Author's Note

*A/N: The mane six, Celestia, Luna, Shining Armor, Cadence, Discord, Sombra and Chrysalis look exactly the same in the *Harmony Universe* as they look in the original universe*

**Proofread Version to come!**

Awakening

Burning World Chapter 3

Awakening

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Spike groaned as consciousness returned to him for the first time in what felt like forever, he didn’t even got to open his eyes before realising something.

“Everything……. hurts.” He thought painfully as he tried to move his arms, immediately regretting his decision as a wave of pain hit him hard, making him groan painfully, but barely a murmur in terms of volume “Alright, so…..moving is ….bad.” he thought again.

Relaxing himself once the pain died out he then noticed a beeping noise around…...wherever he was. “Probably Ponyville’s Hospital.” And it was then that he remembered what he had done. “The Library, the spell, the portal...I..I saved Fluttershy, and maybe even the rest of the girls, too.” he tried to smile but something soft and slightly tight covering his mouth prevented him from moving it, in fact, he could feel that same thing in almost all of his body, except his eyes.

Slowly he cracked open his left eye, light meting it and instantly blinding him, closing his eye again he waited a few second before daring to open it again, this time alongside his right eye, it took several tries until he could open them without being blinded. Once he was accustomed enough to the light the blurriness he saw quickly began to disperse, what met him was the usual white ceiling and walls of an hospital, looking at his right side he could barely see the beeping machine, to his left was a door and, what he could guess, a small table. Looking down to see his body, he found that all from his chest and below was covered by sheets, while his green bandaged arms rested at his sides, and two white thin tubes made their way between and below his right arm bandages.

“Green bandages?” he thought confused. Spike dared to turn his head to the left side, slowly as he did so, to properly see the table before a sharp pain stung him again making him close his eyes. Breathing slowly to ease the pain he carefully opened his eyes again focusing on the table, finding nothing on it. He felt slightly sad that there were no roses, or balloons, or anything at all that showed his friends or family had come to see him.

“Wait, there’s nopony in here either.” he thought trying to find a chair or anything of the sort next to the table or on that side of the bed, after a few seconds a sudden pang of fear and pain filled him and tears formed in his eyes “D...Did I fail? Did my friends…..No, don’t think like that Spike.” he closed his eyes refusing to let the tears fall from them. “Maybe they’re just injured or are busy with something, or maybe--” Spike opened his eyes as his thoughts were interrupted by the distant sounds of hooves approaching, they became louder each second until he could hear a pair of voices chatting.

“-----racle that the hatchling survived with all those injuries, I don’t want to think what he must had suffered at the grasp of those lunatics.” A masculine voice said.

“You know, I heard a rumor that his scales were regenerating while he was being treated.” A feminine voice said earning a ‘huh?’ from the other voice.

“Are you sure you heard that right?” the masculine voice said as the door knob turned “As far as I know, dragons--” a minotaur passed through the door, cutting himself short as he stared at the eyes of the now awake Spike. “Get the head doctor, the hatchling is awake, now!” the grey minotaur wearing a white coat and a stethoscope around his neck ordered, his answer came in the form of frantic hooves running away.

“Hello little hatchling, I know you must be confused but your body is currently heavily injured so please, don’t try to move and stay calm until doctor Trixie arrives.” the minotaur said before softly closing the door and running off in a hurry.

“Hgrimghie?” Spike murmured softly, barely hearing himself, even his throat was sore and hurt “When did the hospital got a doctor with the same name as Trixie?” he thought confused “Come to think of it, when did a minotaur doctor arrive to Ponyville?……..Why is there a minotaur doctor to begin with, don’t they only have shamans?” his mind trailed on as panic began to surface to his brain “W-What if I went in a coma!? That would explain why nopony is here! Where are the girls? And mom, and Blueblood and Cadence and everypony!? What happened to me, just how much time has passed!?” he screamed inside his mind, the beeping noise, sounding rapid and frantic, only serving to increase his panic and fears.

The door burst open with a loud smack before a blue coat unicorn, wearing only a nurse hat and a fat saddlebag at the sides, trotted towards him placing one of her hooves softly against his forehead.

Almost instantly Spike felt better, his panic attack diminishing greatly. Once he was calm enough he focused on the mare before him, as before he noticed her blue coat and now he could also see her two light blue striped mane and tail, looking down he saw the same cutie mark he remembered Trixie had. Looking up to see her face he saw her two magenta eyes, almost the same shade as his mother’s, for a moment Spike forgot his panic and instead looked at her utterly confused.

