Dragon's Quest 2 (DQ2 #1)

By the time Twilight had returned to the library, Spike had already eaten the gemstone waffles. Which had been incredibly delicious for him. Twilight couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t inquire about her earlier interruption.

“Aren’t you going to ask me what that was about?”

“Nah” Spike responded nonchalantly “It was probably something private and urgent right? I’m not going to get all mad about that.” Twilight was relieved and slightly surprised to hear that after his behavior the past few weeks.

“I appreciate that Spike. Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Meanwhile at Sugar Cube Corner!

“Pound! Get down here this instant so I can clean the frosting off your wings!

“Pumpkin! Stop throwing your namesake against the wall with your magic!

“Pound! Come back here with that sprinkle shaker! And stop eating them! Save some for me!

“Pumpkin! Stop summoning pumpkins and bringing them to life!

“Pound no! Don’t eat that muffin, it’s a special order! You’ll bring cross eyed rage and optic blasts on all of Ponyville!

“Hey! Pumpkin, don’t you dare. Put it down. Put. It. Down!”

Too late. The twins were now laughing happily.

“How does the flour bag bit never get old for you two?!”

Twilight and Spike waited for about five minutes before they heard a knock at the door. And a voice. A loud one.

“We you’re princess of the night have arrived! Will you permit us to enter your domain?!” boomed Luna’s voice. This caused Twilight to teleport to the door and answer while responding quickly and bowing.

“Of course you can enter princess! I’m sorry if I kept you waiting! I-”

Twilight stopped herself when she heard giggling. She looked up to see Luna covering her mouth while laughing.

“I’m sorry Twilight” Luna said in a normal, non-traditional Canterlot voice “I couldn’t resist. Please stand upright. There is no need for such formalities between princesses.”

Twilight straightened herself and laughed a small laugh “Good one Princess.”

“Luna, please” she said with a smile. Luna took a moment to look around the library, taking in everything.

“I can’t believe I haven’t visited before. You have a nice library Princess Twilight. It’s pleasant and quaint.”

Twilight beamed at Luna’s compliment “Thank you Pri-, Luna, I do what I can.”

“The castle from the chest will be much more suitable though.”

“What?”

“Hm?” Luna replied with a smile and a wide eyed look of innocence.

Luna finally noticed Spike looking down from atop the staircase when she turned around.

“Ah yes, onto the serious matter for which I am here.”

Spike came down the steps and bowed before Luna, who had stepped forward.

“Your highness, thank you for coming.”

Luna chuckled “Rise young Spike, let’s not stand on ceremony here. You can address me as Luna as well.”

“Right. So uh, what now?” Spike hadn’t thought about what exactly would happen once Luna arrived.

“Do you have a couch we could use?”

“We do actually” Twilight replied. She used her magic to bring out a rather extravagant looking couch.

Luna cocked an eyebrow in curiosity and confusion.

“Everypony keeps a fainting couch ready in case Rarity ever forgets hers.”

“Ah yes” Luna acknowledged “My sister has included this in her tales of your group.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow .

Princess Celestia tells her tales about us? Well I guess she would.

“Please Spike” Luna indicated to the dragon “come lay down, face up.”

Spike did as instructed and placed himself on the couch. He noticed a slight hint of one of Rarity’s perfumes from the last time she had fainted in the library.

Hmm he thought I wish she was here.

“Now” Luna continued “I need you to relax yourself completely. Close your eyes. Empty your mind. Take deep breaths. Concentrate. Use the Force.” I’m just kidding. I couldn’t resist. Just retract that last one.

Spike once again did as instructed, following Luna’s instructions while Twilight watched intently. Luna’s eyes were now closed, and her voice was soft and relaxing as she spoke.

“Once you have cleared your mind, you will remain awake, but go into a dream-like state.”

The most difficult thing to remove was Rarity, but Spike managed to empty his mind, which he indicated with a large exhale.

“Good. Now, you must open your mind. Allow me to enter, and have a look.” Luna then lowered her head, allowing her horn to touch Spike right in the center of his forehead, and her horn began to glow. Spike began to do so, but before he did, something happened.

A pair of reptilian green eyes flashed in Spike’s mind with a growl. This caused Luna to knot her eyebrows in confusion, but her face returned to a blank concentration once Spike completely opened his mind.

Spike opened his eyes and found himself under the roof a large cave. But everything else was completely black, as if someone had removed a cave and placed it in a starless space. He looked around and saw a tunnel path that was also shrouded in darkness. When he turned his head, he saw a figure emerging from the dark. He soon saw that it was Luna.

“Princess Luna”

“Spike”

“Are we?”

“In your mind, yes.”

