Not The First

I needed order.

Some semblance of normalcy and purpose. I had to do something.

I put the bodies back. Littlest ones first. I didn't barf this time. Not that I had anything to throw up.

All those dead mes stacked pretty high. Not a mountain, but the way I threw them on the pile made it's own terrain. I pushed some of the bodies aside and made a cave. It was cozy enough. I dragged what was left of Sparkle in with me.

I also carved bone spears and put them on top of the pile.

The way I figured, it was only a matter of time until Princess teleported. When she did, she'd fall on the pointy bones. She'd be injured but probably not dead, if only because I couldn't secure the spears well enough. If she did die... well, I dunno. Maybe I'd throw her corpse across the sphere so no other me would have to be near her.

But she wouldn't die. I was sure of it. She'd hit the spears and they'd be moved by her fat haunches, probably break off in her. Then she'd be injured and helpless. I could... I could...

Huh. I thought I'd have more plans. Oh well. I can make it up as I go along. Torture by someone with no experience would be bad enough, no doubt.

Until then, just keep watching and waiting. Take small sips from the skull. Try and nibble on a bone or two.

Be ready.

I failed to considerate what would happen if Princess used the spell on somepony else. Somepony smaller, more fragile. Somepony who couldn't fly under the best of circumstances.

I heard the Pop! and got excited. I picked up the hatchet and ran out, ready to face my greatest enemy: myself.

I wasn't ready for it.

He had fallen back-first. He might not have even seen the spears. But he felt one of them. He felt it when it went through his spine, through his guts, through his plump belly and out the other side, a tangled string of intestines pulled out and up. Blood smeared over the bleached bone. His little limbs kicked and spasmed.

No- they reached for the spear. Trying to get free.

He was still alive. He was still alive.

He saw me, and recognized me. He reached for me. He even tried to talk, but nothing came out of his mouth but a small trickle of blood.

Spike gasped for another breath; his pupils turned to slits, before his eyes closed for the last time. His head flopped. His arms dropped. His claws relaxed.

I sat down, rather numb. It seemed surreal. My Number One Assistant... he couldn't be gone. Not like that. "Spike?" I prodded his head. My brain refused to acknowledge the giant stabbing death trap coming out of his lower body. The one that I had put there. No, no. He wasn't dead. Right?

I mean, I'd just watched Sparkle die. I couldn't have watched Spike die, too. The universe could not be that cruel.

"Come on, Spike." I stubbornly began pushing his body up and off the spear. I ignored the fact that the spear was even there. No, I was... lifting him out of a pen, that was it. He'd fallen into a pen, or a cage, and I was lifting him out. Yeah. I also ignored the slimy guts that trailed out through the gaping hole I did not see. They scraped along the ground behind us as I carried Spike into the cave.

"Spike, this is my friend Sparkle," I introduced him. He said nothing. "She's dead, I know. But I can't bear the thought of just leaving her on the pile." I thought I saw the hint of a smile on Spike's muzzle- a slight turning of his lip. "That's the spirit! Now you two get acquainted, I'm going to go get rid of the... I'm gonna go do a thing."

I ducked out of the cave, confident that Spike would be fine. It wasn't like he could go anywhere. I'd always be able to find him in this sphere.

Moving those ill-advised spears of bone took no time at all, and yielded unexpected fruit. Well, not fruit. But a bounty. "Look Spike!" I said cheerfully when I got back to the cave. "Your bindle!" His head shifted, which I interpreted as a nod. "So good of you to bring me new supplies. That's why you're my Number One Assistant!"

Silence.

"Let's see; we've got the cloth wrapping, very useful. We'll just set that down-" I tossed it aside. Cloth was useless here.

Then I realized that if I carefully pulled out some threads, I could use it as a sieve. I quickly picked it up. "Heh heh, whoopsie! Missed where I wanted it to go! Why don't you hold onto it for me, Spike?" I carefully draped the cloth over his body, hiding the truth. "Now, where was I? Ooh, the stick! I can get the fire going again! Could you give me some help?"

Silence.

"Oh, that's right. Magic doesn't work here. We'll just have to do it the old-fashioned way! Later," I amended. "For now, what was the real prize?" I unwrapped the second cloth layer. Inside were a number of jewels- dragon snacks- and much more. Some bits, a picture of Rarity, a scroll and quill, and-

My stomach growled.

Food. Real food. A thick stack of sandwiches, all kinds of 'em. And also a bottle of water, thank goodness, but sandwiches. I had eaten nothing but flesh for months! Just single bite of something that didn't have to be charred...

I tore the wrapper off the first sandwich and bit into it.

"Bleah!"

I scraped at my tongue. What the hay?

Oh no, I realized. I had eaten nothing but flesh for months. My taste buds weren't used to hay and flowers and bread and dressing. My stomach probably wouldn't be, either.

"Okay," I said out loud, "We can save those for later. We can share them! Right, Spike?"

Silence.

"I knew I could count on you!" I gave him a quick hug. He didn't move, but I was used to awkward hugs from him. Half the time he had to look cool around other ponies. He couldn't be seen giving his 'big sister' a hug.

"So where was she sending you, anyway, Spike?" The dragon didn't answer. "Hmmm. I bet... I'll bet she was sending you to the Crystal Empire, to deliver an important message to Cadance and Shining Armor!" Still no response. "Or was it the Dragon Lands? A visit with Princess Ember, perhaps?"

Spike said nothing.

"Oh, okay, I get it. You don't feel like talking. That's fine, really. I'm- I'm feeling a bit tired. I'll just curl up and-" I yawned. Climbing that hill, three times, it took a lot out of me. But that was okay. I had my Number One Assistant! And he'd never let anything bad happen to me.

Right?