“Aww Twilight, please? Can’t I come with you this time?” Spike pleaded.
“I’m sorry Spike, but you know you got hurt the last time you tried to help us,” Twilight gave him a sympathetic smile as she trotted around the library, packing her saddlebags “And you’re only a baby dragon still. I can’t let my number one assistant get hurt because we can’t protect you.”
“I can protect myself!” Spike retorted putting on what he thought was a brave and noble pose.
Twilight hid a smile behind one hoof and then pulled him into a hug, “I know you can, but without you watching over the library, who knows what will happen?”
Spike sighed. “Fine, Twilight.”
Twilight levitated some books over to pack. “Now, we’ll be leaving in a few hours once everypony is prepared. Did Fluttershy ask you to look after her animals again while we’re gone?”
“Yes, but I’m sure the Crusaders can do it instead, I’d probably be really helpful if I came with you…”
“Spike.” Her tone brooking no argument.
“Okay, okay!” Spike marched out in a huff, slamming the door shut behind him.
“What do you think that was all about?” Twilight asked Owlowiscious, as she checked that she had packed everything on her checklist, before packing the list itself.
“Who?” deadpanned the owl.
“Nice try. I’m not playing this game again.” She smiled, turning her attention to the note the Princess had sent her, scanning through the contents once more.
My faithful student,
Several ponies have gone missing in the caves close to Ponyville…
. . .
“Why do they always treat me like such a child?” complained Spike as he walked through the streets of Ponyville, making his way towards Fluttershy’s cottage. “I’m a dragon, not some fragile foal. Ouch!” as he stubbed his toe on a loose rock. “Okay, granted, I might not be as strong or tough as a fully grown dragon, but I can still do this!” He loosed his flame up into the air towards a passing cloud, regretting it immediately as he heard the yelp of an annoyed light blue Pegasus.
“What the hay Spike? I was sleeping there!”
“Sorry Rainbow Dash, I didn’t see you”
“Eh, no biggie. Just getting some Z’s before the big mission today.”
“Oh yeah, the mission” he replied, acting nonchalant. “Say, you wouldn’t be able to convince Twilight to-“
“To what? Let you come? Pfft! Bwahaha, you’re a riot Spike!”
Spike looked down. “You don’t have to laugh…”
Dash smiled reassuringly “I’m sorry kiddo; it’s just that there’s nothing that you can do that one of us can’t do already. And besides, we’ve got me. It’s cool that you want to help us, but you’d probably just get in the way. You’re like… Cloud Kicker in the Wonderbolts. A bench warmer at best,” she said in what she considered was the nicest possible way.
Spike grimaced a little and looked down. “You’ll make sure everypony gets back safe, right?”
“Of course I will.” Dash rolled her eyes before stretching and getting up. “We’ll see you when we get back.” She said, before flying off back home.
“Bye to you too” grumbled Spike, as he continued on the path to Fluttershy’s cottage, noticing a crying pale cream Earth pony mare being comforted by one of the farming ponies that he remembered lived next to Applejack. “Guess I’m not the only one having a bad day, I hope Bon Bon’s okay…”
. . .
“Unhoof Trixie, you ingrates!”
“ENOUGH! Quiet pony! Throw her in the cage with the others”
“No! Let me go!” the unicorn shrieked before getting shoved unceremoniously into the cage.
“Good gracious, she was almost as bad as the whiny one!” The diamond dogs looked around nervously as Spot mentioned ‘She who must not be named’. Suddenly he was seized by the throat.
“Don’t bring her up ever again. Do you understand?”
Spot nodded vigorously until he was let go, choking for breath.
“Good. Now get back to work. We have a lot to do before the end of the day. You and you, make sure you didn’t leave any trails taking this one. If we’re discovered before we finish, my revenge will never come to pass. Better yet, lead a trail someplace else. That way, they won’t find us until it’s too late.” The cloaked figure turned and walked out of the cave, swaggering menacingly.
“Why do we work for him again?” One of the other dogs asked.
Spot coughed, getting up from the ground. “Because he made a deal with us. We get ponies to find gems for us, he gets to use the gems for a while, and then he gives them back to us, and this whole mountain. He even said he would help get more pony slaves to work for us” He looked at the shrouded pony, whimpering slightly. “You heard him, back to work.”
. . .
“Fluttershy?” Spike knocked on the door. “I’m here.”
