Undying

The City of Canterlot. Never before has any Equestrian city been so quiet, until now.

CLANG! Swords clashed in the streets as our heroes fought their way into the city. Aegis had begun to rely heavily on his telekinesis, since it allowed him to move faster and more freely than having a blade on his wing or in his mouth. The other plus was the ability to improvise small rocks and sticks as makeshift projectiles, as his very difficult to kill enemies found out.

“These creeps don’t stay down, do they?” Aegis asked, becoming increasingly frustrated at the seemingly never-ending supply of crazed ghoul ponies. Spike took notice of this.

“Check their flanks. They’ve got the same markings around a black and faded Cutie Mark,” He said, cutting a few more down in the process. “This fight is goin’ on way too long. Time to cut our losses.”

“A Captain of the Guard never runs, even if he is merely a candidate,” Aegis said. Spike grabbed him by his sword belt. Aegis’ sword clattered to the ground as Spike clambered up the sides of the buildings. “Wait! My sword!”

“Leave it! No sense in risking your life for a piece of metal!” Spike said. He was small for a dragon, since he was only a little taller than the Elder when walking on all four legs. But it was a good blend of size, strength and speed, perfect for the urban combat necessary in Canterlot. Some had a theory that his actual size was much greater than he let on and he was using magic to compress his size down. Aegis often felt this was ridiculous. For one, where would all of that mass go? How would he incorporate it into his body? And furthermore, how would he get rid of it in order to shrink his size down? It didn’t add up. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on Spike’s oddities, especially since they had to escape a horde of undead ghouls. And Aegis no longer had a sword.

They were fast. Fast enough to keep up with Spike. Definitely an unsettling sign. “Persistent bastards… GET LOST!” Spike roared, flames pouring from his mouth and lighting the city in a brilliant green light.

In the light of the emerald fire, Aegis saw a single pony who wasn’t a ghoul being attacked. Without thinking twice, he broke free of Spike’s grip, snapping the leather belt holding his sheath in place, and dived down into the alley to save the pony. “LEAVE THAT PONY ALONE!”

The ghouls screeched as Aegis slammed one into a wall, splattering brains and blood everywhere. Aegis hissed and landed a strong kick to another ghoul’s shoulder, resulting a dull crack and the pitiful moaning of the injured ghoul. The final ghoul charged, but Aegis simply stepped aside and shoved it into a nearby trash can, pummelling it until it stopped shaking. “They won’t stay dead for long, but it will be a while. Are you alright?” He asked the pony.

“Please, don’t hurt me,” The pony said.

“I promise not to hurt you,” Aegis said. He took a closer look at the one he just saved. It was a female pony, but she was unharmed. “Doesn’t look like they did much more than scare you. Do you have a name, Miss?”

“My name? I don’t remember…my name.”

“Hey, hotshot! Trouble’s still after us, in case you’d forgotten!” Spike called from the rooftops. Aegis nodded.

“It’s not safe here. Please, come with me,” He said.

“Can I trust you?” The mare asked.

“Yes. My name is Aegis Dare.”

The mare got to her feet and ran behind Aegis, proving surprisingly fast. They sprinted through the alleys until they found a small plaza where Spike was waiting for them.

“Took your time, hotshot,” He said, though his eyes widened at the sight of the mare as she stepped into the moonlight. Her coat was a silvery white and her amethyst mane hung low around her shoulders and face. Her cutie mark was three diamonds, but one side was blackened and surrounded by a black ring. “Aegis, this is Rarity.”

“You seem familiar. Have we met before?” Rarity asked. She didn’t quite know why this dragon was so interesting.

“A long time ago, we were friends,” Spike said. He bowed before her, hoping to trigger some memory of who she was. “My name is Spike.”

“Spike? I think I’ve heard that before. I wish I could remember, but I can’t. All I remember was waking up lying in that alley and then the sky lit up with green fire.”

“It’s been five hundred years, Miss Rarity,” Aegis said. “It’s a really long story.”

