The Incredible Drake: His Return

Out in the desert of Las Pegasus, several ponies were living their lives normally. In other words they were gambling them away. Among them though were several gangsters who gave out undetectable cheating techniques… for a price. But riding among them was a strange pony. Now everypony and creature was strange but this one was exceptionally strange. He only gave his technique in the shadows as if the sun burned his skin. But his fur was white like snow like his mane and tail, his vest was purple and his undershirt was black, he wore a pair of blue jeans and black boots. His eyes were as red as blood and in his mouth were two large fangs. On his right hand was a black glove which seemed to be stained red a bit. But what really set him apart was that any light near him exploded or just lost their brightness.

“Excuse me sir?” One pony called out to the strange one. He turned around and smiled a little. He had not been properly fed in some time and here this stallion was ripe and ready for the taking.

“Yes. What do you need?” The stallion asked in a deep and demonic voice.

“Yes um….I hear you give out gambling tips for a price.” The pony replied as he slowly walked towards him.

“That I do. And allow me to come to you.” The stallion said with a crooked smile showing his shining fangs. As the stallion walked towards the pony, every streetlight in the alley exploded into shards of glass. The stallion then was in front of the pony who he towered over.

“Name y-your price sir. I-I’ll pay anything.” The pony said. The stallion did nothing but smile. But then he grabbed the pony making him release a small ‘eep’.

“Well….I am hungry.” The stallion said.

“Alright. What can I get you to eat?” The pony asked as he began to sweat bullets.

“Why nothing much… just your soul!” The stallion said as he bit into the poor pony. The stallion he bit into struggled but he couldn’t get a single word out so he could call for help. The vampony pulled his head back leaving nothing but a shriveled husk left.

“Ah. Tasty.” The stallion said as he wiped his mouth. The stallion then ran back through the alleys until he became a figure of pure shadow running on the walls. As soon as he ran off, a pegasus stallion on his motorcycle was passing through. His fur was fiery red and his mane and tail was smoke black. He wore a spiked leather jacket and black jeans. He stopped when he saw the pony laying in the alley. He got off the motorcycle and walked up to the pony only to see that he was shriveled.

“Blackhoof. I should’ve known you’d come here.” The stallion said in an angry tone as he clenched his fist. His fist then began to steam until it started to spew smoke.

“Blackhoof, you’ll pay for your sins or I’m not Blaze. The one who’s destined to stop you.” He said angrily. He then got back to his motorcycle and began his hunt.

On the opposite side of the planet things were going very differently. Everyone was carefree, happy even but that all changed when Spike went out to get the newspaper. He opened it and as soon as he read it, he ran back to Twilight who was sitting on the couch which she had repaired after the party she had.

“Spike, what’s up?” She asked him as she took a sip of her coffee.

“I think you should read this.” Spike said as he passed the newspaper to her. She took it and turned to the main article and couldn’t believe what she read.

Another Pony Murdered: Shriveled Corpse Found in Alleyway-Around 12:30, an earth pony stallion was discovered in the alleyways behind a Los Pegasus casino murdered. There’s was no discovery of the cause of death, but his body was found shriveled like a prune. This is one of the many murders that happened over the last week. “This is the second one they found this week alone! Who could do such a thing?” She yelled out loud.

“I don’t know Twilight but I do know that whoever did this is still out there planning another murder like this. I say we go down there and investigate.” Spike said who then lifted his muscles “Besides not like we couldn’t handle anypony dumb enough to try and stop us.”

“I guess you’re right Spike. Alright, you find Rarity and Fluttershy while I find Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Tell them to gear up and meet back here.” Twilight said as she got off the couch and started to head downstairs.

“Alright. I’m on it!” He said as he saluted like a soldier. He then ran out of the Library and began his search.

Alright, Rarity usually goes to her get together with Fluttershy today. So I’ll start out at the Spa to see if they’re there. Spike thought as he ran through the streets of Ponyville. He ran as fast as he could, going through crowds of ponies. But as he ran, he bumped into a pony by accident knocking him and the stallion over. “Oh man sorry!” Spike said as he got back up and tried to help the stallion up as well. He noticed that the pony he knocked over had what can only be described as biker clothing and his boots even indicated that he rode on a motorcycle due to the residue from the bike’s exhaust.

