//------------------------------// // What Comes Next? // Story: Spike's Shadow // by DraconequusMaximus //------------------------------// For the first time since their brief stay at the Sleep-In Inn, Spike and Sombra awoke in the same bed. The uncomfortable air mattress had been done away with. Sombra had appreciated it to a degree before, but now it was just annoying when compared to Spike's bed. Especially when Spike was sharing it with him. Spike had reasoned that they were already living together, and now that they had both accepted their feelings for one another separate beds seemed pointless. That and Sombra had quickly discovered he was quite the cuddler. Something Spike was more than happy to oblige him with. Spike eventually freed Sombra from his gentle yet firm grip as the alarm began it's daily disruptive dissonance. It was quickly silenced by Spike's tail as both of the bed's occupants stretched in preparation for the day. "So, how'd you sleep, Sombra?" Spike asked, placing an affectionate peck on the stallion's forehead. Sombra blushed, but he didn't object. Until now Sombra had never given any brainpower to imagining a pleasant sort of being flustered. "Incredibly well. I had actually become so accustomed to the inflatable bed that I forgot how good the real thing was. I scarcely needed a blanket either, you give off just the right amount of heat." Sombra replied, ignoring the redness of his face. Spike chuckled in response. "Yeah. Well, I obviously run a little hotter than ponies do. If you ever get too warm lemme know, I can turn down a bit if I try." Spike offered. "I don't think that will be necessary. I could scarcely see changing a thing." Sombra smirked. After a few minutes each in the downstairs restroom the pair headed up for breakfast as normal. While they hadn't had much time to decide exactly what would change between the two of them when they got home late the previous night, they had agreed to let things play out as they would. Although they also came to an agreement about something else, albeit begrudgingly. As soon as they had made it to the kitchen, as if sensing the reluctance in their minds, Lyra came trotting in. Neither of the new couple had any idea what to say to Lyra, so the room was eerily quiet for a moment. Sound didn't seem to return until Lyra opened the fridge and took her morning staple of cheap beer from the fridge. It quickly met it's end, and Lyra disposed of the evidence in a trash can under the sink. "Morning fellas. How was snob-city? Anything big happen?" Lyra asked, now with the pep back into her step. Sombra and Spike looked at each other, neither knowing what to say. It should have been a relatively easy to explain, especially to Lyra who had called it from the get-go. However, neither one of them could put it into words. Not because they had any sort of issue admitting their feelings now, but because they had to admit it to Lyra. Spike however eventually settled on a non-verbal response. Sombra was swept up into a full-on kiss by Spike. While he was initially surprised, Sombra quickly got into it. By the time the kiss was through, and Sombra was back on the ground his legs were practically jelly. He almost wished he would have been wearing his armor, if only to help his legs keep their shape. Lyra reacted in typical Lyra fashion. "BOOSH! Called it! About time!" Lyra cried out triumphantly, getting onto her back legs and pumping both of her front hooves in the air. Once Lyra was back to her natural quadruped state, Lyra wrapped Spike and Sombra both into a hug. "So... Gotta say, feels a little like I'm a third wheel now. Maybe I should move in with Bonny and let you two lovebirds nest?" Lyra questioned in a surprisingly serious tone. Both Spike and Sombra were a bit surprised at the sudden offer. "I should think not. If you were to leave, Spike would have no one but me to coddle. I fear I would get fat and lazy if I had my every whim catered to and no one else to share meals with." Sombra joked affectionately in his own sort of indirect way. Lyra giggled, squeezing Sombra a bit tighter before letting go. "Yeah, you're right. Just remember, I won't be hanging around forever. Gotta make an honest mare out of Bon Bon one of these days." Lyra replied. Spike hummed thoughtfully on that, filing it away for future consideration. For now there was breakfast to be made. Sombra commenced with his daily task of making coffee, and even though things were still basically the same he felt better. Better than he knew he could feel. It was something Sombra didn't mind not understanding. It simply was, and that was all Sombra cared about. Once breakfast was ready, Spike, Sombra, and Lyra headed for the dining room. However upon arriving at the table they found Zecora already there. She was quietly sipping a cup of tea, her bag beside her on the table. There was something amiss about the zebra today. Her golden