Chapter VII:
Being useless it’s a sin

After the first disturbing encounter with the Undead Knights, and speaking with her closest students the Great Master East Wind took the last train to Ponyville.
The midnight express.

East felt guilty about having to abandon them in the darkest hour. But she knew she had no choice. Cream Cone and Emerald Horn could defend themselves and protect their new students.

And as the Great Master, it was up to East Wind to find the way to fight the creatures.

The train arrived to Ponyville earlier than East Wind thought.
Now all she had to do was to register at the town’s hotel, and wait until it was time to open the local library.
She had broken already into all the libraries of Canterlot. Both public and private. Including the Archives of Canterlot. And none of them had any information about the undead. The only library in Canterlot where East Wind haven’t broke into was Celestia’s personal. But breaking into the Castle and avoid being detected was impossible.

Her last hope was Celestia’s student. If there was a pony who had any information concerning the undeads it had to be Twilight Sparkle. A very well-known academic and a guardian of Equestria. She had to have some information about a creature as dangerous as the undeads.

And if Twilight didn’t have anything, East could still go to the library in the old castle.

All of East Wind’s moves had been carefully planned. She told her tenants that she would go visit some relatives and told them that Cream Cone was in charge of the residence. And since the two of them were so close friends, everypony considered it normal.

The library opened at eight o’clock. And since Twilight was still in Canterlot it was Spike who attended the front desk where he spent most of the day reading comics and graphic novels.

“Hey, good morning!” greeted East Wind.

Spike smiled from behind his comic. “Oh, hi there! What can I do for you?”

East Wind shrugged. “Oh, you know, the usual. Legends, myths, fairytales. Everything you have of local folklore.”

Spike raised an eyebrow. This felt familiar. When Twilight was studying a new subject she also collected all the books available.

“Hey, are you an academic or something?” asked Spike.

East Wind nodded. “Yeah, something like that. I have this important research about folklore but I had read already all the books in Canterlot. And didn’t find what I needed. So I came to the largest library in the surrounding area.”

Spike chuckled. Yes, his home was one of the largest libraries in Equestria. Twilight had made sure of that.

“Well, it seems like you went through a lot of trouble just for a research.”

“That’s how college works, kid. You have to go big or go home.”

Spike nodded. “I guess so. It sounds tedious.”

“It doesn’t have to be. If you love what you’re studying it is quite fun!”

The dragon hatchling shrugged. “I believe you. But studying like this is not for me. I guess I haven’t find something I’m passionate about.”

“What you haven’t found is the right teacher. Somepony who show you your own passion.” said East Wind as she started with her research.

Spike watched the earth pony as she began to read book after book.

Sometimes she gasped in delight. Every time she read the words ‘death’ or ‘resurrection’ East Wind had a glimpse of hope. But each time it was just a religious metaphor. She had nothing to start with. But she had to keep trying for her students.
She couldn’t let them at the mercy of the Undead Knights.

After three hours, East Wind gave up as she threw away the last pile of books.

“I know that look.” said Spike. “You can’t find what you’re looking for.”

East Wind glared at him. “Thank you Captain Obvious.”

“Sorry, I just wanted to help.” explained Spike.

East sighed. “Sorry. Thank you. Don’t take it personal kid. Is just that I’m in a hurry.”

“I know, Twilight acts like this when she has a dead-line too. Don’t worry about it and tell me what you’re looking for.”

East Wind smiled. “Oh, well. I am interested in the undead. Can you tell me where can I find something related to them?”

Spike’s eyes widened. “You mean horror stories right? Like Countess FlutterBat or Coltkenstein?”

East Wind shook her head. “More like zombies. But no actual zombies but something else.”

Spike froze remembering the day when he guided Luna and Cadence to the seven monsters.

“Who are you, really? Are you one of those knights the Princess are looking for?”

East Wind nodded. “Yes I am.”

Spike frowned. “You are an enemy of the crown.”

“Not the crown. The education system. And even if I was, I’ve never do anything to harm Equestria or the Princesses. All I am doing is giving free knowledge to the masses. Is it really a bad thing? Fight for fixing an unfair system! To help ponies to get their dreams…”

Spike shook his head sadly. “I know you are not the bad guy. But I can’t help you. According to Twilight, the Princesses kept the existence of the undead creatures as an Estate Secret and there isn’t any source of information about them.”

“There must be something!”

“I know that the normal undeads are brainless creatures. Monsters without the ability to think guided just by the desire of murder, more murder and also murder. They just want to end with all the living creatures in the world.”

East frowned. “See? That’s something. Tell me more.”

“Undeads are impossible to kill. The only way to deal with them is to seal them under powerful spells. And as brainless monsters they are, they cannot escape. All they can do is to keep trying to go through the barriers receiving damage. Damage that they regenerate immediately.”

The Great Master nodded. “What about the monsters who attacked me? They look exactly like the Bearers of Harmony and they can think and coordinate. Even used my Magic of Silence against me! There must be something about them.”

