The Origin Chronicles Vol. 2

Chapters

Ch.1 Anniversary
Ch.2 Enter Madness
Ch.3 Given a Mission
Ch.4 A Dark Horizon
Ch.5 Dangerous Visitations
Ch.6 Sadness and Sparks
Ch.7 Tracks in the Desert
Ch.8 Can't Do It Anymore
Ch.9 Abandonment
Ch.10 Broken
Ch.11 Champion of Madness
Ch.12 Madness of Our Own
Ch.13 The Mad King
Ch.14 Favoring Fluttershy
Ch.15 Pinkie Perplexities
Ch.17 Finding the Rough . . .
Ch.18 . . . And the Diamond Within
Ch.19 Beautifully Mad
Ch.20 Gift of Grace
Ch.21 Darkness Arisen
Ch.22 Locked Away
Ch.23 Epic Confrontation
Ch.24 Redemption
Prologue
Ch.16 Dash of Defiance
Epilogue

Ch.1 Anniversary

Spike was not in a good position. Right now he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Literally. He had his back to the door and a giant boulder the size of an ursa minor was rolling down toward him. Combine that with the fact that he was holding two rock slabs at arms length that wanted to crush him and he was not in a good place at all. He knew he should have brought some pony, any pony down here with him. He knew the value of friendship and not doing things alone, yet he did things by himself all too often. He sighed at his lack of foresight and eyed the boulder rushing toward him. It was closing fast. He would only have one shot. If he missed, he would be crushed under the weight of a giant boulder. If he was even a second late, he would be flattened in between two rock slabs.

His muscles strained as he lessened the strength he was putting against the two rock slabs. He only needed a little bit of room to work with. It took more strength to hold them back without slipping than to just hold them. He repositioned himself. Now he had his back to one of the slabs and his feet pressed against the other. The boulder was coming in closer and closer. He managed to get his right hand free and a small glow appeared around his claws. He shot his hand out and the glow shot along with it. The lights of his glowing claws dug into the earthy ground for just a moment before Spike yanked them back. He retracted his claws with great force and the ground came with it. A wide piece of the ground erupted up and faced Spike. It was inclined enough to ward off the boulder and it also came in between the two slabs. He could see that it would not hold, though, and he had to move.

Instantly he was away from the slabs and the boulder. In a flash he was away and through the open doorway that he was trying to get through before he sprung those traps. He lay on the stone floor of the room for a moment, breathing heavy. Then he stood again and found his prize. At the very center, on a small podium, sat a statue. It was not the statue he was after, however. What he wanted was what was on the statue.

The statue itself was a of a dragon. This dragon stood tall and proud. Probably a high ranking official in the army, Spike thought. Around the wrists of this dragon statue were two bracers. Spike eyed them greedily. They were beautiful. Gold plated bracers with gems running down the length of each of them. They were emblazoned with symbols of an era long since past and gone.

Spike moved up to grab them, but stopped himself. If the traps outside were that deadly then the traps in here could only be worse. Right? It made sense to him, and so he stopped to think. Not a moment later he heard a tremendous crash. The boulder must have obliterated his little rock ramp. Well, there went his way out. He was too far underground to just blast his way through the ceiling. As he stood there pondering his options he did get one idea. He clasped his hands together and summoned forth a small group of parasprites.

“Find and disable any and all traps,” He ordered of them.

They darted off in all directions looking for traps. They stopped every now and then to devour a pebble or two. Good thing they were spelled so that they could not multiply or else that would most certainly be his end. After an hour of searching and eating the parasprites finally finished off all the traps. Spike approached the statue confidently and grasped the bracers. He quickly took them off the statue and stepped back, just in case their was a hidden trap. And just as he thought, Spike felt a tremor under his feet as one final trap was set off.

“Note to self: Parasprites are useless,” He said before he fell.

The tremor beneath his feet gave way to a rumbling that took out the floor under him. The floor practically disintegrated and he fell down into a river that was raging underground. He had no idea there was a river down there. He struggled to keep his head above the surface of the rushing water as he traveled down the river. He had no idea where this was taking him, but he knew it was away from that place and that was all he needed to know. He kept a tight grip on the bracers as he went. He did not want to lose them. This was one of the only significant finds he had uncovered about the era of dragons and dragon magic. He could not let it slip through his fingers.

After more than a few close call moments down in the underground river Spike finally saw a light. It was coming from downstream. The closer he got the brighter the light became. Was it a way out? He had to know. Not that he had much choice in the matter. He was being carried toward the light anyway. One other thing he noticed was that he was picking up speed. Great. He was not going to like this. He took the deepest breath he could as the river rushed him to the light.

He shot out the side of the cliff with a rush of water and screaming. He got one last look and found out he came out the top of a waterfall. It was shaped like the mouth of a dragon. Spike counted himself lucky he did not meet one of the sharp rocks that made up the teeth of the dragon. As he finished that thought another one came to him. If the cliff face was that far away, where was he? Cautiously, he looked down. He immediately wished he hadn't. He was in the air, falling down toward the ground at high speed. Great.

As he fell Spike closed his eyes. He had to focus. He had all this power at his disposal, all the power of a Dragon Mystik, and yet he knew of nothing that could save him here. Except one thing. It was not magic, but it would have to work. He needed all his focus. He flexed the muscles in back and shoulders. Come on. Work! He screamed the words in his head until they worked.

Wings shot forth from his back and his fall slowed. The wings were still new to him and he still had not gotten used to them. This must be what Twilight felt when she got her wings. Spike tried flapping his wings a bit. His muscles strained and he managed a few flaps before spiraling out of control. He screamed as he neared the ground.

He stretched his wings out as far as they would go and slowed just enough to attempt a landing. His feet touched the ground and that was all he needed. He relaxed his every muscle and collapsed on the ground. He lay in a slump for a moment as the pain in his back settled. That was going to be sore tomorrow.

As he lay there he got the sensation that someone was trying to get his attention. It was a familiar and welcome sensation. He pulled the Night Calling Mirror out of his coat and held it up to his face. He was a little surprised to see Twilight's face appear in the mirror's surface. She had a big mirror like the one Luna had installed in her new castle. She hadn't used the mirror much and Spike was still a little surprised to see her in it.

“Hey Spike,” She said happily, “Whoa. You look like you've been through the ringer. Are you okay?”

“I'll just say I can sympathize with your new wings flying trouble,” Spike said with a groan.

“Your new wings are acting up again,” Twilight replied, “Well get back to Ponyville. I'm sure Rainbow Dash would help you if you asked. Although, I am not sure if ponies and dragons fly the same. Eh. I'm sure she will help anyway. Not to mention the date that is coming up soon. Really soon.”

“I know Twilight,” Spike groaned as he stood up, “The anniversary is coming up soon. I don't know why everypony insists on making such a big deal out of it, but I will be there.”

“Spike, it is the anniversary of the day when you saved all of Equestria from a demented dragon king all by yourself. Of course everypony is going to make a big deal out of it.”

“I did not do it all by myself,” Spike said, “It took all of us to defeat Galeek. You were there, remember?”

“Yes, Spike, I remember,” Twilight said slyly, “You brought me and many other ponies there so that you could cast a spell that would work on Galeek. It was still you no matter how you say it.”

“I suppose there is no arguing with you,” Spike responded.

“What can I say? When I'm right, I'm right,” Twilight said with a smile.

“Careful, or else you will start sounding like Rainbow Dash,” Spike said.

“I heard that,” Rainbow Dash yelled in the distance.

“Just get back here soon, Spike,” Twilight said.

Spike promised to get back as soon as he possibly could and went to put the Night Calling Mirror back in his coat pocket. But before he could he saw that Twilight still had not left the surface of the mirror.

“Um, Twilight, you still have something to say,” Spike asked.

“No, no,” She said slightly embarrassed, “I just can't remember how to turn this thing off.”

“You say 'The night released you' and then my name,” Spike told her.

Twilight made a remark about Spike teaching her things for a change and then ended the call. He put the mirror back in his inside coat pocket and headed back to Ponyville. He headed back home.

It took Spike three days to get back to Ponyville. That was good. He had just enough time to get back and prepare for the anniversary. He slept through most of the train rides there. He had to take three to get there in time. Equestria was a much bigger place than he had ever thought and he was learning that the hard way.

He was welcomed by the Cutie Mark Crusaders first. The three young fillies were always super excited to see him. He always had a story of two to tell them. Applejack once said Spike's stories were the only way to get the three of them to stay still for longer than two minutes. Spike chuckled as he remembered the time. The three young fillies, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, all rushed up to him as soon as he got off the train. They were their usual selves and all started talking at once.

“Ooohh. Show us a spell,” Sweetie Belle said eagerly.

“Did you bring back anything really cool,” Scootaloo asked.

“Can you tell us a story, please,” Apple Bloom pleaded.

“Girls,” Spike said, “Aren't you forgetting some pony?”

The three of them went silent as Spike said that. They all got a little red because they did indeed forget a pony. They parted and let the fourth young filly that was with them come up. It was the last member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Babs Seed.

“Whoa,” She said, “You're really Spike the Dragon? When they told me they knew you I didn't believe them, but here you are!”

“Am I really here,” Spike asked.

Babs didn't understand what he was trying to say until she felt a tap on her flank. She turned around so fast that the air itself had to catch up. The other three turned with her to find Spike standing there. But he was just behind them.

“Or am I really here,” Spike said.

The four fillies were amazed at his spell, even if they didn't understand what just happened. Babs Seed and the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders turned to where Spike was originally standing. Nothing. There was nothing there. Amazing! They turned back to where he had was after and found that spot to be empty as well. He was just gone. In the blink of an eye and the turn of a head he had vanished.

“Ooh, I hate it when he does that,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Does he do that a lot,” Babs Seed asked.

“Yeah, unfortunately,” Apple Bloom said, “The last time he was here he used a jar.”

“A jar,” Babs said questioningly.

“Yep,” Apple Bloom said, “He said it was gift and when we opened it a giant puff of smoke came whooshing out. By the time it gone so was he.”

“That was so awesome,” Scootaloo said, “I am so going to have to do that to some pony.”

“Do you even know how to get smoke in a jar,” Sweetie Belle asked.

“No, but I'm sure we can figure it out,” Scootaloo said.

Spike watched them from his hiding place in the shadow of a nearby tree. He remembered his little smoke in a jar trick. He was laughing about that one for days. And it was plenty funny. Until Applejack got annoyed with him for messing with her little sister. Then she saw it and she started laughing. The smoke had turned Apple Bloom nearly black all over along with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. But now he had to get to the castle and prepare for the anniversary festival. This town and way to many festivals. But his was just a few days away, so he had to got and get ready.

He reached Twilight's new castle without too much trouble. Mostly the ponies around town just stopped to stare at him as he walked by. He was still not used to all the attention he got, even after all this time. He simply smiled as walked by. He overheard a few mares standing by one of the shop windows talking. They were whispering to themselves about how dreamy Spike looked in his coat. He looked over to them and they all just smiled and waved a hoof. He was flattered, but they were not really his type. Before he knew she was there Rarity was upon Spike.

“Goodness, dear,” She said, “Look at this coat, Spike. Why it is completely covered in dirt and who knows what else. And then there are the holes! What have you been doing? Spelunking in caves?”

“Actually, yes. That is what I was doing,” Spike said.

“Give it here at once,” Rarity said, “I will finish the coat you are going to wear at the festival and then I shall start fixing this one, if I can.”

Spike knew all to well that Rarity was more stubborn than Twilight and Rainbow Dash when it came to fashion. Saying no to her when it came to what you were wearing was the same as wearing a meat suit into a den of timber wolves. Not a good idea. So he just took off his coat and handed it to Rarity. He took the mirror out of the pocket before handing it to her. She had seen it before, but just thought it was some artifact he had unearthed somewhere. In a way it was. It was over a thousand years old. She sauntered off with his coat, but not before taking a moment to admire Spike and all his muscles. She had to leave before she started drooling. The mares by the shop windows glared at her as she left and then turned their attention back to Spike. He was sure that they did start drooling. He just smiled at them and walked off.

The next couple of days were a bit of a blur for him. They always were. Twilight went over a checklist with him -twice- to get him ready. He went through the motions. The day before the anniversary Rarity dropped off his new coat. She insisted that he wore a different coat to each anniversary. This one was no exception. This coat was purple. Dark enough to stand out against his scales, but bright enough to tell it was purple from afar. It was lined with thick black trim. Rubies and emeralds adorned the black trim. When the coat was closed across his chest beautiful white diamonds would form a letter 'S' on the coat. He noticed that Rarity had designed the coat with two slits in the back for his wings. Cool. If Rarity kept this up he would run out places to put these coats, even here in the castle.

The day came for the anniversary and Spike was ready. It was possibly the biggest celebration Ponyville had, and it was all for Spike. Ponies came from all around to see him. They cheered and hollered and called out his name. The Mayor of Ponyville was on stage for a speech.

“Ponies of Equestria,” She started, “Three years ago, on this very day, an evil came into Equestria. This evil wanted nothing less than the complete destruction of all ponies. But he would not get it. No. For one stood against him. Not a pony, but a dragon. A dragon that I am happy to say lives here in Ponyville. Spike! He battled and defeated the evil and now on this day, we celebrate that victory!”

The Mayor went on with her speech, but Spike tuned it out. Had it really been three years already? It did not seem like so long ago. He remembered it like it was yesterday. In his mind it was still fresh.

The Mayor finished up her speech and the festivities began. There were games and prizes and Applejack sold seemingly endless supplies of Apple family treats. Spike was obligated to walk around and talk to some ponies. It was his party after all. So that is what he did. He went around and spoke to a great many ponies. Mostly just a few words here and there. After hours of doing that the sun was going down, but the party was still going strong. It became an anniversary tradition the first year to party until the next day and then sleep the next two. Or at least that was how he did it. No pony seemed to notice how much he did not want to be there, except one in particular.

“You look like you could use a break.”

“Luna,” Spike said happily.

Spike spun around to Luna. The sight of her put a huge smile on his face. He was always happy to see her. In the past three years they have become very close friends. Many ponies thought more was going on between them but nothing was ever brought up in front of Spike. The two friends hugged each other happily. They kept the embrace going for several moments before releasing one another.

“It is good to see you Spike,” She said happily.

“It is good to see you as well Luna,” Spike said, “Although, I must admit I am surprised to see you here. I thought Celestia required that you stay at the castle this time of year.”

“She does,” Luna said with a giggle, “But I sneak out sometimes. I can still raise the moon from here. There is no need for her to worry. But enough about my sister. How was your latest adventure? I hear you went spelunking in some caves.”

“I did. I found some ancient dragon temple, set off some traps, nearly died. You know, the usual,” Spike said with a sly smile.

Spike and Luna talked for a while before she had to raise the moon. Spike had to take her to Twilight's castle to do that. She did not want to be seen by any other ponies. If that happened and word got to Celestia she would be in trouble. Spike was happy to. He wanted to get away from all the noise and crowded streets. The two friends continued to talk and spend time together all through the night. It was not until morning was almost upon them that Luna left. She had to get back to the castle and lower the moon before the sun came up. The two parted ways and Spike watched as she flew off. He watched her until she could no longer be seen and for a few moments after. He smiled. This was one anniversary party he would not forget.

Ch.2 Enter Madness

Spike did as he always did the next couple of days after the anniversary celebration. He mustered up what little energy he had left after all the time and went home. He lifted his clawed feet one by one and trudged to his house. He slowly made his way to the home he had constructed for himself on the edge of the Everfree Forest. It was not a very big building, but it was a simple building. It was made of large stones held together by cement. The roof was simply common shingles. Over the years Spike had made some improvements. It was not much but it was home to him.

As he got to his front door he was stopped by a familiar voice. Great. He needed sleep and some pony needed help. Why did this always happen to him? He turned to see Fluttershy fluttering nearby. She looked worried. She always did, but this time was different.

“What's wrong, Fluttershy,” Spike asked.

“Ooohh, I don't know,” She said, “It's Mr. Bear. He was supposed to be here an hour ago for the weekly picnic but I haven't seen him yet.”

“Still not seeing the problem,” Spike said with a yawn.

“Well, you see-I mean- If you want to,” Fluttershy stammered, “If you don't mind. He lives in there.”

She gestured with a hoof to the Everfree Forest behind Spike's house.

“Fluttershy,” Spike said, “You have been in the Everfree Forest before. Why don't you go and see why he has not come to your picnic?”

“Oh, I would, but” She started to say, “There are monsters in there. They moved in after you went on your last adventure.”

Fluttershy was already worried. Now at her own mention of monsters she started to shake a little. She landed and was now shaking with all four hooves on the ground. She did not seem to notice a shadow drift slowly over them.

“What kind of monsters,” Spike asked.

All the sudden Spike was blinded by a flash of sunlight. It seemed that the drifting shadow had gone away. And he knew why. It was not any drifting shadow. It was a cloud. And the only reason for a cloud to suddenly go away was a Pegasus pony. And he knew who.

Rainbow Dash came flying down as fast as she could, as she always did, and landed right next to the two of them. Fluttershy was so caught up in her own thoughts and worries that she didn't even notice the extra pony there. Rainbow Dash saw this and capitalized on it. She walked up and got right behind her.

“So what's goin' on,” She asked.

Fluttershy was not expecting to see or hear from Dash. So when she came down and started speaking it took her by surprise, to say the least. She jumped high enough to get some serious airtime even if she was not a Pegasus. And when she came back down to the ground she curled up on the ground and covered herself with her hooves. Rainbow dash was nearly on her back laughing so hard. She got back to her hooves and used one to wipe a tear from her eye.

“Never gets old,” She said with one last laugh.

“What are you doing here Rainbow Dash,” Spike asked,

“I couldn't help but overhear you guys talking. So, you planning on going into the Everfree Forest. Didn't Fluttershy tell you? There are monsters in there,” Dash said half mockingly.

“What kind of monsters,” Spike asked again.

“You know, the normal stuff. You got the manticores, hydras, pony-eating plants,” Dash said, “But then you have the not normal stuff. Ponies are saying that there are new monsters in the Everfree. Bigger and badder than anything before. They say these new monsters are crazy and can't be reasoned with. So, you sure you still want to go in there?”

“The only thing I am sure about is that I want to go and get some sleep,” Spike said, “But Fluttershy's picnic is missing a guest so I have to go and find him first.”

“Oh, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you,” She said ecstatically.

She popped up and gave Spike a big hug. Dash managed to pry her off so Spike could get moving. Spike opened his door and went inside for just a moment. He came back out with a small bundle in hand. When the two ponies eyed it he showed it to them. It was just a small bundle of gems. He devoured them quickly. He would need the energy if he ran into these supposed monsters. Then he turned and left for the Forest.

“Are you absolutely sure you want to go in there,” Rainbow Dash asked worriedly.

“Why, are you offering to come with me,” Spike replied.

“No, no,” Dash said, “I have to stay here and comfort Fluttershy. I'm sure you'll be fine.”

That was just like Rainbow Dash. Worried, and she will never admit it. But now Spike was on another adventure. At least this one was close to home. Right in his backyard, so to speak, and he was doing this for a friend. He knew how Fluttershy cared for the animals around Ponyville. If he didn't do this then she would have probably gone in herself. He couldn't let her do that.

Spike made his way through the Everfree Forest with some manner of ease. He had grown quite accustomed to it. Living next to it for three years can have that effect. Him and Zecora have also spent some time together in there. She was curious about Spike's new magic, and his mission to find these dragon magic artifacts. She helped him in creating a system of translation for the dragon artifacts he brought back. It became somewhat of a hobby for her while Spike was away helping the Princess's of Equestria.

A huge, unexpected roaring cut through Spike's thought. It was loud enough shake the leaves from the trees and send the pebbles skittering all over the ground. It was shocking enough to drive the tiredness right out of Spike. He was awake and alert. Spike rubbed his eyes as another roar shook the air. By the sound of it whatever was making that roar was close. Much to close for comfort. His only choice was to go and find out what it was. Sometimes he hated his job.

He did not have to go far to find the source of the roar. It was just beyond the treeline. It was moving around the entrance of a small cave that it looked much to big to even enter. When Spike got there he could not tell what it was. It looked like it might have been a bear, at one point. But this beast was way too big and way to mean. Spike would have never thought that it was a bear. . . until it turned around.

As it turned out it was a bear, but not just any bear. It was the very same Mr. Bear that Fluttershy had been waiting for. Spike could not believe his eyes. This bear was tearing up the forest, tossing around logs like they were mere sticks and toppling trees like they were saplings.

“Awesome,” Spike said with no excitement whatsoever, “Nothing is ever easy.”

He approached the clear area in front of the cave with caution. He was not sure what happened to this bear, but he was sure it wasn't good. The closer he got the more it seemed the bear was aware of him. When he reached the cave the bear came up to him with a growl and a snarl.

“Hey, you're late for a very important date,” Spike said.

The bear did not respond. He just glared at Spike with his glowing, red and black eyes. It was only now that Spike saw a series of small, pointy spikes coming out from the bear's body. Now he was stealing Spike's spikes.

As if the bear could sense Spike's dislike it acted. A reared back on it's hind legs to show its size. It came back down and followed up with a truly thunderous roar right in Spike's face. Spike wiped the spit from his face after the bear was done. The bear itself seemed somewhat confused. Now was usually the time ponies ran screaming and hollering with their manes and tail standing on end. As for Spike, he didn't even flinch. Instead he responded with a roar of his own. He took a deep breath in before releasing it. He leaned in for a deep and lasting roar. It was not a Grand Thunderroar, but it plenty thunderous. By the time he was done the bear had bounded back and somehow squeezed himself into the cave. Awesome. Now all Spike had to do was to go and tell Fluttershy that one of her best animal friends is terrifying, violent, raging monster. Yeah, that was going to end well.

Twilight flew over to the edge of the Everfree Forest, near Fluttershy's house. All the girls and Spike were waiting for her there. All of them except Fluttershy. She was nowhere to be seen. But she could be plenty heard. Twilight landed rather gracefully and automatically another wail could be heard coming from Fluttershy's house. Twilight almost had to cover her hears as the wail sounded off. It nearly took the roof of Fluttershy's own house. And Twilight could swear she saw a puddle coming from under the door.

“What in Celestia's name is going on here,” She asked.

“Go on Spike. Tell her,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Spike, what happened,” Twilight asked seriously.

“Fluttershy asked to me find her bear friend,” Spike said, “And I did.”

“Somehow, I don't think that is the end of that story,” Twilight responded.

“Well, when I found the bear it was not interested in being friends with Fluttershy or anypony else,” Spike explained, “He was more interested in being a big, mad, roaring beast. I told Fluttershy as much. ”

“What's wrong with you Spike,” Applejack asked worriedly, “You aren't acting like yer right normal self.”

“Sorry. I have not slept in almost three days,” Spike told her.

“I did that once,” Pinkie Pie said with her usual excitement, “But I didn't sleep for two weeks! After the third Tuesday, the talking and floating cupcake that was following me around told me to get some sleep, so I did.”

“And when did this happen,” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Just now,” Pinkie said as she faceplanted the ground with her tail high in the air.

“I really don't know how you do it,” Rarity said, “I know I would die if anypony saw me without my required beauty sleep.”

“Alrighty then,” Applejack said, “Gettin' back to Fluttershy and the bear. Speakin' of, where is the bear now?”

“In a cave,” Spike said with a big yawn.

“Well, get your scaly butt over there and bring it back,” Dash said.

“In case you did not hear me the first time. The bear is mad, as in crazy and violent. You want me to bring it here? Just one question: Who is going to be rebuilding Ponyville after Twilight helps the bear,” Spike replied with attitude.

“Me,” Twilight exclaimed, “This is your mess. Why can't you clean it up?”

“Because I am about to join Pinkie Pie,” Spike said.

He crashed into the ground next to his pink friend. She was now curled up on her belly and snoring adorably. Twilight was already in the middle of a busy day she had had scheduled for a month now, as was her way. As much as the call of a friend in need was important to her, this was starting to get annoying. But she made up her mind. She charged up her horn and blasted Spike without warning.

He immediately sprang back to his feet, twitching slightly. A small purple jolt arced from scale to scale for a few moments. He felt as if he had just slept for a whole week. He felt great! He saw Twilight pointed with a hoof to the Everfree Forest.

“Bear. Now,” She said seriously.

He turned around on his heel and ran off into the Everfree. What he did not notice as he left was Pinkie Pie. His tail flicked her way as he turned. The scales on his tail barely brushed against her coat, but that was enough.

One second she was there, body and all. The next second the only thing there was the dust in her shape. Spike disappeared into the trees and then a moment later Pinkie Pie landed. The girls stood in a circle where Pinkie Pie was. A shadow got bigger and bigger and then she was there. Pinkie fell from the sky like a pink comet. She landed flank first. Her tail hit first and acted like a spring, bouncing her back up and putting her on her head. The others looked on with horror, but she just looked up and smiled with a squee.

While Pinkie was falling from the sky, Spike was off getting the bear. He still wasn't sure what spell Twilight had cast on him, but he could feel the tiredness coming back with a vengeance. It was okay. He had an idea.

He quickly found his way back to the bear cave. The bear was still there. It was not in the cave anymore. It got back to the tearing down trees and tossing logs that it was doing before. At least the bear didn't roam. One thing was going good for him.

He went up to the bear and placed a hand on it's prickly hide. He sent a small current through his scales. Not enough to do any damage, but just enough to be a major annoyance. That was one thing he knew a lot about. The last remnants of Twilight's spell also jumped to the bear, perking it up and annoying it even more.

Spike came sprinting through the Everfree as fast as his clawed feet could carry him through the hazardous environment. The bear was closing in close behind him. He scrunched up his tail to keep the bear from biting the tip off. When he glanced back all he saw was red eyes and many, many teeth. He started screaming and ran faster. That was all he could do.

Applejack had gone in to comfort Fluttershy. Whatever she was doing seemed to be working. The wailing and crying had gone down quite a bit. Twilight and the rest of the girls were still outside waiting for Spike. They could hear him before they could see him.

They were just standing and talking when they heard it. A long, drawn out scream that was too loud and too deep to be a pony. It could have only come from Spike. And the roar that followed could only have been from the bear. Fluttershy and Applejack came rushing out when they heard it as well. By the time all six were out there Spike came crashing through the trees.

He was still screaming his head off. His tail was practically wrapped around him. Spike saw Fluttershy standing outside and motioned to Twilight to get her inside. She did not understand. The frantic waving of his hands from one side to the other was not very specific. She couldn't tell what he was doing until she followed his hand and saw Fluttershy. Now she understood, but it was too late.

The trees behind Spike parted. The air became still. The darkness of the Everfree gave way to two glowing red eyes. A roar shook the air, the trees, and the ponies. Spike was screaming, Fluttershy was screaming, Pinkie Pie started screaming. Twilight raised the earth around the bear to create four walls. Spike got to them and started panting.

“Spike, what is that thing,” Twilight asked, terrified.

“You wanted the bear,” Spike panted, “There it is.”

“Are you saying that that is Mr. Bear,” Fluttershy asked, “No. No, it can't be!”

She flew off to confront the bear or something. She did not get far as Applejack held her tail in her mouth. With her strength Fluttershy was not going anywhere, no matter how much she tried.

Twilight magically put some bars in one of the stone walls. It was not much more than a very small windows with bars. The bear wouldn't stop roaring from behind the walls. Spike called for it to shut up to no effect.

“I can't believe that bear is Fluttershy's friend,” Twilight said, “What has happened to it?”

“I got it,” Spike said quickly, “When I went back there to get it I sensed something I didn't before. Probably because I wasn't nearly as tired as I was before. Thanks again Twilight. Anyway, I sensed a latent trace of magical energy. . . that I didn't . . . before.”

He started off speaking really fast but his words got slower and slurred as he went on. Also thanks to Twilight. Her energizing spell worked wonders, but Spike's incredibly fast metabolism burned through it before long. He looked as if he was about to pass out then and there before the bear roared again. It slammed into the stone wall and nearly demolished it. The noise, which was right next to Spike, was enough to jolt him awake.

“Be quiet,” He said with annoyance.

He held out a hand and released a small jolt of electricity that. The bear twitched and fell on its back. Every hair was on end and it was unconscious. He seemed very proud of himself. The rest of them did not feel as good about it. Fluttershy was utterly stunned. She was stuck in a state of shock. Her eyes were wide, her mouth was slightly open, her wings were tucked tightly against her side. All four hooves were locked in place on the ground, and when she fell to her side not a single thing moved. It was like she was a doll.

Spike felt kinda bad when he saw Fluttershy like that. He decided he needed to do something about it. So he put one of the stone walls back in the ground and went up to the bear with Twilight and Applejack. Pinkie Pie stayed behind to play dress up with u Flutterdoll. Rarity would be providing the dresses.

Anyway, Spike knelt down next to the beast and placed a hand on the neck. He felt a surge of power rush from the beast to him. He immediately yanked his hand back and stepped away. He turned his back on the others and unleashed a small roar into the open sky. He fell to his knees and slammed his fist into the ground. Again, and again. For just a moment he did this, and when he was done he was panting and much more serious. He closed in on Twilight and Applejack and got right in their faces.

“Twilight,” He said quite seriously, “Either cure this thing, or destroy it.”

“Spike, how can you say such a thing,” Twilight asked, “What happened just now?”

“When I touched that thing, I felt something,” He replied, “I have only felt it once before. The Black Ooze, The same cold fear that the ooze gave off is in that bear.”

“That ain't possible,” Applejack said, “You destroyed all that stuff when you blew up Galeek nice and good three years ago. But ain't all, is it?”

“I destroyed Galeek. You got that right,” Spike said, “Without him to give the ooze power I assumed it would just go back to being harmless ooze. I guess I was wrong. And now, when I touched that bear. I felt more than fear. An overwhelming sense of burning anger and hatred poured into me along with the cold fear. It nearly drove me mad and I merely touched it! For only a moment!”

“Well, can't you cure it, Spike,” Applejack asked, “You have more experience with the ooze than any of us.”

“No, Applejack, he can't,” Twilight answered, “His experience with ooze is destruction and then dust and debris. He has never cured ooze before. And nothing like this. This -this is Madness.”

“Maybe, but we have to do something,” Spike said, “And I have an idea. I have the Amulet of the Dark King. Luna gave it to me after- uh- a while ago. I can use it to draw the ooze and the darkness out of the bear.”

“Can you even do that Spike,” Twilight asked, “Maybe we should get Celestia to help. She is the Princess of the Day.”

“No time,” Spike said as he conjured the Amulet into his palm, “Applejack, tell the others what I'm doing please. Twilight, stay and help me?”

“Like I am going to let you do this all alone,” Twilight said with a smile, “It is just like you said. We were all there when you defeated Galeek. We are all here for you now.”

Spike and Twilight

Spike smiled, but pulled a sneaky trick on his friends. As soon as Applejack was out of the stone cell he threw the downed wall up again, cutting her off from him and Twilight. To his surprise Twilight did not protest. They locked eyes for a moment and shared the same thought. If this did not work, or if they had to do something even worse it was not something they wanted the rest of them seeing. And so they began.

Twilight started. She charged her horn as much as she could before releasing the spell. It was not a spell she had ever gotten to use before. She had never had a reason to up to this point. But now was the perfect time. It was the most potent and powerful spell of purification that she knew. It was written by Starswirl the Bearded himself. She hoped that it would help loosen the Madness enough for Spike to draw it out. The spell wrapped around the entire bear and pierced down, deep into the very soul of the animal.

Meanwhile, Spike was focusing and concentrating all his energy into the Amulet. When he was done he growled and threw his hands apart. The Amulet hovered between them. The bottom point of the amulet hovered above the bear's heart. That one point and both of Spike's created a funnel shape. Just as with Smoke Shadow all those years ago the Amulet began to spin. Slow at first, very slow. But then it sped up. As the Madness began to seep up and out of the bear. It was a slow and grueling process. Spike had to use all the concentration in every fiber of his being to keep the Madness from escaping his magical grip and taking over some pony. Twilight was doing the same to keep the purification spell going this long.

At what seemed to be forever later Spike started to snarl and growl from the strain of it all. At this point the Amulet was spinning at high speeds and only getting faster. More and more and more of the dark, mist like Madness was coming out from the bear. Twilight's spell had long since drained her. Now, since the bear had woken, she was focusing her efforts on keeping the bear still and docile while Spike worked his magic, literally. Fortunately, it was not much longer. The spikes all over the bear shrunk and disappeared. It slowly went back to the normal size of a bear. The fur on the bear went back to it's usual brown color. All was good. Almost.

Spike ended his spell as the last of the Madness entered the Amulet of the Dark King. However, when the amulet slowed down and dropped into Spike's waiting hand something unexpected happened. The dark black gem that made up the centerpiece cracked. It was a loud sharp sound that Spike would not soon forget. And then it cracked again. Once more, and then the whole gem shattered. Uncountable tiny black gem shards exploded out and rained down to the ground. Spike stared at the empty socket in the Amulet for a moment before sending it back to his house. Twilight lowered the walls and they saw their friends again.

Friends

Applejack's hind legs were barely outside the wall of the stone cell when the wall went up right behind her. A second sooner and she would have lost more than a few hairs from her tail. A few seconds sooner and some dragon would be sleeping for a lot longer than a week. She was not going to bother hooting and hollering through the wall. She knew it wasn't gonna do any good. So she went to her other friends. Not even Celestia herself could have predicted what she saw.

Fluttershy was still standing stock still, stuck like a frozen pony on display as an ice sculpture. Pinkie Pie was right beside her, putting a whole mess of silly hats on her. And then there was Rarity, who was trying to match an equally silly dress to the silly hat. Apparently they had already gone through several outfits, because Rainbow Dash was on the ground, laughing her wings off. The fact that she was on the ground was enough to get Applejack's attention.

“What in the hay is goin' on here,” She said as she approached them.

“Since Fluttershy isn't moving I decided to play dress up,” Pinkie Pie said, “Rarity provided the dresses, and I got the funny hats. Hehe. Fun fun fun!”

“Yeah, Applejack. Lighten up,” Dash said as she tried to breath, “Come on. You gotta admit this is pretty funny.”

“Yes, Applejack, dearest,” Rarity said, “You must admit that Fluttershy is simply gorgeous. And I did have one dress that I wanted her to try on, but I just haven't gotten around to it with the whole Anniversary thing.”

Applejack looked between her friends and then her eyes turned to Fluttershy. She looked absolutely ridiculous. Applejack could not believe how ridiculous she looked. Pinkie had placed a truly stunning hat on her. It was an oversized top hat that barely fit her head. It was a fuzzy, light blue thing with a fuzzy black ring near the base. There were pink spots covering the hat in the pattern of leopard print.

Rarity had paired this truly outrageous hat with an oversized blue coat, also fuzzy. Where did she even get one of those? She had slipped the sleeves over Flutterdoll's unmoving hooves. The coat did not have any leopard print pink spots on it. No, instead it had just a simple pink border, also fuzzy. There was a fuzz theme Applejack noticed. Rarity even found fuzzy blue boots for Fluttershy. She looked away from Flutterdoll and looked between Rarity and Pinkie Pie. They were staring at her like they wanted her approval. Instead she walked over to Pinkie's box of silly hats and pulled something out, not showing anypony what. Then she walked over to Flutterdoll and and put them on her.

“There,” She said,” Now that's an outfit.”

Applejack's placed a pair of sunglasses on Flutterdoll. They were five sizes too big for anypony, so it made sense as to why Pinkie Pie had them. The fact that they were also bright blue made it all even better. They all took one last look at Flutterdoll and started rolling on the ground laughing.

“What is going on here,” Twilight asked the three laughing ponies.

“Flutterdoll,” Rainbow Dash said between a fit a laughter.

Twilight took one look at Fluttershy and could see what Dash had meant. It was pretty obvious. Only her friends would play dress up with a real life pony, and another of her friends at that. She placed a hoof on her face and sighed. Just another day in Ponyville.

Twilight decided it was best to just move on past the whole Flutterdoll thing. She walked to her ridiculously dressed Pegasus friend. With a gentleness in her voice that only Fluttershy herself could match Twilight gave her the good news.

“Fluttershy,” She said, “The bear is okay.”

The next instant filled the air with joy. Fluttershy woke up from her doll like state. Slowly, she came back to normal. Or at least what passed for normal in Ponyville. Her eyes lost the glazed over, staring far away look. She blinked a couple times and looked around. She swallowed a few times before speaking. She tried to stretch her wings out, but found them weighed down by something. . .fuzzy?

“What is this,” She asked as she looked herself over, “What am I wearing? And why?”

“Well, you see dear,” Rarity said, more than a little flustered, “It's like this. . . In the state you were in. . .”

Rarity could not get the words out. Fluttershy was looked right at her, but Rarity herself could not look at her. A pony of high quality like herself caught playing dress up with a doll - even if it was another pony- was more than a little embarrassing.

As Fluttershy's waiting gaze bore deeper and deeper into Rarity's own eyes she collapsed into a dramatic wreck.

“I admit it! Me and Pinkie Pie were playing dress up with you,” She screamed, “You were so still and gorgeous, I just had to try some of my dresses and I got carried away with Pinkie's antics. I'm so sorry!”

“It's okay,” Fluttershy said, “But I do have one question.”

“Oh. No need to worry darling,” Rarity said, “That is fake fur. It was all the rage when I was a filly and it has just been collecting dust in my basement. When Pinkie put that silly little hat on you I thought I might bring it out for a laugh.”

Fluttershy looked over herself once again. Other than having her wings pinned to he sides, the whole outfit was rather comfortable, even if was fake fur. She trotted over to the nearby pond and and gazed at her reflection in the still surface of the water. She stood there for a few moments before another reflection joined hers.

“You aren't mad at me, are you,” Rarity asked.

“No, of course not,” Fluttershy said with a smile, “I look absolutely ridiculous in this outfit, though.”

“Not a problem. I can fix that,” Rarity said happily.

With a quick flash of her horn and flick of her head the fuzzy, blue clothing was gone and done for. She smiled at Fluttershy as they both walked back to the rest of the ponies. Mr. Bear was there to greet Fluttershy when she got back. Fluttershy was most excited to see him well again. She slammed into Twilight with a big hug that nearly strangled her. All the while saying thank you after thank you. She did the same to Spike. She flew up to his level and gave him a big hug. But when she let go of Spike she was shocked by what happened.

Her hooves left his scales and for a second everything was normal. And then Spike fell. He just fell. No warning, no 'Timber!' cry, no nothing. He landed in a slump at the base of a tree.

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy exclaimed, “What have I done?!”

“Relax, Fluttershy,” Twilight said, “You didn't do this. Spike is just sleeping. He needs to catch up on about three or four days worth by now.”

Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief and flew over to Mr. Bear. She talked to him for a few moments and then turned back to her friends. Apparently, he did not remember anything from the past week. The last thing he remembered was making plans with Fluttershy for a picnic. Then it all went dark.

Soon after the friends decided it was time they all got back their lives. That was enough excitement – or in some cases, play time – for one day. As they all headed in different directions they all stopped. All eyes returned the sleeping dragon next to Fluttershy's house.

“What should we do about him,” Rarity asked the group.

“Give him a pointy hat and call him an ornament,” Rainbow Dash answered.

“Should we move him,” Applejack asked, ignoring Rainbow Dash.

“If you can,” Dash said to her, “He was really heavy three years ago, and now he's got even more muscle and few more inches added to him.”

“He can stay right where he is,” Fluttershy said, “I'll look after him.”

Ch.3 Given a Mission

Spike woke up with feeling very rested. In fact, he felt more rested in that moment than he had the past few weeks. Hunting down those dragon era artifacts can really take it out of a guy, even one such as Spike. Even though he was waking up he did not yet open his eyes. It was partly due to the blinding light he could feel was awaiting his eyes. He opened his jaws for a big yawn and stopped mid way through. Light? He should be sleeping in his house, in his bed. How was there light?

His answer came as he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing that greeted his eyes was the familiar sight of a pink haired pony. He blinked several times to make sure he wasn't still dreaming. He looked around and was surprised to find himself still at the base of a tree on Fluttershy's yard.

“Oh, you're awake,” She said to Spike in her usual soft tone.

“Yeah,” Spike said with some confusion in his voice, “But how did I get here? Why am I at your house and not my own?”

“You don't remember? You fell asleep at the base of that tree after you cured Mr. Bear. I said I would look after you,” Fluttershy said.

Spike went to move to stand up, but found himself confined to the ground. Every muscle from his toes to his tail to his neck was stiff and unmoving. He groaned as another yawn forced its way out. He raised his hand s above his head as he yawned. Fluttershy was startled at how many cracks and creaks his arms made. Even more came from him as he made his way to his feet. Fluttershy winced more than once as some very loud, sharp cracks came from his body.

“You sound very tense, Spike,” Fluttershy said, “I might be able to help with that. Mr. Bear loves my massages.”

“Maybe another time, Fluttershy,” Spike replied, “How long have I been here?”

“Three days!”

The loud shout sent Fluttershy ducking for cover. She was so easily startled. Spike, however immediately recognized the shout and its origin. Fluttershy calmed down and emerged from cover as said origin came hopping over to them both.

“You have been here for three days,” Pinkie said.

“That long,” Spike said questioningly.

“Yep,” Pinkie said, “I came up to check up on you every day. Even though I knew nothing would happen to you. Not with Fluttershy around. She is a natural with all sorts of animals. Even dragons, like you. But one really cool thing did happen. You snored!”

“I snored,” Spike said with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, you snored,” Pinkie said, “But it wasn't just any old snore. It wasn't even a smoky snore like most dragons do. No! It was magic dragon snore. It was so cool. You would snore and the rocks would go up and down, like this.”

Pinkie zoomed over to the spot where Spike had just spent the last three days. She laid where he was and faked snoring in an adorable way. Spike watched as she grabbed a pebble in one hoof and demonstrated how he snored. As she inhaled she shook the pebble about in her hoof. As she exhaled she raised her hoof and the pebble with it. When she was done exhaling the pebble dropped down to the ground and she repeated the process. She demonstrated the snoring a few more times before realizing she was in one position for more than a few moments and darted to Spike's side.

“See, it was pretty cool snoring,” She said, “Possibly the most coolest snoring ever!”

Spike left Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. They had made plans to hang out that day. Now that Spike was awake and moving they didn't have to stay at Fluttershy's cottage. And so they did whatever it was that they were going to do. Spike went back to his own house for a nice long bath. After sleeping for three days he needed one.

Several hours later, after he had just gotten out of the best bubble bath of his life, he headed back into town. Well, to Twilight's new awesome castle to be precise.

He passed through town with relative ease. It took nearly a whole year after he defeated Galeek for the ponies to stop mobbing him in the streets whenever he went out. Now he was just another regular sight to be seen around town. Ponies still waved to him in the streets and he waved back. Every now and then there would be a pony from a small town or some other far away place that would be visiting. He would have to sign a few autographs and perform a small spell or two to amaze them. After a while the Cutie Mark Crusaders had gotten a fan base for him almost as large as the one they had for Rainbow Dash. Almost.

He got to the castle to find Twilight crown deep in royal duties. She was always like this after the big anniversary celebration. Always backed up with with stuff to do and not enough time to do it. And yet she always got every last thing done. She was good like that. When she saw Spike walking past she shoved all papers aside and went to talk to him.

“Hey sleepyhead,” She said playfully, “It's about time you woke up.”

“Hey Twilight,” Spike said, “You looked busy. Are you sure you can hold off on your royal duties? Or do you need me for something?”

“Calm down, Spike. I just want to talk,” Twilight said, “Now that the celebration is over and you have finally finished that business with the dragon era artifacts, where will you be heading off to?”

“Canterlot,” Spike said without a second's thought, “Luna called me not too long ago. She needs my help with . . . something. She did not give me much details. Just that she wanted to see me. I came here to grab my backpack.”

“That's odd. I could have sworn I saw you talking to Luna at the celebration,” Twilight teased, “And then you disappeared with her for the rest of the night.”

“What? No. No! That's- Why, I don't,” Spike stammered as his face got red, “You know Celestia wants Luna at the castle during this time of the year. She could not have been at the party, even if she did want to come.”

“Relax, Spike. I am just joking,” Twilight said with a laugh, “And I still don't understand why Celestia insists Luna stay at the castle this time of year. Do you know what that is all about?”

“It has something to do with Luna being blasted by Galeek. Celestia is worried that Luna will. . .go crazy or something around this time of year, with it being the anniversary and all.”

“Oh,” Twilight said, “I suppose that makes sense.”

Yeah. Right. Spike knew there was a bit of sense behind it. Celestia was not one to worry. She always had pretty good reasons behind the decisions she made. Spike knew this. He also knew that Luna was one of the strongest ponies he had ever met. And she had somebody to talk to. Him. Spike. She talked to him for almost the entire year after because she was having nightmares. He was there for her. He would always be there for her. And to make sure he was not lying to himself when he said that he had to go and board the train to Canterlot.

He made a quick pit stop at his house. He had to grab a few books. These were not the same books that he used to read. No more comic books. No more stories of brave heroes who face certain doom to save the day. No these books were books of knowledge. Most of them came from Zecora. They were all the information she could glean from the artifacts he brought back. He studied them every chance he got. He was determined to learn everything he could about the source of his magic. Riding the train was the perfect opportunity for him to do that.

Unfortunately, he did not get very far with his studies on the ride to Canterlot. He just stuffed the books in his backpack and headed to the Royal Castle. The guards straightened up and saluted him as he entered. If he were any more popular he would hold almost as much power as the Princesses. Luna met him just inside the castle courtyard. She didn't have her usual smile and cheer about though. How odd. Spike waved to her, but she just kept staring at him.

“Hi Luna,” Spike said as he reached her.

“Hello Spike,” Luna said seriously, “It is good to see you again, but I did not call you here for my own personal reasons. We need your help.”

“'We' What do you mean,” Spike asked.

“I mean 'we'. Me. Celestia. All of Equestria,” Luna said seriously, “Something has happened. We need you and your magic once again.”

“I'm here to help,” Spike said happily.

“Follow me,” Luna said.

Luna led Spike into the castle once again. She had done so many times before. But after spending so much time here for his job, he basically knew the layout by heart. Or at least, that's what he thought. Luna led him down a very long, very dark corridor off to the side of the throne room. He had been down there a few times before. The corridor led to the sublevels of the castle. Very old, and very dangerous. Why was Luna taking him there?

As they went farther and farther the corridor gave way to a winding stone staircase that led even deeper underneath the castle. Any farther down and they would end up in the crystal caverns. Spike noticed that the torches that lined the walls were now lit up and lighting the way.

Judging by the way Luna looked this was not good. She did not look bad, but something was off. She seemed tired, and not the type where stayed awake to long. No, she looked drained. Physically, emotionally, mentally. Everything. She was hiding it very well, but Spike had spent enough time with her to see past it. His next thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, and very loud screaming.

Him and Luna rounded the next corner with caution. A very large rounded room with a vaulted ceiling and pillars holding it all up. The whole place was made of old, ancient stone. And the two of then were not alone. Celestia and Cadance were also there. They looked even more drained than Luna did. But that was not what Spike noticed. No, not that. What he noticed was the absolutely gigantic pony in chains in the middle of the room. The pony was almost twice as big as a normal pony. The red eyes and black tainted coat gave it away.

“Ah, Spike,” Cadance said, “It is good that you are here.”

“Yes,” Celestia, “We require your help with this-”

“Madness,” Spike interjected, “This is Madness.”

“Yes, but how did you know,” Celestia asked with some confusion.

“Because Fluttershy's bear friend just had the same thing,” Spike said seriously.

“'Had',” Cadance repeated, “What do you mean? Did you cure the bear somehow?”

“You could say that,” Spike said, “But I lost the Amulet of the Dark King in the process. The black gem shattered.”

“The Amulet of the Dark King is what was used to cure you when you were poisoned by Galeek,” Cadance said.

The others all turned their eyes to her. She said it as if she had said it many times before, almost like it was rehearsed. She looked around to all of them. She was about to say more, but she stopped with her mouth still open halfway.

“What,” She said finally, “Every pony knows the story.”

“That still doesn't help us,” Luna said, “How are we supposed to cure this pony?”

“Who is this pony,” Spike asked.

“This was the captain of my personal guards,” Luna said, “He is a good pony. He does not deserve this.”

Luna took one last look at the Mad Pony before turning away. Slowly, they all filed back up the winding staircase that led to the main castle. Once they were all in the throne room again Celestia addresses Spike once again.

“Spike,” She said with a weary, yet very serious tone, “We need you. Will you help us once again? Please?”

“I will,” Spike said, “But I cannot do it alone.”

“Then I will get to work on getting Twilight and her friends on their way here,” Celestia said.

“No, you won't,” Spike firmly stated, “You all will go and get some rest. You all need it. I can get Twilight and the rest of the girls on my own.”

Spike left no room for the three Princess's to argue. Hos tone was as serious as it ever was. So the three of them walked down separate hallways to their rooms. Spike followed Luna down the hallway she took. The room he always stayed at was just a couple doors down from hers. It was the same room he stayed at the very first time he was here, all the way back when he was just a small baby dragon. The room itself was demolished during the attack on Canterlot. It was rebuilt in the years since. It was now much bigger and much better.

As he approached the room that he had not entered in over a year he was stopped. He heard a voice, soft and tired, from a pony nearby. He looked over to see Luna standing in the hallway. She looked so tired Spike would not be surprised if she fell over right there and went to sleep. She was struggling to keep her eyes open as she tried to talk to Spike.

“Spike,” She said with a yawn, “I want to thank you.”

“For what,” Spike asked.

“Everything,” Luna said sleepily, “For coming here. For helping. For always being there for me, when I call.”

“It's no problem. I will always help, no matter the problem,” Spike said.

Luna closed her eyes just as Spike finished talking. She swayed back and forth a little bit. She was about to fall and break what Spike assumed was a very expensive vase. Spike darted forward and caught her just before she hit the stand holding up the vase. Unfortunately, he was not as graceful as he hoped to be. He caught her in his arms, but knocked the vase off the stand in the process. He launched his tail out as fast as he could to try and catch the vase. He failed. The vase shattered into pieces.

Two of her guards came from around the corner when they heard the noise. The first thing they saw was Spike holding an unmoving Luna in his arms above a shattered vase. The guards stopped with a completely startled look on their faces. They were not sure what to think. Spike just picked Luna up and took her to her room. With a wave and a flick of his tail the pieces of the vase magically rose and came together again on the stand. It was good as new.

Spike got Luna to her room with no trouble. She was not heavy. Not that that would have been a problem at his size and his strength. He was easily able to lift her up in his arms and carry her to her room.

He placed her in bed with care. She curled up a bit at the touch of her cold sheets. Spike pulled the sheets up and over her. He took off her crown and placed it on the nightstand next to the bed. He got up to leave when Luna started moving in her bed.

“No,” She said in her sleep, “Don't go. Stay here.”

Spike smiled at her talking in her sleep. He closed her doors, but didn't lock them. He walked back into the room quietly. He needed to contact Twilight and the others. He had a plan. He magically closed the curtains to the canopy around Luna's bed. He left only a small opening for him to still see Luna. He put a small spell on the bed to reduce the noise that she could hear. That would do.

He turned to the large standing mirror in the corner of Luna's room. Spike stared into the mirror as he spoke the words. The night calls you, Twilight. A swirl of smoke later and Twilight's face appeared in the surface of the mirror. She didn't seem to notice that the mirror was activated and someone was trying to contact her. As usual she had her head buried in a book. Spike whispered her name a few times, but she didn't notice. Spike had to raise his voice a bit before she finally did notice.

“Oh, Spike, what are you doing in my mirror,” She asked.

Twilight got up off the couch she was sitting on and placed the book on one of the many tables she had in her chambers. When she came up to the mirror she noticed something odd. She leaned her head to see past Spike.

“And why are you in Luna's room?”

“Long story,” Spike said, “I need your help. The Madness is worse than we thought. Celestia, Cadance, and Luna all asked for my help, but I can't do it alone.”

“That is bad news,” Twilight said, “I suppose you want me to gather the girls and head to Canterlot?”

“Not tonight,” Spike said, “Let them sleep. I will talk to you tomorrow.”

“Okay Spike,” Twilight said, “See you tomorrow.”

Spike and Twilight said their goodbyes for the night. Spike smiled and said the words to deactivate the mirror. The night releases you, Twilight. A swirl of smoke later and the mirror went back to being the black surfaced object that it was. Spike was feeling almost as tired as Luna looked a few moments ago. He needed to get to his room and get some sleep. But when he got to the doors to her room he was stopped.

“Stay here,” She said in her sleep, “Don't leave.”

What?! That was uncanny! How did she do that? Spike turned the nobs to the doors and Luna groaned. Sigh. It was clear that he was not getting out. Not with the Princess of the Night sleeping and dreaming about what he could only assume to be him. So he closed the doors and locked them this time. Then he made himself comfortable on a couch under the window.

Spike woke up the next morning to Luna tapping him with her hoof. He opened his eyes to see Luna standing there. Her hair was a mess, but she looked rested and full of energy.

“Spike! What are you doing in my room? Did you sleep here last night? Why did you do that,” She asked very quickly.

Spike sat up on the couch. He rubbed his eyes and looked back up to her.

“Because,” He started, “You would not let me leave.”

Luna looked at him with some confusion. Spike took the moment of silence to explain exactly what he meant, It did not take long for her cheeks to turn from their natural dark color to a bright blushing red. They only got brighter as Spike went on. When he finished the rather short tale Luna was silently sitting in the middle of her room. Spike got up only to hear the loud sounds of his back cracking. His wrists cracked the same way. He told Luna about his call to Twilight as he left her room.

He got to his room in seconds. Right away he went for his mirror. Luna had a large one like hers placed in his room. He went up to it and said the words. The black surface of the mirror shifted and swirled as smoke gave way to a familiar face. Just one thing. It was not Twilight's.

Instead of Twilight's face there was a white pony with violet hair checking out her mane in the mirror when Spike called. Rarity jumped back when the black surface started swirling. She leaped behind the nearest pony, Applejack, with a shout.

“Relax, Rarity,” Twilight said, “It is just Spike calling.”

“Oh, Spike, is that really you,” Rarity asked in wonder, “How in Equestria did you end up in Twilight's mirror?”

“It's just an image Rarity,” Spike said, “Did Twilight fill you all in?”

“She told us that you needed some help with something,” Applejack told him, “But she said you told her not to have us all meet up in Canterlot. She said that you had a plan. She said that Celestia asked for your help.”

“But what she did not say was why in the world you wanted us out of Canterlot,” Rainbow Dash asked accusingly, “What, do you want all the glory for yourself? Huh, Spike?”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash. I'm sure it's not like that at all,” Fluttershy stated.

“She's right Dash,” Spike told her, “I need you six to go on ahead to Appleloosa and wait for me there. Okay?”

“Appleloosa. huh,” Applejack said,” Well, it'd be darn good to see ol' Bloomberg again.”

“We can do that, but why Appleloosa,” Twilight asked.

“Not entirely sure. Just a feeling really,” Spike said rather absentmindedly, “A place to start, maybe.”

Spike went through the next morning blankly. He went through the motions, said what he needed to, and did what he had to to. Celestia kept the whole thing under wraps. It was all a big secret. Spike understood why. And that was what was bugging him. This all seemed so familiar. The Madness, the ooze, even him. Somehow it was all connected. And yet, he could not figure out how. Not on his own at least. Good thing he had six good and trusted friends waiting for him in Appleloosa.

