She was in a void of complete darkness, Rarity’s hoofsteps echoed unnaturally loud through the emptiness. Rarity continued to trot along, not heading in any particular direction. When she had left the tunnel of light Rarity had no idea where she was, but somehow she knew, a feeling deep inside Rarity told her exactly where she was. The darkness then began to shift around her, a few shapes blurring into existence. Rarity could make out at least two of them, a patch of the darkness melted away taking the form of a room. It was Rarity’s old room from when she was a little filly. The two figures began to move around, till their blurred images came into focus, Spike and Sweetie Belle. What in the world are they doing in my room!!?

Sweetie Belle seemed worried, and so did Rarity. She quickly rushed to the dragon’s side and was about to comfort him, but as soon as she tried to touch him Rarity’s hoof passed through Spike. Rarity made several attempts at trying to hug or at this point, grab the baby dragon, but each attempt was met with the same results. Finally she gave up and allowed the scene to play out. Sweetie Belle trotted next to Spike and put a comforting hoof his shoulder. Oh right, she can touch him!

“And Twilight, and Bright Blade, and everypony else…I mean, UGH, I want to help but what can I do,” said Spike.

“I know – believe me I know, but what can we do? It’s not like we can transform like Bright Blade can,” said Sweetie Belle.

It was then that Spike seemed to perk up, as if he just had an epiphany. Spike then turned around and grabbed Sweetie Belle by the shoulders, drawing her in so that they were staring each other in the eyes. “That’s it Sweetie Belle, that’s it!” Spike said.

“What’s it Spike,” asked Sweetie Belle, a bit concerned by the baby dragon’s sudden mood change.

With that Spike ran out the door, leaving the little unicorn very confused, and very concerned. Rarity only watched from a distance, “What did you figure out,” she whispered to herself. The scene faded away, falling apart like sand sliding off the side of a table. Rarity turned around to witness a new scene forming behind her. She was now in the library, Twilight’s, BB’s, and Spike’s home. Rarity saw leaning towers of books stacked all over the floor. Shelves emptied of their contents, and scattered about. This wasn’t an unfamiliar sight, Rarity was used to Twilight having copious amounts of books littering the floor and everywhere else, such was her MO whenever she was studying or looking up something. Rarity carefully navigated the mess, both fighting the urge to tidy up, and avoiding the large stacks that looked like they would collapse at the slightest touch.

Rarity accidentally touched one of the stacks and winced in preparation of being buried, but to her surprise nothing. Rarity again touched the stack, her hoof passed right through it. Of course, I’m like a ghost here, I can’t affect anything and in turn nothing can interact with me, she thought. With that bit of news Rarity walked through all the stacks, like a specter passing through walls, searching for any sign of Spike. She finally located him sitting in an easy chair that Twilight set aside for him, pouring over one book after another, and chucking them over the side with a frustrated grunt. “A whole bunch of spells on changing the way you look, but even if I find the right spell it’s not like I could actually cast it! Hmph, maybe I should ask Sweetie Belle, or maybe Dinky,” pondered Spike.

Spike picked up another book and skimmed through it. “Oh forget it I’ll never figure it out!” Spike then threw the book at one of the shelves, which then ricocheted off the shelf and knocked against a stack of books behind the chair. The tower of books crumbled all over him, and making him more angry and annoyed then he already was. Spike pushed the pile of books off of him, but then stopped when he saw the title of one of the books on his lap. Rarity got closer in order to read the title. The Travels of Star Swirl the Bearded: My Time amongst the Beasts. Spike opened to the glossary page and gasped when he saw the title of one of the chapters. The Many Curious Species Known as Dragons.

Spike quickly turned to the page of the chapter. Rarity had to admit she was quite interested in what was in the book as well. The book was written in first person, but as Twilight often told them, Star Swirl the Bearded was a skilled magician and was meticulous in his research. The book spoke of Star Swirl visiting a very interesting type of dragon, one that was different from the other species. They seemed to be a bit more intelligent than other dragons, and seemed to have the ability to manipulate magical energies. Star Swirl goes into further detail and recounts that one of the dragons had purple and green scales, and had the uncanny ability to shape shift on command.

