Living Darkness

by vildtiger


More to Chew On.

Note: This happens a month after the last chapter.
made from the episode "Just for Sidekicks"

*Ponyville*

It’s both nerve wrecking and exciting what is going to happen while Twilight and her friend go to the Crystal Empire to greet the pony who is going to decide where the Equestria games will be held, and since his mother will be too busy helping them out. She did not have time to keep an eye on Rhys, so Spike suggested that his older brother could come on a visit. Partly so he wouldn’t get in the way but mostly because Spike really wishes to get to know his older brother better. His mother agreed while Twilight was a bit more hesitant but went on the idea as well.

So while waiting for the train, Spike decided he would bake a jewel cake to Rhys in the sign of he holds no grudge over their… last encounter.
Spike hums a simple melody as he mixes the dough, not seeing that he keeps on snacking on the gems he should use for the cake. A certain owl did though and Owlowiscious hoots for Spike attention. The baby dragon is, however, more interesting keeping up the inside joke he made to the owl’s hooting.
“Me, that’s who.” He replies Owlowiscious and returns back to the cake, returning back to his little song: “Been saving up my gems so fine~” He snatches more gems. “For a cake that is divine...” Again the owl hoots, Spike turns to it annoyed. “Who are you hooting at?” He demands.
Owlowiscious flies over to the now half empty bowl of gems and points at them with its wings. Spike does not notice his so-called snacking is removing the key ingredient from the cake as he takes another claw filled with gems, telling the owl. “I know, they're delicious.” He puts them in his mouth. “Now you see them,” and he swallows them “now you don't.” He belches- which a certain owl is not amused, ignoring said owl he returns to stirring the dough and his small song. “This is how you make a jewel cake: stir in some gems, and then you bake.” He grabs the last gems and drops them into the cake bowl but without thinking he catches and eats them as well, so when he moves to put the gems in, Spike only there realizes that there are no more, much to his horror. “What happened to all my jewels?!” He turns to Owlowiscious, thinking the bird ate them all.
He turns angrily to the owl, telling it hard. “I had a bowl full of them here, and now I don't! Which means somebody took them!”
Owlowiscious sends him an annoyed look, flies over him- after have hit him over the head with its talons with a hoot. Spike takes off his cook hat, yelling back at the bird. “Who? That's what I'm asking, who?! Who took my jewels?!” He gets his answer when Owlowiscious shows his reflection through a large spoon, his mouth is filled with gem dust. “Oh… I’m who.” and he starts to wail in despair. “What am I going to do now?! I can’t give a jewel cake to Rhys without any jewels! Why did this have to happen? Whhyyyyy!”
Owlowiscious roll its eyes at him, well aware this gem happy drake got into this problem himself.
A knocking on the door puts Spike in a state of panic, fearing that his brother is here and he doesn't have any cake for him. “Argghh! What am I going to do?! I’m not ready for Rhys yet!”
But he can’t leave him standing outside either, so Spike goes over and opens the door, much to his relief, it’s just Fluttershy.

Seeing the stressed expression on Spike’s face, Fluttershy cheerful demeanor gets replaced with her meek worry she interrupted something very important. “I-I hope I'm not interrupting anything important.“ She says worried, careful not to move too much as Angel is riding on her head and Archimedes on her back.

Spike eyes the pretty much ruined cake thanks to his greedy mouth. “Well... I do have this cake to not bake...” and quickly stops Fluttershy when she mistakes that for him being too busy. “Inside joke. Talk to me.”

So Fluttershy does “It's just that... Princess Cadence needs us to do a great job welcoming the Head of the Equestria Games when she visits the Crystal Empire tomorrow—“

“I know. While you do that, my older brother Rhys will do a sleepover here.” Spike interrupts her, must admit he is excited but also worried. Their first and second meetings were far from being nice. Hopefully, their mother has sat Rhys a bit straight.

