//------------------------------// // VIII – Of Marriage Till Death Do Us Part // Story: The Day Spike Kinda Cared // by B_25 //------------------------------// ~ VIII ~ Of Marriage Till Death Do Us Part Spike had forgotten how long he'd stayed like that, at the foot of the bed with his claw on her hoof, gliding a thumb over her fur, never growing bored of the simple sensation—something Rainbow was able to give him, something that she could keep giving him, so long as he severed moved for the rest of his life. A life without Rainbow wasn't much of one to begin with. “Spike.” Spike knew to just ignore them, that, after a while, the voices would go away. “Spike, you have to let go.” Spike didn't have to do anything. He was a dragon, and dragons protected their treasure. They let nothing get in their way, because they were dragons. “Spike, please! You're scaring us.” Spike stopped stroking his dead marefriend's hoof, just long enough to stand up, turn around, and grab Celestia. “Something...” “W-What?” “Something!” Spike cried, shaking her back and forth. “There must be something you can do, anything to save her!” “Spike's, it's already too late!” “No. No!” Spike shook his head, looking to the rest of the girls gathered. Tears were dry against their cheeks and they were silent. “We never give up, no matter what! There must be something, anything, just please, save her!” Twilight didn't dare to raise her head, but she looked up at Spike. “There's...one thing we can do, but it won't do much.” Spike whipped to her. “Yes, please, anything!” Twilight looked to the girls, each and everyone, gauging each of their reactions. When all she got was a solemn nod, she bowed her head, closing her eyes and igniting her horn. A trail of thin lavender stretched out through her friends, each on flinching as the trail phased through them, both end connecting inside Rainbow. Spike watched on with baited breath, claws brought over his mouth. He waited and waited, the magic so quiet yet loud to his ears, every individual beat of his heart felt as the seconds could not last longer. And then, it happened, something that made everything hurt just a little less. Rainbow Dash breathed. “R-Rainbow!” Spike exclaimed, claiming her hoof and stroking it. “Y-You're alive! But, why aren't you opening your eyes?” “It's because she never can, Spike.” A chill coursed through his body, Spike looking over his shoulder at Twilight. “That spell drains energy from each of us to maintain her brain and her lungs, but as soon as the spell is over...things will return to how they once were.” “But Twilight, it can't—“ Twilight was shivering. Spike sighed, moving towards her while on his knees and quickly taking her into his embrace. She draped for forehooves over his back and rested her head on his shoulder, crying while he stroked her mane—something he used to do when they were still very young. Spike gazed upon all the girls, each silent and some turning away, and he nodded, knowing exactly what it was they thought, what they felt. Finally, his eyes came to a stop on the princess, who failed to keep up her poker face. “M-Mom.” Spike shook his head. “I mean, Princess Celestia, is there truly nothing we can do?” “I...no.” Spike blinked. “You...hesitated.” “There,” Celestia inhaled deeply, “is nothing we can do. You have to accept that.” “Mom,” Spike began, hugging Twilight as tightly as he could, before letting her go to stand up. “If there is something I can to fix this, if there is anything at all, you have to tell me now. I don't care if I have to go to Tartarus, I don't even care if I have to offer my life in exchange!” He stood before her now, looking down at her in a way would never dare before. “ Celestia kept silent for a moment, looking to the girls for support, finding none. She sighed, and with great reluctance, and pain evident in her tone, she said of her son the entry to the underworld. “Then I traveled down here, fought a few creatures along the way, answered to a a gatekeeper called Vengeful Spirit who kept shifting the narrative of his riddles, before, finally, I got stuck at that door.” IT HAS COME FULL CIRCLE, murmured Death, sighing the last piece of paper. He picked up the paged in his hand, stacking them against the desk, putting them aside and then staring at the drake. SO THIS IS IT. EVERYTHING IS EXPLAINED AND ALL IS CAUGHT UP. Death pulled up his hood, a shadow covering his face. NOW, SPIKE THE DRAGON, ALL IS LEFT IS FOR YOU AND ME TO MAKE A DEAL. “Spike the dragon?!” exclaimed a voice behind the door, which was then banged on. “I know the name of the bugger. That's the one that crushed my life and my ambition with a hot air balloon—let