An educational clash

Spike and Kiki found their way into library, opening the door to be greeted by a large balcony. Any careless victim would easily stumble over the edge if not careful. Stairs on adjacent sides led down to gigantic sea of knowledge below where hundreds of the thousands of books lay closed ready to be explored. From the balcony itself, the view was surreal overlooking the entirety of the humongous room with great detail. One section was catered to children decorated with two serpent like dragons fighting above. Another was toward history, decorated with statues of the two princesses fighting against an Tidal wave of unknown force. "Still as eerily beautiful as it once was."

"You think the library is beautiful?"

"Well yea, just look at all the knowledge that lies in wait. The decorations and the people, it's all...refreshing."

"You spent way too much with Twilight."

"She used to bring me here everyday when I was growing up. Read to stories to me and tell me all about the history of Ponyville...you know...before it went into the gutter. Now where is she?"

"I think I see Pinkie under the statues of the princesses." The figure looked the part of Pinkie but was it really her they wondered. Wasn't until that pink figure began jumping up and down that their suspicions were confirmed. They made their way down the steps and began to move towards the trio of girls. As they neared closer and closer, Spike began to slow down. Suddenly his eagerness began to fade, the will to approach became a 10 ton weight and soon he would show it. His body became sluggish, ten times the weight with each step. His face changed from a hopeful smile to a nervous frown and he could no longer think straight. "Spike? You ok there buddy?"

"Um...fine...yea."

"You're not ok, I can tell."

"No no, i'm fine...trust me."

"Spike, you're sweating like waterfall....which I didn't know a dragon could do."

"That obvious huh?"

"Remember what I said ok? You have your reasons to address and she has her's, no one is more at fault here."

"Ok.....I can do this....."

"And if that doesn't work just repeat something to yourself I guess?"

"Like what?"

"Uh...I don't know maybe something like you can win, you feel great, you can do this."

"Yea I'm not gonna do that."

"Worth a shot."

Kiki waited patiently as Spike took in a few deep breaths and began to move forward. As soon as he stepped within visual range of the three girls, Pinkie with deflated hair was all over him, hugging and kissing him uncontrollably. "Oh my Spikey wikey! I thought you'd never get better. Twilight assured me you were ok after I kicked you so I was happy but then I got to thinking and thought that maybe you were dead and no one knew it and eventually someone would figure it out and I'd be at fault and then Twilight would on a magical rampage in the city and...."

She was immediately cut off by Fluttershy's hand to her her continuous rambling. "We're glad you're ok Mr. Spike....I knew you'd be ok." she said with a tear to her words.

Spike smiled before patting Pinkie on the head. "Thanks for apparently snapping me out of it Pinkie."

With a revitalization of her pink poofy hair, she hugged him ever so tighter. "Anything for you Spikey."

"I'm glad you're happy Pinkie but not trying to die."

"Oh...sorry hehe."

"Where's Twilight?"

Fluttershy pointed to the lifeless pony sitting at a table just a few feet away. "She's been at it ever since we left. We told her that maybe it was better to rest after such a exhausting fight but she insisted that she continue researching until a reason for your transformation could be found. The result, she fell asleep."

"That's just like Twilight. Not a wink of sleep can be given if she's determined to finish something." Spike approached her and began to rock her body. "Twilight...Twilight wake up."

With a burst of speed, she shot up, eyes wide open like saucers. "What happened?! Oh crap, I fell asleep?! I gotta keep going or Spike will..."

"Twilight calm down. I'm right here, perfectly fine."

"Oh Spike." she said with sigh of relief before getting up to hug him. "I had this dream about you turning into that thing again and..."

"No need to relive the memory Twilight, I'm here and that's all that matters."

"I must continue to research the condition. I am glad you're ok though."

"Before you work yourself to the bone again, we need to talk."

"About what?"

"Me going to explore the world like I said earlier."

She was silent, thrown back into the reality of her situation. She removed herself from Spike's embrace and proceeded to sit down placing the tips of her fingers to comfort her temples. "I don't want to talk about this Spike."

"We're gonna have to eventually."

"I refuse. My current goal is to make sure you're safe and that's what I'm gonna do."

