Of Dragons, Drakos, and Ponies

Chapters

The Start of a Great Peace
The not so Calm Calm
Ragnarok
Bedside Manner
Learning Drakos
Knowing Drakos
Shadowang's Brood
After the Dust Settles

The Start of a Great Peace

The ball room was filled with a multitude of varied colored dresses and black tuxedos. High society ponies drifted back and forth, sharing small talk. Spike was terrified.

Rarity rubbed her shoulder against his as he quaked. "Darling, calm down. They don't bite. Just be on your best behavior and there will be no problems."

Spike scratched his front claws nervously on the marble floor of the majestic dance hall. "Behavior is not really my concern. Half these ponies want my head on a plate. Kinda throws out your chances of making a good impression. The worst part is, that's what this whole shindig is for. I don't know how you and Fancy Pants talked me into this."

Rarity sighed. "Change never comes unless one grasps it with all their might. We all want peace between the drakos and ponies, we just need some one to show us how to obtain it."

Spike rubbed his head against hers affectionately. "Me, right? Thanks Rarity."

She laughed into his cheek as she kissed him. "I meant Fancy Pants, but he will need your help. The drakos need your guidance and example to pull through this, but they seem more willing for peace between us than ponies do. We'll get there."

Spike smiled happily as he kissed her cheek back. He went to convey his thanks when he was interrupted by a new voice. "Ugh, so uncouth of a lady to kiss a lizard in public."

Rarity glared at the interloper but Spike smiled from ear to ear. "Cousin, how have you been?"

Blueblood bowed his head at the two. "Lady Rarity, Prince Spike. How are you tonight?"

Spike bowed at the spoiled prince as Rarity looked at the drakos inquisitively. "Quite well, but I must ask, cousin?"

Blueblood smirked. "Oh, you accompany him but he has not told you? As Spike is the adopted son of Princess Celestia, and I am her nephew, he and I are technically cousins. Anyway, Spike, we have been called to the castle after this little party. Fancy Pants, you, and l are needed for council."

"May Rarity accompany me, or is this a strictly confidential matter?"

"I am sure my Aunt would appreciate one of the Ladies of Friendship there. I believe it is a war matter. Now you must excuse me, there is a lucky brown mare that wishes my company."

Rarity rolled her eyes as he walked away. "The conceited jerk."

Spike laughed as they began to walk towards Fancy Pants and the small podium he stood beside. "Yes, but the two of got off on the wrong hoof. He's not so bad if he believes you an equal. Otherwise, yeah, he's an ass."

She glared at her date. "He should believe all ponies are equal."

"No arguments, but at least he believes ponies and drakos are on an equal level below him." He smirked as she giggled.

Fancy Pants stood at the podium and glanced at the two as they approached him. He signaled at Blueblood, who cantered up and stood lofty next to him as well. He raised his wine glass and tapped it with his spoon. Silence fell throughout the room as everypony stood, waiting for the words of pony society's highest pony. "Welcome one and all to this glorious event. For everypony that donated to the rebuilding fund, thank you for your generosity. As for the rest of our event, Equestria has an infection. There is a fear and hatred for our new allies. This must not persist, especially on the basis of species. If we go upon species to give blame for this past, and finished war, blame would fall on us, the ponies."

Many ponies had begun to leave or give incredulous looks at all four who stood at the podium when he began to talk peace. When Fancy Pants placed the blame on ponies, everypony in the room, Spike included, looked at him with shock and curiosity.

"It was a pony that started this war. A pony kept secret for far to long." He walked around the podium and sat down in front of it. Something considered improper to high society. He laid his head down onto his crossed forelimbs. Spike, Rarity, and everypony else looked around baffled before lowering down to the floor as well.

He closed his eyes and scrunched his nose. "As most of you know, I won a medal of honor with my medical discharge from Her Majesties royal guard. What you do not know is the full story of how that story unfolded. What was released was that I saved my entire squad from an ambush from a small hostile group with evil design for Equestria, at the cost of my sight in one eye and almost my legs. What you don't know is that the small faction was part of a massive army, controlled by a pony name Sombra." A chill filled the room as he spoke the name, Spike snarled till Rarity nudged him. "This pony was apprentice to a dark god, and even after a thousand years after his defeat by the sisters, still presented a real threat. I spent most of my years in the service fighting his lieutenants and sending them to Tartarus. When the Crystal Kingdom returned, its tyrannical leader returned as well, Sombra. He orchestrated the whole ordeal. When Spike , my dear friend, defeated him, he regained his rightful place as king. Making this the second time Spike has defeated Sombra, freed a captive nation, and saved Equestria. All while being a drakos.

"I do understand that it is hard to forgive them, as well as accept them, but we must. If not for friendship and peace, if not for our Princess, for our children, so they may be better then us, and war, as allies against a common threat."

There was a moment of silence before applause roared through the crowd.

Fancy Pants left, with Rarity, Spike, and Blueblood in tow. "Alright, it seems Ms. Rarity, that our rich friends have accepted the fad of accepting the drakos."

Spike slowed his pace and his head drooped. "Is that all that was, a fad?”

Rarity looked on concerned, but continued on to the castle with Blueblood when Fancy Pants motioned for her to. When the two were out of hearing distance, the old pony cleaned his monocle with a smile. "Wonderful lady, that Rarity. Her name suits her well. Almost makes me wish I were younger."

Spike turned away from him. "Please be serious about this. Is that honestly how you see the drakos alliance, as a passing fad?”

Smiling and shaking his head, Fancy Pants rubbed his young friend on the head with a hoof. "You never cease to amaze me. You saw through a ploy on a subject you are not privy to. You and your mentor have been around royals and high society all of your lives, and yet neither of you still understand them. No, I do not see it as such, far from it. I see it as a strengthening of two races and nations, but I am not typical high society. Most of these ponies will never understand just what all of this means. So I put it in a way they would take it. Safety and a bright shiny new gift."

Spike looked up at the pony. "Thanks. I was a little worried you would disapprove."

"Spike, you're like a son to me. I've known you since you were hatched. I still carry a butterscotch with me at all times, just in case I see you and you ask."

Spike laughed as he resumed his walk to the palace with oldest friend. The closest thing to a father he had. He motioned to the drakos security detail to follow him. "Mind if I have a butterscotch old guy?"

Fancy Pants just laughed as he pulled out the hard candy.

Two drakos, a young green one and an older red one, opened the big majestic doors leading into the main hall of the palace. Before him sat the princesses, Celestia sitting on her throne as Luna, Twilight, and Cadence sat around her. To his right stood his drakos troops, proud and battle ready. Next to them was a small party of pony guards, proud and armoured. Behind him stood Rarity, Fancy Pants, Blueblood, and a yellow drakos child. To his left was the reason they had all gathered here.

A rabble of unorganized dragons. They stood restless and agitated. Various sizes and colors were there, all wearing a gold chain with a brilliant emerald hanging from it. The dragon council.

Spike bowed his head, as did the rest of his entourage, at the princesses. "Good evening leaders of Equestria. Permission to enter this council."

Princess Celestia bowed back at him. "You may your Highness. This council is for you and our dragon delegates. We the leaders of Equestria are here to simply bring peaceful talks. The dragon council has a pressing matter to discuss. They have the floor."

