The clock in his room began to ring with his terrible melody, awakening Spike from that memory he wished with all his soul to forget, partly glad that he had not stayed longer.
One morning like no other in Maretropolis, although every day in that city were never normal, the purple dragon got up from his bed rubbing his eyes and staying a long time looking at nothing to clear his mind. Three years have passed since the events of that night and Spike tried with all his might to get ahead, but his will to live prevented him, every morning he got up with fatigue and it was not because of working at night in a Minisuper.
Walking to the kitchen he finds a note in the refrigerator that said:
I'll go back to the apartment later; I'll leave you more gems for breakfast and lunch, but do not finish them, save me a little. - Smolder <3
Yesterday, his son went roller skating in the park. Why did not Smolder wake him up when he should? But hey, there was still time, then he would do the shopping for the day. With nothing to lose, he ate his breakfast, put on a sweatshirt and left the apartment.
His running time had to be shortened by waking up so late. After filling the shopping list, he steps in front of a TV store. There were a lot of ponies passers-by who were watching the news of the day, and out of curiosity, stopped to see to be aware, Spike was surprised to see that the ponies that were in front of the multiple TVs were small children. They interrupted their way to school to see the newscasts that talked about how the Pegasus heroine named Zapp thwarted another attempt at theft. You could barely see much, they were just gagged criminals. The police in the vicinity taking note of the situation, reports from different media and a former member of the Power Ponies group, which As he finished talking to the police, he opened his wings and took to flying as fast as he could, denying any interviews that the reporters offered.
In other times, Rainbow Dash even opened up to look for the perfect angle so that its face went out well for the covers of any popular magazine or focused all its heroism for the best photo ever taken, until it would even spend its last drop of saliva in accepting all the interviews, presuming how great it is to be Zapp, would take his ego to the clouds as usual, but right now that was not the case, he went and stopped the thieves, gave his report to the police and retired flying without to lend her image for some reportage or a photo, not even to give an autograph to the small foals that found her doing some act of heroism.
That Rainbow Dash is not the same as two years ago. Since she started working alone, she had to move faster to overcome her own limits, but of course, she was always accompanied by Pinkie Pie, better known as Fili-Second, not always working together but trying hard enough to protect the city of any vermin.
Spike remembered the feats of Zapp and Fili-Second with nostalgia, he would like to go back to those old times but right now he had other responsibilities, I look with tenderness at the young ponies, full of admiration towards the few super heroines that still keep their determination intact. Without further ado, he sketched a small smile and continued on his way.
When he arrived at the apartment, he left the shopping bags on the table and leaned back on the couch in the living room, but not before turning on the television and putting the news.
Today there was reportage about the sentinel of the skies, better known as Steel Crusader, a giant robot controlled by a group of three fillies called Cutie Mark Crusaders; they were responsible for keeping at bay threats of catastrophic levels, if not for them the city would have succumbed in absolute chaos by a Giant Reptile. Together they were one of the vigilantes of a new generation of super ponies and not to mention Mare Do Well, she works from the shadows and very rarely collaborated with the Power Ponies.
As well as there were good things on TV, there were also misfortunes such as an assault on a jewelry store, apparently the assailants were all unicorns and that explains why they could use firearms, their magic allowed them to pull the trigger. Four injured and one dead who was the owner of the place. The criminals cannot be identified yet; the security cameras did not capture their faces because they had them covered. Apparently, no Super heroine appeared until the misfortune ended, not even Zapp, she cannot just be everywhere.
-Despite all, the world is not like before and just me with the Power Ponies, we know ... - Spike said in a low voice, his depression was going to end his life someday; his mind was full of things in which to think that little by little he fell asleep in the armchair.
-...-
-Spike, wake up! - Smolder said as he lightly shook the arm of a sleeping purple dragon. -Wake up, sleep in the armchair as much as you want but at least answer my calls.-
It was shameful that the only girl in the whole place is the one who wakes his up, especially when you've slept until lunchtime. When Spike fixed his eyes on his phone, he had three missed calls from Smolder and a text message, they all went the same way
-I'm sorry, I fell asleep...- was the only thing he could use in his defense -How was your day?
