Sweet Claws

Chapters

Death of a Kind Hearted Dragon
Urban Legend, First Victims
Final Call Of Sweet Claws

Death of a Kind Hearted Dragon

On days like today. It was good to go out and have fun. There was so much to do in the town of Ponyville. Talk to friends, go to parties, join clubs and activities, go on adventures. Normally Princess Celestia’s sun was always shining in the sky unless the pegasi scheduled a drizzle.

Despite the pleasant weather, not everypony was out enjoying the sunshine. In fact, there wasn’t a single eye dry that day as today a funeral has been arranged. Almost everypony was there, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie who’s mane deflated after hearing Spike’s death, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Discord, Rumble, Button Mash, Pipsqueak, Smolder, Ocelles, Yona, Sandbar, Gallus, Silverstream, Ember, Thorax and his brother Pharynx including all members of the royal family, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Flurry Heart, Shining Armor, Blueblood, and Twilight Sparkle, including her parents Night Light, and Twilight Velvet, and all of the ponies from the Crystal Empire.

Ponies, dragons, yak, changelings, and many other creatures, surrounded an mid size caskets. Within the casket was a purple and green dragon, whose eyes closed as he lie motionless within his final resting place. Spike Draco Solaris, hero to the crystal empire, ambassador to Dragon Lord Ember, the first friend to the changeling king Thorax, adopted son of Princess Celestia... was dead.

Ponies were devastated when they heard about the purple dragon’s untimely end. However while all of the funeral attendees were mourning, there were a certain few who had it the worst. Celestia who had taken care of his egg before she gave him to the Sparkles. She thought of Spike as her son but because of her busy schedule, there were only a few moments where she could spend time with him. At those rare times, regardless of what kind of nobles she had to meet with, she would cancel in order to spend time with her son.

The Sparkle family always viewed Spike like a second son. Despite him being close to Twilight throughout most of his life, he was a proud member of the Sparkle family. Shining always wanted a little brother and Spike easley filled at roll. He was the one who taught him how to play Ogres and Oubliettes and always acted like an older brother to him. Their relationship only improved over the years when the young dragon both saved the Crystal Empire and showed them how not all changelings were evil.

However, a certain yellow mare of the Apple family was the one who mourned the loss of Spike the most. That mare was none other than Applejack’s little sister, Apple Bloom who was also... Spike’s wife and currently pregnant with his twin foals.

As mentioned before, not everypony attended the funeral. Apple Bloom was one of those few. They’ve been married for eighteen months. The marriage was wonderful. Of course, there were the occasional arguments, and shouting contest that all married couples face, but nine times out of ten, it always ended with a hug, cuddle, or a kiss on the lips with an ‘I love you’ at the end of it. Sometimes the disputes would end with the pair in the bed.

Apple Bloom cared deeply for Spike. The only reason she didn’t go was that seeing him one final time was because it would crush her soul.

Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst also couldn’t make it to the Spike’s funeral. The two unicorns with the help of several royal guards, and local police from every town/city was on the hunt to locate Spike’s murders and bring them to justice, but in the minds of Apple Bloom, the mane six, Ember, Thorax, and the princesses they just wanted to torture them until they beg for death. After all, it would settle the score since they did the same to Spike.

Starlight was currently in Manehattan, looking for clues on the murderers’ whereabouts. Sunburst on the other hoof was searching for evidence in Canterlot.

Spike’s casket was a line with flowers of different colors, with most of them being white. Next to the casket was a stage and poledelum.

Celestia was the first one to give her final speech to her son. Something like this the princess would normally wear something regional Instead she like all the other was wearing a black dress with a veil that covers her face, mostly to cover up the ruined makeup.

“Mares, gentlecolts and noble creatures... as I’m sure you’re all aware, we’re all gathered here today to pay our respects to our dearly beloved Spike who met his untimely end at the hooves of racism. We all have our different opinions of what we saw in Spike, I for one always saw him as my son regardless of our species.”

She paused and look at the casket her son was in. Memories begin to flood her mind when Spike was younger. The times when he scribbles on the castle walls, which took hours of cleaning. The mess he would make whenever he ate or played with Shining Armor whenever he was off duty, or Twilight who wasn’t busy studying. In fact, the entire idea reason she gave him to Twilight was so she could open up more with others, and the idea works wonders. With Spike’s help, Twilight met her classmates, and make amends with them. With his help, Twilight hasn’t gone mad with the stress in becoming a princess. Even though she was proud of Twilight, she was more proud of Spike.

“Even though he is no longer with us... the memories of what Spike has done for all of us will always remain alive,” she continued. “And we will not let the ones responsible for this tragedy to go unpunished. As we speak, an investigation is underway and with the right moves, we’ll uncover the culprits.”

Everyone bowed their heads as Celestia asked for another moment for a silent prayer. After the prayer was over, the princess of the sun slowly trotted her way back to her seat.

The next one to speak was Luna. Like her sister, she also wore a black dress with a veil that covers her face, but unlike Celestia, she wasn’t crying, or at least not yet. Years of performing her royal duties had toughened her up, which in turn kept her emotions in cheek. On the inside, she wanted to cry for the loss of her favorite nephew. She wanted to unleash unbridled hell on the ones responsible for the dragon’s death.

