Equestria Girls Spikebelle

by Chaos04

Rating: teen
Tags: Spike, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Romance, Adventure, Equestria Girls, Garble, Main 7 (EqG), Discord, Violence, Slice of Life, Alternate Universe, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 31878

Spike is a young boy who attends Canterlot junior making new friends and gose on adventures

Spike is a young boy attending Canterlot junior making new friends and going on epic adventurers.
Other tags
Sad
Ships
Spike X Sweetie Belle
Discord X Fluttershy
Twilight X Thorax
Side characters
King Sombra
Smolder
Pharynx
Principal Celestia
Vice principal Luna
My editor for this story is https://www.fimfiction.net/user/209410/wingdingaling

Published 2018-04-19 13:10:10 UTC
Last updated 2018-05-21 06:05:11 UTC

Spike's Past

Spike's past

It was a magnificent night as the stars shined brightly in the night sky. In a little house, a young boy was asleep, dreaming about the first day he met Garble.
____________________________________________

It was a nice summer day as a little kid was running the streets of Canterlot. He didn't know where he was going, until he saw an alleyway and stopped. Even though he had seen hundreds of alleyway before, this one carried an air of foreboding. And for whatever reason, he found himself drawn to walk into its shadowy passage.

Cautiously, he entered. Wherever he looked, he saw nothing

"What are you doing here?" came a voice from the shadows.

The boy looked, and saw the owner of the voice: an older boy in his teens.

Taken aback by the sudden appearance, the younger boy stepped backwards.

" My name's Spike. I was just taking a shortcut home," he said, bearly hiding his suprise.

The teen grinned as he thought of an idea.

"Well my name's Garble. I'm to make a gang. Wanna join?" he asked with a devious smile.

Spike thought about it then agreed

"Sure," he said, not quite knowing what he agreed to.

Garble smiled and placed his hand on Spike's shoulder to guide him further into the darkness of the alleyway.

After what seemed only a few steps, the shadows all faded away revealing a new environment of the seamy part of town. Where all the buildings were dilapidated, and the streets littered with garbage.

At the end of a long road, Spike could make out the form of an old motel, which still had it's neon sign blinking. Even though it was far away, they reached the front in seconds.

"Garble what are we doing here?" Spike wondered.

"This place? This is where we all begin," Garble said to the younger boy. He grabbed a key out of his pocket to unlock the door. Inside the building, it was just as dark as the alleyway from before. And just like before, Garble gently guided Spike inside, and the door slammed itself shut.

Even though he couldn't actually see anything, Spike thought he could see the whirling, distorted faces of everyone he met since Garble, and hear their words tormenting him.

"This isn't worth it! I quit!" Spike heard his own voice say, even though he said nothing.

Last of all, Garble's face appeared from out of the shadows, glaring harshly at Spike.

"You'll regret this, Spike!" Garble said as he and the world disappeared.

____________________________________________

Spike's eyes opened wide. He looked around, and huffed a relieved sigh to find he was still in his bedroom. It had all been a nightmare.

It was morning now, and he crawled out of bed to get changed into his clothes.

He exited the room, heading to the living room to watch some TV.

"Spike?" he heard a voice call out from the kitchen

"Yes, mum," he answered. He was still thinking about that dream, but he couldn't linger on it. He simply shook it from his mind.

"Spike, tomorrow you've got school," his mum said, smiling.

Spike groaned in response. He always hated school when he lived in Manehattan

"Can I maybe just skip school?" he asked, not wanting to go.

Meanwhile, in a red house lived a teenage boy. A rascal with something of a propensity for playing the prankster. That morning, he left his house to go to the beach.

"I can't wait to get to the beach," he thought to himself, ready for a bit of fun. His thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly walked into a young boy. "Hello who might you be?" he asked the younger boy

"My name's Spike. Who are you?" the boy politely asked.

The older boy was a little bored, but responded so as not to be rude.

"Name's Discord," he answered. A question occurred to him, "Are you going to the beach?"

Spike answered with a nod.

" I guess I'll take you there," the older boy sighed. His patience was growing thin, as he and the younger boy started walking to the beach.

They arrived at the beach safely and without incident.

"Thank you," Spike said, running off in a different direction. And he kept running without so much as a care. Thoughts of school started fading from his mind, until he bumped into someone else.

"Hey!" came a girl's voice.

"Not again," Spike thought. He stood up ready to apologize,

The girl he had bumped into turned around to face the boy. She was an older girl, somewhere in her late teens, and had a distinctive look of purple hair tied up in a ponytail, and thick-rimmed glasses. More notably, she didn't look mad about the incident, but only slightly annoyed.

"You should really watch out next time," she said adjusting her glasses

"I'll remember that," was all Spike could think to say. That certainly wouldn't do for an apology, but he couldn't think of what words he wanted to say. Instead, he
introduced himself. "Name's Spike."

"Twilight Sparkle. Nice to meet you," the girl introduced herself.

Behind Twilight, Spike could see six other girls lounging and playing in the sand. Two more girls, one with pink hair, and another with rainbow hair came running over to Twilight.

"Twilight, what are you doing over here? All the fun's that way," said the pink-haired girl.

"Looks like she's was helping out some kid," said the rainbow-haired girl.

"No, I didn't need any help. We just kind of met," Spike answered. Again, he could think of nothing to say to the others, other then, "Hi. My name's Spike."

"You really cut to the quick don't you. I like it. I'm Rainbow Dash, and this is Pinkie Pie with me," said the rainbow-haired girl. She indicated the others behind herself. "Over there's Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Sunset Shimmer. And I think you know Twilight."

"Super nice meeting you," Pinkie said. "Do you have any other friends besides us here?"

"Pinkie, don't rush him. We can't be his friends just now When we just met," Twilight said.

Spike wasn't so sure about that.

"Well, I did meet another guy earlier."

Before Spike could explain, the boy in question quickly ran up, completely out of breath from running.

"Discord?" Spike said. What are you doing all the way over here? And why are you all out of breath?

Discord huffed loudly before answering, "There's a guy looking for you. Big guy with orange hair. Said he knew you."

The description was vague, but Spike knew exactly who he was talking about, and froze.

"Is something wrong?" Twilight asked.

"Huh? Uh, no. It's just an old friend of mine. I... I'll go meet him real quick," Spike said, before running off to the direction Discord had pointed him.

Spike kept running till he made it to the east side of the beach. Around a bend, and there was Garble sitting on a piece of driftwood with his back turned. Spike seeth with rage and resement at the sight of him, but Garble was simply sitting as naturally and peacefully as the tides before him.

"Alright. I'm here. What do you want?" Spike asked.

Garble stood up and turned around to face Spike with a sickening grin. He stepped over the driftwood to walk closer to Spike.

"You don't have to worry about me being here, Spike. I'm just here for a friendly visit," Garble answered.

"That implies there's anything friendly between us."

"Easy, Spike. I don't understand where this is coming from."

"You know perfectly well where this is coming from. You've done nothing but wrong since I met you. And I don't want anything else to do with you," Spike said. He had made his point clear, and turned to walk away.

"I really thought you'd want to come back," Garble said. "We used to be like a family, you and me. You used to say if anything happened to your mum, you'd turn to me first. Aw, well. Enjoy your gift."

Spike didn't want to hear anything more, and kept walking. Any gift that Garble could give him could only be bad news. He kept walking back to where he left those girls and Discord, and found Twilight sunning herself on her towel.

"Oh, Spike. I thought you might come back," Twilight said, when Spike sat down next to her.
"How did things go with your friend?"

"Well, we won't be seeing each other for a while," was all Spike answered.

"Is something wrong? Did you two have a fight?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Spike muttered. He noticed that one member of the group was missing. "where'd Discord go?"

"He left a while ago," Twilight answered. "Do you want to join us for some volleyball?"

"Nah. I think I'll head home," Spike said, partly too drained from the experience, and partly because he didn't want to risk bumping into Garble again.

Spike went running through Streets, hoping to be home on time so he wouldn't get scolded from his parents. But, what he saw when he got back shocked him to the his core. Tears filled his eyes as he looked at the charred remains of his house.

Broken Spirit

Broken spirit

Everything had been lost. Spike watched helplessly as the fire trucks, police cars and ambulances whirred about the property in front of the house. From where he stood, Spike could hear the men and women talking among one another, and voices crackling from the vehicle's radios.

From the house, there came a medic pushing a gurney. A gurney with the sheet placed all the way over the occupant's face.

Spike did not need to rush over to see who was underneath. In fact, he was too overcome with grief to approach any closer. Instead, he ran away in the opposite direction, hoping in vain to escape the tragedy that had befallen him.

For hours now, Spike walked the streets of Canterlot, without a direction, without a hope, and without a clue about what to do next. His mind kept returning to his burned house and the person on the gurney.

He passed the many alleyways, glancing down each one bringing back another memory. Memories of his time with Garble. Seeing his face. Hearing his words.

"Enjoy your gift..." Spike recalled Garble saying.

"This was it! This was his sick idea of justice!" Spike growled under his breath.

For whatever morbid reason that passed through his head, Garble had burned down Spike's house. It seemed like excatcly the kind of thing that he would do. He had done horrible things before, and this seemed perfectly within Garble's capabilities.

For the third time that day, Spike bumped into someone else from behind.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" asked the teenage boy he bumped into.

Spike didn't say anything. He just stood up and kept walking.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked the teen in the red jacket. "I want you to apologize first."

Spike said nothing, and pushed his way past the teen.

"Got a bit of an attitude problem, huh? How about I fix it for you?"

"Go ahead," Spike blandly answered.

Maybe it was the bland, emotionless tone of Spike's voice. Or maybe it was his stern, yet sad face. But, the boy in the red jacket's will to reprimand Spike started to waver. He couldn't place what it was excatcly, but he got the feeling that what he was holding had the qualities of something that had broken. Something with sharp, terrible edges that would cut deep if handled roughly.

Slowly, the teenaged boy let go of Spike's shirt.

"Hold it, jerk!" said Rainbow Dash, as she suddenly appeared from behind the two boys. She quickly swatted the teen's arm back to his side. What are you trying to prove, picking on little kids!? You want to see how tough you are? Best up one of those guys behind you! You're at least the same size!"

"I wasn't going to do anything to him," the boy in the red jacket said.

"Like heck you weren't. Come on, Spike,"
Dash said, before leading him away by his arm.

The teenage boy in the red jacket watched as Spike was led away from him, unable fathom what could have happened to the boy he almost attacked.

"Why'd you let him go?" one of the teenage boy's friends asked.

"I don't really know. Something about that kid seems... I don't know. I guess it's just not right to smash something that's already broken," the teenage boy answered, to the confusion of his friends.

Once they walked to the nearest corner, Dash spoke to Spike.

"You shouldn't be walking around town like this. Even Canterlot has it's dark alleys, you know," Dash said.

Spike didn't say anything. He knew about more then his fair share of dark alleys.

"I don't know who that guy was, but I think you should look out for guys like him," Dash continued.

Spike already knew all about that too. All too well, in fact. He could likely have told her all about such a thing.

One more turn, and there was Twilight with two of her other friends.

"Hey, it was Spike you saw turning that way," Twilight said. "Hey Spike. We kind of missed you after you left. What took you away from us?"

Spike didn't answer. He just huffed quitely, fighting back the tears that threatened to escape.

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie all looked at the boy's sullen face, and silently came to the unanimous decision that it would be best for Spike to be around people he cared about.

"Well, it looks you had a rough day anyway. Come on. Let's get you home," Twilight said.

" I don't have a home anymore," Spike said, as a single tear formed in the corner of his eye.

"Oh. Well, let's at least get ya to yer parents," Applejack said.

"I don't have a mum anymore either..."

It was a shock to each of the girls. A boy they had just met had some how lost everything that he had in the course of a single day. Their instincts all stirred within them. Something had to be done to help this boy.

"Well...Uh, I guess we're just going to have to find a way to find a way to help however we can," Twilight said. She couldn't think of much to do, but offer what she could. "Why don't you girls go home? I'll take care of Spike for now."

Twilight gently took hold of Spike's hand, and guided him down the street.

After a long walk through the city, they reached what appeared to be an affluent residential area. They came to a two-story house, where Twilight guided Spike up the path in the front lawn

Twilight opened the door, and led Spike inside. There, practically greeting them at the door was a man wearing a black suit.

"Twilight? Back from town already? I thought you were going to be out later than this," the man said.

"Change of plans, dad. Something happened today," Twilight answered.

"Oh. I see. And, who's this with you?"

Spike turned slightly away from the man.

"He's kind of the reason I'm here right now. His name is Spike. And he's...Well, I don't think he has any place to stay, or anyone to stay with."

"Really?" Twilight's dad said. "Well, hello, Spike. My name's Night Light. I'm Twilight's dad, if you didn't guess. Tell me: do you know anyone in the city?"

"Just my mum. And she's dead..." Spike said.

That was not an answer that Night Light expected to hear. He was just as taken aback as his daughter and her friends were.

"I see. Twilight, wait here with Spike a moment," Night Light said, before hastily leaving to the other room.

For only a few minutes, though it seemed like hours, Night Light could be heard speaking with another woman in the next room. Twilight's mum, Spike guessed. After the time had passed, Night Light returned with his wife.

"Spike," Night Light began, "I've been discussing it with my wife, and we think that until we can get your affairs sorted out, it's alright if you can stay here."

For the first time that day, Spike felt a tiny light shine on his mind. It wouldn't bring back his home or his mum, but he still felt touched by the kindness of the strangers.

"Twilight, why don't you show Spike where he'll be staying," Twilight's mum said.

Twilight didn't say anything, but gently guided Spike upstairs to his new room.

First Day Of School

First day of school

The sun rose as a new day dawned. The first day since Spike lost his home and his mum.

At the moment, Spike was asleep in his new room. Though his face was peaceful, his mind was feverish with the memories of the sight of his burned house and dead mother.

The door creaked open slightly, and the room’s other occupant walked in. Slowly, she walked to the foot of the bed, and watched the young boy as he slept. She knew that in spite of sleeping he was still anguished by what had happened before. She knelt by the side of his bed, and gently jostled him.

“Wake up, Spike,” she whispered.

Spike slowly roused from sleep, and woke to see Twilight kneeling next to him.

“Is it morning already?” Spike mumbled.

“Yeah. Are you ready to start a new day?” Twilight said, with a hint of apprehension.

“Can the optimism. I’m not in the mood.”

“Sorry. I just thought that you’d need it after the day you had yesterday.”

“If it’s fake and forced, it’s no good,” Spike said, as he got out of bed.

Twilight huffed quietly, as she stood back up. She had tried to make Spike feel welcome, but failed in that endeavor. “Well, in any case, you should probably get ready for school today,” she said.

“Right,” Spike said. A thought occurred to him. “How’d you know I have school today?”

“Because I do too, Spike,” Twilight answered.

That made perfect sense, Spike figured.

Twilight left the room to allow Spike privacy to change into his school clothes. No uniform was required, so Spike changed into a pair of black jeans and a purple t-shirt, before putting on his shoes.

Spike went downstairs to sit down for breakfast. Pancakes and bangers were served with coffee for the adults, and orange juice for the children.

Breakfast time seemed very short to Spike, who said very little during the meal. Twilight’s mum introduced herself as Twilight Velvet, and exchanged pleasantries with Spike. But, that was nearly all that was said, before they continued eating. Eventually, the food was eaten, and Twilight and Spike both left out the door to go to school.

“Be careful on your way to school,” Velvet called after the children, before returning to inside the house.

Twilight and Spike remained together for much of their walk, until they reached the front gates of Canterlot High.

“Well, this is where I stop,” Twilight said. “Your school’s not far from here, is it?”

“It’s just down the street is all,” Spike answered.

“Alright. Stay safe on your walk there,” Twilight said, before she entered her school campus.

“Sure. What could happen on my way there anyway?” Spike muttered, before he started walking down the path to his school.

When he turned the corner, he found that things could go quite wrong, as he yet again bumped into somebody.

“Must be some kind of roll I’m on,” Spike thought to himself.

“Whoah! Easy there, little guy. Here, let me help you up,” said the voice of the person he bumped into.

Spike took the hand that he saw lowered to help him, and almost thanked them, until he was forcefully pulled to his feet. There, Spike found himself facing Garble again.

“I can see by your face that you enjoyed my gift,” Garble said.

Spike responded by gripping Garble’s hand as hard as he could, crushing the older boy’s smaller fingers and digging his nails into his flesh.

“Cut the crap! I knew you were trouble from the second I met you, but I never thought you’d do something so low!” Spike said.

“I’m sensing some hostility here. I thought you’d appreciate me bringing us closer together,” Garble said, resisting the strain of Spike’s grip.

“If we get any closer, it’ll be so I can gouge you with a knife,” Spike growled. “You crossed a line with me! If it takes the rest of my life, I’ll see you go down.”

“Who’s going to help? The cops? They think the fire was caused by faulty wiring,” Garble said, with a hint of gloating, as he tightened his grip on Spike, and tried to pull him forward.

Spike was never going to return to Garble, no matter how he tried to bring him back to his way of life. And Spike illustrated this by digging his nails deeper into Garble’s hand. So deeply that blood was drawn, and trickled down Spike’s fingertips.

“If the cops don’t do anything, then I will. I’ll keep pushing you the same way you pushed me. And I won’t stop until you’re six feet under!”

Spike abruptly withdrew his hand from Garble, cutting red streaks through his flesh before walking away. He knew that Garble wouldn’t follow him for now, as long as his hand was injured, but quickened his pace anyway.

Garble looked at his bleeding hand, and hid it inside of his sleeve. Spike was still resisting returning to him. No matter. There were other ways that he would get Spike back to his gang, one way or another. And he would begin with Spike’s new friends.

He walked onto campus, and caught sight of Twilight as she joined her friends. Slowly, purposefully, he walked over to them, readying his bloody hand. When he reached the girls, they all stopped their conversation to turn to him.

“What do you want, Garble?” Twilight said. Even though she had recently transferred from Crystal Prep, she knew he was bad news.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m not looking for any trouble today,” he answered.

“Then you can start not looking somewhere else,” Pinkie asserted.

“I’m just here to tell you about your new friend. The kid called Spike. At least, that’s the name he’s going by now.”

“What are you talking about?” Dash asked.

“You don’t know? He used to run with a gang, using the name ‘Slayer.’ Before he was Spike, Slayer would knock over shops, rob houses, and even extort other kids for their money. As a matter of fact, he usually targeted some girls that I know you three really care about,” Garble said, pointing to Dash, Rarity and Applejack.

____________________________________________

Spike arrived at Canterlot Elementary without incident, just as the bell rang to signal for classes to begin.

For Spike, the day passed without incident. But, unknown to him, three of his classmates recognized him from a time before.

During lunchtime, Spike was eating his food alone, until he was approached by three girls.

“What do you want?” Spike said.

“You!” said a red-haired girl with a pink bow in her hair. “Yer the one!”

“No, I’m not. Go away,” Spike said.

“Don’t think you can get rid of us that easily! We didn’t forget what you did to us!” said another girl with short, purple hair.

