To Die Another Day

(Three days later)

Spike was helping AJ at her stand today trying not to lash out at any ponies that surprised him. He sighed giving another bunch of apples to another pony who quickly paid for their apples before trotting off. His ears twitched hearing something behind him.

Thinking quickly he unsheath his sword and thrust it at the flyer that barely dodged it making a trench along the ground. He stocked towards the downed flyer before a yellow mare stepped into view.

"Spike calm down its Rainbow Dash she isn't going to hurt you." She said putting her front hooves on his chest making him stop and look down at Fluttershy as he started to tremble.

She smiled and pulled him into a hug as he sheathed the sword. He was terrified as he watched the rainbow flyer get up with a moan making him reach for his sword again feeling a hoof on his claw.

"Its ok she wont hurt you I promise Spike. Just deep breaths and calm down." Fluttershy said rubbing his back but kept her other hoof on his sword.

"Just please keep it away please." He said backing away as the flyer set its sights on him and glared.

"WHAT THE HAY IS YOUR-MMMMPH!" She was stopped by a orange hoof she tuned to see a very angry Applejack glaring at her.

"Rainbow Dash you know how Spike is when it comes to you! Why do ya keep flyin at him like that!?" Applejack said looking over at the trembling Dragon as he stared at Rainbow.

"Y'all know he' scared to death of you Dash! So stop bein mean to Spike or it could cost you your life!" AJ said getting in Rainbows face.

"I'm not trying to be mean AJ I'm just being me." She said looking at the terrified dragon as Fluttershy was comforting him.

"Its really that bad when it comes to me huh?" She asked sadly as AJ sighed.

"Yea it is sugarcube. Spike is scared to death of you because of the Rainbow Dash in his world. Y'all got to remember Dash Spike came from a very different Equestria and would kill you for what you did like he just did. Y'all cant keep doing that to him Rain. For yours and his sake stop. Try to you know get to know him see what you can do to help him get over his fear of you." She said as they looked at Spike as Fluttershy led him away.

"Have him help you with some clouds or something. Maybe a trick he can help you with. Just make sure Shy is there incase he... Acts up." She said as Rainbow sighed.

"Sorry AJ I really do want to help him and to see him like this just makes me think of our Spike you know. But Ill do what you said and talk to him first before I can be alone with him." She said as AJ nodded.

(With Spike and Fluttershy)

"I need to talk to Rainbow Flutters. I know she don't mean anything by it its just... I could kill her and I almost did today." He said sighing as they walked towards town.

"I know Spike and I understand what your saying. We can think of some things to help her on the way to the hospital." She said as he raised a eyebrow.

"Why are we going to the hospital." He asked getting shivers as he remembered that was where the Ponyville virus came from, it and the animals.

"Well nurse Redheart has been feeling really ill lately. I was just going over to wish her well. Um you don't have to come if you don't want to." She said as he smiled as her.

"Of course Ill come Fluttershy. She saved my life so the least I was wish her well." He said as they got closer.

"So what does she have that's making her sick?" He asked as she sighed.

"Doctor Tenderheart said that its a new strain of the cold. Nothing serious." She said as he swallowed as memories started to come to of ponies in the hospital coughing and dying right next to other ponies before coming back in seconds and starting to eat the sick.

"When we get there I want a moment alone with her ok. Just to say thank you." He said as she smiled and nodded.

"Ok Spike."

(Hospital)

Spike looked around the hospital as sick and injured ponies came in and out.

(Flashback)

"Spike check his pulse if its really weak move him to quarantine."

"Got it Twilight. You gonna be ok?"

"This is advancing fast Spike I don't know if we can contain it at all. You've heard the reports from Canterlot before it went dark. I just hope Shining and the others got out ok." She said as the dragon sighed and grabbed the stallion and pulled him down the hall as he moaned.

"Yeah I know what you mean." He said pulling the stallion down the hallway past the quarantine area and headed for a room.

"One more guys." He said as the guard nodded

"Just put him in with the others."

As soon as he opened the door he was attacked by one of the ponies inside.

"GET HER OFF ME! GET HER OFF! SHULK!" Spike looked to see a spear in her head as he threw her off as the stallion started to twitch.

"GET HIM IN THERE NOW!" Spike yelled as a guard used his magic to pick the convulsing stallion up and threw him inside as another infected patient made for the door before they shut it.

