“That thing was an apologist?! You've got to be fucking kidding me.”

“Nope.” Spike and Bix replied as they watched the fire haired girl pace in front of them.

“Glad to see you both agree on something, but for once I want a clear answer to all this. So stop being vague like the assholes you are and tell me what exactly we’re dealing with here.”

“Well, if you’d just calm down and listen we’d be moving past this already.”

The banging against the metal door was growing louder alongside the screeching that was being muffled. Their undead objective was all too eager to interrupt the conversation if it meant getting to them faster.

“Shut up!” Sunset yelled towards the door before turning her attention back to the two sources of her headaches lately. “Bix!”

“Yes?!”

“Explain everything now!”

“Wha…. I mean, of course. Just put the gems away.”

“Good, as for you Spike.”

“What is it now? Like I told you before Sunset I…”

“I’m sorry.”

Spike was caught off guard by the apology directed at him. There wasn’t anything he could think of that she would need to apologize or at the moment but he knew by the tone of her voice and body language that she was sincere. It was a sight to see the usually headstrong, stubborn Sunset like this from all the times he could remember her as a baby dragon.

“I’m sorry for getting you wrapped up in all of this. I understand that you just wanted what’s best for me and I know that you’re trying your best to get us home. It’s even obvious that you know more about what we might encounter than I do.”

“Sunset…”

“But that doesn’t excuse you from acting the way you have been lately. I know you’ve been taught better than that. If you truly have been thinking about going back home throughout these years than I’m sure you remember everything Twilight has taught you. Tell me what changed, why are you like this? What made you this way.?”

“Fine but, let’s take care of our current situation first. It’s a long, long, story.” Spike could only look at the girl as she finished. His answer was immediate and his tone devoid of emotion. The demand for him to dig up his memories was something he expected from the girl, yet, he was still unprepared to share it.

“Thank you. Now then, back to the matter at hand. Bix?”

“My turn? Alright, so that thing out there is an apologist an undead one at that.”

“So if it’s an undead why do you still call it an apologist?”

“The book it has makes it an apologist. I’m not sure how the thing turned into an undead but the fact that it has that book means it still has some memory of before that. Undead usually mimic actions they’ve done while alive.”

“Like a kind of muscle memory?”

“Muscle what?”

“Muscle Memory. To put it in a way you’d understand, you pickpocket right?”

“Yea.”

“When you do it, do you ever think about it or does it come naturally?”

“I don’t think about it at all, I just do it.”

“That’s Muscle Memory, you’ve been doing it for so long that your body just moves without a second thought.”

“I think I get it. Anyways, back to the undead. If it has the book, then it just cast spells indiscriminately because of overuse during life. That book is designed for apologists so it’s mainly centered around healing.”

“That’s the part I don’t get. If the book can only use healing, then why should we run?”

“Well, if you’d just let me continue you’d know.”

“Sorry.”

“Right, well, like you said apologists are known due to their healing and that’s what makes them important but, it’s the books that are really valuable. Even inept people can master the spells inside despite having no training. Their spells will just have low effects until they can master them. Which makes them targets for a lot of bandits and thieves, which brings us to the main point. In order to counter the fact that they get preyed on so much the books are only given to those with enough training to use the attacks spells it contains.”

“Attack spells?”

“The bread and wine thing is an effect of one of those spells. It turns a weak enemy or whatever is weaker than an apologist views as one into that. The body becomes bread and the blood becomes wine. It takes effect instantly and both are high quality provisions for anyone.”

“Provisions? That spell is practically a death sentence for whoever it’s cast on! That was a human back there too! How can you just take it so lightly?”

“Why do you think apologists are the ones that have it and are protected to such extent? The books alone are worth a lot but the people that use them are all practically saints. There has never once been an incident where they use it on anything other than paradox beasts and deadly creatures.”

“Bix is right Sunset. You need to calm down.”

Sunset sat down and leaned against the wall opposite of Spike and Bix. She ran her hand through her hair and sighed. “So what are we going to do now?”

“Let’s look at our options. We need the book in order to get out of here with enough time for you two to prepare to leave. Sunset’s gem didn’t damage the damn thing so it must be a pretty strong undead. If it notices us, then it would more than likely cast that spell since we’ll be enemies. The big guy here can’t use his fire on it either so that leaves us with ambushing it or luring it into a trap.”

“Why can’t I set it on fire?”

“The book will burn along with it genius.”

“Oh, right. Then I guess we can only take it by surprise.”

“We should check around here and see if there is another way out. Let’s do it together this time. I don’t want you getting lost again princess.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Touchy.”

They searched the room to find the door was only held in a small corridor that led to a large open room. It stretched too far for them to see what it held in its entirety. As they walked further they came upon long tables filled with papers and writing tools. The tables were long and made of wood and each of them held two candle stands placed far enough apart to shine light on the whole table. They looked around the walls of the room to discover decaying bookshelves with contents long eaten by insects or time.

