Spike threw his rope into the port, wrapping it around the nearest peg and hauling in his little boat. The salt water snapped at his nostrils, even as he stepped onto the bulwark. He wore a broad cloak, covering his face in shadows.
As he tied up his boat to the port, he heard footsteps along the wooden bulwark. An official wearing a blue petticoat came over to him with a clipboard and three stallions by his side armed with rifles. No doubt they would charge him a hefty price, using the stallions to pose a threat with physical force.
“Name and purpose?”
“Torch. I’m here for supplies and work if I can find it. Maybe a nice place to rest my head.”
“Our town is dealing with an abundance of refugees. We cannot accommodate you.”
Just a look at the town from the harbor he could see ponies in rags lining the streets, coughing and sputtering with disease. The sight made him furious, frustrated that anyone would let another living being suffer in such squalor. But he didn’t need trouble with another town, so he said nothing.
“Do you have any contraband or weapons on your person?”
“No.” He kept in front of his ship. The stallions with their rifles seemed uneasy about pushing past him to search his boat, beneath the tarp or below the deck, for anything that could earn him a hefty fine. They were smarter than most. The official must have sensed their unease, for he too seemed unnerved by cloaked stranger.
“It will be fifty bits for each day.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“The price of mooring in a port like this is ten bits at best.” Beneath his grey hood, green eyes pierced the official and his lackeys with cold, dark precision. “You try to make me or anyone else pay anymore and I will consider it robbery. And I’m sure neither of us wants that.”
The stallion glanced back to his arm guards to issue a command, but they would not meet his gaze. They were just hired thugs, not willing to risk their lives. No real use in a fight with an actual trained warrior. The official realized he was on his own. Spike reached into his pocket and gave him the ten bits.
“Enjoy your stay,” he said through clenched teeth.
Spike waited until they were out of eyesight, before turning back to his boat and parting the tarp. He picked a floorboard, which hid his treasures beneath. For a moment, he was tempted to put his sword into his belt beneath his cloak. But something in his mind made him stop. He figured he had enough scrapes with the law for one day. No sense in letting them find a weapon on his person. He secured the plank back in place and glanced at his companion.
“I’ll call you if I need a getaway. Don’t let anyone on board.”
Before he entered into the main street, he stopped and walked over to a refugee with a child cuddling to her for warmth. He reached into his pocket and offered her twenty bits. The child’s eyes widened and the mother stared at the money. Then, she shook her head.
“It’s illegal to give money to refugees. It’s one of our town laws.”
“Well, is it illegal to offer money in exchange for directions?” Spike asked. She blinked and then shook her head. “Great. Then, can you tell me where I can find a library?”
“A library?”
“Yeah, preferably a public one?”
“Aren’t many of those left anymore. The city has one, but it’s not in good shape. Are you really sure you want to go there?”
“Yes. I’m hoping to run into an old friend.”
She pointed down the street ahead. “Keep going straight and take a left by the town hall. You’ll come to a trader’s office, and just three blocks down you’ll find it.”
“Thanks.” He put twenty bits in her palms. The child by her side thanked him with an overjoyed hug. He patted the little one’s head. “Wow, after such a kind reception, I feel compelled to offer a tip for excellent service.”
He reached into his pocket once again and gave them ten more bits. Then after a little wink, he left.
The official stared at the cloaked figure as he wandered off into town. He walked straight into the port management building, straight into his office, where he drafted a letter for the arrest of “Torch,” and ordered a delivery boy to send his request to the mayor immediately. As the delivery boy left, a pink mare and her tall friend approached Spike’s boat.
The library’s windows were boarded with damp, greening planks; the sign above the door had lost three letters, one letter worn away by the elements with only a faint outline left, and the other two missing altogether, as though they had been scratched out entirely. Instead of spelling “Library,” it spelled “Li-ar.” Spike glanced at the notice pinned to the door. “This library has been condemned to demolition by the end of the month for exacerbating the town deficit. It will be replaced with a privately-owned and operated book store in two months.” He stopped reading any further.
As a child, Spike always found libraries boring, especially since Twilight spent so much time in them reading and studying. Ever since Twilight vanished in Ponyville after the flooding ten years ago, he’d come to see libraries as a reminder of better times. So it broke his heart to see the port’s public library in such disarray, neglected, falling apart, in the final stages of being phased out.
He pushed open the door, so rusted at the hinges that opening it was the equivalent of nails scratching a chalkboard. The librarian, an elderly grey mare with a humorless expression, looked up from her desk with a leer, anticipating some kind of mischief. Spike pulled back his hood and smiled, hoping to send a nonthreatening message.
She let out a snort. “A dragon who wants to read. It’s a miracle.” She waved him towards the shelves. “Go on, help yourself.”
He nodded and went straight to the short story section. The selection was looking somewhat sparse, but he managed to find a literary journal of stories from before the flood started. He recognized the names of one of the featured authors, whom he knew Twilight adored. Maybe, he’d finally run into her at this library, but he doubted it. At least he could read a decent book. Spike sat down and opened to the first page. He soon found himself lost in the first story. So lost, that the current world began to feel like a distant unpleasant memory. So lost, that he didn’t even notice the lavender mare enter the library. She never crossed his path as she made her way to the maps and started copying notes by hand. She didn’t notice him either as she worked on the opposite corner of the room. Twilight finished copying a map and Spike finished reading his short story.
That’s when they barged in; a group of angry-looking ponies with makeshift weapons and a few broad-shouldered patrolmen with rifles. They shoved their way past the librarian despite her protests. Twilight kept her head down. They ignored her and marched straight over to Spike. Using this opportunity, she slipped out of the library, keeping close to the doorway.
Spike ignored them, continuing to read his book. One of the stallions leading the pack came over and kicked the book out of Spike’s hands. Then, he spat in Spike’s face.
“You’re the damn lizard who won’t pay the mooring fee. Ain’t you?”
Spike stood up, a movement that caused the mob to flinch, and jerk back. He wiped the spit from his face, and walked over to pick up his book. After rubbing some dust from the cover, he opened the book up to where he’d left off, and continued reading. A patrolman pulled out a pair of handcuffs and approached the dragon.
“For wasting money on a refugee and stiffing mandatory payment, you’ve been sentenced to prison.”
Spike glanced up from his book with a glare so cold the patrolman stopped in his tracks. “Mooring only costs ten bits in this region. The official was trying to overcharge me. And I didn’t ‘waste money on a refugee.’ I offered her payment in exchange for directions to the library. And I gave her a tip because her son gave me a very kind hug.”
From the doorway, Twilight listened to the conversation. She couldn’t see whom the mob was crowding around, but that voice sounded familiar.
A patrolman marched forward with the handcuffs.
“You can tell it to the jury.”
“The jury composed of the official’s choosing.” Spike closed his book and walked straight past the patrolman, who froze nervously. Instead of attacking the stallion, Spike returned his book to the shelf. Once again, the patrolman tried to handcuff him, reaching for his wrists. He found his own wrist locked in a purple-clawed vice grip before he could even blink. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Resisting arrest!” Cried another patrolman as he aimed his rifle, in the midst of the civilians. His finger wasn’t even at the trigger before Spike’s claws sliced the gun’s barrel off. The movement was so precise, the cut was so clean, and the speed was so blinding, that nobody even knew what happened. When the barrel fell to the floor with a clomp, the patrolman could only stare wide-eyed at his mangled rifle. Spike’s other hand still held the other patrolman’s wrist. He hadn’t moved from his spot.
“Opening fire in a crowd.” Spike glared at the other three patrolmen from the corner of his eyes, daring them to make a move. “The next time one of you endangers the lives of these people, I won’t be cutting up your gun.”
Twilight stood by the entrance, wondering why she hadn’t heard a gunshot. Part of her want to run but she felt that this encounter was too significant to ignore. She waited for a name, anything, that would tell her who this dragon was.
Spike released the patrolman’s wrist. The patrolman who tried to fire his rifle glanced at the crowd, who was now staring at him with horror and disgust. He pointed back at Spike. “Someone! Arrest this criminal!”
“Sh.” Spike said. “This is a library. Some of us come here to read.”
“Obstruction of justice! Resisting arrest! Assaulting an officer! You’ll pay for your crimes, Torch. Or should I say Fang?”
At that name, Twilight’s eyes widened. She finally slipped out of the door and called Rarity.
“Fang’s here,” she whispered into her phone. “He’s at the library.”
“I’ll get everyone there as soon as I can. Just get out of there, okay?” She said.
Twilight was about to turn the corner and run, when a figure in a grey hood approached. She couldn’t see his face. But then, she saw him draw his sword. Its cross guard bore a sun crest, the insignia of Empress Daybreaker. This was one of her right hand men from the Eclipse Squadron. The figure began sprinting towards her, his sword drawn. She froze.
He was a few feet away from her. Before he could cut her in half, a bullet whizzed at his feet, forcing him to jump back. Rainbow Dash had her pistol drawn and aimed at the figure as she flapped her wings in the air above him. She reached into a pouch and pulled out a smoke bomb.
