17. Spike I

Spike

Everyday had been, mostly, slow. Ever since Twilight had gotten attacked by changelings, she's been a lot more anxious than usual. Not to mention, aggravated. She had been covered in shallow lacerations, and bled profusely. Much worse than any paper cut. He had helped her into the castle, and patch up her wounds. Thankfully the cuts weren't deep, otherwise his guardian's life would have been at stake.

He had always been at her side, ever since he hatched. Twilight had been like an older sister to him. Even with all those cuts, Twilight still moved about her castle. He wished she didn't move around so much, considering she needs to let her cuts heal. But she insisted on not letting herself look weak. She didn't want another event like that happen again. Spike understood well enough, but still wished she just took time in letting herself rest.

They were both in the castle library. Twilight was reading her some of her books, with an intense look as she read. Spike however, was just pacing back and forth. He knew she was reading up on defensive, and offensive spells. When she stopped reading, she would practice the incantation. Her horn had glowed brightly, forming a pulsating barrier surrounding her. She had used this spell before, but has great intention to use it more often this time.

"So, Twilight," He started to ask, "how exactly did they get here?"

"The changelings?" Twilight grunted as held up her barrier. "That's just it! I don't know how they came to Ponyville, let alone know where this castle was!"

Twilight's front legs and chest, were wrapped in bandages. Some of the bandages had blotches of blood stains. She even had a few band-aids on her face and muzzle. Everyday, she would change the bandages if they got too bloody. At first she would have him help her, but then she remembered Spike had other duties to attend to.

"Then again, how did they even know you had a castle? Or know you were a princess?" Spike knew very little about changelings, but he remembered that they invaded Canterlot a long time ago.

"Once again, Spike," She let her barrier dissipate, her tone was calm now, "I don't know. They were thrown into the Badlands, when they were defeated by my brother and Cadence. I believe the queen may have used her drones to try and spy on others, and gather information. I don't really know for sure, it's just a theory."

"What about the ronians? You said the Emperor declared war on Kaerndal--or whatever. And now this 'organization' has Applejack and Rainbow Dash enlisted. If you ask me, this all just one huge clust--"

Spike stopped himself when he heard loud knocking, echoing through the castle. It must be one of their friends. He hoped it was Rarity. He could read comics all he likes, but nothing can replace his sweet Rarity. He felt his heart thumping with anticipation. He didn't know who it really was, but he really hoped it was Rarity.

"Hey, Spike," Twilight asked, still focused on practicing, "Can you see who it is?"

His mind was on still on Rarity. "Yes, Princess!" he said excitedly, rushing to see his sweet Rarity.

He immediately ran out of the library, his pace quick. He still wasn't sure who it was, but he really hoped it's the love of his life. He passed seven crystalline thrones, surrounding a star shaped dais on a golden dish. Six of them having his friends cutie marks, and the seventh and smallest being next to Twilight's throne. He eventually made his way down the lobby, and towards the two-leavened door which had led into the castle. He heard pounding again, it's volume almost over powering. He stopped to compose himself.

Come on, Spike! he told himself, You can do this!

He opened one door, and stepped out with his swagger. He closed his eyes, so as to feel truly surprised. "How can I help you, milady?" He said suavely.

"Milady?" The voice he heard was not the voice he was expecting. Then again, he's never heard the voice before.

His eyes sprang open to see a sight he had yet to see: A tall winged, bipedal figure, clad entirely in armor. From what Twilight had told him, this was the very description of a ronian. The armor he wore was silver, and his helm had intricate details along the eye slits. He had a large sword in a sheath strapped to his hip. What made him most intriguing, was his eyes. They were like bright green orbs with no pupils or irises. His height was most likely eight or nine feet. Even as he knelt, the ronian still towered over him.

"Uh..." Spike was speechless.

"What manner of creature, are you?" The ronian asked curiously.

"I-I-I-I am a dragon." Spike could not help but stutter. "M-m-my name's Sp-Sp-Spike."

The ronian placed a hand over his chin, "A dragon you say? How interesting. Dragons are far less of a common sight in all Ronia. Normally if I had ever come across such a ferocious beast as a dragon, I would have expected one to be much... larger."

"Yeah..." He wasn't as self conscious about his size as he used to be, so he was not offended.

"I have come from The Emperor's Tower, for Princess Twilight Sparkle. A white alicorn named 'Princess Celestia', foretold of her current residence. I trust this is the very castle she spoke of?"

"For Twilight?" Spike was now wary of him. "Why?"

