VII:
One more time plans upon disaster

Spike was crossing the skies of Canterlot at great speed. He was in a hurry. Even if the undeads were careful and haven’t show up yet he knew he had to be extra careful to beat them.

As he flew he couldn’t help but feel a bit bad of how cold he treated Twilight. Lately he felt like they were getting farer from each other. But he also understood that mothers and sons ended up getting apart. It was the natural order of things.

He landed in front of the Academy of Silence where he was received by Irish.

“Hey! I felt your aura. I guess you have an idea of what to do, right?”

Spike nodded as he made appear his Knight tunic. “Bring everyone together, we have to plan our next move carefully. Dealing with those things any mistake could be our last.”

Irish nodded. “The High Council is just waiting for you; we had a feeling that you’ll show up eventually with a solution. We’ve been trying to think on something the whole evening but haven’t think on anything.”

“Well, I think we got some sort of solution. But I don’t like it.” said Spike uncomfortable.

Irish sighed. “I don’t think none of us would like it, but we don’t have a choice.”

Spike sighed too. “Yes we never had.”

They started walking inside the Academy on the conference room to speak with the High Council.

Irish smiled at Spike. “You know Spike? You should have the position of Great Master instead of me!”

“Less jokes and let’s focus.”

Irish smiled.

“I wasn’t joking.” she thought.

Emerald Horn, Cream Cone, Eternal Wings, Flash Sentry and the gardener Bushroot were already on the conference room waiting for them. As usual they bowed before Knight Spike.

The usual protocol said that the Knights only bowed before the Great Master, but everypony knew Spike was the most powerful Knight. Even more than Irish. But he declined the position of Great Master, so Irish took it instead. Still Spike was considered the second in command.

“So what do you have to tell us, partner?” asked Emerald.

Spike sighed.

“It’s a long story. But let’s start from the beginning. It all started this morning when I received a letter from my other self via messenger breath. He wanted to discuss something urgent with me.”

“And?”

“First, he is about to become a full undead. Unlike the others there’s no Element of Harmony holding his soul. Only his own will, but in the end that’s not enough.”

“A true undead?” asked Eternal Wings, shivering.

“A monster without the capability to think guided only by the dark desire of murder, murder and more murder.”

“So those things can lose their minds and being locked like the rest of them?” asked Flash, thoughtful.

“Aren’t you listening? The others have the Elements of Harmony with them!” scolded Eternal.

Spike nodded. “I’m afraid so. I’m not worried about him, the Elements can seal him and he won’t be a problem for anypony else. As for those six…”

They looked at the worry on his eyes.

“What is it Spike?” asked Bushroot.

“I don’t really understand what is happening, but it seems that the Devil has sent somepony to claim what is rightfully six. Their souls.”

“What?”

“As I told you I don’t understand what’s going on. The only thing I know is that an enemy from the past have come back as His messenger of death armed with a weapon capable to kill them. The only thing that can destroy an undead.”

“So, everything is okay then. They would be destroyed, and we can forget about them!” said Flash trembling.

Everypony glared at him.

“Okay, sorry but I’m scared okay? You all know those things!”

Spike just smiled tiredly. “And I don’t blame you. The thing is that I know what they are and that they’ve done some horrible things, but in the bottom of their hearts they’re still my mom and her friends. If we let their enemy take their unlives… they would be punished in the most horrid ways.”

“So what would happen if somepony else destroy them?” asked Irish.

“They’ll still suffer but their enemy would suffer twice as much for fail their mission. This is the only thing I can do for them, make sure that the one who forced them into becoming what they are suffers more than them. This is what she deserves.”

Spike punched the wall.

“I know is stupid. It would be easier for us just to let her kill them and forget about the Undead Knights once and for all. But I have to do this for my family! A last favor.”

“Are you truly willing to do this? Sounds dangerous!” said Irish.

“I know. I’m not asking you for your help, if there’s any Knight who can do this without actually risking life that would be me. This is why I plan to do this on my own.”

Irish frowned. “But you’re scared.”

“Of course I am! This is why I’m asking for help, even if I know it’s selfish and dangerous but…”

Emerald smiled at him. “Easy pal. You don’t trust this ‘enemy from the past’ don’t you?”

