Man, I don't remember the halls to be this long. If anything, I should've met the second guy. What's his name again? I forgot… Oh, well. He was probably just as easy as Hoard. I'd like to warm up, fighting against him again. He was, I hope, good. Ok. Now I know I passed the third guy's room. I know those marks on the walls. Man, was it brutal. I had to control him to win that fight. Who knew all you needed was to hug the bastard and let him, oh I don't know, drain your mana 'til it's dry. He got what he wanted: a large supply of mana to feed off of. Sadly for him, I am a pool that never fully ends. I'm a bucking magical dragon that was raised up by the pony whose cutie mark is "magic" and she's the "Element of Magic!" Take that Bob! Alright, alright. I'm off track. Lately, I've been doing that a lot, getting off track when I have nothing to do. Well, except for running down this-Is this ever going to end!? Oh hey. Do...or...
Spike slowed his pace as he came closer to the large, stone double-doors. Above read the sign "King's Room," and already Spike had a cold sweat dripping down his cheek. He knew what was behind the doors. Shaking, he pushed them open and slowly walked forward. Beyond the plane of rocks and pebbles laid Rarity in a large birdcage hanging from the ceiling. She wasn't conscience and seemed to have been treated brutally. Spike clenched his fists in anger, but still kept his calm. Beneath the prison was a figure standing in front of a large black fire. Despite it's color, it illuminated a "dark" glow that sent shivers down his spine. The large figure turned, but Spike couldn't make out the features of the figure. It stood on two legs and seemed to have it's hands behind its back. The figure's clothes were metallic, sending a small reflection of light. Next to him was something Spike remembered very well: a double-edged, two-handed bastard sword impaled into the ground. Its bat-winged hilt design, along with its long, thick, heavy blade made blocking painful. To add to the effect, it was surrounded by the dark aura of the dead souls it had captured in battle. The blade was sharp as it ever could be. Just by looking, Spike could tell that the blade was sharpened for this reason and this reason only: To kill Spike.
Taking a breath, Spike slowly made way to the figure. With every step, the atmospheric pressure grew and grew until eventually it was hard for Spike to breath. His body felt heavy, and with every step it became heavier and heavier until he struggled to even move his fingers, let alone walk, but he forced himself to keep walking. He could feel his energy slowly drain as he got closer to the standing figure. He knows that it's going to the fire; his fire. Before he could continue to think he made it to the steps. It wasn't high, but he struggled to even take the first step. He looked up at the figure who was looking back down at him. They met eye to eye, and soon the figure laughed.
"How goes it, Spike?" the familiar voice called in a smooth, definite tone, "Was Hoard that easy? I've got to say, I should've expected no less from the one who controlled his 'inner demon.' I believe you, my friend, deserve an applause. Come on. I'll even clap for you."
The figure uncrossed her arms and clapped. The clap was dim, but was clear enough for Spike to hear. The clapping slowed down and soon came to a halt.
"What?" asked the figure, "Am I not enlightening you on your struggle of control? Have I failed to entertained you-Oh! That's right! ...You hate me."
The figure began walking back and forth, waving hand gestures as she went.
"How can I be so delusional about the dragon 'Spike' who has come here, to my cave might I add, to rescue his beloved friend? I'm so jealous of you, you know that? You have power. You have power that could very well DESTROY! ALL! OF EQUESTRIA! But what did you do? Huh? You BANISHED THE POWER! You chose THEM over US! THEM OVER US!! YOUR PEOPLE! YOUR WORSHIPERS-But it's ok. It's all right."
She slowly walked to the black fire pit. She walked closer and closer until she was on the edge of the pit. By then, he could see her clearly, her red scales illuminated by the black fire, her graceful figure as she bent down and looked into the large fire pit. She was taller then he remembered, but only by Luna's height. Her amber eyes had a gentle, kind side to them. She was somewhat on the thin side, causing Spike to wonder if she ever ate at all. Last he remembered, she was a little younger then he was and still was. She peered down into the pit before looking at the slowly tiring dragon.
"This," she began with a small chuckle then whispered slyly, "I know what this is."
She reached out and grabbed a small bit of the fire and playfully walked back to Spike. When she reached to Spike, she squatted down until they met eye to eye. With the black fire at hand, she began to play with it in front of the still dragon.
