The Dragon Knight

by Spideze

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Romance, Spike, King Sombra, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Main 6
Length: 6328

A story of love, lost and a mysterious shadow pony? Follow spike as he embarks on his longest journey yet!

Spike was living a normal teenager life, but when Celestia has a vision of an old evil force returning to take over Equestria he must embark on a long journey of hard training to fight across Equestria to protect the ones he loves more than anything else.

All seems straight forward but all is not what it seems, Who is this shadow pony? How is spike being a dragon relate to all of this? And why is he blushing when he looks at Twilight?!

Okay....maybe things are more complicated than it seems.

Published 2017-08-01 06:30:05 UTC
Last updated 2017-08-07 14:34:11 UTC

Chapter 1

The Dragon Knight

Chapter 1

By Spideze

ITALICS = Thinking/thoughts

PONYVILLE

"Ugh...and to think i would always complain about cleaning the Golden Oak library!"

Ever since the Castle of Friendship appeared Twilight has done nothing but add more and more books to her collection, unfortunately with her trying to always help Starlight with her friendship lessons i'm left to clean and reorganize the castle alone.

"And...there that's the last book for the top shelf, i think this dragon deserves a gem," Spike giggled to himself as he climbed off the old, slightly worn ladder and made his way to the castle's kitchen as he hummed a light tune.

As Spike made his way into the kitchen he couldn't help but miss the old comfy feel of the Golden Oaks library over the new crystal empty feel the new castle holds. A tear threatened to side down his cheek as he remembered the events of Tirek destroying the library, anger washing over his body and he slammed his fist against the pristine crystal table, his hand aching in response.

"Agghh if only i had grown up sooner, maybe the library would still be standing." A few months after Twilight and the others accepted Starlight into the group spike had started going through subtle changes in his body, he became stronger with more noticeable muscles, that Rainbow Dash went on to tease him about, he became more mature and wise seeming to gain knowledge he had not cared about before and finally one day he surprisingly shot up to 6 ft 2 standing just slightly taller than his mom Celestia.

Spike brushed the thoughts away and proceeded to walk over to the shiny cupboard, mentally stopping himself from ripping everything shiny out and putting in comfy wooden ones, his train of thought stopped when he heard the front door fly open.

"Spike, i'm home! Where are you Spike?"

"I'm in the kitchen Twilight," Spike shouted back returning to his hunt for juicy gems.

"You would not believe how hard it is to try and help ponies around town when Starlight and Trixie constantly practice new spells all over Ponyville! You finished cleaning for today right?" Twilight asked walking into the kitchen seeing her number one assistant rummaging through the cabinets presumably looking for gems,Twilight giggled slightly looking at her assistant's antics.

Spiked laughed at the thought of Starlight and Trixie learning and trying new spells at Twilight's expense. "Yes Twilight i did everything you asked of me."

"Clean the bedrooms?"

"Yes"

"clean the bathroom?"

"Yes Twilight..."

"wash the widows?"

"Twi-"

"re-organize the bookshelves?"

"Twilight I-"

"alphabetize the books, make the beds, do the dishes replace the-"

"TWILIGHT"–Spike picked up the surprisingly light alicorn and help her up to his face. keeping his snout just inches away from his– "Twilight i did everything you asked of me like i ALWAYS do so please stop freaking out and put faith in your number one assistant," Spike smiled confidently at Twilight as a pink tint formed on her otherwise lavender coat.

"Heh, sorry Spike it's just that I've wanted to organize and clean this castle for weeks but with Starlight always doing either friendship lessons or learning some new type of magic I've been really busy, i haven't even been able to hang out with the girls much," said Twilight pouting as she searches her mind to when the last time she properly hung out with her friends. Twilight looked up to the now much taller Spike as he sat her down and flashed her a look of sadness,

"Look Twilight i know you have been busy with Starlight but trust me i can handle cleaning the castle, though i do think it would be much better to hire so service ponies, not that i mind cleaning and helping you out but...I'm older now Twilight it would be nice if i could go out and hang out with people or just relax, i kind of want my own life you know?"

"Hmm i guess that would make things easier for the both of us around here...and that would allow us to hang out more and make me stress out less, but i don't want ponies to think i am snobby or force them to work for me," Twilight had never liked being treated like royalty, always feeling like she just wanted to be treated like a normal pony, and who could blame her? Being treated differently never feels good, and after all Twilight has seen how ponies treated Celestia differently and she always felt bad for her mentor, even if she did treat her differently herself.

