//------------------------------// // A blooming friendship // Story: Spike's Hearts and Hooves Day. // by Silver Topaz //------------------------------// Spike kept reading the book Lightning showed him but Spike was focused on that one sentence, "when the magic of the flowers is triggered the guardians will awaken. Every time he read that sentence he got chills down his spine. He wanted to turn around but he knew he had to go not only because he always wanted to do something like this, and someone needed to protect Lightning Blossom on this dangerous adventure. "Were here" so much excitement filled her voice that Spike swore she sounded like Pinkie for a moment. Spike looked at the Everfree forest, over the years it lost its tittle as the most scariest and dangerous place of Equestria. "Well a place can't really be that scary or dangerous when, a zebra lives in it, kids go in an out with no problem, and the heroes of Equestria come out of it without a scratch" Spike thought to himself he said all of those things in his head, but then why was he so scared he had been here before a couple of times.. Spike did admit the forest is dangerous but not as bad as ponies make it out to be, and yet Spike was still afraid and he didn't even knew why "c'mon Spike stop it your a dragon your strong, though and your not afraid of anything" confidence filled Spike and he was ready the question was, was Lightning ready. "So are you ready Spike" Spike nodded making a note that it might be a good idea to keep a close eye on her. Lightning was about to head in when she felt a claw pull her back. "Lightning stop do you even know were your going?" Lightning didn't answer that because she had no idea were they were going, she reached into her saddle bag apparently to pull out the book again but came back with a terrified look on her face. Spike rolled his eyes "I got the book right here" Spike held the book up and Lightning immediately grabbed it. "Thanks Spike I can't lose this book" Spike wanted to ask her why but he decided not to knowing they would probably take a break in the forest so he will just ask her then, "okay let's see......the book said that we should look for magic since they release magic" Lightning looked confused but she figured it out eventually "I guess it's saying that we should look until we sense the magic" Lightning looked at Spike he had a look of confusion and even more annoyance. "Were not unicorns we can't sense magic" Spike said looking directly at her. "Well maybe I can't but you could" Spike now had an even more confused look on his face "my brother told me that there are dragons that can sense magic because they can use it" Spike thought about it there were times that he knew exactly were Twilight was or knew that there was something different about a room, it was usually the one were Twilight was practicing magic, but he didn't think he could use magic unless him being able to send letters using his fire breath was magic then he really didn't have any. Spike sighed he could at least give it a shot. "Okay" with that Lightning was again filled with excitement. "Okay Spike you can do this just look for places that feel like Twilight's magic room" Spike thought to himself he took a deep breath and started walking towards the forest Lightning following close. Twilight paced around in the throne room, it's been an hour since Spike left and she was starting to get really worried. Starlight was pretty much the same way she was sitting on one of the thrones looking at Twilight pace back an forth she had no experience when it came to love but she knew that a broken heart can make ponies and in this case a dragon do stupid things. Starlight hoped Spike found away to calm himself down and he was waiting for the moment he would just come through that door but that moment never came leaving her even more sad. Twilight for the most part tried to keep calm but she couldn't Spike was one of her best friends even before Cadance came Spike was already there and now she betrayed him. Starlight had enough she needed to do something she needed to help Spike "Twilight do you think we should go find him" concern filled Starlight's face. Twilight heard Starlight. In any other occasion she would have said to stay here but she was to worried about Spike to do this "yes Starlight I think we need to find him" Starlight got happy when she heard this both Spike and Twilight were the first friends she made once she reformed and she learned that friends help friends so that's what she wanted to do with Spike. "Okay do you know were we should look". Twilight thought about it but came up with nothing, when Spike wasn't helping her he was with Rarity now that he wasn't with Rarity she had no idea were he was. This didn't stop Twilight however as she came up with something "we should go see Rarity". "But why would Spike be with Rarity" Starlight said confused. "Exactly he is not with Rarity but she might know were he is" both Starlight and Twilight gained happy faces, they could only hope she knew were he was both of them started running once they were outside they ran in the direction of Carousel Boutique, "hey Starlight" Starlight looked at Twilight "why do you want to help Spike so badly". "Spike is my friend and friends help each other" Starlight gained a look of determination and seeing this Twilight did the same. Spike and Lightning were walking through the forest for like