Home far away

"Ugh, my head..." Spike groaned, sitting up slowly from his prone position. Struggling to open his eyes he flinched at the brightness that surrounded him. "Ah! Sonnava..." He cried out, rubbing at his eyes. "This is just reminding me why I quit drinking." He whined. Slowly he opened his eyes fully to take in the annoying light assaulting his sensitive orbs. Once he could finally see with only minor discomfort he took in the surroundings. "What the hell?" He said aloud.

He was in a cave like system with walls of gleaming crystals and gems. He could see diamonds as big as his fist, opals as large as his head, and emeralds that made him look like a child in scale. Breathing out a gasp of wonder and intrigue Spike took in the one of a kind environment. Standing slowly while rubbing at his temple to ease the headache throbbing deep in his skull Spike looked over a crystal near to his side. "I wonder if this could even be bought by anyone. Just one of these could eat a person's fortune to acquire." He examined the crystal, his complexion and appearance perfectly reflected back at him. Leaning back he looked around, finding a path leading away from his position. "Well no point sitting around. Clearly things aren't what they seem like since I was..." He started to say, tailing off at the end when he realized his memories were too fuzzy to recall his last actions. "Oh that can't be good." He mumbled, beginning his trek through the cave system.

The sound of his footsteps echoed off the walls around him. Spike for the life of him couldn't spot any openings that would allow light into this area leaving him stumped at why it was so bright. "Maybe they are magic or something." He thought to himself as the pathway he was moving through widened into a section with large crystals pressing upwards from the ground. Walking through it he could see his reflection multiplied across all of the crystals. Leaning near three of them he could see his face and the sides. Turning to his right showed another reflection close to his face. "Huh, was this one here before?" He muttered, leaning till his nose almost touched the reflection.

"Boo!" It suddenly shouted, sending him flying back in a fear fueled scramble. "HAHAHAHHAHAAAA!" The image of himself roared in laughter, stepping out of the crystal. "Oh! Oh my sides! You should have seen the look on your face." The now out in the open copy of Spike gasped out, clutching his ribs. "You were just like 'WAAAHH!' HAHAHAHA!" The copy cat teased, ripping into another belt of laughter.

"Who the hell are you!" Spike barked out, his cheeks flushed with a blush of embarrassment.

The copy didn't answer for a moment as it struggled to calm it's laughter. "What are you talking about? I'm you kid." It answered, walking through the area, casually pulling the large crystals from the ground and tossing them to the edge of the area at least a hundred feet away.

"I'm being serious! Who are you!" Spike demanded once more, standing now with fists clenched at his side.

Waving lazily at Spike the copy looked around like one trying to figure out the best place to put their new couch. "Listen kid, you need to clean out your ears. I'm you, especially since you used my power." It absentmindedly replied. "Which reminds me, are you special in the head or something? Where do you get off pulling that much power with that little of care?" It added, now looking at the young man like a stern teacher.

Spike was just growing more confused at each word this copy spoke. "What are you...?" He started before grunting in pain, gripping at his head. It felt like it was about to split open from pressure. "Argh! What's happening to me?" He grunted, falling to a kneeling position.

The copy walked up to him, flicking his forehead. The pain suddenly vanished. "That was a taste of magical rebound. You used up so much magic your body was starting to collapse on itself. Honestly the fact we are even having this conversation is a miracle in of itself." The copy explained, sounding more bored than worried.

Spike's mind cleared and the memories that had been fuzzy flickered clear in his mind. "Fluttershy. The others... Are they ok?" He asked, looking up to the copy of him.

Another lazy dismissive wave. "Don't worry lover boy. That hottie with the body is fine, in fact everyone's doing great actually. You can thank me for that though haha." The figure answered with a short laugh at the end.

"Ok, if you are me then how about what you are instead." Spike questioned, standing slowly. Having grown calm again thanks to the relief.

Clapping their hands , the copy Spike smiled. "There we are. The right question. You can consider me your guardian angel!" It replied proudly before narrowing it's eyes as it looked to the side with a quizzical air around it. "Or I guess guardian dragon would fit better but it just doesn't have the same ring as an angel." It muttered loudly.

"Hold up." Spike interrupted, crossing his arms in an X-shape. "You're telling me you're the dragon spirit that's been helping my family or something like that?" He questioned. "You don't exactly look like what I'd imagine you to be." He jabbed slightly .
"Ohhh, grandson actually has some fangs eh?" The copy smiled sharply at the young man. "But yes I am so you can trust me. Been with your family since the first Drake that crossed over to the Outer side." It answered. "Though don't worry. You won't have some voice talking in your head. Not unless you end up on death's doorsteps again." They added, bowing to the young man.