me at him at once!” Death snapped his fingers, there was no more background noise. BEFORE WE BEGIN THIS, said Death, YOU MUST KNOW WE ARE PROCEEDING THIS DEAL AS MORTAL AND IMMORTAL, NO DIFFERENT FROM HOW THIS ALL BEGAN. YOU UNDERSTAND THIS? “I do,” Spike nodded. For the first time in a while, he stood up from his chair. “I said I wouldn't hold you accountable, and I intend to keep my word. You have to be Death here, and I understand that perfectly.” Death took the blue hourglass and set it on the desk. “You alright if I try to score a deal for griffon prince back there?” Spike said, pointing to the door with a thumb. “Figured I can save a lot of hassle upstairs and you a lot of paperwork down here.” Death shrugged his shoulder, taking a the white hourglass and placing it on the desk. YOU ARE NOT AN UNTOUCHABLE. Death took down his hourglass, holding it out on display. YOU WILL SOMEDAY DIE, WHICH IS THE ONLY REASON WHY WE CAN MAKE THIS DEAL He set it down on the desk, not a grain of sand having passed through. RELATIVELY SPEAKING TO THESE TWO, YOUR LIFE WILL SPAN MILLENNIUMS EVEN AFTER THEY ARE LONG GONE. “Yeah,” Spike said, looking down, “I know.” DO NOT TAKE THOSE YEARS OF LIFE SO LIGHTLY, said Death. I HAD MY DOUBTS ABOUT YOU AT FIRST, BUT AFTER HEARING OF YOUR TALE, I KNOW YOU WILL ROCK THE WORLD ABOVE IN SOME WAY. ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE SUCH A LIFE FOR THESE TWO. Spike didn't even hesitate. “Yes, I'm sure.” Death lifted the purple timer, handing shaking as he did so. SPIKE... “It's okay,” Spike said, nodding. “Do it.” Death took the top off of all three hourglasses, looking once more to Spike for confirmation, before pouring his sand into the hourglass. The purple sand turned to the respective color of that hourglass, not filling the chamber past what was there before. THERE, said Death, putting the tops back on the two hourglasses. IT IS DONE. He looked to Spike. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE SOME FUN BEFORE YOU DIE? “Fun?” Spike shrugged. He was dead now, so it wasn't like anything could kill him. “Sure!” Death stood up and snapped his fingers, spawning a black robe around the drake, cloaking his face. Spike chuckled, but was quickly hushed as Death snapped his fingers again, and the white griffon manifested inside the room. “What in good feathers!” Missy looked around the room to find that it stretched to infinite length, shocking his heart. “Oh my, oh me, I couldn't possibly be!” YOU ARE. Missy turned around, beak going ajar as he backed away. YOUR CRIMES ABOVE HAS BROUGHT YOU DOWN HERE FOR JUDGEMENT. “Judgment!” Spike did his best not to snicker, earning a light punch to the back from Death, of which, Missy did not see. “You stand guilty before the divine court of starting war based upon a fake deceleration of such.” “Fake! Why I'll be!” Missy stormed up to the cloak figure, losing confidence every inch he had to look up to make eye contact. “That letter was—“ MANIFESTED BY YOURSELF TO STAGE A PLOT TO CONQUER EQUESTRIA, Death said, slamming the end of the scythe into the ground. YOUR MANLUPATIONS MAY BE MISSED UNDER MORTAL EYES, BUT WHEN THE TIME COMES ALL MUST PERISH, ALL CRIMES ARE BROUGHT UNDERNEATH THE OBJECTIVE EYE. “So, t-then you know everything?” “Everything!” Spike said. “E-Everything?” “Everything!” “Everything?” “Yes,” Spike said, “including that!” Missy threw himself at their feet. “Please, I beg of you, I'm just an insecure soul trying to make my father happy. I thought gifting him a nation would make him proud, but I didn't think further than that.” He started kissing the floor. “Please don't take me now, let me repent, in some way or fashion! Please, a second chances is all I ask!” Spike looked to Death. Death looked to Spike. They gave one another a thumbs up. IT IS UNCOMMON FOR MORTAL TO GET A SECOND CHANCE. “Oh, but please! I'm begging you.” “Hmm, it has been done before!” Spike said, looking over at his partner. “If there is still time for the mistake to be retracted for the future wellness of everyone.” “That!” Missy raised her head, looking up at the two giants. “The war hasn't been enacted, my rule is still supreme! Return me to how I once was, and I swear to you, my kind will leave the ponies be!” Death picked the griffon up by the throat, holding him close to his face. THIS BETTER NOT BE A LIE OR A FALSE ESCAPE. “H-Honest! Please don't kill me!” DEATH KILLS NO ONE, said Death, dropping him. I ONLY CLAIM. BUT BE THIS A TRICK, AND YOU SHALL SEE THIS FACE AGAIN. With a snap, the prince disappeared, once and for all. Spike looked at Death. Death looked at Spike. The two burst out in laughter. “He bought it, he actually bought