//------------------------------// // Drastic Measures // Story: Spike's Shadow // by DraconequusMaximus //------------------------------// Spike was tenser than he had ever been in his life. The whole of Equestria was either in mourning, an uproar, or some combination of the two. Five hundred thousand dead, and a city nearly as old as the nation wiped off the map. Celestia and Luna were at wit's end, and Spike and Sombra were left to explain everything while they tried to keep the country from falling apart. It had gone about as well as expected for two relatively young people who had never held a press conference by themselves before. The biggest problem was that they didn't know how to gauge which questions not to answer. By the end, they had summarized the entirety of the Earth's pre-history. Though Spike and Sombra had the insight to spared the bloodier details. Sombra reluctantly revealed his origins as well, not wanting to add to the fire if it were to somehow come to light later. Spike was luckily trusted enough to ensure the nation his words were true, and many believed in his ability to fight Dootha. Sombra was actually being painted in a sympathetic light in an unexpected stroke of luck. Many felt sorry for him, and many thanked him for stopping Chrysalis. The former brainwashing victims of the changeling queen had actually formed a support group and extended an invitation to Sombra. He accepted, though he specified that he wouldn't be able to attend meetings until Dootha was dealt with. Lyra was happy to save him a seat. Currently, Selene was leading Spike and Sombra to a chamber deep beneath Canterlot in the crystal caves. Over the years Luna and Celestia had used them for a great many purposes after the wedding incident. A number of Luna's stoic thestral guards were keeping watch, though they were probably unnecessary. The only way into the caves was through the castle after all. Eventually they arrived at a large chamber with what appeared to be a perfectly circular metal disk embedded in the floor. The whole area smelled of ozone, electricity, and Luna's magic. The lighting was electric, but there were strange arm-like devices jutting out of the crystal of the ceiling, each clutching a different type of jewel. "Ta-da! Lulu's Marvelous Moon-Pad! She made this for the escape plan, in case things went south with Dootha. But... We couldn't terraform the moon as it turns out. At least not in time. It's still pretty cold and inhospitable to the everyday pony." Selene flourished, with just a twinge of regret. "That's... Cool? Why are we here though? We aren't going to the moon, are we?" Spike asked nervously. Selene smiled smugly, and walked her way over to the metal platform. "That is exactly what we're doing Spike, you're going to the moon via this device. Sombra and I are shadow jumping off you, because this machine turns matter into light and projects it onto the moon then reconverts it into matter. So... Probably not the best idea to put anyone made of darkness through it. Come on over and I'll fire it up. Lulu taught me, so don't worry." Selene explained. Spike reluctantly made his way onto the platform, which Selene vacated. After touching each of the gemstones with her mystical mane they sparked to life. It was interesting to watch, as Selene had never visibly used magic in Spike's presence before. He hadn't even thought to ask if she could actively use magic or not without a horn. "Okay... Now it's powering up. Give it about-" Selene was cut off by the abrupt activation of the machine. The many different colored stones shot just as many colorful beams at Spike, who seem unfazed by the strange device, if a tad curious. But then his body began to glow white, and Sombra watched as he seemingly began to fade out of existence. It was worrying, but Sombra trusted Luna's craftsmanship and Selene's judgement. In a matter of seconds Spike was gone. ... Spike was flying. It was different than flight though. It was like being teleported a thousand times a second, and he wasn't sure what was happening. Everything was fast and fleeting, even thought. All he could see was white. All he could feel was speed. But then the universe happened again, and for the first time a dragon was on the moon. Spike was dizzy and felt like he had just woken up from a very long nap, but he was aware enough to gain a grasp on his surroundings. Beneath his feet was rock, and thick deposits of white, almost chalk-like dust. Gravity was also decidedly weaker, and he could see the Earth far away on the horizon. He was definitely on the moon, yet he could breathe. Which Spike was thankful for, but generally confused about. About the time Spike's senses acclimated to the essentially alien environment he saw something in his peripheries. Sombra and Selene emerged out of his shadow, and he turned to greet them. "Hey... I look alright? I feel a little weird, but I think everything's in the right places. Also, I should have probably asked beforehand, but how am I breathing right now? I was under the impression there was no air on the moon." Spike asked. Selene directed Spike's attention upward. It took them a moment to notice against the back drop of the cosmos, but there was a faintly glittering veil of stardust