Spike and his group joined the rest of the drakos and ponies. Rarity sticking close by him, leaning into him.

A fairly large brown dragon stepped forward and took the floor. He bowed to the princess but sneered at Spike. "Princess, drakos. We are concerned about the alliance between ponies and drakos. Our concern lies in the gaining of power of the drakos in the world. They are a race of killers and barbarians. Their life is built around death and war. We worry that they will set their eyes on Equestria and the surrounding areas. We feel that Equestria will become the focal point of future invasion."

The yellow drakos kid jumped forward on all fours, teeth bared and ready to pounce on the much larger dragon. "Do not insult our honor! We made an oath and plan on keeping it!"

Spike placed his hand on the child. "You dishonor this court with your outburst Sun Tail. If you are to be duke, you must learn to control yourself. Speak patiently and never out of turn."

"Yes my king."

Spike looked up at the dragon. "I apologize for my young friend. If I may though, he is right. The drakos are an honor based species. We would never break our oaths, we would die first. This accusation is a terrible act of distrust and a dishonor to us. Many will see it as an act of war. It is not my wish to go to war right after we peacefully ended one."

Every dragon's voice rose in anger, some showering insults, others claiming that this was proof of the drakos untrustworthiness. The volume of the room was rising until a loud, gentle voice spoke from the ceiling. "Quite my dragons."

All noise ceased as everyone looked up. A massive green dragon's head was sticking through the roof, where a window had been removed. His eyes were milky white from blindness and his colour dulled with his impossible years. This was the elder dragon, the oldest being alive not touched by the old gods magic. "I can vouch for the words of the drakos king's. I was alive when the drakos where still considered a part of the dragon race, and from then till now, every action they have made has been in accordance with their honor. We dragons have no king, and as such I can not you against any action, but I advise you to believe me and cease this squabbling. They have promised not to cause another war, but they will fight if you do. We would loss that war. I found myself surprised that the ponies lasted as long as they did in a war with them, till I discovered that the old gods favored them in the war."

The brown dragon spoke up to the giant dragon. "Shadowfang's brood can not be trusted."

Wheezing with laughter, the elder filled the room with smoke. "As Celestia can confirm, we were all pups when Shadowfang lived and died, he was not the same as most drakos. He denied honor for ambition. The original drakos of his time denied him, until he defeated them."

Spike stepped forward. Head held high, he spoke proudly. "I hear by declare that if my people or I cause an unprovoked war, I forfeit my title and my life to the pony princesses. They and all parties involved shall decide my fate."

Silence filled the hall.

The not so Calm Calm

Rarity paced back and forth in front of the private suite's door. Panic and nerves ate at her insides. What was she to do about this situation. Her nerves were so bad, she failed to notice the young yellow drakos come from the door and stand before her. "Ms. Rarity. Is there anyway I may be of service to you?"

She jumped at the voice, before turning to him. "Ah, Sun Tail. Sorry, you gave me quite the start. Yes please, may I speak with Spike please?"

He shook his head in exasperation. "I'm afraid not. He has once again eluded his detail. I am truly sorry."

She smiled sweetly at him. "No worries little one. I can find him."

He began to shuffle his feet and twiddle his claws just like the Spike she use to know would do. "What is it Sun Tail?"

He dropped his claws and held them behind his back. His head lowering in shame. "He's upset and dishonored by my actions at the council. He chose me to be the next duke, yet I can't live up to his expectations. I'm a failure."

Just like the old Spike. "No dear. You are passionate about your species, there is nothing wrong with that. You just need time and experience. I am sure Spike is only upset by how you said it, and not what you said. You will make a fine duke."

He smiled and blushed. "Thank you lady Rarity. You are too kind.

She smiled as she went off to find Spike, he was too much like the young Spike she knew. The new Spike worried her. When he was young, she had only ever seen him mad two, maybe three times. Well mad enough that you could actually see his reptilian nature. These days, his face stayed in an angry scowl, sorrowful, or a facade of happiness around her and their friends. He use to never have secrets, now he was a mystery to all but two, Big Macintosh and Discord. She worried about him, but also for those around him. She knew it was stupid of her, he would never hurt a fly. Yet the image of him choking the life out of Bloody Rich kept coming to mind and reminding her that this Spike could kill without regret.

She shook herself out of her thoughts and looked around the room for him. She had made it to the bar and saw him sitting there, nursing a shot of dark brown liquor. She sighed at the sight. Spike was drinking to much now.

"Hello handsome. Would you consider putting that down and giving your attention to something better for you?"

He spun around, sorrow in his eyes with that fake smirk on his face. "Hey gorgeous. What are you doing here?"

She smiled softly at him. "Looking for this cute drakos I have been dating. I want to talk about his sudden act of suicide."

His grin vanished as he lowered his head. "Ah, the pledge I made. Sorry I didn't talk to you about that. I had hoped to never have to do that, but it was to prevent war."

She grew worried again as she put a hoof on his arm. "You something like this would happen? Why didn't you talk to us? We could have come up with a better plan then that."

"I am king, it is my job and duty to my people. My honor is on the line with this I cannot back down, with this act, I preserve my people and my honor. It was my only course of action."

She shook her head, full of sorrow. "Walk me to my room. We will discuss this in depth in the morning."

When they reach her room, he kissed her and said good night before walking away. She danced in place, butting her lip. "Spike."

He turned around, a distant look in his eyes. "Yes?"

She chewed her lip vigorously before replying. "Would you like to come in?"

He smiled, genuinely happy, but some sorrow was still in his eyes. "For coffee?"

Seductively, she leaned on the door and smiled. "But of course."

The roof top was cold as the young red dragon laid on the tiles. He knew his mission and was more then happy to do it. Next to him laid a female griffon. He looked to her and grinned. "They are both in her room, probably having an adult conversation." He chuckled at his own joke.

She ground her teeth together. "Just capturing them right Garble? No one gets hurt right?"

He snorted. "You're soft Gilda. She'll be fine, maybe him too, but I hope he resist and we have to kill him."

"That was not the deal. If Skrilla finds us, that's my job."

A deep voice sounded behind them. "Then it's your job."

They turned towards the large scared red griffon. "What the hell is going on?"

Garble rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"

Skrilla glared at the red dragon. "An answer. What are you doing?"

Gilda fiddled and answered, shame in her voice. "We felt that if we kidnapped the drakos king and his pony escort, we could prevent the coming war."

Anger overtook him. "What!" He yelled behind him as members of his personal guards went to action. "Save Spike and Rarity! Now!" He turned towards Garble. "There was no coming war! Not unless you've started one! As for you!" He turned to Gilda, disappointment filled him. "Aren't they friends of that Ponyville pony you care so much for? The drakos king, Spike, spoke highly of you. He said your mutual friend vouched for you."

Gilda began to cry. "I just don't want another war."

Garble sneered before yelling at the hotel. "Kill them both now!"

By the very feminine scream of pain, it seemed Garble was the only one who got his wish.

Spike was on the balcony smoking when he heard the screams on the opposite roof. He heard Skrilla and panicked. Rarity was in danger! He jumped back into the room in time to see three dragons holding Rarity captive, her eyes wild in fear. "Let her go or die slow and painfully."