Inside the library, Spike’s head darted to the sound of the gunshot outdoors. He pushed past the patrolmen and townsponies, straight out the door, and saw a cloaked figure with a sword. Then he saw her. Twilight. Years had passed, but he still recognized his family, his friend.
“Twilight!” He ran to her. She was turning around, she was about to see him, but then everything around him erupted in black smoke. She was gone from his vision, lost in a cloud of smoke. “Twilight, wait! It’s me, Spike! Please, don’t go!” He groped through the smoke even as his eyes watered.
The smoke faded. She was gone. And then there was a sword at his throat. The cloaked figure’s hood had fallen down, revealing a bucket-like helmet with a single slit for eyes, hidden in darkness. Spike recognized Empress Daybreaker’s insignia on the cross guard of his sword. This was her fabled Sun Knight.
“Nice sword you got there. Don’t suppose you could point it somewhere else?”
The knight pressed the tip of his sword into Spike’s neck, drawing a trickle of blood. His first instinct was to fight, to push his way through and run. But something about the way this knight held a sword left him apprehensive, no not apprehensive; terrified. His grip was firm, his stance was strong, and he carried himself with certain poise. Just from a glance, Spike knew this was a soldier accomplished in the art of swordplay. His scales were bulletproof but the stranger’s sword drew his blood with a single touch. Either his opponent had eerily great luck or he was stronger than a bullet. One wrong move and he would die. The knight glanced at the patrolmen, who were standing nearby uncertain what to do. He gestured to Spike, inviting them to finish their arrest.
Spike felt a pair of hands seize his arms, twist them around his back, and handcuff him. Then, they put an iron muzzle around his jaws. Finally, one of the guardsmen tasered him. That hurt Spike more than anything. Through unfortunate life experiences, he developed a phobia of electrocution. So, it was by far the most crippling form of torture, capable of driving him to his knees every time. When the stallion saw how the dragon crumpled and screamed, he tasered him again and again. Spike convulsed on the pavement, shrieking with pain, his confidence and power from before had vanished. The patrolman didn’t stop, even after Spike was unconscious on the ground.
Rarity’s eyes narrowed. “Hold on, Twilight. What are you saying?”
“I heard Fang call my name just before Rainbow Dash used that smoke bomb. The thing is I didn’t recognize his voice.”
“So, he might have known you somehow?” Rainbow Dash drummed her fingers on the table. “I’m sorry. If I’d waited a second longer—.”
“I’d be dead,” said Twilight. “You made the right call.”
Rarity nodded at Rainbow Dash. “The lives of our crew take priority.”
“I know,” she said. “But now Fang’s in prison. He’ll probably be executed in the morning. We might as well kiss that treasure goodbye.”
“Ex-squeeze me!” Pinkie raised a hand like a student in a classroom.
“Yes, Pinkie?”
“Bulk and I were out looking for Fang and then I saw this candy store, and I noticed there those lollipops with the chocolate centers that you have to suck and suck to get to. They made me think ‘I miss making sweets for the Cake family’ and then I thought ‘when this whole flood thing ends, I should start a pastry shop,’ and then I got a little sad cause I realized this flood thing might not ever end. Then Bulk asked me why I looked so sad and I told him why and then well, to make a long story short…”
“Too late for that,” mumbled Rainbow Dash.
“The lollipop gave me this idea; we’ve been looking for Fang to get him to show us the treasure, like licking the lollipop to get to the chocolate center. But what if we just chomped down into the lollipop and went straight to the chocolate? Then we wouldn’t need to talk to Fang at all.”
Rarity frowned. “Meaning what exactly?”
“We tracked down his boat,” said Pinkie.
“Brilliant,” said Rarity with a smile. “What did you find?”
“Well, at first, we couldn’t get in because he had a guard bird. But Fluttershy worked her animal magic and badaboom! Tame bird! Anyways, there wasn’t really anything all that valuable in the boat. A stash of gemstones, a few Power Pony comic books, and some other junk. Bulk’s bringing the boat around now, but I took a little something that I thought looked interesting.”
She lugged a bag from the floor onto the table, putting her entire arm inside as she reached for something, creating uncanny cartoonish sounds as she searched. A triumphant grin crossed her face and at once she pulled out a gorgeous sword hilt sheathed in a scabbard.
“Viola,” said Pinkie.
“Dibs,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. She reached for the sword and pulled at the handle. But it did not budge. She grabbed it with both hands and gave a solid yank, but still it wouldn’t move from its scabbard. “What the—? Is this glued in here?”
“I forgot to tell you,” said Pinkie. “The sword’s rusted shut. Even Bulk can’t get it out.
“Well, that sucks.” Rainbow Dash slumped back into her seat. “I mean, I guess I could use it as decoration or something.”
“Hey,” said Pinkie, holding the sword to her chest. “I found it. So if it belongs to anyone, it belongs to me.”
“Technically, it belongs to the feller you took it from.” Applejack raised an eyebrow at the pair.
“If he ever gets out of prison, he’s welcome to have it back.” Pinkie Pie flipped the sword towards the other end of the table so they could see the cross guard emblazoned with a blue shield baring a full sun crest. Twilight gasped, audibly enough to draw everyone’s attention. Her eyes widened so much that the white drowned her pupils.
“Let me see that.” Twilight was already backing out of her chair, running to the sword. She snatched it from Pinkie, who nearly toppled over, surprised by the normally calm unicorn’s behavior. Twilight held the sword in her hands and stared at the emblem on the crossguard, ran a finger along the scabbard. “I don’t believe it. This is my brother’s sword.”
“You have a brother?” asked Rainbow Dash incredulously. “You never mentioned that before.”
“I… never had to. My brother, Shining Armor.”
“I know that name,” said Applejack. “He was the Captain of the Royal Guard when the kingdom fell. His sword-skills were something special, even among the Guard, and they were like the best sword fighters in the world.”
“That’s right,” said Twilight with a bittersweet smile. “This sword is enchanted by powerful magic. Only someone with the heart and spirit of a Royal Guard can wield it. For anyone else, it’s just a lump of unbreakable iron.”
“Meaning nopony can pull it out,” Rainbow Dash said with a sigh. “The Royal Guard’s gone.”
“Maybe it’s not,” Applejack responded. “I mean what if this Shining Armor feller got out? Maybe my brother got out too.”
Starlight, who had been silent since the meeting started, jolted at the thought.
“Do you think,” she said tentatively, “Sunburst made it out too?”
Rarity folded her arms across her chest and looked down. Her expression was not one of optimism. “A lot of our family and friends were trapped in Canterlot when the floods started. All of them were their for their own reasons and I know it’s nice to imagine they made it out alive, but I see little point in maintaining false hopes. The capital was wiped clean off the map.”
Everyone nodded glumly. The odds of their loved ones, who were visiting Canterlot for different reasons, actually escaping its destruction were slim to none. Getting up their hopes up would only disappoint them later.
“Trixie has a question,” said the blue unicorn. “What was Shining Armor’s sword doing on a dragon’s boat?”
As soon as she said this, Twilight face turned pale, her mouth dropped open forming a breathless word in her throat. Her head snapped to Rarity. “We have to break Fang out of prison. Now.”
There were a few things that Spike knew he was especially vulnerable to; electricity, exuberant force, and being chained up in tight spaces. His scales provided no resistance to electrical attacks, meaning he had to avoid tasers and magical lightening at all costs, and his scaly armor could only take so much punishment before it cracked. His current situation, being chained up in a prison cell smaller than his boat, was taking a toll on him. Walls around him and prison bars in front of him made his chest tightened. His arms were still handcuffed and his jaws were still clamped in an iron vise. And, they put a shock collar around his neck for good measure. The situation was so unbearable he could barely even think.
Then a guard came to his cell with a cupcake. He unceremoniously dumped the cupcake on the floor and kicked it over to Spike.
“Some broad insisted I give this to you. It’s more than you deserve if you ask me.”
Spike couldn’t speak to remind the guard that his mouth was still muzzled shut so he couldn’t eat, and even if he could speak the guard wouldn’t care anyways. Before he could at least correct the guard’s language about the woman, the guard left. Spike inspected the mushy cupcake, already swarming with fire ants. He tried to content himself with watching the ants at work. It helped get his mind off of the tight space for a little while. As they broke down the cupcake, he noticed a tiny wad of paper at the center of the cupcake, buried deep inside. He reached over, and careful to avoid the ants, he plucked it from the cupcake mess and shook off the ants. Spike unfolded the paper and read its message.
Stand clear of wall.
Cautiously, he scooted away from wall. Then, there was a massive burst of sound, like a gunshot mingled with an explosive, as the ground trembled, and the whole wall fell over like a domino. Spike instinctively covered his eyes with his bound wrists. Through the smoke, he caught sight of a pegasus wearing an all black suit that perhaps showed off her figure a little too well. She wore a black ski mask and regarded him with magenta eyes full of bravado.
“Congratulations. You’re getting rescued.”
She sounded like a teenage boy whose voice had just started to crack, making Spike momentarily wonder if she was a guy.
“Well? You coming or what? They’re gonna turn on your shock collar if we don’t get out of range now.”
