//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: the news gets worse // Story: The Lost Wars // by Invictus_rising //------------------------------// Chapter 2     I could only stare. Blankly. Without thought. It was inconceivable! I actually hoped I was sleep deprived enough to be hallucinating...but there it was, evidence, plain as day. I gulped, and looked at him, he simply continued to stare in horror, eyes devoid of all emotion save for shock.     I couldn't think straight, I could not believe it. There had to be a mistake, some sort of mis-conception of current events. It had only been what...two days? Oh Celestia time seemed to be rushing forward in such a cruel manner. I kept wracking my brain. Come on Twilight, as smart as you are, you should be able to think of something. I was frazzled, and worried sick and I really needed to sit down.      I looked to the top of the stairs, to see Spike still staring blankly at his claws. I really did ache for him, but I had to think fast. Than a thought occured to me. None of the girls had claw marks on them, nor were they bleeding even...their necks had been snapped...(I cringed at the memory, all too fresh in my mind). I continued to reconstruct it in my head, gasping every once in a while as the painful memories came back slowly.      The scene was rebuilt quickly, and I thought carefully about the manner in which the three fillies had perished. Spike was strong for his size, but no where near strong enough to so cleanly snap someone spine and neck. With that thought in mind, and the knowledge that none of the girls had been bloodied, I turned my attention back to Spike.      "Spike...I dont think you killed them. That has to be the blood of someone else..." The scientific part of my mind took over, as I gathered some of the blood and the hair from his claws. He continued to sit silent as I did this, the look of horror now one of confused shock.      I thought long and hard, trying to find some way to console him. I just couldn't think in this state, and it was now close to midnight.      "Spike, we really need to get some sleep. We have a lot of preparations to attend to..." He nodded weakly and climbed up the stairs and into his basket, falling into a fitful sleep. He let out whimpers as his nightmares took him. I smiled in sorrow, and climbed into bed. The soft and warm mattress soon had me in the world of dreams as well. ~    ~    ~     I woke with a start, a small reptilian form curled up next to me. Poor little guy...to lose some of his best friends, and than possibly have been their killer...I couldn't imagine what his young heart had gone through.      I climbed out of bed, making sure not to wake the sleeping draconic form. I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen, fixing myself a simple daisy sandwich. I took my food to the living room and sat quietly, eating my sandwich and thinking. As I was getting up, a knock at the door startled me.      I groaned, and shouted "We're closed today."      "I'm pretty sure I Co-own this library..." A very familiar voice responded from the other side of the door.      My jaw hit the floor. I bolted to the door and flung it open. "p-prin....Princess Luna?! What are you doing here?" I stammered, unsure what the Mistress of the Moon was doing on my doorstep. My thoughts suddenly flashed to the emotional dragon upstairs, and I took deep breaths to calm myself. I had to protect him until  I could really prove his innocence.     "Our sister sent us to check on, and help with thi-..." Luna cleared her throat, and softened her voice. "Your, preparations."      I had to think fast, I couldn't be rude to the Princess, but I just couldn't let her in at that time. So I did what any crazed mare would do...I shoved the problem onto my friends.     "Uhm, all good here Princess! Try Pinkie Pie's! Yeah, I'm sure she'd love the help!" My smile probably could've been more convincing, but hey, it worked.      "Ooookay...Tell us if you need anything Twilight, We'll...err...I, shall be here until tomorrow evening. Good luck!" She spread her wings and flew off towards Sugarcube Corner as I slammed the door shut and slouched down in relief.      I spent five minutes sitting there, collecting myself, before heading towards the bathroom for a much needed shower, as my mane and coat were an absolute mess. I put some bubbles in the bath, deciding I needed some time to relax, after all, it was very important to keep calm at time's like these.  ~    ~    ~    ~    ~          "Spike, are you awake yet?" No answer as I stepped out of the bathroom, finally fresh and clean. I shrugged and figured I'd let him sleep a bit longer. I realized I hadn't eaten enough earlier so I headed towards the kitchen. I was shocked by the scene when I arrived.     Knives scattered across the floor, and Spike sitting in the middle of them, holding one dripping blood across his forearm as it too bled profusely. I tried to grasp the situation but my mind merely snapped into protective mode. I grabbed the knives in my magic and flung them at the far side of the room, many impaling the wall, as I picked up Spike in my violet glow, and turned around, holding him in front of me as I dashed for the door.      Flinging it open  I sprinted out, dashing down the street, not even bothering to shut the door behind me. Spike was going unconcious fast and the Hospital was clear on the other side of town.       As I went sprinting by the Corner, a dark Alicorn disappearing inside made me shout after her.  "Princess!!!" I shouted as loud as I could. The midnight lunar Princess spun around, and her eyes widened as she took in the sight.  My mane had frazzled out and the panicked look about me further cemented the scene. She immediately took the small dragon from my magical grasp.  "Meet me there!" she breathed as she sprang into the sky. I stood there panting a moment more before running off again, suddenly joined by a pink blur, and than swept off my feet as she pushed me ahead of her.  "no time to explain, grab some wheels!" I found a wagon beneath me suddenly, as she somehow managed to make it to the hospital quickly, despite her extra load.  I climbed off slightly dazed, and was met at the door by Nurse Redheart's calm but distraught smile. My heart dropped to my stomach.  "The Princess arrived a few minutes ago and Spike is in ICU...he's...he..." She choked up for a moment. "we think he is comatose..."  Buck my luck.