The door burst open as three energetic fillies sprung out, barrelling him over. “Hi Spike!”
“Apple Bloom? Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo? What are you doing here?”
Fluttershy flew out, looking a little tired. “Oh hello Spike” She smiled, always happy to see him. “Umm… I guess Pinkie didn’t tell you, the girls asked if they could look after the animals today.”
The Crusaders smiled, and took a deep breath. Fluttershy braced herself. “Cutie Mark Crusader Animal Caretakers! Yay!” The girls dashed off towards the chicken coop, before the poor things knew what hit them.
Spike shook his head to clear his ringing ears, before looking back at Fluttershy “Let me guess, I don’t do a good enough job?”
“What? Oh, no no no, you do a wonderful job. What gave you that idea?”
“Nothing… I guess it’s just been one of those days. Twilight won’t let me come with you because she thinks I’ll get hurt and she’ll have to rescue me. Again.”
“That’s not true Spike! We all rescue you sometimes” Fluttershy smiled innocently. “Well honestly I’d prefer if you kept an eye on Angel and the others, but the girls were just so enthusiastic…” She stopped, looking slightly hesitant.
Spike smiled. “Did they bully you into letting them?”
“Umm… well, they asked very nicely.” She blushed slightly, scuffing her hoof on the ground.
“And at least they’ll have your Angel to watch over them instead of running around the Boutique” came a voice from within. “Thank you again, Fluttershy for allowing them to ‘watch over’ your animal friends.”
Spike’s heart beat a little faster as he saw the owner of the voice, his old crush resurging for a brief moment. “H-hi Rarity”
Rarity smiled at him “Hello Spike dear, how have you been?” The fashionista trotted out of the house; her saddlebags already packed and a fashionable hat on her head.
“I’ve been… better I guess. I’m really bummed that I can’t come and help you guys on this quest.” He looked down slightly
“Spike, I hardly think you would want to go out on this ‘quest’ as it were.” Rarity said considerately. “Personally, I think Fluttershy had that right idea in wanting to stay behind, but well, the Princess asks for our help and we must answer the call.”
“Umm… yes?” Fluttershy added nervously, wondering if that was the right reply.
“So is there anything I can actually do to help?” the baby dragon asked.
Rarity threw her mane back. “Would you be a dear and check up on the girls every now and then? I’d hate for them to get into any trouble while we’re gone” She shot him a winning smile, the type she used to get even the hardiest colts to do her bidding. Poor Spike never stood a chance.
“O-of course Rarity...” The lovelorn little dragon had hearts in eyes.
“Thank you Spikey-Wikey” Rarity pet his head lightly before trotting off. “Come on now Fluttershy, we mustn’t be late. Maybe I’ll finally find some more gems while we’re gone.”
“Bye Spike, thank you for looking after the girls” Fluttershy hurried after Rarity.
Spike didn’t respond to Fluttershy. It was another five minutes before he’d realized they were gone. He shook his head, his vision clearing. “Well… I guess it can’t hurt to keep an eye on the Crusaders every now and then…” He suddenly winced, hearing a loud squawk from the chicken coop. “This could be harder than I thought. Maybe I’ll just come back in a little bit and see if they’re okay then…”
. . .
Applejack headed towards town, the pack on her back feeling very heavy. As she trotted closer to the town hall, she wondered why Twi wanted her to bring all this gear. As she got closer to the town, she noticed a familiar baby dragon.
“Howdy Spike” she drawled, the sight of her friend bringing a smile to her face.
“Oh hi AJ, are you heading out too?”
“Sure as sure. Twi wanted me to bring a lot of gear with us on this thang.” She said, gesturing to her overly filled saddle bags. “Heck, Ah don’t think we’ll need all this, but you know what she’s like.”
Spike chuckled, Twilight’s tendency to want to have absolutely everything she’d ever need on a task was not unknown to him.
“So what’re you goin’ to be up to while we’re gone, sport?” Applejack slowed down to match the little dragon’s pace.
“I don’t know… I’ll probably just look after the library. Oh, and Rarity asked me to check in on the Crusaders every now and then too.”
Applejack chuckled. “Oh, Ah’m sure they’ll keep you occupied. Mah sister and her friends always manage to get into some kind of trouble.”
“Yeah, this’ll be ‘fun’” Spike rolled his eyes, the two sharing a smile.