what felt like hours, it didn't help that basically every corner of this forest looks the same. While walking through the forest they had been attacked first by that crocodile thing that attacked Twilight, after that a snake almost bit Lightning when she tried to fly up to figure out were they were and last by timberwolves which apparently live in every corner of this forest because they came across basic packs already. Another bad thing about this forest is that there are so many trees that barely any light from the sun made it through. Spike spotted a clearing up ahead and decided to take a break, Lightning however noticed something bad "Spike isn't that the same stream that we passed three times already, Spike looked in her direction and there it was the stream they already passed a while ago. Spike put a claw to his face and grunted "don't tell me we been walking in circles this whole time" Spike was now angry he felt like this was just a waste of time but Lightning didn't share his anger. "Okay I won't tell you" Lightning said smiling. Spike only gave her a glare and decided to just take seat under one of the trees. Spike had to admit when there were no creatures trying to kill you this forest was actually kind of peaceful. Lightning however was thirsty and sadly she didn't bring any water with her she looked at the stream and got close to it "hey Spike is this water safe to drink". "No" he just answered not even looking at the direction she was standing. Lightning sighed she wanted some water really badly she'll have to make sure to pack enough water next time she goes out like this. "Here" Spike gave her a water bottle he had in his back, with a thank you Lightning took the bottle and started drinking it "you're welcome" Spike had to admit that Lightning probably wasn't cut out for adventures . Lightning finished drinking the water then looked at Spike. "So do you know were to go" Spike shook his head he had no idea , he could feel the magic but the magic felt like it was coming from all directions, it also didn't help that they also felt different. "It's just I can sense the magic but it feels like it coming from all directions" Lightning looked down sad that they would probably not be able to find it, if her brother was there he would have probably already found it, just then Lightning got a mischievous look on her face, she walked behind Spike who didn't notice since he was still thinking and pushed him inside the water. Spike didn't know what happened one minute he was standing on the ground the next he was under water. The water was cold when Spike came back up he wasn't really happy "what was that for" Lightning who was rolling around laughing answered Spike. "Oh you looked like you needed to cool off" Lightning said as she kept laughing, however Spike gained his own mischievous grin he submerged and waited. Lightning finally finished laughing she looked at the spot were Spike was suppose to be but he wasn't there, "Spike were are you" Lightning said worry filling her voice "Spike this isn't funny okay come out" again no answer Lightning decided to get close to the water unknown to her she did exactly what Spike wanted her to do, once she was close enough Spike jumped out of the water and grabbed her pulling her down with him as she screamed. After a couple of seconds both of them came back up and got out of the water. Lightning was shivering and her mane now covered her fave, Spike went to his bag but felt something tackling him from behind, the next thing Spike knew he was on the ground with Lightning sitting on his belly, Lightning shook her entire body making water go every were but most of it went to Spike, Spike pushed her off her mane no longer covering her face and most of the water gone from her body. After just staring at her for a little bit Spike started to laugh and Lightning soon followed, while laughing Spike went to his bag to see if he had anything Lightning could use to dry herself he didn't found was he was looking for but he did found a coat that he use for winter "this will have to do" when he turned back to Lightning she was still trying to get the water off by shaking "Lightning here" Lightning looked bat Spike who was offering her a coat. Lightning gave Spike a confused look "what am I supposed to do with a coat?". "Is the closest thing I have to a towel so use it to dry your self". "Thank you Spike" Lightning used the coat to dry herself as much as she could , Spike didn't need to since he has scales most of the water just came off he was still a little cold so he sat down on the ground to let the sun warm him up again when Lightning was done she did the same. Spike sighed and looked at Lightning "hey Lightning" Lightning looked at Spike "do you think I'm being selfish you know about this whole thing" Spike said his voice sounded a little tired, Lightning shook her head and put a hoof on Spike's claw. "Spike I can see Were your coming from its not only about Rarity but it's also about your friends" Spike looked at the ground waiting for her to finish "Spike you feel betrayed, your friends knew about this but none of them told you about, not even Rarity told you" Spike thought about it and she was right he wasn't mad about Rarity dating somepony else he was mad that none of his friends told him about it, "Spike I think you need to talk to your friends and find out why they didn't tell you" Spike nodded before he left he