Spike sighed. “Take a seat. It’s a long story.”

For the next hour Spike told East Wind everything about the Undead Knights. Of how they showed up in Ponyville, defeated the Bearers and revealed themselves as the dark future that would happen if they didn’t exterminate the pony known as Starlight Glimmer right at that moment.

“I’ve never seen something as horrible in my life.” finished Spike. “Starlight was a bad pony, and deserved to be punished. But not like that.”

“She was the responsible for what happened to them.” reasoned East Wind. “That wasn’t about justice. It was a personal vendetta.”

Spike agreed. “I know.”

“I can understand that! But why are they attacking me and my group? We haven’t done anything yet. All we do is to teach, we are defending a noble cause. Then why are they against us?”

Spike frowned. “Princess Cadence and Princess Luna asked me to guide them to their lair. They asked what would happen with you and your group in the future. They said that even if it was truth that the Knights of the Silence never did anything against Equestria, they made a lot of future threats possible. By making public forbidden knowledge lots of ponies would get mad with power and defied the Princesses over and over. All because of you.”

East Wind shot a magic blast from her hoof. “HOW DARE THEY?! ARE THEY SO AFRAID OF FREE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY SEND THOSE MONSTER AGAINST US?”

“They didn’t know what would happen! They were just scared!” tried to explain Spike.

“They are afraid their beloved system would be no more. But if they think they can intimidate us, they are wrong. Maybe you don’t have anything here. But there’s another library not so far away. Thank you for talking to me kid, you really helped me. But I must go explore the Royal Sister’s castle. I need answers and I need them now.”

And with that the Great Master fused with the shadows and disappeared.

Spike shook his head in disbelief. “Shadow teleportation? Whoa…”

But then he shivered when he remembered something. He paled. “Oh no! Wait, there’s something you need to know!”

And he rushed through the door praying that it wasn’t too late.

Spike ran as fast as he could but he froze at the edge of the forest.
What could happen now? He wasn’t powerful or anything like it. The Undead Knights would spare his life for sure. But could he be able to save the Great Master?

He shook his head. “No, I am at least capable to reach her and warn her about them. I can do this!”

And with that he entered into the Forest with his eyes open for any shadow that moved on its own. He had to get the Great Master and that was all that mattered.
But he was getting closer to the Castle of the Royal Sisters and still he haven’t found any sign from the Great Master.

When he was at the entrance, Spike gulped. Put his hands together and sent a pray to Faust. “Please let the Castle be empty. Please!”

And with that he entered the Castle straight to the library.
Twilight and he had explored the Castle’s library for countless times until the Undeads decided to turn the Castle into their headquarters.

Spike entered into the library, startling East Wind who had her nose under a massive book.

“Kid! Why did you followed me?”

“You are in danger! I tried to warn you but you left. The monsters use this place as their headquarters. We must escape now before they notice your presence.”

East Wind looked at the little dragon, reading his soul.
When she found truth in his words she nodded. “I’ll listen to you. Thank you Spike.”

“You are a good pony. Also no one deserves to die at the hooves of the Undead Knights.”

East Wind smiled at Spike. “Okay, just let me borrow this book and let’s go before they find us.”

“Too late.” A powerful green flame reduced the book to ashes, making both Spike and East to turn around.

It was a large dragon, at the size of a small hill. Muscular, purple and green like Spike. But this one had big black wings and red eyes.

“That book belongs to the crown. Unauthorized ponies are not allowed to read it. Especially traitors.”

East prepared to fight. “An undead I suppose.”

The monstrous dragon grinned. “Yes. I used to be this kid when I was alive. But this form corrupted by darkness is not worthy of his name. Now I am known as Night Terror.”

“I thought the castle was empty.” said Spike, trembling in fear.

“It was. But I sensed you two.”

“What?” gasped East and Spike in the unison.

“Undeads are sensitive to life. Every living creature left when we moved so imagine my surprise when I felt two intruders when I was patrolling the area. Only a pony would be that stupid. And a dragon but he knows he has nothing to fear from us.”

Spike shivered but bravely stood before in front of East.

Night Terror laughed. “Aw, aren’t you the sweetest thing? What do you think you can do to me, kid?”

“I don’t know but I’ll make sure that you don’t hurt my new friend!” shouted Spike.

His dark-self began to laugh uncontrollably.

“You laugh now but you’ll see!” said Spike even it was an empty threat.

East Wind put a hoof on his shoulder and shot a magic blast to Night Terror’s eyes as she pulled Spike by the claw and the two of them began to run away.

The dragon continue laughing despite the annoyance, and sent a magic blast from his claw, blocking their escape route.

“Didn’t I tell you already? We are sensitive to life. Blind me or deafen me wouldn’t help you. I cannot be damaged by anything. What do you expect?”

He trapped Spike and East in his claws.

East Wind tried to fuse with her shadow and then escape. But she couldn’t. Night Terror’s own aura of shadows forced to stay solid.

“Leave her alone!” shouted Spike. “Please, let her live!”