wrapping around the moon high above. "There wasn't air until Lulu worked some magic and created a self-sustaining atmosphere. It's not perfect, but it's breathable. Get used to it. Until the showdown with Dootha you'll be training nonstop up here." Selene explained grimly. Selene directed their attention down to Earth, and was very silent. Sombra hadn't seen her so quiet while she was conscious before. But on the moon it was cold and dark, and the events of the last few days weighed heavily on all of them. "Spike... You will be given a powerful herbal potion made by Zecora. Your body will go into a deep hibernation, and you will be thrown into a near-death state. Your spirit will be forced to awaken in much the same way Sombra wields his power, though the result will undoubtedly be different. If you fail... You will almost definitely die. It is a dangerous course of action, but the situation calls for it. Do you have any objections?" Spike was blindsided by the question, but he didn't think he could actually say no. "I'll do it... But why do I need to be on the moon for this?" Spike wished to know. Selene cast her glance to the ground, unable to look Spike in the eye. "Isolation. The both of you will be totally isolated, even from each other. No interruptions. This is the end, after all. As much as it pains me to separate the two of you, it will only urge you to finish your training so that you may be reunited." Selene sighed. Both Spike and Sombra seemed mildly heartbroken, but they couldn't really be upset with Selene. There was much more at stake than their personal happiness. Though it would be rather rough for both of them. They had scarcely been apart for the better part of a year. "Might I ask what I'm to do while Spike is literally fighting to stay alive?" Sombra asked in an understandably terse tone. Selene motioned to the opposite side of the moon shrouded in utter darkness. "You will stay on the dark side of the moon in your true form. You have mastery over it, but not over your doubt and anxiety so you lock it away out of fear of hurting someone. From this point on, you are forbidden to hide away your true self. You will repeat all your training exercises without end in the darkness of the moon, cementing your control and resolve." Selene ordered, stamping her hoof into the dust. Sombra sighed deeply, and nodded his head. For another minute or so Selene and Spike were silent as Sombra undid the locks he had set in place for himself. It was much more of a drastic change from Sombra's weakest form straight into his most Umbral form. The energy Sombra kept sealed away was alarmingly powerful as expected, but it eventually was pulled back into the dark singularity Spike knew and loved. The major difference in the environment was noticeable, but it wasn't unnatural and laced with murderous intent like Dootha's power. Comparing Sombra to the backdrop of space was actually enlightening. Sombra's power and countenance were akin to the void, or even related. Spike actually wondered if he would have been as readily adapted to space if he hadn't known Sombra first. "Very well, it is done. I have broken down the mental barriers in my psyche I spent so very long erecting. My body is as my soul. Happy?" Sombra huffed. Spike couldn't help but be thankful Sombra was using words instead of projecting echoes of himself. While it was intimidating and cool, it was lousy for conversation. Though they had yet to try it for recreational purposes. "I am. You could have told me that you weren't using your real form, you know? I would have understood." Spike pointed out. Sombra felt bad just then, but he realized he deserved it, as much as it stung. As much progress as he had made, Sombra was still occasionally poor at communicating. Especially when it was something he didn't like thinking about. "I'm sorry... I'm an idiot at times. I just don't like being this powerful all the time. I'm afraid of accidentally hurting someone, or worse." Sombra apologized. Spike scooped up Sombra, and the two shared what might be their last tender moment for the next month. Selene gave them a few minutes of privacy, not particularly wanting to watch her brother make out with one of her closest friends. Which was to say nothing of her and Luna's penchant for public displays of affection that made people quite uncomfortable. Once the two had separated, Spike kept Sombra held close. "You don't need to apologize. I get it... I'm afraid of hurting people too. That's why I was so happy when I learned to shrink. But this is who you are. You don't ever have to hide again. Neither of us do. As shitty as things are right now, it's all out in the open." Spike whispered into Sombra's ear. Sombra smiled, and he wrapped a shadowy arm around Spike. He could feel both their hearts beating, the one on Spike's arm pounding in rhythm with the one in the dragon's chest. In the ever-present quiet of the moon Sombra could even hear them thumping in unison. It was a powerful moment, and with it came a reminder that they would see each other again just as soon as it was time. ... Meanwhile, International Airspace, The Badlands Hovering over a great chasm was a fleet of airships, great armored balloons covered in scale-like plates. The