The Diamond's Shadow

A lot can change in twenty years’ time.

Which was a funny thing to consider when the first several years of your early adolescence are as chaotic as Discord on a happy day.

For Spike, he’d been witness to many events within that time. He watched his sister/mother figure save the world countless times from threats ranging from ancient magical entities to destructive nefarious forces, revived legends thought lost to time, helped restore entire kingdoms to order, and even nearly cracked the code of how Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Senses worked. Since the final battle against Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow, life had hardly slowed down. He’d become an ambassador for the Equestrian nation, improving relations across the map. Twilight had become the new Princess at the head of the kingdom while her friends all prospered and made their own lives complete.

He’d experienced love, then lost that love to the perils of business and fame, before rekindling that same passionate fire when he reunited with Rarity. They went from faded friends to forgiven companions to passionate lovers fast enough to almost make his head spin.

Well, when she did that one little trick with her mouth and the whipped cream; then his head really would spin. Metaphorically.

Thinking of the fashionista brought a fresh smile to the dragon’s face, the wind tugging at his scales as he flew towards Rarity’s now famed Carousel Boutique. A building that had begun Rarity’s career now had duplicates of it spread across Equestria, promoting her fashion lines and serving to further market her designs to the world. Her flair for the craft had never seemed to falter, and with their restored bond, she became all the more inspired to create. Her passion always had enamored her to him, and even with them being older now, he still saw her as a visage of beauty none could compare to.

The world below Spike was looking rather picturesque as well when he thought about it. Being in the midst of winter, the occasional snow flurry passed by Ponyville regularly, giving many of the streets and houses a topping of snow that was visually appealing, if a stark reminder of the chill outside. Anyone he saw as he flew overhead had on their fair share of winter coats and scarves. Some Spike could even guess were made by Rarity, at least the flashier types.

A couple flaps of his wings permitted a soft landing on the ground in front of the boutique, his feet crunching in the small layer of snow still on the ground. His draconic nature afforded him little trouble with it compared to when he was little. His steps up the stairs brought a definitive thud of claws against the wood. He brought his hand up to knock on the door and had only tapped it once before it was opened, and there she stood.

“Spikey! Oh, right on time as ever, darling!” the unicorn declared, giving him a loving smile as she peered at him over her work glasses. “Oh, and you even tried out that sweater I made for you! How was it? Did it hold well in the wind as you flew?”

The dragon glanced down at his torso, which was covered with a maroon red sweater that framed his physique well. The material was soft yet durable enough that it didn’t give trouble while he was flying. Rarity’s genius showed in being able to make a comfortable top equipped with two barely noticeable slits along the back, which allowed Spike to use his wings and not destroy his wardrobe in the process. He looked and felt casual aplenty along with a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt beneath the sweater.

“You did a fantastic job! They held up just fine even on the wind gusts. As I expected from your talented hands.”

Rarity grinned and embraced him, her fingers running along the back of his neck to his shoulders. “Oh, darling. These hands express their talents on you in more ways than just dressing you. A whole week without you leaves them just itching to touch you.” She leaned up and kissed him on the lips, the drake gladly returning the kiss before parting to follow her inside the Boutique.

The interior was much the same as it had always been since he was younger and smaller, only now he had a height to properly appreciate the building’s layout. To the far side still rested the triple set of mirrors Rarity employed when inspecting clothing at every angle. They looked polished, the light gleaming off of them as they reflected the Boutique back to any onlooker. The small catwalk Rarity had built to accompany them - a way to strut your stuff, darling, she’d said - only came up to Spike’s waist now instead of being a looming thing he had to clamber up and over. Here and there, various mannequins displayed the latest of Rarity’s designs. He took note of some as she led him in.

“I see you’re working up another Ruby special over there. Did Manehattan call that one in?”

“Apparently, this year, they’re all about red. Frankly, red only works in so many ways before ponies begin thinking you’re a walking apple. Not that Applejack would complain.”

“No, I don’t think she would. Did you get Twilight’s note about her gown? She told me something about the back end doing awful things-”

“To her tail and catching in the worst places, yes. I know all about it, dear.” Rarity assured him. “Twilight might be our newest and brightest leader, but even leadership needs help to look the part sometimes. A little stitchwork and spacing on the fabric will have her solved in no time.” She paused, a wry smile on her lips. “For commission, of course.”

