Kingdom Hearts F.I.M: Days Long Past

Chapters

CH1: Memories of the Past
CH2: The Lonely Bookworm
CH3: A New Start
CH4: A New Friend
CH5: Worldbuilding
CH6: Mechanical Solitude
CH7: The Caged Bird Sings Freely

CH1: Memories of the Past

Author's Note

Quick recap for those who haven't or don't want to read Rise of the Elements, and aren't familiar with the terminology I use.

Unicorns= Mage--> Humans who can use certain types of magic. They are characterized by the symbols on their foreheads.
Pegasi = Avians --> Humans who can materialize wings and use the magic of flight. Characterized by the marks on their backs or shoulders.
Earthponies = Earthans --> Humans who can use magic to enhance their strength and stamina. Characterized by the marks on their chests or arms.

CH1: Memories of the Past

“Twilight...”

That was Spike's final response as he fell deeper into the void. He deeply regretted having to leave all of his friends, but it had been necessary, what she said had been too alarming, too sudden, and dangerous for him to ignore.

He felt it, he felt her power wrapping around him, and leading him somewhere. As he relaxed and let his body ride the pathway that had been set, he thought… He thought about what he had chosen to leave behind. His home, his friends, his family… and his sister.

He thought about Twilight, and how she would have to live on without him. The one who had called out to him promised to save the town for his cooperation. So he could only hope that Twi and the others were safe and protected.

He chuckled a little bit when he remembered how much of a nerd she was, almost dying for him even. He remembered the first time they met, the hated outcast who wanted to leave, and the lonely orphan who just wanted a friend.

~~~

Spike thought back to a time that he both hated and loved, back to the time of the sad little 6 year old half dragon hybrid that had no where to go.

In his old town, a hybrid of any kind was both extremely rare, and extremely feared or disliked. It didn't just end at glares or mean words, not even at bullying or mistrust. The town hated him, and they showed it. His every action had been met with a hostile response. Helping a lady meant a robbery attempt, playing on the sidewalk meant vandalism, even talking to others had been treated as if it were a hate crime of some sort.

Eventually, he gave up on trying to be nice, and fought back. He fought back when assaulted, and committed every crime he'd been accused of. He’d had enough of this place.

One day, a group of kids came up to him and decided that they wanted him out. He didn't care he wanted to go anyway, but since they wanted to give him a goodbye present, he'd have to take it. Being half dragon meant that he had better fighting ability and endurance than even an earthen and more agility than an avian. So up against a group of mages, he scoffed at the challenge.

He was wrong.

The adult mages must have used some spell to strengthen them, and it added up, because they slowly overtook him with their combined strength. He soon found himself on the ground, bloody, taking hit after hit after hit after hit until the hits stopped coming. Looking up, he saw a small girl wearing a purple one piece dress and sandals. She had mid-length dark purple hair with a darker purple and bright pink stripe running through it. She was standing, arms outstretched in front of him.

Almost as if she were… protecting him?

She was saying something, yelling maybe, but it was blurry and fading. The boy realized that he was losing consciousness. However, as his vision faded, he picked out the words ‘monster’ and ‘friend’, but before he could decipher them, the world turned black.

~~~

Waking up an undetermined amount of time later, the boy felt something underneath him. It was something soft, something foreign, something that had no business being there. Instincts kicked in, and he jumped up off of whatever it was that was under him.

Staring at it for a few seconds, he mentally analyzed it. It was of rectangular shape, it had a white surface, and on it lie on a smaller, more plump looking, rectangle. Baffled, the young dragon took a hesitant step forward to inspect it more closely, only to fall back to the ground in a crumpled heap. Groaning in pain, he tried to get up until he heard small foot steps enter the room.

“S-stop… you’ll hurt yourself!” cried a small shrill voice. Looking behind him, the boy saw the same young girl from the time before he lost consciousness. He immediately noticed that something was off. He looked at her face and saw that she held no fear, hate or resentment. She almost looked… curious.

He flinched as she suddenly took a step toward him, but not having the strength to do anything, he offered no resistance as she helped to lift him back on to the white square.

Since the girl wasn't hitting him or berating him… yet, he decided to voice his inner questions. “What is this? What am I laying on?” he asked weakly, throat dry and airy.

She looked surprised and ran off. Watching her run, the boy sighed in disappointment. He actually began to think that she may actually be unafraid of him, but it seems that she was just like the rest. Being half dragon, he healed very quickly so he decided to just lie there and wait until he was well enough to leave. Just as mental silence began to set his head, he heard footsteps rushing back into the room.

The girl from before came back into the room holding a small glass filled with a clear liquid.

“Water?” he thought. She handed it to him, and he hesitantly took it.

“Drink that. My books say that the injured must stay hydrated in order to heal quickly,” she said, sounding rather proud of herself for being able to put what she learned to use.

Staring suspiciously at the water for a few moments, he proceeded to down it in less than two seconds. Looking over to the purple head he noticed that she was staring at him rather intently, it was kind of unnerving. He held the glass back out,

“More,” he demanded.

The girl flinched slightly at his tone but quickly recovered. She narrowed her eyes and puffed out her cheeks in defiance. “Say please!” she demanded back.

He could only give her a questioning glance “What?” he asked.

“My books said that we should always say please when asking for something we want,” she replied, cheeks still puffed out.

He sat there for several seconds, contemplating the words meaning. He had never heard it before so he could only take the strange girl’s word for it. Finally, he relented and replied.

“Please… can I have some more,” he asked only for the world to feel weird falling out of his mouth, never having said it before.

Her cheeks stopped puffing as she nodded and took the glass back to wherever she got the water from. While she was gone, he decided to try and figure out where he was. Looking around, he saw the wooden ceiling, wooden walls, wooden doom. There appeared to be a lot of wood, making everything look almost makeshift.

“Jeez did they make this place themselves?” he thought. He realized that he still didn't know what he was laying on, and since his throat wasn't as dry anymore he could voice his thoughts better.

Eventually, she returned and handed him the water. Before drinking it he spoke out, “What am I laying on?” he questioned.

He got no response as she began to puff her cheeks out once more, a sign that he was beginning to realize, meant that he'd done something wrong. “What now?” he asked, rolling his emerald eyes.

“My books say that you always say thank you when receiving something, its only nice,” she lectured.

Once again, the word sounded foreign to his ears, as well as the sound of hit exiting his mouth. Skipping contemplation, he just went ahead and said it. “Thank you…”

A smile replacing her features, the girl finally answered his question, “You’re welcome, and its called a bed.” He suddenly got the feeling that he shouldn't have asked as the girl in front of him cleared her throat, though he couldn't figure out why…

She cleared her throat and continued, “A bed is a piece of furniture used as a place to sleep or relax. Most modern beds consist of a soft mattress on a bed frame, but I had to make due with a mattress that we found on the road. We cleaned it and now it’s my bed. With the mattress resting either on a solid base, often wooden slats, or a sprung base, we made a box that the mattress sits in.

Most beds have a headboard for resting against, with others also having side rails and foot-boards, but I have neither because we couldn't find the right wood for it.” She gestured toward the soft white rectangle under his head. “For greater head support, most people use a pillow, placed on the top of a mattress. Also used is some form of covering blanket to insulate the sleeper, often bed sheets, a quilt, or a duvet, collectively referred to as bedding. Bedding is the removable non-furniture portion of a sleeping environment. A bed can be thought of as a body and the bedding as it’s clothing,” She finished, taking in a long breath.

He figured out why…

It sounded to him that she had just read that straight out of a book, but all the books sat closed in clumps around the room. Either way, the only thing he could catch from that was the first sentence explaining that a bed was a mattress meant for relaxation.

He also noticed a lot of ‘we’s and ‘I’s but since he hadn't seen anyone else yet, he decided to factor that away for later. Taking that, he nodded dumbly and drank his water.

A veil of silence few over the two for a time while he drank his water and she studied him with her eyes. She had a weird look on her face, as if she were pondering the mysteries of the world. He tried to ignore it as best she could, but after a time he snapped.

“Will you stop staring at me!” He all but yelled in frustration. She flinched greatly and threw her gaze toward the floor in embarrassment.

“Sorry!” she quickly apologized. “I’ve been told that I get that way when I find something interesting, and I've never seen a halfling in person before.” She looked up and he could swear that her eyes were literally sparkling. “I’ve read about them though, in my books,” she said as she ran over and grabbed a beat up old tome. Looking over, he saw that her other books were equally or worsley, beat up, almost as if she got them from a dump.

“You look a little different from how they describe them but you match well enough. Oh, excuse me. I never told you my name. I’m Twilight Sparkle,” she finished, motioning to herself.

“I'm not something to be studied!” he hissed aggressively leaning up from his position on his back. Holding up her book defensively, she quickly tried to sooth his anger.

“NO! No, I just wanted to ask you some questions, to see if what the book says is outdated,” she said with pleading and sorrowful eyes.

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, “Well I can't help you. I don't know anymore about myself than that book does.”

His eyes traveled downward as he adopted a downtrodden, almost sad expression. “In fact, that book might know more about me than I do.” Looking over at his arm he noted that most of the scars and cuts had begun to heal.

“Looks like she was right about the water, either that or I've been asleep longer than I thought.” Looking up, he saw the girl named Twilight try to wipe her watering eyes.

“Are you… crying?” he asked.

In response, she held the book up to him and demanded that he read it. “You need to know more about yourself,” she explained.

He looked at the girl in disbelief, then at the book, then back at her. “Didn't you say that this book was outdated?”

She held out the book so that it pressed against his face. “Doesn't matter, knowledge is knowledge! So read,” she demanded.

Knowing that their was no possible way out of this he snatched the book and opened to the first page. After 5 minutes, he sighed and figured that he'd have to admit it at some point. “I don’t know how to read…” he admitted with shame.

“I know,” Twilight said nonchalantly.

“How did you know?” he asked incredulously.

“I watched your eyes, you just sat there for five minutes staring at random points on the page. I figured it out pretty quickly.

“Oh...”

Silence reigned once again for a few moments. Finally Twilight spoke up. “I could teach you to read… if you want?” she said shyly.

Never having asked for help, he just sat there in further silence, not having any idea of what to say or even how to go about beginning. Twilight noticed this and began first. “Do you remember what I told you when you ask for something?”

Still feeling slightly weird, he looked over at her with a face of embarrassed annoyance. “Please?”

Twilight smiled brightly and took the book in her hands. Over the next few hours she would teach him the basics of linguistics that she herself learned through self teaching and constant observation of others. It wasn't perfect, but it worked well enough for the both of them.

~~~

Eventually, Twilight closed the book after reading most of it to him as part of her teaching. She had never taught anyone anything so she was really happy about her accomplishment. Looking over his arm, the boy noticed that all of his wounds were healed. Overall he felt great mentally and physically. He quickly jumped to his feet, surprising Twilight and causing her to jump slightly. Standing up, he realized that they were about the same height at little over 3 feet. Before he could stop it a question popped out of his mouth.

“How old are you?” this seemed to take Twilight by surprise, but to his own surprise she answered without hesitation.

“I just turned 8 about a month ago,” she answered, a touch of curiosity in her voice.

This information really surprised him, but it would explain why she had that kind of commanding effect on him, making him say please and thank you like that. Seeing her curious expression, he decided to answer what he knew she was thinking. Even though he knew where it would lead.

“I'm only 6... if you must know.”

This threw a huge grin on the girls face, just like he suspected it would. “That means that i'm older than you by almost two years,” she declared proudly.

"Dragon's age slower than you humans. Even a half dragon like myself has the maturity of a 13 year old."

"Girls mature faster than guys in any species. So there!" she replied.

Rolling his eyes he started for the door. “Thanks--” There's that word again. “--for the help and teaching me to read, but its time for me to go now.”

“Go? Go where?” she asked curiously.

“I'm leaving this town. There's no place for me here,” he said, his tone one of complete contempt. Twilight just stood and stared at him, her eyes almost begging him to stay as she held the book close to her chest. Ignoring it, he opened the door to leave. Before he could actually exit, he felt a pull on his shirt.

“WAIT--I mean, uh, don’t go. You didn't even tell me your name…” she stammered out, trying hard to keep him here.

That's it, he had had enough. “Cut the crap!” he yelled, knocking her arm off and turning back to her. Seeing her stunned face he continued, “I don't have a name! I'm just a beast and a monster. That’s all they've ever called me so that's what I am! I don’t know why you've taken care of me, or what you really want, but I don't care. I'm leaving. No one wants me here and I don’t want to stay,” he said in a more calm but threatening voice.

The girl just stood there in silence. Not even waiting for her to speak, he ran out the door and into the night.

