The Search

Chapters

Seen
Start
Warning
Story
Solution?
Hero
Lost
Setting

Seen

Rarity sped up to keep pace as her host, Form as he said to call him, walked down the hall. They entered into the main hall, and both sighed. Sitting atop his throne, a plain unadulterated thing, was Discord. Discord sat straight for once, with a furred purple cape, an overly decorative large crown on his head, and a scepter with a miniature of his crowned head on the end.

Shaking his head, Form raised his hand, throwing Discord across the massive hall. He sat on his obsidian throne, Rarity noting again the harrowing appearance it gave him. His pale features and stark white three piece suit was such a contrast to the black throne, most ponies would tremble in fear. She had when she first entered the hall and met the man. "Please quit sitting on my throne dear brother. You already cause enough of a rip in my kingdom just being here. What do you want."

Discord's hands appeared on Form's shoulders as he kissed him on the cheek. "Aww, can't I just come say hi to family?"

"No." Form gripped his hand into a fist and Discord appeared in front of the throne. "My power exceeds yours in my kingdom. Speak your peace and leave."

Discord crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Spoilsport. Fine, I'm here to give grave news blah blah blah." He turned and actually gave a serious look to them both. "Spike is coming here. Nothing can detour or stop him. What's more, Sombra is on his way as well. He's been gathering stragglers and remnants of Shadowfang's army. The end is coming, and soon. This prison will be a battlefield, winner takes all."

Form stroked his beard and closed his eyes. "Tell Celestia I will give her an answer soon. For now, delay the host and send me regular reports."

"What do I look like, your errand boy?"

"For now, yes."

Sighing and dropping his arms, Discord shook his head. He sighed again as he looked back up at Form, almost longingly. "Is there any possible way to be brothers again?"

Form's stare was hard and unforgiving. "There was at one time, but no longer."

Discord made no acknowledgment, he just snapped and was gone. Rarity went to ask Form just what that whole ordeal was about, but he stopped her with a raise of his hand.

"Please do not ask. I know you are the kind to be concerned for others, but leave this matter alone. If you refuse, you will share a cell with Terik. Please, I must get to work, leave us."

Rarity glared at him as ghostly apparitions of various species appeared in the hall. She stomped her hoof down on the floor, gaining the attention of all there. "I most certainly will not leave this alone, but you do seemed distressed so I will not press for details. I will however try and ease your burdens here."

He went to refute her but her glare was so fierce, it died in his throat. "You will not deter me. You need help, I can give it. Plus as you said, I will be here quite awhile, so I might as well keep busy. Ideal hooves and all."

Form laughed, it had been two thousand years since he laughed but he laughed. His servants and advisers stood stunned at the sight. He wiped the tears from his eyes as he stared at her in amazement. "It has been too long since a woman of fire has graced my hall. Very well. Cerberus needs a new dog house, I feel you may be more than up for the challenge. My stewards will give you the details and regulations. Now stay and listen so you can get a better understanding of just what this place is and why."

Rarity smiled sweetly as she sat next to his throne, taking note of everything going on in Tartarus

Spike glared at Big Mac, who glared right back. "I'm not asking you to come, just telling you I am going, and that you can't stop me."

Mac raised an eyebrow as he puffed on his cigarette. They sat outside of Sweet Apple Acres, as per their morning ritual. They use to smoke off of Spike's balcony in the castle, going thru all the trouble to keep Apple Bloom from catching his bad habit. They quit trying to hide when they found out she was preaching to Sweetie Bell, who recently picked up the habit, just how bad it was.

"I'd rather you stay here anyway, AJ's got a lot on her plate so it's pretty much you handling Bloom and the farm. This could go badly anyway. She may not be there, and we'll have gone to the worst prison imaginable for nothing. Not to mention, we'll be going to Tartarus to begin with."

Macintosh shook his head and reached under his yoke. He pulled out a shining green orb, just about the size of his hoof. "Nope."

Spike frowned. "Right, that's a good argument. You know this means we have to bring the other two, right."

It was Big Mac's turn to frown. "Eeyep."

"He's not that bad, I mean, he's loads of fun." Spike gave an awkward smile as Macintosh shook his head.

"You like him, ah get that, we all do. He's just too much for the rest uh us."

Discord's head popped out of the end of Big Mac's cigarette. "Aww, you're too kind Big Red. I can show you too much if you like." Discord winked at him as he dropped his cigarette. "So, have the two of you started the party yet?"

Spike rolled his eyes and smiled. "I leave in the morning, and again no. You can not change my mind."

Discord leaned against the barn, smoking Mac's cigarette. A pair of sunglasses and a fedora on. "No, but I know a guy." Macintosh glared up at the cigarette stealer.

"Could somepony please tell where to find this big purple buffoon of mine. He seems to think it is his job to save the whole damn world. Like some hero in a fantasy novel."

Spike smiled as he turned to the new addition. "Can I have a butterscotch old geezer?"

Fancy Pants rolled his eyes as he pulled a candy out. "Young people today, so rude. How are you my boy?"

"Better then before. I know what to do now, and not just brooding."

"Why do you have to do anything? Everypony, including Lady Rarity seems content with the arrangement."

Spike frowned deeply. "I'm not, you're not, none of her friends are, her sister and mother most definitely not. I can't leave her trapped there for my sake, it's my fault, my burden."

"Nothing can change though. You still can never see her again."

"It changes everything. Her life can go on, and I can sleep happier."

Fancy Pants smiled as he huffed. "Well that leaves us one choice then. Discord, it seems we are taking a road trip."

Discord's jaw literally dropped to the ground. He picked it back up and held it on. "But you were supposed to talk him out of it!"

"I know this boy better than most. Nothing, not even Celestia, could convince him otherwise. The best option left to us is to follow along and keep anything bad from happening."

Discord grumbled as he glared at the defiant drakos and held up a glowing red orb, just like Big Macintosh's green one. "Fine, but we have to bring one more."

With a snap, Shining Armor appeared. A blue orb appeared above his head, which then fell on it. He rubbed his head and glared at Discord. "You could have just waited, I was just at Twilight's castle. So when do we leave?"

Discord threw up his arms and hissed. "Does nopony care that we may be waking the most terrifying evil ever from it's exile!"

Big Macintosh raised his hoof, as did Shining Armor. Discord sighed. "Thank you."

Fancy Pants shook his head. "I have no such qualms. I do believe that our young king, prince, friend, and hero here can in fact do this. That he and Lady Rarity can beat these monsters."

Discord stared at him with anger and sympathy. "Only because you have yet to meet these monsters. Let me put it simple for you. He kills gods, and is a god of monsters. The drakos went from servant dragons to the most feared species because of him. He will rally all of the known and unknown monsters against Celestia and Equestria. I expect for a massacre within a day. From there, nopony or otherwise will survive."