They grinned viciously, than they all heard the order. "Kill them both!"

Spike looked back at the sound, but Rarity's scream brought his attention back. A dagger sprouted from her side, blood seeping out. Anger consumed him, his scales turned black, eyes green, purple flames coming from them and all around him. He raised his hands and green spears of light shot through the dragons. He stood over one of them, a purple one. "You're still alive, and you'll stay that way for about a day, but you will die, and the pain will be atrocious."

He gently picked up Rarity and ran down the hall. He had to save her. If he couldn't, life wouldn't matter anymore, and he would kill every last dragon himself.

Rarity squeezed her eyes as a bright light shown through her eyelids. Blinking them open, she looked around till she saw Spike sleeping at the foot of her hospital bed. She smiled sweetly. He was worried about her, she just wished he had slept better. She knew then, if they kept this relationship up, she would fall madly in love with her oaf of a purple drakos.

The door to her room opened up and Twilight stepped through. She looked at Rarity, tired and sad. She motioned for silence, but Twilight took no heed. "Spike wake up. I'll watch her."

Spike raised his head, apparently not asleep. "I'll stay too. I'm not leaving her."

"You have to. The drakos are causing a stir it Canterlot. You need to calm them down before a riot starts."

He looked at Rarity sorrowful. She smiled at him, but it didn't faze him. "What time does the trial start?"

Twilight hung her head. "Spike, I don't-"

"What time!" It was the first time either one of them had heard him bark at her like that, it mad Twilight tear up. "In a couple of hours."

"I'll see you there. AJ should be here by then." He stood on his hind legs and left.

Twilight took his spot and began to sob uncontrollably. When Rarity went to console her friend, she passed right through her. Spinning around, Rarity saw a sight that baffled and scared her. She saw herself, disheveled and wounded in the bed. She was a ghost.

She heard two sets of laughing voices. Both were from her nightmares. Walking through the wall came king Sombra and Nightmare Rarity.

Sombra grinned viciously at her. "You're dead darling."

Nightmare rolled her eyes. "No dear, just in a coma, but you have a choice, one that effects all of the world. Do you want to live, or pass on."

Rarity looked at them deadpan. "I wish to live, of course."

Sombra laughed. "It's not that simple. You have four days to watch and decide. After that, well, the choice is yours."

Rarity stared at them critically. "Why offer me this choice? What is in it for you?"

"Absolutely nothing. Spike gave you this choice. His magic gave you this choice. By all rights you should be dead and never coming back."

Nightmare stepped forward and quieted Sombra. She turned to Rarity and spoke softly. "We are servants of Shadowfang. Spike's magic is of our master, who discovered a way to bring the dead to life. I am a product of said magic. If too much time has passed, you either get mindless zombies, or living energy, like me. The same will happen if it is forced upon the subject. If early enough, the only way you can return as you were is to willingly take it. Spike unwittingly accessed that magic to save you."

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating, loved the magic lesson, but why are the two of you here?"

Sombra's laugh shook Rarity to her core. "Already been answered. We work for Shadowfang, this is his magic. He called us here to bring you back to life."

Shivering, Rarity looked on aghast. "You can't mean!?"

Nightmare smirked. "Oh yes darling. Spike is to become Shadowfang reborn, and you have been chosen as his queen."

Ragnarok

Spike stood before the mighty doors of the great hall of Canterlot castle again, only this time he wore his war torn cloak instead of a tuxedo. At that moment, he wished he hadn't clipped his antlers off. After a moment, he realized he didn't care anymore. Concentrating, two sets of sharp ebony antlers sprouted from his head.

Sun Tail touched his leg. "Thank you sir, now you look the part. We are all behind you sir. Even though some of us don't agree with you, we adored lady Rarity. She made us feel worth something. With your leave, every drakos that I have informed has demanded Ragnarok be declared."

Spike narrowed his eyes. "Last option. I'm glad I can use it now. Vengeance will be had, that I promise."

Spike kicked the door opened, entering the hall with his war armed escorts.

Skrilla and Gilda where on their way out when stopped in surprise. The Elder and brown dragon stood next to the throne. Celestia sat upon the throne, a look of concern on her face. Standing before the throne stood Garble, who was smirking at Spike. "I see the rabble made it."

Spike roared with such ferocity that even his own guards quacked. He turned to Celestia. "Gilda is pardoned for the deception over her. The other, I demand him."

Garble laughed. "What, you need a replacement maid?"

"Your skull shall adorn my armor, next to your co-conspirators."

Garble lost all humor and stared horrified at Spike. The brown dragon interrupted. "You dare interrupt a court session for a petty squabble?! Leave at once!"

Spike bared his fangs and claws, but stopped as Sun Tail touched his leg again. Stepping back, Spike motioned him forward. "I apologize for his Majesty. He is angered by this ordeal. A dragon has attempted to assassinate our king, and a lady of high esteem. By all rights, that is an act of war, one the drakos are ready to act upon, but our king is different, he has mercy."

Twilight walked in behind Celestia, and Spike's eyes lost all emotions. Celestia didn't notice. "So, mercy is one instead of many? What will you do with him? Will it be justice or vengeance?"

Spike stepped forward, blank. "Are they not the same. Justice is but vengeance of the law. I demand his head or war."

The elder dragon turned his head to Celestia. "To spare Equestria, you have but one choice. There is nothing you can do now to stop this. Do it, I will handle it."

Celestia lowered her head and cried softly. "I relinquish the prisoner back to dragon custody. Equestria wishes no part in this war." Her tears grew as she saw Spike's stoic face. Small licks of purple flames coming from the corner of his mouth. She turned to leave and began to sob silently as she saw Twilight's horrified expression.

Spike turned to the brown dragon. "The ponies have opted out of this matter, that will make it easier. Give me Garble or war will follow."

The brown dragon laughed. "No, and you can not declare war without forfeiting your life."

"So be it, but I will drag every dragon to hell with me as I go."

Shock covered his face and he looked worried at Garble. "He is my son, I can not give him up."

"The drakos have declared Ragnarok, will you forfeit him to appease our furry?"

The Elder and Celestia looked on in horror. The brown dragon lowered his head in shame. Twilight stepped forward. "If I may, I have never heard of Ragnarok. What is it?"

The elder dragon spoke softly. "It is worst than war. Every drakos, young, old, male, and female, give up everything that is their own and declare that they will only eat the food of their enemies. To survive, they must kill all of their enemies. No dragon to be spared. Kids killing kids. It requires the drakos as a whole to agree, but if it has been proposed, then every drakos In Canterlot must have asked for it. It is extinction of the dragon race."

Twilight tearfully turned to Spike, pleading. "Spike, my number one assistant, you would not want this? This is not you. Why would you condone war and death?"

He growled at her. "Please show me respect in such a setting Princess Twilight, and to answer your question, no, it is not my will. I want Rarity to be fine, and the head of the dragon responsible. I am willing to go to war for that. The drakos have few allies, and less friends. So when six pony ambassadors appeared in the drakos home lands, wanting to be not just allies, but friends, they got a nation of friends. They came to me, demanding I lock them up for their own safety, I told them no, that it was wrong to treat friends that way. I told them all, we would fight to protect them. That is what I do now. Not for vengeance, but a display. That we are not weaker for becoming peaceful, but more powerful for having friends. I failed to protect her, but the world will know not to try again."