“And this isn’t the place to tell it. Let’s find somewhere to bunker down for a while,” Spike said. The screeching of the Ghouls wasn’t far away, and even if Aegis and Rarity would simply revive after death, their common sense still dictated that they should take shelter.

They hid in an apartment away from the ghouls. The fortunate thing about Canterlot was how it was designed to withstand anything short of the mountain collapsing.

“You said Canterlot was in ruins. The place looks fine to me. Well, except for the ghouls,” Aegis said.

“It was ruins when I left. Somepony rebuilt it…” Spike said, deep in thought.

Rarity looked around the apartment. From her actions, Spike gathered that some of her personality may have surfaced. “Is there a shower or a bathtub around here?”

“In the bathroom,” Spike said. He whispered to Aegis, “She seems to be getting her memory back, but there’s something off about her.”

“How so?” Aegis asked in an undertone.

“I don’t know… But I want to find out.”

Rarity came out from the bathroom. “There’s no water here. I guess it hasn’t been fixed yet.”

“Rarity, do you recognize this?” Spike asked, holding up the ruby pendant that he treasured.

“Enjoy your Fire Ruby, Spike.”

“No, I want you to have it, Rarity. It’ll just be dinner to me, but with you, it will last forever.”

A single tear rolled down Rarity’s cheek. “Spike? Is that you?”

“Yes, Rarity. It’s me, only older,” Spike said with a warm loving glow in his eyes. “I guess I’m not so cute anymore.”

“You’ve grown so much. I can’t remember everything, but I remember you and Twilight- Twilight! Is she ok?” Rarity asked, going from comforting nostalgia to horrified panic.

“She tried to stop Discord from sealing the Sun, but I’m afraid she couldn’t do it. Even with Celestia and Luna fighting alongside her. He won and levelled the city. I was so afraid that you’d all died that day.”

“What about Fluttershy? Applejack? Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie?” Rarity hit panic stations. Aegis was confused.

“Dead. Every one of them,” Spike said, tears rolling down his face. “They tried fighting against Discord and got killed for it.”

“Gramps?” Aegis asked. This was the first time he’d seen Spike cry.

“I just need a moment. I’ll see if I can find something to eat while I’m at it,” Spike said. He slipped out quietly, fluid like water.

Rarity turned her attention to Aegis. “How do you know Spike?”

“He raised me. My parents died when I was young, and Gramps took me in. He taught me how to read, write, and how to defend myself,” Aegis said. Rarity held him steady and brushed aside his mane, something Aegis was less than happy about. “Hey! Get off!”

“How did you get this mark?” Rarity asked.

“Why? Do you know it?” Aegis asked in return.

“It’s a marking that I’ve only seen in one other place. Twilight’s Cutie Mark had a star in that exact shape and colour. How did you get it?”

“I was attacked by an exiled pony. He was cursed with the same brand as us. He lost his sense and became feral, then black. When I woke up, I was told that I had died and nearly gone feral myself. After that, everything changed. I can’t ever go home again because of what I am now, and what I’m afraid I’ll become…” Aegis said. A tear rolled down his cheek when he thought of Smooth Jazz, a friend he would never see again.

“You distance yourself from those you care about because you’re afraid you’ll hurt them?” Rarity asked.

“Yes,” was the simple reply.

“But when you weren’t cursed, you would have done anything for those you cared about, yes?”

“Exactly. I would die for them if I had to,” Aegis said.

“Then you’re a fool. If you are a truly brave warrior, then you will live for your friends. Do that, and I’ll do the same,” Rarity said, her sapphire eyes sparkling in the moonlight pouring through the window.

Of all the situations Spike had foreseen, this was the one he never considered. But if Rarity was alive, could the others also be alive? Or if they weren’t, why Rarity? How did she survive? Was she even the real Rarity? Spike kept agonizing over these questions, but one part of him wanted to believe in Rarity as he used to. The young dragon from five hundred years ago.

“It doesn’t matter. I can’t turn back the hands of time…” He said quietly.

