A Dream?...Nightmare?... or Visions
Darkness. Total utter darkness, that’s what Spike the dragon could make out. He knew straight away that this was nothing more than one of his recurring dreams or more accurately.... nightmares. He had been having these nightmares nearly every night since the events that took place at the Crystal empire just a few weeks ago. After having them near constantly, Spike felt like they were important somehow, mainly because of something else that resided in these nightmares. King Sombra.
Spike wished he would never see that Tyrant again, but yet here he was, in Spike’s thoughts and every time he was muttering or shouting out something. At the moment he was speaking words that were the most common to Spike “My Empire is lost to me, but my body will not follow. I will be creative in making a new one…” The imaginary version of Sombra turned towards Spike ‘this is new’ the young dragon thought. “And you are going to help me with that!” Sombra snarled at Spike. With a giant leap the King came down on the dragon, covering his face with his arms, Spike waited for the worst...which never came. The dragon opened his eyes slowly, groggily, he felt weird inside the pit of his stomach and it wasn’t just hunger. “That was different from the normal ones” Spike mumbled to himself.
“SPIKE! Are you awake yet!?” a voice yelled from downstairs, Spike knew very well who that was. Twilight Sparkle: Princess Celestia’s prized pupil and all round saviour of Equestria, she could freak out over the tiniest things and very easily blow a hole through the Library, she and Spike lived in, if she was that over edge about something. Spike being her personal assistant got the brunt of these outbursts she was known to have and had to help in anyway possible to stop them. But besides her crazy organized ways and outbursts, she was an enjoyable pony to be around and Spike wouldn’t want anyone else to be his honorary sibling.
Getting out of bed, Spike takes a few stretches before yelling out to inform Twilight that he was awake. “Yes Twilight, I’m awake now!” he replied.
A small pause and Twilight had responded “Ok cool, do you want to start breakfast yet? I’m not eager if you are wondering, just thought I’d ask.”
Spike stepped down the stairs and thought of another thing that needed to be explained about Twilight. She never was a great cook. She could do basic things, but when it came to cooking with ovens and stoves, she was as useful as a single torch in a snowstorm.
Spike replied as he entered the kitchen after giving a brisk wave to the lavender unicorn “I might actually start it now. I’m pretty hungry now that you mention breakfast”
Gathering the required ingredients and tools, Spike began to make some simple pancakes. Twilight was busy reading a book (like she does all the time) but she idly asked a light question without breaking contact with her page “Did you sleep well?” Spike’s eyes sprang open wide, any semblance of sleepiness was all but gone now.
“I-I well it wasn’t bad, I guess” he spluttered trying to focus on his pancake flipping. Spike never actually told Twilight he had these nightmares involving King Sombra, he didn’t want to make her worry and make it a big deal when it may just be stray fabricated thoughts from staring at the beast head on. He wondered about asking Princess Luna, but that would be a terrible idea. The lunar princess had the ability to peer into the dreams of others, so he imagined she knew about his strange dreams or maybe she didn’t. Either way, Spike had no intentions to tell anypony...not even his honorary sister.
Twilight didn’t seem to approve with Spike’s response and this time she looked up at him “Did you have a bad dream?”
‘Great, now she is on to me about having a bad dream’ Spike thought “Y-Yeah, nothing too serious though hehe” he laughed hesitantly.
Twilight raised an eyebrow “Mind telling me what it was? I won’t give you a hard time about it” she replied.
Spike was freaking out, he needed to make up a bad dream that she would be fooled by. Or at least related to something he enjoyed greatly that she’d understand. Looking over at his surroundings, he came across a lone piece of topaz. ‘Aha!’ he thought, picking up the gemstone he turned towards Twilight explained his fake bad dream. “My dream was that all the gemstones in Equestria and beyond had vanished completely, without a trace. To put it simply, I was devastated. But now-” he stopped to devour the precious stone, “I find that it was all a dream” he finished, going back to finish making breakfast.
Twilight still felt like Spike wasn’t telling the truth, but she didn’t want to go into a massive discussion first thing in the morning, so she let it slide. She pulled a small warm smile and replied “I’m glad you told me the “truth” Spike”
Spike could only chuckled...very nervously.