Spike laughed and petted his best friend on the head messing her silky hair up in the process. "Twilight ponies clean as a job and maybe even have it as a special talent, plus if you hire some ponies from Canterlot i am sure the would be happy to clean the smaller castle compared to Canterlot," Twilight grinned a heart warming smile at him and shook her head as she turned around to head out of the kitchen.

"Ha ha alright Spike come lets go to Sugarcube Corner and get some gem crusted cupcakes!" Laughter and cheers could be heard out throughout the castle.

MEANWHILE ELSEWHERE

Deep inside a dark and cold cave nestled deep towards the back was a shadowy figure sulking on the cold slick surface. "They...THEY TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME"-images flashed in the pony's mind- "no, that DRAGON took everything from me! I WILL get my revenge!" Laughter could be heard to any unlucky creature walking by.

SPIKE'S POV

"I don't know how Pinkie does it but she makes the best darn cupcakes in all of Equestria," I really should see if pinkie will give me that recipe.

"Mmm tell me about it Spike i could easily eat her cupcakes all day!" Twilight proclaimed excitedly with a ear to ear grin

Spike couldn't help but look at Twilight with a wide grin as he thought to himself.

That smile of hers always melts my heart, it adds to her already natural beauty and...

Spike stopped his walking and froze instantly as he frantically searched his own head and looked at Twilight.

Did i really just think that about Twilight? I mean sure she is beautiful in her own nerdy way but how could i have said that so easily, Twilight basically raised me!

"Spike? Spike are you okay, what's wrong? Twilight looked at Spike with worry in her eyes as she slowly approached the dragon taking not of the distant and freaked out look he had on his face and the now visible sweat running down his head

Okay spike okay calm down, so you called her beautiful it meant nothing other than a statement or fact and plus she didn't hear me so it's all okay just calm down...even with saying that i don't feel much better, maybe i should-

"SPIKE"

"Huh what?!" Spike looked around in nervous panic has he heard a scream, soon realizing it was Twilight floating up to his face looking at him with panic in her eyes and nervousness evident on her face. "What is it Twilight is something wrong?"

"I should be asking you that! You just spaced out and stopped walking, you had a clear look of panic and worry in your eyes, is everything okay Spike?" said Twilight in a concerning tone, floating closer to spike's face

Spike's heartbeat increased as Twilight neared his face, instinctively taking a step back and flashing her a weak smile.

Oh NO, i can't possibly tell her what i was just thinking can i? Darn it Spike calm down before you make her freak out!

"Uh yeah Twilight i am fine don't worry i just uh...freaked out because i couldn't remember if i turned the stove off or not yeah heh heh," Good one laughing nervously like that she will totally buy that you dummy.

"Spike we are closer than anypony else i know and i trust you more than anything, so if it's something bothering you tell me please" Twilight shot spike an almost motherly smile.

Spike looks around for a way out of this and sighs knowing he can't get around not telling her what he was thinking. "Okay Twilight look i wa-"

"AHHHH SOMEPONY, HELP!"

Twilight looked at Spike with a worried expression while Spike grew very serious and bolted towards the screaming in a full sprint with Twilight flying close behind, both having the same thought in mind

Please be okay

Chapter 2

The Dragon Knight

Chapter 2

By Spideze

CANTERLOT

It was a slow day in Canterlot, as is everyday, especially for a certain sun goddess currently sitting in her thrown listening to two particularly obnoxious ponies arguing as to who should receive some funds for a social gathering they are both hosting.

“Your highness i am sure you can agree when i say not only a pony of high standing as yourself but all of Canterlot would benefit from having a sophisticated gathering like my auction of refined art, hosted in your honor of course your highness.”

The art enthusiastic pony with a jet black mane and a silky white coat that was almost as bright as Celestia’s if not a few shades darker, wanted to host an art auction for the recent of Ed Ruscha, and oddly named unicorn recently becoming the next up and coming artist of Canterlot.

“Now hold on right there your highness i believe we could do with those funds much more important things like hosting my idea of a magic fair near the School of Gifted Unicorns you so gracefully created, it would attract ponies who weren’t previously interested in magic specifically to maye delve deeper into the subject of magic. It would also give the ponies at said school a chance to shine and show off what they have learned under your teachings”

The nerdy looking pony with a light brown coloured mane and light tanned coat had been asking the princess for weeks to host some type of fair demonstrating and teaching different types of magic to young fillies and colts striving to better themselves in the field of magic. Ever since him and many other discovered that Twilight Sparkle the savior of Equestria, bearer of the Elements of Harmony and the newest princess of the group had at one point in her life gone to Celestia’s school.

