//------------------------------// // Episode Four: A Spike of Chaos // Story: Discovering Friendship // by Saro0fdemonz //------------------------------// "Its getting late, you girls are welcome to stay here tonight." Twilight said as she stood, blankets and pillows flying in her magic to form several pallets. "It could be like a sleepover!" she cheered, brightening the mood slightly. "Well, as wonderful as that sounds, I fear we must decline Twilight. Fluttershy has her animals to worry about in the morning and quite a few at night. I on the other hand have a rather large order I have to fill by tomorrow evening. Perhaps another time?" Rarity asked. "Oh...Okay then. Have a safe trip home." Twilight smiled as they left. Rainbow stood, tucking her hands into her pockets. "I uh...don't have anything to do. I could hang around if you want. But no makeovers!" Rainbow said. In the kitchen Spike chuckled to himself as he pulled out a bag of marshmallows. Carefully roasting a few and setting them in a bowl with a note before sneaking outside. "This is going to be great. My first sleepover. Spike! Spiiike?!" She called out as she headed into the kitchen. "Where did he run off to?" she mumbled, spotting the note. Made you guys a snack for your sleepover. I'm not big on girly stuff so I'll be out of your hair for the night. Have fun Twi' She smiled slightly as she took the bowl back to the living room. "Are those fire roasted marshmallows?" Rainbow asked. "Yup, Spike made em. I guess we kinda scared him off." she shrugged as she sat down. Rainbow expertly popping a marshmallow in the air and catching it between her teeth. "Man, good thing Pinkie Pie isn't here. She'd gobble the whole thing down before anyone had a chance to see it." Rainbow laughed. "I doubt she's inconsiderate like that." "Nah, its nothing like that. Girl just loves her sweets." Rainbow explained nomming another marshmallow. Twilight smiled, happy to see the tears gone from her friends face and the beginnings of a smile growing. It had been a hard day for the Skyborn. Hopefully the night would be better. "So, know any good ghost stories?" Rainbow asked. Spike dug his clawed feet into the branch he stood upon, looking out into the town as the night dragged on. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a figure in the air and resisted the urge to wave. If he had seen her then she knew he was there. If she had meant to speak with him then she would come to him. That was what he had been told and he would respect those words. With a sigh he turned his attention back to the town. "This little place, Eravil. Was the last stronghold against the Chaoticians. Whats hidden away here that won that battle so long ago?" Spike thought aloud. It was something he had wondered for a long time, though he suspected the weapon that proved victorious on that day was the Elements of Harmony, it seemed like there was something more to it. According to Celestia there had been others, many others, Chaotician and Celestian alike. The godlike beings had fought over the realm for centuries and were thought to be all but extinct. But Celestia had ordered him to keep his eyes open, to watch the Chaos. Did that mean there were still Chaoticians out there? Just how powerful were they? And, when the time came to face them, would he be strong enough to protect Twilight? "Hm, that one there is peculiar. A Draconic Beastkin. I was sure none of their kind would ever set foot anywhere near Celemaont, let alone little Eravil. Hiding things from me Celly?" he chuckled. "Well, you've got your little dragon and I've got my pets. Who will win in the end?" he asked, snapping his fingers. "Go play with the little fire-breather and make it enjoyable." THUD...THUD...THUD "What the heck is that?" Spike mumbled, his eyes glowing dimly in the moonlight. In the distance, coming from the Everfree he spotted something...big, marching straight towards town. "That can't be good." he mumbled, swinging off the branch he clung to and down the tree. Whatever this thing was, he'd have to take care of it himself. Twilight was comforting Rainbow and he planned to let them enjoy their night. It wasn't the first time he'd played the secret hero and he doubted it would be the last. But this was why he was around. Why Celestia entrusted him to Twilight. He took a slow breath to relax as he rushed toward the creature stomping towards town. If he was quick about it he could probably keep it from even reaching town. At least thats what he thought until he realized it was a