-They let me leave early because someone else took my place. I hope you have not had problems with purchases.-
-Today was fine, the heroine Zapp stopped some thieves on the way home...- there was a silence and the air was filled with a depressive aura.
-Spike? - asked Smolder.
-I do not see them for a long time; I would have liked to greet her from time to time...-
Come on, do not get like that ... - was the only thing the orange dragon could say to comfort her friend and roommate, the last thing she wants is to make him cry over things she has not completely overcome. -Help me with the vegetables; maybe that will encourage you a bit.
Ok, I promise that for the next I'll be more attentive.-
-Thank you, for that we live together, to help each other, as in the old days.-
-You're right. - Spike said as he got up from the armchair and went with Smolder to the kitchen. -If it were not for you, who knows if I could find a place to fall dead.
-Don't say that silly...- Spike received a slight blow to the shoulder from the orange dragoness. -You have friends who care about you; nobody will let something bad happen to you, just as you would never leave a friend in distress. - Smolder's words always helped him; he was always there for him.
-I regret what I said...- he said very ashamed while rubbing the back of his neck, his depression has changed him so much, to the point of almost not being polite or measuring his words well. -What will we eat today? I promise you will I make up for my lack of attention for the next one.-
-Huh? What are you saying? You do not have anything that I want...-
- How about a dinner in a fancy restaurant?- Ended saying the green-crested dragon, could almost notice that Smolder's face was dyed orange to crimson and moved his eyes a lot. -I did not know that the dragons changed their scales color...-
-I-I'll think and it's just a little warm, t-that's all... - It was a funny scene, before Spike was the only one who stuttered or blushed for situations like that, what has been said, has changed a lot since then, no longer He was a baby dragon.
For Smolder, that was an advance, Spike would go ahead as he should have done a long time ago, an example of overcoming, it was time for him to mature and have a normal life, without risks and without alias.
-You should call Ember, she also cares about you. - concluded the dragoon of purple crest and orange scales before starting to peel the vegetables.
o------------------------------o
This night was not very stressful like the other times, right now Spike felt a little calmer, the silence of the night made him stay relaxed and he could order his thoughts well. Of course, the sound of one or another vehicle passing by was not as annoying as the mosquito bites, but he did not complain, every time a customer entered the mini-supermarket at 2:00 in the morning, he simply attended to his orders and let it go, but not before thinking about how dangerous it was to walk at this hours. In this type of work at midnight one could always take risks, but the work was a good therapy for someone who suffered from depression, kept his mind busy and left a bit of his worries and insecurities aside.
The noise of the automatic doors opening woke up Spike from his thoughts, he was just one more client, a lime-colored land pony and yellow mane, he simply went in, took a basket and went to the shelves to collect junk food. Spike thought to himself, every night he knew someone new and could not help thinking about the many things one must do to risk coming here at night, but ok, you have to be very brave or very silly to do it ... that's something that the heroes are silent about, what would life be without some risk?
The risk sometimes takes some lives.
As that pony approaches the counter, the place opens its doors to receive two other ponies (in these case unicorns) that its appearance already said that they were scheming something suspicious and it was. From their coats they took out weapons, one of them took the lime-colored pony as a hostage, pointing it at the head and the other looking at Spike.
-Well, I want you to empty the cash register and put everything in the bag...- said the one in front of Spike.
-Here we do not want anyone to get hurt, B-but if you move a claw we scatter the brain of this type by the walls. You decide!-
-...- Spike could not help thinking that the one who took that pony as a hostage, stuttered, must be afraid, they want to steal this place without attracting attention with shots, anyone would say that it is their first time doing it.
-What are you waiting for? Move! - There was no other way, the purple dragon thought that these guys were very naive and beginners, it seemed that he still lacked experience stealing. But I was not going to let them steal, not in his guard. So he chooses to trick them.
His boss was not going to provide him with firearms like a shotgun in case of self-defense, so he had to pretend he got one from the counter, the plan was simple and it sounded good in his head, the execution... it was his biggest problem.
-Stop there son of a...! - It worked! Spike stopped short and slowly raised his hands. That unicorn supposed the dragon in miniature low both arms to reach some weapon that hid under the bar, but when stretching its hooves to grope, Spike took his head and the crashed against the wooden table with a lot of force, enough for that the subject was knocked out and dropped his weapon.
