In the badlands, Spike and Vux are walking through the big city again. The same city they met at; Death Vally. Spike sighed, since he remember he got so angry he literally killed a Griffin. What he didn't understand was how he didn't feel guilt. He did understand that some dragons don't have guilt, but Spike was raised by ponies, so he should feel something! But he doesn't. 'I guess that all my anger and frustration just bolted out of me.' Spike thought, to himself.
Spike and Vux where walking down an street that is known for criminal activity. Spike didn't know this at first, but this is where he had been the first time. He was guaranteed because he saw the blood of the Griffin still on the ground. The body had been moved, but the blood was still there as an reminder of what had happened. Spike for some odd reason, smiled at it. He didn't know why, he wasn't at the moment in control of his mouth.
Vux saw this and looked at him in wonder. Spike saw this and immediately put on a straight face. While Spike was in his own little world. Vux was lost in her thoughts about what was going on to her master. It is true that some dragons don't feel guilt, but Spike was raised by ponies so he should without a doubt, feel those emotions. Then again, he is in the badlands, the very place that can make the kindest pony into the most haunting killer. No one who lives in the badlands has ever been the same when they have returned to their homes. Vux remember her early days when she was a young Changeling, she had defected from her hive, and she had fled to the badlands, the only place that accepts every creature no matter how 'evil' they may be.
Spike was thinking about everything that has happened to him the last few days. He had been banished, he had killed a Griffin for laughing at him, he had gained an follower or friend, he wore an basilisk armor that is unbeatable and unbreakable, he also got an sword that will be unbeatable in whatever war he starts in the future. Spike smiled an surprised smile, how in Tartarus could this happen in two days? Spike had no idea, but he didn't mind. He was happy the Crystal Ponies were loyal to him, it just proves that they will fight for him. But he doesn't want them to get hurt.
They reached an place that looked to be in relative good condition, but it was definitely not the definition of 'safe' nonetheless, they still went inside. The building looked completely abandoned, much to their shock. The floors looked like they had built an underground level, because they saw an trap door of sorts. Spike and Vux shrugged because they would most likely check that out later.
There was an staircase that lead upstairs to the second floor. When Spike thought of it, he never bothered to check how many floors there were. He shrugged, and decided to explore everything anyways. On the second floor, was many doors that had a bunch of different rooms that contained clothing, weapons, snacks, water all the essentials for survival. Spike then opened the last room, he immediately drew his blade. In the middle of the room was an dead mare with light blue fur, and turquoise mane and tail. Her cutiemark had been burnt so Spike couldn't tell what her profession was. That wasn't the reason he drew his blade. No, he drew his blade because he saw an Minotaur eating her!
The Minotaur had black fur, and had black pants. His back was turned, so the Minotaur didn't see him. The Minotaur did though, hear the sword sound and turned around. The Minotaur looked at Spike more terrified than Fluttershy. Spike didn't give him a chance, he swung his sword and cut the Minotaurs head clean of. The head fell to the floor, rolling for a few seconds and stopping at a position as if it was looking at Spike with the terrified gaze. The rest of the body had fallen forward towards Spike who let it happen. Spike then out of anger kicked the head. He didn't feel anger because of what he had done, he felt anger because of the betrayal. Fancy Pants was literally there! How could they not believe that?
Spike looked at his sword and put it into his blade. He walked out of the room and went up to the third floor, and it seemed to be the finale floor also. Spike was met with an horrible stench. Just like the room on the second floor but it wasn't noticeable. Then again, it did look fresh so that could be it. He kicked in the first door he laid his eyes on, and was surprised to see an giant spider. The spider had six eyes and eight legs. The spider looked at Spike and showed its sharp hand like things. Spike was unfazed and sliced its face, making it let out an blood curdling scream. Spike then sliced the brain of the spider. At least he believed it to be the brain. The spider died and Spike let out an cackle that sounded maniacal.
It didn't give much of a fight, but Spike had to admit that it was most likely because he was a bit to powerful. He needed a worthy foe. He decided to find Vux and it didn't take long, since he had grunts from fighting. He was on the first floor and looked at an kitchen-like area. He walked in there and saw the the whole kitchen was a mess. There were several kitchen material that were scattered around the room and knifes had been thrown apparently. Spike walked into the cooler room where meats were hanging. He saw Vux strangling another giant spider. Spike walked forward and cut the brain of the spider making it let out a scream. Vux looked at him with an surprised expression.
"Why did you do that?" Vux asked, curious.
"You were gonna kill it anyways. Besides, I think these are acromantula meaning their meat will be valuable. That is if you need bits?" Spike asked, sounding genuinely confused and not mocking.
"Yes or course, I was just surprised is all." Vux said, making Spike nod.
Spike used his sword to cut of the legs and head. He worked with the main body to gather the meat. When he was done he gathered it and went to the second floor to do the same process. After that, they head through the city to find a meat store that sold all kinds of meat. They found one called 'The Beast Meat.' Spike wondered if the pun was intended or not. He shrugged and walked inside. He saw the several meats that were on display. Then a tired Hippogriff walked out and froze when she saw Spike. She immediately bowed in his presence and rose when he spoke.
"Hello young one, I was wondering if you sold or took Acromantula meat?" Spike asked, making her eyes go wide.
"Ye-yes. Although, nopony or creature has ever been able to kill it an be able to sell the meat. Since its an rare meat I'll be willing to pay a full three thousand bits." The Hippogriff said, making Spike nod. He knew that this type of meat was expensive and he didn't expect anything less.
"Well, here you go." Spike said, handing her themeat while she pulled out an sack of bits.