bands around her neck and leg were gone. In their places, were distressing black blotches. As if they were something like negative zones, the stripes in the blotches seemed bleached white. Despite the obvious, concern-provoking blotches Zecora seemed perfectly fine. If she was in any sort of pain she was masking it perfectly. "Uh... Zecora? You feeling okay?" Spike asked his mentor. Zecora smiled and gave a short nod, but she seemed hesitant to speak. After a short period of thinking, Zecora spoke. This body has begun to corrupt. I have been very busy since Twilight's machines allowed me to deconstruct the Alicorn Amulet. Though it was not Zecora's typical spiritual voice, and her eyes hadn't changed Zecora's voice seemed to come from all around. Her lips hadn't moved either. As soon as she saw how concerned her friends were she gestured to her throat with her unblemished leg. My throat cannot produce sounds any longer. As of yet, it is all that I have lost. I was quite fortunate. Though I have forgone my rhyming ways, as speaking this way without tapping my full power requires much concentration. Zecora explained. Both Sombra and Lyra looked to Spike, as he was unofficially their leader for all intents and purposes. While the echo-speech wasn't all that unusual for Zecora, the corruption left many questions unanswered. As default leader, it was up to Spike to voice their concerns. "Okay... Uh... How did the corruption happen exactly? Something about the amulet?" Spike asked, feeling a mixture of complex emotions, none pleasant. The amulet is no more. I was able to deconstruct, and then destroy it's evil. Though I was able to glean it's make up. The black oil-sap of the trees that grow over lost souls in the Edelwood Forest, the crystallized blood of a dragon, and metal wrought from the bones of a mountain troll. Three powerful ingredients infused with Dootha's power. As I destroyed the amulet, whatever foul sentience it possessed lashed out at me. It could not harm my soul, but my body suffered minor damage. Though the damage began to worsen as I set upon other tasks. Zecora began. Spike shuddered at the creepy imagery the construction of one of the evil magic weapons would entail. "You should have let us help you with it Zecora. Sombra's sword could have destroyed it without a problem. You didn't need to get so badly injured." Spike scolded, actually wagging his finger at Zecora disapprovingly. Zecora's eyes glowed yellow briefly and Spike was compelled to silence. From Zecora's powers, or out of fear was uncertain. I am on my last life. What happens to my body is of no consequence to me. Rest assured, I do not seek danger needlessly, and if my soul is in danger I will seek assistance. For now, if your worry is quelled I would like to continue with the rest of the information I've acquired that will help save the world. Yes? Zecora asked. She's rather straight forward once she stops rhyming, isn't she? Sombra grimaced internally. Spike nodded for Zecora to move on, even though it was quite clear he wanted to say more on the matter. I have discovered the locations of the last two gems imbued with the power of water, and the power of electricity. Zecora revealed. All three of Zecora's comrades leaned in closer, their collective interests peaked. The first stone is actually quite close to home. It lies deep underground in system of caves below the river that flows through the Everfree forest. The layers of water and rock obscured it from my sight for quite some time. I believe obtaining it will take some effort, but I am sure you are capable, Spike. The second gem however was quite difficult to locate. It lies in the kingdom of New Griffonstone, but aside from that I cannot be sure. It is heavily protected by powerful magics. I attempted to power through the defenses, but all it earned me was the corruption encroaching upon my leg. I do not believe it is Dootha's forces, but whomever possesses the stone must know what they have. They will likely be reluctant to part with it. Zecora finished, rubbing her leg for emphasis. Spike and Sombra both groaned simultaneously at the news the electric gem was heavily guarded. Hopefully there wouldn't be another monster guarding it. Though somehow they felt they already knew the answer to that. "Whelp... I'm gonna have to put in papers before we can even go to Griffonstone. If a duke turns up unannounced to a friendly nation it'd be a pretty big incident. Let alone a big fire-breathing dragon who's in the pocket of the royal family. It's gonna take some time." Spike complained. "I wanna come! I haven't got to do squat so far!" Lyra pleaded. Spike tore himself away from petty grumbling, looking to Sombra and Zecora for their opinions. Sombra hesitantly nodded his agreement, while Zecora seemed to be opposed. Spike didn't want Lyra in harm's way, but also didn't want to hurt her feelings by outright telling her