The Dragon knight
Chapter 3
By Spideze
ITALICS=Thoughts
Burnt flesh
In a open luscious green field on the outskirts of Ponyville, six ponies stood horrified and shocked, directly in front of them stood a lone dragon, an emotionless face worn on his features, all sense of life seemingly drained from his body. In between the ponies and dragon laid a charred, mangled body of the manticore, disfigured form on display for anypony to see.
Silence, not a single sound was made for what seemed like eternity, nopony would dare speak afraid of what could happen next.After what seemed like hours, Spike began to move.
‘Wh-what happened, am i dead? I remember running towards the manticore then...nothing,’ Spike blinked several times, regaining his somewhat blurry vision, his muzzle immediately scrunching in disgust as a horrible smell hit his nostrils in full blast. It smelled of blood...and burnt flesh, Spike started to panic worrying something happened to his friends ‘Fluttershy!’ He rubbed his eyes to fully regain his vision, he had to fight back from vomiting at what he saw.
In front of Spike, only a few inches away was a blackened corpse of the beast that was about to kill him only moments ago, behind the corpse was a sight that broke his heart, six ponies, his six friends staring at him fear evident on their faces. Spike slowly trudged towards the ponies only for them to back away from him.
‘They’re…afraid of me?’ Spike felt his heart ache knowing that his friends were afraid of him, even if he didn’t know why...it felt like his heart shattered, falling to his knees Spike slumped to the ground. ‘Why are they afraid of me? It-it’s me why would they...’ Spike looked up over the bodies towards his six best friends, a terrified look on his face. ‘No, i didn’t do this did I? They don’t think i could have done this do they?’
“Guys I-I didn’t do this did i? It’s me, Sp-Spike your little dragon...friend,” Spike trailed off as the six ponies only shared a worried glance between each other backing up further from the dragon. “Why are you guys backing away from ME!?” Spike started bawling uncontrollably refusing to believe what had happened trying to stand up only for his body refusing causing him to fall back down to his knees wincing as the adrenaline finally started wearing off, the results of the battle finally taking a toll on his body.
Spike’s vision started going blurry, so much pain and heartache from his friends being afraid of him, it was all too much for his body. The last thing he heard was his name being screamed as a yellow blur rushed to his side right before he blacked out.
PONYVILLE HOSPITAL - 2 DAYS LATER
Beep, Beep, Beep.
In a far off dimly lit hospital alone in a soft feather stuffed bed laid a single dragon stirring uncomfortably. Tossing and turning in bed, vivid images flashing in his sleep.The memory of what happened hit him like a truck, remembering every little brutal detail of what he did.Hitting the manticore over the head, spewing flames towards the injured beast and then...flesh, the smell of burning flesh. Suddenly faces of the Mane 6 appeared in Spike’s dream, some crying some yelling, calling him a monster.
“Ahhhhhh!” Spike jolted awake from his nightmare sweat running down his face panic filled him to the core, quickly scanning the room Spike noticed that he is no longer in the field, instead plain white walls caught his vision, some medical supplies and instruments scattered across the room, quickly noting he must be in Ponyville hospital, Spike looked around the room hoping to find his friends only to be greeted by the chilling, hollow feeling of loneliness.
“I wonder where they are…” as Spike pondered where his friends could have gone, the room’s dark oak door creaked open revealing a snowy white coat mare with a bubblegum pink mane, a look of concern on the nurse’s face.
“Uh, is everything okay in here? I heard screaming.” Nurse Redheart slowly made her way over to the occupied bed, worried her patient might be in pain, Redheart shook her head and after a moment to recompose herself, the nurse regained a sense of professionalism to properly take care of her patience.
“Nurse Redheart...i’m glad to see a familiar friendly face,” Spike flashed her a small smile remembering all of the times he had seen her because of either him or somepony else getting hurt inevitably running into the nurse multiple times.
“Likewise Spike” - Nurse Redheart came close pulling a chair to sit next to the bed with - “so what was that scream about? You’re not hurt are you?”
“No, no i’m fine just...a bad dream” Spike felt his smile fade as he remembered the gruesome dream he just had. “Say nurse Redheart how am i looking as far as injuries go?” Redheart looked concerned about Spike hoping the dream wasn’t too bad. She rose from her seat and trotted over to the clipboard holder next to Spike’s bead and read over his report.
