Chapter 3

Spike’s Disappearance

Spike was running through the streets of Canterlot, looking for anypony who needed help. He saw several fillies and foals dead on the streets. Spike felt something inside his heart. Something that he had never felt before. Spike continued looking for anypony who needed help but mostly saw dead bodies from different ponies. Spike felt tears in his eyes, and he looked up into the sky. He prayed that Faust would protect them.

"I pray to you Faust, I promise that I will protect them to the best of my ability," Spike said, with sorrow and a sense of determination. He didn't know if his prayer would be heard, but he would still keep to his word for Equestria and beyond.

All of a sudden, there was a large explosion behind Spike. Spike was flung forward, and he felt the glass pieces try to stab into his scales. Thank Faust that he was a dragon with hard scales! Spike felt his weak body that had started to bleed a little bit. Spike got up from the ground and looked behind him. What he was made him fall to his knees. The castle... was destroyed. Spike ran towards the castle, he hoped that his mother and aunt was okay. He couldn't lose his only family, he just couldn't

When Spike rushed through the many hallways and rooms, all he saw was devastation. There were several mares and children dead. Spike couldn't stop, he had to find his mother or aunt. He did eventually find her after he had jumped through one of the windows that lead to the kitchen. His mother was on the ground, bleeding. Spike fell to his knees and crawled up to her. He rested his head on her and checked for any signs of life, and sighed in relief. He felt her breathing and calmed down, he was flat out terrified that he just lost her. All of a sudden, Princess Luna galloped into the kitchen and fell beside Celestia and Spike. She looked over at Spike who shook his head. Luna sighed with relief, she didn't know what she'd do if she lost her sister.

"So she's breathing?" Luna asked, to which Spike nodded. He couldn't really put it into words as all his adrenaline was still there. He was in other words; speechless. Luna used a levitation spell to carry her sister. Her sister needed direct medical attention, and she knew where to get it. Spike got up and started to follow his aunt to wherever she was going. He wasn't gonna abandon his mother this way, and he certainly wouldn't do it unless if he had a good reason. He would sure as Tartarus be there for his mother!

They walked out of the ruins of the castle and caught the attention of the medicals who immediately rushed over to their princess' side. They checked absolutely everything, and Spike looked at his mother. He looked lost and had no idea how he was gonna cope with it. The ponies around who noticed it thought it was weird, except for Luna, the medicals and the night and sun guards who knew about Spike's relation to her. Fancy Pants and Fleur De Lis knew and comforted Spike while Luna was discussing the situation with the doctors.

"She is stable!" A colt said, making the ponies around them sigh in relief. "Although, we need to get her to the best hospital with the most medical experts there is." Luna nodded and whistled with the help of her magic. Her bat ponies knew what was gonna happen, and took a long carriage to fit enough for their princess, niece, and two medical doctors. Spike and Luna got inside the carriage and saw how the doctors were being extremely gentle with their princess.

They finally got her fully inside, and they took off towards the Crystal Empire, where there would be good medicals. Spike was completely lost inside of his thoughts, and so was his aunt. he wanted to know who did this, and he wanted only one thing; revenge! That is what is on his mind right now. He was gonna get it, one way or another. It didn't matter how, it only mattered when.

"Auntie Woona, who did this?" Spike finally asked, making Luna look down at him who looked more than angry. She knew it was probably best to tell him the truth; that she had absolutely no idea. Normally, she would have thought it was Discord, but she knew that he wasn't this violent. Actually, there is nothing in the whole of Equestria's timeline that even suggests that he was violent.

"I don't know dear nephew, but I do promise to find the cowards that did this," Luna said, in such a cold voice, that the medical doctors and the bat-ponies shivered in fear. Spike didn't shiver as she was a family member. What many ponies did not know, was that he is blood adopted. Or rather, he drained his blood and replaced it with his mothers, aunt, and cousins. He did have a pony form. He had an alicorn pony form, a kirin form, and his normal dragon form. Spike was usually in his dragon form as he looked way cooler that way, but now, he knew that he would have to change if he wanted to receive authority. Spike then realized something; Blueblood!

"Auntie Luna, where is cousin Blueblood?" Spike asked, not worrying about being confronted as the medicals, night and sun guards must know of Spike being the son of princess Celestia. Luna at first panicked a little, then relaxed as it was Blueblood, and then she realized that he had gone to Prance to visit a friend.