“It’s fine dude. My fault for running into you anyways. Name’s Blaze by the way.” Blaze said with a smile on his face as he held out his hand to shake Spike’s.

“Nice to meet you Blaze. Well sorry for leaving but I gotta find somepony.” Spike said as he began to run.

“Well maybe I can help.” Blaze offered.

“It’s fine. I know where she is. Thanks anyway Blaze!” Spike said as he began to run again. Spike turned and saw Blaze waving at him.

Something’s up with him. Maybe it’s just me. Spike thought as he ran. Little did he know Blaze had a secret. A powerful secret.

“Fluttershy I must say thank you again for coming with me to the spa.” Rarity said to her friend with a smile.

“Oh, it’s my pleasure Rarity. Today is our get together day after all.” Fluttershy said back. Both were enjoying their time at the spa away from the troubles of the past few days and were about to get a mud bath when Spike ran in. Fluttershy emitted a small ‘EEP!’ as she jumped back a little while Rarity glared daggers at him.

“SPIKE! I know we’re going to be married but really-”

“Rarity… Twilight… library… now!” Spike said catching his breath each time as he tried to calm down a little.

“Oh my. Well allow me to get my clothes and I’ll-” She started. But then a wave of nausea struck her. She began to gag as she covered her mouth.

“Rarity, here!” Spike said as he grabbed a nearby garbage can. Rarity quickly grabbed it and filled it with the contents of her stomach. Spike quickly ran to her side and rubbed her back.

“Rarity, maybe you should stick out of this one and go home.” Fluttershy suggested.

“N-no it’s quite alright. I can do this.” Rarity said as she wiped her lip. Rarity got up and Spike walked beside her to make sure she didn’t get sick again.  When he was sure she wasn’t going to be sick again he picked her up and helped her over to her Black Widow uniform. Moments later all three heroes were at Twilight’s house, Rarity and Fluttershy’s uniforms hidden in briefcases.

“Where’s Twilight and the others?” Fluttershy asked Spike.

“They’ll be here Fluttershy.” Spike replied as he stared into her eyes.

“Before she arrives, mind telling us why she wanted us here?” Rarity asked as she took a sip from her tomato juice.

“There was another murder in Las Pegasus.” He said making Rarity and Fluttershy gasp. “So she wants us to investigate who’s killing the ponies.”

“M-m-murderer? She w-wants us to s-stop a murderer?” Fluttershy stuttered. Spike nodded her head and Fluttershy ran to the door only to see Twilight and the others.

“Hey Spike you ready?” Rainbow Dash, also known as Soar, asked him. Spike nodded as his eyes flashed a little. The group departed for the train to Las Pegasus. About halfway there Spike fell asleep.

Spike then entered the shadow that was his mind and began to walk around. Spike walked pass doors of his many memories. From meeting his friends, to the accident, to now. He then saw his favorite memory. Which was when Rarity first kissed him on his tenth birthday.

I guess I’ll take a peak. Spike thought as he reached for the doorknob. But before he could even get a finger on it, he heard cackling. The cackling of a familiar voice.

“What do you want Devil Drake?” Spike asked the creature behind him.

Oh you hurt me Spike. Devil Drake said in a mock tone I thought you would be glad to hear from me. The demonic version of Spike laughed a little.

“I’m never happy to see you. Now what is it you want from me?” He asked again.

I just want to show you something. Devil Drake replied as he smiled crookedly.

“W-what are you going to show me?” Spike asked. Devil Drake without a word turned his body sideways and Spike felt his heart stop at what he saw. All of his friends in their uniforms. Dead. Iron Mare in her scratched battlesuit which sparked, her mask broken off revealing a bloody face. Soar whose helmet was missing a wing and Mjolnir was cracked in her bloodied hands. Captain Equestria had her shield cracked down the middle and her head was twisted around backwards. War Machine was in a similar state to Iron Mare but she still had some life inside of her.