it!” Spike wiped the tears at his eyes as his chest felt light. “I thought he was going to see through it—why does Death have a dragon sidekick?” MORTALS, UPON SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME PAST THEIR REALM, WILL BELIEVE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Death wiped a tear under his eyes, remembering that he was a skeleton and skeletons couldn't cry. This made him want to cry all the more. YOU ARE AMONG THE FEW TALK AND NOT GIVE INTO DESPAIR WITH ME. AS WEIRD AS IT IS TO SAY THIS, I ENJOYED MY TIME WITH YOU. “As did I.” Spike lifted the robe up over his head and placed it on the table, rubbing his claws as he turned around. “Well, I guess this is it. Better get the show on the road.” THAT IS IS. Death wielded his scythe, hovering it over the dragon's neck. YOU ARE OUT OF TIME, AND THEREFORE LIFE. DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST REQUESTS? “I don't suppose it would be possible to see all my friends and family one last time.” THE MOMENT YOU RETURN HOME IS THE MOMENT YOU CEASE TO EXIST, said Death. YOU EXIST HER ONLY BECAUSE TIME DOES NOT FUNCTION DOWN HERE. “I see.” Spike shrugged. “Well, let's get this over with.” Death went to pull the blade, but for whatever reason, he was having difficulty finishing the act. Something was stopping him, something he was unsure of and hadn't felt before in his existence. A thought struck, one that he repelled for it called on his kindness, but the more he stared at the dragon who had his eyes closed in acceptance, the more he realized he had no choice in the matter. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, BEFORE YOU GO. “Ask me anything.” WHEN YOU ASKED RAINBOW DASH TO MARRY YOU... “Yes?” DID SHE SAY YES? “I'm telling you, I just woke up feeling great!” Rainbow Dash sprouted as she hovered in the air, gazing back at them as if they weren't really there. “One second I'm saying goodbyes like I'm dying, and in the next, I'm doing backflips because I got accepted into the Wonderbolts!” Spike grinned as he listened to his marefriend's tale. “I know I know, you told me all about it, twice. In fact, I was the one that went through all that stuff just to get you the letter.” “Oh please, stop making yourself sound so important.” Rainbow bopped in on the snout and was very pleased with herself for doing so. “Twilight was heading to Cloudsdale so I would have gotten the letter anyway, if anything, you should be grateful for leaving that basement for all the gains ya got on you.” She delivered a few soft punches to his belly, absorbed easily by his flexible scales. “Well, as long as it makes you happy.” Spike was taken aback when Rainbow threw herself against his chest, draping her forehooves over his back, resting her head on his shoulder. “R-Rainbow?” “I know I haven't been the best at expressing my feelings,” Rainbow whispering, moving her lips closer to his head. “But I'm really, really happy you tried to hard to find me.” “It was my fault for losing you,” he said, wrapping his arms around her back and holding her close. “Breaking up with you was the greatest mistake I could of ever made, and I'm glad you're giving me a second chance, much less this!” He gestured to a claw to the rest of Death's domain, which was occupied the Elements of Harmony and Celestia. “When a big dork who risks his life to save you asks ya to marry him, he's pretty much a keeper after that!” Rainbow giggled, pulling back so that she could see his face. “Dunno why we have to it have it so soon, though, or why is it has to be down here.” “One of Death's conditions for letting you live,” Spike replied, wiping a claw under her left eye to pick a stray tear. “He's a really nice guy if you get to know him, maybe a little too good at his job, but that's hardly to something to fault him for.” “Dunno. He still gives me the creeps.” Spike went to comment when he heard a knocking at the door, surprising all present, though he was the only one to get the door. He turned the knob quite easily this time around, throwing back the door. “Choo-hoo!” A flying train soared through the door and up above Death's domain, making happier sounds the lower its descent. “Choo-ooo-ooo-ooo?” “Of course buddy!” Spike laughed as he closed the door, walking off to the side to greet the flying train. Dash watched on with equal mirth, before spotting Rarity standing off to herself. “Hey Rares,” Rainbow said, startling Rarity as she had been staring off into space—quite literal here. “This place giving you bad vibes as well?” “Oh, Rainbow Dash, I um.” Rarity looked around, whispering closer to her friend. “Does I really look so out of place here?” “We all do,” Rainbow said. “Even the big guy who owns the place is looking a bit nervous, probably never been the life of the party before.” Rarity blinked, then realized she was meant to laugh. 