“You are safe here with us, whelp.” Trixie said noticing his confusion “Those lunatics won’t hurt you as long as Trixie is near.”

“She has to be the Trixie I know,” Spike thought “she's the only pony I know that speaks in third person, but what's she doing here?”

“Stay calm as Trixie examines you, whelp.” She said and her horn lit up with magic, her saddle bags opened and a series of instruments came out in her magic grasp, many of which he had never seen before. One that had a rectangular shape floated towards him until it touched his forehead, replacing her hoof “Vital ‘Seaweed’ bandages are doing their job properly,” a round soft yellow sphere replaced the triangle “brain function back to full stability,” another strange instrument replaced it “infection threat, 0%,” after several more measures and checkings with the instruments her attention focused to the monitor to his right “internal stability at 85%?” she said surprised “Trixie is pleased and impressed with your recovery speed, whelp, and only after three days.” Spike let out a muffled soft sigh of relief, at least the coma was out of the window. Trixie turned her focus back to him, smiling sweetly “Trixie is happy you survived the operation and the recovery, whelp.”

Trixie leaned in and kissed his forehead, Spike blushed in disbelief before suddenly feeling very sleepy “Sleep and rest now, little whelp, you need to recover fully before Trixie can treat you back to health completely.”

“Is the hatchling awake now, Trixie?” Spike heard a deep and masculine voice coming from the hallway “I wish to see him.” and it sent shivers down his spine, he only heard it twice before but that was two times too many.

“I-it…...can’t be.” He thought fearfully as sleep caressed him so tenderly.

“Forgive Trixie, my Lord, but Trixie has put the whelp to rest, Trixie knows he needs it.” Trixie said turning around and bowing to the open door as a shadow began to enter.

“Well, you are the expert here, so if that’s your diagnosis then I will not question it, Trixie.”

Spike felt his eyes drop and the sound around him fade away quickly as the form of a stallion entered the room, before fading into darkness he managed to see the front of the stallion, especially his face. His fear was confirmed, he knew that face, and the crown and the red and black horn gave away who that stallion was.

“.........Som….bra………” Was Spike’s last thought before falling unconscious.

---------------------------------------------------------****************************************************

Canterlot Castle 7 AM.

Darkness shrouded a seemingly empty room, the only sound coming out in the form of light snores, and a body shifting below the covers of a bed. Soft murmurs soon broke the almost ritmic and peaceful pace of the snores, and then, all sound halted.

Ever so slowly, two brilliant green orbs shone in the darkness of the room, green dragonic eyes ready to search for its meal.

“Sir, I’m coming in.” A very deep and masculine voice said before the sound of a door cracking open was heard “I’m terribly sorry, Sir, but it’s time to get up.” a low grumble was his answer “The day has already begun, Lord Spike.” the sound of hooves hitting passively against the marble floor echoed inside the room, as the two green orbs of draconic might followed the intruder through the darkness, suddenly the room was illuminated by the light of the sun “And there is much work to be done, Lord Spike.” an enormous white pegasus with blonde (yellow like mustard) mane dressed as a butler, and wearing a very classy monocle, said looking at the dragon sitting up in his bed.

A purple dragon with green spikes looked back at the butler with a face that showed utter boredom and his eyes, wielding might and power in the darkness, reflected sleepiness and laziness in the light. The dragon yawned for a couple of seconds before falling back into the bed with a loud ‘thud’, he grabbed the sheets with his claws and brought them up to shield his head from the rays of the annoying sun.

“Five more minutes.” Spike said as he grumbled, his voice was grave but his tone was soft turning into a pleasantly calm, yet serious and authoritative, voice.

“Lord Spike, I insist that you wake up right now, there is much to be done and all require your immediate attention.” The butler pony said and stood in silent for almost a full minute until the dragon began to snore again. “Sir, must I really ask for the aid of Lady Cadence, again?”.

Spike threw out the sheets covering his body and with a single jump he was standing at the side of his bed “I’m awake, I’m awake,” he said half groggily as another yawn escaped him “no need to threaten me that way.” Spike stretched his back popping his joints, he turned to the pegasus butler who had a hoof extended to him with a small stack of papers, a quill and an ink well, sighing, Spike walked past by the stallion, grabbing everything with a purple-green-ish mist coming out of his hands, and headed towards the bathroom in his room.

