Spike Unleashed
“I'm happy you changed your mind,” Sweetie Belle said as she, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom made their way to the castle after school.
“We thought about going without you, but in the end it just didn't feel right,” Scootaloo added.
“I wouldn't have held it against ya,” Apple Bloom said somberly, “Once again, I'm sorry I was bein so unreasonable. This is the best solution.”
“But what are we going to tell Twilight?” Sweetie Belle asked, “She might not just let us read those books, even if we're her friends.”
“If we have to, the truth,” Luna said. All three of them stopped and looked at the Sapphire.
“Are you sure about that?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I have thought about it at great length, and I feel that this is the best solution. By now, Rarity will have told Twilight about Mega Mare, and that my presence was seen with her. The best way to avoid this getting ugly is to simply tell her that you are Mega Mare.”
“Won't we get in trouble?” Scootaloo asked.
“I shall take the fall if I have to. All of this was an accident anyway,” Luna said.
“I ain't lettin ya take all the blame,” Apple Bloom said as they continued their way to the castle, “If I hadn't put the Neutralizer on in the first place, none of this would have happened.”
When they arrived, Apple Bloom knocked on the large door. After a second, Spike opened the door and sighed.
“Hey girls, how are y-” Sweetie Belle ran into Spike's arms and embraced him.
“It's been so long, Spike! How are you?” Sweetie Belle asked happily.
“U-um, fine I guess,” Spike said awkwardly, “Twilight is in the throne room waiting for you.”
Spike likely pulled away from Sweetie Belle and walked into the castle. Sweetie Belle wilted a bit as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stood next to her.
“He seemed so cold,” Sweetie Belle said.
“He's just stressed out,” Scootaloo said, “You know how it is.”
“No… I don't think that's right,” Apple Bloom said distantly, still looking at Spike.
“What's wrong?” Scootaloo asked, “You're looking at Spike funny.”
“It's jus… I don't know, but he feels sorta like how Pip and Sapphire Shores felt,” Apple Bloom said.
“No…” Sweetie Belle said, “Apple Bloom, do you and Luna think he's…”
“The pattern fits,” Luna said, “Apple Bloom was somehow able to sense something off about both Pipsqueak and Sapphire Shores when they were possessed by the Mana Stones. We should look into this.”
Apple Bloom nodded, and the three of them walked into the castle. In the throne room, they saw Twilight sitting sideways in her throne, reading a book, and Spike standing by the door. He waited for a second, and then cleared his throat to catch her attention.
“Twilight, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are here,” Spike said. It felt odd hearing that term, as they had their Cutie Marks now, but it was easier than calling them by their individual names all the time.
“Wonderful,” Twilight said closing her book and getting up. She ran to the girls and went to hug them, but stopped as she was right in front of Apple Bloom, “Um… Apple Bloom, I…”
“We… need to talk 'bout a few things,” Apple Bloom said.
“That we do,” Twilight said, “Starlight, could you come here please?”
A second later, Starlight ran into the throne room and bowed, “Yes Princess. How may I serve you?”
“Could you get us some tea, and have it ready in my study?” Twilight asked.
“Right away Princess,” Starlight said. She bowed, smiled at Apple Bloom, and then ran out of the throne room, sadly tripping a bit in her eagerness. Spike rolled his eyes and then turned to Twilight.
“Is there anything I can do, Twilight?” Spike asked.
“Actually, I was think you could take a break,” Twilight said, “You've been working so hard. Starlight can handle anything I need.”
“Right, Starlight,” Spike said looking away slightly, “Then I'll be in my room.”
As he left, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo watched him.
“Would it be okay if we followed him?” Scootaloo asked.
“Sure,” Twilight said, “I've been a little worried about him as of late. If you could make sure he's okay, I'd appreciate that.”
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo ran after Spike, and Apple Bloom followed Twilight into her study room, where they saw Starlight had set up tea for all of them. Upon only seeing Apple Bloom there, her eyes went wide.
“Oh, was I only supposed to set up for the two of you?” Starlight asked fearfully, “I thought that everyone would-”
“There was a last minute change,” Twilight said, “Don't worry, Starlight, you did nothing wrong.”
“Thank you Princess,” Starlight said enthusiastically. She bowed and walked out of the room, leaving Twilight and Apple Bloom alone. Twilight sat down at her desk and motioned for Apple Bloom to join her. Once Apple Bloom sat down, Twilight took a deep breath.
“Apple Bloom, I understand that you hate me, and with good reason, but I need you to hear me out,” Twilight said.
“Go on,” Apple Bloom said curtly.
“The point of the experiment last year was to bridge the gap between our world and the world of magic,” Twilight said, “I assume you've heard of the Mana Zone by now?”