'That's quite the funny on indeed!” Rarity tried to laugh, to toss everything to the past, but try as she might, it didn't weigh well with her in the end. She took a sharp breath. “Listen, Rainbow Dash, there is something I must tell you.” “And there's something I gotta ask as well, but you go first.” “I have been nothing but a petty, jealous mare that is more malevolent than she can ever hope to realize.” Rarity looked away in shame. “When you won Spikey from me, I came to realize that he was something that I wanted and I could no longer have, and for whatever reason, it just drove me to the edge to win him back. I toyed with his heart so meticulous, while, all the while, you were laying in that—“ “It's okay, Rarity,” Rainbow said, throwing her forehoof over the mare's neck. “You're hardly the only one to mess up in the few days. We all learned something from this, and it's better we move on so we can progress even further!” “D-Do you think, that in due time, you could ever come to forgive me?' “Forgive you?!” Rainbow took her hoof back and stepped back. “Rares, I want you to be my maid of honor!” “I understand—wait what?” “You're always into that romantic and frilly stuff!” Rainbow said. “Death needs some help getting the place ready for the big kiss, so I figured I'd put you in charge.” She smirked, putting out a hoof. “So, whaddaya say, sister? Are you up for the task?” Rarity started at the hoof for a few moments, then in taking it with her own, began to tear up. “Of course, my dear Rainbow Dash, it would be my delight.” They embrace a moment later, holding it close, two hearts that once loved one, the other giving her scared permissions. When the hug ended, Rarity didn't hesitate to flog down Death. “So thaaaat's what happens to them?” THAT DESCRIBES THE PROCESS IN SIMPLE TERMS, said Death, rubbing the side of his bald head. FORGIVE ME IF MY SPEECH IS PECULIAR. YOU SEEM ABOVE THE REST OF YOUR KIND, AND I MAY HAVE INSULTED YOU IN PRESENTING WHAT IS ALREADY UNDERSTOOD. “Oh no no no!” Celestia scooted closer to Death, letting her coat press against his robe. “It takes master to take the complex and translate it simplicity—it is quite refreshing in contrast the scholars who's talk is so dry.” She smiled up at him. “We should get drinks sometime and discuss the laws of psychics!” THAT WOULD BE— “Death, sir, if that's what I am to call you?” Rarity watched as the figured turned around, his grin creepy despite having no malice. “I-I was asked to talk to you about party decorations?” Behind Death, Celestia groaned. AH YES. He bowed down to make himself less scary, but it sent shivers down Rarity's spine. NOW THEN, I DON'T LIKE MOVING THINGS AROUND DOWN HERE, BUT THIS SHALL BE THE ONLY OCCASION. NOW, IF YOU WERE KINDLY POINT AND TELL ME THE PURPOSE OF THE THING I AM TO IMITATE... The flying train came to land of the far right side, opening its side door, “My artist pal, thou art still alive!” Art pranced out of the train, hugging the dragon along the torso. “My fear was that the world would go on craving your creativity after I heard of what you got trapped in the Rainbow Factory.” “I made it out pretty okay,” Spike smiled down at the pegasus, giving him a quick hug. “I thought you had some phobia about going outside?” “We're not actually outside.” “We're not?” “It's perfect! Everything I've ever needed all in on little train.” He broke the hug to point a hoof at the train, which chimed happily in response. “It take me from inside the mesum to inside of the train, where I can safely explore the world, as well as dropping me inside places like here!” He stepped back. “I may now have beaten my phioable, but at least I found one hell of a loop.” “Guess you did,' Spike said, patting him on the back. “Thanks for coming.” He looked to the train, someone else was coming out. “Hey, you're still alive!” Flare walked with carrying a table. “Hey, flare!” Spike said, tilting his head slightly. He went to help, but the earth pony shook his head. “You're carrying a table! Why are you carrying a table?” “It's not any table: it's a table filled with booze.” He grinned as he shook it, clinking sounds coming the its bottom shelf. “A train whistled at my window for twenty minutes straight, the same amount of time it takes for me to realize I'm not hallucinating and that there is actually a hovering train outside my window.” He laughed. “Everything was peachy after that tho, got offered this gig and to be flown anywhere by yours truly.” “Choo-choo!” “Anyway, I'm