They were walking into town together when Applejack noticed Spike wearing a thoughtful expression. “Everything okay sugahcube? You seem a little down today”
“I guess I just feel a little left out of things lately.”
“Spike, we all know how brave you are, and how good your heart is, but we’re just worried about you is all. Imagine how Twi would feel if somethin’ bad happened to you again.”
“Your logic’s not really helping my mood.” He grumbled, with a small smile on his face.
“Hang on a second.” Applejack stopped and gave him a smile. She rummaged through her saddlebags and passed him a hooful of bits. “Here. Get somethin’ for yourself from Sugahcube Corner. That’ll cheer you up.”
“AJ… You didn’t have to”
“But Ah chose to. Now go on, get goin’” She smiled at him. “You’ll need your strength if you’ve got to keep an eye on the girls.”
Spike replied with a small smile. “Thanks Applejack.”
“Not a problem sugahcube, Ah’ll see you after this shindig.” She trotted off towards the fountain, where the Elements were due to meet up.
Spike looked down at the bits in his claw. “I guess something sweet would be nice… I wonder if they still have those sapphire cupcakes.”
. . .
Angel Bunny was not happy. He had planned on having a nice relaxing day out in the fields when they came along. Those monsters. Chasing Elizabeak and the others around the hen pen, what were they thinking? Didn’t they have any thoughts for any other living creature? How did Fluttershy put up with them? And then there was that little dragon who was supposed to check on them. If he got here ten minutes ago it still wouldn’t be soon enough. Angel sighed heavily. This was going to be a long day.
. . .
Spike opened the door to Sugarcube Corner, before falling flat on his rump to the speeding pink whir.
“Hi Spikey, bye Spikey!”
It took a few seconds for Spike to recover and recognize the blur. “Hi-“ Pinkie had already sped out of the door. “Pinkie. Guess she’s in a hurry to go too.” Spike walked over to the counter.
“Well, hello there Spike, Pinkie’s in quite a rush isn’t she? Took one of our biggest cakes for this trip of hers.” Mrs Cake said cheerfully. “What’ll it be today?”
“Hi Mrs Cake, do you have any sapphire cupcakes? I’ve had a really bad day.”
“Oh, I’m sorry dearie, but we’re all out. You’re our only customer when it comes to those cupcakes, and lately we’ve been running short on gems. We got them from Rarity last time, and she hasn’t come around with them in a while. Could I interest you in a strawberry cupcake instead?”
“Sure, I guess that’ll do fine.” Spike offered a weak smile, passing over the bits AJ gave him earlier. “How are Pound and Pumpkin doing?”
Mrs Cake gave him a weary smile and passed him the cupcake. “They’re happy and healthy, but my goodness, aren’t they a hooful.”
“I can imagine, what with what Pinkie told us the time she was babysitting.” Spike turned to leave. “Thanks Mrs Cake.” As Spike approached the door, it opened, the bell ringing. A dark cloaked figure entered, shuddering slightly upon seeing the rows of baked confections.
“Take care of yourself now dearie”
Spike was still looking at Mrs Cake, and accidentally bumped into the robed pony, his cupcake brushing into the pony’s cape. “Oops… sorry man.”
The cloaked pony let out an audible gasp of horror, quickly turning and galloping out of the shop. Spike and Mrs Cake shared a confused look. “I wonder what his problem was.” Spike said, looking at the sad remains of his bruised cupcake. With a sigh, he headed back to the library.
. . .
The cloaked stallion stormed into the caves, screaming in rage.
“We aren’t going fast enough!” complained the cloaked pony angrily. “We need more unicorns!”
“But… master, you haven’t brought any more ponies since the… loud one” Fido winced, a strange looking gesture on such a big dog.
“Then go out and get some! I command you to!”
Rover glared at him. “But you’re supposed to be the one that lures the unicorns here, pony.”
“Do you see this? Do you see this!?!?!” The stallion screamed hysterically. “A stain! An icing stain! On my clothes! On my person! This cannot stand! I am altering the deal!” He took several deep calming breaths and put on a threatening tone. “You will go and get more unicorns and you will go and get them now, or else I will take all the gems and leave!” The stallion stomped off deeper into the cave system, kicking the bars of the cages as he passed the prisoner cells, upsetting a very light turquoise unicorn mare.
Spot watched as the stallion stomped off. “This deal is getting worse all the time…”
. . .