“Is only natural not to trust in monsters. Of course we’ll fight at your side. I’m not sure we’ll be a big help, but we don’t forget the sacrifice the Great Master made for us.” said Eternal.

“Yeah pal, wanting to protect your family and your loved ones is the natural thing to do.” said Emerald.

Cream Cone patted his back. “Yeah, you can count on us Spike!”

“Sounds crazy but if you remember well we are kind of crazy. Remember our last battle with the Undeads.”

“We may not face them directly but we’ll do our best to support you!” assured Flash.

“Yeah, we are in this together! We owe it to the Great Master.”

“Remember, we have to plan our strategy very carefully. We are dealing with the Undead Knights, any mistake can be our last! Where can we find this pony and this weapon?” asked East Wind.

“At the other side of the mirror, the land where the Great Master escaped.”

“Okay, let’s plan around that information!” said Irish.

They began planning. When they realized it was almost midnight.

“It’s late Spike, you better spend the night here!” said Irish as they exited the conference room.

Spike smiled at her. “Is there any empty faculty rooms?”

“Of course! Follow me!” said Irish.

The Academy was originally East’s student residence, and one of the reminders of its humble origin was the vast variety of empty rooms that the faculty and the scholarship students used.

Spike was happy to have somewhere to spend the night. And maybe a few more since he didn’t want to face Twilight, or she would try to stop him. He didn’t like the situation but he made a promise to his dark self. And also there was a chance to redeem the Undeads. Really small but it was a chance.

And mostly Spike was scared. Six years ago he lost a dear friend and mentor, and he was sure he would lose somepony else. He did not want that.

“Spike, are you okay?” asked Irish, reading Spike’s soul.

“I’m scared. Just like six years ago all of you are in grave danger. We won but we lost the Great Master! And now I’m not sure who we’ll lose. I don’t like this feeling!”

“Is only natural Spike.”

“You guys are my second family. I don’t want anything to happen to you. But I also know it is inevitable… so I want to, no I need, to spend as much time as possible with you guys. Before something happens to any of us.”

Irish sighed. “Just like six years ago, right?”

The earth pony stopped halfway to the empty room, and used her magic to open a new door.

“Is this my room?” asked Spike.

“No, mine. Come on in.”

Spike scratched her head. “Sure, what’s going on? Is there something else you want to talk about?”

“Yes, it is.” said Irish.

Spike followed her into the room, and she made two cups of Irish coffee, her speciality.

“Remember when the Great Master sacrificed herself, and Emerald told her at the very last moment how he felt about her?”

“Of course. A bittersweet moment.”

“Such a long wait to say the most important thing. And it seems that we never learn!” sighed Irish.

“What you mean?” asked Spike.

“I had to wait until those things returned to finally tell you how I feel.”

Spike smiled at her. “Me too! We are a couple of fools!”

“Yeah, we totally deserve each other!”

Spike and Irish kissed deeply as the two of them removed the veil of shadows hiding their feelings from each other. It required additional effort to hide their true feelings for those who could read souls.

“Spike, please stay with me tonight. And all the other nights until this is over!”

Spike hugged her tightly. “Of course, and all the other nights as well.”

…

Twilight have stayed inside her room the whole day. All because her last interaction with Spike have left her exhausted. And scared. It made her realize how much they’ve been grown apart from each other the last six years.

All he talked about was ‘Great Master this’, ‘Great Master that’, ‘the High Council that’. But this could be avoided. If only the Knights and the Undeads have never existed, she could have a happy life with her son.

But now he didn’t need her anymore and risk his life to save strangers.

“I’m losing him! Why?”

A dark shadow materialized right behind Twilight.

“Was I really this pathetic when I was alive? Grow up kid. Eventually, mothers have to say goodbye to their children. He is a grownup now; he can do what he wants with his life. If you genuinely want to stay with him the nature of your relationship must change. He is great in bed, you know?”

Twilight turned to see her undead self.

“What do you want here, Midnigh?”

“I want to save Spike, of course. And my son.”

Author's Note

So this is it, the plot continues to the final battle between Knights, Undeads and the Elements of Harmony.

Anyway I hope you liked it, looking forward to finish translating the trilogy.

Read ya’ later!!