Shaking his head Spike could feel himself warming up to this weirdo. "Then you knew my grandfather well right?" He inquired, gaining interest at talking with a dragon.

Another sharp laugh came from the copy. "You kidding! The man was the best wielder of my power since the first Drake. That is I guess till you came around kid. Which reminds me!" They answered happily before raising a finger in the air. Pointing it at Spike they suddenly roared in a booming voice "Do you have any idea how fucking stupid it was of you to pull that much energy!" Before straightening back their spiky green hair.

Shaking off the stun from the shout Spike rubbed his ears. "Yeah, kinda can't argue it was probably really bad with that reaction. Though I imagine you want to complain more about it." He said, looking at the expectant copy.

Nodding sagely the copy replied "Of course I do and I will." Clearing his throat the copy waved a hand showing a childlike drawing of Spike's body and a large dragon next to him. "Every living thing has a certain amount of energy they can hold in their body. You being a Drake and everything means you already got a stupid big pool in ya." They began to lecture. "But with me helping you can force more energy out. Problem is that you need to train to help lower the rebound issue I already told you about or else that extra magic will tear up your insides like a super powered blender." They explained.

Snapping a finger another simple doodle of a person appeared next to Spike's figure. "This is your grandfather. He had about as much magic as you do right now at his peak. So already you are a monster with no training. On top of this difference at his peak your grandfather could only draw out about thirty five percent of my magic." They added, numbers appearing near everything.

"I'm guessing I pulled out more than that." Spike answered after raising his hand like a student at a lecture, receiving a nod from the other Spike.

Nodding their heads like a proud teacher, the copy smiled. "Why yes you did. Only a little bit more like say oooohhhh I don't know SEVENTY PERCENT!" The shouted at the end, cracks appearing in the ground around them. "You, a little shrimp kiddie with no training whatsoever forced out double what your grandfather could achieve at his peak with decades of training." They added, sighing in annoyance while pinching the bridge of their nose. "When I say it's a miracle you aren't dead right now I mean it. If a normal person pulled the same thing they wouldn't even have a body to bury with how large the rebound would be." They finished.

The world around them slowly began to crack. Crystals and gems falling around them. Spike looked around in worry. "Will I be able to use your power again? Like if there's another emergency like last time?" He asked, feeling his body disappearing.

The copy shook their head. "technically yes, but I've already put a lock on all my power so you can't touch it again." They explained, raising a hand to stop Spike's reply. "It's to keep you from pulling another stunt like you did again. You burnt through probably a lifetime's worth of luck surviving it. Until you get some training to control your natural pool you aren't allowed to touch mine." They further explained.

"Will I see you again when I can?" Spike asked, his body reduced to just his shoulders and head.

The copy nodded their head back and forth. "Course! This is just a safety measure to make sure the Drake line doesn't die because little Spikey couldn't keep his powers in his pants. So best think things over if stuff gets hairy." They said, turning to walk away. Stopping for a moment a suggestive smile flashed on the copy's face. "By the way, enjoy the surprise when you wake up. Your old man was too proud to make any moves but I'm sure a young kid like you has more than enough energy to share." They added, laughing as Spike's vision finally left him once more.

Spike slowly opened his eyes, feeling a pressure all across his body. Looking down he saw he was in his bed that was inside the master bedroom but what shocked him the most was what was on top of him. His arms were taken by Fluttershy and Applejack, his sides had Rarity and Twilight lightly snoring with their breaths tickling his skin, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were wrapped around his legs with their faces a little too close to a certain spot. His panic only grew when Pinkie Pie nuzzled into said certain spot leading to his thoughts going a little like "Don't get hard, don't get hard, don't get hard!" He tried to shift around, to help himself look over the room when he heard Twilight give a soft almost catlike noise.

Lifting her head Twilight rubbed the sleep from her eyes. When they opened and made contact with Spike's own she paused for the briefest moment before shouting in an excited voice "Master, you're awake!" Scrambling in the bed to hug him tightly.

This led to an explosive effect as the others awoke with starts at the shout. Each giving their own outcry before wrapping themselves tighter around the young man. It was only then did he take notice of the very small amount of clothing each was wearing. "Please let mhhgf." He tried to speak before having his head pulled into Fluttershy's chest.

"Master, thank you for the struggle you went through to save me. If I could give any more of my life to you I would." She said, tears falling on top of his head.

Struggling under the weight of all of them Spike gasped when he was able to pull his head away. "All of you off me now." He ordered. In a flash they stood in front of the bed at attention. Sighing heavily Spike took his head into his hands. "Again, I don't feel that comfortable to be around you all after what happened. Please stop showing up in my bed every time I go to sleep." He requested.