He considered his options. Then, he stood up and walked out into the street. Without waiting another second, she wrapped her arms around his torso, locking him in a tight grip, and with a single powerful flap of her wings she disappeared into the night. The wind whipped past his face, the air screamed in his ears, his eyes watered as the mare reached incredible speeds.
After a solid ten seconds of flying like this, she dipped down, descending to the ground. Just before she came crashing into the empty street, she swerved around the corner and dropped him, letting him roll over the cobblestones as she came in for a landing. As he lay on the ground dazed, she dusted herself off.
“Well, that wasn’t so bad. But I got to say, you’re heavy.” She glanced at his expression as he rose to his feet. “Hey, what’s with that look? I think I deserve a little thanks, don’t you?”
Spike wanted to shoot back: get this muzzle off me and I’ll give you all the thanks you can ask for. He settled for grumble, and extended his handcuffed wrists to her and then pointed to his muzzle.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll help you with that.” She pointed to a rundown building, which Spike soon recognized as the library he visited earlier. “In there.”
Spike sighed and followed her inside. As she closed the door behind them and pulled the blinds, another light came on in the room. Startled by the sudden brightness, he shielded his eyes.
“Way to go, Dashie,” he heard a squeaky voice chirp, “You finally brought a man home!”
“Oh, lay off, Pinkie,” his rescuer responded. She pulled off her ski mask, revealing a rainbow-haired mare with blue fur and a tattoo of a cloud with a lightning bolt under her left eye. Somehow, her face seemed to scream recklessness, daredevil, and self-confidence. Although she looked vaguely familiar to him, he couldn’t say where he’d seen her before.
Spike smelled the other pony before he saw her; wafts of a bakery shop with donuts, muffins, and chocolate goodness. When she came into the light, Spike saw her poofy pink hair and bright blue eyes rivaled only by her bright smile. She wore bright blue jean shorts, a sleeveless white t-shirt, with a pink sports bra underneath, and was holding a toolkit of some kind in her left hand.
“Pleasure to meet you. Spike. Yes, we know who you are. In fact, we’ve got someone who’s dying to see you.”
“I doubt her heart will stop beating, Pinkie,” a gruff voice in the shadows said. “I mean it might miss a beat or two if we don’t come back with him, but I don’t know that she would die.” A six foot nine stallion with a yellow flattop and muscles that his tank top and jeans could barely contain stepped forward.
“I didn’t mean that literally. It’s just a figure of speech.”
Bulk frowned. “Sorry, I don’t speak that language.”
Spike cleared his throat to remind them he was there and pointed at the muzzle on his jaws.
“Oh, right, sorry.” Pinkie Pie said before opening up her toolkit and taking out a short metal rod with two diagonal tapering ends.
“Not so fast, Pinkie,” said Rainbow Dash. She loaded a pistol, and aimed at the back of Spike’s head. She cocked the gun. “You lay a claw on any of them, and I’ll put a bullet in your head. Got it?”
He nodded, without even sweating. At last, she nodded to Pinkie Pie, who studied the locks on Spike’s muzzle, shock collar, and wrists and then selected a metal pick with a slightly curved hook end. Spike sat down on the floor so she wouldn’t have to reach up when working the locks. She knelt down and smiled more brightly. Her grin was so infectious that Spike found himself smiling back.
He wanted to tell her to start with the shock collar, the one thing that was keeping him from breaking out of his handcuffs with the threat of electrocution. He just couldn’t overcome his fear of being shocked. Instead, She went straight for his handcuffs. He watched as she stuck the metal rod inside the lock and then worked the pick around, keeping an ear close to the lock and a tongue protruding from her lips. Click! The lock opened, and the handcuffs fell to the ground. He rubbed his wrists, trying to get the blood flowing where the shackles stymied his circulation while she worked on his muzzle’s lock. Soon, that fell to the floor, giving Spike a chance to stretch his jaws. At last, she undid the collar’s lock. Spike eagerly ripped it off and tossed it away before rubbing his neck.
“Thanks,” he said as she put her tools back into her toolbox. “Not that I object to being rescued by mysterious women, but who are you? How do you know my name?”
“Well, that’s a long story,” began Pinkie.
“Which we don’t have time to explain,” said Rainbow Dash with the pistol still pointed at the back of his head. “Now, we were told to ask you a few questions before taking you with us.”
“By who?”
“Our leader.”
“That right? What makes you think I’ll go with you?”
“You know I’m pointing a gun to your head, right?”
“Go ahead. See what happens.”
“Okay, cut it out you two,” said Pinkie.
“Cut what out?” Asked Bulk. “Is there some infection we need to amputate?”
“Figure of speech.”
“Stop talking in strange tongues.”
Spike blinked at them, unimpressed. For a bunch of bounty hunters, they didn’t seem too intelligent. He was seriously considering getting up and leaving them.
“Wait,” said Pinkie. “Just, hear me out. We have a friend from Canterlot who just wants us to make sure you’re the real deal.”
“Canterlot? Alright. I’m curious. Ask your questions.”
She asked him five questions that gave Spike little hint who they worked for or what they wanted from him. They were most personal things about him. At last, she looked at her partner with a nod.
Rainbow Dash scoffed. “I’m not buying it. Just cause he knows all this doesn’t make him Spike.”
“Well, he answered all the questions, and that’s all Rarity needed so, I’d say we’re good to go.”
“Rarity?” Spike said. “As in the Captain of the Rogue Diamond, Rarity?”
“Yep-per-doodles,” chirped the pink pony. She hopped behind the library desk and kicked a carpet off the floor, revealing a cellar door. “Oh, by the way, we have your stuff so if you need a little more incentive to come…”
He let them lead him down the cellar into an underground passageway through the sewers. They came out of the sewers into the port towards a massive military-looking boat, bringing him up a ramp onto the deck, and then into the cabin. That’s when he met the most beautiful mare he’d ever seen in his life. She had glossy white fur, brilliant blue eyes, beautiful violet hair and an absolutely irresistible hourglass figure. She wore a blouse with black pants and a pair of high heels. Then, she looked right at him and smiled.
“Spike, I presume?” Even her voice was a symphony. He could only nod in response. “Well, I’m pleased to finally meet you.” She walked over with powerful steps and gave him a little sultry look before extending her hand, which he wasted no time in shaking. “My name is Rarity. I’m the captain of the Rogue Diamond.”
“Wow,” Spike muttered as he stared into those sapphire eyes.
“Hmm?”
“N-nothing.” He tried to bring himself back to the present. “I’ve heard about you. About your crew. It’s an honor to meet you.” He heard the tomboy pegasus make a mocking gagging sound as he fumbled for words, which made him turn red.
“Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said without breaking from Spike’s glance. “Go change. Pinkie, Bulk, tell Lyra and Bonbon to prepare the ship for departure.”
They each headed off upstairs and downstairs without another word, leaving Spike alone with this wondrous mare. Through sheer willpower and thanks to his civil upbringing, he managed not to stare at her chest or hips.
“I appreciate the compliment, darling. Now, if you’ll follow me.” She turned around and led him down the stairs into hallway with several doors on each side. He caught a glimpse of Rainbow Dash closing one of the doors behind her, and heard her locking the door.
“I’m sure you have a lot of questions,” said Rarity.
“Um, yeah. Why did you break me out of prison?” As he asked this, they came to a door at the end of the hallway. Rarity pointed straight at the door.
“She asked me to.” Before he could ask another question, Rarity knocked on the door. It creaked. A purple unicorn peaked at Rarity and the dragon through a crack of the door.
“Spike?”
“Twilight?”
They stood there in dumbfounded silence, staring at the other. Then, they embraced, crying with joy for the first time in years.
“You’re alive!” She exclaimed.
“Tell me you’re real,” he said tightening his grip on her. “Tell me this isn’t a dream.”
“I am hugging you, aren’t I?”
She squeezed him so hard his ribs started hurting but he didn’t care. They broke from the hug and took a good look at the other.
“Wow,” said Twilight glancing up at him. “You’ve changed. You feel a lot more … solid.”
“I’ve been working out.”
“I can tell. Last time I saw you, you were only this high.” She lowered her hand to her waist. “You’ve been growing.”
“You too. You look great. Like Twilight Velvet.” He smiled, glancing at her violet hair trailing down her back. “And I love what you’ve done with your hair.”
“Aw, thanks,” she said with a giggle. When she finished laughing, she took a more serious tone. “How did you survive?”
“Shining Armor sent me to find you just before Canterlot fell. What about you?”
“Rarity took me and Ponyville’s surviors aboard when the floods started.”
Spike turned to Rarity and nodded. “Thank you, Miss Rarity—I mean, Captain Rarity. I owe you for bringing us back together. I will repay that debt in full.”
“Oh, we can broach the discussion of payment later,” said Rarity with nonchalance that made Spike a little uneasy. “And I’m sure we’ll be great friends, so call me Rarity.”
Spike gave a little bow from the shoulders and then realizing that might be inappropriate for a captain gave his best sailor salute, which succeeded in making Rarity chuckle. He did his best to remain unaffected and swallow his embarrassment.