~~~

Running back to his hideout, the nameless boy grabbed all the things he needed for his trip. He didn't know where he would go, and he didn't know how far it was, so he just decided to pack everything he had in a backpack that he ‘found’. Every stolen, borrowed, or foraged item. His thoughts kept going back to the strange girl that miraculously didn't hate or fear him. He couldn't figure out why, she said it was curiosity, but he didn't believe it. He knew that she had some other motive, but he didn't know what, all he knew was that she appeared to be kind, a little strange, nerdy, and lonely…

Very lonely.

He stopped on this, and thought back to the house he had just left behind. It was one story wide, with what appeared to be at least 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. Then it hit him: Where was her family? She couldn't live alone, she wouldn't be able to afford that kind of place by herself. Making the excuse that they must have been out at the time, he continued to pack and plan.

Eventually, he decided that he had enough stuff inside his stolen backpack. Leaving his hideout, he went out toward the edge of town ready to leave. Stopping at the edge of the town, his thoughts drifted back to the orphan girl in the big house. Figuring that he wouldn't be able to leave, he decided that he should at least go back and use that word she taught him one more time. At least for teaching him to read, anyway.

That's when he smelt it: burning wood. He quickly did a 180 and stared out at the town. Fire. There had been a fire going on near the other edge of the town. Quickly realizing that it was Twilight's house, he dropped his things and ran toward it without a second thought.

“Twilight!”

CH2: The Lonely Bookworm

"Twilight!" the boy screamed, boling directly toward the older girl's house. Growing up alone and unloved, one had to become observant of one's surroundings, even in a crisis. That meant that even in his frantic running, he couldn't help but notice the townspeople, their faces, and their words. He managed to pick out a few key sentences with his keen senses.

“Served her right......”

“.....Should Not have helped that thing”

“Didn't her parents die almost a year ago?”

“Did you use enough gasoline?”

“I hope they're both still in there, together. Burning”

“She should have just kept her nose in those books, everyone knows that you don't help that beast!”

"So that was it?" he thought

Anger boiled in his chest as he came to 3 different revelations. First, he realized that she was in fact an orphan whose’ parents have died a year ago. Secondly, the adults were the ones that set the fire. Third, and most alarmingly, it seemed that the entire town was in on it. Because as he ran, he noticed that no one else had run toward the fire. He also noticed that no one looked even the least bit worried about the young girl probably burning to death. That only made him run faster, because he knew…

He knew that if he slowed down, even a little, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from beating them all to death.

~~~

Thanks to the books that Twilight read to him, he knew that even with him being only half dragon, he was almost completely immune to fire.

"If it were only me I'd be fine," he thought, "But they just had to drag the girl into this." He faltered for a second, wondering if it was his fault all this happened, he shook it off quickly though. "No, it's her fault. She shouldn't have helped me!"

Reaching the house, he didn't think twice before jumping through the fire heated windows. Landing on the carpet like a baws, he called out to her. “Twilight!” he yelled. Rcieving no response, he scanned the room with his eyes and thought.

“Maybe she got out... Maybe I'm here for nothing?” Hearing a crash, he quickly tossed that thought aside and ran to the source of the sound. He came into the room that he recognized as the room that had the bed in it. Over near the corner, he caught her crawling on the ground, desperately trying to gather as many of the books as she could. "Her entire house goes up in smoke... and she tries to save the books?! What's wrong with her?"

Taking a split second to snap back to focus he leaped over a few fires to reach her. “What are you doing?" he yelled, "The house is on fire!” Twilight turned around and looked at him with tears in her eyes.

“You came back...” she whispered. Slowly, she turned back to the bookshelf that, luckily, hadn't caught fire yet. Desperately, she continued to grab some books from the shelf, coughing all the while. She was quickly succumbing to the effects of the smoke and he knew that he had to get her out of here. He tried to grab her but she resisted, weakly shoving him back.

“NO!" she cried, "The books *cough* we have to save them.” She fel over in a coughing fit.

"She's going to pass out soon… or die even. Ugh, I don't have time for this!" the boy muttered. It didn't affect him, but he could tell that it was getting hotter in here by the amount of fire. He had to get her out, but she wouldn't leave the books.

Growling in frustration, he acted without thinking. Running over to the nearby window he quickly pushed it open. Running back he grabbed her already built pile, and tossed it out the window. Twilight watched in tears, but before she could protest, she passed out. Acting quickly, he lifted the entire bookshelf of remaining books and tossed it out the window, safe from the roaring flames. Even with his draconian strength, the weight of a large book shelf taxed his muscles. Mustering up the last of his strength he grabbed the limp body of Twilight and jumped out himself.

Huffing, puffing and out of energy, he dragged himself and Twilight to a safe distance from the burning house while making sure to not be seen by any of the townspeople for obvious reasons. Setting her down, on the grass, he looked over Twi to make sure that she was okay. There were some scrapes and some burns, but no serious injuries, her hands looked like they suffered the most damage, probably from braving flames for those stupid books. Something caught his eye however, a symbol on her forehead, if she were standing it’d be hidden by her bangs but laying down like she was currently, it was plain to see. It looked like a purple star with 6 points. “So she’s a mage then,” he thought.

He knew from fighting mages that their symbol on their foreheads were the sign that they could harness magic. While most could only cast small spells like levitation, some could cast advanced spells like teleportation. The boy wondered briefly what her skill was.

He noticed her eyes slowly open and glance around, they saw the burning house, then landed on his face. She broke out in a large bright toothed smile. “You came back…..see you're not a… beast,” she mumbled before peacefully falling asleep.

For a few moments he could only sit and stare at her in confusion. "What's with this girl..." he wondered. He then turned back to the burning house behind them. Finally, he just sighed and decided to lie down next to her. “Whatever… nerd,” he mumbled before falling asleep himself.

~~~

Fluttering her eyes open, Twilight instantly analyzed her surroundings. She saw the sky, so she wasn't in her house. Thinking hard, she remembered fire… books burning and...

“Dragon boy!” she sat up quickly and looked back and forth, desperately searching for the boy who saved her.

“What?” he called out from behind her, sounding annoyed at the nick name. Quickly turning around, she stared at him in disbelief then at the smoking house behind him. Many questions ran through her head, but only one made it through her mouth. “What happened to the books? I don’t remember anything after seeing you at the door.” she confessed.

“I threw them out the window,” he replied simply, still staring out at the sky.

“YOU WHAT!” she screeched. Quickly sitting up, he spaced a hand over her mouth and the other held a finger to his lips.

“Shut up and look,” he whispered, gesturing over to the house. “Closely."

Following his arm, Twilight looked back to the now smoking house. Looking closer, she saw that people were just now gathering around the burnt place, inspecting the wreckage. Seeing only a few people but no firemen or police, Twilight, to her credit, easily put two and two together fairly quickly.

“A...are they the ones who set the fire?” she turned and whispered to the boy next to her. He nodded slowly. “B..But... But why would they do that?” she stammered, tears watering her eyes.

Turning, he met her violet eyes with his own emerald ones and a serious expression. “It’s because you helped me. You stood up for me when I was attacked. I'm a beast and everyone knows it! You doomed yourself the moment you helped me.”

“Snrk… Ha...Hahahaha,” what started out as a small barely held snicker, turned into a laugh that had her rolling on the grass. He just sat there in stunned silence.

"Why is she laughing? Does she not understand the consequences? Or did she just inhale too much smoke?" the boy struggled fiercely to comprehend what was happening.

Finally calming, down she tried to wipe her eyes and begin, “Sorry, its just what you said sounded like it came from a really badly written story. You're not a monster, or a beast. You just saved me from my own burning house. You said you were going to leave town, but you came back for me. You're a good guy. You even took the time to save...my..." In that moment something seemed to click in her mind. She stood up and grabbed his shoulders.

“You said you threw all of the books out the window right? So that means that they were saved from the fire right? All of them!?” Nodding dumbly, he pointed toward the part of the house closest to them, towards the pile of mostly unburnt books and bookshelf.

“Yea….over-” he couldn't finish as Twilight instantly rushed off in the direction that he pointed. “Wait the adults will see you” he called out as he chased after her.

Reaching her just as she dove into the pile, he hastily looked from side to side, currently they thought that they were both dead, but if they saw them hear they would probably resort to more… direct measures. Seeing that they were currently checking the front of the house it seemed that they were safe for the moment. “What are you doing?” he hissed.

“Looking…” she replied numbly. Eventually, she surfaced with a book that she held in her arms so closely that he thought it might burst like a balloon. She turned to him with tears in her eyes, and before he could blink she grabbed him. His instincts kick in and he nearly flipped her over in defense. Luckily he realized that this wasn't a tackle or a push. She wrapped her arms around him and started crying into his shoulder.

“It’s called a hug,” she sniffed, guessing that he never heard of that word either. She’d be right as no one had ever had the courage to hug him like this. It felt weird... but nice, and warm like the bed she had him sleep in... He liked it.

He wrapped her in his own arms in return. “Okay? Hut why?”

“Its another way of thanking someone… so thank you!” she said, not lifting her head.

“Alright, but why are you thanking me?”

“You saved this?” she said, finally letting him go and holding up what looked like an old, tattered book.

“Your book? Man you really are a nerd aren't you?” he replied with a slight smirk.

She puffed out her cheeks in anger and stomped her foot. “I’m not a nerd, why does everyone call me that? Anyway, this is my family journal” she said, anger subsiding. She gazed down at the book with sad eyes. “Its the only thing I have left to remember them by. All the pictures we took, all the spells they wanted me to learn, and even the songs and stories that they sang and read to me at night. They're all in this book,” she finished, rubbing the cover fondly.

“Was that what you were trying to save when I came in?” he asked curiously.

Looking back up she nodded. “Yes. When the fire started, I panicked and decided to try and save all of the books. Seems kind of stupid now I guess,” she said with a slight giggle.

“It’s okay. If I had something like that I would risk my life for it too,” he said with a comforting smile. This seemed to shock Twilight as she stared back up at him and took a step forward.

She looked up at him with a sad look, “Wait... you don't have ANY family? Anywhere?”

“I guess dragons, or halflings, mature quickly, because I've been caring for myself as long as I can remember,” he said, not trying to meet her eyes head on.

They stood there for a few minutes. Twilight looked like she was thinking hard about something, and the boy just wanted to get away from this location. He began to think about whether or not his backpack was where he left it. He did run off without any forethought, but then Twilight suddenly spoke up.

“I’ll go with you…” she said with conviction.