Spike got up and sighed as he looked at the dead mare. It was Carrot Top.

"Get her to the burn pile."

"Right." He saw one drag the body down the hall towards the back of the hospital leaving a trail of blood.

"Spike you ok?"

Spike looked over to see Twilight as she gasped.

"Spike you have blood on you! Go home and get a bath and some rest Ill be home tonight ok." She said as he nodded.

It was the last time he would see her alive.

(End flashback)

Spike shook his head as he saw everything was clean again making him sigh as he shook a little.

"Spike are you ok?" Fluttershy asked as he sighed.

"This is where it all started. This is where Ponyville came to a end." He said as she squeaked.

"I should have seen her symptoms. I should have known that she was infected but I couldn't bring myself to believe it. It was Twilight you know, the princess, my friend and she just wanted to help is all. She wanted to save everyone and just get things back to normal." He said as she looked down.

"Are you going to be ok?" She asked as he sighed.

"Yeah come on lets go see Redheart." He said as they walked down the hallway towards the stairs. Spike remembered the upstairs area. They blocked it off after Ponyvilles patient zero had gotten loose and infected the whole floor. It was Zecora.

As the two came to their friends room he smiled at Fluttershy who waved him in. He nodded as he opened the door and was hit with a familiar odor. The smell of the infected. He quickly slammed the door shut and locked it least the infection get to his friend. He saw a pony by Redheart side and saw it was a nurse. She smiled up at him as he growled.

"Leave now." He said his voice rumbling as her pupils shrank and nodded as he opened the door for the mare.

"Spike are you ok what's-SLAM"

He locked the door back as he advanced on Redheart as she looked over at him and smiled.

"Hey Spike glad to see your ok. I've been feeling a little under the weather lately so sorry I couldn't come by to see you." She said as he sighed and came by her side. He grabbed some medical tools as she groaned and held her stomach.

"I'm so hungrey." She said as he smiled at her.

"Don't worry we'll get you some yummy hospital food soon ok?" He said as she stuck her tongue out.

"Hospital food sucks." She said as he laughed.

"Yeah I know what you mean." He said as he smiled at her before turning serious.

"Ok Redheart I'm gonna be running some tests on you ok to see what could be causing you to be feeling this way ok." He said as she smiled.

"Ok Spike anything to get out of this bed." She said as he nodded he could hear Fluttershy start to panic on the other side of the door.

"Is Fluttershy going to be ok?"

"Yeah you know how she is." He said as she nodded as he looked at her eyes and checked her tempature. As he continued to run tests on her he heard banging on the door.

"I think you should get that." She said as he smiled.

"I will just one more test. Have you come in contact with any blood dried or fresh?" He said as she sighed and fell back to the pillow.

"I think so maybe from your bag. It had blood on it but I wasn't thinking when I saw the elements. I guess this is what I get for not thinking." She said as he nodded and stood up as he gave her a kiss on the forehead making her blush.

"No one deserves this Redheart." He said as he turned and quickly left the room opening and then closing the door shut behind him.

Outside security was waiting to see what he had done but he didn't move from the door.

"Get me Twilight and the rest of our friends Fluttershy as fast as you can but get mini me and Twi first." He said as she looked at him worried.

"Spike what's going on?" She asked getting scared as she smiled at her.

"Ill tell you when you grab everyone and get them here." He said as he looked at the other nurses and security.

"Grab some food and Ill take it to her. No one is allowed beyond this door but me. All of you can be infected by what she has and I wont allow that to happen." He said as Fluttershy's eyes went wide.

"You mean that she's infected." She asked as he nodded.

"She grabbed my bag that had blood on it and it got in her mouth. I cant let anyone inside or they might spread-" He stopped as his pupils shrank. He shot over to the nurse that was helping her and grabbed her as Fluttershy took off .

"Besides you who all have been helping her!" He said in a panic as she whimpered.

"Please its very important I need to know the fate of the world is at stake here!" He said as she pointed to the front desk.

"Everypony that's come to see her or check on her is in the log books just check those." She said as kissed her cheek.

"THANK YOU!" Spike shot down the stairs and to the front desk as he grabbed the log books and started to flip through them.

