The day had finally arrived. Spike and Sombra were currently on board an airship, one of the kingdom of New Griffonstone's prized fleet of ten ships. This was the largest of the ships, known as the Luxury Bird, capable of carrying something like three hundred people and several tons of cargo.
Spike and Sombra were of course joined by Fluttershy and Gilda, whom they owed the swiftness with which they were admitted to New Griffonstone in the first place.
They had been flying for about five hours, having boarded in the morning before sunrise.
The group had been allotted a VIP cabin, which was about the size of Spike's living room. This meant it was quite luxurious, at least as far as travel went. There was a mini-bar, a projector with multiple film reels, and a selection of recent magazines, newspapers, and other publications from the major world powers.
The 'Luxury Bird' certainly lived up to it's name.
The couches in the cabin were so comfortable that Spike hadn't had much difficulty falling asleep after getting up so early. Fluttershy was sleeping as well, leaned against Gilda who was reading the morning paper from Griffonstone. Sombra had been asleep for a time, but during a particularly turbulent moment he had been shifted awake.
While Sombra would have liked to get up and stretch the couch hadn't left him much room after Spike had fallen asleep. He was currently stuck in a firm embrace, Spike having little to no concern with who knew Sombra was his now that Twilight knew.
Gilda happened to notice Sombra's plight, though she didn't seem like she had any intentions of aiding him.
"This happen a lot?" Gilda asked smugly.
"About as often as you would imagine. I like to think of Spike as being comfortingly possessive. It also helps that Spike is constantly a pleasant temperature. Quite relaxing." Sombra replied, looking at his lover's content sleeping expression.
Gilda chuckled a bit, casting an identical look down to Fluttershy.
"I get that. Once you've got something good, you never wanna let go." Gilda agreed, brushing a strand of rosy hair out of Fluttershy's face.
The couples sat in relative silence for a time, other than the barely noticeable, but ever-present hum of the ship's engines. At about noon, hours after everyone had gotten up and socialized a bit two griffons entered the cabin. It was plain to see they had the same strange pallor as Jay, though they were of average size.
Each of them wore a neck-lanyard with access cards on them, emblazoned with the flag of Griffonstone. Spike and Sombra weren't too alarmed, but they both purposely looked over to see Gilda's reaction to the odd avian felines. Unfortunately Gilda had stealthily and speedily applied the mask of indifference she wore in public.
"We apologize for the intrusion, but we're about to begin landing. We've arranged to have your bags brought to the castle from the ship's hold already, and we were instructed to give you these." The griffon on the left announced.
The griffons removed the security cards, giving them to Spike and Gilda.
Spike placed his around Sombra's neck due to size constraints, while Gilda kept hers.
"Those will get you into your personal suites, as well as the dining hall, ballroom, bathrooms, and all non-private rooms. Please try not to lose them, and do not give them to anyone other than your party members. There will be an escort waiting for you when you disembark." The griffon on the right finished.
Both griffons bowed before exiting the cabin, allowing everyone to gather up their possessions that weren't with the larger bags.
Within twenty minutes the airship had landed, and there was very little fuss disembarking. The security in the airport was tight, but they were efficient and knew exactly what to look for. The whole ordeal lasted only thirty minutes or so.
It seemed their productivity was attributed by more of the pale griffons like Jay. Any task seemed to be exceedingly easy for them, as if they were specially built machines. Spike took notice that they all smelled exactly like Jay, a faint antiseptic or preservative smell mixed with rosewater and some mild cologne that masked another scent Spike couldn't quite place.
Once they got outside the airport, Spike and Sombra were quite surprised to see Jay himself.
Jay was holding up a sign with Spike, Sombra, Gilda, and Fluttershy written on it. He was getting a number of looks from ponies, but didn't seem to care if he noticed at all. Others, mostly griffons in their natural colors seemed to be making quite an effort not to look at him.
Upon seeing the group he had been waiting for Jay discarded the sign and hurriedly walked up to them.
"Ah! There you are. Welcome friends to New Griffonstone! Jay is here to show you to the palace, and make sure accommodations are to your liking. You follow Jay, okay?" Jay informed the group with his ever present enthusiasm.
Gilda, being something of a skeptic at her core seemed more than a little suspicious of Jay.
