Final dying roar

Chapters

Prologue: the air grows warmer around you
Chapter 3: Kindling friendships
Chapter 10: a familiar inconvenience
Epilogue 3:Vastitas frigida, cor metallicum
Chapter 1: risen from ashes
Chapter 2: fuel for the embers
Chapter 4: growing inferno
Chapter 5: a spark in their hearts, and a coming shadow
Chapter 6: a flame in the dark, part one
Chapter 7: a flame in the dark, part two
Chapter 8: charred feathers
Chapter 9: an urgent warning
Chapter 11: smoldering peaks
Chapter 12: Cracks in the stone
Chapter 13: Flames of chaos
Chapter 14: the sun sets, upon a cruel world
Interlude: malevolent pests, pained pasts
Chapter 15: striped stranger
Chapter 16: What a fright
Chapter 17: burning up the dance floor
Chapter 18: explanations given, friendship strengthened
Chapter 19: a black wedding part 1
Chapter 20: a black wedding part 2
Epilogue 1: amor verus in aeternum
Epilogue 2: prima piece cadit in locum

Prologue: the air grows warmer around you

Author's Note

Hey everyone. Sorry, it’s been a while. I’ve had a bit of writers block with my bloodborne story, so to try and get my creative juices flowing, I’m starting a new story! Hope you enjoy. :twilightsmile:

Prologue: the air grows warmer around you

Deep in the jungle, far from any civilization’s, there lies an arena. Within, the ground is littered with scorch marks and broken arrows, as well as the occasional bone. Within the center of this arena, a lone being stands. Upon itself is a suit of armor, forged from the remains of the devourer of gods. On its back, a pair of green feathered wings, and in its hand, a large, purple straight sword with a fanned cross guard, and a single purple gem in the center of the hilt. Within its other hand, a single, cracked egg. As it looks to the sky, it tightens its grip upon the egg, shattering it. As the pieces of shell fall to the ground, the air begins to warm around them.

Within canterlot castle, a young unicorn girl prepares for her entrance exam. Even with her parent’s comforting words, she is still incredibly nervous. Her lavender eyes shift around, as she quickly re-reads the exams rules. She does not want to even risk thinking about messing up. Within the next hour, she would be in front of the judges, where she will perform whatever they require for the exam. She tries to calm down by doing some breathing exercises, and continues her wait.

The being jumps back, as a large red drake lands where it once was. The dragon looks up, straight into their eyes, before he speaks.
“Terrarian, chosen to destroy the empire of my master. You have faced much, and come out victorious. You have beaten dangerous horrors, from the eye of Cthulhu, all the way to the devourer of gods itself. But you shall go no further. I shall stop you, and ensure that my old friend’s empire does not fall today!”
With that, the dragon takes off once more, and the terrarian grips their weapon tightly, before flying up after him.

Two hours have passed, and twilight grows more anxious. She has seen several students enter before her, and every time one of them comes out, they look dejected, as if they failed. Her anxiety steadily climbs, and the breathing exercises have lost much of their effectiveness. She closes her eyes, and tries to clear her mind, but before she is successful, the door to the testing chamber opens. A unicorn stallion, looks directly at her, before calling her name.
“Twilight Sparkle? Will you please come this way?”
Her parents quickly give her a hug, before getting up. She takes one last deep breath, before hopping off the chair she had been sitting on and heading towards the door.

Flames fly past the terrarian’s head, as they launch another projectile towards the dragon. As it pierces his flesh, he begins to fall from the sky, and the terrarian follows. The dragon crashed down with a thud, as the they land nearest it. They begin to walk over, thinking the battle was over, but stopped after a few steps. The air had begun to warm up again. Within a few seconds, it went from uncomfortably warm to downright boiling, as the dragon began to stand up again.Fires begin to sprout in the jungle, as a strange melody begins to play from no where. The Dragon finally stands up again, and his eyes begin to burn with a fury unlike any other.
“I will not fall to the likes of you. I am Yharon, last of my kind. DIVINE DRAGON OF REBIRTH! AND I WILL NOT LET YOU DESTROY ALL THAT HE AND I HAVE BUILT!”
A fiery tornado appears from the dragons mouth, before enveloping the terrarian.

Twilight now stands before a panel of judges. They look at her with contempt, before one of them begins to speak.
“Good morning young Twilight. Today, you shall be taking your entrance exam to Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. Should you pass, you will be accepted into the school, and taught by the best mages and scholars the world has to offer.”
As the first once stops, another one begins to speak.
“For your exam, you shall be tasked with only one objective. However, your performance must be exemplary.”
“For your exam, you shall be tasked with hatching a dragon egg.”
As the final judge states this, an egg is wheeled in, and her eyes shrink to pinpricks.

The terraria man is engulfed by another jet of flames, but manages to hit the dragon in return. After an hour of fighting, both are reaching their limits. Yharon’s front right leg is half missing, and an eye hangs out of its socket. As for the terrarian, their arm is half cleaved off, while their armour is almost completely charred to the point of uselessness. Both realize it is their final chance to end this, and begin to charge. As they collide, a massive roar fills the air, and is heard almost all around the world. At this, a king upon his throne sheds a single tear.

Twilight stares at the egg for a moment. She has to hatch a DRAGON egg?! Her fear begins to bubble up, before she swallows it all back down. Her look of slight fear is replaced by a look of determination. The judges look on, noting down her reaction. As she walks up to the egg, her horn begins to glow, and she begins to channel mana through her horn.

The terrarian lands, before quickly chugging a health potion. As his wounds begin to mend, he walks up to the drake, now lying on the ground, with a sword pierced through his heart. He tries to breathe, but struggles on the blood now filling his throat. As he lays there dying, he looks to the sky, tears filling his remaining eyes.
“Forgive me, Yharim. My… brother. I failed. They have ascended… beyond our control. There is… nothing we can do. Goodbye, my old friend. Now… I finally… am reunited… with… my… kind. ”
With those final words, what little life was in the dragons eyes fades, before he bursts into flame. Within seconds, all that is left is ashes, and a pile of assorted gear. The wind picks up the ashes, and takes away what is left of the resplendent phoenix.

After 5 minutes of constant usage, her horn begins to fizzle out. As her magic dies on her horn, tears begin to form in her eyes. She sighs, and turns around.
“I’m sorry for wasting your time.”
The judges begin to nod, before writing something down as she walks away. Before she gets to the door, the judges call her back. She turns around, wondering what else they have for her, before a massive explosion echoes from outside.

Within the afterlife, a powerful soul appears. At first it just sits there, but then, a huge burst of magical power suddenly occurs. The soul, as powerful as it was, was naturally drawn to it, and began to float towards it. When at the epicenter of the magical flare, it observes some sort of creature, pouring an impossible amount of power into what appeared to be an egg. Before it could do anything, though, the soul began to be drawn to the egg. It attempted to escape, but the force drawing it in was to powerful.And as the soul is pulled into the egg, all of its Memories were ripped away.

Twilight had almost no idea what was going on. one moment, she had witnessed a massive rainbow explosion, and the next, she was having a magical flare. However, this time, instead of going everywhere, for some reason, her magic was being drawn to the egg. Before she blacked out from the strain, she noticed something happen to the egg. It had began to crack, and a small, purple feathered head with green eyes was poking out, looking directly at her.

Chapter 3: Kindling friendships

4 YEARS LATER

It has been 4 years since Twilight hatched Spikes egg, and things were going rather well. Shining Armor had been maintaining the armor well, and training almost every day, so he could join the guard the day he turned 18. As for Twilight, the now 9 year old filly had learned much from Celestia. She quickly learned many spells that took even the most skilled mages years to learn, and her personal projects started to become some of the most influential research documents in the modern magical world.

Spike, however, underwent the most change. In just 4 years, he had not only grew to the size of a medium dog, he had also learned how to read, write, speak, and even do multiplication. The now four year old dragon was more intelligent than Ponies 3 times his age! After all, when your sister is the smartest mare in the world, you’re bound to pick up a few things. Not only that, but he was incredibly physically fit as well. He joined almost every training session his brother had. He had even begun to learn how to control his fire from Princess Celestia. However, not all looked up for the drake. For deep in his heart, he felt that he was alone.

He knew that he had his family, of course. He deeply cared for them, and they for him. But that didn’t help the fact that he was an outcast. For in Canterlot, almost all creatures within its walls were ponies. Occasionally a griffon or zebra could be seen, but even then, he was not one of them. He was a dragon: only one of his kind. Wherever he went, Ponies would give him dirty looks, and foals would hide behind parents. He could make no friends, for everypony feared him. Even Twilight, his book nerd of a sister, was able to find friends. But he was truly, well alone.

Spike was beginning to feel depressed. Many a night he would sneak out, and just stroll the alleys of the city. At one point, he tried to walk on the street, but the reaction of the ponies kept him from doing it again. Eventually, he came to his own private sanctuary: an abandoned warehouse. He snuck in through the hole in the wall, and entered his little makeshift haven. When he first found it, he had began to plant a couple of seeds he had found in a trash can. Now, it was essentially an indoor garden, filled to the brim with luscious flowers and plants. He sighed as he took in the scenery. His mind begins to slowly drift away, into the sweet bliss of true inner peace, surrounded by the flora he had grown himself.
*snap!*

His trance broken, he jolted, looking around rapidly. As he came back to his senses, he heard another snap, and a cry. He ran to it, expecting a pony, stomping around and breaking his plants. What he found however, surprised him: it was a small, green bug like creature, with beautiful purple eyes, huddled within a bush. The creature’s leg was broken, green blood seeping out the cracked carapace, and it was quietly sobbing. Spike took another step closer, trying to not to scare it. But it was no use, as the bug swiveled its head to him, and began to noticeably shiver.
”Please… Please don’t hurt me!”
Spike backed up a bit, before speaking.
”I promise I won’t. Are you okay?”
”No, I’m not. It hurts so much! I was trying to hide from some mean pony who hurt my leg, and my leg began to crack when I got in here. When I got to the bush, it… it…”
”It’ll be okay, I’ll help you. My name’s Spike, what’s yours?”
”Th-Thorax”

Spike quickly ran to the nearest first aid kit in the warehouse, and began to get to work. He quickly bandaged it to stop the bleeding, before beginning to splint the leg. All the whole, he made small talk to Thorax.
”Hey Thorax, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what are you?”
”I’m a ch-changeling. Most of us have black chitin with blue eyes, but I’m different. We feed off of love, and are supposed to be able to shapeshift. It’s to impersonate loved ones. But, I c-can’t. Mommy said I was a *sniff* useless. I was a massive f-failure. S-she left m-me here. She called m-me a useless, g-green freak. She Said that i-if I came back h-home, she would m-make sure I w-was fed t-to the t-tatzlworms.”
Thorax began to cry even harder, but yelps when he was suddenly embraced by the drake, causing him to blush slightly.
”Im sorry. I’m sorry that you had to go through that. But you don’t anymore. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”
With those words, Thorax began to sob into Spike’s shoulder, glad to finally have one to cry on.

As Spike kept tending to his injuries, thorax asked spike a few questions.
” Now that you know what I am, what are you?”
”Im a dragon with feathers. Only one of my kind. I was hatched by a pony from an dormant egg.”
”One of a kind? L-Like me?”
Spike thinks for a moment, as his eyes slowly widen a smidge.
”Yeah. Like you.”
Thorax and Spike both smile at this, before spike returns to helping Thorax.
”We freaks gotta stick together, right?”
”Right!”

As spike finished splinting his leg, he smiled again to Thorax.
”There! All better!”
”Thank you so much!”
”Its no problem! What are friends for?”
After saying this, Spike and Thorax froze. Friends?
”F-Friends?” You wanna be friends?!”
”Yep. I do!”
This time, Spike is the one to yelp as Thorax hugs him, tears of happiness streaming down the changelings face.
”Thank you for everything! You’ve saved my life on more ways than one!”
”I’m glad to have helped. I hope my friendship is enough to keep you fed.”
”It’s more than enough.”

As Thorax began to let go of spike, they both yawned.
”Guess it’s later than I thought. Tell ya what: you live here for as long as you like. I’ll come over every night to check up on ya and talk.”
”O-Ok. Thank you again. For everything.”
”Its no problem Thorax! I’m glad we met, and I really look forward to getting to know you better! Goodnight!”
”Goodnight!”
As Spike leaves, he gives one last wave to his friend, before once again navigating the alleys. Eventually, Spike got home, and as luck would have it, right as Shining Armor got home.
”What the heck were you doing out so late?”
As spine says this, Shining sputters and blushes, before shifting the conversation, causing Spike to snicker.
” W-Well where were you, young man?!”
As he thinks back to the night he just, had, Spike begins to smile before answering.
”I finally made my first friend!”

Author's Note

Spike made a fellow outcast, and a new friend! maybe even more in the future? Hope y’all like the chapter, because this is one of my favorites!

Chapter 10: a familiar inconvenience

Author's Note

This chapter is a bit of a silly one, hope you don’t mind. Don’t expect many to be this silly either.
(References, wooo!)

Chapter 10: a familiar inconvenience

It was a beautiful morning in Canterlot. Birds were singing, flowers were blooming. Foals were pretending to fight to the death with a skeleton in a blue hoodie. Everything Was great. Until the wagon came. It swerved left to right, causing ponies to hop out of the way as they try to escape the carts wrath. A small foal gets run over by the wagon, thankfully unharmed somehow, and yet it keeps going. Behind it were about 30 royal guards, chasing the rampaging vehicle down, to no avail.

They eventually chased it to a cliff, thinking that the driver would finally stop so they could catch the reckless bastard. But sadly, that is not the case. The cart goes sailing off the ledge, much to the surprise of literally everypony. As they look down, waiting for the sound of breaking wood, it suddenly comes flying back up. Somehow, the wagon had wings built into it. As it sailed away, the guards only had one thought: ‘What in Celestia’s sunbaked cheeks just happened?’

Within the flying wagon, resided a blue mare with a large, purple hat and cloak. As she furiously pulls levers and flips switches, she sticks her arm out the window and flips off the guards, still flabbergasted.
”Suck it coppers! The grrrreat and powerful Trixie ain’t paying her taxes!”
The still confused guards looked to each other before turning around and leaving. As Tricia pulls her arm back in her wagon, before looking down at a map she had sitting upon her lap.
” So Canterlot is a no-go for the ggrrreat and powerful Trixie, as she shall never pay her hard earned bits to those bitchy nobles. What other towns could she travel to, so she can woo them with her mystical arts? Ooh! How about a little town called-“

”Ponyville!”
”Uh, Pinkie? Who are you talking to?”
Pinkie proceeds to bend backwards, to such an angle that her bones should be nothing but dust.
”Silly Spike, were you not listening? I was saying how it was such a beautiful morning in this wonderful town!”
”Ah, okay. Sorry, must have been zoning out.”
”It’s fine! plus I was using it as a Segway as well, so you probably wouldn’t remember.”
”What was that Pinkie?”
”Nooothiiing!”
Pinkie blinks and giggles, before leaving the room, exaggerated smile still on her face.
”Wait, Pinkie! What about my baking lessons?!”
Pinkie just continued to giggle as she hopped away, leaving a very much confused Spike alone in the kitchen.
”Today is gonna be one of those days, isn’t it?”

Spike returned home early from his suddenly cancelled lesson, and proceeded to head to the kitchen. While heading there, he noticed Twilight passed out on a book as usual. The drake smirked before getting as close to her ear as he could. Then, in a voice even a field mice would struggle to hear, he uttered a single sentence:
”Someone started a book burning out front.”
Twilights eyes fly open as she leaps into action, grabbing the fire extinguisher and running outside. When she realized there was no fire, and that the citizens of pony collie were looking at her weird, she quickly went back inside. She then proceeded to punch Spike in the shoulder, before sighing.
”Today is gonna be one of those days, isn’t it?”

Thorax was currently taking a walk through the Ponyville park. After he started helping Fluttershy with her animals, he had come out of his shell a little bit more, and enjoyed taking walks through the town. As he was walking through the park, a wagon suddenly fell from the sky, directly into the middle of the courtyard, scaring several ducks and ponies. As the dust began to settle, strange beams and pols began to extend out, as flags were raised and banner’s were lowered. Finally, a stage began to assemble itself in front of the wagon, crushing a small patch of Pansies. As he stood there, awestruck at the chain of events that just transpired, a blue mare stuck her head out of the wagon, with a megaphone in hand.
-ahem- “Come one come all! For today and tomorrow only, you will be allowed to experience the wonders of the grrreat and powerful Trixies’s showcase of mystical powers! See I, the great and powerful Trixie, preform feats no others can do! Come one, come all! Tickets twenty bits, show’s are at 12, 2, 4, 6 and 8 for both days Trixie is here. No refunds!”
As Thorax bore witness to this strange display, he could only sigh.
”This is gonna be one of those days.”

Thorax returned home, and was met by the site of a snickering Spike dusting the bookshelves with his toothbrush.
”You scared Twilight ag-”
”I scared Twilight again.
Thorax sighed and chuckled at this, before walking over and planting a kiss on the dragons cheek.
”Well, you might wanna wait a bit before you continue. A wagon fell out of the sky, and some mare started yelling about her magic show.”
As Thorax was explaining to Spike what happened, Twilight walked in.
”Sounds like a traveling entertainer! Haven’t seen one of their shows in years, but they were always fun.”
”You wanna go twi? My treat for scaring you earlier.”
”Sure. You can use an actual duster when we get back. Now let’s go see us this magic show!”

As they walked up to the wagon, they joined the line of ponies standing at the ticket booth. It seems like a lot of ponyville wanted to know what the heck was going on. As they quickly got up to the front of the line, they noticed all within was a bucket labeled ‘20 bits per pony’, filled with bits. As Spike dropped his bits in, a random mare attempted to push past them and steal the bucket. Unfortunately for her, this was a magician’s show. And that bucket was enchanted. After the mare passed out in front of the trio, they proceeded to take the three tickets that produced themselves from the stand, before eagerly walking towards their seats. When they were gone, the mare once again groaned in pain, before reaching up to the ticket booth so she could haul herself up. Unfortunately for her, her hand landed within the bucket again, and she promptly fell back down, smoke coming out of her ears.

As the trio look for seats, they notice their friend group in the front row, and three open seats for them. They excitedly wave and beckon the three over, which they happily obliged.
”Hiya guys! Ready to see this specticularous magic show?!”
”Ah know ah sure am. Never been to one o these before.”
”Neither have I. Hope this is at least twenty percent more awesome than those stupid circuses my parents used to take me to.”
”Its not too bad dash. Should be plenty of fireworks along side the tricks too.”
As Rainbow does a silent celebration at the mentioning of explosives, Fluttershy huddled into a ball closer under her friends wing.
”I-I hope it’s not too scary. My animals might panic if they hear the bangs. ”

”It should be fine darling. Now hush, all of you! The show is starting.”

“Behold! The gggrrreeat and powerful Trrrrrixie is here to blow away your feeble minds with her feats of untold power! For my first trick, I shall show you the magic of cards. Look at this card, and make sure you memorize it. Now, watch the cards.”
She begins to shuffle them, before they suddenly burst into flames. As the cards crumbled to ash within her hand, she used her other hand to grab a handful of the ash. She blew upon the ashes, and the ashes scattered, before falling to the ground. When she was done, the ashes were in the shape of the Ace of clubs. The crowd cheered at this trick, and Trixie smirked.
” As you can see from just my first trick, the grrrreat and powerful Trrrrixie is a powerful mage! Now, let me frighten you with my arcane might!”
As the crowd continued to cheer, one rainbow maned Pegasus looked upset.

The show continued on, with the tricks getting more impressive, and the crowd getting more wild. And one certain Pegasus grew more and more annoyed. After about 30 minutes, The mage had taken a short break to get the next trick ready, as Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight.
”This mare is so full of herself.”
”Well yeah, she’s a good magician.”
”Well yeah, but she keeps boasting about how she’s the best, when you’re right here!”
”Well yeah, she has to. It’s apart of her act, she’s in character.”
”Well she’s still annoying with all that boasting.”
At this, Spike spoke up.
”Hey pot, meet kettle. Your black.”
This caused the girls to start giggling, and Rainbow to start grumbling. After a minute, Trixie returned, ready to re-start her show, before the hypocritical Pegasus spoke up.

”Hey! You’re not that good!”
Trixie stops in her tracks, before turning to the crowd, rage evident in her face.
“Who dares mock the grrreat and powerful Trrrixie?!”
”Dash! Sit the hell down!”
” I did! I don’t think you’re the best mage here!”
”Shut up Rainbow!”
”In fact, I bet you my friend could beat you in a magic duel!”
”Damnit Dash, I hate you so much.”
” Oh really? Than come up here, miss magic, and let’s see how you fare against the grrrreat and powerful Trixie!”
Twilight stood up while groaning, promising herself to get back at dash later.
”Look, I’m so sorry, she’s never been to a magic show like this, and she doesn’t know-“
“Well I’ll be damned. Twilight Sparkle. Come to ruin my life again?”

Twilight, surprised at this outburst, looked to the mare.
”I’m sorry, do I know you?”
”Do you seriously not remember me, Tattling Twily?”
”Wait a minute, only one pony ever called me that, and that was after… Beatrice?!”
”Do not call me that! I renounced that name after you betrayed me!”
”What the hell are you talking about, we were friends back then!”
”Trixie was one of the best illusionists at Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns, and she was scared to be the best. Until you got me kicked out!”
”You blew up half the dorm hall, what the hell was I supposed to do?!”

”Enough you fiend! Time to settle this once and for all!”
”Look, I’m sorry I told on you, but you almost killed Lyra!”
A mint green mare got up to say something, but was promptly pulled back down by her mare friend before she could get involved.
”It doesn’t matter! I lost my future, and now, I, the grrrreat and powerful Trrrrixie shall get my revenge!”
But before anything could happen, an entire platoon of guards came running into town.
“Beatrice Lulamoon! You are under arrest for evading your taxes, and fleeing from the guard! Please come with us peacefully, or we will use police brutality!”
Before she could respond, they pulled out their crossbows and began to fire. Trixie jumped into her wagon, retracting all of her things, before starting up the wagon. As it drove off, a turret sprouted out of the top, and began to fire arrows back at the guards. One of the guards hides behind a box, and pulls out a radio crystal.
” This is officer Clip Clop, suspect is getting away! I need back up!”
As more guards began to arrive in wagons to chase after the tax evader, Ponyville watched the chaos. Twilight, mind broken at this point, could only say one thing.
”What the actual fuck.”

Epilogue 3:Vastitas frigida, cor metallicum

frozen north

Sergeant Steel Blade looked into the wastelands, boredom strewn on his face. Ever since he was assigned to this guard outpost all the way up here, he had nothing to do. His fellow guards love it though: they didn’t have to do much, and they got full pay for it! So they spent most of their time playing cards or drinking. But not Steel. He knew there had to be a reason they were out here, so he stayed alert. But so far, for the half a year he’s been there, nothing had happened yet. He was just about to give up and go join the others when he noticed something. There was a strange shimmer in the air.

Suddenly, The air seemed to shine like a crystal, as beams of light began to shoot up into the sky. Steel Blade watched in awe as colors seemed to coalesce from nowhere and swim around. Before he could even grasp what was going on, the strange light show stopped, and a giant hole appears in the ground. Slowly, a large, crystalline object began to emerge. Then another, and another. Soon, an entire city made of crystal had appears, and the hole closed. Recollecting himself, Steel Blade shouted, grabbing the attention of the others. As they came to the window they too were in awe at what the saw. Steel yelled out, grabbing their attention, and began to bark an order.
”We need to get a message to the princess, now!”

The guards quickly saluted, before running back into the outpost proper, ready to send a message. But as they left, another hole opened in the sky. And as the hole began to quickly close back up, A burning object flew out, before violently crashing into the snow, completely unnoticed. As smoke billowed from the wreckage, a single figure emerged, with piercing red eyes, and began to limp to a nearby cave, before disappearing inside.

Author's Note

Last epilogue, and it’s ending with a bit of a cliffhanger! But don’t worry, everything will be explained. But, you’re just gonna have to wait for the next story. Hope you all enjoyed this story, it’s been fun to write. Leave a comment if you have any suggestions for the next story, or any other universes to add to this. See you all again soon!

Chapter 1: risen from ashes

Author's Note

First real chapter is done! Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 1: risen from ashes

Princess Celestia was annoyed. Day court had been much more hectic than usual, as it always got on the day her school was testing for new students. Almost every noble with a child attempted to bribe, persuade, and even threaten her to let their children in, even if they failed. At this point, nothing phased her anymore when it came to exam day. That is, until the explosion happened.

