//------------------------------// // One Month // Story: My Little Pony: Exiles of the Empire // by Hikarikurai24587 //------------------------------// Chapter Twenty: One Month Spike looked up at Anakin after Rainbow Dash’s question had been spoken. He saw the pain in his eyes and was worrying for Hallow Glow. Anakin swallowed before answering. “It's just too dangerous to go after her right now with things being like it is. We barely were able to deal with Grievous alone, going back to rescue her would be suicide. All we have to do is hope that she will be alright." Rainbow Dash was about to say something when Celestia spoke. “General Skywalker is right, we will do our best to locate Hallow Glow, but our top priority is being prepared for the next attack.” “Do you think that Grievous will attack again?” Spike asked, looking at Anakin concern in his eyes. "I wouldn't put it past him to try again. But now that we know what we're up against we'll be more prepared next time. Also Spike...I think it would be a good idea for us to spend more time getting you trained up. I can still sense sadness and fear, you must learn to control your emotions or else you could go down a dark path." Anakin responded looking down at Spike. Spike nodded his head as Fluttershy spoke up. “How about counselling? I think a lot of ponies need help working through their grief and Silver Shine showed that it does help. Working through the sadness, understanding that moments like these do happen, knowing that there are others, and having someone willing to listen helps a lot.” Anakin knelt down in front of Fluttershy and gave her a friendly pet on the head. "That's a good idea Fluttershy. However, it will take a bit more than that. As a Force user it's more...complicated." “Well, how do you expect him to get through this?” Applejack asked, looking at Anakin and Fluttershy looked at Spike. “Everyone has lost someone and they work through it in their own way, it ain’t healthy bottlin’ it all up. How much more is there?” "He won't bottle it up, I promise. I expect him to get through it because well…" Anakin paused as he looked down at Spike. "He reminds me so much of myself. I believe I can train him well." “Then you believe in yourself.” Celestia told him as she approached finally having gotten the chain off of her. “We trust in you, remember that.” "I will and thank you Princess." Anakin responded back with a bow. He turned back to look at Spike as he said. "For now let us get some rest, I would rather after today we do that so we're better prepared. I'll meet you in the training room in the morning." “Yes Master.” Spike said moving away to his room, only hearing a single question from Rarity. “Do you wish for me to provide you with training outfits?” Spike laid in his room, having trouble sleeping, he missed his old room all of his pictures and his own bed. He rolled over his eyes glued to the wall as he yawned. “Come on Spike… you can get to sleep. All it takes... is….” Spikes eyes closed as he began to drift off to sleep. He was glad that Anakin had been with him on Odessen making sure that he was sleeping properly. Yet when he had his own room, Spike hadn’t been getting a restful sleep. He would start thinking of Twilight or the battle that claimed her. Now he had to deal with the fact that a pony had been taken and two more had been killed. He covered his face with a pillow before letting out a frustrated groan. He sat up before opening the door seeing the lights dimmed and Luna’s new night guard on patrol. He shut the door and climbed back into bed curling into himself as he closed his eyes. The next morning came and Spike didn’t feel like he slept at all. He walked out trying to find his way to the mess hall but he could barely keep his eyes open. That’s when it hit him that he should have been going to the training room. So he turned around to find his way to a lift to get to the right floor. He didn’t know how he managed it but after the third try he found himself on the level he needed to be at. Spike sighed as he made his way to the training room and pressed the button to open the door. Frustration began to rise when the door didn’t open and he almost slammed his hand against… the wall. Spike looked up, pressed the button, and walked in hiding a yawn. Anakin was sitting cross legged in the middle of the room meditating. "Spike." “Good morning.... Is it morning?” Spike yawned, blinking tiredly. “I’m sorry, I tried to get to sleep but it doesn’t feel like I’ve slept at all.” "It was a long day yesterday, I don't even feel like I got enough sleep myself. Regardless, we must begin our training. Sit in front of me Padawan." Anakin instructed as he gestured to the spot. Spike moved in front of Anakin and sat down. He kept his hands in his lap trying not to rub at his eyes. "Close your eyes and tell me how you're feeling emotionally. Remember that I can sense if you're lying or not." Anakin instructed again, looking at Spike. Spike closed his eyes as he looked inwards. “Angry, frustrated, tired, helpless, sad, lonely, I miss home but home won’t be the same without Twilight.” "Stand up Padawan." Anakin told Spike as he stood up himself. Spike stood up keeping his eyes glued onto the floor. "Good, now take my lightsaber and activate it." Anakin took his lightsaber out and handed it to Spike. Spike took the lightsaber almost dropping it at how big and heavy it was. He did manage to shift his stance until it was more comfortable before he asked. “How do you activate it?” He had seen Anakin use it but never seen how it was used. Anakin knelt down and pointed to a switch on the lightsaber. "Just move this switch and it will activate." Anakin pointed out as he got back up and stood in his previous position. Spike did as he was told, managing to not jump when the lightsaber was activated. He sniffed a bit before looking at the hilt asking. “Is there a gem or crystal in there?” "Yes. It's known as a Kyber Crystal. They're special crystals infused with the Force. When Padawans set out to build their first lightsaber, the crystals are what actually choose the wielder, not the other way around." Anakin explained. Spike’s stomach growled a bit but he knew that these crystals were much more special than any regular gem. He couldn’t eat them, Spike sighed asking. “So these crystals… know when the right wielder comes along? What if your lightsaber is destroyed? Does the crystal survive?” "It depends. Sometimes the crystal survives and if it doesn't, the Jedi seek out a new one. Now, are you ready?" Anakin asked as he took a stance. Spike blinked a bit in confusion before asking. “Ready for what exactly?” "Attack me." Anakin said suddenly. Spike felt like his feet were glued to the ground. He bit his lip for a bit before deciding to trust in Anakin and swung the saber towards him. Anakin dodged