"Excuse me sir but that is confidental paperwork!" The mare said as he growled at her making her button her lip.

"Shut up I'm trying to save you." He said a she looked at him confused as another pony came in.

"Nurse I don't feel so good." They said as Spike looked at him and had to stop himself from killing the stallion in front of him. It was the same one from his memories. He looked like death warmed over.

Spike watched as the nurse ran to him and knew what had to be done just as his younger self came in as he grabbed some paper and quickly wrote a note to Celestia.

Just as Twilight came with her Spike the older one shoved a note into his claw.

"Send the letter Mini me. This is of national security and the fate of the world is at stake." He said as the younger Spike nodded and sent the letter as the older Spike looked at Twilight.

"Twilight I need you to take some of my blood and I need to know where Trixie is." He said as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"What's going on Spike?"

"Look Twilight there is no time take some of my blood and keep it safe. Get some hazmat suites and I need you to take some of Redhearts blood as well. Now where is Trixie?" He said as a flash went off behind him.

"NO! Get out of the hospital now Princess!" Spike grabbed Celestia and took flight onto a nearby cloud.

"SPIKE! What is going on. You letter said that is was of national security. What's happened?" She asked as he sighed.

"Three days ago when Redheart showed you my elements she got blood in her mouth. The virus is passed through body fluids and is airborn for a short while. I need to look at Redhearts blood and I need to find Trixie. I checked her and she has all the symtoms of the infected before they turn. High fever, coughing, sleepyness, hunger, small blood shot milky pupils, as well as a odor only the infected let off. I need you to quarantine Ponyville and our borders. No one leaves the country till the infection is gone.

"Spike how can you be sure it is the same virus that destroyed your Equestria?" She asked as he gave her a WTF look.

"Because I watched as every single pony in Ponyville turned into one of those things! I watched as a pony I saw as a mother try to rip my face off before I was forced to kill her. I know the symtoms and at least 30 Ponies here have them if what the log book says if not more. Please Celestia don't make the same mistake as mine did." He said as Celestia bit her lip.

"Ok Spike what do you need?" She asked as he smiled.

"I need your top science teams and your most brilliant minds to get this cure out and to every pony in Equestria. I need marshal law declared and the military to keep everypony in Equestria and I need it done fast." He said as she nodded.

"If you want further proof I can show it to you." He said as she nodded.

"At Fluttershy's home there is a video camera that wouldn't be out till another ten years. Its portable and has sound. I documented everything that happened before I was killed. Grab it and learn from it I need to find Trixie. She holds the key to all of this besides me." He said as he took flight as she flashed away.

He landed back on the ground and saw his friends there looking at him worried.

"Spike what's going on where did the princess go?" Twilight asked

" She went to get my camera. Now lets go to the library so we don't cause a panic." He said as he flew to her library with the girls behind him. As they reached the library Spike said as they sat down.

"Ok look this is the situation. Redheart has been infected with the virus that killed over 25 nations and most of the world and its wild life. As well as over 30 ponies here now one of them I saw when you came in Twilight he was a pony that was infected." He said as they looked at each other.

"Please darling I know what you've been through was horrid but for the virus to be here and survived the trip from your world to ours? I find that hard to believe." Rarity said as Spike growled.

"Twilight did you get me the blood samples from Redheart?" He asked as she nodded and used her magic to pulled up the vial.

"Good I need a microscope." He said as he went over to the table and put the blood under scope and sighed.

"That's what I thought. Come here Twi." He said as she came over and looked at the blood before sighing.

"Spike its just the cold virus. Its very common this time of year." She said as he growled.

"NO! That's how it works before it fully manifest on the last day of the second week of contracting it. It gradually becomes noticable over the two weeks but by then its to late and the host is lost to the virus. We need to get the cure to them three days before the end of next week." He said as she shook her head.

"I'm sorry Spike but until when have some- Where are you going!?" She said as he went for the door.

"I'm going to find Trixe if you wont help then Ill do it myself." He said as the others looked as the door slammed shut making them wince.

Applejack sighed as she went over the microscope and looked at it.

"Ah don't see what Spike is looking at but what if he's right girls. Ah mean if Redheart is infected with this virus that turned everypony what then? If in a week and a half time Red or one of them other ponies turns what are we gonna do?" She asked as she ran out the door after Spike followed by Fluttershy.