should at least talk to his friends and find out who they didn't tell him. "Spike aren't you happy that Rarity is happy?" another thing Spike didn't think about, in all of this he was thinking about himself he didn't even think about Rarity after all that Spike ever wanted was to see her happy. He just wished it was him that was the one making her happy. Spike sighed he had to think about all of this before he talks to his friends but now on to other concerns "Lightning were did you get that book?" the question caught Lightning by surprise but she happily answered. "I took it from my brother, I knew he was planning on finding the flowers for himself" Lightning paused taking out the book "when I asked him if I could come he said no so I took it so I could find the flowers" Lightning gained I sad look "I just want to show him that I can do this, that I can be like him" Spike knew that feeling, the feeling of wanting to prove to others that you are strong and capable of doing the same things they do. "Lightning I know is none of my business but are you and your brother fighting?" Lightning quickly shook her head she didn't want Spike to think that. "No Spike we just have our differences that's all my brother isn't such a bad guy" Spike knew something else was up but he didn't want to pressure her into giving him answer. "Look Lightning you tried to help me so if you have any problems you can tell me I'll try my best to help you" Lightning smiled at Spike's answer but didn't say anything besides thank you Spike nodded and started walking around trying again to find the magic of the flowers while Lightning just sat there thinking about something. Spike kept searching but didn't find it "I need to find it before the more dangerous creatures like an ursa or a manticore found them" Spike thought to himself and as he finished that sentence a manticore jumped him out of nowhere. Lightning saw that Spike was being attacked at without a second thought tackled the manticore with her full weight which wasn't very much. The manticore wasn't very happy about this so he hit her with its tail causing Lightning to fly off and hit a rock, almost immediately as she hit the rock a weird crunch sound occurred as if something snapped or broke, Lightning hit the ground with a loud yell and a thud, the manticore turned his attention back to Spike who in turn blew fire into the manticore's face, the manticore started trashing around Spike took this as his opportunity, "Lightning are you ok?" Spike rushed to Lightning's side to make sure she was ok. Lightning got up "I think my wing is broken" both Spike and Lightning looked and she was right her wing was broken but they didn't have time for that since the manticore stopped trashing. Spike grabbed their bags, the manticore didn't move it was waiting to see what Spike was going to do. "On three we run ok" Lightning nodded and got ready to run "one" Spike never took his eyes of the manticore which looked like it was ready to pounce "two" Spike got into position to run the other way again never taking his eyes of the manticore "three go". Spike and Lightning ran full speed they could feel the manticore right behind them, but thanks to the trees the manticore had trouble keeping up. Today apparently wasn't their day since they ran into a fissure and the manticore was catching up "Spike it's catching up!" Lightning yelled Spike was analyzing the fissure wasn't to big so they could probably make it if they jumped. He took a few steps back and ran full speed ahead he barely made it to the other side with the bags but now that he was sure he told Lightning to jump. "Lightning you have to jump" Spike looked behind Lightning, the manticore was almost there. "Are you crazy I can't make that" Lightning said looking behind her and seeing the manticore only a few feet behind her. "Don't worry I'll catch you" Spike again looked behind her and the manticore was practically on top of her "Lightning please jump you have to trust me" Spike said terror filling his voice but also honesty, Lightning didn't have a choice she ran and jump at the same time the manticore pounced but missed, Lightning jump but then felt herself falling until Spike grabbed her. Both of them were breathing hard they looked back and the manticore was pacing back and forth looking for away to cross. Spike didn't want to wait and see if it could make it across he got up grabbed the bags and left with Lightning following him. They finally reached a place were they could sit down and catch their breath, Spike turned to face Lightning but just as he did they heard something cracking underneath them, both Lightning and Spike looked at each other, "you know I think I see why your brother didn't want to bring you" Spike got a glare from Lightning as the ground finally collapsed. They fell into a hole both bouncing down the ground unfortunately for Spike when they reached the bottom he hit his head on a rock and immediately passed out. "What do you mean you don't know were he is" Twilight and Starlight both got to Carousel Boutique and immediately Twilight started asking about Spike, when Rarity told them she didn't know were he went well "when he wasn't with me in the castle he was with you" Twilight was angry, Spike was a part of her family and the thought of something bad happening to him was just something she didn't want to think about. Twilight angrily walked towards Rarity who for