Luna turned and indicated to the tunnel. “Let’s have a look.”

Spike and Luna began walking to the path. After four feet in with nothing to see but cave wall and black floor, Luna decided to have a better look.

“Let me risk a little more light.” And with that she ignited her horn, producing an orb of bright light. But the roof of the path was only about twelve feet high, restricting the light to an eight foot radius.

Luna looked around and noticed an unlit torch on the wall. She indicated to it, alerting Spike to it.

“Convenient” she said “If you would.” Spike then reached for the torch but could not remove it, no matter how hard he pulled.

“Try lighting it first” Luna suggested. Spike gave the torch a breath of his fire, lighting it. But before he could attempt to remove it again, another torch spontaneously caught fire three feet away not two seconds later. It was quickly accompanied by many others down the line. Spike and Luna’s gaze followed the torches, which went down the entire length of the wall that they could see, providing a glow that illuminated half of the path. Luna turned to the other side and found another torch, which she indicated to, allowing Spike to repeat the process.

The path was now completely illuminated, allowing Luna to extinguish her horn. But the path appeared endless.

“Let us begin” Luna said as she started to walk, Spike following.

After five minutes of walking, the two were suddenly hit with a strong feeling.

“I feel…warm” Spike began “and”

“Protected” Luna finished.

“You feel it too?”

“Yes. And I believe I know why.” Luna approached the left wall and looked up.

“Come and see” Luna said with a smile. Spike approached and looked to where Luna was looking.

He was slightly confused by what he saw.

“Infanthood?”

“Yes Spike. We are in your memories.”

“Memories?”

All of a sudden, a sort of window appeared to materialize out of nowhere. At first it was black, but it then began to glow a luminescent orange, and in the center was a small flame. Which appeared to take the form of a small dragon.

“I don’t remember seeing this” Spike said.

“It is not a visual memory Spike” Luna explained “It wouldn’t be. It is from your time as an egg.”

“An egg?”

“Yes. I can feel it. The glow is the warmth and protection you felt from within your shell, and the infant dragon made of flame, I believe is you. It is your mind’s way of creating a visual for the memory.”

“Wow”

“Come” Luna said as she turned back in the direction of the path “We must continue if we are to find your dreams.” Spike acknowledged and caught up to Luna as they walked the path. They soon saw the perspective of a large creature overlooking Canterlot while its neck protruded form a building.

“Oh yeah” Spike acknowledged “Twilight accidentally made me giant after she hatched me.”

“That would explain the patch I saw in the exam room.”

Soon they arrived at a window that depicted Twilight as a filly holding Spike affectionately for the first time.

“This is when you imprinted on her as an actual family member” Luna said as she felt a deep sense of love and attachment. This caused Luna to come to a decision.

“Pardon me Spike, but I must cast a spell on us to block out these emotion waves. They will only distract us from our objective.”

“Sure” Spike said “I understand.”

Luna cast her spell and they continued on. After ten minutes though, something presented a sort of challenge to Luna. She suddenly felt as if a wave of pure force had hit her, almost canceling her spell.

“Whoa”

When she regained herself, she looked around and widened her eyes in surprise at what she saw.

Many memory windows depicting only one thing.

Or rather...one pony.

Luna had to put in a little more concentration as she felt the wave fight her spell. But she and Spike continued. The latter of which had a dreamy look plastered on his face as he looked left and right at each window. If Spike had been released from Luna’s spell, he would be literally stuck to the floor, staring at any of the windows.

Ah yes. My sister had told me about this.

“A great deal of memories concerning the generous one” Luna said coyly with a cocked eyebrow and smile to match. Spike snapped out of his trance as his cheeks grew red.

“Uh…this is all nothing. Not that big a deal.”

“Spike, relax. I’m not judging you. Interspecies romance isn’t uncommon.”

Spike was relieved to hear this and was grateful to the princess. But five minutes later he was annoyed with her. They had arrived at Spike’s fantasy of rescuing Rarity from the diamond dogs. His arms were crossed and his eyes were narrowed as they watched the alicorn princess on the ground, laughing hysterically and clutching her sides.

She eventually stopped and apologized.

“Whatever. Let’s just keep going.”

Only a two minutes later, a shadow was cast over the pair. Luna held up her hoof to Spike and took a defensive stance.

“Back demon” she demanded “lest I unleash my awesome powers!”

The silhouetted figure stepped closer, causing Luna to fire a magic beam at the individual. But the beam went through as if the figure were a ghost. The figure immediately took another step and was now fully visible. It was a yellow coated pony in an all-black cloak, top hat, and carrying a similarly colored umbrella colored pink inside. A single blue bodied, pink winged butterfly was on the “flank” of the cloak. Except that the butterfly’s head was skull like. Wings protruded from slits in the cloak’s back.