“Canterlot is one of the most magically accumulated city in all of Equestria! Celestia has better things to do then to host a fair for a subject most if not all of Canterlot ponies know about”

“Right and you think Celestia or any other pony would want to go to your useless art auction? With my magic fair ponies would actually learn and benefit from it! Unlike your little art show”

“MY art auction will be talked about throughout all of Canterlot as being one of the most elegant and cultivated social gathering that has happened in years! And Princess Celestia would much rather go to my gathering than your pathetic little magic fair.”
“Pathetic?! Why would anypony go and see your stupid paintings?”

“HOW DARE YOU, YOU UNCULTURED SWINE!”

“ENOUGH!” Celestia had grown very irritated looking at the argument in front of her and decided enough was enough, she silenced the two annoying ponies and lit her horn up casting a silencing the two preventing them from giving her anynore of a headache “Now you two listen very closely, you two are acting like FOALS and i will not tolerate any insults in my day court.”

Celestia trotted towards the two ponies with a stern scowl adorning her face, levitating the two ponies dragging them to the doors leading outside of her throne room. “And frankly while both of your ideas have pros and cons you clearly don’t understand the purpose of my day court. This court is meant for very serious issues and here you two are selfishly asking for funds for a social gathering!” Celestia tossed the two ponies and leaned towards them flashing a threatening fake smile “Do you two want my advice”- Celestia got close enough to only whisper - “Use your own money.

Celestia curtly turned on her hoof and trotted back into her throne room “Sun court is dismissed so if you would all so kindly as to leave!” Celestia shouted as she quickly trotted back towards, just as she was about to reach her throne room a sharp pain shot through her brain and her eyes flashed white

Pain

Death

“Yes….YES I HAVE DONE IT! I have defeated all four of the princesses and conquered Equestria!”

Celestia mentally gasped as she saw her faithful students laying at the steps of her throne, drained of any life of their bodies, souls no longer contained to their vessel. She looked past the bodies at the top of the throne was a dark silhouette of a pony sitting on her throne looking down on its victims with pride.

“Last time that pathetic little dragon and the crystal heart defeated me but how about now? The dragon is dead the heart is destroyed and in front of me are all of the princesses and bearers of the Elements lie dead at my hooves, it’s almost….blissful!” The dark silhouette pony stepped out of the shadows walking down the steps with a cold steel clang. What Celestia saw made her already white face go even paler, out from the shadows standing just above Twilight Sparkle’s body stood a battle worn king Sombra, wearing a dark purple and black steel a play armour wearing a creepy and evil smile that sent shivers down Celestia’s spine

Suddenly the surrounding area faded to white as Celestia returned to reality, once her vision returned she suddenly collapsed to her knees not caring who saw her at this vulnerable state, she was shaking feeling the cool salty tears fall down her snow white coat leaving a damp trail in their wake.

“Your highness?!” The two guards who were stationed at the Throne room door quickly dashed over to their princess concerned that something had happened to her “Your highness what’s wrong is everything okay?”

“Go get my sister, now” Celestia slumped to the floor thinking about what she had just seen.

“Sister are you sure what you saw was a vision and not maybe a trick or something?” Luna’s personal guard had bursted into her private chamber and awoken her tranquil sleep but was soon on high alert once her guards had informed her what had happened in the throne room, moments later she teleported into the throne room to see a crying, broken Celestia laying in the middle of the room.

“Yes sister it had to be real, it felt real it…smelled real” Celestia had to refrain from gagging as she relived what the vision had shown her, her face scrunching up in disgust as a tear had threatened to fall once more.

“So you’re saying that King Sombra returns and kills us all?” Luna said with a mixture of sadness, panic and a little bit of disbelief, i mean after all she was the princess of the night sister of the one and only princess of the sun! How could King Sombra beat all of them especially the Elements of Harmony? And in such a brutal way.

“Yes sister and i know that look Lulu and no i don’t know how he could have beaten us, maybe he obtains some ancient powerful item or maybe her tricks ponies into obeying his will all i know is we have to stop that vision from coming to fruition.”