He left the Royal Canterlot Castle quickly that morning. He wanted to get to his new mission as soon as he could. He quickly slipped past the guards as quietly as a shadow. Not that any of them would have stopped him. He mostly just liked to test his skills. It was a form of small amusement. Over the years of traveling from castle to palace and back again he had gotten quite good at it. But not good enough, apparently.

“Why must you sneak off so soon,” Luna asked him.

“Luna,” Spike said solemnly, “I have to leave. This is important.”

“Me and my sister gave you this assignment,” Luna stated with a smile, “I know how important it is. But you didn't answer my question.”

“There is something about this, Luna,” Spike continued solemnly, “My instincts are telling me that there is something more going on here than just Madness. There is more to it, and I have to find out what.”

“I know why you must leave Spike, but why is that you feel the need to sneak away from here,” Luna asked, “I always know where you are. I can always find you. So why is that you sneak?”

Spike rested his chin on his chest as he pondered the answer he would giver her. She was his friend, but their was more now. He saw it. He could see all that had changed about her in the last few years. He saw it in himself as well. But he never knew what to do about it. What should he say? What will she say?

Spike looked deeply into Luna's big, beautiful cyan eyes. He took a deep breath in made a decision. One that would forever change both him and Luna. He stepped closer to her. So close that he needed to only whisper the words and she would hear them.

“I sneak away Luna,” Spike said quietly, “Because of you. I see you whenever I go. The sadness and longing in your eyes. I can't bear to see that. I thought that maybe if you did not see me leave, you would not be so sad.”

“Oh, Spike,” Luna whispered.

Spike stepped back and away from Luna. He stood for a moment with his back turned to her. His fists were clenched tightly. He could hear her crying behind him. Then something happened that he did not expect.

Luna placed a hoof gently on his shoulder. He turned to face her once again. Small tears were rolling down her brightened cheeks. Even though her eyes were filled with tears, she was smiling. Spike didn't understand.

“Thank you, dear Spike,” Luna said.

And then it happened. The one thing that changed Spike's very fate, forever. Luna closed in on him faster than he could react. Some part of him knew what was happening, and yet he did not move. Did he actually want it to happen, on some level? He just froze as Luna's luscious lips made contact with his own. It was an instant that seemed to last forever. Spike was unsure if he even wanted it to stop. For in that one single moment, everything was perfect. Luna stopped her kiss and leaned in to whisper something into his ear.

“A parting gift,” She whispered, “So you always know you have something to come back to.”

With that she was gone. She turned and trotted a few paces away before stretching out her wings. With a single powerful thrust she was in the air and flying away from him. Spike just stood there for a moment longer, not sure what to think. However, he was sure on what to do: Travel to Appleloosa.

Ch.4 A Dark Horizon

Spike boarded the train to Appleloosa just in time. His encounter with Luna left him with barely enough time to get a ticket and get aboard. He nearly lost his tail to the closing doors, as well. Once aboard he moved to his favorite spot on the train. The back cabin. He preferred that cabin so much that it was almost always empty. All the ponies knew that he liked it. This time however there were a few ponies there in the cabin. He did not mind. There was plenty of room. He sat down on one the seats and leaned his head back. All of the sudden he was overcome by a sudden urge to sleep. It was probably due to spending the night on the most uncomfortable couch in all of Canterlot. Just the thought of that couch made him want to crack his back. So he leaned back and closed his eyes. Before he knew it he was in a deep slumber and sleeping not so peacefully.

Appleloosa. He was in Appleloosa. But how? Last thing he knew he was still on the train. That is when the realization struck him. No, this was not Appleloosa. This was just like one of the nightmares that he used to get from Galeek. But that still didn't make any sense. How was he having a nightmares like that? Galeek is dead.

Spike looked around the town that he was in. This fake Appleloosa looked just like the real one. He had only been there once, and that was a long time ago, but it seemed just as he remembered. Strange. He figured there would have been some changes made since then. As he looked around the town he noticed that not any of the ponies seemed to be talking. He looked around at all the other ponies. He was wrong. They were talking. All of them. Their mouths were moving and they were speaking, but there was no sound. It was like someone had muted the whole world. He stood in the center of town and waited. Something always happened in theses things. Something was bound to happen. He did not have to wait long.

He stood amidst the silence until it was broken. A loud scream that resounded of fear shattered the bonds of silence that surrounded him. He snapped his eyes to the pony who screamed. A mare. She was screaming and pointing a hoof. Spike was not able to see what exactly she was screaming about. All he saw was a rush of the reddest flames engulfed the building next to her. A flash of flames cut off his line of sight of her.

Just then the ground shook violently. Spike turned only to be blindsided by a wall of black smoke that barreled over him. He managed to recover and move out of the smoke. Although he was coughing and found it hard to breathe he was okay. He had no idea what was going on, but he could hear the screams of terrified ponies all around him. When he looked up, standing in front of him were his friends. Six in a row the girls were there. And then it happened.

It started at the end, with Applejack. A light, bright and gone in an instant went off right behind her. The blast blinded Spike and when he looked back there was nothing where Applejack was except a black scorch mark on the ground. He stared at the mark in disbelief. And then another scream. This time it was close. Fluttershy! He turned as fast as he could only to see her being dragged down a dark alleyway. He raced to it, but found nothing but empty air. What was happening?! A question answered by the heart wrenching scream of another of his friends. He raced back to the street again. And again he was too late. Pinkie Pie. A massive tremor shook and split the ground. The ground under her hooves gave way and with a final scream she fell into the dark abyss below.

One by one. All of his friends. Gone. And all he could do was sit there and watch. NO! This was not real! Spike repeated it to himself over and over again. He closed his eyes to cut himself off from that horrid place. When he finally opened them again he was back on the train.

Spike woke with a start and jolted forward. He nearly came out of his seat. His chest was heaving due to his heavy breathing. It took a moment for it to slow down to a somewhat normal pace. It was then that he noticed a pair of eyes on him. Sure enough, standing in the middle of the aisle was a young filly. He seemed a little startled. Spike moved his hand and the filly inched back a little. Spike smiled and leaned down to talk to him.

“I'm sorry I scared you,” He said, “It was just a nightmare, but it's over now.”

“You're Spike the Dragon,” The little filly said, “How can you have nightmares?”

“I'm not any different than any other pony when it comes to that, young one,” Spike responded.

“Yeah, but everypony says that Luna takes your nightmares away,” The filly stated, “She is your girlfriend after all.”

“What?! No she isn't. Where did you hear that,” Spike flustered.

“Everypony says that too,” The filly replied.

“Really? Everypony thinks that,” Spike groaned.

Spike really couldn't blame the ponies for thinking that. After all he had spent a lot of quality time with Luna over the years. She had become one of his closest friends. He might even say she was closer now than Twilight. And ever since that kiss he could not really deny it. Could he? He did not know what to do.

“Yep! Man, nobody at school is ever going to believe I actually talked with Spike the Dragon,” The filly said joyfully.

“Where do you go to school,” Spike asked.

“Appleloosa,” The filly told him.

At the mention of Appleloosa Spike's mind went blank. He was overtaken by a feeling of overwhelming dread. Like he knew something was about to happen. Then it clicked. His nightmares was not a nightmares. It was most certainly nightmarish, but it was more of a premonition. Appleloosa really was in danger. Spike gasped as the memories flooded in. Applejack! Fluttershy! He had to get there now.

Spike stood up tall and went for the cabin door. He opened it and started sprinting down the aisles of the train cabins. The ponies he passed were confused and surprised by this sudden outburst from him. All the while he moved he had a young filly on his tail.

Spike was really moving fast. He needed to get to the front of the train as fast as possible. When he did finally get there he stopped so suddenly the air almost blew the doors open. He stopped for just a moment to think about his next move.

“Hey, young one,” Spike said, “Can you watch my stuff for me?”

The young filly shook his little head so fast it was almost a blur. Spike took off his coat after that. Rarity never did finish fixing up his old one. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin another of her works. Besides, he was not sure if it would get in the way or not. He passed the coat down to the filly. It was much too big for him to handle, but he did not complain. Spike left him with his coat and a warning not to touch anything inside his coat.

At that point Spike moved toward the door. He placed a hand on the side to brace himself, and then he opened the door. Many of the passenger ponies gasped as they witnessed this going on. The door flew open and the air began swirling about the cabin. Spike reached out and dug his claws into the side of the train. He did the same with his other hand and reached for the roof of the train. He swung himself out and closed the door behind him with a flick of his tail. Once on the roof Spike stood tall. He felt the wind rushing past him and over his scales. He readied himself and took a deep breath in. He flexed the muscles in his back and his new wings emerged in all their greatness.

Great. Step one was complete. Even though Spike had still not yet mastered the art of flying he knew enough to know he would get to Appleloosa much faster with the wind carrying him instead of the train. So he did something that any other being in Equestria would have called insane, crazy, and downright stupid. He jumped off the roof of a moving train.

Spike traveled through the air as his wings caught the current. A rush of air lifted his wings. He extended them out as far as he could to catch all the air that he could. The muscles in his back that controlled his wings were still new and stiff. Through sheer force of will he was able to move past that. In no time at all he was soaring. He flapped his wings again and again, testing the strength in the limbs that still seemed a bit foreign to him. The air rushed past his scales at a speed he had never experienced before. He was starting to understand why Rainbow Dash loved this so much. With a huge flap of his mighty wings he was ahead of the train. It was dropping farther and farther behind until it was little more than a dot on the horizon. But he could not worry about that now.

In the distance he saw a scene straight from a nightmare. His nightmare. A scene that worried him more than anything. Off in the distance, he could see smoke. Several plumes of the darkest smoke rose from the horizon. The closer he got the more his heart dropped. Appleloosa. He could see it, or at least what remained of it. Not a single building remained intact. Each and every one was burnt, burning, or already destroyed. His eyes locked in on the horrific sight and he sped through the air like a comet.

Spike reached the ruins of Appleloosa mere moments later. He circled around the burnt out husks of the buildings many times. He flew over the town at least a dozen times and yet, there was not a pony to be seen anywhere. He circled one final time before going down. His feet touched down near the center of town. He curled his wings in just before he was slammed by another memory of his nightmare. He immediately spun and faced an empty street, but he recognized it. That was the street that the girls were on in his nightmare. He looked off to one side, although he was afraid of what he might find. He found it anyway. A dark black scorch mark where Applejack stood in his nightmare. Spike knelt down and placed a hand over the mark. He closed his eyes as a tear was about to fall. Was Applejack really gone? Was Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie? What had happened here?

“Spike?”

What? The voice echoed in his ears. His eyes snapped open at the sound of that voice. He was not sure whether to believe it or not. Was it really her? He leaned up slowly, and slowly he turned his head. And sure enough she was there. A yellow pony with dirt matted on her coat and her pink hair in a mess. She was staring at Spike with tears welling up in her eyes.

“Fluttershy,” Spike said with some disbelief in his voice.

In an instant he was off the ground and to Fluttershy. He wrapped his arms around her in a huge hug and just held her for a moment. She wrapped her wings around him as well. She was as happy to see him as he was to see her.

“Fluttershy. You have no idea how good it is to see you standing here,” Spike said as he released his hug.

“It is good to see you as well Spike,” Fluttershy said with a weak smile, “But what are you doing here so soon? The train hasn't come in yet. How did you get here so fast?”

“I'll explain later. Where are the others,” Spike asked urgently.

“I don't know. We got separated and I was trying to find them when I found you,” Fluttershy told him, as more tears began to form in her eyes.

“It's okay Fluttershy,” Spike said to console her, “We will find them.”

Just as the touching moment between the two friends ended another appeared. She crawled out from under the broken beams and collapsed walls of the nearby saloon. She looked worse than Fluttershy did. When she saw Flutters and Spike she made her way to them as fast as she could. She approached her two friends slowly. She was pretty beat up. Good thing Fluttershy saw her when she did.

“Pinkie Pie,” She screamed with both joy and surprise.

Spike turned around to see Pinkie Pie standing there. A little of his heartache fell away to joy at the sight of her. She was in pretty bad shape. Her mane was not poofy at all. It was long and straight and messy. She was covered in dust and debris. She was limping badly. And she wasn't smiling. Spike ran up to her and gave her as big a hug as he did Fluttershy.

“Pinkie Pie,” He said, “You're okay. I'm so glad you are okay.”

“Spike,” Pinkie said in an unusually flat tone, “You're here. And you found Fluttershy. But what about the others?”

“We were just about to go and look for them,” Spike responded.

“I wish I could go with you, but my hoof is messed up pretty bad,” Pinkie said.

“Not a problem,” Spike said.

Spike smiled a little smile in hopes of raising Pinkie's spirit a bit. She smiled back but Spike could tell she did not really mean it. Whatever happened here must have bad to shake Pinkie up like this. Spike scooped Pinkie Pie up in his powerful arms and waited for her to get into a comfortable position. Her injured hoof was hanging down over his arm. Dang. He hated seeing his friends like this, but at least it was not like his nightmare.

They walked down the street and searched many of the buildings there. Fluttershy checked what she could from above, but the smoke still filled the air and made it hard to see inside some of the buildings. Three different streets they searched, and found nothing. It wasn't until they reached the other end of town that they finally saw a familiar face.

Spike turned the corner at the end of the street with Pinkie Pie in his arms and Fluttershy following close behind him. He was talking with her when Pinkie Pie saw something. A small flash of white darting under an overturned cart. She announced it to Spike and they all went over to see what it was. As they got closer the cart started to shake. Dust flew off and Fluttershy couldn't help it. She let out a small sneeze that blew even more dust everywhere.

“Wait a moment. I know that sneeze. Fluttershy? Is that you?”

“Rarity,” Fluttershy half said and half asked.

“Fluttershy,” Rarity exclaimed as she emerged from under the cart, “It's good to see you. And you found Pinkie Pie, and Spike.”

“It is good to see you Rarity,” Spike said, “But you don't seem all to excited to see us.”

“I am, I am. It's just that. . . ,” Rarity trailed off, “It's Rainbow Dash. She is not doing so well.”

“What do you mean,” Fluttershy said with a gasp.

“Follow me,” Rarity replied.

Rarity led the three of them down the street further. At first Spike wasn't sure where she was leading them too, but then it became clear. The only building on this street that wasn't completely destroyed. The only building big enough to house a groups of ponies in this situation. The inn. Rarity led to that very same building, but the entrance was blocked by broken beams and columns. They were still burning a little. She led them down the side to a small back entrance. They got inside and found more ponies, but nearly as many as Spike hoped to find. Twenty at most. Rarity ran in ahead and announced them. By the time Spike got to the main lobby all eyes were on him.

“Spike,” Twilight said officially, “You can put Pinkie Pie down on the sofa over there. The doctor will look at her.”

The ponies inside parted with each step Spike took. Off to the side on one wall was a small green sofa. Spike leaned down and placed Pinkie Pie down as gently as he could. She winced as her hoof bumped the wooden frame. Fluttershy stayed with her as Spike went to talk with Twilight.

“Twilight,” He said as he approached, “It's so very good to see you.”

“Yes, it is,” Fluttershy said, “But what happened to Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie really wants to know and frankly, so do I. Rarity said she wasn't doing well.”

“Come with me,” Twilight said with a sad, heavy sigh.

Twilight led her two friends with Rarity close behind to a room on the second floor of the inn. Twilight's head hung low and she seemed very, very sad. Spike could feel it. Twilight led them to the first door on the right of the hallway. Inside two nurse ponies were attending to a pony. They left the room when Twilight asked them to. And then it was her, Rarity, Spike and Fluttershy in the room. All them staring at the pony in the bed. Rainbow Dash.

Ch.5 Dangerous Visitations

The Previous Day

“Tell me again: Why are we in Appleloosa,” Rainbow Dash asked.

“For the last time Dash, we are here because Spike asked us to come here. He believes that he can find something here to help with his new mission that was given to him by Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance and Princess Luna all at once,” Twilight replied.

“Right,” Dash responded, “And when is he supposed to get here?”

“Tomorrow. He will be on the train tomorrow,” Twilight said.

“It'd be faster if he used those wings of his and flew here,” Rainbow Dash said.

“ENOUGH!”

The Alicorn Princess and the Pegasus both looked back at the annoyed looking Earth Pony headed there way. Applejack's eyes were locked on them. Rainbow Dash put her hooves on the ground because she knew Applejack's would just lasso her if she didn't.

“You two have been bickerin' back and forth at each other ever since we left. I'm sick and tired of it,” Applejack shouted, “This ain't about you Rainbow Dash, or you Twilight Sparkle. Heck, this ain't even about Spike. We're here to help him find a way to cure this Madness. You know, the one that got that Fluttershy's bear friend. Thank heavens he was able to cure him, but he also lost the only thing that even stood a chance at curing anypony else! So we are here to help him help all the ponies of Equestria. Is that understood?!”

“Yes, Applejack,” Twilight said, “I'm sorry I lost sight of that for a while.”

“Yeah, me too,” Dash said, “Sorry Applejack.”

“I'm sorry to. I shouldn't have snapped at y'all like that,” Applejack said, “Especially to a princess. Sorry Twi.”

“Don't be, Applejack. Sometimes it takes a good friend yelling at you to snap you back to reality,” Twilight said.

The friends all made up and then made their way into Appleloosa. They all met up with Applejack's cousin Braeburn. He was an Appleloosa native and had been helping them around since the first time they were there. Ever since Twilight became a princess he had been extra nice and going out of his way to make sure they were all comfortable. No matter how much Twilight said she didn't want it there was not talking him out of it. Apple Family stubbornness, Applejack called it. They all had it.

He showed them all to the brand new inn that was just built in town. It had been completed just a week earlier. In fact Twilight and her friends were going to be the first ponies to stay there. Braeburn said that having the inn open with a princess staying there was just the kind of thing a small town like Appleloosa needed. When they all finally got inside they could not disagree. It was a very nice inn. Rarity was so entranced by the sheer beauty of it that she almost started drooling.

Braeburn led them up to what he called the Royalty Wing of the inn. Each pony got her own room with all the amenities. Rarity decided right then to stay in her room. Apparently, the whole place had given her some inspiration for a new line of fashion. The others all stood in the lobby as they tried to figure out an answer to an age old question: Now what?

“Okay. So Rarity can keep herself occupied for days with that,” Rainbow Dash said, “So now what are we supposed to do until Spike gets his scaly butt over here?”

“Well, we just had a mighty big apple harvest,” Braeburn mentioned, “And the saloon in the center of town is selling cider at half price.”

At the sound of that both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie pricked up their ears. They leaned closer to Braeburn and Pinkie asked him to repeat that last part. He did and they were gone. It happened so fast it was impossible to tell which pony was moving faster, Pinkie Pie or Rainbow Dash. Braeburn was left in their tracks with a blank look on his face.

“You'll get used to that,” Applejack said, “Now where in the hay is ol' Bloomberg? I wanna pay him a visit before I have to leave again.”

“I can take you right to him, cousin Applejack,” Braeburn said, “But what about you, Princess Twilight? And her yellow friend?”

“I'm going to stay here and catch up on some reading,” Twilight said as she headed back to her room.

“No need to worry about me. I'm sure I can find something to do around town,” Fluttershy said with a smile.

And so the day went on. Rarity remained in her room at the inn. She could sometimes be heard through the walls talking to herself. She always did that when the inspiration hit her. She talked out her designs and it helped her create some really amazing things.

Twilight's day was spent in her room as well. Although she was as active and about as Rarity was she still had her form of excitement. Books. She always made dure to have a few good books packed when she traveled. . . anywhere really. This time it was the latest issue of Daring Do. Rainbow Dash had already read it. Twice! Because of her job as a Princess of Equestria Twilight had not had as much time to read lately. But not anymore! Even if it was for only one day she was going to sit and enjoy her book.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie raced down to the saloon Braeburn mentioned. Cider at half price. That was music to their ears. It got even better when they arrived. They both got their at around the same time. That was fast even for Pinkie Pie. The two ponies walked in and were immediately recognized as friends of Princess Twilight. That got them a royal discount. It was so cheap it was only a bit for a pint of cider. And together, the blue and pink ponies had a lot of bits.

They turned the night into a contest. Everypony knows that there is only so much cider a pony can drink before it starts to effect them. Within just a few hours Rainbow Dash was speaking gibberish that only Pinkie could understand. She had also knocked out two other patrons with her pony karate. All of Appleloosa learned not to get in between Rainbow Dash and her cider.

Pinkie on the other hoof was much more put together than her blue coated friend. Although she could no longer sit in her seat without falling over. She had run into the four walls of the place at least twice per wall. And she thought the wooden carving of a pony on the wall was mocking her, so she threw it out the window. That was the end of their fun for the night. Nighttime was coming up fast and the pony who ran the saloon kicked them out. Thank Celestia that Fluttershy just so happened to be walking by at that time.

“Oh my, what happened to you two,” She asked with concern.

“Those two nearly drank me out of the job,” The Saloon Pony said, “But it's okay. With the bits I got tonight I could open another saloon, or make this one even better.”

The Saloon Pony walked back inside and slammed the door shut, leaving Fluttershy in the street with two ponies who could barely stand up straight. Pinkie Pie wobbled around for a moment before raising her hoof like she was about to declare something important. She opened her mouth and something came out. A loud belch came from Pinkie and right after that she face planted the ground. Fluttershy wasn't sure what had happened until she heard Pinkie start snoring softly.

Rainbow Dash just pointed a hoof and laughed hysterically at Pinkie. She laughed and laughed until something inside her stirred. She found the nearest empty barrel and that was that. All the cider she had put down in the past hours was not sitting well. It was coming back up and it wanted out. Badly. So Rainbow Dash spent the next several minutes heaving into a barrel.

Night had set upon the city. Luna was now guarding the ponies of Equestria in her nightly duty, but not even she could have predicted what came next. The lights of the town of Appleloosa were going out, one at a time. The ponies were going to sleep and the town grew quiet. It did not take long for the streets to clear of ponies. All except three.

Fluttershy was so desperately trying to lead Dash and Pinkie back to the inn. Neither one of them could walk straight. Dash kept trying to fly off and flew right up into the bottom of a metal sign that hanging from one of the buildings. That actually seemed to knock some sense back into her, along with a massive headache.

Pinkie kept trying to wander off and chase after some imaginary flying cupcake that she was seeing. For some reason, the other two ponies didn't believe it was just the cider that made that happen.

“But ah gotta- gotta get tha darn cupcake, Buttershy,” Pinkie said.

“Here, Pinkie, take this rope,” Fluttershy said.

She held out one end of a small rope she had found to Pinkie. In her attempt to take it Pinkie nearly put her hoof in Fluttershy's eye. At that point Dash took the rope and tied it around Pinkie's neck. Her head was pounding and she was not feeling great.

“Pinkie, if you break this rope and wander off then all the big and bad things that live out there in the desert will find you. . .,” Dash said to her.

Pinkie just started blankly back at her. She had no idea what was going on anymore.

“. . . And eat you,” Dash said quickly.

“Wha? I dun wann be eated by monstrs,” Pinkie said surprisingly clear.

“Then be a good little pony and and follow Buttershy back to the inn,” Dash said, “Can you do that?”

“Okay,” Pinkie said while nodding her head a dozen times, “But what about her?”

Both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy followed Pinkie's hoof as she pointed into the night. Off in the distance was a pony. She was sitting in the dark of the night all by herself with her head down.

“Leave her,” Rainbow Dash said, “I'm sure she can find her own way home.”

“Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy spoke up, “We can't just leave a pony out in the dark of the night. What if she isn't from Appleloosa? She could just be lost. We should help her.”

With that said Fluttershy handed over the rope that that served as Pinkie Pie's improvised leash and walked over to the pony. She had not moved. Fluttershy walked up to her with a smile. She stopped just a few paces away from the pony.

“Excuse me,” She said softly and kindly, “Do you need some help? You look a little lost. My friends and I are going to the inn. Would you like to come with us?”

The pony did not respond, but just made a small noise. It sounded almost like a grunt. Fluttershy didn't quite hear it, so she moved in closer. That was a mistake. She took a step closer to the pony sitting in the dark and that was when she finally showed her face.

The pony looked up to reveal her eyes. Glowing an intense red full of hatred and Madness. Her coat was dark and dirty and scuffed up. Her face twisted into a furious scowl and she was looking right at Fluttershy. The next moment went by in slow motion for Fluttershy. The Darkmare shrieked and lunged out at her. Fluttershy was frozen in fear as she watched the hooves of the Darkmare getting closer and closer. Right as it was about to hit her she felt herself moving back fast.

“GO! Run,” Rainbow Dash yelled.

The Darkmare was on her feet when Dash looked back. It was only then that she saw that the Mare was a Unicorn. Her horn was glowing as intensely as her eyes and more ponies were showing up. All of them with red eyes and dark coats. Lights were coming back on all over Appleloosa. The ponies of the town were opening windows and doors to see what was going on. The Saloon Pony opened the front door and Dash shoved Pinkie inside before either of them could say anything.

“Keep her safe,” She yelled at him.

Dash was about to tell Fluttershy the same thing when a blast from the Mare took out the beams supporting the roof above them. The roof came down and blocked the doors. Fluttershy couldn't get in and Pinkie Pie couldn't get out.

“Find a place to hide,” Dash told Fluttershy.

“What about you,” Fluttershy asked sincerely.

“I'm gonna go find Twilight,” Dash said.

Dash did not waste any more time. The ground shook as more Darkmares tore through the town. Even with her head pounding so much just thinking hurt Dash took to the air. She burst off the ground and flew up, straight up. From high up she saw that the whole town was under siege. Half of Appleloosa was on fire. Most of the ponies were running around in terror, screaming and crying out. She had to do something.

Dash flew down to small group of ponies hiding in alleyway. She said she could lead them to a safe place, and she could. She had gotten a pretty clear view of the town from up in the air. She saw a safe path that went directly to the inn where Twilight was. It took only a few moments to get them there. Twilight was already in the lobby trying to get as many ponies as she could to calm down. Then Dash came in with three more behind her.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said with relief, “Where are the others?”

“Scattered around town,” Dash told her, “We need your help. You have to do something about this.”

“What do you think I have been trying to do here,” Twilight asked, “Theses things are taking ponies and my magic doesn't seem to be doing anything to them.”

“Hold up. Theses things are taking ponies? Since when? I thought they were just wrecking the town,” Dash said with aggravation.

“Some are, and some are taking ponies,” Twilight explained.

Dash was about to start yelling. She didn't like this, not at all. The rest of her friends were out there and she couldn't do anything about it. But she knew that yelling was not going to solve anything. Instead she just dug her foot into the carpet before heading back to the front doors. She had to at least try.

“Rainbow Dash! Where are you going,” Rarity asked.

“I can at least try and lead as many ponies as I can back here,” She replied seriously, “And try and find the rest of our friends.”

She said what she did without even looking at Rarity. She didn't want her or any pony to see the tears in her eyes. Not even she believed that she could really do anything. But she couldn't just stay here and sit on her wings. So she would go out and try to do something. At least, that is what she wanted to do. She would not get the chance.

As soon as she reached the doors she was blocked. An almost blinding bright light flashed in through the windows of the doors. Every pony had to throw up a hoof or a wing to hide their eyes. Rainbow Dash lowered her wings just in time to see it. The doors. They exploded. The blast sent a wave of force into the lobby. Since she was so close Dash took the full hit of it. She was sent hurtling back and landed at the base of the stairs that led to either side of the upper floor.

“Rainbow Dash,” Rarity screamed with both shock and horror in her voice.

At first there was nothing. Then a twitch. The tips of her wings raised just slightly. Just enough to brush away some of the glass shards and wooden splinters that littered the area around her. Every pony was surprised as she stood back up again. She was feeble, an barely made it to all four hooves.

“That all you got,” She whispered to no pony in particular.

She raised her bruised head and stared at the hole where the doors used to be. Through the smoke and the flames only a pair of glowing red eyes could be seen. Before anypony could stop her Rainbow Dash took off again. She flew through the hole just as Twilight yelled for her to stop. Her voice was a small cry compared to the thunder that was sounding off in Dash's skull right then. She disappeared into the smoke of the night. The wall of the front of the inn gave way after that and cut off all possible sight of Rainbow Dash. She was gone and all went quiet. Too quiet. Eerily quiet.

Twilight and Rarity stood there for who knows how long. Time was no longer of matter to them. Each and every tick and tock was just a sound to break the silence, not that it worked. And when Rainbow Dash did return the hearts of all the ponies dropped even more.

The silence had taken root in all of them. Twilight finally turned to face Rarity, whose mascara and eyeliner was running down her face like a dark waterfall of sorrow and pain. She was using every ounce of restraint to not think about what was happening out there. And then the silence was suddenly broken.

A stained glass mural that represented the town of Appleloosa had been placed above the entryway to the inn. The sound of the stained glass shattering into uncountable pieces also shattered the silence that gripped them. Each pony looked to see. A blue pony in the middle of the glass shards. She impacted the wall on the other side of the inn hard before she fell to the landing at the top of the stairs that led to the upper floor of the inn.

“Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said barely above a whisper and with tears in her eyes.

Twilight race to her friend and immediately started to use any magic she could think of. Spell after spell after spell.

“She's alive,” Twilight said after more than a few spells, “Is there a doctor here?”

The Present Day

Spike and Fluttershy listened as Twilight told what she knew about what had happened the day before. The night before. Fluttershy had long before hit the floor in disbelief. She sat there and tried to take it all in. Twilight was close behind her. She could no longer keep it all in. She ran up to Spike and threw her hooves around him. Tears streamed down her face and her voice cracked as she sobbed out her words.

“Spike. I am so glad you're here. I don't know what to do. I am so lost right now. I tried my best to protect these ponies but I couldn't even protect Rainbow Dash, or Pinkie Pie, or Fluttershy. I had no idea if they were even alive and I just hid in this place. Please Spike, tell me what I should do.”

“Answer one last question,” Spike said in a very serious tone, “Where. Is. Applejack?”

“I don't know,” Twilight said with a new burst of tears, “Last I knew she was headed for the orchard with Braeburn.”

“Then that's where we start looking,” Spike said.

Spike took one last long look at the injured Rainbow Dash. He did not know any magic that could help her. The one healing spell he did know did not even work on ponies, and even if it did it was nothing more than a temporary fix.

Twilight dried her tears and they headed back out. Fluttershy went to tell Pinkie Pie what happened. Her expression got even darker after she heard and she insisted on staying with her. No pony objected. That was the best thing for both of them. Fluttershy also volunteered to stay behind. She could help calm down any ponies who might get out of hoof. So it was just Spike, Twilight, and Rarity who left in search of Applejack.

The three of them immediately headed in the direction of the orchard. If there was anywhere where Applejack would feel safe and confident it was there. However, the confidence she might have felt was not reflected in the orchard itself. Every single tree was burnt or withered. Rotten apples and broken branches were scattered all over the ground they tread on. There was a clear path leading out, though, so some pony must have survived the assault. Applejack maybe? The trio followed the path back into the deep orchard and did indeed find a pony. But not the one they hoped to find.

“Braeburn,” Twilight said with concern as she approached him.

“Princess,” He said weakly, “I- I'm sorry. I c-c-couldn't stop her.”

“What do you mean? Where is Applejack,” Twilight asked.

The Previous Day

Applejack got to see Bloomberg again. It had been years since she had see him. He was already a big tree when she moved him from Ponyville, but now he was massive.

“I'm proud of you Bloomberg,” Applejack proudly proclaimed, “You have grown into a mighty fine tree. Tall as a silo and sturdy as a mountain. Just the way a good apple tree should be.”

Her and Braeburn stayed in the orchard for hours. They just sat with Bloomberg and talked and talked. About everything. Most of it had to do with trees and the orchard and sharing some Apple Family recipes. They talked about other things too, but that was most of it. Before they knew it nighttime was setting on the town and it was time to head back. They would not make it.

Not even half an hour passed and the two of them were surrounded by Darkmares. They managed to get away and run, but running through a huge orchard in the dark away from evil ponies is quite difficult. Not even two ponies who grew up in and around orchards could find their way on a night like that.

It wasn't long before they ended up back at the base of the biggest tree in the orchard. Bloomberg. And it wasn't long before the Darkmares found them. A whole line appeared before them, but only one stepped forward. A very tell and slender mare with glowing red eyes and a Unicorn horn to match. She raised her horn to the sky and cast a spell. The light of the stars blinked out under the cover of storm clouds. The whole sky went even darker and then the rain started. Then came the thunder, and the lightning. Applejack got a bad feeling and turned her head to Bloomberg. She watched as a bolt of white hot lightning shot down from the sky and struck the massive tree. Then another and another. Three in all and the tree was no more. A burnt out, withered black husk of tree was all that was left in the wake. One last bolt came from the Mare herself and knocked her and Braeburn into the trees and rendered them unconscious.

Applejack woke up a little while later. It was still night out. The storm clouds still darkened the sky above Appleloosa. She managed to get on her hooves and braced herself against Bloomberg for support. When she looked over at the black husk of the tree the images flashed back in her mind. Then she saw Braeburn. He was laying still at the base of a tree.

“Braeburn,” She cried as she raced to his side.

“I'm okay cousin,” He said weakly, “What about Appleloosa? How's the town look?”

“Not good, Braeburn. Not good,” Applejack said honestly.

Apple sat next to him and looked toward the town. The night may have been dark, but the fires she saw from where she was brightened the horizon. She watched the town burn through the dead branches of the trees that once made up an orchard. All she could think about were her friends. Her family.

“I will destroy them all,” She said angrily.

Braeburn was to weak to speak up or else he would have. Applejack walked over to the remains of Bloomberg and took her hat off. At first he thought it was just a moment of silence. He so wished he was right. Instead she place her hat on the tree.

“Watch over him for me. Okay, Bloomberg,” She said with held back tears.

Then she turned and walked off. She left Braeburn there in shadow of the once massive tree. He used what little strength he had to call out to her. She stopped walking for a moment, but she did not look back yet.

“Where are you going,” He asked.

“I will destroy them all,” Applejack said furiously, “Goodbye Braeburn.”

She turned her head to look at him as she said that last goodbye. He will never forget the look in her eyes. Or the color. Red. A red color had replaced the green in her eyes. The honesty that always captivated the ponies around her was also gone. It had also been replaced. Now it just an anger that terrified him to his core. With that one last goodbye Applejack was gone. She ran off into the night and Braeburn lost consciousness again.

The Present Day

Twilight managed to use a healing spell she knew to get Braeburn sitting up as he told them what happened with Applejack. After the story was done Spike moved past them. He walked over to a blackened tree husk that was not too far away. On it was a hat. He retrieved it and held it close for a moment.

“Applejack,” Rarity said, “She has the Madness. What do we do now?”

“We go back. To Canterlot,” Spike said, “It's all we can do. They have the best doctors for Dash and the other ponies. The other Princess's are there as well.”

“When do we leave,” Twilight asked.

“Now,” Spike said flatly as he passed her Applejack's hat.

Ch.6 Sadness and Sparks

Spike and the rest of them returned to the inn. Spike was quiet. He kept his head low and said nothing except the fact that they were leaving. It was up to Twilight and Rarity to tell the rest of the ponies. Meanwhile, Spike made his way up to Rainbow Dash's improvised hospital room. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were both in there, draped over her bed, sleeping. They both woke up when he entered. He just moved in and gently scooped up Rainbow Dash. She made some subconscious winces of pain, but other than that no movement. He placed her in a mobile hospital bed and then walked away. Rarity explained what was happening.

Every pony watched as Spike led the bed that carried Rainbow Dash out of the building. He moved for the front door and cleared the debris with a wave of his hand. Almost all of the wall went with it, but he no longer cared. The whole town looked like that and worse.

On either side of Dash's bed were her friends. Pinkie and Fluttershy to her left and Rarity and Twilight to her right. They walked the bed out. The small amount of ponies that remained all followed. Spike led them through the remains of Appleloosa and to the train station. The one place in town that remained mostly intact. Just in time as well.

The train he was on had just pulled in and ponies were getting off. They saw Spike approach and the questions started. The young filly that watched his coat moved to the front of the crowd and and watched for Spike. He ran out to meet him as soon as he saw purple scales. Spike simply stepped over him without even a glance down. The ponies parted ways as he stepped and then they saw it. The bed with the blue pony in it. They all knew who it was. With the four ponies surrounding it it was hard not to know.

The remaining ponies of Appleloosa all boarded the train and the rest got back on. The next stop was Canterlot. No pony objected. Spike took the back cabin as he usually did and his friends joined him. The only other ponies allowed in were the doctors to watch over Rainbow Dash.

The train arrived in Canterlot later that day. It was afternoon, not that any pony could tell. Dark clouds filled the sky and rain poured down onto the land of Equestria. Spike had called Luna on the Night Calling Mirror and told her what happened. Twilight had to take over the call and she explained the rest. After the call Luna immediately got her sister and Cadance. They all awaited the train at the station.

The ponies of Appleloosa were all rounded up and led to a safe place where they could get help. The other ponies just left the train and wandered into Canterlot. The last ones off were Spike and the girls. Dash's hospital bed came off the train and Spike put up a small barrier above it to keep her dry. Reluctantly the ponies let some doctors take her away. They knew it was for the best. That didn't stop both Rarity and Fluttershy from crying. Even in the rain the ponies could tell the tears running down their cheeks. The rest of them all headed for the castle.

Even in the pouring rain ponies filled the streets of Canterlot. They watched as the four Princess's all walked to the castle. Twilight did her best to follow Celestia's example and held her head up high, but she could not stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. She hoped the rain would hide them.

Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity walked behind them. All their heads hung low. The ponies in the streets were all whispering and talking amongst themselves. Rumors were already spreading. I thought there were six of them. Why are there only four? I heard one of them is in the hospital.
Spike was the last. He brought up the rear. His head hung as low as the others, if not lower. He had gotten his coat back from the filly and was wearing it. That didn't hide the face that he was clenching his fists tightly. Luna looked back at him with worry in her heart and sadness in her eyes.

Days passed, and she came to visit Spike. She had just gotten out of the latest briefing. Twilight and Fluttershy and Rarity and Pinkie Pie all told them what they knew about what happened. Spike was supposed to be there but he did not show up. Luna had an idea of where he would be.

“How did you find me,” Spike asked her.

“Like I told you before: I always know where you are,” Luna said, “Plus you are in my chambers.”

“I don't even know why I'm here,” Spike said, “I should be trying to find a way to save Rainbow Dash, or find Applejack, or fix Appleloosa, or something.”

Luna walked over to Spike. He was leaning over the railing of the balcony, looking out over the city. Night had fallen by that point, but no pony was sleeping. No pony could. Even now Luna could feel the nightmares forming in their dreams.

She stood next to Spike and looked out over the city. For a while she did not say anything. She just stood there. After a while Spike looked over at her.

“You silly little dragon,” Luna said.

“What? What do you mean,” Spike asked.

“You need to stop thinking with your head,” Luna stated, “Listen to your heart Spike. What does that say? What does your heart tell you you should do?”

Spike thought about this for a moment. He stared into Luna's big beautiful eyes and a thought came to him. Kiss her. My heart tells me to kiss her. But he did not. Instead he put his head over rail.

“I don't know,” He said with frustration, “All this happened. Rainbow Dash is hurt really bad. I don't know where Applejack is. Most of the ponies of Appleloosa are gone. All of that, and I don't know what to do.”

Spike pushed himself away from the railing and stepped back into Luna's chambers. He paced around the room a bit before he continued talking.

“Twilight broke down in Appleloosa. She didn't know what to do and she asked me for help. I don't know what I'm doing. This is all new to me too. How am I supposed to stop this Madness when I can't even help out my friends?”

“Spike. Why do you doubt yourself so much? Look at what you have done. You knew something bad was going to happen in Appleloosa. There was no way you could have stopped it from happening. Not even me or Celestia saw it,” Luna said sincerely, “And when Twilight asked you for help you did the right thing. You found your friends and you got them out. You got them away from danger and here, where you knew they could get help. I don't have all the answers Spike, but I do know one thing. One thing that I believe more than any other.”

“And what is that,” Spike asked.

“That you will find a way to beat this. I will always be here to help you. So will Twilight and Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie and Rarity. I know Rainbow Dash is doing well and will recover.”

“She shouldn't have to,” Spike shouted, “I sent them into that! It is my fault that she got hurt. And she is not the only one. Pinkie Pie has not smiled once since we got back. Fluttershy has barely spoken a word. Twilight's a nervous wreck and then there's me. I don't even know what I am.”

Luna was quickly realizing that this was not something a simple talk could fix. She would always be there for Spike. However, this was something that only he could pull himself out of. She left him to his dreaming, but not before leaving him with one last bit of information.

“I know Spike,” She said softly, “That you are the one that I love.”

Spike awoke from his slumber instantly. What the hay was that? A dream? Luna visiting him in his dream? He had to admit to himself that it was not the first time he had dreams about Luna. That left him confused. He was more and more confused lately than he liked to be. Most of it was centered around Luna. He needed some advice.

He was wandering the corridors of the castle in an attempt to find a pony who might be able to help him. But who?

Celestia? No! Definitely not. She was Luna's sister. That conversation would just be way to awkward for Spike. Even if she was okay with it she would probably want to make some grand celebration out of it. That was the last thing either him or Luna needed.

Twilight? No, not her either. She would just end up giving him countless facts about the relationships between ponies and the changes to their bodies. And then she would point out the obvious fact that he was not a pony. Twilight was his friend, but when it came to matters of the heart she was not the best pony to talk to. And as he was thinking about his matter of the heart the perfect pony to talk to showed up.

“Hello Spike,” Cadance said, “I get the feeling you want to talk to me.”

“Oh, hello Cadance,” Spike said bashfully, “What makes you say that?”

“It's about Luna, isn't it,” Cadance more said than asked.

Cadance watched as Spike's purple cheeks turned red. If she didn't know better she would say there was a fire burning behind those scales of his. Maybe there was. She just smiled and started walking with Spike.

“Oh please Spike. I am the Princess of Love after all,” Cadance said, “And it is plain for everypony to see. Luna loves you, and you love her. If you just admit it to yours-”

“I know I love Luna,” Spike cut her off, “That is the problem. How do I deal with that? Huh?! She is an Alicorn Pony Princess, and I am just a dragon who knows some magic.”

“Spike, Spike, Spike,” Cadance said, “You have a fire burning under all those scales. Not the fire of dragon magic, or even the fire of friendship. What burns in you now is the fire of love. The flames of passion. Don't let that flame burn out. Talk to Luna.”

They had been walking for a few moments now. Spike saw that they had exited the castle and were now outside. The rain had stopped but the sky was still dark and the air still. Spike sat down on a stone bench and and hung his low. He sighed deeply before responding to Cadance.

“Luna loves me. I love Luna. How I wish it were just that simple,” Spike stated, “How am I supposed to tell her that it can't happen. Not yet anyway. There is a darkness coming. Far worse than Galeek, and I don't know what is going to come out of it. How can I fight that and worry about Luna at the same time? Tell me, is there an answer to that?”

“There is,” Cadance said, “But you have to find for yourself. I can help show you the way, but that is it.”

The next few moments were a blur, but Spike and Cadance ended up at a place that was very familiar to Spike. A large set of double doors, emblazoned with the emblem of the moon. The chambers that lay beyond were that Luna.

“This is where it started Spike, all those years ago,” Cadance said.

Spike opened the doors just enough for him to slip into the chambers. They closed behind him and left him in the dark room. It never seemed so big from the outside. That always made him wonder if Luna cast some sort of spell.

He scanned the room for the familiar shape of the Princess of the Night. Not a single window was open, or a single candle lit. There was barely any light in the room at all. What little there was came in through the cracks. He needed some more light. And he got some.

“Oh, hi Spike,” Luna said as she magically lit some candles.

About a dozen or so candles around the room lit up. The flames danced wildly for a second before settling down. She was sitting in the middle of the floor with many books covering the floor around her. She looked like she hadn't slept in three days. So was it really her in his dream?

Spike stood their awkwardly. He used every ounce of self control to keep himself from blushing like an idiot. He fidgeted with his tail and turned to look away from her. He went so far as to turn his back to her. His heart was beating so fast he thought he was about to collapse.

“Spike, is something the matter,” Luna asked, “Are you okay?”

Yes. He was. He was okay. His heart slowed and went back to normal. He stood tall and proud. He took a deep breath before turning back to Luna. She had stood up, and was now looking at him. She had a little worry in her eyes. He saw it, and everything that lay beyond. He knew what he needed to do.

He crossed the distance between them in two steps. He got so close to Luna she could feel the heat of his body rolling off his scales. She looked up at him. He looked down into her eyes. He placed both hands on her head. His claws gently moved through her mane, and he leaned down to her. In that moment Spike kissed her. His scaled lip met hers. A spark traveled between the two and the moment was forever frozen and preserved in the memories of both of them.

That moment, that one precious moment, ended and Spike looked deeply into her eyes. He embraced her in his arms and whispered to her what his heart told him. The thing that he had been wanting to say for a long time now.

“You are the pony that I love, Luna,” Spike whispered in her ear, “And I will come back to you. With every spark of life I have in these scales I will return. With all my heart I promise you that.”

The doors to the hospital room burst open with a surprising force. It was a great shock to the silence that was still surrounding the ponies. Rainbow Dash was stable, but had still not woken up. The four ponies that were there now rarely left the room. Twilight's royal duties demanded more of her than the others and she still made it in much of the time. But now the silence was broken, and in walked Spike.

Spike was very different than he had been the past few days. Ever since Appleloosa he had been quiet, distant, and full of sadness. Something changed in him. Now he stood with his head held high and a new flame of confidence burned in his scales. He was wearing one of his many longcoats when he came into the room. All four ponies stared up at him.

“Come on. Get up,” He said, “We have work to do.”

“What do you mean 'work',” Rarity asked, “We can't just leave Rainbow Dash like this.”

“Yes, we can. Do you think she would want you to just sit around here doing nothing? No! She would want us all out there looking for the thing that did this to her,” Spike firmly stated, “Not to mention that we are still one pony down. We have to find Applejack. We can't leave her alone out there.”

“We all agree with you Spike. We do,” Fluttershy said timidly, “But not all of us are cut out to for the hero stuff. That is more for you, isn't it?”

“Trust me Fluttershy, I would not be dragging you into this if I had a choice. But I can't do this one by myself. This is too big for even me,” Spike admitted.

“And, you gotta pay them all back for what they did to MR. Bear,” Pinkie told Fluttershy, “WITH INTEREST!”

Fluttershy thought about what Pinkie had said for a few moments. Then she came to a decision. She took a deep breath and then puffed her chest out and put a serious look on her face. She was in. Fluttershy may not be the bravest pony, but she was most always reliable. After her came Pinkie herself. She pulled out a pink and black camo helmet and nodded to Spike. Rarity sighed and raised a hoof to show her support. Last was Twilight. They all looked at her to see her decision. She was looking down at Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow Dash. You know he is right. You don't want us in here. So we're going to leave, and find the things that did this to you,” Twilight said, “I promise you we will find them, and Applejack too. Everything will be alright. Just wait and see. We'll tell you all about it when you wake up.”

Twilight leaned in to her friend and gave a small hug. Fluttershy followed her lead, leaning in to hug her injured friend. Then Pinkie Pie and Rarity did the same. Twilight brought her wings up to cover the five of them, and Fluttershy did the same with hers from the other side. Spike couldn't see it at the time, but the ponies were crying. A few tears dropped from each of them and landed on the bandages covering Rainbow Dash.

“Alright now. Let's get going,” Twilight said, “Where to Spike? We'll follow your lead on this one.”

Ch.7 Tracks in the Desert

Five friends set hoof in one place that they never thought they would see again. It was a place they never wanted to see again. A place scarred by darkness, madness. Fear and sorrow. Anger and rage. Appleloosa. It was once a nice little town, but now it was little more than a large pile of burnt up debris and rubble. The train ride there was relatively quiet. Now, all five of them stood on the ground of a ghost town and an eerie silence fell over them. They started making their way into town when one pony finally broke the silence.

“Spike, why are we in this dreadful place again,” Rarity asked.

“We are looking for a clues,” Spike explained, “Those Darkmares that attacked came from somewhere. We have to find out where that is.”

“We understand Spike,” Twilight said, “I do have one question, though, if you don't mind.

“Go ahead and ask,” Spike replied.

“Those Darkmares? There is something different about them, and you know what it is, don't you,” Twilight asked Spike.

“I feel it too, Twilight,” Spike responded, “But I still have no idea about most of the things about this.”

“'Most?' What do you mean by that,” Rarity asked.

“I know three things for certain,” Spike stated firmly, “One: These things are dangerous and need to be stopped. Two: If we don't stop these things and Rainbow Dash wakes up, she is going to be the one kicking our butts.”

“And what is the third thing,” Fluttershy asked.

“We will make it back to Canterlot,” Spike said seriously, “I have to. I made a promise I have to keep.”

“Ooohh! Do tell Spike,” Rarity spoke up, “Was this promise to Luna perhaps? You know, I did see you going into her chambers earlier today.”

“Spike, is that true,” Twilight asked.

“I was just. . . giving her back something she gave me,” Spike said with blushing cheeks.

“What was that, Spike,” Pinkie Pie pried, “Was it a flower? A present? A gift? A hoofshake? A hug? A picture? Huh huh huh?”

“If I tell you will you leave it alone,” He asked all four of them.

All four of the ponies nodded their heads in unison. He knew he was going to regret this. And yet now it had to happen. He had to tell them. He knew they all suspected it already so now he might as well get it over with. He sighed, took a deep breath, and got it out.

“It was a kiss.”

Spike was still walking for a few steps when he realized his feet were the only ones moving. He stopped and turned around again. The three ponies were in the same spot. With completely stunned looks on their faces and their mouths slightly open the ponies stared back at him. A few seconds of awkward silence went by before they reacted. When they did they stomped their hooves fast and excitedly. Pinkie Pie was nearly jumping up and down. Twilight was more stunned than the other three.

“You kissed Luna,” Twilight said rather blankly.

“I don't want to talk about it,” Spike stated.

The ponies tried to press the issue a little, but Spike would not talk. After a while they dropped it. There was no way they were forgetting it, but they stopped bringing it up. It got quiet as they split up to search the town for any clues about where the Darkmares came from.

Spike started where he saw it all happen. The center of town. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie looked up and down the street where they first saw the Darkmare Unicorn. Twilight and Rarity headed over to the inn area and looked around there. The groups searched for hours with no results but frustration, irritation and Rarity complaining about how she needed a bath. When it was finally nearing time to leave Appleloosa once and for all a pony finally found something. That pony was Fluttershy of all ponies.

“Um, I think I might have found something,” She said, “Maybe, I think.”

“Well, what is it, Fluttershy,” Twilight asked.

“Well, when I was flying through town I noticed something kind of unusual,” Fluttershy reported, “There are a lot of animal tracks heading from the orchard into Appleloosa. Those tracks are covered by pony hoof prints. Old ones, I think.”

Seeing as how Twilight' was the only other flying pony Fluttershy showed her a set of prints that she found. Indeed Fluttershy was right. An old set of tracks that somehow had not been blown away in the wind were unusual. They showed animals leaving the orchard and not going back. Spike followed them over and confirmed that the pony hoof prints were made by Darkmares. He could feel the cold hatred coming from them.

“You are the only pony who would have caught that Fluttershy,” Twilight said proudly, “That was a good catch.”

“Yes. Very good Fluttershy,” Spike said, “Now we know they came through the orchard first. That means they came from somewhere beyond originally.”

“That is all well and good, but what is beyond the orchard other than dust, dirt, sand, and the sun? I would really like to know what to wear,” Rarity proclaimed.

Good question. What was beyond the orchard? Spike stepped away from the ponies for a moment and pulled the Night Calling Mirror out of his coat. He breathed deeply as he thought about calling Luna. He hadn't really expected to talk to her again this soon. Would it get awkward? He sighed and turned his eyes skyward. The light of the day was fading fast. Celestia must be setting the sun. That would mean she would be going to bed soon. Maybe Spike could catch her before she got to sleep.

The night calls you, Celestia.

“Huh? Oh, Spike. It is just you,” Celestia said, “I wasn't expecting you to call me. Normally you would be calling my sister. Right?”

“Yeah, but I figured she'd be busy around this time with the moon raising and the ponies having nightmares and all that,” Spike said quickly.

“Very well Spike. What is it you need,” Celestia asked.

“I need some information from Braeburn. What all lays beyond the orchard of Appleloosa? We believe that the Darkmares came from somewhere beyond.”

“I see. Unfortunately, Braeburn has not been fully conscious for longer than a few moments since you brought him here to Canterlot,” Celestia said, “I know little about that area except that it can be very dangerous to ponies and dragons alike. Be careful Spike.”

“I will,” Spike said strongly, “And Celestia, can you please not tell Luna about this? I don't want her to worry.”

“It is too late for that, young dragon,” Celestia said, “She already worries for you.”

He released Celestia from the call of the mirror and put it back in his inside coat pocket. He stepped back out and motioned for the girls to follow him. They all trotted behind him at a good pace for a while. It was fairly quiet until they reached the edge of the orchard opposite Appleloosa. They stood on the border and looked into the vast and barren desert that lay before them.

The wind was currently blowing up a sandstorm in front of them. Twilight conjured up some protective garments for her and the other ponies. Rarity complained about the color, but put it on anyway. Spike was able to handle himself. He pulled out a pair of goggles that Luna had given him a couple of years ago for one his spelunking adventures. They would easily keep the sand out his eyes. He tightened his coat around him and stepped out into the desert winds.

The trek through the desert was not easy. The desert winds blew dust up into their faces. Spike was sure he was going to have the taste of the desert in his mouth forever. After only ten or so minutes in Twilight was forced to conjure up a rope to tether all of them together. Spike took the rope in his tail and clung to it.

The rope idea was sensible and working. Little did they know they would not be needing it long. As Spike led the group through the shifting sands he felt something. Deep in his scales he felt it. A coldness, and a heat. He took a few steps more, and all the while the feeling got stronger. A presence? Out here? Maybe. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw a light through the storm of sand. A barely visible blink of red on the horizon.

Spike threw up his arms just in time. The red blast of energy collided with his barrier within seconds of him putting it up. The ponies covered their eyes as the red flash of light slowly went away. Spike knew he couldn't fight like this. Not with his friends right here. Not even his Mana Stomp could help him here. Instead he tried a different spell.

The winds of the desert were blowing the sands into a sandstorm. That was dangerous enough, and now there were Darkmares around trying to blast them with magic. There was no way for him to tell how many there were. The shifting sands made his Mana Stomp ineffective at best. But he did have elemental magic.

Spike focused his power. So much so that his eyes began to glow green. It was a soft glow, but it got brighter and brighter the more he focused. Twilight and the rest of the girls watched as the green light from his eyes pierced the sandstorm winds. Then, something strange happened. The ever strong winds that were blowing the sands around them died down. The sand fell to the ground once again and the ponies were able to remove their face and eye protection. Twilight's magic rope went away as well.

When they did they saw Spike. In his full Mystik mode Spike was channeling his power into the winds that blew the sands. Both his arms were outstretched fully and his claws glowed fiercely. He had created a column of sand that encircled them all, but he was not done yet. Spike let out a small roar as he used one final push of magic. He threw his hands out and the sands went with it. With his hands free for just that one moment he would have to cast fast. He breathed fire into the sands in front of him, and then he took that fire with his claws and spread it across the entire sandstorm column. The ponies closed their eyes as the light of his green fire burned. When their eye finally opened again they found themselves on the inside of a column of glass.