“W-why S-Spike?” She asked before her last bit of life left her. Spike started to panic a little while Devil Drake was getting a kick out of it.

Come now Spike we haven’t even gotten to the best part yet. He said as he showed the worst part of his vision. Fluttershy was impaled on a concrete slab and her bow was snapped down the middle and Rarity...she was in the bloodied claws of Devil Drake.

“NO!” Spike screamed as Devil Drake dropped her body onto the floor. Spike then lifted her head and saw she had some life in her. “Rarity, R-Rarity you’re g-gonna be okay.” He said to her.

“S-Spike. Why did you leave us?” Rarity said weakly.

“Rarity I’d never leave you.” Spike said as tears began to fall from his eyes.

“Spi-” She started. But before she could finish, the last of her life left her. Spike cried heavily as he held tightly onto her. He then saw that Iron Mare got back onto her hooves and started to walk towards him. Spike put Rarity slowly down and ran towards her.

“TWILIGHT!” Spike cried out. When he finally got to her he hugged her tightly and cried into her armor. “I-I thought you died.”

I did you monster. Twilight said in a raspy voice. Spike shot his eyes open and looked at Twilight and instantly backed away. Her eyes were not filled with purple anymore. Instead they were milky white like if she was blind. And in her mouth was serrated fangs that flowed with blood.

“Y-you’re not Twilight.” Spike said as he slowly backed away.

Of course I am! the monster said as it walked forward slowly. The next to rise was Soar and she was no worse for wear. Captain Equestria got up and reset her head on her shoulders. War Machine rose and started to chuckle insanely to herself. Fluttershy, or Hawkeye, pulled herself off the slab and walked towards Spike. But what scared him the most was when Rarity got up. She lunged at him and managed to take a bite from his neck. Holding his bloody wound, Spike backed up until he was cornered by a door. The Six surrounded him as they licked their lips. But before they could get to him, a ferocious roar was heard making them run. The ground shook violently as something walked towards him. Then what came into view spooked him out of his scales. It was Drake. But his ribs were broken open, half of his skull was decayed, and in his hand was a bloodied bone.

Drake…..HUNGRY! And it leaped forward. Spike barely dodged Zombie Drake when he ran right into Devil Drake. “Do you see now Spike? All this is your own fault!” And with that he brought down his claw on him.

“AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“SPIKE!” Rarity yelled as she shook Spike on the shoulder. And with a scream, Spike woke up and sunk his claws into the train chair. His friends and fiance gathered around him with worried looks on their faces. Spike looked around and started to weep again.

OH boohoo you little wuss! Devil Drake said. Spike just continued to cry as they arrived in Las Pegasus.

“Spike it’s okay we’re here.” Rarity said to him reassuringly. He looked up and wiped his eyes.

“Spike, what did Devil Drake do this time?” Twilight asked him in a worried voice.

“He… he killed you and turned you and Drake into….zombies.” He replied as he placed his head between his knees.

“Why zombies?” Rainbow asked.

“Well it’s enough that he hurts Spike enough. But this is going to far!” Rarity said angrily. The seven then got off the train and saw that it was now night time in Las Pegasus.

“Alright. Now how are we gonna find this murderer?” Pinkie asked Twilight. But before she could react, a demonic laughing was heard.

“Maybe he’ll find us.” Twilight said. The group left the train but with a noticeable change in demeanor. Once they felt fearless but now they felt a little worried about this new villain none of their other foes drained their victims though either. As they started to walked through the dark streets of the city, Spike felt as if something was following him. After every few steps, he’d turn his head only to see nothing. But as he and the girls passed a closed casino, Spike felt a shiver go down his spine. But then he looked down at his shadow only to notice something was wrong with it.

“GIRLS RUN!!” Spike yelled as a strange pale pony landed on him. The stallion had bizarre strength and actually managed to scratch Spike a little. Spike soon was Drake and ripped the pony off of him… only to hear him hit a wall and hear his neck crack.