The judges looked on in horror, as the young Twilight Sparkle began to float into the air. None of them had ever seen a magical flare as bad as this one. As the magic swirled around them, her horn suddenly lit up, before a beam of pure mana began to shoot towards the egg. The egg began to glow, and eventually, began to crack. All the while, offshoots of magic branched off from the beam, striking anything nearby. Within the next few seconds, the cracked began to spread, until eventually a small chunk fell off the egg. And a small, purple head, covered in feathers slowly rose up.

Darkness. That is all the drake within saw. That is, until the cracking began. Slowly, small streams of light began to filter in, as cracking noises filled the interior of the egg.
Until, suddenly, a large piece fell in, and a large beam of light shone directly into his eyes. He blinked, getting the spots out of his eyes, before he began to slowly raise his head. As his head slowly rose above the shell of his former prison, he locked his eyes into a small, purple creature floating in the air, shooting a beam directly into the egg. As they made eye contact, he instantly knew what was happening. This creature was hatching his egg. Thus, it was his mother.

Princess Celestia ran through the halls as fast as she could towards the exam room. Her mind raced with possibilities, and hoped that no pony was harmed. As she neared, the sounds of a magical flare mixed with the sounds of panicked yelling and shuffling feet. As she made it to the door of the exam hall, what she saw shocked her: somehow, this filly managed to crack an infertile dragon egg. And what surprised her more, was that within the egg, she saw a never before seen type of dragon, peaking its head out.

As his mother’s eyes began to glow, the dragon began to look around the room, as its young mind began to be overtaken by curiosity. There were more creatures, hiding behind a strange brown object. They all had things on their heads. Two more with head things were in the corner, as they shouted at his mother. They sounded concerned, perhaps they were related to her? And finally, it turned its head towards a tall, white creature. It had both head and back things! Suddenly, it began to run towards his mother.

Quickly getting over her shock, The run was attempted to run over to the filly. But before she could even make it 3 steps, the dragon leaped out of the egg, landing directly in front of her. It growled at the ageless princess, much to her surprise. She tried to continue towards the poor filly, but a jet of flames blasted her in the face, forcing her back. If she wasn’t the caretaker of the sun, she would be in immense pain. However, the fact that such a young dragon was able to even walk and jump, let alone breathe fire at such a young age was both impressive and surprising to her. She knew that if the filly continued, she could die.She also didn’t want to harm the small drake. So, in a last, desperate attempt, she began to speak to the dragon.

The white creature had tried to get to his mother! He would not allow it. He would not allow it to hurt his mother. It may have been resistant to his flames, but that did not matter. He would protect his mother, no matter the odds. Then, much to his surprise, the white creature got down on one knee, and began to speak in a soft, silky voice.
”I know you have no reason to trust me, little one. But please, let me get to the young filly. What she is doing is not by her doing, and could hurt her badly. If I get to her, I could save her. Please, let me save her life.”

As she finished speaking, the dragon looked at his mother, floating in the air. She looked as if she was in pain. She could get hurt? He didn’t trust the white thing, but he didn’t want his mother to suffer. As tears started to form in the corners of his eyes, he let out a whimper, before slowly moving to the side. The white creature looked surprised, before shaking her head and getting up. She ran over to his mother, and her head thing began to glow. Slowly, his mother’s eye’s began to dim, and she started to lower to the ground.

The dragon had understood her! She quickly shook off the surprise, before rushing over to the filly before lighting her horn. She began to cast a spell that would act like a lightning rod for the mana. For most other creatures, doing this to end a flare would be risky, but for the princess of the sun, it was a barely a chore for her. Slowly, the excess mama began to leave the filly, and the flare began to weaken, as princess Celestia’s mana pool began to slowly fill. Soon, the filly was back on the ground, with her flare ended. The filly slowly opened her eyes, and noticed the princess standing over her.

”Princess… Celestia? PRINCESS CELESTIA! I am so sorry, please don-“
”Young filly, please do not apologize. You were having a flare up, you could not control it. Besides, look at what you did. You hatched the egg!”
”I… did? I did! I DID I DID I DID I DID I DID!!!!!”
” If you would do me a favor, but could you explain to me what your cutie mark means?”
”Cutie mark? I don’t have my- (GASP) MY CUTIE MARK! I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!!”
”What is your name, my little pony?”
”My name is Twilight sparkle, your highness!”
Well Twilight, I have never seen a filly with such magical skill. I must admit, this test was not what they said it was. The egg was a dud, and it was a test to see your determination and how you dealt with failure. You were able to not only pass that test, but then hatch an egg, not able to be hatched.”

As Twilight and her parents looked on in shock, the princess continued to speak.
”It is because of this, that I ask you a question that very few have ever had the chance to hear. Twilight sparkle, would you like to become my personal student?”
As the words left her lips, Twilight sparkle began to rapidly vibrate. Slightly concerned that the flare was about to start up again, Celestia reached out to the filly, before she suddenly started to bounce all around the room. Suddenly, she stops directly in front of the confused princess, and screams a single word:
”YES!”

After regaining hearing in her ears, the princess notices Twilight looking at her, with a small purple mass snuggled up to her.
”Princess Celestia, what’s gonna happen to the dragon I hatched?”
The princess put a hand to her chin, pondering for a moment before responding.
”I do not know. Normally I would keep it here, to make sure it stays safe and to study it. But, it has grown rather attached to you.” Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle, would you come here please?”
This finally shook them out of their shock, and they quickly ran up, and smothered Twilight with their love.
”Ah! Mom, dad! Not in front of the Princess!”
”Don't ever scare us like that again, and we have a deal!”

After embarrassing their daughter with the amount of affection they gave her, Night light and Twilight Velvet follow the princess out of the room and begin to speak with her.
”We are so sorry, we were just-“
”It is fine, I understand. You were scared for your daughter’s safety, but seeing your princess save her is not something most ponies would expect to witness in their lifetimes. Now, I wish to talk to you about the drake.”
”Well, it sure does seem to like our little spark.”
I believe that is due to her being the first thing it saw. The little drake probably views her as its mother. That’s why I ask one favor of you: adopt it. The crown will cover all expenses of raising it, as a part of Twilights scholarship.”
The two spoke to each other in whispers, before nightlight responds.
”We understand. We soundly want to separate a baby from its mother, even if it is adoptive.”
At this, the Princess smiles.

As the adults speak, Twilight and the young drake are curled up with each other.
” Now that you’ve been hatched, you need a name. How about rover?”
At this, the drake shakes his head.
Twilight smiles at this.
”I’m glad you understand me. It would be hard to figure out a name that sticks if we couldn’t talk. What about violet?”
The drake shakes his head again, this time sticking out his tongue, making Twilight chuckle.
You’re silly, I like that! Hmm, you have spiky looking claws and horns. How about spike?”
At this, the dragon smiles and nods his head. Twilight giggles again as she hugs the dragon.
”Spike it is then!”

As the adults come back into the room, their hearts all collectively melt as they see spike and Twilight snuggled together.
”Twilight, I have good news for you. Your parents have agreed to allow you to take home the dragon.”
”Thank you princess! Thank you mom, thank you dad! I won’t let you down! I promise to take good care of spike!
Twilights parents and her audibly d’aww at hearing the name she gave the dragon, before Celestia responds.
”I know you will, my student. Good bye, I will see you in 2 weeks for your first lesson.”
And with that, the sparkle family leaves, just a little bigger, and Celestia sighs. She hopes she made the right decision. After all, that filly just earned her cutie mark doing the impossible. And that cutie mark was something she was not expecting to see: the element of magic. She would be keeping a close eye on her new student.

Chapter 2: fuel for the embers

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 4: growing inferno

Author's Note

Just so you know, in this story, both Spike and Changelings age a little faster than ponies, and live much longer as well.(as long as they are fed.)
So in this story, Spike and thorax are actually about Twilight’s age, and will be fully matured once she hits 18. Also, spike won’t grow to the size of his original self, but instead remain around pony size.

Chapter 4: growing inferno

8 YEARS LATER

Another 8 years pass, and things are still going well for the Sparkle family. 3 years ago, when shining armor turned 16, his application was accepted for the junior officers program. Due To his skill and intellect, he quickly breezes through, climbing up the ranks faster than any previous officer ever had. He single-handedly managed to revolutionize not only guard training, but managed to massively improve both war and time strategies. Right now, he sat at the rank of Major General, and rumor has it that within the next month, he could be promoted to captain of the guard. There were also rumors of him and the princess of love had begun to court, but there was no confirmation.

Things were going just as well for the now 16 year old Twilight Sparkle. Under the tutelage of the sun, she was able to create an entire school of magic dedicated to preserving and restoring ancient tomes, called the Athenian school. She was able to master several other schools as well, such as the herminian transportation school, the Asclepian healing school, and even the Heliosian solar school. Her most impressive feat, however, was the rediscovery of the lost school of lunar magic, the selenian school. However, upon learning the news, the princess seemed ecstatic, yet melancholy.

As for Spike, he has continued to grow. Now about the size of a pre-teen when he was bipedal, and about half that quadrupedal, he was able to pass off for a griffin. He had continued to grow closer to his friend Thorax, often spending his evenings with him. However, one night he was caught sneaking out, and had to show Night Light and Twilight Velvet where he was going. Thankfully, they allowed him to wait until the next day. As he led his parents towards his sanctuary, he feared what their reactions to his friend would be. When he arrived, his parents were confused. This was it? Their son had been sneaking out at night to explore an abandoned warehouse? When they entered, however, that thought was flung from their head, as they took in the paradise within.

”Welcome to my garden.”
”This is where you’ve been sneaking to? A hidden garden?”
”Yep. Planted almost every plant myself.”
”Thats amaz- wait. What do you mean almost every plant?”
Spike nervously chuckles, as he leads them further into the warehouse.
”Well, it’s because I met somepony. He was a year younger than me, and hurt badly. I helped him, and we became friends. Ever since the , he’s been helping me with the garden. But…there’s one other thing about him. He’s a little… different from most others, like I am. “ Naturally concerned for his well being, his parents continue to push.
”What do you mean Spike?”
Spike once again chuckles, before looking back at them.
” You’ll see.”
As soon as he says that, they enter a central area of the courthouse, and come face to face with the changeling.
”Umm… hi. “

Twilight Velvet and Nightlight look at the creature, horror and confusion evident on their faces. What was that thing?! Thorax, naturally held the same look, as he was not expecting Spike to suddenly show up with two ponies. Before anything could go wrong, Spike spoke up.
”Mom, Dad, this is Thorax. He’s a changeling, and just like me, he’s one of a kind.”
A few minutes of pure silence go by, before Velvet breaks it.
” How do we know we can trust him? How do we know he won’t hurt you?! What even is a changeling?!”
Spike looked hurt, and tried to defend his friend, but thorax stopped him. Thorax had recoiled a bit at the shouting, but steadied himself as he began to answer.

”Changelings are basically bug ponies who can shape-shift, and live in a hive led by a queen. We feed off of love, and family is important to us. But…”
Thorax pauses for a moment, tears once more welling up in his eyes. Spike quickly runs over to Thorax, much to the shock of his parents, and begins to comfort the bug. Thorax hugs him, sobbing quietly before letting go and thanking him.
” But when I is born, I was different. Instead of being black, I was green. I had no holes in my chitin. And worst of all… I couldn’t change. For my first year of life, I was trying to fix myself. I cut holes into my legs, only for them to eventually heal up. I painted myself black, but it would always wash off. In the end, it didn’t matter. Everyone saw me as a freak. Every day they would hit me, and make fun of my appearance. Even my own mother hated me. She threw me out, saying she hoped to never see me again. Eventually I ended up in canterlot, and got hurt badly. It’s thanks to your son that I am alive. He sealed my wounds, helped me walk again, and the friendship we have keeps me fed. I would never hurt him, because he is all that I have.”

As Thorax told his story, Twilight Velvet and Night Light listened. The more they heard, the more horrified they were. What kind of mother throws out their child? What kind of people is so monstrous as to beat up some pony not even one year old yet? When they heard that their son had saved him, they felt proud. And As the changeling finished, they felt horrible. They had judged him based off of his appearance, much like many had to their son.As the changeling sat there crying, he felt two more bodies begin to hug him. He opened his eyes, only to see Velvet And Nightlight embracing him and Spike, much to his surprise.
” We owe you an apology. For his entire life, Spike has been judged by how he looks, and we’ve always been there to help him.”
”But when we saw you, we reacted in the exact same way. We thought you were going to hurt our son.”
”When in reality, you were only hurting, and helps you get through it. Please forgive us.”

Thorax smiled at the two parents, tears still streaming down his face.
I’m ”It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. Your fear was warranted, as most changelings are just as mean as they look. All that matters is that you’re willing to give me a chance. And for that, I thank you.”
”Would you want to come home with us? It’s the least we could do after what you went through.”
” Thank you, but no. I can’t go out in public. Most ponies would be afraid of me, and try to hurt you for protecting me. But I wouldn’t mind having you visit.”
Twilight Velvet and Night Light looked each other in the eyes, before looking back at Thorax and nodding.

After meeting Thorax, the sparkle family would begin to visit twice a week. Even Twilight and Shining were invited. Thankfully, their introductions went a little better. Shining was of course slightly suspicious at first, until he remembered that night he had seen Spike sneak in all those years ago. Putting two and two together, shining armor lightened up and accepted thin, much to everyone’s surprise. Twilight has just wanted to take notes, and thankfully for her, Thorax didn’t mind. Soon, they were all having picnics together, telling jokes and stories the whole time. And every time they left, while he felt a little down, he knew they would come back. For Thorax had finally found his family.

Princess Celestia was curious. Twice a week, Twilight Sparkle and her family would bring a picnic basket to a nearby abandoned warehouse, and spend hours within. She knew that it was a family event, and she shouldn’t be nosing around their business, but she was worried. After her student rediscovered lunar magic, she was afraid that she would too fall down the dark rabbit hole that so many before her had. While debating what to do, she noticed her adoptive niece, Cadence, was getting ready to leave.
”My dear niece, where are you going?”
”Shining Armor invited me to one of their biweekly picnics!”
”Well have fun then Cadence. And tell me if anything interesting happens.”
Cadence smiled, and hugged her aunt goodbye before turning around and leaving. Though if she had looked back, she would see her aunt grin mischievously, horn aglow with an observation spell.

The picnic had gone well. Cadence had enjoyed meeting Thorax, as well as hanging out with the Sparkle family. She could tell that Spike and Thorax meant a lot to each other, as well as something more. She could feel that they both had love for the other, yet didn’t know about it just yet. So, she just smirked a bit and continued to eat. She’s let them figure it out on their own. Eventually though, it had to come to an end, and they all parted ways. As Cadence returned home, she found Celestia waiting for her in the throne room. Confused, she walked towards her aunt, before Celestia’s horn suddenly lit up.

Cadence Flinched as the spell hit her, before suddenly feeling as if a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Instantly, she knew what her aunt had done. Before she could start chastising her, however, Celestia spoke up.
”I am sorry that I did that my dear niece. It was a breach of privacy and trust, and I truly regret doing what I have done. For now I know my fears were unfounded. Twilight Sparkle is uncorrupted by dark magic, and for that, I am glad.”
”You really shouldn’t have done that auntie. If the guard found out about the poor thing, he could be imprisoned or worse!”
”But they never will. Not a single souls shall know about him, other than those permitted by the Sparkle family. “
Cadence sighs, knowing that Celestia will honor her words, before heading off to her chambers. As Cadence leaves, Celestia begins to speak to herself.
”To think, a pure hearted changeling of royal blood. Perhaps he could finally be the one to redeem his species, should he ever start a hive. I’ll have to keep an eye on him as well.”

Chapter 5: a spark in their hearts, and a coming shadow

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6: a flame in the dark, part one

Author's Note

Things are starting to get serious. Leave a comment and let me know if I made any mistakes. Hope you enjoy! :twilightsmile:

Chapter 6: a flame in the dark, part one

The Trip to Ponyville was a boring trip. To pass the time, Twilight tried to initiate small talk.
”So, Thorax! Have you ever been to the summer sun celebration?”
And of course, she unintentionally made it somewhat awkward.
”U-um, no, I never had the chance. I did see the fireworks one time. I didn’t know what they were at the time, so it scared me.”
Twilight, realizing her mistake as soon as Thorax began to speak, began to blush and apologize profusely, causing Spike to chuckle.
” It’s okay Twilight. We all forget about things sometimes.”
”*sigh*Thank you Thorax. I just wanted to try and speed things along by talking.”
”Hey, it ain’t a bad idea. Don’t go beating yourself up about it sis.”
Twilight smiled, internally thanking her adoptive brother for his wise words, before Thorax began to speak.

”Speaking of the celebration, have you ever been Spike? I know Twilight has, but I’ve never anything about you going.”
”Nah, it’s never really been something I wanted to do. I mainly focused on learning, and keeping in shape. I don’t know why, but I have this nagging feeling that one day, it might help.”
”Better safe than sorry, right Spike?”
Spike nodded, before scouting closer to Thorax. Twilight noticed this, and a devious smirk began to form.
”So, you two finally admit?”
Both the drake and the changeling are caught of guard by Twilights question, as their faces begin to glow brighter than the sun.
”W-WHAT?!”
”Was I really that obvious, AND oblivious?”
”Yeah. I’m glad you finally got it off your chest though. Maybe now you can make some other friends without making each other jealous.”

”A-ANYWAYS!”
Twilight chuckled at their responses, rolling her eyes.
” So Twi, what’s on the itinerary for today?”
As Twilight’s eyes begin to light up, spike realizes his mistake. His pupils shrink to pinpricks, as he realizes what he has done; he has activated lecture mode.
I’m glad you asked! First on the list, it to check In with the mayor. She’ll let us know where we’ll be staying for the duration of our trip, as well as a list of each pony in charge of a task, as well as where to find them. Next, we check up on them one by one, starting with catering. If we gotta taste test, I’m gonna want to get it out of the way first, so we can walk it off as we check out the rest of the list. Then it will likely be decorations, unless we run into a different organizer on the way there. Then we’ll swing around to weather, before stopping off at music. And finally, we’ll head back to our dormitory, before taking a quick nap. After that, we’ll head to city hall, where we should be getting to the party before it starts. Then, we help with last minute details, before enjoying the party!”
As Twilight finishes, both Thorax and Spike look relieved, before she pulls out a second list.
”And here’s a list of all possible complications, and how to assist in fixing them!”
As Twilight begins to read it off, Spike groans, regretting what he had said.

After 2 straight hours of Twilight going over every possible detail, they had finally landed in ponyville, much to the relief of the purple dragon. As he was getting up, Twilight reminded him about the cover story he had to have in order to not cause as much panic. Nodding, He quickly helped Thorax put on his cloak, before throwing himself out of the chariot, back onto solid ground. After eating a face full of dirt, Spike stood up on all fours, before using his wings to dust himself off. As Thorax disembarked the chariot, he looked over to his beloved drake, and chuckled upon seeing the state of him. Twilight got off last, and rolled her eyes at the dragons overreaction. Suddenly, a gasp rings out, causing the three to quickly snap their heads to the perpetrator: a pink earth pony. Twilight attempts to wave and say hi, but the pony disappears in a cloud of dust. More than a little confused, they decide to shrug it off, before Twilight heads off to the mayors office to discover where they would be staying.

As Spike and Thorax waited, ponies that passed by kept shooting the cloaked Changeling and the drake glances. Thorax shifted, feeling uncomfortable due to the attention, before Spike spoke up.
”Yeah, I’m not a pony, big deal. Why don’t you guys take a picture, it lasts longer.”
Ponies, now realizing how rude they were being, stopped glaring at them, as Thorax snickered a bit at how blunt the drake was. After a few minutes, a young colt walks up to them, looking no more than four years old.
”Excuse me, but what are you sir?”
Spike smiled to the young foal, somewhat relieved that a pony had finally had the guts to walk up to him.
” well aren’t you polite? I’ll be glad you answer your question kid. Im what’s called a griffon.”
” Neat! Thank you mista!”
As the kid ran off, the ponies around them softened up a bit, and spike began to wave goodbye to the little pipsqueak.

Eventually, Twilight returned, and informed them that the three of them would be staying at the local library, directly in the heart of the town. Nodding, they all grabbed their bags and began the trick to the center of pony villa, as the chariot finally lifted back into the air. As they walked through the town, they passed by many weird buildings, such as the giant gingerbread house and the strange purple carousel, until they got into the heart of ponyville. It is at this point, that they realize that the library was a literal tree with a door in it. Probably not the best place to live for a dragon, but hey, he could make do. So, they unlocked the building, got inside.

Thorax had elected to stay behind to unpack and organize, so Twilight and Spike headed out to a farm just outside of town, to check in on the catering. As they grew closer, Spike looked at the checklist Twilight had given him.
”Okay, first up: catering for the banquet, sweet apple acres. Looks like we’re here.”
As they arrived, a shout sounded out.
”Yee-haw!”
Suddenly, an orange mare came running by, before jumping up and kicking a nearby apple tree at full force. After a moment, All of the apples dropped perfectly into buckets that had been set up beforehand.
The orange mare wiped the sweat off her brow, before turning to the two.
”Well howdy there! Welcome to sweet apple acres. What can I do ya for?”
”Hello there, my name is Twilight. I came to check up on sweet apple acres to see how you were getting along for the summer sun celebration banquet, and if you needed any help.”
”Well miss Twilight, cookin’s been goin well. As for help, thanks for askin, but we Invited a bit o’ family over to help us with it, so we don’t need any help. In fact, we recently got done with another batch, as well as lunch. Miss Twilight, do ya wanna stay for lunch and sample some good ol’ fashioned apple family cookin?”
As Twilight nods, Applejack walks up to the house real quick, before ringing the triangle attached to it.
”SOUPS ON!!”

Twilight felt as if she were dying. It wasn’t just a bit of family, it was the entire apple clan. There was enough food there to feed Canterlot for a whole month, and she had tried every single dish. The amount of apple themed dishes was astonishing, and each and every one was delicious. Spike followed closely behind her, less burdened but still full. He was surprised with how welcoming of him they were, despite the fact that he wasn’t a pony. He quickly pulls out the list, before checking something off.
”catering: *urp* check. Next up: decorations.”
As they continued to walk along, Twilight looked up to the sky, and noticed how cloudy it was.
”Thats not right, it’s supposed to be clear skies. Maybe we should check up on weather first.”
”Lets ask that Pegasus what’s going on.”
Spike points up, and lo and behold, a polychromatic tail was hanging off of a nearby cloud.

”Excuse me!”
Drawing no response from the pony, she spits again, a bit louder this time. They still have yet to move, so she nudges Spike. Grinning deviously, he breathes in a lungful of air.
”HEY, YOU UP THERE! WAKE UP!!”
As Spile shouts loud enough to wake the dead, the Pony finally reacts, jumping due to the sudden noise. They look over the edge, frown evident on their face, before flying down.
”Hey, what’s the big idea?! I was getting in some z’s! Takes a lot of energy being this awesome!”
Twilight quickly clears her throat, grabbing the mares attention, before she begins to speak.
”Im sorry about that, but we wanted to ask you a question. I am Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike. We have been tasked to oversee the preparations for the summer sun celebration. We were on the way to check out the decorations, when I noticed how cloudy it was. Could you lead us to the head weather mare so we could speak to her about this?”
”Well you’re speaking to her. What ya need?”

”Oh, well then, my apologies. May I ask you why the clouds haven’t been cleared out yet?”
” just haven’t gotten to it yet. If you’re so worried about it, why not have your griffon boyfriend do it for ya, they can move clouds too.”
Before Twilight can speak, spike holds his claw up, as he suppresses a growl in his throat.
”first of all, it is your job to do it, not anybody else’s. Second of all, she is my adoptive sister, thank you very much. This of all, I would do it myself, but due to me being adopted, I never learned how to fly, thus, cannot do it.”
As Spike finishes, the mare is left speechless.
”I- I am so sorry, I meant no disrespect. Here, I’ll get on it, and be done it ten seconds flat.”
She quickly flaps back into the air, and begins to bust clouds. As she said, it was done in exactly ten seconds, much to Spike and Twilights surprise, soaking the latter in the process.
”There! Done. Sorry about that again, didn’t mean to offend ya. Names rainbow dash, fasted flier in equestria!”
Spike grips her hand and shakes, smiling a bit.
”Pleasures mine.”

Rainbow glances over at Twilight for a moment, before cringing.
”Sorry about that, cloud busting can be wet work sometimes.”
Twilight sighs, before smiling lightheartedly.
”Its okay, no harm done.”
Suddenly, the rainbow maned mare jumps up and shouts a bit.
”Hey, I just thought of something! I’ll just fry you off real quick to make up for it!”
Before Twilight can respond, the mare is already back in the air.
”One rainblow-dry, coming right up!”
Suddenly, the mare starts flying in circles around her, causing the wind to pick up. After a few moments, she stops, and lands, only to bust out laughing. The purple mare is dry alright, but her mane now looks as if she was in a tornado. Spike chuckles, eliciting a groan from Twilight.
”One more thing. You wanna learn how to fly big guy?”
Spike looks at her with curiosity, before nodding. Twilight sighs as she tries to fix her hair.”I’ll let you two get to it then. I’ll finish up the list Spike, just meet me back at the Library when you’re done.”
And as the purple mare leaves, Spikes flight training begins.