“Okay, that’s uncalled for” said the cloaked pegasus.

“Yeah that’s racial profiling is what that is” said a small flying newcomer.

The newcomer was an alicorn filly with a pink coat, and mane that was moderate violet and moderate rose with pale gold streaks. She was carrying a small golden bow and wearing and old fashioned cloth diaper.

“Oh, dear” Luna began “I thought she was a”

“Demon?” finished the cloaked pegasus “Because of the way I dress? Because you’re a bigot maybe?” she said accusingly.

“And a total hypocrite” the filly said as she floated next to Luna “look at her.”

“Yeah Nightmare Moon, where do you get off?” said the cloaked pegasus.

“Okay I get it” Luna said, annoyed “I apologize. So whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?” Luna turned and indicated to the filly “You are Cupid I assume.”

“Cupid?” replied the filly “What would Cupid be doing in The Spike? Will you stop basing everything on looks. How do you not know me? I am Eros (ee-rose with a lingering s) and I’m pretty important and kind of popular.”

The cloaked pegasus chimed in “You really should recognize us. We’ve got pistol hot careers.”

“Yes of course” Luna now realized with a smile “Eros and Thanatos” she said while indicating to both “sex and death. You two motivate our every action.”

“Well put Freudicorn” Thanatos said sarcastically “so what the hay are you doing in here with The Spike?” she said while pointing to Spike. The dragon in question had been silently watching the exchange with a confused look.

“Yeah what is this, open house? Bring your filly to work day?” continued Eros “We don’t have time for another intruder screwing things up. We’ve had enough problems since The Big Guy showed up, and now he’s caused a complete cerebral shutdown that we have to deal with.”

“Yeah we’ve got maybe an hour or two before The Spike goes into a coma” said Thanatos. Then her eyes slowly turned all black, her wings stretched to their full span, and her voice echoed as she continued “And then the chill hoof of death takes The Spike home”

“Okay there Mrs. Good News” interjected Eros to stop Thanatos, who just continued speaking.

“Merciless”

“Let’s bring it down”

“is the end to claiming us all”

“Just breath”

“No one”

“In with the good air”

“can escape their”

“out with the crazy air”

“inevitable fate”

“I want you to breath”

Thanatos finally went back to normal and gave a sigh of relief “Thanks sis, I got in the zone again.”

“I think I may be responsible for the ‘shutdown’ you speak of” Luna said.

“...Nice” Eros replied.

“But I don’t believe that it is a shutdown. I cast a spell on…The Spike so that I may enter his mind to help rid him of some troublesome dreams.”

“Wait wait wait” Spike finally spoke “You two know me and you’re not excited or freaking out that I’m here?” Spike indicated to the personifications.

“Well look at little Mr. Ego here” said Eros “Probably expecting some big ‘Welcome to your brain party’ or something. We see you in here all the time.”

“Yeah, what is it with everypony thinking they’ll be praised in their own head?” interjected Thanatos.

“Oh my god, how much you wanna bet Twilight and her mind would be super hyped to see each other? Or Rainbow, but like times a thousand?”

“Right?”

“Um, excuse us?” Luna said.

“Oh yeah” replied Eros “Well in response to what you said: 1-That’s good because The Spike won’t die. 2-Are you out of your mind?! You want to go up against The Big Guy?!”

“We won’t stop you but we seriously recommend turning back” said Thanatos “And this is the personification of Death talking here.”

“We appreciate the advice, but we must continue.”

“Alright” said Eros with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Your funeral” Thanatos said “All you have to do is keep going down this path until you reach the windows that are for the most recent events.”

“Thank you” Luna said.

“Yeah thanks” said Spike “So who’s this ‘Big Guy’ you mentioned?”

“Oh no” said Thanatos “We’ve said too much already.”

“Yeah we don’t wanna get replaced like Leviathan” said Eros.

“Leviathan?” said Spike.

“Too much said! Be off now before we get in trouble” replied Thanatos.

“Very well” said Luna “A pleasure meeting you both, and thank you once again for the help.”

“Yeah sure, see ya” said Eros “And make sure to keep up whatever miracle thing you’re doing to block the feeling waves. Don’t know how you got past the love wave.”

The pair managed to fend off feeling waves the rest of the way, only casually glancing at the windows. Luna making sure not to comment or burst out laughing at any particular event. She was particularly surprised and impressed by the more recent events involving Rarity. I see Eros’ career has seen an increase in productivity. The windows didn’t show his eye color change, but Luna did sense an odd change in his behavior.