Spike sat down, wondering what he’d do with the rest of his day. The library didn’t seem the same as usual without anypony else there. His friends had already left by the looks of it. There wasn’t much else for him to do in the meantime.
“I guess I could sort through the chronicles of Starswirl the Bearded again. It’d be a nice present for Twilight when she gets back.” He looked up at the towering bookcase and gulped. This could take some time.
. . .
“Haha! Look Scoot, Ah can see another one over there!”
“Yeah! Come on Sweetie, let’s try and catch it!”
“I really like her plume!”
Angel swore under his breath. He wasn’t going to get a moment’s peace today was he? And boy, judging by the dirty looks on his winged ‘friends’ he was going to get a good talking to later on. He wished he didn’t have the reputation as Fluttershy’s favourite pet. It meant that he was sometimes seen as her proxy when she wasn’t here. That meant it fell to him to look after the animals when she was out with her friends, and if something went wrong… well, he hoped that the seal didn’t want to use him for juggling practice again.
Angel saw something out of the corner of his eye. Those were new. What were they? They reminded him a little of Winona somehow, but a giant, monstrous Winona. He gave a little sniff; smells like they didn’t bathe either. He wondered why they were here. Wait… were they heading for the foals? Well now. Suddenly things were looking up.
“Quick!” cried the smallest monster. “Grab the unicorn pony!”
The largest monster leapt to obey his commands.
“Sweetie, run! They’re after you!” Apple Bloom stood her ground against them, before getting pushed out of the way.
“What? Why?” Sweetie tried dashing away, but was quickly caught by Fido.
“Hey! Let her go you big bully!” Scootaloo charged in to her friend’s aid, inspired by tales of her role model.
“Ow! Why is little pony hurting Fido?”
Angel smirked from the sidelines. Serves them right. Now all he had to do was sit back and wat-
Suddenly, there was a little poofing noise, and he looked at his shoulder. “Wait! Are you really going to leave those poor little foals to get taken by those big mean dogs?” asked a tiny Fluttershy, a light halo over her head. Angel nodded, receiving a little pout from Flutterangel in return. He faltered slightly.
There was another poof. “He can do whatever he wants to Fluttershy” scowled Rainbow Dash from his other shoulder, her multi-hued tail replaced by one far more demonic. Angel nodded, agreeing with his little devil.
“But they might get hurt…” Even in imaginary form, the sad Fluttershy’s look pierced through the heart of Angel, and even Devil Dash couldn’t stand up to it, fading back to whence she came.
Angel sighed. Fine. He’ll do things her way. But what was he going to do? He grumbled. May as well get that dragon to do something, he thought as he bounced quickly towards the Books and Branches library.
. . .
“Ow!” Spike shot the offending book an accusatory glare, rubbing the lump on his head. “Try to do something nice for someone…” he grumbled. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud banging on the door. Spike opened it and looked around. “Who’s there?” There wasn’t a pony in sight. Spike was about to turn away when he heard a firm cough. “Oh. It’s you.” Spike stared down his nemesis from all the times he looked after Fluttershy’s friends. Angel just glared at him in return, his forelegs crossed and one foot pounding with a distinct lack of patience.
“What do you want?”
Angel pantomimed out a series of gestures. Spike looked completely confused. “What?” He waved a claw dismissingly. “Whatever. I’m not looking after you today. The Crusaders are.”
Angel waved vigorously. “What?” Spike tilted his head. “Did… something happen to the fillies?” Angel nodded vigorously. The thick dragon was finally getting it!
“Are they in trouble?” Spike groaned inwardly. “Great” he thought, “This is the last thing I need”. Angel nodded again.
“Okay, where are they?” He walked out, closing the door behind him. Angel just bounded off towards Fluttershy’s cottage. “Okay then…” Spike hurried along behind the bunny.
. . .
Spike arrived as quickly as he could. ”Dear Canterlot! That bunny’s like a little battery, no wonder he runs rings around me when I’m looking after Fluttershy’s critters.” he thought to himself, panting heavily outside Fluttershy’s cottage.
“I don’t see them Angel. Where are they?” He turned to the unphased rabbit, who pointed out an obvious trail of scuff marks in the grass. “They were … taken by something?” The rabbit facepawed. Clearly the dragon was still a little on the slow side mentally as well as physically.