“Well then what are we waiting for? Let us send a letter to Twilight and her friends so that they can prepare for what is to come!” Luna summoned a parchment and quill ready to write her warning when Celestia stopped her.

“Luna wait,” said Celestia while grabbing the parchment and quill and setting them on the table. “I agree that we should inform them up the impending danger however i have a better idea that may just give us a secret weapon and win against Sombra”

“And what is that sister?” Luna asked noticing the sly smile on her sister’s face.

PONYVILLE

“Spike, please slow down!” Twilight breathed heavily only barely being able to keep up with the dragon as he sprinted towards the screaming pony. A million thought racing through her mind, her heart threatening to burst through her chest as all she could is hope that the pony was okay.

As the duo reached near the edge of town, they turned a corner to see Fluttershy backing away slowly from a manticore, the beast’s eyes looking predatorily at fluttershy, flashing its teeth as a sign of dominance slowly stalking to its prey. Twilight looked on in horror a look of shock and terror on her face, before she could react however a growl was heard from her side as Spike ran towards the manticore intent on saving his dear friend.

“Don’t you hurt her you disgusting beast!” Spike dashed in front of fluttershy shoving her backwards to protect her, mentally noting several cuts and bruises all along her yellow coat, tears raining from her eyes, most likely out of fear.

“Spike wait! I’m com-”

“NO! Twilight i got this go get the others NOW i will defend Shy and by you time but you have to go now!” Spike quickly dodged a quick swipe from the manticore and growled in response challenging his dominance and showing he wasn’t about to let this beast hurt one of his best friends. Twilight flashed him a face on concern before he returned a quick serious expression as if to say “trust me” Twilight teleported away to get the other as Spike slowly pushed Fluttershy back to get away from the manticore, a plan which failed as the manticore very quickly charged towards the two. Spike had very little time to throw up his arms as a very weak attempt to protect himself and the frightened pegasus. The manticore thrashed at spike flinging him into a nearby tree, Spike screamed in agony as he slammed his arm into the tree and could feel what could only be described as a bone breaking.

Spike slumped down to the ground feeling nothing but agonizing pain as he saw the manticore walk towards Fluttershy, he frantically looked around for anything he could use as a weapons or as a means to get back up, he saw a rock nearby and he used all of his will to force his body to get up into a slouching position. He picked up the rock and quickly threw it at the manticore sending it right into the back of it’s head, the manticore quickly whipped around and roared in anger before he charged at Spike intent on mangling the poor dragon for challenging such a ferocious beast.

Thinking quickly Spike threw his body out of the way as the manticore slammed its face into the tree stunning the beast, thinking quickly Spike leaped forward landing a clean right hook against the beast. The manticore stumbled onto it’s side, taking the opportunity Spike quickly ran over to fluttershy to defend her. “Shy do you think you can fly out of here?”

“N-no...when the manticore took a swing at me it clipped my wing and now i can barely move them let alone fly…” Fluttershy whimpered as she looked back and looked at her cut and slightly torn wing, wincing at the pain and she tried to prevent herself from crying anymore.

A roar caught both of their attentions as they looked over to see the manticore glaring at spike with a burning rage that slightly terrified Spike, he looked over to Fluttershy and saw her almost break down crying, she was afraid, she was crying...something made her cry. A new flame sparked within Spike, his features noticeably darkening as a low growl emitted from his scowling muzzle. To Fluttershy and the manticore’s surprise Spike roared in total rage as he charged towards the manticore, noticing a rather large stick near the tree he had slammed into, mentally wincing at the sudden pain in his left arm from the memory, a planned formed in the dragon’s mind.

When the manticore was close enough it leaped into the air towards Spike hoping to get the jump on. ‘Just what i wanted!’ As soon as the beast jumped into the air spike slid under the beast and immediately made a run for the stick, by time the beast turned around and prepared to attack the “fleeing” dragon Spike was already mid swing, cracking the stick over the manticore’s head sending the beast to the ground in agonizing pain. Spike’s mind suddenly filled with images of how hurt and scared this beast had made Fluttershy, anger flooding his body as he started to have dark thoughts that had never appeared in his mind before, Spike sulked towards the beast.

“Spike we’re here let’s save-” before anypony could even react, Spike blasted a giant flame over the body of the manticore, the ponies too shocked to even notice the screams of pleasing of the manticore, but Spike noticed, it satisfied him. After what seemed like minutes, Spike stopped his torrent of flames, looking over the body of the now charred manticore, burnt to a crisp.