Spike finished off making breakfast and helped Twilight set the table. Their meals were served and Spike dug into his with gusto. Small chatter was what the two roommates engaged in as they ate their breakfast, Spike dodged any questions that involved his fake dream and King Sombra (which only piqued Twilight’s suspicions). After some time, breakfast was over and done with and Twilight started to go over a checklist. She muttered some things, most likely what she was going to do today, Spike was about to depart for upstairs when Twilight shouted, causing him to freeze in place. “Spike I need you to do a some things for me today. Is that okay?”
Twilight hovered the checklist over to Spike, he took it in his claws and flipped through it. Fortunately it was only two pages and many of the tasks were pretty straightforward and quick to do. Spike drew out a long sigh and gave his answer “Sure Twi”, Twilight gave him a smile in return.
Thank’s Spike, I’m going to be out with Fluttershy for a little awhile and I may not be back home till later. Just so you know, bye” she explained exiting the library.
Spike waved until she left “Ok, seeya then Twilight”
Now alone, Spike went over the list. “Help Rarity with broken window…” the page said “well at least my day is off to a good start” Spike grinned as left the Library for Rarity’s boutique.
Spike’s day was eventful to say the least. Helping multiple ponies with problems was annoying, but the praise and thanks for helping out was what Spike cherished.
“Ok last few things on the list. Let’s see…” Spike muttered to himself as he read over the next task. ‘Help AJ remove, quote, pesky Stump preventing a new tree to be planted’ Spike thought ‘AJ needs help with a stump huh? I guess a bit of fire could help with that’ Spike now with a grin placed the checklist back under his arm and sped off for Sweet apple acres.
“Heeya ther Spike!” the farm pony Applejack hollered out to the young dragon.
Spike returned the greeting “Hey AJ, so I’ve been told to help you with removing a stump. Is it?
Applejack nodded, she pointed to a medium sized tree stump, the ground around it had been dug out and the roots were visible. “That sure is right Spike, I could try and hack these here roots off myself, but that probably take forever to do. Do yer think ya could maybe-”
“Burn the roots to charcoal so you can remove the stump all together? No worries” Spike finished off for Applejack.
Spike took a stance by one side of the stump and focusing his breath, he unleashed a stream of green fire directly over the roots, turning them to nothing but burning pieces of coal.
“You’re a lifesaver Spike. Kinda like with the crystal empire and all” Applejack chuckled as she thanked Spike.
“Y-Yeah..hehe” Spike also chuckled but like that morning, nervously. Applejack took notice of this raising an eyebrow.
“Spike can ya just help me move this thing out of the way? Mac is out in the west orchard and I’d hate to trouble him for something like this” Applejack asked.
Spike nodded “Sure”
After a few failed attempts, Spike and AJ were able to remove the stump from the hole it came out of. Wiping some sweat from her head, Applejack took the chance to question Spike’s nervous behaviour at the mention of the Crystal Empire.
“Spike, why did ya seem..shakened by the mention of the Crystal Empire?” Spike tried to splutter a response but AJ stopped him, by raising a hoof “Don’t go lying to me about it either. You can do that with Twi or anypony else, but with me, you need to be nothing but honest.”
Spike sagged his shoulders, he said he wanted to keep this to himself, but now with Aj on his trail, the chances of that staying as it was, were probably lower than dismal. “Can you at least keep it secret?”
Applejack gave him a snort “Spike, I can’t promise you I’ll keep it secret... If it comes up that is, if it doesn’t get mentioned then I won’t tattle.”
Spike smiled “That will have to do. Right, so basically every now and then, maybe three times a week now, I’ve been getting these weird dreams about... King Sombra” Spike explained, pausing before he names the monster that was defeated not very long ago.
Applejack’s eyes widened at the name “King Sombra? What kind of dreams?” Applejack asked with easily readable fascination and fear.
Spike shrugged “Nothing extravagant if you are expecting that. Basically he mutters or yells to himself about not being defeated and that he will never lose his body...weird things like that” Spike answered.
Applejack rubbed her chin “That is weird…” she then gives a semi angry look directed at the dragon “And if I’m correct, Twilight doesn’t know about these dreams?” Spike nodded.
Applejack messed about with her hat for a second, she then gazed off into the distance letting out a deep sigh. “Ok Spike, I’ll keep it secret...for now” she patted Spike on the back “I’m glad you decided to tell me the truth”
Spike was semi relieved to have gotten that secret off his chest, it may of been one pony, but it was a start.