This shocked him into meeting her eyes, big mistake as seeing her determined eyes made it harder for him to deny her request? “No...no way! I won’t protect you the whole way, and even if i could I prefer to be alone!”

Twilight just stood in place defiantly, so serious her cheeks didn't even puff out. “I can protect myself, my mom taught me defense spells, and the ones she didn't teach me are in this book,” she said, holding out her family journal for him to see. "I'm going with you and that's final." Without waiting for a response Twilight turned back to her pile of books to fish some more out.

He just stood there dumbstruck at this development. “What? Why do you want to come with me? You’d be leaving everything behind, you will never be able to come back here! We may even die out there!”

Twilight replied in a calm voice, not even turning around from her scavenging. Her voice was calm yes, but it also held great sadness. “Because I have the same reason as you now. I don't have any family, any friends, or even a house to stay in anymore. The entire town thinks that we’re dead so there’s no place for me here.” She looked back at him with a huge smile. “So I'll go with you as your older sister.”

This one threw him for a loop as he managed to look even more dumbstruck than before. Almost forgetting himself he nearly yelled. “Since when are you my older sister?!”

Still smiling she jumped out with what looked like the dragon book from before. “Since just now, and to make it official, I even decided to give you a name.” Looking near the end of the book, Twilight picked out a specific word and showed it to him. “It says here that a common dragon name is Spike, so I’ll call you that from now on."

Despite himself he couldn't help but admit to himself that he rather liked that name. Spike… Yeah that sounds tough. Kinda sounds like a dogs name though. he thought.

Looking back at Twilight, he could see her eyes literally shining as she leaned low and stared up at him with them. He knew at once that he was losing this fight. Eventually, after a fierce inner battle, he gave in. Older sister indeed. Bowing his head low, he simply sighed. “Fine. Do whatever you want.... Thanks for the name though.”

Shrieking in glee, she jumped up and down and grabbed him into a hug once more. Panicking Spike looked around to see if anyone heard them, and of course some kid peaked around the corner and screamed for the others.

“GUYS! THEY ARE ALIVE! OVER HERE!” the kid screamed at the top of his lungs. With the adults alerted, both of them heard the large amounts of footsteps in coming.

Twilight released Spike and blushed in embarrassment. “Oops…” Spike only proceeded to facepalm fiercely and groan in annoyance.

“Lets go, sis,” he ordered. Grabbing Twilight's arm, and taking one of her two books in his other one, they ran to the edge of town towards where Spike left his pack. They had to run into and out of various streets and alleys in order to lose the mob behind them. Eventually though, they found his pack lying on the ground at the city limits. Huffing and puffing they sat together for a few minutes to catch their breath.

“So…*huff* what did you…*puff* pack?” Twilight wheezed.

“Mostly stolen food. Most of the stalls were empty, guess we know why now,“ he attempted to joke. Successfully getting a giggle out of her, Spike smirked and grabbed his bag. “Some water and a tent with some blankets,” he finished, having caught his breath a bit before Twilight did.

Finally catching her breath, she looked at him in relief. “Good, then that means we have some supplies until we get to the next town. Getting up and patting down her dress, Twilight grabbed her books, both the dragon book and her family journal. Spike, seeing that she seemed to be having a tough time carrying her stuff, motioned for her to hand her stuff over. She complied and he stuffed them into his bag.

He took one last look at the city that he hated and turned around, “You ready?” he asked.

She did the same, but her gaze lasted a bit longer. Unlike Spike, she did have some happy memories. “Yes, I'm ready. Lets go.”

And with that, they took their first few steps into the new chapter of their lives. The lonely orphan, and the outcast halfling. They began the day as strangers, but they ended it as brother and sister. The world’s a strange place like that.

Author's Note

Thus signals the beginning of the long awaited prequel to my favorite story.

CH3: A New Start

Spike and Twilight leisurely made their way down the well worn pathway between towns. According to Spike, they were headed towards another town that sat just a few miles from the one they left. Although he didn't know how far they had traveled by now, he was sure that they would make it there before midnight; seeing as how they began just after sunrise.

At the moment, however, the two passed the time by trying to make simple conversation. A conversation that Spike sincerely wished would die. Die in flames. Like Twilight’s house did. He was that annoyed.

“No,” he groaned as he climbed over a fallen tree.

Twilight climbed over the tree after him, taking good care not to damage the book she held in her arms. Reaching the other side of the fallen foliage, she turned around stared at it for few seconds, noticing that it was probably only recently knocked over. Her curiosity didn't last long, however, as she immediately returned to the topic at hand. “Please?”

Nearly growling, Spike said, “No!” Now annoyed, he slowly began picking up his pace.

Twilight noticed what he was doing and increased her own pace to catch up with him. “Come on, it’s traditional.”

“I don’t care,” he hissed, “I’m not doing it.” He walked slightly faster.

Once again, Twilight caught up to him. “But you’re my brother now. My baby brother. You’ll need to do it... Do you even have one?” Twilight wondered.

“No, and I’m fine with that. I don’t need a last name.” Spike suddenly took off in a run. “And even if I did I wouldnt choose Sparkle!”

Twilight hesitated before running after him. “Wait! Come back! I can’t run like you!” She started to run after him only to nearly break down when she made the startling realization that running is hard. Having been inside what could have been called a personal library for most of her life, Twilight never got many chances to run around for an extensive period of time.

Spike slowed down a little, but still ran ahead of her, completely unaware that Twilight was already slowing back down. “Then shut up about the last name thing!”

After only a few yards, Twilight was completely out of breath. She fell to her knees and struggled to catch her breath. Spike eventually noticed and sprinted back to meet her. “You alright?” he asked.

“I’m--” she coughed a bit ”--I’m not much of a runner…” Eventually, Twilight regained her energy and, with Spike’s help, got back to walking. “But just think--”

Pulling his lip back in a snarl, Spike said, “Twilight... I swear to whatever god you pray to, I will start running again if you bring that up.”

Twilight’s eyes shrank in fear at the prospect of further respiratory exercise. She knew her fragile heart couldn't take it, so she reluctantly lowered her head and sighed, “Fine... but this is going to come up again one day.”

Spike shrugged and began wondering why this particular topic was so absolutely important to her. “And I’ll be sure to wear some running shoes when it does.” Even though Spike did wish, very hard, for the topic to die a horrible painful, burning, death, he didn't wish for complete silence. He had a friend now, a sister. He finally had someone that, for what he believed to be the first time in his life, he could hold a normal conversation with.

Now Spike just wished he knew what to talk about. He eventually began thinking about what he knew about her as they walked. She’s a nerd… Nah, I don’t need to fall asleep yet. Better save that one for later. Maybe I could ask her about her family.

Family… The mere notion of that still baffled Spike slightly, having never had one. Spike turned to her with a curious look and asked, “What was your family like?”

Twilight flinched, almost as if she had been hoping that Spike wouldn’t ask that question. Hesitantly, she looked back with a smile before lowering her head sadly.“M… my parents were amazing.” she admitted. “They were the smartest people I knew, and I did my best to be like them. I studied, and studied... and studied…” Twilight trailed off.

Spike turned around and noticed that she had stopped walking. He took a step forward reached and arm out slightly in concern. “Twilight?”

Twilight clenched the book tightly to her body. Sniffing, she blurted, “I never spent enough time with them! I… I just wish…”

Spike began to panic. He blew it. The one question he asked somehow made her cry. He ran back and struggled to figure out what to do. “Twilight, it’s alright. We don’t have to-- Twilight!” Spike panicked when Twilight suddenly dropped the book she had been holding and fell over. Spike, luckily standing in front of her, caught both. “Twilight? Twilight, what’s wrong!”

Spike thought about panicking further until he realized that he needed to stay calm if anything was going to get done. He calmly sat the book down and began carefully examining her. He quickly noted that she wasn't injured in anyway externally, but he also noticed that she was very thin. It was then that realization washed over him. He put his head to her stomach and listened as her stomach growled fiercely.

Lifting his head up, he looked down at her in shock. “Twilight! When was the last time you ate anything?!” Getting no response, Spike shook her slightly in order to try and wake her up. “Dammit!” he cursed.“ And I just made her run!”