The stallion bowed as the tall dragon grabbed the materials with his magic and walked to the bathroom, upon reaching it he entered it and then softly closed the door behind, and only then did the stallion got up. It always amazed him the stature of the dragon, a head taller than princess Celestia herself (horn included), combine that with his impugnable purple scales that always shone brightly against the light of the sun or the moon, his green spikes and ear fins prominent as emeralds, his claws dull and short (at least outside of conflict), his powerful tail, his agile form, his legs long yet muscular, like the rest of his body, even his green under scales. Everything about him shouted power and demanded respect at first glance, especially his eyes, beautiful as jade to friends and family and just as deadly to all the rest. Yet his usual attitude betrayed the power his imposing figure deserved.

The butler waited patiently for a couple of minutes until the door to the bathroom opened once more, out came the dragon, now looking awake and refreshed, and walked up to him as he read a paper he was holding with his left hand. The quill floated up until he grabbed it with his right hand and proceeded to sign the paper.

“The last three ones in the bottom are denied.” Spike said as he handed back the stack of papers to the butler “And send one bottle of our finest wine to Fancy Pants, as a personal 'thank you' from me for his efforts in the east.” Spike walked to a manique next to his working desk, the manique had his own image and supported his personal armor and his happuri. He stood in front of it for a couple of seconds before taking only the happuri.

The butler sighed “Only the happuri again, Sir?”

“Yeah, you know I’m not a fan of crowns or tiaras and whatnot, but this,” he said as he put on his happuri and turned around to face his butler with a huge smile “this makes me look cool, how do I look Bulk Biceps?”

“Stunning as ever, Sir.” the pegasus answered taking a look at the happuri, “Truthfully,” he thought, “it wouldn’t look so bad if not for those two horrible horns added to the sides.” and yet, he couldn’t deny it made his lord look more intimidating and, as he had said, more ‘cool’, the only two things he truly liked about the happuri were that it had the same color scheme as his lord’s scales, and that it held the symbol of The Alliance, The Tree of Harmony, on its center.

“Thought so,” Spike said with a smug smile “they really know how to make awesome looking things in Neighpan, don’t you think so?”

“Quite, Sir.”

Spike chuckled a bit “What’s next on the list Bulk Biceps?”

Bulk Biceps took a small parchment out of his suit and unrolled it “First,” he began “breakfast with the rest of the royal family, unfortunately both princess Celestia and Luna are keeping company to our diplomat guests from the north, so they won’t be able to join you today.” Spike hummed in response “Second, after breakfast General Shining Armor wishes to discuss the upcoming tactics and plans, he didn’t specify which region or topic but I believe it will involve the situation in the west,” Spike hummed again “Third, there seems to be growing concerns that….”

After the second point Spike trailed off, humming a cheerful song inside his head, his body automatically responding to his butler until he was done.

“.......take the new charge as commander of our griffon air squads. That would be all, my Lord.”

“How’s Flitter?”

“P-pardon?” Bulk Biceps said, taken aback by the sudden question.

“How’s Flitter?, Good I hope, it’s been a while since I last saw her.” Spike said starting to walk to the exit of his room.

“She is doing fine, my Lord, thank you for your concern.”

“Are you two still trying to, you know, expand the family?” Spike asked looking back with a sly smile at his butler as he opened the door.

Instead of blushing, like Spike was sure he would, the pegasus smiled, truly smiled “We...we just received news yesterday, actually, she’s pregnant.” Bulk Biceps said proudly.

“WHAT!?” Spike shouted, now in the hallway, gaining the attention of some pony, zebra and griffon maids nearby “And you told me this just now?, No wait, better question, what in the hay are you doing here!?”

“Doing my work, Sir.” The mighty pegasus said while bowing in front of the dragon, his sudden shout scaring him a bit. He felt a claw at each of his sides urging him to get up.

“Unacceptable.” Spike said once the stallion was back on his hooves “Completely unacceptable.”

“Sir?”

“Take the day--” Spike began but stopped mid sentence grabbing his chin with one of his hands, his face scrunched in deep concentration for a few seconds “Nah, take this and the next week off,” he smiled down at the pegasus who was about to protest “with triple pay and, when you get back to work, a nice bonus and raise will be waiting for you, my friend.” the stallion was stunned where he stood, even his monocle fell off from its place “Now, go home with your wife and celebrate, you deserve it, both of you. Oh, and tell Flitter I say ‘Hi’ ” Spike flashed his butler with a toothy grin before turning to his left side and walked away, leaving the strong stallion nodding slowly to emptiness.