Oh right, she forgot about this. Now Fluttershy feels so much worse thinking about asking Spike of this favor. “Oh, I don't know what was I thinking. You will be so busy getting to know your long lost brother… here I am coming to ask you for a favor. You were probably going to say no anyway.” Fluttershy starts to leave, musing her apology for thinking of asking of what she had been hoping. “All I had to offer you in exchange was one little jewel.” She flies up in her startle when Spike suddenly stands before her, realizing she did that, Fluttershy sheepishly leaves Twilight’s pet owl and returns back to the floor and show him the small emerald jewel she would give him for this task.

Spike's mouth starts to water seeing it, this is not a small jewel, but a big one. Just as Fluttershy returns it back to her bag, Spike snatches it, voicing: “A really big, juicy, perfect-for-a-cake-topper jewel.”

“Does this mean you'll do it?”

He barely hears Fluttershy, so he simply agrees with his eyes plastered on the jewel, he doesn't react on her joy, only does when he realizes what he agreed on: he needs to take care of Angel bunny and Medic's pet dove. “Wait what?” Spike snaps away from the gem, shooting the most annoying rodent he has ever met a glare “You want me to take care of him?” The rabbit is not happy about it either and blows a raspberry at him.

“If it’s too much to ask.” Fluttershy says softly, she will completely understand if he says no. “I can always see if there is somepony else.” She reclaims the jewel and starts to leave again. “I figure you much rather want to spend time with your brother instead of—“ she stops and turns to the extra weight from the saddlebag, revealing to be Spike, he returns with the jewel in claw. “We already agreed on the whole jewel thing, so I'll just...”
Oh, this is such a relief. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She thanks Spike for doing this even if he will get his brother on visit. She turns to her pet rabbit, asking the dumbfounded Angel and the curious Archimedes. “Aren't you just so excited? Not only will Spike take care of you, but you will meet his older brother Rhys too!”
She did not notice the very distressed look or squeaking Angel made of the mere thoughts of not only having to deal with Spike but someone in family with him. , on the other hand, is always curious to meet new people and coo it's feelings about this, much to the rabbit's annoyance.
Fluttershy leaves the food for the two animals, lets the white dove land on her hoof. “Now be on your best behavior, Archimedes.” Adding to Spike as the dove flies over to the other avian. “Be sure to keep an eye on Archimedes, he has a tendency of going places... he's not supposed to.” Owlowiscious gives the fearless dove a curious glance which said dove replies with a ‘coo’. Fluttershy leaves with another thanks.

Eyeing the big jewel, Spike gets an idea how to get more, he eyes Owlowiscious, barely realizing that the dove has made the owl’s head into its new sleeping spot. “You know... She's not the only pony with a pet that might need some watching...” and so he heads out to find the others and tells Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie that for a jewel he will look after their pets while they are gone.

All three agreed and just as they are about to head to the train Twilight Sparkle voices her concern on Spike going to crittersit as well having his older brother on visit. “Spike, don’t you think it would be best somepony else keep an eye on our pets?” She asks him and tries to make eye contact but he’s busier looking at the cookbook. “You do know Rhys still hasn’t gotten used to being a dragon… or be away from Sunset influence. I’m sure you will have your claws full just with him.”

But Spike is confident he can handle a few critters. “I'll be fine.” Still his main reason to do this is for the jewels. “But, uh, just between you and me, I gotta give priority to the... paying customers.“ He shows her the bowl with the others jewels. Twilight sigh but does put her own jewel, still worried asks him as she leaves. “You absolutely sure you can do both this and keeping an eye on Rhys?”
Spike is certain, how bad can it be keeping a few critters in check and entertain his brother? “Of course. Wouldn't have agreed to it if I couldn't. Piece of cake. Speaking of cake,” Spike takes out the cookbook, he still has that cake to make. “I got a little something I need to attend to.”

