Ice Veins

Rather than walk to Twilight’s home, she teleported Rurik and herself away before Applejack and Steel Shod had a chance to volunteer to help find Spike. Despite being a fearsome aristocrat of the night, Rurik nearly vomited after the teleportation. While he himself had experience with such magics, they were for short distances, while the spell that Twilight had cast had carried them from across town all the way back to Golden Oaks Library. Rurik quickly found his potion satchel and popped a tonic that he had specifically created for nausea and was feeling better in no time. By the time he had recovered, Twilight was back in the room with one of Spike’s baby scales in her telekinetic grasp. Rurik quickly took the scale and began digging around his potion satchel once more. Before he did anything however he had Twilight take a seat.

“Okay Twilight. I will find him, but I need you to stay here.” Said Rurik.

“Why?! I caused this, I should help find him and apologize!” Twilight said with a worry filled voice.

“Because if he sees you he may feel you are still upset, if not more upset with him and bolt again; and I prefer to find the young drake as soon as possible. It is getting dark out after all.” Explained Rurik calmly.

“I- I understand.” She relented with a sigh.

“Everything will be fine Twilight; I will do my best to get him back.” He said patting her on the head.

“Thanks Rurik.” said Twilight sadly.

“There, now let’s get mixing!” said Rurik digging out some ingredients. “Let’s see here: Rock Warbler egg, void salts, troll fat, Dwemer oil, and some frost and fire salts.” Rurik thought out loud, “Twilight, bring me the scale and a bowl please.” Twilight nodded and went to the kitchen before returning with a good sized wooden bowl. Rurik wasted no time in mixing up the ingredients, save Spike’s scale and the fire salts. Once the rest of the ingredients were mixed, he put in Spike’s scale; Twilight watching him the entire time.

“What about the fire salt things?” asked Twilight pointing a hoof at the bowl of fire salts.

“Not yet, there is one more ingredient I need.” he replied.

“What is-” Twilight stared in horror as Rurik took out a dagger and slashed open his own hand before clenching his fist over the bowl and allowing his blood to drip into the bowl. Once he was finished, he used healing spell to seal the wound before grabbing the fire salts.

“Vampire blood,” he explained, “now we add the fire salts.” With that, he dumped the glowing orange material into the bowl. There was a small flash as the fire salts made contact with the ingredients in the bowl, which turned the mixture into vapor. Rurik closed his eyes and inhaled the vapor deeply. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and before him he saw small foot prints: Spike’s foot prints. Where Spike had walked was identified by a light blue aura, making it easier to see in the growing darkness as the sun was still setting and the sky was growing darker. In one hand, Rurik readied a detect life spell, while the other he kept free in case he needed Windshear.

Rurik followed the prints out the front door and through the town of Ponyville. The trail led him across the town once more, and as Rurik saw the Everfree Forest looming closer. Fortunately the tracks stopped under a small bridge across the creek just outside Ponyville. He cast the detect life spell and sure enough, a little blue flame appeared under the bridge where Spike was hiding. The vampire breathed a sigh of relief. Rurik walked slowly, trying not to make too much noise despite the heavy armor he was wearing, a difficult task in itself. As he got closer to where Spike was hiding he was relieved yet again when he heard the young dragon snoring. Quietly, he ducked under the bridge to find him sleeping soundly and sat down beside the tired little dragon. Rurik was thankful that he had left his helmet back at the Library, as the sight of a Dwemer helm and its emotionless face is not exactly one of the most calming things to awaken to.

“Spike.” Rurik said softly as he gently shook the small drake from his slumber. Spike awoke with a bit of a start before remembering who Rurik was.

“Oh, uh hi Rurik…” he said cautiously, hoping he had gotten the Nord's name correct.

“And hello to you as well Spike. Now, I must ask why you are sleeping under a bridge and not at home where it is safer.” Replied Rurik kindly.

“Well, that’s kind of a long story and I’m sure you really don’t want to hear about it.” He answered glumly.

“Oh nonsense Spike, you can tell me what’s wrong; after all my job is helping folks where I come from.” Rurik answered with a kind smile.

“Why do you want to help me? You barely know me!” Spike pointed out.

“Because helping folks is what I do Spike. I don’t expect any reward for it, I just do what I can for people, or dragons in your case. I do so because it pleases the gods that I worship: they gave me life, so I figure that I owe them big time.” Rurik replied with a shrug. Spike thought hard about it and decided to give Rurik a chance; after all he had saved Dinky and Ditzy from that nasty stallion and asked for nothing in return. Spike let out a small sigh and decided he would tell him what happened.

“Okay, if you really want to know what happened I’ll tell you.”

“I’m all ears.” Said Rurik nodding his head.