"I believe in the hero." They all turned and looked at Spike. "This is the Rising, and if not today, it will happen. I feel him, he's stronger. Within a year at most, I will lose and he will be free. If the legend is true, a hero will arise to defeat this monster."

Discord shook his head. "The hero had the blessing of the old gods, as well as the combined blessings and gifts of all ten living gods. We all fought and most of us died in the struggle. Not to mention he now has Sombra and Nightmare. Oh yeah, we go, Rarity will be lost as well. Can you live with that Spike?"

Spike shook his head. "She won't lose. I have faith in her."

"She's not Twilight, she doesn't have the magical capacity to win."

"She has the heart to win."

"And if we get there and you both turn?"

Spike nodded at the red orb Discord held. "They can hold it off right? Just long enough to lock me away and throw away the key."

"Yes but-"

"Rarity, the softest, most selfless soul I know gets to spend an eternity away from her whole world, her whole life. Or I, a greedy, terrifying monster of breeding and a product of war, we all know just how dark I am, gets to spend eternity in a cage. Honestly though, I would rather the cage then have her locked away. That's all this is, locking away the worst of evils, and saving the damsel. What's there to argue."

Discord sighed. "Fine, you win. But I have an ultimatum, two to be exact."

Spike smiled sadly. "Name them."

Discord smiled wickedly in reply.

Start

Celestia stood in Form's kitchen, brewing a cup of tea. She blew on the cup as she sat on a cushion at the small servant's table. Rarity entered through the door and stopped. As Celestia smiled, Rarity stared blankly. "Princess! What are you doing here?"

Celestia giggled. "Stopping by to see an old friend."

Rarity looked even more confused as she rubbed her mane with a black hoof. "Who could you possibly know down here?"

"Present company excluded?"

Rarity straightened up and began to gain her senses. "Ah, well yes that does make sense I suppose. Hello princess, how are you?"

She smiled sweetly. "Spike is enamored with you to the point that he is going to risk life and limb to save you. While there is much to worry about that, it warms my heart to see that kind of love still exist today. I see you have mastered, to an extent, the Nightmare energies."

She looked at her reflection in one of the pans hanging above the stove. "Ah, this. Yes, it was not hard. You just have to remember that she is a living being, sort of. The powers are shared in our body so both of us may access them. With me in control of them, I have a slight edge."

"Be careful, this is uncharted waters. Not even my sister had such access to the Nightmare as you do."

"It's different with me. She's been dormant inside of me for years, beaten. It seems Sombra was the one who woke her up.

Celestia lowered her eyes to her cup, a sad smile in her eyes. "Yes, maybe so. He is quite brilliant."

She sipped her tea as Rarity danced in nervousness. "I'm sorry princess, I didn't mean to-"

Celestia raised a hoof and continued to smile. "Nothing to be sorry for. I'm fine."

Rarity nodded, her hoof making circles in the tile. "Princess?"

"Hmm?"

"Is Spike truly on his way here?"

Celestia sighed. She set her cup down and her smile vanished. "Yes. Against Discord's, my sister's, Twilight's, your other friend's, and my own adamant attempts to stop him. There is no turning him away, so a few warriors are coming with him as a precaution."

Rarity smiled, tear in her eyes. "I don't know how to take that." Celestia looked up at the Nightmare charged Rarity and her own heart went out to her. "My heart flutters at the thought of my hero coming to save me again, I don't need it but men are so hard headed. My head spins at the thought of seeing him again. I'm crying again at how much I miss him and how I want to see him. Butterflies dance in my belly at the thought of him busting through the doors, just for me. I want him to be mine and mine alone." Celestia stood to comfort the young girl, but she stepped back and lowered her eyes. "But he can't be. Tell him to forget about me. Tell him to stay away. Tell him I hate him if he comes here. Tell him I said whatever, just as long as he moves on. Just as long as he leaves me be. Our hearts can break, just as long as I don't break him."

Celestia caught her and squeezed her in an embrace. "Shh, my little pony. It will all be fine. We will figure it out. It's ok, I understand. If I could go back in time, I would have done the same, but Spike will come, no matter what either one of us says. All we can hope is that he knows what he's doing, and make precautions. Speaking of, I need to speak with Form here. I'm glad to have spoken with you Rarity. I marvel at your beauty every time we meet. There is none better for my son. So now, I must speak with an old friend on how to solve this."

She released Rarity, who wiped her eyes with a foreleg. "How do I help?"

"You are, just keep learning to control the Nightmare."

Form walked through the door and froze, much as Rarity had. "I feel like I just missed something. Am I interrupting?"

Rarity regained her composure and flipped her mane. "In fact you did. It's okay though, I have work I need to do, and you have a visitor."

As she left, Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Work?"

Form pinched the bridge of his nose. "I gave her leave to reconstruct the dog house, now she has it in her head to redecorate the whole palace."

Celestia laughed hard at the thought. "It seems you have no luck when it comes to guest leaving your palace alone."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Last time you stopped by for more than an hour, I went from a simple stone stove to all of these mechanical contraptions, so yes. My guests have never learned to leave my palace be."

"Speaking of, I told one of your servants of a new tea maker. You'll be receiving it in a few days." She smiled devilishly up at him as he grinned back.

"The devil Celestia. How I have missed you."

"Then join us at the next convergence."

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe I'm ready to meet her yet."

"Twilight?" His silence was answer enough. "She may have a replacement in her position, but she herself can never be replaced."

His face was stoic as he stared at her. "I know, but that's the crux of the problem. She is gone, and now another sits on her throne. My mind deems it necessary and correct, but my heart still aches. Maybe one day, just not today."

Celestia wiped a tear from her face as she nodded. "Good enough for now, but on to business."

"What do you need of me High Goddess?"

"Spare my son and help me rid the world of Shadowfang once and for all."

Spike stood before his friends who sat on the grass under a tree. He smiled as he thought of the picnics they had there. He smirked as the new friends they had with them today. The four traveling with him were there as well as Red Claw and the rest of the drakos who had made friends with his pony friends. Blue Spine was unfortunately absent due to her death, but Rainbow Dash was not alone. His old war buddy, Burns, had taken it to be his responsible to care for the pregnant mare. He was surprisingly soft for such a big war pony. His smile dissolved as he thought how Rarity was missing.

Twilight rubbed her forelegs together in impatience. "Spike, you're just standing there. What is it?"

Spike shook his head and nodded. "Yeah, sorry. As you all know, I'm going to go after Rarity. What you don't know is what I plan on doing when I get there. I will release Rarity and imprison myself."

Twilight jumped up and screamed. "No! I won't allow it!"

Applejack shook her head. "Now what in tarnation are you thinkin Spike? Just gonna abandon us too?"