Three hours have passed, and Spike has finally gotten the hang of it. As spike swoops and dives, rainbow looks on, feeling smug that she was able to teach him so fast. As he lands next to her, she pays him on the back.
”Good job big guy, you’re a natural!”
”Thanks. Had a great teacher.”
Rainbow chuckles at this, before looking at him.
”Been a couple years since I last saw a griffon in equestria. How’d you get here?”
”My egg was found, and brought here. How’d you know so much about griffons?”
” My best friend in flight school was a griffon.”
Spike nods, before looking around.
”Well, I’d better get going. Don’t want Twilight to freak out and explode somepony again. Catch you on the flip side dash!”
”See you later big dude.”
And as Spike walks away, what he said finally finished processing in her mind.
”Wait, explode somepony again?!”

As Spike finally makes it back to the library, and spots Twilight, getting back around the same time.
”Hey Twi. How’s the other supervisor’s go?”
Twilight groans, before looking at her brother.
”They were nice, but it took more out of me than I thought it would. The decorator took one look at me, shrieked, then offered to do my mane, and give me a dress. The song coordinator was really talented, training birds how to sing perfectly, but by Celestia was she shy. How did your flight lessons go.”
Spike chuckles before sighing.
”They went great, but they were damn exhausting. It’s been a long day for both of us then. Hey, at least we’ll finally be able to relax now that we’re back.”
As Spike finishes saying that, he opens the door.
“SURPRISE!”
Spike sighs yet again at the apparent surprise party. This day was getting longer and longer.

The party wasn’t that bad: lots of ponies were there, the snacks were great, and the games were fun. He even saw some familiar faces. After getting himself a drink, he walks over to Twilight, who’s being hounded by the pink mare they had seen earlier today.
When she notices him, she smiles, and walks toward him, with the pink mare in hot pursuit.
”Oh, who is this?! I’ve never seen a griffon in person before! My name is Pinkie Pie, pleasure to meet you! Are you enjoying the party?!”
As his brain tried to process what she just managed to tell him in less than 2 seconds, he nods.
”GREAT! This is your triple welcome to ponyville party after all, so if you weren’t enjoying it, that would be a bummer. Oh hey, the dj is playing the pony polky!”
And with that, the mare walks off, leaving a thoroughly confused dragon.
”That mare really is something.”
”No kidding.”

As the party dies down and ponies begin to leave, the sun begins to set. Eventually, only 7 creatures remain within the library. Spike was finally able to meet the decorator, a mare named Rarity. She was a nice enough mare, if a bit flirty with him. A yellow mare, which he assumed was the mare in charge of the music, sat in a corner nearby, seemingly zoned out. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were still there, talking with Twilight. He couldn’t pick up what they were saying, but she seemed to be getting along decently with those 2. Then there was Pinkie, who was passed out on the floor, wearing a lampshade on her head. He can only assume she crashed from her sugar rush, because there was no alcohol at the party. As Spike sits to the side, wondering where Thorax is, Rarity continues to talk about how nice his feathers look, and how she’d love a stallion like him, before he sighs.
”Miss Rarity, you’re a nice mare, but I’m sorry to say, you’re not my type. I would still love to be your friend though. ”
Rarity huffs, still determined win over the mysterious yet beautiful purple griffon.
”Well darling, what is your type then?”
”Men.”
As she hear this, her mind halts. As she suddenly begins to feel guilty, she blushes and looks down.
”…ah. I’m sorry then darling, I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.”
”Its fine. You’re a nice mare Miss rarity, and whoever you find will be an extremely lucky pony.”
”Well thank you darling. Would you like to be friends still?”
”Yeah, I would.”

Finally, everypony left, and the library was empty. Spike, still worried about Thorax, calls out his name.
”Thorax! Where are you?”
Suddenly a closet bursts open, and a green changeling pops his head out.
”Are they gone?”
Spike nods his head, before hugging his special someling.
” I love you so much Thorax.”
Thorax blushes and smiles at the contact, before responding to his drakefriend.
”I love you with all my heart, Spike.”
Just then, Twilight walks up the stairs, and smiles at them.
”All right you love bugs, time to go to bed. Still need to get up nice and early for the summer sun celebration tomorrow!”
”Gotcha sis. I’ll get out the air matress,you sleep in the loft.”
”Sounds good. Good night spike, good night Thorax.”
”Goodnight Twilight.”
”Night Twi.”
And so, they all head to bed. Thorax and Spike snuggle together closely on the mattress, while Twilight gets cozy in the bed. As they all drift off to sleep, none of them expect what will happen in the morning.

Chapter 7: a flame in the dark, part two

As Spike slumbers, his dreams start to warp. Strange images flash through his head, of strange lizard creatures and a giant red creature, similar to him. Suddenly, the dream stabilizes, and he finds himself within a strange room. Strange murals are carved into the walls, featuring giant worms, strange mages, and the large, red drake. As he looks around, he eventually noticed a throne, with an armor clad figure upon it. As soon as he notices the unknown creature upon the throne, his blood runs cold. Why do they feel familiar? The figure is wrapped in a flowing purple cloak, with a long tuft of red hair jutting out the top of the helmet. As the creature raises its head to look at him, a raspy laughter emits from them.
”Ah, a pleasure to finally meet you, face to face.”

As Spike continues to stare at the figure, his heart beats faster and faster, and panic begins to set in. This isn’t right, why do they feel so familiar? And why is he so scared?
”W-who are you? How did I get here?!”
”Straight to the point, respectable. Relax, young dragon, for I mean you no harm. I am King Yharim, ruler of the jungles of my world. As for how you got here, you really aren’t. A little bit of magic and some dream manipulation do wonders for communicating between realms.”
”What do you mean, your world? And what do you want from me?!”
” I am of a different realm. And I wish only to warn you of a coming danger.”
”What do you mean?”
”The solar Princess has lied to you. The seal shall be breaking sooner than you think, and her rage will darken the sky. Should the sun’s plan fail, your world shall die in the ensuing ice age.”

”Well then, how can I make sure that doesn’t happen?”
”Not much, I’m afraid. Only beings or artifacts of godlike power even stand a chance to her corrupted magic, and very few exist within your realm. But all is not lost. Should things seem dire, return to where it all began. For within, lies the element of your success.”
”Your talking about the story, aren’t you. And the elements are the artifacts used to banish her?”
Correct, young drake. You are just as clever as I remember, if not more.”
” Wait, what do you mean, you remember? Do I know you?”
”No, no, you do not. But I know you.”
”Wait, are you the one who sent us those gifts, after I hatched?!”
As Spike asks the king, the room begins to shudder and crack, allowing white light to pour in.
”Ah, it appears we are out of time. It was a pleasure to meet you in person, young drake. Before you go, I must let you know one more thing.”
As the room continues to cave in, Spike can feel the Tyrant’s kings eyes land upon his.
”There is more you you than even you know. You have yet to reach even a fraction of your true potential. And that power has the potential to alter your world, for better or worse.”
As he states these final cryptic words, the room collapses.

Spike awakes in a cold sweat, attempting to process what he had just seen. What did the jungle Monster king mean with his final words? Did Spike really possess the power to reshape the world? And why does his mind get foggy when he thinks of what to call the dictator ruler? Before he could ponder any further, he feels Thorax Shift around next to him, mumbling Spike’s name in his sleep. The drake smiles at this, and lies back down, hugging his lovebug. The Tyrant’s words could be mulled over later. But before Spike could drift back to sleep, Twilight leaped out of bed.
”WAKE UP YOU SLEEPYHEADS!”
Thorax, frightened by the sudden outburst, jumped up out of the bed . Thankfully, Spike was quick enough to get up and grab him mid-air, before he could impact the ground.
Time to get ready! The Party begins in a half hour and the sun rises another 30 minutes after! “
Spike sighs, before setting down a blushing Thorax and giving him a quick kiss. This caused the bug to blush even more, but simultaneously waking both of them up fully.
”Welp, better get moving. Don’t wanna be late.”

It took the three of them only 10 minutes to get ready. As Spike helps him puts on his cloak, Thorax puts in some special contact lenses with pupils, to make the Changeling look more Pony-like. As they leave the Library, they begin to chat about what they think will happen at the party.
” I wonder if there will be any performers! I love music.”
”I’m just hoping they have something that caters to carnivores. I wonder what apple based meat dishes Applejack could make?”
”I just can’t wait to read my paper on the mythology surrounding the celebration!”
And before they know it, they have made it to City hall, and walk inside.
As they get in, they migrate closer to the balcony, hoping to get a front row seat of the princess as she announces the start of the celebration. But unbeknownst to them, outside, the stars begin to move, and the mare on the moon disappears.

After a few minutes, the lights dim, and everypony goes quiet. The mayor walks out, and begins to speak. Spike zones out, looking around until his eyes land on the window. Looking up and outside, his heart stops, as he looks at the moon: missing the mare. As he remembers the warning of Yharim, his pupils shrink before the mayor finishes her speech.
”I’m pleased to announce, Princess Celestia!”
As the curtains pull back, it’s revealed that the princess is missing, triggering Twilight to start panicking. As ponies look around confused, a dark blue mist floats in through the window, causing Thorax to shudder. He can sense the pure rage and hatred radiating off of it. As mist begins to solidify, every pony brings their eyes upon the Balcony again, as a tall, black Alicorn wearing silver armor materializes, grinning her razor sharp teeth.
”Hello my dear subjects. Oh how I’ve missed you.”

As The Alicorn looks over her subjects, Spike looks to Twilight, and then to Thorax. He can see the terror etched in their faces, and he wishes he could do something to help them. After a moment, Nightmare moons smile turns into a frown.
”Does no pony remember us? After all we did for you?!”
It is at this moment that Twilight, decided to humor the ancient horror.
”Y- your nightmare moon!”
”At least one pony remembers us. So tell me little mare, do you know what I plan to do?”
”B-br-bring e-eternal -n-n-night.”
”Looks like she does her research. You shall see your precious sun no longer! FOR THE NIGHT. WILL. LAST. FOREVER!!!”

As the words of the mad goddess ring out, panic begins to erupt as ponies attempt to flee. Suddenly, Twilight is teleported next to the alicorn, who holds her by the throat.
”As for you, young mare, you shall not live long enough to see this come to fruition. I know you are my sisters student. And thus, you are a threat. Goodbye, young mare.”
As Nightmare begins to squeeze, Spikes instincts kick in. He would NOT let his sister be hurt. As he jumps, his wings flap and he is launched towards the balcony. Nightmare turns her head to uncover what she just heard, but is assaulted by claws, the pain causing her to drop the mare.
”GO TWILIGHT! I’LL HOLD HER OFF!!”
Twilight, full of fear, nods and runs off, as the Alicorn turns her attention to the drake.
”So, a puny griffon cares for the suns favored student?”
”I won’t let you hurt my sister.”
”Interesting. But it is of no matter. You shall not live long enough to protect her from my wrath.”
Suddenly, Nightmare lunges at him, fist balled up.

As he grabs her fist, he tries to crush it with his claw, but to no avail. Suddenly, he is kicked in the ribs, causing him to fly backwards, into a table. Flapping his wings, he quickly gets up, before charging back at her. Dodging another punch, he hooks her right in the jaw, before quickly flying back. He quickly lands, before thrusting himself forward into a kick, hitting her right in the gut. However, it had no reaction, and as she brings her elbow down on his leg, he realizes it had been a trap. With an audible crack, his leg fractures, causing him to scream in pain, before flapping back again. He quickly pushes forward again. Throwing a flurry of punches at her, before she catches his fists. Struggling against her, he doesn’t notice her bringing her head down until the cold steel of her helmet crashes into his skull, cracking the bone and denting the metal. As he falls to the ground, nightmare looks on with a face of dissatisfaction, before turning back into mist and flying off.

After a moment, Spike regains consciousness, before grunting in pain. He forced himself to get up, remembering he had to find Twilight and Thorax. Wiping the blood from his bleeding brow, he flaps his wings, before racing off to the library. When he gets there, though, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow dash, Rarity, the pink crazy pony and one other were leaving.
”Damn, big guy! What the hell happened to you?”
”Fought the black bitch to let Twilight escape. She beat me, but I did some damage.”
”Thats mighty brave of ya.
”Thanks Applejack. Anyways, Where are you girls going?”
”We’re gonna get the magic gem thingies called the hellements of armory, or something like that, and use them to beat black snooty!”
”Well what are we waiting for? Let’s get going!”
” I’m sorry, but Please stay here Spike. I don’t want you to get hurt further.”
”Yeah, no way. You’re my sister. If you got hurt out there, I would never forgive myself. I’m coming, whether you like it or not.”
”But Spi-“
”But nothing. I’m going, just let me say bye to him first.”
Twilight sighed, before nodding, letting him into the library. The other girls were confused, until Twilight told them it was his boyfriend. After he came back out, they headed towards the forest, ready to face down the alicorn.

It had taken them hours, but they had trudged through the forest, facing many different threats along the way. From collapsing cliffs and raging rivers, to creepy trees and angry Manticores. Rainbow even had to fix a bridge, and ignore the temptations of strange evil ghost wonderbolts. And finally, they had made it to a castle. As they entered the dilapidated throne room, they ran toward the strange stone structure in the middle, with 5 stone orbs upon it. As they were trying to figure out what they were supposed to do, Spike had noticed the black mist had begun to pool around Twilight. Spikes eyes widened, as he realized what was about to happen, before he sprung into action. As the smoke began to take form, he reached her and pushed her out of the way. Just in time as well, as for as soon as he had, a black, steel sword had right where she would have been. Right where he was now.
Right. Through. His. Heart.
Back at the Library, Thorax begins to cry, as he sensed his love dying.

As Twilight landed roughly on the ground, she turned towards her brother to reprimand him. But what she saw made her scream: Nightmare Moon, standing over him, sword plunged through his heart.
”While not my intended target, that still takes out one major threat. And even better, you led me straight to the elements! Now, I can take out the only threat to my power!”
As she said this, her horn lit up, and the orbs were lifted in her power. Suddenly, they were shattered, and the shards dropped to the floor. Twilight, tears in her eyes, crawled over to her brother’s lifeless corpse, hugging it and sobbing.
”I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! Please don’t go, I need you!”
As footsteps begin to approach her, she does not turn from her brothers corpse.
”Pathetic.”
Nightmare kicks the mare away from the corpse, laughing all the while. Twilights new friends come to her, and help her sit back up. They comfort her, trying to help her feel better, to no avail. All the while, Nightmare keeps cackling. That is, until The air begins to grow warmer around them.

As Nightmare moon notices how warm it was becoming, she began to look at the mares, anger plastered on her face.
”What are you foals doing?!”
However, her anger turns to confusion upon seeing their faces, and where they were looking. Slowly turning around, back towards her kill, her heart begins to race. As her eyes lock onto the corpse, it stops. The sword embedded within him was melting, and the plants surrounding him were bursting to flame. Suddenly, that shock turns to horror, as he begins to twitch. The six mares were watching in horror as well, wondering what could possibly be going on. However, their hope began to rise as they saw the drake begin moving again. Slowly but surely, Spike got back up, from a seemingly mortal wound. He looks directly into Nightmare’s fear filled eyes, before snarling.
”You’re wrong.”
”W-what?!”
”Back at city hall, you called me a griffon. Well you’re wrong.
”What do you even mean?!”
”I mean that I’ve been lying. I’m not a griffon. What am I then? Well, I finally know. I am Spike, brother of Twilight Sparkle. Son of Night Light and Twilight Velvet. And I am one of a kind. I am the resplendent Phoenix dragon.”
And with that, he lunged at the terrified Alicorn.

As he lunged at the alicorn, the six mares looked on in shock and awe.
”Woah. Why didn’t you tell me he was a kickass unkillable dragon?!”
”Mainly because I didn’t know! I mean, I knew he was a dragon, but couldn’t spread that info to keep ponies from panicking. As for unkillable, do your really think that I knew after seeing my reaction to seeing him get stabbed.
”Toupee”
”Um, Rainbow, I think you mean Touché.”
”gesundheit flutters.”
”Everyone quiet for a moment! I think I’m starting to understand the elements!”
As that exchange was going on, Spike and Nightmare Moon were going blow for blow. Spike launched a fireball at her, melting her armor, before unleashing a flurry of claw swipes. She teleported away, shooting multiple blasts from her horn, which he easily dodged. He quickly climbed up into the sky, and unleashed a small fireball, which Nightmare smugly dodged. That is, until it transformed into a flaming tornado, engulfing her within. She emerged moments later, rage in her eyes, as she summoned a battle axe, and swung it at the drake. Quickly dodging, he kicked her, wincing as he remembered his fractured leg, before flying back up. As he began to charge at Nightmare again, a rainbow engulfed her. Sighing, he landed, and promptly collapsed.

When he woke back up, he was in the hospital, surrounded by Twilight, his parents, those five mares, Thorax and the princesses. Wait Princesses? Before he could question it further, he was suddenly embraced, and had a lair of lips pressed to his own.
”SPIKE! I was so worried, I felt you die! But you’re alive! Don’t ever leave me like that again! “
”I promise I won’t Thorax, I love you too much. Also ow.”
Thorax, realizing his mistake, quickly let go of Spike, blushing.
”That was so freaking awesome big guy! You were like nooo! Then blarg I’m dead. Then you were like sike! Swoosh imma set you on fire! then we hit her with the rainbow beam and then-“
”I think he’s got the gist dash. After all, he was there. Spike, I’m so glad you’re ok. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if you died!”
”I was so worried! I’m sorry baby, mama’s here now!”
”Honey, let him rest. He’s been through a lot. We’re proud of you, Spike. You saved your sister.”
At all if their kind words, Spike smiled. Today was going to be a good day. After he took some pain meds of course.

After most others had left, all that was left was The princesses, Thorax, Twilight, and of course, Spike.
”First things first, who’s the little blue princess?”
”Spike!”
”Umm… we are Princess Luna. Thou helped free us from our possession. We are forever in thine debt, for not only our freedom, but for our transgressions upon ye.”
”Apology accepted. I gotta learn more about myself and my apparent powers thanks to it, so no harm no foul. Now Princess Celestia, may I ask why you lied to us?”
”Seriously, Spike!!”
”No no, it is okay my student. I am sorry for not telling you the whole truth. I had only wished for you to not panic, and to enjoy this day. Sadly, my plan and backup plan had both failed, leading to what happened. If you hadn’t held her off while Twilight figured out the elements, my sister would be lost forever. Thank you Spike, and forgive me.”
”As if I’m not going to forgive you. You’re practically family to me, and you only lied to try and keep us safe.”
Celestia and Luna nodded while smiling before leaving, leaving just the three.
”So, what next?”
”Well, I’m staying in ponyville to learn more about friendship. You two wanna join?”
Spike and Thorax shared a Quick Look, before nodding to Twilight. Life was about to get a whole lot more interesting for them, And they were fine with it.

Chapter 8: charred feathers

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 9: an urgent warning

A week has passed since Gilda arrived in town, and not much has changed. Gilda had gotten moved in well and found a job, thanks to Rainbow. After a second welcome to Ponyville party, Gilda was fully apart of the community. Spike was glad to see her be accepted, because she needed a break. Spike continued to work for the weather team, and even got a small raise. Twilight began to hang out with her friends more and more, growing closer every day. And Thorax decided to see if he could help Fluttershy take care of the animals, which she gladly accepted. For some reason, he felt a familiar sort of bond to her, but he couldn’t tell why. Things were going well for the town. But for a town like Ponyville, things never go truly right.

Spike laid in his bed, thrashing around as he slept. Flashes of images assaulted his Mind yet again, before he was once more plopped within that familiar room, with the murals carved into the walls. Knowing where he was, he turned to the throne once more, only to be confused. For the throne was gone, and instead replaced with a pile of bones, with a red robes figure sitting upon it.
”So this is where you were flung off to, huh? A little to TV-Y for my tastes.”
”Who are you? What are you doing in this room? And why am I here again?!”
”Again? So the tyrant was already able to get to you after all. Damn.”
”You mean that gold guy who gave me the creeps? Yeah, I met him.”
”Oh-ho, never expected you of all creatures to call him creepy! You really are different, aren’t you?”
”What the hell is that supposed to mean?and why are we here?!”
”Easy there ya turkey, I was about to get to it.”

”You see, I came here to warn ya about a couple of things. First, is the fact that a series of chaotic events is about to be sprung into motion, and it will lead to the north of a new immortal. And you, your little boy toy, and your sister and all her friends will be at the center of it.”
”So even more long forgotten myths and legends coming to life to try and destroy the world. Great, it’ll be a great day, just like it was last time! Hopefully without the impalement.”
”Damn, sarcasm. Never expected you to grow a sense of humor. Anyways, yeah, lotsa monsters, some long forgotten, some eerily similar, and one, really, really pissed off cumulus, with a taste for the finer things in life. Like gems, and slavery, and long walks on the snow beach.”
”Who isn’t?”
”Heh, I like ya kid. So I’m gonna not be that vague with the second warning, just for ya!”
”Gee, thanks.”
”No problem chicken boy! Anyways, Yharim’s killed the Terrarian.”

”Okay, what the shit is that supposed to mean?”
”It means that one of the few creatures that could stand up to him is now six feet deep. I would try and stop the dumbass, but he’d just drive me mad again.”
”Yeah, the crazy dictator killing his only real threat does sound pretty bad. But why do I have to worry. We’re literally worlds apart!”
”Yeah, about that.When he’s done with our world, let’s just say he’s looking at his neighbors plate.”
”Me and my big mouth.”
” Nah, don’t worry just yet. There’s another dimension between us and you. Besides, his plans here aren’t finished just yet. He still has to kill the last of the gods, and take over the rest of the universe. Just wanted to let you be able to prepare.”
”You make it sound as if he’s gonna conquer two universes in a year or two!”
”Yeah, cause he is. He may have lost most of his friends, including the orange chicken on the murals, but he still has the most powerful witch in the universe enslaved, as well as the genius and insane robot scientist with a giant godly death robot. Yeah, things don’t look to good right now.”

”Thats a massive fucking understatement!”
”Nah, it’ll be fine. After all, he’s gonna have to go against you!”
”WHAT.”
”What, have you not figured it out yet ya stupid bird? You’ve got powers. Incredible powers. And you’ve only just scratched the surface of what you can do. Should you get good enough, you could destroy worlds, and kill gods. Most importantly, you could free me.”
”And how am I supposed to do that?”
”Easy. I’ve got enough leeway and power to send you a book. It’s a book of the powers of… something similar to you. Y’should be able to learn whatever you need from it.”
”So, your gonna send me a book, filled with ancient power, in order for me to learn about my powers, so I can kill a multi-dimensional warlord. Let me guess, the reason you’re doing this is because you’re the god-tier witch he’s enslaved?”
”You’ve even got more intuition than I thought! Congrats, you guessed right.”
”Aren’t I gonna have to fight you? Are you worried I might kill you?”
”Nah, not really. Cause even if you kill me, I’ve got a back-up in place. Time magic fuckery can do wonders for avoiding a permanent death.”
And how do you know so much about me?! I’ve never met you before, but you seem to know more than I do!”
As Spike asks this, the room begins to shatter once more.
”Eh, you won’t remember most of this anyways, other than vague feelings, so I might as well tell you a bit. Your pow-“
But before she could finish, the room shattered.

As Spike awakens, he bolts up, covered in sweat. The memory of the dream meeting has already began to fade, as a concerned Thorax stirs awake.
”You okay hun?”
”Yeah, just a weird dream.”
”What was it about.”
”Thats the thing, I can’t really remember for some reason. All I know is that it’s given me a bad feeling. As if something has been put into motion, that could affect us all.”
Thorax gives his love a comforting hug, and kisses him in the cheek.
”It’ll be fine. As long as we’re together, we’ll get be able to get through anything.”
”Thanks Thorax, I needed that. I love you.”
”I love you too.”
As the two lie back down, embracing each other into slumber, they don’t notice the red flash of light, nor the book that falls into the fireplace. As it lands, golden magic sparks, causing it to be engulfed in flames. As the book burns, one would be able to see the title of it.

The last of the god- dragons: lore and powers of the resplendent phoenix Yharon: a study by King Yharim.

And if they listened closely, one might be able to hear the laughter of a tyrant.

Author's Note

A more foreboding chapter, hinting at what is to come. And don’t think that Spike will get those answers just yet! After all, the game has just begun.