"He is in Prance, but as of today, he must come back to Equestria to make sure he doesn't get assassinated abroad. If that were to happen, then I don't know how open the other nations would be." Luna said, making Spike nod. The medicals in the carriage looked at Luna oddly for sounding so vague and political. She simply raised a brow at them and they went back to work. Spike did indeed know what he meant. It meant that the other nations around their globe would close themselves off from any other nation. How Spike knew this was because he studied a lot of politics as a child. Well, he still is a child but he sure acts like an adult to the point some ponies that are friends of his, believes that he is an adult in a child's body. He studied a lot of politics willingly himself. He wanted to be as prepared to rule Equestria as his cousin Blueblood is.

"I hope that he makes it," Spike said, making Luna nod in agreement. Luna knew that Blueblood would come. If he didn't then she'd hunt him down as Nightmare Moon, and drag him back to Equestria. The bat-ponies led them to the Crystal Empire that had made an opening for them. The carriage landed near the hospital, and the medical ponies immediately opened the door and pulled out princess Celestia, and they lead her as fast as possible to the hospital. Spike and Luna got out of the carriage and only stared as the medics lead Celestia inside the hospital.

Suddenly, they were approached by princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor. They looked at them with worry and sympathy. They hoped that Celestia wasn't badly injured. The Crystal Ponies noticed that Spike was there, and cheered for him. Spike looked up and smiled weakly at them, he was happy that he had some ponies that were there to cheer him up and keep his mind clear at least.

"How is she?" Cadance asked Luna who looked quite distracted by the different Crystal mares and stallions that surrounded her nephew. She then returned her gaze quickly at Cadance who looked at her with complete concern.

"She's stable, but she needs the medics to help her get back to normal," Luna said, making Cadance hang her head sadly. Shining Armor wordlessly consoled his wife. In all honesty, he didn't know what to say at this point. Spike was talking to one of his fans and they hung their heads in sympathy and sadness for what happened to princess Celestia.

"Who did this?" Shining suddenly asked, and looked at Luna dead in the eye. He was serious. He wanted to know who did this to the sun princess. Luna sighed, she could say it was dragons, but that wasn't a hundred per cent correct either. From what she could see; they were controlled by something. They had eyes just like King Sombra's that showed clear corruption.

"I don't know. Yes, it was dragons who attacked, but I could see that they are potentially corrupted by something. I don't know what or who, but I will find out." Luna said, making the two Crystal rulers nod in understanding.

Spike was talking to a crystal colt who was the closest pony in the whole Crystal Empire to say he was a friend of Spike's. His name was Sheet Maker. He is an expert in sheets and has made quite a name for himself in the modern days' Equestria. He has made a lot of bits, and Spike was quite surprised. Not because of the business itself, but because of how many asked for specifically him. Then again, Sheet Maker is a literal expert from a thousand years ago, that learnt quickly of the new modern-day sheets and combined the new and old ways. It had made princess Celestia and Luna pleasantly happy because Sheet Maker was the one pony that they bought their sheets from. It was no surprise that they started their affairs with him again, as soon as he started making sheets again.

"How are you holding up my friend?" Sheet Maker asked, making Spike look at him for a few seconds, then go back to sulking on the ground. He was depressed and worried over his mother, and could only hope that Faust has answered his prayer.

"Not good, I'm concerned for the princess. You know what she is to me right?" Spike asked, making Sheet Maker look at him funnily. Sheet Maker has always had a secret suspicion that Spike and Celestia were related. Mostly because of the closeness the two showed each other. That, and that he had actually heard princess Celestia refer to Spike as her son. He had been shocked, but he grew to accept it. He had saved the empire, and he was famous here. There are posters of him defeating Sombra all over the place. Some of the Crystal Pony priests claim that he was sent down by Faust herself.

"Yes, although, I have always suspected it, Spike. But, it's none of my concern." Sheet Maker said, making Spike smile. Sheet Maker was one that never forced anyone to tell him anything. Spike knew he could trust him, and decided to tell him everything.

Spike started to explain to Sheet Maker everything, and not even getting interrupted once! He was very understanding and listened to everything that he had to say. When he was done with the explanation, Spike looked up and saw Sheet Maker smiling at him. He was amazed by Spike's tale and promised to never tell anyone. Not that he would have said anything anyway.