“Thank you, ma’am—er, Rarity.”
“Come inside,” Twilight said to him, gesturing to her room, “we have a lot to discuss.”
Grateful for the escape, Spike followed Twilight into her room. Immediately, his nostrils curled with disgust. There were half-eaten take-out boxes of ramen noodles strewn across the white speckled tile floor, which had turned rancid and attracted flies. He saw open books lying on a table, various loose wirings and curious gadgets on a second table, and a map pinned to the wall with locations pinned in blue, red, yellow, and a single black pin where Canterlot used to be.
“Yeesh Twi,” he groaned, pinching his nose. “Ever heard of air fresheners?”
She rolled her eyes. “Rarity keeps me busy. I don’t have much time for cleaning. So, what happened to our brother?”
“Shining? I haven’t seen him since I left.” Spike frowned. “Actually, he’s part of the reason I’ve been searching for you. You might want to sit down.”
She sunk down in a beanbag. “Spike. I’m sorry I never came back for you. Princess Celestia was growing crazy, flooding Equestria, and I was just too scared. And too weak.”
“It’s fine, Twilight.”
“No, it’s not. I left you behind. You, mom, dad, and Shining.” Her face was red and her eyes looked watery. Spike knelt down beside her. Deciding that was uncomfortable, he sat down beside her on the floor and touched her shoulder.
“I’m just happy to be with you now.” Spike smiled. “So please, don’t cry. Shining Armor sent me to find you. Originally, I was supposed to bring you home. But he said if I couldn’t, then I have to stay by your side and be your knight.”
“Why didn’t he come with you?”
“He couldn’t. He and Cadence had a baby girl.”
“What?! My big brother had a baby and he never told me?! That jerk!”
“To be fair, we weren’t even sure you were alive.”
“I guess,” she said, raising a hand to her forehead. “My brother and Cadence, wow, I mean I always thought they’d be great together but now, they’re parents. It’s crazy how much can change in a few years.”
“You gonna be okay?”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said, giving a wet-eyed smile. “What’s their daughter’s name?”
“Flurry Heart.”
“Pretty name.”
“Anyways, there’s something else, something more important. Our old friend Moondancer finished your research into the Elements of Harmony.”
“She did? How? I wasn’t even sure they were real.”
“Well, you left pretty thorough notes for her to piece together. It took her eight years, but using what you left at Canterlot, she identified regions where objects identical to the Elements were and, well, she did a lot of complicated stuff, research stuff I don’t understand. Bottom line is she pinpointed their locations.”
“That’s incredible. Where is she now?”
Spike’s face darkened. “She was traveling with me. But we ran into some of the Eclipse Squadron, and I couldn’t save her.”
“I see.” Her eyes lowered for a moment. She reached out to his shoulder. “I’m sorry, but it’s not your fault. Where are her notes?”
Spike tapped the side of his head.
“You memorized it all?”
“Moondancer didn’t think it was wise to put it down on paper for anyone to read. Because it turns out the Elements are more powerful than you imagined. She thinks they can reverse the floods and restore Princess Celestia’s mind.”
Twilight was speechless. An end to the nightmares? It all seemed too good to be true. An excitement began to churn in her stomach, one she had not felt since Equestria was whole. She suddenly laughed, startling Spike by her sudden change in mood.
“Twilight?”
“Sorry. It’s just… I can’t believe you came all this way to tell me this.”
“Well, yeah. You’re the only one who could fix this world.”
Spike noticed she struggled to meet his gaze and her body quivered. Her hands wrapped around her lanky violet biceps. “You still believe in me. After all this time.”
“What do you mean?”
The weak smile on her face made Spike apprehensive. “After the floods, I lost a lot of my magic power. It’s not … I’m not as powerful as I used to be.”
“Twilight. I don’t know how magic works. But I know how you work. Nothing beats you.”
“People change, Spike.”
“Just let me show you what Moondancer found. Then, if you’re really sure you can’t help, I’ll never mention it again.”
She was silent. She lowered her gaze and bit her lip, as she kept trembling. She took a deep breath, put her palms together, and faced Spike.
“Alright. Tell me everything you know.”
With a smile, Spike relayed everything Moondancer told him. Midway, Twilight retrieved a notebook and pencil and began writing down what he said. At last, he finished and released a deep breath. He studied her face, waiting for an expression that would betray her thoughts.
Boom! The lights flickered and the ship rocked, nearly throwing them both to the floor.
“What was that?” Spike exclaimed, looking at the walls.
“I’m not sure,” she said, just as the intercom blared from the corner of her room.
“Attention, this is Rarity. We’ve been followed by twelve of Daybreaker’s war boats. I need all hands on deck now. Anyone who can fight get to the deck immediately.”
Spike glanced at Twilight. She looked away and shook her head.
“I’m not asking you to fight,” he said. “I just wanted to know where I can find Shining’s sword.”
Her horn glowed, and Shining Armor’s sword flew out from the closet into his claws. He smiled at her.
“You know, I think you still got it.”
She said nothing, but managed to smile, as he looped the scabbard onto his belt.
“Now, do you know where they’re keeping Peewee?”
From the starboard bow, Rarity counted twelve ships total, each capable of carrying at least a hundred or so soldiers, approaching in a battle formation. She ran quick calculations in her head trying to determine if they could outrun the fleet or if their energy would be better spent trying to sink them. Those battle ships had cannons and missiles that could sink her ship if they hit the right spot, but she was confident her crew could take at least half the fleet down before they were too damaged.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack raced to her side. She nodded at them and pointed to the oncoming fleet. Applejack took out a telescope and scanned the distant ships. As she did, Bulk Biceps arrived carrying an M134 Minigun and Pinkie came armed with grenades and a shotgun. Other crewmembers arrived with their weapons, awaiting commands.
“Rarity,” said Applejack, “I see one of Daybreaker’s generals. It’s someone from the Eclipse Squadron. It’s… oh no.”
“What? What do you see?” said Rainbow Dash.
“The Sun Knight.”
This caused murmurs and nervous apprehension amongst the crew. They knew of the Sun Knight, Empress Daybreaker’s unstoppable swordfighter who could defeat entire fleets on his own. He was an enigma, face hidden behind a bucket shaped helmet, the general of Empress Daybreaker’s elite fighting force, the Eclipse Squadron. Nobody knew who he was or where he came from, but they knew one thing for sure: if Sun Knight wanted you dead, your chances of survival were minimal. Already, some of the crew considered surrender. Rarity cursed under her lips, then turned to the crew.
“Listen up! We have to run, try to whittle down their forces as we make a getaway. It’s our only chance. To your battle stations!” Most of the crewmembers raced off, leaving only Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Bulk remaining. Rarity pressed a button on her earpiece, “Twilight. I need you to run analysis on those ships. Report any exploitable weaknesses immediately. Fluttershy, Zecora, prep the infirmary. We won’t get out unscathed.” Rarity turned to Rainbow Dash. “How many boats do you think your sonic rainboom can take out?”
“Boats like those?” Rainbow Dash frowned. “I don’t think more than two or three at a time. But with the Sun Knight around, I’m just not sure.”
“My magic could take down another two at least,” said Rarity, “maybe. Starlight could probably take down another three. But if the Sun Knight gets on board.” She grimaced. The odds were not looking favorable.
Spike raced onto the deck carrying a sword. A gorgeous red and orange phoenix flew by his side, hovering close to his shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” Rainbow Dash said, raising an eyebrow.
“Rarity said all crewmembers who could fight should report immediately. So, here I am.”
“No offense, but you’re not going to be much help with that sword,” Rainbow Dash said, jerking a thumb towards the oncoming boats. “In case you didn’t notice, they’ve got guns and missiles.”
“Never bothered me before.” He looked at the crew. “What’s our plan?”
“Sink as many as we can and make sure the Sun Knight doesn’t get on this ship.” As Rarity marched to the bow of the ship, the rest of her crew followed, but Spike lingered, scanning the ships some miles away. They didn’t wait for him. He couldn't blame them. They were nervous about the Sun Knight.
He ran to catch up with them.
“I ran into him earlier today. I think he’s after Twilight,” he said.
Rarity scowled. “Well, he’s not getting one of my crew.”
“He probably followed me, hoping I’d lead him to her. And out here on the sea, he can kill us without an audience, concerned citizens wondering why he’s slaughtering seemingly innocent people.”
“Fascinating,” growled Rainbow Dash. “But not helpful. In fact, it means we shouldn’t have rescued you.”
“No. But it does show his strategy. He’s thought all of this through.” Spike realized they were not paying much attention to him. He looked back over his shoulder, and remembered the day he saw the Eclipse Squadron flag baring down on him and Moondancer. He remembered losing her, helpless against their forces. “Let me fight him.”
That got them to stop. They all stared at him incredulously.
“I could keep him busy while the rest of you escape.”
“Out of the question,” said Rarity. “Twilight just got you back. If you throw away your life, it’ll break her heart.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“While you are on my ship, you will follow my orders. Clear?”