No use, Spike growled and grabbed some fruit out of his pack. Hovering it over her nose, Twilight sniffed and slowly opened her eyes. The second she did, though, she turned her head away from it. Spike flinched back in surprise but still tried to get her to eat. After a few unsuccessful tries, Spike groaned, repacked his things, and flipped his pack over to his front. Hefting her up onto his back, Spike proceeded to run down the road towards the next town.

~~~

Twilight slowly opened her eyes just in time to see a palm flying down toward her. The next thing she knew, she had bolted upright and her head was stinging. “Owowowowowow!” she groaned.

“You’re a freaking idiot you know that?” Twilight turned her head towards the source of the voice. Next to her sat Spike who was all but glaring at her. Looking down, Twilight realized that she was lying down in a soft bed with dark blue sheets. Currently, she and Spike appeared to be in a small room that Twilight didn't recognize. It was plain and under-decorated, with nothing but a simple bed and empty bookcase. There was a single window next to the bed, and over in the corner sat a light blue bag with a set of wings on the front.

Twilight smiled lightly and giggled. “This is almost like how I met--”

Her sentence got cut off by another chop to the head from Spike. “Don’t change the subject!” Spike growled. “Why were you starving,”-- he hit her again-- “why the hell didnt you tell me,”--once more--”and why the absolute hell didn't you eat the any of the food I had!”

Twilight put her arms up in defense. She now had a sizable mark on her head and a tear in her eye. “If you stop hitting me I’ll tell you,” she cried.

Spike leaned back down and waited for her to explain. Twilight felt her forehead to make sure her mark was fine before breathing a sigh of relief and rubbed her sore head. “Mom and dad told me that stealing is wrong... and I figured that eating stolen food would be the same as stealing... So there.”

Spike groaned and rubbed his own head. “So you sat there and nearly starved just to please your dead parents? You really are stupid aren't you?”

“I’m not stupid!” Twilight shot back, leaning up towards him. “I’m--”

Spike shut her up by leaning close to her face and glaring at her. “Shut up! I only just got a sister, and I don’t want her dying on me in the first day.” He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms sullenly. “You really had me worried for a sec, you know.”

Twilight stared him down for a few seconds before breaking out in a smile. “Fine, at least I know you care about me now,” she giggled.

Spike blushed slightly and turned away. “No I don’t… shut up.” he grunted.

“Oh my, is she awake now?” Both of them turned towards the new voice. Coming in through the doorway, was a middle aged women with soft green hair and a kind face. She wore a lime green blouse over a blue skirt. On her head sat the symbol of an image of a jade with a ribbon around it, marking her as a mage. “How are you feeling, Twilight, was it?”

“Hello, ma’am” --Twilight nodded-- “Yes, my name is Twilight Sparkle. Are we in your house?”

The women gave Twilight a surprised look before smiling widely. “Such manners from such a pretty young lady. Your brother could take a lesson from you.”

Spike huffed and turned away. Twilight looked on with a confused look. “What do you mean?”

The women laughed slightly before glancing playfully over at Spike. “He ran into town cursing yesterday. When I asked what was wrong, he nearly bit my head off. But the second I turned to leave, he apologized and asked for my help. He said something about his sister dying. Honestly, he made it sound far worse than what was actually wrong.”

Spike’s blush intensified, but he remained silent. Twilight had her jaw hanging before turning to him. Jumping out of bed, she gave him a large hug. “You do care! I knew it!” After some tumbling around and escaping from her grip, Spike and Twilight sat on the bed while the women sat in front of them in Spike’s former chair.

“My name” --she motioned to herself-- “is Ms, Jade, by the way. I run a store below this room.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide. “Oh no, did I eat all of your food. I am so sorry! I’ll pay you back I promise.” Spike simply rolled his eyes.

Ms. Jade rolled her’s as well and waved her hand. “No, thank you. I already have one child doing that. I don’t need two more. More importantly, I’m guess that you two don’t exactly have parents.”

“Nope,” Spike said flapping himself down on the bed. Glancing out the window, something caught his eye. Getting back up, he climbed to the other side of the bed to check it out.

Twilight paid him no mind and she began explaining their situation. “No… we don’t.” She shook her head sadly. “Spike and I... well, we left our old town for various reasons. I’m sad to say that we aren't exactly welcome back.”

Ms. Jade gave her a sympathetic look. “Oh you poor children.” she sighed and rubbed her head, “What is happening in this world where 7 year old children are forced to leave home by themselves. You aren't the first you know.”

Twilight looked up in surprise. “We aren't?” She looked over to the bag in the corner and then to the used looking, but empty, room, and put the pieces together. “Are there other children who left home?”

Ms. Jade shook her head sadly. “Unfortunately. She came to me in a similar manner about a month ago. She--”

“Let me guess,” Spike growled, “is that her?”

Twilight and Ms. Jade crawled over the bed and looked out the window with him. Four kids stood just outside of the building. Three teenage looking boys, one with brown hair, one with dark blue, one with white, and one small but tough looking girl with odd hair. They seemed to be arguing. Curious to what they were saying, Spike opened the window.

“I said just go away!” the girl yelled, waving her arm. “We don’t need jackasses like you three around here!”

The brown haired boy seemed to be their leader because he stepped forward first, he was taller and brawnier than her by far, and he used that to his advantage by glaring down at her. “So what? We can go where ever we want because we actually live here. You’re just wandering runt that crawled in from the garbage. What even are you? A girl or some rainbow haired weirdo with a weird power?” He reached out and grabbed the girls hair, “I mean seriously, how much dye did you use to get it like this.”

Spike clenched his fist and began sneering down at them. One of the boys began laughing. “Man, I’ve seen pretty much every color hair in the rainbow. But I’ve never seen someone with an actual rainbow in their hair.”

The girl with rainbow hair grabbed his arm tightly in anger. With a bit of effort, she flipped him over and slammed him to the ground. “Shut the hell up. My hair is my business! You guys have been missing with me since I got here for no reason. I think you just want to get your asses kicked.”

Ms. Jade shook her head sadly before looking back out with a worried look on her face. “Oh no… She’s done it now.”

The other two boys simply smirked and stood up. The one with the brown hair got back up and gave her a dangerous look. “About time.” He began cracking his knuckles. Slowly, all three of the boys began surrounding her. “Because now, everything I’m about to do to you is considered self defense.”

Twilight scoffed, “What? No, he put his hands on her first. Technically, she should be saying that. We should call someone to stop them!” Twilight and Ms Jade began to move, only to be stopped by Spike, who watched with interest and barely held anger.

The rainbow haired girl scoffed and put her guard up. Spike admired the way she didn't seem intimidated. Clearly, she was no stranger to fighting. He was very curious as to how she would hold her own three verses one.

“We’re gonna throw you outta town once and for all you winged freak,” the brown haired boy growled at her.

“Winged?” Spike wondered.

He rushed forward from behind, only to miss as the girl jumped into the air. Spike and Twilight’s jaws fell when they saw the girl hovering in place, with a pair of translucent sky blue wings appearing on her back. Even though they were surprised, the bullies were not. One was apparently prepared because he immediately pulled something out of his jacket and chucked it at her. Turned around and not expecting it, the rock slammed against the back of her head and knocked her low enough to be grabbed by the lead boy.

“See, you freak,” he hissed in her ear. He held her in a tight headlock, “that’s how you knock a bird out of the sky.”

The girl struggled to get free, choking as the boys arms tightened around her. Unable to free herself she hissed, “Let me go, you bastard!”

The other two boys began closing in on her menacingly. Twilight and Jade began panicking. “We need to do something!” Twilight insisted. Having seen enough, Spike decided that it was time to step in. With a single, “Done,” Spike hopped out of the window from the second floor, startling both Ms. Jade and Twilight.

Just as the first boy pulled back his arm for a swing at the girls gut, Spike crashed down on him from behind with his kneecap, slamming him to the ground. Without wasting a second, Spike turned and punched the second boy in his stomach before he could respond to his sudden entrance. Taken by surprise, the one holding the girl loosened his grip, allowing her to breath and slam her elbow into his stomach, freeing herself.

The boy that Spike punched recovered and charged back at him in a blind fury. Spike responded by crouching low, ducking the boy’s punch, and decking him in his chin. Still clutching his gut, the brown haired boy couldn't block the punch the girl threw at his head. He took it, but recovered quickly. He lifted his arm angrilly retaliation and tried to slam it down on her. His eyes widened when the attack was caught by Spike. Now thoroughly pissed, Spike effortlessly flipped him into the street where the other two boys had grouped, and were trying to recover. He crashed into the others and fell unconscious.

“Now get out!” Spike ordered, his voice a low and dangerous tone.

“Whatever!” one of the boys yelled, Spike didn't care which one, “Who even are you? Another freak kid like that one? You must be if--”

Spike took a dangerous step forward. “What the hell did I just say!” Intimidated, the two boys hoisted the third one over their shoulders and made their way away from the store. Twilight and Ms. Jade finally ran outside and instantly ran to both of them.

“Spike!” Twilight cried as she reached him. “Don’t ever do that again! I don’t just mean the jumping. I mean the fighting too.”

Spike shrugged apathetically and crossed his arms, “No promises.”

“Rachelle, are you alright?” Spike turned to look at Ms. Jade who was fawning over the girl’s appearance and injuries. However, he noticed that the girl was ignoring her and, instead, looking at him with wide eyes.

In the blink of an eye, the girl was hovering in front of him with the biggest smile he had ever seen on a person. “That… was… awesome!”

Author's Note

Trying out a new style of writing. Tell me what you guys think of it.
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And the story, tell me what you think of that too.
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And typos, tell me if you see any of those disgusting things.

CH4: A New Friend

After bringing the three kids into the living room in the back of the shop, and checking them to make sure that they weren't hurt, Ms. Jade breathed a sigh of relief. Turning to the small girl, Ms. Jade took on a serious expression. “Rachelle Dash, what have I told you about picking fights with those boys. You know they just want a reason to get you into trouble.”

The girl, named Rachelle apparently, had short, messy, rainbow colored hair, and wore a simple sky blue shirt with jean shorts. She sulked as she leaned back into the couch that she was sitting on, and crossed her arms in defiance. “I didn’t do anything. Those guys were asking for it by always picking on me!”

Twilight took up a seat on the couch next to her. But when she heard what Rachelle had just said, she out an audible gasp of surprise and leaned close to her. “You mean this isn't the first time?”

Rachelle scoffed and rolled her eyes. “No!” she spat, “I see those guys like, every other day. They only pick on me because I have wings or whatever. They’re just jerks.”

Ms. Jade let out a small sigh that was a clear sign that she had went through this situation countless times. It was a sigh that any adult would give when they finally realized that nothing they could say would make any sort of impact on the child. This sigh was the one that signaled the forthcoming of a lecture the next day when the one they were talking to was in a better listening state.

However, for now, the only thing following the sigh, was Ms. Jade crossing her arms and turning for the door. “I need to go back to managing the shop.” She turned back to the kids and gave them a kind smile. “You should all get to know each other. I have a feeling that you three might have something in common.”

With that, she left, and Rachelle instantly turned her head to Spike, who, for the majority of the time in that room, was trying to get comfortable on a recliner chair. Not used to such comforts, he wasn't entirely sure how to feel. Since he always had his guard up, he wasn't really familiar with the term "relaxing". Eventually, he simply stopped squirming and sank into the chair. Only then was he made aware of the girl’s piercing gaze. “What?” he asked.

Rachelle simply continued to stare at him, her face a mixture of emotions. “Dude,” she began, a small smile appearing on her face, “can I just say, that what you did out there was awesome!” Rachelle jumped up to stood on top of the couch. “I mean, you just flipped him with no problem. I mean, I could do that too, but the way you did it was so much cooler! How’d you learn to fight like that?” Excited the girl hopped from the couch and leaned her face close to his. “How’d you get so strong!”

Spike honestly didn't know what to do at this point. There was a girl, probably about Twilight’s age, with rainbow colored hair and sparkling red eyes, standing too close to his face. His first instinct was to simply shove her away, but something also told him that doing that wasn't really a good idea. One glance over at Twilight’s giggling face told him that he was on his own. Eventually, logic told him that his only option was to answer her question. “I-uh. I taught myself how to fight. I was raised on the streets,” he admitted hesitantly.

His decision worked because Rachelle leaned back with a surprised expression. “You don’t have any parents?” she asked.

Spike shook his head. “Not that I know of. I might, but it’s not like I know where or who they are.”

Rachelle looked sad for a second before huffing in anger, throwing herself back onto the couch and crossing her arms. “At least you don’t know them. I wish that I didn't know my parents.”

Twilight covered her mouth with a horrified expression. “Rachelle, that’s terrible. How could you say that?”

The rainbow haired girl gave Twilight a venomous look that made her flinch. “My parent’s were horrible people that made me wish I was never born…” Rachelle‘s expression softened and her eyes fell. “So I ran away… let’s just leave it at that.”

Silence fell over the room for a time. Spike glanced over at Twilight, who had a concerned looking expression. Finally, he spoke up. Leaning his head on his fist, he said, “Yeah, I guess then we do have something in common.”

Rachelle lifted her head in curiousity. “Really? what?”

Twilight saw where Spike was going and smiled. “Well… technically, Spike and I are runaways as well.”

Twilight opened her mouth to answer, but stopped when Spike began chuckling. “Well I don’t know about Twilight, but I sure as hell hated the whole goddamn town I was in.”

“Spike!” Twilight yelled, offended at his language. She was about to say something further when Rachelle leaned forward in excitement.

“Woah, why the whole town?” she asked.

“Well, for one thing,” Spike smirked, leaning forward himself, “I’m half dragon. That’s ticked a few people off. Apparently, I’m some kind of sign of impending doom. Twilight isn't there something about that in your dragon book?”

Twilight thought about it for a second before looking around her backpack. “I think I remember some sort of prophecy about a half dragons arrival…” she lifted her head out of her bag and shook her head sadly, “but I think the dragon book was one of the things we had to leave behind when the townspeople chased us away from the house.”

Rachelle hopped from the couch and hovered in the air with an astonished look. “Woah… they chased you out of town? Wait… your half dragon!” She began ruffling her hair and moving around the room wildly. “I don’t know which of those things are cooler!”

Spike smiled and raised his hand. “I saved Twilight from a burning building and learned that I’m fireproof.”

Rachelle pointed towards Spike and gave him a huge grin. “That’s it! This guy wins!”

While Spike fist pumped in victory, Twilight sighed and shook her head. “This isn’t a contest. I really liked that house…” she said sadly.

Twilight’s sad face caused Spike to flinch. Scratching his head embarrassingly, he quickly apologized. “Yeah... sorry Twi.”

Slowly, Rachelle lowered herself back down to the couch, all the while giving Twilight a strange look. “I guess you had cool parents then?”

“Yea... I did,” she said, a soft smile accompanying her melancholy tone. Shaking her mood off, Twilight lifted her head and her small smile turned into a big one when she looked directly into Rachelle’s eyes. “But let’s talk about you! You’re an avian!”

Rachelle gave her a confused look. “I’m a what?”

“You can fly! An avian is a human who can use flight magic,” she explained. “From what I remember reading in one of my books, there are three main types of humans in the world.” Twilight pointed to the a six pointed star on her forehead. “There are humans like me, called mages, who can use various kinds of magic, these are the most common.” Then she pointed to her shoulder. “Then there are earthans who have great strength.” Finally, in a surprise move, Twilight turned Rachelle around and pulled up her shirt to reveal her bare back. Like she expected, the girl had a mark sitting between her shoulder blades. It appeared to be a lightning bolt descending from a cloud. The bolt itself was colored in three distinct colors; red, blue and yellow. “See! Avians are humans who have a special kind of aerial magic that enables them to fly and manipulate the atmosphere. From what I’ve read there aren't many of you around. I wonder why...”

Rachelle craned her head around and tried to look at her back. “Oh, is that what that meant. I was wondering about that. I always thought it was a weird birthmark.”

Twilight looked up with a surprise look on her face. “Seriously, how could you not know what you were?”

“Pfft,” she scoffed. “Reading’s for eggheads.” She chuckled before looking over at Spike. “Hey, do half dragons have marks on them somewhere too?”

Spike reeled back in surprise when Twilight instantly snapped her head in his direction. The hungry look in her eyes suggested that she didn't know, but that she desperately wanted to. Spike quickly waved his hands out. “I don’t know. I never thought to check before. I was never curious about the whole mark thing anyway.”

“Yeah…” Rachelle turned to Twilight with a sly smirk. “I still kinda wanna see what it is though.”

“I wonder what a dragon’s mark even looks like,” Twilight wondered. Giving Spike a pleading look, she asked, “Spike can you show us?”

Spike groaned. “I told you, I don’t know where it is. I’ve never checked. I don’t even know if I have one.”

After sharing a quick glance at one another, Rachelle and Twilight slowly got up from the couch. Spike noticed that Rachelle’s shirt was still half raised and that her stomach was exposed. Before he could tell her to pull it down, his instincts alerted him that he was about to be jumped by both girls, as they were both approaching him with predatory looks.

Not knowing what else to do, Spike hopped out of his chair and made for the door. Unfortunately, Twilight’s magic kept him from making it. He fought against it, but her power held him just long enough for both girls to get the jump on him. He fell on his stomach, caught.

Rachelle pulled up his already tattered grey shirt. “Think it’s on his back like mine? Or on his shoulder?”

Twilight sat herself on the back of Spike’s head so that he couldn't get up. “I don’t know. I think I would’ve seen it if it was on his shoulder. he doesn't have sleeves afterall,” she giggled.

Rachelle and Twilight shared a mischievous glint in their eyes. Deciding between them that it would probably be best if they checked everywhere. Spike groaned and tried to struggle, but soon found himself powerless against their rampant curiosity. His only hope was that Ms. Jade would show up before they pulled off something that they shouldn't.

Author's Note

Ha, kids. They have no shame.

CH5: Worldbuilding

“I still can’t believe that she told us to go outside…” pouted Twilight. After Ms. Jade returned home to find several things knocked over and three kids wrestling, two of which were nearly half naked, she calmly insisted that it was probably bad to leave them in an enclosed space and asked Rachelle to show them around town. She, Rachelle, and Spike had been walking around aimlessly since.

“I blame Spike,” muttered Rachelle. “If he just stopped squirming long enough for me to get his pants off we wouldn’t have broken so much stuff.”

“I somehow doubt that my mark in on my butt,” Spike sighed. “Seriously? Why would it even be there?”

Rachelle turned to him with a glare. “I don’t know! And now we’ll never know!”

While they were arguing, Twilight took the time to look around the town they were in. Surrounding her was a fairly small town. Most of the buildings seemed to be made of bricks, a sharp contrast to most of the wooden structures of their old town. While not as large or bustling as the town that they came from, their current location was definitely warmer, more welcoming, and much more modern. The people passing by turned their head to the sound of Spike and Rachelle.

Every so often a single car would pass by them, and every time Twilight would gasp in glee as it passed. She had heard about the machines known as cars and how they were used widely in more modern places. Unfortunately, the town she lived in was one that valued old ways and refused to upgrade. She always hoped that she’d be able to see one in person, or even better, to drive one some day.

“By the way, you’re pretty light with those things, huh?” Spike turned to look at Rachelle, who had, at some point, started hovering above the ground via her magic wings.

From her reaction it seemed that she didn’t even realize it. Smirking, she rose into the air and did a small flip. “Yeah!” she cheered. “I’m the fastest thing around here you know.”

Spike stopped and gave her a look. “Oh?”

Twilight noticed the glint in his eye and suddenly had a bad feeling. Rachelle, however, didn’t. Instead, she turned upside down and looked him in the eye. “Yeah, you think I’m wrong?”

Spike grinned. “I think you think your right. And, you probably were the fastest thing around.” He shrugged and continued walking. “Till I got here anyway.”

Rachelle’s jaw fell and she flipped back up. “Oh, hell no!” she yelled, flying back in front of him. “You! Me! Race! Now!” she ordered.

Right into his trap. “Done!” Without another word, Spike sped off down the street, leaving Rachelle to gape in surprise for a second before flying off after him.

“Guys?” muttered, Twilight, still confused on exactly what happened. Before she knew it the two of them had run out of sight. “Guys?!” she yelled, trying to run after them.

“You cheater!” Dash yelled, speeding to catch up with Spike’s head start. She had to admit, he was faster than she expected. Already, homes and cars were beginning to whizz past them in a blur.

Spike laughed. “You challenged me! You should’ve been ready!” he yelled back at her. Seeing her gain on him, Spike slow down slightly. He didn’t know when they were gonna stop and he didn’t need to waste energy trying to stay in front of her.

Now face to face, Rachelle couldn’t help but grin as she believed she was gaining on him. “Hah! Getting tired already?”

Spike scoffed and the two continued to speed down the street, Luckily, it seemed that the people were used to Rachelle flying down their street because they all made way for the two to zoom down the middle. Some even cheered Rachelle on.

“See, I’ve even got fans!” she bragged.

“Well see about that!” Spike, in a burst of speed took the lead. Rachelle gasped in surprise and rushed to keep up with him.