“I didn’t do anything to you! I never saw you a day in my life!” Spike said.

“Oh no?” asked a girl with curly hair, which was two shades of purple, “Remember this?”

The girl rolled up her sleeve to reveal a scar from a burn she received, and the memories came flooding back to Spike.

It was months ago when he was still with Garble, and he accosted a group of girls in an alleyway after they decided to take a shortcut. He demanded their money, and pulled a rusty exhaust pipe off of the nearby wall to threaten them. Through the heavy gloves Spike was wearing at the time, he couldn’t feel how hot it was, and swung it at Sweetie Belle’s arm.

The rusty pipe broke against the curly-haired girl’s arm, cutting her deeply and burning her flesh. Spike took everything they had of value just then, and left, thinking he would never see them again. Now, here he was confronted by them once again.

Nerves snapped in Spike’s brain, knowing that he was now faced with the consequences of his actions. He tried to run, but was stopped by the red-haired girl grabbing his collar.

“Don’t ya even try runnin’! This is payback! An’ we’re givin’ it in full,” she said, before shoving him over a bench, making him fall.

She and her purple-haired friend both were upon him, kicking him while he was down, careful not to hit him in any place that would leave a visible bruise.

The curly-haired girl stayed back, partly afraid of getting closer to the boy that attacked her, but partly out of a curious observation. For the brutal assault that was upon him Spike was not fighting back. Nor did he seem to be expressing any pain. Oddly, it seemed like he was accepting what was given to him, which disturbed her slightly.

“An’ that’s that!” the red-haired girl said, as she and her friend let up their assault.

“And if we see you near us, and especially Sweetie Belle again: it’ll be your head,” the purple-haired girl said.

The two girls walked off, while the third stayed behind. She simply watched as Spike stood up from the ground and brushed himself off, before he resumed eating his lunch.

There was something strange about this boy, she knew. But, she simply walked after her friends and left him alone.

____________________________________________

Throughout the rest of the school day, Spike never let on that he was hiding bruises under his shirt. For the next agonizing hours, he stifled every groan and moan, until the school day was ended.

Finally, he would be able to take care of his wounds. He walked by the high school, and saw that many of the kids there were already outside, ready to go home. He waited there, and looked through the crowd of students, until he saw the familiar faces of his new friends.

“Twilight!” he called, before he walked over to her.

Spike noticed that immediately when Twilight saw him, she looked distressed. And it was all the more worrying when she ran over to him.

“Twilight? Is something wrong?” Spike wondered.

“Is it true, Spike?” Twilight asked.

“Is what true?”

“Are you really someone called Slayer? And are you really a robber and a thug?”

Once again, Spike felt his brain snap. They had learned about what he once was, and he knew just who had told them. But, as mad as he was at Garble, he wanted to focus on quelling his friend’s nerves.

“I...I’m not going to lie to you,” Spike said. He noticed that the other girls with Twilight were all anxiously awaiting the answer. Rarity in particular was holding tightly to a lock of her hair. “Yes. I-I used to be in a gang. And I did really bad things. But, that’s all behind me now.”

Rarity was on the verge of tears, and she loosened her grip on her hair.

“Then, it was you,” Rarity practically whispered. “You were the one who burned my sister.”

“What!?” Twilight said.

“My sister and her friends said they were attacked by a boy with green hair. Sweetie Belle needed stitches for her cut. But, the doctors couldn’t for all the deep burns…” Rarity said, as tears leaked out of her eyes.

The revelation was too much for Twilight, who had let Spike into her home, and shared her hospitality with him.

“Twilight,” Spike began, “I know what I did was horrible. And I’m really sorry for the things I did. But, I left the gang because I knew what I was doing was wrong. I wanted to make up for what happened then. And I still think I have a chance now. Especially with your sister, Rarity. I even met her earlier today. And...well...she didn’t want to talk, but I think she’d be willing to at least let me make up for hurting her. Please. Let me have this chance.”

Though the boy’s plea was earnest, nobody was sure if they could trust him.

“Spike,” Twilight said, as if she were trying to say something difficult. “I think it’s best if...if you don’t stay with me tonight.”

It was the worst that could have happened. After so many calamities, Spike was now without a home and a family again.

“Fine,” Spike said, before turning away to fend on his own.

Alone Again

Alone again

For the second time in two days, Spike had lost everything. First his home. Now Twilight’s hospitality.

He walked down the city streets, mulling over the cause of all of his misfortune so far. Garble was the one who cost him everything. Nothing he could do would ever restore what he lost, which was the worst part of what Garble had done.

“Spike!” a voice called from across the street.

Spike stopped and looked, and saw Discord running toward him.

“Where’d you go, Spike? I was looking for you at the beach all day yesterday,” Discord said.

Spike didn’t say anything, and resumed walking forward.

Nothing needed to be said for Discord to see that something had drastically changed from the boy he met only yesterday. He didn’t know what it could possibly be, but knew it was something horrible. For that reason, he thought it necessary to keep a close watch on the boy.

Spike’s walk took him to one of Canterlot’s malls, just as the sun was setting. He reached into his pocket, and found a mere twenty dollars inside. However, for what he needed, twenty dollars would be plenty.

____________________________________________

Twenty dollars later, Spike had only a pillow and a blanket for his purchases (along with a meager dinner). When he left the mall, he unknowingly passed by a familiar group.

Twilight was sitting with her friends at a table in the restaurant Spike had left. Six of the girls were happily chatting, while Twilight remained silent over her salad.

“Twilight, the croutons won’t start talking, no matter how hard you stare,” Pinkie said, through a mouthful of turkey sandwich.

Twilight sighed, and slumped her shoulders.

“Twilight, dear, whatever is the matter?” Rarity asked.

“It’s Spike,” Twilight said.

“Now, don’t tell me yer still thinkin’ about that little punk,” Applejack said, before eating a handful of onion rings.

“You remember what he did to my sister,” Rarity added.

“I know. But, I can’t help but think what I did was wrong,” Twilight answered.

Dash took an enormous bite of her corned beef on rye, and said, “Give it a rest, Twi. We’re not here to talk about Spike. We’re here to see the new Daring Do movie.” She swallowed her food, and looked at the time on her phone. Fifteen minutes to showtime. “Besides, that little thug got what he deserved.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“You didn’t hear?” Dash said, “Turns out Scootaloo and her friends are in the same class as Spike. She and Apple Bloom cornered him at lunchtime, and kicked the snot out of him.”

Dash felt momentarily proud of Scootaloo’s actions, but that pride quickly faded when she saw the faces of her friends. Each of them were staring, mortified at what they had heard.

In that moment, Twilight abruptly stood up and left the table.

“I have to go now,” Twilight said.

For what had been happening in the boy’s life, she felt it was now her responsibility to look for Spike.

____________________________________________

Spike didn’t go far from the mall to find shelter. He walked into one of the dark alleyways he was so familiar with, and pulled a large box from beside a dumpster. This would be his dwelling for the night.

He laid down his pillow, set out his blanket, and settled down for the night.

As he closed his eyes, he remained ever vigilant for the sounds of approaching danger. He knew Garble was still out there, and could come to him at any second.

The sound of steps alerted him, and he peered out of his box.

It was too dark to see who else was in the alley with him, but they were too small to be Garble.

“You know, it’s dangerous to be walking in alleys like this at night,” Spike called.

The other person jerked to alertness, rising into the light to reveal themself to be a girl around Spike’s age.

“Well, if you you’re the kind of people who hang out in alleyways, I think I can manage,” the girl answered.

“How do you know that? For all you know, I could be a violent robber, waiting to attack you.”

“Well, if you are, you’re doing a bad job by announcing yourself first.”

Spike rolled his eyes. Were he still in his criminal days, he would have shown this girl what she was provoking.

“Name’s Spike,” Spike said, not knowing what else to say.

“Smolder. I guess it’s nice meeting you. What are you doing here anyway,” the girl asked.

“Just looking for a place to stay.”

“Well, I know a better place, if you want to come with.”

“Yeah? Where?”

“Not far. Just the other side of town.”

Spike rolled his eyes again. That was about as far as it got. Still, any place had to be better than the alley.

“Alright. Who are we staying with?” Spike asked.

“Just some guy I know. His name’s Garble,” Smolder answered.

Rage and fear flooded Spike. He didn’t recognize this girl from his gang days. He realized that she may well have been going down the same path he once did.

“Smolder!” Spike said, as he clutched the girl’s shoulders, “Whatever you do: stay away from Garble! No good can ever come from being with him! He’ll kill your family if he has to!”

“What are you talking about? He took me in after my family died! Let go of me!” Smolder said.

A flurry of rage rushed over Spike. Was Garble responsible for Smolder’s dead family too?

“Hey, I think I recognize you. Isn’t your name actually Slayer?” Smolder asked.

“No! It’s Spike,” Spike vehemently asserted.

Spike left at that moment, carrying his pillow and blanket with him. Smolder left, going down the dark alley she had come from. Shortly after, Twilight appeared, and crossed the street to look for Spike. After her came Discord from the alleyway. He looked left and right for Spike, and walked off in the opposite direction the boy had gone.

___________________________________________

There was nowhere else to go. Spike went back to the beach, where all his woes began.

He laid down his blanket and pillow, and watched the sun disappear completely behind the horizon. Here was the exact spot that he had bumped into Twilight, and recalled the short time he spent with her there.

He was so engrossed in his rumination that he didn’t even notice when someone sat down beside him.

“Hello?” a quiet voice said.

Spike jumped slightly, and saw the girl from earlier. The one he had burned when he robbed her before. Currently, the sleeveless top she was wearing bared her scarred bicep, which faced Spike like a vicious animal.

“Hey,” was all Spike said. “I’m Spike.”

“Sweetie Belle,” the girl answered, slightly frightened to be so close to the boy who scarred her. “Why didn’t you do anything?”

“What do you mean?”

“You just laid there and let my friends attack you. Any other boy would have fought back, but you just took it.”

“I don’t know. I guess I just needed to take it. I owed it to them, after all.”

“What do you mean?” Sweetie asked, confused by the answered.

Spike turned to face Sweetie Belle, and glanced at her burned arm, before answering.

“Well, it was just my way of saying sorry to you. I know it’s hard to think about, but it was when I attacked you that I started realizing what I was doing was wrong. I started thinking long and hard about where my life was going if I kept doing things like that. And what my mom would think if she knew the kinds of things I was doing…”

Spike was silent again.

Sweetie Belle saw the same thing as all the others: something about Spike had broken, and needed someone to mend it.

“You’d better get home. Your family’s probably worried about you,” Spike said.

“No, I...I think I want to stay,” Sweetie Belle said.

Spike didn’t know what to think as Sweetie Belle laid down on the blanket and rested her head on the edge of the pillow. But, in that moment, he had found the companionship he had been seeking. Slowly, he laid his head down on the other edge of the pillow, and felt Sweetie’s hand slide over his.

“I know it’s kind of weird, but: can we be friends?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Sure,” was all Spike said.

The two children slowly drifted off to sleep under the stars. Things were not easy for either of them, but for now, they could ease one another’s burden with a newly forged bond between them

Friendship

The sun was starting to peek out from the horizon, as the beginning of a new day dawned. On the beach a young boy slowly roused from sleep. He yawned widely, and stretched as far as his arms could go.

“Still here. Crap. So, it wasn’t all just a dream,” Spike thought to himself. Still, if it had been a dream, the end of it was likely the one part he hoped to be true.

Looking to his side, he found his new friend, Sweetie Belle sleeping peacefully next to him. He found himself staring at her, thinking that even if he had lost so much, he had gained her friendship, and hopefully her forgiveness.

“Sweetie Belle, wake up,” Spike whispered, as he gently jostled her.

Sweetie’s eyes slowly opened, and she looked around, as if she didn’t know where she was at first.

“Spike, let’s not sleep on the beach again. I got all this sand in my hair. And I think I got a fish down my back,” Sweetie Belle said.

“You couldn’t have gotten a fish down your back. We didn’t sleep anywhere near the tide,” Spike said. He took Sweetie Belle’s hand, and helped her up. “Come on. I’ll walk you home.”

“Alright. But, don’t let my sister see you with me. She’ll probably think you kidnapped me, or something.”

Spike knew that Rarity and the others were mad at him, and was still discovering the depths that mistrust went.

“Alright. Let’s get going, before your sister comes looking for you,” Spike said.

The children left the beach together, with Sweetie Belle leading the way to her home. On the way, Spike looked down each of the alleyways between the buildings he and Sweetie passed. Through each one, he saw flashes of him attacking Sweetie Belle and her friends. To his side, he felt Sweetie Belle clutch his hand, and the feelings of apprehension slowly drifted away from him. He slowly turned his head, and looked forward, past any of the alleys that came up.

It was not a neighborhood they came to, but somewhere in Canterlot’s business district. There, they came to a shop that Spike had passed by many times with his mum, but never went inside.

“Well, this is my stop. I’d better get inside and let my parents yell at me for staying out all night,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Alright. So...see you at school?” Spike said.

Sweetie barely smiled and nodded, before she quickly ran into the boutique.

____________________________________________

Twilight had been out all night looking for Spike. It was barely hours before sunrise that Twilight went home at all.

Her heart was torn from all that was happening. Between her concern for Spike and her resentment toward him, she didn’t even know what to do when she found him. But, thinking about it would do no good.

She hadn’t even changed into her pajamas before she went to bed last night, and didn’t even bother changing her clothes before she went downstairs for breakfast. One toast with jam later, and she was on her way to school.

____________________________________________

Discord had not even returned home for the night. He knew his parents wouldn’t care whether or not he was home. They probably hadn’t even noticed he was gone.

All night, he had been looking for Spike. Even though they had just met, Discord knew that something had to be done to help him. Nobody changed so drastically as Spike had in the course of hours.

His search led him around a corner, where he met a group of boys around his age.

“Hey!” Discord called to them, “Did you see a kid with green hair about this tall running around? Has a tendency to bump into people.”

“Not since yesterday,” answered the boy in a red jacket.

“Great. It’s like he just disappeared,” Discord thought to himself. “Well, thanks anyway,” he thanked the boys, before running off.

The boy in the red jacket watched Discord leave, and recalled when he met the green-haired boy yesterday. How he felt sympathetic and somehow disturbed by the boy’s face. For reasons he could not comprehend, he decided that he had better keep his eye out for the boy again.

____________________________________________

With nowhere else to go, Spike went directly to Canterlot Elementary. It would be many minutes before classes started, and there were very few other children present at that time.

There was nothing for Spike to do at that time. He had no friends, and his classes would not start for a long time. Simply, he sat down on the steps and started guessing the shapes in the clouds.

Among the clouds, he saw faces. Twilight. Discord. Sweetie Belle. Lastly, he saw his mum, and started to recall the days with her. The memories of her turned his face away from the clouds, and toward the ground.

“Hey,” said a soft voice next to him.

“Hi, Sweetie Belle,” Spike answered, recognizing the voice.

Sweetie sat on the steps next to him, and nudged him with her elbow.

“You aren’t still thinking about...that, are you?” she asked.

Spike looked over again, and saw the scar he inflicted on her staring him in the face again. Looking at it, he quickly looked away back to the ground.

“No. It’s…” Spike felt apprehensive at divulging such information to others, but with nobody else in his life, he felt he could. “It’s my mum…”

“Why? Is something wrong with her?” Sweetie Belle wondered.

Spike glanced up, but said nothing.

“Oh…” Sweetie said, realizing that something truly terrible had happened. “Are you staying with someone else?”

“I was staying with a new friend I made. But, she found out about what kinds of things I did before, and kicked me out,” Spike sighed. “I guess that’s just another way of paying for my mistakes.”

“Like getting beat up by my friends? Spike, I don’t know what other kinds of things you did, but what you’re doing to yourself is going to get you killed. And, if you’re going to be my friend, I can’t let you do that,” Sweetie said.

Spike picked his head up, and looked directly at Sweetie Belle, in spite of her scar facing him.

“We’re friends?” Spike asked.

“Sure,” Sweetie Belle answered.

For all the strangest reasons, in all the strangest ways, Spike and Sweetie Belle had become friends. And, for just one moment, Spike thought that maybe he hadn’t lost quite everything.

“Hey! What’re ya doin’ with our pal!!” shouted the red-haired girl who attacked him yesterday.

She and the short-haired girl both ran over and pulled Sweetie Belle away to safety.

“Wait! It’s not what you think!” Sweetie said.

Her friends didn’t listen, as the red-haired girl confronted Spike.

“Looks like ya didn’t get the message yesterday! Stay away from our friend,” Apple Bloom said, pushing Spike backward. “Scootaloo: yer ready fer another curb-stompin’!”

Both girls were stopped by Sweetie Belle forcibly grabbing their shoulders.

“Stop it, Apple Bloom! We were just talking!” Sweetie Belle said.

“Talking? After what he did to your arm, you really want to talk to him!?” Scootaloo said

“Yes! He happens to be a friend of mine!”

There was a moment of silence, as both of Sweetie’s friends processed what they heard. Apple Bloom grabbed Sweetie Belle’s arm, and showed her her own scar.

“Friend’s, huh? Does this look like somethin’ friends do?” she asked.

“No!...But, he did. And...It’s complicated,” Sweetie Belle said. She pushed past her friends, and stood protectively beside Spike. “Look, I know what he did was wrong. But, he’s not like that anymore. Didn’t you think it was weird how he let you two kick him senseless, and do absolutely nothing about it? He doesn’t want any more violence in his life. And, he’s going to need help to get past it all. I don’t care if you don’t want to help him. I can’t call myself his friend if I don’t.”

The other girls were silent again, processing what they heard.

“Alright. But, if you make one wrong move,” Apple Bloom said, before snapping a pencil in half in front of Spike’s face.

The bell rang, signalling for class to begin. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo left without a word.

“Well, I guess we’d better get to class,” Sweetie Belle said, as she led Spike to the classroom.

On his way through the halls, Spike noticed a familiar face among the hallways. Smolder was standing by one of the classroom doorways, as though she were waiting for somebody.

“Hey. Garble was asking about you last night. He was asking when you’d accept his offer,” she said.

“Tell him forget it,” Spike said, not even looking at Smolder, and walking to his classroom.

Bonding

School was over, and everyone left the classroom for the day at Canterlot High.

Before her friends even had a chance to speak to her after class, she left the school grounds to go right for the first place she knew Spike would be on this new day. With all haste, she took to the streets and headed straight for Canterlot Elementary down the road.

She arrived at the school, and looked over the crowd of children, hoping that Spike was still there when she arrived.

“Spike!” she called to the crowd.

No answer came.

“Spike!” she called again.

When no answer came once more, she approached a group of children.

“Excuse me. I’m looking for a boy with green hair. He’s about this tall. Named Spike. Have you seen him?,” Twilight said.

“I don’t know about anyone named Spike, but a lot of green-haired boys have already left school,” the girl answered.

Twilight should have guessed that her vague description would yield her no results. She took one last look around, and saw that there was no boy who even looked remotely like Spike around. Instead of staying, she left the campus grounds to continue her search.

The first corner she turned after leaving the school, and she bumped into someone’s back.