the second time had to back up. "Twilight you know Spike helped me but he never told me were he would go after" Rarity said fear filled her voice, for the second time she was being scared by one of her friends Twilight would have kept going but Starlight stopped her. "Twilight please we already had Spike go berserk we don't need you to do the same" this managed to calm Twilight down as she started pacing back and forth probably thinking were he could be. Starlight changed her attention from Twilight to Rarity giving her a glare, she only found out about the secret that they have been keeping from Spike and she really couldn't believe it she thought friends were supposed to be honest with each other certainly one them could have told him, but one second look and her look changed Rarity looked like she had been crying for a while now and she kept clutching a necklace "Rarity are you sure you don't know were he is" Rarity shook her head if she knew she would have told them she had no reason to hide Spike's whereabouts. Starlight let out a sad sighed "well there goes our last chance at finding him" she didn't knew Spike very long but after her reformation Spike became her best friend, he was always there to help her from when she got lost in the castle, to the times she thought she wasn't going to be a good student, he was even there when she and Sunburst reunited even pushing her to go along, Starlight felt a tear going down her face Spike had always been there to help her and she couldn't do the same until "wait I think I got it" Twilight heard this and rushed to her grabbing her. "You got it you know were Spike is?" Twilight said even Rarity looked interested. "Well no but I think I know who might". "Who?" both Rarity and Twilight were practically on top of her waiting for her answer. "Rainbow Dash you told me that she usually spends the whole day flying right she might have seen him walking around" Twilight was jumping for joy she always wondered why Rainbow would fly around all day but now she was glad that she did that. "Starlight your a genius" Starlight was happy that she could actually help "but we're are we supposed to find Rainbow Dash" even though you could spot Rainbow Dash pretty easily when she wasn't flying around she was napping and she usually when to the most quite places to do so. "Well I know were she is" this time it was Rarity who spoke, both Twilight and Starlight were now looking at her "Rainbow Dash told me that she would be at the park with Tank, it wasn't to long ago so she's probably still there" Twilight and Starlight heard what they needed they were both about to start running but they were stopped by Rarity "wait I want to go to" both of them gave Rarity a confused look. "Rarity I don't think it's a good idea" Twilight was the one to speak she knew Spike was probably calm but it was better to be safe than sorry. "I think Twilight is right Rarity". "I know Twilight is correct Starlight it's a bad idea for me to go" Rarity took a deep breath before speaking again "I know I did something really bad but I Spike is still my friend and I want to help him" Rarity said tears running down her face. Starlight looked at Twilight who looked like she was thinking "okay Rarity you can come with us" Starlight was surprised by her answer but taking a look at Rarity she could tell that she was worried about Spike to. The three of them left Carousel Boutique and were on their way to the park to find Rainbow Dash. "Spike wake up" after falling down the hole Lightning landed hard on the ground but she was find the same could not be said for Spike, Lightning kept shaking him as was getting more worried with each shake "Spike c'mon wake up" Lightning shook him harder. "Twilight stop it I'm trying to sleep" Lightning sighed she was glad that Spike was still alive but she still needed him to wake up. Lightning looked around she found the bags near Spike sleeping body and was glad she she saw that she didn't drink all of the water she took the remaining water and was about to throw it at Spike when she heard something, she turned her head into the direction of the sound and listened something was on top of them probably the manticore. Lightning waited for a while and when she finally stopped hearing the noise she splashed the water on Spike's face. Spike felt water hit hi face and he immediately got up "can I guy get some sleep" Spike looked around and saw Lightning as he realized he wasn't home, he looked around the hole seemed to have dropped them in a cave "we're are we?". "In an underground cave air think" Lightning said. Spike looked in the direction they fell and bit looked like they could climb it very easily he was about to try until Lightning called him "Spike you might want to see this". Spike went straight towards Lightning and was surprised at what he saw "it looks like a door" Lightning nodded she went into her saddle bag and pulled out the book, a smile found its way into Lightning's face as she went back to Spike and shoved the book on his face. Spike took the book and looked inside and sure enough there was a drawing of a door just like the one they found. "Look Spike it's even got the same markings we found it" Lightning started bouncing up and down like Pinkie would usually do. Spike had a bad feeling before but now that they found the door that feeling turned into fear for some strange reason he was scared. Spike looked back at the