~~~

“Gu… guys!” Twilight gasped, coming to a stop and leaning and hand on a nearby building. It wasn’t even a quarter mile before she came to a stop from exhaustion. “Wh-wherever those two ran off to *huff* probably around the whole town I imagine… I’m never gonna catch up to them.” She turned and pressed her back against the wall to catch the rest of her breath. “Maybe I should just head back to the shop.”

“Hello there.” Twilight heard a door open and turned to see a tall man with a large bushy brown moustache, black glasses, and wearing a black vest over a white dress shirt. “Are you alright?” he asked. He had a kind voice, and from the book shaped mark on his forehead twilight recognized him as a mage.

Twilight quickly stood back up and bowed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to loiter.”

The man chuckled. “No, don’t worry about it, my dear. Would you like to come inside?”

Twilight shook her head politely. “I really wouldn’t want to bother you.” She looked up at the building. “What is this place anyway?”

“It’s the town library, young miss. You look like you fancy a lot of reading and I…” He trailed off when Twilight turned back to him with a bright smile and shimmering eyes. He smiled nervously, “Would you-”

“Yes please!” she nearly yelled. The man opened the door and Twilight wasted no time in running straight in. Looking inside she didn’t care that it was small all she saw were books. Glorious books. “Eiiieeee,” she squealed running towards the first bookshelf.

“I guess I was right then,” the man snickered, closing the door. “Though remember, please keep your voice down.” Though it didn’t really matter since there wasn’t anyone else in the building.

Twilight, whom had already picked out three particular books, blushed at her outburst. “Sorry.” Holding her books to her chest, she walked over to a table and sat down. Soon enough the man came over and sat with her. “Excuse me, sorry for forgetting, but My name’s Twilight Sparkle, what’s yours?”

The man smiled and nodded. “My name is Tall Tale, my dear. I see you have a history book. Are you studying for something?”

Twilight shook her head. “I just like to know more. Would you mind explaining anything I don’t understand?” she asked.

Tall Tale reached up and rubbed his moustache. “Well I’m not really the teaching type. I’m more of a story teller. If you want I can just recite the history for you. I’ve memorized it after all. It’d be much more interesting to hear it as a tale then reading in silence, I believe.”

Twilight frowned slightly and looked down at her book. “Hmm… I do like reading in silence though. But I think hearing it as a story would be more fun. I just kinda wish Spike and Rachelle were here to listen. They could use this knowledge.”

“Rachelle?” he muttered, apparently trying to recall the name. “Ahh, yes the avian girl that lives with Ms. Jade. I do recall hearing her voice outside.”

His frown didn’t go unnoticed my Twilight however, and she was quick to change the subject. “A-anyway, since it’s just me you can start. I’ll just tell them later.”

“Ah yes, yes of course. Tell me, Twilight, what do you already know of the world we live in?”

Twilight thought on it. “I know that our world is names Equis and that we have three primary races, avians, earthans, and mages. All of us have access to magic that we can use in different ways.”

Tall Tale nodded. “I see. Twilight, what would you say if I told you that our world is not the only one out there?”

Twilight’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

Tale nodded. “Indeed, for you see it’s said that each and every star out there is a world in itself. Our world, in particular, is quite special you see. For we are a part of a series of worlds, all in close proximity. A constellation, if you will.”

“You’re joking!” said a stunned Twilight, leaning forward in her chair.

Seeing her look so amazed amused Tall Tale, and he continued. “I fear not, young one. It’s all true. Listen to my story, and you will know.” Tale closed his eyes and recalled a story, an ancient story passed down from days long past. He knew that the story had changed some since it’s original telling, but the message remained the same.

“A long time ago, in ancient times long since past, people lived in peace, bathed in the warmth of light. Everyone loved the light. So much so I’m afraid that, when, consumed by greed, people began to fervently fight over it. They wanted to keep it for themselves. The fighting bared resentment, and then darkness was born in the hearts of those who fought. The darkness spread its malicious shadows, swallowing the light and many people's hearts. It covered everything, and the world soon began to fade and disappear.”

Twilight gasped in fear but Tale held a finger up for her to wait.

He continued. “However, small fragments of light survived. They survived and thrived in the hearts of small children. With these fragments of light, children rebuilt their lost worlds. They named it Radiant Gardens in honor of their predecessors mistakes, and to remind them of the dangers of darkness. Though, Radiant Gardens isn’t the only world to share this story, different versions of this same tale apply to each world, even ours. However, while different, we all share one aspect: the true light we had craved so badly at one point continued to sleep deep within the darkness. That's why the worlds were still scattered, divided from each other. But one day, after a great battle, a door to the innermost darkness opened. And the true light returned.

The worlds gathered and merged to fight the darkness and protect the light. Everyone, big and small assisted in the battle. Unfortunately, they could not completely fight back the darkness and only succeeded in sealing the worst of it away, as darkness can never be fully extinguished. The worlds separated once again, but they were no longer sealed off from one another.”

Twilight was nearly hopping in her seat. “Does that mean that we can travel between worlds?”

Tale nodded. “The story goes that the warriors who led the fight against darkness had methods of inter world travel. Unfortunately, they were lost. Though I’ve heard tell of some worlds discovering new ways, I do not know if such a way has been found here.”

Twilight’s expression fell, though it didn’t last long as another question popped up. “You said that our world was special right? How so?”

Twilight noticed a mad glint in the man’s eye and she was slightly unnerved by the matching smile. “Ahh now that is one of my favorite stories. Twilight, you know that our world contains three races, correct?” Twilight nodded. “No doubt you’ve taken notice of the differences in the amount of races relative to one another.”