Spike chuckled. “Of course. You know, though, you’ve hardly drawn attention to the best-looking outfit you have in here.”

Rarity paused and looked up to the smiling drake’s expression. A raised eyebrow was his reply, making him smile more.

“Yours, obviously.”

He watched as the mare gave herself a cursory once over. It wasn’t the flashiest of attires, compared to what Rarity sometimes made. A tailored button-up shirt that fit well against her ample curves, the pale pink color allowing her white fur to look all the more radiant. Her bosom’s cleavage had only just a light, tantalizing peek out from the way the top two buttons were undone, intentional on her part. The shirt was tucked into a pencil skirt that was a simple violet shade Rarity favored yet worked for her in showing off the long legs that led down to the heel-clad feet she stood upon. With her mane tied back in a work-styled ponytail, she was every part the attentive but sexy mare he’d come to fall for all over again.

“Oh, Spikey, you flatterer. I’m hardly showing off in this.” She replied, grinning despite her protest.

“Maybe. I guess I am a bit biased.” He was quick to move about behind her and nuzzle her ear to whisper in it. “Maybe I just prefer them off of you and on the floor.”

Rarity shivered, and a hand came up to caress Spike’s cheek. “Oh, you little devil. Right here? In the middle of my own store?”

“You still have a bedroom upstairs. I’m fairly familiar with it.”

She couldn’t help a playful laugh, biting her lower lip as he leaned down to kiss her neck. “Yes, you are, aren’t you? And the locker room shower. The hotel. Even the castle’s broom closet.” She stopped his advances by turning about, her hands resting on his chest as he found a spot to rest just above her hips. “But what I called you here for takes precedence, Spikey. Even before your...tantalizing offer.”

Spike nodded and kept watching her as she led him up towards the mirrors, talking as they went.

“When we reunited in the gym, and you openly accepted me despite all my wrongdoings, Spike, I realized I could trust you with my life and not even second guess it for a moment. You welcomed me back when others would’ve been justified to push me away, to let me go. I cherish that. And I want to do everything I can to make sure I never give purpose to lose you again. The mere thought is terrifying alone.” They were up on the catwalk now, moving back towards the mirrors.

“You know I love you, Rarity. It’s not even something to be questioned. Nopony or any being could convince me otherwise.”

The unicorn beamed at him and leaned up to kiss his cheek before continuing. “Something I am forever grateful for. But as I was thinking one night, I haven’t told you all about myself in the time I was gone. Some you’ve no doubt heard through grape vines or gossip mags: the parties, the business dealings, so on and so forth. But there are also truths I told to nopony. Because I feared rejection and worse things because of it. Times were difficult, all on one’s own out there.”

Spike frowned at this before reaching out to take Rarity’s hand that had let go of him, making her look up to the drake.

“But you’re not alone anymore. You have me. And Twilight. And all your friends.” Spike insisted. “And we’re not going anywhere.”

“...thank you, Spike,” she replied softly, smiling at him. His affirmation seemed to bolster her, and she nodded. “So!” She continued to hold onto his hand with her left while gesturing with her right to the mirrors. “With that being said. It is high time that I come clean with something about myself. Right here, right now. All I need to know, Spikey, is if you trust me.”

He felt the answer in his heart as his lips moved of their own accord. “With my own life.”

“And so shall I trust you. But not with just my life,” Rarity told him, “but with another’s life as well. An old...let us say, ‘shadow,’ from our shared past adventures.” She turned away from him and looked to the middle mirror of the three before them, prompting Spike to look as well. “Vanity! Are you there, dear?”

Spike stayed quiet, at first out of polite respect for whatever Rarity was planning. Nothing happened yet, as far as he could tell. “Uh, Rarity?”

“She’s shy, darling. I told her about this, and she said she’d try, but I knew she would be nervous.” Rarity replied. Spike was confused; it was just the two of them in here, wasn’t it? Did Rarity adopt a new cat?

“Rarity?”

“Yes, Spike?”

“You didn’t uh...you know. Overdo it on working overnight, did you?”

Rarity scoffed. “Hardly. I can go two nights without rest before I need it if I’m inspired enough. Trust me, Spike, it’s just a matter of...ah! There!”

