Author's Note

Maple's character was written specifically for the story Kaiser. Her arc of the story was inspired by Underoath's record Cries of the Past, hence the chapter title. Read Kaiser and its prequels for the full experience. I wrote this as a separate story to keep that one T-rated specifically.

Cries of the Past

Maple Glaze passed away in the spring of 2000. According to the autopsy, her death was linked to natural causes. Nobody knew where her family disappeared to or what they were doing now, but without evidence of foul play, there was no urgent need to contact them. Everyone figured they would return eventually, so the town moved on, and for a time, things returned to normal, but they could only remain that way for so long...

Maple's life was relatively quiet - undisturbed as some would say. In the decade that followed her passing, she adjusted well to her haunting ground, making herself known to her fellow citizens through occasional sighting pranks before disappearing until the next. Of course, the most interesting part about her behavior was how quickly she recovered from the shock. Being dead was nothing like the movies and TV shows made it out to be. The early days were filled with curiosity followed by a feeling of liberation. She eagerly tested her newfound abilities, yearning to learn the limitations and restrictions of her freedom. To her delight, they appeared few and far between. Though she lacked the power to fly, without the wear of flesh, she no longer needed rest or sleep, and she could still affect the physical plane with some effort. Greater still, she'd gained the power of insight, reading into the minds of others with ease. She knew the townspeople's sins and secrets, treating them like entertainment. After all, she was always up-to-date on the juiciest gossip. Her most potent ability however was the one she kept under lock and key. That would all change the day a purple dragon and his sister showed up in town. Curious, Maple followed them, making her presence known only on the second day of their stay...

Maple revealed herself to Spike and Twilight upon sensing the dragon's emotional distress. He was the first person in over ten years to feel for her, even before her death. In truth, she was deeply touched by this display of empathy, but before she could show it, she had to familiarize herself with the pair first. She told them everything about her life before and after its end. While combing through the catacombs of their memories, she discovered Spike in particular suffered from a loneliness she herself was all too familiar with. There were days she wanted to talk to someone: days she wanted someone to care she was still around, but doing so would've ruined the city's image. She was the reason outsiders bothered to pay the town any mind. Without their business, her home would fail...

By the end of the week, Maple knew everything there was to know about Spike. She held his hopes, fears, dreams, and insecurities in the grasp of her hoof. Most of all, she knew the one his heart pined for...

"I've never felt the touch of a mare," the dragon revealed, "I would be honored if you would be my first. I want to know you like you know me."

"You know I can't replace Rarity." Maple made clear.

"I know, but after meeting you and learning how much we have in common, it only feels right, ya know?"

"You don't have to take pity on me. Sure, life might've been a little lonely, but it all worked out in the end. I'm free from the burdens and sorrows of mortal existence. That's enough for me."

"Pity might be a part of it, but...I really do care about you. You know that's true, don't you...?"

"I..."

Maple summoned what remnants of her resolve lingered, trying to keep her own emotions from overwhelming her.

"I do..."

"I have so much love to give and no one to give it to. Please, let me do this one thing. That's all I ask."

Maple relented. She couldn't keep the walls up anymore. Even without a working heart, her soul told her keeping the world at a distance was no longer enough to sustain her spirit.

"I understand..."

"You guys go back to the room," Twilight advised, "I'll hang out in town for while."

"Thanks, Twilight..." Spike replied graciously.

Spike removed his coat, wrapping it around Maple in their shared hour of uncertainty.

"Are you comfortable?"

"As comfortable as I can be given the circumstance."

Spike attempted to stroke the departed soul's mane. To his joy, he succeeded. Maple briefly severed the mental connection, retreating into her own head.

"I can sense an overwhelming degree of spiritual power. Who are you...?"

"Don't worry. I'll take care of you."

Maple rested herself on the bed. Spike knelt down for a kiss. It was a bit awkward gathering their bearings, but after some adjustments, things evened out. Maple's lips felt as real as solid flesh, but by this point, neither of them cared how or why.

"Now I know where you get your name." Spike teased.

"I actually kind of...Liked that...Can we do it again...?"

"Anything your heart desires..."

"You say to someone who's literally heartless."

"That doesn't matter to me. You're beautiful as you are."

"Somehow, I feel like I can trust you...This is all so new to me, and it makes me feel-"

"Scared?"

"How did you know?"

"Because...I feel the same way..."

"I understand now...I understand why you wanted it to be me..."

"I once held a special place in my heart for Rarity. Now I've made one for you. Even if it's only for a little while, I want us to be together. As ironic as it may sound, meeting you has helped me feel alive for the first time since I was a child. I want you to feel the way I feel - just for now."

"Someone to have and to hold, so long as we both exist..."

"Yeah..."

Not once in her life had Maple ever felt this level of emotion. In death, she had come to learn much about the beauty of the world she once took for granted, and this...This was the beginning of her most profound lesson of all...

"Make love to me, noble warrior."

Spike nodded, gently leaning his lover into their bed. He loosened her belt, slipping his claws under her jeans.

"How does it feel?"

"I...I can barely move...!"

"Should I stop?"

"No! I'm...I'm fine..."

Spike grinned. Had it not been for the lack of blood, he suspected she would've been blushing with the force of an overheated detonator.

"Guess we were worried for nothin', huh?"

"Don't get overconfident, pal."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

Maple felt something begin to well up within her - a hunger brought about by dark desire. She wanted this in a way she never wanted anything before. Rather than feel threatened by the dragon's strength, she felt an aura of protection. The shadow of eternal devotion spread across her vision, blacking out all but the sensation of her mind.

"Love...Loyalty...So this is what they feel like..."

For the first time since her death, the mare lamented her untimely demise.

"What a waste..."

Spike ravaged Maple until he could hardly move. Not even his training could prepare him for the utter devastation of his energy reserves, and it was worth every second. He collapsed into his lover's forelegs, gripping her in a crushing embrace. The echoes of angels rang through his head, commanding him to cling to her as if she were the last thing left in the world.

"I guess fighting isn't your only talent." the mare beneath him cracked.

"That was...You were..."

"Incredible, right?"

Spike steadied his breathing, struggling to find the right words to say.

"I...I'm really glad we got to do this. I feel so much better now. I feel like I can think clearly again."

"You're not the only one. I really missed out big-time. I could tell you were being genuine."

"You knew?"

"Psychic, remember?"

"Right, right..."

"I'm glad I got to do it with you, ya know. I tried to block out the pain and pretend it wasn't there. I realize now how limiting that was."

"I don't blame you. It's a lot to take in."

"I told you before I could see the light within you. There's a power hidden somewhere deep inside. What you feel now barely scratches the surface. I want to be there when it shines through."

"Are you saying-"

"The movies got the most important thing wrong of all. Spirits aren't chained to their burial sites. We're free to wander - just like you. I only stayed because this was all I knew. Like you, I'm beginning to understand more about what's beyond my comfort zone. There's still much left for me to learn."

"You wanna come with us...?"

"I hear no objections. It's not like I need food or shelter, so cutting into your rations won't be an issue."

"I...I want you to be there, too..."

"I know. I just wanted to hear you say it."

"I promise, no matter what happens, I'll keep you safe..."

"Hey, don't get all sappy on me, big guy. We won't make it very far if your eyesight's impaired."

Spike chuckled. This burst of laughter actually helped stave off the tears somewhat.

"I swear, what am I gonna do with you?"

Spike said nothing, taking solace in his healer's touch. He supposed they would have to reconvene with Twilight soon before the day was out...

"One step's been taken," he thought, "The next has just begun..."