The dragon had difficulty becoming another living thing; he explained that dragons had an easier time changing their appearance to things such as rocks, trees, and sometimes could become one with water. But after training and direction, the young dragon was able to finally change his form into a pony like myself. Needless to say that I was surprised and fascinated by such an ability. Unfortunately the young lad could only maintain his form, and was only able to hold it for more than two hours. I very much believe that with proper time and training these dragons might be able to maintain such a form for longer periods of time.

It couldn’t be!? Twilight had told Rarity about how she had stayed up all night trying to find anything remotely related to Spike. Upon further thought their search was more related to dragons, and not of ancient pony sorcerers. “I-I can’t believe it, there were dragon’s like me long ago, and right under our noses!” Spike quickly scanned the book once again and put it down. Rarity noticed a new found confidence on the baby dragon’s face; Spike then jumped off the chair and rummaged through a pile of books that was sitting on the floor. Rarity watched as Spike picked up a book entitled Mystical Mysticisms: A Guide to Practical Magic for Beginning Magicians. “Let’s hope Star Swirl the Bearded wasn’t full of hot air when he wrote that,” Spike flinched, as if expecting to be hit with some invisible divine force.

The scene shifted for a third time and Rarity once again found herself standing in the library again. Spike seemed to be standing in front of a mirror; Spike then released a plume of dragon fire which then transformed him into a brawny earth pony stallion. He turned around, admiring himself from every angle and saying “Looking good Spike, lookin’ real good.” Rarity couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle, finding the baby dragon’s show of vanity amusing.

Unfortunately the form didn’t last too long, the pony transformation dispersed in the same manner as when Rarity saw it. Having returned to his original form Spike grunted, peeved that the form didn’t last longer. “Ugh, been at this for a month now and I still can’t get it down. What am I doing wrong,” said Spike as he thumbed through the book Rarity saw in the last memory. Apparently some time had passed since Spike found the book on Star Swirl the Bearded. “Okay… ‘When performing a spell that involves changing ones appearance it sometimes helps to concentrate on something specific, something that drives you to want to hold your transformation. Such things are, but not limited to, a want, a need, a purpose, or even somepony.’ Somepony huh,” Spike closed his eyes and released another plume of fire. This time Spike had transformed into a pony she knew well, Fire Heart. “It worked, it worked!” Spike waited for a few minutes before celebrating any further. It seemed to be stable, “Yes, man if Rarity could see me now,” Spike stopped admiring himself and trotted to the window.

Rarity knew that look, the look of wanting and worry. She watched as Spike’s mouth moved, whispering a name, she didn’t need to hear it since Rarity already had a good idea who it was Spike named. The scenes then shifted more rapidly. The next one showed Spike continuing to practice his metamorphosis. Another scene flashed by in which Spike was writing a letter. The letter that I first got, Rarity thought. It shifted again and showed Spike contacting and besieging Princess Celestia about joining the army.

The scenes then shifted once more, showing events that have recently transpired Spike’s arrival at Fort Valor, talking to Rarity, and Derpy’s arrival. Then she saw the letters he wrote to her, and to which she wrote back. Rarity then saw Pinkie Pie making a promise not to say anything about his transformation. When this is over Pinkie Pie you and I shall have some serious words, thought Rarity. Then came the night of their date, Spike’s brawl with Blueblood, and the argument that followed of which she sorely regretted. That’s when things got interesting, through his eyes she watched as Spike wandered the forest not knowing where he was going. He then stopped to catch his breath, slumping up against a tree, his eyes stinging with tears. The moment Rarity saw that she was instantly filled with hate for herself, all she could do was yell and argue with the baby dragon, not even bothering to let him explain his position.

“Stupid Rarity, apologize to Blueblood!? And was what I did so bad!? Okay yes I did lie to her, but I was going to tell Rarity! Maybe not tonight, but I was before anything really serious happened!” Spike then got up and began to claw at the tree, ripping off the bark and leaving small gashes in the tree, taking out his anger and frustration on the century’s old oak tree. Eventually he tired himself out, panting hard; Spike then fell to his knees crying. Rarity had to resist the urge to comfort the baby dragon and tell him how sorry she was, but her words would be wasted, for this was a shadow of the past.

Suddenly something drifted past Spike, a glowing orb of light. Spike opened his eyes, fascinated by the small glowing sphere. Then more orbs of light started to gather around him, illuminating the darkness of the forest. “Dear dragon, why are you so sad,” they asked in unison.