Chapter 11: smoldering peaks

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 12: Cracks in the stone

When they returned home, they were surprised to see the down deserted.Unnerved, they all just stood there, until Pinkie bounced away at a record pace. Not wanting to lose their friend, they chased her all the way to Sugarcube corner, watching as she disappeared inside. Nodding to each other, they all slowly headed towards the open door, unsure as to what they should expect. But as the lights flashed on, and confetti rained down, they realized what had happened. Pinkie had set up a party beforehand to celebrate their success. Their shock quickly turned to joy and mirth, as they joined in the festivities. That is, all except for Spike.

As Spike sat at a table, drinking his punch, his mind raced. He was so deeply engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the figure who walked up and sat down at the table.
”Hey dweeb, what’s wrong?”
”Oh, hey Gilda. Good to see you.”
”Seriously, what’s up with ya? Haven’t seen you this down in the dumps before.”
”Its nothing, just… something that dragon said sticks out to me.”
Gilda looked looked at Spike concerned, wondering what the dragon could have said to him.
”He didn’t say anything shitty to you, did he?”
”He did, but that’s not what I’m worried about. When I tried to ask him to leave, he started talking about how that had been his cave for thousands of years. And in passing, he mentioned an age of chaos, before the sun and moon took over. What I’m worried about is what caused this age of chaos? And what if it could come back, like Nightmare Moon did?”

Gilda thought for a moment, before replying to his question.
”Well if that happens, you got those element things and whatnot, so you guys’ll be fine.”
”Yeah, you’re right. Thanks G, can always count on you.”
”No probs Dweeb. Now let’s go and enjoy this party.”
At that point, Thorax managed to stumble towards them, disoriented and covered in punch.
”I think some pony mighta spiked the punch. Literally, it’s all over the floor now.”
”Thor, what happens to you?! Why are you covered in punch?”
”I think I was in the splash zone.”
Spike guffaws at this, before hugging his beloved and rejoining the party.

The party had finally died down after a few hours, and everyone was exhausted. Pinkie was somehow passed out on the ceiling, lampshade adorning her head, and a bottle of Pink liquid hung loosely in her hand. Twilight began to look for her two roommates, and d’aw’d upon seeing them.Thorax and Spike had fallen asleep upon each other, arms wrapped around each other. Though while the display was cute, she had to get them home. So, she pulled out the amulet she had gotten all those years ago, and put it on. Feeling the magic flowing through her, she gently picked the two up in a spell, before teleporting them all home. As they blinked into existence on the second floor, Twilight let out a massive yawn. Gently setting the two down in their bed, she quickly raced up to hers, and plopped down, instantly falling asleep.

As the three slept, their dreams began to shift, and slowly coalesced into a single, shared dream. Flashes of visions began to assault them, overwhelming the three. Then suddenly, just as they had began, they stopped.
”Huh, back here again. Guess something’s about to happen.”
”Wait, what do you mean here again? Where are we?”
”Wait, how are you two here?! normally I’m alone in these dreams!”
”Wait a minute, I remember something. That time you woke up in the middle of the night, panting and sweating, did you have one of these dreams?”
”I… I think I did. I couldn’t remember that dream, but now… it’s all coming back to me. But why are we here?”
”That would be my doing.”
”Dont forget me. Couldn’t have gotten all three of it weren’t for me.”
Upon hearing the voice, Spikes blood ran cold. The three slowly turned around, and finally noticed them. The tyrant, and his witch.

”You… what do you want from us?!”
”Calm down there you feisty chicken, we’re about to get to that.”
”Hey, don’t call my brother that, it’s rude!”
”Don’t care, Sparkle.”
”H-h-how do y-you know m-m-my name?!”
”Enough, Calamitas. The reason you are here is that we wish to warn you.”
”And what could be sooo big that you needed all three of us here?!”
”You were right. During the age of chaos, there was a ruler. The living embodiment of disharmony. Discord, the spirit of chaos. And the presence of a being of two worlds has caused the barrier to start weakening early.”

”What do you mean?”
”A valid question. What it means is that a foreign element has become apart of your world, causing a chain reaction, leading to his early freedom.”
”Well how did this happen?”
”When one soul flee’s into a different world, a soul from that world must me transferred to keep the balance. It matters not what time or place the soul is placed into, all that matters is that one must trade their place for another.”
”And how do you know all this?”
”Heh, I know more about your world than you know, birdy. And I know that sun- bitch didn’t tell you about discord yet, to quote unquote, ‘PrOtEcT yOu!”
”Don’t talk about the princess like that, who do you think you are?!”
”I think that I know more about her than you do. Tell me, what do you know about her previous students? What happened to them? Notice how not a single one since Starswirl has ever been documented or even remembered. That is, until you.”

”What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”
”ENOUGH, BOTH OF YOU!”
Upon hearing his shout, the trio had felt their hearts skip a beat. The power, rage and Authority behind that voice was… menacing.
”Apologies, my master. I got overworked.”
”Good, you are forgiven.Now back to the topic at hand, I offer you advice. When what you desire is on the line, trust not his words, for they will split you. For what you seek can be found where your heart lays. And be warned, lest he twist your mind. For only the past, will bring you back from this fate.”

As the tyrants words sink in, they begin to ponder. As they realize what the words mean, their eyes light up, before looking yo the tyrant.
”What we seek would be the elements, that’s obvious. As for where they lie, home is where the heart lies, so they would be at our houses.”
”As for trust not his words, I’m assuming he’ll try to trick us into splitting up, making us easy pickings.”
”And mind twisting is a type of magic. It can be used many ways, from rendering a subject malleable, to completely changing personality at a whim. So he’s probably do something that makes you unable to use the elements anymore, like switching your personality.”
Upon their decree, the tyrant begins to laugh. Not in a mocking tone, however, but in a tone of amusement.
”Very good, that is correct. I knew you would be able to figure it out.”
”But why tell us? I know what you’re planning to do, so why not just let him beat us?”
The world begins to crumble, as the tyrant chuckles again.
”I have my reasons. Farewell, you three. May you succeed in your mission.”
As the world finally collapses, they can barely hear the laughter of the tyrant.

The three all simultaneously shoot up in bed.
”Man, what a weird dream.”
”That wasn’t a dream Thorax. That was a warning.”
”Wait, are you saying that we were actually in the same dream?!”
”Yep. And I’m assuming that what he just warned us about, is gonna happen very soon.”
As Spike says this, a letter appears in front of Twilight, causing her to jump. She quickly unfurls it and reads the contents, eyes shrinking the further down she gets.
”Spike, Thorax, go get the girls. Canterlot is under attack.”

Author's Note

Si draculus in animo habeat, silvestrem rursus volabit draco.

Chapter 13: Flames of chaos

Spike flew as fast as his wings could take him towards Rainbow’s cloud house. Landing roughly, he runs to the door and begins to slam on it. Shortly after he began, the door swings open, revealing an annoyed looking Rainbow.
”What?!”
”Get dressed quickly, and go grab flutters and AJ. Tell them to get to the train station. Canterlot is in danger!”
Rainbows face drops upon hearing this, before quickly rushing back inside. Spike takes off, heading towards the other two houses he needs to get to, hoping he they would be able to get to Canterlot in time.

After about twenty minutes, all the girls have congregated in front of the train station.
”What in Tarnation is happenin?!”
”I don’t exactly know, but I do know that Canterlot is under threat, and that we need to get there as soon as we can.”
The girls nod before buying their tickets and boarding the next train to the capital. Before he gets on, Spike embraces Thorax, comforting his beloved.
”Be safe, okay? I don’t know how I’d get by if you got hurt.”
”I will, my lovebug. If anything happens, try to keep everypony safe? I love you.”
”I will. I love you too.”
Spike breaks the hug, and boards the train. As the train pulls out of the station, Thorax turns around, before heading back to the library. If the dream was right, and this threat was going to brainwash them, he’d have to prepare.

As they exited the train, they were greeted by a contingent of royal guard, led by a certain Stallion in flaming armor.
”Shining!”
”Big bro!”
”Twi! Spike! Boy I’m glad to see you two safe. Come on, we don’t have much time. We’ve got a carriage to the castle ready for you and your friends.”
They quickly left the station and boarded the carriage, before engaging in conversation.
”How come ya never told us you got a brother Twi?”
Twilight replies, an embarrassed look on her face.
”I honestly forgot to tell you girls. After all the chaos that’s been happening, it’s completely slipped my mind.”
”Where’d he get that cool armor? I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
”Ooh! Ooh! I think I know! Somepony broke into your house, leaving behind three super duper mysterious boxes, and in them were cool gifts that give you guys whackaroony powers! That spicy looking armor was your brothers!”
Twilight and Spike were speechless.
”That was… oddly accurate.”
”If I ever need to ask someone about their past, remind me to ask you instead.”
The girls began to laugh about pinkies antics, as they headed closer to the castle.

As they pulled up to the castle, a guard hopped off of the carriage before opening their door. As they piled out, the five girls looked at the palace in wonder. Spike merely rolled his eyes. After growing up practically in the castle, he was used to the extravagance by now.
”Lets get going. Remember, there’s danger afoot.”
This snapped the girls out of their astonishment, before they finally started to head inside. As they walked through the majestic hallways, the girls continued to look on in awe, marveling at the pristine beauty of the castles every detail. As they stopped in front of the throne room, the mystified girls ran into the closed gate, causing a chuckle to escape from Twilight and Spike.
”Girls, I know your exited to see the princess in the throne room, but we need to check in with the door guards first.”
At this, the girls finally noticed the two guards standing on point beside the door.
”Terribly sorry, we didn’t realize we had to check in. How do we do that Darling?”
”Here, I got it.”
Twilight walked fo one of the guards, before presenting a paper. Upon reading it, the guard nodded, before he pulled a switch opening the door. The embarrassed girls and the amused sibling walked into the throne room, Tracy to meet the princess. Only to their surprise c what they greeted instead was a giant angel food cake.

”Um, Princess? Hello? Where are you?”
Suddenly, the food came sighed, causing the six girls and the drake to jump.
”Im here, my faithful student.”
”What the heck happened to you?! Why are you a-“
”An angel food cake? It’s because a certain prankster decided it would be funny to turn me into my favorite dessert.”
”What?! Who could do this?!”
”A spirit of chaos and disharmony. A being so powerful he could melt the world into ice cream, before refreshing it into the shape of famous night show host Stephen Coltbert.”
”Why was that so oddly specific?”
Don’t ask. Anyways, the spirit’s name is discord.”
”If he’s so dangerous, why didn’t you tell us about him until now?!”
”I am sorry, I had meant to tell you soon, but he escaped much sooner than he was supposed to.”
”About one season early to be exact!”
As the girls jumped at the second voice, Cakelestia disappeared, being replaced by a strange, chimeric creature. Discord had arrived.

“So these are the new bearers, hmm? Don’t look like much to me. Chocolate milk, anyone?”
The strange creature held out a glass of brown liquid, offering it to the girls. Pinkie was about to grab it, before Rainbow stopped her.
“Suit yourself.”
He proceeded to set the glass down, which sprouted legs and ran away, before exploding into confetti, much to the girls confusion.
”What?”
“What, thought I was gonna drink the glass and eat the milk? Please, I’m a chaos god, not some cliche.”
As he says this, four small creatures burrow out of the ground. One red, one blue, one purple and one green.
“Hey, this isn’t the forty second millennium! Get outa here!”
He snapped his fingers again, causing the four little creatures to be swallowed by the ground.
“And who’s this purple feather duster? You feel… different, yet oddly familiar.”
The sudden tone shift of the horror in front of him caused a shiver to run down Spike’s spine, before Twilight spoke up.
”Where are the elements Discord?!”
“Fine, let’s get this over with. Yadda yadda hidden, yadda yadda maze.Split up blah blah blah. Anyways, have fun!”
With a snap of his fingers, they were all whisked away. All of them… except Spike.

”Where did you take them?!”
“Oh relax pillow stuffing, they’re just in a maze. You on the other hand… you’re gonna help me.”
”Like hell I will!”
“Oh-ho-ho, you think you have a choice?”
And with that, discord snapped his fingers… but nothing happened.
“That’s… odd. That normally works.”
Discord snaps his fingers again, meeting the same results.
“Oh man, this is so embarrassing. I swear this never happens.”
”So you can’t magic me, womp womp. Bring my sister and her friends back, now.”
“How about instead of that, I just do this!”
Discord snaps his fingers again, disappearing. Suddenly, Spike heard him talking, but he couldn’t find him.
“Now let’s see here. Hmm, dating a bug. Not important. Breathes fire, now that’s interesting. Resurrect from the dead?! Now thats something. Just a little deeper, annnnnd… oh. Oh my. That’s a lotta undiscovered power.”
”Where the hell are you?! And what the hell are you doing?!”
“Oh relax BiG gUy, I’m just in your brain going through your memories.
”WHAT?!”
“Here it is, why my spell isn’t working! A second life? Not from this world?! Man, I’ve hit the jackpot!”
”What the hell are you talking about?!”
“Oh nothing really. But I’ve finally figured out how to corrupt you! Instead of making you into what you are not, I’ll just make you into what you were. Bye bye purple guy! See you never!”
Discord snapped his fingers again, causing a massive flash of light. As the flash subsided, all that was left was a small dragon… with orange feathers. As it roared, a Tyrant in another world cackled in glee. His plan had worked, For the jungle dragon had returned.

”W-Where am I? Who are you? Where’s Yharim?!”
“Hey, you! You’re finally awake! You were trying to cross the dimensional border!”
”Is… is that a reference?”
“Oh joy! Another character to get my antics! Names discord, and you’ve been trapped in another dimension.
”What?! How? Never mind, I need to get back, if they managed to defeat me, then they could-“
“Woah woah, calm down! I can help you get back, if you do me a favor.”
”…fine. What do you require.”
“Not much. You see, I’ve got six ladies looking for six gems. Thing is, I don’t want them to find them. You got with them for a bit, then defeat them if they get all the gems, I’ll send you home! Sound like a deal?”
The dragon thought over for a bit, before looking directly into the yellow eyes of the chimera.
”I do not trust you, nor will I ever trust you. But if you are willing to send me back home, then I shall take your offer.”
“Good! You can find them in a nearby maze right now. Toodaloo!”
As the dragon flies away, discord sighs, before mumbling to himself.
“That could have gone bad. After what kinda power I saw in there, and knowing that this dragon now knows how to use it, I coulda been toast! Well anyways, time to have some more fun!”
As he teleports away, his cackle echoes throughout the castle.

Twilight was upset. Not only had her friends not stuck together like she had wanted, but discord had appeared and tried to do something by to her! She had eventually managed to find her friends again, but some of them were different. Pinkie was gloomy, Fluttershy was mean and rarity was greedy. The only two still the same were Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who had at least stuck together themselves.
”Okay, so half our friend group is the complete opposite of themselves now. What should we do?”
”We need to find the elements! If we find em, that could change them back!”
”Good idea, but let’s stick together this time. Don’t wanna have the rest of us go crazy.”
“It won’t do you any good.”
Suddenly, the lord of chaos appears in front of them, wearing a lab coat and writing down on a notebook.
“Subjects have gone a little wonky. Still think the elements are in the maze.”
He throws the board behind him, causing an explosion, and looks at the girls.
“Yeah, I lied. The elements were never actually in the maze! Who knew?”

”The where are they ya varmint?!”
“Oh, I’m glad you asked! After all, I put my heart into finding the perfect hiding place!”
”At our homes?”
“Well your no fun. Well, good luck getting home! Because my new associate will make it a bit hard for you to make it home. Ttfn, ta-ta for now!”
As he vanished, Rainbow looked to Twilight, confused.
”What did he mean, new associate?”
Before Twilight could answer, the sound of a roar reached their ears. Suddenly, something panda in front of them with a mighty thud, kicking up a cloud of dust . As green eyes pierce through the cloud, the three uncorrupted mares get ready for a fight. When it finally settles, what they see shocks them to the core. Twilight, tears welling in her eyes, looks into the emerald orbs of the beast sitting in front of them.
”S-spike?”

Author's Note

Dracones veri sui non solum redire cum vero amore

Chapter 14: the sun sets, upon a cruel world

”S-Spike?”
Twilight was frozen in place. What had Discord done to her brother? His emerald eyes scanned the three in front, assessing their strengths and weaknesses.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack recovered from their shock, and began to step forward to shield the others. But before they could, the orange drake took off, before landing on a nearby hedge.
”So this is the mighty elements of harmony. I’ve got to say, I was expecting more. I mean, half of you are already corrupted? That is pathetic.”
He flew to another hedge nearby, before lying down. As the corrupted elements shot him a dirty look, he continued his monologue.
”To think, I was hoping for a big fight. Ah well, at least this will be easy. I just keep you three from the elements, and I’ll be back home in no time! Yharim will never know I was gone.”
Upon hearing this, Twilight’s mind kicked back into action. Yharim? Wasn’t that… oh no.

”Y-your not Spike, are you?”
”Hmm? Ah, you’re the mage I’ve heard so much about. Calamitas would be jealous, knowing there was any creature that could rival her. Even if you’re just an equine.“
”Hey, no need to be rude ya varmint!”
”That was not my intention. However, it is my intention to stop you from gathering those gems. So I’m afraid your journey ends here.”
”You won’t stop us! We’ll beat discord, and bring back our friend! No matter what!”
”Oh I’d like to see you try. Especially if one of you is dead.”

”WHAT?!”
”You’re surprised? After all, you cannot use the elements without all of the bearers. So I just take at least one of you out, and poof! No more magic weapon! And then I’ll be able to go back home.”
”Not if I can help it!”
”Oh? And what do you plan, Sparkle?”
Twilight sheds one more year, a look of determination on her face, before lighting her horn.
”Just this.”
Suddenly, her horn flashes, blinding the drake. When he regains his sight, the six were gone. However, he only chuckled at this, an evil glint in his eye.
”Run, hide, do it all! It all just makes the hunt more fun.”
With that, he flies off, looking to catch the scent of his prey.

With a flash, the six mares appear in the center of the library, several feet off the floor. As they this to the ground, Thorax comes down the stairs, a relieved smile upon his face.
”Oh thank Celestia, you’re all here! These pink clouds started to appear, raining down bouncing balls, and the town hall suddenly sprouted legs! Plus I’ve suddenly got this pounding headache. Are you alright?!”
Applejack quickly rolls out of the pile, eyes swirling around, before uttering a single word.
”Nope.”
Thorax takes a better look at the six, before noticing that half of the mares were suddenly grey. Not only that, but Twilight was… crying? And where was Spike?
”What… happened?”
Rainbow Dash is the next to roll out of the pile, dry heaving a bit before getting up.
”Discord got us. He… changed those three. And he…”
”Where’s Spike?”
As Thorax asks the question, neither Rainbow nor Applejack look him in the eye. He runs to Twilight, tears becoming to form in his eyes and desperation in his voice.
”Where’s Spike?!”
Twilight continues to sob, before looking to Thorax.
”Discord got him too.”

”W-what?”
”Discord did something to him, and now he’s being possessed. I… I don’t know how to get him back.”
Thorax’s mind halts, and his vision begins to swirl. He suddenly collapses to the floor, eliciting a surprised yelp from Twilight. She quickly runs over to make sure he’s okay, as a faint sobbing emanates from him. As she gets to him and kneels down, she places a hand upon his shoulder, offering some comfort.
”I know, it hurts. But we can’t give up. He wouldn’t want us to. There could still be a way to get him back. But we need to get the elements, and uncorrupt our friends.”
Thorax looks to his old friend, before sniffling and getting back up.
”You’re right.*sniff* We need to get the elements. I’ll start the process of breaking the brainwashing, while you go find the elements.”
”Thank you Thorax. Please, stay safe. I don’t know what I would do if I lost both of you.”
Twilight hugged Thorax, letting a few more tears flow, before turning to her two uncorrupted friends.
”Alright, the three of us will split up to look for the elements. Applejack, you get the farm and Fluttershy’s house. Rainbow, you get your house and the boutique. I’ll get sugar cube corner, and we all meet up back here to grab the last element. All the while, Thorax breaks the spell on the others. Got it?”
Applejack and rainbow give a quick nod, before the three rush out of the library. Unbeknownst to them, an orange dragon had been watching them from on a cloud, before flying off towards the farm.

Applejack runs through the town, dodging tap-dancing flying fish and somersaulting trees along the way. As she gets to her farm, she stops upon seeing what became of her home. The apple trees had all dug themselves up, and were playing croquet, and the barn had sprouted eyes and a mouth. Shaking off the surprise, she ran towards the farmhouse, ignoring the disturbing shrieks of the Now screaming barn . As she gets inside, she begins to look for her family. She looked everywhere, but no matter where she looked, she couldn’t find any trace of them. She even managed to find her element before finding them. Worried for them, she headed outside, determined to look in the barn. But what greeted her outside froze her. There, in the middle of the farm, was Yharon. And he had his talons around Apple-blooms throat.

”Look at what we have here. You managed to find your element! But sadly, you’ll never get the chance to use it. Hand it over, or I rip out your sisters throat. ”
Applejack looked to her little sister, panic filling her eyes.
”Applebloom?”
”Applejack! What’s goin on? What’s wrong with Spike? Ahm scared!”
Yharon tightens his grip around Appleblooms throat, letting a low growl escape his mouth.
”Another mention of this Spike character, how queer. He must share a similar physique to me. No matter, what is your choice farmer? Your world, or your family?”
Before the farm mare can answer, a cyan blur comes from the sky, ramming into the dragon. While Yharon flies back, the cyan blur quickly grabs Applebloom from his arms and flies away. As it flies away, Applejack can hear a feint yell coming from her savior.
”Run AJ! I got your sister!”
Upon hearing Rainbow’s cry, Applejack snaps out of her stupor, fleeing the farm. As she leaves, Yharon quickly recovers, spitting out some blood before grinning.
”Well then, the chase is on! Let’s see if you can our pace me, little equine.”
And with that, Yharon takes off into the sky, following the rainbow trail left by his next target.

Rainbow quickly drops Applebloom off at the farm house, shoving her inside.
”Hide. Now.”
Before the young mare can even respond, she takes off again, rushing towards Carousel boutique. She already grabbed her element, and now she needed to quickly grab Rarity’s. But as she built up some speed, she began to notice how warm her legs were feeling. Looking back, her eyes shrunk to pinpricks: Yharon had already caught up to her, and he was getting closer.
”You may be fast, but you’re not fast enough!”
Rainbow quickly began to push herself further, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She flew lower, weaving between the buildings of Ponyville, hoping to lose him. But he just kept on her, slowly gaining on her. As Carousel boutique comes into view, a plan begins to formulate in her head. She gets even lower, before suddenly flaring her wings out, reducing her speed dramatically. As Yharon flies past, she lands, and quickly runs to the boutique. Before he even realized what had happened, Rainbow had already managed to get inside, before he could see where she went. Upset that he lost another target, he flew off, giving Rainbow the chance to find generosity.

Twilight was in a pickle. She had made it to sugar cube corner, and was about to go inside. But before she could do anything, the building suddenly sprouted wings and took off. She had tried to lasso it with her magic, or teleport inside, but for some reason, she couldn’t. Frustrated, she kicked at the dirt, mumbling cursed to herself. Until her hoof hit something metallic. Cursing again, she cradled her injured hoof, before realizing something: the had hit a handle of some kind. Curious, she dusted around where the handle was, until she uncovered a trap door. Of course! Sugar cube corner had a basement! There was no way that could fly away, and the element could be inside! She quickly opened the hatch, rushing inside, before freezing. What the hell was she looking at? Inside there was all matter of strange contraptions and artifacts, such as A weird hammer thing
And a Crystal ball for some reason. Quickly regaining her focus, she began to look for the element, quickly finding it. She quickly came back out, ready to head home and put this all behind her. But as she exited the basement, she froze. Standing right there, was Yharon. He quickly hit her over the head, and knocked her out. The last thing she heard before going completely under was a sinister laugh.

Thorax was becoming worried. He had managed to quickly break all three out of their spells, before putting them to bed to regain their strength. Then, he began to wait But as the minutes passed by, the girls were not returning. Trying to pass the time, he picked up a book, and began to read. Before he could get even one page in though, Rainbow Dash blasted through the door, two elements in hand.
”Done! I got loyalty and generosity. Oh hey the girls are back to their normal colors. Thorax, did you already break the spells?”
”Yeah, it was pretty easy. Just show help them remember who they are, and blam! Spell broken.”
Suddenly, the door flies open again, and a disheveled Applejack rushes in.
”Ah got em! Dash, yer back too, thank Celestia. What happens to mah sister?!”
”I put her in the farmhouse before leading him away.”
”Good, ah was worried for a minute. Looks like the spells already broken, so now all we gotta do is wait for Twilight.”
”Yeah, I hope she’s alright.”
Before anyone else could say anything, a knock sounded at the door.