Night Terror glared at Spike and smirked. “I admire your courage kid. I am glad to confirm I had it before I turned into this. But you cannot do anything with just courage. You can shout all you want but in the end it won’t change anything.”

Spike glared back at Night Terror but he couldn’t say anything back to him.

Finally Night Terror chuckled. “You know? All this years as an undead have taught me a very important lesson. Being useless it’s a sin.”

“I am not useless!” cried Spike. “I help Twilight with the library, with her studies. I keep an eye on her so she doesn’t overwork or overstress herself!”

“You cannot help where it counts, am I right?” laughed Night Terror. “There’s nothing you can do in the middle of a fight. You fool yourself by saying that you’re just a kid and that you’ll eventually grow big and strong and will be able to protect her and your friends. But they need your help now and you know it. Yes you are a kid, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are useless.”

Spike sobbed. “No… it can’t be!”

“You are useless kid. If something happens and you are near the danger but unable to do anything, what does it make you? A nuisance that needs to be protected.”

Spike sobbed louder. “You are right! I am a sinner!”

East Wind looked at the kid with worry. “Don’t listen to him! You are valuable at your own especial way Spike! Don’t listen to him!”

But the two versions of Spike ignored her as Night Terror released Spike.

“Midnight knows there is no way to stop the Knights of Silence. We all know it. But agreed to hunt them down only because we love killing. Imagine how disappointing everything would become if we kill her before she gains all the power she had in our timeline.”

With that Night Terror released East Wind.

“We are still on time to stop everything by cutting off the head. But I won’t do it. This chase would be funnier and longer if I pretend you never came here Great Master.”

“We will fight you!” assured East.

“We know you will. We hope you will. Besides the Crown have ordered us to bring you alive to them and I don’t know if I can control myself if I bring you to Canterlot. Get out and let’s pretend this nothing happened.”

He showed them the way out. “Go on.”

Then he stared at Spike. “Remember my words. Being useless it’s a sin. You are on time for stop being a sinner. Do something about it instead of keep glaring me like that.”

Night Terror extended his wings and left the two of them alone in the castle.

“I can’t believe I ended up playing this monsters’ game!” complained East. “And the worst part is that he burned the book I needed!”

Spike made a face-claw. “Seriously you are as stupid as Twilight when it comes to books!”

“I needed the book for my research!”

“That wouldn’t change anything! Not even the Princesses know how to deal with the Undead. If they know, they would ended up with their misery ages ago instead of burring them under a ton of Sealing Spells and dirt. What do you expect?! You are unable to protect your knights, ACCEPT IT ALREADY!”

He cried. “You are a sinner as big as I am!”

East hugged him. “Don’t listen to that monster! You helped me today remember? And you said it you are still a kid. You shouldn’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

“Thank you I guess…” said Spike still unsure about himself.

The Great Master noticed and smiled gently at him. “Spike, I can read souls and I can tell that yours it’s a beautiful soul full of generosity and good will. I respect and admire that. But also I see potential. You are still a kid and that makes you more than capable to learn whatever you want.”

“So what?”

“You want to learn how to protect your friends, go and do it. In three days, my friend Cream Cone will celebrate a learning session at nine o’clock in the surroundings of Cantelot Station. I’ll be staying at Ponyville hotel for a full week so if you want, I’ll take you.”

“You mean I learn magic?”

“Any kind of magic you want. You are anything but a sinner Spike. But if you feel like you can do more, let us help you.”

And with that the Great Master vanished in the shadows leaving Spike thoughtful and scared. Still scared after the close encounter with his dark-self but mostly considering the offer.

Three days later:

Everypony reunited in the agreed location to learn from their teacher the pegasus Cream Cone.
But gasped when they saw the dragon hatchling advancing proudly toward them. Twilight Sparkle’s assistant? What was he doing there? Had they been found by the Crown?

But walking aside him was an earth pony dressed in a black tunic, blue cape and a black mask with an unnerving smile painted on blue. And from the powerful aura she emitted, everypony could easily tell that she was the Great Master.

Spike approached to Cream Cone and offered her a few scrolls.

“What is this?” asked Cream.

“These are copies of the research Princess Twilight have made during all this years. Most of them are variants of several popular spells. But some of them have knowledges only known by Twilight, like the ability to jump into an alternate dimension called Canterlot High.”

Cream Cone looked at her Great Master who nodded. “He has my approval. Just take a glance to his soul.”

“I already had Great Master. But why are you doing this Spike?”

“Because being useless it’s a sin. And I refuse to be a sinner for much longer. Twi would kill me if she figures I gave you this knowledge but I don’t care. You fight for a good cause and I want to help you.”

Cream Cone smiled at him. “It was not necessary but we gladly accept your gift young Spike. It would be an honor to be your teacher.”

Author's Note

So this is the new chapter.
I know it’s a bit late and this story is not as popular as the rest of my stories but is really entertained to make and I forgot I’ve started to translate it.

Anyway tell me what you think, and,

Read ya’ later!