Spike bowed to her making her eyes go wide and he walked out of the store. Vux was a little surprised by the amount of bits but shrugged it of. They walked through the city, making sure to keep their distance. Spike wanted to buy an apartment or house. If not, he'd use the money he earned to build his castle. Since he is seen as a lord for simply wearing basilisk armor, he'd probably would only have to show them a description and they would work day and night so he could have a home. Vux though, knew he wasn't like that. He wanted workers to relax and not overwork like a lot of creatures did. Spike all of a sudden felt an rush and he looked into an direction he felt it from.
At a far distance away, was smoke and dust from the ground. It came closer and closer towards Spike and Vux, until Spike slashed it with his sword. He looked down at his sword and saw all of the blood. He looked to his right and saw two slices of a body bleeding out. The creatures around them held their breath as they saw the armored creature bend down, to look at the creature.
Spike saw that to his surprise, was an pegasus foal. He looked around, but didn't see any pony that was there from either tribe. Spike then shook his head, he wasn't gonna clean up his mess so he left. Second time he killed an speaking creature, not that Spike cared. Of course, he did feel guilt for killing an foal, but it came at an speed, Spike thought it was an enemy!
Vux had wide eyes from the event, and was looking at Spike as if he'd lost it. Spike finally noticed the stare and looked at her. She stopped and realized that he'd seen her look at him. She wanted to ask why he did it, but she knew she already had the answer to that.
"Spike, why did you hurt that foal?" Vux asked, sounding sad. Luckily, they were in a sort of allyway so they didn't have to worry about any creature listening in. And the ones that saw the event would be to scared to say anything.
Spike sighed. He knew that this would be questioned. Not that he minded it. "Because I thought it was an enemy." Spike said, sounding sad. Spike and Vux looked at each other and didn't say anything. "I didn't hurt it. I killed it."
The foal had pinkish grey coat, and had pale, light grayish arctic blue and light arctic bluish gray. The foals eyes had been closed, so Spike didn't see the eye colour. Not that it mattered, she is dead.
"It was an 'she' Spike, not an 'it'." Vux said, not sounding angry or disapproving.
Spike only nodded his head, and started walking in an direction. The buildings had different woods that held everything together, but it looked like it would fall at any given moment. Vux followed Spike into an ally that had one shop that just said; "Magic" which didn't specify what type of magic it was. Vux suspected it to be dark magic. Spike walked inside the shop and started looking for dark magic books.
The owner of the shop walked out and froze when he saw Spike. Spike looked at him and gave him a bow, making the shop owner stumble back in shock. Vux only sighed, it seemed his tale about killing a Griffin was spreading. Spike walked up to the owner.
"Do you have any dark magic books for dragons?" Spike asked, making the owner nod frantically.
"Yes yes, I have at least ten different ones. You can get them all if you'd like?" The shop owner proposed. Spike though about it, and eventually nodded in approval.
The shop owner left through the back and searched low and high to find the books. Spike and Vux were discussing how they were gonna take over their so called government. Only problem was, the badlands didn't have any sort of government, so Spike could easily rule it with an iron claw if he so wished.
The shop owner came back with the books, and Spike tried to pay but the shop owner said it was for free. Spike had sighed, and thanked the shop owner. They had then quickly left, and started walking towards an area that was secluded so they could start reading. They eventually found an secluded spot, and Spike started reading the books. Vux were also reading the books just to see what dragons could do and to say she was impressed was an understatement. Dragons apparently, were the first creatures that had magic, but it had soon died out. Spike didn't say how he knew dragons had magic, but Vux suspected it had to do something with his old life.
Twilight was inside her castle, looking through her foto album. She was tired of seeing Spike in some of them, sometimes she would rip pictures apart simply because Spike was in the picture. She was to disgusted to see that murderer.
Applejack and Rainbow where working together on the farm, while Twilight was gonna help out later. Applejack still believed that Spike was as guilty as an rotten apple, and Rainbow even helped her support that claim. Rarity was to disgusted to think about Spike, and had stopped talking to Pinkie and Fluttershy all together.
Discord was currently not speaking to Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash because of what they had said and done to Spike. He was helping Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to help bring Spike back home, a d so far his help was helping. Fancy Pants had in recent times started acting superior towards ponies that believed Spike was guilty. The other ponies didn't understand what Fancy Pants was doing, standing up for a beast? Fancy Pants had started discriminating anypony that looked down at Spike or even spit his name in any way.
Cadence was having so much trouble controlling the Crystal Ponies. They demand that they cut all ties with princess Celestia, and start looking for Spike The Brave And Glorious to bring him to the Crystal Empire. Cadence, was stunned on what to do. She did know where he is, but she couldn't obviously do much since the Crystal Empire is counted in a way like Equestria, so she wasn't sure whether Spike could live in the empire or not.
Every single Crystal Pony and even some guards had started several violent protest against those who saw their hero as a villain. The organisations like Spike's Liberation Front and Spike's Republican Youths had started several gang wars against those who weren't followers of Spike's innocence. Meaning, those who believed Spike was guilty either ended up dead or bluemarks.
Shining Armor hadn't said anything about what he thought about Spike. He in fact, looked at Spike differently now. He didn't hate Spike, he wanted to find him, but if it is true that he killed Fleur De Lis then he don't know what he'd do.
Spike had read finished all of the books that he had gotten, and he had a blank face. Not that his face even was visible to begin with. Spike picked up his books and walked towards an open area. He started thinking about a castle with large black stones that made the castle look terrifying, and guard posts. When he opened his eyes after closing them to make sure his castle would be perfect, he saw the front gate and the guard posts around the castle.
Spike smiled an evil smile. Now was the time to rule the badlands with an iron claw.