book luckily for the book didn't say how to open the door. "Lightning the book doesn't say how to open the door" Lightning stopped bouncing and noticed something on the door. "Spike look at this" Spike stood next to her and looked In the direction she was pointing,"it's writing I think but I can't read it can you" Spike looked at the writing and sure enough he could read it. Spike started reading what the wall said out loud "those be warned when the magic is revived so to will the guardians who will hunt those who try and take it" Spike had no idea what it meant and neither did Lightning but he knew that this door couldn't be opened "Lightning let's go" Lightning shook her head she came this far and she wasn't about to give up and go home. Lightning took a few steps back and ran straight for the door trying to knock it down she hit the door stumbled and fell on her butt, Spike walked up to her and stopped her from trying again "Lightning the door is made of stone and it probably has magic, you could do this all day and still you won't knock this thing down". Lightning looked disappointed "Spike I can't give up now I didn't come all the way out here and got my wing broken just to turn back specifically because of a door" Lightning looked determined "Spike I need to do this I need to get through this door". "Why Lightning?" Spike put one of his claws on the door and just about when Lightning was about to answer the door opened letting out a huge gust of air that again scared Spike but it didn't seem to affect Lightning, Spike began to wonder if this was like sensing the magic to find this place Lightning couldn't feel the magic so she probably didn't feel the same way as Spike did, Spike was terrified and Lightning looked like this was the happiest day of her life. "Good job Spike let's go" Lightning started going along the corridor and Spike followed sensing danger with each step. Twilight, Starlight and Rarity made it to the park all breathing heavy, especially Rarity who wasn't used to doing this sort of thing. They started walking around the park looking for their rainbow mane friend. Eventually they found her along with Fluttershy and a stallion Twilight didn't recognize. "Hey girls I want you to meet a friend his name is Thunderstorm" Thunderstorm waved at the group of friends they looked like they were ready to collapse at any second. "Have you seen Spike were looking for him" Twilight said taking deep breaths. "Yeah I saw him" Rainbow now noticed Rarity in the background and immediately knew what was going on, "so guessing Rarity finally told Spike her secret" Rarity was the one who nodded she was very anxious and she didn't have time for this "I saw him he was going to Sugar Cube Corner with another pony". Twilight was about to start running again but Rainbow stopped her "look Spike and I were not the best of friends and we do have our problems but I wanna help" Twilight nodded she could use all the help she could get. Fluttershy was the next to step in "I um would like to help to if you don't mind that is" Fluttershy said in her typical shy voice she then turned to Thunderstorm "can you help us?". "Of course I can help any friend of yours is a friend of mine" Twilight didn't know Thunderstorm but she was grateful not only to him but to all of her friends. The new group of friends started to make their way to Sugar Cube Corner not knowing what was going to happen next. Spike and Lightning walked through the corridor the cave felt cold Lightning was still happy that they could open the cave but Spike wasn't, Spike was on high alert the feeling that something bad was going to happen still didn't leave him. Spike and Lightning walked for about five minutes until they finally found a light. Lightning was about to run to it but Spike stopped her "Lightning wait I still have a bad feeling about this " Lightning looked at Spike with a slight annoyance but kept walking "this girl is so stubborn" Spike thought to himself and went after her. Before they reached the light they found more writing like the one in the door. Spike read it out loud again "Alfa's blade will cut any beast for he is the leader of the guardians" Spike gulped and Lightning like before ignored it, Spike just kept looking at it repeating those words over and over and everything he did more fear made its way into him until a happy gasp finally snapped him out of it. Spike followed the sound and he found Lightning he was about to ask why did she make the noise but he found his answer. "Spike we did it we found it" Lightning was so happy she would probably fly all over the room if her wing wasn't broken, Spike couldn't believe he thought it wouldn't be here but there it was a large meadow filled with the flowers a light was shining through a hole in the sealing and there was a small breeze, Lightning started walking forward until she hit something, Spike was just standing there looking at the flowers he couldn't believe they found them a scream caught his attention and he found Lightning hiding behind him "Spike there's something over there" Spike looked in the direction she was pointing and there was something Spike started moving forward to get a better look but Lightning pulled him by the tail "what are you doing?" Lightning said with fear on her voice. "I'm going to check it out ok stay here" Spike said pointing to the ground Lightning did what she was told and waited, Spike walked towards