Chapter 3

The Dragon knight

Chapter 3

By Spideze

ITALICS=Thoughts

Burnt flesh

In a open luscious green field on the outskirts of Ponyville, six ponies stood horrified and shocked, directly in front of them stood a lone dragon, an emotionless face worn on his features, all sense of life seemingly drained from his body. In between the ponies and dragon laid a charred, mangled body of the manticore, disfigured form on display for anypony to see.

Silence, not a single sound was made for what seemed like eternity, nopony would dare speak afraid of what could happen next.After what seemed like hours, Spike began to move.

‘Wh-what happened, am i dead? I remember running towards the manticore then...nothing,’ Spike blinked several times, regaining his somewhat blurry vision, his muzzle immediately scrunching in disgust as a horrible smell hit his nostrils in full blast. It smelled of blood...and burnt flesh, Spike started to panic worrying something happened to his friends ‘Fluttershy!’ He rubbed his eyes to fully regain his vision, he had to fight back from vomiting at what he saw.

In front of Spike, only a few inches away was a blackened corpse of the beast that was about to kill him only moments ago, behind the corpse was a sight that broke his heart, six ponies, his six friends staring at him fear evident on their faces. Spike slowly trudged towards the ponies only for them to back away from him.

‘They’re…afraid of me?’ Spike felt his heart ache knowing that his friends were afraid of him, even if he didn’t know why...it felt like his heart shattered, falling to his knees Spike slumped to the ground. ‘Why are they afraid of me? It-it’s me why would they...’ Spike looked up over the bodies towards his six best friends, a terrified look on his face. ‘No, i didn’t do this did I? They don’t think i could have done this do they?’

“Guys I-I didn’t do this did i? It’s me, Sp-Spike your little dragon...friend,” Spike trailed off as the six ponies only shared a worried glance between each other backing up further from the dragon. “Why are you guys backing away from ME!?” Spike started bawling uncontrollably refusing to believe what had happened trying to stand up only for his body refusing causing him to fall back down to his knees wincing as the adrenaline finally started wearing off, the results of the battle finally taking a toll on his body.

Spike’s vision started going blurry, so much pain and heartache from his friends being afraid of him, it was all too much for his body. The last thing he heard was his name being screamed as a yellow blur rushed to his side right before he blacked out.

PONYVILLE HOSPITAL - 2 DAYS LATER

Beep, Beep, Beep.

In a far off dimly lit hospital alone in a soft feather stuffed bed laid a single dragon stirring uncomfortably. Tossing and turning in bed, vivid images flashing in his sleep.The memory of what happened hit him like a truck, remembering every little brutal detail of what he did.Hitting the manticore over the head, spewing flames towards the injured beast and then...flesh, the smell of burning flesh. Suddenly faces of the Mane 6 appeared in Spike’s dream, some crying some yelling, calling him a monster.

“Ahhhhhh!” Spike jolted awake from his nightmare sweat running down his face panic filled him to the core, quickly scanning the room Spike noticed that he is no longer in the field, instead plain white walls caught his vision, some medical supplies and instruments scattered across the room, quickly noting he must be in Ponyville hospital, Spike looked around the room hoping to find his friends only to be greeted by the chilling, hollow feeling of loneliness.

“I wonder where they are…” as Spike pondered where his friends could have gone, the room’s dark oak door creaked open revealing a snowy white coat mare with a bubblegum pink mane, a look of concern on the nurse’s face.

“Uh, is everything okay in here? I heard screaming.” Nurse Redheart slowly made her way over to the occupied bed, worried her patient might be in pain, Redheart shook her head and after a moment to recompose herself, the nurse regained a sense of professionalism to properly take care of her patience.

“Nurse Redheart...i’m glad to see a familiar friendly face,” Spike flashed her a small smile remembering all of the times he had seen her because of either him or somepony else getting hurt inevitably running into the nurse multiple times.

“Likewise Spike” - Nurse Redheart came close pulling a chair to sit next to the bed with - “so what was that scream about? You’re not hurt are you?”

“No, no i’m fine just...a bad dream” Spike felt his smile fade as he remembered the gruesome dream he just had. “Say nurse Redheart how am i looking as far as injuries go?” Redheart looked concerned about Spike hoping the dream wasn’t too bad. She rose from her seat and trotted over to the clipboard holder next to Spike’s bead and read over his report.