“Is that all you got? That tickled!” A demonic voice said and released a demonic laugh. Spike turned around only to receive a punch to the jaw, sending him flying into a wall.

“You’ve gotta try a bit harder to beat me kid.” The stallion said as he walked towards him destroying the street lamps above him. “Name’s Blackhoof. Believe me if you could beat me I would be surprised. Now sit back while I tear your marefriends apart.” He then turned towards the mares with a toothy smile.

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But before he could even step a foot near them, a sound familiar to him was heard. The sound of a roaring motorcycle engine. “Oh buck me.” Blackhoof said before he disappeared into shadows. Spike turned towards the sound and saw one of the most frightening sights in his life. A pony clad in biker clothes with spikes on them and a chain wrapped around his waist. But the thing that scared him the most was his head… it was a flaming skull. It was a Pegasus due to his flaming wings.

“I don’t believe it.” Twilight said in amazement.

“What?” Spike asked.

“I thought he was a myth.” Rarity said as she stared at the pony.

“Who?” Spike asked her.

“sPiKe Of EqUeStRiA!” The pony said to him as he got off his bike and walked towards him, a little shift in his feet as he did so. He grabbed with a flick of his chains and dragged Spike to him. Once he was close enough the pony then grabbed Spike by his arms and pinned him to the wall… which should’ve been impossible due to Spike still being in his Drake form. “yOu HaVe BrOkEn ThE sAcReD vOw Of TaRtArUs! YOU MUST PAY!!!” It yelled and followed it with a strange chuckle.

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‘W-what vow?!” He asked. The creature considered for a moment before it noticed the sun and suddenly went back in pain. The flames started to leave him as his body became mortal once more… a very familiar mortal to Spike.

“Blaze.” He said as he transformed back into his old self again. “Is that you?”

“Hey Spike. Good to see you again.” Blaze said with a smile. “Sorry about the scare but he just didn’t want to leave without one last fright.” He chuckled before Spike grabbed him and pinned him to the same wall.

“WHAT THE BUCK ARE YOU?!” Spike roared. Blaze just shrugged his shoulders and ignited his hands.

“Easy. I’m the Ghost Rider.” He replied as Spike backed away.

“The who?” He asked. Blaze sighed deeply before looking at Spike. “I’m the bounty hunter for rogue demons, like your little friend that just vanished. Now I’m gonna be nice and let you off with a warning. Don’t get in my way while the bucker is on the loose again okay?” He asked as he headed back for his motorcycle.

“Why?” He asked.

“I don’t wanna have to use the Penance Stare.” He replied. He then drove away from the seven without even turning his head back. Spike then ran back to the girls who just stood there wide eyed.

“Does the Ghost Rider have a story that I’m missing?” He asked. Twilight shook her head and snapped out of her stunned state.

“That’s the thing Spike no one knows who the Ghost Rider really was… until now of course.” Twilight said as she walked over to Spike and helped mend the burn mark on his neck

“But there’s been things told of the Ghost Rider. Like he’s a servant of Hades himself and that he brings the souls of evil to him.” Rainbow said to the Dragon in a surprised voice.

“Yeah. And he’s able to melt solid steel with just a wave of his hand.” Applejack added.

“So how long has he been here?” Spike asked.

“A few years. But he’s never actually hurt anypony at random.” Rarity replied.

“I can see now why. Now we’ve got possibly a new enemy.” Spike said as he rubbed his covered wound.

“Well, can we head home now? I think the Ghost Rider has it handled.” Fluttershy said as she turned to the train station.

“Yeah. Ah don’t wanna be here anymore with that demon runnin’ around.” Applejack said in a slightly scared voice, Spike considered leaving himself but he knew that would only give the vampony more thrill in hunting them.

“No.”

“Ah beg yer pardon?”

“We can’t let Blackhoof get away. He’ll hunt us like animals until he finds us. So we’ve gotta find him.” He said boldly.

“Spike, that’s a Vampony. A ferocious monster who feeds on ponies. We’ve better chances if Ghost Rider finds him.” Rarity said to him.