“Noble creatures... we... I may not express emotions when I’m around the masses, but if one creature was ever to make me smile, or make my day, or night brighter it would be Sir Spike. Before I visited ponies during Nightmare Night, it was Spike who requested me to visit Ponyville. When Spike was alone it was I who watch over him when my sister was too busy or too tired from her duties.” Luna looked at her sister for a few seconds before returning her gaze to the crowd.

“True to what she just said, these racist murderers will not be forgiven regardless of their reasons,” she fumed. However, even with her tough demeanor, there was only so long Luna could go without crying. She too felt the tears well up in her eyes as the pleasant memories with Spike replayed in her head. All the games, pranks, and emotional moments such as when he was being used by a dragon claiming to be his father, all gone because of some ponies who dislike other creatures.

The next ones who took Luna place were Cadence and Shining Armor along with their daughter Flurry Heart who was looking down in sadness. The white stallion wore his military uniform while Cadance wore a black dress as matching her daughter’s.

“Spike...” Shining spoke fighting back the tears. “Y-You were the best little brother anypony could ever ask for. You were brave enough to talk to the changeling we thought was dangerous and not only befriend him but help both Equestria and the Crystal Empire become friends and allies with the Changeling race.” The former soldier pulse for a bit, only for his wife to finished.

“W-When the empire heard about your death, the ponies were crushed. A-All of us came to the status they made in your honor, and held a candlelight serves that lasted to dawn...” Taking a moment to regain his composer, Shining felt Cadence wrap her hoof around him gently.

“I-I still remember the time you, Shining were up all night arguing about some silly comic the two of you read. And that was when you were about the same size as little Flurry when she was two. And the time you and Twilight would make a book fort. You were such cute standing guard...”

Both parents turned to their grown daughter who wanted to speak next, but she just couldn’t get the words out. Like her father, she thought of Spike like the brother she never had whenever he came to visit. Always playing with her whenever the grownup was busy, or when he wasn’t busy himself. He would fly around the castle chasing her and even dressing up to attend her little tea party despite his disapproval.

After hesitating a few more minutes, the young mare finally found the strength to speak. “I just want to say that... I-I’ll misses you, uncle...”

Twilight joins the three, and embrace them in a hug. Releasing them she took the chance to speak.

“Indeed all the things that we’ve said about Spike are true. He was more than a friend, he was family. A son,” she gazed at Celestia. “A brother,” she then looked back at Shining Armor. “And most recently... a husband...”

The lavender alicorn looked down then back up to glaze around. After a few seconds of looking, she became silently angry that Apple Bloom wasn’t attending her husband’s funeral, but she hid her rage from the audience. While she was mad, she understood Apple Bloom’s reasons. She was having his babies, and she knew the stress would harm them.

“I could never forget the day I hatched Spike as a filly. I knew the moment I looked into his eyes, he would grow to be more gentle than any other dragon out there... No offense, Dragon Lord Ember.” The dragon lord in question just shrugged.

“The day he ran away thinking I’d replace him with my pet owl, I realized that without him... I-I-I-I’m nothing... He was supposed to help me with studying, yet he chose to take care of me instead. It was supposed to be the other way around...” At that point, the lavender mare released the floodgates. It was too painful for her. Spike, her first and dearest friend was gone.

After the final goodbyes, the casket was lowered to the ground. If there was any attendee who hadn’t mourned during the funeral, they were definitely crying now. Most notably the princesses. With a snap, a pile of dirt poured into the hole in which green grass quickly grow and hid the spot where the body laid, compliments of a certain draconequus.

Discord was many things. A trickster, a being of chaos, but most importantly, he was a friend. “Guys Night won’t be the same without our scaly wizard.” Lomences the chaos god. Even with his logic-defying powers, he could not bring Spike back.

“Eeyup,” Big Macintosh agreed. Even during funerals, the burly, red stallion wasn’t much of a talker. He was saddened about his friend/brother-in-law was gone. He was about to say something else when he spotted an orange coated unicorn colt with a blond mane just like his aunty Applejack, it was as curly as his mother Sugar Belle.

The energetic colt was charging over to his parents at top speed, passing by pony after the pony. Before he could crash, a pillow materialized in front of the colt, stopping him from colliding with his father. Bic Mac looked at Sugar Belle, who winked as he saw her glowing horn.

“Woah there Ripped What’s the rush?” the farmer asked his son.

“Papa it’s aunty Apple Bloom... she’s having the twins!” Hearing this, Big Mac’s eyes nearly widened to twice their size.

****

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom was groaning from the pain. She felt kicking, a poke from one of the twins tiny horn. The yellow mare was getting ready for her husband’s final goodbye. She along with her nephew and niece were watching her as asked by her parents. The moment her water broke, she sent her nephew to bring back Big Mac.

She had hoped her family would get back here soon. To her relief, the door opened revealing Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle, Applejack along with her friends and the princesses. Despite the pain she felt, she managed to crack a smile.