That is a huge warning sign he does not have this under control. “Yeah, like keeping an eye on a house full of critters.” Twilight points out and about to tell that Rhys will arrive very soon as well, before she can though, Spike shoves her out from the house. “Relax. Go to your welcoming thing in the Crystal Empire. Spike's got it all under control.” She doubts that but it seems he is set on this. Letting out a sigh Twilight leaves but is very close to returning back to the library from the racket going on inside. Before she can though, Rainbow grabs her tail, telling her. “Hurry up, Twilight or we will miss our train!” There is no choice than leaving Spike to this. Twilight runs over to the train, and the moment she spots Sunset with Rhys by her side, she trots over to the two and finds herself unsure what to say to a unicorn there little under two months ago tried to kill her. “Uh hey… glad you could come.” She greets Sunset with a very awkward smile.

Sunset returns it with her own, after a moment of painstaking silence, Sunset turns to her teen drake, telling him somewhat hard. “Alright Rhys, you remember what I told you?” He nods and just as Sunset is about to speak with Twilight, he asks sullenly. “Do I really have to do this?”

Twilight’s dread that Spike is doing more than he can chew, it’s clear Rhys does not has it in his thoughts of rekindling a brotherly bond with Spike.

“Yes, and you need to stay on your best behavior around Spike. I don't want to hear any reports on you picking fights.” Sunset tells Rhys in a very commanding tone, she still hasn’t gotten over that he is not her young soldier but someone she has responsibility for. She does, however, realizes her mistake by the look he gives her and tells her teen drake in a softer tone. “I know it’s hard, but Spike is your younger brother. Try and get the best out of it, alright?”

Guess he has to endure dealing with a kid… Rhys sighs. “Alright fine.” Doubts the kid wants anything to do with him. After all, he almost broke Spike's neck when he threw him off a train. Sunset tells him goodbye and after some hesitating, she follows the others back into the train. Rhys waves goodbye and even when the train is out of sight, he does not leave. This is the first time he is away from Sunny and– “Get over it.” He grumbles and forces himself to leave the station. “You’re a motherfucking dragon now, and a dragon do not miss anyone.” Grumbling Rhys heads over to the tree library/ house where he will stay until tomorrow.
Stepping inside, Rhys finds the whole place in chaos by animals running around, on the floor lies the young kid he threw off the train the first time they met. He pokes Spike with his feet.

Opening his eyes, Spike stares up to an older drake face staring at him in confusions, it takes him a moment to realize who it is. “Rhys! You’re here!” He jumps on his feet, to then get thrown back onto the floor thanks to Applejack’s dog running into him. He does get quickly up again, giving the teen drake an embarrassing smile finding the house in such a racket. “Uh, one moment— Alright, sidekicks, front and center!” He commands loudly but only the dog Winona obeys his command, the other critters are still busier causing trouble. “There are seven of you, but there's only one right here in front of me.” Looking up he spots Tank the tortoise flying around with its magical propel, Spike jumps up and pulls the tortoise down beside the dog. “And what I say goes!” Owlowiscious appears behind him, hooting, Spike grabs the owl, telling it as he puts the bird beside the two other animals. “Spike, the boss of you, that's who.” He runs over to where Opal is sharpening its claws in Twilight’s bed. “Come on number four!” He grabs the cat, ignoring its hissing and lashing its claw out on him, fortunately, dragons like him have thick scales so the cat’s claws do not hurt that much. He stumbles and looking back he finds Pinkie’s pet alligator Gummy sucking on his leg. Putting the cat down, Spike pulls the toothless alligator off his leg and puts Gummy down. Counting, Spike realizes two of the critters are missing. “Who’s missing?” Turning around, he spots Archimedes preening itself on the bookshelf. He jumps up after it, but miscalculate his jump and ends face first onto the floor. The dove jerks in surprise and with a ‘coo’ look down to the baby dragon. Spike looks up to the dove but forgets all about it when he hears a squeaking laugher and knows right away who it is. “Angel..!” He growls and spots said rodent at the door, laughing at his predicament. Angel then blows a raspberry at him and runs off. Spike gets up on his feet. “Get back here!” About to run after the rabbit, then remembers his guest.
He stops before the frowning Rhys. “I am so sorry about this, I… wait here, I need to catch that rabbit.” Before he can leave though, the teen drake grabs his head scales with: “What about you keep those in check?” Spike eyes the remaining pets, confused he turns to Rhys, asking. “What about Angel?”