Collecting up the checklist Spike checked off the stump task. Reading over the last few tasks, he gives a big wave to Applejack and leaves to accomplish his next task.
“Twilight you home yet!?” Spike shouted out in the dimly lit library late at night. No answer. “Hmm must still be out. Well I’ll just take a light nap until she returns” Spikes says to himself. Lazily, he stumbles into his bed and falls asleep as soon as his head made contact with the pillow.
Once more, Spike was in darkness. His only companion was the vision of King Sombra... but it was... different this time. The King was focused on Spike, like he could see him.
“I can see you. Don’t think I’m oblivious to my surroundings little dragon. These ‘dreams’ you have been having are not dreams.”
Spike was taken aback by King Sombra addressing him directly, ‘This can’t be happening’ Spike thought.
Sombra grinned “Oh but it is”, the King noticed Spike’s freaked out look “Yes I can read your thoughts”
Spike could only mutter a single word “H-How?”
Sombra’s grin turned to a scowl “Did you really think I was defeated that easily!? Did you think I wouldn’t have a backup plan?!” he spat every word, moving closer to Spike.
Spike in turn moved backwards “A small portion of my soul is entwined with yours. I am in your mind and I need your help to release me!”
Author's Note
Sorry if anything was rushed. I don't have a great deal at the moment to take my time, but I was too eager to publish this and start up the story now.
Our new room mate King Sombra
The words shot right into Spike’s chest. “Help you?” he replied his voice barely above a whisper, Sombra stepped towards him.
“Yes, and I desire that aid right this second!” he yelled pounding the abyssal ground the two stood upon. Before Spike could react, Sombra glowed with a sinister dark light that enveloped his entire body and reached Spike’s. The light oozed around his legs and up his body bringing the baby dragon closer to the dark king. Spike tried with all his might to escape the tyrant’s grasp, but every attempt was met with the same result, failure, and Spike only moved faster. As he imagined, Spike was all but doomed to be free of the oozing light, in a last ditch effort to wake up, Spike closed his eyes, fearing for the worst to wash over him.
“...”
Spike opened his eyes, wide this time. Was it that all just a nightmare? he thought, looking at his surroundings, he was relieved to be in the treehouse ,early in the morning, and not in some void Celestia knows where.
Spike rose from his bed, stretching out his limbs until he was satisfied with the pops that resounded from Spike’s said limbs. “Ugh”. Spike could hear a groan; this might of been nothing to the dragon, it was probably just Twilight trying to go back to sleep, but the groan sounded...masculine.
Spike stepped out of his bed and peered around to locate the source of the groan. Spike was beginning to think it was just himself, when he stumbled upon something that nearly made him shout.
Clasping his claws over his mouth if he actually did, he takes a better look at what he found. It was a pony, but not just any pony, this one was a unicorn colt with dark grey fur and a jet black mane and tail. His cutie mark was a strange group of black crystal’s surrounded by red jagged streaks.
Spike near instantly assumed who this was but he didn’t wish to ask. A failed attempt to creep back to bed was met with the colt opening his eyes and revealing his blood red eyes. Slowly getting his footing, the colt stretches his neck and gives a short once over on his body, followed by a deep sigh. “As I expected, back to being a colt” the unicorn colt muttered.
Spike frozen in fear stutters some words so the colt acknowledge his presence “S-Sombra? I-Is that...y-you?”
The colt rolled his eyes with annoyed scowl upon his face “Again did you think what just happened was all a dream?” the colt growled, his voice sounded younger but it still had that ominous tone underlying it that Spike shivered at.
Spike nodded slowly, Sombra facehoofing at the response. “Why are you a colt and not your whole…” Spike tried to emphasize Sombra’s original tall appearance by stretching his arm high as it could go.
Sombra rubbed at a foreleg as he gave a response “Do you remember when we met gazes?” Spike confirmed that with another nod, Sombra continued “Basically to put it in an easy to understand way for your underdeveloped mind. A small sliver of my soul was transferred into your body, just before your princess Cadence” he spat the royal’s name “acquired the heart and destroyed my body. I knew one of two things was about to happen in that split second, I claim victory or die trying to. So, while I wished it was somepony better than your scaly hide, I hid some of my soul in your body to be regenerated once it regained enough energy to do so. A failsafe plan of sorts, as for my pre adolescent form, since your current age is equivalent to that of a young colt or filly. My new body took on the appearance of my younger self” Sombra explained.