"All that I ask, is if she is here, Spike the dragon." The ronian added formally, "From what I remember, she came to our world discussing of an issue with sabrathanians. However, there is also talk of kaerndallens here in Equestria. The Princess would know of this issue, and I believe speaking of this seems confusing to you?"

"Nope." Spike answered, "Not at all."

"Oh... I see. Is she here?"

"Yep, she is."

"May I speak with her?"

"Uumm..." He almost trailed off, but caught himself, "of course. Um... who are you?"

"Gadreel." was all he answered

He had taken him inside, and was leading him towards the library. Every now and then, the ronian would complement the intricate details of the castle's interior, from its high rising ceilings, to its long hallways. He seemed to like the crystalline lathed columns though. Spike admittedly knows almost nothing about ronian culture. Every time he glanced at him, he seemed to have been a bit on edge. He kept his his hands close to his sword; sometimes laying his hand on its pommel.

"So, Gadreel?" He built up the courage to ask, "What do you know about ronian culture?"

For a moment, it seemed as though he wasn't listening. Yet he did answer him: "Ronian culture is not singular. There are many cultures in our world. From sea-dwelling dramorans, to the mystic esoni."

"What about nezenites?" Spike nearly bit off his own tongue, just for prodding.

"Well, nezenites are an imperialistic culture. They live in structures built atop the clouds; high above the world below. There are oft times misconceptions about them, however. Many believe them to be a ruthless empire, compelled by greed to reap the very lands of its most delicate soil. Some say we enslave other cultures, or annihilate them. But rest assured, these are only misconceptions."

I dunno if I should believe him or not! Spike thought, terrified.

"We nezenites are a rather amiable culture, Spike the dragon." Gadreel continued, "Albeit, there have been occasional rulers who have desecrated the throne of Nezend. Such emperors have been feared, and were reviled to be infamous for their heinous acts."

"Oh. Okay then." Spike was rather suspicious of the ronian now. "What about sabrathanians?" He just now realized he may have stuck his foot in his mouth.

"The cultists?" Gadreel stared at him with his green eyes. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

"Uh... I um... I was..."

"Curious?" He finished Spike's sentence.

"Well yeah..." the little dragon felt pretty vulnerable next to the tall ronian.

"At first, not much was known about them. Until a spy came back from one of their bases, and disclosed information. Now we know they use dark magic to create portals to enter Equestria, and kidnap ponies. They then incinerate them in hellish flame, as an offering to whom they worship: Sabrathan."

"That's horrible!" Twilight has told him this before, and to him it didn't bear repeating.

"Yes. It is." the ronian continued, "And that's not the worst of it. The Emperor is now marching to Kaerndal, with almost all of his soldiers, and very few left to guard Nezend while they're away. He deems the kaerndallens more of a threat than the cultists. If you ask me, our emperor didn't make a wise decision. If he dies in battle, and his men with him, then Nezend will be without an heir. And with so few men left to guard the city, our emperor will be remembered for his pointless warmongering."

He wasn't sure why he was telling him this. He needed to ask something more important: "So, why do want to speak to Twilight?"

"Important business." Was all he answered. After that, he said nothing.

When they eventually got to the castle library, Spike was relieved. As he was about to open one of the doors, he glanced at the ronian again, who still kept his hand at his sword. The more he did so, the more nervous he became. It's almost as if he was anticipating something that he had no knowledge of. Spike, no doubt, has his qualms about him. Spike gulped slightly, hopefully inaudible to the ronian's unseen ears.

"Well," Spike said, "here we are." I don't trust this guy, not one bit! I just hope nothing bad happens.

He pushed the doors, and witnessed Twilight still practicing spells. Deep concentration showed on her face, as she lit her horn profusely. It seemed she was powering up for a concussive magic blast. He remembered her telling him about how powerful it became, how it destroyed a sabrathanian's arm. She made it clear that it wasn't her intention--not to mention she had been a bit traumatized by it--but she couldn't have done anything else. Spike was about to tip toe, hoping not to break her concentration.

"Princess Twilight." The ronian said abruptly. "I-"

His voice startled the lavender alicorn, making her yelp and losing her concentration. As a result, she shot the concussive magic blast too soon. The reddish pink beam of magic ricocheted off every corner of the library like it was a ball. Everywhere it hit, books and loose pages flew; utter chaos. Twilight tried to stop the beam using levitation, but it was difficult for her to keep up with the uncontrollable beam. Spike grabbed the nearest thing he could, a glass plate he was eating off of, and rushed to his guardian's side; worried for her safety.

"It's too fast!" Twilight exclaimed, "I can't stop it! LOOK OUT!!!"