“Apple Bloom we heard the news! Can you stand?” Sugar Belle asked as she rushed to her sister-in-law’s aid.

“A-Ah thinks so...” she replied as she stood on her hooves. With her brother and friends there to aid her the young mare was led out of her room and soon, the house. They were halfway to the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres when Apple Bloom felt another jab from her stomach. This time a bit stronger.

“Come on Apple Bloom, nice and easy,” Sugar Belle comforted.

“Can’t any of you teleport us to the hospital?” Asked the cyan mare and Wonderbolt member, Rainbow Dash as she looked at the princesses. Twilight shook her head.

“Sorry but teleportation spells when a mare that is pregnant is too risky. The interdimensional and high speed could harm the babies.” replied the lavender alicorn.

Apple Bloom has grown even more impatient with all this talking. “Can we place get a move on The babies are ready to come out.”

“She’s right if we can’t teleport we’ll just have to hurry!” Rainbow Dash said as loyal as ever.

With much encouraging and effort, mostly from Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo barking orders, the group made it to Ponyville Hospital. Apple Bloom was barely managing to hold back the foals as the doctors took her away.

After a few minutes of waiting, pacing and the occasional signing from Apple Bloom’s friends and family. Finally at two in the afternoon a Nurse Redheart came out wearing a surgical mask. “Would you like to see them?” she asked sweetly.

In response to the question, the ponies rushed to the doorway at once, trying to squeeze through. They saw laying on the bed, Apple Bloom was holding two adorable dragon pony hybrids. One was a filly with a lime green coat and a blond mane and fur. The scales were the same color as her mane. The other was a colt with a light orange coat and an orange mane matching his grandmother’s with green scales on the back. His horn despite being short was in the shape of a twig.

Big Mac couldn’t hold back the tears to see that he was now an uncle. Sugar Belle too was crying joyfully at the lovely sight.

“What are their names?” Celestia asked almost in tears. Happy that she will be a grandmother.

“Yes, Lady Bloom. What will we call them?” Luna asked just as happy.

The weakly mother looked at her twin babies. “Apple Spice, and Apple Flame.”

Author's Note

I'm not dead.

Also thanks to NinetailedBeastBall for helping me write this.

And yes I know there are some errors and holes in the story. Do not tell me unless you're willing to help edit or become my co-writer.

Urban Legend, First Victims

The Urban Legend’s First Victims

It didn’t take Starlight and Sunburst long to track down Spike’s murderers after the said dragon’s funeral. Two days and on Nightmare Night of all days. Of course, the investigation would lead into the capital city itself, Canterlot. More specifically, it leads them to an underground passage meant only for the elite and royalty.

The cavern was designed as an escape route for the ponies in Canterlot in case of an outbreak, invasions and such. The bunker itself was really homely, as it had enough room to house the princesses, their servants, and guards. There was also had enough food to last at least two years, as well as a magical generator for power.

Starlight nor Sunburst wasn’t alone, as Thorax wanted to join since Spike was his first friend and wanted to pay the one responsible for his death. Shining Armor also tagged along to find the ones responsible for his family’s anguish. The group was walking down the long hall toward the bunker. The only lights were from the horns of the unicorns and changeling king.

“Is it supposed to be dark?” asked the changeling king as he trotted along the hallways.

“The power is motion based. The light is supposed to come on when a pony... um, the creature walks by them. Strange...” replied the former captain. “This bunker was commissioned by Celestia when Canterlot was being built. Apparently, it was meant to withstand a mega magical nuclear holocaust.”

“And this is where we’ll find the bastards who murder Spike...” Starlight said in a low, venomous tone.

Sunburst wanted to criticize, but he knew better to bother Starlight when she’s angry. She’s been up for nearly 24 hours trying to locate the culprits. He knew that Spike’s death was hard for everypony who knew him, but he never anticipated the impact the tragedy who have on them, especially Starlight.

The track wasn’t long, but something was off. Very off.

The light flickered on, revealing the marvel that the royal bunker was. Designed with royalty in mind, its white marble floor was kept clean and polished on a daily basis by the servants. The living area itself had a couple of soft leather sofas and chairs. There were also plenty of board games, including chess and checkers. On the far corners were a few bookshelves with the symbol of the sun and moon.

However what the group saw almost made them vomit whatever they had in their stomach. Bodies of ponies lay on the floor. Almost all of them have been ripped apart by some creature. Claw marks gash deep within there coat, matting it with blood, with the rest covering the floors. Some even had their limbs remove violently like something was pulling it.

Looking at the marble wall, they saw written in the blood, a message sent chills down their spines.

‘Feel my pain’

The four ponies have seen many things in their lives. From reading a crappy love story about an two ponies, an vampony and a werewolf pony fighting over a earth pony mare, to seeing a love one wolf down an entire bottle of pickles, with peanut butter and whip cream, seeing an eggs come out of a mother private place, or summoning a interdimensional creature. However none of those things were even close as disturbing as the gory display

“Okay... does anypony here feel the need to get out of this place? I have a really bad feeling about this...” Sunburst said, adjusting his glasses.