no. There was also the fact that if Spike forbade her to come she'd likely sneak her way over the border with them somehow and cause all sorts of comedic, yet incredibly inconvenient problems. "Why don't you hold down the fort here, then you and Bon Bon take a trip without us? Me and Sombra get our alone time, and you get a romantic getaway with your mare. Everybody wins." Spike suggested. Lyra seemed to consider the offer for a time. "Okay. But bring me something cool back. Like, I dunno, a demon skull or something." Lyra agreed. "Done." Spike complied. Ah. I see the two of you have come to terms with what has bloomed within you. I must say it struck me as odd at first, but the two of you aren't the worst pair I've ever bore witness to. Though in terms of weirdness, I would say you're in the top three. Zecora chuckled. "Thank you for the show of support, if that is what that was." Sombra responded coldly. Zecora produced an echo laugh, seemingly capable of humor even in her current state. I am quite happy for the two of you. Love is the greatest of motivators. Together I have no doubt you will fend of the coming evils. But for now, I will be off to begin searching for our enemies base of operations. Even if Dootha is slain, Beznik may survive. Something we cannot risk. Especially not when we know of the terrible weapons he is creating. Zecora declared. "Don't push yourself, and don't be a stranger, Zecora. You're more than my mentor. You're a friend." Spike reminded the ancient mare. Zecora paused for a moment and smiled. With a subtle nod she casually walked out of the dining room. Sombra and Lyra were concerned for her well being, but Spike worried most of all. For the better half of a decade Zecora had been a guiding light on the impossible path he was destined for. Only now it seemed that light was almost burnt out. For the time being however there were pans needing set in motion. Once everyone finished their meals, and the table had been cleared, Spike, Sombra, and Lyra reconvened in the lounge. It had quickly replaced the living room as their meeting place of choice. Spike even played his piano more now, usually at Sombra and Lyra's request. Currently however the tone was far less jovial than Spike or Sombra had hoped their first full day as a couple would have been. "Okay, so... We've got the last two locations for the remaining gemstones. One of them is even pretty close to home. I think it's obvious that we should go after the water-stone first." Spike began. "Yeah, that's a given. I think you should try and figure out who has your rock out in bird-land while you're doing paperwork or whatever." Lyra suggested. "Actually, I have a theory about that." Sombra interjected. "Uh... Really?" Spike asked, obviously surprised. "I imagine our mystery has something to do with their recently elected leader. He came off as quite the mysterious character. I believe his name is Gavin, a supposed descendant of their first king. He recently appeared out of thin air, or so it is said. Griffonstone was already on the mend, but it is quickly becoming a prosperous nation as it was in my day. All thanks to him, if you believe the rumors." Sombra theorized. Spike and Lyra were rather surprised that Sombra was so knowledgeable on the subject. Sombra saw the astonishment on their faces, taking little offense. Instead a look of smug satisfaction graced his face in the form of a fanged grin. "I would think it common knowledge. I have learned this much from reading the morning paper each day for the last month. I must admit I find it rather pleasurable to be the one in the know for a change." Sombra chuckled, somewhat darkly. Is it bad that his triumphant-villain voice is turning me on a little? Spike wondered guiltily. "Huh. Score one for Brero." Lyra chuckled. "Yeah, I'll send a letter to Luna then. She's got spies all over the place. She'll know something, if anyone does. For now we should probably go scope out the river in the Everfree." Spike proposed. "Sounds as good a plan as any. We shouldn't dawdle if the pearl is so close. The longer you have to train the better." Sombra agreed. "Sweet. You two have fun. Just send me a letter or something if you're gonna be too late. That way I know if I need to eat out, or see if Bon Bon's hungry. Or some combination of those things." Lyra asked. Spike face-clawed at the thinly veiled innuendo, though fortunately Sombra wasn't up-to-date on his modern terminology quite yet. Regardless, Spike helped Sombra armor up before the two of them made their way into the forest once more. Sombra had every confidence Spike could protect him, but the search for the gems had been very eventful so far. Some added defense and an impossibly sharp sword were reasonable precautions. The path to the riverside was a bit less tread upon than most of Spike's other paths, which was explained by Spike as a lack of interest. The river that had