Tick was back at his office, leafing through the pages of "The Legend of Discord, The Spirit of Chaos". The familiar blank section of the book made its appearance. But there was a change, words started to become scribbled onto the book. For a moment, Tick dismissed this, but the words being written were concerning him.
"He broke free from his statue prison once the power of friendship and unity that kept Discord in check became so frail that he was more than able to break free. The wielders of The Elements of Harmony could not resolve their differences, for some had feelings for a creature that disrupted their friendship. While others said things to each other that cannot be forgotten easily."
The return of Discord seemed evident since Tick doubted friendship can last even after death. Tick wasn't all that sure who could be able to make the mane six turn on each other. Spike was for too busy juggling his duties and the task Tick set for him, so the possibility of Spike being the cause was slim. Perhaps this creature was a love interest of sorts? Whoever this being was, the consequences for its actions had to be nullified as soon as possible. For as much as Tick thought Discords sense of humor was actually funny to him, the issues that came with Discord manipulating the world outbalanced the comedy that came from it. Grabbing a roll of parchment and a quill, Tick started to notify Celestia that the return of Discord could be at hand.
--
Spike woke up terrified. He felt like someone dipped him in freezing water and tried to warm himself up with his green fire, which emitted from his mouth. The dream felt so vivid that Spike was surprised it wasn't actually happening. Discord was on a rampage and had placed Spike in a large hourglass. No one came to save Spike from his suffocating death and the dream was reaching the point where the sand started to crush his very chest, giving him the feeling that his lungs would explode if he didn't find a way to escape. Just as the sand started to go over Spike's eyes he woke up.
Taking a look around his surroundings, Spike was disappointed to see that he was still in the hospital. Today was going to mark the second day that he has been stuck in this place. Applejack and Pinkie had come to visit him later in the day yesterday. They were very pleasant and kept Spike in good spirits until AJ started to worry constantly about the farm and wondering if Mac was slacking off. At this point, Applejack became more of a nuisance then anything. Even Pinkie, who always smiled, started to frown at the actions of Applejack.
"Applejack, we came here to cheer up Spike. Not to cheer up a farm." Pinkie said airily.
"Whatcha' tryin to say Pinkie is that I don't care for Spike?" Applejack bit back spitefully.
"No! Not at all! It's just that all you talk about is the farm these days." Pinkie replied, dropping the peppiness in her voice.
"Not my fault that I actually have to work!" Applejack said angrily. She bit her lip as she said this because Pinkie's eyes started to water and her hair deflated, almost like a balloon.
"Pinkie, you know I didn't mean to-"Applejack started to say but was cut off when Pinkie ran from the room.
"Pinkie, come back! Please…." Applejack pleadingly called out to Pinkie. A distant sob answered her.
"Do you think I was too rough with her?" Applejack asked Spike anxiously.
"You made her cry Applejack. Shouldn't be too hard to piece it all together you know." Spike said sadly.
"But it's been so hard at the farm lately!" bawled Applejack. The strong earth pony covered her face with her hat and started to cry.
Spike was taken off guard by this. Applejack was always tough and mellow in life. For him see AJ vulnerable was near impossible. Yet here she was, crying loudly in front of him. It became evident to Spike over the last few days that he wasn't the only one going through tough times.
"Want to talk about it?" Spike offered.
"My brother….he barely finishes his chores anymore. I had to take over for his and still do my own while still doing it all on time. At first, it wasn't too bad. But after a week of his nonsense, I couldn't do it anymore." Applejack admitted in a muffled voice, her face still hidden behind her hat.
"What do you mean by not being able to do it anymore?" Spike asked.
"You see, I um…" Applejack started to say but stopped herself short.
"Come on Applejack, no use in hiding it anymore." Spike coaxed.
"I passed out. There I said it!" Applejack moaned into her hat. She started crying heavily again as she admitted that even she can't bare the strain of doing double duty. Spike felt sympathetic for her after all he was in the same situation like her.
"Same thing happened to me AJ. I had a break down but look at me! I am happier than most of the people who are outside this place." Spike said with a grin.
Applejack poked her head over her hat and stared at Spike with her green eyes. She was also grinning and Spike was satisfied to see AJ being truly happy, instead of just smiling to have no one suspect something's going wrong.
"You really know how to make people feel better Spike." Applejack said softly.