“Y-yeah,” Apple Bloom said trying to hide the Neutralizer, “I'm familiar. More familiar than most. Yer sayin that the Mana Zone is another world, right?”
Twilight blinked, “That's right. By bringing the two worlds together, we would make it easier for magic to be utilized by ponies everywhere. It's thanks to that experiment that things like cellphones, computers, even automated carriages used in Canterlot can exist.”
“That's all well an' good,” Apple Bloom said taking her tea and sipping it, “But why'd ya have ta make Applejack be a sacrifice?”
“I didn't make her a sacrifice!” Twilight cried, shocking Apple Bloom. Twilight composed herself as much as she could before continuing, “We needed somepony to interface with the Mana Stones. This pony would use the first Mana Stone, Ruby, to connect the other nine to the Mana Zone and give them life. I was going to use myself, but Applejack volunteered,” Twilight looked down, “I begged her not to do it, but she insisted that it be her.”
Flashback
Applejack and Twilight were alone in the castle library. Applejack had a book on magic and was skimming through it while Twilight tapped her foot near the door.
“I don't like this,” Twilight said, “You being the one to interface with the Mana Stones. What if something goes wrong?”
“All the more reason why it should be me,” Applejack said, “Huh, this ain't as hard as I thought. I can learn these runes easily.”
“Applejack, my magic is alicorn magic! I can control the strain of magic a lot better!”
“Or you could end up overflowin them, causin an explosion.”
“I… I don't want you to throw your life away! If something happened to you, I-”
Applejack closed the book and turned to Twilight, “If somethin happened to you, Equestria would go into a panic.”
“B-but-”
“Twilight, ya gotta start takin your position more seriously. Ya ain't jus' Twilight Sparkle anymore. Yer Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of the Stars and Friendship. I know I'm yer best friend, Twilight, but compared to you, I'm a knight. It's my job to protect you.”
“But I don't want you to protect me,” Twilight said softly, “I want to protect you. I'm scared, Applejack. Starswirl the Bearded's notes mentioned the risks in using the Mana Stones.”
“I know Twilight,” Applejack said hugging Twilight, “I'll do everything that I can to keep them stable, but just in case, this is really the best course of action.”
“Don't die Applejack,” Twilight begged, “Promise me you won't die.”
“I won't die,” Applejack said tightening the embrace, “I promise.”
End Flashback
“I still don't know what happened,” Twilight sobbed, “I've checked, and double checked the records of the experiment, but I still can't figure out what went wrong. Not even Celestia knows what happened.”
Inside the Sapphire, Luna folded her arms and looked to the side.
“I wish it had been me,” Twilight said, “She'd still be here if I just did it myself. Apple Bloom, I'm so sorry that Applejack disappeared. If I could go back, then I'd-”
“No Twilight,” Apple Bloom said, “Applejack was right. If you used the Mana Stones that day, you'd be the one who vanished, an' Equestria wouldn't know how to handle it. I… still wish that Applejack didn't disappear, but she…” Apple Bloom sighed, “She made the right decision.”
Twilight looked up at Apple Bloom in shock, “Apple Bloom… You… forgive me…?”
“Y-yeah, I do,” Apple Bloom said, “You didn't want Applejack to get hurt, an' knowin that she volunteered herself makes things a little better for me. Sides… Applejack… is still alive.”
“You know this for certain…?” Twilight asked.
“She does. Thanks to my help, that is,” Luna said from the Sapphire. She then appeared next to Apple Bloom in a blue light. Needless to say, Twilight was shocked.
“P-Princess Luna?!” Twilight asked, “What are you doing here?! Where did you come from?!”
“I've always been here,” Luna said walking behind Apple Bloom and embracing her from behind, also reaching for the Neutralizer and showing it to Twilight, “Apple Bloom and I are helping each other.”
“That gem,” Twilight said looking at it closely, “Is that… a Mana Stone?”
“It is,” Apple Bloom said, “I've had it for about two weeks now.”
“So that pony that fought Garnet and Aquamarine, “Mega Mare”, is you?” Twilight asked. When Apple Bloom nodded sheepishly, Twilight sat back in her chair, “I think it would be best for you to start from the beginning.”
Spike wasn't in his room, so it took a bit for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to find him. They eventually found him in the record room, pacing back and forth.
“There he is,” Scootaloo said. They approached the door, but stopped when they heard him talking.
“What do you mean? You really think Twilight would-” he stopped as if listening to someone, “Yeah, I remember. I tried pushing her away, but in the end, all that did was-” he listened again, “No… she wouldn't… You're right though. She is manipulative,” he paused again, “I won't let that happen! I'm Twilight's number one assistant, and her guardian! I'll protect her!”