Even though she was a head shorter than him, Spike still felt like she was staring him down with those rich blue eyes, as if he was looking up at the blue sky. “Yes, ma’am. But my offer still stands.”
“How can your offer stand when it doesn’t have legs?” asked Bulk.
Pinkie sighed. “Figure of speech, Bulk.”
“Sorry Pinkie, I only speak English.”
“Enough. You can debate semantics later,” barked Rarity.
They started walking again to the bow. Spike got the feeling that as a newcomer he was not allowed to speak up without being spoken to, so he went along quietly with her. Behind them, the war boats were steadily closing the distance, arming their cannons and taking aim.
“Pinkie, take over the cannon,” said Rarity, sending the pink furred mare off. She touched her earpiece again. “Twilight, any news?” She paused a moment, listening to some message. Then, she put her finger to the earpiece once again. “Listen up. Twilight’s found a vital flaw in the boats’ design. If we can bend their rudders, they’ll turn right into one another with enough force to sink both ships. I need Starlight up here, stat.”
Their boat lurched to a halt, causing Rarity and a few other ponies to fall forward before steadying themselves. The entire boat was surrounded in a blue magical aura.
“He’s got us,” screamed Bulk. “Game over, man!”
Applejack looked out behind them. “It’s that Sun Knight! I knew he was strong, but I didn’t know he was this strong.”
As they scrambled, Spike took few steps back and reached for the hilt of his sword, a movement that did not escape Rainbow Dash’s notice.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “Only a Royal Guard can pull out that sword.”
Spike drew the sword from the scabbard without any resistance. The blade glowed in the night as if there was a tiny moon inside the steel, and for a moment the wind swirled around him like he was at the center of a small, harmless cyclone. He made a quick diagonal slash. The blue magical aura shattered with a glass sound and they were moving forward again. Rarity and the others stared at Spike, unsure what impressed them more: the fact he could use a Royal Guard sword or the fact he just broke the magical grip of the legendary Sun Knight with a single slash.
“How’d you do that?” Applejack asked.
“A Royal Guard’s sword is enchanted with alicorn magic,” said Spike, keeping his sword ready in case the ship was caught in another spell. “Not only is it unbreakable and capable of slicing through practically anything, but it can dispel most magic.”
Spike sheathed his sword and turned back to look at Rarity and the others. She quickly recovered and considered her options, looking at the boats drawing closer in the distance. “I hate to do this. But I need you to distract the Sun Knight. It’s the only way we’ll be able to mess up their rudders without him stopping us.” Spike nodded. “Don’t get yourself killed. And pull back when the ships are down. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Bulk, go to the top deck with Pinkie. She’ll need backup if we’re boarded.” As the trio ran off, Rarity pressed the earpiece once again. “Twilight, I’ll need you on deck to direct me and Starlight just how much to sabotage the rudders.”
Spike and Peewee followed Rainbow Dash up to the top deck, an open space with turret guns and a cannon. From the railing, he scanned the distance, estimating Sun Knight’s ship would be less than two miles away.
While Applejack took aim with her sniper rifle, Rainbow Dash glanced at Spike.
“I’m not sure I can carry you over there without getting shot to pieces.”
“It’s fine.” He said, “That’s not how I'm getting over there anyways.”
He walked to the back of the deck and took a deep breath, running the calculations in his head before taking a starting position. Peewee flew by his side, loyally. Spike bolted across the deck, and launched himself off the Rogue Diamond through the sky. As he descended into Sun Knight’s fleet, soldiers pointed to him and began screaming, aiming their guns at him. He dropped into a literal hail of gunfire. Their bullets bounced off his thick scales and rained on the hapless crew. Spike landed on the bow of a ship in front of Sun Knight’s, having undershot his mark.
Dozens of soldiers rushed up to meet him with guns and a few even came with swords. He drew his sword and saluted his enemy with solemn respect. Then, he deflected any stray bullets from hitting eyes and raced into the crowd of soldiers slashing with precise, deliberate movements. By now, some started to realize bullets couldn’t stop him and retreated. Behind the mob, a unicorn began cast an immobilization spell on him, but with a single sword slash in the unicorn’s direction, the spell broke before it could even be cast. Seeing the futility of his magic against such a foe, the unicorn ran away.
Peewee helped by drawing their attention so they couldn’t all fight Spike at once and swooping down and raking their faces with his talons and beak. Spike’s sword sent sparks through the air, as it cut down soldier and weapon alike. To everyone watching, he was a blur as he fought his way across the deck. There were shouts of confusion, as soldiers tried to make sense of what was happening. On nearby boats, communication officers were getting garbled reports of an army overtaking the boat. No one could make sense of it or tell what was going on.
Spike inhaled, closed his eyes, and unleashed a torrent of green flames into the soldiers, who began throwing themselves overboard to dounce the embers, and into any flammable objects he could find. The end of the boat exploded but Spike didn’t even flinch. As the smoke cleared, he stood covered in soot, patting down parts of his shirt and pants that caught fire. By this point, his shirt was basically a charred rag, barely covering his shoulders and back, and torn at the front. He didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he looked back and saw the Sun Knight’s boat had drifted further back. Spike leapt to the next nearest boat, landing at the top deck with guns turned on him. Before they could fire, he jumped down to the lower deck with his sword over his head. When his blade came down, there was a horrific shriek of metal as a fourteen-foot tall artillery cannon split in half before bursting into flames.
As the boat began filling with water, Spike landed on the deck and took another running leap to the next closest boat, where Applejack had seen Sun Knight. He readied his sword, but to his surprise, not a single soldier came forth to resist him. Spike looked around, waiting. Behind him came a loud crash. Rarity’s plan of screwing up the rudders had worked fabulously and all of the boats were now locked in an unmovable mess. He looked up into the deck of the ship he was currently on and saw ten tons of dynamite strapped to a timer. The Rogue Diamond had drifted very far away and a distant figure, clad in armor, was climbing up the hull. He realized he’d fallen into a trap. Before he could double back, the war boat erupted in fire so thick it pierced the clouds and heat so brilliant that even from the Rogue Diamond, Rarity could feel it across her face.
Rarity watched as the armored Sun Knight took a step into her boat. He stood still for a moment, his expression unreadable beneath his helm as a dozen mercenaries surrounded him with guns pointed squarely at him. He drew his blade and saluted his enemies. Rarity and Starlight didn’t have a moment to react with their magic. Even Rainbow Dash was a half-second too slow to stop him from rushing forward. Three powerful slashes and all twelve of their friends erupted in blood, falling lifelessly to the deck. He flicked his sword, letting the blood fly from the blade.
Rainbow Dash opened fire on him with her pistols from above, screaming. A magical barrier appeared around him and stopped every bullet short. From within his helmet, a blue light shimmered for a split-second. Then, a laser flew from under his helm. Rainbow Dash managed to dodge, only getting clipped by the beam on her side.
“You bastard!” Bulk growled as he unloaded fire with his Minigun. The Sun Knight raced through the barrage of bullets, untouchable, as if he knew where each bullet would be long before it left the barrel. As he came closer, Bulk saw beneath the helm’s shadow into the knight’s vacant blue eyes. He could feel his heart hammer in his ears. The knight made four deft slashes so fast Bulk couldn’t track them. His gun splintered into pieces, blood gushed from his chest, and his arms. Bulk fell to his knees. Sun Knight walked past him, scanning the frightened mob for his next victim.
“Bulk!” Pinkie Pie pulled the pin off a grenade, lobbed it at the knight, and took aim with her shotgun. Without even stopping his gradual walk forward, he caught the grenade in one hand, blocked her shotgun blast with a simple shield spell, and threw the grenade back at Pinkie. Starlight barely managed to teleport to Pinkie’s side and cast her own shield spell. The following explosion created a thin layer of smoke. When it cleared, Sun Knight was inches in front of her, glaring with cold rage. A single sword slash broke through her shield and cut her above the naval. He struck her face with the pommel of his blade , causing her to topple over, then he sliced apart Pinkie’s shotgun, seized her neck and lifted her off the ground. It all happened in a second.
Rainbow Dash cursed, firing off rounds of gunshots, and Rarity unleashed a powerful magic laser from her horn. She barely cast the spell when the knight shifted around and raised his sword. The magic just fell apart as it came into contact with the blade. With another slight movement, he angled his sword to block the incoming bullets.
“Don’t… look away… from me,” Pinkie gurgled as she took off another grenade pin. Below his feet, Starlight clutched her stomach, keeping her insides intact with magic, as she drew a knife and tried to stab the knight’s leg. He didn’t even turn back. With a simple flick of the sword, he stabbed through Pinkie’s grenade, through her hand, and another flick of the sword sent the grenade flying into the air before it exploded. Without even looking back, he kicked Starlight and sent her sprawling across the deck and then he flung Pinkie overboard. Instinctively, Rainbow Dash raced to catch her friend, only to be caught in the Sun Knight’s blue magic aura. She watched her friend plummet into the ocean, cradling her injured hand. The magical aura pinning down the pegasus’ body tightened, compressing her slowly. He lifted his open hand to his left and magically intercepted a sniper bullet from Applejack, continuing to crush Rainbow Dash. As her ribs cracked, Rainbow Dash came close to passing out.