Twilight sobbed. "She would not want this!"

"She is comatose, I will prevent further threat. I tried talking like she wanted, now I must act."

The Elder is spoke softly to Spike. "If I may. She still lives. Would you agree to have council with just me and Celestia? I wish to sway your mind in an other direction."

Spike lowered his head. "I agree. If she lives, I will consider your advice." The drakos growled till he raised a claw. "If she dies, so does Garble. If contested at all, Ragnarok will reign as the dragon's last moments.". Before any more could be said, Spike was out the doors.

Rarity sobbed in her corner of the hall. Being a ghost had given her the chance to snoop on this meeting, she could only take so much crying over her prone body. She looked over at Sombra and Nightmare a card game of sorts and shook her head. "He's willing to exterminate an entire race over me?"

Sombra rolled his eyes. "Such a romantic, our little Spikey Wikey."

Nightmare sighed. "I remember a drakos who did that for me, fond memories. Got a three lord of nothing?"

"Go fish Queen of lacking. A penny for your thoughts Rarity."

She, very unladylike, sneered at them. "It is cruel and wrong of him. Why would he do that?"

Looking very serious, Nightmare put her card down. "Love. Ponies see love as a great gift that overcomes all, and it is. It is also the source of all evil. It causes hate, vengeance, fear. Pain and fear of loss, vengeance on those who cause it. Hate of scorn and rivals. Love is a great weapon, for good, yes, but evil as well. A great example would be Shadowfang and our idiotic Sombra here."

The evil king stopped looking at her cards to look up. "Yes. I did what I did for a pony I loved, vengeance on those who scorned us, and to give her a kingdom. Unfortunately, she rejected my offer of the throne. Nightmare here is the product of Shadowfang trying to bring his love back from her grave. As you can see, not quite a success."

"To the depths of Tartarus with you weeping child."

"After you derelict queen."

Rarity shook her head at the two. "Childish, the two of you are worst then my sister and her friends. You have a point, but that does not excuse Spike of his acts of violence."

Nightmare shook her head. "If it were he on that hospital bed, what would you do?"

Bedside Manner

Rarity had trouble as she looked around her hospital room. She was trying to look at anything other then Pinkie Pie bawling over her still body. "You have to get better Rarity, you have to! We miss you so much, it's not the same without you! Please get better! I'll be a better friend, I'll help more with your dresses, I'll give you better parties! Anything, I'll do anything you want me to, just get better!"

Tears streamed down her eyes as she tried to console her friend. "You did nothing wrong Pinkie. I could never ask for better friends."

Twilight entered with a meek and heartbroken Fluttershy. When the door opened, Pinkie Pie bounced back to her normal cheerful self, if only as a Facade for Fluttershy. "Hey girls. I had a nice chat with Rarity, I think she'll be okie dokie. She'll get better and we'll have a big welcome back party. Think we should get a dress for her when she gets out of here? She probably hates these gowns she has to wear in here."

Twilight smiled as she ruffled her mane. "Sounds like a wonderful idea Pinkie, but first, business."

"What kinda business sugar cube?" Applejack and Rainbow Dash stepped into the room, Rainbow never looking up.

"Spike. We all know he's been in love with Rarity for as long as we can remember, so this hits him hard."

Fluttershy squeaked out as she fussed over Rarity's mane, crying softly. "It hit us all hard."

Applejack sighed. "It hit us all hard, but war seems extreme. I know what ya mean Twi, but what do we do about it?"

Rainbow Dash spoke soft and painfully. "Nothing we can do. Only a few ponies out there who could change his stubborn ass and one is in that bed. Ya know it's cause of us he's doing this, so this doesn't happen again. He always tried to help us, protect us, when he was smaller." Rainbow Dash jammed a hoof at Rarity without looking at her. "Do you really think she needed as much as help as Spike gave her? She knew he just wanted to look out for us! You didn't see him when he first came back! When he showed up in Ponyville."

Fluttershy squeaked and stood ridged. "When he killed all of those ponies?"

Applejack stepped forward, angry as she looked at Rainbow Dash. "Stop. You're gonna scare her. Scare all of them."

Rainbow shook her head. "Good. Cause Spike is the reason for all of this. He's scared, just like we are. Scared she'll die. Scared we'll all die, every day. Scared cause it's going to be all his fault."

"He scares me." They all turned to Fluttershy who was crying. "His teeth, his claws. I see blood on them, pony blood. He is not the little Spike I know and love."

Applejack raised a hoof. "Look, I see where this all's comin from, but our problem is war. When need to stop him from starting a war, not how we feel about him now. We need to stop him before he becomes like Sombra, or worst. He's my friend, so don't want it to get harder, for him or us."

Twilight stepped forward. "I agree with Applejack. Unfortunately, his only council is the elder dragon, princess Celestia, and his drakos councillors. Even I can't get to him."

Pinkie Pie bounced in place. "Me and Rainbow Dash talked to him today. Before coming here as a matter of fact."

Rainbow Dash growled at all of her friends. "Yeah, he said stay out of it. You still don't get it do you? When he came to Ponyville, he was still the same old Spike, just smoother. I didn't understand how he got so calm, till Bloody killed Rarity's dad. As he killed the same ponies that killed her dad, and tried to kill me, I got it. He was soft, WE made him soft. He gave them a chance, just so he wouldn't have to do what he had to. It broke his heart, but he did it, for us, me and her specifically. To keep us safe. He's a drakos, a protector, and he'd die defending us. Now a whole race will too. The only way to stop them, is to give them up to the dragons. They would do it too, kill their selves for us. Spike's been doing it since he left. So yeah he's scary now. He scares me too, at times, but I get it. He's hurt, dying emotionally. Our job, as friends, is to help heal him, not change his mind. I'm outta here." She walked out of the door and froze.

Rarity went to see what had spooked her but stopped when she heard his voice. His hurt and trembling voice. "Thanks. I know what to do now." Spike.

Rarity watched helplessly as Spike slept at the end of her bed. She longed to comfort him, council him, help him however she could. Sombra however, chose to laugh at him.

"I bet you wish I had killed them all now! Hahaha, rejected and feared by your own friends. Poor poor Traitorous King. If only if only, why not kill the bastard? Kill him and all his family and be done with it. No politics, be like your ancestors. Hahaha."

Surprisingly, it was Nightmare who helped her with Sombra. "Silence. She contemplates. We must let her be."

"No, you annoying wisp of ignorance. Our job is to guide her to a decision, not pat her head and sooth her wounds."

Rarity's anger turned to curiosity. "Guide? I thought you were here just to watch me? Are the two of you suppose to help me choose whether or not I come back or...." She waved a hoof at her body. "Leave it all?"

"Yes princess. Was it not obvious?"

"No, I simply thought you were meant to annoy me."

Nightmare smiled and giggled. "He maybe. I, on the other hand, am here to convince you to live again."

Sombra smirked. "I death."

"I still do not see why I would ever choose death."

"Nightmare leave us."

"Yes shadow king."