Applejack and Fluttershy saw Spike going down the road, she could see his wings twitching in anger as they ran towards him.

"SPIKE WAIT!" Applejack yelled making him stop and look at the two as they ran up to him.

"What's up?"

"Spike what do y'all need us to do. Tell us what to do." Applejack said as he smiled at them.

"Ok look you guys AJ start stocking up the cellar with as much food and water as you can. Get your family to safety send them to Appleloosa. If this thing goes south then you don't want to be anywhere near Equestria when it does." He said as she nodded.

"Fluttershy I know your not gonna like this but you need to leave your animals. Maybe take Angel but you wont be able to save all of them." He said as she started to protest before he put a claw on her lips.

"Fluttershy I lost you and AJ once I'm not gonna lose you again." He said gently cupping her face before she looked down.

"But how can I choose between so many of my friends?" She said as he sighed.

"I know its a tough choice Fluttershy but either you take one or you leave them all Shy. In my world they ripped you to pieces. I wont let that happen again." He said as she cried.

"Look Shy if you want since ahm gonna be sending mah family to Appleloosa y'all can send some of your critter friends in the shelter. I cant take all of'em but ah can take a few. Is that ok Spike?" Applejack asked as he sighed.

"That should be fine just make sure they don't get anywhere near town. The virus goes faster since they're smaller. If any start to caugh or have trouble breathing get them away from you or kill them. Keep your masks on and don't take them off till I give you the all clear." He said as Applejack nodded.

"Will do sugarcube. Come on Shy lets get everything set up. Ah could use y'alls help." She said as they went towards Applejacks farms.

As he watched them go he sighed before he turned around and ran right into Celestia who had his camera.

"Is this what you wanted me to see Spike?" She asked as he smiled.

"Yes I'm just gonna say right now those video's are very graphic." He said as she nodded.

"Ill quarantine Ponyville and begin preparations to get our borders secure. If this is what you think then Spike then Ill be looking to you for guidance." She said as he put a claw on her shoulder.

"Celestia if this does become a outbreak you may have to wipe Ponyville off the map. Vaporize the area and the forest." He said as she stared at him before nodding.

"Lets hope it doesn't come to that." She said before she flashed away as he turned to the road before a letter appeared in front of him as he opened it and began to read.

Dear Spike.

I've located Trixie on the outskirts of Dream Valley she is performing for the small town there for the next few days. If you hurry you will be able to catch her before the she leaves. Good luck.

Princess Celestia.

Spike smiled as he spread his wings and shot into the air heading for the Dream Valley to go and get his sister.

(With AJ)

"Look y'all stop fightin me and pack everything y'all need to get packed and ready to go ah ain't askin y'all ah'm tellin ya to go NOW!" She yelled as Big Mac stood his ground.

"Ah aint leavin the farm if there something comin this way then-BANG!" Big Mac fell to the floor knocked out as Fluttershy squeaked holding a frying pan.

"Oh I hope I didn't hit him to hard." She said as tears came to her face.

"Nah he'll be fine that hard head of his is just fine Fluttershy now come on lets get him to wagon and ah get him lassoed up before he wakes up." She said as the other two members of the family went and packed their belongings.

Fluttershy smiled as the bear from her cottage helped load Big Mac up in the wagon.

"Thanks Mr. Bear um if you could gather the other animals and bring them over here so I can talk to them ok. Um if that's ok with you?" She squeaked as the bear nodded and went to Fluttershy's cottage.

As the rest of the famliy walked out Big Mac came to just as Fluttershy saw all her animal friends coming down the road.

"What in tarnation? Ugh mah head is killin me and why am ah tied up?" He asked as Applejack walked up to him.

"Yer tied up cause y'all are stubborn. Y'all are goin to Breaburns and that's final." She said stamping her hoof.

"Don't make me gag y'all to big brother." She said as he sighed.

"Fine y'all can untie me now." He said as she smiled and shook her head.

"Nnnope. Y'all are gonna stay like that till the train leaves big brother. Now come on y'all ah got to get some things organized for the cellar. Come on Fluttershy lets get goin. Ah don't want to wait for the next train." She said as Fluttershy came up to her smiling.

"Oh ok well um I'm sending my animal friends with them so they can be safe. Angel refuses to leave so he'll be staying with me." She said as Applejack smiled.

