Three days later….

“You two cunts have a lot of fucking nerves pulling that crap!” Ember snarled at Celestia and Luna in the throne room. Dressed in her golden armor and several of her dragon guards standing behind her. “How dare you even consider Tartarus when that isn’t your decision to make!?”

“Spike was out of control, many lives were destroyed during the rampage.” Luna informed, dressed in her armor, only Celestia wasn’t in her armor but in one of her many dresses. “He was still a danger so we have to consider our options at this time.”

“That’s a load of bullshit.” Ember snarled. “Spike may have answered you guys in the past due to his raising, but he answers to me. If you two had contacted me when it all went down, we would’ve helped, but no, you didn’t think of that!”

“We didn’t know you were able to handle a dragon that was poisoned.” Celestia said calmly but from lack of sleep both sisters had, all of them were cranky. “Many ponies died after what Spike did.”

“Caused by one of your subjects!” Ember threw her arm towards the doors, gesturing to whoever did it. “Rarity is so lucky to have died early on because she would’ve answered for what she did! We have rules and laws of our own to follow."

"This is a delicate manner here, " Celestia said. "We all understand that, but we do have other pressing matters here, especially Sombra's return and the Human Invasion. On top of the Elements of Harmony now in shambles with the death of Rarity, we need all of our allies to help. "

"Maybe you two should've thought about that before threatening Spike." Ember growled with malice. "This war with them is Pony problems. The humans drove my kind here centuries ago when we lived on Earth. We didn't want to get involved with them when they crossed over. This is your mess!"

As Ember continued to tore into those two, the doors opened and Twilight stepped in. She was all dressed in black, having just come from a large funeral, her mane in a bun, her arm still in a cast and sling.

"And another thing!" Ember continued before turning to see the smaller Princess. She stomps over to her. "Where is he??"

Twilight stiffened when Ember stormed over to her. "E-ember?"

Celestia glared at the Dragonlord before looking at her student. "How did the funeral go, dear Twilight?"

Twilight blinked, rubbing her eyes with her free hand. "Funeral was okay… And to answer your question, Ember, Spike's here. He hasn't left his room with Rachel since they came back."

Ember spat on the ground. "At least someone is there for him."

"I had always been there for Spike." Twilight grunted.

"That's not what I heard. I'll be taking those two back with me." She turned to glare at the sisters. "Dragon's Lair is on lockdown until further notice, all dragons will return to the lands effective immediately."

"Spike doesn't want to see anyone. I don't think he wants to move at all.” Twilight explained. “He needs time to heal.”

She tried to see him when the two came out of the dungeons, Spike wouldn't even look or acknowledge her. Seeing how he was trembling, holding onto Rachel. He looked so small, so fragile it was heartbreaking. When she saw him, it was like he was a baby dragon again.

“What Spike needs is to get the hell away from the ponies who had a claw in the situation he was brought in.” Ember grunted. “Since obviously it was those he was supposed to trust the most can’t protect him, he’s going to a place where he’ll be protected.”

“Ember, you can’t just~” Celestia was cut off by a threatening growl from the blue dragoness.

“You lost the right to do whatever you want with Spike the second shit hit the fan.” Ember said. “You’re fucking Princesses, I am the mother fucking Dragonlord. I rule over the dragons, not your bitchass.” she glared at Celestia and Luna before looking over at Twilight. “Go say your little goodbyes to him, because in about thirty minutes, I’m taking him far away from ALL OF YOU!” She demanded before throwing her head towards the doors, signaling her guards to follow her out.

Twilight watched in disbelief as the Dragonlord left, leaving the room. She turned to look at the now frustrated Princesses.

“This…definitely puts a strain in our relationship.” Celestia muttered, though she was worried.

Without more forces, they’ll be attacked from all fronts, from both Humans and Sombra…. Their super weapon is gone, they are left defenseless.

“She’s going to take Spike away…” Twilight muttered.

Though, she can hardly blame her, after everything Spike had gone through, this was coming for a long time. What happened three days ago was the tip of the iceberg.

They had all failed Spike.

Twilight slowly made her way to where the couple was staying. Her heart ached having to do this, especially as fragile things were now. As she made her way towards the hallway, her mind kept replaying moments of their lives.

From the time she hatched him from his egg, the moment her parents decided to adopt him as their own, how she, Spike and Shining hung out when they were very young. The mischievous bits baby Spike was like, watching his slowly growing to her assistant. Going on their adventures, saving Equestria numerous times., just where did all the time go?

Twilight knew she can’t just pinpoint all the blame on her dead friend, there were other ponies who were responsible for this, the princess herself included. Her fear of losing him pushed him away, the cruise and onward…

The only shining light of Spike’s is his mate.

She hoped with Rachel’s help, Spike could finally be happy and get the help he desperately needs at this point.

When she came to the room, she stopped out of surprise.

Rachel was sitting outside of the door, back against the wall right next to it. She was wearing her sleepwear which was a thin, satin nightgown that had thin straps and barely goes past her knees. She had her knees bunched up, hugging them close to her chest, burying her face. Ears flattened and wings drooped.

“Rachel?” Twilight called out.

Rachel lifted her head and Twilight let out an audible gasp. There was some slight discoloration on the scaley parts of her neck. As if she recently had a pair of hands wrapped around it, her eyes were red and puffy.

“Oh my Celestia, Rachel are you alright?” Twilight asked, rushing over to her.

