The next day, Spike was waking up as he rose up from his bed and stretched his arms. He jumped out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. While he was brushing his teeth, he couldn't help but stare at himself in the mirror thinking about his friends back home. He's been missing for two days; there was no doubt in his mind that they’re looking for him already. He pushed those thoughts aside as he stared at his cast that Toriel wrapped around his broken arm in. He just didn't feel like leaving yet. Toriel been so hospitable to him and saved him three times. He should at least do something for her in return before he leaves.
"Spike! Breakfast!" shouted Toriel as Spike made his way to the main room. As he walked across the hallway, he couldn't help but notice some stairs that lead to the basement, at least he thought they result in a basement. Spike looked to where Toriel was setting up the table and decided to take a look what is downstairs while Toriel was distracted as he went down the steps. "I'm sure Toriel wouldn't mind if I take a peek at what’s downstairs." He thought.
Once Spike got downstairs he saw long passage. He couldn't see what was at the end of the corridor but before his curiosity could take him, he heard Toriel behind him. "Spike?"
Spike turned around and saw her look at him with worry. "Hey Toriel, what’s down here?" asked Spike but Toriel forcefully grabbed his hand and rushed him upstairs.
"Nothing, now come along before your breakfast gets cold." She said, quickly. Spike noticed that Toriel was acting a little strange for a moment.
Later on, when Spike sat down at the table, and he was about to eat his pancakes that Toriel just cooked for him. Before he could even take a bite, though, Toriel got his attention. "Spike." Spike looked at Toriel. "I don't want you going down there anymore. It’s a bit dangerous down there which is why I’d prefer you to play in the front yard," she asked in a calm yet serious tone. Toriel smiled at him. "Do you understand?"
Spike sigh as he was still somewhat irritated at the way she mothered him. "Okay, I promise I won't go down there anymore."
"Good, I am glad we’re at an understanding." She said with a cheerful voice. Spike wasn't completely sure why Toriel didn't want him down there, and so many questions popped in his head. "Is there something down there?"
"Nothing that should concern you. Now eat up." She said. Spike raised an eyebrow but decided to just leave it at that for now. "By the way Spike, I was wondering if you would like to come with me tomorrow to my favorite bug hunting spot. We’re running low on snails, and I could use your help to find some."
"Why can't we do it today ?" asked Spike.
Toriel began to scratch the back of the back of her head. She smiled at him with as she blushes in embarrassment. "I-I have been falling behind on taking care of the house. It is a bit messy around here so I must clean up."
"Oh okay. Then can I help you?"
Toriel chuckled. "Spike I have said this before. You do not need to assist me in the house."
"But I want to. PLEASSSSE?" Spike begged as he gave her the sad puppy dog look. Toriel thought for a moment. She admitted to herself that she did need help because there was so much that needed to be done in this house.
"Well, if you insist. I suppose I could use some help around the house."
"YES!" shouted Spike as he jumped up in glee. Toriel giggled at his excitement.
Later on, Spike was sweeping the floor, dusting everything and finally mopping the floor. Spike spent ten minutes cleaning the house, and he was almost complete with the whole thing. "Almost done."
"Spike? Is everything okay? I could offer you my help if you're . . . " Toriel looked around and noticed how clean her home was now. Spike laughed on the inside at Toriel's shocking expression as he could how surprised she was. "Oh goodness, Spike thank you so much. I would never have expected you to be this good at cleaning."
With a sheepish smile, Spike scratch the back of his head. "Well, I've done it for so long I've gotten very good at it."
"I can see that." She replied with a warm smile.
"I'm almost done here. After this, I'll be cleaning the tables next." Spike wanted to continue cleaning for her, but Toriel had other ideas.
Toriel laughed. "Oh, Spike, you don't have to do so much work. I think that is enough for now. Finish up here, and then wait for me outside." said Toriel as Spike watched her walked towards the hallway and into her room.
"Okay?" This made Spike cocked his eyebrow in confusion. Spike was outside in front of Toriel’s house standing around as he spent most of his time kicking rocks around. "Wow, monsters sure are weird. Especially Toriel, she's been so kind to me ever since I got here. I mean, I'm doing the same things, yet the reactions are different. When I was Twilight's assistant, she used to complain about me being slow but over here with Toriel; she was surprised at how fast I was despite how much she was against it at first. When I was with Twilight, she always gives me more work after I finished with one thing, especially when something comes up but with Toriel, she laughs at me and says I don't have to do so much work." said Spike as thought more and more about his past. "Hmm....You know. Toriel has been nothing but nice to me these past two days. She treats me like I'm her real son. Which is even more weird, because I've never had a mom before."
