Castle Bahamut

“So, you killed someone.”

“Did I?”

. . .

“I'm sorry, Spike.”

-10- Solidified

“Your apology is worth just as much as my testimony, Celestia,” I said, standing up in the cell. “Worthless.”

I spun around and looked at her; the almost sewer-like look of the cell in contrast to her pristine white body was almost like an ugly painting. Snorting, the bars themselves seemed like high-quality bamboo than metal, due to all the gunk that built up on it. Clearly, the cells weren't used in a long time.

Glancing at me, Celestia's face contorted against her will as she tried to hide her emotion. Her mouth trembled before forming a small frown, her lower lip twitching ever so slightly. Narrowing her eyes, I watched carefully in heavy anticipation.

Cry. I want you to cry. I want to see your tears stream down your face and stain your cheeks. I want you to feel sorry. I repeated this in my mind as she stood there in silence for a minute, awkwardly fighting back the urge to break down.

She turned away from me, but not for the reason I thought. The instant she turned, the door opened and she walked out. After she left, my eyes tilted down towards the floor, my last attempt at leaving here gone with her. Instead of the door closing, two Royal Guards entered the room and had snare poles as well as shackles.

“Your ride is here, Dragon,” one of them said.

One stepped forward and opened the cell door, levitating the shackles inside. Two pairs, both attached to my limbs; one on my wrists and one on my ankles. He led me out, not caring that I was stumbling. These shackles were different from the ones I left the courthouse in. No chains on them, instead looking like gauntlets and shin-guards. The snare poles themselves, upon closer inspection, had no wire on the end. One of the guards levitated what looked like a collar and snapped it on my neck; it had the same design as the gauntlets and shin-guards. Glancing at the “snare-poles,” they were actually spears. Weapons rather than the poles and whatever these devices were, they felt heavy. That tingly feeling I get from my flame was gone entirely. All energy seemed to leave my body as the devices lit up. One guard left the room and the other butted the back of my head with the dull end of his spear.

“Follow him. No funny business or else I will mount your head above my fireplace,” the guard said, pushing me out.

I glared back at him, mumbling. “Try it.” No response meaning he either didn't hear me or wasn't going to do anything. I followed the guard in front of me as he led me through a low part of Canterlot that had moss-covered brick as well as rotting wooden chairs and older cells. Eventually, we came to a more-recognizable modern Canterlot Castle door. Upon opening, we were at the bottom of a flight of stairs. I followed the guard and immediately tripped on the bottom stair. Both guards looked at me, the one ahead stopping to turn. The weights were making it difficult and my lack of energy certainly didn't help. Instead, I spent a good ten seconds lifting my foot high enough to make it up one stair. Both guards sighed and their horns activated, levitating me into the air, dropping me onto the guard's back.

My arms and legs sagged while my expression was droll; I was starting to feel extremely exhausted. Rather than carry me the whole way, the guard dumped me off his back at the top of the stairs and I was once again led like a dog. The hallways were a huge contrast to the cells; moss-covered stone in favour of checkered marble tiles with the traditional Canterlot Castle vibe. Walking down the hallway, we passed by several other guards, each glaring at me as we walked by.

No more stairs came, luckily, and I was led out of the castle. Outside, somehow, there was no press. Just a row of guards, a trailer with a cage on it, my friends as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Celestia and Luna stood there as well, although I didn't consider the former my friend. Luna just seemed worried and concerned while Celestia still had that near-crying look on her face. Twilight and Rarity as well as the rest of them all had dried tears on their cheeks. At the sight of me as well as my restlessness and the 'care' the guards had of me, tears had started up again... although from the looks of it, Twilight and Rarity had lost the ability. Their eyes were bloodshot and Rarity's mane was frazzled to a point where just a week ago, Rarity would have exploded at the sight.

Several guards approached me, their horns lighting up as the devices on my body were lifted off. I had no energy left so there was no point in holding me still as immediately I started stumbling around, feeling drool drizzle down my cheek. I almost felt myself going unconscious yet that didn't stop the guards from slapping on two pairs of actual shackles and smacking me as a wake up call.

“DON'T!” Twilight shouted from afar, taking a defensive step forward.

The guards and I looked astonished but it soon faded. Rather than challenge the Element of Magic, they chose to heed her word and levitated me carefully into the cage. Several Pegasi were pulling the carriage and flapped their wings in preparation. I was still rather dizzy from the spell cast by the devices as well as the slap so I groggily looked up at my so called friends. Luna approached from behind and leaned her head towards the cage.

“Spike,” she whispered.