Twilight tilted her head in confusion for a second. “Oh wait, you mean how there are more mages than avians or earthans?”

He nodded sagely. “Indeed. But before I tell you that, I must impart to you another tale. I hope you don’t mind.”

Twilight shook her head. “No, this is extremely enlightening, please keep going!”

Tale nodded. “Not long ago, our world contained equal amounts of each race. In fact, back then, Equis went by a different name.”

Twilight leaned forward. “A different name? What was it.”

Tale smiled. “Canterlot. It was named that before our world suddenly split into three.” Twilight leaned further closer and opened her mouth but Tale politely held up a finger. “It won’t be a good story if you keep interrupting.” Twilight blushed, sat back in her chair and nodded. “Indeed, you remember when I said that we’re a part of a series of worlds? Specifically there are three worlds that make up the constellation.” He held up three fingers. “We all orbit in a triangle formation and each world is home to a specific race now. There’s our world, Equis, home to the mages. There’s Aeros, where most of the avians live, and there’s Tria home of the Earthans.”

“Woah,” gasped Twilight, struggling to take all of this new information in.

“Get the hell out of the way!” Twilight’s head snapped up at the familiar brash voice. There was a clamour of noise and a few loud complaints. Twilight sighed. “Look’s like they’re still going at it.”

~~~

“Get the hell out of the way!”

Rachelle screamed as the two of them bulldozed down the street. She and Spike’s foreheads were pressed against each other as they continued their race around the town. By this point both of them had completed a full lap around the small town and both were giving it their all. Spike underestimated her stamina, expecting her wings to require more energy to maintain than he thought they did. One thing was for certain, both of them were starting to reach their limits.

“Give up!” he ordered.

“Screw you!” she replied.

“You can’t fly forever!”

“You can’t run forever!”

“You can’t... Wait a sec!” Spike skid to a stop and, breathing heavily, looked around. “Speaking of you sucking at running…*huff* Where’s Twilight?”

Rachelle, flying and having no natural traction to stop with, had to exert herself to come to a stop several feet further ahead. Unfortunately, since she was unaware that she was running on fumes as far as magic went, stopping resulted in her wings disappearing and her plopping down on her butt. “Say what?” she groaned rubbing her backside.

*Huff* Spike turned back to face her, urgency covering his face. “Twilight, where is she?”

Rachelle stood up on shaky legs. “I think we left her behind when we took off,” she said, walking over to him.

Spike growled and clenched his teeth. “Goddamn it! I got carried away again!” He turned to run back but Rachelle grabbed his arm to stop him. “What?” he growled.

“Woah, what’s the hurry? She’s fine the people in this town is cool…Well, most of them anyway.”

Spike yanked his arm away. “But the last time I left her behind she passed out. Who know’s what could be happening to her. Those idiots could be attacking her right now for all we know.”

Rachelle scoffed. “I doubt it, they don’t even know who she is.”

“That didn’t stop them from picking on you,” he said, glaring back at her.

Rachelle flinched from his gaze but continued nonetheless. “Jeez, calm down. I promise she’s fine. She probably found the bookstore or library or something. Man, where are we anyway?” Looking around, she realized that they had stopped in a slightly darker area of the city. The walls had various pictures and phrases drawn on them and there were a lot of alleyways leading into various different areas. There were no streets leading down this way, with the closest one ending in a cul-de-sac some distance back the way they came.

Rachelle smiled. “Hey, I know this place. Follow me! I wanna show you something awesome!”

Spike just looked at her like she was crazy. “No! I gotta find Twilight. You can show me afterwards.”

Rachelle sighed and waved her arm over. Spike looked at her in confusion before he suddenly felt himself being lifted into the air.

Author's Note

Sorry about the lack of activity lately. I hope this nice worldbuilding chapter makes up for it. Nice info for the mind. The main story will be updated later tonight and it's gonna be epic!

CH6: Mechanical Solitude

Tall Tale sighed and sat his head on top of steepled hands. “You see girl, the existence of other worlds has been known for many centuries. I think, deep down everyone knew. However, it only became commonly accepted knowledge around 100 or so years ago. It’s still recent so you wouldn’t see it in many text books. Right now it’s a story passed on from old people like me to young ones like you.”

Twilight giggled. “You’re not old.”

Tale raised an eyebrow. “Am I?” he asked a small teasing smile growing on his face.

Twilight let out a small giggle. “So do you think we could ever visit other worlds?!”

“Do you want to?” he asked leaning forward with a wide smile.

Twilight opened her mouth to respond but, to her surprise, found that she wasn’t completely sure. “I… I don’t know.”

Tall Tale rubbed his chin. “Well then, personally, I think the possibility of going to other worlds sounds intriguing.”

Twilight nervously glanced to the side, a forced smile on her face. “I-it does sound fun, but It also sounds scary. What if you end up on a dangerous one?”

Tale shrugged and got up from his chair. “You’re young, you can still run away. It’d be just like a story, the things one would see.” As both he and Twilight shared a chuckle, Tale glanced outside. “But anyway, you don’t have think about other worlds right now. You’ve still got this one to explore.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, head tilted curiously.

He too looked back at her with a similar expression. “I can tell that you aren't from around here. I surmised you are in a situation similar to the Avian girl?” Twilight nodded and Tale adjusted his glasses. “Indeed, I saw her and the Earthen boy racing through the town. They were both… quite loud. I had assumed you two were passing through on a sort of journey.”

Twilight’s eyes widened at the remark and she let out a small giggle, much to the man’s confusion. “Spike’s not an Earthan! He’s a dragon.”

The man’s eyes widened and, without realizing it, he took a step back. “A-a dragon?”

“Wait, no! I mean half dragon!” she quickly corrected, waving her hands. “From what little I read, he is a half dragon.”

Tall Tale frowned and turned away from Twilight. Holding his chin, he began muttering to himself. “First an Avian girl then a dragon? And a halfling of all things.”

Hearing the word Avian, another question sparked into Twilight’s mind. “Umm, I meant to ask her, but how long has Rachelle been living here?” asked Twilight, also standing up.

Tall Tale glanced back at her before looking upward at the ceiling. “About... half a month, give or take, she showed up on day, disturbing the peace and, to my knowledge, has been living with the shop owner since.”

Tall Tale moved over to one of the bookcases and began fingering through the various titles. Twilight moved to follow him further into the library.

“Disturbing the peace?” asked Twilight. The man gave a deep frowned and continued to move down the row of covers. “The first thing she did was crash into my library and ruin a few of my prized tomes.”

Twilight flinched back, as if hurt physically. As one who had watched her whole collection go up in flames, she knew what that might have felt like.

Taking a few steps back, she immediately bowed to him. “I am so sorry! I’ll make apologize as soon as I see her.”

“Oh… d-don’t worry about it,” he muttered, looking down at her. “I feel better knowing that at least somebody understands the extent of the damage.”

Standing tall once again, Twilight gave him a bright smile. “Oh that’s right! I should probably go find them,” she said, gasping. Turning around she proceeded to run to the door. Before leaving, Twilight turned and bowed her head one more time. “Thank you for all of the information. I hope I see you again.”

“Oh, Twilight hold one a—” by the time he finished, the girl had ran out of the door. In his hand was the book he was looking for.

Seeing that she was long gone, Tale shrugged and turned to look at the book's cover. “I was sure I heard a myth about a half dragon before,” he muttered, opening the book.

Carefully, the man’s eyes scanned the pages, his expression flat and stoic. Soon enough, he turned the page. The instant he read the first paragraph his eyes shrank and his head snapped to the door that Twilight left out of.

Walking back over to the table, Tall Tale sat down, removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes in frustration. Sighing, he put them back on. “Son! he called out, turning towards the back of the shop.

After a minute, a familiar brown headed boy came through the door at the back of the shop. He had an ice pack situated on his head, covering both a bruise and a headache. “Sup?” the boy asked.

Tall Tale once again nervously looked out of his window, his thoughts directed towards the nice girl he had just met. “Can you and your friends do something for me?” he said reluctantly.

~~~

“Where… am I?” asked Spike, looking around the massive looking garage. From right to left the only thing he could see were large men and even larger looking machines.

He felt a rather burly hand sit itself on his head, causing him to flinch and look up. One of the large men, the one who grabbed and brought him here, smirked down at him. He wore a grey leather jacket and had a shaved head.

“Welcome to The Workshop, little man,” he said, his voice fairly deep.

Rachelle, who was on his other side, smiled over at him and ran ahead. “Yep! Welcome to the most awesome place in this boring town.”

As the man next to him moved forward. Now that his hand was off his head, Spike could see the black wrench mark on the back of his hand. Spike, now curious, followed. “What are they doing?” he asked, examining the unfamiliar machinery.

Rachelle hopped over to one of the smaller machines with a man underneath it. “Jack just told you, stupid. It’s a workshop. We work on things.”

“Umm no, kiddo,” said the man under the machine next to her, his voice echoing out. “We work on things. You hang around and play with the tools.”

Blushing, Rachelle looked between him and a perplexed looking Spike. Eventually she waved it off. “Don’t listen to him, he’s been under there too long. I totally help these guys out.”

Spike looked around as more than a few of the guys let out stifled chuckles.

The big guy who brought Spike in walked over to her and led her away from the car. “So I see you finally made a friend your own age ‘ay, Dashie?”

Spike’s head snapped up at the big guy then down towards the girl in question. “Dashie?!” Spike smirked.

Rachelle flipped him off. “Don’t call me that. And yeah, I guess he’s cool. Still not as fast as me.” Spike rolled his eyes. “Anyway I was just showing him around town.”

The big guy named Jack, smirked. “Oh really? You show him anywhere else?”

Rachelle scoffed and waved her hand. “Nah, cuz this is the only place worth going to.”

“Hell yeah!” cheered Jack, bumping fists with the small girl.

Spike couldn’t help but smile. Moving around he took his time looking at the various pieces of metal and machinery. “So what do they work on in here? I’ve never seen anything like these before.”

Jack turned to him with a raised brow. “You’ve never seen a car before? Where’ve you been living at?”

“The slums,” he said nonchalantly, still looking over the odd creations.

Jack nodded knowingly. “Well ya see here, boy. I’ll tell ya the same thing we told the kid. We here at the Workshop solve practical problems. Machines, gizmos, and the like. If you need something fixed, you come to us. We don’t really do babysitting.

Spike simply stared at him for a time before pointing over at Rachelle who had begun playing with a wrench. “Then why is she here?”

Her ears burning, Rachelle stopped what she was doing and rejoined the conversation. “Hey, shut up. I help out! I’m practically a member here anyway,” she proclaimed, poking her chest with the wrench. "I've even got my own little project!"

Spike let out a snort of laughter. “Right.”

Now fuming, she grabbed his hand and led him to one side of the building and away from where everyone was working. “Check this out!” she said, holding her arms out and presenting a large amalgamation of parts. To Spike it looked like a large junk pile. Things were connected to other, unrelated things. Screws were screwed and bolts were tightened in seemingly random spots on it. There were pipes sticking out of the side and an engine seemed haphazardly placed at the very top. Spike imagined that if machines could be tied into a ball of knots, that this would be what it looked like.

Needless to say, his brow was raised and his head, cocked. “What… am I looking at?” he asked.

“I have no idea!” Spike’s jaw fell open, stunned by the complete look of confidence and pride this girl appeared to have for something even she didn’t recognize. “But someday, it’ll become something.”

This took Spike by surprise. Where excitement and pride once were, sincerity had taken its place. “What do you mean?”