"And why not Twilight? Why are you so against this idea huh?"

"Because I refuse to let you go..."

"Twilight, I've grown so much over the years. Don't you think there's a time where a mother should let her son go?"

"No! You may not be my biological son but nonetheless you are my baby boy. I can't let you go just like that, not after you've been gone for so long."

"Even so, I'll only be gone a couple of months at the most. You'll see me sooner than you think."

"I can't let you go."

"You can."

"No I can't!"

"Listen to me Twilight! You've been with me my entire life, if not physically than more so spiritually. I love you and that will never change....those things I said back at the clinic...about being a failed experiment...I never believed them. I never once thought of myself as a failure, never even considered that maybe I was a test of your skills. No failure has the strength to get up and try again, no failure has the capacity and care to nurture a baby phoenix. These are all the things you gave me and so much more. My dream was always to return to you one day but in order for me to figure out who I am...really...you have to learn how to let me go."

She looked up at him, a single tear down her cheek. Silence filled the air as both of them stared into each other's eyes. Spike was anxious to receive a response, Twilight was obviously reluctant to give one. That is, until she stood up, her muscles seemingly shaken up with fear. "Can I...trust you Spike?"

"Trust me?"

"To stay safe...please promise me...please."

"I promise you Twilight, I mean come on, I am a dragon after all."

For a second, her head still hung low, her expression still emotionless. Then, she rose, a promising smile upon her face. "Spike....please come here."

Spike happily obliged as he took a step closer, Twilight's arms wrapping around him an warming embrace. "Uh...Twilight?"

"I want you to know that I love you. I wouldn't have my life any other way without you. Please...keep your promise...stay safe...stay alive...come back to me..."

"Don't worry, I will...mom."

As if the emotional embarrassment wasn't enough, a loud squeal was heard from Fluttershy in the background, down right in tears from shear happiness. "That...was...beautiful..."

Spike sighed at the Fluttershy's most common trait, her emotional understanding. "Fluttershy, why are you crying?"

"I'm just so happy that you two made up you know..."

"Even when it's not you huh Fluttershy?"

"I'm sorry...I just can't pass this moment of beauty up."

"Oh what am I saying, it totally makes that much more adorable." Fluttershy blushed and hid behind her sleeves once more while everyone slightly chuckled. "So it's settled then. I'm going as long as I stay safe right?"

Twilight wiped the final tears from her eyes before engaging Spike's eyes with her own, a look of anger on her face. "That's the deal mister, I expect you keep it you got that?"

"Yes mam, I swear." he said in haste.

"Good, now let's head to the Clinic shall we."

"Hey wait, did you find out anything about my.....transformation."

"Nothing solid I'm afraid. The only thing I was able to narrow down was a tale of similar details in a children's book." She said picking the small book of the table. "It's the story of how the Princesses defeated the evil dragons just before the war of Noella. There's nothing really that interesting to note except the last few pages where the dragon turns into something that closely resembles what you became Spike. A infinitely black dragon with white piercing eyes. I'm unsure however, that could be a depiction used by the author to scare the kids or to slander the truth behind it which is why it's not credible."

"Well it only seems to come from extreme anger or stress. Guess I'll just have to keep my temper in check."

"You're usually very good at that, shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, I suggest we prepare you for the trip."

"What about the Clinic?"

"I'll use a time spell on it. It'll be good as new."

As they all exited the Library, the night sky greeted them with it's cold embrace, illuminating them in moonlight and a sea of stars. They all gazed up at them as they returned towards the Clinic, paying no attention to their surroundings. It was then that something felt off, the streets were quiet and ominous but this was something else. Spike's draconian instincts detected a presence, a scent of something that seemingly had no organic scent. It didn't smell like a regular animal, instead of a very metallic nature making him rub his nose in frustration. "What the hell?"

Twilight was about to chew him out until she realized he was distressed. "Spike, you ok?"

"Something....is messing up...my smell."

"What do you mean something?"

"I smell something....it doesn't smell normal."