the direction she took he was now standing in front of the flowers he walked around them and found what Lightning was scared off, Spike starred at the statue "Lightning com here" Lightning walked towards Spike she now took a look at what scared her and she felt stupid. "I can't believe a freaking rock statue scared me" Lightning sounded angry and annoyed, Spike didn't react to that he was to busy looking at the statue it looked like a wolf and he also look like he was standing in attention Spike also followed his gaze which led to a clearing inside the flowers, Spike walked in front of the statue and immediately he felt like he was being watched he looked around the room as Lightning did the same and there were more of them counting the one Spike was in front off there were eight in total and they all looked like they were staring at them Spike got an even bigger feeling that something bad was going to happen but apparently he was the only one since Lightning still looked like she was happy. Spike looked at the wolf statue again "what are you guys doing here?" Spike didn't expect the statue to answer but again he felt like he was being watched Spike saw Lightning walking towards the circle in the middle of the flowers and he followed her but he wasn't expecting what he saw, obscure by darkness there was another wolf creature but this one was different it stood upright and was more muscular, he was also really tall about the same height as Celestia but what caught Spike's attention the most were it's arms the left one was a normal claw but the second one looked like a sword. "Whoa what is that thing?" Lightning asked. Spike didn't answer as he was to busy repeating those words on his head "Alfa's blade will cut any beast for he is the leader of the guardians". "Lightning I think that's the leader" Lightning looked at Spike intrigued by what he just said "since he is the leader i think the statues are the guardians" Spike said he was more afraid now than he was before especially by Alfa who like he could rip him apart without even trying. "Well they looked like they seen better days" Lightning said ignoring Spike's fear as he never took his eyes of Alfa. Lightning looked at the flowers and took the book out "no no no no no!" Spike stopped staring at Alfa. "Lightning what's wrong?" Spike said worry filled his voice. Lightning threw the book and it fell to the ground "their dead Spike they have no magic" Spike looked at the flowers and Lightning was right the flowers didn't look like the drawing in the book they looked withered "we came all this way for nothing!" Lightning screamed anger filling her voice. Lightning sat on the ground and stared at the ground, Spike sighed and sat next to her he couldn't believe they came all this way for nothing. The others finally made it to Sugar Cube Corner with Rainbow Dash flying in with Thunderstorm behind her. "Pinkie Pie get out here!" Rainbow said in a voice that sounded like a sergeant yelling orders. Pinkie Pie came out from the back and immediately tackled Rainbow into a hug but she soon let go of Rainbow and wrapped her hooves around Thunderstorm neck squeezing really hard. The rest of the group came in a little after and they looked like they were trying to catch their breath. "Pinkie we don't have time for this we need to know were Spike is" after hearing Spike's name Pinkie's mane deflated. "Need air" Thunderstorm who had been quite finally spoke and Pinkie let go, Thunderstorm was thankful he wasn't going to die and started taking deep breath. "I don't know were Spike went" Pinkie said her voice sounding really sad "he came in with Lightning got milkshakes and left" Pinkie didn't look at any of the others "I didn't want to spy on him and after keeping that secret for so long I didn't even have the courage to talk to him" Pinkie said glancing at Rarity and almost bursting into tears. Thunderstorm didn't know what was happening but he decided that it was none of his business, but what did catch his attention was the mentioning of his twin sister Lightning "Pinkie did you say Spike was with Lightning" Pinkie nodded still looking sad the others were now standing beside her to comfort her even Rarity, Thunderstorm however needed to know what was his sister planning to do "Pinkie why was my sister with him?". Rainbow stepped in "hey she isn't in the mood right now give her time". "Rainbow this might be important it could help us find Spike" Thunderstorm replied he looked at Pinkie still waiting for her answer. Pinkie didn't know what to answer since she barely even looked in their direction when they were here she didn't know what to say, Thunderstorm saw this and decided to try something else "Pinkie did you notice something strange maybe one of them had something". Pinkie started remembering and she got something. "Your sister she had a book it looked really old" Pinkie said she didn't sound as sad as before but she was still pretty sad. Thunderstorm started to think and old book he then remembered that one of his books went missing, a look of terror came across Thunderstorm's face as he remembered what book he was missing "we need to go" this caught the attention of all them Thunderstorm said it again this time yelling "we need to go now!" his voice was full of worry as he made his way to the door. "Thunderstorm what's wrong?" Starlight was the one to speak obviously worried. "If my sister is going to the place