“I’m ready whenever you all are.” replied the nervous Thorax turning his head from one side to the other.

“Guys...” said Starlight. “I know this place seems... creepy. Okay very creepy, but we’re here to find Spike’s murderers. And to hell, I’m leaving here empty hoofed.”

“She’s right. We all deserved justice and furthermore-” Right before Shining Armor finish his speech, a mare with a bright blue coat, and a silver mane slid to a halt from one of the bunkers’ two halls. She was an absolute mess, as there were claw marks running down her left eye and her horn had been torn off. Both injuries have stained her coat with blood

“Y-You got to get me out of here!” she begged frantically. “He’s coming... he’s coming to get me! L-Look, me and a few friends of my help kidnap Princess Twilight Sparkle’s pet dragon and that’s all. Not everypony wanted to kill him!”

“...What?” Both Shining Armor, and Thorax asked slowing growing livid.

“Okay, okay! I know that sounds bad but-”

“BAD?! DO YOU HAVE ANY BUCKING IDEA THE HELL YOU NOT ONLY PUT THE PRINCESSES BUT ME AND MY FRIENDS THROUGH?!”Starlight screamed at the top of her lungs, which echoed throughout the halls.

“And saying ‘sorry’ won’t cut it,” Sunburst said looking around the messy room. Unlike Starlight, he managed to keep himself calm.

“Okay I’m a bad pony, so are the rest of them.” The mare pointed at some ponies who followed the voice. Just like her, each one of these ponies had grievous injuries. Some of the pegasuses only had one wing, the unicorns’ horns have been ripped off there head, and claws marks covered the earth ponies bodies.

“Look you got to get us out of here before that dragon comes!”

“Y-Y-Yes don’t make that dragon kill us all,” another one said before coughing some blood out.

“Well, maybe he should... wait a minute did you say dragon?” Starlight asked.

“Yeah... P-Purple and green scales...” a pegasus stallion pants before he cringed at his injuries. Hearing this information, Thorax, Shining Armor, Starlight and Sunburst looked at each unsure what to think.

“You guys don’t honestly think...” Thorax said doubtfully.

“N-No, that’s impossible,” Shining Armor protested.

“We um-” Before the mare could say anything, the lights turned off, causing the ponies to scream in terror. Starlight was just about to light her horn when she felt something... wet splash on her face. The mare knew all too well what it was as the screams of terrors evolved into screams of pain.

Along with Starlight, Shining, Sunburst, and Thorax couldn’t decide if they wanted to see what was going on in the room they were in.

‘[b]Feel my pain’

A deep voice echoed before the lights turned on. Even more, blood covered the marble floor because of the ponies who were missing limbs and heads. Intentes both big and small, hearts, and other organs rested on the ground. Finally not used or taking much more of the unpleasant scene that laid before them, both Thorax and Sunburst spit out their lunch onto the floor.

Once they stopped vomiting, they saw that shaking and barely breathing, the blue mare was laying on the floor with blood flowing out of her neck and into the floor. The next was a dark red earth pony with a cherry color mane. These two were the only survivors of the group.

“I should make you lot stay here and let this thing... finish you off, but we need information,” Shining sighed as he levitated the mare onto his back. Looking left and right to make sure it was safe, the group left with the now unconscious pegasus and an earth pony.

****

Within the jail cells of Canterlot castle, the mare who revealed her name as Misty Grey and stallion who his name was Black Cherry were being interrogated by Princess Celestia herself. As she paced back and forth, goddess looked like she was minutes away from sending the injured ponies to the sun. Even the guards were intimidated by the seriousness of their ruler.

It had been three hours since Shining and Starlight had brought the two in and it didn’t take them long to spill the beans. How they tricked Spike into coming to an area where he was ambushed and taken to a clearing near hayseed swamp. Tortured with whips, stabbed in his underbelly, and adding not only salt but acid into his wounds for several days. All for marrying not only a commerner, but for being a dragon raised by Celestia. By this point, the said princess so furious ponies was afraid she might cause a supernova, or in Starlight case turn into Daybreaker and torture the two the same way they tortured her son.

“Y-Your majesty...” Black Cherry muttered with a gulp. He instantly regretted opening his mouth when Celestia stopped pacing and looked at the two of them with an intense gaze.

“You two are very lucky Shining Armor decided to defend you. Otherwise, I would kill you two myself and sent your souls to the deepest pits of Tartarus, with your friends” she snarled. “Now what exactly was this creature who attacked you? And don’t you even dare lie to me.”

The two though carefully, they had never seen the ruler of Equestria so mad and one wrong word would finally snap her. “You see your highness,” the scared stallion known as Black Cherry spoke. “We were... celebrating a few of us was getting drunk and we all chanted Sweet Claw five times.”

“And?” Celestia asked still not easing her glare.

“We continued to party for about a good hour or two until we head something. It was groaning for a minute until it said ‘feel my pain.’ The 20 ponies that were there all looked for the sources of the call. We thought that we were followed or somepony else was here. That was until we saw Him!”