Sombra had a stoic expression as he watched Nightmare leave. He turned his eyes to Rarity, his voice steady and unemotional. "You are already supposes to be dead. That wound was fatal. Magic saved you, and not Spike's magic, Shadowfang's magic. The more Spike uses said magic, the more it corrupts him. Don't you think his scales look darker to you? Good bye for now princess."

Rarity looked at Spike and how he did indeed have a darker colour. "Wait-" but Sombra was gone. She hung her head in sorrow.

"I'll kill them all, every last one of them for hurting you. I won't let them hurt anypony else I care about."

She looked at Spike. He had not been asleep at all, a pained look in his eyes. "I would take my own heart out to bring you back and keep you safe." He stared at her comatose body. "I failed you, I failed your dad, I failed myself. I'm so sorry." He buried his face into her leg and wept. Rarity wept behind him, desperately trying to hug him.

Learning Drakos

Spike stood opposite Fancy Pants and Blueblood in an open garden of the castle. Spike's ward and the drakos Duke, Sun Tail, stood to the side next to a large red drakos guard, Red Claw, the drakos general.

Spike stood battle ready, a wooden short sword in hand. "I know why you wanted a dual. You can't persuade me to change my mind."

Blueblood held a practice fencing sword in front of his face with his magic. "Who said anything of the sort cousin, I merely need to disgrace you to let off some steam. It will be like when we were kids."

"Ha, not likely. I'm much better now."

Fancy Pants stood with a wooden broadsword. "Are we going to stand here or are we going to fight?"

Blueblood rolled his eyes. "It seems our mentor is in a hurry to lose."

"I may be old, and slightly disabled, but I am more then capable to lay you two upstarts on your backside."

Blueblood jumped, thrusting at the older pony. Fancy left the blade resting on his shoulder and simply caught the blade in the cross. He thrust the hilt into Blueblood's nose and chuckled. "Good thrust, but too much force made you lose balance and you couldn't recover."

Blueblood wiped his nose as Spike jumped over him, bringing his sword down in an arc. Fancy turned to his side and raised the sword over his head. He threw Spike's sword back and swiped his legs as he landed, tripping him.

Fancy Pants laughed as the two stood up. "Magnificent, improvement from you both, but reckless. Blueblood, remember, there is no true advantage. Every advantage is a disadvantage. I'm old yes, but that gives me experience. Spike, you're fast, but remember to keep control. Steady does it just as well."

Sun Tail looked to Red Claw as the three continued to do battle. "General, the ponies are excellent warriors. Is that why we lost to them?"

Red Claw smiled at the inquisitive young drakos "Yes and no. This pony is an exception to them all. They had by far more in number. They are indeed good warriors, but they fight in packs. No one pony fights alone. Even our king, who fought for the ponies had a partner. A red pony they called the Silent Blade. On their own they are to be feared, but together, they are a true nightmare. Do you understand?"

"I believe so. Thank you sir."

"To question is a true gift. You are welcome."

"Sir?"

Red Claw rubbed his Duke's head. "A pony philosopher once said that. To dream and question leads to understanding and learning. Betterment of ones self is the only true way to better our world. I bettered myself by watching these ponies. Their notion of friends may be a weakness at times, but it is their greatest strength."

"Is that why you started the rebellion against the duke?"

"No." Red Claw sighed and looked down at his claws. "I did that after I had met his majesty in battle. He nearly sacrificed his life to save one of his troops. He was only about the size you are, and a terrible warrior at the time, but he flung the pony out of the way. The previous duke was the offender, and gouged out a portion of the side of his face. You can still see the scar. What's more, he attempted to keep fighting to allow the retreat. He would have died, had the Silent Blade and reinforcements not arrived. He had the true heart of a drakos. I do not follow him because he is king, but because he is good. You know this, he has taken you from hard existence and given you a home."

"I do not know if it was founded though. I can not be duke. I am not good enough."

"And that is why you will be fine. You will also have me and his majesty to help you."

"Thank you."

Spike walked forward, tired and looking sore. "Hey you two. What you up to?"

Sun Tail beamed. "Philosophy!"

Spike placed a hand on his head. "Great I love philosophy. I had a great teacher."

Applejack walked through Canterlot next to an orange drakos. They were looking at different fruit stands.

"So Shimmer Tongue, how ya been doin with the garden?"

Shimmer Tongue sighed. "Not so well my friend. My Apple trees just will not grow big enough. I must be doing it wrong."

Applejack smiled at her drakos friend. "Probly. But at least they didn't die on ya. You're sure improving. When this mess blows over, I'll stop by and take a gander."

"Thank you, how is Lady Rarity by the way?"

It was Applejack's turn to sigh. Not so well. I'm scared she won't make it."

Shimmer Tongue went to try and comfort her friend when a tomato smashed into her face. Her head flew to the side from the unexpected assault. She sneered at the offending dark blue pony as she wiped the juices off of her face. "Why would you choose to attack me as I walk! What have I done to you?"

The pony stood glaring. "We don't want your kind here lizard. Crawl into your hole and die!"

Shimmer Tongue went to reply but Applejack placed a hoof on her to silence her. "Ain't worth it sugarcube. Ain't worth the time a day."

Shimmer Tongue just bit the insides of her cheeks as Applejack lead her off.

When they were out of sight, Shimmer Tongue roared. "I was never even in the war! Why attack me!?"

Applejack placed a hoof on her back. "Don't let it eat ya sugar cube, they just angry, need somepony to take it out on. It's wrong, but that's what war does. Anger and distrust cause all kinds a problems. Pin it on the poor saps close enough that they can blame."

"Yeah well I'm not some poor sap, I could rip him in three. He's lucky that pony law is so forgiving. In Fangthom, he would have been given the choice to face me in mortal combat, or flogging and hung over the city square as a coward till I chose to let him down."

Applejack stared aghast. "That's barbaric! Why would y'all do that?"

Shimmer Tongue glared. "Honor, vengeance, anger, take your pick. It has been wonderful AJ, but I can take only so much insult to my culture. Have a good day." She left a stunned, shocked Applejack behind. Lost in her confusion.

Silver Tooth was an odd sight to begin with, but bouncing up and down next to Pinkie Pie only amplified it tenfold. From a distance, he looked majestic with his silver scales and slender body. Nothing like the brutes the ponies believed the drakos to be, until they got close and saw how scared he was. One eye was perpetually closed by a scar that ran over it and over his lips, giving his smile a malicious look. A large went from his shoulder to his hip across his back and three of his fingers on his front left claw were missing. Thousand of smaller scares covered the rest of him. He was known by all warriors for never using a weapon except his claws and teeth. His kill rate is incomparable, and has no better friend then Pinkie Pie.

Silver Tooth stopped in front of Pony Joe's doughnut shop and stared transfixed. "Pinkie Pie, what is that delicious lookin circle? May we try some?"

She hopped around in excitement. "Yeah! I haven't seen Doughnut Joe in like forever. You'd like him!"

When they walked through the door, all eyes turned to Silver Tooth, not a welcoming smile anywhere.

"Hey Joe!" Pinkie was leaning on the counter, waving hysterically at the pony in back. When Joe came out, he nearly dropped the tray of doughnuts he was carrying.