They peaked into the record room and saw Spike pull out a purple gemstone from his robe. A glowing purple gemstone.
“Shit…!” Scootaloo swore, “It's already activating!”
“We have to stop him!” Sweetie Belle cried. The two fillies ran into the record room behind Spike, “Spike! Throw away that gemstone!”
Spike turned to them with a scary look on his face. One of pure unadulterated raged.
“What are you doing here…?!” Spike seethed, “This room is off limits to the public…!”
“Whatever that thing is telling you, don't listen to it!” Scoootaloo said, “It's unstable, and preying on your negative emotions! If you let it take over, it could-”
“SHUT UP!!!” Spike screamed, his voice sounding deeper for some reason, “I'm not giving up this gemstone, or the power it grants me! With Amethysts help, I'll become Twilight's only guardian!”
“Spike…?” Sweetie Belle asked, trembling as she backed away from Spike, “What are you going to do…?”
Spike laughed, “What am I going to do? I'm going to hunt down the evil one, and protect Twilight.”
“The evil one?” Scootaloo asked, “What are you-”
“Is everything alright in here?” Starlight asked walking into the record room, “I heard screaming, and it sounded like-” she looked at the Amethyst in Spike's hand, “Wait, isn't that one of the Princess' Mana Stones? I thought they were all gone?”
“And speak of the devil!” Spike said walking over to Starlight, “Just who I was about to search for.”
“Search for me?” Starlight asked, “Sir, is something wrong?”
“Oh there's something wrong alright,” Spike said, “You're here!”
Starlight stepped back in shock, “M-me? Have I done something to displease you?”
“You may have Twilight and everyone else fooled, but you don't fool me!” Spike shouted, “This submissive act is just to make Twilight lower her guard so you can slip in and take over the castle!”
“N-no! Not at all!” Starlight defended, “I just want to be loved by my Princess, that's all!”
“STOP CALLING HER THAT!!!” Spike roared, “She's not your Princess! She's no one's Princess! No one will own her, or hurt her again!” he held the Mana Stone above his head, “And with Amethysts help, I'll make sure of it! MANA CHANGE!!! AMETHYST SLASH, ONLINE!!!”
Spike roared, and was engulfed in a bright purple flash. When the light died down, what was standing in his place was terrifying to say the least. It was a large purple armored dragon standing on its hind legs. It was ten feet tall, had a sharp snout, razor sharp teeth, and a long spiked tail. Its eyes were glowing red, and it had large purple wings on its back. Its entire body looked like it was made of crystal.
The creature, obviously Amethyst Slash, roared loudly, sounding like a beast. Starlight fell to the floor in shock looking up at the creature in terror as Scootaloo ran to defend her.
“Sweetie Belle, find Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo said, “Tell her that Spike's been taken over by the Mana Stone!”
Sweetie Belle nodded and ran out of the room. Scootaloo picked up a broom and held it like a bo staff.
“Don't make me wait too long, Mega Mare,” Scootaloo begged, trembling a bit herself as she looked at the monstrous dragon before her.
“I see,” Twilight said, taking in everything that Apple Bloom and Luna told her, “You know how dangerous this is, right Apple Bloom?”
“I do,” Apple Bloom said, “But Luna said that only another pony with a Mana Stone can neutralize them.”
Twilight closed her eyes thoughtfully, “I could probably have Princess Celestia remove the Neutralizer. Then we could give it to an official knight.”
“We both know that's impossible, Twilight,” Luna said, “The Sapphire has already chosen Apple Bloom, and it will only respond to her heart. It has to be Apple Bloom.”
Twilight groaned to herself, “Why are you so involved in this, Luna? You weren't there when we created the Mana Stones.”
“True, but for some reason the Mana Stones have a magical signature that matches mine, and I desire to know why this is. As of now though, I am Mega-Linked to Apple Bloom, thus unable to use my magic.”
“Right,” Twilight said, “And what's this about Applejack working with King Sombra?”
“She mentioned Sombra the first time we met her,” Luna said, “I am not sure how he is alive, or what Applejack is doing helping him. She didn't seem possessed or anything.”
“Where has she been all this time?” Twilight asked, more herself than Apple Bloom or Luna, “And why is she hunting the Mana Stones?”
Before anyone could say anything, the castle environment got wavy. Apple Bloom immediately shot to her feet.
“Luna, is this what I think it is?!” Apple Bloom asked.
“It is. This castle is being pulled into the Mana Zone. A Mana Stone must have activated,” Luna said.
“A Mana Stone?! Here?!” Twilight asked also standing, “Why would one be here?!”
