The obvious answer (obsolete description)

The inside of the library was covered in loose paper, each one filled with details about the many households of ponyville. Twilight was standing in front of a wall that had few papers taped to it, "Alright, I've thought about this all night and I have a plan."

Her eyes had dark bags under them, and she was shaking slightly from exhaustion. Spike came down the stairs as she continued, "There are only a few that would be suitable guardians for Jade."

As Spike walked up beside her he asked, "Were you up all night?"

Twilight didn't answer before she carried on, "At first I was thinking that somepony like the Cakes would be a good idea, then I realized that mixing her in with other children might cause arguments. And then there's Pinkie who lives with them. So I was able to eliminate most families, but there are still plenty to choose from. Next I started tossing out those who were irresponsible or too loose with the rules, can't tell you HOW many ponies that eliminated."

Her expression turned more manic as she reveled in the plans she had come up with, "I knew that a wild dragon would need somepony with a strong personality plenty of knowledge. Baby dragons do need an intelligent pony to help raise them. So there are few who could fill this role to the needs of a growing dragon."

"Naturally, Cheerilee would make for a great guardian. She has extensive experience with children but has none of her own, but the problem is due to that as well. She has to care for every child in ponyville already, forcing Jade on her is just out of the question. Next I thought of Zecora, she would do the job well but how could we send Jade back into that forest? Simply unacceptable."

Twilight knocked two papers off the wall, "Then there is Cranky and Matilda, together they would be a great pair of parents. She's kind and caring as a mother should be, and Cranky is stern enough when he needs to be. However they are older and they do like their privacy, I don't think that Jade could fit in with them too well."

She knocked that paper down and only one remained, "The answer is obvious, Spike. I am the only one suitable to be Jade's guardian."

Spike didn't react with surprise, instead he asked, "So where is Jade?"

Twilight's mind snapped, she was so wrapped up in her planning that she forgot the most important thing. She slumped down and felt miserable, Twilight thought of how horrible a guardian she must be if she had already lost Jade.

"Oh, hi Jade!" said Spike in an happy way, Twilight snapped her head up to see Fluttershy and Jade walking into the library.

"Hi Spike," replied Jade, she waved over at Twilight, "Hi Twilight."

Fluttershy stepped in and looked around, "Good morning Twilight, I was hoping to talk to you about Jade if you weren't too busy with something else."

Twilight recollected herself and stood up, "No, not at all. I mean, yes..." she paused and shook her head, "We can talk."

Fluttershy said, "I was talking with Rarity earlier about where Jade could stay, and--"

"Don't worry about that, I've got it all figured out," interrupted Twilight in a confident manner, her mood returning since she knew where Jade was now. She continued, "I thought about it and have come to the conclusion that I would be the most suitable guardian for her, I have experience raising dragons after all."

Fluttershy smiled slightly as she spoke, "Actually, uhm, I was thinking that I could take care of Jade."

"You?" responded Twilight, flabbergasted, "Fluttershy, no offense, but I don't think you know what you're getting yourself into. Raising a baby dragon is hard work and sometimes you will have to put your hoof down. You have to be able to stand up to her."

"Oh, I don't think that will be a problem, we had lots of fun last night," said Fluttershy.

Twlight was confused, "Wait, she was with you?"

"Yes," answered Fluttershy, "and she was very helpful. We did chores and had fun with them. She even got to meet Angel and we had dinner together."

Twilight, worn out from her sleepless night and near breakdown, could only stare with her mouth hanging open. Fluttershy began to plead, "Please let her stay with me, Twilight."

Twilight closed her mouth before she responded, "It's not really up to me, if that's what you want and if it works then she should stay with you."

An expression of pure joy beamed from Fluttershy, she hugged Twilight and said, "Thank you so much!" Fluttershy released Twilight and turned to Spike and Jade who were across the room playing. She called out, "Jade, let's go home, would you like to help me care for the birds?"

Jade turned around when she was called, then turned back to Spike and said goodbye before running up to Fluttershy's side while saying, "Sure."

Twilight watched the two leave and before levitating a piece of parchment and a quill, she said to herself: "Huh... that was easy... I guess I should write the princess about this..."


Previous: [link]
Next: [link]
First: [link]