I turned my head, a big glob of drool running down my chin and onto my chest. Her horn lit up and the drool vanished as well as rejuvenated my energy. I no longer felt exhausted but I was still considerably drained.

“What,” I said flatly.

“I want you to know that I believe you,” Luna whispered, never taking her eyes off me.

They gleamed like a child stating his hopes and dreams; full of sincerity and truth. Luna firmly believed I was innocent and that considerably lightened my mood. It soon diminished, a scowl coming upon my face.

“So why won't you help me?” I asked.

“If I were to do it, it would be even worse if Celestia were to do it instead. I must apologize, but I will ensure that your dreams will be pleasant, and I will do my best to assist your friends with dreams; they will be of nothing but precious memories for the both of you to remind you where home is. Stay strong, for they cannot.” With that, Luna backed off without waiting for a response from me. She turned her head and cantered back towards Celestia. She paused next to her as if to speak, instead taking off into the skies and vanishing into a castle tower.

I was perplexed as that somehow made my anger vanish. It was like hypnotism to them as dreams look real to those inside of them. Pleasant memories would be nothing but hypnotic towards my lovely side... and my dreams will be good while in prison. I'll have something to look forward to each day; sleep.

The guards pulling the carriage neighed, flapping their wings as they started running down a small runway. They took off into the skies and the wind rushed through the bars of the cage. Turning my head, I watched the Ponies I came to love shrink into ant-like sizes before vanishing entirely through the clouds.

It was like watching a valued item from boyhood be destroyed in front of you with the exception that you depended on it to have your way of life. My life in Ponyville, with Rarity and Twilight and the misadventures in friendship, turned into a memory. My life was truly different now and I did my best to stop the tears. They came anyway, only because the wind rushing into my face brought them out. I turned way back in the direction we came from, only to stop the wind from extracting my tears.

After an hour or so, I decided to try facing forward. I saw between the two Pegasi as the carriage descended. Ahead, a giant ship was visible in the distance at a harbour. It was metal and bore the Equestrian flag on top and several Earth Ponies seemed to be the operators. We landed, and from there on, I was shipped off to Castle Bahamut.

“Goodbye, mother,” I whispered as I left Equestria.

[*][*][*]

“No apology is needed, Shining Armour. He was already dead,” I responded as the violet sparkles spread out. The entire island felt warm, not because of the sun. A traditional warmth one felt in their chest upon hugging a loved one. “You didn't know better, anyways.”

“It is my fault that you're here. I pressed so hard to have you convicted because I was led to believe that you killed my soldiers. At first, I thought you were sticking your neck out for the inmates because you grew attached, since they're Dragons, but you could have killed me then, or anytime, or right now.” Shining Armour closed his eyes and took a big whiff of the air, the warmth reaching him as well. “But I don't know if my word is able to help you, if you're still going to be kept here at all.”

I pointed towards a part of the courtyard without facing it. “You shielded the dead. There is a Dragon that looks like me in every way over there as well as the testimony of other inmates that revealed the Warden was scheming to have me incarcerated.”

Stepping over as silence was still dominant, Shining Armour passed by speechless inmates that looked at the skies with wonder, temporarily forgetting where they were, why they were there or even their pains; it was freedom. Shining Armour levitated some crashed rubble away from a small area where he revealed a bisected, purple-scaled green-spined Dragon that was indeed a match for me.

Haruo's bewilderment to this phenomenon was short-lived as he made his way through the crowd of survivors in my direction. He stopped next to me, panting as he fought to catch his breath. I was completely calm at the moment and glanced to him nonchalantly.

“Well, I guess your Pony life totally saved you in the world of Dragon's,” he said, chuckling. “Oh, I also figured I should tell you I've tried to abduct you numerous times. Yeah.”

That certainly rustled my emotions. I gave him my full attention as well as a backhand with a closed fist. His head spun to the side from the impact and he turned to face me, spitting out some blood.

“Just bit my cheek,” he said with annoyance.

“'Just bit my cheek,' HAH!” I pointed an accusing finger at him. “DID I TRY TO ABDUCT YOU FOR WEEKS?”

“No, but you did crush my eye. Thanks for that,” he said with a dull smile, shrugging his shoulders once more.

“Well, I just, what?”

He shook his head and folded his arms, tilting his head back and stared at the skies full of sparkling magic.

“I was a mole. I was to scan the prison for any signs of disloyalty to the Dragon King as well as to make sure it's clean. Warden gave me special privileges as I offered to help him with his plan so I could get close. I also knew that to give you to him right away wasn't a good idea, hence why I kept having you put into situations where you were thrown into solitary.” He punched his chest twice and glanced at me, smirking. He patted my shoulder and grinned at me. “See? I saved you!”