The knock woke the three sleeping mares, causing them to jump. Thorax slowly creeped towards the door, before looking out the peephole.
Nothing.
Unnerved, he slowly opened the door, looking around to see if anything was hiding. As the door finally fully opened, nothing was revealed. But as he was about to close the door, something landed in front of the library, about thirty feet back. Thorax jumped at the sudden landing, before freezing. The other girls, confused as to why he stopped, crowded to the door, and looked outside. As they saw the scene in front of them, though, they froze as well. For in front of them was Yharon: and he had Twilight.
”Check mate.”

”You did well, but not well enough. Now, you’re going to watch your friend die, and with her, any hope of stopping Discord. And with that, he will finally send me back home. You lose.”
The girls were frozen: what could they do?! Before any of them could do anything, Thorax took a step forward.
”S-Spike?”
Yharon scoffed, ready to reply, but froze when he looked at who spoke. This tall, lanky green equine… stirred something within him, but he didn’t know why. Who was he? And why did he feel like this? Shaking his head, Yharon regained himself.
”You would do well to stay back. One more step, and I will rip out her throat.”
Instead of listening, Thorax takes another step forward, much to the dismay of the five mares behind him.
”You’re not like this. Please, Spike. You can fight this.”
Another wave of emotion strikes the jungle dragon. What was he doing? Why is he so conflicted suddenly?
”I said stop! I will end her miserable existence, and her blood would be on your hands!”

But Thorax kept going.
”Please, don’t do this. We need you. I need you. I love you Spike. Don’t let whatever is controlling you throw your life away.”
Yharon couldn’t move. Deep in his soul, something reeled out, trying to break free. Yharon fought it, scared of what could happen to him.
”Enough! I will kill her, what don’t you understand?!”
But Thorax continued. He was now face to face with the resplendent phoenix.
”No, you won’t. Because deep down, you care for her. Even if this Yharon is controlling you, you’re still you, Spike. And you could never hurt your sister. Or your friends. Or me.”
Yharnam tried to speak again, but was intercepted my a pair of lips upon his own. No, not his lips: Spikes lips.
”I would walk through Tartarus itself for you Spike. I love you.”
Within Yharons soul, something broke free. And with that, he was engulfed in a bright light, blinding the six mares. And if one listened close enough, you could even hear an ethereal voice cry out in anguish.

As the light began to die down, one could make out two figures within, locked in a passionate embrace. Purple wings extended, and blue eyes opened. Spike had returned.
”And I love you more than I could ever say, my little love-bug.”
Suddenly, the two were embraced by a third.
”SPIKE!”
”Hey, Twi.”
One by one, the other’s sauntered up, glad that their friend was back.
”Good to have you back big guy!”
”I was so worried that you weren’t gonna come back! This deserves a partyyy!”
”Now hold on Pinkie, let’s wait until after Discord is beaten.”
”I concur. I’d much rather celebrate after the ruffian whom hijacked all of our minds was imprisoned.”
”Welcome back Spike.”
”Thank you all. If it hadn’t been for you, I might have never come back.”
“Boooooring.”
Suddenly, the lord of chaos appeared.
“Seriously, I had hope-“
”Just blast him.”
“Wait wha-“
And before he could utter another word, he was engulfed in a beam of pure rainbow.

After he was imprisoned, everything returned to normal. All buildings that were displaced returned to their original spots, and any creature that was changed returned to their original form. As soon as they returned to Canterlot, plans for a celebration in the castle were already being put into effect. Pinkie, of course, was ecstatic, and began hopping from wall to wall, throwing up decorations. Food was made, games were set up, and guests were invited. When it came time to the party, almost all of Ponyville and Canterlot were there. And while every pony was enjoying the party, two slicked away, to a nearby balcony.
”It sure is beautiful tonight.”
”It really is. But nothing can rival your beauty in my eyes.”
Thorax blushed, playfully pushing the drake.
”I could say the same for you. Anyways, what did you want to talk about?”
Spike gave off a slight sigh, before adjusting his wings.
” When I first met you, you were hurt, and scared. And I knew from that moment, that I would do anything in my power to prevent you from being hurt. And for years, I have. But today… I could have hurt you. Yet despite that, you believed in me, and brought me back. You really do mean the world to me, Throax.”
As he speaks, Spike slowly opens one of his wings, and reaches within the feathers.
”Which is why I want to do this. Before either of us get hurt again. We may have only been dating for a few months, but that doesn’t matter. We’ve known each tiger our entire lives. I know that I love you, and I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Spike takes something out, and gets down onto one knee.
”Thorax, will you marry me?”
Thorax, tears of joy welling up in his eyes, tackles the dragon, planting a kiss upon his lips.
”Yes.”

Far away from Equestria, within a throne room, the Jungle tyrant rages.
”DAMN IT ALL! I was so close to getting him back!”
”Whats the matter? I thought you wanted to let him live a better life.”
”That purple thing is not him.”
”Does it really matter?”
Sighing, the jungle tyrant walks over to his throne.
”Yes it does. Because if the dragon is loyal to Equestria, there is almost no chance I would be able to cleanly take their dimension. “
”I still don’t know why you want Equestria. I mean, what is it that it has that makes it so important.”
”You know why.”
The tyrant growls, before suddenly chuckling.
”After all, you come from there Calamitas. Or should I say, Sunset? ”
Calamitas’s heart skips a beat, as Yharim continues to talk.
”I would have thought though, that with your hatred of your mother, you would have loved to see it burn.”
”Don't you DARE call that sun bitch my mother, or ever say my birth name again. Besides, even though I hate her, I do not want them to suffer. They are too innocent for the horrors we would bring them.”
”Then they had best get used to them, Calamitas. Because I will have their realm.”
As Yharim sits into his throne, a golden glow surrounds him.
”And when I do, none shall have the power to challenge my rule. The rule of corrupt gods shall come to an end. And they, are the key.”

Author's Note

Sol filiam suam amavit, sed nimis prope volavit. Filia, per proditione indignata fugiens, in sulphure conversa est.

Interlude: malevolent pests, pained pasts

As Spike shares a tender moment with his beloved, something is watching them. Despite this unnoticed intruder, they continued their embrace, until a twig suddenly broke. Snapping to attention, Spike spun around to see what was interrupting their moment, only to see Twilight walking towards them.
”Hello Spike, Thor. How are you two enjoying the party?”
Spike lets his guard down, before chuckling.
”Hey Twi. We’re enjoying it, aren’t we love?”
Spike turned to Thorax, expecting him to nod, but instead was completley rigid. Looking to Spike, he spoke, fear evident in his voice.
”That’s not Twilight.”

Spike raised an eyebrow, before looking back to Twilight. Now that He mentioned it, Twilight did look a little… off.Her smile was a bit too wide, and her eyes were a bit too dull. And what was that smell coming off of her? It smelt oddly like Thorax. Before he could say anything else, Twilight’s horn lit up in a sickly green, before they were suddenly blinded. Quickly covering his eyes, Spike heard the tell tale sound of flames igniting, before hearing what sounded like a big fly past his head. As his vision returned, nothing was left in front of him but green embers. He looked back to Thorax, who was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane.
”No…”

As the bug continued to fly away, it was once again engulfed in green fire. Where once was a small beetle was a rather large pony-like Insectoid. They breathed a sigh of relief. That strange pony and griffon almost got him caught! No matter, he had gotten away with the information he needed. He knew when the royal wedding was to be planned, as well as the guard schedule for the next year. And he now knew about a second possible wedding to infiltrate! He turned south, and began to fly as fast as he could. The queen needed to know this, as soon as possible. Grinning to himself, young Prince Pharynx couldn’t help but salivate at the thought of what was next.

As Thorax stood there shaking, Spike launched himself towards him, protection instincts kicking in. He embraced the shuddering changeling, wrapping him with both his arms and wings.
”Its okay, you’re safe. Nothing can hurt you , nothing can get to you. It’s okay.”
Slowly, Thorax stopped shaking, but instead began to sob.
”Thorax, my love, what’s wrong? I’ve never seen you this shaken up by anything.”
Thorax took a few deep breaths, before wiping away the tears at his eyes.
”The hive is here.”
”You mean that was…”
”Yes. That was a Changeling. I don’t know why, but they’be come to Equestria. And whatever they have planned is not good.”

After hours of flying, the hive was finally in sight. Quickly reaching out with the hive mind, he found the closest guard and sent them a message.
[This is Prince Pharynx, general of the hive guard. I have returned from my recon mission, and bring important data.]
After a moment of nothing, a response echoes through his mind.
[Confirmed. Welcome back your highness. The queen is waiting for your report.]
Nodding to himself, he flies to the nearest landing pad and lands, before heading inside.

”How did you know? I mean, other than a few minute details, it was perfect.”
”A few things keyed me in. For one, did you notice their scent?”
”Yeah. It was like you, but much more potent. And also it smelt… somewhat malevolent somehow. I don’t know how to explain it.”
”That was his pheromones. It’s how we distinguish each other while disguised. But because I can’t disguise, I produce next to none. Another reason was the emotional void.”
”Whats that?”
”Changelings can feel emotions, but for most of us they cannot be sensed by any creatures. Not even other changelings. The emotional void is the result of that, a small area around them devoid of any emotions. Every changeling has it, Except… except for me. For some reason Cadence could sense the love I hold for you. “
”Wouldnt they have been able to feed off of that though?”
”I don’t know. No changelings ever tried, because they all hated me. I was a freak of nature, and only seen as a waste of space. ”

The young prince walked through the twisting, dark halls of the hive. As he dived deeper within, he could hear the chittering of others within the hive mind. Quickly, he made it to the throne room, and kneeled before his queen.
” My queen, I have returned from my recon mission.”
She looked down from upon her seat, grinning deviously upon her son.
”Ah, Pharynx. How has the mission gone for you my son.”
”It went almost flawlessly my queen. I was able to extract all the information needed with almost no issues.”
The queens smile morphed into a frown, as she leaned down towards her son.
”Almost?”
Pharynx winced, before continuing his recap.
”Yes, almost. Towards the end, as I was sneaking out, I discovered a recently engaged couple upon the balcony.I had already learned their names, so I thought that removing them from my extraction point would be easy. I quickly transformed into a pony I had seen speaking to them earlier, and attempted to get them back to the party. But that’s where things took a turn south.”

”I was always a target for them. They would beat me up, steal my rations, and make fun of me. Even my own mother hit me, calling me a useless freak. Only my brother ever cared about me. He tried to toughen me up and train me to defend myself, but it wasn’t enough. I was too weak. Eventually, I was thrown out, and the rest is history.”
Thorax had begun to cry again, unbeknownst to him. As his eyes leaked, he was suddenly embraced even tighter.
”Its okay thorax, let it all out. Let the pain flow out of you. You don’t need to bottle it up anymore.”
As Spike comforted him, Thorax’s eyes grew wetter, before he burst out sobbing again. He returned the embrace and cried into his beloved’s shoulder. After a few minutes, he had calmed down enough to break away from the embrace and speak again. ”The hive is evil, and the queen will stop at nothing to get what she wants. We have to warn the princess about this.”

”I had fooled the griffon, but for some reason the pony was able to see through me. When he pointed it out, the griffon also noticed. So I had to quickly blind them and escape.”
”And you let them live?”
”I had no choice my queen. They were close to the Princess, so I could not kill them and get away with it.”
”Hmph. A pity. Looks like we’ll need to be extra careful from now on.”
”One more thing, my queen. I also noticed something… different about the pony. They radiated love, just like the Griffon. It was incredibly pure, almost the purest I had ever seen.But it was off. It was inedible, and had a green tint to it. Very similar to hi-“
”Do not mention him.Yes, I know his sudden death in that tunnel collapse was heartbreaking, but there was nothing we could do. Now stop bringing back old wounds.”
Pharynx once again winced, before continuing.
”Yes my queen, sorry my queen.”
”Perhaps due to the stress of your escape being blocked, you made a mistake. But just to be safe, I shall have an infiltrator keep an eye on him. You are dismissed.”
Pharynx nodded, before getting up and leaving. This left the queen alone, letting her think.
(So, the little freak survived all these years. No matter, I’ll just have to keep Pharynx away from the truth. Even if I have to kill that mistake.)

As the night went on, the party died down. Most ponies either left, or had headed off to bed long ago. Except for the two sisters, who sat upon a balcony, and watching their city.
”Yet another beautiful night my sister. I missed you so.”
”I missed thou as well sister. I must thank thee once again for helping to save me from the darkness.”
Celestial smiles, and was about to continue to talk to her sister, when the balcony door opened up. Celestia craned her neck, and saw as Thorax and Spike walked up to them.
”Ah, hello you two. What can I do for you?”
”Good evening princess. Sadly, we must warn you.”
”Just a few minutes ago, we ran into a changeling infiltrator.”
Celestia’s warm smile was quickly wiped from her face, while Luna looked confused.
”Which Changeling kingdom would be foolish enough to spy upon us?”
”The only one left. The changeling empire.”

”What does thou mean sister. Are there not tens, nay hundreds, of kingdoms?”
Celestia sighed before turning towards her sister.
”At one point there were, until a few hundred years ago. Their delegates stopped showing up, much to our concern. Then one day, a heavily wounded changeling crashed through a window. In its last breaths, it explained how a queen had began to war with every other kingdom, and had conquered them all. As it died, it’s last word was her name: Chrysalis.”
”That slimy cockroach! When we get our hands upon her, she shall know the wrath of the moon!”
Celestia sighed before turning to the couple.
”Thank you two for your warning. I shall make sure the proper measures are taken. Good night.”
The couple bowed, before turning around and leaving. As they left, Luna turned towards her sister.
”I assume the pony is actually a changeling.”
”Yes. And he is the last hope for their kind.”
Thy words confuse me. What do you mean by that?”
”He is the last living royal changeling other than the tyrant emperor. And more than that, he has learned how to love. The love he shares with Spike is almost as pure and potent as that between Shining armor and Cadence, and could be what finally breaks the curse placed upon his people so long ago. Should he fully mature and create his own hive, then they would bring about a revolution, and redeem their souls from corruption. But should he fall… then their people are doomed to a life of trickery and evil, and I will have broken a promise I made to an old friend.”

Author's Note

Sorry for taking so long to upload this, life has been crazy. But don’t worry, I’ll be updating more often soon. Anyways, here’s the start of the next chapter in this story. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 15: striped stranger

1 week later

Spike yawned, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He sat up, stretching his arms before looking down at the sleeping form next to him. Thorax shifted in his sleep, a look of sadness on his face. Spike sighed. Ever since that night at the party, Thorax had been plagued by memories and nightmares in his sleep. The only thing that helped in the slightest was being near his beloved. Spike wished he could do something else to help, but he knew he couldn’t. Sighing again, he leaned down and kissed Thorax on the cheek before getting ready for work.

As Spike exited the library, he noticed something. The town was… empty. As if everypony had just gotten up in the middle of the night and left. Every once in a while, he’s notice a pony peaking out of their window, but that’s about it. What was going on? Deciding that it wouldn’t matter if he was a little late to work, he decided to walk there and see what else is going on throughout the town. As he continued to walk, he continued to get more confused. There was still food on tables, and bits on store counters. It was as if everypony had just decided whatever they were doing was less important than hiding. But from what? Why were they so afraid?

Eventually Spike made it to the market, where things were much the same. Except for one thing: a lone, cloaked pony was walking around. Glad to finally find someone, he walked up to them.
”Excuse me?”
The cloaked pony seemed startled, and turned towards him. Finally getting a good look at their face, he discovered that he had never seen them before. In fact, he had never seen any pony like them before.
”Ah, a living soul in this town. Could you please tell me why there is no pony around?”
Spike shook his head, just as confused as they were.
”I was gonna ask you the same thing. Names Spike, pleasure to meet ya.”
”The pleasure is mine, my feathered friend. My name is Zecora, and your help I need you to lend.”
”Sure, what’s wrong?”

”I need to purchase some herbs, but this absence has left me perturbed. I have bits to spend, but the prices, I cannot comprehend. Do you know how much I must pay, so I may be on my way?”
”Of course. I come here all the time for spices and such, so I know there prices well. Which ones are you buying.”
The zebra points to four herbs, before putting their hand down.
”So lemongrass, lavender, geranium and wormwood? A bit strange to most ponies, but they do add some nice flavors. How much do you want?”
She collects the amount she needs, before setting it down on the counter.
”Ok, so that’s gonna be about 30 bits for all that. Just leave it on the counter, I’ll see if I can find the flower trio and let them know, before somepony steals them.”
The strange pony chuckled, before smiling to him.
”My thanks to you, creature of flame. Your assistance has made this jounrey far less lame.”
”No problem! It’s been a pleasure meeting you!”
Spike smiled and waved as she walked away, when he suddenly realized something: she called him a creature of flame. She knew? How did she know?

Spike had eventually made it to work, just in time. After spending the day ensuring clouds and their payloads were delivered safely, he got off of work and headed home. As he shut the door behind him, he heard Twilight in her study, and he noticed Thorax reading a book. He quietly walked up to his fiancé, before putting his hands on his shoulders.
”Watcha readin?”
Thorax jumped stiffened, before turning around. When he realized it was Spike, he loosened up.
”Oh, it’s just you Spike. I’m just reading this book on different cultures.”
”Oooh, interesting. What’s got you researching this?”
”Apparently a zebra came to town. The others are afraid of her, but Twilight wants to prove that’s she’s harmless.”
”Oh yeah, I was wondering why the town was so empty earlier. Anyways, I met the zebra myself, and she seemed quite nice. A shame that the town’s scared of her.”
Thorax sighed, and looked to his beloved.
”Yeah, a real shame. Kinda wish that they didn’t see things different from them as scary. It’s like they thinks she’s an evil enchantress, planning to curse them!”

That night, Spike had trouble sleeping. Something told him that tomorrow, something big was about to happen. And if he was right, then Zecora was in danger. Eventually he sighed, before getting up and grabbing a glass of water from the bathroom. Quickly filling it up, he also opened the mirror, and grabbed some sleeping pills. As he took the pills with water, he let out a small yawn, before heading back to bed. Crawling back into bed, he worked his way back next to Thorax, before laying his arm over him. As he began to drift off to the land of slumber, he could swear he heard something. Something that sounded like magic.

As the sun began to rise in Ponyville, Spike and Thorax were awoken by a scream. Shooting up in bed, the two jumped out and quickly ran to Twilights room. As they got there, however, they became confused. Twilights horn was… floppy? And covered in blue spots?! What?!!
”What the actual fu-“
”Oh Spike, it’s horrible! I was wrong! I thought she could have been nice, and she cursed me! Oh what a world!”
”CALM DOWN TWI!”
Twilight stopped her rant, and began to breathe.
”You’re right, you’re right. I should take a step back and look at this logically. I didn’t do anything to her. Why would she curse me! I mean, if my friends are messed up as well, then I could see it as her cursing us. After all, they were antagonizing her. But that’s not gonna happen.”
But as she said this, they heard the door flew open, and four mares, and one filly, sporting wildly different looks ran up the stairs.
”Me and my big mouth.”

Just by taking one look at their friends, they could tell something was wrong. Rainbows wings were upside down, and Rarity’s hair was matted and overgrown. Pinkie’s tongue was swollen and covered in blue spots, and Applejack was no where to be found, her little sister Applebloom in her place. The only one that looked alright was Fluttershy, but she seemed a bit more shy than usual.
”See Twi? Told ya she was evil!”
”Look dash, let’s not get into this yet. AppleJack still isn’t here.”
Suddenly, a small sounding voice came out of Applebloom’s hair, as a small, stetsoned head popped up.
”Ahm right here sugarcube!”
Applejack, for some reason, was small. Great.

”Look, there is no proof that she did this to us. For all we know, we caught something being out in the forest!”
” Wll yh, xpt fr th fct tht w tlkd t hr lst!”
”Im sorry, what?”
”She said, well yeah, except for the fact that we talked with her last!”
Spike and Twilight both sighed.
”That’s a stupid reason. I talked to her yesterday, and I’m perfectly normal!”
”Well, your not exactly normal to begin with darling.”
As Rarity said this, the others all looked at her.
”And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Rarity, realizing what she said, flushed with embarrassment.
”Im sorry darling, that came out wrong. What I meant was that you’re a dragon, darling, and we’re ponies. You probably have some natural immunity to her magic.”
”I guess… but i still don’t believe it. When I met her, she seemed perfectly fine. And hell, I’ll prove it.I’ll go find her, and ask her what happened.”
”Wait, we’ll come with you!”
”You probably shouldn’t, since it’s so dangerous.”
”Well I don’t care. You’re my little brother, and I’m not letting you go alone. Besides, we know at least roughly where she lives.”
Spike sighed, before giving up.
”Fine, you guys can come. Just stick close to me. You wanna come to Thorax?”
”I still don’t feel the best in that forest, but I’m interested. I’ll come.”
”Great! We’ll head out now.”

As they walked through the forest, the girls continued to argue over of the zebra was evil or not.
”Look, she lives in the everfree forest. That should be more than enough proof that she’s evil.”
”Or, maybe she’s researching the unique flora and fauna that live within?”
”What about the way she talks? It’s as if she casts a spell every time.”
”Thats actually a zebra custom. They spend their entire life speaking in rhyme, and only stop when they are talking to someone really close to them. Like family, or a lover.”
”How do ya know that mister Thor?”
”Well, Applebloom, after you guys came back yesterday, Twilight asked me to do some research on their culture.”
”That’s purty neat mister Thor!”
”w shld bk hr pls ncrs s ck!”
”What?!”
” Ah think she said somthin bout a please uncurse us cake.”
”Oh. First off, thank you applejack, and second off, curses are not like this. They’re more painful. This is more like a hex. Harmless, yet malevolent.”
”Hey guys, I think we’re here!”
”What makes you say that.”
”The giant tree house in front of us.”
And they finally stop arguing, they realize that, in fact, they were at a giant tree house.
”Oh.”

Spike quickly walks up to the door, and gently knocks on it. As he’s about to step back, however, the door flys open.
”Ah, good, you’re finally here. As long as you took, I was starting to fear.”
”Oh, hey Zecora. You were expecting us?”
”Yes I was, after yesterdays meeting. Hurry on in, for time is fleeting.”
Spike looked back to the group, who looked concerned, and shrugged his shoulders before heading in. Shortly thereafter, the rest follow, with Twilight and Thorax in the lead. As they were all inside, Zecora looked to them, a smile on her face.
”Its good that you came, for otherwise, I would feel great shame.”
”What’s that supposed to mean? And why did you curse us?!”
”Dash!”
”Im sorry your fear me but I mean you no harm, for yesterday, I had just tried to warn. But listen you didn’t, causing you pain. But now you are here, so I can explain.”

”For you see, yesterday you made a mistake. For you heeded not my warning, and a misstep you did take. I warned you of the blue petals, and their corrupting evil, and yet you went into them still. The flowers named poison joke messed with you so, and now to find a cure, you had one place to go. And here you are, seeking relief. And now I shall do so, so let me be brief. In order to stave off poison jokes wrath, you must take… a bubble bath!”
Silence fills the room, as Zecora stops speaking and begins to walk away.
”Well that was anticlimactic.”
”No kidding.”
After a moment, decors comes back, pulling a large tub with her.
”The six of you shall rest within, and let this magical bath complete its cleanse. The males and little one shall head out, to give you privacy, no doubt.”
”Thank you Miss Zecora. I knew that their suspicions were unfounded, but thank you for helping them anyways.”
Zecora just smiles, as the boys and Applebloom step outside.

After some time, the girls step outside, looking good as new.
”Ahm real sorry about judgin ya Miss Zecora. Thank’s again der helpin us.”
”Think nothing of it, young mare. All is forgiven, so please do not despair.”
”Yeah, we know better than to judge someone before meeting them again.”
”You girls are done? Good, let’s get outa here, it’s getting dark. Good to see you again Zecora. Don’t be a stranger.”
As the party leaves, Zecora waves and sees them off. But after they leave, she heads inside, a look of sadness on her face. As she closes the door, she drops her cloak, revealing The green, leafy clothing underneath.
”To think, my sister’s mission is finished. But with it, her life is diminished. Let us hope that the drake is enough, or else our world shall have it tough.”

Author's Note

Boom! Zecora is this worlds dryad!Bet you didn’t see that coming. Anyways, if I made any mistakes, such as spelling errors, please let me know. Hope you enjoyed! :twilightsmile:

Chapter 16: What a fright

October was Spike’s favorite month. Cooler weather became more common, cider season starts, and one of his favorite holidays ends the month off with a bang. Ever since he was a hatchling, he could barely wait for Nightmare Night. He loved giving out candy, and scaring ponies out of their socks. And this year, he planned to go all out. For years, He saved up his bits, and this year he had enough to buy a small plot of land outside of Ponyville, and to begin building his magnum opus. For the entire month, he worked. Boards were nailed, fog emitters were set up, and costumes were sewn. He even managed to get some good friends to volunteer. And as the end of the month grew closer, ponies began to get curious. What was he building? Soon, they would find out.