glad that you're doing better, and congrats on the marriage!” Flare pressed his shoulder into the dragon's front, then beginning to walk away. “I'm gonna go and get this set up. Feel free to visit me afterward for a special shot to commence your vows.” Spike gave him a nod, then felt something brush against his side. “The carpet will be leading up to your desk, your desk will be a platform of a foot wide, with the following decorations!” Rarity looked up to the drake upon bumping into him. “Ah, Spikey! So I see you were somehow involved in this?” “Well,” Spike blinked, looking down at her. “Yeah, actually.” “That makes me glad to hear,” she said, strolling into the train, which let out an extra trail of smoke, “because despite this thing's bad memories,” the train stopped letting out smoke, “there should be two gems hidden back here. Ah! Here they are!” Rarity popped her head out the door, looking afar. “Twilight! Yes, Twilight. Could you come over here for a moment?” Twilight appeared. “Hey Rarity, and Spike, what can I do for you!?” “First, I need you three to come inside.” And so they did, walking only a bit into the train, before two outfits stood in the walkway. “Now then, these are the outfits I'd made for the gala for our lovebirds, but I'm afraid out little Spikey-Wikey has grown quite a bit since his last measuring.” She pouted. “I don't suppose you could resize his tux to fit his new height?” Twilight looked from Rarity to Spike, then smiled. “Of course I can, it's Spike's and Rainbow's wedding day after all!” “Perfect, simply perfect!” Rarity levitated the dress off the stand, walking towards the door. “I shall get the bride in her dress, and with any luck, we can commence their love and get away from his creepy place.” The door slid closed behind her. Spike tried to smile as Twilight levitated the tux up to his body, with him going rag doll as many fitting session reminded him to do. “Feels like it's been a while since I last saw you, crazy how much can happen in a day, huh?” “Huh-huh, super crazy.” She laid the sleaze against his wrist and stretched out to his cuffs with magic. “Other arm, please.” “Y-Yeah.” He did as he was told, and felt the other sleeve begin to grow. “Say, is there something wrong? You're kinda giving out a weird vibe.” “Oh no, everything is perfectly fine, Spike!” She raised the pants to his legs. “It's just that my number one-assistant almost got killed four times today, proposed while on a whim, and made a deal with Death without telling anyone what it is!” The pants began to shake in the air. “And the worst, the worst of all is that he didn't come to me at all for any advice, for any help!” “Twilight I—“ “Don't Twilight me!” She brought her hooves to her eyes, suddenly aware she'd begun crying. “I know what you're going to say, and it isn't going to work! Nothing is going to work, nothing is going to be the same after this.” Spike crouched down, wrapping his claws around Twilight's head. He fought him at first, but within a few moments, she was sobbing against his shoulder, and all the while, he brushed her mane with his claw. “Twilight, I should have gone to you from the beginning,” he said, voice just above a whisper. “My insecurity, my bouts with greed—there was a time I could go to you for anything, and I felt like the same was true the other way around.” He held her tight for his own strength. “I don't know what happened to us, what happened to me, that I became so afraid to open to you.” Twilight's sobbing died down. “And after everything that's happened, I can say for certain this one thing,” he pulled her head back just enough so they could look into one another eyes, “had I told you from this beginning, none of this would have happened and I'd learned everything in one lecture.” Twilight laughed, and because of that, Spike laughed. The two best friends laughed. This would be the last time they'd laugh together. Then the laughter stopped with Twilight. “W-What about the other girls, about Celestia and Rainbow?” “Let them enjoy this for now,” Spike said, dipping his head. “Twilight, you are my best friend in those whole world, the greatest who I've known the longest, and I've never had a friend quite like you, at least one that isn't male, so I was wondering...” “You aren't...” “Would you be my best stalli—“ “Mare,” she said, hugging him once again. “And yes, I'll be your best mare.” So many memories. So many night spent together, adventures and new spells, friends to be made and villeins to be converted. It hadn't hurt Spike so much to give up his life, but giving up a life with Twi and Rainbow served to wedge a thorn deep in his heart. “Come on now,” Twilight said, stepping back on her own hooves. “Let's get you suited for your tux, okay?” When Spike stepped outside the train wearing the tux, he felt like a changed dragon, so fancy and regal, like his whole life amounted to this moment—which it kinda had. Down the room—which resembled the interior of a church with white walls and a red carpet—he spotted Rainbow across the room in her dress, making her jaw go slack as he'd never seen her more beautiful before. “Um, excuse me!” Rarity stepped in the way, blocking the sight. “Seeing the bride in her dress is just asking for an omen to happen!” “Right!” Spike blocked his view with a claw, turning to where deed would be done, and spotting Death already there. 