Rhys smirk. “I have hunted a few rabbits in my childhood.” He leaves the house, then stops as he wants to be sure before he catches that rabbit. “You want it alive right?”

“Of course.” Spike replies, asking curious but also a bit disturbed to why Rhys wanted to verify this. “Why are you asking that?” His brother shrugs carefree. “Most of my traps kill the rabbit, easier to cook them when they are already dead.” Spike’s scales around his head pales. Rhys has eaten rabbit? “You… You ate them?”
Rhys smirks down to him. “They taste good, don’t worry, I keep this one alive.” and he’s gone. Spike fiddle with his claws, worried that Rhys will kill Angel bunny, sure he does not like that rodent but Fluttershy will get very upset if she finds that rabbit dead. Maybe he shouldn’t have agreed to this…
Putting each animal in a leash, Spike hurries as much the pets will let him after Rhys. To his horror, he hears a rabbit cry in the bushes nearby but can’t go over there right away since Winona put him on a detour when the dog got the scent on something. When he finally reached the spot. He lets out a sigh of relief finding the rabbit still very much alive, although the chance for Angel to get a heart attack from how terrified it looks hanging in that robe around its feet.
The teen drake grabs Angel around the legs, scaring the rabbit further and when Rhys spots Spike he shows the baby drake the terrified rabbit. “One live rabbit.”
Spike takes Angel. “Thanks.” The rabbit is for once happy to be in his claws, more so when Rhys points out. “You sure you don’t want it dead? I can cook a—“
“No, I want Angel alive, he’s a pet.” Spike interrupts him, doesn’t blame Angel for being scared. He puts the rabbit in a leash and starts returning back to the library, but just as luck would have it, Winona gets the scent of something and drags him, along with the other animals away from the library. Tank soon join the dog in pulling Spike around and before he knows it, he slams into a tree and finds himself restrained in all the pets leases.

Rhys trots over, laughing at Spike’s predicament. “Holy shit, you are in serious bad luck Squirt!” He tries to unbind Spike and the pets but the leashes are too tight thanks to the animals. So he uses his claws, it gets Spike free but also releases the animals and all the pets are off. Rhys stares after the running away animals, then to the now very annoyed Spike and grins somewhat embarrassed of his mistake. “You don’t happen to have cars here?” Spike shakes his head, that eases this teen and he claps the younger one on the head. “Then we have nothing to worry about.”

Spike drops his head, the day is barely over and he has already reached his limit, Rhys is not really helping either. Thanks to him using his claws, they no longer have a way holding the pets. A loud groan, Spike leaves the destroyed leashes behind. “Better round them up…”

The two drakes pass by Zecora, currently doing a bit of shopping along with her two daughters. Sauda looks up from the biscuit she has been chewing on, letting out a small growl from what she is sensing from Spike. Her sister stares at the two, whimpering on this bit hurtful feeling she is sensing. Zecora eyes the foals worried, then at what causes one of them distress. Does not take her long to realize what is going on, after have calmed her two foals, Zecora walk over to Spike who has just been run over by a dog, allowing the other animals to flee. “Zecora knows just what to do about all this bad mojo that's floating around you.“ She tells the young dragon.
Spike eyes her, no need to be a changeling to know he is in a very foul mood. But that is something he clearly put on himself.

“I'm thinking a cage and a great big lock might be next.” He grumbles, glaring after the running amok animals.