Fluttershy cried as Pinkie looked baffled. Rainbow Dash stood up with Burns hovering cautiously next to her. "We'll get Rarity back?"

Spike nodded.

Rainbow hung her head. "If this is what you want, how can I stop you?”

"Thanks Rainbow Dash."

Twilight gawked. "What? No! It's bad enough Rarity left, and we agreed to trust her only because the Nightmare energy had come back to her. This though, this is too much, why?"

Spike lowered his head. "That's what I need to tell you. It's not just me being selfish, I'm worse off. It's better for Equestria this way."

The drakos shuffled nervously as Spike continued. "Rarity is infected with the Nightmare energy, but me, I'm consumed by a worst evil. Shadowfang is me."

Twilight shook her head. "Shadowfang is just the make believe god of the drakos."

Spike shook his head. "No, I'm his descendant. He is an evil beyond what any of us have ever seen. He made Nightmare, taught Sombra, and nearly destroyed the world three thousand years ago. War lasted nearly a thousand years, a war that still brings darkness to the world. The drakos war was all because of Shadowfang. Because I hold him at bay inside of me, because I refuse to be him."

Red Claw stood, claw over his heart. "That's why some of us fought for you. You proved to us another way!"

Spike nodded. "Thank you, but I must pay the piper. I'm going to die, maybe not now, or next week, but he will win out and be free. When that happens, I want him trapped in the deepest darkest cell. So, this is goodbye, I love you guys."

He went to turn away but Twilight teleported in front of him. "No!"

"Move Twilight."

"No!"

"Move!"

"No!"

"Move!" Spike jumped over her on all fours. He looked feral.

She teleported in front of him again, horn ready. "No, and so help me, I will trap you in a bubble."

He jumped over her on all fours. When she teleported in front of him again, she saw him, scales dark, swiping at her with his claws. She turned her head and squeezed her eyes shut, but the blow never came. When she opened her eyes, Red Claw stood in between them, blood dripping from his chest.

Spike shook his head and his colour returned to normal. He saw what he had done and panicked. "I, I'm sorry." Giving a howl of rage and disparity, he sprinted away. Macintosh and Red Claw exchanged a nod as Red chased after his maddening king.

Big Mac came over and put a hoof on Twilight and looked her over.

She brushed him off. "I'm fine. Why would he do that?"

"You some kinda blind or deaf?" Everyone stared at him as he shook his head. "He told y'all, you saw it. His magic corrupted him. He ain't right anymore. We gotta try and fix this, but we can't stop him either, cause he's right. One drakos for all Equestria."

Twilight slumped down onto the ground. "It's not fair. It feels like I've lost two friends."

"We'll bring one back this time, and together, we'll bring the second one back too. We just need to figure out how. There a smart princess here that could do that?"

Twilight raised her head and smiled. "Yes, and I know just who to talk to."

She teleported away, leaving a sense of hope in her friends. Except Discord, who looked a bit down. "Aww, he didn't do the chicken dance like I asked."

Warning

The group trudged through the swampy forest. Fully geared for battle, Shining Armor took the lead, fully armored with two lances at his side. Spike behind him, wearing his battered and war torn cloak. Next was Fancy Pants, ironically wearing only an old cloth uniform from his exploration days, and a pith hat on his head, a large claymore on his back. Macintosh took the rear, wearing his own war cloak and blank mask, his wide array of weapons all ready for battle. Discord floated above them, eating popcorn.

Macintosh hissed and they all stopped. Backs together, they formed a tight circle. Shining Armor clicked and they turned to where he pointed. A large shadow slithered through the trees. After a nod from Macintosh, Shining Armor illuminated the area with an intense light.

A three headed serpent glared at them, a very large one. It's body was as big around as an oak tree's trunk. To make matters worst, they saw about twenty warrior minotaurs around them.

The largest minotaur stepped forward and pointed at them as he hefted his warhammer over his shoulder. "The drakos lives, the rest die." With a roar, they charged. Shining Armor got the first kill, lance in the firsts throat.

Chaos followed as the small band held their formation, until the snake slammed its head into the middle of them. They tumbled away and Fancy Pants screamed out. "Somepony get that snake!"

Spike roared back, "I got him!" but Macintosh pointed to the leader and charged the snake. "Fine steal my thunder." He charged at the lead minotaur.

Macintosh sliced the snake's head and ran up his neck, spiked horseshoes digging into it's flesh. A second head shot out at him and he jumped back and brought his sword down into it's neck. He continued forward as the third head came at him, he caught a tooth on his shield on his right leg and pushed its head forward as his blade went into it's eye. The beast reared back in pain and he jumped. He twisted and gauged his stab. When he did, it went in true. The blade went in at the top of it's neck, where the heads split, straight into it's spine, killing it. The snake writhed in pain in it's death throes as Macintosh rejoined the battle.

Spike reached the lead minotaur as it raised his hammer, Spike dodged left swung his blade, biting into his leg and dropping the bulky leader.

He stood over him and sneered. "Why would you side with an evil like Sombra? Why welcome the destruction he brings?

The minotaur barked out a mirthless laugh. "Because we as a species are winners! We are the winning side! None are able to defeat our master!" They watched as the snake fell dead. A twinkling entered his eye. "None but the hero of legend! Now strike me true Dark Lord! Strike and claim your destiny!"

Spike continued to sneer at him, his blade winding back, before slashing through his neck. Spike took a deep breath before surveying the battle. They had won. "The world will kneel beneath me, for I am it's god, Shadowfang." Scales, black, shimmered, but changed to their regular purple colour. His eyes rolled back and he collapsed, the world turning black.

Rarity waited patiently in the grand hall. She looked at all of Form's servants and advisors that had come as well for the morning ritual. Form made it a point to have every detail, no matter how minute, discussed and approved before the day began. Yet the only one missing was Form himself.

They all looked at the door as it burst open and two recognizable figures blew in. Sombra waltzed in as guards advanced and the rest pressed away. "Really love what you've done with the place Structure, still symmetrical yet gloomy. Really fascinating, though I am surprised your newest addition to your court hasn't redecorated." He flopped onto the throne and flourished his cape to sit.

Form waved his guards down and stood before the dark pony. "I go by Form these days. Remove yourself from my throne and explain why you have come."

"Nope." He laid to the side, his head hanging off the arm. "What if I said I had the answer to Shadowfang."

"I would not believe you."

"Why?"

"You serve him, why should I?"

He grinned at the human an evil grin. "I tire of having a master. Plus the answer will cause pain and darkness. Also, it allows me to take control."

Form crossed his arms and glared. "Go on."

"Spike, he is unlike his other vessels. If Spike chooses death as he is possessed, and the hero of legend pushes the blade of life's bane through his chest, the demon god will be no more. The hero travels with Spike here, I ask you give him the blade."

