//------------------------------// // Hallowed Be Thy Name // Story: The Power of Music // by PrometheusDark //------------------------------// The days passed so monotonous after that, they would wake up in the morning, make something to eat or coffee depending on how much they drank the night before, worked at the tavern from 3 P.M to 2 A.M everyday besides Tuesdays, they ran Spike's errands together. Octavia had to admit, after meeting his friends, she was surprised how Spike turned out. From what she gathered, they had practically raised him, and he was nothing like any of them. Rarity was a seamstress and business owner, though she had heard of her before she never met the mare. Everything they said about her was true, she was beautiful and she carried herself like she knew it. Spike would offer to help, and she would decline, and Octavia couldn't help but feel the layer of tension between the two while they talked. Their smiles were forced, and their words sounded just as fake. Pinkie Pie was so energetic, even while working. The pink mare and Spike seemed to share a love for cooking, even though she had discovered that Spike wasn't very good at baking. They talked freely around each other and just Pinkie's presence gave him a contact high, making him emulate her in a way. Applejack worked way to much, that much Octavia knew. Spike knew it too, and so, he would travel to the farm on his day off and try to help. They shared memories with each other as the apples fell from the trees and into baskets. Fluttershy was just as her name implied, and she barely spoke a word to either the dragon or Octavia. Though she realized, in Spike's case, it wasn't out of fear, but lack of things to say. He would get a quiet thank you for at least trying to help tend to the animals that littered the cottage Fluttershy owned. Twilight was very much his sister, despite the species difference. She even, at times, seemed more like a mother to the dragon. It was a little jarring to see the big, bad dragon being bossed around by a purple mare a head shorter then him. Spike told her, once, that he had one other friend from the picture on his table. And boy, was she surprised when she found out who it was. Rainbow Dash was a member of the Wonderbolts, in fact she was acting captain of the Wonderbolts. Though she never visited the dragon, and he could very well be lying to impress her. Octavia had a feeling that wasn't the case. Time passed like this for what felt like months, though it was, in reality, only two weeks. Spike and Octavia were slowly growing closer, but one night at the tavern changed everything. Spike was trying to enjoy his cigarette as he sat at the piano, Octavia was on her usual spot on the bar. She saw Berry Punch, an infamously dangerous drunk, trot over to the dragon and his instrument. Spike saw a glint in her eyes, and her smile looked very forced, but he knew Berry pretty well, she was a regular. He put his cigarette in the ashtray and let her approach him. “Hey,” She spoke in a flirty voice, all part of the plan, “Do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I walk by again.” She winked at him. The part that surprised Spike was that she didn't move or sound like she was drunk, so why was she flirting with him? He decided to just go with it. “You better direct that beauty elsewhere, you might set the carpet on fire.” Spike chuckled at his own lame pick up line. Apparently it worked, because it wasn't long before she led him through the back door and into the alley. Octavia watched them go with bored eyes, she just hoped he didn't bring her home. “Where'd Spike get off to, he's on the clock!” Pony Joe asked, exasperated. Octavia looked at the clock, he had been gone a long time, but she was worried at what she would see if she walked out there while he was in the middle of, well, 'burying the hatchet.' “Can you go find him, Octavia?” Pony Joe practically begged. She let out a sigh and nodded before trotting out the back door. Behind the pub was a normal alley, it housed a dumpster, a lamp on the side of a building, and nothing else. Octavia was confused that, when she walked out into the alleyway, there was nopony in sight. She decided, after a quick glance around, that he must have run off with that mare, but that was something he never did before. She was about to trot back inside to tell Pony Joe that Spike was MIA when she heard a noise. She stopped and looked around again, still nothing. She stood, listening intently for the noise. She heard it again, she couldn't place what it sounded like, but she heard it was coming from the dumpster. She cautiously cracked the lid of the trash receptacle, what she saw shocked her to the point that she dropped said lid when she saw it. She rushed back inside to Pony Joe, they'd need to get a doctor. He was beaten pretty badly, he had bruises, a swollen eye, and the worst injury, a broken arm. He was also unconscious, but the doctors said he would be fine, given time to heal. Octavia's stomach churned with anger, that mare, Berry Punch, she set him up. Why would she do that? If he couldn't play the piano, then he wouldn't be able to pay the rent. Not to mention the fact that it was just plain wrong to do this to somepony. She wasn't the only visitor Spike had, actually. All his friends, including Rainbow Dash, had showed up. Octavia felt very out of place among them, but she was his friend too now, so she stood by him as he recovered. “How did this happen?” Twilight Sparkle had asked that question multiple times, and Octavia stopped bothering to answer her. Spike heard a beeping, and at first, he thought it was his alarm. He tried to move his arm to turn it off, but it wouldn't listen to him. He slowly realized that the beeping was slower and quieter then his alarm. He snapped his eyes open and instantly regretted it, the overhead light glared down at him and momentarily blinded him. He tried again moments later, opening them slower this time. He had no idea where he was, and while the place seemed slightly familiar, try as me might he couldn't place it. A mare trotted in, and noticed he was awake. She gasped and rushed out, much to Spike's confusion. It wasn't long before another pony cantered inside, this one wearing a white coat. “Hello, Spike. How are you feeling?” He asked, looking over a chart as he did so. Spike's confusion worsened when he spoke the name. “Who's Spike?” He questioned.