“Whoa. Spike, this is incredible,” Twilight said.

Spike would have responded right away but he was still trying to recover. He was sitting down where he stood. His breathing was heavy and sweat covered his body. Twilight and the others walked over to him. He knew what they were going to say so he just explained first.

“Yeah,” Spike said as he tried to catch his breath, “I haven't gone Mystik in so long. I need a moment.”

That moment was not going to be a good one. That was due to the fact they were not the only ones in the desert. As the five of them stood and sat there they were approached by another pony. A mare. A Darkmare. Tall and slender she was, with red eyes and a unicorn horn. She seemed very composed for a mare of Madness. Fluttershy ducked behind Spike as soon as she saw the mare. Pinkie just glared at her in a way Spike had never seen before.

“Nice to see you all again,” The Darkmare said, “Except you dragon. This is our first meeting. Introductions are in order.”

“The name's Spike. You might have heard of me. I defeated the last thing who tried to use the power of the ooze to destroy Equestria,” Spike said after he stood up.

“Ah, so you are the magic using dragon that everypony has been talking about,” The Darkmare said, “My name is Ebony. Ebony Thorn. It is a great pleasure to meet you. Spike the magic using dragon.”

Ebony Thorn waved some of her underlings away and they circled around to surround the glass column. Only Ebony herself remained in front of Spike. She looked over the glass column and ran a hoof over the surface as she paced back and forth.

She smiled deviously as she spoke, “This is quite impressive. Your doing, I take it.”

“What do you want,” Spike asked with annoyance.

“That's simple,” Ebony said with a vile smile, “I want every pony in Equestria. I want them broken. I want them Mad. And I want them all to call me Queen.”

“That's insane,” Twilight called out, “Even for you ponies of Madness. There is no way you can pull that off.”

The words slithered off Ebony's vile tongue, “My dear Princess Twilight Sparkle. We have already begun.”

With those words the Darkmare's attacked. If you can even call it that. The glass column did little to hold them back. A Mad Earth Pony lunged at the wall of the column and broke through with ease, landing amidst the shattered glass. It did not even move. It just stood up on it's hind legs for a second. When it's two front hooves came crashing down Spike had a flash. A flash of memory.

He cried out to Pinkie Pie as he lunged for her, but it was no use. The Dakrmares hooves split the ground underneath. The sands gave way to a darkness below. Spike dived to reach his friend, but he did not. Pinkie Pie looked at her friends one last time and screamed. She screamed as she fell to the darkness below, and all Spike could do was watch.

He rose up from the ground where Pinkie fell. He could hear his other friends behind him. Rarity was crying out for Pinkie. Fluttershy was crying into Twilight's mane. Twilight herself was trying to remain calm, but not even she could do it. With fury in his eyes and his fists he turned to the Darkmare. He came up to it with fists raised and ready to strike.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Ebony teasingly hissed, “These aren't the simple manifestations that Galeek through at you, dear Spike. These are real ponies. Do you really want to hurt real ponies? What would your precious fans think of you then?”

Spike stopped just short of the Darkmare. He was mere centimeters away from making contact. That kind of impact from him would have done serious damage. And he knew that. He looked into the face of the Darkmare before him. He couldn't do it.

Spike could not do that to a real, living pony. They knew that. The Darkmare turned on Spike as soon as it realized it was not going to get hit. It spun around faster than Spike expected. The tail whipping Spike in his face as it turned. During that split second of blindness Spike was vulnerable. The Darkmare looked back at Spike with an evil smile and bucked him through the far glass of the column.

It was a slow motion show of horror for Twilight. She watched as one her best friends was swallowed up by a hole in the desert floor. Her other two pony friends were so distraught they could not think clearly. And now she watched her once small baby dragon companion go flying through the air with countless shards of broken glass all around him. The air almost glistened as the light of the sun hit the glass. Spike hit the desert sands back first and bounced a few times before coming to rest with his face in the sand. Unfortunately, that was not the end of Twilight's horror show.

Her head followed the arc of Spike's travel through the air. She stepped closer with an urge to help her injured friend, but the cries for a friend from Rarity told her to stay close, as well as the tears from Fluttershy. If only she knew how little time she had to cry.

Twilight's eyes were fixed on Spike. She didn't realize anything was wrong until she heard a scream. Another scream. Another haunting sound to plague her every time she closed her eyes. She turned her head to see Fluttershy. Rarity was desperately trying to hold on to her hoof as two Darkmares were dragging her away. It was a pointless struggle. The Darkmares dragged Fluttershy away into the blinding sands of the sandstorm. Twilight lunged forward and fired off a few magic blasts into the sands, but hit nothing. She was gone. Fluttershy was gone.

Rarity cried out a few times more for Fluttershy. After that she was quiet. There was nothing more she could do. She grew quiet and her eyes always seemed focused on something in the distance that was never there. The Darkmares still surrounded them. But not for much longer. For some reason unknown to Twilight, Ebony and her minions just left. Ebony Thorn glared at them one last time before leaving. Twilight watched the image of her fade into the distance as the sandstorm swallowed her up.

Twilight searched frantically for Spike. She knew he was blasted out of the glass column. She saw it. But the sandstorm was raging then. She and Rarity had to take cover in the remains of the column until it passed. . . several hours later. And so Twilight searched for Spike. Rarity was curled up in the same spot she had been in for the past several hours.

“I'm sorry Spike,” Twilight said as she hoofed the sand weakly, “I have to get Rarity out of here. We won't survive if we stay here any longer.”

Twilight's hoof stopped. She turned and walked back to Rarity. Rarity didn't pose any resistance as Twilight got her to her feet. She just stared out at nothing, as blank a pony as Twilight ever saw. With her last ounce of strength Twilight was able to use her magic and teleport them both back to Canterlot. At least they were safe.

Ch.8 Can't Do It Anymore

Spike rose hid head slowly. He felt a great pain in most of his body. And what was that stuff he was laying in? Sand? The memories came back to Spike little by little. He rose his head above the sands. He was feeling groggy still, and his head throbbed if he moved to fast. Not too far away he saw something. A tower? A column?

As he made his way to his feet, slowly, as more than his head started to throb he noticed something. He noticed the distinct absence of anything. No ponies. No plants. No life in general. As he thought about this a thought made it's painful way back into the forefront of mind. No, not really a thought. An old memory coming back to him. Twilight. Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie. Rarity. Applejack. Rainbow Dash. Friends! His friends! They weren't here.

He saw that night had fallen upon the sands. He could feel the chill in the air around him. Every breath he could see as it exited his body. He had to find a place to stay for the night. He looked around a bit and saw something. Due to the sandstorm earlier he was unable to see that there was a tall rocky cliff not too far away. If he could make it there maybe he could find some shelter.

Every muscle in his legs groaned as he freed his feet from the sand. The walk over to the cliff was not far, but Spike was feeling weaker than usual. He nearly collapsed in the way there. With luck, Spike was able to find a small cave nestled into the side of the cliff. He ducked under the low ceiling and wandered inside. The iris' of his eyes glowed slightly as he used his night vision to peer into the darkness of the cave. The cave floor declined to take him further underground. It took him to a small round room in the cave. This was a simple enough place. It would do until the night passed.

Spike moved to take off his coat only to be slammed by new wave of agony that originated from his chest. He rolled his shoulder back as he dealt with the pain. He straightened his arms behind him and the heavy coat slid off and hit the floor. Spike immediately repositioned himself into the most comfortable spot he could find. He started a low fire in middle of the cave room. Just then he saw a small glow emanating from inside his coat. The Night Calling Mirror! Spike rushed to his coat and pulled out the mirror. When he looked into it he saw a familiar face, but not one of the ones he wanted to see.

Cadance looked like she couldn't believe her eyes, “Spike?”

“Cadance,” Spike said as his eyes started to water, “I lost them. I lost them all.”

“Spike, what do you mean? Spike,” Cadance said as she tried to reach him.

“First it was Rainbow Dash, and then Applejack,” Spike said, “And then Pinkie and Fluttershy. I have lost them all.”

Cadance urgently tried to get through to Spike, “Spike! Please, get to me as soon as possible. I need you at the Crystal Palace right away.”

“No,” Spike said flatly, “I can't do it anymore.”

“What,” Cadance couldn't believe what she heard, “What do you mean you can't do it anymore? Spike, will you help me? Will you help us?”

“What is the point,” Spike said with growing anger, “When I have lost everything?!”

In his anger Spike gripped the mirror tightly. So tightly that it shattered in his claws. He had shattered the mirror. Twice now it had been broken. This time by his own hand. His anger lessened and he looked down at the broken pieces of the mirror in his hand. He opened his claws and the remains fell to the cave floor. All but some mirror shards that pierced his scales. He winced a little as he pulled the shards out of his hand. He gazed at the shards he held for a moment after he pulled them out. His blood stained the mirror he tossed them aside and laid down to rest. His body was sore. His mind was a wreck. His spirit was broken.

Spike dreamed of better place. A better place than where he was now. He dreamed of a place where he could look around and see his friends. All of them. They were all around. Happy. Twilight was sitting in the shade of a tree reading a book with Owlicious perched on a branch above her. Fluttershy was having a lovely picnic with all her animal friends to which Applejack had provided all the tasty treats. Those two were talking and laughing and having a nice time. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were both challenging each other in various things. Most of them Dash won, but Pinkie just wanted to have fun. Rarity was using the moment to draft up some new designs for dresses. And then there was Spike. He was off to the side just watching it all. Luna was at his side. That was the perfect moment. And then it was gone.

The clear, sunny skies were covered with dark clouds that poured rain onto them. Lightning struck the ground and it split open. A darkness came forth and rushed all around them. Spike turned his back to it. He knew it was nothing but a dream. However nice it was, he knew it wouldn't last. He closed himself off to it, and then something strange happened.

Spike opened his eyes expecting to find himself awake in the room of the cave. Instead, he found himself in another room. One he had not seen for a very long time. It was the hidden room under the Crystal Palace that he had originally trained in with his mentor. Smoke Shadow. Spike put a clawed hand over the black scar over his heart. The last memory of Smoke Shadow lived there. Or so he thought.

“Do you remember, young blood? All that you learned here?”

Spike looked up from his scar. The voice was the same. But it couldn't be him. It just couldn't be. And yet, sure as Spike was the figure standing before him couldn't be him, it was. Smoke Shadow.

“This isn't real,” Spike said, “You died. You can't be here.”

“Spike. With all that you learned from me, and all that you learned yourself how is it you still know so little,” Shadow said, “I am not dead by your definition. I am a spirit of shadow now. I am bound to this shadowy realm forever.

“I defeated Galeek. I stopped him before he could do anything,” Spike said.

“I know. Even in this place the effects of that battle were felt by many, myself included,” Shadow said.

“But his evil is still here. There is a Madness spreading. Ponies are being taken by it. They are strong, and powerful, and angry, and I don't know what to do,” Spike said wit ha defeated tone, “All of my friends are gone because if this. I need help.”

“What is it exactly that you need,” Shadow asked.

“YOU,” Spike shouted, “I need you! This is too much for me. I never wanted this. Why is that when I learn this magic that this evil shows up and I have to be the one to stop it? I can't do it anymore. Not without my friends. Not this time.”

“I can't do anything to stop it,” Shadow said, “Not even if I was right beside you in the flesh with all the power I used to have. I still could not do anything to stop it.”

“What?! You knew Galeek. The source of all of this. You know better than anyone-”

“I am going to stop you there, young blood,” Shadow interrupted with a serious tone, “I knew of Galeek. He was a king when I was but a teller of stories. I never once met him face to face. And that was eons ago. Most ponies don't even know there was an Equestria back then.”

Spike listened as his old mentor spoke. He felt just like he did when he first started to learn dragon magic. He was so small back then he had to look up to see Smoke Shadow's face. Now he was looking him in the eye. But this was a little bit different. Smoke Shadow seemed more than a little irritated at Spike.

“You face these evils because you are the only one who can. You are a powerful force in the world Spike. You are good. And so there must be a powerful evil to keep it all in balance. So you go and you fight.”

“How am I supposed to fight,” Spike asked, “With all that I have lost?”

“DO NOT TALK TO ME ABOUT LOSS, DRAGON,” Smoke Shadow furiously shouted, “In case you don't remember: I am the last dragon of an era long since dead and gone! I had a family once. Friends too. I had to watch from the shadows as they all faded away, one by one. So don't you dare talk to me about loss when you have lost nothing.”

“'Lost nothing'” Spike repeated, “Does that mean they are still alive?”

“That is for you to find out, young blood. Just have hope, ad keep fighting,” Shadow said.

“How? Nothing I do works. I can't simply destroy them like I did the Black Colts Galeek threw at me. These are real ponies. Please, Shadow, help me one more time,” Spike pleaded with his old teacher.

Shadow paced around for a short while. Spike watched as he muttered to himself. A little bit about madness. A little bit about ooze. Even more about Spike. Then there was some sort of internal debate. Spike wasn't sure which side won, but after a while Shadow came back over to him.

“There is one way you can fight back against them Spike,” He said, “But be warned: This is the most dangerous form of dragon magic. You wondered why dragon magic is so feared. This is why.”

“What are you going to teach me, Shadow,” Spike asked with some worry.

“Soul Magic.”

Ch.9 Abandonment

Spike rose. He had finally left the cave. That desolate, barren cave that served as a temporary shelter from the sun and the cold was far behind him now. He knew where he was going now. He was on his way to the Crystal Empire. Cadance had pleaded and begged for his help before, but he was too caught up in his own failures to even bother hearing her out. He deeply regretted that. If only he had not smashed the mirror. He would call her now and apologize. He only had one choice left to him now.

Spike climbed up the cliff. The very same cliff that had the cave nestled under it. Spike had set out to climb this sheer drop of a rocky cliff. And he did. With sharp claws, a lot of strength, and just a bit of magic he was able to climb his way up to the top of the cliff. It was just as barren up there as the desert was below him.

Spike turned to face the edge of the cliff. The Crystal Palace. That was his destination. It was in that direction. He had to get there as fast as possible. That meant he had to use his wings one more time.

Spike groaned as he arced his back. His muscles in that area were stiff and sore. They always were. He didn't use his wings enough to stretch them out and work them in. Well, now was his chance. His wings snapped out in both directions in a flash of movement. He gave a few test flaps that stirred up the sand around him. Good. They were strong. It was time to do as Rainbow Dash taught him.

Spike closed his eyes and held his head up toward the sky. He could feel the winds coming. Across his entire body. Across every scale he could feel it. Tiny grains of sand lightly blowing over his scales. More and more as the winds got stronger.

Spike could hear the whistling of the winds in his ears. Actually, it was more than that. He heard them in his head and his heart. He could feel the shifting winds stir up the sands. He was tuning into the instinct of flying. Dash always said that any creature with wings, no matter how big or small, had the instinct. It was that instinct that made moving through the air so enjoyable. Spike never fully got what she was saying until now. Now he felt it. For the first time in his life, Spike tapped into his instinct to fly. And when he did he stepped off the cliff.

Spike flew for a while, but he was not sure how long exactly. He had passed the boundaries of the desert a while back. He did not feel tired at all. His wings were holding up nicely. He soared through the air like a true dragon of the lands.

He was still having to learn some things as he went, however. Like dodging airborne obstacles. Not as easy as Dash made it look. Then again, she did have many years practice before hand. Spike had one, and most of it was spent with his wings tucked close to his back.

Spike smiled as he soared through the skies of the Crystal Empire. Then he saw it The Crystal Palace. The city spread out around it. The crystal ponies all bustling about their lives. He was here. He had made it. Unfortunately for him, some of the crystal ponies had also noticed him. Well, a large moving shadow that was getting closer and closer was noticed. A pony notified the guard, and the guard notified Princess Cadance. She and her guards came out of the Crystal Palace and immediately aimed their eyes on the sky.

Spike could see them. The sun was behind him, so he was not as visible to them as they were to him. He was here to help. He was late, but he was here. He circled the Palace a few more times before making his final descent. He came back around to the front of the Palace one last time. He tucked in his wings a little and dived for the ground. He gained a lot of speed as he fell through the air like a meteor.

As he neared the ground he pulled up and spread his wings back out again. For a moment he hovered in the air like some ethereal being come to make all their problems go away. With a final flap Spike folded in his wings and fell to ground. He landed with a hard thud that almost split the crystal he landed on. He landed in a kneeling position. There he stayed until Cadance walked up to him.

“Calm down, all of you,” Cadance said with authority, “And you, Spike. Rise to your feet.”

Spike could hear it all behind him. All the ponies from the entire city crowded the streets now. They wanted to know what was going on. Who was this new visitor from the sky? When they heard his name they were shocked. Astonished. Spike. He had come back. Gasps and whispers and nasty comments ran through the crowd like a raging river. Spike was expecting this.

He did as Cadance told and rose. He slowly picked himself up off the ground and stood to face the Princess. Although, he did not look at her. He looked down, and away. He could not look her in the eyes. Not after what he had done. Cadance could see it in him. He looked down. He looked away. He looked ashamed. He looked sorry. She was about to start talking to him when another voice broke the silence that was created between the two.

“Spike the Dragon.”

The comment was more of an announcement. Spike didn't care. What he was too focused on was the voice. He had heard it before. A long time ago. From a young little filly that saved his life once. Spike turned to face the crowd. There she stood. One pony against a thousand more. And Spike recognized her instantly.

“Flake,” He said softly, “Flake Frost.”

Flake stepped forward from the crowd. She had gotten bigger since he had last seen her. Not quite as big as Twilight and them yet, but she was close. Soon she wouldn't even be a filly anymore. She sure had grown up. She was smiling when Spike saw her. And when she walked up to him she was still smiling. But not for long. The smile was fake. A show to put on so she could get close. And once she did Spike saw how she truly felt.

She was just a few paces away from him now. Spike watched as her smile dropped into a frown. Then her frown was twisted into a face of rage and anger. Flake's eyes narrowed as she locked onto the dragon before her. Spike could not react quickly enough to her anger. Quicker than a flash she charged her horn up and fired an icy blast of pure magic at him. Spike took a direct hit to the chest. The sheer force of the blast knocked him back. The Crystal Guard put up a barrier around Cadance. Spike hit it and bounced right off.

Spike tried to recover, but Flake was relentless. Her horn was glowing white with a fury. She half yelled as she blasted Spike again. And again. And again. No pony moved to stop her. Not even Cadance, or Shining Armor. When she finally did let Spike up she was still not through with him.

He rose to his feet wearily. Flake's horn flashed strongly and Spike felt a rumbled beneath him. He barely got out of the way in time as a massive ice spire shot out of the ground where he just stood. Jeez! Was she trying to kill him? She almost did just that with another ice spire on his other side. That left him with no room to move. No where to go. Spike was stuck with his back to a crystal pillar. Just where Flake wanted him.

“Flake. Why,” Spike asked with a heavy breath.

“YOU ABANDONED US,” Flake yelled at Spike as she stopped her spell, “You abandoned us! It has been a month Spike, and you left us all here. You left us alone. You left me all alone.”

Her eyes were angry. She had rage in her heart now. Spike could see through the single instant that she stopped. Her eyes were full of it. But it was not fiery heat of anger and rage that he thought it was. No, this rage in her was not hot, but cold. The cold of hatred and sorrow gripped her now. Spike saw it. He sensed it in her, but she did not have the Madness. Just the anger. Spike stood up fully with his back against the pillar. He held his head up and looked at Flake. She yelled out and fired another blast from her horn.

Spike took the blast directly to his chest. It pressed him back against the pillar. And then he felt it. The cold. A bitter, unyielding cold that spread over his entire chest. He felt the cold as Flake herself must. It was coming from her after all. Spike felt her cold hatred as it spread frost and ice over his body. Until the time came where he felt nothing at all anymore. The clear ice crystal spread over his eyes and completed his ice prison.

Flake panted as she cast her ice spell over Spike. His prison of clear ice encased him. Flake's breathing slowly returned to normal. She glared at Spike for several more moments until something took her attention away. Someone. A pony.

“Excuse me,” This pony said.

A deep voice broke the silence that Flake had created. A very deep voice sounded off. Flake turned around to see the biggest pony she had ever laid eyes on. Strikefire. The Forge Master for the Crystal Palace. He emerged from the seemingly endless crowd of ponies that filled the streets. He was taller than almost all of them. Stronger, too. Flake looked upon this massive pony who had anger of his own in his eyes. Flake thought his anger was targeted at Spike as well, but she was wrong. He emerged from the sea of ponies and locked his eyes on Flake Frost herself.

“Excuse me, little missy,” Strikefire said, “Just what in the name of the Crystal Empire do you think you are doing here?”

“What do you mean,” Flake said with a shudder.

“What do I mean? What do I mean,” Strikefire resounded, “I mean why did you freeze the one being in all of Equestria that could stop this madness?! Huh? I want to know why you did that!”

“He abandoned us! He left us here,” Flake said with a fury in her voice, “He deserves it. He wants to just sit by and watch. Well, now he can.”

“You stupid, stupid young filly,” Strikefire said, “Do you really think he just left for no good reason?!”

Flake cowered before the might of Strikefire's booming voice. It shook the ground and nearly shattered the crystal around him. Flake ducked to the ground until her head were as low as her hooves. Strikefire didn't move as he spoke to her. His loud voice echoed inside her skull as his words left him.

“There is a Madness here, Flake Frost. Spike has seen it first hand,” He said as paced around the platform they were both on, “We have all heard the rumors and the stories. Spike has lost a lot. More than most ponies can bear. First it was his Rainbow friend that was nearly killed in Appleloosa. Then the Apple one caught the Madness and ran. Still hasn't been found.”

“Wh- why are you t- t- telling me this,” Flake mumbled.

“Because you need to hear it! I have heard talk in the Palace, Flake. Two more ponies gone. The timid one who cares for animals, taken away by the Mares of this Madness. And the pink one who makes ponies laugh. She fell into an abyss so dark and deep that Tartarus looks comfortable by comparison. Do you understand now, Flake?”

“I get it,” She said.

“Do you? Two ponies walked out of that desert. Spike was not with them. He rose from those sands alone and afraid. He didn't know if his friend's were alive or dead. He broke. You would too. Do you any family? A mother? A father?”

“And two brothers,” Flake finished.

“Now imagine all of them. Gone. One by one, you lost everything. Until you were alone. Then you just might make it close to how Spike felt in the desert,” Strikefire drilled into Flake's head.

“He is right. Spike believed us all to dead or gone, Flake Frost.”

Both Strikefire and Flake looked up towards the Crystal Palace. A princess stood there. Right alongside Cadance and Shining Armor. Twilight Sparkle. Flake immediately spun to face her, but kept her head low. Strikefire straightened up and lowered his head as well.

“Spike is just like you and me, Flake,” Twilight said, “He has emotions, and feelings, and a heart. When I left him in that desert it wasn't just my heart that broke.”

Twilight asked that Flake come with her. They needed to talk. She also asked that Spike be freed from his prison of ice. Flake did not look at Twilight after she heard her request. She did not want to. Twilight heard a faint grunt from her.

However, Strikefire was able to take over from there. He walked up to the dragon that put him where he was now. Forge Master. Because of his size he was able to almost look Spike in the eyes. Also because of his huge build he was easily able to break the ice. He reared up on his hind legs with a grunt. He cast a large shadow back until he came down again. When he did come back down his hooves hit the ice with a tremendous amount a force. The ice did not shatter, but it did break. Cracks and splits spread out across the ice in a web like pattern from both hooves impact. Strikefire repeated the action twice more.

The last hit did it. The ice broke off in giant chunks. Spike was freed. He stood there still for a moment. Then Spike fell. He fell forward and onto the waiting back of a friend. Strikefire carried him into the Crystal Palace just behind Twilight and Flake.

Once inside and away from the eyes of the crowd Twilight leads the ponies deeper into the Crystal Palace. Not to the place they were expecting, though. Twilight lead them all to the guest rooms located higher in the castle. Almost all of the rooms were empty. All except a few. And only one had a guard pony stationed outside the door. Twilight's room. All of them went inside. Strikefire set Spike down on a couch under a far window as gently as he could. Spike sat up after a moment, wide eyed and awake.

“Thank you Strikefire,” Spike said, “For defending me. It couldn't have been easy.”

“It was not,” Strikefire said, “About a week ago my sister was almost taken by those Darkmares. I was able to drive them off before they got to her, though. My only thought then was where in Equestria is the dragon with the power to stop them? What would happen if they came back? It was only two before, but what if they came back with more?”

“Lucky you.”

Both Spike and Strikefire looked over to Flake. She was slumped in a corner. Her head was down and she was staring at her reflection in the shining crystal floor. She knew they were looking at her, but she did not say any more.

“What do you mean by that, Flake,” Twilight asked the question they all had on their minds.

“I meant that he is lucky. His sister wasn't taken,” Flake said as she looked up with hatred still in her eyes, “My Mother was! She was snatched away by those things in the middle of town. Where were you Spike?! Huh? Hiding away somewhere getting over the loss of your friends?!”

That was it. Spike could take a lot. He knew that he would get this kind of reaction from some ponies. He never expected it to be Flake. Even so, he could take it. But that was too far. Even Twilight was stunned by her words. Before she was able to even utter a sound to Flake, Spike was off that couch and across the room. In a few long stride he was over to Flake. He stood over her and glared down at her angrily.

“Flake, you may not consider me a friend now, but I will always consider you a friend of mine. I am sorry about your mother,” Spike said before getting angry, “But if you ever dare to imply that the rest of the girls are dead and gone, or that I am a heartless beast that can simply get over them again, I swear I will give you to the Madness myself. Understand?”

Spike glared down at Flake for another moment or so before heading back to sit on the couch. He was still feeling a little weak from Flake's spell. Ice was always doing heavy damage to him.

Flake herself wasn't sure what to do now. She wanted to hate Spike. She wanted to be angry at him for leaving. She wanted her mother back. She was still young, after all. And yet, all she could do was cry. Tears streamed from her eyes as she looked over at Spike. Only then did it really hit her about what he lost. She lost her mother. One pony. He has lost four.

“I'm sorry,” Flake said with a weak sob, “I'm sorry. I just want my mother back.”

“It's okay Flake,” Twilight said as she consoled the filly, “I want Applejack back. And Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.”

“How is Rarity doing,” Spike asked as he thought about the friends that were taken.

“See for yourself,” Twilight replied, “She is in the next room. Through those doors.”

Spike rose from the couch once again and crossed the room to a set of large double doors. They connected the room they were in to an adjoining room. Rarity was supposed to be inside. Spike hesitated as he reached for the door handles. What was he going to find in there? He knew it was not going to be good. Was it going to be a crying mare that would force him to leave? Would it be an angry pony that used to be his friends? Would she hate him the way Flake did? Would she be a crazy wreck of a pony that cannot be put back together? Whatever it was he had to see her. So he gripped the handles and swung the doors wide open. He stood before the now open doorway, and there was nothing.

“She's gone,” Spike said, “Rarity is gone.”

Twilight rushed into the room where she believed Rarity to be. She hurriedly searched the room top to bottom. But there was nothing. She became frantic and panicky. She ran out to the hallway to question the guard.

Spike slowly entered the room that Rarity was once in. It was a mess. Rarity was not a pony that made messes. She was lady. A pony of class. Or at least, she used to be. Spike could see past the minor mess Twilight made in her search. He was focused on the bigger mess. Clothes were strewn about the room. Hats and dresses alike were littered about the area like Rarity purposely threw them all about. Even more disturbing was the fact that they were all torn and shredded. Not a single piece of clothing was intact. No. The Rarity he knew would never do this. As he thought about it more and more he came to realize something himself. He did not know this Rarity. She was just as he was before. Broken. But not for long.

“Twilight! Come here,” Spike yelled aloud, “I need your help. I need something of Rarity's. Something that she held close this past month. Anything.”

“Look around Spike. There is nothing,” Twilight said, “Ever since that day in the desert Rarity has not been the same. She doesn't care about anything anymore. Not fashion. Not being a lady, or a pony of class. There is nothing she holds close. I was lucky enough to get her to open up to me the few times she did.”

“That's it,” Spike said, “You, Twilight. Rarity cares about you. I need you.”

Within the next few moments Spike cleared a spot on the floor of Rarity's room. He used his tail to brush most of it to the side. He sat down in this clear space and crossed his legs. His tail curled up and around one of his legs. Upon each of his legs he placed his arms. With his hands out forward and the palms up. He was ready to begin.

Twilight was sitting across from him. She was still a little unsure of what Spike was going to do. All she knew was that this was somehow supposed to find Rarity, wherever she was. She had all four hooves on the floor and was fighting the urge to run around the city as fast as she could to search for Rarity.

“Do not break this spell, Twilight,” Spike said seriously and strongly.

Twilight's trust in him was well earned and well worth it. Spike did not tell her much before he started this strange spell, but he did tell her one thing. It was going to be dangerous, for the both of them.

Spike had closed his eyes at the very beginning of it. His breathing became deep and he took long breaths. An eternity seemed to pass before anything happened. A small, barely perceptible flicker of light flashed. It came from Spike. From deep within him. It happened again, but stronger this time. Finally, after he breathed a deep breath did the light come and stay. A dim light that appeared to be coming from under his scales slowly got bigger and a little brighter.

It centered on his upper chest before spreading out to his arms. A similar light appeared in each of his hands. Like a tiny star he had palmed and taken away from sky. The light moved faster to reach this light he held. When the traveling light did finally reach his hands a small flash went off. Around his hands a layer of transparent light appeared and made his hands nearly see through themselves.

“Twilight. No matter what happens, do NOT move. This might hurt a little,” Spike gave her one last warning.

Twilight nodded. It was the only thing she could do. If she spoke than she would go off on some insane rant about something and end up talking herself out of staying for Spike's spell. She couldn't do that. So she just puffed out her chest and nodded again.

Spike could sense her readiness, and her anxiety. He had to keep that one away from his own. He was just as nervous as she was. He opened his eyes and they were glowing. An even more intense green than he was used to. This was a more intense spell than he was used to. Amidst this green glow Twilight saw something she had never before seen. In Spike's eyes were circles. Made of the purest white energy and focused on her. She could feel his gaze piercing her skin and going ever deeper into her.

Spike saw Twilight's puffed out chest. A sign to herself that she had to be brave. For Rarity's sake. As well as the other girls' sake. If only it really were that easy to inspire courage in a pony. Spike pushed the thought out of his head. He had to stay absolutely focused.

Spike reached out with his spelled hands and reached for Twilight. Twilight closed her eyes like she knew what was coming. Strikefire and Flake watched with wide eyes as Spike reached Twilight chest, and then went further. Spike was reaching into Twilight's chest. Twilight reacted with a look on her face like she just got hit in the chest very hard and was struggling to breath. Her eyes were as wide as the others, but for very different reasons.

Spike reached his hands into Twilight. Into her body. Into her soul. He could feel it. It was not physical. It was more like a feeling. A feeling of pride, and joy, and happiness. Everything that made Twilight who she was was literally in his hands right now. He felt the sudden urge to read a books slip through his fingers. He could feel the organization lazily falling over his left hand. He could feel the love in between his hands. That was what he wanted.

Spike closed in on that part of her soul. He reached for that bit. It was big. A very big part of Twilight. The love she had. For everything that mattered in her life. A little bit for Celestia, her mentor and guide. A little bit more for Spike himself, who was by her side for a long time and will always be her friend.

Then he felt a sudden rush of it. A lot of love. A lot for Shining Armor, her big brother and best friend forever. A lot for Cadance, the pony she had known since she was small and would always hold a place in her heart. A lot for Ponyville, which was her home. Now and forever. Spike closed in even more and was overcome by a massive wave of pure love that was thrown off by Twilight's soul.

A massive amount of love. For Applejack, the voice of reason that always kept her on the right path. For Rainbow Dash, for always reminding Twilight to get her head out of a book every once in a while. For Fluttershy, who never ceases to amaze her with the kindness she shows to animals and ponies alike. For Pinkie Pie, the pony who never stays still and can always make her smile, even in the darkest of times. For Rarity, the pony who can seem uptight at times, but always proves herself to be a true friend in the end. That was it. That was what he needed. Spike felt that love in his hands and Twilight felt it all tenfold more than she already did.

Spike retracted his hands slowly. He had to leave her soul in the same condition it was when he first touched it. Any change at all could be catastrophic, to both Twilight and him. But that did not happen. Spike pulled his hands from Twilight's body. Both dragon and pony collapsed onto the floor after that. Spike's eyes faded to their normal look. He was breathing heavy due to the sheer exhaustion he was feeling. Twilight lay next to him on the floor. She was panting just as badly as he was.

“Spike. What did you just do,” She asked in between breaths.

“I tapped directly into your love for Rarity,” Spike said, “And I can use that to find her.”

“But how? I don't understand,” Twilight said.

Spike managed to roll over to his stomach with a loud groan. He pushed up with his arms until he was able to get his legs underneath him. He stood up slowly, but quickly went to sit on the bed. Twilight was trying to stand. Strikefire was helping her up as Spike explained it to her.

“Think of it like a magic compass,” He said, “A compass that is tuned to find only one pony. Throughout all of Equestria it will only guide you to Rarity. As long as the love for her that you have never fades the compass will never fail.”

Spike held out his hand to Twilight. It was only then she noticed that he had been holding it closed ever since he ended the spell and pulled his hands out of Twilight's soul. He opened it slowly, but not all the way. Just enough to let some of the light shine through his fingers. He held it out and whispered a few words into his closed hand.

“Find Rarity. Find the friend that this pony loves,” Spike said.

With that Spike opened his hand and a ball of light shot up and out of his hand. Twilight and them watched as it zoomed around the room for a few moments before darting out into the hallway and down the corridor. All four of them raced after it. Both Spike and Twilight seemed to have a renewed energy as they raced after the light wisp.

Ch.10 Broken

Gone. All of them. Gone. Twilight had managed to get her and Rarity back to Canterlot. She had teleported them. Normally Rarity hated it, but now she did not much care. About anything. Twilight used her last bit of energy to get them there. The two of them appeared right in Royal Canterlot Castle throne room.

Celestia was sitting on her throne, alone. She looked over at the empty throne next to her own. Luna usually occupied that seat. But recently it had been less and less. And now, ever since Spike left, Celestia had barely seen a glimpse of her sister. She stayed up in her room almost all the time. Celestia sighed heavily. And then she felt a shaking in the throne room.

The guards all looked about as the room shook even more. Celestia got off her throne and stepped forward. Even with all her power she was stumped at what this could be. Then they appeared. In a brilliant flash of light the shaking stopped. And in the middle of the throne room stood two ponies. One was Twilight Sparkle.

She had just teleported her and Rarity an overwhelmingly long distance with little energy to spare. She looked up at Celestia with a defeated look in her eyes. And then her eyes closed as she passed out and fell to the hard, cold floor of the Royal Castle. Celestia raced up to her and immediately cast a spell of rejuvenation on her.

“Come now, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said soothingly, “You will be okay.”

The spell had its intended effect and Twilight's breathing grew to be shallow, but stable. It was then Celestia turned her attention to the other pony that was there with Twilight. It was Rarity. The dress maker. Celestia could tell in an instant what was wrong with her. She knew the answer already, but she asked anyway.

“Where are the others?”

“Gone. All of them. They are all gone,” Rarity said blankly as she sat on the floor.

Just then Celestia heard something off to her side. She looked over to see her sister. Princess Luna. She was standing off in the shadowy entrance of a side corridor. She had heard what Rarity had said. She had tears of great sadness in her eyes and she ran back to her chambers. Celestia ran after her, but not before giving the guards one final order for the evening.

“Make sure these two ponies get to the hospital. And make sure it is done discreetly. Am I understood?”

The guards nodded their heads and Celestia ran off. They knew when she was being serious. Now was most definitely one of those times. They knew why she wanted the discretion. If the civilian ponies saw Princess Twilight Sparkle in this state they would panic. If even she can't stand up to the Madness, what can? The guards knew this, and understood.

The guards had one thing going in their favor. Night had fallen fast that day. Celestia's doing no doubt. Three guards removed their armor and managed to sneak Twilight and Rarity out of the Castle. Two guards took Twilight by both sides and supported her as they walked. The third lead them with Rarity right behind him. They got the hospital without anypony spotting them. For being the guards of the Princess of the day they were fairly adept at moving around unnoticed at night.

The next week was a blur to Rarity. Twilight had woken up after spending a full day and half asleep. The doctors said it was a combination of exertion and shock to her system. Twilight was able to leave the hospital soon after that. Rarity was not so lucky.

Physically, she was fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises. A few more cuts from the shattered glass of the column and that was it. It all healed in time. But she simply did not care anymore. About anything. Twilight came in to talk to her a few times, but Rarity was never in the mood to talk.

Twilight simply said a few things, and waited for her to respond. She never did. Rarity's day were spent with her head hanging low and heart full of sadness. Twilight even tried taking Rarity to the castle again. To the room where the best dressmakers in Canterlot get their materials. Nothing. Rarity had no reaction to the room. Well, she had one.

Rarity walked into the room behind Twilight. She moved slowly. Twilight stopped and Rarity moved up beside her. When she saw the room her demeanor changed a little. Her eyed widened a bit. She moved about the room, going from corner to corner looking at a few fabrics here and few designs there. Then she did something Twilight never would have thought she would do. Rarity picked up a roll of fabric, and she threw it.

Rarity threw the fabric as hard as she could at the far wall. First one roll, and then two. She turned around and bucked a rack with several dress design ideas hanging from it. Twilight raced to stop her before she ruined everything in the room. She came to Rarity as she was just about to toss several bottles of clothing dye onto the floor.

“Rarity, stop! Why are you doing this,” Twilight asked her friend.

“Why did you bring me here, Twilight,” Rarity replied angrily.

“What? You haven't been the same since the desert. I figured if maybe you could do something you liked it-” Twilight said, but did not finish.

“Something I liked?! I don't like this, Twilight,” Rarity yelled, “I liked making dresses for my friends. I liked showing my friends my designs. What I don't like is being stuck in a room full of reminders of the friends that are gone!”

With that said Rarity stormed past Twilight and out of the room. She stormed past Celestia without even a passing glance. She came into the room with Twilight. She was trying to clean up the mess that used to be a clean room. Celestia walked up to Twilight, her former student, and sat down. Twilight sighed and joined her. She set a few rolls of fabric on a counter top and sat in front of Celestia.

“I see that it did not go well,” Celestia said as she looked about the room.

Twilight stared at the ground and let out a heavy sigh, “I thought it would cheer her up. Being around dresses and fabric and stuff. It never occurred to me that it might all remind her of. . . of them.”

“Twilight, there is something you must understand,” Celestia said in her guiding tone, “Rarity's spirit has been broken. In time it will mend, but you cannot force it.”

Twilight listened the pony princess who she still believed to be her mentor. Even now Celestia guided Twilight and gave her advice. Celestia looked at Twilight. She looked closely at her.

“And how are you doing, Twilight,” She asked.

“I don't even know,” Twilight replied, “I am trying to hold it all together. I have to. For my duties as a princess require that I stay in one piece. I want to go to Rarity and sit with her and cry for all my friends, but I know I can't. I have to be strong, especially for her.”

“Hmm. How is that you and Luna can be so different, and yet so much alike,” Celestia stated, “She has not shed a tear in days. She believes Spike to be gone, and yet she continues her royal duties. She says Spike would want her to do that.”

“I haven't even spoken with Luna since this all started,” Twilight said.

The next day was the beginning of a new week. A whole new week of nothing but Rarity pouting in a dark corner of her room. She did not say anything the entire time. She just nodded her head slightly whenever she was talked to.

Twilight spent much of her time trying to find some way to find the girls. And Spike. She had to be honest with herself. She had more hope for finding Spike than she did finding the girls. Before she knew a week had passed, and then another. Three weeks had gone by. The fourth started off with Cadance coming over to the Royal Castle in an unexpected visit.

She found the Royal Castle to be in a bit of a strange state when she arrived. Many of the guards that were inside were now outside. She could feel a whole heir of secrecy and despair around the place. She threw open the doors to the throne room with her magic, only to see Twilight walking through the castle.

She had a few too many scrolls packed in a saddlebag, and was carrying even more in her mouth. Cadance looked at her for a moment with just surprise in her eyes. And then that surprise turned to joy. She rushed in and swept Twilight up in a huge hug.

“Twilight! It is so good to see you! I have heard such awful rumors about you and the girls,” She joyfully exclaimed.

Twilight spit the scrolls out of her mouth, sending them to the floor a few paces away. She struggled a bit in Cadance's tight embrace before managing to get free. She pushed herself free of her grip and looked up at her friend. She did not look as happy to see Cadance as Cadance was to see her. Twilight closed the doors to the castle.

“Not rumors,” Twilight said, “We lost Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy in the desert. Darkmares. Spike was taken by the sands. I had to leave him there in order to save Rarity, and myself.”

Cadance's look turned from joyful to horrified. And then to sorry. She felt sorry, for all the pain that her little sister pony was going through right now. Twilight started to tear up and Cadance held her close.

“Cadance, why are you here,” Twilight said in an effort to change the subject.

“You have been through so much already Twilight. You are suffering now more than any pony should ever have to. I truly hate to be the one to tell you this, but it is about your brother,” Cadance said, “He has been infected. With the Madness.”

Twilight was crushed. She was already on the verge of going into complete meltdown. First her friends, and now her brother. That was it. That was the final piece that pushed her over the edge. She cried in Cadance's embrace. Celestia stood farther away, out of sight of them. Luna stood with her. Her head held high, but her spirits low.

“You see, dear sister. It is just as I feared,” Celestia said, “Whoever is controlling this Madness had shown their hand.”

“They targeted Spike,” Luna said flatly, “And the only way to get to him was through his friends. So they were made to suffer. And yet, even now their suffering can be a good sign.”

“How can you say that , Luna,” Celestia asked.

“If she is suffering even now, after Spike has been gone for nearly a month, then it must mean that he is alive,” Luna said with a heartfelt smile, “So I have hope. That he will rise up and stop this Madness, and then he will fulfill his promise to me.”

Celestia was proud of her dear sister. Even in the darkest of times she was able to find hope. Luna flew down to the two other princess's. She smiled and shared with them her belief of hope. At first Twilight was angry with her, but then she came to see what Luna saw. She came to understand that Luna might be on to something. And yet, she could not just forget about her brother. So her and Rarity both would head back to Crystal Empire with Cadance. Twilight had to pack her bags for her quickly, but Rarity was most definitely going to come with her.

So the three of them went on to the Crystal Palace. Twilight immediately went to see her brother. Cadance took her down to the the depths below the Palace. The old dungeons. Her and Shining Armor had discovered them just after the defeat of Sombra. They had hoped ti never use that dark place. But they had no choice now. Shining Armor had the Madness. He was a raving, raging Mad pony bent on destruction and mayhem.

Twilight cautiously approached the cell he was in. It was dark. Shadows enveloped the whole interior of the cell. She could just barely make out the outline of a bed. She could see a few other things, but nothing had enough detail for her to know exactly what they were. Then one of those things moved. Shining Armor! It had to be him. He rose from his place on the floor. He was bigger. Much bigger than Twilight remembered him to be. It was what the Madness did to you. He lunged at the bars of his cell, only to be held back by thick metal chains around his back hooves and neck.

“Don't worry, Princess Twilight. He won't be breaking those chains any time soon. Promise,” A pony said behind her.

“And who are you to make such a promise,” She asked without even looking back.

“The Forge Master here at the Palace. My name is Strikefire,” The pony said, “I forged those chains from the strongest metal and Princess Cadance enchanted 'em from there.”

“Good. Good,” Twilight said as she stared at her brother, “I will save you from this, big brother. I will.”

All while this was going on Rarity was up in a higher point in the castle. Cadance had posted a guard there, just outside the adjoining rooms. She ordered him to let her or Twilight know if there were any changes with Rarity. Nothing happened. He heard a lot of ruckus at one point, but it soon died down. He could hear her hollering and shouting from inside the room. That soon died down as well. After that all was quiet.

Days after they arrived Rarity sat in her room. She sat amidst the remains of her packed bags. Twilight had packed the for her, and she had done so horribly. Or maybe it was just her. Every time she looked at her bags she saw something that brought up old memories of Rainbow Dash, or Pinkie Pie.

She pulled a hat out of one bag that Fluttershy had once given her. She had found it at a sale, and thought Rarity would like it. She did. It was simple, yet elegant. Now Rarity hated it. She did not want to think about Fluttershy anymore. She threw the hat off to the side and tore through her bags.

Everything. Everything brought up old feelings that she did not want anymore. So she tore through everything, and tore it all up. That was hours ago now. Now she sat alone amidst the mess of broken memories and torn clothes. But not for much longer. For in the briefest of moments she heard something.

A voice. A faint, but ever so familiar voice. But it can't be. No pony even knows where they are. So how did she find out? Rarity tried to hone in the voice. She tried to find out exactly where it was coming from. The hallway. She would check the hallway. So Rarity raced to the door in her side of the room that led to he long corridor beyond and threw it open with a flare of her horn. She did not even notice the guard pony there as she laid eyes on the pony whose voice as now filling her ears.

“Sweetie Belle? What are you doing here? In the Crystal Palace,” Rarity asked her little sister.

“I came because of you, Rarity,” Sweetie Belle said, “I could feel your pain and sadness even in Ponyville. I came to help.”

“Please, Sweetie Belle, stop this nonsense,” Rarity implied, “There is no possible way you could help. Not now.”

“But I can, bis sister, I can. All you have to do is follow me,” Sweetie Belle pleaded.

Without waiting for a response from Rarity Sweetie Belle turned tail and trotted down the corridor and around the corner. Rarity was quick to race after her little sister, even if she still wasn't sure as to how she got here.

Rarity rounded the corner she just saw Sweetie Belle go around. Except, when she rounded the corner she saw nothing. Until Sweetie Belle popped her around a corner even farther down that corridor. And so Rarity chased her down that hallway. And the next after that. She was finding it near impossible to catch the little filly. No matter how fast she ran she was always just around the next corner. This went on for who knows how long until Rarity finally caught up. Sweetie Belle was waiting for her at what appeared to be a dead end.

“Come now, big sister. It's this way,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Sweetie Belle. Stop. This has gone too far,” Rarity exclaimed.

“But I can make all you pain go away. All that sadness. All those unwanted memories. I can make it all go away,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Sweetie Belle, you can actually do that? Really,” Rarity said.

She had made a point. Rarity had been thinking about it. Losing her memories. There had to be some spell she could cast. Right? She had never actually gotten around to looking for one, though. And now her little sister was here before her, ad promising to do just that. It was too good to be true. Had to be. And yet, Rarity was no longer the type of pony who cared about such things.

Rarity agreed to follow Sweetie Belle and she lead her out of the castle and into the city. A few ponies stopped and stared as she walked by. Rarity felt in that moment. More than she had the past month. She felt happy. Her little sister was here. She was going to be free of this terrible pain. Forever. Or so she thought.

As she followed the sweet little filly that was her younger sister something happened. They had just passed the Crystal Heart and were now entering the main hub of the city. Dozens of dozens of ponies all moved about as they went on with their daily lives. Rarity had her eyes on Sweetie Belle, until an annoying little ball of light fluttered into her line of sight. It darted back and forth, and all around Rarity.

“Sweetie Belle, what is this thing,” Rarity asked.

“I don't know. Just get rid of it,” Sweetie Belle said commandingly.

Rarity tried to wave it off with her hoof, but the persistent little light wisp was stuck on being close to Rarity. As it darted around her face Rarity even tried to use some magic to drive it off. That did not work either. It wasn't until a very short while later that the answer came to her. It came in the form of broken glass raining down around her and an old friends dropping by. Literally.

Spike could feel the light wisp guiding him. He could not explain exactly how it was he was getting the messages it was sending. Or how he was understanding them. It was just a feeling that he got. That was the best way he could describe it. So he followed the little wisp as best he could. That is, until it went through a closed window three stories up and dropped down to the ground floor. Great. Spike ran up and peered through the glass. He could see Rarity!

“Uh, Cadance . . . ,” Spike said hesitantly.

“Oh, just do it and get it over with,” Cadance said with a sigh.

So Spike did. He moved back a good ways and stared at the window. He was going to need a good jump. He sprang forward with a burst of speed and right as he got to the window he propelled himself up and forward and out as hard as he could. Glass rained down around the ponies below. They all scattered and ran about to avoid the falling glass shards. All except two.

Rarity ducked underneath the nearest table and listened to the glass fall and shatter into even more pieces as it hit the ground. She peeked her head out after the sound had stopped just in time to see Spike. He was falling from the same place the glass came from. That explained one mystery.

Spike hit the crystal hard and slid across the floor. He dug his claws into the crystal and used one hand to slow himself down to a stop. At that point he stood tall and straight and looked over at Rarity. She was so stunned to see him. Alive!

“Spike, you're alive,” She proclaimed, “But it doesn't matter. None of the others are.”

“I don't believe that, Rarity, And neither should you,” Spike replied with a firm voice.

“Oh, enough Spike. I am going with Sweetie Belle to end this. No more pain. No more sadness. No more memories! I will finally have some peace,” Rarity told him.

Spike then noticed the small Unicorn filly. She was hiding under the same table Rarity was. She crawled out from under it and Spike noticed something odd. In her eyes. Whenever she looked at him a small, barely visible flash of red shimmered in her eyes. Then Spike made the connection.

He closed his eyed briefly. Barely longer than a blink and when he reopened them they were glowing. The intense green of his Mystik state filled his being. He raised his right foot and slammed it into the crystal he was standing on. After a moment of nothing a small circular piece of crystal popped up below Rarity, with her right in the middle of. This circle of crystal laid on top of the rest, and Spike saw that. With the same foot he moved the crystal off to one side. She was no closer to the Crystal Palace, where Twilight and them were just now making their exit.

Spike looked over at Twilight and nodded. She stood next to Rarity as she watched Spike stare down her little sister. She did not know what was going on anymore. Spike just stared down the filly and not moving. It was not until after several moments of challenging silence that Spike finally uttered the first words.

“Ebony Thorn,” He said, “Nice to see you.”

Ch.11 Champion of Madness

Spike stood before a pony that nobody would ever suspect of being an evil, power hungry, Madness inducing, witch of a mare. After all, who was more adorable than the little filly Sweetie Belle? But there was only one problem Spike was having with this whole situation. The little filly standing before him. That was not Sweetie Belle. That was not the filly he knew. Rarity was not as convinced as Spike was about her mistaken identity.

“Spike, get away from her. Get back,” Rarity yelled at him.

Twilight did her best to hold her back, but Rarity was more than determined. This was about her family, or so she thought. She would soon find out that her family has some dark sides about it. Not really. Sweetie Belle was safe and sound in Ponyville waiting for her big sis to come home.

“Why, Spike, how did you see past my disguise? No pony has ever seen past my disguises,” Sweetie Belle asked with an sinister smile.

“You can change your outward form, Ebony, but I can see past that,” Spike said as his eyes glowed, “I can see your soul. Your dark, twisted, tainted soul.”

“That old thing? Still here is it? I swear, it has been dragging me down for years now,” Sweetie Belle replied playfully.

Rarity paused at that moment. She was halfway between Spike and Sweetie Belle, and Twilight and Cadance. And just what was Sweetie Belle saying? This was not like her at all.

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity tested the name carefully, “Sweetie Belle, what is going on?”

The Sweetie Belle that stood there looked over at her. She rolled her eyes and they began to glow. A sinister, evil red that also came off her horn. A trail of red light engulfed the little filly before quickly dissipating, leaving another pony in view.

The tall and slender mare with a black coat and straight, red mane was a familiar sight. A nightmare in the flesh that stood before Rarity now. She remembered well the last time she saw her. Rarity's expression grew dark. She grew dark. Her eyes got a look of anger and hatred in them. She was close. Too close, to going Mad. Spike had to do something.

He held his hand out towards her and called her name, “Rarity! Go now into peaceful slumber, and rest your soul.”

Within a second Rarity was teetering on the edge of falling. Both asleep and to the ground. Twilight's magic caught her as she nearly hit the crystal. She pulled her back in close and kept her safe. Then Spike turned his attention back to Ebony Thorn, and hers never left him.

“Well, Spike, I must admit you are a sight to behold when you use your magic,” She teased, “And I would absolutely love to stay and study you closer, but I must go now. Fret not, for I am leaving my newest champion to entertain you.”

Ebony Thorn flashed her horn brightly and a portal opened in the crystal at her hooves. Her champion rose up from the portal. A very large Darkmare came up and rested her hooves on both sides of the portal. With her hooves firmly planted Ebony closed the portal, and then opened another one. This one was right next to her. She walked about halfway through before turning around and whispering something to the Darkmare champion.

“Destroy him, my dearest Applejack,” Her vile tongue hissed.

Spike's keen sense of hearing picked up this little whisper. His eyes returned to their normal colors as he powered down from his Mystik mode. Ebony disappeared beyond her portal and it faded into nothing. The crystal ponies of the city were all collectively silent for just a moment. Then the panic set in. Cadance flew out into the fray to try and restore some order. Meanwhile, Twilight and Rarity had to watch as one of their friends battled another.

Applejack's eyes burned with a red light of fury and rage. It was like nothing Spike had ever seen before. Not even in Galeek himself was this level of rage present. It was hard enough to see Applejack like this. Her coat was dark and dirty. Her cutie mark was barely visible against the dull color her coat had turned. Her mane was a mess, and she didn't care. And when she looked at Spike she did not see the little dragon baby that she used to give apples to. The only thing she saw was the next target.

She charged Spike with surprisingly fast moves. Especially for such a big pony. Spike wasn't sure what to do about her. He could not simply beat her. Not just because she was a real, living pony. That was part of it, but it was just a small part. She was his friend. How was he supposed to hit her and live with himself after? So he did the only thing he could think of then. It was stupid. . . and painful. He took the hit.

Applejack's head had gotten even harder with the Madness set in. She ran full on into Spike's chest and it didn't even stop her. He was expecting the hit, but not even he could have prepared enough for it. Applejack still had a hard hit.

The breath was forced out of him as she impacted his exposed mid section. She carried him for a few steps before stopping abruptly and launching him off. She pushed him off with her head as he was already in the air. Spike collided with a crystal pillar, again. A huge dent was left where he hit and small chunks fell down onto him as he lay on the floor and tried to recover. He groggily made his way back on his feet and leaned against the weak pillar behind him. Applejack was already on the attack.

She darted up to him like a speeding train and stopped. Just before reaching him she stopped. But she never stopped moving. With a quick twist of her hooves and a slight shift in balance she was up on her front hooves. Her back hooves swung through the air in a smooth arc until they found their mark. She pulled in her hooves just before the strike. Spike barely saw it coming. It was hard to know which of the three ponies he was seeing was doing it. But he sure felt it.

He felt the immense pain in his chest as he was bucked again. This time he went through the weakened pillar. The rest of the pillar collapsed and fell onto and around him. Spike lifted himself up off the ground a little bit.

“I will not fight you, Applejack,” He said strongly.

Applejack ran up to him on the ground and tried to stomp her hooves on him. She lifted them up and crashed them down on Spike. However, he was able to roll out the way just in time. He lifted himself up onto his feet and saw her coming in close for another attack.

