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A life is such a short thing. It begins and ends so quickly, never given the chance to become something greater.
Very few are given this chance. Some make good of it, while others squander it and use it for their own desires.
In the end, everything must die,
Even me.
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The light shining through the window confirmed that Celestia’s sun had risen. Twilight Sparkle had studied all night, again. She sighed heavily, annoyed at herself for letting this happen again.
It had been a week since Discords return. Ponyville had reportedly been hit the hardest and the repairs were being overseen by a royal contractor. But the largest concern was the mental health of the affected townponies. Insanity had overtaken only a few ponies, the worst of which being Screwloose, but it never hurt to be cautious with these sorts of things.
Moving was a chore for Twilight, the combined effect of a sleepless night, and an intense study session. Why did she do this? Not even she knew. She had started pulling all-nighters ever since Discord was defeated. Rarity thinks it’s because she’s afraid of having nightmares, making her distract herself from sleep.
Obviously that wasn’t true; Rarity was just overreacting, common behavior for her.
“Twilight?”
She turned her head towards the voice. It was Spike, standing at the top of the stairs trying to rub the sleep out of his eyes.
“Oh! I’m so sorry Spike, did I wake you up?”
Spike shook his head as he walked down the stairs. The lavender mare noted that his eyes were baggy, a telltale sign of a sleepless night... “Oh no… Did I keep you up all night?”
He shook his head, “Nah, you didn’t keep me up...” his voice trailed off, as if he suddenly forgot how to speak. “…I just didn’t sleep well last night.” He added.
She placed a hoof on his forehead; it wasn’t warm so a fever was out of the question. “Twilight, I’m fine.” He assured her.
She wasn’t so convinced. The purple dragon was hiding something from her. She removed a hoof from his forehead, smiling at him. “Alright…” She was sure he was hiding something, but she decided to drop the subject for now.
“So, is there anything you need done today?” He said in a bored tone. Spike seemed eager to leave the library. Probably wants to go see Rarity. She chuckled softly at the thought.
She thought for a moment, listing all of Spike’s weekly chores in her mind, before shaking her head. “You know what?” She said as she placed a hoof on his shoulder. “You can have day off, I think you’ve earned it.”
He shook his head, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Are you serious?” She nodded. The little dragon was absolutely beaming, he hadn’t had day off since the Cockatrice incident. “Thank you so much Twilight!”
She brought Spike into a hug, “Your welcome, Spike.” She pulled back and pointed a hoof at him, her tone changing to a more commanding one. “Just be back before sunset, alright?” He nodded gingerly, before racing out the door in a purple haze.
She shook her head, chuckling at the dragon’s eagerness, before yawning. A little nap wouldn’t hurt…
As she walked up the stairs ever so slowly, her thoughts wandered to her assistant. What could possibly be bothering him? Could it be Discord? Or maybe it’s… Her head was filled with theories, but none seemed to make sense.
Twilight finally gave up when she entered her room, sighing as she walked toward her bed, “Guess I’ll just sleep on it… Celestia knows I need it.”
She had nearly fallen on top of the bed when she saw something on her assistant’s basket. It was a piece of paper, with letters hastily scribbled on it with a pencil.
Now normally she would respect her assistant’s privacy, last time she had read something on Spike’s bed she found some rather... personal thoughts on Rarity. But curiosity got the better of Twilight. The piece of paper floated over to Twilight’s face, the handwriting was atrocious. But she could still make out her assistant’s unusually bad handwriting.
I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes I hear someone talking to me. It’s a voice I don’t recognize. It’s deep, like a stallion, and commanding. He yells at me. Tells me I do not deserve to be called a dragon, and then he tells me to go to the Everfree forest. What could possibly be in Everfree?
I want to tell Twilight, I really do, but every time I try I choke up. Today I can’t lie to her. I have to tell her about these dreams. Why am I even writing this?
I hope she finds this, I don’t think I can do it.
Twilight place a hoof in front of her mouth, she should have asked him! She should have known something was wrong...
She needed to find him, tell him she knew and comfort her assistant, as a guardian should.
A sudden jolt of energy sent Twilight down the stairs, she swung open the door with magic and galloped across town as fast as she possibly could.