“I’m fine.” She spoke softly, rubbing her throat. Twilight stared at her, not knowing how to ask about it. Rachel sighed softly. “Spike had a night terror last night and he latched onto me.” She explained. “It's to be expected with the shit he went through, first of many to come, I have my fair share, but last night…it was bad.” She turned her head to look at the door. “Once he snapped out of it and let go, he all but threw me out…”

Still, Twilight was mortified. “Rachel, no this is consider a~”

“Don’t you dare say that word.” Rachel stopped her with a snarl. “I know what abuse is and what it looks like, my father and an ex of mine did that.” She points at her neck. “This is from intense PTSD. An illness that takes time to heal. What happened is plaguing his mind and it’s horrible. He just needs help and I’m determined to get him the help he needs. So no, this isn’t abuse.”

Twilight backed off and frowned, taking herself a moment to remove her gaze from Rachel’s neck and at her face. “So you’ve just been sitting out here all night?”

Rachel nodded. “He may have kicked me out, but I’m not leaving him…love makes you defy all laws and logic.”

“Guessing you haven’t contacted the twins and the professor.”

“Oh, they heard what happened and begged me to leave him after what happened days ago. Ain’t going to happen.” She grunted.

Twilight nodded and sighed. “Have you heard about Ember?”

Rachel held off of answering immediately before nodding. “Yeah, I felt her summoning, using the Blood Staff five minutes ago…felt super weird but I heard the call…I don’t know how Spike is at the moment.”

There was a moment of silence between the two before she went over and helped Rachel up with her good hand. “We’ll check on him together before you two leave…I think it’s for the best given what happened.”

Rachel looked down at Twilight before the two turned to the door. Rachel reached out with her hand and knocked on the door. “Spike? Spike honey, it’s Rachel.” she called out.

No answer.

Rachel knocked again and waited, but she didn’t hear any movement. No sound.

Twilight then knocked on the door herself. “Spike?”

No answer either.

The girls looked at each other with wild expressions on their faces before Twilight used her magic to open the door. The two instantly stiffened.

Inside the bedroom was absolutely trashed. Walls have many holes and deep slashes, tapestry torn to ribbons, bed demolished and other furniture in ruins, paintings ruined.

And inside was no Spike. The window was opened.

The girls quietly entered the demolished room in horror, covering their muzzles as they entered. Rachel didn’t want to believe it, looking around in hopes he was just in a dark corner somewhere of the room. Her heart began to painfully ache. She knew she heard him tear the place up after he kicked her out, but she had no idea the extent.

Twilight’s eyes swelled in tears as she looked around. “Oh Spike…” she whispered, voice quivered.

Spike was gone. He ran away.

“No, no he’s here.” Rachel spoke in denial. “No, he’s here, he was just here.” Her heart was aching so bad it was becoming harder to breathe. Her limbs trembled as she looked around. “H-he was just here, Twilight. I-I can still smell his scent.”

“Rachel.” Twilight sobbed, going over to her before something caught her eye.

On the windowsill with a small pebble placed on top of it to hold it in place. She walked up to it and moaned softly. It was a note. A note with Rachel’s name on it.

As Rachel looked around, trying to get a sense where her mate went, Twilight used her magic to levitate the note in front of her.

“No…no no no no.” She shook her head, not wanting to read it, her voice crackling.

Her hands trembled as she grabbed the note. She recognized Spike’s penmanship, as he had always had beautiful writing.

Twilight came up to her as Rachel opened the letter. As soon as she opened the letter, Twilight had to catch her as Rachel was losing her balance.

Rachel,

My love, my dragoness, by the time you read this, I'll already be gone. I know how you'll feel when you read this, and I'm sorry. The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you, to throw away everything we promised. It hurts me to say this but I won't be able to provide you a life you deserve.

The events that took place when I turned, a lot of people got hurt, you physically got hurt. The deaths are replaying in my mind and they won’t stop. I remembered everything that went down, I watched everything and yet I couldn't stop. I had no control. Ponies got hurt, a lot have died and I had zero control. I was drugged yes, but what happened was still on me. This pain, this guilt, it became too great to handle and I didn't want you to see me like this. I don't know where I'll end up, but I don't want you or anyone else to come and find me. Finding this monster. I could still feel that thing inside me and I don't want to risk killing others again or hurt you anymore..

The day we met, the moment I saw you, my whole world changed for the better. You saw things in me no one else has seen, you graced me in your presence, your laugh, your smile, your beauty, there's not enough words to describe you. You're my everything, the brightest star that shines in the night.

When I proposed to you, I had meant every word, now I'm the asshole who broke those promises… the asshole who broke your heart. My heart is breaking just writing this letter.

You deserve so much more, I'm so sorry that I can't give you everything… no amount of apologies could ever make up for it. No matter what happens to me, just know that I will always love you…

Goodbye, my love,

Spike.

CRACK

To be Continued

Author's Note

💔Spike....

WOW okay hey everyone, Crimson Rose here. We finally finished this story, took me how many years???

Far too long and I do apologize mostly due to procrastination, real life but mostly PROCRASTINATION!!!

I know what ya'll thinking "Crimson, you had Spike left? Will there ever be a happy ending for the two? Will the two be reunited?"

Answer is: Hell fucking yes!

Spike and Rachel's story is far from over. There is two more stories to tell.

The next story - The Queen of the Dragonlord is mostly about Rachel and the Mission she is sent out in order to find Spike. I hope it doesn't take me this freaking long to finish it, it will be shorter than RTS but it will be crucial.

The two will be reunited in the following story after that, and it's titled The Stars That Binds Us. One way or another, they will rewrite the stars in their own way.