She swiped with her hooves at Spike. She was aiming for all of him. His face, his chest, his arms, his tail. Anything that she could possibly hit or grab or bite. She was on a complete rampage. Spike had to dodge and duck. He was constantly moving back as he avoided her swinging blows. He moved back until he was backed into a corner. Applejack could see this and she slowly lined up to finish him.

“I am sorry, AJ,” Spike said sadly.

Applejack took off in one last charge at him. Spike stood there, with his back to the wall. Darkness had fallen over Applejack. He was determined to set her free of this. So he got an idea. It was a crazy stupid idea that he did not want to do. He did not want her to suffer from this, but he had no choice.

Applejack's charge brought her right to him. She lowered her raised head to hit him again. He was expecting this. Spike's eyes glowed and shone brightly. Applejack got in close and Spike's hand made impact.

He raised his hand above him and slammed it down on her head. He held her head in his claws. She tried to push her way past them, but he held firm. With a small shout of effort, he pushed her away and cast his spell on her. She slid back on her hooves until she was in full view of the crowd again. She tried to move to attack again only to find that her hooves and her legs would not move. A small current of green electricity traveled across her coat.

“Soul Lock,” Spike said with a heavy breath, “You cannot move. You cannot attack. You are stuck. I do what I have to do.”

Spike recovered the energy he used on the Soul Lock spell. And then he charged Applejack. He walked up to her, each step was faster and faster. Until he came up to her in almost a run. He gripped her head tightly. He looked deeply into her red eyes. There was still some part of her old self still in there. Locked away, somewhere.

He took a deep breath. In a move that looked like he was about to breath fire, he opened his jaws. Something magical did come out, but it was not the dragon fire breath it seemed. A light, radiant and pure and brighter than anything the ponies had ever seen before came from him. This light washed over Applejack's darkened form like a cleansing bath. Spike himself seemed to glow from every scale as he cast this light onto her. And for a few moments, all was silent. The panicking ponies of the Crystal Empire stopped moving. Silence filled the air until it was deafening. After what seemed to be forever, the light faded. Spike closed his jaws and the light receded back into him. In his hands he held the form of a pony. This pony did not have a dark coat. This pony was a normal sized mare. This mare did not have evil red eyes. Spike looked down at the pony he held. With a smile he saw that he was holding his friend, Applejack.

“Uh, Spike,” She mumbled, “Canya please let go of mah face now?”

Spike did as she asked. He released her face from his claws, but did not for a second stop smiling. Twilight's joy couldn't be contained any more than Spike's. She ran up to her apple friend and gave her the biggest hug she could manage. Applejack returned the hug and smiled at Twilight. All Twilight could do was smile as tears of joy welled up in her eyes. Those would be the only tears she shed that day, even as more bad things happened to them.

While every pony was celebrating the return of dear Applejack, they all seemed to forget about the other pony of the day. She went unnoticed as she slipped back into the confines of the Crystal Palace. Rarity trudged back to her room, alone. She was glad that Applejack was back, of course, but she could not shake the feeling that Ebony Thorn was right. When she spoke to her as Sweetie Belle. Rarity did still want this pain to stop.

“Regretting your decision to not come with me, dearest Rarity?”

Rarity lifted her head to see a mare on her bed. Ebony Thorn. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, sifting through all the remains of the dresses and hats and other things with her magic. Some she really liked. Some she tossed to the side like the garbage Rarity thought they were when she shredded them.

Rarity did not scream. She did not panic. She looked up at Ebony with her big eyes full of sadness and her heart still full of pain. She walked up to the edge of the bed and stood beside her. She stood there for a moment before telling Ebony Thorn what was on her mind.

“Not anymore.”

Spike and Twilight were walking with Applejack back into the Crystal Palace. They were all eager to talk, and Applejack was real curious about what had happened since she was gone. But first she had something to say to them. To all of them. Spike, Twilight, Rarity, Cadance, Celestia. Only two were there now and she could not keep it in.

“Hold up a second,” She said, “Spike, Twilight, I wanna say something, to the both of ya. I'm sorry. For just leaving the way I did.”

Twilight smiled happily at her friend, “You don't have to explain yourself, AJ.”

“N, I do. I don't know what came over me. I saw Braeburn laying there and Appleloosa was burning to the ground. Bloomberg had been destroyed, killed. And I didn't know if you or the girls were okay or not. When all that happened, I- I- just got so angry,” Applejack confessed.

“It's okay. Really, it is. You are here now, and it is all okay,” Twilight said.

“No it isn't, Twilight! No, it isn't,” Applejack's eyes teared up as she spoke, “At some point when I was Mad, I wanted it. At some point I chose it. I chose to be the Champion of Madness.”

Twilight wasn't sure what to think of what Applejack just laid out before her. It was a lot for anypony to take in. But she did not have to respond. Spike took the attention away from the awkward situation they were in.

He listened to Applejack's words intently. He wanted to hear everything. But he didn't. There was something inside of him stirring. He looked at the environment around him carefully. Something was close. Something dark. He could feel it in his scales. Shadow Sense. That was what his mentor had always called it. His unnatural ability to sense and see the things around him that no other being could. Except for Luna, of course. She had it too.

Spike was experiencing this feeling, this instinct that something dark was near. Then he was hit by it. That same instinct, only a thousand times stronger. It hit him like a hard strike to chest. He stopped and gasped for air. The breath had been knocked clear out of him. Twilight and Applejack looked back at him. He was kneeling on the floor and breathing heavy.

“Spike, what is it? What's wrong,” Applejack asked worriedly.

“It's Rarity,” Spike said with a breath, “She is gone. Again. She went with Ebony Thorn. She went willingly.”

Half an hour later, and the girls were in the throne room with Cadance. Spike had to repeat the news to her. She had barely even spoken to him since he arrived. It was because of Shining Armor. He knew that. It was because of his absence that he was now Mad. While Cadance put on a blank face, Spike knew that she blamed him. He knew that she wanted to scream at him the same way Flake did. But she did not.

Twilight and Applejack had very different reactions. Applejack sat down not to far from Cadance. She sat there with her head low. A few tears escaped her and fell to the floor.

Twilight's reaction was more. . . expressive. She was furious. Not at Spike. Not at Applejack. Not at the Madness. She was angry at everything. She stomped around the throne room and vented.

“AAAHHHH! We lose you, Applejack. And then we get you back. And then we lose Rarity. And in the middle of this, Spike goes away for a month,” She angrily vented out her rage for the world, “Why?! Why can we not get a single break? Huh? Just one. That is all we want. Just one break! Why do we have such bad luck?”

Twilight's rant ended with her on the floor. Cadance watched her from upon her throne. She could sympathize with Twilight. The one she cared for most was lost to her as well. And now the crystal ponies that she is supposed to watch over and protect were all scared and full of fear. And she could do nothing to stop it. That's when she noticed a distinct absence in the room. A certain purple and green fellow was nowhere to be seen. Just as she was about to ask where he was a guard rushed in.

“Your Highness! Your Highness! I have urgent news,” He said quickly, “It is Spike the Dragon. He asked to see Shining Armor, and then he locked himself in the cage with him. He was unlocking the chains when I ran to inform you.”

Cadance jumped up at he guards words. She immediately moved for the door that led down to the dungeons. Both Twilight and Applejack were hot on her hooves. The guard pony followed behind them as all four went deeper down. Much deeper than any of them had ever been before. Except for the one time Twilight was brought here to see her brother.

They found Spike exactly where the guard pony said. He was locked in the cage with Mad Shining Armor. The chains that had bound him were all unlocked and tossed away. Shining Armor was at one end of the cage. Spike was at the other. It was then the girls noticed the way Shining Armor was not trying to tear Spike to small bite sized pieces of dragon.

“Spike musta used that same Soul Lock thingy he used on me,” Applejack said.

Sure enough Spike had used the Soul Lock spell on Shining Armor. Just as he did on Applejack, but it was different from when he used it on her. For a number of reasons the spell was not having the same effect as before.

Spike was tired. More tired than he had been in a long time. More tired than the three days he spent awake at his latest Anniversary Party. Shining Armor was strong. He was stronger than AJ. His madness was more unstable than hers was. That made him much more dangerous. And he was also starting to move now. The effects of the spell were not lasting nearly as long as before. Bad news for Spike, who was charging up to reach into his soul as he did Twilight's.

And he was free. Shining Armor was free of his chains, both of the physical and magical varieties. The Soul Lock had faded away and he locked onto Spike. He was standing at the other end of the cage. Shining Armor loosed a Mad shout and charged at him. He got about halfway to him when he was hit by something else. Something caught him right in his face. A small, but annoying blast of magic. Shining Armor turned his big head to see Cadance glaring at him from her place across the bars of the cage.

“Stay away from him,” She said strongly, “He is going to cure you and you are going to let him. Am I clear?”

For a second it seemed like Shining Armor was actually going to listen to his wife. He stared at her for a moment. His eyes had a flicker of life in them, but it was gone as fast as it was there. Then he shrieked again and turned back to face Spike. However, Spike was given all the time he needed. Cadance had seen to that. Her little blast distracted Shining Armor just long enough. When he turned to face Spike he didn't like what he saw.

Spike was standing tall on his side of the cage. He had stepped away from the bars and was now closer than he had been before. Just steps away from the Mad colt in front of him. Shining Armor turned back from Cadance and Spike was there. His eyes glowing the fiercely intense green as his Mystik powers swelled up inside of him. And inside this green was a small circle. A circle of glowing white. Just like with Twilight. And just like with Twilight Spike reached out and plunged a hand into Shining Armor's chest. Then the other.

He could feel the soul of Shining Armor. It was strong. Noble. A good soul. That all made sense. And yet he was Mad now. Where was the Madness? Spike could feel the cold of the hatred the Madness brought on. He could feel the heat of the anger the Madness caused. And yet, he could not find it in his soul.

Spike searched for it. He found the love that Shining Armor had. It was deep. Hidden away almost, but Spike saw it. His love for his wife, Cadance. His love for his little sister, Twilight Sparkle. His love for the Crystal Empire, of which he called home. Spike had to go deeper than that. He had been like this a while. Maybe it was deeper than he thought. So Spike took his claws, and he reached even deeper into the soul of Shining Armor. Until he found him. Found them.

Shining Armor himself was deep in his own soul. He had retreated there in a last ditch effort to stave off the Madness. It had not worked. For the Madness found him even there. And now it was simply having fun with him. Shining Armor was a bruised and bullied plaything for the Madness, which had taken on the form of the body it was in. A red transparent form of Shining Armor was now beating the real one.

“You have fought well, pony, but you can't win,” The Red Armor said, “In fact, you have already lost. Don't you know that? In the real world you are just a Mad, shrieking, ever violent pony who wants nothing more than to tear other ponies to pieces.”

“Yeah, I know that,” Said the real Shining Armor, “And I know something else too. I know that my wife will never let me hurt another pony of the Crystal Empire, or beyond. I know that she will get Twilight over here. And she will bring Spike. One of them will find a way to rid me of you. I believe that.”

“Shut up! Enough of all your talk on what you believe,” The Red Armor said, “How can you still believe, after all this time has passed? Why haven't you broken?”

“Because I can see what's behind you,” Shining Armor stated, “And I have been waiting for that for a month now.”

The red version of Shining Armor hated to hear this. It hated hearing such words of hope and faith. Then something clicked in it's mind. He said something about behind him. What could that be? It couldn't be a trick. He had already tried that, a dozen times. It never worked. So the Red Armor cautiously turned his head. He started screaming as he saw a huge pair of transparent green hands coming for him. He ran the other way as fast as he could. But the real Shining Armor blocked is path. As he ran the real one raised his hoof and landed a tremendously hard hit to the Red one. He staggered back and right into the hands of Spike. His claws closed over the Red Armor as he withdrew his hands from Shining Armor's soul.

Spike's hand came out Shining Armor's chest one after the other. First was his left. He took it out and placed it on the neck of the pony he was standing next to. He used it as leverage to pull his right hand out. As he withdrew his hand the other ponies saw that he was dragging something out with it. At the end Spike yanked his hand back and held the red representation of the Madness that was in Shining Armor.

It was squirming and writhing as Spike's claws were dug into it's transparent neck. Spike looked at it, and squeezed. His claws came together and cracks formed along the red body. Finally, the Mad soul stopped moving and shrieked one last time. Then the cracks split the pony like glass and it faded away as the shards fell to floor with one last shimmer. It was done. The Madness was gone. But Spike was not able to see that. As his Mystik soul power faded away, so did his consciousness.

Spike's eyes slowly drifted back open. His eyelids felt enormously heavy as he pushed them up and open. He was nearly blinded by the flashes of light that gleamed off the crystals of the Crystal Palace. As his eyes adjusted to the light and his vision returned to normal Spike heard something. No, not something. Somepony. More than one. At least two. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but he could hear them whispering. He tried to sit up, only to find that he couldn't move any if his limbs. He could not even move his tail.

“Spike, you are awake.”

The voice cut into his thoughts. He didn't care. It was a sweet, kind, and familiar voice. It was not one he was expecting to hear, however. She had not said much to him recently.

“Here, let me help you with that,” Cadance kindly offered.

She walked over to his side of the bed. He could only hear her before as his head was another part of body he could not move. But she entered his field of vision one step at a time until Spike could clearly see her. She was radiant. She had a glow about her that Spike had not seen in a long time. As he stared up at her smiling face she used her magic to raise him and put him into a somewhat sitting up position.

“There. That better,” She asked him.

Spike weakly opened to his mouth to speak, “Yes. What happened?”

“You happened, Spike,” Twilight stated as she reentered the room, “You literally pulled the Madness out of Shining Armor. You gave me my brother back. You gave Cadance her husband back.”

“I cannot thank you enough, Spike,” Cadance shouted happily.

She nearly leaped on top of the bed to give Spike the biggest of hugs. She wrapped her hooves and her wings around him and squeezed. And she squeezed, and squeezed. For the Princess of Love she had a mighty strong grip. Spike was helpless before her grip until she heard a loud crack come from him. She immediately released him from her hug and stepped back. Spike remained motionless for a moment before anything happened.

His body was still where Cadance left it. His back was straight, but his other limbs were limp and useless. The only thing he could moved was his eyes. He looked around and pushed a flow of magical energy into each of his limbs. One limb after the other they all returned to their normal functions.

His arms were first. Then his legs. The cracking and popping came next. It descended down his body. From his shoulders to his elbows to his wrists. Each of his joints cracked and popped sharply. All the ponies in the room cringed a bit as each one was louder than the last. His back cracked twice more, and then his legs. His knees, his ankles, his toes. All of cracked. He flexed his fingers as they all cracked and formed them into small fists before extending them again.

“Ya feelin' better now, Spike,” Applejack asked, “'Cause yer cracking and poppin' more than the popcorn at Sweet Apple Acres on movie night.”

“Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Just the after effects of using Soul Magic too much in one day,” Spike said back to the group.

Just then another pony walked into the room. Spike had a feeling he would show up at some point. And he knew what was going to come next as well. He smiled slightly to himself as Shining Armor came in.

“Shining Armor, you're supposed to stay in bed,” Both Cadance and Twilight said in unison.

He just walked by the both of them and came up to Spike. Spike had moved to the edge of the bed by that point and Shining Armor came up to him.

“I just wanted to say thanks for saving my tail again,” He said to Spike.

Spike smiled and Shining Armor Smiled. Then he gave Spike a small, but still forceful hit to the arm with his hoof.

“But you gotta stop saving my tail. You're making me look bad,” He said with a laugh.

“Enough with that. We have to talk,” Twilight said very seriously, “We got Applejack back, and lost Rarity. Ebony knows you can do soul magic now, and she is targeting us. The Madness is spreading, and you can only cure three times a day. What are we going to do?”

“Fight, Twilight,” Spike replied, “We are going to get out friends back, and we are going to fight back.”

Cadance was on her way back to her room. It had been a long day for every pony and dragon alike. Since Spike returned he had been given a room of his own. Cadance made sure to put it close to the others. He didn't even have to ask her for that. She just knew. She had a way of telling these things, but every time he asked her about it she just made a comment about being the Princess of Love. And right now, she was thinking about the stallion she loved so much. Shining Armor. Tonight was to be the first night in a while she would not be sleeping alone. She was looking forward to the warmth of her husband when she stopped in her tracks.

There was something there. A light. It was shining from withing one of the rooms. It poured out from under the door and spilled out into the hallway. If it were any other time she would have been alerted by a guard pony, but not at this late hour. But it was more than the light that made her stop. It was the feeling she got when she moved closer. Love. Unbridled, untainted, unbelievably strong love. Now who could that be coming from? She stepped up and opened the door as silently as she could. She found exactly who she thought she would find.

Spike was sitting at a table in the center of the room. Cadance glanced over at the bed. It had not been touched. She looked over at Spike again. He had his back to the door and was oblivious to her being there. He was working on something, but she could not see what. His hands moved around it like he was weaving a song out the air and building the lyrics up in front of him. Whatever light she saw was coming from him, and whatever was in front of him. That feeling of love she got before was even stronger now. She had not felt such a strong bond between two beings since her wedding to Shining Armor. The fading of the light brought her attention back to Spike, and back to whatever he was doing.

“I knew you'd show up at some point.”

“I would ask how you knew I was here, but what would be the point? You would just give me some dragon magic answer I don't understand and be done with it.”

“Actually, your tail hit the lamp on the nightstand on the way in. Surprised you didn't notice.”

Cadance had nothing to say in response to that. She had a witty retort lined up, but that fell away the instant he said that. Now she was left there with nothing to say and her mouth slightly open. Then she refocused her attention back onto the original reason she came in here.

“Spike, what are you doing,” She asked.

“You promise to keep it between us,” Spike asked.

Cadance nodded. Whatever it was, it was very important to Spike. He shifted in his chair a bit before sliding it back and away from the table. Cadance had no words for what she saw on that table. It was certainly not what she was expecting. Spike blushed a little as Cadance walked up and inspected the object. It was a flower. A flower unlike any she had ever seen before.

It was beautiful. It had a long and seamless stem that rose up tall and straight. The petals that grew were big and long. They were soft to the touch, yet firmer than most flower petals. They unfolded from the center with a slow grace. Each petal curled up at the ends. And then there was the color. The flower was colored with a deep darkness at the very center. A blue that was only matched by the hue of the nighttime sky rose up from this dark center and reached out for the tips of the petals. Each tip was touched by a white that almost made it glow. Similar spots of color dotted the interior of each petal. The whole thing gave off this low, almost imperceptible glow that shone in the moonlight.

Spike moved behind the table and stood in front of the window. His tall form blocked the light of the moon that was shining in. Cadance watched as the flower's petals all shivered and wrapped themselves up around one another the a way a rose does before it blooms. Spike stepped away from the window and the flower petals flowed outward once again.

“I call it Luna's Grace,” Spike said while still blushing.

“Spike, this. . . this is beautiful. Did you create this,” Cadance said.

“I have been working on it for a while,” Spike told her, “It started with a flower I saw when I was out in the desert for a month. This flower only bloomed at night, and only truly shone when the moon was at its brightest. It reminded me of everything I love about Luna, and I haven't been able to get her out of my head since. The way she always smelled like the scents that the nightly breeze blew in. The way her legs moved when she walked. The way her eyes looked when she glanced over at me from afar. It can be hard to focus on the Madness with her on my mind.”

Cadance stared at the flower. This more than just a flower. She could tell. A little tear rose up from within her as she thought about Spike and Luna. She never really spoke much to Luna, but she could always sense it when she was there. That one thing that everypony tries to hide or bury deep inside. Love.

“Cadance, can I ask you something? A favor?”

“Anything, Spike.”

Spike retrieved a letter from backpack, “If anything goes wrong, I -”

“Stop it, Spike. Nothing is going to go wrong.”

“Cadance,” Spike said seriously, “If anything should happen to me, I want you to give this letter to Luna with the flower. Please, can you do that?”

Cadance was now staring at Spike. She could see into his big green eyes. She could see deep into him. This was him as he truly was. He was more than just the dragon hero most of Equestria knew him as. He was still quite young, and he was in love. Cadance could see it all in his eyes. She nodded and took the letter from Spike. He looked like a great burden had just been lifted from him. Relief took him over and so did drowsiness. He stumbled over the bed and crawled in, leaving Cadance standing there with a letter in her mouth.

She set it down by the plant and noticed the name on it. Spike had written 'Luna' in some incredibly fine writing across the envelope. Cadance swept the letter a bit under the flower's pot and walked out of the room. But not before making a silent promise to Spike. She would deliver that flower, but only if he was unable to do it himself.

Ch.12 Madness of Our Own

Spike paced about the throne room. He had asked Applejack and Twilight to round up all the ponies that he needed. They had already gotten Strikefire. There was really just one more that he was waiting on. A certain filly who had a bone to pick the bad guys who took her mother away. Flake Frost. And just he was thinking of her the doors to the throne room burst open. Flake ran in with Applejack and Twilight behind her.

“Spike, is it true,” She asked, “Do you really intend to fight the Darkmares? If you are then you know I am coming with you. There is no way you are leaving me behind. Not this time!”

“Yes, Flake. I am going to fight the Darkmares and the Madness, but I will not be doing it alone. Normally, I would never let a little filly like you go on such a dangerous adventure, but these are strange times. I need all the help I can get.”

Flake smiled wide and trotted over to take a seat next to Cadance and Shining Armor. It was then that Twilight and Applejack arrived. Applejack leisurely trotted up the last of the steps that came up to the throne room. Twilight was close behind her, but not in the same condition. She was breathing heavy, panting, and exhausted.

“Come on now, Twilight, you can do it,” Applejack encouraged her.

Twilight pulled up one heavy hoof after the other and managed to get to the middle of the room before she collapsed onto the crystal floor. She rolled over onto her back and tried to catch her breath.

“That filly can run,” She said between breaths, “She ran at full speed over a field of ice and didn't slip once.”

“You do remember that I work on an ice farm, right,” Flake asked playfully.

“Enough about that,” Cadance said authoritatively, “Spike, we must talk about your plan. How can we fight this Madness?”

“With some madness of our own, Cadance,” Spike said with a sly smile, “And maybe just a hint. . . of chaos.”

“Did somebody just call me out? How sweet.”

The room dimmed a bit as small storm clouds formed overhead. They swirled and raged. The wind blew the manes of the ponies all about. A few bolts of lightning came down and then he appeared. The clouds parted ways and light shone through. Rays of light shone down onto the crystal floor and upon them stood the Lord himself. The Lord of Chaos!

Twilight's face had a look of annoyance on it, “Discord. Dramatic entrance much?”

“What can I say? I have to work that little bit harder to stay one step ahead of these Mad ponies all buzzing about Equestria. Oh, but your annoyed about your mane. Here, let me fix that for you,” Discord said in his usual carefree, chaotic manner.

Discord snapped his fingers and he changed in a flash. He looked the same, but was wearing some strange outfit. He had on a strange striped shirt with long sleeves. A small, black band was around the upper arm on both sleeves. An impressive handlebar mustache decorated his face. With this new look he focused in on Twilight, whether she liked it or not.

He reached over and spun her around. In a small purple Twilight tornado Discord had put her in a chair. Not just any chair, but a barber shop chair. He even put a sink behind it. Twilight was strapped in and her head was still spinning, so she could not refuse or fight back. Then Discord pulled out a pair of scissors and started in on her mane.

“So, how have you been, Twilight Sparkle? I hear you became a Princess since my last visit. That must be so exciting.”

“Discord! What are you doing?”

“You know, I remember when I was almost a princess. Well, not a princess per say, but a ruler of Equestria nonetheless. Ah, it was a grand time. However, it was not to last.”

“Discord! Stop this at once! I said stop!”

“You see, I was trapped in stone for my trouble making, but then I came back. I came back, only to trapped in stone again.”

“DISCORD! I swear if you don't let me out of this chair I will-”

Twilight's voice was cut off by Discord. He dunked her head into the sink. He snapped his fingers and a bottle of something appeared before him and tilted just enough to let some of the liquid pour out into the sink. Water rained down on Twilight's head as she was overtaken by a rising tide of bubbles and suds. With a wicked grin and chuckle Discord plunged his hands into the mess and swirled them around like the madman they all knew him to be. At one point a tentacle appeared, but Discord beat it back down so suddenly nopony could really even be sure it was there. After a few minutes of washing and few more of rinsing Twilight was finally freed.

“Done! Voila! You look great, my dear. Please, do come again.”

Discord spun the chair around so Twilight was facing the rest of the ponies. As the chair swung around to face them she heard a collective noise. GASP!!! Each of them looked at her with looks of shock on their faces. Twilight tried to look up, but she couldn't see her own mane. Not without a mirror. She looked around to find one, but there was none to be found.

“What is it? What did he do to my mane? What do I look like,” Twilight asked while freaking out a little.

“You look like a purple pony princess,” Flake said flatly.

“Your mane,” It's uh. . . ,” Shining Armor muttered.

“It looks really, um, really. . .um,” Cadance mumbled.

Strikefire only uttered one word, “Whoa.”

“Ya know, I just ain't sure what to say about that,” Applejack said.

“Discord,” Twilight hissed, “What have you done to me?”

“You look normal, Twilight,” Spike said, “Your mane is the same as it always was.”

Discord snapped his fingers yet again and before Twilight's eyes a mirror appeared. A tall, thin mirror with a Discord themed frame around it. He smiled as he floated behind Twilight as she saw herself in the mirror. Spike was right. Discord had not done anything to her mane, except fix it. In fact, it felt softer than ever. She would be getting that trick from him at some point. Or Rarity would be.

“Why, you ask,” Discord read Twilight's mind, “Because, dearest Sparklepants, you expect me to so something different. I wouldn't very well be the Lord of Chaos if I did what was expected of me, now would I?”

Twilight did not respond to him. She knew he was right, but she didn't want to say and feed his already inflated ego. She got up and out of the chair and walked through the mirror, which dissolved into dust at her touch. She walked over to Spike and stood beside him.

“Enough playtime, Discord,” He said seriously, “We need to talk about the Madness.”

“Have you called me here to ask for my help,” Discord said with some genuine curiosity, “Well, I am afraid I am all booked up.”

A flash of light later and a small book appeared in his hands. It was not a thick book, yet several notes and papers were sticking out from within the pages. Discord thumbed through it for a moment before finding the page he was looking for.

“Ah, yes. I have a party to crash tomorrow. Don't worry, it is not one of Pinkie Pie's, but it could be after I'm done. After that, I have this thing in St. Poniesburg. Can't get out of that. And then I have my semi annual three week nap. Can't avoid that. Missed it last year and nearly snapped. And when that is all said and done, I have this thing I promised to help with. It involves this girl and an egg. As you can see, I am all booked up for a while.”

“Really? The Lord of Chaos follows a schedule,” Shining Armor baited him, “How orderly of you.”

“Well, I might be able to squeeze this in,” Discord said with a glare, “For a price.”

“Name it,” Spike said.

“A kiss. A kiss, from dear, sweet Fluttershy,” Discord said sarcastically.

“Impossible,” Twilight said.

“Well then, I guess we are done here.”

“She was taken by Darkmares.”

Discord was right about to snap his fingers and be halfway across Equestria when Spike said that. Discord stopped in his tracks when he heard the words. His friend, his dearest friend, was taken. Fluttershy was the only pony who had ever given him a chance. He cared about her. Sometimes more than he would ever admit to. And hearing the news that she was taken. It did something to him. This new, strange feeling welled up in him. He did not know what it was, but he didn't like it. He had to get rid of this feeling. He turned around to face Spike again.

“What do you need me to do,” He asked more seriously than anytime before.

“Just think of Fluttershy, and how much you care for her,” Spike told him.

Discord did not argue. There was no more time for such games of his. This was not a time for his antics. Even he could see that. For now it was time for Fluttershy.

It wasn't hard for him to focus on Fluttershy. She was on his mind more often than he cared to admit. It had been a while since he had seen her. He was actually starting to miss her. He watched as Spike's eyes glowed green. He had heard all the stories about his power. But then a small white circle appeared in the green. That was new. Before Discord could react Spike had already plunged his hands into his chest, and his soul. Discord grunted as Spike searched for the way to find Fluttershy.

Mere moments passed by like hours. The sun was descending and the moon was rising by the time Spike was done. With a grunt of effort he pulled back his hands. His hands left Discord and they both stumbled backwards.

“By the power of Celestia, what did you just do,” Discord asked.

“That took a lot longer than it did with me, Spike,” Twilight said.

“His soul is more chaotic than he is. Took me a while to find what I was looking for,” Spike said back.

“My soul?! Just what were you looking for in my soul,” Discord demanded to know.

Spike held up his hand. Within his closed claws there was a light. A small, yet unbelievably bright light. Discord eyed this bundle of light with wonder. It was familiar to him. He had never seen anything like it before, but he felt like it was close to him somehow.

“I was looking for Fluttershy.”

Ch.13 The Mad King

A portal appeared in a flash of red light. The circular mass of swirling energy came out of nowhere and a pony stepped through. This was not a normal pony, but a Mad one. But it was also not just any other Mad pony. It was not just any Darkmare. No, she was very different. She stepped through the portal and found herself to be in a place as dark as she had been feeling lately. But she did not come alone.

Rarity looked up at her chaperone. There she was. The same Mad mare that had tried using the image of her little sister, Sweetie Belle against her. The same Mad mare that had taken all her friends away from her, except for Twilight. And now she wasn't even sure if she was okay. All she had told her was that she had sent a 'Champion' to meet them, whatever that meant. And yet, despite all of that there was something about her that Rarity couldn't shake. Some dark attraction that was pulling her in, even if she felt like she was moving deeper and deeper into the wolves den. Ebony Thorn.

“Rarity dearest, are you coming or not,” Ebony asked from a few paces ahead of her.

Rarity quickened her own pace and caught up to Ebony. The closer she got the more she could feel it. That strange, dark attraction. It was in everything about her. The way she smelled. The way she walked. The way her eyes looked when she glanced over at Rarity. Was this some kind of love she was feeling? How could that be? Rarity shook the thoughts from her head as her and Ebony came up to another pony.

Rarity looked up to see a throne. An enormous throne. It was big and black, with black, thorny vines winding their way along the outside edges. They met at the top to form a large rose the color of red blood. It even looked wet when Rarity looked at it. Like at any moment little red droplets would started dripping down.

“Do you like it?”

Rarity heard the voice, but did not see the bearer. That was due to the fact the entire throne was shrouded in shadows. It was only now that Rarity saw into them. Two glowing red eyes like none others. These were not the red eyes of the Mad ponies. They looked like normal eyes of a normal pony, except for the part where they were entirely red. Every part of them.

“Well, are you going to answer me?”

“Oh, yes. It is quite dark, and more than a bit unnerving,” Rarity said, “It is bold, but it fits in with everything else here perfectly.”

“Quite beautiful, and not afraid to speak her mind. I do like this one. Ebony, you have brought home a good one.”

“Yes, my good King Bloodthorn. I believe I did.”

“K- King Bloodthorn,” Rarity sputtered.

“Ah yes. Did Ebony not tell you?”

King Bloodthorn finally emerged from his place in the shadows. Or rather, the shadows retreated from around him. Either way, Rarity found him to be quite intimidating. He stood very tall, even for a Mad pony. He looked down at Rarity when their hooves were on the same level. His coat was very dark, but not black as Rarity was expecting. His coat was red. Blood crimson. His mane and his tail were as black as coal and and the ooze that the Madness came from.

This pony King came down of his throne and walked up to Rarity. He slowly stepped around her. He circled her and looked her up and down. What was he doing? What was he looking for?

“Yes, I think she will do nicely,” Bloodthorn finally said after a few times around, “Ebony, dear. Take her to the chamber and make preparations. I will be in shortly.”

Ebony had to gently pull on Rarity's mane to get her to follow her. She was still a little stunned at the meeting of the King. Ebony took her down the way the came. They walked past the point where they originally came in via portal. They walked on until Ebony took a right down a long and wide corridor. Ebony could see that Rarity was still stuck on Bloodthorn.

“Surprised to find that we have a king?”

“Well, yes, but that is not all.”

“Ah, I see. You're wondering about the interest he showed in you. No need to worry. You might just become our Queen of Madness.”

“Queen?! I don't even know the pony.”

“Let me give you some details then,” Ebony explained, “He has many names. Bloodthorn is the most commonly used, and only if 'King' is before it. Some call him the Mad King, or the King of Madness. A few even call him Blackthorn, but he hates that for some reason.”

Rarity's next thought was cut off. She noticed something out of the corner of her eye as she walked with Ebony. A pony? She turned her head to look. She did not much like what she saw.

Ponies. Dozens of them. Hundreds, maybe. Too many for her to count. They were walking through a corridor where both sides consisted of giant cells. Wall of giant stones held them in and kept them captive. Bars of strong metal kept them in. The bars were covered in small metal barbs to keep the ponies from trying to escape, yet there was enough room to see through the bars. Just enough room to see any pony being taken away. What a torturous idea.

Rarity looked around at all the ponies in these cells. They were not mad. They were prisoners. Prisoners of a war no pony wanted to think about. Rarity saw that they were fed, but not quite enough. Looks of hunger still lingered in the eyes of some ponies. Each cell was large and held approximately twenty ponies in it. To Rarity's dismay some ponies actually recognized her.

“Rarity? Rarity, is that you?”

She didn't look. She didn't want to see the faces of the ponies. Besides, she already knew the voice. Not a pony she ever thought she would find here, but here she was. Bon Bon. Rarity tried not to think about the fact Bon Bon was from Ponyville. She traveled to Manehatten a lot. Maybe she was taken from there. Rarity closed her eyes and rushed to Ebony's side. A moment later and they were gone from the other ponies.

Before long Rarity and Ebony found themselves before a rather large set of double doors. Each door had to be as tall as four full grown stallions. Each door had to weigh as much one house in Ponyville. Ebony used her magic to open both doors with ease. The room that lay beyond was not like any Rarity had seen before.

The room was large and hexagonal in design, with each of its six sides decorated with beautiful cloth drapes. Each wall began with a bed of pillows at the base. Small couches were placed all around with no apparent reason behind their placement. Everything in the room had one thing in common. A theme she was beginning to notice more and more the longer she was there. Red. Blood crimson in color. Every single piece of furniture.

The entire room was dominated by a large fountain in the middle. It easily stood half as tall as the doors did, or at least two full grown stallions in height. But what Rarity noticed more was the stuff coming out of the fountain. Black ooze. Rarity froze and stared at it.

“No need to worry, Rarity,” Ebony said from across the room, “That is not for you, although you might be interested to know that Mad ponies can drink the ooze like water. It has no effect on them.”

Rarity said nothing as Ebony lead her through that room and on to the next one. It seemed to be taking a very long time to get to wherever it was they were going. Was Ebony giving her some strange kind of tour? It did not matter anymore as Rarity soon found out. Because they had arrived. The chamber that King Bloodthorn had mentioned before now lay just ahead of them.

It was not nearly as nice as the one before. Where the other had lavish seating and lovely drapes this chamber had walls of dark, rough stone that seemed to suck the light out of the room. And no fountain sat in the center of the chamber. In the center was pool. Not a very large pool. Big enough for just one pony was her guess. But the same black ooze that flowed through the fountain was also here. Ebony took her all the way around. Before she knew what was happening Rarity stood before the pool of ooze and was looking deep into the black.

“Go on. Step right in.”

“Ebony.” It was the first time Rarity had ever called her by name. It felt weird, but not bad. “Ebony, there was something I've been meaning to ask you. It slipped my mind earlier with the grand tour and everything.”

“What is it, my dear?”

“You spoke earlier of the many names of the King. Dare I ask what you call him?”

“I call him. . . Father.”

Ch.14 Favoring Fluttershy

“OH, sweet Celestia's breath! How did you ever find your way though that?!”

Discord was being a bit more dramatic than Spike took him for. It was just a simple trek through a cave. Well, simple was not really the right word to use for what they just went through. Spike had brought Discord and Flake Frost along with him on the quest to save Fluttershy. She was somewhere beyond a very large cave. Said cave was the only way through to her. There were a few problems blocking their path forward, however.

First off: The cave was completely filled to the brim with darkness. Every nook, every cranny, every little itty bitty crack there was in this cave had darkness in it. And it wasn't just any normal darkness, either. It was a magically infused darkness. It consumed light. Seriously, it did! It consumed every ounce of light that entered worse than a plaque of parasprites. But that was only the first problem.

Secondly: This light eating darkness also had a taste for magic. Not even Discord and all his chaotic finger snapping could stand inside for more than a moment before all his magic energy was drained out if him. That presented a rather large problem as all of them had some sort of magic. Spike was Dragon Mystik. Enough said. Discord was Discord. Enough said. Flake was an above average Unicorn filly that specialized in ice magic. It was still magic.

Third thing: Spike actually had a solution for the cave. But this solution came with a problem. He could get them through by putting up a barrier around them. It would push back the darkness and give them some much needed light while keeping their magic to themselves at the same time. The downside was that he could do nothing else as this was a spell he needed to keep up at all times. Also, he could only keep it up for an hour at best, and that was with the barrier small. So not only did Discord and Flake have to protect him, they also had to stay close to one another and move fast.

Sometimes, Spike cursed the day he decided to learn dragon magic. Then he remembered everything he could do with it and banished the cursing thought to the moon. He accidentally made that remark in front of Luna a couple years back and got an unexpected response. She laughed. Said it was one of the funniest things she had heard all that month. Anyway, Spike turned back to Discord.

“Because, Discord, I am just that awesome.”

“You? Ahm the one who had ta make three ice bridges out nothing,” Flake retorted, “Do you know how hard it is makin' an ice bridge thats able to support both of ya, as well as me?”

“Why, I am light as a feather, miss Frost. It must be Spike's considerable muscle that was weighing him down.”

Discord turned into his best imitation of Spike and went on to pose in a variety of ways. Each pose was designed to show off the muscles he had, even if they were a bit unrealistic. That was Discord for you.

“Anyway, how far til we git to your Flutter-friend, Spike?”

“That would be Fluttershy, Missy Flake. Got it?”

Flake had noticed Discord got this way whenever Fluttershy was brought up. She had gotten the idea back when he first showed up in the throne room of the Crystal Palace. She had dropped a few more 'test Flutters' as she called them to see what he would do.

Back in the cave, she had made a comment about Fluttershy being a Unicorn and not a Pegasus. She wasn't going to forget Discord's reaction for a long time to come.

“What?! NO! Fluttershy is not a Unicorn. How could she be a Unicorn? She would have an immense amount of trouble tending to all the animals she looks after if she didn't have wings. Especially the bees, and the birds. And don't forget the butterflies. Little buggars are always needing something.

“And then there is her name. 'Flutershy.' Her name literally suggests her being a Pegasus, and not a Unicorn. Why her name would have to be . . . have to be. . . I don't even know what her name would be if she were a Unicorn!

“And then one of the others would have to be Pegasus to make up for the lack of Pegasi, and having one to many Unicorns. It would have to either Twilight or Rarity, as they are the other two Unicorns, Unless it was somepony else – like Applejack for instance – and then another pony became an Earth pony. But then it would all just be confusing, even for me. And I live for confusion. You see, Flake? Fluttershy being a Unicorn would literally tear reality apart at the seams. Trust me, I have tried.”

That whole rant took him about half an hour, not counting the incoherent mumbling he did to himself in between some lines. She was so amused by his outburst at the time she nearly forgot to keep the ice bridge going. Good thing she remembered, or else Spike would have tumbled down into who knows what. Anyway, that was just Flake's first test Flutter. She had more, but thought against bringing them up now. Instead she just hit him with the big question.

“Sooooo, Discord.” She sauntered over to him and absentmindedly started talking, “I just wanted ya to know that all mah comments before were just me pokin' fun at ya. I was trying to rile up the Lord of Chaos himself.”

“Rile me up? And just what makes you think you can do such a thing to me?”

“So, you really have the hots for Fluttershy, don't ya?”

Flake said it all without a moments, a seconds hesitation. She got it all out with one breath. Spike nearly fell over. He was listening to their conversation while trying to walk down this rocky path and nearly tripped over a rock at Flake's sudden question.

Discord himself was caught off guard. He had been expecting something from the filly, but not that. He tried to hide his feelings for Fluttershy and thought he did pretty well when it came to that. Sure, he let a few things slip every know and then, but what pony or inter-dimensional Chaos Lord didn't from time to time. An honest slip up, really. And yet, when he heard the question he shattered into as many small pieces as he possibly could. For real. He exploded into smithereens and fell into a neat little pile in front of Flake.

“Well, jeez. Ya didn't need to go an fall to pieces on me.”

“Hardy har har, little miss Frost,” Discord said as he duct taped himself back together.

“Well, Discord, are you going to answer her,” Spike asked.

Discord looked around at the overpowering amount of the two pairs of eyes on him. It was too much. He could feel the pressure of their gossip inquiring gaze crushing him. He was going to break into pieces again. He had no choice but to confess.

“ALRIGHT, I ADMIT IT!! I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. It is still so new to me and I do have these questions I want to ask. It is really important to me, but I don't know how she is going to react. I don't want to her run away, screaming from me. On the other hand, or hoof, I really don't know what to do if she takes it all well and nothing goes wrong. Maybe I should just tell her. No, what I have to say can only be said with a question. I will go to her once all this Madness stuff is over and I will ask her, 'Fluttershy, do you prefer pink or purple slippers?”

Discord snapped his fingers once again and two pairs of slippers appeared in either hand. They were the exact same pair of basic slippers. The only thing that made them stand out was the rather prominent Discord face decorating them, and the fact that one pair was blue and one was yellow.

Spike put a hand to his face in the most prominent facepalm he could manage. He wasn't sure if Flake actually got the joke or not, but she was on her back on the ground laughing her heart out.

“You totally have the hots for Fluttershy,” She got out between laughs.

“What?! I never admitted to such a thing.”

“Actually, ya kinda did. I don't know how it is in other places, but here in the Crystal Empire, ya only get slippers for the one you gots the hots for.”

Discord felt all smug and on top of the world after his witty rant that ended with slippers, but then it all went away. He had played it so well, only to find that he had played right into that fillies hooves. Bollocks! His smile vanished as the corners of his mouth dropped down significantly.

“Relax there, chaos buddy. Yer secret is safe with me,” Flake reassured Discord, but that did little to help his mood. He was really growing to not like her.

Spike had to pick Flake up and throw her over his shoulder so they could get moving right away. She was way to busy laughing. It went on for several minutes until she finally ran out of steam. Spike set her down and she walked beside him. Discord floated on by on a cloud without a care in the world, almost. Whether he admitted to it or not he was worried about Fluttershy. He had seen the effects of this Madness with his own eyes, and he knew the kind of pony she was. Would she be able to handle it? What kind of stated would she be in when he found her? Discord had already gone off on Spike after he told him he left her for a month. Needless to say he was not happy with that.

The odd trio walked on for about an hour, maybe two. Well, Discord didn't walk. He stayed on his cloud the entire time. He seemed very attached to it. Maybe Fluttershy had given it to him, or something. Maybe? Anyway, it was not long after that that they actually came upon their destination.

They saw the place where Fluttershy was being held. It was a small fortress, with high towers on the four corners and and relatively flat design otherwise. The building was not the problem. It was the massive quantity of Mad ponies guarding it that was giving them pause.

“Oh, finally. Now we can stop. I was starting to get ssooooo very tired,” Discord complained.

“You?! You ain't been doing nothin' but laying on that there cloud for the past however long we been walking.”

Discord disembarked the cloud and held it down. He then reached into the cloud and pulled out a string. It was an impossibly long string that lead into the puffy, white depths of the cloud. He showed it off to Flake before tugging on it gently. When nothing happened he pulled harder. He eventually had to place both feet on the cloud and than that pulled the string. Discord went flying back and the cloud shook and twisted and contorted, but once it shook one last time it fell to the ground. The last bits of cloud fell away from it. And all that was left there was -

“A cannon!?” Flake was utterly stunned by the large weapon that just fell out of the cloud. “You brought a cannon!?”

“Yes, yes I did. And lugging that thing all this way in the belly of a cloud takes a lot of work, and it can be oh so tiring.”

Spike looked at the cannon for a moment before realizing there was no ammo. “Discord, what does it fire?”

“I am so glad you asked, Spike. You see, I knew you would ask for my help eventually, and so I am helping. But even one being as awesome and great and powerful as I can only stand up to the Madness for so long, so I enlisted some help.”

“I get help. . .who gets help. Only you, Discord.”

Discord snapped his fingers and at first nothing happened. He pushed Flake back a few feet and painted an 'X' on the ground where she was standing. Next thing they heard was a loud booming sound from right above them. All three looked up to see an extremely large flaming object falling off in the distance. That would most certainly be a distraction. But what caught Spike's eyes were the numerous falling objects coming down around them. When Spike realized what they were, he facepalmed again.

Jumping was easy. All you had to do was move once and you were gone. One quick movement of you legs and you were out. Then you were at the hard part. Falling.
Falling is much harder than anyone can ever prepare you for. You can feel the weightlessness of the split second before gravity's hand so forcefully grips you and drags you down to the ground. You can see it coming, the ground. You know you have a way to survive, if it will work. That lingering doubt, it is always there. In the back of your mind, sometimes closer. But he couldn't afford to think about any of that right now. He saw the mark. He knew where he was landing. He pulled the string and his descent slowed until his feet touched the 'X' on the ground. X marks the spot. He looked around and saw one unknown and the tall reptile. He knew they were friendlies. Then he saw the Commander. He saluted.

“Welcome to the front lines, Lieutenant Angel,” Discord said.

Spike could not believe it. The bunny. The little white bunny that was Fluttershy's actual pet just parachuted down. But he was not alone. At least a dozen more little furry creatures came down with him.

The raccoon was clinging to his parachute for dear life until he landed. Then he went full combat mode, helmet and all. Two beavers came down right next to each other and at the exact same time. They had two wooden clubs strapped to their backs and apparently knew how to use them.

Spike watched as three, not two, three bird cages slowly landed around him. The first one produced songbirds. Cardinals, bluejays, and many more. They sung the song of war. It was one of the songs Mr. Bluejay could actually sing. From the second shot forth a speeding army of hummingbirds. They looked harmless enough, but when you had a whole swarm of them the picture changed. Then the third birdcage opened, and out came a hawk. So this was his help. All of the animals Fluttershy cared for were going to help break her free of the Madness. Yeah, that might work. But there was one missing.

Spike moved out of the way when he noticed the large shadow that he was standing in. Normally, it would have meant nothing, but this shadow was getting bigger and bigger. That meant something was falling right towards Spike. He did a long sidestep and it crashed to the ground where he stood. A box? No, a crate. A large wooden crate. The front door opened up and a bear stumbled out and fell to the ground. Lieutenant Angel hopped up with angrily and literally kicked him into high gear. It worked. The bear shot up and put his helmet on and adjusted the war paint under his eyes. He growled and looked from Angel to Discord.

“Well, now that you are all here it is time for the briefing.”

Discord lined them all up so they could all see the the fortress. Many growls and snarls and notes could be heard. Discord addressed them as a commander before battle. Spike assumed he practiced that speech before.

“That is the target. Somewhere deep inside that building is Fluttershy. The same Fluttershy that cares for each and every one of you all the same. The Darkmares took her away, into that place. I know not if the Madness has her, but I know it matters not. Even if it does, Spike has shown me that it can be cured. And if we must, I believe we can pull Fluttershy back from the dark grip of the Madness. Now, who is with me?!”

The animals all threw up their arms and cheered. Their hoorahs and their cheers very nearly alerted the enemies. Discord settled them down. He changed into his own uniform. It consisted of nicely cropped pants with large boots at the bottom. Up top he wore a green jacket over a tan shirt. Medals of all kinds decorated the jacket. His head was sporting a round shaped helmet with holes for his horns. Many of the animal army wore similar helmets. Once he was ready, it was time for battle.

A Mad pony looked up from the book he was reading. Rumbling? Why was the ground rumbling? What was going on? And what was that in the distance? A dust cloud? A sandstorm? No, they didn't have sandstorms here. That was one of the main reasons he liked this post. A safe fortress, green land, all of hidden behind an impassible cave, and the fact that no one ever could get here in any way.

He was reassured that there was indeed no sandstorm rolling in. No, not a sandstorm. Just a small army of woodland creatures lead by a bunny who was lead by-

“DISCORD! Run for you lives! Run like the Madness depends on it! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Discord rallied the animals and they charged into battle, leaving Spike and Flake on the hills to watch the chaos unfold. Front row seats. Not bad. Flake wanted to be in the action, though. She was more than a little bummed when Spike held her back.

“LET”S DO THIS,” She yelled.

“Uhh, no. Flake, you and I are staying here,” Spike replied.

“What?! You bring me with you and we get all the way here, and then I am not going to get to do anything?! Why not?”

“Trust me, little filly. You do not want to be in there when all chaos breaks loose.”

Discord nodded his approval and mounted the . . . bear? Yep. The bear. It was the only animal there big enough to hold him. And so he stood on the back of the charging bear and they rode into battle like true warriors of chaos.

The Mad ponies had absolutely no idea what was coming. All they heard was a rumble in the distance. All the felt was the ground beneath their hooves tremble. All they saw was a massive cloud of dust coming ever closer to them. All they felt was the electricity in the air buzzing around them. Then they saw it. And they were terrified.

Discord launched himself off the bear. He landed on his feet in the middle of the largest groups of Mad Ponies. He was not in his military uniform anymore. Now he wore a simple, plain tunic with tied around the waist with a black belt. Around his forehead was a smaller, yet similar black band. It was emblazoned with a highly stylized version of his name. In his hand was a long staff. A simple, yet effective weapon that was non lethal.

The Mad ponies charged all at once. With a 'Hyaa!' Discord began his attack. He swung the staff with amazing precision. The long reach of the staff swept the legs out from many a pony. Wide sweeping strikes slapped Mad ponies by the threes. Each end jabbed in and out, sending ponies that were mostly Pegasus down to earth. Discord was doing all of this in one smooth set. He moved with an almost unnatural grace. His motions were fluid as he weaved around the ponies. All the while, striking out with his staff. He ended with his staff bouncing off the heads of several ponies all around him.

“Duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck.”

Discord tapped the last pony with a direct hit between the eyes and he swung his staff in full circle as they all fell in unison.

“And no goose!”

Discord heard a honk from a little ways away. He looked up to find a goose in a sleep black outfit glaring over at him.

“My bad. One goose.”

The goose honked again and jumped into the air. Well, it was more of a backflip as two Mad Unicorns fired magic blasts at him. The goose seemed to have seen them without even looking back. He soared through the air an landed behind the two ponies within an instant of them even realizing he was gone. They turned to see him behind them. With one quick and precise move the goose ninja flying roundhouse kicked them both, sending them off into unconsciousness.

“Oh my goose. Fluttershy has some strange friends for a nonviolent pony.”

Discord looked on from the goose, who had already taken out at least a dozen more ponies since the last moment. He was good. Discord saw past him the hummingbirds. A whole squad of them. This oughta be good.

The hummingbirds flew around from pony to pony, picking them off one at a time. He watched as they flew up and surrounded one pony. They created a rim of pointed beaks and angry feathers around this poor earth pony. One hummingbird flew up to face him. The pony stepped forward to face the hummingbird at the behest of several pointy jabs in his rear end.

The pony stepped up only to face the hummingbird. He growled and the hummingbird blurred. A small, near instant blur. This blur was accompanied by a sudden pain in his right cheek. It felt like he just got punched by another stallion. He glared at the bird and stepped forward again. The bird blurred again and two more sudden pains appeared. In his left cheek and stomach. This was getting really annoying. Before he could do anything more, a dozen more hits hit him all over. He roared in anger, but it did little to help. Even other Mad ponies backed away. It was a hundred hit combo before the pony could even count to ten. He fell into a painful slump and the hummingbird squad all hovered above him. They slapped their wing tips together in celebration and moved on to the next pony they could find in a blur of motion. Those hummingbirds were smarter than Discord gave them credit for. His eyes moved on to the next animal he could find.

The eagle. A majestic and noble bird. And apparently an expert aim when it came to dropping things on scrambling ponies. Discord then remembered the exact job he gave the eagle. A very important job. There were Darkmare running about trying to organize the rest of the Mad ponies into some sort of defensive anything. The eagle had the job to make sure that did not happen. And he was doing it well.

He had picked up two small packages before taking flight for the first time. He soared above the battlefield, watching as his fellow animal companions fought their way to Fluttershy. He waited and watched. He kept his amazingly keep eyesight open for only a select group of ponies. It took a short while before he saw one. Tall, dark, and slender. A Darkmare. Battlefield commanders for the Madness.

With a target in sight the eagle rose up. He flew up til his shadow was cast down upon the battlefield with the sun behind him. Then he dove. He fell like a comet of freedom and at the very last second he veered back up. It was like a moment in slow motion. He veered up, and his left talons released the package. It fell and fell until it made contact. A direct hit right onto the Darkmares horn. Her magic stopped that instant and she watched as half a dozen mice scattered across her face and farther. She shrieked and screamed and wailed. She shook as much of her as she physically could as she ran around in a circle, still screaming. She took out more of the Mad ponies in that moment than Discord did in his attack. Then he finished his attack and his count was higher.

The eagle smiled with confidence at the success of his first attack. He flew back up to a safe height and began soaring again. He watched the battlefield once again, his eyes forever scanning for the prey he sought. It took a while longer than the last, but he found another one. A Darkmare commander. She had rallied a group of about ten of the biggest Mad stallion around her. They formed a wall in front of her. She cast her twisted spells as they fended off the legion of beaver warriors that continuously tried to press the attack. The eagle was going to enjoy this.

He rose back up til his shadow was once again cast over the battlefield. This Darkmare, however, noticed. She turned her gaze skyward just in time to see the eagle diving toward her. Angrily, she unleashed a torrent of spells that would have incapacitated the eagle quite effectively. He deftly swerved around them. He nimbly avoided the attacks. He dodged them with a display of airborn agility. He moved in close and veered up sharply, releasing his second payload in the process. The Darkmare smirked and fired at the incoming package. No mice were going to get her. She wasn't afraid of them.

Her first magic blast hit the package and it shredded, sending the contents all around her and her wall of stallions. At first, she smiles. Then she heard the hissing. She opened her eyes to see a thin, scaly body with small, beady eyes staring back at her. A forked tongue poked in and out and the hissing continued. Snakes! Dozens of snakes! She screamed like a little filly and went about running in circles. Needless to say her wall of stallions fell and the legion of beaver warriors pressed forward.

The eagle rose back up to soaring height. He flew around the battlefield. The animals were winning. The Mad ponies were being pressed back. It would not be much longer now and he would be seeing Fluttershy once again. With all the Mad ponies in a state of disarray his job was done. He flew back to Spike and Flake and perched atop the cannon that was not being used, at all. Yet.

Well done. That was really all Discord could say for the eagle. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the bear. Every other animal was doing fairly well, even the beavers. Yet the bear could not seem to get a single Mad Pony.

He charged into battle with Discord on his back. Then Discord jumped off and took all his luck with him. After he left the bear searched for his first victim, or victims. He set his eyes upon two small -ish looking Mad ponies. Good to start. He ran for them at full speed and right as he was about to hit a Darkmare came flailing about and took them out with her hooves. A mouse came flying out of her mane and stomped off angrily past the bear, muttering something about always being the first one to lose grip. The bear frowned and looked for a new victim.