“Spike? Is that you?” asked a boy’s voice. He turned around to find that it was not a young boy, but a girl his own age. “Oh, sorry. I thought you were someone else.”

Twilight looked at the boy before her, recognizing him from the day she met Spike at the beach. The first thing she noticed was how tired and disheveled he looked. His messy hair and dark bags under his eyes made it look like he was awake all night. More important was what he said.

“Have you seen Spike?” She asked him.

“Not since yesterday. I was out looking for him all night,” he said.

“Me too! It’s like he just disappeared off the face of the planet,” Twilight said. “Why are you looking for him?”

“Because he needs someone looking after him. I don’t know what’s going on, but something happened to him, and he really needs someone,” Discord answered.

“That’s kind of why I’m looking for him too. See…” Twilight paused a moment, unsure if it was appropriate for her to be the one divulging this information. But, for this boy to understand the gravity of the situation, she had no choice. “A few days ago, Spike lost his home. And his mom died too.”

“Say what!?” Discord said. Spike’s sudden change in attitude started making sense all of a sudden.

“Yeah. I know. Anyway, after that, I offered for him to stay with me for a while, until he could get things sorted out. But, he…” Twilight started tearing up at the memory of what happened then, “I threw him out.”

“You--What kind of heartless creep throws out a homeless orphan!!?” Discord said.

“It wasn’t like that! Spike told me he was a criminal once! And then I learned he attacked my friend’s sister! And things just spiraled out of control!”

Discord could plainly see how hysterical Twilight was becoming. Even though what she did was horrible, her reaction was proof enough of her remorse.

“Alright. So, what Spike did was wrong. But, he isn’t like that anymore. Believe me, I can tell just by looking at him. Now, if we’re going to find him, we need to work together,” Discord said.

“Alright,” Twilight said. A light shone on her mind, as she now had an ally in her search for her missing friend. “I’m Twilight, by the way.”

“Discord,” the boy answered.

And the two set off to find the boy.

____________________________________________

Spike had already left school with Sweetie Belle, and was walking her home.

“So, Sweetie Belle: where do you want to go?” Spike asked.

“I don't really know. I think going to the beach again would be nice. But, this time I think we should bring our beach clothes,” Sweetie Belle answered.

“Why?” Spike wondered.

“What do you mean ‘why?’ I can’t go swimming in this. My parents would have a fit if they saw me ruin this outfit,” Sweetie Belle said. She started toward the shop where she and her family lived. “Wait here, while I get my swimsuit.”

Sweetie Belle entered the boutique, and found her sister happily chatting away with the customers. Her after school job, to help out around the family. Carefully, Sweetie avoided her sister, to avoid having to explain why she was using her allowance money to buy a children’s bikini. Quickly, she stole a swimsuit off the rack, left her payment by the register, stuffed it into a plastic bag, and quickly went back outside.

“And where do you think you're going?” she heard a voice, and turned around to see her older sister.

“Rarity. I...I was just heading to the beach. With my friends,” Sweetie Belle nervously explained.

“Well, I certainly hope you paid for that swimsuit,” Rarity said.

“I left my money by the register.”

“Alright. Off you go,” Rarity said, shopoing her sister from the store. One of these days, she was going to have to teach Sweetie how to use the cash register.

____________________________________________

Twilight and Discord continued their search for Spike. Unknown to them, they were already searching in the wrong direction.

“Great. I feel like we’re going nowhere with the,” Twilight said.

“In some ways: we are. I mean, what do we even plan on doing when we find him?” Twilight said.

Twilight stopped momentarily when she heard that. It was true. Even when she found Spike, she didn’t know what she would do, or what she would say to him when she found him. If there was any reason that she was even looking, it was for the sheer responsibility for being the one who sent him away. Maybe it was only to right her own wrongs that she had done against him that she was looking at all. And, if that was the case, she was only the most selfish person on the face of the planet.

“Well, what do you think you’ll do if you find him?” Twilight wondered.

Discord too thought about his reasons for searching (if there was any reason at all) he thought it all went back to that day before the beach. He thought about when he bumped into Spike, and how through only walking him to the beach, he felt a brief connection to the boy. There was no loving, caring family in his home. There were no walks to the beach, or even an exchange of conversation. With Spike, he felt needed. Wanted. Like someone cared. And, if all he wanted from finding a runaway who had nothing was companionship, how great a person could be himself?

“Let’s just keep looking for Spike,” Discord answered.

They started walking, and met a boy in a red jacket, who was sitting on a doorstep.

“Hey, you guys,” the boy said. “This might sound kind of weird, but I’m looking for a green-haired kid.” He recognized Discord from last night. “Probably the same one you’re looking for.”

“How do you know Spike? Have you seen him?” Twilight asked.

“No. But, I feel like I kind of have to find him,” the boy said.

“Why?” Discord wondered.

“I don’t know. If I had to explain it: I have to figure out what broke him, and how to fix it. Like, when I tried beating him up a few days ago, he was already a mess.”

“You tried attacking him!!?” Twilight said.

“Whoah! Hey! I was only trying to teach him some manners after he started giving me all this attitude. I wasn’t going to really hurt him. Besides, I didn’t even touch him. I just saw his face, and...I knew that someone had to heal him. That’s all. Just, if someone could share their emotions with him, he’d be a different person.”

That was it. If Twilight or Discord were going to find him, they would have to heal Spike.

“Alright. I think you should come with us to help out,” Twilight said. “I’m Twilight, and this is Discord.”

“Thorax. Nice meeting you guys,” the boy in the red jacket said.

_____________________________________

Sweetie Belle and Spike arrived at the beach. After a walk on the soft sand, Spike took his shirt off to get ready for swimming.

“Spike, I'll be back. Just got to get changed,” Sweetie Belle said, finding a place to get changed.

Spike ran to the water. When his feet touched the surf, chills shook through his body. Slowly, he started inching his way into the water.

“How’s the water?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Like taking a swim in the north pole,” Spike said. He turned around, and saw that Sweetie Belle had changed into her white bikini. For a moment he stared, looking once more to her scarred arm, juxtaposed to the rest of her unblemished skin. He continued to look, until Sweetie got into the water with him.

“Jeez!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. “Who ever heard of a beach with cold water?”

“It’s just something we’re going to have to get used to,” Spike said.

Sweetie and Spike slowly inched into the water, barely taking it a centimeter at a time. The waves of the water lapped up, and got the children nearly up to their knees.

“Yike!!” Sweetie Belle said, as she jumped into Spike’s arms.

“Sweetie Belle! What are you doing!? Get off me!”

“No way! It’s cold down there!”

And it was only about to get worse. Spike was not strong, and Sweetie Belle was heavy. The boy soon overbalanced and fell over backward, right into the freezing water.

Both children yelped loudly, as Spike quickly scooted out of the surf with Sweetie in his arms. In seconds, though it felt like minutes, they were safely back on the sand, panting and shivering.

“How about we play volleyball instead?” Spike asked.

“Yeah,” Sweetie readily agreed.

From then until sunset, the children enjoyed the myriad of activities that the beach offered them. By the end of the day, they were sitting on the sand together, watching the sunset just as they had done before.

“Well, today was fun,” Sweetie Belle said.

Spike smiled and nodded. It was actually the most fun that he had since his mother died.

“Maybe, we could do it again. Or, do something in town with your friends?” Spike said.

“Yeah. We could all go to the arcade, and spend the day there,” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“Let’s do that,” Spike said.

“Alright. It’s a plan. Now, I have to get changed and go home, before my family starts to worry.”

Spike sighed internally. Having a family, Sweetie Belle was able to be concerned by such things. He thought about how lucky she was, and watched her disappear to one of the changing rooms up on the path by the beach.

With one last look to the sunset, Spike retrieved his pillow and blanket from where he stored them underneath one of the nearby bungalows, and got ready to sleep for the night.

A Day Of Fun

A day of fun

Waves crashed softly, and seabirds started squawking as the rising sun gently shone its rays on the shores of Canterlot beach.

Spike was still asleep, but his mind was abuzz with the plans he made with Sweetie Belle last night. He couldn't wait to go to the arcade with Sweetie Belle and her friends.

Her friends. That may have been a problem. As friendly as he was with Sweetie Belle at the moment, her two friends probably wouldn’t be too happy to see him. Still, he would have to take the chance in order to try and enjoy the day.

He got put, stored away his pillow and blanket, then set off for his destination.

____________________________________________

Sweetie Belle was already awake, eating toast in her bedroom. When she finished, she went to the living room in search for the home phone. However, the phone was not in its cradle. Nearby, there was Rarity sitting on the couch.

“Hey Rarity, do you know where the home phone is? I want to call Apple Bloom and Scootaloo,” she asked her sister as she approached.

“If you wanted to call Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, you should've came to me first,” Rarity answered, as she pulled out her phone to call Applejack's number.

The phone rang once, before the call was answered.

“Howdy-ho, Rarity,” came the cheerful greeting.

“Applejack, may you pass the phone to Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle wants to talk to her?”

“Sure.”

Rarity passed the phone over to Sweetie Belle.

“Sweetie Belle?” asked Apple Bloom’s voice over the phone.

“Hey, Apple Bloom. You want to come to the arcade?” Sweetie asked.

“Sure. I been lookin’ fer somethin’ to do right about now.”

“Okay. Let’s meet at Scootaloo's place,” Sweetie said, hanging up the phone and handing it to her big sister. “Thanks Rarity,” she said, exiting through the front door leaving the boutique.

____________________________________________

Spike started walking to the arcade. It wasn't a far walk, only about a 1K walk from the beach.

He entered the arcade, the blaring noises and flashing lights overwhelming him like a wave on the shore. It was his first time in such a place, and almost thought this may not have been the best place for him and his new friends to spend the day.

The sight of other children his own age caught his eye, and he saw the way they were happily chattering and cooperating over the many games that were arranged through the building. Something that made him think that perhaps it wasn’t such a bad idea after all. If he could garner that kind of cooperation from Sweetie Belle’s friends, things may work out for him after all.

“Step right up! Feast your eyes! Come on and give it a shot!” called a voice from somewhere near.

Spike looked, and saw two men wearing identical blue and white striped shirts and pork pie hats. One man wore a mustache, and a badge like an apple with a wedge cut out of it. The other man wore no mustache, and a badge in the shape of an apple wedge. Between the two of them was a large machine covered by a curtain.

“I present to you fine patrons: the claw machine X. Take a chance, and you could win an Xbox one! Only five dollars for two tries,” said the man with no mustache, as he pulled a curtain off the machine.

Everyone was in awe, hoping for an easy chance to win an Xbox One. As everyone crowded the machine Spike saw three girls run in, and went to greet them

“Hey, Sweetie Belle,” he went to greet her, but was stopped by the disapproving glare of the red-haired girl.

“So what do y'all wanna do?” Apple Bloom said, looking at the others for any answer.

“I say we take a crack at that claw machine. Then, I won’t have to keep saving up for a system,” Scootaloo said. She was about to approach the claw machine, but was stopped by Apple Bloom.

“Yer askin’ fer trouble if ya do,” said Apple Bloom looking at the two on stage. “That's Flim and Flam, the Flim Flam brothers. They’re nothin’ but a couple o’ two bit crooks. I learned that when they tried pullin’ the wool over my sister’s eyes a few months ago.”

They overlooked the two at the claw machine, and spent the rest of the day playing the various other games at the arcade. For the time that passed, it started to seem that Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were starting to let their guard down. But, not completely.

It had worked out even better than Spike had thought. Through the four player cooperative games, Spike was able to garner the trust that he sought from the others. Even though it was only a game, he was covering their backs when they were under attack, providing useful tools when they were needed, and overall worked with them like a well-oiled clock.

They left the arcade that day, feeling somehow closer than when they first entered.

“Well, looks like it’s time to go,” Apple Bloom said. She approached Spike, “An’ you. Make sure Sweetie Belle gets home safe.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Spike answered.

“Keep your smart answers to yourself, or you’re getting another beating,” Scootaloo said.

She and Apple Bloom left down the path, leaving Sweetie Belle and Spike to return to the beach to watch the sunset together again.

“Today was fun,” Sweetie Belle said.

Spike smiled and nodded.

“Do you notice that we spend a lot of time watching the sunset?”

“Yeah? What about it? I like sunsets.”

“But, why?”

Spike hadn’t thought about it before, but remembered something he was told once.

“It was just something that I used to do a lot. Mum always said that the end of a day is always the beginning of a new one. I guess I really like the idea of not knowing what’s coming next. At least, I used to,” Spike answered.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to press a sore spot,” Sweetie answered.

“It’s alright. What’s done is done. Tomorrow’s another day, and all that,” Spike sighed.

Sweetie Belle looked at Spike, not knowing what to say to him. Slowly, she stood up from the ground, and started walking away.

“So...Bye?” she said.

Spike didn’t answer.

For another moment, Sweetie Belle looked at Spike, until an instinct struck her. She walked up behind him, and draped her arms around his shoulders in a gentle hug.

“For what it’s worth: I’m really glad I met you. Even if I never knew we’d become friends at first,” Sweetie said.

Spike simply slid his hands up, and gently grasped her arms. His one hand covered the scar on Sweetie’s arm, feeling a gentle warmth radiating from it. Why or what it was, he did not know.

Sweetie Belle slid her arms from Spike’s grip, and walked away to the path up the stairs.

“Well goodbye. I've got to get back home.”

“Bye,” Spike said waving, as she started running back to the boutique.

The day was nearly at an end, and Spike got up to retrieve his pillow and blanket.

He found both the items where he had left them, and decided to call it an early night.

A New Friend

A new friend

Discord was sleeping peacefully in his bed as the sun was rising. Last night was completely fruitless. Even with the help of Twilight and Thorax, he still couldn’t find Spike.

The sunlight shone through his window, rousing him from sleep. The boy yawned and stretched, stood up and got changed. Afterward, he went to the kitchen to make his own breakfast, since his parents were already at work. One toast with jam later, he left out the front door.

During his walk to school, he kept a close eye out for Spike, looking across every street and through every alleyway, hoping to see him.

Instead, he saw another welcome sight. There on the street was a girl his own age. Someone he remembered seeing once before.

“Hey,” he greeted her.

The girl flinched, and hid behind her armload of books when she was approached.

“Um...Hi?” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“You’re friends with Twilight Sparkle, aren’t you?”

“Y-Yes.”

“I don’t know if you remember, but we met at the beach a few days ago. Well, didn’t really meet. My name’s discord,” he said

“I’m Fluttershy.”

“Listen, I don’t want to impose on you, but I kind of need a favor,” Discord said.

“Alright...It’s not anything dangerous, is it?” Fluttershy asked.

“No. I just need some help looking for a--a friend of mine,” Discord answered, not quite sure what his relation to Spike was. “You remember Spike, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Well, he’s been missing a few days. Me and my friends have been looking for him, but we can’t seem to find him anywhere. If you do see him, could you tell me or Twilight about it?”

“Alright. Sure.”

Fluttershy turned to walk away, but was nearly thrown off balance by the weight of the books she was carrying.

“Why don’t I help you with that?” Discord said.

He took the books from Fluttershy, and helped her carry them on the way to school. They were almost to their destination, when Fluttershy saw a familiar face.

“Oh, there’s Twilight. Twilight!” she called to her friend.

Twilight heard the call, and jogged over to greet her friends.

“Fluttershy. Hey,” she said. “Discord. Any luck?”

“No. I’m starting to think that Spike just isn’t around here anymore,” Discord answered.

Twilight sighed quietly. Even though she didn’t like the idea, she knew that it was probably the most probable outcome. After all the things that had been going wrong in his life, it would be no wonder if he decided to leave it all behind him.

“You know, I’ve never actually seen you around this school before,” Fluttershy said.

“That’s because I haven’t been going to this school before,” Discord said, as he handed back Fluttershy’s books. “So, I've got to get to the principal's office, so I can collect my planner and my locker code,” he said, before walking away.

When Discord entered the office, he saw a familiar face. “Thorax?”

The boy looked at him seeing it was Discord.

“Discord? Don’t tell me you’re going here too,” he said.

“Yeah. Just enrolled, actually. So, you didn’t happen to see anything on your way home, did you?”

“There's nothing we can do about it now. I’m guessing you’re here to see the principal, so that’s where we should go.”

Upon entering the principal’s office, they were greeted by a tall woman in a brown suit, with a flowing mane of rainbow-colored hair. “Ah, you two must be the newly enrolled students. Please, have a seat.”

The boys did as instructed, and took a seat in the chairs she had set for guests.

“I suppose introductions are in order. Welcome to Canterlot High School. I’m your principal, Celestia.”

“Discord.”

“Thorax.”

Principal Celestia waited a moment to see if either boy wanted to say anything else. When they didn’t, she got right to business. “Thorax you're a recent transfer. But, Discord, you've not attended for three days,” she said.

“Let's say I've been busy.”

“In any case, your tour guide is here. So, have a pleasant day,” she pointed to the door, as it opened, and in walked a girl they both instantly recognised.

“Ready?” Twilight said, smiling.

They hardly started walking the hall of Canterlot High, when Discord took a sudden turn.

“I'll be right back. Gotta do something,” Discord said running off.

This left Twilight alone with Thorax, who tried making polite conversation.

“Twilight. How have you been?”

“Great!!” she blushed embarrassed. They waited for a while, but Discord still didn't return.

“Ah...you wanna come with me for lunch?” he asked with red cheeks

Twilight nodded, readily agreeing to the notion. Until a thought came to her mind.

“What if we get in trouble?”

“Don't worry I got friends on the other side.”

___________________________________________

It was lunch time. The five friends were waiting for Fluttershy and Twilight but they didn't show up.

“Where are they, I thought we all agreed to meet in the music room,” said Rarity, looking around for any sign of them.

Then they saw Garble approaching with a smile. “Hey losers how's it hanging?” he laughed, they glared not wanting anything to do with him.

___________________________________________

It was the first time that Twilight had ever broken a major rule. Cutting class to go on a lunch date was a notion that crossed her mind several times, but she never thought about actually doing it. Now that she was off campus during school hours, her heart was pounding a mile a second.

Thorax too was feeling nervous, but for different reasons. He guided her to a cafe that he had passed by a few times, but never actually entered. It seemed like a nice enough place to spend their lunch.

They ordered their drinks, and took their seats on the outdoor patio.

“So...how are you feeling right now?” Thorax asked.

“I'm still a little shaky about doing this. But, thanks nonetheless,” Twilight answered.

It was nerve wracking for the two, but at the same time fun. If things turned out well here, Twilight could imagine playing hooky again.

____________________________________________

Meanwhile Fluttershy was hanging with Discord on the school grounds. They were having a fun time.

“Fluttershy I.. I want get a drink,” he ran off, unable to tell the truth.

Fluttershy waited for a while, till he returned. “Still thirsty?” she teased laughing, he joined in as the the bell went.

__________________________________________

It was the end of the day as everyone left the school grounds excited for the weekend.

“Twi! Fluttershy! Where were you earlier? We had to deal Garble earlier, and it would have been less of a pain with more people,” Sunset admonished.

