//------------------------------// // Truth Revealed: Part 2 // Story: Spike: The Last Draconian // by Maneiac //------------------------------// Dameion “Who or what the hell was that!?” I ran out of the storage closet just to see a massive hole blown into the side of the wall. Spike and Luna were still shell shocked so I took it upon myself to investigate after my ears stopped ringing. “No need to yell, Mr. Dragon. I’m just here on Royal Order by Princess Celestia Everfree, Co-Ruler of Equestria and Raiser of the Sun.” A pair of blue eyes with no eyelashes sat on the face of what looked like a miniature horse. He had an air of haughtiness to him that didn’t really sit right with me. “You said Princess Celestia? Isn’t she Princess Luna’s sister?” I asked as I peeked around him and into the courtyard where a sizeable hole was blown into the earth. “Do you know of my aunt’s whereabouts,” The pony asked suddenly and with a voice laced with hope. He looked up at me with joyous eyes, and if it wasn’t for the fact that he just blew a massive hole into the wall, I might’ve considered telling him, “You’d be doing Equestria a big service if you told me!” “Doing a service for you is starting to sound more like an order than an actual favor,” I thought bemusedly and crossed my arms, “How so?” “Well, it is rumored that our illustrious Princess Luna has been foalnapped by the heinous murderer, Spike the Dragon,” My eyes grew wide at that. Spike doesn’t look like the type of guy to go around murdering and kidnapping, so what the hell is up with these accusations!? Then again, I don’t really know Spike like that, “He’s a wanted criminal, and I will not stand for him abducting my relative!” The regal pony finished with a stomp of his hoof and flick of his mane. “Huh. Well I don’t know if you noticed, but you kind of exploded into my castle without permission. That’s kind of taboo, but I think there’s more pressing matters to be discussing right now, Mr...?” “Blueblood. Prince Blueblood; heir to the throne of Equestria and Commander of the Silver Sirens; the elite guard that’s gifted in swordplay.” He outstretched a hoof, and I took it in a claw before shaking it. “So you wish to know where Spike is?” I inquired. In reality, though, I have a nasty surprise waiting for him. “Well my mission is to eliminate him at any costs, so yes-” Stuck-up pony, meet fist! And off he went with a pained grunt, straight through the wall he exploded. What surprised me is how fast he came out of the attack as he literally backflipped in the air and landed on his hooves, sliding the rest of the momentum out as dirt kicked up from his hooves. This was when I took notice of this white cape with black spots, placed on top off a red ensemble of clothes and tassels. Was he armed? “Ruffian! You dare soil the painstakingly handsome face of Equestria’s most eligible bachelor!? You will be shown no mercy!” His horn lit up, and a rapier came out from the left side of his body, coming from between the robes. It started getting strange when he aligned the point with his chest, giving me a wicked but cockly glare before inserting the sword. My vision was blown to bits as a piercing white light exploded from the wound, the scream of volatile magic surfacing blistering my eardrums. I winced in pain for about two seconds before the whining stopped. I lowered the arm I had raised to shield my eyes, watching in some amount of awe as a white hand sliced the smoke away. Before me was Blueblood...but he was standing on two legs. How is that possible!!?? “Wha...?” “Do not concern your feeble mind with figuring out my superiority. You will never be able to beat me now, I’m sure of it.” He remarked smugly. I growled at his prideful words and countenance, wanting nothing more than to destroy the ignorant fuck. “You’re a thousand years too young to be threatening me, prissypants!” I snarled before lowering my robe just enough so that I could tie it around my waist, feeling my muscles pop as I flexed them in anticipation of a good fight. “Pull your shirt back up, barbarian! Have you dragons no class!?” The anthro-unicorn rebuked, making me scoff at his overbearing femininity. “The fact you think yourself high enough to give me orders is nothing short of hubris, Mr. Invader. I think it’s high-time someone shoved that stick further up your ass!” I rushed him, seeing his face flash a cocky smile that showcased some of his teeth. It reminded me of Thessolonius a little bit! “And you’re supposed to be the prince? How laughable,” His steel rapier glistened with white light as I neared him quickly, mapping out possible ways to attack in my mind, “Perhaps some re-education is in order!” I jumped at him, cocking a fist charged with lighting back as he shot forth his rapier in an attempt to stab me from the air. My first exploded forward as we both gave yells of effort. Strangely enough, his rapier did not pierce my hide, nor did it leave any marks as we collided; the tip of his sword digging into the