“But-” He started.

“Spike, just let Ghost Rider hunt him. Besides *yawn* I’m exhausted.” She interrupted. Spike, sighing in disbelief, nodded his head in agreement. He then followed the six to the train station and got on with them. As they entered the guest cart, Spike entered his bed, his body still aching from the attack of Blackhoof. But shortly after, Rarity slowly climbed into the bed with him.

While the group of heroes were leaving however Blackhoof was trying to outrun the Ghost Rider as fast as he could.

“YoU cAn’T eScApE jUsTiCe BlAcKhOoF!” The Rider yelled at him. Blackhoof had just looked back and saw the Spirit Of Vengeance when he crashed into an abandoned casino. As he flew through the wall, a flaming chain was launched at him, wrapping around his body and making him scream in pain as he fell to the floor. As he fell, he heard the sound of leather boot stepping across across the wooden floor. Then coming into his view was a flaming pegasus wearing motorcycle gear.

“BlAcKhOoF, yOu’Ve CoMmItTeD mAnY sInS. AnD fOr ThAt, yOu’Ll PaY.” Ghost Rider said as he pulled the chained demon towards him. Just as he did though he felt the temperature drop sharply in the room and then a strong force pushed him against the wall and nearly extinguished his flame.

“Well well. What have we here? An escaped soul and my fathers favorite pet.” A voice called out from the shadows. Then coming into his view was The Prince Of Tartarus Blackheart. “I know all about you Ghost Rider. Or should I say Blaze” He said as he whispered in a demonic voice.

“BlAcKhEaRt, I wIlL bRiNg YoU tO yOuR fAtHeR. As a CoRpSe Or AlIvE.” Ghost Rider said angrily.

“Oh really? And as if my father would want his bounty hunter to be harmed in the process. We both know I’m the stronger one Blaze.” Blackheart said as he lifted up his claw. Blaze suddenly felt lightweight but his wings didn’t flap or anything. But then, Ghost Rider grabbed him and pinned the demon to a wall.

“LoOk InTo My EyEs.” The Ghost Rider started. The demon merely stared at them and… laughed.

“YOUR PENANCE STARE HAS NO EFFECT! I HAVE NO SOUL TO BURN BLAZE! But Blackhoof on the other hand.” Blackheart turned towards the fallen vampony and extended his claws open. His fingers turned into tendrils and then impaled the pathetic soul. With a mere flick of his wrist Blackheart made Blaze use his Penance Stare on Blackhoof.

“NO! PLEASE I-I’M SORRY BLACKHEART! GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE!”

“You had your chance vampony and failed at it.” Blackheart said as he swapped his placed with the Vampony.

“LoOk InTo My EyEs.” Ghost Rider said making the vampony quiver in fear. “YoUr SoUl Is StAiNeD bY tHe BlOoD oF tHe InNoCeNt. FEEL THEIR PAIN!”

“NO!!!” Blackhoof yelled as every single one of his sins were flashed before him and suddenly his brain couldn’t handle the stress and his eyes burned up into nothing but charcoal. When the vampony was lifeless, Ghost Rider threw his corpse to the ground and released a primal roar.

“RRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRR!”

Spike could barely sleep while he headed back to Ponyville. Yes he had Rarity but the feeling of helplessness he felt from the past few days suddenly came upon him. He failed to keep Devil Drake from nearly hurting his friends, he in fact groveled at the sight of his monster form. He failed to hurt Hobgoblin and now a vampony had just mopped the floor with him and forced him to actually run from him. As the weight of his failures finally came crashing down inside of him he suddenly wept silently hoping Rarity didn’t hear him. But Rarity wasn’t there. She was in the bathroom of the train and freaking out.

“T-this can’t be right! I-IT JUST CAN’T BE!” Rarity said out loud as she looked down at the test she just did… the sixth one to be exact that said, to her utter shock and disbelief, positive for something she never knew she had. “I-I’m p-pregnant.” Rarity stammered and soon broke down quietly at the same time Spike wept as well.