“How about we all go to the beach tomorrow?” Fluttershy suggested. “And why don’t you all bring your sisters too.”

Everyone nodded at the idea. For the rest of they day, they would try to enjoy their time together. Afterward, they would make preparations for the day at the beach.

Beach Trip And Descovery

Beach trip and descovery

It was a nice Saturday morning as Sweetie Belle woke. She yawned and stretched, then stood from her bed. After getting dressed, she collected her towel, bikini and some food into a plastic bag. Her beach supplies.

“Sweetie Belle! Breakfast!” Rarity called out from the kitchen. The girl walked to the kitchen. Upon entering, she saw her sister already set up the table with with a plate of pancakes and orange juice.

“This looks amazing.”

“Are you ready?”

Sweetie Belle nodded, briefly showing her bag to her sister, before she took her seat at the table in the dining room for breakfast.

“Applejack will be picking us up in the bus. This way, we won’t need to take separate cars,” Rarity said.

“Okay.”

An hour passed by as everything was ready. The two sisters were in the living room enjoying some TV, until they heard a horn honk outside.

“They’re here. Let's get moving,” Rarity said. She picked up the remote, and turned the TV off, and started walking to the front door to greet her friends.

They exited the boutique, seeing a spectacular bus outside. “Y'all coming or what?” asked Applejack.

“Coming,” the sisters answered in unison, running towards the bus.

They entered the bus. Sweetie Belle went to sit with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo while Rarity sat next to Twilight.

“Ya ready for an awesome day?” Apple Bloom asked excitedly for the day at the beach

“Yeah, this is going to be great.”

It only took half an hour to arrive at the beach. The group exited the bus, then ran to the change rooms.

They got out. Discord and Thorax looked in awe at Fluttershy and Twilight. Twilight was wearing a blue bikini, and undid the bun in her hair, letting it flow. Fluttershy wore a light green bikini. They couldn't stop staring wide eyed at the two girls they admired.

“So what y'all wanna do first?” Applejack asked.

“We always could go for a swim,” Sweetie Belle suggested, wanting to go for a nice swim.

“Well I'll be sunbathing who's in?” Rarity asked.

“I'm in,” Twilight said.

“Me too,” Pinkie chimed in.

The other four older girls agreed and nodded.

“Me and Thorax will go walking around and meet you back,” Discord said, taking their leave.

____________________________________________

Spike wasn't that far away. He decided to explore, he was walking until he bumped into two people.

“I'm still a bumping champion,” he thought, as he looked up to see a familiar face.

“Spike!” Discord and Thorax said in unison looking down to the boy they been searching for.

“Discord?” Spike said. He noticed who was with him. “What are you doing here?”

“Helping look for you,” Thorax answered. “I’m Thorax, by the way.”

“Where were you? We’ve been looking for you for days,” Discord interjected.

“Here. At the beach. It’s not like I was hiding anywhere,” Spike answered.

“Well me, Thorax and Twilight were looking for you three or two nights ago,” Discord said, with a smile finally finding Spike.

“Let's get you back to the girls,” Thorax said.

“They’re not exactly happy with me.”

“I've heard the story,” he said no sight of anger or disappointment.

Spike hesitantly agreed, as they slowly started walking back.

Spike was a little shaky at the idea of seeing the others again when he saw Twilight on the beach. She was lying on her stomach over her towel, taking in the sunlight.

Spike stepped over and sat down on the towel next to Twilight, and tapped her on the shoulder.

Twilight roused from her relaxation, and looked to who prodded her. Her eyes popped wide at the sight. “Spike?” she had tears in her eyes, as she hugged him. “I've missed you so much.”

He returned the hug, looking into her purple eyes, he felt better for seeing her again.

“I've missed you too,” he said, smiling wider, until he saw the others about to turn, and went behind Twilight to hide. The others looked over to her.

“So Twilight what should we do next?” Pinkie asked, smiling.

“I don't know, but how about you keep sunbathing while I quickly do something,” Twilight said, rather quickly.

Not thinking there was anything suspicious about Twilight’s request, Pinkie and the others turned back around, and she led Spike away. They found a secluded spot where they could relax and catch up.

“How have you been?” Twilight asked.

“Good. Between beatings at school, I've been living on the beach,” Spike.

Twilight was speechless a moment. She knew the terrible things that had been happening to him, but to hear it aloud was somewhat, alarming.

“Spike, why don't you come back? We all really miss you at my place. Mom’s been really worried about you,” Twilight said.

“Because I like it out here, watching the stars with Sweetie Belle, before she goes home, every time we see each other.”

“Spike, please come back. I miss you,” she pleaded. But, Spike’s mind wasn't changed.

“It's best that after this you don't come looking for me again,” he said seriously.

“Spike…?”

“I said no!!” Spike yelled at her.

Taking the hint that the decision was final, Twilight got up and soberly walked away.

Spike walked in the opposite direction along the sandy beach alone, looking at the tides.

Yet again he felt alone, but he was used to it. He didn't mean to snap at Twilight, it was his anger of her pressing the matter that made him shout.

He continued walking, as the sun was slowly setting. He went to retrieve his blanket and pillow, and picked a spot on the beach to sleep for the night.

Stone Hearted

Stone hearted

Days passed. Spike started seeing Sweetie Belle and her friends less and less. Not only that, but he was skipping school too. Sometimes, Sweetie Belle would come to the beach for a visit, but Spike would simply avoid her until she left. Eventually, Sweetie simply stopped coming.

At the moment, he was sitting in the sand, remembering what he had said to Twilight. The last words he ever spoke to her that ended their friendship.

“Spike?”

Spike didn’t even turn to face the owner of the voice.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“You want to go swimming?”

“Forget it, Sweetie Belle. I’m not in the mood,” Spike muttered.

Sweetie Belle sat down in the sand next to Spike.

“Spike, everyone’s worried about you. You don’t come to school. You don’t talk to anyone. We tried looking for you, but we couldn’t find you.”

“Then just give up.”

“No. Because you don’t give up on a friendship,” Sweetie said, turning Spike’s face to look at her.

“I don’t need anyone. Especially not you,” Spike said, brushing Sweetie’s hands away.

“What happened to you, Spike? Huh? Where’s the Spike I became friends with? Because right now, he’s acting more like the Spike that hurt me!”

Spike abruptly started walking away.

“Then maybe that’s the only Spike there was in the first place!” he snapped.

Sweetie Belle was left on the sand. Broken hearted, filling up with tears and despair, she walked home alone.

___________________________________________

Spike was walking down the streets of Canterlot in a bad mood. He walked past people that stared at him, caring not a button for their stares.
“What's up?” asked another familiar voice. A voice that made Spike stop walking.

“What do you want?” Spike bitterly asked, as he turned to face Garble.

“Spike, why so bitter?” Garble asked.

“You know what. I'm ready to settle something from a while ago,” he said sternly, eyes glaring.

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“My mother's death. And, let's take this to where we first met.”

Garble paused a moment, as though he were contemplating the proposal.

“Challenge accepted,” he said, and led Spike down the alleyway he was in.

There they were again. Back to the place where Spike and Garble first met. Where things started going wrong.

Garble suddenly spun around, swinging his fist right into the side of Spike’s head.

The force of the older boy’s attack made Spike stagger to the side, leaving him open to a kick that pushed him backwards.

Spike’s back slammed into a wall. He had to quickly move his head, as Garble’s fist came smashing into the wall.

While Garble was recoiling over his injured fist, Spike took the opportunity to bash his head into the wall.

Garble elbowed Spike aside, pinned him to the ground with one hand, and punched him repeatedly with the other.

Spike felt he was rupturing under the assault. He reached to his side, hoping to find something to attack with.

His hand found a pile of rusted nails that had fallen out of the wall. Taking them in his hand, he drove their points deep into Garble’s shoulder and neck.

Garble yelled loudly, before Spike kicked him in the groin and rolled out from beneath him.

Spike picked up a rotten 4x4 and delivered a swift blow to Garble’s head. And then another. And another and another and another. He was paying Garble back in full for all the grief he caused him.

Garble’s face was swollen, bruised and bloody. An onlooker may have thought his face was turned inside-out for how it looked. Before he even had a chance to catch his breath, Spike wound up his arms and swung one last time.

For the final swing, Garble was knocked to the ground, and the 4x4 Spike held broke in two.

Spike stood over his fallen opponent, and stomped his foot hard on his hand. The very same hand he had cut with his nails earlier.

“It’s all too easy to kill you right now, Garble. And believe me, nothing would make me feel better than to see you carted off to the morgue,” Spike said, as he gripped the lumber in his hands. “But, I promised myself that I’d never be like you. So, I’m going to tell you this: get out of Canterlot. Leave. Go ruin someone else’s life if you want, but stay--out--of--mine!!!”

Spike finished the last four words by stepping off of Garble’s hand and breaking it with the remains of the lumber he held. One last hit, and Spike threw the 4x4 as hard as he could at Garble’s head, before leaving the alleyway.

Garble tried to get up from the ground, but with his throbbing head and broken hand, he was barely able to coordinate himself. However, he saw Spike turn around one last time to face him.

“And don’t let me hear about you going near those girls. Or I won’t just break that hand. I’ll cut it off!” Spike said.

Then, he was gone.

Spike returned to the street, cold and embittered. For all that was happening, there really was nothing left for him in this place.
__________________________________________

Sweetie Belle was in her room, sitting on her bed wiping tears from her eyes. As soon as she arrived, she had closed her door. She didn’t want to talk to anyone at the moment. Not her friends. Not her sister. None of them could help her predicament.

For what felt like hours, she sat in silence, mulling over the terrible change that had occurred in Spike. Was it something she had done? Could she have prevented it?

Her thoughts ended when she heard a knock on her door. After the knock, her sister peered into the doorway.

“Sweetie Belle? May I come in?” Rarity asked.

“Sure,” was all Sweetie said. She knew her sister wanted to talk, but she was in no mood. In a few short seconds, her sister would catch onto that and leave.

Rarity took her seat on the bed next to Sweetie Belle, and looked at her sister’s sad, despondent face. She couldn’t conceive what could have gone wrong. All that Sweetie Belle had said was that she was going to go to the beach that morning.

“Darling, are you okay? You hardly said a word after returning home,” Rarity asked.

“I’m fine, Rarity. Why are you asking?” Sweetie Belle answered.

“Because you don’t seem fine.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Sweetie Belle said, forcing a smile to appear on her face.

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, shaking her head gently. “It’s been a long time since I was a little girl like you, but I know when something is wrong. Please, you must tell me. I’m your sister after all.”

Sweetie Belle sighed deeply. The last thing she wanted to do was to relive the experience at the beach that morning. But, she had an obligation as a sister to tell Rarity what had happened.

“Rarity...you remember how I got his scar on my arm, don’t you?” Sweetie Belle asked, placing her hand over her scar.

“Of course I do! How could I forget? I was nearly in hysterics when I learned you were in the hospital for it,” Rarity said.

“Well, for the last few days…” Sweetie sighed internally. Here came the hurricane. “I’ve been hanging around the boy that gave it to me.”

Rarity’s hands gripped the sheets on the bed tightly, before she released them and abruptly stood up.

“Sweetie Belle! You’ve been spending time around that--that--that thug!? That little monster who disfigured you!?” Rarity said, pointing to her sister’s scar.

“I know what he did! And I was really scared of him at first. But, he’s not all bad. He’s been really nice to me these last few days. And...I thought we were becoming friends. But, then he started acting all mean and distant. I tried talking to him today, but he told me to leave,” Sweetie Belle explained.

“And you would do well to listen to him. No sister of mine will be staying around a brute like him,” Rarity said.

“He’s not a brute! He’s a boy who lost his way once, and now he’s losing it again! Rarity, if we don’t help him, he might not come back from where he’s headed!”

___________________________________________

The sun was setting as Spike continued walking. He didn't even care about the blanket and pillow and left it at the beach. He simply kept walking, until he was beyond the Canterlot city limits.

With nothing on his mind except the destination, he left walking into the sunset, while Canterlot slowly faded behind him with the setting sun.

Father

Canterlot was far behind Spike now. The sun had gone down and the moon had come up, and his destination was growing closer.

Canterlot Prison was a place that few went to voluntarily, and even fewer left. It was a desolate place, fortified like a fortress from all sides. The towers loomed overhead like watchful guardians, and a gigantic metal door creaked open like the mouth of a beast to swallow the boy as he walked inside.

The reception area of the prison was clean and sterile, a stark contrast to the imposing exterior.

At the front desk sat a woman busily filing through paperwork. Spike approached her, and placed his hand on the counter.

The woman looked up, revealing her face. Her red hair was styled into a mohawk, and her eye had a scar that ran down to her chin.

“What are you doing here so late at night? Shouldn’t you be at home?” the woman asked.

“I’m here to see my dad,” Spike answered.

“Well, you’re out of luck there. Visiting hours ended a long time ago, and kids aren’t allowed to visit unsupervised,” the woman said, before returning to her paperwork.

“What about if I’m here to visit Sombra?” Spike said suggestively.

The woman froze a moment, and looked back up from her work.

“You? You’re not serious. A kid like you is Sombra’s son?” she said, not quite believing what she heard.

“You don’t have to believe it, but it’s true. My dad’s the worst criminal Canterlot’s ever seen,” Spike said, shrugging his shoulders.

In all her years working on the police force, nobody came to visit Sombra. Ever since he was incarcerated all those years ago, not a single soul in or out of the prison showed the slightest bit of care or compassion for him. Especially not herself, after Sombra nearly gouged her eye out.

For all her sensibilities, she knew she should simply send the kid on his way. However, a nagging curiosity to know what would happen if Sombra had any human contact aside from the guards made her decision for her.

“Alright. I’ll see if I can arrange for your dad to meet you. But, on the condition that I have to supervise,” the receptionist said.

“Fine with me,” Spike answered.

The receptionist dialed her phone, and briefly waited before the line was answered.

Spike exhaled quietly as he looked around the station. He hardly paid any attention to what was being said over the phone as his mind raced with what he could possibly say to his father, who he hadn’t seen in many years.

In seconds, the receptionist hung up her phone and turned to face Spike.

“Alright. Follow me,” she said

The receptionist stood from her seat, walked around her counter and opened a nearby door. She led him to the adjoining room, where small cubicles with seats were placed before a glass divider. A two-way phone was set into each, for the visitors to speak with the incarcerated.

Spike took his seat in the first cubicle, while the receptionist stood back and supervised.

Half a minute passed, and the door in the room on the opposite side of the glass opened up. In walked a man in an orange jumpsuit, who made Spike nearly lurch from seeing him.

The man’s face carried no sign of warmth or caring. His lank, black hair hung low over his green, red-pupiled eyes, which darted across the room to see the first visitor who had ever come to see him. A smile crawled onto his beastly face, revealing strangely pointed teeth. His smile remained as he walked to the cubicle, while the guard who led him in took his position by the door.

For a moment, the estranged father and son locked eyes. For the first time in years, they were able to see one another. Sombra reached up and took hold of the phone to speak into it.

“Hello, son,” Sombra said, in a deep, gravelly voice, “You look good. Grown, certainly.”

“Wish I could say the same about you, dad. You look exactly the same as I remember you,” Spike deadpanned.

“Hahahaha! Always with the jokes. You haven’t changed a bit from how I remember you. So, what brings you here? How come only now does my only son come to see his dear old dad?”

Spike paused a moment. He hadn’t actually thought about why he was speaking to his father at the moment.

“I don’t know,” Spike said, slumping in his chair. “I guess it’s because I’ve run out of people to talk to.”

“That can’t be true. There must be dozens of people to talk to, besides the most notorious killer Canterlot has ever known,” Sombra said, with a hint of joviality in his voice.

As appalled as Spike was at his father’s flippant attitude to murder, he was still attached to him as his son.

“Now, what about your mother? I haven’t seen that woman in years, but I’m sure she’s just as warm and open as she ever was. Why don’t you speak with her?” Sombra asked. He noticed his son’s despondent look, “Or are the two of you not on talking terms?”

“No. Mom’s dead…Murdered...”

“I see…” Sombra said, “That’s terrible.”

“What do you care? You’re in here because you tried to strangle her in her sleep!” Spike said.

The guard behind Spike winced internally. A boy who’s mother died, after his father tried to murder her was both at once disturbing and mesmerizing. And now, here was the killer’s son, talking as amicably as he could with his murderous parent.

“Yes. There were many times I can recall that I would have killed you or your mother. Seeing your blood on my hands would have been my greatest joy. The three of us could have existed as one. One body. One blood,” Sombra said.

“You know, most families go on vacations for a bonding experience,” Spike said.

“Oh, that humor of yours. I think I miss that the most, next to your mother’s smile. Tell me, who was it that took her from me?”

“It was a kid I knew. Garble.”

“Now, there’s a name I’ve heard, even in here,” Sombra said, shifting in his seat, “I hear even for his young age, he’s something of a name on Canterlot’s list of troublesome juveniles. What did you have to do with him?”

Spike clenched his fist on top of the counter in the cubicle. Something his father noticed, and smirked malevolently at.

“I...used to be a member of his gang,” Spike said.

“Imagine that. My boy in a gang. You’re well on your way to becoming like your old man,” Sombra said, smiling.

Spike clenched his fist tighter.

“I’m not in his gang anymore! And if he got the message I gave him, he’ll never show his face in Canterlot again!” Spike shouted into the phone.

Sombra pulled his ear away from the phone, and allowed it to stop ringing momentarily, before he started speaking again.

“Tell me, what made you stop following him? What made you decide to break away from him, and follow a more wholesome path?” Sombra wondered.

“It was a girl,” Spike sighed.

“Well, well. Haven’t you been a busy little boy? Running with gangs. Meeting a girl. Most fathers would be so fortunate to see their boy growing up,” Sombra said, suggestively.

“It wasn’t like that, dad. She made me realize what I was doing to people! I didn’t want that anymore, so I left Garble behind me!” Spike said, standing abruptly from his seat.

Sombra smiled again. Not a malevolent, toothy rictus as it was before, but a smaller, almost fatherly smile.

“In such a short time, you’re well on your way to manhood. Tell me: where is this girl of yours now?” Sombra said.

“I...I don’t know. I mean, we’re friends now, but I don’t know how much longer,” Spike said, before slumping back in his seat.

“Hrm…” Sombra thoughtfully muttered. “Spike. I know I haven’t been there as a father for you very much, so let me leave you with this advice: hold onto the things that you cherish. And steer clear of the things that drag you down the path of darkness. My time with Pharynx is what brought me here, and you would do well to avoid this.”

“Alright. Thanks, dad,” Spike said, feeling the connection between him and his father growing. However twisted their relationship was, it was the only family he had. “Dad,” Spike continued, “Who’s Pharynx?”

“He was like a brother to me once. He and I committed a string of crimes together, much like you and your friend Garble,” Sombra said, smiling sentimentally at the memories. “However, the more I stayed with him, the more difficult it was to keep you and your mother in my life. Eventually, I had to choose between them. And, I chose to keep Pharynx.”