He found two more ponies. A bit bigger than the last two, but he could take them. He turned and ran for them. They had their backs to him. He was actually glad at that. He ran up toward them. He got right up behind them and stood up on his legs. He stood up tall and big and tried to be as intimidating as he could possibly be. He planned on letting out a terrifying roar, but the ponies did not give him the chance. Both of them twitched slightly and then stopped moving. For a moment the bear thought he had scared them stiff without even doing anything more than standing up. Then they fell to either side and the bear saw the ninja goose standing there. He had done some weird ninja trick and taken them out before the bear could. He was disappointed, but then he got an idea.

He was a large, heavy animal. The doors to the fortress were also large and heavy. He was going to be the one to take them down. The path was open thanks to Discord and the hummingbirds. He locked eyes on the doors and ran. Full speed, and with a new determination he charged the doors. He let out a small roar as he got close. He was going to do it! At the rate he was going nothing could stop him. Nothing at all, except for an opening door.

He got right up to them and rose up. He was planning on using all his immense body mass and the momentum he had just built up to tear those doors to kindling. The doors had other plans. He rose up and just as he was about to come back down they opened. The left door swung open hard and fast, clipping the bear right in the side of the face. He spun around and staggered a bit before falling to the ground. He was unconscious. Again. More Mad ponies filed out and just jumped over and around the bear.

Discord saw this as an excellent opportunity and moved for the open doors. He leaped up and flipped over the ponies. He landed on the head of one and balanced with all the skill of a master cider drinking kung fu master. He raced across the sea of battle using only the heads of the Mad ponies as stepping stones. He made good time and leaped through the closing doors just as his tail was about get crushed. And he was not alone. A small, furry passenger had taken it upon himself to join Discord in the fortress.

“Glad to have you with me, Lieutenant Angel.”

Angel nodded his agreement. He had gotten his fair share of ponies under his belt out there in the battlefield. He had also received his fair share of blows, but he was one tough little bunny. He could take it. He followed the Commander until they came upon a fork in the corridors. One went left and the other right.

“Alright, Lieutenant. You take the corridor on the left. I will go right. Luck be with you. Send me a thought if you find Fluttershy.”

Angel nodded his understanding. He was a bunny of few words. And that was okay. He quickly hopped down the left corridor. The hallways of the fortress were all the same. Bland, dark, and smelled really strange. Angel moved past the smell and hopped on. He moved quickly and searched every room. There were a lot of rooms, too He didn't care. He knew Fluttershy was in here and he was going to find her.

He had to have searched at least a few dozen rooms within the first half an hour. He found nothing. Most of the rooms were empty. Most of the ponies to fill the rooms were outside getting pounded on by the animals. Not all of them, however.

Angel rounded a sharp corner after another ten minutes of searching. A group of Mad ponies was waiting for him. A dozen, at least. They were posted their to guard the way and were determined to do their jobs as well as they could. Whoever chose the ponies of that group made one big mistake however. He could never have anticipated fighting and opponent as small as Angel, so he put all big ponies to guard the way.

Angel barely even paused to stop as he rounded the corner. He saw the space underneath them and moved to go right between their hooves. Two Unicorn guards stepped up to face him. They fired magic blasts. Angel avoided them easily and slipped beneath the two of them. His slide took him to the wall, where he used his feet to propel himself to the other side of the hall. Once he got there he stood upright again and jumped up to avoid a hoof kick from a pony. Angel responded by hammering him with as many small bunny punches as he could before he went back down. Apparently it was enough to bring the pony down, at least for a moment. In the tight spaces of the hall the falling pony took two more down with him.

Angel quickly moved down the hall, narrowly avoiding more blasts and yells from the guards. He still had nine chasing him. He had a plan. It would take at least four of them down. Maybe five if he was lucky. With the way that day was going, it could have gone either way.

He ran down a side hallway and stopped. He turned to face he incoming guards. It was impossible for them to all fit in the narrow space. They had to file in one at a time. Perfect. Angel smiled mischievously as he put his plan into effect.

He ran forward and jumped up with all his might. He silently wished and hoped he had the leg strength to pull this off. He had never done anything like it before. He hit the wall feet first and leaped off with all his might again. His jump path took him right in front of a pony guard. He took the opportunity and kicked him in the face as hard as he could. His path didn't change at all and he hit the opposite wall. He used the moment he still had and bounced off that wall before gravity had time to pull him down. He jumped back without even looking and lashed out at the first pony he could find, kicking him in the face. Twice more he bounced off the walls and twice more did ponies feel his wrath. Angel left the ponies trapped in the narrow passage with them tripping over each other. He smiled and hopped onward to find Fluttershy.

He had to have hopped up at least three more flights of stairs before he found her. Fluttershy, she was in his sights. Sort of. There was a large door, and it was marked with a butterfly. Not just any butterfly, but it was an exact replica of Fluttershy's cutie mark. Yep. That was her. She was in there. Now all Angel had to do was find a way in.

He walked up to the door. He stood before it in all its rusty dark metal doorness. Angel closed his eyes. He put his palms together. He focused all the energy he had. All the energy around him. It all shifted and flowed. His chi. He was moving it, in an around him. He focused as much energy as he could into his feet. And in one move he jumped up and performed a roundhouse flying air kick that slammed into the door. The metal sounded off like a church bell with Pinkie making it ring. I never stopped. Angel pushed it with even more chi energy force and the door creaked. The hinges groaned with stress and broke free of the wall. The door landed in the middle of the room with a loud, thunderous clang of metal.

The ponies in the room all looked to see what in the hay just happened. All they saw was a dust filled doorway and a very large shadow. At first they were afraid. They were petrified. They wanted to survive. But as the dust cleared they saw before them. . . . . . A . . . . BUNNY!

The ponies laughed and one stepped forward to face Angel. Their version of a commander. The head honcho of the whole fortress. He was all that was between Angel and the pony he came for. Nothing was going to stop him now. Nothing!

Angel glared at the pony. He glared back. Angel snarled at the pony. He snarled back. Angel rubbed his ears together in anger. The pony tried. Then Angel made his move. It was the one thing he had been holding back since he started this battle. His ultimate pony stopping, thought breaking, mind blowing, foot stomp of pure bunny power.

Angel moved as fast he could towards the pony. The pony matched his speed until they met in the middle of the room. The pony kicked the door out of the way and nearly flattened one of his own in the process. He was fast, too. Angel jumped and lunged out with an ear jab, which was blocked. He followed up with an attempt at a double ear uppercut, but that was easily avoided. This was going to be more difficult than Angel originally thought.

Angel decided to try a new approach. He leaped back to get away from a hoof swipe. It was wide and slow, but would have been a hard hit if it had made contact. To an animal the size of Angel that would probably been a one hit down, and then who knows what would have happened. But that did not happen, and Angel had a new idea.

He leaped back to avoid that hit and the idea came to him. This pony had some really big legs. Maybe he could use that against him. So Angel charged like a mad bunny out of Tartarus and leaped up for the pony's face. The pony put a hoof up to protect his face, as if his helmet wasn't doing a good enough job of that already. Angel got close and used his ears to change direction. He wrapped one ear around the leg and swung up and over. He landed a straight on hit to the jaw. He did the same thing from the other side just a few moments later. The pony was getting rather tired of this. That was when he got an idea.

“Mad ponies. If give you the word in five minutes, I want you to flood this whole place with the purest ooze we got.”

“But, Sir, that will also get to the prisoner.”

“Do as I say! But only if I give you the word.”

The ponies all nodded and what not and Angel realized what he had to do with his new deadline. He could make it work.

He charged the pony one more time, but not from the side this time. This time from the front. The pony chuckled evilly and while he did that Angel jumped. He jumped higher than any pony thought a bunny could jump. He landed on the back of the pony's mane and slid down. All the way down to his tail. He made a small jump and turned back to face the pony. He grabbed a handful of tail as he fell, making the pony scream. Once Angel touched the floor he launched again. This time he was sent to the ceiling. His ears slapped the ceiling and then he fell. He locked onto the pony commander for the last time and made his ultimate move.

He forced all that was left of that chi energy from the door into his feet once again. He fell like a shooting bunny star and as fast as one. The ponies all could do nothing but stare up at him as he fell. Angel smashed, feet first, into the pony's face. Every part of his large feet made full impact, full contact. The wave of force sent dust into the air and blocked the views of all ponies for a few seconds. When they could see again all they saw was Angel Bunny standing before an unmoving pony. They all screamed like little fillies and ran for the front door.

Angel called Discord mentally and he was there before the thought even finished. Discord saw the pony laying there and wondered why Fluttershy went anywhere with the other five when her animals could have literally handled everything. Tirek himself would have had a grand time with that ninja goose.

All further thought was cut off by a door that Discord saw. It was a simple door. Wooden, and plain. He pushed it open with a creak and squeak. The room was dark, so Discord lit some imaginary candles all around the room. Wait, it wasn't a room. It was a cell. Not that they needed one. For in the middle of the room was Fluttershy. It was quite clear she had not moved in some time. There were some empty bowls a few paces away, but they all looked days old. Discord scooped her up in his arms. She was cold. Barely a flicker of life in her. He took her and Angel back to Spike immediately.

“Spike, do something for her. Now! Do Something! Use your magic, please. Please, do something.”

Discord pleaded with Spike before Spike had time to even comprehend what was going on. As soon as he saw the small, pale, yellow body he understood. He knelt down by Fluttershy and activated the only magic that could help. His eyes went green and a white circle appeared in them. Soul Magic. He was about to plunge a hand into Fluttershy when he stopped, and he powered down.

“What are you doing? Help her!”

“I can't Discord. You have to.”

“What?! You can't help her? What kind of hero are you? How am I supposed to help her? You are the one with all that soul magic stuff. What am I supposed to do, Spike?” Discord actually started to tear up. He would deny it later on, but he let a few tears escape and he didn't care. “Please, Spike. Tell me what I am to do.”

“Discord, I can use my magic and touch her soul, but is is only you that can reach it. Just talk to her.”

Spike left Discord with Fluttershy. He took Flake and Angel away. Angel did not want to go, but he did. Discord was left with Fluttershy. Her spirit was gone, yet Spike believed that he could bring her back.

“I don't know what to say.”

Discord brushed away a few strands of pink hair and looked into her eyes. They were unfocused and stared at something that wasn't there in the distance. The stare of a broken pony. He had seen it before in his time, but never like this. Never did he care so much.

“Look at you, Fluttershy. You're a mess. All that pink hair is a matted and messy. You usually have it done in such a nice way. It is simple, yet carries a subtle beauty that once cannot deny. And look at your coat. Such a lovely shade, and now it just a pale imitation of what you used to be. Please, Fluttershy, come back to me.

“I never really say it, but I do love your little tea parties. My weekly visits are some of the best times I have. I look forward to them every week. It starts the moment I leave your house. I love seeing you happy, Fluttershy.

“You are cold, but I can feel some warmth in you. It is that warmth that originally attracted me to you. I could feel it, but I wasn't sure what it was. Was it you kindness burning in you? Was it friendship? I still don't know, but I want to. There is so much that I want to say and ask, but I was too afraid before. Now, I may never get a chance to. Come back, dear Fluttershy. Please, come back. I will never admit this again, but I will say it this once, just for you. I need you, Fluttershy.”

“Need me for what?”

Discord stopped. His jaw hung open and he looked down. Fluttershy was awake. Her coat was still pale, but the color was returning to it little by little. She was in his arms and he was cradling her. She was looking back at him from her position with a look of confusion on her face. And her cheeks were a little red. At first Discord thought she was cold. Then he remembered what he said, and then he thought about how long she had been awake. He did not see her wake up. He just heard her speaking. He was about to fall to pieces when he didn't. Instead he just kept going.

“I need you, Fluttershy, for all the amazing pony that you are. That kind, caring, lovely, singing, flying pony that you are. I need it all. I want it all. I guess. . . what I am trying to say is. . . that. .I – I – I lo-v -”

Fluttershy leaped up and hugged Discord as hard she could in her condition. Discord was caught off guard and did nothing. Fluttershy was okay with that. She just squeezed him a little bit harder.

“I know, Discord. Me, too. But about you, not me.”

The moment lasted a whole of two seconds before a certain little critter interrupted them. Angel was impatiently tapping his foot.

“Angel, what are you doing here?And why are you dressed like that? And why do you have so many bruises? Discord, please explain.”

“Well, you see. . .” Discord went on to explain how Spike had brought them all to find Fluttershy after pulling out a magical compass thing made from Discord's own soul and they went through a cave and then Discord called on all her little and not so little animal friends to help rescue her. He did a quick recap about the battle and her actual rescue and went right up to this point. Right here. Fluttershy just listened and nodded occasionally. After Discord was done talking Fluttershy took a minute to think.

“ARE YOU CRAZY?! HOW CAN YOU BRING THEM ALL INTO THIS?! I can understand you and Spike. Even Flake. But the animals? Really?” Fluttershy was having a very, extremely rare show of anger.

“Did you know that the goose is actually a ninja,” Discord asked hesitantly.

“HE HASN'T BEEN A NINJA IN THIRTY YEARS!! He is quite old for a goose you know.”

“That would explain the ninja sword/cane I saw him using.”

“Oh my- Where are they all right now?”

Discord showed her the battlefield from the vantage point above. She nearly returned to her pre Discord heartfelt moment state of blankness. The battle was turning, slowly. The animals had the element of surprise when the battle began, but that had faded. And with both Angel and Discord in the fortress for that time two of the best fighters were taken away. The goose pulled something in his back, the hummingbirds were losing steam, the beavers couldn't climb the hills, and the bear was still unconscious. Fluttershy looked down at it all and Discord saw something change in her. He was worried that she was about to tear all the different bits that made him up into even smaller bits. Luckily, her rage found a new place to go.

“So, the prisoner is awake I see.” It was the same pony that Angel had knocked out in Fluttershy cell room. He was back up? Already? He was tougher than Angel gave him credit for. And now he was smack talking Fluttershy.

“To be honest, I didn't even think you were still alive. I mean, you never moved from that spot where he threw you. Fear, I guess. It took you three days before you even ate anything. Which reminds me: How are you feeling? It must be hard seeing all you little animal friends like this. All bruised and battered. All beaten up and bullied. And there is nothing you can do about it.”

“That's where you're wrong.” Fluttershy whispered it to herself as she struggled to keep herself together.

“What was that? Speak up now, or I can't hear you.”

“I said, 'That's where you are wrong!',” Fluttershy screamed.

“Prove it.”

What happened next was even rarer than a show of anger from Fluttershy. Much more rare, on multiple levels. First was what she was doing. A show of violence. Fluttershy was probably one of the least violent ponies one could ever meet. And now she was about to tear into some pony like he was birthday present of cake at Pinkie Pie's house. Not a pretty sight, by the way. Nothing is left of that box, the wrapping paper, or the cake.

The next thing that was rare was her speed. If she was blue, with a rainbow colored mane then it would have been normal. But she was not blue. As soon as proof was demanded she was gone. Not even a blink went by and she was gone. Sound itself had to catch up to her mid flight. That left all parties present stunned. Ponies, Discord, Spike, and animals all.

Fluttershy nearly went sonic rainboom, but did not. That would have been awesome to see. Would that be a Sonic Flutterboom then? Food for thought. She slammed into that pony with all the force of a really mad, non violent pony who literally embodied kindness. That doesn't even sound good. She tackled him through the doors, which closed behind them. The sounds coming from the other side could not be described. Even if they could be, they would not be. Not with fillies like Flake around.

“I am suddenly terrified of Fluttershy,” Spike said flatly.

“And I here I was thinking it was just me,” Discord replied.

Just then a flash of light burst through the top of the fortress. It turned out to be Fluttershy again. She flew up with something in her hooves. A certain pony. He was barely moving. Slight twitches here and there. She flew up and held him eye height. Then she barely threw him up. In the few, precious seconds she had before he fell she reared her head back and as he came down she slammed her head into his forehead. He went straight down with a hard hit at the bottom. He lay in a crater in his own drool as Fluttershy slowly drifted down to him. She turned her back hooves to him and kicked some dirt into the crater.

“Big meanie.”

Ch.15 Pinkie Perplexities

Applejack stood above Rainbow Dash. She was still bandaged up around most of her body. The doctors said it was going to stay that way for along time, until her body healed on its own. They also said that was going much slower than it should. A pony like Rainbow Dash, physical and healthy. She should have been able to recover from this within a month at most. At least by that time she would have been awake and been able to go back to Ponyville, but that was not the case. Something was making it hard for her to recover.

Applejack blamed herself. She cried a few tears of shame and sadness onto Rainbow Dash's chest. She said if she hadn't of left Appleloosa then maybe she and Rainbow Dash could have fought together. They were a powerhouse team. Twilight refused to listen to her say that.

“No, Applejack. Even if you had been there you would just be laying in a bed right next to her. We would be down even one more pony, and this whole situation would be a whole lot worse.”

“Worse,”Applejack repeated, “How could this be worse?! Dash ain't never gonna wake up, and by the time she does we're all gonna be either dead as doornails or madder than Discord and Pinkie Pie on too much coffee and soda all at the same time.”

Twilight could not help but snicker. She knew Applejack was trying to be serious, but the image she just put into her head was too hilarious. Applejack was going to get mad at Twilight, but then she put up a magical image of Discord and Pinkie Pie losing themselves to the corrupting forces of coffee and soda. Even Applejack had to laugh at that one. All of the sudden a pony burst in. A guard. One of Luna's guards, actually. He was ordered to remain with Twilight and Applejack for the remainder of this Madness crisis. Twilight stared at him blankly for a moment. She had completely forgotten he was there.

“There is news, you highness. Guards at the train station send word. Spike has arrived in Canterlot. He wishes to see you and Lady Applejack right away.”

“Stop calling me 'Lady', will ya?”

All the guards had been doing that since she got back. Even Twilight wasn't sure why. It was mostly Luna's guards. Just a few of Celestia's. Maybe it had something to do with Luna and Nightmare Moon. Twilight shrugged it off and left the hospital with a rather annoyed Applejack in tow.

The two ponies got to the train station only to find that half of Canterlot was also there. Apparently, the guard was correct. Spike had arrived, and he was big news. Ponies of all sort crowded around him in any attempt to get close to him. He saw the two of them standing in the back and sent out a silent plea for help.

It wasn't the mob of news ponies and reporters that bothered him. He had been dealing with them for over three years now. He was actually surprised to see that Sally Silvertongue was not among the present ponies. It was not the massive crowd of fans that sent him running for help. That was always kinda fun for him. He was never the showing off type like Rainbow Dash, but he didn't mind the occasional spell to send the fans wondering. No, what bothered him was the legion of mares all mane pulling and biting to get close to him. And the rubbing and clinging they did once they got close. What he feared was Luna's wrath if she saw that. So he called out to Twilight and Applejack for any help they could give.

Applejack had a solution. She deftly moved through the assembled ponies and hopped up onto the train next to Spike. There were more mares trying to get close to him up there than she expected. And now there was one more.

“Hey! You can't just hop up here and move in like that,” One of them yelled at Applejack.

“I ain't some wannabe dragon wife, ya hear. I'm an old friend and I need to talk to him.”

“An old friend? Yeah, right. That line has been used by every mare from here to Manehatten, and it never works.”

“You best let me pass, or this ain't gonna end well.”

Needless to say, it did not end well. For some reason Applejack could not understand no pony cared that she was the most honest pony around. Especially not that pony. So she kicked her tail off the train and walked on. When she got close to Spike, she got an even better idea.

She shot Twilight a glance and that told her everything she needed to know. Twilight cast a spell over the entire crowd of mares, except for Applejack. The ponies were surprised to find themselves suddenly unable to speak, or make any noise of any kind. Spike took the chance he had to shake three of them off his arms. Then Applejack's plan started.

“Ya know, I heard me a mighty good rumor the other day,” Applejack interjected. She looked like she was talking to another mare who turned pale as a ghost as all eyes went to her and AJ. “I heard that Spike the Dragon was dating Princess Luna. Can you imagine that? Just think, if any pony out there tried to steal him away she'd be sendin' 'em more bad dreams than there are sheep in Equestria to count 'em.”

At the sound of that all mares stopped whatever moving they were doing. They all looked at Applejack still, wondering if she was telling the truth or not. Slowly all eyes turned until they once again fell on Spike. He turned as red as Big Mac in his cheeks and clamped his mouth shut. Apparently that was enough to convince every mare present to pick themselves and even a few others up and leave. In a moment's time the whole place was vacant.

“Wow, Spike. Yer quite the popular dragon,” Applejack said with a chuckle,

“And yet all it took was you dropping Luna's name and they all ran for the hills,” Twilight stated.

Spike relaxed a little after his encounter with every mare in Canterlot. He was just glad none of them touched his wings. He had gotten pretty good at using them by now, but they still got sore every now and then whenever he flew pretty long distances. And Canterlot always seemed to be the farthest point from wherever he was.

He had not planned on being back here until this Madness situation was all said and done. But he was here. And thoughts came back to him. Thoughts of her. He smiled at Twilight and Applejack. He thanked them for their help with the mares. That is when he felt it.

A small feeling, at first. Starting just around his chest. At first it was alarming, but as it grew inside him he calmed down. This feeling, this warmth was not an unfamiliar feeling. It was just one he had not had in some time. He had not been so close to Luna in some time. He loved her always, but when he was close to her everything changed. His heart beat faster and faster. He found his breath escaped him more than ever. Words were hard to find for him to describe just what this feeling was.

Spike turned his gaze up to the castle. Sure enough he was right. Standing on a balcony in all her regal glory was a pony Princess. Dark in color, but bright with her own emotions.

Spike's wings burst out and he sprang up. He was off the train and in the air before either Applejack or Twilight could do anything. All they could do was look up after him. Twilight and Applejack saw only a glimpse of a wavy tail disappearing into the castle before their own attentions were diverted.

They jumped off the train and back onto the platform. The train conductor let out a very loud “Thank Celestia, it's about time.” He pulled the train out of the station just as another was pulling in.

“This must be the train Spike came from,” Twilight said.

Applejack did not respond. She didn't want to get her hopes up. Spike did not say anything about it, but the only reason he would come back was because he found Fluttershy. But because he didn't say anything she was worried about what Fluttershy was coming back.

The train pulled up and stopped at the station. The doors opened and a flood of ponies poured out. They all moved around the two still ponies like a river flowed around a rock. Not a single pony ran into another pony. Twilight found that mildly interesting while Applejack was just happy to still have her hat on.

Finally, the last set of doors opened. They opened and a pony fell out. She did not exit the train like the others. She literally fell out, landing at the feet of two ponies she hardly knew, but she knew them enough.

“Princess Twilight, Applejack,” Flake said quickly. Her voice was a mix of panic, disbelief, and urgency. “Make it stop! Please, make it stop! I can't take it anymore!”

“Flake Frost, what are you doin' here in Canterlot,” Applejack asked.

“And what is going on? What can't you take anymore,” Twilight asked after.

“Them! In the train! They won't stop with all the mushy, lovey-dovey stuff. It has been going on since we got on the train. It was a five hour train ride. I am surprised I am still sane, if I am sane at all!”

Twilight and Applejack left Flake to her mental breakdown and peered into the train. It was empty for the most part. Not a single pony in sight. That is, until they saw one yellow coated mare with a pink mane. Fluttershy?! She was okay. She had her back to the door and she did not seem to notice them. She was talking to somebody, but it was unclear who. Most likely a bug or something.

“All I see is Fluttershy,” Twilight stated in Flake's direction.

Flake got up from her spot on the ground and walked over to Twilight. She put a hoof on the side of her face and pushed it a bit more into the train. From that angle she could easily see who Fluttershy was talking with. Twilight fell over when she saw, and partly because Flake had put her at a really weird angle.

Twilight rose quickly and stared at the pair at the other end of the train. “Fluttershy?! Discord?!” She was having a bit of a hard time wrapping her head around this.

“Yes. Fluttershy and Discord,” Flake said. “Discord professed his love for Fluttershy to snap her outta whatever Madness induced coma she was in an' now they won't stop.”

“Oh, it seems we have attracted a crowd.” Discord looked past Fluttershy to see the three ponies standing there.

Fluttershy looked back at them and her smile grew even wider. She glowed even more than before as she moved for her friends. She flew much faster than they were expecting and she slammed into both Twilight and Applejack at once. She tackled them off the train and they rolled a bit before ending with Fluttershy both giving them a big hug.

“I missed you guys so much,” She screamed.

“Fluttershy. Fluttershy! Fluttershy?” Twilight tried to get the name heard, but the pony in question held a iron like grip around her neck so not much came out loud enough to be heard. Luckily, Applejack had a stronger. . . everything really.

She pried Fluttershy off her and Twilight and they all got up. “Mighty good ta see ya there, Fluttershy. I missed you an awful lot, too.”

“Applejack! The last time I saw you was in. . . in. . .” Fluttershy let the sentence trail off. They all knew how it ended. Fluttershy just did not want to say it.

“The last time ya saw me was in Appleloosa,” Applejack stated blankly, “Before I went Mad and abandoned y’all.”

“Applejack, you didn't -”

“No, I did. And I'm sorry for that. But apologies ain't gonna do a whole lotta good now. We gotta find Pinkie still.”

“Right,” Fluttershy said bravely. “How do we do that?”

“It's something Spike does,” Twilight explained. “We will have to wait for him. He is. .. busy at the moment.”

“In the meantime, you can tell us all about you and Discord,” Applejack said teasingly.

Discord and Flake traded glances. It would seem that they were somewhat forgotten. They understood, though. It was a time for friends to catch up and whatever. They just slowly trudged on behind the three other ponies and that was that.

Luna watched from her balcony as Twilight and Applejack entered the city. It was midday and she wasn't asleep. This was a more frequent occurrence than she cared to admit. Celestia knew, though. She always knew. But she did not understand. How was Luna supposed to sleep when her every dream contained in vivid detail any and all ideas of what might have happened to Spike. It has been well over a month since she had last heard from him.

She let out a heavy sigh. It was just a few moments after that she saw one of her guards down below. It was one of the few she had had posted all around Canterlot. His instructions were clear: Assist Princess Twilight and her friends with whatever they need. It appeared he was doing just that. He moved to find another guard and sent him to find the Princess in question. After talking for just a moment she saw how hurried they were. What was it that was causing such a rush? It took her a moment to see what it was.

Off in the distance, barely noticeable to any other pony. Her well trained eyes have had over a thousand years to gain the precision they had now. And what she saw brought up all kinds of feelings she thought were too deeply buried. She saw purple. She saw green. She saw Spike. He was flying strongly on his wings and headed right for the city. Unfortunately, as he got closer more and more ponies saw him.

As soon as he reached the mountain city he was greeted by a crowd of mares, all of them hungry for his dragon body. He was forced to land on the top of a train, but that only stopped them for a moment. Luna watched as he was swarmed by more mares than she ever really realized were in Canterlot. Twilight and Applejack drove them off soon after.

All the while Luna was finding it hard to ignore this growing warmth in her chest. It grew and rose up until it was overwhelming. She turned back and walked into her room. She was finding it rather hard to breathe all of the sudden. She crawled up onto her bed and lay down. She curled up in the comfort of her blankets. She had always found comfort in her bed, even when she was younger. And now she needed it more than ever.

“Luna.”

She did not look up at him. She pawed her hooves into her blankets. Was this a dream? Was this just another twisted dream concocted by her own mind? She would not feed into her own torture.

“Luna. It is really me. I am really here.”

“No.” Luna spoke just that one word. That was all she wanted to say, but Spike was going to get more out of her.

She breathed out again a few more times and pulled herself up. She raised herself up and sat in her bed. She held herself with her back to Spike as she spoke to him.

“No, Spike. You can't really be here. Because if you are here, that means that I have to ask. Why? Why, Spike?” Luna restrained herself as the urge to look back and leap at him welled up in her. “Why did you leave? A month. One whole month, Spike! You left me here to worry about you!”

“Luna. I am so sorry-”

“Save it, Spike! You were alive and well the whole time, not that I would know. You never told me! You went to Cadance and Twilight. You went away again and still you never thought to tell me you were alive.”

“I was alive, Luna. You are right to be angry at me for that. But I was not well. Knowing that I was keeping you in the dark tore me up inside-”

“THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT!”

Luna, in her anger, launched a pillow in Spike's direction. It soared past his head and hit the wall behind him with pluff before falling to the floor. Spike looked at the pillow for a second and then looked back at Luna. He could not see her face, but he knew that she was crying. He knew because that same feeling of warmth in his chest was knotting up. It was not a feeling he ever wanted again, so he left. He still had a promise to keep.

“Just leave, Spike. I am mad at you right now.”

She never did look back at him. She just sat in her bed as she talked. She heard it as Spike walked over to the balcony and flew away. She collapsed into her blankets once more. She was so confused right now. She wanted to be mad at Spike for leaving her alone and making her worry so much. At the same time she wanted to just take him in her wings and kiss him and be thankful he was alive. The only thing she succeeded in doing was driving him away. Anger and joy both ran down her cheeks as she smothered her face into her blankets. What was she going to do?

Spike flew down to the castle courtyard. It was not a flight he made often, but the destination itself was so familiar to him that he could have flown there on instinct alone. He tucked his wings in and walked into the castle. He made his way past the guards, who all knew him quite well. They all stood tall as he walked by. He knew they way from there to the throne room by heart. He walked into the throne room to find everyone there.

Twilight and Applejack were sitting and talking with Fluttershy. Discord and Flake were off to the side. Flake was taking a nap and Discord was pondering doing something to her while she slept. He stopped pondering once Spike walked in. He timed it perfectly as Celestia walked in from another set of doors at exactly the same time.

“Ah, I am glad to see you all here. Even in these dark times, it warms my heart to see you all smiling. Well, most of you.” Celestia nodded over to Flake, who was smiling, drooling, and mumbling in her sleep all at the same time. “With Fluttershy brought back to you, you need only one more pony to complete your circle of friends. I only wish it could have been done with less violence.”

“Oh, me too, Princess,” Fluttershy nodded in agreement. “Unfortunately it could not be avoided. Even I was kinda violent.”

Spike and Discord had to stifle their expressions and remarks. 'Kinda violent' was not at all how they would have described Fluttershy as she made her escape. They were not sure if Celestia had heard the story or not. She was as expressionless as usual as she continued.

“How do you plan on finding Pinkie Pie?”

“That is where I come in, Princess,” Spike stated. Celestia noted the air of emotionless he had in his voice. Luna sounded the same way as of late. She thought it best not to intrude.

Celestia sat in her throne and watched. Spike and Fluttershy took center stage in front of her as the others stood back. Twilight tried her best to prepare Fluttershy for this, but there was only so much one could explain about Soul Magic when they themselves barely understand it. But Fluttershy still sat in front of Spike like the brave little pony everyone knew she was. Spike gave her the same warning he gave Twilight. It seemed like so long ago now.

“Fluttershy, do not break this spell. Do not move. This may hurt a little, but you must handle it. Can you do that?”

“For Pinkie Pie, I will handle it.” Fluttershy said in as brave a voice as she could manage. Discord cheered her on from the sidelines. Having been on the receiving end of this spell himself he knew how hard it was going to be on her. He was no longer afraid to show how worried he was.

Spike focused all his energy in the spell. His eyes glowed green and before long a white circle appeared in them as well. His scaled hands were infused with a magical light that turned them transparent.

Fluttershy readied her own self as she watched Spike change. She was worried about this spell. Twilight told her all about how dangerous this type of magic could be. Soul Magic. Fluttershy's heart was already racing as Spike reached out for her. A small, adorable squeak escaped her lips as his hands passed through her physical form.

Spike reached in deep to Fluttershy's soul. Hers was different than any of the others he had touched. It was not simply that each pony was different and therefore had different souls. It went far beyond that. She had one of the brightest souls Spike had ever seen. The amount of compassion and kindness she had for everything lit up her soul with a pure radiance that Spike was truly in awe of.

It was so blinding almost that Spike had trouble finding the one area of her soul that he needed. It was so mixed in with the other areas of kindness and compassion that it was hidden in plain sight, so to speak. It was actually an unexpected source that made the area of love stand out a little bit more than the rest. It was like a beacon Spike used to navigate her remarkable soul. Discord.

Fluttershy loved Discord. It was more than just the love she had for all of her friends, pony and animal alike. At first, he was just another being trying to cause trouble in Equestria. Then he was defeated and Celestia had her take him in. He became her friend and he reformed. The years that followed only strengthened their bonds of friendship and something more grew around it. Something neither of them was willing to admit until this Madness forced them to. Spike still found a little hard to believe, but then he remember him and Luna. A pony princess and a dragon? An animal loving pony that embodied kindness and the Lord of Chaos himself? Yeah, those two definitely won the round for strangest pair.

Once Spike had found the area he was searching for it was a simple matter of sifting through everything until he found the one pony he was searching for. It took much longer than he expected to find it. He began showing outward signs of strain and increasing effort. Fluttershy was having an even harder time dealing with the pain of having a dragon's hands inside of her body.

“What is going on? This is normally the time Spike takes his hands out,” Discord said with worry heavy in his voice. “What is taking him so long?”

“I don't know, but he needs to hurry,” Twilight said. The looks she got only encouraged her more to explain. “From what Spike had told me about how dangerous Soul Magic is, he can't keep this up. This magic drains both the caster and the pony it is being cast on. If he doesn't stop soon this could do serious damage to both of them, and their souls.”

“I must admit, I never thought about it,” Celestia said heavily. “This must be the true dangers of Dragon magic. The ever present threat that it poses to those close to you.”

As Celestia finished speaking she turned back to Spike. She silently wished for him to hurry up. She disliked seeing them both in this state. The danger that she could not help them with. It was then that Spike finally pulled his hands out of her.

Fluttershy's eyes that were clenched tightly closed opened wide as Spike was finishing his spell. He pulled his hands out and the pain only grew until it was gone. The pain climaxed as his hands exited her and she fell. Her subconscious took over as she fell over into Discord's waiting arms and she slipped into unconsciousness. Spike joined her, but not before doing one last thing.

He tightly gripped the little light wisp that he had pulled from Fluttershy. He had to use an arm to keep himself up just enough to cast one last spell. He released the light wisp just enough so that he could see it change to a pink color.

“Find Pinkie Pie.”

The group came to a stop. Slowly, all hooves and claws came to rest. They had been walking for a good long while. And now they had reached their destination. The Soul Compass had guided them to a point where they would be able to find Pinkie Pie.

Too bad all they saw was sand. A lot of sand. Figures. The light wisp from the Soul Compass spell had guided them to the same exact desert in which Pinkie Pie had been lost to in the first place. More than that, it was the same exact spot. Spike could tell. The area was still littered with the the pieces of the glass column he had created the last time he was here. He now stood within the remains of that column. The others stood just outside of it. The light wisp told him that she was here, but she was nowhere to be seen. Spike looked at for some kind of confirmation. In response to him the wisp puffed up a bit and dove right into the sands at his feet.

“What the? Spike, is yer light friend there goin' the right way?” Applejack's question was a good one. Not even Spike was sure if his spell would work right. That was one of the biggest dangers of using Soul Magic. Smoke Shadow had told him of this. Soul Magic is at it's very core unpredictable and unstable. No two spells would have the same result. Spike was lucky so far with the Soul Compass, but he had no idea when or how that would change, if it would at all.

“What are you gonna do now, Spike?” Twilight asked with some annoyance.

Spike didn't answer. He knelt down and placed his hand on top of the sands. He dug in his claws. No living being could see what he was doing. The only one he could think of that possibly could have was Smoke Shadow, and he was long gone.

Spike was sending a minute pulse through the sand. He was sending it deeper and deeper and ever deeper. He wasn't sure exactly what he was going to find, but he knew in his heart something was down there. So he kept it up. The pulse he was sending would bounce back once it hit anything. Most of it was useless. Rock and boulders the size of most Ponyville houses. A few gem deposits Rarity would love to get her hooves on. It took a full half an hour for him to find something. Or the absence of something.

Half an hour after he started his pulse, he senses something. Or nothing, to be more accurate. His pulse hit a pocket. A pocket so big, so massive that it could only be where Pinkie Pie was being held.

Spike stood up tall and straight. He stared at the ground still as he raised and outstretched both arms. Then the ground started to shake. The others in the group all darted for the nearest cover for fear this was another infamous sandstorm. It was not.

Spike stood at the center of where his column of glass used to be. The sands were moving around him. It was small trickle at first. Hardly noticeable. But as he stood there longer the more the sand shifted. Before long walls of shifting sands were circling around Spike. The others looked through the giant glass shard they were hiding behind. They could see nothing through the sands that blinded them.

Before their widened eyes they saw a huge explosion of sand erupt from the very spot Spike was standing. He had taken his minute pulse and gathered all the energy from it into one giant blast. He took this blast and threw it down into the sands. The sand took several moments to fade down and dissipate. They looked on to the same spot Spike was just standing. He was not there, and in his place was a hole.

Fluttershy peeked over the edge. She shuddered as she gazed into the abyss below. The hole. Well, not really a hole per say. More like a giant, gaping abyss that looked as if it had been eaten out by a monster none of them felt like seeing any time soon. It was like the ground had fallen away and the sands flowed down into it like a desert version of a waterfall. That is what Fluttershy was looking at.

“Pinkie Pie is somewhere. . . down there?”

“Guess so, but I ain't got a clue how we are gonna get down there,” Applejack said.

As soon as she said that, a large shadow appeared overhead. It had been looming over them for some time, but they only just now noticed. They all looked up to see a very large dark mass lowering down to their level. As it turns out it was Spike.

He lowered to reveal the rock platform he was standing on. His eyes were glowing green, signaling to the others what they already knew. He had gone Mystik to clear the sands away. He reached the same level as they were at and motioned for them to come aboard. All of the present ponies were a bit hesitant about jumping aboard the floating platform.

Flake was the first to make the jump and stand next to Spike. She stood proudly next the dragon she admired and gave a challenging smile to the others. Twilight used her wings to fly up and stand at Spike's other side. Applejack just made a hefty leap and skidded to a stop next to Twilight. Discord, who only came along to be with Fluttershy more, snapped his fingers and a red carpet rolled out and traveled up to the platform. Fluttershy giggled at his silliness and walked up the carpet. She took her own place next to Twilight and Applejack. Discord hovered closely above the group. Spike nodded and started their descent into the dark abyss to find Pinkie Pie.

They descended into the desert sands, to the rocky depths that lay hidden beneath them. Depths that no pony had ever been to before. Not until the Mad ponies found their way down here. Now even more ponies were on there way. They were on a rescue mission. However, as with everything they did it was going to have its own set of problems. The first went by the name of Discord.

“Uh, Spike. Couldya maybe give us some light so as we can see?” Applejack asked as she cautiously felt around for Spike himself. Somehow she had lost the dragon she was just standing right next to.

“He can't do that,” Flake said. She knew she was about to get a whole mess of responses so she just explained right away. “Spike has expended lots of magical energy lately. It's taking all he's got justa keep this slab of rock from plummeting down to who knows where.”

“And just how do you know that, missy Flake? Hmm?” Discord was heckling her again. Those two never stopped.

“Because I know, Spike. Duh.”

“No offense, Flake, but you haven't known Spike as long as we have,” Twilight said.

“Yeah, Princess. You knew him longer, but that was before he went all magicky and stuff. I met him when he went all magicky and stuff. I understand his magic better than most anypony.”

“Flake, just because you -”

“Don't you go and start using your dang logic on me now, ya hear!”

Fluttershy stepped in before any more words were said that one or more ponies might regret. “Um, Discord. Do you think you could give us all some light? Pretty please?”

“No, Fluttershy. I got this.” Twilight stopped Discord before he could do anything chaotic and potentially dangerous to their well being. She took the task upon herself and provided them all with some light. It was a simple spell she had mastered long before she became an Alicorn princess. A few small orbs magically appeared around them, giving off a brilliant light that illuminated the area around them.

“That works,” Applejack stated as she looked about the area.

It wasn't much to look at. Rocks, mostly. A little bit of sand here and there that seeped down from the desert above. Occasionally they would move past a small amount of water that trickled down through the ground. They were moving down so fast, though that it went by too fast for any of them to really notice it.

It was not long until the group began to feel the weight of the situation. They were still going down. They were stuck on a platform with walls of rock and stone surrounding them. The walls went up so far that the light of day was distant pinprick in the dark. It was an unusually quiet time. A time where nerves would normally be getting the better of ponies, a time where normally tempers would begin to flare up, a time where ponies would reflect back on past decisions. Yeah, none of that happened.

Fluttershy was as close to the middle as she could get without being right on top of or under Spike. She was fearful of the edge. Discord was keeping her company and that was keeping her mind from wandering, which was a good thing in her case. He was actually braiding her mane and tail at that moment. Spike could not help but see it due to her close proximity, and he had to admit she looked nice with braids.

Applejack was closest to edge. She was fiddling with some pebbles that had fallen from the rock walls as the platform lowered. It descended more and more pebbles were added to the little pile she had started. She wasn't quite sure why, but she had arranged them from lightest colored to the darkest. Boredom, she guessed. The trip down was taking way longer than any of them thought it would.

Twilight and Flake Frost were busy having an in depth discussion about magic. Even Spike, with all his magical abilities found it hard to follow Unicorn magic sometimes. Dragon magic was very different. At one point the discussion turned into a debate. It was still unclear as to who was winning. They kept at it until Spike called out an announcement.

“Almost there,” He loudly proclaimed.

All of them assembled next to him the same way they did when they began their descent. They could feel the platform slowing down until it was barely moving at the pace of a snail. Spike was leaving behind small chunks of rock that made up the outer rims of the rock platform. He was dislodging them and packing them into the walls. This made the platform smaller and forced them all to stand closer together. It also made landing that platform much more quieter.

Spike brought them all to a complete stop. He bid Twilight remove her spell of light before they go any further. At first, she was reluctant. It was so much darker now than when she first cast the spell. The darkness itself felt thick, and almost alive. She didn't want anypony to freak out, herself included. She trusted Spike, though. She removed her spell and darkness came over them like a shroud. The ponies all huddled that little bit closer together and Spike lowered the platform again. He moved ever so slowly and went ever so quietly. Before long they found themselves in the depths of the largest cavern they had ever seen. The town of Ponyville could easily fit in this cavern three times over with room to spare.

“How are we ever gonna find Pinkie Pie in this big ol' place? Hm?” Applejack's question hung in the air without an immediate answer.

Just then a rather abrupt noise blasted their ears to near deafness. It came from a good ways down the cavern, but the echo was still impairing to some. When they recovered the quickly found the source of said noise. It was pretty easy to spot with all the glowing, and the streamers, and the music. Yep, it was pretty easy to tell where Pinkie Pie was.

The group made their way to the party center with remarkable stealth. Not a single Mad pony saw them, but they saw plenty of Mad ponies. A small army of them would be accurate to say, but there were far more than the amount that guarded Fluttershy. And yet they were able to sneak right past them with unreasonable ease. It wasn't until they got to Pinkie Pie that they were spotted. Of course, it was by Pinkie Pie herself.

Pinkie Pie was in the middle of a large massing of Mad ponies. Believe it or not she was dancing. Not very well, but better than the ponies around her. They were not dancing at all. They were not even moving, except to avoid Pinkie Pie's flying hooves. She twirled around like she had drunk too much cider again and saw the group standing off to the side, in the shadows.

“HEY GUYS!!!” Pinkie shouted it out as loud as she could. Apparently this was a common occurrence because no Mad pony budged. It was not until Pinkie shot straight up into the air and dashed to them as fast as she could.

She flew toward the group at Pinkie speed, only to slam face first into one of Spike's barriers. She peeled her lips off the barrier and looked through it at the group. They were as stunned as she was. She looked at Spike with a twinge of sadness in her eyes.

“Sorry, Pinkie. I have to be sure.”

“What?! I am not Mad! I do not have the Madness! This is me acting completely normal! Normal, I say! Is that a problem, Spike? IS IT?”

Spike looked deeply into her eyes. She was still pressed up against his barrier. Her eyes changed from a look of sadness to a look of annoyance. Pinkie watched from the other side as Spike's eyes changed from his normal dragon eyes to their Mystik green glow. Then she watched as that green glow was joined by a thin white circle. Pinkie felt as if he was looking at more than just her. She felt him and his gaze peering deeper into her. So deep that she didn't even know what to do. All she could do was bear with this tingle that traveled up her spine. She looked back into his eyes as he stared deeply into her own. It was a rather uncomfortable moment of silence between the two before Spike finally put his barrier down.

“Spike, does this mean that she is okay?” Twilight and Fluttershy both asked at the same time. Spike powered down and looked at Pinkie Pie, with a big smile.

“Pinkie is just the same as she always has been,” Spike announced.

“Good. Ahm mighty glad ta hear that, but we got us a big problem now.” Applejack backed into the middle of the group. Her voice carried with it the sounds of worry, with good reason.

Pinkie Pie had announced their presence to the whole cavern and now every Mad pony and Darkmare in the place was after them. All of those Mad ponies and Darkmares were now surrounding the group as they stood there. While they were assembling one had the nerve to approach and speak with them. It was a Darkmare.

“So, Pinkie Pie. You have delivered your friends right to us. Not bad. I must admit, Pinkie: I had my doubts about you, but you have really come through for us.”

Pinkie turned away from her friends to look at this Darkmare. She was small for a Darkmare. She stood just barely above Pinkie's height. Pinkie pranced up to her face. Then she changed. Her usual calm, smiley demeanor was instantly replaced with a dark and serious look. That was combined with wickedly mischievous smile.

“Now you listen here, you dinky little Darkmare. I have been stuck down here with you non-party ponies for over a month now. You thought you could drive me Mad, but you forgot one thing. I AM PINKIE PIE, and I have been waiting for over a month to use this! I think now is the most perfectest time there is ever gonna be! So get ready!”

“Get ready? For what?”

It was at that moment that Pinkie Pie took one step back. She then took a hoof and reached up She reached into her mane and pulled something out. Everypony, Mad or otherwise watched with curious eyes. What she pulled out was a box. A plain, simple box with a small, thin string coming out of one side.

Immediately, Spike and Flake went to work creating as many barriers as they could between them and Pinkie Pie. The small Darkmare watched on as Pinkie stood up as tall as she could and pulled the string.

Pinkie pulled the string on the box. She threw it on the ground with all her might. The barriers put up by Spike and Flake went up just in time. The explosion went off right in front of them. Streamers filled the air to an almost smothering level. Confetti filled all the gaps that the streamers left open. Unseen horns and whistles and cheering and other random party noises erupted from someplace deep within the box. Bouncy snakes flung out hit the Darkmare in the face repeatedly. Tangled all throughout her mane were dozens upon dozens of streamers, confetti pieces, and other party favors. The colors were so festive and bright that every Mad pony for a dozen feet in all directions had to cower back and cover their eyes for fear of going blind. All the while, Pinkie was standing right at the epicenter. Ground zero. As the party box contents rained down upon her she kept up her smile. It unnerved the rest of them, but they could do nothing to stop Pinkie Pie when she got this way.

“'Get ready for what?'” Pinkie Pie repeated the last comment made by the Darkmare as sarcastically as she could. Then she pranced on over to the cowering pony and lowered her head until she was eye level. Pinkie Pie looked into her eyes with all the seriousness she was not known for, and then it was gone.

“Get ready . . . . For the Pinkie Pie Patented Party Prank Packages, FOOL!”

A round of laughter mischievous and unnerving enough to match her smile bellowed out of Pinkie Pie. The Darkmare looked absolutely and tremendously terrified. She was quivering on the floor, staring up at Pinkie Pie above her.

“You are even more insane than we are,” She whispered after a moment.

“Well, duh! You're just now figuring that out. That news is so last month.”

Pinkie Pie left the pony where she lay and moved back to her friends. This time around she was able to walk right up to them without any pesky barriers blocking her way. With Pinkie Pie safe and sound with the rest of them they were able to leave. They were not nearly as stealthy as they were before, but there were also not as many Mad ponies to stop them.

Ch.17 Finding the Rough . . .

Rainbow Dash sat with her hooves across her chest. She and the rest of the ponies came back to Ponyville after their adventure in the desert sands. And quite an adventure it was. Pinkie Pie was found and came back to them seemingly unaffected by what had happened to her. She was happy, and bouncy, and smiles were going all around. And then they got another surprise.

Rainbow Dash appeared out of nowhere! She woke up, healed and ready for a fight. She found them in the desert and fought with them, only to find that they still were not all together. Their circle still wasn't whole. One pony was missing. Now they sat in Twilight's castle in silence.

Dash slammed her hooves down on the floor. “What in the world happened while I was out?”

“Come on now, Dash. Calm down,” Applejack said.

“Calm down?!” Dash slammed a hoof down again before facing her friend. “How am I supposed to calm down, AJ? HOW? I finally wake up from whatever coma I was in just to find that my friends aren't all here. Even worse, I get told that Rarity went willingly with the princess of the Mad Ponies. Oh yeah, I am going to be real calm after that!”

“We know, Dash,” Twilight said with a sigh, “But getting angry isn't going to help her.”

“Just shut up, Twilight. You have been doing nothing but moping since I woke up,” Dash turned her back to the Princess. She flared her wings out like she was about to fly off. “At least I am going to go and do something about this.”

Fluttershy flew up to her friend with concern. She put herself between the window and the blue Pegasus, “Rainbow Dash, wait! You can't go all by yourself. It's dangerous.”

“Move it, Fluttershy,” Dash commanded, “Somepony has to do something, and nopony here is lifting a hoof.”

“Do you even know where to look for miss Rarity,” Discord asked.

“If I keep flying, I'm sure I'll find her,” Dash said. She launched herself up and used a powerful thrust of her wings to cast both Fluttershy and Discord away from the window. She pushed it open and was greeted by a nice breeze blowing through her mane.

“Rainbow Dash!”

The voice echoed throughout the room. The words resounded off every wall and pierced the minds of the ponies. Spike quickly walked into the room. He had his head held up high and a face of deep annoyance. It was aimed at Rainbow Dash. She saw and put on one of her own.

“About time you showed up, Spike. We were just talking about Rarity, and how she isn't here. Aren't you supposed to be this super powerful dragon with this really cool magic? How could you let this happen, Spike?”

Dash flew away from the window and right up to Spike. She hovered just in front of him and looked him in the eyes. Spike could see deep into them. Her eyes held much anger, and also much concern and worry. She cared for Rarity, and was angry she was gone.

“What were you doing, Spike? What have you been doing this whole time that Rarity could just walk away and you not notice?” Spike never even blinked as Dash yelled to his face.

“It was me, Dash!” Applejack ran up to them both. “He was dealing with me. When I went Mad, Ebony Thorn pit me against Spike to distract 'im while she went after Rarity.”

“It doesn't matter,” Dash said, “Spike is supposed to be able to handle these kind of situations.”

“Enough, Rainbow Dash,” Spike said, “It isn't me that you're angry at, is it?”

“What are you talking about now?”

“Admit it, Dash. You're pissed because you were sleeping and couldn't defend Rarity. Your Mad that all this happened while you were stuck in a hospital bed.”

“I'm pissed because you weren't there!” Dash screamed at the top of her lungs. She slumped down to the floor and look into the crystal at her reflection.

“Back in Appleloosa, Spike. You weren't there when we needed you most. Look what happened. I ended up in a coma. AJ went Mad. And now Rarity is gone. It's all your fault.”

Dash turned so that her back was to all of them. She hid her face from everypony. She didn't want them to see the tears that were slowly forming. She used a hoof to wipe them away, but they still were coming. She sat there for a moment in silence, and then she felt a something. A scaled hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Spike standing beside her.

“I know, Dash,” He said with a few tears of his own. “I know that I wasn't there. That's why I want to finish this so badly. To fix the mistake that got my friends hurt. Will you help me, please?”

Spike took his hand off her shoulder and offered it to her to help her up. She wiped the last remaining tears from her eyes and took Spike's hand.

“So, Spike, where do we go from here?”

