Spike ran as fast as his legs could carry him, which was not all that fast. His mouth hung open, desperately sucking in air to fuel his flight, and his throat burned with every ragged breath. He could feel his heart pounding in his throat, and he felt that if he kept going, it would definitely just explode, pop!, and that would be the end of him. Here lies Spike, died of running away! Huh! Not that his pursuers cared. He willed his legs to move a little faster, and continued to run.

Behind him, he heard the howling of the monsters on his tail--definitely louder than last time. He grimaced. They were still gaining on him, slowly making up his head start. They were going to catch him, and then...! He shuddered in mid stride. Best to try not to think about it. He swallowed the lump of fear in his throat, and chose an alleyway at random to turn into.

He couldn't give up. Every moment he kept moving was another moment his tormentors might suddenly grow bored, or be distracted by something more appealing than him. Yes, that was it. That was the hope he was holding out for! Gotta have hope. Yeah! He dodged around another corner, and tried to ignore the banshee cry behind him,

"SPIIIIIII-IIIIIKE!"

Left here. And here. Now a right. Bear left at Mr. Davenport's shop. Scuttle down the side alley next to Sugarcube Corner. Maybe he could make it to the Library! They'd be expecting that, wouldn't they? But they were behind him, still gleefully calling his name, and the Library was in front of him now, a straight shot down the street. Hah! Hope flared even brighter in Spike's overworked heart as he surged toward safety.

They weren't behind him. Or... two of them still were, but the third landed with a thump in front of him, right in front of the door to the Library, and in that moment Spike truly knew despair. Her face was split with what he was sure was the most sinister grin anypony had ever grinned ever since at least the last time the Elements had been used.

Spike painted his face in determination. NO! He had been so close! He couldn't give up! Never! By... by Celestia, and Luna, and Twilight, and the Noble Dragon Code, he had to fight! He desperately tried to turn away from his course, feet scrabbling at the dirt. He reached for the next nearest building, some poor pony's house, hoping to sink his claws into it and to try to climb out of reach of the demons.

He didn't make it.

The other two tackled him to the ground, giggling their little heads off. Three pairs of hooves, one white, one orange, and one yellow, descended upon Spike and set to dragging him off with a triumphant cry.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS DRAGON STYLISTS YAY!"

Author's Note

Prompt: Spike didn't make it.