Misty Grey continued. “We didn’t believe it at first, my friends, well half of them anyway thought that the dragon we kidnapped die, but here he is wearing a brown coat. The first stallion scream and the massacre begin. He tore apart my friends like a rampaging monster, we try everything, but when someone pokes a hole in his coat, flash bees swarm out, zapping most of us to death and cut off the power. We ran and hide anywhere until three ponies, and the bug king came.”

“Bug king?”

“That changeling that lizard... I mean dragon befriended,” the stallion clarified.

Celestia didn’t say anything else. All she did was light her horn, making it glow in it bright golden aura.

“Wait, wait, wait! Please your majesty!” Misty Grey begged.

“You trespass into a restricted area, committed regicide which is punishable by death and you want mercy?” she seethed. The light of her horn only intensified and the two prisoners had to turn away to avoid being blinded. However, something crossed her mind and she decided to dim down the light.

“What I want to know is how did one of you manage to not only find the royal bunker but bypass the spell that kept it locked?” she asked.

Before the two ponies could answer they eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. Slowly they begin to back up, much to Celestia’s confusion.

“I said how did you-” Like back at the bunker, the lights begin to flicker. The two saw the monster that murders their friends, a smile on his face. One of the innocents but they knew what was going to happen. Then went out right before the sun goddess could repeat her question.

Screams instantly filled the dungeon, followed by the sound of metal bending and breaking. Instinctively, Celestia activated her horn and couldn’t believe what she saw...

On the table stood a teenage dragon, his wings folded against his back, and his tail which seem sharp just sway from side to side before moving it into a thrust position. The dragon made it hit its mark, and that was the stallion’s heart. He wasn't finished. Tossing the stallion aside, he stared at Misty Grey. Before she could say anything, the dragon lunged at her. As he mauled her, blood, guts, and anything inside her spilled onto the outside.

Celestia took a step back, but the sound of her metal hoof shoes got the beast’s attention.

“Hmm?” The dragon turned to face the princess. Their eyes locked on each other for a moment. Suddenly, the dragon’s expression changed to one of guilt.

“M-Mother... I’m sorry...” he said turning away. “Tell Apple Bloom I’m sorry for not being there for our kids.” And just as quickly as the lights went out, they came back on. However, as the light returned to the room... the dragon had disappeared. His work, on the other hand, was still in sight.

Celestia didn’t know what to say or think. The amount of blood, and body parts that now lay scattered across the dungeon. She collapsed to her haunches, holding her head as she took in the vile display.

“M-My son...”

25 years later

Apple Bloom P.O.V

Even after all these years, ah still can’t believe that they would take such a sweet dragon away from me and our children. Ah was looking at myself in the mirror. Ah, may not be as young as Ah used to be, Ah mean ah’m only 43 years old. Sure and ah will never admit it to the girls but Ah’m starting to get crows feet. Hay if Granny was able to live for over 100 years, so can ah.

Though he’s been dead fer years, it was hard but this tough mare moved on. Because of ma royalty status ah was able to find a house near Whitetail Woods. It wasn’t big or anything, just a small cabin where ah can practice making potions with my son Apple Flame. Apple Spice stays in the apple farm with mah older brother, and sister, and their kids, but thanks to Twilight and the rest of the royal family, and the help with the Krin both my kids knew magic, both pony and dragon. And ever since they were over there Flame became a big hit on the ladies.

Ah find it cute that he even try the dragon mating call, which had him doing this weird funny dance. It reminds me when Spike dance for me during one of Ponyville many festivals, and well things went smoothly until he did his mating call dance, which was detector towards me.

Ah still help ponies figure out where they belong or what there cutie marks. In fact Ah forget, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had expanded. We not only help ponies, but all creatures find their passion, even if not all creatures can earn cutie marks. Twilight would say it was her idea, but we all know it was mine. We have over 500 members with 50 different location and a centah fer all. Though the yaks, dragons, and griffins can be a bit troublesome at times.

Only two days left til Nightmare Night, and what a pleasant day it was. Ah overlooked today’s work on Sweet Apple Acres, as it brought joy to mah heart how hard mah foals worked.

Though occasionally Ah still remember that mysterious and frightening day when Princess Celestia dug up Spike’s casket after his kidnappers were slaughtered. To all of our surprise, despite the powerful magical lock she put on the casket when we opened it... the body was nowhere to be found.

To this day Ah still haven’t told the twins about the disappearance of their father’s corpse. The incident almost convinced meh that mah sweet lil’ dragon was still alive. Ah know he’s dead tho, and Discord said he couldn’t mess with death unless it was from his own creations. As must as he wants to bring back one of his closest friends, he couldn’t.

Now that Ah thinking of it, there was this rumor it more like an urban legend going around. If ya said the name ‘Sweet Claw’ five times and turned off the light, a purple and green dragon would appear and kill ya. In my opinion, it’s jus’ a bunch of hoowa.

Ah snapped outta mah thoughts, convincing myself it was jus’ a superstition. Ah need to get ready for mah kids’ party, after all. Well ah can’t call them kids anymore since they’re adults.