Golem. A creature crafted from Dark Magiks, powerful words, and clay. It was also immune to anything magic and drained the magic out of anything it touched. Spike, being a Beastkin of Dragons, was immune to most magics. One of the exceptions to that being Golems. Now he was really on his own, there was no way he could drag Twilight into this. As a Magian this thing would devour her! He had to find the words of power that were used on it. But that meant reaching into its mouth, if he was lucky. He kicked off the ground, slamming his palms into its shoulders and flipping over its back, drawing it away from the town and into the forest. "Thats it, follow the tasty dragon!" he called out after it, ducking under branches and jumping over bushes as fast as his legs could carry him. He chanced a glance over his shoulder, spotting the words of power etched into its forehead. He needed to erase the E, if memory served correctly. "How the heck am I gonna do that?" he mumbled to himself, pivoting and sliding under the Golem. "I'M GONNA REGRET THIS!" he called out, roaring as he fully shifted, leaping atop the Golem and throwing his arm around his neck, jamming his thumb into its forehead as it twisted and spun, trying to throw him off. Spike jammed his teeth into the Golems neck, growling as he slashed his claw through the letters in its forehead, his scales sizzling against the Golems skin. He fought through the pain, feeling one of his teeth chip as he held on for dear life, finishing his etching into the Golems head and leaping as far away as he could. He panted heavily as he lay on the ground, smoke rising from his body. The Golem groaned as it slowly marched away. Spike chuckled to himself as he reverted to normal, magical burns coating his body. "Gonna feel that in the morning." he mumbled, crawling to his feet slowly. He kept an eye on the golem as it marched, snapping his claws along with a muttered word before turning away and trudging towards home, gasping as a figure swooped down in front of him. "Hello Dragonkin." she said softly. Spike blinked, lowering his head and crying out in pain. "There is no need to prostrate yourself before us, not after the deeds which you have performed." she urged, surrounding him in a blanket of magic. "T'was quite brave and yet foolish to clamber atop a Golem, one of your sworn enemies." she tsk'd as her magic began to soothe his burns. "It was heading straight for Eravil. I did what I had to Princess Luna." Spike offered as an excuse. "I am not reprimanding you Spike. Sometimes the best option is not always the brightest." she said with a small smile. "It is my understanding...that you have Guarded my Savior for quite some time, and that she is unaware of your protection. Why is this?" she asked as she continued to heal him. "It was Princess Celestia's idea. As a dragon-kin...I don't quite belong. I sort of stand out in a crowd as well and I'm more of a second-class citizen than anything else." "We do not remember it that way. The dragon-kin were our brethren." "To you they were...But the way I hear it, after Nightmare Moons Banishment...things fell apart. The Dragons were still loyal to you and still are Princess." Spike pointed out, stretching a bit as the blanket of magic vanished from around him. "We see...so that is why she allowed us to fly freely this night. There is much more at work here than we know my dear dragon-kin." Luna murmured as she began to pace, her regal robes flowing elegantly behind her. Spike lowered his eyes, keeping his head down. The younger princess couldn't help but feel a bit amused by his actions. "One so young, yet so prim and proper. Our sister must've spent quite some time training you Guardian." she mused, earning a blush from him. "Keep your eyes open Guardian. And for now, continue to keep watch over our sisters ward. I feel old enemies will soon arise." she placed a gentle kiss upon his forehead, her massive wings spreading out and giving one powerful flap to throw her high into the air. Spike watched with a small smile as she vanished into the starlit night. "I got a kiss from Princess Luna..." he mumbled drunkenly. The young dragon-kin snuck into the library with as much stealth as he could muster, finding Twilight and Rainbow curled up in a blanket together and passed out amongst a pile of pillows. He chuckled to himself and made his way upstairs, flopping down into his bed, still aching a bit from his short battle. Magic could only do so much to sooth the burns left behind by a Golem. As his thoughts drifted to