Spike barely turned around the corner of the hallway, when he heard the frantic hooves of his butler running to the opposite direction as fast as he could. Spike smiled again as he continued his way to the Mess Hall, his stomach demanding food.

After just ten minutes of walking, greeting servants and giving fast commands later, Spike reached the doors concealing the Mess Hall. Upon opening them he was greeted by a very pleasant surprise.

“Spike!” Six voices shouted as he felt a mass of several bodies tackle him, almost knocking him off to the ground.

“Girls!” Spike exclaimed happily, recovering his balance in an instant, and embracing the six mares as best as he could “When did you get back?” Spike asked after a few seconds of silent hugging.

“A few minutes ago actually, it took us longer than expected.” Twilight said.

“Oh?,” Spike ended the embrace after the answer “You must tell me what happened then,” his stomach grumbled “while we eat. I’m famished and I think you are too.” Spike look down at each of his best friends, it took him a couple of seconds before noticing a few bandages wrapped around Fluttershy’s left wing “Does it hurt?” he asked concerned.

Fluttershy looked at her injured wing before answering “Not really, but it was my own fault anyways,” she said as the dragon kneeled down and grabbed her wing “I was overconfident.”

“Shy, I’ve told you to be more careful, I have nothing against you having your fun with traitors and rebels, but remember most of them are trained and are dangerous, even for you, all of you.” He placed his hands around her injured spot and almost instantly some of the strange mist came out and surrounded both his claws and the yellow wing “If I lost any of you, I don’t know how I could live with myself.”

The rainbow pegasus hugged him across his neck, nuzzling him softly “You are so sweet to us, Spike.” she finished by giving him a small kiss on his exposed right cheek “We fight because we want to help you, so what if we get a few scratches here and there, it will all be worth the effort in the end.” she said ending her embrace.

“I know, and you don’t know how happy I am that you do. But still I want you to be careful.” Spike smiled at Rainbow Dash before looking back to Fluttershy “Done.” he said freeing her wing and getting up again.

Fluttershy used her mouth to take away the bandages before extending and testing her healed wing, after a few exercises she smiled and flew up to Spike’s eye level “Thank you, hot stuff.” she said before hugging him by the neck and then kiss him deeply. The yellow pegasus mare stopped flapping her wings as he felt the strong arms of the dragon support her weight, allowing her to enjoy the kiss fully.

After half a minute Spike ended the kiss softly, letting their tongues dance with each other for a few moments as they parted. Giving her a sweet peek he let go of her, smiling happily. Looking down he saw the shared expression the other five mares had. “Now, now girls, don’t be jealous, I promise I’ll make it up to you later, preferably after breakfast.” Spike declared as he, once again, opened the doors leading to the Mess Hall, the six mares either walking next to him or snuggling him in one way or another.

Unsurprisingly, Shining Armor and Cadence were already waiting for him on their respectives seats of the table, Spike motioned the six mares to take their seats as well, he himself taking his place at the head of the rectangular table, at his left side the immediate seat was empty, the next seat taken by Twilight, then Rarity, then Pinkie Pie and then by Shining and Cadence, while on his right side the immediate two seats were empty, the next seat taken by Fluttershy, then Applejack and then by Rainbow Dash.

Spike looked around the table, nodding proudly, before signaling the awaiting servants to approach. After a couple of minutes of deciding what they would be having the table burst out into conversation by Rarity.

“Love, why do you insist on wearing that horrid looking thing, over your forehead of all places, when you have the armors and capes that I made especially for you?” Rarity asked with a hint of jealousy.

“Hey, I really like my horrid looking thing, it makes me look awesome!” Spike said with a toothy grin earning a few laughs and a ‘humpf’ from Rarity “Awwwww, you look so cute when you’re angry. Besides, the armor is suited for battle, not to show off, I really love them all, Rarity, but I rather not spoil them until they are needed.” he said making the white unicorn smile lovingly at him.

“Spike, I was wondering, how did things go with the Buffalo Tribes, are they willing to join Harmony?” Pinkie Pie asked calmly.

“Chief Thunderhooves is willing to join, and so is the rest of his tribe, the other nine chiefs can’t seem to decide.” Spike answered, resting up against the back of his seat with his arms crossed “I might need to send Blueblood.”

“Why not simply force ‘em to join?” Applejack said, her stetson hat resting at the top of her seat.