'An omen, eh?' Desire said with a weak chuckle. “Bit late for that, Rares, but then again, we're doing all this for the sake of others anyway.' “Are you mad about my choice?” Spike asked. 'Depends,' said Desire. 'Did you do it because it was the right thing to do, or because you wanted to?' “Because I wanted to.” 'Then everything check out in here, coach,' Desire gave one last roar of laughter. 'I'll see you on the flip side, Spike!' The dragon smiled. “You as well.” A few moments later, Spike approached Death. WHITE. WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE WHITE WITH MORTAL, said Death, sighing. SHOULDN'T SHE KNOW, LIKE ALL MORTALS DO, THAT IN MY PRESENCE, EVERYTHING SHOULD BE BLACK. NOT BLEAK, JUST BLACK. “Uh, Death?” Death turned around. Spike wasn't sure if he was more glad to see him or not—his grin never tended to fluctuate. AH, OUR SOON TO BE DECEASED AND OR HUSBAND. TELL ME, ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR VOWS? DO NOT WORRY ABOUT BEEN, THEY WILL NOT AFFECT YOU FOR LONG. “About that,” Spike said. “You've been doing this grim reaper stuff for kind of a long time now, and, well, I was just wondering if you'd be up for trying something new.” WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY NEW? “How would you like to be our priest and join our marriage?” YOU WOULD HAVE ME, THE CLAIMER OF LIFE, GRANT YOU MARRIAGE? “Yeah!” Spike said, smiling. “I think it would be a lot of fun, and everyone else is okay with it, so what do ya say?” I...I WILL DO IT, Death said, pulling his robe over his head. Spike blinked at the sight, never having seen a seven foot, naked skeleton before. “Should I draw the get up or?” PLEASE DO. Spike went to grab a sheet of paper when Death grabbed one of the report sheets, turning it around with the blank side facing up. Spike smiled and Death grinned, and then he drew a priest and what he recalled to be the vow's, not too stressed if he'd gotten any part wrong. With a snap of the finger, Death had become a Priest. HUH. SO I STILL RETAIN THIS, THEN. Spiked laughed. “Guess you still use the voice of the divine to speak then, so not much lost.” EXECPT MY ROBE. “C'mon, priest clothes look good on you!” THEY...DO? “Yeah!” Spike said, looking over to his friends. “We should probably get this show on the road, though.” THIS IS TRUE. Spike smiled and went to leave. WAIT, SPIKE. He turned around. THANK...YOU. Spike only gave a thumbs up. SPIKE, DO YOU TAKE RAINBOW DASH TO BE YOUR WIFE? He smiled. “I do.” RAINBOW DASH, the Priest said, looking left, DO YOU TAKE SPIKE TO BE YOUR HUSBAND? She smiled. “I do.” I THEN PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE. He closed an imaginary book. YOU MAY NOW KISS. “Come on now, Spike.” Rainbow giggled, leaning forward. “We've waited so long for this.” “I know,” Spike said, leaning forward as well, and taking her plush lips against his own. The kiss earned cheers from the crowd and sniffles from a select few, all happy at what was to be witnessed, A moment later, the kiss was broken. “That. Was. Awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed, laughing as her dragon swept her by the hooves and cradled her in his arms. “Our relationship is back on and better than ever! Can you think of all the cool things we can do together!?” Spike winced as he felt himself becoming weakling by the moment, looking down at the mare in his arms. Everything about her, from her muzzle to her flanks was perfect, and it was all his for this short moment. “The running records we can beat, the pubs we can smash!” Rainbow kissed him on the cheek, not yet noticing the difference. “I'm even a Wonderbolt as soon as we leave this place, think of all the gigs I'll get and the places to check out. You can cheer me on from the stands.” “I'll be cheering you on, alright.” “Yeah, only—“ Rainbow noticed how she could see through Spike, finding Twilight and Celestia equally as mortified on the other side. “Wait a sec, just what in the hay is