"Ok sugarcube. Let get these three and your critters to the train before it leaves." She said as she put on a hazmat mask along with her famliy and Fluttershy and her animals.

As they made their way through town way through town they got looks from the other ponies as they did.

"Why are they staring at us like that?" Applebloom asked as AJ sighed.

"That's because they don't know whats happenin sugarcube. Y'all are just goin to visit our cousin in Appleloosa for a while till this is over sugarcube." She said.

"Then why are we wearin these helmets then?" She asked

"Cause some of the ponies are sick and we need to go before we get it." She said as Applebloom nodded as she looked at the other ponies closely as they passed them and made sure to avoid them.

"And how do y'all know that ponies are sick?" Big Mac asked as Applejack rolled her eyes.

"Cause Spike told me and ah aint takin no chances now hush up before ah gag ya." She said as they made it to the train station as they paid for the tickets to Appleloosa.

"Ok y'all ah'll send y'all a letter to let y'all know it ok to come back till then sit tight with Braeburn and help out round the farm." She said as they nodded.

"Ok guy your going to Appleloosa so you don't get infected with a nasty virus. Ill come get you when this over ok." She said as Angel nodded as the train started to leave. Right as the last car was about to pass Fluttershy picked him up.

"Sorry Angel bunny but I know you wont keep the helmet on for the next two weeks. I sorry." She said as she threw him into a open window where he landed on a bed.

"TAKE CARE OF THE OTHERS TILL I COME GET YOU!" She yelled as the rabbit looked out the window hurt that she tricked him.

As the two watched the they sighed and looked back at Ponyville.

"Well Fluttershy come on lets go stock the cellar. Ah could use some help with gettin the apples out of the trees and cookin." She said as they began their treck towards the farm just as another train pulled up and hundreds of soldiers come off.

"Ok stallions lets move! secure the hospital and hazmats on at all times when in the town. Team leaders you know the drill no pony in or out. All residents are to stay in their homes. I want everypony in the hospital quarantined and under guard. We don't want the infection to spread. Private you and four others go get me Zecora the zebra in the Everfree. Ok everypony understand their assinments? Good move out!" He yelled as Fluttershy and Applejack ran for the farm to get everything set up.

(Spike)

Spike flew over the Dream Valley. He banked right and dove towards the ground tucking his wings in as he saw fireworks going off at the end of town. He smirked as he flapped his wings coming in just over the crowd and saw Trixie turn to him as he scooped her up as she screamed.

"Trix shut the hell up your to loud!" He said as he continued to scream. He cringed as she yelled in his ear before he clamped his mouth shut and glared at her.

"Be quiet Trixie or Ill drop you." He growled as she stopped screaming and looked at him in fear.

"That's better sweet Celestia your loud." He said as he dove back down to the stage and set her down as he turned to the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming out today to witness the Great and Powerful TRIXIE!" He yelled as they all smiled and stomped before the crowd left. Spike turned to the dumb founded mare as he walked up to her.

"Ok Trix I need some of you blood. About a vial will do so I can take it to Canterlot. You are to give it to me willingly or Ill take it by force. Your choice." He said as she just looked at him as he sighed and took out a needle and grabbed her arm.

"Hey what are you doing?!" She yelled as he glared at her and jerked her arm.

"Look sis I need your blood for a cure and if I don't get it Equestria is doomed. Now hold still." He said as she stared at him in shock.

"Did you just call me sis?" She said as he flinched.

"Yeah I did sorry its just a old habit." He said as he finished getting the blood.

"An old habit? What are you talking about dragon I've never met you in my life!" She said as he smiled at her.

"Oh yes you have I'm Spike I was Twilights assistant now I'm just Spike the dragon." He said as he tucked the vial in a bag he got from Fluttershy's house.

"What do you mean you were?" She asked as he smiled.

"Come to Ponyville in a few weeks and Ill tell you all about it." He said as he took flight to Canterlot.

'I hope I can make it in time.' He thought as he shot across the sky.

(Canterlot)

Celestia paced nervously as she watched the sky for Spike. She had just got done with the videos and right now she was very close to panicing to say the least.

"Please hurry Spike countless live rest in your claws." She said as a Shining Armor came up beside her.