"What are you talking..." was all she could get out before something flew into the night sky, black as night. With a gleam in her eye, she quickly motioned everyone to dodge before grabbing Spike and disappearing with amazing speed as the concrete flew up in a devastating shockwave. Out of the blast range, Everyone reappeared, coughing as the debris filled the air. "Guess that's (cough) what Spike was smelling."

As the smoke cleared from their view, it remained heavy around something directly in the middle of the impact alongside some faint arguing it seemed. "I thought you said we would hit them?"

"That was the plan you idiot. I didn't think they would be able to sniff us out."

"Maybe you should stop underestimating your targets."

"And maybe you should shut up. Besides it's more fun when they prove me wrong and give off some awesome power."

"That habit's gonna get you killed one day."

"At least I got a good fight out of it."

Any chance we can get on with it. I mean Spike does have somewhere to be right now.....I'm just the narrator but come on.

"Your a pain I swear. By the way, I think they know we're here."

"Good, now I can fight them."

"I'm here too you dill hole."

Within seconds, the smoke seemingly faded as a large shockwave erupted from the two figures revealing the appearances.

Everyone looked in near shock at the two mysterious figures in front of them, Spike and Kiki the most surprised out everyone. Quickly Spike stepped forward and asked the million dollar question. "Who are you?...What are you?"

"Oh look Alex, that's the dragon we're looking for."

"What are you blind Victor?"

"I was trying to build something up you know."

"Oh really, I...am...so sorry."

"I hear that sarcasm you jerk."

"Can we just fight them now?"

"We're not animals Alex, well we are, but we're not without honor. They deserve an introduction."

"You...are...a...pain. Fine. Hello there residents of Ponyville. I bet you're wondering who we are right?"

Spike sighed. "I did ask that yes?"

"Well then, allow me to introduce myself. I, the shadow of time, am Alex."

"And I, the light of time, am Victor."

"(Simultaneously) It's very nice to meet you." They said placing an arm across their chest as they bowed with a sinister smile.

"Now that we've introduced ourselves..." Victor began before Alex quickly stepped in front of him.

"Introductions over, fighting now." he said as aimed his large gun at them, charging it up. A ball of energy appeared floating inside the tip of the gun before letting lose a laser that everyone effectively dodged. It seemed to do nothing at first, the size of the laser comparable to string until suddenly, the exact path the laser followed erupted with a string of an explosion. "Uh....oops."

Wow, that's seriously messed up.

Twilight quickly removed her staff from her person, extending it in anger. "Are you crazy?! You just leveled half the block!"

"Fine, if your get all uppity about it. I'll just switch it up." he said flipping the gun over so the slimmer bit faced them. It then split into two, the slimmer portion transforming into a hilt allowing a medium sized blade to spring from its tip, the larger half now remained a smaller gun. "I think this will cause less collateral."

"Alex!" Victor screamed. "Did you seriously forget what we're here for?"

"Stop busting my chops already, I got it. Now ponies....and squirrel apparently. Hand over the dragon and I might consider letting you live."

Kiki gasped. "Spike? Why do you want him?"

"None of your business runt, now hand him over!"

"I'm not going anywhere with you." Spike quickly retorted.

"Fine, suit yourself." he said non nonchalantly before quickly rushing forward at Spike, sword pointed directed at him.

Without warning, Twilight appeared in his path, stopping his sword narrowly with her staff before pushing him back. "Back off my dragon!"

He rushed forward once again slashing at her horizontally, her staff blocking it before he quickly pulled it back and slashed again vertically. She once again blocked it, retaliating quickly with unsuccessful swing to the leg and another unsuccessful swing overhead. "Think that staff will trick me!" he said lunging forward letting the sword pierce her staff once again. "Try this on. Paradox Arc: Time erasure!" Without warning, he began to leave images of himself behind, moving so fast that time seemed irrelevant. He removed his sword quickly front flipping and slashing horizontally before impossibly jumping back letting Twilight's attack pass harmlessly by. As the staff leveled horizontally he rushed back taking a kick to the staff, removing his sword, and aiming his gun at her almost simultaneously. A small shockwave erupted from his gun sending Twilight flying over Spike and into the distance rolling like a rag doll. "I guess they didn't know we had special abilities. You think I'm the Shadow of Time for nothing."