3 days before Nightmare Night, and Spike had begun to put the finishing touches on his work of art. As he put a fake severed hoof into place, a knock sounded out from the entrance of the building. Hearing it, he quickly got up, and rushed to the door. As he opened the door enough to poke his head out, a familiar, Rainbow-haired face greeted him.
”Sup, Big guy?”
Spike grinned at the prismatic mare, before stepping out completley.
”Oh, hey Rainbow. Just working on this project. What’s up?”
”I was just wondering: I haven’t seen Gilda in a minute. You know where she is?”
”Oh yeah, she’s helping me set this up. She ran to Manehattan to grab some stuff I ordered.”
”Okay, but what are you guys working on?”
”You’ll just have to wait to find out! I’ve gotta get back to work, good seeing you RD.”
Rainbow sighed, curiosity growing within.
”Yeah, don’t wanna hold you up. Good seeing you big guy.”
Spike waves and heads back inside, as Rainbow sulks off.

A few minutes later, in the basement of the golden oak library, a makeshift laboratory has been set up. Within, an experiment that could revolutionize power for Equestria was being performed by the most brilliant mind in the country. But just as she was about to finish, Twilight is Startled out of a research project by a loud knocking on the basement door. She drops the beaker she was holding, causing her eyes to shrink to pinpricks.
”Oh no.”
As an explosion rocks the lab, the door busts open, and Rainbow Dash rushes in.
”Twilight, you okay? I heard a- oh.”
Standing there, covered in a layer of soot, is Twilight Sparkle.
”Well I was doing an experiment with Azidoazide azide, but since it’s had an explosive reaction, I guess I’m done. So, what do you need.”
”Look, I’m sorry Twi. I was just wondering what Spike was doing.”
”Thats It? You ruined an important and highly hazardous experiment for a wellness checkup?”
”Look, I’m sorry, I’ll just go-“
”No, no. I’m sorry, just… just be knock more quietly next time.”
Rainbow nods in response, before Twilight wipes herself off a bit and turns to her.
”Okay, so what do you wanna know?”

As Spike continues his work, he’s interrupted by the door opening. Turning around, he see’s Gilda, carrying several large boxes.
”Hey dork, I got rest of the stuff.”
Spike grins at this, greedily snatching up the bag.
”Perfect! Now that we’ve got these last few animated props, we can ramp this up! And when Thorax returns from Canterlot with my old gear, we’ll have all we need!”
”Good, can’t wait to scare some poor suckers. Man, it’s been years since my last Nightmare night.”
”Well I hope you’re ready, cause Ponyville wont know what hit em.”
Just then, the door opens again, and Thorax walks in, large bag on his back.
”Hey guys, I’ve got everything! The rest of its out there. Gotta thank Big Mac for helping me get it here.”
Spike grins devilishly, as the three head out the door.

”What the hell is Spike building? And why are so many ponies helping him?”
Twilight just giggled and rolled her eyes, before walking past her. Before Rainbow could ask what’s happening, Twilight signaled her to follow her. So, Rainbow did. As they left the basement, Rainbow looked around. The library was scarcely decorated. Kinda weird being so close to nightmare night. Suddenly, Twilight stopped, and turned around.
”So you wanna know what Spike’s doing?”
Rainbow furiously nods her head, eager for a response.
”Okay, I’ll tell you a bit.
Rainbow leans forward, listening intently. She was about to finally know what Spikes secret project was! Twilight leans closer to Rainbow’s ear, and rainbow begins to shake in anticipation.
”… You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Twilight leans away, and begins to cackle. Rainbow, feeling betrayed, looks to Twilight, pain in her eyes.
”… Why, Twi?”
”Thats for getting me blown up!”
Eventually Twilight stops laughing, and looks to her friend again.
”Seriously though, just wait a few more days. It will be worth the wait.”
*sigh*”I hope you’re right Twi.”

Three days later
As the sun begins to set upon Ponyville, Colts and Fillies, dressed up in costumes run around from house to house. Eventually a small Brown and white colt, dressed as a pirate runs up to the Ponyville Library, before knocking on the door. As the door opens, the colt begins to sing.
”Nightmare night, what a fright! Give me something sweet to bite!”
After his little song, the door opens slightly more, before revealing who opened it. Standing in the doorway was Spike, with grey paint covering his entire body, and yellow contacts. His wings had a fake skin applied over them, making them look as if he had bat wings, and cracks littered his facade. The gargoyled Spike looks down and smiles at the little Pipsqueak, before handing him some candy. As the Colt thanks him and runs off, Spike shuts the door.

As the door shuts, Spike smiles to himself, before setting the bowl down. Knowing he needs to go soon, he calls out to his sister, who responds immediately, and comes running down the stairs, belled hat jingling as she moves.
”Really, Starswirl again? Jeez, almost every year you’ve been him!”
”Well I like it, and that’s all that matters!”
Spike rolls his eyes, before chuckling a bit.
”Well, I’m heading out. You have fun with the princess!”
”I will! You guys scare some ponies good, y’hear?”
”Don’t need to tell me twice!”
And with that, Spike exits the library, and takes off towards his little plot of land.

As gets closer, he notices a crowd of ponies have crowded in front of his creation, curiosity getting the best of them. Smiling to himself, he lands in front of them, startling them all.
”Welcome, one and all, to the moment you have all been waiting for. Now prepare yourselves, For tonight, your greatest nightmares come to life, as the horrors of the dark come to feast. And it just so happens, that you shall be their main course! Welcome, to the Ponyville, house of horrors!”
With that, the doors open, and Music begins to radiate from hidden speakers.
” Before we begin, let me warn you, that what you see may be gruesome. But remember, none of it is real, and you shall not be harmed. Now, Enter if you dare!”
With that, a few brave ponies began to inch closer. Suddenly, Thorax ran out, pretending to be hurt. Shortly thereafter, Gilda came out, wearing a leather mask and holding a hatchet, and grabbed him, dragging him back in. This scared the crowd, but with the knowledge that this was fake, those brave ponies continued forward, and into the house.

Only an hour has passed, and word of mouth of the Ponyville house of horrors had spread fast. While some ponies despised the idea of this, especially parents, most others had loved it. It was quickly becoming an extremely popular destination for both adults and older foals. As the moon continued to rise, Spike smiled to himself as another scream echoed from within the house. Before he can relish in his success, a he hears a voice in the distance coming towards him.
”So you say that this ‘house of horrors’, shall be enjoyable? From how this night had been going so far, I doubt that.”
Recognizing that voice, Spike smirked, as a devious plan formed in his head. He moved to the side of the entrance, and stood perfectly still, barely even breathing. As he heard them getting closer, he had to hold back his laughter at what he was planning. The. Finally, two ponies were directly in front of him. His sister, and Princess Luna, regent of the night and namesake of his favorite holiday.
”So, this is a popular activity for our holiday? It has an awful lot of… screaming.”
”Well yeah. Ponies tend to enjoy getting scared on nightmare night, and this is the best way to get scared.”
”We see. This set a smart mare, madam Twilight, so why do ponies enjoy getting scared on our holiday.”
Spike, seeing his moment, sprung into action.
”I think it has to do with the adrenaline rush. It tends to make one feel more alive.”
As soon as he broke his facade, Twilight jumped, gasping audibly, while the princess just looked at him.
”Your theory makes sense young Spike. Thou has done well on thee costume as well. You looked almost as if you were real. ”
”Thank you princess.”
Twilight finally caught her breath, before glaring at her brother.
”Well, your majesty, would you like to see what the fuss is about?”
Luna nods to Twilight, before walking into the house. Moments later, Twilight rushes in after her, causing Spike to laugh.
”Good luck you two!”

After a few minutes, Twilight runs out of the house, followed by princess Luna, laughing her face off.
”Wow, that was horrific! Spike really outdid himself this year.”
”We must agree with your assessment. That was some of the most fun we have had in one thousand years. Watching thee be spooked by everything brought joy to our heart. A few things even managed to get us!”
Spike eventually walked up to them, smiling.
”Glad you enjoyed it! So Princess, how are you enjoying your holiday?”
”At first, we felt naught but sorrow. Our subjects screamed and fled from us! I thought they still saw us as a monster. And as the night continued, we thought our fears were validated, as everything we did caused naught but fear. I was scared that in attempting to enjoy this holiday with my subjects, I was instead reinforcing their fear of me. That is, until your activity. Twilight had convinced me to try once more, before calling it a failure, and she had chosen this. And thanks to her and thee, we now see. This is a holiday to scare. It was not our past actions that caused our subjects to flee, but the fun of the holiday! So we thank thee, sir Spike, and thee, Lady Twilight, for showing us the truth. If it had not been for this, we may have very well just canceled the holiday out of shame! But thou have ensured that is not the case.”

Spike just sat there, dumbstruck. His little haunt caused the Princess to not cancel his favorite holiday? He felt conflicted by this revelation. On one hoof, he managed to save his favorite holiday, and earn the princesses appreciation. On the other, she had felt so unwelcomed during the night that she had almost canceled his favorite holiday. In the end though, he decided to be honored, and not horrified.
”Thank you my princess. I am honored that you enjoyed my haunted maze, and that it helped you see the true spirit of the holiday.”
”And the fact that this is free makes this so much more enjoyable. Knowing that those suffering monetarily may still enjoy this work of art. Is there anything that we can do for thee, sir Spike, to repay you for the joy thou have given us?”
Spike thought for a moment, before a wicked smile spread across his face.
”Thank you Princess, but I only have one small request. Do you know where Rainbow Dash is?”

Rainbow was having the time of her life. Her rain could scare had gotten most of the town at this point, and everypony was loving her costume. That said, she still hadn’t managed to figure out what Spike was doing, despite her best efforts. She kept hearing about this ‘house of horse’, which just sounded weird to her. She continued to fly, until she noticed something. At Spikes little project house, the lights were on, and a blue blob was out front. Curious, she landed, only to gasp as she realized what the blue blob was. It was Princess Luna, covered in blood and bruises. She coughed and sputtered, before looking up, directly at Rainbow.
”We… could not stop them. They took Lady Twilight, and Sir Spike. Please… save them.”
Before rainbow could even say anything, the princess flopped back down. Panicking, Rainbow flew up to her, and check to see if she was breathing. She was. And her pulse .was still strong. Good, she’d probably be alright. But she had other things to focus on. She had other things to worry about. She had to save her friends. Taking a deep breathe, she flew into the double doors, barely noticing as they slammed behind her.

Rainbow was horrified. Within this place, there were severed limbs and body’s everywhere. A strange fog blanketed the ground, and everywhere she looked, blood was speckled. She began to hear strange noises, and screams echoed from deeper in the building. Stealing her resolve, she continued in, until she stumbled upon a horrifying sight. In front of her, was a table with a single silver tray on it. And in the middle of that tray was a griffons claw. She ran up to it to see if she could recognize it, but froze upon noticing something. It had Gilda’s birthmark. Terrified, she ran further in, now fearing for three friends, not hearing the snickering from under the table. As she went deeper within, more horrors greeted her. From strange creatures, to severed cutie marks, and even gut-cupcakes. But worst of all was finding small parts of her friends. Applejacks hat was in one room,while Pinkies pet alligator was in another, licking red off of himself. Rarities tail hung from one of the walls, and fluttershy’s wings hung over a fireplace. As she made it to the last room, her worst fears were confirmed. There, in the middle, was Twilight and Spikes heads.

Rainbow sprinted through the halls, dodging monsters and horrors along the way. One looked as if it was Big Mac, but his head was missing, while another looked like Thunderlane, but with missing eyes. Eventually, she managed to see the exit, and her heart fluttered. She was gonna make it! As she finally came flying out of the horror show, she looked around. And she suddenly became very confused. All her friends were standing in front of her, smiles on their faces. She just stood there, confused, until Spike spoke up.
”Gotcha.”
Suddenly, the crowd burst into laughter, as Rainbow fell onto her rear.
”N-none of that w-was real?”
”Nope! This was my big project. Ponyville’s first and only haunted house. What’d ya think?”
”B-but I saw Rarity’s tail! And Gilda’s claw!”
”I was under the table doofus!”
”And I had a replica of my tail handy darling. After the river, I realized having a spare was a good idea. “
”B-but Fluttershy’s wings! Where is she?”
”Those were just fake wings that were painted yellow. She isn’t a part of this, don’t worry. Don’t want to give her a heart attack.”’
As Rainbow finally began to calm down, the princess walked up to her, and looked her dead in the eyes.
”I believe thou would call this… a prank.”
At this, Rainbow began to laugh, and took it all in good fun. After all, this was a time to get scared! And she had just gotten scared straight.

Author's Note

Happy Halloween! I updated Luna’s color to make it readable in dark mode, hope you enjoy. I also tried to give Pipsqueak a more fitting color, but for some reason typing in brown for the text color makes it red. So sorry, Pipsqueak is red. I hope you all enjoy my favorite holiday, and remember: leave some candy for Nightmare moon, or she’ll gobble you up!

Chapter 17: burning up the dance floor

As the moon hits its apex, the nightmare Night festivities begin to slowly simmer down. The Ponyville House of Horror closes its doors, the games are put away, and ponies begin to head home. As the night slowly comes to its end, eight friends slowly make their way to the golden oaks library, to rest after a fun night, and enjoy each others company. As they open the door, their laughter echoes throughout the library.
”I can’t believe how awesome that was! I’ve been to haunted houses, but never one so scary! How’s you do it?”
”The way all the greatest scares happen: I didn’t hold any punches. Most ponies tend to shy away from violence, but in doing so limit how scary they can truly be. Fear is, in its most basic form, a feeling we get when we or somepony we care about feel as if we are in danger. And blood tends to be a good sign of danger.”
”Huh, never knew scaring could be so sophisticated.”

The group settles near the fireplace, getting comfortable as they continue to talk.
”It’s a shame Princess Luna had to leave.”
”Yeah, it was super duper sad. She finally got out of her shell, and those meanie pants nobles forced her to go home! At least she had plenty of fun!”
”Glad to see her finally embrace the spirit. Speaking of which, That haunted house of yer’s really was a star of the night Spike.
”Haven’t had that much fun scarin ponies since Dash and I were younger.”
Hearing the praise, Spike rubbed the back of his head, chuckling to himself.
”Thanks guys, glad you all enjoyed it. Working on my own haunted house was one of the best moments of my life. Very few things top it.”
”I hope you don’t mind me asking darling, but what would those be?”
”Well, first there’s when I met you guys. And then there’s also meeting my family for the first time. Then there’s finding Thorax. And of course, when I finally confessed to him. And finally, when he said yes.”
This final line confused his friends. Twilight, being his Sister, was the first to ask him what he meant.
”Yes to what?”
Spike, also confused, answered back, cocking his head slightly.
”Yes to when I asked him to marry me.”

The silence in the room was deafening. After what felt like an eternity within the void, six voices rang out, louder than one would think possible.
“WHAT?!”
As Spike takes his hands off his ears, he notices the girls looking at him, shocked looks on their faces.
”What?! I thought I told yo-… oh. Oh no. I forgot to tell you.”
Spike sheepishly rubs the back of his head, as Thorax shoots an annoyed glare at him.
”You seriously forgot to tell our friends that you proposed to me?”
”Look, I’m sorry. It the party was still going on, and then we got interrupted, and had to go to Celestia. It just slipped my mind.”
Thorax sighed, nodding his head.
”Yeah, your right. I can’t blame you for that.”
Thorax snuggled up to his fiancé, before looking back to their friends.

After a few moments, the first to recover from the revelation was Twilight. Shooting forward at a speed no one though possible, she wrapped her arms around the two and hugged them tightly, as tears of joy begin to flow from her eyes.
”Congratulations!”
One by one, the others shake out of their stupor and join in on the hug. Even Gilda joined the hug. All of them, except Pinkie Pie. Instead, she begins to vibrate, and her eyes begin to shine with a recognizable Twinkle. When she finally did join the group hug, she looked straight at Spike and Thorax.
”You know what this calls for? A PARTYYYYY!!“
Laughter erupted, as Pinkie reacted just as everypony thought she would.

Shortly after, everypony headed home. Spike, Thorax and Twilight stayed up for a few minutes, but inevitably headed off to bed. The next day seems to pass by in a blur. After Spike woke up, he did his morning routine, and headed off to work. Today called for clear skies, so there wasn’t much to do, but it flew by, despite the boredom. As he clocked out, he got ready to take off, before a paper airplane bounced off his snout. Curious, Spike unfolded the note, smiling as he realized what it was. Upon the paper was a cute little invitation, hand written by Pinkie. He quickly folded the paper up and stowed it away, before flapping his wings, and taking off.

As the library came into view, Spike wondered about the party. What did Pinkie have planned? Who had she invited? As he landed, he quickly opened the door and headed inside, still distracted by the prospect of who would be showing up. He wasSo engrossed in his mind, he didn’t even notice Thorax until he felt a kiss be planted upon his lips. This immediately broke him out of his train of thought, before returning the kiss. As they broke the kiss, Spike smiled to his Fiancé.
”Hey handsome, how was your day?”
Thorax blushed at the compliment, before giggling and returning the smile.
”It was good. I went over and helped Fluttershy with her animals, before returning home. I helped Twilight with a project she had, but she kicked me out when she started working on a more explosive experiment. How as your day Spike?”
”It was boring. Not much to do today. When I was about to leave, though, I got hit by a paper airplane. From Pinkie of course.”
” I assume that means that the engagement party is ready?”
Spike nodded to him, before looking around.
”Hey, where’s Twilight?”
Thorax was about to answer, when a shout and bang came from the basement.

Upon hearing the shout, the two immediately snapped their heads towards the basement. Spike took initiative, and began running towards the basement, followed shortly by Thorax. As the door burst open though, what they saw confused them. Twilight was covered from head to toe in confetti.
”What the hell happened in here?!”
Twilight coughed up some confetti, before sighing and turning towards the intruders.
”Well I was trying to test a magic based fuel source I created, but fate had other plans.”
”But what about the confetti?”
”I’m assuming Pinkie sent in a letter for some reason, only for it to land in a petri of liquid mana. One reaction later, and the confetti in the letter proceeded to duplicate, causing the letter to burst open.”
Spike chuckled at his sister’s misfortune, causing her to glare at him. As she bore into his soul, he wilted a bit before attempting to de-escalate.
”A-anyways, I got a letter from Pinkie too, inviting me to a party. I’m assuming that that’s the reason you got your letter as well.”
Twilight sighed, before smiling and looking to him.
”Yeah, probably. I should take a break anyways. Between this and preparing a surprise for the party, I’ve barely had any time to wind relax. When exactly is the party?”

Aparently, the party was in 30 minutes, so the three had to rush getting ready and ran out the door. Thankfully, they made it just in the nick of time. They quickly catch their breath before heading inside, only to have their breath taken away. The entirety of sugarcane corner was decorated with purple and green decorations, and all of the tables were filled with some of their favorite foods, colored to match. As they stood there in awe, Pinkie Pie quickly bounced up to them, purple and Green Party blower in her mouth.
”Heya guys! Glad you got here! And right at the bell too! Any later and you would miss some reeeeaaaly important stuff!”
Spine tilts his head, confused as to what she means.
”What would we have missed?”
”Mainly just the opening statement. Speaking of which, gotta bounce!”
And before any pony could get another word off, she was replaced by a pony shaped cloud of dust. Just shrugging their shoulders at Pinkies antics, they head towards the buffet table, not noticing the strange pony, sitting in the corner by themself.

The party is lively, yet not too packed. Thankfully, Pinkie hadn’t invited the whole town, just friends and family. As Spike looked for a seat, he could see Zecora talking to Fluttershy at one of the tables, and Applejack and Gilda were arm wrestling at another, with Rainbow watching on in amusement. Spike saw his parents out of the corner of his eye, his mother speaking with Rarity while his father was grabbing them snacks. Even the princesses were here. Somehow, to Spike’s surprise, he didn’t notice Shining Armor and Cadence until he heard them talking. Upon realizing who it was, he grinned, before walking over to them.
”Shining! Cadence! Good to see you!”
Spike quickly embraced his brother in a hug, before doing the same to Cadence, who both eagerly returned the gesture.
”Hey Spike! Congratulations!”
”Im so glad to see how far your love has blossomed already. I can’t wait to see how much more it will grow.”
Spike chuckled a bit, before suddenly feeling a shiver in his spine.
”But why, pray tell, did you wait so long to tell us?”
Oh boy, this was gonna be rough.

As Spike attempted to survive his run in with Cadence, Pinkie suddenly came bouncing into the middle of the room, mike in hand.
”Well hiya everypony! Glad you could make it! Today, we’re here to celebrate a momentous occasion. Our good friends Spike-a-rooni and Thorry got engaged!”
A quick round of applause sounds out causing, Thorax to blush.
”Yep! And to help with this, Twilight’s gonna give A big ol’ speech, before we get this party really started! And a little later, we’ll do some karaoke! Okay, take it away Twilight!”
With that, Pinkie bounced off stage, tossing Twilight the Mike as she got into position. Twilight barely catches it, causing everyone to chuckle a bit, before she recovers. Clearing her throat, she begins to speak.

”Hello everypony, I hope you’re all doing well. Today, we’re here to celebrate a massive moment in these two’s lives. From the day Spike hatched, he’s always been such a caring soul. When he thought I was in danger, he jumped in front of the princess to protect me. And with a heart as big as his, it was hard to see most ponies be afraid of him. That is, until he met Thorax. Many years ago, Thorax was all alone. His mother had cast him out of his home, and ponies feared him due to his eyes. But even then, much like Spike was, he was a kind soul. Even going as far as to helping some pony who had tried to hurt him. This sadly did not work out for him, for the pony, despite the kindness, hurt him badly. He had his leg broken, and began to lose blood. In fact, that night, he almost died. But thankfully, for everyone here, that didn’t happen. For that was the night he first met Spike.”

”Spike, upon seeing him in such a painful condition, immediately sprung into action, saving his life, and earning a new friend. After that night, they would spend as much time as they could together. They were two misfits, making their way through life together. Together they grew, becoming the great creatures they are today. And after years of friendship, the fateful moment finally came when they realized they felt more for each other than they first thought. And from then, their love has blossomed into something that could rival the stars. They are two of the greatest ponies I have ever met, And I am proud to be their big sister.”
As Twilight finished, a round of applause echoed through Sugarcube Corner. Twilight left the stage, and embraced the two of them in a deep hug, causing a massive ‘awe’ to ripple throughout their friends. Shortly after, Pinkie re-entered the stage, wiping away tears.
”That was too beautif-u-ul! My heart is just melting! Oh!”
Pinkie turned around, sobbing her eyes out, and attempting to calm down. Pinkie eventually recollected herself, before turning back to the crowd.
”Now let’s get this party started!”

The party raged for several hours, and it showed no signs of stopping. Eventually, ponies had to leave, as it was getting late. Even his parents had to leave, in order to not miss the last train to Canterlot. Eventually, all that was left was Spike and Thorax, the elements of harmony, Gilda, and the mysterious pony. Suddenly, Pinkie gets back up on the stage, reaches into her mane, and pulls out a strange machine machine.
”Alrightie! Who’s ready to siiiiiing!”
Applejack, curious, was the first to speak up.
”Sugarcube, what exactly is that? It don’t look like no karaoke machine I’ve ever seen.”
”Why, it’s my super special Multi-dimensional sing-a-long a-tron!TM!”
”Um, Pinkie. That really doesn’t explain what it is.”
”Oops, your right! Silly me. It’s like a karakoke machine, but it has way, waaaay more songs on it.”
Upon this explanation, she pulls a mike out of her hair and plugs it into the device.
”Sooooo, who’s first?”

Thorax had been thinking. After Twilights speech earlier tonight, he was feeling very emotional. Several emotions swirled in his head, gnawing at his mind and causing his heart to race. He felt joy, knowing that he had such a great family now, and pain, for all the abuse he suffered.But mostly, he felt anger. Remembering what happened to him, what his own mother put him through, just to throw him out into the cold, where he almost died. It made his blood boil. And he hated it. He hated feeling angry, because it reminded him of her. She was always so angry, and took it out on everything around her. And he was afraid that when he felt anger, he might be like her. So when Pinkie had brought out the karaoke machine, an idea formed in his head. Maybe he could help release the pent up emotions, in the form of song. As he thought about this, the perfect song came to his mind, and a smirk grew on his face as he rose his hand.

”Ooooh, seems like our first volunteer is one of our guests of honor! You’ve got the stage, Thorry!”
With Pinkie’s permission, he gets on the stage, and grabs the mike.
”Thank you Pinkie. And before I begin, let me just say, thank you all for everything. You helped me come out of my shell even more after what happened to me when I was younger.”
Thorax grinned slightly, before getting down to fiddle with the machine. As he got back up, the grin turned into more of a sinister smirk, as he got ready to sing.
”But none of this would have happens if not for my mother. So where-ever she is, this is dedicated to her.”
And with that, he pressed play, and a guitar began to play.