“Twilight was doing some research and needed some book that she has. I had gone through and re-shelved every book just like she has me do once or twice a week. Well, she couldn’t find it and instantly she blames me for it not being where it belonged. Then she lectured me for close to ten minutes about how irresponsible I am for not putting things where they are supposed to go. I told her that I put the books exactly where they were supposed to go and that maybe she had taken it off the shelf and forgotten to put it back where it belonged.” Explained Spike.

“Let me guess; she didn’t take it too well?” inquired Rurik.

“That’s putting it mildly. She blew a gasket and went on a rant about how it couldn’t have been her because she would never forget to put a book back from where she got it. Then, she asks me if I can do anything right. I got really upset and told her that apparently I couldn’t. Before she said anything back I left, came here, sat under the bridge and fell asleep until you came along and woke me up.” replied Spike.

“All this over a book?” asked Rurik with some confusion.

“It’s not the first time that she has freaked out over nothing, but it was the worst she has ever taken it out on me. The worst part is that she was right: I am irresponsible, and I really can’t do anything right.” the small drake sighed sadly.

“What makes you say that?” inquired Rurik.

“How old do you think I am?” asked Spike.

“Around eight to ten years old?” guessed Rurik.

“Try fifteen years old.” Groused Spike. “Twilight hatched me when she was five in a magic test that got her into Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns: not an easy thing.”

“I see. So why haven’t you grown at all?” Rurik inquired.

“Because dragons grow depending on how greedy they are, at least here any ways.” Explained Spike, earning a nod from Rurik. “But because I haven’t grown I haven’t matured either, so even though I am fifteen years old I am still a baby and therefore I tend to muck things up quite a bit: I mean I couldn’t even protect the two mares I love the most.” He sighed. Rurik looked at him sympathetically and patted him on the head.

“You weren’t with them, there was nothing you could have done, and even if you were, could you have taken on a group of trained mercenaries?” asked Rurik in a kind manner.

“No.” replied Spike.

“Exactly. Also, why not go somewhere you would have a proper roof over your head rather than under a bridge?” asked Rurik.

“For one, any of Twilight’s friends’ homes is where she would have checked first and I don’t really want to deal with her lectures at the moment. Plus, most of the town hates me.” Spike explained sadly.

“Why does most of the town hate you?”

“Because remember how I said dragons grow depending on how greedy they are?” asked Spike.

“Aye.” Said Rurik.

“A few years ago, I let my greed get the best of me. I became a gigantic rampaging monster without the ability to reason and destroyed nearly half the town. The ponies see me as some kind of freak because of that, and I really can’t blame them.” replied Spike.

“Well, I know how you feel there.” Sympathized Rurik.

“How could you possibly know what it’s like to be seen as a freak or a monster if not both?” Spike asked with a bit of frustration. Rurik just smiled.

“Spike, I will show you why, just do not be afraid. No matter what I look like I am still me.” Said Rurik. Spike shook his head in response. Rurik removed his disguise to reveal his true humanoid form: the deathly pale skin, the glowing red eyes, and the pitch black hair replacing his “normal” features.

“Whoa.” Was the only word that Spike could say as he gazed at Rurik’s new features.

“I’m a vampire Spike, and on top of that I was born with the blood and soul of a dragon from my world. So yes, I know quite well what it is like to be considered a freak and a monster." Explained Rurik.

"Really?" asked Spike with amazement.

"If I'm lying I'm dying." Confirmed Rurik.

Also, I would much appreciate it if what I have showed and told you stays between you, me, and the bridge.” Chuckled Rurik.

“I won’t tell anyone, just as long as you don’t try and make me into a snack!” replied Spike.

“Deal.” Said Rurik with a smile before reactivating his disguise. “Now what are you going to do about Twilight?”

“What do you mean?” asked Spike.

“Well, I talked to her; which is the reason I am here with you. She feels pretty bad about how she treated you and she is also worried sick about you. Sometimes folks just lash out when they are angry or stressed and they hurt those who they love without meaning to. It may be unprofessional, but it is human and apparently pony nature.” Said Rurik with a shrug.

“I suppose I could forgive her.” Sighed Spike. “She has looked after me since I was born after all.”

“That’s the spirit, now let’s get you back home: I will be leaving for Canterlot in a few days and I have yet to look some things over that the princesses said they were sending me.” Said Rurik his face betraying that he really wasn’t looking forward to reading over the dossiers.

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As soon as the two of them had walked through the door, Spike was swept into a bone crushing hug by Twilight.

“Spike! I’m so sorry for acting like I did; can you forgive me?” she asked with tears still in her eyes.

“I can.” Replied Spike meekly and giving Twilight a hug as well. By the time that Twilight had both turned to thank Rurik, he had already gone down to the basement.

Rurik sat at the small round table in the basement and began to remove his armor. On the table before him in several large but organized piles were the dossiers he had asked for from Princess Celestia. After removing his suit of armor, Rurik put on his sleeping robe and popped the cork off another bottle of Black-Briar Reserve mead and began reading about the possible suspects.

“This is going to be one long night.” Rurik grumbled before taking a swig of his mead.