no name also had no good-tasting fish. What little marine life it did have was little more than frogs, turtles, and the occasional cragodile which tasted like a mixture of bad pork and ordinary rocks. Once at the river Spike cleared away the reeds and such, allowing them to get a look at the river. It was about three times as wide as Spike was long from tip to tail, and far too deep to get an actual idea of just how far down the depths went. There were rocks protruding up out of the water here and there, but the water was just murky enough to obscure their view of anything below the surface. "Okay then... I guess I should take a swim and hope I see something." Spike supposed. "Do be careful. This is supposed to be a forest of monsters after all. I doubt I would be much help in a fight against some kind of kraken, or water elemental." Sombra pleaded. Spike smiled and gave Sombra a quick, but reassuring kiss. "I promise to be careful. I'll be back in a few minutes. I've gotta come up for air after all." Spike reasoned. Somehow the phrasing did little to assuage Sombra's nerves. As soon as Spike disappeared below the water Sombra couldn't help but tense up. History had proved that Spike could certainly handle himself against anything that wasn't a demonic monster, but this was different. Being underwater was sure to hinder all three of the magics Spike currently had a grasp on, and so far the gem search had been less than peaceful. Fortunately, after about five minutes Spike's amazing lung capacity failed him and forced Spike to surface. He seemed a tad winded, but otherwise fine. "Took a bit more effort to swim with the wings. They kept creating drag when I was swimming. Not a problem, but I'm not winning any races anytime soon. I did happen to see something interesting down there though." Spike reported as he shook the water off himself. "Since you're empty-handed It's safe to assume it's not the pearl, yes?" Sombra inquired, still a tad miffed Spike had worried him so. "You'd assume right. It's a cave. Twice as large as a pony at least, but I couldn't get through. I'm still too big in the shoulders. It's the only one I could find though, so it's gotta be our way into the cave system." Spike elaborated. Sombra immediately saw where this was going, and he was a bit embarrassed. "I would gladly explore this underwater cave for the cause of course, but I cannot swim. Though I suppose I could just drown and let my lungs fill, then walk along the bottom of the river?" Sombra suggested in an unenthusiastic tone. Spike looked genuinely mortified at the thought, and was quick to rebuff the suggestion. "Or, just hear me out... We could go see Apple Bloom and borrow her diving suit and air compressor. That way you don't have to almost die again." Spike offered. Sombra blushed out of sheer embarrassment, which Spike found incredibly cute. "Yes... Let us do that. I didn't know there were such things, to be fair." Sombra huffed. "It's okay. Don't get embarrassed. My heart can't take all the adorable." Spike joked, clutching his chest. Sombra wasn't sure how to react to being called adorable just yet, but he could tell Spike meant it in a positive way. With no trees on the riverbank, Spike could exit the forest via the air with little difficulty. Of course since the dragon saddle was still at the house Sombra had to be cradled in Spike's arms as he flew. While the height was intimidating once Sombra opened his eyes he found the view combined with the feeling of air rushing past him was exhilarating. Actually feeling the sensation of flight was vastly different than riding in the saddle. Sombra quickly began enjoying the trip, his ever-present scarf and proximity to Spike keeping him warm. Spike spared a half second to look down and see Sombra smiling, causing him to pull an impromptu loop out of excitement. Sombra was startled, but it did little sour his impression of saddle-free travel. After crossing over-top Ponyville, Spike continued on into outskirts of town that Sombra had yet to see before. Unlike the outer reach of the Ponyville city-limits that was home to the train station, the area Spike landed in was severely lacking in modernization. Or any real structures in general. All there was for what seemed like miles around were apple trees. Hundreds upon hundreds of them, if not thousands. "This is Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom's family settled here on Celestia's behest and have been here for a little over two hundred years. They grow seventy-percent of Equestria's apples, and are widely regarded as the best fruit growers in the world by everyone other than jealous fruit farmers." Spike explained. Sombra recalled the name Sweet Apple Acres with a sort of mild fondness. "Fascinating. So this is where they produce my favorite cider, and all the other apple related goods you buy as well as where the fruit itself is grown? Surely they