“What if the Warden sapped me dry?” I asked dully, squinting my eyes towards him.

He had no response, his lips twitching before his smile grew wide, eyes closing as he gave me several hard slaps on my shoulder. “Hah, w-well, you're alright now. No foul.”

“I also could have drowned in lava,” I responded, slapping his hand off my shoulder.

“So, how about that freed... oh,” he paused, looking back towards what was left of the tree where I placed Gelid down.

I walked over there with a brisk stride, no anger or sadness. I glanced down at the cyan drake, a smile plastered onto her face. She looked like she was asleep, like any moment Gelid could open her eyes and shout “Fooled you!” Happiness spread throughout my body and my mouth curved into a small smile.

“I hope you found your happiness,” I said.

I knelt down next to her and slid my arms under her; one behind her kneecaps and the other behind her shoulders. Grunting, I struggled as I lifted her up, physical exhaustion seemingly returning that instant. Haruo stepped up behind me as if to take over the job. Shaking my head, he stepped back and I lifted Gelid up.

Gritting my teeth, I turned around and stepped across the path in front of where the gates used to be and onto the grass on the other side. It was far more lush than the ashes where I left Gelid and the fire lilies were abundant. Shining Armour and Haruo followed me, obviously having nothing else to do. Out of the corner of my eye, I could spot several Equestrian ships heading towards what was left of the docks. Shining Armour, rather than going to the docks, walked with me, both of them seemingly knowing what I was doing.

In the centre of the field, there was nothing but peace. Even the bodies were retrieved already and I felt no better place for it to occur. I gently set her down in the lilies, seemingly glowing, resonating with Twilight's leftover magic. Right away, I began tearing up the grass and flowers in a small area and using a technique I crafted for Rarity, I made sure my tail was stiff and I twisted my body around to use it as a shovel. I dug up dirt with it for a while before I felt tired and resorted to clawing at it with my bare hands. After ten minutes, a hole was just the perfect size and depth for a body.

. . .

Doing the deed was a blur in my mind; a bad memory and a horrible experience for someone at a young age to experience. Fortunately, I was no longer young. I look like it, but the circumstances as well as the experiences I had in the past month have erased any semblance of a young child.

“Spike, if there is ever anything I could—” Shining Armour started.

“Quiet. It's disrespectful,” Spike said.

He stepped back and bowed his head once more. In front of us, the hole was filled and Gelid's body was buried. All around us, the rest of the inmates were doing the same for the deceased to the point where even the new arrivals by ship had started to assist with it, seeing the fight was clearly over. None of the guards and armed forces, Gryphon, Pony or Dragon, had bothered to keep a check on the inmates; there was no need. None were going to show disrespect to the dead.

“I remember reading an old story about Gryphon's in olden days. Wars were fought, the children acting as the front lines. There was an old rhyme too, but I forget that... but Twilight taught me the story. About being thankful for what we have because not every society is as prosperous as Equestria. Some were so horrid that children barely breaking babyhood had to bury their lost parents. I always figured it was far off since Celestia painted the world as some sort of paradise under her rule.” Sighing, I squatted in front of the makeshift grave. “I knew it was wrong, but I guess part of me wanted to keep believing in such a myth. That there weren't such horrors in the world.”

Crying. Many were crying and I accepted it, but a voice cried out, gasping for air that I recognized. I turned my head and looked at Shining Armour, seeing the strong Stallion practically crumbling apart. His knees were shaking and his face was stained with tears as he struggled to hold in his breath, letting out yelps in order to act powerful in front of the others.

“I hate this. I'm sorry, Spike. I'm just... goddammit, I've screwed up before. Ruined mom's china during the Pancake Festival, flooded Ms. Hayfield's hayfield, but nothing like this. I sent an innocent baby Dragon to prison because I just wanted someone to bring to justice. I'm not smart like Twily, but no one is like this,” he said, stumbling to the ground like a punished child.

“Get up, you look ridiculous on the ground,” I said, turning back to the grave.

I didn't watch but I could hear him forcing a stop to his tears and standing up amongst the fire lilies. He didn't respond immediately yet he spent time thinking about his next words.

Haruo cleared his throat, drawing our attention. “I don't know much about Ponies, but the one thing well-known amongst the planet is that they love. A lot. So much that the Changelings attempted to invade  it to feast on their love. If someone such as this soldier can imprison you and feel so bad, I'd most likely laugh,” he said, chuckling even though he got a glare from both Shining Armour and I. “Er, but the thing is, this guy is a trained soldier and even though he knows you, you can only imagine what your friends back home feel. Your life has made you a gentle spirit, Spike, so don't let this get to you. It may not be the same, but home is still home.”