Zecora smirks that he does not see what has caused all of these problems on him in the first place. “I can take the bad away if you do just what I say.” She suggests, eyeing the older dragon whose eyes narrow. “No trick, no fowl, so no need of that scowl.” The teen dragon returns back in capturing the tortoise.
Spike, desperate to get out of this mess he caused on himself is more than ready to hear her advice. He might not like what she has to say, though. “But before I can do my duty, I am going to need some of your booty.” She points at the bowl of jewels he stubbornly has been carrying around. As expected Spike pulls the bowl closer to him.

Glaring a few seconds at the scowling Zecora, Spike is desperate enough to give up one of his jewels if it will help him get out of this mess. With a long sigh, he throws Zecora one of his jewels. She catches it and with a smile walks over to a donation box, much to his confusion. “Where are you going?”

So Zecora explains what is the root of all of his current problems. “You think jewels are what you need, but there's no worse mojo than dragon’s greed.” And gives the gem to the donation, much to Spike horror. With her advice and a small part of the problem out of sight, Zecora returns back to her shopping. Her two daughters watch the two dragons all the way, still upset of what they are sensing from Spike.

Holding the- as strange it sound- flying tortoise, Rhys asks Spike confused. “The hell did she mean by that?” As he yet has experienced the primal greed for jewels thanks to Sunset's strict teaching.

Spike eyes the bowl of gems, his thought no longer on the sole reason why he did all of this to begin with. The primal instincts to hoard gems stick a bit to close to him. So irritated he lost one of his jewels, he grumbles. “Nothing.” and pulls the hissing Opal with him. “Let’s get the rest of the animals.”

They pretty much spend the rest of the evening rounding up the animals and when they finally got them back to the library, Spike was too tired to really care about anything. Didn’t even hear what Rhys said, only something about him being hungry. “There’s food in the refrigerator.” Then noticing the unfinished cake, but he was too tired to worry about it and instead snacked on the gems he had. The pets refused to calm down no matter what he did, so sleep he didn’t get much of.
In the middle of the night, Spike finally snaps at the animals barking, hissing, flying into walls, hooting and destroying papers. “Would you guys shut up! I am trying to sleep here!”

“You haven’t fed them dummy.” Rhys remarks from his makeshift bed, adding. “And you don’t have any food in the fridge, but it’s not like this is first I have gone to bed hungry.”

Spike anger fades hearing those two statements, now he feels really stupid, more so that he had gems Rhys could eat but… he ate them all. “I’m sorry Rhys…” He apologizes, leaves the bed and gives the critters the food their owners left behind for him. The animals throw over the food and fortunately calms down after this. With that done Spike turns to Rhys, admitting. “I… I haven’t done a very good impression have I?”

“Could’ve been worse I guess.” Rhys shrugs, his standards were low to begin with. “I’m used to having to fight for everything, and sometimes there wasn't any food so... at least the bed is one of the nicer ones.” Life in the human world was harsh and many times cruel but at least he could find comfort in Sunset and knowing she needs him. But now? Rhys sighs, now he is not so sure. He barely knows how to be a dragon and his relationship with his supposed mother are rocky at best. He returns back to sleep, not seeing the heartbroken look on Spike’s face.

He does not know what is worse, that Rhys is used to way tougher way of life and he doesn't see anything wrong with this or he has been an awful brother and has ignored Rhys and the animals for his own selfish need. Spike turns around to the bowl of cake dough, now ruined thanks to the animals but only because he didn’t tend to them as he should.
Spike closes his eyes hard, feeling like a huge jerk and all thanks to a bowl of jewels.
Well no more.
Spike grabs the brush and groom Opal. When the cat’s pelt is fine again, he removes the clips from Angel’s tail and puffs it as he should’ve done hours ago. He washes Gummy and Tank up, giving them both a large bowl of water they can take a dip in if they like. He puts the ruffled up Archimedes up beside Owlowiscious and puts a small bowl of seed before the two. Then he grabs a robe, bind it around Winona’s collar and takes the dog out for a much needed walk.
He takes Winona out to the field near Pyro’s cave, two Diamond dogs are nearby, both watching curiously when Spike lets the none sentient dog run around as he digs up jewels. Grabbing the pile Spike is very close to gobbling them up but snaps that idea out by slapping himself, he has gotten enough already. He calls for the now calmer dog, Winona leaves the two Diamond dogs. Those two approaches Spike and the smaller of them asks. “Little dragon seen Protector?”
Spike shakes his head. “No, and I don’t think she will be back for some time.” Both Diamond Dog whimper, he feels a bit sorry for them. “Here.” He gives them each some of the jewels he dug up. It cheers the Diamond dogs up and with. “Thank you small dragon.” He simply nods and with the remaining jewels. He heads back to the Golden Oak Library, determent to make it right with Rhys.