"This," she whispered, but then talked like she was before, "This-ahahah. This is some crazy still, man. This fire. Is. Bucking. Crazy. You had it, you know. Oh, that's right. This was your's. Your 'death fire'; your butter and bread. You had this fire in your core before. See this-"
The figure brought it close to Spike.
"-is, ah, was your fire. The fire we all worshiped because it saved us. You remember-"
She turned to Rarity and pointed in disgust.
"-those ponies kept us as slaves. Yeah, I know you remember, friend. Slaves: no one knew, because no one told. We were in the bucking cell and were tortured for days, my friend. DAYS! And then you came to save us and we complied with your demands! We executed the slave owners, we pillaged the joint, we burned it to ashes! ALL! FOR! YOU!! And, haha, what do we get?" she spoke slowly and gently, "You turning your back on us. You came in here and killed our savior. You killed the one we worshiped. Look-"
She held the fire near Spike. The fire edged toward Spike, but couldn't reach him.
"-he wants his daddy again. He's been lonely, Spike. So-"
Reaching to Spike, she grabbed his hands and lifted them up to their eyes. The figure gently placed the fire on Spike's hands and closed them.
"Take him back, Spike." she said gently, "Become our savior again. Become the one we all called 'Lord Savior'. Go on. Do it."
Spike looked down at the fire on his palm. The dark, tempting fire tried to make Spike take it in again. It wanted him and itself to become one again. Despite all of the temptation, he destroyed the fire, letting it slowly fly away and wither in the air. The figure stared wide-eyed at the witnessed betrayal.
"Angel," Spike reasoned carefully, "Stop this madness now. Release my friend and let me leave with her, or else," Spike quickly drew his sword and swung it near Angel's neck, "I'm gonna' have to kill you."
Angel smiled a demonic smile. She opened her mouth, and a black ball of fire sat on her reptilian tongue.
"Try me," the dragon hissed before attacking.
She shoved the sword away and vaulted next to the bastard sword. She grabbed the blade and swung a wide cut, sending a black, ghastly wave towards Spike. With all the strength he could muster, he dodged away from the flying cut. He watched as the cut flew towards the wall behind him. All he saw afterward was the wall tumbling down on impact.
Geez, girl! What have you been doing for the past 5 years!?
He turned quickly back to Angel to get ready for the next attack, but she was already in the air. He tried to shield with his arms, but was already flying from Angel’s knee to the side, dropping his sword in the process. The force was too great to move, making him spin until, before long, he crashed into a wall. Still sore, he sat in exhaustion while Angel stood and laughed at Spike, followed by, "What's wrong, Spike? What happened to the dragon that single-handedly wiped out a black market organization? What happened to the 'legendary' dragon that lead a band of freedom fighters?"
Angel began walking towards the blacking out dragon, "What happened to the dragon who lead us to freedom? What happened to the one that swore that he'd finish what he started? What happened to-"
She was already next to Spike and knelt down next to his ear whispering, "-the one whom I loved."
The words gradually sunk in deep into his subconscience. Before he could even react, his fatigue finally took over, and he blacked out altogether. Angel saw that and snickered. She lifted his head with the back of the blade, making Spike meet eye to eye with her. Her amber eyes looked into Spike's and saw the lifelessness in them. She smiled. With a slight nudge, she pushed Spike to the ground like the lifeless doll he was. Wanting more fun then a jump and a kick, Angel lifted Spike by his neck and hurled him across the room. Without much struggle, Spike just flew and bounced across the rocky floor. His body finally slowed to a stop, laying on the cold ground, insentient.
Damn… I was so close… She's gone… Angel… What happened to you? You use to be the laughing girl… You helped me take down the leader… I had to… I'm sorry, Angel… I had to… Greed was growing in me… I wanted to make sure you wouldn't be like me… The greedy monster that would have destroyed everything… Heh… Remember the time we were burning the stock down? Our fire became the symbol of hope for the slaves. We swore on the flames that we would end the evil that was known as "The Black Ponies." We made the organization burn to the ground and knew we won. But look at you… You've become what I was: the monster giving in to her desires. You wanted me back. You wanted me to stay instead of going back to the "weak ponies." I didn't listen… and came here to banish my greed. I didn't want you to be like me, Angel. You were so young… and you've become a fighter. And now you're giving into your desires. You want me back… That bad… You were a great friend, Angel. I'm glad, at least, that you're safe…
Oh… And Rarity too… She's fine… He's with her… Damn him… Had to make all of this complicated… If he makes Rarity cry… Or wake her up by now… I'll kill the bastard… She better not shed a single tear… Damn… I'm almost out… Haha… Night...