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The light of day shone bright everywhere, even in the darkest of caves, to the annoyance of one slumbering creature.
Perhaps it was his preference for night that leads him to hate the sun. Or perhaps it is what the sun represents to him. Her. Her and those insufferable little ponies!
Even the thought of those creatures makes him sick.
He intentionally forgets that name. That name that has caused him so much pain and suffering, that name that won't leave him alone!
Fitting how there is reminder of her in the sky every day.
He slowly turned his head towards a row of sleeping dragons, only days old.
This was the first flock he had sired in ages, and what a flock it was. Consisting of three males and two females, they were superior in every way to his previous broods. No imperfections to be found, perfection in every sense of word.
Perfection, some say there is no such thing. He liked to believe that he was living proof of perfection.
The creature turned it's head towards the entrance of the cave as he felt a faint presence.
He could feel him, he was getting closer and closer to the Everfree forest.
Good, He thought, he can finally return home.
He walked toward the entrance of the cave slowly, sparing him the pain of adjusting to the sunlight. The beast’s attention was directed towards the puny settlement the ponies called “Ponyville”. And they say ponies are creative…
Ever since that hatchling had entered that miserable town just outside the forest, he had watched him, waiting for him to get close enough to take him home. He was outside of the sphere and he had devised a plan to lure him into it. He chuckled at the simplicity of it. Invade the hatchlings dreams and simply convince him to come to the forest. Simple...
His head turned to the sleeping children, his mind focused on them, he sent a mental signal to wake up and they did just that.
“Children, it is time to prepare to welcome your new brother,” Their only response was a combined look of confusion. “He will be here for a good deal of time.”
The children nodded obediently, knowing how foolish it was to disobey their father.
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Twilight rushed down the road to Rarity’s boutique, ignoring greetings from the townsponies in her rush of urgency. She saw the boutique ahead, she was almost there.
Unfortunately, Rarity opened the door just in time for Twilight to run straight into her.
She screamed in pure terror, not expecting to be tackled by her lavender friend. “Dear sweet Celestia!” She yelled. “What has gotten into you, Twilight?”
Twilight ignored Rarity’s question by asking another. “Have you seen Spike?” She was in a state of panic, the thought that she may be overreacting never crossing her mind.
Rarity shook her head, pointing a hoof to the path that lead out of Ponyville. “I saw the little darling walking down that path ten minutes ago.” There was a concerned look on her face. “Is there something wrong dear? Is Spike okay?”
Twilight closed her eyes as she hung her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong, I read a note on his bed a few minutes ago that said he was having nightmares.” She raised her head to look the fashionista in the eye. “He didn’t have the courage to tell me about them.”
A saddened look crossed Rarity’s face. “My poor little Spikey-Wikey is having nightmares?” She smiled at Twilight, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “Please, go. Don’t waste your time with me; you need to be there for him.” Twilight nodded. She wrapped her hooves around Rarity in a hug. She let go of her friend and galloped toward the dirt road that lead directly to the Everfree Forest.
Everfree…
Oh no! She was close to panicking. He’s listening to the dream!
Before she knew it, Twilight was standing in front of the Everfree forest. She was worried that Spike may not have actually gone in there. He may have just gone to Fluttershy’s.
That’s ridiculous; he never goes to Fluttershy’s…
Her hopes were dashed when she saw a small purple dragon running through the trees.
She spared no time to make pursuit, but it seemed all for naught. The closer she got to her assistant, the faster he ran. This chase seemed to last forever and Twilight, not being the most athletic pony, was running purely on adrenaline that had been bottled up for years.
Turn after turn, she chased her assistant through the forest, passing several familiar locations. One of which being Zecora’s hut. Zecora herself called out to both of them in her usual rhymed speech, attempting to invite them in for tea. She frowned when both of them ignored her.
When Spike reached a clearing in the forest, he stopped. Twilight, startled by the sudden motionless dragon, did her best to stop without running into him like she did with Rarity.
She was gasping for breath, the sudden increase in exercise taking its toll on her body. Her muscles were burning. She hadn’t run this much in her entire life. Spike remained motionless in the middle of the clearing; the only indication of being alive was the slight raising and lowering of his shoulders.