the creature he snapped his fingers, a small window opening, showing the Golem walking along its path with the tracer he had left on it. "Just who made you?" he asked softly. "That would be me." a voice said, the image before him wavering slightly and revealing a figure hidden in the shadows, his piercing yellow eyes staring into the dragon-kins emerald slits. "You are quite an interesting Specimen Sir Spike Swiftshrike of Celestia's Secret Guard. But this little game of ours will have to come to an end for tonight, but you won fair and square, so heres a little consolation prize." the figure chuckled, snapping its fingers. Spike screamed as his scrying glass exploded, a second explosion sounding in the distance, most likely the Golem being commanded to detonate before it could return to its owner. Twilight and Rainbow were upstairs in an instant, finding Spike laying on his back, his skin burnt black and a few of his scales spread across the remains of Twilights room as he had attempted to shift to protect himself. He rolled onto his hands and knees, coughing and forcing the shift to complete. "G-Get out..." he gasped, digging his claws into the wooden floor. "S-Spike..." Twilight cried out, gasping as he let out a bestial roar, causing her to flinch away. "GET OUT! NOW!" he roared. Rainbow didn't need to be told twice. Throwing her arms around Twilight she leapt for the window, tucking her wings around the two as she spun, flinging them out of the library and into the night sky. Spike growled low in his throat, crouched on all fours as the figure appeared before him. "I'm impressed boy. You've had a good teacher and you've learned well. But how much can a Celestian teach a dragon?" the figure asked. Spike had no answer, settling for a growl. "You fought off my Golem, survived a Class 3 Explosion, and still have the gall to stand up to me. I like you boy, but you've got that spark in your eyes. That spark that says you'll die before listening to a thing I have to say. Its a shame really." the figure sighed, raising his hand. Spike's tail raised high in the air as he growled louder. "Sleep well, sweet knight, t'was a shame we could not be friends." "NOT TODAY!" Twilight screamed, smashing enough magical energy into the figure to send it flying through the opposite wall. She rushed to Spike's side, throwing her arms around him. "Oh gods Spike..." she cried. "Twi' we got trouble. That thing is coming back for round 2!" Rainbow called out, her armor appearing, the bolts flying to her hands as she stood between them. The figure glanced at her from the shadows, chuckling softly as it vanished. "What the heck was that?!" Rainbow yelled, turning towards Twilight who held a wounded boy in her arms. "We've got to get him to a hospital..." "Hey, chill Twilight. The little guy is tough, he'll pull through." Rainbow said, holding the Magian close, even when their friends burst into the hospital. "What happened?!" they asked together. "Whoa! Chill out!" Rainbow said, one arm hooked around Twilight. "Spike's bein' looked at and he's gonna be fine. Some whacko jumped us at Twi's place and the lil' guy got hurt protectin' us." Rainbow explained quickly. "He protected ya'll? What 'bout yer fancy magic an bolts?" Applejack asked. "I didn't really have time to think about any of that AJ, when a giant fire breathing lizard tells you to get the fuck out, you get the fuck out." the room fell silent after that, the friends gathered together and waiting to hear about Spike. "I do hope I am not too late." Princess Celestia spoke up as she entered the waiting room. "P-Princess! wh-what are you doing here?" Twilight choked out "Word travels fast about massive magical disturbances." she said simply. She waved her guards away, waiting until they took up post at the doorways before marching into the operating room. "I-is he really going to be ok?" Fluttershy stammered. The sight of her adopted son, strapped to a table, bruised, bloody, and burned, brought tears to her eyes. She had trained him to fight, to protect, to die if he had to. But she had never expected this. "Spike? Can you hear me?" she called out softly. "Princess?" he gasped, trying to sit up, the nurses gently pushing him back down. "You shouldn't be moving!" Nurse Redheart sighed. "Yes, its me. You've been badly hurt Spike and you need to keep still. I know I have no right to ask this...but what..." "The Chaotician." he said softly, tears stinging his eyes. Celestia lowered her head, her worst fears made true. "I couldn't...I couldn't do it. H-he