Crumbling

60 years in the future...

A couple dragons were walking through the wasteland that once housed many ponies. They were just talking about the winter ahead. But then they noticed a ruins of a town. "Hey. What do you think happened here?" One asked.

"Not entirely sure." The other replied. Then they saw a book, badly damaged and very small compared to them. It had no front page as it was destroyed.

"Hey look at this." One said picking up the fragile work. They turned it over in their claws and finally found a picture in it. The picture was a nice sunny day with a town filled with multi coloured ponies.

"Wow. Do you think this was what used to be here?" One asked. The other nodded. "Must have been a little while ago. We haven't seen a clear sky in some time."

"I can't read it, could you?" "Um...yeah, a little." "Do you mind reading it, I-I'd like to know what went down you know?"

The dragon nodded. 'Of course." He said as he squinted to see the barely readable little writing. "Okay, I'll begin: 'There was war, destruction, betrayal, and torture. But I'm getting ahead of myself. The story begins on a rainy summer night, in the town of Ponyville...'

62 years prior...

A stallion was walking through the town in a rush. It was pouring rain and all he had was an old cloak to keep himself warm and dry, needless to say it failed. He needed to find some break from the wetness of the outdoors. He finally stopped at library. It was his only chance. He owned a very powerful jewel. The gem was rather useless unless he could manage to ground it up.

But he didn't have the means. Other ponies wanted it and were hunting the poor pony relentlessly. The jewel he had was yellow and grey, split neatly through the middle. It represented balance of Harmony and Chaos but it was really just a fake, right?

Any ways, the pony finally reached his destination, he knocked at the door eagerly. It took a moment but a little purple dragon answered. "I need a place to get dry for a moment please. I can pay you well." He begged. The dragon was Twilight Sparkle's assistant Spike.

Spike thought for a moment but couldn't turn the poor stallion down in good mind. "Okay, okay. Not too long." Spike said letting him in. Spike was home alone as Twilight was having a slumber party at Rarity's. He originally wanted to go but Twilight wouldn't let him. But he rethought and turned out he actually didn't.

"What's your name?" Spike asked. "Just call me 'Key'." Key replied. 'Hello Key, I'm Spike." Spike replied as they shook claws/hooves.

Key didn't remove his cloak as Spike expected. "How are you going to warm up if your wearing a wet cloak?" Spike said. "I'm fine." Key sat down.

Spike sat across from him. "What were you doing out there where you couldn't get home?"

"I was just caught in the unlucky circumstance." Key didn't seem to want to talk but Spike continued.

"Okay. So what's-*" "He's here?!" Key interrupted looking quickly to the door which was closed. "Who?" "N-no pony." He said slowly.

Spike narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously. "Uh...huh." Spike said. Key just looked at him and did a guilty smile. 'What about that pay." Key randomly said. He began fumbling with his many pockets until a bunch of bits spilled out.

Spike just watched not saying anything. The rain seemed to pound harder on the roof and the lightning seemed fierce. Then one bolt hit right outside and the flash was huge, the candles flickered.

"Oh..no" Key said freezing. "What?" "Lightning Strike..." "Huh?" Key grabbed Spike's head quickly and brought it close to his.

"Lock the door." He whispered. Spike slowly got up and locked the door. He then slowly approached Key.

"He's coming..." Key whispered. "Who?" Spike was getting annoyed. "Lightning Strike!" Key randomly yelled. Spike was on edge.

"I should leave. I'll get you that pay." Key said as he fumbled with his pockets again. He finally took out a pouch that Spike guessed had the pay in. But before he could open it an arrow flew threw the bottom allowing all his bits to fall. They fell with little clinks, except Spike heard a thump.

That's when Spike saw the magnificent little jewel. His mouth instantly watered at the thought of consuming it. But there were more pressing matters, like where did that arrow come from. There indeed was a hole in the glass, the hole was very neat. Key quickly packed back up the gem when Spike was distracted.

"All on the floor is yours." Keys said as he quickly got up and moved to the front door. Spike got excited and looked to where the gem was, but was disappointed to see it missing. "Yeah...oh..." Key quickly got to the door and put his hoof on the knob.

"Wait, is there a back door?" Spike slowly shook his head, even though there was, he'd rather Key not know. "Very well, thank you little dragon. I'll be off!" Key announced as he opened the door. When he did do he was instantly launched back into a table by a magical blast.

Spike quickly jumped and hid behind a chair. A beat up looking stallion walked in along with a red mare. The stallion had an interesting mane that seemed like a lightning bolt.

"Quickly viper. Gather the immortality gem!" He ordered. Spike figured they were referring to the gem he saw. Key was groaning on the broken table as his cloak was wrecked and viscous burn marks covered him.

The red mare went forward and started searching Key. Key quickly bucked her away. She walked off the wound and returned to the black stallion who Spike guessed was Lightning Strike.

"He has a little fight in him." The mare said. The stallion nodded and then went over to Key. Strike's horn lit up and the volted Key with a very intense beam. Key had a huge wound.

Spike couldn't just stand there any more. "Now, Swift Hooves, the gem." The stallion said extending a hoof. "Hey back off!" Spike yelled at him as he jumped from behind the chair. "Now, now- Aye! A dragon! Retreat Viper!"

And with that the stallion and mare bolted it away. Spike felt pretty proud of what he had accomplished. "Spike...come." Key said, or Spike believed his real name to be Swift Hooves.

Spike went over. "This is it for me... you must carry this, keep it safe. Keep it hidden." Key said giving Spike the gem. Spike's eyes widened at the fact he had such a treat. Key saw his expression.

"Not for eating. Now remember, keep it hidden and safe." Key said. ''Okay." Spike simply said as he admired the gem.

It was a perfect yellow and grey gem with a silver-ish core. When Spike looked to Key to thank him, he was gone, vanished into thin air.

For the next two years Spike has successfully hidden it, but eventually all things are revealed.