entire military force of Abyssinia gathered into a circling fleet of ships appropriately dubbed Vulture-Class Warships. While they were all equal in design and firepower, one floated higher above the others, a gleaming silver rather than dull bronze. Inside the Silver Vulture was the elite Naga guard, a highly trained staff of engineers, and of course the ruler of Abyssinia himself. Nessuss, king of the Naga, and a predatory being of disturbing intellect. Sitting upon an iron throne, or more accurately coiled around it, was the despot himself. He was nearly twice the size of his fellow Naga, and being of royal blood he wore a natural hood that added to his sinister visage. Nessuss was showing a smile, which unnerved even the most veteran of his staff. Everyone in the nation knew that when their leader genuinely smiled, it was a sign things were about to get bad. For who had yet to be made clear. "Fleet Admiral Skhet, are you absolutely certain we've found it?" Nessuss hissed in a downright pleased tone. Skhet, a greenish-brown Naga male of barely half Nessuss's size reviewed the information in his claws before he felt he could answer confidently. "Yes, your excellency. Our heat seeking scanner has detected a slow-moving mass of extreme heat. It is also within the expected parameters of the estimated flight path the Equestrians gave us. Visual is unavailable however. Aetheric interference has the monitors a bit unreliable, but that does prove there's powerful magic below, which is consistent with this type of target, M'lord." Skhet replied with a nervous bow. Nessuss was positively ecstatic. He unwrapped himself from the throne and made his way to the command console. He took a microphone on a curly cord from a hook nearby and attuned the device to the proper frequency. It was time for him to address his troops. But before a single word could be uttered, a sound recognizable as tearing metal filled the command cockpit. Nessuss returned the radio to it's hook and slithered back to his throne to fetch his weapon of choice. A heavily modified projectile weapon based on the powerful arms that had been coming out of Griffonstone in recent years. It could fire multiple metal spikes in the blink of an eye, and it's lethality was intoxicating to the reptilian psychopath. However when the metal ripping sound returned it proved to be in the floor. Nessuss readied his spike-shooter as a small area of the metal floor began warping. It eventually tore open, and something red shot out with astonishing agility. Naga are however quite used to hunting fast prey, able to take any opportunistic moments to attack, no matter how small a window they were given. Nessuss fired his weapon and pinned it to the wall with a single shot. "Someone go see what it is. The Badlands are largely unexplored. If it's a new species, taking it as a sample could prove beneficial if it's strong enough to eat through our hull at that size." Nessuss ordered. One of the least fearful guards slithered over to the intruder and was confused and mildly disgusted at what he saw. "It's an eyeball, and some wires, or maybe veins wrapped up in a bloody... Something. There also seems to be some kind of small transceiver or recorder? It's got antennae directing electrical current between them. It's both organic material and machine?" The guard guessed. Nessuss shoved the guard out of the way and inspected it himself. To his disbelief, Nessuss confirmed the guards ramblings. The intruder was some sort of bat-like abomination of science, and most likely magic. It was far too advanced to belong to anyone other than himself, fueling Nessuss's anger. "Impossible... We're still decades away from engineering bio-mechanical lifeforms." Nessuss hissed angrily, pointing his weapon at it once more. Not at all impossible. In fact, I've got dozens of these little peepers roaming about the globe. The hodge-podge of parts said coyly. The guards were about to attack the miniature abomination, but Nessuss motioned for them to fall back. Nessuss reached out and pulled the three-inch metal spike from the wall with his claws, freeing it. The blood-based semi-solid material closed up the injury it had been inflicted, and it began fluttering about like a perverse joke of science someone had based on a bat. "That voice? You, are Gavin Eadric Eboncastle... Ruler of New Griffonstone." Nessuss deduced. Give him a prize boys! Yes, I am a fellow ruler, here to offer you a bit of advice on your current situation. The proxy device replied. Nessuss furrowed his brow, and was silent for a moment. The proxy device flitted about, following Nessuss's gaze. It's technological superiority was almost taunting Nessuss, but he was admittedly intrigued. As much as the snake of a dictator hated being looked down upon Gavin's intellect was more or less equal to his own. A rival was something Nessuss had never had, and the thought of gaining one was exciting. He would play along for now. "And what is it that you think you might tell me that would effect my plans? I have a fleet of laser-armed ships ready to rain hell upon this so-called devil. I've even tested it on several dragons. One of which was of considerable age. It has yet to fail me." Nessuss declared smugly. As impressive as