"I think I been hanging around this hospital too much. I probably can become a therapist after I leave this place." Spike joked.
Applejack let out a chuckle at his remark.
"Well Spike, I really need to go find Pinkie. I owe her an apology." Applejack said as she made her way to the door.
"That you do. Oh, mind asking Twilight if she can visit me? I feel like she's avoiding me these days." Spike asked, trying hard not to show his disappointment in the lack of Twilight's visit.
"Sure thing champ, I'll try to come by and check on ya tomorrow." Applejack said before disappearing behind the door.
There was only one thing Spike regretted about his encounter with AJ yesterday. He didn't not find a way to have the watch's magic come in contact with her. There was still a chance for him to pull it off, when he got back in shape, when he has to help her around the farm. But that moment seemed so far away and Spike was really beating himself up about not being able to capitalize on Applejack's presence. Twilight's absence was really starting to drag on him though. She always seemed to be his guide around life and yet, when he really needed her most, Twilight was nowhere to be seen. However none of these really worried him as much as his nightmare about Discord. It wasn't that he never had nightmares of Discord before, for he had once envisioned Discord having him run through Ponyville with a skirt on, but it was the fashion that Discord dealt with him this time around. Discord was more into making people suffer for his entertainment but not to the point of death. As Spike was trying to calm himself down, the angry nurse made her way to Spike's room.
"You're free to go." The nurse announced.
"You're kidding." Spike said in disbelief.
"I have one less patient to deal with. Which means my life is easier. Less to worry about makes me less angry." replied the nurse.
"Somepony must be really bugging you then?" Spike asked.
"Now you mention it, yes. It's that purple manned unicorn that was brought along with you and the sky blue Pegasus. If I recall correctly their names are Rainbow Dash and Rarity." answered the nurse after a few moments of thought.
"Wait, you're telling me there in this hospital?" Spike asked wide eyed.
"There is no other hospital in Ponyville. Where else would they have gone?" countered the nurse.
"Wow, thanks for making me feel dumb." Spike said angrily.
"Remarkable, is it possible to feel even dumber than what you previously were?" asked the nurse dryly.
"This is for yesterday isn't it?" Spike said in a low voice.
"Maybe it is and maybe it isn't." said the nurse mischievously.
"Mind telling what rooms Rainbow Dash and Rarity are in? I want to pay them a visit." Spike said anxiously. This nurse was the last person he wanted to ask for directions but she had decent knowledge on Rainbow and Rarity already.
"Room 342 is where Rainbow Dash is and Rarity is in 343. I advise you stay away from Rarity though. She is such a nag since she woke up. The other nurses refuse to watch over her and I got stuck with her." finished the nurse with a groan.
Spike can see why the nurse wasn't all that excited to be watching over Rarity. For as beautiful and nice as she was it seemed her dedication to her extravagant standards overshadowed the positives in her and made it seem like Rarity was just unbearable. As he left his room, Spike noticed he was on the third floor. His room number was 329 which meant Rainbow Dash's and Rarity's rooms weren't far away. The hallway Spike was currently walking through was starting to freak him out. It seemed like the walls were growing ever closer, giving Spike the feeling of claustrophobia. And with the nonstop coughing of sick ponies everywhere, Spike was wondering if a hospitals true purpose was to make people feel miserable rather than better.
What took about a few minutes was starting to feel like a slow and painful death march for Spike. With every cough Spike twitched nervously. The last thing he wanted was to get really sick with some incurable disease of some sort. At last, rooms 343 and 342 came into Spike's view. As Spike was going to open the door to Rainbow's room, Spike felt odd. Was he going to visit the pony he had a crush on first or visit the Pegasus who actually was concerned about him? Absent mindedly, Spike grabbed his pocket watch and started to fiddle with some buttons on it. Then it hit Spike, he was going to visit Rarity first since he hadn't looked into her future and past yet. However there was another reason why Spike had made the choice of visiting Rarity first. He wanted to desperately find out if he had a chance of being together with Rarity in the future. Even he tried to lie to himself about his hidden desire, but he could barely do it.
Peering in Rarity's room, Spike was surprised how fancy her room was. The usual hospital bed and frame were replaced with elegant frames and a very comfy mattress. Even the walls of the room, previously white, had been painted to a dark blue. For a moment, Spike felt slightly jealous of how nice Rarity's room was but realized how pointless it was to have a room redecorated when she would only be spending a few days in there anyway.