“Oh Spike... if y’all could only can see yer kin. They’re all grown. Flame is about to go to Canterlot, and studies with his cousin Flurry Hearts. Apple Spice is dating a stallion named Gentle Breeze. He’s a good pony Spike, though there was this one time Ah caught them in bed together. Ah did tell em that if it was you, you woulda been madder than ah bull seein’ the color red.”

“Heh, you shoulda seen their faces, Spike. Ah never seen somepony turn as red as mah brother’s coat. Don’t let meh get started on yer son. I guess what ya did as a kid transferred over ta Flame.” Ah smiled into the mirror then sighed. “Oh Spike you don’t know how much Ah miss ya.” With that, Ah turned off the lights.

“And I miss you too Apple Bloom.”

Author's Note

I know there are a few things missing, and I will get around them. . .someday, after I finish with the story.

Anywho enjoy the story, and the final chapter will be out on Halloween. I hope.

Final Call Of Sweet Claws

Final Call of Sweet Claws

“S-S-Spike?” Apple Bloom turned around and saw that the dragon she had loved with all her heart and soul was standing in front of her. It was like she remembered. His purple scales, his green spikes, those powerful wings behind his back, the brown coat he wore.

“S-Spike!” The yellow coated mare suddenly leaped onto the purple drake with hot tears rolling down her eyes. She finally got the chance to enjoy the cool feeling of his hard scales again after so many years.

Slowly Spike began to comb his wife’s mane his own tears falling down his face. “Oh my favorite little apple...” he said softly. Just as slowly as he rubbed her mane, he shakily reached down and wiped the tear from her eye with a single claw.

“How... How are you still alive?” she asked, but he shook his head. Apple Bloom realized something wasn’t right, as Spike seemed to be struggling just to do something so simple.

“Oh no, I’m as dead as a doorknob,” he responded. “But I need your help. When I... those bastards killed me, they trapped my soul within an ancient mirror. I’m not sure why, but if anypony calls my name... I... I... I... have to kill them,” he explained letting out another pained grunt.

“What do you need me to do?” she asked almost too afraid to hear the answer.

“Find the mirror and Destroy it. This is the only way to end my curse,” he replied as he slowly backed away. “It’s only a matter of time before some unfortunate soul says my name again. Regardless of who it is, My curse will force me to kill them.No matter who it is...” Against his will, his claws extended, much to Apple Bloom’s terror.

“Spike... what are you...” Apple Bloom whispered as he looked like he was prepared to attack. The tears once again falling down her cheeks as she put two and two together.

“Please... Get away from me Apple Bloom...” he begged trying to resist. “I... I’m Losing control! Run!” he roared before his eyes turned red. He held his pain trying to resist the curse’s urge to kill his beloved wife.

“Spike...” Stunned by his words the potion maker shake her head, she then ran downstairs toward the living room. Luckily, she knew nopony was in the house since there was a lot of farm work to tend to outside. She didn’t take a moment to look behind her, she just fled outside as fast as her legs could take her. She knew that he would kill her. One way or another. She ran and ran not bothering paying attention to any pony that she passes. Neither her son, daughter, niece and nephews. Not even her family. Apple Bloom ran to the one place she knew she’ll be safe for now. Twilight’s Castle.

Upon arriving at the castle, the frightened mare frantically knocked on the door while looking left and right to see if Spike had caught up to her. Lucky the only thing she saw was a few ponies staring at her. Knocking again, the door was finally opened by Starlight who didn’t have time ask what Apple Bloom wanted before she forced her way inside.

She got in just in time, as looking out the window she saw Spike just standing there looking in the direction where Apple Bloom ran. By this point, he had disappeared among the sea of ponies.

“Geez Apple Bloom... I know Nightmare Night is only two days away, but calm down,” Starlight reassured her friend with an amused smile.

“Starlight...” she panted not returning the unicorn’s smile. “A-A-Ah don’t have time. Where’s the princess?!”

“What do you mean?” she asked with a frown. “What happened?”

“Where is the princess?!” she asked again even louder than before.

Starlight shakes her head, trying to stop the ringing.“Twilight is in her study with her husband.” Before Starlight could said anything the yellow pony ran pass her. “What’s with that mare?” she asked herself this.

True to what Starlight said, Twilight was up in the study fixating on one of the many books she had. Her husband, Star Tracker, the very same stallion she met on the family cruise she took all those years ago.

In addition to being a fan, Star Tracker has had a huge crush on Twilight ever since she became a princess. Despite being an earth pony, he loved astronomy and shared his studies with the princess.

Seeing how they had more in common than they thought, Twilight asked Star Tracker to come to Ponyville more often and it wasn’t long before the two began dating.

25 years is indeed a long time. A middle-aged stallion, Star Tracker was sitting on the sofa, listing to Twilight theory in space travel. Star Tracker was taking note.

“And with the crystal supplying the magical fuel ponies could travel to other planets. Oh Hey Apple Bloom.” The lavender mare smile.

“Hey, Apple Bloom.” The dark cyan earth pony waves.

“Sorry Princess but there something important ah must tell you.”

“What wrong?” Twilight asked in consriend.