Twilight, still catching her breath, slowly crept over to Spike, looking for any indication that he knows she is there.
“Spike, why are you running from me?” She crept closer and closer until she was only inches away from him. “Whatever is bothering you Spike? I can help you, don’t ever believe I can’t help you Spike.” She smiled as she wrapped her forelegs around her assistant. “No matter what, I’m always here for you. You’re not only my number one assistant Spike. You’re like my little brother.” Spike didn’t respond at all.
Twilight only hugged him tighter. She sighed, closing her eyes. “I know it’s hard, but you have to let it go, they’re only nightmares. They aren’t real.” Spike took a deep breath, words trying force his way out of his mouth.
“I am not your little brother.” Spike said in a monotone voice. “You can’t help me. You will only make it worse. Like all ponies do.” Twilight couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She felt a twinge of pain in her chest. She let go of her assistant, as she looked down grimacing. “Spike…” She said, trying her hardest not to burst into tears at her assistant’s apparent hatred for her. “Why would you say such things, I thought you were-“ She was cut off by her assistant.
“You thought wrong. Leave. Go back to that miserable little town. I never want to see your face again!” he yelled at her, his emotionless voice became one of unimaginable anger. “I hate you!” He placed extra emphasis on that dreadful word.
Spike would never say those things, ever. She stared at the small dragon for a few moments, before suddenly grabbing him by the shoulders and spinning him around to face her. She hadn’t expected the sight before her.
His eyes were no longer that beautiful emerald shade she was accustomed to, but a sickening crimson. He no longer had pupils. Instead there was only a sea of glowing red.
She screamed. Falling onto her back as her assistant stood over her. “You’re not Spike!” She yelled, as she pointed a hoof at him accusingly. “What have you done with Spike, you monster!?” Spike frowned at Twilight, shaking his head. He turned around and ran on all fours into the thick vegetation that surrounded the clearing.
Twilight heart was racing. What happened to Spike? The question flew around in her head like a hungry parasprite, she didn’t have the answer. In all her years of continuous studying, she never heard of anything like this. Red eyes, no pupils, aggressive behavior… nothing came to mind.
Though the situation was still dire, she was relieved that it hadn’t been Spike saying those words. She wouldn’t know what she would do without her assistant. He had been in her care since she was only a filly. She smiled at the memory of how he used to always suck on the end of his tail, and how he cried hysterically when she tried to make him quit.
She was nearly lost in the nostalgia before she shook her head. I have to find him. Whatever has happened to him it’s my job to fix it. She turned her head in the direction that Spike went. She focused her energy into her horn and constantly imagined Spike, everything from his first birthday, to what he said to her this morning. She felt his presence, it was faint, but she could feel it.
She ran into the vegetation, closing her eyes as to allow the spell to take full effect. Moving in the darkness was a small dragon shaped aura. That was definitely Spike. Twilight ran towards it with renewed energy, she was determined to get her little brother back and nothing could stop her.
Except for a stone wall, that could stop her.
Okay, note to self. Pay attention to where you’re going…
Twilight lay flat on the ground. Her head was spinning, and she was pretty sure an impact like that could cause a concussion. Because of the impact the spell had failed, she had lost sight of Spike. Twilight sat up and placed a hoof on her forehead as a loud groan left her mouth.
She turned her head to the stone wall she had run into. It was definitely not natural. There were strange carvings on it, another language perhaps? There were pictures as well, a dragon, a pony, and a gem.
Wait, she had seen those symbols before! In an old book on dragons, the symbols were commonly used to tell story’s among dragons. One symbol would tell an entire story, and this wall was covered in them! The academic possibilities, if only she could translate them!
She shook her head. No! I’m here for Spike. Family comes first!
Spike had to be here. He had always wanted to get in touch with his heritage. He had been asking what he was and why he wasn’t like the others since he was only a hatchling. Whatever is behind this wall, had to be where Spike was.
Twilight started to circle the mountain that the wall was lodged in, looking for anything, an entrance preferably. Luckily, she didn’t have to look far. A huge cave was only a few yards from the wall. She tried to make out any kind of detail from outside the cave. Unfortunately, the only detail that met her eyes was the blackness of the inside. A muted sound echoed out of the cave, something or somedragon, hitting the ground.