“Dash, I'm gonna have to do something you might find uncomfortable,” Spike said as his eyes started to glow.

~~~

Rarity walked through the halls of the fortress. No, she didn't walk the halls. No pony walked here. The prisoners were dragged through these halls. The guards patrolled theses halls. The Mad ponies scurried about themselves. Ahead, Rarity saw the pony she came to see. Ebony Thorn. She sauntered through the halls like she owned not only the place, but everything that was in it as well. That included the lives of all the ponies. And Rarity herself? Well, she did something different.

“Stalking the halls once again, dearest Rarity,” Ebony Thorn asked.

“Just on my way to see you, Ebony,” Rarity replied. “I heard the time has come, and I intend to enjoy this day.”

“Good for you! I am glad to see that you are feeling better.”

“Indeed, I am. You brought me here to rid me of the pesky emotions dragging me down, and I must say that I have never felt better. This is euphoria!”

“I am oh so glad to hear you say that, Rarity. I felt the same way when I first experienced the power of the ooze. Come now, the Mad King awaits.”

Rarity actually squealed a bit. The thought of going before the King again made her feel all giddy inside. She had not seen him since the first day she arrived in the fortress. She was so terrified back then, terrified of everything. But not anymore. Now she was a changed mare. Ebony had opened her eyes. It was truly wonderful.

Ebony lead the way back to the throne room. Rarity had been there for nearly two weeks now, but still she didn't understand the layout of this place. She was happy to follow her, though. Rarity thought the world of Ebony.

They passed by a few familiar places as they went. One of which Rarity had actually forgotten about. She followed Ebony down one of the many hallways. As soon as she did her ears were bombarded by the sounds of many ponies whimpering, crying, and cowering in fear. She passed by the cages with her head high and a smile on her face. Her eyes passed over all of them as she walked by.

“Rarity? Is that you?”

A familiar voice. The same one that called out to her the last time she walked down this passage. Bon Bon. She had her face pressed up against the wall of her cage. She stared out at the two ponies before her.

“No, not Rarity.”

Another voice joined Bon Bon. Still familiar, but not from the fortress. This voice was also from Ponyville. Lyra Heartstrings. It would seem both she and Bon Bon remain together even now. HA!

“That's not Rarity,” Lyra said, “Just a monster that took her place.”

“Oh, such harsh words, Lyra,” Rarity said, “And yet I find them so complimenting. Hehehe.”

Lyra took Bon Bon away from them both. Rarity giggled as she and Ebony continued on. Ebony complimented Rarity on how she handled that pony. Her way with words was extraordinary. Ebony's mind was racing. Never before had she encountered a pony like Rarity. Normally she just played around with the ponies until they broke, but Rarity was different. She was willing, and Ebony's mind raced with all these new thoughts on just how she could play with her.

Their journey to the King was a short one after they left the cages. They came into the throne room once again. Still, Rarity was amazed by the grandness of it all. The high ceilings, the arches, the old and ancient architecture. It all amazed her. And dominating the room was King of course, sitting upon his throne of dark thorns topped with the bloody rose. The King himself was sitting at attention. His eyes immediately fell upon Rarity when she entered the room.

“Ah, my daughter. You bring this beauty before me once again,” He hissed.

Bloodthorn stepped down off his throne. He approached the pair of ponies, but Ebony stepped back and away. She knew well that the King wanted his space with Rarity. He came and stood before Rarity. She found him tall and imposing, yet still that was not all.

“I see you have taken to the ooze well,” The King said. He started to circle around Rarity, eying her up and down. She followed him with her eyes as he moved.

“It suits you. Almost as much as my daughter and I. Perhaps Ebony was right, and you will fit in quite nicely here.”

“I have no doubts about that, King Bloodthorn.”

“Ah, but there is more. My daughter has spoken highly of you, and I have come to agree with her words. You will not just become a member of this collection of oozed ponies, but a member of my personal court.”

“Whatever do you mean, my king?”

“Lovely Rarity, you shall become my bride.”

Ch.18 . . . And the Diamond Within

Spike stood before the fortress. It was more than he could have ever imagined. Immense in size, terrifying in appearance, and filled with Mad ponies. He could see many of them now. Legions of ponies filled the outer areas of the fortress with who knew how many more filling the inner chambers. And yet Spike stood before them, defiant and powerful.

“It's time,” Spike whispered, “Now or never.”

Spike stood up tall and straight. The edges of the coat he wore blew slightly in the breeze. It whisked past his scales with a cooling touch. It was nice, but Spike wasn't here for the breeze. He closed his eyes and thought back on everything and everyone he knew, all he wanted to protect. And then Spike stepped off that ledge.

Down, he fell. Down, straight down toward the ground. The air rushed past his scales like never before. No wonder Rainbow Dash liked flying so much. But Spike had to focus. HE put all his mind into one thing. His eyes snapped open to reveal a green glow. His wings snapped open to catch the air beneath them. Spike soared above the land on his dragon wings.

His eyes were locked onto the fortress that towered above everything else in the region. It was familiar to Spike, as well. This was the same barren region where he defeated Galeek. This was a massive expanse of barren wasteland. No wonder it was so hard for anypony to track down the fortress.

Spike soared on the winds on his way to that fortress. They carried him closer and closer. His own wings all the power he needed at the moment. Spike unleashed a mighty roar as he neared the fortress. He could almost touch it at any moment. The roar shook the land surrounding the fortress.

An immense forest, darker and wilder than the Everfree could ever be and Spike's roar shook it loose. Animals within scurried about to avoid whatever beast produced that sound. Birds flew from the treetops in droves. Even the trees themselves seemed to shudder as Spike passed by overhead. Their canopies seemed to lower themselves closer to the ground to put as much space between them and Spike as they could. The whole forest shook, and the Mad Ponies felt it as well.

All eyes were on the forest as it shuddered and quaked. That mighty roar echoed through the valley where the fortress was located. The tall valley walls funneled enemies to the fortress, but it also carried that terrible sound. It moved all the ponies, whether they knew it or not. It shook the very foundations they stood on.

Rarity stopped suddenly. “Could it be. . .”

“What is it, dear Rarity?”

“Ebony, I do believe we have a guest.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh, yes. Spike has arrived.” Rarity announced with a wicked grin.

And she was correct. Spike rose high above the Mad Ponies of the fortress. They saw as he soared in the skies above them. They massed outside the front gates to see him. To attack him. That was a big mistake.

Spike looked down on them. His entire body coursed with magical energy, and he knew how to use it. Spike pulled his wings in close and dived down. His speed was magically enhanced and he slammed into the ground with full force. The ground shook even more violently than before. A cloud of dust and dirt spread out in all directions. A wave of pure force erupted outward from the point of impact. Several waves of Mad ponies were sent back and onto their backs. And when it all cleared up, there stood Spike.

Several of the Mad Ponies readied themselves to attack. There were many of them. Spike didn't move as they encircled him, surrounded him. Even the skies were cut off from him as Pegasi took to the air.

“Do not attack.”

Spike knew that voice. He looked up at the main gate. A portcullis rose up. The sharpened points rose from the ground. The sounds of winches and chains moving filled the area. Behind the portcullis stood a set of large double doors. They opened themselves to reveal a darkness behind them. It was as Spike suspected. Out of the dark came a pony, a pony with red eyes, a sharp mind, and name to match.

“Ebony Thorn.” Spike said.

“Quite the entrance,” The words slithered off her tongue like vile poison. “That roar actually had some of the ponies worried, but I knew the truth. It was just a little dragon, trying so hard to fill the scales of an ancient empire long dead.”

“I want nothing to do with the ancient dragon empire. I am here to protect my friends, and all those closest to me. That is all.”

“And how do you suppose you'll be doing that? Do you think you can face the entire horde of Mad Ponies all by your lonesome.”

Spike stared at Ebony Thorn. He looked into her eyes. His Mystik side faded and his eyes returned to normal. A smirk appeared on his face, much to Ebony's surprise. That smirk, that defiant smile. He was not supposed to be doing that.

“Did you really think that I came here all alone, Ebony? You are supposed to be smarter than that.”

“Of course, you didn't come here alone. I know you are smarter than that,” Ebony said. “But the feeble friends you have left won't matter. There is an army here, and you can't fight all of us.”

“I won't have to,” Spike said. As he spoke he felt something, something only he could feel. It was something from deep within him. Deeper than even his magic went. This feeling, it came from beyond his soul. It was like his very being was radiating this feeling. They were coming.

“Would you like to hear a secret, Ebony?”

“Oh! You know I love a delicious secret, Spike.”

“I lied. I actually did come here all by myself, but I knew you wouldn't attack me.” Ebony had no real comeback to that. She didn't expect him to say that, and furthermore he was right. She didn't attack him. She ordered the ponies to not attack him.

“Why are you here, Spike?” Ebony asked, genuinely curious, “It's obvious you didn't come to fight, so why? What is your purpose?”

“What is my purpose,” Spike repeated. “Well, I came for Rarity. I know she went with you willingly, but I would like to see her. I'd like to talk to her.”

“Hmm. Took your sweet time getting here, didn't you? Maybe she doesn't want to talk to you, have you thought about that?” Ebony said, her wicked tone seeping back into her words, “Or maybe she is just too far gone by now?”

Spike's face made absolutely no movement. He stayed the same as he was. Everything, from the way he stood that exuded confidence to that defiant smirk that he wore. Ebony didn't know what was going on with him. She had pressed his buttons before so well. Why was it not working now?

“Ebony Thorn,” Spike said, “I have another secret to share with you.”

“Oh? Do tell, my dear dragon.”

“I was honest when I said I came for Rarity,” Spike said, “But what I forgot to mention was what my friends were doing in the meantime.”

“And what might that be?”

Spike's eyes flared up with Mystik power. The pressure from him forced all the ponies except for Ebony to take a step back. “They were gathering an army of our own!”

The full force of his words came within in the next seconds. A silence had fallen over the entire fortress. It was an uncomfortable, eery silence. In truth, it really wasn't the silence itself that caused the unease felt by the Mad Ponies. It was really the sounds that came after it, that replaced it.

Rumbling. The ground was shaking again. This was not like the last time, when Spike's roar echoed throughout the land. No, this was much different. There was no echo to this. Instead, there was almost a rhythm to it. Thump, thump. It was coming from the forest. The entire forest carried this noise up to them. Ebony couldn't figure out what it was until it finally dawned on her. By then it was clear to everpony else as well.

Hooves. It was hooves. The force of a thousand pony hooves shook the land. The ground itself trembled as they approached. Spike was right, an army was approaching. A big army. The clamor of metal on metal rang out with the trembling lands the closer they got. As they got closer and closer Ebony could see them more clearly. Ponies from all cities, gathered together.

She saw the golden armor of Celestia's royal guard forces. The light of the sun caught their armor just right. The entirety of their forces seemed to radiate a light from within, but they were far from alone. They had some darker brothers in arms with them.

Although not in the same number as Celestia's royal guard forces Luna also offered as many of her own royal guards she could part with. Clad in a darker armor than their guard kin the sun did not glean off their armor. They had no radiance. It was quite the opposite actually. Their entire number seemed cloaked in shadow, like the light itself was being slowly consumed by them. From the depths of the ranks of these two forces rose a single pony. She flew up to the front lines. That is where Twilight Sparkle stood proudly and just as defiantly as Spike.

“Oh, well. That is definitely an army,” Ebony stated.

The rest came up next to Twilight's forces. In smaller number than Celestia's forces, but still more than Luna's came the Crystal Guard. Ponies clad in armor of crystal that reflected the light of the sun. They came up with Twilight and were lead by none other than her brother, Shining Armor. He stood at the front of his troops and looked over at Twilight. She saw that even Little Flake Frost was with him. They all nodded silently. They were ready. Even though these forces now stood silent the forest still shook. The rumbling had only died down a little. There was still much more to come.

“Oh, look there. More ponies.”

The forest gave way to new and frightful noises. Whatever they were they came from something big, and a lot of them. The Mad Ponies could have never foreseen this. It was the entire town of Appleloosa, or at least all the ponies that were left after they attacked. They had come looking for some payback, and they weren't alone.

For every single pony that stood at the ready there had to be at least two buffalo standing beside them. They were just as effected by this scourge of Madness as the ponies and were as deeply hurt as the ponies when Appleloosa fell. They had their war paint on and several carts full of pies ready and waiting to be thrown. Leading the charge for both sides was Applejack.

“Buffalo, really? At least they brought snacks.”

By now, the shaking had stopped. The ground stopped rumbling and everything was settling back into place. Until Applejack whistled. The whole forest erupted with sound after that. The cries of all the animals sounded off at once. The chirping of dozens of birds filled the air with chaotic chatter. The roars and grunts of the larger animals echoed between the trees. Out of the dark came many animals, some of which the ponies didn't even know lived in the forest. Fluttershy was leading them all with Discord at her side.

“A cave troll?!” Ebony shouted out in shock, “Seriously, where do you even go to find a cave troll nowadays?”

“Uh, caves?”

Ebony Thorn punched the pony next to her. She hit him right in his face. Pretty sure she broke a tooth, or maybe two. She ground her own teeth as even more of Spike's army showed up.

At first, it started as a shadow. Not a big one or even a dark one. Just a shadow. More like some storm clouds were moving in and the skies were getting dark because of it. Ebony soon found out she was closer to the truth than she realized. For you see, the shadow in the skies was lead by Rainbow Dash herself.

She had brought the entire collective number of Pegasus ponies from all of Cloudsdale, as well as quite a few from other cities as well. Ebony could see the armors of all three Royal Guard Forces counted among the Pegasi. She also noticed a rather impressive number of Wonderbolt uniforms. And there were several other ponies mixed in as well.

“Gah! How many more of them are there?!” Ebony shouted out.

Spike held up a hand and began counting down with his fingers. “Well, we got Twilight and Shining Armor bringing the Royal Guards. We got Applejack with the buffalo and Fluttershy with her army of animals. That's four. Rainbow Dash just arrived with the Pegasus ponies. That leaves just one pony missing. Where is Pinkie Pie?”

Just then a new rumbling came through the ground. By now, even Spike was getting tired of the rumbling. This wasn't going to last long, however. Pinkie usually moved pretty fast. This time was no exception. The rumbling came from a small path to the side of the forest. The fortress used it to bring in supplies. Only now it was bringing in the two ponies that could make Discord work for the title of Lord of Chaos.

The tank rolled up faster than anypony believed a tank could move. It swerved side to side and nearly ran over a couple ponies as it went. They were Mad Ponies. The tank eventually put on the brakes, sliding sideways for a little bit before coming to a complete halt. Almost immediately the hatch on top flung open and pink head emerged.

“Hey, Spike! I found Cheese Sandwich. He let me drive the party tank. Can you believe that? You gotta try this. It is so much fun!”

Pinkie's face suddenly contorted into a look of confusion as she was forcefully pushed the rest of the way out of the tank.

“Ye gods! Where did you learn to drive a tank, Pinkie?”

“What? I don't know how to drive a tank. Where did you get that idea from?”

Cheese looked down at her with pure astonishment in his eyes mixed in with just a hint of horror. “But then why did I let you drive?”

“You didn't, silly. Boneless 2 did.”

Cheese Sandwich quickly turned to face his rubber chicken partner in partying. “Boneless 2, how could you betray me like this? I could have died you know.”

The chicken fell to the side and made a squeaky noise.

“We will talk about this later, you know.”

Ebony just stood there and watched this whole thing unfold. “I'm really not sure what to say about that.”

Ebony stared at what just unfolded in the past several moments. Before, she stood in front of Spike. He stood alone before the entire might of the Mad Pony horde, but now he had an army. This was unexpected to say the least. But she was hardly a pony to give up. This was a fortress after all.

Ebony started to snicker after a moment. She didn't even try to contain it as it exploded into a full blown fit of wicked, evil laughter. This went on for several moment before subsiding into a evil grin with her wicked teeth showing.

“You really think this misfit army can do anything to stop us,” She exclaimed loudly so that all of the army could hear her speak, “You've done nothing but make it so much easier for us to pick you all off. Now, my little ponies, it is time for you to give in to Madness!”

With those words spoken, the battle doth begin!

Ebony Thorn flew up into the air as Mad Ponies spilled out from the fortress. She flew threw an open window higher up that swiftly closed behind her. Spike set his eyes on the fortress. What he said to Ebony before was still true. He wasn't here to fight some big battle. He was here for one pony, and only one pony.

Spike charged the doors with everything he had. Ebony disappeared inside just as the battle started and the doors closed just then as well. Spike slammed his hands into the doors hard. His eyes glowed with an intensity he hadn't felt in a long time. The claws of his hands dug deeper into the wooden doors. Spike was putting all his strength into it, as well as a large amount of magic. It was no use, though. The doors didn't move. Spike threw his head back and roared out his growing frustrations.

Spike yanked his claws out of the doors. His mind raced with thoughts and images. Those he cared about. His friends: Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity. Each of them was here with him, and one of them still needed to be saved. He was not going to let them down. He was not going to fail Rarity!

His fists rose high in the air and fell hard onto the wooden doors. They were built of tough wood and made to endure, but he was going to get through. Spike pulled his fists back again, and again they fell. He growled and grunted with effort as he hammered the doors down.

Thoughts still raced around in his mind. They drifted back to old memories, and to recent ones. Images of his friends passed by, but they were fleeting. Images of those new relationships he forged after getting these powers dominated the forefront of his thoughts.

Strikefire, the Crystal Empire forgemaster. A strong pony with a big heart, kinda like Big Mac. Spike once helped his whole family, and they helped him in return. It was because if him they their family was able to survive, as they themselves have said. Spike had an obligation to protect all of them. But theirs was not the only family he met.

Little Flake Frost was barely a filly when Spike first met her, a Unicorn with almost no magic to show for it. He was injured and the Frost family took him in. He worked of that debt definitely, and in the process made a lifelong friend in young Flake. She was counting in him as much as every other pony.

Spike's frustrations rose ever higher with each slam of his fist. When he rose them this time a nimbus of fire enveloped them. This fire, bright and white, burned with a heat hotter than even Spike knew. It was coming from him. It was him. His need, his passion to protect those he cared about. As he thought about this, he thought back onto the one pony he loved above all else.

Luna. She accepted him back when he was just a small baby dragon working his little butt for Twilight. Then by chance, Luna asked for his help and he found dragon magic. In many ways, Luna is responsible for him being the way he is now, but that was nothing. His thoughts now focused only on the pony, and nothing else. And as he thought of her an image formed in his mind. It hazily came together and Spike realized that it was not a memory, but a vision. This was Luna as she was now, at that very moment.

Luna stood at her balcony railing. She held her head up high and stared off into the distance. It was the same way that lead to the fortress, but how could she know that? Spike didn't tell her. He sent her a scroll telling her the mission, but he left out that detail. Yet, she was staring right at him it seemed. The more she stared the more Spike felt her presence here with him.

“Luna, you are staring again.”

Spike could hear the other voice. He knew it well. Cadence joined Luna on the balcony and looked out into the same direction that Luna was staring.

“Luna, talk to me. What is it?”

“It's Spike,” Luna said without breaking her gaze, “He struggles now. I can feel it. I can feel him. I don't know how to explain it, but I know it is real.”

“So do I, Luna,” Cadence said with a smile, “It's called love. You are as madly in love with Spike as he is with you. You know it, too.”

“I do,” Luna admitted, turning to look at the Princess of Love, “I do love, Spike, and I know he loves me. I guess Spike would say that our souls are connected, now and forever. Soul mates, if you will.”

“Yes, I can see Spike saying that,” Cadence said with a laugh.

Spike snapped back to reality. The sounds of battle rang true behind him. His flaming fists were planted in the wooden doors. The latest points of impact not even seconds old. What was that just now? A vision? He knew it was real and yet, it almost seemed to real. Luna's words still echoed in his mind. We are connected, now and forever.

Spike brought his fist out again, but he felt so tired now. Whatever that vision was drained the energy from him. There was no way he was opening this door on his own, magic or no. Good thing he was not there alone.

He held his hands on the door, refusing to fall to his knees. He sensed something behind him, he looked back to see familiar faces. Twilight came up on his right side. She walked up and put her own hooves on the door. Next to her, Pinkie Pie did the same, and Applejack after that. Rainbow Dash took the last spot on that line.

Spike looked left to see that it was little Flake Frost next to him. Beside her stood that large and imposing Strikefire. He was as strong as two ponies. His brother stood next to him and that line ended with Shining Armor placing his hooves on the door.

“We are with you, Spike,” Flake said confidently.

“Lead the way,” Twilight said.

A new strength rose up in Spike. A fiery passion grew and rose up. His eyes flared green once again, but this time it was joined by a white circle. Spike let out a small roar. Every scale of his body seemed to glow almost as if something inside of him was creating the light. Spike stared at the doors, his piercing gaze looking through them and into the darkness that lay beyond.

Together they all pushed. The sounds of chains snapped taught greeted them. So that was why Spike was having so much trouble. They chained the doors shut. They left their forces out there to deal with the enemy. Spike didn't look back, but by the sounds of it they were losing the battle. It would seem that his “misfit army” were winning.

All of them pushed into the doors. They poured all their strength into the doors. They could hear the wooden frames creaking and groaning. The old doors would not be able to handle this forever. Spike grunted as the effort snapped one of the chains. The doors crashed inward, revealing the mess of chains holding them shut. Only a few inches of space was clear between the doors, and Spike was looking right into it.

“Get back, everyone,” He called out. He himself stepped back as well. He stood up tall and faced the doors. He leaned into a deep breath and held it in. Both Twilight and Flake knew what was coming, and rushed to get the others back in time.

Spike breathed out a torrent of dragons fire. The flames shot out from his mouth and crashed into the doors. They slammed back against the chains. Almost immediately the sounds of a couple more chains snapping filled their ears, but it was far from enough. The chains were woven in front of that door like a spider web, yet Spike was ready. He was going to destroy them.

Spike's torrent was much larger than just the small hole that was provided. Only a small fraction of his flames traveled through. The rest hit the doors and scattered out upon the impact with the wooden frames. Slowly, but surely the flames ate away at the wood. Several moments passed as Spike's flames continued. HE finally stopped his flame torrent and all that was left of the doors were blackened, scorched over husks of what they used to be. Spike stared into the darkness. The only light came from the low red glow of the superheated chains.

“Flake,” Spike said, “Send them a snowstorm.”

Flake stepped out in front of Spike it was time for her to show off what she could do. “I'm gonna need a second, here. Gotta build up the cold.”

During the moment or two that it took Flake to build up what she needed a few of the Mad Ponies tried to attack. Quite a stupid thing to do considering the group that stood around her, and defended her. Spike threw up barriers of stone to block the path of charging Earth ponies. Twilight's own magical barrier took the blasts of a few Darkmares while Applejack and Rainbow Dash swooped in and took them out. They had barely even moved when Flake called out that she was ready.

Flake thrust her head to the sky, her horn glowing as the magical power flowed into it. The ponies watched as the skies above that were so clear suddenly clouded up. Clouds formed from nothing and turned dark. The shadow was cast over the entire battlefield. Spike smiled happily. He was very proud of Flake.

Twilight just stared at the little filly. She had no idea that Flake was this powerful. She would have to get to know her better after this whole Madness thing was over with. The other ponies were already feeling the noticeable change in the temperature. A chill had swept through the area leaving ponies seeing their breath clutching themselves for warmth. And it hadn't even begun to snow yet, but that coming.

And come it did. The clouds that now darkened the sky poured forth a flurry of flakes as Flake herself called them down. Torrents of harsh winter winds gusted forth. Snows like that of a blizzard rained down. It was as if a demon of the cold winter had been summoned to fight their enemies, and her name was Flake Frost.

Flake locked her eyes onto the doors and the dark beyond them. She ground her teeth with effort before screamed out a battle cry. For a split second the world stopped. Everypony there stood still as the very air seemed to freeze for just a second, and then it moved. Flake funneled everything she had just brought down into the doors of the fortress. The severe snow, the harsh winds, the bitter chill. Everything was brought against the Mad Pony stronghold. Needless to say it could not stand up to that power.

The doors were already weakened by Spike's pounding fists and the slamming of them against the taught chains that bound them. Spike's dragon flames further wore them down and now there was a cold like nothing they had ever felt. The doors exploded into splinters and kindling under the force of Flake's snowstorm. The swirling mass of harsh cold demolished everything in its path. For a solid minute Flake pushed it further and further into the fortress. After that she stopped. The magic glow around her horn faded and she was left there panting from the effort.

“Flake, that was-” Twilight was going to say amazing, but Flake fell over before she could. They rushed to her, but all they was a sleeping filly. She was exhausted.

“I'll look after her,” Shining Armor said, “Strikefire, you and your brother stay with me. Spike, end this.”

Spike nodded his thanks to Shining Armor and turned back to the fortress. He ran inside with the five girls at his side. They all cleared the debris of what was left of the doors. They ran inside to see the destruction that Spike and Flake's opposing elements did. There were scorch marks blackening the walls right next to a sheet of ice and frost. There were fires burning hot while that bitter chill still hung in the air. As the six of them rushed into the fortress they were greeted by a a couple familiar faces. Ebony Thorn smiled at them wickedly, but it was the other that had them all stop in their tracks.

“Hello, friends,” Rarity said with a wicked giggle.

Ch.19 Beautifully Mad

“Rarity?” Applejack and Rainbow Dash shared the confusion as they stared at the mare before their eyes.

“Is that you,” Fluttershy asked.

The reason behind the confusion is actually remarkably simple. You see, Rarity was always a pony of class, and she always prided herself on being a lady. The pony before them now, though, may have sounded like Rarity, but it certainly didn't look like Rarity.

For one thing, she was taller. She now shared Ebony Thorn's tall and slender, yet beautifully graceful physique. Her legs were a bit longer, her coat had gone from its normal alabaster white to a light, faded gray. But it went beyond just this. There were other features of Rarity's that were also changed. It was almost like she was a completely different pony.

It started with her mane. Rarity was always a fuss about her mane. She was always on constant watch to make sure her mane was okay, especially when they went on adventures. But now it different. It was straighter, and hung down in front of her left eye, so that a pony could only see her right eye. Not to mention that the color of her mane had turned a few shades darker. Her normally violet mane had taken on a deeper color to it.

Rarity stared at her friends with only the one eye showing, but that was all she needed. She stared at them with her red eyes, glowing with the power of the ooze behind them. The red glow cast an eery wave of unease over the ponies that she once called friends, but that was only half of it. The other half consisted of that creepy smile she wore. The more they looked at Rarity the more they came to realize that she was gone, taken by the ooze.

“Yes, yes, dear friends of mine,” Rarity mocked, “It is really me. I know I've changed a bit since the last time you saw me, but I am still Rarity. It's just that I am a bit better now, unlike you.”

“Now, now Rarity. You shouldn't put your former friends down so quickly.” From the shadows behind Rarity came a pony. Off a throne of a bloodied rose he descended. He came down from his perch to stand next to her. “After all, they did make it all the way here did they not?”

“I suppose they did, my king,” Rarity said, “But they just look so plain. Ooh, I know!”

Rarity got all excited about something. She moved away from the King and pranced up to the ponies. She moved in a line in front of them looked them all up and down as if sizing them up for something. She circled around Twilight a couple times before moving over to Fluttershy. She shook so much when Rarity came over to her. All she did was run a dark hoof through her mane once.

“Yes, yes,” Rarity muttered to herself as she moved, “I know exactly what you need!”

Rarity jumped back a step and manifested some items around her. A sewing needle, thread, scissors, and strangely enough a knife.

“You all need some color,” Rarity giggled maniacally, “I was thinking red. Blood red! Some nice, dark, crimson red of blood. Doesn't that sound great? Now who wants to go first?”

“Rarity,” Spike said as he stepped forward.

“Oh! We havea volunteer. Yay!”

“Rarity,” Spike said, more forcefully this time, “This needs to stop. Now.”

“But Spike, why?”

“Come on, Rarity,” Twilight said from behind Spike, “This has gone on long enough.”

“Very well,” Rarity replied. The items she had blinked out of existence and she turned to face the Mad King and his daughter, “I am not really that sorry, but I must be leaving now. It has been truly terrible being here with you. Goodbye.”

“What?!?” Ebony roared furiously, “Rarity, explain yourself! Now!”

“It happened back in the Crystal Empire,” Rarity started, “With all that was going on with Spike disappearing for a while we had to figure out new ways of fighting you. It took a while, but Twilight eventually came up with an idea. Turns out, Spike came back sooner than we thought and his magic made it all the more possible.”

“I still don't understand,” Ebony responded.

“You see, Ebony Thorn,” Rarity said, “I never liked you. I was never enthralled by you. I was just an act. I got you to bring me here so that they could eventually use me to find it. That part was mainly Twilight's idea, but it was Spike's magic that made it happen.”

“IMPOSSIBLE!” Bloodthorn bellowed out loudly. “You partook of the ooze. Nothin can resist the ooze. You expect me to believe you did?”

“Ah, yes. The Mad King, Bloodthorn. I was getting to you,” Rarity said, “I did nothing but what you told me too. I let the ooze infect my thoughts, but it was Spike who put up the magical barrier around my soul that kept me from actually turning, and Twilight who helped teach me some spells to further help me retain my real self all along.”

Bloodthorn ground his teeth angrily. He snarled at all of them and yelled out a primal yell of anger, frustration, and pure hatred. His eyes already glowed red, but they seemed to be even more so after that.

“And about that offer you made me before. I wholeheartedly decline on the grounds that you are a crazed psychopath with a tendency towards enslaving ponies with your dark magic,” Rarity said, “That, and I believed your daughter had more interest in me than you did.”

Rarity turned back with a huff. She stepped back to join her friends once again. Her horn glowed and with each step she took a small part of her returned to normal. Black ooze fell from her until she was back to her old self once again. The other ponies were still in a bit of shock as she took a spot next to Twilight.

“You see, Bloodthorn,” Spike said, “You're finished.”

“Am I?” Bloodthorn flashed his thorn and above them all torched flared up. The light above shone brightly and revealed a new threat, one that Spike did not foresee. Small figures of pony heads were carved into the stone work above, and they had holes where their mouths were. A black liquid was dripping down from them slowly.

“The original creators of this fortress used this system to drench any enemy that made it inside in scalding oils,” Bloodthorn stated, “But I now use it for the ooze. One false move, and I will drown them all in a wave of ooze not even that wench Rarity will be able to resist.”

“Hey!” Rarity called out, “A rejection is no need for name calling.”

“So now what,” Spike asked, oblivious as to what he should do next. He could sense to ooze all around him in the walls. There was no way he could get everyone out of harms way. Not with Bloodthorn at the trigger.

Bloodthorn smiled that evil smile of his, and he looked over at Ebony. She grinned in return and rose her head. Her horn flashed and then she pointed it at the floor between them. A large circular stone slab decorated the floor. It had to be at around twelve feet across. It dominated that part of the floor, yet it was strangely simple in design. Spike soon saw why, as the slab rose up magically until it was safely in a pocket in the ceiling that was clearly built for it. Inside the pit that had just been revealed was more ooze.

“Another previous feature you found a new use for?” Spike sarcastically remarked.

“No, I made this myself,” Bloodthorn said.

“Oh, and here I thought you had your daughter do everything for you,” Spike responded.

“I volunteer for most of it,” Ebony said, making her way over to Spike. “I find it all to be oh so very fun, and I like to have fun.”

Bloodthorn was still smiling evily. “Do you see now, Spike the Dragon? You have only two choices before you. You can give jump into the pit and surrender to the Madness, or you can watch as all of your friends turn and they force you in. What will it be?”

Spike turned around to see all of his friends once again. All six of them, together again. They had all worked so hard and given so much. They had all done so much and now what? Spike had to make an impossible choice. That was the life of a hero, but not the life he chose. It certainly wasn't the life he wanted. Spike sighed heavily and powered down from Mystik. Ebony took her chance.

She moved in front of him and raised herself up. She placed a hoof on his chest. She didn't push him, though. There was a moment shared between them. A moment, where Ebony looked deeply into Spike's eyes and he stared back into hers. Ebony then leaned in closer. Before everypony there Ebony kissed Spike.

He did not kiss back, but was stunned still when she kissed him. She seemed content with her kiss, though. After which she leaned in even closer. She pressed her body up to his and whispered in his ear.

“If I can't have Rarity, I will have you,” She hissed.

With that said she moved back. She pushed off of Spike with her hoof. She was propelled back while Spike was pushed back. He was unable to move as he fell back, and back into the pit. The ooze splashed up as his body sank deeper and deeper. Ebony watched as the ooze overtook him wholly.

“Why?!” Twilight screamed, “Why do all this?”

This time Bloodthorn chuckle a bit. He went back and sat upon his bloodied throne. “I suppose I could tell you a little more about the ooze.”

Ebony moved over to took a seat below her father. Bloodthorn didn't even take notice of her.

“You see, when Spike fought against the ooze before he never bothered with figuring it out. He just threw his magic against it and watched it burn. He never showed an interest in it, but he wasn't the only one involved. There were several ponies involved in that whole situation, but I am the only one who remained unseen.

“You see, I was but a simple pony before. I had a lovely garden, but not one you would like I don't think. I only a had a knack for growing the dangerous plants. Everything else died, but if it had bigger thorns, or poison leaves, or vines that gripped you tight until the life was squeezed out of you I could grow that. I enjoyed my life, but I was always intrigued with finding the next danger to conquer, as I had with my plants. And then the ooze came.

“I came home one night to find my plants all corrupted by the black ooze, and yet I was unafraid. Where most ponies would have looked on in horror and disbelief I looked at my plants with wonder and awe and intrigue. Where most ponies would have seen monstrosities, I saw my beautiful plants just get more lovely. I was determined to find out what happened, and so I did.

“I followed everything Spike did back then. I was there when he fought Galeek, and I am the only one who knew that not all of the ooze was destroyed then. I know not what twist of fate saved that small bit of ooze, but I believe it was destiny that I found it.”

Bloodthorn smiled widely and chuckled as he reveled in the thoughts of his past. His rise to power had been a good one, especially when you are a mad King. He had to take a moment to get out his enjoyment for his memories.

“Ah, yes. I learned so very much from that ooze sample, and I learned it all so very fast. Within a years time I had figured out a way to recreate it. Although, soon after that I myself was infected. I saw this as a gift. Just like my plants did, I grew to be so much more than I was before. It wasn't long after that I learned of the ooze's abilities to control others. It didn't take me long to harness those for myself. Although, my first few attempts failed with sheer madness as a result, but I figured I could use that as well. Within a year and a half I was spreading the Madness I had created. And then I made my last discovery, if could even be called my own.

“You see, I learned something that even I did not expect with all of the oozes capabilities. I learned the ooze is more than just ooze. It is alive. It is a creature in and of itself, and an ancient one at that. It was around who knows how much longer before the initial dragon empire rose to power. But the ooze has a single flaw, and that is that it needs a host body to be at full power.

“At the time, Galeek was the perfect host. Powerful, strong, and leader of a kingdom. Then Star Ethereal came along and cast him down into the void where she hoped he would rot for all eternity, but he didn't. The ooze got out and it wanted a new body.”

As the Mad King spoke more and more the ponies all came to a horrifying conclusion. They stood there as all their minds came together to form the thought. Together they cast their gaze at the ooze pit before them.

“Ah, you are getting it now,” Bloodthorn said.

“It's Spike,” Twilight said, “The new body the ooze wants is Spike.”

There. It was said. Twilight spoke the words. The girls recoiled in horror. Fluttershy immediately started crying, and Pinkie was right behind her. Rarity held it in, but she was close. Twilight sat down in a stunned slump. She was wracking her brain trying to comprehend this whole thing.

“Yes,” Ebony Thorn hissed, “And what a lovely body it is. Powerful, strong, and not that bad looking either.”

“Ah still don't understand one thing,” Applejack said, “Where do you fit in, princess?”

“Who, me?” Ebony mocked, “I was one of daddy's first successful experiments.”

Just then a tremor shook the whole fortress. Both Bloodthorn and Ebony smiled wide. The tremor originated from the ooze pit. The girls all took a step back. Another tremor shook the fortress, this one stronger than the last. Bloodthorn laughed maniacally as the ooze bubbled up from within the pit. And then he came out.

Spike's body erupted up from the pit, bigger and darker than before. Only the waist up half rose from the pit and still he took up most of the room. The ponies saw as Spike flailed around a bit. They saw as it was only half of him that was oozed. The other half was still the same purple scaled dragon they knew and loved, but that part of him was slowly being consumed by the ooze. They saw as the dark, oozed patches encroached upon the parts of him that were still him.

“Still you struggle, Spike?” Bloodthorn called out to him.

“Just give in, Spike,” Ebony hissed, “Just give in and you will be so beautifully Mad!”

“SHUT UP!!” Spike yelled out, but it was two different voices that escaped him. He threw up his hands. He clutched his head and shook. “GGAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Spike let out a pained scream and collapsed. His now very large body fell forward and slumped in front of all the girls. Twilight wanted to approach him, but she couldn't. She tried to move, but her hooves were stuck to floor. Her body was locked in place as she saw the struggle Spike was going through. His breathing was shallow and labored, yet he lifted his head up.

“Spike?” Twilight said.

“Twilight,” Spike said, “Please- GAAAHHHH!!”

Spike gripped his head as another pained scream was bellowed out from his enormous lungs.

“Twilight,” He uttered through the pain, “T- tell Luna- GAAHHH!”

Spike slammed his fists down, forcing Twilight and all the girls back. They huddled together for safety and comfort. They were forced to watch as more and more of Spike was consumed by the ooze. It was almost all of him now. Only his face remained untouched. He looked at them with the last ounce of strength and compassion he had.

“Tell Luna I'm sorry,” Spike said. He lifted up a large hand and waved it in front of them, passing by each of them in turn as a light flooded over them. They could do nothing to stop it.

Before they could even react the light faded away and they found themselves in Canterlot. Each of them looked around to see if it was real, and found that it was all too real. Many guards stood around them wondering where they came from and what they should do. It wasn't even a moment later that Celestia came into the room.

“Girls?!” She stated, “What are you doing here?”

They all turned around to face Celestia but they said nothing. In part due to shock, but mostly because they weren't sure what to say. How in the world could they describe what just happened? How could they tell Celestia that they had won, and yet lost so horribly? Truth be told Celestia was already getting a good idea of what happened. Fluttershy was still crying, and they all looked defeated. It wasn't until Luna came bursting in with Cadence right behind her that they actually spoke.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said hurriedly, “Please, quickly tell me what has transpired. What happened? Where is Spike?”

Luna looked at Twilight with pleaded eyes, but as she took her time forming an answer she looked over the other ponies. She came to the same conclusion that her sister did, that anypony would.

“No,” Luna said with tears building up, “No! Please, Twilight, tell me it isn't so. Tell me this feeling I have isn't true. Tell me that Spike is okay. Please, Twilight, tell me!”

Luna was full on crying now. Cadence stood with Celestia. There was nothing they could do. Not even Twilight could hold it in anymore. The whole situation in all its entirety was sinking in and she was crying. Luna's streaming tears hit the floor and Twilight looked up into her eyes.

“Spike is sorry.”

Ch.20 Gift of Grace

“NO!”

Luna yelled out. Her anger poured forth with each step of her hooves. She angrily stomped about her room for he was unable to remain still. Her fury made her blood run hot and fast through her veins putting her into a restless state of being. She kicked a pillow hard and it hit the far wall with barely a sound. All that was accomplished was Luna making herself more angry. Good thing she cast a silencing spell to keep others from hearing her scream.

“No, no, no!” She muttered to herself.

The reason behind her anger was from the night before. It was the same night that Cadence had come to talk to her. They had a nice talk. Luna spoke of her love for Spike, and how they were connected. She could feel it, the connection, between them. It made her smile It also made Cadence smile, seeing the love they shared. That was also when it happened.

Cadence had invited Luna to late lunch. Luna accepted happily and walked with Cadence to the door. However, as Luna neared the center of the room she was overcome with a sudden sense of. . . something. Dread? Fear? Panic? Pain? All of the above? Whatever it was, it wasn't good. Whatever it was Luna new in her heart that it had something to do with Spike. She stopped where she was in the middle of her bedroom, and collapsed. Cadence rushed over to a Luna bordering on tears. A moment of silence passed and then Luna felt something else. A sudden surge of power that quickly flashed and then left just as quickly. It was a familiar energy that she rushed to. Luna rushed only to find the girls standing in the throne room without Spike, but with their eyes filled with tears.

“No!” Luna said as she kicked another pillow, “It can't be! I cannot lose him, not again. It simply cannot happen.”

Luna paced around her bedroom a few times and looked around. IN her anger she had completely wrecked the room. Her bedding was all over the room. Sheets on one side and the comforter on the other with the pillows dotting all the other places in between. She had piles of books out that were now scattered around. An assortment of other papers and miscellaneous items were also loose and contributed to the mess. She saw it, yet she didn't care. Her mind quickly passed over it as her current train of though barred through.

“I promised myself after the last time that I would not get emotional. I am not going be reduced to some depressed mare stuck in bed that can't do her duties. I will keep up on my royal duties, I have to,” Luna stopped and took a good at herself in her standing mirror. She looked about as good as her bedroom did. “I have to. Spike would want that.”

Just then Luna heard something just outside her door. Hooves? A pony? Were they going to come in? She really didn't want to talk to any pony right now. Even her sister, and that was probably the pony on the other side of the door. A thousand years had passed and yet Celestia was still predictable in some ways. Always trying to help. But the sounds stopped at Luna's door. They did not continue, so she decided to simply ignore them. They would go away in time, whoever they were.

Celestia stood outside the doors to Luna's chambers. She stared at the intricate design of the moon and forgot that she had raised her hoof to knock. But she didn't knock. She stood there, in that place and listened for her dear sister. She heard nothing. She didn't move, she didn't knock.

“You too, huh?”

Celestia moved again in what felt like ages. She turned her head to see Twilight standing a few paces away. Celestia moved and started walking with Twilight at her side. “I just don't know what to do Twilight.”

“None of us do. Not even Cadence could help her right now.”

“But I should be able to,” Celestia said, “I am her sister. I have always been there for her, but now- now I am stuck, frozen in place whenever I get close to her door.”

“I know, Celestia. I'm sorry.

“Hasn't this castle seen enough pain and sadness,” Celestia asked, “Why can we not get one moment of peace? Why does this have to happen, and to Luna of all ponies?”

As the pair walked they turned a corner to see Cadence walking toward them. Her head was low and she had a sullen look about her, as did most of the ponies that knew about Spike. She didn't even know they were there until the last moment when she very nearly ran headlong into them.

Cadence lifted her head at the last moment and noticed her fellow princess's. She jerked herself back and up quickly. It was then Celestia and Twilight noticed she held something on her back. She would have dropped it if it weren't for her quick reflexes. Cadence caught it and put it back up safely on her back in between her wings.

“Oh, Cadence,” Twilight said, “Are you on your way to see Luna?”

“Yes, I am. I have something for her,” Cadence stated nodding at the box on her back.

“Cadence, I am afraid that gifts will do my sister no good right now,” Celestia said.

“I know, Tia, I know. But this isn't from me. It's from Spike.”

Immediately both Celestia and Twilight's heads shot up. Due mostly to shock the two were stunned for a moment.

“What do you mean from Spike?” Celestia demanded answers.

Cadence got a little nervous telling them this. She had hoped to do this without anypony else knowing. She didn't want to explain what Spike had said to her. She didn't want to be the pony ponies blamed, and she knew that is what would happen.

“A while ago me and Spike talked,” Cadence said with a sigh, “He gave me this and told me to give it to Luna if anything ever happened to him. I never thought anything would, or else I would have tried to stop him. I am so sorry.”

Twilight's wing came around to console Cadence. It wrapped around her as Twilight moved to stand next to her. Cadence's eyes would have watered, but she was done crying. She had shed enough tears already.

“It's okay, Cadence,” Twilight said, “You know how Spike got. There was no stopping him.”

“I know, but-”

“But nothing, Cadence,” Celestia said, “You have nothing to apologize for, but if you don't deliver that to Luna you will. Now go, and do as Spike wanted.”

Twilight and Celestia moved past Cadence and left her to go on by herself. She walked the rest of the way to Luna's chambers in silence. She turned down the hall that lead to her doors and was surprised by the silence. Celestia had mentioned this silence before but now she was hearing it for herself, or not hearing it. Nothing at all. It was like walking down the path to meet the Reaper himself. There was a silence that filled the hall. It was heavy and oppressive, the kind of silence that only comes from loss. Cadence had only felt this one time, when Shining Armor was infected by the Madness and it was nothing like this. This was so much. . . more. When she finally came upon Luna's door she found herself in the same place as Celestia. Her hoof raised to knock, but her whole body frozen in place.

Cadence stood there with her hoof barely an inch from from the door. She was ready to knock, she had to knock. She knew she had to. She had something for Luna. It was from Spike. She needed to give it to her. But she didn't want to intrude on Luna, and that silence. It put her on edge. In this time of emotions and loss silence made it all unnerving and that was all that was coming from Luna's bedroom. So Cadence decided to face the silence.

Cadence didn't knock on the door and decided to just open it instead. She gently nudged the door open just a little. Just enough to see inside of the room, but it wasn't enough. The whole room was dark. Not even a single light was on. No candles were lit, she had the curtains drawn so that even the light of the moon and the stars would not shine in.

Cadence nudged the door open a bit farther. The light from the hall shone in through the cracked door. Cadence saw in that one strip of light the mess of the room. Bedding had been thrown all over. The sheets were in part of the room and the comforter was in front of her now. Several boos were strewn about the room looking like they were all tossed without care.

“Luna?”

Cadence called out to her in the darkness. She was already worried for her and this silence was doing nothing to alleviate that worry. It was only making it worse. Cadence waited for a response, any response. A shuffling of sheets, a ruffle of pillows, a sniffle from crying, anything. She waited and listened for any sign of Luna, but she heard nothing in response. Cadence sighed heavily and opened the door. More light shone in, but all she saw was more of the same thing. She walked over to an overturned table and lifted it back up to all four legs. She sat down and placed the box on the table.

“Luna, I am so sorry for you. I know it means next to nothing, but I kinda know what its like. The one I love was taken by the Madness, too. I cried for days. If Spike wasn't there, I would not have him back. Because that is just the kind of dragon he was. Kind, generous, selfless. He was good.”

Cadence stared at the box for a moment longer. She thought about what lay inside of it. She only saw it once when Spike showed it to her, and now she was doing what Spike asked her too. She was giving it to Luna.

“Luna, I have something here for you. A gift, but it isn't from me. I know you don't need any gifts. This is actually from Spike. He gave it to me a short while ago and told me to give it to you-”

Cadence stopped talking just then. She thought about the words she was speaking, and how many of them she wanted to say. Did she really want to say all of it? Should she? Even as the Princess of Love she was still clueless about this.

“Spike told me to give this to you,” Cadence quickly got out, “If anything was to happen to him. I swear, Luna I had no idea this was going to happen.”

Cadence got up to leave. Her head hung low as she left. She moved through the door and slowly closed it with her magic. As the last sliver of light was slowly getting smaller and fading away Cadence whispered one last thing to Luna. “I'm sorry.”

Luna waited a moment longer until all sound of hooves were long gone. She stepped out her shadowed place and approached the table. On it sat a small box. The box was a plain box from the Crystal Empire that could be purchased a dozen places. The ribbon tied around the box was the same. It was definitely from Spike. He never cared much for the big and extravagant things, and he knew Luna didn't either.

“Spike, what could this possibly be?” Luna asked, but there was no pony there to answer her but herself. “You should know that no gift could ever make me move on. No gift could ever make my grief and my anger subside. So what, Spike, could this possibly be? What is you think that will make me feel better in a time like this?!”

Luna's rising anger caused her to tear into the box much more violently than she originally intended to. With just one swipe of her hooves the ribbon was gone and the top part of the box was cleaved off. Luna breathed heavily as her anger simmered, and then she looked down. And she saw the flower. That flower that Spike had worked so hard to create just for Luna. That flower with the long stem and big pedals. That gorgeous flower the color of the deepest blue nighttime skies matched with an almost ethereal white and with also a tinge of purple that he added later. Luna stared at this flower in a state of awe. She slowly lifted the flower and the pot it was in out of the box. She very carefully placed it down on the table. She was just about to toss the box aside when she saw one last thing in the box. A small glimmer of something at the bottom. She reached inside to reveal a letter with her name written elegantly across the front. Spike must have written this.

Luna

If you're reading this than I have failed. I failed to stop the Madness and whatever is controlling it. More than that, I failed you. I made you a promise once. I promised to come back to you and I wanted more than anything else in this world to keep that promise. But I honestly don't know if I am able to. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but you would never have let me leave if I had told you. I asked Cadence to give you this with a flower.

I call it Luna's Grace. A flower I made just for you. I reminds me of everything I love about you. I poured my heart and soul into it. It was easy, because all I had to do was think of you and you never leave my thoughts. I know that wherever I am, as long as you have this you will have a part of me with you there. I know it is not the same as having me there, but I hope that this will help you.

Luna, if you are reading this I'm sorry, but always remember how felt about you. I love you Luna. From the ground I walk on to the stars above, I love you. As the stars are my witness, I love you and I will never stop loving you. My only regret is that I cannot tell you in person. Whenever you look at the flower just remember the love we shared and I will never be far away.

Love, Spike

~~~

“I can't imagine what Luna's going through,” Rarity said, “She thought she lost Spike once before already. Now she may very well have lost him for good.”

“That's not true, Rarity,” Twilight said, “Somehow, we will get Spike back. I just don't know how yet.”

“Yeah, Twilight, you keep figuring that out,” Rainbow Dash blurted out, “It's not like this is an ancient evil from a time that ponies don't even realize existed because it was so long ago. Oh, wait. It is!”

“You're sarcasm ain't helping, Dash,” Applejack stated as she pulled Dash back down to the floor.

“I feel bad for Princess Luna,” Fluttershy said, “She really loves Spike, and now she isn't able to be with him. And right as me and Discord are coming out. I was hoping we could go out on double dates and have fun doing couples stuff together.”

“That does sound like a wonderful idea, Fluttershy,” Discord said. “I wish I could provide any insight into this Madness fiasco, but even my power does little to actually effect it. Mostly I just annoy it. Now, the only I thing I care about is protecting Fluttershy.”

“That's all well and good, Discord, but what about everypony else,” Twilight asked, “Not just us, but all of Equestria. What about them? The Madness is slowly swallowing everything, all of Equestria. It might get pretty lonely if you and Fluttershy are the only ones left.”

“It won't come to that, Twilight,” Celestia said, “I understand Discord's feelings for Fluttershy. I also understand your feeling of hope, Twilight, and share it. Somehow, Spike will come back to us.”

“Once again, I will ask it,” Dash groaned, “HOW?! How are we going to get Spike back when he was the only one who could even touch the Madness without being affected?”

“I will bring him back.”

All talking stopped after those words and all eyes turned to see Luna standing there. She had collected herself quite well. Her mane was back to normal and even had an extra shine to it. Her coat was smooth and clean. And her eyes, they were not filled with the anger and the grief they had all expected to see. Instead, they were filled with a determination and intensity they had only before seen in Spike himself. The one thing that was new about her, was the flower she wore in her mane, just above her left ear.

“Luna, what do you mean?” Cadence asked.

“I mean just what I stated,” Luna replied, “I will go and bring Spike back.”

“But, how?” Twilight asked.

“I guess I'll just have to use a touch of grace,” Luna said, “But one way or another I will be getting Spike back.”

Ch.21 Darkness Arisen

Spike waved his hand in front of the girls. A flash of light and they were gone. A flash of light and the last remnants of Spike went with them. His last act while the ooze was struggling to wrest control of his very being from him was to save them. He stared blankly at the space where they stood. His vision blurred and darkened. His whole body went limp, like he was so physically exhausted that he couldn't even move. All the while there was a pounding in his head that would not stop. And Spike slowly, and painfully slipped away from the world he knew.

“Hahaha! Yes!” King Bloodthorn shouted with a disturbingly happy tone. He practically leaped off his throne to come and inspect the new Spike. He lay still at the edge of the ooze pit. Still only half of his body had emerged, but what they could see was quite large.

“Yes, Father,” Ebony hissed, “It would seem that we finally got what we wanted. A true host body for the ooze. Now all our plans can move forward.”

“Our plans? Ebony, my dear daughter, you are the most trusted of my inner circle. That is not because you are my daughter, but because you get the job done,” Bloodthorn said as he moved around the pit and Spike to his daughter. “But remember that this all started with me, and all the plans are mine. You are just a moving part in a much larger operation.”

Ebony stared at her father with wide eyes. She couldn't believe he just said that. She couldn't believe that he would speak to his own daughter that way. Her widened with sheer shock at his words. She looked away and closed her eyes. Bloodthorn could see his daughter shaking even though her back was turned.

“Do not cry, my dear,” He said, “My words are not meant to hurt, but to build.”

“Ahhahahahaha!”

Ebony busted out laughing as her father spoke to her. She laughed not maniacally, or wickedly. Not even in an evil manner. She just laughed, like someone had just told her some really hilarious joke.

“Why do you mock me so!?” Bloodthorn yelled with a rising anger.

Ebony Thorn finished her bout of laughter and cleared her face. Her head snapped back to her father. She looked at him with eyes full of wickedness and and vile lust for evil that he had never before seen in her. It frightened him, seeing this in his daughter. She came up to him with that same smile she always wore, but only now did he see the truth that lay behind it.

“I mock you, Father because you are a fool. You found the ooze after everypony thought it was destroyed, and therefore you think yourself its master. Ha! Its truly laughable. Your plans fell through the same moment you spat them out, Father. You have never controlled anything. I have!”

Ebony came up to her father, the Mad King Bloodthorn. He was showing his fear all over his face. HE was nearly cowering from his own daughter. He was doing his best to try and stay standing tall in front of her, but between the rage he was feeling and how scared he was of her self control was running low in him. Rivers of sweat rolled off his brow as she spoke to him and she wasn't done yet.

“Father. Dear, sweet, Father. Do you remember when I named you the Mad King? It was right after you tested on me, and made me what I am today. Do you remember?”

“Yes, Ebony, I remember that day.”

“Well, I have a secret to tell you, Father. You failed. You see I used to sneak into your gardens when you were away, and that time was no different. It was the night before. I found a small container full of the most beautiful black substance, and it just spoke to me. No, it sang to me. Do you see now, Father? You were not the first chosen. I was!”

“Impossible!”

Bloodthorn's fear left him as his anger overpowered it. His fear was smothered by the fury of his rage. He felt it building up as his daughter spoke more and more and more. She mocked and laughed at him like he was fool, a jester only there to amuse her at her whims. He glared at her as she flaunted her apparent superiority. NO! He was not going to let her get away with this. Even if he was the second chosen, after his daughter, he still had power in his own right. He charged up his own power, but never got a chance to use it. Something behind him stirred. He could just sense it as it shifted. The raw, unbridled power of it as it rose up. The pressure it put out. It was unbelievably dark and a new fear rose up from deep within him that overshadowed his anger by so much more than he thought possible.

“Haha. She speaks the truth, Bloodthorn.” The voice came from behind him. It was deep, masculine, and full of energy. Yet, it was also dark and wicked with a hissed tone to it. The only thing that was behind him was. . . was. . . Spike. Bloodthorn slowly creaked his head around to see the eyes of pure evil staring into his very soul. Spike's looked down at him from his new height.

“You believed yourself a king among the Mad, but it was only because I let it be so. You are a shell full of cowardice and fear, apathy and sloth. You cared more for the power behind the title than the actual job you were meant to do with it.”

Spike rose up out of the ooze pit. His new, larger form lifted up from the pit like a rising wave of darkness. His shadow alone encompassed half the room, and left the area feeling cold and lifeless. Ebony was more at home than ever before as she basked in the darkness, but Bloodthorn had never felt more unease in his entire life.

“Your daughter, Ebony Thorn. A truly dark soul before I even got my oozed claws into her. She is more of Mad Pony than you could ever hope to be. And now that the job is complete there is no need for you anymore. The reign of the Mad King is at an end.”

“So what then?” Bloodthorn shouted out, “What was I then? The jester made king so that you could all get a laugh? Or was I simply the face of the enemy meant to distract while you really worked from behind my back? What was the point?!”

“You really don't get it, Father?” Ebony mockingly asked as she skipped down to him with a smile. “You were given power, but you were never meant to keep it. I worked from the shadows while you strutted about in the light for all the ponies to see. You were never a king, Father, you were just the running joke! Ahahaha!”

Bloodthorn had had enough. He was tired of getting laughed at like some second rate street pony trying to make a few bits. He was tired of being made fun of by his own daughter. He screamed out his anger and charged up his horn. He screamed again as he thrust it out at Ebony in his rage, but his magic blast never made it anywhere.

A large, darkened hand came from above and slammed straight into him. His shouts of anger went to shouts of pain as it coursed through his chest. He could feel the claws of the dragon digging into him. It was a pain the likes of which he had never before felt. This went far beyond the physically tormenting change all the Mad Ponies went through when they first experienced the ooze. No, this was the kind of pain one felt when their very soul was being torn into.

“Ooh, you almost got me there, Father,” Ebony teased, “But I've got Spike on my side and he is new and improved and better than ever before.”

“And I will be taking back my power now.”

Ebony skipped back up to the former kings throne and sat down. “It would seem that the king has just been dethroned. Haha!”

Bloodthorn looked up at Ebony, and then to Spike. The dragon truly was gone. He was completely taken over by this dark power. Usually there was always some last piece, some shred of the being they used to be that remained. Not with him. Not with Spike. There was nothing left. Only now did Bloodthorn fully comprehend the full scope of the ooze and what it was capable of. But it didn't matter. HE looked into the eyes of the dragon, and he saw nothing. Not even a soul remained. The former king went limp and Spike pulled his hand out. In it was a small ball of pure red energy. Spike crushed it in his hand and absorbed the power of the former king before tossing his body aside.

“Come now, my queen,” Spike said, “We have a land full of ponies to conquer.”

“That we do,” Ebony said as she bounced to Spike's side, “And there isn't a single person I would rather do it with.”

“What about Rarity?”

“Okay, maybe her. But she is gone, and I am not complaining.”

Spike smiled and walked with Ebony to the front doors of the fortress. The same doors he assaulted with Flake and the girls to get in. They had closed behind them after they entered and remained that way. This time opening them was so much easier. All Spike had to was reach out and pull them open. The doors creaked and groaned but opened nonetheless. It was like a different world on the other side of those doors. They opened up to reveal the signs of a battle raging on still.