“I-I-It about the killings. All of them. S-Spike. His soul is trapped within a mirror. We need to find the mirror and desto-” Apple Bloom felt a sharp pain in her neck. She then turns only to see the dragon she loves. Tears traveling down his cheek. The spear end of his tail moved to show the blood it was coated in.

“I’m sorry...” the dragon said watching his beloved drop to the floor. As he stood with tears still falling to the ground, he turns to see Twilight and her husband who was shocked. Luckily for him, neither of them had seen him. But they did know about the myth of ‘Sweet Claws.’

He watches as Twilight tries desperately to heal her wounds, but it was too late. She was gone and to a better place. Spike only wish to be with her once his curse was lifted.

Alarmed by Apple Bloom’s unexpected murder, and Twilight didn’t know what to do. Apple Bloom was dead by some unknown assented. Twilight believe it could be a surviving pony from the massacre 25 years ago.

Regardless of whether or not she knew the perpetrator, Twilight could see that this incident needed to be investigated.

Her horn flare to life, creating a field. “Ok ok ok ok. Star get Starlight so she can help me, then go around town and ask if any pony saw something out of the ordinary.

“Well do.” The stallion simulated then ran back out of the library to begin his mission.

A minute later Starlight bust into the room, but then gasp seeing the body of Apple Bloom laying on the ground lifeless.

“W-What happened?” asked the panicked mare.

“I don’t know. One minute she said something about Spike’s soul, then the neck a hole appear on her neck where she lay dead on the floor.

“Could it be?” Starlight place a hoof under her muzzle thinking.

“What?” Twilight asked.

“When me, Sunburst, Thorax, and Shining Armor went to look for Spike’s murders, they said a dragon was killing them one by one.”

“Hold on, are you saying Spike...”

“No, no! There is a possible chance it could be some form of magic no pony saw?” Starlight shakes her head. Though she didn’t admit it, she too was concerned whether or not her long-dead friend was responsible for this.

“Sweet Claws. Sweet Claws. Sweet Claws. Sweet Claws... Sweet Claws,” called out a light pinkish alicorn with a purple mane and a blue streak. She along with her longtime friends Pumpkin Cake, and Pound Cake we’re observing all the candy they would be giving to the foals on Nightmare Night.

Flurry had learned the name Sweet Claws from her subjects, and her two friends from some time. Both Pinkie and Rainbow Dash used to tease them and tell them stories about a dragoness who die while protecting her young but failed. The creatures that killed the mother cried out ‘Sweet Claws’.

Like most ponies, Flurry Heart didn’t take the legend seriously. It was said that whoever called out the name would die in the same night. “Alright turn off the lights.” She ordered, to which Pound happily obeyed. Despite being in their 20s, the three did act like foals from time to time. Once the lights were off.

Nothing happened. No physical harm, no screams…

After about a minute of waiting pound turned on the light. Both he and his twin sister gasped in shock and awe. Flurry who didn’t notice turn to her friends. “What?” She asked which to there responds was to point behind her. Flurry did just that and when she did, her jaw hit the floor.

Sitting on the edge of the sink was Spike. His claw tap the crystalize suffice of the sink he was sitting on. “You know... I was hoping for some somepony who I don’t have knowledge on a personal level would be dumb enough to call me...” He then opened his coat not only revealing his rib cage and spinal but a swarm of flash bees which then attack the trio. Each sting sending a volt of electrical throughout their bodies.

Spike looked down at the trio who had sparks coming and smoke from them and were only barely alive. He closed his eyes trying to resist the urge to finish the job, but it was no use.

Towering over Flurry Heart who looked up at the abomination with the little conscience she had, he raised his claws preparing to slit her throat.

“I’m sorry...” he said solemnly before his claws ran across her neck, decorating the walls red.

It was Nightmare Night, one of the scariest holiday ponies would celebrate. The festival was created to remember the mare’s tale of Nightmare Moon, returning to the Equestria and devolving up any pony she came across. And to satisfy her hungry ponies would offer the dark alicorn candy. Due to the Flash Bees incident involving a member of the royal family, and the deaths of several ponies, it was deemed necessary to cancel Nightmare Night.

Due to the recent murders around Ponyville no pony other then the princesses, guards, and police are allowed to be out after the sun went down. Celestia, Shining Armor, Luna, Twilight and a with an old grey unicorn stallion with a long white beard. He wore a magician hat with bells, along with his cape, also adore with bells at the end.

“Why can’t I enjoy my retirement in peace without fools causing trouble?” the old stallion walking over toward the grave site.” Even after the incident with the Pony of Shadows, Star Swirl the Bearded maintained some of his arrogance.

“I’m sorry we have to pull you out of retirement Star Swirl, but this is a matter of urgency,” Luna spoke in a claim but regal tone. “We believe that a pony is using a forbidden magic.”

“Ah yes. Necromancing,” the retired sorcerer said stroking his beard.

“Wait, as in zombies?” Shining Armor asked to which Star Swirl chuckled.