must have quite a workforce." Sombra remarked, unable to see past the farm's extensive orchard. Spike chuckled a bit at the statement. "Yes and no. There are only four ponies living here, but each of them can do the work of at least a hundred ponies by themselves. Or at least three of them can. Granny Smith is getting pretty old. She just keeps everyone else in line. "They've got dozens of relatives all over Equestria they call up for help in times of need though. Biggest clan in Equestria I think. If not they're probably close. I'd say there's a one-in-ten chance of any earth pony you meet being related to them somehow." Spike corrected. Sombra found himself wondering exactly where the family's home was, but for the life of him couldn't even see a way out of the veritable forest of apple trees. "We've gotta walk up to the house from about here. I don't wanna drop from the sky and give Granny Smith a heart attack in case she's out on the porch in her rocker. She forgets who I am sometimes." Spike clarified. Spike and Sombra made small talk concerning everyday topics ranging from dinner plans to New Griffonstone as Spike guided them through the maze of trees. Somehow even small talk was better now that they didn't have to dance around their feelings. Eventually they came upon a farmhouse, much to Sombra's relief. For a moment it had seemed as though the labyrinth of trees had actually been endless. Instead of heading to the farmhouse Spike directed Sombra behind the barn. A good hundred meters behind the barn and the farmhouse was a large shack made entirely out of mismatched sheets of metal. From within there was a cacophony of screeches and through random gaps bright orange sparks could be seen flying to and fro. Over the door was a sign that read 'Blooming Ideas' in red paint. Spike explained the corny pun hadn't been Apple Bloom's idea, but she couldn't bring herself to take it down in fear of hurting her siblings' feelings. From a hook near the door of the machine shed Spike took a pair of safety goggles, which he gave to Sombra before he opened the door. Upon entering the machine shed, Sombra saw the rustic shack was certainly living up to it's name. There were all sorts of contraptions and contrivances laying about in the singular room, lit by lights hanging overhead on extension cords. Some were clearly farming implements, while others seemed to be built for unknowable purposes. Unless of course you were their creator. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all stopped what they were doing, which in Apple Bloom's case was cutting metal with some kind of high powered saw-like tool. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had seemingly just gotten up off the floor on the other side of the room, their goggles steamed and askew, their expressions far too nonchalant to be genuine. Sombra might not have recognized that look, had he himself not learned it less than twenty-four hours ago. "I hope we aren't interrupting anything." Sombra smirked at two-thirds of the crusaders. Apple Bloom only now looked back at her friends skeptically, causing Sweetie Belle to blush and Scootaloo to wave in an embarrassed fashion. Spike would have joined in the comradery of pleasant conversation, had they not been on a rather important errand. "Anyway... Apple Bloom. Do you still have that diving suit you bought back when you tried to build a submarine? There's another gem underwater in a cave, and I'm too big. We've gotta send Sombra in and I'd prefer that he could breathe." Spike cut in, ending the awkwardness. Apple Bloom scratched her head as if trying to remember, then quickly darted off to a chest next to what appeared to be a prosthetic pony leg. After some rummaging, Apple Bloom found what she was looking for. Unfortunately at a glance it was apparent the suit was in less than ideal shape. For starters, the helmet was cracked and one of the legs was torn almost completely off. "What in the hay happened to this thing? It was jus' fine when ah put it in the trunk." Apple Bloom remarked angrily. From the other side of the room, Sweetie Belle coughed conspicuously and pushed her mare friend forward, and under the metaphorical bus. Scootaloo fidgeted her wings awkwardly, but didn't shy away. "So... Funny story. The weekend I got accepted into the guard, you were stuck at school, Bloom. Me and Sweetie partied without you, and got crazy drunk. Somehow the discussion shifted to if Luna could take ponies to the moon, and whether or not they'd need space-suits like in the comics. "To make a long story short, I happened to remember you had that suit. I borrowed it, being a little annoyed you weren't hanging with us on my big night, not really caring, but keep in mind I was very drunk. The rest is a little blurry, but I woke up in a wrecked diving suit with a sprained leg and the worst hangover ever." Scootaloo professed. Somehow, as if Sweetie