A small chill ran down Spike’s spine, when he heard his father’s motive for nearly killing his mother. If that was all that it took for him to become what he was now, he was more relieved than ever that he left Garble, and went on to meet Discord, Twilight, Thorax and especially Sweetie Belle.

“Dad...thanks. I know what I have to do now. I have to go,” Spike said.

“Take care, son. And stay clear of Pharynx. People like him come in many forms, but they all lead down the same path,” was Sombra’s parting fatherly advice, before Spike hung up the phone, and was led out the door by the receptionist.

As unsettling as the talk with is father was, Spike’s head had been cleared of all the clutter. He was going to go back to Canterlot and look for Sweetie Belle and the others.

“Sorry you had to do all that,” the receptionist said.

“It was nothing. You get used to things like this at some point,” Spike answered. “Thanks for setting that up with my dad, officer…”

“Tempest,” the receptionist answered.

Spike left the building after hearing the receptionist’s name, and made his way back to Canterlot. It was too late at night for him to do anything much right now, as everyone else was asleep.

It had been a long difficult day for him, and the sight of the beach’s sand, and the sound of the crashing waves were never better to him. He made his way to the bungalow where he kept his bedding, and laid down for the night, drifting into a dreamless sleep.

Pharynx

A new day started in Canterlot. The morning commute went about beginning their days, filing onto buses and cabs, crowding the sidewalks and paying not a button for the others around them.

Among the crowd, another man walked. His mind as dark and terrible as the pitch black jumper he wore, his visage shrouded by the shadowy hood. What would he do today? Nobody knew. Why he would do it? That would be for him to decide. Whatever happened, however terrible, he would be the master of his own actions.

His mind was brought to reality when his elbow bumped into a bypasser’s arm.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” said the girl he bumped into.

“Never mind it, little lady,” said the man. His face changed from a blank canvas to an intrigued smile when he saw who the girl was walking with. A man his own age, who he recognized from a long time ago. “Night Light? Is that you? How long has it been?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I know you,” Night Light said, as he slowly nudged his daughter behind himself, putting himself between her and the stranger.

“Night Light, don’t you remember your old pal, Pharynx?” the man said, as he lowered his hood, to reveal his face.

The sight of Pharynx’s face sent a chill down Night Light’s spine.

“No, I don’t remember anyone named ‘Pharynx.’ And if I did, I would be so lucky to have forgotten him,” Night Light said abruptly, as he led his daughter away.

Pharynx watched the two leave, his eyes squarely fixed on them. “So, Night Light has a baby girl now. How nice.”

He continued down his way, his mind flooded with dark and terrible thoughts of what could occur during the day. And if any of them needed his hand, then so it would pass.

“Dad, who was that?” Twilight asked.

“Nobody to concern yourself about. Just keep walking, and don’t look back,” Night Light said.

“How can I not be concerned? After seeing how you talked to that man, I want to know what you have to do with him.”

“Nothing! And I don’t want you to have anything to do with him either!” Night Light said, as he and his daughter reached a pedestrian crossing.

“Dad, I really think you need to tell me about that man. I know somebody who’s done bad things before, and if I don’t find a way to help him, he and I might have the same conversation you just had with that man. Please, dad. I need you to tell me,” Twilight said.

Night Light silently waited for the signal to walk, hoping the movement through the foot traffic would diffuse the conversation in some small way. However, the lamps at the other end of the crossing remained, and he found himself fighting the nagging urge to tell his daughter the truth. However, if it would help her friend, he decided he would have to tell her. With a heavy sigh, Night Light decided to tell Twilight what he knew.

“Pharynx...is a very bad person. Back when your mother and I were attending Canterlot High, he and his friend Sombra were notorious bullies. They did every unspeakable thing you can name. And it only ever got worse after school,” Night Light said.

“Worse how?” Twilight wondered.

“Worse in ways I don’t want you to hear at your age,” Night Light answered. The lamp at the end of the crossing changed, and the pedestrians all started filing across the street. “But, I will tell you this,” Night Light continued as he and his daughter traversed the other pedestrians, “Unless you help your friend, you may soon find a trail of blood following them. And it won’t matter how much you try to help. They won’t ever return form where they’re going, no matter what you say or do.”

Twilight shuddered internally at the thought. She knew next to nothing about the man called Pharynx, but if Spike was to become like him, she knew she had to put a stop to it.

“Dad, we have to get home fast,” Twilight said.

The two of them made their way home quickly. When they entered, Twilight Velvet was keeping herself busy with housework. Before she could greet her family, Night Light quickly walked over to her.

“Twilight. Your mum and I need to have a talk. You go up to your room for now,” Night Light said.

“A talk? What about?” Velvet wondered.

“This way,” Night Light said, walking her to the kitchen.

After they disappeared, Twilight went up to her room to prepare for what she knew she needed to do next.

Down in the kitchen, Twilight’s dad readied to relay the news of the encounter they just had.

“So, what was it you wanted to talk about?” Velvet asked.

“It was just minutes ago. When me and Twily were out, we…” He prepared himself for what he was about to convey. “We ran into Pharynx.”

Velvet gasped, knowing that nothing good could be said next. The idea of Pharynx being so close to their home was truly disturbing, and could only mean trouble was to come.

__________________________________________

In the far reaches of Canterlot, where the buildings were run down, and the people were not friendly, Pharynx walked down the darkest alley.

He knew what he was going to do. He was going to release his old friend from prison, and reunite as a family.

There would be no way he could do it alone. He would need help. And he knew just the guy and girl who were perfect for the job. After so many years, they would all be together. After all this time, the most fearsome gang Canterlot had ever known to terrorize it’s streets would be back together again.

Feelings

For hours now, Sweetie Belle had been meandering about in her bedroom. She hadn’t seen Spike in almost two days, and was constantly worrying about what had become of him.

“Spike...what’s happened to you?” she thought to herself.

He was so mean and distant the last time that she saw him. For all she knew, he was twice as bad now as he was before. What would happen if they met again? Would he hesitate to hurt her again? Or worse?

Her thoughts were interrupted by her door opening, and Rarity walking in.

“Sweetie Belle? Are you still thinking about that boy?” Rarity wondered.

Sweetie almost lied to her sister. She knew that Rarity already didn’t approve of her and Spike being friends. But, for whatever reason that compelled her, she simply nodded her head.

“Sweetie Belle, you can’t keep mulling over that little thug. Nothing good could ever have come from you spending time with him,” Rarity said.

“But, Rarity, what if something’s happened when I’m not around him?” Sweetie reasoned.

“Then, it’s for the better for all of us. Now, I won’t be having this conversation with you again,” Rarity said, as she guided her sister out of her room by her wrist. “Now, come along. It’s not good for you to be locked up in your room like this all day. I’m on my way to Twilight’s house, and you’re more than welcome to come along to be dropped off for a visit with your friends.”

Sweetie Belle knew that she never had a choice in the matter when her sister started to act like this. She simply compiled, and followed her to the car, where they buckled up and drove off.

Not a word was shared between the sisters as they drove. Though Rarity tried to speak with her sister, Sweetie Belle didn’t respond. To Rarity, and response would have been less disconcerting than simple silence.

After navigating the traffic, they arrived on Twilight’s block and parked on the curb in front of her house. To their surprise, Twilight was already there in the front path.

“You came. Good,” Twilight said, as she quickly got into the car with the others.

“Twilight? What are you doing?” Rarity asked.

“I’ve already called all the others. We need to go to the beach. All of us. Fluttershy’s already picking up Applejack, Apple Bloom and Discord. Rainbow Dash is getting Scootaloo. We need to pick up Thorax next. And fast,” Twilight said.

“Twilight, slow down. You sound positively flustered!”

“Because I am! We need to all go to the beach and find Spike! Now, drive!”

Not wanting to provoke Twilight further, Rarity quickly started the car again, and drove away.

“You’re looking for Spike?” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yes. I think we need to find him. Now. Or he won’t come back to where he’s going to,” Twilight answered.

“What do you mean? Where is he going?” Rarity asked.

“Somewhere bad! I told you this would happen if we didn’t find him soon!” Sweetie Belle said.

What Sweetie Belle said resonated to Twilight. Somehow, Sweetie Belle was involved in the issue. And there was the chance the young girl knew more than herself.

“Sweetie Belle, what do you know about Spike? Why are you so concerned about him?” Twilight wondered.

“Because, he’s my friend! And I want to keep him,” Sweetie answered. Only then did she realize just how important it was that she kept him.

As Rarity drove, she tried her best to comprehend what was going through her passengers’ minds. Twilight, who only days ago had told Spike he was not welcome in her house. And Sweetie Belle, who had been scarred and disfigured by Spike before. For whatever reason, the two had developed an emotional attachment to the boy. Partly from the desire to help her friends, and partly from the sheer curiosity of what would happen if her friends were able to reach Spike, she kept driving to reach Thorax, and rally them all together. If only for Sweetie Belle’s sake, she would help to find Spike.

___________________________________________

Spike was already long gone from his spot on the beach. He had started walking to meet Sweetie Belle in her home some time ago, and was already well on his way.

The first thing he did that morning, after putting away his bedding supplies was wash up in a sink at a nearby men’s room. Using the soap dispenser, he washed his face, his hair, and even took off his shirt to give that a quick scrub, before he left to reclaim his friend.

He didn’t worry about drying off. He would simply dry naturally as he walked through the city. If he was still damp by the time he reunited with Sweetie Belle, then so be it.

Currently, he was descending the steps to the Canterlot metro, where the stink of the litter shocked his nostrils greatly. He had never been to the metro before, but wanted to quickly make his way to the business district where Sweetie Belle lived as quickly as possible.

The world below Canterlot seemed somehow different than the streets above. While Canterlot was not perfect, and had its blemishes, this entire place seemed like a festering wound, and the streets above were the sterile bandage that covered it.

Transients and other lowlifes sat against the walls. Unscrupulous businessmen ran their clandestine dealings in the halls here. Spike walked past a homeless man with a cart full of trash. Whatever he was collecting it for, Spike would rather not have known.

The turnstile was coming closer. Glancing around to see if anyone was watching, Spike closely followed behind a woman who was paying her way through, and quickly zipped through just as she passed it by.

Spike walked to the nearest train platform. As he waited for a train to arrive, he started to think he was going to need to wash up again, just to get rid of the stink of the metro.

There came a dull roar down the tunnel, and a train slowed to a halt at the platform. Spike, and only a few others boarded the train, and took their seats in the empty car. Well, nearly empty.

Seated on the opposite side, at the other end of the car was a hooded man in a black jumper. He sat with his back to the wall and his feet up on the seat, as though he were watching the other passengers board and disembark, without any place to stop of his own. And now, his eyes were locked solely on Spike.

Slowly, the man rose from his seat and walked across the floor.

Spike became aware of the muffled sounds of metallic steps, as though someone were trying to walk softly enough to not be heard. He glanced over, and saw the man in black just as he took a seat next to him.

“Your name is Spike, isn’t it?” the man in black said.

Trouble

Spike paid no mind to the man next to him. He didn’t even look up when the man in black addressed him by name.

Outside, the metro train passed through a tunnel, shrouding everything in darkness. In the dim lights of the train car, Spike glanced over toward the man in black. The man’s eyes glinted an unsettling reddish color when the lights above flickered. Spike had seen many terrible things in his young life, but the sight of the man next to him sent a pang of unease through him for the first time in his life.

“You’re Sombra’s boy, aren’t you?” the man asked.

Spike said nothing, but slightly nodded his head toward the man next to him.

“You don’t need to be so surprised. Me and your dad knew each other long before he went to the big house. We’ve kept touch even then. You’d be surprised by the things the guards overlook when they think they’re top notch,” the man continued.

The more the man spoke to him, the more uneasy Spike felt around this man. He knew nothing about him, or how he knew his dad. For all he knew, this was Pharynx he was talking to. Of all the luck, the one person his dad told him to avoid was there next to him. As frightened as he was, he remained silent. He would have nothing to do with Pharynx, if it meant ending up like his dad.

“So, Spike: where are you heading?” the man asked nonchalantly. “There can’t be many places for a kid like you to go. Not after losing both your parents, and all your friends.”

Spike gripped his hands together, fighting the urge to run from this man, for fear of what he may do.

“You know, there’s a bit of advice I like to offer to people like you. It’s not always easy to do, or even think about. But, sometimes life can take you down a dark path. And when that begins, there’s no turning back from it. Times like that, you have to let go of everything. Even the things you cherish the most. It’s because there’s nothing left for you that most people even take that path. So, I’ll ask again: where are you heading?” the man in black asked.

Where was he heading? Spike thought back to what his dad told him back in the prison, and the similar, yet starkly contrasted statement the man next to him said. He had seen the path his father walked, and saw no end through it. Just the same as the dark, twisting tunnel he was riding through now.

The brakes on the train hissed loudly, as it pulled up to a platform, and light filled the car. Spike thought to his destination that he intended in the first place. The path that would lead to Sweetie Belle. And with her, Twilight, Discord, Thorax, and all the others.

With that, he answered the man’s question: ‘where was he going.’

“Here’s good,” was all Spike answered, as he stood from his seat, and walked to the open doors of the car.

He departed with a crowd of people, and made his way upstairs to the station above.

Behind him, the man in black lingered on the platform, he was going to keep an eye on that boy. For now, he had other things to do. He still had to go meet with the others.

The hours passed. Twilight and all the others met on the beach, and began their search for Spike.

After so long of searching, waiting and wondering, no sight of him was to be found. The only clue that was found was when Sweetie Belle searched beneath a bungalow, and found her friend’s bedding tucked away underneath it. And that was all. The only trace of Spike being there that day.

She looked behind herself, and saw all of the others regrouping in the distance. With a heavy sigh, she started walking back to the others.

“Did anyone find him?” Twilight asked, when she returned with Thorax.

“Nothing. And I’ve been looking all over this place. I didn’t even find him in any of the nearby shops,” Rainbow Dash said, after she returned with Scootaloo.

“Do ya think he’s gone? Ya think he mighta actually skipped town after all?” Applejack wondered.

“No! He’s still here!” Sweetie Belle announced, as she rejoined the others. “He wouldn’t leave without packing up his bedding. He’s probably planning on coming back.”

In spite of Sweetie Belle’s hopeful attitude, everyone else knew better than to assume such a thing. In actuality, they were starting to think that Applejack may have been right.

“Oh, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, as she knelt down to her sister’s level. “You must realize that Spike had no real reason to stay here. He had no family. And no friends. It’s quite likely that he went somewhere else to discover them. Or to put his life in Canterlot behind him.”

“That’s not true. He had me. I know he wouldn’t leave me behind without at least saying goodbye. He has to come back here. I know it,” Sweetie asserted.

Rarity watched, heartbroken as she saw the tears leaking out of her sister’s eyes. All the others felt the profound sadness of a connection that was seemingly severed between the two. And in the back of her mind, Sweetie Belle thought her sister may be right.

With a heavy sigh, she leaned into her sister’s arms. The search had been long and tiring, but the thing that weighed the most on them was the knowledge they had failed to find Spike, and the emotional toll it was taking on one of their youngest friends.

“Come on. Let’s go home,” Rarity sighed.

They all slowly filed back to their vehicles. As the car drove away, Sweetie Belle took one last look back to the beach, as she rubbed the scar on her arm.

Spike was nowhere near the business district when he left the metro. Far from it, actually. The only reason he was now avoiding public transportation was for fear of running into the man in black again.

Hours passed, before he was anywhere near the boutique where Sweetie Belle lived. His feet were hurting from the long walk, but it would be worth it to reforge his friendship with Sweetie.

He rounded a corner, and he could see the boutique midway down the path. All he had to do now was walk inside, and hold onto what he would find within. His steps felt lighter with each step.

“Sweetie Belle!” he called to the shop, hoping that she would hear him from somewhere inside.

He was running now. His legs burned with each step, but that would not stop him when he was so close.

Spike reached the front door and rattled it loudly, finding the doors were locked tight. The boy growled quietly, and knocked loudly on the doors.

“Sweetie Belle!” he called.

He peered through the glass window, and found a slit in the curtains that allowed him to see inside.

It was dark inside the boutique. As if the shop had not even been attended that day, not even the mannequins were set out to their proper place.

This setback was not going to stop Spike. This was Sweetie Belle’s home, and she was going to return at some point or another. With a sigh, he sat down on the front step of the shop, watching the passersby as they went about their days. It was only a matter of time now. Spike knew he would be on the correct path, and avoid the one his dad had taken.

In the darkest part of town, a shadowy figure crept. Her thin, waify figure trodding silently through the darkened streets, even the scum of the city that lurked here cowered at the sight of her.

Thin to the point of emaciation, her body was seemingly nothing but long, spindly limbs that could reach out and drag anyone they ensnared to the darkest part of a room, and never return. The only volume her body even had was her long, lank hair, which wildly blew about in all directions as she walked.

One last turn, and she found herself in a familiar place. The old ‘usual.’ A place where she and the others of her gang would often meet. Only, there she was alone now. Or so she thought.

“Chrysalis. You came. And you’re looking as lovely as ever,” came a deep voice from behind her.

The woman called Chrysalis snapped her body around, and saw the form of a former cohort filling the path behind her. How someone as tall and muscular as him was able to sneak around so quietly was beyond her cognition.

The other man stepped out of the alleyway, allowing the dim lights of the back alley porches and passing headlights to illuminate his broad, bearded visage momentarily, before he returned to an enormous silhouette after the passing of the light.

“Are you the one that called me here?” Chrysalis asked apprehensively. Though they were once allies, a two-faced mountain of muscle like Tirek, her companion, was not to be taken slightly.

“Me?” Tirek asked. “I thought it was you. I couldn’t imagine anyone else being so brazen as to get the gang back together. Not after how we all parted on such cold terms.”

“Brazen? Cold? And here I was thinking that we all would be happy to see each other again,” said a third voice, as the owner walked through an open doorway of an abandoned building.

Both Chrysalis and Tirek took a step backwards when they realized who was talking to them. The one who sent one of their own to prison to save his own hide. There was Pharynx. And even they knew nothing good could come from cooperating with him.

Pharynx's Plan

Pharynx's plan

The sight of Pharynx’s sickly smile sent a shiver of unease through Tirek and Chrysalis. It was the same smile from their days in a gang. Whenever some terrible thought entered his mind, he smiled that way. Just before he committed some atrocity, that smile crossed his face. It was the same smile as when he sent Sombra to prison, and the others would have no part of whatever he was planning.

“Chrysalis. Tirek. It's good to see you came on such short notice. In all honesty, I didn’t expect you to come at all,” said the man in black looking at his two companions, with a twisted smile.

“Forget it. After what happened with Sombra, I’m not getting involved with you,” Tirek said.

“You’re lucky I don’t cut that smile from your face after what you did,” Chrysalis hissed.

Any threat made by Chrysalis was made good. Dozens of unfortunates living and dead were testament to that. Pharynx, however, walked right up to face her.

“Here’s the knife,” he said, holding up a small stiletto between himself and Chrysalis. “Go on. Take it.”

Chrysalis eyed the knife warily, knowing that any move she made may be met with a severed digit or a slashed throat. As long as Pharynx was smiling the way he was, she didn’t dare try anything.