Step one was done, step two was to threat with that same weapon to the other guy who seemed nervous, cause enough pressure to release the hostage or kill him on the spot (I think option one is better). Without more, Spike took the object and pointed to the criminal, the expression on his face had no price, it seemed that he was going to cry at any time.
-Low the gun right now or I shoot him! - This situation suddenly got out of control, the thief fluttered his gun pointing at his victim and at the same time the gun turned and pointed towards Spike, well, let's go to plan B, if the subject does not want to give in, shoot the hoof, make him stop putting up resistance.
-I said that you l-lower the weapon!- shouted the thief.
- Drop it and I'll let you go! - Spike shouted, the truth is that he did not want to resort to the action of shooting but he had no other option.
That night, two shots will be sound; one comes from the weapon that held the dragon and the other from the weapon that held the unicorn, two shots and one victim. This is how they will say the news titles in the morning.
As a former member of the Power Ponies, I could not let this kind of situation happen; I had to act and not as a masked Humdrum, but as a normal civilian. So he waits for the attacker to point it at him so he can put a lead bullet in his left hoof and finish.
The criminal could not stand because of the shot; he fell on the ground, but not before dropping his gun. It was pure luck that Spike shoots him in the right place, his little claws almost did not get to hold the gun well, but it was just luck.
-Do not stand there! Outside is a phone booth, go and call the police or whatever! - The adrenaline of the moment did not let him think clearly, but at least he could press the alarm button that was under the counter. It was in those moments that when the Dragon recovered his senses and saw how the wounded thief's weapon began to levitate again and the cannon pointed to the lime-colored pony that was about to leave the establishment without realizing the danger. Spike saw the world stop for a moment, it was now or never.
His first reaction was jumping on the counter and throwing himself at the wounded unicorn, he just had to prevent him from pulling the trigger, but unfortunately he did not arrive in time and even so, in this area he heard the second shot and the pony with the yellow mane finally it fell. The purple dragon was only enough to give a blow to the jaw and that put the magic user to sleep and the weapon stopped levitating and fell again. Spike took it and threw it away from the aggressor and then ran towards the body of the victim, who remained motionless at the entrance of the minisuper, the former member of the Power Ponies holding the head of the terrestrial pony to try to keep him awake but it was too late, he was shot in the side and blood was already spilling from his body and dripping all over the floor, as well as Spike's claws were stained with that red liquid of a poor assault victim.
Spike was in Shock, the memories of that night three years ago were coming back to him, a similar situation in which he held Twilight's inert body while he cried, the same knot in his throat prevented him from thinking clearly, the lack of air, his eyes blurred and the blood on his fingers were there again. He awoke from his trance when the police sirens were out of the establishment.
After that night, Spike, I would not work at that mini-super again.
o------------------------------o
It's 05:30 in the morning.
In the Police Headquarters, the little Dragon refused to give statements or tell his story with details in the newspapers, all that only the police will know, in order to remain in total anonymity and avoid reprisals.
Right now he felt tired and very sleepy, his face was still pale and his eyes ceased to overflow with life, a trauma that seemed to be overcoming him, returned in the form of a weapon and received him full in his chest. Despite making an attempt to give his statement to the police officer, it does not change the fact that his conscience exploded again in a thousand pieces, it was not long before his common sense was shattered.
Unsurprisingly, Smolder was sitting in the waiting room with the limits of her worries at their best. She saw Spike leave the interrogation room next to an escort and could not help crying and running to where the purple dragon was to hug him as hard as he could, it seemed that the soul was leaving at any time, but the little dragon's face did not change.
-I came so soon when I got the call... - she said as she pressed it to her chest - I was so worried about you, I'm sorry you had to see that... I'll never forgive myself.
-Quiet Smolder... - the dragon stopped hugging him to look him in the eye -It will not happen again...
She recognizes that look, those lifeless eyes and that monotonous and empty tone of voice, those gestures are the same ones she put when Twilight Sparkle died in her arms, she was witnessing them again and it hurt her a lot in the soul, she filled her of anger and despair. It was difficult for Smolder to overcome that facet of Spike and he had it in front of him again, he lost it again. He could not do anything but cry and hug him even harder.
The powerlessness her felt right now had no name.
o------------------------------o
Two weeks later.