"Spike, is that you?" asked an elegant voice.
"Yes, the one and only Spike." He answered.
"Such a dreadful place isn't it? So drab and lifeless, the very walls themselves weep of dull." complained Rarity.
Spike wasn't really paying attention to Rarity's whining. He was more worried that he really never thought on how he would manage to make the watch's magic make contact with Rarity. Referring back to his old habit, Spike drew out his pocket watch again and began to fiddle around with it. Rarity's eyes sparkled wide at the sight of Spike's watch.
"That pocket watch is just marvelous Spike! Where did you get it from? I simply must know!" Rarity said with excitement.
"Oh, um a friend gave it to me." Spike said, obviously surprised by Rarity's interest in the watch.
"That's a very good friend you have their Spike. The engravings are truly fascinating….mind if I hold it?" Rarity asked, trying desperately to hide the envy in her voice.
Spike nervously fidgeted with the watch. The conversation with Tick about his friends taking advantage of him was still fresh on his mind. However, Spike knew this was the perfect opening for having the pocket watches magic register Rarity. Throwing caution in the wind, Spike handed Rarity the pocket watch. She admired it with a large smile Spike had a feeling he would never be able to get the watch back from her. The look in her eye didn't make Spike feel much better about this situation; her eyes stared at the watch with deep admiration.
"Mind if I have it back?" Spike asked after a few minutes.
"Oh yes, of course." Rarity said, trying to hide her disappointment of letting go of the watch.
Spike tried to pry the watch from Rarity's hooves but for a moment she refused to let go. Taking advantage of this struggle, Spike tried to manifest the watch's magic to its surface while Rarity was still grabbing on it tightly. Just was the watch's surface started to glow blue Rarity finally relinquished her hold on the watch. Spike looked at the usual purple button and was content to see that it turned white, like Rarity's fur.
"I am so sorry Spike! I couldn't control myself." Rarity blurted out anxiously.
Spike just shrugged and decided that was enough of seeing Rarity. As he went for the door Rarity tried to say something but he didn't hear her and left the room without looking back. Without much hesitation, Spike turned that hands of time clockwise and pressed on the white button. The usual crushing sensation was replaced with the flashing of cameras and the chatter of ponies. As the flashes and chatter halted Spike noticed he was in a large runway. Rarity and another mare, who had sunglasses on and her cutie mark was a rose, were talking on the stage and Spike decided to tune in on the conversation.
"My word, such wonderful jewels and they're so much finer than the ones I ever find. Please tell me where you get them from Rarity!" begged a designer.
"Darling, you must realize that a friend of mine has helped me gather these wonderful gems and it's his talent alone that lets me have these on my dresses." Rarity said happily.
"Ah yes, the purple dragon is your little miner isn't he?" the designer asked.
"How do you know of Spike?" Rarity asked in surprise.
"I know people." The designer answered simply
"Also, you friend must be spending a rather large amount of his time collecting all these gems." The designer said with a smirk.
"I..." Rarity started to retort when she stopped herself. The mare designer had a point, Spike found a large amount of gems even when Rarity told him to collect some on short notice.
"My point exactly, even you have no idea how he does it." The designer pressured on.
"Also, you have been dating that famous designer, Ringo Tailor, for some time now. Told your little assistant about this yet?" the designer asked with a devious smile.
Spike felt angry and a little used by the details of this conversation. So, Tick was right all along in that his friends would probably abuse his ability on time control and travel. This is what he gets for putting faith in his friends, being used for their benefit. Sparks of green fire erupted out of the corners of Spike's mouth. He had never been more annoyed and betrayed in his life. The pony that he had a crush on taking advantage of him and the more he thought about this the more fire erupted from his mouth. Her lavish purple mane, large eyelashes, fine fur and enchanting voice were no longer things that Spike viewed at awe, rather in disgust.
All the rage and grief that was born made Spike feel sick to his stomach Felling broken hearted, Spike returned to his old habit of fiddling with the pocket watch. While he was playing around with his watch a battle was engaged between the newfound hatred in Spike and his rational thoughts.
"She was only using you like a puppet!" hollered the dark side of Spike's mind.