“No?” Pharynx said. “How about you?” he said, as he turned around and placed the knife against Tirek’s chest, just before the man-mountain could attack him from behind. “You’ve crushed a lot of people in your time. Why don’t you finish what your friend started, and plunge this from the top of my skull to my pelvis?”

Tirek said nothing, but leaned back slightly as the tip of the blade was moved forward a half inch. He had accumulated many scars over the years, but any cut from Pharynx was to be the deepest of them all.

“Amateurs. Both of you,” Pharynx said, as he stepped away from the two of them. “This is why you two are lost without me. You’ve forgotten your killer instincts, and how to take action. That’s where I come in. I have a plan brewing. And I’m going to need both of your help.”

“Not interested,” Tirek said.

He and Chrysalis both turned heel and walked away, leaving Pharynx alone. They knew that this would not be the end of it. Nobody could walk away so easily from Pharynx. It would only be a matter of time, until he reached them again.

____________________________________________

Spike sat patiently on the front step of the boutique, awaiting Sweetie Belle’s return. For hours now, he had been hoping she would appear around the corner and the two could stay together, along with all the others he had met on the way.

Time had lost meaning to him. He hardly even noticed when the sky darkened slowly, and the moon and stars had come out. The only moment he became aware of the time was when he started drifting off to sleep, only to be abruptly awoken by a sharp pain in his stomach.

“Aw...Son of a…” Spike groaned. It occurred to him in that moment that he hadn’t eaten anything all day. Not even before he boarded the metro.

His will to stay on the porch until Sweetie Belle returned clashed with his aching stomach. For as long as Sweetie was gone, she surely wouldn’t return by the time he returned from getting a nosh, the boy reasoned.

Slowly, Spike rose to his feet, and walked to the direction of the nearest 24 hour restaurant.

Not a minute after Spike left the front step and rounded the nearest corner, did a car park on the curb outside.

After dropping off the others, Rarity and Sweetie Belle departed their vehicle, tired and let down at once.

The remainder of tears shed stained Sweetie Belle’s face. If she had the time and the resources, she would have searched the whole of Canterlot for her friend. But, it was not to be. She knew Spike had left her behind. Her, and all the others who had rallied together to find him.

With a heavy heart, she and her sister both entered the boutique.

“He didn’t even say goodbye…” Sweetie thought to herself.

The door of the boutique closed, and the girls prepared for bed. Whatever problems they had would be waiting in the morning, but they would face them together.
____________________________________________

The streets were eerily bare and bereft of life. The only figure that walked the streets for miles was the black-clad figure of Pharynx. His shadow reached far down the street as he plodded across a pedestrian crossing.

As it always was, his mind was whorling with ideas for mayhem and destruction. So fast was his mind working did it give him a slight headache. He was working on something truly impressive. A plan that would bring Canterlot to its knees.

Reaching into his pocket, he produced a black phone. With the same malicious grin as before, he dialed each number as if he was performing for an invisible crowd. He sent the call and leaned his back against a street lamp.

The phone rang once. Twice. Thrice.

There was a connection on the line.

“Who is it?” asked Tirek’s voice.

“You know who it is,” Pharynx answered. “Is Chrysalis still with you?”

There was no immediate answer.

“Before you hang up, I want to tell you that I’m planning on getting Sombra out of jail,” Pharynx quickly said.

There was no answer, but Pharynx knew that he had intrigued the man-mountain. Over the line, he heard Tirek’s voice talking to someone else nearby.

“What’s your plan?” asked Chrysalis’s voice over the phone.

“You know I don’t really like details. I’ll give you the rundown when we meet up. But, I’ll just say that we’ll need to wait for a friend of Spike’s.”

“Can you at least say who Spike is?” Chrysalis asked, not wanting to get involved with any unpleasant surprises Pharynx had in store.

“You mean you don’t know? Spike is Sombra’s boy,” Pharynx said, with his same devious smile.

There was another hushed voice on the other end of the phone. Pharynx smiled wider when he heard Chrysalis was conveying the information to Tirek.

“Since when is Sombra anyone’s dad?” Tirek asked over the phone.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about Sombra. But, right now, we need to focus on his friend. She’s going to be instrumental in getting our friend out of jail.”

Reunion And Magical Engery

Reunion and magical engery

Pharynx was walking ahead with Spike, while Tirek and Chrysalis were behind. They were already far past Canterlot city limits, and the night was waning slowly. In the distance beyond, the horizon was just beginning to brighten as the sun was coming up.

“You can’t realize what a great choice you made back on that beach, Spike. Can’t say I’m surprised you did. Smart boy like you’s bound to do the right thing,” Pharynx said, after an eternity of silence.

The right thing would have been to run away then and there, leaving the three alone on the stretch of highway. However, if he did, they would only go after Sweetie Belle again.

“Don’t you worry, kiddo. In a few short miles, we’re going to reunite you with your old man. Won’t that be a fun trip?” Pharynx said.

Though Tirek and Chrysalis couldn’t see it, they knew a devious smile had crossed Pharynx’s face. This path was going to lead them to a bitter oblivion, on an endless path to nowhere.

____________________________________________

Rarity had removed her mud mask and curlers, and changed into her street clothes, and was already on the streets in her car. She had spent many minutes driving, looking for any trace of Spike or Sweetie Belle. Finally, her headlights caught something.

Running down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road was the familiar form or her younger sister. Quickly, Rarity pulled over and departed her car.

“Sweetie Belle!” she called, as she ran across the street.

Sweetie Belle stopped when she heard the voice of her sister calling her name. When she turned, she saw her sister running towards her.

“Sweetie Belle! What were you thinking, running off so brazenly? You could have gotten hurt wandering the streets at night!” Rarity chastised.

“Rarity! Spike’s in trouble!” Sweetie Belle said.

“What did you say?” Rarity said.

“I found him at the beach! There were other people there too! They took him!” Sweetie ranted.

“Sweetie Belle, calm down!” Rarity said What her sister told her was much to take in, and would need her to calm down in order to process it. “Now, Sweetie Belle, please calm down and tell me what happened. These people: what did they look like?”

Sweetie Belle took a moment to collect herself, before divulging what had transpired on the beach.

“There were three of them,” Sweetie began, “One was a lady, who looked really scary.”

“And? Was there anything specific you remember about her or the others?”

“Yeah,” Sweetie nodded. “She was really scary, and she was skinny. Like a mop with too much hair. She told me her name was Chrysalis. And there was Tirek. He was really big and had lots of muscles. And the third one…” Sweetie paused a moment to collect herself again. “I didn’t hear his name, but he had red eyes, and he wore a black jumper.”

“And they took Spike?” Rarity asked.

Sweetie began by slowly nodding her head.

“He...He walked away with them, after they let me go,” the little girl said, as tears leaked from her eyes.

“You mean, they accosted you!?” Rarity said, fear clutching her chest.

“Yes! And Spike left with them to save me! Rarity! We have to find him!” Sweetie wailed.

“Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle, don’t cry! We’ll find a way to get him back,” Rarity said, giving her sister an assuring hug.

“But how? He must be somewhere faraway.” Sweetie said, hoping Spike was safe wherever he may be.

____________________________________________

Twilight was in her room, laying on her bed and looking over homework for tomorrow. She sighed knowing she let her friend's sister down. With a heavy heart she continued looking over her homework, hoping the calculus equations and literary studies would take her mind from it’s turmoil. Until she heard her phone ring.

She picked it up answering the call, “Hey Rarity what's up,” she said, calmly as if she hadn’t a care in the world.

“Twilight, it's going badly! First my sister finds Spike, and then he’s abducted by a man in a black jumper!” Rarity practically screeched.

“Black jumper?” Twilight gulped, hoping it wasn’t the man she and her father ran into that morning. “Did he have red eyes?”

“Yes! Do you know who that is?”

“It's Pharynx! My father said he used to go to school with him and mum, and just that he’s bad news,” Twilight conveyed the only information she knew about him. “I'm coming over. Be there soon.” She hung up and exited her bedroom.

____________________________________________

Discord was sitting at the statue in front of Canterlot high. He was sick and tired of the emotional rollercoaster he had been going on since he met with Spike. Even though he was supposed to meet Fluttershy there at the school to begin a night on the town, his mind still kept going back to his young friend.

He felt a surge of power flowing through his veins all of a sudden.

“Weird. I feel different,” he thought. Unknown to him, something had attached itself to him. Something from another world of magic. Something loaded with mayhem, and completely chaotic.

Even though he couldn’t see it, he could feel it. Something was changing inside of him, and was filling his thoughts with chaos and disarray.

“Discord!” Fluttershy called from the front gates of the school.

Discord’s mind snapped back to reality when he heard the voice call his name. Fluttershy quickly jogged over to him.

“Fluttershy? What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Don’t you remember? You said you wanted to meet me for some decaf at a coffeehouse,” Fluttershy reminded him.

“Oh! Uh, right,” Discord said, as he took Fluttershy’s hand, and led her away. "Sorry for forgetting. Things have just been kind of chaotic lately.”

Unknown to either of them, a patch of Discord’s skin under his shirt began to change colour.

____________________________________________

Pharynx, Spike, Tirek and Chrysalis made it to the exterior of the prison. Just as it was before, they walked through the front door. And just as before, Officer Tempest was at her desk, looking like she didn’t have enough to do. As soon as she heard the door open, she looked up to see a familiar sight.

“Here to see your dad again?” she asked Spike. She gasped quietly when she saw who was with Spike. One hand went to her sidearm under the desk, the other went to a red button next to her keyboard.

Spike yelped when he was grabbed from behind by Pharynx, and had a knife put to his neck.

“Before you call the guards, you have to ask how many dead bodies you want littering your floor,” Pharynx said.

Tempest sat with her hands hovering in the air, unsure of what action to take next.

“What do you want Pharynx!?” Tempest yelled.

“I’m just here to visit this boy’s father. You know who that is, don’t you?”

Tempest knew full well who, and revulsed at the thought of two of Canterlot’s worst criminals in the same proximity. However, not wanting to see the boy die, she had no choice but to comply.

Slowly, she took her hand away from the button by her keyboard, and dialed her phone.

“It’s Tempest. Sombra has a visitor again,” was all she said.

There was a brief response on the line, and she hung up.

“Through there,” she said, motioning to the nearby door with her head.

“Pleasure,” was all Pharynx said, as he led the others to the visiting room.

In seconds, Sombra was led inside, and he glowered at the sight of his old friend with a knife to his son’s throat. As if he were walking to meet an old friend, he walked to the first cubicle and sat down to pick up the two-way phone. Then, he motioned to Pharynx to sit down and talk.

Pharynx passed Spike off to Chrysalis, and sat down to pick up the phone.

“I have to say: you look a sight better from this side of things,” Pharynx chuckled.

The Beginning Of Chaos

The beginning of chaos

Sombra glared at his double crossing friend from the other side of the cubicle. He looked left and right seeing the man-mountain and the waify woman.

“I see that you brought Tirek and Chrysalis,” he said, looking back to the man sitting in the seat.

“Hey...” was all the man-mountain said through the cubicle.

“Tirek. How's it going working with that double crossing, backstabbing Pharynx,” he said, coldly not happy to see his old friends. Especially Pharynx.

“Believe me, it wasn’t my idea,” Tirek said.

“Then why did you join him when you could've left?”

“Pharynx threatened us! We had no choice!” Chrysalis said, as she angrily clutched her arm around Spike’s shoulders.

Tirek said nothing, but silently agreed with the waif.

Sombra glowered behind his glass at the others.

“Tirek, Chrysalis I'm going to give you the same advice I gave my son: hold onto the things that you cherish. And steer clear of the things that drag you down the path of darkness,” Sombra said.

“Really. You really think anyone would listen to that stupid advice,” laughed Pharynx. “Show of hands here: who took Sombra’s advice, and held onto something dear?”

From his restraint under Chrysalis’s surprisingly sturdy arms, Spike raised his hand, as he defiantly started at Pharynx.

Pharynx only smirked at the sight of the one in the room with their hand up, and turned back to face Sombra.

“Well, looks like you’ve been a better dad than you thought. You must be proud of your boy for this,” Pharynx said.

“In the short time that I’ve know him, he’s shown more promise than any one of you for a future,” Sombra grimly nodded. “And it’s because of him that I won’t have anything to do with you.”

Pharynx smiled at what his old friend said, and turned to Spike.

“Seems like you had a real impact on your old man. He won’t come back to me because of you. You should feel gratified, kiddo,” Pharynx said.

Spike stopped struggling against Chrysalis’s grip momentarily. He never imagined that he would ever have that kind of effect on his dad, the worst killer in Canterlot. If he had, he was sure he would have gone to see him much more often than he did.

The door to the visitor’s room burst open, and Officer Tempest and two others pointed their firearms at the group who had entered.

“Let go of the kid and put your hands on your head!” Tempest ordered.
_____________________________________

Discord and Fluttershy were at the coffeehouse, enjoying the late night decaf and dulcet poetry of amateur hour. For hours now, the two had been having fun and learning about one another. But, through it all, Discord was plagued with many strange feelings that ranged from passing dizziness to a tiny pang of nausea. At the moment Discord's head was pounding with a dull ache.

Fluttershy looked over across the tiny table, and saw her date with his fingers to his forehead.

“Discord? Are you okay?” she asked him, hoping that he was having a good time, since it was her idea to stay for the poetry.

“It's nothing. Just a slight headache,” he said to ease her concerns.

Fluttershy watched Discord as he exhaled loudly, and took a huge drink of his tea. When he tilted his head back, Fluttershy thought she saw something on his chest that wasn’t there before. Something that might have been a tattoo that she hadn’t noticed. She almost asked about it, but felt her phone vibrate in her pocket before she could.

She answered the phone without looking at the screen.

“Hello?”

“Fluttershy is Discord with you!?” asked Rarity’s flustered and hasty voice.

“Yes. Why?” Fluttershy asked, growing more anxious as she watched Discord hold his head, and listening to Rarity’s voice.

“Good. We need the both of you here at my house! Now!”

Rarity hung up.

“Who was it?” Discord asked.

“It...It was Rarity. She said we needed to go to her house. She sounded really upset about something,” Fluttershy answered.

“Good. I...I think I need some fresh air right now. Just go on ahead and I’ll pay for this, okay?” Discord said.

“Alright,” Fluttershy said. She stood up and took one last look at Discord as he began to sweat. Concern welled up inside of her, and she placed her hands on top of Discord’s, “Try not to do anything that will push you too hard.”

Discord only nodded, as sweat poured down his forehead. Hesitantly, Fluttershy went to the door to wait for Discord, as he went about paying the tab for the drinks

“I said drop the kid and hands on your head!” Tempest repeated, her firearm trained directly on Pharynx.

For whatever reason, the intrusion seemed to enrage Pharynx, who slammed the phone he was holding onto the counter in front of him.

As if on a cue, Tirek and Chrysalis sprang into action.

It began with Chrysalis throwing Spike into Tempest.

There was only a fraction of a second that the officer’s attention was diverted. That was all that the criminals needed for the upper hand.

The first officer’s head was grasped by Tirek’s massive hand, and slammed into a wall. The wall broke, and what was left of the officer’s head was embedded in it.

Chrysalis leapt at the second officer, and knocked him down. She proceeded to turn his face inside-out with her heel.

At the exact same time as the others, Pharynx ripped the phone off of its cord and rushed to attack Tempest.

Spike found himself between both Tempest and Pharynx, as the madman bludgeoned the officer with the phone. Drops of Tempest’s blood dripped from the phone onto Spike’s face, spurring the boy to action.

His knee connected to Pharynx’s groin, making the madman keel over. Taking Tempest’s club off her belt, he clubbed both of Pharynx’s knees, before dropping the club to reach for the gun the officer dropped.

Spike’s hand didn’t have time to move when Pharynx punched Spike’s face. Then again and again, before throwing the boy against the cubicle’s counter.

“You stupid, ungrateful little prig!!!” Pharynx shouted. He kicked his heel into Spike’s stomach. “You can’t imagine the things I’ve done for your father, and this is the thanks I get!!” He kicked Spike again.

“Pharynx, stop!!” Chrysalis said.

“He’s just a kid!” Tirek added.

Pharynx responded by throwing the phone he held against the wall between this companions. The action had silenced their objection, and he turned back to Spike, roughly grabbing the boy’s collar.

“You’ve got a girl, don’t you kid? That purple-haired mini-tart? You should let her go while you still have the chance, or you’ll just end up like your old man,” Pharynx said.

Spike glanced over to the glass that separated the cubicles. His father sat on the other side, cut off from hearing what was happening. But, one look from his monstrous eyes, and Spike knew what to do.

“No!” Spike said.

Pharynx bashed Spike’s head against the glass, sending a ripple through the divider in front of Sombra.

“They say ‘like father, like son!’ There was a time when I was a boy and my father killed my mother!! I only went out looking for some girl to marry and kill next! And you know what my girl does? Goes off and marries your dad, then craps you out!! Don’t you see why I made him choose? Your mum needed to die! I chose her! I was going to spawn the next generation of filth! You should have been my boy! Mine!”

In all his life, Spike never felt such a fear as when he thought someone like Pharynx could have been his father. Horrible images passed through his mind, where he stayed by Garble’s side, murdered Sweetie Belle, and beget a child to take after his horrible ways.

Sombra placed his hand against the glass and leaned close, as Pharynx hovered his face over Spike’s, his face twisted by rage and madness.

“I’m going to tell you exactly what will happen: you are going to kill your friend. And you’re going to come crawling back to me, broken and desperate. It’s the same with everyone I’ve ever met,” Pharynx said.

Chrysalis and Tirek both stared in silence. Chrysalis glanced to Tempest, who was watching the scene before her play out, helpless to do anything.

Pharynx took Spike by his shirt and threw him out the door.

“Go. Live your life the way any little boy should. Just you wait. The next time I see you, you’re going to have blood on your hands,” Pharynx said.

Spike didn’t stay to see what was going to play out. He quickly got to his feet and limped back to Canterlot, just as the sun was rising.

Pharynx huffed, and turned to take one last look at Sombra, before leaving past his cohorts to finish his business at the prison

Chaotic Problems

Chaotic problems

Discord and Fluttershy were running down the street. Discord had no idea what was happening, but Fluttershy’s urgent tone and pace made him try to keep up as best he could, through his recurring pains. In time, Discord had to stop to hold his churning stomach.

Fluttershy stopped running, and returned to Discord’s side.

“Discord? Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked. Between Rarity’s urgent call, and her date’s sudden malady, her nerves were completely on edge. “I know first aid. If you need anything--”

“It’s nothing, Fluttershy,” Discord groaned. “I think I just picked up some kind of bug before our date.”

His eyes glanced down to his hand, peeking out the sleeve of his jacket, Discord saw a patch of discolored skin. This, he quickly hid from Fluttershy, and stood up.

“I...I think I should go home now,” Discord huffed.

“Alright. I can walk you there, if you want,” Fluttershy offered, as she gently placed her hands on Discord’s discolored arm.