With the last of his energy, he silently lay there. Angel was already standing next to Spike. She placed her foot on Spike's side and rolled him over so he would face up, she simply stood there, watching the "would-be-dead" dragon. She lifted her sword and thrusted next to Spike. She looked down at Spike, the dragon trying to stay conscience. Saddened by disappointment, she squatted down next to him.
"Spike…" her voice trailed off, "Why did you leave? I… I… Spike..."
Her love for Spike slowly enveloped her body and mind. Thoughts of her and Spike together grew and grew until the thought of even touching him finally came over her mind. She got on all fours over Spike and looked at his cold, near-dead body. Slowly, she got down and almost kissed him before Spike placed his hand on her head. She was unaware, but soon realized what he could do. Quickly, she jumped away from him, taking her sword with her. When she landed on the ground, Angel braced for what Spike would bring to the fight, but he only laid there. She wondered what he was doing until he slowly stood up. The next moment, he vanished and reappeared next to her. Surprised, she swung at him, but Spike anticipated it. He grabbed her wrist, stopping her swing. He slowly reached for her other wrist, but she retaliated. With her free hand, she pulled back a fist and aimed for his head. Spike saw the action beforehand and stopped her midway. His grip was solid, and she couldn't escape. She looked at Spike to see he wasn't conscience. He was moving by will. With one last attempt at attack, she inhaled for fire, but what Spike did made her inhale even more in a gasp. He threw the sword behind him, pulled her close, and hugged her. She stood breathless, but soon struggled to free herself. She tried, but her attempts failed. Spike held her tightly and she couldn't break free. Soon, she gave up and simply stood there.
"Why?" Angel muttered, "Why are you doing this?"
Spike, still not conscience, simply whispered, "It's going to be okay… Don't cry…", and then went limp on her. She lost her footing, but soon caught it and Spike. He was finally out. She didn't know what to do. A tear slowly fell upon her soft, scaly cheek. The dragon she loved was almost out of life force. With difficulty, she carried Spike and slowly walked away. Before she made it halfway, she stopped and looked at Rarity, who is still out, same as Spike.
"Denta!" she called to the cage after she wiped her eyes, "We're leaving!"
"Aww~." a voice called sarcastically, "And I worked so hard for this one. No bloodshed?"
"None for you," she said as a matter-of-fact, "Now let's go. Get that sword, why don't you? He'll want it later."
The voice mumbled something about "lovebird" before the cage was slowly destroyed by magic. Rarity was levitated and set on a stallion. He was a unicorn with golden fur. His mane and tail were chestnut and worn in a casual style. He levitated the sword laying next to Angel and Spike and held it in his mouth. His red eyes shot a surprised look before spitting it out and gagging.
"Oh, yuck!" he cried, "Uhg. Has he cleaned that sword at all?! It tastes like smelly socks!"
"And I wonder how you would know that?" she remarked," Just hold it by the blunt side of the blade."
Sighing, the unicorn rolled his eyes and did as she told him to do. He held it in his mouth again and casted a speaker spell.
"Gee," the spell spoke from the unicorn's mind, "Forgot what I signed up for. Thanks for dissing me out back there, missy."
Walking away, she said, "I had to. You still annoy me even when I look at you."
"Ouch" he pretended, "That hurts, you know? I even felt a drop of emotion in my cold, tin heart."
"Well shut up and get moving," she yelled, "We're going to return them."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa there sister," the unicorn stumbled, "We're not supposed to do that! The plan was to get Spike, you fight him, you win, and you two go off to Celestia-knows-where. Why are you returning them?"
"Because…" Angel paused for a moment before continuing, "I'm not letting him out of my sight again."
"… Your funeral. If you haven't guessed already, we might not be welcomed in that town."
Her pace quickened. She had come up with a plan.
"I'll see to it that they do," her tone saying she means business before sprinting. The unicorn sighed, not liking what she was planning, but nonetheless ran with her to Ponyville where the end begins a new.