Belle thought Scootaloo didn't feel guilty enough she spoke up. "She climbed Sugarcube corner and shouted at the moon for Luna to whisk her away on 'an epic space adventure'. When that didn't work, she said, and I quote 'Buck it. I'll fly myself up there, and find space treasure.' Then she called me her sexy marshmallow and jumped, not realizing her wings were stuck inside the suit." Sweetie Belle added, filling in the gaps. "Why must you betray me, marshmallow." Scootaloo lamented theatrically. "I have a better memory of when I'm drunk than I do when I'm sober. It's like my super power." Sweetie Belle stated factually. Apple Bloom laughed, as did Spike. It wasn't until Sombra coughed into his hoof did they cease. It had gone momentarily forgotten that the diving suit may be necessary in saving the world. "Okay then. Ah'll jus' have to fix it. Ah'd say Ah'm gonna have to order a replacement helmet though. While Ah'm waiting for it, I can make it independent of an air compressor and hose, slap on an air tank. That should save you some trouble." Apple Bloom appraised. "And how long will that take?" Sombra inquired. Apple Bloom didn't answer right away, but instead looked at a wall calendar near the door. "Ah'll have it ready next Saturday, a week from today." Apple Bloom promised. Sombra looked up at Spike skeptically, but Spike seemed fine with it. "Alright, cool. We can wait that long. We've got some stuff to do in the meantime." Spike replied casually. After bidding the crusaders farewell, Spike and Sombra reconvened to talk in private. Luckily walking through the trees of Sweet Apple Acres provided the couple with plenty of privacy. "So, obviously getting the water stone is going to have to wait a few days. We can put in travel forms first thing tomorrow. That'll probably take a month or so to get all sorted out, and we'll have heard from Luna by then." Spike began, sounding strangely upbeat about the delays. "We won't be going anywhere until after your birthday for certain." Sombra agreed. The seemingly innocent comment managed to stop all three thousand plus pounds of dragon stop dead in his tracks. "Oh, right... I guess Friday is my birthday isn't it? Twenty six... Feels weird knowing I'll make it past twenty six hundred. Makes the whole idea of birthdays kind of weird. Maybe I should only celebrate every century or so? Or maybe a millennial celebration?" Spike pondered. "I don't feel all that prepared to weigh in on this conversation. I don't have a date of birth, nor do I even know how old I am. I wouldn't be upset if you wished not to celebrate your birthday. Though I would still insist on giving you your gift." Sombra interjected. Spike practically slapped himself, having just processed what Sombra had just said. "We've gotta give you a birthday. I'm so stupid for not realizing it sooner. You need a you day. You seem like an autumn, or a winter to me. What do you think?" Spike asked, completely switching polarities. Sombra chuckled, finding the newfound enthusiasm for birthdays rather attractive. Being able to switch from somber to energetic at the drop of a hat was something that Sombra wished he could do. Though Sombra supposed Spike had a sort of associative effect on him. Whatever Spike felt, Sombra seemed to catch to a degree. "Autumn. October the first would be fine. Nothing extravagant, just a quiet night at the house. You, me, Lyra, Bon Bon, and perhaps your mother, if she would like to join us." Sombra proposed. Spike smiled and scooped up Sombra for a proper face-to-face kiss. Sombra was making great strides, and most importantly Sombra was his. "I will never be able to find the right words for that." Sombra huffed appreciatively when they separated. "And that brings us back to why I'm stoked we have a few days off. Date nights! Canterlot is great and all, but Ponyville has cozy family-owned places. Just come-as-you-are, with friendly atmosphere. No dress-up required." Spike exclaimed excitedly. "While that sounds quite ideal, I do happen to like playing dress-up now and again." Sombra replied coyly. Sombra quickly realized that he had inadvertently said something that could be easily misconstrued as suggestive. Living with Lyra had taught him that much. Spike and Sombra both reddened in the face considerably, but neither could think of exactly what to say. They merely shared a moment of prolonged eye contact over the period of an awkward silence. "I'll just, uh... keep that in mind for a while down the road. Let's leave it at that. For now, how about we head home and plan ourselves a proper night out. Just the two of us? No taking about saving the world, and plenty of alone time." Spike suggested. "That sounds lovely." Sombra replied in relief. Spike took Sombra abreast once more, and they took to the sky again. A week without any unusual occurrences would be nice. Though a whole seven days would be hard to manage with their luck.