“We are the Sprites, long have we lived in the forests of Hoofshire, seeing many a creature pass through, but tell us, why do soil the ground with tears of sadness,” they asked.

“I-I don’t want to talk about it,” said Spike, depression heavy in his voice.

“You are not the first to have entered the forest; many have passed through, hearts heavy with sorrow. Come, follow us,” said the Sprites. The scene shifted once more, the Sprites had led Spike deep into the woods. Rarity was sure that they were definitely far from the fort and Hoofshire for that matter. The Sprites stopped in the middle of a clearing, a stone slab laid in the center. Some of the Sprites broke off from Spike and flew towards the slab. The Sprites united together and formed a bright light; within the light was a beautiful green gem. Spike’s eyes grew wide, his dragon instincts kicking in as he licked his chops at the sight of it. “This is a special gemstone, with magical properties. Place it to your heart and speak aloud the name of the one you love. The gem will then allow you to take the form which will allow you to be with your love,” said the Sprites.

“Y-you mean that that thing can turn me into a-a pony, a unicorn pony,” asked Spike.

“Yes, but only if your love is strong, you cannot waver once it starts, the form you choose will be yours forever,” warned the Sprites.

Spike hesitated for a moment, possibly considering the consequences of what would happen if he chose this course of action. Spike furrowed his brow and ran up to the gemstone. He quickly swiped the gem and placed it to his heart. Rarity gasped as she realized that she recognized the gemstone, it was the same as the one the Dark Dragon had! “Spike no, don’t do it, throw it away now!” Rarity shouted with all her might.

Spike pressed the gemstone to his heart and called out her name, “Rarity…!” The gemstone pulsed with power, and coursed through Spike’s very being. That’s when it all went wrong. The gemstone then began to meld with Spikes body, embedding itself in the dragon’s skin. Spike fell to his knees in pain, clutching at the crystal where his heart was. Spike watched as his scales began to turn black as night, grunting in pain as his body began to grow rapidly without any thought of how much it was hurting the baby dragon. “AAAAAAHHHHHH!!! It hurts, why – what – what did I do wrong!!!?? Help me!!!” he called out.

The Sprites appeared in front him. They then combined into one, creating a blinding flash of light. What stood before Spike was none other than the master of mischief himself, the Spirit of Chaos, Discord. “Ha, ha, ha, I can’t believe you actually fell for that whole ‘You’ll be together with your true love crap!’ I mean c’mon how gullible can you be,” laughed the draconequess, wrapping his arms around his stomach, his sides hurting from his laughing so hard.

“Ah who cares about the why!? It’s all about the chaos my boy, all about the chaos! Can you imagine the look on sweet Rarity’s face when she realizes who it is they’re fighting,” Discord chuckled, reveling in the ensuing mayhem that was soon to come.

The void of darkness returned, no more scenes of memories were being played out before her. The only thing that was left was to feel, the emotions that radiated from the darkness that penetrated Rarity’s heart. Sadness, anger, and something else…something familiar, love? Yes that was it, it was love. Grenat, the crystal that Rarity had used earlier floated by her, it then shot a beam into the darkness that lit up a point far in the distance. She did not hesitate, Rarity galloped at full speed.

As she drew closer to her destination she was able to make out a lit space. A scared and lonely baby dragon, curled up into a fetal position, crying, was lying there on the makeshift solid ground of light. Rarity slowly approached him, careful as to not disturb the surroundings. If this was indeed the real Spike she had been searching for then she did not want to cause something to happen within the dragon’s soul. “It’s good to finally see you, Spikey,” said Rarity.

Spike stopped crying and dared to look at who had said his name. With a shocked expression he called out, “Rarity!” Spike got up and began to rush towards her but stopped abruptly. “Wait…is it really you…!? No – no way! Y-you can’t be in here! Discord haven’t you messed with my head enough –!?”

Rarity drew Spike into a hug, radiating as much comfort and love as she could. Spike struggled for a few moments, but after a while he gave up, surrendering himself to her embrace. “It is me Spike, this isn’t a trick at all,” said Rarity.

Spike broke the embrace and kept his back turned. “I’m…I’m sorry Rarity. Y-you gotta believe me I really didn’t mean to hurt you, or humiliate you! I just wanted you to see how much I loved you, without thinking about that I was a dragon, or that I wasn’t a pony,” said Spike.