At last, they reached a point where they could see no more windows further down. But they could see a few materializing very slowly.

“I believe we have caught up to the present” Luna said. She turned to Spike when he didn’t respond. Only to see that Spike was occupied with another window. She looked up to see the title, which she noticed seemed to fade out and be replaced with another. There were three titles total: Dream, Vision,?, as if it was questioning itself. Or rather Spike was.

“This is it” Luna said without question. Spike merely nodded to answer. Luna stepped forward to be right next to Spike.

“Take my hoof” she said as she held her hoof out. Spike did as told. “And let us have a look.”

Luna then closed her eyes and lowered her head until her horn was now touching the window. But the window appeared transparent as her horn went through. A small ball of light ignited at the tip of Luna’s horn and extinguished seconds later. She opened her eyes and raised her head.

Spike finally broke out of his apparent trance as he started to notice something. The windows they had passed were fading away. All but the torches surrounding them extinguished, bringing back the dark that concealed the path. The “end” of both sides of the path that they could see were closing off, replaced by rock wall. Then the ceiling and wall seemed to expand up and outwards. The rock texture of the cave started to transform into that of the mystery dragon’s mountain cave. The unending blackness floor was replaced by a sort of smooth stone floor. Pillars, small structures, and an elaborate system of stairs presumably leading to the exit seemed to grow out of the ground.

Luna stood still while Spike looked around in surprise and wonder at what was happening. Then the ground started to rumble. And the sound of coins falling on each other became apparent.

“Be still” Luna said “Don’t let it unbalance you.”

Spike looked at the princess questioningly and then saw a wave coming towards them. A body of gold coins with gems and diamonds scattered about inside it, moving towards them like a snake slithering. The source of the sound.

“Be still” Luna reaffirmed more intensely. Spike did as told and stood still.

Suddenly, the coins seemed to sweep under their feet and hooves, despite having no space to do so. They were lifted up and were on top of the head of the large body of coins. They rode it as it traveled throughout the mountain kingdom, going up and down, tilting left and right. But the pair never fell off.

Spike did his best to maintain his composure, getting slightly dizzy, but still standing still. Luna appeared to have no trouble and was stoic as usual. Despite the multiple moves and angles, the pair felt as if they were still on solid ground.

The “head” finally came to a rest. The inside of the mountain kingdom was now exactly as Spike had been dreaming it. Full of treasure. The pair was above the ground since they were standing atop the body of coins.

Something was missing though.

“They’re not here” Spike said.

“Wait for it” Luna replied “Come” she said as she started walking to a structure that resembled a very large table. Spike followed until she stopped in the center. Luna pointed her hoof to the inner corner of one of the pillars of the “table”. Spike looked and saw the unicorn leaning on it, panting.

“That’s her”

Luna shushed Spike right before an immense voice spoke.

“You are being used, thief in the shadows”

Luna turned to Spike and put a hoof on his chest.

“Wait here. I will deal with this monster.”

Spike chose not to argue and nodded in response. Luna began to walk out into the open as the still silhouetted dragon continued.

“You were only ever a means to an end.”

“Here! You monstrous beast!”

The dragon paused at the sound of Luna’s booming voice.

“You” it said with a growl as it turned to Luna.

Spike watched while the unicorn looked on, confused by the arrival of the princess.

“I have come to remove you from this mind!”

“You will remove nothing from here alicorn. This is my domain.”

“You have no claim over this psyche! And I will remove you.”

And with that, Luna shot a beam at the dragon’s torso, which appeared to harm it as it roared in pain. The dragon turned back and growled. He inhaled deeply, his torso scales beginning to glow, and he unleashed a flurry of dragon fire at Luna.

Luna however was skilled in combat, and took flight, easily evading the fire. She began to fly around the immense cavern, shooting magic beams at the dragon, who chased after her and breathed more fire at her.

Spike and the unicorn’s heads turned as they followed the action.

Then when her line of sight was in Spike’s direction, the unicorn quickly turned her head back to look at him. Spike did the same, and their eyes locked.

The unicorn’s eyebrows knitted in confusion, not recognizing the small dragon across from her. But she didn’t speak, as Spike didn’t.

Suddenly a sense of familiarity came over Spike.

It can’t be he thought.

A thought while he’s in his own head. So would he and the others hear it? Or would it echo if he hears it and it goes into his head again while he’s in his head and…other stuff in his head and…uh…infinity thought? Thoughtception!

Their attention was pulled away from each other with another roar. The battle continued with neither gaining the upper hand.