in that book both her and Spike are in really big danger". "Well what are we waiting for let's move out" Rainbow was the one to say that, Thunderstorm took the lead since he knew were he was going with Rainbow, Twilight Fluttershy flying behind him and Starlight using her magic to float beside them. Pinkie and Rarity had no choice but to run behind them. Thunderstorm flew a look of worry on his face "Lightning please let me be wrong please" Thunderstorm thought tears were staring to form in his eyes. Spike sighed he couldn't believe they came all this way for nothing "well at least my last day in Ponyville was fun and exciting" Spike thought he was thinking about writing a letter to Ember but something caught his attention crying. Spike looked at Lightning. She was crying "hey Lightning you don't have to cry" Lightning didn't stop "I know things didn't turn out exactly as you plan them but you don't need to cry" Lightning still didn't stop. "Spike you don't get it this was my chance" Lightning said sobbing Spike was confused. "Your chance for what?". Lightning looked at Spike her eyes filled with tears "this was my chance to show my brother that I can do this" Lightning sounded a little bit angry "this was my chance to be better than him" Spike didn't know what to say instead he did what he always does when Twilight was sad, Spike got closer to Lightning and gave her a hug Lightning was surprised by the hug but she didn't pull away instead she cried on Spike's shoulder, Spike didn't say anything he wanted to give her time to calm down, Spike ran his claw down Lightning's long mane something else he would do when Twilight was sad. Lightning finally stopped crying and Spike let her go, Lightning looked at the ground she looked so sad but Spike wanted to know if she had issues with her brother "Lightning is there something going on between you and your brother". Lightning didn't looked at Spike but he gave him an answer "It's just my brother has always been better than me" Spike didn't say anything instead he got closer and wrapped one of his arms around her trying to comfort her. Lightning eventually started talking again "my brother is better at doing this whole adventuring thing, he's stronger than me, faster than me and he is also better at making friends than me". Spike still didn't know what to say he just stayed in the same position "all of the friends I ever had they were only my friends because they were friends with my brother I've never made a friend on my own" Spike finally understood why this was so important to her, she wanted to prove to her brother that she could do something like this, that she could be better than him, but after all this time Spike thought that the pony she wanted to prove herself to was herself. Spike finally decided to break his silence "Lightning do you hate your brother" Lightning slowly shook her head even though she was angry at her brother she didn't hate him. "Lightning look at me" Lightning looked at Spike, Spike gave her a smile "you said you've never made a friend on your own" Lightning didn't answer that but what Spike said next surprised her "then what am I supposed to be". "Were friends?" Lightning asked Spike. "Yeah I mean do you think I would come all the way out here for just anypony" Spike stopped and looked at Lightning she didn't look sad but she did looked surprised "Lightning were friends" Spike was tackled by a hug from Lightning which send him to the floor, Spike after getting over the surprise returned the hug. "Lightning let's make a deal I'll talk to my friends if you talk to your brother okay" "Okay Spike I'm going to talk to my brother" Lightning said letting go of Spike. "Friends" Spike extended his arm towards Lightning and opened his claw. Lightning smiled and extended her hoof "friends" Lightning put her hoof in Spike's claw and with that a white light engulfed the room, when Spike and Lightning opened their eyes they saw that the flowers were no longer dead, instead they were shinning like a beautiful rainbow. Spike looked at the flowers and they looked like they were made of diamonds and they also looked like they trapped a rainbow inside of them. Spike also noticed that some of the magic from the flowers went inside the statues. "Guess Twilight was right friendship is magic" Lightning looked at Spike "yeah I can't believe I said that either" Spike was glad he decided to join Lightning on this adventure, even though he still had a bad feeling and the feeling of being watched felt greater than before it would truly be a good last day in Ponyville. Lightning was happy but now she needed one last thing "Spike come help me dig one of the flowers". "Why? I thought you were going to talk to your brother about this". "I will I just want one of the flowers come on please" Lightning made those big puppy eyes Spike always hated, Twilight use to do that to her father and he could never resist those eyes. Apparently Spike couldn't either because he started helping Lightning dig the flower. After digging the flower and putting it away safely in one of the bags Lightning and Spike left the cave. Spike expected those feelings to go away but they didn't. After walking for what felt like forever things started getting bad. First they heard a howl that send shills down both of their spines and second they ran into that manticore from before. "Lightning stay behind me" Spike said in a demanding tone and