Toriel's actions made Spike stare at the ground as he got lost in his thoughts when the word “mother” popped into his mind. There was no way Toriel could love him that way, but he couldn't help but feel like that what was happening at the moment.
Getting his mind off of things, Spike noticed a strange looking dummy that was in Toriel's front yard. Spike approached it as he examined it head to toe. It had a rather odd shape to it, but Spike could tell that it was a dummy made for spring. Since Spike was so bored, he decided to mess around with the dummy for a bit as he approached it while acting all tough. "So, you think you could take me down?" He said pretending to examine his claws. "Well, I’d like to see you try. Take your best shot!" shouted Spike as he was challenging the dummy to fight, but the dummy stood there.....because it was just a dummy. "Too scared to take on huh? Well, I've got something to say to you. You’re a big, fat-" Spike paused for a moment then whispered it to the dummy then he fell to the ground laughing.
"Spike?" The baby dragon turned his attention to Toriel who had a sun hat on and was holding a basket. She looked at him with an odd expression. "What are you doing?"
Spike's face grew red as he panicked a little as he felt embarrassed at what Toriel caught him doing. "I-uh-I was just.......I was bored." Spike said as he folded his hand behind his back while kicking the rocks on the ground.
Toriel smirked as she shook her head "Ah children, such interesting beings indeed. Come along now, you silly dragon." Toriel took Spike by his hand as they walked through the Ruins.
"So where are we going anyway? I thought you said that you’d be too busy cleaning today," asked Spike.
"I did, but since you managed to do half of the work for me in such a short time, I decided it was best to take advantage of this and just head over to my favorite bug hunting spot. I am truly grateful for the all the work you put into cleaning my house."
Toriel's words made Spike blush. "Aww, it was nothing. So where exactly is this bug hunting spot?"
"You will see."
It turns out the bug hunting spot was the same place he fell into when he first got here. It was the place with the bed of golden flowers he fell on earlier. Toriel was singing another song while sitting on a rock playing her guitar as Spike was sitting down on the grassy ground and watched her sing.
"~You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.~" When Toriel finishes her
song, Spike clapped and whistled at her performance.
"Ooh stop it, Spike. You're making me blush!" She was trying to hide her blush from Spike, but she knew he could see it.
"Wow, you’re an amazing singer Toriel. You should do that for a living!" Spike complemented.
"Stop it," She said as he placed her hand on her cheek and waved at him. "Besides, I could never sing as a career. I just love singing to children."
"You seem to like kids don’t you?"
"Indeed I do. In fact, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I know that may not be very surprising but . . . STILL. I am glad to have you living here with me."
"Yeah, me too. I would never have expected to meet someone like you." Said Spike.
"What do you mean by that?" She asked with a concerned voice. "Are the ponies up on the surface not friendly?"
"Oh no, don't get me wrong the ponies are VERY nice. It's just . . . I kind of . . . feel like an outcast up there." Toriel looked at him with curiosity.
"Everypony up on the surface is kind to me, but sometimes I think they are also weary of me. Since everypony knows that dragons are known to be violent and ruthless, I feel like that puts me in a weird spot. Also . . . I'm the only dragon in Ponyville, so it's rough because I'm all alone and most of the dragons I've met are mean and greedy."
"Oh . . . Spike, I am so sorry to hear that." Toriel said sympathetically.
"Eh, don't be. You get used to it. Nopony's perfect. We all make mistakes. I've learned that lesson from living with Twilight and her friends. They all made similar mistakes. They misjudged a zebra, who's our friend now. They even have a tough time giving misguided ponies another chance.
"You are correct Spike. No one is perfect. All we could do is learn from our mistakes." She said as she nodded in agreement. "I am curious though. Things must have changed up there. I don't recall dragons ever being greedy and violent."
Spike raised an eyebrow "How do you know that?"
"Well....I-I...uuhh..." She was unable to answer his question as Spike notice her cheeks changed to a pinkish color as she was blushing. Not wanting to answer that question, Toriel quickly changed the subject. "Oh, Spike, I almost forgot to show you my books I brought with me. I thought we could read them together. There are so many old books that I want to share with you which by the way, Spike have you ever read a book called Mrs. Frisby And The Rates of Nimh?" asked Toriel.
"Never heard of that series. What’s it about?"
"It’s about a mouse who is a mother and puts her own life on the line to save her son who became horribly ill." Toriel took out a book from her basket and showed it to Spike as she sat down on the rock. "You see, her son was suffering from pneumonia, which prevented him from going outside, but because of the danger that was about to come, she is forced to take desperate measures by going to dangerous places where predators try to eat her."
"So . . . this story is about a mouse??" Spike asked again. "I hardly doubt a book like that will be popular in Equestria. A lot of ponies don't like mice."