She took a deep breath. She had to do this, for Spike.
Even if it was for her number one assistant, she still couldn’t shake the lingering fear of whatever else might lurk in that cave. She cautiously inched herself into the cave, not using a light spell out of fear of being seen by anything or anyone.
“S-Spike?” Her voice echoed through the cave, repeating the name over and over again. This cave was huge.
She heard a small sound, and then it grew, and grew, and grew. Until it shook the ground, it was footsteps, and they didn’t sound like something friendly.
She frantically looked in both directions, searching for something, anything, to hide behind. Luckily, there was a large boulder to the right of her. She dashed towards it, crouching behind it to lower the chances of being found. As the creature moved closer, Twilight closed her eyes, hoping whatever it was wouldn’t find her.
It stopped. The only sound that could be heard was the howling wind from outside the cave. Then a sniff, she never realized it could have smelled her. It sniffed for a few more moments, before silence retook the cave once again.
“Why are you here?” The creature spoke in a deep, like a stallion, and commanding voice.
Wait...
Another sniff, “It hasn't even been a year!” It was angry at someone, but who? “Your agreement stated that you would only come here once a year… So why are you here again?” His words were met only by silence. “Answer me Celestia!”
Celestia? This creature knows Princess Celestia!?
Twilight didn’t have time to think, as she was lifted into the air by a clawed hand. She still had her eyes closed, but she could feel the creature breathing on her. “P-please… Don’t hurt me…” The creature stopped breathing for a moment, before breaking out into a fit of laughter.
She opened her eyes, which widened as she saw the creature holding her was a dragon.
From the sound of the dragon’s voice, she thought he would have been older. But in truth, he was much smaller than the other dragons she had seen. His eyes… he had those same vermillion eyes that Spike had.
His scales were the darkest shade of purple, nearly camouflaged against the blackness of the cave. He had obviously seen his fair share of battles, scales were damaged or even missing from his body, along with a large X-shaped scar right below his chest.
As he laughed, flame shot out of his nostrils with each intake of breath. “It’s always refreshing to see you ponies in situations like this,” His voice had taken a much quieter tone. “In the clutches of a dragon, with no escape in sight, no “friends” to help you. Just to see those tears fall from eyes as you realize that you won’t live to see those “friends” ever again, is a pleasure…”
He chuckled as her squeezed his claws together, causing Twilight to scream in agony. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t crush your weak little bones.” He squeezed harder, causing Twilight to scream even louder. “I thought you were somepony else…” He spat out the word “pony” like it was poison. “If you were her, I would be doing something much, much worse.” The pressure was unbearable, she felt like she could snap at any moment.
“Please stop!” She begged.
Her pleading fell upon deaf ears as the dragon continued to squeeze. He was putting just enough pressure on her to cause extreme pain, but not enough to crush her bones. He’s done this before.
“Why should I?” He asked, as if he expected an answer out of her. “I’m tired of you ponies and your meddling. You can’t simply leave me alone. “No! We have to make friends with it!” Well I’m sick of it; I’ve wanted to do this for years!” He laughed, like all of this was a joke to him. And it probably was.
He was toying with her, his laughter continued as he ran a claw up the side of her neck, leaving a small cut on her cheek. She didn’t react at all, Twilight was completely still.
He glared at her, his grip still tight. “Come on. Struggle, scream for help, fight back!” He raised his voice. “Fight back!” She didn't,
The violet dragon sighed, defeated. “I’ve had my fun with you, I think it’s time we end this…” He traced a claw around the nape of her neck, causing Twilight to shiver at the sudden pins and needles sensation.
“Stop!” She pleaded, gasping for air as he wrapped a single claw around her neck, cutting off her air supply. “Stop…” As the beast strangled her, Twilight’s vision began to blur, the world was slowly fading to black around her.
Whoever this was… he had Spike, and she couldn’t save him.
The reality of this situation hit her like a ton of bricks. Spike was here, and she, his guardian. Couldn’t save him… She would let this dragon win.
Twilight’s eyes grew heavy; all thought processes changed into a collective shriek for air, a shriek that would go unheard.