Anger covered his features. "What the hell is he doing in here!"

Pinkie just smiled. "He's my friend! Silver Tooth, meet Pony Joe, this is his place, he cooks the best doughnuts ever! Toothy here wants to try some of your awesome doughnuts!"

Joe glared at the drakos. "We don't serve his kind here. Get out!"

Pinkie deflated as she stared at the floor. "But, but why?!"

"It was his kind that killed my brother!"

"But he's not bad! He didn't-" She frantically searched around the room for help but everypony just glared.

Silver Tooth just placed a claw on her shoulder. "I will just leave. They would not understand, nor accept my honor."

Joe spun and glared even harder. "Your honor?!! Understand?!! We were at war moments ago and now you expect honor and understanding?! My brother died protecting his species, his ponies! You'll get no sympathy from me devil!"

Silver Tooth bowed till his head touched the floor. "I want no sympathy, nor will I give it. My father died believing he was protecting his own. He was deceived, I was deceived. In that, we lost our honor, and I give what little I have left to your brother. I have had no greater honor then to face the courageous ponies. They had more fear then any race, yet more resolve. It was an honor to loss to you, and I pray to Shadowfang that your brother looks on in peace. His goal accomplished."

Pinkie watched as pools of liquid covered the floor under her friend's face. "They thought we killed the king, and Spike when he was an egg."

Joe deflated, depression sinking in. "Everyone out. Please just leave me." Joe levitated a picture from a high shelf and brought it to himself, tears landing on the glass.

Pinkie Pie was lead out by Silver Tooth and they sat on the side of the road. When Pinkie next spoke, she was hysterical. "Why?! What just happened?! He's mad, you're sad, why can't we just smile and get along?! How can I get a pony to smile after his brother dies?! How can you smile after your dad died?! What do I do? Why are you not angry? Is there really any point to it all!?" She was huffing and crying when she finally calmed down.

She shook her head and wiped her eyes. "Sorry, I'm a very passionate pony. I can get out of hoof at times. That was wrong of me."

Silver Tooth shook his head at her. "Nothing wrong with anger and sorrow. It passes over time. While neither disappears, over time, it gets easier. While I'm still angry, and very sad over my dad, I found something to keep me going. At first it was to redeem my father and I, but now I have a pony better then that. You have shown me a better way, a more honorable way to fight. Hope is the greatest strength and weapon, and it starts with a smile. I can smile now thanks to you. With time, and help from a friend, maybe he can to. Come on, we have a lunch date soon. Can't keep the good news locked away forever."

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'll be there soon. Go on without me." When he was gone, she turned to the store as Joe locked the front door.

He turned back to look at her. "I heard the lizard from inside. He's right ya know. Sorry I yelled at you, you didn't deserve that."

The corner of her lip turned up slightly. "It's fine. You must be really mad, and sad. Sorry about your loss, I couldn't even imagine."

"Two years and it still hurts like dragon fire. Like he said though, hope for tomorrow is a strong thing."

"And a smile can bring about all kinds of funny goodness. Maybe I could throw you a party one day, we'll make it a happy haircut day or something. To get a smile from you."

"You just did. Thanks Pinkie, you're a good friend." A small smile appeared on his lips and he walked away.

Pinkie, a smile on her own lips, went to meet her friends.

Knowing Drakos

Rainbow Dash flew at incredible speed, looking beside her, her opponent was keeping up. A blue tinted grey drakos kept pace with her, running down the track at incredible speeds. The drakos rolled, falling back a bit, before springing forward in a leap, passing Rainbow by a nose. Rainbow smirked and shot forward with a burst before settling down, a head in front. It didn't last as fatigue finally got her and Rainbow slowed down, the drakos stopping as well.

The drakos spoke in an aged gravelly voice as she sat in front of Rainbow Dash, her breathing even. "Better, twenty more laps then last time."

Rainbow heaved as she nodded. "Yeah, thanks Blue Tail. I'm getting the hang of this distance thing."

"You already had the hang of it, now you are just improving it beyond that."

Rainbow rubbed her wings. "Ya know, I never asked how you got so good."

"Still haven't." Blue nearly cried as she laughed at the look she received. "Young today, so serious. I'll tell, I was a scout in the zebra war, lots of plains, lots of running. Didn't help that the zebras used potions to enhance their selves. Once spent three days just running in that war."

An amazed look crossed Rainbow's face. "Wow, you must have been amazing!"

"What! Still am kid. Kept pace and did just as much as you did today. In fact I could go another couple-" Blue stopped, her eyes wide. She clutched at her chest and fell forward, holding her head just an inch above the track.

Rainbow Dash grabbed her friend and screamed. "Help, somepony help me! My friend needs help!" No pony answered, no pony came.

Fluttershy stood outside of the Canterlot General Hospital, waiting silently for White Spine, her friend, to come join her on their way to meet Twilight and the rest for lunch. When he finally came out, he was exhausted and actually walked into the door before he opened it and joined her.

"Sorry to make you wait so long. Rarity is doing great by the way. She's almost completely recovered, they're just waiting for her to wake up."

She smiled sweetly at the white drakos. "Wonderful, I'm sure the girls will love to hear that. How was your lecture?"

"Tiring, somepony took offense when I compared drakos and ponies anatomically, but the rest was fine. Most of the doctors had a blast. Unfortunately, we all had a lot of practice treating drakos last night. It seemed a few ponies got it in their head to terrorize the drakos who just moved here. It got bad, then a couple drakos fought back and tore up a few ponies. Ugh, so depressing, let's not talk about work."

Fluttershy was pale as she nodded. "So, any cute ponies like you hopped?"

White Spine whined. "Yeah, and we hit it off great. I had hope till his fiancée showed up."

"Sorry to hear that. Maybe the next one will be open for you."

"Thanks but I have a feeling I'm going to be an old cat guy. Just me and all my cats, no sex around."

Fluttershy blushed deeply. "Um, let's talk about something else."

White Spine had an evil smirk as he bumped her. "Aww, I had forgotten how that word made you blush. Have you ever done it though? It's quite fun."

"Oh no. I'm not like that, I don't just sleep with anypony. I want it to be with the one I love, and only them."

"How sweet, a virgin on your wedding day. That's romantic, to late for me, but still romantic."

Fluttershy looked away, a pained expression. "Yeah, virgin."

White stopped and stood in front of her. He chased her eyes until they met his. "You're not, are you. You ok?"

"Yeah, it's just a bad memory."

"Rape?"

She shook her head furiously. "Oh no, nothing like that. We were dating back in school, it was graduation. We were at his house, his parents were gone. We kissed, and well, you know."

"Did you want it?"

She just stared at the ground for a moment before she shook her head. A tear fell to the ground.

Spine covered his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut. He reached out and squeezed her into a hug. "I'm sorry, I'm an ass for bringing it up. Whatever the case though, I'm here for you, I'm here."

Fluttershy sobbed hard into his shoulder, releasing years of sorrow.

They sat in the road like that for a long time, a friend comforting another.

Twilight sat quietly in a tea shop, a pile of books on the table. She took a sip of her tea and looked at the steaming cup on the other side of the table. The bell on the door rang and she smiled as Red Claw entered the shop. He waved and smiled at her, a twinkle in his eyes. "Princess. A pleasure as always to see you."