"Twilight!" Spike screamed as he rushed to help.

"I'm ok Spike, only a little rattled. He broke my staff though."

Alex slightly chuckled. "Speed unlike your wildest dreams, that's the power of Paradox Arc. Now are you going to hand over the dragon or am I going to have to get physical again."

"Um....excuse me..." a voice faintly called out.

"Because you guys really aren't as fun as I thought you were."

"Um...excuse me...could you maybe..."

"Like I seriously think you're like the weakest people I've ever met.

"Excuse me..."

"Who in the hell is saying that?"

"Over here..." Fluttershy said as she raised her hand.

"Kinda busy here so make it quick."

"I'd rather you stop hurting my friends now."

"Uh huh....and why is that exactly?"

"I just really think there are ways to do this peacefully."

"We're past the point of peaceful now. It's like that flower right there. See how it's not doing anything to me."

"No...please..."

Carelessly, Alex aimed his gun a fired a small pellet of energy leaving the flower charred to the core. "That's basically what we've done, difference is you guys fought back which means people get hurt, see what I mean?"

Tears welled up in Fluttershy's eyes as she looked at the charred flower. "That.. was just...an innocent flower..."

"And we destroyed half the block, what's new?" Suddenly Fluttershy shot her glance at him, the pupils completely gone from their placement making his entire body reeling back at the sheer force of her stare. "The hell!" Without warning she shot off running towards him. "Oh so you wanna play this game to!" He retaliated with own push of speed, readying his sword and gun as they neared each other. He quickly jumped up placing his finger on the trigger planning on using the potshot to gain some ground with his sword. Before he could even blink though, she took hold of his leg and pulled him closer, taking a palm directly to his face. They both slide back from the shockwave before rushing again. This time, Alex took to using his sword first, attempting over a dozen stabs before Fluttershy palmed the sword upward. Using a fan like motion to move the sword in a circle effectively removing it from his hands and tossing it few yards away. "Crap!"

"Hah!" she screamed as she instantly appeared in front of him, readying yet another palm to the chest. Within seconds, Alex quickly raised his gun so it's side faced her. "Benevolent Arc: Gentle wind!"

She slammed it with amazing force, a large shockwave of pink wind exploding out sending Alex sliding back all the way to his partner, effective enough to drop him to one knee. "You...freak...you destroyed my gun."

"Then take the other...and leave this place. Don't ever return or i'll have no choice but to destroy you."

"Hmm...What do you think Victor...worth it?"

"Eh...well she already destroyed your gun, and boy was that expensive."

"And that means?"

"No, no it's not."

"Well then, I guess that's it. You bunch really proved me wrong, especially the girl who broke my gun. We'll meet again, I swear it."

With that, they quickly jumped off into the night leaving everyone to regain their thoughts. Fluttershy stumbled a bit before dropping to her knees. her pupils returning to her. "Is.....everyone ok?"

Everyone quickly rushed to her aid, helping her to her feet before sitting her on a bench still standing. "Fluttershy..." Twilight started. "How did you do that?"

"I don't know. I just got mad and there it was."

"That's an insane amount of power you just gave off. Outstanding really."

Pinkie pie quickly responded before anyone could comment. "Why are we not asking the bigger question here like who the heck those guys were and why they wanted Spike?"

"You're right. Spike do you know those guys?"

"No Twilight. I've never seen them in my life."

"Hmm....Everyone back to the Clinic then, I'll repair the street and be back in 30."

Everyone sat at where the table used to be, still contemplating the situation at hand before Twilight finally walked in. "That took too much magic out of me. I probably won't be able to repair the Clinic until tomorrow. Oh, is everyone here?"

They all nodded as Twilight took a lean against the wall. "Exactly what is going on today?" Kiki started. "We got two robot looking jerks out there trying to get at Spike the same day he goes berserk."

"They have to be connected. That being said...Spike, are you still willing to go out there and explore the world?"

"Yup." he responded. "I can't let this discourage me from figuring out who I am. Even so, I noticed alot about them, mainly the advancements they seem to have."