“What is this place?”

“Looks like a library.” Bix picked up some of the papers shuffled through them only to throw them back down. “Can’t read a damn thing, I don’t know what language it is and my book only works on spoken word.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask about that. You used that book when we first met and you could understand me. Does that mean only you can understand me besides Spike?”

“It helps me understand any and all types of spoken word. It does shit for written form. I’ve been using it for so long that it lasts a long time. I think a week at most but for beginners it only lasts for about six hours a day. It’s definitely a unique book and I could certainly trade it for a lot but not enough to just buy an apologist’s book.”

“How in the world did you manage to get a book like that?”

“Got it off a corpse.”

“Lovely.”

“Both of you mind searching some more. I don’t want that to be here any longer than we have to despite the task at hand.”

“It ain’t me, Princess here is just bursting with questions.”

“I told you not to call me that. Sorry, Spike we’ll get back to it. I’ll search the right side, Bix you search through the middle of the tables, Spike take the left side. Call out if you find anything.”

They traveled through the room and found it larger than they previously thought. At a glance it was already bigger than the rest of the rooms. They lit any of the candle stands they came across and the room started to brighten. Several times Sunset called out to bring attention to a few books she found in good condition only to be told they were, according to Bix, useless. She kept them regardless so she’d have something to read and hopefully learn later.

They were coming towards the end as the wall came into view but they noticed something blocking what might be a door. They converged in the middle with Bix and stopped several feet away from the blockade.

“What do you think it is?”

“It looks like a pile blankets. I say we have big guy burn them.”

“You want us to suffocate to death?”

“Sunset’s right. It might be convenient but not worth dying. Besides, there’s another way to get rid of it.”

“You know what it is Spike?”

“Yea, it’s a bear.”

“A bear?!”

“Shut up, geez you suck at stealth Princess.”

“I swear if you call me that one more time…”

“Enough, both of you move further away. I’ll take care of this.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Bix said as he moved and sat down at one of the lit tables several feet away.

“You’re going to kill it aren’t you?”

“…”

“Spike, I understand. This isn’t Equestria so everything is practically out to kill us. The human world taught me those sorts of things but I never expected someone I knew to be able to kill so easily.”

“If you understand then step back and let me do it.”

Sunset stepped back and walked towards where Bix was sitting. She stopped midway and came up next to Spike. “Be careful.” Was all she said before turning once more.

Spike turned his attention to the mass of fur and took out his short sword. He walked slowly as the bear’s body rose and fell with each breath. The closer he got the larger it seemed the creature seemed to get. Taking the short sword he plunged it into the back of it's neck and pierced through with all his strength. The bear awoke and unleashed a gurgled roar as blood accumalated within it's mouth.

It rose and slashed frantically as it's vision was dimishing. Spike backed away from the frantic flurry of death and bumped into one of the tables knocking it over. The noise alerted the bear and it pounced towards the disturbance. Catching the massive claws within his and avoiding the maw as it tried to devour him, Spike lashed his tail at the left side of it's body and dug into the flesh and fur with his natural daggers. Pulling the tail away he tore flesh from it's side kicked the beast making it stumble back. As it did, he bolted forward and held it in his arms; constricting it's movements as it struggled to get free.

The bear kept growling and gurgling as it lost the strength to struggle. Once it seemed the bear could barely move, Spike tightened his hold and crushed the bear's spine making it use the last of it's energy on spitting blood all over the dragon's face as it went limp. Throwing the corpse to the ground and wiping away the blood from his eyes he turned to see Bix approaching with smile on his face. He looked past the kid towards Sunset and realized that what he had seen before, when he found her in that dark room, was true. She had fear in her eyes, fear that he knew all to well as it was always directed towards him.

"That was fantastic! The damn thing never stood a chance!" Bix did his best to kneel next to the body of the bear and put a hand on it's body. "This is some high quality fur, if you aren't taking it mind if I do?"

Spike turned away from the motionless Sunset as he reached for the corpse. "I do mind. I'll take the fur and meat. It'll save me some time trying to barter for supplies when we get back to town."

"Damn, well if you don't mind giving me some of the meat then I can at least pay you for it. I know the kids back home would love to eat something other than soup and bread."

"Sure." Kneeling next to the body, Spike took out his short sword from the creature's neck and started to skin it.

"I think you might of scared the princess." Bix said in hushed voice. "She hasn't moved from there since you started to fight the furball."

"It's fine, she's just not used to seeing me kill anything. It's been a long time since we've seen each other so she has to come to terms with some things."

"Listen, I'm not an idiot. I know that there's something you two aren't telling me about where you're from and I get that, given the circumstances, I'm not in a position to ask about any of it. Though, I would appreciate it if you could answer just one thing."

"What?"

"You're not really a geckling are you?"

