//------------------------------// // Prologue: Spike (Fixed) // Story: Returning Home // by Ventan //------------------------------// Ugh! I thought I'd die out there. Fighting your own species should've been easy, but NO~! They just had to have a group waiting for an ambush for poor travelers, and I just HAD to go get in the middle of it. Well, in my defense, the dude was carrying shipments to Ponyville… coincidentally, and I needed to get there… coincidentally. He was in trouble, and I was there… coincidenta- MY TAIL! Luna! You're watching me, aren't you! You really want me to come home that bad?! I know, I know. I've finished my training, I've conquered my greed, and I'm ready too finish my amends. But this is too coincidental! I'd like to finish my journey my way, thank you! …Though, thanks for this help. I- I want to see them again. 5 years, and I've missed them since that first day. Hehe. I remember that one time… ok, one year that I had to cry myself to sleep. I was too young at that time. Fear, sadness, loneliness, and home-sickness mixed together. Was this what you felt, Luna, when you were on the moon. I guess I've only scratched that surface. Come on! I need to cheer up! I'm going to see my friends again! Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbowdash, Applejack, crazy Pinkie Pie, those Cutie Mark Crusaders, and… Rarity. Hmph. I feel tense just thinking about it. I… I guess I miss her the most. It's… wait… a sec… Did I- Come on backpack! Don't fail me now! I know I remembered that IT's in here! Come on! Book? No. Food? …Later. Sword? Move it. Come on! Where is it!? I know I- Yes! Here it is! Phew. Thought I might've lost it. You may be small, but you're the biggest worry I have on me. Wonder if we're there yet… "Hey Shipper!" Spike called. Shipper turned his head with a questioning look. "Yea?" "How long till we're there?" He looked back out to the road and replied, "Now, actually." Luna… I hope you're not screwing with me… I really hope you're not screwing with me... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A shiver fell down upon Luna while she took a warm shower. "Sister," Luna called from the shower and through the dense steam, "I sense Spike hating me. Why is that?" "I don't quite understand either, Luna" Celestia replied back. "Alright, just don't mess with my telescope. I like the view of the moon exactly where I angled it." Luna called back. "Oh don't worry, Luna," Celestia responded as she viewed through the telescope, watching Spike, "Don't worry at all, my pretty." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike jumped out of the wagon Shipper pulled. "Man, oh man!" Spike yelled as he stretched, "Ponyville! I'm back!" The chill, soft, morning wind tingled his scales as he stretched from head, down. He looked at his pack and grabbed his hooded cape, flung it over himself, tied it securely, and hooded himself to be all "mysterious like." He didn't want his friends to see him, but as him being taller then most ponies and hiding himself like a complete "stranger danger", he set himself up to make ponies think he's dangerous. For the costume's finishing touch, he clicked on his sword in it's sheath. This one-handed, linen handled, dragon fire forged, single edged, orichalcum sword was his partner in fights for years. It never chipped, never rusted, and never wore out, the perfect sword to have as a companion. He unsheathed it to look at the sword he used to fight during his journey. The blade was purple like his scales, about as long as his arm, and had a greenish dragon design traveling throughout the blade. The color came from the magical flame he used to forge the blade. Just getting the materials was agonizing enough, but to use almost all of your mana in one go to forge the sword was excruciating. Repeated multiple times, you have a dragon almost passing out just heating it. Then there's forging the blade half conscious. He was still amazed that it came out as he wanted. Not too dull, but not too sharp to kill. He even rewarded himself by making the design on the blade with the help of his fire and claw. Spike looked at it one last time before he sheathed it. The wind blew, making his cape fly with the wind, but it was bound by the knot he made earlier. He took one last look at Shipper and smiled. "Hey," he called out to Shipper, "Thanks for the ride!" Shipper tipped his straw hat. "Anything for a pony, er, dragon who helped me out back there. I come to Ponyville sometimes. If ya ever see me, just holler and maybe we can drink a little," he said with a friendly smile. Spike laughed, "I don't drink. Sorry." "What? Under-aged?" Shipper asked jokingly. He shook his head. "No, I'm not. It's because I distance myself from evil temptations." Shipper laughed at the remark. "Then I'll see to it that you get the 'Chocolate Milk Special' !" "Hey!" Spike called out, "I drink the 'Strawberry Milk Deluxe', thank you very much!" The two friends exchanged laughter before going on their separate ways. He gave one last wave to Shipper before taking a step forward to his home; His long awaited home that he missed. He walked around Ponyville for a while, remembering all the fun he had 5 years ago. Ponies left and right whispered amongst themselves as Spike walked past them through the town, but he didn't care. He just looked around and fond memories came at him like a wave. Some laughs, some joy, some frightening, and some of Pinkie Pie's confusing moments. He walked until he realized that he was in the center of town: Ponyville's fountain. He looked questioningly at the lavender fountain of a pony striking a pose. If anything, he always questioned about the pony to himself. Like who was this colt/mare, why was it there, what was it's purpose, and most importantly: If it's a fountain, why does it not shoot out water? Or maybe it was a pool? But regardless of it's oddity, it brought back memories. Sweet, blissful memories. A tear flowed down Spike's cheek as he lifted his head to look at the sky. All the murmuring ceased as they feared what the stranger might do. He looked and stared into the sky and all that was heard from him was: "I'm home."