scales of my middle finger's knuckle. There was a bright light and a flash of lightning before a deafening clap of thunder reverberated, expulsing us from one another. I was blown backwards, skidding in the dirt with my broken wing a bit before I used the momentum to roll onto my feet. I then shot a claw into the ground, halting my blowback immediately. My recovery was quicker than the anthro pony’s, who was kicking his legs up in the air like a flipped over tortoise. I quirked my eyebrow up just as he yanked, what I now saw to be his rapier, from the ground and spring to his feet. Blueblood dusted himself off before affixing me with a steely glare. “I’ll have you know that these robes were passed down from my great-grandfather, High Station! The fact that you’ve soiled them with vile dirt and dust is simply unforgivable!!!” He yelled in supreme fury, his face becoming the color of a beet. “Listen, buddy,” I started with a little sarcasm, “No one gives two fucks and a hump about your prissy clothes! If you can’t handle a little dirt, then I can’t even begin to imagine what will happen when your ensemble becomes caked in blood and torn skin!” I ended with a chuckle, watching literal steam whistle forth from his ears. “You are obsolete!” He hissed as he charged, thrusting quite dramatically with his rapier. I sidestepped and shot a hand out, grabbing his outstretched arm, placed a foot behind his back foot, and brought my other hand around in a closed fist. A dull thud came from his chest, alerting me to a successful attack. I smiled at the implications of such a thing, knowing this fight should be over. Prince Blueblood’s life essence was red like everything elses, which was an oxymoron in and of itself. He flew back much like I did, the only difference would have to be with him taking actual damage. Still, I was a little impressed when he got right back up and wiped the excess blood from the side of his mouth. “A nice counter, I’ll give you that. However,” His voice turned smug, making my eyes narrow with the suspicion of fair play, “I believe my efforts in scouting your power have proven fruitful enough. You’ll be disposed off here and now, and no one will know what happened here.” He showcased more teeth in his cocky smile.         “...He showcased more teeth in his cocky smile.” “I’ll be disposed of!? Ha,” I guffawed dismissively, “You have a better chance of being brought back to life after death!” “Maybe you should try that instead!” Blueblood roared as we charged each other.   Spike “Embrace your inheritance, my son!” I stopped running, allowing Luna to finally catch up to me. Where the hell did that voice come from!? “Is something the matter, Spike!?” Luna asked worriedly, making me snap my head to face her. “You didn’t hear that!? It was loud and deep!” I exclaimed while throwing my hands up in exasperation. Our original plan was to find Artemis and Zerris, plan out an counterattack strategy, and see to any injured persons in Zistral. But thanks to that voice I heard, the future’s been put on hold. “What did you hear?” “It was a voice! It was unnaturally deep, and it exclaimed that I should embrace my inheritance!” I hastily explained before starting up our previous task. My feet slapped upon the purple velvet insole as I ran, never once paying attention to the sound of wing flaps to my side. “What? That doesn’t make any sense? What inheritance?” Luna fired question after question, making me give a mighty exhale of ignorance. “Tartarus if I know! But what I do know,” I hanged a right sharply, hearing and feeling the expensive tapestry flap above us as I took off down this corridor, making it the third one in the span of five minutes, “Is that Zistral is under attack or siege right now, and if we don’t come up with a plan of escape or to help, Celestia’s gonna find us in here!” “So we’re going to run off?” Luna asked with an air of confusion. I groaned at her stupid question. “Of course we’re gonna run off! I rather have another day to train than face your sister and whatever else she brought with her!” I exclaimed before as I skidded to a halt in front of two, large brown doors. I smiled, knowing this to be the throne room. I pushed them open easily, feeling the bolts give way to my power. I stopped and my eyes went wide. The whole country....it’s...it’s been invaded.... The sky was black and crimson while the city a couple minutes from the castle laid covered in orange flames. The smell of smoke made its journey all the way up here, and the screams and hollers of pain and torment followed closely! Celestia’s invading Zistral!? Why!? Is...is it to find me!? Who knows how many fuckers are in that town!? I backed up while giving short gasps of shock and fear. “This is...this is madness.” I breathed out in disbelief. “We must press on, Spike. Zistral is a walled-in city, much like Canterlot. The only way out is over the wall or through the gates, and I fear going over the wall will take too long,” I turned my head to face