Turning around, Rachelle leaned down and used the wrench, still in her hand, and began tightening a loose bolt. “Well these guys told me that those cool car things were made when a dude made a plan put some stuff together. Well, I don’t really have a plan, but I know that if I keep putting stuff together something cool will come out of it.”

Spike looked at the ball of metal again before leaning down next to her. “Yeah but why don’t you have one of the guys who actually know what they’re doing help you out.”

Rachelle waved the wrench and pointed over her shoulder. Spike looked back to once again see all of the dudes working on different projects. “Nah, they’re all busy. Plus, I don’t need them to help me. I’ll figure it out all on my own. I don’t need their help”

“Yeah, I know that feeling,” he said, nodding. “I’d rather go it alone anyway. It’s easier that way.”

Rachelle reached to the side of the heap and grabbed a screwdriver. “Yeah but aren't you with your sister?”

Spike scratched his head some, nervously looking around. “Y-yeah. I guess so. Though she’s not really… Well she kinda just… Anyway, what about you. You don’t want to talk about your parents, but aren't you related to Ms. Jade?”

Rachelle’s hand stopped mid twist. “Nah… She just lets me crash with her. I don’t really care about having a family. I might decide to leave again anyway. Plus, while I’m here, I got these guys,” she muttered, resuming her screw twisting.

Spike just stared at her. When the topic of family came up her once smiling face became a near unreadable straight line. When the girl went silent, Spike, struggling to keep the conversation going, he thought of something else. “What about the rest of the town? Do you like it here?”

Rachelle glanced up in thought then sighed. “I don’t know. Sometimes I think that half the place likes me and the other half just ignores me. It was cool until I showed them I could fly. The guys who didn’t think it was awesome just didn't talk to me after that. Plus there’re those jerks I keep running into.”

Spike frowned, that scenario sounding all too familiar to him. “Yeah, I get what you mean. I got some dead eyes when I walked into town too.”

“See! So I’m not crazy!” she exclaimed, looking over at him. “Jeez, what’s up with people?”

Spike shrugged. He opened his mouth to respond when the girl pointed past him. “Hey can you hand me that thing?” she asked.

Spike followed her arm to a bent looking large pipe sitting a ways away. Standing up he went to retrieve it. “What is it?” he muttered, picking up the S pipe.

Rachelle shrugged and grinned. “I dunno, but it looks cool. Gimmie!” Spike walked back over and sat the pipe in her hand. She struggled under the weight and let out a grunt of effort as she tried to hold it in place on the side of the heap.

Seeing her having trouble, Spike reached out and held the pipe in place effortlessly. Her cheeks glowing a pink tint she muttered, “Thanks.” With him holding it in place she was easily able to screw it on to the other pipe sticking out. “You… wanna help? I’ll be sure to give you some of the credit when we make something awesome!” Rachelle proudly grinned and once again poked herself in the chest with the screwdriver, this time wincing as she did so.

The boy shook his head. “Nah, I’m not interested.” Taking his hand off of the pipe he recoiled at the now slimy substance now covering it. “Too… greasy.”

Rachelle shrugged. “Fine, suit yourself.”

After wiping the grease off of his hand and onto the floor, Spike stood up and turned around. “Alright then. I gotta go find Twilight. She might’ve passed out from trying to catch up with us,” he snarked, walking away.

Rachelle quickly dropped what she was doing and caught up with him. “Wait, hold on!” As the wrench hit the ground, the two said their goodbyes to Jack and the other mechanics and left the Workshop.

CH7: The Caged Bird Sings Freely

As she exited the workshop and entered the back alleyways, Rachelle summoned her wings and flew up into the air. It only took a second before she found Spike turning a corner and making his way out of the back streets and onto the main path.

“Wow he’s fast… when he wants to be,” she muttered before flying off after him.

After turning the corner, Rachelle was stunned to see that he had speed walked halfway down the sidewalk already. She wasted no time in catching up.

“Woah what’s the rush?” she asked, floating alongside him.

Spike gave a small gasp. Realizing how fast he was walking in comparison to the people around him, slowed down slightly. “S-sorry, I guess I’m a bit anxious. I just feel like I need to know where she is,” he said, his eyes locked and determined.

Looking into his piercing green eyes, Rachelle found herself averting her’s for a moment. Feet touching the ground, she began walking side by side with Spike.

“S-she’ll be fine. Aside from those jerks, this town really isn’t that bad. I… I think we could hang out a bit more. I could show you around…” she nervously glanced back at him, a small blush tinting her cheeks. “If you want?”

Spike smiled at her. “Thanks, but I really have to know that Twilight’s alright first before I go exploring. You can show me around while we look for her though.”

Rachelle face flushed and she quickly turned her head away. Crossing her arms with an uncontrollable grin, she replied, “O-of course. I mean you don’t know this place like I do. It’d suck if you got lost looking for her and all. So where do you think she is?”

Spike stopped dead in the sidewalk, his mouth a thin line. Slowly, he crossed his arms and hummed in thought. “Now that I think about it, the only thing I know about her is that she likes books…” he trailed off.

Rachelle nodded and waited for more. When nothing came she rose an eyebrow skeptically. “Really? That's it? You don't know anything else?”

Now it was Spike’s turn to avoid eye contact. “We...haven't been together that long alright. Let's go with what we do know.” Spike began looking around. “Is there a book store around here?”

Rachelle nodded and pointed down the way they were going. “I think there was this one dusty old place with tons of books. I never go in there though.”

Spike just looked at her with a straight face. “Why?” he asked. After a second, he smirked and continued. “Books are useful to have, or so I've heard. Or are you not allowed to go in?”

Rachelle flinched. “W-well you're one to talk, you don't even look like you know how to read!”

Spike immediately flinched. When when he went quiet, Rachelle stared at him with a straight face. The longer she did the redder Spike’s face seemed to get. The two stood there in awkward silence until Rachelle finally opened her mouth once more.

“H-hold on… do you really…?”

To Rachelle’s shock, Spike immediately turned and ran in the direction she pointed at earlier. “Wait, hold on!” she yelled, running after him. The more she thought about it the bigger her grin began to grow.”

Sp-Spike,” she called, laughing inbetween breaths and racing after him down the street, “do you actually not know how to read?”

Spike, with Rachelles laughter slowing her down, stayed in front. “Shut up!”

“Spike? Rachelle?”

Both the girl and boy skid to a halt at the sound of a familiar voice calling after them from behind. Turning their heads the two of them saw Twilight standing by a turn they had just passed. Spike wasted no time in rushing over to her and checking her over.

Twilight,” gasped Spike, looking her over this way and that. Raising her arm, he continued. “Are you alright? Where were you?”

Twilight blushed when Spike hopped behind her and rose her shirt up, exposing her bare back. Pushing him away and covering herself with her arms, she glared at him. “I-I-I’m fine I promise. It was your fault for running so fast!”

Rachelle scoffed while Spike at least had the decency to mutter an apology. Rolling her eyes, Twilight grabbed both of her friends hands and led them down the sidewalk. “Come on, you guys, let’s go back to Ms. Jade. I think we’ve all calmed down enough to be let back in. Plus I really wanna tell you guys what I learned!”

Rachelle, following after her glanced over at Spike who shared her curious look. “What did you learn?” she asked, taking her arm back and walking by herself.

At the three continued to walk Twilight, answered her question with almost unintelligible speed. “Did you guys know that there are two other worlds just like this one?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Stopping in the street, Rachelle and Spike locked eyes once again. “Jeez man,” deadpanned the young girl, “do you know anything?”

Ignoring her, Spike resumed following behind his sister. “So what’s so special about that?”

Twilight shook her head and glanced back at Rachelle. “It’s not that part, it’s what it means.There are two other worlds just like this one but populated entirely by Mages or Avians.” She stopped and leaned in close to Rachelle, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Isn’t that amazing!”

Rachelle, for her part, simply shrugged and walked past twilight, her arms behind her head in a relaxed position. “Not really. I’m not all that interested in finding more people who can fly.”

Spike tilted his head while Twilight let out a horrified gasp. “What? Why?”

Jutting a thumb to her chest, Rachelle gave the group a huge grin. “Because, my dream is to be the fastest thing alive! If there are less people who can fly like me, I’ll have the advantage.”

Spike gave her a half lidded gaze and his mouth began curling with only the slightest hint of a smirk. “Wow… well alright then,” he muttered, walking past her.

She watching him walk, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What?” asked Rachelle. “What’s with that face?”

Having still been frozen in surprise, Twilight blank and quickly caught up with them. “What about you, Spike? Wouldn’t you like to see more than just this world?”

Spike shrugged. “As much as a bad first impression I’ve had with this place, I think I do still wanna look around a bit. I’ll think about other worlds later.” Spike looked at Twilight by his left side, and Rachelle at his other. He couldn’t help but smile. “Plus I’m more happy thinking about the… what the hell?”

All three children stopped dead. Eyes wide, the group gave a collective gasp as the sight of Ms. Jade’s ruined shop. Twilight, having covered her mouth in a gasp, couldn’t help but stare at the multiple broken windows, busted down door, and scattered items from the shop on the ground. Rachelle could only seethe in anger, teeth clenched at the sight of the livelihood of her caretaker ruined.

Spike, surprisingly calm, couldn’t take his eyes off the various rocks and pieces of large earth precariously scattered among the glass on the ground. It didn’t take a genius to figure out they weren't placed there naturally.

“Ahh, children, there you are.” The kids finally tore their eyes away from the destruction and saw Ms. Jade sided by two policemen in blue. While the two policemen continued to talk to one another, one writing on a clipboard as he did, Ms Jade made her way over to the children.

“I’m glad you two are alright,” she gasped, leaning down to meet them at eye level. At some point after you left, a couple of thieves broke into the shop while I was in the bathroom. They only stole a few things but they tried to completely break everything.”

“Are you alright, though?” asked Twilight, taking hold of her arm.

“Who did this?” demanded Spike.

It was then that the policemen walked over to the group and leered down at the three. The first policeman was a tall and muscular tanned skinned Earthan who was wearing black gloves in addition to his outfit, making it difficult to see his mark. His nametag said “Officer Grave”.

The other man, who was holding the clipboard, was a lean muscled figure. Going by the mark, which was a rock with his badge carved into it, this man was just like Twilight, a magic user. His tag said “Officer Carver.”

“That’s what we are here to figure out, son,” said Officer Grave. “And in order to do that we’ll need to take you will us and ask you a few questions.”

Jade stood back to full height, just a head under the officers, and tilted her head curiously. “Why question them, they weren’t anywhere in the area when this happened.”

Rachelle rose a fist and stomped her feet in protest. “Yeah, what the hell?”

Grave glared at her but addressed Jade’s question. “That may be true, but do you have confirmation of where they were exactly?”

“Yes, you didn’t see who did it, correct?” added Carver. “So it’s within the realm of possibility that one of these two children may have been the suspects.”

“What do you mean ‘two’?” asked Twilight.

Officer Grave smiled kindly and leaned down on one knee to talk to her. “We’ve already ruled out the fact that it might have been you. For one thing, judging by your age and stature, you wouldn’t have been able to do much damage. Your magic shouldn’t be mature enough to do so.” He immediately gave a narrowed eyed leer at the other two. “However, the girl has a history of civil disturbance and mayhem while the boy is an unknown factor seeing as how he has only just arrived.”

Rachelle ground her teeth further. Summoning her cyan wings, she hovered up to Carver's eye level. “What are you dicks talking about, I live here,” she spat. “Why would I wreck the place I live in.”