“This is about you, mom.
Beware, beware, be skeptical. Of their smiles, their smiles of plated gold. Deceit, so natural, But a wolf in sheep's clothing is more than a warning! Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any soul? No, sir, by the way, what the hell are morals? Jack, be nimble, Jack, be quick. Jill's a fucking monster, and her alibis are turning tricks.

So could you, Tell me how you're sleeping easy? How you're only thinking of yourself?
Show me how you justify, Telling all your lies like second nature! Listen, mark my words, one day! You will pay, you will pay, Karma's gonna come collect your debt!”

As Thorax sings, everypony is surprised at the emotion in his voice. It was almost as if they could feel his pain.

”Aware, aware, you stalk your prey, With criminal mentality. You sink your teeth into the ponies you depend on. Infecting everyone, you're quite the problem. Fee-fi-fo-fum, better run and hide! I smell the blood of a petty little coward! Jack, be lethal, Jack, be slick, Jill will leave you lonely, dying in a filthy ditch.

So, could you, Tell me how you're sleeping easy? How you're only thinking of yourself?Show me how you justify, Telling all your lies like second nature! Listen, mark my words, one day! You will pay, you will pay, Karma's gonna come collect your debt!

Maybe you'll change, Abandon all your wicked ways. Make amends and start anew again. Maybe you'll see, All the wrongs you did to me. And start all over, start all over-

As tears begin to well up in Thorax’s eyes, Pinkie suddenly jumps.
”Pinchy knee!”
And with that, runs into the kitchen.

“Oh my god, who am I kidding?
Now, let's not get overzealous here
You've always been a huge piece of shit
If I could kill you, I would, but it's frowned upon in all Equestria. Having said that, burn in hell!!! “

As Thorax hits this line, his emotions finally fully boil over, causing his wings to flare out, removing the coat concealing them. Upon seeing the insectoid wings, his friends gasp, while Spike and Twilights eyes shrink.

” So, tell me how you're sleeping easy, How you're only thinking of yourself. Show me how you justify, Telling all your lies like second nature! Listen, mark my words, one day! You will pay, you will pay! Karma's gonna come collect your debt! Karma's gonna come collect your debt, oh, oh, oh, Karma's gonna come collect your debt! “

As the song ends, Thorax comes back to his senses. Looking around, he wonders why all of his friends have such strange expressions. Then, he feels his wing twitch, and realization hits.

Sugar cube corner is suddenly engulfed in chaos, as Fluttershy hides, Rarity faints, and AJ just stares in shock, while Rainbow and Gilda all get up and start rushing the stage. But before they could get there, Spike and Twilight intercept them, stopping them immediately.
”What the hell are you two doing?!”
”Yeah, we’re tryin to save the day here!”
”Stopping you two from making a huge mistake!”
”Just stop and look for a second! Please!”
”Why do you want us to lo-“
The words die on her tongue as the two rushers take in the Scene in front of them. What they had once thought to be a monster that was impersonating Thorax, was curled up into a ball, sobbing. They could feel the fear and pain radiating off of him, as they realized. If it weren’t for the wings, it would look just like Thorax. And that’s when the pieces began to come together. Why they never saw him without his coat, his eyes, and his strangely smooth coat. The name. Thorax and the creature in front of them were one and the same.

As the realization set in, the two stumble back.
”No way…”
”I… That… Thorax?”
Slowly, the others regain themselves, and begin to realize themselves.
”Oh dear…”
”Is he…”
”Good gravy, that’s…”
As the six realize their mistakes, they begin to slowly walk forward, before being blocked by Spike.
”Please, don’t.”
”Look sugarcube, we… we made a damn big mistake. Please let us apologize.”
For a moment Spike hesitated, before moving out the way.

”Thorax, you’re good friend, and we messed him up.”
”We’re… we’re sorry, Thorax. We royally bucked up.”
”You were afraid of how we’d react to your secret. And for good reason. We reacted how you feared.”
”Darling… could you ever forgive us?”
For a moment, nothing happens, and they fear the worst. But suddenly, he bursts up, and rushes to them, before embracing them while sobbing. Despite the fear and pain he was feeling, he could never hate them. And as they realize this, they themselves begin to sob, embracing him right back. As the friend ball makes up, Pinkie finally emerges from the kitchen.
”Aw man, did I miss Thorax’s big reveal?! Awww man!”

a few minutes earlier
As Thorax revealed his wings, no one noticed the mysterious pony slip away. No one was there to watch as he slinked away, before hiding in a dark Alley. And no one was there to witness the green flash within the alley, as a large bat flew out. As the bat flew away, his mind was swirling with what he just learned.
’Thorax… is alive?! How?! And why did Mother lie to me? What is she hiding?’
As Prince Pharynx flew away, he knew he could not tell any-ling. He would have to figure out what happened, without notifying the queen. If she found out that he not only was going behind her back, but investigating his supposedly dead brother, he would meet a fate worse than death.

Author's Note

With the recent rebirth of this song, I just had to include it. I edited the lyrics of the song a bit to fit the universe.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! It was probably the most challenging for me yet. Please comment if you find any mistakes, or have any suggestions for this chapter or upcoming ones.

Chapter 18: explanations given, friendship strengthened

As the hug concluded, the tears on everyone’s faces begin to dry. As they broke up, the five ponies and Griffin do a Quick Look over of their friend. He looks almost no different now than before, except for the pair of strange wings on his back. Guilt flares up within their minds momentarily, before being replaced by curiosity. However, none were brave enough to speak up… except for one.
”Um, Thorax, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what kind of creature are you? You look oddly familiar… “
Thorax looked to the curious mare, before smiling.
”No, I don’t mind it. As for what I am, you probably never heard of what I am. I’m what’s called a changeling.”

As the words left his mouth, Fluttershy’s eyes shrunk. She realized why he looks so familiar. Before she could stop her self, she jumps and lets out an ‘eep!’ As she realized what she did, a blush grows on her face, and she quickly begins to apologize.
”I-I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Thorax, however, just chuckled.
”It’s okay Fluttershy. I know you can be a bit timid, and my kind tend to have a bad reputation.”
Fluttershy just nodded before Applejack Suddenly piped up.
”What do ya mean, bad reputation? Just what are changelin’s, Partner?”
Thorax shuddered, before looking to the orange mare.
”Normally, we’re bad news. Changelings are a race of shapeshifters, who tend to kidnap and replace ponies in order to feed off of emotions.”
Suddenly, Rainbow Dash spoke up, confusion evident in her voice.
”So why didn’t you?”

Silence once more reigns, as everyone looks to Rainbow Dash, a look of anger and shock on their faces.
”Rainbow, ya don’t jus-“
Before AJ could finish, however, Thorax interjected.
”It’s alright. You all deserve to know.”
Applejack opens her mouth, as if to rebut, but instead just sputters for a moment, before closing it. Thorax turns to Rainbow, a look of sorrow on his face.
”The reason I didn’t, is because I can’t.”
The five mares and the griffon look to him, confusion once more written upon their faces, before Rarity decides to speak up.
”Forgive me for enquiring further, darling, but why?”
Slowly, tears begin to form at the corners of Thorax’s eyes, as his face morphs from one of sorrow to pain.
”I was born without the ability to change. “

As the words left Thorax’s mouth, Fluttershy let out an almost inaudible gasp, catching Spike’s attention. Before he could fully comprehend it, however, Gilda spoke up, detailing his train of thought.
”From what you called yourself earlier, it sounds like that’s a disability. Like a griffon born without wings.”
”Thats exactly the case. But instead of what most creatures do, and try to help the disabled, changelings… they try to cull the weakness. They bullied me. They’d beat me up, steal my food, and call me names. Many days they would crack my chitin, and rip my wings. Not a day went by where I was hurt badly. Even my mother hated me.”
By this point, tears flooded out of his eyes, as Spike began to caress his pained beloved.
”Thorax… are you okay? You don’t have to continue if it’s too much.”
Thorax, looked Rainbow in the eyes, before shaking his head.
”No, I can’t. I have to tell you, no matter how painful. No more secrets.”
And with that, he continued.

”The only one who treated me as a living being was my brother. He would patch up my wounds, and tried to help me grow tougher, but it never worked. And with that, the first two years of my life were spent in constant suffering. It was to the point where I’d carve holes into my chitin and flesh, attempting to replicate the holes that other changelings had, to no avail. The only thing it granted me was a different pain to focus on.”
As Thorax continued, everyone’s eyes began to moisten once more. All that pain, all that hatred. No wonder he was so scared: he was afraid to lose what he had finally gained.

”Eventually, the day my life changed for the better came. And would you believe it, it was when my own mother disowned me, and left me to fend for myself. So I left the hive, and traveled from town to town, feeding off of what scraps I could get. Eventually, I made it to Canterlot, where I almost died when some pony saw me and broke my leg. But thankfully, I was found by a caring soul, who nursed me back to health and became my friend. And with his friendship, I was able to feed without hiding. It was thanks to Spike and his love, that I am alive today. It’s thanks to him, that I don’t need to hide. And now, it’s also thanks to you.”

As Thorax finished his story, nothing could be heard. After a moment of silence, a plip could be heard, as the first tear reaches the ground. Slowly but surely, the tears ramp up, until eventually, the entire room is crying again. And once more, without warning, Thorax is squished in a massive group hug.
”Thor, I’m… I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
”Don’t worry short stuff, we’ll stick by your side no matter what.”
” You’re apart of a real family now.”
”Yeah! One that cares for you, and has fun with you, and even defeat evil and corrupted gods by your side!”
As the girls shower him with words of encouragement and love, he begins to weep as well. For he knows that no matter what, he has a real family now.

Author's Note

One chapter closer to the conclusion of this story. But don’t worry: while this chapter in the saga will end, it is only the first of many.
please let me know of any suggestions you have, or mistakes I’ve made by leaving a comment. Thank you!

Chapter 19: a black wedding part 1

About a month has passed since the party, and everypony was busy. After all, they had a wedding to prepare for! A date was set up, a venue chosen, and guest list created. Many a day went by for Spike and Thorax where sleep was skipped, in order to continue setting up for their special day. But despite the stress, they wouldn’t have it any other way. However, as with all things in life, things didn’t go according to plan.

As the clock began to signal that moon was upon them, eight friends begin to set up a picnic. As the blanket was set down, everyone set down an item that they had decided to bring, before sitting down themselves. But before they could get settled and dig in, the sound of flapping wings could be heard approaching them at high speeds. Realizing what was about to happen, everyone braced, before the sound suddenly stopped. Spike, being confused, was the first to open his eyes, and notice Ditzy Doo, the local Mailmare, was stuck in a tree. As she struggled to get out, a muffled voice could be heard through the thick leaves.
”I just don’t know what went wrong!”

Rolling his eyes, Spike takes off, as the rest of the group begins to unbrace themselves. He quickly helps the poor postmare unstuck, earning a thanks from her before she fluttered to the ground. As she lands, the cross eyed deliverer looks into her mail pouch, and rifles within for a moment before pulling out a handful of letters.
”Hey guys! Got something I’m supposed to deliver! Your hands only. Let’s see here… eight different letters, all from Canterlot Castle! Wonder what the princess needs from you this time. Looks like that’s it! Gotta go.”
And before even a single thank you could be said, the mail-courier takes off, buzzing into the atmosphere.

As Ditzy flies off, Spike chuckles a bit as he sits back down.
”Good ol’ Ditzy. Can’t land to save her life.”
everyone shares a quick laugh, before returning their attention to the envelopes each one of them got.
”I wonder what the princess needed to tell us.”
” I hope it’s not another adventure. We’ve still got a lot to do for the wedding.”
”Ah doubt that sugar cube. Probably just needs to tell us somethin.”
”Ooh! Maybe she needs us to plan a party for an upcoming event, like the gala! Or maybe she wants us to try some of her baking! Or maybe that one or more of us have a deep dark secret that could threaten Equestria!”
” Darling… I doubt that last option.”
”Enough yapping! Let’s open these bad boys and see what’s inside!”
As the group opens their letters and pull them out, Twilight begins to read.
”Dear Twilight Sparkle, it is my honor to invite you to the wedding of princess Mi Amore Cadenza and… MY BROTHER?!”

As Twilight continues reading, Thorax is able to sense the emotions of his friends slowly become angrier.
”TOMORROW?! What the hell Shining! We’re already preparing for one wedding!”
”An’ who the hell is this Cadenza varmint? I thought he was datin’ Cadence?”
”Not cool man, not cool.”
But before anymore angry words could be spoken, Thorax speaks up.
”Well what if he didn’t have a choice?”
This catches everyone’s attention, so as they look to him he continues to speak.
”What if he needs to marry this Cadenza pony for a political deal? I mean, he is technically a noble. And what if this was the date that was chosen by the other country? It’s not like him to do that intentionally.”
As Thorax’s logic sinks in, tempers begin to lower. But instead, feelings of pity began to rise
” Those poor dears, forced to break up their love…”
”No one should ever force love, it’s not right…”
”Thats even less cool, on the part of this Cadenza chick.”
Suddenly, Twilight stands up, a look of determination on her face.
”Pack your bags everypony. We’re heading to Canterlot. Let’s see if we can fix this mess.”

It took them combined less than an hour to get ready and meet at the train station. Even Rarity packed light, finding fixing love was more important than packing enough clothes. They quickly boarded and began their journey to the capital, determination in their hearts. The ride was mostly uneventful, giving them plenty of time to chat and eat. But as Canterlot came into view, all their voices died down. The entire mountain was covered in a giant purple shield. As the train approached the bubble, everyone prepared for impact. But as they were about to crash, a small opening appeared, allowing the train through. The girls breathed a sigh of relief, glad that nothing happened. But to almost no-one’s notice, Thorax began to shake. Spike looked to his fiancé worry written on his face.
”You alright hon?”
Hearing Spike’s voice snapped him out of his trance, before he looked back to him.
”Yeah, sorry. I don’t know what happened, it just… felt like a pressure suddenly built up in my head. Weird.”

As the train pulled into the station, the group was greeted by Shining armor himself. Twilight and Spike rushed out, exited to see their brother, while the others slowly exited.
”BBBFF!”
”Shining! How you doing?”
”Hey Spike, hey Twilight. It’s good to see you. I’m doing good, all things considered.”
”Hey man, you okay? You look awful.”
”Yeah, it looks like you haven’t slept in days! Does this have to do with that Cadenza chick?”
”Wha? What do you mean?”
”Y’know, the girl you’re marrying?”
”You mean Cadence?”

For but a moment, all is peaceful. Sadly, the moment ended rather quickly, as an angry Twilight tends to not mix well with silence.
”WHAT?!”
”Whoa, Twi, calm down!”
”Calm down? First, you know Spike’s gonna get married soon, and you set up your wedding for now anyways! Secondly, you you tell me this over letter, and not in person, and Thirdly, you told me JUST ONE DAY BEFOREHAND!”
As Twilight unleashed a verbal barrage, Shining backs up a bit, before defending himself.
”Im sorry, I didn’t have a choice! First I finally proposed to Cadence just a two weeks ago, thinking we could have our wedding a month or two after theirs. But a few days ago Cadence said she wanted to get married sooner, so we bumped up the date a bit. And shortly after that, somepony sent in a threat, causing the city to be put under lockdown! I have to power the shield spell, so I couldn’t tell you guys in person!”
As Shining explained, Twilight began to finally calm down.
”Okay… okay. That makes sense. I’m sorry for snapping on you. I was just stressed. At first I thought you were being forced into a political marriage, and then hearing that you weren’t, it just made me angry.”
”Hey, it’s okay. We all have those days. Now let’s get you and your friends to the castle. We’ve got some carriages ready, to make it easier.”

The trip to the castle was uneventful, allowing the siblings to catch up with each other.
”So how’s your guy’s preparations going?”
”They’re going good. Got a venue picked out, catering’s been planned, and the suits are coming along well. What about you? Have your preparations been going well?”
” I wish. Because of the sudden date change, we’ve had to rush preparations. And not to mention that threat, making it even harder. We’ve been trying to find who and what we need to prepare, but haven’t had much success.”
”Thats awful! Is there anything we can do to help?”
”Maybe. I’d have to talk to Cady first. She’s been really grumpy lately,and has been strict with who we can pick. I think the nerves are getting to her.”

After a few minutes, the carriages came to a stop in front of the castle, before opening their doors. Spike is the first to descend, shortly followed by Thorax and then Twilight. As the girls in the other carriages begin to disembark, Twilight looks around, looking for either her mentor or her former babysitter. As her eyes wander, they soon land upon Cadence, speaking to some castle staff. Ecstatic, Twilight quickly runs up to her.
”CADENCE!”
Cadence turns to look at Twilight, as she stops a few feet in front of her. And then, Twilight begins to dance.
” Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”
But as Twilight finishes up, she looks to Cadence, who did not reciprocate the dance. In fact, if anything, she looked disgusted.
”I was doing something, what do you want?”

As Cadence speaks to her, Twilight’s ears flatten.
”Oh! Uhm, sorry Cadence. I was just exited to see you.”
”… and?”
”S-sorry Cadence. I’ll just-“
”Upupup! No Cadnece. While you’re hear for my wedding, you call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Now go away, I have things I need to do.”
With a dejected sigh, Twilight begins to walk away, not noticing her younger brother until she ran into him.
”Hey Twi, you okay?”
”Not really. I got too exited to see Cadence, and interrupted something important to try and do our dance.”
” That doesn’t seem like Cadence.”
”Yeah, I know. But it’s her wedding. I understand that she’s under a lot of stress. Well, I’ll go grab out bags.”
As Twilight walks away, Spike gives her a small nod, before looking to Cadence, eyes narrowing. He didn’t know why, but something felt… wrong.

Spike had been suspicious of Cadence. Even if it was her wedding, he knew she would never act that way to Twilight. It’s just not like her. So deep in his thoughts was he, that Spike didn’t notice Thorax until he tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to jump.
” Are you alright? You look troubled, my love.”
Spike sighed, before turning to Thorax.
”Yeah, just thinking.”
”About what?”
”This whole wedding. A lot of weird things are going on right now. First the sudden date change, then this threat and the shield, and finally Cadence’s shift in personality. It’s all suspicious.”
Thorax’s eyes shrunk a bit, as he took in what Spike had told him. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, he was paralyzed. The strange feeling from earlier had returned, and much more pronounced this time. And for some reason, it had returned as the bride to be walked by.

As she disappeared around a corner, Thorax was finally let go from the pressure in his head. As he came back to his senses, the first thing he saw as he looked around was Spike, a concerned look plastered on his face.
”Thor, you alright? What’s wrong?”
Thorax quickly shook off the rest of the shock, looking to his fiancé with fear in his eyes.
”Thats not the princess.”
”What do you mean?”
”When we first got here, I felt that strange pressure in my head. Well as she walked by, I felt it again, but increased by tenfold.”
”Does that mean it could be?-“
”I don’t know. But it’s too big a coincidence to ignore. We need to keep an eye on her. Otherwise…”
Thorax looked to his friends, all excitedly talking to each other after Princess Celestia tasked them with helping with the wedding. Seeing his family so exited, so happy, and so oblivious… it made him truly hope he was wrong. Because otherwise, he could lose everything once more.

Eventually, Spike had been given a task as well. He was to patrol the perimeter of the dome, making sure that there were no threats. This left Thorax alone. And Thorax, while sad he wasn’t able to spend time with any of his friends or his lover, was ecstatic. For now, he had the perfect opportunity to keep an eye on the impostor. As the day went on, Thorax secretly tailed Cadence and Twilight. And as he watched from the sidelines, he was able to notice things that even Twilight wasn’t able to. From some of the guards acting strange around the princess, to small splotches of green goo left in corners, and even the sudden color change of Cadence’s magic from pink to green. And as he found each piece of evidence, his hope that this had all been a coincidence slowly faded. There was no chance that all of this wasn’t connected. she was here, and her plans were likely already set into motion. All he could do, was try to mitigate as much damage as he could. And that started with finding where the real Cadence was.

As the light began to fade, and the day began to end, eight friends sat outside at a local cafe. As they shared how their day’s went, and joked around, Twilight looked upset. Eventually, the others take notice.
”Hey Twi, what’s wrong?”
”Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”
”What’dya mean? Everything’s going great!”
”I must agree with Rainbow darling. Everything has been going magnifique!”
”Yeah, it’s been going great, but have any of you noticed what’s wrong with Cadence?”
”She just seems on edge. Weddings can be stressful.”
”But this is ridiculous! Throwing away AJ’s fritters, was over demanding with the dresses of her bridesmaids, and insulting Pinkies work. She’s not like this! Something is wrong.”
”Just seems to me that you don’t want your brother to get married.”

As the words leave Rainbow’s mouth, Twilight’s ears flatten.
”Wha-?”
”Yeah sugarcube, it just sounds like yer scared to lose him.”
”It’s okay darling, he’ll be fine. You don’t need to be overprotective.”
As more of her friends side against her, Twilight begins to rethink herself. Maybe she was being overprotective. That is, until Spike, who has been silent for this entire time, finally speaks up.
”Thats all well in good, but do any of you actually know her?”
As everypony turns to look at Spike, he continues to sit there, awaiting an answer.
”Well yeah! We met her during your engagement party!”
”Okay, so you met her a month ago. But that doesn’t mean you actually know her.”
”Whatever do you mean darling?”
”Do you know she hates being called Mi Amore Cadenza? Or that she loves treats from sweet apple acres? Or how her dream wedding had a giant chocolate fountain in it? Or the fact that ever since Twilight was a filly, whenever the two met they did a little dance?”

As Spike lists off more and more secrets of the princess, the others look on, with widening eyes.
”Why tell us all this though?”
”Because you need to know that Twi, Thorax and I have known her for years. Longer than you guys have. And when we notice something off about her, it means something’s wrong.”
”Well in all honesty darling, she is getting married. And she is royalty. It’s a very stressful and important time of her life!”
But before Spike could respond, Thorax proposed a question.
”Let me ask you girls this. Spike and I are getting married. And it’s when I plan to reveal my secret to the world. How much have our personalities changed?”
”That’s not the point we’re tryin’ to make. ”
”Besides, your wedding isn’t for another month. The princess’s wedding is tomorrow. It makes sense to stress out the day before you get married.”
Shaking his head, Thorax just gets up, and begins to walk away, shortly followed by Spike. They tried, but sometimes, glamor clouds judgement.

As the two get back to their rooms, they ponder on what to do next.
”This isn’t good. The girls are too enraptured by planning a princesses wedding, they can’t see the bigger picture.”
”Twilight is at least catching on.”
”But there lies another problem. She’s being to open about her distrust, if someone were to hear it…”
”I should keep an eye on her.”
”Thorax, no. It’s too dangerous. Let me do it.”
”Im sorry Spike, but it has to be me. I know more about changelings than everyone else, and I know how to blend in. Not being able to disguise has helped me get good at not being noticed. While you… no offense honey, but you stuck out like a tree in the desert.”
Spike sighed at Thorax’s logic. He couldn’t argue with that.
”Okay, fine. You keep an eye on her. Just be safe, okay? If I lost you…”
Thorax giggled at Spike’s overprotective nature, before embracing him.
” I will my love.“

As the moon grew closer to its apex, Twilight walked towards the wedding rehearsal, determination in her eyes. It was now or never. She had to expose her now, otherwise she would lose her brother forever. As she grew closer and closer to the ballroom, one could swear the shadows themselves were following her, as if in her support. As she burst open the doors to the ballroom, her friends let out a gasp. It was now or never.
”I here! I’m not going to stand next to her, and neither should you!”

Twilight sat alone within the ballroom. They… they all left her. The friends who were supposed to stand by her side, all abandoned her. After everything she saw, she was sure she was right. But after that, seeing Cadence so distraught, and Shining so mad… Could she have been wrong? And now she had nothing. Her friends probably hated her now, the princess has practically disavowed her, and her brother… her brother disowned her. Her BBBFF, one of her best friends… no longer wants anything to do with her. The only ones she still had were Spike and Thorax, but they seemed to have disappeared. Feeling more alone than ever, she slowly walked to a nearby balcony, before looking off the edge. It was a long ways down. Maybe she should just… But before she could come to a deduction, she heard something behind her. Quickly turning around, she was greeted by a flash of green, before everything went dark. The last thing she heard before being enveloped in unconsciousness was a sinister laugh.

Thorax watched on in horror. How could they just leave her like that? He understood Shining at least, for changeling venom could mess with one’s mind. But her friends? The princess? How could they just… abandon her? Of course, she had just burst in and thrown around accusations of evil, but that was not the point. Weren’t friends and mentor’s supposed to be willing to listen to others concerns? Especially if one is obviously mentally unwell? As he pondered, he almost didn’t notice her walk to the balcony. As he finally noticed, his heart skipped a beat: she was about to make the same mistake that he himself had almost made. But before he could rush to save her from herself, a flash of green interrupted him, before he fell to the floor.