“There are two aspects in the dark arts of necromancing. The physical side, and the spiritual side. The physical side is where the user summons zombies. The spiritual side is the most dangerous of them all.” The old pony explained. “Without a soul, the caster must continually use magic to keep the body moving. Kind of like a puppet, but with a soul the caster won’t use magic, and the body depending on how rotted it is will have a will on it own.”

“Your Highness.” One of the guards said bowing his head “We found a hidden cavern under a tome.”

“Good the sooner we destroy that mirror the better.”

Shining Armor wiped a tear remembering his daughter’s death. Yes, it didn’t take long for him and Cadence to learn of the flash bees incident.

Within the Ponyville cemetery was a cavern beside a grave marked ‘Flag Pole’ said to where one of the founders of Ponyville went exploring one summer and ever return. The cavern was a mile long deep but begin enough to fit a pony.

“So... what is our plan?” Twilight asked still comforting her brother.

“Simple look for the mirror, and shatter it.” The white stallion looks around. The only thing within the area were claw marks, scorched earth, and a transparent mirror along with a coffin. “And I found the mirror.” The stallion said firing a magical blast at it, only the magical beam of energy to pass through it and hit a wall. “What the?”

“Here let me,” Luna spoke doing the same thing only for the result is the same but with a bigger scorch mark. “Okay then?”

Star Swirl slowly walked over to the mirror and examining it. “Well safe to say it isn’t necromancing, but it is a rather powerful spell. It also looks like a soul it trapped within the mirror.”

“If we can’t break the mirror what should we do?” Shining asked.

“As risky as it is...” Star Swirl said with a gulp. “...we must summon the demon that is responsible for these murderers. If the legend is right, saying the beast’s name five times will force it to come out and kill whoever summoned it.”

“Sweet Claws... Sweet Claws... Sweet Claws... Sweet Claws...” the elderly wizard gulped somewhat hesitant to say the name one more time. Looking back he saw Luna and the others were lighting their horns preparing for the fight.

“Sweet Claws,” he finally said the name for the last time.

The transparent mirror soon turn into a solid one. It then began to glow, blinding the ponies in the cavern before fading. There stood the dragon. His eyes stared at the elder pony who summon him, then to the others. “Hello everypony...” The purple dragon spoke softly. Against his will, he reached down and seized Star Swirl by his throat.

Panicking as they watched Spike grip it tightly, Celestia was the first to act, and fire her golden beam at Spike, and to everypony surprise, it actually hit him, which cause him to fly towards the rocky wall. Star Swirl coughed as he was dropped upon Celestia attacking Spike.

“M-Mother the mirror... B-Break it...”

“I know Spike.” Her horn charges up as well as Shining Luna and Twilight. However, Spike opened up his coat with a loud roar allowing a swarm of flash bees to fly out.

“We need to hurry!” Cadence yelled as she and the others shot down as many of the bees as she could, trying to make a path to the solid mirror.

Star Swirl was still weak from Spike’s choking and crawled over to the mirror being closer to it than the others. He was about to fire a beam when he was lifted by his head by Spike’s powerful claws.

“Please destroy it!” he begged as his grip grew slightly tighter. He was using the best of his willpower not to obey the curse and crack Star Swirl’s skull like an egg.

The three princesses, and Shining all fire at the mirror but then Spike open his coat letting out more flash bees. The swarm kept them from offering any assistance to the wizard whose head was slowly leaking out blood.

“Forgive me...” Spike said unable to restrain himself anymore. He was just about to crush Star Swirl’s head when a purple beam passed by him and... hit the mirror.

Letting go of Star Swirl, Spike slowly turned around to see it was Twilight who shot the beam. Her eyes were red with tears from being forced to see her friend like this.

Spike dropped to his knees and the flash bees retreated back into his coat. Twilight instinctively ran over to the weakening dragon, knowing his time was up.

“Twilight... everypony... I... I never wanted things to be like this. I never wanted to kill everypony...” he whispered.

“We know this Spike,” Celestia said as she trotted up to rest her wing around her son. She thought she would never get the chance to see the gentleness and kindness that filled those green eyes.

Spike prepared to say his final words as his eyes grew heavy. “Please bury Bloomy’s body alongside mine...”

“O-Of course,” Twilight said as she rubbed his back.

The fight was done. The mirror destroyed and Spike soul is free to enjoy the afterlife with his wife and friends. Carrying his body out with a white sheet covering the corpse, the entire group weep silently as they prepared to bury their friend again.

This was probably the most solemn Nightmare Night Equestria has ever experienced. Both Ponyville and the Crystal Empire were mourning the loss of their fellow ponies who fell victim to Sweet Claws.

No words were exchanged as they buried Apple Bloom alongside Spike just as he asked. The couple would finally reunite in the afterlife.

Both their foals were there, each crying over the loss of their parents.

“Think they’re happy sis?” Flame asked, to which Spice nodded.

“Ah believe so brother.”

Fin

Author's Note

And this is the final chapter of Sweet Claws. I know it was rush because I was planning on getting this out on Halloween. And I have.

I'm not doing deadline fics every again.

Also when and if I have the time and not be lazy I rewrite this and turn it into a masterpiece