“I’m sorry too Spike, I didn’t realize how much work you put into doing what you did. And…” Rarity sighed, “You were right…this isn’t easy for me to say, but you were right. I was afraid, I always saw you as a baby dragon, but there also were times when I saw you, times when I thought ‘Can he really be a baby dragon?’ And now after I’ve seen your memories –”

“Well I did, and thanks to that I’m finally able to see the real you,” said Rarity, placing her hoof to Spike’s cheek.

Suddenly a large bellowing laugher echoed through the darkness. Rarity took a defensive stance, ready to attack what lay within the shadows. Spike cringed behind her, knowing exactly what was lurking beyond their vision. The shadows coiled and slithered, a pair of red eyes staring at them as it circled both Spike and Rarity. “The real Spike, HA, if you want to see the real Spike then look no further.” The Dark Dragon brought its head into the light, the green gemstone glowing in its chest.

“Oh yes I am, I am the essence of all dragons, I am greed,” said the Dark Dragon.

“No, because our love for you is greed. Your love for us is just another form of greed, and the more we want something the stronger we get!” said the Dark Dragon.

“Grenat!!!” The crystal reappeared next to Rarity and fired a beam of purple light at the evil persona. The crystal on the dragon’s chest glowed and fired its own beam in retaliation. The two beams collided and cancelled each other out. “How is that even possible,” gasped Rarity.

The Dark Dragon laughed again and in one swift motion grabbed Rarity in its right claw. Spike cried out for him put her down, he didn’t listen. “Heh, heh, heh, Rarity unicorn, Element of Generosity, within this space we are the stronger. Your Element is a joke, generosity, but that’s alright, not every treasure a dragon possesses is perfect,” said the evil persona.

Spike couldn’t take it anymore, “Let her go!” Spike yelled. Something clicked inside of him, something primal, a want, a need to protect. “I said…” Spike’s body began to tremble; Rarity and the Dark Dragon looked down at him. “LET HER GOOOOOOOOOOO,” he roared.

Spike’s body became a raging inferno of green dragon fire. In that instant, Spike had transformed into his true adult dragon form. Spike balled up his right claw into a fist and delivered an uppercut to his evil side’s jaw. The Dark Dragon let go of Rarity and Spike quickly rescued her, cupping her gently in his large claws. Rarity looked up into his large green slit eyes, worry and concern filled her heart. Was this the real Spike, or just another version of his dragon greed? “S-Spike is that you,” she asked.

“Rarity, this is something I have to do on my own, leave before he traps you in here. Or worse…” said Spike, his tone more mature, but still a bit young.

“I love you, Rarity,” With a puff of dragon fire, Spike banished Rarity from the deepest pits of his soul. Leaving Spike alone, with his alter ego, the two began to size each other up. Spike tensed his muscles, the Dark Dragon cracking his knuckles. Their flames spilled out from their maws, “Ready…!?”

By the time she realized what happened Rarity was back on the battlefield. She turned her head around at the sounds of battle going on behind her. The army had gotten closer then she thought. Pinkie Pie was using her cannons to fire streamers at the incoming UEA troops. They got tangled up in the streamers, wrapped up in the colorful strands. Up above Captain Ballista and her squadron were doing their best to disable their fellow pegasi, being extremely careful not to kill or injure any of them.

Fluttershy’s Drakon avatar was still doing its best to hold onto the Dark Dragon, but for some reason the creature went silent. Its body gave the occasional spasm or two, but as far as she could tell their friend was offering no resistance. Spike you foal, why did you do that!!? I could’ve helped you! “There has to be a way to get back in there!” Rarity shouted. Suddenly the Dark Dragon began to thrash around violently, spewing violet flames in every direction, and roaring its lungs out. The Drakon avatar let go of its prey and quickly slithered away, giving the rampaging beast room to expend its energy. “Fluttershy what are you doing!? Keep him restrained,” ordered Rarity.

