Twilit Nightfall

Interlude -1- Spike's Resolution

    Spike knew quite a lot of information about the world. He knew that the world was round and the sky was hollow, that the Everfree Forest was really only dangerous during the Zap Apple harvest, due to the Timberwolves appearing. He knew that most dragons were massive jerks. He also knew that phoenix chicks were a lot of responsibility, but they were well worth the effort.

    What he did not know at this moment was why this large mare was taking him away from his home in Ponyville. He had tried struggling against her but ended up with a lump on his head for his trouble; so he had fallen back on his old stand by for emergencies. He began trying to take in as much information as possible. Unfortunately, all he could see was the blur of landscape speeding by faster than he could take in. It seemed his captor was just as fast as Rainbow Dash, if not faster!

    They flew on in silence for a while longer before Spike noticed that they were starting to descend. He tried to hold on, but couldn't due to the ropes holding his arms in place. He almost fell off his captor's back, but the large mare caught him with her forehooves before he fell off all the way though. They set down in the middle of a clearing; there was a small, cozy looking hut in the middle of the clearing that Spike hadn't noticed from the air.

    Spike found himself being pushed hard in the direction of the hut. He turned and said indignantly, "I can walk just fine, you know!"

    "Then get in the hut." The imposing mare said in a surprisingly soft voice.

    Spike huffed and walked into the hut. The mare walked in behind him and pointed to a corner with her hoof. Spike walked over to it and the mare chained him to a large metal post, then reached for a gemstone from a nearby shelf. She told Spike to open his mouth, when he did, she put it in, then watched as he ate the gemstone. Knowing he couldn't get out of his bonds without some sort of plan, Spike simply did as instructed and chewed up the gemstone and swallowed. He immediately felt full and incredibly sleepy.

    What seemed like ages later for Spike, he woke up in the air once more, the hut in the forest long since left behind. He tried to move around some, to get comfortable, but was still groggy.

    "For what it's worth," the mare carrying him said, "I am sorry for this. I am just following orders."

    Spike responded slowly, due to the odd gemstone still in his system, "Even a private in the Royal guard can disobey orders if they feel like it goes against their oath."

    The mare fell silent for a moment before saying, "I am in debt to my lord, Count Dracul. I cannot disobey him until that debt is paid."

    "What about small rebellions?"

    "My name is Shattered Epitaph," the mare responded, ignoring the dragon's question entirely. The rest of the flight lapsed into silence. Eventually, Spike begins to feel more awake as they make their way to another hut, this time situated on the side of a mountain. Epitaph angled herself carefully towards the hut, making sure to keep Spike situated on her back.

    Before they walked into the hut, Epitaph pulled out another gemstone and was about to feed it to Spike.

    "What is that?" Spike asked curiously.

    Epitaph hesitated before saying, "It is called Lapis Lazuli. It prevents a dragon from using his or her flame for a day. It also fills a dragon up faster than other gems and induces sleep."

    Before Spike could respond, Epitaph popped the gem into his mouth. Spike shot Epitaph a withering glare. The large mare simply shrugged and carried the suddenly extremely tired dragon into the hut. Epitaph then left the sleeping dragon to his dreams and went to a nearby stream to wash herself off.

~~~~`~

    The next morning, Epitaph woke early. She made sure that Spike was still asleep before grabbing a nearby hand mirror and stepping out in to the early morning twilight. She pressed a hoof to the mirror and watched as it connected to a mirror in Dracul's castle.

    "My lord," Epitaph said, "I am reporting in."

    "Congratulations, Epitaph," came the voice of Count Dracul from the mirror, "you have done well. Your reward shall be here when you arrive."

    "Thank you m'lord," Epitaph said with reverence.

    "I would advise haste, however," Dracul said, "Our target may already be on the move, if all has gone as planned thus far."

    "I understand," Epitaph said, "We should be at the castle before the moon sets."

    Dracul nodded, then the mirror went dark. Epitaph returned to the hut with the mirror held under her wing. When Epitaph walked in, she noticed Spike was still asleep, and decided to make something for breakfast. Eventually, the sound and smell of cooking food brought Spike to the land of the waking and made his stomach growl. Epitaph trotted carefully out of the small cooking area with her wings extended. On one was a bowl of turquoise and a vegetable omelette on the other. She offered the bowl to Spike.

    "We shall be at our destination by the end of tonight," Epitaph said as she ate her food, "Lord Dracul is interested in meeting you."

    "Why would he want to meet me?" Spike asked curiously, "Not like I'm important or anything."

    "Quite the contrary, to be honest," Epitaph replied, "You are more important than you realize."

    "What do you mean?" Spike asked curiously.

    "I am afraid that I cannot answer that," Epitaph said stoically, "I was not made privy to the full extent of Lord Dracul's plan."

    "Oh..." Spike said slowly, "Guess that makes sense. The less somepony knows the less likely they'll blab about it, right?"

    "That... is a succinct explanation," Epitaph said.

    Spike asked a few more questions of Epitaph, but got little in the way of answers. The large pegasus either didn't know about what Spike was asking, or didn't want to say anything. Not for lack of trying on Spike's part, though. He figured that if he could get some information, then when he could use his fire breath again, he could tell Princess Celestia more of what was going on so any rescue party she sent wouldn't be walking into a trap.

    "We must go." Epitaph said as she put her plate away. She grabbed Spike's mostly empty bowl and swapped it with a Lapis Lazuli, looking at Spike expectantly. Heaving a sigh, Spike chomped the brittle gemstone in his teeth and immediately felt exhausted.

    Epitaph untied Spike from the pole and hefted him onto her back, sighing softly herself. She walked out of the hut and prepared herself to take flight. It was quiet, as usual, but Epitaph's ears were ringing loudly and her heart was heavy. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, the pegasus continued her flight through the rest of the day, her thoughts unusually quiet.