"Your highness the borders have been secured and marshal law was just sent out to every city. What's going on?" He asked as she didn't answer him.

"Princess?"

"He's here quick get the research teams ready to begin. NOW CAPTAIN!" She yelled as her eyes flashed white for a second.

"Yes ma'am!"

Shining ran to the hall as Spike came through a window and handed the vials to the princess as she used her magic to pick them up.

"Ill get on them right away Spike." She said over her shoulder as she took off out of the room with Spike right behind her

(8 days later Ponyville Hospital)

Spike stood in front of a reenforced glass box as he stared at Nurse Redheart. They had gotten the cure for the other patients and the town. Now it was being mass produced for the rest of Equestria.

But they had been to late to save Redheart. Her three day mark had already passed and now he knew what he had to do. He walked into the room and could smell the infection was heavy in the air. He took some of Redhearts blood and put it under a microscope and sighed.

Now is when the virus shows itself when it is far to late to save the host. Spike watched as little black circles attacked her cells and duplicated into more of the virus at a rapid rate. She would turn any minute. He walked out of the room as she flat lined and started to convulse while he stopped some nurses that tried to help their friend.

"LET ME GO I NEED TO HELP HER YOU CANT DO THIS! I CAN HELP HER WE HAVE THE CURE NOW!" Doctor Tenderheart yelled as tears went down her face.

"No you cant its to late for her! She's turning! I'm sorry the cure just didn't come fast enough to save her." He said as Twilight and the others tried to get to Red Heart.

"ENOUGH! The Redheart you knew is gone. Watch." He said as the pony on the table stopped convulsing and moaned. She fell off the bed with a heavy thump before getting to her hooves.

"Look she's alive! I told you she would be fine Sp-RAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Everyone whipped their heads to see Redheart at the glass staring at the with milk white eyes as she smacked into the glass wall.

"Redheart its me Tender don't you- THUMP! RAAAAAHHHHHH!" Tenderheart jumped back as Spike sighed and walked up to the was as Redheart tried to bite through the glass.

"This is what I was trying to warn you about. Now look at your friend and think of millions of ponies just like her. Every day is a struggle to survive. That is where I came from. I this is where the virus ends." He said as he walked up to a little slot in the glass as Redheart continued to bang on the glass.

"Spike what are you doing?" Twilight asked as he took a deep breath making her go wide eyed.

"NO SPIKE DONT!"

FWOOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHH!

Spike unleashed a white hot fire into the room as Shining kept it contained with his magic.

"RAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Spike cranked up the heat as he saw Redheart collaspe on the ground as he stopped spewing the molten hot flame. He walked inside and saw the walker still trying to move as he unsheathed his sword.

"Please don't do it." He could hear Tenderheart say as the walker groaned while it tried to bite him and reach out for him.

"I'm sorry Redheart but this is the only way. I'm sorry." He said as he raised the sword up with the blade pointed down as he let the blade fall just as the walker reached him.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO! SHUNK! THUMP!" Spike pulled the sword from the walkers skull before taking a deep breath and exhaled the flames right on the body turning it to ash as he moved on to the room making sure that the air was clean burning everything in the room to ash or melted steel.

After he was sure the virus was out of the air he looked up to see the horrified faces of the elements minus Fluttershy as well as the guards and staff.

"This is what happens when you doubt someone who's lived through the virus, studied it, and fought it." He said

"MURDERER!"

Spike was shocked as he saw Rartiy pointing at him.

"YOUR A MONSTER! SHE WAS FINE AND YOU TURNED HER TO ASH!" He looked to see Twilight glaring at him.

"HEY NOW HOLD ON YALL! SPIKE JUST SAVED EVERYPONY HERE!" AJ said standing up for her friend and secret crush.

"YEAH HE TOTALLY SAVED US FROM A VIRUS THAT HE MADE UP BECAUSE OF HIS PTSD!"

"RAINBOW! SPIKE JUST SAVED US FROM A COMPLETE OUTBREAK OF A DEADLY VIRUS THAT-" She stopped as he put a claw on her shoulder.

"Its fine AJ but thanks. I don't think any of them will understand what I do but thanks for believing in me. I'm going to head to the Griffon Empire now and give them the cure as well as the dragon kingdoms just in case. I don't think Ill welcomed here after this anyway."