Spike and Ebony stood and watched the scene unfold before them. The Mad Ponies were still fighting with the forces of Spike's army. It was even match as they fought. The glint of the sunlight still shone of the armor that Celestia's Royal Guard Forces wore, and Luna's guards were still wrapped in a cloak of darkness. Fluttershy's army of animals was working with the Appleloosans that Applejack brought. Together all the forces were holding their own against the forces of the Mad Ponies, but that didn't matter now.

As the doors opened up, a gust of wind escaped the fortress with a low moan. It carried with it a strange sense of dread and foreboding. The moaning wind swept over the field of battle and a stillness followed as everypony reacted to the chills running through them. They all had the sense of where it came from, but it was the ponies closest to the fortress who saw it first. They stopped combat all together to stare at the pair to exit the place. And that same stillness ran through every pony there until not a single one moved.

Shining Armor watched over little Flake Frost after she conjured up a snowstorm on a day of clear skies. She had exhausted herself and both Spike and Twilight wanted her safe and sound. They didn't even need to ask. He offered to protect her, and he had Strikefire and his brother with him. Together the three of them held the line that separated a small army of Mad Ponies and Flake.

They fought for what seemed like hours but was most likely just moments. Shining would occasionally glance over at the fortress and see a flash of light. If only he knew what it was! His instinct to go and be with his sister told him to leave but he had a duty to stay with the ponies he was sworn to protect, and before he knew it everything had stopped. The sounds of metal against metal and the shouting of ponies died down to nothing. He pushed his way through the crowd and he soon saw why everything was still. He couldn't believe it.

“Spike!” Shining Armor couldn't move fast enough to stop Flake as she raced out from the front lines to Spike. He got to her too late, as she came to realize that this was not the same dragon she once knew.

“Spike?” She questioned with unease. She looked up at him, but it was like looking at a completely different being. The old Spike was gone. No more was the purple and green dragon. Now there stood a dragon with darkened violet scales that had a strange luster to them and spikes of the purest, deepest black running down from his head to his tail. Spike was tall before standing just above the height of a full grown adult male stallion like Big Mac, but now he stood at nearly triple that height. Flake squeaked out his name and he looked down at her with his glowing red eyes.

“Ah, young Flake Frost. I thought you had been taken away from this place long before now,” Spike said with that deep, and deeply wicked tone, “Shining Armor, what would Twilight think of you if you caused little Flake to get hurt?”

“And what would she think of you, Spike? For giving into the Madness?”

“Giving in? Oh, no, Shining Armor, Spike didn't give in,” Ebony said, “That body was taken from him, and he was powerless to stop it. I helped a little.”

“No, Spike. You can't be. . .” Flake struggled with words as her young heart sank. Her eyes watered and Shining Armor stood in between her and Spike. He was going to defend her to his last breath if it came to that.

“Such nobility,” Spike said, “Well, Shining Armor, I will give you another chance. Take young Flake Frost from this place. Take her, and run away from here.”

“And if I don't?”

“Run pony, or be taken in once again by the Madness. I can see the mark it left on your soul even now. It would not be a hard transition. Not like the rest of them.”

Spike held out a large right hand. His claws were pointed down and his fingers hung lazily from his hands. Quickly, his hand snapped palm up and he flexed his fingers out. Behind Shining Armor a group of ponies from both Spike's forces and the Mad Ponies shrieked and shouted. Even a few Darkmares were caught as tendrils of black ooze rose up from the ground beneath their hooves. They reached out and tugged at the ponies, tying them and holding them as they were dragged down into the ooze filled land beneath them. All the ponies watched in horror as this happened. Fear filled them up as those very same ponies rose back up from the ooze only moment later, but they had been changed. No longer guard ponies, but not Mad Ponies either. It was some darker, crossbreed of the two.

“Go now, Shining Armor. Take Flake with you as you flee from this place, and carry with you a warning. The Madness has ended, and a new Darkness is coming to Equestria.”

Shining Armor stared up at Spike for a moment, but he could feel it. That feeling of a thousand pairs of eyes on him. They were all staring at him, all of them. He looked down at Flake. She was still in shock and unresponsive. He looked around only to confirm that the eyes of a thousand ponies were indeed all on him. He circled around looking everywhere. He was searching for an answer, for a question he didn't even want to know. His instincts told him to stay and fight, but he knew that that was futile. What worried him was not the thought of running with Flake, but with the thought that he actually wanted to. He didn't want to admit that he was actually afraid, and he surely didn't want to leave all these ponies here. Not the same ponies that he lead here. He was driving himself mad until he felt a hoof his shoulder. He snapped around to see none other than Strikefire standing before him. The large pony stood between him and Spike. He lifted Flake up and placed her on Shining's back.

“Go, Shining Armor,” He said. “Save at least one of us.”

He listened as many of the ponies around echoed the words. They told him to go, to leave, to run. They told him to leave, and save the young Flake Frost. The ponies came together around Strikefire, forming a wall between him and Spike. With each and every pony that was added to the wall Shining Armor was forced back a little bit. He held back tears as he turned and fled the fortress with little Flake on his back. He would never forget the sounds echoing through the air as he fled. Screaming, shrieking, crying out. Ponies were being corrupted and he was running away. And yet, above all that was Spike. His deep, evil laugh would echo throughout all of Equestria.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” He angrily cried out as tears flowed from his eyes.

~~~

“Luna, you can't go after Spike all on your own,” Celestia stated firmly.

“I will not endanger any other pony that would accompany me, sister,” Luna replied.

“Luna, we do not even know what Spike, is capable of,” Twilight said.

Luna snapped her head over to Cadence. She narrowed her eyes as she spoke her mind to her fellow Princess. “I know exactly what Spike is capable of, Twilight Sparkle. He is kind and generous, loving and compassionate. He cared for every pony and hates no one. He had great power but he helps instead of hurting. He has a big heart, and would give his life if it meant protecting his friends. That is what Spike is capable of, and you should know that.”

“Luna,” Cadence said, “I want Spike back just as much as any other pony, but going alone is-”

“Princess Celestia!”

The voice came from one of the few guard ponies that remained in Canterlot. He raced through the halls of the Royal Canterlot Castle until he came to the Princess's chambers. He barely even waited to knock as he bust the doors down. He looked fatigued from running and also deeply concerned about something. But what?

“Princess Celestia,” He said with a heavy breath.

“Calm down, take a breath.”

“No time, Your Highness. A pony approaches the gates of the city.”

“So? What makes one pony so special?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Your Highness, it is Shining Armor,” He said.

“What?!” Cadence shot up and toward the guard. “How is he? Is he alone?”

“Unknown,” The guard said, “It would appear that he has been traveling for some time.”

“Do you think he came from the fortress?” Fluttershy asked.

“That's at least a week on hoof,” Applejack said.

“Oh my. Do you really think he's been out there for a week?”

Nopony responded to their questions, but both Cadence and Twilight followed the guard out to where he saw Shining Armor. They were moving as fast they possibly could through the halls and went even fast as they exited the castle. Celestia and Luna moved a bit slower with the rest of the girls behind them.

It was a short distance to the post where Shining Armor was seen. It was a side gate away from the main parts of the city. That was good. They all arrived just in time to see the gates opening up. Two earth ponies on each side pulled the large gated doors open. The bleak and gloomy day was only made more so as a pony walked through the doors. The pony's head was down, their mane was covering their face. Their body was dangerously thin and yet they walked on. Upon this pony's back was a small filly curled up in some sort of cloth. The filly looked to be in much better condition than the pony carrying it.

Twilight and Cadence stepped in the path of the pony, but he didn't stop. He didn't even register them as he walked right past them. The pony moved a slow and labored pace, almost like he was sleeping.

“Shining Armor,” Cadence said, “Shining Armor, is that you?”

“Brother, it's me, Twilight. Your sister, and Cadence, you wife.”

The pony stopped moving with one last step. His head lowered and he shook it a few times. He raised it back up again and looked back up at them. It was indeed Shining Armor before them, but he didn't say anything. He said nothing as he stared at them. His eyes slowly closed and his legs shook. He legs collapsed beneath him and he fell to the side. Cadence caught him in her hooves and Twilight caught the filly.

“It's Flake Frost.” She stated as she looked down at the sleeping filly.

“What in Equestria happened to them?” Rarity asked.

Cadence asked, as she caressed her husband's body. She used her magic to nourish him enough to get him back to the castle. Meanwhile, Celestia herself went to get help for both him and Flake.

A few days passed after they arrived. Shining Armor was sleeping for most of it. The doctors said he was in all sorts of bad shape. Exhaustion, malnutrition, hunger, thirst. Overall they were greatly surprised that he was even moving at all when he was found. Cadence never moved from his side, and Twilight was there as much as she could be. She spent a lot of her time with Flake, too. She was in better shape the Shining Armor. He must have given her whatever food and protection he had. But she wasn't doing any better than he was.

Flake Frost was in a waking coma state of being. She moved, but barely enough to justify moving at all. She ate, but it was barely enough for a filly. She didn't speak, however. She just sat in the room and stared out the window. When she was sure nopony else was around Flake was sometimes cry. Twilight heard this a couple times, but never intruded. Although, on this particular day Flake did something a little different.

Twilight walked into her room at the castle. She had just come from seeing her brother. She closed the door behind her and went straight for her bed. She needed some rest, as much as she wanted to stay awake. Her friends insisted heavily to the point that Applejack was a hoofshakes time away from knocking Twilight out so she could get some rest. And so Twilight slid the covers down for her to slip in between them. As she was about to climb into bed, however, she heard her door open. Light spilled through the open doorway and a small shadow came through.

“Huh?” Twilight said, “Who's there?”

“Twilight, I need some help.”

“Flake, is that you?”

“Who else would it be?” Flake snapped back at her, “There ain't that many ponies here and not many of 'em would be talking to you, now would they?”

“Calm down, Flake. What is it you needed help with?”

“I- it's j- just that, well, you see,” Flake stammered on for a second, “Ugh. I ain't no good at this.”

Twilight came over an consoled the poor young filly. She lead Flake over to nearby couch. It was under a window so they could see out over the entire city of Canterlot. The lights from the day of work were fading away as the nighttime was slowly coming up. Twilight sat down and Flake jumped up next to her.

“Tell me, Flake, what is bothering you so?”

Flake sighed, “Shining Armor, he's your brother, ain't he?”

“Yes, he is.”

“I'm sorry, Twilight. I know what it's like to have a brother that got hurt,” Flake stared out the window and looked over the city. “I think it may be my fault, though. Shining Armor wouldn't be like this if it weren't for me.”

Before Twilight could even ask Flake started talking. She recounted the events of the fortress after they had been sent away by Spike. Moments passed, but it was like time stopped for her. She was frozen in that moment. Every time she closed her eyes she was taken back there, to that place. Every time she closed her eyes she could see that face, and those eyes staring at her. They were staring into her. Flake shuddered at the very thought of it.

She told Twilight of Shining Armor and the words Spike said to him. She told her of everything that Spike did. Flake explained as much as she could about what Shining Armor went through as he was forced to flee the fortress with her on his back. By the time she had finished speaking she had been crying for a while. Twilight was too stunned to say anything back for a while. After a few moments Twilight regained her composure. She looked at the little filly. She had already been through so much in her short life that she really shouldn't have to.

“Flake, there is nothing for you to be sorry for,” Twilight said compassionately, “There was nothing you could have done, about my brother or Spike.”

“I don't understand, Twilight,” Flake said, her voice shaking as if she was pleading Twilight for answers that she so desperately wanted, but wasn't sure if anyone had. “Why, Twilight? Why did Spike do it? What happened to him? He ain't like the dragon I know at all!”

“I know, Flake. I know,” Twilight held the young filly as she buried her head into her chest. Twilight held her as she cried and cried. It would not go one forever. Twilight would let her have this night, and then she would go to Luna. They were getting Spike back, one way or another.

Ch.22 Locked Away

Spike stared into the eyes of the enemy. His eyes could see more than almost any other being in the land of Equestria. He could see more about a pony with just a glance than any other. And right in that moment he finally saw it all. He could see the truth of it all finally revealing itself. Spike stared into the eyes of Ebony Thorn, and he finally saw the threat she posed in all of its entirety. But there was nothing he could do. He was already gone, defeated. He was already falling down farther and farther on his way to meet the ooze. Ebony had sealed his way with a kiss.

Spike met the ooze with a silent splash. The ooze erupted around him as he impacted the surface. The ooze rose up as if to greet him like he was a long awaited hero. But there was no sound to his greeting. No sounds, no noise, no nothing. Spike sank further down into the ooze. It fell back down all around him, like a black rain of darkness. Still, he stared up and could see Ebony thorn looking down at him.

Slowly he sake down. He had lost all sense of how long he was in there. There was no way for him to tell. To him it was all just still, but his world was slowly getting darker, and darker. He could feel it, this darkness creeping into him. Somehow, it found its way into every part of his being. Under every scale it slithered in. Through every wound it seeped inside of his body. He could feel it burrowing into his mind, corrupting it and dragging it into the darkness. He could feel the ooze with its darkness and evil cracking open his defenses, and climbing in like a deranged beast. His very soul was being taken from him. It would not be long now. Spike was already more than half way submerged, and he was losing more of himself by the second.

But that couldn't be! There was still something that Spike had to say. He clenched his fist together and rose from the ooze. He could feel the changes in himself, and he hoped that the girls would still listen to him. Even now, he still had a part of him that was still him. He had to use it, and tell them. There was something the she needed to hear.

And so Spike rose from the ooze and crashed down in front of the girls. The ponies he swore to protect were standing before him, six pairs of eyes stared at him full of fear and concern. That didn't matter, not right now. Pain was coursing through him. His mind thought to the point that thinking itself was an agonizing task. The very act of holding himself up made his arms burn like lave itself was poured under his scales. And yet he spoke.

Spike fought through the pain to tell Twilight, “Tell Luna that I'm sorry.”

Spike could feel himself slipping away. His very essence was being taken over and whatever was left was being corrupted by Darkness. He summoned up the very last reserves of what he had left and sent the girls away with a wave of his hand. And with that Spike's world went dark, and he slipped away into the Darkness.

“Welcome, young dragon.”

“What? Someone there?” Spike said. He could hear something, some voice out in the dark. There was nobody there, though. At least, no one that he could see. Spike could sense it, however. He could feel that other presence out there in the dark.

“Yes, young one. Someone is here. You are here, and I am you.”

“Don't play games with me!” Spike yelled out into the nothingness, “Tell me where I am and what you are right now!”

“So demanding. So commanding. So forceful, and aggressive,” The strange voice said, “But you are stuck firmly in the false light of your actions. Don't you see, young dragon? There is a shadow cast wherever there is light.”

“Let me guess, you are that shadow?” Spike responded.

“There must be balance. I'm sure Smoke Shadow told you much about this.”

“Answer my questions!” Spike called out. He rose up to stand up tall. He stood at the ready and waited for the strike he could feel was coming. “Who are you? Where am I? How do you know Smoke Shadow?”

Spike was suddenly overwhelmed by the pressure of something behind him. He turned to find himself facing a scene unfolding. It was beautifully dark with a red sky fading down below the horizon line. Spike gasped as the scene zoomed in to the land of Equestria. Images flashed before him. At first it was just a few and then more and more. He recognized a few images of the ancient dragon empire and the Dark Dragon King Galeek. Images flashed by of the ooze and many other things that Spike did not understand. Being and lands that were unknown to him. But in all of them there was one thing consistently the same.

“I have sat idle and waited and watched. I have been in these lands longer than any other thing, living or not,” The strange voice said, “I have seen many kingdoms rise and fall, yet only a select few have ever come across my great power. Those that have do not linger.”

Spike watched as more images flashed up. These images were of beings, given dark powers and there lands being torn asunder as they themselves lose everything that was their own. Their minds, their bodies, their homes.

“I am the ooze, young dragon! I am the Darkness that forever haunts these lands!” The voice called out as the images faded back out to the horizon with the red sky. Spike watched as the imaged morphed and shifted itself until he was looking into a mirror almost. “For now, you may call me Spike, young dragon. And you, you are not even relevant anymore.”

The Anti-Spike raised a hand at the real Spike. He smirked and quickly clenched his fist. The real Spike lurched forward at the other one, but got nowhere. A sphere of energy emerged from the dark around him. Spike slammed into it and pounded on it with both fists. Chains shot forth from the sphere, glowing with the same energy and clasped around his wrists and his ankles. Spike was suspended in that sphere like a work of art in some museum, or a trophy. He angrily glared out at the dark version of himself as it strutted about in front of his eyes.

“You,” Spike snarled, “I will end you!”

“Oh, please, spare me the petty threats,” The Anti-Spike replied, “Do not be so angry that your home is going to be taken from you. Or is it the ponies that you worry over?”

Spike's anger flared up, “I failed my friends! I left them behind!” He yelled out in his fury. “I left her behind! I left Luna, I broke the promise I made to her. I won't let you get away with any of this.”

“Promise? Oh, you mean that silly little thing where you promised you would come back to her?”

Impossible! There was no way he could know about that. That was between him and Luna, and no one else. He couldn't know, he just couldn't. Spike stared at him in awe. He was shocked, stunned. The Anti-Spike could see the torment he was doing, and he was loving it. He smiled wickedly and laughed even more so.

“Do you still not realize it, young dragon? This is your soul. I have taken over your very being. All that was you, is now me. I am you!”

Spike hung his head low and sank as low as he could within the length of the chains that bound him. They held him up high, though, so he could watch. He was forced to watch. The darker version of him turned and threw up another image before him. This was not like the others. No more images of the past flashed before his eyes. No, not this time. Now, Spike was forced to watch the world through his very own eyes as the Anti-Spike faded away into the dark and took full control of him.

Spike was forced to watch as his body acted without him. Spike was forced to watch as Bloodthorn's power, his very soul was ripped from his being and destroyed. Spike was chained like an animal and forced to watch the horrors committed by his own body, with his own to hands. He couldn't stand to watch as he drove away Shining Armor with Flake on his back, and yet he had to. He could not look away. Everywhere he looked there was the image, and even when he closed his eyes tight and tried to think of other things, still he was tormented by those images. It was impossible to get rid of them.

A full day passed after that. Spike watched as more of the forces that fought the day before were forcefully transformed into the agents of Darkness to follow his dark version. Even Ebony Thorn didn't escape this, but she was not forced. She was a willing subject who changed to same way she acted. Evil, yet graceful. Dark and twisted, but with a strange beauty to her. All Spike could do was think of Luna.

“Luna, I gave you grace. Now please, come and give me peace.” Spike said between tears, “Please, Luna, come and free me from this. I beg of you.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. That just won't do, young one,” The voice said as the Anti-Spike materialized before him. “You should know that you are never getting out of here. No one can free you. Do you know why? You should.”

“Just leave me alone.”

“Where is the fun in that? Let me explain a bit more, because you seem to be a bit slow in picking this up.” The Anti-Spike leaned against the energy shell and was lazily doodling something as he spoke.

“You see, young one, I corrupted you. I found my way into the very deepest parts of you and I claimed them as my own. The ooze that made up the most of my physical aspect outside seeped into you. I am you. You are me. There is no separation, no freedom, and absolutely no being left alone. Do you see now, or does your stupidity extend further?”

“I understand,” Spike said, “I think I finally realize why all the others that got corrupted by the ooze went mad. You never shut up, do you?”

Annoyed at Spike's defiance the Anti-Spike raised a hand and clenched his fist tightly. Shocks of pure magical energy raced along the chains and tortured Spike for a solid minute. Spike breathed heavy and his head was low. When he did look back up again he still had that defiant look in his eyes. The Anti-Spike shocked him a few more times before leaving to do something in the real world. Spike was left in pain, but still not broken. He noticed the area of the sphere where the drawing was had not been erased. A crude drawing of him stepping on Spike was etched into the sphere.

“You know your drawing skills are terrible,” Spike shouted. “I know three fillies that can do better than that.”

~~~

Luna lay upon her bed and stared up at the canopy above. It's dark folds and cast shadows drew her gaze as she traced them in a desperate attempt the avert her attention away from the world. Her attempt failed as her head fell to the sheets and she found herself looking once again the Luna's Grace that Spike had given her. It lay on the folded letter that was with it. She knew he had used magic on it, for it did not age or wither or require water. It just sat there and was beautiful with its grace. She knew Spike would say that she was just the same way.

“Ahh!” She cried out sharply, “Why do these thoughts torment me so? I know that Spike is gone, and I know that I need to go after him.”

“Then why don't you?”

“Because I am afraid,” Luna said as she climbed out of her bed. “I am afraid of what I will find. Will it be Spike? Will there be any of my Spike left to save? Can I even do it? I was ready before, but then . . .”

“What happened?”

“I was ready. I was set to go. I had Spike's gift with me, I had the power of our love burning inside of me even stronger than usual, if that's even possible. And then Shining Armor appeared with young Flake Frost and I- I-”

“You got discouraged, Luna.”

“Hey!” Luna recoiled on the sound of that voice. She had been talking with it for a short while but never actually saw its source. When she did turn to face it she found herself staring into her very own standing mirror. She could see her own reflection and then the mirror got dark. It's reflective surface turned dark with a swirl of mist and another figure appeared in the mirror.

“Smoke Shadow?!” Luna cried out in surprise. “Can this truly be? Is it you?”

“I could feel your pain, Luna. I could hear your heart calling out for answers. I came to help in any way I could.”

“Does this mean that you are-”

“I am still gone, Luna,” Smoke Shadow said, “But I will always be with you, as corny as that sounds.”

“It is still good to see you, old friend,” Luna said with a smile, “Are you aware of what has happened here?”

“Unfortunately, I am. The aftershocks were felt far beyond the lands of Equestria. The balance has been tipped, the scales broken. Darkness is coming, and Spike is its herald, it general, its king.”

“How can I get him back, Shadow? Please, if you have anything that can help me, I will take it.” Luna pleaded of her old friend for answers and advice. The old story telling dragon smiled and looked at his old friend.

“Luna, you have more than you could ever need to get Spike back,” He said, “Strip away your title and your crown, you still have what you need. Take away your magic and your wings, you still have everything you need. Don't you see, Luna? You have his love, and he has yours. In times of great Darkness, love can be the light that guides you. It worked for me.”

“What do you mean? You never told me this before. Who held your love?”

“It matters not anymore,” Smoke Shadow said, “She sacrificed herself a very long time ago. Now it is time for you and your love to shine bright.”

Luna nodded her head in thanks. “Thank you, old friend.”

“Luna, who are you talking to?”

Luna's head snapped to the side. She saw Twilight standing in the doorway holding a door open. Luna was dumbfounded as she tried to formulate an answer that would appease Twilight and her intuitive mind. She looked back at her mirror, but it was blank and empty of all but her own reflection. Luna smiled and turned back to Twilight.

“I was just talking,” She said, “Getting some advice.”

“It better have been good advice,” Twilight said, “We are going to get Spike back. I just don't know how.”

“Fret not, Twilight Sparkle. I have everything we need,” Luna said with a hopeful smile as she grabbed the Luna's Grace off her nightstand.

~~~

More days passed on by as Spike hung still in his chains. He watched through the special view his dark self set up for him, as his body moved and acted under the control of another. He despised the ooze, the Darkness and everything that fell in with it. He hated having to watch such despicable things occur with his own two hands. But he was powerless to do anything. He was effectively-

“Trapped.” The Anti-Spike hissed, “That is all you are. A little lizard who got caught in the grasp of something far more powerful than yourself. Now you are trapped and that is how you shall remain for as long as you live.”

“Wow, that is a really long time,” Spike sarcastically responded, “I mean, really. Do you know how long dragons live? Well, let me tell you its a really long time. I don't know about you, but I am gonna get bored after a first few hundred years. Maybe you could stop by a comic store and pick up a few for me.”

“Insolent whelp! Do you still not fully understand what this is?!”

Spike looked at him with a puzzled look. He scrunched up his face as he pretended to be thinking hard on an answer. “The most intense internal debate ever,” Spike guessed.

“Argh! Why?! Why do insist on being so defiant?!” The Anti-Spike roared angrily, “Why will you not just break? Your friends are gone. Your life is gone. I will make you watch as I perform unspeakable horrors with your body to the very ponies you swore to protect. You will watch as I personally corrupt your dear, sweet, lovely, Luna.”

“That is really dark,” Spike said flatly, “All I'm trying to say is that every other time that you did this to someone, you drove 'em mad and you ended up having to restart the whole process after a while. Maybe if you keep me sane you will get to enjoy this body a bit longer.”

“And what possible reason could you have to help me?”

“What? I don't want to help you. What do you think I am, stupid,” Spike replied with exaggerated head movements. “I'm just trying to stall you so I remain sane for as long as possible.”

The Anti-Spike stepped forward a few steps and let out a wicked little chuckle and sank his claws deep into the energy sphere holding the real Spike in. His claws tore through the energy like it was thin, wet paper.

“I do believe you are already losing it, young one,” He said venomously. “Your sanity is slowly seeping away, being eaten up by the dark vortex that surrounds you. Just sit back, and enjoy it. It get better after a while.”

He yanked his claws out and Spike watched as the sphere repaired itself from the damage that was done. His dark version sauntered off like the owned the place and chuckled a bit as he went. Eventually, he faded away into the darkness and Spike noticed something about the sphere.

“Hey, you destroyed your little doodle,” Spike loudly complained, “It was a crappy drawing, but I was kinda starting to like it. Eesh, maybe I am going insane. Hmm, maybe I could use my tail to draw some doodles myself.”

Spike stretched out his tail after thinking that thought and reached out in any direction he could, but it was no use. No matter where he stretched his tail the energy sphere was just out of reach. It was almost like the sphere was purposely making itself impossible to reach. Spike groaned with effort as he tried again and again for what seemed like hours to him. After a while, he relaxed and let his body fall limp. He was actually kinda tired.

“Well, this is just great,” He mumbled to himself, “The host is terrible, and the customer service is even worse. I mean, I haven't seen a single waiter anywhere. There are no comics. The conversation is completely one sided and always off topic. On top of all that the rooms are really small and uncomfortable. Man, this is gonna get real boring real quick.”

As Spike mumbled to himself the area of darkness directly in front of him flared up. A light flashed brightly as his body opened its eyes. The light faded and Spike found that his body was staring up at a ceiling in the fortress. Wait, he was still there? He honestly thought they had moved on.

“Come on now, Spike, it is time for us to go.”

Spike's head turned to see Ebony Thorn standing there and looking better than ever before. Her long, slender, beautiful legs supported her small, graceful form. Her sleek coat was the color of dark amethyst and even shone a little bit as her crystal pony heritage bled through. Her long, straight mane fell down in front of her right eye, but left her other eye open. Spike could see the that her eyes were unlike any others. Fully black, with a small red circle where her iris would be. Her Unicorn horn was just a bit longer then most and came to a deadly sharp point. She stayed true the Thorn in her name.

“Ah, yes.” The Anti-Spike rose from his bed and walked over to Ebony. “It's time for use to begin. Where shall we start, my dear?”

“At the beginning, of course,” Ebony replied, “We will start with the place where Spike first learned of dragons and magic and the ooze. We will take Canterlot!”

“Haha! Excellent!” The Anti-Spike said. “After you, dearest Ebony.”

Together they rallied the forces. Ebony and the new, darker Spike stalked the halls of the fortress. It was not like any other time she walked those halls. She had been down the maze of hallways dozens upon dozens of times, and yet she had never seen anything like this. With every step the two of them took more and more ponies emerged from the shadows and all the dark hidden places. With every corner they turned the pair had more and more of them following. When they finally emerged through the doors they had an entire army at their backs, and still more were crawling out from every nook and cranny. Darkness poured forth from the fortress and it was going to spread its evil across Equestria until it finally came to Canterlot. And all Spike could do was hang by his chains, and watch.

Ch.23 Epic Confrontation

Spike marched with his dark army for the gates of Canterlot. Every step he took was one step closer to the city, and to a land of Darkness. Ebony Thorn marched at his side. A pony, mad and evil beyond any normal comprehension. She was to be his queen, and she wanted to to be his queen. Together they would raze the city, capture the ponies, and spread the Darkness. In one fell swoop they would take the city, Spike's friends, and his one true love all at the same time. It couldn't get better than that, and they had the forces to do it, too.

Together, the two of them commanded a mighty army. Legions of ponies marched behind those two. They would follow them into the very depths of Tartarus itself. Although, it was not loyalty that drove them. Nor was it fear. No, it was a corruption that had infested their minds and took control of them. This was also what made them so formidable. These ponies knew nothing of such things as fear, and sleep, and defeat. They were the pinnacle of evil and they knew it.

Luna lead the way to Spike. She could feel it deep within herself. She knew where to fins Spike, and she knew that she had everything she needed to get him back. She was going to bring him back to her, one way or another. She marched with Luna's Grace decorating her mane and a look of intense determination on her face. Twilight stood at her side, ready and willing to assist her in any way. Luna was glad to have her. Both Celestia and Cadence stayed behind in Canterlot. Shining Armor was still there, as he was still in no condition to even move. They were the last line of defense in case of the event that Luna and Twilight failed in their goals. But they carried with them enough confidence and hope for a thousand ponies more, and they had some forces of their own.

While not nearly as numerous as the enemy forces, Luna had quite a few ponies with her. Behind her and Twilight stood six. These six stood proud and tall and ready to fight for the ones they cared about, both back at home and within the ranks of the Darkness.

Flake Frost stood tall and proud, easily the youngest of them all and yet powerful enough to handle herself. She had managed to wrangle up a few dozen ponies from the icy lands she grew up in. Not only did they bring with them the living ice of the ice farms but the ice imps that would normally torment them would be saving them this day. She smiled as she lead them into the upcoming battle, but her smile was just to hide the fact that she was absolutely terrified.

Other than her it was the rest of the girls that stood with them. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. They all worked hard to muster up the meager forces they had. Most of the ponies they would choose were lost along with Spike. They were now numbered among the ponies of the Darkness, the enemy. Fluttershy had Discord with her. Having the Lord of Chaos would be a huge advantage, but even he himself has said that his powers only have a limited effect on the Darkness. Hopefully that would have to be enough. Pinkie Pie did have one pony with her, as well. No pony was quite sure how he escaped the fortress and he was not talking about it. The normally flamboyant pony got seriously defensive whenever it was brought up. Whatever the case, Pinkie was glad to have Cheese Sandwich with her again. It was unfortunate that the party tank was lost, however, but they had the next best thing. Pinkie was saving them for later.

“So, Luna,” Twilight said nervously, “Are you ready? For this, I mean.”

Luna glanced over at Twilight before looking ahead once more. “Am I ready? Ready for what exactly? To face my former friend? To see the one being I currently love more than anything? Will I be able to stand the fact that he has been overtaken by this vile ooze? Is that what you mean, Twilight?”

“Yes, Luna, that's what I mean,” Twilight replied, “As well as are you ready to fight him? Can you really fight the one you love?”

“Twilight, I have worried over that very same question for many a night, and I have come to a conclusion. I had to get some advice from an old friend, and he helped me to see it more clearly. Do you know what I have come to find out?”

“What is it?”

“I will not be fighting Spike, Twilight,” Luna stated matter of fact, “If what you say is true, and the real Spike has been taken over then whatever being we face will not be the real Spike. It will merely be a charlatan bearing a false name.”

“Luna, do you really believe that?”

“I have to, Twilight,” Luna replied, “Or else I will not ever be ready.”

~~~

“Ah. Can you feel it young one?” The Anti-Spike said as he breathed in deeply. He stood before Spike in the energy sphere. He was in a state of excitement that made him restless. “Can you feel it? That buzz in the air, the electricity that marks the coming of a glorious battle? I have not felt it in so long. It feels so wonderful!”

“And here I was thinking that Ebony Thorn was the only one who got you this excited,” Spike said back to the deranged, dark version of himself.

“You are lucky I am in such a good mood, young dragon,” He hissed. He flexed his entire body as a jolt seemingly went through him. Again, he breathed deeply and paced about in his restless state. He paraded about in front of Spike, who was just getting annoyed.

“Hey, if you're just gonna run around let me out for a lap or six. My legs could really use a good stretch, you know.”

“You may find yourself amusing, but I do not,” The Anti-Spike said with a flex of his fist. A jolt coursed through Spike like a lightning bolt from a storm cloud. The pain was everywhere, though. There was no clear point where it started. Every part of him throbbed and he screamed out his pain. The louder he was the more his dark self pushed. He liked it, that sound. It was like a lovely melody to him. Yet after several moments of intense pain and sick smile the pain ceased and faded away, however slowly.

"It is time,” He hissed as he threw up the view to the outside world so Spike could watch.

He stepped aside so Spike could clearly see. The Dark army had stopped their forced march. They now stood on the edges of the battlefield, a massive expanse of plains that was miles and miles away from anything close to civilization. That gave Spike some relief, but it quickly vanished as he saw Luna and Twilight step up across the plains. Their meager forces emerged behind them and that made Spike's heart sink even deeper.

“Hm. I'm surprised they managed to find that many ponies to follow them into battle once again. Especially after what happened to the last batch.”

“You are still gonna lose,” Spike said with confidence, “You wanna know why?”

“Oh, please, young one. Do tell.”

“You, with all your power and all your might, are still predictable. You have and entire army of ponies that you have turned, but still your moves can be read a mile away and a dozen moves ahead. But ponies? They are a constant surprise. From the smallest filly who lives on a modest farm to the regal Princess that leads the land. They are always going to surprise you. And don't even get me started on Pinkie Pie.”

“Yes, the pink party pony with the strange boxes that explode. I do remember her,” The Anti-Spike said, “I guess I will just have to take her out first.”

This time it was Spike's turn to laugh. It was the most honest, gut busting, eye watering, outburst of laughter that he had ever had. The fact that it annoyed his dark self to no end just made his laugh more. Spike took several moments to calm down enough to be coherent.

“Good luck with that.” Spike said as he used the tip of his tail to wipe away a few stray tears.

Luna stood with Twilight and the rest of them at the edge of the field. She gazed out over the vast expanse of plains that would host their battle. She was quite glad that they were away from any innocent ponies that could get harmed, but her eyes continuously fell upon the opposing edge. The Darkness had stopped there. She could see the dark mass made up of hundreds of ponies from all over Equestria. They shifted and moved about giving the dark ranks an eerie look to them. More than that she stared at the large figure leading them. Tall, dark, and scaly. Red eyes, evil aura, and a Dark Queen at his side. Yep, that was him.

“So that is him,” Luna stated, “That is Spike.”

“Uh huh,” Flake said, “That was how he looked the last time I saw him. Except now he has an entire army behind him.”

“And that pony next to him,” Luna asked, “Who is that mare?”

“Who, her,” Pinkie Pie said as she pointed toward Ebony, “Oh, she is nobody really. Just the pony that kissed Spike and pushed him into the ooze pit.”

“WHAT!?!” Luna yelled out so loudly that the the royal Canterlot voice would be a mere whisper in comparison. “She did what to Spike?”

Pinkie grabbed the nearest Applejack and placed her in between her and Luna. “She pushed Spike into the ooze,” Pinkie said nervously.

“No, what did you say before that?”

“Oh,” Pinkie said as she shrank further behind Applejack. “She kissed Spike.”

“And what be this mare's name?”

“Ebony Thorn,” Pinkie said while shaking.

Luna turned back to the field. Her anger exploded with the fury of the stars as she bolted upward. “EBONY THORN,” She called out, “I WILL END YOU!”

