//------------------------------//
// The Decision 
// Story: Spike Dorcha 
// by Dragon-In-Black 
//------------------------------//

Spike did not know how long he was inside of that cave. He did not know if it had been days, months or even years. He had no more tears to let go of, he had nothing left to lose anymore. He had made his decision. It was both beneficial but also a stupid decision. 

He was taking option 1. The only reason he was taking it was because he felt like he needed redemption from his wrongdoings. Of course, there was the argument that he had been wronged by the ponies of Equestria. The question was: is he truly innocent after all he had done? 

He had placed creatures into labour camps because they were openly speaking against him which agitated him to no end. Tartarus! even executed some of them. He was a tyrannical ruler of the Badlands nation. He was the King of Badlands and had the worlds most dangerous military. 

Spike’s arms and legs were stretched out as he looked up into the hole in the “Ceiling” as he was thinking about what he had done in over a whole year. He got an armour that was tainted with corruption and he had no idea about it until he was almost dead. 

The air had become better to breathe in as the air was a lot fresher than it had been hours ago. Spike had a feeling that Discord would come soon but he did not give any indication that it really mattered. He had done so much destruction. 

It finally happened again... he cried. He cried his eyes out over what he had done. He showed no remorse for what he did to a little filly on his first or second day there. He executed creatures that were simply trying to make the nation better by improving laws that were desperately needed. 

What did he do to them? Throw them into a labour camp... 

“I-i’m so s-sorry every c-creature.” He struggled to speak. He could barely other a word after that. He was feeling a tornado of grief as he cried his eyes out for those who died unnecessarily. 

He wanted his friends and family back, he wanted to have fun with them, go partying, go to the Crystal Empire and have fun with his life. But he could never have that now. He crossed a line when he started a whole war with Equestria who is probably still confused as to why the war fully happened, they only have bits and pieces. 

Spike felt his body slowly going limb and he felt himself stretching his arms and legs. He then sat up. looking ahead of him to the middle of the “Cave” or whatever. He saw nothing there. 

He got up using his claws and feet and looked towards it again and he saw this time that there was Discord. He was wearing a very orange suit. He wore a pair of sunglasses and a top hat as well and he was sipping on something that said: RedBull. 

“Discord?” Spike’s voice sounded like he had a lot of trouble saying his name. His feet moved towards the God Of Chaos who looked sad, but happy to see the young dragon. He snapped his lion paw, making the ridiculous clothing and drink disappear within a blink of an eye. 

“Hell, dear spike, twenty-four hours has passed and I am currently wondering if you have made your decision?” Discord sounded like he was in pain saying it. He was as well, he did not want his best friend to leave the dimension and go to another one, but he knew that he could not stay in Equestria and end up getting captured by the royal sun guards. 

Spike looked down to the stone ground. This was it. This would be the decision that changes his life forever. He knew that he maybe would regret it someday, but that would not be soon, his past was not today. 

“What dimension do you have in mind?” SPike sounded pained and saddened, but what other choice does he have? He lost his wings to the sun guards and even laughed as he was being tortured by them. He had no choice but to leave. If he stayed, then he would only be reminded of his war crimes.   

Discord sighed. He knew that it would undoubtedly come to this and he had been prepared by this outcome. He snapped his claw fingers and it revealed the most beautiful world Spike had ever seen. 

The world had an eternal blue sky and the city looked like Equestria, the difference being that there were humans this time. Spike was amazed by it all. Discord had a soft smile that graced his lips and he could see that Spike would enjoy it in that world. 

“This world will make you gain friends, will help you grow, and to some extent, make you lose the bad thoughts that have plagued your mind for the past year. I will pop up to see you from time to time to just either talk or help out. But this time in this world, you will not be betrayed, but they might feel betrayed if you don’t tell them the truth.” Discord has never in his life sounded so serious. Spike knew that as Discord had a very strong look on him as if he was a soldier commanding his men. 

“Yes Discord I understand, but I can’t exactly end up in another dimension and be like: ‘hello every creature, I used to be a tyrannical ruler but I am here to redeem myself so everything is good!’ you do realize that it would sound ridiculous, right?” Spike gave Discord a pointed look. 

Discord looked down at Spike with a raised brow but did chuckle a little bit as he floated around. 

“Yes Spike, I do not expect you to do that. What I mean was: that you slowly open up to them about your past so that when the time comes, they understand your situation.” Spike felt dumb as he should have realized that. He put his right claw on his face and sighed in irritation towards himself. 

Suddenly, there was a loud sound coming from before Spike and said dragon saw that there was a circle with stars that went inside of the thing. Spike realized that it was a portal. Spike knew it. There was dark purple energy as the outer layer of the portal and he knew that it was chaos magic. Spike checked to his right and he saw that Discord was watching him. 

Spike turned his head to the right to look at him. “Discord, I have never and I will never hate you. I will always love you like a friend and brother. You and Big Mac had so much fun with one another during our games. Tell him that I will watch over him and his family one day.” 

Discord was not surprised by this and nodded. “See you one day... brother.” Discord hesitated only for a moment. 

Spike allowed one last tear to fall before he looked towards the portal and took his first step inside of it, and just like that, he was gone. No trace to be found. When the portal had opened, the dust on the ground had started flying, but now it was settling down once again. 

Discord looked down to the floor and slowly cried a little. Things would never be the same, and what would he tell Luna? Many questions needed answers. He looked up with red eyes from crying and teleported himself out of there. 


To Be Continued