The beam was heading towards him. Spike quickly held the glass plate in front of his face, hoping it would be enough to reflect off of. Within an instant, a reddish pinkish pulsating wall emitted in front of him. The beam hit the barrier but dissipated rather than reflected, and ceased to exist. Spike was relieved, and so was Twilight. She dissolved the barrier surrounding them, now that the destructive beam was gone. Spike glared at the ronian, who's green eyes were wide with shock.

"By the gods," He said, "I didn't expect that!"

"Nice goin'!" Spike groaned.

Looking up at Twilight, he saw her face light up with confusion. "Gadreel?!" She said, somehow recognizing him. "How did you get here?"

"You know him?" He never figured she knew who he was.

"The Silver Mirror, princess." He replied to her, "The ruler of your world, Princess Celestia, told me of your castle residence."

"He was one of the few ronians I met when I came to Ronia. He helped save my life, when I couldn't control myself in the air."

The ronian approached them, metal chinking every step he took. His hand wasn't on the pommel of his sword anymore. Looking around, he noticed books and pages were everywhere, a large mess to be cleaned up. Even when close to Twilight, he still dwarfed her. He was still less than sure about the ronian.

"Why are you here?" Twilight asked puzzled.

"I was sent by the Emperor himself," He answered, "to come here, and become a vigilant sentinel at your side on your behalf."

"He asked you to be my guard?" Twilight seemed concerned, her eyebrow raised suspiciously.

"Yes. Of course."

After being attacked by changelings who pretended to be Celestia's guards, Spike could tell she was as unsure as he was. They've dealt with threats like that before; unexpected villains who appear friendly. He knows better than to wholeheartedly put any faith in the nezenite. Something about his eyes made him wary too, green pupil-less eyes. The sword at his belt made him feel even warier, and he assumed Twilight might have felt the same way.

"This is all pretty sudden," Twilight said, "and surely Celestia would have told me about this."

"Yeah," Spike agreed, "and I would have barfed out a message from her."

Gadreel stared blankly, "What?"

"Usually, Princess Celestia sends messages through me. But ever since Twilight became a princess, she hasn't sent anything."

"How does that work?" He was curious.

"Her magic." Spike elaborated, "And I send her messages with my dragon breath. And after she sends a message, I receive it from my dragon breath."

The ronian was quiet for some time until he said: "That... is the strangest thing I've ever heard, since I got here. But that is of no importance. What is important is that I also come with news, great or grave: The Emperor is marching to Kaerndal."

Spike was told of this before, and Twilight was not phased, "I remember Mendrion saying that he was going to declare war. What about Sunset Shimmer, has she been found?"

"I have been told by Lord Commander Eldellus, that the scouts have seen tracks."

"I know." Once again, this didn't surprise her.

"I was also told that they have been seeing tracks going as far towards The Ridge," Gadreel continued, "which is the border between our lands and Kaerndal. No one from Nezend has ever seen beyond The Ridge, and although we know Kaerndal resides there, we have never seen it."

"What?" It was clear she had not expected that. "No nezenite has ever been in Kaerndal?" The nezenite only shook his head.

"Maybe Sunset entered The Ridge--er whatever?" Spike questioned.

"Possible," Gadreel said, "but not as likely. I've never met one, but I've heard they were invading your world. Is this true?"

"Yes."

"Have you met one, Princess Twilight?"

Spike knew for a fact that Twilight never saw one--then again, neither did he. "No. I haven't."

"That's a bit disconcerting." He told her, "Considering how they've reached this place, one would think they were abundant. I wonder why?..."

Twilight, for the love of all that is living, He prayed, don't say anything about the organization!

As he mentioned himself, he and Twilight already have big dilemmas as it is. With this ronian here, only adds more to the table. It would be pretty bad if he knew about Luna's organization, especially since they are allies of the kaerndallens. Hopefully, Twilight would lie and tell him something else. As Twilight seemed like she was about to say something...

"...But then again," Gadreel stated, "I suppose we will find out in due time." Spike sighed in relief.

"Yeah..." Twilight sounded nervous, yet relieved, "I was thinking the same thing."

The ronian then turned his attention to something in the window sill. "Hmm... I wonder how long that bird's been watching us?"

"What bird?" Spike and Twilight said in unison.

Spike looked towards the window and noticed there was a bird. A rather ugly looking black bird. As he got closer, he noticed the bird hada black jagged beak, and yellow pupil-less eyes. The bird cocked it's head to one side curiously. The bird had to be either a crow or a raven, it was incredibly hard to tell. He witnessed Twilight move in closer to the window, to get a better look. As for the ronian, he didn't move from his spot. The bird had then turned its back, and leaped off the sill. The unusual bird flapped its wings fervently in the air.