Spike tried to take all this info in, “So you used my body as a safehouse of sorts until you had enough energy to react with me and escape into your own body, granted a younger version” Spike evaluated, trying to ignore the comments about being “undeveloped”.
Sombra confirmed this “That is correct, now if you do so mind. I have an empire to reclai…”
“Spike! You awake yet?” a voice shouted from downstairs. Spike panicked, he looked at Sombra with a freaked out expression trying to push the king into someplace to hide.
“Yeah I am, I’ll be down in a second Twilight!” Spike shouted.
“That name” Sombra growled “Your unicorn friend that originally tried to take the heart, before she fell into my trap” Sombra laughed.
“...Are you laughing?” Twilight asked.
Spike tried to utter a witty response that Twilight would take “No” he replied nearly on reflex. Well okay not witty but he didn’t have time for that.
Twilight easily enough was convinced by the answer “Spike I heard it, either tell me the truth or I’ll come up there to find out for myself.”
Spike panicked again “No! Twilight don’t come up here!” he yelled. That done it.
Twilight not getting the response she wanted, quickly bolted upstairs with agitated look. Arriving at the top she laid her eyes on Spike seemingly wrestling with a colt.
Twilight as expected, was confused beyond what one would expect. She looked over the two fighting and her confused look turned into a small but noticeable smile. “Spike why couldn’t you just tell me you had a friend up here...in fact how did he get up here?” Twilight asked “I’ve been up for a while, so I would of noticed him if her entered via the door.”
Spike had managed to calm down a smidge, coming up with a response he looked over Sombra and outstretching his claws towards the colt, he introduced his “friend”. “Twilight meet Onyx Stone, he’s a new unicorn in town that I met while on my rounds doing that check list yesterday. He was really eager to see me so he climbed up the side of the tree and jumped in through the window. A little clingy I know, but he’s a good guy to be around, so I didn’t pay it much attention. Since you were out really late, I never got a chance to tell you about him” Spike explained, much to the angered look on Sombra’s face.
Twilight gave the colt a warm smile “Hey there Onyx, if you just arrived in town, then you might not of applied for the primary school yet. Am I right?” she asked sweetly, something Sombra felt sick to stare at. He was close to escaping the premise without a response when Spike got hold of one of his hooves and gave him a look of disapproval.
Sombra didn’t want to admit it but at the moment he was in a body that wasn’t even a quarter of his original power and thinking upon that, trying to take back his empire this way was probably an unwise move. He had to play along until he could find away to gain his full power and older body back.
Hesitantly, Sombra or Onyx stone now replied to Twilight’s question. The latter waiting expectantly for the reply. “Y-Yes, you are correct Twilight, my parents wanted me to have a better life then the village I lived in. So they sent me to live in this town called ponyville because of its friendly denizens. Unfortunately I need to find a place to stay at for myself” Onyx’s eyes wide in fake realization “ in fact...could I potentially stay with you?” he asked, his fake childish grin making Spike’s skin crawl.
Twilight thought about this question, it wasn’t easy to answer that was for sure, but Twilight knew that it would be wrong to say no and she doubted anypony in town was as willing to take in another mouth to feed. Since a multitude of Ponyville already had children, looking back towards Onyx, Twilight smiles once more. “Ok Onyx, you can stay with us. But you may need to be willing to help with things around the library and also help ponies around town, just like what Spike did yesterday”
Onyx turned towards Spike, who wasn’t in the best mood, and grinned “I’d be more than happy to help with your chores, Twilight” he replied, his words laced with no meaning and true willingness.
“Great, now one of Equestria’s greatest threats is living in my house and nopony else is the wiser” Spike mumbled, Onyx could hear it all too well.
With a smirk he responded “Better get used to it reptile, because soon enough I’ll be back at full power and this town, along with your pitiful friends will kneel before me!”
The younger Sombra was about to let out a maniacal laugh when Twilight stated something to him “Oh Onyx, how about you go get your stuff from where ever you have been staying till now and then follow me to the school house so we can get you enrolled.”
Onyx replied in his best fake innocent voice“Okay Twilight, just hold on for one moment” sighing inwardly, Sombra grumbled under his breath “But before I can take over this town, I need to participate in its academic field...for younglings...just great”
Spike chuckled at that comment, it was the first time he had smiled for real that morning.