Spike decided to take a walk, and Sheet Maker decided to head home and prepare some other sheets he was working on. Spike walked through the empty streets of the Crystal Empire and felt oddly lonely. He was in all honesty tired after everything that had happened. He simply wanted rest, but he didn't know where he was getting it. Sure, he did have a private room at the Crystal Palace, but he'd rather sleep somewhere close to the hospital. The houses around the area he was walking on, was made out of different crystals, but one of them stood out. There was a house made of green crystals, but the thing was; the house looked ancient. As it had only aged and never been repaired to stabilize it. The other houses looked either relatively new or completely new. But, this house looked like it had been there since time itself.

Spike had no idea why, but he started walking towards it. Something was telling him to go towards the house, so he did. The windows weren't blocked or anything, but it was impossible to see through the windows. The front door looked heavy, as the door had a crystal instead of a normal door. Spike looked down and saw some grass and flowers on the ground. Spike walked up to the door and knocked. Spike was kind of hoping that his gut feeling was right. He didn't want to waste these ponies and his own time for nothing.

Just when Spike decided that there wasn't a pony there, he decided to leave. When he was one step away from the door, it opened. Spike looked behind him and saw a colt with a black mane and tail. The colt's eyes had dark brown eyes, and his coat was pale green. Spike looked at him up and down and was unsure of what to say. He didn't know if there was anything to say.

"Hello young one, I see that you have found my house. Not many can do that, only those with a good heart can." The colt said, with a deep Equestrian accent with a hint of something foreign also. Spike was a little bit confused by what the colt meant.

"Uh, sir, what do you mean?" Spike asked, making the colt laugh heartedly. It didn't sound forced, but he did sound like he was in his mid-thirties. Although, he looked quite young. The colt looked into Spike's eyes and saw that he was going through something tough, and traumatic. The colt knew what he had to do, the dragon was the chosen one.

What is your name child?" The colt asked, making Spike blush sheepishly. Spike had been taught everything about being polite and giving your name. He had to work on that...

"My name is pr- Spike," Spike said, in the last second. He couldn't afford to tell a stranger that he was the Prince of Equestria. He simply couldn't, especially considering that he is a dragon. He was not interested in hearing from nobles 'how can that ruffian be a prince?'

"Oh, I know who you truly are prince Spike. I just wanted to see if you'd give it away." The colt said, confusing Spike. How in Equestria did this pony know that he is a prince? Nopony knows except for extremely close friends. They are the ones that know, other than that, nopony or creature.

"Well, who are you then?" Spike said, hoping to get an answer. He wasn't about to walk away from somepony who knew who he was. Especially from somepony who knew that he was the Prince of Equestria without Spike knowing the pony. The colt smiled down and showed him to walk inside. Spike was hesitant. He had heard the stories about what happens to young children. The colt seemed to know what he was thinking.

"My name is Jin Sakai. Although, I have been known as 'lord' but also another title that has been lost in history. You see, I travel through time. I have been trying to find the creature that needs to fulfil a prophecy that was said millennia ago. Are you interested in hearing the prophecy?" Jin asked, making Spike nod slowly. He decided to come inside, and he was let in by Jin.

Spike was led into the living room that had a fireplace that you immediately saw when you walked in. To Spike's left was a couch that was made from red leather, and it was close to one of the windows. To the left were two cushion chairs that had a coffee table between them. Spike was motioned to sit down in the cushioned chair, and Spike sat down and looked at Jin who looked at him with curiosity.

"So, why do I think that it is you who is in the prophecy?" Jin asked, making Spike look at him oddly. How did he expect that Spike would know? He had no idea himself! For all he knew, there could be another creature meant for this and he just happens to be one of many with this opportunity.

"I don't know. Perhaps that I have a heart of gold?" Spike guessed mostly to himself. Jin shook his head, but he got a quite serious expression. It showed no emotion, but Spike could see through the eyes, that he was dead serious.

"It was because it described you. Here, let me get the prophecy." Jin said, making Spike nod. Jin walked out of the room and walked up the stairs to grab the globe that he had the prophecy in. Spike was lost in his thoughts. What could the prophecy possibly be about? Spike didn't have to wait long, as he heard hoof steps walk down and Jin walked in with the globe in his mouth. It looked like one of those that you see at markets with seers.

"What you hear in this prophecy stays here, alright?" Jin asked, with authority, making Spike nod in understanding. He wasn't gonna say what the prophecy was, even if it was deadly important. Jin nodded, and he pressed his hoof against the globe and it started to glow. The room then became pitch black and was only lit up because of the white glowing globe. Then a voice came.