the technology is, I was a part of Dootha's cult for centuries. Your little toys are nothing to him. He's playing with you. He knows you're here, and he's waiting to see what you'll do. Life and death are naught but cheap toys to him. If you attack, the game will begin, and Dootha will kill you all. Gavin explained coldly. Nessuss grasped hold of the proxy device and crushed it in his claws. It's design and flexible nature made it hard to destroy, as Nessuss knew. He had time to hiss back one angry message before it ceased functioning. "Nonsense. My power is absolute. You are a fool to think anything less." The cobra-like figure slithered back to his throne, now more ready to kill Dootha than before. To prove his might, and to cement Abyssinia as a world power. Nessuss knew in his cold-blooded heart that the Naga were the strongest race of all, and that the days of magic were soon to be a thing of the past. "Hail the whole fleet, switch radars to heat sensors and lock-on. Tell them to be ready to fire all weapons upon the target, full-burn. Leave nothing but a crater in our wake, on my mark." Nessuss spat grimly. The engines spurred, generating as much power as they were able. The weapons began storing the excess energy, and they hummed as the crystals and mirrors aligned themselves. The engineers were manning their stations, and the gunners were running weapon checks to be certain the sensitive equipment was going to cooperate. Nessuss gave them five minutes, and everyone returned all-clears through their coms. "All hands... Fire!" Nessuss roared. Had there been anyone below looking up at the sky, it would have looked like beams of white light shooting down from the heavens. The beams dug through the canyon or into the canyon, and the volley lasted three whole minutes. Any ordinary creatures who had the misfortune of being below would have surely perished as the first blasts hit ground. The area was reduced to a molten heap, smoking and smoldering. The landscape was full of more holes and craters than the surface of the moon, and the now molten ground was even less accommodating. The burning wastes formed a rough circle nearly a mile around, and the badlands were forever changed and scarred. "Status report!" Nessuss demanded after the smoke had cleared a bit. Skhet flicked on a monitor, and watched as numbers filled his screen. "The area is too hot sir. We can't detect a heat signature accurately. The instruments aren't picking up any significant movement, but we are getting some kind of aether disturbance. It's presenting as com-static." Nessuss looked to his claw and realized he was still holding the mangled remnants of Gavin's device. He appraised it skeptically, but something didn't feel right. He wanted to write it off as Gavin's meddling having somehow gotten to him, but he couldn't take the chance. "Set the com to speaker... I want to hear it." Nessuss ordered cautiously. With the flipping of a few switches, a low static hum filled the command deck. It sounded like a silent channel normally would, but there was something ominous about the quiet. Pervasive even. It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop, but then the static flared. Such marvelous toys the children play with in this time... So much fun to be had. Nessuss's heart sunk in his chest as the voice seemed to make the temperature of the room drop. An explosion rattled the ship, and alarms blared. The ship's lights dimmed and went red. They were under attack, and by the sound of it one of the ships directly below had been destroyed. Nessuss tossed the debris that had once been Gavin's proxy device to the floor of the command deck with a rage-fueled roar, but the uncharacteristic act snapped him back into the proper frame of mind. "Everyone, defensive positions! Gunners, get your marks! Engineers, how long until weapons are operational again?!" Nessuss shouted as he remembered his position. Naga began frantically scrambling, and it again came down to Skhet to debrief their king. "At least five minutes more before the cannons are cool enough for minimum-power blasting. Twenty for another full-power assault." Nessuss's claws scraped his throne, and he realized that there was nothing he could do until the lasers cooled. He designed them himself, and he knew there was no way round it. Until now nothing had survived a laser assault, so there had been no need to improve it since it had been implemented. The Silver Vulture shook violently again, and Nessuss was sure that half the fleet had been destroyed. The Vulture itself took some damage, and they were beginning to lose altitude. From the command deck's monitors, Nessuss could see the blips that represented ships in formation going dark. His army was falling, and he had failed. Gavin was right, and Nessuss was able to discard his broken pride and realize that he had failed in the obligations of his station. He had let hubris distract him from the weight of his crown. He was a king, responsible for the well-being of his kind. Yet it was becoming clear he had just sentenced his men to die in vain. Time seemed to pass at a slower rate as the crew of the Silver Vulture landed her on the edge of the chasm. Nessuss barely registered his guards telling him to flee