"Please, my friends call me Twilight, and you are a dear friend of mine. Sit, I ordered for you."

He sat across from her and sipped his tea. Bliss in his face. "Mm, just the right amount of honey and milk. Thank you."

She put a hoof to her chest and looked haughty. "I am the princess of friendship. I take pride in knowing my friends."

"You know that's not why you are the princess of friendship."

"Oh, do elaborate."

"You care. About your subjects, about your enemies, and especially your friends. No matter what."

A sad look came across her face. "How can you tell?"

"You are having tea with a grizzly old war veteran drakos who desperately needs a friend and teacher, when you could be learning."

She smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you. I got you those books you were interested in. I figured it would be best, the librarian said you were starting to stink her library up with your sweaty self in the mornings." She giggled and looked up at him.

He smiled sadly. "Thank, but that was not the reason. She is a dear, but not all of the occupants of the library feel I deserve to be there. Tell her thank you for me, and thank you as well."

Twilight lowered her head and sighed. "I'm sorry. It must be hard for all if you here. Prejudice still consumes most ponies, and apparently the dragons too. How do you stand it?"

"The Shadow Tome says to embrace the fear for it shows your strength and their weakness. With it so, conquest and rule becomes indomitable. I chose to follow another source for guidance though."

"That would be?"

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Twilight cocked her head sideways as she listened inquisitively.

"A pony long ago had spoken out against hatred, he was unfavorable in his time, even assassinated for what he had done. Because he stood up though, Equestria is what it is today. Pony philosophy of love and friendship has become my guidance. That my friend is also why I fight for his Majesty. Not because he is the rightful king, but because I believe in him and he is a good king."

Twilight looked solemnly into her tea. "Do you agree with this Ragnarok?"

"Yes, I was the one to offer the choice to the duke. It was from there we addressed the other drakos to put it through."

She looked up in shock and saw his dark, stoic face. "But why!? It goes against everything you just said?"

He sadly shook his head. "No, it doesn't. It is not out of hate I choose this, but love. Love of your species and mine. It shows that we are still warriors, no force can or will stop us. You can either be a friend who we defend to our last breath, or an enemy who will fall."

Twilight slammed her hoof into the table. "That's too excessive! You are talking about kids killing kids! No mercy! Starvation on both sides! How is that in anyway okay?!"

"War is inevitable for us. We will go to war with the dragons, no its ands or buts. The drakos as a whole, me included are just hopping to scare them into leaving ponies alone."

Twilight began to cry, but before she could respond, an explosion and jets of flames erupted from around the castle.

Shadowang's Brood

Spike stood with his arms crossed, glaring at the two ancient beings before him.

Celestia glared back, her lips pursed. "No Spike, I am not kidding."

Spike flung his arms up and yelled. "No! By all that I am no! Never! Will not! I would die first! Garble must die for his actions so this never happens again!"

The elder dragon gave a low rumble. "It avoids blood on all sides, is vengeance so consuming that you can not see reason?"

"Yes! Blood has already been spilt! My heart removed and torn apart! The mare I love is on the verge of death and my drakos, who were becoming open to peace now scream war again!"

"They are the spawn of Shadowfang, it is in their nature to war."

"No, I am a spawn of Shadowfang. They, are just the product of their environment. When the dragons banished the drakos to the desert, they became tough. Now the dragons fear their own creation."

"We did not create the drakos as they are. Shadowfang is the one to deserve credit for that."

"They banished the servant class because of the actions of one. Most drakos still have anger over that. Do the dragons still have fear and fury over Shadowfang?"

The elder huffed. "You make a valid point young one."

Spike's anger grew. "That's just one point of my subjects. Not only was the attack done in mutual ally borders, but one of said ally's citizens was caught in the cross hairs and now lays dying."

Celestia nodded. "Point again, but that one for me. She was an Equestrian ambassador, attacked in Equestria. Thus the responsibility falls upon us to take action."

"Yes but you relinquished responsible to us for a decision of this matter. She was an ambassador to my lands and in her time there had gained the loyalty of all drakos. If it was me in that bed, she could stop war from coming, but I can't because it's her. We vowed to protect her with our lives, I failed."

The elder dragon spoke softly. "So it is vengeance you seek, or redemption?"

Spike's scales darkened. "Vengeance, and a message. The drakos are to be feared, and what's more, our friends are protected. We let no insult or harm to pass by unnoticed."

Celestia sighed. "Is there a way to do that without bloodshed?"

Spike shook his head as his colour returned. "No, I'm afraid we can't find a way. The dragons have already decided on war without the elder. They may even attack Equestria. They have to learn now, before war destroys us all."

The elder huffed. "They would not dare to attack our friend Celestia and her ponies."

As if to contradict him, an explosion went off at the castle and several dragons roared fire into the air.

Spike looked sad as he turned to the elder. "Fear and anger creates monsters with no mercy. I have lost my mercy."

Rarity stared wide eyed as fighting and a massacre happened in the streets of Canterlot. Ponies ran to her as fire licked at their heels. Horror filled her very being.

Sombra danced between corpses. "Ah, look at all of this beauty. Death and destruction, a favorite of mine."

Nightmare shook her head. "Look at this fool. Have a little elegance and grace. The less ponies living, the less slaves we have."

Rarity turned to them both. "You make me sick! Help me to my body, I need to fix this!"

Sombra smirked. "Are you sure. In death you miss this, and what comes next is by far worst."

"I must help my friends! I can not abandon anyone, no matter the cost!"

They both bowed to her. "As you wish Queen."

Her eyes shot open and she looked around the hospital room. Nurses ran by and the building shook but she did not care. She ripped tubes and wires out and stood on shaky hooves. She had to get outside.

Spike ran through the streets, machete in hand. He looked over his shoulder, making sure the big green dragon was still after him.

The dragon was smart enough not to get too close, and stayed to the air just far enough to breath his flames on Spike. He failed to notice the red drakos spring a close by tree.

Red Claw reared back his arm and thrust his sword through the dragon's eye. He jumped as the dragon fell and landed next to his king. "Sir, all pony guards are rounding up survivers and moving them to the garden. It seems many of the dragons have evacuated to that location too. What do you make of it?"

Spike pushed Red Claw away as he jumped onto a pony as flames engulfed the two. Red Claw pulled a spear from his holster on his back and threw it into the dragon's wing joint, grounding it as several pony and drakos guards pounced upon it.

Spike helped the pony up. "Go to the garden for safety." He then turned to Red Claw. "It's a small insurgency in the dragon numbers. A last ditch effort, it won't work. They have to know they will lose, I'm more concerned about the innocent involved. We need to wrap this up fast. Have all drakos go on the hunt. Every dragon in this city must be found and if hostile, eliminated. The ones not involved must be placed in the garden and secured in case one wants to act victim."

"Sir." Red Claw saluted, but paused before leaving. "You're right sir, they must know this won't work. Maybe it's a distraction?"

"Just what I was thinking, and I may know what for. Orders still the same, go, I'll handle this."

As Red Claw left, Spike looked up at the castle. His scales darkened.