"Huh." Twilight seemed puzzled, if not keen. "That's peculiar."

"Peculiar." Gadreel repeated dryly. "What you call 'peculiar', I call suspicious. For in Ronia, certain birds are trained for specific uses. Usually black birds are used by spies, or worse assassins. While I have never seen an ugly bird like that, I suspect it to be some kind of ploy."

"That's rather perceptive of you." Spike commented.

"I must be! It is of upmost importance that I warn one of any potential threat!"

Twilight crossed from the window to the ronian. "I appreciate you really wanting to help, but we have other troubles of our own. You see..." She pointed out her bandages, "...I've recently got into a scuffle with changelings."

"Change--lings?" Gadreel asked slowly, obviously knowing nothing.

"They're insectoid, pony-like creatures. They have the ability to shape-shift into anypony, and feed off of their love. But my friends and I have faced a few in the past, and I've managed to defeat them on my own."

The ronian knelt before her as if to examine her bandages. "It seems as though these creature are quite capable in wounding an alicorn, without fail."

"The cuts aren't that deep," Spike pointed out quickly, "she's perfectly fine."

Gadreel's green eyes stared suspiciously at them, turning to look at each of them. Even though Spike understood that she doesn't want any help from him, the ronian didn't seem to believe her. "Where do these changelings come from?" He then asked, as he got up.

"They come from the Badlands; a desert canyon southwest of Equestria." She informed, "Celestia has soldiers posted there, to keep watch along the borders. The changelings I encountered were disguised as soldiers."

"Well, that may explain how they are able to reach beyond the Badlands. Perhaps her soldiers ought to interrogate each other. Maybe then would that problem be solved."

"But it's not that easy," Twilight told him, her tone filled with worry, "changelings are very crafty. The can deceive just about anypony."

For a time, the library was silent. It was the ronian's voice who then broke the silence. "Not a ronian. We aren't so easily fooled."

The dining hall had sometimes been quiet, just him and Twilight. But now they had a nezenite at their table, feasting on their food. Every time the ronian went to take a bite, he would lift the visor from his helm. It seemed very unorthodox to Spike, who still has a hard time understanding ronian culture; or law for that matter. They ate thick juicy sandwiches for their meal. The ronian, Gadreel, spread his wings a little to make himself comfortable.

"This... is rather delectable!" He commented in delight, "Normally I am not particularly fond of vegetables, and yet I like it. This world never ceases to amaze me."

Twilight turned to the ronian, "I see you're enjoying your sandwich."

Gadreel continued to eat his meal in near silence. Spike continued eating his meal, which was a bowl of gems. He always admired its sweet taste, and its hard and crunchy texture. Dragons always have a taste for gems. Whether it be red, blue, green, or purple in color, gems are still incredibly tasty.

"I don't believe I've ever seen a creature eat crystals before." He heard Gadreel observe. "Is it a particular diet, for dragons?"

"You bet!" Spike replied with his mouth full. "Why?"

"Because in Ronia, dragons are considered monstrous yet sacred creatures. Feared, but respected."

"Really?" Spike said after swallowing, "Do they hoard treasure, and eat gems?"

"If only." He said grimly. "They are carnivorous. I remember losing my uncle to one, while he was sailing the Knath Sea. He had been traveling with several nezenite sailors at the time, on a galley with three banks of oars. One day on an overcast sky, the great beast had come and swooped over them... and set the whole ship ablaze with it's fiery breath. A few nezenite sailors survived the ordeal, clinging on to the flotsam away from the burning galley. That was of course how I heard their story."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Twilight told him. "Dragons in Equestria are sometimes pretty vicious among ponies. However, I've never heard of any dragon actually killing anypony before. Let alone a ronian."

There was some truth to her statement. Dragons are indeed vicious, and have the capability to wreak havoc on villages, towns, or even a whole city! But not a lot is known about them, and he's never heard of a dragon actually attacking a town or village. So to hear Gadreel speak of dragons in Ronia in a very terrifying way, made him think a little bit more about dragons as a whole. Equestrian dragons can do some damage, but nopony has ever seen one try to kill.

"No need to apologize." He took a sip from his glass. He then set it back down and began, "I've had a lot family members die in the past. Not many great stories come from them, the worst one being my eldest brother, for which I refuse to tell."

"Well, you don't have to tell us." Twilight replied. She then asked nervously, "Was there any other reason you decided to come here, aside from being my new guard?"

There was yet, another pause from the ronian. "I am only doing as I am told, Princess Twilight." He answered at last, "As I always do."