Spike almost did not speak clearly. Smolder was as patient as she could, the purple dragon could still move on his own, he still bathed, he still ate (very little and hardly), barely slept, no longer left the department to exercise, when he began to sweep or work in the cleaning of the home, it was accompanied by a sepulchral silence and the orange dragoness was not left behind, she tried to make him laugh (or make him react) with some bad joke, tried to tell him how her day was in the office work, tried to climb the appetite giving her to eat her favorite gems, now every day that she came back from work, she always received him with a smile and a big hug that showed affection, but Spike remained the same, hir expression did not change in the least, his answers always they were neutral and monotonous, the days kept going and their state did not change, any talk related to past events might not be good for the way he looked in these moments.
If nerves do not kill her today, then she does not know she will.
I swear Ember, I do not know what to do, it's almost like chatting with a robot or with Doctor Manehattan... - Smolder was chatting with Ember on the phone and despite his control he could not help but sound desperate and full of anguish. -It is horrible to have him like that, his mind has been broken and it has been affecting me emotionally...
Calm down Smolder, it's like three years ago, try to be firm ... - Said on the other side of the line, for the purple-crested dragon, Ember was her last hope, she could trust in her like the last time she felt that way dejected by the dragon. -Little Spike is not alone; I interrupted an important meeting to attend to an important friend. Just give your time, be patient and help him in everything you can.
-What should I do? I did not want to tell her friends ponies about the events of that night because I did not want to worry them too. I'm alone in all this.-
-You said that according to the security cameras, he only stopped those thieves, without the help of anybody.- Something in Ember's words did not fit Smolder What was it to remind him of his act that night if it did not even seem that will him remember his own name? Besides, he could not save the only hostage that was with him. - Do not you think that it is possible that their sense of justice still remain there like a flame that hopes to be revived again?
-Do not even think about it! I will not let him run a similar risk again, not after see the effects they have on him.-
- Think, you said that Spike acted without thinking twice and he simply threw himself into danger. He was so affected because he could not save that pony, he was going to lay down his life to prevent that equine -he did not know him at all- dying in his arms... "He paused to think about what she was going to say. -My point of view is, that despite his depression, Spike cannot avoid thinking about others, that reaction he had was because his sense of justice is still intact, you just have to motivate him, inside that empty shell, there is still that little Humdrum that dreamed of helping other ponies ... -
-...-
"Do you think it will work?" His voice emanated some hope.
-Have Faith, Spike is not alone yet ... I have to go, I wish you all the luck of the world.- and so Ember concluded the call, leaving Smolder with his thoughts, she knew that if it motivated him to be a hero of Maretropolis Maybe that's the only way he could remember who he was and the death of those ponies before his eyes will not be in vain. But if he returned to the streets with a mask they killed him and this time he could lose him forever and his sacrifice will not be worth anything.
Psychologists would not be a bad alternative, but he would not recover like that cute little dragon he once was.
o------------------------------o
The knocking of the door took Spike out of his reading, he was sitting at his desk while reading a book, turning slowly he saw Smolder enter his room with a slight concern on his face, but Spike remained with the same lost and empty look.
-Hello Smolder, I heard you scream... Something wrong? - It was the first thing I ask with monotony and calm, it did not seem that I was really worried.
-It was nothing, I was just talking to Ember on the phone...- she replied, omitting the conversation they had, right now Smolder had to be strong.- Can we chat? -She signaled for both of them to sit on the bed.
-Of course ... - Spike left his desk to sit next to Smolder.
-How you feel?-
-A bit tired, I think... -
-You know? I've been thinking about what happened in these last weeks... - her tone changes slightly, she seemed angry.
"I do not understand?" His manner of speaking was annoying to Smolder and his vacant stare only made the situation worse.
-The question is: do you have any damn idea how I feel?-
-The truth, no... - Smolder bit his lower lip to avoid hitting him.
"These last days I've been very distressed... and disappointed" she concluded and this time she was not looking him in the eye, her eyes focused on the window in front of her.
-I understand the distressed but ... disappointed?- Although right now Spike did not convey emotions in his words, but he himself noticed that something was not right.
-Disappointed of you, by the way you have chosen...-
-...-
"Now tell me: Have you looked for a solution?" She continued, causing Spike to swallow.