Being a native of Griffonstone it stood to reason Gilda might follow the goings on much more closely than Spike and Sombra. It occurred to the both of them that they might have asked Gilda about things before now. Instead they would now merely have to listen to what she had to say.
"Aren't you Jay Eboncastle, the new head-honcho's little brother, and leader of the White Ravens? Why the hell are you playing tour guide?" Gilda asked with a typical lack of tact.
Everyone immediately stared intently at Jay, causing him to blush. It seemed that Jay was significantly more important than he let on.
"Yes, Jay is leader of White Ravens. But White Ravens only important when there is trouble. When things are peaceful, Jay does many jobs for brother. Brother is very busy, and Jay has free time." Jay explained, dismissing his claims to fame with a shrug.
Without wasting any time, Jay turned and motioned for the group to follow him.
After Gilda's question Jay seemed to lose steam, leaving the walk heavy with a sort of tense silence. Something had struck a nerve, though no one could be sure what. Fortunately the silence made sightseeing easier.
Gilda and Fluttershy had both been numerous times since their marriage, but Spike and Sombra had never seen the country before.
It was vastly different than any locale Sombra had ever seen. Atop the mountain was the largest city, known as Capital Peak. Via maps found at many of the street corners they passed revealed that there were now many small communities built on the outer edges of the mountain. Some dug into the cliff faces, and some jutting out on massive support systems.
Griffonstone had been forced to expand, as once the country grew more and more powerful the scattered race flocked back to their homeland in droves. Or at least that's what Gilda said as they walked. The griffons were beginning to band together as a species, just as they had in the olden times. Though they had reproduced so much than special considerations had to be made to allow New Griffonstone to hold millions instead of thousands.
There were no wooden buildings, only brick, solid stone, and metal to be found. The weather in the harsh climate necessitated strong materials. The streets were all paved in asphalt, which was unique to Canterlot in Equestria. Billowing steam could be seen pouring from places in seemingly random locations. A result of all the heaters and steam powered generators hard at work in the colder climate.
It seemed Griffonstone had quickly matched Equestria in terms of modernizations, then quickly left them in the dust. It was hardly surprising, considering griffons couldn't depend on magic. Though Spike was amazed this had been the same place Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had taken pictures of fifteen years prior.
After around a half-hour of walking and sightseeing the group came to the palace.
Unlike the palaces of Canterlot, The Crystal Empire, and Twilight's tree-castle, it was made of a dark stone that was almost the same color as a changeling's chitin. It was accented with pale blue and silver, leading Spike to wonder if Luna had had a hoof in the design.
Spike took note that there were more unnaturally pale griffons with blood-colored eyes. Two at the gate, two at the door, and a few in strategic places atop the castle's turrets and spires. Each of them had a weapon of some kind, ranging from swords, spears, claymores, axes, maces and bows.
Sombra seemed equally aware of the veritable net of security, though neither made any effort to say anything with Jay so close.
Also, the less Gilda and Fluttershy had to do with the darker reasons for their visit the better.
With Jay leading the pack the group had no trouble whatsoever getting inside. True to Gilda's statement earlier all the strange griffons saluted Jay as he passed, but none said anything. There were even more of them inside the castle, some of which seemed to be guards, while the others seemed to be mere servants or staff of one variety or another.
The entire palace didn't seem to have anyone at all within it besides the white griffons, the group of Equestrians, and the mysterious king of Griffonstone himself. Wherever he happened to be.
Eventually the group was stopped by Jay as they came to an even more opulent wing of the castle. There were five doors in the massive hallway altogether, one on either side and three on the end.
"Room on left belongs to Mrs.Fluttershy and Mrs.Gilda, room on right is for Mr.Dragon and Mr.Sombra. End left door is library, end right is music room, and the middle door is lounge. Gavin asks you not smoke in any room other than lounge, and wishes you to know there is also fully stocked bar.
"Jay's room is down hall and two left turns if you need something important. Servants have been told to knock when notifying you of meals and such. Rooms have buzzers to summon staff in case you want room service or housekeeping. You may come and go as you please during your stay, but brother wishes you to join him in dining hall for tonight at least." Jay explained as he opened the doors with a card of his own.
Each of the rooms was just as opulent as those in Canterlot Castle, and the suites each contained several rooms. Even Spike's generous proportions wouldn't be much of an issue with the over-sized luxurious suite.
Once Jay had left and the bags arrived everyone began settling in.
Or at least Fluttershy and Gilda were.
Spike and Sombra had more pressing concerns to address.
From within their bags Spike took a map out of a secret compartment. It was a complete map of the castle created by one of Luna's spies. A magical scan of the castle had yielded some interesting information.
"So, this place is so well protected it puts the ancient wards and seals Zecora and I put on the house to shame. Every single brick has a clay disk inside it with some kind of magic Celestia and Luna have never seen incorporated into it. They have some kind of cumulative effect or something, and they make this place pretty much indestructible.
"Then, there's some kind of even more secure room that runs down into the mountain. We don't even know how far. Then there's one enormous magic circle all the way around the castle grounds. Whatever this guy is hiding he's doing it right. I don't think I could break one of the walls here until I was a couple thousand years old." Spike explained in a worried and impressed fashion.
Sombra looked at the detailed map, seeing it a bit differently than Spike.
"I find it strange that we couldn't find a single decent image of this Gavin Eboncastle either. Despite inviting us with such a display of confidence and bravado it seems our host is quite paranoid. I think the question may very well be who or what he is hiding from, rather than what he is hiding." Sombra theorized.
Spike saw the logic in Sombra's words, but they only added to the questions and worries swimming around inside his mind. Sombra placed himself on the dragon-sized bed that had been provided for them and cuddled up to Spike. While he had no words to comfort Spike with, he let his presence do the job as well as it was able.
Spike seemed quite grateful for the brief relief of the stress of being in enemy territory. He couldn't help but feel that Sombra had quickly became a figure of permanence in his mind, and in his heart. There was a small flicker of doubt and guilt somewhere in the back of his mind, thinking that he was merely projecting that view onto Sombra so he wouldn't be lonely in the ages to come.
It wasn't loud, but it's voice rang out clearly through Spike's mind. He knew all the reasons he loved Sombra, even if he might have some difficulty listing them on the spot. The notion was easily quelled, but it would be there again sooner than later. It was just a lingering part of Spike's insecurity and he knew it.
He knew Sombra would always be the same, and there would be similar metaphorical demons running amok in his mind as well. But somehow it was the little bits of darkness hiding in the background that made life worth it while also making it miserable. Knowing pain let them appreciate the happiness all the more, and sharing the pain with one another only made the bond between Spike and Sombra stronger.
Before the two fully drifted off to sleep a knock came from the door.
Spike shot to attention and hurried to the door before cautiously opening it to reveal a white griffon in a maid's outfit.
"Dinner in a half-hour, your lordship." The maid curtsied politely.
Spike found the seriously dated behavior a bit unusual, but nonetheless thanked her for the notice.
After helping Sombra into his formal attire Spike set about altering his appearance. With a simple application of the now second-nature spell Clypeus had been kind enough to teach him Spike was ready.
Spike had opted for something other than the tuxedo this time around. As the group traversed the streets of Griffonstone, Spike had taken notice of what he assumed to be the latest fashion for males. A mid-length sleeved dress shirt underneath a vest, and the bracelet-like cuffs found upon the fetlocks of many a Canterlot socialite.
Instead of ordinary white and black Spike decided to match with Sombra, making a pale grey undershirt and cuffs and a maroon vest with thin white pinstripes. There was also a jet black tie with a silver clip beneath the vest for added flair.
Sombra was quite flattered with the gesture, but was unable to appropriately show his appreciation given the fact they were leaving shortly thereafter. Upon entering the hallway they found Fluttershy and Gilda had likewise dressed for dinner.
Fluttershy wore an elegant affair made up of different greens and brown accents, making it seem as though it had been woven from nature itself by some sort of benevolent fairy from a folktale. Given the mare's reputation as the purest soul who could communicate with nearly all the denizens of nature it seemed more likely than one might think.
Gilda took an interesting route and was wearing essentially the same ensemble as Spike, but in the more classic colors. She seemed more than a little annoyed with being forced to dress up, but Sombra was still having trouble deciphering what actually bothered Gilda and what was her tough-act.
Gilda noticed Sombra's gaze sit upon her for just a second too long, making the subject much clearer.
"I don't wear dresses. Too much frill and lace. Froufrou crap. I don't care if this guy is the new king, I'm wearing this or nothing." Gilda huffed.
Fluttershy of course was almost incapable of becoming genuinely angry with anyone and put a reassuring hoof on her wife's shoulder.
"Now Gilda, it's just this one meal. Then tomorrow morning we get to go and become parents. The king was very nice letting us stay here for the week before we head home, and we don't want to do anything to upset him. Not with our precious babies so close." Fluttershy reminded Gilda.
Sombra was genuinely impressed with how much compassion and kindness could carry in one mare's voice. The abrasiveness Gilda exuded at most times seemed to melt off of her like water off a duck's back. Spike had told Sombra of Fluttershy's stare being able to command savage beasts, but her voice seemed much more effective at present.
Without much delay, the group headed for the Dining Hall.
No one saw fit to question how Spike already knew the way, and none of the pale griffons seemed to have any intentions of impeding their walk about the castle.
Once they arrived in front of the hall the griffons on either side of the massive door banged their spears upon the marble floor. In what couldn't have been more than a second the doors swung open silently to reveal a grand room with high ceilings lit by candles, unlike the rooms they had seen before which had electric lighting.
There were three enormous tables each nearly as long as the room itself. They stretched nearly to a stage at the back of the room, with many banners from all the griffon clans hanging above it. The outer tables were white, and seated along the outer edges of each were more white griffons, forty-eight in total by Sombra's count.
The center table was as black as night with much finer chairs.
Above this table was a grand, if somewhat over-sized chandelier comprised of amethysts, diamonds, and the darkest blue sapphires Spike had ever seen. It too was lit up spectacularly, casting a sort of dark light about the room that was somehow warm and comforting at the same time.
At the head of the black table, there was a throne of silver and ebony.
Sitting in the grand chair was a male griffon roughly the size of Gilda. His presence would have been underwhelming, were it not for the tremendous scar running down his face. The scar was electric purple and seemed to radiate a sinister intent that sent shivers down Spike's spine.
The body of the griffon was dark in color, but not quite black. His head was a very light gray, and his talons were a bluish gray and finely manicured. The eye on his right was bright gold in color, while the eye on the left side of his face was a deep emerald green. Almost an exact match for Spike's eye. It seemed unnatural in appearance, and given the placement in relation to the strange scar.
This was most assuredly the king of New Griffonstone, as the air around them seemed to chill as they looked into his mismatched eyes. He radiated a cold heat that seemed to tell everyone in the immediate area that he was in charge. It was as if he were actually a dragon of great age sitting in his lair, and his visitors had stumbled into his hoard.
Yet just as quickly as the wave of dominance hit it was gone and an inviting smile found it's way to the king's beak.
"Good evening my welcomed guests!" The king boomed as he rose in his seat.
That seemed to have been something of a cue, as servants quickly filled the room from doors on either side of the stage. With them they carried plates, silverware, decanters full of fine wines and spirits, and of course enough food to feed an army.
The sounds and smells were almost overwhelming and the staff of pale griffons moved as if they were machines on tracks working in synchronicity around and with one another perfectly. In a matter of moments an entire feast had been laid out in front of them before they had even taken their seats.
Once the main table was attended two the waves of servers and servants parted and moved on to serve their pale comrades at the white tables.
"Come on then, the food will get cold if you dawdle." Gavin implored innocently.
Despite the oddness of the situation Gavin's voice was smooth and inviting and the food looked and smelled heavenly, even by the standards of people who had the privilege of sampling Spike's cooking on a regular basis.
Spike and Sombra instinctively took the spots nearest Gavin, just in case something were to happen. They were still a space away from him, as Jay and another griffon had taken up the nearest positions as security. Gilda placed herself beside Spike, and Fluttershy took her place beside Sombra, across from Gilda.
"There we are. I suppose it would be best to get introductions out of the way, and as host I will begin. I am the new king of Griffonstone, Gavin Eadric Eboncastle. Though, you were most likely already aware of that. You may address me however you see fit.
"To my right is my younger brother Jay, whom you've met. Jay relays my orders to the guards, dubbed the White Ravens and keeps the castle secure. To my left is the Chief of Castle Staff, Roderick Delainey. He keeps the palace running while I run the country. " Gavin explained.
With a motion of his claw, Gavin gestured towards Spike for him to continue in the same fashion.
"Uh, I'm Spike The Dragon, though I've been meaning to change my last name to 'Sparkle' for ages. I'm a Duke, with no specific duties other than those asked of me. I also have a permanent seat on the Equestria Games Council." Spike continued to be polite.
Gilda seemed to think the introductions were pointless, but she humored her host nonetheless.
"I'm Gilda of Clan Gruffeather, and I don't have any official titles other than being one of the founding members of the New Griffonstone Merchant's Guild." Gilda added in kind.
"Oh, um... Hello, Your Majesty. I'm Fluttershy Gruffeather. I'm the Element of Kindness, and a member of The Society For The Preservation of All Species, and a number of other charity organizations. I also have a degree in veterinary medicine and am a registered nurse certified to care for a number of species." Fluttershy said meekly.
Sombra quickly realized it was now his turn, and that his resume' was a little light. It took him a moment to decide what to say.
"My name is Sombra, and that is really all there is to say. I could defend or rebuke my past, but I see little point now that what's done is done." Sombra answered factually.
Spike's face showed both pride and worry at Sombra's somewhat curt introduction, but Gavin seemed indifferent to the tone.
"A pleasure to meet all of you. I shan't keep you from your meals any longer, but please feel free to converse amongst yourselves and me freely." Gavin thanked the group.
Everyone ate and drank freely, just as they had been bid.
Everything was just as good as their senses had led them to believe, and there was certainly no shortage of it. Dinner went surprisingly well, and Gavin was just as good a host as Celestia or Luna tended to be to nobility or even foreign dignitaries, and neither Spike nor Sombra could find anything fishy going on.
Neither were one to judge a book by it's cover, but no matter what Spike and Sombra still got a bad feeling in their guts from Gavin.
It wasn't until the dessert course that something interesting happened.
"Spike, Sombra. Would you care to join me in my study after dinner? I was just thinking it would be marvelous if we could expand upon the Equestria Games your country loves so dearly.
"I'd like to involve all the nations around the world, perhaps even hosting it in a different country each time? I ask as you, Spike, are both a council member and well connected with the princesses of Equestria and The Crystal Empire. If anyone were to be able to set such a thing in motion it would be you, Spike." Gavin proposed.
Sombra and Spike shared a look, both unsure what was to happen, yet knowing they were being purposefully baited.
With only a moment's hesitation Spike and Sombra gave each other a subtle nod before they answered.
"Sounds like a great idea. I'm sure we can get Celestia and Luna on board, and my uncle is way into competitive sports." Spike replied honestly.
"Excellent. I myself don't have much of a sweet tooth. I shall wait for you in the study. Roderick will show you the way. As for the Mrs. Gruffeathers, it was a pleasure meeting the both of you. I would be honored to host you whenever you find yourselves in the kingdom." Gavin said as he excused himself.
Gavin did a quick and courteous bow, Jay following suit and escorting his brother out of the room.
Roderick patiently waited for Spike and company to finish dessert, noticeably watching them under the guise of reading the evening paper. Once Gilda and Fluttershy headed back to their room for the night Roderick folded the paper under his arm and prompted for the couple to follow.
Strangely enough, Roderick seemed to be taking them in circles, but neither Spike or Sombra wanted to cause a fuss.
Just as they were about to slip away, the very same hallway they had passed through at least four times changed. There was now a large ebony door in the center of the hall, as if it had been there all along.
"This seems reminiscent of your study." Sombra mused uncomfortably.
Spike hated to agree because of the comparison, but nodded nonetheless.
"I shall take my leave. I am not permitted beyond this point." Roderick spoke for seemingly the first time in a great while, his tone a dry haze of a voice.
Once the pale griffon walked off with the speed of a much older person, Spike knocked upon the study door.
Ominously, the door creaked open on it's own and gave them a view of a dimly lit room.
Upon entering Spike and Sombra instinctively took in the scene.
It was a large room, easily twice the size of Spike's living room. There were many shelves filled with books and archaic scientific and magical apparatuses. A great many hunting trophies were displayed upon the back wall above a roaring fireplace, creatures Spike and Sombra recognized, but many more they couldn't identify.
The carpet was blood red and quite comfortable, and a desk of the darkest ebony dominated a corner of the windowless room. Sitting there in an equally dark chair was their host, drinking brandy from a crystal glass. His expression was pleased, with a distinct predatory streak.
"I cannot tell you how long I have waited to introduce myself to the two of you." Gavin hummed with a tone dripping in nostalgia and relief.
Spike ushered Sombra closer to him, feeling the air chill despite the fireplace's best efforts. It seemed as though Gavin was showing his true colors, and their was no doubt in either of their minds that he was up to no good.
"That's a little cryptic, don't you think?" Spike deadpanned.
Gavin smiled wider, barely able to contain his excitement. Sombra couldn't help but feel this was how Lyra would act were she to become a villain.
"Oh, just a little. It has been centuries since I've had anyone to monologue for. I've been away for so long, I could almost sing with happiness at being on my throne again." Gavin said with a flourish, clutching his claw to his chest dramatically.
"I take it that makes you an immortal as well?" Sombra asked, wondering just how many more beings like himself he would meet before all was said and done.
Gavin's smile dimmed, but didn't disappear completely. Setting his brandy down on a coaster, Gavin proceeded to mockingly knit his talons together and rest his elbows on his desk like a comic-book villain. Sombra had become rather fond of reading comics from Spike's extensive collection, and Gavin would have been right at home within the pages of a Batmare comic.
"Immune to aging, but not outright immortal. Though you would be hard pressed to slay me. Even if you succeeded, you'd be committing genocide." Gavin chuckled darkly.
Spike and Sombra both felt chills run down their spines, knowing that Gavin wasn't lying by the look in his eyes.
"As I said earlier, I am Gavin Eadric Eboncastle, the first and only. I was Griffonstone's fifth ruler, and every ruler since. I merely took to altering my appearance and names as time wore on. Someone would get suspicious if I never aged, never died, that sort of thing. I was forced to abdicate the throne by a certain organization, and have only now been able to return safely." Gavin continued.
Gavin left his guests to stew on his claims for a moment, taking another sip of his brandy and refreshing his glass from a crystal liquor decanter on the desk.
"What was that about genocide? Your life story is fascinating and all, but when you start putting threats like that out in the open my attention gets stuck there." Spike mockingly apologized.
Gavin didn't seem to take offense, in fact he seemed elated that Spike had asked.
"As I'm sure you are aware, griffons are born without magic. We didn't need to evolve such traits since all of us are fliers, naturally strong in most cases, and more often than not, cunning. Or at least smart enough or driven enough to succeed.
"However, as more and more species developed magic so did a rare few of griffons. I was the first, as far as I am aware. Though the others I knew of have long since passed away. I am the true pinnacle of our species' magical might, a blood-mage. We draw upon the power of life and death through the liquid essence that flows through the veins of ninety percent of the creatures of the Earth. It's potential is nearly endless, as long as one is skilled, and has the imagination... and stomach, for the work." Gavin began.
Once Gavin had finished his introduction he held up his clawed hands.
With the talon of his left pointer claw he sliced open the wrist of his right hand. No hesitation, and no flinching. Instead of pouring down out of the wound, the crimson ichor flowed upwards and formed a perfect sphere. Once it was about the size of an apple the wound seemed to close itself.
As the sphere levitated over Gavin's palm he waved his pointer talon through the air.
The blood responded in kind, following his commands. First it moved about in a river like a snake, before becoming a crystal, then a rose, and finally a devilishly sharp-looking blade. When the demonstration had ended, the blood seeped back into Gavin's body.
There's that weird magic that makes this place so indestructible. There must be blood mixed into those clay disks, imprinted with some kind of runes or something. I dunno if that's just creepy or brilliant. Spike thought to himself.
After a brief pause, Gavin continued with his tale.
"As I said, the gift is all too rare among my people. Which is why I felt obligated to try and pass it on for the greater good of my kin. I used my power to create a disease out of my own blood-cells, an airborne pathogen. I used it to kill off at least one-hundred thousand of my own people in a plague spoken of as legend today. The Red Death. But all my sons and daughters were spared since they shared my blood.
"None of my children had the same mothers, I made certain of it. With great sacrifice, and great planning, my thirty offspring married into the then decimated thirty clans to spread my genes to the rest of the species. This was well over two-thousand years ago. Every single griffon alive today shares my blood in some fashion, though it appears the condition isn't hereditary."
Gavin seemed to let his age show for a moment. There was a deep sense of regret from the look produced by his golden eye, while the other showed nothing. Exactly what Gavin was thinking was a mystery, but it seemed he at least felt some remorse for his actions.
Though the brief flicker of decency was gone by the time the griffon blinked.
"The experiment was far from a failure though, instead it provided me with artificial immortality and healing to match my agelessness. I linked the entirety of the griffons sharing my blood to me when I returned. Now any time I become injured the healing force required is drawn from my descendants. Thanks to their numbers being in the fifty-million range, they lose only a fraction of a millisecond off of their lifespans.
"Over the next thirty years the changes I plan to make to griffon society will increase their lifespans dramatically anyway, so on the whole they get the better end of the deal. And now their glorious leader will reign forever. Isn't that lovely? It took me ages to complete the blood binding spell, but I had centuries to plan my return while in hiding. Now as long as there are griffons, there will be me pulling the strings from the shadows." Gavin explained, sounding all too prideful.
Sombra felt sick to his stomach, as did Spike. However Spike's sudden nausea was far overshadowed by the rage boiling to the surface. There was fire threatening to escape Spike jaws, the pure hatred for Gavin made manifest. Gavin saw the pure emotion forcing Spike towards his baser instincts, but the looming threat of being mutilated by a dragon seemed to bother him about as much as having to refill his own brandy.
Sombra couldn't muster the desire to stop Spike from tearing Gavin apart if he so chose, seeing the logic in destroying the monstrous tyrant.
"I should mention that if I so choose I can draw life from one griffon specifically. Or two, or even a group. Like Gilda, or those adorable tykes Fluttershy is looking forward to meeting so much. But by all means, rend me asunder, burn me to a crisp. I'll be back in a matter of hours, and you'll have killed innocents instead of me. regenerating from something like that will consume at least one lifetime. Possibly two." Gavin taunted.
Spike's flames slowly went out, even though Sombra could still see the tremendous murder-lust in his lover's eyes. There was no winning in the current situation, and Spike knew that. It felt like a knife to the heart, but Spike was forced to let the monster in front of him continue to draw breath.
Sombra was likewise ready to jump to action, but he kept a marginally cooler head.
"I think it would be best if I we got to the point of this visit." Sombra exclaimed tensely.
Gavin sighed, reaching into his desk drawer.
From within he retrieved a rough and unrefined gemstone bright yellow in color. It was positively thrumming with power, glowing rhythmically with bluish-white energy. It was quite clearly the gem of electricity, the last of the natural elements Spike could obtain without the aid of a master.
To Spike and Sombra's surprise, Gavin merely tossed the gem to Spike. The unexpected act caused Spike to nearly fumble the stone, but after an embarrassing juggle he caught the unique jewel. It felt as if he was holding a beating heart, but much faster, like the heart of a hummingbird. The vibrations weren't very strong, but quite noticeable.
Even the air around the stone had been electrically charged, forcing Sombra's fur to stand on end.
"You're just giving it to us?" Spike asked in disbelief.
"Of course I am. I likely know more of Dootha than either of you. If Dootha is resurrected in full he will set out to destroy all life in this world. I may be a monster, but I will do anything for the griffons to survive. My people will live to see the end of time if I have anything to say about it.
"You two however are the only ones that can kill the old fart. I'm always on the winning team, so if I've allied myself with you you should live up to my expectations. Though I have a favor to ask, if you wouldn't mind. As a show of appreciation? Not to mention the countless unknowing hostages I have." Gavin replied slyly.
"I'm not killing anyone for you." Spike quickly stated, Sombra nodding his agreement.
Gavin rolled his mismatched eyes, seemingly growing bored with Spike's hostility.
"The only person you're likely to encounter on this errand has been dead for nearly eleven centuries. I want the two of you to venture down into the Abyssal Abyss and retrieve the Idol of Boreas which was stolen from me by that brute Arimaspi. While my approval ratings are high, there are still many who aren't fond of the rapidly growing kingdom I have risen up from the ashes.
"If I show them the recovered idol then I will become legend. Again... Anyway, while Fluttershy and Gilda are off adopting their future children, you will retrieve my treasured idol. I'll even sweeten the pot. Give the two of you some incentive." Gavin explained, getting up from his seat for the first time since Spike and Sombra had arrived.
Throwing caution to the wind, Gavin walked right up to Spike and Sombra.
With a glare from Gavin's emerald colored eye, Sombra dropped to the floor.
Spike was quick to respond, grabbing him off of the floor and running every cursory check he could think of. Sombra's eyes were dilated, his breathing shallow, and his legs limp. It was around thirty seconds before Sombra's eyes blinked, and the ashen stallion returned to the land of consciousness.
"Sombra? Are you alright? How many fingers am I holding up?!" Spike panicked, looking into Sombra's eyes and jamming a claw in his face.
"Er... four? What just happened?" Sombra answered correctly through his confusion.
Spike looked toward the villainous griffon with such blood-lust that the room felt heavier for it.
"Now, now, I just gave him a little pick-me-up. If you weren't aware, the natural elements of darkness and light take different shapes for everyone. For me, I drew the short straw. Blood magic is infinitely more useful in my opinion... Regardless, I can awaken the sleeping power within others, so long as it's dark. Sombra's insides are as dark as they come. I couldn't see the bottom of that abyss, even with this eye I risked so much to obtain." Gavin explained, placing a claw over his unnatural eye.
Spike didn't seem to notice the look Gavin was giving him, he was far more concerned with Sombra. If what Gavin claimed was true then Sombra was full of dark magic. A magic Spike didn't yet have a working understanding of. Magic that was Dootha's beginning before he betrayed his family and the deities that had once watched over the world.
Worry weighed heavily on Spike's mind, mixing with the anxiety knowing he was currently powerless to stop Gavin.
Gavin rolled his mismatched eyes, seeing Spike was becoming too frazzled to focus.
"Don't worry about Dootha waking up if your magic awakens, Sombra. The old fart is still sawing logs, and it will be at least another year before he stirs if things remain as they are. Dootha's might is still infinitely greater, but I can see why he took you as a vessel. I would love to know who you were before playing meat-puppet. Your current power seems to be only a fraction of what you should be capable of, but I think we can attribute that to your missing horn. Pony magic has always been rooted in specific body parts like hooves, wings, and horns after all. Regardless, with time you should come to see just how powerful you actually are, Sombra." Gavin explained.
Spike was a bit relieved, but blew black smoke into Gavin's face as a small sample of the bottomless depths of hate roiling about in Spike's volcanic insides.
Gavin coughed a bit as he fanned the offending smog away.
"Yes, yes. I deserve that. You can leave now. I want to make sure the pair of you get plenty of rest. After you bring me my trinket, Grandpa will tell you children a story about a big bad cat and his friends who make dangerous toys." Gavin promised with a childish sneer.
Spike wanted to ask for clarification, but he had had about as much as he could stomach of Gavin for one night. Or one lifetime, but beggars couldn't be choosers. He put Sombra back on the floor and the lightning stone under his wing. He needed to leave as quickly as possible.
There was no other way to be certain he wouldn't try to murder the technically immortal tyrant.
Spike had never wanted to hurt anyone so badly before. Yet the rational part of his brain somehow managed to reign him in.
That rational segment was currently Sombra, who had placed a hoof on his hand.
The contact was just barely enough to keep the beast inside Spike caged, and in a somewhat immature fashion Spike gripped Sombra in his tail and stormed out of Gavin's study like an irrate toddler. The segment of wall covering the indestructible bricks cracked and chipped as the door was slammed, but Gavin could do nothing but smile.
"Such a lovely couple. I should have company more often." Gavin cackled to himself as he returned to his brandy.
It only took the enraged Spike a few minutes to stomp back to the suite, almost sickened by merely being under Gavin's roof. Spike thought the international incident the assault would cause could be justified, but the loss of griffon life was inexcusable. Somehow, someday, he would depose Gavin, but there were more pressing issues at hoof.
Once back on the bed Sombra reached into the inner pocket of his coat, pulling out a few Lyra-made joints.
Spike actually cracked a smile and eagerly accepted one. He could already feel some of the accumulated stress of the evening burn away, leaving pale blue smoke in it's place. At least until Sombra took back the joint.
Spike stared down at him in confusion.
"I imagined there would be some frustrating discourse, though hardly imagined all this. These are quite good at 'taking the edge off' as you like to say. Though I doubt a couple of smuggled poison joke cigarettes will quell your anger." Sombra explained apologetically.
Spike opened his mouth to say something, but Sombra put his hoof over Spike's mouth.
"Which is why we're saving them until after we've ruined Gavin's sheets. Maybe even the bed."
"I love you so much." Spike told Sombra as he shed a single tear of liquid pride.
"I love you too, Spike. Now, help me out of these clothes."