*next day*

Rhys wakes to the smell of something delicious, however the times he smelled it he was never able to get it unless Sunset had to steal it. So imagine his surprise when Spike offers him a cake filled with jewels shards, Rhys hesitates but takes the offered cake. “Where did you get it?” He asks.

“I baked them.”

Rhys blinks. “You… baked them?”

Spike nods and with a sigh, he sits down beside his probably very hungry brother. “I’m sorry, I wasn't really thinking about you at all... all I was thinking about was the jewels.” His green eyes meet Rhy’s pale blue. “I hope you'll all forgive me someday.”

This… is very new. Rhys lowers his gaze, fiddling the cake in his claws. “I… I don’t know what to say. No one has ever said sorry to me before.”

“Really?” Spike blinks, quite taken aback by this. “Not even Sunset Shimmer?” Rhys shakes his head, then stops himself. “Well... now she does. But when I was your age, I never heard her apologize to anyone.” Wow, no wonder why Rhys didn’t expect anything from his huge blunder, well Spike has in mind to change that. “Guess I’m the first then.” and signs the teen to eat his breakfast.

Rhys does and his eyes wide in surprise of what his taste bud tells him. “This is really good!” He exclaims surprised and wolfs down the cake.
Spike gives him another. “I got a lot of practice.” That one goes down quickly as well. The third one goes down slower, Rhys turns away from the half-eaten cake and to this kid— to his brother. “I can teach you how to capture rabbits— alive of course.” He quickly adds grinning.

Spike laughs. “Sure," both eyes Angel chilling out on a pillow. Sensing their eyes the rabbit freezes up, and one look at the two grinning drakes, Angel takes the run for it, having no wish in sticking around and be their practice dummy. Spike and Rhys laugh loudly at the rodents reaction before they return back to eat the newly baked cakes.

*later*

Twilight leaves the train along with her friends, the welcoming to the Head of the Equestria Games did not go as expected, in fact, they made a very embarrassing switcheroo, but fortunately, everything went well and the games will happen in the Crystal Empire as they aimed for. She smiles to her friends, all chattering on how much they look forward to seeing their pets again, her smile does fade when turning to Sunset. The fire-haired unicorn has been worried sick for Rhys because all she ever taught him was to fight and stay in line. Twilight taps Sunset Shimmer lightly on the shoulder, ensuring her as much as herself. “I’m sure Spike and Rhys are doing just—“ she stops midsentence when said two young drakes speed past them as they chase Fluttershy’s pet rabbit who looks quite terrified. At least Spike and Rhys seem to bond, so that’s good right?

Sunset is not so sure, for she has seen what Rhys can do to a rabbit when he captures it. “No no no, we can’t let Rhys capture the rabbit, he’s going to eat it…!” She exclaims in a low tone to Twilight. The purple unicorn jumps and both run after the drakes, calling to stop their hunting game. Fortunately, they stop, much to a certain rabbit’s relief and after have returned the critters back to their rightful owners.
Sunset asks Rhys. “So, other than hunting a poor rabbit, how did the sleepover go?”
Rhys eyes Spike once before answering. “It had its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t mind do that again.” Adding mainly to Spike. “Without a bunch of critters the next time.”

Spike smiles, he sure heck don’t want to do that again, not even for a bowl of jewels. “Deal.” and the two drakes shake claws.