Toriel giggled. "I can imagine." She then sighed as she stared at the book for a while. "A part of me can relate to this mouse."
Spike watched Toriel curiously. "Why do you say that?"
At first, it was silent, but then Toriel finally spoke. "She is so determined to save her child that she is willing to put herself in danger just for him and all her children." She paused. ". . . Just like how I am ready to put myself on the line to protect you."
Spike looked surprised as he stared at Toriel's eyes. He was starting have mixed feelings about her words. Spike smiled and gave a faint chuckle while scratching the back of his head. "Aw shucks Toriel." He was tempted to tell her that he didn't need it, but he knew he couldn't deny that anymore. He just couldn't do things on his own. But he felt safe with Toriel. That dreading feeling of powerlessness Spike felt in his belly when Flowey attacked him. At that moment he knew, he couldn't do things on his own. Spike was not brave like Rainbow Dash, he wasn't strong like Applejack nor was he smart like Twilight. Spike knew that he could never be like his friends. If he couldn't beat a small flower, then what makes him think he could take care of himself at all?
"What is wrong Spike? Did I say something?" Asked Toriel.
There was a moment of silence between them until he replied. "No, it’s just, back on the surface, I was always the one that needed protecting. I'm a lot of things on the surface. A scaredy cat, the sidekick. I was always the one on the sidelines while my friends go and save the day. I mean....." Spike paused for a moment as he sighs. "It’s not like I don't want you to protect me Toriel. You care about me and don't want to see me get hurt. My friends are the elements of harmony, and I'm . . . a nobody."
"Spike, look at me," Toriel said in a stern voice. He looked up until he made eye contact with hers. She had a slightly angry frown on her face as her hands were on her shoulders, "You are not a nobody. You are a kind dragon who is both brave and very determined."
"How do you know? You've only just met me yesterday."
"True," She replied as she sat down next to him. "But . . . Spike, my child, do you truly believe a coward would travel through the dangerous ruins all by himself. Nobody, your age could have done that. The truth is . . . you don't need to be an Element of Harmony to be somebody. Even though you do not have the elements on your side, that doesn't mean you are weak either.
"But then what good am I?!"
"My child. Friendship is not the only powerful magic out there. There are all sorts of magic out there. Even stronger than friendship itself." Toriel explained.
"What could be more powerful than...." When Spike faced Toriel, he noticed she smiled at him warmly. "....friendship?"
Toriel got down her knees and placed her hand on Spike's shoulder and says. "My child, the answer is what you longed for since the beginning. What every child needs in their life. The love of a mother, the guidance of a father. The most important thing in every creature's life is-"
"family." Spike finished the sentence. Toriel nodded in response. Then suddenly Spike's blinked a couple of times and as he cocked one of his eyebrows. "That’s something I don't have Toriel. I never knew my father or my mother, so I don't know anything about family. The closest thing I have to a family are my friends."
Toriel shook her head. "That is not true either Spike. You have a mother, and she's right in front of you."
Spike's eyes shot wide open as his pupils shrunk as surprise took him on what Toriel was trying to tell him. Never before as anyone wanted to take him in like this. The purple dragon didn't even know what to say. "....Toriel."
"Spike I, um, I want you to live with me for now on. We tell stories, read books, catch snails. I will raise you as my own. I know we do not have much here, but . . . I promise I will take good care of you.”
Toriel's offer took Spike by surprise. Never has anyone ever asked to take him in before. He doesn't even know how to respond to something like that. Spike was completely speechless. "I......I um......I uhh.....Wow, I've never been asked that before. Toriel.....Are you-" He paused as he was trying to put together on what was happening. "Are you asking me to be your . . . son?"
Toriel looked like she was about to respond happily but then slowly became a frown. She looked away from Spike for a while but then got back up. She sighed in regret. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to put you in an awkward spot. Forget I said anything. Just me being a silly old lady." Toriel walked back to the rock and sat back down.
Spike couldn't help but just stare at his feet in silence. He was deep thought of Toriel’s offer. It was tempting for him to take her up on that offer but he wasn’t sure if that was a good idea. Spike had no attention in landing underground where monsters live in the first place. He just wanted to go some place where he could fit in and not feel like he wasn’t important to any pony. However, now that he thinks about it, living with Toriel doesn’t seem so bad. She is smart as Twilight, sweet and kind as Celestia herself. Then again he barely knows her, yet he trusts her more than any monster he has come across in this crazy place.
He lost his train of thought as Toriel spoke to him. “You know Spike; this place isn’t just my favorite snail hunting spot. I sometimes come here to take great care of these flowers.” She said as she pointed at the golden flowers the light up above was shining on. “Beautiful are they not? I just love how the light up above shines on these golden flowers. The light makes them shine even brighter.”