I might be able to help you… A voice crept into the back of Spike’s mind. A deep sinister voice.

“No… You’re dead. I saw you die that day.”

Yes, I was indeed dead. But like many others in this city, I returned to life. I must thank Celestia for bringing that piece of my horn here to Canterlot, because now… Well, you’ve seen my handiwork. Magnificent, isn’t it?

“Then show yourself, demon. I’m not afraid of you anymore. Because I’m no longer a child,” Spike said, addressing the voice.

No, I won’t. At least, not yet. There’s still one vital part still to be played, but isn’t Rarity charming? It took a lot of work to recreate her, especially since most of her body was badly damaged in Discord’s attack. Enjoy her company, Spike. She’ll lead you right to me when the time is right…

“Wait! Show yourself!” Spike yelled. He looked around frantically, and caught sight of a pair of glowing green eyes atop the guardtower. But before he could do anything, the figure vanished into the shadows. “So, it really was you… Sombra.”

Spike returned to the apartment to the sound of running water and Rarity’s singing.

“We got water running,” Aegis said with a very familiar look in his eye. A look Spike knew well.

“Hold on there, hotshot. You’re far too young for her,” Spike said.

“I’m old enough,” Aegis said indignantly.

“Now that sounds familiar. There’s nothin’ you can say that I haven’t already heard. I said most of it, too,” Spike said, ruffling Aegis’ mane. “I never told you who you remind me of, did I?”

“Not once in nineteen years,” Aegis replied, stretching out on a couch lined up against the wall.

“You remind me of myself,” Spike said. “All of your actions prove that much.”

“Am I really that much like you, Gramps?” Aegis asked.

“Oh yeah. But that comes with the bad things, too. Like not listening to your elders,” Spike said, a sly grin creeping across his face.

“You boys aren’t fighting, are you?” Rarity asked. While Aegis and Spike were talking, they didn’t hear the shower stop.

“Not at all. Actually, I was saying to Aegis that he was too young for you.”

“He’s nineteen, isn’t he?” Rarity asked.

“And you are five hundred and twenty one. Yes, that’s a very small age gap,” Spike deadpanned. A sign that the old ‘Gramps’ persona was fading, like he was coming to life after a long sleep.

“Do I get a say in this?” Aegis asked.

“We can sit here and argue all night, but that isn’t going to do our health any favours, darling,” Rarity said.

“I agree,” Spike said. “Tomorrow, we’re going to the inner city. And there’s worse than ghouls in there.”

“Like what?” Aegis asked.

“The Elite Guard…”

They rested for six hours, during which no Ghouls attacked. This was fortunate, since Spike took the opportunity to scavange some food and a new blade for Aegis. It was long and light, and had a slight curve along the blade.

“What is this? Doesn’t look like any sword I’ve ever seen.”

“It’s a Katana, no one really knows who came up with the design, but it’s lethal and efficient. Just be careful with it. Katanas are among the sharpest blades in the world, and they’re light, yet strong,” Spike said. He stowed it in its scabbard and handed it to Aegis. Rarity had her own gift for Aegis and Spike.

“Here. I found some leather and made this armour for you. It won’t stop lethal blows, but it should help to protect against damage and the environment,” She said, offering the leather armour to Aegis and Spike. Aegis accepted, finding it to fit perfectly. Spike, however, refused it.

“It’s a wonderful gift, but I can’t accept. My scales have grown tougher, and I’m practically wearing armour already. You should craft a suit for yourself,” He said.

“If you insist. How do you like it, Mr Dare?” Rarity asked.

“Just call me Aegis. It’s a perfect fit, but I have to ask, how did you know my measurements?” Aegis asked.

“Well, I had to guess for a certain part,” She said, causing Aegis to blush. “But everything else is exactly the same as Rainbow Dash. Well, your wings are slightly larger, but that’s easily accounted for.”

“You, uh, certainly know your craft, Miss Rarity,” Aegis said, still blushing.