A drakos fell in front of him, and without looking, he picked up the dead soldier's sword. He blew purple flames on the blade, which disappeared before coming back, through the mouth of the dragon who killed his drakos.

"Death to those who kill what we hold dear."

Rarity wobbled to the entrance of the hospital, and stopped in her tracks as she saw a sight she could not comprehend. Discord stood before her, arms crossed and completely serious. "And where are you going dear Rarity?"

She shook her head. "What does it matter. I must help!"

He pinched his nose. "It's too late for that, you have been tainted. You could have saved all of us, now if you try, you doom us all."

"I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"It means that if you love Spike, Fluttershy, any of your friends and family. You will disappear so that Spike can never find you. I know about Sombra and Nightmare. Their plan is you."

"What?" She stared into black behind him. "How?"

"You've become Nightmare Rarity again, her power courses through you even now. With a spell from Sombra, the more you are around Spike, the same will happen to him."

She closed her eyes and felt her power, the Nightmare power she now had. Tears streamed her eyes. "No."

"I'm sorry."

"What do I do?"

"I'll take you to my brother. He will keep you safe my dear. As safe as he can be at least."

She looked up at his stoic stare. Her lips trembling. "Can he fix me?"

She could have imagined it, but a tear seemed to fall from his eye. "Nothing short of the full power of an elder god can save you, and none of them will ever help."

"If I do stay, what will happen?"

"Shadowfang's soul will consume Spike's as he takes his body."

Rarity wiped her eyes as steel entered her. "Let's go."

Spike stood in front of the castle's main hall doors. He kicked the doors down and growled at Garble, his father and two of their personal guards. None of them were big dragons, Garble being about his height, the other three just about two heads taller. They were by far out matched.

Garble sneered. "Well if it isn't the little lizard king. How are you little lizard?"

Spike growled back. "Good, now I can kill you legitimately."

Garble rolled his eyes and snapped at the guards. They pounced at Spike.

Spike rolled to the side, slashing deep into the back of one, before throwing his machete into the chest of the other.

"I want this personal, no weapon."

Garble panicked a moment before anger filled him. "I'm an actual dragon, not a poor imitation! What can you do?"

In a flash, Spike had his claws wrapped around the dragon's throat. "I fought in a war and lived. I killed many, what's one more?" His scales black now, two grey wings sprang from Spike's back, his ebony antlers shone, his eyes turned green as purple magic trailed from them. His grip grew stronger as every part of his grew sharper and more angular. "I will kill you, because of Rarity, the drakos, the dead ponies out there, for me. Because my world will be better and safer without you."

He felt the bone in the dragon's neck pop, and released the body. He turned to the brown dragon, now a head shorter then him. "Now it's your turn."

The brown dragon shook violently, fear, all he knew. "Please no! I'll fix this! I'll fix it, please spare me Shadowfang!"

Spike laughed. "I will, and you will fix this. You can trust me on that."

After the Dust Settles

Spike sat in the chair he had been sitting in ever since Rarity had been hurt. Only difference was that Rarity was not there. He was back to normal, his antlers had even fallen out, but he felt even worst then before. He felt a hoof on his back and looked to see Twilight behind him.

"She's alright, I just know she is."

Spike dropped his head. "She has to be." He spread his claws and looked down at them. "This is all my fault, I brought this plague on Equestria."

"By defending us? None of this is your fault."

He shook his head. "The drakos pony war was because of me, my very existence. The power I used to help win the war was what Sombra wanted. The dragons feared that power and my connection to ponies, feared that together we could wipe out all opposition, and they're right. Me and this power it's the bane of this world. Some times I wish I had died in the war."

Twilight did the unthinkable, she hit him upside the head. He spun around clutching the back of his head, and saw uncontrollable tears streaming down her face. "Never, ever! Never say that again! We lost too much because of that war, losing you too, would have broken me! Not to mention the rest of our friends! We love you Spike, never forget that. Please don't even think like that. You saved a lot of ponies, and talk like that makes what Sunrise did pointless. Ponies and drakos believe in you, you can't let them down."

He rubbed his face and groaned. "You're right Twilight, but I can't change how I feel. Like it's all my fault. If not for me, Rarity might still be in Ponyville, having dinner with her dad. It hurts when I think of all the times I failed. I failed Sunrise, Cloudcutter, Cliphoof, Sugar Cane, the list goes on and on. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, her dad, Burns. I've killed and let those around me die, I've saved no pony, I brought a plague."

"You saved me." He looked up at her as she smiled through her tears. "If not for you and Celestia, I never would have made friends, never learned to open up."

"You saved me." They looked up at Fluttershy and a large group stood at the door. The quiet pegasus stepped forward. "Sorry to interrupt, but you showed me to be more, do more. I became a nurse, after the war. If little Spike can help and get stronger, I can too. I met White Spine, who got me over my fears of dragons and drakos, and still helps me get stronger everyday."

White Spine stood next to her. "You saved me, I'm no longer an outcast in my own kind for trying to save lives instead of taking them."

Applejack nodded. "You saved ma precious family. You kept ma brother safe an brought him back."

Silver Tooth bowed. "You gave me my honor back, showed me the truth." His side brushed Pinkie Pie's lightly, who looked down smiling. "And you gave me the best gift of all. My smile, my purpose, and all I could hope for."

Pinkie just blushed. "Hush you." She looked at Spike and smiled so brightly, she glowed. "The war nearly made me loss myself, but your letters gave me hope. Hope for tomorrow and the next day. Plus ditto what he said."

Sun Tail jumped around waving. "You saved me from the streets. Now I get to eat every day." His smile was bright and he grabbed at Red Claw's claw.

The drakos smiled as he took his young duke's claw. "You gave all of the drakos hope and freedom. We all see our errors, and you led us to redemption. I thank you my king, for the future of my species."

Rainbow Dash slunk in, her heart in pieces, but a mission on mind. "Blue Tail passed, just before the attack." The mood of the room had just gotten happier, till then. All eyes lowered, except Rainbow's, she held her's high. "She told me thanks for giving her the wind again. She said you gave her freedom and life back. She would be mad at you for regretting that. And I still miss Sunrise too, but he would hate you for it too. I never would have met him if it wasn't for you." She touched her stomach gently and smiled through tears. "We'll always have a piece of him though. He would be proud of us so we need to be proud of us."

Every tear filled eye looked on in shock and joy. Spike blinked rapidly. "You're pregnant?"

She nodded and the room became a clamor. Spike and everyone in the room crowded around her, no one could suppress it. Finally they left the room, and only Spike remained.

His sorrow was evident as he laid his claw on the bed. That was when he saw the note. A corner stuck out from under the pillow. He grabbed it tenderly, expecting it to have been from Rarity. Confusion and surprise was what he got, the note was from Discord.

'dEAr spikE. hOW Gows ET) nOW DoN B MaD- i toOkED yOUs pRinceSS' ShE b SafEd WitH i broHAN tWOs KeEP YOus saFELy sO No lOOky K'

Spike rubbed his eyes at the insane letter, and at the contents. It gave him a headache, and hope. Rarity was safe, and he would find her. He looked out of the window and saw Discord shaking his head.

Spike shook his head back and crumpled the letter. He glared at his friend blew smoke out his nose. He would find Rarity, even if it killed him.