“First off Spike i would hope we are close enough friends for you to just call me Redheart, secondly it appears your left arm was broken in your fight with the manticore, other than that you have a bruised rib and a few bumps and scratches here and there. You really are lucky spike that manticore could have ripped you to shreds and from what i heard you almost took a swipe from the manticore full force to your torso, you might not even be alive if that had happened.” Redheart frowned at the dragon wondering how he got so lucky to only have minor injuries.
“Ah so you know what happened then?” Spike really didn’t want the town thinking of him as some monster with no heart, sadly Ponyville has always been known to spread news quickly and of course this would have been no exception. Redheart noticed Spike’s reaction to the news quickly sighing and putting her clipboard down looking directly into the dragon’s eyes.
“Spike do not sit there and act like what you did was a bad thing, yes some ponies were rather shocked and even...sickened at the idea of you killing another life but we all know that Fluttershy’s and your life were in danger. You were brave enough to defend Fluttershy even if it meant losing your own life,” Spike didn’t look so convinced, deciding to try and change subjects he looked out the window before asking.
“Where are my friends anyways? I figured they would stay and make sure i am okay.”
“I don’t know, after they dropped you off and explained what happened to the doctors they just left,”
“If you’re so certain ponies think what i did was right them why aren’t my friends here to make sure i was alright?” Spike retorted.
“I don’t know Spike and i didn’t say every pony would be okay with what you did there will be those who see you as...well they won’t be to happy with you is what i’m trying to say,” said Redheart trying to make the dragon feel a little better
“Yeah well...i guess we’ll see who does and doesn’t like me won’t we,” Spike said blowing smoke through his nostrils.
Redheart sighed and turned towards the room’s door she foolishly left open, mentally scolding herself for giving any passing ponies a chance to eavesdrop on their private conversation. Redheart put the clipboard down in the nearby seat and trotted towards the door, before she walked out she turned around to look at the dragon, a weak smile on her face. “Spike don’t worry too much,everything will be fine. Get some rest and i will check on you in a few hours,” and with that nurse Redheart left the room closing the door as she went.
Spike was left alone to his thoughts, growing sadder and sadder as he realized how much he wanted his friends here.
‘Of course they wouldn’t be here...they think i’m a MONSTER, why would they ever want to see me again,’ Tears began to fall from the young dragon’s eyes depression quickly sinking in. “How could i just kill the manticore? I’m a monster i’m what everypony thinks dragons really are..i bet they whole town hates me.’
‘My friends aren’t even here to check on me anymore, what if they hate me!? What if Twilight kicks me out or sends me away? What if i get banished?’ Spike mentally shouted as his mind went through multiple scenarios as to how everypony would react, eventually growing tired due to physical and mental exhaustion but before he could let his mind drift into the realm of dreams Spike felt an all too familiar sensation build up in his stomach travelling up through his throat.
“Bleghh!” Spike belched out the white scroll with a seal in the form of the sun stamped directly in the middle of it, after shaking the nausea out of his system spike looked at the scroll, perplexed as to the sudden letter from the Princess.
‘That’s odd...why would the princess send me a letter? I’m sure Twilight told her what happened so if she needed to contact Twilight why not see her in person? Unless the princess thinks they are here with me then it makes sense but i would think that the princess would come see her in…’ Spike’s thoughts suddenly trailed off as he opened the letter noticing it was addressed to him, hesitating for a mere second, Spike starting reading the letter.
CASTLE OF FRIENDSHIP
Twilight was currently laying in bed mulling over what had happened days ago with Spike and the manticore.
‘Why did this have to happen, why was the manticore even so close into town! Even with them being creatures of the everfree forest they usually remain in the deep parts of the forest, and for it to be so ferocious...i thought manticore’s were mainly territorial.’
Sighing, Twilight rolled over and stared at her dresser, a small smile returning to her muzzle as she noticed a small purple framed picture.
‘I remember that day, we had gone for a picnic…’
FLASHBACK
“Spike come on! We need to get to the picnic spot before the sun goes down!” A young voice could be heard groaning in response as a baby Spike came walking up the stairs to the observation tower in Canterlot.