Spike looked at the middle mirror again, not sure what he was expecting to see. It reflected everything in the world around him: the catwalk, the other mirrors, Rarity, himself, the dark-colored figure peeking from behind the curtain…

...hang on.

Spike glanced over his shoulder to where the same curtain in reality rested. But nothing was there. He looked back to the mirror as Rarity got up close to it, beckoning at it with her hand.

“Come out, darling. It’s ok! Don’t be afraid.”

Seconds passed before the figure emerged and approached them, coming up to the mirror. As they drew closer, more details of them became evident. It was a mare, a little taller than Rarity by an inch or two. Wavy, lustrous purple hair like the unicorn’s fell down her shoulders and back, streaked with the occasional glittery silvery-white. She wore the same outfit as Rarity did, but it contrasted with her dark, charcoal black fur color. Her wrists were covered with metallic-looking bracers, emblazoned with a diamond image akin to Rarity’s own cutie mark, and extended to the middle of her forearm. Her horn was a little longer than Rarity’s, but her eyes were more beckoning. They gleamed without help from lighting effects or magic, he guessed, and bore a purplish hue that complemented her mane. If anything, they were like a shadow of Rarity but built...bigger. His eyes told him that she was more prominent in the bust and hips department than Rarity was but brought his focus away from such details to keep them trained on her calm if nervous expression.

She walked with slow but steady steps, finally coming to rest in front of them. Their mirror’s reflections dissipated as she passed through them, the image distorting a little before settling again as a picture of mimicry, only without Spike or Rarity’s doppelgangers standing there. Well, at least Spike’s.

“Vanity, meet Spike. Spike, this is Vanity. My muse and helper for the better part of the past several years.” Rarity said. “It’s about time you two met.”

“Hello, Spike.” Her voice was a little deeper than Rarity’s, a little more breathy. It was easy on the ears, but Spike’s eyes narrowed.

“...I...I know that voice. Kind of.” He said slowly before turning to the waiting unicorn. “What...who is this, Rarity?”

“Do you remember, a long time ago, when we once dealt with the Nightmare reborn within me?” Rarity asked. “I did...terrible things to you all. I might have been piggybacked by an ethereal force beyond my reckoning, but still. I can still remember how much of a struggle it was to be done away with it. Thanks to my friends. And you, Spike.”

Spike’s eyes widened, and he looked to Vanity, who ducked her head. “So she’s-”

“No.” Rarity cut off his thinking and speech before softening her tone. “No. And yet, yes. It’s...different. I ask you to hear me out; I’ve not lied to you yet, and I promise you that not a single lie will leave these lips.”

Spike looked between the two and slowly relaxed. “Alright. I’ll hear you out. Because I know you, Rarity.”

“Thank you, darling. Where was I...ah. Yes. After our friends and you bested the Nightmare, we all returned home and carried on with our lives. But a few years ago, I discovered that not all of it was truly gone. It came to me like a dream, but I was entirely awake and confused, much like you were Spike. Vanity here was hiding, buried away in the depths of my mind and magic. But she was not the Nightmare as we knew it.” She gestured at Vanity, who picked up where she left off.

“I was a remainder of the Nightmare’s power. A fragment. A shade. Purified by the friendship magic you and your kind can bask in. I expected to perish or to be cast out, as I would’ve deserved. But Lady Rarity took mercy on me. She gave me a chance. I was allowed to remain, bonded with her, and shared existence with her. I feel what she feels. I see what she sees. I saw in her a creator and chose to help her endeavors as repayment for sparing my life.” Vanity explained.

“Together, Vanity and I have brought some of the most unique designs and lines of fashion I could never have thought of on my own. Do you remember when Twilight suggested a “starlight” line in honor of Luna’s birthday?” Rarity asked.

“I kinda do. I remember Luna being a little surprised but grateful to still be recognized. That was...you?” Spike asked as he looked to Vanity. Under his stare, she seemed to shrink a little but replied.

“It was us both. I merely helped Rarity envision how to bring the night sky to the ground to be worn.”

“And I insist that you deserve credit for it, dear. I would never have thought of how to make an illusion of constellations work across a shifting fabric worn by a mare at a Gala. Let alone multiple constellations.” Rarity insisted.