“Leave her alone!” Bulk’s voice roared. The massive stallion descended over the knight with a massive hammer poised to cave in a skull. Sun Knight released Rainbow Dash to turn around, slice apart Bulk’s hammer, his shoulders, his chest, and then his right eye. He made a gurgling sound as the pain scoured his body. He only realized what had happened when he saw his blood on the Sun Knight’s sword. When Bulk fell, he did not get back up.
Rainbow Dash soared at him with her knives drawn. The Sun Knight wasted no time turning back with his blade ready. She managed to twist her body enough to avoid a fatal blow that could have split her in half. The knight shifted his neck back, avoiding her first knife slash, before retaliating with a fast swipe. She put that Wonderbolt speed to use, flittering around him trying to keep in his blind spot while searching for vulnerable gaps in his armor. For the most part it was working, and the knight couldn’t pin her down. But she couldn’t deal a fatal blow either. In between parrying her slashes, the Sun Knight blocked Applejack’s sniper bullets and Rarity’s magical blasts with a single sword slash.
Rarity raised her hand to keep Twilight from moving forward, from trying to do something reckless. She pointed to the inside of the ship, silently commanding Twilight to take refuge. At last, the Sun Knight’s sword slammed into Rainbow Dash’s knives with so much force the recoil sent her rolling head over heals backwards into the open air. Immediately, the Sun Knight sprinted at Twilight. His sword cut through Rarity’s spells, Applejack’s bullets, and soon it would cut through Twilight and Rarity.
The knight was feet away from the pair when Peewee rushed in between them and shone so brightly that everyone lost vision. Rarity heard sounds she couldn’t understand, footsteps, crunching metal, a breath released in pain, but she couldn’t see anything. Gradually, the light dimmed. Her eyes began to adjust as she blinked. She saw the outline of the Sun Knight, and a figure standing in front of him, but she couldn’t see much more beyond that. Her vision cleared and readjusted to the night. She realized the figure standing before the knight was Spike, dripping with saltwater and singed black with smog smeared onto his cracked scales, which dripped crimson liquid. He was barely clothed and he was barely standing. But he had his sword rammed straight through the Sun Knight’s armor, straight through his gut. The knight was looking down in disbelief at the sword protruding into his stomach.
The Sun Knight staggered backwards, clutching his wound in one hand as the blade fell from his gut. Everyone paused in disbelief. He drew back his sword to slice Spike’s head off. Spike parried the blow and lunged at the knight, who only just dodged the attack. Their swords clashed overhead, then at their chests. The two shuffled around the deck, dodging, slashing, and trying to find the other’s blind spot. Their swords kept clashing, metal ringing across metal. Spike’s sword would slash through the knight’s armor inflicting a deep wound but then the Sun Knight’s sword would respond in kind. It was a dance, where neither one could afford to miss a beat. The knight’s sword slipped through Spike’s guard, scoring a long gash along his cheekbone and then along his shoulder. Immediately after, Spike’s blade plunged through the knight’s right shoulder. His fire breath drove the knight back. They raised their swords eye level, circling each other like battling wolves.
“Incredible,” Rarity said. “Spike’s on par with the Sun Knight.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Twilight actually smile. Even as the swords clanged with each half-second, drowning out most nearby sounds, Rarity could hear Twilight speaking.
“The Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, only passes on his sword to an apprentice he considers to be his equal in combat. If Spike can use Shining Armor’s sword, then that means Spike is one of the greatest sword fighters in Equestria.”
Despite their injuries, neither fighter backed down. Bloodied, bruised, and covered in ashes, Spike looked close to death and the Sun Knight was holding his stomach together with magic. One of them would tire soon. They raced forward, swords moving through the air like whips cracking, lashing a hundred times in a single second, sending sparks across the wind with every clash. Then, they broke apart and darted backwards.
The Sun Knight’s left arm hung limply at his side, his chest heaving as he angled his blade towards the dragon. Spike’s legs were trembling, his eyes were becoming glazed, and he could barely breathe. His injuries from the explosion had taken their toll, and the Sun Knight, although wounded, had more strength.
They charged, leaving splotches of blood across the floor with each step. Their swords seemed to hum with each blow. First, the Sun Knight drove Spike back. The dragon scrambled to avoid that whirling blade. Spike opened his mouth, with flames in the back of his throat. The knight ducked low to avoid the fire breath, only to find Spike’s right foot connecting with his helmet with enough force to send him feet across the deck. Rising with a sizable dent in his helmet, he barely lifted his sword in time to block Spike’s attack. Now, Spike was gaining on the knight with each strike, forcing him closer and closer to the railing.
He raised his sword, for one final explosive burst of power. It whistled through the air like a falling bomb across the Sun Knight’s guard. Blood spurted from the knight’s chest. For all his strength, the Sun Knight couldn’t completely block Spike’s attack. He dropped to one knee, shaking from the blow. As the crewmembers cheered, Spike’s side bursted in blood. Nobody saw the Sun Knight land the blow, but that final strike proved too much for Spike.
Exhausted, he fell to the deck. When the knight raised his sword to finish off the dragon, time stopped for Twilight. Without even thinking, her body moved forward on its own. With a sound like booming cannon, a violet laser burst from her horn and flew to the Sun Knight. He raised his sword to block the attack. The force of the spell against his blade sent him back a few feet. He tried moving forward through the blast. But soon, it was too much for the sword to stop. Twilight’s spell pushed through his defenses and slammed into him. Her spell kept pushing, tearing through the sky, sending the knight spiraling into the horizon. Miles away, the magic exploded like a hundred popping fireworks. The distant shape of a figure, illuminated by the magic, fell beneath the rolling waves.
Rarity looked all around them, stupefied by the carnage that took place, the bodies lying on the deck. Rainbow Dash flew back onto the deck, carrying Pinkie Pie in her hands. She tore off a chunk of her shirt and wrapped Pinkie’s bleeding hand. Pinkie Pie nodded and said thanks, before turning to Bulk and doing her best to stop his bleeding. Rainbow Dash looked back over the ocean where the Sun Knight fell. Although none of them said it, they instinctively knew he was still alive. Peewee prodded Spike with his beak, waking up the dragon. With Twilight’s help, he rolled into a seating position. Cradled in her arms, he smiled.
Twilight wrapped her arms around his bloodied waist, clenched her teeth. He closed his eyes and fell into her hug, laying his head on her shoulder. Finally, Rarity remembered her duty as captain. She put a finger to her earpiece. “Lyra, Bonbon, take us full steam ahead. We need to get out of here before more troops come. All able bodied crew members help deliver the injured, and the dead, to the infirmary.”
Sometime after all the injured were brought to the infirmary and the dead were consigned to a watery grave, all the crew who could stand went to the presentation room. Twilight told them everything about the Elements of Harmony. They listened wordlessly as she explained how gathered together, the Elements could reverse the floods and restore Princess Celestia’s sanity. She pulled down a giant map and circled three cities in blue, grey, and orange marker: Cloudsdale, Manehatten, and what was once Appleloosa. Then, she circled Everfree Island with a yellow marker, causing some of the crew to frown with concern, and finally she circled the tiny island of La Fiesta in pink, which changed many of those frowns into smiles.
“According to Moondancer’s research, these are roughly the locations of the Elements of Loyalty, Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, and Laughter. When five of the Elements are gathered together, the sixth, Magic, should reveal its location.” She capped the pink marker and turned back to her friends with a determination they had not seen in years. “But we have to act fast. Daybreaker will be hounding us. We’ll run into our own fair share of enemies, and be forced to make difficult choices. I know saving the world was never part of our mission and I won’t ask any of you to do this if you don’t want to. But.” She closed her eyes and put her hand on the table, as if summoning her courage. Her eyes flashed open with a spark. “We have a chance to set things right, to restore Equestria. I for one am willing to take that chance.”
Her friends exchanged glances amongst themselves. They came to a silent agreement. Rarity stood up.
“All in favor?” The crewmembers all raised their hands.
“We owe it our friends.” Applejack nodded. “To all the ponies who died fighting the Sun Knight. So, I'll second.”
Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Why not? We’ve been pirates for long enough. Being heroes could be fun.”
“Then the motion passes,” said Rarity. “The Rogue Diamond is now on a quest to save Equestria.”
“There’s one more thing,” Twilight said. “I’d like to nominate Spike for membership. I believe he could be a valuable ally in this quest, especially with his Royal Guard training from Shining Armor. He also knows vital information about the Elements, so it would be dangerous to let Daybreaker get a hold of him. Can I get a second?”
“I second,” said Rarity. “Anyone who can hold his own against the Sun Knight is alright by me. All in favor?” Everyone raised their hand, except Rainbow Dash who sat with her arms folded across her chest and a cross face. “Rainbow Dash? Is something troubling you?”
“I don’t trust him.” Applejack gave an exasperated groan. “Just hear me out. I can’t put my finger on it but I get this feeling there’s something he isn’t telling us. Just think about it. If he’s known where the Elements are, why didn’t he go get them himself?” She turned to Twilight.