Then, something happened as Spike watched. The dragon moved to the point that in only for a split second, his and Spike’s eyes locked. And time seemed to slow for Spike. The fight and the unicorn watching were all moving in slow motion, and no one but Spike seemed to be aware. (Quicksilver in DOFP)

And another, completely different voice spoke in Spike’s head.

Spike, no. This is not the way.

Come into the Everfree. The answers you seek, are there. But you must go alone. Tell nopony of why you are entering it.

Patience young one.

Soon, you will have your answers.

Time reverted to normal, and nopony or dragon else appeared to have been conscious of the time delay or the voice.

“Enough” the dragon said with frustration.

Luna paused in the air, waiting for his next move.

“Remove yourself from my domain. I am king under the mountain.”

The dragon inhaled deeply.

“Uh oh” said Luna.

And the dragon unleashed a deafening roar that shook the mountain. So much so that Spike and the unicorn lost their balance and fell. The roar had been directed at Luna, who was too late to put up a protective shield, and was slammed into the wall of the inner mountain.

The roar continued, pinning Luna, who was struggling to get free.

Back in the real world, Twilight grew worried as Luna knit her eyebrows and clenched her teeth.

Spike also had his eyebrows knitted and was fidgeting, though his head stayed in place due to Luna’s spell.

Suddenly, Luna seemed to be thrown back with a cry of pain, while Spike seemed to be slammed down onto the couch and awoke with a startled cry.

“Spike! Luna!”

Twilight rushed to Luna’s side, who was lying on the floor. Spike jumped off the couch and rushed to Luna’s side as well, feeling worry and slight guilt.

“Luna! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I am fine Spike” Luna groaned “Do not blame yourself.”

“Something big must’ve happened in there for only five minutes” Twilight said.

“Five minutes?!” Spike said “We were in there for at least in hour!”

“Your unconscious mind functions at a greater speed” Luna explained “It’s why the time between sleep and wake seem instant, and why I get so much done in my duties.”

“Even I didn’t know that” Twilight said, mentally taking note.

“I must enter again at once” Luna said with determination as she stood up “I must vanquish him.” Wow, even I think that’s cliché. And I'm writing this crap.

Luna groaned and put a hoof to her head, now feeling a strong headache.

“No, you have to rest” Spike said “And I don’t want to risk you getting hurt even more.”

“I agree with Spike” said Twilight “And you still have a duty to your other citizens. Equestria can’t sleep well if you’re out of commission.”

Luna sighed in defeat “I suppose you’re right. But I will return tomorrow to try again.”

Try

So fail again

“Actually Luna” Spike interjected “I think I have a way of ending this.”

“You do?” Twilight and Luna said simultaneously.

“Yeah. But I can’t tell you. I can only say that I need to go somewhere.”

“Spike if you have a way of putting an end to this then you have to tell us so we can help”

“I agree with Twilight Spike, you must tell us.”

Spike shook his head.

“Sorry, but I just can’t. You have to trust me on this. I know it will work.”

Luna lowered her head in defeat. “Very well. Then I take my leave.”

She turned to the door and opened it.

“I must rest to get rid of this headache to do my duty tonight.” She turned to Spike before leaving  “I hope you’re right in that your way will solve this matter.”

“I know it will.”

Luna turned to Twilight  “And I will visit again in the future. And not just for emergencies.”

Twilight gave a small caring smile “I’m glad to hear that Luna.”

“Farewell”

And Luna took off into the sky, back to Canterlot.

“Tell me!”

“No”

“Tell me!”

“No”

“Tell me already!”

“No Twilight”

Twilight was frustrated with her little brother and vice versa. She had been pestering him well into the night.

“Spike, you have to tell me so I can help.”

“I can’t right now Twilight.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Either, both, whatever!”

“Ugh”

“If it makes you feel any better I’ll tell you in the morning.”

“But I have to know right”

“No. In the morning. That’s the end of it. Good night.”

Spike started walking up the stairs to his bed as he finished.

Twilight opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. She knew it was pointless.

“Fine” she said to herself “Tomorrow.”

Spike had put on a good act of pretending to be asleep. He waited until he was sure Twilight was asleep and then got up. He went to his broom closet, brought out a small backpack and began to pack it. A blanket, a small pillow, a small portion of his personal stash of gemstones, and two photos. One of Twilight and one of Rarity.

He then took out a quill and parchment and wrote his note to Twilight. He placed the note in the backpack, and the backpack back in the closet. You didn’t think he was gonna leave right now did you? Or right in the morning before Twilight wakes up? No. But he is leaving the next day.

The voices words echoed in Spike’s head as he lied back down to sleep.

Come into the Everfree

Alone

The answers you seek, are there

“I sure hope so” he said to himself in a whisper “I sure hope so.”