"Not such an odd request, and a given I believe. Why come here and waste my time with the obvious?"

"Because the blade must know it's life will be used to kill him, and die in the process, or it would not work."

Form's face became stoic as he glanced at Rarity. "I must think on this."

"Good, now I take my leave."

As he left, Rarity leaned towards Form and whispered. "Why not just imprison him now?"

"We cannot. Tartarus contract magic, he came willingly and under oath to not attack. If he were to attack, it wouldn't hurt, but then we could. He won't though, he's too smart for that."

As Sombra reached the door, Twilight shut them and stood in front of him. "What would happen to Spike?"

Form glared at Rarity before raising his hand, magically opening the door. "Hello princess, it seems 'fate' has decided we needed to meet, but he must be allowed to go."

Twilight spat at them as she yelled. "Fine, but he's going to tell me what's going to happen to Spike if this plan of his works."

Sombra grinned wickedly at her. "He will have a sword plunged through his heart, what do you think my dear?"

"I will not accepted that! There must be another way!"

Form turned away from the scene as his voice reverberated through the hall. "Cease this trifle! Sombra, leave my castle now! Princess, we would speak in another room about this behavior, among other things. Lady Rarity, you know enough to run my court for the day. Take over for me as I am indisposed."

Rarity bowed. "Yes sire." She turned to Twilight and gave a weak smile as her friend followed Form. Her head was down, shame covered her face.

Once Twilight, Form, and Sombra left, Rarity clapped her hooves as she sat on a pillow next to the throne. "Alright, let us begin."

Story

Spike was at the rear of their band, walking a ways behind. Discord walked next to him, speaking in a whisper as they neared the end of the forest. "He's getting stronger." It wasn't a question. "You need to lay off the magic for now, maybe even take a backseat in the battles. We can't handle him yet, though I'm still of the opinion that we can't handle him at all."

Spike growled low. "So what, we leave her to live her life as your brother's servant? Not happening."

"Last I saw, she had accepted and was enjoying her new home."

"Well I don't."

"Don't lie to me, this is selfish. You want her so badly, you'd doom the world to have her."

"No, I want her safe and happy."

"So she'll be happier with you dead as opposed to her imprisoned. You are not that stupid. She would sacrifice her own life to keep her friends happy."

"I could never be happy without her."

"So it is selfish desire."

Spike growled. "Fine, so what if it is. This is the only thing I can think of to do. We have to beat Shadowfang no matter what, and I don't know how. This way, I win. Shadowfang is locked away for all eternity and Rarity goes free. Free to live her life."

"Knowing it was at the cost of yours."

"But she can be happy."

"No, just free. She's happy now, knowing you are free. When I said selfish, I ment you and her, not you and Equestria. She is happy and you are not, switch places and switch emotions. You would be happy and she would not."

"What about Shadowfang, he will emerge soon."

"And the orbs keep him at bay. Only if we have distance from Rarity though."

"What about after I'm dead, and his power moves on."

"We bury you with the orbs, he's trapped. I'll make sure it's a nice corner of Tartarus."

Spike frowned and hummed. "I'll think it over."

"You won't, but hurry none the less. He took over for a moment there before you passed out. Don't think I didn't notice. We have to play this right, all of the world hangs in the balance."

Spike chuckled. "Wow, an ex villain worried about the world."

Discord laughed. "Yes well, have you met Fluttershy?"

Spike looked slyly up at Discord. "Celestia had no part in it?"

Discord looked sadly down at Spike. "Whether she did or not is of no matter anymore. That ship has sailed, along with my hopes."

"Never know, maybe it hasn't."

"Not after all I've done, and all she's endured because of me. Plus her heart belongs to another."

"I hate to sound harsh, but he's gone for good. It can never happen.

"Just like you and Rarity are supposed to be."

They walked in silence after that.

Form stood with his back to Twilight, seething. She for her part sat straight, waiting patiently.

He put his hands against the wall and growled. "Why would you interrupt my court like that?"

"I need answers, and you have given me none. Why have you not answered my summons or my request?"

"This is my palace, I ask the questions."

She just gave a blank, uncaring stare to his back. "And I answered."

"Good, now, why must it be me you question? Could Celestia not answer your questions?"

"She has what she can, but I need more data, which she says only you can give."

"Like what?"

"Tartarus magic, as well as binding and separation magic."

He spun around and gave her a questioning look, and regretted it. Her eyes burned with intelligence and curiosity like he had only seen once before. He quickly looked away. "I will have my best mage attend to you and your needs. My secretary, as she is now, will be at your disposal. You two are friends so that will help."

He went to leave but Twilight appeared in the doorway. "Tell me about her."

"Her who?"

"Lilly." Form tensed but said nothing. "I know the two of you were close, and that I'm her successor, I want to know more about her. See if she had a library or something that could help with this. I want to know what happened to her. Everypony I could think to ask, either said they don't know or to ask you. I know that it may be personal, and I've been hesitant to ask about it, but this situation makes it pertinent to know."

Form sighed and raised a hand, a chair and cushion rose from the floor. He sat in the chair and motion for her to take the cushion. "For Celestia. She asked the impossible of me. She asked me to spare Spike, but if I were to see him, the evil of Shadowfang still alive, I would gut him mercilessly. But it seems everyone thinks you can find the impossible solution to spare Spike and kill Shadowfang. So I will tell you about Lilly, but I must tell all of the story, not just hers."

"All the story?" Twilight scratched her head. "You mean Shadowfang's?"

"Yes, but also the Living god's as well. We must be ten and represent five pairs of opposing ideas, pieces of the Eldest God."

"You and Discord, order and chaos."

"Yes, but also you and Cadence. Logic and emotion. Celestia and Luna, society and individuality. We also had labor and whimsy, as well as compassion and desire. They alter slightly with each new incarnation but still as opposites. We also elect a sort of king, the high god or goddess. Celestia holds that position now, but before her my brother held the position."

"Wait Discord!" She stood up so fast that the cushion went flying across the floor.

Form chuckled at her reaction. "Yes, Discord. We both are by far the oldest, older even than Celestia's predecessor. I hate to say it, but he is also the smartest. Not like you and Lilly Pad, but he can keep up which is more than I can say. Pride and his sense of extravagance was his downfall, and all of ours.

"Before the age of ponies was the age of dragons. They had a hierarchy with the regular dragons of today as the warrior class, celestial dragons ruled as nobles, and wyverns as the lowest class. Drakos were considered a subspecies, fit only to serve as slaves. Celestia and Luna came into power at around that time. Now we as the gods hated the practice of slavery and sought to end it.

"Backtracking real quick. I was not just close to Lilly, I was in love with her, and her I. My brother married us, and Celestia, her pupil much as you are Celestia's, was her maid of honor. We were happy for centuries, even had a son on the way."

