Set to Burn

Celestia assembled a small platoon of troops in the mirror room. She briefed them on their mission.

"Your goal is to rescue Princess Twilight's assistant, a young dragon by the name of Spike."

She showed them a photograph.

"This is his face. Remember it well."

"That won't be necessary..." a hoarse voice echoed throughout the room.

Everyone frantically searched around. Twilight's eyes stopped on Pinkie.

"Pinkie...When did you stop shaking...?"

"Huh?"

Pinkie looked herself over.

"Holy cranberries! I did!"

Spike stepped through the mirror. Twilight instantly recognized something was different.

"Spike, what happened to you!? Where did you get that sword!?"

"I'm okay, Twilight. I'm just...A little tired..."

The dragon looked up at his friends. His smile was sad and broken.

"I'm glad you guys are all right..."

He collapsed on the floor,

"Spike!"

Twilight galloped toward her fallen friend.

"Take him to the nearest hospital," Celestia instructed, "Hurry!"

Spike awoke to the beep of a heart rate monitor. An oxygen mask was settled over his face.

"Where am I...?"

His thoughts were cut short by a pair of purple hooves squeezing him in a tight hug.

"Oh, thank the goddesses!"

"Twilight...?" he groaned.

"You had me so worried!"

Spike returned the hug. His body ached, but otherwise, his condition was stable.

"Sorry."

Twilight shook her head. Tears of relief streamed down her face.

"It's okay," she laughed, "I'm just glad you're alive."

"What happened? I remember dragging myself back through the portal, then everything went dark."

Twilight let go of her companion.

"You collapsed. I teleported you here."

"You saved me...?"

"Of course I did! I'd be heartbroken if something happened to you!"

"What did the doctors say?"

"Half of your blood supply was gone. They couldn't figure out why."

"I guess you're curious too, aren't you?"

"Obviously."

Spike told Twilight everything about the other Equestria, Pinkie's evil counterpart, the torture he endured, and the spirit realm.

"You were chosen to travel to other worlds and fight against murderers?"

"Orion told me it was part of my training to become a god."

"That name...It sounds familiar..."

"He said he was the archangel of manifestation."

"I see. I'll have to check the library back at the castle."

"How did I survive, anyway? Losing half your bodily fluids isn't exactly a walk in the park."

"That's easy, silly. We donated some of our blood for a transfusion."

"'Our'?"

"Unicorns and Alicorns all carry type O blood. We can donate to anyone."

"Blood cells carry genetic material, right? Does that mean I'm...!?"

"You really are our family now."

"Woah..."

"You know what else? I bet you can use magic now."

"Really?"

"Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing."

Spike did as he was told.

"Let your body relax."

He sank into the bed.

"That's it. You can do it."

A green aura surrounded the dragon's body. Little by little, his soreness subsided.

"How do you feel?"

"I...I feel amazing! Even better than before!"

Spike ripped the mask off and jumped out of the bed.

"Your first healing spell."

"With this, I'll be unstoppable!"

"Don't get too crazy yet. You still have to study the fundamentals."

"Oh yeah." the dragon chuckled.

"I'll let the others know you're awake, but can you do me a favor?"

"What's up?"

"Don't tell them about the Pinkie from that world. I don't want to scare them."

"I don't blame you. I'm still shaken up myself."

"Your clothes are on the chair. They look good on you."

"Thanks."

"By the way, I left your sword at the crystal empire. I wanted Shining to take a look at it. He was impressed with the craftsmanship."

"Guess that's to be expected from a higher power."

"That's true. If you talk to Orion again, be sure to thank him."

"I will."

"I love you, little brother."

"Love you too, sis."