Luna, “As it stands, the only way to escape Celestia is to fight her now. There’s nothing for it.” She shook her head as a face of sorrow made itself apparent. I stared at her for a while, stopping my gasping as I opted to just look at the town in horror. So many lives. So many people, innocent or not, could be lying in that street right now! What the hell am I supposed to do!? Where do I come in here!? What am I eve- “SPIKE!!!” The unknown voice caused my eyes to widen even further. I angled my head down, only to find something that caused my heart to plummet into my kidney. “Spike! Is that you!?” A gold tiara with a purple star crested the hill Luna and I were looking down, only to be followed by a lavender body with wings. Her body was outfitted in the armor of the Royal Guard, and her legs were too. Her hooves, however, were covered with gold slippers that matched Celestia’s, the only notable difference being her element-shaped insignia on the front of them. Her eyes were glazed but glaring, all her attention directed towards Luna and I. “T-Twilight!? You’re an alico-” “WHAT SORCERY BE THIS!!!???? WHAT HATH OUR SISTER DONE TO THEE, TWILIGHT SPARKLE!!!???” Luna roared in what looked like outrage, blowing my face-skin back comically I’m sure. “Princess Luna!? You’re with Spike!?” Twilight yelled in shock as I took a couple more steps back. This can’t be happening now, can it? This is...this is serious! “W-why are you here, Twilight!? You should be in Ponyville, with ever-” “Did you find him, Twilight!?” THAT VOICE! OH stars above, keep that unicorn away from me! Just as my rant finished, a rainbow-colored streak zoomed to a stop right above Twilight just as four more ponies crested the hill. I felt like my eyes would roll from my sockets if I didn’t shut them...so I did. “Spikey-Wikey,” Don’t say that name as if you’re hurt! How could you possibly be hurt, “What in the name of Celestia has happened to you!? You...You look so different!” “Our question needs answering, Twilight Sparkle! Why has Celestia given you the Ascension Right!?” Luna roared again, silencing the group of chatting and shocked mares. I heard Twilight clear her throat as I willed my eyes to remain shut, “Princess Celestia wishes to retract her order for Spike’s execution. If you’re wondering about the Ascension Right; then I can make a gist and say that I completed Starswirl the Bearded’s spell of Harmonious Empowerment.” Twilight explained, which caused Luna to gasp in shock for some reason. “You created new magic and my sister wishes to retract the order of execution!? THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS!!!” Luna exclaimed, making me shake my head violently. There’s no way it’s that easy! Celestia’s been chasing me halfway across the fucking planet!!! “NO!!!” I roared angrily, baring my teeth and swiping the air with a claw towards my ex-friends. “Spikey-Wike-” “YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTHS!!! Venomous brood of vipers, all six of you,” I snapped angrily, watching their faces take on an expression of supreme hurt, “One does not simply bring about the ire of a damned demi-goddess and have the issue resolved like this! It’s illogical!” “Spike,” Luna called in a wary voice as I snapped my head to face her, “You must calm down. Sister has given us-” “rrrRRRRRRRRRR-GAH,” I roared, “NO! You will not be given a second chance to break my heart! Not YOU,” I gutted Twilight with my index finger, “Not YOU,” Fluttershy shrunk back and whimpered, “Not YOU,” Pinkie’s hair deflated while her face drooped, “Not YOU” Applejack and Rainbow winced, “And definitely NOT YOU!!!” I roared at Rarity who took to visibly trembling at the pure hatred in my voice. How DARE they come around and try to play that card! Do I look like I was born yesterday!? Fuck ALL these ponies!!! “Oh Spik-” “NO MORE FRIENDS!!! I’VE HAD IT!!!” I screamed before igniting my hand with green fire, intent on causing lots of destruction! The mares gasped and huddled together, awaiting the attack with scared visages. Since they want it so bad, they can- “Oof!” I recoiled in pain as a...a...blue ray... I turned my head to the side, my hand losing all power as my eyes found purchase in Luna’s. “...Why?” I was hurt. Was..was it all an act? Why did she stop me!? “We need to give this a try. If Celestia is giving us a chance to avoid a war, then I say we take it, Spike,” She trotted closer to me, laying a blue slipper on my cheek tenderly as I stared at her in disbelief, “We can finally-” *SMACK!* Luna’s head stayed turned to the side, a shocked expression on her face as mine slowly dissolved into pure scorn. “No. More. Friends.” I stated angrily, tears in my eyes as I turned around and ran. They burned me, the tears. I couldn’t help but wipe some of them away as I instantly ran down a different corridor than the one we used to get outside, hoping that I’d get lost in the many winding paths of Zistral Castle. Right now, I don’t even want to hear the word ‘pony’ anymore.