"I assume she was a hoomane as well."

Form threw his head back in laughter. Tears filled his eyes but Twilight knew it was not from mirth but sorrow. "No, not human, she was a harpy. Half Human, and half bird, but it never mattered to us, our love was full and unwavering. She loved to fly, would spend hours in the air. She would do this thing, where she would fly up and use the clouds for diagrams on particularly hard problems. Quite a few times she'd run into something while looking it over. She was gorgeous with her hair pulled up in a bun, squinting her eyes intensely at whatever problem she had." His eyes glistened as he spoke, a soft smile on his lips.

His began to tap in an odd pattern. Smile gone, he lowered his head. "Everything changed when Greytooth appeared."

"Greytooth?"

He gave a single nod. "He was Discord's prodigal pupil. He had become tired, wanted to expand and become an Old god. Retire if you will, Lilly Pad and I were to join him. Greytooth was to be my successor, so he met with Lilly and learned more about us. We never told him these things, but I know now, he knew. He was a grey drakos. Unbeknownst to Lilly and I, he was Discord's answer to the slave problem. Because of my brother and Lilly, he had become a powerful mage.

"He consolidated the drakos and abandoned the dragons, declaring that they were not even of the same species. This of course infuriated the dragons. War was waged. We as gods decided not to intervene, as per our mandate, but four new additions found a loophole. They were not just gods, but royalty, and their nations sided with the drakos."

Twilight sighed and shook her head. "Celestia and Luna."

"Yes, and the alicorn rulers of the ancient Crystal Kingdom. Star Light and Eclipse, compassion and desire. During the war, Eclipse met the drakos leader, Greytooth, and fell in love. The two became inseparable, on and off the battlefield. They would both visit us for guidance and help, we saw something of ourselves in them. He like Lilly, and she like me. Eclipse was naive at times though, sometimes forgetting about those around her, and failed to notice that Greytooth was not alone in his affections for her. Star Light too loved her, and honestly was more than a little unstable. In her confession to Eclipse, she lost all reason from her rejection. The death was a mystery to us, but Greytooth seemed to be fine. Heartbroken and devoid of his jovial nature, but fine. He threw himself into the war, while secretly looking for her killer.

"One day, we entered our hall, the secret meeting place of the Living gods, and found Greytooth. He declared himself one of us, and demanded a position. We all were stunned and some outraged, but Lilly saw more. A pony was with him, calling herself Night Light. Greytooth, it seemed, had indeed created a new form of magic. He and Night Light were immortal. He had stolen the life and power of Star Light, having known she was responsible for the murder, and given her body to the corrupted essences of Eclipse."

Twilight gasped and covered her mouth with both hooves. "No! Don't tell me, Eclipse is Nightmare?!"

"She is indeed."

"So Greytooth, he's, oh no. He is, isn't he?"

"Yes, Greytooth on that day declared himself to be Shadowfang."

Solution?

Spike wiped his blade off as he stood next to his friends. A field of bodies lay in front of them, more monsters from Sombra's party. "He's getting desperate at this point. He just keeps sending them in droves."

Shining Armor frowned, his armor no longer shining and quite dented. A few pieces were missing. "Have you ever known Sombra to ever get desperate. He never panics, which makes him dangerous. He's playing with us, making us too tired to fight. When we get there, we won't be able to stand at this rate."

Fancy Pants was missing his pith, but for the most part seemed unscathed. "I concur, his tactics are an old trick, albeit a more savage and less safe version. We need a rotation of sorts, something to keep us spry."

Macintosh nodded. "Thee fight, two stand by. Rotate each fight."

Discord nodded. "Sounds good, I'll stay fighting though. When we get to Tartarus, I can't join you. My brother has locked me out, in a way. I can pretty much only appear to be there."

Macintosh raised a brow and Spike chuckled. "He's right, you aren't doing much fighting now. We probably wouldn't even notice you gone."

"Fine." Discord flipped his long blond hair at them as he turned away, swinging his giant red purse dramatically. "Be mean, but I'm going to have to blog about this. Let the world know my pain."

They all gave strange looks to him before Fancy shook his head. "Anyway, to keep things even, I propose myself then Spike, Shining Armor, and Big Macintosh. Armor and I providing heavy combat, and the others light."

Nodding, they all went to continue the journey, but Spike stopped them. "Hey guys, hold up."

They turned and faced him as he fidgeted nervously. "Well, you see, I just. Okay, I just wanted to say thanks. Thank you for helping me on this crazy, insanely dangerous, and yes selfish quest of mine. It would never work without you all. So thanks guys."

Shining Armor snorted and then laughed. "Spike, getting sentimental. This is hilarious. Of course we would help. If it was Cadence, I would stop at nothing, just like you, and I know you would be there in a heartbeat. Not just because you know her either. That's what friends do."

Big Macintosh nodded with a grin. "Eeyep."

Spike nodded and lowered his head. "Yeah, but you didn't have to. So still thanks."

Fancy Pants put a hoof on his back. "Come on my boy, we must be off. So you know, I had to. I care about you, as I'm sure the rest do as well. We would never leave you be on something so dangerous. You have to learn to trust your friends more."

Spike smiled and they continued onward. Once they were out of sight, Sombra appeared. He stood contemplative as he absorbed his surroundings. "Hmm, trust your friends. Oh if it were only so simple." Shadows wrapped around him and he disappeared.

Twilight paced back and forth, making strange gestures and obscure comments. "If he's, then that means. But no, then that would. Hold on, then."

Form rubbed his face then pinched his nose. "Please, Twilight, there's more." He motioned to the cushion. "For example, Discord and myself are swords."

She stopped and stared wide eyed at him. "The Blade of Life's Bane that Sombra mentioned."

"Yes, which is me. Discord is the Blade of Death's Bane. I, when wielded, bring death, he life. It does come with a price. Life's Bane also kills the wielder, and any who touch it. Death's Bane, well, you must already have the capacity of immortality to wield it or else life force comes flowing into you with some strange effects. The last to wield Discord exploded, merging with the universe. Matter of fact, Celestia used it once and turned into a tree."

"A tree?"

"Yes, which in turn seeded and created the Everfree forest. So technically, she's their mother. Tell her I told you that, and that it was because of the tea maker.

"Anyway Shadowfang was placed on trial as Lilly studied Night Light. It was a quick trial, with my brother and it seemed at the time Old gods agreeing that Shadowfang was in fact one of the Living gods. Celestia and Luna were outraged but adhered to our laws. Laws which state all other Living gods must be in agreement to expel or execute one of our own, and my brother and me refused. I did, however, demand he be reprimanded as well as allow Lilly's continued study of Night Light.