"Equestria will fall into darkness, and King Sombra will be the one to rule it. He will recruit creatures and corrupt them. But, there is a dragon who has the power to vanquish him forever. He is a purple scaled and green spiked dragon. He will be the one to vanquish him. He shall then be remembered as The Ghost. His legend will be told beyond Equestria. He shall be the one who brings back the peace in Equestria."

The voice then vanished, and the light in the room came back. Spike was completely and utterly confused. It sounded so plainly obvious that it was him, but could it really be him? He wasn't sure. He was simply a prince, not a warrior.

"I will need to train you so you can face King Sombra. Sadly, that means to leave your friends and family here." Jin said, making Spike look at him shocked. Leave his friends and family? He couldn't possibly do that!

"Mr Sakai, I couldn't possibly do that. They are the only family I have!" Spike said, making Jin nod at him sympathetically. He understood why Spike was a little nerved by this. Leaving the only thing you know, and your friends, family. He felt the same when he left Neighpan, Hoofshima.

"I understand prince Spike, but King Sombra won't stop until he has everything in an iron hoof. All he wants is power. Normally, I would have picked up my armour and sword and rushed into battle and fight in the dark, but I'm not the one in the prophecy. You are." Jin said, making Spike sigh in frustration. He knew that Jin had a point, but he couldn't he? He then remembered the fillies and foals that died. The innocent mares and children. Children who screamed for their parents.... he made his decision.

"Yes, I will join you. Where are we going?" Spike asked, making Jin smile at the determination that was inside Spike's voice. He knew that Spike would be the one to pick up the name and call himself; The Ghost.

"We are going to Hoofshima. I will be training you there. It's also the easiest to go to. We will be gone for one entire year. But I promise you, you will return, and you will fight for every being here in Equestria. Do you have everything that you need?" Jin asked Spike who was mildly confused. Spike then processed everything and shook his head.

"No, I don't have anything that I need or want with me. When are we going?" Spike asked, making Jin smile a little. He knew that it must be hard for the young prince, but it was necessary.

"We will be going right now. You see, this house can teleport anywhere in the world. But, I have taken away the other nations, but always kept Hoofshima. Considering it is my home, it would be pretty obvious." Jin said, making Spike nod. If he had a house like that, then he would keep Equestria since it is his home. Although, perhaps his new home will be Hoofshima for the time being. He would have to train after all.

"Okay, one question. How did King Sombra survive or well, be unbanished?" Spike asked, making Jin think for a few moments. It was a good question, King Sombra shouldn't be able to be here unless he is more powerful than everyone thought. Or, he was helped by some other creature.

"I don't know, perhaps he is more powerful than everypony expected, or he was rescued by another powerful creature," Jin said, making Spike think and nod in approval. It did make sense. King Sombra is feared by many, but mostly the Crystal Ponies. Spike had become their idol, and many of those ponies looked up to him. But, if there was another creature that helped King Sombra, then Spike feared that perhaps it is not Sombra he should be focusing on.

Jin got out of the cushioned chair and walked to the fireplace. He put in some wood that was to the side and poured in some liquid that would help burn the wood. He then realized that he didn't have any matches. He then looked at Spike who didn't get why he was staring at him. He then widened his eyes, and walked towards him, and focused on the wood and breathed out his fire. The wood started to burn, and the house became warmer than it was before. "Thanks, prince Spike, now we will be teleporting to Hoofshima, but it might take an hour to get there. It will also be night time when we get there." Jin said, making Spike nod in understanding.

Jin then walked over to a painting that Spike hadn't noticed when he first walked in. The painting depicted a mare with a black mane and tail with a red dress and a bow. Spike wondered who the mare was, but decided that it probably would be best not to ask. Beside the mare, was a colt who turned out to be Jin in his younger years. Jin noticed that Spike looked at the painting and decided to play with his mind a little. Or, well, tell him something that he might not know.

"You think she's gorgeous?" Jin asked, teasing Spike a little. Spike blushed a little, and Jin chuckled. It was fun to tease some ponies and get away with it. "That is Yuna. She and I got married and had ten children. Why we had so many was because we loved each other, and it was also because there was a huge famine that struck when we chased a Mongol here to Equestria. You might have read or heard from your mother about the Equestrian famine, the Mongol we were after was the one who could take after a colt named Khothun Khan. The problem was; he wasn't of the Khan blood, but he could still be the leader. I and Yuna hunted him down and killed him eventually. Sadly, there are only four descendants of my and Yuna's bloodline left. The first one is actually you and your cousin Blueblood. The other one is the Apple family and the last one is the Sparkle family."