Within the depths of Spike’s soul, a fierce battle was being waged. Both Spike and his evil persona were tearing each other apart. Both their scales stained crimson red with blood. Spike lunged at his dark side, and bit its shoulder. The evil dragon roared in pain, retaliating by raking its sharp claws against Spike’s back, piercing his hide and digging into the tender flesh beneath. Spike let go as the pain became too much, the Dark Dragon then bit Spike’s neck, then threw him like a rag doll. Spike rolled and skidded across the solid darkness, his blood splattering, marking the way. The Dark Dragon ran after him, not wanting to give his quarry time to recover. Spike saw what was coming and, despite the pain coming from his punctured neck, blew out his dragon fire, effectively creating a fire wall between him and his evil side. The Dark Dragon backed up, not wanting to be seared by the flames of his good side. That brief moment allowed Spike to gain back some of his strength. Rising up, growling at the dark half of his soul. The two halves were panting hard, out of breath; Spike’s body was shaking from the wounds. Unfortunately the dark half seemed unfazed by its injury’s, almost as if it were used to pain.

“Have you not figured it out!? The reason why you remain in that childlike form is because you deny my existence, denying your natural greed is what keeps you bound! Our mind may get older and sharper, but our body will remain the same unless you accept our power – this power!” The Dark Dragon pointed at the gemstone lodged in his chest.

With a heavy sigh Spike let a tear run down the side of his face. “I know, I’ve always known, ever since I first changed….But if giving into that part of myself means I become like you – then I’d rather stay as a baby dragon,” proclaimed Spike.

The two dragons charged each other, at the last minute they reared up, putting their weight on their hind legs. Spike and the Dark Dragon locked their claws together, grappling in a contest of strength. “I won’t allow us to stay a weak and pathetic creature, even if I have to kill you to do it!” The Dark Dragon began to force its weight and power down, making Spike back up as the Dark Dragon stared him down.

“Funny, because I feel the same way about you!!!” Spike drew back his head and delivered a devastating head-butt to his evil side’s skull. Spike’s head pounded with pain, a headache quickly forming and pulsing through his brain, but he didn’t let up. Spike then unleashed a blast of dragon fire right into the eyes of his opponent. Blinded and in pain Spike then reached for the Dark Dragon’s neck, forcing him to the ground, digging his claw into its trachea. He then raised his right claw and wrapped it around the gem in its chest.

The Dark Dragon felt the pain around his gem, and quickly put his claws around Spike’s arm, trying desperately to stop him. “YOU IDIOT!!! Don’t you realize what will happen if you do that!!!???” shrieked the Dark Dragon.

For a while now the Dark Dragon was thrashing around, bellowing fire, roaring, and whipping its tail. Rarity thought that Spike might be going insane, she felt helpless. Rarity tried many times to use Grenat to enter Spike’s mind and soul, but each time it felt like Rarity was hitting a brick wall.

“You can’t enter his mind Rarity, Spike and that thing are fighting inside, we can’t interfere right now,” said Fluttershy.

Rarity directed her gaze towards the Dark Dragon; he stood on its hind legs and moved its right claw over the gemstone, his razor sharp talons digging at the flesh around it with every second. Blood started to drip down his chest, the flow increased with every deep gouge. Rarity was speechless at what she was seeing, from the scenes she saw in Spike’s mind Rarity knew that the gemstone was close to his heart, if Spike kept up what he was doing –! The Dark Dragon looked in Rarity’s direction, its eyes turning green, and a smile winding across his face. With one mighty pull, Spike ripped the gemstone from his chest, blood sprayed profusely from his wound as he roared an unearthly pain filled roar.
All the fighting stopped; every pony stared in the direction of the dragon. Pinkie Pie and Ballista gasped in horror at what they saw and rushed over as fast as they could. The Dark Dragon’s body started to change, the pitch black scales changed to purple, the violet underbelly scales became a light green color. The red eyes returned to green slit ones, as the kind face of the dragon they all knew and loved returned. Spike was back. He looked at his right claw that still held the gemstone, bearing his teeth and growling angrily, Spike crushed the gemstone, shattering it into dozens of pieces. A banshee like shriek echoed as a result of crushing it, to which the noise quickly dissipated. Spike then toppled over, falling to the ground with a giant thud. His body was then enveloped in green flames; once they were gone all that was left was a baby dragon, lying on the ground with a bleeding wound over his heart.

After seeing the young dragons memories, and touching upon the feelings within his soul, Rarity has realized just how much he cares for her, and subsequently how much she cares for him. Now after winning the battle with his inner demon Spike has finally returned to normal. But at what cost…

War in Equestria: The Tale of Bright Blade

by Michael_Ravencroft

Chapter 20