The wall that divided the inner city turned out to be lightly guarded, though  the Ghouls probably weren’t smart enough to use grappling hooks or ladders, and those among the Ghouls who had wings couldn’t use them to fly anyway. Aegis scanned the area, taking note of the guards dressed in jet-black armour.

“Can’t cut through them,” He said.

“Can’t go around them, either. Too risky,” Spike said.

Rarity spotted a cluster of pots, a sly grin creeping across her face. “Such a pity we don’t have anypony well-versed in alchemy, or we might be able to create a distraction,” She said, the realized exactly what she said. “Wait, where did you learn alchemy, Spike?”

“About two hundred years ago I stayed with a buffalo tribe and learned some of their medicine, I left sometime after that and fell in with a zebra tribe far from home,” Spike said as he began making some explosive powder. “They were looking for a bodyguard, and I had a revived interest in learning. I guess a part of Twilight lives on in me and I wanted to keep that memory alive.”

Aegis motioned for Rarity to stand back a little, just in case. “Sometimes he gets it wrong. It’s usually just a face full of smoke, though.”

“Better be ready to fight, and for you two, be ready to die.”

BOOM! The explosion drew every guard in earshot towards the explosion, allowing Spike, Rarity, and Aegis to slip past unnoticed. Once past the initial wave, they got up to the rooftops to avoid the streets now crawling with alert guards, each one armed with a massive sword. Aegis noted how easy it all seemed, before getting a sudden tingling in the back of his skull. He tried to put it out of his mind, but it just wouldn’t go away,

You want Rarity, don’t you? Be honest, Aegis Dare. You desire her more than anything… A voice in the back of his mind began tempting him with thoughts

She’s enchanting, that much is certain. If I can’t deny that I want her, I have to ask why. I act like a foal around her, yet I was the youngest candidate to be Captain of the Guard, Aegis thought, as if responding to the voice. They came to a stop when they could see the Royal Palace…and an army of Black Knights out front. Spike handed Aegis and Rarity a flask each.

“Drink that. If I’m correct, you two should have felt a tingling sensation in your bodies. If that tingling turns into convulsions and muscle spasms, then you two will turn into Ghouls just like those back in the outer districts. This mixture will stave off the effects,” Spike said.

Aegis and Rarity drank the foul-smelling mixture that tasted like sour milk and rotten soybeans. After nearly bringing it back up, Aegis finally decided to ask, “How’d you come across the formula?”

“That pony who got you into this mess. Thanks to him, we have a way for you two to keep your senses, and I know all the signs of insanity. It took you longer to feel the effects of the curse, though. I wonder if positive emotions help to delay it…” Spike pondered.

“We don’t have the time to sit and wonder. So, if the city is rebuilt, then we hit the Royal Library, just like we planned…” Aegis said, shifting his blade into a position where he can easily draw it and strike.

It all went wrong. In trying to sneak in through the back, they had been caught. In trying to fight, they were defeated. In trying to die, they were kept alive. And even Aegis had given into despair. The dungeons in Canterlot had become bigger during the rebuilding, and Black Knights patrolled outside the cells.

“Hello, Miss Rarity. It has been too long…” A voice called.

“Who are you? Show yourself!” Rarity yelled.

The figure stepped out of the shadows.

“You!” Rarity yelled. She began struggling against the shackles and chains.

“Blueblood. Former Prince of Equestria and, by the looks of it, Captain of the Guard,” Spike said.

“Have we met before?” Blueblood asked of Spike.

“Once, but it was a long time ago. Princess Twilight’s Coronation,” Spike said.

Blueblood drew his sword and pointed it at Spike. “How do you know our Princess? They said that anypony who was not touched by Discord’s accursed influence died when Canterlot fell.”

“I was Princess Twilight’s assistant, tasked with an important mission that went unfinished. I was escorted from Canterlot by Rarity and Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash was killed in action, and Rarity was assumed dead. As you can see, she is very much alive,” Spike replied.

Blueblood motioned for the Knights to release them. “We will take you before the Princess. Then we will find out if your story is true…”