due to instability in the engine room. Time only seemed to flow again once they were outside the ship. Dootha, in all his dark glory was gliding through the air, tearing at one ship with his back legs as he blasted black flames at another. The entire fleet was wreckage, which was either fallen, or in the process of falling to the bottom of the chasm to join the molten slag they had created. The Silver Vulture had simply been spared, as there was no other explanation. The damage it took was minor in comparison, inflicted by the explosions of it's fellow vessels. The guards and engineers of the Vulture had long since fled by the time the destruction was over. Nessuss stood alone against a primal force of malice and hatred. Dootha was lazily descending to meet him, his gleaming black teeth forced into a grin. The dragon-shaped devil was having a delightful time destroying his accomplishments, and was beaming with pride. The earth shook as Dootha landed in front of Nessuss, and the air was dead. No wind, no animal calls. It was so quiet that Dootha could hear Nessuss's heart beat and the breaths he took. I smell your soul... It reeks of superiority, finery, willpower. You are a king, or you fancy yourself one. Were these... machines, yours? They were rather impressive. Their fire reminded me of my father's breath, if a little cold. Were I still a mortal dragon they would have gravely wounded me. Nessuss could feel the monster's cold breath and see embers running through it's cracked and twisted form. There was muscle and sinew deep within, growing and pulsing with each passing second. The defeat hit even harder as he realized that Dootha wasn't even at full strength yet. "I am Salazar Costello Nessuss The Fifth, King of Abyssinia, and master of the Southern Land's Alliance. I created the machines you have laid to waste, and commanded the Naga you have slain. I have dishonored my ancestors, and I accept death and whatever may follow." Nessuss spat indignantly. Dootha's smile widened, and Nessuss felt ice crawl up his spine as the monster began to laugh. There is no journey to the Sunless Lands for you, and Lady Death will weep for her failings. Those slain by me, be it by fire, claw, or fang do not rest in eternity. They fuel my being. All your warriors, and your servants' spirits reside in my own blackened soul, being digested to add to my strength. Dootha chortled. The disgusting tar-like flesh of Dootha's abdomen twisted away and opened a clear view of the demon's soul. It was like a hurricane of black clouds sitting in sickening green crystallized ichor. There were orbs of white inside, shining like stars. But they were growing dimmer, and Nessuss grew sick at his stomach as one of the beautiful lights went out. It was like seeing the life of an innocent snuffed out in the blink of an eye. You are royalty, and you possess a strong soul... I've yet to try solid food since my return. You will be a fitting snack, though I wish you were large enough to qualify as a proper meal. Dootha explained as he closed the hole in his chest. Nessuss tried to flee, his pride and honor having left him. The primal need for self preservation had finally won out over honor, though it was for naught. But Dootha pinned him to the ground and grabbed him with his singular talon. Without delay, he tossed Nessuss into the air. With a single lightning-quick snap of his neck, Dootha ended the royal bloodline of Abyssinia. Warm blood flowed into the abominable form of Dootha, and he felt rejuvenated, if only a little. The sensation of life passing through his incomplete body made the devil-dragon shiver with some long overdue sensation. Abyssinia? The lands to the south...? I do believe I've found myself a fitting return-feast. As Dootha took wing again, he failed to notice the tiny flying mite that had watched the entire battle. The second proxy device went dead having fulfilled it's purpose, dropping into the chasm. It did so just as the skies thundered with Dootha's insane laughter. ... New Griffonstone, Den of Gavin Eadric Eboncastle. Gavin, sitting at his desk removed a pair of strange goggles from his eyes and removed the headphones and microphone he had been wearing as well. He seemed unhappy, but not at all surprised. Gavin let the apparatuses fall to the floor, not caring to store them away properly at the moment. He reclined his comfortable chair, took a sip from his nearby glass of scotch and tried to relax just a bit. Gavin made sure Jay wasn't hanging about before he placed his hand over Nabi's implanted eye. "I'm sorry you had to see that... I'm always showing you the worst things aren't I? I'm sorry. Hopefully your son can give us a better show, aye? I promised you you would see Dootha dead, and even if I have to march us into the fray I will keep my promise, Nabi." Gavin whispered tenderly. Gavin yawned, and he realized just how late it was in his domain. The old griffon got out of his chair and headed off to his bedchambers. All the while his thoughts were on the only things the despot's mind ever thought of. Dootha's end, the fulfillment of his promise, and Nabi. He was sure the first two would come to pass, and he believed in the deepest pits of his black heart that he would see Nabi again one day.