Spike's jaw dropped. He was one of Jin's descendants! The same went for Big Mac, Applejack, Applebloom, Granny Smith, Shining Armor, Twilight, Velvet, and Night Light. Blueblood also. That was something he did not expect at all. "Why didn't you say anything before?" Spike asked, making Jin grin a little.

"That is because I didn't think you'd be entirely interested. Now, you may be a dragon, but you drained your blood and replaced it with your mother's aunt. The same went for your cousin Blueblood and Cadance." Jin said, making Spike then realized he meant that Jin might not see him as his descendent. "You are without a doubt, my proudest descendent! So much courage in you!"

Spike looked up at Jin in shock. Did he see him as one of his descendants? Jin noticed and looked at him with a raised brow. "What? I do see you as one of my descendants. In fact, I would like you to be the heir to my legacy, so you can take up the Sakai name. The name might not be a noble name anymore, but here in Equestria, you'd literally become the King of one of the princesses found out. The ones that remember that it." Jin said, making Spike smile widely at him.

Jin took away the painting and it revealed to be a leaver. Jin pulled it down, and Spike felt how the whole house transferred itself away from the Crystal Empire. Spike looked out the windows and saw that they were floating through some type of teleportation, mixed with time-space. It was gonna be a long hour, but perhaps Jin could explain to him what had happened during his time and who the Mongols were.

"Jin, I was curious. You said that you and Yuna were chasing a Mongol. What's a Mongol?" Spike asked, making Jin sigh a little. He did in all honesty not want to talk about it, but it was better if his heir did know about the story and maybe learn something from it.

"It all started over a thousand years ago in Neighpan, Hoofshima. The land of Hoofshima had once been ruled over by thieves and bandits. Hoofshima was in complete chaos. But one day, a warrior that was later known as a samurai, started fighting against these ponies and creatures. His name was Shimura, lord Shimura. He saved everyone from the bandits and thieves that had plagued our land for years. Together with other samurai families, they started a whole government with punishment and justice. The Sakai clan was one of many, and I lost my father and mother at a young age. I was living with Lord Shimura who is also my uncle through my mother. I was then trained every single day to become a samurai. Eventually, when I was an adult, I was an official samurai and I was fighting alongside my uncle and soon-to-be-father when he officially adopted me. Although, things changed when the message of Mongols was gonna invade our land. We prepared for battle. The battle took place in Komoda Beach. We lost... several of my friends died. I nearly died on the beach, but I was saved by a woman who later became known to me as Yuna. Turns out that she was a thief, but she taught me many things. I went against the samurai code to save my uncle and others in Hoofshima. We managed to save a lot of ponies and other creatures. I gathered an army, and I also lost an old friend who betrayed me. Anyways, we managed to defeat Khothun Khan, and I saved the whole of Hoofshima. Several civilians saw me as a hero who defeated the Mongol leader. In fact, it was actually Yuna who started with calling me The Ghost. Later on, my stories spread like wildfire. Every single child wanted to hear about my legend and even went as far as to pray for me. But, the shogun from mainland Neighpan was not happy that I was not using samurai tactics. They saw me as a barbarian, but I didn't care. I had been the one who drove away from the Mongols from my home. But, the one Mongol who could rule the Mongol army for as long as it was needed, the Mongol fleed from Hoofshima, and I chased after him followed by Yuna. We got married in Equestria and had ten children. We did find him and killed him. We never went back to Hoofshima, but all of my friends who sent me letters told me how every creature was talking about The Ghost and how he would punish those who threaten his lands. And that is the story about The Ghost." Jin explained the whole story to Spike, who was shocked.

It was an interesting legend and tale. Spike couldn't believe what happened. Although, now he knew the tale at least. He couldn't say that he wasn't informed about it. All of a sudden, Spike felt the house stop on something hard. Jin smiled and looked out of the window. They were there.

Jin walked out of the living room followed by Spike, and they looked outside. They were in Hoofshima. Jin smiled in proudness. His wife and friends may have died years ago. But, they would be proud of what he was seeing. "Spike my heir, welcome to Hoofshima," Jin said, looking at Spike who looked amazed by everything. There was also something in his eyes that made Jin smiled in pride. It was the eyes that showed that he was determined to be the best warrior Equestria has ever seen. It would be an interesting year.

Author's Note

And here it is!

It took a while to get this out, but here it is. I hope you enjoy!