“Because, my lovely Applejack, they are not opposing the expansion of Harmony, they wish, for the most part, to remain neutral, it’s only a matter of time until they realize they are either with us or against us. And I personally want them on our side, it would be a true shame if they join the rebel forces.” Spike said before resting his elbows against the table “Speaking of scum, how did things go on Sylteria?”

The six mares smiled creepily before sharing a low laugh.

“It was entertaining,” Twilight began “most of those traitors and rebel scum fled, but some actually stood and fought us.”

“And what a fight it was,” Rainbow continued “changelings, griffon and pony traitors, diamond dogs, minotaurs and even ursas, ursas!, our army clashing against them, upbringing holy fire upon them, it was glorious.” she licked her lips “I even captured some pets for later.”

“Lucky you,” Fluttershy chuckled “I couldn’t keep a single one, some killed themselves before I was finished, except for that bastard of a griffon that injured my wing.” she chuckled again “I think I over did it at the end, though.”

“Ya think?” Applejack said “Ah could barely figure out it was a griffon after ya’ were done with it.” suddenly she smiled proudly “Ah prefer to take things slow, enjoy mah time with mah pets, try to see how much they can take before disposing ‘em. I got mah hooves on one of those minotaur boys, Ah’m gonna enjoy playing with mah new pet.”

“Applejack darling, once again you have proven to have no taste whatsoever when choosing new toys, or at any refined activity as it were.” Applejack just glared at her “I, for example, simply disposed of those unworthy brutes and instead caught myself one of those ungrateful traitors, a crystal traitor to be precise.” Rarity smiled smugly as her five friends, and even Shining and Cadence, gasped in surprise.

“Can I please join you Rarity? I wish to deliver at least a bit of punishment to traitorous scum like that for betraying….--” Cadence fell silent for a second.

“It’s a her, darling.” Rarity offered.

“Thank you,” Cadence cleared her throat “ for betraying her princess and her king.”

“Uhmm, Cadence, technically speaking I’m not a king, remember? I’m just the leading figure of Harmony, nothing else.” Spike said just as their breakfast arrived.

Cadence turned to face Spike with a serious expression “Everyone in the alliance sees you as their true and definitive leader, even above their own kings and queens, they follow your every command, we follow your command, you decide what must be or mustn't be done. You gave birth to Harmony, you alone are the inspiration and moral we need. Without your leadership Harmony is doomed to fall, and with it, all of our struggle and sacrifice over these last ten years.” Cadence said wisely, earning a round of nods from everypony present, even by the servants, guards and maids standing nearby “If that doesn’t represent the power and authority of a king, then I don’t know what it means.”

“Point taken.” Spike said “But still, I don’t consider myself as a king or emperor or any of that. If our troops, servants and citizens see me that way, then so be it, but I am no king to my own family.” Spike smiled at all of them, they returning the smile in turn, except for Pinkie Pie. “So, Pinkie, you captured any pets?”

“Yes.” Pinkie answered calmly, her maniacally looking smile betraying her tone, licking her lips she continued “They were delicious.”

“Good to hear.” Spike said looking down to his breakfast, roast beef and some gems on the side, he leaned over to catch a good smell of his meal “Ahhhh,” he sighed loudly while a bit of drool escaped his mouth “tell Gustav he has outdone himself once again.” he told to no one in particular picking up his knife and fork, as he cut a piece of the tasty meat he looked up to see his companions, all of them being served their breakfast choices, some of them already half way through it, he smiled contently at the scene.

Spike was about to take the first mouthful of meat, when the doors to the Mess Hall opened revealing a tall white unicorn stallion, with a blonde mane brushed to perfection, his tail in the same conditions. Combined with his coat groomed to equal standards as his mane and tail, and his hooves polished and shiny made him look like a proper member of the royal family, an image of gallantry and proper etiquette.

“GluePhloof!” Shining Armor called angrily standing up from his seat, his mouth filled with the salad he was eating, swallowing his meal he continued “Where in Tartarus were you yesterday? I was forced to entertain the Emissaries of Saddle Arabia by myself!, I’m a general, not a goofball like you, for Celestia’s sake!”

And yet he managed to destroy said image with the tropical shirt, sunglasses (that acted more like a necklace for him since he never even put them on) and his seemingly permanent relaxed look on his face.

“That was yesterday?” He asked surprised before putting a somewhat apologetic face “Sorry bro, I mixed the dates again.” Shining Armor growled angrily as he resumed his meal.

“Blue!” Spike said waving at him “How’s my favorite cousin doing this morning? I was starting to wonder if you would come today.”