"You saw for yourself, she knew nothing of your time defying abilities until someone brought it up." countered the nicer side of Spike's mind.
"Further reason why you should forget of her! She didn't care how you pulled it off! All that mattered to her was that you got the best gems!" The dark side hissed in a harsh voice.
"Think of what you're doing Spike!" The other voice pleaded desperately.
"You be surprised what people do when there angry, you little nag. Also, Rarity is more concerned for herself than others. She will only lend something to someone so that they look "presentable" when she introduces her friends to famous designer or parties in which famous designers will be." The dark side noted.
“That’s a lie! She tries to please others even if it causes her enormous stress! Remember when she made those lovely dresses for her friends for the Gala and took the time to make dresses the girls wanted.” The other voice said in a scandalized tone.
Spike let the fire in his mouth die out after much consideration. Turning the hands of time further until they stopped Spike for once could say he was actually looking forward to see someone die, especially if it was her. Rarity was lying down on her bed, her face buried in a pillow. This scene reminded Spike of Pinkie's death. She didn't just drop dead because she felt like it, there was something else going on. Turning the hands of time slightly back, he wasn't really sure if he was going to enjoy this or feel sad like usual.
Rarity was flirting up a storm with a colt in her shop. Spike wasn't really in the mood for this but knew this guy had something to do with Rarity's downfall. Eventually the two love birds made their way back up to where Rarity was to be shorty found dead in. The colt and Rarity were drinking when they started to talk again. The two instantly got into a heated discussion about clothing and a child. The colt got up and tried to leave but Rarity wasn't going to let up. He tried to get around her but she blocked the door way. Without warning, the colt kicked Rarity right in the stomach, she screamed in agony and hit the floor, and he ran out the door. She crawled feebly to the bed and moved no more. Spike found himself back to where he was, seeing a dead Rarity on the bed. None of this added up but a cracking sound broke Spike's train of thought. Fire was starting to chew away at the door to Rarity's room. Feeling helpless, all he could do was sit back and watch the mayhem unfold. The fire worked its way past the doors and soon started to consume the room in its wake. He couldn't watch anymore but Rarity's screaming in the back round was slowly eating at his sanity. Not wanting to see nor hear anymore, Spike left the boutique and watched the place burn down. Standing at a close distance was the same colt that kicked Rarity, who was staring fixedly at the inferno.
"It's been done boss." said an orange colt.
"Very good, left no evidence behind?" asked the Rarity's attacker, who was had tanned skin and had a fancy bowtie for a cutie mark.
"I have been doing this for a long time, do not worry over that. One thing I must ask though. Wasn't the young mare baring a foal?" asked the orange colt nervously.
"It doesn't matter anymore. If you don't mind Horace, my wife is waiting for me back at Canterlot. I will see you tomorrow then?" said the tanned colt hotly.
"Yes, I'll be back at work as usual Ringo." answered Horace.
Spike could hardly take in what just happened. Rarity was being used by Ringo, who apparently was married at some point in his relationship with Rarity, and he had to get rid of her because Rarity was probably having his baby. Ringo tried to cover up his infidelities from his wife and Rarity's death seemed to be the only option left.
"Talk about being used…" Spike muttered to himself.
Spike knew Rarity's past was up next, but the thing was that Rarity had already gone in depth about her achievements in her youth. Why bother going to her past when he knew a good amount of it already? Taking out a quill and scroll, Spike started to write down Rarity's quest for cutie mark and how she found her love for fashion. After he was done Spike let time progress in its usual state. After manifesting the watch's magic in his hands, for a moment Spike forgot how to send letter directly to Tick. Then Spike brought his hand near his mouth and breathed in the blue magic as if it was air. The insides of Spikes nose burned and he let out a great sneeze. The usual green fire that Spike breathed was gone and replaced with a blue flame that consumed the letter he had just written. Spike was pretty impressed on how cool the blue fire was but the pain that went in his nose was not something he was willing to go through again.
Room 342 was calling to Spike now that he was done with Rarity's timeline. The chance to chat with Rainbow Dash seemed much more fun than trying to talk with Rarity, who only complained about that state of the hospital. Maybe being in this hospital wasn't so bad after all. As long as Spike had a chance to talk with her again he was more than willing to sit in a room filled with a hundred sick ponies coughing all over him.