“Oh… How cute, it’s falling asleep.” He chuckled softly. “I wish I could put you out of your misery, but I mustn’t go against my agreement…” He couldn’t hold in his laughter.
The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was the dragon finally making eye-contact with her.
"Your alot like her you know... You have great power within you, perhaps I shall let you live."
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Our first meeting was… less than pleasant, to say the least.
Perhaps I didn’t know my own strength…
Who am I kidding, I did that intentionally.
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(AN)
First fanfic, hope it wasn't too horrible. Constructive criticism is appreciated.
Darkness…
Twilight awoke, only to meet the blackness of the cave. A hoof was brought to her forehead, rubbing it lightly. What a headache… Was the first thought on her mind.
“Father… It is moving.” The voice was young, probably a child. Twilight jumped slightly as she felt something nudge against her.
The lavender pony heard sounds of movement, pattering of tiny feet.
“It is dreaming, Aliik. Leave it alone.”
She recognized that voice, it was that dragon…
That means it didn’t kill me...
The librarian was nudged once again, a gentle breath against her back. “What is it dreaming about?” Another voice asked.
His response was unexpected. “I cannot peer into her dreams as I do yours, I could never know what she dreams of.”
Once again, she was nudged, but this time she heard the creature sniff. “She smells funny.” Another child spoke, this one female.
The much older dragon sniffed the air. “It is lilacs.” He paused. “It is a flower ponies… enjoy.” He seemed different, his tone of voice much more calm, yet keeping that same commanding air.
The lavender mare’s ears perked at the sound of footsteps, they sounded like something… waddling. The purple mare instantly knew who it was the second he spoke “What are you going to do with her?”
Spike!
The older dragon chuckled deviously. “Perhaps we shall feast on her… I have not dined on pony-flesh in ages…” The dragons surrounding her ceased their poking and prodding at the mention of food.
“Can we eat her father?” The one called Aliik asked with great curiosity in his voice.
“Don’t you dare hurt her!” Spike yelled at the older dragon. “You will not hurt he-!” Spike was cut off; his breath was ragged and laborious.
“You will not raise your voice at me, Darius!” He snarled. “Her fate will be decided when she awakes, you will have to wait until then.” Something slammed into the ground, making an audible “Smack!” followed by a pained groan.
“Don’t call me that…” The purple dragon whispered with anger in his voice. “My name is Spike.”
“Your name is what I wish it to be.” He spoke matter-of-factly.
Twilight decided she had enough; she pulled herself to her hooves, grunting as her body refused to listen. “Spike!” Her voice echoed through the cave, repeating the name over and over again. With only a single thought light flowed out of her horn, creating a small circle of light around the unicorn.
For a brief moment, she saw five baby dragons huddled around her, before they scurried away into the darkness. Twilight turned her head to the source of Spike’s voice, seeing only darkness. “Spike?” She called.
Quiet footsteps sounded, running towards her. Before she knew it, her number one assistant rushed out from the shadows, and wrapped his arms around Twilight’s neck. “Twilight!” The lavender mare brought her assistant as close as possible, hugging him as tight as she could.
“Spike! Are you alright? Are you hurt? Did he-!” She was silenced by Spike placing a claw over her mouth.
“I’m fine.” He responded.
“I was so worried… I thought I’d lost you.” She hugged him tight, burying his face in her neck. Before pulling back and pointing a hoof at him. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again!” The lavender unicorn went right back to hugging her number one assistant.
They were interrupted by a clearing of the throat. “While this reunion is… touching, we must discuss a few things.” Loud, earthshaking footsteps were coming towards them.
Only the dragons head peeked out from the shadows, an almost unnoticeable smile on his face. The first thing Twilight noticed was his eyes. His eyes were no longer an intense red, but a soft blue.
“What’s going on? Why kidnap Spike?” Twilight asked, her forelegs wrapped around Spike defensively, refusing to let him go. “Who are you?”
The dark purple dragon tilted his head at Twilight, before clearing his throat again and speaking clearly. “I go by many names. The griffins dub me as “Loauka”, while the dragons prefer “Okarion”. But, for simplicity’s sake, you shall refer to me as “Kore”.”
Twilight frowned at the dark purple dragon. “Why did you kidnap Spike?” She asked, her grip tightening even further on Spike, as if he was about to steal him away once again.