Lightning did what she was told, the manticore was about to pounce until something that looked like a blade came down on it's head killing it instantly. Spike and Lightning saw in horror as the mighty beast was taken down with blood falling to the ground. Spike's eyes were immediately filled with terror and looking at Lightning he could tell she was filled with fear as she was starting to back away, Spike could only stare at it and say one thing "Alfa" Spike couldn't believe it he wished this was a nightmare but it wasn't, the statue that stood as tall as Celestia was now standing in front of him blood dripping from his blade, his blade was also shinning in the same way that the flowers were. Spike didn't know what to do he could run but looking back at Alfa he knew that wasn't an option, he could fight but Spike didn't have the physical strength to match him especially if he could take a manticore down in one hit. Spike was concentrating so much on Alfa that he forgot they were others. Lightning was backing away she was scared not only for her life but for Spike's who was apparently frozen with fear, she kept backing up until she felt something scratch her really hard on her side, Lightning let out a loud yell that woke up Spike, he saw Lightning face to face with one of the other guardians, Spike immediately ran towards her and brought his fist down hard on it's face causing it to back down. Lightning looked at her wound there was a little blood coming out of it but she would be fine. Spike had no choice he had to fight his way out or at least make an opening for Lightning to escape, "Lightning listen to me" Lightning looked at Spike "I'm going to keep Alfa busy to watch for the others once you find an opening run". "But what about you Spike" Lightning said her voice sounded sad. "It doesn't matter Lightning as long as you make it out" Lightning looked at Spike he looked pretty determined so she knew he wasn't going to change his mind. "Okay Spike" Lightning was starting to tear up, she knew this was all her fault and now she couldn't even do anything but watch and wait. Alfa charged straight at Spike bringing his blade arm down in the spot that Spike was standing, Spike however dodge this kept happening for a while until Spike got an idea he stood still waiting Alfa ran to Spike bringing his sword down, "Spike move" Lightning yelled, but was surprised when she saw what Spike did. Spike grabbed Alfa's blade arm and with all of his strength ripped it of and threw it against a tree, only then did realized something, the other guardians made a circle around them which means that they can't escape. Spike didn't care he took Alfa's blade he couldn't do anything now. Spike looked at Alfa he didn't look surprised or in pain, Spike was shocked about what he saw next Alfa's blade regenerated "well that's not fair" Spike said well they were the guardians for a reason, Spike was stuck in a lose situation he looked at Lightning she had a terrified expression on her face, Spike also saw one of the other guardians making it's way to her, "Lightning look ou......" Spike didn't finished as he felt something pierced his chest he looked down and saw Alfa's blade filled with his blood. Alfa removed his blade from Spike's chest and Spike fell to the floor. Lightning rushed towards Spike crying and hugging him "Spike I'm this is all my fault" Spike didn't say anything he was losing blood really fast. Lightning cried this was all her fault she finally made a friend and now he was going to die because of her. She felt so weak and useless if her brother was here he probably would have already dealt with all of them but all she could do was cry.while the only friend she ever made died in front of her. Alfa started walking towards Spike to finish the job, he reached Spike and he was about to finish the job when he felt something tackling him. Lightning stood in front of Spike she was glaring at Alfa, "I don't care if you're stronger than me I'm not going to let you hurt my friend!!!" Lightning yelled her voice filled with anger she charged directly at Alfa but he caught her, Alfa looked at Lightning she was still glaring at him but that didn't last long, Alfa head butted Lightning that hit was enough to knock her out. Alfa tossed Lightning to the ground who had blood coming from her head. Alfa stood over her and raised his blade to finish her but he was interrupted this time by a punch. Alfa looked back and saw Spike standing again even after the wound and the amount of blood he lost he was still standing. Spike was being fuelled by adrenaline at this point, he glared at Alfa and with an angry voice yelled "if you want her you have to go through me first!!!". Spike stood his ground he would always protect his friends no matter what. Spike stood there not moving and Alfa did the same, the stood there staring at each other until Spike heard a sound. Spike looked up and saw two pegasy flying directly to the ground and directly at Alfa. Spike knew what was going to happen and shielded Lightning when the pegasy landed on Alfa he shattered and what amounts to a huge explosion happened. After the dust settled Spike looked around but he couldn't see much since everything was blurry Spike looked down and he remembered that he was still losing blood, he looked around again and saw a bunch of figures fighting against the guardians after that he blacked out the blood loss finally getting to him.