"I noticed it too. Their bodies seem to be composed of highly advanced robotics, making them much stronger, faster, and allowing them a large variety of abilities."

"Didn't he yell something out before he attacked you?"

"It was a Paradox Arc move...impossible."

"I think Time erasure was it's name." Kiki noted.

"It's been quite some time since I've seen a time manipulating Arc. Actually now that I think about it." Twilight said before summoning words in what little bit of magic she had. "There are literally two types of magic that are completely inert within the current generation unless trained for in extreme amounts. That being the Celestial Arc belonging only to the princesses and the Terrestrial Arc once belonging to the dragons. Paradox however, It's impossible to obtain that time manipulating Arc. That Arc was lost to time long before the dragons died. It'd be a lifetime to unearth any information about it."

"That doesn't quite explain why somebody just just attacked us with it. I mean I was a princess and I didn't know about it."

Fluttershy placed a finger to her chin before gasping. "Wait a moment, you're always talking about inventing artificial Arcs for those not committed to the training. Is it possible that their metallic bodies may have..."

"Had something that provided them with a artificial version of a Arc missing to time I never thought of that. Question is....who's smart enough to even touch the power of manipulating time."

"Well after my little episode....(cough)....he did leave his sword attachment behind." Fluttershy said before pulling it out.

"Fluttershy you amazing person you. I'll need to study this profusely to get a better idea of what who might have created this. Don't worry though, I'll be there for you departure Spike. Should probably fix the Clinic first."

Spike chuckled at that. "Yea, I'd rather sleep without the breeze you know."

"You caused it so be quiet."

"Right...sorry."

"Don't worry about it Spike. We're still not sure what it is you turned into so it's not your fault. But not sleeping...that's your fault. Once I fix the Clinic, that's your destination I hope."

"Oh trust, after me, it is." After a good ten minutes, the Clinic finally looked good as new allowing everyone take a bed to sleep. Spike however, stayed on the roof, his thoughts swirling around everything that happened today. His transformation, Kiki's sudden urge to push her feelings on him, the fight between them and the that lost Arc user. "What the hell happened today? I've been the cause of so much risk today but why?" Is just being a dragon all it is?"

"What'cha thinking bout?" Kiki said as she stepped out onto the roof.

"Just...today..." he said still gazing into the stars.

"We could do without anymore of that today. I had to hide upstairs, had a temper tantrum, got tossed around by a jerk named Alex, I think I could do with a super long nap." she sitting down in the fetal position.

Spike chuckled before laying down as well, his arms behind his head. "I completely agree....say, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Was it a coincidence that we became friends."

"I don't think so. I believe we were fated to meet."

"Why do you think that? What if I hadn't gone investigating in that bush?"

"Then I most likely would have seen you at the Clinic. There's no avoiding me Spike." she said in a playful tone.

"Ok ok, just don't get weird on me."

"Can I tell you something I probably should have told you first of all?"

"I'm not surprised."

"This pen....sort of....might...maybe....have a mind of it's own sometimes."

"Say again?"

"It sometimes draws things without my knowledge. It drew the train arriving at the specific time, which just so happened to be the time you got off. When I got there to see what it wanted me to see, the drawing had disappeared and before I knew I saw you getting off."

"So you're telling me that that pen drew us sleeping together."

"Yea probably, but see." she said quickly dropping down to get her notebook and returning back to her sitting position. "The drawing is gone."

"So what do you think it was trying to tell us back there?"

"I'm nervous to assume the obvious."

"I won't lie, I feel the same. So I'm gonna go back down, you?"

"Actually. Spike, I'd like you to stay up here...with me...or whatever."

"Feeling lonely?"

"No...just thought it it'd be cool to look at the stars is all."

"Sleeping under the stars is nice too."

Spike felt his grow heavy, his mind drift off as the night lured them both to sleep. Before he could though, he felt a slight warmth at his side, Kiki kindly cuddled up next to him, And after one day of absolute hell, he felt this nice and calm rest was what he needed as he shut his eyes.

Author's Note

I swear I referenced like 3 things in one chapter, maybe 2.

Name them off and get props.