//------------------------------// // A Town Hero // Story: One Dragon's Memento // by Zippidey //------------------------------// Spike sat up with his back against the base of the mountain wall. His eyes looked upon the not too distant town of Ponyville. After all these years it still retain that small-town feel. He glanced down over himself; his brilliant young purple scales have long faded, some scars still left over from battles to protect his home town. The wild celestial beasts never stepped foot on his watch. The town always treated him nice; throwing a big feast and a party for him whenever he visited. In fact, even in the middle of the night the town praised and thanked him. He had done so much for them, they have always been grateful. Spike got up onto his feet, taking one last look into the sky and began to walk, slowly making his descent down the steep spiral. The ponies were climbing the mountain to reach him. Pegasi were already there, greeting him happily. It was not long until most ponies were there, trotting with him. He smiled at them. Family members, great grandkids, and great great grandkids of his first true friends he ever had. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity… Princess Twilight never had any kin, no fillies to call her own. Spike was there, with her when she gave her last breath. That day remains so lucid, so real. He remembers sleeping in that room with her, with Twilight. He held her hoof, told her it was going to be alright. She had no doubt. She went peacefully. "Spike… Spike?" One of the ponies spoke aloud to him. Spike opened his eyes again, sending her a gently smile. Moving a massive aged claw, he sat down. Spike parted his jaws. Speaking, his voice was deep, strong. "Do you… Have… The picture?" The pony blinked and quickly produced a heavily faded photograph from her saddlebag, passing it to the dragon. Reaching out his massive claw; his movements were slow and gentle. "Thank you…" He tried to whisper. He looked at it. The picture was of the six friends, aligned together, smiling… happy. A tear began to form in his eyes. The pony spoke up. "Spike? Is… This it? Is it time?" He looked up from the picture and gave a gentle nod, causing all the ponies to become rather silent. A sniffle was heard among some of the younger ponies. The aged Dragon held the photograph up to his jaws. With his eyes watering, departed his jaws and gave a quick poof of fire. The picture steered away, leaving behind a large trail of magic, twisting and fluttering about, lighting up the mountainside. The sparkles rush about faster. A vast rainbow of colors shot up to the sky, exploding like fireworks, leaving new stars to twinkle. Brand-new star formations, forging into the shapes of his six friends. Every pony watched with eyes wide up into the sky, gasping in amazement at the new displays of stars in the night sky, each one bright, illuminating every corner of Ponyville. A small light green mare fluttered up upon the Dragon shoulder, looks as if one of Fluttershy’s descendents. "Spike. T…That was amazing. How did you do that?" Her weak voice echo’s through the silence. "Spike?" She looked to the Dragon. His eyes closed, head tilted the sky, his figure still. "Oh no… S… Spike…" The ponies gazed up at the Dragon; some begin to cry weakly, lowering their heads. The great protector of Ponyville lay still, giving his final breath. The pony upon the shoulder lowered her head, giving his snout a gentle kiss. "Thank you… Spike." She whispered, holding back tears. She flew down off of his shoulder, backing up with the others. They gaze at him. Their protector, their hero, their friend, gone. Strains of magic begin to conger from the heavens, radiating from the stars, start to wrap his body. It wrap on thicker and thicker, becoming brighter and brighter. His body levitating off of the ground, up into the sky grows a blazing white, then, he abruptly disappears, leaving only the stars luminescence to fill the streets. The sun was still shining brightly into the day. The grass slowly wave back and forth in the large field. It held a single figure. The figure quickly sat up right, the tiny child dragon panting, franticly looking around. "W… W… What? Wh… Where am I?" He tilted his head up to the sun with his eyes closed, feeling the sun touch his brilliant purple scales. He sat there, still, warming his body under the summer sun. He lay down onto the soft grass, feeling the small digits protruding from his hands. He heard a voice call out to him far in the distance. It was so far away he couldn’t make out what they are saying. He stood up; his heart racing; his eye’s squinted, his tiny claws shielding his eyes from the blinding light. "Spike!" He heard again, this time he could understand. He turns around, his eyes trying to focus; a blurred figure growing larger and larger. “That… That voice… Could it be?” He stumbled his first few paces, slowly approaching the figure. His eyes shoot open quickly transforming from a walk into an all-out sprint. In the distance her silhouette was seen… Twilight. "Twilight!" He called through teary eyes; a large smile on his face. Her form came into view, young and healthy. Twilight leapt up over him, nearly sobbing her eyes out. "Twilight is that you? I I…" Twilight sat, nuzzling the dragon. "Yes silly, it is me. I was wondering when you were going to show up." Spike was at a loss of words, so he sat holding his friend. "Just relax… everyone is here for you… Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy." The Dragon sniffled a bit, wiping a tear. He curls himself up against the purple unicorn’s warm body, embracing her tightly, and his eyes closed, laying still, smiling. "Welcome home, Spike"