“Chilling the chill, mega bro,” Blueblood said as he sat down on his seat, the second empty one to Spike’s right, a zebra maid approached him but he held a hoof up stooping her “nothing for me babe, I already ate some nachos on my way here.” the maid bowed and retired “I just came here tah see if my mega bro needs me tah bring the chill tah someone.”

“In the name of Luna, Blueblood! Can’t you act serious for once in your life?”

“And be unchill like yah, bro? Nah, I’ll pass, yah should come tah the party I’m planning for tonight, live a little!”

“I am General Shining Armor, I don’t desire to waste my time in pointless parties.” He barked at Blueblood.

Blueblood ignored him and turned his attention to Cadence “Woah sis, yah really need tah cut your hubby some leash.” The seven mares and dragon at the table giggled.

“I’m going to murder you.” Shining sneered.

“So,” Blueblood turned to Spike “is there anything yah want me tah do, mega bro?”

“Not really, I haven’t decided yet,” Spike ate another piece of his meat while adding a gem to it “but now that Shining mentioned it, where were you yesterday, I tried to find you but you weren’t in the castle.”

“Just chilling out on the beach, yah know, surfing, playing volleyball with some babes, partying.” He said leaning back against his seat.

“You’re always partying your flank somewhere.” Cadence said.

“Yah know it, sis. Chilling the chill, that’s what I do.” He said proudly, well, as proudly as he could sound with that mellow and relaxed voice of his.

“What about the party you’re planning, Blue, what’s the occasion?” Spike said halfway through his breakfast, suddenly stopping for a second sensing someone behind him, looking back he saw some pegasus and griffon servants coming from the staff room behind them and started to clean the windows.

“None mega bro, it’s a party for the troops that just came back; tah cheer them spirits ip, welcome them back home, comprende?” Blueblood turned to see his cousin, catching him turning his head back to his food “Is something wrong, mega bro?” he said making the rest of the presents interrupt their breakfast to look curiously at Spike.

“Nah,” Spike declared “for a moment I felt like--”

“DIE MONSTER!” One of the griffon servants cleaning the windows, with a dagger in claw, suddenly lunge down as fast as he could, catching by surprise everyone in the room. It took him less than three seconds to reach his target and strike him in his exposed neck. The griffon, smiling victorious, looked up to see the, what he was certain, would be the terrified expressions of the lunatics and monsters sitting in the table, for a moment all eyes were focused on him. his smile turned into a content one, he knew he was done for, but at least he managed to cut the head of the serpent.

Then, to his disbelief, the rest of the ponies sitting on the table returned to finish their breakfast and talk among them, except for Blueblood, who was looking at him with a very indifferent look on his eyes.

“Dude, not cool, yah interrupted mega bro here, that’s very rude.”

“Very rude indeed.” Spike said in a chillingly calm voice “If you’re going to give me a neck massage, at least try to do it harder.”

The griffon looked down to see his dagger (the tip at least) pressed against his neck scales, he applied more strength into it but the dagger didn’t dug into his scales, it just simply stood there. Looking up and around the room he saw all the servants, even the guards, were still standing where they were or doing their chores. Incredulous he reared back his dagger and stabbed the dragon again, this time with greater force, earning the same results.

“Yeah, that’s more like it.” Spike gave out a little sigh of relief as the dagger clashed against his scales “As I was saying,” he cleared his throat “for a moment I felt like there was a breezie behind me, strange isn’t?” he said nonchalantly as the sound of metal meeting scales echoed around the room.

“Aren’t those things extinct by now? I mean, I personally saw to it, could I have missed one of their hidden villages?.” Twilight said thoughtfully.

“Who cares?” Rainbow said “they weren’t even tough to begin with, only annoying.”

A sudden crack followed by the clang like noise metal made when hitting the floor was heard “Yo, bro,” Blueblood said igniting his horn to life “try with this.” a shining white sword floated above the table and their heads until it was caught by the very confused, and slightly panting, griffon.

“What the-? Dammit Blueblood, that’s my sword!” Shining protested and ignited his horn ready to get his sword back, but a single look from Spike made him fell silent.

The griffon grinned at this foolishly given opportunity, before swinging the sword as hard as he could against the neck of Spike, only earning an even louder clang of metal against his scales and a, disturbingly pleasured, moan from Spike. Enraged, the griffon swinged the sword again and again, trying to kill the purple monster in front of him.