As he lay unmoving, he knew that she had caught him. And soon, she would catch Twilight as well. As he and Twilight were picked up in her magic, he knew he had to leave some sort of trail to follow. And in his panic, he did something he never knew he could do: he began to release pheromones. And as he and Twilight were taken deeper into the castle, a trail was left behind, that the queen somehow wasn’t able to notice. When they eventually made it to wherever they were being taken, she threw them to the ground, before laughing. As Twilight finally began to stir again, she looked them both in the eyes, as an unnatural smile grew on her face.
”Iwin.”
And with that, she slammed the door, locking them in.

Author's Note

The second to last chapter of this story! After this, only one more and the epilogue will be left! What will happen during the infamous wedding? Will Twilight and Thorax escape? Will the mane six regret their actions? And where is Spike? All this and more will be answered in the next episode of dragon ball - I mean final dying roar!

Chapter 20: a black wedding part 2

Twilight’s mind slowly began to wake up, thoughts jumbled together. Last thing she remembered was standing out on the balcony… and then nothing.
”Twilight!”
She remembered going into the rehearsal, and remembered being angry for some reason. Though she couldn’t remember why.
”Twilight!”
Wait, it was coming back to her! She was mad because Cadence was acting so differently, and no one noticed. And… and her friends left her.
”Twilight!”
Suddenly, her eyes fluttered open.

”Gah!”
Twilight shot up, gasping for air.
”Twilight! Oh thank the creator you’re alright!”
Turning her head towards the familiar voice, she was met with a welcome sight. Her friend and soon to be brother in law, Thorax, was kneeling next to her.
”Thorax? What are you doing here? More importantly, where is here?”
”Thats not important right now. What is important is finding Cadence and getting out of here!”
As Twilight heard the name of her former friend, she scoffed.
”Why bother? She’s turned into a real huge jerk ever since this wedding thing.”
”That Wasn’t Cadence.”

”What do you mean? Of course that was Cadence!”
”Twilight, other than her personality, did you notice anything different about her?”
”… Well now that you mention it, I when saw her cast a spell on Shining, her magic was green. What does that-“
”Okay, now what color did I tell you my people’s magic was?”
”Green.“
Suddenly, the pieces came together in her mind. The sudden reschedule, the change in personality, the threat: this was all apart of a plan.
”So Cadence was replaced?”
”Yes. And now, we need to find her.”
Suddenly, Twilight stood up, a look of determination in her eyes.
”Well then let’s not waste anymore time.”

As the sun rose on a new day, the final preparations for the wedding were underway. And as ponies rushed about to put the finishing touches together, Spike, exhausted, returned from a late night patrol he did of the shield’s perimeter. Landing on the balcony of his room, he opened the door, and got ready to snuggle up to his fiancé. But as he crawled into his bed, he discovered that Thorax was not there. Eyes shooting open and filled with a renewed vigor, he took off, quickly flying to his sister’s room, to see if she saw him. But as he got there, he was met with the same scene. As realization hit him, his blood began to boil. The bitch had managed to take them, and hide them Celestia knows where. But he wouldn’t let this slide. Oh no, there would be retribution.

Thorax and Twilight searched the caves underneath the castle, looking for any sign of the real Cadence. For hours, they looked, hoping for some sort of sign. As they began to give up hope, Twilight’s ears perked up.
”Did you hear that?”
”I didn’t hear anything. What did it sound like?”
”It sounded like… crying. C’mon, follow me!”
As Twilight ran towards the sound, Thorax followed, hoping that they had finally found her. And as they turned a corner, there lied the princess. Battered and bruised, and looking malnourished, but alive.
”CADENCE!”
”T-Twilight?”

As the wedding ceremony began, the five bridesmaids sat down at the front, ready for their part. Though despite this happy occasion, a few of them couldn’t help but feel guilt.
”Girls, do ya think we went to hard on Twi?”
Feel bad, AJ she tried to cancel the wedding! All because she thought the princess was evil.”
”I don’t know, Twilight and Spike knew Cadence for years. They both seemed to think something was up.”
”Well by that logic Darling, wouldn’t the princess have noticed? She raised Cadenza after all.”
”I dunno. What if Celly also got wrapped up in the wedding, and didn’t notice her niece go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs? Besides, the look on Twilights face… remembering it makes my smile turn upside down.”
”Well let’s talk about this later. It’s starting!”

”Come on, we have to get out of here!”
”Wait up a moment Thorax! Cadence isn’t in the best condition right now. Besides, how do you know how to get out?”
Thorax looked back, before slowing down a bit.
”I… I don’t know. This just… smells like the right way.”
Twilight cocked her head, confused.
”Smells? What, did you lay down a pheromone trail down or something?”
”No, I couldn’t have. Only the queen was able to lay down pheromone trails.”
”Well I doubt she would have done it, seeing as if anyone could sense it they could use it to escape.”

They continued on, until finally making it to the exit. As they were about to celebrate, they noticed them: the three former bridesmaids.
”What do we do?”
Thorax looked to the three guards, gears turning in his mind. They wouldn’t be able to sneak past them… unless. As Thorax realized what he had to do, he looked to the injured Cadence, and to Twilight.
”I’ll distract them. You guys go stop the wedding.”
”Thorax no!”
But before the words even left her mouth, he had hopped out and grabbed their attention, before running off. Twilight cursed to herself, wishing they’d have found another way. As she picked up Cadence and began to escape the caves with her, she looked back, and whispered.
”Stay safe Thorax.”

As “Cadenza” walked up to the dais, Celestia looked upon her beloved “niece”, and not noticing the glazed over look in Shining Armor’s eyes. Clearing her throat, she opened the book in front of her, and began to read aloud.
”Mare’s and Gentlecolts-“
*SLAM*
”WHERE ARE THEY?!”
Suddenly, the door had slammed open, as Spike, eyes practically aflame with rage, bursted in. Around him, decorations begin to melt, and ponies begin to sweat.
As many of the guests gasp and faint at the raging dragon among them, Celestia, perturbed at the interruption, looks him in the eyes.
”Spike, what is the meaning of-“
”WHERE ARE MY SISTER AND MY FIANCÉ YOU BITCH?!”

As Spike stomps further into the room, Twilight’s friends watch on in shock and horror. The only time they had ever seen Spike so mad was whenever he thought someone he cared about was hurt. As he grew closer to the dais, paper streamers caught fire, as Celestia began to fume.
”Don’t you dare call me-“
”Not you.”
Celestia’s anger evaporated, and was replaced by confusion. Spike walked closer, raising his hand and pointing to the bride to be.
”Her.”
At this, Cadence just scoffed, before rolling her eyes.
”Dont know, don’t care right now. Now, can we continue?”
”Not until you tell me where they are you shapeshifting piece of shit.”
Cadence’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks, and sweat began to may her fur.
”W-What do you mean?”
”Don’t play dumb. The sudden personality change, the green magic, and the SONG ROUTINE YOU HAD LAST NIGHT!”
As he came closer to her, she cursed to herself. She shouldn’t have been so obvious. Ah well, time to do this the old fashioned way.

As Spike walks closer to the podium, Princess Celestia moves to intervene. To her surprise, she’s just pushed out of the way. She turns around to confront him, but is too late. Spike grabs Cadence by the throat, lifting her into the air.
”I’ll ask one last time, you fuck. Where. Are. They.”
But instead of answering, she just begins to laugh.
”Oh you poor fool. You’ll never see them again.”
Asher voice shifts, green flames overtake her, revealing her true self. As the flames die down, the now revealed queen Chrysalis continues to laugh.
”I win!”
Suddenly, her hand shoots forward, as green fire envelopes it once more, morphing it into a sharp blade. The blade pierces into Spike’s stomach, causing him to drop her. As she falls to the floor, she lands on her feet before charging towards the wounded drake, arm posed to strike again. But as she reaches him, he catches her arm, before throwing her over his shoulder and into the ground, cracking the marble.
”Finally. A challenge.”

As the Changeling queen and the resplendent phoenix battle, Celestia and Twilight’s five friends watch on in shock.
”Twilight… was right?”
”But that means…”
”We were so focused on the wedding, we abandoned our friend.”
”Ah shoulda known she was tell in’ the truth.”
”We’re the party poopers, not her.”
”I am sorry for failing you, my faithful student.”
As the girls and the princess realize their mistake, guilt begins to fill their hearts. But then, the guilt begins to be replaced. And what replaced that guilt? Determination. The determination to fix their mistakes, and make up to their friend. And so, they begin to plan.

Twilight and Cadence weave through the halls, attempting to get to the ballroom in time. But as they grow closer, they know they are too late. They can hear the sounds of combat, ringing through the castle. But they have to keep going. They cannot stop for a moment. Finally, they make it to the ballroom doors, and what greets them horrifies them. Most of the guests have already fled, with those remaining either having fainted or too frightened to move. The rest of the main 6 and Princess Celestia were towards the front, taking cover behind some overturned benches. And Spike was locked in combat with the Changeling Queen. Blow for blow, he was keeping up with her as best he could, but with a major wound hampering him, he likely wouldn’t fair much longer. As they stare in shock at the scene, Cadence noticed Shininng Armor. Standing completely still, with eyes glazed over, it was obvious he was being mind controlled. But to the starving princess, this didn’t matter. As she see’s her love again for the first time in who knows how long, her heart takes initiative.
”SHINING!”
However, he still does not move. But the shout does not go unnoticed. Spike, hearing Cadences voice, momentarily loses his focus, and Chrysalis takes full advantage of this. Once more, she shifts her hand, this time into a jagged axe, and swings down hard into Spike’s shoulder.

The bridesmaids were still hot on Thorax’s tail, as he ran through the castle. Nothing he did seemed to shake them, and he was starting to grow tired. Desperate, he racked his brain for ideas as he ran, hoping to think of something to lose them. And as he ran into the throne room, an epiphany finally came to him. He quickly threw off his cloak and threw it behind him, tripping up the bridesmaids, before unfurling his insectile wings. He quickly jumped into the air, beating his wings and gaining enough alititude to grab onto a nearby chandelier. As the bride’s maids finally untangle themselves, they realize their target is gone. They quickly searched the throne room, thankfully not looking up, before giving up and presumably returning to the caves. As they finally leave, Thorax lets out a sigh of relief, before jumping down. Now it was time to head to the ballroom, and see if Cadence and Twilight were able to succeed.

As the axe embedded itself within his shoulder, cleaving through flesh and bone, Spike looked on in pain. Dropping to his knees, Spike breathed heavily, doing his best to numb the pain. He couldn’t give up, he couldn’t let her win. He attempted to stand back up, but the changeling queen just laughed, before ripping her axe out, and transforming it back into her hand.
”Ah ah ah!”
As Spike further collapsed, vision swimming from the pain, he could hear Twilight shout out his name. Looking to where he heard the voice, he saw his sister, tears running down her cheeks.
”Run!”
Spike attempted to get back up, but was stopped as Queen chrysalis stepped on his back.
”To think, I thought you would be a problem.”

As she laughed again, Celestia had had enough. This Changeling had killed hundreds of her friends before, and she would not let her harm another one.
”That is enough Chrysalis!”
As Chrysalis heard Celestia speak, she turned her neck to look at the solar diarch, an ominous grin decorating her face.
”Oh? And what makes you think you can stop me?”
”You’d do well to not underestimate me, tyrant.”
Before chrysalis could respond, a blast of golden light emanated from Celestia’s horn, blasting Chrysalis in the chest. Chrysalis flew back, landing hard into the ground, before quickly recovering.
”Well then, time to cement my future rule. By killing you!”

Chrysalis shot an unbroken beam of green light towards Celestia, which she immediately reciprocated. As the beams met, Celestia’s beam began to quickly overtake the queens, much to her shock. As the frightened queen began to panic, she remembered: she still had Shining Armor and his love. Grinning, she siphoned more love from the poor brainwashed Stallion, she increased the power of her beam, and began to push Celestia back. Surprised by the sudden shift, Celestia poured more power into her beam, and began to retake the lead. Until Chrysalis began to siphon even more love, and turned the tides in her favor again. Celestia was worried. She couldn’t let this monster win, but if she put too much power into the fight, she could hurt a lot of innocent bystanders. Carefully, she increased her power once again, but to her horror, Chrysalis continued to gain on her. She attempted to put more power into the beam, but it was too late. The beam made contact with Celestia’s horn, and the solar princess was sent flying back, smashing through the wall.

Thorax continues towards the ballroom, before stopping. The closer he gets, the stronger the strange pressure in his head gets. He tries to ignore either, but its persistence causes him discomfort like he has never felt before. Thorax stops to catch his breath, hoping that a small break may help the pressure dissipate. But as he leans against a nearby wall, another wall suddenly explodes, and something’s lands next to him. Shaking off the surprise, he leans down to see what landed near him, only to gasp in horror: it was Princess Celestia, unconscious. Thinking quickly, he drags her from the rubble, and leans her up against a nearby wall. He lays a nearby rug over her to keep her warm, before rushing towards the ballroom. Whatever is happening, was bad, and he needed to help stop it.

The main six state at the hole in the wall, shock and terror on their faces. How did she beat Celestia? Chrysalis cackles, joyed at her success.
”HAHAHAHA, NOT EVEN CELESTIA CAN BEAT ME!” The love Shining Armor has for Cadence is so potent, you must be proud. Now there is just one thing left for me to do. Shining?”
Shining armor shuffles over, as if he was dead.
”Yes my queen?”
”Be a dear and take down the shield, would you?”
”Yes, my queen.”
As the shield falls, a giant black cloud began to descend upon Canterlot, as Chrysalis picks up her fallen foe.
”Now, time to get rid of this problem.”
She shifts her hand into a blade once more, and prepares to drive it into Spike’s heart.
”SPIKE!!”

Thorax looks on in horror. His mother, Queen Chrysalis, had not only beaten Celestia, she had beaten Spike. And she was about to finish him off. He rushed forwards, sprinting past the Main six before jumping towards his Fiancé.
”SPIKE!!”
Just before Chrysalis plunges the knife into Spike’s heart, Thorax manages to grab him, knocking then both out of harms way.
”Wha-?”
Confused, the Changeling queen looks around, before her eyes land upon the prone form of Spike, and some one she never thought she would see again.
”So you really have survived after all this time. If you weren’t such a disappointing failure, I’d have been impressed.”

Thorax, standing in between his wounded Fiancé and his mother, glared at her, hate in his eyes.
”I won’t let you hurt him anymore.”
”Hah, why, because you ‘LoVe HiM?’ Please, you’re a Changeling. We cannot love. We only feed off of it.”
”That’s not true! He means everything to me. When I hold him, I feel a warmth I could never imagine. He brings me happiness and fulfillment that no other could. I would fight the world for him, and I would die for him! “
Smirking, she grabs Thorax by the neck, and begins to lift.
”Aw, how sweet. Guess what? You are about to die for him!”
And with that, she thrusts the knife deep into his heart.

After twisting the knife a bit, Chrysalis pulls it out, covered in green blood. She drop him to the floor, before turning her attention to the six mares behind her. Twilight, Tera’s streaming down her face, ignited her horn, as her eyes begin to glow.
”You bitch! I’m going to-“
Before she could even finish, Chrysalis backhands her across the room, slamming her into a wall.
”I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again! I. Have. Won!”
As Thorax lay on the floor, slowly dying, he looks to his fiancé, tears in his eyes.
”S-Spike…”
thorax begins to slowly crawl towards him, as Spike looks back, eyes filled with pain and sorrow.
”T-Thorax… no…”
Thorax continued to crawl towards hims, eyes slowly dimming.
”S-Spike… I”
Spike, tears streaming down his face, begins to crawl towards Thorax.
”Please, Thorax. Don’t go. I need you.”
Thorax finally reaches Spike, eyes almost dark.
”I…love…you…”
With his final breath, Thorax hugs Spike and his eyes devoid of life. Spike wails, feeling a pain he never felt before. Holding his lovers body close, he whispers into his ear, one last time.
”I love you.”
Spike kisses his Thorax, one final time. And as their lips make contact, the world goes white.

Chrysalis stands over Twilight, triumph on her face. She won, and no one could stop her now! Equestria was hers for the taking! But before she could gloat to the downed mare, a flash of light from behind her grabbed her attention. She quickly turned around, and beheld a sight that filled her with fear.
”I-Impossible…”
In the middle of the ballroom, a giant, glowing orb hung over, before slowly descending. As it landed, it began to dissipate, revealing that within, stood something she thought she had been rid of. For within the ball, was a Royal Changeling. And not just any royal Changeling, her son.

As his vision clears of spots, Spike looked on in awe. Where once his lost liver lay, stood a changeling, rivaling even Celestia in magnificence. He stood a head taller than most ponies, with brilliant lime green chitin. His eyes were a brilliant as amethysts, and his wings were like a monarch’s. He had two mandibles, positioned by his mouth, and his horn was long and slender. His shoulders were adorned with red paldron like shells, and his abdomen was covered in dark green segmented plates. Spike was awestruck, but what struck out to him most was the ring on his horn. The wedding ring Spike gave to-
”T-Thorax?”

Chrysalis was fuming. Not only did her worthless son survive, but he somehow ascended to a Royal! She began to charge, only to be stopped as his horn lit up green. As Chrysalis sat paralyzed, Thorax slowly walked towards her.
”despite everything you have done to me mother, I must thank you.”
As the words left his mouth, Applejack and the other girls gasped. This… thing was the mother that had caused so much pain to Thorax?!
”If it were not for you, I would have never met Spike. I would have never known what it felt like to be loved, and to love. I would have never been happy. ”
As he grew closer to Chrysalis, she began to fear for her life. How was he so powerful?! But as she looked at Spike, she realized: they really did love each other. And a love shared is always more potent than one forced, or one sided.

Thorax finally makes it to Chrysalis, and looks her dead in the eye.
”But despite all I owe you, you still have much to answer for. You will pay for your crimes. Not just for Equestria, but for all that you have mistreated.”
He reaches out, lightly caressing Chrysalis’s cheek.
”Deep down, I still care for you mother, As I am your son. But I will never forgive you. For all you did to me.”

Thorax turns around, looking to the sky. He notices the descending cloud of Changelings, much to Chrysalis’s delight.
”Yes, my children! Rend him limb from limb!”
But as the first few fly I r through the window and land, they look on in confusion, much to her anger.
”NOW!”
Finally, one of the braver ones steps forward, only to collapse onto the ground, writhing in pain. Seeing this, the other Changelings back off, not willing to risk their brother’s fate. Chrysalis, now angry, realizes what’s happening. With two royals of the Same blood are too close, their combined hive mind would fry any Changelings that get too close.
”Fine! I’ll just have to do it myself!”
Suddenly, Chrysalis breaks free from Thorax’s magic, lunging at him with teeth barred. But suddenly, a wave of live magic washes over everyone, and sends the queen and her Changelings flying, and knocking poor Fluttershy over. Thorax, unaffected and confused, turned around towards the source of the love magic, and smiles. It seems that Princess Cadence was able to use the distraction to free Shining.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Thorax turns to Spike, a concerned look on his face.
”Spi-“
Before he could even finish, Spike had launched himself at Thorax, wrapping him in a one armed hug. As tears streamed down his face, he looked to his love.
”Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
Thorax, now crying himself, smiled, and returned the hug.
”I could ask the same of you Spike. Now let’s get you to a hospital, that shoulder looks painful.”
Spike laughs, and the two fly out towards the nearest hospital.

As Spike and Thorax leave, Twilight looks on, smile on her face. She had almost lost them, but thanks to the power of love, times two, they survived. But as she watched them fly off, her smile morphed into a frown. Her brother’s may have made it through, but her friendship… As Twilight began to ruminate, she felt a hand tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Princess Celestia, now recovered, looking at her, sorrow in her eyes.
”My faithful student. How wrong I was. You were right, something was up with Cadence, but so blinded by the wedding was I that I did not heed your warnings, and almost lost you. And now, I have a lot to think about. Please forgive me, Twilight.”

Before Twilight could answer, however, the other girls began to surround her.
”We messed up big time Twi. And we’re sorry.”
”We shoulda listened to you.”
”You knew her for your entire life, and were able to see what was wrong.”
”But like Celestia, we too were blinded by the wedding, darling.”
”We feel like real party poopers. Could you ever forgive us?”
After their apology, Twilight stayed silent. Thinking they had their answer, they hung their heads low, and began to walk away.
”Wait!”
Quickly turning around, they were met with Twilight rushing up to them, before throwing her arms open, Realizing what was happening, the others reciprocated, and the friends, and teacher, embraced.
”I forgive you. And please forgive me for handling the situation so badly. I don’t ever want to lose you girls again!”
Eyes began to water, as the groups sobbed and embraced, with their friendship stronger than ever.

Shining Armor sat on a bench, and rubbed the back of his head. Who knew mind control gave such a wicked headache afterwards? Suddenly, his fiancé walked up next to him, before plopping herself down next to him.
”You know what Shiny?”
Shining cocked his head, intrigued as to what his beloved had to say.
”What is it, Cady?”
”After this, I think we should do what Spike and Thorax are doing. A small, private wedding.”
Shining laughed, cringing a bit as his head throbbed, before turning to Cadence.
”Y’know, I think I’m gonna have to agree with you on that!”

As the sun began to set, everyone sat together within the Castle’s dining hall. Laughter filled the air, as tales were told, jokes were shared, and songs were sung. After all, a victory deserved to be celebrated! Suddenly, the doors slammed open, throwing everyone into high alert. Twilight lit her horn, Spike lifted his good arm, bearing his claws and teeth, and Pinkie Was pointing a weird staff at the door. But as Princess Luna walked in, her eyes widened.
”What did we miss?”
Realizing their mistake, they all shared a laugh, before telling the princess a story. As they ended the tale, she pouted a bit, before muttering under her breath.
”This is what we get for going to griffonstone for trade deals.”

Author's Note

The final chapter, other than the epilogue! Hope you guys enjoyed the twists and turns. Please leave a comment if I made any mistakes, or if you have any suggestions!

Epilogue 1: amor verus in aeternum

Author's Note

Hey everyone! The epilogue is gonna be split up into 3 different parts, each with their own little purpose. This one is to of course finally let these two get married. I plan on releasing the next one tomorrow, so be ready! Anyways, hope you enjoy. Leave a comment if you have any suggestions or see any mistakes.

Epilogue 1: amor verus in aeternum

2 months later

Spike fidgeted in his like green suit. After everything that had happened, it was finally here. The day where he would marry Thorax. He had watched as his brother got married to Cadence, technically twice, and now he was ready to do it himself. At least, he thought he was.As he nervously checked over himself, making sure that everything was alright, the door to the room slammed opened, drawing his ire. But his gaze softened as he saw who it was.
”You almost ready Spike?”
As Twilight walked closer, Spike gave her a smile, before nodding.
”Yeah, just had to double check. Want to make sure nothing goes wrong.”
The siblings share a chuckle at his tasteless joke, before leaving the room and heading to the venue.

Thorax stands as still as he could to allow Rarity to put the finishing touches on his indigo suit. He couldn’t believe it, after all these years he’d been in love with Spike, he was finally going to tie the knot. As his thoughts drifted to Spike, his gossamer wings began to flutter, accidentally smacking Rarity in the face.
”Oh my! R-Rarity, I’m so sorry!”
Rarity shook off the mild shock at being hit in the face with a material that can only be described as feeling like organic plastic wrap, before chuckling to herself.”It’s alright, darling. The suit’s complete, I just wanted to ensure that everything was proper.”
Thorax sighed a bit, nerves calming down, before the doors slammed open to reveal princess Cadence.
”Thorax, it’s time! Are You ready?”
Taking a deep breath, Thorax looked to her and nodded, before heading out the door with Cadence.

Spike stood by the podium, heart beating out of his chest. His groomsponies consisted of both of his siblings, Gilda and Rainbow Dash, who all stood by his side, trying to keep him calm, while Celestia watched from behind the podium, a proud motherly smile upon her face. But as the music began to play, his heart stopped. First came the Cutie mark crusaders as the flower girls, throwing green and purple flower petals everywhere. Even into the pew’s, to some ponies dismay. Shortly afterwards, Thorax’s groom’s ponies came out. Rarity was first, followed shortly by Fluttershy, and finally Zecora. And finally, he stepped out. As the music reached its chorus, Thorax was slowly walked down the aisle by Princess Cadence, tears in the corners of his eyes. As he drew closer, Spike couldn’t help but stare, as his own eyes began to water. Finally, they reached the podium, and Cadence returned to her position beside Thorax and his other Groomsponies. And as the music ended, everypony turned to Princess Celestia, as she cleared her throat.
”Mares and Gentlecolts, we gather here today…”

Epilogue 2: prima piece cadit in locum

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