“Twilight calm down, it’s just barely the afternoon, i’m sure it won’t be for a while before Celestia starts lowering the sun. Now where are we going exactly for the picnic?” Spike ran up and hopped on Twilight’s back as she levitated a light brown wooden basket with a blue blanket on top.
“Spike i already told you! There is an open field near the Canterlot royal gardens with a tree sitting on a lone hill that would just be perfect for the picnic!” Twilight explained cheerfully acting giddy, it reminded Spike of a filly.
“Haha alright Twilight calm down and let’s get going,” and with that the pair set off for the day to have a lovely relaxing picnic.
“Twilight can you please put that book down? I thought we were gonna watch the sunset,” They had already finished their picnic, filled with daisy sandwiches, sapphire gems and two slices of cakes. The duo now sat on the comfy blue picnic blanket staring into the orange filled horizon as the giant ball of fire in the sky was slowly setting.
Sighing Twilight cast an apologetic face to her assistant than behind her where the moon was slowly rising into the now night sky, the silhouette of a mare plastered onto the face of the moon. “I’m sorry spike...it’s just, princess Celestia is sending us to Ponyville soon to look over the summer sun celebration and i still can’t figure this mare in the moon story. What if Nightmare moon returns, what if something happens to princess Celestia?!” Twilight started hyperventilating, getting up and dancing on back and forth on her hooves scared of what could happen to her mentor.
Spike facepalmed, walking over to his panicking friend growing quite tired of her senseless panicking. “Twilight snap out of it!” Spike shouted causing the mare to stop and wince at the sudden loud noise, looking down Twilight stared directly into the baby dragon’s eyes. “Look Twilight i am sure nothing will happen during the summer sun celebration, even the princess seems sure of it!” Spike noticed what he had set didn’t really help Twilight so he decided to try a different approach,
“Okay look let’s say something does happen but you want to know what i think? I think Nightmare Moon wouldn’t stand a chance and do you know why?” After thinking for a second Twilight shook her head seeming disappointed that she didn’t have the answer.
“She is the strongest pony when it comes to magic.”
“The smartest pony in all of Canterlot!”
Twilight looked at the dragon confused as to who he could be referring to.
“AND this incredible pony happens to have a particularly lovely lavender coat!” Spike finished the sentence off with a cheeky smirk as he knew the mare would be able to figure it out. Twilight’s eyes went wide as she looked towards the dragon, shocked that he has said all of those nice things about her.
“Spike i don’t think-”
“Ah i don’t want to hear it Twilight!,” Spike interrupted. “All of those things I said are completely true and i won’t here anything other than a thank you,” Twilight smiled down at the dragon and enveloped him into a bone crushing hug, rubbing her muzzle on top of his head.
“Thank you Spike, i am glad you mean all of those things, i feel a lot better now,” Twilight rubbed her assistant on the top of his head as she let him go from the hug.
“Haha no problem Twilight and remember, no matter what happens i’ll always be by your side,” Twilight felt her eyes grow slightly watery as she had found a new appreciation for her little assistant. Suddenly an idea popped into Twilight’s head as she lit up her horn casting a spell forming a light purple transparent spear appearing before the two.
“Uh Twilight. What’s that?” Spike said trying to run his hands through the magical floating ball.
“Well Spike it’s a spell i learned a while back, it takes in and stores its surroundings and stores them into the spear, allowing me to review the scene it capture later and even allowing me to put it on a polaroid!”
“So it takes pictures,” Spike deadpanned.
Sighing Twilight shook her head and levitated Spike next to her in front of the spear.” Yes Spike it takes picture now come on! 3...2...1…”
Snap
END OF FLASHBACK
ELSEWHERE
Spike looked towards the passing scenery as the train headed towards its destination...Canterlot.
“Alright Celestia...time to find out what you need me for,” Spike looked down to the letter once again sighing in frustration, wondering what the princess needed so badly.
Dear Spike
I know it must be confusing having this letter addressed to you and while i know you were recently injured in the fight with the manticore protecting miss Fluttershy, which i commend you for so do not fret about that.
What i ask of you however is of high importance but i can not disclose it to you in letter for the fear of someone discovering what is happening.
I know of your injuries and if need be i will have Canterlot’s finest medical staff treat you but i kindly ask that you take the first train available to Canterlot so that we may speak privately.
Please Spike...I and many more need you.
Princess Celestia