A loud feminine shriek was heard in the background. “That sounded like Sweetie Belle!” Spike sprinted forward towards the sound, his weariness forgotten.
He caught an incredulous sight. Several Diamond Dogs were trying to pull Sweetie Belle away from Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo, who were holding onto their friend for dear life. The dogs had taken some nasty knocks from the three fillies too, by the looks of things.
“Gah! This is taking too long! Grab all the ponies!”
“No you don’t! Let them go you mongrels!” Suddenly Spike had everypony’s (and dogs’) attention, the foals looking at him with hope and the dogs with rage.
“You! The whiny pony’s friend!” Rover strode towards him. “Oh, I am going to enjoy this… You two, take those three back to the lair.”
“Spahk! Help!” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were scooped up in one quick swoop. “Let us go! Mah sister will come after you!”
“Leave them alone!” Spike charged in, doing his best to try and stop the dogs from taking his friends. He grabbed on to Rover’s leg, growling fiercely, before the dog’s fist crashed into his face. He fell to the ground, stars swirling around his eyes. He struggled to get back to his feet, before being punched again.
“You ruined our plans scaly one! You and that whinging, whining unicorn… We dogs always remember our grudges.” Rover held him down, mercilessly beating the poor dragon.
“No! Leave him alone!” Sweetie bit Spot’s leg, trying to do something to help Spike, but she was quickly subdued again, Spot sucking on his injured leg.
“Boss, we’re done now, let’s go!”
Spike watched helplessly as he saw the last of the fillies, unable to move with the pain of his injuries, Rover still pinning him to the ground.
“Spike! Help!!!” In his growing pain and fatigue, he could’ve sworn he’d just had a massive fit of déjà vu, but the Diamond Dog pummelling him was new.
Rover grinned victoriously. “Whiny pony can’t save you now, dragon!” He got up, leaving his battered opponent still lying on the ground. “You’re lucky we diamond dogs have better things to do than get revenge.” With one last smirk the dog dove down the freshly dug tunnel.
Spike’s head was spinning; he could barely see one claw in front of him. His hearing was fading too, the only sound were the Crusader’s plaintive cries for rescue. Why couldn’t he get up? His mind was filled with the voices of his friends, blurring into one another’s. “We’re just worried about you” said the hardworking farmer. “We all rescue you sometimes” the butter yellow Pegasus continued. “On the battlefield, you never think about what’s next.” Pinkie Pie. Even in his dreams she confused him. And why was she wearing a bandana?
A sharp voice rang out through the din. “There’s nothing you can do, you’d just get in the way” Rainbow’s visage came and went. She’s right, he thought, as he felt the darkness coming. One last voice spoke, right before the end. “Please Spike… I don’t want you to get hurt, you’re just a baby dragon.”
“I’m… sorry… Twilight…” and the peaceful blessing of unconsciousness was all that was left.
. . .
“Twi, darlin’? You sure this is the right place?” Applejack raised a curious eyebrow, staring at the foreboding mouth of the cave.
“All the tracks pointed this way…” The lavender unicorn looked uneasy.
Pinkie looked around in what she called her ranger gear, the other ponies, being used to her quirks didn’t question it. “The air smells foul… something dangerous lurks nearby.” She sounded a lot more serious than usual, before she sprang back up. “Or it could just be your friend Harry’s place, right Rainbow Dash?”
“Heh heh… yeah, I think he lives somewhere else Pinkie.”
A chilling wind blew around the six friends, leaving Fluttershy quivering.
“While it may look… unappealing to say the least, I trust Twilight enough to believe that she followed these tracks perfectly. Come along girls.” Rarity walked in without a backwards glance.
Applejack shot the back of Rarity’s head a look that said ‘Oh, hay no’. “Well if she’s goin’ in, ah’m goin’ in.” AJ charged in after her, mumbling to herself. “No way ah’d live it down if Rar went into someplace messy and ah didn’t.”
“I’m going in too!” The prismatic blur showing Dash’s assent in the matter.
“Weee! Don’t forget me!” Pinkie cartwheeled in behind them.
Twilight shared a glance with Fluttershy. “I don’t like it, but I guess we’d better head in. Who knows how all those ponies got lost in here?”
Fluttershy squeaked, following Twilight quickly. “Don’t leave me out there by myself!”
Inside, something stirred. Something new had entered its home. And in the darkness, it hungered.