“Sounds like a challenge,” Ebony said as she bolted forward. She didn't have the wings that Luna did, but she had the dark power of the ooze and that made up for a lot. And so the battle between the forces of Darkness and Love did begin.

~~~

Ebony Thorn rushed into the battlefield with a mad smile plastered on her face. She carried with her the powers of the Darkness the ooze bestowed upon her. With each step she took the area around her shuddered and all color faded into the dark. She kept her eyes on the flying Luna the whole time. She saw as they were just about to reach the point to impact between the two of them. For a split second Ebony stopped and she waited. She collected the magical power she had and centered it around her hooves. It was time for this to really start.

The ground beneath her shook and cracked. It split open as a vile black substance seeped out around her hooves. With a flash of her horn Ebony was rocketed up toward the skies and Luna on a pillar of ooze. She shot upward fast, but Luna was faster and evaded the incoming mare and her ooze.

“You're fast, Princess,” Ebony hissed as she stood atop her ooze pillar, “But that won't save you.”

“You have vile tricks,” Luna replied, “But that won't matter when I stand victorious.”

“We'll see,” Ebony teased. She giggled as she raised a hoof and thrust it out toward Luna. A stream of ooze shot out from the main pillar at her. Luna put up a magical barrier in between her and the ooze. It easily fended off the attack, much to Ebony's annoyance. This ooze was supposed to be stronger than any pony magic, even that of the Princess's.

“A nice attempt, I suppose,” Luna said as she hovered where she was, “My turn.”

Luna's horn flashed and she darted to the side. She was gone in a flash, so fast that Ebony didn't even see her wings move. She barely registered it as Luna moved around her with her wings spread wide. She blasted the Dark Queen with a direct hit. Ebony cried out in anger more than pain. She maintained her stance on the ooze and set her sights on ending Luna. Not the end she had in mind before where she just beats her and serves her up to the Anti-Spike to torment the real one. No, she was angry now. Now she was going to make this a very slow, agonizing process.

“While they are distracted I shall attack,” The Anti-Spike said to himself. He raised a large, scaled hand and a legion of ponies behind him fell into line. Within seconds they were ready and waiting for the command to be given. The Anti-Spike held his hand up with all fingers pointed outward, and he lowered it in a quick chopping motion.

“ATTACK!” He roared out with all his might. The very air shook and carried his voice across the battlefield. The ponies beheld a wave of Darkness spilling forth and coming for them. It was moving fast and was going to hit hard. Their only option was to hit harder.

Twilight turned back to the ponies that stood with her. “Pinkie Pie, Cheese Sandwich, You're up!”

The two ponies smiled and gleefully hopped forward to meet the oncoming wave of enemies. The Anti-Spike had to admit that he didn't see this coming. Sending just two ponies to deal with an entire legion of his corrupted ponies? It was absurd. But they were doing it. What really caught his interest was the belts they wore. They were most curious.

“You ready, Pinkie?”

“Ready, Cheesy.”

“Please don't call me that.”

“Okie doki loki.”

They faced one another and nodded. Their heads came back up and they both had drastically different expressions. Pinkie looked like she did back in the underground complex where she was held. She was about to party, but it was not like her normal party look. It was void of any semblance of fun. Her eyes were empty and and she looked almost deranged, yet her mane retained all its poofiness. Cheese's look was remarkably similar as they both pulled something off their many belts with a hoof.

“PARTY POPPERS!!!”

They yelled the name of their latest device out for all to hear, but nopony really understood until they were thrown. The two ponies released a small volley of these party poppers in a surprisingly short amount of time. The party poppers landed amongst the enemies number and that is when the real party began.

All throughout the enemy ranks small explosions went off. Plumes of colorful smoke billowed out from the area of effect. Confetti filled the air like ash from a volcano. It made seeing anything difficult and many ponies almost choked on the small pieces. Streamers flew out in random directions, ensnaring and entangling numerous ponies in their colorful bindings. This attack, these Party Poppers caused so much more dismay and confusion than the Anti-Spike every thought possible, and it was all just two ponies.

“WAVE TWO!” Cheese Sandwich yelled out as loud as he could.

Behind him several ponies scrambled about and brought forth into view a grand total of ten party cannons. Ponies scrambled and stuffed whole boxes into the cannons. The Anti-Spike had nothing to say. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. His forces were being decimated by boxes full of party supplies. He put a scaled palm to his face as a loud pop and boom sounded off. He looked to see the same effect as the party poppers, but larger. Where as the Poppers could only get around three to five ponies the artillery was catching nearly a dozen ponies with each single cannon blast.

“Oh, for Darkness sake . . .,” He muttered. He gestured to another legion of his Dark army and ordered them to take the left flank and get the ponies. He made sure to emphasize no prisoners.

The legion split off the main force of the army and did as commanded. They moved to take up the left flank and then moved on the ponies. The could see them. They were in their sights. The two ponies were still throwing the Party Poppers into the the other legion and the artillery was still hammering them pretty good. It seemed clear for them to move forward. They could see Twilight giving orders, but she seemed to not notice them. And so they moved. An entire legion ran forward only to find themselves slipping and sliding as a sheet of ice materialized under their hooves.

“Didya really think it would be that easy?”

Many ponies of the legion had fallen. They looked up from the ground to see that it was the young filly, Flake, who stood before them. They saw a glow around her horn fade away and knew that she was the source of the ice. Many of them remembered how she caused the snowstorm back at the fortress. It didn't matter now, though. One by one they got back to their hooves and Flake saw something she really didn't like. The Dark ponies lifted up their hooves and small barbs of ooze formed to make it possible for them to walk on the ice.

“That just ain't fair,” Flake whined. Her whine was quickly replaced with a smirk as her devious plan was coming into motion. “SO I guess it's good I ain't playing fair, neither.”

She giggled deviously as her horn glowed once again. A low mist appeared and hung around the ankles of the Dark army legion. With came a chill that penetrated much deeper than they were comfortable with. Many shivered under its weight. After a second several ponies began to remark and cry out in sudden surprise. This little filly was by no means alone.

All around them more and more ponies were appearing. It was like they had risen from the ice itself, or had come from within the very mist that now surrounded them. Collectively, they lurched forward and slammed their hooves down into the the ice. By the will of the ice farmers spires did rise. Spires of ice rose up higher and higher. All around them the Dark army saw these spires spring into being. They soon found out the dangers in them as well, as many ponies moved quickly against them. They were cast back with a mighty chilled realization that these spires of ice were almost as alive as they were.

“Go on now, Flake. We kin handle this.”

Flake looked over to see the pony talking to her. Her eyes went wide as she saw who it was. She was speechless as he stepped up to face the Dark legion. “Papa Frost, you're here.”

“Sure am. Didya really think I would let ya come here all by yourself?”

Whatever Flake was going to say next was cut off as she saw a Dark pony slip past the spire wall. He very quickly dashed underneath and slid along the ice. The only thing wrong with his plan was that he was heading right for Papa Frost. This pony had to keep his head down and retract his ooze barbs to escape. The lack of barbs caused him to slide right toward Papa Frost, and by the time he lifted his head up it was too late.

Papa Frost didn't even break his gaze on Flake as he lifted a leg up and slammed it back down just as the Dark pony was under it. He missed the ponies head by mere centimeters and hit the ice. He struck with such force the the ice actually broke all around the Dark pony. He followed the cracks only to come to a conclusion to late. Papa Frost slammed his hoof down again and the ice slab propelled him up and over the spire wall. He landed with the rest of the Dark legion but he was the first one to be unconscious. Flake Frost looked up at Papa Frost with a new admiration in her eyes. She always knew he was cool, but never this cool.

“Go on now, Flake,” He said, “We can handle this.”

She didn't argue as she swiftly turned and skipped off to help some other pony. She got about two feet when the sound of something falling caused her to stop. Good thing she did, too, as Luna crashed into the ground just a foot away from her. Luna seemed largely unaffected as she got back up and shook off the dirt and debris.

“Is that all you've got?” She yelled up before taking to the skies once again. Flake just stood there for a moment. Everypony here was just so darn cool!

“Your army of Darkness is failing you.”

“Perhaps, but I will still win the day, young dragon. Do no forget, my queen has yet to fall.”

“Are you sure about that? Look again.”

The Anti-Spike gazed out over the battlefield. His eyes searched for but a single pony. She was not hard to find. The only other pony in the air was her opponent. He quickly found them still caught up in their own fight. He growled as he saw what Spike said was ringing true. Luna was, by all appearances, winning.

Ebony Thorn was fighting well. She stood upon her pillar of ooze and Luna used her wings to fly. Both of them achieved height, but it was Luna who had the mobility advantage. He was using this to its fullest extent. Luna was an extraordinary flier who was able to dodge and evade the countless blasts that Ebony shot at her. Those she didn't she just took with a magical barrier. Whatever was going on it seemed like Luna wasn't even tiring. It was not time to count Ebony out, though. She was a quick thinker with a sharp mind.

Ebony's chest rose and fell with each heavy breath. She stared at Luna, who was just across from her. She barely had a hair out of place. It just made Ebony all the more angrier. She charged forward, but surprised Luna. Instead of the normal reckless charge Ebony leaped off her ooze pillar. She soared over Luna and cast several attacking spells as she traveled through the air. Luna was forced to stay put and erect a full body, all around barrier. Ebony saw this and smiled. Another torrent of ooze shot from the ground beneath her and she landed on it with ease. When she charged again, Luna wasn't able to react in time and took the full hit.

“Your silly Princess magic won't save you here,” Ebony said, “You can't beat me.”

Luna wipe the sweat off her brow and locked onto Ebony. Her horn glowed with immense light as she tapped into her vast magical energy. Her form shifted slightly, and glimmered. This glimmer persisted as Luna herself seemed to shake and vibrate. Ebony watched as Luna seemed to vibrate apart. Another small flash of light marked the end of the spell and Ebony was now faced with not one, but three of Luna. One a Unicorn, one a Pegasus, and one an Earth pony. All them remained in the sky, but it was impossible to tell which one was which. Especially when they all started to move really fast.

“Oh, great,” Ebony mumbled.

Pegasus Luna was literally flying circles around her. She zoomed about the skies, bringing clouds down lower and lower until they were practically dancing among them. It was hard for Ebony to keep up with them all. Whenever she tried to keep an eye on the Pegasus she got attacked by one of the other two. She watched as the Pegasus disappeared behind a tall cloud once, and the next the she knew she was feeling the impact of being hit with the full force of raging Earth pony Luna.

“Earthbound Luna,” Ebony muttered as she recovered, “Now that's a laugh.”

Ebony took the hit, and she definitely felt it but it was going to take more than that to take her down. Luna was prepared to bring it all. Ebony got back up to her pillar of ooze and searched for the Lunas. She didn't have to look far because the Unicorn Luna was standing on the clouds fifty feet away. Just standing there. Ebony knew it was a trap, but she also knew she could take it. She cried out and charged forward as fast and hard as she could.

Ebony rushed forward to meet the Unicorn Luna. She was dead set on reaching her. She was keenly aware the other two were close by, but where? Out of the corner of one eye she saw a glimpse of her dark coat. She turned her head just enough to get a better look, just as Luna wanted her to. She turned her head to face that direction just as a flash of Luna landed a powerhouse uppercut to Ebony's jaw. Ebony struggled to come back from that incredibly hard hit.

“That is for feeding the delusions of a mad stallion,” Pegasus Luna cried out.

Ebony somewhat registered the words she was hearing, but the ringing in her ears made every other word incomprehensible. She shook it off and stepped toward the Unicorn Luna after the Pegasus had flown off. She didn't even make it three steps before another impact from behind sent her forward.

“That is for terrorizing my friends,” Earthbound Luna shouted.

Ebony had no control anymore. She just flew through the air like a rag doll for a foal. As her the world she saw was going topsy turvy she caught sight of another Luna. This was the Unicorn Luna she was after in the first place. She took Ebony up in a magical embrace and held her there.

“This is for taking Spike away from me,” She said as she held up Ebony there and sent several lightning bolts down to strike her. Ebony screamed as she saw what was coming, and then screamed louder as the pain coursed through her.

The three Lunas all came together and melded into the one Alicorn Princess as Ebony was being shocked. Luna walked up with her horn still charged up with magic. She was not done with Ebony quite yet. She came right up to Ebony. She got her face real close to hers to the point where Ebony could feel the heat coming off Luna's cheeks.

“And this, Ebony Thorn,” Luna said coldly, “Is for Kissing MY DRAGON!!” Luna lit up the sky with the next blast she unleashed. Both her and Ebony ended up above the clouds, and Luna lit up the whole sky with a brief flash of light. The battle below and their position in the sky muffled the scream and Ebony was nowhere to be seen after that. Luna glided back down to rejoin the rest of the ponies.

“Enough!” The Anti-Spike yelled out, “The rest of you, get down there and take those ponies out! Do it now!”

The remaining legions of the Dark army charged forward like a tidal wave of Darkness. They were coming from both directions. The head on charge was coming right at Pinkie Pie and the rest were headed for Papa Frost and the ice farmers.

“Twilight?!” Pinkie yelled out, “We are running out of party poppers over here and the artillery is out of Pinkie Pie Patented Party Prank Packages! What are we gonna do?”

“Are you kidding me?!” Dash flew up and got right in Pinkie's face. She got nose to nose with her. “Pinkie Pie. We got this. Right, Fluttershy?”

“Oh, um. I guess we do.” Fluttershy said, “Maybe.”

“Have some confidence, my dear,” Discord said, “Together, there is nothing we cant do. Come with me.”

Discord scooped up Fluttershy and carried her over to Papa Frost. He set her down gently and took them all in a huddle. “Fluttershy, I need you and Frosty here to evacuate all the good ponies. Can you do that?”

“What are you going to do?” Fluttershy asked.

Discord turned around dramatically and faced the sheet of ice. He took a deep breath and sounding as dramatically as he can said, “I'm going fishing.”

With that dramatized Discord leaped up above the spire wall. He flipped several times in the air, snapped a couple photos, signed four autographs and nailed fourteen professional swimming poses before reaching his destination. He had to pull himself the last few inches but he ended up right above the dead center of the ice sheet in between the spire wall.

“He does know it ain't nothing but solid land under that ice, don't he?” Papa Frost asked Fluttershy as they hurried the get the ice farmers out of there.

“Oh, silly things like that don't matter to Discord,” Fluttershy replied with a smile.

They got a few more ice farmers out of harms way as Discord crashed through the ice and sank deep into the waters below. Fluttershy flew up so that she could look down and still stay safe. The water was pitch black and became still after a moment. Where was Discord? And what was he fishing for? She helped Papa Frost get the last few ice farmers away just as Discord sprang back out of the hole in the ice. He immediately grabbed Fluttershy and Papa Frost and took them back to Twilight's area.

“Discord, what did you do?” Fluttershy asked.

“I helped,” He replied, “I had to stir up an itsy bitsy sea monster, but I helped. Just you watch.”

Before Twilight could say anything about the sea monster a rumble echoed through the earth. It was swiftly followed the by the sounds of ice cracking and splitting. All of the sudden a massive tentacle erupted from the ice, shattering it into smithereens. It immediately started grabbing up ponies. As more of the ice broke and split more tentacles came up and started gathering up ponies. A round hold appeared just under he surface of the water, and it had teeth. The monster dropped a few ponies in and they were swallowed up.

“Discord!” Twilight yelled. She turned on a heel and reached out for Discord. She started shaking him violently as she ranted. “What is wrong with you? Those are ponies! You can't just have some random sea monster eat the ponies of Equestria. For all you know our friends are in there.”

Twilight stopped shaking him and she realized that he hadn't changed at all. Not the expression on his face to the way his tail was facing. Suddenly, a small pop sound happened and the rush of air followed. Discord deflated until nothing but a life size balloon replica lay in Twilight's hooves.

“I so need one of those,” Pinkie and Cheese said together.

Twilight let got of it and it hit the ground with a small squeak. All the sudden, an arm shot up and it held something. A letter, formal in appearance and addressed to none other than Fluttershy. They all stared at her until she reached out and took the letter. She slowly opened it and read it. It was a short read as the letter only contained three words.

“Behind your ear,” She read. Puzzled, Fluttershy reached up and searched behind her right ear. She felt around with her hoof, but found nothing.

“Allow me, darling,” Rarity said. She reached up and ran her hoof through Flutteshy's pink mane. It was very soft and smelled of berries with a hint of honey. Rarity made a mental note to ask her about that later. Anyway, after a moment of searching Rarity felt her hoof hit something hard and a coin fell out of Fluttershy's mane.

“How did that get there,” She asked, still puzzled. Upon closer inspection they found that the coin was not a bit, but an arcade coin with an image of Discord etched into it.

“Okay. Now where does that there fancy coin go,” Applejack asked. Luna cleared her throat to draw attention to the rather large machine next to her. “Now that definitely wasn't there before.”

The machine appeared to be a Discord themed arcade game. Fluttershy took the coin and put it into the machine. The screen flickered before sparking to life abruptly. When the image cleared up they all saw Discord sitting in a chair surrounded by all sorts of gears and levers and valves and gauges.

“Oh, hey Fluttershy. You got my note then. Can you guess where I am right now?”

“Umm, no. I really can't. I have no idea where you are, Discord.”

“The belly of the beast, my dearest little pony,” Discord said as he pulled a lever. He fidgeted with a few more before returning to the screen. “You see, I am actually in the sea monster, controlling it. Be sure to tell Twilight that all the ponies are fine. They are being sorted in the actual belly of beast as we speak. Pretty soon its gonna be full though, but this will surely have helped.”

“Oh, yes, Discord. Thank you very much,” Fluttershy said. Discord waved goodbye and the screen wet black again. They all just stood there and stared at the screen for a moment.

“That Discord is sure an odd one,” Papa Frost said.

“That is ENOUGH!” The Anti-Spike roared out again. “It is time for me to end this pathetic battle myself.”

Luna ran forward a few steps as the Anti-Spike started to make his way toward them. “Prepare yourselves. The real battle has just begun.”

“Are you sure your strong enough, dear,” Rarity asked, “You took quite a beating from that dreadful Ebony Thorn character.”

“Yeah, are you okay,” Fluttershy asked.

“Girls,” Luna said, “Even if I had fought a thousand battles I would still have strength enough to fight for Spike.”

“Well then,” Flake said, “What are we waiting for?”

Ch.24 Redemption

The Anti-Spike lifted one foot and then the next. He slowly made his way forward and toward the ponies. They had caused him more than enough trouble and he was fed up. He was going to end this mockery they called a battle himself. And so he stepped forward to face them. With each step he picked up a little speed until he was at a near sprint. His echoing roars carried along with the his anger and fury. It was clear to all the ponies. True Darkness was coming, and now was the time to fight.

Eight ponies stood tall, ready to fight for not only Spike, not only the the ponies of the Dark army that were once their friends, but also all of Equestria. They watched as the Anti-Spike started moving for them, gaining speed as he went. He was not going for a magical fight. He intended on using sheer brute force to beat them into submission. That was not going to work. Every other pony, Dark or not had gotten back from the area. This was not their battle anymore.

The Anti-Spike approached them at a full speed and raised a mighty fist. He reeled back his arm and thrust it forward with incredible force. He roared as he attacked them. Without a seconds thought both Luna and Twilight launched themselves up. They flew up and each poured magic into barrier. This shield, a screen of light shimmered into being before their eyes. The Anti-Spike's mighty fist crashed into, the impact sounding off and echoing with the winds. His fist slid down, but did not penetrate the barrier. He growled and set up for another hit.

Twilight teleported down below. “Flake, after this attack we need you to freeze him.”

“I don't know if I can, Twilight,” Flake answered with some caution. She didn't want to let them down.

“But, you made a humongous snowstorm back at the fortress,” Pinkie Pie said.

“I can make a snowstorm and even point it in the right direction,” Flake said, “But I don't know if I can keep it focused on just one spot. I ain't ever done that before.”

Twilight put her head down touched her horn to flakes. “I believe in you Flake, and so does Spike. Remember, this is for him.”

With that said Twilight blinked out of existence and reappeared next to Luna just as the Anti-Spike was landing another incredible, land shattering blow. They managed to block this one as well, but it was putting strain on them. Now it was up to Flake. She had to slow him down.

Flake charged up with all the magic power she had. Her horn glowed and shined brightly as her power was coursing through her. She stepped forward and thrust her horn to the skies. She closed her eyes tightly and concentrated. A few precious seconds of dead silence followed. Nothing made a sound, as if the entire world was put on mute. And then they heard it.

A low, whistle carried along on the winds. It blew through the battlefield like a cold winter breeze. The more Flake concentrated the more the breeze came, becoming a harsh winter wind and dropping the temperature down sharply. Everypony could see their breath and several of them were huddling together for warmth. The ice farmers seemed to rather enjoy it, or at least were not bothered by it.

“I- it is r- r- really c- cold all of the s- s- sudden,” Pinkie Pie stammered out through clattering teeth.

“Just bear with it, Pinkie,” Applejack said as she held her hat onto her head.

They all watched as a shadow drifted above them. Dark clouds, just like the last time she did this. They came at her call, from all directions dark clouds formed and blanketed the sky casting the battlefield into a shadow.

Flake's eyes snapped open suddenly. The clouds opened up like a burst dam. Snow poured forth falling like a constant blizzard had been raging withing them and Flake had unleashed it upon them. Her horn shone even more brightly as she groaned with effort. Beads of sweat rolled of her brow, quickly froze, and then fell to the ground to shatter. The blizzard fell upon them, but Flake was on it. The ponies felt the sting of the winter winds as they whistled by them, and watched as those very same winds shaped the blizzard around the Anti-Spike. A virtual funnel of the harshest winter has to offer was whirling around him.

“Ah don't believe it,” Applejack said, “I mean, I knew she could do it but to actually see it.”

“I know what you mean, Applejack,” Rarity said, “Remind me never to make this little filly angry, or even annoyed.”

“What is this?”

Spike looked up from his chains, “I told you. Ponies are a constant surprise. Even young, little fillies like Flake.”

The Anti-Spike roared in his fury.

Behind the winter walls of the blizzard only a dark shape could be seen. The Anti-Spike wasn't moving very fast, but a light was growing. Inside the swirling blizzard that surrounded him a light was growing brightly from somewhere, and the flames burst forth from the top. The flames tore open the clouds and Flake could barely maintain her spell. The flames faded away and through a momentary lapse in concentration the ponies could see a pair of red eyes staring at them. And a light grew once again.

Applejack leaped and tackled the young Flake away as the torrent of dragon fire burst forth from the Anti-Spike and nearly roasted them all. With Flake's spell broken the harsh winter effects faded back to whence they came. Flake was panting heavily and could barely stand. Each breath was feat in and of itself. But she was not going to fall unconscious. She was going to see this through to the end.

“I suppose you were right, young one,” The Anti-Spike said. “The little brat's power was a surprise, but still I overcame it.”

“You got past the spell of a filly. Big deal. Not exactly something brag about,” Spike said, “After all, there are still two Princess's out there. And Luna has some things she needs to work out.”

“Just stay where you are and watch. I will end this by corrupting that dear sweet Princess of yours.”

“Queen,” Spike said, “She is a princess of Equestria, but she will always be my queen. Where do you think you got the idea for Ebony?”

The Anti-Spike growled and walked away from Spike. Spike snickered and smiled. It was all going as he wanted it to. That stupid ooze gut didn't have a clue as to what he had done, and what he was doing even now. All he had to do was keep up the ruse.

“You are very non original, you know that?” Spike yelled out, “You just steal other peoples ideas and use 'em. Are you even listening? Can you hear me?”

Spike felt the sharp pain as more shocks jolted his body. “Yep. Guess he heard me.”

The Anti-Spike slammed a fist into the ground. The ponies scrambled to get away from it. Where he was going for power before he was not anymore. His attacks were coming faster and faster now, and the ponies were barely able to escape them. When the Anti-Spike spotted one pony who was just cowering all by herself he smiled and aimed his fist there.

“Fluttershy, run!”

Ponies were screaming at her, saying all kinds of things but she didn't hear any it. All she could hear was the pounding of her own heart in her chest. She was terrified. She was always terrified but this was different. This was Spike, and he was attacking them. Amidst all the ponies talking to her she heard the sounds of something coming, she saw the shadow of danger looming over her. She looked up to see a large scaled fist come crashing down at her. Her screams carried on through the air as the fist impacted.

“NO!” Rainbow Dash cried out, “Fluttershy!”

“No, it can't be,” Rarity said.

The dust around the area of impact settled and they all saw as Fluttershy cowered under the mighty fist. Her face was all wrapped up in her tail and she was shaking terribly. Dash quickly flew by and scooped her up. As they wondered how she survived their eyes were drawn back the area and to the being blocking the Anti-Spike's fist. With a mighty grunt of his own, he forced the fist back.

“Not today,” Discord said very seriously. He didn't do any fancy tricks. He didn't pull out any of his chaos shenanigans. He stared up at the Anti-Spike. With each step Discord took toward him he grew in size until he evenly matched the dragon.

“You will not harm her,” He said, still as serious as before. For the ponies watching it was quite unsettling to see the spirit of chaos this calm and collected and serious.

“The others, they came here for Spike, and that is okay. I did not. Don't get me wrong, Spike is a great guy, but his love his here for him. I came here for my own love,” He said, “So, when you try to harm her or any of her friends I am left with only one option. To fight for them.”

The Anti-Spike glared at Discord as he wound up a punch. He threw it with all his might, but the Anti-Spike easily deflected it. He slapped it away with one hand and responded with a heavy hit from the other. Discord could do little as the hit collided with his face. He could do very little, except something no one expected.

The hit slammed into Discord, and he broke apart. A shock wave carried through all of Discords body, from the tip of his horns to the end of his tail. His entire form shifted and moved like a school of fish almost. And then he broke apart. Thousands of tiny, smaller versions of Discord exploded out onto the Anti-Spike. They crawled all over him and scampered over to his backside only to reform the larger Discord with his arms holding the Anti-Spike back.

“Did you really expect me to play fair,” Discord said, “I am still the Lord of Chaos, and I fight for Fluttershy. You cannot win!”

The Anti-Spike struggled in Discord's hold, but Discord was able to get a snap of his fingers off. Where he stood before now stood a secondary version of him. This one had on a pair of boxing shorts and the gloves to match. With a word he started hammering the Anti-Spike with some powerful blows. Discord may not have been playing fair, but he was still taking this much more seriously than anything else. He was not playing with his mind, or tricking him into doing something. He was physically attacking him with everything he had. He landed a straight on hit so hard the Discord holding the Anti-Spike faltered. The Anti-Spike took the opportunity and slammed his elbow up, connecting with Discord's jaw, and lashing his tail out to slam the boxer back. He stepped away from the Discords and glanced over at the ponies. He saw the girls huddling around the still shaking Fluttershy.

“So that is the pony you fight for?” The Anti-Spike made a lazy gesture at her. “You should not have announced it so, Lord of Chaos.”

“You stay away from her!”

Discord ran a full sprint at him. He got halfway there before falling, crumbling into nothing but dirt. He fell to the earth below and left the Anti-Spike wondering what he was doing. What was coming next?

The ground shook slightly. It was unlike any of the shaking he had felt before. It was not a normal tremor, or rumble. No, this could only be one thing. Something was in the ground and it was coming for him. He knew he was right as the ground right next to him tore open. Dirt, dust, and debris filled the air as a massive figure of Discord made of earth rose up. It wasted no time before slamming into the Anti-Spike and forcing him back. He dug his claws into the ground, but that wasn't helping him at all. The Anti-Spike pounded on the back of the earthen Discord but it was no use. He unleashed a breath of the dragon's fire at him, and it did little if anything at all to slow him. When he did finally stop he raised a hand and it was immediately subdued.

“What?!”

He looked over his shoulder and realized where he was. The ice, the lake. Another Discord emerged, made from ice and water. It held back his hands, his tail. He struggled with the two of them for any leverage he could get, but it was useless. This Discord may the Spirit of Chaos, but he was serious now. And the Anti-Spike was in serious trouble.

“How do I stop him?”

Spike's head hug low and he didn't even raise it. “You can't.”

“There must be a way! Speak, young one!”

“You threatened the only pony Discord ever truly cared about. The first and only being Discord loves above all else,” Spike said. “You signed your own death with that.”

“I don't believe you.”

“Look to the skies, and see that I speak the truth.”

The Anti-Spike turned his eyes to the skies, just as Spike had said. What he saw actually caused a twinge of fear to spark in his very depths. The clouds, they were moving. The clouds Flake had summoned up were moving on their own. The Anti-Spike, as well all the ponies present watched yet another Discord formed from the very sky itself. He was far bigger than the other two, as only the top half of him was formed. The sky Discord raised an immensely large hand and locked onto the Anti-Spike. It was time to end this.

Storms raged on within the clouds in the skies. Even after Discord formed himself in them the storms still raged on. He collected these storms and fueled them further. The lighting flashed and arced and bounced from cloud to cloud. With one throw the sky itself hurled its fury at the Anti-Spike. The bolt of lightning, bigger and brighter than anything ever before struck down with all the fury the sky could bring and all the power Discord could muster. The bolt disintegrated the earthen Discord and the watery one just fell back to the ice as the bolt crashed down.

The real Discord appeared with a flash in between him and the ponies. “You have power. There is no denying that. But did you really think you could beat me with just some silly, sticky black muck? I have an entire realm of chaos at my disposal! Perhaps you would like to see it.”

The Anti-Spike could barely stand. He had a split second before the lightning bolt hit him to do something. The earthen Discord shattered and the Anti-Spike was able to throw up a small ooze shield to protect himself. It lasted a grand total of three and a half seconds before disintegrated just like the earthen one. And now he watched as Discord raised his hands to sky. The clouds were back to normal, but they were moving again. They parted and showed everyone the true realm of Discord. Not his home, mind you, but some other dark corner that even he didn't like to visit.

“STOP!”

The word shattered the air as everyone stopped whatever the were doing. Discord stopped and looked over. He knew that voice. He knew it all too well. He looked over and saw Fluttershy standing in front of the others. She was looking at him, and crying.

“Discord, stop,” She said, “You can stop now. You don't have to do this.”

Discord looked up at the hole in the sky and he looked back at Fluttershy. What had he done? He knew. He had to keep her safe. He had to make sure Fluttershy wasn't hurt, and he was determined to do it. But was this the way?

“Discord, you're better than this,” Fluttershy said.

She was right. Discord looked at Fluttershy and then turned his eyes back to the hole in the sky. He pulled the fabric of reality back together and shut it tightly. He took a moment to collect himself and stepped toward Fluttershy. He felt kind of ashamed of his actions. He wanted to keep her safe, but he really did take it a little to far.

“I'm sorry, Fluttershy,” He said earnestly, “I just wanted to keep you safe.”

“I know, Discord. I know,” Fluttershy said as she wiped a few tears away.

The Anti-Spike had regained himself enough by this point. He smiled wickedly as he sprang forward and unleashed a blast of ooze at the unsuspecting pony with the pink mane. His evil laugh rang out as the ooze flew through the air. Only too, late did anypony realize what had happened. The world around her turned to slow motion. Fluttershy turned her head to see it coming. Ooze, black and vile was coming right for her. It was going to corrupt her. Ponies from all around her raced to get to her, but it was like they were moving in place. They shouted at her, but she heard nothing but the pounding in her chest. Her own fear was drowning out anything and everything else. The ooze was getting closer now, and closer. Fluttershy was frozen in place. She was done for, until a dark shape put itself in her path.

The ooze blast flew on a collision course for Fluttershy, whose fear froze her in place. Nobody could help her. Nopony could get there in time. Even Discord with all his power could only watch his love get blasted by the vile substance. That is, until Luna stepped up.

Luna placed herself right in the path of the ooze. It soared through the air like a missile right at her. She stood in front of Fluttershy. She stood there, and the ooze hit. However, it didn't hit Luna. It was more like the ooze struck some sort of invisible wall right in front of Luna. Even she seemed surprised. The Anti-Spike shot off a couple more only to see the same thing happen. Luna took this chance to approach the evil being.

“I want Spike back,” She called out to him.

“Come and get him,” The Anti-Spike shouted back.

“She doesn't have to!”

The Anti-Spike was torn away from staring down Luna. The next thing he knew he was staring at Spike. He still hung from his chains, but something was different. Something about the way Spike was. He just seemed changed somehow, but the Anti-Spike couldn't figure out what it was.

“You really are stupid, you know that.”

“What? You dare to insult me? You are the one in chains,” The Anti-Spike snarled.

“You think these chains bind me here? You think you have control?” Spike's body shot forward. He seemed to glow with power and the Anti-Spike noticed the scar on his chest, just above his heart seemed to pulse. “The ooze already marks my soul!” Spike shouted at as an image of an angry Smoke Shadow pulsed from Spike before fading away.

Spike's hand reached up and he wrapped his fingers around the chains. He roared as he yanked down on the chains. The entire state of the Darkness in which they were shook violently. Spike yanked again and the Darkness shook once more. One more time. Spike yanked on his chains, and the energy sphere shattered before him. The chains broke and he could move freely for the first time in what felt like centuries. He stretched his body out and flexed what he could.

“How is this possible?” The Anti-Spike asked as he cowered before the real Spike. He didn't wait for an answer, though. He scrambled to his feet and disappeared into the darkness. He took full control of the body and set to attack Luna.

Luna watched as the Anti-Spike shook slightly. She still kept to her approach, though. He shook once more and then he stopped moving all together. A moment of nothing passed on by and then he full on charged Luna. He moved like he was mad and lashed out at her quickly and violently.

His claws swung at her, but she dashed back to avoid them. She had to quickly dart from side to side and to the back in order to avoid his quick slashes. He moved fast. Much faster than Luna could have predicted. She had time only to dodge. She was unable to use her magic. As his attacks became ever faster and harder still she was finding that she had even less time to dodge.

“Yes! Your queen is mine!” The words echoed through the darkness around Spike. It sounded as if they came from every direction all at once. Spike stood firm as the Darkness shuddered under the words of the Anti-Spike. Spike remained calmed and raised his arm up. A chain appeared around his arm, wrapping around his wrist and shooting off into the Darkness. Spike repeated the process with the other arm. The chains, teeming with magic and glowing with green energy held fast in Spike's hands.

“No, she isn't,” Spike said to to himself. “She doesn't belong to anybody.”

Spike saw as a large right hand was about to slash Luna to ribbons. He roared with effort and pulled hard on the right chain. He stepped back, taking the chain with him. In the outside world, the claw, at the last second, was forced away by some unseen force and missed Luna by inches. The claws were planted in the ground inches away from Luna's body. When the Anti-Spike tried to attack with the left claw, Spike pulled back on the left chain. The claw barely even made it to Luna. It swiped through her mane and pulled back close to his chest. The Anti-Spike tried one last thing. He moved the tail into position to strike out at Luna like an arrow from a bow. Spike took his foot forward and traced a wide semicircle that glowed with green magic. In the outside world the Anti-Spike lost his balance and fell to the ground in a pathetic heap of scales and rage and Darkness.

“Spike,” Luna called out, “I know you're in there. Please, I have come to get you back. Please, if you can hear me give me a sign.”

“It doesn't matter why she is here, or how much she cares for you,” The Anti-Spike said as he appeared next to Spike. The chains evaporated and Spike turned to face his dark counterpart. For the first time they stood on equal terms. They looked at each, eye to eye, dragon to dragon.

“You can't win,” Spike stated.

“You all keep saying that, and yet here I am.” The Anti-Spike lunged at Spike with claws at the ready. He slashed at Spike, but his scales brushed off the attack like it was nothing. The Anti-Spike tried again and again to attack, but his claws did nothing.

“Spike,” Luna called out as a single tear fell from her eyes, “Please, come back to me.”

“I have a promise to keep,” Spike said. “We will continue this in a moment.”

The Anti-Spike cried out in anger as Spike walked out of the Darkness. He walked toward the images of Luna that were displayed before him. Luna watched as the Anti-Spike's body lurched up and clawed his chest. Light was pouring forth from within. Luna saw as her Luna's Grace floated up and shot toward the body. It roared out as the Grace touched the scales on its chest and a beam of light erupted outward. The body stopped moving as Spike emerged from the light. He stepped toward Luna with a smile on his face.

“Spike,” She said under her breath. She couldn't believe it. She raced up and threw herself in his arms. She wrapped her hooves around him. It really was him. She knew it, she could tell. Every scale, every scar, every breath he took made it the real Spike. The rest of them raced up and they all crowded around to hug their long lost friend.

“You think this is over?”

All eyes turned back to see the Anti-Spike. He had shrunk, but was pulling himself together. The ooze was slowly starting to lose shape, though. As if without Spike within its grasp it could not longer stay in the proper form. Unfortunately, it wasn't going fast enough. The Anti-Spike stood up and thrust his hand out towards his legions. Dozens of ponies shook and shuddered as the Darkness was forcefully drawn out of them and returned to the source. The Anti-Spike grew a bit and looked back at Spike.

“It is time for us to end this,” He said.

“Agreed,” Spike said.

“Alright, Spike,” Flake said, “We are with you.”

“No,” Spike said, “You have done more than enough. This is my fight to finish.”

There was no arguing with him as he stepped up to face his enemy. They wanted to protest. Many of the ponies complained and whined. Luna wasn't one of them. She just smiled and watched as the one she loved went off to fight.

“Why don't you go with him, Luna,” Twilight asked.

“You heard what he said, Twilight. This is his fight to finish.”

Spike stepped up to the Darkness. The first thing he did was unleash a blast of intense dragons fire breath at the Anti-Spike. The flames danced dangerously and burned their way over to him. The Anti-Spike ran, staying just ahead of the flames as Spike turned to keep with him. He was forced to stop so he didn't torch his friends. The Anti-Spike leaped up at the last second and came down at Spike. He dashed back quickly, and countered even faster.

He skidded to a stop and lashed out with the tip of his tail. The Anti-Spike evaded and Spike dashed forward. He lunged and slashed up with sharp claws, but the Anti-Spike caught his wrist. He came up with a swift knee to the ribs that Spike caught in his own claws. Spike surprised the Anti-Spike by grabbing the wrist of the arm that held his own wrist. He already had hold of the leg and displayed a surprising show of sheer strength. He lifted up, groaning with effort. The Anti-Spike was lifted off he ground and held above Spike's head. He reached out with his free hand and placed it on Spike's shoulder. He lashed out with his tail to get free and got enough leverage to yank himself out of the hold. He squirmed over Spike and used his back to propel himself away.

“I must admit that lift was surprising,” His words dripped like venom from the vile face that still held Spike's features. “But I know all your tricks, dragon. How will you win?”

“Easy,” Spike said, “I just won't use my tricks. I'll have to use my friends.”

What? The Anti-Spike didn't really understand what he meant until Spike cast his next spell. One he saw it he realized what he meant, and he really didn't like it. Not one bit.

“Lunar Phases,” Spike called out. His eyes flared up as he went Mystik. On either side of him appeared another version of himself. To his right stood the Bruiser. He had no wings and was a bot shorter, but had limbs the size of tree trunks. He had strength enough to physically relocate all of Ponyville to a new zip code. To Spike's left stood the Speedster. Tall, slender, with wings long and wide. They flared out with grace as he took off to the skies. His speed could only be matched by Rainbow Dash.

Oh, just great. This was the attack that took out Ebony Thorn, his Dark Queen. He blinked and they were gone. The Speedster took off skyward, and Spike himself had disappeared. If the Anti-Spike had to guess, he was hiding behind the oncoming train of scales and muscles that was about to crash into him. He barely had time to react as fists came at him fast. The Bruiser was big and strong, but his attacks were well controlled. The only way he was going to get past him was take one hit and turn it against him. That was exactly what he did. He grabbed a right jab with his hands and took the following hit to the stomach that came not a second later. But he had a grip on him and that was all he needed. With one hand still on the arm he reached out and grabbed the Bruiser by the face. With one move he flung him over his shoulder and tossed him away. He bounced one and rolled the rest of the distance.

The Anti-Spike turned to have a fireball thrown in his face. It was weak, meant only to distract and conceal. Spike had thrown it. He bounced another in his palm before throwing it. The Anti-Spike took this one in his own palm. When he lowered it the first thing he saw was the Speedster racing down at him. He dived down from the skies and tried a kick that the Anti-Spike easily evaded. Speedster landed on the ground and immediately lashed out with a fury of kicks. The Anti-Spike couldn't keep up with the speed and the last roundhouse kick collided with the side of his head with the force of a comet.

“That is for tormenting my mind for all that time,” He called out.

As the Speedster launched back up into the skies the Anti-Spike could hardly register a thing. He heard what that thing said and lunged out to grab it. He got lucky and found himself with his claws around the Speedster's ankle. He yanked down and swung as he felt the slight tremor of footsteps behind him. He swung the Speedster's body and it collided with the Bruiser. They both crashed together with a lot of force and ended up in a heap on top of one another.

“Is that all you've got, dragon?!” Anti-Spike shouted out, more of a challenge than an actual question. A challenge Spike was more than ready to take on.

“Definitely not.” The Anti-Spike heard from behind him. The Speedster was running at him and leaped up, but did not attack. The Anti-Spike stepped back to avoid any incoming attacks and that put him off balance. He quickly realized the Speedster was just another distraction as the tremendous footsteps started up again. He had no time to react as the Bruiser came up. The only thing he could do was throw up his arms in some kind of defense.

“That is for attacking my friends,” He yelled as he barreled over the Anti-Spike and took a stance next to Spike himself.

The Anti-Spike pushed himself up from the ground and spit out the dirt he was forced to eat. With some shaking limbs he managed to get back up from the hard hits he took. He looked up just in time to see that the real Spike was running at him. Not nearly as fast as the Speedster and not nearly as big as the Bruiser. What did he have left? The answer came as he fired a dozen magic blasts at him and they simply bounced his magical barrier. He took a page from Twilight's many books and actually teleported the short distance to the Anti-Spike. He came up right under his chin and nailed him with a magic infused strike to the jaw as he rose up. Spike took the precious few seconds while he was stunned and leaped on him. He dug his claws into the oozed scales and planted his hand on either side of the Anti-Spike's face.

“And this is for taking me away from Luna,” Spike whispered to him.

He took a deep breath and looked like he was about to breath another burst of dragons fire breath, but he wasn't. Applejack saw what he was doing. He had done the same thing to her. Spike looked back down and he breathed out this most brilliant light that washed over the Anti-Spike. Where it burned away the corruption in Applejack it was just hurting the Anti-Spike. For a few moments Spike stayed there and then he retracted his claws and used his body to propel himself off. He used his wings to glide farther away and stood with the Bruiser. The Speedster came and stood with them. They glowed and then disappeared, turning into energy and returning to Spike himself.

“I WILL NOT LOSE!” The Anti-Spike yelled out, “Come to me, my Darkness!”

He raised his hands up and once again more and more of the ponies of his Dark army squirmed and writhed as he forcefully took away their Dark power for himself. Where he was starting to fall apart before the new Darkness patches were keeping him together. The Anti-Spike didn't grow anymore, but the power he took recharged him. He smiled wickedly and glared over at Spike. It was time for round two, and he was ready.

“What will you do now, dragon?” The Anti-Spike called out, “Whose tricks will you use this time?”

“Why don't you come and find out?”

The Anti-Spike growled and snarled as he charged for Spike. Spike did nothing as he reached behind him and materialized several belts. He slung one over each shoulder and clipped one around his waist. It didn't take long for him to know exactly what was on those belts. Spike put them on and tore off two of the small objects that hung from them. Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich were bouncing up and down like little fillies and Flake was smiling because she was a little filly.

“PARTY POPPERS!”

Spike called out the name as he tossed the two party grenades out at the charging Anti-Spike. One by one he tore the Party Poppers off the belts and tossed them. Never once did he get a direct hit, but he came very close with more than one throw. The Anti-Spike was more determined than Spike thought, however. Even as confetti showered down around him, making it hard to see Spike and breathing a danger he ran forward. Even as streamers fought to tangle around his arms and legs he tore through them and pushed forward. Before too long he was closing in on Spike and Spike was running low on Party Poppers. Scratch that, he was out of Party Poppers. He only had one thing left. Spike reached quickly threw off the belts and reached behind him. He pulled out one last thing the had been waiting to use. Now was the best time to use it. He pulled it out just as the Anti-Spike was on him. He raised up his claws and was ready to strike when Spike shoved what he pulled out from behind him into his chest. Spike pushed with all his might and even landed a punch to his face that sent the Anti-Spike back. He stayed on his feet the whole time, and when he looked down he saw that he was holding a box. It was just a simple, plain pink box with a design of balloons on the lid. He looked up to see Spike holding a string with ring on the end of it.

“FIRE IN THE HOLE!” Pinkie Pie shouted as loud as she could. They dived for cover as the box exploded with the super compressed party inside. It was so much more powerful than the Party Poppers he was throwing before. The Anti-Spike just found them to be annoying more than anything else, but this. This was pure party destruction.

The Anti-Spike lay in middle of a pile of party supplies in a daze. A cake came from somewhere and splatted all over his face. He was absolutely covered in confetti and several streamers tugged at his extremities. He couldn't believe that a simple party could do so much damage. Spike did warn him about the pink one. If only he listened.

He managed to get up again as Spike ran for him. He wasn't that far away, but Spike set in a full sprint. He made it about five steps before he fell into the earth below. The only thing left was a Spike shaped hole where he disappeared.

“Ooh, now he is doing me,” Discord said with glee.

He was right. Spike was now using his tricks, but the Anti-Spike remembered this one. He immediately blasted the earth all around him with dragons fire breath, scorching it to nothing but black. But Spike wasn't just copying what the others did. He was putting his own spin on it. The Anti-Spike breathed heavily after scorching the earth around him. He panted heavily and then felt a tug at his ankles. He looked down to see two miniature Spikes clawing at his ankles. They smiled and giggled as they clawed their way up his body. He would throw one off and it would crumbled into dust and dirt but another one would just take its place.

“ENOUGH,” He yelled out as his body exploded with ooze thorns. They protruded from every part of him and pierced each and every one of the mini Spike's little bodies. They all turned to dust and fell. This time it was the real Spike who rose up from the ground.

“It will take more than parlor tricks to defeat me,” The Anti-Spike said.

“HEY!” Discord exclaimed, “Why I oughta. . .”

“I guess you're right,” Spike said, “Maybe you need to cool down again.”

Spike's eyes were glowing with Mystik power and he knew how to use it. His powers over elemental magic were strong, but ice and water were his weakest. If only there were a pony who knew a little something about that kind of magic. Flake beamed like the ice itself as Spike called down the powers of winter.

Once again the temperature all around them dropped. The cold winds of the harsh winter kicked up and blew the falling snow all around. It wasn't as directed as Flake's but it was coming. Ine formed under their feet. They both had to use their toe claws to keep from slipping and sliding all over the place. In each of his hands Spike held a small ice crystal. He threw them out and the embedded themselves into the ice. The Anti-Spike watched as they grew into the ice spires that the ice farmers were dealing with earlier. It didn't bother him as he charged forward. He extended his claws further and got ready.

Each spire grew up to seven feet tall and had several smaller branches growing of it. The Anti-Spike ran through these spire fields and dodged and evaded as he went. It didn't even matter to him even if he did get struck by one of the fast growing spires. He swiped outward with his claws. He cut branches from spires wherever he stepped. He cut down spire after spire as he ran, but there were still more growing. On top of that Spike was blasting the harsh winds through the spires. The biting winds were already cold and now they were filled with the shrapnel of dozens of broken spires. However, much to Spike's surprise he made it through. He was by no means unscathed, but he made it.

He came crashing out through a couple of tall spires and clawed at Spike quickly. Spike stepped back as the claws dug into the ground. The Anti-Spike didn't stop there, though. He kept it going as he flipped upward and planted is feet onto Spike and pushed him back. He finished the movement back on his feet and with a left fist aimed right for Spike. The thunderous hit connected with tremendous force. Now it was Spike who was forced to get back up.

“You cannot defeat me, dragon,” The Anti-Spike said, “I have been here for eons, I will stay for eons more. My power is dark and endless.”

With that said he called back the rest of the Dark power from his Dark army. Before it was just a small amount at a time. Now it well over two legions worth of power he called upon. He brought it all out of their tormented bodies and all to himself. All that power coursed through him and he couldn't be happier. His body changed and shifted as he absorbed all that power.

“You want power,” Spike said as he got back up, “Take mine!”

Spike groaned into a full on roar. It shook the very heavens, it echoed throughout the universe. Spike changed too. His eyes glowed with Mystik power, but that was just green. When he used soul magic they were green with a white circle. But now as he brought up all his power, every bit of it, his eyes flashed from green to the white circle to being all white. He roared out with a mix of pain and effort. Through sheer force of will he kept it up.

Every scale of his body was glowing from power. Every scale shone from the light of the power within him. Light was coming from Spike like never before. He locked eyes on the Anti-Spike, who had coalesced back into a form similar to his own. Spike ran forth and reached out with his claws.

Claws of light passed through the ooze and dug into the Anti-Spike. He screamed in pain she Spike's other hand of claws dug into him as well. Spike looked him in the eyes and breathed in a great breath. When he breathed out again he was breathing forth a blast of the purest magical energy that any of them had ever seen or felt. Twilight and Luna were keenly aware of how powerful it was. They were a bit more sensitive to magic than the others. Spike breathed this pure energy onto the Anti-Spike, who just absorbed it. It took him a moment to gather the strength but when he did he grabbed a hold of Spike and threw him back. Spike skid across the ground and lay still for a moment. Luna raced over to him, and helped him to his feet.

“Spike, are you alright my love,” She asked. He wearily lifted his head and she saw that his eyes were normal. He was not Mystik anymore. He was not anything. “Spike, what did you do?”

“What have you done to me, dragon?!”

Spike didn't answer as his gaze fell on the Anti-Spike. It writhed and twisted as the power flowed through it. His form shifted and changed into horrid shapes and terrible things as the power coursed through him. He screamed as the light of Spike's power could be seen. It was inside of him, and seemed to still be fighting with the Darkness. The power itself was too much. Way to much. Anti-Spike couldn't handle it. His new tangled form reached for his head and he roared out in agonizing pain.

“I gave you everything you ever wanted,” Spike said, “All my power is now yours. Let's see if you can handle it any better than I did.”

Anti-Spike cried out as the agony of the battle raging within him tore him apart. He screamed as his form could no longer contain the power. He searched out for something, anything that could help him release this power.

“Ain't gonna happen,” Flake said as she ran up and took control of the ice fields. The spires rose up and moved over to him. All them pierced through his form to keep him in his place. The ice itself moved up and spread through the spires to freeze him where he stood.

Twilight flew up and pushed him back with her magic. She easily dodged his lazy swipes at her and continued her barrage. Discord manifested a large lasso for Applejack, who expertly wrangled it around the Anti-Spike. Her and many of them pulled back so as to keep the form from moving. They succeeded, and before long it screamed out one last scream.

A last, longing scream burst forth from the Anti-Spike. It bellowed out for the heavens to hear as a flame from somewhere deep within him burn. His ooze form slowly burned, and turned to sludge. It sank down as the flames burst forth from its body and consumed it. The last of the form shrieked and howled before falling silent as the flames ate away at the last of it.

“Is it really gone?” Fluttershy asked.

“I don't know,” Applejack said, “Ah reckon only Spike could answer that fer certain.”

“I can,” Spike said as he walked up with Luna. She was supporting him as he could barely stand on his two feet. “It is gone. For good. There will be no more ooze, no more Madness, and definitely no more Darkness. I promise.”

“Spike,” Twilight said, “I trust you. You know that, but how can you make that promise.”

“Balance, Twilight,” Spike replied, “It is all about balance. As long as I had my dragon magic, I was a powerful force for good and so there had to be and equally evil force to maintain the balance.”

“But if that thing is gone,” Rarity said, her mind making the connections, “Does that mean that your magic-”

“Gone as well,” Spike said, “I sacrificed it. That was the only way to defeat it. Now I am back to being just the same old Princess Assistance Dragon that I was before.”

“Nuh uh, no you're not,” Pinkie said as she hopped to Spike with a measuring tape, “You are officially three and three quarters inches shorter than you were before you got oozed. And that makes you only two feet nine inches taller than when you fist became the PAD.”

“Thanks for the information, Pinkie,” Luna said with laugh.

“No problemo,” Pinkie replied as she bounced back.

“So what happens now?” Flake asked.

“We go home, Flake,” Spike said as he looked at all the ponies around, “And I guess we take them with us.”

Author's Note

Just the epilogue left now. To those who have made it this far I want to say thanks for reading, and to ask you to please drop a comment on the story. What you liked or didn't like. I'm sure you know what I mean. Please and thanks.

Prologue

The fire sat low in the pit. Embers glowed brightly in the depth of the flames. Cinders danced through the air, casting a light glow in the evening air. Beyond the fire sat a being. A dragon. His scales shone in the low light of the fire. His eyes cast on the others that sat with him. Six young fillies that gave him company now.

“So, you are back to hear another story,” The dragon more stated than asked.

“We sure are,” Replied one of the young fillies.

“Good,” The Dragon said, “Very good. I have one I know you will enjoy.”

The fillies quivered in their seats. Anticipation could be clearly seen in their eyes. As they shook and moved about the Dragon looked over them. He raised an eyebrow, and the fillies stopped moving. They knew that look. He had used it before. The fillies immediately took their final seats and planted their hooves down. The Dragon put a look of approval on his face and continued his story.

He breathed life into the low flames before him. They came alive with a fury and flash. The flames danced their way around the pit, constantly flickering and crackling in the unspoken way of fire. The Dragon breathed life into the Smokelight spell and the fire stilled. Smoke rose from the fire and traveled up, far beyond the trees. With his words to guide them lights appeared within the smoke column. The flashed at the sound if his voice and took shape to his words.

“Last time I had your company I told a grand tale of the heroic young dragon, Spike,” The Dragon started, “But his story did not end there. No, his story still had many more chapters to it. For now, I will tell you of his life years after he defeated the Dark Dragon King.”

The Dragon paused for a moment. He peered through the smoke and the flames to see the looks on the fillies faces. They were so eagerly waiting for him to continue. He supposed it was time his dramatic pause ended. This was the best crowd he'd had in a long time. He did not want to keep them waiting.

“Young fillies,” He stated, “This is a story of adventure, a story of incredible magics, and a story of dark evil the like of which this world has never seen! Young fillies, this is a story of Spike, the Dragon Mystik.”

Ch.16 Dash of Defiance

The group all headed back for the surface. They had collected Pinkie Pie with much less effort than they were expecting. Actually, there was really no effort at all. Pinkie pretty much took out the Darkmare herself and walked out. Now she was bouncing around and hopping and talking with all the others. There was one thing that made her stop, though. Just one thing.

Fluttershy and Discord. They were unusually close and Pinkie noticed. She called them out on it, and nopony or dragon would ever forget her response.

“Wha?! You? Discord?” Pinkie gasped a mighty Pinkie gasp as she reeled back. She came down seconds later, still wide eyed at the pair. “It's about time. Everypony has been waiting forEVER for you two to finally get together.”

Even Discord didn't see that one coming. He and Fluttershy just blinked momentarily. “Did everypony really know?” Fluttershy shrank as far as she could into her mane. Discord was about to join her, but then he thought that maybe their relationship was not quite to that level yet.

“Yep! All the ponies in Ponyville were talking about it last time I was there. It was almost as big as Spike's relationship with Luna.”

This time it was Spike who shrank. At least, he would have if he could have. He didn't have a mane to shrink into, though, and his own spikes were a bit uncomfortable when you got that close to them. He just sighed and kept bringing the platform up. He told the ponies that they would have to get off as soon as they could. He couldn't hold it up forever.

Moments later and they found themselves at the surface again. They were never so happy to see the sun again, especially Pinkie. She leaped off the platform and kissed the sands. As the light breeze swirled them around a bit she saw something in the distance.

“Hey, I thsee sumpthin ova there,' Pinkie said with a mouth full of sand that she proceeded to spit out.

The others disembarked the platform quickly, and Spike let his spell go. The rocks fell apart and disappeared into the darkness of that hole. Then he looked to where Pinkie was furiously spitting. Something was out there, and it was much closer than Pinkie thought.

The hear of the sun caused the very air to shake. It distorted the image, but a large holographic pony rose up from the sands. It was a dark stallion with evil looking eyes and a wicked grin to match. He grinned down at the group and announced himself.

“So, you are Spike the Dragon? My daughter has told me much about you, and your powers. Nice to finally meet you.”

“Hold on, who is your daughter?” Twilight asked the image.

“Ebony Thorn.” Spike hissed the name, to which the image just smiled more and chuckled.

“Yes, Ebony is my daughter, but I have been rude. Allow me to introduce myself. You can call me King Bloodthorn.”

“You are their ruler,” Spike spat out through gritted teeth. Instinctively, he let loose a powerful breath of dragon fire. The image was unaffected as it was just an image.

“Yes, and you have meddled into my affairs for too long. My daughter has failed to deal with you, so now I must do it myself. While I am just a projected image, you can be assured these ponies are not. The pain you will feel will be quite real.

The image flickered and vanished into the desert sun. Spike lurched forward in a desperate attempt to grab anything he could. All he got were empty claws. He dropped to his knees and roared out in anger.

Figures appeared all around them as he stay there. He noted each of them. At least a couple of dozen. If they were ooze forms like the Black Colts he used to deal with then he could have easily taken them out, but they were not. He was not so lucky. Yet he rose up, ready to defend his friends. They really didn't need defending, but he wanted to be more involved in the fighting. He was tired of sitting back and just reacting to whatever move was played by the enemy. Now was his time to fight. If Discord could do without seriously hurting anypony then he could to. But Spike was never given that chance.

A shadow zoomed by overhead. It was small and fleeting. Spike barely even registered it as it happened. Desert vultures were common around these parts and he wasn't going to let his attention be drawn away from anything unimportant. Then it zoomed by again, only lower this time. Then again, and again. By now, Spike had his eyes on the sky. This was no desert vulture. That he was sure of.

The shadow zoomed by again and Spike tried to see just what it was. The glare of the sun was making it difficult for him to do just that. That, and the speed at which it was going. It was only there for seconds at a time. All the while something was happening around him. He was too preoccupied to notice, but the rest of them did.

Even though the shadow seemed to only be targeting the Mad Ponies the whole thing was frightening Fluttershy. She huddled up closer to Discord and nuzzled her face into his chest fur. He stroked her mane and kept her calm. Pinkie was baffled when she saw this. She understood it, but it was still kinda weird to see her and Discord so. . . close. Pinkie looked around for a pony she could get close to. She saw one and hopped over to her.

Pinkie got right up close and personal with her. She even shuddered a bit and threw her hooves around her. Applejack was stunned at first, but then saw the other pair over Pinkie's shoulder. She sighed, smiled, and stroked Pinkie's mane. After all she went through, all she wanted was the comfort of her friends.

The shadow zoomed by, and pony disappeared. In an instant a Mad Pony vanished as fast the shadow did. Then another. Each pass took another pony. Some went away silently. Some of them were able to get one last scream out before they vanished. And yet, Spike could not get any more than a glimpse of this thing. However that was all he needed, as the glimpse he got showed him a lot of blue with a few other colors dashing away from the sands.

Spike turned his eyes to skies. He wasn't focusing on just one thing anymore. He was looking up the whole sky now. And he was calling out to the whole sky as well. “You can come down now.”

The shadow overhead slowed down to glide. Everypony looked up, but still nothing could be seen clearly. It was just the silhouette of something against the sun's harsh glare. It passed by a few more times but didn't land.

“I make no promises about Pinkie Pie, but the rest of us won't bite.”

“HEY!” The shout echoed from both Pinkie Pie and Discord. It would seem they were both a bit upset at what Spike said, but for different reasons. Spike shooed them off while keeping his eyes on the sky. If he was right any comment of his would be forgiven.

It didn't even matter to him that there were still more Mad Ponies around them. The shadow had only taken about ten. That did enough to scare them a little, however. They were keeping their distance.

Spike was glad to see as the shadow approached, too, that it was slowing down and stopped just above them. With a quick move the shadow dived down in the middle of them, causing a gust of sand to erupt and cover them all. Spike used a spell to clear the air. It revealed a pony standing there in all her glory.

“So, you miss me?”

All jaws dropped. Discord picked his up and screwed it back into place. He was going to taste sand for the next three days, but he could live with that. For as the dust cleared, and the sands parted they could all see the pony standing there. It was none other than Rainbow Dash.

No pony, dragon, or Discord there could believe their eyes. She was here. Rainbow Dash was here. The pony who took on the Mad Ponies, and paid the price for it. She was standing before them, tall and proud and in all her multicolored glory. But how?

“Rainbow Dash,” TWilight said with a quivering lip, “Is it really you? Are you really here?”

“Yeah, Twilight. It's me.” Dash said back.

Twilight's eyes started to water. Tears filled her eyes and before another second passed they started to run down her cheeks. “But how, how can you be here? I was there. I saw what happened to you. How can you be standing here now?”

“I woke up in a hospital bed,” Rainbow Dash said, “Strangely enough, Luna was there with me. She told me whats been going on, and I came to help as soon as I heard. Took me a while to find you though.”

As she explained what happened to her and her awakening to the ponies, Spike saw something else. His magic flowed strong within him, and it was this connection and his connection to Rainbow Dash that allowed him to see it. A glow filled his eyes, the same glow that appeared whenever he was looking into the souls of others. What he saw in Dash's was nothing short of miraculous.

“Tears,” Spike said, “A circle, formed from those closest to you. A tear, fallen from a place of sorrow and sadness. Together, they will undo what was done and mend a broken soul. From the brink of the abyss shall you be saved and live once again. This is the power of friendship.”

“Whoa, Spike, you okay there,” Dash asked, “You're kinda talking funny.”

“I was something I read in a book once,” Spike said, “Dash, you were saved by the tears shed by all your friends. Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. They brought you back.”

“That's all well and good, but we still got a problem surrounding us,” Dash stated. “We can talk after we take care of that, okay?”

“Understood,” Spike said.

He tossed Dash a pair of goggles to help her see in the sandy lands of the desert they were in. She gladly took them and slipped them on. Not as good as the pair of Wonderbolt goggles she had, but they worked. A bit snug, though. As Spike did this, he also had a plan forming in the back of his mind.

“Discord, watch over everypony,” He said, “Rainbow Dash, you're with me.”

“Awesome!”

There were no arguments given. There was no arguing with Spike, especially when he got like this. Focused, determined. His eyes got that same glow they always did whenever he was about to do some pretty intense magic. This was one of those times.

Spike rolled his shoulders forward as his wings erupted from his back. They extended far out to either side. Spike roared into the sky as he took off with Rainbow Dash into the skies above the sands. Dash zipped about in any direction that allowed her to stay moving. Spike just hovered where he was, nearly seventy feet above the same spot he was standing. This was going to be a bit of a repeat performance, but with a bag dashing twist.

Spike's hands shot out to the sides. The sands below him reacted. It was as if he was pulling on the strings of a very large puppet hidden in the sands. Little by little the sands themselves rose up to meet him. He flapped his wings to keep himself righted. The sands did rise, rise up to meet him. Around him the sands shifted and swirled. The Mad Ponies watched the same trick they had seen before. What they didn't know was that Spike left a small magic upgrade in the goggles he tossed to Rainbow Dash. It was up to her now.

A familiar shadow soared above the sands. The ponies and Discord watched from below with awe as the sands rose once again to answer Spike's call. Dash flew around and around, stopping to watch a few times as she flew. She had not seen this nearly as much as the other ponies. It was also the coolest thing she had ever seen since she woke up. Dash slid the goggles over her eyes and that was when the fun truly began.

Dash flew around and around the swirling mass of sand that Spike had created. She saw and marked in her memory where each and every one of the Mad Ponies was. Now it was time to get down to business.

“What are you waiting for,” The image of Bloodthorn angrily spouted out, “Get them! Bring me that dragon!” And with that, the image vanished.

The Mad Ponies that could fly shot skyward from the sands. Eight of them in all. Six of them were Pegasi, and the other two were Unicorn floating on a mass of sands. They shrieked in a mad anger at the sands swirling around Spike now and the Unicorns attempted to blast through it.

“Not on my watch,” Dash shouted to the winds.

She came around from the other side faster than Pinkie Pie at the sounds of candy, and much faster than other could react to. Dash slammed into a Pegasus pony guarding the Unicorns. She barely slowed down as she carried the the poor pony off. A moment of silence passed before Dash came back with empty hooves.

“You wanna try that again?” She said.

In response to her teasing them so several more of the mad Unicorn on the ground fired off magic blasts up at her. She moved quickly to avoid the blasts, but ended up taking one hit. A small blast that did little to harm her, but forced her through the sands that Spike had. She almost hit him, but didn't.

“Dash, I'll make the openings. You take them. Got it?”

“Can you even do that, Spike?”

“That sands answer to me for now,” Spike said.

Before Dash could even respond she saw the sands shift even more as a hole appeared there. It was just big enough for Dash to fly through. So this is what he meant by openings. This gave Dash and idea. Or maybe she was just finally catching on to Spike's idea. Either way, she was ready. She corrected her goggles that had become slightly crooked from the hit and then darted through the hole.

Dash darted out and began circling the sands around Spike once again. Around and around she flew, gaining speed as she went. She was just doing what came naturally to her. Eventually, after a few passes she came around the side but took a wide turn before heading back faster than ever. Only this time, she was heading right for the sands around Spike.

“What is she doing?” Flake Frost asked.

Everyone got the answer as Dash flew toward the sands at highs speeds. And just as she was about to meet the shifting sands they parted. A small hole opened up mere seconds before Dash got there. And in less than a second another appeared on the other side. Dash flew through and managed to get another of the Mad Ponies. Unfortunately, now they had seen the trick and were able to adapt. Dash circled around a few more times and got a few more ponies, but it wasn't enough. It wasn't that she wasn't hitting them. The problem was she wasn't hitting them hard enough. Each and every time they managed to move just enough at the last second to avoid any serious hits. Combine that with the fact that the ponies on the ground were still pestering her with their own magic. The Earth ponies were kicking sand up to try and blind her. Would have done it too if she wasn't wearing goggles.

“Fluttershy,” Discord said as he watched all of this unfold, “Would you care to dance?”

“What the?!” Applejack said, shocked, “Really, now? Do ya really think this is the best time to be asking Fluttershy if she wants ta dance?”

“Yes, AJ, I do,” Discord said. Something in his voice and in the way he looked at her told to not question him any further. Discord looked back at a still somewhat confused Fluttershy. “Well, Fluttershy. Would you like to dance?”

“Yes, Discord. I would love to dance,” Fluttershy replied.

“Huzzah!” Discord hollered. He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. The ground beneath them shook as a floor rose from beneath the sands. It rose up right under the rest of the Mad Ponies on the ground. The floor lifted them up just above the rest of the sand.

“Let's boogie,” Discord said confidently. Another snap of his fingers and he and Fluttershy were on the dance floor, and dressed to be there. Together, they danced!

Discord lead the duo as they moved their way across the dance floor. They waltzed, they tangoed, they did the Salsa, and so much more. They spun, they dipped, they, bowed, they shook their hips, and they tapped their hooves. Everypony, Mad or otherwise watched as these two moved to the beat of the music that seemed to be coming from the air itself. The Mad Ponies shook off their shock shortly after the dancing started. They were also on the dance floor, and they moved into to start a tango of their own!

The Mad Ponies moved in, but didn't get very far. Discord and Fluttershy were dancing them away, literally. A twirl here, a kick there and the Mad Ponies were forced back. One by one or all at once, it mattered not. The pair were just too good. Discord's lead was excellent, as well was his form. Fluttershy's sense of rhythm could not be matched. And the frills of her dress were rather distracting. Together they could not be stopped as they took on the Mad Ponies stuck on the ground with them. While they danced the enemy away, Rainbow Dash continued her attack from the air. It didn't take long for all the Mad Ponies to be defeated and left in the sands.

“Wow, Fluttershy,” Dash said as she came down for a landing, “I had no idea you could dance like that.”

“Discord taught me a while back,” She said with a blush. “I had never danced in front of others before now.”

“Well, that was darn good hoofwork there, Fluttershy,” Applejack said.

“Yeah!” Dash blurted out, effectively ending the discussion on Fluttershy's dancing skills, “We showed them a thing or two, didn't we?”

“We did?” Flake asked, “What did we show them? I'm completely lost here.”

The sands fell back town to where they were supposed to be as the ponies spoke. Spike glided down on his own dragon wings and landed next to his young filly friend. He smiled as he saw how Dash and the rest of the girls were so happy.

“What we showed them, Flake, was a dash of defiance,” He said.

“Oh, okay,” She replied, “So what comes next?”

Spike closed his eyes and took a deep breath. What were they going to do next. There really was only one thing to do, but it sure wasn't going to be easy. He had seen the happiness that Rainbow Dash brought everypony, and he wanted all the ponies of Equestria to feel that once again.

“First of all, we go and find Rarity. After that, we take the fight to this King Bloodthorn pony.”

“Hold up, did you say something about Rarity?” Dash asked to Spike. She clearly didn't know what happened. Had Luna not told her?

Epilogue

A year passed after the fall of the Anti-Spike. His reign of Darkness ended before it ever really began. Spike and Luna lead the ponies back in victory. The Madness ended, and the Darkness was avoided. It was truly a happy time, but there were still scars left that had to heal. A lot had happened to a lot of ponies. Even though a year had passed, some of those scars were still felt.

In each of the cities a center was set up for the ponies returning from the corrupting influences of the ooze. Whether it was Madness that took them, Darkness, or both they were well taken care of.

Everypony was affected. Some more than others, but many still shared the same basic symptoms. Nightmares were the worst. Luna did the best she could to curb the tide of scared ponies, but she was just one Princess. Spike toured the cities and counseled the ponies on overcoming the nightmares, but it was more than that. Cold sweats, anxiety, outbursts of anger from normally calm ponies. These also plagued the returned. It took almost that whole year for them to integrate back into the societies they were taken from. But they were far from the only ones feeling the scars.

Rarity felt the sting of old scars not as well as some of the others, but hers ran a bit deeper. Many of the citizens from many of the towns and cities across Equestria were taken. Many of them saw the inside of that fortress. Many of them saw Rarity, and not the nice version of her. But many of the ponies were turned, so why was Rarity singled out? For the very fact the she wasn't. She never did change. The ooze never truly effected her, but she had to play like it did. Seeing that side of her, knowing that it existed made a lot of ponies very uncomfortable. Whereas the corrupted ponies were under the ooze's control Rarity acted on her own. The ponies understood and thanked her for her role in stopping the Madness, but she still got wary glances as she walked through Ponyville. She tried to hide it, but she felt the sting nonetheless.

Shining Armor was also scarred, but not from any ooze, or Madness. No, his soul was scarred. Yes, he was taken by the Madness and Spike pulled it out of him. His wife helped him through that. It really wasn't that big of a deal to him. But when Spike stared him down at the fortress, and told him to run, to flee. That moment stuck with him. When he drifted to sleep nightmares tormented him. Ponies screaming and flailing as the dark tendrils rose up to take them. And him running away, leaving behind all those ponies. It never left him. Never.

Life never really was the same for anypony after that year. Everything had changed. Almost everypony across Equestria was now aware that evil was out there, true evil. Most of them were well aware that monsters existed, and there were dark beings like Discord used to be, or even Nightmare Moon. But now they knew that something worse had one existed, and they feared something like that ever happening again. But even throughout that year, not everything was bad. There were many joyous moments as well.

Let's talk about love. Spike and Luna. They had finally admitted their feeling to one another, and tragedy seemed their fate on more than one occasion. However, love won out over all and they ended up in each others arms nearly every night of that year. Together they traveled from city to city, from town to town, helping as many ponies as they could along the way. They would only leave once they were certain they had helped as many as they could. As time went on rumors about them started to spread. Rumors of rings and gowns and bells. They vehemently denied them, but they were rumors and they spread like an infestation of parasprites in a small town. At least they weren't the only ones.

Discord. Fluttershy. Their feelings went even farther back than Spike and Luna's. Discord had only said it out loud for the first time recently. To save Fluttershy, to bring her back from the brink of being lost forever. At least, that is what Spike said. Truth be told Discord never was sure if that true, or if Spike was just trying to get him to spill his guts to Fluttershy. Either way, she was back in his arms and he was happy, so it didn't really matter.

Those two spent the year traveling as well. The first few months they stayed in Ponyville and looked after the animals Discord airdropped in to save Fluttershy in the first place. She was mad at him for that at first, but forgave him as was her kind nature. Once they were through with that they moved on to other parts of Equestria. Nopony really realized how the animals of the land were affected until Fluttershy brought it up. Her and Discord traveled and helped the animals. It made her happy, and that made Discord happy. That was all they needed, but even they didn't escape the gossip as ponies started to talk about them.

Apparently they wanted to see a wedding between them, too. Fluttershy blushed and got red whenever she was asked about it. She was shy to begin with and this made he remember why she got along better with animals. Luckily, she had a Spirit of Chaos to poof in and rescue her when she needed it. The one rumor that rose above the rest was an unusual one, though. Both couples heard it often, and it was certainly strange. It grew to become a popular matter of debate.

“Which couple is the better power couple?”

After the fall of the Darkness young filly Flake Frost returned home. She hadn't been back in quite a while and she missed it. The farm was empty for a while, though, as her mom was recovering from the Madness that took a while back. Papa Frost spent most of his time with her, which made her feel better. And with Flake there as well she recovered quickly and they all returned to the farm as a family, give or take a few brothers.

Later on that year, as winter was picking up Flake got quite the surprise as Princess Cadence and Shining Armor invited her to the Crystal Palace. They gave her a medal, and a key to the city and all that. She even got a small statue close to Crystal Palace. It was a grand celebration. The first one of the year. Many important ponies were in attendance. All the Princess's were there as well as Spike, of course. They cheered her on and gave her praise. Spike even gave a nice speech and told a few stories that embarrassed her a bit. It was a good day. It was on that day that many ponies realized that they were going to be okay, that no matter what happened they could come back from it.

Some other, smaller things happened. Research into the history of Equestria got a surge in interest as ponies from all over scrambled to find out as much as they could about the land they lived in. Many wanted to learn for the sake of defense. They worried about the dangers of another like the ooze and wanted to be prepared. Others were just interested, or wanted in it for the money or glory that could potentially be found. Whatever the reason Equestria's history got a new look over.

Another area that found new interest was exploration. This was always a unique area for its mix of serious adventurers and Daring Do wannabes. Ever since stories started going about all the hidden parts of Equestria ponies were eager to go out of their way to find such a place. They wanted their name in the history their neighbors were looking into. Even Spike had to admit the draw of adventure still had a bit of a hold on him, but Luna wouldn't let him out of her sight long enough.

“Luna, we should do something,” Spike said one day, as they climbed into their bed.

“Like what?” Luna asked, “Go on a grand adventure, or have that wedding everypony is talking about?”

Spike laughed with her, “You know some pony today asked me if we had set a date yet. This rumor is getting out of control.”

Luna rest her head on his chest. She liked the feel of his scales, the soft rhythm of his breathing. She found it soothing to have him so close to her all the time. She closed her eyes and let herself start drifting away.

“Maybe we should do something,” Luna mumbled, “For just the three of us.”

“Yeah,” Spike said. A moment later his eyes snapped open. “Wait, what? Three of us?”

Author's Note

Finally done! It took me longer than I thought, but I finished it. It needed to get done. It was taking up valuable space inside my mind that could be used to store more important nonsense.