The older dragon raised an eyebrow at her, giving her a look of disbelief. “You really do not know why I kidnapped your “brother” as you call him…” He sighed, pointing a claw at his chest. “I am an older dragon, with a similar color scheme to this hatchling. I have stolen him away from you, his self-appointed guardian, and taken him to my cave. Why do you think this is?” He deadpanned.
Twilight thought for only a moment, before realizing what he was implying. “You’re… his father?” Spike’s eyes widened, turning his head towards Kore.
He shook his head in response. “No.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow at him, her mouth opening to speak before being cut off by the dragon. “The hatchling belongs with his own kind, and I am willing to take care of him.”
The ground beneath them shook as Kore walked closer to them, the light revealing his entire body. The lavender mare jumped back as the dark purple dragon lowered his head to eye level with her. “I am his real guardian.” He blew a ring of smoke out of his nostrils, causing Twilight to let out small coughs. “This means, he must stay here.” His gaze shifted downwards to the small dragon in the pony’s arms.
A defiant look was on the young dragon’s face, he held on to Twilight as tight as he could, burying his face in her chest. His words were muffled, but understandable. “I’m not leaving her!” He yelled.
The dragon frowned at this, his face scrunching up in anger. The soft blue shade of his eyes shifted to a sickening crimson. “You have no choice in the matter!” He yelled, small sparks of flame erupting from his mouth. “I shall spare her, if you come willingly!”
The young dragon gasped, looking Twilight in the eye, before turning his head towards the older dragon. He sniffled.
“Will I…ever see her again?” Spike asked, on the verge of tears.
His only response was a flat and uncaring. “No.”
The older dragon’s face scrunched once again, his eyes shifting colors once again, this time to an emerald green. “You have ten minutes to say your goodbyes.” He turned, walking out of the circle of light, his footsteps shaking the foundation of the cave.
“Spike…” Twilight whispered, her voice cracking. “Don’t go…please don’t go.” Tears were flowing down her face, as she let out quiet sobs. This can’t be happening…
She couldn’t imagine living without her number one assistant, her little brother. He had always been there, ever since that fateful day in Canterlot, when she hatched his egg. Their first conversation was one that Twilight would never forget.
It had only been a month after the exam, Twilight’s parents had been reluctant in taking in the baby dragon, but Twilight had insisted that the dragon was ‘her responsibility’. So, the Sparkle family was forced to welcome the baby dragon with open arms.
The filly’s parents had yet to give the hatchling a bed, so Twilight had to improvise, finding a basket and pillow to use as a makeshift bed. The past week had been hectic; the filly was tired, almost forgetting to put the little dragon to bed.
“Good night, Spike.” She said, as she placed the blanket over the dragon.
The dragon had been able to speak in short sentences at the time, but his vocabulary was limited. “Twilight?” His gaze was questioning.
“Yes Spike?” She had asked with curiosity in her voice.
“Are you my mommy?” He asked, gripping onto the blanket, his eyes wide.
Twilight frowned, placing a hoof on the baby dragon’s forehead, running it over the little bumps that had developed in the past week. “I’m…not your mommy, Spike.”
The little dragon tilted his head, “Why?” he asked. “You act like a mommy.”
The filly thought for a moment, he does have a point… She thought. A child needs a role model, someone to look up to, to depend on. A smile lit up the filly’s face as she kissed the little dragon on the forehead. “Fine, I am your mommy then.”
The purple dragon smiled as he turned to the side, closing his eyes. “I love you, mommy.” He said.
The filly’s heart melted. As she walked towards her bed, she looked back and replied. “I love you too, Spike.”
After that day, the two had become inseparable; he had either forgotten or grown out of his habit of calling her “mommy”, but the connection was still there.
Spike had begun to cry as well, his face still buried in her chest, his sobs muffled. “I don’t want to go…” he said between sobs, her chest making his words barely audible. “But, I can’t let him hurt you, Twilight.”
“Five minutes.” Kore said, in a monotone voice.
Twilight fell on her haunches, forelegs still wrapped around the purple dragon. “Don’t ever forget me.” She whispered, her chin resting on his head. “I love you, Spike.”