"GOOD GET OUT YOU NO GOOD DRAGON!" A pony said as they all started to shout at him.

"It seems that no matter what lifetime it is AJ me and you will never be together." He said as he jumped out of a window leaving AJ with tears in her eyes as she reached out to the dragon.

"Hmph good riddance." Rainbow said as AJ gritted her teeth before she whipped around and glared at them.

"THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY A HERO!? THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY A FRIEND AFTER HE JUST SAVED THE ENTIRE NATION!? WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU PONIES?" AJ exploded as the others backed up.

"SPIKE RISKED IS LIFE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR HOME DIDNT END UP LIKE HIS! YOU SAW THE BLOOD WORK TWILIGHT AND YET YOU STILL CALLED HIM A MONSTER!? YOU SAW NOT FIVE SECONDS AGO WHAT REDHEART TURNED INTO AS SOON AS SHE DIED!" She yelled as tears came to her eyes.

"AJ please calm down." Pinkie tired

"DONT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN AFTER WHAT YOU JUST DONE TO SPIKE! ALL OF YOU DONT SEE THE BIG PICTURE HERE OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED! IF SPIKE HADNT GOTTEN THE CURE AND PONYVILLE HAD A OUTBREAK THE PRINCESS WOULD HAVE HAD TO WIPE PONYVILLE OFF THE MAP TO CONTAIN IT! SPIKE JUST SAVED ALL OF US FROM BEING VAPORIZED!" She screamed as she started breathing hard while tears went down her face.

Applejack took off through the crowd and towards the farm as she saw little Spike come out of the library as she ran up to him.

"Spike have you seen the older you?"

"Yeah he was just here he had me send two letters to the Griffon and Dragon lands. Why what's going on AJ?" He asked as fresh tears came to her face.

"No ah cant loose him now. Not now." She said taking off again towards the farm as it started to rain.

As she made it to the farm she saw him take off again as Fluttershy had her head down and AJ could hear her crying. As Flutteshy looked up and saw her coming she ran to her as Applejack threw her arms around her.

"What did he say sugarcube?"

"He said it was good to see his friends alive again and at least now we don't have to worry about the virus since the pegasus are dropping the cure from the clouds of the Everfree Forrest. He said that he would miss us and he was sorry it worked out this way." She said sniffing as AJ held her tighter as the rain came down harder with her tears.

"He also said for me to give you this." She said giving her a scroll as Applejack opened it. As she read the message she got tears in her eyes before she sniffed hard and dropped the scroll into the mud as she collasped.

'Maybe in another lifetime?'

"AJ?"

"Come on Fluttershy. We got us a dragon to find." She said as lightning struck the ground down the road as she sighed.

"Fine after the storm is over." She said as they headed towards the house to get a good bath and some sleep they had a long day ahead of them in the morning.

(Spike)

Spike flew above the clouds with a dead look in his eyes as he made for the border to the dragon lands. He was to meet with two of the royal dragon families soldiers and they were going to escort him to the family.

Spike landed a few hours later just outside the border to see Princess Luna as well as a few guards in his way just as a squad of dragon soldiers came down from the sky.

"Spike please don't do this we can talk to the ponies and let them see what you have. You don't need to leave." She said as he walked towards her.

"Sorry princess but Princess Twilight made it very clear that I was not welcome in Equestria any longer. So I'm going to leave and never come back. I might stay here after I drop off the cure at the Griffon Empire and settle down." He said as he continued to walk towards her.

"Spike what about Applejack and Fluttershy? What about the other there in Ponyville that will miss you?" She asked as he smiled.

"I've only been her for two weeks Luna. They will forget me in time. Now move aside I've made my decision." He said as her head slumped as she watched her friend leave. She quickly run up to him and threw her arms around him and felt him tense up.

"No matter where you go or how long your gone your always welcome in our land my friend." She whispered in his ear.

"Thank you Luna. You were always the one that really understood me besides AJ and Twilight." He said as tears came down her face as he went past the royal guards and across the border. Luna watched as her friend left with what could be the last she ever saw of him.

"Goodbye my friend I will miss you." She said as the other dragons nodded at him before he took to the sky.

'Goodbye my friends. Maybe in another lifetime.' Spike thought as he soared through the skies with the other dragons.