“No!” Discord said, as he yanked his arm from Fluttershy’s gentle hold. “I mean...You said Rarity sounded kind of serious. You should get to her as quickly as possible. My house isn’t far from here, so I’ll be fine. Okay?”

Fluttershy hesitantly nodded, as she swore she could see the mark from before start creeping up underneath Discord’s collar. Half wanting to stay with him, and half too scared to stay, Fluttershy ran down the path toward Rarity’s boutique.

After Fluttershy disappeared, Discord continued to hobble down the street. His head was throbbing, and his stomach was churning. His heart raced and sweat poured down his forehead, as he felt his body growing hot, then suddenly colder, and hot again.

Discord stumbled, and leaned his back against the concrete steps of a building. He looked at his hand, and saw the discolored skin had spread. It was almost to his fingertips now. When he pulled back his sleeve, he saw his entire arm was changing shape. Something that looked almost like a bird’s talon.

“What...the hell is this…?” he wondered to himself.

Unknown to him, his body was crackling with a chaotic power, which warped his mind and twisted is body.

His every thought was becoming a chaotic masterpiece, making his head feel like it was going to pop. He placed his hands over his face, as they began to warp and change according to his whims.

In his mind, Discord envisioned a strange creature. It has a head of a pony, eagle’s talon, lion’s paw, bat wings, bird wings, a draconic tail, goat legs, reptile legs. All of them merging to turn the boy to something new. Discord had been reborn.

Fluttershy had run all the way to Rarity’s home, and knocked on the door. It wasn’t long until a familiar face opened the door.

“Fluttershy!” Sunset greeted her friend. “Where’s Discord?”

“He had to go home. He got sick with something, and--” Fluttershy began, before her thoughts of what may have happened to him entered her mind.

She didn’t need to finish. Sunset knew all too well Fluttershy’s caring nature, and assumed she was making it out worse than it actually was. Without a word, she gently guided Fluttershy into the house to meet up with the others.

Everyone else was already in the room, and noticed the absentee.

“We need as much help as we can get. Isn’t there anyone else we can ask for help?” Rarity said.

“Thorax,” Twilight said. “I can ask Thorax for help.” She quickly got out her phone, and started dialing his number.

“Alright. Now, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, turning her attention to her sister, “Tell us all everything that you told me.”

It was many long miles, and the sun had come up when Spike re-entered Canterlot. Feeling like he was going to collapse, the boy kept going to get as far away from the terrible scene at the prison as he could.

Even though they were hardly close at all, Spike wondered what would become of his dad while Pharynx was back in his life. And what about Officer Tempest, who tried to defend him from the madman?

He continued through the city streets, making his way to the boutique. There was hardly anyone out on the street at this early hour, except for the people trying to beat the traffic.

After weaving through a few people, Spike crossed a pedestrian crossing without even waiting for the signal to walk, given the sparse traffic. No sooner did he reach the opposite curb did he hear a horrible screech.

Looking to his side, Spike saw a car come swerving toward him, as bubble spewed from its sides.

There was no time to think. Spike dove forward, just as the car plowed through the curb he was just on, took out a traffic meter, and swerved down the sudsy road.

Something was seriously wrong. Spike looked at the road he was just crossing, and saw that it had completely changed composition in the blink of an eye. “Soap?!” Spike wondered aloud.

Discord was sitting in his little golden throne, drinking a glass of chocolate milk. For the first time in his life, he was satisfied. Everything was working to his twisted whim.

He looked at the suffering citizens, and couldn't help but laugh at their despair. “Chaos is a wonderful thing,” he thought to himself.

Around his neck hung a piece of colorful stone on a chain. The power from another world that had attached itself to him, and wreaked its magical mayhem. And in his chaotic mind, he began to devise a most devious plan.

Harmony Vs Chaos Part 1

Harmony vs Chaos part 1

The girls were in the boutique, impatiently waiting for Thorax. After all the details that Sweetie Belle had told them, there was much unrest in the group. Sweetie Belle attacked again. Spike abducted by a group of thugs. It was starting to seem like too much for a group of teenagers to handle.

Twilight’s phone vibrated in her pocket. Knowing who it was, she didn’t even bother to look at the screen before answering.

“Thorax?” she asked.

“Twilight, look out the nearest window. Tell me what you see,” Thorax said.

“What’s going on? You sound kind of--”

“Twilight, please. I need to know I’m not the only one seeing this.”

Twilight lowered the phone, and started walking to the nearest window. When she peered outside, the sight shocked her.

“Girls: you’d better take a look at this,” Twilight said.

Twilight’s urgent tone alarmed the other, who all quickly walked to the windows to see the bizarre sights outside.

Roads had turned to soap, buildings had changed to all spectrum of different colors, trees had cotton candy growing where leaves should have been.

“What in the heck is goin’ on out there!?” Applejack wondered at the current state of Canterlot.

As strange as things had become, the strangest things were yet to come.

“Hello girls! How's the day!” a mysterious voice echoed from across the town.

Inside the boutique, the girls looked around to see where the voice had originated from.

“Who's there?!” Rainbow Dash said, looking around for the owner of the voice. There was nobody in sight.

In the back of her mind, Fluttershy felt she knew who the voice belonged to.

“You'll have to find me to know who I am,” laughed the mysterious voice evilly.

“Find ya?” Applejack said.

“How are we going to find you? You could be anywhere! At least give us some clues!” Pinkie said.

“Eh, fair enough,” the voice said. “Alright. Here’s your clue. And your only clue: I'm somewhere very busy on weekdays but least busy on weekends, where am I.”

They thought about where this mysterious person could be, obviously the person had magic. They continued thinking.

“I bet he’s at Canterlot High,” Twilight said. “Come on. Let’s go.”

All the girls started walking to the door. Sweetie Belle almost followed after, but was stopped by her sister.

“Sweetie Belle, I need you to stay here,” Rarity said.

“But, what if that voice is where Spike is? And, even if it’s not, he’s still out there in that...freakishness,” Sweetie Belle reasoned.

“Then, we’ll find him. You just stay here, and don’t do anything unreasonable,” Rarity urged her sister, before leaving.

Sweetie Belle waited for the others to be gone, and looked to Rarity phone, which she had left behind in her hurry.

“Don’t do anything unreasonable, huh?” Sweetie Belle thought. She took the phone, and started dialing Scootaloo’s phone number, “It think it would be reasonable to get as much help as we can.”

Discord sat on his throne overlooking the chaos he had wrought upon the world. He couldn’t stop laughing at the ways people were trying to make sense of what was happening around them.

“Well, I better start preparing for my guests,” he thought to himself. After snapping his fingers, he summoned a mirror to look at himself. So far, everything looked prim and proper. Then, he thought he would greet them with a surprise. Unzipping his own skin like a jacket, he stepped out of it in his human form.

Half an hour later, Discord was growing bored, even with all the chaos around him. Until he saw seven teenage girls, six of them glaring up at him. Around their necks, he spotted a certain magical object. “Ooh, what do you have there?” he thought to himself.

Rainbow Dash didn’t even hesitate to attack, even if it was Fluttershy’s new boyfriend. She started running leaving a rainbow trail behind her.

“Super speed? That's nothing,” Discord said. He snapped his fingers, as Rainbow Dash was about to reach full speed. Without any warning, she slammed into a brick wall that wasn't there before.

“Awww,” she groaned in pain, before she fell over backwards.

“Is that the best you can do?” Discord mocked. He looked around seeing the girls spreading out.

“Discord, know that I take no pleasure in this,” Rarity said, before shooting sharp diamonds towards him.

Discord snapped his fingers and they disappeared. “You'll have to do better if you want to defeat me.”

He shot a bolt of electricity at Rarity, blowing her backwards.

Rarity was caught by Rainbow Dash.

“We need to regroup!” Twilight yelled.

Discord welled up another bolt of magic.

Pinkie threw a party popper that blew into a screen of confetti, blinding him as the others got away.

Harmony Vs Chaos Part 2 And Defeat

Harmony vs Chaos part 2 and defeat

The girls were in the mall, hiding from the eyes of Discord. For minutes that seemed like hours, they were hiding there in the deserted mall. It seemed like everyone else had run and taken cover somewhere. That, or they disappeared off the face of the planet.

“This is nuts. How'd that awkward kid get that kind o’ power?” Applejack said.

“I don't know. But, what I do know is if we don't beat him things are going to get worse,” Twilight said, wracking her brain for a solution to the predicament.

Before Twilight could think too hard, there came a sudden rumbling that took them all off their feet. The girls tumbled and rolled around the floor of the mall, as merchandise fell off the shelves. Pinkie had to pull Rarity by her ankles to keep her from getting crushed by a falling display.

The shaking stopped, and the world inside the mall was now as jumbled and chaotic as the world outside. Merchandise was attached to the ceiling. Shelves showed no perspective, and pointed in any which direction toward no point on the horizon. Objects grew smaller the closer the girls got to them.

“What the heck is this!?” Dash said, before she bumped into a vending machine the size of a suitcase as though it were full sized.

One wall folded itself outward and on top of the building, revealing the outside world. Everything was floating in the air on chunks of rock like some kind of asteroid belt.

“Twilight, things have gotten waaaaay worse,” Pinkie said.

Back in the boutique, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had been concocting a plan to help their older friends and save Spike. However, after that earthquake that just happened, everything had gone topsy turvy. Quite literally.

The entire inside of the boutique had been replaced with an endless expanse of staircases. Stairs on the floor, stairs on the ceiling, stairs on the walls. Many of them often led to nowhere, but at the same time to everywhere.

“Scootaloo? Apple Bloom?” Where are you?” Sweetie Belle said, as she stood on one of the walls.

“Up here!” Scootaloo’s voice called from the ceiling. Currently, she was running up a flight of stairs, then to a landing which led to another flight.

“Girls, I ain’t got much horse sense: but, somethin’ screwy’s goin’ on around here,” Apple Bloom said, as she navigated the stairs, finding that she was only going in a circle.

The kids tried navigating the steps further. Scootaloo tripped, and fell around the edge of a platform, finding herself walking on the topside now.

“Did you see that just now!?” Scootaloo said.

“Ya know, I’m startin’ to think this might be a bit too much to handle,” Apple Bloom said, as she climbed one set of stairs. She jumped from one flight to the next. Instead of jumping over to the next flat platform, Apple Bloom’s momentum took her right to the wall, where she whizzed past Sweetie Belle, who caught her by the hand.

“Big or not, we still have a responsibility here. Do you think our sisters can handle something like this alone?” Sweetie Belle said, as she helped her friend up.

“I think it’s gonna take more than six teens an’ a bunch o’ kids to fix this,” Apple Bloom answered, as she stepped up to the surface of the stairs on the wall.

“I think Sweetie Belle’s right. For something this big, we’re going to need all the help we can get, no matter who it’s from,” Scootaloo said.

Scootaloo jumped off her platform to the next one, only to find that instead of dropping down, she went straight upward. After momentarily disappearing out of sight, she popped up from the bottom of the room, and landed on a platform there.

“First thing’s first, let’s figure out how to get to the door,” Sweetie Belle said, as she and Apple Bloom walked down the stairs to the platform Scootaloo was on.

There came a sound like a metallic plinking. Like something had suddenly dropped into the boutique.

Looking to the source, the kids all saw that there was a small, reflective ball of mirrored glass bouncing up a flight of stairs, as opposed to down. The ball bounced up a flight of stairs on a wall, and dropped directly downward when it was above the children.

Sweetie Belle caught it in her open palm, finding it to be unusually cold. She and her friends looked at its surface, their three reflections appearing on it fourfold in a circular arrangement, like numbers on a clock.
Their reflections on the surface started to swirl and contort, then they merged and arranged themselves into a shape unlike any creature they had ever seen.

“So, you want to help, huh?” said the many mouths of the reflected children, but in a voice the recognized as not their own. “I think I’ve got just the job for you.”

The images of the girls rearranged themselves into the shape of a hand, which lifted from the surface of the mirrored ball and grew to a size large enough to grab all three children at once. With a scream, they were pulled into the surface of the ball.

The ball rippled and waved like the surface of water, and morphed and expanded into the exact shape and form of Canterlot High. Dropped into the scene next were Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, who all gasped in horror at what they saw before them.

Twilight had discovered a minor solution to their problem. Every time she used her magical geode to levitate two pieces of the ground back together, she found that they would rejoin together at the edges like two drops of water. This expedited the problem of moving from one street to the next, though she and the six others had to be cautious not to slip in the soapy road.

As they walked, a lamp post split itself four ways from the bottom, its metal covering curling up like old wallpaper. Underneath, there was not wiring, but a layer of bark. From the middle, the bark melted into the ground, and put down roots. The metal stopped curling partway up, and the post started waving as if it had a life of its own. Metal branches grew from the ‘trunk,’ and swung about as they produced leaves with hanging wires.

Rarity had to duck to avoid the swinging branches, nearly ruining her hair in the process.

“Oh, this place is horrible now! Fluttershy, you really know how to pick them,” Rarity said.

“But--but he....” Fluttershy didn’t know what to say. Whatever happened to Discord, he was a far cry from the boy she met on the curb that day. Something happened to him, and she knew it would be up to her to save him.

There came a sound like ringing bells as the wires on the lamp-trees started swinging. In spite of the light the trees were giving off, the street grew darker as the lights grew brighter.

The Rainbooms covered their ears, trying to block out the noise of the horrible bells. Their effort was in vain, as the sound seemed to be coming from within their very ears. Joining the bells came the sound of manic laughter.

“So, how are you girls liking my little modifications?” asked Discord’s voice from nowhere.

“Discord, you have to stop this now! Don’t you realize what you’re doing to people’s lives?” Sunset said, trying to find the source of the voice.

“Sure. I’m spicing things up a little for these guys. Ever seen some of these people walking around? They’re dull. They’re uninspired. They could use a little excitement in their lives,” Discord’s disembodied voice reasoned.

“Then what about what you’re doing to us?” Fluttershy said. “I thought you were such a sweet boy before, and now look what you’ve done!”

Discord’s voice was silent for a moment. It seemed as if Fluttershy had struck a chord with him, until he started talking again.

“Fluttershy…” his voice said, before exhaling harshly, “I’m going to show you all something. So you won’t try interfering anymore.”

The lamp-trees all started falling down like standing timber, and rolled into the middle of the soapy street. There, their branches and trunks started twisting around one another, and arranged themselves into an animated scene of Canterlot High. From there, the branches all meshed and linked together to simulate the images of a cage dropping from the sky. Trapped within the cage were three young girls, all very dear to the Rainbooms.

“That’s my sister!!” Rarity shrieked.

Applejack began seething with rage at the sight of her captive sister.

“Discord,” she growled, “If ya know what’s good for ya, yer gonna let those kids go right now!”

“Yeah! What have they got to do with anything?” Rainbow Dash added.

“Just a little insurance is all. If you care anything about these children--” Discord said, before the animated image of the cage started shaking, making the kids within yelp and scream, “--You’ll turn around and just enjoy the chaos.”

The twisted branches of the lamp-trees all meshed into one another, and fused to one solid piece. After that, the gigantic metal sphere bounced down the street like an errant pinball.

Fluttershy had to be pulled out of the way by her friends, as the ball came rolling toward her. She and her friends had their backs slammed against a brick wall. More than the pain in her back, Fluttershy was anguished over what had become of the boy she had dated only hours before.

Spike was running through the messy streets of Canterlot. Where he was, the ground was intact, but the streets were still completely hazardous.

The boy jumped from the curb, just as the sidewalk started rolling up behind him like a long rug, and into the soapy streets.

The street bulged upward and opened like a great set of jaws.

Spike ramped up one end, and flew over the open chasm. Glancing down, he saw what looked like a geyser of gravel sprout up and harden. Fortunately, Spike was over on the other side just as it happened.

Down the street Spike went, until he hit another curb, and rolled to a stop. Shaking his head, Spike stood back up and found that he was now in front of Canterlot High School. There, he heard a chorus of screams.

Running to the front gate, Spike was greeted by the sight of Sweetie Belle and her two friends suspended in a cage that was hovering in the middle of the campus courtyard.

Putting his objective to discover what was happening aside, he ran onto the campus, and started climbing the statue in the courtyard.

“What was that jerk thinking!?!” Scootaloo said, after the cage stopped swinging.

“Who cares!? We gotta get outta here first!” Apple Bloom said.

She, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo all started fighting against the locked door.

“It’s no good. It’s locked tight,” Sweetie Belle said, “How are we going to get out of here?”

The entire cage shook and tilted to one side, sending the girls sliding to the opposite end. There, Sweetie Belle found herself face to face with the one she was looking for.

“Spike!”

“Hey girls,” Spike said.

“Where have you been!? Sweetie’s been half sick ever since you got kidnapped!” Apple Bloom said.

“They let me go, after they met my dad in jail.”

“Your dad’s in jail!?” Scootaloo said.

“Do you want to hear a really long story, or do you want me to get you out? Now, where’s the lock on this thing?” Spike said, his legs dangling in the air.

“Over here. On the opposite side,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Alright. Hang on,” Spike said.

The boy started shimmying around the edge, until he was at the front.

“Okay. Which one of you girls has a bobbypin, or something, Spike asked.

“Here. Sweetie Belle offered, as she took the pin from her hair.

Spike took the pin from his friend, and set to work undoing the lock. In fact, he seemed to be doing too much work.

“You sure you know what yer doin’?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Yes. I used to do this when I broke into houses way back,” Spike answered.

“You broke into houses too!?” Scootaloo said indignantly.

“Look, I learned a skill and it’s paying off. Unless you want me to go looking around for some keys, this is as best I got,” Spike said, just before the lock clicked and the door swung open, leaving him dangling over the ground.

“Spike!” Sweetie Belle said, as she reached for him.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine,” Spike answered, just before he was hit by a bolt of blue lightning, and dropped to the ground.

The girls shrieked as Spike dropped, and quickly started swinging the cage closer to the statue to start climbing down it.

“Aw…” Spike groaned, as he picked himself up from the ground. When he saw who had attacked him, Spike was struck by a mixture of anger, shock and confusion. “Discord?”

Discord didn’t answer. He welled up his hands with golden orbs, and threw them both directly at Spike.

Spike dodged the first attack, but was hit by the second. He tried catching it, but his hands were pushed into his chest, and he was knocked over.

This was a far cry from the friend he had made on the beach those days ago. Whatever this was, he knew that it was not Discord.

By now, the girls were not far from Canterlot High. Their mission now had two objectives: stop Discord, and rescue the children.

In their minds the ones responsible for the younger girls were desperately hoping the children were alright.

One more corner turned, and they were running alongside the campus walls. When they reached the front gate, they found Spike desperately trying to protect the others from Discord’s magical attacks.

“Discord!” Fluttershy called to him.

Discord stopped his attack momentarily, before he turned to face the girls who had arrived.

“I told you to stay away,” Discord said, “Don’t you care anything about what happens to these kids?”

“Yes! And that’s exactly why we’re here, jerk!” Rainbow Dash said. “Now, hand them over, or we’ll take them!”