“Die!” another swing “Die!” another “Die!” another “Die!” another “Why won’t you just fucking die already!” this time he even used his entire weight and an extra boost of power thanks to his wings, swinging away with all the strenght he had left; the result was the snapping sound of the sword splitting into two upon making contact with his scales. The griffon stumbled backwards, panting heavily and holding half a sword while the other half landed in front of a stunned Shining Armor, his mouth hanging open in shock.

“Why won’t *pant* you *pant* die *pant*?” the griffon said looking up at the still sitting figure of Spike.

“I still have much to do, I can’t allow myself to die right now.” Spike answered in a low, almost dark tone, as small tendrils of mist emerged from his body. Getting up, causing the griffon to back up as best as he could, he turned around to see the griffon with his shiny green eyes as more and more mist came out of his body, cloaking it, until it indistinguishable to make out where his scales and facial features from the mist surrounding him, even his happuri seemed to be mixed with his body, the horns only making him look all that more intimidating, he raised his hand, as if ready to strike down, making the griffon close his eyes and shake in fear.

“Guards, take him away and throw him in the dungeons. He gave me an excellent massage so make sure he is well feed and safe from the other dangerous prisoners, understood?”

The griffon opened his eyes to see Spike’s back, once again normal, and two unicorn guards at his side, to stunned to even think properly he just let the two guards drag him away as they said in unison ‘As you command, my Lord’.

“Well, that was fun.” Spike said once the griffon and the guards were gone “Oh drat!, it’s already late, Shining Armor, let’s go, we have much to discuss,” he got no answer back “Shining?” he turned to see his most trusted general, only to find him holding his sword (the top half of it anyways) in his hooves “Is…..everything alright?” he said making the rest of the presents look at Shining with concern, except for Blueblood who was humming a cheerful tune.

“.......The fuck?” Shining finally said “It…..it was made of the purest mythril. Mythril! How the fuck do you break mythril!?” he exclaimed loudly before looking up at the dragon at the other side of the table “Just how tough are your scales, Spike?”

“That’s a pretty good question, actually,” Spike said, as if suddenly struck by the realization of it while Cadence, and the rest of the girls, glared at Blueblood, who in return paid them no attention whatsoever “but hey, if I can take a full powered blast from Sombra to the face, and come out with just a few scratches, then I can safely assume they must be pretty tough.” He said joyfully, managing to calm down the seven mares who looked ready to rip Blueblood apart “Now, quit stalling around Shining, I’ll buy you a new one, okay?” Shining only sighed as he got up from his seat and kissed Cadence before saying his goodbyes “Now’s my turn.”

Spike walked around the table kissing passionately each of the girls, except for Cadence and Fluttershy, the later protested at the lack of affection.

“Where is my kiss, mister?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“You already got yours, Shy.” He smiled smugly at her, making Fluttershy huff angrily and the rest of the girls giggle “You’re free to do whatever you want for the rest of the day, unless I need you for something, bye Cadence, you know what to do,” she nodded as Spike approached and kissed her on the cheek “bye Blue.”

“Cya mega bro, catch yah later.” He said as he played a banjo he got from…….somewhere.

Spike walked up to where Shining was waiting, nodding once to each other, they exited the Mess Hall and made their way to their destination.

Their walk was filled with small talk about current plans, battles, attacks and whatnot when, turning on a hallway cross, Spike stumbled upon a pegasus maid carrying a tray with a glass of something, said something wetting him from his waist and below. The pegasus maid recovered fast, rubbing her snout tenderly, but upon seeing the dragon and his lower half covered in a thin layer of wine, she immediately entered into a bombardment of apologies and pleas of mercy.

She felt the one of the claws of her Lord upon her and swallowed loudly, her body trembling in fear. Then, to her surprise, that claw wrapped around one of her front hooves gently pulling her up, out of shock, she obliged until she was properly standing again. Looking up she saw her Lord looking down at her concerned, at his side general Shining Armor remained with a neutral expression.

“Are you alright?” Spike asked.

“Y-yes, my Lord, I’m terrible s-sorry for---”

“Shhh, it’s alright, it’s alright.” He said smiling at her “Now go back to the cellars and grab another glass of wine, if the one who sent you asks why you were so late, just tell them you were running an errand for me, alright?” the maid nodded slowly as she picked up the tray and the glass of spilt wine “Good, now, fly along.” The mare bowed while expressing her gratitude, before turning around and flying off from where she came from.

A few seconds later Spike unleashed some of his fire to dry himself up, as well as the stains on the floor. Once he was done, both Shining and himself resumed their walk.