Spike looked up at her, his face no longer buried in her chest. “I love you too, mommy.” He whispered back, his voice cracking as well.
“Two minutes.” Kore was counting down at this point, his voice having no emotion.
Twilight and Spike stayed together in each other’s arms, sobbing quietly for what seemed like an eternity
Earth shaking footsteps came toward them, causing them to hold each other as they look on into the dark expanse of the cavern.
Kore’s face peeked out from the darkness. The first thing Twilight noticed was that his eyes had once again changed color, instead of the previous emerald green, they were a light blue, almost cyan. “Perhaps…” He started, pausing for almost a minute, before continuing with obvious strain in his voice. “I have…made a mistake.” He looked away, hiding his face from them. “You two share a strong bond, a bond only a parent shares with their child.”
Both of them had stopped crying at this point, still holding each other.
The dragon looked the lavender pony in the eye. “I grant you full custody of ‘Spike’.”
She almost swore she saw the slightest glimmer of pain in that dragon’s eyes. “Why change your mind all of the sudden?” Twilight asked.
“It is a long story, spanning centuries,” He said. “A story, which you do not deserve to hear.” The cyan shade was gone, replaced by the previous emerald shade. “I shall show you the way out.” He gestured for them to follow, turning and walking into the darkness, his footsteps shaking the ground.
Twilight let go of Spike, still confused as to why the dragon had suddenly changed his mind. There was pain in his eyes, something must have happened to him… She deduced. The lavender mare used a telekinesis spell to lift her little dragon in the air, gently placing him on her back. “Let’s go home, Spike.”
Spike wrapped his arms around Twilight’s neck, leaning on her head and drifting off to sleep as she followed the older dragon.
The two were alongside each other, neither of them saying a word, before Twilight remembered something. “How do you know Princess Celestia, Kore?” She jumped back when the dragon suddenly turned his head toward her, his eyes a burning crimson.
“That is none of your concern, pony.” The dragon was gritting his teeth, growling at her.
“Alright…” She sighed, walking on with the dragon, once again looking up at the dragon and asking a question. “When you said ‘you’re a lot like her you know.’ did you mean Princess Celestia?”
The dragon slowly nodded, sighing. “While I cannot stand her and what she represents, I do respect her power.”
Twilight wouldn’t hold her tongue; her curiosity was peaked, causing her to ask questions in rapid succession. “Why do you dislike ponies?”
“Why do you ask so many questions?” He deflected her question with another, annoyance in his voice.
She was about to answer, when she saw the entrance of the cave in front of her. “Here you are.” Kore said, showing no emotion in his voice. “Never come again.” He said, turning around and walking in the opposite direction.
The lavender mare crossed her forelegs awkwardly, looking down at the stone. “Thank you…for letting me keep Spike.”
The dragon stopped, turning around and nodding at her. “Take good care of him.” He replied.
“I will.” She said, turning around and trotting from the blackness of the cave, to the darkness of the night.
It would be too dangerous to go in the Everfree forest at night; she would have to stay near the cave, which held relative safety. The lavender mare lay on the forest floor, keeping the sleeping dragon on her back so he would be comfortable.
The older dragon stayed on her mind, her more studious self wishing to hear his life story, perhaps filling the gaps in Equestria’s history that had yet to be recorded. But, what bothered her most was that something had happened to this dragon. Something so terrible, that it caused him to vilify ponies.
An hour passed, before Twilight heard loud footsteps from the cave and saw Kore poke his head of the entrance. Their eyes met for brief moment, before Twilight looked away. “Ah, I see.” He surveyed their surroundings. “The forest is awdangerous at night.”
The dragon walked over to the lying mare, and slowly lowered himself next to her, his gaze towards the sky. “It is a beautiful night, is it not?”
The mare tilted her head towards the sky, all the stars were out, lighting up the sky. “It is…” She replied, amazed at its beauty.
“It’s been two thousand years since the day I met Celestia, and refused her friendship.” The dragon said, his gaze still fixed on the sky. “I don’t regret my decision…”
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I remember that night fondly. I had told you a story that I had not told anyone in so long.
You listened, letting me ramble on about my past, only asking the occasional question.
Perhaps that’s how it began.
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