"Shadowfang was exiled from our courts for three years, which he devoted to his war. Celestia and Luna pulled out their support, as did the Crystal Empire who did not recognize Night Light as ruler. Lilly and I, we saw the two almost as if they were our kids, and saw the whole ordeal as some drunken party they threw. Punish, reprimand, remember, forgive. Until Lilly's research provided results.

"She first studied Night Light as a pony, how did she act. Well, she acted like Eclipse, but Lilly said she was off somehow. Then she studied her use of magic. It appeared the same, except the colour was off."

"Let me guess, purple and green."

"Yes, but then when she studied the magic residue, that's when it all came out. As you know, magic is directed when used, but dark magic is the subjugation of said force. While that fact would just seem a quirk to most, myself included, it clicked all the pieces together for Lilly. Night Light showed signs of both Star Light and Eclipse's personality. Mainly Eclipse's desire and Star's need for attention. It also showed signs of subjugation magic from Shadowfang. We didn't believe he could enslave the love of his life, so when she told us, only Celestia believed he could. He did though, he subjugated her spirit, forcibly pulling it back and shoving it into a host body. She confronted him, and what happened," He paused, looking away from her. Tears falling from Form's eyes. Teeth and hands clenched, he stood slowly.

Turning to face the wall, he spoke softly with his back to Twilight. "Lilly was the leading expert in biological and medical science. She could tell you eye and hair colour from bones. She was a marvel. As such, she performed several autopsies and taught much of the hows and whys to Greytooth. That is what he did to Star Light. He dissected her alive and used her as a template to modify his own body with magic, before draining her life essence. That is also what happened to your predecessor."

They stayed there in silence. The horror of what she just heard, the sorrow of Form, her shame for understanding and in ways sympathizing with Shadowfang.

After about an hour, Form continued. "After that was unrest. Celestia and I gathered the Living gods together to eliminate him, but Discord stood dumbstruck. He seemed to be unable to comprehend his failure. That his plan had failed so completely. We put into motion our plans to stop him. It was hard on me as well, Greytooth was like my son, but my rage was greater still. Yet my so called brother stood still and did nothing.

"In the end, battle erupted. Six Living gods against Shadowfang, we lost two more of our numbers. That finally shook Discord from his stupor, but it was too late. Shadowfang had become the Demon god. He created many different races of monsters, including the umbra, and using his vast power and armies, hunted the dragons to near extinction. A race of nearly a hundred species, reduced to but a handful of them. I've lived many tens of thousands of years, and I can honestly say, Shadowfang is the greatest threat this world has ever seen. The horrors he wrought upon this planet, scared even the Olden gods into exile.

"By the way, you may come in." Twilight spun around and saw Rarity enter, shame covering her face.

Form smiled at her. "Peace Lady, you should hear all of this as well. After all it does involve you and your beloved."

Rarity smiled and sat next to Twilight. "Thank you, but first, how about some refreshments." Her horn glowed dark blue and sparkled, with drinks appearing before them. "Sorry, but I figured you both could use a drink."

Picking up his drink, Form smiled as he sipped. "Thank you Eclipse."

Hero

Spike sat tapping his fingers on his arm. Arms crossed, sitting next to Shining Armor, watching Big Macintosh and Fancy Pants fight. He was aggravated. "I hate sitting around not doing anything. I feel useless."

Shining Armor rolled his neck, popping it. "Not me, I'm glad for the rest. Plus I'm worried about you and this awakening stuff."

A growl escaped from Spike's sneer. "I'm fine, I got it under control."

“You called yourself Shadowfang.”

Spike lowered his head. “You heard that huh? It's close, we have to hurry and do this. Lock me up, kill me, it doesn't matter. Just as long as the bastard stays gone.”

“What if I told you there might be another way?”

Spike stared dumbfounded, hope entered him again.

Rarity pursed her lips as she tried to keep up with Twilight's magic questioning, quite unsuccessfully. Part of the problem was that her mind was on another issue. She hated to interrupt, but she did so to get her answer. “It seems we're missing one.”

Twilight looked at her curiously. “one what?”

“Living god. You said ten, Star Light, Eclipse, You Form, Discord, Luna, Celestia, Lilly, and the two Shadowfang killed in battle. That makes nine, so who was the tenth?”

Form nodded solemnly. “Yes, well, that is a story. The last of us was a dragon. When he realized just what Greytooth was up to, and his brutality, he went to the dragons during the war. He offered them a choice, he would help them and convince the gods to withdraw support. He suspected, before he changed, his brutality. Convincing Celestia and Luna, who quickly withdrew. He failed though and his people were quickly eradicated by Ragnarok.”

Twilight gasped. “That’s terrible!”

Form nodded. “Few things I’ve seen have been so terrible. To deny yourself life till you kill, it is a tragedy. Drango, the dragon living god, still sought an answer though. In his self exile and search was when we fought Shadowfang, and lost. Tell me, have you heard the legend of the Hero?”

Twilight scrunched her nose in thought but Rarity smiled almost dreamily. “You mean the Hero that will show in Equestria’s time of need? He appears with long flowing locks, wearing golden armor of the gods. A prince among ponies with his shining white coat. It was an old story my dad use to tell me as a foal. I would dream of him coming to get me and whisking me away to his castle and marrying on a beautiful Sunday morning in the summer. But what does an old pony tale have to do with this?”

Form coughed, choking, and smiled. “A wonderful insight into your psyche Lady Rarity, but not quite what happened or truthful, although I'm sure she would be flattered.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “She?”

“Though she did have a white coat and long flowing locks of dark green mane. Yet it was all matted and dirty from combat and rough living. Large Cumulus was her name, a pegasus few word and humble beginnings. She was a cloud farmer, back then it was a lot more tedious to get a simple rain cloud then it is today. She worked hard everyday of her life till she became the Hero. Yes though, she did became the Hero in the world's time of need. It was she who killed Shadowfang.”

Twilight and Rarity both jumped up and screamed out. “What!”

Form raised a hand. “Calm, I will tell you about it, but the Hero and Drango are connected.”

Discord rolled his eyes, all four pair. “It's just an old mare's tale. There is no Shield of Absolute. Trust me, I checked the rumors when they first appeared. The supposed maker was a crazy ex royal mage hobo. Who's crimes number,” He raised his bouquet of fingers and began to count before throwing his claw away. “An impressive amount. Makes me jealous actually.”

Spike covered his eyes and shook his head. “You got my hopes up over a bedtime story?” He opened his eyes and looked through his fingers at Shining Armor, disappointment and aggravation on his face.