Rainbow raised a hand slowly. "Um, no offense Boss but every time you've gone to bed." She started, making quotation marks around bed. "You've kinda been close to death. In fact if we hadn't been around you you'd probably have died in your sleep from lack of magic." She finished.

"It's true Darling. You even started having rebounds in the middle of the night but before any of us could react they calmed down." Rarity mentioned as well.

Rubbing at his chin the young man mumbled to himself "Huh, if it happened at night that means that place's time is different from here."

Pinkie leaned in at him talking to himself. "Um Spikey? What are you talking about?" She asked, cocking her head like a child.

Groaning loudly Spike fell back into the bed, kicking his feet lightly. "Ugh, don't even get me started. For a guardian dragon the guy has such a weird personality." He whined, turning to the side to clutch a pillow into his chest. "He didn't have to shout so much. My ears still kind of hurt." He complained.

The girls looked to the young man acting childish for a moment before all of them shouted at once "WHAT?!?"

“PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!” He shouted back. “I’ll explain during breakfast.” He grumbled, looking out the bright window so he couldn’t see their bodies.

Sitting around the dining table the girls each had different expressions and positions of shock at what Spike had told them. "Honestly like I get it's a big thing but it can't be that big like you all are making it out to be." Spike said, digging into the omelet prepared by Fluttershy.

Smacking a hand down on the table Twilight frowned at her master. "You don't understand Sir. People with guardian deities like the Drake lines don't just meet the guardian unless it's to help them cross into the afterlife. On top of that you are saying you and him will meet again when you can earn access to his powers again." She lectured.

Putting down his fork Spike folded his arms, leaning back into the chair. "Well course I know it sounds crazy but then again I went most of my life not knowing there was another world full of magic and fantasy style people. Common sense isn't exactly at the top of my list anymore when dealing with things right now." He fired back.

Applejack couldn't help snort at the reply. When Twilight glared at her she raised her hands in surrender. "Listen Twi, ya gotta admit the Boss has a point. Besides he pulled out a level of spell that's never been seen before. Even the princesses want to meet him about it." She defended herself.

"Well Darling I suppose you want to try and actually fulfill that order you made yesterday about having a normal day?" Rarity forced into the conversation to distract everyone.

"Yeah..." Spike trailed off, tapping at the table slowly as his face twisted into one deep in thought. His tapping increased in speed as he looked intensely at the middle of the table. The girls stayed completely silent at his strange behavior. After a minute of tapping he stopped suddenly. Deep breath in, deep breath out. "Ok Twilight, explain magic to me and show me an example." He commanded, his tone having a steely edge but Rarity could hear the small waver inside.

Rarity sent a signal with her eyes at Twilight that read clear as day. "Don't just throw up a spell."

Gulping at the look Twilight scanned the other's faces. Noticing all of them gave small reactions as they had been filled in on what happened prior to the fight. Sighing Twilight gathered herself. "Magic can be ranked in levels. Each one covers a range and a spell on a lower rank can be raised to a higher level with enough magic poured in." She began, deciding on the spell to explain. "The lowest rank is called commoner. A spell that fits in this level is the light rune." She explained, grabbing a clean napkin and drawing on it with a finger. Soon a rune like piece flashed to light on it illuminating the napkin face. Waving the napkin slowly around the light followed it. "This is a spell anyone from our side or even this one could use. After it the ranks go in order as apprentice, knight, wizard, king, saint, demigod, and finally god." She listed.

Spike was finding it much easier to stay calm thanks to the simple spell chosen. "So in total eight levels." He summed up, leaning forward in attention. "Can anyone get the higher levels with training?" He questioned.

Fluttershy chimed in at this. "The shortest answer is no. Some of these spells require large amounts of magic to use so for the races that don't have a lot of magic per person they have to use groups to fill the need. Witches', succubi, and the more magically filled races though can perform high level ones with just single individuals or two person groups." She said, a proud smile on her face.

"Then what about your teacher Twilight? Are they able to use god level spells since you said before they can move the sun." Spike asked, looking back to the witch.

Adjusting her glasses she shook her head. "Actually she can only use demigod level. To use a god level spell would require you to be a well.... god. I believe that's the level you used as well to return Fluttershy and the others back into their sane states." She answered, looking away from the stunned man.

Spike was calm until an idea popped into his head that caused him to visibly panic. "Holy shit, I didn't like breaking some taboo or rule that could get gods angry at me did I?" He questioned.

"Easy there Spikey." Pinkie Pie soothed, hoping up from her chair to hold the panicked man. "It's more like an achievement to be able to cast one without well...You already know about rebounding thanks to that guardian dragon." She calmly explained.