going on?!” Spike only smiled. “No, you didn't you didn't!” She beat her hooves against his chest, finding them almost phasing through. “You said you made a deal that involved a few favors, not switching your life out for your own!” The girls began to sop as the lovers reached the end of the carpet. “Why? Why?!” Rainbow cried even as Spike put her down, whose existence flickered slowly away. “Why me over you!” Rainbow said. “That's an easy one,” Spike said, kissing her on the lips for one long, last time. After a moment, he pulled back, smiling softly. “It's because I love you.” He then stood tall, turned around,and gave a thumbs up to everyone else present. “You've all been amazing,” Spike said, his words, his very body, but a distant whisper. “I can't thank you enough for entering my life. Farewell.” Everyone cried as the last trace of the drake flickered away. Even the Priest bowed his head. And sooner or later, everyone had to return home, some against their wills. A few days had passed, and like with most suffering, life goes on. It's seems changed and cold, each coming day more dreadful than the last as your leaving that warmth further in the pass, its age no longer a delight but a cold reminder of the cold harsh truth in reality. Everybody dies. Ponyville returned to normal, though some ponies wished for another stand up. Cloudsdale, while short a few workers, missed the fire show at the rock shows a bit more. Canterlot returned to peace with the griffon peace announcing his sudden retreat, who went so far as to wash his own blood off an hot air balloon and returning it to Twilight Sparkle. As for Death, he continued on with his duty, although as of late, the tea party made mortal scream at him less. He considered the project a success. Now, how about the recent widow? Things weren't going nearly as well. Rainbow stood atop a stool in her bathroom, rope hanging above her head, with the door locked and Tank well-fed on food. She wasn't sure how or why it come to this, only that it would be quick, and it would be the only chance at seeing her love again. YOU KNOW THIS ISN'T WHAT HE WANTED. Rainbow turned around to the figure lying in her bathtub, robe covering every inch of his body and obstructing his face. “Well just like then, he shouldn't have made a decision for me!” HE DID IT OUT OF LOVE. THOUSANDS OF YEARS SPEND ALONE WITHOUT YOU WOULD HAVE DRIVEN HIM MADE. “Well it's only taking me a few days.” WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WOULD SAY IF HE SAW YOU NOW? “Probably not do it it.” HE WOULD SAY THAT, AS HE WOULD ANOTHER. “Oh, yeah, and what would that be?” HE WOULD SAY, the figure said, pulling back the robe. “That he loves you, and hopes he didn't keep ya waiting so long.” “N-No way...” Rainbow rubbed her eyes, the imagine of a robed Spike laying in her bathtub not fading no matter how many times she rubbed. “It can't be it is.” Spike pulled on the hood. IT IS NOT. He pulled the hood off. “It is!” “Spike!” Rainbow yelled, hurling herself at him in the bathtub, feeling her body collide against his. She pressed her ear against his heart, hearing its steady beats. “You're...you're still alive, but how!? “Got sent to the high gods,” Spike said, thinking back. “They said that it'd be a waste of have me killed as it detracts from the whole theme and all that.” He brought his lips to her ear. “But in reality, they just wanted make me Death's apprentice so I could mess with him—something about divine justice.” “So, does this mean—“ “That I have a full time job, yes!” “No, you dumbo!” She peppered his faces in kisses, stopping only for an instant. “That you get to live, that we can keep being married.” “Of course, Rainbow.” Spike brought his claw to the back of her head and brought her in for a deep kiss, a taste he thought he'd never taste again. They split moments later. “I'm here to stay here, your always, for all the morning jogs and the late night movie riffs.” “You don't know how happy I feel right now!” Rainbow said, then a thought struck, one that made her turn the tap to hot water with her tail. “And a little something else as well.” “W-What's that, Rainbow?” “I know someone who's getting lucky tonight.” Rainbow lifted his arms with her wings, feeling hot water pour on them both as she let his claws rest on her flanks. “We've already come this far, hot stuff, so how about you give back there a little squeeze and I get this robe off you.” Spike felt something between his legs, something that poked through the robe and at Dash, who moaned in response. The dragon had never been more happier in his life. “I finally managed to get it up!” Thus concludes the tale. Thank you for reading.