“First off Spike i would hope we are close enough friends for you to just call me Redheart, secondly it appears your left arm was broken in your fight with the manticore, other than that you have a bruised rib and a few bumps and scratches here and there. You really are lucky spike that manticore could have ripped you to shreds and from what i heard you almost took a swipe from the manticore full force to your torso, you might not even be alive if that had happened.” Redheart frowned at the dragon wondering how he got so lucky to only have minor injuries.

“Ah so you know what happened then?” Spike really didn’t want the town thinking of him as some monster with no heart, sadly Ponyville has always been known to spread news quickly and of course this would have been no exception. Redheart noticed Spike’s reaction to the news quickly sighing and putting her clipboard down looking directly into the dragon’s eyes.

“Spike do not sit there and act like what you did was a bad thing, yes some ponies were rather shocked and even...sickened at the idea of you killing another life but we all know that Fluttershy’s and your life were in danger. You were brave enough to defend Fluttershy even if it meant losing your own life,” Spike didn’t look so convinced, deciding to try and change subjects he looked out the window before asking.

“Where are my friends anyways? I figured they would stay and make sure i am okay.”

“I don’t know, after they dropped you off and explained what happened to the doctors they just left,”

“If you’re so certain ponies think what i did was right them why aren’t my friends here to make sure i was alright?” Spike retorted.

“I don’t know Spike and i didn’t say every pony would be okay with what you did there will be those who see you as...well they won’t be to happy with you is what i’m trying to say,” said Redheart trying to make the dragon feel a little better

“Yeah well...i guess we’ll see who does and doesn’t like me won’t we,” Spike said blowing smoke through his nostrils.

Redheart sighed and turned towards the room’s door she foolishly left open, mentally scolding herself for giving any passing ponies a chance to eavesdrop on their private conversation. Redheart put the clipboard down in the nearby seat and trotted towards the door, before she walked out she turned around to look at the dragon, a weak smile on her face. “Spike don’t worry too much,everything will be fine. Get some rest and i will check on you in a few hours,” and with that nurse Redheart left the room closing the door as she went.

Spike was left alone to his thoughts, growing sadder and sadder as he realized how much he wanted his friends here.

‘Of course they wouldn’t be here...they think i’m a MONSTER, why would they ever want to see me again,’ Tears began to fall from the young dragon’s eyes depression quickly sinking in. “How could i just kill the manticore? I’m a monster i’m what everypony thinks dragons really are..i bet they whole town hates me.’

‘My friends aren’t even here to check on me anymore, what if they hate me!? What if Twilight kicks me out or sends me away? What if i get banished?’ Spike mentally shouted as his mind went through multiple scenarios as to how everypony would react, eventually growing tired due to physical and mental exhaustion but before he could let his mind drift into the realm of dreams Spike felt an all too familiar sensation build up in his stomach travelling up through his throat.

“Bleghh!” Spike belched out the white scroll with a seal in the form of the sun stamped directly in the middle of it, after shaking the nausea out of his system spike looked at the scroll, perplexed as to the sudden letter from the Princess.

‘That’s odd...why would the princess send me a letter? I’m sure Twilight told her what happened so if she needed to contact Twilight why not see her in person? Unless the princess thinks they are here with me then it makes sense but i would think that the princess would come see her in…’ Spike’s thoughts suddenly trailed off as he opened the letter noticing it was addressed to him, hesitating for a mere second, Spike starting reading the letter.

CASTLE OF FRIENDSHIP

Twilight was currently laying in bed mulling over what had happened days ago with Spike and the manticore.

‘Why did this have to happen, why was the manticore even so close into town! Even with them being creatures of the everfree forest they usually remain in the deep parts of the forest, and for it to be so ferocious...i thought manticore’s were mainly territorial.’

Sighing, Twilight rolled over and stared at her dresser, a small smile returning to her muzzle as she noticed a small purple framed picture.

‘I remember that day, we had gone for a picnic…’

FLASHBACK

“Spike come on! We need to get to the picnic spot before the sun goes down!” A young voice could be heard groaning in response as a baby Spike came walking up the stairs to the observation tower in Canterlot.

“Twilight calm down, it’s just barely the afternoon, i’m sure it won’t be for a while before Celestia starts lowering the sun. Now where are we going exactly for the picnic?” Spike ran up and hopped on Twilight’s back as she levitated a light brown wooden basket with a blue blanket on top.