the attack with ease as he said. "Again." Spike repeated the motion not sure what this was supposed to help with. Anakin dodged as he said once more. "Again, this time in your mind think about what you want to protect the most." The words got to Spike, he wanted to always be the hero and protect the beautiful pony, yet now… now it was different. He wanted to just protect, protect everyone on the ship, to help protect Twilight’s memory, he focused on that and swung again. Anakin smiled as he backed away and turned the lightsaber off with the Force. "How did you feel?" “Different, it’s like something I felt before but now it’s something I know I’m supposed to do. I mean I’ve always wanted to be the knight in shining armor, but I never actually thought about what it meant.” Spike explained looking at Anakin before looking down at the lightsaber. "Good, I want you to focus on that. Focus on what you want to protect and not what you have lost." Anakin told Spike as he held out his hand to take the saber back. Spike handed the saber to him before asking. “Was it easy for you?” "No, training to be a Jedi is never easy. You will face challenges and the dark side will tempt you. I won't let you down as a teacher, and I look forward to continuing training you. This month we will focus on utilizing the Force and lightsaber combat by doing more trials similar to what you experienced today. However, they will continue to get harder. Do you think you're ready Padawan?" Anakin asked, kneeling down to look straight at Spike. Spike thought about it before nodding his head saying. “Yeah, can you also tell me more about the Jedi? Not as a lesson, I’m just used to listening to something like that. It could help me sleep.” "Of course Spike. Now, let's go get some grub." Anakin said with a smile, gesturing Spike to follow him. Spike walked after him quickly wondering if they had any gems that he could snack on. The week went by and Spike had just finished another round of training. He was tired, he didn’t really have a lot of experience in holding weapons. Yet he always tried his best.  “Pardon me.” the voice of Frumpy Pumpkin spoke and Spike turned his head seeing her standing there. Spike looked around before moving out of the way. She smiled at him saying. “Your name is Spike, right?” “Yeah.” Spike replied looking a bit confused when she didn’t automatically continue on her way. He noticed some plants and seeds in her aura. “I was hoping you would like to do a spot of gardening with me.” said Frumpy Pumpkin as she smiled at him. “There is something special I would like to do with you.” Spike paused for a moment before following alongside her as they walked towards the large arboretum. It was mostly empty at this point. The ceiling had a massive illusion cast upon it to match the sky. Spike was figuring out why this ship was so large and he figured Discord wanted to do something to keep Fluttershy happy. It was almost like a landscape with large mounds of dirt as big as the rolling hills. ‘In the end though, it’s still a room.’ Spike thought sadly, Frumpy Pumpkin nudged him along as she found an area and began to dig. Spike raised an eyebrow ridge before going to join her asking. “What are you doing?” “Well we lost two ponies in Grievous’ attack, so I decided to honor them.” Frumpy Pumpkin replied looking at Spike. “We lost Rosehips and Pathfinder.” “What do you mean by honor them?” inquired Spike helping her dig a hole, Frumpy Pumpkin brought forward one of the plants she had saying. “Well in my family it is tradition when someone dies to plant something in their honor. A plant to remember them by, we normally use perennials so they can continue to grow. Discord was kind enough to make sure the arboretum had enough dirt to be good for trees. Pathfindy was a father who had a strong bond with his children. He was trying to reach them when he was caught by Grievous  Frumpy Pumpkin took a deep breath as she showed Spike the sapling in her magical aura continuing. “Anyways, for Pathfinder I decided to go with an oak tree. Something strong and sturdy, something to honor him.” “What happened to his wife?” Spike inquired, Frumpy looked down as she began to dig the hole explaining quietly. “According to his report, his wife was killed getting too close to the Imperial encampment. She was trying to figure out what was going on, he tried to keep her away and ran before they could see him. It broke his heart to leave her behind but he knew that if he was caught there would be no one to look after his children.” Spike helped dig the hole in silence. He hadn’t realized that the Empire had already taken a life when they came to Equestria. They did not say anything, they did not even think about it. He began to realize that he was also not thinking about the others who lost their lives or had lost a loved one. “What will happen with his children?” Spike murmured as the sapling was placed in the hole. He began to push the dirt around it and into the hole. “For now, we’re keeping an eye on them. We don’t have much to do with Hallow Glow not around.” Frumpy answered, giving Spike a smile. “Now help me plant this rosebush. I know, typical but roses do not just mean love and romance. Rosehips was more than meets the eye, but she served her princesses well.” Spike nodded his head, deep down he wondered where she was going when she was caught by Grievous. He walked with Frumpy his claws brushing lightly against the leaves of the oak tree. He decided to ask. “What would you want planted to honor you?” “I would like an elm tree, surrounded by my pumpkins.” Frumpy smiled at Spike as she patted him on the head. “In all honesty if my pumpkins were perennial I would like to have them planted instead.” She let out a laugh and Spike joined her feeling just a little bit better. The next week Spike was on the bridge with Anakin. Luna and Celestia were talking with him and Rex about training volunteers to be able to defend themselves better. Especially since they were going to try out the amulets that Hallow Glow had made. They did not know the risks but had asked everyone to report back in with their observations. Since there were few trained soldiers on the ship they had to be prepared for any form of attack. Anakin had warned him that Grievous was not one for staying away. Spike was dreading the day Grievous came back. Grievous did return as the month came to an end. He did not contact them like he had done the last time. His new fighter being swift and agile kept out of turret range. “We should mount an offensive, use our own fighters.” Luna suggested, Anakin shook his head saying. “Knowing Grievous he most likely has a trap set up. One wrong move can put the ponies on this ship in danger.” Luna eyed Anakin but refrained from speaking her mind, instead she chose to ask. “What would you suggest we do?”