Shining Armor just shook his head and rolled his eyes. “That just proves it more. The Shield is not an item, it's a spell. The only problem is that it takes multiple casters to use, taking a lot of magic to conjure. Hell, a modified version is what I used on Canterlot during the wedding. The hard part is the magic, it's meant to stop all magic from getting in and cancels all magic use inside it. It has to be in constant sync, if not it dispels easily. We put Sombra and Spike in it while Big Macintosh gets Rarity out.”

Spike shook his head and sighed. “That's cool and all, but how does this solve the problem, I already had a plan for all that. You made it sound like a game changer, like it could solve the whole Rising situation?”

Shining Armor gave a wicked grin to all of them. “It can get rid of a pony's magic, and not just unicorns either.” A collective gasp as he continued. “Like a magical surgery, if we find exactly where his magic ends and yours begins, we can trap it and suffocate it. We could remove it and stick it in a prison, or even trap it in an artifact. Same thing with Rarity too, be done with Nightmare forever.”

Fancy Pants, looking doubtful, chimed in. “Yes, but that all sounds risky. Not to mention that the two of us are not the best magicians, so something as high maintenance would be next to impossible for just us.”

Macintosh put a hoof on an exasperated Armor's shoulder. “I reckin he means ta put ol grumpy scales in a cage and bring the princesses back.”

Spike grinned and shrugged. “Why didn't you just say so?”

Shining Armor and Big Macintosh rolled their eyes and followed in the group.

Lost

Spike sat on his old throne in Twilight's crystal castle. Somehow it had grown with him and pushed further away from Twilight's throne. He had always figured the castle was alive somehow.

None of that mattered to him however. He sat with his arms and legs crossed, gritting his teeth. Spike has always had little patients, but this day pushed beyond what he could take. He sat through the meeting with the mayor, the one with Filthy Rich, Cheerilee's, Granny Smith, Cutie Mark Crusader's, and now the mayor was back to talk about the summer sun celebration. Spike snapped. He slammed his claws into the table, roaring. "Enough!"

Twilight and the mayor looked up in shock, before Twilight gathered the papers up and handed them off. "He has a point. It is lunch time and I am peckish, perhaps we could finish this up in say, about two hours from now?"

"Yes, we can do that." Mayor Mare fumbled with the papers a moment as she fixed her glasses. "It was a pleasure seeing you again Spike, it has been too long."

Spike felt bad about his outburst later, but at that moment he just nodded as he glared at Twilight. She glared right back at him.

As soon as they heard the mayor leave, Twilight exploded. "What has gotten into you? Why would you do that?"

Spike screamed right back at her. "Me? What about you? Rarity is missing and all you can do is paperwork and meetings! Prioritize!"

"Discord said she is perfectly fine! I trust him on this! Why don't you?"

"Since when were you so trusting of Discord?"

"Since you convinced me to! Since I spent three years getting scraps about you from him! Since you gave him that orb!"

"How do you know about that?"

"Fluttershy, Celestia, Discord! Take your pick!"

Spike waved a claw and slumped down into his seat. "Whatever."

Twilight sat as well. "Yeah, whatever."

They sat in silence as Spike inspected his claws. Sighing, he shook his head, trying to clear it. "I'm asking you to trust me now Twilight. I love her, and I would never risk her safety, but I care for the rest of Equestria too. So tell me, which would I choose? What should I do?"

She looked into his eyes and saw determination, not inquiry, and knew his mind would not change. "I don't know everything going on, I wish I did but I don't, but what I know is that if you get close to her, this Rising thing happens. It does not sound pretty. What you are asking is to choose you, Rarity, or Equestria, and I can't. So I choose to trust my friends. It kills me Spike, kills me that I may never see Rarity again, but I trust her choice. Do you trust her to make the right choice?"

Spike raised an eyebrow. "This is Rarity we're talking about. No, I trust her to do the selfless, dramatic thing."

Twilight went to speak, but he waved her off as he stormed outside. He walked down the streets of Ponyville, smoking a cigarette as he fumed.

He looked up and waved at the call of his name. It was Cheerilee and the new drakos teacher. He remembered the cultural shock when the drakos first immigrated. The drakos devoted in their chosen religion, worship ranging from Elder Gods, Old Gods, to the Living Gods. Ponies on the other hoof, were not quite religious at all. Ponies were taught to settle their differences peacefully, drakos were taught to fight it out. There was still some problems mixing but it was working.

A baby dragon and baby drakos ran by playing at his feet a moment before running off, and he smiled. After the attack on Canterlot, most of the dragon council was in support of Spike and his plan to include them in the alliance. They had formed the Imperial Alliance with a representative for each kingdom on its council. Princess Luna for Equestria the pony kingdom, General Red Claw for Drakonas the drakos empire in the badlands, and Ariel for the dragon tribes.

Spike laughed out loud, gaining many odd stares, at the irony. War, fear, and his evil heritage had made the world a better place, but lost him what he wanted most, the pony he loved. Rarity was lost, forever.

Twilight and their friends trusted Rarity's decision and wouldn't help. Discord and the princesses were adamant about the fact, it was better this way, a casualty of war. He hated that word. The drakos were willing, but swore an oath to not find her by Cadence before they knew what they swore to. It seemed the only allies he had were the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and they couldn't help him look. Their attempts at persuasion ending just like his.

That is when it hit him. He knew he could not go there, Equestria's fate depended on it. Shadowfang nor the Nightmare could be allowed to rise, all of Equestria depended on it. All of the world depended on it, so if he went looking for her, they would have to stop him, or even better. They would have to bring her home so that they could keep her away from him. He smiled as he raced back to the castle, plan set in, and he had the best clue he needed. Discord's brother, the warden of Tartarus.

Rarity concentrated, focused the energy she felt flowing through her outward. It was not her magic, but the Nightmare energy. She watched as her white hooves begin to turn blue, the energy surging. She fought to control it, but failed. With a burst, her concentration lost, the power receded. She looked at her hooves as she sat down, huffing. Her head jerked up as she heard clapping.

She looked up and frowned at her host. "Pray tell me my darling host, but why were you watching me again?"

Her host, Discord's brother. Was an odd sight. He stood on two long legs, that ended on elongated paws he called feet. He stood straight up like drakos did in the open, but never on all fours like they did often to talk to ponies or when indoors. His lack of tail made his walk odd, he raised one leg and fell forward onto it over and over, but he looked so graceful that no pony would notice the fall. His torso broadened as it rose, with his shoulders protruding outwards. His 'arms' fell downward at rest, but had much more maneuverability than most species. They ended in monkey paws that he used to do most of his actions. Between his shoulders, on top of his neck was an ovalish looking head. His eyes sunk into his head and his nose simply coming off of the face in a point with no muzzle. In short he looked like a straight standing ape.

Another odd bit was that he was covered in almost hairless flesh. Fine hairs were all that covered him, with almost no amount of fur on his body. A patch of short blond fur covered the crown of his head, with a bushy mustache and goatee around his mouth. He smiled and his green eyes sparkled. His eyes painfully reminded her of Spike's, both having that deviously intelligent shine to them.