Carver forced her back by leaning his own face in. “But you don’t live here. According to the town residency, you aren't even a citizen of this town. You’re a drifter, an unsupervised drifter who hasn’t done so much as even try to earn the town's trust. The same goes for you too,” he glanced at Spike. “You’re also of an unidentified race, which makes you a wild card.”

Twilight frowned and put a hand on her chest. “That doesn't prove anything. If you think they’re suspects then so am I. It’s only f--”

“Not to mention,” Carver interrupted, looking at his clipboard. “When we arrived, we did some investigation on your whereabouts. We have confirmation that multiple people saw you in the local book store. The other two,” he jutted a pen in their direction, “were seen barreling down the street before vanishing into a back alley.”

Grave nodded in agreement and sat a palm on Twilight’s head. “So don’t worry you are free to--”

His eyes widened in shock when he found his arm forcibly removed from Twilight’s head. Clenching his wrist was Spike, who glared at him through piercing emerald eyes. “Don’t touch her,” he ordered, baring his fangs.

Grave’s flinched back but, try as he might, he couldn’t move the arm that Spike was grabbing. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his head when he replied. “Kid… I suggest you release me before I declare you guilty for assault on a officer!” he hissed.

Spike’s grip only tightened and the man flinched, but when Twilight tugged on his shirt, Spike closed his eyes and released his grip. The man immediately took his arm back and distanced himself from the odd boy.

Jade shook her head and stepped between the policemen and the children. “Please officers, these children have nothing to gain from doing this, much less coming back afterwards.”

Officer Carver clicked his pen and began writing on the paper on his clipboard. Meanwhile, Grave addressed her concern. “We can discern a motive during the questioning. For the moment, I’ll need you three to--”

Twilight interrupted, “Excuse me but you sound like you’ve already decided that we’re guilty. Plus we’re minors.”

Grave took a step forward, making sure to keep an eye on Spike. “No one here has said you’re guilty. Minors you might be but you’re unsupervised minors with no guardians and little to no known history. Plus,” he gave another narrowed eyed look at Rachelle and Spike, “we have no idea what they are capable of.”

“This is bullcrap!” yelled Rachelle. “We’re innocent! I know exactly who did it and I’ll kick their asses for doing it!” Raising into the air, Rachelle turned and braced herself for flight. However, she was unable to take off when Carver reached up and grabbed her leg with his free hand. “H-hey, let go!”

Carver steeled his footing and held tight. “N-no way! You’re coming with us to be held accountable for your crime.”

Then Spike snapped. Baring his fangs, he jumped into the air in front of Carver. “She hasn’t done a goddamned thing!” he yelled, kicking him in the face and knocking him out.

Graves immediately reached for his baton but stumbled when he found himself being magically lifted into the air by Twilight who was wiping tears from her face.

“I-I-I’m so sorry!” she yelled, telekinetically throwing him through the window and into the store.

Picking Twilight up princess style, Spike wasted no time in bolting down the street.

Meanwhile, Rachelle, still high in the air, gave Ms Jade a tearful look. “I swear I didn’t do it...” she muttered.

Ms. Jade, who had backed off from the fight frowned and shook her head in disapproval. “I know you didn’t, but there were better ways to have solved this mess.”

Rachelle simply turned away, muttering, “I’m sorry,” before zooming off after Spike.

When she caught up to him, Spike called up to her. “Where are they?” he asked, his tone nothing but serious.

Rachelle took a moment to wipe her eyes before pointing at an upcoming alleyway. “In their usual dump of a hideout. Follow me,” she told them, turning down said alley.

Meanwhile, in Spike’s arms, Twilight could only continued to mutter in a daze while holding onto him, “I attacked an officer, I attacked an officer, I attacked an officer…”

Down this way,” called the eye in the sky, leading Spike down another, hidden path behind a fence.

~~~

Chilling outside an abandoned shack near the edge of town three Earthen boys engaged in a thick group of laughter. Surrounding the three of them in their folding chairs, were various stuff ranging from T-shirts to junk food to toys, all ill-gotten from the local convenience store.

The leader, the oldest boy named Thomson Tale, momentarily paused his laughter and popped an unwrapped piece of candy in his mouth. “This is like, the best day ever. I got all this free stuff and those freaks get arrested for it.”

The second oldest, Grey Stone, let his laughter die down naturally. “I know man, but are you sure this is what your dad wanted?” he asked, wiping a tear from his eye.

Tale shrugged and chewed on his candy. “Nah, he just wanted me to make her leave, honestly I was already trying to do that since she showed up.”

The third boy, the youngest named Jim Breaker leaned back in his seat and looked up at the sky. “I don’t know man I don’t like her as much as you but what if that nice lady from the store gets in trouble too?”

Before he could look to his friend for an answer, the rainbow haired girl in question flew into his field of vision and came crashing down with her fist in his gut.

Both of his friends immediately jumped out of their seats.

Standing up, her foot keeping Jim down, Rachelle glared at the two remaining teens. “You bastards! You were the ones who stole everything!” she yelled, looking at all the stolen items.

Stone opened his mouth to respond but found his face slamming into the ground with Spike’s palm on the back of his head.

His gaze momentarily on his friend, Tale barely had enough time to react to Rachelle coming at him with a hard right punch. Even with his arms crossed to block it, Tale found himself skidding backwards from the impact.

Growling, Tale charged at her, his fist in the air. Being as fast as she was, the girl easily dodged the attack and got in another blow to Tale’s stomach.

Tale groaned and backed off. “Damn you. You and your little boyfriend should’ve just been arrested, why the hell are you here?”

Shaking his head, Jim staggered to one knee and glared at Spike who had was busy fighting Stone whom had shoved him off. With Spike back turned, Jim snuck up on him and wrapped the half dragon in a tight headlock.

However, Spike, strong as he was, gripped the boy's arms and slowly tried to remove them from his neck. Unfortunately, before he could fully free himself, Stone’s fist slammed into his gut, causing Spike to start hacking and the arm to fully tighten.

Now trapped, Spike had no choice but to harden his gut and take the punches. While they weren't the worst he’s taken they were by no means pillow soft.

At a stunning speed, Rachelle slammed her foot into the side of Jim’s head, knocking him back and releasing Spike. Giving few coughs to catch his breath, he glanced up at Rachelle who was smirking.

“There, now we’re even!” she gloated, causing spike to grin.

Over in the path that the two used to arrive here, Twilight continued to stare into space, her back pressed up against a wall. “I attacked an officer, I attacked an officer, I attacked an officer… I’m in so much trouble,” Twilight muttered, releasing a very deep sigh and lowering her head in shame.

~~~

By the time a group of police arrived to the shack, the three teens were lying unconscious on top of their stolen goods, broken folding chairs laying in pieces around them.

Spike, Rachelle, and especially Twilight, were not keep on facing the police after attacking them and decided that they should leave. However, after realizing that Spike’s pack and Twilight’s book were back in Ms. Jade’s shop.

So, reluctantly, the group snuck, out of of sight, back to the woman’s shop but, to their surprise found her waiting for them with their supplies in hand.

Hesitantly, Rachelle stepped forward uncertainty in her eyes. “M-Ms. Jade… I’m sorry for what happened,” muttered Rachelle, her gaze stuck to the ground and her hands clenching her shirt.

Smiling softly, Ms. Jade lent down to her knees and tilted Rachelle’s head slightly to meet her gaze. “It’s alright, dear. You were right, some of the people in this town are prejudiced. It didn’t used to be this way, I promise, but for whatever reason the people have begun acting differently.”

Mouth quivering, Rachelle looked up at the ruined store and her eyes filled with tears. “Yeah I know. But it’s still my fault. I should have left this place sooner. If I did than they wouldn’t have broken your store.”

Jade used a thumb to gently wipe her tears away while shaking her own head. “No, I wish you could call this your home but I’m afraid this isn’t the right place. However, I sincerely hope that you find a place where you find people much kinder than the ones here. But right now, I hope you can call those two your family in the meantime,” she whispered, glancing towards Spike, who had his back turned to look out for cops, and Twilight who was tearing up herself from the moment.”

After a second, Rachelle nodded and wrapped Ms. Jade in a tight hug. Ms. Jade accepted it and returned it, petting her on her head as she did. “By the way,” she whispered in her ear. “I think you’re hair is very beautiful, and it’ll certainly catch the eye of that boy you keep staring at.” She felt the girl flinch in her embrace as well as the heat rising in her face.

“Wh-what? I don’t… what are you talking about?” Rachelle stuttered.

Releasing her hug, Jade patted the girl down since both her shirt and hair was covered in dust. “My goodness I wish you could take a bath before leaving. A girl should never be this dirty.” Standing up she called the other two over to her.

As Twilight dragged Spike over Ms. Jade continued. “I’ve filled Spike’s bag with food and snacks. After seeing his strength I’m sure he’ll be able to carry it all. I hope that it’ll be enough for you three to use until you make it to the next town to the Northeast. Keep each other safe, alright?”

Two of them nodded, especially Twilight at the thought of not having to eat stolen food. As Spike effortlessly lifted the bag, now twice as large as it was originally, onto his back.

Twilight stepped forward and bowed her head as low as she could. “I just want to thank you for everything. I’m really really sorry we couldn’t have stayed longer.”

Ms. Jade nodded. “It’s no problem really. I’m delighted to have met such a nice girl and a caring and loyal boy.” She leaned over and addressed Spike directly. “Rachelle may be a tough but I hope you’ll keep these girls safe.”

Spike nodded, a confident grin on his face. “Don’t worry, I got them covered!”

Raising a hand to her ear, Ms. Jade gave a small gasp and gave the group a serious look. “You three should get going before the policemen arrive.

They didn’t need to be told twice. Bidding the nice women goodbye for the last time, the three quickly ran into the back alley and towards the edge of town.

Looking out of his top floor window, Tall Tale let out a deep sigh at the sight of the three just passing the town limits. Turning away the man stood in front of his desk and placed his hand on an open time.

“I’m so… so sorry, children. I never meant for things to take this turn… truly I didn’t. But I just couldn’t risk this town being at the center of what might come.” Sitting in his recliner seat, the man slowly dragged a hand down his face.

“And I pray that this myth is wrong.”

Just outside the town, Rachelle stopped to look at her former home. Standing beside her was Spike, who had seen this once before, and Twilight, who knew exactly what she must have been going through.

Rachelle sighed and gave a lighthearted laugh. “I hate this place, but I guess I do have one regret.”

Twilight, who was clueless, could only ask, “What’s that?”

Spike, already knowing what she was gonna say, grinned. “You upset that you couldn’t finish your big project?”

Rachelle shrugged. “Yeah, but whatever. I got something much better.” Putting an arm around both Twilight’s and Spike’s necks Rachelle gave a big bright smile. “I finally got friends who aren't assholes!”

Twilight completely burst out laughing. “P-please come on… you need to watch your language, Rachelle,” she stuttered, giggling madly.

“Nah,” Rachelle shrugged. Moving to stand in front of the two, the girl jabbed a thumb to her chest. “I never liked that name. You guys can call me Dash!” she declared proudly.

Spike, ever the asshole just let out a low chuckle and walked past her down the path. “Nah, I think I’d rather call you Rainbow…”

“Screw you!” yelled the girl, chasing him down the path.

Twilight watching the two fight, gave a small giggle before catching up with them. “You know, if we’re giving nicknames I think I have one for your non-existant last name…” she teased.

“Hey, shut up!”

The small group, now one bigger, cheerfully argued their way down the pathway towards a new adventure.

Author's Note

Don't mind me I'm just gonna set this here and pretend I haven't been gone for six months... :yay:

June2022 edit: New Chapter Incoming!!!