was so powerful...all I could do was just sit there!" he roared in frustration, flames licking the ceiling in his fury. "Thats enough Spike!" Celestia yelled, the boy calming down almost instantly. "You fought bravely and did all that you could. Not even I could've stood against that monster." she admitted. "T-Twilight, h-hit him." Spike gasped out. "He's fading." Nurse Redheart rushed about the room, pulling a breathing machine towards the dragon, pausing as Celestia held up her hand to stop them. "Give him a moment Nurse." she said softly. The room fell silent as the heart-monitor went dead. "Princess! we're going to lose him!" the Nurse panicked. "Have you ever tended to a dragon before nurse?" Celestia asked quietly. "N-Never." "Then watch." she said, taking a seat. Slowly but surely the Heart-monitor began to kick back to life, a steady beep filling the room. The sound of bones crunching and twisting back into place made more than a few people in the room queasy, however it was the screaming that really caused the nurse to jump out of her skin. Spike lay on the table, steam rising from his skin as he panted heavily, the nurse strapping a breathing mask to his face to help regulate his breathing. "What was that?" Nurse Redheart demanded. "Its a healing process. Its secrets are a forbidden subject of discussion. The important part is, if you give him time to rest, he will be just fine." Celestia stood, placing a small kiss on Spikes' forehead, leaving with a whispered goodbye. Twilight stared at her with hopeful eyes as she left the operating room. "He's going to make a full recovery Twilight. While he rests...we have things to discuss." "Princess, do you know what that thing was that attacked Spike?" Twilight asked. "It is my understanding that you were its target." Celestia sighed. "It went straight after Spike, he told us to run and tried to fight alone a-and I flipped." Twilight cried. "Twi' that was the craziest thing I've ever seen anyone do! And I saw you get thrown into the air by Pinkie!" Rainbow argued "From what Spike was able to tell me, I heard you managed to hit his attacker with a spell...Is that true Twilight?" Celestia asked softly. Twilight blinked away her tears and nodded. "Perhaps there is a chance then..." Celestia murmured to herself. "A chance for what your highness?" Rarity asked. "As you all know...long ago there was a war between the Celestians and a race known as the Chatocians, rulers of chaos and disharmony." "A-are ya'll sayin' one o' them attacked Spike? But why?!" Applejack asked. "No one can understand what goes on in the mind of a God of Chaos. He saw something in Spike and wanted it out of his way. Which can only mean he is watching you." the princess sighed. "Its because of the Elements." Fluttershy said suddenly, clutching the end of her dress. "Yes, The Elements are the greatest weapon against the Chaoticians. It would only make sense they would be a target." Celestia agreed. "THEN WHY SPIKE!?" Twilight cried out. "H-He didn't deserve this...i-its my fault..." Twilight blamed herself, hanging her head. "Maybe thats what that jerk wants you to think." Rainbow pointed out. Twilight sniffed as she raised her head. "It'd be too easy for some nutjob to target us, but if he hurts what we care about, and makes us feel like its our fault? We start to fall apart and then the Elements probably won't even work!" Rainbow reasoned. "Thats...brilliant Rainbow Dash. I never realized you possessed such skills of deduction." Rarity blinked. "Dashie's smarter than she looks!" Pinkie pointed out. "Thanks Pinks...I think." Rainbow mumbled. "But what do we do now? We got some kinda god o' chaos watchin over us an hurtin what we care 'bout. How are we gonna protect ourselves?" Applejack asked. Rainbow chuckled, her armor latching onto her as she crossed her arms. "He took off running when he saw this. I dare that creep to come after any of us! Ya hear me?! I dare ya!" Rainbow shouted at the ceiling. "Thats all well and good. But none of us are able to call to our Element the way you can Rainbow. What if we are left without you?" Rarity asked. "Uh...crud, I can't be in five places at once..." Rainbow sighed, her armor vanishing. "Well, why don't we just figure it out?" Pinkie suggested. "How are we going to do that?" Fluttershy asked, jumping as the door behind them opened. Spike slowly made his way into the room. A sword was latched to his waist along with the white coat and armor he wore. "I'm going to teach you, and we're going to take that bastard down."