“You have a loving mother, and friends, and maybe even a potential wife in the future. The first Dragon in history to have such an amazing influence from Equestria and as evidence from your time here, a strong spirit. I would have broken down, knowing my loved ones cast me out to die,” Shining Armour stated.

“But I'm not you,” I stated.

A small silence. “You're better,” he whispered.

“I'm not, don't be naive. I just prefer waiting for the truth to be laid out in front of me.”

. . .

The docks were shattered yet we still boarded ships from the “harbour,” or what's left of it. Haruo stood behind me and looked over what was left of the docks as a large Dragon in what looked like a Royal Guard uniform landed. On his back appeared to be something akin to a pony bus, and my hunch was correct as many of the smaller dragons climbed onto his back. Each of the inmates were returning to their home nations since they clearly couldn't stay on the island. Perhaps they would be cleared after the chaos that occurred here or maybe they'd be placed into a normal prison. I was told that I was going to have another trial, with Shining Armour fighting for my freedom.

“So, since I'm not a criminal, I return to the Dragon's homeland of Zenebatos to write possibly the longest report ever since I have to detail each and every death here as well as the events I did each hour since I was placed in here... four years ago,” Haruo said, looking dejected as he squatted, hanging his head.

“You have a family, right?” I asked as I waited for the Equestrian ship to deploy guards to subdue their one dragon.

His eyes lit up as he stood up once more, full of energy. “Oh yeah! Forgot about them! I was ordered to try to kill them all to get thrown into prison as a sort of cover story. I was told that my parents would be briefed on why I attempted to axe their hearts out in the middle of the night, but, well, I'll see what happens when I return, ya know?” he said, patting me on the back.

“Heh, right. If not—” I paused. His expression shifted to that of curiosity as he awaited me to speak. “Ever feel a sense of finality from goodbye? Like, saying it is the very absolute last chance you get to say it since you'll never see them again? I hate that. My roomie at the Golden Oaks Library said goodbye and it hurt, probably because she thought she'd never see me again, so y'know what?” I extended my arm towards Haruo. He smiled and grasped it tightly and we shook. “I'll see you later.”

“Righty-o, then.” He spun around and took one step; just as I started to turn around, he coughed. “Oh, there is one thing,” he said. I turned to face him but he didn't do the same. “Someone says hi.” And with that, Haruo took off in a jog towards the large Dragon that landed, shouting 'wait' at them as it flapped its wings.

I stood there, perplexed with the ample time to think. I never took advantage of it, though; letting the guards come down and shackle me. None of them were rough, though; Shining Armour had said that I was innocent and I even got a few apologies. No response to any of them, I just sat there and allowed them to lead me aboard the ship. No cage, only shackles merely because I had to arrive in Equestria in shackles as per the law. Shining Armour instead let me go where I want on the ship as long as I listened to the guard's requests. Nodding, I walked towards the back of the ship and waited. Half an hour later, our ship departed from the prison and I sat next to the flagpole waving Equestria's grand flag. The prison had a purple glow as the violet sparkles never seemed to vanish from its atmosphere and a bit of sadness entered my mind. I could hear Shining Armour walking from behind and he stood next to me.

“It looks beautiful, even though that's where the others died,” I spoke in a low tone not quite a whisper.

I etched the remains of Castle Bahamut into my mind, creating a juxtaposition of the castle before and after my arrival. Somehow, the destroyed remains looked far better. All around, you could spot the large flagships of each nation as well as the large dragon departing, a sense of unity lingering in my mind; even throughout the wars, we could still band together for things... peace, serenity, prison, it was all quite the same in the end. We only ever wanted to stay alive in a world where death could happen each day, and when it does happen, someone always tries to find someone to blame. We all want someone to take the blunt of it so we could feel better, or sleep at night or feel like justice has been served. It's not perfect, but hopefully Equestria's Law System will take into consideration this case in the future.

My home awaited me in Equestria and I pondered what I'd do first: go to Pony Joe's shop in Canterlot; bitch at Princess Celestia; reconcile things with my friends, and my mother, and my lover; or maybe I'd go see a movie, or get some hay fries, or just enjoy life with the ones I love until it's my time to leave. Maybe explore my origins, maybe explore magic, maybe see if I still have magic and if I do, maybe train.

Maybe I'll settle down at home and have fun. Maybe settle down with Rarity. Maybe... yeah, that sounds good.

Maybe.