“I told you already, Moondancer determined that the Elements will only respond to ponies, not dragons,” the unicorn explained patiently.
“But they still have to be worth a lot, right? So why didn’t he go get them for himself? And his story just sounds too perfect: Twilight’s long-lost stepbrother returns with the key to save the world? It all sounds suspicious if you ask me.”
“A second ago you were all for the Elements.” Applejack scoffed. “Let’s be honest. You’re just worried he’ll turn out to be a better fighter than you.”
“Pft. As if. He’s not that good.”
“The Captain of the Royal Guard only gives his sword to someone he considers his equal in combat,” said Twilight. “So yes. For all intents and purposes, Spike is that good. Maybe even better.”
“The Royal Guard’s nothing next to the Wonderbolts,” she scoffed. “Spitfire could’ve taken Shining Armor with her hands behind her back.”
“Wonderbolts did have a rivalry with the Royal Guard,” Applejack said. “I heard Spitfire and Shining Armor fought all the time, trying to up the other. Guess y’all still can’t get along either.”
“Look, it’s not that…” She threw up her hands. “Whatever. Do what you like. But I’ll be keeping an eye on him.”
“Then it’s decided,” said Rarity. “Spike is now a member of the Rogue Diamond. When he wakes up, I’ll be sure to tell him.” She turned her attention to the map that Twilight laid out for them. “Everfree Island is closest. We’ll start there.” She heard the crew murmuring, looking apprehensive at the mention of the forest. They all knew the horror stories about Everfree, the monsters supposedly living in it, the many explorers who went in and never came out. Any foresters or trappers who tried to plunder its resources went missing. Even Daybreaker wouldn’t send her troops into that jungle. Of course the crew from Twilight to Rainbow Dash was nervous about going in. Rarity would be lying if she said she wasn’t scared too. “Chin up. We survived the Sun Knight, we can survive Everfree.”
In a hollow chamber, Empress Daybreaker sat at the head of the long table, surrounded by her advisors, her four generals, and ambassadors. By her side was a single large throne emblazoned with a moon left empty. General Sombra had finished summarizing his journey to Trottingham and negotiations with the locals, when a squire opened the door and announced the arrival of Prince Blueblood. Carrying his helmet beneath his arm, the white furred prince strode into the room, and knelt before Empress Daybreaker with his hand over his heart, ready to make his report.
“Blueblood, you’re my nephew,” Daybreaker said with a roll of her eyes. “You don’t have to kneel. Just tell me what’s happened.”
Awkwardly, he rose to his feet and cleared his throat. “Empress. Hours ago, the Sun Knight found your old apprentice Twilight and your stepson Spike. He had Spike detained in a Yan Hoover prison, but the Rogue Diamond freed him. His attempt to apprehend Spike and assassinate Twilight failed.”
“So Spike made contact with the Rogue Diamond. We’ll have to assume Twilight has learned about the Elements of Harmony.” The Empress’s lips curved triumphantly. “Spike’s played his part brilliantly. And the Sun Knight has done well.”
“But, he failed to execute them.”
“That’s the point. He’s driven Spike and Twilight together once again. He’s given them motivation to pursue the Elements. Soon our plans can progress to the next phase.”
General Sombra propped his dark bearded chin on fist, elbow on his armrest. “Is it truly wise to reunite those two? If Moondancer’s research is correct, then the Elements of Harmony could pose a threat to your rule.”
“Perhaps. But they are also the key to doubling my power.”
“You’re playing with fire, your majesty,” said General Sombra. His blood-red eyes sent a cold air through the room. “Once you light this spark it will be difficult to contain.”
“I know. That’s why I’m counting on you and the Eclipse Squadron. We will save this world. And the Elements are the key to it all.”
Prince Blueblood cleared his throat. “Shall I rescind your order to apprehend them?”
“No.” Daybreaker said. “We need to keep up the illusion that I’m trying to stop them. Tell the Sun Knight and the Eclipse Squadron to keep a close eye on them. Interfere in their goals as necessary. And make sure that in the end they all become stronger.”
“Yes, your majesty,” Prince Blueblood said with a salute.
General Sombra rose. “Your majesty. Let me go to Cloudsdale. It’s long past time we contact our agents.”
Blueblood couldn’t help scowling. “Didn’t you just come back from Trottingham?”
The raven haired general curved his lips in what resembled a smile from a wolf. “I’m restless. It’s just not in me to sit behind a castle, I’m afraid.”
“You want to test the crew of the Rogue Diamond.” Empress Daybreaker studied him. She lifted her hand and shrugged. “Very well. I approve.”
“Thank you, your majesty.” General Sombra bowed. Prince Blueblood saw a dark green glint shimmering across that black stallion’s eyes, but it passed so quickly that he wasn’t even certain if he imagined it. As the generals left the room, Empress Daybreaker was left alone with Prince Blueblood. The Prince stood calmly, though his hands fidgeted.
“Is there something troubling you?” Daybreaker asked Prince Blueblood when they were alone.
“That Sombra. I don’t trust him. Some say he dabbles in forbidden dark magic. And some say he’s somehow involved in war atrocities. I think it unwise to give him so much power, even if he is a wise strategist.”
“I’m keeping him here so I can track his moves. As a close advisor, he has less opportunity to enter the battlefield himself. Thus far, I’ve seen little evidence to support either claim. Besides, once our experiments have been perfected, we won’t have to worry about anyone’s violent tendencies.”
“Sombra was right. You have a strange penchant for playing with fire.”
“Indeed. Now, go to Manehatten and await further orders. Change is coming. And we must be strong.”
"Do you think the Rogue Diamond can truly find the Elements?"
"Yes. Especially now that they have Spike."
Spike woke up with a gorgeous yellow furred mare with long pink hair by his bedside. She had bulky grey hoodie and dark blue jeans. He remembered seeing her when he went to get his bird just before the fight. Right now, she was sitting in a chair, fast asleep, with Peewee cuddled up in her lap. As he rose, she murmured something and blinked awake. Peewee rustled from her lap onto Spike’s bedside as he sat up straight. When the mare saw him, her body tensed. She rose out of her chair and stumbled away.
Spike raised his hand out to her. “Whoa, whoa, calm down. I’m not going to eat you.”
“You’re not?” She stood with her fists clenched tight.
“Of course not. I’d never eat a pony. I prefer gemstones. Anyways, my name is Spike.” He extended her hand to her when he realized he was still covered in soot. More embarrassing than the dirt was his nearly nonexistent clothing, singed and tattered from the fire. “On second thought, you don’t have to shake my dirty hand if you want.”
She took a few steps towards him. “My name is Fluttershy. I really like your bird, Peewee.”
“Yeah, he’s a sweetheart,” Spike said stroking his bird’s head. “Wait. How do you know his name?”
“He told me.”
She cupped her hands and in a second, Peewee flapped into her arms. She stroked Peewee delicately down his neck, scratched him under the chin. The bird cooed and fell into her hands like putty.
“You can talk to animals?” asked Spike.
“Sort of. I get along with them.” She smiled warmly like a meadow breeze. Spike felt his cheeks turn red even though he couldn’t explain why. “Peewee loves you a lot. He calls you ‘his lizard daddy.’ It’s pretty cute.”
“‘Lizard daddy?’ What a name. I found him abandoned as an egg and raised him. Tried sending him back to the wild but he wouldn’t leave me.”
“Phoenixes are normally feral. They don’t let most people touch them.”
“Yeah, that’s probably why he makes for a great guard-bird.” Spike finally noticed the bandages on his body. He looked at Fluttershy and smiled. “Thanks for fixing me up.”
“Oh, well, it was mostly Zecora, but you’re welcome.”
“Hey, is there a shower on board? Some place I can wipe all this grime off?”
She pointed him down the halls and offered him a particular set of instructions.
“Thanks,” he said. “Hey, would you look after Peewee while I’m out?”
“Rarity’s sending me out on a mission in a little bit.”
Spike glanced at Peewee, cuddling up with Fluttershy.
“Then, you should take Peewee with you.” She looked at him with surprise. Spike nodded. “He’s loyal, ferocious and his light flares can make for a good getaway. Plus, he’s a natural source of light.”
“Light,” Fluttershy mumbled the word. “Yes, that would be helpful where I’m going. But are you sure?”
“I can’t look after Peewee if I’m in the shower.”
He rolled out of bed, where his lack of dress became more apparent. Fluttershy stared at his barely clothed chest, the shredded pants that he had to hold up, and flushed red. Embarrassed, he quickly left the room, leaving Fluttershy with Peewee. Soon, Rarity came along with Twilight, Trixie, and Applejack. The trio beside the captain was geared up for a quest into Everfree. Rarity turned to them and gave them a brief rundown of their plan.
“You four will be going on the quest into Everfree. Twilight, you’ll guide the expedition with Moondancer’s notes. Trixie, you’ll use your trickster magic to help them avoid any dire confrontations. Applejack, you’ll provide extra muscle. And Fluttershy, you’ll keep any savage animals at bay.”