~~~~~~

    By the time Epitaph and Spike reached the entrance to Count Dracul's castle, the moon was rising and Spike was awake. Still couldn't use his flame, but aware enough that he was talking quietly.

    "You don't have to do this, y'know," Spike said.

    "And you do not understand my situation," Epitaph countered, "I owe Lord Dracul more than I will ever be able to repay."

    "You said that before," Spike huffed, "But this doesn't sit right with you, I can tell."

    "How? I am no open book for anyone to read at their leisure." Epitaph said, irritated.

    "My mother can get a little... crazy at times," Spike said, "I've kinda learned to spot things in a pony before they reach a breaking point."

    "I see," Epitaph said as she came in for a landing. She folded her wings up and trotted to the entrance, then sat Spike down in front of it and waited. They didn't have to wait long before the portcullis slid up and the gate slid down.

    Spike watched as a dragon walked out from the shadow of the entryway. The dragon was about the size of Princess Luna and a similar color as well. He, definitely he, seemed to radiate something that demanded respect from everypony around him.

    "Epitaph, remain with us for a while." he said, "I will require one more small thing from you before your reward becomes available to you."

    "Yes, Lord Dracul," Epitaph said with a slight bow.

    "You're Count Dracul?" Spike asked curiously, "I kinda figured you'd be taller."

    Dracul turned to Spike with a slight smile and said, "Would you believe that you are not the first being to say something along those lines?"

    Turning around and walking back into the castle, Dracul twitched his tail, which prompted Epitaph to pick Spike back up and follow her lord at a respectful distance. The azure dragon in front of Spike began to explain a few things.

    "I assume you are wondering why you are here," Dracul said, "To answer that question, I am using you as bait."

    "Bait?" Spike echoed, "Who for?"

    "That is not your concern." Dracul said smugly, "But rest assured my quarry will be here before Hearth's Warming Eve."

    "That's one heck of a gift to yourself," Spike said.

    Dracul turned and looked at Spike with a curious expression and said, "Indeed. Now, I believe you have a few things to say, correct?"

    "Yeah," Spike said, drawing himself up as best he could, "My mom's gonna kick your tail from here to the moon and back if you don't let me go right now."

    "Oh really?" Dracul laughed, "And who, pray tell, is your mother, young one?"

    "Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic and personal student to Princess Celestia herself," Spike said proudly.

    Dracul chuckled and said, "Your mother may come, yet, I am not afraid of her. Despite all her power, she will do nothing more than annoy me. I would not take your mother form you, however. My fight is not with her unless she attempts to intrude on my business. If your mother is indeed on her way, then you may leave with her as soon as she arrives, if you wish."

    Spike opened his mouth to say something, but closed his mouth instead, being unable to think of a retort. He tried to find his voice again and asked, "Why did you even take me then? What's the point?"

    "Ah, now that, is a good question," Dracul said, "Do not worry, all will be revealed in good time, young one."

    Dracul looked at Epitaph and said, "Please escort our... guest to his room. Then you may get your reward in the usual place."

    "Yes, m'lord," the pegasus responded and began to walk in the opposite direction Dracul was going.

    "Oh, and Spike," Dracul said as he turned around, "Feel free to peruse the selection of books in your room."

~~~~~~`~

    Spike laid himself down on the bed in his room and snacked on the bowl of gemstones that was in there when he arrived. A book lay propped open on the pillow in front of him. He had tried reading for a while, but found that most of the books were kinda boring to him. He heaved a sigh and brushed a thin white power from his claws, probably crushed Lapis Lazuli he guessed, and walked over to the lone window.

    The view was spectacular, if Spike was honest. The castle was built into the side of a mountain, similar to Canterlot. But, instead of the rolling hills, farmland, and the Everfree Forest in the distance, all Spike could see was mountains. Occasionally, far off in the distance, he could see an open plain, but nothing more.

    Epitaph had left as soon as Spike had gotten into the room. The young dragon wondered what her reward was. He wondered if she thought it was worth everything she had done. He thought and thought and thought some more. Then, he fell asleep.