"My dear, of all my prisoners, you interest me the most. Your determined mindset is not new, but differs greatly. It has a more graceful nature about it, that I find exceedingly appealing."

She huffed and flipped her mane back. His deep rumbling voice would make most mares tremble, but it had a tendency to infuriate her. "I am no prisoner here. I may come and go as I please."

"In the palace and all of Tartarus maybe, but you may never leave this place for as long as you live. While that makes you privileged, you are still a prisoner here."

She look dejected as she stared at the floor. "Spike may find a cure. He will and we can put this whole affair behind us."

He placed a finger under her chin and raised her head to look him in his serious eyes. "The only cure is death. Even then it is only a haphazard solution. We are dealing with forces beyond us all. My brother, the alicorns, and I are all part of the Living Gods, and we could not contain or cure this affliction. It nearly destroyed us the last time it surfaced. There is no cure."

He turned to leave her training room, but stopped at her voice. "You have Twilight now, she can help."

He placed a hand on the doorframe, fingers digging into the stone. "Cadence as well. She is also new to this, but it will not be enough. That monster destroyed six of our numbers and broke three of us. I don't know how she coped with it, but he turned ten into one. How can three and two children hope to win. Twilight has helped, but it has to be help in containing this evil. No being alive can win this." He left her to her tears. Hope once again leaving her since she came to this glorious palace of a prison.

Setting

Form looked up from his book as a flash of purple appeared in his hall. He leaned back in his chair by the door as the purple alicorn approached his empty throne. "Hello? It's me, Twilight. Are you here?"

He tried to squeeze himself even closer to the wall, throwing up a spell to conceal himself better. Luckily Rarity walked in. She stood in her nightmare form, having better control of the power, and stared in shock at Twilight. "What?"

Twilight gaped at her. "Rarity!? What happened?"

"What, this old trick?" She turned her head away and waved a hoof. "I'm simply learning how to control this power of mine darling. What are you doing here though?"

"Oh." Twilight shuffled around and looked anywhere but at Rarity. "Um, the guy in charge, where is he?"

"Who, Form? I had thought he was in here. He looks like a pink fleshy ape in a white suit, hard to miss."

"Yeah, didn't see anything like that. So his name's Form?"

"Yes, he's, interesting. Do you know him as well?"

"Sort of. We've never met, but I've given and received work related letters with him. The few times I've been here, I was met personally by one of his assistants. I need to talk to him about Spike. I have an idea but I need to ask him some questions first."

Rarity looked up at him, obviously not fooled by his spell. Shaking his head furiously, Form put his fist to his mouth in worry. "I'm sorry dear, he seems to be out. If you could though, I'll look for him, wait in my room. Last door on the left, just through that hall."

Twilight shook her head. "That's okay, tell him I stopped by and I need to speak with him. It's good to see you're okay Rarity."

"You too Twilight, and please tell Spike and everypony not to worry too much. I am fine here."

"He's coming for you. No pony can stop him, I doubt even you could."

Rarity sighed sweetly and smiled. "Yes well Spike is a dear. He would do anything for those he loves. Took me too long to notice, but I had my shining knight next to me for so long."

Twilight frowned. "True, but there is too much at risk here. Even Princess Celestia is scared."

"Yes, I know. I've found out that Shadowfang or even those related cause quite the problem. Anyway darling, I will tell my host you stopped by."

Twilight smiled as she teleported away. Rarity sighed and dropped her head. Magic flared from her horn and Form's chair disappeared, causing him to fall. "Pray tell, Lord of Tartarus, why were you hiding from my friend and possibly the best chance at fixing this situation?"

His fingers moved in an erratic pattern as he bowed his head. "You could say she shares the face of someone I lost, someone I cared deeply for that Shadowfang stole from me." Rarity reached out to him, before she pulled back, looking away. He grunted as he stood. "It's okay, I just need some air."

Spike sat at the campfire with the team that had joined him. He frowned, thinking deeply of the new development. Sombra was on his way to Tartarus as well, with an army of monsters at his heel. Spike could feel it, this was the final battle. Apprehension filled him at the thought of what was to come, but he stilled his heart as steal entered his blood. He would finish this now. Sombra, Shadowfang, Nightmare, he would eliminate all who could hurt her.

Fancy Pants approached him slowly, nodding as he sat next to him. "Hey my boy, it's late, why not get some rest?"

"Not real tired, think I might take next guard shift."

"That would be fine I suppose, but I must ask. What's troubling you? You've been distant as of late. Worry for lady Rarity, or is it that you expect to die on this excursion?"

Spike's eyes widened as he stared at the fire, his body rigid. "How?"

"Come now, I've known you since you were born. I know better than most how your mind works. You live by your honor since you first read those knight stories. Even before that though, you have always lived by your emotions. Why I believe Celestia paired you with Twilight, was not just to get her to use her emotions, but for you to use your mind more often. You are smart, with quantities of sense, but you tend to just act without thinking. Let's see if we can find another way before we act hasty, for Lady Rarity, for your friends, for Celestia, for me?"

Spike nodded. "Sure, though I'm sure I've looked at this from every possible angle, but if you find something, I'd be more than happy to hear it."

Fancy Pants patted his knee and nodded. "Good my boy, now get some sleep, I will take next watch."

Spike nodded and slunk to his bed roll. As he laid down, he jolted his head back towards Fancy Pants and smiled. He was going to take next shift watch, but the older pony had somehow taken it and convinced him to sleep, the sly fox.

Fancy Pants waited till Spike was asleep before whispering out. "Discord, come here." The lord of chaos appeared in a ninja costume, bowing. "I assume you heard my earlier conversation with Spike."

"Hai."

"Good, so what do we do?"

Discord poofed the costume away and actually had a somber look on his face. "I had already done it. They needed to be split up, but he's so determined to fix this whole mess, he's been on the verge of suicide for years."

"We can not let that happen. He means too much."

"Well see, that's the problem, he means too much to everyone. So he's been thrown into something that he doesn't want to be in. I feel terrible about it, this whole mess is my fault."

"I worry about him. I can not bear the thought of losing him, and I know Celestia feels the same."

They spun around as a new voice joined in. Big Macintosh was shaking his head. "He'll be fine, he and us, we can handle it. Have faith. Git yer lazy ass up lizard, stop pertenden."

Spike raised his head up and groaned. "I thought Fancy had next shift?"

Shining Armor huffed and threw his cover over his head. "Ugh, no surprise nopony is asleep with all this chatter. Can't a pony get some sleep?"

They all laughed as the prince threw his pillow.

Not far from Spike's camp, a shadow loomed, smiling just before evaporating.