Easing up knowing he wasn't going to be hunted down Spike gently pushed away Pinkie Pie when he caught up to the present. "T-thanks. Um I guess could you show me the process of casting spells and how to avoid any complications. After that I'll move on to Applejack and Rainbow's training so I don't become a slouch." He said, standing from the chair. Moving through the room towards the door he looked to the girls with a determined look. "I am glad no one died as it would have made things awkward but let's pick up the pace on teaching me things so we can avoid an issue like that again." He ordered.

The girls each saluted before rushing to their needed spots. Rarity and Twilight taking a hold of Spike's arms to drag him towards the study. Entering into the spacious room full of books they sat him down at the main desk towards the back. The two moved like whirlwinds, grabbing books left and right till the desk had a wall of writing on it. "There. That should be enough to cover the basics for you Darling." Rarity happily said, taking a book off the top.

Peeking around the pile Spike looked at them with a raised brow. "All this to get the basics?" He questioned, glancing to the wall.

Rarity flipped through the pages of the book she grabbed before nodding. "Yep, as a Magi it is a requirement to have a solid understanding of all types of magic be that the elemental, alchemy, taboo, or niche." She answered, setting the book into Spike's lap. Massaging his shoulders she continued. "Of course this doesn't mean you have to be able to USE all these types of magic. More so you just need to be able to spot what type and have a simple knowledge of it." She hummed slightly before giving a 'ah ha.' "I suppose it would be more fair to say you just need an elementary level understanding of it while picking which ones you want to learn further or possibly make your own." She said, giving an example that helps things connect for Spike.

Spike picked up the book in his lap and looked at the first page, taking note of the author's strange name. "Elements for infants. An introduction into elemental magic. You know I would take offense at having to start at baby level but considering everything that has happened I'm glad it's something easy." He remarked, looking at the two giggling women. "I guess I'll just dig into these and ask questions when I get stuck. What will you two do?" He asked.

Twilight pulled a stack of papers out of the air. "Well for now I need to sort expenses and organize where and what we will do with the ether you produced. Honestly it's enough that we can cut back on how much we need to import almost to nothing." She answered.

Rarity gave a small bow towards Spike. "And I'll be handling any personal needs or desires you may have Darling. I am yours to do as you please." She replied, placing a hand on her large chest.

Gulping Spike tore his eyes from the view, turning to the book. He could hear the giggle from the two at his blush. Focusing his attention Spike took in all the book had to offer. A few hours passed as he finished the first, second, and even third book quickly. Each being picked by Rarity to help the learning process. Soon he was half way through the fourth when he closed it. "I need some containers holding the different elements. I want to try something." He requested.

Rarity disappeared in a flash before popping back into the room with four bowls. "One filled with dirt, one with water, one empty one to help for air, and finally one with kindling that can be sparked to make fire." She listed, pointing to each bowl she set on the floor.

Spike picked up the four books and carried them over the bowls. "Let's see what we can't do." He said to himself.

The girls stood back to watch what he did, ready to jump in at any sign of danger. Stretching out his hand Spike started the process of trying to feel his magic. For half an hour he sat silently trying any way to connect like the book instructed. Growing annoyed Spike hunched over the books, flipping between pages to try and connect what he might be missing. Soon he sat on his rear with a heavy sigh. "I expected this to be hard but honestly I'm more bummed then I was thinking I'd be." He said out loud.

The two approached him, sitting on either side. "Have no fear Darling. I'm sure you'll get it soon. Everyone starts at this point where they can't even feel the magic. I was the same way." Rarity soothed, rubbing at his shoulder.

Twilight leaned towards the bowls and flicked a finger above each one. The bowls and their contents reacted as magic poured into them. "I'll give you a bit of advice my teacher gave me when I was at this point." She spoke calmly. "Magic is a power that allows one to defy common sense." She recited. "For example the light rune I showed you. It isn't common sense to draw a doodle on something and suddenly light appears from it. Each person connects their magic in some way. You just need to think how to get to yours." She coached.

"Defy common sense huh?" Spike repeated quietly, staring at the bowls. Reaching out a hand Spike hovered over the now once more empty bowl. "Defy common sense." He whispered over and over again, focusing all he had on his hand and the bowl.

Then... a spark

His chest heated up, his vision warped and changed to show a vast dark pool reflecting a starry sky filled with objects covered in flames of all colors. His vision snapped back to the moment and he twitched a finger. A gust of wind flew from the twitch, knocking the bowls and books around them. The girls moved to cover Spike but found him smiling, laughing like a small giddy child as he looked at his hand. Scooting forward he twitched his finger again causing another gust of wind. His laughter grew as he turned to the two silent women smiling back at him. "I failed! But I also did it! Holy crap that was awesome! Help me control this stuff better. I want to make this power mine!" He happily yelled.

The two couldn't contain themselves as they clapped at his reaction before lunging forward to hug him.