“Right.” Spike folded his arms as he listened, curiosity genuinely going through his mind. It was definitely an unexpected development for his marefriend. “Wait, you feel what she feels? Like...everything?” He questioned. Vanity nodded slowly, but then comprehension dawned as Spike opened his mouth, eyebrows furrowed in prepared accusation.

“Except for moments of privacy!” She declared, making Spike stop. Her hands were raised in defense, and apprehension strained her features into fear before she schooled herself. “I have...never peered into her mind or the time she shares with you. I respect the boundaries she has. It is the last thing I would want to bring the ire of my host.”

“I saw to that ages ago, Spike. Rest assured, there have been no peeping toms on us.” Rarity said, making Spike sigh out the words he’d been reaching towards. “Vanity respects us. You and me.”

“Me? Why me?”

Vanity relaxed and lowered her hands to hold them in front of herself, inadvertently making her bust squeeze together. “You bring Lady Rarity joy and happiness, the likes of which none ever did before. I can see her memories when she allows them. In comparison, any other past relationship is but a spark to the bright flame she bears for you.” Vanity replied. “I would be foolish to not respect the importance you hold in Rarity’s heart.”

“I see. Thank you, by the way.” Spike said. This seemed to help Vanity relax a little more now that she had clarified for him. “So...a shade of the Nightmare, huh? Gotta admit I’m a little surprised, Rarity.”

“I never said I lived a boring life, Spikey-wikey. But it’s not a one-way street for me. I do well for Vanity as well.” The unicorn said. She came up to the mirror and pressed her palm against it, which gave cause for Vanity to mimic the gesture as she continued. “I have been in the very spot she stands: watching, thinking, but unable to act or speak out and be heard. And so I reached an accord with Vanity. As repayment for her help and to be a good host, I arrange to make a day to let her have a taste of reality. We swap places for the lack of a supernatural explanation. Twilight would probably have a field day studying it.”

Spike’s brow furrowed as he thought on it. “So...she takes control of the helm. Er, body. For a time while you ride in the backseat?”

“Precisely dear.”

Spike scratched the back of his head and looked from Rarity to the waiting shadow in the mirror. She seemed to be waiting for some sort of judgment or evaluation from him. Which was strange to the drake, but then again, he was likely the first told of such an arrangement.

“Well...I trust Rarity. I have no doubt there and still don’t.” He started, walking up to the mirror. He glanced at Rarity’s hand and mimicked the gesture with his larger own on the glass. This surprised Vanity, who looked up to him. Being closer now, he could see how pretty her eyes were, wide and full of color. Slowly, she brought her own hand up to meet his. The difference in size was clear, Spike’s hand dwarfing her’s easily. He didn’t pull away, though, as he spoke.

“If she trusts you...then I’ll trust you too. I know what it’s like to see others be mistrusted for appearance’s sake or because of old notions. If Rarity’s gonna vouch for you, then you’re good in my book too.”

Vanity’s eyes shone with emotion. “I-I can...call you friend? Sir Spike?”

“Just Spike is fine. I’m no knight, after all. Unless Twilight sneaks that in my job description.” He replied, smiling at her. “But sure. We can be friends, I think. If you want to.”

“Yes! I-I mean. Yes. It would be great!” Vanity seemed to take a moment to rein in her excitement before she spoke again. Rarity smiled as she observed him and her. “I am so happy to make a new friend. This is...this is wonderful!”

“It certainly is.” Rarity said before a lightbulb seemed to click on in her mind. “Ideeeeaaa!” The exclamation drew the other two’s attention from one another to her. “Why don’t you accompany her on her next outing, Spike? Let her have an experience with a friend!”

“Really? I mean. I’m fine to do that, but is Vanity ok with that?” He asked before looking to the shade. “Are you ok with that?”

“It would be an interesting experience, to be certain. We can try it out and see how things may fare.”

“Excellent!” Rarity said before stepping away from the mirror. “I had plans for this weekend, but now my Spikey-wikey can be there for her! How wonderful!”

“Right. So, hey, how exactly does this...work?” Spike asked, gesturing between himself and Vanity and Rarity. “I don’t have to carry a full-length mirror everywhere, do I?”