The Legacy of Spike

A/N: I know that I'm supposed to put this at the end. But you need to read this first. This bonus chapter is inspired by the guest chapter from the great story 'Good Things Come' by greatodyer. It's set in an alternate timeline where Spike doesn't disappear in front of Rainbow Dash, but gets better and they continue their relationship. Eventually, they get married and continue from there. I aimed for this to be a tearjerker, Enjoy!

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Spike burst through the hospitals double doors and rushed to the receptionist's desk.

"How is she?!" He asked the mare sitting behind the desk.

"I'm sorry. Who are you looking for?" She asked.

Spike sighed, Of course it had to be today the new receptionist was here He thought to himself.

"My wife, I want to know how she's doing."

"Okay, what's her name?" She asked.

"Her name is 'Rainbo-" He began to speak, but was stopped by a voice coming from behind him.

"Spike, I assume that you're here to see her?" The pony asked.

Spike turned around and looked at the stallion in front of him. "Yes, Dr. Hayes. I'm here to see her. I got a letter saying that she was critical. Is it true?" He asked.

The doctor just sighed. "I really wish it wasn't, Spike. But yes, it's true. She went critical a few hours ago. We don't think she has much time left." He said solemnly.

"I-I understand. How long does she have left?" Spike asked, trying to hold back his tears.

"We think she has at least until morning. If you want, you can stay with her until then."

"I...I think I'll do that. Thank you for telling me this doctor."

"It's not a problem, Spike. I'll tell the staff to stay away from her room."

Spike lowered his head and turned towards the patient wing. He was starting to walk towards the doors when he stopped.

"Thank you, doctor. For everything that you've done for us." With that said, Spike resumed making his way to his beloved's room. Trying to mentally prepare himself for the inevitable.

*-*-*-*-*

Spike stood in front of Dash's hospital room. He had been standing there for at least twenty minutes. He sighed and looked up at the room number. 12. Spike chuckled. He still remembered the time decades ago when Dash broke her wing and was stuck here for a week. He smiled as his mind started to wander down memory lane. He was jolted from a certain pleasant memory by a fought hacking cough coming from inside the room.

His smile disappeared as he reached for the door handle. He opened the door and walked in. He looked over at Dash's bed and nearly recoiled at the sight. She looked worse than before. He walked over to her bedside. "Hey, Dash. How you doing?" He asked.

Dash strained to look up at him. "Spike?" She asked, her breathing tubes shifting as she spoke.

Spike sat down next to her bed and smiled. “Yes, Dash. It’s me. How are you feeling?” He asked.

Rainbow Dash was quiet for a few moments before speaking. “I feel fine, just a little tired. How’s things back home?”

“Everything's fine at the house. You don’t have to worry. Scoots is watching the house while I'm here. She can’t wait to see you again.” He said.

“That’s good. How are her foals doing?”

Spike sighed, “They’re doing very good. Like I said, they can’t wait to see you once you get out of the hospital.”

“Spike?” Dash asked.

“Yes?”

“Please, don’t lie to me.” She said.

“Dash, I don’t know what-”

“I know that I don’t have much time left. Not that hard to figure out when I can’t remember even being put into the hospital.” She chuckled. “And just because I'm old, doesn’t mean that I can’t hear.”

“Dash, don’t talk like that. You’re going to be fine.” Spike said, his voice starting to waver.

Dash tried to sigh, which only resulted in a hacking cough. “I know this is hard for you, Spike. But there’s nothing that can be done.” She sighed, this time successful. “I’m an old mare that has lived a full life, and you’re not even an adult dragon. You still have many, many years left.”

Spike finally gave in, “And I hope that they will be as wonderful as the ones with you were.” He smiled at her and kissed her cheek.  “Hey, Dash.” She looked up at him. “Remember when we first confessed our feelings?” She nodded.

“You had just woken up from a coma and I was worried about you. I told you how I felt, and you told me the same thing.”

Spike smiled, “And that’s when we shared our first kiss. I don’t think I could have been happier than at that moment.” He admitted.

“I can think of a time when you were happier.” Dash spoke up.

His smile grew, “The day of our wedding.” They said in unison. He chuckled for a moment at the memory. A single tear made it’s way down his cheek. This did not go unnoticed by Dash.

“Spike?” He looked at her. “Do you remember the song that played at the party?” She asked.

“Yes, I remember it.”

“Could you sing it to me?”

He closed his eyes and smiled. “For you, Dash. I would do anything.” He cleared his throat  and began.

Here I am waiting, I’ll have to leave soon

Why am I still holding on?

We knew this day would come, we knew it all along

How did it, come so fast?

This is our last night but it's late

And I'm trying not to sleep

Cause I know, when I wake, I will have to slip away.

Spike couldn’t take any more and started to cry. He didn’t want to let her go, but he had to. He knew he had to. He just kept on singing.

And when the daylight come I’ll have to go

But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close

Cause in the daylight we’ll be on our own

But tonight I need to hold you so close

He stopped for a few moments to regain his composure. He felt a hoof wipe a tear from his face. He smiled and held the cyan hoof in his claw. He continued to sing.

Here I am staring at your perfection

In my arms so beautiful

The sky is getting bright the stars are burning out

Somebody slow it down

He slowed down for a moment as he saw Dash close her eyes. He looked over at the heart monitor, and saw it beginning to slow down. He looked back at her, then continued.

This is way too hard, cause I know

When the sun comes up, I will leave

This is my last glance that will soon be memory

And when the daylight comes i’ll have to go

But tonight i’m gonna hold you so close

Cause in the daylight we’ll be on our own

But tonight I need to hold you so close

He stopped singing when he heard the monitor flat line. He looked at Dash and saw a smile on her face. He couldn’t hold it any longer. He started sobbing, his tears soaking the bed that she was laying in. He didn’t even move when he heard the door open. Nor when a white feathery wing was draped over him.

“Shh, shh. It’ll be fine.” Celestia said.

“How can it be fine?” Spike sobbed, “I loved her, and now she’s gone.”

“She may be gone, but you still have your family.”

“Aunt Celestia?” Came a small filly’s voice. “Is mommy sleeping?”

Spike looked over at his daughter, “Yes, sweetie. Mommy’s asleep. Let’s leave her be so she can get some rest. Okay?”

“Alright, daddy.” She looked over at her aunt. “You said we were going to see Lulu. Where is she?”

Celestia chuckled, “Don’t worry, my little pony. We’ll see her soon. But for now, let’s go get some ice-cream. How’s that sound?”

The filly started jumping in place, “Yay! Ice-cream! Can I get sapphires in mine?” She asked.

Celestia nodded, “You can get whatever you want in yours.” She said as they left the room.

Spike smiled and looked down at Dash. “I’ll miss you, Dash. I promise I will take care of our daughter. I have to be strong for her. Goodbye, I love you.” And with that, Spike left the room to catch up to his daughter. Dash was right, he still had many years of his life left, and he had someone to spend them with. Someone who was like her mother in many ways.