“Apple Bloom! Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle called out, running into the study, “You and Luna were right! Spike's been possessed by the Mana Stone, and he's already changed! Scootaloo and Starlight are in trouble!”
“Where are they now?” Luna asked.
“Last I checked they were in the record room, but they couldn't have stayed there for too long! Also, the castle is beginning to change, so they could be anywhere!”
“Then we must act quickly,” Luna said turning to Apple Bloom, “Apple Bloom, come.”
“Right,” Apple Bloom said walking over to Luna, “Sweetie Belle, stay here with Twilight. It should be safe in here thanks to Twilight's magic.”
“You're not going out to fight, are you?!” Twilight asked.
“That's exactly what I'm doin!” Apple Bloom said holding up the Sapphire, “Mana Change! Mega Mare, Online!”
Apple Bloom tapped the Mana Stone and held her arm in the air as Luna stood behind her. She wrapped her wings around both of them, and they vanished in a blue light.
~Transformation Scene~
Apple Bloom held her arm out as blue energy shot out of the gem. Suspended in mid air, she spun around as her clothes all magically vanished off her now glowing body.
In a quick flash, blue armored boots and light blue tights formed out of the energy. Next up formed her armored upper body and shoulder pads. Armor then formed around her left wrist, and then her right one in immediate succession.
Finally, a blue knight's helmet with a green visor formed on her head. She held her arm out in front of her as if reaching for something, tightened her fist, and then stood ready in a fight stance, completely transformed into Mega Mare.
~End Transformation~
A blue light shot down, and Mega Mare materialized on one knee. She stood up and turned to Twilight, who was shell shocked.
“Use yer magic to keep Sweetie Belle safe!” Mega Mare said, “I'll get Spike back to his senses!”
Mega Mare an out of the study, and Twilight fell to her knees in shock.
“That… was Apple Bloom?” Twilight asked, “But… how did the Mana Stone…?”
Mega Mare ran through the halls of the castle, which seemed to become more like a maze under the Mana Stone's influence. She stopped when she heard monstrous roar and a high scream.
“That sounded like Starlight!” Mega Mare exclaimed.
“She must be Spike's target,” Luna said, “I do not believe Spike ever fully forgave Starlight for her crimes against Twilight. His dreams have suggested this.”
“You think he's liable to kill her?” Mega Mare asked.
“Under the influence of a Mana Stone, anything is possible. We must hurry, Apple Bloom. I do not know the effects of a Mana Stone on anyone other than an Earth Pony, let alone a dragon.”
Now that Mega Mare thought about it, that was true. Everyone she saw using a Mana Stone so far was an Earth Pony. Pip, Sapphire Shores, Applejack, even that Mistress Onyx was an Earth Pony as far as she knew. Why was that?
Before Mega Mare could ask that, she saw two odd viruses materialize in front of her. They looked like dark blue wolves made of crystal with red eyes. Mega Mare's visor read them as “Spikeys”
“Careful Apple Bloom,” Luna warned, “These viruses are higher level than most viruses we've faced.”
The Spikey on the left shot a fireball out of its mouth at Mega Mare, but she rolled to the side out of the way. The second one rushed toward her and tried biting her, but she fell back.
Mega Mare charged up her Mega Buster and fired at the Spikey right in front of her. As it flew back, its partner continued shooting fireballs at her, actually managing to hit her and knock her into a wall.
“These are fire based viruses,” Luna said, “A water type spell should do extra damage. The new summon should work.”
“Got it! Hydra Shores!” Mega Mare slammed on her hand on her buster gun, and Hydra Shores appeared in front of her. The viruses tried firing at her, but she used her trident to defend herself. Hydra Shores then whipped her tail at the Spikeys knocking them back, and then raised her trident creating a tidal wave. They both exploded instantly, and Hydra Shores vanished blowing Mega Mare a kiss.
Mega Mare continued her trek through the castle, stopping when she reached the throne room. She first saw Scootaloo and Starlight hiding under the map's table, but her warning alarm went off before she could check on them.
WARNING
The side wall broke open, and Amethyst Slash charged in. He looked around the room, stopping when he saw Mega Mare standing by the door.
“L-Luna… is that Spike…?” Mega Mare asked trembling.
“I believe so,” Luna said, “This is terrible. He has become completely feral.”
Amethyst Slash charged at Mega Mare and slashed with his claws. Mega Mare jumped to the side just in time, but Amethyst Slash turned to her and growled.
“Why's Spike turnin on us?” Mega Mare asked.
“He has lost all sense of reasoning,” Luna explained, “Anyone he sees right now is an enemy.”
“Includin us,” Mega Mare said, “Luna, I don't think we're gettin outta this without a fight!”
“I agree. All limiters released!”
“Ready!”