-N-no ... well, I tried to get ahead...–
"And fail miserably, is not it?" Smolder was so close to Spike that their noses could collide with each other, but she continued to stare at him in a way that intimidated him.
-And what do you have in mind...? - The orange dragon gets up from the bed and walks towards the window; this situation was very exhausting because she resisted the temptation to give him a good blow.
"Did you ever think about resuming your career of: you know ...?" He said with some uncertainty, turned slightly to see what his silent reaction was and Spike was only there with his head down, Smolder no longer knew how to take that.
-Smolder... we already talked about that and I think... –
-I think you should think again...- the voice of the purple dragon was still monotonous, instead the voice of the dragoness was firm.
-I cannot go back ... it's a scar in my life that I'd rather not remember ...- Spike felt his cheeks being squeezed by Smolder's claws, forcing him to look directly at her.
-Look at me when you talk to me and that tone of voice bothers me a lot...- his blue eyes shone with intensity.
-I'm sorry... I mean... it does not matter what you say, I do not go back to the alias of Humdrum again...- his monotonous voice changed, now he spoke like the Spike that she once knew, that's why he let go.
-Do it for Twilight then... if you do not do it for me, do it for her... - the orange dragon for a moment regretted having put her in this, after seeing the reaction of Spike.
-By respect for Twilight, I will not work on something as dangerous as a Maretropolis vigilante... it's what she would have wanted... -
-She would never have wanted to see you like that, sad, melancholy and without the will to continue living...- she cross her arms -That's why I'm very disappointed in you and your way of doing things.-
Spike may have regained his usual tone of voice, but his eyes were still off, he was still inside, waiting for that tiny green flame to shine again with more intensity. I just needed to motivate him and that's why I had to continue.
-May the name of Humdrum mean to be useless, but in the eyes of your best friends, you're not useless, you're much better than that and your stay with me has shown me... - the purple-crested dragon stopped to think in what she just said -Forget that last! Think about how they feel if they see that you are not doing anything right now...
Spike hesitated for a few moments, turned his head slightly to look at his closet, there they found what he used to face evil, but he still did not have the will to use it again. Smolder walked to the desk and held up a photograph that was covered by a beautiful wooden frame, looking at what was once a feat of someone who may not want to get ahead again. She took the picture and took it to where the purple dragon was.
"You know...?" His voice was calmer now. "If it were for me, I would ask you to never put your life at risk again, but the city needs more heroes like you, to face two thieves. and save the poor victim, if that poor soul perishes, then I request you that no other suffer the same fate... do not save the world, save all you can until the end...
She looked at the frame for a while and handed it to Spike, leaving the room and closing the door slightly. The purple dragon focused his vision on the photo where be Twilight without her Masked Matter-Horn suit and himself Spike, both posing for a photo, when they opened that shelter for ponies that lost their homes due to the chaos generated by the villains, Rarity took the time to capture the moment and Fluttershy was in charge of giving her the frame, the money for the collection came from the Applejack company and the works that Pinkie Pie did, and Rainbow Dash worked in business, meanwhile, Twilight and Spike they were in charge of receiving the ponies. That photo was a test that not only needed the brute force to help the needy, but they could achieve much more without using a mask or alias. They can help others without using a layer. That day, they knew him as the hero Spike who helped the homeless and not as Humdrum who worked for the Power Ponies as an assistant.
Spike looked again at the door of his closet and got up to open it, all this taking the picture with him. I just had to look in the background for an old trunk and drag it out, it had no padlock, the corners were worn and it was already losing its color. I lift the lid and there was his old Humdrum suit, which consisted of a pair of blue boots and gloves, a yellow belt reminiscent of belts used by boxers, a black mask and a red cape (It looked worn and eaten by the moths) and how not to forget his old gadgets that he used very well in time, a hook gun, bags that were hooked to his belt, a small boomerang and a spray to detect lacers, all that filled him with nostalgia, many missions and in all has a nice memory of how he help her friends to overcome any challenge.
He had not noticed that in that photo, Twilight was looking at him, her face was full of pride and happiness, he would do anything to be with her again and at the same time pretend that he is a superhero able to help whoever is need. There was still time and there is still hope...
He knew what he had to do.