"..."

"Gecklings can't breath fire naturally, they don't have spikes on their tails, and they certainly don't have that much intelligence."

"You're right." Spike stopped skinning the bear and turned to Bix. "I'm not a geckling. Is that going to be a problem?"

"No. That's all I wanted to know. I won't ask anything else about what or who you guys are. Let's just get through this alive. I'd like to go back to the kids in one piece if possible."

"Sorry."

"It's fine... just take your shit out on the beasts in here and not me next time."

Bix, with the help of Spike, got up and walked back towards Sunset; leaving the bodyguard to work.

"Something wrong princess?"

"Wha..."

"Hello? You still with us?"

"Sorry, I just... I've never seen something so... so... brutal."

"This is the norm around these parts. I find it hard to beleive that you've lived such a sheltered lifestyle. Though, with what I've seen within the Domains, I guess anything is possible."

"Is Spike ok?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

"Yea... you're right. It's just... I..."

"You're scared of him aren't you?"

"What?! No! I would never!"

Spike turned his head to see what the commotion was about but Bix waved him off. He nodded and turned back to cutting the meat.

"Calm down."

"Sorry."

"Listen, I don't personally know what's going on between the two of you but I suggest you get used to shit like this more often. I mean, you took out a paradox beast and yet you have trouble with him killing a bear? I know I'm not one to say this but, stop acting like a child."

"You're right. I know you are but, I just need some time."

"Alright." Bix turned back to look at Spike and noticed most of the meat had vanished. "Looks like he's just about done. Let's get ready to go." The boy started on his way back to Spike before being stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

"Bix?"

"Yeah?" asked the boy as he turned to face Sunset.

"Thank you." She said before slapping him across the face making the boy lean against a table for support. "Don't call me princess."

"Fuck! Fine, geez." he rubbed his cheek as he watched her pick up the packs and walk towards Spike. "Gods damn bitch."

"Spike?"

"Yea, Sunset?"

"I'm glad you're okay. Anything I can do to help?"

"Check the area where the bear was sleeping with Bix. I can't see it from here but I can just about make out an outline of something."

"Okay."

As Bix caught up to her, they went to check the bear's nest. They found several bones and objects littered inside. Bix dug through the chewed bones and ripped papers that made the nest and found a couple of rings, bracelets and daggers. They were all in terrible condition so they'd only serve as things to be sold. The books that he found buried were too torn to be of any use. Sunset helped him in his task and found a book that was still in relatively good condition. She opened it only to face the language she had no idea as to begin translating.

"Is this of any use?"

"Let me see." Bix took it and flipped through the pages to find several illegible. It wasn't until he reached the back that he realized what kind of book it was. "Damn, it's a relatively good book but the spells that are legible are nothing we can use right now. The spells are pretty damn useless against that apologist."

"What are the spells?"

"Senseless Violins and Suck Heat."

"What?"

Bix sighed and turned to face the bewildered girl. "Senseless Violins is a spell that, just like it's name, summons some violins that cause madness to all who hear them for a time. When I say all, I mean all. Absolutely no one is safe from it, it even affects the caster."

"That sounds like a really stupid spell."

"Yea, Suck Heat is better by far but useless right now. It sucks the warmth of life out of your opponent and potentially freezes them to death. Unfortunately, you have to be relatively close to your target and it doesn't work on certain kinds of enemies with undead being one of those."

"That does sound more useful, but the fact you have to close makes it seem pretty impractical as everything just seems too deadly to even get close enough to try it out."

"Yea, it's certainly not a favorite. I can at least sell it when we get back."

"Wait. Do you mind if I keep the book?"

"Sure, I don't particularly need it anyways."

Sunset stuffed the book into her pack and turned to face the wall that was hidden behind the bear. A small door, half her size, made of stone and covered in intricate carvings was blocking their way. It had a pedestal similar to the one used to enter the current room only smaller to match the door's size. Before she could reach out and touch it, Spike grabbed her hand.

"What do you think you're doing?"

She snatched her hand away and stepped back. "I was going to open the door."

"Let me or Bix handle that." he said.

"Stop treating me like a child." Sunset walked past him and touched the pedestal. It lit up and small streaks of red were inching their way through it's cracks. There was a large crash from beyond the door and what sounded like stones grinding.

"What happened?" Bix asked as he came next to the pedestal.

Before anyone could answer the small door began to open slowly. It seemed to cover an inch a minute as another crash echoed in the room. An all too familiar shriek called out to them from behind and they turned to see two yellow orbs coming into the candle light. The metal entrance had opened and the apologist was coming; book glowing in it's decaying hand.

Author's Note

Nothing much to say. I'm quite in a pickle as I'm trying to write all my story updates, keep up with work, and work on a book with this same premise. Life is busy so please bear with me.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please leave a comment or critique as any critique helps me grow as a writer. Have a great day!