“Yeah, weird,” Spike commented.
“Monsters use to come here at this exact spot. Always looking up where the surface is, hoping one day could see the warm sun again. It is such a shame that many of those monsters will never get the chance to see it. I have lived for a very long time and seen generations of monsters come and go......and I find it so sad, that none of them will ever get the chance to see the surface.”
“Not to be rude Toriel, but how old are you anyway ?” asked Spike with a raised eyebrow. “You sound like you’ve been living for a very long time and yet. You look like you're in your mid-thirties. You don’t even look like an old lady.”
Toriel giggled as she blushed at the question. It was a question she never felt comfortable answering, but she knew that every monster that looked at her would not assume that she was extremely old. “Oh dear, how embarrassing. Well if you must know I am actually 90,000 years old.
Spike’s jaws drop just it reached the ground. “WHAT?! That old?? You're even older than Celestia !!”
"Yep, Celestia was just a filly when I was in my te.....you know let us change the subject. Oh, are you hungry Spike ?" Toriel grabbed her basket and went through what she packed. "I think I pack some more gems in here."
While Toriel looked through her picnic basket, Spike took a moment to stare at the flowers as he wondered what made this place so special to Toriel. As Spike pondered this, he suddenly felt his head pounding while both his vision and his hearing started to fade as he clutched his head in agony. It was like a knife pierced through his skull and into his brain. Spike had never felt a headache like this before as his hearing became fuzzy and his vision became black and white like he was watching a colorless movie. He could hear Toriel calling to him as her voice became harder to understand by the second until all he could hear was ringing sounds.
When the ringing sound stopped, the could see the flowers he was staring at before were drenched with blood. When he looked up, he saw Toriel in front of him dressed differently. She was on her knees crying. He couldn't hear what she was saying because of the fuzzy sound that he was still hearing, but he could tell by the tears streaming down her face as Toriel looked like she was screaming out to him. She wasn't alone either. Spike couldn't tell who it was, but someone much bigger than Toriel was behind her as he was holding her tight as she tried to reach out to him. The only thing he could make out about this mysterious giant is that he wore armor and a cape. Spike was very confused on what was happening on a small, furry hand covered in blood appeared in his vision as it tried to reach out them back. The small furry hand was shaking as whoever it belonged to was obviously struggling to live. Spike felt his body shake as he watched the furry hand slowly turning into dust. He was starting to hear Toriel call his name as his hearing was getting better again.
"Spike . . . Spike . . . Spike . . . SPIKE!!!" Spike snapped back to his senses as he saw Toriel looking at him with worry in her eyes. Spike saw both her hands on his shoulders as he realized it was her who was shaking him.
"W-what happened?" he asked.
"I do not know. You just . . . zoned out while you were staring at the flowers. Are you alright, my child?" asked the concern goat monster.
Spike had never had anything like that happen to him before. It was so weird and terrifying at the same time. It was almost like he had a vision. He had read that powerful Alicorns like Celestia and Luna could have visions due to their overwhelming magic, but he's just a dragon. How could he have visions? What made Spike worry was what he saw in his vision. So many questions ran through his head. Why was Toriel crying? What was she saying? Who were those other monsters with her? It was also like he was looking through the eyes of someone else.
"Yeah . . . yeah, I'm . . . fine. Toriel, do you know what just ha-" Spike didn't finish as he felt something drip down his nose.
"Oh dear, Spike you’re bleeding." Toriel took out a napkin and cleaned the blood off of Spike's nose.
"Weird, my nose never bled like that before," Spike said as he looked worried.
"Um," This made Toriel concerned, so she got up and grabbed her things. "You know, how about we just leave. I think we have been here long enough." Toriel said once she was done grabbing her things.
"But you didn't even read the book you were gonna read," Spike complained. Toriel then grabbed Spike's hand and walked.
"I'll read it to you later. Let just get home" as they exited the area the Spike couldn't stop thinking about the vision he had. It was like he was looking through the eyes of someone else. This made him feel very uneasy like something bad must have happened here. He felt like telling Toriel what he saw but for he knows she'll probably think he's crazy. Spike suddenly felt like someone was watching him from behind. Spike looked back he noticed in the distance a flower that was out of place and it wasn't there before. He could see the white center, the golden petals. Spike saw the light glinting off the teeth in the grin. The pupils in Spike's eyes shrunk as fear started growing inside him. Flowey was still alive as he was staring at the dragon with those crazed eyes of his full of evil and murder. Spike suddenly understood one thing; this wasn't going to be the last time he'll come across Flowey.
To be Continued.