“I don’t understand why do you forgive insolences like that so easily, Spike.” Shining huffed “It makes you look weak.”

“Are you saying I should execute her?” Spike said without looking at Shining “Banish her to Tartarus? Throw her into the hydra pit?”

“Of course not, but maybe a lashing would be sufficient to make an example.”

“An example of what precisely?”

“That you must be properly respected.” Shining said as he looked at a couple of changeling maids cleaning the floor in the furthest way of the hallway “It’s already bad enough that you allowed some of those insects into our territory.”

“Shining Armor.” his tone dropped suddenly but still refused to look down at the general “While I understand your personal hate for changelings, I will not allow you to focus your hate on those who have seen and accepted the truth that is Harmony, the few changelings that have joined us became members and citizens of the alliance.” Spike waved and smiled at the two maid changelings who blushed and bowed in respect “They deserve to be treated as such. Save and focus your hate and energy for our enemies.”

“I apologize, it was…..unprofessional of me to talk like that.” Shining said guiltily before recovering his serious face “That still doesn’t answer my question though.”

“Shining, please, it was just a simple accident, nothing bad came out of it; why, the only victim here was a glass of wine, nothing more.” Spike let out a chuckle “And I know far too well that kind of accidents, remember when I was younger? Boy, I could hardly spend half a day without breaking or burning something.” Spike laughed softly at the happy memories.

“That’s not the point,” Shining insisted “the point is what she did, even if was by accident, is still an insult to you.”

Spike sighed tiredly “It was a glass of wine, a simple, harmless, and probably delicious, glass of wine, she wasn't trying to kill me or anything, then why, in all your wisdom and logic, should I punish her for something so silly and utterly harmless?”

Shining tried to find something to say to that but couldn’t “You’re impossible,” Shining sighed tiredly, giving up on the subject ”speaking of that, what are you going to do with that griffon that tried to kill you?”

“The same as all the treacherous scum and rebels, he shall be executed in the main plaza three days from now.”

“Well, at least you don’t hold back against them.”

“My force, rage and focus is reserved for my enemies only. You know this.” Spike said reaching their destination, his private study. “Let’s continue our talk inside, will you?”

“As you command, Lord Spike.” Shining said closing the door behind him.

---------------------------------------------------------------***************************************************

???????

In the darkness of a hospital room a small bulge covered by the sheets of a bed moved. Spike opened his eyes slowly, not really having to adjust to the darkness thanks to his nocturnal vision. He looked down to his body again and clenched a fist slowly, the pain he felt the last time he was awake being now tolerable.

He moved his arms up slowly, trying his best not to hurt himself too much, until he reached the bandages wrapped around his mouth. He had many questions, where was he and how did he got...wherever in Tartarus here was, but that didn’t matter compared to seeing a villain, who was presumed as dead, suddenly back to life. First things first, he had to warn his mom and his friends about Sombra’s return, then he had to escape this place and finally, once he was safe, he could freak out as much as we wished.

Tearing the bandages off of his mouth with what little strength he had he took a mouthful of fresh air, his lungs thanking him for it. The next problem now was finding something to write on and something to write with, looking around the room he soon focused his eyes on the table, now noticing it had a small drawer on its front. Slowly, he moved to it until he was able to reach the drawer handle with his left hand, grabbing it he opened it as far as he could.

The opening he left was big enough for his hand to fit and search the insides of the drawer, it took him just a few second until he touched an object similar to a tube.

“Perfect.” He thought as he grabbed it and brought out a pencil from the drawer, passing it to his right hand, reaching inside again he searched for some more time until he touched something almost in the back of the drawer. Putting more effort, and a whole more pain, he reached the end of it and grabbed what he hoped was something paper related, to his joy what came out was a small note book; opening it he wrote as best as he could muster over the first blank page.

“SOMBRA IS BACK”

Forgetting the pencil, Spike tore out the page and brought it up to his face, he inhaled charging up his very peculiar ability and then breathed out a weak stream of green fire that burned the paper away, closing his eyes, both happy for warning his family and friends and trying to think how he was going to get out of there.

His train of thought was interrupted, however, when something light and somewhat warm landed on his face, opening his eyes he saw his vision was blocked by the same paper page he just had sent. Confused he took it again before breathing fire over it, this time he saw how the paper sheet was consumed by his fire, turned into ashes and dust, float around for a second or two above him and then rematerialize falling all so gently over his face, paralyzing him instantly.

He never even noticed the door creaking open.

Chapter 3 End.