“Spike lent me Peewee for the mission,” Fluttershy said gesturing to the bird in her arms. “He said Peewee could be a natural light source.”
Rarity nodded thoughtfully. “Yes.” She frowned. “You didn’t tell Spike about the mission, did you?”
“Kind of. I mean, I told him that you were sending me on a mission, but other than that.” Fluttershy shook her head. “Should I tell him more?”
“No. In fact, it’s better he doesn’t know. I doubt Everfree would take kindly to his fire-breath and sword chopping. Foresters and arsonists tend to go missing in that island. Besides, he needs time to recuperate from his fight.”
“Shouldn’t I tell him?” said Twilight. “He’ll want to know where I am.”
“No.” Rarity stated adamantly. “If he knew you’re going into Everfree, he’d insist on coming along. I’m worried he could jeopardize the mission.”
“He’s going to find out eventually.” Trixie had a troubled look.
“Not if I keep him busy.” Rarity smirked with half-open eyes. Twilight’s eyes narrowed into a skeptical scowl. The white unicorn noticed Twilight’s expression and waved a hand. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Now, you all have your orders. Get going.”
Starlight got out of the infirmary sooner than most. Her magic held her together for long enough for Zecora to make a healing potion. And thankfully, a single cut could be healed. The worst thing was the wide scar on her tummy. With a little magic, nobody would even notice it as she made her way through the ship to the showers with a towel and a fresh change of clothes. Her head was still sore where the knight kicked her, but she couldn’t complain.
Others weren’t so lucky. At the end of it all, the Sun Knight took down twelve of their friends, put Pinkie’s hand in a sling, and left Bulk close to death. He got the worst of it out of everyone. He was barely breathing when they got him in there. Even hours later, they still weren’t sure if he could pull through.
She hadn’t seen that Spike person everyone was talking about since he arrived, but heard he dealt a fatal blow to the knight just before Twilight blasted him into the ocean. Truth be told, Starlight had trouble believing this Spike managed to swim all the way back to the Rogue Diamond after being at the center of a massive explosion. All she knew was that she needed a hot shower for her aching head.
She heard the sound of running water. Doubtless one of the girls was bathing. She rounded the corner and came to the waiting room just before the showers. Starlight dropped her duffle bag on a little bench. She took off her black vest and green shirt, then slipped out of her blue jeans. She was about to unbutton her bra when she caught a glimpse of something green and purple just beyond the corner in the shower stalls. Curious, she wrapped a towel across her body and peaked inside.
Never in her wildest dreams would she have expected to see a dragon standing in the corner showering. His hands pressed into the tile wall, his broad back turned to her as the water came down on his scales, and his daggered tail curling across the ground, revealing his shining wet, muscular, round … She looked on, transfixed, feeling dirty and excited at the same time. But then, her eyes drifted to his back. She counted several jagged scars beneath the black soot caked to his scales. Most notably, he bore two identical, gaping scars in between his shoulders and spine. They looked like amputations that closed off.
He turned off the shower nozzle and reached for a nearby towel, which he wrapped around his waist. He turned around, revealing an incredible physique coupled with a not-too-bad face. When he saw her in a towel, his eyes widened and his cheeks turned red.
“Oh,” he stammered, “crap. I …” He turned back around, flustered beyond Starlight’s imagination. “Is this the girls’ showers? I didn’t know.”
“No, no,” she said quickly. “It’s fine. There is only one other guy on the ship. Usually, he just showers when we’re not.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s fine, really.” She tightened the towel across her chest.
He managed to stare only at her face, never letting his eyes droop down to her chest or her waist. Starlight was impressed at his restraint. She smiled, trying to help him relax. He managed to smile back.
“Heh,” he said with a sheepish grin. “I’ve been having a lot of weird encounters with beautiful women lately.” That made Starlight laugh. Spike walked over to her with a slight limp in his gait. “Um,” he said, pursing his lips. “How long were you…?”
“I’m Starlight Glimmer.” She extended her hand, cutting off the question.
“Spike.” As he reached out to shake her hand, the towel on his waist slipped. He managed to catch it before it fell too far down and revealed too much. Starlight felt her face growing hotter by the second. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could take this adorkable tease.
“Hey, do I still have any dirt on my back?” He turned around, revealing that wondrous back.
“Yeah.”
“Damn. I’ve been scrubbing for a half an hour and I still can’t get all this crap off.” He gave a little chuckle and turned back around to face her. “I don’t suppose you have a back brush?”
“No, I don’t.” She bit her lip. Starlight wasn’t even sure what part of her brain made her blurt out the next thing that came out of her mouth. “I could scrub it off.” He instantly flushed an even deeper red, a shade on his bright purple cheeks that Starlight found instantly charming; a youthful boyish complexion.
“I…I…don’t,” he stammered, “don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want to.”
“Who said I didn’t want to?” Starlight had to ask herself why. Why was she flirting with someone she just met? And why was he so fun to tease? “Besides. I owe you for saving us from the Sun Knight.”
“Twilight was the one who threw him overboard.”
“But you stabbed him.”
Spike rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, if you really want to, I’d appreciate the help.”
They headed back into the showers, still wrapped in their towels. Spike pulled up a stool and sat down, trying to keep his cool. He could hear her taking a bath sponge, squirting it with soap. He heard her footsteps against the wet tiles, which only drove up his anticipation and nerves. When that soapy sponge touched his back, he tensed as an electric sensation tingled down his spine, as if all those scars were fresh.
“Are you alright?” she asked.
“Sorry. It kinda stings.”
“I’ll try to be more gentle.”
The unintentional innuendo in that line made him even more nervous. Starlight began rubbing down his back in delicate circles. This helped Spike relax a little, releasing tension in his shoulders. She lathered his scales for a good thirty seconds. He began to find her palms quite soothing.
“So, you’re from Canterlot?” she said scrubbing more dirt from his back. “Do you know about a stallion named Sunburst? He was my childhood friend who moved to Canterlot to study magic. Do you know if he’s still alive?”
“I left Canterlot before the floods started, so I don’t really know who made it out. Sorry. But I do know Sunburst. He was one of the ponies helping my friend Moondancer with her research on the Elements. She wouldn’t have finished Twilight’s research in eight years if it wasn’t for him,” said Spike. “I never really knew him personally but he seemed like a decent guy. He was one of the best magical scholars in the kingdom and one of my brother’s best friends.”
“Wow.” Starlight felt warmth in her heart. “I’m so happy to know he did alright. Thanks for telling me.”
She finished scrubbing all the dirt off his back but took another minute washing him to make sure he was extra clean. When she was finished, she wrung out the bath sponge. Spike stood up smiled at her.
“Thanks. This dirt tends to get stuck under my scales and it can take forever to get out.”
“Yeah, I’d imagine so.”
“Hey, could you promise me something? Please don’t tell anyone about the scars on my back. They … bring back unpleasant memories.”
Starlight found the request odd. But she promised not to tell anyone, which made Spike release a breath she didn’t know he was holding. He walked back out of the showers to the changing room. Before she could start her own shower, she heard him call, "Hey? Starlight?"
“Yeah? What is it?” asked Starlight as she entered the changing room.
“I left my cloths out here. Where’d they go?”
“Sorry,” she said, “there weren’t any clothes when I got there.”
“Those clothes were filthy and repulsive.” They turned around to see Rarity. If Spike was blushing before, he looked redder than ketchup now, standing before the beautiful mare with nothing but a towel. “I felt the need to pitch them. And before you say anything, I’m willing and ready to make you a new pair of clothes.”
Spike’s jaw dropped. “You threw out my only clothes?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, darling, but honestly, that bath towel does a better job covering you than those charred rags could.”
“I can’t go around naked!” He exclaimed with an honestly fearful expression.
“Of course not. That’s why I offered to make you new clothes. As a member of the Rogue Diamond, you must dress appropriately.”
“Wait, a member?”
“Yes,” said Rarity with a smile. “Twilight nominated you for membership and all but one crewmember voted in support. So, let me be the first to welcome you to the Rogue Diamond, Spike.”
“Thanks. I’m honored.”
“As a member of the Rogue Diamond you have several responsibilities. First, you are expected to alternate chores with the crewmembers. This includes cleaning the decks, doing the laundry, scraping barnacles off the sides, and any other necessary chores.”
“Fine by me. I used to clean Twilight’s room all the time when we were kids.”
“There are also regular combat exercises where we improve our teamwork in a fight.”
“Not to sound ungrateful, but I’d like some clothes soon, if possible.”
“Go to my room so I can take your measurements. Don’t worry, I’ve cleared the halls so nopony will see you.”
Spike left the stalls in a hurry. When he left, Rarity took a brief moment to look at Starlight. She noticed a light scowl on Rarity’s face.
“Starlight, kindly refrain from flirting with Spike until he’s had time to adjust.”
“I wasn’t flirting.”
“Good. Try to keep it that way. Heaven knows we don’t need hormones running wild on this ship.” She walked away, her heels clicking on the tile floor. Starlight couldn’t shake her suspicions that Rarity had ulterior motives behind pitching Spike’s clothes and inviting him to her room.