“Spike i already told you! There is an open field near the Canterlot royal gardens with a tree sitting on a lone hill that would just be perfect for the picnic!” Twilight explained cheerfully acting giddy, it reminded Spike of a filly.

“Haha alright Twilight calm down and let’s get going,” and with that the pair set off for the day to have a lovely relaxing picnic.

“Twilight can you please put that book down? I thought we were gonna watch the sunset,” They had already finished their picnic, filled with daisy sandwiches, sapphire gems and two slices of cakes. The duo now sat on the comfy blue picnic blanket staring into the orange filled horizon as the giant ball of fire in the sky was slowly setting.

Sighing Twilight cast an apologetic face to her assistant than behind her where the moon was slowly rising into the now night sky, the silhouette of a mare plastered onto the face of the moon. “I’m sorry spike...it’s just, princess Celestia is sending us to Ponyville soon to look over the summer sun celebration and i still can’t figure this mare in the moon story. What if Nightmare moon returns, what if something happens to princess Celestia?!” Twilight started hyperventilating, getting up and dancing on back and forth on her hooves scared of what could happen to her mentor.

Spike facepalmed, walking over to his panicking friend growing quite tired of her senseless panicking. “Twilight snap out of it!” Spike shouted causing the mare to stop and wince at the sudden loud noise, looking down Twilight stared directly into the baby dragon’s eyes. “Look Twilight i am sure nothing will happen during the summer sun celebration, even the princess seems sure of it!” Spike noticed what he had set didn’t really help Twilight so he decided to try a different approach,

“Okay look let’s say something does happen but you want to know what i think? I think Nightmare Moon wouldn’t stand a chance and do you know why?” After thinking for a second Twilight shook her head seeming disappointed that she didn’t have the answer.

“She is the strongest pony when it comes to magic.”

“The smartest pony in all of Canterlot!”

Twilight looked at the dragon confused as to who he could be referring to.

“AND this incredible pony happens to have a particularly lovely lavender coat!” Spike finished the sentence off with a cheeky smirk as he knew the mare would be able to figure it out. Twilight’s eyes went wide as she looked towards the dragon, shocked that he has said all of those nice things about her.

“Spike i don’t think-”

“Ah i don’t want to hear it Twilight!,” Spike interrupted. “All of those things I said are completely true and i won’t here anything other than a thank you,” Twilight smiled down at the dragon and enveloped him into a bone crushing hug, rubbing her muzzle on top of his head.

“Thank you Spike, i am glad you mean all of those things, i feel a lot better now,” Twilight rubbed her assistant on the top of his head as she let him go from the hug.

“Haha no problem Twilight and remember, no matter what happens i’ll always be by your side,” Twilight felt her eyes grow slightly watery as she had found a new appreciation for her little assistant. Suddenly an idea popped into Twilight’s head as she lit up her horn casting a spell forming a light purple transparent spear appearing before the two.

“Uh Twilight. What’s that?” Spike said trying to run his hands through the magical floating ball.

“Well Spike it’s a spell i learned a while back, it takes in and stores its surroundings and stores them into the spear, allowing me to review the scene it capture later and even allowing me to put it on a polaroid!”

“So it takes pictures,” Spike deadpanned.

Sighing Twilight shook her head and levitated Spike next to her in front of the spear.” Yes Spike it takes picture now come on! 3...2...1…”

Snap

END OF FLASHBACK

ELSEWHERE

Spike looked towards the passing scenery as the train headed towards its destination...Canterlot.

“Alright Celestia...time to find out what you need me for,” Spike looked down to the letter once again sighing in frustration, wondering what the princess needed so badly.

Dear Spike

I know it must be confusing having this letter addressed to you and while i know you were recently injured in the fight with the manticore protecting miss Fluttershy, which i commend you for so do not fret about that.

What i ask of you however is of high importance but i can not disclose it to you in letter for the fear of someone discovering what is happening.

I know of your injuries and if need be i will have Canterlot’s finest medical staff treat you but i kindly ask that you take the first train available to Canterlot so that we may speak privately.

Please Spike...I and many more need you.

Princess Celestia

Author's Note

MAN did that take forever, the sad thing is that i can't even say i spent most of the time editing the chapter, while i did spend a lot of time editing the chapter most of the time was spent literally doing nothing. For about four days straight i hadn't typed a single word because i had the biggest writers block when it came to the last section of the chapter...oh well i digress. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! :yay: