//------------------------------//
// After the Dust Settles 
// Story: Of Dragons, Drakos, and Ponies 
// by newHelm 
//------------------------------//

	Spike sat in the chair he had been sitting in ever since Rarity had been hurt. Only difference was that Rarity was not there. He was back to normal, his antlers had even fallen out, but he felt even worst then before. He felt a hoof on his back and looked to see Twilight behind him.

"She's alright, I just know she is."

Spike dropped his head. "She has to be." He spread his claws and looked down at them. "This is all my fault, I brought this plague on Equestria."

"By defending us? None of this is your fault."

He shook his head. "The drakos pony war was because of me, my very existence. The power I used to help win the war was what Sombra wanted. The dragons feared that power and my connection to ponies, feared that together we could wipe out all opposition, and they're right. Me and this power it's the bane of this world. Some times I wish I had died in the war."

Twilight did the unthinkable, she hit him upside the head. He spun around clutching the back of his head, and saw uncontrollable tears streaming down her face. "Never, ever! Never say that again! We lost too much because of that war, losing you too, would have broken me! Not to mention the rest of our friends! We love you Spike, never forget that. Please don't even think like that. You saved a lot of ponies, and talk like that makes what Sunrise did pointless. Ponies and drakos believe in you, you can't let them down."

He rubbed his face and groaned. "You're right Twilight, but I can't change how I feel. Like it's all my fault. If not for me, Rarity might still be in Ponyville, having dinner with her dad. It hurts when I think of all the times I failed. I failed Sunrise, Cloudcutter, Cliphoof, Sugar Cane, the list goes on and on. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, her dad, Burns. I've killed and let those around me die, I've saved no pony, I brought a plague."

"You saved me." He looked up at her as she smiled through her tears. "If not for you and Celestia, I never would have made friends, never learned to open up."

"You saved me." They looked up at Fluttershy and a large group stood at the door. The quiet pegasus stepped forward. "Sorry to interrupt, but you showed me to be more, do more. I became a nurse, after the war. If little Spike can help and get stronger, I can too. I met White Spine, who got me over my fears of dragons and drakos, and still helps me get stronger everyday."

White Spine stood next to her. "You saved me, I'm no longer an outcast in my own kind for trying to save lives instead of taking them."

Applejack nodded. "You saved ma precious family. You kept ma brother safe an brought him back."

Silver Tooth bowed. "You gave me my honor back, showed me the truth." His side brushed Pinkie Pie's lightly, who looked down smiling. "And you gave me the best gift of all. My smile, my purpose, and all I could hope for."

Pinkie just blushed. "Hush you." She looked at Spike and smiled so brightly, she glowed. "The war nearly made me loss myself, but your letters gave me hope. Hope for tomorrow and the next day. Plus ditto what he said."

Sun Tail jumped around waving. "You saved me from the streets. Now I get to eat every day." His smile was bright and he grabbed at Red Claw's claw.

The drakos smiled as he took his young duke's claw. "You gave all of the drakos hope and freedom. We all see our errors, and you led us to redemption. I thank you my king, for the future of my species."

Rainbow Dash slunk in, her heart in pieces, but a mission on mind. "Blue Tail passed, just before the attack." The mood of the room had just gotten happier, till then. All eyes lowered, except Rainbow's, she held her's high. "She told me thanks for giving her the wind again. She said you gave her freedom and life back. She would be mad at you for regretting that. And I still miss Sunrise too, but he would hate you for it too. I never would have met him if it wasn't for you." She touched her stomach gently and smiled through tears. "We'll always have a piece of him though. He would be proud of us so we need to be proud of us."

Every tear filled eye looked on in shock and joy. Spike blinked rapidly. "You're pregnant?"

She nodded and the room became a clamor. Spike and everyone in the room crowded around her, no one could suppress it. Finally they left the room, and only Spike remained.

His sorrow was evident as he laid his claw on the bed. That was when he saw the note. A corner stuck out from under the pillow. He grabbed it tenderly, expecting it to have been from Rarity. Confusion and surprise was what he got, the note was from Discord.



'dEAr spikE. hOW Gows ET) nOW DoN B MaD- i toOkED yOUs pRinceSS' ShE b SafEd WitH i broHAN tWOs KeEP YOus saFELy sO No lOOky K'



Spike rubbed his eyes at the insane letter, and at the contents. It gave him a headache, and hope. Rarity was safe, and he would find her. He looked out of the window and saw Discord shaking his head.

Spike shook his head back and crumpled the letter. He glared at his friend blew smoke out his nose. He would find Rarity, even if it killed him.