“You want to try? That little punk’s been trying to do just that for about ten minutes now,” Discord said, pointing to Spike, who was kneeling on the ground, battered and bruised.

The girls looked at the sight of the younger girls protectively surrounding Spike. One look at the boy’s face, and they could see the fierce determination he had to keep going and protect his friends.

“Discord,” Twilight authoritatively began, “We’re going to stop you, no matter what it takes. For the sake of everyone, we have to.”

“Isn’t that funny. The sight of a thug protecting the girl he attacked gets you all gung-ho to protect others,” Discord chuckled. “I’m going to make this simple: you can’t beat me. Look at me. I’ve got all this power!”

“But…” Fluttershy began. Her chest clutched, afraid to say her next words, and more afraid of what would happen when she did. “...But, I loved you when you didn’t…”

Discord’s chaotic mind began to twist with anguish. Between his love for Fluttershy and his desire to carry out his chaotic whims, his head felt ready to pop.

“Shut up…” Discord said “Just shut up!!”

Discord fired more beams of energy from his hands. The girls all scattered from the attack, and tried to counter, only to be struck before they could even try.

“Discord! Stop!” Fluttershy pleaded.

Nearby, Twilight was lying on the ground, and Discord was aiming squarely toward her.

All thoughts left Fluttershy, as she ran to protect Twilight. Her own voice sounded muffled to herself as she begged Discord aloud to stop what he was doing. Quicker than she knew, her feet were off the ground, as she dove in front of Twilight.

“Fluttershy!!” Twilight shouted, as her friend too, the full brunt of the attack.

Discord stood frozen at what he had done. There were very few people in his life that he ever cared about, and now he was responsible for nearly killing one of them.

With her head cradled in Twilight’s arms, Fluttershy cracked an eye open to see Discord furiously repelling the attacks of all the others, and countering in turn. As he fought, she noticed there was something else under Discord’s shirt. A piece of rock like from a statue embedded in his flesh. The very thing she had seen the night before.

Slowly, she moved her hand to her own geode and took hold of it.

“Fluttershy, no! Save your strength,” Twilight implored, placing her hand over Fluttershy’s.

In an act of uncharacteristic aggression, Fluttershy swatted Twilight’s hand away and took hold of her geode again. Taking careful aim, she fired a direct beam of magical energy into Discord’s chest, right into the stone fragment.

Discord screamed and convulsed, as he started taking the form of a deformed monster.

Spike and the girls all backed away from the creature, as it started slowly turning into a statue.

In seconds, the monstrous mishmash of disparate creatures was frozen. Solidified into the very same rock Fluttershy had seen under his shirt.

All around, the city started turning back to normal. Roads were set right. Buildings were turned rightside-up. Every broken piece of the ground was set back to its proper place. Even Fluttershy and Spike found that all of their injuries had healed.

Everyone on the campus stared at the statue that was once their friend. Fluttershy rushed forward to the statue, and gently placed her hand on the surface.

The surface of the statue started to crack. Fluttershy backed away, and the statue crumbled to pieces. Discord fell out from within, back to the form the others knew.

The pieces of the statue all rolled away, as a familiar cackle was heard, and disappeared through the portal at the base of the statue.

Nobody said anything. They all stared utter shock at the sight before them.

Fluttershy knelt down, and picked up Discord in her arms. He was breathing rapidly, and his forehead was flushed red. Tears started leaking from his closed eyes, which Fluttershy wiped away.

“Fluttershy…?” Discord asked.

“Mm-hm,” Fluttershy nodded.

“Fluttershy...I’m sorry...I’m so damn sorry…” Discord shuddered.

“Discord, it’s okay. The nightmare’s over,” Fluttershy said, joining him in his tears, and hugging him close.

Twilight took a single step forward, but was stopped by Rarity holding her arm. Looking back, Twilight saw Rarity shake her head. Twilight knew her friend was right. She should allow the two time together for just a moment.

“Wow...This is something you never forget seeing,” Scootaloo said.

Whatever Apple Bloom answered, Sweetie Belle hadn’t heard it. She noticed that Spike had suddenly gone, and was walking toward the front gate.

“Spike,” she called to him, as she ran over.

Spike turned around, and was soon faced with Sweetie Belle.

“Spike, where are you going?”

“I don’t know, really. Somewhere else, I guess,” Spike answered.

“Spike, why do you have to make this so damn difficult?” Sweetie said, “You don’t need to keep running from the people you care about. That’s what we’re here for: so you don’t have to run.”

Spike thought a moment back on everything that had happened up to this point. Losing his mum. Meeting Discord, Twilight, Sweetie Belle and Thorax. Ditching Garble. Reconnecting with his dad. And now, he had as close to a real family as he could get.

“Alright. You want to go to the beach?” Spike said.

“Nah. I’m sick of the beach. Let’s go to the park instead,” Sweetie Belle said, taking Spike’s hand and leading him away.

Unknown to everyone, not every piece of the statue returned to the world from whence it came. One piece had gotten a devious idea, and started rolling to the next host who could make such use of its powers.

In Canterlot prison, everything had gone to hell. The dead bodies of innumerable guards littered the floor, and violent prisoners ran rampant. Whatever guards survived were locked into various cells.

Pharynx sat in the warden’s office. The warden himself was stuck to the wall by a wooden chair leg through his neck, while Pharynx swiveled himself around. Life was finally good for him. And it was about to get better, as Tirek walked in.

“Tirek, my man. How’s the work with Sombra going? He want to rejoin yet?” Pharynx asked.

“Not yet. And I gave him everything I got. I even resorted to the dusters,” Tirek said, holding up his fist, which was clad in bloody metal.

“Hm...well, keep working on him. He’ll crack sooner or later. And, if his head cracks first: hey, give him a little lobotomy. That might change his mind.”

Whether or not that was a sick joke, Tirek didn’t want to know. Without another word, he left the office, keeping one eye trained on Pharynx.

Once the man-mountain was gone, Pharynx pressed the intercom button on his desk.

“Chrysalis? You there?” he asked.

“What do you need?” Chrysalis answered.

“Nothing really. I’m just thinking about how bad that one guard pissed me off when I was reminiscing with Sombra. You remember her, the one with the eyepatch?”

“Yeah. What about her?” Chrysalis’s voice answered.

“I was just thinking I really wanted her out of the picture. But, I want it to be something really special. Take her to death row, and strap her into whatever death machine they have here. Then, turn it on at its lowest setting. That should teach her to intrude on my private time,” Pharynx answered.

Even though she couldn’t see him, Chrysalis knew he was smiling that twisted smile of his.

“Will do,” Chrysalis said, with a hint of apprehension.

Pharynx leaned back in his chair, and looked out the office window at the prison yard. Down below, the previously incarcerated criminals were having an impromptu gang war, fighting one another with whatever weapon they could get their hands on.

There was hardly any time to enjoy the sight, when a rock came flying through the closed window.

“What the--!!!?” Pharynx said. Before he even had a chance to find the vandal and tear him limb from limb, the rock floated in the air and started crackling with magical energy.

“What is going on?” Pharynx wondered. Throwing caution to the wind, curiosity took over, as he reached to touch the rock.

The End Of school And Confession

The end of school and confession

It was the final day of school, and Spike was having his sandwich for lunchtime. For the first time since he lost his mum, things seemed normal. Everything was happening the way it should. No sign of Garble, or even Smoulder. Pharynx hadn’t shown his face for days, making Spike assume his dad had taken care of him. He was living with Twilight again. And most of all, there was nothing chaotic that had happened ever since Discord returned to normal.

Spike just then began wondering about Discord, and how things were currently going between him and Fluttershy. On that subject, what about Twilight and Thorax? He only recently learned about them after Discord had his chaotic breakdown.

His thoughts ended when he suddenly found himself surrounded by his three schoolmates.

“Hey there,” Scootaloo greeted him. “So, what plans you got for summer?”

“Plans? Nah. I never had much a head for plans. I always just wing these kinds of things.

“Well, the three of us already got plans to go to the water park next week. You in?” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah, alright. Sounds like fun,” Spike answered.

After lunch was eaten, the children joined up for a game of tetherball. In what seemed like only seconds, though it was many minutes, the bell rang, signalling the start of class.

“Well, that’s it for this,” Spike said. He and the others started walking away to return to the remainder of their classes. After that: three whole months of freedom.

“Spike,” Sweetie Belle said.

“What is it?” Spike wondered.

“Um…” Sweetie stalled for a moment, before she finally spoke her mind. “I forgot some things from my locker. Can you help me carry them?”

“Sure,” Spike answered. He didn’t understand why Sweetie Belle couldn’t simply carry her supplies in her backpack the way that she always had before, but obliged her anyway, as her friend.

They had just walked around the first corner, when Sweetie Belle spoke up again.

“Spike. Um...I didn't really forget anything. I just wanted to talk to you alone,” she said.

“Okay, but you’d better say it fast,” Spike said, keeping class time in mind.

“Okay, Spike I...Thanks,” she said, her cheeks going a tad red.

Spike was confused by what he heard.

“Thanks for what?” he wondered. After all, since he had met her, he had burned her arm, worried her sick day after day, and the whole world had almost literally turned upside-down.

“Nothing, really. Just for always being there when I needed you the most. And for looking after me when nobody else could. I don’t think anyone else would have, even if we didn’t get off to the best start.”

Spike once again glanced to Sweetie’s arm, which was covered by the sleeve of her jacket. For the first time since, he didn’t feel guilty about inflicting her such harm.

“You know, it never really was a problem,” Spike answered.

That seemed good enough an answer for Sweetie Belle. With a smile, she took his hand, and practically skipped to the next class, while Spike walked behind her.

It was evening now, and Spike and all of his friends were sitting the auditorium chairs that had been set out in the gymnasium. This was it. Their next step into their lives, out of primary school, and into Canterlot High.

It was an exciting step for them, being able to spend the next couple of years with their sisters and all their other friends.

The graduation ceremony finished, and the students went to their separate homes. Spike found his way to Twilight and her family, and drove home with them. Once they reached the house, Spike went directly to bed, for the first time anticipating what the morning would bring.

Sweetie Bell In Danger And Spike Captured

Sweetie Bell in danger and Spike captured

Spike finished the last two bites of his sandwich as he walked back to the boutique. As he rounded a corner, his heart fluttered at the sight of a light on in the boutique’s upper floors.

Quickly, he ran to the front step and knocked loudly on the door.

“Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle, I’m here!” Spike shouted.

The boy stepped back from the door, and looked up to the illuminated window. He could hear noises from within, and heard footsteps upstairs. Soon, he saw the silhouette of Rarity’s head peer out the window. As quickly as she appeared, she retreated into the window.

Spike waited only seconds, before the front door was unlocked, and swung open.

“Sweetie B--Holy crap!!” Spike said.

Instead of his friend, he saw the mud-masked, hair-rollered visage of her older sister.

Normally, Rarity would have taken offense. But, not when her sister’s lost friend was staring her in the face.

“Spike!? We’ve been looking all over for you! Come inside!” Rarity said, as she hustled the boy indoors.

“You’ve been looking for me again?” Spike wondered.

“Yes! And we’ve been worried sick! All over again!” Rarity said. “Especially Sweetie Belle. Oh, she was heartbroken when she thought you left town.”

It occurred then to Spike how much he meant to her, and she to him.

“Well, I never left town. I’ve actually been waiting for your sister all day on the front step. But, I don’t plan on leaving her, or any of you guys again,” Spike said.

Such a noble sentiment from such a young boy, Rarity thought. Perhaps she had initially misjudged him. He didn’t seem all bad, if he was going to such lengths as to wait all day in front of the shop for his friends. She didn’t know what changed in the boy since the time he scarred Sweetie’s arm, but it was a great sight better than the thug she had imagined for so long.

Rarity led Spike upstairs, and knocked on one of the doors down the hall.

“Sweetie Belle, open up! Spike’s here for you!” Rarity called.

There was no answer.

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity called.

“Sweetie, it’s me!” Spike chimed in.

There was still no answer. With a slightly shaking hand, Rarity opened the door to her sister’s room.

Sweetie Belle was gone. No note. No prior word. Nothing.

“Sweetie Belle! Oh!” Rarity cried. “Where could you have gone!?”

After all the times they had together, Spike thought back to the place where he and Sweetie Belle had their fondest memories.

“I know where she is. Follow me,” Spike said.

“Wait! I can’t go like this!” Rarity said, indicating her mud mask and bathrobe.

“Then, catch up .”
____________________________________________

The moon shone across the crashing waves, as Sweetie Belle dragged her feet across the sandy ground. She carried her shoes in her hand, allowing the surf to break against her ankles as she walked.

Ever since she spent the night on the beach with Spike, the shore was like a second home to her. Now, it was a short the one who truly made it home.

Sweetie sighed, as she sat down in the sand, the gentle waves welling up against her toes, before receding back to the ocean.

Up in the boardwalk, two figures watched the young girl: a mountain of a man and a waif of a woman. Both leaned over the safety rail on the boardwalk, watching the young girl against the scenery of the moonlit ocean.

“Looks like her, doesn’t it?” Tirek asked.

“Mm…” was all Chrysalis answered, as she nodded her head.

“Kind of makes you sad, doesn’t it? That little girl, all alone on the beach like that. Probably waiting for her friend to come back from wherever he went to,” Tirek sighed.

“Mm…”

“Not really the sentimental type, are you?” Tirek asked, as he turned to face Chrysalis.

“I was actually thinking that she reminded me of me,” Chrysalis said.

“Yeah? How?” Tirek asked, not seeing any resemblance between the young, kempt, filled-out girl, and the haggard, unkempt, emaciated Chrysalis.

“It’s hard to imagine, but just like every other woman out there, I was a little girl once. And I actually went to this very beach many times,” Chrysalis answered.

“No kidding? And you were friends with a criminal’s son too, I bet.”

Chrysalis shook her head slowly.

“No. I didn’t have any friends when I was a little girl. That’s why I spent my days alone at the beach. I just can’t help but wonder is that girl is here now because she feels like she has nothing left,” the waif said.

“It’s why you joined Pharynx, isn’t it?” Tirek said, a smirk crossing his face.

Chrysalis said nothing, but sighed heavily.

“That’s me too,” Tirek said. “When I was a kid, I was in all kinds of trouble all the time. Breaking into houses. Knocking over shops. Pushed a drug or two on the schoolyard. Principal said there was a special place in hell for kids like me. It was when I was older that I learned hell was named Pharynx.”

“Don’t try to be poetic. You always manage to spoil a mood when you try,” Chrysalis said, with her fingers on her temple.

“Can’t blame me this time. With a mood like this, you almost have to speak in prose.”

In all their years together, not one of the four: Pharynx, Sombra, Tirek or Chrysalis learned a thing about one another, or what drove them to their life of crime. For the first time, it felt like there was a connection between them stronger than the next objective, as they looked on at the little girl on the beach.

“Well, enough idling. Let’s go introduce ourselves,” Chrysalis said, before she and Tirek walked down the nearby steps to the beach.

____________________________________________

Spike was running full tilt toward the beach. This was going to be where his tumult and turmoil ended.

He quickly ran down the steps on the boardwalk, to the sandy beach below. There, he saw a group of silhouettes sitting in the sand. One of them quite a bit smaller than the others.

“Sweetie Belle?” Spike said.

The smallest silhouette turned around.

“Spike?” she asked. Quickly, she rose from the sand, and started running toward him.

Spike ran too, meeting Sweetie in the middle. What he hoped would end with a warm embrace simply ended with a fist pounded on his chest.

“Ow! What was that for!?” Spike said.

“For disappearing, and not even telling me! Do you know what we’ve all been through, trying to find you!? I was worried sick! Then you start acting like a total jerk, and disappear again! What’s wrong with you!? Why can’t you realize what people are good for you, and stay with them!?” Sweetie tiraded loudly.

She went on and on, but Spike could barely hear her as he raised his arms and place his hands on her shoulders.

“Don’t!” Sweetie Belle said. “Don’t you think you can make any of this better with something so stupidly simple! You can’t! You can’t…”

Sweetie Belle trailed off when she felt Spike hold her closer for the warm embrace he expected. Though her frustration still kindled in the back of her mind, she felt it give away to relief and acceptance.

Footsteps sounded in the soft sand behind Sweetie Belle, and the children looked to see the two other silhouettes on the beach.

“Sorry to break up the reunion, but we have business here,” the muscular man-mountain said.

“Sweetie Belle, who are they?” Spike said, as a chill of fear ran up his spine.

“They said their names were Chrysalis and Tirek. I don’t know why, but they just showed up and started talking,” Sweetie Belle said. She yelped when she was pulled away by Tirek’s hand on her shoulder.

“Hey! What’s the big deal?” Spike said, as he approached Tirek to release his friend.

He was stopped by Chrysalis pushing him back.

“I’m sorry, but we need your friend. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know. But, we need her,” the waif said

“You don’t know what happened to the last guy who threatened my friends. So, let her go, or I’m going to feed you to your pet bull,” Spike said, pointing to Tirek.

Spike jumped when he felt a hand gently clasp on his shoulder, and whipped his fist around to strike. His fist was caught, and he looked up to see the smirking face of the man from the metro.

“Don’t worry. It’s only me,” the man said.

“Get your hands off me!” Spike said, as he yanked his arms from Pharynx’s grip. Now, he could see in full view the sight of Sweetie Belle held captive by the other two, while the third looked on with a smile.

“Well, I have to say that I didn’t expect to find you two in the same place. I like when things take an unexpectedly efficient turn,” Pharynx said.

Spike clenched his fist, wishing he had a weapon to put the three in their place.

“Take it easy, Spike. I’m just here to help,” Pharynx said, raising his hand to placate the boy. “I know it doesn’t look that way, but I’m going to make things better for you.”

“You can start by letting Sweetie Belle go!” Spike said.

“Can’t do that, kiddo. See, she’s my bargaining chip, in case you don’t want to make your life better.”

Pharynx illustrated his point by drawing a stiletto from his jacket, placing it against Sweetie Belle’s temple, and slicing a single lock of hair.

Even Chrysalis and Tirek winced at the sight. Never in their adult lives did they attack a child like this. Of course, they should have expected it from Pharynx.

“Wait! Stop!” Spike said, “What do you want from me?”

“I want you to come with me to Canterlot Prison, and release your father from his incarceration with me,” Pharynx said, a smile twisting onto his double crossing face.

“Spike, don't go!” Sweetie Belle quietly begged, before she felt Tirek’s hands squeeze more tightly on her shoulders.

“Fine! I'll go with as long as she goes free,” Spike said.

“Spike!”

Pharynx’s smile shrank slightly. He knew that the boy would be good to his word, and turned to his two companions.

“Alright. Let the little girl go. Back to where the world is safe,” Pharynx said.

Tirek released his hold on the girl, and allowed her to throw herself from his grasp.

When Sweetie Belle looked up from the sand, she saw Spike and Pharynx walking away from her.

“Spike!” she called out to him.

Spike looked over his shoulder at her, trying to look like everything would be alright. They both knew that it would not be so. Whatever happened next was only going to be chaotic.

____________________________________________

At Canterlot high the front statue started sparking with magic.