These éclairs are really sizzling Trixie’s taste buds! Who was the genius who made these?
 * Spike: Well, I’d be lying if I said I did, but it was actually Starlight who made them, just for you and Sunburst!
 * Trixie: Really now? Trixie knew she was the best friend!
 * Sunburst: Uh, he said it was for both of us.
 * Trixie: Right, the best friend, and the… third wheel.
 * Sunburst: I’ve known Starlight longer than you.
 * Trixie: Yes, but at least I never abandoned her.
 * Starlight Glimmer: Um, yeah, how about we just hang out upstairs, all of us, and just enjoy hanging out, okay? No favorites!


 * Starlight Glimmer: So… what are we waiting for?
 * Trixie: Yeah, Trixie is not one for just sitting around.
 * Spike: Just wait! This is going to be a really fun activity the four of us would really enjoy!
 * Trixie: And how would you if we would really enjoy it?
 * Starlight Glimmer: Come on, Trixie! Give Spike a chance! He’s the one giving me the friendship lesson after all!
 * Trixie: (sighs) Fine.
 * Sunburst: So, Spike, what is this really fun activity?
 * Owlowiscious: (hoots)
 * Trixie: Comic books... really?


 * Trixie: Okay, this is really boring. Why are we doing this again?
 * Sunburst: I agree. Comic books just aren’t our thing.
 * Trixie: Excuse me, Trixie didn’t ask for your approval.


 * Trixie: Uh, why are we playing this again?
 * Spike: This is the best I can do to a real-life Ogres & Oubliettes game. Unless you want me to summon Discord.
 * Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, and Sunburst: No!


 * Starlight Glimmer: Hey Spike, are you in there?
 * Spike: No. Go away.
 * Starlight Glimmer: Come on, Spike. I know you’re in there. I hear you taling.
 * Spike: It’s a pre-recorded message – please a leave message after the beep, unless your name is Starlight Glimmer. Beeeeeeeep.


 * Starlight Glimmer: The Wall of Friendship?
 * Spike: Yep! It contains pictures of me with all the friends I made over the years! Twilight and the others, the CMCs, Big Mac, Little Strongheart, Thorax, Ember, you... ehm, and unexpectingly Discord!


 * Trixie: And I’m really happy you invited me too, Spike! I mean, I can’t wait to see the look on Twilight’s face when she realizes her dragon friend has invited Trixie to hang out! HA! Can’t wait to rub it in her face!


 * Trixie: Well, well, well! Princess Twilight! I don’t know if you noticed or not, but your very own dragon friend has- (yawns) You know what? I’ll just taunt you in the morning.


 * Spike: (yawns) Starlight?
 * Starlight Glimmer: Yeah, Spike?
 * Spike: We all have to hang out more often.
 * Starlight Glimmer: (chuckles) I agree 100%
 * Owlowiscious: (hoots)